Fan Fiction |
by Sheen and Smile :)
Just a short note to say there's going to be 1 more chapter and then that'll be end of part 1. Also that I've started a shorter story "Life's Second Chance" at www.winglin.net/fanfic/SheenL - 2 chapters have been posted :).
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“Naoki.” I turned to Kotoko.
“You have something to say to me.” I stated as a matter of fact as I opened the door of my room, gesturing for her to proceed me. I’m always the gentleman. As we both sat down on the mat, I looked at Kotoko. There was a blush on her face and she was wringing her hands in distress. Quite obviously she was finding it hard to say what she wanted. I waited patiently for her to compose her thoughts – afterall we had all the time in the world.
“I … I … Can I … CanIstayinyourroomtonight?” Her words tumbled over one another as she finished the sentence in one breath. My eyebrows lifted when I deciphered her sentence.
“I … … I’m afraid.” She blushed as she lowered her head. “I’m afraid that this is only a dream, that in the morning you’ll be acting as you always do and pretending that nothing happened … …” Her insecurities … … disturbed me. I decided the easiest way to make her forget her fears, was to tease her.
“Kotoko,” I almost purred. Her eyes flew to my face when she heard the unnatural tone of my voice. They widened to their maximum circumference as I walked over to my bed and sprawled out lazily, propping myself up on one elbow. Pulling back a corner of my bedcover, I held out a hand to her, “why don’t you sleep with me tonight?” There was a subtle teasing smile on my lips and my voice had deepened in invitation. Although my IQ is about 200, I am still a man after all and my hormones responded accordingly at the naughty thought.
Immediately, Kotoko blushed bright red as she jumped to her feet and started backing away from me. “That’s not what I meant!” She was shaking her head furiously and waving her hands frantically in the air. With a sigh (though I was secretly extremely amused as well), I got to my feet and resumed my original sitting position, waiting for her to calm down.
Kotoko’s POV
When I finally stopped shaking my head, I realized that he was sitting on the floor again, waiting patiently for me to sit down and resume our conversation. I gulped as I recalled how sexy he had looked holding one hand out to me with his long lanky body stretched out lazily on the covers, the invitation that was obvious in his eyes and the half-smile on his lips. It must really be a sin to look THAT good. My face burned and I carefully avoided his gaze as I sat down again. I quickly shook my head mentally, trying to get the unsettling image out of my mind. Concentrate Kotoko! I chided myself, bringing my mind back to the question on hand and immediately sobered when I succeeded. I was afraid of the answer yet this was something that I had to know.
“Irie Kun, do you really want to marry me?”
There was the slightest pause, then, “yes.” I lifted my head and met his gaze bravely, trying to decipher the enigmatic expression on his face. “Why are you so unsure?” He asked me as he frowned slightly in apparent puzzlement.
“It’s because,” I swallowed a little nervously. “It’s because I like you too much.” I admitted, my face flushing again. However, this time I refused to look away.
A smile appeared on his face, “I know.”
I wanted to slug his smug expression, yet there was something more important that I had to find out. “I … I don’t know if you like me.” I said hesistantly, bowing my head again as my courage failed me.
There was a silence, and then a heavy sigh, “I give up, you win.” I felt my forehead cease in confusion – what did that comment mean? Was there a competition between us that I had not known of? Then, gentle fingers lifted my chin and I found myself looking straight into his eyes.
“I like you.” The sincerity in his dark eyes was unmistakable. Then his hand slid down and caught hold of my arm, pulling me to him. I tripped (as per normal) and literally fell into his embrace as his arms wrapped around me, holding me firmly. “I like you,” he repeated a little more huskily this time. With a sigh, I laid my head against his broad shoulders and slid my arms around his waist. My small frame fitted into his lanky figure perfectly. For the first time, I felt that I actually belonged in this pair of arms that held me so securely. Let time stop, I thought dreamily, let this moment last forever … …
“So Kotoko, what do you have to tell us?” Satomi beamed at me when she saw me.
“Yes, what do you have to tell us?” Repeated Zinko with a mischevious smile on her face.
“Er … erm … erm … like I got engaged to Irie Kun last night?” I said a little weakly. They both pounced on me with squeals of joy but a strange lack of surprise. Apparently, someone had put up a poster of Irie Kun declaring his feelings to me on the noticeboard. I groaned when I saw it – I knew he wouldn’t be all to please when he sees the poster. I saw a person sneaking away from the poster and realized with a sinking heart that the tall slumped figure belonged to Kinnosuke. I raised a hand to call out to him only to realize that I didn’t know what to say to him. Perhaps, it would be better to let him get over the shock before speaking to him. Guilt smote him as I watched his figure disappearing in the distance … …
Naoki’s POV
“Sasuiko, I have something to tell you.” I was a little nervous as I looked at Sasuiko. She nodded and led me to the one of the empty meeting rooms.
“… … and I really want to apologise to you. I’m so sorry and I hope you forgive me.” I finally finished telling Sasuiko about everything that happened between Kotoko and myself. Strangely enough, although she looked rather sad there was no surprise or anger, instead there was a kind of calm acceptance in her eyes.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” She finally said. “I’ve always known that you liked Kotoko.” This time, I was the one who was really surprised. “Yes,” she continued when she saw the shock on my face. “Don’t you know why you are always mean to Kotoko and to her only? It’s because you notice her too much. And quite frankly if I were Kotoko and you treated me that way, I would have given up on you a long time ago.” I nodded, realizing that her analysis was completely right.
“We’re so sorry,” I heard my parents apologizing to Mr Yamoto when I stepped into his office after leaving Sasuiko.
“I really do apologise, Mr Yamoto,” I added as all eyes turned to me. “Your granddaughter is a lovely young lady, but the truth is that I already have someone that I like very much and I realized that I can’t give her up. However, I promise that I will work very hard to help out my father’s business, I have decided to defer my medical studies to work at his side.”
He was silent for a moment, “is the girl you are speaking of the lady that I met the other time at your place?” I was taken aback by his perceptiveness.
“Yes.” I admitted.
He nodded slowly and continued, “I already know that you like her. Regardless of this, I will still support your father’s company.” I looked up in surprise at Mr Yamoto. I could tell that he was disappointed with my decision, but he still smiled a little, “you’re an extremely capable young man and I believe you can carry your father’s business to greater heights. I firmly believe that you will prove to be one of my greatest investments – don’t disappoint me again.” He clapped me on the back.
“I promise that I will never give you any cause to regret your decision, sir.” I replied firmly. His smile widened and we left his office soon after.
“Naoki, I want you to go back to university eventually and be a doctor.” My head shot up when I looked at dad.
“Who will take over your business then?”
“Me,” my brother pipped up. “I will.”
“There’s no use you taking over when your heart is set on something else, Naoki. Please promise me that you’ll never keep anything from your family again.” My dad looked at me. I finally nodded.
Kotoko’s POV
“Kinnosuke … …” I began for the about the third time as he suddenly jumped up and rushed off to welcome another customer. I was starting to feel fustrated. I had come to my father’s restaurant with the sole intention of apologising to Kinnosuke. However, he was trying his best to avoid me by pretending to be exceptionally busy today, doing all kinds of chores, preparing meals and even running errants which I knew was not part of his job scope.
Finally he came back, but just as I opened my mouth, he cut me off rather abruptly, “sorry, please go back I’m very busy today.” Then his eyes narrowed as they fixed on something behind my back. I turned to see Irie Kun entering the restaurant, calmly walking up to me. I silently heaved a sigh of relief, grateful that he had thought up of this plan for me to try apologizing to Kinnosuke first, and then if I failed and did not return within twenty minutes, he would turn up and try in his turn to apologise on my behalf.
“What do you want?” At least Kinnosuke was speaking, or at least growling, at Irie Kun.
“I would like to apologise to you first of all. I’m sorry for what we have done to you,” Irie Kun was always direct. “I guess you are aware that Kotoko is engaged to me.”
“You asshole! You aren’t worthy of her at all!” Kinnosuke exploded. “I mean look at how badly you’ve treated her in the past! You insult her all the time, hurt her over and over again, broken her heart innumerous times leaving her crying in the arms of her friends … …” He shook his head. “And I have always liked Kotoko, I have liked her for six years! I will never forgive you!” For a moment, they both glared at each other.
“Kinnosuke, I’m so sorry, I’m really really so sorry.” I bowed to him. “Please don’t be angry with Irie Kun, it’s not his fault. I’m the one who couldn’t give him up.” I looked at him pleadingly. There was pain in his eyes when he finally looked at me.
“That’s one more reason why I can’t forgive you,” he turned to Irie Kun. “The fact that Kotoko has liked you for six years. If you ever make her unhappy,” he paused for a moment before continuing, “I will NEVER forgive you!” He glared at Irie Kun.
“I know.” Irie Kun met his gaze unflinchingly.
“Thank you, Kinnosuke. Thank you.” I was moved to tears at his speech. In spite of how much I have hurt him, Kinnosuke still cared about me. His eyes finally softened a little when they turned to me. “Goodbye, Kinnosuke,” I said softly as Irie Kun took my hand and led me out of the shop. I thought I heard him mumble something like goodbye but I wasn’t sure.
Kinnosuke’s POV
“Wow you were really cool man!”
“You’re fantastic!”
“Boy were you impressive!” I was bombarded with compliments the moment Kotoko and Naoki left. I didn’t know that all my colleagues were listening to our conversation.
“It’s nothing,” I boasted and hurriedly excused myself. I managed to reach the sanctuary of one of the stall in the gents before I started bawling my heart out. It hurts to lose someone you love, it really hurts so bad … …