Disclaimer: None of the HYD characters belongs to me.
Timeline: Manga volume 1.
Pairing: Tsukushi x ?
A/N: So sorry for the long delay but life has been chaotic for me, plus I suffered a major writer block. By the way, I need a beta(for this chapter and maybe the next ones), so please if you are interested, contact me.
"Speech"
Thoughts
« All I want is you »
By Cocky-sark
Chapter 9
Previously
"Mama thinks it's better for you to graduate from Eitoku. Beside we already paid for your first year there," answered Papa.
Tsukushi shook her head in disbelief and despair. So much for a peaceful life.
Tsukushi spent the last three days packing up her belongings. Her family had moved out to Nagoya yesterday, leaving her to seek a new apartment as well as a part-time job. She had been very busy and it was a good thing because she did not want to think about Tsukasa. Yet she felt bitter, she had thought that he would have believed her or at least, let her explain. He did none of that. It's the past now, Tsukushi thought with a mild smile, somehow, Domyouji is out of my life, as I wanted it!
Meanwhile in Hong Kong, Tsukasa had been in a dreadful mood. First, he had thrown all his guests out of his mansion, remaining most of the time in his room afterwards. Soujiro and Akira had stayed by his side. After that awful night, Kazuya had decided to return to Japan, not without vowing that he would sue, everybody's present if something had happened to his dearest Tsukushi.
Sakurako often dropped by the mansion but Tsukasa always refused to see her, however she was unrelenting in visiting him. One morning, she arrived when the F3 were eating their breakfast. "Domyouji-san, I'm glad to see that you are doing great." Sakurako said with a cute smile.
"What do you want?" Tsukasa replied coldly without even a glance at her.
"I love you." Sakurako said truthfully.
Tsukasa looked up utterly amused then he smiled maliciously, "You're not my type."
"Then what is your type? Makino Tsukushi?" Sakurako scowled at him, "She betrayed you with Hanazawa-san, and she's a slut--"
"Tsukushi is nothing like you!"
The F3 looked pass Sakurako's shoulder and saw Rui standing there, hands in the pockets. He did not seem very pleased and his grim face just proved the point.
"Rui!" murmured Akira.
"Where have you been?" added Soujiro. The both of them were ready to restrain Tsukasa in case something went ugly.
"I had to take someone home. Someone important." Rui replied coolly. He saw Tsukasa's eyebrows flexed and knew immediately that he hit the mark.
Sakurako turned around to face Rui and said, "Hanazawa-san, you have some nerves to show yourself up here after what've you done to Domyouji-san!"
Rui walked pass the pretty girl, ignoring her and instead directing his cold gaze upon Tsukasa, "Did you have something to say to me?"
Tsukasa rose from his seat, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists. "Why are you here, Rui?"
"I am here because I wanted to make something clear." Rui replied in a harsh tone.
"Rui--" began to warn Akira.
Rui lifted his hand mid-air in order to silence his friend, "Next time you hurt Tsukushi, you will have to answer to me." he stared openly in Tsukasa's eyes.
"Answer to you?" repeated Tsukasa incredulous, "Who do you think you are, Rui? I am the one who should be angry right now, you just stole my girl!" he stopped himself, eyes wide. My what?, Tsukasa thought, surprised.
"Oh now, Tsukushi is your girl?" snorted Rui, "But then let me ask you this... Why did you not listen to her the other day?" Seeing that Tsukasa wasn't going to answer, Rui smiled, "Nothing happened between Tsukushi and me. However I won't let you hurt her again." Then the calm boy left without another word.
Sakurako faced Tsukasa, panic in her voice, "Domyouji-san, you aren't going to believe him, are you? Hanazawa-san would always stand up for Makino Tsukushi--"
"Makino is not like you or any other girls! So if you speak ill of her again, I will kill you..." Tsukasa warned her then he left the table. He just understood.
"Tsukasa, where are you going?" asked Soujiro.
"Home." Tsukasa replied, wherever Makino is, he added inwardly.
Tsukushi had wandered around the city for her job-hunting but the day had been a waste. So she decided to head back home. When suddenly a hand gagged her mouth and pulled her into a dark alleyway. Tsukushi was faced with half a dozen of persons. There were students from Eitoku, the very same who were in Hong Kong.
"You whore!"
"We are going to teach you a lesson for betraying Domyouji-san!"
"You think that I will not retaliate! Just bring it on!" spat out Tsukushi.
The three boys launched at her, fist clenched. Tsukushi fought with all her might. However, she quickly grew exhausted. They hit her hard and all over her body, they didn't care that there was a single girl against three boys. Tsukushi sank down on her feet, her eyebrows and lips were a bloody mess.
"What are you doing to her? Let her go now!" demanded someone behind them. It was a young man with a kimono top. He seemed to be a delivery boy.
"That's none of your business, just go away! Dammit!" retorted a girl.
"Tsk tsk tsk, good girls shouldn't swear," the new boy walked forward while talking, then he looked over the boys, "my, you must be quite a coward to beat up a single girl."
"Shut up!" said one of the attackers then he launched at the new boy, the latter beat him up effortless, he did the same with the other two boys. The girls just ran away, screaming like the wimps that they were and the boys followed them straight away.
Tsukushi's benefactor moved close to her, "I won't ask you if you are alright because I guess that you must feel like shit."
"Yeah, something like that..." Tsukushi managed a smile, "...Thank you for saving me."
Her benefactor smiled warmly, "You are welcome--" and before he could finish his sentence, Tsukushi blacked out.
Two days later, Tsukushi awoke in unknown surroundings. The same young man was sitting near her futon.
"How do you feel this morning?" her benefactor asked gently.
"This morning?" repeated Tsukushi uneasy.
The boy nodded, "You blacked out two nights ago. Where do you live, I will tell your parents--"
"My parents went to the country side. I'm alone in Tokyo." said Tsukushi while trying to sit up. "Oh my gosh! I was to move out today-- I have no home anymore! What am I going to do? Oh my god-- Ow!" her head spun around and she felt back into the futon.
"Ok calm down... Give me your address and name," The young man told her, "I will go to fetch your stuffs and if you don't mind staying in a male's house--" Then he was cut off.
"You already saved me. I don't want to be a burden--" Tsukushi tried to sit up once again.
He pushed her down gently, "Don't be silly! We aren't strangers any more. Now, what's your name? I'm Amakusa Seinosuke."
"Makino Tsukushi, nice to meet you Seinosuke-san." she replied with a smile.
Seinosuke nodded, "And I you, Tsukushi. Now write me your address." he handed her a piece of paper. She wrote something and then he got up. "I will be back shortly." Seinosuke winked and he left.
He is really nice..., Tsukushi thought before falling asleep. Hours later, the moment she opened an eye, she saw all her belongings but no sign of Seinosuke anywhere. She got up and went to the coffee table where she found a note.
"I'm working at my part-time job. See you later, Seinosuke." Tsukushi read. So he, too, has to work to earn money... I guess every family has its problems..., she thought.
Seinosuke had come back home that evening with sushi for dinner. Tsukushi was having a great time, then again, she was not difficult to please about foods. They ate silently for a moment.
"Seinosuke-san, are you sure that I won't be a burden for you or your family?" asked again Tsukushi.
The young man shook his head, "I live alone... I had a fight with my father months ago--"
Tsukushi cut him off, "That's why you had to work... I'm sorry to hear that you'd fought with you father though."
"That's the reason, you won't be a burden but if you do mind staying here, I will understand." answered Seinosuke.
"I won't mind if you let me pay my share of the bills." smiled the poor girl.
"Is that a deal?" Seinosuke grinned, he saw Tsukushi shake her head 'yes', "Then, it's ok! You can have the bedroom." he added.
The following days, Seinosuke found for Tsukushi a job as a server in a sushi shop, the very same he worked for. She could not believe her chance, she looked at Seinosuke in awe.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" the young man asked, uneasiness was writing all over his handsome face.
Tsukushi sighed happily, "You are perfect."
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Seinosuke stammered with dark blush on his cheeks.
Tsukushi giggled, "Nowadays, it's hard to find someone genuinely nice. Thank you for taking care of me." Then she bowed.
Seinosuke hide his embarrassment in turning his head, "Don't be stupid, it's nothing." he grumbled. Strangely, he felt warm inside, just seeing her genuine smile.
For her sake and more importantly for Seinosuke's, she worked hard at the sushi shop. Her parents were informed and then they thanked Seinosuke profusely for taking in their daughter. However, her peaceful days passed by quickly. The new semester began.
That morning, Tsukushi made two bento, one for her and the other for Seinosuke. Then she left for school before the young man even awoke. Throughout the way to school, Tsukushi had hummed happily, life has been good to her recently. Once arrived in front of Eitoku's gates, she could feel cold glares, however she did not let them affect her good mood. She caught sight of Kazuya, he was pacing nervously.
"Kazuya-kun!" Tsukushi shouted.
Her childhood friend stopped pacing and turned his head in her direction. Then, Kazuya's face became brighter than a Christmas tree. He jumped in her arms happily. "Tsukushi-chan! I was so worried that something happened to you. You did not call or inform me of your whereabouts. In addition, Auntie and Uncle were not in town--"
Tsukushi cut off his ranting, "Sorry Kazuya-kun, I did not mean to worry you. My life just happened to be chaotic but as usual, I'm fine."
"Then I'm glad." smiled Kazuya in relief, then he frowned, "But where are you living since your parents are away?"
Tsukushi's smile was kind, "With a good friend of mine." she replied mysteriously and they headed to their classroom. Throughout the morning, rumors and gossips about Tsukushi, Tsukasa and Rui had spread around Eitoku like wildfires. And of course, the students only blamed the poor girl.
"I will pay you back for the plane ticket. Thank you once again." said Tsukushi, she and Rui were sitting in their favorite place.
"You don't have to thank me and I don't want your money." replied the young man.
"But--"
"Should I go to France? What if Shizuka doesn't want me there?" asked Rui. He seemed to talk to himself until his gaze was directed upon Tsukushi.
"Shizuka-san would be very happy to see you. The both of you had to clear out your relationship. I guess, it's better you go to Paris than staying here, unhappy." said Tsukushi truthfully. Rui nodded. They stood up silently and then he surprised Tsukushi by kissing her forehead and patting her hair with care.
"Hanazawa Rui..."
"Thank you Tsukushi..." and he left by the outdoor stairs while Tsukushi took the indoor stairs.
After several steps, she stopped dead in her track. Tsukasa was leaning against the wall, arms folded and legs crossed. He was looking straight into her eyes. She didn't know what to do at first then she remembered their fight and the hard words. Pride took the best of her and she walked down passing by the young man. She could feel his intense gaze upon her. The hallway was empty. She gulped nervously.
"We need to talk..." Tsukasa said finally.
She gave him her back, refusing to face him, "There's nothing left to talk about... Good bye Domyouji.", she continued to walk away, when suddenly strong arms embraced her, Tsukushi's back slammed against a muscular chest. Surprised by his attack, she didn't know how to react but then courage filled her and she struggled. "Do-Domyouji, let go of--" Tsukushi hissed but words suddenly dried off in her throat when she heard Tsukasa's mumble.
"I'm sorry... I should have believed you..."
Thank you so much for your lastest reviews. I appreciated them.