Verse VI: “The Tase of Cigarettes”
December 2nd, 2007 by escaflowneloverThe night was long, his touch was cold but I could feel his lips touch me. I couldn’t feel my own body unless his arms were around me; it was like I was living an artificial existence. If I were to die right now, I thought that I wouldn’t have any regrets, but there was still something lingering on that kept me from thinking so.
Violet Rose had become a popular fad nowadays amongst the lower artists in society. A lot of people had been coming to their performances for the past month, and they had been getting a lot of requests to perform because it was that time of they year again. Yes, Christmas was coming soon, and it wasn’t just Christmas, but it was also the day that Yoshie turns seventeen. So far the band has become known by most of the bars and public restaurants there, and it was all thanks to Shikita. People had been flooding in whenever they found out that they were to perform soon. Eventually Yoshie became known in school and there had been students talking to her all through the campus, and even some confessed to her. Of course she was to turn them down, this earned her several glares from the female population, but she was already used to this and wasn’t like she really cared what they thought.
Our scene begins on the quiet schoolyard; a male classmate had once again called out Yoshie. It seemed that they were getting even more persistent nowadays. Honestly speaking, Yoshie just saw them as people who wanted to get close to her because they might be invited to special events. Really, they didn’t even mind me when I was unknown. Some people can be so egotistical it’s annoying. This time the guy asking her out was a person from the other class in her grade, namely Umayaboshi Ken. He was tall and good-looking with dark hair and fair skin, a girl’s dream in other words, but not Yoshie’s.
“Ano…Taniguchi-san, is it alright if we go out?” he asked her as he scratched the back of his head “I’ve watched one of your performances so…”
“Absolutely not” without even letting him finish his statement she turned him down as she crossed her arms “We’ve never really talked to each other and you want me to go out with you all of a sudden? Please, don’t be so full of yourself. Just because your good-looking and intelligent it doesn’t mean all girls would go out with you”
“But I’m not like that!” he protested “I really find you as an amazing singer. When you play the guitar it also sounds really good, so when I saw your performance I was really moved”
“I’m grateful for the things you said and I won’t say that I don’t care about it, but what I will say that I won’t go out with you because I simply don’t like you in that way” she said with a straight face “Just continue to support Violet Rose and watch us rise”
“Taniguchi-san…” he blushed, as he looked at her in amazement “You’re so cool”
“Eh? Don’t go all fan boy on me now” she said as she turned her back on him “See you later then”
“Y-yes!” he replied “Don’t worry Taniguchi-san, I’ll support Violet Rose with all I have!”
Making a sight like this, he really is something…well at least this way I’m sure that we have more than one fan. Come to think of it, Umayaboshi-kun is the second person to ask me out this week. It’s weird, but whenever they tell me that that like my music it makes me feel a little nice…
Snow has begun to fall faster nowadays, especially since it’s already mid-December. During the examinations in October, Yoshie didn’t really do too well, but her efforts were enough to make her pass. Takayuki on the other hand was able to make it into the top one hundred, ranking number twenty-three. He was serious about possibly taking up business in college, after all if he was to become the band’s leader he had to have proper education. Yoshie had decided to work after high school instead, and if possible continue struggling with Violet Rose and strive to become professional artists. However that wasn’t the only thing going around these students, Yoshie’s birthday was to come in no less than a week, but she could barely care about that. The main thing she was looking forward to now was the Christmas holidays and the several offers they might get to perform this time of the year. One of the things Yoshie wished to do before the year ended was to write her own song using her own lyrics and music without any help from others. This was she’ll know how much she has accomplished as an amateur artist.
“Hime-sama, you’re spacing out” Takayuki said as he waved his hand in front of Yoshie’s face.
“Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking” The two had been walking for quite a while now on the streets towards the studio. All of them had agreed to rehearse more this time because of the several offers they had been getting to perform.
“Is there something on your mind?” he asked her.
“I’ve been thinking of writing a new song for the band, but nothing has come up yet so far. I really think that we need to come up with something new so that the audience wouldn’t get so tired listening to the same things over and over again”
“We’ve only been performing frequently for three weeks and there has only been around six gigs since then” he sighed “Compared to other bands we’re still not that far yet”
“Don’t give me that negative attitude” she scowled “It’s better than what we’ve had before we met Shikita-san. In the past we’d usually have one performance a month, we’re moving a lot further now if you ask me”
“I’m not being negative, I’m being realistic. It’s true that we’ve had a lot of offers these past few weeks, but the locations aren’t that popular. Midnight Bar was an exception, but the others were usually new or unknown spots”
“Who cares as long as we get to perform?”
“Performing well isn’t enough these days. We have to consider what to do with our career in the future, so if it doesn’t work out we could have some sort of back up plan to make ourselves live in this country”
“You’re really starting to sound like a businessman, thinking of the future and all…” she sighed “I’m not that smart so all I can depend on right now are my talents and skills, otherwise I don’t think I could ever make it out in the world alone”
“Why don’t you have some dignity?”
“It’s not like that, singing is the only thing I can excel in, so I guess there’s no point in studying other things”
“Your moral standards confuse me sometimes” he sighed “About your new song, do you want any help? Maybe I could help with the composition”
“No way. I want to write a song of my own this time before the years ends, if possible before my birthday”
“Oh yeah, it’s your birthday in six days right? I guess it’s a good thing that we have Christmas holidays now, at least you’ll have more time to concentrate on your song writing”
“I just need an inspiration that’s all”
“Why not go on a date with Fuuto or something?” he teased her, ending up getting his face punched by Yoshie.
“I’m not going to ask a guy on a date, that is just desperate”
“You didn’t have to punch me so hard you know…” he rubbed his cheek where her fist punched him “What makes you so sure Fuuto won’t ask you out this season?”
“Because I know it won’t happen”
“Whatever…” all of a sudden, Takayuki’s phone rang as he answered it. Both of them stopped walking as Takayuki opened his phone to see who it was, apparently it was Kaijin “Hello?”
“Oi! Takayuki! Fuuto and I are here at the studio; they’re closing the studio starting this afternoon for a bout a week. I don’t think we should practice here today, our time would be cut shorter. Is it okay if we did it at your place instead? We’ll get a refund here”
“It’s fine with me. Meet us at my house in a while”
“Thanks Takayuki!”
“Hai, hai, see you” he snapped his phone shut as he turned to Yoshie.
“It seems we’ll be practicing at our place again today” he said.
“Did something happen back at there?”
“The studio is closing for their holiday vacation for a week, so I guess we’ll be rehearsing at my place today”
“The only thing that your basement misses is a working heater. Seriously, it’s freezing down there!”
“It’s better than nothing so stop complaining”
“Jeez…”
In another part of the city there was something else going on in the middle of the afternoon. The dark corners of the room were given light from the curtains, which blocked the view of the windows shining on the hotel rooms. There was moaning and panting, a mixture of hard breathing accompanied by lustful talk and impressions. Shikita had been sleeping with one of his clients, a young girl who looked no older than fifteen was naked underneath him as he thrust his member into her while he enjoyed her moans. How he loved he sound of a virgin losing herself to him, but for some reason it was not enough to satisfy him.
“Ah…Shikita-san…ah…” she said in between her moans.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you like this?”
“N-no…I-I…it’s enjoyable…I…”
“Don’t be so embarrassed, just relax and let me do all the work” he pushed harder as he began to lean in to give her a kiss on the lips, but he was stopped all of a sudden when his phone rang “Please wait a minute…”
“Y-yes…” she said as he moved away from her, leaving her to relax on the bed while he wrapped a white robe around him.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Oi, Shikita-san, it’s Yoshie”
“Ah, Yoshie-chan, how’re you doing?”
“I’m fine, Takayuki’s busy right now and he wanted me to ask you about our next live. He wants to know the final details A.S.A.P.”
“Alright. Tell him the next live will be in six days at a Punk-Christmas Celebration in Akihabara. The name of the location is Vivre, and if I’m not mistaken that’s the day of your birthday right?”
“Yeah, how’d you know?”
“I remember a lot of things about my clients. Since I don’t think I’ll be able to do something on your birthday the day itself, why don’t I treat you to something on the 24th?”
“Eh? What’s this about?”
“I just want to be close to my clients, both personally and professionally so that I can understand their side when it comes to problems with jobs. It’s easier that way”
“Hm…I guess there’s nothing wrong with that. Okay then, but can we talk about this some other time?”
“Sure, bye then” he closed his phone and placed it back on the table as he took a cigarette stick from the pack lying there. A smirk curved on his lips as the young girl made her way towards him, placing her arms around his waist.
“Nee…Shikita-san, come back to bed…”
“My, my, your virginity has just been lost and you’re already acting like you’re a professional?”
“Because…the only person I want to do it with is Shikita-san…”
“You know what Hotoko-chan?” he turned to face her as he gave her a deep and passionate kiss on her lips, which eventually led up to her neck and collarbone “I hate liars”
“Eh? Liars?”
“Do you really feel that way about me?” he faced her again and whispered into her ear “Nee? Hotoko-chan?”
“O-of course I do…”
“Then tell me, am I really your first?”
“Y-yes! It’s true!”
“…liar” he pulled her hair from behind and pushed her to the ground, giving her the evilest look he could “I just said I hated liars didn’t I?”
“Shi-Shikita-san…” he mumbled as her body began to shake.
“I can’t be merciful at all times” he licked her neck, making her shudder “You should’ve thought of that before you tried seducing me”
The moans turned into screams, both of them reached climax after climax, but Shikita was being merciless with his time. Not even caring whether it hurt her or not, he continued to do his own pleasurable acts without hesitating. The thoughts about one certain girl other than the one he was with kept on controlling his every thought. His imagination ran wild as he began to think of her naked form underneath him instead of this ‘liar’ to whom he so calls. He was holding back his sensation for her so much it was driving him crazy, but he knew he had to be patient. He would have to break her at her most possible weak points, make her cry and if possible bleed. Eventually, he would make her his own under all means necessary. Everything she held precious he would take it and destroy it if necessary. This new victim would soon succumb to do all his bidding.
The basement of the Hanamoto household had been filled with music for the whole night, and thanks to the soundproof installments they had no problem with the neighbors’ complaints about the noise. For some reason, Yoshie was really putting her everything into this one rehearsal, she even looked like she was overpowering everyone else in the band as if they were useless decorations in order to complete the band. They had talked to her about this once, but decided that it was better because then they would have more impact on the crowd. However they already had enough impact as it is.
“Waiting might’ve been an understatement…Looking away while I gaze at you is something different. Those few nanoseconds we get to have together, I treasure them until now. If telling you I loved you meant breaking apart, I would rather have spent my days seeing you in the distance…Oh…yeah…in the distance baby…” the song ended with that as the male members sat on the nearby couch, Takayuki and Kaijin on the couch while Fuuto sat on the armchair.
“Hey, can’t we take a break Yoshie? I’m exhausted” said Kaijin.
“It’s only been a couple of hours! What’re you complaining about?” she protested as she turned to face them.
“What do you mean a ‘couple’? It’s been over fours hours already! Look, I’m hungry and tired so I’m gonna go grab a snack”
“Fine!” she said as she placed her guitar on the table “I’ll come with you, I can’t sing on an empty stomach”
“See? You were tired too” Kaijin and Yoshie walked up the stairs, both of them heading towards the nearby convenience store, leaving Takayuki and Fuuto alone.
“So…” Takayuki began “Since Yoshie’s not around I wanted to ask you something”
“What?”
“Her birthday is coming up and I wanted to give her something special. I was hoping you could help me out”
“You know what, the way you’re saying it right now you sound like a little school girl”
“Don’t change the subject” he said “It’s not something material I want to give her, I want to give her something she’ll treasure forever”
“What is it?” Fuuto tilted his head to the side, wondering what Takayuki might’ve meant by what he had just said.
“Kaijin, pay!”
“I don’t have that much money on me!”
“So you think a student like me has that amount in hand?!”
Kaijin and Yoshie had been arguing about a certain matter at hands, more like it wasn’t really a serious thing. They were just fighting over who would pay more fir the stuff they just bought. Apparently Kaijin had bought a pack of cigarettes, which made their payment more expensive than they had expected, but Yoshie was able to contribute to the problem by adding a new music magazine, so they had to decide who would contribute to the payment.
“That magazine is way more expensive!” he screamed.
“But I bought more food than you so of course I wouldn’t have much money left! You’re older, you have work so pay for me like a good adult!”
“Then I’ll be a good adult by telling you to take care of your own responsibility!”
“Eh?! What the hell is up with that? You should take care of the younger ones”
“Ano…Ma’am, sir…” the cashier lady tried to calm them down because they were seriously causing a scene in the store.
“You stay out of this!” they said in unison.
After several arguments and disagreements, both of them gave up and decided to equally pay for it. This was because the owner of the store got irritated and forced them to pay for their purchase. On the way home, they also started bickering, but it was natural for these two because that showed just how close they were. During their first encounter, Kaijin had already discriminated Yoshie for trying out to become a singer, but she quickly changed his mind when she began to sing. However Yoshie didn’t forgive him that easily so she would start fights with him, but not to the point where they would stay mad at each other forever. Kaijin, although a playboy, does not wish to lay a hand on Yoshie because to him she was a little sister who stayed special to him. That was almost the same view Yoshie had on Kaijin as well, being her annoying older brother outside the Taniguchi residence.
“Hey Kaijin, don’t you have any intentions of sticking to one girl?” she asked him as they walked down the street.
“There’re a lot of different flavors out there, that’s why I’d like to try them all”
“But there must’ve been at least one girl who caught your attention”
“Actually, there was one”
“’Was’?” she repeated “So you’ve fallen in love once before?”
“Yes and no” he scratched the back of his head “It’s a complicated story, but I’ve gotten over it now”
“You’re not gonna tell me any time soon are you?”
“No”
“I thought so”
“You’re still a kid, you wouldn’t understand adult conversations”
“Unless you want that face of yours disarranged you better stop right there” she threatened as she cracked her knuckles.
“Alright, alright, sheesh” his tone of voice suddenly became serious as he looked at her “Yoshie, do you like Fuuto?”
“Eh?” her surprised reaction mixed with guilt gave her away the moment Kaijin said ‘Fuuto’, but she tried to cover it up by grinning and said “What’re you talking about?”
“It’s really obvious you know, even Takayuki noticed it before me”
“I really should be more discreet next time” she muttered “Now that you know what’re you gonna do about it?”
“Nothing really, but I’ll tell you this…” he began “…from my point of view, Fuuto has been gradually changing ever since he joined the band. In the past he was a complete wreck, you couldn’t imagine just how bad he was before. He would break into random fights on the streets and such. I was his only friend at that time, and knowing him he wasn’t this happy since that day, but now he’s even cracking jokes and joining the fun more often”
That day? I guess Kaijin knows about it too, but it’s true that Fuuto has been more open lately. “I know that too, then what’s your point?”
“I’m not saying this without reason, but if ever Fuuto or someone else, were to confess to you think about it first”
“I’ve had quite a few guys confessing to me lately and I don’t have to think about it because I don’t like them” she said “And what makes you think Fuuto would confess to me?”
“It’s just a hypothetical thought, but if you were to have a relationship, think first what’s more important to you”
Important to me? She thought.
“Relationships are fine, but if they begin to affect our band then you have to rethink it. I have a lot of women, I can admit that, but I don’t let them intervene with my music too much, Can’t you see why I’m never absent for any of our practices?”
“I guess you have a point there” she sighed “But honestly speaking, my top priority has always been the band, love always comes second, so you don’t have to worry about anything”
“Let’s just hope so”
“Kaijin, you just said something really adult-like you know?” she snickered “That’s very unusual of you”
“Of course, it’s my job to be the oldest in the band anyway” he said “And if you were to leave Violet Rose, it just wouldn’t be the same”
“I see, thanks, Kaijin”
The two arrived back at Takayuki’s house, and Takayuki’s mother who seemed eager to have them return greeted them. Apparently she had cooked dinner for them and she wanted to have the whole band eat there. Mrs. Hanamoto had always been enthusiastic about their band since she was pretty much the first adult to have liked their music, and she had also known Yoshie for quite some time so she was confident that they would all become famous one day. Once everyone was finished eating, the four band members went back down to the basement to practice. However during this whole period of time, Yoshie had been contemplating to herself while they rehearsed.
What Kaijin told me is right, I need to be able to set my goals straight. Too long have I wished to become a singer, along with everyone else I want to stand on a big stage, singing my heart out for everyone to hear. If Fuuto were to confess to me now, I might hesitate to accept, but for now singing is all that I’m in love with. I will never give up on my dream, I’ll never look back on any mistake I may have made in the past. God, don’t take away my voice…
Once practice was over, everyone made their way home. Yoshie had gone home unaccompanied because she wanted to be able to memorize how to get to Takayuki’s house without an escort. The one thing she was expecting at that time was to see her brother’s angry face saying something like ‘Why are you here this late?!’ or ‘What’s wrong with you, you idiot sister!’, but this was normal between them already so she didn’t mind. As she approached her house, she inserted her house key into keyhole and opened the door, and to her surprise there was extra pair of adult shoes by the shoe rack. This only meant one thing, so she ran towards the kitchen and saw her parents there drinking coffee with Yuuki. Yoshie’s father was a middle-aged man with black hair and a receding hairline. His brown eyes already had a few wrinkles around them, and his weight had made him look chubbier than before. Yoshie’s mother on the other hand was tall and lean, something you would’ve expected from a woman in her mid-thirties who worked as a flight attendant. Her short black hair already had white streaks appearing, as well as a few age marks, but that didn’t cover up the fact that she was beautiful for her age. She actually resembled Yoshie more than her husband.
“Mom! Dad! You’re home!” she walked towards them.
“Yoshie-chan!” her mother walked towards Yoshie and hugged her “It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you!”
“It’s only been two weeks” she said as she broke away from the hug.
“Yoshie-chan, you know your mother when she misses you” her father said “I took time off my work to be here, as well as your mother so you could be a little nicer”
“Hai, hai…”
“So, Yuuki tells me your band with Takayuki-kun is going well” her mother began as they sat down together “He told me you have a manager right? What’s he like? Is he any good?”
“Yes we have a new manager” Yoshie sighed “He’s really responsible, and he’s very good-looking too”
“Is he as handsome as you’re father?” said Mr. Taniguchi.
“No, you don’t even come close”
“That hurts you know!” her father smacked her slightly from behind her head as he said so.
“Ow! Jeez, now I got where Onii-chan got his violence from”
“Shut up!” said Yuuki.
“Now, now, it’s been a long time since our family got together. I know! Yuuki can help me cook something!”
“Why do I have to cook?”
“Just do it! C’mon”
The Taniguchi residence then began to fill with laughter and pleasant family smiles. Yoshie’s family was by far a normal family. It was something that she never took for granted because she knew just how much these people meant to her. They may have their quarrels and separations from time to time, but it didn’t change the fact that they were a family who shared the same blood. However it had occurred to Yoshie that Fuuto never really experienced the warmth of a loving family, it made her think how much he was missing on his life, and if it was possible for her to fill it up.
I’ve never really understood how not being loved by your own family is like, that’s why I never tried to understand how Fuuto might’ve felt when he was almost killed at that time. However, I now want to know how he feels without hurting him. I don’t want to let his already fading smile to disappear. I might sound selfish, but I want him to smile like the usual Fuuto, forever.
It was then that night her mind had begun to spin around these thoughts. Her inspiration to write a song suddenly bust out from nowhere as she went up to her room before excusing herself from the table, earning a few curious glances from her family members. When she reached the inside of her room, she locked her door, took out and notebook and guitar and started to write a few lyrics and creating a few tunes. Due to this little escapade, she barely slept a wink that night.
December 24th, Monday, 12:30 p.m.
One fine winter afternoon people began to walk on the streets of Tokyo, everyone was going out to hang out and enjoy the holiday vacations. Nobody really cared what was going on that time as long as they were enjoying themselves. The same thing goes to Yoshie who was seated on a bench beside the park, apparently she was waiting for a certain someone, namely Shikita Taro. They had promised to meet there by this time and in this location, and neither of them really told the rest of the band members they had an outing this day. It just seemed like something they wouldn’t really make a big deal of.
“He’s late…” Yoshie muttered as she checked her cell phone I wonder where he could be…
Meanwhile, a group of young spies were watching her from afar, waiting for her to make a move. Kaijin, Takayuki, and Fuuto had somehow found out that Yoshie was busy this afternoon without telling any of them whom she was going with. Takayuki had invited her to hang out with them that day, but she declined and so the three had found it suspicious that she had a date all of a sudden.
“Remind why we have to follow her again?” asked Kaijin.
“Don’t you think it’s strange that she’s going out with someone else besides the three of us? It’s usually she goes out with us or she goes alone, and this it doesn’t look like she doing either of what I just said” said Takayuki as they hid in the corner of an alleyway. If she was going out I wonder how come she didn’t tell us? I don’t think she has any new female friends I know of either.
“Someone’s coming” Fuuto muttered as they looked to see who it was.
Yoshie waved to the upcoming figure, and the three other members just stared at him with a mixture of confusion and awe. The person approaching Yoshie that time was Shikita, this was something they didn’t take too lightly. To the male members of Violet Rose, Yoshie was their princess that should not get taken away because she was the type to be taken lightly. If their princess was to be taken away like that, no one knew just how aggravated those three would be, but it might be Yuuki who might even kill whoever got to near his precious little sister.
“You’re late” Yoshie commented “Is this how you usually treat your girlfriend?”
“I’m sorry, I had some business to attend to” he laughed.
“I see. If you had work then maybe you shouldn’t have had taken me out today”
“No, it’s against my principle to do that. Besides, it’s something I wanted to do”
“Fine, whatever you say. So, where to?”
“There’s a nice restaurant down the street, how about I treat you there for lunch?”
“Alright, lead the way then”
The two began to walk together, this was Fuuto, Kaijin, and Takayuki’s cue to start following. If anything went wrong at least they’d be there, although Yoshie might get pretty pissed at what they were doing they weren’t just about to let their princess get taken away by a stranger. They could pretty much be described as knights who wouldn’t let their princess be taken away that easily by a foe, even though Shikita really wasn’t that much of a ‘threat’.
“I don’t get it, why’s Yoshie with Shikita-san?” said Kaijin as they tried to blend into the crowd.
“I don’t know either, isn’t that why we’re following them?” said Takayuki I thought that Yoshie likes Fuuto, then why is she out with Shikita?
“Another I don’t get is why she didn’t tell us about this”
“Maybe she has her reasons”
“But I thought she likes someone else…Man, what is this chick up to?”
“Aren’t you guys taking it too seriously?” Fuuto commented, “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for this”
“YOU have no right to say that” Takayuki and Kaijin stared at him with, both glaring at what he just said because he was the one Yoshie liked, so it wasn’t right that he would just let her go out with another person.
“Huh…?” Fuuto just stared at them curiously, wondering what they could’ve meant by that.
As Yoshie and Shikita entered the restaurant, they sat down by the window and started to order. The restaurant was called family restaurant called ‘Umayaboshi’, it had a bunch of tables spread around the middle of the floor. Along the walls and sides there were bench-like seats that had barricades behind the chairs with plants on top of each one to separate the chairs between each other. Fuuto and Kaijin stayed outside while standing in an alleyway, keeping watch for Takayuki, who had gone inside to hear what they were talking about. Takayuki sat on the seat behind Shikita, hoping that the plants behind his head was enough to cover him as he placed his phone in one of the plants, making it call Kaijin’s phone so that they could hear their conversation.
“I’ll have the steak meal” Shikita said to the waitress.
“Hm…this one looks nice. I’ll have the spaghetti special” the waitress took their orders and told them to wait for a while before heading to the kitchen.
“So, while we wait for our order…” said Shikita “…why don’t we get to know each other?”
“Eh? Okay, ask away”
“Alright, since when have you begun singing?”
“Hm…I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, but I joined Violet Rose a year ago. It was Takayuki who introduced punk music to me, so it must’ve been influence, but I guess I pretty much enjoy it now”
“I see, then it must’ve really been your calling”
“You think? I’ve always seen it as a hobby I really enjoy” she said “But now that you mention it, saying it’s a hobby is almost like a lie”
“I know, you seem to enjoy performing very much so I wouldn’t believe it’s just a ‘hobby’ like you say”
“You have a point there” she sighed “What about you? How old are you exactly?”
“I’m twenty-three, why?”
“I just thought you were a lot older”
“I’m not that old you know”
“But you seem so mature you seemed to be about twenty seven to me at least”
“I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or as an insult…” he muttered “But you’re turning seventeen tomorrow right?”
“Yeah, I feel kind of old already”
“Seventeen isn’t old, well at least in my point of view”
“Here’s your food” the waitress came back, giving them their order of food.
“You’re an adult that’s why” she laughed “You know what I don’t get though, how come you don’t have a girlfriend yet? Takayuki, Kaijin, and Fuuto are all good-looking but I’ve never seen them with a girl, and you’re pretty much handsome yourself so it’s a surprise there’s no one whom you’re interested in”
Fuuto, Kaijin, and Takayuki were all pretty interested in what they were talking about now since they heard them talking about relationships now. They all began to feel uncomfortable when Yoshie said that she thought they were good-looking, but at the same time awkward when this was being said to their manager. “How can she say those things?!” Kaijin said as he turned the volume up on the speaker of his phone “Jeez, this is the topic I least expected them to talk about”
“Hm…” Shikita began “There’s no one I take that seriously I guess”
I knew this guy was a playboy…no wonder it was Kaijin he met at a bar…
“But…” Shikita added “There is this one girl at work who has really caught my eye”
“Oh really? Is she ‘the one’ as others say?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t really figured that out yet” he said as his eyes turned to the figure behind the plants behind Yoshie’s chair, he didn’t seem to be ordering anything and he looked like he might’ve been listening to their conversation. By that time, their food had come, and so Yoshie took her utensils and said “Whoa, this looks good…”
“I agree. Shall we begin then?”
“Okay, ittadakimasu”
The two began to eat their food while the three spies began to listen in on their every word. However the two were just having light conversations and petty talk, almost as if there wasn’t anything going on between the two, but they just would give up until they figured out what was going on. When the two had finished eating, they headed out the restaurant and took a stroll around the city. Takayuki came out a few seconds after them and called Fuuto and Kaijin.
“It doesn’t look like there’s anything going on” said Kaijin “Maybe this was just a petty thing”
“It still doesn’t prove anything” Takayuki looked towards the direction where Shikita and Yoshie went “I think there’s something we’re not getting here”
“I agree with Takayuki”
“So do we keep following them? Personally I think nothing is going on, Shikita-san doesn’t look like that kind of guy who would go after his clients” said Kaijin.
Neither of the two listened to Kaijin while he said this, they just went on ahead and began to follow Yoshie and Shikita who had just entered a mall together. Kaijin muttered something under his breath as he followed the two who had left him behind. While they followed the two who began to look into several stores, they were basically just window-shopping. They looked like they were uncle and niece going out to bond due to their age differences, but knowing they weren’t related they started to appear like a couple. At one point, Shikita and Yoshie entered a music store where he bought Yoshie a really good music CD, telling her it was her birthday present for the day. The three were really persistent on following them, but after a while it really looked like nothing was on at all. However, little to their expectation, Shikita had already known that they were following them, but he didn’t mind them thinking that maybe he’d play with them for a while. When the day was almost over, Shikita accompanied Yoshie towards the bus station, serving as her escort.
“I had lots of fun today” said Yoshie as she looked her phone “Whoa, it’s already five?”
“I guess time flies when you’re having fun”
“Yeah, thanks Shikita-san”
“It was nothing, it’s the least I could do” seeing as they were still being watched, he decided to do something unexpected for them to see. Placing his hand on Yoshie’s shoulder, he closed in on her and said “You really kept me company today, thanks Yoshie” he leaned in to reach her height and gave her a small kiss on her cheek, making Yoshie blush ten times over as she backed away from him.
“W-what’re you doing?!” she panicked as she placed her hand on the spot where he had kissed her. This was the second time he had kissed her, and it embarrassed her to no end. However instead of getting an explanation like she had expected, he began to laugh “What’s so funny?!”
“Nothing…” he said “You three can come out now, I was just joking”
“Shikita-san!” Kaijin jumped out of the corner and stepped in front of Shikita “You really have no shame do you?! You shouldn’t go around kissing girls like that!”
“It was a joke, a little something to heat you guys up for following us all day”
“Follow…?” Yoshie turned around and saw Fuuto and Takayuki coming towards them “You guys followed us? Jeez, I can’t believe you went that far…”
“It’s because you didn’t tell us where you were going that we followed you” said Takayuki as he rubbed her head “Shikita-san, please don’t do that something like to Yoshie again”
“Okay, I got it. I’ll see you guys next time, thanks for keeping me company, Yoshie” he turned on his heel and started walking in the opposite direction.
Yoshie began to release her anger on them, not caring whether she made a scene or not. It was just really annoying to think that they didn’t trust he this much, but at the same it was sweet knowing that they cared for her this much as well. However it still didn’t overcome the thought that they followed her discreetly. After several comebacks and arguments, they had all agreed to go back to Takayuki’s house to rehearse that night for their live tomorrow night at Vivre. They practiced for several hours until Takayuki’s mother told them to go home and get some rest for tomorrow. However, even though Yoshie was home she still couldn’t get her mind off one thing, the new song she had written was almost finished, and this song wasn’t dedicated to just anyone, it had been made especially for Fuuto. Just a few more finishing touches and the song was ready to be heard.
“Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!” Mrs. Taniguchi began to shake Yoshie out of her bed, apparently Yoshie had spent the whole night finishing the song, and it turned out to be a success. However it completely took her body’s energy, making her sleep in until noon.
“Mom…it’s vacation…” she mumbled.
“I know, but I thought maybe you’d like to eat some of the nabe Yuuki and I made for today. After all you do have your live later right? This afternoon you’ll be spending your time with the family”
“Hm…fine…” Yoshie grumbled as she went out of bed, looking pale and sleepy.
“Honey you look awful! I know, I’ll fix you up for our family picture!”
“N-no thanks mom…I’ll dress up myself” Yoshie was afraid her mom would dress her up because she’d usually make her wear something really girly like dresses and such.
“Yes I will, I bought a dress that’d suit your eyes perfectly!”
“It’s alright mom, really”
“No. I only get this chance once in a blue moon, so I will do it. Look at it as my birthday gift for you”
Oh no…
Meanwhile, Yuuki and Mr. Taniguchi had already started fixing up the table for their family lunch. The Taniguchi family never really attended Yoshie’s performances because they knew it’d be strange for Yoshie unless it was a major event. Violet Rose has been performing for so long that it’d be tiring for them to come every time. So for tonight, they wished to spend the afternoon at home since they barely got to spend time at home together.
“What’s taking those girls so long?” said Mr. Taniguchi.
“I think mom decided to force Yoshie in a dress again” Yuuki snickered “I remember last year when she tried to make her wear this short frilly pink dress, now that was hilarious”
“But I’m sure your mother picked out something more suitable to Yoshie’s taste this time. She’s been going around that thought for ages now so that Yoshie would be happy when she gives her something”
“I guess that’s a better idea than picking out random cute clothes”
“Everyone! Yoshie’s ready!” Mrs. Taniguchi came down from the stairs and raised her hands towards the top of the stairs “I think I did a good job of picking out this dress. C’mon Yoshie-chan!”
“Now this I gotta see” Yuuki and Mr. Taniguchi headed towards the bottom of the stairs and stared in awe at Yoshie. The dress her mother chose extended up to her knees, and it billowed out at the edges to give it a flowing effect, which was accentuated by the layers of black lace underneath. The color was a creamy white shade with black butterflies embroidered unto the bottom half of the dress along with small black leaves and flowers. The top part showed a little cleavage, but it was alright, and the sleeves were short and puffy, giving it a really cute effect. Yoshie added a little to the outfit by wearing her fishnet stockings and black knee-high boots and a black military hat.
“Wow, you really did it this time dear” said Mr. Taniguchi as he placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder.
“I guess this is the most ladylike appearance Yoshie can pull off” said Yuuki.
“Shut up!” honestly, Yoshie really liked the dress and even thought that she might wear it tonight at her live performance. She walked down the stairs, only to be hugged by her mother who was happily embracing her daughter, saying that she had grown up to be such a lady, this was stopped by Mr. Taniguchi who told them that the nabe might get cold so it might’ve been wise to eat it already.
I’m really grateful that I have such a warm family, but I wish Fuuto could be my brother so that he might be able to experience such a thing as well, hang on…
“Mom, dad, is it alright if I invite a friend over?”
“Who? Takayuki-kun?” asked Mrs. Taniguchi.
“No, our band’s bassist, Takahashi Fuuto”
“Fuuto?” repeated Yuuki “Doesn’t he have a family to spend his time with?”
“It’s alright, I’m sure he’ll come” she didn’t want to tell them that Takayuki’s parents were dead, because then they might’ve seen him in a different way. Besides, she couldn’t let him spend his time alone at home “Is it alright?”
“Hm, I guess there’s no harm in that” said Mrs. Taniguchi.
“Dad?”
“Any friend of our daughter’s is a friend of ours”
“I’ll go call him then” Yoshie stood up and headed towards the phone, dialing Fuuto’s home phone number, hoping that he would pick up.
“Hello?” his voice was heard from the receiver.
“Fuuto, it’s Yoshie, you wanna come over and have lunch with us?”
“Us? You mean your family?”
“Yeah, if you’re not busy that is”
“Ano…hm…”
“Is it okay with you?”
“It’s fine, but would I be a bother?”
“Don’t worry, my parents said it was fine so you have to come”
“But-“
“No buts, come here and enjoy your Christmas afternoon. That’s not a request”
“Alright fine, I’ll be there in a few minutes”
“Okay, bye”
Yoshie grinned inwardly as she headed back towards the table, happily humming a tune to herself. Fuuto might not have a blood-related family anymore, but he still had Violet Rose to look out for him. It was certain that Yoshie would never abandon him no matter what would happen to them, even if she were to take several years to help him then it’d be alright with her. Even if it meant not telling him that she loved him, then it’d be fine for her as well, because it was different if you have someone to sing for either than yourself.
After around half and hour, a doorbell was heard from outside, and Yoshie volunteered to answer it knowing it was Fuuto. By now she had completely forgotten that she was wearing a dress and just walked around the house like it was nothing. When she peeked into the door’s peephole she saw Fuuto standing on the other side with snowflakes on his head and shoulders. She laughed as she opened the door, greeting him a merry Christmas.
“Merry Christmas, Fuuto” she said as she let him in.
“Yeah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Birthday by the way” he said as he stared at her. She really looked pretty in her current outfit that he couldn’t help but blush at the mere sight of her. However he tried to hide it by looking away and turning his attention to her mother who was right behind Yoshie.
“Yoshie-chan, is this your friend? My, he’s so handsome! I never knew you had band mates that looked like this!” she said as she approached him “I’m Taniguchi Kyoko, Yoshie-chan’s mother”
“H-hai ano…Mrs. Taniguchi” he repeated, feeling a little bit awkward that he was already calling Yoshie’s mother by her first name.
“Come now, take off your shoes! We have hot nabe on the table”
Yoshie laughed when she saw how embarrassed Fuuto looked, being told off by her mother as he took off his boots. It was almost as if he never really had a mother when he first saw Mrs. Taniguchi. When Fuuto made his way towards the dinner table, everyone else greeted him a warm Merry Christmas.
“Nice to see you again Takahashi” Yuuki greeted him.
“Yeah, you too” said Fuuto as stood beside Yoshie and her mother “Nice to meet you, I’m Takahashi Fuuto”
“You’re very polite aren’t you?” Mr. Taniguchi smiled as he motioned for Fuuto sit beside Yoshie’s seat “Have a seat”
“Hai” Fuuto, Mrs. Taniguchi, and Yoshie sat down back on their places and gave their thanks as they started to indulge in their food.
“So, Takahashi-kun, you’re a member of Violet Rose right?” asked Mr. Taniguchi.
“Yes, I’m the bassist actually”
“Oh right, Takayuki-kun plays the guitar right? Do you play anything else?” asked Mrs. Taniguchi.
“Actually I can play the guitar and the piano”
“Eh?!” Yoshie exclaimed “I didn’t know you could play the piano!”
“You never asked me so I didn’t say anything” he replied.
“Wow, then you’re pretty talented then aren’t you?”
“I won’t say I am, but thank you”
“Then tell us, are you Yoshie’s boyfriend by any chance?” Mrs. Taniguchi grinned as Mr. Taniguchi and Yuuki nearly spat out their food, looking directly at Fuuto and Yoshie.
“N-no! We’re not like that!” Yoshie blushed.
“It’s true, we don’t have that kind of relationship yet”
“’Yet’?” they repeated. That last word made Yoshie blush as she looked away from Fuuto.
“I didn’t mean it that way, but…” Fuuto was lost for words by this time.
“It’s alright if you want to ask our daughter out, I think you two make a wonderful couple! Then maybe I wouldn’t have to worry about Yoshie-chan giving birth to ugly children, then maybe she could have really good-looking children”
“Mom! Don’t talk like that!”
“That’s right, they’re not even together yet, right?” said Yuuki as he looked to Fuuto “Right, Takahashi?”
“Y-yes, exactly” Fuuto was shaken up by Yuuki’s threatening glances that said he’d kill Fuuto if he laid a finger on his sister, Mr. Taniguchi looked like he was doing the same as well.
“But it’s alright Yuuki, I’m sure Takahashi-kun’s parents wouldn’t mind either, right Takahashi-kun?”
“Mom, that’s…!” Yoshie didn’t want the issue of Fuuto’s parents to come up right now during this happy conversation.
“I don’t have any parents” Fuuto said as he put down his bowl “They died when I was twelve, I’ve been living alone since then”
“Oh, I’m so sorry Takahashi-kun, I shouldn’t have said anything” Mrs. Taniguchi approached Fuuto and held out his hands “From now on, don’t be afraid to ask the Taniguchi residence for parental guidance okay? Mother will help you through anything”
“Yes, Father will help you out too” Mr. Taniguchi followed his wife’s gesture and placed his hands on Fuuto’s shoulders.
“Oi Yoshie, is it true about Takahashi’s parents?” Yuuki asked Yoshie.
“Yeah, but please, don’t bring it up any further” she said to her brother as she looked at Fuuto’s face, all smothered by the concern her parents were giving him. It was rare to seem him receive so much kindness, but she was sure he liked because he showed no sign of fighting back against their gestures.
Fuuto, I’m glad I invited you over. You don’t have to worry about being alone now, because even if your family is gone, there’s another one here willing to help you out.
After an afternoon filled with nothing but laughs, useless conversations, and family-like gestures, it seemed like Fuuto really had a fun time despite the fact that he was spending his Christmas afternoon with someone else’s family. He couldn’t explain how he felt, but it was warm and comforting, exactly how a family should be. It’s been so long he seemed to have forgotten just how gentle and caring a family could be. When the sun began to set, Fuuto and Yoshie began to make their way towards the door, getting ready to leave for their performance that night. Yoshie wore a coat over her dress since it was snowing heavily that day, she was serious about wearing to their live that day.
“Be careful, and break a leg!” said Mrs. Taniguchi as they stepped out of the house.
“We will”
“Thanks for everything” Fuuto bowed to them.
“It was nothing Takahashi-kun, just take care of our daughter alright?”
“I will”
“We should get going, bye mom”
“Bye, do well with your performance!”
Vivre once again had been a full house, but there were more people now compared to their first live at Shibuya. Maybe it was because there were several people cosplaying as punks and gothic lolitas tonight that it seemed like this was the only time they would be able to show their true spirit on Christmas. If Yoshie wasn’t mistaken, she could swear she saw a few of her classmates watching them, she even saw Umayaboshi there. It was nice that he actually meant he would support them. The band before them, in Yoshie’s opinion, sounded awful. The members were all over the place and she didn’t know whether the male vocalist was singing or screaming or maybe even both, but she was confident that they could bring this show a little something nice.
“You guys ready?” said Takayuki as he came out from the dressing room “This band is giving me a headache”
“You said” replied Kaijin “We’re going to do so much better”
“It’s not good to say something like towards your fellow musician” said Fuuto as he stood beside Yoshie “They work just as hard as we do, so it’s not nice to say something about people you don’t know”
“Alright, alright, I understand” said Kaijin “Yoshie, you nervous?”
“Why would I be? I’m pretty pumped up right now! Where’s Shikita-san by the way?”
“He’s in the back, he’s in a special spot where he could record out performance”
“Oh, okay”
“By the way, aren’t you gonna take off your coat? We’ll be performing soon, all you have right now is your make-up”
“Oh shut up, I’ll just take off the damn coat” she went into the dressing room and slipped her coat off, looking at herself in the mirror as she did so. She had no idea she’d look so feminine despite the punk accessories she put on herself like the studded choker and leather wristbands. Leaving the thought behind, she walked out of the dressing room, only to be stared at by her fellow band mates and other random men from bands.
“Yoshie, is that you?!” said Kaijin as he approached her “I didn’t know you could look so feminine!”
“Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?”
“But Yoshie looks cute in it don’t you agree, Fuuto, Kaijin?” said Takayuki who was trying to conceal the bright red color on his face.
“Ye-yeah…I’m shocked. If you weren’t our vocalist I’d definitely rethink taking you out” said Kaijin.
“I wouldn’t even agree to that if my life depended on it”
“Hey, it’s a compliment okay?”
“Whatever”
The female staff member approached them, carrying a clipboard and talking to someone on the microphone attached to her ear. She seemed to be in her mid-twenties with long dark brown hair tied in a bun behind her head. When she came near Violet Rose, she immediately asked them “You guys are Violet Rose right?”
“Yes” Takayuki replied.
“You’re on in five minutes, you ready?”
“Yes”
“Good” she turned away and talked into her microphone again “They’re ready, cue the lights”
“She seemed pretty cute” Kaijin grinned “Maybe I’ll ask her to accompany me this Christmas evening”
“I don’t think so” said Yoshie as she stuck out her ring finger “She had a ring on this finger”
“Damn, and I thought I might be able to enjoy myself this Christmas evening”
“I could always accompany you, Kaijin-kun” Takayuki teased.
“I don’t want to hear that from you”
“What? There’re always a few groupies who might want you”
“Good point, maybe this night won’t be so bad after all”
When the preceding band had finished, Violet Rose were signaled to get ready as the host began to talk about their next performer and how much of a newbie they were to the music industry. Yoshie swore she could’ve strangled him by the way he talked about them. However she remained calm and tried to think about nothing but their performance that night, and nothing else. When the host was finally done talking, Violet Rose silently made their way up the stage as people began to stare at them, thinking that they seemed pretty quiet for a punk rock band. Once again, Kaijin sounded his drumsticks and Violet Rose created another mob of fans cheer loudly for them as Yoshie sang the lyrics of the song.
“…Waiting might’ve been an understatement, looking away while I gaze at you is something different, Those few nanoseconds we get to have together, I treasure them until now…If telling you I loved you meant breaking apart, I would rather have spent my days seeing you in the distance…Yeah…oh…in the distance baby…”
After their live performance, Kaijin had invited them over to have drinks with a few female friends, but Yoshie and Fuuto declined because they were sort of tired that night, especially Yoshie who had been staying up late these past few days just to finish writing a song.
“Well then, see you then” Kaijin said as he placed his arm around a small blonde girl’s shoulders “Happy Birthday Yoshie, and Merry Christmas to you guys”
“Yeah, same here” said Takayuki as a brunette girl with short hair placed her arm around Takayuki’s “Before I forget, Kaijin and I have something for you”
“What is it?” asked Yoshie as Takayuki handed her a paperbag “It’s fan mail”
“Oh, is this for all of us?”
“Actually it’s all for you”
“Are you serious?!”
“You seem to have a lot of fans, both male and female”
“Wow, I feel so touched!”
“Anyway, we better get going now, g’night” said Kaijin.
“Yeah, bye Yoshie, Fuuto”
“Bye” said Fuuto and Yoshie in unison as they left. When Fuuto and Yoshie were out of hearing range, Kaijin turned to Takayuki and said “Are you sure you’re just going to let them get away like that?”
“Why not? They like each other right? Besides, I bet she’ll be much happier with him”
“Takayuki, I don’t think I can ever do what you’re doing”
“It’s alright, after all, I’ll always just be an older brother in her eyes” he said sadly as they walked into the city. He suddenly remembered his previous conversation with Fuuto at his house a few days ago. It made him smile with a painful expression on his face.
A few days ago…
“It’s not something material I want to give her, I want to give her something she’ll treasure forever”
“What is it?” Fuuto tilted his head to the side, wondering what Takayuki might’ve meant by what he had just said.
“You like Yoshie right?”
“W-what?”
“Your expression completely gives you away”
Fuuto merely grunted, he looked away, a slight blush appearing on his face. “So what?”
“I’m going to tell you now that she likes you too” said Takayuki “My question is, do you like her the same way she likes you? I bet you’ve already noticed”
“Yeah, I have…” he sighed “…but I’m worried if I tell her she might move away from me”
“I said she likes you right?” Takayuki smiled “Her birthday is coming up, maybe you should tell her soon”
“But…”
“Because if you don’t want her, then I’ll take her away from you” Takayuki’s expression became serious “If you decide not to take her, then I will”
Fuuto stared at Takayuki’s serious look, it was rare of him to talk this way, and whenever he did the things that came out of his mouth were always serious. He began to think for a while, but then he looked at Takayuki in the eye and said, “Like hell I’ll let that happen”
“Kya! It’s so cold tonight!” Yoshie wrapped her coat around her tighter as they took a shortcut home through the park.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have worn that dress then” said Fuuto.
“But it looked nice right? Besides, my mom finally gave me something I like, the least I could do is wear it during a performance”
“I guess you’re right” seeing Yoshie shiver like that, he suddenly had the urge to wrap his arm around her as they walked “It’ll be warmer like this right?”
“Y-yeah” Yoshie blushed as he put his arm around her. This felt pretty awkward to her since they were alone in the park that night. When a vending machine came to sight she turned to Fuuto and said “I’ll buy us a drink. How’s that?”
“No thanks, I’ll just take a smoke” he said.
“Fine” Yoshie walked towards the vending machine as she looked through the choices. She was about to put her money inside when Fuuto suddenly placed his own bill inside.
“Which one do you want?” he asked.
“Uhm, this one” she pressed the button as the can fell into the bin underneath the vending machine. Both of them reached for it, making their fingers touch in front of the lid. Moving away from each other, Yoshie reached inside and took it instead.
“Thanks” she said.
“No problem”
Since there was a bench nearby, both of them stood beside each other as Yoshie began to drink her hot coffee while Fuuto started to smoke, placing his bass beside him. It was weird, she never really imagined spending her evening with Fuuto, but she was thankful that she did. Neither of them said a word, and I was getting pretty awkward so Yoshie decided to start a conversation.
“Our live tonight was something right?”
“I guess it was pretty enjoyable”
“You said it” she replied. Suddenly, she remembered the song she had been writing these past few days, so she looked to Fuuto and said “I wrote a song, wanna hear it?”
“A new one? Sure”
“I’ll just sing it, I don’t have my guitar now” she held the can of coffee in between her hands as she closed her eyes and began the tune. The tune was soft and gentle, unlike her other powerful songs this one had a different feel to it. It was as if it was her heart was singing with all it’s voice.
“I was happy that we got to look at the clouds together
You were always there when I needed you
But now I want to be there when you need me
Are the words ‘I love you’ so hard to say?
Your distant footsteps don’t seem too far away now
Even if sometimes I don’t understand you
Even it sometimes I we don’t agree with each other
I want you to know that the red thread that connects our fingers
Is still there while I pull on it,
While I wish for you to look back and pull it towards me
As the stars above us smile, I wonder if they ever frown
Were they smiling or frowning when you cried?
I couldn’t help you back then
But now, I want to be there when the cherry blossoms fall
So that the you back then, would smile at me the same way I am
Even if sometimes I don’t understand you
Even it sometimes I we don’t agree with each other
I want you to know that the red thread that connects our fingers
Is still there while I pull on it,
While I wish for you to look back and pull it towards me
I will never forget that day you called me by my name
I had no idea you cared for me that much
That’s why I’ll never look back and say we had bad times
I’ll just say that those were times were joyous
While I wish for you to look back and smile towards me…”
Yoshie breathed out and sighed heavily, making a very flushed expression as she faced Fuuto “It’s all I was able to do under five days, but I personally I think it’s – “ Her voice stopped as she felt Fuuto’s lips press on top of hers. Her mind went blank, time stopped for the both of them as he pulled away from the kiss and looked at her.
“…it’s beautiful”
“Fuuto…” her eyes hadn’t stopped gazing at him, her face was still red from the sudden kiss while Fuuto put out her cigarette and wrapped his arms around her.
“I like you…” he whispered into her ear. Yoshie was so emotional that time she didn’t know how to reply to what he had just said. There was a mixture of happiness and excitement that stirred all throughout her veins as he looked at her once again. He traced his hand on the side of her face and smiled gently for her, it was the first time that he had smiled like that in front of her that it just made her eyes teary.
“Fuuto…I…I…” before she could finish her sentence, he kissed her again. This time, Yoshie accepted it and placed her arms around his neck. There wasn’t anyone who could ruin this moment as they expressed their feelings that one Christmas evening, or rather Yoshie’s 17th birthday.
The kiss was so sudden that I had suddenly lost my train of thought that night. I finally knew how Fuuto’s lips felt like, they weren’t cold ones I had expected, they were warm to the touch although they had tasted like cigarettes, but it was as if it had never been tainted with such a painful past at all. I never said that I liked him back, but I was sure that he could hear my heart screaming it out to him as he kissed me. After we kissed in the park, he led me to his apartment. We were both so into what we were doing that I felt like I didn’t exist until he placed his arms around me. I can’t remember what happened much that night, but I was sure that we were touching each other all over…
Once Fuuto and Yoshie had left the park, there a dark figure that approached the bench they were seated at and took the can that Yoshie drank from. All the contents had spilled, but all he did was put the part where Yoshie drank from against his lips, taking an intention indirect kiss from her. A smirk appeared on his lips, his plan was going to come into action soon. He will soon have her, and he will break her until she can no longer be broken.
“Taniguchi Yoshie…” he muttered “You’ll soon be mine”
What’s it about? 
What’s it about?
What’s it about?
What’s it about?
What’s it about?
What’s it about?
What’s it about?
What’s it about?
What’s it about?
What’s it about?