Final chapter of GS. There is the epilogue before this fic wraps up completely. Geez, I should really be replying to comments. I'm so slow. Gomene
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Glass SlipperChapter 20 - Destiny “IRSSHAIIMASE!"
“Jun, you have a terrible memory.”
“Oh right! I meant 欢迎!”
Tilting his head and giving Aika a sheepish grin, Jun continued clearing the counter top of plates the previous customer had left behind. He was now a chef and the owner of a little restaurant. Sitting outside in the dining area at a table situated by the window, Aika concentrated intently as she flipped through several books, calculating and recording down the necessary figures to keep the accounts in check. And like this, the pair went about working at their respective tasks until the last diner for the day exited the Chinese eatery.
“Ugh!”
Raising her arms high above her head, Aika stretched out her sore muscles and thumped her fist on her aching arms. It had been a long day for her. This was her final year at high school and she had secured a place in a good university which would commence in the spring of the following year. For the past three hundred over days, she had come to Jun’s restaurant to help out after school and stayed on up to closing time. The two had started dating when Jun discovered his real background. It was Aika who accompanied him when he couldn't face Tanaka Hiroto and Reina. It was also Aika who stayed by his side when he contemplated whether a not to leave Japan. When he was decided to reunite with his father and half sister, Aika was still with him.
It was difficult at first to come to terms with the fact that his mother as a Chinese had fallen in love with a Japanese Yakuza leader and had willingly bore him a child. This sort of affair was practically unheard of in that era. When Tanaka Hiroto disappeared from the scene for a lengthy period to hide from enemies, Qian Lin was forced to return to China to ensure the safety of both her son and herself. At that time, she was pregnant with their child and could not risk losing him should Hiroto’s enemies decide to seize her in order to make him show himself.
Unfortunately, she did not mange to establish contact with Hiroto and had died of illness without being able to see him before she passed on. That had been the only and biggest regret in her life.
"Is the lady boss tired?"
Nuzzling at her neck, Jun murmured the question into her ear. Aika's reaction was to twist her head around and glare at him in mock annoyance.
"Who's the lady boss?"
"You are. Aren't we getting married when you graduate from college?"
Pushing Jun off of her and scooting out of her chair, Aika put both hands on her hips and flicked her forefinger at him.
"Who said anything about marrying YOU?"
"Having second thoughts are we? I have no choice but to try convincing you otherwise."
With a dazzling smile, Jun pulled his chef hat off his head and tugged hard at the apron strings tied around his waist...
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A substantial crowd had gathered around the entrance of the chain electronic store situated in a busy part of town. Many of the onlookers were attracted by the noisy atmosphere and the promise of attractive discounts on the first day of the shop's opening. Standing on a mini podium at the entrance with a mike in his hand, Taka was a magnificent sight dressed in an expensive branded suit and immaculately styled from head too toe. A couple of schoolgirls huddled together took photos of him with their cell phones and discussed excitedly about the young and handsome boss of the Takahashi conglomerate.
Clearing his throat so that he could start on his speech, Taka tapped on the mike.
"Good afternoon everyone. Thank you so much for gracing this event. This is our fifth store to open in the past year and it is due to your patronage that this could be achieved."
Pausing for a moment, Taka gazed into the audience and combed it for a specific woman. When he located her petite form, he flashed her a genuine smile before continuing.
"It wasn't easy for me to arrive at where I am today and I must admit most of the credit for my success goes to a group of friends who have stood by me through thick and thin. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank someone extremely important to me. She has encouraged and supported me without asking for anything in return. Thank you for always being there. Even though I was such a jerk."
His speech drew applause and hoots of laughter but Taka didn't care about the reactions from insignificant individuals. The only person whose response meant something to him was Reina.
"I want to be able to see your face when I wake up each morning. Marry me."
The crowd grew visibly quieter than during his address and some people even held their breaths as they watched the astonishing turn of events. Meeting Reina's gaze, Taka searched her eyes for an answer. The proposal was unexpected and very public. Would she accept it?
"Taka is truly the prince that every princess wishes for."
Uttering that statement in a dreamy tone, Sayumi lamented at her own unromantic proposal. Although she wasn't obvious in blaming Kuu for the lack of thought put into that special moment when he asked for her hand, he nonetheless picked it up.
"Taka's only asking because Reina's pregnant. He was never the type to settle down."
Opening her eyes and shooting her husband a distasteful scowl, Sayumi retorted.
"You're just annoyed Taka is more of a man that you are."
"And how exactly am I less of a man? You sure didn't say this in bed last night."
Their conversation evoked amused glances from the people surrounding them and Sayumi blushed awkwardly when she noticed their stares.
"Shush! Do you want the whole world to know?!"
Rolling his eyes at his wife, Kuu averted his attention back to the toddler squirming in his arms.
“Look at how your mommy is hankering after another man.”
“Don‘t tell him rubbish Kuu!”
Slapping at his arm forcefully, Sayumi frowned. It was only when their son smiled, revealing a single milk tooth did the creases between her eyebrows slacken.
“Our son is such a delightful boy. I’m certain Taka‘s daughter would fall in love with him at first sight.”
Using his finger to tickle the spot under the baby’s chin, Kuu played with his son until the boy cooed and giggled with joy.
“I don’t think Taka-sama will agree to his daughter having a relationship with a hyperactive narcissist brat who can’t shut up about how good-looking he is.”
Sauntering up to the lanky young couple were the Jun and Aika pair. The seventeen year old female had a wide smirk on her face.
“Oh shut up.”
Barking the short statement at the new arrival, Kuu went back to watching the unveiling ceremony. By this time, Reina had joined Taka on stage and he had one hand positioned comfortably on the small of her back whilst his other stroked lovingly at the bump which was barely showing under her loose outfit. The two of them were all smiles and posed naturally for the endless flashing of a million cameras.
“It‘s great to see that all of us are getting on well in our lives.”
The sudden and somewhat pessimistic comment jolted everyone in the little party. Acknowledging Sayumi's remark, Aika replied.
“I know what you mean Sayumi-neechan. If only Eri-neechan was here too.”
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The salty sea breeze blew through her long hair and icy cool fluid covered her toes as she stood with her feet half submerged in the water. She wasn’t in Tokyo as the ocean in the capital city didn’t have waves suitable for this particular spot. Keeping her line of vision focused on a figure balanced atop a giant wave, she watched mesmerized as the sportsman performed a variety of complicated stunts effortlessly.
When he rode on a wave headed back for shore like how a knight would ride on his handsome stallion, she immediately ran up to him. Hoping off his surf board, he bent down and was about to pick the smooth fiberglass piece up when a voice halted his actions.
“Hi.”
Leaving the board, he straightened up again and stood to his full length. Surprise was evident on his features when he saw the face of the girl who was standing before him.
“Kamei-san? What are you doing here?”
“I want to learn to surf. Will you teach me?”
Noticing that she was already clad in a wet suit, he realized she was a hundred percent serious about her claim.
“Eh sure. Are you thinking of starting right now?”
“Yes!”
Latching herself on his arm, Eri dragged him to the water’s edge and waited for him to tell her what to do. As he instructed her in great detail on the various steps, she watched intently and hung on to his every word. His easy sunshine smile, the gentle warmth that radiated from his kind brown eyes and the manner by which he carried himself, they were exactly as she remembered. Spending time alone with him meant the world to Eri and everything would be perfect if not for that one flaw. To him, she was just a friend of Taka and Kuu's partners.
“I‘m surprised you decided to drop by. And without Michishige-san and Tanaka-san too.”
“They were busy.”
Nodding to show that he was understood, he patted the board and motioned for Eri to get on. Nevertheless, he wasn’t completely taken by her explanation. Why would she come to Chiba to learn to surf? However, he didn’t question her real intention and continued teaching her patiently. After he had quit his job as a host, he had moved here and worked as a surfing instructor.
“Lie flat down and paddle like this.”
The lesson was proceeding smoothly and both of them were having a great time chatting and cracking jokes. Most of the gags Eri told were more cold than funny but he laughed anyway, happy to see her face light up when he reassured her that she was indeed undoubtedly entertaining. In her mind, Eri was mulling over how she should go about asking him to dinner when an anxious cry for help cut through her thoughts.
“HELP! My son is missing!”
His grasp on her waist relaxed and he was visibly distracted by the commotion. Realizing that he wanted to assist in finding the lost child, Eri clasped his hand in her own.
“Go, I’ll be fine.”
“Maybe I should see you back to shore first.”
Turning the board around, he started to push it in the direction of land. He didn’t count on her getting into the water from sitting on the surfboard.
“I can swim back on my own.”
Gazing deeply into her eyes, he considered her suggestion. Sensing her persistence, he finally relented.
“Be careful okay?”
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The water level rose swiftly in a spate of a few seconds and the pull of the rip currents got stronger. It was harder to swim against the tide and Eri felt her strength depleting. She had always been a competent swimmer. The waves couldn’t get her down, could they? Putting more power into her strokes, she sliced through the water, feeling a weight on her ankle from the lease attached to the surfboard.
You’re doing fine Eri. Just a few more meters to go.Abruptly, a massive wave formed in the distance and approached at great speed for coast throwing Eri's surfboard against her. The impact of the surfboard fin when it collided with her body produced assorted lacerations on her skin. There was the possibility of infection setting in with the open cut at the side of her head and Eri was beginning to feel numb from the chill of the water.
“Kamei-san! KAMEI-SAN!”
Whipping around frantically while treading water, he shouted her name as loudly as he could. Despite his calls, no replies were heard over the roar of the ocean. A typhoon was rolling in and the sky had darkened considerably. The majority of swimmers and surfers alike have left the sea after the boy was saved. Most of them went up the beach to watch the departing ambulance when they discovered that the waves had become too tricky to maneuver. He was fully aware that at this point, the ocean wasn’t a suitable place to be in. Except that he wasn’t leaving without her. He hadn’t managed to find her back on shore and a sick feeling in his gut told him something must have happened.
“KAMEI-SAN!”
Sucking in a deep mouthful of air, he plunged below the water and dived deeper. Light was scarce beneath the surface and he couldn’t see beyond a meter with the limited filter of sunrays. A minute passed, and an addition forty seconds. He would need to go up for air shortly. Yet he knew precious seconds would be lost if he surfaced as his eyes would need time to get re-accustomed to the murky water. And Eri didn’t have time, if he didn't find her soon, she would drown.
You have to be alright.Nothing less than a miracle occurred in that instant as his hand bumped into a form in the dark. On instinct, he snaked his arm around it and kicked downwards. The added weight restricted his speed and required him to exert more. He felt a sharp discomfort in his lung and the searing pain caught him off guard, sending him gasping for air. The seawater that he swallowed made white spots appear in front of his eyes and he wondered if he was in the process of losing consciousness.
~Flashback~"This is the first time you've referred to me as Eri-chan. And... I like it."
A light blush appeared on her face and she lowered her eyes, too embarrassed to look at him directly. Resting his head on hers, Gaki whispered softly into her ear as he rocked her tenderly from side to side.
"Eri-chan, Eri-chan.. Eri-chan."
~End of flashback~With widening eyes, he looked down at the unconscious face of the girl in his embrace. It was unmistakable, she was her. She was the woman he loved unconditionally. How could he have forgotten her? And in this instant, she could be dying. A surge of determination exploded within him and clenching his jaw, he swam with all his might, propelling them both upwards. He could see the sun ahead. It was right ahead... just....a little...more...
Topic: More Than One Story...[111016 Loving You Forever] (Read 236742 times)