Totally 'Tokyo Cinderella Story'
Story Delight

As long as she came to this city, a miracle would happen, this city would surely bring me happiness -- she always had a strong belief in this fairy tale.

But, Yukiko, who had come to this city for three years, had finally come to realize this fact.

For a fairy tale, a romantic happening, it was only a faraway dream; she could only live in an ordinary, enclosed and realistic life. After graduating from high school, from her hometown, she came to Tokyo to work. Her job was as the accountant of a food factory, and she lived in a poor apartment.

If even such a common character like Yukiko could ascend to the position of the female lead; one of a fairy tale, then probably what would happen would be a Tokyo full of Cinderellas!

Having these thoughts wouldn't mean that she is a negative thinker. Even though everyday life was plain, without much difference; at times there would still be some incidents that would make her very happy. She even had moments when she laughed heartily. If you insist on her choosing between whether she is happy or unhappy, she would probably choose happy, I think. Even though her answer would not be strong willed, it is just like that.

However, being in this world, where it is very far from a fairy tale or a romantic happening, sometimes she would still feel a strong sense of loneliness in her heart. Especially during afternoons, when she was alone, holding her umbrella and passing through the crowds, that feeling would be especially strong.

'I'm at the Tokyo train station now, come and meet me now!'

At the other end of the line was that familiar voice, up till now it was still ringing in her ears, mixing with the raindrops dropping on her umbrella. But as she thought of herself asking for early leave, and the displeased look on the supervisor's face, she could not help sighing.

This would be considered as a small incident, one that happened in an ordinary day, of an ordinary life.

Her brother, who was helping their parents run their family hotel at the coast of their hometown; Kikuo, suddenly said he wanted to come to Tokyo. He was already an 30 years old man, but still a bachelor. Even though he was not very smart, but he was a positive thinker, and he was simple minded. However, the strange thing was, to his younger sister Yukiko, he was especially naggy; that was her brother.

This was his first time in 30 years, that he had come to Tokyo. As Yukiko asked him, 'Can you travel on your own?', Kikuo answered lightly, 'I know, by the E train!' This way of conversation, which the modern Tokyo people wouldn't say, he's saying it with pride. He's that sort of person who would spend his time on a certain thing, but, in the end, would achieve nothing. The E train is the perfect example. Yukiko can't help laughing to herself, under her umbrella. One part of the skeleton of the umbrella has broken, the outside dosen't look very pretty. Even though she understood that in her heart, but she was the thrifty type, so she still couldn't bear to throw it away.

The rain kind of makes one's sad feelings a little lighter, she thinks; sometimes going off work earlier is not such a bad thing after all! It is a good chance for me to pluck up my courage.

Like Yukiko who was born in a poor family, she knows best how to cheer herself up.

That was also the life philosophy she learnt she learnt while living at Tokyo for three years.

Kikuo, at this moment, was scolding a young man at the ticket counter of the train station.

A really rude fellow.

As he was calling Yukiko at the train station, behind him, this young man was talking to someone using his handphone.

'I can't find the person who is coming to fetch me, tell me the clothes he's wearing.'

That man, after nodding his head several times, walked to where Kikuo is standing.

'Quick!'

In a commanding tone he spoke, then he passes the bag he holds in his hand to Kikuo. Kikuo was influenced by the look in his eyes, so he accepted the bag.

'We've got to take a train. At this time, it is faster!'

'Wait ... ... Wait ... ...'

This man only took a look at Kikuo, who was at a loss; then he continued walking in front. In the journey, he turned and said, 'I've still got luggage!' Kikuo takes a look, there was still luggage on the floor.

'Hey ... ... Wait a while ... ...'

Kikuo picked up the luggage, and ran after the man.

In difficulty, he went up to the man, and after he explained clearly to the man. That man's formal face turned red with embarassment.

Kikuo, with his big brother look, was teaching that young man.

'You're lucky that I am a good man, so I won't argue with you. A young man like you who just gave his bag to someone and runs off, is likely to get beaten up!'

'I'm really sorry,' the man apologised

'I suppose it's the first time you came to Tokyo,' said Kikuo in a joking tone.

'Hmm?'

'It's all right, no need to act! Honestly, it's the first time I came to Tokyo. Seeing that we have both come to Tokyo for the first time, I forgive you. Ha! Ha!'

'No, you have misunderstood ... ... I'm a local who just came back.'

'Oh, is it?'

'Sorry, you are wearing the same clothes, so I thought you are my driver who came to fetch me ... ...'

Driver? Slow in thought, this time it became Kikuo whose face turned red with embarassment. This is really a big mistake. Is this a insult? Or a disdain? ... ... Yet, he did not become mad at the spot, this was Kikuo's kind personality, his everything careless trait.

'Brother!''

Yukiko was approaching him.

'Oh.'

Kikuo waves in embarassment.

'I help you carry one piece of luggage, all right?'

'It's heavy, so you don't need to help me carry it. Yes, I brought an umbrella! Mother wants me to carry everything, making the suitcase so full. Ha Ha!'

'... ... Hmm ... ...'

Yukiko noticed that man, he was always looking at Kikuo and Yukiko, listening to their conversation.

'Ah, how do you do?' That man smiled at Yukiko, then he asked Kikuo, 'Is she your younger sister?'

Kikuo, in that 'why are you still here?' mood looked at that man, then he said, 'This man is really rude, he thought I was his driver!' But still, that man did not do anything, he just looked at Yukiko, then he used a tone and expression as if he was playing with some object, 'I also have a ... younger sister of a similar age.'

After that, he proceeded to walk away in the rain. He didn't bring an umbrella, so his clothes were becoming wet from the rain drops falling on them. And Yukiko's personality was such that she would not ignore what was happening. Also, somehow, she was attracted by the special feeling the man gave her. Yukiko, after taking a look at Kikuo; who was looking for his umbrella, started to run after the man, and, just as he was waiting for the green man, she took out her red umbrella, and said,

'If you don't mind, why don't you use my umbrella? My brother has an umbrella, I can share it with him. Don't mind!'

Yukiko, in her half controlling tone, passed her umbrella to him, then runs back to Kikuo. That man just continued looking at Yukiko's figure, which was going away. Yukiko looks at him again when she had walked some distance, that man was lightly holding up her umbrella, smiling to thank her. Yukiko gave him a look, then looked ahead again. Kikuo just said 'You're also a good person!'

That was Yukiko and that man -- Masashi's first meeting.

It was also the start of a fairy tale I guess!

Kikuo was holding an engagement ring that he had bought with his life savings.

'I have a classmate who is an air stewardess here. Do you know? We met again at a recent gathering. How do I explain? Oh, I don't know ... ... We ... ...'

'Are a pair!' Yukiko finished his sentence.

'You can say that! Ha Ha Ha Ha!''

He had come to Tokyo to ask for her hand; this matter, to 30 year old Kikuo, wasn't it a life's big bet?

'I told her I want to introduce my younger sister to her, so you better come with me. Let's find a big restaurant, the three of us order the most expensive dishes, go to the most trendy restaurant, isn't that a good idea?'

'... ... the most trendy restaurant ... ...'

Yukiko looked at Kikuo, who was overjoyed; and suddenly thought of Masashi's face, his taste is really like a French's taste. Be it his looks, or his speech and movements, compared with Kikuo's country look, really made a strong difference. She understood that since the society in Tokyo was so big, it was very difficult to meet people, but she still hoped to meet him again. She had fallen in love with him at first sight, or rather, just longed to see him!

Yukiko's judgement was correct. Masashi was the head manager of a corporation which owned hotels, recreational facilities, transport, marketing facilities all together in one -- Takagi Corporation.

He just took over his father's business, his chairman position. Of course he will not cling to an unexpected meeting, his life is already occupied by big and small meetings, discussions, lunches, dances ... ...

'You're a new star in the financial sector, so you will receive the attention of the people!'

As the secretary of the chairman, Shinji, using his cold tone says.

The person promoting Shinji, who was already an outstanding person in his school days; is none other than Masashi.

He knows, with his character, he cannot think clearly, and this is a great weakness, so Masashi promoted him.

'Your father said, for the weekend party, you must also entertain Hatsue Industries, this is the invitation card.'

'Can't you just mail it?'

'There's a message inside, it's better for you to give it personally. Kanzaki Hatsue is a beauty, I heard!'

'... ... Is this also my father's idea?'

'Yes, she is an only child! You should get the idea!'

With a snort of contempt, Shinji puts the invitation inside the pocket of Masashi's coat.

You really do your job ... ...

After giving a bitter smile, he walks to his car. The chairman's driver, because of his mistake at the Tokyo station the other time, must have been scolded by Shinj! So now he opened the door with a look of fear on his face.

'Next time, remember to be on time!'

'... ... Yes, Director ... ... Also, how do I dispose of that umbrella? Its skeleton is broken.'

'Umbrella?'

Masashi, taking a quick look, nodding his head, with a look of intolerance, said,

'Throw it away!'

In Yukiko's bag, there was the salary she took earlier from the factory, ten thousand yen. She deeply believed that Kikuo has a similar amount.

Still, when they sit down at the restaurant Yukiko had tried very hard to find, Kikuo whispers to Yukiko, 'Oh dear, a set dinner costs three thousand yen. So for three persons, wouldn't it be nine thousand yen?'

'Don't worry, I have five thousand yen.'

'I only have one yen.'

'... ...'

'Total is ... ... six yen ... ...'

They took a look at each other, and Yukiko felt regretful. She should have told Kikuo the difference between Tokyo's 'high class restaurant' and the island's 'high class restaurant'. Now they were unable to leave the restaurant.

'I will go back first!'

'Wait, I will go with you!'

'No, you already arranged to meet your girlfriend. I will leave the money here, you just tell her your sister had something on at the last minute, and apologize to her. Tell her I'll meet her another time.'

'... ... But, you ... ...'

Kikuo's appeared to be very uneasy, like in his childhood days. At times when nothing is wrong, he liked to sing his own praise, but when something happens, he is as timid as a mouse.

'Didn't our deceased granny say that? A man must have courage!'

Yukiko got up from her seat, took a look at her watch, there was still five more minutes. Kikuo just stood there stiffly, drinking his water.

'Brother, try hard!''

'Hey ... ... Hey ... ...'

At that moment, Kikuo's voice became weak.

As Yukiko came out of the restaurant, she bought a hotdog at the roadside stall. She had given her purse to Kikuo, so right now she only had this amount of money left to buy a hotdog, after minusing the transport fees. Maybe it's the effect of the sauce of the hotdog, that while she was eating the sizzling hotdog, she naturally began to smile. Compared to the luxurious French dishes, this could let her feel that sense of happiness, more strongly. Even though she was surprised that she could be happy so easily, she still ate her hotdog happily.

In her heart, she thought, I'll eat my hotdog as I walk to the bus stop! As she turned.

'How are you?'

A person in front of her greeted her.

It was Masashi.

'I just came out from that store, and in my car I saw you.' Masashi used his chin to indicate that French restaurant, then he ordered a hotdog from the storekeeper.

'I came here to talk about some office matters, and also for my dinner, but I don't feel like eating the food there, so sometimes I order a hotdog to allay my hunger!'

He was smiling as he said this, and he was chewing on his sizzling hotdog. Seeing what he had done, Yukiko who had at first wanted to hide her hotdog, couldn't help laughing together with him.

'There's something ... ...' Masashi said. 'It's not that I want to specially follow you, but I have thrown away the umbrella that you lent me.'

'Oh, that's all right!' Yukiko hurriedly shook her head. 'I was planning to throw it away anyway! You saw it? Since that umbrella is already spoilt; even though after repair, it can still be used, anyway it's still a cheap product!'

She didn't really know what she was saying, even in her dreams she did not know that this would happen; just this already made her overjoyed. She really shouldn't have given a spolit umbrella to someone else, but just thinking about this, she couldn't help getting excited.

After finishing the hotdog, Masashi wanted her to have a ride home in his car; even though she tried rejecting him a few times, but she still accepted the offer in the end. When she saw that it was a car driven by a driver, she couldn't help gasping in astonishment; but what was more surprising was the fact that the driver called him 'Chairman'. Even so, she did not want to say goodbye.

The two sat at the back. After the car started, Yukiko wanted to break the silence between them, so she started to say,

'I thought that even if we meet again, you wouldn't remember me!'

Masashi nodded his head, looking outside the car,

'I told you I have a sister right? When she was small, she was just like you, holding a red umbrella ... ...'

'Oh, is that so?'

'But now, she is not at home anymore,' he was still looking at the scenery outside, continuing,

'She left home three years ago ... ... Even though our family did look for her, up till now we still don't know where she is, what she is doing ... ...'

'... ...'

'When I see you, I start to think about my sister.'

'... ...'

Yukiko was feeling anxious, she felt that at this time, she should say something to comfort him. However, she was afraid that if she did, she would seem too ladylike. After Masashi had said that, he was very quiet, he gazed at the lightning of the streets as if lost in thought, as if he had forgotten the existence of Yukiko altogether.

What is the name your sister? How old is she? Why did she leave home? She had many questions to ask him, but they all seemed like questions that shouldn't be asked.

In the end, they did not say anything more, she got down near her residence.

'Is it all right to stop her?'

'Oh, I live nearby!'

She didn't want him to see her old apartment.

As they were saying goodbye, even though Yukiko felt rather shy, she still said what she had thought about all through the journey.'I didn't think that I would be able to see you again, but still, we were able to meet. For Tokyo, you can't really say whether it's big or small, this is the first tine I have thought so. So, you don't need to worry! I feel ... ... you will be able to find your sister ... ...'

Even though these words were not very convincing, but still it would be able to show her feelings of concern for him! Masashi also showed a slight bitter smile, and replied, 'Thanks!'

Other than that, he also took out a party invitation from his coat pocket and gave it to her. 'This is for you! This ia a party organized by my company; if it is convenient, you may also invite your brother to come too.'

Yukiko was blushing as she accepted the invitation. A chance meeting, followed by a another chance of meeting again, but for the third time, there would be no need to wait for another chance to meet again.

After his car had left, she looked at the invitation, and saw that there was a row of words below the printed words, on top it wrote,

Yukiko felt very excited.

Of course she could not have know Shinji's mistake, because Shinji didn't write anything at the addressee portion.

The words

When it was late at night and Yukiko was already asleep, Kikuo came back.

'So what was the result?' As Yukiko asked with sleepy eyes, about the situation the night before, Kikuo spoke in a confident voice, 'The guy silently took out the wedding ring. Ha Ha Ha!'

'You gave it to her!'

'The glittering wedding ring!'

'She accepted it?'Her teardrops went into the wine glass, plit plat plit plat!'

'She cried?'

'Normally anyone would say that this is teardrops due to overwhelming happiness!'

You have suceeded! Yukiko gave a smile of delight. Kikuo just gave a calm smile of happiness.

Yukiko took out the invitation card, that she had received from Masashi the night before.

'What is this?' Kikuo asked.

'It's the invitation to a party, it's tomorrow night, you can ask your girlfriend along to go together with you!'

'Together ... ...' Kikuo took the invitation in his hand, looking stunned. 'I, don't need this anymore!'

'It's a high class party organized by a big restaurant! Your girlfriend will be delighted!'

'There's no need to! I also don't have suitable dressing, it's better that you go!'

'I also don't have suitable dressing! Why don't you save up to buy some form of formal dress?'

'I don't need it! That person gave you the invitation, so why don't you go instead!'

Kikuo didn't even take out the invitation from the envelope to take a look, just putting it on the table. Up till before, the lively, happy Kikuo had suddenly disappeared without reason. Even his line of vision seemed to be avoiding her. At this moment, shouldn't he be in a world of happiness? Why could she hear him sighing sometimes?

When Yukiko knew the answers to these questions, it was already evening.

Kikuo's girlfriend had come to look for Yukiko at her apartment. Kikuo happened to be out; he has probably joined a tour, I suppose! Yukiko was smiling as she explained the reason for his absence. 'I feel he will be coming back soon, maybe he knows you have come, and can't leave the group or something!' Even though this was their first meeting, but thinking that she would probably be her sister-in-law soon, it was better to give her a smile or two.

But, she showed a great look of unhappiness.

'I feel a great bother!'

'Oh?'

'We were only playing around at the class party; I didn't know he would take it for real ... ...' she sighed and continued, 'Any person would know that we were just playing around!'

'... ... May I ask ... ...'

'The day before, when he called me, I should have told him clearly. Your brother, this type of person, really likes to pressurize others!'

'Yesterday night, didn't you accept his wedding ring ... ...'

Before she could finish her sentence, Yukiko's girlfriend said coldly, 'I didn't go!'

'... ...'

Kikuo's shadow, sitting alone at the French restaurant, clearly appeared in her mind -- the waiter, with a surprised look, gazing at him; at first he walked towards the phone booth, followed by that, getting back to his seat in disappointment. This image, appearing like video, was showing in her mind. Kikuo's girlfriend, after signing, got up and said,

'I already have a fiance already, if he continues harassing me in this way, I will feel very troubled. Today I just hope to come and tell him this.'

The door opened, and a gust of wind blew in; and a bag of a gift shop on the shelf was blown down; from the mouth of the bag, a black evening dress could be seen, that was bought as Yukiko came back from work. She thought, it could not only be used at the party, but also for the time of his wedding. She used a way of paying a monthly amount of thirty six thousand yen, thirty six times, to buy this evening dress, hoping to serve as a suitable wedding present to Kikuo.

Before she got angry with him for making up such a lie, thinking that he had no alternative but to lie, her eyes could not help getting warm.

As Yukiko was staring at that evening dress, Kikuo was being dragged to a nightclub by force, really venting his emotions. The female accompanying him was very pretty, and she was only twenty three years old; and, at his country like hometown, you could never see such an enchanting girl.

'You are only twenty three years old, isn't that as old as my younger sister?' Kikuo said in an unclear tone, then he put his hand on her shoulder. 'Why would you work here? Hitomi!'

'So that I could get to know you, Kikuo, such a handsome person!'

'You really know how to talk, you really look cute!'

'Would you like to open another bottle of beer?'

Hitomi gestured to the attendent. The man who had been outside getting customers to come in, took off his coat, changed to becoming the worker of style, that was the feeling of the store. Hitomi and that man stared at each other, that man's look seemed to say, 'Very seriously earn thousands of money from that guy!' but Hitomi's eyesight seems to reply, 'I know! Kenji!' This is also part time life.

Kikuo, who had drunk until the late night hours, had been beaten black and blue.

The price he had to pay for opening three bottles of bear was, other than the money he had, five thousand yen; followed by that imagaination like wedding ring, and also Kenji's countless boxes.

Still, at breakfast next day, Kikuo sttill continued his sad lie.

'Because I had to protect my girlfriend, so I became like that. When we were holding hands passing the bar, we were harrased by some youths, they were probably jealous of the happiness we felt! Because my girlfriend is really too pretty!'

Yes, Yukiko silently nodded her head, saying 'She is really very pretty ... ...'

'Oh?'

'Your girlfriend came to our place!'

'... ... What did you say?'

Yukiko did not dare to look directly at Kikuo,her back faced him, pretending to sort out some things, getting to work.

'She said she is going to London.' Her voice was shivering. 'She said because of work, suddenly she had to fly to London. I think now she must be thinking of Brother and crying!'

After stopping for a while, Kikuo started to speak, 'You are also the same, if you want to lie, why don't you make up a better one!' Even though you could hear from his voice that he was trying very hard to smile, but it was already much better than what Yukiko had expected.

'... ... Actually, she really came to apologize! She felt regretful that she couldn't accept the good intentions of Brother; I am not lying to you, she was really bowing her head and apologizing to me the whole time!'

As she continued speaking, she felt more guilty.

'Never mind, don't continue!'

As Kikuo said so, he started to lie on the floor; Yukiko was like a person who had escaped, leaving for work.

Kikuo was lying on the floor, staring at that new night wear that was hanging on the doorway, looking at it for a while.

'I beg you! Please give that ring back to me! That was bought using all my life savings!'

Kikuo seemed to be kneeling down and begging Hitomi at the spot. He went to the nightclub, depending on his unclear memory, he looked for the nightclub he had gone to the night before, stayed at the same place to wait for Hitomi.

'Wait a minute, now what is the use of you saying these words to me! There is nobody inside?'

Hearing Hitomi's shy voice, many boys came out from the shop. Kikuo's outcome was like yesterday night, being beaten up by them. Still, Kikuo did not make any action to defend himself, or hide like any timid person, he just avoided the view of the boys, focusing on Hitomi, saying repeatedly, 'I beg you ... ... Please return the ring to me ... ...'

Hitomi finally gave in. She showed a look of surprise, while bending her neck to show herself thinking, she gave a jewel box, holding the ring to Kikuo.

'Like a fool!'

'Yes, I am a fool!'

While Kikuo was caressing his face which had been hit for two days, he started to smile. Seeing his happy look, Hitomi couldn't help smiling too. But, then she immediately started to frown, and in a not too happy tone said,

'Since this ring is so important to you, don't let it go so easily next time!'

' ... ... Really sorry to trouble you, you really are a big help ... ...'

From two days before, this ring was really very important to him, but now it was not the same. Kikuo just put the ring in his coat pocket, and then went to the streets to walk and shop; he wanted to find a pawn shop. Bringing a thirty year old man's ring, which was the first one he bought; to the pawn shop owner, to let the petty shop owner estimate a cost, in the end he was not even able to get back one third of the cost. This somehow was in argreement with the fact that he had just broken out of love.

Kikuo used the money to get an evening dress for Yukiko.

It's better that at the party, we enjoy ourselves to our heart's content, so that we forget all the unhappiness we've gone through ... ...'

Using the money on an unmeaningful event, won't not mean a good way to put a full stop to a funny and sad romance!'

By evening, Kikuo who had already changed into his evening wear, was encouraging Yukiko, who had just come home, to prepare herself.

'If you're not faster, we'll not be in time! This is the last night I will be in Tokyo, let's go out and have some fun! We should be able to hear some old music!'

'Should be classical music!'

'And there's also delicious food waiting for us!'

'It's European buffet!'

'Never mind, just be quick! You look, I have even bought the evening dress for you!'

'Buying such an expensive thing, isn't it a waste of money? Let's return it!'

'You really don't want to go?'

Masashi's smile appeared once again in her mind, and also the words on the card, as well as the fact that she could only see such a party from the television or magazines.

All -- right!

Yukiko nodded her head, giving a bitter smile. This would be better than the two of them sitting in a hotel bar, just drinking beer and getting bored! She was trying continually to wipe away Masashi's image from her mind, attempting to convince herself.