Totally 'Tokyo Cinderella Story'
Story Delight

'Is it? Is it? You have already recovered your vitality, that is great!'

Kikuo slowly expanded his smile; Yukiko, on the other hand, felt a deep sense of shame, sadly lowering her head.

Masashi passed a bundle of thick documents to his father, saying,

'This is, just in case we fail in our attempt to merge with Kanzaki Industries, the deficit or loss we estimate to make.'

On the documents, the estimated numbers were recorded, by the numbers generated by computer; on the last column , hundred million positioned numericals were arranged.

Mr Takagi looked at the documents with intense shock, but, of the matter with regards to deficits, it had already been in his prediction; so, after lightly nodding his head, he raised his head, saying to Masashi,

'Once the company incurs such losses, do you know what are the result?'

Yes! Masashi lightly nodded his head.

'Maybe for my job as Director, I will be dismissed by the Board of Directors, probably!'

It was probably Masashi's disregarding tone of voice, that caused him to get angry; Mr Takagi's voice suddenly became brutal.

'Before you accepted my position, didn't you already know, that you, yourself; will one day have to be united in wedding with Kanzaki's daughter?'

'I understand!'

'Then why do you let me see this sort of thing now?'

'I don't go against you helping me to make the arrangments, of my marriage with Ms Kanzaki Hatsue.'

'Hmm?'

Hearing this phrase, not only Mr Takagi, but also Shinji, who had seen and heard their whole conversation process; both showed a surprised expression.

'I just cannot let the whole workforce of Takagi Corporation roam the streets, right?' Masashi showed a very serious expression, which had never been seen before; facing Mr Takagi, with a resolute and definite look, saying, 'On the contary, I hope this merge can happen soon, it's best that the agreement can be signed by the end of this year.'

'This is probably too hasty, isn't it?' Shinji hurriedly said. 'What if the other party has any objections ... ...' Still, Masashi still said, 'This is probably not an unreasonable request!' With this, severely blocking Shinji's rebut.

'Didn't you always want to be together with Matsui Yukiko?'

'Unless I am willing to give up everything, that is simply impossible, isn't it?' Masashi used a tone, likewise of sowing discord, replying to Mr Takagi's question. The unfeeling manner which he showed, unexpectedly, was no different from Shinji's.

'But, didn't you really ... ...'

'I didn't ever consider getting married with Yukiko.'

'But, can you answer me, not ever hiding the truth from me; in private, what did you do to force her to give in or some senseless thing.'

This phrase was partly directed at Mr Takagi, and on the other hand, was also at Shinji. Mr Takagi gave in, in a dejected manner, Shinji also seemed to be overwhelmed by his power, hurriedly avoiding his gaze.

'Really, we can carry on with your marriage, with Ms Kanzaki Hatsue?'

Masashi just answered in a low tone, 'Yes!'

Just at that night, Kikuo arranged to meet Hitomi at the restaurant.

'Because he helped us with the introduction of the surgeon, my father instructed me, that I must invite him to have a meal, to say thank you personally, so ... ...'

'That means to say, my elder brother ... ... will be coming here later, is it?'

'Yes! I must thank him for saving my mother's life! We owe him a favour, since we owe him so, we need to pay him back. It's really sad! That is just my innate personality!'

Kikuo just hightlighted that he was a man who [Placed great emphasis on human feelings, talked about moral and justice], that kind of person.

'You are really a good person!'

'Do you like that?'

'I hate it!'

'Hmm?'

'You don't dare to face him alone, so you asked me out, right?'

After Hitomi said that, a teasing smile appeared on her face. Kikuo, who thought he had already lost the battle halfway between, and was looking very troubled, now then turned from sadness to happiness, showing a tranquil smile.

'With just me alone, if handled wrongly, when I start talking to him about Yukiko's matter, I might beat him up even, maybe. With Hitomi around, I would be more disciplined.'

'So it's like this ... ... You still don't want to forgive my brother ... ...'

Hitomi took a sneak peek at the expression on Kikup's face, Kikuo did not answer her question, he only gave a long sigh; in a thoughtful manner.

Just at this time, Masashi finally came. He did follow the scheduled time, arriving punctually.

The two of them exchanged greetings politely, but Kikuo just did not dare to look at Masashi, he just handed over the present to Masashi, in a rather clumsy manner.

'This ... ... Please accept this, my parents want me to pass this to you; earlier, it was really thanks to you!'

'It's nothing much! It's not really my contribution, the surgeon and my father are old friends. So, as to your kindness, I don't accept it.'

'... ... No, this ... ...'

'Because of Yukiko's matter, I also wanted very much to see you.'

'Ah! No, Yukiko's matter ... ...'

'I really feel very sorry!'

Masashi lowered his head, apologizing to him. His attitude did not show any sign of inferiority or grief, but it showed him to be very sincere and ernest.

After the two of them maintained a moment of silence, Kikuo then slowly opened his mouth, saying,

'Please lift up you head! I ... ... forgive you. Honestly, my motive for asking you here today, is also to say these words to you. Yukiko could finally forget you with so much difficulty, so, I hope you can also forget her. Just let everything in the past, be away like tea, because tea is too hot, so everybody says let it pass like water, right?'

The joke he said at the end; even Masashi, Hitomi, and himself, did not laugh at it. But, the atmosphere did get eased up, to be more relaxed.

'This is what my parents want specially to give you, so please accept it. Also, about Yukiko's matters thereafter, hope you don't be too meddlesome anymore.'

The last phrase that he said, was what, he, as a brother, truly felt.

Masashi silwntly bowed to him again.

Just at the same time, Shinji also asked Yukiko out.

At the start, he had only made a phone call, but Yukiko did not even want to hear his voice; just at that moment, when she was planning to put down the receiver, Shinji said to her, 'Is your brother in?'

Yukiko, who had just rushed into the cafe in an angry manner, was just glaring at Shinji and saying,

'This is my problem with Mr Takagi, it dosen't concern my brother, please don't draw him into it.'

'I only want to ask you about matters with regard to Hitomi only!' Shinji said, giving a composed smile.

'It's her father who asked me to come and enquire about this, what is your brother's relationship with Hitomi actually?'

'... ... Why do you want to ask about that ... ...'

'He cannot possibly always tell people, that Hitomi is studying overseas, right! He said, no matter how it goes, a countermove must be thought of, before the wedding!'

'Wedding?'

Shinji waited for a long time, almost just waiting for her to say this. He wore a trace of a truimphant smile.

'Today, Masashi formally agreed to his marriage with Ms Kanzaki Hatsue!'

'... ...'

'If you don't believe me, you can ask him yourself. The date for the wedding has also been decided on, just on the day of Christmas.'

'... ... So what does it matter, I am leaving now ... ...'

Yukiko left her seat, Shinji did not try to retain her, but he only passed a period of scornful laughter behind her back.

On the day of Christmas itself--.

She thought, it must be Shinji who was lying to her.

Masashi had already arranged to meet her; for this year's Christmas Day, they were going to spend it together.

If she did not believe Masashi, it would be that she did not believe her own heart; with that, she felt that her own heart could be torn into a million pieces.

Just as Masashi was about to pick up his receiver to call Yukiko, his phone rang, almost as if it wanted to interrupt him, it was Shinji who called.

'With regards to the matter of your marriage with Hatsue, the other party hopes that it can the date can be fixed on Christmas Day ... ...'

'Then I'll just follow what he wishes, I don't have any objection.' Masashi spoke in a rather unfeeling, forthright manner.

The phone call with Shinji just ended like that; after that, Masashi started calling Yukiko again, telling her about that matter, of him meeting up with Kikuo.

'He wants me to forget you! And he also asked me not to poke my nose in and intervene with your private matters!'

'... ... I'm very sorry! My brother really said that ... ...'

Yukiko said that in a very careful manner, so that she wouldn't let Masashi see how uneasy she felt. Masashi did not know anything about her meeting with Shinji.

'You don't need to say sorry to me, it's all my fault. I would rather that he gives me a few more punches, if that can make him forgive the matter between you and me ... ...'

'... ...'

'Anyway, next time I will take the initiative to meet your brother, so can you just give me some more time? I will have a good talk with your brother, to let him agree about us keeping in contact, but I think I will just require some time.'

By these words of Masashi, it helped her gain a feeling of release. Luckily she hadn't asked him, about the matter that Shinji had told her. She thought, Shinji must be planning to trick her by saying those words.

After she had just put down the phone, Kikuo just came back.

'Honestly, I lied to you, meeting up with Masashi.' He said that himself, to Yukiko, then sat bolt upright. After Yukiko saw him looking this way, she could only sit straight, upright, in a precarious manner. 'Do you know why I want to see that hateful fellow ... ...'

'For Mother's operation, to say thanks to the other person.'

'How do you know?'

'Do you need to say that, Brother always knows about human feelings at home, of course!'

'I also emphasize on being respectful to ancestors! Once I get married, her brother, her father, and all her past forefathers, we all cannot overlook, right?'

'... ... Marriage?'

Yukiko, who had been conversing with Kikuo all this while, in a question and answer manner, only asked him in a very serious tone at this time.

'It was only because of Hitomi that I forgave Masashi! After all, he is my love's elder brother, I cannot hate him all my life, right? But, this action of mine kind of lets you down, I know!'

No! Yukiko replied, shaking her head.

'And, do you think I can propose to Hitomi? I would like to hear your opinion before I make a decision.'

'My view?'

'Because if I get married with Hitomi, Takagi Masashi will have relative relations with us! You probably wouldn't like to have any in-law relations with a guy who left you, right? You will definitely not like that, my guess is correct, right?'

'Wait! Don't you feel this is too much of a rush? It dosen't matter to me ... ...'

'Is it really so? I can start my proposal plan?'

''... ... Hmm, about my matters, you don't need to take it to heart.'

'That's great!' Kikuo gathered up all his strength, saying, 'Anyway, I will put all my effort into it!'

Really cannot help that guy! Yukiko, while pretending to smile, could not help secretly sighing to herself.

As the director of Takagi Corporation, Masashi's course for the day was very full. From the early morning, there were already quite a few business deals to discuss.

Masashi, who had just finished dealing with a few business contracts, at a hotel located in the city; asked the driver to help him buy a can of coffee, so the driver went in the direction of the automatic vending machine.

Just at this time, the view of the driver stopped at a couple, who was walking out of the hotel. The male was Shinji, the female was just Kanzaki Hatsue --.

Could it be that they ... ... The driver hurriedly dismissed this notion, it was he himself who must be dazzled, probably!? Probably it was like this, couldn't be anything else. Because Masashi and Hatsue's marriage was already confirmed, formally. This was the news that everybody in the company knew, everyone from top to bottom.

When the driver had finished buying the coffee, and returned to the car, he saw that Masashi was still sitting at the back seat, reading the morning newspaper.

He was knitting his brows, showing a not very lighthearted look; it seemed that, recently, he kept having this kind of expression. The driver did not tell him about that [Dazzled] matter, which he treated as a joke, to let him know, but he just started the engine, without a word.

Kikuo finally proposed to Hitomi.

Even so, he was not born with the skill to tell others of his innate feelings. So, he took the chance before Hitomi went for work at the bar, stopping her; then handed her a thick set of books, inside it, there was his diary, travel booklet, and there was also some information printed out from the encyclopedia.

'It's like this ... ... I ... ... What do you feel about fresh oysters?'

'Fresh oysters? I like them very much!'Hitomi answered in a rather blank manner.

'Me too! I also like fresh oysters very much!'

'Kikuo! You like to eat fresh oysters very much, is it?'

'Not really! It's like this ... ... All the details, I have already written them down in the diary. And also about the riddle with regards to fresh oysters, as well as the history of my family's guest house, all the information concerned is all written inside.'

'... ... What is this?'

'I hope you can answer me as soon as possible. Small Japan! You, with such hurried footsteps, where are you going! I must be going back to my home!'

'Kikuo! What is it? What happened?'

'... ... I hope you can resign from your job at the bar, this has been my opinion so far.'

'... ...'

'Bye!'

Hitomi still could not understand the true meaning of those words; Kikuo had already turned and left, as if in escape.

What is the matter ... ... Even though Hitomi was a little afraid that she would be late for work; but, she still hurriedly flipped through the diary Kikuo had given her.

Using rough hints of handwriting, there was also another paragraph.

Hitomi stared at those words, in deep thought; just at some time earlier, before Kikuo came, Kenji had just come to knocking at her door, looking for her.

Kenji did not step into the room, he only said some words to her, 'My guitar, did you throw it away?'

Hitomi shook her head, 'I thought that; one day, you would come to get it back!' She smiled and handed the guitar to him, 'If you learn how to play the guitar now, it's still not too late, isn't it!'

'... ... You helped me to replace some new strings, did you?'

'My last present to you!'

'... ... Thank you ... ...'

Hitomi smiled at him, he also returned it with a smile. Very strangely, that smile, up till now, still left a deep impression in her heart.

The words that Kikuo had written, every little bit, was just covering, on top of his smile.

Can you make out some time tomorrow --.

Masashi said that to her, calling her by phone. 'There is a matter I would like to talk to you about first, it's a very important matter; it's not convenient to tell you on the line, I feel it is better to tell you face to face.' His voice held a little dignity.

This, with regards to Yukiko, was also a matter that she was hoping for. She wanted to tell him about Kikuo and Hitomi's matter, if it was possible, she also wanted to ask him about his marriage with Hatsue, even if she could not ask him directly, at least she also wanted to ask if she could wait, with high expectations, for the coming of Christmas?

So, in the day, when there was a man, who called himself [Mr Takagi], who came to the factory to look for her, she had always thought, that must definitely be Masashi. But, the time was a little earlier than the time which had been set, and also the place for the meeting was different too! So, she thought in her heart, it must be another person who had come to pass a message to her! Anyway ... ... it was just too unexpected to her, that [Mr Takagi] turned out to be Masashi's father.

After Yukiko had sat down in the cafe, she still could not hide the hint of astonishment on her face, Mr Takagi just spoke with an added tone of seriousness,

'Earlier, what our employee Shinji had told you about; it's all true.'

'... ... Hmm?'

'Masashi, on one hand, is in contact with you; on the other, he has also agreed to let us make preparations for his marriage with Hatsue. So, by the circumstances, it appears that, even when he gets married, maybe he also dosen't want to break off his relationship with you. Do you know what this implies? I suppose you should have some hint?'

'... ... That is because ... ...'

'To say it rather coarse manner, it's to be someone's small wife, isn't it?'

There were signs of disappointment, and a smile of scorn on Mr Takagi's face; watching the stiff look on Yukiko's face, so he added more fuel to the situation, saying,

'This matter, if coming to the knowledge of your parents at home, will surely make them very sad, right!'

'... ... Mr Takagi, he ... ...'

'Don't tell me you are still dreaming of him getting married with you? Please stand in Masashi's position and think about his case; to him, marriage is a big matter, it cannot be decided by his preference.'

'... ...'

'You cannot bring happiness to Masashi, I will also not bless the two of you. So, I hope you can disappear before Masashi, this is also for the good of Masashi.'

She could very well rebut him with many arguments, or rather, just shout at him in a loud manner, You don't look down on people! Still, Yukiko's mind seemed to be blank at that moment, unable to think about any matter. Mr Takagi's attitude also seemed to have changed from a slightly belittling one, turning into a earnest, advisory manner.

'If you are willing to disappear before Masashi, I will not be against that matter, of your brother being with Hitomi.'

'It is Hitomi, herself, who wanted to leave the Takagi family. But, Masashi is different from her; this time, his marriage concerns Takagi Corporation and the outcome of many thousand workers, if the marriage is not well negotiated, his director position would also be hard to keep. I don't want Masashi to be overwhelmed by a moment's emotions, and ruin his own future, I also hope you don't just think of yourself, you should consider more for others, like Masashi and your brother. Hope you can understand my good intentions, I request you!'

Mr Takagi gave her a deep bow.

In Yukiko's empty mind, there suddenly appeared a deep hint of the contours of a face.

'... ... I can really help Masashi in this way?'

Yukiko asked in a shaking tone, Mr Takagi just nodded his head, with much confidence.

After Mr Takagi had left the cafe, he sighed and entered a car parked by the roadside.

Shinji sat on the driver's seat, nodding his head at him, saying, 'It really troubled you!'

'You are right, it is really a woman that is hard to get rid of!'

On Mr Takagi's face, once again, there appeared that arrogant, and also unfeeling expression.

'Yes! That woman is really crazy about Masashi, if we don't think about any counter measure, we won't know what she will do at that time. We must definitely not let her go to the place of the wedding and make trouble ... ...'

The car started to move. Shinji started to think about his [Companion] -- Kanzaki Hatsue's face, and could not help secretly smiling to himself. Everything is proceeding as you arranged, his thoughts again flew to the delicate skin of Hatsue.

As she went home, Yukiko brought a melancholic look with her, that phrase of [Small Wife] continued swirling around her ears, and could not be awept away. Could this be the motive of Masashi, why he was asking her not to tell anybody? ... ...

Inside the mailbox, there was a postcard sent to her by her mother.

Earlier on, with much difficulty, Mother had just come to Tokyo, but because of the operation, I could not help you to do much, I'm really sorry! Mother really hopes to have a good chat with you, no matter what you say, Mother is very willing to listen. If you cannot come back, you can also call me, let Mother hear your voice of vitality!

Please help me send my regards to Mr Takagi!>

Yukiko put down the postcard on the table, sighing. She thought that, when she was reading the postcard, she could probably not help herself, and burst into tears, but to her surprise, she did not cry at all. Because she, her whole self, had completely come to a state of prostration, losing all state of mind, and already could not feel any bit of sadness.

The time that she had arranged to meet Masashi, slowly came nearer. She thought, if she did not start preparing to go out, it would be too late, but her body just could make any movement.

On the other hand, Kikuo's situation was --.

His situation was just opposite, his whole self was immersed in that atmosphere filled with happiness.

Hitomi had given him a reply.

On the exchange diary, below that paragraph of Kikuo's proposal, she had written , this was the answer that Hitomi gave him.

'Have you really agreed?' Kikuo could not help giving a shout. 'It's a guest house! It's fresh oysters! It's on an island! There's no fancy store there, nor are there any fashionable shops, there's nothing there! And I am just what I am!'

'... ... Can you help me buy a scarf?'

'Hmm?'

'And also mittens!'

'Hmm?'

'Compared with Tokyo, the island's winter must be very cold, right?'

Hitomi gave a bright smile.

'No, as long as you are by my side, it will always be spring on the island!'

Kikuo also smiled very happily.

Until he had left Hitomi, with only himself, alone, he could still smile even more happily. Without knowing it, he had starting humming that tune of [Are you willing to marry me]. Not just so, he also went to the supermart and bought a lot of high class beef.

Just as he was filled with those feelings of exitement, reaching the entrance of the apartment, he just met Yukiko, who was going out.

'What is it? Are you going out?'

'... ... Yup ... ...'

'We are going to eat stewed beef tonight!' Kikuo held up the supermart's bag with much excitement. 'Because from now on, I will have to work very hard! Not only will I have to bow down to Mr Masashi, I will also have to bend my waist before Mr Takagi!'

'So that means ... ... Hitomi, she ... ...'

Kikuo's smile finally reached its peak.

'Sorry! Initially, I wanted to wait for you to find your happiness first, before I think about my marriage!'

'So bad of you! Didn't I tell you before, don't put too much heart on my matters?' Yukiko tried very hard to force a false smile on her face, then hurriedly stepped forward. 'I will come back soon!'

'Oh! I will wait for you! It isn't everyday that you get to eat stewed beef! Hee Hee Hee!'

Yukiko walked rather fast, as it was already almost past the time she had arranged to meet with Masashi. She thought in her heart, after they had met, she would probably ask him about the reality of the matter! She could only move her stiff body forward, reluctantly, with these thoughts in her mind.

Still, even though Yukiko had only moved a few metres forward, she could only stop in her footsteps.

She kept staring at Kikuo, who was moving with brisk steps, jumping up the steps of the apartment, his back view; was it better to tell him first? Or was it better not to say anything ... ...

Kikuo could feel that she was observing him, so he turned back to ask, 'What is it?'

'Brother ... ...'

'Hmm?'

'Congratulations!'

She could only say that, and could only smile at him. Just because she wanted to put immense effort into constraining her own inner uneasiness, so she could show a smiling face to Kikuo.

As Yukiko walked, she kept thinking of what Mr Takagi had said; maybe because of her excessive troubled feelings and sadness; in her memory, Mr Takagi's face kept twisting and rotating. The words that she thought of at the end, became uncountable echos, sounding all throughout her memory.

Hope you don't just think of yourself, you should also consider Masashi, and think about your brother too, to be correct --.

Masashi was waiting for her, at the spot that they had arranged to meet; his back was facing her, he was constantly looking the watch on his wrist, from his back view, it seemed as if he had already waited for a long time.

She really felt like rushing quickly to his side, but she just couldn't move her footsteps; at the same time, she could not make any sounds, she could only stare blankly. At times, Masashi was just turning his head and thinking, at times looking at his watch, at times sighing, but he just did not notice Yukiko.

It was not certain how long this situation continued, maybe it was only a matter of a few seconds, maybe it could have been a few minutes, maybe!

Yukiko lowered her head, mumbling 'Sorry!' Then, her tears were overflowing down her cheeks. This was really a little sarcastic, at this time when she was extremely troubled, she could not cry out with tears, but just at that moment, when she was preparing to sacrifice everything, everything just came out pouring, fiercely. These tears, maybe had been stored inside her body for all this time. Might have been the amount for a few days, maybe for a week, a few months ... ... maybe it was the tears for a few years, moistening her cheeks, flowing down to her chin.

She finally came to the realization; after all, Cinderellas only excisted in fairy tales. She could deeply feel, even though she was the enthusiastic reader of fairy tales, romantic legends; but, she could never become the female lead of the fairy tale.

She turned and walked forward. Masashi still had his back facing Yukiko, puffing out the warm air, at times holding up his wrist, using the light by the street lights, looking at his watch. Yukiko did not turn back, neither did she stop in her footsteps, or try to brush the tears off her cheeks.

Everything had ended.

She could not even open her mouth to say a phrase of [Goodbye!] Everything had already ended.

When she had returned to the apartment, her tears had already grown dry, no matter how much effort she put into it, she could not force out any bit of tears. Her red and swollen eyelids, felt exceptionally painful. She lowered her head, walked with very heavy footsteps, with an almost fainting look, slowly walking towards the apartment.

Just at this time --.

'Yukiko!'

Kikuo stood at the entrance of tha apartment, shouting.

'Yukiko!'

Yukiko slowly held up her head; in her blurry world, there showed the alarmed face of Kikuo. Her ears, which were unable to judge distance at that time, heard Kikuo's piercing shout.