Totally 'Tokyo Cinderella Story'
Story Delight

After saying these words, Yukiko's mother silently left the world.

The death of Yukiko's mother was really too sudden; but, maybe because it was the last time that she could see Yukiko, her remains appeared rather composed. Yukiko thought in her mind, it would have been great if she had been able to redeem her life again; just thinking about this, she could not help feeling deeply grieved, she could not even think about anything now.

She had already broken up with Masashi, she was even worlds apart from her mother. She felt that it had just been a few days, and it seemed as if she already wept the amount of tears for many years. If she could go back for ten years and review her own past memories, probably now was the time when she was in the worst time, probably!

Also, things had not come to an end.

At the end of the funeral, just when Kikuo and Yukiko were just discussing with their father, about their return to Tokyo, a cadre from the hotel resort came over to visit; he said that he was under the instruction of the head office of Takagi Coropration, specially coming to present a means of condolence.

'About the news of Mother's death, probably he heard it from Hitomi!' Kikuo said in an easygoing manner, then he opened the envelope to have a look; in the next wink of a moment, at the same moment when he let out a voice of exclamation, he placed the envelope on the table in one go, inside the bag, there were nearly a million yen of notes.

'Even if the conditions in our family is very bad now ... ... Giving this amount of money, it dosen't seem very fitting in the human sense!'

Their father, whose hands had never left the wine bottle since their mother died, also felt humiliated at that moment; at one point, he was so angry that he was trembling all over, and at the other, he was drinking his beer in big mouthfuls.

'That fellow is looking down on people again!' Kikuo's expression also changed to a very fierce one.

'But, Mr Takagi, he isn't that kind of a person ... ...'

Yukiko was just preparing to act in his defence, but she was cut short by Kikuo's yell.

'Didn't he do this sort of thing before? Just giving anyone a stack of notes, and that's it? He isn't even embarrased by such an action, hmm! So he treats you like this!'

When their father heard these words, that were said by Kikuo, his facial expression instantly changed, pressing the two of them, 'What is this matter actually about?'

'Didn't you say ... ... you are only ordinary friends with him ... ...'

'Father! You don't worry! They have already seperated, once and for all!' Kikuo said, hurriedly tried to harmonize the situation, as the middle person.

However, by this, rather, it made their father look even worse.

'So, the other person just sent money over? This is that sort of money? You really don't know any shame!'

He suddenly gave Yukiko a slap. This slap did not only represent his anger, at the same time, it was also mixed with annoyance, grief and that distressed emotions that was hard to discharge.

'... ... It's lucky that your mother is not here anymore, it's fortunate that she dosen't know about this matter ... ...'

After theor father got rid of those words, he took his wine bottle and left the house. Yukiko stroked her hurt cheek, observing the back of her leaving father; Kikuo, on the other hand, could only be a corner, watching her with concern. The remaining portrait of their mother, had been watching every movement that had happened between the three of them, from the beginning to the end; Their mother's portrait, was expressing a smile without any worrry.

Kikuo placed the postcard in his hands, breaking out with another phrase,

'All this is really the alimony fees he is providing you with!'

'... ...'

'Just now, I made a call to Hitomi, and she said that she had received her brother's wedding invitation already, , he's getting married with the daughter of the director of Kanzaki Industries!'

'... ...'

'When Mother knows in the other world, seeing that you have broken up with him, she should be giving a sigh of relief.' Kikuo said so with a glimpse at the portrait of their mother.

Yukiko, howver, was just lowering her head, not quite having the courage to look at her mother's portrait. Because when she just thought of the last phrase that her mother wrote on the postcard, , those tears which should have dried up, would just seep through again.

The next day, Kikuo went back to Tokyo earlier than Yukiko, as for herself, she went strolling at a nearby pier, alone. As with regards to her company, it would not be possible for her to keep on taking a long leave; still, just as she thought that, when she went back to Tokyo, there would be no one waiting for her, she could not gather the energy to pack her luggage.

She found her father at the pier, he was sitting there alone, looking into the distance, as if spellbound. He still held tightly on to his wife's photo, even though this photo was not the same as the one on the counter, but her mother in the photo still held a smile on her face.

Yukiko silently sat down by his side, his father still did not turn his face towards her, but only said,

'Don't know if your mother is really fortunate? Married to such a place, where there is nothing, living in a place where there is nothing, I also don't know if she has been really living a forunate and happy life.'

'This place has Father! How can you say it has nothing! I just like this small town very much myself!'

'If that is so ... ... Why did you care about your mother's opposition at that moment, and went away to Tokyo?'

'... ...'

'Your mother was always hoping that you would be always by her side, she was always not assured that you would be all right, staying by yourself in Tokyo.'

Her father was sighing and getting up. Even though her father had always not been able to express himself well, his thoughts were old fashioned and rigid, but, Yukiko could still feel the meaning he was trying to express.

'Father! I'll like to leave Tokyo, and return home. I'll like to live here.'

'Really ... ...'

'... ... Right ... ...'

Yukiko also stood up.

Just at this moment, Yukiko saw an image that was almost unbelievable to her. She saw a young man standing at the end of the pier, looking steadily at her.

It was Masashi.

Just as what Yukiko thought, that huge sum of money, which was suspected to be maintenance fees, Masashi basically did not know in the least. It was because of that day, that Yukiko had not kept the appointment, so he felt rather uneasy, and he made a call to her workplace to enquire, thus he came to know of her mother's death, consequently, he immediately put downn his work and came over.

But, about the reason of why Yukiko didn't come over that day, Masashi himself already had an definite idea of the excuse.

'I don't know what my father sajd to you, but, I am really considering your matter very seriously.'

Masashi used a very determined tone and expression, saying; however, Yukiko was still bowing her head, not daring to lift her head up.

'Once I sign the deed with the other party, it would be the end that engagement. I plan to be together with you, I also hope that you can wait for me, these are the words I wanted to say to you.'

Still, Yukiko shook her head weakly.

'... ... Sorry, I don't have confidence.'

'You don't bother about what the people around you have to say!'

'I don't have the confidence to continue liking you!'

'What did my father tel you, please tell me honestly!'

Yukiko shook her head again; this time, it seemed to be even more helpess. Before her eyes, there appeared her father's outline, just now, at that moment when Masashi was just offering incense before her mother's memorial table, he was just sitting on the wooden passage, but was just always not willing to look at her. At this moment, that smile on her mother's black and white portrait, also appeared before her eyes.

'I feel very tired!'

'... ...'

'So tired, until the tears can't even flow out, now that I don't even have a tear left.'

'... ...'

'Now, in my heart, it is already so empty and vacant, without the existence of anything.'

Yukiko took hold of that bunch of keys, which she had never used before. and compellingly put them in Masashi's palm.

'Is this really your true intention?'

'Thank you!' Yukiko lowered her head, showing her intention, 'You are getting married, congratulations!'

I will not regret it, she bit her lips tightly, painfully determined to make this decision.

After a long period of silence, Masashi also sighed, with all hopes vanished. Then, he took out a postcard from the pocket of his coat, passing it to Yukiko, saying, 'I am not qualified to accept this!' Yukiko did not have any knowing about this; to her surprise, her mother had sent an identical postcard to Masashi.

Just as she put up her head, with a look of surprise, Masashi had already started walking in the direction of the train station. Don't pursue! She coninually warned herself that she could not catch up with him.

As Yukiko turned back and walked towards her home, she was also reading the handwriting that she was so familiar with.

At first I should have made a call in person at your residence, to express my thanks, but because the time schedule is too urgent, I can only substitute with a postcard, I hope you can understand. Thanks to your blessing, I can finally get discharged from the hospital, safe and sound. I just returned to Noto Honto Penisula today. I really wish to express my gratitude! Luckily you and Yukiko were there to help.

Maybe it is a case of parental love, showing special favour to your child! I feel that Yukiko has changed, after she came to Tokyo, she has become more robust, at the same time, she has also become more beautiful. Unknowingly, she has completely grown up. This has made me, as the mother; even though feel a little lonely, but also feel very gratified. Mr Takagi, I will leave Yukiko to you, I hope you can take good care of her.>

There was also a denotation at the end.

Yukiko sat down on the wooden corridor at her home, gazing at the courtyard in fascination, looking into the distance. Just now, in front of Masashi, her father had also held this expression.

Her mother had already noticed everything keenly, even though it was so, she was still willing to believe in Yukiko's dream, even until her death, she still put her utmost trust in Yukiko.

Unknowlingly, Yukiko had got up to leave, walked out from the doorway, she put her utmost effort and hurried towards the station.

Mr Takagi!

Not knowing if it was from her loud shout, or was it a supression, or was it a cry aloud from her heart. Anyway, Yukiko was truly shouting out Masashi's name, the boy that she loved so much.

On the platform, cold winds were blowing in an enveloping manner, freezing and throughly bone freezing, but it was already deserted, without a person. A kind hearted station attendent, told her that a train on the tracks had just left, not long ago.

Yukiko stood on the platform for quite a while, and could not help having the tears streaming down her face. She thought in her heart, why could she still manage to cry out? She thought that her eyes, which had already dried out with tears, why did it cry out again with new tears ... ... She had come to the starting point once again. Actually the inner self, which had already become empty, without a substance, was once again full of her expectations towards Masashi. Still, all had become too late.

I will come back home after Christmas --.

After Yukiko had told her father just that, then she left their homeland. It was not that she had not considered the date very carefully, before she decided on that date, maybe it was due to a special corner of her heart that was still left with what Masashi had once told her, 'For the Christmas this year, let's spend it together' that phrase, which had a lot of impact on her, probably!

But, their wedding was also arranged to be on Christmas Day.

She did not know which side she should believe in.

'... ... Brother, you are really engaged with her!'

Hitomi sat on the bar seat, suddenly saying this phrase. Masashi, who sat beside her, was lightly letting off this light touch of laughter, as if laughing at himself, saying, 'It should be Takagi Corporation and Kanzaki Industries, in the correct terms!'

'You should have received the wedding invitation! Then, come and make your attendance!'

'... ...'

'And, there is also this!'

Masashi handed her an a brouchure of a theatre, together with some tickets, on the brouchure, there were advertisements of the band's photos, there were pictures of Kenji playing his guitar.

'He suddenly called me, saying that he had something to pass to me, he asked me to pass it to you.'

'Kenji ... ... performing at the theatre!'

'Just consider me as a busybody! But I hope you will not regret it.'

First, Hitomi nodded her head, then she shook her head.

'I have decided to be together with Kikuo, to live together with Yukiko's brother!'

'... ... Is it?'

'Just this?'

'I hope you can be together with the person you really like, just as long as he is the one you really admire, it dosen't whom the other person is.'

After Masashi said those words, he continued drinking his whisky.

Hitomi's line of vision once again focused on the brouchure, that person whom she had once truly admired, was just playing his guitar, with his hair hanging down loosely.

After Yukiko returned to Tokyo, the one waiting for her, to her surprise, turned out to be Mr Takagi. But, this time it was not for Masashi's matter, but it was to seek information from Kikuo, about Hitomi. Also, he even requested Yukiko to come with him.

'You don't want to come, right?'

Kikuo and Yukiko held the locally produced goods in their hands, and on the way to Takagi Corporation, Kikuo asked her the same question many times, as if worried about it.

'I can't help it! Since someone asked us to come, we cannot reject him.' Yukiko said.

'We really resemble each other, we both like to compel ourselves!'

'As for that sum of money, let me return it to him!'

'You must pound those notes down and return it to him!'

'No, we can't do that! We must maintain our composure, otherwise, his impression of you will not be very good.'

If it was not because of Kikuo and Hitomi, she would surely do that. No, you should say, she wouldn't come to meet him at all.

As his younger sister, she hoped that, from the bottom of her heart, that at least her brother's matter would proceed successfully.

'If only Hitomi was an orphan, it would be better. If it was so, we would be able to feel carefree and unrestrained ... ...'

In the middle of his sentence, he suddenly stopped in his footsteps. He gazed at a leaflet stuck on an electric bar, it was the leaflet of the performance of Kenji's band.

'Is it your friend?' Yukiko exchanged gazes with the leaflet and Kikuo, asking him.

'What ... ... What are you saying! How will I have any friends in Tokyo? I only have a cute girlfriend, that's all!'

Kikuo suddenly quickened his footsteps and proceeded in front, his expression appeared to be a little displeased, because deep inside, he had a premonition of bad luck coming by.

They allowed Kikuo and Yukiko to wait at the director's room; meanwhile, at the other other end, inside the meeting room, they were just holding the ceremony, where they would sign the contract for the merge between Takagi Corporation and Kanzaki Industries.

After both parties had signed the agreement, Mr Kanzaki shook hands with Masashi happily and said, 'To Kanzaki Industries, this contract is equal to a big step forward for us!' Mr Takagi and Shinji, at the other end, look at them with content.

'I'll also pass my daughter to you! Please accept her true feelings for you!'

'... ...'

Masashi hesitated for a moment and didn't reply; Mr Takagi hurriedly took his place and said, 'Your daughter, being compelled to marry my son, is really too much to bear for her.'

Finally the matter of the agreement has been settled.

To Masashi, as the director of Takagi Corporation, this was considered as the completion of a heavy job. After this, his private life which he had sacrificed for a while would finally receive some redemption.

After the directors of Kanzaki Industries had left, Mr Takagi quietly passed a remark to Masashi.

'I made an appointment with Mr Matsui at the director's room.'

'... ... Hmm?'

Mr Takagi left the puzzled Masashi and went on towards the conference room. Everything was proceeding as he had planned; from his back view, there was a calm, resolute and steady feature appearing.

Mr Takagi just simply brought along this special characteristic that was diffusing from him, to meet Kikuo and Yukiko.

At the start, Kikuo glared at Masashi with hostility, but Yukiko just didn't dare to face him. Mr Takagi had a smile of mockery on his face, and said to them,

'I can really see that your brother-sister relationship is very good! I would just like to confirm your your younger sister's feelings.'

'This matter is of no concern to my younger sister, right?'

The fact that Kikuo would get fuming angry was an expected reaction, and Mr Takagi further carried on with that smile of deride, 'Mr Matsui, can we carry on when you are calmer?'

Kikuo tried very hard to control his agitated sentiments, and said,

'I will go back to my hometown, Noto Honto, before the end of the year; so, at the earliest, we'll still have to wait until the new year ... ... but, if she is willing, the decision will be made on her suggestions.'

'Honestly, I feel that the lifestyles of the two of you are very different.' Mr Takagi changed to a tone of great pride, 'With accordance to this point, I am not sure of your view of this point? Can your family coordinate with some of our family's practices?'

'... ...'

Yukiko replied in place of speechless Kikuo,

'For the sake of further relationships with Hitomi, and having your approval, we are willing to follow your directions.' Yukiko, who had kept her head down all the while in the conversation, only then used all her strength and lifted her head up, directly fixing her eyes on Mr Takagi, 'So, that is to say, we will gladly accept the alimony fees that you sent us.'

Masashi's facial expression expressed, he finally understood everything.