Totally 'Tokyo Cinderella Story'
Story Delight

With his skin that had been shown golden by the sun, in addition to his messy hair, wearing a night dress was really not appropriate; and not just that, his feet were in a pair of muddy cotton shoes. Even the night dress worn by Yukiko, was also not very fitting to her figure. Before she had gone out, she had been afraid that her make up was too strong, in the end, compared to the other guests, it was too light.

'Since it's free, we might as well eat as much as we can!' Kikuo, in his anxiety, would rather use too much force. 'Hey! This seems very delicious! It is that one we commonly see in the field! It's not the river snail, right, it's the snail!'

'... ... Brother, that's not the way to talk about French dishes ...' Yukiko was looking for Masashi as she said those words. But as there were too many guests, at the moment, she was unable to see him.

'Hey, the dishes over there look like they are very tasty!'

As he was walking there, because of his carelessness, he fell down on a table cloth that had fallen on the floor, hence he knocked over the utensils on the silver plate, thus making a piercing sound.

Even though the two of them just stood there, not moving, the people around them still gave them cold stares.

'Very sorry!' Shinji walked in an unwelcoming way towards them, saying: 'May I see your invitation?'

'... ... All right ... ...'

Yukiko was too overwhelmed by Shinji's presence, so she let him have a look at the invitation. Shinji opened the invitation card. And, after recognizing the content of the card, started to frown and said, 'Ths invitation should be given to another lady instead.'

'I don't know how you got this card, but, having this incident happening really makes me very troubled.'

'... ... Excuse me, what is the matter?'

'After you have tidied up here, please leave.' Shinji gave out orders in a cold tone, and, after that smiling and bowing to the guests, 'Sorry, giving all of you a scare. The reason was because some unfit people came in ... ... Ha Ha!'

'Who are you, why did you say things like that!' The colour of Kikuo's face changed, almost wanting to argue with Shinji, but was stopped by Yukiko. Shinji disappeared in the chatting and laughing crowd,; the background music also changed to dancing music. The two who were there had no choice, but to start to clear up the food on the floor. This ending was really sad.

'We better quicly clear this up, and leave this place!'

'Yes ... ... Brother, sorry, I really shouldn't have asked you to come here.'

If she hadn't accepted that card, nothing like this would have happened. At this time, she had mixed emotions, both troubled and sad. At least she didn't want Masashi to see her like this, so she wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Just at that moment.

'Would you like to have a dance with me?'

Just as Yukiko was going under the table to tidy up, a gentle voice was heard behind her. Could it be ... ... She turned behind to see, Masashi was smiling and holding out his hand.

'Hey!' 'You don't bother about me!' Masashi didn't care about Shinji stopping him; once again, he smiled at Yukiko and said,

'Come, come and dance with me, don't worry! I'll lead you.'

This was really unbelievable. as if in a dreamland, she thought she must be dreaming. Yukiko stood up treambling, she thought, if she was dreaming, if it was a good dream, she already felt vert fortunate. She held out her hand, putting it in the palm of Masashi, the two looked at each other. Masashi lightly nodded his head, then started to dance gracefully with the music.

'Right' 'Left' 'Turn around' Everything Masashi said softly to her ear, her heart would beat faster, her ears getting hotter. At first her movements were clumsy, but slowly becoming smooth. 'Remain like this' Masashi's smile was deeper, the look of the surrounding crowd was also changing from cold to not quite daring to look. When Kikuo met with anyone who came near him, he would be very proud, looking honoured, saying, 'You see, that's my sister!'

Still absorbed in the dreamy mood, Yuukiko followed the rhythm of waltz, slowly dancing to the tune. At this moment, she suddenly felt that, she could really understand, the fairy tale's Cinderella, her feeling of going to the party.

Even at the next morning, it seemed that Yukiko still could not wake up from the dream.

She sent Kikuo off at the train station, even though her body was at the station; in her ears, she could still hear the remainings of the waltz music.

Rather, Kikuo, at the time of departure, was rather uneasy.

'Hey, Yukiko!'

'Hmm?'

'That sort of thing won't happen again! Yesterday night was just like a sort of play, just treat it as a dream!'

'... ...'

'You had better try harder, you know?'

'... ... Yes, I know ... You don't worry ... ...'

It seemed as if somehow she could still hear Masashi speaking in low tones, this seemed to be covering for the empty space of the waltz music.

Kikuo, walking in the cabin, signed a few times. This time, coming to Tokyo, seems be for falling out of love, this phrase seems to be rather good for nothing.

He drank a mouth of beer. Even though Hitomi went to work in a bar, she still seemed like a pretty nice girl ... ...

Again, Hitomi's smile appeared in his memory.

That girl was really like her name, her eyes flowing like water.

Masashi sat in the chairman's office, yesterday's party did not affect him at all. Today was Sunday, so Shinji was at his side. He herself was quietly thinking about a problem, not a problem with work, but a personal problem.

He already knew where his sister was staying, or to say it more correctly, it was not where his sister was staying, but rather it was where the home of the guy she was staying with. That man had called his father himself, asking for money. It seemed like he was an indecent guy, who depended on women for money.

'Don't bother about that girl anymore, anyway she is not my daughter anymore!'

His father said so with much disappointment on his face, Masashi just firmly agreed and nodded his head. His father suddenly remembered something and added,

'A few days later, I will arrange for Ms Hanzaki to meet you!'

Masashi sighed, bringing out the red umbrella he had discovered earlier in the car and opening it. The driver had forgotten to throw it away. He was also not on time, the matters which had been assigned to him were also not properly done; if this came into Shinji's knowledge, he would surely be sacked immediately. But still, now he would rather thank him for his forgetfulness.

On the umbrella were small words written: and an almost blurry address. This umbrella was rather fitting to the girl, Masashi could not help having a chuckle.

That girl's age would probably be similar to his sister's age! In his memory, again appeared his sister -- the shape of Hitomi's face. His sister was really like her name, her eyes flowing like water.

Kikuo and Masashi, in the minds of the two persons, both had the image of Hitomi, prettily covering each other.

Being just a night's Cinderella --.

She already had thos realization. From the chance meeting to the glamourous party, as long as she could be the lead in a fairy tale, even if the period was short, she already felt very satisfied.

Still, days after the party, the prince and the princess met again. Except that the meeting this time, the object that broght them together was not that glass shoe, but it was a broken red umbrella.

That was a rainy night, Yukiko, on her way home, went to the aupermarket to buy her dinner; as she walked, without realizing it, she came to the place where Masashi had sent her home.So she saw Masashi holding a red umbrella and standing there. Yukiko almost could not believe that what she saw was real, but still Masashi was still smiling at her, as usual.

'I didn't throw away your umbrella.'

'... ...'

'The address on the umbrella was not very clear, so I thought that if I waited here, I should be able to see you.'

'... ... You were always standing here waiting for me?'

Yes, Masashi nodded his head. Yukiko's feeling of surprise turned to one of becoming touched.

'Actually it would be faster if I find the apartment you lived in!'

'There's still quite a distance from the place where I live in, and it's also not really much of an apartment. You look, this is a cafe, and in it you can even play computer games ... ...'

She suddenly felt very silly, this was really childish! Maybe it was because of hearing the word 'apartment', it made her suddenly very confused. From her plastic bag you could see the things that were inside, inside was an umbrella, food and some comics ... ...

Masashi did not notice the uneasiness of Yukiko, rather he said happily,

'Being able to see you, it is really too good!'

With that, it further lead Yukiko's mind into a blank state.

Masashi took out a name card from his coat pocket, wrote some numbers on it, then passed it to Yukiko.

'This is my hanphone number, next time if you are free, can you contact me?'

'... ... All right ... ...'

She also understood that she shoud be feeling very happy, but because she was much too nervous, so her expression was too stiff.

'And also, I wish to meet you next Sunday.

'... ...'

'At one in the hotel restaurant, will you be free?'

She thought, even if she went all around the world looking for a reason to reject him, she probably wouldn't be able to find one!

Yukiko, in a dreamy mood, reached home, and received the package from home, completely filled with harvest from home; grapes, melons tomatoes and other vegetables, and also a bag of rice at the bottom, beside it was an envelope with words written in calligraphy,

Hmm, Yukiko returned to the present, she looked at those big and untidy words, some even written out of the squares. That dear brother -- Kikuo's problem, that is him liking to waste time on unnecessary things, and the more he put more effort into doing those things, the funnier the outcome would be.

'Prologue My sister, how are you? The weather here is very good, Father and Mother are very healthy, and I have also completely recovered from the miseries of falling out from love.'

Really can't help with that guy! Yukiko could not help giving a smile. From the past to the present, Kikuo's strongest, good point was that he could easily forget his unhappiness, but still, it was because he could not think over his mistakes, so he would continue failing, and it would be repeated again and again.

'To add, from now on, I have decided to start my new life, so I have decided to come to Tokyo to work. Just for this matter, hope to receive your guidance when the time comes!'

That feeling, when she had not so easily got, been brought back to the present, had her hometown's sea wind and the smell of the soil there mixed together.

The next morning, Kikuo's package, which contained Kikuo's everyday clothes arrived; and, as dawn came, Kikuo had arrived, as if chasing after his luggage. He was that type, who, after he had decided that he wanted something, would immediately take action.

'People say you should be independent by thirty years old, so I have decided to take a new look at my life, I don't want to continue living in the country like that until I'm old. You don't try to presuade me to change, this is my life's ... ...' he thought for a while, then pointed at Yukiko with his middle finger, with more confidence, said 'Chance!'

Yukiko really didn't know what he was talking about ... ... but, just taking a look at innocent smile, she could not do anything about it.

'But, Brother, at this season, it's really hard to find a job!

'What, this is the big capital Tokyo, you know! Even if the situation is very bad, there will still be many jobs avaliable!'

'... ... Brother, you are really innocent ... ...'

'... ... Sister, you are really unfeeling ... ...'

Kikuo took out the newspaper and a red marker from the bag, marked the advertisements that were looking for job applicants. then passed it to Yukiko to see, saying, 'You see, there are so many places are looking for job applicants, all saying high education not required, I can just randomly pick a company to work for, I can already see a bright future for myself!'

Still, Yukiko's vision stopped at a position slightly above the job application column Kikuo had pointed at.

There, where a photo of Masashi was published, there was an interview report, what she saw were the words 'The economic sector's new star', thirty years old, annual salary of five thousand yen.

Kikuo finally took notice of that piece of news too, he let out a surprised sound. But, the response after that was quite different from Yukiko.

'Five thousand yen! That fellow really makes me irritated!' Then he started to scribble on the picture using a red marker, not long after, thick lips and a big moustache appeared for Masashi.

'Stop ... ... Stop! Brother!'

Yukiko used an 'as if she wanted to knock over Kikuo' motion, and grabbed the newspaper over in one hand.

Kikuo was startled by Yukiko's sudden action, and for some time, he just stood blankly there; not soon after, it just turned into a stiff look.

'Hey!'

'... ... What is it ... ...'

'You better not get the wrong idea! Even though he did invite you for a dance, but this does not mean he is a good person, I think he must be that fickle type of person. You also know, rich guys! What he wants, he can easily get! At times when he has nothing better to do, he'll go and do some charity work, welfare work, that type! Just like that person! He is probably just showing pity for you, that's why he invited you to dance, that's probably the case!'

'... ...'

'Hey, don't tell me ... ...'

Kikuo's expression was even more stiff.

Yukiko quickly shook her head, picking up the red marker from the floor.

'You're bad, there's no such thing! I have already forgotten everything about this person! Really, really, I really have no feelings for him! So, you see, even if I drew on his photograph like this, it really dosen't matter to me!'

She didn't dare to look at Kikuo, she only bent her head and drew wrinkles on Masashi's face, using the red marker. Because her well wished lie was so clumsy, it led Kikuo regain his happy smile at that moment.

'Yes, yes! What star of the economic sector, I think it should be the monkey! Lend me the marker, it should be like that, like that ... ...'

From Masashi's eyes there appeared two lines of droplets, Yukiko saw how Masashi had been drawn, she could not help laughing out loud. To hide the unhappiness in heart, it seemed like, other than just laughing, there was no other way.

Masashi's father was very angry.

But Masashi was of no big difference, with a very serious look on his face.

'... ... You already have a girlfriend ... ...' Masashi's father was murmuring and repeating what Masashi had said, then he stared at Masashi, saying, 'Is it that girl at the party?'

'Yes!' Masashi nodded, facing his father's line of vision.

'You're not serious, are you?'

'If you feel that way, I also have nothing to say.'

'Now it's about time, you should start to think about your life partner. And also Mr Kanzaki seems very interested in this marriage!'

Up till now, just like such a high-sounding reason, he wondered how many times he had already repeated it.

But this time, Masashi stopped him.

'Can you spare some time on next Sunday, I would like to introduce her to you.'

'... ...'

After Masashi's father left in an angry mood, he took out a document from his drawer. This document had just been sent to him from the investigation agency, was also one of the reasons for his seious expression.

On the document there was the photo of a man attached.

The investigation agency wrote on the report,

'... ... Hitomi ... ...'

Masashi let out a sigh, after he had copied the home address on another piece of paper, he locked the document in the drawer again.

Actually, Kenji's messy world, was far too chaotic than Masashi could have imagined.

As he was spending his time playing electronic games; one guy, whose hair had been dyed golden, who once had been in a band with him, was giggling as he walked into the shop.

'Hey, Kenji!' he was showing off the cash in his hands, with a smug look. 'After you moved out, I moved to the apartment you lived in, that was really a right move! Just after three days of moving in, I earned three months of rent!'

'How did you get the money?'

'Suddenly a young man came in formal wear with a tie, who wants me to tell you where you live. Ha Ha! And then he just tucked the cash in my hands! Actually, who is that guy anyway?'

'Did you tell him?'

'How would I?'

'So, you just blankly accepted his money! Really mean of you!' Kenji was smiling as he put his hand on the shoulder of the girl who was with his friend, saying, 'This kind of guy, you better leave him soon!'

'After you have said that, I really have nothing to say!'

'Yes ... ... you got the telephone of that guy! Afterwards, can you tell me?'

He was smiling to himself, and started to place his hands on the girl.

'Kenji!' his friend was calling him.

He turned, and saw Hitomi who had angrily rushed into the shop. Once she saw Kenji hugging that woman's shoulders, she immediately stepped forward with her loud sounding high heeled shoes, with one hand gave Kenji a big slap.

'What are you doing here! How are we going to deal with the business in the shop?'

'I should be asking you that! Why did you run out? Quickly get back to the shop!'

'Today I'm not working! I'm going home!'

'What are you saying?! Like that, you'll have to pay again!'

'What about yourself? You were almost dismissed!'

'That are two different matters altogether, you are the favourite girl of the bar, you know!'

With a smack, Hitomi gave Kenji another slap. Kenji also got angry, he touched Hitomi's shoulders, so with that, they just gave an action and response, their anger got even more fierce; until Hitomi almost slipped on her high heeled shoes, falling down by the electronic game, her shoulder hurt by the corner of the machine. 'Hey! Stop! If you want to fight, go outside and fight!' His friend was saying as he looked at them in fright. This was a common matter. Lazy Kenji and Hitomi who couldn't stand him with other women, there wan't a day when they wouldn't argue.

Even so --.

Both parties would make up after a disagreement.

The two of then walked towards the park. Kenji put some water on his hankerchief, softly covering Hitomi's hurt hand.

'... ... Now the only family I have is you ... ... Really, I'm not lying! I'm really only left with you, Kenji ... ...'

Hitomi was speaking in low, soft tones.

After Kenji had made sure that Hitomi's leg had stopped bleeding, he said with an embarrased look, 'Let's go and eat something good!'

'Can I don't go back to work?'

'Don't say it anymore! What would you like? Sushi or cooked beef?'

Hitomi, in an excited voice, said,

'I want to eat you!'

First she smiled, then she put her finger into Kenji's left finger, from Kenji's smooth skin, it could be seen that he had not played the guitar for a long time. That guitar, whic had once been his love; those rusty strings which had not even being changed, were just put inside the box. And now it was put at the corner of the room which they had just moved in three days ago, on top of it was a layer of dust. If, one day, she would be able to see Kenji playing his guitar, wouldn't that be great ... ... This was Hitomi's small wish, and also a faraway dream.

The next day.

Only left with three days, if he didn't find his residence soon ... ... Masashi, while approving documents in his office, wondered how much he had spent. It had just been three days, and the only lead had been lost. Though that guy had promised, in a relaxing tone, 'Once I have his news, I'll call you!' But by the looks of it, he didn't seem very reliable.

He took a look at his watch, it was almost about time to leave.

It was rare that Shinji would say, 'Let's have lunch together! I have something to discuss with you!' So he invited him to the restaurant nearby. Though he said that if there were things to talk about, they could do so in the office, but Shinji replied, 'You don't ask so much, so, see you then!' His words seemed to have some hidden meaning.

Really it was as he had guessed, when he reached the restaurant, Shinji, who was waiting at the door with a wide smile, 'Your father told me to do this!'

'... ... My father's idea again?'

'This matter has better to be confirmed earlier! I'll sit beside you, and give you encouragement!'

Shinji silently pointed to a table beside the window, there was a young girl that was sitting there, as if she was waiting for someone. He knew without asking that she must be Kanzaki Hatsue.

Father must be trying to get things done quickly ... ... After Masashi thought out carefully what he wanted to do, he walked across in the direction of that table.

Kanzaki Hatsue really was a beauty, and she really let off a different kind of beauty. But, he wanted to let the other party understand, this was really his father's wilful wish.

Because of that, he felt that he should be open and let her understand more clearly.

'I must first reject you, because at the moment I still do not plan to marry anyone.'

Shinji hurriedly kicked his shoes under the table.

'I just took over my father's company recently, so there are many things I need to do!'

What are you saying! Shinji's cool face was starting to sweat.

Still, Hatsue, who was sitting opposite them, did not show any look of surprise, rather, she just gave a natural smile. With that, Masashi could not help feeling overwhelmed by her, and could not help moving his vision.

'I heard your father mention it before, you are in close contact with other females. I'm not a child anymore, I can understand what your father said.'

'What did my father say to you?'

Hatsue looked at stiff Masashi in a unmoving manner, and also Shinji who was unable to understand the whole situation and was too surprised.

'Your father said that when men get tired of the delicacies, at times they will want to taste the country dishes!'

'... ...'

'I won't be too bothered by these country dishes!'

Dawn. Kikuo was feeling down as he walked by those streets where the neon lights had just lighted up, he threw away that employment magazine that he had taken along all day with him. He had failed every time he tried. Thirty years old, with low academic qualifications, single, not even have working experience, and don't even have any certificate of gurantee; also don't know English, and don't know how to use the computer; only came to Tokyo for three days ... ... just based on these qualifications, wanting to get a job easily in Tokyo, this thought was really too childish.

As if touched by the neon lights, Kikuo started walking towards the nightclub. He saw the signboard, and suddenly thought of Hitomi. Though in his heart he felt that it was better not to go to violent places like this, but he really wanted to see Hitomi again.

As he came nearer, he took a peek around the surroundings of the shop, but he saw a young man, running out as if he was escaping. He felt that man looked very familiar. He finally remembered, he was the guy who had been trying to get customers into the bar that day, and after that, because he had no money, he was beaten up by him.

'Wait a moment, Kenji! You are trying to slip out again?'

There was a girl running out, who had followed him closely, it was Hitomi.

'What's the problem? There are no customers anyway.'

Kenji roughly shook off Hitomi's hand that was holding him tightly, then passed by Kikuo, disappearing in the crowd.

Hitomi was so angry, she started to kick a board on the street. Probably it was at this moment, that Kikuo's image came into a corner of her eyes, 'Hmm!?' She turned and looked at Kikuo for a moment.

'... ... Ah ... ...'

'Hey, do you want a bowl of noodles?'

'Ah?'

'I know there's a place where the noodles are very good, let's go together?'

'... ... All right ... ...'

So, without rhyme or reason, Kikuo followed her to a noodle stall, the two of them just sat down on a wooden bench, Hitomi started asking him about the wedding ring. She asked, 'So what happened after that? You gave out the wedding ring already?' The reason she asked, was because she wanted to avoid questions from Kikuo about her matter, she wanted to take hold of the situation.

Kikuo gave a forced smile, as if mixed with the flavoring, and said, 'I also don't know where she is now, what she is doing?' He felt like he was showing her his weakness.

'Don't tell me you have been given up by your girlfriend?'

'Forget it, don't talk about that matter again! Anyway I must have no chance of getting married, I have already given up on the idea!'

'What do you mean?' Hitomi, reacting to Kikuo's uncaring attitude, was very unhappy.

'What feeling or love, those silly matters, I have no time for those!'

'I want to go back!'

Hitomi immediately stood up, not caring about Kikuo, who said, 'But your noodles still haven't ... ...', just rushing across the road.

'Wait ... ... Wait for me ... ...'

Kikuo put the money for the two bowls of noodles at the noodles stall, then quickly rushed after Hitomi. But, he was blocked by the crowd on the streets, he just couldn't catch up with her. When at last he could follow her, he was already sweating heavily.

'What is the matter? What did I say that made you angry?'

'... ... You actually don't need to follow me!'

'You just said you're going, can I pretend that nothing happened?'

Hitomi didn't run any more, she looked hard at Kikuo, who was half panting and half talking. His simple look, just like a potrait, if a line was drawn wrongly, the whole person would become rough and uncouth; but she knew, this person certainly did not belong to the criminal type.

'Would you like a try?' Hitomi said, 'To see if this love or affection, is it really that meaningless?'

'... ... Ah?'

'You can hug me, it's all right!'

Kikuo's vision went across Hitomi's shoulders, to the hotel's neon lights which were shining.

At the moment, Kenji was just putting an envelope stuffed with money into his pocket.

'Having such an easygoing brother really makes things easier!' Kenji was looking at Masashi's unfeeling face, laughing.

'I don't think such a thing will happen again!'

'... ... Of course I know!'

'My sister came to be with you because of loneliness. At that time, my mother had just passed away, and I was overseas studying, so there was only herself at home, and she was very lonely. So, even if that person was not you, she would still have left home.