Totally 'Tokyo Cinderella Story'
Story Delight

'I am Takagi!'

'... ...'

'Is it convenient to talk now?'

'This ... ... This matter ... ...' Yukiko took a look at Kikuo, who was still playing around even though he knew a person was on the phone, spoke in a small voice, 'Now it's not very convenient, yes, really sorry!'

Hitomi observed such movements of Yukiko, nodded her head, it must be her boyfriend who called! This was by the sixth sense of a female. But, the sixth sense of a sister, did not show any effect at all.

Yukiko and Hitomi shared a bed.

The two of them took a long time to fall asleep, not really because it was too crowded.

Yukiko was thinking about Masashi, just based on the fact that he had taken the initiative to call her, she already felt that she was able to completely forgive him. Actually, it was not only forgiving him, she still could not forget his feelings towards him. But, she finally understood this point, even if she was still unable to forget her feelings towards him, it didn't matter.

As for Hitomi --.

Kenji's matter was still occupying her mind, unable to be swept away.

She already knew about the matter of Kenji getting money from her brother.

One of Kenji's friends, whom he had set up the band with, told her, 'With such a woman like you by Kenji's side, Kenji will only get more and more worse.'

Between her and Kenji, the quarrels have been increasing, and the times of making up have become gradually longer. Even if on the surface they have made up, but in the heart there would still be edges exsiting.

Kenji just didn't change the strings on his guitar for a long time.

Today, the two of them, just like any other day, Kenji also acted as he usually did, rushed out the door.

But, what happened after that was quite different. Hitomi went to the guitar shop to buy the strings, carefully changed the strings for him, then only left a farewell note on the table. She had no plans for the future, she only knew she must leave Kenji's side for a while.

She sighed unintentionally, softly turned her body. Kikuo's generous intention, was hard to forget. She couldn't help thinking, if Masashi had Kikuo's personality, maybe their family wouldn't be seperated around everywhere ... ...

Yukiko noticed that Hitomi hadn't fallen asleep, so she said some words,

'Very sorry, my brother is rather rough!'

'No, I really admire how good the realtionship is between you and your brother!'

'There's nothing much! We often quarrel!'

'... ... I also have an elder brother.'

'Really? Where is he? In the countryside?'

'In Tokyo!'

'Oh, but, didn't you say just now that you live with your friend?'

'Our family is seperated around everywhere, we lead the lives we want to. So ... ...' Hitomi sighed, so ending the topic. Then she continued, 'It's good that I came out, but thinking carefully, I also don't have a place to stay ... ... don't know where I should hide in.

'... ...'

'Hey, the phone call that just came, is it your boyfriend?'

'Hmm?' Yukiko hurriedly denied, saying, 'No, no, there's no such thing!'

Hitomi smiled, she thought, this person really does not know how to lie! At the same time, she felt that she could be good friend with this brother and sister.

After a whole day, Masashi and Yukiko arranged to meet after work, to meet at the hotdog stall where they had met earlier before.

For this meeting, Yukiko had made the excuse of returning the money, and had arranged the meeting herself. This was because she realized she could not forget her feelings towards him, so it was that no matter what happened, she had to return the money to him.

Masashi nodded his head as he accepted the envelope Yukiko gave him, then bit one mouthful of hotdog, saying,''You feel that it's just enough to eat this for dinner?'

'Yes! Because I've always wanted a chance to stand here again and eat this!' Yukiko showed a truthful smile. She would no longer use a feeling that 'she was inferior' attitude towards him, at the same time, she would not try to pretend that she was strong either, just as long as they remained as it is, even if they did not become lovers, they would still become good friends.

'Is it all right if you go home later? Will your brother be worried?'

'Of course not! Now my brother is busy with his own matters, where will he have the time to think about me!'

When Yukiko thought of Kikuo, she could not help smiling. Tonight he also had a date with Hitomi, when he was going out, he had asked in a worried manner, 'What is the famous dish now? Is it fried rice?' She jokingly replied, 'Now what's famous seems to be rotating sushi!' She didn't know he would really believe it and say 'All right, we'll go and eat that!' Not sure how the situation is like now ... ...

'Your brother seems very humorous!'

'Yes! The reason he came to Tokyo was actually to earn money for living expenses.'

'Living expenses?'

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

'He needs to earn money to send back home?'

She had just decided that she would not be unclear in her talk anymore, so she decided to use a humble attitude.

Yukiko simply told him about the happenings of the matter, then she flashed a forced smile, saying 'Actually I have no need to tell you this matter!' But, to have a friend who could listen to her talk about 'Such a matter', still made her very happy.

After finishing the hotdog, Masashi looked at his watch for a while, saying something, 'Hmm ... ...'

Yukiko hurriedly put her unfinished hotdog into her mouth.

'It's about time, let's go! You already returned the money to me, I can only apologize to you again!'

'... ... Where are we going?'

'You'll know when we get there!'

Masashi gave a smile as if he was a child, about to play a trick on people.

It really was a case of you will know when you come.

The place where Masashi's private car stopped at, was an already closed children's paradise.

'It's already closed!'

Yukiko, who was alighting from the front seat, deliberately said in a teasing manner. Even though the matter of the children's paradise being closed was a disappointing matter, but she just couldn't associate the matter of a children's parasise with a rich man like Masashi, this grouping just seemed too ridiculous!

'Let's go in!'

'Hmm?'

'The door's not locked!'

Masashi immediately walked inside, just like what he had said, the door was not locked. But, even if they were able to go in, they would also not be able to use the resources, because even the lights were switched off already.

'Hey! We are going in unauthorized, that is not good! Let's go back! Today I am very happy already ... ...'

Yukiko's attitude started to become rather uncertain, he held Masashi's wrist, trying to persuade him to leave.

Just at this moment --.

All the lights all started to come on during that moment, the light that was dazzling was just like chasing away the darkness, lighting up the two of them.

Masashi turned towards Yukiko, a childish smile appearing on his face.

'This time has already been booked by me.'

'... ...'

'This children's paradise, is owned by my family!'

Just at this moment, she noticed a group of workers dressed in uniform, nervously standing there, arranged at the side. Masashi said to them, 'Thanks for all the trouble!' After that, he took the hand of surprised Yukiko, and said,

'Come, let's go! I haven't came here before, except for business matters. What do you say we should play?'

'... ...'

'We might as well play everything!'

For the time after that, it was really like being in a dreamland.

Rotating horses, Flying Vehicle, Tea Cup, Exhibition Car ... ... Colorful lights only sparkled for them, happy thunderous music only played for them. Letting them forget all that was in reality, Yukiko smiled, Masashi also smiled, the two naturally had their shoulders together, holding their hands together.

If there could always be nights like this, wouldn't that be great ... ...

Yukiko, who was smiling widely, had a few teardrops in her eye.

The glimmering lights of the Exhibition Car sent them off at the exit.

While Yukiko was using her hand to feel the face that was still warm with excitement, she was also raising her head to look at Masashi, Masashi was also looking at her in a tender manner.

'The first time I came to Tokyo, my mother just simply refused to send me off!'

She didn't know why she suddenly mentioned this topic, it was only that at this moment she suddenly thought of her mother's matter-- that's all. Maybe at that moment when she really felt blessed, she would think of the unfortunate things.

'My mother is very strong willed, actually the guest house is almost completely under her charge, my father is a person who does not know how to do business ... ... So, with the closing of the guest house, I'm sure my mother should be really disturbed.'

Masashi silently listened to what Yukiko had to say.

'I thought she must be very troubled. But, when I called her a few days ago, she was still pretending to be just the same as before, speaking to me in a voice of vigor, this must be her strong point! She is a determined and gentle person.'

'... ... Your mother still didn't send you off in the end?'

'No!' Yukiko smiled, shaking her head, 'Just before the bell for departure was about to go off, she just came to the platform, saying to me, Tokyo is so cold, don't catch cold, then very angrily, she took off the scarf that she had and gave it to me.'

'... ...'

'Even though that scarf was very ordinary, not pretty at all, but I was still very happy, because that gave me an extremely warm feeling.'

Masashi looking at her admiringly, saying,

'Your family's relationship is really very good!'

'But, when we were in the countryside, we could only quarrel ... ...'

As she replied, she started to think of Hitomi seeming to have said the same words. Yes, don't know if Masashi has been able to find his sister.

Still, before she could even have asked that, Masashi's face had already covered her view.

She could not move, though her heart was beating very fast, her body just could not move.

Their lips started to get closer, Yukiko could feel Masashi's breathing.

Just at this moment, Yukiko turned her face in a reflex motion, positioning her face in another angle.

Between the two of them, there appeared an awkward silence.

Masashi looked down, released her, turned and said, 'Let's go home!' Yukiko faced her back and said in a almost soft voice, 'Sorry!'

'You don't need to say sorry to me!' When Masashi replied, he did not turn back.

'... ...'

'Let's go! Go home! I'll see you off!'

Yukiko said in a almost crying tone,

'Never mind!'

Masashi stopped walking.

'... ... Because I ... ... like you ... ...'

Masashi turned his back to face her.

Their shadows slowly overlapped together, this time Yukiko didn't resist.

Masashi's lips were not only soft, but also warm.

As Yukiko was still absorbed in the sweet feeling of her first kiss, Masashi called her once again.

This time, it was to arrange to have dinner with her and to go to the cinema to see a show. He told Yukiko that he had already booked a place at a French restaurant, as he was afraid it would give Yukiko much pressure, he also told her specially that, 'The weather is so cold, by just eating the hotdog at the roadside stall, you'll get a cold!' This point really showed his understanding nature.

Her twenty fourth bithday was just coming, and it looked as if she would be able to spend this christmas in a romantic way.

But, she was not able to realize --.

Masashi had arranged for a present that was not connected with her birthday, to give to her.

And the point where she received the present, was not Tokyo, but it was somewhere quite far away from Tokyo, where Yukiko's parents lived.

Yukiko's father -- and her mother --, the two of them took turns to pick up the card on the table to take a look at it, then sighed.

On the name card were the words that was a place that had forced the guest house to lose its business, the holiday resort by the seaside. And at the right top corner, there was also a small sign. The humanties department,had specially come to advise Yukiko's parents, as workers of the company,to continue their hotel business.

This suggestion was nothing out of the ordinary, but, that humanties manager said, 'This is the idea of our managing director, I am just acting on his orders.' After that, he showed a mocking smile, 'This probably wouldn't be the request of your young daughter living in Tokyo, asking our director! You are really not simple! To have such a daughter who knows how to make use of such commercial tactics!'

Not just to ask them to work at their restaurant, that Takagi Corporation's Director, he had also seemed to order that humanties head, to switch their debts over to the restaurant.

After the two of them had listened to those seemingly muddling words, they could only look at each other, continousliy sighing.

On that day of their meeting, Yukiko was not only full of expectation, but also nervous, as she thought that she would be able to see Masashi again, she was overwhelmed with happiness, she was filled with expectation, going to the restaurant.

Still, coincidentally, at that moment, there was a call from Masashi.

'I'm very sorry, I am not able to meet up with you, because suddenly some office work came up!'

She guessed that he was probably calling from his portable phone as he was on his car! Because there was not only those slight noises, there were also sound of cars passing by.

'You might like to stay and have some dinner before you go! I'll have some talk with the manager of the restaurant, I'm really sorry ... ...'

'... ... Oh, it's all right ... ...'

By the tone of her voice, it could be felt that she was disappointed and sad, it seemed as if Masashi could feel it, so with apologetic feelings, he said,

'Tonight I will call you!' And he hanged up the phone, then hurriedly started the car.

He could feel the look that the lady sitting next to him had cast -- Kanzaki Hatsue was smiling. Masashi was looking stiff, deliberately not looking at her.

The car was proceeding towards the seaside, on the highway.

'Just arranging to meet you at the last minute, it's really not nice, but then, I guess if I don't do so, you probably won't meet me right!'

'... ...'

'Meeting up with me creates no problems right? Is it that country dish girl? Or you have some new girlfriend?'

By the way Hatusue was saying, in that calm way, full of confidence, an attitude as if she didn't care who the other party was. Just because of this, Masashi's side angle became this frightening, even his voice became hard.

'Today I just came because of work.'

'... ...'

'Our corporation hopes to join up with Kanzaki Industries, so as to improve our sales profits, this plan has already started going on. So from now on, I shall be continously maintaining contact with your father!'

He was trying very hard to hurt her by being sarcastic.

But, there was stil a look of leisure on her face.

'So, you must still keep maintaing contact with me!'

With those words, she turned her body to lie on Masashi's shoulders.

Yukiko went to the cinema alone, then took the train back home by herself. She took those words of Masashi, 'I will call you tonight!' as an reliance, to keep off her loneliness.

As she climbed up the steps to her apartment, she could hear the laughter coming from inside, probably Hitomi must have come!'

She could not help it, Yukiko had to continue her walk up the stairs. She didn't know why, but at the moment, she just didn't want to see the two of them. Hitomi still hadn't gone back to her residence, at the moment, she was just moving between different hotels, when she was free, she would, like today, come and look for Kikuo. Yukiko didn't know how she felt about her brother, but, at least she knew, Kikuo was already mesmerized by her.

He would fall in love with a girl of his sister's age ... ... Oh, this was rather like his character! thinking about this, Yukiko couldn't help smiling to herself. But, after that smile, she couldn't help feeling even more lonely.

Hitomi put the plate that had been filled with food on the table, then said with a rather shy voice,

'With the two of us making dishes together, it's really like ... ...'

'Like brother and sister!' Kikuo said as he was scooping out the rice.

'No!'

'Hmm?'

'Just like a couple that had just got married!'

What Hitomi had just said, made Kikuo's eyes shine for a moment. He didn't expect her to say so, it was really something happy that he had not thought of! If at the front the words 'just like' could disappear, it would be more perfect.

'Hey, Kikuo, when I go to pick up my luggage the next time, can you come with me?'

'Oh, is it to go to where that companion whom you quarrelled with lives?'

'I have already made up my mind to forget that person!'

'... ... That person?'

'That person whom I lived with!' Hitomi replied in a straight-forward manner, 'Didn't I tell you before?'

'No ... ... no, never mind, anyway who you live with is not my concern right?'

Kikuo, while trying to stiffen the look on his face, was smiling as he said so, but his spirits had already gone down into the valley.

But, what Hitomi said later, caused his low spirits to rise again.

'I want to fall in love again, I want to forget all that was in my past, I want to start a new relationship ... ...'

'Yes, yes! Start a new realtionship, as you turn back, isn't that person ? That's what our ancestors said right? Very far at the skyline, right in front of your eyes. It's really too great! Since Yukiko hasn't come back, there is no rule, looks like we have to eat this first! What am I talking about? Ha Ha Ha Ha!'

As Kikuo was saying these witty words of nonsense, and also pretending that nothing was going on and sitting next to Hitomi's position.

This action was really more silly than saying those words of nonsense.

After the rwo of them had finished eating, Kikuo was washing the dishes, Hitomi was wiping the table, just at this moment, the phone rang.

'Let me go and get the call?'As Hitomi said that, Kikuo, whose two hands were dirty with washing liquid, nodded his head, saying, 'That's good, anyway, it's probably Yukiko!'

'Hello hello?' Hitomi picked up the phone and said.

'... ... I'm really sorry for today ... ...' It was a man's voice.

'Excuse ... ... excuse me, may I know if you are looking for Yukiko? She hasn't got back, but, if there's anything you'll like to tell her, I can help her pass your message.'

'Can you help me tell her, can you ask her to call me back, it dosen't matter how late it is!'

'I know! What is your name?'

'My name is Takagi!'

Could it be him? Hitomi hurriedly shook off the idea that she was starting to have.

On the other hand, Masashi, who had just hung up the phone, had also the same thought as her; the voice was really too much alike. He took a look at the photo on the shelf, it was a photo of the whole family, taken before their mother's death.

Hitomi was preparing to leave for the hotel, Kikuo was saying goodbye to her.

'I'm going! Kikuo, don't forget to pass the message to Yukiko!'

'But, that Takagi guy, why is he actually looking for Yukiko? Could he be Yukiko's boyfriend? Sorry! How could I suddenly ... ...'

'I advise you not to bother too much about this!'

'Yes, it should be said that way, but ... ... That guy, I have already told her before, if she finds someone she likes, she must tell me first!'

'There are some things you would find it difficult to talk about with your brother! It's als the same with me!'

'... ...'

'Don't bother too much about your sister's matters! Just look after me!' After Hitomi had finished, she waved to ask Kikuo to come over, saying to him, 'For me ... ... i would like to start a new realtionship with you, Kikuo!

As Hitomi was whispering to him, she also gave him a kiss on the cheek.

After her lips left his cheek, she then gave a ladylike smile, saying, 'Good night!' Then she walked away.

Kikuo could only use his hand to press the part where Hitomi had kissed him, his whole self blank and staring, as he watched Hitomi's back.

So as to let the feeling of excitement cool down a little, Kikuo went to the nearby garden to take a walk. Just as he stepped in, he found Yukiko, sitting alone on the slide. Though he hesitated for a while, but still he walked towards there. As Yukiko noticed that Kikuo was still pressing his hand on his face, she pretended to have a rather unnatural smile, saying,

'The both of you quarelled, and Hitomi gave you a slap?'

'I was ... ... given a ... ...'

'Hmm?' Yukiko, without thinking, chucked, 'You had a ? on the cheek, is it? That isn't a very serious matter, it's nothing great!'

Hearing this, Kikuo started to frown.

'... ... Don't tell me you have this experience?'

'Hmm?'

This ? experience, why isn't it nothing great? Kikuo stared straight at Yukiko.

'Hey! These aren't the right language and words to use!' Yukiko was sitting on the swing, and avoiding his look.

'Do you have it?'

'That's really bad of you! How old do you think I am?'

'... ...'

After that, for a moment, there were only the sounds of the swing's movements.

'Yes!' Yukiko tried pretending, to have a indifferent look, saying, 'Is there any phone call for me?

Kikuo also asked indifferently,

'Whose phone call are you waiting for?'

'Oh, if there are no phone calls, then there's nothing! I was just asking that's all.'

'... ... Are you in close contact with anybody?'

'No!'

'... ... I'll like to say first! I hate those people who are hiding things from others!'

'... ...'

In the end, Kikuo still didn't pass Masashi's message to Yukiko.

Yukiko spent a night waiting for Masashi's call, Masashi was also similarly waiting for her call; even Kikuo, who was covered by his quilt,also found it hard to fall asleep till daylight.

The latest report by the investigation agency, rather, showed the worst results.

As to this point, he was already mentally prepared. The problem was the the employment section at the end saying --

Shinji put a rather common coloured advertisement leaflet on his table.

'It's this shop! I have already gone there to make sure! It seems that she'll be going to work today, I heard it's that Oda Kenji guy who introduced her there to work, but she has already quit the job! I think they have probably broken up!'

'... ...'

'If you want to go, then you better go quickly!' I heard that either she goes there late or leaves early, or sometimes she won't come to work, even the shop owner has scolded her for a long time.'

'... ... I know ... ...'

'You don't have enough sleep? Why are your eyes red?'

He didn't tell him the reason was because he had spent all night waiting for Yukiko's call, but Shinji misunderstood his silence.

'You must have gone out at night with Matsue! How are things getting on?'

'That is work!' Masashi spoke in a rather annoyed way, 'I was entertaining Kanzaki Industries!'

'... ... Don't tell me, you have grown to have feelings for that Ms Matsui?'

Masashi lightly shook his head.

'It is only that, when I speak to her, I feel more relaxed, it dosen't concern her!'

'Since it's so, for the company's interest, you should make up your mind!'

'Oh! Shinji!'

'Hmm?'

'You think ... ... I have forgotten about that person already ... ...'

After Shinji heard that, his face colour changed, seeming like he wanted to say something.

But, Masashi ignored him, he took that advertisement leaflet in his hand, standing up.

Just at that moment, his handphone rang.

'What do you mean by this!?'

There was anger in Yukiko's voice. Masashi put the phone closely to his ear, thinking in his heart that she must be unhappy with what happened last night! But, Yukiko's aim in calling him, was not because of this matter.

Not long ago, Yukiko's mother had called her at her company, telling her about Takagi Corporation asking the two of them to go to the resort to work.

'What are they joking about! You reject it for us! Whether it's to let us go to the resort to work, or to transfer our debts!' Yukiko's mother angrily said. 'They didn't discuss with us, and just make their own decisions ... ...'

She really didn't know what had happened, she just unkowingly added, 'Is it really done by Mr Masashi?' Then she broke off the line, straightaway called Masashi's mobile phone number.

After she had told Masashi everything about what happened, Masashi had already left the office, and was already outside on the walkway.

'The reason I talked to you about what happened at home, is not to ask you to help us, hope you don't just anyhow make decisions. Our whole family will work together to clear these debts, and open up guest house again. My parents are working very hard for this matter, and me too ... ...'

'I thought this would help you! Masashi walked in the direction towards the lift downstairs.

'I strongly reject!'

'As you wish!'

His voice sudden;y became louder, because he was rushing to get to Hitomi's working place.

Yukiko became scared by Masashi's sudden change of tone, and could not say anything more.

'Now I have some urgent business to do!'

'... ...'

'Sorry, I have to cut off the line now!'

At the moment when the line was cut, the lift door also happened to open.

The expression on Masashi's face also appeared to be more fierce.

Masashi was really too impatient, if he had been slower by five minutes ... ... no, even slower by three minutes walking out of his office should be correct.

Just as he was about to enter the bar, he was spotted by Hitomi, who had been buying cigarettes for the customers.

Hitomi, with a pale face, disappeared into the crowds, she didn't even go back to get her money and clothes, on her, there was only enough money to buy one packet of cigarettes, and a blur memory of Yukiko's contact number.

She went to a coffee shop to wait for Yukiko to get off work, she lied to Yukiko saying that she wanted to get away from a tough customer.

'I probably cannot continue working there anymore!' She said in a low and soft voice, these were really words from her heart.

'Oh, you probably need to get back home! I guess my brother should be back already! All right?'