Totally 'Tokyo Cinderella Story'
Story Delight

'I return this to you!' Yukiko returned the credit card to him in a stiff manner. 'After you gave your card to me, I immediately went to buy many items.'

'Oh?' Masashi accepted the credit card as if he was accepting an official document.

'And ... ... I also bought a pair of pearl earrings, because I had always wanted that type of earrings, so, I bought it in a haste ... ... I think it will probably cost a few hundred thousand, because I did not look very closely at the price, so ... ...'

Yukiko said it in a trembling manner, but Masashi was still not looking at her. Around him, he could still hear his former girlfriend's voice; she had called last night, telling him that a group of their college friends were gathering for a drink, asking him if he would like to come over. But, he had refused. Just because he had refused her, his feelings at this moment were very stormy. Why had she called him on the phone? Why had she added that line, those words? Why ... ...

Yukiko saw that Masashi was so silent, so she added with a voice of shame,

'Sorry, I bought something that was so expensive ... ... Are you angry?'

No, Masashi shook his head.

'Don't you want it very much? Then it's all right!'

'... ...'

'Let's go back! I'll send you off!'

'... ...'

Even inside the car, Masashi also seemed to be not saying anything. Yukiko could only silently, looking blindly, at the scenery outide the window. She had really hoped that he would get really angry, asking her what she had bought, was it that, even with her position as , even this small wish was too demanding ... ...

Masashi's handphone rang.

After he had listened to the phone call, his expression changed dramatically, immediately increasing the speed of his car.

That phone call had been made by a colleague of Hitomi, who worked at the same bar. Masashi had once given money and his handphone number to her, hoping that, when she had news of Hitomi coming to work, she would call him immediately. It was really not easy, getting in contact.

Masashi continued speeding, also ignoring the existence of the traffic lights; just rushing with great speed towards the bar. He did not even give time for Yukiko to get off during the middle of the journey, Yukiko also had no time to ask him where he was going. The expression on Masashi's face was not only very serious, but also outside of his true feelings, there was also a degree of heat, Yukiko felt that this was the first time when she could really see Masashi's true face inside his innermost feelings.

Masashi stopped his car by the bar, simply ignoring the person at his side, Yukiko; then rushing inside the door of the bar, he impolitely came towards Hitomi from behind, after grabbing her hand, gave her a slap on the cheek.

Hitomi struggled to get out of his grasp, but Masashi used all his strength to grab her palm.

'Follow me back!'

'No, I don't want to!'

Just at this moment--.

Hitomi saw from Masashi's back, Yukiko who was standing still and shocked there.

Since Yukiko had lost the valuable oppoturnity to leave, she could only come to Masashi's residence with Hitomi. Once she went in, she immediately used a wet towel and ice to apply on Hitomi's face which had been beaten red by Masashi. Hitomi just said, 'Sorry! I hid the fact from you! She only silently shook her head, Masashi said in a fierce tone,

'Today you will stay here, tomorrow I will bring you to see Father!'

'I don't want to! I simply don't want to go back!'

'You don't worry! I will talk it out with Father nicely ... ...'

'I haven't broken off with Kenji, Kenji is different from you, he won't use money to win over people! I will return you your money! Just as long as I go back to the bar to work, and I return you the money, that's fine right?'

'How long are you going to continue your troublesome ways!?'

Being included in such a situation like this, Yukiko felt a little uncomfortable, so she stood up as if she wanted to avoid it. When Hitomi saw her action, she started glaring at Masashi again, saying,

'What about yourself!'She turned to using a sarcastic tone against him. 'What do you treat Ms Yukiko as? You are not really true in bring with her! You are probably only playing with her feelings right?'

Masashi did not say anything to deny what she had said. Yukiko silently walked towards the balcony, it was only at the last moment that she looked at Hitomi for a while, saying to her,

'Your brother was always looking for you, he was always very worried about you, so ... ...'

For the words after that, she only replaced it with light nods of the head, she thought that Hitomi should know what she wanted to say, she believed in that way. But then, Hitomi did not say anything more.

After Kikuo got back, he had his whole body leaning against the window pane, raising his head looking at the skies above blankly.

He probably hadn't got over the pain of being rejected in love ... ... When Yukiko was thinking of sighing, Kikuo suddenly started to say with a deep murmur,

'I am determined to try harder!'

'Hmm?'

'I don't care aboput whatever Kenji or no Kenji, he is just a idiot who plays in a band, and he has even permed his hair! A mature guy having long hair! Long Hair!' His voice was getting louder and louder, more and more energetic. 'And he even has his hair combed like that ... ... Will I lose out to such a guy?'

'Brother! Let me tell you! Maybe you don't know, Hitomi is ... ... Takagi ... ...'

Just as she was about to tell him about the matter, still, Kikuo seemed as if he had not heard what she had said.

'What--Hmm! A person should be honest! I, honestly ... ... for example, just when I think of not being able to see her any longer, it will feel painful here! It's not that my heart has a problem, it's just that I never had this feeling before!'

'... ... Brother ... ...'

'You have really fallen in love with her!'

'... ...'

'Sister, you really have to give me your encouragement! Right, I must grab her from the hands of that long haired guy!'

Kikuo suddenly started to do situps.

As Yukiko observed her brother restoring his energy, she could only wish you all the best in her true heart, on her face, there appeared a relieved, forced smile.

Hitomi was just preparing to leave Masashi's apartment.

'Why did you leave without saying anything?' Facing Masashi's compelling like questions, she answered in a straightforward manner,

'Because I don't need you two anymore, just as long as I can be with the person I want to be with, I don't require the other things. Even in the situation now, it is the same, so, Brother! Sorry! I need to go now, back to Kenji's apartment. I don't want to change my life now!'

'... ...'

'I don't want to follow the lifestyle you have!'

Hitomi's tone, not only was a rebuttal, at the same time there was a faint taste of sympathy. Masashi did not make any reply, he only silently turned towards Hitomi.

'You haven't forgotten your previous girlfriend right?'

'She has already married someone!' Only at this time, did Masashi slowly say, 'She is already married, what is between us has already finished.'

Hitomi slowly shook her head a few times.

'Brother ... ... You are really pitiful ... ...'

Hitomi just walked out of the room in that manner, Masashi didn't try to get her back. He felt that even if he could easily force her to come back, he also did not qualify to.

The next day, Masashi made a call to Yukiko.

'I really thank you for yesterday, I think, if you were not there at that time, Hitomi and I would not have been able to sit down peacefully and talk together.'

'It's nothing much ... ...'

After the two had maintained a moment of silence, Yukiko actually had a lot of questions to ask him, but still she found it very hard to ask him.

Rather, it was Masashi who first started to talk about his own matters.

'The matter about my fiancee, I think I should have mentioned to you before! That is only my father's idea, actually it has not really been decided; even if I see her occasionally, still I cannot say whether I like or dislike her, it's because of business matters, I have my own stand.'

'... ... Yes ... ...'

'As for the matter on the night of your birthday ... ... Because that night was the day of my former girlfriend's wedding, she said she wanted to see me, hoping that I would come to the second party, so, I just went, and that was it.'

'... ...'

'On that night, I really wanted to be with you, it was not just anybody that could do, really, I'm not lying.'

Masashi constantly emphasized 'You'. I'll just believe him! Yukiko nodded her head. After she had believed what Masashi had said, this time it changed to her who could not help apologizing for what she had lied about.

'... ... I didn't use the credit card you lent me, I was lying to you, I didn't buy anything!' She could feel that most probably, Masashi, who was at the other end of the phone, was probably surprised. 'I only hope that we can be honest with each other.'

Masashi didn't reply, but, she could feel that he probably could be able to understand the meaning of what she had said.

'I'm very happy that you still remember to give me a birthday present, now that you tell about the true situation of the matter, I am also very glad.'

'... ...'

'If you haven't eaten your dinner, what about us eating together? I know there is a curry rice food stall that is not bad, every time I let you invite me, occasionally you could also let me ... ...'

Masashi's laughter slowly came into her ears, not only that, and there was also the phrase that followed, 'Then where should we arrange to meet?'

Yukiko's eye were shining with delight, her heart beat quickening, slowly thinking, she herself had already not been like this for a long time.

Actually she really didn't know, where there was a store that solf good curry rice, she only knew Kikuo and her mother had said before, the only dish that she was good at was curry rice; so, she intended to do this dish for him.

Just at this moment, Kikuo had just gathered enough courage to visit Kenji's residence, he wanted to use all his determination, to be converted to real action, but, Hitomi was not around.

'She has gone out, to look for a new job!'Kenji said in a joking manner, 'This time I tell her to work as a massage lady, all right!'

'You ... ... you fellow!'

Kikuo took up Kenji's front sleeve in an agaitated manner, but, after that, he didn't take any further action, he almost wanted to leave with that unhappy look; but at this time, there came a sad sound from Kenji at his back.

'Hey, why did you come here to look for her, let me pass your message to her!'

'I'll come here to look for her again!'Kikuo turned, glaring at Kenji, it seemed as if half of the purpose of him saying that sentence, was for himself to listen to it. 'I'll come here again, until I can see her.'

Kenji shook his shoulders and closed the door, his vision suddenly stopped at the guitar at the corner of the room, the smile that had been lightly there on his face, suddenly seemed to disappear without any reason.

Kikuo, who had returned angrily to his residence, suddenly saw that there was a registered post in the mailbox, which had been sent by the postman. Once he saw that it was post from Takagi Corporation, but inside there was the necklace that he had given Yukiko for her birthday.

'... ... What is the meaning of this ... ...'

He hurriedly rushed inside their home, starting to scramble through all the drawers and cabinets for any clues. He finally found one letter in the drawer, that Yukiko had sent to their mother. Even though that envelope had been sealed, Kikuo himself was a little hesitant, but in the end, he still broke open the envelop to see.

The opening of the letter was just an ordinary sending of regards, after that there were these words appearing.

Writing about all this, I will probably make Mother worried about me. But, I think, by what I am feeling now, I have found something that is more shining and precious than any jewel, that is being able to start to love someone ... ...>

'She ... ... What plans does she really have!?'

Kikuo kicked the table once, the cheap table, with a kick had collapsed, hitting the cupboard holding the bowls, letting out a piercing sound, the glass had broken.

Kikuo did not know where he should go, so he just rushed out of the room in that manner.

He rushed down the stairs, after he had ran around the bus stop for a while, he suddenly stopped his footsteps.

Yukiko was just coming out from a high class car, Masashi at the other side was also doing so.

The two were chatting happily, smiling. Yukiko had at first worried about whether the curry she had made would suit his taste, but the result was that Masashi had eaten it rather cheerfully. At this moment, there were still faint reminders of their happy smiles still!

But, Yukiko's smile, just at that moment when she saw Kikuo, disappeared without any trace.

Kikuo showed a frightening look, going towards Masashi.

'Wait, Brother! You have made a mistake, it's me ... ...'

'Go away!' Kikuo pushed aside Yukiko who had tried to come in between, Yukiko let out a scream, falling on the floor. Masashi was preparing to bend down to help Yukiko, but, Kikuo blocked him in front.

'Stop! Brother!'

After Yukiko had cried out in a loud voice, before her eyes there appeared a scene that was unbelievable.

Kikuo knelt down in front of Masashi, then he used an almost begging like tone to say, 'My sister, please look after her!' He remained in that squatting position, with his forehead almost touching the ground, continued,

'My sister likes you very much, so, I really hope you can do me this favour! Please don't reject her. Though our family backgrounds are very different ... ... And I have also told her before, to tell her to forget about you. But I really beg you, please continue to go out with my sister ... ...'

'Brother, don't be like that! Please raise your head.'

'It's all right! I have always been poor in my studies, not able to do anything, to lower myself in front of others, I have already become used to it! But, this girl is different, she still looks quite cute, her skills at using the abacus are at least third or fourth grade, as for her ability in cooking ... ...Yes! The curry she makes is of a high quality! It can be said to be a delicacy of the world ... ...'

'Brother!'

'You don't look at her weak appearance, she is really of genuine good quality! All the teachers praise her on her report books as understanding, I haven't even graduated from high school! Also, my father and mother ... ...'

'It's enough! Brother! Please don't say anything more!'

'She is our Matsui family ... ... Is my dear sister ... ...'

'... ...'

'This girl, is really true to you. so, I hope you can be true to her too! Please don't reject her! Please don't reject my sister ... ... I beg you ... ... ... Beg you ... ...'

Masashi slowly bent down his body, his line of vision came at the same level as Kikuo.

'Please don't do such a thing again!'

Even though he used a very righteous tone, but, Kikuo just simply refused to bring his head up, didn't know if he was crying.

Masashi said,

'I'll treasure her!'

He turned his body to face Yukiko, on his face there appeared a gentle look, a smile as if he could accept everything.

'I promise to you!'

Even though he said it slowly, but really, he did say those words.

That feeling which people describe, about 'That feeling of being surrounded by happiness', would most probably be this feeling!

Yukiko looked at the photos which had just been developed, giving a small smile. The Yukiko in the photo was also smiling, the person who was standing at her side, was Masashi. He showed his set of clean, white teeth and on his face there appeared a refreshing and relaxed smile. This photo had been taken when Masashi had brought them to the horse racing club, and Kikuo had used a camera to take those pictures. Masashi had said 'If Brother dosen't mind, why don't we go together?' So Kikuo followed them along, without feeling odd. Even though he was really a very real 'light bulb', but Yukiko could understand the real anxiety Kikuo felt for her going out alone with Masashi.

'It's great! Really too great! The two of you really make a pair! It's really like the couple in 'Tokyo Love Chat'! Oh, lying to you two! Should be rightfully called the prince and princess! Let me help you two to take a photo!'

Actually, Kikuo who was talking away at one side, and posing in front of the camera at the other end, appeared as a stronger character than the two lead characters, so he should be to the one to take a photo to keep for memory's sake. At that moment, he was in a playful mood, you could see that he was really very happy.

'Yukiko, don't be nervous! Use your hand to go through your hair ... ... Yes, yes, just like that, lightly go through your hair, just like you are shooting a hairstyling commercial!'

Just at that moment, when she was smiling in an awkward manner, Kikuo immediately pressed the shutter, the smile that was displayed in the photo, almost seemed to be together with that exclamation of Yukiko, 'Brother, what are you saying!', all shot inside the photo, but the person in this photo seemed to be more fortunate than the others.

Still, Masashi could not even have time to be absorbed in this little incidence of happiness.

His marriage with Ms Kanzaki Hatsue was progressing at fast speed, with some enouragement towards the plan.

'Mr Kanzaki is pushing us to progress with the betrothal procedures, saying his daughter seems to have that particular wish.' Mr Takagi used a rather serious tone, saying. 'I used the excuse that it was still early to avoid it for the time being, but, you should be very clear in your mind, if you reject it at this time, we will suffer a big loss!'

Masashi turned his head without saying anything, showing the unhappiness in his heart. He had originally wanted to tell his father about Hitomi's matter, but in the end, he still dropped the idea. Because in his situation as it could be seen, his father and Hitomi were stubbornly not going to meet anyway.

'In your role as the director, you should be conscious of your position!'

'... ...'

'Do you understand?'

Masashi's father used the movement of turning his body as a means of hiding, shooting a meaningful look at Shinji was beside them, so Shinji pretended to be sending him off, walking with him down to the corridor.

'Help that person get rid of the unecessary material beside him, this job will be completely under your charge!'

Masashi's father said in a small voice, after waiting for Shinji's confirmation, and when he nodded his head, he added one more phrase, 'I think you should understand my meaning, must be by hook or by crook, all this will depend on you!'

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

Shinji spoke with his regular sobre tone.

As for Kikuo, he could not just be happy that his sister had found someone, he must also proceed with action about Hitomi.

He called her at her residence, but Hitomi was not around; it seemed as if Kenji was showing a unattentive and winner's pose to speak to him.

'In the end' Hitomi went back to the old bar to work, if you want to see her, you can go there and ask to see her!' He used a frivolous tone, then, as if he had suddenly thought of something, he laughed in an exagerrative way, saying, 'Ah! If you don't have much money with you, it'll be bad for you if you come down! Ha Ha Ha!'

Kikuo held the phone tightly, trying very hard to control the deep amount of anger he felt.

'Hey! A guy like you, what happiness can you bring to a woman!'

'... ...'

'I'm serious! Even though I don't have money, but I love her deeply!'

'Anyway I have already over used her, if you like her, then you can take her as a present!'

Kikuo finally reached a point where he could stand it no longer. 'If you want to snatch, do it earlier ... ...' Not waiting for Kenji to finish, he threw the phone to a side.

But, that action still could not satisfy his anger.

Kikuo took up the phone, and called again.

The phone got connected straightaway. 'Hey!' At the other end of the line, Kenji's tired voice could be heard.

Kikuo immediately said some rude words that came to mind at that moment.

'Your mother's belly button is buldging!'

Then he hung up the phone. What he had said might have been too offensive, and even showing his own weakness; but because those words were only spoken when childish parties were arguing, it would make the party who said them feel even siller than the ones who were scolded.

Even Kikuo who had spoken them, fell into some form of self criticism after his scoldings.

'Why am I ... ... always like a small kid ... ...'

Just at that moment when his feelings were extremely low, Yukiko just came back. She immediately saw Kikuo's moody look.

'What happened?'

'... ... Tomorrow I want to go to Hitomi's shop to look for her, I must persuade her to to quit her job in the bar, I will definately not give the woman I love to a drunkard!'

Yukiko finally gathered her determination, she felt that she could not she could not hide the truth again. Kikuo saw that the expression on her face had changed, and thought by mistake that he had made her angry, , so he hurriedly explained, saying,

'I'll only order a bottle of beer when I go there, I won't overspend my money there.'

'... ... No! Hitomi, she's a sister!'

'What sister, to me, she is a real woman!'

'That's not what I mean, I'm saying that she is Mr Takagi's younger sister.'

'What are you saying! Isn't Mr Takagi your ... ...'

Kikuo finally started to understand. 'What? What did you just say?' His small eyes suddenly grew bigger in a sudden.

'I'm saying that Hitomi is the daughter of the past director of Takagi Corporation!'

'... ...'

'Sorry! I wanted to tell you long ago! Mr Takagi and Hitomi are siblings!'

'... ...'

Kikuo was still in a shocked state, and in the midst of it, he was unable to say anything.

Yukiko waited until he was in a calmer state, then said,

'About whatever I can help about Hitomi's matter, please tell me! I'll try to help in whatever way I can! But then, maybe I can't help in any way after all!'

'If you get married with Mr Takagi, then won't I become siblings with Hitomi?' Kikuo had a very unsure look on his face, using a moaning tone. 'If so, can we fall in love?'

'If there is marriage, following the order, it should be you, the brother first! I still haven't thought about marriage!'

'But, you ... ...'

'As long as we can be together now, I am satisfied already. It is very hard for us to anticipate what happens in the future, what's really important is the situation now!'

Yukiko could not help changing her focus to look at the distance, she slowly said. Her mutterings didn't seem to have any effect on Kikuo, it seemed more to be like for herself to listen to. 'What! A look of relish!' Kikuo smiled with a look of impatience, Yukiko also returned with a smile. What happens in the future, is really hard to predict, even though she had feelings of uneasiness about the future, but she also felt full of hope. If wanting to question which was of more importance, naturally there was no need to do so.

Kenji used the same way that he had used before to meet Hitomi from work.

But, there was a map placed on the table.

'What is this?'

Hitomi asked in a tired voice and expression.

'I once told you I wanted to open a classical music store right? There's a store front that I heard is not bad, this is the design of that store. I think I want to use the money that your brother gave me, to set up this store!'

Kenji used a pleased tone to say those words, he took a look at Hitomi and the map.

'When the shop opens, I'll let you be the shop ssistant. No, should let you be the shop manager instead! But, no matter what happens, you can quit your job at the bar,in the future when I have the economic foundation, then I can be able to support you. You are hungry, right? Let me prepare something for you, but sorry, there's only noodles.'

Kenji said incessantly, and as he said those words, he became more cheerful.

'What happened? Why did you suddenly become like this?'

Hitomi asked in a surprised tone, but before she could even show her happiness, she showed a face of astonishment first.

Kenji's expression suddenly became very serious.

'Get into my account!'

'Hmm?'

'Let's get married!'

'... ...'

Even though Hitomi looked at him with a face of surprise, the serious expression on Kenji's face still did not change. What Kikuo had said to him just now, the words were still within his hearing range. 'I want to let you see, whether I can give her happiness! Brat!' At that time, if it was not Kikuo who hung up the phone first, he planned to use these words to scold him back. He could understand that Kikuo was a nice person, if he didn't have any connection with him, they might even become good friends. And even more because of that reason, all the more Kenji didn't want to lose out to him. Hitomi hadn't given any response to his proposal, probably she was wondering whether he was serious or not! If she said she was going to get married to Kenji, what would be Masashi and Mr Takagi's response be? Thinking about this, compared to her earlier thoughts, it made her more relaxed.

Just at the second day since that incident happened, Masashi finally told Mr Takagi about Hitomi's matter.

'Can you meet her once?'

Even though Masashi was begging him, Mr Takagi still showed a look of disappointment, saying, 'When she left home, I already don't regard her as my daughter anymore.'

'Hitomi said she dosen't want to change the lifestyle she is having now, I hope you can talk to her.

'There isn't such a necessity!'

'If she hasn't settled down, I will not get married.'

This was Masashi's last trump card.

Mr Takagi's expression finally started to change.

'... ... Where is Hitomi now?'

Masashi thought, at least that was a step forward. But, if Mr Takagi was shown how Hitomi was like now, it might let him become even more angry, causing the relations between the two to become even worse, maybe even deteriorate. But, no matter how the outcome was, if the two of them were never allowed to meet, it would never be started.