Totally 'Tokyo Cinderella Story'
Story Delight

'I thought at least you would have a little self esteem!' Hitomi shook her head, sighing heavily. 'Kenji, you have changed! I don't want to be with the person you are now!'

'What are you talking about!'

'Let's part! Just as long as you are with me, you will not be able to give yourself the kick of life again. I hope that, before I come back, you will be able to pack your luggage, to leave here.'

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

'I hope that, at this last moment, you can maintain a bit of composure!'

To what Hitomi had said, Kenji's response was to continue looking at the ceiling, showing a weak smile.

'This house was rented by the money you earned, I also don't have anything special that I want to bring with me, even if you throw everything away, it's all right!'

Hitomi silently nodded her head, then she opened the door.

'Bye! Do take care!'

But Kenji didn't have any response.

When Hitomi reached Masashi's apartment, she did not expect that, when she came in, she would hear Kikuo's lively laughter. On the dining table, there was what Yukiko had made, stewed pumpkin and Oden; Kikuo, meanwhile was about to be immersed in the extravagant furnishings of the interior, with the whole of him showing immense delight.

When Hitomi entered through the door, his excited feelings reached the peak.

And, when Hitomi had just sat down, she said,

'I have already broken off with Kenji in a happy manner!'

After what had been said, the red wine that Kikuo had just drunk was almost, was almost spurted out, the chopsticks which Yukiko was using to get vegetables also suddenly stopped there, Masashi even had an unbelieving look, at Hitomi.

Just like it had suddenly lost its core, after a short moment of silence, Masashi finally forced out one sentence. 'Didn't you always want to be together with him?'

'Like one person who uses the money I earn to eat and play, will I be happy being with him?'

When Kikuo heard what Hitomi had said, he could not help interupting, 'Of course!'

Still, Masashi did not follow up to agree, he seemed to use an investigative way, looking at Hitomi's eyes, as if he wanted to find out her true meaning.

'Didn't you already know that he is that type, so you left home?'

'... ... I like another person.'

'... ...'

'That person always treats me well, so I ... ...'

At this moment, Kikuo, as if he had just been launched by a spring, said,

'It's me!'

A midst of silence came on again, enveloping the four persons, as if putting them at an wit's end. But, Hitomi did not deny what Kikuo had said.

'I ... ... I ... ... Hitomi, no ... ... Your sister ... ...' Even though Kikuo's way of speech became stammering, like of the hem and haw type, but he was trying very hard to make Masashi understand his feelings towards Hitomi. 'I ... ... I definitely won't let Hitomi go to the bar to work. Just like you once made your promise to me, I also promise to you, I will treat your sister well, I will definitely not do anything to hurt her.'

Hitomi said to Kikuo, 'You don't need to explain this to my brother ... ...' Masashi was also nodding his head and saying, 'I also feel you can have your own lifestyle, just as long as you don't regret it, it's all right.'

At the end, Hitomi just said in a resolute and determined way,

'Now I like Kikuo.'

Kikuo immediately became very happy, dancing for joy.

'... ... Are you all right?' Yukiko and Hitomi walked alongside to the balcony, to feel the breeze and release some drunkenness. As the two looked into the distant night scene, at her side, Yukiko was also asking in a worried manner, 'You really don't regret breaking off with him?'

Hitomi only watched the changing colors of the neon lights, with diverted attention.

'You don't put too much attention on what my brother said! Just like what your brother said, it's just as long as you don't regret it, then it's all right.'

Leave it, leave it, Hitomi swallowed a mouthful of white air, but still didn't turn her face over. Yukiko was really a good person! She was half surprised, and also half sad for her.

'You should really be sad over your own matter!'

'Hmm?'

'Actually, I don't want to say, but ... ... I feel you are not compatible, my brother once had a girlfriend, her name is Ms Misaki ... ...'

Yukiko replied with a smile, 'I know.' stopping her to go on. 'I know that, in your brother's heart, there is another person.'

'Are you just dating because you want to fall in love?' Because Hitomi was just anxious, she said that in a rush. 'Is it only because you admire him?'

'It's not like that! With one straight denial of Hitomi's anxiety, Yukiko replied in a very calm tone.

'Then, what exactly is it for? Since you already know, why do you put so much effort in it?'

'Because I don't want him to dislike me.'

'... ...'

'I ... ... am not really dating someone, but I have sunk into it, I have completely sunk into it, and I am unable to release myself ... ...'

Yukiko looked at Hitomi, once again smiling at her. Still, just in a quick blink, the smile on her face immediately turned to an about to weep expression.

The two of them, happening to look coincidentally across the glass windows, at the living room; Masashi and Kikuo were just happily drinking to their delight. Even though what they said could not be heard, but Kikuo appeared to be talking very excitedly, Masashi was smiling, after Kikuo saw the response that Masashi showed, he was even happier, winking his eyes and accepting the beer, that Masashi offered to pour for him.

Two brothers and two sisters.

Seperated by a glass window, dividing the all smiles and the sighing incessantly.

On the cab, when they were travelling home, Kikuo seemed to be feeling especially good.

'Oh! Tonight I feel especially happy! Not only has Hitomi parted with Kenji peacefully, Master Duck also seems to be very friendly!'

Master Duck!? Because he is Masashi, so concisely, we will address him as Master Duck.

'... ... Really, how can you casually give people nicknames ... ...'

Yukiko turned her head, in a midst of misunderstanding, in deep thought. But, she was still glad, that Kikuo and Masashi were able to sit together and maintain a good relationship, drinking beer and chatting peacefully.

'Hey! The green bird of happiness is just stopping on your shoulder!'

'The green bird of happiness is also stopping on Brother's shoulder! It's really too good! Brother, you must treaure Ms Hitomi!'

'I know! I know!'

Kikuo was half humming and half singing, a Japanese song 'The Happy Green Bird'. Really can't do anything with you! Yukiko could only turn her body to a side, without any choice.

'You must be happy!'

Kikuo suddenly spoke in a serious tone, saying such a phrase. 'Why did you suddenly become like this?' Yukiko stopped and turned back, immediately an embarrased smile was seen on Kikuo's face.

'Because Mother always said you have the spirit, and also, you really have the vitality!'

'... ...'

'Just as long you are happy; Father, Mother and I, the Matsui Family, will all feel very happy!'

'... ...'

Yukiko didn't know, by her falling into the whirlpool of love, really, was it in her good or not.

After Hitomi came back to her residence, she took a look; Kenji, just as he had said, had really disappeared without any trace. He took away some personal necessities, but, that most important thing, his guitar, was still left in the house, not yet taken away.

Hitomi, with her melancholic facial expression, sat down, looking blankly at the guitar that was leaning against the wall. It was no doubt that she kept thinking about everything that happened with Kenji, but what made her even more depressed, was really Masashi's matter. Hitomi had said when she leaving, in a repeatedly urging tone, 'Brother! You say you can understand Yukiko's feelings, so it must mean that you are true to her!'

Before he could even answer, the phone in the room suddenly rang, Masashi went to answer it, but he only said a sentence, 'Where are you now?'

Even though the phone call was rather short, but, after Masashi had put the receiver back, the expression just now which had seemed rather cheerful, in the wink of an eye, just disappeared. Even Hitomi, who was just preparing to open the door, and leave, could not help turning back to observe Masashi. Could it be ... ...

Hitomi used her look, to question him about who the caller was; even though Masashi also hesitated for a moment, but, in the end, he also used a resolute tone, saying,

'... ... It's Misaki! She said she has something to discuss with me, she is now ... ... just going to come over here ... ...'

'Brother!'

'She is already married! You don't misunderstand, we are chatting only, you don't worry!'

I can only believe him! Hitomi could only be thinking alone, in the room. Even though she wanted to countereact, but after all, he was her only brother; so, she would rather believe what he said. It was only that, she wondered if, with Yukiko and Kikuo not knowing about the matter, really was it good or not.

She was also not sure. Once they were told, maybe it would all end. But, on the contary, if they were kept in the dark, maybe events would reach a state, where things would be irretrievable.

Just as she was thinking hard about it, and not getting an answer, Kikuo called on the phone. Was it because he didn't call at the right time? Or was it exactly at the right time? She was also not sure.

'Oh! I am really so happy tonight! Thank you!'

When Hitomi heard Kikuo's voice, which showed no motive at all, the expression on her face eased down by some points; she thought, she must be somewhat attracted by his warmth! Like this, she could not help thinking of Kenji's matter again.

'I have already done some reflection! Because before this, I always thought that rich guys are not good persons! So, I also mentioned to you before, at the start, I thought Mr Masashi was only playing around with my sister, Yukiko's feelings!'

'... ...'

'But, now it's different. I feel that he, how do I say it? He is just like a person who descended from the skies, of course! Also like you, Hitomi ... ...'

Hitomi felt that, if she just remained silent, and continued listening, she would not be able to bear it.

'Hey! Kikuo!' Hitomi held the receiver tightly. 'Is Yukiko at home?'

'Oh! No, she knows, she has gone to the convenience store to buy something.'

'... ... It's like this! Kikuo ... ... I feel it's better to let you know about this matter.'

'Hmm? what is this matter! You can say it, never mind, don't deceive me!'

'It's about my brother ... ... in relation to Ms Misaki ... ...'

'What? Who is Ms Misaki?'

There was already no way out, Hitomi closed her eyes, after taking a deep breath, she told him about the whole matter; every part of it, in detail. After after some moments of ten seconds, Kikuo's voice also completely changed tone. After further moments of ten seconds, at the receiver side, a sound of the phone being thrown down could be heard., then the phone was disconnected.

Kikuo, who had rushed out of the apartment, in great determination, at a fast speed, on the way, he met Yukiko, who had come back from the convenience store, going to return home.

'Brother! What happened?'

'Don't ask so much! You better come with me!'

'What on earth happened?'

'Hitomi said her brother had a girlfriend, almost on marriage terms, whose name is Misaki ... ...'

'... ... On marriage terms?'

It was the first time Yukiko heard about this matter. Kikuo continued, in his aggravating manner, saying, 'He was also even, thinking of sacrificing everything for her!'

'... ... What is this matter about? ... ...'

'So, that's why I want you to come with me now, to look for him! Let's go together and ask him, clearly, what he wants.'

Misaki took off her wedding ring.

'I know I shouldn't say these words. But, I really did the wrong thing.' She lowered her head, suddenly saying such a sentence.

Masashi also held his head down, listening to what she was saying.

The two of them hadn't seperated because of mutual hate. It was because, on the night of Misaki's birthday, because of the delay of his work, he could not leave, so he had made her wait for him, for a quite a few hours, in vain. This should be considered the fuse then! This made Misaki feel that, even if, in the future, if she was married with Masashi, this waiting time would probably continue to lengthen then! She thought that she could not withstand this feeling, so, her husband now, just helped to fill up the empty space in her loneliness, at that moment.

But, Misaki still took off her ring at this moment.

'I would like to be on speaking terms with you again. Now ... ... what makes it even more unbearable for me, it's rather, the matter of trying to forget you.'

Masashi lightly shook his head.

'Let me send you off!'

'... ... Is that your answer?'

'You should be able to get a cab downstairs!'

Masashi got out of the house, earlier than her; Misaki could only, honestly follow him at the back.

When the two of them reached the entrance of the apartment, it seemed as if Masashi was saying aomething to himself,

'Even if we make up, the result will definitely be the same!'

'If that is so, why are you so good to me?' Misaki was motioning to the cab that was moving closer, and also saying, 'You might say, let's not meet again, why don't you stop attending to my matters!'

'You are crying, so I cannot be indifferent towards you!'

'... ...'

'But, I ... ...'Masashi tried very hard to control his heart, which was starting to waver, planning to finish saying the last words he had in mind. 'I don't feel that my seperation with you is a wrong decision.'

The cab arrived, Masashi turned back.

Just at that moment, Misaki suddenly grabbed his wrist, to let him face her. Then, she was crying, and pressing her lips against Masashi's. Masashi did not avoid it, was it because of the sudden action, that he was unable to keep away from it? Or was it that he didn't really want to dodge it? Even he himself was not clear of the reason.

The bodies of the two slowly seperated, it was only at this moment that Misaki went into the cab.

Not only did he lack the feelings to send off the back lights of the leaving vehicle, he was also unable to leave before the red lights disppeared. So, Masashi stood there at the entrance for a while.

Not long after, the back lights finally disppeared in the dark, then Masashi turned his body.

Kikuo and Yukiko stood there, they had seen everything.

'You! What are you doing!'

Kikuo started to beat up Masashi, his first punch just hit the exact target, his cheek; without missing it. Masashi was hit until his face faced upwards, falling on the floor, so Kikuo, taking advantage of the situation, rode on him, and then continued punching him.

'Didn't you promise me? Didn't you say you would treat my sister well? What are you treating my sister as!'

'Stop!' Yukiko was half crying, and also trying to grab Kikuo, trying to stop him. 'Brother! Stop!'

Even though his body was being tugged by Yukiko, Kikuo still could not could not resist his anger.

'You are lying to me! Just saying those careless words to handle me! And I even believed in them! Don't tell me that you rich people only know how to trick people! Don't look down on people!'

'Brother! Stop! I don't mind! I knew it already!'

The fist which Kikuo had wanted to lift up, when he heard of Yukiko's yell, suddenly stopped its motion.

'... ... You ... ...'He turned to Yukiko, as if in a pleading manner, asking her, 'You ... ... now ... ... what are you saying ... ...'

'I already know that he has someone else inside his heart, I know, even though I know, but I ... ...'

Kikuo gave Yukiko a slap, he didn't want to continue hearing it.

'You think, why did I bow down before this fellow! Do you know what feelings I hold when I kneel down before him! I cannot forgive you! I definitely cannot pardon you!'

After Kikuo's great yell, he just cast aside Yukiko and Masashi, not bothering about them; leaving them behind. It was probably the anger in his heart and regret, that still hadn't left his heart, hadn't subsided, for that long while! Even if his shadow had disappeared into the darkness, his howl could still be heard to spread throughout the streets of the night.

Yukiko hurried to the side of the side of Masashi, who had fallen to the floor, holding out her handkerchief.

'Sorry, causing you to be beaten up for no reason, I'm really sorry!'

Yukiko's voice did not go through his ears, but rather, it kept whirling in his heart. In his heart, he was feeling more pain than Kikuo's punch on his chin, much more. Masashi stood up, not only did he not accept Yukiko's handkerchief, but, he also did not look at her, meeting her eyes.

'... ... You better go home ... ...'

'Mr Takagi, I ... ...'

'You better leave! Go home!'

So Masashi just climbed up the stairs, of the entrance to his apartment. He did not look back at Yukiko; he felt that all this had been his fault.

'Don't tell me you want to make a whole mess of Matsui Yukiko's life?'

Mr Takagi's voice whirled once again by his ear.

Yukiko's hot teary expression, led him to have a piercing feeling at the back of his body.

Please don't look at me again ... ...

When Kikuo returned to their home, dead drunk, Yukiko was already inside the house. When he stopped at the door, hesitating of whether to go in; during that moment, he had already become sober from his drunkeness. He didn't know what expression he had, to represent what happened to Yukiko, walking inside the house. Yukiko just faced the back of the room, sitting there.

'Did you go and drink beer?' She used a muffled, swallowed tone, saying, at the same time, not changing the direction her body was facing.

'Ah! Yes ... ... Tomorrow's weather will be very good!'

'... ... Is it ... ...'

'Because ... ... Because, there are stars! Even though it's not the seventh month, but the Vega Star and Altair Star have already come out! They are also deeply in love, and even waving to me!'

'Sorry! I'm very tired, I go to bed now!' Yukiko still held her muffle.

'... ... Yes! Tomorrow, it's sure to be a fine day in Japan!'

Instantly, Kikuo became very moody, he felt that he was really one that had no prospects, because, always at the most important moment of every matter, he would only say some remarks of not much importance.

But still, with his heart of cherishing his sister, he would not lose out to anybody.

The groundless weather report that he had given, to one's surprise, turned out to be a greatly inaccurate one. So, they decided to have claypot for dinner, to bolster up their morale. Once anything happened, they would have claypot for their meal, this almost seemed to have become a tradition of the Matsui family already. About fifteen years before, Kikuo did, because of beating up his instructor at his high school, he was dismissed, and, at that moment, because their mother was afraid that Kikuo would be afraid to come home, so she specially prepared the claypot.

When Yukiko mentioned this matter of the past, Kikuo also said with a nod, 'Yes! Yes! I was just following this special smell back home ... ...'

'When we were halfway through the meal, Father, without even asking, suddenly, with a [Thump], gave my brother a punch!'

Yukiko even smiled with a gesture of her hand. She took a glimpse at Hitomi, luckily she had came too, if she and Kikuo were alone again, probably she would be crying bitterly now! But, what she could not avoid admitting was, facing Hitomi, innnermost, she still felt sad.

'Just hitting people without reason, is our family tradition, really, without any standard!'

'... ... I just feel that hitting people is not correct!'

Seeing Kikuo's depressed look, Hitomi hurriedly explained, saying,

'It's not like that! Sometimes it is the innermost of the one who beat up the person, that suffers much more hurt, even more deeper than the one who was hit, isn't it? For this matter, it is my brother who was wrong!'

'... ...'

'I came specially to apologize! I'm really sorry!'

By what Hitomi said, this time it was Yukiko who hurriedly said,

'Don't say that! I'm very strong, I'll be all right very soon. If I came to Tokyo without any determination, how can I still be here!' She reluctantly forced out a smile. 'And, with just one night, I will be able to forget everything, clean and clear.'

'Yes yes! I have already forgotten the matter of that fellow!' Kikuo added.

'Who is that fellow? What is the matter? What is this place?' Yukiko asked.

'Come! Let us eat and drink, to let all our worries be washed away! This is the aim of our claypot dinner today!'

'But, the meat is very expensive, right?'

Whatever it is expensive or not, I hate the most expensive meat!'

'Hitomi! My brother is like that, just the same as the last time! Hey! Brother, pour the wine for us!'

'Ah! Yes, yes! Please!'

Anyway, from the start to the end, the two of them kept pretending to be lighthearted and cheerful. Hitomi was not so dull witted, that she could not understand their good intentions, but she was only not so stupid, to uncover other people's masks.

The three of them, appreared to be chatting happily, laughing, having their claypot dinner.

But, just as Hitomi was preparing to leave, during the journey when Kikuo sent her off at the bus stop, Kikuo suddenly said a phrase of,

'We better not meet each other for the time being!'

Even though the tone of his voice was just like the usual one he used, having a joking manner about it, but the expression on his face was rather serious.

'Yukiko always liked to play the game of association from young, like, once you mention the sea, she would think of the hills; once you mention the mountains, she would think of the river ... ... so, how do I explain it? If she sees you, she would probably think of your brother. It can't be me alone that is happy, right? And I also do not want to hide from Yukiko, and see you secretly ... ...'

'I know! At the time when her emotions have become calmer, then you call me!'

Hitomi gave a faint smile, appearing as if in distress, and made him feel extremely sorry for her. This was all Masashi's fault ... ... Thinking about this matter, Kikuo could not help flare up with anger.

After Hitomi and Kikuo had gone out; Yukiko was, half finishing clearing up the leftovers from their meal, and also, her eyes would unconsciously wander to the side of the phone.

Yesterday night, she had felt that, by just returning home, it would make her feel extremely uncomfortable, so, during the journey, she did try to make a call to Masashi. Still, Masashi's voice, just like at that moment, when he had turned for the entrance of the apartment, exactly the same as when he had left, he used a stiff, hard voice, saying, 'You better not call me again! And don't say words like you love me again!' If these words were because of self criticism, or just in a matter of a rush, it wouldn't matter; but, there was also this possibility, that Masashi wanted to make use of this chance, to define clearly, the boundry line, asking for a break-up maybe. She would really like to call him, to ask for verification, but, instead, he told her not to call him. She really didn't know what was the best to do, no, actually she knew what to do, the simplest way was to forget him, hate him. Still, it was because she could not do that, being the reason why she felt so miserable.

Even though there was a little hesitation, but Yukiko still took up the receiver.

But, just at that moment, when she wanted to dial the number, Kikuo just came back. Yukiko hurriedly put back the receiver, opening the cabinet beside the phone.

'Ah! It will probably rain tomorrow! The weather's getting colder, so I was just thinking of getting out the scarf, to place around me!' Kikuo didn't ask her anything, so Yukiko just attended to her own matters, explaining her own actions. Just doing that probably made her very uncomfortable! So she added one more phrase, 'Brother! I will also help you find a scarf too!'

'It's not necessary! I don't have a fear of the ... ...'

The last word, [Cold], he could not say it anymore. Yukiko also gazed at the clothing articles in the cabinet, without saying a word, not realizing that she would actually see that white dress, which she had worn when she went to Masashi's ball.

After a moment of silence, Kikuo unexpectedly exploded with laughter.

'Next time, we see where there's another dance party, you will just wear this dress and go in secretly, at that time, Brother will certainly help you find another guy, who is more handsome, and even richer than that lad!'

'It's not because he has money, so I like him!'

Yukiko continued looking at the evening wear, saying. She had said something wrong again. Kikuo, frowning, in a rather unhappy manner, asked, 'Then what is the reason?'

'Never mind! You would probably say I am silly!'

'No, I won't! You tell me!'

'... ... Because he discovered me!'

'Hmm?'

'I have already come here for three years, so I have already got used to it. I have suddenly come to this realization, feeling that, even if this world dosen't have such a person like me, there would also not be much change. But, just at that moment ... ... he discovered me, in the crowds of numerous people, he chose me ... ... one hundred smiles cannot be compared to that single smile he had especially for me, just because of this point, it just fills my heart with warmth! So, I am also ... ... determined to give him warmth ... ...'

'... ...'

'I resolve to be the candle, to always provide warmth to others at every moment.'

'What silly things are you talking about?'

'You see! You really say I am silly.'

'There will still be others! There will still be other fellows, who will discover you!'

After Kikuo said this, he made a gesture to go out. 'Where are you going?' By Yukiko's questioning, Kikuo, was, half wearing his canvas shoes, and half saying, 'I don't want to see you crying.'

'I won't cry!'

'You had better throw away that evening gown! Throw it away!'

Just before he went out the door, Kikuo took a peek at Yukiko, he had originally wanted to smile at her, but, the features on his cheeks did not follow his command.

Masashi still did not make any contact with Yukiko, and Yukiko also did not dare to call him, out of her own initiative. Kikuo and Hitomi also tried not to meet each other, that kind of life lasted for a few days.

Among the four of them, the first one that took action was Hitomi. She met Masashi at the gardens, and passed him a salary bag from the bar, which had not even been touched.