There wasn't a happy end

Chapter 5: Makoto's Story

"I believe you can see the sea from the balcony," said Makoto remembering what Daiksuke had told him on the way to the hotel.

When these words hit Fumiko, she got up and opened the French doors letting the chilly air hit her face. With slow steps she walked into the balcony looking away towards the dark horizon. She was still unable to see the much wanted seaside but now she could smell the saltwater and hear the violent waves. With the calmness of the dark night, the sound of the crashing waves filled her ears and made one with her heartbeat.

Makoto approached her silently, watching with tender eyes her relaxed face and closed eyes.

"I told you that three rooms will be enough,"

Fumiko let out a laugh, opened her eyes and turned them upwards into the sky above trying to find a glimpse of starlight behind the dark clouds.

"I actually thought you wouldn't come," Makoto continued. "What made you do so?"

"At first I was afraid, you are a Rorin after all, and you are a stranger. But, Daiksuke would be with you; he is no stranger." She swifted her gaze to him.

"So, you mean to tell me that somehow you feel safe."

"Feeling safe is a very peculiar thing for a Geisha, I would say that I am not among total strangers." She smiled.

"A smart thing to say indeed."

"Smart or stupid is too soon to judge don't you think?"

At first, only silence fell between them and then out of the dark sky a few snowflakes made their way between them, making Fumiko extend her hand to catch them. Her beautiful face was lit up by a smile.

"You love snow this much?"

"Yes, it makes everything look pure and even."

"I find it rather troumblesome, it hides dangers and makes other things visible from far away."

He looked towards the sea. Fumiko's eyes fell on him and in her chest a burning desire to ask grew bigger. In her mind, the words of Chiyo, had nested themselves and tormented her. All day they accompanied her and now they were ready to leave her.

"When was the first time you've killed someone?"

"Why are you curious to know?" He locked eyes with her making her blush and look away.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"Strangely enough I want to. Daiksuke told me that your eyes sparkle when you hear stories. I want to see if it is true."

Fumiko felt her cheeks burn even more.

"I was around ten. A Japanese drunk soldier came into our home one night and tried to rape my mother but my father happened to walk in before it happened and started fighting with him. What my father hadn't seen was the soldier's gun and so he died. Next one to perish was my older brother who had been sleeping but woke up from the gunshot and terrified came to see what happened. After he shot my older brother the soldier proceeded to do what he came to do and killed my mother afterwards.

I was hiding under a small table on the corner of the room so when he turned to leave I hit him on the head with a big porcelain vase. When he fell down unconscious I took the rifle from his waist and pulled the trigger. After that I ran and never looked back."

"You must have been so scared," Fumiko said kindly, their eyes meeting. He looked deep into hers and felt her sincerity, then he looked away.

"Daiksuke was right, your eyes do sparkle." Makoto looked at her again. She was blushing. At that moment he felt a tremendous urge to kiss her but instead he opened his mouth.

"It's late, you should go to sleep."

To which Fumiko replied as if she hadn't heard a word. "Don't you think that the guys talk a bit too much when they are drunk? They could get themselves into trouble."

"You mean Jeho and Ed, right?"

"Yes, not everyone will take their story for what it is, a sweet love story, they may think it as problematic and they could hurt them."

"Why are you worried about them?"

Fumiko took some time to think before she answered and looked into his eyes through the snowflakes.

"Because I care about them. I care about all of you actually."

These few words left Makoto feeling lost. She had just told him how she felt and it somehow made him feel afraid. Makoto liked Fumiko yet, she was very different from him, they lived in different worlds, his filed with darkness and pain and hers filled with powder and elaborate costumes. But the thing that made matters more complicated was the fact that as a Geisha she has yet to give herself away. He knew how important the Mizuage ceremony was for a Geisha and how beneficial it was to both her and the okiya, the Geisha house, on this occasion Hanamichi. He should be encouraging her to find a wealthy and powerful man and not letting her catch feelings.

He took a step back looking at her and then he turned away. Even if she felt the same way they couldn't be together. The thought of her participating in the Mizuage made him uncomfortable and irritated. Yet, it was her duty, her job and he had no right to step in.

He stopped as he touched the French doors of his room.

"You can keep the knife." He then walked into the warm room leaving her alone.