Indelible || Giyushino

006 || In the Middle of the Night

Some days later, Shinobu still had an unsettling feeling in her stomach. He was cold, yet expressive. This man was something else.

She had thought about everything he said, emotions, senses, pianist, etc. Lying in her bed, she was back to her usual overthinking routine.

Some nights, the thoughts would get so bad and heavy she couldn't sleep. Overworked, burnt out, Insomina, you name it. She's got it. Although she wasn't born with a sliver-spoon in her mouth, her family background wasn't terrible.

It was just a crazy amount of pressure to do everything at once, while doing it right.

Shinobu related to Giyuu a bit, but part of him was still difficult to read.

How could he not remember? Those many times they met by chance in college, and especially that one night before graduation...

Shinobu had an epiphany, she ran over to the umbrella Giyuu lended her (and that she forgot to return). 'Red umbrella top, ocean waves'

It was that same umbrella from her senior year of college. All these years, he's kept and used the same one. She should probably return it. 'How does he not remember me? Is he that stupid?' She wanted to confront him so badly, or at least ask him if he remembers. 'Or does he also remember? Is he just playing stupid?'

On the contrary, Giyuu is somewhat clueless.

But you can't really ask one of your workers if they remember you with the way they know each other. 'Hey, do you remember that time when we were like 20 and slept with each other? Haha.' She groaned in frustration, Shinobu just wanted to work with him professionally but the memory of that night is agonizing. 'It was my first time too...'

While deep into her thoughts, an unknown number called her. Assuming it's something about work, she picked up.

Unknown Caller ID ; Shinobu. It's Douma. Please-

xxx-xxx-xxx (Shinobu) ; Seriously? You changed your number to call me? Have some self respect.

Unknown Caller ID ; I know, I know. But please hear me out. I just want to try again, or fix where we left off. Please- Let's meet up somewhere, and work things out.

Shinobu has seen this flim before, and she didn't like the ending. When they first started dating, they were on and off like wildfire. Arguments, jealously, toxic lies, it was terrible. 1 1/2 years into their relationship, the wounds started to heal and they were happy for sometime.

Until, he cheated.

Of course Shinobu knew that that should've been the final straw, and she should've ended things for good, but that's what happens when you're in a toxic cycle. You keep going back, thinking they changed, and then it happens again. Like an inescapable circle.

This time, she wanted things to be gone for good. Cheating and lying is one thing, but you do not mess with Shinobu Kocho's career and work. Her passions, her efforts. You don't touch that. Of course $1,500 wasn't anything to her and her fortune, it was about the trust and her hard work that was effected.

But here she is, giving this scumbag a chance at closure.

xxx-xxx-xxx (Shinobu) ; Fine. Where?

Unknown Called ID ; Let's meet at our favorite bar, tonight. 9pm.

Hearing that, she hung up.

Of course she was gonna show up, but seriously? A bar? He cheated, lied, stole from her, now he's acting like he's allowed to treat her to a date.

T I M E S K I P

She stepped into the establishment, a tight black dress with red-bottom heels. Carrying the latest Dior handbag, bought it herself too.

The purple-haired girl sat at the bar countertop, waiting for her perpetrator. 'I'm gonna need something heavy tonight.'

"A gin and tonic for me." Giving off the appearance of an ingenue, you'd expect her to order some type of wine or champagne. Nope. Not this Kocho. Maybe her sister, but this Kocho goes wild, most of her alcohol tolerance is thanks to college though. The retired party animal.

The ash blonde man sat down next to her bluntly. "Shinobu."

She rolled her eyes, "Douma."

"I don't know where to start.." He stared at the beautiful woman, looking guilty as ever. "I'm sorry. I really am. I shouldn't have taken the money, I should've asked you first. And we could've worked something out."

Thrown off guard, 'is he actually apologizing? Douma? Apologizing?'

The old Douma would apologize, then keep trying to explain how he was the victim in the situation. And that he didn't do anything wrong, while still "apologizing".

"Well. That was very nice and mature of you, apology accepted. But I don't think we are ever getting back together. Like, ever."

With the look of being defeated on his face, "Really?"

"Really. Don't forget this wasn't the first time you went behind my back. You cheated on me with that one woman - and all those times you blamed me and made me the bad guy. I can forgive you, but I'll never forget." The girl chugged down her cocktail.

"Okay, well I'm sorry-"

She put her index finger up to his mouth, shushing his lips. "Apology accepted. Still over."

And off she went, out the door. Into the abyss. Like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. Freedom.

And that's where her joy was cut off, an anger and fuming ex-boyfriend grabbed Shinobu by the wrist. "Were meant for each other. You know that. You can't just leave me."

"Let go. Let go of me." A vein emerged from her forehead, nearly bursting. "I said let go."

The grasp just tightened further, paining her arm. "Shinobu. Listen to me. I am yours and you are mines." Shinobu Kocho doesn't get scared often, but this terrified her. "It's that new model isn't it? He stole you away from me?"

"How did you-?"

"I watch social media. I know everything about this new little brand deal, and that handsome lookin' asshole of yours."

"You keep him out of this."

She kicked him in the groin, and started speeding in her black pumps. Agonizingly. "Has he gone mad?!" She dialed every important number on her phone, it was getting late. Nobody was answering, not even her driver or assistant.

So she went to the only person she could think of, without calling him first. Giyuu Tomioka.

She had his address available from his resume, and she ran and walked 12 blocks to get there. Doing track in high school sure paid off.

~~~

Banging at his front door caused Giyuu to wake up in the middle of the night. Opening it, "Ms. Kocho?"

It was late, freezing, and here his boss was standing on the other side of the door. Holding a pair of heels in one hand, and a designer purse in the other. Hair tangled, and eyes watery.