Business Prince

A Business Prince Appears!

Back to Aiko's POV

I trudged along the sidewalk, my ankles screaming in pain. I bent down and rubbed my ankles, noticing how red they were. I messed with the strap but I had no clue how to remove them, and that caused me to almost fall over.

The night lights lit up the area reminding me how late it was, I looked around for a street sign but didn't see one, my ankles were killing me and I had left my stuff at Hanako's house so I had no phone.

I decided to use the wall on the side of the side walk to put my weight on and try to walk to the nearest park or convenience store. To my luck there was a park at the end of the street, and of course a street sign. I tried to read the street sign but I could barely see it. There was nothing I could do so I decided to sit down and take a break.

Once I sat down I found a new problem, it was freezing out here! I tried to hug myself for warmth but the cold sank down into my bones and took over. I looked up at the sky for the comfort of the stars, but I could barely see any.

"Where are you when I really need you Dad? You promised me you would never leave me like mom did.... I know it's not your fault though." I sighed breathing into my hands. "What am I going to do?"

This hadn't been the first time I've been in a situation like this. When I was in middle school I ran away in the middle of the day. I kept running for who knows how long. It was winter just like it is right now, I remember that the most because my tears stung my face when I cried, but no matter how much it hurt I wouldn't go back, and next thing I knew I was lost. I took refuge in a park just like this, I hid under the play ground and cried.

I was no longer crying for the same reason I ran away, I was scared. I wanted my father.

I felt tears sting my face like they did when I was younger, though I felt surprisingly warm, like I was being hugged by someone.

"It's okay, your okay." I heard some coo. It was a mans voice, it was warm and gentle, like my fathers voice. He had wrapped his coat around me, he must have been cold too because his skin was briefly cool but melted away into warmth.

I wrapped my hands around the tall figure and they picked me up, just like my dad would.

You came for me after all, dad.

-------------------------------------------------

The rest of that night was hazy, I don't remember much of what happened, it was all hazy. All I know is that I woke in my bed the next day. It really was Dad wasn't it, he kept his promise, I knew he would.

I got up out of my bed and changed out of my pajamas and walked into my kitchen. I grabbed a bowl of cereal and walked back out into my living room. I sat down and sighed.

"It wasn't really you though huh dad? Who was it?" I asked looking at my dads shrine. I wish I could believe it was my father but my better judgement doesn't allow me too.

I was startled by a knock at my door interrupting my thoughts. I rubbed my eyes and picked myself up to answer the door. When I opened the door I was surprised by a tall blurry figure reminding me I didn't have my glasses.

"O-oh um, good morning.." A familiar deep voice said.

"Good morning, can I help you?"

"Oh yes right, um well you left your things at our house last night so I wanted to return them to you and properly apologize for last night." He said and handed me a bag.

Wait. Could this be Hanako's older brother? I could feel my face getting red hot as I quickly took the bag from him.

"R-Right, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused yesterday too." I said and quickly bowed back. I looked through my bag for my glasses so I could look at him in the face and thank him.

I slipped my glasses and blinked a few times before my eyes adjusted. I finally saw him properly for the first time. He was tall, as I had always known, but not only that but he had black hair and was well built. I looked at him and couldn't help but stare at his brown eyes through his glasses.

Realizing the situation I was in I couldn't help but blush, this good looking older guy just came to return stuff I left at his place. Oh god, that sounds a lot worse than I thought it would. I know he's just being polite but... why is he blushing too?

"N-no that's not it, last night... the person who brought you home was me. I'm sorry I picked you up and entered your home without permission..." He apologized and bowed.

I felt a burst of steam escape from my face. Last night... this man.. picked me up.. and tucked me into bed... w-what!?

I remembered the figure from last night, the mysterious and warm figure that comforted me when I was crying. W-wait... h-he sa-w me cry-ing???????? But now that I have a chance to look at him he really does remind me of my father.

He was still bowing when he raised his head and looked up at me, his face equally as red.

I looked down at the ground feeling like I was about to pass out, "It's okay, t-thank you very m-much.." I mumbled.

"S-so, .. what's your name?" He asked softly.

"Oh uh it's Aiko Hamasaki." I replied.

"Nice to meet you Hamasaki-chan." He said and smiled politely, "I'm Fukui Kuro."

"N-Nice to meet you too Mr.Fukui!" I responded quickly.

"Well have a nice day!" Kuro said and smiled at me again.

"Y-you too..." I replied softly, a bit taken a back by his smile.

As I watched him walk away for a moment I saw my father. His smile was just like my fathers too, a sweet young man to match how sweet of an old man my father was. After going everything my father went through, he had the right to be bitter, but he never was. He used his success to help others who weren't so fortunate. Everyone loved him, but because of that he was the target of many people.

Its a miracle that the disease got to him before anyone else did. However when my father died he wasn't in pain or miserable, he was happy with the life he lived. But even in his last days all he thought about was me. He sold his business just to make sure I never had to work in my life. He told me that he wanted me to be able to pursue anything I wanted in life without worrying if it was going to put enough food on the table.

I told my father that he didn't have to sell the business that he worked so hard to build, and that I could take it over. But father always knew me better than I did, and told me that I would be miserable in a world of business men and women. He told me I was too shiny to be in a place so dull and that he wanted my work to be as bright as me.

I love my father.

And so I find myself looking at this gentleman I just meant, with a face of longing.

But what I can't figure out is... Am I longing for him? Or my father?