Stars in The Rain

What If: Out of Bounds

Because I was never someone's option.

Takuma Sei's POV

What does she mean by that?

I opened my eyes and saw the sun rays peeking through my window curtains. I also heard my Secretary ramming through my kitchen. I climbed out of my bed, wash my face and looked at it at the mirror.

What are you getting excited for?

I'll go with the blue polo with stars. Masaru opened the door at my room. "Boss. There's a woman standing in front of the door. Did the press announced your condominium unit? Is she going to sue you for something?", Masaru panicked. "She's a friend of mine", I chuckled and patted on his shoulder. "Friend?", he was puzzled. I don't usually converse with women at my age at work. I guess Masaru was so shocked that a woman will be entering my condominium.

I opened the door and welcomed Sai. She was beautiful in her white laced dress. I heard Masaru gasping behind me. "Masaru, can you buy me my favorite wine?", I ordered. He was beyond belief. "But that is..", he protested. "Get it for me", I smiled. He immediately went off.

"Is that your Secretary? I was expecting a female Secretary", Sai teased. "Would you like me to hire one?", I asked. I saw Sai pouting. "I guess not", I assured. She looked around and searched for somethings at the cabinet. She looked at my childhood pictures. "I still prefer your old apartment. It feels cozy there", Sai commented. "Yeah, sure", I prepared some breakfast.

"I missed your cooking", Sai informed as she sits at the dinning table. Sei sat in front of Sai just watching her munch everything on the table. Sai noticed him staring at her and coughed. "Here's some water", I served it to her. "Tomorrow, will be a working holiday for me. I'll be visiting Yaeyama. Want to come?", I asked. Sayuri wiped her mouth and her eyes brightened.

"What exactly are you doing after taking your father's position?", Sai asked. "Since I'm still studying, dad is still the chairman of the board. I'm the one who's in charge in disseminating information with the 42 countries...about... raw materials for gadgets and the like?", I tried to make it more simpler. "How about you? What are you doing these past... year?", I shrugged my shoulders. "Studying", Sai smiled. "It's a good thing you are reaching for a dream you chose", I reached to her head but hesitated. "I rejected Kyouya-san", Sai informed. I was startled and withdrawn my hand. "I don't know why I said it but I think you just need to know it", Sai explained. Sorry Kyouya, but those words removed the heaviest feeling deep inside of me. "Now, aren't you nervous having me in your new place?", Sai stood up and roam around without my permission. I followed her around.

She ran towards my work room and peeked at the projects I was working with. "Are you a spy?", I teased. "Well, don't worry. Yui is working so hard, one day...she'll kick you out of the pedestal", Sai challenged. "Challenge accepted", I answered. But men, she really rejected Kyoua. Should I call him later? That'll rub salt on his wound. There was an awkward silence. I can't deny it. We've changed. We never had to dress up so well just to see each other. We don't have to wait for too long just to talk about something. Knowing what she did to Kyouya, I should be more careful not to take advantage of the situation.

Tachibana Sayuri's POV

Sei-san is thinking deep. He seemed to be formulating. Is he lost on thoughts for his projects? Then, I shouldn't be here. This is no longer like the old days. He's got responsibilities placed on his shoulders.

We've changed.

No matter how much I cover my guilt, I do feel bad for pleasing myself with Sei-san after hurting Kyouya-san. "Then, I think you have so much on your hands. I'll get going?", I lowered my head and passed through him. "That's it?", Sei-san asked. I looked back. "That's what you call eat-and-run", Sei-san chuckled. "Now you're giving your best in making puns", I tried to ride the atmosphere. I stepped back and tripped on a stray wire. I lost my balance and fell on my butt. Sei-san, being the good guy as always, didn't laugh or anything. He rushed and extended his hand for me. I felt hot drops of tears on my cheeks.

Why have I become such a crybaby? I was supposed to be tough.

This is not us.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere? I'll call Masaru", Sei-san grabbed on my hands and I felt how loose it was. It feels like, he's willing to let go anytime. "Yeah, I think I broke my tailbone", I tried to pull of some joke to lighten up the mood. He assisted me to stand. He reached for his phone and called Masaru.

"Masaru, time to come back. Please accompany Sai to the hospital", Sei-san instructed. I grabbed on his phone. "That was just some kind of prank. Take your time", I said. This feels wrong. I'm even scared to get his phone off his hand. His status, his aura, his tone of voice. Why is it that I don't recognize them anymore?

"This is wrong", I commented. "What is?", Sei-san stood closer to me. Just few inches away from me but we seems to be miles apart. It feels like we're both avoiding each other's path.

"This is not us", I stepped back. "What do you mean?", Sei-san looked away. "We're still the same. You're still Sai and I'm still the Takuma Sei you've been with before", Sei smiled. The door opened and interupted the two. "Sorry, President. The press needs your appearance right away", Masaru informed.

Third Person's POV

Sei looked at the girl and walked towards his room. He wore his blazer and breathed in. Unfortunately, he cannot have his face hidden to the public forever. "Looking sharp as ever...shall we?", Masaru peeked in the room. "How about Sai?", Sei asked. "She already left", Masaru answered and fixed Sei's necktie. "Put your game face on. We're going to use our trump card! They'll see how charming you are and you'll win their hearts", Masaru clapped. "Are you telling me that I've been able to convince our partners just because of my face?", Sei sighed. "I'm telling that... let's show them that you're not just some pretty face", Masaru explained.

Chapter end.

Author's note:

To someone I'm dedicating this story for:

😇😇😇