Karaoke House
"Cramped in this place with all the Scepter 4 will kill me", Riko laughed. Everyone is on their civilian clothing.
"Ishikawa-san. You look great on your new hair", Kamo commented. She curled her hair during the winter. "Right? Akiyama", Kamo elbowed him. He was preoccupied the whole time. "Oh, yes. It suits you", Akiyama gave a weak smile. Riko grabbed on the microphone and started singing along with the lads.
Akiyama went out with a heavy atmosphere. Aki noticed it and followed after him. They ended at the balcony. "Is the air inside making you sick?", Akiyama asked without looking at her. "Akiyama-san. You don't seem to be yourself. Is there something bothering you?", Aki asked. Akiyama leaned on the railings facing Aki. He was just staring at her. "I haven't seen you during the winter", Akiyama tried to move to another topic. "I stayed at home", Aki informed.
"Akiyama-san, I haven't heard of Fushimi-san. I know he doesn't really is the type to join these activities but... I heard he left the group", Aki gripped on her long jacket. Akiyama's eyes widened. He doesn't want to hear that name for just a moment. "He did", Akiyama looked away. "I see", Aki said with a sad voice. Akiyama suddenly slammed on the railings and faces the other way. He doesn't want Aki to see his face. He's mad and flustered at the same time.
"Would it kill him if he would just stop by and say goodbye?", Akiyama is trying to hold his anger. "Because of him leaving, I was advanced to the Third Man in Command. I always dreamt of that position but I know Captain and Awashima-san would prefer him. Those guys would also agree for him to be in that position given his talent", Akiyama sighed. "Even I, Fushimi-kun is hard working. He doesn't talk much but he really wants what's best for the group as well. I like that guy", Akiyama covered his face.
"But I like Akiyama-san as well", Aki suddenly broke out. Why does she always say things at the wrong context?
She realised what she said and her heart nearly fell on the floor. Akiyama slowly turned to look at her. "Akiyama-san is kind to everyone. He has his own strength. Because you care for people, you don't seems to see that you are also that great. I know Captain, Awashima-san and the rest of the Scepter 4 likes you as well", Aki smiled. Akiyama chuckled and walked towards her. He patted her head. "Thank you for liking me, Ishikawa-san", Akiyama passed through her.
Aki remained at the balcony. It was clear to her that Akiyama didn't get that quite right. From the beginning, Akiyama was only kind to her because it was his nature. Plus, Riko liked him far longer than her. She doesn't stand a chance. She bent down and pulled her legs together. "Heart broken?", Kamo passed by and leaned on the wall. Aki shook her head.
"I just feel that I'm a big idiot", Aki answered. Kamo chuckled and left her alone.
3 months after
University
Laboratory
Aki noticed Riko being so discreet and also cautious. "Are you okay?", Aki asked. Riko violently nodded. "I am!", she gave a salute.
"Really? You haven't been yourself", Aki sighed. "Aki, sorry", Riko bowed very low. Aki was startled and the rest of the class looked at them. Aki grabbed her outside the laboratory.
"Yeah?", Aki squinted her eyes. "I know you're my friend and I shouldn't keep things from you", Riki crossed her finger. "You may slap me and kick me! You can also punch me directly in the face", Riko opened her arms. Aki just had a poker face. "Akiyama and I are already going out", Riko closed her eyes and waited for a punch in the face. She opened her eyes and saw Aki's hand raised. She smiked awkwardly. Aki pulled her in a tight hug. "Congratulations, Riko. Finally, you got to date the guy that you like", Aki smiled. She smiled with all her heart.
"You're not...", Riko had hiccups. Probably because she was nervous. Aki laughed and gently pushed her away.
"I'm just happy that Akiyama-san is in good hands", Aki flicked Riko's forehead. "We're still friends, right?", Riko asked. Aki nodded and turned her back. "Riko, I don't see any reason for Akiyama-san not to like you. You're fun-loving and a very adorable person. That's why I stuck with you all this time", Aki said then entered the laboratory.
Cake Shop
Aki stood in the line. It was Erina's birthday.
Akiyama and I are already going out.
She felt a pang on her chest. "Aren't you going to order?", a smaller woman asked irritatingly. It was the one with Fushimi at the cafe shop. Aki ordered cake and went out. She saw the petite woman. "Excuse me", she ran after her. "Yeah?", Aya tilted her head. "I haven't actually heard... about Fushimi-san these days... Where-", she was interrupted when Aya placed her hand in front of her signalling her to stop.
"Why is Saruhiko involved with a woman?", Aya crossed her arms. "Ah, he's an acquaintance of my father", Aki chucked nervously. "Hmm? So, your father is a..?", Aya asked. "A police", Aki answered. Aya grabbed her collar right away making Aki bend on her level. "You're not trying to sell him out, aren't you?", Aya released a dark aura around her. "I owe him a lot", Aki said with a serious tone. Aya lets her go and started to walk away. "He's somewhere you and I cannot reach. Let him go, he's already having his life fixed", Aya disappeared in Aki's sight.
Ishikawa Apartment
Erina and Nobu are talking too much. Some of their friends also came.
Aki excused herself since she was tired all day. She walked through the corridor and looked at the room beside her. It's quite difficult to see Fushimi out of the page.
She just sighed deeply and entered her room.
She dove on her bed.
Is he eating properly?
He could have applied cream to let that scar heal.
Does he continue drinking canned coffee?
Aki, you're not using Fushimi-san to distract yourself from your heartbreak from Akiyama-san, aren't you?
Aki sat down and opened her phone. Fushimi is different from Akiyama. He's someone Aki couldn't bear not to see.
She rang his phone number.
"Ah"
"Fushimi-san, its been a long time. I was wondering what you've been doing all this time".
"Sorry, Fushimi-san is actually working. I'm his secretary. For some reason, your name was labeled differently so I thought I should answer it".
"I see".
"Is there anything you want to tell him?".
"Uhmmm...I just... just want to know how he's doing. Thank you".
Aki ended the call.
Jungle Corporation
CEO Office
Fushimi sat on the middle of the table.
Really? We're making him the CEO?
He's barely 20.
He looks much of his father. Are we going to risk being bankrupt again?
There's nothing we can do, he's the next heir.
"We welcome the CEO, Fushimi Saruhiko-san. I believe he has some words to discuss to us", Kusanagi, Fushimi's secretary opened.
"I just want to tell you that I'm all buying your stocks and firing all of you in this company", Fushimi stood up and started to leave the room.
Everyone was left dumbfounded.
Chapter end
YOU ARE READING
Last of Her Kind
Fiksi PenggemarI came from the countryside. Father was promoted so we need to move into the city. At the same time, I was able to pass an entrance examination for medical school. I thought I was prepared from the culture shock but I wasn't. Tokyo was far different...
