Bound: History

By Scarlet Storm

One of the great lessons any young person learns at university is that life is never as simple as it may seem on the surface. For Miyuki, a carefree young lady, and her creative friend Matsuda Jun, life has a few more lessons in store. When Miyuki was orphaned at a young age, Matsudas family took her in. As they grow into adults, their special bond has intensified. Now that love is in the air, he has made a promise to keep her safe at his side for the rest of his life.

But that pledge is tested with the arrival of Sunohara Sho, who believes Miyuki to be the woman of his dreams. The two men share a complicated history, and the violent pull of vengeance and honor they both feel endangers everything and everyone they love, including Miyuki. Sunohara has seen his future with her, and he has already dueled with his former friend and mentor, Akiyama Masaki, in a bold attempt to win her love. When Sunohara learns that Akiyama has been terrorizing Miyuki in her dreams, he pledges to make things right any way he can.

Will Miyuki ever be free from Akiyamas nightmares?
Will Matsuda find his courage and win her heart?
Can Sunohara manage to keep Akiyama away from Miyukis dreams?
Who will Miyuki ultimately choose?

Bound: HIStory is a story of a love and redemption for even the darkest of hearts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Apr 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781482830781

Scarlet Storm

When Scarlet Storm, a freelance writer from Perak, Malaysia, learned that she had multiple sclerosis at nineteen, the diagnosis inspired her to pursue a career as an author. Her blog (www.mrsupernova9.blogspot.com) reflects the philosophy of her idol, Sakurai Sho: Write it as a dream and read it as a goal.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Scarlet Storm.

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4828-3077-4

                Softcover         978-1-4828-3076-7

                eBook              978-1-4828-3078-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Toll Free 800 101 2657 (Singapore)

Toll Free 1 800 81 7340 (Malaysia)

www.partridgepublishing.com/singapore

Contents

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Dedicated to:

Aiba Masaki,

Sakurai Sho, Matsumoto Jun.

Riry S., Andini N.,

Jacqueline A., Kawtar Z., Patrycja B.,

& Arashi 1 True Lovers.

Acknowledgement:

Kasma MN, Joanne Dellit, & Ct. Aisah.

Act I & V of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

For a lost love,

I keep on remembering,

The memories of your existence,

Those previous times,

Of you and I that we had together,

The shadow of your love, It wasn’t even here.

For a lost love,

Your smile that engraved in my heart,

All the pain, sacrifice, and memories,

The love we once had, we couldn’t say goodbye,

The fear of losing your, Though you were never even near.

For a lost love,

I am still waiting at this time,

For a touch to cure the wound that once bleeds,

Bloods that were still falling,

Until there won’t be another day for me to breathe.

For a lost love,

I closed my eyes as I was holding the breath

That I can no longer feel,

Sorrow has mystified in a heart sheds within time,

But I know your existence will forever be, In my life…

(c) Scarlet Storm 2015

Dedicated to someone who holds my heart,

Aiba Masaki….

Prequel

T hrough eternal life time has passed; will there still be love in between a heart that was already torn apart? How will he have his faith rejoined together through destiny as days been shading away.

Through centuries has passed, as the impurity of his heart dwells as it has been was. The cruel revenge and vengeance against the world that that has been engraved in his heart can no longer be erase anymore. His only love that he once believes were there has gone shattered through the ballistic wind in those previous years.

But as before the future time begins, will there ever be any forgiveness with the mistakes that he has done? Will the purity, the innocent of his heart ever re-bloom once again in between his friendship that has fallen apart? In between reality, a new born love, his disciple is a part of him and his prophecy his destiny to become. Can he envisage of what he might become?

Will the bound that deceit his life be forgiven in his history? Or his life might just be an unforgiving mystery…

1

S he quietly leaned against the tall stone arch Cherry Blossom as the petals cascaded away from the tree nearby her house garden when she heard footsteps approaching close to her. She bit her lips looking at her surroundings but seeing nobody close by. She took a deep breath holding herself together, ‘I don’t want to be caught!’ she whispered in her heart a couple of times. She looked to her side and on seeing the maple leaves, grabbed them in her hands. Hiding herself behind them.

Miyuki gave a little giggle when she was sure that he could no longer see her, ‘This will teach him a lesson not to play with me!’ she said to herself.

The sounds of his footsteps walking through the fallen leaves were well heard. He ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, frowning since he wasn’t satisfied looking around for her that long.

Matsuda took a deep breath, leaving him with no other choice he could think of. He smirked to himself. He yawned, It is five forty five already? Oh, mom is going to get angry if I don’t go back home now. As he said this, he found he had to bite his lips trying to stop himself from laughing.

Miyuki was still hiding behind the bushes of the dry maple leaves with a frown on her face, she was sure that Matsuda was only trying to trick her… but she also doesn’t want to give up and show herself to him. She had found the perfect hiding place away from him. ‘I don’t believe you’ she quietly said.

I don’t know where you are hiding, but Mom is going to be angry at you, Matsuda said as he retraced his steps backwards from where he was standing, heading towards his house. Miyuki turned around when she saw Matsuda was walking away from her. She felt her heart tremble when she saw the evening sun was setting.

She blinked her eyes a couple of times thinking what if she was left there all alone when it was already dark? Her heart shrunk at that thought as she dropped the maple leaves. ‘I don’t want to die here on my own!’ She screamed in her heart when she ran towards Matsuda’s direction and hugged him from behind.

Miyuki buried her face at behind his back, Don’t leave me here alone! she said to him when she felt her tears begin falling down. Matsuda grinned and suddenly he began to laugh, Miyuki loose! She loose! She loose! Matsuda said when he turns around, pointing at her direction. He was happy that his tactics works.

Her jaw dropped open, You! she frowned when she pushed Matsuda on the ground. She sat on him, I am going to kill you! she said when Matsuda still can’t stop laughing when he felt her tickling his waist.

Miyuki smiled when at the end, she lay down on his open arms. You are such an idiot, Matsuda, she said to him. Matsuda widens his eyes and looked at her, You know that mom says that we are too young to say those words, silly, he said to her gently knock on her head with his palm. Miyuki lifted her shoulder up, I guess so, she said when she sat down and looked at him.

Sometimes I don’t like you, she said to him. He covered his mouth with his hand, I am happy you said that, because I don’t like you too, he replied her with a smile on his lips.

Matsuda looked at the watch at his hand, when his eyes widens up slightly, I think we really need to go back home, he said, showing her his watch, telling them the time was already closer to six. Miyuki bit her lips when she looked at Matsuda. Oh no, she said. He smiled to her as he stood up and held out his hand to help her stand next to him. Miyuki smiled at him, Thank you, she said when she wrapped both of her arms around him. I love you, she said to him, pressing her lips lightly on his cheek.

He looked at her with one side of his eyebrow up, You kissed me! he said, seemed to be surprise. Miyuki had a small giggle; Because you are my best friend and my brother. she said taking his hand in hers. Matsuda had a small laugh when both of them walked towards their house behind the garden.

The beauty of the evening night with an autumn breeze really had eased and soothed both of their hearts. Miyuki and Matsuda were both aged seven. They don’t have the same blood type, their birth dates were not at the exact same time, but both of them were holding hand as they were walking back home.

At first Matsuda wasn’t sure if he even wanted a sister, but since her parents has passed away in an accident when Miyuki was only three; and she didn’t have any relatives that were willing to keep her as their child, Matsuda’s mother decided to keep her as their family. He did find her irritating when they first time met, but as he grew older, he understand all that matters. Her house wasn’t that far from his.

Matsuda looked at her, I am going to eat your chocolate, he said to her. Miyuki thought for a while. She loves chocolate so much, and at first she wanted to fight for it… but instead she just smiled at him. As long as you are happy, she said to him when they opened their house door and walked inside their house.

17999.png

It was two fifteen in the evening, where the outside world was still busy like a normal regular days. The other students at their college were doing their regular activities. Talking to their friends, eating their lunch or busy with their thesis and such. It was for the Literature class and it seemed like the lecturer who is never late, Mr. Odagiri, was late that day.

Miyuki looked up from her watch when someone in her noisy classroom accidently dropped his pile of books on the ground at the main entrance of her class. She wanted to go and help but was at the other end of the class. She saw another person behind him helped him out with everything. She forgot what his name was since he was new there, she wasn’t sure but if she was not mistaken, his name is Junichi or something but he seemed to be a pretty decent guy after all.

She turned her gaze towards the mirror beside her desk. She smiled when she felt the wind blew gently against her fragile skin through the open window. She looked at how the Sakura blossom gracefully move in slow motion as the wind gentle blew though it was almost the end of spring. The green surroundings were still lighting up the whole Japan, making her wonder if any other part of where she was from was still like this? She sighed.

What a beautiful world. she whispered, cherishing everything that was around her, how she wishes she could be here forever. She inhaled a deep breath with her fingers touching the book that was open on her table. She looked at the empty page when she took her pen and scribbled down something there. Summer, she smiled when she can’t wait for summer to start, but she still doesn’t want spring to be over. She sighed as puts the pen she was holding back down on the table when suddenly she felt someone patting on her shoulder.

Miyuki looked to her side and saw no one was there. ‘Maybe it was Chika playing a trick on me again?’ she said when she just smiled but the tapping continues again, but this time before whoever it was disturbing her could move, she grabbed for their fingers, but they still managed to walked away from her.

She frowned as she held both side of her hands on the table and pushed herself up. She turns around when she saw nobody was there apart from the regular students that were busy doing what they were doing. She raised her eyebrow, when she saw his Black Shoei J-Force 3 Surge helmet on his desk.

Matsuda, she grumbled for his name, with both of her arms crossed on her chest, when suddenly someone covered her eyes from behind her back. She took a deep breath when the scent of his body, his perfume made it much more obvious who he was. She smiled when she touched his hand and turned around, You know that you are here late today? she asked him when he just smiled to her. He looked at her from head to toe. The colour combination of her clothing and her skin completion suited her best that day. He sighed as he put his bag on the chair next to her. He smiled to himself as she waited for an answer. ‘Don’t you just look beautiful every day, Yuki?’ he said to himself when he sat on the chair.

Miyuki shakes her head, Good evening, anyway, she said to him when she sat back down on her seat. Good evening to you too, Yuki, he said to her with a smile on his face. He patted his helmet on the table. He grabbed the chair next to him and putted the helmet there. Miyuki raised her eyebrow, Don’t you always put it with your bike, J? she asked him as he frowned. He sighed. I just feel I need him with me right now, he replied her when he touched his shining helmet gently. Miyuki gave a small laugh when she looked at him for a while. Matsuda Jun, his attitude never changed since before. He would still do what he feels like doing; he still gets whatever he wants in life. With some effort, but he still manage to achieve it.

Do whatever you want, J, she said to him when she opens the project that both of them had done last night. They had made an agreement that if she wrote the poetry for this so call test, he would be the one present it. She sighed when she remembered the same thing that happened in the previous test.

They were teamed up as one like always, they made the same promise but during the presentation time, he bailed on her with excuses. She had a small giggle, ‘Matsuda’, when she turned her gaze towards him, Are you ready for the presentation today?

Matsuda raised his eyebrow; he turned his glance towards her sarcastically. Miyuki was still smiling to him, Do I look like I am not prepared today? he asked her. He looked directly into her clear eyes, at the same time felt how her gaze had the power to him sooth his heart most of the time. How he wish he could never lose her ever in his life. Even though he tried to forget all of the memories they had with each other before the day when his mother had passed, before she knew who she really was in his family.

Days had passed by and it was years since both of them were living in a house together. He knows he doesn’t want to admit to anybody what he actually felt in his heart, but how long can he lie to himself? He was sure that when the right time comes, he can’t lie no more.

Even though her feeling for him would be far off, he knows deep inside their hearts, their love for each other would never go astray, but he felt they had become emotionally distant. Matsuda leaned down on the table and closed his eyes. ‘Stop thinking of her, idiot!’ he scolds himself over and over again.

He didn’t see anything else with his eyes was sealed shut, but he felt someone touching his shoulder. He was shocked at first when he looked to his side; he thought someone might have a problem with him when he saw someone wearing a grey buttoned shirt, and a black slack.

Matsuda stood back up and was speechless when he saw that Mr. Odagiri was standing in front of him, Oh God, he grumbled. He looked at Matsuda and seemed like he wasn’t happy at all. I don’t want to hear Miss Miyuki to present this test today. Now get up and we want to hear your poetry, Mr. Matsuda, he said to Matsuda sarcastically. Matsuda turned his gaze towards Miyuki and frowned, but Miyuki could only lift her shoulders up.

Matsuda took a deep breath when he stood and walked in front of the class. Miyuki had wanted to give the poetry that she was written for their presentation that day but Matsuda didn’t bother to even look at her direction. Almost everyone was smiling to him in a strange sort of way.

Rie Fujiwara was giving him a gentle smile when he rose up his eyebrow, ‘What’s up with her?’ He asked himself when he saw Miyuki was giving him two thumbs up. He took a deep breath as he opened the paper he had in his hand, I know I suck at writing all of this, but here’s what I have for this test, he said sarcastically when he took a deep breath.

"Day, Each minute passed away,

Not seeing, until it was,

Yesterday, Each second, still missing,

Words once were said,

Did not hear, maybe because it was,

Today, Your shadow, didn’t shade any longer,

Again, in a cold gray,

Hay, A smile is not flushed like it was,

Another day,

Do not go away, Don’t forget to say,

Hey, Our memories would never decay,

Don’t go away, Please just

Stay…"

He looked at everyone fallen silent and he didn’t know why. Mr. Odagiri clapped his hand in amusement, You wrote that yourself? he asked Matsuda. Matsuda lifted up his shoulder, It just came to mind, he replied to Mr. Odagiri. He smiled to Matsuda and Matsuda then bowed down, as with a smile, he walked from the centre of the class back to his seat. Wow, when did you write that? Miyuki said to him when returned to his sit next to her. She was surprise that he wrote that himself. Matsuda ran his fingers through his dark brown hair Only for me to know and for you to find out, he answered her back

Miyuki tried to take the paper that Matsuda was holding but he pulled it away from her Dream on, he said to Miyuki when he folded the paper and put it inside his bag, she frowned at him I will get that, she said to him. Matsuda grinned to himself as he gently touched his finely trimmed beard. He stuck his tongue out in her direction. I will burn it first before you get near to it, he said to her when he winked. She pinched his cheek slightly. Matsuda made his face like he was in pain, Ouch, that hurts! he said rolling his eyes.

She raised her hand and was about to pinch his shoulder when suddenly the bell rang. Matsuda laughed a little as he grabbed his helmet and sling bag from off the ground. He looked at her, So, you coming with me or what? he asked her when she grabbed her bag as well. Everyone in their class was already out of the room as she walked beside him. I am walking back home, she said to him when he wrapped one side of his arm around her shoulder. Don’t joke with me, he said to her when she giggled. He opened his locker when he took out another black helmet like his and black leather jacket that were hanging inside.

Matsuda gave the helmet to her, Come on, he said adjusting the position of his sling bag on his shoulder. Miyuki followed him from the back when he looked at her as both of them were reaching the exit of the college from behind. He took out his black and white Ducati Daivel motorcycle key and took off the cloth that was covering it from the hot weather. He gently touched his bike and wiped off some dirt stain on the seat. He folded the cloth and put it inside his sling bag.

Hop on then, silly, he said to her. Miyuki smiled to him when she puts on the helmet on her head, she looked at Matsuda who was wearing his jacket the other way around so that she could still be hiding underneath it as well as him. He wore his helmet and sat on his seat. Matsuda was looking at her still unsure she wanted to ride on the bike. He pushed up the visor that was covering his face and looked at her. What? It’s not like it’s your first time. he said to her when she walked closer to him. It’s not that. Just you looked good today, she compliments him. He pulled up the stand and turned on the engine. The sound of it was too loud, she wasn’t sure how far can it be heard.

Don’t I always? he replied her with a smirked on his face, she shakes her head when she grabbed his shoulder, putting one side of her leg on the paddle next to her and hop on the bike. She leaned down on him. He turned around to look at her who was resting her chin on his shoulder, And where’s Hana? he asked her.

She is at the Lotus Café, Miyuki said to him when he lifted his shoulder up, How about we go there and grab something to eat first before we go back home? he asked her. She nodded her head That sounds nice. she replied. He played with the throttle several of times. Miyuki held him close in her arms because she knows how crazy this guy can be with his bike. She took a deep breath before he launched his bike into gear.

Suddenly, she saw a person walking next to her. Looking to see who it was, Miyuki noticed he was one of the guys that had entered the college last semester. ‘Sunohara Sho.’ Her heart whispered his name. She looked at him heading towards the main road. She doesn’t know who he was, she doesn’t know where he is from, but what she does know, is that she is captivated by the mystery of him.

He doesn’t talk to a lot of people. He never missed any of his class, yet he was never seen anywhere in this small town. Her heart trembles with curiosity for this man.

She frowned when she felt someone was pinching her thigh. Ouch! she grumbled, rubbing against where Matsuda had pinched her, he looked at her curiously What are you doing? he asked her when Miyuki looked away from his gaze. Matsuda raised his eyebrow when he noticed Sunohara already walked out from the gate.

He turned his gaze to her once again, You are looking aren’t you? he asked her, pointing at Sunohara’s direction. Miyuki felt her cheeked burned up in the semi hot weather No I wasn’t. she replied, refusing to tell him everything her heart was whispering. Matsuda played with his throttle again. He smiled. If you say so. he said putting the bike into gear and stormed off out of the college.

Miyuki held him close in her arms, Oi! she shouted when Matsuda didn’t give her any alert about him getting ready to go.

17999.png

The clock on the wall was already six in evening still ticking as every second passed. The dark green silk curtain had fallen down on the outside world bringing an end to the day and the start of night. The bed room door was closed; everything inside that room was so quiet, even a fallen needle on the ground could be heard.

The stench of the wooden oak flooring inside the room was overwhelming everything else there. It was increasing the intense of pleasure for the man that was hiding himself underneath the comforter.

He groaned as he turned around to straighten himself up. He was still wearing his black shirt, partly unbutton, his hair was a messed up. He sniffed the scent of her from last night. He buried his face on the white pearl satin mattress. I need more, he grumbled wishing that what happened yesterday still hadn’t ended, and how the night won’t change again. He pushed the pillow that was covering part of his face to the side. He released a long breath, opening his eyes little by little, trying to avoid the bright sunlight, and how his brown eyes sparkled. He licked his lips when he turned his body around once again.

He looked at the clock on the wall and he raised his eyebrows up. The night was about to fall once again and he was still feeling unsatisfied with whatever was disturbing his sleep, a good long rest from a busy night. He pulled the comforter back up to cover his face, but the birds outside his room couldn’t stop twitching with each other. He bit his lip making it bleed slightly, as he touched his face with sweaty fingers. Damn it. he groaned as he pushed the comforter to the other side, he opens his eyes, pushing himself up with no hesitation. He took off the shirt he was wearing and puts it down on the floor.

He was only wearing his black tight boxers when he stood up. He walked towards the bathroom and washed his face. What a night. he said looking at his own reflection and he licking his lips with the sign of satisfaction. He walked back to his room, grabbing up his rumpled t-shirt, and put it on his bare body.

He stood in front of the television where he grabbed the remote from the side of the desk. He ran his fingers through his messed up hair when he turned on the television with a smile across his face, Now let see what’s hot today? he said as he lay back on the couch behind him.

17999.png

At the Lotus Café, Miyuki and Manami were talking quietly to each other. Seriously, Hana, Even I was surprise when he walked to the middle of everyone and presented his own poetry. Miyuki told Manami about what happened in their Literature class just now. Manami gave a small laugh when she heard Miyuki told her that. Are you kidding me? she asked Miyuki who was eating her Raspberry Cheese Cake. She shook her head, No! How I wish I could; but I think he was brave to do that. she said to Manami. Manami ate her Chocolate Fudge Cake He is a good guy. Manami said to Miyuki. Miyuki only lifted up her shoulder, He is I guess, she replied.

Matsuda was walking in their direction with a tray in his hands, with their drinks and food inside. Manami touched Miyuki’s hand. He’s on his way, she whispered to Miyuki, winking her eye. Miyuki turned around and looked at Matsuda. She covered her laughter by biting the tip of her lips when she touched the helmet next to her seat. She smiled quietly. It was true most people who didn’t know who Matsuda was didn’t know how sweet a man he can be. What’s the use of judging the book by its cover when they don’t know its true quality? She grabbed her helmet and put it on his at her other side. Come, sit here, she said to him when Matsuda just glared at those two woman in front of him.

Do you know that sometimes it is boring to be the only man in the colony? he asked them when he put the tray on the table. Miyuki looked at him sweetly And that makes you the greatest gentleman. she said to him and smiled looking at the Strawberry Delight she ordered, Oh, sweet, she took her drink and put it by her side. Matsuda shook his head before bending down and tasting the drink first. Miyuki’s jaw dropped open Why? she asked Matsuda who was trying to evaluate the taste in his mouth. Both of the ladies were looking at him. Matsuda took a deep breath.

The taste is too sweet. It would be nicer if you add in some more strawberry to make the sourness pop. he said starting to drink his soda. Miyuki widened her eyes And you drank mine? she said to him sarcastically. He just nodded his head, Yes, but at least I drank yours with honestly, not looking at somebody when actually thinking: ‘Hello, Baby!’ he said to her, winking his eyes.

Manami looked at Matsuda. Who? she asked him, while her hand brushed against his. Matsuda looked at her with a sarcastic smile on his face. He loves wearing black, and just everything black. he told Manami as Miyuki was furiously tried to shut his mouth. Shut up, J! she said to him, but Matsuda pushed her face away. Only black. he said to Manami when he grabbed his fries and started eating them.

Manami wondered; Batman? she tries to answer but Matsuda waved his fingers to her. No. he said when she kept on wondering. Miyuki looked at Manami He is just lying to you. she told Manami who gave a slight giggle. Matsuda took a deep breath, looking away from those two, And you know I don’t know how to lie. he told them.

Spiderman? she asked Matsuda again, when he shakes his head still, He has a red and blue stripe, not even close to black. he said when Manami frowned. Who? she asked him as Matsuda turned his gaze towards her.

Sunohara Sho. Matsuda replied. Manami looked at Miyuki surprised. Seriously? she asked Miyuki when Miyuki shakes her head. No! He is lying to you. I don’t like that guy! Miyuki said, as she furiously continued eating her cake. Matsuda turned his gaze towards her If not then why were you busy looking at him when you are about to ride with me? Matsuda asked her with an irritating smile on his face. Manami had a giggle when she drank her drink, That’s just sweet. Manami said to the two of them.

Miyuki frowned. J! she grumbled. She was about to strangle him when suddenly the three of them heard something on the television at the café.

Breaking News. Two of Kyoto University freshmen; Keiko Honda, twenty four years old and Mao Miyamoto twenty two years old; were found dead in a room at the Tokorozawa Park Hotel this evening at around two thirty in the evening, savagely murdered, the newscaster mention.

The three of them looked at each other remembering that those two had talked about going to that club last night… They were there also… it is just that they had gone home early…

What is going on? Miyuki asked quietly.

2

T he three of them looked at each other when they recalled those two had talk about going to that club last night. They were there too as the conversation happened, but that they had gone home early.

What is going on? Miyuki asked Matsuda and Manani, when even they were unsure what was happening. Matsuda took a deep breath. And you know if we are suspected to have been at the crime scene, we will be called up right? he said as he felt his pulse go haywire. Manami lifted her shoulders up, trying to believe what she just heard on the news was a mistake… but it was from the National Television. Why would they want to lie?

Miyuki looked away when she recalled the two girl’s faces reflections when Matsuda told them that they needed to go back home. Miyuki sighed and she closed her eyes. She kept on asking herself, ‘Why didn’t I just stay?’ She felt the regret suddenly pile up on her. She took a deep breath and she turned her gaze towards her fellow mates that was clearly unsure, nervous and incapable to thinking of anything else.

I guess we got to do it. she said when her hand gently touched Matsuda’s hand. Matsuda looked at her when he grabbed her hand in his.

17999.png

Miyuki looked around in the quiet and empty room. She tries to calm herself down but somehow, her heart was pounding so hard, she wasn’t sure if she could breathe anymore. She blinked her eyes a couple of times. Her brain couldn’t stop thinking of what was actually happening. What was all of these things? She knew she wasn’t a part of it, but why was she there waiting?

She thought that it was only a dream when she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she opens her eyes once again. Hoping what she has seen would disappear… but she can still see everything right there.

There was only an empty desk in front of her face with a chair that was vacant. She felt her fingers started to sweat ‘I shouldn’t be worried about anything’ she reminded herself.

She looked up and saw the round clock on the wall in front of her. It was only eleven fifteen in the morning on Saturday. She gently touched her fingers against one another as she felt her heart easing down a little. She tried to forget why she was there when she suddenly remembered what Matsuda has said to her when he sent her back home after their night out at The Lotus Café.

I’ll cook for you tomorrow night. he said to her when Miyuki leaned closer to him and gave him a hug. Thank you. she said to him as she felt him wipe away the tears that were still falling from her eyes.

She took a deep breath, ‘Matsuda’ she whispered his name in her heart.

Miyuki heard somebody was walking towards the direction of the room she was locked in. The door was opened and she saw a man wearing a police uniform was heading her way. She took a deep breath as his footsteps were getting much closer to her.

Hello, Miss Takeda. he greeted her when he sat on the chair that was vacant a short time ago. He put down his files on the empty desk in front of him, Just call me Miyuki, she said to him. He nodded his head when he scribbled something on the notes in front of him. Okay then, Miyuki, he said to her.

He smiled to her slightly. Miyuki, I am Officer Miura Ryohei. he said to her when Miyuki only nodded her head. She tried not to look at his face, avoiding looking deep into his eyes. He looked at her without even blinking his eyes. His face expression was both stiff and full of curiosity. She looked away, avoiding the gaze he was giving her. She heard him inhaled a deep breath.

How well did you know both Miss Honda and Miss Miyamoto? he asked her. She looked at his direction. She knew the answer but she wasn’t sure how to put it all together. She took a deep breath before speaking Miss Honda… I mean Keiko was my junior in the collage. They took the same course as me and they sometimes refers to me about the subject that they don’t understand she replied him when he jotted down the notes she had said to him. He looked at her again. And Miss Miyamoto? What was she to you? Miyuki swallowed hard before answering. She was better known to Keiko Chan than me.

It’s on record that we have investigated the incident that happened last night, one of the victims, Keiko Honda; had made her last call to you. he said to her, to which Miyuki nodded her head because both of them had asked her and Matsuda to go to the club last night. She did ask me and my friend for a night out, and we did meet around twelve fifteen at the club below the hotel upstairs. she replied and he continued writing.

He looked at her again Were you there when the incident happened around two twenty in the morning? he asked her. Miyuki shook her head. No, I wasn’t. she replied him. He has a nice body muscle and as an officer with uniform he looks surprisingly stunning but with how he was looking at her, it frightened her slightly. Why? he asked her again.

She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them, returning his leveled gaze. I got slightly drunk and my friend sent me back home, she said quietly watching him as he put his pen down for a moment before picked it back up again. And who is your friend? he asked her intensely.

Matsuda Jun.

Matsuda looked at the officer that was sitting in front of him. From the explanation of your friend, Miss Takeda; she said that both of you went back home after she lost control of herself last night. Officer Miura said to him. Matsuda looked at him blankly Of course. I don’t want her to make a fool of herself there. Matsuda answered him. The officer looked at him sharply; Were you aware of what happened last night? he asked Matsuda with one of his eyebrow up, Matsuda just shook his head. Not at all! I just told them that I needed to take Yuki back home and they told me that they will be alright there on their own. Matsuda answered him.

The officer nodded his head making Matsuda wonder if the officer was still trying to mess with his mind to make him confess, or tell him something he doesn’t knows. Officer Miura clearly wasn’t confident that Matsuda was telling the truth.

Matsuda took a deep breath As far as I know, neither of those two girls, had any problems with anyone in the college. I most certainly didn’t have anything to do with them. I barely know who they were. Matsuda said when he started to feel irritated with this man. The officer jotted down notes of what Matsuda was saying to him. Do you have any intention of killing them? he asked when Matsuda gave a snort of laughter, placing both of his hand on the table. Look, officer whoever your name is; Matsuda said cutting off the officer before he could restate his name. I could just barely manage my life alone, so why would I go to the trouble of killing anybody? I don’t want to be put charged or be sentenced to death. he quietly replied. The last thing Matsuda wants is for Miyuki to be alone if he is no longer alive. He closed his eyes and remembered what Miyuki had reminded him before he went inside this room.

I know you can’t control yourself sometimes, J. But I also know you’re a good guy. Keep calm and I know you can face this. We didn’t do anything. she said to him when she gently caressing his face.

He still remembers her gentle touch on his skin. ‘I am calm.’ he said to himself repeatedly when he gripped his fist and bit the inner side of his lips. The officer put his pen down on the file in front of him. Did you go straight home after you sent Miss Takeda back to her house? the officer asked him.

Matsuda looked at the officer. Where else would I want to go? Matsuda asked the officer as he scribbled something on the paper. Back to your house, maybe? the officer asked him when Matsuda laughed again. We live together. he replied. He lied. The officer raised his eyebrow, Together? he asked Matsuda. Matsuda only widens his eyes So? he asked the officer innocently. He looked at Matsuda, And how are you related to Miss Takeda? he asked Matsuda.

Matsuda felt his heart freeze when he heard that question. Matsuda looked at him and with no hesitation, She is my girlfriend. he replied the officer.

17999.png

After all the investigation had ended Matsuda walked out from the investigation room. He had a long stretch at the middle of the entrance of police station. Argh! he groaned as he twisted his hips from side to side. The sound of it cracking made him feel good. He took a deep breath when he looked to his side, searching for Miyuki. She was nowhere around there. He scratched his head.

‘Where is she?’ he wondered as he walked towards the window in front of his eyes. He rubbed his palm on his face when he remembered several things that he had lied with the officer inside. He felt that it was a devious thing to do, but he wanted them not to disturb her anymore.

He hoped that their status of being together would make up their mind he wanted no other person in his life. He looked at the outside world with the sunlight was blazing into his eyes; he closed his eyes for a few seconds resting both his hands at the opened window. He lifted his shoulders up as he looked at his reflection on the glass.

‘Why the hell am I feeling like this?’ he said to himself when he opens his eyes once again. He looked to his side but still didn’t see her there. He felt his body shiver in the warm day light. He turns around slowly looking for her. ‘Where would she be? With who is she with?’ Those questions kept repeating over and over again as he walked away from where he was standing. He wanted to find her right now and then.

He pushed the door wide open and ran outside. He held the sling bag on his shoulder so wouldn’t move around too much. He turns around in a slow circle, looking in every direction for her. ‘I can’t have lost her!’ He said when he walked forwards and by accident, ran against someone.

Oh, he grumbled catching the person that was falling down. The scent of her somehow made him remember somebody.

17999.png

She gripped his shoulder before she fell down on the ground. She closed her eyes when she felt whoever he is, was holding her close in his arms. She couldn’t dare to open her eyes anymore. She felt her heart palpitating hard. I’m sorry. she said to him as she stood back up, not even looking in his direction making to walk away, but he gripped her hand tightly.

She turns around and looked at who he was. Miyuki he softly called to her. She felt the tears that were hidden behind her eyes, begin falling instantly. J she said when she wrapped both of her arms around his shoulders. She wasn’t sure how, but she felt her heart beat stop for a couple of seconds. She couldn’t stand anymore and allowed her whole body weight to fall on him.

Miyuki felt Matsuda put her down on his bike when he looked into her eyes, wiping away her tears. He wrapped his arms