Prologue
A year. It had been a year since he disappeared. Everyone thought he was dead.
I didn't. I was sure he was alive, he had promised me... But even the brightest
flames have to burn out sometime. So did my hopes. With each passing day, they
diminished, little by little, until what is left of me today.
I ask this of myself rather often. What is left of myself anyway? Nothing but a
lifeless
shell, gild with loads of money. What else? If you consider the countless
women who lust after my money and success as well, so be it.
Yet I do not appear sad. Almost everybody believes that I have gotten over him,
my lover, the one I had loved and still do love. I have to put on a strong
front. I do not want anyone to be worried for me. Yet deep inside I am
shattered.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Sakuragi-san, could you sign these documents, please?"
The man merely smiled good-heartedly and took the documents. He read through
them
before putting his signature on them.
"Arigatou, Sakuragi-san."
The secretary left the room.
The phone rang. Sakurai picked up the phone.
"Moshi moshi?"
Several bangs were heard and he heard the shattering of glass.
"Otousan!! I'm coming over to your office right now! Ja!"
"Wait.."
The line went dead. Sakuragi Abe sweatdropped. Just like his son to have done
that. Well, whenever Hanamichi came to his office, it spelled trouble.
Sakuragi Abe wondered what had happened this time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The door swung open.
"Oyaji! Did you miss me?"
Sakuragi Abe looked at his son disapprovingly.
"Hanamichi, how many times have I told you--"
"not to open the door with such force? I know I know, oyaji."
Abe thought, 'he knows, but he's not doing anything to change that habit of
his.'
"One day, you are going to pull my whole door from its hinges, and when you
do,
I will personally confiscate all your credit cards and ground you for a
month."
Hanamichi blew up like a pufferfish. (Author: *ROFL*)
"But Oto! I'm already 20!"Hanamichi retorted.
"You certainly don't behave like one. What's the problem this time?"
"Ah, you know me best, oyaji. Ehehe....my credit cards kinda...went over
the
limit." Hanamichi looked sheepishly at his father.
"Hanamichi, did you spend all your money on those basketball products
again?"
Hanamichi just grinned sheepishly.
Sakuragi Abe sighed and took out another credit card and handed it to Hana.
'At least he's not spending it on illegal stuff.'
"Ne, arigato oyaji!"
Hanamichi left the office, slamming the door behind him. *BANG*
Sakuragi rubbed his temples. It was going to take alot of effort for his
son to quit
that habit.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After buying what he wanted at the sport shop, Hanamichi decided to walk home.
He took a quiet route, where nobody would be able to disturb him.
With nobody around, he dropped his usually cheerful facade.
'Rukawa...'
After Rukawa's funeral a year ago, he had given up all hopes on Rukawa's
possible
return. He was already stretched to the limit and couldn't take it anymore.
He had lost count of the number of nights he cried himself to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Young master, there's a letter for
you."
Hanamichi raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. 'A letter? Who would write to me?
Ah...must be Youhei and the rest.' He took the letter from Arisa-san's hands.
"Arigato, Arisa-san."
"You're welcome, Young master.
Arisa left to do her work.
Hanamichi walked towards his bedroom. He looked at the letter. No return
address.
'Youhei must have been careless again.'
He thought of his friends. They were in Egypt, studying Geology. He Well, at
least they were in Egypt the last time they wrote. They were travelling all the
time, making it impossible for Hanamichi to write to them.
Hanamichi leaned against the door and opened the letter carefully.
Putting the envelope on the table, he started to read.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
-Rukawa Kaede
I did not die. -Rukawa Kaede
I did not die. -Rukawa Kaede
I did not die. -Rukawa Kaede
Oh my god.
Hanamichi's knees buckled and he sank to the ground, leaning against the door
for support.
to be continued...