Journey of Love 3

#3#

"Good morning. . ." Came a soft greeting echoing through the fairly wide room as Ai stirred awake from her light sleep. She sat up tiredly from her lying position, only to notice the other side of the king sized bed was remained made through her tired eyes - all swollen and tired from the tears she let out the night before. She looked away from the bed and directed her attention to where the voice had came from and found Miki standing before the full length mirror at the corner of the room, adjusting his suit smartly. "Do you have any plans for today?" Miki continued speaking as he spoke towards Ai's reflection reflected in his mirror. He bent over to the couch and hung the tie over his neck before pulling himself back before the mirror and worked his fingers of pulling the tie up in the right way.

"Not really. .  ." Ai replied with a croaked voice. She cleared her throat gently as she returned her attention to the neat side of the bed.

"That's good then. I hope that you won't mind me for planning things ahead for you." Miki continued, causing Ai to turned her attention back to her husband's back view, "I'm took the initiative to ask Sayumi out for you."

"Hmmm?" That caught Ai's attention.

"I thought you might want to do some shopping with Sayumi when I'm at work today. It better if you stay out of home. My parents, they are . . . " Miki explained as he continued his fingers around his chest area, fiddling on the tie he had been trying to get it right all these while. "My parents, they are . . ." Before Miki could finish his intended statement, he felt a soft fingers overpowering his, taking over the work he had been doing on his tie. He shifted slightly, and found Ai by his side. And within seconds, the tie was done. Without saying anything again, Ai returned back to the bed and sat on it, with her legs hanging off the ground. "Woah, that's fast." Miki praised, in awe that Ai had managed to do the tie in just matter of seconds.

"I had always helped Papa with his tie. Mama taught me so." Ai replied as she glanced down at her intertwined fingers as memories rushed back within the back of her mind.

"Ai, you must learn how to tie a tie properly. .  ." Takahashi Yui, Ai's mother, spoke gently and firmly to a young Ai at the age of 10.

"Why?" The voice was filled with so much of an adolescence innocence.

"It's a must for girls to learn, my dear. " Yui patted little Ai's forehead as she explained. "When you grow up, you will have to tie your husband's tie for him. . . And to ensure that you are prepared for that day, Mama wants you to start practising now. . . "

"Ah, I see." Miki broke the silence in the room, bringing Ai back from her memories of her adolescence days. "Thank you." He continued, thanking Ai for her help when he was struggling with his tie. "Anyway, I have made appointment with Sayumi for you at 10 am at Ginza."

"Hmmm? So early?" That caught Ai's attention once again.

"I will drop you off at the meeting place before going to work." Miki ignored Ai's question politely as he continued. "Before that, let's have breakfast together at the breakfast cafe in the town. . ." He continued.

"Aren't we going to have breakfast with your parents and older sisters?" Ai asked quietly, and curiously.

Miki shook his head as he smiled warmly at Ai, locking his eyes with Ai's as he firmly assured Ai the fact that he understood the pressure Ai maybe undergoing.

The little consideration Miki showed made tears to swell at Ai's tears. She dropped her head down immediately, breaking the eye contact Miki was making with her. Without saying any further words, Ai dropped her legs back onto the ground and began to make her way towards her little dressing area, where she diligently prepared herself for the day, with Miki waiting patiently outside for her at the same couch he had slept his night before.

Why? Why are you being so nice to me? Don't be so nice to me. . . I'm not worth all these concern, Miki. I really don't . . .

------

"Aika, wake up. . . " Risa patted onto Aika's buttocks gently as she attempted to wake the younger girl from her sleep.

"Don't want. . ." Came a stubborn reply.

"Risa, wake up ~~"

Ai's gently voice echoed into Risa's mind as she heard the response from her younger sister. The voice triggered memories, memories she had been asking herself to let it go, ever since that day, she had decided to break her heart - the one she loved for the first time for the whole of her life.

"Don't want. . . " Risa mumbled tiredly under her breath as she snuggled deeper into her pillow and pulled the blanket higher up to cover her shoulder tightly. She turned away from Ai to face the wardrobe while her back faces Ai's side of the bed.  

"Wake up. . . " Ai persisted again as she went onto her fours on the side of the bed where she occupied and rested her chin on Risa's raised shoulder.

"Don't want. . . I'm really tired. . . " Tired Risa mumbled stubbornly as she fidgeted a little, causing Ai to topple slightly forward due to her weight on Risa's shoulder.

"Are you sure you are not waking up?" Ai asked as she pushed herself up from Risa, supporting her weight now on her hands.

"Hmmm." Risa hummed lightly as she pulled the blanket over her head.

"Are you sure?" Ai asked again, this time in a teasing tone as she teasingly pulled the blanket off Risa's face.

"Hmmm." Risa responded again, this time nodding her head lightly together with the response.

"You sure?" Ai taunted again as she leaned in closer to Risa's ear and breath the words softly into the it. That sent a wave of cooling shiver down Risa's spine. Her shoulders shrugged slightly upwards as an reflex reaction to the action made by Ai. And that was it.

Ai, being unsatisfied by the responses she was getting, began to pull Risa's shoulders back onto the bed, removed the blanket off, and climbed over the younger, straddling by her waist as she leaned her face close to the sleeping girl. "You sure? I'm going out right at this moment if you are not going to wake up. . . " Ai threatened teasingly, whispering quietly into Risa's ears as she pressed cheeks close to Risa's.

"I'm not." Risa attacked Ai stealthily by her waist by wrapping her arms around Ai's waist when the latter leaned forward, locking the older women in her intended teasing position. "I've been waiting for you to do this before I wake up." Risa continued as she smiled childishly at Ai. Ai tried to pull herself away from Risa, but the hands at her waist stopped her so.

"Let me go. . . " Ai whined as she playfully slapped Risa at her chest.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. . ." Risa cried out in soft pain as each slap came contacting on her chest. That triggered a light giggling from Ai. Catching Ai off guarded, Risa tightened her hold around Ai's waist and flipped Ai over, switching their position over, with Risa on the top, glancing down at Ai, who was giggling uncontrollably at Risa's sudden attack.

"What are you doing?" Ai managed to ask through her fits of laughter.

"Revenge."

That made Ai smile more. Risa leaned her face close into Ai's, allowing their nose to come in contact as they locked their eyes together. Before Risa could lean in to give Ai a gentle kiss on her lips, Ai hung her free hands around Risa's neck and pulled her closer, closing in the contact before the former could initiate the kiss.

"Just one. We are running late." Ai cajoled to Risa as the kiss was broken. "We have an appointment with little Riho today" Ai continued with a smile. "Are you prepar-"

A painful slap on Risa's cheek had awaken the girl from her world of memories. The one who made the slap, was none other than herself. 'Wake up, Risa. This is the reality. Stop reminiscing.' Risa harshly reminded herself.

"I don't care about every single thing that you had just said, Risa. I just want to know one thing. Have you ever loved me before?" Ai bit onto her lower lips, as she endure the lingering tear at the corner of her eyelid.

"No. . . Never once in the relationship, I had felt something for you. It was all for the show, for you to hook onto my rod." Risa looked coldly into Ai's eyes as she lashed her reply to Ai's question.

"But - "Ai preserved on, in having a little hope that there might be a little chance that Risa had once felt something, even if it was just a little sprouting seed, the year they were in the relationship.

"There's no way I will love someone like you, Ai." Risa interrupted, not allowing Ai to say anything that was going to make her determination waver.

"Why me?" Ai's voice trembled.

"It's because you are their special daughter. To strike a heavy blow on them, the best way is through you. . . "Risa replied without blinking her eyes. The coldness in her voice sent shivers down Ai's spine, as well as her own. "And I am so right." Risa continued as she tried to give a mocking laughter, hoping that would take the pain within her left chest away. "For them, to lose -"

*Piak*

Before Risa could finish her sentence, a striking force across her left cheek silenced her.

"I hate you, Niigaki Risa. I truly hate you!" Ai stared angrily at Risa as she uttered almost incoherently. With that, Ai pulled the ends of her simple white dress and took off her white heels before turning around, making her dash towards the doors of the chapel.

Watching the figure of Ai slowly disappeared from her vision, Risa took a deep breath as she kept her tears within herself. As the camera flashes from the reporters she had invited to come flashed multiple times, a fake smile slowly grew onto her face.

Risa slumped her body backwards as she dropped herself heavily onto the ground, allowing her back to bang heavily and painfully onto the wardrobe behind her. "Heh." Risa choked onto a bitter laughter. She brought her knees close to her chest and hugged onto them tightly.

Serve you right.

-----

"Ai!!!" Sayumi loudly and excitedly shouted as she frantically waved towards the vehicle that was coming to a stop by the sidewalk. She took a step forward, closer and peered into the vehicle through the darkened window. Through the darkened window, Sayumi saw a shadowed, slightly bigger and rougher hand reached over towards the pair of hands that had the intention to open the door at Sayumi's side. And they stopped. The door from the other side crack opened immediately and Miki had gotten out from that side immediately.

"Hi Sayumi!" Miki briefly greeted Sayumi's presence as he passed by her and towards the other door, opening it gently for Ai.

"Thank you. . . " Ai thanked quietly as she gently got off the vehicle.

Miki shut the door close before returning his attention back to Ai. "When you are returning home, just give me a call, I will ask Yuusuke to come over and pick you up." Miki caringly informed.

Ai shook her head immediately at the suggestion brought up by Miki. "It's alright. . .I can make my way back home. You don't have to come all the way -"

"It's no trouble at all." Miki assured as he patted Ai's head lightly. "I will see you later." With that, Miki made his way back to the vehicle, waved for a one last time, and left the two alone at the side walk.

"Ai, I'm really glad that you are with Miki now. Look, he's so nice to you." Sayumi commented lightly as she linked her arm with Ai before pulling Ai towards the shopping district. Ai made no response. Instead, she just gave quiet smile to Sayumi. "Are you hungry? Shall we decide on a place for lunch?"

"Hmm? At this time?" Ai looked weirdly at Sayumi.

Sayumi smiled sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her head with her free hand. "I didn't have the time for breakfast."

That made Ai chuckle lightly. "Silly." With that, the two began to make their way slowly down the streets. By the time they made their way to the dining street, it was already 1130 am.  

"Which one shall we go?" Sayumi mumbled as she direct her attention all to the signboard hanging above. When she passed by a familiar signboard, Sayumi immediately pulled Ai forward, wanting to brisk Ai through the said restaurant.

"Why not this, Sayu?" Ai stopped Sayumi at the entrance of the restaurant. "This is the only restaurant that does not have the lunch time queue along this street." Ai continued.

"Are you sure?" Sayumi stared wearily at Ai, knowing this is definitely a place they should avoid, after all these things that had happened.

"Why not?" Ai seemed unaffected by Sayumi's consideration. "It's just a place for lunch, isn't that so?" With that, Ai dragged Sayumi through the doors of the restaurant.

This is the place where I first met her. . .

-----

One and a Half years ago . . .

"The food over here is really nice, isn't that so?" Miki asked shyly as he glanced bashfully over at Ai who was seated across him. Though Miki's attention was on Ai, Ai's attention was not on Miki. "Ai?" Miki called out quietly when he realised Ai was not responding to him at all.

The younger female's attention was stuck onto one single waiter of the restaurant. 'He's definitely a she. . . ' Ai concluded silently in her mind as her eyes tracked every single movement of the waiter. 'Why is she cross dressing then?' Ai wondered silently in her mind. 'Is she the same kind of people as I am? ' Ai continued.

"Ai?" Miki called out again, waving his hand slightly before Ai, hoping that little action would get Ai's attention. And indeed, it did.

"Hmmm?" Ai shifted her attention to Miki. "Sorry, I didn't catch what you had just said." Ai apologised.

"I asked, whether if the food is to your liking?" Miki asked again.

Ai nodded her head in response. Satisfied with the answer he got, Miki went back to the steak before him while Ai, returned her attention back onto the particular waiter who had caught her attention. Her eyes was fixed at the chest area of the said person. 'He's definitely a she. I'm positive.' As the thought grew, Ai felt her cheeks running hot.

"I need the washroom. Please excuse me." Miki's voice interrupted Ai's thoughts again, bringing the redness at the cheek back to its original state.

"Sure." Ai smiled lightly. With that, her attention returned to where the waiter previously stood, only to find the space now empty. 'Eh? Where is she?' Ai began to run her eyes around the restaurant, only to be shock by a husky feminine voice before her.

"Is there anything that I can help you with, Miss?" Ai looked to her side, only to find the waiter standing right beside her right at that moment.

"I - " Ai was stunned at the proximity of the distance.

"I've realised that you have been staring at me over the course of the past half an hour, and I thought there might be something you might want to ask of me." 'He' explained.

Ai ran her eyes on the name tag at the left chest of the waiter. 'Ryan' was the name carved on the tag. "Ryan, isn't your name, isn't that so?" Ai asked, before sinking into silence. 'Where have you gotten that courage to ask that, Ai?'

A playful smile ran across the waiter's face. 'He' bent over to Ai's ear and whispered into it. "You caught my secret, isn't that so?" He gotten back up to a upright standing position. "Of course, Ryan is my real name, Miss." The waiter responded as 'he' bowed lightly in respect. As 'he' bowed, he whispered into Ai's ears again, this time with a different voice as before. "Cross dressing as a male is my way to keep this job" Came a feminine voice echoing into Ai's eardrum.

'So I was right.' Ai rejoiced in her mind. She turned around to face the waiter again, only to find her winking at her.

-----

"Hmmm, the steaks they serve over here is definitely the best I have ever tried!" Sayumi eulogized.

Ai just smiled at Sayumi's excitement, before poking her fork at the piece of meat presented right before her.

"I'm really sorry, Ms Niigaki. I don't think I can hire you in my shop anymore."

The name caught the attention of two to the cashier table. And there they saw, the last person they had ever wanted to see. Risa, with an unknown girl tagging behind her, pulling onto her sling bag as she waited.

"Boss, but -"

"Ms Niigaki, there's really nothing much I can do to help you again. The restaurant had already suffer much lost after you had mentioned our restaurant in the news 3 months ago. We can't afford anymore tabloids chasing us around again , so, I'm -"

"It's alright." Risa reached her hand out and held the boss on his upper arm, stopping the boss from apologising again. "I should be the one apologising, Boss. Sorry for all these trouble I had caused." Risa bowed. With that, she turned around and held onto Aika's hand. "Let's go, Aika."

"Aika's hungry." Aika stopped Risa as she whispered.

"Stay for a meal then." The boss offered. With that, he guided the two into the restaurant and settled them two tables away from Ai and Sayumi.

"Do you want to leave?" Sayumi concerned.

"It's alright." Ai hung her head low, refusing to show her face to Sayumi anymore. 'She has a new girlfriend now. . . That's - that's fast.' Ai felt her heart clenched painfully at the thought.

It was then Risa had finally realised Ai's presence in the restaurant. 'What is she doing over here?' Risa wondered in her mind.

"Aika's hungry~"  Aika grabbed onto Risa's hand and tapped it up and down on the table a few times, hoping that would get Risa's attention back to herself.

"Alright alright." Risa cajoled. Picking the familiar menu up, Risa glanced it for a second before turning to her ex boss. "Just a single lunch set will do."

"Just 1?"

"We're going to share our meal." Risa explained effortlessly.

Upon hearing that, Ai clenched her grip on the utensils she was holding onto. 'That was what she had told be once before too. . . ' In hurt, Ai thought.

"Why is there only one set of the food, Ai?" Risa asked curiously as Ai stepped into the bathroom, washing her hands and wetting her forehead.

"I've eaten. That's yours." Ai tried to lie, but her growling stomach betrayed her. That earned her a stare from Risa. "I'm just trying to reduce our daily expenses." Ai retaliated.

"You don't have to. . . " Risa went over to Ai's side and pulled her into a light embrace.

"I don't want to be a burden to you." Ai pouted.

"You are not. . . " Risa hoaxed.

"But I'm not contributing into anything, except for spending. . . "

"But lying to me the fact that you have eaten when you have not hurts me more than anything, do you know, Ai?" Risa patted onto Ai's forehead.

"I - " That made Ai speechless. The love she felt was so overflowing that words could no longer express how she felt.

"Let me see. .  .How about we share our ever meal, until we save enough for our wedding in Netherlands?"

Sayumi, knowing all these little snippets of their relationship, could no longer be able to hold her anger. She pushed her chair backwards and shot up from her seat, before stomping towards Risa's table. Risa, sensing Sayumi's deadly approach, stood up from her seat and went over to Aika's and stood defensively before her younger sister, in fear that Sayumi would do bad to her.

"Niigaki Risa, you are definitely the biggest jerk I have ever seen in my life." Sayumi shouted at Risa.

"Sayu!" Ai threw the utensils on the table as she rushed towards Sayumi, holding the fired up girl back. "Don't Sayu." Ai begged.

"Let go of me, Ai." Sayumi tried to brush Ai away.

Sayumi's action scared Aika, making the baby of the group to stand and hide behind Risa, hugged the latter tightly by her waist.

"But let's see, who's being the jerk over here right now?" Risa replied Sayumi's challenge calmly as she patted Aika's hands, hoping that would clear her younger sister's anxiety and fear.

"You!" Sayumi retorted. "And let's see, a new girlfriend? A new target to hurt, jerk?" Sayumi continued as she battled with Ai's attempted to pull her away. Sayumi tried to reach for the younger girl, wanting to save the younger girl from Risa. "Come on little one, stop staying with her. She's one biggest badass you want to avoid."

Before Sayumi could reach Aika, Risa snapped Sayumi's reaching arm away. "Don't you touch her!" Risa retorted defensively. "No one can touch nor harm Aika!"

That was enough to stun Ai to motionless. She stopped her attempt to stop Sayumi's advances. She tore her attention away from Sayumi and stared straight at Risa. She could not believe what she had hurt from Risa. She had never heard such defensiveness from Risa before. She felt her heart shattered into pieces yet again.

Their eyes met for a second before Risa turned away and around. "Yoshi, everything's alright." Risa tried to calm the trembling girl.

"Scary. . . Scary. . . " Aika refused to release Risa in anyway. She continued to lug onto Risa tightly as she repeatedly muttered the word 'scary'.

"Alright, let's leave here then, shall we?" Risa suggested to the petrified child. Aika nodded her head in response.

While Risa and Aika headed towards the restaurant exit, Ai soullessly strolled back to her seat and stumbled herself down. "Waiter." Ai called out monotonously. When the waiter arrived, Ai continued. "Bring me all of your finest wine."

"Eh?!" Sayumi was surprised. She knew that Ai was never a drinker. Furthermore, it was just barely noon, and it was not a time to drink anything. The waiter glanced hesitantly at Sayumi, unsure if he should follow what he was just told, especially having had witnessing the scene moments ago.

"I say, BRING ME ALL OF YOUR FINEST WINE!" Ai repeated herself again, this time at the top of her voice. She stared at the waiter with seriousness in her bloodshot eyes. That made the waiter scrambled away into the cellar.

"Ai - " Sayumi tried to intervene, but failed.

"Don't stop me, Sayu. Don't stop me." Ai begged. When the wine came, Ai began to gulp everything down her throat.

Why? Why do you have to let me meet her. Why? Why do I have to see who indeed then is her real love? Why? Why? Why? There is no love. There is no love in this world at all. Not at all. .