[Complete] Invisible Chains- Chapter 33
First, I would like to start off by saying thank you. Thank you, for waiting every week for a chapter and writing comments about how you thought about this story. It means so much to be as a writer to know that you enjoyed reading the story that I've put time and effort in.
Also, I would like to thank khaulabear for requesting this story and waiting for 2+ years for it. I hope that you have enjoyed this story as well as liked how I brought your idea to words.
Without further ado, this is the last chapter of Invisible Chains! o(^∀^*)o
---------------------------------------
Chapter 33
I felt a vibration coming from my pocket. Slowly I pulled away from my father and I pulled out my cell phone to see it was an unknown number. I looked at my father and he nodded his head once to me, telling me that it was all right to answer the call. I quickly wiped my tears away with my sleeves and cleared my throat before I answered the phone. “Moshi-moshi?” I asked, hoping that it wasn’t a telemarketer calling. “It’s me, Aiba Masaki.”
I widened my eyes and quickly straightened myself up. I was surprised he called. Exactly why did he call me for when we just saw each other a few hours ago? “Aiba-san, konnichiwa. Why are you…?” I asked, which Aiba-san quickly interjected, “Ah, I think I dropped my cell phone in your car. I was thinking of dropping by your house to pick it up.” I bit my lower lip and thought about him coming into my house. I knew my father would probably remind him of the question about marriage and then I remembered that my father had thrown a huge tantrum. The maids and butlers would probably be able to finish cleaning by the time he comes, but it didn’t feel right to let him come over. I think it’s best for my father to have some alone time after what just happened between the both of us.
“Iie, I can come over to your house. I have to head somewhere afterwards.” I said. Then I heard a short pause from his end before he answered back. “Okay. I’ll be waiting outside my house for you then.” I nodded my head and hung up the call. I started to head out when I noticed my father was still looking at me. I stopped and tossed my head to him with a small smile. “If you don’t mind, I would like to learn more about you and okaasan. Maybe during dinner at a restaurant, it’ll be my treat.”
My father’s eyes had turned weary as he looked at me without blinking. I didn’t know what he was thinking or how he felt but I could tell that big shadow that was always over his shoulders was gone. I turned on my heel. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed my father had dropped down to the floor and covered his face with his hands. I made a bitter look and then grabbed my things before I drove to meet up Aiba-san at his house.
~*~
As I drove up to Aiba-san’s house, I saw him standing in the front entrance, waiting patiently for me. I made a small smile and parked onto the side. He saw my car and jogged towards me with his usual big and bright smile. He opened the passenger side door and looked at me. “Gomen ne Asuka-chan. I didn’t notice that I dropped my cell phone in your car.” I shook my head. We both started to look around my car to locate where the cell phone was. A few minutes later, Aiba-san pulled out his cell phone from underneath the car seat. “There it is. I thought I left it in Chiba.” I smiled and then pursed my lips tightly. Should I ask him? What will he say? I don’t want to be rejected, that would be too embarrassing.
I opened my mouth and I saw him looking at me. He looked slightly confused at my expression. Then I took a deep breath and then asked. “Do you have some time right now? There’s a place I want to go to.” He furrowed his eyebrows and slightly pulled his head back. He looked slightly frightened to hear those words out of my mouth. Then he forced a laugh and climbed into the passenger’s seat. “Un. Sure. Where are we going?” I smiled as drove down the street. “It’s a secret.”
The car ride was silent but also entertaining at times. The radio helped block any silence we had. Also we talked a little about random things. The more we talked; I found that he was an interesting person to be around with. Yes, he may be annoying at times but he was very considerate of me. At times when I spoke, he listened to me and when I had hummed a song, he would start singing to it.
It was 5:42 p.m. by the time we reached to the location. I parked onto the side as I heard Aiba-san exclaimed. “Ee?” I got out my car and started to head towards the gate. The place that I wanted to visit with Aiba-san was the place I met Aiba-san for the very first time. I unlocked the gate and I walked in while he trailed behind me.
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to be here?” He asked. I made a small smile and answered. “It’s okay. Today’s an exemption since you’re not trespassing this time.” Aiba-san nodded his head in confusion. I chuckled under my breath and started to look at the field of rapeseeds.
Even though summer was no longer here, the rapeseeds looked like they had never changed since our first encounter. They were still bright yellow and still in their full bloom. In the distance, the sky was clear with no clouds in sight and the sun was beginning to set. I decided to sit under the tree to watch the sunset being swallowed by the horizon. Aiba-san quietly sat beside me and also watched the sunset with me.
I hugged my legs tightly together and I rested my head on my legs. Tears slowly ran down the side of my face. I quickly turned my head away so Aiba-san wouldn’t be able to see them. “Are you crying?” He asked. I shook my head and tried to convince myself to stop crying but I couldn’t. I was thinking about my parents and what kind of story they had. Then I started to think about Mariko and how she was the pitiful child that had to become the sacrifice. I had blamed my parents for so long about abandoning Mariko that I didn’t know what I was going to do now. I always pushed myself to do better in everything I did and now with this new revelation, I kind of felt lost.
Slowly a warm hand gently touched my shoulder. I lifted my head up to see Aiba directly in front of me and then we stared at each other's eyes. Not caring that he had dirtied his pants by putting his knees on the ground, he made a small smile and started to wipe my tears away with his hands. “You don’t have to hide your tears from me Asuka-chan. You can let yourself go in front of me. Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone.” He said softly. I quickly wiped my tears away with my sleeve and let out a chuckle. “You’ve seen so many of my weaknesses. You must think I’m a coward for crying like this.” I confessed.
Aiba-san slowly took his hands off from my face and shook his head at me with his hand firmly clasped on his legs. “Asuka-chan…” He trailed off and then said. “I think you’re an amazing and dedicated person.” I looked at him with a grin as he continued. “You can do so many things that no one else can do. You’re one of the main foundations that your otosan’s company has. Without you, the company will probably be unable or unstable to stand so high.” I chuckled at Aiba-san interpretation. I found it somewhat amusing.
“And I don’t see you as a coward. I think you’re becoming more human. We all have weaknesses. Even I have some weaknesses that I don’t like. I forget things, I get emotional too easily and I have bad drinking habits. Even though I don’t like these things about me, it doesn’t mean I’m a weakling. We have our ups and downs, positives and negatives, and so on. I think we have these things because it makes us different and unique from any other person.” I smiled and slowly nodded my head as I agreed with what he said. I let out another laugh and looked up at him. “I don’t know why but I’m always showing my weaknesses only to you.”
All of a sudden, Aiba-san cupped his hands around my face and slowly leaned in towards me to plant a kiss on my lips. My eyes were shot open and I was in shock. Why would he suddenly kiss me? Wait, what am I doing? I can’t be doing this indecent act with him. He’s an idol and my employee, and I’m his employer. As I had these thoughts in my head, my heart started to beat faster as if it was going to jump out of me. I found myself melting in his kiss. I closed my eyes and allowed him to kiss me longer. It was warm and tasted like honey. It was pure and sweet.
He gently and softly took his lips off of mine. We made eye contact again and then we quickly tossed our heads in different directions. I could feel my cheeks burning and my face becoming flushed. “Gomen Asuka-chan. You can stay here for a bit longer. I think I’m going to wait in the car.” He said and jumped up. He was about to head towards the car when I quickly grabbed his hand unconsciously. I didn’t know what I was doing but all I knew was that I didn’t want him to leave me alone.
He stopped and slowly looked down at me. “Asuka-chan?” He asked with his head slightly cocked to the side. I also stood up. I started to look back at all of my memories with Aiba-san. He is the only one that was able to see myself in a new light. He was also always there for me when I had no one else to turn to. He is the only one to make me feel this way. I walked closer to him as my chest was pressed against his.
Then I lifted my head up to see he had pulled his head back slightly from mine. He looked a bit confused and surprised. I slowly cupped my hands around his face and then pulled his face closer to mine. I smiled before I softly kissed him. As our kiss became deeper and filled with passion, I wrapped my arms around his neck. I was happy that I met Aiba-san. He was the only who was able to defrost my once frozen heart and personality. He had showed me things many sides of myself that I never knew I had. He also helped me create and maintain bonds that I thought I wouldn’t have at all.
After we kissed, we held our hands together and looked up at the dark night sky. It was filled with twinkling and bright stars. I started to think of my father, Mariko, Genta, Haruhi, Ninomiya-san and even Aiba-san. I started to become appreciative of all of these wonderful people that I’ve met. Even though I thought I was always alone, there was always someone beside me. Then I started to think of my mother. I was thankful and grateful to her for the difficult decisions she had to make. There could have been alternatives but she was determined to protect me. I’m proud to recognize her as my mother.
Although Aiba-san and I met by chance in this field of rapeseeds, we were always fated to meet each other. We are bounded by a connection that we couldn’t see and didn’t know, and now we’ll keep that connection, forever.
“Here, you can wipe your tears with this.” Aiba-san said and pulled out from his pocket my handkerchief. I chuckled and took it from him. “I finally get it back.” I joked and wiped my tears with it. Then I looked over at Aiba-san whom was staring at me. All of a sudden, Aiba-san sneezed and started to wipe his nose with his hand. I raised my eyebrow at him. “Are you sure you don’t need it? You could always return it since we always happen to bump into each other.” I asked and extended my handkerchief to him. He took it and blew his nose. With his blushing cheeks, he looked at me and said. “I’ll wash it and return it to you then.” I nodded my head and then started to laugh.
Also, I would like to thank khaulabear for requesting this story and waiting for 2+ years for it. I hope that you have enjoyed this story as well as liked how I brought your idea to words.
Without further ado, this is the last chapter of Invisible Chains! o(^∀^*)o
---------------------------------------
Chapter 33
I felt a vibration coming from my pocket. Slowly I pulled away from my father and I pulled out my cell phone to see it was an unknown number. I looked at my father and he nodded his head once to me, telling me that it was all right to answer the call. I quickly wiped my tears away with my sleeves and cleared my throat before I answered the phone. “Moshi-moshi?” I asked, hoping that it wasn’t a telemarketer calling. “It’s me, Aiba Masaki.”
I widened my eyes and quickly straightened myself up. I was surprised he called. Exactly why did he call me for when we just saw each other a few hours ago? “Aiba-san, konnichiwa. Why are you…?” I asked, which Aiba-san quickly interjected, “Ah, I think I dropped my cell phone in your car. I was thinking of dropping by your house to pick it up.” I bit my lower lip and thought about him coming into my house. I knew my father would probably remind him of the question about marriage and then I remembered that my father had thrown a huge tantrum. The maids and butlers would probably be able to finish cleaning by the time he comes, but it didn’t feel right to let him come over. I think it’s best for my father to have some alone time after what just happened between the both of us.
“Iie, I can come over to your house. I have to head somewhere afterwards.” I said. Then I heard a short pause from his end before he answered back. “Okay. I’ll be waiting outside my house for you then.” I nodded my head and hung up the call. I started to head out when I noticed my father was still looking at me. I stopped and tossed my head to him with a small smile. “If you don’t mind, I would like to learn more about you and okaasan. Maybe during dinner at a restaurant, it’ll be my treat.”
My father’s eyes had turned weary as he looked at me without blinking. I didn’t know what he was thinking or how he felt but I could tell that big shadow that was always over his shoulders was gone. I turned on my heel. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed my father had dropped down to the floor and covered his face with his hands. I made a bitter look and then grabbed my things before I drove to meet up Aiba-san at his house.
~*~
As I drove up to Aiba-san’s house, I saw him standing in the front entrance, waiting patiently for me. I made a small smile and parked onto the side. He saw my car and jogged towards me with his usual big and bright smile. He opened the passenger side door and looked at me. “Gomen ne Asuka-chan. I didn’t notice that I dropped my cell phone in your car.” I shook my head. We both started to look around my car to locate where the cell phone was. A few minutes later, Aiba-san pulled out his cell phone from underneath the car seat. “There it is. I thought I left it in Chiba.” I smiled and then pursed my lips tightly. Should I ask him? What will he say? I don’t want to be rejected, that would be too embarrassing.
I opened my mouth and I saw him looking at me. He looked slightly confused at my expression. Then I took a deep breath and then asked. “Do you have some time right now? There’s a place I want to go to.” He furrowed his eyebrows and slightly pulled his head back. He looked slightly frightened to hear those words out of my mouth. Then he forced a laugh and climbed into the passenger’s seat. “Un. Sure. Where are we going?” I smiled as drove down the street. “It’s a secret.”
The car ride was silent but also entertaining at times. The radio helped block any silence we had. Also we talked a little about random things. The more we talked; I found that he was an interesting person to be around with. Yes, he may be annoying at times but he was very considerate of me. At times when I spoke, he listened to me and when I had hummed a song, he would start singing to it.
It was 5:42 p.m. by the time we reached to the location. I parked onto the side as I heard Aiba-san exclaimed. “Ee?” I got out my car and started to head towards the gate. The place that I wanted to visit with Aiba-san was the place I met Aiba-san for the very first time. I unlocked the gate and I walked in while he trailed behind me.
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to be here?” He asked. I made a small smile and answered. “It’s okay. Today’s an exemption since you’re not trespassing this time.” Aiba-san nodded his head in confusion. I chuckled under my breath and started to look at the field of rapeseeds.
Even though summer was no longer here, the rapeseeds looked like they had never changed since our first encounter. They were still bright yellow and still in their full bloom. In the distance, the sky was clear with no clouds in sight and the sun was beginning to set. I decided to sit under the tree to watch the sunset being swallowed by the horizon. Aiba-san quietly sat beside me and also watched the sunset with me.
I hugged my legs tightly together and I rested my head on my legs. Tears slowly ran down the side of my face. I quickly turned my head away so Aiba-san wouldn’t be able to see them. “Are you crying?” He asked. I shook my head and tried to convince myself to stop crying but I couldn’t. I was thinking about my parents and what kind of story they had. Then I started to think about Mariko and how she was the pitiful child that had to become the sacrifice. I had blamed my parents for so long about abandoning Mariko that I didn’t know what I was going to do now. I always pushed myself to do better in everything I did and now with this new revelation, I kind of felt lost.
Slowly a warm hand gently touched my shoulder. I lifted my head up to see Aiba directly in front of me and then we stared at each other's eyes. Not caring that he had dirtied his pants by putting his knees on the ground, he made a small smile and started to wipe my tears away with his hands. “You don’t have to hide your tears from me Asuka-chan. You can let yourself go in front of me. Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone.” He said softly. I quickly wiped my tears away with my sleeve and let out a chuckle. “You’ve seen so many of my weaknesses. You must think I’m a coward for crying like this.” I confessed.
Aiba-san slowly took his hands off from my face and shook his head at me with his hand firmly clasped on his legs. “Asuka-chan…” He trailed off and then said. “I think you’re an amazing and dedicated person.” I looked at him with a grin as he continued. “You can do so many things that no one else can do. You’re one of the main foundations that your otosan’s company has. Without you, the company will probably be unable or unstable to stand so high.” I chuckled at Aiba-san interpretation. I found it somewhat amusing.
“And I don’t see you as a coward. I think you’re becoming more human. We all have weaknesses. Even I have some weaknesses that I don’t like. I forget things, I get emotional too easily and I have bad drinking habits. Even though I don’t like these things about me, it doesn’t mean I’m a weakling. We have our ups and downs, positives and negatives, and so on. I think we have these things because it makes us different and unique from any other person.” I smiled and slowly nodded my head as I agreed with what he said. I let out another laugh and looked up at him. “I don’t know why but I’m always showing my weaknesses only to you.”
All of a sudden, Aiba-san cupped his hands around my face and slowly leaned in towards me to plant a kiss on my lips. My eyes were shot open and I was in shock. Why would he suddenly kiss me? Wait, what am I doing? I can’t be doing this indecent act with him. He’s an idol and my employee, and I’m his employer. As I had these thoughts in my head, my heart started to beat faster as if it was going to jump out of me. I found myself melting in his kiss. I closed my eyes and allowed him to kiss me longer. It was warm and tasted like honey. It was pure and sweet.
He gently and softly took his lips off of mine. We made eye contact again and then we quickly tossed our heads in different directions. I could feel my cheeks burning and my face becoming flushed. “Gomen Asuka-chan. You can stay here for a bit longer. I think I’m going to wait in the car.” He said and jumped up. He was about to head towards the car when I quickly grabbed his hand unconsciously. I didn’t know what I was doing but all I knew was that I didn’t want him to leave me alone.
He stopped and slowly looked down at me. “Asuka-chan?” He asked with his head slightly cocked to the side. I also stood up. I started to look back at all of my memories with Aiba-san. He is the only one that was able to see myself in a new light. He was also always there for me when I had no one else to turn to. He is the only one to make me feel this way. I walked closer to him as my chest was pressed against his.
Then I lifted my head up to see he had pulled his head back slightly from mine. He looked a bit confused and surprised. I slowly cupped my hands around his face and then pulled his face closer to mine. I smiled before I softly kissed him. As our kiss became deeper and filled with passion, I wrapped my arms around his neck. I was happy that I met Aiba-san. He was the only who was able to defrost my once frozen heart and personality. He had showed me things many sides of myself that I never knew I had. He also helped me create and maintain bonds that I thought I wouldn’t have at all.
After we kissed, we held our hands together and looked up at the dark night sky. It was filled with twinkling and bright stars. I started to think of my father, Mariko, Genta, Haruhi, Ninomiya-san and even Aiba-san. I started to become appreciative of all of these wonderful people that I’ve met. Even though I thought I was always alone, there was always someone beside me. Then I started to think of my mother. I was thankful and grateful to her for the difficult decisions she had to make. There could have been alternatives but she was determined to protect me. I’m proud to recognize her as my mother.
Although Aiba-san and I met by chance in this field of rapeseeds, we were always fated to meet each other. We are bounded by a connection that we couldn’t see and didn’t know, and now we’ll keep that connection, forever.
“Here, you can wipe your tears with this.” Aiba-san said and pulled out from his pocket my handkerchief. I chuckled and took it from him. “I finally get it back.” I joked and wiped my tears with it. Then I looked over at Aiba-san whom was staring at me. All of a sudden, Aiba-san sneezed and started to wipe his nose with his hand. I raised my eyebrow at him. “Are you sure you don’t need it? You could always return it since we always happen to bump into each other.” I asked and extended my handkerchief to him. He took it and blew his nose. With his blushing cheeks, he looked at me and said. “I’ll wash it and return it to you then.” I nodded my head and then started to laugh.