Fan Fiction ❯ That All Important Moment ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: vampyremiyu 
Things seemed to be going well, until HE finally shows up. Just how well will Makoto get along with his father...?
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 07.01.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 1.8K | Visits: 220 | Status: Completed
Things seemed to be going well, until HE finally shows up. Just how well will Makoto get along with his father...?
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 07.01.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 1.8K | Visits: 220 | Status: Completed
THAT ALL IMPORTANT MOMENT
A W Juliet Challenge ficlet
Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This began as a "Hana Kimi" fic. I decided to change it to "W Juliet" because the characters seemed to mesh better. Poor Sano was just too out of character the way the story was unfolding. Plus I haven't written an Ito and Mako based story in some time. *this manga makes me drool* I bet you thought things were all hunky-dory after the last chapter. *snicker* Non lemon chapter. A Standard Disclaimer appears at the bottom of the chapter.
Chapter 3
Time was passing far too slowly.
"Thanks for finally joining us."
"Don't use that tone of voice with me."
Seconds felt like hours.
"Then what tone should I use?"
"Insolent welp. I should..."
Minutes like weeks.
"Should what? Teach me a lesson?"
"You may have won, but I am still your father."
It was enough to make anyone snap.
"That is ENOUGH." Narita's wife sighed and shook her head. "I thought I only had three children, and they're all supposed to be grown-up."
She placed the tray on the table and sighed again. "Drink your tea, and please try to be civil. This is a happy day."
Ito wasn't so sure about that. Sure things seemed to be going well as dinner got under way. The meal had been rather enjoyable...without the company of Makoto's father.
They had talked about the future. About the theatre troupes they had heard from, and the schools in America interested in furthering their acting talents. There had been quite a few offers of interest. It was only a matter of figuring out which would be the best for them.
The young couple was also teased about future matters. When was the wedding? How many children did they plan to have? Akane received her fair share, with her engagement to Ito's brother pretty much a given. But they accepted the jests with calm grace. There was no point in arguing over what had not yet transpired.
Although, it was rather embarrassing.
"Would everyone like some tea?"
"Yes, please."
Then HE joined them. The head of the Narita family. Makoto's father. His presence brought with it a great shadow. He only meant to be there for a few moments -- he simply wanted a moment with his wife -- but his presence prevailed for nearly five minutes. That was all it took for father and son to start bickering.
"I'm sorry, mom."
An uneasy silence filled the room. Slowly the conversation started where it had left off. There was less ribbing and more serious talk, but after a few moments -- and a hot cup of tea -- things seemed to get back to normal.
"So you think these theatres are truly interested in your talent?"
"Yes, they are," Makoto answered evenly.
"How much will you expect to make?"
"Money is not a concern."
"And traveling...what kind of family life will you have on the road?"
"We'll worry about that when the time comes."
"You need stability. You need a good source of income. You need connections!"
"I have everything I need already," Makoto said, his voice raising.
Ito began to worry. The conversation was heading towards disaster. It was like watching an on-coming train wreck into another train. In slow motion!
Their voices continued to rise. Rage ran rampant through the room. Both father and son were trying desperately to argue their case. But that's where the communication ended. Neither was really hearing what the other said.
Ito shook as she held her teas cup. She wanted to interrupt, enter the fray herself. She felt an overwhelming urge to defend Makoto. And to punch his father. She didn't even consider the idea that a punch might not connect.
It was Akane who stopped her. Both hands gripped Ito's arm as the young woman stood, ready to fight. She shook her head. With a sigh, Ito realized she was right. They had to solve the issue themselves. She couldn't interfere, no matter how badly she had the itch.
"Acting...pheh! Why not something more useful? Like a doctor or lawyer?"
Makoto stood from his seat. "You don't get it!"
"No, I don't!" His father looked like he was at his wit's end. He stood as well, glaring at his son. "So, please! Reconsider! Forget the arrangement with Takayo's family. Forget the dojo! Just...reconsider!"
Makoto couldn't believe what he was hearing. Change his mind? After all he went through? After the years of pain he'd beaten into him? After coming so close to achieving his dream?
"You want me...to reconsider?"
The older man nodded. "Yes."
His father was serious. Arms crossed, he was dead set against losing to his son. But Makoto would not be swayed. He had worked too hard to cave. Turning to his mother, he replied:
"Dinner was wonderful, mom. I'm glad we could share this moment with you."
She sighed, shaking her head. "You don't have to...."
"Yes, I do." He looked at Ito. "We do. We're leaving."
He was grateful she did not stop him this time. Thin lips cracked a small smile at the angered look in her eye and the defiant manner of which she stood before his father. She said some quick good-byes, and then joined him in the doorway.
"Makoto!"
The young man turned in the doorway. His visage remained neutral but his anger showed in his eyes. He said nothing, glaring and waiting for what his father would come up with next.
"Keep in touch," was all the older man said before he stood and left the room.
Makoto blinked. Did he hear correctly? Was his father finally giving up? Eyes widened as he watched the man's back disappear behind another doorway. He was free. Really and truly.
"That...went...well," Ito offered, awe in her voice.
"Yeah." It was the only coherent thing he could say.
"So it's over?"
Makoto looked over his shoulder. There was no anger in his eyes. Only love. And hope. "Yes. It's over."
"It is not." Both Makoto and Ito turned to look at Tsubaki. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Forgetting something?" He looked at Ito but she only shook her head.
"Like...?"
"The gift," Akane prodded.
"Gift?" Realization was slow, but he eventually remembered. Frantically he searched his pockets. "Oh, right!"
Ito watched as he produced a tiny white box. Her heart skipped a beat as he smiled at her, taking one of her hands in one of his. Then it stopped all together when he got down on one knee.
"What are you doing," she asked. It was a stupid question, even to her, but she couldn't help it. She needed a distraction, and his thumb rubbing against the back of her hand wasn't helping.
"I'm making it official," Makoto responded. "We've always talked about it. We even agreed to it. But I never actually asked you."
Ito fidgeted. "You don't have to ask."
"But I am."
Opening the box, he presented her with a small ring. Her youngest brother helped him pick it out. The petite diamond sat nestled in a setting of white gold. He could picture it perfectly on her finger.
"Mako...."
"Ito--"
"Don't...."
"Will you marry me?"
He'd made her heart melt thousands of times before. Now was no different. How did he manage to do that to her, she wondered briefly. The thought flitted away as her eyes became focused on the diamond. She never wore much in the way of jewelry. There are always exceptions, she supposed.
"I don't know what to say," she muttered.
"Say 'yes'." It was Akane who spoke.
The young woman shrugged. "Okay...sure."
Makoto looked at her quizzically, not quite satisfied. "Is that a yes?"
Why did she have the urge to smack him? "YES!"
The Narita family cheered as Makoto placed the ring on Ito's finger. They were talked into staying for more of a celebration. But after the cake and ice cream, they finally said farewell.
"Now I have one more surprise for you," Makoto told Ito as they walked down the street, away from the house.
"I don't think I can handle any more surprises."
"You'll like this one." His smile held a promise. "Trust me."
'Trust him,' she thought with a small shake of her head. She giggled as he nuzzled her throat and she playfully slapped him away. 'Yeah, right.'
~TO BE CONTINUED~
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Makoto, Ito or any of the characters used in
the story above. That honor goes to talented manga-ka Emura. The manga
is published in English thanks to Viz Entertainment. The characters and
likenesses are used here without permission. Just borrowing them for a
little fun. No offense is meant. No money being made.
A W Juliet Challenge ficlet
Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This began as a "Hana Kimi" fic. I decided to change it to "W Juliet" because the characters seemed to mesh better. Poor Sano was just too out of character the way the story was unfolding. Plus I haven't written an Ito and Mako based story in some time. *this manga makes me drool* I bet you thought things were all hunky-dory after the last chapter. *snicker* Non lemon chapter. A Standard Disclaimer appears at the bottom of the chapter.
Chapter 3
Time was passing far too slowly.
"Thanks for finally joining us."
"Don't use that tone of voice with me."
Seconds felt like hours.
"Then what tone should I use?"
"Insolent welp. I should..."
Minutes like weeks.
"Should what? Teach me a lesson?"
"You may have won, but I am still your father."
It was enough to make anyone snap.
"That is ENOUGH." Narita's wife sighed and shook her head. "I thought I only had three children, and they're all supposed to be grown-up."
She placed the tray on the table and sighed again. "Drink your tea, and please try to be civil. This is a happy day."
Ito wasn't so sure about that. Sure things seemed to be going well as dinner got under way. The meal had been rather enjoyable...without the company of Makoto's father.
They had talked about the future. About the theatre troupes they had heard from, and the schools in America interested in furthering their acting talents. There had been quite a few offers of interest. It was only a matter of figuring out which would be the best for them.
The young couple was also teased about future matters. When was the wedding? How many children did they plan to have? Akane received her fair share, with her engagement to Ito's brother pretty much a given. But they accepted the jests with calm grace. There was no point in arguing over what had not yet transpired.
Although, it was rather embarrassing.
"Would everyone like some tea?"
"Yes, please."
Then HE joined them. The head of the Narita family. Makoto's father. His presence brought with it a great shadow. He only meant to be there for a few moments -- he simply wanted a moment with his wife -- but his presence prevailed for nearly five minutes. That was all it took for father and son to start bickering.
"I'm sorry, mom."
An uneasy silence filled the room. Slowly the conversation started where it had left off. There was less ribbing and more serious talk, but after a few moments -- and a hot cup of tea -- things seemed to get back to normal.
"So you think these theatres are truly interested in your talent?"
"Yes, they are," Makoto answered evenly.
"How much will you expect to make?"
"Money is not a concern."
"And traveling...what kind of family life will you have on the road?"
"We'll worry about that when the time comes."
"You need stability. You need a good source of income. You need connections!"
"I have everything I need already," Makoto said, his voice raising.
Ito began to worry. The conversation was heading towards disaster. It was like watching an on-coming train wreck into another train. In slow motion!
Their voices continued to rise. Rage ran rampant through the room. Both father and son were trying desperately to argue their case. But that's where the communication ended. Neither was really hearing what the other said.
Ito shook as she held her teas cup. She wanted to interrupt, enter the fray herself. She felt an overwhelming urge to defend Makoto. And to punch his father. She didn't even consider the idea that a punch might not connect.
It was Akane who stopped her. Both hands gripped Ito's arm as the young woman stood, ready to fight. She shook her head. With a sigh, Ito realized she was right. They had to solve the issue themselves. She couldn't interfere, no matter how badly she had the itch.
"Acting...pheh! Why not something more useful? Like a doctor or lawyer?"
Makoto stood from his seat. "You don't get it!"
"No, I don't!" His father looked like he was at his wit's end. He stood as well, glaring at his son. "So, please! Reconsider! Forget the arrangement with Takayo's family. Forget the dojo! Just...reconsider!"
Makoto couldn't believe what he was hearing. Change his mind? After all he went through? After the years of pain he'd beaten into him? After coming so close to achieving his dream?
"You want me...to reconsider?"
The older man nodded. "Yes."
His father was serious. Arms crossed, he was dead set against losing to his son. But Makoto would not be swayed. He had worked too hard to cave. Turning to his mother, he replied:
"Dinner was wonderful, mom. I'm glad we could share this moment with you."
She sighed, shaking her head. "You don't have to...."
"Yes, I do." He looked at Ito. "We do. We're leaving."
He was grateful she did not stop him this time. Thin lips cracked a small smile at the angered look in her eye and the defiant manner of which she stood before his father. She said some quick good-byes, and then joined him in the doorway.
"Makoto!"
The young man turned in the doorway. His visage remained neutral but his anger showed in his eyes. He said nothing, glaring and waiting for what his father would come up with next.
"Keep in touch," was all the older man said before he stood and left the room.
Makoto blinked. Did he hear correctly? Was his father finally giving up? Eyes widened as he watched the man's back disappear behind another doorway. He was free. Really and truly.
"That...went...well," Ito offered, awe in her voice.
"Yeah." It was the only coherent thing he could say.
"So it's over?"
Makoto looked over his shoulder. There was no anger in his eyes. Only love. And hope. "Yes. It's over."
"It is not." Both Makoto and Ito turned to look at Tsubaki. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Forgetting something?" He looked at Ito but she only shook her head.
"Like...?"
"The gift," Akane prodded.
"Gift?" Realization was slow, but he eventually remembered. Frantically he searched his pockets. "Oh, right!"
Ito watched as he produced a tiny white box. Her heart skipped a beat as he smiled at her, taking one of her hands in one of his. Then it stopped all together when he got down on one knee.
"What are you doing," she asked. It was a stupid question, even to her, but she couldn't help it. She needed a distraction, and his thumb rubbing against the back of her hand wasn't helping.
"I'm making it official," Makoto responded. "We've always talked about it. We even agreed to it. But I never actually asked you."
Ito fidgeted. "You don't have to ask."
"But I am."
Opening the box, he presented her with a small ring. Her youngest brother helped him pick it out. The petite diamond sat nestled in a setting of white gold. He could picture it perfectly on her finger.
"Mako...."
"Ito--"
"Don't...."
"Will you marry me?"
He'd made her heart melt thousands of times before. Now was no different. How did he manage to do that to her, she wondered briefly. The thought flitted away as her eyes became focused on the diamond. She never wore much in the way of jewelry. There are always exceptions, she supposed.
"I don't know what to say," she muttered.
"Say 'yes'." It was Akane who spoke.
The young woman shrugged. "Okay...sure."
Makoto looked at her quizzically, not quite satisfied. "Is that a yes?"
Why did she have the urge to smack him? "YES!"
The Narita family cheered as Makoto placed the ring on Ito's finger. They were talked into staying for more of a celebration. But after the cake and ice cream, they finally said farewell.
"Now I have one more surprise for you," Makoto told Ito as they walked down the street, away from the house.
"I don't think I can handle any more surprises."
"You'll like this one." His smile held a promise. "Trust me."
'Trust him,' she thought with a small shake of her head. She giggled as he nuzzled her throat and she playfully slapped him away. 'Yeah, right.'
~TO BE CONTINUED~
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Makoto, Ito or any of the characters used in
the story above. That honor goes to talented manga-ka Emura. The manga
is published in English thanks to Viz Entertainment. The characters and
likenesses are used here without permission. Just borrowing them for a
little fun. No offense is meant. No money being made.