His And Her Circumstances Fan Fiction ❯ Pictures of Matchstick Men ❯ Snow and Sorrow ( Chapter 4 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Ssinurn Solen 
"Aw, so what! We need to enjoy the moment!"
"You are so right!" He kicked off his own shoes and waltzed with Annie in the snow. The faint sound of Rhapsody in Blue filtered out from his apartment's open front door.
Anime/Manga: His And Her Circumstances Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 09.28.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 350 | Status: Completed
"Aw, so what! We need to enjoy the moment!"
"You are so right!" He kicked off his own shoes and waltzed with Annie in the snow. The faint sound of Rhapsody in Blue filtered out from his apartment's open front door.
Anime/Manga: His And Her Circumstances Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 09.28.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 350 | Status: Completed
Warning: This chapter contains some violence.
4: Snow and Sorrow
The rain had stopped by the time school was over. The clouds turned darker and the temperature dropped. Annie was glad she brought her sweater. The neck was low cut, so she found herself tugging it up to try and keep her neck warm, then tugging it down to keep her stomach warm. She didn't want to freeze before she got home. It was a good thing she had decided to buy some light colored tights last week. She would need them for tomorrow. It got cold in San Francisco, but she could not remember it getting this cold. She was shivering violently by the time she got off of the bus.
"Here, let me help," Hideaki took off his scarf and draped it over her shoulders.
"Thanks."
"No problem, it is not like I have to go very far to get it back. Doesn't ever get cold in San Francisco?"
"Yes, but grandmother was very protective. She never let me out of the house if she thought it was too cold. It wasn't such a big deal since Mrs. Niwashi was there every day to tutor me and issue my tests. Grandmother thought I was too fragile for public school."
"You seem pretty tough to me."
"I have to be. I don't have anybody anymore except for dad and Piman. I only met Piman last year so I don't know him very well, and dad is, well, just awful . Grandmother was the only one I could trust or depend on. I stayed with my dad and stepmom for a short while after grandma died. It was scary , and well, just plain awful. Dad is only interested in the money."
"I see. Annie, will you come over to my place tonight?"
"You are not going to turn pervert on me are you?"
"No, I have something I need to show you. It is not fair to you to hide what I have anymore."
"Just as long as it is not you doing a striptease, Hideaki."
"No, I just want to show you some of my artwork."
"What time do you want me to come over?"
"How does about eight sound?"
"That sounds okay. But I warn you, if you turn asshole on me, I am outta there."
"Deal."
Hideaki quivered with nervousness as he set the table. It was only rice with sliced pork and veggies on the side, but he wanted the table to look perfect. A single candle was set between and slightly off center, so he could see her in the candlelight once it was lit. He wore a nice blue shirt and a clean pair of jeans. He wanted it to be a bit formal, but not too much to embarrass her. It had to be perfect, for Annie.
A light knock sounded on the door. Hideaki took a deep breath and lit the candle.
"Hello Annie," he said as he opened the door. She was wearing a long, blue, flowing skirt and a very pretty dark blue sweater that had black beads along the collar, cuffs and hem. She had unbraided her long golden hair, which lightly draped her shoulders in waves. He was glad he decided to dress up a bit. It also surprising to him that her skirt and his shirt matched so closely.
"You look beautiful."
"Thanks, Hideaki."
"Come this way, I thought we could have a bite to eat first."
Annie gasped when she saw the spread on the table. "So this is what you were up to! Did you make all of this?"
"Well, I have been told I am a pretty good cook. I thought I would treat you."
Annie smiled and chuckled, "I can't cook at all! Everything I have is either instant or takeout."
"May I offer you a seat, Milady?" He led Annie to one of the two seats.
Hideaki had to help her to sit down. It was obvious she was not used to short Japanese tables with pillows for chairs. Once she was seated, he turned off the dining room light, started the Gershwin CD on his boom box and sat down across from Annie.
"You really went all out, didn't you? Just for me?"
"Yes, only for you. Sorry, Annie, If I am a bit nervous. I have never invited a girl over for dinner, like this before."
"Oh, well this is the first time a guy has ever fixed dinner for me. I suppose you could say this is my first 'real' date. And, the first time the guy was not just on the make. You are really sweet, Hideaki. Even the music is perfect. I like Gershwin too, especially, Rhapsody in Blue ."
"I suppose I can be relaxed with you, because we are so alike."
"You are not just a flirt . You are a romantic."
"It's easy with a romantic girl like you."
After dinner, he led Annie into the living room to show her all of the drawings and paintings he had done of her over the fall. She smiled and gasped at the way he had captured every hidden smile, and every bright twinkle in her eyes. She was surprised how few of them were of her whole figure and just of her face.
"I have been wanting to show these for some time now, but I couldn't. I wanted you to be the one to see them first. If you don't mind, I would like to show these in the gallery next week. I don't want to sell them, but I have to show them before my manager will make prints to sell."
"You cared for me that much? When I was so mean, you, you still cared? Hideaki?"
"Yes, and none of these are my favorite. I have it upstairs. Do you want to see it?"
"Upstairs?"
Hideaki chuckled at her expression, " I will bring it downstairs. Wait here." He went and took the angel drawing off the wall.
Annie looked at it with the wonder of a child.
"I drew this one of you the first day I met you."
"You mean the day you came over to ask me to turn down my stereo. The day I refused to give you my name?"
"That's the day."
"Even then, you thought this highly of me?" she said as tears started fall from her eyes.
"Don't cry! Please don't cry. " He set down the drawing and took her into his arms, "I hate it when girls cry, but I fall apart when you do."
"I hate myself! I care about you, but something about the way I feel around you scares me more."
"It's alright. Well, if it makes you feel any better, it scares me too."
"It does?"
"Yeah." He stared into her greenish brown eyes, " Can I kiss you, Annie? Just a kiss, nothing more."
"Sure."
Hideaki never thought he could feel that weak from just one kiss. From the way she trembled as he deepened the kiss, he knew she could feel it too. They were both breathing heavily by the time they broke apart.
"Wow," Hideaki murmured as he slowly let Annie loose.
Annie turned to the window. "Look, Hideaki! It's snowing!" she said with a giggle as she grabbed his hand and lead him out the door. She kicked off her shoes and started dancing in the gathering whiteness. Asaba looked at her with awe. With the way her skirt swayed as she spun around, it almost looked like she was floating in the air.
"It is so wonderful, come dance with me, Hideaki!"
Asaba smiled and laughed. "We are both going to have a cold tomorrow, you know?"
"Aw , so what! We need to enjoy the moment!"
"You are so right!" He kicked off his own shoes and waltzed with Annie in the snow. The faint sound of Rhapsody in Blue filtered out from his apartment's open front door. As the snow started falling harder, he pulled her close again for another kiss.
"I never thought I would ever say this, but Hideaki, I think I love you."
"I know, because I think I love you too. "
Hideaki woke to loud screaming and crashing sounds from next door and someone yelling and banging on his front door.
"Mister Asaba! Mister Asaba!" Piman shouted as he frantically tried to get Hideaki to open the door.
He pulled on his robe and ran down the stairs. Through the common wall, Hideaki could hear Annie screaming, crying and begging with someone, followed by the sound of Annie slamming her bedroom door.
"Mister Asaba!" Piman shouted as he rushed into the house," Please call the police! It's Senyo! Annie's father! He has friends with him and they are very drunk! They are trying to hurt Annie! They broke her phone when she tried to call me!"
"Come on, hot stuff! Open your bedroom door! You're daddy said we could have you when we helped him get his money! You know you want it!"
"NO!" Hideaki screamed as he shakily handed Piman his cell phone, grabbed a steak knife and headed next door.
Outside, drunk men were looting Annie's apartment of anything of value. Everything they were stealing, could be replaced, but Annie could not.
He ran up the stairs to where the burly man was trying to force Annie's bedroom door open.
"Get your fucking ass out of here! You fat pig!"
"C'mere boy, you want a taste too?" the man was so drunk that it did not even register what Hideaki had said. "I get to go first, though."
Hideaki rushed the fat man with the steak knife. It seemed to knock the guy off of balance, but did not do much more damage than that.
"Ow, you're gonna pay for that you stupid little punk!" The fat man slurred as he pulled out the steak knife and tried to lunge at Hideaki.
The fat guy lost his footing and fell down the stairs. He hit his head against the banister and was knocked cold.
"Annie! Annie! Are you alright?" Hideaki screamed, with only sobs for an answer."
"Annie, its Hideaki! The cops are on their way. Just stay right there!"
Hideaki ran down the stairs and ran straight into a tall man with eyes the same color as Annie's.
"So, some young punk trying to play knight in shining armor for that worthless bitch of mine. Get your ass out of here, pup , before you get hurt." Senyo said as he and one of his buddies grabbed Hideaki and tossed him outside.
Hideaki had a few bruises when he landed, but nothing serious. He got up and ran back into his own apartment.
"She's locked herself in her room, Piman. How long before the cops get here?"
"They are on their way. That door will not hold Senyo for long. I hope they get here before they kill her." Piman said while crying hard.
Hideaki ran upstairs. There was a window at the top of the stairs. If the ledge was wide enough, perhaps he could get over to Annie's window, and bring her into his apartment. He opened the window as wide as it would go. As he poked his head outside, he saw that Annie had the same idea. The ledge was very small, not much more than a gutter. Annie was inching her way along it.
"Annie, give me your hand," He sat in the window and reached towards her. She was barely in hand's reach when she slipped on the snow. Hideaki held on with all of his might as she climbed her way up the shingles to his room.
Senyo poked his head out of Annie's bedroom window and started throwing things to make Asaba lose his grip. "I told you to butt out , you stupid fucking kid!"
"No, Dad! Please don't hurt him!"
"I will do what I want, when I want."
Annie was frantic and covered in blood. Just the sight of her all bloody made Hideaki queasy and frightened.
Piman heard Senyo's shouting and ran upstairs. He helped yank Annie into the room.
Piman slammed the window shut and ran downstairs to barricade the front door. He knew that once Senyo told his friend where Annie was, they would break into Hideaki's apartment too.
Annie sat in Hideaki's lap and sobbed. "Hideaki, please just hold me, tight."
"Shh, Annie, I have you, I will not let you go," he said as he began kissing her head and running his fingers through her hair to calm her. "You are hurt bad. I need to get you to a doctor, but I won't leave you, okay?"
"Okay."
All three of them were relieved to hear the sound of the police screaming and arresting the thieves. Other than a broken window, Hideaki''s apartment was untouched.
Piman led one of the officers to show him that Annie was alright.
"She will need medical attention right away. You are her neighbor?"
Before he could even think what he was saying, Hideaki blurted out," Her fiancé."
Piman's mouth fell wide open at the statement, but he quickly composed himself and grinned. "Yes, they plan on marrying as soon as they finish school. He moved next door to stay close and keep her safe." Piman added to the farce.
"Yes, well it looks like you need medical attention too. Mister?"
"Asaba, Hideaki Asaba."
The officer smiled, "Like the famous artist?"
"Who 'is' the famous artist."
"Oh! It is a great honor! Mister Asaba! Many of us are fans of yours! Here, let me help you with Miss Takishiro. We will make sure this matter is cleared up quickly!" The Officer offered his hand.
"Please, don't let me go, Hideaki."
"I won't, I will be with you on the way to the hospital."
School the next morning was an uproar.
"Arima! Miyazawa! Did you hear the news? Takishiro's father went over to her place and tried to kill her for her money! Asapin tried to help, and now they are both in the hospital!" Rika shouted as she ran down the hall towards her friends.
"What!"
"Yeah, it is all over the school." Maho said as she walked up to the group, "Hell, it has already made the morning tabloids, ' famous teen artist and fiancé hospitalized in brutal attack."
"Fiancé? When did that happen? Last time I saw them they were fighting like cats and dogs?" Arima puzzled aloud.
"Now I get it," Shibahime said as she barked angrily and waved a tabloid in the air," Asapin was the one sending her roses."
"Cut it out Tsubasa, it was only one rose," Sakura said as she grabbed the paper from Shibahime. "Besides, these things are nothing but crap anyway."
"We should go see them and make sure they are okay." Aya said, "I can cancel Drama Club this afternoon, Can you get out of Kendo, Arima? Can you delegate class duties to someone else Yukinon?"
"I'm on it!" Yukino said as she made her way down the hall.
"I will talk to the captain of the kendo team right now." Arima said.
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4: Snow and Sorrow
The rain had stopped by the time school was over. The clouds turned darker and the temperature dropped. Annie was glad she brought her sweater. The neck was low cut, so she found herself tugging it up to try and keep her neck warm, then tugging it down to keep her stomach warm. She didn't want to freeze before she got home. It was a good thing she had decided to buy some light colored tights last week. She would need them for tomorrow. It got cold in San Francisco, but she could not remember it getting this cold. She was shivering violently by the time she got off of the bus.
"Here, let me help," Hideaki took off his scarf and draped it over her shoulders.
"Thanks."
"No problem, it is not like I have to go very far to get it back. Doesn't ever get cold in San Francisco?"
"Yes, but grandmother was very protective. She never let me out of the house if she thought it was too cold. It wasn't such a big deal since Mrs. Niwashi was there every day to tutor me and issue my tests. Grandmother thought I was too fragile for public school."
"You seem pretty tough to me."
"I have to be. I don't have anybody anymore except for dad and Piman. I only met Piman last year so I don't know him very well, and dad is, well, just awful . Grandmother was the only one I could trust or depend on. I stayed with my dad and stepmom for a short while after grandma died. It was scary , and well, just plain awful. Dad is only interested in the money."
"I see. Annie, will you come over to my place tonight?"
"You are not going to turn pervert on me are you?"
"No, I have something I need to show you. It is not fair to you to hide what I have anymore."
"Just as long as it is not you doing a striptease, Hideaki."
"No, I just want to show you some of my artwork."
"What time do you want me to come over?"
"How does about eight sound?"
"That sounds okay. But I warn you, if you turn asshole on me, I am outta there."
"Deal."
Hideaki quivered with nervousness as he set the table. It was only rice with sliced pork and veggies on the side, but he wanted the table to look perfect. A single candle was set between and slightly off center, so he could see her in the candlelight once it was lit. He wore a nice blue shirt and a clean pair of jeans. He wanted it to be a bit formal, but not too much to embarrass her. It had to be perfect, for Annie.
A light knock sounded on the door. Hideaki took a deep breath and lit the candle.
"Hello Annie," he said as he opened the door. She was wearing a long, blue, flowing skirt and a very pretty dark blue sweater that had black beads along the collar, cuffs and hem. She had unbraided her long golden hair, which lightly draped her shoulders in waves. He was glad he decided to dress up a bit. It also surprising to him that her skirt and his shirt matched so closely.
"You look beautiful."
"Thanks, Hideaki."
"Come this way, I thought we could have a bite to eat first."
Annie gasped when she saw the spread on the table. "So this is what you were up to! Did you make all of this?"
"Well, I have been told I am a pretty good cook. I thought I would treat you."
Annie smiled and chuckled, "I can't cook at all! Everything I have is either instant or takeout."
"May I offer you a seat, Milady?" He led Annie to one of the two seats.
Hideaki had to help her to sit down. It was obvious she was not used to short Japanese tables with pillows for chairs. Once she was seated, he turned off the dining room light, started the Gershwin CD on his boom box and sat down across from Annie.
"You really went all out, didn't you? Just for me?"
"Yes, only for you. Sorry, Annie, If I am a bit nervous. I have never invited a girl over for dinner, like this before."
"Oh, well this is the first time a guy has ever fixed dinner for me. I suppose you could say this is my first 'real' date. And, the first time the guy was not just on the make. You are really sweet, Hideaki. Even the music is perfect. I like Gershwin too, especially, Rhapsody in Blue ."
"I suppose I can be relaxed with you, because we are so alike."
"You are not just a flirt . You are a romantic."
"It's easy with a romantic girl like you."
After dinner, he led Annie into the living room to show her all of the drawings and paintings he had done of her over the fall. She smiled and gasped at the way he had captured every hidden smile, and every bright twinkle in her eyes. She was surprised how few of them were of her whole figure and just of her face.
"I have been wanting to show these for some time now, but I couldn't. I wanted you to be the one to see them first. If you don't mind, I would like to show these in the gallery next week. I don't want to sell them, but I have to show them before my manager will make prints to sell."
"You cared for me that much? When I was so mean, you, you still cared? Hideaki?"
"Yes, and none of these are my favorite. I have it upstairs. Do you want to see it?"
"Upstairs?"
Hideaki chuckled at her expression, " I will bring it downstairs. Wait here." He went and took the angel drawing off the wall.
Annie looked at it with the wonder of a child.
"I drew this one of you the first day I met you."
"You mean the day you came over to ask me to turn down my stereo. The day I refused to give you my name?"
"That's the day."
"Even then, you thought this highly of me?" she said as tears started fall from her eyes.
"Don't cry! Please don't cry. " He set down the drawing and took her into his arms, "I hate it when girls cry, but I fall apart when you do."
"I hate myself! I care about you, but something about the way I feel around you scares me more."
"It's alright. Well, if it makes you feel any better, it scares me too."
"It does?"
"Yeah." He stared into her greenish brown eyes, " Can I kiss you, Annie? Just a kiss, nothing more."
"Sure."
Hideaki never thought he could feel that weak from just one kiss. From the way she trembled as he deepened the kiss, he knew she could feel it too. They were both breathing heavily by the time they broke apart.
"Wow," Hideaki murmured as he slowly let Annie loose.
Annie turned to the window. "Look, Hideaki! It's snowing!" she said with a giggle as she grabbed his hand and lead him out the door. She kicked off her shoes and started dancing in the gathering whiteness. Asaba looked at her with awe. With the way her skirt swayed as she spun around, it almost looked like she was floating in the air.
"It is so wonderful, come dance with me, Hideaki!"
Asaba smiled and laughed. "We are both going to have a cold tomorrow, you know?"
"Aw , so what! We need to enjoy the moment!"
"You are so right!" He kicked off his own shoes and waltzed with Annie in the snow. The faint sound of Rhapsody in Blue filtered out from his apartment's open front door. As the snow started falling harder, he pulled her close again for another kiss.
"I never thought I would ever say this, but Hideaki, I think I love you."
"I know, because I think I love you too. "
Hideaki woke to loud screaming and crashing sounds from next door and someone yelling and banging on his front door.
"Mister Asaba! Mister Asaba!" Piman shouted as he frantically tried to get Hideaki to open the door.
He pulled on his robe and ran down the stairs. Through the common wall, Hideaki could hear Annie screaming, crying and begging with someone, followed by the sound of Annie slamming her bedroom door.
"Mister Asaba!" Piman shouted as he rushed into the house," Please call the police! It's Senyo! Annie's father! He has friends with him and they are very drunk! They are trying to hurt Annie! They broke her phone when she tried to call me!"
"Come on, hot stuff! Open your bedroom door! You're daddy said we could have you when we helped him get his money! You know you want it!"
"NO!" Hideaki screamed as he shakily handed Piman his cell phone, grabbed a steak knife and headed next door.
Outside, drunk men were looting Annie's apartment of anything of value. Everything they were stealing, could be replaced, but Annie could not.
He ran up the stairs to where the burly man was trying to force Annie's bedroom door open.
"Get your fucking ass out of here! You fat pig!"
"C'mere boy, you want a taste too?" the man was so drunk that it did not even register what Hideaki had said. "I get to go first, though."
Hideaki rushed the fat man with the steak knife. It seemed to knock the guy off of balance, but did not do much more damage than that.
"Ow, you're gonna pay for that you stupid little punk!" The fat man slurred as he pulled out the steak knife and tried to lunge at Hideaki.
The fat guy lost his footing and fell down the stairs. He hit his head against the banister and was knocked cold.
"Annie! Annie! Are you alright?" Hideaki screamed, with only sobs for an answer."
"Annie, its Hideaki! The cops are on their way. Just stay right there!"
Hideaki ran down the stairs and ran straight into a tall man with eyes the same color as Annie's.
"So, some young punk trying to play knight in shining armor for that worthless bitch of mine. Get your ass out of here, pup , before you get hurt." Senyo said as he and one of his buddies grabbed Hideaki and tossed him outside.
Hideaki had a few bruises when he landed, but nothing serious. He got up and ran back into his own apartment.
"She's locked herself in her room, Piman. How long before the cops get here?"
"They are on their way. That door will not hold Senyo for long. I hope they get here before they kill her." Piman said while crying hard.
Hideaki ran upstairs. There was a window at the top of the stairs. If the ledge was wide enough, perhaps he could get over to Annie's window, and bring her into his apartment. He opened the window as wide as it would go. As he poked his head outside, he saw that Annie had the same idea. The ledge was very small, not much more than a gutter. Annie was inching her way along it.
"Annie, give me your hand," He sat in the window and reached towards her. She was barely in hand's reach when she slipped on the snow. Hideaki held on with all of his might as she climbed her way up the shingles to his room.
Senyo poked his head out of Annie's bedroom window and started throwing things to make Asaba lose his grip. "I told you to butt out , you stupid fucking kid!"
"No, Dad! Please don't hurt him!"
"I will do what I want, when I want."
Annie was frantic and covered in blood. Just the sight of her all bloody made Hideaki queasy and frightened.
Piman heard Senyo's shouting and ran upstairs. He helped yank Annie into the room.
Piman slammed the window shut and ran downstairs to barricade the front door. He knew that once Senyo told his friend where Annie was, they would break into Hideaki's apartment too.
Annie sat in Hideaki's lap and sobbed. "Hideaki, please just hold me, tight."
"Shh, Annie, I have you, I will not let you go," he said as he began kissing her head and running his fingers through her hair to calm her. "You are hurt bad. I need to get you to a doctor, but I won't leave you, okay?"
"Okay."
All three of them were relieved to hear the sound of the police screaming and arresting the thieves. Other than a broken window, Hideaki''s apartment was untouched.
Piman led one of the officers to show him that Annie was alright.
"She will need medical attention right away. You are her neighbor?"
Before he could even think what he was saying, Hideaki blurted out," Her fiancé."
Piman's mouth fell wide open at the statement, but he quickly composed himself and grinned. "Yes, they plan on marrying as soon as they finish school. He moved next door to stay close and keep her safe." Piman added to the farce.
"Yes, well it looks like you need medical attention too. Mister?"
"Asaba, Hideaki Asaba."
The officer smiled, "Like the famous artist?"
"Who 'is' the famous artist."
"Oh! It is a great honor! Mister Asaba! Many of us are fans of yours! Here, let me help you with Miss Takishiro. We will make sure this matter is cleared up quickly!" The Officer offered his hand.
"Please, don't let me go, Hideaki."
"I won't, I will be with you on the way to the hospital."
School the next morning was an uproar.
"Arima! Miyazawa! Did you hear the news? Takishiro's father went over to her place and tried to kill her for her money! Asapin tried to help, and now they are both in the hospital!" Rika shouted as she ran down the hall towards her friends.
"What!"
"Yeah, it is all over the school." Maho said as she walked up to the group, "Hell, it has already made the morning tabloids, ' famous teen artist and fiancé hospitalized in brutal attack."
"Fiancé? When did that happen? Last time I saw them they were fighting like cats and dogs?" Arima puzzled aloud.
"Now I get it," Shibahime said as she barked angrily and waved a tabloid in the air," Asapin was the one sending her roses."
"Cut it out Tsubasa, it was only one rose," Sakura said as she grabbed the paper from Shibahime. "Besides, these things are nothing but crap anyway."
"We should go see them and make sure they are okay." Aya said, "I can cancel Drama Club this afternoon, Can you get out of Kendo, Arima? Can you delegate class duties to someone else Yukinon?"
"I'm on it!" Yukino said as she made her way down the hall.
"I will talk to the captain of the kendo team right now." Arima said.
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