Matchmaker: Yukimura Seiichi (Chapter 1)

Chapter One : The begining

When Kirihara Akaya turned up at his sister’s doorsteps, the older woman gave a slight smirk. “So,” she beagn as he entered the house, dragging behind his suitcase with slight difficulty. “It took you a wedding, an injury and countless phone calls to make you come home, huh?”

Akaya scowled and met with his brother-in-law, Fujima Kenji, as he walked down the hall. His sister, Ayaka, didn’t even help with his luggage. Talk about being mean!

Luckily, his brother-in-law was informed of his injury since the whole week the press had exposed it in every form of media. And as Kenji offered to help, Akaya was glad that his brother-in-law still had a shred of humanity towards him regardless of the long time he had visited them. He shot his sister a look. Unlike some people that only glared at one’s husband for helping a poor injured tennis player that was blood related to them.

“Oh please Akaya,” Ayaka said, rolling her eyes and managed to give her husband a Look for lending a hand to her brother. Honestly, the woman had forgotton that traveling alone with a suitcase for an injured person was painful enough for a punishment. But no—she still wanted to nag him for not visiting for all these times.

“Do you know how worried Mom was? All those stories on the papers—” So she did read, Akaya silently spoke and earned him a nudge from the elbow by Kenji. “We were worried, even Dad, and you only called in like what? Once in three, four months?”

“There’s the call that said I’ll come for Yukimura-buchou’s wedding,” offered Akaya. “And on Wednesday to tell you that I’m injured and will be coming home—”

“It was your manager that informed us. And the papers told your injury first before your manager called,” she cut in, ending her sentence with a glare and Akaya managed a shrug.

Marriage had done good things to his sister, she was happy for one, and her cooking had improved for the better. However, motherhood had shaped certain traits that made Akaya wondered if her husband had ever doubted the choice for his wife. Nagging, in Akaya’s mind, was terribly annoying.

Akaya remained silent and he could feel his sister’s glare. Any moment now, she would continue he nag…Akaya was ready; he of course had had practices with his mother’s in the past and an added bonus of practice with his nagging manager. Though in his sister’s case, violence was somehow promised.

His sister’s lips twitched and fortunately, Akaya’s two years old niece cried. Ayaka glanced at her brother and her husband, the latter almost accusingly and walked upstairs to Aoko’s bedroom. Akaya felt a hand on his shoulder and looked at Kenji. Kenji offered a smile. “Good flight?”

The green-eyed tennis player shrugged. “Guess so. I’m hungry though,” he added, a grin on his tanned face. “Got anything to eat?”

Kenji chuckled as he placed Akaya’s luggage beside the stairs, and lead him to the kitchen. Ayaka had made sandwiches for him (“He still has that black hole stomach of his,” she said said, spreading mayonnaise on top of his lettuce and shredded chicken while waiting for Akaya’s arrival) and Kenji opened the fridge and took out a carton of apple juice.

“Itadakimasu!” Akaya murmured happily and devoured his food with much gusto. Kenji watched him stuffing his face and called him. Akaya paused, there was slight traces of mayonnaise on the side of his lips.

“Your family was wondering about you very often. Do we have to break your legs everytime to get you to visit?” he asked, his blue eyes looking straight at the younger man.

“I wouldn’t mind doing that,” Ayaka said at the kitchen door. She sat beside her husband, ruffling her younger brother’s curly locks before she did so. “And I bet your manager will have my head by the next day.”

Akaya licked his thumb away from crumbs. “Nah, he prefers slow torture. Been a fan of Hannibal.”

“Kenji laughed and Ayaka gave a small smile as she leant in and patter Akaya’s head. “Welcome back, Akaya.”

*

“Just because you’re a celebrity,” Ayaka started, fresh from sleep and bath at the morning. “Doesn’t mean you can sleep until noon, Akaya.” She glared when Akaya yawned and turned to Aoko to feed her breakfast. “Look, even Aoko-chan wakes up early! Good girl,” she cooed and Akaya ate his meal.

“It’s my holiday,” Akaya mumbled and found his sister slowly looked at him. “You still got three months of it to relax. Today,” she said, eyeing him. “You are to call Mom and clear her head from those stories she’d read. She still thinks you’re having an affair with that Russian girl.”

“What? Lana was modeling watches with me! We’re not even chummy!”

Ayaka wiped her daughter’s lips with a hand towel. “Well, the press did took a photo of you two going for lunch. (“The crew went too,” Akaya declared defensively.) And it didn’t help things that Lana was caught taking illegal drugs.”

“Lana did?” Akaya asked, recalling the blonde tennis player. She was little thin and giddy but Akaya had dismissed it as her personalities.

“It was in the the news last Monday,” Ayaka sighed and face her brother. Akaya was in a blue T-shirt and green pajamas pants. His hair was messy from sleep and there were bags under his eyes. Akaya caught her looking at him and asked what between sips of tea.

“Akaya, are you tired?” Ayaka asked as she poured milk for Aoko. Aoko was regarding him closely and Akaya made faces to entertain her. Aoko’s small voice was laced with mirth and Akaya grinned at his niece. When he looked up, his sister was anticipating his answer.

He shook his head slightly.”Nah, I don’t usually get jet lag.” He reached out to take Aoko’s hands. “Aoko,” he called, “Akaya-niisan! Say it! Akaya-niisan!”

“Jiisan,” Ayaka corrected. “It’s uncle, Aoko-chan.” She spoke and took Aoko into her arms. Aoko giggled and muttered ‘mama’ every now and then. Akaya frowned as Ayaka pointed at him and mouthed, “Jiisan,” under her breath. “I’m still young, you know,” he protested and Ayaka shrugged. “Go and take your shower, you still have phone calls to do.”

Akaya pulled a face which she ignored and continued,” And you better buy a tux if you didn’t bring any. You’re not borrowing Kenji’s.”

“Can’t Kenji-san pick—”

“You’re injured, not dead, Akaya,” Ayaka replied as a matter-of-factly. “And you’re too spoilt and lazy. Thank goodness you’re an athlete. If you weren’t, you’ll probably be the size of a sumo wrestler. Right, Aoko?”

Aoko eagerly laughed as Akaya strutted upstairs. He went back downstairs later when his sister demanded his to clear the table.

“Meanie,” Akaya grumbled and earnt a smack at the back of his head.

And thus, Akaya’s break began.


*


Ayaka sighed as she plopped herself down on the couch. The Fujima household was ensued in silence. Her daughter was already fast asleep upstairs after playing energetically with her uncle for the past hours.

Ayaka looked at the stairs and remembered the state of Aoko’s nursery. Apparently, Akaya had bought more toys for his niece and the two had spent the whole morning playing together. Aoko was a mess maker, being in her troublesome twos and with the presence of Akaya, the room could easily be dismissed as a junk yard. It made her wonder if he’s really was injured.

Footsteps echoed through the halls and Ayaka found her brother dressed in a brown sweater and khakis pants. Ayaka cocked an eyebrow when she saw the pout on his face. She immediately pulled up a magazine and pretended to read when the said person sat across her. She was used to the sights of Akaya’s pleading looks, being exposed to it since youth but unfortunately, being his older sister didn’t guaranteed the immunity to it.

“Ayaka-neesan,” Akaya said, in that tone of his that Ayaka deciphered as pretty please, with sugar on top? Moreover, if she was not mistaken, he had added another dose of sweetness in his voice. She remembered he had used this tone in his teenage years to beg their parents to buy him the new video games. And, if her memories hadn’t defied her, it usually work.

“Weren’t you supposed to get yourself a suit?” Ayaka inquired behind the magazine. “Yukimura-kun’s wedding is the day after tomorrow, you know,” she added and finally brought the magazine down by an inch.

“I know, but can’t I—”

“You need to buy a new one. You can’t keep wearing those clothes people sponsored. Everyone around the world had seen you in them.”

Akaya frowned again and crossed his arms. “But—”

“Akaya, you can afford a new one, you’re rich for God’s sake!” she glared as he began to open his mouth and continued, “And don’t you dare say a thing about uneconomical. Who’s the one that spent his allowance on those junks before?”

“That was—”

Ayaka had placed the magazine on her laps, her eyes narrowed on the tennis player. He gave another pout and Ayaka said tentatively, “Do you want me to call Mom to assist you?”

Akaya stared at her and sighed. “Fine,” he said and stood up, his lips formed into another pout. She watched his back as he moved and smiled. “Akaya! Don’t forget the tie.”

“Wakatta, wakatta,” came his lazy reply. “Ittekimasu.”

“Itterashai,” Ayaka answered, a smile still plastered on her face.


*

“Oniisan, you’re up,” Kaori asked, looking up from the newspapers as her brother walked into the living room. Yukimura was wearing a white T-shirt and black pants and slung around his neck was a blue towel. His hair was slightly wet almost making it looked darker than its usual bluish shade.

Yukimura gave his sister a wan smile and entered the kitchen. He walked out carrying a mineral bottle and Kaori noted the paleness of his skin. “Are you okay?” she asked as the older man seated himself beside her.

“Hm,” nodded Yukimura. “A little headache, but I’m fine.”

Kaori grinned, “Did last night wear you off?”

“Not really. It was like being back in high school though, with Masaharu pulling a switch with Hiroshi,” Yukimura replied, taking a long sip of his water. “I wonder if the word chaotic could describe it…”

Kaori pulled a face as she turned a page of her newspapers. “But I though Yagyuu-san was organizing it. When you mean switch—oh,” she said meaningfully and looked back at the newspapers. “Must been a fun outing,” she muttered and glanced at her brother. Yukimura smiled. “It was, but you’re not supposed to know, Kaori,” he replied.

“Thank you for excusing me from all the gory details, niisan,” Kaori laughed. “Yuna-san and I was exchanging stories about bachelor party the other day. Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Will Kirihara-san be there? I heard he’s injured and the papers said he’s taking a long break,” Kaori said and spread the newspaper on the coffee table for his brother to see. There was a two-paragraphed article with a small insert photo of Akaya playing tennis on a clay court for his past tournament. “It’s been a long time since we saw him,” Kaori was folding the newspaper into half.

Yukimura placed his water bottle on the table. “I’ve sent him an invitation. Ayaka-san did text me saying he could come but that was before he got his injury. Maybe I should give a call,” Yukimura voiced and took the cordless phone on the table. “Maybe he’s already in Japan.”

Yukimura nodded and dialed the number of Kirihara’s parents house number. He didn’t need to look it up his phone book to know. It was something that he had carved in the back of his head since he was teenager. And it was still there.

Yukimura listened to the beeping patiently. Behind him, his sister’s cell phone rang. He glanced at Kaori and watched his sister picking up and answering the phone.

“Moshi moshi?” he heard the person on the other side of call said. Yukimura turned his attention to the phone in his hand. “Ah, It’s Yukimura Seiichi,”

“Ahhh…Yukimura-kun,” Kirihara Mariko, Kirihara Akaya’s mother, said back. “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Yukimura said, “A little busy here with the preparation,”

“You must be nervous,” Mariko laughed. Yukimura laughed too, “Yeah.” He said. “Anyway, has Akaya return?”

“Yes, last night.” Mariko answered. “But he’s at his sister’s house now, Ayaka called and told me yesterday.”

“I see,” Yukimura nodded his head. “Well that is all. You will be coming for the wedding, right?” he asked. Mariko laughed, “We wouldn’t miss it.”
Yukimura smiled and after bidding goodbye he hanged up the phone. Then he paused before dialing the next number, “What is Ayaka-san’s number again…” he said to himself.

“Oh, I remember,” Kaori asked as she stood up and took the phone from her brother. She dialed it for him and passed him back the phone. “Here you go,” she said and started walking hurriedly, taking along her handbag and car keys that she left on the kitchen counter.

“Thanks,” Yukimura said and looked at his sister, “Where are you going?”

Kaori looked at her brother just as she was putting on her shoes, “Oh, Yuna-san called. She said she wants to do a last dress check up,” she said. “Turns out that Satsuki-san’s one was a little loose,”

Yukimura nodded his head, “I see. And where’s your dress?” he asked.

Kaori paused and her eyes widened. “Oh shit!” she said and ran up the stairs as fast as she can.

“Language,” Yukimura warned. He could hear his sister’s loud steps on the second floor of the house.

“Hello?” he heard a voice from the other end of the phone said. Yukimura focused on the call. “Oh hello, Yukimura Seiichi desu.”

“Ah, Yukimura-kun,” Ayaka said. “How are you?”

“I am good,” Yukimura said. “How are you?” he asked back as he watched his sister stepped down the stairs hurriedly, carrying her bridesmaid gown, wrapped in clear plastic.

As she was putting on her shoes again, her cell phone rang the second time. “Yes, Satsuki-san,” Kaori said as she answered the call. “I’m about to leave the house—I’ll be there in 15 minutes—yes, I know we all want to look good for the wedding,” she was saying into the phone as she walked out the house, “Bye niisan!”

Yukimura watched the doorway for a while, his sister’s words ringing in his head. He thought for a while.

“Hello, Yukimura-kun?” Ayaka’s voice broke his train of thoughts. Yukimura blinked his eyes and looked at the phone in his hand. He smiled.

“Ah, gomen Ayaka-san, what were you saying?”

“It’s okay,” Ayaka said, “I said that Akaya is here,”

Yukimura smiled, “That’s good,” he said. “May I speak with him?”

“Unfortunately, you just missed him,” Ayaka apologized. “I told him to go out and buy a tux for your wedding.”

Yukimura thought for a while. “Ah, so he is coming then?” he asked. Ayaka laughed, “Yup. It took him a long time to return, he should at least give some respect to his senior who’s getting married soon.”

Yukimura laughed. “That’s good then, I can’t wait to see all of you.” He said. “Send Akaya my regards.” He said as he bid goodbye.

He hanged up the phone and looked at it for a second. His brain begins to work and he smiled to himself.

“This is perfect.”

TBC

-written by Ra2