Capitolo 23 :: 23

Pubblicato: 25-05-06 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 25-05-06

Commenti: ... minus three!

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Reika stared from Ryo to Kaori. Ryo’s face was crossed by a myriad of emotions, from doubt, anger, to pure disbelief. Kaori’s was completely impassive as she demurely sat on the sofa with her hands clasped in her lap.  

»So, « she continued, »this would mean there’s a copycat around. Someone who knows the dealings of four years ago. «  

A tic appeared in Ryo’s cheek. Either Reika, too, didn’t want to believe the possibility of there being no copycat, or she was completely oblivious.  

»There’s no copycat. «  

At those softly spoken words, both Ryo and Reika turned to look at Kaori.  

Her chin was high as she stared at them with eyes swimming with tears. »I can’t believe I didn’t see it before… or I didn’t want to see it, but it’s so evident, don’t you think? «  

Ryo met Reika’s eyes and it was clear. She knew.  

»He hasn’t called in a week, « Kaori whispered. »He… checked out of the hotel. His phone is disconnected…«  

Ryo’s countenance softened as he sat beside her, placing a soothing hand on her shoulder. »Don’t say that. Mick…« He clenched his teeth. »… loves you. Why would he stage something like that? «  

Reika rolled her eyes. Was he really that retarded? Didn’t he get it?  

»It doesn’t make any sense, Kaori. «  

Her head snapped about. »Doesn’t it?! «  

He stood, running a hand through his hair. »No, it doesn’t. You’re implying he sent you a death-threat note. To his… fiancée. Why would he do that? «  

»Yes, why indeed! Don’t you get it, Ryo? « Kaori jumped to her feet, planting herself in front of him. »Are you really that blind?! «  

Reika swallowed. »Uhm… I’m just gonna… go…« She nodded on her way to the door. »Yes… I’m gonna go… Bye. «  

The two never noticed. They didn’t hear the door softly close, or her quick footsteps down the hall. They were too busy glaring at each other.  

Ryo moved his eyes off her face, to stare at the window over her shoulder. Of course, he could get why Mick would do such a thing! He might look it, but he was far from stupid.  

»I don’t know what you’re talking about, « he mumbled.  

Kaori rolled her eyes, stomping her foot. »Jesus! Why do you have to be so stubborn!?! «  

His eyes were cold as he looked at her. »I don’t know what you’re talking about, « he repeated through clenched teeth.  

She frowned. »Well, let me enlighten you…«  

Ryo recognized a cliff when he saw one. And at that precise moment, one was right before him. A quite impressive cliff. And he wasn’t going to fall off it. No, sir!  

»There’s no need. I’m not that curious to know why your… fiancé… would send threat messages to you. « And he turned toward the stairs.  

She planted herself in front of him. »I’m in quite a need to tell you, Ryo! «  

»And I don’t want to hear it! « He moved around her.  

»Coward! «  

He went rigid. There was such vehemence in her voice – vehemence, laced with incredible hurt and disappointment… He turned again toward her, eyes sparkling with ire. No one called him a coward! »What did you just call me? «  

Her hands were clenched into trembling fists at her sides. »A coward! That’s what you are, Saeba Ryo! A damn coward! Mick staged all this farce just to get us talking. He could see…« She chuckled. »Everybody could see you wouldn’t talk to me otherwise. Mick needed for us to work this through! For all our sakes. «  

A tic worked in his jaw.  

Her eyes started swimming with tears. »What are you afraid of, Ryo? «  

He stared at her mutely, not being able to move his eyes away from her face.  

»Me? «  

He snorted.  

»No, you’re right, « she whispered. »You could never be afraid of a woman, could you? Not the great City Hunter. «  

She was wrong. She was the only woman, he was afraid of. But not as a person. As a person, he could indeed never be afraid of her. He was afraid of her, he’s always been afraid of her, for what she made him feel. For how she made him feel.  

»Why are you afraid of letting people in? Why are you afraid of loving someone? «  

He laughed. Bitterly, but he laughed. »Kaori-kun! You’re talking to the ‘Stallion of Shinjuku’, here. I’ve “loved” quite a lot of people. «  

She nodded. »Why don’t you just say, you loved quite a lot of women? «  

Because, he didn’t want to hurt her. That’s why he didn’t say it like that. Because he didn’t want to hurt her. It was funny, really. How many times did he hurt her in the past? With his insults, his harsh words… And yet, now, he couldn’t bear to do it. But he could see, he did it anyway.  

He shrugged. »You said it, not me. «  

Kaori was tired of holding back her tears. They spilled down her cheeks as she finally asked softly, her voice trembling: »Why are you afraid of loving me? «  

Those soft words were like a blow to the chest for Ryo. He’d have never expected her to ask that question. He’d have never expected to be so… So goddamn beautiful with her big eyes staring at him imploringly and tears rolling down her flushed cheeks.  

»What… « He cleared his throat. »What are you talking about? «  

She brushed at her cheeks. »Why are you afraid of loving me? « She repeated.  

He sighed, running his hand through his hair. »We talked about this, Kaori. «  

»No! We didn’t talk about this! We never talked about this! You LIED about this! «  

He just stared at her.  

»You lied and I was willing to let it go… But not this time. Not again. Not ever again! I want to know, Ryo! «  

»Know what? « he snapped. »You’re engaged to Mick, remember?! You’re going to marry Mick! What do you care if I love you or not?! «  

»Do you? «  

»Got to bed, Kaori. You can stay the night. I’ll take you to the hotel tomorrow. « He turned, walking to the door, and opened it for her.  

»When are you going to stop running? « She slowly moved toward him. »When are you going to accept your feelings? When are you going to accept, it’s okay to let your guard down, love someone, let someone love you in return? «  

He didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes on the floorboards. He was afraid that if he looked at her, he wouldn’t be able to control himself. This conversation frayed the strings of his self-control. He needed to get away from her. He couldn’t stay in her presence a moment longer. He didn’t trust himself. Not tonight.  

»Go to bed, Kaori. «  

»No! « She stood in front of him, arms akimbo.  

He slammed the door shut with such force, she flinched.  

White-faced, Kaori stared up at him. She’s never seen him like this. True, she’s seen him angry many times, but not like this. Never like this. He seemed dangerously out of control as he lifted his eyes, his burning stare, to meet hers.  

Ryo’s control snapped completely. Grabbing her upper arms, he shook her slightly. »What do you want from me, Kaori? « he growled.  

He was hurting her. He was scaring her. But Kaori would never show it. She was afraid, that if she showed a flicker of unease, he’d release her and flee. She didn’t want that. She suspected this was the real him, the Ryo he was constantly hiding behind his veneer of easy-going banter and perversion. And she suspected, she was one of the few people he showed his true self to.  

Ryo shook her again. »What do you want from me?! «  

»The truth! «  

»What is that going to accomplish?! «  

»Do you love me? «  

»It’s not important, is it? You’re getting married to someone else! «  

»Do you love me? «  

He looked over her shoulder. »No. «  

»Liar! «  

»Shut up! «  

»Do you love me?! «  

»No! «  

»Look at me! « With his hands still clamped around her upper arms, she placed her hands on his hips. »Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love me! Look at me! «  

He did. Their eyes held.  

She smiled. She had her answer. Now, she needed to hear it.  

»Do you love me? «  

His fingers tightening on her upper arms, he tugged her flush against him, crushing her mouth under his in a brutal kiss. 

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