TOKYO CINDERELLA STORY

After saying these words, Yukiko's mother silently left the world.

The death of Yukiko's mother was really too sudden; but, maybe because it was the last time that she could see Yukiko, her remains appeared rather composed. Yukiko thought in her mind, it would have been great if she had been able to redeem her life again; just thinking about this, she could not help feeling deeply grieved, she could not even think about anything now.

She had already broken up with Masashi, she was even worlds apart from her mother. She felt that it had just been a few days, and it seemed as if she already wept the amount of tears for many years. If she could go back for ten years and review her own past memories, probably now was the time when she was in the worst time, probably!

Also, things had not come to an end.

At the end of the funeral, just when Kikuo and Yukiko were just discussing with their father, about their return to Tokyo, a cadre from the hotel resort came over to visit; he said that he was under the instruction of the head office of Takagi Corporation, specially coming to present a means of condolence.

'About the news of Mother's death, probably he heard it from Hitomi!' Kikuo said in an easygoing manner, then he opened the envelope to have a look; in the next wink of a moment, at the same moment when he let out a voice of exclamation, he placed the envelope on the table in one go, inside the bag, there were nearly a million yen of notes.

'Even if the conditions in our family is very bad now ... ... Giving this amount of money, it doesn't seem very fitting in the human sense!'

Their father, whose hands had never left the wine bottle since their mother died, also felt humiliated at that moment; at one point, he was so angry that he was trembling all over, and at the other, he was drinking his beer in big mouthfuls.

'That fellow is looking down on people again!' Kikuo's expression also changed to a very fierce one.

'But, Mr. Takagi, he isn't that kind of a person ... ...'

Yukiko was just preparing to act in his defense, but she was cut short by Kikuo's yell.

'Didn't he do this sort of thing before? Just giving anyone a stack of notes, and that's it? He isn't even embarrassed by such an action, hmm! So he treats you like this!'

When their father heard these words, that were said by Kikuo, his facial expression instantly changed, pressing the two of them, 'What is this matter actually about?'

'Didn't you say ... ... you are only ordinary friends with him ... ...'

'Father! You don't worry! They have already separated, once and for all!' Kikuo said, hurriedly tried to harmonize the situation, as the middle person.

However, by this, rather, it made their father look even worse.

'So, the other person just sent money over? This is that sort of money? You really don't know any shame!'

He suddenly gave Yukiko a slap. This slap did not only represent his anger, at the same time, it was also mixed with annoyance, grief and that distressed emotions that was hard to discharge.

'... ... It's lucky that your mother is not here anymore, it's fortunate that she doesn't know about this matter ... ...'

After their father got rid of those words, he took his wine bottle and left the house. Yukiko stroked her hurt cheek, observing the back of her leaving father; Kikuo, on the other hand, could only be a corner, watching her with concern. The remaining portrait of their mother, had been watching every movement that had happened between the three of them, from the beginning to the end; Their mother's portrait, was expressing a smile without any worry.

Kikuo placed the postcard in his hands, breaking out with another phrase,

'All this is really the alimony fees he is providing you with!'

'... ...'

'Just now, I made a call to Hitomi, and she said that she had received her brother's wedding invitation already, , he's getting married with the daughter of the director of Kanzaki Industries!'

'... ...'

'When Mother knows in the other world, seeing that you have broken up with him, she should be giving a sigh of relief.' Kikuo said so with a glimpse at the portrait of their mother.

Yukiko, however, was just lowering her head, not quite having the courage to look at her mother's portrait. Because when she just thought of the last phrase that her mother wrote on the postcard, , those tears which should have dried up, would just seep through again.

The next day, Kikuo went back to Tokyo earlier than Yukiko, as for herself, she went strolling at a nearby pier, alone. As with regards to her company, it would not be possible for her to keep on taking a long leave; still, just as she thought that, when she went back to Tokyo, there would be no one waiting for her, she could not gather the energy to pack her luggage.

She found her father at the pier, he was sitting there alone, looking into the distance, as if spellbound. He still held tightly on to his wife's photo, even though this photo was not the same as the one on the counter, but her mother in the photo still held a smile on her face.

Yukiko silently sat down by his side, his father still did not turn his face towards her, but only said,

'Don't know if your mother is really fortunate? Married to such a place, where there is nothing, living in a place where there is nothing, I also don't know if she has been really living a fortunate and happy life.'

'This place has Father! How can you say it has nothing! I just like this small town very much myself!'

'If that is so ... ... Why did you care about your mother's opposition at that moment, and went away to Tokyo?'

'... ...'

'Your mother was always hoping that you would be always by her side, she was always not assured that you would be all right, staying by yourself in Tokyo.'

Her father was sighing and getting up. Even though her father had always not been able to express himself well, his thoughts were old fashioned and rigid, but, Yukiko could still feel the meaning he was trying to express.

'Father! I'll like to leave Tokyo, and return home. I'll like to live here.'

'Really ... ...'

'... ... Right ... ...'

Yukiko also stood up.

Just at this moment, Yukiko saw an image that was almost unbelievable to her. She saw a young man standing at the end of the pier, looking steadily at her.

It was Masashi.

Just as what Yukiko thought, that huge sum of money, which was suspected to be maintenance fees, Masashi basically did not know in the least. It was because of that day, that Yukiko had not kept the appointment, so he felt rather uneasy, and he made a call to her workplace to enquire, thus he came to know of her mother's death, consequently, he immediately put down his work and came over.

But, about the reason of why Yukiko didn't come over that day, Masashi himself already had an definite idea of the excuse.

'I don't know what my father said to you, but, I am really considering your matter very seriously.'

Masashi used a very determined tone and expression, saying; however, Yukiko was still bowing her head, not daring to lift her head up.

'Once I sign the deed with the other party, it would be the end that engagement. I plan to be together with you, I also hope that you can wait for me, these are the words I wanted to say to you.'

Still, Yukiko shook her head weakly.

'... ... Sorry, I don't have confidence.'

'You don't bother about what the people around you have to say!'

'I don't have the confidence to continue liking you!'

'What did my father tell you, please tell me honestly!'

Yukiko shook her head again; this time, it seemed to be even more helpless. Before her eyes, there appeared her father's outline, just now, at that moment when Masashi was just offering incense before her mother's memorial table, he was just sitting on the wooden passage, but was just always not willing to look at her. At this moment, that smile on her mother's black and white portrait, also appeared before her eyes.

'I feel very tired!'

'... ...'

'So tired, until the tears can't even flow out, now that I don't even have a tear left.'

'... ...'

'Now, in my heart, it is already so empty and vacant, without the existence of anything.'

Yukiko took hold of that bunch of keys, which she had never used before. and compellingly put them in Masashi's palm.

'Is this really your true intention?'

'Thank you!' Yukiko lowered her head, showing her intention, 'You are getting married, congratulations!'

I will not regret it, she bit her lips tightly, painfully determined to make this decision.

After a long period of silence, Masashi also sighed, with all hopes vanished. Then, he took out a postcard from the pocket of his coat, passing it to Yukiko, saying, 'I am not qualified to accept this!' Yukiko did not have any knowing about this; to her surprise, her mother had sent an identical postcard to Masashi.

Just as she put up her head, with a look of surprise, Masashi had already started walking in the direction of the train station. Don't pursue! She continually warned herself that she could not catch up with him.

As Yukiko turned back and walked towards her home, she was also reading the handwriting that she was so familiar with.

At first I should have made a call in person at your residence, to express my thanks, but because the time schedule is too urgent, I can only substitute with a postcard, I hope you can understand. Thanks to your blessing, I can finally get discharged from the hospital, safe and sound. I just returned to Noto Honto Peninsula today. I really wish to express my gratitude! Luckily you and Yukiko were there to help.

Maybe it is a case of parental love, showing special favour to your child! I feel that Yukiko has changed, after she came to Tokyo, she has become more robust, at the same time, she has also become more beautiful. Unknowingly, she has completely grown up. This has made me, as the mother; even though feel a little lonely, but also feel very gratified. Mr. Takagi, I will leave Yukiko to you, I hope you can take good care of her.>

There was also a denotation at the end.

Yukiko sat down on the wooden corridor at her home, gazing at the courtyard in fascination, looking into the distance. Just now, in front of Masashi, her father had also held this expression.

Her mother had already noticed everything keenly, even though it was so, she was still willing to believe in Yukiko's dream, even until her death, she still put her utmost trust in Yukiko.

Unknowingly, Yukiko had got up to leave, walked out from the doorway, she put her utmost effort and hurried towards the station.

Mr. Takagi!

Not knowing if it was from her loud shout, or was it a suppression, or was it a cry aloud from her heart. Anyway, Yukiko was truly shouting out Masashi's name, the boy that she loved so much.

On the platform, cold winds were blowing in an enveloping manner, freezing and thoroughly bone freezing, but it was already deserted, without a person. A kind hearted station attendant, told her that a train on the tracks had just left, not long ago.

Yukiko stood on the platform for quite a while, and could not help having the tears streaming down her face. She thought in her heart, why could she still manage to cry out? She thought that her eyes, which had already dried out with tears, why did it cry out again with new tears ... ... She had come to the starting point once again. Actually the inner self, which had already become empty, without a substance, was once again full of her expectations towards Masashi. Still, all had become too late.

I will come back home after Christmas --.

After Yukiko had told her father just that, then she left their homeland. It was not that she had not considered the date very carefully, before she decided on that date, maybe it was due to a special corner of her heart that was still left with what Masashi had once told her, 'For the Christmas this year, let's spend it together' that phrase, which had a lot of impact on her, probably!

But, their wedding was also arranged to be on Christmas Day.

She did not know which side she should believe in.

'... ... Brother, you are really engaged with her!'

Hitomi sat on the bar seat, suddenly saying this phrase. Masashi, who sat beside her, was lightly letting off this light touch of laughter, as if laughing at himself, saying, 'It should be Takagi Corporation and Kanzaki Industries, in the correct terms!'

'You should have received the wedding invitation! Then, come and make your attendance!'

'... ...'

'And, there is also this!'