Ch. 44 - Misaki : Temptations.

The next day, she was feeling much better, slightly being able to overcome the grievances and facing the reality of abandonment last night. She isn't keen on long distance relationships, as she isn't completely aware of what is happening to her partner. Unable to console him, to laugh with him, to be with him in times of hardships. And to prevent him from going with a another woman. Her own insecurity contributed to her sudden change of mood and interest. Later while in school, she decided to read the messages Akagi send to her. Ignoring them all night and in the morning.

"Misaki, knowing you, I thought you'd understand my choices. You knew I wouldn't do anything that won't be beneficial and reasonable. Please forgive me."

Bitter, but slightly moved, she sent her reply and awaited for a respond.

"You said you knew me, if so, why did you have to hide it before making it your decision instead of informing me? You knew I would always worry about you."

Followed up with another message.

"I am willing to forgive you, only if you'd care to elaborate it even further."

She put down her phone and went back to studying, a few minutes later, she heard a notification beep on coming from her phone. She grabbed it and looked, expecting a reply. But she only saw the "Read" notification, Masahiko had read her messages, but there was no reply. She decided to wait, assuming he's still typing a reply. A few more minutes and still nothing, she wrote another message.

"I know you'd seen my texts, why wouldn't you reply? What is it you're hiding from me?"

Frustratingly sending it, she was starting to feel tired of this kind of treatment. She decided to continue on her study and wait for him to reply properly.

A few hours had past, she finished multiple sessions and still, adding to her anger. Masahiko never sent a reply, and remained at "Read". Outrage by being ignored, she decided to go somewhere quite where no one would hear her raise her voice, she called him.

*...Dialing...*

"...Hello!"

She heard his voice, sounding happy from the other side.

"Hello?! Haven't you seen my texts? I've been waiting for hours for you to reply and you only put me on read, and you're just gonna say hello?! Do you know how worried I was?!"

She burst into anger and shouted at him through her phone in frustration.

"Calm down, I was just busy with something earlier, sorry about that."

He calmly replied to her.

Misaki : "Busy about what? And dont avoid my questions!"

Masahiko : "Well, I dont wanna disturb you because you were studying for your exams, I cannot stress you or give you something more to think about."

Misaki : "That same excuse again? I told you several times, you're not disturbing me! Why do you always act like im not a part of your life? I never kept you out whenever im doing something!"

Masahiko : "Im sorry, I just dont know how can I bring it up to you..."

Misaki : *Scoffs* "You always say that."

Trying to calm herself, and thinking of what to say that she hopes that could change Masahiko's mind.

Misaki : "Babe, are you really going to leave? Can we talk about it first?"

She worryingly ask.

Masahiko : "Yes, babe. I already told you, its also hard for me to part ways. But what chose do I have?

Misaki : "You could stay with me, what is it that you worry about? All I ask is for you to stay by my side, you won't need anything else."

Masahiko : "I already told you about that, its not that easy for me. Im tired of being such a burden, I must try and prove myself that I am capable and worthy."

Misaki : "You're so worried about your own image you know? You need to overcome your insecurities, because no one really cares about it."

Masahiko was silence, all Misaki could hear is his heavy breathing from the other side. Unable to respond to what she told him.

Masahiko sighs in frustration, sounding agitated and tired.

Misaki : "Are you still there?"

She asked.

Masahiko : "Listen, I need to do something first. Im busy right now, we'll talk about it later."

Misaki : "Wait- Why can't you talk to me now?! What seems to got you so preoccupied that you seemingly forgot about me?"

Once again raging and getting angry being neglected.

"Look, im trying as hard as I can to get this job so I could impress and work for my father. Im busy and tired, we'll talk about it later."

Masahiko exasperatedly told her.

Hearing her beloved sounding bothered by her imploration of her emotions, she was outraged and shouted at him through her phone.

"You are leaving me in a few days and you couldn't even spend the rest of your time here with me, if I am such a bother for your career then maybe we should stop this!"

She then put her phone down and burst into tears as her heart feels the stinging pain of being abandoned. She clenches her fist and grind her teeth in extreme frustration and sadness. Seeing how helpless she is in preventing her Masahiko from leaving. She walk up to a nearby sapling, pulling it up from the ground, splitting its roots. She then swings it at the nearby tree, releasing her anger and agression on the sturdy surface of a tall tree while shouting.

"You're such an idiot! You're such a fool!"

Screaming and shaking in trying to suppress the strong emotions she is being overwhelmed with.

"Woah! What's wrong?"

She heard a voice coming from behind, she glances over her shoulder with tears dripping in her cheeks, she saw Hasegawa, standing and looking shocked at what he has seen.

Misaki turned away and dropped the sapling.

"What are you doing here?"

She asked him. Feeling embarrassed to be seen by a person like him, she tried to sound as stubborn and stern as she could. But she couldn't stop her tears from coming out from her eyes and her whimpering voice couldn't be disguised.

"What's going on why are you beating up a tree?"

Hasegawa worryingly asked.

"Its none of your business."

She murmured back at him.

She heard the sound of a shoe stamping on leaves and dirt, she sense thar Hasegawa, is approaching her. She holds herself and stabilize her breathing.

"Hey, if your in trouble you could talk-"

"I SAID ITS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!"

Misaki turned to him shouting, with tears falling from her face, she uses her hands to wipe it off, she felt a stinging sensation on her hands. She look and saw it has small scratches due to splinters from the sapling.

"Oh my, we got to get those cleaned up."

Despite shouting at him to go away, Hasegawa approached her nonetheless and insistently grab her hands to inspect it. She was slightly flattered when she saw him worry about her, he escorted and assisted her to wash her hands at the sink, and even took the effort to go to the infirmary to get her some bandages and a drink along the way. Misaki just remained silent and went along with him. Sitting down at the benches together, seeing how she has calmed down, he ask Misaki what was wrong.

Misaki, being so vulnerable due to the negative emotions she is feeling, and appreciating Hasegawa's seemingly caring nature. Decided to start taking about it with him. She was open and discussed everything to him about her situation with Masahiko.

"...Well that guy was a jerk!"

Hasegawa told her.

"Why would he simply tossed you away like that? He's so selfish!"

He added.

Misaki looked at him silently.

"Im sorry, im just triggered how he would just abandon a girl like you."

He told her.

"Maybe im really not that special, I might be wrong as well for always being so demanding..."

She responded to him with uncertainties.

"No, don't say that! Dont downgrade and devalue yourself just because someone couldn't appreciate you."

He told her.

"Misaki, you're both smart and beautiful, you are admired throughout the whole school. Many guys wished to be your boyfriend, because you're absolutely gorgeous and captivating. If he doesn't appreciate you, then its his lost! Not yours...Dont cry over some spilled milk, don't chase after a guy who doesn't want you, he doesn't deserve you. If I were your boyfriend, for the sake of argument, you could be damn sure I will be chasing after you like a dog!"

Misaki giggled at his little joke.

"...Oh you bet I will! You're a fine jewel, Misaki. Remember, just because you dont have a prince, it doesn't mean your not a princess."

Misaki stopped crying and smiled at him, with his words of comfort, she was able to regain her resolve to strengthen her mind. They talk to each other for hours before going back to their respective classrooms. Flattered from his compliments, praises and charmed by his sweet talks, she felt guilty on how she coldly treated and ignore him before. Hasegawa asked if they could sometime together, promising on assisting her to take revenge on Masahiko, and make him regret everything he had done. Misaki was unable to turn him down, delighted with his sweet words and appreciating the comfort and compassion he showed her, and under the enchantment of his own glamorous appearance. She agreed to meet with him tomorrow, she decided to meet another man behind Masahiko's back. Using his negligence as justification for her actions. Later that day, they parted ways and went home. Misaki, feeling more comfortable, having released her displease and disappointments with her relationship. Accidentally run into Masahiko, who was heading towards her house, probably to apologize and explain himself.

"Misaki!"

Masahiko was relieved to run into her, he walks up to her and hugged her.

"Oh? So you finally decided to give me your time?"

She told him as she gently push him away.

Still feeling bitter, and having a bit of entitlement feeling she was indeed underappreciated.

"Why? Are you still mad at me?"

Masahiko mumbled.

"Yes!"

She shouted at him.

"You have no idea how anxious I was, you always turn away or stop talking whenever I ask you. All I want is a straightforward answer whether you still have regards to what I feel. Im starting to get suspicious of you, Akagi."

Hearing her get angry at him for the first time made him shiver and feel guilt along with sadness.

"If you want to leave, you can leave, I respect your decision. But if I decided not to trust my happiness in your pocket, respect my decision."

She confidently told him, upon hearing it, Masahiko was stupefied. Afraid of losing her, he couldn't think of anything to say and just stood frozen in front of her, with his head bent down.

Misaki just walk around him, when she heard him whispered "Im sorry." She got angry and shouted.

"Im sorry, im sorry, im sorry, its all you ever say!!!"

She mockingly told him in a outraging, thunderous voice. Masahiko was stunned by her comments, he remained there with his head bowed down in defeat.

Misaki, sensing vulnerability and eager to make him regret his decision. She was able to concentrate on her studies before laying down to her bed as the night comes, smirking at the idea of punishing Akagi ny droving him crazy jealous and bringing him down to his knees, begging and submissive. She slept peacefully that night, while Akagi went to talk with Fuyuko about it.

"I thought you didn't knew who I am, what brings you here?"

Fuyuko asked Akagi.

"Its not that I didn't knew you, Misaki told me about you, I knew who you are its just we haven't talk or I haven't exactly meet you before."

He answered.

"...Its about Misaki..."

Fuyuko leans in closer and gives him a cup of coffee, he proceeded to tell Fuyuko about the problems he and Misaki is facing. How it seem that Misaki had become more demanding and quick to anger, even though he is aware that its partly his fault for always impeding with his actual reason, as he is also struggling to be honest with himself. But it seems Misaki had just become impatient compared to before.

"What were you actually worried about?"

Fuyuko asked.

"I also dont want to be separated from her."

He said.

"But I dont want to be a nuisance and hinder her from achieving her own goals."

He added.

"She thinks that I might be taking pleasure in leaving her, but in fact im absolutely terrified with the condition of not being able to see her again."

He told Fuyuko.

"Then why wouldn't you stay? What's really in your mind?"

She told him.

"Dont worry, I wont tell anyone."

She reassures Akagi and since he knew he wouldn't lose anything by telling her, and she could potentially help him since she's close to Misaki. He told her how she actually feels.

"I want to be able to provide for her, as I man, I feel like its the right thing to do. I want her to see me as being reliable and manly as possible. I think I am more worried about my pride rather than what others will think, but I couldn't tell it to her, she might think im antagonizing her."

He carefully responded.

"Moreover, im also a bit insecure with the prospect of relying on her so much. I promise to make life easy for her, and to make her happy. I want to cherish and value her, and I can't do that by remaining a part time worker. I fear if she's the one providing for me, she might feel im useless and she might look for happiness somewhere else. The workplace is the number one place where affairs develop, and being a reliability would only urge her to find someone able to provide her of what I can't."

He told her.

Hearing the sadness and the wavering tone of his voice, she felt pity towards Masahiko. Being so bewildered and caught between the pressures of prospering job and her beloveds wishes.

She tried to think of something that both Akagi and Misaki could agree on, to get Akagi to be more honest with his feelings and thoughts, to reconcile with Misaki.

"If that's what you're feeling, then you should be honest about it with Misaki. Because she thinks you've only listened to your father ever since he showed up, and the fact your willing to go with him despite only meeting him in a few weeks, makes her feel jealous. She acts like that because she is getting frustrated at being unable to win you back at her side."

She told Masahiko.

"Maybe you should be honest with her about it, and introduce her to father. Maybe your father would understand that you have a reason to stay. Show her you would choose her over anything else no matter what."

This idea enlightens Masahiko, maybe Misaki was just being furious and worried about the same idea of being separated with each other. He got more lively to figure out that Misaki still loves him, but he has let her down. Having a sense of needing to do something to redeem herself to his beloved.

He smiled and thanked Fuyuko, promising to pay her back once he reconciled with Misaki.

"Hehehe, its okay, you figure out how will you win back your princess."

She told him.

"I will, however, I do kinda feel embarrassed so let me pay you back sometime, okay?"

He proudly responded.

Fuyuko scratches the back of her head and giggled.

"Sure~ But maybe not now."

She points at her clock hanging from the wall.

"Its getting late and I have class tomorrow."

Masahiko chuckled and gave his farewell to Fuyuko, he once again thank her and promise to return the favor before he exited her door. He was feeling tired and so he decided to set those plans into motion tomorrow. However, the greatest challenge is to be able to approach her again. Knowing how she yeld at him earlier, so he decided not to consult her immediately and gave her some time to calm down.

The next day, Misaki woke up and went to school. Slightly feeling down and embarrassed about how she yeld at Akagi yesterday. She felt bad and wished she never shouted at him. But she also feels tired of trying to figure out what to do and just goes with the flow of her past actions. She studied throughout her whole morning until the afternoon, not thinking of anything else rather than her studies. Knowing Masahiko will be leaving her soon, she lost motivation in job hunting and working after graduating. She was about to exit the campus when suddenly she heard a familiar voice calling her name.

She didn't bother turning her head, for she already knew who it was. No other

"Umm...Misaki?"

He asked.

She didn't respond and continue walking, but when she felt him following her, she decided to slow down a bit and glance at him. Signaling him to start taking.

"Are you free today? If you are, you know, maybe we could go somewhere were we could talk? I'd really appreciate if you could give me a bit of your time..."

He politely asked.

Misaki turned to him and calmly responded.

"Sorry, I have other plans for today."

Before turning away and continuing to walk aimlessly, hoping Masahiko would stay in one place and give up. To her surprise, he did. She felt sorry to turn down and hurt Masahiko's feelings, but she is keen on making him realize the pain she felt.

As she walk a considerable distance from Akagi, she was suddenly approached by Hasegawa. Enthusiastically running towards her, appearing to just completed his training with his team. She is aware that she agreed to meet and go somewhere with Hasegawa, the timing could've never been perfect for her. As he talked to her, she looked over her shoulder and Akagi was just standing there, frozen, looking helpless.

Her aim is to get him jealous and force him to stay under her terms, and for her this is the first step in putting her plan into motion. They both walked away together, but she felt nervous as she felt Masahiko's piercing glare.

Seeing his girlfriend walk away with another man, made Masahiko feel jealous and spiteful towards Misaki for simply walking away like that, even knowing that he is watching. But his aching heart couldn't exactly handle any further trouble, as he helplessly knew he couldn't do anything about it. He has a part in the conflict, after what he made her feel, even if it wasn't intentional. He doesn't have any sort of leverage over her, considering couldn't do much. Which is the reason why he has always been anxious at being able to do more, to win over her safety and future. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he shrug off the negative thoughts and trusted Misaki, believing she is doing it out of loneliness not cause she is falling out of love with him. He learned this wouldn't be easy and knew he had to work harder to win her back, to show her his determination to win her heart. However a slight hint of suspicion also enters his mind, he would be more cautious and watchful of the guys actions, and Misaki.