The sound of the Rain

7. Nuisance

“Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?” Yuriko blocked the entrance to the campus together with her group of followers. She knew Hiroki’s schedule pretty well, so waiting for him at the entrance was easy.

“What do you want?” Hiroki sounded agitated and bothered, but Yuriko just flipped her hair, ignoring his tone and pretending everything was alright. The faces of the girls around were telling a different story. When a group of other students wanted to pass the door, one of the girls moved towards Hiroki, blocking his path, but the others could easily pass. Such behavior irritated Hiroki more, which made him click his tongue while abruptly shoving the girls, making his way through them.

“Hey.” Yuriko called after him, totally pissed off. Hiroki ignored her calling and simply continued back on his way. Partly he already regretted finishing with her yesterday. Not because he wanted to be with her, but because more problems would definitely follow. Some probably similar to the one at the entrance, but he knew Yuriko for four years. She could be very persistent when it came to things she wanted and Hiroki was probably one of those things right now, especially because he was the one breaking up with her and leaving her on the street. But Ryo was right about one thing. Eventually, there would be bigger problems with her, particularly after Hiroki’s graduation. She would most likely try to push her way into his family and this he couldn’t let happen, no matter what. Now he has gained almost a year to deal with this nuisance.

Ryo went straight to his first class, ignoring everything and everyone on his way. Yuriko studied in a different program plus she was in a different year, which meant that at least in the class he would have peace from her, but he already figured out that Yuriko had more people monitoring him on college grounds than he originally thought. That was the only way she could keep track of him and always know where he was at the moment. He thought about this later.

This academic year, he joined a few extra courses like programming and Engineering Technology. He didn’t need them, but since it was part of their business; he decided to at least look and get some basic knowledge about it, which might come in handy while directing the business. Hiroki planned to leave and start his own business if it would be at least partly possible, but he knew that just maybe, he wouldn’t be able to escape and they would force him to take over the business.

Hiroki wasn’t a lavish spender, but he enjoyed an expensive life which, having money offered but accepting the position in the family and becoming the heir of the huge group, meant permanent shackles around his wrist and probably ankles as well. He would have to marry someone just for the money to increase the value of the company and his entire life would be very similar to the life of his parents. Hiroki wasn’t interested in that. Being a dreamer was something he couldn’t afford, so for the past few years he stood firmly on the ground with both of his feet, but he still wished for a normal life and at least getting married to someone he actually liked.

Just as he was entering the class for his first course, a familiar scent hit his nose. He looked around, searching for the source, but couldn’t find anyone familiar. Most of the kids in this classroom were first-year students. He was here only because he wanted to attend their programs to expand his horizons about the business. Even if he will start his own business one day, he is going to need this knowledge to understand the work of his employees. Plus, he technically could graduate last year, and finish the college one year early but that would mean less time to find the way to get out of the family or at least how to convince his brother to help him or at least let him off the hook.

As he walked down the stairs, the familiar scent became stronger and just as he was about to give up, the girl he met yesterday turned to her friend sitting on her right. Hiroki froze for a moment, seeing his wide smile as she was talking to her friend. Two lines behind them was a free place, so he sat there. It wasn’t really close, but at least he could observe her.

He still couldn’t figure out why he was so captivated by her. In his eyes, she wasn’t any special. Her appearance seemed average. She was pretty, but since he saw many famous actresses or singers who were national beauties while attending high class parties unwillingly, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

“Don’t be silly.” He overheard her voice. For a brief moment, he almost forgot to breathe. Something hit him hard and, for a second, his mind went black. Something in her voice brought a few memories back. He tried to find the connection between those two girls. Between the one in his mind and the one sitting two rows in front of him. They didn’t look alike, but the last time he saw the girl from his memories, she was maybe nine or ten. Hiroki didn’t remember properly. They sounded differently and even the smile looked unlike the one from the images in his mind. The girl he knew spoke loudly, always forcing him to give her attention, but her smile was gentle and only for him. Whenever he saw her from a distance, she almost never laughed or smiled. He only knew her happy smile, which appeared on her tiny lips when she saw him. This girl sitting in front of him was lively. Although yesterday he saw her waiting for her friend with her sad eyes, her mouth was still keeping a distant smile. This girl was pretending to be happy and forcefully smiled, even when her eyes were telling a different story. She kept her voice down, but this could be because of the classroom. Either way, he was thinking about what to do next. Meanwhile, the professor entered the classroom, and the course began, yet he couldn’t keep staring at the girl’s back.

After the class, he thought he could catch the girl and speak to her for a moment. Hiroki didn’t lack self-confidence, so getting close to the girl just to find out why she felt so familiar to him and what kept him so focused on her should be an easy task. Sadly for Hiroki, an unpleasant surprise waited for him right after the class. Yuriko noticed his gaze and saw the girl he looked at as he tried to catch her on his way out of the class.

“Mmm… So is she the reason you broke up with me?” She started right away, blocking his path and view. Just when his mood was finally getting better thanks to this stranger, Yuriko had to spoil it again. Hiroki’s blood pressure rose as he got irritated once again.

“Nah, just someone I would like to have a little fun with.” He tried to cover up the fact that he was interested in her and pretended to look for a skirt to get under.

“If you need to play with some skirts, you know you can come back to me.” Yuriko tried to tempt him but getting closer to him, brushing her quite full-bosomed body over Hiroki’s chest.

“Nah. I know every single curve of your body, which is sort of boring. I need something new for my entertainment.” Hiroki hated to talk this way, but he was going to get rid of her. There was nothing else he could probably do. Yuriko wasn’t a saint, but she wasn’t a bad person either. At least all those four years they spent together, she never looked at any other man, so he was well aware of his rudeness and absolutely disgusting comments, but he couldn’t help it. Since yesterday Yuriko already left dozens of messages, some of them sounded like serious threats plus her today’s ambush at the entrance and now again and Hiroki still had to spend around five more hours in the college. It would be a very long day if he won’t make her stop right in the beginning.

“That was even more rude than your morning greetings.” Yuriko said, while moving away from Hiroki just before she slapped his face. Hiroki ignored it and tried to look in front if he could still catch the girl, but the crowd already dissipated and she was nowhere to be found. At least he knew he had a course with her, which meant he could catch her again later. Either way, he will have to do that without Yuriko behind his back, otherwise she might spoil his plans. He should start looking for another girl just to divert Yuriko’s attention. If she will focus on another girl to spoil her relationship with Hiroki, he might speak privately with the other girl. Quite a hassle, if you would ask him, but right now there wasn’t any other good idea in his mind.

As the day continued, Yuriko made no more appearances in front of Hiroki. It seemed the harsh words he gave her were enough for today. After the last course, he went straight to Ryo’s bar to get something to drink.

“Oh, you look exhausted.” Ryo commented instead of greetings.

“I had a pleasant day, especially in the morning.” Hiroki replied sarcastically. Roy tried his best to keep his smile to himself, but he could already vividly imagine what Hiroki talked about. He was sure it had something to do with Yuriko, exactly as he expected after Hiroki’s announcements, that he already broke up with her.

“I can imagine. You are going home today?” Ryo asked him, directing his mind to something else, away from the college life and Yuriko.

“Not really.” Hiroki answered, which was more than enough for Ryo, giving him a stronger drink than tea. On days like this, Hiroki needed to turn off his mind, which was mostly impossible, thanks to his constant thinking. Slight drinking and diverting the attention to anything else was the only solution Ryo had so far.