dulcisaurantium

[dulcisaurantium]

𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚  – Kozaki Taki

“…I know I haven’t been perfect, but I’m saying this as the man who was your husband for four years.”

“For the last time - go to hell.”, I muttered in hope that Ryoko wouldn’t be listening before hanging up on Tomohiro and turning back to her. She warns me once again, “MC…You should pack your things and go before he gets back!”

That’s the sensible thing to do, isn’t it? But there’s a note in my pocket that I can’t stop thinking about and looking back to. ‘Leave your schedule open when I get back. Wear these clothes and wait for me in the park from before.’ It’s written in the handwriting that I surprisingly remember. Would I have recognised it if I was still married? If I had completely forgotten about Taki?

“Taki wanted to meet up in a few days, Ryoko. I want to get the truth from him myself.”

“But he’s been seeing you everyday for the past few weeks! What if this time he’s selling you off?” It’s an insane idea. He told me he loved me…he looked so sincere saying those words. But this is what he’s been doing for the past 10 years. Am I a fool for let these words sink into my skin?

But that look he gave me…it was so nostalgic. It was the one of the few facets of him that hadn’t changed since high school. I want the truth and if it means I’ll put myself at risk, then so be it.

I took Ryoko’s advice of packing up and stayed at motel for a while. I’m back at square one again in my search for a job. I never received my pay check and I’m slowly gnawing at my savings once again. It’s only been a day but I miss the presence of Sydney. I feel guilty, looking back the face she pulled at me when I was at the front door, for letting myself be vulnerable again and more importantly, for leaving Taki without any explanation like a coward. It’s like I haven’t learned anything...

Not too long after that, my phone began with an unknown number popping up on it’s screen. Taki?

“Hello?”

“MC.”

“Yosuke? Why are you calling me? How’d you even get my number?”

“Are you forgetting that I can easily get information about anyone? Taki told me to keep an eye on you in case a certain someone tried to harm you in any way. The GPS shows that you’re at that motel again. Taki is coming back tomorrow, what are you doing?”

“Well…” I feel stupid. I don’t have a genuine reason to have run away. I haven’t even tried to contact Taki and find out the truth for myself. What am I doing?

“Is it this about that article?”, Yosuke questions me and there’s this hint of judgement in his voice.

“Were you guys going to sell me off to some rich guy?”

“What? No.”

Yosuke lets out a quiet chuckle and carries on, “It's pretty naive of you to fall for a trashy tabloid like that.”

“Well, everything that you guys have been doing for me these past few days seemed to tell me everything else.”

I hear a sigh on the other end.

“I’ll let Taki talk to you. You’ve got this all wrong MC. But if you need anything, feel free to come back to you-know-where!” He hangs up and my plan is final. It doesn’t matter if I’m not living there anymore, I’m going to meet Taki tomorrow.

I’m a fool for thinking I could find love again. Why do I keep making the same mistakes over and over again?