School Girls' Stories - Year 2

Chapter 23 – Yuki’s Mistake

“I told you that you should not have come with me today, didn’t I?” Shinwa asked as he and his girlfriend exited the studio building to rejoin the rest of the race on the streets. Yuki had her arms crossed against her chest and her lips set in what was almost a permanent pout.

“Yes,” she grumbled, “but I really enjoy watching you act.”

“Did you enjoy it so much today?” Shinwa asked knowingly.

“No,” Yuki admitted, remembering how many different times she had to watch Ririka and Shinwa lock lips, and then, worse, having to touch each other as they fell onto the bed together, writhing in one another’s arms. Ririka went further with Shinwa today than Yuki had yet to.

“Maybe next time when I suggest you should not come with, you’ll listen?” Shinwa asked smugly.

Yuki looked up at Shinwa and smirked. “Yeah, you know better than that,” she said, but then instantly her stomach tied in knots. She wondered if she should tell Shinwa what she had let slip to Ririka’s manager today. She quickly decided against it. Yes, it was wrong to keep a secret from him, but she also did not want to spoil his move, which was pretty much already rotten. He had not enjoyed making out with Ririka in front of a camera, and that was the one highlight of Yuki’s day. He had brushed his teeth several times, and at first Yuki had thought it was so he could give Ririka fresh breath, until he admitted that she tasted like an ashtray. Apparently, Ririka smokes. Which explained the slightly raspy voice.

“Shinwa,” Yuki began as they walked down the street together, “what are your plans after this movie?”

Shinwa gave off a shrug. “My agent believes that he’s found another role for me right after this,” Shinwa admitted.

“Where?” Yuki asked, her toes itching.

“Tokyo for a couple of weeks,” Shinwa admitted. “Don’t give me that look. Tokyo isn’t that far from here, and think of all of the great things I could buy you while I am there.”

Yuki rolled her eyes. “Like what? You won’t be here, there is nothing I want more then for you to be with me,” she admitted.

“I won’t be that far, sweetie,” he said, leaning down to kiss the girl who was pouting before him, but it was instantly cut short by a shrill voice screaming, “Oshidori Yuki!”

Yuki and Shinwa both turned in stunned silence as a woman came pounding down the sidewalk, her purse swinging in aggravation. Mother Oshidori looked anything but pleased. “I knew it,” she was saying as soon as she came into earshot. “I knew you were with him. The school called me to tell me you weren’t there. This is not the first time you missed school, and the teachers are growing curious. I knew it was his fault,” and she pointed an accusatory finger at Shinwa. “You are going to turn out just like your sister!”

“Mom, it’s not like that,” Yuki insisted, resisting as her mother grabbed her by the arm and tried to drag her along. “Mom, I just wanted to see him acting.”

“Do you know what time it is?” Mother Oshidori snapped, turning on Yuki with a start. Yuki did not, but by the setting sun she knew it was after five, and though it was not late, it was later than she normally would have come home and checked in. She at least would have called first.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Yuki apologize, knowing it was going to get her nowhere. Mother Oshidori was less than thrilled, and for the first time both Shinwa and Yuki were at a loss for words.

“No apologies,” she snapped at her daughter. “This is the last time. You and I are going home to discuss this young lady.”

Yuki helplessly was pulled away by her mother, glancing over at her shoulder at Shinwa, pleading for his help. Shinwa was at a loss. What could he do to help her? He would only make things worse at this moment by interfering, and he knew this was coming. Yuki was taking for granted her broken home. She never thought it would mean that the Oshidori family was going to tighten their hold on their only remaining child.

Before Yuki turned away she watched Ririka’s manager walk up to Shinwa, and in a loud voice, louder than necessary, she pointed out, “Your girlfriend mentioned you were willing to leave for some work. I think I have a better prospect for you than Puff can offer!” Then Mother and daughter were around the corner, and the rest of the conversation was lost to Yuki’s curious ears.