Until Then, Japan (English)

Chapter Sixteen

Patrick

I was adamant to go but when I saw the flight attendant in-charge at the boarding gate announcing that the plane is now boarding, I know that I'm in for the biggest challenge of my life.

Ever since my relationship with Tricia Lawyer has ended, I vowed myself to stay focus on my goals. And that is, to be a famous basketball player with a college degree and managing a small business in the future.

Back in my highschool days, we were considered as a power couple because of our achievements. We were the top students and I was the team captain of the team. She was popular because she is amicable.

And I never realized how I also started to slowly lose my friendship with Ysabelle.

Ysabelle Cojuangco. My bestfriend for two years. Or was it three?

I almost thought I was falling for her until Tricia came into the picture. My attention shifted to her angelic face and her charming smiles.

Don't get me wrong. Ysabelle is pretty, too. It was just, at that moment, Tricia is the only woman that my eyes see. She was my first love.

I was greeted with smiles coming from the flight attendants as we entered the plane. I skimmed the labels placed on overhead cabins to find my seat.

24A , that was the seat indicated on my boarding ticket.

It took me only fifteen to twenty minutes to find my place. I immediately placed my backpack at the overhead cabin and began to sit by the window.

I scooted near it and saw people ambling to the aisles to their places. Once everybody was seated, flight attendants positioned themselves for a flight orientation as well as the pilot announcing our estimated time of arrival in Narita Airport.

We are expecting to arrive in Tokyo by five in the afternoon today so it excites me a little to know that I will soon be experiencing winter season during night time there.

Soon, I found ourselves over the clouds and flight attendants began pushing out the cart to hand out snacks to the passengers. I was dozing for a moment when a flight attendant whose name was Zenaida tapped me gently on my shoulder and gave me a smile.

"Here are your snacks, Sir." Zenaida said and I smiled sheepishly at her and mumbles my thanks. "What do you prefer, Sir? Juice, water or coke in can?"

"A water will do." I said stifling a yawn. She handed it to me and I said my thanks before she left our row.

The person beside me seemed too engrossed with himself and didn't bother to call me out when the flight attendant arrived earlier so I shook my head realizing how he appeared to care only about himself.

As soon as I finished my snack, I glanced at my wristwatch and grinned thinking I still have more than three hours to catch some sleep. I folded the wrapper of the sandwich bun and stick it at the back of the chair in front of me. Then, I doze off while hugging my crossbody bag where my essentials are.

I woke up to the pilot announcing that we are about to land in a couple of minutes. I stretched my arms and saw, through my peripheral vision, that my seatmate did the same thing.

Minutes after, we found ourselves outside the plane and waiting for our luggages at the carousel station at Narita Airport. I got my navy blue luggage easily as I was able to put an identification tag with it.

I was fetched by our family driver at the airport and shortly after, I saw how huge our family mansion here in Japan is.

The reason why I was here is because my grandfather, also known as Dad's father, demanded to see all his grandchildren. He wanted to meet us all for a reason which I think everyone knows. A possible arrange marriage.

"Hello!" I looked up and saw where the voice was coming from. I was welcomed by a male around my age with a Japanese accent and a slim frame. He looked like he just walked out of the bed.

"Hi." I said with a smile. He appeared to be harmless and I felt that it would be nice to get along with some of my family members, right?

"You must be Patrick, right?" He asked and I nodded.

"Nice meeting you, cousin!" His smile widened and extended his hand at me. "Kaito Kojima, at your service!"

"Huh?" I asked in confusion.

"I will be your tour guide and bestfriend here in the beautiful city of Tokyo, Japan!" Kaito said enthusiastically and I accepted his hand for a quick handshake.

Maybe, just maybe, I will need to find my way around here. And, I definitely will be needing his help.

"Al-alright, Kaito." I said.

"Come on, I'll show you your room!" Kaito said and he started showing me around.

Vincent

"Look, Vince, isn't this lovely?" I thought I was imagining things when I heard Vanna's voice inside my head.

I blinked and this time, I saw her frowning at me, with both her hands on her hips.

"Uh, you were saying?" I asked trying to hide my sleepy form.

"What did I tell you? You should have taken your rest as soon as you landed than going here in the mall with me." Vanna began to scold me.

We were inside one of her favorite shops along Shibuya and I was waiting for her to pick out a dress. According to her, there will be a seminar for their year level in the university she is currently enrolled in. She will be one of the speakers in the said seminar so she is on the lookout for a corporate dress.

And, here we are. She is now wearing a two-tone dress and a matching black one-inch heels. My half-sister definitely has the looks of a model.

"Well?" She asked raising her eyebrows at me.

"You look so beautiful, sis!" I exclaimed and she rolled her eyes.

"Way to change the topic, brother." She scoffed. "I'll just change and then we will go home."

I was about to protest but she was quick to return to the fitting room. I sighed and smiled to myself.

If there is one thing I love about having a younger sibling, it's the thoughtfulness and care that emanates from it. The bonding was natural between us.

Moments after, she was holding the paper bag of the dress I paid for her and she was clinging into my arms.

Vanna shivered as we sashayed into the busy streets of Tokyo. I had our car parked somewhere as we intend to walk to our favorite restaurant where I booked our dinner reservation.

I had missed celebrating Christmas and New Year with her so I was making up for it. It has been our tradition since we were little. So when we grew up and I became busy, we barely had the time together.

"Oh, my. Gosh!" She shrieked and I was startled with what she did.

She removed her arm from clinging into mine when I saw to whom she was speaking with.

And there, right in front of us, is the woman who has been invading my thoughts lately.

"Ysabelle!" The lady smiled at her with her friend beside her.

I began to take in her appearance, not wanting to tear my eyes away from her, afraid that she will disappear.

"Yo, Vanna!" The friend greeted her and raised an eyebrow at her. "Sutekina anata ni butsukarimasu!"

(Translation: Nice bumping into you!)

I saw how Ysabelle nudged her friend and gave my sister a smile. Indeed, the night seems brighter at that moment.

"Chōshi wa dō? Genkidesu ka?" Ysabelle asked in perfect Japanese accent.

(Translation: What's up? How are you?)

"I'm fine! Oh, before I forget, meet my brother!" Vanna said cheerfully and pulled me to her side. "Vincent, these are Hanami and Ysabelle. My univ besties!"

"It's so nice meeting you, Ysabelle." I said and when she held my hand for a handshake, I became certain of what I have been feeling for the first time after ten years.