That Awkward Moment
That awkward moment where a certain brunette would interview her ex in a live show.
A/N: Yo! I'm not really in the mood to write at all. But this one just can't get out of my head. So enjoy! I think this story would be 2-shots or 3 at most.
-x-
"Shizuru, you're my savior! Thanks for covering up for me! I just really need to go see Takumi!" Mai practically tackled a certain brunette in a bone-crushing hug, her amethyst eyes shining with tears of joy.
"It's fine Mai, totally. Don't mention it." Shizuru patted her on the shoulder, smiling understandingly.
"No really Shiz! I owe you my life! Thanks for doing this. I would get fired had I not found someone to replace me for that live show. I could almost imagine Reito strangling me for missing this show." Mai internally winced thinking of the black-haired director with his calm demeanor but menacing eyes piercing through her soul. Then, glancing at the taller lady, she asked timidly. "But will you really be okay? I mean, you know, it's a live show and she…"
"Ara. I already told you. I've hosted the show with Nao-san in the past so there is nothing to worry about. I can handle her." Shizuru looked at her meaningfully. "And if I hear one more word from you, I would back out from hosting." She teased earning a horrified look from the busty woman who instantly zipped her lips and nodded her head vigorously. Now, that's better.
A knock on the door interrupted the two as their gazes fell on the small but terrible redheaded smirking deviously with her back leaning on the doorframe. She was sporting a blue blazer with a black tube underneath and tight skinny jeans, giving her a glamorous look. Shizuru on the other hand was wearing a simple beige turtleneck and black slacks.
"You sure, you're ready for this?" She cocked her head, her lime green eyes glinting at Shizuru.
Tch, Really? These people keep on asking if I'm okay, if I'm ready! What the! I've done hosting before and I think I did a good job; no, I think I did a great job! I can always follow Nao's lead.
Shizuru mentally sighed and nodded her head. "I'm born ready for this."
"Everyone standby on five" A staff announced shortly. Nao and Shizuru exited the dressing room and walked near the side entrance to the stage.
"On air!"
The two hosts walked towards the stage, bright smiles plastered on their beautiful faces.
"Welcome everyone! Welcome to Sunrise!" Nao waved at the audience as she sat on the couch in the middle of the stage. The crowd roared with enthusiastic applauses and cheers.
"Hello! How is everyone doing?" Shizuru also greeted the audience, almost swooning half of them with her bewitching smile. She also sat beside her co-host, waving generously at them.
Nao and Mai had been the main hosts for the morning show called Sunrise and Shizuru was a special guest who from time to time, they invited to become host of the show because of her extreme popularity. And yes, the crowd just loved Shizuru – they just couldn't get enough.
"WE LOVE YOU SHIZURU-SAMA!"
"Alright, everyone do me a favor and control your raging libido so we could get started!" Give it to Nao to talk so bluntly with a straight face. The stage director, Reito, on the side of the stage suddenly sported a large angry vein in his forehead. Shizuru simply sighed. Their antics never fade!
"So today we have a special guest who visited us all the way from America. She's an internationally acclaimed singer and actress who produced top chart songs and best-selling movies." Nao glanced sideways at her co-host, her lips curling upward mischievously. Shizuru caught it and eyed her confusedly.
"Without further ado," Nao paused for a hand drum roll. "Let's welcome Natsuki Kuga!" She announced loudly and shrewdly, emphasizing the name in striking, bold capital letters.
Shizuru almost fainted. That name was a taboo. Never to be spoken of. Never to be heard. Whatever was happening now was beyond her comprehension. Her brain was overloaded with mixed antagonizing emotions that almost broke her mighty façade. She glared at Nao whose wicked smile only turned bigger and sneakier.
Tell me this is a freaking annoying joke of yours!
The joke's on you, Shizuru. Thought you're born ready for this, hey?
Malicious lime green eyes were communicating with begrudging crimson eyes. However, the loud cheering from the crowd broke their eye-to-eye staring contest as Nao turned her head and stood up to meet the approaching guest. Shizuru turned frozen as her eyes suddenly found the floor to be very interesting.
Dear floor,
You probably don't know me but I need your help. Like right now. Could you please open up and swallow me? Bury me under the depths of the earth where crimsons would never meet emeralds. Please! hurry up! I don't have the luxury of time.
Sincerely yours,
Crimsons-desperately-trying-to-move-on
In the corner of her eye, she saw Nao already shaking hands and giving a quick hug towards the special guest. She knew that as a courtesy, she also needed to greet her. Had this been anyone else but her, she would most graciously give the guest a big, warm welcome. But darn! Of all the people in the whole wide world with 7.7 billion populations why the heck is this woman even here? Ugh, I hate my life!
While Shizuru was debating on whether to walk out or simply ignore this special guest for the whole duration of the show (her eyes still trained on the glorious floor), she suddenly felt a slight tug on her hand and a warm sensation exploding at the back of her hand. Her nagging curiosity getting the better of her fight-flight instinct, crimsons locked eyes with emeralds.
"Hello stranger…" That husky alluring voice that she used to love was speaking to her. That treacherous voice that she ached to hear now overwhelmed her senses. That silky dark blue hair that she loved combing with her hand was just as tempting as it was in the past. Those luscious lips she used to kiss were always so inviting. And that face! That face of perfection she always dreamed of touching was as real as it could get.
Natsuki was just so aggresively hot wearing a leather jacket underneath a white tee and black ripped jeans. Heck, she could even just wear a rag and Shizuru would still fall head-over-heels in love with her in a blink of an eye.
They broke up two years ago. That was so ancient already! It was over long time ago! But then why? Only two words were spoken yet here she was fighting over the whirlwind of emotions that plagued her. She felt so pathetic.
Nonetheless, with her heart thumping outrageously, her pulse insanely driving on the fast lane, her blood pounding vociferously, Shizuru was amazing to still pull an expressionless face, her emotions well under cover. Pulling her hand roughly but discreetly away from Natsuki, she nodded her head in the slightest acknowledgment. Natsuki settled to sit on other couch facing both hosts though clearly her undivided attention was with the brunette, her ex.
"So, how's life in America? You've been there for two years right? After you…"
Natsuki coughed significantly. "Yeah, it was okay, I guess. Been busy with lot of things going around – promotions and all that. But surviving, I think." She shrugged, her emerald eyes barely trying to focus on Nao. Which was totally understandable. With Shizuru who was still as elegant and gorgeous as before, no one could blame her – her emerald eyes wanting to absorb as much detail as possible with this goddess in front of her.
"Hm… with your busy schedule, I take it you're still single?" Again, give credit to the redhead for hitting bull's eye questions. Shining, shimmering, splendid word – SINGLE?
Nao was clearly enjoying the awkwardness atmosphere settling in the stage. Natsuki and Shizuru's relationship had been private that only a handful of people knew about it. Unfortunately, that included the witty redhead in the list.
Shizuru was getting uneasy by the minute with the presence of this familiar stranger. However, it was even more uncomfortable, awkward and frustrating with all these questions being thrown by the sneaky redhead. She glared at Nao who looked innocently offended. What? I know you've been dying to ask too right?
Even the crowd was also hooting boisterously, eagerly waiting for Natsuki to answer.
"Yeah.. yeah, single still." Natsuki scratched her cheek while blushing. In the corner of her eye, she was gauging Shizuru's reaction, trying to read any little signs that would give her clue as to what the brunette was feeling or even thinking. Alas, Shizuru fashionably kept her poker face alive!
Though internally, Shizuru's spirits soared high above the sky. Half of her brain already thought of million possibilities that could happen (now that she's back), while another half was berating her for being so vulnerable and fragile.
She's your past. Let's leave it like that.
No, everyone deserves a second chance! Looks like she's still crazy in love with you!
No, listen to me you dimwit, she will just break your wounded heart again and again and again. She's a heartbreaker remember?
But people learn from their mistakes.
Shizuru, use your heart
Shizuru, use your brain
Her internal conflict suddenly dissolved into thin air as that sarcastic voice brought her to reality.
"Earth to Shizuru! Your turn now!"
"T-thank you Nao, that was always the sweetest thing about you." Shizuru spoke gracefully with sarcasm full to the brim.
"Anytime" The redhead mock saluted cheekily.
Glancing briefly at the cue card Mai left her, she swept her eyes over the list of questions she needed to ask.
But then her breath hitched. What the… Do I really need to ask this?
Sighing in defeat, she monotonously asked, her crimson eyes roaming everywhere but to Natsuki. "Now that you're back, what do you miss the most about Japan?"
You, Natsuki almost wanted to speak loudly. It's always been you, Shizuru. You know that. All this time, I've never gotten over you. I still love you. I just hope… you still do…
"Er…" she rubbed her cheek, trying to think of an alternative answer. "Everything in here… coz Japan is always my home. As they say, your home is where your heart is."
Shizuru felt electricity rushing through her body, coursing through her veins. The answer was so generic and yet she knew what those words truly meant – Japan is always my home. When they were still together, Natsuki would surprise her by saying the sweetest thing out of the blue. I really love you Shizuru! Home is where you are, Shizuru. Because my heart forever belongs to you.
Trying to divert her attention, she again looked at the cue card in her hand and focused on the next question. Ugh, another useless question.
"Any plans on staying here in Japan for good? Though of course, you have already made a successful career in America. Shame to simply let it go."
Tell me to stay and I will, Shizuru. Just say it. I realized that I can let go of everything but you. You are my world. You are my everything.
"Depends I guess." Natsuki answered truthfully.
"Depends on what?" Nao butted in.
"Depends if things go well for me here…" Depends if Shizuru would still want me. Depends if Shizuru would still accept me.
"Of course it will!" Nao announced confidently earning everyone's attention particularly the ex-lovers. "After all, you're the badass Natsuki Kuga." Nao smirked.
"Anyway, could you tell us something about the movie that would be released next week? You have all the airtime to promote. Though not that you're needing, cause everyone just loves a pretty face even if their acting sucks!" Nao cackled menacingly, earning dagger glares from the guest.
Redeeming herself, she spoke about her upcoming movie, addressing the lively crowd. "I'd like to invite everyone to watch my movie. It's entitled 'Let's talk about EX', directed by award-winning director, Mashiro Blan de Windbloom. It's a story about ex-lovers who unexpectedly meet again after a long time of no communication. Whether they'll get back or move on, it's for you to find out in the movie. There are wonderful twists in the story. You'll surely love it!"
"Sounds familiar." Nao commented wittingly, earning a destructive glare from Shizuru. "I mean sounds interesting."
"Anyway, before we let you go, I heard that you did a soundtrack revival for this movie. Could you sing it for us?" Nao asked. "Oh, and my lovely co-host here would also start recording her own album. Maybe you could duet with her!"
Shizuru and Natsuki's eyes bulged simultaneously. Of course Natsuki would want grab whatever opportunity with Shizuru, but she did not want to put her on the spotlight in case she didn't want.
"C'mon Shizuru. Your fans are waiting!" Nao teased further.
With no further options left, the blushing ex-lovers stood up. Natsuki closed in the distance between them, facing the brunette who was losing her composure by the second. She held her hand and whispered almost inaudibly. I miss you, Shizuru. The brunette could not anymore avoid those bright emerald eyes as she stared longingly at her.
Smiling genuinely, Natsuki started singing.
Two old friends meet again
Wearin' older faces
And talk about the places they've been
Two old sweethearts who fell apart
Somewhere long ago
How are they to know
Someday they'd meet again
And have a need for more than reminiscin'
As Natsuki was singing, emotions were high for both of them. Their eyes were speaking words that mouths failed to utter. Their locked eyes spoke volumes of how much they missed each other. Their entwined hands screamed the intensity of how much they yearned for one another.
Shizuru raised the mic to her mouth and also sang the chorus together with Natsuki. Her voice carried the bottled emotions that she held for a long time, wanting to explode right at this moment.
Maybe this time
It'll be lovin' they'll find
Maybe now they can be more than just friends
She's back in her life
And it feels so right
Maybe this time, love won't end
As the audience clapped their hands, as the song finally ended, so was their short-lived fairy tale moment as Shizuru pulled her hand away from her and turned around, leaving Natsuki all by herself.
"Thank you Shizuru and Natsuki." Nao also clapped her hands. "It felt so magical, it gave me chills, I mean thrills." The audience laughed heartily.
"Everyone, Natsuki Kuga!" The audience again applauded and hooted deafeningly.
Natsuki waved at the crowd affably and with one last fleeting glimpse at Shizuru whose eyes were trained on the floor again, she exited the show.
-x-
The show continued for another half an hour when finally, Reito announced the live show to be over. Shizuru was mentally and emotionally drained. As she was heading to her dressing room, she felt a hand holding her arm. Her crimson eyes traveled from that arm until it landed at the owner's beautiful but worried face.
"Shizuru, can we talk?"
Sighing deeply, she spoke truthfully. "There's nothing to talk about. It's over. We're over. You left me right? Don't you remember?" Hurt and pain still reverberated within those words.
"Shizuru, please, please… can we please talk?"
-x-