CHAPTER 2: A Place for Two and a Half
*meow meow meow*
"Urghh..."
*meow*
"Hnn...Nao...It's still early in the morning...I don't need to wake up yet."
*meow meow*
"Urgh...stop poking...and rubbing my face..."
*meow meow meow*
He starts poking my face with his soft paw even more.
"Hn...come here...you..."
With my eyes slightly open, I take my little orange tiger in my arms and close my eyes to go back to sleep.
*ding dong ding dong*
"Ugh...what now? Why won't the world let me sleep?! Urgh, for Buddha's sake...Who would visit my apartment this early in the morning?!"
*meow*
"Yeah you're right, Nao. Who would even come visit me anyway? It better not be a salesman; I'll kill him for waking me up this early in the morning. Do they even work at this hour?"
The doorbell persistently rings over and over again. I'm compelled to get out of bed.
*meooow*
"Urgh! I'm coming! I'm coming! Be patient will ya?!" I grumble as I get out of bed. Nao follows me as I go for the door.
I swing the door open with full force, "Now listen here! Do you know what time it is?!—"
"It's precisely 6:45 in the morning. If you ask me, it isn't that early considering an idol's day would usually start by 6:00am. Look at you, all messy. Quite unruly bed hair you have there. You should be presentable at all times. What if the media were to see you like this? It would be bad for your image. "
My eyes suddenly pop open and my whole body wakes up in an instant.
"MADOKA?!" I shout while pointing at her.
"How noisy. You'll disturb the other neighbors that way and also pointing at people is rude."
She invites herself into my apartment with a couple of bags.
"What are you doing here, Madoka?! What's the meaning of this?!"
She places her bags at the side of the hallway. "Considering that you live quite far away, I think it's impressive that you get to make it to your gigs in time. Do you take the train often?"
"Uh, I take the train all the time—Wait! Don't change the topic! What are you doing here?!"
"Well, from this day onwards, I'll be living here in your apartment."
"WHAT?!"
No no no no no no no no no, this has to be a nightmare! That's right! I'm probably still asleep having this ridiculously realistic nightmare! In fact, if I touch her right now, my hand would just slip thru...
I reach out for Madoka's shoulder.
"Hm? Was there something on my shoulder?"
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA IT'S REAL! SHE'S REAL! THIS ISN'T A NIGHTMAREEEE! IT'S WORSE! IT'S REALITY!
"As your manager, I must be close and accessible to you at all times. Also, it's a hassle for me to go back and forth from the agency to your place whenever I need to give you the papers and contracts of the job offers you'll receive; it's a waste of time and gas. I got permission from the president to live with you and to do my work here instead of at the agency."
"You asked permission to live in MY apartment from SAOTOME but not ME?!"
"So where can I stay? Do you have a spare room in this apartment?"
"Hey! Don't ignore my questions!"
*meow*
Nao goes to Madoka and starts purring as he rubs himself against Madoka's leg.
"...You own a cat?!"
"Yeah, I do. His name is Nao. Don't worry, he doesn't scratch or bite people unless threatened or hurt. He's also fully vaccinated and goes to the vet for a check up on a regular basis."
Madoka's expression is filled with disgust and discomfort as she looks down at Nao who keeps rubbing against her leg and purring happily.
"Hey, look at that. Seems like the little guy likes ya."
"...I hate cats."
"Eh? Really?"
"...I hate cats and dogs."
"Seriously?! How could you hate such cute and awesome creatures? Are you an animal hater or something like that?! What else is wrong with you?!"
"I don't hate all animals. In fact, I'm fond of birds. I just can't bring myself to like cats and dogs...And what do you mean by 'what else is wrong' with me?!"
"That's too bad. Nao seems to like you a lot. Hehe." I point at him who keeps on purring by Madoka's leg.
"Urgh...How unfortunate of me then."
She starts looking around my place, seemingly curious of the layout. I pick up Nao as I follow her.
My apartment isn't that big at all since I live by myself and I don't really earn enough money to get a bigger place. Basically this place has four rooms—the living room which has a kitchen at the side, two small bedrooms, and a bathroom with a toilet.
"Nakahara, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Where do you sleep? I saw the bathroom and obviously the living room. One of the two rooms had all your instruments inside; I'm guessing that's your work space. The other room seemed like a storage room with a couple of boxes inside."
"Oh, I sleep here in the living room on the floor with Nao."
*meow*
"You sleep here?! Why won't you use one of the bedrooms?"
"Well, I figured a work room was a must for me and then I kind of had no place to put my other things so I placed them in boxes and stored them in the other room; they couldn't fit in the utility closet of the living room since that's where I kept the vacuum cleaner and washing machine."
"Don't you get cold sleeping here? Isn't it uncomfortable too?"
"Not really, I'm fine sleeping on the floor. Since I don't have a futon, I use a pillow for my head and then slip my body under the kotatsu to keep warm on cold nights. It also helps that I sleep with Nao in my arms so I get to have some added warmth and fluff!"
"You don't even have a futon?!"
"I got no place to store it and it probably would take too much space here in the living room."
"Hmm, I'm starting to feel like I'm imposing too much on you by living here."
"Haha, kind of but if you really have to, you can have the storage room. I'll probably just move the boxes to the work room and keep a few somewhere here in the living room."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, I'm going to start setting up my area."
I put Nao down. "I'll get the boxes out."
"No need. Since you don't have a spare table, I could put the boxes on top of each other to use as a table or desk."
"Ohhh! Smart idea you got there. That's fine; the boxes don't have anything fragile in them."
"Okay. Now if you'd excuse me."
She goes off to take her bags and heads on towards the extra room.
*meow*
I stand outside the door of the storage room.
"Do you need help in there?"
"No need. I'll be done within an hour or so."
"Uh, okay."
I can't believe she'll be living here in my apartment from now on. The place feels even more cramped all of a sudden. I've been living alone with just Nao in this not so big humble apartment; having someone else move in makes it feel smaller all of a sudden. I hope she'd be bearable to live with. OH SNAP! That means I'll probably be waking up early everyday from now on! You've got to be kidding me! Urgh...I need to crawl back to bed and savor my last day as a free woman! But crap, there's already daylight; I can't sleep when it's bright or as long as there's any light! Hm, I could cover my head to block all light...but then Madoka would probably just wake me up anyway! Urrrrgh. Screw sleep; sleep is for the weak. Sigh.
"Oh, hey Madoka, have you eaten breakfast yet?" She did come so early so it makes me wonder if she actually ate before coming here.
"I didn't know you could be a nice proper woman."
"What did ya say?!"
*meow*
"Well, I haven't eaten since I had to leave my place early to get here."
"I'll cook us some breakfast then. Do you have any requests?"
"You can cook? I hope you can make edible food."
"OF COURSE! I'M A GOOD COOK YA KNOW!"
"If you say so. I'm fine with anything; you decide on what to cook."
"Okay. I'll make sure you'll be impressed with my cooking! You're definitely going to praise me!"
I hear Nakahara's footsteps move away from the door. Considering that she lives alone, I'm sure her cooking skills are fine. I've got to admit though that she seems to be good at housekeeping; I noticed right away that her place was clean and organized the moment I stepped inside. Even this storage room is clean. I don't need to clean up and just go straight to setting my things up.
Something does bother me though. In her profile, it says that her family consists of three members—her mother, father, and herself. It did say on the form that she lives alone however when I entered the apartment, I didn't see a single picture of her parents; there are no pictures around at all not even of herself. Could she be in bad terms with her parents? I remember Yayoi telling me that Nakahara's parents are out for a long term trip and haven't returned. I wonder if that means something deeper. It could also be that perhaps she doesn't like photos? Maybe she thought buying photo frames would be an additional expense? Perhaps I'm just thinking too much again. Maybe I'm just being influenced by that drama series I was watching on television last night. Gods, if only I was Yamashita Kaori's manager, I could find out what happens in the next episode right away! The agony of waiting for the next episode...how heart wrenching!
Hm? Some of these boxes are pretty light while some of them are kind of heavy. I'll use the heavy ones to make a table while the light ones could be side tables; the ones that are practically empty will just be put at the side of the room. It's a good thing I brought my own futon since Nakahara doesn't even own one of her own. I kind of feel bad to have my own room whereas she sleeps in the living room but then again I really do need my own room since some of the work I do is classified. Well, I could offer to share this room with her; I think we could both fit if I just put the boxes together at one side and fix my things over here. If she doesn't want to share the room, she could at least spend the nights here if she wants to.
Without many problems, I finish setting up my room. I decide to head towards the living room to see if Nakahara has finished cooking.
"Nakahara?"
I find her sitting on the floor with the cat in her arms. On the kotatsu on front of her were two plates with curry on them. Just beside the table lay a bowl filled with cat food.
"You kinda took a while fixin' your things. I had to reheat the curry."
"You waited for me? You could have eaten ahead of me."
"Yeah, I could have but of course I had to wait for you. It's rude to eat ahead of the guest, right? I even had to hold Nao here all this time so that he wouldn't eat ahead."
"So the cat eats its meals together with you?"
"Yup. We always eat together except for the times when I have gigs. Isn't that right, Nao?"
*meow meow meowwww meow* The cat flails its arms and legs around; it's probably hungry; it's tail is swinging everywhere too.
"The food will get cold again if we don't eat now." Nakahara says.
"You're right. Let's eat. I hope you didn't put any poison in my curry." I say as I sit down on the floor to join her.
"Hehe...I was thinking about that but don't worry, my guardian angel prevailed and convinced me to spare you while I was cooking." She lets go of the cat who then goes over to its food right away.
"Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu." I take a spoonful of the curry she made and to my surprise it tastes very good.
"So how is it?"
"You can really cook. I'm honestly surprised."
"I told ya!" she smiles a little in satisfaction.
I continue to eat the curry she made without complains.
"Madoka, since you'll be living here in my place from now on, I've got some rules for you to follow."
"Rules? What kind of stupid rules do I have to follow here?"
"They're not stupid rules! They're important!"
*meow*
"First rule, be good to Nao and treat him well. If I have some gigs or jobs that take too long, you'll have to take my place and care for Nao while I'm gone."
"Urgh...I have to care for that thing?!"
"He's not a thing. He's a cat. Yup! You have to care for him from time to time."
"You really love your cat, don't you?"
"If you hurt him or forget to feed and play with him, I'll get mad and I'm telling ya that the mad me isn't worth meeting."
*meow*
"I'm quite infamous on the street back then, ya know! Well, I guess even now I'm still kind of—"
*meow meow*
"Excuse me? I didn't quite hear what you said just now; you were talking too softly and you were kind of eating your words."
"Oh! I-It's nothing! Anyway! Second rule, you are not allowed to go into the living after the lights are out. I'll be sleeping here so I don't want to be disturbed. You can take one of the water pitchers and glass with you so that you won't have to go here to get water in the middle of the night. If you need to go to the toilet...I guess you can pass since the bathroom is just beside your room."
"What kind of rule is that?"
"Just follow that rule, okay?!"
"You are really an odd and complicated being."
"Uh, what else? Hmm...Third rule, don't disturb me when I take a bath. One of the few times that I can relax is when I'm in the bath so I'd usually take a while like I'd stay in the bath for one to two hours. I suggest that you take a bath first before me."
"Okay. You stay in the tub for that long? Don't you overheat from the hot water or something?"
"Nah, I like and can endure hot water. I totally suck at staying in cold water. I'd turn into an ice sculpture if I were to stay in cold water for too long!"
*meow*
"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this! This one isn't a rule; more like a note to remember. I don't have a telephone, in case you haven't noticed. So we can only be reached thru mobile phone. Also, I've only got one TV which is over there." I point at the television set found at the corner of the living room; it faces the kotatsu. "I don't really watch television much so I'd think you'd be the one using it most of the time. Though it's still months before, if you're staying here during winter season, this apartment can get kind of cold so you can only survive if you stay here in the living room and use the kotatsu or if you buy a heater for your room. You can also survive if you keep Nao around you haha."
"You don't have a room heater of your own?"
"I had one. It broke last year. I'm usually just fine with using the kotatsu though."
"Can I use the kitchen?"
"Of course you can. Just make sure you clean up afterwards and put things back where they belong."
"Am I allowed to enter your work room?"
"Hmm. You can as long as it's important and if you're not going to disturb or distract me but I guess there will be times when I'll tell ya not to go in."
"Noted. Should we establish a curfew?"
"What for?"
"Well, aside from safety, it's also about opening the door; there's only one key to the apartment and you have it."
"Oh, no need for curfews. I'll have a duplicate key made for you so that we can both come and go whenever we want to."
"That's good. I'd probably be back late at times especially if I have to go submit papers and attend meetings at the agency."
"Let's see, what else is there to take note of? Do I have any more rules left to give?"
*meowww*
"Ah! Last rule, don't contact me or look for me during Fridays. Following me is also a big no."
"Hm, is that regarding the 'no work on Fridays' condition that you bargained with the president?"
"Yeah and well, just don't go lookin' for me or go with me on Fridays. If I have work on a Friday you have to tell me ASAP and then remind me two days before so that I can prepare and rearrange everything."
"What exactly do you do on Fridays, Nakahara?"
"Uhm, well, uh, it's none of your business; it's personal stuff."
"You're not seeing anyone, are you?"
"It's not like that at all; I'm single. I don't mingle nor do I plan to any time soon. I have more important things to do."
"Okay but your Friday activities, no, all of your activities better not bring any trouble. You hear me? Creating an image, protecting an image, and having a good reputation aren't easy to maintain; they can be destroyed in one shot."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course I know that."
"Nakahara."
"Yeah?"
"I just noticed it now. Where and when did you get that bruise on your lower right cheek?" Madoka asks angrily.
I reflexively touch the spot and feel a subtle pain. "Hmm...Maybe I hit my cheek somewhere by accident."
"Such an obvious lie. Now tell me the truth! Did someone hit you?!"
"No! Really! I think I hit my cheek last night when I went to get a glass of water in the middle of the night! Calm down, yo!" I think it's better to lie for now than to tell her that I was actually in a fight last night? I better make sure that the other bruises are hidden from her or else I'll run out of white lies for sure!
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot."
"Eh? What are you going on about, Madoka? Forgot what? If you forgot to bring a toothbrush, I got no spare and I ain't buying one for you."
"It's not that; of course I brought my toothbrush. What I was talking going to talk about were these."
*THUMP*
"WHOA! What on earth are those?! Please don't tell me that's homework or something..."
The stack of papers that I placed on the table surprised Nakahara. I'd figure she would be.
"These, my dear, are what you call as job offers."
"Wait! These are job offers for me?!"
I nod.
"All these?!"
I nod once again.
"I just signed for Shining agency two days ago and then I suddenly get these offers?! Is this normal?!"
"Pretty much. Most producers and other agencies from the entertainment industry usually keep an eye on the people that Shining takes interest in. After all, we don't really just take anyone in and our people turn out to be great and successful so they like working with us."
"But I've practically only been shown once in public during the music festival. How would they know about me?"
"Well, there are three possible answers to your question."
*meow*
"It could be that there were observers during the music festival and saw your performance. After learning that Saotome personally invited you to join the agency, they probably thought you might have potential and so they're starting to check you out and see if you'll be a rising star. The other reason is that it could be because the agency promoted you to them; it's like they introduce you to them via profile. We sometimes do that for the newcomers to help them start out."
"What's the last possibility?"
I sip my coffee. "You could just be lucky."
*meeeeoooow*
"So what do I do with these papers?"
"You have to carefully read them and decide which ones to sign. You'll start working on each project depending on what's written on those contracts."
Nakahara briefly reads the contracts one by one and then suddenly, "Madoka, pen."
I take my pen from my pants' pocket and she swiftly takes it from my hand as soon as I offered it; she starts signing the papers.
"Let's see...here and here..."
"I-Idiot! What are you doing?!"
"Signing the papers. Duh."
"You're signing all of them?!"
"Uh, yeah. What's wrong with signing them all?" She puts the pen down and gives them to me. "I can't wait to work!"
In an instant, I swipe the papers. "YOU IDIOT!"
"Eh?"
*meow*
I take my phone out and frantically call the number on the first contract. "Good morning. This is Rukawa Madoka of Shining Agency. Yes, this is regarding the offer for Nakahara 'Eika' Koemi to perform for..."
I frantically called each and every contact number in the contracts. I had to contact the organizers and agencies so that I could set up the meetings for the arrangement of the jobs. Did Nakahara really have to take all of these?! She should have thought about it more carefully! Does she realize that her schedule would be extremely packed if she accepts this amount of jobs all of a time?! I hope that this won't become a habit! I'll be damned if I have to contact so many people like this and arrange so many meetings as well! I'm also supposed to take her by car! Driving to so many places in a tight schedule, isn't easy! Why on earth did I become a manager again?!
"Looks like she'll be really busy from now on, Nao."
*meow*
"Haha. Let's do our best so that we can pay our bills and go to some fun places!"
*meow*
"Yeah, yeah, I'll also work hard to buy your food. Hehe. Don't worry, I'm not going to forget about you. Why would I?"
More than an hour passes and Madoka is still stuck on the phone. I don't mind since she's not nagging me here and there. Might as well enjoy the temporary comfort; she'll probably complain to me about signing on all those job offers. Hey, more work is more money and fun right?
As she speaks on the phone, she writes down all the details and schedules on her planner. She suddenly goes towards her room and a few minutes after, she comes out in corporate attire. That was fast!
"Alright, we'll see you this weekend. Thank you for your time." She ends the call and then turns to me. "Go and get ready to go out in ten minutes. Now."
"Eh?"
"We'll be headed to Tousaki Studios."
"What for?"
"Urgh...FOR YOUR FIRST JOB, IDIOT! Didn't you read any of the papers at all?!"
"Oh wait, is that the one that said they wanted to have me perform as a guest for someone's mini concert?"
"Yes, the meeting is in an hour so get ready already! I still have to drive to the studio!"
"Oh, okay."
I slowly get up and make my way towards my room to change. Slowly.
I can hear Madoka tapping her fingers.
"NAKAHARA, HURRY UP!"
"What are you getting so mad about?! It's still early!"
"EARLY?!"
Madoka takes the papers for the job we're talking about and shoves it to my face.
"THIS JOB AT TOUSAKI STUDIOS IS ABOUT 45 MINUTES FROM HERE."
She then takes the other papers for the next job. "THEN, THE NEXT MEETING WHICH IS FOR THIS JOB IS AT THE OTHER END OF TOWN! THEN THE NEXT IS ONE IS 30 MINUTES AWAY FROM THAT PLACE!"
"Oh wow, I didn't notice that on the papers. The meeting places for each of them are pretty far from each other."
"You think?! I told you to read them properly!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll remember that next time."
"Liar!"
*meow*
"What the hell?! DO YOU ALWAYS DRIVE LIKE THIS?!" I tighten my grip on the sports car's passenger handle. I feel like I'm going to shoot out of this car even with my seatbelt on!
"Not really; usually when it is only needed such as catching up on tight schedules."
I am definitely going to read the papers for future works next time! I'm not gonna live long if I'll have to deal with this kind of driving often!
"SLOW DOWN DAMN IT!"
"Oh be quiet why won't you? Just sit there and enjoy the ride."
"ENJOY THE RIDE?! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"
*meow*
"More importantly...WHY ON EARTH DID YOU BRING THAT THING WITH YOU?!"
"NAO IS NOT A THING! HE'S A CAT! HE'S MY PRECIOUS BABY! HE'S FAMILY!"
"FAMILY MY BUTT! HE BETTER NOT RUIN THE CAR SEATS OR ELSE I'M TURNING HIM INTO A CARPET!"
"HOW DARE YOU! YOU MUST BE ONE SPECIAL KIND OF EVIL, MADOKA! WHAT HAS NAO EVER DONE TO YOU?!"
*meow*
"MY CAR IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT CREATURE OF HELL!"
"CAT'S AREN'T CREATURES OF HELL!"
"YES THEY ARE!"
Madoka speeds up as the cars on the highway lessen.
"Why do you drive like this?! Were you a race car driver or something in your previous life?!"
"Nah. I might just have been influenced by my old friend who drives faster than me."
"A friend of yours?!"
"Yes, we were classmates in high school. He's the one who brought me into Shining Agency."
"So he's a manager too?!"
Madoka nods. "He's the guy who drove Saotome's limo."
"The guy you called 'Kumagai'?! He drives faster than this and faster than that time?!"
Madoka nods again and sharply turns at the next corner.
Man, I feel bad for the idol that's under that Kumagai guy; he must be one hell of a driver! I'm sure glad that I have life insurance! Maybe I should get Nao some insurance too? At least I have little to nothing to worry about in case something happens but I hope that nothing really will happen to me for as long as I have to ride in this car with Madoka!
After a while of holding on for my life on the highway, the studio finally can be seen and the car gets sent straight into the parking lot with no problems.
"LAND! I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS GRATEFUL FOR LAND!" I say gratefully with my hands and knees on the ground.
*meeeeooow*
Nao gets out of the car and starts rubbing himself on me. I guess he's trying to cheer me up.
"Quit your drama and get on your feet! The meeting is on the 6th floor! Hurry up!"
"Y-Yes, 'mam!" I pick up Nao and hurriedly follow Madoka.
"Are you seriously bringing that thing with you?!"
"HE'S NOT A THING!"
"Urgh. Whatever, you're lucky that pets aren't prohibited here."
*meow meow meow*
"Shut up, brat!"
"Hey! Don't shout at Nao! And he's not a brat!"
"Whatever! Come on, walk faster or else we'll be late!"