DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters. All hail Ai Yazawa for gifting us a wonderful Creation.
Reviews are much welcome and very much appreciated. Thanks!
- 00 -
Lawyer-sama
Hachi was frozen in the door looking at the bald man. She couldn't find her tongue to ask what the man needed. Nana noticed this and she immediately went to check on her.
"Yasu! How nice of you to come. I thought you couldn't make it!" As soon as Nana saw the man she dragged him inside the apartment.
Hachi was left in the door speechless. Yet again, Nana has brought another man that can make her jaw drop. But this one is different. He has a somewhat very cool and respectable aura around him. He was tall and lean. He dresses nicely and neatly. He has a very handsome face and she can see a small nose ring and several earrings. The only thing that is immediately noticeable is his shockingly smooth bald head. He was a decent punk if there was any.
"My hearing was postponed so I suddenly had free time. So I decided I'll come." Yasu told Nana. He was taking out a black cigarette from his pocket. He looked at Hachi to ask permission "Is it ok if I smoke here?"
"Yes." was all that Hachi could say. This time, she didn't bother to ask Nana about him, based on Nana's story, he is their drummer – the lawyer. He was too damn nice to look at so she decided to just ogle at him. Last time she was too shy to look at Takumi. I will not make the same mistake again. I will feast my eyes on this one! Hachi decided.
"I'm here!" Another person called from the door that was left open. Ren looking very much like him did nothing to disguise himself at all.
"You idiot! Why did you come like that? What will you do if somebody recognized you?!" Nana fired at Ren.
"I'm sorry. I was running late so I just decided that I'll go like this. I checked. Nobody was following or whatever." Ren reasoned out.
"Still! You should be more careful Ren. I wouldn't want to expose this place and Hachi in public. This is my haven. Don't ruin it for me." Nana said still angry at Ren's carelessness.
Ren kissed Nana so she will stop talking feeling bad at what he did. He went inside and saw Yasu. "Yasu's here! Great! Let's play mahjong!"
It seems that Ren knows Yasu as well. Remembering that she has to show Ren what she really is like, she went ahead and introduced herself to Yasu.
"I am…"
"Hachi. Nana's previous roommate and refuge. I've heard so much about you. I am glad to meet you." Yasu supplied what Hachi was supposed to say.
"Oh." Was what Hachi just managed to say.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude." Yasu apologized quickly.
"It's ok. Uhm… nice to meet you as well." Hachi was feeling more attracted to this guy.
"I am Yasu. I am the drummer of our band. And I am a lawyer. Me, Nana, Ren and the rest of Trapnest go way back. We are friends from our hometown." Yasu told Hachi.
Hachi was surprised about this revelation. She did not know anything about this. Nana did not bother to tell her. She doesn't know whether she will be hurt or angry at Nana.
For the time being, she disregarded her feelings. Maybe Nana has a reason why she kept all of these from her. She can wait for Nana to explain why she did not inform her. What is important is now.
Yasu and Ren immediately realized that Nana did not mention to Hachi anything about what Yasu just said. Hachi was getting quite uncomfortable. But Nana doesn't seem to be bothered. Ren decided to change the topic. He went to the dining table and praised Hachi for the dishes that she prepared.
With that, Hachi went back to her cheerful self and they started eating.
- 00 -
Unconvinced
That night, Takumi went to a bar alone. He gave up on working as once again, he is stuck.
He is not convinced of his own conclusion. He doesn't believe in love or really know what love is. How could he think he fell in love, and at first sight at that?
Memories started to flood. Before he gets an even worse mood, he pushed all thoughts of his past out of his mind. He doesn't want to replay anything about what his life was like before.
He ordered a drink and he looked around the bar. As always, people recognized him immediately. But because the bar and the customers are high class, no one dares to approach him easily. Of course, the women are eyeing him with lust and longing in their eyes.
He went back to his drink and ignored them. If they want me, then they should come and get me. His arrogance towards the women makes him more wanted. And based on the number of women eyeing him, he can have his pick. After a few minutes, an attractive woman came to him.
Before the woman can say anything, he immediately rejected her. After doing that, he was so surprised at himself. It was like he was doing things involuntarily. He needs to be careful or else he will decline everybody that will come to him. And he thinks he badly needs the company to erase the stupid thought that has been playing in his mind the whole time. Good thing there are more women waiting for their turn to get his attention.
One by one the women tried their luck. After 5 women, and maybe more than a hundred dirty looks from the men, he gave up and paid his bill. A lot were still waiting for him but he didn't want to stay in the bar anymore. If he did, it's either he will be in trouble with the women, if not with the men. Good thing the women bought his story that he was so tired from work. Before anything bad can happen or false stories can be made about him, he left the bar.
He went outside to his car and just sat there for more than 10 minutes. He doesn't know where to go. He doesn't want to go home yet. He needs to drink more. After contemplating what he is going to do next, he took his phone and dialed the number of the first person that came to his mind.
"You free? Can I come to your place?" After getting a positive response from the other line, he drove quickly towards his destination.
- 00 -
Secrets
Lying in bed, Hachi was replaying the things that have happened earlier that day. Although she had fun playing and talking with Ren and Yasu, now she is so curious about what Yasu said that they were all friends from back home. She couldn't think why Nana did not mention anything about this before. Not even a single thing.
She wanted to feel hurt. But a tiny voice inside her is saying that for sure Nana has her reasons why she did not share this part of her life to her. Come to think of it, it was always her who was telling stories of her life to Nana. Being too self-centered, she did not even ask anything about her. She was contented with what Nana says voluntarily.
At least, even if she was kept in the dark about Nana's old friends, now Nana is trying to put her within their circle. Although she was not properly informed, one by one she is meeting them. All of her sadness and hurt feelings dissolved when she realized it. Even though Nana doesn't say anything, she actually cares a lot for her.
Maybe, Nana doesn't really know how to handle relationships. Based on her interactions with Ren, Hachi is almost sure that this is the case. She is starting to understand Nana more.
A lot of questions are now swarming in Hachi's mind. When did Ren and Nana actually become a couple? What was the relationship like among the members of the Trapnest band and Nana's band? Then she realized, if they are friends even from before, it means that Nana is a close friend of Takumi, which means, she may still have the chance to meet him again!
She felt delighted of this thought. Maybe all of them can come to this apartment and play mahjong like what they did today! Oh how she wish that could happen.
Even though she still hopes to see Takumi again, every time she remembers Yasu, she would feel happy. She thinks Yasu is a dependable man, somebody that a woman can rely on, somebody that can be gentle if needed. Not to mention that he looks so cool.
Like a teenage girl once again, Hachi giggled through the night as she thinks of Yasu until she fell asleep.