Ryuuji, back in his school uniform, was dropped off in front of his house by limo. As the car sped away from behind him, Ryuuji sighed. Today had been a tough day, where he had to pretend to be Ami's boyfriend. Yet, during the short interview, the words that were said played mind tricks on him. He knew it to be true that he and Ami were friends and he knew that the photo taken of him and Ami, displayed to the public, was the start of them being a couple, but...what happened between him and Ami in-between? The way Ami spoke, the way she acted, the way she always beamed when he was around... Did she have feelings for him just before his coma? Did that first date he talked about and Ami added happened...or was it an outing with friends morphed into a fake date? Deciphering what had happened in his past was becoming more of a game of discerning reality from fantasy. But, he did catch on one thing. Whether it had be real or fantasy, it appeared Ami had strong feelings for him. He just was not sure if he could relay them back to her.
As he was still deep in thought, his legs moved him up the stairs to his apartment on their own. Carrying food Rin had ordered for Ryuuji, Taiga, and Yasuko, under Ami's request, he turned the knob of the door with his free hand. He walked in and took off his shoes. He then walked to the living room to see his mother sitting in front of the table, texting on her phone and watching television. In fact, she was watching the news channel he and Ami had been on an hour ago, meaning that she did probably watch it. It was confirmed Yasuko had watched it when she faced Ryuuji and smiled widely.
"My, Ryuuji. That outfit you wore made you look very handsome."
Ryuuji walked over to the short-legged table and placed the bog of food on it.
"So, you watched it?"
Yasuko nodded happily.
"You did great. And that girl Ami did great too. She could be an actress."
"Yeah. That's why she's in modeling."
"Is that so? Mm, she'll do great, don't you think?"
Ryuuji nodded.
"Can't believe my son is dating a famous person?"
Ryuuji sighed.
"I told you that we were only forced to say we're dating because of that picture."
"Yeah, but Ami did look very happy on television. My friend told me she looked happier than in her last interview."
Did she? Kawashima's last interview was a half a year ago. I'm not sure if I should think more about this or trust one of my mom's friends remembering something on television that happened a while back.
Ryuuji finally took notice of the living room.
"Hey, where's Taiga? She usually comes over, right? We stopped by a restaurant to order some takeout."
"She didn't come by or anything. Did she say she'll be coming over?"
Ryuuji looked out the large, glass door of the living room and noticed that the light was on, even though it was late in the afternoon. Ryuuji took out the three styrofoam trays out of the bag.
"I'll just give her hers after we're done eating."
"You should just give it to her now."
"But she might be busy."
"Or she might not be busy."
Ryuuji looked out the glass door, thought for a moment, and then grabbed Taiga's covered tray.
"Alright. You should probably start eating so you won't be late for work."
"Right, right," said Yasuko in her childish voice.
Ryuuji left the apartment with Taiga's food in hand.
Ami sat down on a chair and looked at her food on the table. She had just microwaved it, so it was ready to ingest. She had just said thanks and had her chopsticks in her right hand. She chowed down on the noddles, slurping them up like spaghetti. She smiled.
This is pretty good. It's not a bad restaurant, but I wouldn't say it's the best. I wonder if Takasu likes it.
Her smile shrunk a little.
He, his mother, and Taiga, all eating together. The girlfriend wasn't invited.
She looked forward, across the table. She imagined Ryuuji sitting across from her, complimenting how well her cooking was. She chuckled a little.
That doesn't really fit him at all. He's more the cooker, and I would be the one complimenting.
She looked down at her food again.
Would it be like that if we continued? I know helping him with his memory is important... I'm just being selfish here, using him as my boyfriend. But...I want this. For now, I want to be by his side as his girlfriend, because I know once he gets his memory back...he won't look at me that way anymore.
Taiga had just finishing changing into her pajamas. She turned off the light of her room as she walked out of it and walked into the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and got out some instant ramen. As soon as she was going to peel the cover off to put hot water inside the cup of the instant ramen, she hear a knock on the door. Lazily, and kind of knowing who it was, she opened the door slightly and peeked to see Ryuuji standing in front of the door.
"Oi, Taiga," Ryuuji nervously said, already sensing Taiga's frustration, though he did not know why.
"Was the dog thrown out and returning to its master?"
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing," she replied sternly. "What do you want?"
"Well, we brought some food home, and I'm pretty sure you're-"
"Thanks, but no thanks," Taiga said arrogantly. "I'm perfectly fine with the foot I have."
"So, what did you eat?"
"Th-That's none of your concern! All you need to know is that I had plenty."
Soon, a tummy growl was heard. There was a moment of silence between the two. Taiga lightly blushed as Ryuuji dully looked at her.
"There's beef in here."
Quickly setting aside her pride for some meat, she opened the door fully and slightly looked down.
"F-fine. Come i-inside."
Ryuuji entered the apartment. Compared to his apartment, Taiga's apartment was more modern. The entrance lead to the living room, which was connected to the dining room. The living room had a black coffee table, some comfy chairs, and black television cabinets with a flat-screen hanging above it. Next to the living room was the dining room, where a tall, small table and high chairs were the only decorations. The kitchen was next to the dining room. The kitchen was one you would find in luxurious one-bedroom apartments. This kitchen had a counter for eating and a sink attached to it, with some more counter space. Another counter section was against the wall of the apartment and had a stove and oven combination and high and low cabinets. Next to this section was a stainless steel fridge. Large windows in the living room and dining room gave the apartment light. Across from the right side of the kitchen were two doors. One of them lead to a closet, and the other lead down to the bathroom and Taiga's slightly messy room. Ryuuji looked down at Taiga, who was obviously annoyed.
"So, you have beef?" inquired Taiga.
Ryuuji nodded and handed the bag to Taiga.
"It's beef and rice. I think they grilled it with some barbecue sauce."
"Eh? You're not that rich."
Taiga narrowed her eyes.
"So Stupidchi paid for it?"
"Well, her manager did. But she did tell her manager to get some for you and Yasuko."
"Is that so?"
"Yep, and she said it had to be beef."
"Pampering me with this," Taiga commented to herself.
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"Nothing of the sort."
Taiga sighed.
"Thanks for bringing it to me."
Ryuuji nodded. A few awkward seconds passed as Ryuuji just studied Taiga's face. Taiga took noticed and blushed a little out of embarrassment.
"What is it, you horny dog?"
"Um, Taiga? If I upset you in any way, I'm sorry."
"Hmph! Why would you assume I'm mad?"
Really? You aren't showing a poker face, Taiga.
"Well...," said Ryuuji. "I was wondering if you watched it?"
"Watch it? ...Oh. You mean when you made a fool or yourself on television? Minori and I decided to go to a restaurant, and they had televisions with that channel tuned in. So, I kind of had to."
Ryuuji half-closed his eyes.
You could have just easily left if you didn't want to watch it.
"I know," started Taiga in a serious voice, "it isn't true, but if you become famous because of this and start to hang out with Stupidchi more..."
"Hm? What is it, Taiga?"
"...Nothing. Tell Stupidchi thanks next time you see here."
"Well, you can tell her when we go to the photo shoot this weekend."
"Huh?" expressed a surprised Taiga.
"You know how the manager said I needed to show up for the photo session this weekend? Kawashima said that she wanted you to come to the session on the way back from the studio today."
"She did?"
Ryuuji nodded.
"It's not like she owes me or anything? Why does she want to invite me?"
"She didn't say..."
I think I know why, thought Taiga
"...but she wanted you there."
"Mm? I guess I have to. It would be rude after Stupidchi told her manager to invite me."
"Great. Um, Kawashima said to meet her at the entrance of the studio. She told to be there around ten in the morning."
"Ten in the morning, huh? Wow. Doesn't work usually start at eight. She's such a lazy ass."
"Hey. Don't say weird things. Maybe it's just the time that the photo session starts. She said it'll take an hour or so for the photo session, so you might want to bring something comfortable."
"I-I know that, dummy. I ain't a kid, you know."
Taiga walked over to the kitchen with her bag of food and got out the styrofoam box. She then placed it in the microwave and started pressing buttons. Ryuuji walked over to the table and waited for a bit, wondering if Taiga had anything to say. When he realized she did not, he opened his mouth.
"Well, I guess I'll be headed out. I'm kind of hungry."
As Ryuuji began to leave, Taiga nervously called back to him.
"Ar-are you eating alone?"
"Mm... Maybe. Yasuko probably left by now."
Taiga fidgeted her fingers together, forming a small blush.
"I-if you want, bring your food here. You know, so her dog can keep its master company for dinner."
Ryuuji, knowing that she referred to him as a dog when embarrassed or angry, smiled.
"Alright, I'll be back."
Ryuuji left the apartment. A smile crept on Taiga's face, knowing that her friend would keep her company as she ate.
"Takasu-kun, what are you doing?"
"Oh, Kawashima. Just making some stew for tonight."
"Oh. Can I help?"
Ryuuji smiled and turned around.
"Sur- Wow! Ami, what are you wearing?"
Ami stood naked, wearing just a white cooking apron. She shyly pressed a finger against her lips and sexily looked at him.
"Oh. This old thing. You should know, Takasu-kun."
Ami walked up to the stainless steel stove and looked at the cooking stew. She quickly dipped her finger into it and tasted the broth on her finger. She looked over at Ryuuji with a pouted face.
"Takasu-kun, it's not done, but, um, I know something that is."
She then untied her apron but still clung onto it. She looked up at Ryuuji and smiled shyly.
"I'm ready for my private photo session with you, Takasu-kun."
With that said, the apron dropped to the floor.
Eyes flung open. In a panic from the dream, sweat covered the body underneath the sheets. Embarrassed by having such a vulgar dream, hands firmly tightened the grip on the covers. Just looking at the ceiling, one thought crossed the mind.
"Can that really happen?" whispered Ami to herself.
