DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters. All hail Ai Yazawa for gifting us a wonderful Creation.
Apologies for the very very very late update. Been very busy and lazy lately.
Reviews are welcome and very much appreciated. Thanks!
I will try my best to pick up the pace. I hope nobody is getting bored with my story yet…
- 00 -
The weekend came and passed but Hachi still doesn't have an idea as to who her secret admirer is. Her plans on getting some information from Nana and her friends failed as their meeting was cancelled. Nana and her band were too busy to take the day off and of course Ren will not come to her apartment by himself.
She is still quite convinced or at least she is making herself believe that Yasu is her secret admirer. Aside from the fact that she cannot think of anybody else, whenever she goes back to her encounters with Yasu, she feels that somehow, he was quite smitten with her. So there is really a possibility that it was him.
Contradictory, based on her impression of Yasu, she doesn't think that he is the type to hide himself with a silly secret identity. He seemed to be a very cool person that can say anything to anybody confidently.
Hachi sighed in frustration. She spent her weekend obsessing about her secret admirer. She felt so stressed and was now very tired. She didn't look well as she dragged herself to work that Monday.
Good thing my assistant is coming today. I can slack off. Hachi thought while she was waiting for the elevator.
When Hachi reached her office, she was surprised that her assistant was not there yet. Their agreement was for her to come 30 minutes so that she can prepare everything by the time Hachi arrives.
Hachi came 30 minutes late so it means that her assistant is late for 1 hour already. She heard her phone ringing as she hurried to her desk. It was the HR representative. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, her newly hired assistant has decided not to continue.
Just my luck, Hachi sighed heavily. She gave instructions to the HR rep to set up an interview with her second choice applicant. Although she feels reluctant going through with this one – since he is a guy, she doesn't have any choice. The work is becoming too much for her.
Needing some serious caffeine fix, Hachi went to the Department pantry to find out that they are out of coffee. Seriously! What is with this day?! Badly needing some coffee she dragged herself to the coffee shop downstairs.
Hachi felt better as soon as the delicious aroma of coffee welcomed her as she went into the shop. By the time she had her first sip, she was all smiles again. She quickly went back to her office realizing that she has missed so much time already.
"Hold the door please!" Hachi yelled as she ran towards the almost closing elevator. A man's hand reached to stop the doors. "Thank you!" Hachi said to the man as she catches her breath. Curious as to why there was no response Hachi turned to the man to check if he heard her.
She was surprised to see that it was Takumi. Once again, he had this unexplainable expression that can be loosely translated to him being repulsed by her.
Hachi smiled and tried to make conversation. Tried and failed. She couldn't think of any topic… At all! All she did was smiled awkwardly at him. Not surprisingly, Takumi seemed to be frozen also. Well if he doesn't like me, for sure he wouldn't bother to talk to me. Hachi thought sadly.
After a lot of unnecessary fidgeting and a lifetime worth of uncomfortable silence, the elevator finally stopped at Hachi's floor. She gave a big sigh of relief and at least managed to say a polite goodbye to Takumi.
Before the door closed Hachi dared to catch a glimpse towards Takumi, she was surprised at what she saw… Takumi was leaning backwards on the wall with his eyes closed and seems to be holding his chest tightly. On his face shows extreme frustration.
- 00 -
Takumi's weekend went very quickly. He was so busy attending meetings for their future appearances. He didn't mind the work. It helped him take his mind off Hachi. His feelings for her seem to be growing stronger every day. As to how it is possible, still he doesn't have a clue.
He knows one thing though, he needs to act soon before Hachi gets taken by another or before he develops more feelings towards her pushing him to madness. Takumi shook his head and gave a little chuckle to himself, as if a woman can drive him crazy.
With that thought, he walked towards the elevator, totally oblivious to his surroundings. He went inside and pushed the top floor. He will drop by the director's office first before going to their studio. He turned around to look at himself in the elevator's wall which was made of mirrors. He adjusted his sunglasses and removed his hair off his shoulders.
It was then that he heard somebody shouting to hold the door. Without thinking, he held out his hand to stop the elevator from closing. He immediately froze when Hachi went inside the elevator, out of breath and looking very beautiful.
Takumi silently begged for somebody else to board the elevator but the lobby was deserted. He couldn't think of anything to say. He wasn't even able to reply when Hachi thanked him! He glanced secretly towards Hachi, who was a few feet in front of him. She seemed very uncomfortable as well.
She smiled at him and looked as if she was going to say something but didn't. He was hoping for her to start a conversation but she just continued to be silent.
After 45 seconds which felt like a hundred years, the elevator reached her floor. He heard her gave a big sigh of relief and murmur a polite goodbye, which once again he wasn't able to answer. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, Takumi fell back on the wall clutching his chest, almost wanting to cry in frustration.
Why is he so stupid! It was his chance to redeem himself and probably be in her good graces but of course, he screwed it up. He felt so bad about himself that he almost didn't want to work but then he reached his destination and Ren was waiting outside the elevator for him.
As soon as Ren saw Takumi's face, he immediately grabbed him and pulled him outside. They walked straight towards the director's waiting area. Ren still clutching Takumi's arm who was walking like a zombie.
"Snap out of it Takumi!" Ren hit Takumi at the back of his head. There is only one reason that can make Takumi act like that. "I swear to God if you don't pull your act together I will march to Hachi's office right now and tell her how you feel about her!" Ren threatened his best friend.
Takumi just looked at Ren. Eyes still glazed. He knows that he became nothing but a big heap of a pathetic love sick puppy who cannot show even civility towards the woman he loves. Now that he thinks about it, he is just realizing how sick and stupid his decision was of hiding behind an unknown identity of a secret admirer.
Takumi gave another big sigh of frustration, his head slumped lower.
Ren felt his own heart breaking at the sight of his friend. What's happening to Takumi is not healthy at all. Any more of these accidental meetings with Hachi could probably push Takumi to insanity.
Unfortunately, his hands are tied. He cannot just act on his own without Takumi's approval. But how can he wait for him if the mere sight of Hachi melts him to this puddle of pitiful being.
Ren silently prayed for an intervention to happen to make Takumi snap out of his current state.
- 00 -
2 hours after getting her coffee, Hachi is still staring into space, contemplating. She cannot forget Takumi's reaction, which for sure is intended for what just happened between them. She couldn't think of any reason why he will make a reaction like that. Although, she is quite certain that it is not because he hates her, which was what she always thought.
Her phone rang, interrupting her from her thoughts. It was the HR rep. Her applicant was luckily within the vicinity of the company and was very willing and able to attend an interview as soon as possible, he will be in the building in ten minutes.
Hachi paused her reverie and reluctantly gathered herself and started tidying her desk. She decided to have the interview in her office, giving the applicant a glimpse of what will be the job, so that if it will not be of interest with the applicant, it will show immediately.
She needs a good assistant to help her as soon as possible as she is now really behind her work. What with all the unusual happenings around her. First with the flowers and the secret admirer then with Takumi and his strange reaction… Hachi stopped. Could it be? Is it possible? She is getting an insane idea.
Before she can entertain this weird thought, the HR rep came with an extremely attractive Englishman? Hachi felt her jaw dropped. It was like looking at a fairy tale's prince charming. Is this my applicant? How come the name is so Japanese? Maybe this is a mistake.
Hachi looked at the HR rep for an explanation. All Hachi was able to do was smile stupidly at the man. Finally the HR rep spoke, who was by the way also in a daze and confirmed that he was indeed Hachi's applicant, Ryo Yukata.
"Hi, am Ryo. And I would like you to know that I really appreciate that I was given a chance for this job and I can assure you that I am very good and you will not be disappointed." Ryo finished his introduction with a smile.
Once again, all Hachi and even the HR rep could do was smile and gawk at him.
Finally, Hachi felt her tongue decided to come back but still she was completely enveloped with whatever magic this prince charming brought with him as she told him, "You're hired. I look forward to working with you. You can start tomorrow."
"Really? I am glad! I promise you, I will not let you down!" Ryo thanked Hachi with a 10,000 megawatt smile which electrocuted Hachi's whole body.
How the proper arrangements were done, Hachi couldn't remember. She couldn't even remember how and why she hired him by just looking at him!
Oh God. I hope everything goes well. Hachi prayed silently after Ryo left and her sanity came back.
