"No one home yet", Erika said to herself as she let herself in with Kenichi right behind her.
She turned the light on as she threw her bags on the floor. Erika signaled Kenichi to take a seat while she headed to the kitchen.
"Tea?", she asked from the kitchen as Kenichi rested his head on the sofa.
"Sure! Are you having one yourself?", he asked but no response from the kitchen.
He waits for a few second before he got up and decided to help her when he saw her back facing him as she waited for the kettle to boil. She wiped her eyes without knowing he was just a few feet away from her. Its only obvious that she's crying and it made him want to stride towards her and held her in his embrace.
He was about to say something when he thought the better of it. He walked back slowly to the sofa.
"Thanks again for today. I really appreciate it. Here's your tea", he heard her as she put down the tea infront of him. He searched through her face, her guard is definitely down.
"Since no one home yet, I might just call it a night. Just stay if you want to wait for your friends. Make yourself at home. If you need to go, just go and make sure you lock from inside. I'm quite tired. Thanks again Kenichi", she said when he grabbed her hand stopping her in her track.
"Just stay here. Have a rest here.. Keep me company", he said. she chuckled.
"Haven't you seen enough worse of me yet? I still can't believe you actually witness me crying. What a cry baby I was", she shook her head in disbelief as he pulled her down to sit next to him.
"You're not a cry baby, Erika. I think the fragile side of you is beautiful. You really shouldn't cover it trying to be strong, independent and be lonely on your own. You've got to let people in a little", he said while she stared at him.
"If only you're a real gay... Things would be much easier", she sighed after a few moment of silence making him laughed at her unexpected remark.
"Why is that?", he asked as he took a sip of the tea. He looked amused.
"You could be a real good friends, listener and pretence boyfriend with no string attached. Especially now you pretty much seen everything through me. Something that not many do." She said making him laugh.
"Why I need to be gay to be just that? Aren't I a good listener as it is? And I was your pretence boyfriend with no string attached .. Ah but I haven't really seen everything yet. Let's do that now so we can tick that off too shall we? Show me everything!", he grinned eyeing her from head to toe. She hit him playfully.
"Shut up! You know what I mean..", she said as he continued to laugh.
"Look.. You know where to find me, you know my number.. Anytime you need me or just want to talk, all you have to do is call or come by. I don't need to be gay to be available for you", he smiled at her as her eyes widened in surprised.
"What's in it for you to do all that when I hardly do anything nice but mean to you? Am I your charity case?", she sounded suspicious. Kenichi smiled even wider and shaking his head in disbelief.
"Nothing in it for me. I guess knowing you're just a normal girl and human being for being able to show emotion like the rest of us makes me want to know more of you and that side of you." He said. She bit her lip looking wary.
"You men..all said that but you won't be there when I need you the most." She said while he ruffled her hair making her glared at him instantly.
"Try me", he dared her. His words made her look up and her eyes looked hopeful.
"So you're saying no matter what time you'll pick up my calls?", she asked as he nodded smiling.
"Whenever I need you.. You'll be there for me?", she asked again and so he nodded again.
"The question is not that.. The question should be.. Will you actually call me or need me?", he asked as she chuckled before they both got up.
"You know I won't and don't need anyone", she chuckled again as he laughed.
"There you go..! Ok, I'm off then. Have a good rest and see you around", he smiled at her as they walked towards the front door.
"Thanks again Kenichi..", she said and he grinned at her.
"For..?". He raised his eyebrows cheekily.
"For being a wonderful boyfriend for a day", she sighed heavily. he laughed at her dramatic sigh.
"What about the kiss? Aren't you thanking me for that too? Don't tell me you forgot it.. Or should I refresh your memory?", he grinned as she rolled her eyes at him and pushed him away.
"Shut up! I take it back.. You weren't being a wonderful boyfriend. You were being a jealous, possessive and control freak boyfriend who slightly frustrated and need his fix to channel his frustration. Get laid will you!", she said making him burst into laughter.
"Will you fix me then? Consider it as a cost for being your boyfriend for a day", he grinned as she laughed.
"You can't afford me. My rate is higher than your rental cost as a boyfriend." She grinned at him back.. Kenichi shook his head looking amused.
"Good nite Kenichi. I know its hard.. But don't think of me too much", she teased as he opened the door making him laughed even more at the return of the Erika he knew. The stubborn and unbelievable one.
"Ah! Finally, you wake up!", he heard his dad grinned at him as he went out his room when he spotted his mom and they're not alone. There's uncle Hyoga, Hikata and the two cheeky monkeys.
"So. Reina said you had a girlfriend. Aren't you going to tell us about her?", His mom asked curiously as Reina giggled away and found everyone stared at him in anticipation as he rolled his eyes.
"What girlfriend?", he shrugged nonchalantly.
"..I kissed a girl and I like it...", Reina hummed purposely making Hiroya burst into laughter as all the parents starts laughing too making him glared at her before yanking her off her seat.
"You! Come here for a minute!", he said ignoring her protest as their parents all laughed away at the sight while he dragged her to his room. He slammed the door behind her as he threw her to the chair. She grinned at him cheekily.
"What's wrong?", she asked as he glared at her.
"What exactly did you tell them?", he grilled her as she chuckled.
"Reina!", Kenichi groaned. But Reina just broke into laughter.
"I didn't tell them anything! Just saying I met you at my school reunion as one of the most popular girl's partner. And the rest you know our parents.. They just make assumptions on their own", she said in between her laughter. Kenichi eyed her suspiciously.
"If there's nothing going on.. Why you react like this? I really never seen you so work up like this over a girl.. For as long as I know you", she smiled at him. He looked taken a back at her words before he sat himself back on his bed. But he said nothing.
"If only you can be honest for a second.. I think you really fall for her. And its not a bad thing Kenichi.. ", she said as he grabbed a pillow and covered his face with it making her chuckled.
"She thought I was gay!", he groaned loudly all sudden making her burst into laughter. Reina laughed so hard, she fell on the floor which makes Kenichi laughed at the sight.
"Serve you right for laughing at me!", he told her while helping her get on her feet.
"How could you be gay?", she asked still trying to control her laughter. "Ahh... Is that why she asked me about you and I did say you're different. She might misunderstand".
Kenichi glared at her accusingly as she laughed louder at the memory of her conversation with Erika which now made more sense.
"You put that in her head?... Geee.. Thanks!", he said sarcastically.
"Man! That girl.. Always making her own worst assumption of me. To her, I work in a bank, a gay and have you as an ex girlfriend. If I hang around with kids she might start saying I'm a pedophile too..", he sighed as Reina continue to laugh.
"Stop it! You making my stomach hurt.. ", she wiped her tears off her face when they heard their names being called from outside.
"Go get ready will you? We're all waiting for you", she said as she walked towards the door.
"Where are we going?", he asked as she opened the door.
"Eat! Uncle Hikata and Hiroya will be off to UK tomorrow in case you don't know yet." She said before winked at him as he raised his eyebrows excitedly.
"Yes! You got me all to yourself when Hiroya's gone." She added before closing the door behind her.
He glanced at his bare wrist when he realizes he forgot to get his watch back from Erika. He let out a sigh before headed to his own bathroom to get ready.
"What so good about this restaurant?", Satomi rolled her eyes as they all sat down.
"Shhh! Just enjoy the treat, will you? It's not like I'm paying your dinner every night. Just be glad for it and stop asking! Geshh!", Erika snapped at her as Hayaka giggled while Hitomi peek at the open kitchen.
"It's not about the restaurant, Satomi. It's all about who owned it and who's the master chef tonight is what it's all about. As if you don't know Erika", Hayaka said when Erika nudged her making Hitomi giggled as Satomi quickly scanned the open kitchen as well.
"The chef? Gosh! I have no idea you like bald man not to mention old enough to be your dad. No wonder you single!", Satomi said. Hitomi and Hayaka burst into laughter as Erika glared at her.
"Do you want to eat or not? Shall I remind you that you're all coming here in my car? Would you all like to walk home?", Erika glared at them. they all quickly covered their mouth all the while giggling as they exchanged glances.
"What so special about the chef? Sorry.. You got to know by now I don't always pay attention to what you're saying unless it interests me", Satomi said as Erika sighed.
"I really wonder why you're my friend sometimes." Erika said as they all giggled again.
"Not that you have much choice. I'm one of the rare one to be able to put up with you", Satomi said jokingly.
"Do you want to take this outside?", Erika dared her as Satomi stared at her polished nails.
"Fine! Let's eat and let's get bald man's signature and go." She said as Erika suddenly hit her hand making her shriek as Hayaka and Hitomi laughed so hard they practically in tears.
"Awww! What was that for? What did I say?", Satomi glared at Erika as she kicked her leg under the table when the waiter came with their food.
"I should just leave you at home to eat leftovers, you ungrateful ... Bi...girl", Erika said as Satomi laughed.
"Sorry.. Sorry! Just teasing you. I understand... This is one of your crazy wild chase of power rangers.. Ok? I hear you! I listened! I was joking around with you. Now.. Tell me which one is the one we come here for?", Satomi grinned as Erika pretend to strangle her.
"It's Goggle V! You.. Hello kitty maniac!", Erika said furiously making Hitomi and Hayaka laughed even louder when suddenly the chef came towards them before smiling making Erika froze
"You girls sure know how to have fun." He said as Erika stared at him starstruck while Hitomi and Satomi eyed each other before bursting into giggle fit.
"Mr. Godai Sanpei. It's an honour to meet you." Erika said as Hayaka bit her lip trying not to join the other two who laughed.
He raised his eyebrows at her.
"She's a Goggle V diehard fans, and been looking forward to see you tonight. Is it possible to take a picture and get your signature by any chance?", Hayaka asked sweetly. He broke into smile before looking at Erika.
"I thought you girls a bit too young to be a goggle fans, not that I mind." He grinned. "Sure its fine to take picture and of course you can have my signature. I didn't think you would even know who I was". He added as Erika beamed at him.
He took a stand next to Erika for a selfie and another group photo before signing the pictures. She thanked him profusely and watched him as he made his way back towards the open kitchen.
"Aren't you going to ask if he got a son for you?", Satomi asked as they all burst into laughter.
"Ha ha! Very funny!", Erika rolled her eyes at Satomi. She stashed the signature that he just signed over the polaroid picture they just took when her hand brushed Kenichi's watch.
She still had them and been carrying them everywhere with her in her bag in a hope that she might bump into Ryu or him to pass it back when the chance arrives.
It's been a week since her school reunion and she has been avoiding bumping into him in some way. Been staying away from the club, haven't had a meeting schedule with Ryu since the project almost finish and been busy at work since she took extra shift for night and weekend work for events.
Tomomi has been calling her trying to talk her into coming home since the reunion. Obviously, she has told their parents about Kenichi and now they want to know everything about him and expect her to bring him over so they all can see him for themselves.
The thought of it makes her want to run miles away. It's all started when she just tried to use him as a cover when bumping into Naoto and Tomomi and the expo and it leads to her cover for reunion. Now she's in her own mess. What was she thinking pretending to have a boyfriend? Kenichi of all people too!
Without realising, she traced her lips slowly recalling his kiss. Definitely not gay!
Kenichi.. She doesn't think she could ever see him in the eyes again after everything that happened that day.
Could it be possible that he actually fell for her?
Her thoughts all disappeared as she was startled by a flying paper across her face.
She glared at Satomi who grinned at her as she pointed her watch.
"Pay the bill will you and drop me at my boyfriend's place. I got a hot date", she grinned as Erika muttered a curse and grudgingly made her way to pay the bills while the rest of them giggled.
"Just come in girls! Come on up", Shun said as Erika smiled politely.
"Thanks! Maybe some other night", she said as Hayaka and Hitomi glared at her while Satomi gave her a look signalling her to come up.
"I think you're losing on the vote here. Just come up! Its just us boys except for Kenichi. Unless you don't want to come up because he's not in", Shun grinned as Erika rolled her eyes.
"Fine! I'll come up or else the girls would blame me all the way home I won't hear the end of it", she said as she parked the car and got out.
They all went up to the lift before Shun lead the way to the penthouse of the building as the girls secretly exchanged glances at each other.
"You all sure live well", Erika was the first to comment as Shun chuckled.
"There's five of us. Normal size apartment in the city won't fit us all. And we couldn't find a house like you all had in the city." He grinned as he swiped his key and held the door for them.
"Ho ho! Guys! There's girls present!", Shun announced as they all grinned at the sight of Toru doing a thread mill topless.
He quickly took his head phone off before grinned at them and took a shirt off the sofa.
"Have some seat girls. What would you like to drink?", Shun asked as Erika shook her head.
"We just ate dinner. I'm fine thanks.", Erika said as Hayaka and Hitomi nodded in agreement.
"In that case, just take a look around and enjoy yourself huh? I'll get ready so we can go. But you girls are welcome to stay. Toru, Ryu and Naoto are around. I get them", he said as Satomi nodded cheerfully.
"Where you guys off to anyway?", Hayaka asked Satomi as Shun left.
"Late night movie and back", Satomi said when Ryu came out.
"Hey girls! What a surprise!", he grinned at them as the girls all smiled at him when Toru and Naoto came out from their rooms too.
"To what do we owe your visit?", Ryu asked playfully making Hayaka giggled. Erika rolled her eyes at her before Hayaka nudged her hard on her ribs.
"We just dropping Satomi here but the girls just can't resist to see your bachelor pad so here we are", Erika said as Ryu chuckled.
"For a second I thought you're here to see Kenichi", Naoto said as Erika bit her lip before she just shook her head politely refuse to entertain that topic further.
"Is everything ok?", he asked as Erika shrugged nonchalantly.
"Why wouldn't it be?", she asked back when suddenly Kenichi come out from his room. Their eyes met and he seemed surprise to find them all in their living room but made not comments nor greetings.
"Oh! You're home!", Shun patted his back grinning away as Kenichi nodded before looking at Erika again and glanced at Naoto who sat next to her.
He offered a polite smile to them and walked over towards the kitchen when Erika stood up and followed him there leaving the rest of the group.
"Uhmm... Kenichi?", she called after him. He busied himself behind the fridge in search for something before he closed the door and took a spoonful of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. His eyes was smiling.
"Want some ice cream?", he offered and she shook her head.
"You need to tell me something?.. Sorry I'm in the middle of something.. Come with me and tell me whatever it is in my room.. ", he said casually as he walked ahead of her not waiting for her response.
On his way to his room, He flashed a grin at Naoto while busied munching his ice cream and motioned for Erika to come in to his room.
At the sight, Ryu and Toru let out whistle teasingly while Kenichi grinned at them before closing the door behind him.
"Take a seat.. Anywhere you want except there. Just doing some work. Hope you don't mind." He said as he grabbed his chair and put down his ice cream while typing away on his lap top.
Erika reached her bag and took out his watch.
"Don't worry I'm not here long. Just want to return this. I forgot about it the other day and didn't exactly want to do this in front of the boys", she said putting the watch on the table next to him making him glance at it before pressing something on the lap top and pushed himself away from the table.
"Is that it?", he asked as he crossed his arm in front of him while he looked at her.
"Do you expect more?", she asked back making him chuckled as he turn his focus back on the computer.
"Not really." He said not taking his eyes off the lap top.
"I'd better go outside and I have to go soon anyway. Nice seeing you again and sorry it took a while to return that", she said when he grabbed her hand without looking.
"Ah.. Just stay here. I won't take long. Almost finish. Beside you don't look like you enjoy staying outside anyway. Just stay here till you have to go." He said before letting go off her hand and keep on typing.
"They might misunderstand", she sighed as he let out a short laugh.
"I don't mind if they do. Unless you worry about Naoto misunderstand. Do you?", he asked when she finally sat herself on the edge of his bed.
"Trust you to always make it about Naoto." She sighed when there's a knock on the door before it opened and Naoto stood there.
"uhm.. Erika, can we talk for a minute?", He asked. Kenichi stop typing before glancing at Erika then at Naoto but said nothing.
".. Can it wait? Is it important? I haven't seen Kenichi for a while now. As you can see, he's too busy with work to even spare a time for me." She said as Kenichi raised his eyebrows at her looking amused before he smiled to himself and pushed himself away from the table.
"Oh! Don't say that! You make me feel bad now. I didn't know you miss me that bad. Come here you! Of course I can spare a time for you", he grinned at her as he stood up and opened his arms widely towards her.
He saw her cringe at his response making him want to laugh before she hesitated, stood up and went into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and noticed she glared at him murderously.
"Fine then! We'll talk some other time." Naoto said before Erika could say anything and left.
"You!", she hissed at Kenichi as he sat down again laughing finally.
"Don't YOU me. You started it! I was just following your lead", he grinned at her as she shook her head in disbelief.
She did it again! She just dig her own grave! Why she keep on doing this? She wondered.
"Keep working! I'd better go!", she said as he took another spoonful of his ice cream.
"Where are you going?", he asked as she walked towards the door.
"Drop the girls home then off to work", she said opening the door as he glanced at the time on his desk.
"Work? At this hour?", he asked but she's already out of the door.
He saved his work and turn off his laptop before taking his ice cream and heads for the door. To his surprise the girls still there but not Erika.
"Where's Erika? Has she left?", he asked as the girls nodded.
"Ryu is going to drive us back. She has to go and we are still talking here." Hayaka explained when he noticed Naoto also not in the room. He sighed as he grab his shoes and walked out the door before automatically hides. He saw Naoto and Erika seemed like in a middle of a heated discussion just right outside the lift.
".. How long are you going to keep running from your responsibility huh?", he heard Naoto said.
"I'm not running from anything! I don't know what you are talking about. Mind your own business, Naoto", she snapped as he grabbed her shoulder and gave a shake.
"Just stop already, Erika. Your job.. What a joke is that?.. And your little games with Kenichi.. Do you even like the guy?", Naoto said as Kenichi held his breath at the question.
"A joke? A joke you said?...", Erika sounded furious he can only imagine what her face must look like.
"To you it maybe a joke. You embarrassed by my job is that it? Well.. Aren't you glad that I'myou're your fiancé then? Don't worry Naoto.. I'll make sure to keep my distance. And what I had with Kenichi is really none of your business. At least he's not like you.", she said as Naoto gave a short laugh.
"He's not like me huh? What make you so sure?.. Do you even know him at all? Don't be too confident there Erika. All men had their own motives to be around you. I don't know about his yet but if you are serious then its time for you to find out huh?", Naoto said as Erika pressed the lift button ignoring him.
"Erika! I'm not finished yet..", Naoto grabbed her as she pushed him away and stared at him icily.
"Well I am! I'm done here! I'm done with you and I don't care what you got to say.. What you say or think of me no longer matter..", she said when suddenly Naoto pulled her back . A pair of hands grabbed her waist from behind and another pulled Naoto's hand stopping it.
"Enough Naoto. Don't be so rough on girls, especially if she's not yours", Kenichi said calmly making them both startled by his presence.
Naoto glared at Kenichi for a while before staring at Erika then back to Kenichi.
"Some kind of friend you are! Moving on to what's mine", he said sarcastically making Kenichi chuckled.
"You should really say that to yourself. She's no longer yours the day you engaged to another girl. And now she's mine. So would appreciate it if you could move on and hands off my girl please. The way a friend should be", he said without taking his gaze off Naoto as Erika looked at them both before put her hands up.
"Enough of drama here. I must go. I'm late now thanks to all this", she sighed as she went to the lift that open at the touch of the button.
"Coming Kenichi?", she called from inside making Kenichi raised his eyebrows at her but said nothing before he went in and let the door closed on Naoto who still speechless at the whole thing that just took place.
"Thanks for that. But I think its gone too far. We need to have a 'break up'. I dragged you to my problem and lies too far. I'm sorry", she said as the lift made its way down.
"Break up huh?", Kenichi glanced at her as she nodded before looking away.
"Its not fair that I keep you as a cover like that. I almost ruin your friendship just now. Its the last thing I want to do. It was never my intention to get carried away this far anyway. I'm sorry Kenichi. Thanks for putting up with me anyway", she said as the lift open when it reached basement before she stepped out the lift.
"I see. So this is it then? How are you planning for a break up then? What's your story?", he asked looking amused as she glanced at her watch.
"I'll think of something. Or you do. Anything. Its fine. Just wanna stop all this pretense", she said reaching through her bag as she grab her car key and open its door.
"Fine!.. I agree for once. Let's stop the pretense." He said as she stared at him for a second before finally nodded in relief that he agreed when suddenly he leaned on her. It happened so fast she didn't get the chance to realise what he was up to until she felt his lips on hers taking her by surprise.
"Ke.. Kenichi..", she gasped as he pulled away leaving an inch between them before he stared into her eyes.
"Let's stop the pretense and go out for real. Be my girlfriend for real." He said before pulling his face away from her leaving her in daze at what's just happened.
He smiled at her obvious surprised.
21
"Are you out of you mind?", she asked after what seemed forever to find her words as he shook his head before smiling.
"I always know what I'm doing, unlike you. So.. What do you say?", he asked her as she shook her head in disbelief and ran her fingers across her lips as his eyes watched her movement.
"I'm late! Consider yourself lucky twice! First.. We had audience so you're saved and today I'm late as it is to even tell you exactly what I think.. Try that again, you'll regret you even know me", she said before getting into her car and turn the engine on when unexpectedly Kenichi jumped in to the passenger side.
"What are you doing?!", she almost shout in disbelief. She glared at him as he put his seat belt on.
"Just drive will you. You said you're late and I'm still not done with you, so let's talk this over on your way to work." He said calmly.
"There's nothing to talk about. Get off!", she said furiously but he ignored her.
"Just drive!", he said firmly making her startled at his tone before closed her eyes trying to control her anger before drove off leaving a skit mark.
"How long are you going to work for?", he asked her as they hit the freeway.
"Don't talk to me!", she snapped. he sighed.
"Look! Don't be so stubborn. I'm not trying to make your life more complicated than it already is. If anything I'm giving you the best solution. You already lied your way about us and isn't it better to just be my real girlfriend than having to pretend to break up and get back to zero trying to think of a new lie?", he said as she keep on driving.
"I'll make you regret you even ask me.. I'm not a good girlfriend in real", she said finally as he chuckled.
"As if I didn't know that already! But its a risk that I'm willing to take if you're game enough. Unless you scared that you will actually fall for me or maybe you already do", he gave a short laugh as she took her hand off the wheel before hitting his thigh making him wince at the unexpected reaction.
"Get over yourself!", she snapped before they entered a parking lot which quite dark given its midnight and turn off the car.
"Where are we?", he asked as he looked around making her smile for the first time after what happened.
"Ah.. Next time do think twice before jumping into a car where you don't really know where its going will you?.. say a little prayer.. This is where no one would find your body when I'm done with you", she said clearly enjoying the moment making him laughed at her indirect threat.
"What are you planning to do with my body huh? Whatever you got in mind, I can suggest a better place than this.. ", he grinned at her making her laughed when he saw around 20 guys ahead of them before they all greeted her.
Its seems like a well size warehouse with trucks parked nearby and few guys busy loading boxes to it.
"You're late!", one guy said as she threw her bag on the floor before joining them. She took a piece of paper before tying her hair up and grabbed a pair of gloves and move around the big warehouse.
She glanced at Kenichi who stood there looking all confused before she approached him.
"Don't just stand there! Either you help or you go.. I got no time to entertain you. Here. Wear this! And here's a list of lighting we got to pack and put in those trucks. Any question just yell or ask!", she grinned at him and passed him gloves before squeezing his arms.
"Put those arms for good use huh? And for your info, I like my men with hand that can work instead of just looking pretty and smooth. Do your best! Let me see if you have what it takes to be my real boyfriend", she winked at him before leaving him speechless.
