*Disclaimer I do not own Uta No Prince Sama.
Forgotten Heart
Chapter 10 Swinging door
Haruka's POV
The sound of a thousand little drops fall outside as I watch through the window one by one splat against the frosty glass. Every few minutes a squeak of the rubber back wiper would scrape across the fogged windshield. Pushing the pooling water off the smooth surface while keeping rhythm like any well used metronome. Lost in Mother Nature's musical creation my hand reached up to press a finger down on the cold surface of the glass. Slowly curving my finger down to a sharp point before traveling back up in another rounding shape to meet the first at another sharp point.
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The sleek black town car rolled to a stop in front of the towering golden gate. Digging into my bottomless bag I quickly tug a small travel sized umbrella from its almost unreachable depths. With my fingers laced around the handle of the car door and one hand on the umbrella I quickly swing open the door. To press my thumb down against the handle of the pink umbrella causing it to "pop" to life. Shielded from the chilled drops I proceed to slide a red Maryjane pump out of the opened door to land on the wet pavement.
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Once safely under my little pink umbrella I thank the driver and swing the door shut, being careful not to slam it. Quickening my pace I head for the entertainer dorms, basically a mansion with a lot of rooms for the idols and composers to live in. At the moment it's what I was being forced to call home. At first I thought my luck was changing as Shining brought me back to work with three of the long time members of Starish ….but now knowing they been lying to me all this time…I'm not even sure I have the strength or the desire to stay.
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At the moment, all I wanted to do is head straight for the kitchen. For a nice hot cup of tea to warm my bones from being caught in this storm after traveling from my meeting. In fact it was Ringo who was knocking on my door to let me know of the schedule change for a meeting being held this afternoon…that woke me, I mean…. "Us" up.
Mindlessly extending a hand to my cheek to feel the warmth the thought of this morning released.
Large clear drops hit the top of my umbrella to drizzle down to be caught by its edge. Eventually another drop is sent from above to join the one clinging to the edge. Until both pull free from the umbrella and begin to free fall into the air together as one. To finally be absorbed into the ground with all the others.
With a splash to her foot she races for the brass handle of the outer door to the mansion and what's behind it. Once under cover she shakes out her umbrella thoroughly before her finger laces around the cold shiny handle to open it with a click. The change to her skin is instantaneous with a welcomed wave of warmth massaging her chilled skin.
Still a little chilled and little damp I extend a hand out to a large polished wooden swinging door to the secondary kitchen for the residents. Bursting through the swinging white door my red pumps abruptly halt in my path for the desired teapot. Taking in a sharp breath being stunned at the sight I inwardly debate whether to turn back or continue on.
Standing in the kitchen with his lengthy toned arms out wide facing an open cupboard is a certain world famous rock star …..in an apron. My eyes traveled to the slightly snug t-shirt that did very little to hide the muscles that run along his broad shoulders. The plain white t-shirt barely met the top of his well fitted jeans. Where the floppy bow of blue striped apron met to loosely hang over his tight…
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Shaking my head from the alluring sight my thoughts run back to the present situation. Continuing on may be a bit awkward but maybe it was long overdue …..And this morning's rather embarrassing moment shouldn't stop it. Decideing to push myself forward I step out of the doorway. With the first few clicks of my heels he immediately turns with a bit of surprise on his smiling face. Yes, he was smiling but it wasn't his normally beaming happy smile that made his red eyes sparkle.
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"Oh, Nanami, what are you doing here?" The startled ginger shut the doors of the cupboard quickly and stood in front of the cabinet with blushed cheeks and wide crimson eyes.
"Um, Ittoki-kun I ….I…..just came to get some water." Seeing the ginger face to face I completely chicken out while motioning to the refrigerator.
His crimson eyes melted into concern as they traveled over me causing the corners of his lips to turn down at the ends. "Nanami, you're soaked ….you're going to catch a cold."
With my golden eyes locked at the sight of his long absent face my words mindlessly fell from my mouth. "I ….ah …just came back from a raining it was really meeting outside." a chill ran through me and it wasn't related to the temperature it was his concerned crimson eyes staring straight into mine.
Grabbing my shoulders his crimson eyes sparkle with worry. "My gosh, Nanami your shivering take your coat off and wait here I'll be right back."
"That's okay Ittoki-kun I'm …." The cheeks on my face felt a new warmth for being caught in my little embarrassing shiver.
I begin to reluctantly pull off my coat yes it was a bit wet but warmth wasn't the issue I could be wearing a hundred coats and I would still get that shiver from him….when he looks at me. Ittoki sprints off into the next room before a moment later when he returns with a dark blue throw laced in his long fingers.
Tossing my hands up I shake my head. "Ittoki-kun I'm f….fine, really."
With his hands holding the corners of the blanket he stretches his arms out wide behind me. Wrapping the blanket and in extension his arms around my entire body. With his soft cheek next to mine I couldn't help but lean my nose into his skin. Closing my eyes I took in a deep breath for memory. He smelled like apples. How long have I dreamed to be this close to him?
"There you go." Acting a bit embarrassed he lets go while scratching his ginger head to stand a bit awkwardly.
"Ah yeah thank you Ittoki-kun." Wrapping the blanket closer to me, also feeling a bit awkward. Damn it I must have been too forward and now I've made him uncomfortable.
He chuckled nervously. "Nanami sit here and I'll make you some tea." The ginger pulls a tall padded bar stool out and gestures a hand to it.
"Oh, no, don't put yourself in any trouble." With my hands covered under the blanket I hold up what look like two thick penguin wings to protest. But he just shakes his head and continues to hold out the seat for me. So I accept it and give one last good tug on the blanket before taking the offered seat.
"Ah thank you but I don't want to be any trouble."
"It's no trouble I mean can't you see I'm dressed for it." Ittoki smiles while extending a hand to wave over his blue and yellow striped apron quite proudly. The material reminded me of the boy's blazer from our school days …..Happier times.
"But..."
"No buts ….it won't take but a few minutes." Ittoki swiftly grabs the yellow tea pot from the top of the stainless steel stove before running the clear water to fill it. With a flick of his wrist he turns on the heat and plops the tea pot on the amber burner.
"T….Thank you…I….I… Ittoki-kun." Stumbling with my words I quickly turn my head to avoid him seeing my warmed cheeks.
The ginger head rock star begins to go back to what he was doing before I walked into the kitchen. Curious my golden eyes slid to his direction. Opening his arms wide to search in every cupboard. Now I could see his muscled lean chest stretched out above me. My eyes traveled lower to see the blue and yellow apron tied around his sides. Where his toned pale skin peeked out from the tie of the apron and the waist of his jeans. "Nanami do you know where they keep the flour." The slightly smiling ginger drops his head above me to ask a question.
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With his question I shake my head once more being caught gazing at a part of him. Snapping my head up to answer his question in a somewhat dazed manner. "Flour? Uh, yeah here let me get it. I begin to shift out of the blanket and leave my seat.
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His large hands swiftly find their way back around my body with the blanket placed around my shoulders. Swirls of apples and a hint of spicy cinnamon emanating from his direction tease my senses. This time I fight my own desires to take another deep breath to not offend him. Pulling back a bit with his hand resting on my shoulders he shakes his head and looks straight in my eyes with concern. "No, no you stay right here until you've warmed up a bit …..just tell me what cupboard."
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My damn body shot another shiver up my spine with his eyes looking over me like that. "The one to the right of the refrigerator." Lifting my hand under the blanket to point a flipper in the direction.
"Great thanks." He drops his hand and gives me a warmer smile but nothing like what he use to give. The smile hadn't reached his eyes. His beautiful face now showed glimpses of concern when he smiled. Nothing like his old beaming sunflower ones. Wondering how long it's been since he smiled like that.
Watching the ginger reach into the cupboard and pull out a large bag of flour and a large bag of sugar. He juggles them with other ingredients in his overfilled arms until he plops them all down on the large kitchen island I was sitting next to.
Catching my eyes I could have sworn he was blushing a bit but he quickly turned his head and pulled out a drawer to search in. "Ah, Nanami you wouldn't know where Natsuki hides the …..Measuring cups, would you?" Asking his question but his eyes never left the drawer. He extends a hand to scratch his ginger head.
Hearing the name of my dear friend a miserable feeling grows inside of me. Reminding me of the situation with most of the Starish band members and their pretending…their lies.
Leaning closer to him I sadly answer. "Ah, yeah, in the drawer left of the sink." He quickly glances up in my direction to accidently catch my eyes. Not being able to look away I just stood there like an idiot. I must have been making him feel uncomfortable once more with my awkward staring because his cheeks begin to radiate a pink warmth on them.
The sunflower yellow teapot whistles with billowing steam bursting out of it.
Ittoki tears his eyes away from mine. "Oh great right on time." He quickly removes the screeching teapot from on top of the burner and flicks the oven off.
He hastily goes back to search in the cupboards. "Ah Nanami, I hate to ask but where is the…"
Knowing what the ginger is looking for my lips grow in a slight smile. "The tea is on the left hand side of the stove."
Heading straight for the cupboard he pulls out a tin of tea and motions to it. "Thanks."
Ittoki slides the hot tea across his workspace to stop just in front of where I'm sitting. "Ah, thank you Ittoki-kun." Nodding my head towards him.
"Not a problem Nanami." He glances up to me with a smile before going back to study a folded piece of paper laying on his work space.
With my hands cupped around the ceramic tea cup I carefully bring the heated liquid to my lips. The warm liquid immediately slides down to begin to warm my insides from the storm. "Ittoki-kun …I would expect to find …others in here but what are you doing in here?" Asking with curiosity burning in my golden eyes. Although avoiding to mention my blonde headed neighbor to avoid my increasing depressed feeling.
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He whips his head up from the piece of paper with handwriting sprawled all over it to shrug his shoulders before he answers a bit nervously. "N….n ...nothing I'm just taking advantage of some time off ….. I thought I'd stay inside since its cold. I'm attempting to make something I've been trying to do for a really long time but never got the chance…..until now."
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Taken back by his nervousness I figure I've interrupted his time and I'm making him a bit uncomfortable. I mean he came home to work and most likely escape his screaming fans. The last thing he needed was a moon eyed girl drooling all over him …..And after this morning's disaster he probably is just being polite like the rest of them. Although my arms still tingle where he held on to them, In fact I don't think I've ever rested so soundly before.
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I begin to adjust my blanket over my shoulders and balance the tea cup in one hand while attempting to move from my seat. "Oh, I'm sorry I'll leave you. I didn't mean to disturb you on your time off."
He hurries over to throw a hand out on my shoulder to gently stop me in my seat. "Uh, no, I need you here with me! …..I mean if you have a minute? I'm kind of lost." He nervously speaks while gazing into my eyes with a pleading look. With his free hand he makes a sweeping arm motion to the kitchen.
Nervously pulling his arm away from me to lean on the kitchen island. With his head peering down on his supporting hand he timidly speaks. "…Besides I was hoping …"
He peeks his crimson eyes in my direction and shrugs his shoulders a bit. "….We could talk…. If you don't mind?"
Caught a little off guard by his request and his eyes to mindlessly question. "Talk?"
He timidly reaches out to place his strong hands on my shoulders. Staring into my eyes while biting his lip before anxiously speaking. "Ah, yeah …..There's a few things I've been hoping to talk to you about for some time now…..If you're not busy." He gives me something closer to my favorite smile.
With my mind hazed over from his smile my words just fell from my mouth. "Ah, no I'm busy."
Dropping his hands allowing his disappointed face to fall. He begins to walk away. "Oh sorry ….well maybe when you're not so busy." Speaking in a depressed tone.
Shaking my head after seeing what I've done I abruptly reach a hand out. My words nervously burst from my mouth. "Ah, no…..that's not what I meant! What I meant is to say no I'm "not" busy."
He turns his head with a bright smile. "Really, Nanami!?"
"Yeah sure, I don't have any more work for the day …so how can I help?" Nodding my head with a growing smile I extend a hand to pull the blanket off my shoulders.
He shakes his ginger head while reaching over to pull the blanket over my shoulders once more. "Oh no, Nanami, just sit here and get warm…. after you finish your tea then I could use your help." My body relaxed under his comforting touch.
Overwhelmed with his proximity and the light swirling scent of apples. I just nodded my head. "Alright Ittoki-kun."
Once I nodded my head he headed back to his paper. "Uh Nanami …"
"Yes, Ittoki-kun? Pulling my cup of warm tea from my lips.
Ittoki anxiously extends a hand to scratch his head. "I'm so sorry about last night and this morning…. If I had known I would never…."
Throwing two hands up to nervously speak. "No, no, it's okay Ittoki-kun …..I know…..you would never." With embarrassment from this morning's little moment we both looked away from each other. Although this morning his arms felt so warm and safe around me …It was something I could have only dreamed about from so long ago.
With my head turned away I softly speak. "Uh, I'll talk to Ringo-san and see if my room is ready."
"Oh, no, Syo and Na-chan said I could bunk with them. Those rooms normally have three beds in them in the first place…we thought it might be fun."
I shook my head before turning to see Ittoki peeking in my direction. "No, your finally back, you should be in your own room ….in your own bed."
With emotional driven eyes he speaks. "Uh, well if it's all the same to you I was going to ask Ringo-san for a different room anyway … since that day." Rubbing his neck he cautiously looks in my direction.
"Uh Nanami?"
"Yes Ittoki"
He swallows hard before speaking. "About when I left, I really…" But he gets cut off by Syo pulling hard on Natsuki's arm as both members of Starish burst through the door causing our heads to snap in their direction.
"Wait! No Natsuki! Don't go in there!" The blond action star clenches his teeth to push against the broad shoulders' of the tall soloist/ dog breeder.
Natsuki's green eyes shine. "Hey Haru-chan, Otoya-chan are you getting ready to make something ….need any help?"
Otoya quickly throws a dish towel over the paper and his gathered ingredients." Ah no, I just finished making a cup of tea for Nanami." Otoya motions to my tea cup. I couldn't help but notice, how he worded his reply so he wasn't out right lying to our friend.
"Hey Nanami, Otoya…. sorry about him." Turning away from his blonde friend for a moment Syo shares a look with Otoya.
"Hey guys." The ginger forces a smile on his face.
"Natsuki, we're only here for something to drink and then back to work. Okay?" Letting go of his roommate to throw his hand on his hips grumbling a warning to his friend.
Natsuki scrutinizes the towel before extending a hand to lace the small towel between his fingers to lift it. "Otoya-chan are you sure you're not making something?" Natsuki speaks with a bit of suspicion.
"Ah, well." Otoya's panicked eyes flash to the blonde action star.
"Natsuki, it doesn't matter if he is, we're working …now grab the drinks and let's go." Syo raises his voice which causes Natsuki's attention to turn away from the towel.
The tall blonde pouts before running to the refrigerator to grab two bottled waters. "Fine."
With the bottled waters held firmly in his hand he stops in front of me. He cautiously tries to touch my shoulder but a mixture of emotions from their lies bubbles deep within me. With a soft remorseful voice he gazes down with sorrowful green eyes. "Nanami I'm so ….."
I shrug away from his touch and turn my head to speak in a miserable tone. "Shinomiya-san I can't… just yet."
He spoke in a miserable tone. "Uh yeah, I understand….. maybe later." A sharp pain stabbed my chest hearing his heartbreaking tone. I didn't have to see him to know his shoulders had fallen and he was now walking away from me. I didn't want to reject him but all these feelings attacking me and pulling me in so many different directions needed to be resolved before I could forgive them.
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"Hey Na-chan how about you and me whip something up when you're done." Otoya forces a smile to try and cheer up his friend. I may be angry with Natsuki and the others but I'm grateful for Otoya looking out for his friend.
"No, that's okay." A broken Natsuki speaks.
Clenching down hard on my teeth to hold my resolve firm. Damn it, his miserable voice keeps throwing punches at my chest.
"Oh come on, I just came home …..I'm sure Syo would come too!" Otoya smiles and forces a facade of a happy tone to encourage our blonde friend.
"Otoya!" Syo flashes his blue eyes with a mixture of fear and anger towards his ginger bandmate.
Otoya shares another look with Syo before the action star crosses his arms over his chest and grumbles. "Fine. Yeah, sounds like fun and maybe we can get Hijirikawa-san to come to. We'll have some of the band together for Otoya's return."
"Yeah, like a guy's night in." Otoya adds with a small genuine smile. Noticing he must really want to see his old friends ….to even suffer through a night of Natsuki's baking.
"Of course we could just go out …..Instead….it might be healthier in the long run." Syo grumbles.
"If it's just the same to you guys ….I've had enough "out" to last a life time …..Uh, why don't we talk about this later?" Otoya's smile falls a bit with the mention of them going out when his eyes catch sight of mine.
"Yeah, good idea, we still have a lot of work ….. So later." Syo pushes their depressed friend out the swinging white door.
With the sight of the swinging empty door Otoya rushes over to timidly throw an arm around my body. "I'm sorry about that…. Hey are you okay?" Speaking in a soft comforting tone.
"Uh, yeah." Nodding my head while extending a hand to wipe away my emerging tears. I really hated seeing them this way but for now this is just how it's going to have to be. Until I can untangle my true feelings with the lying.
"You know their good guys Nanami and I'm sure ..." The ginger brings me closer for a tighter hug.
"No, Ittoki-kun I can't …..Just yet." Shaking my head while a miserable whisper leaks from my lips.
Extending his hand to loosely meet his other hand around my body. "Okay, but if you need to talk about it …..I'm here...from now on I'm always here." Whispering into my hair while rubbing comforting circles against my back. I know Ittoki and I have our own long time issues to sort out and resolve but at that moment he felt like my old close friend that never left.
"Yeah, just not today." Nodding my head I whisper.
Wiping my eyes once more I reach over to toss the blue blanket off my shoulders and force a smile on my face. "So what do you need help with?"
He leans down to study my face before nodding to himself. "Oh, so you're finally ready?" The ginger chuckles to himself before giving me a quick wink with his crimson eye.
Ignoring the small fact I've been trying to get out of this chair on three separate occasions to help. I just nod my head to the well-meaning ginger. It didn't hurt that each time I tried I found his arms wrapped around me.
He stands up straight before strolling back over to his work area. "Well, do you know where the baker's chocolate is and oh a large mixing bowl?" He asks me with a genuine smile on his face. Nothing like his beaming sunflower smiles but closer. Which told me he really wanted to do this …but for what reason I had no idea.
Walking over to a tall cupboard I opened the cupboard. "Uh well, anything you would bake with would be here in this cupboard."
While Ittoki examines the previous cupboard for his needed items I quickly climb a tall step ladder. Straining to reach for the needed item I stretch my arms over my head and push up on the very tips of my toes. With my finger just touching the glossy surface of the yellow ceramic bowl. "And this is where we keep our mixing bowls."
With one last stretch my finger just about caught the edge of the bowl. That's when my ankle begins to wobble causing me to lose my balance off the ladder. "Nanami!" Ittoki hastily tosses everything allowing the items to fly from his arms to sprint to my side. He arrives just in enough time to catch my falling body. Throwing my arms around his neck with astonished eyes I glance up to his concerned face.
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"Are you okay Nanami?" Shifting his arms so my body is held closer to his firm chest with my feet hanging over his arm. He locks his beautiful concerned eyes with mine causing a massive shiver to occur over my body. It's just like before no matter what trouble I found myself in Ittoki–kun would always be around to catch or …help me in some way.
"Oh, my gosh, Nanami are you still cold? I bet your coming down with a cold… maybe I should just take you back so you can lie down." He frantically speaks.
I shook my head but my eyes remained locked on the man's crimson eyes. Raising a hand to mindlessly point in the direction of the item he needed. "Uh no, I'm fine ….the mixing bowls are up there…. Ittoki-kun, by the way…. what are you making?" Mindlessly babbling my words with a blush on my own cheeks.
His eyes never left mine but I could see a blush emerging on his cheeks. He leaned in to speak softly. "Ah well…. you see I'm making a cake."
A little caught off guard I lean in closer to whisper back with my eyes never leaving his crimson orbs. "A cake?"
With a wide smile he slowly nods his head but softly speaks while moving a bit closer. "Uh huh, something I've wanted to make for a really long time …..For someone who means a lot to me."
Completely caught in his eyes my fogged mind just behaves on its own and whispers my words with my eye lids slowly falling. "Otoya… that's really nice…..you must really care for the person deeply."
He too begins to slide his eye lids almost closed as I can feel his whispers against my lips. "Oh I do …like I said Haruka…. it's been a long time coming. In fact it's been...much…much too long."
"Oh, excuse me Ittoki-kun, Miss Nanami."
"Ringo-san!" with extreme blushed cheeks he clumsily sets my feet down on to the floor. "Yeah the mixing bowl was helping me find Nanami." Ittoki motions up to the bowls.
Bouncing my head up and down several times with burning cheeks. "Yeah, that's right and then I slipped from the Ittoki-kun and the ladder caught me. I mean …" I nervously speak.
Ringo shook his head and chuckled a bit. I just came here for a water but since I have you two here. Do you two remember that first song the both of you turned in? It went something like… "
The pink haired cross dresser tried to remember the words. ~"Carried on this melody created by two….. It seems like the future is overlapping with…. today."~
With Ittoki's words from our first song being somewhat sung by our old sensei my heart flew back in time ….Where two bright eyed inexperienced students who have yet to even attempt to create a song had all the choices laid out in front of them just waiting to be made.
Well, I've been talking with your former principal. We think you two should release that song to benefit your school, Ittoki-san. The pink haired cross dresser speaks with a bit of excitement motioning to us both.
The ginger reaches up and rubs his neck a little concerned. "Uh, gee I don't know …I've never released that song…. it's kind of spec…."
"It was our first." I mindlessly cut the ginger off.
"A song like that could help a lot of schools in one shot. Shining is willing to donate the production cost…. everything …you two think it over and get back to me." He reaches in the refrigerator to pull a tall clear bottle from it before closing it swiftly.
Twisting the cap off before tilting it up to meet his lips for a small delicate sip from the bottle. "Okay, well, I need to get back …..Carry on with whatever I've interrupted." Waving a dismissive hand as he raises his eyebrow to the ginger.
With the empty door swinging once more.
Ittoki-kun nervously asks while staring into my eyes once more. "Uh, where were we?"
"I think…. a mixing bowl." Awkwardly pointing up.
"That's right, here let me." He no sooner speaks then reaches for the bowl to carefully bring it down.
"No need for a trip to the hospital today, I'm sure there will be plenty of that later on tonight." He chuckles while shaking his head at what he is willing to endure to cheer up a friend.
"Oh ha-ha you're so funny. Shinomiya-san isn't that bad anymore. I've worked with him over the years he no longer uses squid ….so how can I help." With the mere mention of our friend my emotions start to bubble once more but I manage to force them back for now.
"How about a cake pan?" Standing at his workspace glancing up from his paper.
Walking over to the cabinet for pans I quickly reach in and pull out three separate choices to hold them up. "Ok your choices are round, square or cupcake."
Ittoki shivered with the thought of the small birthday party treat. "Ah, no, no cupcake …I had a really bad experience with a cupcake before…. Flamethrower and all …How about round, that's what I always thought it should look like."
"Ok, now what?" Placing the round pan down on his workstation.
The ginger looks up from carefully measuring the proper amount of white sugar before tipping the substance in the ceramic bowl. "Ah let's see ….preheat the oven and have another cup of tea."
"That's it?" Throwing my hands up in the air with a confused look.
The ginger glances up from carefully reading his folded paper to nod his head. "Yep, unless I run into trouble I would really like to attempt this on my own." My old friend slides another cup of hot tea across to me with a growing wide smile. Strolling over to glide into my seat as I watch the ginger carefully work. I'm beginning to see glimpses of his old smile as he talks about his little project.
Resting my head on my folded hand my eyes intently watch the rock star use a cheese grater to shed the baker's chocolate. "Ittoki-kun where did you learn how to bake a cake?" Amazed as he's using techniques I have never seen before and that he didn't even try and taste the baker's chocolate. Which is usually one of the first mistakes beginners make when making a chocolate cake.
"Oh, it's a little hobby of mine." While cracking two eggs on the edge of the liquid measuring cup.
"There's not a lot of things you can do stuck in a hotel room by yourself in another country. One night after a concert I was too wired to sleep so I flipped on the television." His voice turned a little depressed when he mentioned the lonely nights. With a rubber spatula he folded the eggs into his wet mixture.
He closely takes a long flat spatula looking thing and lightly runs it across the cup of flour to get the exact amount. "I could only understand a few words of the native language so I just sat there mindlessly surfing the TV stations. Attempting to find something I could follow when I flipped to a channel where a large white haired woman was making a cake."
Once done he pours the cup into another bowl for his dry mixture. "I couldn't understand a lot of what she was saying but I could follow what she was doing. So I started watching cooking shows and taking notes. Well mostly baking but a few cooking shows here and there." Holding up his folded paper delicately held between his fingers.
With my hands laced around the warm ceramic cup and my head pointed down towards it. I cautiously spoke in a bit of a depressed tone. "I'm sorry…. Ittoki-kun it sounds like it's a bit…. lonely for you."
"Ah well Nanami don't get me wrong you see some amazing sights but for the most part your shuttled from one location to another …..it's nothing like when we went on tour as Starish. We were busy but there was always someone around to hang out with." He lets out a heavy sigh before adding another cup of flour. Reaching up he scratches his face unknowingly leaving a wide smudge of flour on his face.
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Listening to his words about being on tour my heart begins to ache for the two wide eyed students sitting on the bench working on their very first song. With their future not quite revealed to them just yet …..But soon the ambitious pair would pick a path that seems to lead to utter loneliness…..Was it the same for the rest of them as well. Is Ōtori-san right? Are we all lonely because of Shining's agency?
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My eyes slide over to the ginger headed rock star leaning over with his head pushed deep into the refrigerator. A smile grew wide on my lips when my golden eyes travel down to see two large hand prints of white placed on Ittoki's rather tone and attractive looking backside. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"What so funny." Ittoki turns his head to look at me. I turned my head as a blush suddenly burned my cheeks of being caught staring at my friend's eye catching flour covered bottom.
"Uh nothing." Waving a dismissive hand out.
"So you can bake?" Desperate to not have to explain my little chuckling moment to my friend.
"Well in theory only….. I haven't tested it, until now." Carefully stirring the mixture with a long wooden spoon.
"Uh, Nanami, this doesn't seem to be turning out." He tips the bowl in my direction with a small discouraged pout on his face.
Studying the large bowl containing the dark liquid mixture with sizeable islands of yellow peeking out from the chocolate. I knew exactly what went wrong. "Did you let the butter sit out a bit, to soften?"
"Oh that's right! They always say something about it in the beginning of the show but it's always ready to go when they use it." He lightly slaps his cheek for forgetting .Leaving another flour mark on his face.
Walking over to Ittoki's work space I quickly pull open a drawer next to him and pull out a wired item you would normally use to cut into flour. "Here maybe if we use this it will make it easier for you." I start to push the wired item slowly into the butter and rock it back and forth. To slice the solid yellow cubes into something a bit smaller.
Ittoki steps closer to hold his arms on either side of me. "May I, Nanami?" He speaks softly in my ear.
"Ah, yeah, sure." Nodding my head. My heart begins to race with his rather close proximity as I carefully hand him the wired item.
I'm about to move back to my seat when his strong arms close around me to get closer to the bowl. His large hands press into the cold yellow bricks. My teeth press down a bit on my bottom lip as he slowly rocks his hands back and forth to slice into the butter. Trapped against his heated firm chest and his increasingly tightened arms ….not to mention the damn apple and spiced cinnamon aroma surrounding me causing my head to feel a bit dazed. "Like this Nanami?" His warm breath cascades over my ear when he softly speaks into it.
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"Uh huh….just like that." I answer a bit dazed….when another shiver runs over my body.
Hearing a small chuckle a second later. My cheeks are inflamed as I shake my head at the realization he's probably figured out my little secret reaction to him. "Ok now I'll try and stir the smaller pieces in with a hand mixer." I went to pull away but his arms held firm.
.
"Ah, just a minute let me get a few more pieces cut down." Speaking softly once more into my ear. He wraps around me even closer to dig further into the bowl to cut the butter into smaller pieces. Happy with his work he begins to hum an all too familiar melody as he works with the butter. I feel my body melting into his as I watch him press down and rock back and forth with his hands clasped together. My head falls a bit back in his chest as the all too familiar dazed feeling washes over me.
.
His Humming slows to repeat the song to its delicate beginning…reminding me of that night next to the lake. When we both arrived separately to discover our beginning…..of something special….that can never be. Because the two wide eyed students picked the path of their dreams…which leads to being alone with your career.
Speaking softly to the ginger. "Ittoki-kun, I think it's small enough to get the rest with a hand mixer, now."
"Uh Yeah, you might be right, Nanami." He softly speaks and steps away.
Tugging a lower drawer open I pull a hand mixer out to unravel the cord and plug it in.
My thumb switches the lever on it lowest setting to begin to whip the chocolate mixture.
"May I Nanami" Ittoki-kun asks once more. I turn off the mixer and step to the side of the bowl.
Ittoki again grabs the item but with his arms around me .He carefully flips the switch to begin to whip his dark batter. "Nanami it seems a little thick." With his words he increases the speed to maximum and begins to whip his mixture.
"Ok, that should do it."
"No wait…." But before I can warn him to turn off the mixer first. He lifts it out of the mixture and into the air causing chocolate to "splat" everywhere.
Realizing what is happening he swiftly turns off the mixer. "I'm so sorry Nanami I didn't mean for that to happen. He leans down with wide apologetic eyes.
Glancing up to insure my friend that I didn't blame him and it was a simple accident. But instead of doing any of the aforementioned I just ….Burst out in laughter at the ginger's face.
"Nanami?" Giving me a concerned look on his face.'
Continuing to roll with laughter as I point to Ittoki splatted with the chocolate liquid. "I'm not …the only one with a little cake…. on my face."
Standing a bit on my toes I travel a finger alongside his confused and chocolate cover cheek before quickly extending my finger to show him. ….but to my surprise he wraps his lips around it before quickly pulling away "Mm that tastes really good….not bad for my first attempt" Giving me a wide smile.
Beginning to feel an old feeling in my chest ignite for just a second when I saw it…. for just a split second.. I saw his sunflower smile touch his lips.
With his crimson eyes burning into mine he reaches out his long finger to make a gentle path along my cheek. Holding it out for a taste. Inwardly debating with myself I decide if there's just an off chance he'll smile like that again …..Then it would be all worth it. With my eyes never leaving his I cautiously move to slide my own lips around his finger to quickly taste the chocolate batter.
"Mm, your right that does taste good. I answered back softly with a bit of a blush on my cheeks.
"Here you have a bit more …..allow me." Motioning to my face.
He timidly extends a hand to touch the side of my lips before sliding it painstakingly slow across my bottom lip. A small flickering flame dances in his crimson eyes as he gradually brings the chocolate cover thumb between his own soft lips. "Mm, Nanami I think it tastes better coming from you," He smiled once with his sunflower smile peeking through but his smile fell and his eyes ignited when he stopped in a thought.
Reaching out with his extensive warm fingers wrapped tight around my fragile shoulders. "Uh, Nanami, I need to tell something." His face melted into a serious expression with the flames in his eyes smoldering in a searing heat.
Never quite seeing this side of my longtime friend my golden eyes grow with concern. "Ittoki-kun?"
"There's something I've been meaning to say ……." He drops a hand from my shoulder to slide his hand down my hair stopping it next to my cheek.
"…for a long time now …. I noticed around the time of our first year at school." His lip slides under his teeth for a moment staring down into my eyes before continuing.
His eyes look so intense in mine, almost pained …Oh god this is it, he was sent to tell me I'm not really their friend that they have been pretending for so long .It makes since, he won't lie. I've seen it …..The others know this …..They even cover for him. Just as Syo did in the kitchen. He's here to set me straight …Damn it and I thought I felt something come from him…..Damn it, you fool ….he was stalling …..He doesn't want to hurt me ….but he won't let them lie. That's why he's showed up out of the blue…..after so long. With the thought of the real reason an excruciating pain rips through my chest with all the delicate nerves from my past memories exposed and throbbing with pain. "Ittoki?" My voice breaks in a whisper as my own eyes moisten.
"I …have these strong feelings for…"
"Oh Otoya-kins where are you darling …..I'm finally here." A familiar irritating voice shatters the silence in the room.
"Kimi-san? What are you doing here ….I ….thought I said…." He drops his hands and quickly steps away from me. Ittoki's eyes go wide as he turns away with a confuse expression on his face speaking to himself.
A tall woman with shining black hair struts around the corner while dragging her red suitcase behind her. With tall thin heels and a tightly formed skirt that barely allowed any movement above the knee she makes her way to the ginger headed man and wraps her arms around the rock star. "Oh sweetie, I am your assistant. I knew you didn't really want to leave me behind so I hopped on daddy's plane and here I am." Leaning over to kiss his cheek. Noticing he doesn't pull away from her forwardness.
The sight of the bright red lipstick mark left on his cheek caused my exposed nerves to radiate searing pain. "Ah Kimi-san this is my old friend Nanami-san." He motions in my direction.
She leans in closer to Ittoki's body while her cold purple eyes travel up and down my body. "I don't think my Otoyakins has ever mentioned you before, Nana is it?"
The ginger shakes his head. " No Kimi-san its Nanami-san."
She waves a dismissive hand towards me before guiding her fingers up his chest where it holds firm. "Oh, whatever. Be a doll and show me to my room, it's been such a long flight. I so need to freshen up before dinner Otoyakins, darling."
He steps aside from her and motions to my side of the room. "Ah, I'm kind of in the middle of something at the moment."
Her violet eyes search through the room before a board expression appears on her face. "Oh your little cake experiment thing, well I'm sure it will keep…..I need to go lie down Otoyakins." Lifting her hand to slide across his cheek.
With the sight my stomach begins to turn …lonely my ass. Not with her around the way she was talking it seemed he had plenty of company after his concerts.
"Nanami there's a visitor at the door for you it's Ōtori-san, Eiji …. he said something about a date or for coffee." Ringo's voice sang out from the foyer.
"Ōtori-san …..Why is he here for you?" Ittoki's crimson eyes flashed with a mixture of emotions towards me as he swiftly caught my arm to tug me forward.
"Oh ah….I should go." I had no idea why he showed up but with Kimi so close to …..Him. It hurts my chest so badly I needed to leave ….any excuse seemed perfect at the time.
A wicked smile emerges on Kimi's glossy red lips as she leans once more into the ginger, gracefully allowing her finger to graze across Ittoki's chest. "See your little friend has other plans so could you please show me to my room? We could get a little cozy before dinner…..after all I've missed you darling." She lustfully whispers the last part.
"Ah yeah Ittoki-kun …I really need to go it seems your busy anyway." Hearing the woman's lecherous words my heart ripped once more I could feel tears beginning to prick my eyes. Yanking away my arm from the ginger's hold. I refuse to cry in front of this cat screeching woman.
"But Nanami!" He attempts to grab on to me once more but I manage to step away.
"Ah yeah, I definitely need to go …Kimi-san it was nice to have met you." Giving the smug woman a small bow before turning away from my friend to run in the opposite direction. My eyes began to leak streams of tears…I've been holding back for him…missing him so terribly over the years.
I could hear his footsteps quicken. "No wait don't go…..I need to talk to you, Nanami!" His voice sounded pained but I just couldn't look back.
End of Haruka's POV
Otoya's POV
"I hope the cake turns out for you." Her voice cracks underneath an all too familiar well placed façade. ….I've been wearing that same mask for so long.
Stopping at the entrance of the swinging door. I watch her retreating figure shrink further and further away from me. Unwilling to hide my true feelings I softly speak to myself in a heart wrenching tone. "Nanami, the cake was for….. "You."
End of chapter 10.
A/N This took a little longer then I thought …I had a lot to explore in this chapter .Hearing from some of you I guess the reveal from last chapter threw a few people. Sorry if it wasn't what you expected.
Well I'm done with splitting "Lifetime Bonds" it took me 6 weeks of work to do it ….but now you should get more updates .I don't really follow a schedule I attempt to update on a weekly basis .Don't roll your eyes, I have five stories so sometimes the week stretches into two weeks. Which I think is pretty good since it takes me about 2-3 days of work from start to finish .The whole creative process can be a bit involved …..So I haven't forgotten you or the story.
Well thanks for taking a peek please follow/review. It only takes a few minutes whereas the aforementioned can take me 2-3 days. So I think it's a fair request.
Okay I'll see ya soon I think its "Hikaru's doodles" and "Back in our world" turn.
In "Hikaru's doodles" (T) Hikaru has left the island with a dark foreboding feeling. Heading back to Japan after his dream date to convince Tamaki.
In "Back in our world" (M) Things are about to heat up at the hot springs for the twins as they get ready for Kaoru's departure for the fast approaching fall fashion weeks ….but Hika has his own surprise waiting for his twin and it may have him a bit concerned. See ya later, Alimackatjac