She could feel the flashes blinding her eyes as soon as they entered the ball room. The music blasted and few journalist firing questions at Aoyama as they walked along the red carpet where the media gathered.
She didn't realise its a big event and forgot that Aoyama actually a professional International hockey player that just returned back to Japan. Its no wonder the media is all over him and he's so nervous about the event.
Coming with him tonight is definitely opened her eyes to his world and the side of him that she didn't know about. They've been going out together with the rest of the boys and everyone seems to be just like how they used to be when in fact tonight reminded her just how the last five years played role.
She also occasionally on the media and spotlight as part of the national team and her achievement but even that part of her world she didn't share with the rest of the guys including Akama. It make her wonder just how different they all are now.
"Isn't she's Momozono Miki, the national athlete for Gymnast?",
"Could you explain your relationship?"
"Are you both dating?"
"What's your plan next, Mr. Saburo?"
She's suddenly felt overwhelmed and wonder if its a wrong decision to come as his date after all. She glanced at Aoyama who looks very calm and confident as he said "No comment" and put his arm around her as he lead her to the party area where press are not allowed to join.
"Sorry about that Miki. I didn't expect that", he said quickly as they're away from the press.
"That's fine! I should have known it would be like this. I just didn't remember how it used to be. But .. Wow.. Didn't think you're that famous", she can't help but teased him.
He gave a short laugh as he passed her a glass of champagne "Well.. I hope you regret you're not dating me for real then" he winked at her as she laughed.
"Wow! Aoyama. Care to introduce your pretty date?", a few guys approached them. They all very well toned and each has a beautiful girl on their arms.
Miki smiled at them.
"Everyone, this is Miki", he said simply as they all try to talk to her.
"Are you an athlete too? I think I've seen you somewhere", said a guy trying to jogged his memory.
Miki just smiled politely as she nodded "I'm in Gymnast". She couldn't be bother elaborate it more since it will all be irrelevant soon.
"Talk to you guys later. We'd better hit the buffet before its all gone. I'm hungry!", exclaimed Aoyama as he grabbed Miki and walked away from them.
"They're the noisiest bunch and will drilled you endlessly", explained Aoyama as he grabbed a plate and pass it on to Miki.
She just laughed as she thought of her own team mates. "I know what you mean. Don't sweat it! "
"Let's seat there near the balcony away from them", he said before leading the way to a table near the balcony. The view was breathtaking and its the most quiet table since its in the near corner of the room away from the speaker and buffet.
"Are you sure you don't want to mingle with your friends?" Asked Miki. She assumed Aoyama a group person. "I'm really fine incase you worry about me", she added.
He looked up to her before gesturing her to sit and shook his head "Nah its fine. I'll see them often enough to talk. Tonight they all busy with their dates anyway. When it comes to dancing time, I'll make sure to join them and let's us show them who will own the center stage", he winked at her. She lighted up at the idea. She hardly dance in those parties she's in because she had no partner to do so which is why she was so happy at the club.
"Oh yeah, Aoyama.. I heard from Kuroda you're interested to move in to their building too. Is that true?", she asked.
"Ah.. That's true. I was thinking of it. Since both Akama and Kuroda is already there and you also live not far from there so its just seems like a great location" he said before added "why did you ask?"
She smiled as she pondered her decision this afternoon "well.. How do you feel to be Akama's next door neighbour?"
His eyes widened at the question. "You want me to move in with you?"
Miki bursted into laugther at his wrong assumption "No, silly! I'm moving in with Akama so the place would be empty if you interested".
He stared at her "You moving in with him? Are you guys that serious?.. Isn't it a bit too fast?", He looked surprised.
She just sipped her champagne slowly taking her time before she put it down and look at him in the eye "I thought its too fast too but .. I've been thinking about it the last few days and I will go with my heart and take the risk"
Aoyama didn't say anything for a while.
"You're really into him, aren't you?" He said finally. She smiled shyly at the question before nodding.
"So? Is that mean you still interested to move there?", she asked hopefully.
"And see you everyday with him?", he let out a groan. "You guys are killing me, you know that?" Miki chuckled as she hit his hand playfully.
"Stop being such a drama King. You should be happy for me" she said smiling. She knew Aoyama just being expressive and didn't mean it that way.
"Fine! I'm happy for you Mrs. Kenichi. Omedetou!", he said sarcastically as she blushed at the thought of being Mrs. Kenichi.
"Let's dance and don't sulk! Its your night..", said Miki as she pulled him from his seat and lead him to the dance floor.
They had so much fun dancing as if the dance floor is their territory and his friends joined them as they danced the night away.
-
"I had so much fun! Thanks for tonight", said Miki as she walked out of the car and noticed Aoyama walked out too.
"I walked you in, since you're my date for the night. I can only be sure to bring you back safely in one piece".
She laughed as she slipped her hand around his arms as they walked in.
"Thanks again for tonight. I really appreciate you coming and agreeing to this. It means a lot to me", he said as they enter the gate.
She shook her head "No worries! That's what friends are for. Beside I wasn't doing anything anyway." She smiled and stopped as she saw Aoyama's expression and she followed his gaze as she turned around and to her astonishment found Akama stood not far from there staring at both of them with an expression that she can't even describe.
"Akama!", she exclaimed still surprised to see him there. "What are you doing here at this hour? I thought you won't be back till tomorrow morning", she said as she ran towards him.
He didn't say a word. His eyes staring straight at Aoyama ignoring her.
"I'm sorry I took Miki this late. I invited her to an event and she did me a favour agreeing to accompany me tonight", explained Aoyama as he approached him.
"Don't you know any better?", Akama asked icily.
"What is that suppose to mean?", Aoyama glared at him. Miki quickly held Akama's hand trying to signalling him to stop.
"Just what do you think you're doing asking your friend's girlfriend to be your date when your friend is not even here. Is that how much you valued our friendship?", he said sharply.
Aoyama couldn't say anything. He just stared at him for a minute before exhaling "I'm sorry. Its wrong of me to do that. I wasn't thinking back then."
"Its not entirely his fault, I agreed to it. Stop this already, Akama. You misunderstand the whole thing.", Miki said quickly trying to make him look at her but he didn't budge.
"Anyway, I'm truly sorry. I better get going. You might want to talk privately as people might hear you here. Thanks again for helping me out, Miki and Akama.. I'm really sorry. It won't happen again. I promise", he said as he turned around not waiting for Akama to say anything in return.
"What is wrong with you? You make a big deal out of nothing and Aoyama is my friend too. What's wrong with going out with a friend?", she asked him as Aoyama was out of sight.
Akama finally looked at her and she shuddered at the way he did. His eyes so cold and full of anger.
"What is wrong with me?.. I tell you what's wrong, Miki. I couldn't wait until tomorrow to see you so I drive ahead of everyone for 6 hours just so I could see you tonight. I came here.. Waited and waited .. And just as I'm getting worried about you, there you are all dressed up, clearly having fun and in another guy's arm. Now you tell me what's wrong with me", he said sharply as his eyes pierced through hers like a dart.
She couldn't say a word. She was so looking forward to see him she could hardly wait until tomorrow and meeting him this way is the last thing she expected to happen.
"If I knew you would be back today I would never agree to go anywhere." She said finally but he shook his head in disbelief.
"That's not the point. Just because I'm not here, doesn't mean you should just go out with another guy regardless who they are especially as their date. Don't you know how I feel at the sight of two of you looking so intimate?", he shook his head sounded frustrated.
"Are you telling me that I can't go out with my friends anymore? Aoyama is a friend. We're not intimate regardless how you see it. We're been that way ever since and I'm sorry if you have a problem with that but being my boyfriend doesn't give you full control of my life", she said sharply as she met his eyes.
He looked taken aback hearing what she was saying.
For a while they just stood there without saying a word before Akama looked at her. His eyes looked sad. "I understand. If that's how you feel. Good night Miki. " He turned around as he walked out before stop at his track and turned to her as he throw her a small box, she caught it in time as she looked up to him confused.
"Its a little gift that I bought for you. When I saw it, I thought of you. Hope you like it... Oh! One more thing.. You look beautiful tonight, Miki", he sounded sad as he said those words. He smiled at her but his eyes looked hurt.
Miki just stood there as she watched him leave. She stared at the box and went in to her room before she drop herself on the bed and closed her eyes. What a mess!
Chap. 36
Miki woke up as she realise she still fully dressed from the previous night.
She stared lazily at her alarm clock. 9.00 am. She finally drag herself up and went for shower.
She was just about to leave for breakfast when she notice a small box on her desk and straight away reminded of what happened last night.
She opened the box and saw a beautiful diamond necklace. Its so beautiful she gasps at the sight. Diamond is her symbol as goggle Pink. Is that why Akama thought of her? She wonder.
She quickly put the necklace in the box and locked it in her drawer before making her way out.
As she was having her breakfast and morning coffee, she checked her phone to see if Akama called her but there's no missed call from him at all. Just as she stared at it her phone rang making her almost jump in her seat. She saw the caller, its Aoyama.
"Yeah" she answered lazily.
"I'm sorry about last night. Just want to make sure you didn't get into trouble with Akama after I left"
"Don't worry. Its not your fault. If anything, Its mine for agreeing"
"Yeah but he's right.. I should know better. You had a boyfriend now.. I shouldn't just do that especially he's my friend. If your boyfriend a stranger, I might get beaten up by now. I didn't think of that"
"Well, Akama can't control my life anyway just because I'm his girlfriend. Stop feeling bad, Aoyama. I'm fine. He's fine and just hope that he's ok by tomorrow for our weekend trip to Kurokawa. I hate to see you both tense around each other when we meant to have fun together",
"I almost forget about the trip. Oh and.. One more thing, I hope he's not a fan of sports magazine or else we both will be in trouble again. Just thought of giving you a heads up on the media alert. I'm having a hard time this morning as it is."
"What's wrong with the media?"
"If you haven't notice it then I guess its fine. See you tomorrow!" He said quickly before she could ask more he hung up.
As she hang up her phone rang again.
"That was rude! " She said quickly expecting its Aoyama calling to apologize for hanging up abruptly.
"Just what you think you get yourself into, Miki?" Kuroda's voice sounded annoyed.
She stared at the receiver for a second before putting it back to her ear.
"What? Did Akama cry on your shoulder?", she said sarcastically.
"What's wrong with Akama?", he asked back
"I don't know. What are you talking about?", she's confused.
"I'm talking about the story on the hot couple, Aoyama and Miki who went public last night with their relationship", he said as she gasps.
"Its way too early for that kind of joke, Kuroda and its not funny at all", she said feeling annoyed.
"Do I sounds like I'm laughing right now? More than anything I feel like kicking both of you right now", he said sounded mad.
"Where did you hear that? Is that what Akama told you?", she can't help feeling anger building up inside her.
"Its all over the morning newspaper on the sports section." He said almost yelling.
"I had to go. I call you back", she said quickly as she hang up and grabbed the newspaper infront of her flipping the pages until she saw her picture with Aoyama with his hand around her as they smiled to the camera. She read through it quickly to find her name mention as his girlfriend.
'Renowned international hockey player go public with a promising national athlete of our own.."
".. According to a close friends of Saburo, they had known each other a long time and she's one of the reason he decided to return to Japan permanently.."
She closed her eyes trying to breath.
"Ah, Miki! Just the person I'm looking for", Mr. Ryusuke took a seat infront of her before staring at the page as he look at her.
She quickly put the paper aside. "You're looking for me?".
He smiled "I didn't know you had such a promising boyfriend. He's one of the top player and if only you told me about him earlier, we might have a good chance on getting you back on the team"
She looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you have created a bit of mess and bad image on yourself with what happened. But if you're associated with a guy like Saburo, it might work to your benefit as he's currently in the spotlight. He had a very good image and background and with your achievement and potential, the two of you would draw a lot of media's attention toward the school and our team's activities" he paused before smiling softly "it could means getting you back on the team and put you back on your way to the olympic next year".
Her eyes widened at the news she's hearing "but.. But.. He's not my boyfriend. He's just an old friend of mine" she explained.
He gave a short laugh "The fact is not as important as you should have known from what happened last time. The important thing is effect and result. Like I said, if you could associate yourself with him more often it would works toward your own advantage. If he's a friend surely he wouldn't mind helping you"
She didn't say anything "but I have a boyfriend" she said finally.
He sighed as she said it "now.. That would be a problem. Is he an athlete too? What did he do?" He asked
She just shook her head.
"As your coach, my advise is.. Try to think of your future and your goal. Don't waste your time with guys that can't give you any advantage towards your career and starts dating one that actually able to make you one step ahead. In sports, nothing last forever. So while you have the chance, take it and never look back" he said as he got up and patted her shoulder before he left her.
All the dreams that she thought was shattered is suddenly reappear right infront of her waiting for her to put it all together again and from what Mr. Ryusuke's been hinting her, Aoyama is the key to it.
She closed her eyes. She never been so confused and lost.
Everything that Mr. Ryusuke said made sense to her but she just can't choose between her dream and her relationship with Akama. Choosing her dream only means coming back to endless practice and losing Akama along the way. Choosing Akama means closing her eyes on a dream that hasn't ended yet. Can she really live her life knowing that she had a chance to make her dream come true.
She can't think. She reached her pocket for her ipod as she put it on her arm before make a dash trhough the athletic field. She ran as fast as she could as she turned up the volume and wished that she could do the same to her problem.
Chap. 37
Akama threw the paper on the floor as he read through it. He can't contain his anger on what's written there and the sight of Aoyama's arm around Miki as if she's belong to him.
He's furious. He was waiting for a good hour before he heard their voice as they got out the car.
He missed her so much he left as soon as they ended the project. They told him to wait but he couldn't wait another night. The drive was unbearable as he felt so tired and sleepy but the thought of having her in his arms makes him feel alright and keep him awake during the night drive down from the mountain. He couldn't wait to see her again.
To his disappointment she wasn't in and as always, her phone was off. So he decided to wait until he saw them. The first thing he noticed was how beautiful she looked that night. All dressed up with her bare shoulder and slender legs that looked even more appealing with the high heel she wore.
He then noticed Aoyama as he dressed up almost like a couple next to each other with his tie a matching colour to her dress. He mentioned Miki as his date and he saw how Miki slipped her hand on his arms and how he casually put his arms around her as he walked her in and he just lost it.
The whole scene somehow hurt him so bad. The sight of her next to him looking so beautiful and sexy and the fact that they went as a date and he got to show her off as if she's belong to him.
He can't help feeling angry at Aoyama. What kind of friendship they had if he can't even respect him as Miki's boyfriend and asked her out just like that especially behind his back.
And he's angry at her for agreeing to Aoyama's request without considering his feeling whatsoever.
Looking at the story today made him even more furious.
Miki didn't even try to stop him from leaving last night and didn't call him to at least apologise. He wonder if he's over react with the whole thing.
He threw himself on his bed and closed his eyes. The last thing he expected after that long drive was this.
-
Kuroda watched as Miki passed him the second time not realising he's there despite he tried calling her name as she went by him.
He waited until she's close before he pulled her earphone away making her startled, looked back and lost her balance. She fell hard on the ground.
Kuroda waited for her to get up but she just stayed on the ground. "Get up, Miki! You can't avoid me forever", he said as he jabbed her shoulder.
"Go away", Her voice trembled.
She finally wiped her eyes and stared at him chillingly "are you here to scold me? Because if you are, I don't want to hear it. "
Kuroda stared at her already red eyes as he saw the tears rolling down her cheek.
He sighed before helping her got up on her feet.
"Look, the last thing you want right now is to pick a fight with me. Just want to know how you holding up and thought of driving you to Akama's place if you need to talk to him." He said before continuing "You owe it to clear it up to him at least. He would believe you if you say so. But to leave it unexplained and just running around won't solve any problem."
She nodded at the suggestion even though she doesn't feel like facing Akama just yet after what happened.
"I'll wait for you in the car. Go get change." He ordered and too tired to argued she just did what was told.
She looked at her drawer for a minute before she took the necklace and put it in her pocket. She didn't plan to stay over so she just took her keys and left.
Chap. 38
He heard the bell rang a few times but he couldn't be bother getting up. His head felt so heavy.
He heard a knock but still doesn't feel like getting up. He closed his eyes trying to block the noise. Whoever it is could come back later.
"Akama.. Are you in?", at the sound of Miki's voice he got up straight away as he ran to the door almost trip over his backpack on the way.
He opened the door quickly and find Miki was about to turned away. She looked at him as he opened the door wide enough for her to get in.
"Were you asleep? Did I disturb you?", she asked as she eyed him from head to toe. He looked at himself before he realised he's only in his training pants as he was about to shower before he saw the news and threw himself back to bed.
"Just come in", he said quickly before closing the door behind her and walked back to bed as he threw himself on top of it.
Miki just stared at him don't know where to start.
"I can come back later if you want me to. Just have a good rest.", she said finally.
Akama turned to face her without bothering to get up.
"You're here already. Might as well say what you wanted to say." He said curtly.
"I'm trying.. But you sound so cold I might just come back when you're back to normal", she said after a pause.
He finally got up "I'm all ears" he said lazily.
"About Aoyama..."She hesitated.
He said nothing and just looked away and threw himself back on the bed as he put both hands behind his head at the mention of Aoyama's name.
"Its really not like what it seems." she saw the newspaper on the floor before she closed her eyes trying to compose herself. He saw that already. She had no clue what he thought of it.
"When Aoyama asked me last minute yesterday afternoon, I actually turned him down", she said and that grabbed his attention as he looked at her trying to read her face.
"But just before he hung up I heard how desperate he was as this is an important event for him from what it seemed. I remember how it felt. All this years I was alone, going to that kind of event is very lonely and can be intimidating. Everyone on my team went with their respective dates be it their cousin, friends or even parents and I went through it every single year alone. I tried.. And that's how I got into a date with Ryo, the guy you met at the festival. But as you can see, it was clearly a mistake. So ever since I never bothered to take anyone with me and just endure the night wanting it to over before its even began." She stopped before she gazed at him to see how he reacted but he gave away nothing.
"So I told him, I'll do it. As a friend, if my presence there would help him a great deal than that's what I thought what I should do. I never think it would make you misunderstand nor create a big mess like this", she said as she approached him and sat on the edge of the bed hoping he would understand her.
"You meant well, Miki. I know you do. But sometimes that doesn't mean its right." He said finally getting up from his bed before sitting right back holding his head on his hand.
"Are you ok?", Miki rushed to his side at the sight. He blinked several time before he nodded "just a bit dizzy. I'm fine. I got up too quickly"
She sighed as she pushed him back to bed. "Just have a rest. You must be exhausted from the trip and that long drive. Tell me what you need, I'll grab it for you", she said as she pulled the blanket to cover him. "Have you even eaten breakfast yet?"
He just shook his head as he felt a migraine.
"Let me make something for you. Just sleep for a while." She said softly before she reached his hand and gave a tight squeeze "I'm sorry Akama..."
But he just closed his eyes so she left him rested as she busied herself in the kitchen. She made him a porridge and ginger tea as she made herself an ice coffee.
She's glad she came and make peace with him. She imagined if only Kuroda didn't insist for her to talk Akama she would probably still torture herself with more practice and endless routine leaving Akama alone when he probably needed her the most now. She imagined he drove after everything that he's been going through only to find her having a great time. She closed her eyes at the thought of being his shoes that night.
"Ahhhhhh!", she felt an icy cold liquid running through her body when she realised she spilled her ice coffee on herself.
"Miki, are you ok?", Akama's voice sounded concern. "I'm fine! Just spilled a coffee.. Arghh.. Go back to sleep", she said quickly before he got up.
She cleaned the mess on the floor and saw her top drenched and coffee stain covering half part of it.
"Great! Just what I needed", she muttered looking around to see what she can use to wiped it. She tried wiping it but ended up making her top even more wet and she cursed herself for not bringing her overnight bag just when she didn't think she would need it.
"Akama... Do you have a top I could borrow?", she asked from the kitchen.
"Help yourself! In the the laundry", he said lazily.
She went to the laundry and at the sight of his clothes she took a white shirt that she always admired him in. She smiled as she put them on. Its way too big for her its almost like a pajama covering her thigh.
She quickly gave her top a wash before hang it on the line for it to dry.
"Everything ok there?", Akama asked just as she turned up with the tea and porridge. His eyes widened at the sight of her in his shirt.
She chuckled at his expression. She wore a short denim but Akama's shirt is big enough it hides it.
"I don't think you have anything smaller, do you?", she gave a short laugh but he couldn't say anything.
He grabbed the tray from her hand as he tossed it aside on the bedside table before turning to her and pulling her so rough she fell on his side.
She was about to protest when she saw the look on his eyes locking hers intensely.
"What do you think you're doing to me?", he asked
"I told you ... I spilled a coffee and I didn't bring a change and that why I ask you if I could borrow.." She couldn't finished her sentence as Akama kissed her before she could say anything. His kiss felt so rough as if he try to punished her by kissing her. She pushed him away instantly as she rub her sore lips carefully.
He just looked at her as if she had slapped him across the cheek with her eyes. She looked hurt.
He reached for her and hold her tight before he kissed her again gently this time. "I'm sorry... I lose control."
She finally forced a smile as she look at him "its ok, its been a rough day for you. Just eat up while its warm and get some rest", she said getting away from his embrace as she approached the side table.
But he pulled her closer making her fall on his lap before he crossed his arms around her tightly. "Who can eat or rest with you walking around like that in my shirt", he whispered on her ears before he kissed her neck slowly
"I think you just cured my migraine", he added kissing her as his hand unbuttoned her shirt slowly.
"You missed me that much huh?", she try to teased him as he laid her on the bed.
But he just gazed at her so deep she felt lost in it "You have no idea.."
Chap. 39
Akama woke up to find the studio is empty before he saw a note next to the bed.
'I'm going back to pack up. See you in the morning for our hot spring trip. Have a good rest. There's dinner on the table for you. Love, Miki'
He shook his head as he smiled. He couldn't believe she left him alone and sneak out like that.
He closed his eyes momentarily before getting up to the kitchen and found the table set up and a variety of dishes on it.
The door bell rang as he smiled and ran towards the door before his smiled disappeared. Its Aoyama.
"Oh you!" He said annoyed.
"Can I come in?", he asked cautiously. Akama said nothing and walked in leaving the door wide open so he went in.
"What do you want?", he asked without bother looking at him as he picked up a bowl of rice and starts eating.
"Just came by to apologise properly for what happened last night." He said but Akama said nothing as he continued eating.
Aoyama let out a big sigh before taking a seat infront of him trying to catch his eyes.
"I wasn't thinking. I couldn't find a date for the ball and at last minute I rang her. I'm really grateful she agreed even though she was reluctant at the beginning", he explained further.
"Save it... I heard it all from Miki", Akama cut him as he gave him a look before he busied himself with the food.
"I wasn't even thinking about our friendship and how it must seemed to you. I was being inconsiderate. .. I'm really sorry", he said again as he saw Akama stood up and grabbed a drink from a fridge without offering him and took his seat again.
"Can you at least say something? I'm trying my best here..", he sounded annoyed.
Akama just glared at him "what do you want me to say?.. Its fine? Its ok?.. Because I certainly don't feel fine nor ok. " He said sharply before he took the newspaper as he throw it to Aoyama.
"Tell me honestly. Do you see her as a friend or you actually has something for her?", he gazed at him locking his eyes with his.
Aoyama stared at the picture on the page. He hadn't seen this one.
He sighed before he folded the newspaper and put it aside "it doesn't matter how I feel about her. She doesn't have a feeling for me and you obviously got her".
"Is that mean you...", Akama couldn't finish his sentence. He didn't think Aoyama would actually indirectly admitted he had a feeling for her.
"Its over, ok. She rejected me and made it clear its you she love and wanted to be with. And she can't make it any clearer last night as she told me she's moving in. So, if anyone should be angry its should be me", he said finally as he looked up at Akama in challenged.
Moving in? She agreed to move in? Akama confused for a second. He did asked her to move in but she never said anything and not even today when she had the chance to.
"Don't worry about me getting in your way. I put my feelings aside already. I see her as a friend and I'm glad she's dating you instead of other guy I don't know about. I just got too carried away with our friendship, I crossed the line," he said as he looked up and felt Akama's face is less tense.
"Are we cool now?", he asked with hopeful look on his eyes as he stretch his hand.
"Yeah for now.."Akama gave his hand a hard shake as he smiled. Aoyama gave a short laughed.
"Oh and .. I will need the key next door." He said and laughed as he saw Akama's confused face "I'll be your new neighbour!" he winked.