"Morning guys!", Kenichi said as everyone looked up to him. Hitomi smiled at him and pointed out a seat.
"Sleep well huh?", Toru grinned at him. Kenichi took a deep breath ignoring the question when he realize Erika was not at the table.
"Ah.. Where's Erika?", he asked around.
"She's in the garden with Ryu talking about some lighting stuff", Hayaka shrugged. Kenichi looked out the window and saw Ryu and Erika sat next to each other looking relax as they seemed occupied with their own discussion.
"We might head back to Tokyo first before you guys." Naoto announced as Tomomi nodded in agreement while everyone exchanged glances.
"Ah.. We might head back before lunch time too. I have a midnight flight tonight to Paris and I haven't even pack", Satomi let out a heavy sigh when Shun eyed her.
"Sorry.. Its a last minute plan. But I'll be back by next week." she said as Shun nodded.
Erika and Ryu made their way in and she stopped in her track at the sight of Kenichi. He smiled at her but she just look away before grabbing herself a chair.
"I'd better get ready so we can spend some time in town before heading back", Satomi announced as Tomomi and Naoto did the same.
They left to their rooms while the rest of watched as Kenichi tried to engaged with Erika but she keep looking away from him.
"Err... Did something happened?", Toru asked finally as they both almost choked on their food before they both glared at Toru.
"Nothing happened!", they said almost in unison making them all laughed. Toru looked amused.
"Ho ho ho... What happened? Tell me.. Tell me..", Hayaka nudged Erika as she tried her best to eat and ignoring her.
"Must be busy night huh?", Toru grinned at Kenichi as he shook his head and focusing on his food ignoring Toru.
"Why you both looking so hostile at each other? It didn't go well?", Shun chuckled as everyone else burst into laughter before Erika took a deep breath looking annoyed.
"Cut it out!", Kenichi glared at his friends when Erika put down her spoon, sat back and crossed her arms in front of her as she stared straight into his eyes.
"If you all must know.. Nothing really happened ok?.. Kenichi had issue in that area.. He can't .. You know.. So.. Nothing happened", she said. Kenichi stared at her in disbelief while everyone laughed at his expense while Ryu patted his back biting his lips hard trying not to laugh.
He saw her challenging eyes as she let out a triumph smile for making a fool out of him. He had the urge to strangle the girl.
"If only your face don't look so scary as if you going to eat me alive when you're naked maybe something could have happen", he said and watched her eyes widened in shock at his reply before her face turned red. She glared at him while everyone held their stomach from all the laughter before Satomi walked in and raised her eyebrows at Shun.
"What's going on? What did I miss?", she asked as Erika and Kenichi glared at her furiously.
"Nothing!", they shout in unison sending everyone into laughter again as Satomi looked taken aback. She was about to say something when they both got up and walked out leaving everyone still laughing while Satomi look confused.
"I can't believe you said that!", she hissed at him as they walked up the stairs.
"Me? I can't believe you said that!", he sounded just as furious as they both quicken their steps before entering the room and Kenichi kicked the door closed with his leg in a fury just as Erika turned to face him.
"That wasn't funny!", she shouted at him as he shook his head in disbelief.
"And you think your comment about me was funny did you?", he asked sarcastically. "What was that all about? Huh? Do you really want to find out how I'm doing in that area huh? Is that what you want?", he asked as he took a step closer to her.
His eyes full of anger as he grabbed her waist and pulled it towards him before he swept her leg so fast she fell towards the bed as he climbed on top of her and locked her hands in his.
"Ah.. I forgot to tell you", he said as she looked surprised. "You're not the only one good at karate, honey", he added mockingly when she glared at him trying to get away from underneath him but couldn't.
"Get off me! Right now!", she said furiously as he gave a short laugh.
"I thought you're disappointed thinking I can't you-know-what ... So let me show you just how able I actually am..", he laughed at her panic reaction shown in her eyes.
"Ok! I got it! I'm sorry.. I went too far just now. It wasn't funny. Won't happened again. Move!", she said as his eyes piercing through her.
"Not that easy! You really shouldn't mess with me, Erika. How many times I told you that by now?", he said as she tried to push him away only to realise it's pointless. He really knew what he was doing.
She finally closed her eyes and stop fighting him. She knew he would never hurt her anyway. If there's anything she learn about him from all the time she spent with him all this time is that she could really trust him and let go and even be herself without him judging her. It's probably one of the reason why last night felt just right instead of awkward.
She realise she has indeed gone too far with her joke. Afterall, he apologized for the incident this morning already.
Kenichi stared at her face as she closed her eyes and surrendered making him surprise on how quick she stop fighting him.
"I'm sorry.. I mean it..", he heard her muttered still with her eyes closed as if waiting for him to punish her.
He let out a heavy sighed before he rolled on the bed next to her letting her free as he stared at the ceiling before she opened her eyes and did the same.
For a moment they both just lay there in silence.
"Were you still mad at what happened this morning? Is that what this all about?", he asked without looking at her as he's the first to break the silence.
"Let's not talk about this morning and never mention that again ok?", she said closing her eyes with the back of her hand.
"You should go back downstairs before they think we're up to whatever they might think", she said as he threw himself on the bed next to her.
"Let them! After what you told them about me.. Its only fair they think we're doing whatever it is they might think. Let's just stay here and talk" He said making her laughed clearly amused.
"So.. I hurt your man pride huh? How long shall we wait before we can come down to fix your record huh?", she asked in between her laughter as he grinned at her.
"Why don't we do it and I let you find out for yourself? At least then it would be an honest review", he winked at her as she burst into laughter.
"You're unbelievable! Just go to sleep! I'll do some work and when you ready to go down let me know", she said as she walked towards her bag before taking out note pad and pen.
"What are you doing?", he asked curiously as she came back to bed and start drawing something on the note.
"Working.. Shhh..", she said as he leaned on her shoulder trying to peek at her drawing. She just glanced at him and decided to ignore him before continuing her sketch when suddenly he whistled.
"Wow! You are good at what you're doing.. ", he sounded impressed. she smiled at him.
"I wouldn't be hired by Ryu if I didn't know what I was doing. His company only work with the best if you must know. And regardless that I'm doing this freelance, they took a chance with me knowing I can deliver the result they needed", she winked at him. He felt a tug of pride as he smile at her. He knew his dad company only took the best and they're right to hired her. He may not know much about design but he was sure impressed by her sketch as it is and knew it just fit his dad's style as well.
"Have you ever thought of applying to be a permanent designer for that company?", he asked her as she continued her sketch and smiled to herself.
"Ah.. I thought of it especially since that company focused heavily on commercial project than private. Just the way I like it too.", she told him making Kenichi smiled imagining her working for his parents.
"So..? What are you waiting for? You even get on so well with Ryu, their inhouse architect. I have no doubt they would hired you if given the chance", he said excitedly.
She gave him a side glance before smiling and let out a short laugh as she shook her head.
"As much as I would love to work there.. I had a bigger dream. I need to make it on my own", she sighed and stared at her sketch dreamily.
Kenichi didn't say anything before she take a quick look at his expression and gave a short laugh.
"I know! I know! I sound too cocky! But if I just work for them, it won't make much different to what I'm doing now apart from moving from one job to another..", she smiled again. "But thanks for the confidence in me. You make me feel so good even though I doubt you even know what my work is all about."
"Then tell me more.. Tell me about your work and dream..", he said. she looked at him finally putting her notebook down.
"Don't get me started... You might fall asleep in five minutes", she laughed but he shook his head seriously.
"I mean it! You right.. I have no clue about design and your work, but I want to know more about you. So tell me...", he said seriously making her laughed as she closed her notebook infront of her and put her pen down.
"Just so we clear... I don't want to know about finance and your work.. So don't expect me to return the favour of listening to you..", she said making him laughed at her unexpected remark.
"Deal! I won't bore you with it", he smiled at her before she propped her pillow and leaned back.
Surprisingly she took him seriously and starts telling him about her passion for lighting and how different lighting has different effects and how it could create ambience, enhanced mood and even an illusion to the eyes knowing which one to use.
She talked so passionately that he can't help but envy her for having such passion towards something in life. He wonder if he had such passion toward something. He's good at many things but not necessarily passionate about them.
Her face all lighten up as she gushed and explained about them and how lighting combined with interior design it's what hold the most key differences to normal design something that other designers might not realize. To her, it's all about the lighting instead of the actual design that help create those wow factor.
He smiled as she keeps on and on about her passion when she finally looked at him and just like that the sparks in her eyes gone all of sudden.
"Anyway.. That's that! Sorry I talk too much", she said as he shook his head.
"Don't stop.. Keep going", he said as she rolled her eyes at him.
"Let's go down. You're manly enough for this long anyway. Let's not over do it ..", she said making him burst into laughter at the suggestion when she ruffled her hair with her fingers.
"What are you doing?", he asked in between his laughter as she grinned cheekily.
"Well.. I made you sound so bad.. Its time to put the record straight right?.. I should look just as worn out", she winked as he rolled on the bed laughing at her crazy idea as she opened the door before he could stop her.
He can't believe she was serious about it since he merely suggested to stayed back only so they can spend more time together.
"So.. You like it rough huh?", he teased her as he finally caught up with her at the stairs making her laugh.
"Not me.. You seemed like you into rough", she eyed him up and down making him laughed again before caught their friends all looked up as they approached them realising Naoto and Shun were about to leave.
"So.. Everything ok now huh?", Toru teased as Hayaka and Hitomi both giggled uncontrollably. To their surprised Erika winked at them cheekily.
"More than ok. That was great honey", she said before turning to Kenichi making him choked and shook his head in disbelief at her remark. She's crazy! He thought to himself. She's really serious!
At the remark, Naoto eyed Kenichi sharply while Shun let out a whistle. Erika combed her hair with her fingers pretend to straighten it as Hayaka grinned at her.
"..from a scale of 1 to 10..?", she grinned as Erika smiled.
"10 out of 10", she smiled in triumph as the girls all screamed at her answers while the guys whistled nosily.
Kenichi felt his face hot as he glared at her.
"Cut it out!", he hissed at her as she laughed.
"Why?.. I thought I'm giving you a great review here", she whispered as she cuddle up to him.
"Keep that up.. I'll give YOU a review", he whispered back making her remembered he did saw her naked this morning.
"Fine.. Got it! Say no more.. I'll stop now", she muttered as everyone else cheered noisily at their closeness.
"Its a big favour you ask me, you do aware of that right?", Ryu asked her as Erika nodded looking hopeful.
"I know that! I'll make it up to you somehow.. ", she said as Ryu smiled and let out a sigh.
"I can't guarantee he would agree though. He's a very busy man and doesn't meet with people often unless it's a very important meeting", Ryu said again as Erika nodded.
"I know! I know that too! But at least promise me you'll try.. Pleaseeee..", she pleaded as Ryu took a sip of his coffee before sighing again.
"Have you by any chance tell Kenichi about it? He might be able to help you better than me.. ", Ryu said as Erika looked confused.
"No.. Of course I didn't tell him. What is Kenichi got to do with it?", she said as Ryu chuckled.
"Ah... Don't underestimate your boyfriend. Actually he has a closer connection with my boss better than I do and he knew other connections that you may need more than I do", Ryu smiled at her as Erika bit her lip recalling how easy he get a hold of that shell house for the weekend.
"I don't feel like using him for a favour like this." She said after a while making Ryu laughed at her response.
"Are you saying you're more comfortable using me instead? And ask me a favour?.. Ohh! Kenichi better not listen to this..", he said in between his laughter. Erika looked at him looking annoyed.
"That's not what I mean. You know that! It's just that you knew my work by now and you work for the company so it's only makes more sense for me to ask you for a possible appointment to meet your boss directly. Why would I even ask Kenichi for something like this? And .. I'm not using you. It's a favor in return for my work I guess. If you think it's good enough then you shouldn't have problem convincing your boss to spare his time for me even if its 5 minutes. I don't really care how long, just get me in..", she said seriously as Ryu finally stop his laughter and took another sip of his coffee.
"I understand Erika. Purely business, right? No friends favor right?.. I'll see what I can do ok? I let you know when I get to see him next and bring this up. Just so you know, I don't get to see him often too. So let's just play it by ear ok?", he said as she smiled gratefully looking relief.
"Thanks Ryu. I really appreciate that! I know it may not be a yes.. But at least I give it a shot", she said as Ryu nodded again before smiling at her.
"It's been great working with you, Erika. Too bad you turned down our offer as permanent staff", he said as Erika smiled at him.
"I'll be sure to regret that one as well. Probably will cry my eyes out in later years when I look back", she grinned as Ryu chuckled.
"Nah.. You did the right thing. Beside, knowing you.. It won't be the last time I hear about your work anyway. You'll do great on your own", he said as she laughed.
"That's why! Get me that appointment, will you?", she said as Ryu shook his head in disbelief.
"I'll try.. I'll try..", he said as they both tossed their cups in a celebratory mood.
"How many times I told you I want no part in it?", Erika sounded furious as Naoto glared at her looking just as furious.
"It's not about what you want. Grow up, Erika! You can't always think you can run away from your responsibility and do whatever you want. I don't care if I had to kidnapped you. You'd better be there tonight. I mean it!", he said as she glared at him back.
"I'm not Tomomi ok? You can't tell me what to do", she said as Naoto snorted.
"Glad to know that you're not her. What a relief! At least Tomomi knows what she's doing and doesn't need me to tell her what to do. You're being a selfish and childish brat!", he said as Erika gasped before she shook her head in disbelief.
"I'm sorry.. That's harsh! But you always provoke me.. Why you must be so difficult?", he groaned before he closed his eyes momentarily. "Just be there tonight".
"Why?", she asked stubbornly.
"All the boards is going to be there as well as investors and major stake holders. Your presence will also help the company. And be on your best behavior", he said as she closed her eyes.
"It's always the company.. It's way too important for you to care about anything else. Just like my parents. No one care about what I want or what I feel.." She trailed when Naoto suddenly shook her shoulder she was stunned.
"Listen to yourself! Gosh! Erika! How self-centered can you be?", he said before he let go off her shoulder in one push.
"Not everything is about you and what you want, what you feel and what you need ok?! What about others for a change? Think what you've done and how that makes others feel? Have you ever thought of that? What they want, what they feel and what they need? That's right! You don't think of that do you? You're too busy pitying yourself. ", he said as Erika felt her eyes sting with tears.
"Not everyone has easy life but just face it! You born as Okura so deal with it. I'm sorry you missed your childhood moments but life goes on. Do you think a prince has much choice in what they want to be and how they feel? NO! They had obligation to full fill the moment they born. Same goes to you! It's your company too. So, it's time to show a bit of care and less ignorance! Just be there tonight!", he said ignoring her tears.
"Stop wasting time at that light company and whatever other labour work you're doing to make a fool out of yourself. What are you trying to proof anyway? You just bringing down the family name with your reckless acts. Enough with your hobby and seriously put your knowledge to good use at the company." He added coldly before he left leaving her in tears.
She sat on the bench feeling as if she's been slapped and stabbed repeatedly with every single word he said.
She ignored her phone that starts ringing before she finally stared at it. Its Ryu.
She put it back in her bag. She really can't talk to anyone at the moment regardless who it is. What could Ryu possibly want anyway? Her work with his company is over 2 weeks ago and there's nothing much for him to look for her anyway.
Her favor! Could that be the reason Ryu called her? It must be. Why else would he call? she suddenly jerked up before quickly wiped her eyes and pick up her phone.
"Ryu?", she stammered.
"What took you so long to pick up?", he sounded impatient. Erika wiped her eyes dried and tried to compose herself.
"Sorry...", she said but Ryu cut her already as if he's in a rush.
"Look. I don't have time to hear your excuses.. I'm on to my next meeting but just talked to my boss and he's on his way out for his lunch. He agreed to meet you but it won't be a formal meeting. You would only have half hour or so and pretty much just had to say what you got to say while he's on lunch break and that's it. He can't give you more than that. So, Can you make it? ..err.. Now?", he asked as Erika's eyes widened in total surprise.
He agreed! She gets to see him in person.
"Ss..sure! I'll be there! Text me the place where he is. I'm on my way now." She quickly grabbed her bag and make her way out of the park near Naoto's office before hailing a cab madly.
"Erika.. Good luck! I can't tell you how lucky you are.. AGAIN! This is as far as I can help. Hope all goes well..", she heard Ryu chuckled and told her the address as she thanked him million times before hearing him laughed at the other end.
"Oh.. One more thing!.. He's happily married. So don't try to flirt or else he'll send you out of the door within five minutes. You could ask for his son though", Ryu laughed. Erika smiled to herself as she entered the cab and told the driver where to go.
"Got it! Thanks again Ryu.. You're the best! I owe you big time! Name whatever you want.. Consider it done!", she said gratefully as Ryu laughed again.
"Great! I'll hold your promise on that then. Bye." He hung up as she quickly check her own reflection on the mirror and held her bag tightly while saying a little prayer.
She still can't believe this is happening. Despite begging Ryu for it, she never thought it would be granted. She still couldn't believe her luck. The owner of such a big company agreed to meet up with her and spare his time for her, an unknown designer with no proper company. Whatever Ryu's been telling him to convince him, she sure had to thank him properly for it.
She entered the restaurant as her heartbeat increased making her felt like out of breath as she told the restaurant manager who's she's there for before he guided her towards the secluded area of the restaurant.
She gasped in total surprised at the sight. She knew the name ring a bell somehow but never she expected it to be the very same person. How can this be? It's impossible!
Ryouji Akagi, Goggle Red, Akama Kenichi.. In a flesh. Clearly he's much older than what she remember of him but he still looking so good and possessed certain charisma about him.
At the sound, Ryouji looked up and spotted her stood in front of him speechless before he pointed the seat in front of him casually.
"You must be Erika. Have a seat. I'm sorry I don't have much time for chit chat so whenever you ready, just tell me the purpose of this meeting. Would you like anything to drink?", he said as he motioned the waiter to take her order before continuing his lunch.
She waved the waiter away and shook her head declining the drink offer. If she was nervous before, she was more nervous now knowing just how much her dream just came true.
"...its an honour to meet you in person, Mr. Akagi and I'm sorry to ask this but aren't you Akama Kenichi of Goggle V?", she asked as Ryouji stopped eating before raised his eyebrows at her looking amused.
"Is that important? Are we here to talk about goggle fans meeting or your work?", he asked her as she blushed uncontrollably. She apologised profusely, all the while cursing herself.
"Actually.. I already know where this is going and what you're hoping to achieve. I've seen your work. Ryu gave me a great feedback about your professionalism and talent, so that's not a problem." He said as she nodded looking relief when he suddenly stared at her making her heart raced wildly. Somehow, he reminded her of Kenichi.
"What I want to know is... What's up with all the lies", he said as she widened her eyes in surprised. She didn't expect that question at all.
"..ll...lii..lies?", she repeated as Ryouji smiled.
"I do run background check on people I deal with, just in case. So, I knew it all.
What's the story there, Erika Okura?", he asked her as she looked lost for a second. She really didn't expect this.
He knew she's not Erika Ogawa as she stated in her work proposal. He knew she's part of Okura. This was bad!
"I understand how it must seemed to you. I am Erika Okura but today I'm here to represent myself. It had nothing to do with Okura group and its attachment. I'm here for my personal company called Next Innovation and I'm begging you to judge it from its business potential and not to see it any other way. I shouldn't have lied about my name or who I am. But I'm trying to make a stand on my own and not on my family for a very personal reason that I can't really discuss." She said finally as she presented her prepared proposal and put them on the table in between them.
"I do understand should you feel differently and can no longer trust me for the obvious reason. I'm sorry I already took so much of your time and can't thank you enough for giving me this opportunity to meet you in person", she said before she stood up and bowed at him respectfully.
"Sit down! No need to be so rush. I still got 10 minutes to spare." He said making her surprised as she sat back down and saw him smile looking more relax.
"So, Personal reason huh? That's too bad! Okura is such a big group, I can only wonder what makes you want to set yourself apart from them when so many people would try any way to be part of it." He said as he Erika bit her lip recalling every words Naoto said earlier.
She felt Ryouji Akagi's eyes on her, studying her carefuly.
"But... I don't care about any of it. Your work is good and that has nothing to do with who you are and where you from. My only concern is that you give up half way and go back to the comfort of Okura group and the privileges that you must have and left us with problem. Afterall, surely there's some sort of expectancy from your family of you or your future suited husband to be. Whatever it is, I'm sorry. We can't take the risk", he said as Erika held her breath.
"I won't give up. I won't go back to Okura and I promise I won't let your company down. I don't believe in arrange marriage and won't let it control my life. I will choose to whom I married and won't let it interfere my work". She said as Ryouji looked slightly amused at her confidence and her determination that shown in her eyes. It reminded him of himself when he left his dad's company to make his own way. She earned his respect for that.
"Come back when you properly set up your company and proved me that it's not just a rebellious game of yours and when you do, I'll promised to back it up and support you in return and of course give you the contract that you wanted. Sounds fair?", he asked her as she blinked hard before she stood up and bowed at him repeatedly making him chuckled before gesturing her to sit down.
"I won't let you down. I promised."
"Now.. Let's put work aside. Tell me about yourself. You seem like a nice girl and ambitious at the same time. Any boyfriend?", he grinned at her making her blushed at the unexpected question before finally nodded as she watched Ryouji smiled at her.
"Is he as wealthy as Okura?", he asked again as she smiled looking more relax now the business talk is over.
"I don't date guys based on their wealth and status. If anything, I'm glad he's not. He's just a good guy and has a good heart which is quite rare nowadays", she said honestly making Ryouji chuckled.
"Good guy and good heart huh? That's not exactly enough. You're quite naïve there. A guy with good heart won't do any good when you're in trouble and won't be able to help you or protect you. Trust me. Why don't you date a guy who could help you instead or someone more at your family caliber who could help set up your company and do anything you want with what you proposing us? Isn't it much easier that way?", he asked her. To his surprised she looked offended as she looked at him seriously.
"I'm not the kind of girl waiting for a guy to pave my way and protect me. I'm making my own way and protecting myself with or without a guy around. I grew up that way and want to stay that way. I won't let others controlling my life. I would rather be with someone who made just enough but happy than with someone who could provide me everything but not his time and attention", she said making him smiled even more. He really liked her attitude. Reminded him of Megumi's determination as well. A quality that he admired.
"Interesting! Let's just see how far you would go shall we?.. You reminded me of myself once..", he said before he glanced at his watch and let out a sigh. "I would love to chat more but I need go back for my next meeting."
"Thank you once again for your time, Mr. Akagi." She said as he stood up and nodded when she did the same.
He paid the bill when he noticed she stood there not moving.
"Uhm.. On a different note.. Is it possible to get your signature for my goggle v collection?", she said hesitatedly making him laughed at the unexpected request.
"You really surprised me, Erika." He grinned and nodded his approval. "How do you even know Goggle V is beyond me. That's seemed such a long time ago."
"I grew up with it. I would never expect to find you though. I didn't even know you're still alive all this time."
He looked surprised.
"Alive?"
"Ah! There's this website that declared Ryouji Akagi died from a lung cancer back in 1995." She looked embarrassed. "So you can see my surprised when I saw you today. I just couldn't believe my eyes."
"You should check the site again, I contacted them and let them know just how very much alive i am." Ryouji recalled the slight misunderstanding on the site admin's part. He loathed those so called fan site who didn't check their facts before publishing anything.
He grabbed her booklet and sign on the page she showed him when He noticed Megumi's signature on it and saw Junichi and Godai's signatures as well.
"You've met Megumi?"
"I wish! but no, one of my friend is Haruta Junichi's daughter. She met her and asked for her signature on my behalf."
Ah! that explained. Must be the girl that came over with Junichi last time. Kenichi knew her too. It all made sense. His yes searching for Shigeki Ishii's signature.
"Goggle Blue left", she can't help but beamed as she followed his gaze, reading his mind. Ryouji smiled at
"Good luck finding him then and let me know when you do." He grinned before he took her proposal off the table and left her as she bowed respectfully at him.