"Psst... Erika!", she heard Tomomi called her looking so excited as she looked around making sure no one looking her way before she slipped away from the room full of press and people.
"What's wrong?", she asked her as Tomomi giggled and pulled her to the side.
"Congratulations!", she said excitedly as Erika looked amused before putting her hand on Tomomi's forehead when she giggled and pushed her hand away.
"I just overheard mom and dad's discussion." She said as if that explained everything.
"And?", Erika raised her eyebrows.
"You see that man over there?" ", she pointed at an older gentleman who's looking good for his age but old enough to be her grandfather. "He's from Mizuho corp." Erika assumed he's probably in his late 60s.
"Just out with it! I don't feel like games tonight", Erika took a deep breath before looking at Tomomi who still grinning as if she should get it by now.
"Obviously even you would know Mizuho corp, right? It's one of the biggest financial group...", Tomomi said as Erika nodded impatiently before gesturing her to speed up.
"Yeah. Kenichi works there. So, what about it?", Erika persisted. Tomomi looked around as if making sure no one eaves dropping before leaning towards her and whispered in her ears.
"He just proposed our parents for you", Tomomi whispered excitedly as Erika pulled a disgust look.
"Ewwwww! Who did he think he is? He's old enough to be our grandparents. Gosh! Yuck! .. Arghhh...", Erika said instantly as Tomomi broke into laughter before covering her mouth trying to control her laugh politely. Erika glared at her. She failed to see the funny side of it.
"Of course, not for him, silly girl!", she laughed openly while Erika shook her head in disbelief.
"His son would also still be old", Erika rolled her eyes at Tomomi as she stared at her looking amused.
"It's for his grandson! The most talk bachelor." Tomomi explained as Erika rolled her eyes at her, clearly not interested. "No one seems to see him in person so don't exactly know what he looks like. His own son apparently refused to do anything with Mizuho and a successful business man on his own merit so that makes his grandson is the successor of Mizuho after himself. He will be retired soon and leaving the company in charge in his grandson's hand."
"Oh well.. Whoever he is. I'm not interested. I have a boyfriend, thanks", Erika said as Tomomi widened her eyes in surprise.
"Are you crazy or just plain stupid? Didn't I just tell you who he is and just how big they are even compared to us?", Tomomi look bewildered at Erika's response.
"Look... I don't care ok. I told mom and dad many times that I'm not into the stupid arrange marriage. I don't care if he's a grandson of a tycoon or a raccoon. I don't give a damn about it. I bet you he never show up in public and no one seen him because he look like Tanuki or worse. Who knows! Something must be wrong with him if he let his old man pick his bride", Erika said making Tomomi laughed. Once again Erika glared at her twin. It wasn't funny at all to her.
"Oh well.. I guess you can say all you want but from what I heard, mom and dad agrees to it and will organize for you two to meet up sometimes next month", Tomomi nudged her as she blinked hard before she glanced at her parents in disbelief. Anger rising within her.
"They can't make me. I won't go", she said furiously. Tomomi look amused before she shook her head in disbelief.
"Then I'll go on your behalf", she said as Erika turned to her instantly. She was clearly enjoying her discomfort about the whole situation. "They won't know the difference and it will be done just as if its you who attend it."
"Don't you dare!", Erika warned her as Tomomi shrugged nonchalantly.
"I wouldn't. But I imagine with someone like Mizuho on our side would make our parents demand me to sit as you. So either way, it will be done. You should know that better than I do. Its only about time, Erika."
"What you girls doing here? your parents been looking for you. Especially you, Erika", they heard Naoto as they both startled.
"Great! I need to talk to them too." Erika said before she strides toward her parents, leaving Naoto and Tomomi behind her.
"Were you asleep?", she asked him as she stared at the stars when she heard him chuckled on the other end.
"Are you calling me just to check if I'm asleep?", Kenichi asked her. "What's up, Erika?"
She heard a keyboard sound which means he's working away. Suddenly it feel foolish to call him. What did she expect him to say or do?
"Nothing actually. Sorry to bother you. Continue your work. I'm hanging up now. It's pretty late as it is. Good night, Kenichi", she said as she heard his laughter, stopping her from pressing the end button.
"It's not nothing if you actually call me. It's something. You didn't bother me at all. My work can wait and I can listen and work at the same time. Just talk. What is it?", he asked as she sighed suddenly wishing he's there next to her where she could just lean on his broad shoulder and say nothing. She would feel better and she can imagine him just sat there as if he understands.
"Nothing. Really. Just thought of you all sudden and see if you really pick up my call when I need you", she said smiling to herself as she heard more laughter on the other line.
"A test huh? I passed then." He said lightly as she nodded before realizing he won't be able to see it.
"Ah.. You passed", she smiled to herself.
"Glad to know what you're thinking of me at least. Where are you?", he asked as she looked around the back of the club where she went right after the party tonight.
She didn't realize she was headed this way but after her arguments with her parents, she's in no mood to go home just yet and face the girls so the club was all she can think of. And now she's at the club, even drinks and dance didn't seem to make her feel better.
".. Somewhere...", she chuckled but stop when she heard few guys came out the back door, startling her.
"Tell me, where are you? What was all that noise?", he asked suddenly sounded concern. She tried to cover the phone to reduce the noise.
Her eyes scanning the situation and saw one of the guy that work at the club is surrounded by a group of guys who look unfamiliar to her.
"Err.. I'd better go. Thanks for picking up the phone at this hour. You made me feel better. Thank you, Kenichi", she said before she pressed end button without waiting for his response just as the guys started to quarrel among themselves.
She took a deep breath before she jumped down from her normal hiding spot.
"Break it up you guys!", she shouted loud enough to surprised them and halt them in their track. Her phone rang. Knowing most likely it's Kenichi, she shoved it down her pocket. Ignoring it.
"Not this time Boss! These guys are here for trouble and just tried creating problem inside." Report one of the guy as she glanced at few of them who grinned at her. Erika felt a headache from all the shouting. She felt light headed from the few drinks she had earlier.
"Ohhh.. Your boss is a girl huh? What kind of man are you?", one of them mocked.
They eyed her from head to toe before laughing. She still wore had her cocktail dress and heels. Erika muttered a curse recalling the party that led her to the club. Anger once again rising and she was itching to lash it out on the fool who stood in front of her.
"If you guys just here for trouble then go somewhere else. Trouble is not here tonight. But you are sure a temptation to beat", she said to those guys as they all laughed.
"I'm tempted to let you try", one of them mocked as Erika rolled her eyes at him.
"Go home! I'm warning you! ", she closed her eyes at the headache that started to ache when she felt someone touched her bare shoulder. She watched as other guys held the guy from the club back despite his effort to free himself.
With one movement she took the hand off her shoulder and threw him down on the ground loudly but her high heels made her lost her balance so she fell on top of him making them all whistled loudly.
She quickly pulled up herself but the guy pulled her down towards him again.
"Now this is what I call temptation", he grinned but stopped when she slapped him hard across the face before she stood up and take off her heels and hit him with it. She heard a loud gasps from the men as blood splattered.
"Still tempting?", she mocked as the guy wiped his bleeding arm before running towards her to attack only to be thrown to the ground again.
"I warn you once again. Get lost now or deal with me the hard way and no.. Its not the kind of hard you would be please.. ", she said as she stride towards a guy and kicked him so hard he was down on the ground with tears in his eyes while his friends gasped at the sight.
"They don't call me boss without a reason around here.. So what do you guys say? Stay or go?..", she dared them as they looked at each other before they left making her sighed in relief.
"Thanks boss! Are you ok?", the guy from the club asked her as she felt another dizziness hit her before she held on to him instantly to steadied herself.
"I think I had a bit too much drink..", she said honestly. The guys nodded and put his hand around her to steadied her when a hand stopping his hand.
"I'll take it from here, thanks", Erika stared at Kenichi who stood before her with an expression she can't read. He pulled her towards him and held her close.
The guy from the club look about to protest but Erika quickly put her hands up stopping him.
"Its fine! He's my boyfriend", she explained. He eyed Kenichi from head to toe muttered something and left them alone.
She eyed Kenichi who kept shaking his head in disbelief at her as she sighed.
"I could strangle you right now, you know that? That's how mad I am at you", he said as she chuckled before holding on to his arm. her head throbbing once again.
"You would never do that. Who are you kidding yourself?", she said. he put his hand around her waist steadied her before dragging her out of the alley towards the car park where he came from without a word.
"What are you doing here? How did you know where I am?", she asked him. he tightened his hold on her as they got close to his car.
"I was at the office when you called. I told you it's just around the corner. So it's a first stop to find you and ...surprise surprise.. Of course, you're here", he said sarcastically as Erika gave a short laugh.
"What were you doing in the office so late?", she asked as he shrugged.
"Just some work. Got a bit of structuring and lots of work to do", he said nonchalantly. Suddenly she recalled Tomomi told her about the old man's retirement.
"Ah.. The big guy retired soon huh?", she sigh and watched as Kenichi widened his eyes in surprise.
"Finally... You knew something huh? Didn't think you would follow that kind of business gossip", he said as she rolled her eyes at him.
"I don't! Just happened to know. so, you finish with work? Or have I disturbed you?", she tried changing the subject as he sighed.
"Told you my work can wait, didn't I? You shouldn't just hang up on me like that. I'm here now. All ears.. And eyes.. And bodily present. So .. What's up? What's bugging you that make you pick up your phone and dial my number tonight?", he motioned her to get in the car as she did.
"You look very nice tonight, what was the occasion?"
" Family events. Somewhere I shouldn't go. ", she sighed.
"Are you ok?", he asked but saw her winced as a headache came over her. She kept her eyes closed and shook her head as answer to his question.
"I drive you home then", he said as she reached for his arm in alarmed before she closed her eyes again winced at the throbbing headache.
"Just got massive headache. The girls will still be up now since Hitomi got few friends over. I really can't deal with them now. Can we please go somewhere else?", she pleaded as he nodded when she closed her eyes feeling heavy.
She heard the door opened and a nice fresh smell filled up the room. Slowly, she opened her eyes and let out a shriek at the sight of Kenichi wrapped only in towel around his waist. He looked just as surprised to see her up staring straight at him.
He run his finger through his wet hair when the movement cause his towel to losen up and dropped to the floor. Erika quickly buried her head in the pillow with a squeak while he cursed under his breath as he picked the towel up and tightened it around his waist again.
He saw her glued to his pillow making him chuckled at the sight.
"I guess, we're even now huh?," he said as he put on his trousers on just as she looked up and rolled her eyes at him.
"Even? You've seen more!", she said making him laughed.
"Sorry.. My bad! Shall I show you the rest then?", he said pretending to pull down his trouser. Erika put her hands over her eyes instantly making him burst into laughter as he grabbed her hands off her eyes.
"Relax! I'm joking. Gessh.. As if you never seen a naked guy before", he said as she glared at him looking annoyed.
She looked around the room realising she was at his room and finally noticing the time. She must have passed out in the car and he carried her up here, she thought.
"Sorry.. I didn't know where else to bring a sleeping and drunk girl. Now that you my girlfriend, it won't be a problem to bring you here. Don't worry, no one was home when I brought you here" He explained as she nodded before she sat on the edge of the bed. Her cocktail dress was all crinkled. He followed her gaze.
" I'm getting a drink. Let me know when you want me to drive you home, ok? if you want to shower first, here's a clean towel and my T-shirts are all here. Help yourself to it. I'll be back soon", he said leaving her alone in the room. Erika stared at the view outside his window before finally stood up and walked over to his wardrobe.
she let out a whistled. She recognized a lot of the high end brands. But then again it's only fair for him to wore branded stuff if his clients were the affluent types.
She grabbed a t-shirt that looks big enough from the shelf and a clean towel before headed for the bathroom. She still feels light headed and hope that a shower would fix it before she decides where to go next. Maybe she would check herself in a nearby hotel for a night. At least that way she would get a much-needed rest and space from everyone.
The fury of her parents against her objection earlier was something keep replaying in her mind. Especially when she finally told them her dream and what she wanted to do for her future. She let out a sigh as the water hit her face removing all her make-up and traces from tonight's event.
Next month meeting with her potential husband. Hmph! What a joke!
She can't help but smiled at the satisfaction of throwing and ripping that guy's profile in front of her parents without even looking at it. It was childish of her to do such thing but she was too angry to check herself.
Now that she told her parents and they all clear on her plans as she was cleared with their all out in the open, she need a plan and need to act on it fast or by next month all her way would be a dead end and ruin her dream in a heart beat, not to mention wasted all her efforts all this past years.
She closed her eyes at all the threat her parents put on her.
Ryouji Akagi was right afterall. She might as well give up unless there's a guy more powerful than her family to ease her way out. But it's almost like moving from crocodile farm straight into a lion den.
A powerful guy than her family would have an expectation on their own and it would be the same thing, she won't be able to do what she wanted to do.
Why was it so hard? Why can't she be like Tomomi and Naoto and just follow the norm and fulfill her obligation.
She sighed as she stepped out of the shower and put on his shirt when she noticed how short it is on her as it sat just right above her thigh. Maybe he would have something longer?
Kenichi still not back to the room by the time she finished drying her hair. She hang her cocktail dress over his chair and put the towel back in the bathroom.
She looked around the spacious room and the view underneath from the floor to ceiling glass next the bed before she decided to cover herself with the blanket and made a mental note to ask him for a short of some sort when he's back. She's not comfortable looking through his drawers in case there's anything valuable there she's not meant to find.
She really didn't expect for him to be at the club tonight to find her and even though somehow she was glad he did. Being in his room the second time now, she doesn't even feel awkward and worry that he might have a hidden agenda. She might trust him more than she thought she would originally.
Where can she go from here? She thought to herself as she lay down in the bed while waiting for him to return.
"Sorry it took so long. Caught up talking to Shun and Ryu about...Erika?", Kenichi entered the room when he saw she slept already in his bed wearing his shirt looking so peaceful as she hugged his pillow in her embraced making him smiled at the sight.
He walked over to cover her with the blanket and instantly dropped the blanket again when he realise she's only in his shirt with nothing covering her legs and thigh leaving her underwear exposed slightly with the way she sleeps.
"Do you really know what you're doing?", he asked her not expecting an answer as he put down the warm cocoa mug on his hand that he made for her before he glanced at the time. Its 3 am.
Could it be possible she decided to stay overnight in his bed? He wondered as he eyed her cocktail dress.
It's an event at her family house tonight. That he knew too, he just didn't expect her to be there. His grandfather went and has insisted him to come along but he refused and decided to stay back and work. He wondered what went on that made Erika felt so helpless.
"Hey!.. Wake up..", he nudged her softly as she rolled around obviously stayed asleep
He shook his head in disbelief as he chuckled before moving her hand away and stared at her sleeping face.
He gave a short laugh before he turned the light off and lay down next to her as he closed his eyes trying to sleep and ignored her presence.
"Kenichi... You got company! Guess who's here... Opsssss!", Kenichi opened his eyes as he heard Ryu's voice entering the room and saw him quickly turned around again looking shock before he glanced at Erika next to him. "Sorry! I'll pretend I didn't see that!".
"Ah! Ryu. Wait. It's nothing like that! We were just sleeping together...", he said in panic. Ryu turned to face him again before grinning widely looking amused.
"Yeah! Clearly! I can see that!", he laughed. Kenichi hit his forehead with his palm cursing himself.
"Ahh.. That came out wrong.. ", Kenichi said as Ryu burst into laughter. He felt Erika stirred next to her and opened her eyes when she spotted Ryu.
"Morning Ryu", she greeted casually. Ryu grinned at her.
"And.. To you too. Good sleep?", Ryu asked trying to held back his laughter. Erika nodded before finally realise Kenichi staring at her.
She tried to get up but Kenichi panickly tried to stopped her. She gave him a quizzical look but too late as Ryu blinked a few times before let out a whistled. She followed his gaze only to realise she's wearing Kenichi's tshirt that doesn't cover everything.
Erika gasped loudly as she jumped back to the bed and pulled the blanket over her. Kenichi buried his face on his palm cursing away while Ryu laughed so hard at everything that just took place. He put his hands up and shook his head in disbelief before walking out the door.
"Why didn't you tell me?!", she looked at Kenichi feeling mortified.
"Why didn't you put some pants on in the first place?", he shook his head in disbelief before he got off the bed.
"I didn't know where they are and was waiting for you to get me one. I must have fell asleep waiting", she bit her lip as he took a deep breath when they heard knock on the door.
He went to the door as Erika pulled the blanket over her head.
"Oh! Its you!.. Just come in. Erika's here..", she heard him said as she peek through the blanket to find Reina grinned at her as she waved.
"Is this a good time?", she grinned at Kenichi who grabbed her a chair.
"Not at all. I shouldn't be here anyway.", Erika looked around in panic trying to find something she can use to cover up her lower part worrying about Reina's opinion on her.
Reina just giggled away as she grinned at Kenichi teasingly making him rolled his eyes on her before he grabbed terry robe and hand it to her as Erika looked up looking grateful before quickly wrapped it around her.
"No wonder you forgot that I'm coming today..", Reina giggled as Kenichi shook his head in disbelief before shuffled her hair as she held his hand trying to stop it making Erika stared at them without realising it.
A slight pang of jealousy at their obvious comfort with each other crept in before she shook her head trying to get a grip of herself before she grabbed her cocktail dress and headed towards the bathroom.
"So how was last night huh? Lucky cousin!", Reina grinned as Erika was out of sight before Kenichi shut her mouth with his hand.
"Cut it out! Its nothing like that. Whatever it is you had in your perverted little mind..", Kenichi said as Reina blushed and hit him making him laugh as he threw himself back in bed before Reina followed him and sat herself next to him.
"So what DID happen then?... Why she had to put on that robe if nothing happen", she grinned as Kenichi glanced at her cheeky grin before he finally smiled.
"Ah.. That's something for me to know for you to keep on guessing missy.. ", he grinned at her as they both heard the door opened and Erika was back on her dress as she looked at them both awkwardly.
"Sorry again for crashing in last night. I leave you two then. Thanks Kenichi. I'll see you around. Nice seeing you again Reina", she said as Reina and Kenichi exchanged glances looking confused before Kenichi jump off the bed and closed the door that she was about to open.
"Where do you think you're going?", he asked her as she looked at him in surprised.
"Home.. Where else?", she said.
"Just wait.. I'll take you home". He said as she shook her head instantly.
"Stay with Reina. She came here for you. I can find my own way home. I troubled you enough as it is. Have fun you two", she said as Kenichi shook his head in disbelief before he put his arms around her and dragged her towards the bed as Reina beamed at her.
"Erika.. Meet Reina, my cousin", he said as Reina giggled again while Erika looked speechless.
"You're assuming things again are you? Reina is here today because she to discuss about her wedding plan since her fiance is overseas at the moment." Kenichi explained as Reina nodded in acknowledgement while Erika bit her lip.
"But since you're here, why don't you two talk? Afterall.. You would probably had a better idea than me being a girl and an expert in design stuff. Your opinion might worth more to her than mine." Kenichi added as Reina's eyes lighted up in full excitement at the idea.
"Of course.. If you don't have any other plan today", he said as she tried to digest everything that he just told her.
Reina is not his ex girlfriend. She can't help but repeat that thought in her mind over and over before she realise they both staring at her waiting for her answer.
"Its Saturday. I might have to drop by the office later but until then, I'm free. I'll help where I can", she said as Kenichi smiled at her while Reina clapped excitedly.
"Thanks for helping her today. I really appreciate it", Kenichi said as he drove her to her workplace that afternoon.
"Glad I can help. You care about her so much huh? I can tell..", she said as Kenichi nodded before he smiled at her.
"She's my only cousin and practically my sister so of course I care..", he said as she smiled before looking away through the window when suddenly she felt his hand on hers.
"How long are you going to be at work for? When should I pick you up?", he asked as he entered the car park of the building.
"Don't wait. I'll go home myself." She said as she's about to open the door when he pulled her back and gave her a kiss taking her by surprised.
"We haven't had a proper date on our own. We both been so busy with works and always hang out with friends, its time for just the two of us. No?", he said as she stared at him still feeling how he just kissed her and how wild her heart beating making her wanted to beat them back to quiet them down.
"Are you serious?", she asked finally.
"Do I look like I'm joking?", he asked back as she chuckled at his reply.
"I'll call you then..", she said as she opened the door when he pulled her back again and placed his hand behind her neck as he drew her closer and kissed her again.
"Ke..kenichi...", she gasped in surprise but he just ignored her as he took his time kissing her, teasing her until she felt lost and weak.
She felt him about to pull away from her when she reached for him and drew him close before she kissed him back and put her arms around his neck bringing him closer.
"I said..I'll call you..", she said softly while reluctantly pulled away from him as she wiped his lips with her fingers getting rid of her lip gloss trails.
"Do you really have to work now?", he asked as she pulled away letting out a short laugh.
"No, I don't need to actually but thanks to you and what you just did, I think I need to work now.. See you later Kenichi", she said as she get out of the car before he can stopped her and walked inside the building without looking back.
He ran through his hair with his finger as he watched her disappeared through the glass door.
"You resigning? But why? I thought you're happy here." Her boss looked at her in surprised as he stood up to approached her.
"You want an increase? More day off? Talk to me.. We can come to some sort of agreement", he said as she smiled before shaking her head.
"I'm very happy here. I have no problem with anyone or the working condition at all. But I'll be moving overseas so I just want to give you the notice in advance", she said as her boss closed his eyes before looked at her and finally nodded.
"I understand. You made up your mind as it is. It will be a loss, Erika. You maybe a girl but you're just as valuable as any guy here if not more. Where are you off to?", he asked as she smiled.
"Is the boyfriend coming too?", her boss asked curiously as she smiled at him before shaking her head softly.
"Just me". She said trying not to elaborate further nor inviting further questions as her boss nodded.
"Let's have a farewell party before you off huh?", he said as she chuckled and nodded.
She did it! She just submit her resignation and her boss accepted it!
Erika still couldn't believe she just did that. She stared at her desk and all the memories of the past years working there. How bad it was at the start to get adjusted in the male dominant working environment and how they made her life difficult at first as they thought she wouldn't last a week there.
She smiled to her self at all the memories that flashed back in her mind and how much fun she had when they all finally accepted her as one of their own. All those shop fittings that awaken her passion for commercial design and those events that made her realise that when it comes to design, the sky is the limit and there's so many way to transform an empty space into something spectacular.
Something she's been trying to tell Naoto and her parents but they ignored her. To them her passion and dreams are not serious enough to be considered.
She gave a short laugh when she first told her parents if she could join the group's designers for all those hotels and resorts they owned. They even laughed at her telling her to just leave that to the expert and focusing on being on the face front of the group and attending social events more to keep up good appearance.
Afterall, they expected for her to marry someone just as powerful and supported her future husband by being a good trophy wife. She really shouldn't be concern too much about getting involve and working. If she really keen on working, they gave the option for her to hold managerial duties more than designing part of it. In short, they all against it and wouldn't even take a look at her portfolio.
"They just don't believe in me", she muttered to herself as she sat down on her chair and looked up to the ceiling.
"Grandma.. What would you do if you're in my shoes?", she asked out loud at the ceiling before sighing.
"Erika?.. What are you doing on a saturday? You really are a workaholic", she heard her co-worker said as he tapped her shoulder startling her.
"Ah.. Just got something to do but I finished. What are you doing here? Events?", she asked him as he nodded before he glanced out of the windor.
"If you finished then why keep your boyfriend waiting?", he grinned at her as he pointed out the window making her eyes widened in surprise before she quickly stood up and came towards the window. Surely enough, she spotted his car still outside with him stood outside the car as he glanced at his watch.
"That idiot!", she muttered to herself as her colleague laugh before she patted his back as a good bye and ran towards the stairs making her way out.
At the sight of her, he smiled but she wasn't smiling at all.
"What are you doing? I thought I told you I'll call you." She said looking annoyed as he smiled at her before pulling her close to him by the waist.
"Finished?", he asked ignoring her questions as she stared at him before she finally nodded.
"Great then! Let's go". He said as she shook her head in disbelief at him.
"What gives you the confident that I won't take long to do whatever I need to do just now?", she asked him as she entered the car.
"Well.. You did admit you didn't need to work but you went in anyway so I guess it whatever it is, it shouldn't take too long and if its longer than I thought it would.. It just confirms that you do it to avoid me. And ... You should know better than try to avoid me", he grinned at her making her laughed.
"You're too confident! You think you got me figured all out!", she said as he drove off and shrugged nonchalantly.
"Let's just get out of here..", he said as he drove off. Erika said nothing as she stared out the window avoiding his glanced towards her.
"Kenichi?.., she called as they drive.
"Hmm..?", he didn't take his eyes off the road as she finally turned to face him.
"Can we do our date tomorrow instead? I think I'll go home for now, if its that's ok with you", she said as he took a deep breath.
"Sure.. Its fine..", he said making a turn from the highway as she smiled gratefully to him before looking away again.
They got back to the house in no time with no sight of the girls. Erika sighed as she walked in when she realised Kenichi right behind her as she entered the house.
"Wh..what are you doing?", she looked surprised not expecting him to come in as he grinned at her.
"What do you think I'm doing? You wanted to go home so here we are. Why? Did you really expect me to just drop you?", he chuckled as she glared at him looking annoyed.
"No one home..", she said as he looked amused.
"I can see that! Even better huh?", he grinned before walking towards her room freely.
"Is this your room?", he asked her as he stood in front of it making her run towards it stopping him from opening the door.
"Wh..what are you doing?.. I thought I told you we'll do the date tomorrow. I just wanna have a rest..", she said as he chuckled.
"Yeah! I heard you and I agree, didn't I? Let's go on a date tomorrow and stay in today", he grinned as she glared at him.
"That is not funny! You knew what I mean", she said as he ignored her and opened her room before looked around speechless before she could stop him.
"Wow! Your room looks so cool", he said as she rolled her eyes watching him entering her room as if its his own.
"Now you've seen it, the tour is over. Go home, Kenichi. I'll see you tomorrow, I got work to do", she said grabbing her chair as she turn on her computer ignoring him only to have him stride towards her bed and threw himself there before staring into the ceilings of her room when suddenly he's grinning to himself.
"You do love yourself so much you had to have mirror up there huh? Or is this for other kinky purposes?", he laughed as she grabbed a pillow and shoved it down his face making him laugh even more.
"Shut up! ...", she told him shaking her head in disbelief at his suggestion as she looked up into her design installation.
"I know you like lighting but wow... This room is like a show room." He said as she shrugged before smiling to herself as she walked towards her bedroom and opened them for him to see.
At the sight he laugh as even inside the wardrobe its all well lit as soon as the door opened making it look as if he's in some kind of shops. He shook his head in disbelief before she grinned and pulled some drawers with more lightings illuminating the contents.
"You are... Something..", he said in between his laughter before she kicked the drawer and wardrobe closed again.
"You should see the other girls rooms.. We got two designers in the house, a fashion expert and a chocolate lover.. We all have our own crazy taste and preferences", she grinned as Kenichi smiled at her obvious excitement telling him.
"We all ended paid more electricity bills of course thanks to all this, but who cares.. That's how we like it", she shrugged making Kenichi smiled.
They were all impressed by the way the girls decorate the house the moment they were there the first time but he just didn't expect her room to be this way. Even the kitchen and bathroom was very modern and unique.
"The landlord of this house surely happy that you girls increase their house value by the time you all move out", he grinned as she laugh and nodded in agreement.
"I can only imagine.. Come here", he said as he pulled her hand towards him making her fell on his lap as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Ww..wa..wait! Wh..what are you doing?", she stammered as their face getting a bit too close for her liking.
"What do you think?.. ..", he said softly as he brushed his lips against her making her shudder. she put her hands against his chest trying to push him away at the touch.
"Stop playing hard to get.. You just make me want it more that way..", he grinned as he lay himself on the bed pulling her with him making her fell on top of him while he kissed her again and this time passionately ignoring her who tried to get away but couldn't since he held on to her waist and back.
"Kenichi... Stop it! Now!", she finally find the strength to pushed him as she tried to control her breathing.
"Erika... Kenichi's car outside blocking the garage.. Is he.. Ahhhhh!", Hayaka shrieked as she walked into the room to find Erika on top of Kenichi as they both looked towards her in total surprised.
She quickly turned her back covering her eyes.
"Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I didn't know.. I didn't think... I'll be outside..", she stammered before Erika quickly get off him and the bed and pulled Hayaka who's about to dashed out the room.
"It's not like what you think.. Tell her Kenichi!", she said as Kenichi got up looking amused at her.
"What is there to tell? What do you want me to tell her?", he asked as Erika glared at him while Hayaka burst into giggles before turning towards him.
"Since I already disturbed whatever it is you both were into, can you be a dear and move the car then?", she smiled as Kenichi nodded before smiling back at her.
"I don't mind to know what's going on though..", Hayaka grinned cheekily as Kenichi shook his head in disbelief before walking out of the room.
"What happened to your rule about bringing a guy home huh?", Hayaka teased Erika before she walked out the door. Erika closed her eyes in total frustration at everything that's been happening since morning.
"You're quite an effect to Erika. This is the first time I've seen a guy could really get this far..", Hayaka chuckled as they both walked into the house together as Kenichi raised his eyebrows at her looking amused hearing her remark.
"By this far.. You mean..?", he probed as she patted his arm.
"Erika doesn't do relationship. Ever since we all know her, she just not interested. And now.. Not only she got you as a boyfriend but you even had the privilege to be in her room without a single bruise. Now.. THAT.. Is something you should award yourself medal for", she laughed making him laugh too.
"I might get all the bruise soon", he grinned at her as she laughed.
"So what's your secret? Did you told her who's your mom? Is that how?", she nudged him as he looked confused.
"What do you mean?", he asked her making Sayaka sighed as she entered the kitchen without answering him. He followed her to the kitchen.
"Drink?", she asked as he shook his head still waiting for an answer.
"Then I guess you didn't tell her about your parents then. So, what is it? What did you do that make her finally give in to a guy huh?", she grinned at him.
"What are we talking about her?" Satomi appeared at the kitchen entrance. "Hey..!", she greeted him. Kenichi just nodded and smile at her in return.
"We're just talking about Erika", Hayaka shrugged nonchalantly as Satomi look around.
"Ah.. Where is she and what she's doing?", Satomi asked as Hayaka smile widely.
"You should ask what was she doing.. ", Hayaka giggled as Kenichi bit his lip trying not to laugh recalling Hayaka's grand entrance and how mad Erika must be at the moment.
"What was she doing? Dreaming of her sentai husband?", Satomi rolled her eyes making Hayaka laughed even more that she had to put her glass down leaving Kenichi feeling amused just as Erika walked in.
"Ah you're all here." She said casually ignoring Hayaka who laughed the loudest.
"You still here?", Erika raised her eyebrows at Kenichi as he did the same to her. "What's are you guys talking about?"
"Your sentai husband..", Kenichi suddenly said making Hayaka and Satomi burst into laughter as Erika glared at them both before Kenichi gave her a questioning look.
"Is there something you need to tell me there?", he asked again. Erika rolled her eyes before she looked at Hayaka and Satomi.
"Ha ha! Very funny you two!.. I don't know what they're talking about.. Feel free to ignore them", she said towards Kenichi but Kenichi just grinned cheekily at Satomi in turn.
"So tell me.. Who's this sentai husband of hers?", Kenichi asked Satomi as Hayaka put her hands up towards Erika.
"I had nothing to do with that. She said it. Not me.", Hayaka said pointing at satomi.
"If you must know, she has her heart set on one of the sentai's son." Satomi said as Kenichi looked amused before he glanced at Erika who blushed.
"The bald sentai", Satomi added. Hayaka sat on the floor and tears came down her eyes from all the laughter that she can't control anymore. Kenichi looked surprised.
"Is that so? Have you met him?", he smiled at Erika who shook her head in disbelief.
"Ha ha! Keep laughing, you all. Im going back to my room.", she said choosing to ignore them all as she walked away leaving Satomi and Hayaka who still laughing away.
"You girls teased her a lot huh?", Kenichi smiled at them as Hayaka and Satomi looked offended before they both shrugged.
"We always do I guess. She can be too uptight and serious at times. Its good to see her get work up", Satomi grinned as Hayaka nodded in agreement making Kenichi shook his head in disbelief before looking at Hayaka.
"Who's this bald sentai you're referring to?", he asked as Hayaka shook her head giggling. The last time he checked, his own dad wasn't bald. At least not yet.
"Goggle Yellow. But nah.. Satomi just purposely boiling her. If you must know... Its Goggle Pink's son that she had her heart set on", Hayaka winked at him meaningfully as Satomi giggled and Kenichi held his breath unknowingly.
"She's a big fan of her. it's just a childhood dream. If only she knew...", Hayaka added meaningfully as Kenichi quickly looked away before he cleared his throat.
"I'd better check on her. See you girls around", He said as Satomi waved and Hayaka smiled at him.
As he entered the room, he was welcome by Living on a Prayer song blasting through the loud speaker near the bed making him almost felt as if he's in a night club with Erika facing the window and a guitar in her hand oblivious to his presence thanks to the noise.
He can't help but smiled as she played along to the song mimicking the lyrics totally lost in the music.
He threw himself on the bed and put his arms around his head watching her all the while smiling to himself and at her expression that he rarely get to see as she looked lost in her own world. He can't help feeling impressed as she played the guitar during the interval of the song and how smooth her fingers running through the chords before screaming her hearts out almost making him laugh out loud.
"...we've got to hold on.. Ready or not.. You live for the fight when its all that you've got.
Ohh.. We're half way there, ...", she sang along when she suddenly swivel her chair and almost jumped from her seat as she spotted Kenichi staring straight at her laughing and felt her face felt so hot before she put the guitar aside and grabbed the remote from infront of her as she turn off the music.
She glared at Kenichi who rolled on her bed laughing away as she stride towards him grabbing a pillow before hitting him repeatedly with it.
"Stop it! You're killing me!", he shouted in between his laughter as she continued to do it.
"Well.. That's the whole purpose! Go on! Keep laughing!.. Make it your last..".
She said as he grabbed her hand stopping her while trying his best to control his laughter.
"Sorry.. I shouldn't laugh. But you should see yourself.. That was priceless. So when is your next concert?", he teased as she pushed him looking so annoyed.
"If you're not my boyfriend, I would have finish you by now", she said as he smiled towards her before hugging her.
"Awww! That's the sweetest thing you ever said to me", he grinned as she nudged him hard on the ribs making him let go.
"Shut up!", she snapped at him making him laugh again.
"So.. You can dance, you can sing, you played guitar like a pro, design like an artist, cook like a chef, fight like goggle v.. Is there anything that you can't do huh?", he asked her as she closed her eyes suddenly looking sad before staring at her reflection in the ceiling.
"I can't make people believe in me no matter how hard I try..", she said as Kenichi finally stop laughing as he stared at her.
"I believe you..", he said as she looked at him before rolling her eyes at him.
"I'm serious. I believe in you..", he said again as she sighed.
"I believe you." She finally said as she smiled at him.
"I believe you want me to believe that you believe in me..and I believe the word I should say is thanks, believe me..", she chuckled as he looked slightly annoyed at her.
"You never took me seriously, do you?", he shook his head sounded disappointed.
"I'm half way there... But now I don't know if I would make it or not..", she said as he raised his eyebrows at her.
"Half way where?..", he asked as she chuckled.
"I met someone..", she trailed as Kenichi sat straight before she pushing him back and shook her head.
"Not that kind of someone. Gessh.. Jealous much?", she chuckled as he said nothing before crossing his arms across himself.
"He said he would give me the chance I always wanted but I gotta make it my own first to prove that I'm serious in my work", she said as he looked finally more relax knowing she's talking about her dream as he laid next to her.
"Well... No problem in there. You would prove him just that, right?", he said as she gave a sad smile.
"My family won't give me the chance. They don't believe me and they made it clear that the dream should be over. They even had their plan for me and the more I go against them the more they made me feel the worst about myself. I just felt lost." She sighed again before she closed her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Tell me what you need to do.. What's your plan? Is there anything I can help you with?", he asked as she smiled without taking her hand off her eyes.
"Just listen and don't stop believing me. That's more than anyone could do at this moment. I'll figure this out. I'll be fine..", she said.
"Why don't you let me help you? You really think there's nothing I can do but that?", he said as she finally took her hands off her eyes.
"You don't need to worry about my problem..but there's something you might do to help me take this off my mind for a change", she said as he raised his eyebrows at her before she pulled him by his collar and placed her hand behind his neck drawing him towards her as she closed her eyes and kissed him.
He blinked in surprise at what she's doing before he kissed her back putting aside all his thoughts. He couldn't care less why she suddenly did and if he's merely a distraction to her problem.
"Ww..wait!", she suddenly stopped him as he sighed and let her get up as he closed his eyes feeling tired of her games when to his surprise she walked over to the door and lock it before turning back towards the bed grinning away.
"Now.. It should be fine", she grinned making him smiled as she climbed on the bed again and straight into his open arms.
