She found the studio dark and no sign of Akama in it. Her watch showed its almost 9.30 pm. She wondered where did he go as she threw her bag on the floor and walked towards the kitchen to grab a drink.
They've been living together for almost 2 weeks and hardly spend time together.
She wanted to call him and ask him where he is but worried she might sound like a nagging old wife. She checked her phone for any missed calls but there was none, not even a message from Akama.
She threw herself on the couch before putting her feet up and start massaging it after she turned on the tv when the phone rang. With one swift she picked it up noticing its Akama on the screen.
"Hey", she said as she heard him calling her name.
"Are you home yet?", he asked
"Yes.. Home alone to be exact", she said lazily. She heard him chuckled on the other side of the line and straight away she missed him hoping he was next to her.
"I'm just upstairs at Kuroda's. Just have a rest Miki. Don't wait up because I'll be late. There's some work to discuss.", he explained and she could feel her disappointment sinking in.
"Oh ok. Sure. See you later then", she said before he say good bye and hang up.
-
She gazed her watch its 3.30 am. She saw Akama asleep next to her. She must have been asleep so well she didn't noticed when he came back. Slowly she lifted up the blanket to make her way out of the bed when she noticed Akama's hand reached her waist pulling her closer to him making it harder for her to move.
She waited a few second before she tried lifting his hand from around her slowly. She smiled to her self as she successfully put his hand aside and tiptoed to the bathroom.
She got out of the bathroom and let out a scream as she saw Akama stood in front of her with his arms crossed.
"Akama! You scared me!", she yelled at him as she turned the light and saw Akama didn't even smile.
"Sneaking out again?", he raised his eyebrows looking at her training suit.
She rolled her eyes "I'm not sneaking out. I'm just getting ready to go and didn't want to wake you up", she said quickly but he didn't look convinced.
He just went to the bathroom and not long after he got out with a white t-shirt on paired with jeans. He gave his messy hair a quick brush with his hand and grabbed her bag off her without a word.
"Wh..what are you doing?", she asked as he made his way to the door grabbing his keys on the way.
"What is it look like to you? I'm dropping you to school. Bring a jacket will you? Its almost winter", he said as he grabbed his own.
"Akama you don't have...", she couldn't finished her sentence as Akama shot her a look not to be argued with. She decided to just followed him, she won't win anyway no matter what she said.
He didn't say much until she couldn't bear the silence any longer.
"Are you mad?", she asked carefully.
He said nothing.
"I'm sorry to sneak out just like that but I really don't want to trouble you like this and I needed the training", she said before he stopped the car and looked at her.
"Don't I mean anything to you? Why can't you just rely on me instead of sneaking out and pushed yourself like that? We're in this relationship together, Miki. I appreciate you sacrificed your extra time by moving in with me and the least I could do is to wake up early in the morning to get you there on time. But if you prefer to do everything on your own and wouldn't even let me help you I guess its best if you move back to dorm so you won't worry your head over troubling your own boyfriend", he said sounded angry.
Miki bit her lip as she heard what he said.
"Gessh Miki, I thought you knew me better than that!", he stroked his hair as he get frustrated.
"Ok! Ok! I'm sorry! I didn't think that way.. ", she said before reaching his hand and gave a firm squeeze. "I'll be more open with you from now on. Thanks for being my boyfriend..a super understanding one at best", she said smiling before grabbing her bag from the back seat.
She leaned toward Akama before kissing him softly on his lips. "Pick me up at 8 later then? My boyfriend..", she mocked playfully making him smiled too as he shook his head in disbelief.
"What's this coach?", she asked as Mr. Ryusuke handed her a proposal when he called her to his office later that day.
"Its a commercial proposal specifically asking for you to star it. Thanks to all the articles based on sports day, they're interested to have both you and Aoyama for their coming ad." He explained.
"What's the product?", she can't help but curious.
"Its a mint candy called Kiss-mint", he laughed as he said it.
Miki took a deep breath imagining just what the scenario would be. "I don't think I can do it", she said letting out a big sighed.
"The payout is not bad and it would help you", he said as he pointed out the amount stated on the proposal. Her eyes widened as she saw the figure. Not bad at all.
"What did Aoyama said to this?," she asked again.
"I wouldn't know. I'm your coach not his agent.", he smiled.
"Just take this, go home and think about it", he said before sending her out of the office.
Chap. 55
"You're early, boyfriend!", teased Miki as she saw him.
"I don't want my sneaky girlfriend went home without me", he teased back as he grabbed her bag off her and walked back to the car. She laughed at his response.
"Have you actually finish practice? I could wait if you want", he said. She shook her head.
"I'm done! Its weekend tomorrow.. I'm so over practice already..", she said as she got in the car.
"Great! Then you could join us to the beach tomorrow", he said making her turned as she got excited. "The beach? We're going? And you would go without me if I have to practise?", she asked in disbelief.
He gave a short laugh "its just with the guys. It will be winter soon so before its getting to cold, we thought of enjoying a beach trip together. I wasn't sure how busy you will be on the weekend." He explained making a turn to the apartment.
"How thoughtful of you", she said sarcastically making him laugh even more.
"Oh .. Another thing, I won't be here next week. A project coming up and it might take a week or two. You're going to be fine right?", he said as they reached the front door.
Miki looked at him in surprised "that long?"
"You'll be busy practising you won't even notice I'm gone and the next thing you know, I'm back", he said
She looked hesitated for a while.
"Are you ok? What's with the sad face? I thought you would at least be happy you won't need to sneak out on me", he teased her but she didn't even smile. She just punched his arm softly.
"I guess it will be a two lonely weeks for me.", she sighed as he smiled surprised to see her reacted this way.
"Coming home to see you at the end of every long day practise is what keeps me going. Its like a reward for me." She said weakly before forcing a smile. She can hear herself sound so nagging and she hated it.
"You better come back in one piece", she said in warning tone as Akama grabbed her and pulled her close to him in a tight embrace.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I'll look forward to my reward when I'm back", he winked at her.
-
"What a great day to be out", exclaimed Miki as she took a deep breath at the sight of the beach.
Sayaka nodded in agreement while the guys busy setting up a net for volley ball game.
"Sorry I took a while, couldn't find a parking just now", called a melodious voice making Miki turned as she recognised the voice.
"Mariko!" Both Sayaka and Miki seemed surprised at her presence in her bikini that showed off her figure and a transparent mini sarong tied casually around her slim waist. Her long hair looked even more radiant as it moved everytime the sea wind breezed through.
She laughed beautifully showing off her perfect smile as she saw their surprised look. "Don't worry, I'm not crashing the party. Aoyama called me last nite to see if I'm free to join."
Miki straight away looked at herself feeling under dressed with her white shorts and a pink tank top hiding her soft pink bikinis inside.
She noticed Sayaka did the same even though to Miki Sayaka looked just as mature and just as beautiful in her short denim and a black tank top knowing for a fact she wore a plain black bikinis inside. They went to the shop together last nite in a panic since Miki wanted a new pair of swim suit and after tossing between a bikini and one piece, they both decided to buy a same style in different colour.
But looking at Mariko and how mature she looked, they both felt so inadequate.
Especially noticing how the guys keeps on checking her out when they had the chance.
"That's fine I guess. I'm just surprised because Aoyama didn't tell us. Sayaka's friend is bound to be here soon too anyway so this way at least we're even with 4 guys and 4 girls", Miki said after a pause.
"Great! Looking forward to some fun", she said as she put her bag aside and put a sunglasses on. Even her bag seemed expensive and very fashionable.
"Sayaka!", a voice called and Miki saw a girl ran towards them with a picnic basket.
"Ah.. Rei! Over here!", Sayaka called back smiling at the sight of her making all the guys behind them stopped in their track to notice her especially Kijima.
"Sorry I'm late! I slept in!", she said cheerfully and straight away Miki liked her. Rei is a very cute girl and seemed warm and amiable. Like Mariko, she had a long hair and well figured. When she smiled it feels so genuine and from the heart. She wore a short khaki coloured pants with a plain white loose top to match and tied up her hair loosely making it very casual look overall.
"That's fine, we all just got here too. Let me introduce you to the rest of the gang", Sayaka said as she introduce her to Miki and Mariko.
"Did you asked Mariko to come?", asked Akama eyeing Aoyama at the sight of all the girls talking. He just smiled before nodding.
"As soon as I find out Sayaka's friend is coming, there's no way I'll be the only one dateless here. You guys were unfair!", he said making Akama just shook his head in disbelief.
"Oh is that the girl you're introducing me to?", asked Kijima excitedly. Kuroda laughed before he nodded at which point he closed his eyes pretending to prayed.
"She's pretty! She's pretty!... Oh I can't believe my luck!", he said making the rest of the guys laughed and pushed him teasingly.
"Don't push me around.. She's coming this way. Make me look cool!", he said quickly making them all laughed even louder.
Rei walked casually behind Sayaka as she approached the guys and introduced her to them one by one.
"Nice to meet you all. I heard so much about you especially Kuroda", she laughed as Sayaka nudged her.
"You didn't hear anything about me?", asked Kijima upfront feeling a slight dissapointed as Aoyama nudged him
"That's not making you cool, bro", he whispered.
Rei gave a short laugh as he looked at Kijima "Of course I heard about you. I actually asked her to introduce you to me. Its a pleasure to meet you in person, Kijima Futoshi", she smiled warmly making Kijima blushed unexpectedly.
Miki and Mariko who walked toward them laughed as she saw Kijima's expression.
"He's cute isn't he?", asked Miki playfully to Rei making Kijima feel so awkward he felt like knocking her.
"Very cute", Rei said honestly as if its a serious question making him blushed even more and everyone laughed at her direct answer while she looked slightly confused.
Sayaka and Kuroda just exchange glanced meaning fully as they smiled to each other.
"Alright then! Now all the cheerleaders are here, let's play some game", said Aoyama excitedly as he nudged Kijima "show her just how cool you can be. Don't fall flat on your face or your butt", he said teasingly ignoring Kijima's murderous look he shot at Aoyama.
Akama and Kuroda just laughed at them.
"Fine then.. Its you two against us two", said Kuroda as they all took their position.
Miki looked at all of them feeling very excited. Its exactly the picture of beach trip she always been dreaming of. Its like one by one her dreams fulfilled the day she met them all again.
"This is exciting", commented Mariko as she grabbed a seat next to Miki.
"Make sure you cheered me, Mariko.. Not Akama!", Aoyama yelled from a far.
"Yeah.. Make sure you do that", Miki can't help but gave her a sideway look.
Mariko chuckled "I thought I was going to say that about you. Make sure you cheered for Akama instead of Aoyama", she said as she looked at her seriously.
Miki turned her attention from the game that just started and looked at her confused "what make you say that?"
"Don't play coy now. The pictures of you and Aoyama looking like couple is all over the pages of sports magazine. I just thought you're not being fair to Akama", she said as she gazed out to the game looking straight at Akama.
"Trust you to jumped into conclusion like that without checking the truth. You must be happy to think I'm seeing Aoyama. Well.. Tough luck. I'm not", she said.
"So nothing really going on with Aoyama?", she asked sounded surprised.
She shook her head "I don't know what makes you think I owed you an explanation over my personal relationship. But just so you know, nothing is going on and nothing will be. So don't even think about trying any trick." She said coldly.
"Sorry if I sounded intruding.." She said
"Yes you did", Miki snapped.
"Its just that Akama is a great guy and if its not because of you, I won't give up on him. The last thing I want is to give up if I know you're just going to break his heart", she said quietly.
Miki didn't say anything. She understand how bad she must felt and it just showed how much she had feelings for Akama.
She let out a big sighed "I won't. If I do then you can deal with me later. Ok?"
She smiled finally and stood up.
"Go Aoyama! Show them what you got!", she screamed as she jumped up and down like a cheerleader making the guys distracted and Aoyama took the chance to smash.
"That's the way!", she yelled excitedly.
Making Kuroda and Akama groaned.
"Where is my cheerleader huh?", he yelled at Sayaka's direction.
"Retired from old age!", she replied "I can't compete with that!", she added making Miki laughed and Rei stood up along Mariko.
"Come on Kijima! Don't lose it to them", she said making him blushed and almost dropped the ball.
"Miki! Some support here!", Kuroda clicked his tongue as he looked at her and Sayaka.
"You guys great as it is! They needed cheerleaders cuz they're losing out.. Just keep it up", Miki said as she try to control her giggle and Sayaka joined in.
Akama let out a sigh before he look at Kuroda as they shook their head.
"Useless girlfriends", he said jokingly before taking his shirt off leaving on his board short on as he threw his shirt toward Miki and landed on her head.
Her heart skip a beat at the sight of Akama in his board short covered with sweats. She noticed the girls gasps at the sight as well.
"Yosh! Let's do this ... Get ready boys", Kuroda said as he took off his shirt and threw it to Miki as well.
"Hey! I'm not a laundry basket, ok!", she protested as she threw Kuroda's shirt to Sayaka.
"Akama looked so cool", whispered Sayaka as they started the game again.
Miki grinned widely before turning to Sayaka "Kuroda also cool!" And they both stared at each other grinning before burst into giggle fit.
Chap. 56
"Show off!", mocked Aoyama
"Should we take our top off too? It is getting hot", said Kijima
"You'll show your belly instead .. Why would you do that?", said Aoyama prompting Kijima to throw the ball at him hitting him on his head.
"Ouch!"
"I wonder why I'm your friends sometimes", he said annoyed.
Aoyama laughed as he hugged him "Because I'm just the best friend you'll ever have. Now .. Let's show them how good goggle yellow can be. Its a ball! Its your game!", he said making him fired up.
"All right then!", he said as he looked at Akama and Kuroda seriously "get ready to lose!"
"The guys played so seriously and too good to let anyone win. I'm getting bored her just sitting and watching them", complained Miki.
"Let's play too then", suggested Rei cheerfully.
The four of them looked at each other before they giggled "let's crash the game!"
"You don't mind, sweating do you?", Sayaka asked Mariko cautiously as she doesn't look the type to play sports and getting sandy all over.
She gave her a challange look "oh.. I would enjoy beating you both at the game it worth the sweat".
Miki laughed at her remark "bring it on!" She exclaimed excitedly as they all stood up and make a run toward the guys making them all stopped in their track just enough distraction for Sayaka to run for the ball coming toward Kuroda made a pass at Miki who smashed it smoothly just as Mariko reached the other side.
She gave her a surprised look while Miki looked at her full of amusement "Let's make you sweat some more huh?", she teased.
"Hey.. What's this?", Kuroda asked in surprised as the girls all stood next to them.
"Its not much fun to just sit and watch you guys play. We wanna play too", Sayaka said as she winked at Miki.
"Let's do this Kijima", said Rei cheerfully as she gave him a high five. He nodded excitedly.
Turned out that Rei was quite good at volley beach and so is Mariko making the game even more serious than their initial plan for a fun play especially with Mariko intentionally aimed at Miki's guard at most time making her running around and trip on Akama as he fell pulling her with him. He smiled as she fell on his bare chest making her blushed unexpectedly.
"Cut the beach romance short.. We're losing here", said Kuroda teasingly.
"Let them win for once.. They tried hard enough", said Akama lazily.
"Yes.. Let's just admit defeat and go for a swim", said Sayaka wiping her sweat off her forehead as she gaze at Rei and Mariko who's also looked just as sweaty. Their long hair both tied up by now and Rei already took her top off leaving her white bikini top and khaki shorts on.
"Did I hear it right?", Mariko smiled smugly "admitting defeat girls?", she teased as Miki shot her annoyed look. She hated losing more than anything else.
"Let's do a tug of war", she suggested before looking at Kijima "without you!"
Mariko smiled at the challenge. "Why not? I would love to see you bowed before me", she said playfully making her even more annoyed.
Akama gave a short laugh "let the girls play while we rest then. Give it your best shot Miki. Do me proud", he winked at her before he sat grabbing a cold drinks from the cooler bag and throw them at Kuroda and the guys.
"I love tug of war!", said Rei cheerfully smiling at Miki while Sayaka rolled her eyes "I can't believe we're doing this"
"Come on Sayaka!", cheered Kuroda as they both took their top off leaving only their pink and black bikini top paired with their shorts.
Sayaka just smiled at Kuroda as she tied up her wavy hair. Mariko and Rei quickly do the same before getting a rope nearby and hand it over.
"Oiii! where's our referee?", asked Miki as the started.
"Allow me", said Aoyama as he stood in between them and blow a whistle. The girls quickly pulled the rope from each end.
"Its an interesting sight to see girls tug of war. Look at how serious they are. " Kuroda laughed at the sight.
"Go Rei!"
"Go Sayaka!"
"You can do it, Miki!"
They heard all the guys cheered as Miki and Sayaka pulled harder dragging the two girls toward them.
"A bit more Sayaka.. And we'll have them at our feet", encouraged Miki as they dragged them closer pulling Mariko as she lost balanced.
Just as she fell and Rei almost trip over her, Aoyama quickly ran behind them pulling the rope toward him dragging Miki and Sayaka as he did.
"Aoyama!", they both screamed in protest as Rei and Mariko got up and pulled alongside him.
"Hey! That's not fair",Kuroda jumped from his seat and ran toward Sayaka as he pulled her helping them.
Aoyama laughed as he was dragged towards them slowly. "Yo! Kijima... Come here!", he called.
"Kijima.. Help us!", called Rei making him ran almost instantly as he went behind Aoyama and start pulling.
At the sight Akama ran towards Kuroda and help pulled as well.
"Guys... Let's pull as hard as you can.. And let go of it", said Akama to Kuroda, sayaka and Miki. The three of them laugh and nodded in agreement.
"1... 2.. 3..", counted Kuroda as they all pulled as hard as they could and let go instantly making Mariko, Rei and Aoyama all fell tripping over Kijima who didn't expect that too.
"That's a good one, Akama", said Miki as they all laughed at the sight. He just laughed as he grabbed her from behind holding her close to him before brushing his lip against her quickly.
She blushed at the unexpected move. She looked around to see if anyone noticed it but it was too quick for anyone to realise what just happened.
"Let's go for a swim", he said as he pulled her hand toward the beach away from everyone else. "I'm not so good at swimming", she admitted shyly.
He laughed "you don't need to be good at swimming, just need to be close to me and you'll be fine" he said.
She looked around before spotting Kuroda and Sayaka also heading toward the beach as well as everyone else.
"Going for a swim guys? We play too hard. I think the water is a bit cold but just what we needed", said Kijima gazing at Rei who's smiling at him.
They just nodded as Mariko walked towards the sea and swim gracefully to the middle before turning and waved at them "its very refreshing!", she exclaimed.
"Wait for me!", said Aoyama running through the waves as he head towards her.
"Let's go too", said Rei as she took her short off and made her way to the sea pulling Kijima's hand with her.
"She's good! She pretty much lead him", said Kuroda laughing. Akama nodded in agreement.
Sayaka just smiled as she looked at Miki to see if she's coming in too. They both took their short off before linked their arms in their boyfriends arms and head towards the sea away from each other.
"Ah! Its cold!", exclaimed Miki before she realised Akama was so close behind her. She could feel her heart beat raced as he grabbed her waist and turned her around to face him. Their bodies so close she could feel his skin against hers.
She closed her eyes as she rested her head on his chest before he lifted her chin softly and kissed her slowly she wished time would stop right there and then.
-
From the distance, both Mariko and Aoyama stared at the sight before Mariko turned to Aoyama "Are you ok?"
He didn't say anything for a while before forcing a smile "I just have to get used to it. Are you ok? Sorry to let you see that. Must be tough on you", he said.
She let out a sigh "like you, I just have to get used to it."
He smiled as he heard her and put his arms around her "We'll be fine!"
She smiled back as she nodded.
Chap. 57 a
Akama will be off to his trip tomorrow and Miki knew she would be busy practising and couldn't wait till the end of the week for the announcement of her fate.
She's really looking forward to the good news but at the same time she's worried. Worried about what future hold for her relationship. She's aware that should she's back on the team, most likely she would have to move back to dorm and had a scheduled practice back to back leaving not much room to spend time with Akama and her friends as it is. She felt torn and never expected that getting her dream back would made her feel this way. She should have been happy or even ecstatic but surprisingly she felt miserable.
The olympic is 10 months away and to participate there's so much she needed to catch up as she has lost a months off scheduled practice she used to do thanks to the disqualification. She starts to wonder if going on the Olympic is really her dream.
The breeze and the sound of waves soothed her as she let out a sigh. All the boys were asleep after their little swim and she took the opportunity to walk around the pier and have a time to herself while Rei, Mariko and Sayaka went for a stroll to the stalls along the beach.
The scenery reminds her of the day Akama and Kuroda showed up when she was crying away at the beach over her disqualification. She smiled to herself at the thought. It was her problem that changed her life dramatically. If its not for the meeting with Mr. Ryusuke that day, she wouldn't bumped into Akama and probably wouldn't even think of meeting him after all this time. Just when she thought her dream was ended, Akama's presence in her life makes it all better.
"Feeling lonely?", startled a voice making her turned to see a guy smiling at her before taking a seat next to her.
She just smiled politely at him as she shook her head "Just needed to be alone for a while, thanks".
"No one should be alone especially in a nice weather like this", he said trying to make a conversation but Miki just smiled and ignored him as she gazed out to the sea watching the waves as it hit the shores over and over again.
"She's definitely not alone if that's what you wanted to know", said a deep voice from behind them making both of them turned to find Akama stood there behind her.
He smiled awkwardly towards Akama before he stood up and walked away without saying a word to either of them.
Miki can't help but smiled at the sight as Akama took the seat next to her.
"What are you doing here on your own? I thought you went with the girls", he said following her gaze towards the shore.
She rested her head on his shoulder feeling relax "I just wanted to enjoy the view. You're fast asleep and so I went for a walk. Were you jealous?", she smiled teasingly as she looked at him sideway.
"Do I need to be?", he asked back raising his eyebrows. She chuckled as she shook her head.
"Then I guess I'm not", he said as he grinned at her.
"You have no reason to be, Akama. Not now.. Not ever", she said suddenly sounded so serious Akama had to turned at her making sure she's not teasing him.
"You have everything that I ever dream of in a guy. I don't think any guy could ever compete with you and live up to your standard", she said as she gaze at his brown eyes.
She saw his eyes widened in surprised. For a moment he just looked at her without a word before he pulled her closer wrapping her in his arms tightly.
"Are you trying to make me blush here? I never heard of such things and coming from you its priceless", he said as he chuckled.
She hit his chest softly as she looked up to him trying to hold his gaze. "I'm not joking. I meant it. Don't laugh at me", she said feeling slightly embarrassed as she pulled away from him but he quickly pulled her back.
"I didn't mean to laugh, Miki. Its just that hearing you saying that you have no idea how happy you made me feel just now. You made me sound so good", he said still smiling. But she didn't smile.
"You're not good, Akama. You're great!", she protested making laugh even louder at her seriousness in praising him.
"Stop it! Or my head will blow up soon, getting too big from all the praise you just gave me", he said as he grinned but she stood up feeling annoyed.
He pulled her back down trying to hold himself from smiling but he can't.
"Ok! Ok! Thanks for thinking so highly of me. I guess I'm lucky to have such a great girlfriend too", he said but she pushed him aside.
"Now you're just making fun of me. I shouldn't said anything", she pout as he laughed.
"I'm not making fun of you. I'm praising you back!", he said in between his laugh.
She just sighed.
"About Aoyama..", she said mid air. At the mention of Aoyama his laughter subsided.
"What about Aoyama?", he asked.
"You might come across more made up stories about us in the future and people's speculation about our non-existence relationship thanks to the media." She looked at him but he just gaze away at the sea.
"I know", he said after a pause without looking her way.
"Well, what you should know is that Aoyama just like Kuroda and Kijima has always been someone very dear to me. They're all special to me in their own way and we have bonded so well through out Sentai times and its nothing like what we both had, you and I ." She sighed before she continued.
"During sentai times, I didn't get to know you too well the way I knew them. We're always together, travelling in the car together, patrolling together and you had everyone's admiration and respect but you have to admit you weren't exactly open up to us. You've always been the one to look out for us and be there for us in our time of need but its just different. I felt like I knew about you more now than the last few years we've spent during Sentai times." She looked at him as he finally turned to look at her without saying anything.
"I have always admired you. And as I get to know you better now, you're even a greater guy than what I already thought of you. What you might not realise is that Kijima, Aoyama and Kuroda all admired and have their most respect towards you and whatever you do and say its highly regarded by them. You've set such a high standard for them to look up to." She continued as she saw Akama shook his head as if not believing what he heard. He let out a sigh before he gaze out to the sea again.
"If I appeared to be very close to Aoyama sometimes, its because we both are such a close friends and we're just comfortable with each other. No difference with how I am when I'm with Kuroda or Kijima. Its just the way we were and I guess will always be. But it doesn't mean I have a feeling for him the way I do for you. Its different. He knew it, I knew it. So I really hope you don't just see things from what you heard or see. There's more to our closeness than just what meet the eyes", she explained as she pulled his hand and hold it in her palm.
"I don't want you to misunderstand over Aoyama. He's a dear friend to me that I could never let go no matter what. So I guess I'm trying to make you understand the reason behind it and why you should never worry about it because when it comes to you, no one else comes close." She said as she exhaled searching for his eyes hoping to see what she wanted to see.
For a while he seemed not to know what to make of everything Miki just told him. He looked at her hopeful gaze knowing just how much she tried to assured him of her feelings toward him. He just stood up as he stroke his hair against the wind and pulled her up to her feet before holding her tight.
"Thank you for going into trouble trying to explain everything when you don't really have to. It means a lot to me", he said as she leaned against his chest resting her hand on it.
"I love you, Akama. I just wished you knew how much", she whispered softly as Akama stroke her hair gently.
Chap. 58
"I heard both of you will be on the same trip tomorrow", Kijima said as they ate dinner at his shop after the sunset.
Aoyama turned to both Kuroda and Akama "is that true? You guys always had the fun together and leaving us behind", he protested feeling left out.
Akama and Kuroda just shook their head in disbelief. As Miki and Sayaka exchanged glance.
"Its not a fun trip. Its work!", said Kuroda rolling his eyes at Aoyama.
"A dangerous one as well..",added Mariko as she shot a sideway look at Akama.
Miki turned to Akama in surprise as Sayaka did the same toward Kuroda.
Akama and Kuroda just chuckled. "Nah!.. Its fine", said Akama quickly.
Both girls turned to Mariko as she looked at Akama sharply "I guess both of you didn't mention to your girls just how dangerous this projects that it took me so long to find people who's willing to risk it to get the project together. " She said making Rei, Kijima and Aoyama looked at her too.
"Stop it Mariko, you're ruining the dinner. Its just as normal as other project. Nothing dangerous about it if you know what you're doing", he said giving Mariko a sharp look as Sayaka put down her chopstick looking worried.
"Don't worry, Sayaka. We'll be fine. I will be fine. You knew me, there's far more dangerous stuff I've been through. This is nothing", he said smiling at her as he put her chopsticks back on her hand signalling her to eat more.
Akama looked at Miki but she looked away before he could see her face.
"The best okonomiyaki!", praised Rei breaking the ice as she put down her chopsticks and grinned as she winked at Kijima.
"Thank you, Rei. You're so easy to pleased", Kijima said shyly. But she just smiled before looking at him ignoring everyone on the table.
"So, before I had to go and call it a night.. Just a question. Are you seeing anyone?", she asked Kijima making him surprised that he almost dropped his bowl. He could see everyone on the table grinning at him before he looked down on his sweaty palm lost in words.
Aoyama patted his back as he smiled at Rei "On my shy friend's behalf.. Let me answer your question. He's not seeing anyone and he would love to date you if you feels the same way", he said as he grinned at Kijima. "Right? That's what you wanted to say right?". Kijima blushed as he stuttered for words and everyone laughed at the sight.
Rei looked at him smiling before grabbing her picnic basket and stood up. "I guess I need to hear it from Kijima himself if that's really how he feels. Incase that is, I felt just the same. Call me when you find your words", she winked before waving and left leaving everyone surprised.
Sayaka just smiled as she shook her head. "Always has to be so honest and direct.. That girl", she said making Kuroda smiled.
"What are you waiting for Kijima?", yelled Aoyama as he saw Kijima speechless. He looked at Aoyama confused.
"Run after her! That's what a girl expect you to do when they left you like that!", Aoyama said giving Kijima a push towards the door before he looked at Aoyama, hugged him and run out the door.
Miki can't help but laughed at the sight as she gave Aoyama a glance "Just where did you get that fact from?", she laughed.
"Experiences of course!", he winked at her before everyone joined her in laughter.
"Well.. I guess I had to start my own hunt since all of you seemed to paired up now", he sighed taking his seat back.
"Don't worry, there will be plenty of girls lining up for you when they knew you're single", said Mariko. Miki and Sayaka nodded in agreement.
Akama gazed at his watch "We'd better call it a night then, Kuroda and I had to get up at dawn tomorrow. Let's do this again soon when we get back", he said and everyone nodded.
"Let's go for karaoke next", Aoyama suggested which makes Miki clapped her hands in excitement.
"Yes! Yes! Let's do that when they got back. You guys have to hear Akama sing, he's so good", she said excitedly making Akama chuckled as he pushed her head playfully "don't embarrassed me like that!"
"Its true though", she protested as she touched her head and slapped his hand playfully in return.
"Let see if he sing better than I do", said Aoyama confidently making everyone laughed as they all stood up.
"Since the owner has ran out chasing his love interest I guess we could leave the bill to him for abandoning his friends over a girl", said Kuroda as he laughed and everyone nodded in agreement.
"Do you need a ride, Mariko?", asked Aoyama looking at Mariko but she smiled as she lifted her car keys.
"Thanks though for today. I had fun", she said before she waved and headed for her car.
"Let's all go back home then. Home sweet home", called Kuroda as he walked towards the car.
-