"That was great Ogawa! Are you free tonight? Shall we go for a quick drink?", Junya said cheerfully as he put his arms around her.
Miki just smiled as she took his hands away from her shoulder. Junya is a very cheerful guy and very confident too. He's sure talented and a good actor, its no wonder he's confident. His good looks also made him a bit too confident for her liking. Just like Ryouji in the past, he seemed to be very friendly with female crews and co-stars especially her.
There's even few articles about Junya and her ever since the shooting started with rumour saying they're dating each other since insiders confirmed how close they're on set and outside set. Ryouji wasn't all pleased with it especially since there's a lot of picture books for sentai heroines took place after Goggle V, she's been busy with photo shoots and interview in related to Goggle V.
Like Kijima was saying, her popularity based on Goggle V seemed very high but still Seiya kept telling her that he couldn't book her any works regardless.
The only thing she was hopeful for was the CM she was signed for a tissue company, TV company and razor company that will used her in their advertising.
She really had nothing lining up after this and she's started to get worried as she had finally signed up for Hyoga's treatments which will require an ongoing payments and depending on his progress it could take longer than predicted.
She had no idea what could be possibly wrong. It just doesn't add up and doesn't make much sense. With all the responses and feedback she's been receiving through her roles she didn't expect to get no work at all. She wasn't expecting a big role or anything to high but the least she hoped for was descent work offer even if its a small role.
The worse thing was that she has received numerous offer for R+ movie, playboy magazine and even porn company trying to make her change direction. She doesn't know if its because of her name or what makes her suitable for those offer since Goggle V was far from that impressions.
"Ogawa! Are you listening?", she heard Junya called her and waved his hand in front of her trying to grab her attention.
"Sorry Junya, maybe some other time. Its been a long day and I promised to meet up with Ryouji for dinner." She said as Junya sighed.
"Fine then. I'll just have to stick to Junichi", he said as she smiled. Junya has moved in with Kuroda and they're pretty much flat mate for a while now and it made her knows about Kuroda's up to date progress too through Junya and vice versa. Occasionally Kuroda would come to the set and three of them had lunch together.
"See you tomorrow. I'll head back first", she said as she grabbed her bag making her way to the gate as her phone rang and she smiled at the sight of Ryouji's name.
They both had been quite busy especially her and he's been complaining that she didn't spend enough time with him so she's staying over tonight despite having to come at 5 am for outside location tomorrow.
"I'm outside. Come out when you done and don't make me wait too long", he said before she could even say anything making her chuckled at how typical of Ryouji to be that way.
She ran out as she saw him in the car waiting. He waved as soon as he spotted her.
"That was quick", he smiled as she got in and gave him a quick kiss before she threw her bag on the back seat.
"Well, I don't want to keep my hot temper boyfriend waiting too long", she grinned as he drove off smiling.
"Good girl! I trained you well." He said as she hit him playfully.
"Home sweet home?", she asked as he laughed.
"Don't you know what day it is today?", he shook his head in disbelief making her smiled.
"Of course I know. But I thought we could just stay home and eat anything as long as its just us." She said as he grabbed her and kissed her on the lips quickly before he turn his eyes on the road again.
"Then.. Your wish is my command then. Home it is", he laughed as she grabbed his hand put it on her cheek excitedly.
That's the thing about Ryouji. No matter how she felt, having him around always made her feel so much better and instantly forgot all her worries. Ryouji has changed so much since the first time they met. He'd showed her so many sides of him that she never expected from him. There's no more calls from girls and who would have guess that he's such a caring and thoughtful boyfriend.
"Stop staring at me or I can't focus on the road", Ryouji said suddenly making her looked away instantly feeling a slight embarrassment that he's aware of it.
"I just can't believe my luck that you're my boyfriend. Its been a year and you still haven't dump me yet", she said as he laughed.
"Why would I do that? Are you planning to dump me?", he grinned as they reach the basement of his apartment.
"Its my lost if I do that", she sighed as he laughed.
They walked hand in hand as Ryouji opened the door to his apartment and to her surprised, the room was decorated with candles as the city night view seen clearly from the window and the glass dining table already filled with food and there's even bucket of champagne with ice to keep it chilled.
The music as always playing softly from the audio set in the living room and Ryouji smiled at her speechless expression.
"Happy anniversary, Megumi", he said as he closed the door behind them. For a while she couldn't say anything and just stared at him.
"You did all this?", she looked around the room still overwhelmed as he chuckled.
"Well.. Not all of it but I guess it doesn't matter. What matter is, do you like it?", he grinned as she raised her eyebrows at him.
"Like it? I love it! What would you do if I didn't said I want to go home before?", she asked as he laughed.
"Well I guess I just have to take you home by force", he laughed "But I'm glad you felt the same way as I do. I just want to spend time with you, just the two of us", he said as he kissed her softly before it turned into a passionate one.
"Ryouji..", she called his name softly as he broke away.
"Shall we have dinner first? Bath then bed or how do you want to start the night?", he grinned at her as she laughed before she looked at the nicely dinner prepared on the table.
"Let's have a bath first. Dinner can wait. I can't", he grinned as she followed him to the bedroom and bathroom to find the bath tub already filled with water and also candles around it with two glass of wine next to it.
She smiled as she looked into his eyes to find him staring back at her.
"Happy anniversary, Ryouji", she said before she kissed him while he undressed her slowly as she did the same to him.
"Let's toast to many more anniversary", Ryouji said as he lifted his champagne glass toward Megumi. They both sat across each other at the dining table in their bath robe.
Miki raised her glass too before they both smiled and ate their dinner.
"Ryouji, after Goggle V on air, do you have a lot of work offer by any chance?", she asked as he nodded.
"Yeah quite a lot but no major roles just small parts here and there. Unlike you, Miss Popular. You probably had too much offer. I'm happy for you, though", he said as she forced a smile. If only he knew, she thought.
"Is Junya still bugging you?", he asked as she smiled. Junya came from the same town as Ryouji and Kuroda and since they live together, the four of them sometimes meet up and he always feel irritated by the closeness that Junya seemed to make obvious in front of him. Being the same age, he seemed to have a great deal of satisfaction of making Ryouji jealous somehow.
"He's fine.. still the same Junya as always. Like you used to be once." She grinned.
"We're having a sequel for the series so it will take slightly longer for this work to end", she said as Ryouji rolled his eyes.
"By the way, I got the spacecraft specials with you as cover on it. What do you think you're doing showing your undies like that?", he shook his head in disbelief as he grabbed the magazine from the coffee table before he threw it to her.
She chuckled at the sight. "The costume were awfully too short but at least I'm wearing undies", she grinned as he has the same expression which she knew he was deciding either to laugh or to strangle her by her response.
"Will you consider any gravure offer in the future if there's any?" He asked suddenly as her heart felt like it stopped working for a few seconds.
She looked at him as he looked into her eyes. He's serious about his question.
She took a deep breath "I must be desperate or out of my mind if I do that. And if I do take that kind of work, I don't think I would ever have the guts to look at you in the eyes anymore", she said honestly as he smiled looking relief.
"I know I sounded harsh when gravure doesn't even come close to the extreme but I guess its just not for me", she said as he nodded. "Not your style", he agreed as she smiled at him before he held her close and pulled her bath robe open making her gasped in surprised.
"Ryouji..", she protested as she pushed him slightly but he just smiled as he held her closer.
"Its our anniversary.. Just relax and enjoy my present, will you?", he laughed.
"Are you really sure there's no offer whatsoever?", she asked Seiya again as she shook her head in disbelief when he nodded confirming her question.
Kung Fu Chen the sequel almost over and she did all the commercials she signed for but not a single descent offer has been coming her way. She just can't believe it.
"I understand you need the money, Ogawa. Which is why you should really considered that deal. Its a one off deal. You're a model. What so hard about it? Just treat it like a professional and get over and done with. It paid more than 6 commercial works combined", Seiya said as she shook her head instantly.
"I told you over and over I won't do that kind of work.. EVER! This is bull shit!", she sighed feeling frustrated.
"Is that true you dated Ryouji Akagi?", Seiya suddenly asked her as she looked at him suspiciously.
"Its my personal life. It has nothing to do with work", she snapped as she sipped the coffee in front of her feeling more and more frustrated as their conversation felt like going no where.
"Well.. If its true then maybe you could ask him for a help. Don't you know his father is quite a powerful man? Your life will be much easier if he knew you had difficulties financially or in finding works. If he is indeed your boyfriend I'm sure he would help", Seiya said as Miki bit her lip.
She had no idea about Ryouji's father and what he's doing. But judging from his apartment he must be quite well off just not too sure how powerful he is to make an impact to entertainment industry. Ryouji had been having a small role instead of leading role like Goggle V and if his dad is truly powerful, should he had it easier?
"I'm only a salary man. My earnings depending on my actresses and models. So you can't really expect me to do much when my hands also tied. I can't even loan you anything" He said earnestly as he looked into her eyes. "Seriously, Ogawa. If I were you, I would ask Akagi for help. Its for your own good".
She shook her head slowly. "I don't want to depend on a guy. He knew nothing about my work problem and I'm not intending for him to find out either. How do you know about him anyway?", she asked him suspiciously. So far they both hid it well the fact that they're dating and keep their personal life private. She wondered how Seiya knew about him.
"I have my source. And like I said, his dad is a powerful man. If you mess with the wrong crowd, he would be your key for help. And I don't know about your private life but from what I'm guessing, you somehow has pissed someone in the industry and that's why its so hard to secure any descent jobs. Looks like all the good offers been blocked before it even reached you." He sighed before he look at her again. She stared at him looking confused. Just what she did wrong? She didn't remember having any conflict at work let alone annoyed someone powerful that can blocked offers and played a role in the industry. Seiya must have got it all wrong.
"Just tell me one thing. What's more important to you right now? Your career or the money? If you told me its your career, then my advise is to talk to your boyfriend about it. If its the money, then just accept one of this work and you'll be guaranteed good money just doing a few. As easy as that", he said finally as he put forward few proposals in front of her.
She stared at it as she replayed what has just been said. She can't believe this is what it came down to. Of course it would make life much easier if only she could do what Seiya suggested her to do by coming clean to Ryouji about her work problem and she's sure he would be happy to help but that's not what she wanted to do.
She looked at her bag where a final letter from the rehab came a few days ago asking for the payments that's already overdue.
"Can I at least think about it for a few days?", she said finally as Seiya nodded.
"The work can wait. Its your brother who's at stake and I don't know what make you think its so hard to ask your boyfriend for help. If I were you.." Miki stared at him cutting him off mid-air.
"Leave Ryouji out of this", she snapped as she took the proposals before she put it in her bag.
"Why don't you do the two movie first and see how it goes and if you think you can go through with it, then do the special edition picture book. The two movies would only be a small part anyway. No one would notice its you and the company is not a big production but at least the payment offer is quite generous considering how small is your role in it. We could even change your stage name just for these roles", he said as she took a deep breath feeling disbelief she actually considering this.
"Thanks Seiya. I'll let you know in a few days." She said as he nodded.
"You're positive you won't consider telling Akagi about this?", he asked again before he put his hands up surrendered "then I guess its your choice. There's nothing much I can do. Its a sad thing to see it came down to this. You're actually had a bright future ahead of you".
Miki wasn't sure what he was talking about but she just smiled as she grabbed her bag and made her way out.
As she left Seiya took a deep breath as he stared at his phone before dialling a number while he sipped the last of his coffee.
"I did what I needed to do. I hope you're happy. Just so you know, I really don't agree with this." He said coldly as he heard a woman laugther on the the other line.
"Did she take the offer?", she asked
"Not yet, but there's really not much choice is there? You do aware that you're ruining her career right? She had so much good offers actually and I'm sure to lose a good actress", he sighed as the woman laughed making him shuddered at the sound.
"Don't worry, the minute she signed those contracts, I'll transfer you the money as promised. It will be a fair amount of course for your retribution." She said.
"You're such an evil. What did she ever do to you?", he can't help but asked.
"Nothing actually. She's just someone unfortunate enough that makes a perfect target to hurt someone I wanted to hurt the most. Its just her bad luck. Look forward to hear from you on the good news soon, Minoru-san", she said before she hung up.
Seiya stared at his phone shuddered at the thought of such a mean person exists and how would anyone do that to Miki is beyond him. She called him last year wanting to know about Miki more and he was happily giving away all the info on her thinking she was a prospect client but sadly she wasn't.
All he knew is she's somehow related to Ryouji Akagi and quite powerful enough to influence other companies to draw back their offer with certain threats. And forced him to encourage her taking Pink film roles and even a pictorial book by a famous companies well known for its softcore pornographic films also known as Pink films. Recently the company made itself famous for its SM Queens and they had specifically requested Miki to be featured in their special pictorial books as a feature.
At first he was taken by surprised as Miki never had that kind of offer before since her image has been portrayed carefully and its always been a clean and sweet image. Later on he found out that Ryoko Akagi was behind all of this and promised him that if he could persuade her to take the roles, she would paid him well and amount that no one would resist if given the choice. He just felt bad doing this to Miki and even tried to think of alternative way but the only way it seemed was to have Ryouji asking his father as a strong back up but just now his attempt has failed miserably.
He should be happy that he would be well provided if Miki do signed up but he can't help having a guilty feeling knowing she wouldn't face this if only Ryouji is not her boyfriend. But telling her to stay away from Ryouji also not his place to do so.
Like Ryoko Akagi said, its just a pure bad luck.
"You're so quiet Miki. Is everything alright?", Junya asked her as they finished their filming for the day.
"Just had somethings on my mind", she forced a smile as Kuroda patted her back.
Kuroda was there as his filming location was also in the area.
"Don't tell me you already thought of next works. You must be so busy the next few years. The fans loved you", Junya grinned at her making her wanted to screamed in frustration at the thought.
"Actually I don't have any work lining up, on the contrary.. I got zero offer", she said finally as Kuroda raised his eyebrows.
"How can that be possible?", he asked as she shrugged. "Tell me about it. My manager told me I probably pissed someone off so bad, they blocked all offer that came my way".
"Sorry to hear that, Miki. Entertainment industry can be really tough. That kind of thing sadly do happened", Kuroda said as she shrugged.
"Did Ryouji knew?", he asked before she shook her head "No and don't tell him please. I'll get work soon .. Somehow. The least I need right now is for him to worry about me". She said as he nodded.
Her phone rang twice as she stared in disbelief at the screen name. Hikata.
"Its been a while, Megumi", he said as he smiled at the sight of her.
"Tell me about it. How have you been?", she asked as she took a seat across him before she ordered a lemon ice tea.
"I'm doing well. And I can see you doing even better. You look even more beautiful than I can remember", he said as she blushed slightly. Hikata hasn't changed much either.
"I've been watching you on TV and those magazines, I collect them all. I can't be more proud of you. You're really on your way to stardom", he said but she felt even sadder at the praises knowing how different it is in reality.
He grinned as he handed her a magazine with her on the cover. "Sign it for me please", he grinned at her as she chuckled.
"What shall I write?", she took his pen as she smiled.
"Hmm.. To my first love.."He dictated as she chuckled.
"Don't laugh! One day it might worth a million", he laughed as she kicked him playfully.
She wrote it anyway before she looked up to him waiting for the next line as he suddenly looked serious.
".. Look after yourself and I won't forget you even when you're not around.. Love always, Megu-chan", he said as she looked at him.
"Where are you going?", she asked as he smiled.
"I'm moving to England", he said as she dropped the pen surprised at what she heard.
"You're moving? As in permanently? When?.." She asked as he gave a short laugh.
"Next week actually. Sorry I just let you know now. But I wasn't sure if I could really see you again." He said as she shook her head in disbelief.
"You're moving.. Just like that? And you just tell me today? You're leaving me here?", she asked before he chuckled.
"You got Ryouji, right? You'll be fine. You've been doing fine without me around for almost 2 years now." He smiled at her. She bit her lip.
"But Megumi, should you missed me or wanted to talk or had any problem, you always know where I am. Come to England. Here's my address and all contact details. Some things would never change regardless what happened. And you're always have me to lean on if you needed me", he said and as if he has pushed her to her limit, tears just started pouring down her cheek before she even realise it.
"Megumi... Are you ok? Why are you crying?", he moved next to her instantly and took her in his embraced as she sobbed away in his arms.
After everything she had the last few days .. Knowing Hikata, the guy that has been her rock will also leave her it felt as if all hopes was gone.
"Do you want to talk about it?", he asked after her cried subsided.
"Do you drive here?", she asked him as he nodded "Let's talk in your car", she said as he nodded before made his way to pay the bill.
"I really think you should talk to Ryouji. If you can't even share with him your troubles when you could easily told me about it, it means he meant nothing more than just a guy you want to impress. If he can't face your weakness and flaws then he doesn't deserve you", Hikata said as she bit her lip.
"Its different. I could tell you everything because its always been that way", she defended herself but he shook his head in disagreement.
"Its time for you to tell him everything, megu. I won't be here much longer and if he really love you, he would not judge you no matter what. If he did, then maybe you should end it and leave him." He said as he sighed.
"I didn't want to say this actually since you might misunderstand and thought I used the chance but, why don't you come with me to England? Start a new life. I can't help much financially but Hyoga wouldn't want your money either if he knew what you have to do to earn it", he said as Miki sighed.
"What do I do there?", she chuckled.
"You could continue your study there. I will open a Karate dojo there and I can support you until you can find a work you like. Think about it. " He said as she nodded.
"What about Ryouji?", she asked as he laughed.
"Ah! That's the problem. You won't leave him and I won't make you either. And this offer is exclusively for you, I don't want him in England too" He grinned as she sighed.
"Its a good offer though. Better than what I've been receiving so far", she laughed as he laughed too.
"If you want my honest opinion. Don't do those works! Talk to Ryouji about it. And if all options failed, you got my offer as back up plan. How's that?", he grinned at her as she laughed.
"Sounds like a deal to me. I'll try to talk to Ryouji tonight", she said before she scribbled at the magazine she was signed halfway.
Hikata laughed as he read them. "I can't sell this now, can I?", he shook his head in disbelief as he read it out loud.
"To my first love, the best man a girl could ever have after Ryouji Akagi."
"Must you wrote his name too?", he pushed her head playfully.
"Thanks Hikata. For everything..", she said as he dropped her home before they both stared at Ryouji who stood in front of her gate. He stared straight into Hikata as he turned off the engined and got out of the car as Miki approached him.
"What are you doing here?", she asked him but he didn't take his eyes off Hikata.
"Its been a while huh?", he said to Hikata "Junichi told me you left work early and a guy picked you up and I should have guessed", he added as Hikata chuckled.
"I see that you still easily worked up." Hikata grinned at him. "Relax. I'm just having a drink with Megu and asked her to sign this for her loyal fan" he said as he threw him the magazine.
"Read that will you? And its about time you smile at me instead of giving me that scary look", he said as Miki chuckled at the sight of Ryouji caught the magazine and stared at what she wrote.
"To her, I'm second best. I think she made it clear the first time and now in writing. So if I were you, I would apologise right now for doubting her", Hikata smiled as Ryouji looked at Miki before she smiled at him.
"Sorry.. I didn't mean to doubt, just couldn't stand the thought of you with other guy especially him", Ryouji said as Hikata laughed.
"I'm flattered if you think I'm a good enough competition. But you got nothing to worry there. I'm leaving for England next week. Today's meeting is pretty much a farewell", he said as Ryouji looked at him surprised.
"I'm glad to see her doing well and obviously still happily in love after almost two years. Thanks for taking care of her. Truce?", he said as he extended his hand toward Ryouji which Ryouji took it as he shook it firmly.
"Truce it is. Thanks for leaving permanently", he grinned as Hikata chuckled.
"Don't let me down, Ryouji. Don't ever made her cried or I'll be back before you know it. Love her with all you got", he said as Miki blushed.
"Don't bother coming back. She'll be fine as long as she's with me", Ryouji grinned as both man shook each other firmly before he waved at them and drove off.
"Let's go to my place", he said as she was about to enter her place.
"I got early shooting tomorrow and I'm very tired. Can I come tomorrow instead?", she asked as he shook his head.
"I'll drive you to work tomorrow and wake up just as early. You've been so busy lately. I missed you", he said as she laughed.
"Who would have imagine that Ryouji Akagi would actually missed a girl", she laughed as he joined her.
"Ryouji, are you close with your father? I never heard you talk much of him", she asked carefully wondering how she would say what she needed to tell him.
"I hardly talk to him. Why?", he asked her as he put his arms behind his head before she snuggled up to him comfortably.
"Just wonder, incase you have a problem with your work or trying to get work.. Would you ever consider asking him for help?", she asked as he suddenly looked at her as if she just asking if he would pose nude.
"I would rather starve myself and swapped this with a dorm if I had to than to ask him for help." He said sounded bewildered "My father would be the last person I turn to if I need any help."
Miki closed her eyes knowing that her options has just closed on her. He doesn't even have a good relationship with his dad. What was she thinking? If he wouldn't even consider getting a help from his own father for himself what would make him pleaded for his help on her behalf?
She noticed Ryouji stared at her as she quickly shook all the thoughts away.
"Why you all of sudden ask about my father? Is something wrong? Did you think that all this time I get to this point because he was helping me?", he sounded hurt.
"That's not what I mean. I just somehow heard that your father apparently quite a guy and just wonder why you never ask him to make you career much smoother if that's really the case." She explained. "Please don't think I'm interested to know what he's doing or if I think of you that way. Its all irrelevant. I don't care much about it", she added quickly.
"Its fine Megumi. Its a good thing I knew you well to know you're not that kind. Sorry if I was too worked up. Its just that I'm used to girls coming my way simply thinking that they could get to my father. I had nothing to do with him. And since I moved out I never depend on him. He may bought this place but I'm paying everything else out of my own savings and its been that way since I was 18. We hardly talk or even see each other." He sighed.
"What about you? Are you close with your father?", he asked her in return as she thought of her own father.
"He hated me". She said as Ryouji stared at her.
"I was the reason Hyoga lost it all and he was putting a lot of hope in him as the only son", she sighed at the thought of her own family.
"It wasn't your fault Megumi. Stop blaming yourself. And your dad didn't hate you he just probably felt helpless. And Hyoga hasn't lost everything. Yes, he got injured badly but he still lived and these days nothing can't be fix as long as you're alive", he said as Miki nodded.
"If you got money that is", she added softly before she closed her eyes and sleep in his arms.