22.
The performances on national television went well, they recorded two of them, one for a morning show and another for an evening one on a different channel.
After that, on each show, they sat down with the host and chatted for a couple minutes. They knew it would happen and they were coached by Mr. Lee, who had previously approved on the questions, on how to answer and engage with the host and crowd. They were harmless questions too, mostly about their debut and music. Thankfully, Yoshiki, being the leader and the most charming one with words, did most of the talking, although the other two answered a couple of questions too or added to his.
The tv shows, somehow, solidified their status as a proper recognized singers/musicians even more, like it made them 'official' in the eyes of people. And yeah, some of their old fans still preferred them to stay as a indie rock band and not go mainstream but they couldn't make everyone happy.
The day after that, the agency, posted a teaser, linking the Teenage Wolves's social media accounts (their old ones but revamped), with the a photo of the band sat down
in the distance with a black background, glaring in front of them and the caption "It's coming -2 ".
The day after, another photo, from a different prospective but with the same clothes and background as the first one, was posted, with just '-1', who made fans wild and share their excitement everywhere.
And then, the tour dates were announced and the craze grew even more. The first date was still 14 days ahead so the band had a little more time to practice and prepare. A stylist from their agency prepared all their outfits for each performance and at the last minute Mr Lee decided a hairstylist/make up artist and a photographer/video editor would follow them on tour, just to assure they looked good in the official photos.
The agency took care of the little details and logistic of things, the band just had to practice their songs from their new album (which would be released soon) and some of the old ones as well, while keeping themselves in good health phisically and mentally.
Yamato decided this was a good time to go see Mimi, finally. It hurt being away for so long, difficult to just text and call each others after two months of being together so closely, so much. And while it wasn't easy for him to do, it helped he looked so unaffected but inside he was struggling and feeling like something – or rather someone - was missing in his life.
These should be his most happy days, enjoying life and the success he worked so hard for, he was finally going on tour and that had always been one of his dreams!
Despite all that, the initial happiness had wore down a little, and Yamato was feeling more nervous and melanconic than anything.
Luckily that was a great mood to write songs, and he sure did come up with a few new ones.
Seeking some comfort, his mind immediately took him to a girl with big doe eyes, sparkly and like melted honey, her smile and soft body. He needed her to feel a bit more grounded and didn't lose any time in texting her.
-Are you home?-
The answer came a couple minutes later, with a selfie of Mimi chilling on her sofa with a bag of chips -Is this telling enough?-
Yamato snorted at the picture and replied with a -Coming over, leave me some-
Some 20 minutes later he was at her door, he had a key now too so he didn't even need to ring the doorbell, as he entered the small genkan.
Mimi was still on the couch, without the bag of chips this time, that was clearly empty and crumpled up on the side-table, just lying down in the most comfortable position she could be, in her usual home-attire: sweatpants and crop top.
When she heard the door, she sat up and made grabby hands at Yamato -Hey stranger- she whispered as he came over and hugged her tightly.
Yamato huffed a laugh -Hey yourself- he pulled out a little to look at her, cup her cheek and kissing her, slow and deep.
Mimi smiled in the kiss -You really missed me huh- but Yamato didn't answer and kept giving her little peck over he jaw and then neck, just humming his approval. When he finally stopped, eyes hooded over with lust, the blond looked her over as if he was undressing her with his eyes, getting her flustered -as rare as it was.
He closed off the space again, running his hands slowly on her hips and then higher and higher until he grabbed the hem of her croptop and muttered a -Off- and swiftly took it off. As soon as he did that, Mimi did the same to him.
Their bodies crashed one on the other in seconds, soft on hard chest, searching for the warmth just another naked body could give, drowning in their everlasting passion and longing for one another.
And Yamato, he wanted to devour Mimi, loved her soft curves, her sensitive spots and her warm skin.
In no time he got off her sweatpants too, cupping the soft flesh of her behind. He kept teasing her until with a breathy moan, she just uttered a -Yamato..- silently asking.
The boy kissed her deeply again muttering between one lick and another -I got you-
He took her there and more times after, pouring all his feelings for her in their lovemaking, knowning it would be their last meeting for a while.
Spent, laying naked on her bed, Yamato really looked at her. Eyes dazed and glassy, lips red and swollen, hair ruffled and splayed all around the pillow, still panting for air, with burning cheeks, Mimi was the epitome of sensual beauty and Yamato tried to imprint that image forever in his head.
As if he knew that would be the last time he would see her like that..
Mimi smiled lazily at him and gave him a last kiss before covering herself and surrender herself to sleep.
Their goodbye was uneventful, both with words wanting to crawl out of their mouth but too afraid to actually say them. They settled for a few words and an awkward hug and that was it.
The last days were spent with band practice, some university stuff and saying goodbye to a few friends. Yamato went out with Taichi, Takeru and Koushiro to spend a 'boys night' in front of a couple of (analcholic) drinks and fries, another time with his family, and he managed to see Mimi - although very briefly- two more times.
The day finally came, they'd leave 2 days before the actual night of the concert, just to make themselves comfortable and get a feel of the town. The first stop was Fukuoka, they'd get there by shinkansen so it wouldn't take much, but still, nerves and all, none of them had slept a wink so they really needed a day to just relax before the big performance.
Yamato suitcase was ready to go and he was just waiting for the car to come pick him up.
He shot two quick texts, one to Takeru and the other to Mimi, just writing 'Leaving now', as soon as his manager called informing him the car arrived.
Mimi replied quickly with a 'Have a safe trip, keep me updated (I want photos!) xxo', bringing a smile to his lips.
With a huff, Yamato dragged his suitcase down to the elevator and mentally prepared himself to the best experience in his life : his band's first tour.
In the car, Yoshiki, his manager and Rina, the stylist that would accompany them, were waiving at him excitedly, Suzaku was in another car with an assistant and the photographer since he had to bring along his drums that took a lot of space.
-Are you ready?- the manager, an overly-enthusiast 40-years-old something man who loved rock, asked, looking at them through the rearview mirror.
-YEAAAAAHHH- Yoshiki roared, making Yamato smile and shake his head, that would be a LONG journey but surely fun.
Mimi sighed for the uptenth time, gaze wondering in no particular spot.
-Ok, what's up?- Sora finally asked. They were seated, catching up, in a nice cafè but it seemed Mimi's head was somewhere else.
-What..?-
Sora arched her eyebrows until Mimi sighed (again) -Nothing.. I feel a bit upset- she pouted, fiddling with her fingers, completely ignoring the caramel milkshake in front of her.
-Why?- the short haired girl then pointed her fingers upward in an 'eureka' moment -Is this about Yamato going on tour?-
-Uh..- Mimi was paralized for a second, surprised her friend realized so fast since even she didn't even want to admit that to herself -Maybe..-
Sora smiled, a little amused but trying to comfort her friend -It's only been a day Mimi.. -
-I knooooow!- Mimi looked at her with big puppy eyes -But if I think about it, I just..- she heaved a breath, not finishing her thought aloud.
The older girl scooted over with her chair and gently reached out, half-hugging her -It's going to be okay Mimi, don't worry-
They had a talk, Mimi and Sora, some time before to resolve any leftover tension between them and things really got better after that. Sora opened up, for the first time, remarking she didn't have any feelings for her ex anymore but just felt weird about him going out with someone else from the group -her bestfriend at that. Her awkwardness for them mostly came from the fact that she and Yamato didn't break up on good terms and even now, they hadn't really had a 'nice' closure. But, she had exasperated, she was fine with them dating.
Mimi, on the other hand, confessed her guilt and all the piled-up feeling she kept inside her heart until that moment. From insecurities, to jealousy to how scared she was of her own feelings and what they could bring -losing him.
Mimi just managed a smile, she knew it wasn't easy for Sora to speak up about her ex boyfriend but she was still trying her best to be there for Mimi and she was grateful for that.
-Thank you-
The first performance night happened, Mimi sent out a text of good luck to Yamato but didn't expect to hear from him any soon sinche she knew he'd finish up late and even have an after-party with the band later.
Yamato replied the next day, in the late afternoon, hours before his second performance in the same city, thanking her and saying it went great.
Some days went by and she heard nothing from Yamato. He was busy, clearly, although his band-members and coworkers never failed to post some after party videos or pics of them having fun. Rina especially, the makeup artist/hairstylist that worked with them, who posted insta-stories of her dancing basically glued to Yamato along with some suggestive pictures and that irked the high-school girl terribly.
That was nothing wrong with the pictures per se' but they just felt .. too much to Mimi, like she wanted to suggest something while being subtle enough. Rina, contrary to Mimi, was an adult in her early 20s – a beautiful girl with a bob of blonde hair and perfect skin, that always had impeccable hair and makeup (of course, since she was a professional).
Mimi missed Yamato and she was desperatly trying to seem cool about it. That was her brand, right? She was cool, everybody knew. So to be jealous of someone working with him, just because she was pretty and they spent time together, was just childish and beneath her.
This image people had of her as a mature, indipendent, cool girl was a farce and Mimi was terryfied people would leave her alone once they found out her true self. Mainly Yamato, being the cool, bad boy prototype, who seemed to love her nonchalant attitude and all the other things that made her 'different' -in his words - to the other girls their age.
But that was not the truth. She was extremely sensitive and emotional - always had been in handsight- , always felt like she wasn't good enough for anyone or anything, she often feelt lonely and depressed and jealous and all the gloomy ugly feelings one could have.
She also hated how she couldn't really stand up for herself when it mattered, as in her relationship with Yamato where she often just made herself and her needs tinier to make it 'easier' for him. Not like he ever asked or demanded her to, it was like a defense mechanism for Mimi.
Like everytime he forced their relationship on a break, because he was non-commital she decided to accept that and more, seemigly without as single struggle or complaint.
They never fought because Mimi tried her best to please him, she knew they would have broke up several times -at least – if they had. The only time she hold her own was when she had enough, was really at the last straw when the second break happened, but still misuring her words and keeping a strong leash on her burning feelings.
Fake, fake, fake.
Mimi didn't know for how long she could go on like this..
To be continued...
Hello, it has been ages, I know, but Covid happened and motivation sunk to an all time lower. I was revising my older chapter and noticed so many mistakes or parts I didn't like much, that I decided to edit the whole thing lol. You can re-read it if you have time to lose, there are some subtle changes here and there. Anyways, here we are, so much introspection and so little plot (I'm sorry), I drastically changed my mind on one of the main plot of the story -which is coming next chapter- so yeah, we'll see what I come up with lol. Have a nice week!