Chapter 8: Drastic action
It was 5 am in the morning. It was all silent in Fuko's apartment except for the ticking of the clock on the wall. Tokiya quietly brushed away the strands of Fuko's hair that were covering her face. Fuko stirred a little at Tokiya's light caress, but she did not wake up. They were in Fuko's bedroom. They were on her bed. Tokiya was leaning against the wall, with Fuko resting her head against his lap as she slept.
In a romance novel, this would have sounded as if they had just had sex. But they didn't just have sex. In fact, they were still dressed from head to toe. Tokiya smiled as he thought of how the situation would have been most different in America, where he had lived for a few years. Sex was so common now that many actually forgot the significance of it. However, this was not America, this was Japan. And this was not any cheap girl, this was Fuko, and Tokiya wasn't willing to let sex stain their relationship. Besides, Fuko was a traditional girl, and Tokiya was going to respect that.
Meanwhile, Tokiya was also thinking of a way to deal with Miwa. He always found dealing with women was quite a challenge. They were unpredictable and always coming up with new strategies. The only way to deal with them was to come up with his own strategy, and pretty soon, he had one stored up in his brain, ready to be used.
*********************
Later that morning, while Fuko was preparing breakfast for Tokiya and herself, Tokiya came into the kitchen and stood for a while by Fuko's side watching her as she cleaned the rice that they would be eating later.
" What." Fuko asked
" Nothing." Tokiya replied
" Well what." Fuko turned to look at Tokiya, putting one hand on her hip as she did so. She frowned as she saw the look that Tokiya had on his face. " What are you planning?"
" I was thinking that you should go back to the office today."
" Why?"
" To work of course."
" And."
" And I'm having a live interview today with Channel 12. It would be good if you could go with me."
" Why me?"
" Well, I'm not paying you a big salary for nothing, and I don't trust their director."
" It's not my program. Besides, my reputation has just been given a big knock. You said that I was to stay at home until this was cleared up remember."
" It's cleared up."
" How?"
" Simple. I broke off with Miwa and now I'm with you."
" Ha ha very funny." Fuko pulled a face at him.
" All you have to do is to come today, and you will see." Tokiya replied easily.
Somehow, Fuko didn't trust the glint that he had in his eyes.
**********************
" Thank you for coming for this interview today Mr. Mikagami. My name is Ken Nakamura, the producer of the show."
A short balding man introduced himself to Tokiya just as he entered the studio, fresh from the makeup room. Tokiya shook it graciously, and followed the man to his seat. The interview was to begin in about ten minutes time, and Fuko was quietly seated among the audience, just as he had told her to do. She still had no idea of what he was going to do, but she would, and everyone else too, soon.
Ten minutes later, the interview started, as on schedule. It was a live interview; so it meant that no mistakes could be afford to be made. The host of the show started off by asking Tokiya a few questions about his work, his expectations of the media industry and how he would foresee his company faring in the future.
".yes, and I would feel that it has great potential and it is an area that we would be most interested in." Tokiya answered the question on his thoughts on his company going international and waited patiently for the next question.
" Well, in view of the recent rumors that has been traveling around the public that the anchorperson for your popular morning talk show is not as good as she seems to be, how are you treating this matter?"
There was then a huge silence in the studio as everyone waited for Tokiya's answer.
Tokiya smiled and put his fingertips together, as if in deep thought.
" Well, I've been wanting make it clear to everyone about the true state of the situation and I suppose that there is no other better time than now."
Fuko's eyes went wide as she heard Tokiya. He was not going to. was he?
" It is not true that Miss Kirisawa has pulled strings to get where she is. She has done this purely by her own effort. She has deftly climbed up the corporate ladder without skipping any rung. She definitely deserves to be where she is today, and I have total confidence and respect for her ability."
Tokiya took a breath and continued
" However, Miss Kirisawa is indeed involved with someone in our company. And that person is me."
A huge gasp went around the studio. Even the host looked shocked. Tokiya saw Fuko and the disbelief written all over her face.
" Miss Kirisawa and I have kept our work and personal relationships separate. There is no way she could have pull strings, because we both have our work discipline and self respect."
There was a long silence, than finally the host stammered, " About your relationship with Miss Kirisawa."
" We are very serious and I really love her very much." Tokiya answered for him.
" Then what about your fiancé, Miss Miwa."
" We ended our engagement quietly a week ago."
" So did you and Miss Kirisawa start dating a week ago?" the host questioned further, becoming more and more intrigued by the second
" Why don't you ask her? She's in the audience." Tokiya replied, and almost immediately, the studio lights all flashed onto the audience where they tried to locate Fuko. When they did, Fuko felt so mortified, she really wanted to sink into the ground.
" So Miss Kirisawa, did you and Mr. Mikagami just start dating last week?"
Everyone was staring at her, waiting for her answer. Fuko took a deep breath and she said, " No, We knew each other long before then."
Another huge gasp went around the studio. Then suddenly, a young lady sitting beside Fuko asked, " So, do you love him?"
Fuko took another huge breath and replied, " Yes I do."
The whole studio burst in applause. *******************
" I can't believe that you just did that."
Fuko whispered angrily at Tokiya just as he had finished chatting with the producer and casually walked towards her.
In reply, Tokiya just put his hands into the pockets of his pants and grinned, " Just relax will you, now you don't have to fear that people will find out. Everyone knows now."
" This is stupid!" Fuko was almost on the verge of shrieking " You don't understand, this will only get you into more trouble."
Tokiya's phone rang and Fuko broke off in mid sentence.
" Mikagami here."
As Tokiya heard what the other person on the line said, his eyes narrowed. Fuko saw that slight action and took a step closer to him. Once Tokiya had gotten off the phone, Fuko took hold of his arm and asked
" What's wrong?"
Tokiya shook his head, " Nothing. Listen, something just cropped up at the office and I'm needed back. I'll give you a ride home first all right."
" Yah right. What's wrong." Fuko persisted
" You're overreacting." Tokiya smiled. " Just some work problems. Come on, I have to go back."
" Are you sure." Fuko asked
" Yes." Tokiya replied and gave Fuko a push towards the door. " Don't worry, I'll give you a call as soon as it is done."
****************
In the end, Tokiya didn't call that night. Neither did he call the next day or the day after.
Two days later, Fuko got a call from Miwa.
" Hello, Kirisawa here."
" I'm sure you know who I am."
" Miwa."
" I want to make you a preposition."
" Whatever for?"
" When we meet I'll tell you."
" I don't have to meet you."
" If you were telling the truth then, you will meet me."
Before Fuko could reply, the phone line was dead.
*********************
" Miss Kirisawa, Miss Miwa is waiting for you in the VIP room. Please follow me."
The waiter spoke and Fuko nodded in response as she followed him to the room. Miwa was inside the room when Fuko entered.
" Please take a seat. What would you like to drink?"
" What is it that you called me here for?" Fuko asked as she sat down
" Hot tea? I would recommend it."
" Well?"
Miwa smiled at Fuko's persistence and leaned forward. " I'm sure that you would have guessed by now that you are now longer anchorperson of the morning talk show."
" I somehow guessed that."
" I would like to ask you that question again."
" What question?"
" Do you love Tokiya."
" Would you be willing to do anything for him?"
There was no hesitation in Fuko's answer, " Yes."
" Well, Tokiya hasn't called you in two days hasn't he."
" What have you done to him?"
" Daddy's really pissed at what Tokiya has done. He's going to destroy Tokiya. And you know that he has the power to do so."
" Tokiya won't be destroyed that easily."
" I bet you don't know this, but Tokiya was having this huge plan to create this new channel exclusive entirely to the company. It was a joint venture between him and daddy. He's put practically his entire funds into this new venture."
" Ruining him financially won't not spoil anything."
" I'm sure you know that Tokiya has a lot a pride. I don't think he would like going back to you a failure. His ego is going to be bruised badly too. If daddy destroys him totally, he won't be able to get a job anywhere in the world, as long as they have connections with daddy and that is almost everybody."
Fuko couldn't think of what to reply. What Miwa said was correct. Tokiya would be utterly destroyed. Even she wouldn't be able to help him.
" What is it that you want." She finally asked
" Leave him, and leave Japan too." Miwa answered
" But I can't." Fuko answered
Miwa shrugged, " You choice then." Then, she made a move to get up.
" Wait." Fuko called out and Miwa sat down again. Tears were already flowing down her cheeks. " All right. I'll go."
It was 5 am in the morning. It was all silent in Fuko's apartment except for the ticking of the clock on the wall. Tokiya quietly brushed away the strands of Fuko's hair that were covering her face. Fuko stirred a little at Tokiya's light caress, but she did not wake up. They were in Fuko's bedroom. They were on her bed. Tokiya was leaning against the wall, with Fuko resting her head against his lap as she slept.
In a romance novel, this would have sounded as if they had just had sex. But they didn't just have sex. In fact, they were still dressed from head to toe. Tokiya smiled as he thought of how the situation would have been most different in America, where he had lived for a few years. Sex was so common now that many actually forgot the significance of it. However, this was not America, this was Japan. And this was not any cheap girl, this was Fuko, and Tokiya wasn't willing to let sex stain their relationship. Besides, Fuko was a traditional girl, and Tokiya was going to respect that.
Meanwhile, Tokiya was also thinking of a way to deal with Miwa. He always found dealing with women was quite a challenge. They were unpredictable and always coming up with new strategies. The only way to deal with them was to come up with his own strategy, and pretty soon, he had one stored up in his brain, ready to be used.
*********************
Later that morning, while Fuko was preparing breakfast for Tokiya and herself, Tokiya came into the kitchen and stood for a while by Fuko's side watching her as she cleaned the rice that they would be eating later.
" What." Fuko asked
" Nothing." Tokiya replied
" Well what." Fuko turned to look at Tokiya, putting one hand on her hip as she did so. She frowned as she saw the look that Tokiya had on his face. " What are you planning?"
" I was thinking that you should go back to the office today."
" Why?"
" To work of course."
" And."
" And I'm having a live interview today with Channel 12. It would be good if you could go with me."
" Why me?"
" Well, I'm not paying you a big salary for nothing, and I don't trust their director."
" It's not my program. Besides, my reputation has just been given a big knock. You said that I was to stay at home until this was cleared up remember."
" It's cleared up."
" How?"
" Simple. I broke off with Miwa and now I'm with you."
" Ha ha very funny." Fuko pulled a face at him.
" All you have to do is to come today, and you will see." Tokiya replied easily.
Somehow, Fuko didn't trust the glint that he had in his eyes.
**********************
" Thank you for coming for this interview today Mr. Mikagami. My name is Ken Nakamura, the producer of the show."
A short balding man introduced himself to Tokiya just as he entered the studio, fresh from the makeup room. Tokiya shook it graciously, and followed the man to his seat. The interview was to begin in about ten minutes time, and Fuko was quietly seated among the audience, just as he had told her to do. She still had no idea of what he was going to do, but she would, and everyone else too, soon.
Ten minutes later, the interview started, as on schedule. It was a live interview; so it meant that no mistakes could be afford to be made. The host of the show started off by asking Tokiya a few questions about his work, his expectations of the media industry and how he would foresee his company faring in the future.
".yes, and I would feel that it has great potential and it is an area that we would be most interested in." Tokiya answered the question on his thoughts on his company going international and waited patiently for the next question.
" Well, in view of the recent rumors that has been traveling around the public that the anchorperson for your popular morning talk show is not as good as she seems to be, how are you treating this matter?"
There was then a huge silence in the studio as everyone waited for Tokiya's answer.
Tokiya smiled and put his fingertips together, as if in deep thought.
" Well, I've been wanting make it clear to everyone about the true state of the situation and I suppose that there is no other better time than now."
Fuko's eyes went wide as she heard Tokiya. He was not going to. was he?
" It is not true that Miss Kirisawa has pulled strings to get where she is. She has done this purely by her own effort. She has deftly climbed up the corporate ladder without skipping any rung. She definitely deserves to be where she is today, and I have total confidence and respect for her ability."
Tokiya took a breath and continued
" However, Miss Kirisawa is indeed involved with someone in our company. And that person is me."
A huge gasp went around the studio. Even the host looked shocked. Tokiya saw Fuko and the disbelief written all over her face.
" Miss Kirisawa and I have kept our work and personal relationships separate. There is no way she could have pull strings, because we both have our work discipline and self respect."
There was a long silence, than finally the host stammered, " About your relationship with Miss Kirisawa."
" We are very serious and I really love her very much." Tokiya answered for him.
" Then what about your fiancé, Miss Miwa."
" We ended our engagement quietly a week ago."
" So did you and Miss Kirisawa start dating a week ago?" the host questioned further, becoming more and more intrigued by the second
" Why don't you ask her? She's in the audience." Tokiya replied, and almost immediately, the studio lights all flashed onto the audience where they tried to locate Fuko. When they did, Fuko felt so mortified, she really wanted to sink into the ground.
" So Miss Kirisawa, did you and Mr. Mikagami just start dating last week?"
Everyone was staring at her, waiting for her answer. Fuko took a deep breath and she said, " No, We knew each other long before then."
Another huge gasp went around the studio. Then suddenly, a young lady sitting beside Fuko asked, " So, do you love him?"
Fuko took another huge breath and replied, " Yes I do."
The whole studio burst in applause. *******************
" I can't believe that you just did that."
Fuko whispered angrily at Tokiya just as he had finished chatting with the producer and casually walked towards her.
In reply, Tokiya just put his hands into the pockets of his pants and grinned, " Just relax will you, now you don't have to fear that people will find out. Everyone knows now."
" This is stupid!" Fuko was almost on the verge of shrieking " You don't understand, this will only get you into more trouble."
Tokiya's phone rang and Fuko broke off in mid sentence.
" Mikagami here."
As Tokiya heard what the other person on the line said, his eyes narrowed. Fuko saw that slight action and took a step closer to him. Once Tokiya had gotten off the phone, Fuko took hold of his arm and asked
" What's wrong?"
Tokiya shook his head, " Nothing. Listen, something just cropped up at the office and I'm needed back. I'll give you a ride home first all right."
" Yah right. What's wrong." Fuko persisted
" You're overreacting." Tokiya smiled. " Just some work problems. Come on, I have to go back."
" Are you sure." Fuko asked
" Yes." Tokiya replied and gave Fuko a push towards the door. " Don't worry, I'll give you a call as soon as it is done."
****************
In the end, Tokiya didn't call that night. Neither did he call the next day or the day after.
Two days later, Fuko got a call from Miwa.
" Hello, Kirisawa here."
" I'm sure you know who I am."
" Miwa."
" I want to make you a preposition."
" Whatever for?"
" When we meet I'll tell you."
" I don't have to meet you."
" If you were telling the truth then, you will meet me."
Before Fuko could reply, the phone line was dead.
*********************
" Miss Kirisawa, Miss Miwa is waiting for you in the VIP room. Please follow me."
The waiter spoke and Fuko nodded in response as she followed him to the room. Miwa was inside the room when Fuko entered.
" Please take a seat. What would you like to drink?"
" What is it that you called me here for?" Fuko asked as she sat down
" Hot tea? I would recommend it."
" Well?"
Miwa smiled at Fuko's persistence and leaned forward. " I'm sure that you would have guessed by now that you are now longer anchorperson of the morning talk show."
" I somehow guessed that."
" I would like to ask you that question again."
" What question?"
" Do you love Tokiya."
" Would you be willing to do anything for him?"
There was no hesitation in Fuko's answer, " Yes."
" Well, Tokiya hasn't called you in two days hasn't he."
" What have you done to him?"
" Daddy's really pissed at what Tokiya has done. He's going to destroy Tokiya. And you know that he has the power to do so."
" Tokiya won't be destroyed that easily."
" I bet you don't know this, but Tokiya was having this huge plan to create this new channel exclusive entirely to the company. It was a joint venture between him and daddy. He's put practically his entire funds into this new venture."
" Ruining him financially won't not spoil anything."
" I'm sure you know that Tokiya has a lot a pride. I don't think he would like going back to you a failure. His ego is going to be bruised badly too. If daddy destroys him totally, he won't be able to get a job anywhere in the world, as long as they have connections with daddy and that is almost everybody."
Fuko couldn't think of what to reply. What Miwa said was correct. Tokiya would be utterly destroyed. Even she wouldn't be able to help him.
" What is it that you want." She finally asked
" Leave him, and leave Japan too." Miwa answered
" But I can't." Fuko answered
Miwa shrugged, " You choice then." Then, she made a move to get up.
" Wait." Fuko called out and Miwa sat down again. Tears were already flowing down her cheeks. " All right. I'll go."