Chapter 10

"They're so pretty," I whispered, staring up at the sparkling dots hanging in the dark night sky.

"Yeah," Seiya agreed from where he lay beside me. "They're so lucky."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "How so?"

"They all look so peaceful and undisturbed, especially the moon. Everything just looks so serene. You know, people used to believe that the planets were made of crystal. They were supposed to be perfect and immortal, unlike earth."

I sat up and gathered a handful of sand in my fist. As I relaxed my fingers, the coarse grains slipped through. "Life is kind of hectic, isn't it?"

"Hectic but fun." Seiya grinned, throwing a pile of sand at me.

I dodged as much of it as I could. "And you wouldn't have it any other way?"

He shook his head. "Never."

"Are you sure?" I asked, standing.

"Of course I'm sure. If it was different, I wouldn't be here with you." He made a dive for me, but I stepped to the side, allowing him to soar into the sandy beach.

"Hmm, I still don't believe you," I told him thoughtfully.

"Oh really now?"

"Uh-huh."

"Then I'll have to do a little convincing," Seiya said.

Smirking, he threw me over his shoulder and headed for the raging waters.

- - -

"That's enough takes for that scene," Yamada announced. "Let's cut to scene twenty-eight. You're one, Usagi-san."

"Hai, Yamada-san," I replied, stepping onto the designated filming area of the traditional garden.

"I want you in that building," he said, pointing. "Mamoru-san, I want you to start right outside the door. This is the last scene we've got to do so let's make it sweet. Okay, everyone, places. I want one camera outside and the rest inside. Let's go!" He waited for a few seconds. Then he announced the first take.

Kyoshi ran down the dirt path. He attempted to come to a halt in front of the door, but it was too late for his speed and he barreled into it with a thud. He opened the door after hurriedly recollecting himself. He was greeted by a petite, young woman who sat on the edge of a large mat, her legs tucked in. She stared up at him curiously.

Kyoshi cleared his throat nervously. "They're beginning to gather together for the final journey."

Miki nodded. "I'll be out in a second," she replied as she stood. Her kimono elegantly swirled around her.

"This was the last stop on the way."

"I'm aware of that," Miki said, slipping a katana inside her fin robes.

Kyoshi stepped fully into the room. "We should find the crystal today."

"Kyoshi, I know all of this already. What's your point?"

"It's the most dangerous part."

"You're still not getting to the point," Miki stated.

The young man sighed and strode over to her. "I don't want you to go."

"What?"

"Promise me you'll stay here where it's safer."

Miki's eyes widened. "How can you even ask me to so that? I'm not someone who's just here for the ride. This party needs me. I'm their only key to the ginzushou." Her voice rose with each word she spoke.

"I know, I just don't want you to get hurt," Kyoshi said. Then he quickly added, "If you get injured, the people's hope will be lost."

"And what kind of hope will I be id I don't do what I can to help them?!"

"I don't know!" Kyoshi exclaimed, frustrated pacing. "I don't know, I just." He fell silent.

"I can take care of myself," Miki told him softly.

"I never doubted that. I-I just." Kyoshi shut his eyes and exhaled a deep breath. When he reopened them, he took a long look at Miki. His hands came up to cup her face. Then his eyes shut once again as he leaned down. His lips crashed against hers.

Miki's eyes fluttered closed and the kiss went on and on and on.

- - -

This was not supposed to be happening. It was supposed to be short and sweet. It said so in the script!

The fact barely registered in my mind, an extremely hazy mind at that. His tongue ran across my lips and I parted them slightly out of both surprise and curiosity.

He tasted like chocolate. Wait, no he didn't. He tasted better than chocolate. A whole lot better.

My mind turned into an endless void of nothing until Mamoru gently pulled back. My eyes gradually opened, but it didn't help any. All I could see was streaks of colours. I blinked repeatedly.

Mamoru glanced down at me with a strange expression that I had never seen any other time.

"I have to go," he said quickly before rushing out of the room.

I stared after him blankly, coincidentally completely in character. What was he thinking? What was I thinking? Was I even think at all? Wait-of course I was. Wasn't that what I was doing now? Thinking. about thinking. Wow, I needed some help.

That was my first kiss. I had no idea what I was supposed to do now. I just knew one thing; we'd have a lot of explaining to do once the shoot was over, but how was I supposed to answer their questions when I didn't even know the answers to my own.

- - -

"I'll pick you up later," Mamoru said as he parked in the circular driveway of the Kou mansion.

"That's okay. You don't have to. I'll just call a cab or something."

My friend smiled. "I'll be here anyway."

"Arigatou, Mamo-chan."

"No problem. Just call when you want me to come."

I nodded.

"Good. Now get out of the car and have some fun."

"Jamata," I said stepping out of the sleek black car.

"Ja!"

I walked up the grand steps where I was warmly greeted by their elderly butler. He invited me in. Had this been my first visit, I would have been awestruck by the gigantic rooms, but my visits were so frequent and though I was still amazed, I wasn't fazed as much as I had previously been.

"Seiya-san should be in his room," the formally dressed man informed me. "If not, he'll be there shortly. I recommend that you wait for him there."

I thanked him and was about to head up the high, curving staircase when the butler called me back.

"He told me to give you these," he said handing me a perfect bouquet of a dozen red roses which had been resting on a tabletop.

I gracefully took the gift. Seiya had been acting awfully strange lately; the late night phone calls, the extra gifts, the extravagant dates and extra meetings. At first, I had passed it off as a mere phase, but it had already been going on for a month. It bothered me to no ends like a strand of hair that never seems to be in the right place.

I lightly knocked on Seiya's door three times and waited. When a minute had passed without a response, I let myself in.

"Seiya?" I asked, combing the room with my eyes.

No reply or response came. I was the only one there.

After dropping my bag next to the door, I took a seat on the edge of the bed and analyzed the room. It was extremely neat for a bachelor of eighteen. Everything was neatly put in its place or set out in a fashion that still attained an air of organization.

Ten minutes passed and I still awaited his arrival. Lazily, I walked over to the dresser to fix my hair. A few stray strands had escaped the confines of the twin buns. I was about to head back into the hall when I noticed a single sheet of paper. It was covered in numerous works and scribbles. AS I looked closer, I recognized it as a set of lyrics for a new song. The words "Todokanu Omoi" graced the top of the page in a slightly larger font than the rest of the text. Curiously, I read the lyrics.

- - -

"Yume no naka de nan domo

So tsu to kuchizuke kawashita

Suki to oru tsuburana hitomi ni

Suikomare teiku

(Many times in my dreams

we are secretly kissing each other,

I was absorbed by your clear round eyes.)

Kimi no naka de madoru mu

Nuku mari ni tsutsumarete sou

Aa itsuma demo sa menaideto

Tsuraku sa kebuno sa

(I fell asleep in your arms

I was surrounded by your gentleness

Ah... don't ever let me wake up,

I screamed painfully.)

Mune no nakuno takanarikara

Jibun de mo honkitoshiru

Setsuna sugite modokashikute

Akiramekirenai

(Deep in my mind I was highly aroused

even I myself know this time is for real

I was scared because I am too sad

and I can't give up on you.)

Motsu to deai ga hayakerebato

ii wake bakari mitsuketeru

Tsuki no hikari ga todokanu kanata e

Aa kimo wo tsuresaritai

(If we'd have met earlier,

I would find all the reasons

The moonlight is shining towards the endless shore

Ah... I want to take you with me)

Asa yakehiterasareta

Kimo no egao mabushisugite

Kono mama fukari shiteiku

Jibun ga koi yo

(Bathe in the morning sunshine,

your beautiful smile is so bright

More and more,

I realize it's a terrible thing.)

Fui ni naru PHS ga

Futari no kiyori ni raku yo

Tomodachi da to ii ni todato

Warikirenakute

(The cell phone rings and

shortens the distance between us

Are we good friends or just good people?

I can't figure that out.)

Kinou an nani yasashiku temo

Ima doro aitsunou denonaka

Tsuki no hikari ga todokanu kanate e

Aa kimi o tsure saritai

kurikaeshi

(Yesterday you were so gentle,

And today you are in the other guy's arms.

Moonlight is shooting at the endless shore,

Ah... I want to take you with me)"

- - -

I scrunched my forehead in confusion. What the heck was this all about? It was a beautiful song no doubt, but Seiya had always told me that he wrote what he was felling. Just as I set the paper down, the door opened and a distraught Seiya stepped in the room.

He sighed. "I see you found the new song I've been working on." His eyes were underlined by dark bags revealing his lack of sleep. "What do you think?"

My eyes widened at the casual tone of his voice. "What do you thin? You've been acting so strange and distant lately and now you come up with this? The lyrics, Seiya-kun. I don't understand."

He mutely opened a drawer and pulled out a magazine. I caught it when he tossed it to me.

"The Stargazer?" I asked incredulously, holding the tabloid in my hand.

Seiya plopped himself onto his bed. "It's an issue from last month. I found the lead story somewhat interesting."

I gave him a puzzled look.

"Read it," he told me.

I glanced at the cover. My hand instantly stilled and my breathing ceased. Taking up three-fourths of the front page was a photo of Mamoru and I. from the day of the final shoot. The heading read, "Young Actors Slumber in a Fairy Tale Dream."

I flipped open to the designated article page and continued reading.

"All over Japan, young girls' hearts are breaking. It appears as though teen heartthrob, Chiba Mamoru is a taken man. Or at least his heart is. Apparently he has attained a liking, if one may call it that, to his seventeen year old co-star, Tsukino Usagi. The two became friends during a vacation mishap set up by their mothers. While wrapping up the movie shoots for their upcoming movie 'Yumemiru,' the two were reported by eyewitnesses to be going at it and going at it strong."

I quickly shut the magazine causing the paper to make a loud slapping sound which cut through the air cleaner than newly sharpened knife through soft cheese. I didn't want to read anymore.

"Seya-kun."

He held up his hand, stopping me from speaking any further. "It's okay," he said. "I know it was for the movie."

I gave a relieved smile, but it immediately dissipated. "Then why?"

"What they said still made sense. It made me realize a lot of things."

"How can you believe that? You know what they're like." I paused, waiting for a reply. I received none so I continued. "Nothing is going on between Mamoru and I."

"Somehow I doubt that."

"Excuse me?" I asked walking up to him.

"They say you are. I think you are. They have pictures and I have my observations."

"I think I should know my life better than they."

Seiya shook his head. "Not when you're involved in something like this. Sometimes things appear clearer when you're on the outside and looking in instead of being on the inside and analyzing yourself."

"What are you saying Seiya? You're rambling again."

Standing, he looked me straight in the eyes and said, "You may not realize it now, but there's something better for you, and I don't want to be the one in the way."

"You're not making any sense, Seiya-kun."

"I think we should break up."

"What?" I whispered in disbelief. "You told me to never them, the tabloids, get to me, but here you are now doing that exact thing."

"This is different," he countered, grabbing a jacket off a hook.

"No, it isn't" I persisted as I followed him to the door. "Why, Seiya-kun? Why?"

He shook his head sadly and kissed me on the forehead. "Someday you'll understand and then you'll thank me. Until then, take care of yourself. I love you."

"I-"

Seiya placed his finger on my lips, effectively silencing me. "You don't have to say it." He chuckled. "You never could. I understand why now and hopefully someday you will too. I'll see you around."

That was the last thing he said before exiting the room, leaving me alone and a dozen red roses forgotten.

- - -

I threw the foam ball at the wall as hard as I could. Once I had retrieved it, I made an even harder pitch. It rebounded and flew right past my head, colliding with the opposite wall. I smiled in satisfaction.

"Geez, Usa-chan, you'd think you were trying to break the wall."

I spun around and saw Mamoru enter my room-or rather his room that I occupied, but whatever. The ebony-haired man picked the soccer ball up from the ground.

Eyeing it he added, "You might want to use something else. I don't think this little thing's gonna do any damage."

I analyzed the ball meticulously before continuing to pack my suitcase full with items from the night table.

Wow, a pink plush bunny. Fun, yet another present from Seiya. Oh joy, even more fun. Wohoo. A necklace decorated with stars. Wouldn't ya know it; it's also from Seiya.

I chucked the items into the black bag with distaste as I pondered bitter thoughts. Mamoru noticed.

"Hey, be nice," he jokingly chided. "I'm sure Seiya wouldn't appreciate it."

"Yeah? Well too bad for him. I don't care what he thinks."

Mamoru's forehead creased. "What happened?"

"Nothing I want to discuss right now."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Cool with me," he tossed the ball into the air, "but I'm here if you ever need to talk."

I nodded and returned to the task at hand. Meanwhile, Mamoru leaned against the wall, mindlessly tossing the ball.

A few hours had passed when he stood and moved to exit the room. "You better get some sleep," he told me. "Tomorrow's your last day here, but you still have an interview to do in the morning."

- - -

"Ohayou, and welcome back! We are now joined by Tsukino Usagi, the star of the upcoming film 'Yumemiru.' Welcome, Tsukino-san."

I bowed my head slightly and smiled at the talk show host. "Arigatou, Akane- san. It's a pleasure to be here."

"I understand this is your last day here in Tokyo."

"Hai," I replied cheerfully.

"I hope you enjoyed your stay here."

"Hai, I did. It's a very beautiful city; much bigger than my hometown. But I'm glad to be going back to my family and friends." I turned and waved into the camera. "Konnichi, Shingo, Otousan, Okaasan, Yuki, Kioko, Kuri, Motoki, Shiro, and everyone else back home!"

Akane let out a light laugh. "Hai, Konnichi," she added. "So, here's the question we've all been waiting for. What's it like working with Chiba Mamoru?"

I grinned. "It's been so much fun. He's the best friend anyone could possibly wish for."

"Uh-huh, uh-huh." Ayame nodded as she skimmed through some papers on her desk. "Anything else?"

"Pardon?" I asked, unsure of what she meant.

"It says here that there has been something else occurring between the two of you."

My lips parted in surprise. "Gomen, I'm not quite sure of what you mean. We're just friends."

Ayame gave me a strange look, then she turned to the cameras. "It looks like we're due for another commercial break. We'll be right back after these short messages from our sponsors."

Once the 'On Air' sign turned off, she leaned closer to me. "Come on," she beckoned. "Give me a little juice. We both know something happened."

"I'm sorry, nothing happened."

"Bullshit," Akane snapped causing me to jump in my chair. "I know about the kiss. I know all about the tabloid stories. I've done my research."

"Then you must not have very good sources," I said matter-of-factly.

"Shut up."

I stared at her blankly.

"So, Tsukino-san," she hissed. "What was it like? What else did you have to do to get the role? We all know that you couldn't have done it on your own. Maybe you-oh wait," she sarcastically added, "I forgot. You're with Seiya, aren't you?"

I resisted the temptation to throw her an uppercut. How the heck could such a sweet women turn into such a monstrous thing in a split second? Maybe she was two-faced; seems like a perfect explanation.

"My, my, my. You sure do know how to catch your fish, Usagi-san, but we both know that you're nothing but a piece of trash. I've worked my ass off in this business and then you just pop up and get that major role. I wanted that role so bad. You're nothing but a little whore!"

Taken back by her words, I unknowingly scooted my chair away from her. Then I noticed her begin to raise her hand. I winced, bracing myself for the impact, but it didn't come.

"I think this interview's over," Mamoru stated, gripping Ayame's wrist in his hand. Letting it drop, he said, "Let's go, Usa-chan."

I eagerly got out of my chair and followed him out of the studio.

"I'm sorry about that," he told me as we entered the car.

"It's not your fault."

"I head what she said."

"All of it?" I asked nervously.

"Just the last part. It was hard to miss when she started yelling. I have a feeling she's going to be getting a long lecture from her boss tonight."

"Yeah, but like I said before, it's not your fault."

I placed my elbow on the small ledge beneath the car window and rested my head on my hand. I stared straight ahead, but I could feel Mamoru's eyes on me.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I was about to ask you the same thing," Mamoru replied.

"I'm fine."

"Sure you are. You've been pretty down in the blues lately. I know I said that I wouldn't prod, but you worry me, Usa-chan."

I remained silent for a second pondering over what to do. Then I settled on telling him what had happened. "We're through," I said calmly.

"Huh?"

"Seiya broke up with me."

"What?!"

I sighed. "Please don't make me repeat that again."

"Why did he."

"I don't know," I lied.

"Wow," he murmured. "I'm really sorry, Usa-chan."

I shrugged. "Once again, it's not your fault. Anyway, I just want to go home."

Mamoru made a left turn. "I think I can handle that."