Chapter 4

Mr. Popular

Yankumi thinking

I woke up this morning thinking where I really am. I thought I was dreaming that I am in Sawada Shin, error, shin's house. Oh yeah I really am. I woke up 10:00 am, took a bath and fixed my things on what will I bring tomorrow until someone knocked at the door. I've opened the door and there is Rino.

"Good morning Ms. Kumiko. Young master Sawada asked me to inform you that he is having a shooting for his new music video and cannot join you for lunch. He also ordered me to let you watch his interview at 3:00 pm for his new music video." Rino bowed to me and left.

"Hey, why do people are always crazy about him, an interview because of his music video, I thought. It's only a music video" Well nobody really heard me; I've talked to myself again.

I ate lunch by myself and felt so lonely. So this is how shin eats when he is alone, well he is not alone actually. He has his fans, friends and many other people around him. How come he will get sad of course? He is popular, rich and a smart kid too. Hey how old is he eh? Just gonna scan the internet later to know.

"Huh? No way" I said to myself. "Why do I have to scan about him, it's a waste of time. But he can't know that I'm investigating about him eh?" The cell phone rang again, I hope it's not him, but I expect that he will be calling. He is the only one listed in the phone list no one else.

"Hello," I answered as if I didn't expect someone to call.

"Why didn't you answered soon, it took me 5 rings to talk to you!" he said then he stopped. The background is so noisy, I think he is in a video shoot or something I really don't care, do I? I've only known this guy yesterday and now I feel that I am so attached to him.

"Well, it's not my fault you know, I didn't even know someone is calling and it is not mine anyway why do I bother" I exclaimed. It seems that he is different when he is outside. Maybe he didn't want those paparazzi hear what he is saying to me right now.

"You idiot, you don't even recognize, the phone is yours." He said now calmly.

"Hey, I don't need a cell phone you know" I said not so sure. I think this will come in handy I thought.

"You can't live in Japan without phones so don't be an idiot and just accept it. Watch my interview so you can know me better. Put your cell phone always at your side. Bye" He dropped the line again as if he was hurrying or something. So this is mine eh. No, I'm just borrowing; I have many free things that came from him already. That idiot he doesn't value money. But what do I expect of him. He's rich. Blah!

Shin's thinking

"Sawada Shin, we love you!" a girl screamed to her heart's content. I'm used to this kind of thing. Since I was 12, many adored me as an actor and their idol. I waved at them repeatedly after I called Yankumi on the phone. That stupid girl, I always call her stupid I wonder why. The model that I'm partner with in the video shoot slowly walks toward me.

"Hi Sawada Shin can I sit beside you for a while" she smiled at me. I'm used with these kinds of smile; everybody does this smile, smiling and being shy whenever they are around me.

"oh, okay" I said plainly as I review my script for my next video shoot in an international TV show.

"You're really great in acting Sawada Shin, I almost fell off my seat when you stared at me at the video shoot. My name is Megumi, I'm also studying eitoku high and my father is the CEO of Xi corporations. You know I liked you're acting since I was 12, you're really hot you know.." she said continuously. I only smiled a few times and didn't bother to stop her. She continued and I didn't listen afterwards.

"Mr. Sawada Shin, the limousine is ready for your video interview." The personal assistant at the music video said to him.

"Oh yeah, I'm coming. I'm sorry Ms. Megumi but I have to go for my interview" I said

"Oh no, it's okay. I understand perfectly your situation, being popular and busy as you were. See you at the party!" She smiled and held my shoulder for a while. I raised my brows and looked at her. She somewhat giggled. It didn't bother me though of her touching me; I only disturbed what party she is talking about.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Sawada Shin" the producer waited for me and opened the door of my car. Many people were waiting for me outside the studio. I smiled at them and waved.

"Sawada Shin, this way please." He led me the way. "I know this will be an interview for your music video but there will be also some questions from your fans of course."

"Oh, yeah sure." Its okay, being in the hot seat doesn't bother me. I wonder if Yankumi will watch my interview. I said she must, I think she will, and she can never resist me. I smiled and girls shouted as if I was thinking of them.

Yankumi thinking

Shin you little brat, how dare you drop the line again. Well maybe he is busy though. Don't have to worry about him, I'm sure he is used to the popular thing he had ever since. I was planning to look at the internet about him but since he called to watch the interview, I though that I might give it a try.

The television was so huge I think it is 5 times bigger than our 10 inch TV which I don't use so often. So what channel is it anyway, there are so many channels in the network how can I find his? That idiot, ok it's alright, I'm just gonna say that I've watched, although I didn't and tell some opinions ha! What a genius. It's 2:50 pm, oh! I'm going to watch my favourite cartoon show. Woah! What channel is it here anyway? Just have to look at the logo in every channel. Hey where it is! Someone knocked the door, I wondered who it is and I think it is Rino.

"Ms. Kumiko-chan" Yeah I'm right it is Rino bowing to me again. "Young master sawada ordered me make sure that you watch his interview to 3:00 pm."

"Well, you know, I really don't channel, but it is ok if I can't watch you know it is like.." I said but he interrupted me.

"Ms. Kumiko-chan can I borrow the remote control of the television?" Oh ok, he'll change the channel for me. "Ms. Kumiko-chan, young master's interview will be on channel 32, nhk tv, it is a one hour program about him. After the commercial the program will start, enjoy watching" He smiled fakely and went out the room. I've waited for the show and japanese commercials where advertising different products. So if this is in Japanese, how about the interview about him?

"I can't understand Japanese language you know" I said as if I'm talking to shin being idiot as he already were. Oh well, there is no use, I'm here now, so I'll just watch.

"Good afternoon everyone, you are once again in the Celebrity Hour." The man in the television said. So they are speaking English eh? Maybe this is an international show or what. "guess, who he have today for our show, he's the youngest best actor at ohokyo awards, hunk of the year in almost every magazine in japan and top 10 in the whole world. Also he had made many commercials, movies, drama series…" the speaker continued.

"So he is in the top 10 of the whole world, eh? It is indeed true that credentials are overflowing" I said to myself.

"Now, let's all welcome Sawada Shin!" The speaker continued. Everybody in the audience saying words in Japanese, especially girls shouting really loud.

"Aishiteru Sawada!". The other girl fainted. He smiled and wave at the audience as he reached his sofa seat. He smiled and smiled, you know actually, he is kinda cute; he caressed his hair again to not block his eyes and girls shouted. Hey why do they shout like that, he only fixed his hair! The shouting stopped as the speaker says something.

"So Sawada, how do you feel that all your fans are here to support you all the way?"

"I'm very happy that they are always in my interviews and watch my creations, I think being an actor without them is nothing." He smiled again to his fans.

"Can you tell us about your latest music video entitled lonely heart?"

"It is very original and sentimental, I'm sure from all the music videos I made, I considered this one of the best especially when it is directed by one of the greatest Luo Men." Shin answered very cool as his fans look at him with awe. The speaker continuously asked him questions about the music video, how does he feel that it is his 532nd music video, and many more. So how old is he? That's my question.

"So you will be 18 next week. How do you plan your birthday? Are you going to celebrate in a fine hotel or have escapade one the beaches." the speaker asked him. Oh so I am three years older than him since I'm also going to be 21 this year. But he looks mature for his age. Or I just look young? I said to myself.

Shin thinking

In my mind, I thought, I'm 18 next week eh? So the party the girl in the video shoot talking about is my birthday. Maybe mother already planned that out and invited all rich people in the world.

"Oh yeah, I'm still planning about that. Planning where to celebrate the party." I smiled.

"I think Sawada Empire will not let their only heir to the throne have a simple party, wouldn't they?" The speaker asked me. I think he's right though, I'm used to having a big party ever since I was a kid. These past few years, mother had arranged some girls to acquaint with me. She said that I must look for a girl with the same stature as ours. But I don't like them; they are talking always about nonsense things. I just agree on what they are saying. I think this year would be different when that nosy girl is around, Yankumi.

"Sawada Shin, since you are in our hot seat today, we will let the fans ask you some questions, are you ready?" The speaker asked me.

"Sure" I smiled. They will even ask me even I'll say no. The speaker stands and looks for the audience to ask me some question.

Yankumi thinking

"So what will be our first question young lady" The speaker said while giving the microphone to a girl wearing miniskirt and her hairstyle is groomed as if she came out from a parlour.

"Hello Sawada!, I'm very excited talking to you!" The woman I think same as my age shouted so hard but shin smiled at the girl.

"My question is do you have a girlfriend already? We all know that you didn't have a girlfriend before right so have you picked someone already?" The girl asked. A girlfriend eh I thought? Well, that was a good question, I blushed, maybe he wants me, but no, he is just kidding around with me, why do I aspire to be with him eh? He then spoke.

"uhmm a girlfriend?" he smiled. "No, I don't have. But maybe next week I'll have one." He smiled as he eyed the audience. Girls became excited, maybe that's because shin doesn't have a girlfriend yet. Questioning continued, until my eyes got sleepy and dozes off again to sleep. The bed is so comfy I can't resist sleeping.

Someone is tapping my shoulder to wake. "Mom it's early yet, I'm gonna wake up by myself later" I said.

"You baka" A voice said. I recognized the voice and thought that I'm not in my own house or country anymore. I opened my eyes slowly and saw him staring at me. I jolted away from him to the head rest of the bed holding a pillow.

"Hey! Why are you staring at me! You frightened me you idiot!" I exclaimed.

"I didn't know that a nosy poor girl snores loud." He said to me. "Why didn't you watch the show eh?" He said with conviction, how did he know that I doze off to sleep?

"I've watched you know, I only slept in the middle of the show, and it's just too comfy here in the bed. Hey why you are early?" He blushed.

"I'm always going home this time, and why do you know I'm early or not?" He said.

"And hey!" I shouted. "Why are you in my room eh?"

"Oh, I knocked several times but you didn't respond, I also called you at the phone but you didn't answer, so I opened the door and saw you heavily snoring." He smiled again at me. "Let's eat"

I looked at my watch and it's already 6:45 pm. He walked out the door and didn't wait for me but I ran up to him to catch up.

"Why are you always on a hurry?" I asked him, he didn't answer, only smiled. "So are you excited tomorrow for the first day of class, I know it will be a lot fun, new classmates, new subjects, new everything." He only listened and smiled as I speak. He is so weird.

After we ate dinner we went upstairs to our rooms. I followed him again since I didn't remember my room was. When I was about to enter the room, he spoke without looking at me.

"We will depart 7:00 am in the morning" he said. I was about to say something but he again dropped not the phone but the door.

"Okay, fine!" I shouted. Maybe he may hear me in the other room, he is so arrogant.

Shin thinking

As I've closed the door I heard Yankumi's voice shouting at me again. I was surprised she shouted at me, the heir of Sawada industries. Maybe she didn't care after all. That stupid girl, she even snores heavily when she sleeps. I smiled again. I usually smile for people who greet me often but she makes me smile differently.