Note: Back with another chapter! Sorry it took me so long to update. Been a busy bee and I wanted to update this story some time last week but time hasn't been good to me. Finally have the time to update, so enjoy! Leave a review, yes? Thanks! PS: There'll be plenty of Michi in this chapter. Forgive me D;
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters; except for Kira Mori and the story.
- Chapter Six -
"Mimi, can I talk to you after—"
Yamato's sentence was interrupted when Taichi pulled Mimi's arm to keep her away from the blonde. Yamato stared right at the other boy.
"You're rude aren't you, Yagami? You never changed since high school." Yamato stood his ground. He wasn't planning on backing away any time yet.
Taichi stood there and stared at the blonde. "Only towards you," he said. All he wanted to do was beat the life of Yamato for treating Mimi the way he did. Instead of answering Yamato's question, he turned to Mimi, "Meems, after this we're leaving for our date, alright?"
"Date?" Taichi's words were enough to stab Yamato in the heart. "Are you two..?"
Mimi's eyes appeared sad. They were obvious and Taichi noticed. That's when he knew, Mimi hadn't gotten over Yamato, although he wasn't sure if it was just partially or not completely, at all.
"Taichi?" Mimi called.
"Yeah?" Taichi replied bluntly.
"Could you wait outside please, sweetie? Before Mr. Mori returns because you aren't supposed to be in this office in the first place."
Taichi scoffed. "Fine. That isn't just the reason, isn't it, Meems? It's because Ishida is here in the room with you."
"Yagami Taichi," Mimi kept her tone firm. She wasn't in the mood to entertain Taichi's attitude around Yamato. "Outside, now."
Taichi scoffed once again before turning on his heel and exited the office to take a seat outside. Mimi hugged herself as she turned back to Yamato.
Yamato crossed his arms and smirked. "I don't even understand why you like that guy."
Mimi narrowed her eyes at the blonde, "He's just nicer than you."
"Oh?" Yamato was surprised; it was obvious based on his facial expressions. "How much nicer?"
"A hundred percent nicer. He just doesn't like you and vice versa."
The blonde scoffed. "Of course I don't. I never liked him."
"Listen, Mato, I'm not going to take sides when it comes to your little adolescent games with Taichi and neither am I sitting on the fence. Kindly remember that I am not a part of this at all."
"Wow. You've grown."
"Of course I have. All those months without you made me stronger."
"Ah." Yamato sat back down at the chair he was sitting at earlier, arms remained crossed. "So you're saying I'm your weakness?"
Mimi paused and looked away. It was the truth and Yamato knew it. The blonde had his ways to make her weak in the knees and then it made her wonder. How was it that one particular boy of all the millions out there could make her weak in a matter of seconds?
"I'm guessing what I said is correct," Yamato said, and smirked again. "So, tell me. Are you and Taichi dating?"
"No," Mimi muttered a soft reply to Yamato's question and shook her head sideways. "Taichi and I aren't dating. We just... What does it matter to you anyway..."
Yamato shrugged and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I don't know. You and I haven't talked in almost a year. We should have a coffee date some time. You know, to catch up on things."
"I'm going to have to decline your offer, Ishida. We're all caught up."
Mimi's tone was cold and there was no smile on her face. Her behaviour confused Yamato. He furrowed his brows and rose to his feet, standing before Mimi. Mimi stood her ground and raised her chin. She didn't want to turn weak every single time Yamato was around. She needed to be strong. If he had the gut to walk away from their friendship, she was going to have the gut to stand up for herself.
"You've changed," said the boy.
"So have you."
"What's with the cold shoulder, Meems?"
"Go figure."
Just as Yamato wanted to speak up, Mori Kira entered his office and let out a tired sigh. Yamato took a large step backwards and tucked both his hands into his pants pockets.
Kira stood by Mimi and Yamato and the presence felt very strange.
"Okay..." Kira said. "I'm feeling a little tired, it has been a long day. Okay, Mimi and Yamato, if there isn't anything else, I am going off. Allow me to walk you two to the door."
"Oh, don't worry about it, Kira." Yamato turned to grab his coat he had hanged on his chair. "I'll walk myself out. I'll see you tomorrow, sir."
Before the blonde put his coat on, he engaged himself in a firm handshake with Kira, then finally putting on his coat. Just as he was about to leave the office, he stopped by Mimi. "And see you tomorrow, Mimi. I'm pretty sure it'll be a lot of fun working with you."
Mimi noticed the sarcastic tone and the expression on Yamato's face. He was treating her the same way she had treated him earlier.
Lights, camera, action.
The young brunette's first day at work didn't turn out as bad as she expected.
Mimi was surrounded by makeup artists, directors, photographers, fashion designers and the editor-in-chief, Mori Kira. Her job was supposed to assist not only her boss, but also Yamato. Although she didn't mind assisting Yamato, but their conversation from the day before was distracting her. Every time her gaze was shifted to the blonde, she kept remembering their conversation.
Everyone was there, besides Yamato. While they were waiting for his arrival, Mimi was reading the list she was given of all the things Yamato needed for the photo shoot and it even included the little things Mimi had remembered by heart. She did still remember the little details about Yamato.
Just as Yamato stepped into the studio, all eyes were on him. He was dressed in a simple U-neck printed t-shirt and a pair of dark jeans.
"Alright, everyone!" Kira assembled everyone together. Next to him was Yamato. "I need everyone to gather together."
Everyone did as they were told. Mimi stood at the front and hugged her clipboard.
"Today, Yamato is our star so let's pamper him a little and ladies, I know he's attractive but please, don't be all over him. Do your jobs right today and hopefully it all goes well." Kira then turned to Yamato. "Mr. Ishida, you can go change. The changing room is right over there," Kira pointed towards Yamato's right. "And then once you're done changing, you can get your hair and makeup done over at the other side." Then the boss turned to Mimi. "Mimi?"
"Yes, Mr. Mori?" Mimi took a step forward.
"You have the notes; you'll take over from here. I have a meeting in two minutes. Be a good girl."
Mimi nodded and Kira said one last thing, "Alright everybody. You may disperse." Then, he left the room.
Once everyone had dispersed, Yamato's hands were on his hips and he waited for Mimi to do her job. Mimi rolled her eyes and read the notes.
"Well?" Yamato said.
"You will be pictured with your bass guitar with clothes on and shirtless as well-"
"Ah, interesting. It's like, every single time I am involved in a photo shoot, I have to take my shirt off."
"As of right now, Mr. Ishida, there's nothing much for me to tell you. Everything is pretty straightforward: Get changed, get your hair and makeup done, then waltz over to in front of the camera, pick your bass guitar up, hang the strap over your shoulder and get your pictures taken, several with a shirt on and several without a shirt on."
Yamato crossed his arms and flashed a genuine smile. "I'm impressed, Miss. Tachikawa."
His smile; the one she adored.
Mimi sighed. "Mato, could you stop smiling like that? I'm trying to work here."
"So am I, Meems." Yamato gave her a wink and left Mimi to get changed.
"Ohhh-kay, everyone, it's a wrap!" Mimi said out loud and everyone cheered.
All the staffs present on that occasion were packing everything up and clearing the studio while Mimi made her way to Mori Kira's office but the boss wasn't there so she decided to leave her things on her desk before she took her bag and hung it on shoulder.
"You know, I wish we're both alone right now..."
That masculine, deep and rough voice.
Mimi stopped whatever she was doing and turned to the direction of where she heard the voice. That was when she spotted Yamato leaning on the wall next to him.
"Mato, I can't talk right now. I don't want Mr. Mori to hear our personal conversations."
"Don't worry, your boss already left." The blonde took his time to move forward, then stood by Mimi's desk and watched her pack some of the things she needed to bring home. "I miss you."
"But I don't." Mimi grabbed her bag and walked away.
"Meems..." Yamato grabbed on to her upper arm to stop her. "Could you please explain your behaviour?"
"There's nothing for me to explain anything, Mato," Mimi told Yamato and snatched her arm back. "We're not even friends to begin with. You're a client to my boss and I'm not going to risk losing my job if he finds out that things are more personal between us than just... Business partners. For God sake, Mato, spare a thought for me. I just started this job today and I love it so far."
"We won't be friends if you didn't call me 'Mato', Meems."
Mimi shut her eyes and sighed. She knew he was right.
"You'd address me as Mr. Ishida, or Yamato... Not 'Mato'."
"I'm just too used to addressing you as 'Mato'. We knew each other since we were kids and I've been calling you 'Mato' since we were young. I'm going to have to get used to addressing you as 'Yamato' from now onwards."
Yamato shook his head. "I can't believe you're talking like this, Meems... Listen, I'm sorry, okay? I-"
"Like I said, I'm not going to talk about our past. You weren't there when I needed you. You were busy with your band, you were busy lying to me, and you were busy stabbing me in the back. What makes you think I'm going to accept your apology in the first place?"
"Because I still love you!" Yamato spilled. He was thankful, though; there weren't anybody in the office. Everybody had already left. "After almost a year of not seeing you and then finally seeing you again... Do you have any idea how much I realized I've missed you?"
The brunette decided not to shed a tear. She's had enough.
"Talk is cheap, Yamato. Your actions spoke louder and I think you ought to know something. I'm going to find a guy who'll mess my lipstick; not my mascara. See you around."
Mimi had had enough of their conversation and she wanted to say nothing more so she took her bag and walked off while Yamato stood there by her desk, feeling that sharp pain in his heart. This wasn't the Mimi he used to know.
At the lobby, Taichi was waiting for Mimi. He was sitting on his car's bonnet, playing with his keys in one hand. He was observing his surroundings; it was a pretty busy street. Everyone was in a rush and everyone appeared exhausted; unlike himself. He was still active, despite the fact he was done with his soccer practice.
"Taichi!"
The boy recognized that sweet voice. Just as he wanted to stand up and turn around, Mimi threw her arms around Taichi, startling him.
"Whoa!"
Mimi laughed. "You're cute when you're startled."
"I just... Wasn't expecting you to hug me like that."
"I think you'll have to get used to it now." Mimi planted a kiss on Taichi's cheek and smiled up at the boy.
"You seemed to be in a good mood today."
"Well, yeah, actually. Mom's cooking dinner today and Dad's home today too! Come over to my place for dinner and I can tell you and my parents about my day."
"Sounds like a plan. Now, get your butt into the passenger's seat 'cause Yagami Taichi is about to chauffeur you home, young lady."
"And join me for dinner."
"Of course. When it comes to food-"
"You are always the first in queue!"
Mimi and Taichi laughed together as Yamato watched them from the lobby.
Yes, the view of Mimi being so lively around his enemy saddened him more than anything; especially after Mimi had gotten the chance to hear that he still had feelings for her. Those words wouldn't leave his lips if he hadn't spoken the truth. Yamato kept it inside of him for all this time, thinking it would be better if things were left unsaid. Unfortunately, for him, the words did leave his lips. He should've just kept his mouth shut.
- End of Chapter Six -