Shelf #008

Kuu jumped off the bus and walked towards the five-star, luxurious Westin Fuwa Hotel. This was the only hotel in Kyoto that sometimes lodged by the famous around Japan and even actors and top models like Julie. The Westin Fuwa Hotel spreaded over 16 hilltop acres and was close to some of Kyoto's most famous temples. The personal property boasted Japanese gardens and rivers, a wild-bird sanctuary with bird-watching trails and forests. This hotel, owned by the Fuwa family for generations, since Edo Period, have started just as a well-known Westin Fuwa Inn. It had been receiving guests since 1890, including dignitaries from all over the world. When its business started to rise in sales and attraction over the next decades, it finally became a hotel.

Every suite was named after a family member, with one of them being Miyako Executive Deluxe Suite – named after the wife of Fuwa Hijikata, one of the famous chefs in Kyoto– being the most expensive suite of the hotel. Known to have oversized rooms which overlooked beautiful mountain views and rivers. Next was the Hijikata Deluxe, as the second expensive suite minus the ante room. The Fuwa couple were still alive now, though they only visited twice a month. This month was the luckiest for them, because they finally met the world's most famous actress and runway queen for the very first time of their lives.

It was because of their personal and private meeting with this star, thanks to Julie, that the owners finally realized they had to bear children someday, as until now they haven't been blessed with one. That way, that child can inherit and manage the hotel, continuing the legacy of Fuwa's style of entrepreneurship passed down from generations to generations.

Kuu carried a small bunch of roses and chose to wear just cool enough clothes today. Those clothes that didn't go overboard, which might not look 'trying hard'. He still was good looking with a black, three-fourth blazer and let the sleeves of his blue shirt folded up in neat fashion, just enough to cover the hem of the blazer well. He had it tucked finally right in all sides on his black pants and a black leather belt. He wore the new shoes given to him by his mother on his birthday the past month, and he smelled so masculine yet cool with a new Armani perfume given by his funky sister, Honey.

When he entered the big luxury hotel, Kuu didn't know why but some ladies inside the lobby were caught by his presence. They kept stealing glances at him, eyeing him deliciously from head to toe. This new guy looked sophisticated in their eyes.

'Just calm down and relax. . . You're finally seeing her again so be cool. Okay? Just be cool, Kuu.'

Their stare made Kuu even more nervous and conscious on his walk, that he felt like tripping if he wasn't careful of his step.

'You look good, so that's why they're all staring at you. Just look straight ahead. Just don't forget to go first at the desk.'

Kuu smiled at the man standing behind the reception desk. He bowed.

"Welcome to Westin Fuwa hotel, sir," the male receptionist said as he smiled at Kuu.

His voice sounded familiar. So this was the man that answered his call a while ago. He took a clipboard and placed the pen on top of it.

"Please write your name here sir, the person you'll be seeing and your signature right here."

Kuu filled in the form. He thought he shouldn't write Julie's name, so instead he placed the codename 'Tsuruga Ren' on the list. The receptionist took the form and nodded with a smile. Kuu read his expression and thought he might be right filling it in. He was about to ask where he will go and which room, when the receptionist just gestured his hand towards his right.

"Just head straight sir and use the lift at the right corridor. The Executive Delux Room is number 38. Miyako Suite," he said with a smile.

"Okay, thanks."

Kuu followed the directions and approached the lift. At the lift, he pushed a button and the doors open. As he was getting in, Kuu was joined by a young, familiar man. His name was Kazuki Tarquin, a journalist.

"Which floor?" Kuu asked.

Tarquin smiled.

"Three."

Kuu pushed the button, and they wait for the doors to close. They stood inside in silence, with Kuu thinking what would be the best things he will say to Julie the moment they see each other. The lift finally landed on the third floor, and Kuu got out first. So did Tarquin. At the quiet corridor, Kuu looked at the sign of the rooms.

==== HIJIKATA DELUXE SUITE 30 - 35

MIYAKO EXECUTIVE SUITE 36 – 38 ====

Kuu headed right. So did Tarquin. Kuu was puzzled, glancing at him. He slowed down as he approached the corner leading to the last room. So did Tarquin. Kuu spotted room 38, 'Miyako Executive Suite Ante-Room'. So did Tarquin. This man was still on his tail, and he was a journalist so maybe they were going at the same destination?

Kuu pointed at the number.

"Are you sure you–?"

"Yes."

"Oh. . Right. . ."

Kuu knocked. Then a tall, young, bright, bespectacled man opened the door. This handsome man didn't looked American to Kuu's eyes. He was more like a Japanese, and so young –– very young, just in his early twenties. This guy must be a genius, to be working this type of job in his age. His silky straight hair told him he must have had it dyed to the right color. Or maybe this was his natural hair. His neat dark blue suit showed he must be Julienna's manager. He beamed warmly at the two gentlemen and bowed.

"Hello, I'm Yukihito Yashiro. Manager," he said. "Sorry –– things are running a bit late. Here's the thing. . ."

He handed them a very slick, expensively produced press kits, with the posture picture of Julienna, for the film 'Tsukigomori.' Then he gestured the two to get in.

A few seconds later, they entered the main waiting room. There were a good number of journalists waiting for their audience. Some were film crews working. At each corner was a huge 'Tsukigomori' poster with Julienna.

Yashiro pushed his spectacles and took his slim, silver pen out from the inside pocket of his suit. He held the clipboard close to him.

"So what do you think of the film?" he asked.

"Marvellous. Thriller-mystery meets 'Shakespearean romance' coupled with taboo love affair," Tarquin said with a smile. "Definitely Oscar-winning stuff. With Julie for best actress, of course."

They both turned to Kuu for his opinion.

"I agree." was all he could say at this moment.

"I'm sorry. I didn't get down what magazines you're from," Yashiro said, checking his clipboard.

'Time Out.' Tarquin answered.

"Great. And you, sir. . ."

Oh God now what. Hurry! There was no time to think. Except for the only one on his mind right now. 'Skip Beat!' perhaps? Good idea, but Yashiro might have read that manga – or maybe he reluctantly did without a choice because Julie might kept on convincing him for it, considering he's Julie's manager so no.

Come on. . Kuu's quick eyes spotted a magazine on a side table, just near the flowers.

'Horse and Hound'–– Umm. . The name's Kuu Thacker. I think she might be expecting me."

Scribbling at an amazing Schumacher speed, Yashiro looked up and smiled.

"Okay –– Mr. Thacker please take a seat. I'll check."

He bowed and went off, while the two gentlemen looked around for empty chairs and sat on a corner near the window. Tarquin noticed Kuu had held onto his roses.

"I see you've brought her flowers, hahaha," he said.

Kuu laughed with him. He felt strange and went for a cover-up.

"Hahaha, no–– they're. . . for my grandmother," he said. "She's in a hospital nearby. Thought I'd kill two birds with one stone."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Which hospital is it?"

Uh-oh. He's in deep trouble.

"Do you mind me not saying–– it's a, rather distressing, very rare disease. . . 'stick-it-to-the-man-niosis.' And the name of the hospital rather gives it away. . ."

"Oh, sure. Of course."

Just then, Yashiro appeared.

"Mr. Thacker."

Kuu looked up and exhaled in relief secretly. Thank God, saved by the bell.

At the suite corridor, Kuu was shown in through big, golden sliding doors. Yashiro nodded to him and stayed outside.

"You've got five minutes," Yashiro noted. He slid the door, closing it to a soft shut.

Kuu took the surroundings in. This was pretty neat, and obviously only the richest could stay here. He wondered when would be the next time he'd be in such luxurious suite like this again. On a wall, there were three different large portraits of Julie, stunning in her sexy poses, but as he walked through the sitting room, the sight far ahead was more undeniably stunning in his eyes. . . .

There Julie was, concentrated on looking through the window with crossed arms. When she noticed another presence behind her, she turned around –– and wow –– there it was, the most impetuous smile he had ever seen and bright bottle green eyes, as deep as the seas, sparkling instantly. Today, she looked so feminine in her flowing, yellow flowery dress with matching white fitted blazer. Her hair was swept up in a nice half updo. She was also better today than she had been at the bookshop. . . . Glorious.

"Hi," Kuu greeted.

"Hello," Julie said with a smile.

"Umm– I brought these, but clearly . . . "

She shook her head and walked towards him, reaching for the roses.

"Oh no, it's alright. Ho –– these are great." 'I'd rather have these to be honest.'

Julie took a moment to look at the little red roses. They smelled so nice. Her warm smile flashed across her lips. "These are so beautiful. . ."

She looked up at him. "Thank you, Kuu. . ."

He smiled back at her. Yeah, she loved them. That was great. "Yeah. You're welcome."

A fair amount of tension began to rise in the air. These two people hardly knew each other, yet they felt like they had known each other for a while –– and the first and last time they met, they kissed. Twice. Tenderly, lovingly, in each arms. As if they belonged to each other.

"Umm, sorry about not ringing back," Kuu apologized with deep honesty. "The whole two-names concept was totally too much for my flatman's pea-sized intellect."

She chuckled a bit. "No, it's okay. It's actually a stupid, privacy thing. I always choose a cartoon character –– now I felt I wanted to change and have thought about my beloved manga. But not the female lead. . I thought Kyoko's love interest is cool, although it's a guy's name. Might as well try out a guy name. Last time I checked out, I was Mrs. Bambi."

At which moment Mr. Jeremy, Yashiro's boss, came in. A tall, fairly grave, authoritative fifty-year old PR man consulting a list.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yes, thanks," Julie said.

"And you are from 'Horse and Hound' magazine?"

Kuu nodded silently. Nervous again. Julie smiled surprisingly at him, though there was a hint of little act in her eyes.

"Mm, is that so?"

Of course she knew he didn't worked for a magazine, but owned a bookshop. Kuu shrugged his shoulders. Jeremy settled at a little desk in a corner and made notes. There was utterly complete silence in the room. Kuu felt this time he had to act the part. This was the first time in his life to act different than his own self. He had to try. This was all for the woman across from him. They sat in sofas opposite each other.

"So I'll just fire away, shall I?" he asked.

Julie nodded and smiled assuringly at him. Her eyes twinkled, telling him to relax. Kuu breathe deeply, then started.

"Right. Ahm. . . the film's great. . . and I just wondered –– whether you ever thought of having more. . . horses in it?"

"Ahm –– Well –– we would have liked to. . . but it was difficult, obviously, being set mostly in mountains."

Kuu furrowed his brows in disbelief. What the hell was he asking?

"Right. Obviously. Very difficult."

Mr. Jeremy rose from his seat. He opened the door and left. Kuu placed his head in his hands. He was in deep panic while in this role, and Julie kept giggling softly across him. His expression earlier. She find him really entertaining this way to her.

"Oh God– I'm sorry –– I arrived outside. . . They suddenly thrust this thing I don't know in my hand –– I didn't know what to do, honestly."

And honestly, he was the only one that made her day.

Julie got back to her composure, still smiling.

"No, it's my fault, I thought this would all be over by now," she said. "I just wanted to sort of –– apologize for the. . Kissing thing. . ."

"I– I seriously didn't know what got into me," she lied. "I just wanted to make sure you were fine about it."

They stared at each other for a moment. Julie then felt regret ever saying those things to him. She hoped he would feel, the other way. Kuu thought she need not apologize to him. He already knew that, in just their kiss.

"Absolutely fine about it. It's alright," he assured with a warm smile. Julie read that and smiled back.

The door opened and Mr. Jeremy re-entered.

"Do remember that Miss Scott is also keen to talk about about her next project, which is shooting later in the summer."

"Oh, yes –– excellent," Kuu said, immediately back to the role, much to Julie's surprise.

"Ahm –– any horses in that one? Or hounds, of course. Our readers are equally intrigued by both species."

"It takes place on a submarine."

Oh God, she hoped she can maintain this posture and smile in front of Jeremy. 'Just a little bit more.'

Kuu blinked again. "Yes. Right. . . But if there were horses, would you be riding them yourself or would you be getting a, stunt horse person double sort of thing?"

Jeremy cleared his throat and exited back to the door. The moment the door closed for the second time, Kuu just couldn't believe himself.

"I'm just a complete moron, Julie. I'm so sorry. ."

But Kuu looked up and saw Julie teary-eyed with laughter, now holding the stitch in her sides. She covered her mouth to stifle the loud giggles that wanted to just burst out really loud in this room. The horses and hounds topic was just beyond words. She couldn't keep cool about it anymore. How she wanted to laugh out loud. This was the first time she genuinely laughed. She had never giggled like this since the fame of 'Tsukigomori'. Kuu was just a natural. What a great sense of humor he had.

Kuu looked at her chibi funny face, with cute teary eyes, and laughed with her. This was another side of Julie that he had noticed. She was just so vulnerable to any type of humor. Kuu just say something and her face would glow with laughter. But Kuu just kept himself cool, only this time he was really nervous because after all, he never tried doing interviews like this in his life.

For a while they were back to normal. It was a good laugh, they had to admit.

"I'm sorry, really. Sorry," Kuu said. "This is the sort of thing that happens in dreams –– not in real life. Good dreams, obviously –– it's a dream to see you. . ."

Their eyes stared at one another again. Definitely this was still a dream. For both of them. Kuu never knew that. How Julie hoped he would realize that she felt the same way too.

"And. . . what happens next in the dream?"

Kuu felt this was a challenge.

"Well. . . I suppose in the dream, dream scenario –– I just. . . ahm, change my personality, because you can do that in dreams, and walk across. . . and kiss the girl. . . but you know it'll never happen. . ."

Julie whispered softly for Kuu to hear enough. "And. . What if it will happen?"

There was a slight pause of a lifetime. A very perfect moment for both of them. Plus, they were alone. Then they moved toward each other again when. . . Jeremy entered again.

"Time's up, I'm afraid. Sorry it was so short. Did you get what you wanted?"

It suddenly felt long for Kuu. "Very nearly."

"Maybe time for one last question?"

Kuu nodded. "Yeah. Right."

Jeremy then went out and closed the door. . . It was their last seconds.

Finally, he can say what he wanted to say.

"Are you busy tonight?" he asked softly. The pair of eyes as deeper as the sea sparkled back at him.

"Yes. I never really wanted to."

They sank in each other's gaze. Jeremy then entered, with another journalists in tow. Julie and Kuu stood up and shook hands formally. How they both loath time to stop right now and get a chance to finish their conversation.

Still in a deep stare, Julie smiled. "Well, it was nice to meet you. Surreal but nice."

Kuu secretly gave her the same spark in his eyes. Julie blinked. She saw that.

"Thank you, Miss Scott. You are 'Horse and Hound's' favorite actress. You and Black Beauty. Tied."

Kuu exited the corridor, fairly despondent. He had prepared himself to finally see her again, and all were done was the roses given and a question whether she'll be busy tonight. Great. He walked and headed for the door. He didn't notice Tarquin still waiting for his turn at the corridor, calling on his mobile phone.

"Wait–! How was she?" he asked.

"Fabulous."

Kuu turned and walked away.

"Wait a minute –– she took your grandmother's flowers?"

Kuu just couldn't think his way out of this.

"Yes. That's right. Bitch."

He turned to go, deeply regretting the fact that he had mentioned that. 'Sorry, Julie dear, but this guy was just so annoying.'

Kuu walked alone on the quiet corridor. He reached the lift, when a few meters behind him, Yashiro rushed through the corridor, looking for him. He finally saw him pushed the button.

"Wait! Mr. Thacker?" Yashiro called out loudly.

"Yes?"

Yashiro caught up with him. The young manager took a deep breath, pushed his spectacles that nearly fell off. He spoke again. "Um, have you got a moment, sir?"

Kuu blinked. "Yeah."

"Please follow me."

The two gentlemen were back at Julie's sitting room. The corridor was full of camera crews. Yashiro knocked on the door.

"Come in," Julie's voice said.

Yashiro slid the door and held it for Kuu to enter.

"Thank you, Yashiro-san."

He smiled at his client and nodded.

"No problem, Julie-san. You're welcome."

Yashiro closed the door. Kuu stood there. A certain nervousness swept at Kuu and Julie again, as if time turned back to where it was. They were alone again. This time he saw how incredibly, flawlessly beautiful Julie was without her blazer. She had let it off, so now her dress actually had thin straps. Her fair skin glowed under the bright room. Her hair was now swept down, tumbling gorgeously on her shoulders.

"Ahm. That thing I was doing tonight," Julie began. "Um –– I'm not doing it anymore. I told them I had to spend the evening with Japan's premier equestrian journalist."

"Oh– well, great. Perfect," Kuu said. "Oh no –– shittity brickitty –– it's my sister's birthday. . Shit. . We're meant to be having dinner."

"Okay –– fine," she said.

"But no, I'm sure I can get out of it."

"No, I mean, if it's fine with you, Kuu, I'll– you know, be your date."

Kuu was starstruck again. He blinked. "You'll be my date at my little sister's birthday party?"

"If that's alright with you."

"Y-yeah I'm sure it's alright. My friend, Max is cooking and he's acknowledged to be the worst cook in the world. But you know, you could hide the food in your handbag or something."

Julie smiled and nodded. "Okay."

Kuu couldn't believe this.

"Okay. . ."

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