Broken Fragments

Chapter 6: Eager Proclamation

"Yuuhi-chan, I'm sorry, but we haven't found you a manager, yet," the chairman apologized.

"Does it really take that long?" Yuuhi impatiently replied, her arms crossed.

She was looking out the window, the sun glowing on her face. Chairman Muranishi, who was standing behind her, put his hands together to beg for forgiveness.

"I know it didn't take this long for you to find her a manager, did it?" the auburn-haired girl turned around to show the chairman how disappointed she was.

"You're right…it didn't," Kumoi-san answered, arriving just in time to hear what Yuuhi said.

Yuuhi's eyebrows arched together, her anger building up. She uncrossed her arms, but she clenched her fist. Her furious, blue eyes were much scarier than Fubuki's angry eyes.

"K-Kasumi," the chairman panicked as the two ladies exchanged looks as if they were about to attack each other.

Kumoi-san walked towards Fubuki, her fists also clenched. The chairman sensed that something awful was about to happen, so he tried to think of something to resolve the problem as quickly as he could.

"I'll give you a manager in 3 days!" Chairman Muranishi exclaimed as he shut his eyes close, scared of what the outcome would be.

Silence lingered as all of them tried to take in and think about what the chairman just said. Yuuhi's fury decreased a little and her fists were slowly unclenched.

"Fine," Yuuhi agreed.

"But if you don't fulfill what you've told me," the girl said as she passed Kumoi-san to go to the door while a hint of evil in her eyes and smile showing.

"I won't hesitate to bring up what hurts the most."

Yuuhi left, shutting the door behind her. Chairman Muranishi's face was shrouded with worry and anxiety, but Kumoi-san looked more furious and competitive. They knew that Yuuhi was serious about what she said, so they have to be really careful.

"She's far more dangerous than how Fubuki was, huh," Kumoi-san muttered, smirking.

Hiroto left the old lady's home and drove to the company building after listening to her enlightening love story. Hiroto, for the first time ever since Kirari's death, felt his pain ease a little. Like what Mariko said, time will heal the pain, therefore he didn't need to rush it.

When he arrived at the company building, he was greeted by the people. He was aware that the people there really cared about him for they'd take a moment out of their hectic afternoon work just to greet him.

After entering the nearest elevator, he pushed the button that would bring him to the floor where the chairman's office was located. From the first floor, the elevator made its way up, stopping at some floors to let people in. On the fifth floor, when Hiroto was alone, the door opened to let in a boy that Hiroto had always wanted to see after he got back to Japan. The time felt like it slowed down just so he could savor that moment. Hiroto's eyes widened and his heartbeat slowed down in shock of who he was looking at.

It was Seiji Hiwatari.

"Hiro…to?" Seiji asked, his eyes also widened as he entered the elevator.

"Sei…ji."

Realizing that it wasn't a dream, the two shared a brotherly hug, happiness in their hearts. Hiroto had known Seiji since they were 12 years old when they started training to become idols. They've never had a single argument that threatened their friendship until after that fateful night when Hiroto got in a car accident and lost his memories. After Kirari returned, Seiji had a relationship with her, angering Hiroto. They had fights and arguments that made them feel like their friendship was getting weaker. However, after Hiroto left for 4 years to travel around the world, they both realized that their friendship was stronger than they'd expected.

"When did you come back?" Seiji asked as the elevator door opened to Hiroto's destination floor.

"I got back a few days ago. I finally got to see you," Hiroto smiled as they walked to Chairman Muranishi's room.

"Why didn't you call for me?"

"Well, I thought you were busy. I heard you have a new album, so I didn't want to bother you."

"I just finished it. It's getting released tomorrow. The only thing I had to do for the past few days were interviews on my new album."

"I see," Hiroto smiled, remembering the days when he was still an idol with Seiji.

3 months after Kirari's death, Hiroto decided to travel around the world. He didn't want to leave, but that was the only way he could try to get rid of the tremendous pain of losing her. He wanted to stay, but everything around him made him think about Kirari and their memories together. After deciding, Hiroto and Seiji disbanded SHIPS, and Seiji became a solo idol. Even though he was going solo, Seiji's career was still as good as when he was a part of SHIPS.

Seiji was about to start knocking on the door when he heard voices inside.

"What's going on?" Hiroto asked, confused.

"Shh," Seiji whispered as he got closer to the door to eavesdrop along with Hiroto.

Inside, they could hear the chairman's voice, Kumoi-san's, and Yuuhi's, but they were able to sense a bad atmosphere from the tone of their voices.

"I'll give you a manager in 3 days!" Chairman Muranishi exclaimed.

"She doesn't have a manager, yet?" Hiroto asked himself as his eyebrows arched in curiosity.

Seiji and Hiroto heard the lingering pause and were able to figure out that Yuuhi was thinking about what the chairman had said.

"Fine," Yuuhi agreed.

Seiji and Hiroto were both surprised at her faith in Chairman Muranishi's promise. The two backed away from the door as they heard footsteps come closer. They were still able to hear the catch that they didn't expect that Yuuhi said.

"But if you don't fulfill what you've told me," Yuuhi said as she twisted the doorknob and open the door a little.

Seiji and Hiroto could now see the back of her auburn hair and her white halter sundress.

"I won't hesitate to bring up what hurts the most."

Hiroto's eyes widened as he heard the words from Yuuhi's mouth. He knew he must prevent what she would do. He knew it would not only hurt him, but hurt everyone around him.

Yuuhi saw Seiji and Hiroto, but she kept the longest eye contact with Hiroto. Her eyes showed anger and fury, sending terror down his mind. Yuuhi's eyes looked just like Kirari's, however, hers were different. Hiroto didn't see a single shine of kindness, but he could clearly see her anger. He also noticed something that he couldn't quite figure out what.

Yuuhi walked away from them without saying anything. After Hiroto and Seiji watched the elevator doors close, Hiroto quickly ran inside without waiting for Seiji.

"I'll do it!"

Kumoi-san and Chairman Muranishi turned to Hiroto, surprised of his barging in.

"I'll do it! I'll be Yuuhi's manager!" Hiroto proclaimed.