Hi all,

Thank you for those who has followed, reviewed, and messaged me. It pushes me to write the next chapter faster and hopefully better. Please continue to let me know what you think about the story. I really really appreciate it. :D

Work has been hectic lately and this chapter is a bit shorter than usual. It may also take me slightly longer to upload the next chapter. But Akihito will be back in the next chapter and he will finally meet his 'babies'. Emi will make her move. And everything will go to chaos.

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer : Viewfinder belongs to Yamano Ayano.

Chapter 7. Hide and Seek

"I seriously don't understand him, Haruka-san. I mean, no one other than him and his damned bodyguards will see me anyway! So, why do I have to buy more -," the boy made air quotes with his fingers as he mockingly yelled, "'-PRESENTABLE CLOTHES'?! He literally booked the whole cinema only for the two of us! For safety reason, my ass, I know what the pervert truly wants right away! There is no point for me to wear anything fancy just for that!"

Haruka quietly admitted that the boy had a point. It wouldn't even matter if the boy came to the regular Friday dinner naked. Hell, it might be even better. It would save some time needed by his boss to get the brat out of his clothes. But there was no way she would agree with his theory aloud. If Asami-sama wanted to buy something nice for his lover, then it would happen. So, she just silently walked alongside the boy towards the entrance of the boutique.

It was a peaceful Thursday night. Well, unless you counted the agitated boy who stomped his feet sullenly beside her, she believed that the whole day was quite calm. Asami-sama had a good mood lately, especially when Friday was near the corner. Business had thrived tremendously in the last few months and Sion group had strongly established its power over the five continents. Suoh-san became slightly more cheerful and talkative. Even Kirishima-san looked much more relaxed recently. And heaven knew how uptight the man usually was. It seemed his boss' new lover brought some kind of fresh air for them all.

She shook her head. No, Takaba-sama was not a new lover. According to Kirishima-san, the boy had been together with Asami-sama for a few years previously. But some circumstances forced them to stay apart for a while. It was hard to believe in the beginning, that her cold and ruthless boss was so attached to such a boy. But as she got to know the boy better in the last few months, she started to understand the boy's charm. Takaba-sama was like the sunshine that brightened the darkest shadow with his kind and easygoing attitude. It was a rare quality nowadays, especially in the world his boss lived in. No wonder the crime lord fell for the boy, though it was a secret that only few knew.

Not that she knew anything about love. She didn't believe in love romantically. Haruka witnessed how miserable her mother was because of her love for Haruka's father. All the man did in his pathetic life was gambling, abusing his family, and playing around with whores, leaving her and her mother in debt and poverty. At 10 years old, she vowed that she would never ever rely on any man, moreover on her father. She would survive on her own. She didn't need love or marriage.

When her father finally died in a sudden traffic accident, she didn't feel anything for him. It was a tough time, though. She worked so hard to get the scholarship that allowed her to continue her study. Getting her degree in finance as top of her class, she worked for one of the best company in town, making more than enough money to support her mother. Life was good for a while and she thought that the world finally sided with her. It was then that she made the biggest mistake in her life.

"Earth to Haruka-san." the boy's voice snapped her back from her memory.

Takaba-sama stood at the entrance of the boutique, waiting for her to enter the place as he helped the shop assistants to hold the door open. She smiled. It was this kind of little thoughtful acts that made her fond with the boy. Even though the boy was treated with extra care and love by almost everyone around him, he didn't become selfish. Instead, he was unfailingly thoughtful and considerate.

"Thank you, Takaba-sama, but you don't have to do this," she said when she passed him.

The boy grumbled behind her as he followed her inside, "What do you mean, I don't have to? Of course, I have to. You are a lady. My mom will kick me in the ass if I dare to forget my manner."

The shop was a high-class boutique with celebrities, millionaires, and socialites as their main customers. Tonight, however, the entire shop was closed for Takaba-sama's private shopping. Haruka helped the boy to select a few clothes that she knew would show off his sexy ass and lean body. She honestly thought that the clothes made him look incredibly hot. And her boss would definitely love the effect the clothes did to his lover. But the boy gave a sullen pout as he went to the fitting room to try his new outfit.

"I feel like a whore preparing for her customer," he muttered under his breath.

Haruka just sighed at his attitude. She had to admit that the boy was very prideful. But sometimes, his useless pride made everyone's life difficult. Though Takaba-sama would never know about it.

As she waited patiently for him, she heard commotion from the entrance of the shop. Feeling curious, she walked towards the front door. A man and a pretty young woman stood there, facing away from her while they are complaining harshly to the shop manager for not being allowed to enter the boutique. The shop manager had sweated like crazy as he good-naturedly tried to calm the couple down.

"I am sorry but this shop was booked for private shopping tonight," Haruka explained to the couple sternly.

The man turned towards her and shouted, "Who dare to-"

He froze. As well as Haruka. For a long moment, they just stared at each other. But she quickly gained her composure and told the man strictly, "As I mentioned, tonight, this shop is for private shopping only. I ask you to leave, Sir, or I will call the security."

"Do you even know who we are?" Wanting to help her husband, the young woman moved forwards and asked unpleasantly.

Haruka kept her face flat as she replied emotionlessly, "I am quite sure I do, Kasumi Takamiya-san, daughter of the head of Takamiya group. And this gentleman must be your husband, Daisuke Takamiya, the vice president of Takamiya enterprise. Again, I am very sorry for any inconvenience, but the entire shop is booked by Asami-sama for tonight. Now, can you please leave the premise before I call our own guards?"

Both of them stilled when they heard Asami-sama's name. Their eyes were wide with hidden fear. Stuttering in shock, Kasumi asked, "Do...do you...you mean...THAT Asami Ryuichi?"

Haruka smiled amusingly at her, "The one and only, I believe."

The shop manager immediately bowed down very low as he confirmed further, "As I explained, Takamiya-sama, I am very sorry, but Asami-sama has booked the entire shop for tonight. However, we will be delighted to accept you at any other time. Shall you want-"

Feeling shamed, she cut him short as she walked away, "Like I will come here again, you useless fool!"

Her husband still stood there, though. His gaze was disgusting as he looked at Haruka. Haruka narrowed her eyes when the man audaciously greeted her, "Haruka-chan, it has been a long time."

The shop manager looked confused with the turn of event. But, Haruka had enough already. She told the manger, "I believe that everything has been handled here. Please call the security if Takamiya-san still refuses to leave." Then she walked back to the fitting area to check on the boy.

It took a few fittings and a hell lot of arguments to finally pick one set of clothes that Takaba-sama resentfully agreed to wear for tomorrow dinner. She told the boy to sit in the lounge and to enjoy the tea and snacks that were provided by the boutique while she was taking care of the rest. There was no need to pay their shopping now, of course. All bills would go directly into Asami-sama's account. But she wanted to secretly include a few more set of clothes that Takaba-sama tried before. It truly looked good on the boy. Besides, Kirishima-san had instructed her to buy a few additional sets for future events as well.

It was when she waited alone for the shop assistants to wrap everything up, that Daisuke Takamiya sneaked back and grabbed her from behind. His breaths felt awful on her skin.

"Don't pretend that you have forgot already, Haruka-chan. It hurts, you know. I miss you so much yet you act so cold towards me," the asshole whispered in a voice that she was sure toned purposely to sound husky but instead it sounded ridiculous.

She kept calm as she tried to reason with the crazy man, "Let me go, Takamiya-san and no one needs to get hurt. You have a reputation to uphold. What will your wife say shall she know what you are doing right now? Where is she anyway?"

Licking her earlobe, he replied, "I sent her home, of course. I know you wanted me to come back to you. You love me. Remember?"

Daisuke started to grope her body and squeezed her breast. Feeling totally appalled with this jerk, Haruka quickly grabbed the man's arms, planning to throw him to the nearest wall and giving him a lesson he wouldn't forget in the near future. This man was her biggest mistake and the only regret she had in her life. She should have known better than thinking that love might be there for her after all. When Daisuke dumped her to marry Takamiya's daughter, she didn't shed a single tear for him. Instead she laughed at her own stupidity. She lost her career at Takamiya's enterprise because Daisuke wanted to get rid of all evidences. But if Daisuke thought she was still the same fresh graduate girl he played around with years back, he would get a huge surprise. However, before she could do much, she heard an angry shout from the other side of the room.

"Hey, what are you doing to her?!"

Everything happened so fast as Takaba-sama suddenly launched himself into Daisuke. Haruka was shock that the lean boy apparently hid so much strength inside his body. The boy punched the older man over and over again as he yelled, "How dare you?! Don't your parents teach you to be respectful to women?!"

Daisuke tried to fight back. But it seemed the man got fat and slow with age. None of his blow even hit Takaba-sama. Snapping herself up from her amusing observation, Haruka moved to stop her boss' lover from seriously hurting the man. Actually, it was not a problem even if Takaba-sama ended up killing the asshole. Their legal department would clear everything right away and the boy's involvement wouldn't even be mentioned in any official report. But, she knew that his kind heart would make him feel extremely guilty afterwards.

"Takaba-sama, it is okay. I am okay," she tried to calm him down.

The boy was so angry, though, it took her some time to be able to completely separate him from the jerk. By the time she managed to do that, all the shop assistants had came out because of the uproar. She quickly did a fast check for injury. She was quite sure that the boy was totally okay from her previous observation, but it was always better to re-check. Tears streamed down the boy's cheeks, but other than that, he didn't get even a scratch. She released a relief breath.

The shop manager eventually came but froze at the sight. She calmly told him to call the security while she called Suoh-san to bring the car around. She asked the assistants to help bringing all their shopping. Takaba-sama was quiet as she led him to the waiting car in front of the shop. Suoh-san was ready to assist the upset boy to get into the car.

It was when they were safe inside the car that she heard Takaba-sama murmured dejectedly, "I am so sorry, Haruka-san."

She frowned, "Why? You didn't do anything wrong, Takaba-sama."

"I should have come sooner! Then you didn't have to go through that! But I was so mad at this whole shopping thing that I sulked. If I knew that the jerk did that to you, I would stop him immediately!" he wailed.

She smiled at his outrage, "Well, you didn't know. No one could guess that the man was crazy. But, thank you for defending my honor. Next time though, don't do anything dangerous like that anymore. I would be fine even without help."

"Of course not!" he quickly snapped at her. "That man touched you in a...a..," he paused, waving his hands around as he looked for a polite word to describe his thought before finally continued, "...a disgusting way! It would not be fine! I should help you, protect you!"

She almost laughed at the whole absurdity. She could send Daisuke to the hospital with serious injury in a mere 5 seconds. And this boy who was a few years younger than her claimed that she needed protection. But of course she kept it all to herself. Instead she teased him, "Are you trying to say that woman is weak, Takaba-sama? Because I can protect myself."

The boy's shock was obvious. "I didn't mean it like that! But you are my friend. I care for you. And Suoh. And Kirishima. Wherever you are, I want to help you if you are in trouble," he softly explained.

His honest admission stopped her from teasing the boy further. She looked closely at the younger boy who hanged his head in regret. Warm emotion filled her heart, but she wouldn't show any of it.

"You know what, Takaba-sama," she said calmly in an effort to distract the boy from his remorse, "Just now, you sounded exactly like Asami-sama when he talked to you. Well, of course, minus the lust you obviously have for each other." She grinned at the boy.

The boy immediately forgot his disappointment and shouted in denial, "What...what do you mean? I so did not sound like the bastard!"

She smiled, "Please forgive my bluntness, Takaba-sama. Didn't you just complain about Asami-sama safety precautions? He just wants you to be safe. I am sure he knows that you are strong and you can protect yourself. But just like you know I can protect myself and yet you still want to help me, it is the same with Asami-sama. Asami-sama cares for you. Indeed, the way he shows his care may not be in the way that you prefer, like when he asked you to buy those fancy clothes. But, people always want to do something for the person they cares about."

The stubborn boy instantly blushed. A beautiful shade of pink decorated his entire face, even to the tip of his ears. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to deny the notion, but he quickly closed it again. It was quite amusing, actually, to observe his awkward behavior. Haruka tried her best to hide her smile, keeping her face as straight as possible. Finally, Takaba-sama looked out of the car window as he muttered very quietly that she almost missed it, "I know. I care for him too."

A few weeks later, Kirishima-san told Haruka that the boy had disappeared.

The girl comes to Asami-sama office wearing clothes that, in a glance, makes her look exactly like the real Takaba-sama. Haruka freezes for a while, thinking that Takaba-sama has suddenly got tired of playing hide-and-seek since, no matter how long he hides and waits, they can't find him. Then, she takes a closer look and realizes that it is one of the replicas Kirishima has told her, Emi.

Haruka hasn't met any of those replicas herself because Kirishima prefers to handle everything that is related with Asami-sama personally. But, as Kirishima-san's assistant, she is the one who takes care of their needs behind the scene. Such as transferring their incredibly generous monthly allowances that always make Haruka shakes her head in disbelief. Well, considering the risk that they take, she doesn't think she feel jealous of their fortune, though.

Despite her boyish appearance, Haruka has to admit that Emi looks pretty. Looking at her slim body, no one will think that she just gave birth to two baby boys no more than two months earlier. Haruka sighs. At least, the girl has a better fashion sense than the boy. The color of her clothes accentuates her short light brown hair and hazelnut eyes.

Emi walks in a way that reminds Haruka of Takaba-sama. Even the way the girl stands looks exactly the same. It seems like every single movement of the girl is a perfect copy of Takaba-sama's. And for a minute, Haruka just stares at Emi as she feels goosebumps rise all over her body at the creepy similarities between the girl and Takaba-sama.

Shit, what kind of person does this kind of thing to other-

She stops the thought immediately. She already knows the answer. It is her boss. And it is not part of her job to comment on her boss' kinkiness.

"Emi-san, you shouldn't be here. If you want to see the twin, I am sure we can-"

But the girl cuts Haruka's sentence, waving her pretty hand arrogantly, "Where is Ryuichi? I want to see him."

Haruka frowns at Emi's rudeness. Who does this girl think she actually is? Not even Takaba-sama talks to any of Asami-sama's subordinates like that. And she dares to call Asami-sama by his first name. But Kirishima-san has trained her better to react to this kind of impoliteness. So she keeps her smile as she replies, "I am afraid Asami-sama is very busy right now. I don't think he will have time to receive your sudden visit at the moment, Emi-san. If you have any concern, I can pass it-"

"You think you can hide him from me, don't you, bitch?"

Haruka stares at the girl, her jaw hanging open in disbelief. Does she hear the girl correctly? Maybe the long hours working to find any trace of Takaba-sama and takes care of the twin has finally took an effect on her and she starts to hallucinate.

"I beg your pardon?" she asks carefully.

"Don't play deaf. You heard me. How dare you speak to me like that? Do you even know who I am?"

The last one is a very good question and Haruka also wants to know the answer. Because Haruka is quite sure that the girl is only one of those people who sold her body to Asami-sama and signed the contract to bear his children. And therefore, she believes Emi doesn't have the right to disturb Asami-sama unreasonably.

Before Haruka can form any reply, the girl answers her own question, "I am the mother of your master's children. I give him two healthy boys. My boys are his heirs now and it gives me all the rights as Asami-sama's partner. So, from now on, you will direct me as Asami-san and give me the respect I deserve as his wife and the mother of his children. Asami-sama is the king, my sons are his princes and I am the queen. Do you understand?"

No, Haruka doesn't understand. What is this "king" and "princes" and "queen" she talked about? Besides, last time Kirishima-san told her, Asami-sama's successor is still called Takaba Akihito. Well, considering that the person is missing right now and that the children are-

"Do. You. Understand?" Emi repeats with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Haruka decides it is time to end this disruption of her work. She still has a lot of tasks to do today and a boy to find before she needs to babysit the twins. They just received a report, informing that a person who looks like Takaba-sama has been seen in Korea. And now, Kirishima-san is somewhere in Korea looking for the boy. Suoh-san is downstairs organizing their men to gather as much information as they can get. Her boss is in the meeting room next door, battling a tough negotiation alone because all their resources are spent to find any traces of Takaba-sama. They really don't have the energy for whatever it is Emi wants. So, Haruka takes her phone and quickly presses the speed dial for Suoh-san.

It seems Emi realizes what she is doing because the girl quickly moves towards her. Taking a knife out from her pocket, she attacks Haruka. It is a stupid move. Haruka has certifications of a few different martial arts. So she easily kicks the knife out of Emi's hand and holds the girl's hands behind her back. Emi instantly curses at Haruka as she tries to get free from Haruka's tight grip.

But Haruka slams the girl into the desk, not too hard to hurt her but enough to let her know that Haruka is not her match in physical fight. It messes the things on Haruka's table, though, and the high pile of Takaba-sama's photos falls from its holders at the corner of her desk. Takaba-sama's daily reports from the last three years is scattered everywhere around them as Emi knocks the entire boxes down in her fight to break free. Haruka groans at the thought of filing each of those papers back into its corresponding section. It will take ages and she really doesn't have time for this right now.

However, Emi becomes very still and quiet after that. The girl stares in silent at the mess of papers and photos around them, unable to move due to Haruka's strong hold. Good, maybe now she will be more cooperative. What is wrong with the girl? Haruka will definitely report this incident to Kirishima-san later. Maybe it is better to bring the girl to see doctor immediately. She can hurt herself in her condition.

Grabbing her phone that now lies on the floor, Haruka quickly calls Suoh-san. The man answers instantly though he sounds tired. No one gets enough rest since Takaba-sama left. They all work very hard to find anything that can be used to find the boy. His parents, his so-called boyfriend, his best friends, his colleagues, his neighbors, even the people who works at the 24/7 store that he frequently visits. They trace down everything and everyone the boy meet and touch for the past few months. But so far, they have no success.

The only thing that they know right now is that the boy bought a round trip Shinkansen ticket and booked a hotel room in Osaka before he left, which distracted their attention for a while. He even had a real project there. But the boy's colleague told Kirishima-san that Takaba-sama canceled the job in the last minute. There are so many other traces in Osaka, and after a day searching, Asami-sama decided that it was all just distractions.

Once they moved their attention from Osaka, they managed to find another trace from Takaba-sama. Hong Kong's immigration informed them that their file noted the boy's entry into the country a few hours after his disappearance. They also logged the boy's departure less than three hours after that. Asami-sama contacted Feilong immediately, demanding the truth on his involvement in the boy's disappearance. But after a hell of threats and intimidations, Asami-sama decided that Feilong really didn't know anything.

Kirishima-san took the private jet to Hong Kong as soon as they received the report. However, he couldn't find "Takaba Akihito" listed in any commercial transportation from Hong Kong to any other countries. Neither he could find a passenger with the boy's physical characteristics. Feilong did everything in his power to help Kirishima-san tracking down most of the private flight but it was near impossible to find all of it, especially the illegal ones. The security camera didn't help much as well. However he did everything, the boy was very neat. They haven't got any other real trace since then.

As Suoh-san's men lead the now quiet Emi back to her own apartment, Haruka shakes her head wearily at the mess Emi left behind. The thousands of photos of the boy stare at her in their various still and silent poses.

Where are you, Takaba-sama? People who care are here looking desperately for you. Don't you care anymore?

The twins' cry wakes her up again that night. Haruka grumbles and moves to find her sandals. Her body feels heavy as she walks towards the children's room to see what their problem is now. She gets used to it already by now. But it doesn't make it any easier.

Haruka was speechless when Kirishima-san explained the whole situation to her a few months after the boy's disappearance. By that time, Emi was scheduled to give birth in a month or so. But the secretary just couldn't find someone that he could trust enough to take care of Asami-sama's children while they were looking for Takaba-sama.

The original plan was for Takaba-sama to take them in as his own sons once the twins were born. Then he and his so-called boyfriend can raise the kids in a normal environment with Asami-sama supporting them discreetly. But with Takaba-sama's disappearance, it was not a possible option anymore. They needed to make a quick adjustment. Especially since Asami-sama doesn't look comfortable to be near his own children. His boss practically goes rigid whenever his babies were near.

Well, biologically, the babies are his boss'. But legally, they are Takaba-sama's. All the official documents register both boys as Takaba-sama's children. It was a bit confusing in the beginning. But now she can understand the sentiment behind the decision.

It took a month until Asami-sama finally gave in and named the boys so that Kirishima-san could take care of the 'official' birth certificates. She couldn't blame her boss for postponing it until the last minute. Kirishima mentioned quietly that their boss hoped Takaba-sama would be the one who named the boys.

The older one is Takaba Rikiya. The younger one is Takaba Naoyuki. Strength and Happiness. She doesn't understand why her boss picked the name, but as the boys grow, she can see that the names fit both boys. Rikiya is calmer and stronger physically, while Naoyuki loves to laugh.

For the past two months since the boys were born, Haruka and Kirishima-san take turn to stay in the penthouse and help to babysit the babies. Suoh-san is definitely out of question since the man is impossibly awkward with children. Tonight, it is her turn. She walks quickly, two bottles of warm milk in her hands. She is afraid that the babies' scream will wake her boss anytime now. Asami-sama needs as much sleep as he can get.

However, she stops at the door to the children's room when she sees Asami-sama inside. The man holds Rikiya in his arm while petting Naoyuki in the babies crib with the other hand. She carefully walks toward her boss, aware that the powerful man knows her arrival the moment she steps into the room.

"Do you bring their milk, Haruka?" the man asks without turning to face her.

"I do, Asami-sama. I am very sorry to disturb your night. Please continue your sleep, I will feed them," she answers with a low bow.

The man stills for a while. Then, he turns and reaches his free hand towards her. "Give one bottle to me. I can help to feed Rikiya while you feed Naoyuki," he simply says.

Reluctantly, she passes one bottle to him. Holding Naoyuki in her own arms, she lets the peaceful silence calms her down. The only noises come from the boys sucking their warm milk hungrily. Feeling curious, she observes her boss from where she sits. It is weird to see how Asami-sama can behave so gently now considering how awkward the man with his own kids before.

"I thought you don't like to be near them," she absentmindedly says before she can stop herself. Shit, she quickly regrets it. She must be very tired that she can't filter her brain anymore.

Her boss doesn't look offended by her honest comment, though. He walks to stand near the long window, facing away from her scrutiny. His broad back looks as strong as ever though Haruka knows for sure that the man must be very tired by now. When he doesn't say anything for a few long minutes, Haruka thinks that he will ignore her slip of tongue.

But then, without looking at her, he says, "Well, I can't sleep and they are crying. I may as well help you to feed them."

He bends his head to kiss Rikiya. Calmly putting the baby on his shoulder to make Rikiya burp as if this is not his first time, he murmurs soft praises for his child.

"Besides, they are my only memento of him," he suddenly continues, his voice is cold and flat as if he is merely negotiating business like she has witnessed numerous times before. His icy tone is a complete contradiction to his words. Haruka can't see Asami-sama's face so, in the beginning, she is not sure whether her boss feels truly sad or not. Asami-sama just stands there silently, rocking his first-born son in his solid embrace.

But somehow, she can feel all the sorrow radiates from deep within him. It is so strong that it hits her speechless. She can't stand the sight anymore so she closes her eyes. She still doesn't believe that love is something meant for someone like her. But if love truly exists and there is someone out there who has the honor to see this thing called love first hand, moreover to receive it, then Takaba-sama is one of the lucky persons.

Wherever you are, Takaba-sama, she vows quietly, we will find you. Then I will punch you myself. I will tell you what a stupid mistake you had made. That's what friends are for, anyway.

When Arata sits in front of Mariko in the cafe, his sister looks nervous. She keeps glancing back over her shoulder. She even jumps in her seat when he touches her hand gently.

"Sorry, Arata, I am just-," she shakes her head to clear her mind, "I just feel that someone has been following me around for the last few weeks. But I can't be sure. Must be my imagination."

He straightens himself in alarm when he hears that. But his sister stops her with a wave of her hand.

"Don't mind me. I can protect myself. Your problem is our top priority right now. How is it? Do you hear anything from Akihito? Does the scary men who looked for him come back?"

Arata sighs as he answers, "No, they don't come back after the last time they barged in to our apartment. I called the police after that but they ignored my report. Even Kou starts to worry. Those men also came to him and Takato. Aki's parent told me that some men also questioned them around the same time. And so far, there is no news from Aki."

Rubbing his growing headache with his fingers, he continues, "Where is Aki? Does he get involved in something dangerous? It is possible considering his previous career in criminal photography. Is that why he wanted to break up with me, to protect me from his problem? What should I do? I am so worry about Aki, I don't know what to do."

Mariko doesn't know what to say. In her opinion, it is better for her little brother to move on and to forget Akihito. This whole situation reminds her of the time when her own husband left her with debts. Suspicious people knocked their door looking for him and the jerk was nowhere to be found. Will it be better if she tells Arata about seeing Akihito at that high-class neighborhood? She is still considering the options when she sees a person standing across the street behind Arata, staring intensely at her. She freezes. It is Akihito.

Akihito smiles at her. His hand brushes his light brown hair before he waves lightly. Mariko stands abruptly and opens her mouth to tell Arata. But a bus passes, blocking her view of Akihito for a short moment. And when the bus disappears, so does Akihito.