Chapter 3: Take it slowly

Sorry for the wait…the new chapter is here. Enjoy!

Hijikata stole a glanced at Chizuru from the corner of his eyes. She was laughing along with Shinpachi and Heisuke; oblivious to his brief glanced. He leaned against a wall and watch people passing by in front of him. His mind wandered back to what happened a week ago in Kyoto. He almost kissed her. He didn't mean to go overboard with his action; he only wanted to scare her, no…to tease her but his own heart desire overpowered his consciousness. He wasn't in his right mind that time because she was dressed in that lace peignoir or was it because she smelled like crushed lilies? Probably because the way she looked that time? Hijikata was confused the way he acted that night. Even though she talked to him occasionally after the incident but he knew she was acting professional. She talked to him because she had to. Not because of her own will. There were even moments when their so-called professional conversation turned a little awkward, she ended it with a bow and walked away. He couldn't do anything. He wanted to apologise but his pride is too big. Hijikata chuckled when he thought of his own ego. He rubbed his face and walked out of the studio to clear his troubled mind.

Chizuru saw Hijikata's brief glanced towards her. She bitted her lower lips. She felt guilty for treating Hijikata like that but she can't help feeling a little revenge on what he had said to her. His words hurt her pride as a woman. She sighed slowly, washing away the guiltiness she felt. He deserved it for playing with my feelings. She rubbed her neck at the back and the memories inside the changing room made its way down her memory lane once again. She blushed from her memories and continued listening to Shinpachi's new jokes.

"Nee Okita-san, did you see how those two react around each other? Even Miura-san has this hate aura radiating from his face whenever he sees Hijikata near Chizuru. What are you going to do now?" Jade whispered slowly to Okita who was seating next to her chair. Jade and Senhime still felt guilty for agreeing with Okita's plan. They apologised to Chizuru the next day after the incident and Chizuru said she wasn't mad at them. It wasn't their fault. Not even Okita-san's. They realised how the atmosphere changed between their two precious friends and it wasn't something pleasant. After contemplating for a few seconds, Okita turned his face to Jade and grinned slowly.

"I have an idea. I think it will work. Will you and the girls cooperate with me? I'll force the guys to work with me too. Just make sure that Kenji guy doesn't know. My instinct says he likes Chizuru. It'll be very bad if he knows about this"

Jade narrowed her eyes, unsure whether to agree or not with Okita this time. She doubted Saito will join him, Heisuke, Shinpachi and Harada would probably nag at him before agreeing.

"Oh come on Jade-chan! I won't do something stupid this time and I promise those two will thank me later." Okita grinned convincingly.

"All right. Just this time though." Jade shrugged. She listened intently to Okita's plan. Her face brightened up with every word she said. She nodded vigorously and gave her slyest smile.

The next day…

As Okita was hoping, Kenji wasn't with Chizuru. He got work back in Sagittarius and won't be able to be around Chizuru the whole day. Okita smiled knowing his plan will work according to what he had thought. After having their meeting with Sannan at 8 am regarding the progress of their current Luxurious' runway project, they immediately went to the studio. Not many people were at the studio in the morning except for a group of rookie models getting scolded by Nakamura-san nearby the runway. Almost feeling sorry for the newbies, Okita walked to Nakamura-san to ease the tension atmosphere surrounding them. He gave his brightest smile when he greeted Nakamura-san.

"Good morning Nakamura-san! Looking lovely as always." Okita clasped both his hands at the back. His eyes sparkled.

Nakamura-san stopped her nagging. She turned towards Okita. "Good morning Okita-san. What brings you here smiling like a fool?" Nakamura narrowed her eyes, eyeing him up and down.

"That's not a nice way to greet me today Nakamura-san. You know I've always been a very naughty pupil but I love you as my sensei never the less. Ah! It's not good for your skin if you get mad easily. Wrinkles are hard to fade." Okita's sarcasm earned a few snorts from the new models. He smiled at them; appreciating their compliment.

An annoyed vein popped on Nakamura's forehead. "If you're here to make me angrier than what I already am, please leave immediately. I have urgent business to do rather than wasting my time with you."

"Hahahaha…Don't worry. It won't take you long miss pretty Nakamura-san." Nakamura's tensed face relaxed slightly upon hearing the word pretty. Okita smiled with his good choice of words. "I just want the key to ladies' make-up room number 3. You see, yesterday I gave my changing clothes bag to Jade-chan. She unintentionally left it inside when she was doing her make-up. Silly girl but I forgive her because she's a cutie. She's very afraid to ask the key from you so I ask you on her behalf. After I'm done I'll give it to you back." Okita flashed his emerald puppy eyes to Nakamura-san.

Nakamura narrowed her eyes again. She reached her hand into her left pocket and handed Okita a piece of key attached with a huge keychain with Virgo logo embedded on it. "Here's they key. Don't lose it. I can't afford double work on making new duplicate for the door. Give it back to me after you're done."

"Thank you Nakamura-san. Have I told you that you're the best? I think I haven't but now I do." Okita flashed his gorgeous smile. He took the key from Nakamura and walked away to where Jade, Kimigiku and Senhime were. He talked to the girls in a slow tone. Making sure nobody would hear them. Chizuru wasn't with the girls. She seemed busy talking with Shinpachi and Sanosuke in a serious expression. Hijikata was reading a magazine on the nearby chair; Saito and Heisuke were nowhere to be seen.

"Ok Jade-chan. I think we can proceed with our plan now while we don't have anything new to do. I have the key with me. After you go, I'll work my way with that stubborn guy. Who will get Chizuru? Are you Jade-chan or Kimi-chan or Senhime-chan will?" Okita asked and looked at the girls' faces.

"I'll do it. She won't get suspicious much." Kimigiku volunteered herself.

"Kimi-chan! I love you! Both of us were scared on how to persuade her after what happened." Jade and Senhime hugged Kimigiku in grateful manner. Kimigiku rolled her eyes at their exaggeration.

"Cool! I like the way you're thinking Kimi-chan. No wonder I think you're very suitable with Shinpachi." Okita teased her. Kimigiku's face turned red. She huffed towards Okita and turned her face away with arms folded across her chest. Okita laughed at her reaction and said "We shall proceed now. Ok girls. Disperse."

The girls dispersed from their little meeting. Jade and Senhime went to the backstage, Kimigiku walked towards Chizuru and Okita made his slow pace towards Hijikta. He was buying time for Kimigku to approach Chizuru.

"Nee Chizuru-chan. Can you come with me to the make-up room number 3? I need to fetch a few stuffs. It's too much for me to carry those things myself." Kimigiku interrupted Chizuru. Chizuru looked at Kimigiku.

"Yeah sure. Why not? Sorry Harada-san, Nagakura-san. I've got to help Kimi-chan." Chizuru smiled apologetically to the men.

"That's all right. Go ahead. Hey Kimi-chan! Are you sure you're asking Chizuru? Not Shinpachi?" Harada grinned. Kimigiku's eyes widen at his bold statement. She quickly grabbed Chizuru's wrist and walked away from them to avoid further teasing from Harada.

"Hahahaha…She's very cute when she embarrassed. Don't you like her Shinpatchi?" Harada elbowed Shinpachi who seemed to be red in the face; affected by Harada's teasing.

"Shut up!" Shinpatchi slapped Harada's back.

"What kind of stuffs you're looking for Kimi-chan?" Chizuru asked as they were inside the room. She eyed the stuffs around the room full of hanging costumes on the racks, mirrors all over the wall, high chairs, hair curlers stacked in a basket on the make-up table and opened boxes with a lot stuffs inside.

"The things must be inside the other room. We should look at it first." Kimigiku pointed to the other room smaller than the one they were inside. That room was more like a walking closet full of magical things like shiny dresses and glamorous shoes. At least that was what Chizuru thought. Kimigiku turned on the light and went inside. She pretended to look for things amongst the hanging dresses. Chizuru helped her searching but she had no idea what she was actually looking for.

"Chizuru-chan, I suddenly need to loo. Can you look for me a bag about this size for me?" Kimigiku gestured her hands of the bag's size. "It is a black bag with red handles. You'll know once you find it. Oh! On the inside, there is my grey knit cardigan; the one that you like and with a pair of pink sports shoes. Sorry Chizuru-chan. Need to go now." Kimigiku left Chizuru even before she got to say something. Chizuru pouted her mouth. Just now she told me she has a few stuffs. Sounds like only one bag to me. Chizuru mumbled to herself. She sighed and continues searching for the non-existent bag. Kimigiku glanced behind her shoulder one last time before she left the room with the door slightly ajar.

Meanwhile…

"Toshi, Hajime-kun we need to go to the dressing room now. Fukuyama-san told me the suit has arrived. All of us have to be there." Okita said to Hijikata and Saito. He smiled slightly to Hijikata. Saito pretended not to notice that. He quickly got up and walked towards the dressing room. Hijikata didn't say anything and just followed Saito with Okita walking beside him. He already told Harada, Shinpachi and Heisuke to wait quietly nearby the number 3 room because they have to pass that room before going to men's dressing room. When they reached exactly in front of the room, Okita stopped walking. Hijikata too stopped walking. He looked slightly puzzled at Okita. Okita gave his mischievous grin.

"Sorry Toshi. You'll thank me later. Guys!"

Hijikata couldn't ask Okita what he planned to do when Harada, Nagakura and Heisuke shoved Hijikata into the number 3 room, closed the door in a loud bang. Okita immediately locked the door from the outside and leaned against it with arms folded across his chest. He smiled widely to the guys as if he was appreciating their cooperation, ignoring the loud smacked from the inside and Hijikata's curses to him.

"Shit! I will kill you Souji! Open this damn door now! I swear I will kill you without hesitation. You little brat! Open this door!" He smacked the door with all his might. He was so furious that he didn't realised Chizuru was behind him, looking a little scared with the sudden commotion.

"Ermm…Hijikata-san?" Chizuru said softly. Hijikata couldn't control his anger that he burst it out on her.

"What the hell do you want?" He turned around to see who it was before his face falter into a surprise expression. Chizuru clasped both her hands on her chest. She was afraid of his current state.

"I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get mad at you. I was furious with the brat out there. I'm sorry again." He looked flustered at her. Suddenly he forgot that he was mad at Okita when he saw her terrified face. Chizuru didn't say anything. She was still stoned at where she was standing. "By the way, why are you here?" He walked slowly towards Chizuru. His voice softened a little.

"Ermm..I was supposed to help Kimi-chan looking for her stuffs but I guess she won't be back here again for a while." Chizuru answered while looking at the closed door behind Hijikata's shoulder. She took one step behind as Hijikata approached her. Sensing her discomfort, Hijikata stopped his pace. He suddenly remembered their "not so good" situation after the incident and turned around. He grabbed the nearby chair, sat on it with his back facing her.

"Yeah. I guess it must be one of their plans. I have no idea what the hell is going on inside that brat's head but one thing I know is that we won't be getting out of this room for a few hours. Unless we're lucky enough, we'll get out in an hour. That brat has the key. He controls everything. Shit! I'm going to kill him after this." Hijikata voiced out his anger in between his clenched teeth.

Chizuru didn't reply. She sat on the floor, leaned against the wall with both her knees towards her chest. She wrapped her arms around her knees, looked at Hijikata's back with a peculiar feelings inside her heart. She liked his broad shoulders. It seemed like very comfortable to lean on after a tiring day. I wonder if I can put my forehead on that shoulder with his pair of strong arms around my waist and smelling his sandalwood scent.

"Yukimura…" Hijikata called Chizuru slowly, bringing back her attention to reality.

"Yes?"

"You know with the thing that happened last week?" Hijikata stopped his words. He gathered his courage to settle the problems between them once for all.

"Hmmm…" Chizuru answered. She buried her face in her knees, afraid to know what he wanted to say next.

"I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean those words and doing that to you." Hijikata whispered slowly.

"Hmmm…" Chizuru answered shortly. She was holding back her tears, trying her best to control the sobbing that threatened to escape her mouth.

Hijikata reckoned she must be crying right now. He wanted to console her but he was afraid to turn back as he was struggling with his ego. "Yukimura…"

"…"

Hijikata sighed. This is not a good sign. He thought. "Chizuru?"

Upon hearing her first name, Chizuru burst into the tears she was holding back. She couldn't control her sobbing anymore. Her body shook uncontrollably. "Don't worry about that. I don't hold any grudge or anything. I know you didn't mean those words and those…those…kisses." Chizuru got up and continue searching for the bag. She was too embarrassed to face him after she said that last word boldly. She wiped her tears with the back of her hands pretending to be busy searching behind the hanging dresses, ignoring Hijikata's footsteps towards her then she suddenly felt a pair of hands clasped on her shoulder; forcing her to stop whatever she was doing.

"I'm sorry." Hijikata turned Chizuru around to face him. He looked directly into her slightly read eyes, looking for a piece of forgiveness from her. Chizuru turned her eyes away, feeling disappointed. She was hoping he would say he meant those kisses because he made her heart jumbled up in one sided emotion.

"I've told before, didn't I? Don't worry about it. Things happened unintentionally." Chizuru sighed. "Ok. To make you feel a lot better, how about we just get back to how we used to be? Hijikata-san and his mysterious aura and as for me, back to ol' plain Chizuru. Agree? Hahaha" Chizuru forced herself to laugh cheerfully although her laughter didn't sound very sincere.

Hijikata looked intently into her eyes before he too smiled. "Ok but I have to agree with one thing, I don't possess your so-called mysterious aura. I'm more like a handsome actor." Hijikata said those last two words rather smugly. He flashed his grinned, made Chizuru's heart stopped beating. Chizuru replied by rolling her eyes to heaven. They were both startled by the sound of door opening. Hijikata immediately took his hands of her shoulder. Chizuru dismayed by the loss of his touch. She quickly pushed the thought away from her head.

"Wow. We're going out of this room a lot faster than I thought." Hijikata saw Okita smirked at him. "Souji! I'm going to kill you now!" Hijikata rushed out of the room with the speed of light, chasing laughing Okita along the hallway, earned laughter from Harada, Shinpachi and Heisuke. Saito smiled slightly and he turned towards Chizuru. His gaze on her was like asking Chizuru if she's ok and Chizuru beamed back at him. She put her hands at the crock of his arms and walked away from the room together with the other three men. Oh well. At least everything has gone back to normal.

That night at Chizuru's apartment…

"Come on Chizuru-chan. Tell me what he said?" Jade asked before scoping a spoonful of ice-cream into her mouth.

"Yeah Chizuru-chan. After all of our hard work, there must be something he said to you. Ouch Kimi-chan. That hurts a bit." Senhime frowned when Kimigku combed her hair.

"Sorry Sen-chan."

The three girls decided to do a sleepover at Chizuru's apartment that night. All of them finished working quite late and they were too lazy to take train back home. It was their made up excuses because they initially wanted to pry out something from Chizuru and they knew she will do whatever it takes to avoid their question if they ask her during their work.

"He didn't say anything. Really he didn't. Trust me." Chizuru looked at them convincingly. She swallowed hard when three of them narrowed their eyes at her. Not convinced by her little white lie. Chizuru sighed slowly. She knew she wasn't the best person in the whole universe when it comes to lying. People could read her expression and she hated that.

"Ok fine. He did say something." Chizuru mumbled slowly, looking down at her fingernails. Hmmm…I should paint it violet. Like the colour of his eyes. Her thought was interrupted by Kimigiku's question.

"And? What did he say?"

"He said he was sorry for you know…kissing or..should I say teasing?...yeah. He didn't mean the words he said and he didn't mean every single kisses that night. The end." Chizuru looked at their wide eyes.

"Just that? JUST THAT? Urghhh!" Jade put down her ice-cream pint loudly, making Chizuru, Senhime and Kimigiku startled by her sudden outburst.

"What a jerk! He should have told you that he loves you. What is wrong with men nowadays? Urghh.." Jade stuffed some ice-cream into her mouth again. "I mean come on Chizuru-chan! You like him right? And I'm pretty sure he likes you too. I just have this feelings that he likes you..a lot. The way his eyes look at you. Pfttt…even a kid could tell that." Jade said in between swallowing the ice-cream inside her mouth. "Ouch! Brain freeze!" She put both her index fingers on the side of her templates.

Senhime laughed at her clumsy reaction. "Are you psychic or what? How come you could tell he likes her? I mean he looks scary all the time. Oh well. At least not to me because I've known him for a few years now but for some people he is a scary person." Senhime shrugged her shoulder, disagreeing Jade's opinion.

"No I'm not lying. I mean…have you actually look at him in the eyes? It looks so pure, innocent and serene. His deep blue eyes, his soft looking indigo hair. Oh dear. I would get severe nosebleed if he gazes at me like that." Jade smiled like a love-struck teenager. Her expression immediately disappeared when she heard Kimigku snorted.

"Innocent? Deep blue eyes? Indigo hair? Are you sure you're talking about Hijikata here? Or perhaps you're describing Mister Saito Tranquil Hajime?" Kimigiku smirked at Jade. Jade turned red and her eyes widen.

"N…n…no…Not Hajime. I'm talking about Hijikata-san." Jade stuttered. She grabbed the nearest pillow and covered her blushing face.

"Hajime? Hurmm…you sure are bold Jade-chan. I'm sure a certain someone would be happy if a cute girl calls him by his first name and without honorific at that. So romantic." Chizuru giggled.

"Hey! We're talking about you right now. Not about me." Jade replied. She fanned her blushing face with the spoon she was holding.

"You're the one who started it Jade-chan. You brought up your personal description of Saito-san." Senhime smiled sweetly at Jade. She replied with a menacing glare.

"Enough about me. Tell me more about your feelings to Saito-san. Since when did you start to like him? He's a quiet man. I don't think you're attracted to him because of that right? Or was it because of his soft looking indigo hair?" Chizuru asked, leaning closely towards Jade. Jade pushed the pillow on her lap to Chizuru's face, earned her a small scream from Chizuru.

"Apart from his soft looking indigo hair, I've known him since I was in high school. We didn't go to the same school but I met him on my way back home at the train station. His school was near to mine because I recognised his uniform. That day, I saw him standing near a huge sakura tree in front of the station's entrance. He thought wasn't distracted by the noises around him. His face expression was so calm and his beautiful deep blue eyes gently dazed at the blooming sakura. His indigo hair was dancing with the wind that carried sakura petals around him. I swear that time my heart stopped beating. It was the most beautiful scene I've ever witnessed in my life and I realised I was holding my breath. My asthma suddenly came and I dropped on my knees nearby him. I remembered that day was the most embarrassing moment ever. I was so panicked that I literally forgot where I put my inhaler. Hahahaha." Jade stopped at the moment to look at them if they were listening. Chizuru, Senhime and Kimigiku were fascinatedly listening to her. Jade continued her story.

"Hajime must have heard me fell on the road, he quickly ran towards me. He looked into my eyes with his stunning deep blue eyes and asked if I was ok; I shook my head vigorously. In between my short breath I asked him if he could find my inhaler inside my bag. He grabbed the bag from my shoulder, opened every single zip and turned the bag upside down revealing everything inside on the ground. When he saw my inhaler, he immediately helped me with it. After seemed like a few minutes, my asthma subsided. He picked up every single item and put it into my bag including my tampax box. I face turned red when I saw him holding that thing. His face was slightly red but I'm sure he was just keeping his cool façade. After making sure I was really all right, he left me there to catch his train. I totally forgot to ask his name. Next day, I went to the same place at the same time for the whole week, I didn't meet him at all. I thought that yesterday was the first and the last time I ever see him. Three years after I graduate from high school, I quit college to pursuit my dream of becoming a model. I went to Sagittarius interview and I got accepted. I guess it was fate when I met him once again there. He didn't recognize me of course and I never bothered to remind him about that incident. I just kept quiet and love him from the shadow. Every single day, I watch him with my eyes, silently praying he'll return my feelings. But…"

"But…?" Chizuru, Senhime and Kimigiku asked at the same time.

Jade took a deep breath. "But I am very sure he already has someone in his heart." The situation turned silent until Senhime broke the silence.

"I don't think he has anyone. I mean I heard Nagakura-san and Okita-san joked around about finding a girlfriend; they asked if Saito-san wanted to join along or he already has one…fortunately, Saito-san denied the latter fact with his usual demeanour." Kimigiku grinned at Jade. Jade's face brightened up.

"I guess it's never hurt to confess to him. You've known him like officially for almost what? Four years? It's not like he knew your name last 24 hours. Who knows if he has feelings for you too but too shy to confess? Did you see his face when he complimented you in Kyoto? He blushed like a little girl. What an adorable chap. Very suitable with my dear friend here." Chizuru beamed at Jade.

"We should do barbecue this weekend. I could ask my uncle to lend his villa in Chiba. We could invite the guys too. It'll be perfect for you to confess to Saito-san."

"Saito-san complimented her? How come I've never heard about that? You should've told me in Kyoto! You're very cheeky when it comes to Saito-san." Senhime pouted. Jade laughed at her sulking expression, threw a pillow to her face.

"I'll give you a full report to you after I confess to Hajime…Ok?" Senhime threw back the pillow to Jade. Later that night, the girls had pillow fight sleepover until early morning.

Jade yawned, later followed by Chizuru and Senhime. The three girls rested their heads on the meeting room's table. It was only Kimigiku who wasn't seemed to be affected by the lack of sleep and she looked perfectly energised. Heisuke noticed their tired face, looking at them in confusion.

"Woah! What's up with the tired face? Don't tell me you girls are still hangover?" The girls raised their heads as soon as they heard Heisuke's voice. He scrutinised each of their faces. His forehead frowned in deep thought.

"We're not hung over Heisuke-kun. We had pillow fight last night and ended up sleeping at 4 am. Oh God. I'm so sleepy. I don't think three cups of expresso will keep me awake." Jade complained with her eyes closed.

"Ehhhh…you girls had pillow fight and never bothered to invite us. How hurtful my heart is right now." Okita interrupted their conversation.

"Why should we invite you of all people? We were having girls' time. Not something boys should join." Senhime looked at Okita's face with a bored-looking expression.

"But I want to know how girls have fun? Did you girls talk about any of us? Like maybe Jade fantasises Hajime-kun wrapping his arms around her waist. Nee Jade-chan?" Okita flashed his Cheshire cat's smile. Jade's eyes popped opened. She looked at him in disbelief. Her face turned red to the root of her hairs. Thank God Hajime isn't here yet. She thought.

"No! Why would I imagine that? I've got a lot of things to think about. Not something trivial like that." She waved her right hand, dismissing his words.

"Ouch. Isn't that very hurtful Hajime-kun?" Okita eyed behind Jade's shoulder. Her heart suddenly stopped. She couldn't breathe. Shit. I didn't mean that. She didn't dare to turn her head to look behind. Just pretend you didn't say anything.

Suddenly Okita laughed. He clutched his stomach and wiped his eyes. "You're so easy to read Jade-chan. You really like Hajime-kun, aren't you? Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. By the way, Hajime-kun isn't here yet." Okita winked. Heisuke giggled at Jade. Kenji just smiled. He wasn't closed enough with Jade to meddle with her love interest. He watched their little teasing silently.

Jade let out a breath she was holding back. She narrowed her eyes to Okita and stuck a tongue out in mockery before putting her head back on the table. A couple of minutes later, Sannan entered the meeting room followed by Fukuyama, Hijikata, Saito, Harada and Shinpachi. Sannan started their usual morning meeting after everyone has settled down around the table.

"Good morning people. It's nice to see all of you again looking fresh and full of power except for Yukimura-san, Zhang-san and Shinchiro-san. Hopefully you girls aren't recovering from hung over." He looked at the girls with a smile on his face. Chizuru swear his smile sometimes send chills down her spine.

"Of course not Sannan-san. We had sleepover last night and slept quite late. You know gossiping and stuffs." Senhime answered.

"Good to hear not due to late night drinking because I can't afford to have my best female models go to work hung over. I have works assigned to each of you here. As for last week, the work was in Kyoto with the whole group. But this time, it'll be different." He looked across the room and continued "The famous energy drink company, Square Root sent a request to recruit Okita-san, Saito-san and Zhang-san to be in their latest advertisement. They were impressed by the advertisement three of you did four months ago for Sun Sweet healthy drink. These are the details. Three of you will be away for three days near the sea." Sannan fetched three transparent folders from Fukuyama and handed to them.

"Shinchiro-san and Harada-san will join Virgo tomorrow and the day after in recruiting new models. Two of you will assist another three people as interviewers. I don't have the information with me but you have to go to Virgo straight after this meeting to report yourselves. They'll give more details afterwards." Sannan looked at Harada and Senhime.

"Todou-san and Abe-san will have photo shoot with Wedding magazine at their studio for two days starting tomorrow. These are the details and you're required to report yourselves too after this meeting." Sannan handed them two sets of four-piece of papers.

"Nagakura-san, Calvin Klein wants you to join their advertisement for men's undergarments. You'll be joining models from other agencies at CK's studio. It'll be for two days. This is the details. You'll report to them early in the morning tomorrow." Sannan handed him four pieces of stapled papers.

"Sweet! I can't wait to show off my growing muscles. Hahahaha" Shinpachi laughed out loud, gesturing both his arms to show off his so-called beautiful muscles.

"As for Hijikata-san and Yukimura-san, Nutella wants you for their latest advertisement. They saw your pictures together for Luxurious in Kyoto last week and they said both of you seemed to have the perfect chemistry they were looking for. It'll be for three days here starting tomorrow too. Both of you won't need further details. They will inform you tomorrow before photo shooting." Sannan smiled at them back and forth. Chizuru gulped. She slowly peered at Hijikata seating on the further side of the table. He returned her looked with a blank face. She quickly turned her eyes the other way. He's back to his scary self. Chizuru thought.

Kenji scowled in dislike. He eyed Hijikata and Chizuru unpleasantly. Ever since he punched Hijikata in the face, he didn't apologise nor felt guilty. That guy deserves it. Hijikta will be sorry for messing up or trying to take Chizuru away me. He realised the sour atmosphere between Chizuru and Hijikata and he liked it. He folded his arms across his chest and scrutinised their faces again.

Hijikata sensed a pair of nasty eyes looking at him. He turned his head and saw Kenji eyeing him with disagreeable face. Hijikata smirked at him; his eyes glanced at Chizuru and back to Kenji. Kenji clenched his teeth; holding his anger from outbreak. You dare to challenge me!

"Nee Hajime-kun…Are you excited for our three-day getaway? I'm sure Jade-chan is too excited that she won't able to sleep." Okita slung his arm around Saito's shoulder as they walked out from the meeting room.

"I'm not having fun like you Souji. I take my work seriously." Saito replied in his usual serious face.

"Ehhhh…too bad than cuz' I think Jade-chan is extremely excited that she can't sleep tonight. She's very much looking forward to our getaway or should I say getaway with Hajime-kun? Hahahaha…Make sure you bring your cutest swimming outfits." Okita said in slightly higher voice, making sure Jade who seemed to be listening to Heisuke in front of them heard their conversation. Jade did though. Damn you Okita. She gritted her teeth. Heisuke snorted in between his conversation when he saw an angry vein popped on Jade's forehead.

"You really like Hajime-kun aren't you Jade-chan?" Heisuke asked slowly. He forced his lips not to smirk. Whack!

"Shut up!" Jade stormed away from him after leaving a good smack on left shoulder.

Ouch! Scary woman. Heisuke mumbled slowly, rubbing the sore area.

To be continued…

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