Chapter 6 *UNEDITED*
Two weeks passed in blur. Despite Chizuru's and Hijikata's heated argument in front of the crews, nobody ever brought it up but the growing tension between them was like a giant elephant in the room. Their friends noticed something amiss in the air but too afraid to point out the obvious.
Okita nudged Saito on the ribs. "Ne, Saito. What's wrong with those two?" He eyed Chizuru talking animatedly with Sen and Heisuke and Hijikata standing alone across the room. The tension between them were obvious yet neither any of the people in their meeting room wanted to state the elephant in the room.
"How should I know?" Saito brushed off his question, moved to stand beside Hijikata.
"Hurmm…" Seemed unsatisfied with Saito's answer, Okita stepped to Jade and whispered. "Do you know what's up with those two?"
Jade didn't say anything. She looked Kimigiku. She nodded in approval. "Apparently both of them got into a fight two weeks ago during their last photoshoot. It was quite a drama according to the staffs involved and it seems like Hijikata hasn't made any move to apologise to Chizuru-chan."
Okita nodded. He was away right after he finished his last project and missing the fun. Despite asking other people, he preferred to ask the main source herself. So, he casually strolled to where Chizuru stood and joined their conversation.
As for Hijikata, his action haunted him every second after witnessing her tears. He didn't mean to be such a pain in the neck but she sometimes pulls him to do things for the sake of getting reaction from her.
He knew from his past experience with women, they were – are troublesome species but with Chizuru, he couldn't help testing dangerous water. She was a very annoying human being he ever witness, her laugh was like the sound of cicadas in summer – very soothing and calming, her smile was like an ibuprofen; by taking or in this case - looking at it able to soothe his headache and her smell…was like fresh brewed green tea that he loves so much.
His fist clenched every time he was near her. He wanted to apologise for being such a jerk last two weeks but his ego was enormous to bow his head down. After been betrayed by his ex, he didn't find any significance to seek forgiveness from women.
His eyes trailed constantly towards Chizuru, who seemed to be laughing to whatever jokes Souji was telling along with Sen and Heisuke. How he wished she'd smile like that during his company, she often gave him reasons to do something resulted her to scowls and rolls her eyes at him.
Chizuru caught his stare; she scowled and rolled her eyes before averting his eyes back to the Sen. He chuckled lightly. She did it again. His train of thoughts were brought to reality when he heard Sannan-san's voice.
"Thank you all for coming. I want to announce your new job next week. All of you will be doing another photoshoot to promote Hokkaido's tourism and you'll be going there for a week. Before that, we have a new member, as requested by Japan's Ministry of Tourism to include him. He's a famous lead singer from Asia and North America's number one rock band, Oni. Kazama Chikage-san won't be able to come today but he'll be here tomorrow. I'll further discuss this project again tomorrow when he comes."
Souji nudged Hijikata lightly. How he moved from the other side of the room to beside him was beyond supernatural.
"Ne…Toshi-kun, ready to meet your nemesis?" Souji grinned.
Hijikata didn't comment. Souji knew the story between Kazama and Hijikata during their early career, six years ago. They started off as friends, working and helping each other in this harsh industry of entertainment, but because of one woman, their friendship turned sour.
Souji didn't give up. "Kazama Chikage, I wonder how he looks like in person now? Is he still with that girl Marrisa-chan?"
Blocking his words, Hijikata didn't move a muscle although he was tempted to give Souji his fist. The subject of Kazama Chikage pushed a sore button in him.
"Ne…ne…what do your thing?" Souji nudged again.
This little…Hijikat gritted his teeth. He pulled Saito, who stood on his left to swap places so he'll be in between Hijikata and Souji. Souji pouted when Hijikata didn't take his bait.
Saito sighed. He listened to their whispering just now and turned to Souji. "Really, Souji?"
Souji smirked in reply.
As their meeting coming to an end, Sannan-san asked Chizuru and Hijikata to stay and others dispersed.
When everyone was out, Sannan-san looked at two of his most demanded models. "Yukimura-san, Hijikata-kun, have a sit."
He continued when they sat in front of him. "I'm sure you know why I'm calling you two today."
Neither Chizuru nor Hijikata nodded. Sannan-san heaved a heavy sigh. Ever since whatever their arguments were, the working atmosphere seemed tense and wasn't a healthy environment to work in.
"Yukimura-san, care to explain?"
"He…I mean we argued about something. Personal." Chizuru stopped, without looking away. She was clearly aware of occasional brushing of Hijikata's shoulder next to her. His body heat triggered all her senses.
A few seconds passed in silence. "Okay…Hijikata-kun? Anything?" Sannan observed him.
"Yes, it was about something personal. We apologies for our inconvenient"
"Okay apology accepted. If your arguments were about personal things, I've no right to probe further. But…I hope both of you will settle it today. I don't want any problem between my employees after this. At least, not publicly." Sannan-san stashed away his paper in the file and stood.
"I wish both of you good day." He walked to the door and closed it silently behind him.
Chizuru and Hijikata didn't leave their seat and didn't acknowledge each other.
"So…" Chizuru started.
"What?" Hijikata asked.
"I think you owe me an apology."
"Really?"
His half-hearted reply irked Chizuru.
"Yes, Hijikata-san. You owe me an apology because you sir, embarrassed me in front of the crew." She poked her slender finger on his chest. His muscular chest. At least that was she saw.
"I embarrassed you? How about…you started the whole drama by acting like a spoilt princess?" He chuckled humourlessly, ignoring her finger's jabbing.
She jabbed again. Gosh, what a nice chest. She shook her thoughts away.
"I'm acting like a spoilt princess? Perhaps you should've told me the truth of what'd happened the night before. Oh another thing, stop spouting nonsense about 'us' in front of Kenji. Urghh!"
"Hurmm…was that the reason? I've already told you. Nothing happened that night. You were drunk, spilled your gut on my shirt and I was too tired to go back home so I slept next to you. Nothing more." He grumbled and continued.
"As for Kenji, he gets on my nerve all the time so I decided a payback. By the way, he likes you, Yukimura." He smirked as her irritated expression turned shock.
"He does not like me. He's my manager! You're such an idiot." She clenched her jaws.
"Will you stop calling me idiot?" His eyes narrowed. He knew their childish banter won't go anywhere if he didn't apologise to her first but he liked making her mad. Just the way her face turned red, big brown eyes shining with irritation and anger and her small pouty lips pressed into thin line turned him on.
"What should I call you? Idiot-san? Or Idiot-sama?"
"Yukimura…" His menacing glare would probably shut other people's mouth but it seemed to make Chizuru enjoy it more. He looked her in the eyes before slowly moving to her lips, much to her obliviousness.
"I-d-i-o-t-s-a-m – ompfhh"
Hijikata crushed his lips on Chizuru's. He shifted on his seat, to allow his body moving closer to her. His hands slowly touched her shoulder, moved gently along her neck and cupped her cheeks.
Chizuru was too astonished to react. As her brain registered his soft lips on hers, she started to pulled away but his warm palms cupping her cheeks trapped her head. His lips moved on hers, coercing her to move with him but her palms pushed his shoulder away and struggled to break free.
He'd had better idea. By nipping her lower lip, she moaned. He took the opportunity to deepen his kiss by sliding his tongue into her mouth. Chizuru bit his tongue and he growled softly. He kissed again, and again. Tracing her perfectly arranged teeth, he tested coffee. Probably from her breakfast.
Slowly, Chizuru's struggling turned moaning. Instead of pushing and smacking his shoulder, she slid her palms behind his neck and pulled him closer. She replied his kiss with the same intensity. Wow. This guy can kiss.
When he sensed her surrender and her desire to prolong their kisses, he pulled away, earning her small whimper of protest. Hijikata rested his forehead on hers.
"I owe you an aplogy. I'm sorry." He pecked her cheeks, stood and walked out of the room, leaving her completely confused.
What on earth was that?
A/N = Hello! I'm back again. I'm sorry for the late update. As promised, a new chapter of Beautiful Madness and sorry again if this chapter's short. I did try my best despite having this annoying writer's block. Please rate and review. If you want my other fanfic of Chizuru & Hijikata , please read 'Fated Woman'. Thank you. Happy weekend!