Happy ten everyone! :)
Chapter 10: New Zealand Offset
"We have an entire day off," Misaki said, excitedly. "I can't wait to check out New Zealand!"
"There's this huge casino we could check out," Vivian suggested.
Misaki looked at her brochure. "But don't you want to go hiking? White water rafting? Sky diving?"
"I hate sports," Sakura pointed out. "Let's go check out the city. There's a ton of museums and shops. They filmed Lord of the Rings here too, did you know that?"
Misaki looked sadly at her plans. "I guess..."
"If you want," Sakura said. "I'll do a hike with you later."
"It's okay," Misaki said, tossing the brochures on a picnic table. "The city will be cool too."
"Okay, awesome," Vivian said. "Let's get going then...maybe we should invite some other people like Mr. Hottie over there."
Misaki turned and blanched. Tora?!
"Let's not..." Misaki muttered.
"Hey Tora!" Vivian yelled. "What are you doing on your day off?!"
Tora looked over and smirked. "Why, you interested?"
"Care to share?" Vivian asked.
"Going to go sightseeing around the city and then try the sports here."
"Oh," Vivian said. "That's what we're doing too. Want to come with? Misaki has been looking for someone to do the rafting and stuff with."
"No, it's fine," Misaki interrupted. "I'll just go with you guys. We can go shopping," she quickly added, hoping that will convince them not to leave her with Tora.
"Okay, I'll grab Kyle. Let's all go together," Tora suggested.
"Perfect," Vivian said.
Misaki sighed and went along with everyone.
Takumi stretched out his arms. He didn't get what the fuss was all about. All he wanted to do was enjoy some peace and quiet on his day off. Everyone else was running to the city.
His foot stepped on something so Takumi bent over and picked it up. It was several brochures. It looked like Misaki's handwriting and circling on the paper.
"Hmm..." he said, pocketing them.
Maybe not so peace and quiet anymore...
"Wow, this tastes amazing," Sakura said, nibbling her fish and chips.
Misaki chewed on hers as they went window shopping. It was hard to look at things when she had a pair of oversized Gucci sunglasses on her face.
"Are you bored?" Kyle asked.
Misaki looked up. "No," she lied.
"You're not talking very much,"
"I'm eating," Misaki said, holding up her carton of fish and chips.
"What do you think of Benedict?" Tora asked. "Compared to Jim Graph."
Misaki shrugged. "Jim Graph was very organized. Benedict makes it up as he goes. I feel bad for Regina..."
"Do you think they're together?" Kyle asked.
"Regina and Benedict?" Sakura asked. "Impossible."
"They kind of do suit each other," Vivian agreed. "Benedict doesn't like anyone else's opinion but he tolerates Regina's and Regina puts up with a lot of Benedict's craziness."
"What do you think?" Tora asked Misaki.
"Uh...I didn't notice anything special."
"Of course not," Tora said. "Little Miss Innocent."
"Don't call me that," Misaki snapped.
"You shouldn't have that attitude to the guy who taught you how to kiss properly."
"Ouch..." Kyle said. "That's rough."
Misaki didn't even have anything to say to this guy. She simply turned and walked away from the group. She didn't need this from anyone.
"Misaki!" Sakura called after her but Misaki didn't respond. She just kept walking until she disappeared into the crowd.
She wandered a bit on the streets and then sat down at a cafe. She ordered an ice cream and slowly ate it. It was really good, vanilla with honey comb.
Misaki felt pissed though. So what if she sucked at kissing? So what if she wasn't interested in gossip? These were the times that Misaki felt out of place in this industry. She didn't mind being alone but it did get kind of lonely sometimes.
"I've never seen someone sadder when eating ice cream," someone said.
Misaki looked up and flipped up her sunglasses.
"What do you want?" she muttered, recognizing him.
"Nothing really," Takumi said, sitting across from her. "Your friends just left you? What happened to the buddy system?"
"I left them," Misaki said, licking her spoon.
"You know it's dangerous to travel alone,"
"It's broad day light..." Misaki said, flatly.
"So why the long face?" Takumi asked, studying her.
"No reason."
"Liar."
"I'm not a liar!" Misaki exclaimed, too quickly. "I'm just not into shopping and casinos," she added, taking a big mouthful of ice cream.
"Are you interested in this?" Takumi asked, tossing the brochures on the table.
"Where did you get those...?" Misaki asked, studying him.
"I found them by the trailers. Are you interested? White water rafting isn't that far from here."
Misaki felt her spirits brighten. "Really?"
Takumi nodded. "Is that a yes?"
Misaki hesitated but nodded.
"One condition though..." Takumi said, resting his elbow on the table.
"What?"
"You give me a bite of that ice cream,"
"Deal," Misaki said, sliding the cup over to him.
"What are we waiting for then?" he asked after a bite. "Let's go!"
"Wait," Misaki said. "Should we get a taxi? Vivian has our rental car."
"Don't worry. I have a ride," Takumi said, grinning.
Misaki was hesitant. "How do I know you're not going to dump me in some ditch and drive away?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
Takumi laughed. "You have my word, Princess."
"Don't call me that," Misaki said, without realizing they were swapping lines.
"Such chemistry," Takumi mused. "I'd be heartbroken if something happened to you."
Misaki rolled her eyes and let Takumi show her to where he parked. "So what kind of car did you get...?" Misaki's voice trailed off. They walked over to a shiny new motorcycle.
"I never said I had a car," Takumi said, smirking and tossing her a helmet.
"I've never been on a motorcycle," Misaki said, toying with the helmet.
"It's simple. You just hold on and don't fall off- not that that happens," Takumi added. He slid on his own helmet. "Are you scared?" he asked, amused.
"No!" Misaki exclaimed, putting on the helmet. "I just don't trust you."
"You should," Takumi said, getting on. He patted the space behind him. Misaki gingerly slid on. "Wrap your arms around my stomach," Takumi instructed.
"Why would I- Ahh!" Misaki exclaimed as he revved the motorcycle into action.
Misaki tightly wrapped her arms around him as he pulled out of the curb and down the road. The feeling was pretty thrilling once Misaki got over the initial nervousness. The helmet kept the wind out of Misaki's eyes and so she was about to watch the people and shops go streaking by.
"Fun?" Takumi asked.
"Yes!" Misaki admitted.
They zoomed down the streets one after the other. Turns freaked Misaki out at first. The motorcycle would tip slightly and Misaki found herself unconsciously holding onto Takumi tighter. They finally pulled up to a lodge. Misaki got off and pulled off the helmet. She could hear the rushing of the water.
"See, we're both still in one piece," Takumi said, taking her helmet.
"I guess," Misaki said. "Let's go inside."
Turns out white water rafting was a favorite for tourists. Misaki and Takumi had to wait a half hour before they were put into a group.
"Helmet, life jacket, oar," the instructor noted, checking each passenger. "Everyone comfy?"
They all nodded and the instructor got in. Two men pushed them off into the rapids.
"Whoa," Misaki exclaimed as they began coursing down the river.
"Paddle to the right!" the instructor ordered.
It was a lot more tiring than it looked. Misaki's arms beat against the current to help propel the boat forward. Shrieks of excitement rippled through the boat as a huge wave crashed onto the rubber surface.
"Hold on," the instructor warned. "This is the steepest part!"
Misaki's heart was racing as they splashed their way through the rapids.
"Fun?" Takumi asked.
"Yes!" Misaki yelled as they were splashed again. It was hard to hear with the loud currents though.
"I'm soaked," Misaki said, wringing out her hair after they returned to the lodge.
"No kidding," Takumi said, tossing her a towel.
Misaki dried her arms and legs and wrapped it around her neck. "Did you bring extra clothes?"
"No. You?"
Misaki shook her head. It was quite funny how they were both soaking wet.
"I think I saw a gift shop in the lodge," Takumi suggested.
Misaki nodded and they looked around. Ten minutes later, Misaki was dressed in a light blue t-shirt with the lodge logo, sports bra, cheap athletic shorts and plastic sandals.
"Breath taking," Takumi teased, looking Misaki over.
Misaki blushed. "Touché," she said with bravado.
Takumi had on a ridiculous t-shirt too as well as swim trunks but he somehow pulled it off.
"Yeah," he agreed, sliding on his sunglasses. "The gift shop needs a better selection."
"Should we head back?"
"Let's go see if we can find a dry cleaner," Takumi suggested holding up his bag of wet clothes.
"Okay," Misaki said. "How much cash do you have left?"
"I have a credit card."
"In New Zealand?!"
"Well, I'm not walking around carrying a bunch of cash," Takumi said. "It's impractical."
"Oh..." Misaki said, sliding on her own sunglasses.
They walked around until they finally found a dry cleaners. They got their clothes dried and then found a bathroom to change back into them.
"What do we do with these clothes?" Misaki asked.
Takumi shrugged. "Keep the t-shirt maybe. We can donate them to the shop."
"Okay..."
Afterwards, they got back on Takumi's motorcycle and returned to the big city.
"I'm hungry," Takumi said.
"Where do you want to go eat then?" Misaki asked.
"How about here?" Takumi asked, stopping at a little shack. "Looks pretty authentic to me."
"Sure," Misaki said with a shrug.
The elderly lady there made them a kiwi salad and then kept giving them other dishes to sample.
"Wow," Misaki said, taking a bite of the shrimp. "This is really good!"
Takumi just chewed thoughtfully. Misaki ripped off a piece of a fluffy like pancake and stuffed it in her mouth. There were mussels, fish and lots of kiwi.
Misaki's phone vibrated as they were eating.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Misaki! Where are you?!" Sakura exclaimed. "Why haven't you been answering your phone?!"
"Sorry," Misaki said. "I went white water rafting. It was so much fun!"
"Where are you?" Sakura asked again. "I was so worried."
"I'm Uhh..." she glanced over at Takumi who explained it to her quickly.
"Misaki!" Sakura exclaimed. "Are you with someone?!"
"Uh...kind of..."
"A stranger?!"
"No...Just Takumi."
"Just Takumi..." Takumi mimicked.
Misaki smacked him in the shoulder.
"Oh okay," Sakura said. "Well, don't let me disturb you and your date! Bye!"
"Sa-"
The line went dead.
"It was Sakura," Misaki said, shaking her head. "I forgot to tell her where I went."
"With your handsome kidnapper," Takumi said, rubbing his chin.
Misaki rolled her eyes.
"I like you," Takumi said, after a pause.
Misaki's face went bright red. "DON'T SAW SUCH THINGS SO CARELESSLY, YOU IDIOT!"
Takumi had his poker face on. "I meant I enjoyed your company," he said to Misaki's embarrassment. He paused and smirked. "Could it be that Misaki has romantic feelings for me...? It would explain her rushed reaction to my innocent and friendly confession."
"No!" Misaki exclaimed. "No…" she said again when she couldn't think of anything else to say. "You're just a fellow actor."
Takumi tsked. "And all this time I thought we were friends," he said, dramatically. "The breaking of my heart."
"Stop it!" Misaki muttered, embarrassed.
Takumi just smirked. "Dessert?" he suggested as if they hadn't even had the conversation.
"Fine," Misaki said, tapping her nails on the table. "Can we go back after this?"
"Your wish is my command."
Misaki just glared at him and ordered a dessert.
"Thank you so much," Misaki said, scraping up the last of her fruit tart. "It was delicious."
The lady nodded, smiling. Takumi paid her and they were back out on the streets.
They drove back to the trailers more slowly, taking more time to admire the scenery. Misaki found resting her head in between Takumi's shoulder blades extremely yet disturbingly comforting.
"Misaki!" Sakura said, running over. "I'm so glad you're back!"
"You shouldn't have just taken off like that," Vivian added. "We were worried."
"Sorry," Misaki said. "I'm just not interested in clothes."
"That's okay," Vivian said. "I'm just glad you're back in one piece. Did you have a good time with Takumi?"
Misaki nodded. "We went white water rafting."
"Was it scary?"
"More thrilling," Misaki explained.
"Want to go workout later?" Vivian asked. "I need to keep in shape."
"Sure," Misaki agreed.
"I'll walk on a treadmill," Sakura announced.
They drove out to a gym in the city later that night. It was just like any gym back home except maybe not as luxurious.
Sakura power walked on a treadmill, Vivian lifted weights and Misaki ran on an elliptical.
"So," Vivian said between reps. "Why the sudden interest in Takumi?"
"Interest?"
"I would call that a date," Vivian stated.
"I guess we're kind of friends," Misaki said, breathing hard as her legs furiously pumped under her.
"He seems to like you," Vivian said, dropping the bar onto the ground.
"No way," Misaki said. "He just felt bad for me."
"I think Takumi does like you," Sakura agreed. "I've never seen him interact with anyone else like that."
Misaki just shook her head. "It's not like that."
"Well, are you ever going to date someone?" Vivian asked, lifting again.
"It seems so unlikely," Misaki said. "There's different shooting schedules, different sets, and all that drama. I don't think I can handle a relationship."
"Hook ups?"
"No!" Misaki exclaimed.
"You're too uptight," Vivian sighed. "If you can't get love, hookups are fun too. Relax, anything can happen in Hollywood."
"Except we're in New Zealand right now," Misaki said, lightly.
Vivian sighed and they returned to working out. Misaki did some weights and Vivian took a long run on the treadmill.
"That felt great," Misaki said, wiping her face with a towel.
"Definitely," Vivian agreed, taking a long drink from her water bottle. "Who's ready to start shooting again tomorrow?"
"I guess we all have to," Misaki laughed. "Benedict doesn't take no for an answer..."
"Of course," Vivian said, patting Misaki's shoulder. "But we'll be in this together," she said, confidently.
"Literally…" Misaki said, laughing. "Tomorrow is our fight scene I believe."
"May the toughest woman win?"
"Or the one the script says…"
"You're gold, Misaki Ayuzawa," Vivian said. "This movie is going to be a blast."