There's no way I can be falling for Bansai, a criminal, a wanted person, an assassin! I'm already worried about people getting the wrong idea of me working with the Kiheitai, why did I end up having feelings for someone like him?!
"Michiru-chan! We need to hear which print works best for the skirt!"
After a hard blink, the woman expanded her eyes, staring back at Tsu and two other women. One bespectacled and the other having her hair in a ponytail. The latter duo placed a black and orange kimono, part excluded being the aforementioned print for the clothing.
Three had been on the table, all of them orange and pumpkin shaped, but the eyes and mouth differed. One had triangle eyes and square toothed smiles, the second contained heart eyes and pointy teeth; finally, the third's eyes and teeth were square.
The older woman with her hair in a short ponytail pointed an index finger at the one with heart eyes. "I think this is more fitting for Otsu-chan."
"I find it cheesy," The female with glasses disagreed. "Triangle eyes are the classic ones."
"That's not true. You should go for more modern prints."
Shooting a glare at the woman across the table, she assumed, "Are you trying to say I'm old-fashioned?"
"You two!" Raising her hands in front, Michiru raised her voice enough to catch their attention.
Tsu reiterated, raising a sole digit up, "As I said, we need to hear Michiru-chan out! Blacked out brain!" Maintaining eye contact with the assistant, she asked, "What do you think we should go with?"
Reminding herself of the opinions from the two designers, she contemplated, I don't like the one with all squares and I find the last one boring, so…
"Hearts."
Barely stifling a snicker, the ponytailed designer said, "Then it's settled."
Michiru pursed her lips. Why are they treating this like a competition?
"We'll sew these on as soon as possible. Thank you for your input."
Soon, the duo left the room, leaving behind her and the idol. It couldn't have been more alleviating for Michiru, as the thick sigh she held back since meeting with the designers slipped past her lips.
"Is something wrong?"
She turned to Tsu, who halted when there was an ample amount of space between them. The girl furrowed her eyebrows while locking eye contact.
Michiru hesitated, "What do you mean?"
"You seem upset, even hardly saying anything other than yes or no. Did you hate how the kimono looked?"
"I didn't hate it!" She piped, raising her hands up in a swift move. "It's not related to the kimono! I know it's not finished yet, but it's nice so far!"
Though a small smile held onto Tsu's features, she inquired, "Michiru-chan, what's wrong? Are you on your period?"
Gawking at her, Michiru thought, Of all questions, why a personal one? Although, my period is coming up in less than a week. Ugh, I'm not looking forward to it…
Smacking herself inwardly at the unwelcomed reminder of her menstrual cycle, she made her response, "I'm not on my period. It's more about how I feel for a certain person."
Releasing a gasp, Tsu placed the tips of her fingers below her lower lip. "Having love problems?"
"Basically." Michiru scanned her eyes around the room in the midst of blinking multiple times. "Listen, Otsu-chan. I appreciate you worrying about me, but it's not something I can explain easily; it's rather personal."
"Oh. I'm sorry." The singer tilted her head until glancing at the floor.
She held a small smile. "It's all right. You didn't know."
The door reopened, revealing Ichi this time. A tall box positioned on one of her forearms, hand pressing against the side to hold it in place.
"I've brought lunch," She informed the other two. "There's enough for all of us."
Widening her smile until spreading across her entire face, Tsu chirped, "Ooh, lunch! I'm starving! Sharp broken toenails!"
"Terakado-san," Michiru said, stepping beside the manager. "I'll eat soon, but may I use the restroom first?"
Ichi gave her a single nod. "Try not to take long."
In the middle of mirroring the motion did Michiru hurry out the room, darting off to the right.
It took her a moment or two to reach the restroom and lock herself in one of the stalls. When finally sighing again, Michiru rested her back against the door.
What am I gonna do? She pensively asked, teeth digging in her lower lip, eyes squinting as well. Running her fingers through some dark locks, Michiru's figure quivered at the thought of falling for someone as infamous as Bansai. She wasn't one to deny something when it ended up being the opposite of what she felt. Something like this, however…
A ding came from her cellphone.
"Huh?" Michiru pulled her phone out, flipping it open with her thumb. The pixelated envelope making its appearance on the screen brought her eyes to widen a tad, mostly for the name in it.
"Guess I shouldn't be surprised it's from Bansai…" Trailing off, gravity pulled her body towards the floor. Even after sitting, Michiru assumed the dreaded boulder put enough weight on her shoulder blades for her to pierce through the tile.
It's related to how I acted while we watched the concert together. I mean, I can't hide my nervousness very well, so it must be the case!
A small part of her didn't want to open the message. Even the single guess on what the subject involved caused her legs to rub together, creating friction.
But I'm sure he expects a response from me, so I might as well read it.
As much as she dreaded, it had to be done.
Opening the text at last, it read, 'Will you be able to meet me at the boat by midnight this evening?'
At first, Michiru's lips scarcely parted while staring at it, mainly the end of his question. Speaking of time, it became apparent keeping track of it exited her mind, because it turned out five minutes ticked by.
I need to get back soon. Gotta make a reply.
Doing so, she typed a single word. 'Sure.'
What else can I say right now when I'm basically going through an emotional crisis?
Michiru shut her phone after sending it to him. Instead of reinserting it in her pocket, she tightened her fingers around the cellphone. When a bit of water formed in her eyes, she buried them in her other hand.
"I don't care if he doesn't reciprocate. I'll need to be honest with him sooner or later, even if I don't wanna believe it myself."
Later…
Throughout her shift, it grew increasingly difficult for Michiru to concentrate on her tasks. Not to the point of being completely devoid of reality, but enough for Ichi to say her name once in a stern tone.
That was right. She couldn't afford to get caught up in her emotions when supposed to be working. Ichi already gave her a warning; Michiru needed to be entirely conscious while on the job, even more so when mentally reiterated. Still, it didn't mean she could easily disregard her feelings for him. How would it be possible when she had to not tell anyone of her seeing, let alone making somewhat normal conversations with him?
In the darkest part of night, rain poured heavily, making it clear it wouldn't end anytime soon. While the noises of the thundering downpour filled her ears, Michiru paid little attention to it. Instead, she slid her feet in the sandals, additionally reaching for her red parasol.
Upon briefly opening her phone, the time read, 23:26.
Letting out a sigh, she inserted it in her sleeve. Michiru turned to face the hallway, half-expecting Mika to suddenly wake up, asking where she headed and the reasoning for her to go out at this hour.
Empty.
Making quick shakes of her head, she told herself, I hope she doesn't find out I'm not home.
The scenario of it alone twisted her gut. At this point, Michiru lost count on how many secrets she kept from her twin sister. Huge ones, especially. Despite this, the most she did was suspire. With the way she kept reacting since the last time she and Bansai saw one another, it grew too much for her brain to try comprehending. For now, she needed to focus on her meeting with the musician. One she partially dreaded, but Michiru demanded herself to go through with it.
Otherwise I'll end up hurting myself.
She opened her parasol right as she used her other hand to slide the door to the side. Without another thought or spoken word, Michiru stepped out, bringing the parasol over her head.
He told me it's in the same area, so I'm sure I'll figure it out.
She resisted the urge to pretend the opposite. No way would she lie to herself when already doing so with most of the people she knew.
After a deep breath, the woman locked the door, soon starting away from her home. Michiru didn't dare to spare a glance behind; if she did, she was convinced it would've led her to subconsciously return.
While promenading through the rainfall in silence, visuals of Bansai from each of their encounters brought her to tighten her hold on the handle. Michiru's chest tensed, bringing her fingers to tug on her yukata, the area where her heart was. Instantly, she sensed it beating quicker and harder than she believed.
Only once did she say anything throughout her gradual walk.
"Hope I can at least calm down while seeing him."
To be continued…