CHAPTER 11 (PART II)The News tour bus went straight to the hotel where they were to stay. It was already dark, and most of the people on board were already asleep, including Yamapi. He hadn’t slept properly since the breakup, and being able to sleep that long, strangely put him into a better mood. They were all woken up by the staff, and all were relieved to see Yamapi not grumpy, the way he always is when he’s been woken up by someone.
“I think I forgot her already.” he said confidently, as they boarded off the bus and walked to the hotel, swarmed by the crew and assistants.
“See? Sleep and rest is all you needed.” Ryo said, patting his back.
“Probably.” he replied.
Mao and Koichi arrived in Osaka earlier than they expected, since Koichi’s car broke down along the way and they had to stop at a gas station to have it fixed. Koichi, the cool guy that he is, called up a hotel and made early reservations for two rooms beforehand, so they needn’t worry about where to sleep over. Miraculously, he and Mao arrived just in time for dinner and they planned to have fancy dinner in the restaurant there in the hotel. They checked in to their rooms and changed before going downstairs to have dinner.
“I’ll be down in 5 minutes. You go ahead.” Mao said to him. Koichi went ahead downstairs to the in-house restaurant while Mao got ready. She looked out the window, and pictured Yamapi leaning against it, the way he did the last time she was in a hotel. She quickly erased the image, and went out of the room.
“Pi, we’re hitting the onsen. Their onsen is the best here. You coming?” Koyama invited, wearing a bathrobe already.
“Nah. I think I’ll eat first. I’m hungry.” he replied, and looked for the room service number on the bedside table.
“Alright then.” Koyama said and went out of the room.
Yamapi looked at the menu card beside the phone and took him forever to pick something. He didn’t know why, but every dish on the menu reminded him of Mao, especially ramen. He decided not to eat in the end and follow the guys to the onsen. He put his bathrobe on and went out of the room. He casually walked to the elevators and ran when one of them was about to close.
“Chotto matte!” he said, running to the closing doors.
He was too late, but not too late to catch a glimpse of who was inside—Mao, arms crossed, head tilted upwards. The doors closed before he even realized it was her—or was it just his imagination? He stood there immobile, like a mannequin, unable to decide whether his mind was playing tricks on him or not. He got on the next elevator, still in a daze. No it can’t be, he thought. What’re the odds of that happening. He walked haphazardly to the onsen, his mind in a blur.
“Sorry, did you wait long?” Mao said as she sat down with Koichi. Everyone eating looked elegant, matching the place.
“No, it’s okay.” he said, waving her off.
“It looks expensive here. Well of course, it’s a hotel.” she giggled, looking at the menu.
“People are recognizing you already.” Koichi pointed out, after noticing people constantly turning their heads to Mao’s direction.
“Yeah, they’re probably thinking ‘It’s that Gegege no Kitaro girl.’”
“Wouldn’t they know you more from Hana Yori Dango?”
“Gegege was popular too you know.”
“Speaking of popular, seems like there’s another celebrity here too. A group, I think. People were scrambling in the lobby awhile ago. I didn’t see who they were though.”
“Ooh maybe it’s L’arc~en~ciel or the Hikaru Genji guys. I’d get their autograph.”
They ordered their dinner, and without realizing it, they looked like a couple on a date.
Yamapi’s head was elsewhere again, while they were in the onsen. The guys were talking about dirty and x-rated things as usual, but Yamapi kept quiet the whole time and didn’t join in.
“Pi, you better enjoy this free time we have, because tomorrow is going to be hell.” Ryo said, his wet stringy hair covering his eyes.
“Yeah, I better go up and get some sleep.” he said wearily, and put on his bathrobe.
Tego was about to stop him, but Koyama signaled no, and let Yamapi go. Yamapi couldn’t contain himself and hurried back to the room to change and went downstairs to find out if he’s just really seeing things. He didn’t know why he’s so worked up looking for her; if she was indeed there, why should he care? They weren’t anything anymore, except mere co-workers. He looked for her in the lobby, causing people to gawk and ogle at him. Nope, not there. He headed next to the gift shop, where the cashier there almost fainted at the sight of him. Not there, either. Alas, he proceeded to the restaurant. At first, he had a hard time spotting, since there were a lot of people In the area, but then there she was—sitting prettily, smiling and cutting her food. He was 100% certain it was her, in the flesh and it sent tingly sensations all over his body. It felt like he hasn’t seen her for a long time, he forgot how pretty she looked. But halt! She was not alone. She was with none other than Koichi, on what seemed like a date. His body was telling him to go over there, beat him up, sit in his chair, and sweep Mao off her feet again, but his head was saying to let it go, that she was not his anymore and that she’s clearly happy without him so he had to back off. He felt as if he’s been stabbed in the back and for a split second, he swore he heard his heart crumble to minuscule pieces. He knew his head was way smarter, so he backed off, and left. He had mixed emotions—shocked, angry, disgusted, devastated, sad, crushed, and everything in between. It made him dizzy, he needed fresh air. He went to the pool area, which was a good idea, because it was the only open place where it’s deserted, quiet and breezy. He sat on one of the beach chairs and sat there for a long time, staring at the aquamarine glow of the pool.
“Thank you for dinner. It was oichii.” Mao chirped, as they got up from their seats.
“You better sleep well tonight. Tomorrow we have a full day ahead of us.” Koichi said.
“I’ll call me mother first to let her know where I am. Ugh, there’s no signal here.” she grumbled, frowning at her phone.
“Try outside. The outdoor pool is right that way.”
“Okay, thanks. You go ahead. And goodnight.” she said, and they went separate ways. She walked towards the entrance to the outdoor pool and dialed on her phone.
“Ma? Hello?” she said, as she stepped outside.
“Ma, it’s me. I just called to tell you I’m in Osaka…I’m in a hotel…No, I’m with Koichi…No, he’s a friend…Ma! No! That’s gross, we sleep i separate rooms, God…Just, take care, okay? I’m fine. Goodnight. Send dad some love from me. Ja ne.”
She hung up and shook her head amusedly at her mother. She missed her sorely. She turned to leave, but then…
“You moved on pretty quickly, don’t you think?”
A voice spoke up from the dark, and it caused her to jump back in surprise.
“Heh? Who’s there?” she breathed, squinting her eyes to make out the outline of the person sitting on one of the beach chairs. She came closer and her eyes widened into a big round shape.
“Pi.” she exhaled.
“Kon~ban~wa.” he said, rather casually.
“W-what are you doing here in Osaka?” she stuttered, unable to believe he was right there in front of her.
“Business stuff. What about you?”
“V-vacation…”
“Ah. Good to know you’re enjoying yourself. Good to know you’re in good hands too.”
Mao sighed and rubbed her arms. What a cold night.
“Can I sit here?” she asked.
He scooted aside to make room for her and she sat down beside him.
“Actually I’ve been doing good too. I’ve went to karaokes, and clubs with the guys. We’re touring for a bit and I’m thinking of throwing a party in the hotel room tonight.” Yamapi lied. Mao faked a smile and hung her head. She clasped her hands together and rested her elbows on her knees.
“Honestly…I came here to cheer myself up. I spent days in my house alone, crying and sleeping. In short, crying myself to sleep. I haven’t eaten either. And then, just when I needed someone most, Koichi showed up at my door, and promised to cheer me up. So we came here because being there all alone will just keep reminding me how sad I should be. I’m here to put everything past me.” she said softly, fixating her gaze on the bluish light the pool gave off.
Yamapi heaved a sigh a tousled his hair. There was no use lying.
“Same here. I’m probably doing worse than you. I’m having mood swings, tantrums, hissy fits, sleepless nights, I’m in a Mao withdrawal phase.”
She laughed a little bit. It was like they quit cold turkey and they were both in a withdrawal period.
“I wanted to back out of our drama. I told Johnny.” he said in a hushed tone.
She looked at him, as if taken aback.
“Why? I can’t do kissing scenes with anyone else.”
“Yeah I kind of figured I’d die if I let anyone else kiss you, so I’m still in the game. I signed a contract.”
“Oh. Good.”
“Just admit it. I’m a great kisser and you want more of me.”
“Baka. You’re the only person I can trust to do kissing scenes with me. It has nothing to do with your tongue skills.”
They laughed quietly in unison. They were back to they way they were before they decided to become more than friends. It wasn’t exactly something they wanted to happen, but it was better than having to avoid each other.
“You’re going to be busy ne?” she asked.
“Yeah. We’re only staying here for 1 night. You?”
“At most 2 nights. Then I’m going back to school, then do our drama.”
Yamapi nodded. He was still certain he wasn’t going to school for awhile. He’d have to take special exams. As much as possible, he had to keep a certain distance from her, it was bad enough they were going to be in a drama together.
“Gambatte, Pi.” she said encouragingly.
“Gambatte, Mao-chan.” he repeated.
“Yosh. I’ll see when I see you. Goodnight.” she said, and stood up.
“Mao-chan.”
He stood up and they faced each other.
“Can I hug you? A friendly hug. I think it’ll make me sleep better tonight.”
She was hesitant at first, but she opened her arms wide and he wrapped himself around her, and it was, for them, the most soothing and breathtaking hug they’ve ever had in their life. It felt so good they didn’t let go immediately.
“Goodnight, Pi-chan.” she said.
“Kawaii.” he whispered, and they both smiled as they finally let go.
She began walking back inside.
“Don’t say goodbye.” he called out.
“I won’t.”
Then she was gone.
“I still wont let go.” he said to himself and stared at the spot where she had stood.
--END OF ELEVENTH CHAPTER--
