FANFICTION - Tell me how you lost me - Chapter 16

 Satoshi’s POV

It has been over a week since Yokohama and I was still at a loss whether to call her or not. I was sitting in our dressing room, staring at the painting I made while holding my cellphone, confused on what to do.

“Satoshi, the painting’s gonna melt in 3 seconds if you continue to stare at it.” Sho remarked.

“Huh?” I did not realize that he has been watching me the whole time.

“I know you want to call her but why are you hesitating?” he asked again as he sat beside me and joined me in staring at the painting.

“I don’t know what to say.” I replied.

“Well why don’t you tell her you want to show her the painting. She wanted to see it right?” Sho advised.

“Am I hearing this right? Sho Sakurai giving Ohno-kun advice on girls.” Nino said as he entered the dressing room.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sho asked.

“Betsuni.” Nino answered smirking.

“Anyway, going back to Ohno-kun’s dilemma, I still think you should give her a call.” Sho said.

“I hate to say this but I agree with Sho-kun. Instead of sulking and wondering about the possibilities, why don’t you pick up the phone, dial her number and talk to her. You know you’ve actually been spacing out most of time the past week. Not that you don’t space out often but it got worst and it’s getting creepy.” Nino said as he sat on the other side of the couch, joining both Sho and I as we stared at the painting,

“I told you, I don’t know what to say plus I’m not sure if she wants to talk to me. There’s also the question if she’s still here in Japan.” I said.

“Well you’ll never know unless you dial her number and talk to her.” Nino said handing me my cellphone.

“ But… but…but…”

“ No buts Satoshi. We’ve had enough. If you’re thinking that we aren’t affected with what ever it is that’s bothering you, then you’re wrong. We are more than affected, First, you’re getting sloppy with the dance routines, second, you space out more than usual and lastly, I get annoyed with your endless sighs while you stare at that painting.” Nino scolded.

I turned to Sho as if asking him to help me but he just shrugged his shoulders.

“Yosh! I guess I have to do this.’ I said as I dialed and waited for the other line to ring.

Riya’s POV

“ Riya-chan… Riya-chan… RIYA-CHAN!!!”

“Huh?”

“Snap out of it! You have been blankly staring into space for the last 10 minutes with that silly grin painted on your face. What’s wrong with you?” Ai asked as we were sitting on the bench waiting for the bus.

“Nothing. I just remembered something.” I lied.

“ Don’t give me that crap. You’re day dreaming again aren’t you?”

“No. I told you I just remembered something.” I replied guiltily.

“Yeah right. Come on Riya you’ve been like that for almost a week. Snap out of it. You only got 2 weeks left. I think it’s time you enjoy Japan rather than daydreaming while holding that necklace or staring at your camera.”

“Don’t worry Ai, I’m enjoying Japan more than you can imagine.” I replied as the bus came to stop in front of us and we started to board.

“Riya-chan, that is beside the point. You have two weeks left and until now you have not decided whether you’re gonna stay here or not. “

“Ai, two weeks is enough time for me to decide whether I want to stay or not.” I reasoned while holding the necklace around my neck.


“I know that. But not on my end. I need enough time to arrange your papers. Will you stop smiling like an idiot?”

“What? I can’t help it. Ok, ok. I’ll decide by the end of the week.” I assured her as we got off the bus.

“Ok I’ll hold on to that. Anyway, let’s have lunch at the newly opened restaurant across the street. I heard the food’s really great and cheap.” Ai said as we entered the building that houses their company.

“Ok as long as it’s your treat.” I replied.

“It’s always MY treat.” Ai said.

We were waiting for the elevator when her phone rang.

“Who is it?” I asked excitedly.

“I don’t know. The number’s not registered on my phonebook.” She replied.

“Oh…” I answered sounding a little frustrated.

“Moshi moshi? Hai! Ai desu. Dare desu ka?”Ai asked the person on the other line.

I was about to step away from her and move closer to the elevator door when she grabbed my wrist. I looked at her and saw her mouthing something in between answering the person on the other line.

“What?” I asked her in a low voice.

She began pointing her cellphone excited while still trying to tell me something.

“What?’ I asked again.

“Chotto matte.” She told the person on the other line, covered the mouth piece before saying …

“Ohno... here … Yokohama… you … eat… lunch..” she said the words while holding her breath.

“Huh?” I was confused.

“Ohno’s here in Yokohama and he’s asking if he can have lunch with you.” she said in lightning speed.

“Yeah right. You’re not gonna fool me with that crap.” I retorted before turning my back at her.

“No. no. no. no. no. Not kidding….true… true…” She said while shaking her head. It’s funny seeing her become really stupid at times considering she’s the vice-president of their company.

“What are trying to say?” I asked her

“What I’m trying to say is, Ohno’s on the other line and he’s asking if you want to have lunch with him.” She replied sounding annoyed.

“What? What? What?” I was panicking.

“Stop panicking. Just answer, do you want to have lunch with him?” She asked.

“Ye… ye.. yess…” I stuttered.

“Hai Ohno-kun. Hiru yasumina Juni ji kara desu. Ja ne.” Ai said before flipping her phone close.

I was still too stunned to talk as Ai dragged me inside the elevator. We were already inside her office when I was able to pull myself together and ask her.

“What did he say? Is he really here? Does he really want to see me?” I asked her non-stop.

“Slow down… I’ll answer them one at a time. Yes , he’s really here. I guess he does want to see you since he’s invited us for lunch. He’ll come at around 12NN. Satisfied?”

“Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” I exclaimed as I dropped down onto the sofa while trying to suppress the scream that wanted to escape from my throat.

“Riya… I don’t want to burst your bubble but …” I began

“But what?” I asked.

“He’s an idol. He belongs to no one. Rather he belongs to everyone. Don’t do anything stupid. OK?” Ai said in her more serious tone.

“Ai… don’t you think I know that? And what stupid thing could I possibly do? It’s not as if he wants to marry me.”I replied.

“I know. But most of the time you tend to forgo logic for your impulsiveness. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Don’t worry I won’t! I’m just trying to live this dream one moment at a time.” I replied.

The hours to seemed to slow down towards 12:00. I kept glancing at the wall clock every 15 minutes.

“Here. So you won’t strain your neck.” Ai said as she placed the clock on top of my desk seeing that I was not able to get anything done in the past 3 hours.

The minute the clock struck 12 I stood up, took my bag and walked towards, Ai’s desk.

“What?” she asked as she looked up from being to immersed in the papers in front of her.

“It’s 12” I said as I pointed my watch.

“He hasn’t called yet. Let’s wait for him to call. OK?” She replied as she returned to the papers she was signing.

At exactly 12:02, Ai’s cellphone rang. I quickly stood up from the sofa and rushed towards her.

‘You’re not excited are you?” She mockingly asked before answering her phone.

“Hai… hai… ja ne…”

Ai stood up, got her bag and headed towards the door without even saying a word.

“AI!!!!!” I shrieked.

“What?” She replied as she was about to open the door.

“Where are you going? You did not even tell me who that was on the phone.” I demanded.

“I thought you knew. You were waiting for that call remember? What are still doing there? Let’s go. They’re waiting downstairs.” She replied as she walked out of her office and headed towards the elevator.

“Aaaiiii… wait up.” Was all I could say after grabbing my bag and running after Ai who was now holding the elevator door open for me.
I was holding my breath as the elevator door opened upon reaching the ground floor. By the time we were in the lobby I was already a bit blue from holding my breath not to mention shaking uncontrollably.

“Riya... breathe. If you don’t you’re gonna collapse any minute.” Ai remarked trying to hold the laughter.

We were nearing the front door when someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

I anxiously turned around to see who it was.

“Hisashiburi desu ne.” The guy who has been the subject of my millions of daydreams said as he bowed. Beside him stood, Nino who had the look that was between, amusement and disbelief.

Lunch was a bit relaxed. It felt as if we knew one another for quite sometime. Although conversing with them was a little bit tough for me since Ai had to translate it. I was able to grasp a few words and phrases from their answers. Thanks to that rush Japanese course I took before leaving. We were in the middle of deciding what dessert to eat when Nino asked.

“Riya-chan, how long are you going to stay here in Japan?”

I almost choked on the juice I was drinking.

“Yes Riya-chan, how long do you INTEND to stay?” Ai repeated the question. This time with emphasis as if letting me remember our conversation earlier that morning.

“Ahhmmm, well… I… I’m still thinking about it.” I awkwardly replied.

“Ah sou ka? Anou… Coz if your staying long, Satoshi was wondering if you would like to come to Tokyo and watch our concert.” Nino asked while sheepishly looking at Ohno

“Of course she’d like to come and watch your concert. When is that?” Ai answered for me since I was too shocked to answer.

“It’s next week. If you guys could come, give us a call and we’ll give you your tickets. Ok?”

It looked really strange that both Ai and Nino were talking in our behalf since Ohno looked too shy to talk while I was still in a state of shock.

“Ok so it settled. We’ll see you next week. So what do you guys want for dessert?” Nino asked while browsing the menu.

“Chocolate.” I quickly replied.

“Riya… I thought you…” Ai, asked

“Screw the allergies! I’m just so happy right now that I need to eat chocolate. Just don’t forget to bring me to the hospital if I get worse.” I replied.