I'm so sorry for updating this later than I should have. Chapter 1 was done quite some time before though. Just didn't know if it was time to post it but here it is. I won't hold on to it until Chapter 2 is done. I guess, letting people read it would help me more on seeing how the succeeding chapters would be written. Please help me on that if possible. :nervous Thank you. ^_^
--------------------
Chapter 1
It had always been a pain when you wait for a TV show that only airs its current episode once a week and when work or studies deprive you of watching it, you could always wait for the replay though another problem was to guess when it will air for the rest of the week. Looking at the clock hanging on the wall started the countdown to the show I had always waited for each week. Being it 5 minutes or less, each second made the excitement grow and each second made me slowly stand from the chair I had been sitting on for about 30mins now. As I wait for the seconds arm to point to the number 12 and as I did, I got ready to sprint to my room and open the TV. 10…9…8…7 came the countdown in my head. 6…5…4; only a few more seconds... 3…2…1…0! As soon as 0 echoed in my head, I quickly ran towards my room, attempted to slide my way towards the low table but ended up failing as I missed the target and stopped at the other end of the room. Damn! I screamed in my head as I stood up and walked to the table in a quick pace, took the remote and opened the TV.
A sigh of relief came as the opening video went flashing on the screen. Sitting down after being tired of waiting for half an hour, I stared at the contraption with a smile. Finally! I could watch a current episode. Ever since I started working, I only got to watch the replays and it is hard to predict when the replays would be aired.
“Good evening everyone! Welcome back to the show, HEY! Kono Sagishi!. Where we set up a target person and see if he or she will give-in to the temptations of the human world and cheat on their current lover.” Without looking away from the screen, my hand wondered around the bed until it found a cold, small, light but vibrating piece of equipment.
“And we are your hosts, Kyuuto’s leader, Maimi Yajima and Berryz Koubou’s Captain, Saki Shimizu.” With a smile staring at the wonderful hosts and admiring them, my hand on the other hand was busy opening the message the small piece of equipment was telling me a while ago but I wouldn’t dare look at it. It vibrated again and I was forced to. Glancing at the piece of device and after reading the message, I quickly got up and went to the front door. As I opened it, the girl waiting outside greeted me with a pout.
“You are so slow…” She said and I felt bad.
“I’m sorry. I got hooked up with something on TV and I didn’t bother to look at the phone.” I reasoned and she just shook her head before entering the house.
“What are you watching anyway?” She asked as she started walking to my room and I followed.
“You know, HEY! Kono Sagishi…” I answered as we enter the room and the two hosts were still busy talking about the previous episode.
The girl who just came stared at the 21” colored TV before looking at me sadly. “Oh… so are you staring at Captain again?” She asked as she slowly held my arm.
“What? Me? Staring? Why should I?” I quickly answered in what seemed like a defending tone. “And what are you doing? You’re acting weirdly again.” I added, sarcastically before whispering, “Why is Momo here at this time of the day?”
“I just want to see you. Is that bad?” She answered before leading me to the middle of the room to sit down and watch.
Meanwhile… At HEY! Kono Sagishi...
“Who are we targeting tonight Captain?”
“Well, we have a request from someone codenamed, BerryzYellow21 but she said she could be called Yellow.” The older host read and she was starting to giggle just because the younger started laughing. “What’s so funny?” She asked her.
“Oh nothing…” The younger host started but was caught up by the difficulty of stopping herself from laughing. When she finally calmed herself, she finally opened up. “The codename just reminded me of you.” She giggled again before continuing. “Berryz Yellow is the one from Berryz Kamen, right?” The Berryz Yellow agrees. “And 21 is your current age.” The older host just smiled and acted innocently.
“I wonder if it was you, Captain, who filed---” Maimi continued but was interrupted by Captain’s stare. “…Or maybe just a fan…” Maimi smiled at the camera and Saki as well. “So Maimi, what kind of target do we have tonight?” The older host asked trying to regain the purpose of the show. “Well… You know Captain, we have a different target tonight. It is the first time in our show for someone this loyal to her lover to be targeted.” The older host nodded before asking a question. “What do you mean?”
“According to Yellow and 11 friends, our target today is very loyal, kind and caring. They said that ever since they became a couple, they were inseparable. Until today, they are very well into each other.” The younger host looked at Captain, curiously. “I just don’t get it why he was asked to be targeted today.”
“Maybe the girl wants to test if he would look at other women while out to work because according to the friends, the target had just started working as a New Media staff in a well known Music label.”
“Ah, that’s why they sent a request here?” The older host nodded. “But isn’t working as a New Media staff just entails you to work in an office with a lot of computers?” The younger host asked.
“I think so but one of the friends said that he not only works in an office but also goes to the Promotional Video shoots and other on-site shoots to get more details with the supposed to be output needed from him.”
“Oh, so he needs to go on-site… That is a problem.” The younger host commented. “Okay, we’ll show you all the undercover videos of our target after this little break.”
“We are your eyes on cheaters. HEY! Kono Sagishi!” The two hosts said in unison and the advertisements flashed on the screen.
Back at the house…
“Guy in a Music Label huh?” I asked in thinking.
“Yeah, and he works as a New Media staff. Just like you.” Momo added as she looked at her phone.
Having Momo tonight was not in my agenda but its fine as long as no one else comes. I want to watch my favorite show alone but it couldn’t be helped. While the advertisements are still on and Momo was busy replying to some mail, I decided to get something to drink. In the kitchen, I looked inside the fridge and took two bottles of Ramune. I was about to take them with me when a knock on the front door came.
“Who’s there?” I asked as I came near the door and as the other side answered, I opened the door. There stood Miya, Risako and Chinami. “Oh… Good evening.” I greeted in surprise. Why are all the Berryz members keep coming in my house today?
“Konbanwa Akira-chan!” The three said in unison and one by one came in without waiting for the invitation.
“Why are you guys here?” I asked slowly. I didn’t want asking people why they came but tonight was different. They came when I was free to watch my favorite show.
“Captain told us to come…” Chii said in a whisper but I couldn’t hear it well.
“What?” I asked because it was not clear, I only heard ‘Captain’.
“We.. We just want to see how you were. It has already been a week since the last time you visited Berryz.” Miya said to save their real reason for later. Risako agreed with her and they asked if Momo came. I said she was in the room and as they left to join her, I stayed in the kitchen to think things more. The three knew that Momo would come and there was this something with Captain that Chii said and Miya trying to cover up. ‘What are they planning to do?’ I finally asked myself before turning to the fridge and taking three more Ramune bottles but before I get on my way, another knock on the door came. “Now what…”
When I opened the door, the last two people I thought of coming had finally showed up. “Konbanwa!” Maasa greeted with Yurina beside her. “Konbanwa…” I answered and let them in. After closing the door, instead of asking them why they were here, I just went to the fridge for the third time to get two more bottles for the new comers. “Akira! The show is back on!” A loud shout came from the room. “Hai!” I answered back and took the Ramune bottles that I could and when I couldn’t, Maasa and Yurina took two each before making our way back to my room. The show had already started but it was a good thing that they were still talking about the target. I was given a seat in the middle, beside Momo and Miya. I passed the guests the bottles of Ramune before getting comfortable.
Back at HEY! Kono Sagishi…
“So Captain, could you tell our viewers on what the plan is?” Maimi started and looked at Captain with a smile.
Saki on the other hand nodded her head, “We already know the target’s name, age, his job and why he was asked to be investigated.”
“That’s right” The younger commented.
“The plan was that a friend of Akira was asked to be part of this investigation and he invited him to go out and have fun after office hours. Our undercover girls for today are very special. They were picked as a special request of Yellow. So without further ado, let us watch the video and unveil if Akira will give in to the temptation and cheat his girlfriend.”
Back at the house…
Learning the name of the target got me curious. One, Akira was also my name but… nah, maybe we just have the same name and the hosts said the target was a guy and two, I felt being watched by the people around me. Momo and Miya were eyeing at me every time the host say the name, ‘Akira’. Maybe these guys are hiding something from me that I don’t know. I shook my head and tried to ignore my thoughts for a while and tried to focus on the screen.
Looking at the screen and observing what was happening; Megu was sitting beside the so called ‘Akira’ and was talking to him and even trying to hold his hands but the target was busy looking at his laptop. When I saw the laptop, it made me freeze. I narrowed my eyes more and confirmed that it was MY laptop. No one would have the same sticker at the front of the laptop because I made it myself and let Captain sign it. It is very unique.
Come to think of it, the ‘friend’ they were saying was a friend of mine in the University. As the cameras changed its focus to zoom the target and that he was already closing his laptop, it suddenly came back to me. The place where it happened was the coffee shop nearby King Records building. As the camera zoomed at the face of the target, it hit me like lightning. It was like I lost it. I quickly stood up, took my phone and started to walk to the door. It looked like the Berryz members already knew I was going to go out after knowing it was me in TV.
“Hey! Hey! Where are you going?” Momo exclaimed while Miya shouted to go and get me. Maasa, Chinami and Yurina were fast and followed Miya’s commands and took hold of me before I could reach the front door.
“Let me go!” I commanded but soon, all the 6 members were already sitting down on me on the floor. “What is the meaning of this?” I asked while trying to take them off my back. I was forced not to go anymore and fine, I will stay just that they should get off of me. “Okay fine. I won’t leave. Can you all get off of me now?”
They didn’t move and it frustrated me. I was loosing air quick and I needed these gals to get off of me. “I promise I won’t go out and will finish the show.”
The girls had a little quick discussion before getting off me. When I finally stood, it was surprising that none of the five of them held me to make sure I won’t go and run while they are not looking. In a few seconds of just staring at each other, I heard a ‘CLICK’ come beside me and when I looked at my side, Momo was there and my hand was cuffed with her cute-pink cuffs. I glared at her for cuffing me with her.
“Now we are sure that you won’t go.” She finally said before leading everyone back to the room to finish the show. My favorite show, HEY! Kono Sagishi!
^Thanks. ^^ I don't think it ha anything going but I'll try to continue it. :)
--------------------
I'm sorry for posting this just now. I finished this two days ago but I couldn't post it because of no internet connection in the hotel. ^^; It was too expensive... Anyway, I hope this is okay. ^^;
Chapter 2
I was getting uneasy as I continued watching the show. ‘I don’t even know why I would sit here and just let Momo cuff me like that or force me on watching something I wished I never knew. I could just carry her and run out of the house. She’s small, light and could be hand carried. I could do that, though… I might be branded as a bad person or worse, a pervert.’ I sighed.
‘If there is one thing I hate, that is me in the spotlight. I don’t want too much attention. I don’t even like all the attention people give me back at home. They treat me as a kid when I am already in my 20’s and they give me too much attention that even my flaws are bad for them Maybe that is why I wanted to leave and live in Japan.’
Not wanting to look at the screen, I took my ramune bottle and drank a mouthful in. Remembering that ramune had a soothing effect on me, I decided to constantly take in a few sips of it before a voice complained beside me. “Mou! Akira! Will you stop drinking!?”
Getting the complaint from Momo meant she was bothered by it but why would she be bothered when I was just drinking? “Why? I like ramune. It makes me calm down and stop me from carrying you and just run out of the house.” I answered sarcastically but she just made an exasperated look and pointed out the cuffs.
“Oh…” I already forgot that Momo cuffed us together just to not make me run away and I just realized that her hand was continuously tugged when I drink. I see now… “I’m sorry Momo. I’ll just use my other hand then…”
After apologizing, Miya told me to hush up because something good was happening. I was curious on what part was it because I couldn’t really remember anything “good” in the set up.
At Hey! Kono Sagishi… (Undercover Video Playing)
“It’s good that you finally stopped looking at your laptop. I was about to confiscate it if ever you didn’t shut it down.” Mika, Akira’s University friend, joked before taking a sip of her drink.
“What? I can’t help it. I have a deadline at midnight. I need to do as much as I can when I don’t have anything to do.” Akira answered while placing her bag under the table.
“So, Akira, these are the friends I was telling you about.” Mika whispered when she finally had the chance to introduce the companions who joined them this afternoon w/o the laptop stealing the limelight. “This is Nakky and the one beside you is---”
“Murakami Megumi…” Akira continued when she finally looked at the girl beside her.
“Right. Megu-chan.” Mika agreed as she then gave the menu to the new comers so they could order whatever they like.
Akira on the other hand was silent. She didn’t move nor talk. She just sat there without talking to the person beside her that was trying to get her attention. The girl talked to Akira, asked her questions and Akira could only answer with a word or two. She was actually timid at times like this. Nakky and Mika were busy talking to each other when they realized the situation of the other two and joined them in their conversation.
“Suchihiro-san, Mika said you like Japanese Pop a lot. What songs or groups do you listen to?” Nakky asked as planned.
“Please, just call me Akira.” Akira started politely, “Yes, I like Japanese Pop and it is one of the factors why I decided to continue studying here in Japan.”
“Ah, that’s great!” Megu commented as she became silent to listen again.
“Well, the groups I listen? I listen to too many… I sometimes don’t even remember the group names or how many I’m listening to.” Akira laughed while scratching the back of her neck. “But currently, I’m busy with Hello Project and AKB48.”
The special guests nodded before Megu asked another question. “Then, in Hello Project, which group do you favor and who is your favorite member?”
Akira half smiled but didn’t hesitate to answer. “My favorite group is Berryz Koubou but I like every group because before I even knew Berryz, I already liked most of the group and were past favorites…” She chuckled slightly. “I’m already a fan for five years and eleven months now. Will become six years on November.” She felt proud for the long time in the fandom. “My favorite member is Shimizu Saki. Always been her ever since Berryz Koubou became my top 1 group in HP.” She smiled after saying the little but beautiful Captains’ name.
“Eh~ That’s very wonderful! I haven’t really hang-out with a person who is already that long in the fandom.” Nakky commented before looking at her phone.
Akira just nodded with a timid smile before taking a mouthful of her drink. “You said you had past favorites before liking Berryz Koubou.” Akira nodded with Megumi’s question. “Then, may I ask what group was the one responsible for making you like H!P?”
Akira was near on spitting the drink in her mouth just because of the surprising question that entails her to say something she wouldn’t really want to talk about in front of the well known ex-kyuuto member. It took a few seconds before she could get her composure back and taking a deep breath before answering. “I…” She couldn’t start but Mika told her to say something or else the guests may leave. Gulping, she finally had the strength to tell but knew it would be embarrassing.
“Uhm… The one who made me into H!P and my first favorite group was…” She took another deep breath. “It was Murakami Megumi of C-ute…” The camera zoomed and it is well seen that Akira was turning red. “I liked her so much…” Akira could feel the ex-kyuuto member eyeing her. “Though the same time she left… I laid-off Hello Project for a few months before coming back.”
Nakky felt bad about the whole past coming back and hearing the time when Megu left, the same time, this ‘Akira’ stopped listening to h!p and C-ute songs. “I guess it really took time before I accepted the fact that she is not a member of C-ute anymore… I had been worried if she was doing fine. Not a lot of news came through the years. I also stopped wondering why she left without any explanation…” Akira looked at the girl beside her and felt that she was feeling sad with what she was saying. “But it’s great!” She continued with a sudden change of tone. “I finally know she is well and is happy.”
Megu looked at Akira and found her smiling gently at her. She felt how happy Akira was upon seeing her and it made her lighten up. She replied with a smile of her own and felt her cheeks warming up. With that, Akira finally loosened up and was more comfortable with the special guest beside her. The guest, on the other hand, realized how soft and kind the target was, she couldn’t help but to lunge her with a hug then she said, “I felt so bad that I graduated without saying the reason why I left. I didn’t even think that people like you would be that worried. Maybe I was young… but with your smile… I felt better. Thank you.” After that touchy encounter, the two started to get closer than before and was talking casually with smiles painted on their faces.
Finishing up their snacks, the three (excluding Akira), decided to go to a nearby karaoke place to sing their hearts out before they go their separate ways. Akira, being the only one not wanting to go was dragged and had no choice but to join them.
“Eh… I still have a deadline…” Akira complained while Mika was dragging her by her arm.
“It would just be an hour or two. You’re a professional on making those videos anyway.” Akira started to struggle with Mika’s grip but gave up eventually.
Arriving at the Karaoke shop, they immediately got a room and once in it, they didn’t waste time but started singing to selected Johnny’s and H!P songs. After five songs, they decided to take a rest and started talking with each other again. Eventually, the two guests went out to go to the comfort room while Akira and Mika were left in the room. Mika was curious on what was going on in Akira’s head and she should ask before the laptop takes the spotlight again because Akira was already opening it.
“Ne~ Akira?” She started and Akira just answered her with a nod. “What do you think of Megu-chan? After what you said about her, she never stopped talking to you. I almost felt she was trying her luck.”
Hearing what her friend said, Akira looked at her friend, surprised. “What? It looked like that?” She asked, not really aware of what others might think or do when she thought it was just normal. “I didn’t think it was any different… I mean, for me, there wasn’t anything like that.” She explained but Mika knew that she couldn’t really differentiate how she should treat each girl.
“Anyway…” Akira continued, “I have a girlfriend and I can’t break up with her. Wait, no. I wouldn’t break up with her.” Akira stated before glancing at the blinking equipment before her. After a few clicks, she waited for the video to load and as she did, she looked back at her friend. “I love her. You know that. And when I have a special someone, I only look at that person.” She added before totally looking at her laptop to try and add more to the work she had already started.
The two undercover girls came back and sat on their respective places. “Why don’t we play a game?” Nakky suggested and as usual, everyone agreed making Akira with no choice but to join them. Just leaving her laptop open in front of her, they started the game. The game is just to know if the target was saying the truth or not. All the four of them would make a thumbs up if true and thumbs down if not.
“Hai! The first question is: Do you have someone you like in this room?” Nakky started and after the count down from three, all had their own answers. Akira, made a thumbs up, indicating she liked someone in the room but she made it clear that it was a ‘friendly’ like, nothing else.
“Second question,” It was now Megumi’s turn to ask, “Do you have a special someone?” After the countdown, Akira said she has one. A follow-up question was then asked about it and Akira answered without hesitating. “Yes, I have a girlfriend at the moment. We are together for about a year and a half now.” She answered.
“Who is your special someone then Akira?” Megu asked curiously.
“My girlfriend is ****-chan.” She answered but the answer was blocked by the editors of the show as a special request from BerryzYellow21.
The game was postponed when Nakky needed to answer a call and Akira continued on working with the video. Megumi was watching how Akira does her work when she pointed out the group that was in the video. “Hey, isn’t that AKB48?” She asked as she then pointed at one of the members, “That is Takahashi Minami, right?” Akira answered quickly and said that AKB is the one in the video and the one Megu pointed out was Takahashi Minami.
“So you’re working as the promotional video editor of AKB48?“ Megu asked and Akira nodded.
“Yes. But I just started a week ago and things had been so busy. I regret not making the lunch dates I have with **** for the past week when we usually meet at lunch.”
“I see… How does she react with it?”
“Well… She seems fine about it and at times I feel that she doesn’t like the fact that I work with AKB. Not that she doesn’t like it, it is just that I’m with other girls especially with TakaMina. She knows TakaMina is my oshimen in AKB and now I’m working for her. I feel bad about it. I don’t want her to think of anything that would make her worry. I don’t want her to think I’m going to fall for TakaMina just because I’m working under her. So, after work and if I have time, I go visit her in her house. I don’t stay that long because it is already late and because she has school or work the next day.” Akira added before finally hitting the ‘save’ button on the video maker.
Silence then came and it was a little deafening for Akira. She thought she might have said something to make Megu sad for she looked like it. “I…” She started but was cut off by Megu.
“She’s really lucky to have you.” She said before glancing to Akira with a smile. “It is very rare to see a person this loyal and dedicated to a relationship.” She smiled more the same time as Nakky came back in.
The game was forgotten but they continued on singing. After the two hours that they stayed, the four said their goodbye’s and went their way home.