CHAPTER 16
The sky was still dark, the only way to tell apart if it was early morning or night time was the non-existent presence of a single human on the road. Everyone was still sleeping, except for this chic-looking lady. The light crunches sound of heels meeting with the wet asphalt filled the quiet, dimly lit side road, together with the voice of a ghastly-looking Sayaka talking on the phone. She hadn’t had enough sleep; she can’t sleep to be precise, and the early call of a worry-wart grandma like Mayu just screams distress on her face.
“No… she’ll be fine. She’s Jurina, not a 9 years old kid.”
She took light steps up the stairs of the dark and lone hallway, directly to their studio. The jingling set of keys woke up a stray cat taking a short nap on the dirty floor mat, albeit not getting any response from Sayaka who should have been shocked by the loud yowling and hissing of the black feline.
“Yeah, yeah… I’ll ask them. Don’t worry, she can take care of herself.”
She threw the keys on the table, letting out a deep sigh as the call ended. Jurina went missing again after the... third? Fourth? Sayaka loss count, and that goes to the author too. (tehee) She should be worried but after many times of running away, Sayaka decided that maybe Jurina really do need some time alone to get her mind straight and running away must have been the only way for her to find the peace she deserved. Exactly like she is right now…
The sky was still dark outside so Sayaka opted to let the windows closed for the time being. The short walk was cold so letting in some air from outside would only make it worse for her. Sayaka plopped down on the creaking couch, her eyes wandering everywhere around the room with nothing in her mind. She was hoping she could get some eye shut here, or maybe do some composing and lyrics writing. But none of those appeared in her head. There was nothing. Her brain was in shut down and she can’t think of any voluntary act that would wake her brain. Nada.
BUZZ BUZZ!“Oh, come on! Not again?”
Grumbling to herself, Sayaka raised the phone to her ear, not even checking who was on the line.
“Look, Mayu… I’ve told you-... Hello?”
She checked the phone again, only to realised it was actually an incoming message. The wrinkles on her forehead met in the middle as she read the name of the sender.
From: Milky
What are you doing right now?She never expected Miyuki still wants to be in contact with her after she ditched her on their supposed double date before. All Sayaka could think of was Miyuki would be pissed. But this text is too neutral for an angry woman. She took a small breath to gather her strength and send her reply.
From: Sayaka
I thought you’re mad at me?
Why are you up so early?
From: Milky
Why would I?
From: Sayaka
I ditched you on our first dateFrom: Milky
You’ve got an emergency, right?
We can do it another day~
And you still haven’t answered my question! Hmph! (`3`)
From: Sayaka
I’m at the studio.From: Milky
What? So early??
What are you doing there?!
Are you alone?From: Sayaka
I can’t sleep.From: Milky
Why not?From: Sayaka
I’m scared I guess..From: Milky
The great Sayaka is scared? That’s new hehe
Why are you scared?From: Sayaka
I’m scared that if I sleep...
You’ll run away and disappear from my mind.At Miyuki’s apartment...She wanted to squeal loudly, she really do.. but the wall of her home is really thin, she might woke up the grumpy landlady living downstairs. Her face was etched with a wide grin; the corner of her lips could almost reach her ears.
“Wait… should I really be happy for taking away his sleep?”
Miyuki contemplated for a while, shaking her head to rid of the bad thoughts before sliding her fingers expertly on the phone screen.
From: Milky
Won’t you get tired?
Go get some sleep now!
From: Sayaka
Won’t YOU get tired?
You’ve been running on my mind for days..“MMMMPPPHFFF!!!”
Miyuki screamed, shrilled, shrieked, whatever thing she’s doing on her pillow to muffle and contain the giddiness she felt with Sayaka’s lame pickup lines. It was cheesy and old, but she likes cheese. It’s been a while since they’ve been flirting with each other… since Sayaka started acting strangely and stopped texting her. Well, not entirely stopped but they rarely keep in contact lately and it’s driving Miyuki crazy. She misses Sayaka.
From: Milky
Go. To. Sleep.
NOW.
I’ll sleep too so we can meet in our dreams~With a smile, Miyuki stretched her arms outwards before getting out of her bed to prepare for her morning breakfast. It’s still early and the sun hasn’t even peeked out of the horizon yet but her stomach was already rumbling for food and Miyuki has no intention of making her body upset. Not her stomach, of course. She was brushing her teeth when her phone beeped.
From: Paruru
Where’s my pendrive?!She rolled her eyes, the image of Paruru’s ugly melon-pan pendrive on top of Mayu’s table in the studio floating in her head. She reminded herself to get that later today or else, she’s gonna face Paruru’s wrath. Just as she was about to put the gadget back on its rightful place, another message came.
From: Sayaka
“If it’s a punishment for my selfish heart
Then losing sleep does not matter at all for me
For I have sinned much more
That the pain was a mere half of what guilt did to me.”Miyuki stared confusedly at the text. It was still too early for her head to process the deep meaning of the poem Sayaka gave to her. She was about to text back when her ringtone blasted throughout the silent room.
“Did you know you just disturbed my sleep?”
“You’re not sleeping. I saw your last seen. Now where’s my pendrive??”
“It’s still early in the morning, Paruru. Spare me!”
“And I need my pendrive before noon today. So where is it?!”
“Calm down... It’s in Mayu’s office. I’ll get it this morning and give it to you later.”
“I need it ASAP!”
“Okay, okay! We’ll meet for breakfast at the usual place, how’s that? My treat!”
“Free food? Are you for real, Milky? Did something happened?”
“You want breakfast or not?”
“Meet me there at 9!”
Miyuki’s POV“It’s really cold…”
Thank goodness I wear the warmest jacket I found in the closet. This is all because of Paruru. If not for her pendrive, I wouldn’t have the need to drag my cute ass out of the room. But it’s my fault in the first place for failing to remember to bring it back. Ahhh... how nice it would be to be snuggling in my bed right now.
I reached the studio without facing any trouble, except for the cold air. Puffing out air to warm my cold hands, I took out Mayu’s spare keys and open the door. It was dark inside. Well, of course… no one’s here early in the morning except for m-..
IS THAT A HUMAN?!
I saw a ball of figure curling his or her body on the oh-so-not-really-comfortable couch. Seriously, they need to replace it ASAP. There’s even a hobo taking a nap there now… Wait, this hobo is somehow familiar. Where have I seen this chin before…
“Sayanee?”
I slowly approach the silently sleeping Sayanee, careful not to make any noise. She looks so peaceful and tired. Maybe she’s up all night working on the band’s song, not to forget the troubles they’ve been getting recently and Jurina disappearing again is not helping at all. Speaking of Jurina… where have you gone to? Everyone’s worried about you so please come back.
I let out a sigh. It’s not really my problem but somehow it affected me so much like I was actually a part of the Beast Wings family. The sudden movement of Sayanee caught my attention. She was shivering for a bit so I took off my jacket and wrap it on her fragile body. I crouched beside her, pushing off the stray strands of hair covering her slightly sunken eyes.
“Poor Sayanee… It must be hard for you too.”
My hand continued to move around without a destination, unconsciously stroking her bangs, her straight eyebrows, her sharp nose, her pale rosy cheek, her pink lips, and her long, pointed chin, the only prominent part of her body that never ceased to amused me. I think her chin makes her look more cooler, though. I think… okay? My eyes wandered off to the phone clutched tightly on her hand, like she was hugging and defending it from the evil hands of whoever took it from her. It looks like she’s hugging a teddy bear in her sleep. Awww… how cute can you be, Sayanee?
Speaking of phone, I’ve never ask Sayanee for her number. I have others, but why not hers? I mean, we’re already comfortable with each other to have our numbers exchanged, right? We’re already friends… right? Oh, how silly can I be... Well, I’ll just do it my own way, sneakily took her phone and put my own numbers in there. Perhaps I can surprise her later. Hehehe…
But I don’t want to wake her up now. I’ll just take the pendrive first and take her phon-
“No.. don’t go...”
Eh?
“Sayanee? Are you awake?”
“Zzzz…”
Okaaay… she’s talking in her sleep. How cuuuutee~! Maybe I should record this moment and cherished it all by myself. It’s not always that I have the privilege to actually see the cool and calm Sayanee acting like her true, adorable self. I have actually made a good choice in choosing my favourite Beast Wings member.
Sayanee had started mumbling to herself when I took my phone out. Just as I was about to press the record button, a tear dropped down her cheek. My hand paused in the air as I watch another dropped down, followed by another. That’s when I realised there were trails of freshly dried tears on her cheeks. She must have cried herself to sleep.
“..sorry…”
It was a small whisper but I can make out what she said. I frowned deeply, her face was showing a pained expression like she was deeply hurt by something… or someone. I wanted to comfort her but that would only wake her up.
“I’m really sorry…”
I don’t want to intrude into her personal life so I decided to leave Sayanee to her own dreams and go back to my business with Paruru’s pendrive when her mumbling made me stop.
“Don’t go.. please, Milky… Don’t leave me..”
Paruru’s POVI took a small sip of my hot drink, my seat facing directly to the door so I can stare at Milky and gave her my infamous salty glare when she arrives. The ticking of my wristwatch was so loud, as if it was asking, begging me to look at it every second until Milky actually appear in front of me. People say it’s rude to keep checking your watch when you’re on the table, but there’s no one sitting with me anyway. So I can be rude whenever I wanted to, even to my lovely yellow watch. And because of Milky, I’ve been talking nonsense to myself since I woke up.
“It’s already five minutes past 9 and I don’t see any Milky here except for this hot chocolate milk I’m drinking. Ugh… she’s late.”
“Chill. She’ll be here.”
Oh, now I’m talking to an imaginary friend. What’s more? It appeared as Yui… only that it looks real. So real and cute and cool and squishable like a bread... I think she really is my lovely Yui. Wait… Yui is here?
“WHY?”
“What? Don’t you want me here?”
“NO! I mean, yes! Of course I want you here..” Did I saw a smirk just now? “But usually it would be the other way around.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know… I’m doing the chasing while you run off to anywhere or hide in places you think I can’t find.”
“It’s obvious that you missed me and I’m here now. Besides, I don’t want to be the reason of someone going gaga over not having me by her side.”
“Pffft… is that your polite way of saying you miss me too?”
“As if!” Yui threw a used tissue paper at me before waving to the waiter. “You’re not eating?”
“Waiting for Milky. She’s buying me breakfast.”
“Oh?” She grinned, using her cute smile to charm me. “Does this free breakfast include your partner?”
“What partner? I came alone.” I ignored her pout when the waiter arrived at our table. I gestured him to Yui, the latter sighed in defeat before making her order. I slowly sipped my milk while sneaking a glance or two at Yui. She was wearing a baby pink shirt underneath the red plaid button down top. It was simple and casual but it never failed to make me fall for her again and again.
Oh my…
Have I really fallen in love with this weird and cheapskate person? Yeah, she’s so cheap, she ordered the cheapest meal in the menu. Can she even get full by that? She’s lacking nutrition.. no wonder her brain is so screwed.
“Is that enough?” I voiced out as the waiter left us, his face was in disbelief just as I was.
“A toast and plain water? Ehh… it’s enough to last me till dinner.”
“What?” I slammed my cup on the table, “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“B-but…”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m still alive, right? That’s all that matters.”
I wear my salty face at her cheeky smile as I raised my hand for the waiter’s attention. I know I’ve been tricked by her sympathetic face of a cool Yui acting like she’s the least bothered by her cheap meal. I ordered a decent meal; not too cheap but not too expensive for Yui to scrape off my purse from money.
“Just because I like you, it doesn’t mean I’m going to buy you food each time we meet.”
“HA! So you really do like me, huh?”
“So much, that even you can’t resist appearing before me all the time.” I smirked, which caught her speechless with my comeback. “Admit it. You like me too, don’t you Yokoyama Yui?”
“Yeah, I like your hospitality towards a great person like me.”
Her response resulted with a shake of head from me. Still denying it, but I know my game. It’s Paruru, I’m not called salty for nothing.
Just then, my eyes turned to the door at the sight of Milky coming in with a frown on her face. Don’t tell me she’s bringing bad news…
“Hey, sorry I’m late.”
“What’s wrong?” I asked, which she ignored after taking a seat on our table.
“Oh, hi there Yui. Didn’t see you there.”
Yui blinked a couple of times, raising an eyebrow at me. Milky was not even giving us a glance as she scanned the menu book, which was really odd. Yui mouthed some questions which, fortunately, I understand.
Did you fight or something?
Hey, don’t blame me on this. Why, though?
She seemed different. Like not the usual Milky.
I don’t know! I just met her today!
Aren’t you guys BEE EFF EFF?
Doesn’t make me her guardian.“You guys do know that I’m right here, right?”
“Huh?”
“Ahem.. Err..”
“Uh, umm… yeah, yeah. We were just…”
Yui and I exchange words of eyes to make up some excuses when Milky suddenly shoved my beloved melon-pan keychain in front of my eyes.
“Here.”
“O-Oh. Thank you. You didn’t really have to-”
“Yui, can I talk to you for a moment?”
GULP.Yeah. That was Yui’s gulping that sounded really loud for both of us to hear and I don’t think she can survive this morning facing the wrath of a boiling Milky, pun intended. Oh boy, I wondered if I can run away from this..
Jurina’s POVI rubbed my eyes at the penetrating rays of the morning sun. Blinking a couple of times to adjust to the bright view, I looked at my watch.
7.30 AM.
No wonder. I guess I cried myself to sleep last night. Thankfully I wore a thick jacket or I’m sure I’d freeze to death. I got up with a stiff back, thanks to the cold tiles of my mother’s grave. Yeah, you’re not mistaken. I fell asleep on a graveyard. It must have been scary but I’ve been doing this for the past years, never have I encountered a stray, wandering lost soul of the dead. Don’t even start with zombies, though.
I cracked my neck left and right, before stretching up and crack some more bones. It was a really good sleep, probably because my mom is here with me.
Mama…
It has almost been a few years since I’ve visited her. It was always a ritual for me to visit her grave on my birthday to celebrate together. I’ve never skipped even a year since her death. It makes me guilty for abandoning her due to my own selfish reasons when she was always with me, spending her time with me when she was alive. I was so stupid to succumb on my own problems and ignoring her.
Reaching for the bottle of
sake on the side, I poured a cup for her and another for me. It’s funny how much time flies, considering the last time I got here, sparkling juice was the only thing I can bring. Now, here I am, with a bottle of
sake legally bought from the store. How many years has it been, huh?
I gave her a toast, not before apologising for the nth time since I got here. Though, I think she had probably accepted my apologies long before.
“I missed you, Mama…”
Just as I muttered those words, the cup dropped down from my trembling hand, spilling its contents on the grassy ground, together with the flows of tears running down my cheeks. I thought there was no more tears for today, but I was proven wrong. Even after all these years of crying, after all these years of trying to be strong and apathetic..
“Why do I have to be such a coward, Mama?”
As if she was answering me, a hand touched my wet cheeks, wiping away the tears flowing down my eyes. I raised my head, my eyes widening in surprise at the person in front of me.
No, it wasn’t the ghost of my mom.
It was the pale face of her.
Of Rena.
“That’s because you’re Jurina.”
“Eh…?”
“Your mama Jurina, my Jurina, is always a crybaby... isn’t that right?”
I don’t know what I was feeling the moment my eyes met with Rena’s gentle pair. There were all kinds of rushed emotions overwhelming my whole being, even I can’t understand my own self. But all I wanted to do was buried my head into her chest, and that’s what I did.
I wailed, cried myself out even more as she hold me tight in her arms, rocking me as if I was a child asking for a mother’s attention. How I wished this wasn’t just a dream that I need to wake up to, and Rena’s comforting words and gentle warmth just proved it’s not.
Mama, how I wished you were right here too…
Yukirin’s POV“Uh-huh. Mhmm. Yes. Sure. I will. Don’t wet yourself too much, okay? Thanks, Renacchi.”
I let out a deep sigh, shaking my head dejectedly as a pair of eyes watched me from the stinky couch. I don’t know what time she got here, but just as I thought I’ve arrived at a crime scene of Sayanee’s death, she had woken up when I decided to pounced on her “fake” cadaver.
“So?” She asked me with hopeful eyes, “What did Rena said?”
I let out another sigh, before flipping my hair towards her face and made my most epic Beyonce face. “She found Jurina!”
“Oh my god, finally!” She let out the breath she’s been holding in for I don’t give a damn how long. She should be dead, anyway. Boo hoo for my crime scene..
“Where did she found her?”
“The graveyard.”
“What?!”
I almost flipped the table on Sayanee’s dramatic outburst but decided to keep my calm.
“Is she… she’s with her mom, isn’t it?”
“It has been years since she last went there.” I answered with a sigh, remembering the days Jurina would mention about visiting her mother’s grave but never went to. “She always go there with Rena back in the days. But after the fight and all, she stopped going there.”
“Is that so… That’s why Rena knows where to find her.”
“It’s really hard seeing two hearts being away from each other due to foolish reasons.”
“Huh?”
“Especially for our solo-ist here.” I flopped down beside Sayanee, wrecking her already wrecked bed hair just for the sake of annoying her more.
“W-What are you saying?”
“How are things with Milky?”
“Haa?? Eh, w-what are-”
“Dude, I’m tired of your drama. Just kiss her already.” I gave her my lovely smooch which she avoided miraculously.
“What the heck, Yukirin?!” She tried pushing my beautiful face away, how dare she. “Me and Milky got nothing with each other?”
“Oh really?” I stopped teasing her before putting on my pondering face, “Then, can you tell me why was she admiring your face while you were ranting out to her in your sleep before making her storm out of the room with a deep frown so suddenly?”
“Eh?”
“I don’t know. You guys seemed to unknowingly fight with each other with you sleeping and Milky widely awake. It’s kinda cute, no?”
“Stop with your nonsense, Yukirin.” Sayanee actually just dismissed me like I’m not the leader of the band. How disrespectful of her to an elderly like me.
I let Sayanee to her own thoughts while I’m drowning on my own when the mention of a name made me pout.
“Where’s Mayu anyway?”
“Don’t know, don’t care.” Was what I replied.
Honestly, that was my honest answer. Mayu has been missing since the day I confronted her as a 007 agent trainee in the hospital. I didn’t know if she was mad at me or if she’s actually really mad at me. Yeah, there are two types of mad there and you don’t wanna know the meaning of both. I can sense something is going on between Mayu and someone but I can’t seem to pinpoint what. Heck, why is everyone being so sad lately? Am I the only one being so optimistic? No wonder they say to better live your life being lonely than die in sadness, or was it something else? Hmm…
Mooo~ Mooo~~“Whoa!” Sayanee looked at me with her wide eyes, probably shocked at the cow sound. “What was that?”
“It’s the mail.”
“Ha? Seriously…? A moo-ing sound, Yukirin?”
“Hey, it was Tani’s idea. Don’t judge me just because I look like the crazy ones.”
“But you are…”
“I am, and you should be proud of it.”
“Eh, why me?”
I opened the door, revealing an old man in a postman uniform.
“May I help you, Jii-chan?” I put on my most chill face but the man just gave me his blank look.
“Is there a B-.. what is this, how do you pronounce this… Uh, Kiss Things..?”
I raised a brow before snatching the mail from the man’s hand.
“Jii-chan! It’s spelled Beast Wings. BEAST WINGS. Haven’t you heard of this?”
“No? What’s that, a comedy troupe or something?”
I rolled her eyes before giving him the most charming (fake) smile, “It’s the greatest band your grandchildren and their descendants are going to fangirl to when they are born into this world, heck the first thing they’re gonna do is to cry our songs out of the womb!”
“...I’m not married yet.”
“Then quickly get married, Jii-chan. Bye and thank you for this.”
I quickly slammed the door on his face. Ha! That’s for not knowing of our band, like what, he’s from the 80’s or something? He probably is though, and I’m being rude to him. Why am I not feeling guilty about this?
“What’s that?”
“Probably an invitation for a free buffet.”
Sayanee got beside me, waiting patiently as I slowly and carefully tear the envelope open.
“Can you please be quick?”
“What’s the rush? YOLO, man. YOLO!”
Sayanee rolled her eyes at me. After succesfully and pain-stakingly opening the plain white paper, I pulled out a rather contradicting piece of card filled with flowery decorations and floral-scented perfume.
“What’s this? Someone’s getting married?”
I don’t know why but my hands were starting to get clammy as my chest pounding loudly, deafening my hearing and blurring my vision. Okay, that’s not what actually happened but I do feel uneasy with the invitation. We looked at each other before reading the bold and italic wordings of cursive writings on it. So glamorous whoever made this.
We cordially invite you to the 30th Anniversary of the Watanabe Empire.
In conjunction with the event, we would like to request the
BEAST WINGS
to perform at the Grand Ball Night to further entertain our guests.
We hope to see you there!
“Watanabe Empire?” Sayanee sounded beside me, “Are they perhaps related to Mayu or Miyuki somehow?”
I gave her a blank stare. I’ve heard of the Watanabe Enterprise. They are one of the country’s most recognised and successful leading entrepreneurs, mostly known as the rising Shark of the Far East for their ruthless and strict etiquettes with their partnerships.
I never know about Mayu’s family; she never told me about it or she’d rather avoid the question if I ever asked about them. It suddenly dawned upon me that I don’t really know Mayu that much to even call her as my special person. What kind of a person am I?
“But they might not be related. I mean, what is Mayu doing here with us when she has all the wealth and luxury the life could offer if she is ever related to this Watanabe Enterprise, right? She’s not that dumb.”
The words slowly registered into my head.
Is this why she’s been missing lately?
A nudge brought me back from my reveries. I snapped my head to Sayanee who gave me the expectant look, “Right, Yukirin?”
“Ah, yeah…” I slowly nodded, still in my dumbfounded state. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“So are we going or not?”
“Why not?” I didn’t expect myself to say that, but I know I need to trust my conscience right now. “We’re not going to miss this pleasant opportunities.”
I smacked her bum with a grin, trying to pull myself back into reality. I need to trust myself, and with that I need to trust in Mayu too. Yeah, that’s what I’m gonna do.
“We’re seriously going?”
“You’re kidding me? We’re not called Beast Wings for nothing! Of course we’re going!”
“Alright! I’m gonna call the others to meet here.”
“Yeah, you do that. I’ll deal with Mayu later.”
I know I’m not the one who should be deciding this. Everything must go through the manager but Mayu’s been MIA, it’s common rule for the leader to take charge… isn’t it? Well, I hope everything’s going well.. Right, Mayuyu?
A/N: I hope Zhen wont be surprise with this update
I'll try to finish this up by this year
(no promises tho)
Topic: Beats of Love [SayaMilky,WMatsui, MaYuki, YuiParu] - chapter 16 (18/07/17) (Read 129090 times)