Candlelit Smile
Chapter | Three | Garden of candles
Haruna’s eyes fluttered open as she felt Minami’s arms rewrap themselves around her body. With her back pressed up against the comforting chest of her girlfriend, she slid her hands down and rubbed a thumb over the smooth surface of the girl’s skin. ‘She must still be asleep.’ Haruna thought.
After about five minutes Haruna decided to get out of bed and start preparing for her busy day. She slipped out of the warm curl of embrace, trying her best not to wake the other and gave a stretch as she walked into the bathroom.
Glancing into the mirror Haruna realized her eyes had become a little pink from what she had guessed to be from the silent tears she had shed during the previous night before. Taking a deep breath, she stripped off the last bit of her clothes and proceeded to run cool water over her body.
After finishing up, Haruna dressed herself most fashionably and walked into their small dining room to be met with a delicious surprise. Set up most beautifully on the table was a lovely breakfast made specially only for her. She picked up the note in the middle and began reading.
‘Enjoy this nutritious meal. I’ve blessed it with good luck for your fitting today. After you’re finished with your schedule, meet me at the playground where we first became friends. I’ll be waiting. – Takamina’ as her eyes scanned over the letter Haruna smiled thankfully as she turned to look in Minami’s direction, before sitting back down to enjoy her meal.
Before leaving Haruna walked back over to her girlfriend still in bed. The light shined onto Minami’s form as she lay comfortably tucked inside the blanket.
“I know you’re awake.” Haruna said to the girl.
As she leaned down to kiss the Minami she whispered, “Thank you for the lovely breakfast. I’ll see you later.”
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Atsuko sat opposite of her agent. She took off her glasses and passed over a packet of sheets towards the older man.
“What’s wrong, do the scripts not fit to your liking Maeda-san?” He asked.
“It’s not that…” Atsuko answered quietly.
“It’s about the director isn’t it?” The agent speculated.
Atsuko nodded.
“Yes, we are aware that he is known to be quite-” The guy paused looking for the right words, before continuing. “…Unexpected, but I assure you that based on his achievements you’ll be an instant success by the end of it all.” He tried reasoning to convince her.
Not wanting to pass up such the opportunity, Atsuko dismissed her hesitation and accepted it. “Alright, I’ll take the role.” She replied.
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Minami and her friend walked into the beautifully gated playground and set the bags they carried with them down. With both hands on her hips, Minami looked up into the blue and smiled at the sky that was beginning to darken after a day’s long anticipation.
“Thanks so much for the help Mii-chan.” Minami said.
“You’re welcome, but of course you would’ve been helpless without me anyways hehe.” Mii-chan smiled.
“I’m not that helpless…” Minami scratched her cheek with a finger by the comment.
“That reminds me, have you found your phone yet?”
“I went back, but I couldn’t find it…It’s my bad luck.”
“Have you tried calling your own number just in case someone might have picked it up?”
“Ahh, that’s a good idea!”
“See, what did I say? You’re absolutely helpless without me heh.” Mii-chan said victoriously as she handed her own cell phone to Minami.
Minami took the device and dialed the number as Mii-chan dangles an arm on her friend to listen. The dial tone signals for a while and no one picks up so she tries again.
“Hello?” A sweet voice picks up from the other line.
“H-hey, you have my phone!” Minami stutters from the other line not really knowing what to say.
“…Takahashi-san?”
“Yes, this is her. Thanks for finding my phone, is there any way I can get it back soon?”
“Umm…What is your location?”
“I am…” Minami looks around. “Actually, I’ll be staying at a playground near Hibiya Gakuen until quite late tonight so…I’ll probably just call you back tomorrow to come pick it up whenever you’re not busy.” She suggests.
“Okay.” The stranger replied.
“Okay…yeah.” Minami answered slightly uncomfortable.
“Bye.”
“Thanks again.”
‘Click.’ The call ended.
“Well…That was awkward.” Minami sighed.
“Did you know who that person was?” Mii-chan asked releasing the shorter girl from her hold.
“I don’t think so, but she sounds familiar though.” Minami replied as she casually took out a variety of candles from the bag.
As Mii-chan came to help, Minami patted the other girl’s shoulder and pointed at the invisible watch on her wrist. Her friend remembered immediately and almost ran out of the place yelling “Ah, I’m late for work!” But as Mii-chan reached the gate, she stopped for a moment and asked “Will you be okay?” Minami nodded and smiled, motioning her hand playfully as if to shoo away a little bird. Mii-chan then smiled saying, “Good luck then.” and left.
Minami released a deep sigh and began to set up for her big event. She’d been working hard up until this point. The tiny area was surrounded by a short fence climbed with vines and white flowers that illuminated a glow even in the dark. The playground itself was a secret garden, exotic and seemingly out of place from the busy city. After asking for permission to use the place from its owner, Minami had offered to take care of the lot for one month’s time in advance. Every day after Haruna had left for another one of her fittings, she’d come there to clean and water the plants.
Although the place was meant to be for young children, somehow the environment had always found a way to maintain its peace and quiet. She’s known about the park since she was a teen and it’s become even more beautiful now than then.
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“Let go of me!” Haruna yelled out as she shook off a boy’s grip from her arm.
“Come on just go to the karaoke with me.” A tall boy in his school uniform persisted.
“Stop, I don’t even know you!” Haruna protested angrily.
“But—” The assaulter was then assaulted when an unexpected kick hit the back of his fragile knee. At the loss of his balance the boy was sent tumbling over the ground of the arcade and everyone turned to look at the scene.
Startled, Haruna put a hand over her mouth and gazed up to meet the eyes of Takahashi Minami who just smiled confidently at her. The shorter girl then hurriedly made her way on over and yelled out the word, “Run!”
With her eyes widening up in surprise Haruna just stood there until Minami rushed back in embarrassingly to hook her arm in Haruna’s. As the two girls made their escape the fallen boy screamed out in a rage and picked himself up, before moving to chase after them.
“Ahh, he’s coming after us!” Haruna screamed as she looked over her shoulder.
“Don’t worry about it, this is fun!” Minami assured the girl.
“What?!” Haruna couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Minami pulled them through the gates of a playground and they both slid into a colorful tunnel. The two girls remained quiet and just stared at each other until Minami gave a bright smile. Haruna blinked in response and the other girl whispered, “I’m Takahashi Minami, but you can call me Takamina.”
“…Kojima Haruna.” A shy smile finally graced Haruna’s lips.
“Awesome.”
The two girls just smiled at each other silently, until both of their happy expressions slowly faltered. “I don’t think we’re alone in here.” Haruna said.
At that they both turned their heads simultaneously to see a little kid near the other opening and occupying the same tunnel, but that wasn’t the reason why they made a mad dash to get out.
“Hahahahaha!” The two girls laughed out loud as they held onto each other to support themselves from falling over upon exiting out of the cramped compartment.
“Hey lady!” Minami called out towards a middle aged woman sitting on the bench.
“Yes?” The woman looked up unexpected from the call.
“Your kid is hiding in this tunnel over here, I think he tooted!” She finished as she turned to look at Haruna.
“Oh my!” The woman said rushing on over to find her child.
“That was sooooo funny!” Haruna said trying to contain herself.
“I think we lost that guy.” Minami says as she scans over the area.
“Thanks, you were right. I had fun hehe.” Haruna beamed.
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‘It’s getting dark and the show is over, I should probably get going.’ Haruna thought as she sat in a seat backstage with her fellow co-workers.
As Haruna stands up to leave, a friend stops her. “Are you leaving already?” A girl named Yuki asked.
“Yeah, I have plans.” Haruna answered.
“Oh right, it’s your birthday isn’t it?”
Haruna nodded and right after that another interruption halts her actions yet again. At the sound of her ringtone, she looks at the flashing screen to find the caller I.D. of Shinoda Mariko.
“What do you want?” Haruna asked almost coldly into the device.
“…I need to talk to you.” From the sound of Mariko’s voice, Haruna could tell the woman must have been drinking.
“Where are you?” Haruna asked suddenly worried.
“Home.” Mariko answered.
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.” Haruna answered and then followed the call with a ‘click’ without even saying bye.
The third interruption came unexpectedly as she accidently bumps into the shoulder of a girl, but in the hurry that she was in she didn’t get the chance to apologize and the person only looked at her fleeting form with a scoff.
It didn’t take long until Haruna reached Mariko’s home through the use of a taxi cab. She paid the driver and made her way to the front door of the woman’s house. The location was nice and luxurious unlike the home she shared with Minami.
Haruna rang the doorbell, but because no one had answered she turned the handle to find the door unlocked and walked in. Moving her way through the pure white theme of Mariko’s lovely suite she found the girl with a glass of cold alcohol in hand at the dining table.
“Haruna…I wanted to talk to you.” Mariko said as she lifted her head from the counter top.
“I don’t have anything to say to you…” Haruna answered.
“Did you meet up with Takamina yet?” Mariko asked weakly.
“No, but I’m supposed to by now…So, what do you have to say? I have to go soon.” Haruna stood by idly watching the other.
“I need you by my side, yesterday—” Mariko was cutoff.
“It was a mistake!” Haruna cried.
“It wasn’t a mistake... I love you, and I know you still do too. Yesterday proved it.” Mariko stood up from her seat.
“Don’t come near me!” Haruna yelled out, her eyes beginning to glisten.
“…You love me too.” Mariko repeated feeling hurt.
“You’re making it hard to let go.” Feeling the overwhelming feeling consume her, Haruna broke into a sob instantly crushing her facade.
“You never had to let go in the first place.” Mariko replied as she walked over and pulled Haruna into a hug.
“It’s more complicated than that.” Haruna retorted as she tightened her hold on Mariko.
“I love you, and that’s all that’s needed to be understood.” Mariko wiped at Haruna’s tears.
Haruna stared into Mariko’s eyes. “I love you too…but,” She finally admitted.
“But what?”
“I’m scared…I don’t want to hurt Minami’s feelings. This isn’t right.” Haruna explained as she sniffed.
“I feel that way too… Minami is a great person, she’s my best friend! I’m hurt knowing what I’m doing will bring her pain, but I just can’t contain it anymore.” Mariko tightened her hold on Haruna, but let her tears fall feeling disgusted with herself.
“Don’t blame yourself. I’m at fault too…” Haruna pulled back to look at Mariko.
“I won’t let you go this time… I’ve already lost you once.” Mariko Leaned in to kiss Haruna, and the girl accepted it.
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It had been a long time already since Minami had lit up the last candle she had put up around the playground. After pacing back and forth with nothing to do she sat herself down at the end of a slide and lied back. “What’s taking her so long?” Minami sighed.
Minami played with the small box inside her pocket until a negative thought hit her, ‘What if something bad happened to her?!’ Minami shot up from her spot, then thought of another more positive possibility to calm her down.
“No, no, no, just keep it cool. She’ll be here soon.” Minami took a deep breath and climbed up the steps of the kid sized playhouse. Once she reached the top she bent down to check on the fruity Birthday cake. ‘Thank Kami-sama that the weather is cool enough to chill Haruna’s precious cake.’ Minami thought.
Bored, she jumped down and looking around at the various flowers an idea popped up in her head. Minami walked towards a patch of flowers and knelt down. ‘The owner won’t mind right?’ She thought. With a fake cough she plucked out a few and looked around skeptically. “…Of course, he won’t. The children do it all the time either way.” At the excuse, she went on ahead and picked out some more until her hand was full with all sorts.
Making her way to sit on an empty swing and avoiding all the candles lain out on the cement Minami went to work with what she had just picked out and braided each root together to create a makeshift floral head wreath.
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Atsuko had just finished up on another busy schedule after signing contract with the producers of the new movie she had just decided to star in and switched on her phone to look at the time. ‘8:41pm’ Along with the timer two unread messages also popped up.
‘If you’re done with your schedule early, let’s go out for dinner.’ Atsuko read over the first one and then clicked on the second one.
‘Never mind, since you aren’t replying I presume you’re still busy…Next time.’
Atsuko pressed on the screen and replied, ‘Sorry Tomochin, I barely got your messages.’
After about a minute she received a reply, ‘Are you still at Toei Studios?’
‘Yes, still hungry?’ Atsuko replied.
‘I’m in the area I’ll come pick you up right now.’ After Atsuko read the final message she excused herself from her manager and headed down towards the front of the building.
It took approximately ten minutes for her longtime friend to arrive. With the sunroof of her vehicle open, Tomomi stood up from her seat, out through the opening as she cupped her hands together and yelled at her friend.
“Get in the car. I’m not opening the door for you!” Tomomi joked.
“Haiii, I’m coming right away!” Atsuko replied with a bright smile, glad to see her friend.
They drove around to the nearest restaurant by their favorite boutique and sat at the usual table near the back. After they ordered their late night dinner, Atsuko decided to strike up a conversation.
“How was your fitting at Cowaii today?” Atsuko asked the model.
“Their spring fashion line really suits my taste, so everything went fairly well.” Tomomi replied without much thought.
“Good to know for once you’re finally satisfied with a day’s events without complaining.” Atsuko chuckled.
“Well…Now that you’ve mentioned it. There was this really rude model that bumped into me today after the show.” Tomochin said as she stared at her nails.
“I knew it… Did you know her?” Atsuko asked curiously as she shifted in her seat.
The waiter brought out their dishes and they waited until she was done to resume their conversation. Atsuko had already begun picking at her food, when Tomomi decided to answer the girl. She had also picked up her utensils ready to eat.
“Some chick named Kojima Haruna…I’ve seen her around, just never talked to her before and after today I don’t think I ever want to anyways.” Tomomi shrugged.
The two friends enjoyed their meal and chatted just to catch up with each other on the subject of their busy lives for another good two hours, before a lingering thought probed at Atsuko to ask her friend. “Do you by any chance might know where Hibiya Gakuen is at?”
“You mean the Junior high school? I attended there for about a year, before switching out for art school. It’s only about five minutes away from here.” Tomomi sipped on her drink.
“Oh, it’s that close by?”
“Yeah…Why’d you ask?
“I wanted to return something to a person who said, she might be around there tonight.” Atsuko replied. Truth was although Minami had clearly stated that she would call the girl back the next day, she couldn’t quite understand the need she felt to see the photographer who had carried and cared for her since the day it happened.
“Up until this late? Well…I guess I could take you in a bit.” Tomomi replied.
Finishing up with their talk the girls decided to head out in search for the school, until Atsuko had cleared it to her friend that instead it was a playground they were supposedly looking for. “We’ve been driving around for a while now…”Tomochin complained.
“I’m really sorry, we can stop now.” Atsuko sulked.
“I’ll go further up ahead.” Tomochin replied as she continued to help her friend.
Atsuko peered out into the darkness and spotted something brightly lit in the distance that caught her attention. “Ahh, do you see that over there?” She pointed towards the interesting place and her friend followed.
“This is it.” Tomomi said as she parked her car out front of the exotic view of what seemed to be a gated playground.
“Wow, it’s…so beautiful.” Atsuko was awestruck when her eyes took in sight of the place. The whole playground lit up like a Christmas tree with twinkling candles placed randomly throughout the park on and off of the contraptions. The bushes that surrounded the lot were filled with beautiful flowers at the prime of their bloom and the backdrop was the magnificent view of the night sky complete with stars. Even without the lighting of the candles, the shine from the moon casted itself over the lot and the whole place illuminated an indescribable glow.
“Someone must’ve been really bored.” Tomomi said as she herself admired the place.
Atsuko squinted her eyes to get a better look, and was barely able to make out the silhouette of the person she was looking for sitting on one of the swings.
“Thanks Tomochin.” Atsuko said as she opened the door and walked out.
“Do you want me to wait for you?” Tomomi asked and Atsuko shook her head.
Atsuko turned back to look at the place and took a deep breath as her friend drove off. Slowly she walked into the gates and continued to admire at the amazing sparkles. She came to a stop the second Minami’s voice was heard.
“Haruna?” The sounds of chains were heard as Minami got up from where she sat.
“I umm…” Atsuko hesitated biting onto her lip.
“…Maeda-san, is that you?” Minami asked slightly surprised at the other girl’s appearance.
“…Your phone.” Not knowing what to say Atsuko reached into her pocket and extended out the object.
“So it was you ahah,” Minami gave a tired laugh. “You didn’t have to, I said I’d come get it.” Minami walked up to the girl and smiled.
In response Atsuko darted her eyes a bit embarrassed and replied, “But I wanted to.” The phone was then given to its original owner.
Minami, who had just received her cellphone back, clicked at the screen and looked at the timer. “…its 12:01am, and I never even got to say happy birthday.” she sighed gloomily.
“I’m sorry, am I interrupting anything?” Atsuko asked a bit confused and curious about why there were decorations set up at such a place first and all.
“Ahh, not at all…In fact,” Minami looked like she was in thought for a second, went back to where she previously sat, picked up something and placed it gently on Atsuko’s head. “Here.” As Minami fixed the elegantly done floral wreath onto the girl, Atsuko held onto her breath and nervously gripped at the hem of her skirt.
“What is it?” Atsuko asked surprised by the shorter girl’s action.
“It’s a present of course.” Minami replied with a smile and backed away a couple of steps.
Atsuko couldn’t contain the smile she had unconsciously responded to the girl’s comment. “…For?” She asked again.
Minami tilted her head in thought and then replied with, “I don’t know, but you look beautiful so I guess it doesn’t matter does it?”
Atsuko had been complimented before on numerous occasions for her beauty, but somehow when Minami had said it with such a look in her eyes…A small blush had already crept up to her cheeks and she blinked at the girl. “You don’t really make any sense.”
“Probably not, I’ve been out here alone for hours.” Minami shrugged turning around to go sit back on the swing.
As Atsuko studied over the other girl, her movements, her speech, and the emotions hidden behind her eyes, she realized something that sent a strange sensation straight to her beating heart. ‘…There was no doubt, Takahashi Minami was sad.’ And with that clear thought in mind, Atsuko walked over to the girl and sat down in the neighboring seat.
“I love my present, did you make it?” Atsuko said with a smile to Minami and the other girl just gave a small nod in return.
“I had to get rid of them. If a park ranger were to catch me with those flowers plucked from this lot…I would’ve been fined.” Minami replied.
“Eh?!” Atsuko’s gave a dumbfounded look, but burst out into a cute laughter as Minami gave her a look that read, ‘I got you.’ and giggled.
“You’re not joking are you?” Atsuko gave Minami a playful glare.
Minami pretended to whistle out randomly to cover up that she didn’t see or hear Atsuko’s question like a silly kid and then suggested something else from out of the blue. “Umm, h-hey…Let’s race and see who can swing higher!” Minami yelled out as she began to make her move.
“Aheh me, because I’m much taller.” Atsuko replied confidently and accepted the girl’s offer.
“It has nothing to do with a person’s height!” Minami retorted obviously touchy upon the subject and Atsuko merely bit on her tongue in amusement.
And even after swinging the two continued their childish competitions via other play sets. The slides, the balancing rails, and the seesaw… Although it was unusual for her to be doing such things with a person she barely knew anything about and unlikely for two adults to be doing such playful things at all, considering how late and strange the whole ideal was… Atsuko admitted that she’d never felt so carefree in her life. She couldn’t even remember ever having this much fun playing at a playground as a child in the first place.
Then there was Minami…Atsuko looked at the other girl who was busy smiling up at the sky. She knew the shorter girl was a strange one, but even so she also knew there was something completely magical about Minami as well. As Atsuko observed the other person she began to feel an attachment grow from within her being. Although there was a smile on Minami’s lips, the sweetest sadness was hidden in her eyes and slowly as Atsuko wondered, ‘…Why?’ her heart gradually reached out unknowingly to grasp at something she couldn’t yet come to fully understand.
“…Takahashi-san?’ Atsuko asked still seemingly focused onto the girl.
“Call me Takamina.” Although Minami had answered the girl, it was as though her mind had been elsewhere.
“Takamina…” Atsuko said to herself as she continued to look at Minami.
“Hmm?” Minami looked away from the sky and her eyes were met with Atsuko’s passionate gaze.
There was a heavy feeling clouding over Atsuko’s heart as she stared into Minami’s eyes. She knew the other girl must’ve wanted to cry as her eyes glistened amongst the twinkling flickers of light. Somehow she knew the girl was in pain somewhere, that she wasn’t happy, that she was disappointed, that something was troubling over her…and overwhelmingly…Somehow she was able to feel Minami’s feelings of hurt.
Under the starlit sky and troubled candlelit smile of Minami’s…Atsuko slowly reached in for the girl and embraced Minami silently with the warmth of her body, but most importantly the heart that pounded loudly from within.
‘Doki, doki, doki…’
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A/N: Okay, sorry I took a while to update. I promise with the ending of this chapter, Atsumina will soon come at you readers with a full blast lol. Thanks everyone for the love! I’m sorry for any grammar mistakes…I am tired -__-“ My laziness doesn’t even want to proof. I hecka’ appreciate these precious comments though, ahah thanks again! This update is longer than usual just for you guys <3
Topic: [Update! 8/31/12] Candlelit Smile | Atsumina (Read 20350 times)