Sugaya started to go to class again this week. Even if we didn't say anything to each other, we both knew that we'll be going to her house after class. It seems that that's how it goes. I'm not complaining, actually I'm glad because I kind of miss it. When we hold hands while walking together to her house, when she asks me questions about the lessons, when she solves the problems faster than me, when we eat the snacks prepared by her mom, and when she tells me "See you again tomorrow." As I leave. I miss everything. But it was her that I miss the most.
It's a weekend so I was thinking of asking her to go out. But she called me first.
"Hello. Are you busy today?"
"No. How about you?"
"I'm thinking of getting a haircut. Can you go with me?"
"S..Sure. Why not?" I can't believe I hesitated.
"Great! Meet you in my house at 2. Bye."
She's getting a haircut? But her hair looks fine to me. Then I remembered something. I actually had the whole week but I didn't get the chance to give her the bracelet.
This will be actually the first time we go out together, just the two of us. I didn't have the time to get the manga from the store so still have some money with me. I left home early. I didn't want to keep her waiting.
I pressed the doorbell and she came out after a few seconds after saying goodbye to her mom. She wore a pink hooded jacket that covered a colorful striped shirt, jeans and a pair of Adidas sneakers. She looked gorgeous. Well, she always does.
"Before we leave, I want to give you something."
"What's is it?"
"Give me your hand."
She lifted her left hand. I took it and pulled the sleeve of her sweater down to reveal her wrist. She looked at me. The look she gave was like she was expecting me to do this a long time ago. I put the bracelet on her wrist, the bracelet that almost got lost but was miraculously recovered by one of her fellow Berryz Kobou. I was finally able to give it to her. I didn't plan anything fancy. I just wanted her to have it. It was a bit loose on her wrist but she didn't complain. Then she saw that her name was engraved on it. Now it looked like she was gonna cry again.
"Thank you. It's beautiful."
"Do you like it?"
"Of course. You always surprise me and make me happy."
"That's what I'm here for."
She smiled at me and held my hand and we started to walk away from her house. Her hands were soft and smooth, just the way I remembered.
No more words were spoken.
Now she wore a pink hooded jacket that covered a colorful striped shirt, jeans, a pair of Adidas sneakers, the bracelet and the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.
***
We arrived at the parlor after a few minutes. I felt uncomfortable because when we entered, everyone looked at us and when I looked around I found out that I was the only male inside the establishment. Was it a blessing or a curse? That's what I was about to find out.
Sugaya told me to sit down on the couch. I started to look around again. Most of the customers were cute girls, some of them our age and some of the a bit older. I recognize some but I didn't know their names. With the amount of idols we have, it's impossible to know them all, unless they have a really large following. Some of them smiled at me and I just smiled back at them. Some of them gave me a piercing gaze and it made me not look at them again.
"It's finished. Thanks for waiting."
I turned around slowly. Now I'm glad that I went out with her today. She looked really beautiful with her new hairstyle. And I was the first to see her with it.
"You look really..."
"Really what?" she said as he put her hands on her hips.
I stood up and whispered "You're the most beautiful girl in this parlor!"
She blushed and put out a semi-frown. "You're kidding me."
"No, it's true. Now let's go before they get jealous." she just shook her head and giggled.
She paid at the counter and we sneaked out of the parlor . However, I could still feel them looking at us as we left.
***
We weren't that far from the parlor when we heard someone talk behind us.
"Is that a new haircut Sugaya-chan? And who's the cutie with you?"
We turned around to see who it was. Sugaya's eyes were wide open and so was her mouth when she found out who the person was.
It was a woman with thick sunglasses wearing a coat over some very stylish signature clothes. She's probably an idol too, hence the disguise. However, the disguise she had was nothing compared to what the Captain wore, and even Natsuyaki's when I saw them. It was like she was an undercover agent or something. It was definite that she really didn't want to get known. But Sugaya was able to recognize her.
"G....Goto-senpai?"
Goto? As in Goto Maki? I couldn't believe that I was standing in front of Goto Maki. I was ready to kneel and bow down but like Sugaya, I was also frozen on where I stood.
"Hello?" she broke the trance we were under. "I told you before Sugaya-chan that you don't have to be afraid of me." she said as she put her hands on Sugaya's shoulders.
"I was just....I didn't expect to see you here Goto-senpai."
"That's alright. Hmm. Nice hairstyle. Don't ever dye your hair okay." She said as she stroked Sugaya's hair. "Hey you haven't answered my other question yet."
"Oh. About him right? He's my friend."
I'm her friend. I'm not just her classmate. I'm her friend.
"He's your friend? That's nice. He's cute and he's tall. Nice catch." Sugaya blushed as her senpai said that.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am." I said as I bowed down.
"Nice to meet you too. But don't call me ma'am okay? I feel old when someone calls me that."
"Umm, what do I call you then?"
"Gocchin would be fine."
"Really?"
"You have my permission. Say, you two should join me for some coffee. It's on me." It was more like an order that we couldn't refuse. I looked at Sugaya and she nodded. But I don't drink coffee and I think Sugaya also doesn't drink coffee.
She took us to a coffee shop, the same coffee shop where Natsuyaki-san told me to meet her. It looks like idols have similar tastes, especially in bad disguises. When she asked us to order anything we want Sugaya and I looked at each other. I was right. She doesn't drink coffee too. Goto-san already ordered for something and the waiter was just waiting for us.
"Um, senpai, we don't know what to order." Sugaya told her with an innocent look.
"That okay. Waiter, please give them Hot Chocolate then."
"Will there be anything else ma'am?"
"That will be all." Goto-san really doesn't want to get called 'Ma'am'. She gave the waiter a weird look as he walked away. I had a hunch that she won't be giving a tip to him later.
A few minutes later he came back with what she ordered.
"So how did the photoshoot go, Sugaya-chan?" she said as she added sugar to her coffee.
"Umm. It was fun. But it was tiring as well. It was very different when I was doing the photobook with Miyabi-chan and the rest. I felt a bit lonely."
"Better get used to it then." I didn't know what she meant by that. Is she saying that Sugaya will be having another one? But her first photobook isn't even out yet.
"Yes. I should. Umm, can you excuse me for a while, I need to go to the comfort room."
"Sure. I'll take care of 'Pretty Boy' here." Pretty Boy? Not again. Sugaya giggled as she heard her say that.
"Better behave yourself 'Pretty Boy'." she said as she went out.
Now I was left alone with Ms. Foxy Fungo, one of the most famous artists of Hello!Project. She looked really good in her photobook. I hope she's a nice person as well.
"How long have you known Sugaya-chan?"
"We've been going to the same school but we only became classmates this year."
"Okay. So you wrote letters for her right?"
"I haven't actually."
"What did you do then?"
"I teach her the lessons she missed when she was out for rehearsals."
"I see. So aside from being her friend, you're also her private tutor. How quaint."
"I was just trying to help her out."
"Thanks for helping her. Now my next question, how long have you two been 'on'?"
"'On'? What do you mean?"
"She's your girlfriend now right?"
"No."
"Not yet?"
"Not yet. Wait...I mean....Yes....No....Sorry but what was your question again?" That's the problem when words come out of your mouth when you're in panic. You can't take them back. I was able to last Kumai when she was asking me questions but I don't think I can last Goto-san.
"Haha. You're funny. Now I think I know why Sugaya-chan likes you. When I was her age I didn't have time for this, you know, falling in love and stuff. I'm just amused at how much the world has changed since then."
"Oh. So it's really hard being an idol, huh?
"Right. That's why you should take good care of her."
"I already am." Brave words for someone who doesn't even have the courage to ask her out for a date.
"I'll be watching."
"I'm back." It was Sugaya. What a relief.
"Aww. I was just getting to know your friend over here."
"Did he behave?" Sugaya said as she glanced at me.
"Haha. Why don't you ask him?"
We stayed for a long time in the coffee shop. Goto-san shared a lot of her experiences when she was just our age. I think Sugaya was happy because it gave her an idea how things work in the field they are in and it prepared her for whatever might happen. Also, I think it's Goto-san's way of helping out her kohai.
"It's getting late, we should get going." Goto-san said as she checked her Chanel watch. She called the waiter and she paid the bill. The waiter came back with the change but she told him to keep it. I was wrong about her. Aside from having talent and a wonderful voice, Goto-san's is also a very good person. Maybe that's why she has a huge following.
"You walk her home, alright. Take care Sugaya-chan."
***
She held my hand tight as we walked to her house. It was a long walk but we didn't get tired.
Then we stood in front of their gate.
"I had fun today." she said.
"Me too."
"We should go out often."
"Righ..."
She kissed me again in the cheek. But this time she didn't hurry inside. She just looked at me. Even though it was dark I could see that her cheeks turned red. She took my hand and placed it where her heart was. It was beating fast. So was mine. The silver bracelet shone brightly under the light of the moon. The day was almost over but she still wore the same smile after I gave the bracelet to her.
"I....I..." Could I say it to her?
"You what? Go on."
"I.................I wonder if Goto-san's already at home." What a lame attempt. All I could do next was scratch my head.
"Haha. Looks she really got into you. Good night. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay. Good night Sugaya-chan. Sweet dreams."
Today was another amazing day.