HEY GUYS!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING MY FFANFIC! PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR COMMENTS! I FIND THEM VERY MOTIVATIONAL[/size]
XCHAPTER 3
I wake up the next morning with what happened yesterday still vivid in my mind. Her sweet smell still seems to linger around me and the feel of her soft lips on mine are still present as if they were just still there.
As usual I get up and do my normal routine. Leaving my place, I head for the elevator my eyes down the hall hoping to see her smile this morning. The elevator arrives and still no sign of her. Disappointed, I reluctantly, enter the elevator and head for work.
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“ Takamina. Hey Takamina! Are you listening or what” Mii-chan says waving her hand in front of her friend’s face to get her attention.
Snapping out of my daze, “ Yes, Mii-chan I’m listening.”
“ Alright. What was I saying then” she replies as she across her arms on her chest looking at me with on eyebrow up.
“ Okay Okay. You caught me. I wasn’t.” knowing full well that I can’t lie to her
“ What is wrong with you anways. You seem off today. “ she looks at me with concern
I let out a sigh and tell her everything that happened last night. Yes, Everything. Even down to the kiss. I tell Mii-chan everything. One thing I’ve learned is that Mii-chan has always been there for me whenever I’m troubled.
I look at Mii-chan pleading for any form of reaction.
“ WOW! WOOOWWWW!” Were the first things that came from her mouth
“ What??” I say with a confused look
“ You know Takamina. You’re like a sister to me and I will be honest with you. Personally, I think this might be going a little too fast for you. I don’t know what Maeda-san or Atsuko as you call her is thinking but I think you’ll need to take it slow. I mean, you’ve just met her and hardly know much about each other. I remember when you and your You-Know-Who broke up, you were a mess. It took a while for me to have the normal you back. But THE MAEDA ATSUKO. WOWWWW “ she says with concern and intrigue in her eyes
“ I know I know “ I say sighing as I place my head in my arms resting it on my desk.
“ Get your butt up. We are going to lunch. We’re having lunch with Mariko today. “ Mii-chan says excitedly as we make our way out of the building
We head over to small café not too far from our building. We arrive there first and requested for a patio seating since it was a beautiful day out. Mii-chan and I order our coffees as we wait for Mariko.
We met Mariko while we were in business school. She’s been one of my best friends since then. She’s more like an older sister to me. Her and Mii-chan had been dating since we graduated. Way before we became successful. And no one can say she’s only after Mii-chan’s money because Mariko runs her own thriving fashion line.
Mariko arrives and heads straight for us. She gives me a peck on the cheek as a greeting and a quick peck on her girlfriend’s lips.
“ What’s wrong Takamina? You’re not your normal Baka self” Mariko says trolling as she sits beside Mii-chan.
Before I could say anything Mii-chan chimes in. “ She has a thing for Maeda Atsuko”
Sighing. “ I don’t know what it is “
Mii-chan knowing I don’t want to repeat myself again, tells my story to Mariko.
“ Well, you’re not going to hear anything from me that my Mii-chan hasn’t told you yet. But I’m sure you already know to take it
easy. I’m surprised to hear you’ve kissed already. You’re always shy and always took your time. I remember with You-Know-Who, you’ve taken a liking to her because she helped you break out of your shell and thought you to be more assertive. Mii-chan and I don’t want you to be hurt again. Both of us know that you can make your own decisions and you know what’s best for you. We just want you to be happy. ” Mariko says as she eats her salad
“ I know. Thanks for worrying about me guys. I’ll be fine.” I smile at them thankfully
“ What makes me wonder though. What does a movie star like her see in a midget like you “ Mariko says in her usual trolling voice
Mariko and Mii-chan giggle at the comment. The day isn’t complete without picking on Takamina first. I scoff at the thought. To be honest, I’ve gotten so used to it that sometimes I’m actually grateful of them.
“ You know, Takamina. I have a lot of beautiful models who work for me. You’re sound just come meet them they’re all nice and interesting girls. “ Mariko says in a half teasing, half serious tone in her voice.
We continue to eat lunch updating each other about our companies. We always valued each other’s opinions when it comes to our businesses.
As lunch ends, Mariko and I do our usual kiss on the cheek while saying bye to each other. Her and Mii-chan share a hug and a kiss.
“ See you at home Mii-chan. See you later Takamina.” Mariko waves bye to us as we head in separate directions.
Towards the end of the day, Mii-chan and I leave the office together and head to our respected homes. We both have service cars each waiting on us to drive us anywhere we please.
“ Bye Mii-chan. Say Hi to Mariko for me” I wave at her as I get in the car.
“ See you tomorrow “ she replies as she too gets in her ride.
As the car pulls up at my building, I see Atsuko walking to towards the lobby. I arrive at the doorway a couple of steps before her. Watching her, look at me she flashes a smile. Her smile is slightly different this time though. While still beautiful as always, it wasn’t a full smile that makes her nose wrinkle and her eyes smaller. I know right away that something was bothering her. Without even thinking about it, I stand in front of it and block her way. Before she could say anything I cut her off.
“ It’s my turn to provide you dinner today” I look at her putting my best effort to show puppy dog eyes. Taking a chance hoping she’s free this evening
“ Hello to you too Minami. You’re adorable you know that. Sure I don’t see why not” she says giggling a little
Blushing a little with her “adorable” comment, I feel a tinge of accomplishment that she agreed to go grab dinner with me.
“ Yatta! I know a restaurant around the corner. It’s not too far from here” I say leading the way as we walk side by side
“How was work today? “ I say starting a conversation
“Eh. It was tiring. I had to leave for work earlier than usual this morning” Atsuko replies with a sigh
“AH! I shouldn’t have come over last night! I’m sorry for keeping you up “ I say bowing slightly
“Oh no don’t be. I had a lot of fun last night “ she says as I see her blushing slightly and biting her lower lip from the corner of my eye.
While walking I feel her arm wrap around mine pulling us closer as we head over our destination.
“Yea, me too.” I reply as the kiss from last night makes an appearance in my mind
“Ano.. Atsuko, you seemed a little down earlier. Everything okay? I ask while we continue walking side by side
“It’s nothing big really. You’ll probably think it’s stupid “ Atsuko replies
“You’ll feel better once you’ve talked about it. I like to think of myself a good listener. You can use me as an outlet. But only if you feel comfortable enough of course. “ I say to her with a reassuring smile
Before she could reply, we arrive outside the restaurant and I hold the door open for her.
“ We’re here! “ as I hold the door with a smile
We step inside and the hostess seats us on a table for two near the window overlooking the now crowded street of people probably heading home for the end of the day
The waitress greets us giving me an acknowledging smile.
“ Good Evening Takahashi-san. Looks like you brought company with you today.” Says Kuramochi-san the restaurant owner
“ Ah Yes, this is my friend Maeda Atsuko. Atsuko, this Kuramochi Asuka the owner of this lovely resaurant “ I reply introducing the two
“ Silly Takahashi-san. I thought I told you to call me Asuka.” Kuramochi-san looks at me with a smirk and then extends her hand out to shake Atsuko’s hand “ It’s an honor to have a famous celebrity like to in my restaurant Maeda-san. I am a fan “
Atsuko shakes the girls hand “ Thank you. It’s a lovely place you have here. Minami was kind enough to invite me to dinner and brought me here tonight” smiling in my direction as she mentions my name
A hint of disappointment or maybe jealousy come across Kuramochi-san’s face upon hearing Atsuko say my name with a sense of closeness between the two of us.
I’m a frequent customer at SHONICHI. I often come here alone though, never really brought anyone with me before. I’ve become familiar with the staff there and somehow always had the owner Kuramochi-san serve me. If I didn’t know any better I’d think she likes me. Mii-chan always says I’m oblivious to these kind of things. I can’t even tell if Atsuko likes me. All I know is that I really like seeing her. Despite being a girl, I’ve been told that I am a natural Ikemen and that I’m the long term boyfriend/girlfriend material.
Once taking our order, Kuramochi-san walks away to get our food ready
“ She’s awfully friendly isn’t she? And make sure to call her Asuka“ Atsuko says with a hint of teasing in her voice as she get her utensil and napkin ready
“ I only call people by their names if I find myself at ease or comfortable with them. And only those who are close to me call me Minami” I reply as I drink my water
She slightly tilts her head and says “ You’re comfortable enough with me to be okay calling me Atsuko then? And it’s really okay for
me to call you Minami?
“ mmHmm” I say nodding my head “ I don’t know how to explain it but I really do feel at ease with you. Despite the fact that we’ve
just started talking yesterday. I don’t know how to explain it really.
Our food arrives and I continue to rumble on trying my best to keep our conversations going. I don’t really need to try hard since
she’s so easy to talk to.
I tell her about my work and the kind of job that I do. While talking, I can see that she actually is sincerely interested.
“ Wow. So you’re pretty much a big shot in the real estate business” she says while see continues to devour her dessert.
“ It’s nothing compared to being the most sought after movie star in Japan” I say to her not as a tease but with admiration
“ I love my job. I do but it really does take a toll on me sometimes. Today for example, when you asked if something was wrong it was because of work. “ Atsuko says to me with a hint of disappointment
“ What happened?” I ask with concern
“it’s nothing big really. I was shooting for a drama today and it just didn’t feel like I was giving it my all. We had to do a bunch of retakes because of me.“ she says with a sigh
“ Don’t beat yourself up over it. Everyone gets an off day every once in awhile. It’s completely understandable. You are amazing at
what you do. And I’m sure they only did those extra retakes to make sure to get the best angles. But I’m sure every shot is perfect because I know for a fact that you’ll look great in any shot” I smile at her reassuringly.
“ Thank you.” Atsuko says flashing me a grateful smile
“ Anytime” I say with a smug look on my face knowing I’ve made her feel better
After dinner Atsuko and I take a leisure stroll back to our building. The walk took longer than on our way to the restaurant because we stopped along the way for Atsuko to pet some cute dogs that passed us. i’m more of a cat person myself but I’ve grown to like dogs. They’re fun.
When we arrived at our building, I decided to walk Atsuko to her door. When we finally reach her door she turns around and hugs me.
“ Thank you for everything today. I had a lot of fun” she says as we pull away
“ It’s only fair since you made me dinner last night.” I reply
We exchange mobile numbers before I head home.
“ I have fun today too. Good night Atsuko.” I wave at her as I begin to take steps towards my apartment
“ Ano.. You forgot something” I hear her say
I turn around and feel her soft lips on mine once again. This time, unlike the last I kiss her back. After what felt like hours, she pulls away and says “Good Night Minami”
In a daze, I somehow managed to find my way home and get myself ready for bed. I check my phone to set my alarm tomorrow morning I see a message.
“ Thank you for inviting me to dinner, listening to me about my silly work issue today and most of all thank so much for making my day better.
I can’t wait for see you at the event tomorrow”
XOXO
ATSUKO
After reading her message I can’t help but smile at her XOXO.
Then I realize. WHAT’S THE EVENT THAT’S HAPPENING TOMORROW!?!?!?