Warning: Mention of physical abuse

CHAPTER 11

"Okay, Shibuya-san, Ichinose-san! Next pose, please... okay, that's so charming! Please hug each other tightly!"

"Were you okay last night? Did something happen?" As soon as Tokiya threw a question, he could sense that Tomochika's body turned taut in his arms. Photoshoot had become so customary to them that they already mastered the art of 'talking while keeping their aesthetic and model - esque' face expression.

Even when Tomochika currently restrained herself from wincing in pain every time Tokiya unknowingly touched her bruises.

"Of course I was. Why?" The long-haired woman remarked. A piercing gaze from Tokiya was overwhelming for her in order to throw more white lies.

It did not make her emotion any better when Tokiya's question jogged her memory about what happened to her last night. It was thorny and frightening but she had to be strong in front of her friend. The fact that Tokiya would know the fissure in her relationship was the last thing that she wanted it to happen.

She did not want anybody to know Eichii's true colors.

"It's because somebody called me last night, all drunk and gave me a bedtime story about how loving her fiancé is. That somebody made me really worried."

The sardonic remark sent the gorgeous woman to bite her lips.

Urghh, this is mortifying! Why Tokiya, out of all people!? Did I call him since I fought with Eichii because of him?

"The whole world already knows how much you guys love each other," Tokiya said, flatly. He did not even bother to tell Tomochika to stop blushing since his mind stored another more important subject. "You don't have to tell me again. What matters the most is please don't randomly call a guy, saying that you're alone in your house and what not. It's so dangerous. Who knows what might happen if you end up calling other guys as well?"

I know it. This Heart-throb is concerned about this, Tomochika's mind whispered.

"But... I just called you like...once, right?"

The dark blue eyebrows were lifted which was the obvious answer.

"Then, is it twi..."

"It's seven times since we have worked together for the movie," the soft voice confirmed with a serene smile even the words that escaped from his mouth was a tad disturbing.

"What?" Tomochika exclaimed, unable to conceal her surprise. Tokiya slightly spun her, avoided her comically shocked face got captured by the camera.

"Be careful with your eyes and mouth. You're still in the middle of a photo shoot," Tokiya reminded from the corner of his lips.

"But, still... it's seven times... for real?" She knew Tokiya would not choose this kind of moment to crack a joke but she could not help but ask.

Tokiya nodded calmly. When Tomochika showed a sign that she would gasp dramatically and drop her jaws, the guy immediately pulled her closer and shut her lips with his long finger.

"Oh, that looks so intimate, Ichinose-san!" Junpei, the photographer exclaimed, totally pleased with Tokiya's spontaneous pose.

"Thank you."

"But... at least I called you; my close friend. It's still safe, right?" Tomochika asked. It was not only an act that she pulled in order to make her heart feel better. She really trusted Tokiya. "You're a decent man anyway, Tokiya."

"What made you think that I am trustworthy? I am still a man, you know," Tokiya said, curving in a handsome smirk. For others, she might look like she was seduced by the man but as his friend, she knew that he was advising her to be careful with her recklessness. "Once I become a man, I am not your friend anymore."

She knew Tokiya never approved her alcohol consumption. Tomochika was positive that after he worked with her several times especially before she dated Eichii, the blue head believed that his decision not to drink was the smartest thing ever in his life. When others complimented their chemistry both on and off-screen, nobody actually knew that Tokiya was the one who would send her home and put up with her ridiculous drinking habits. She even used to slap and strangle him while she cursed their exacting director. Because of the rowdy woman, Tokiya was so used to get himself into life-threatening situations.

It was still absurd for a prim guy like Tokiya. Even it was merely his business, he was one of the people who was the happiest when Tomochika found someone protective like Eichii as her life partner. Tokiya was so grateful that he never knew that the tall guy was the reason why Tomochika got herself depressed and got drunk again.

"Okay. I promise I will be more careful," Tomochika mumbled. While she agreed with Otoya that Tokiya was way too strict and serious, the blue head was always right. He just wanted to avoid troubles in the future.

"It's funny that this time, you don't promise that you won't do it again. Rather, it's 'I will be more careful'. It sounds like you will drink and cause trouble again but maybe this time, you will call the more trustworthy Haruka instead of me."

"Huh!" Tomochika pouted. "An alcohol-free person like you will never understand people like me. You don't know how much we need it."

No longer putting on a stern expression, Tokiya chuckled as he hugged her tightly, following the shrill photographer's instruction. The photo shoot which was in tandem with their position as the brand ambassadors for a famous clothing store had always been the most comfortable job for Tokiya.

Why? First, Tomochika had been his friend since they were in training so they had been that close. Second, unlike other actresses who loved to flirt with him, Tomochika was very loyal to his fiancé so she never found him attractive.

Suddenly, Tomochika winced in his arms. Her shoulders were lifted out of tense, causing Tokiya to pull away anxiously.

"What's wrong?" The blue eyes sized up, staring at Tomochika who was holding her waist.

"Shibuya-san, what's wrong?" Junpei asked as he lifted his head from the camera.

"No, nothing," Tomochika beamed but her hand which moved to her back seemed to say the opposite. "I fell down stairs yesterday so I hurt my back and waist. The bruises are still not recovering."

"Wait, what?" Tokiya took a glance at her slender waist. "If that's the case, should you rest at home instead?"

"It's okay, Tokiya. I already got them treated so it should be fine. Junpei - san, you can proceed."

The photographer and the blue-haired idol looked at each other. As Tomochika hugged Tokiya's broad shoulder, they knew she meant her words.

When Tokiya thought that the session ended smoothly, other problems always knew how to find their ways.

"You guys have such a great chemistry! Like a match made in heaven!" Junpei exclaimed, loudly.

"Thank you," the friends said, trying their best to stay optimistic with the 'match made in heaven' phrase. Tomochika's status as somebody's fiancée had made them no longer feel comfortable to obtain compliments about their chemistry.

"You do know that you are the most popular on-screen couple now, right? People even anticipated your reunion in your latest movie."

Yeah, I know. That's why Eichii went berserk and hit me last night, Tomochika flinched at the memory. It's not anyone's fault if Tokiya always could create a good chemistry with his co-stars including her. Ostensibly, he just did his job but for Eichii, it was the peril that could destroy his relationship with Tomochika.

"I personally feel it's better for you to date Ichinose-san instead of your fiancé. Hahahahaha."

While Tomochika chuckled just to play along with the lame joke and cover her surprise by Junpei's candor, Tokiya did not laugh at all. That was typical of him. He was not the one who easily got entertained but when he averted his attention to everywhere that his eyes could spot, Tomochika knew the guy was irritated.

Maybe he lacked communication skill but Tokiya did not see the 'joke' as a joke.

Rather, it was rude. Who did Junpei think he was to say something offensive like that to the couple who loved each other?

Tomochika glanced at the idol. She could not help but secretly smile at Tokiya's robotic face.

"Tokiya might look the coolest out of us but do you want to know what's his secret? He loves horror movies. (Tomochika: huh?) Yes, you didn't mishear it. He loves horror or gore movies so much. He even said to me that even he keeps a poker face every time someone picks a fight with him, he actually kills the person more than 100 times in his head."

Tomochika covered her mouth. The urge to giggle at Otoya's dramatic and storyteller-esque voice grew in her mind. Knowing the ex-roommates who always bickered due to their opposite personalities, she was positive that Tokiya only used his interest in horror movies to scare the redhead.

Hey, Tomo! Focus, focus! What're you doing?

"Haha. Don't say that, Junpei-san," Tomochika said. "Tokiya's fans will be mad if they hear this."

"Yeah, she's right. Moreover, Tomochika's fiancé will get mad as well," a playful but somehow intimidating voice jumped into the conversation and it made both Tomochika and Junpei recoiled.

Meanwhile, Tokiya was smiling at Eichii who managed to bring some dramatic squeals from the female staffs. Much to his shock, the man did not return the same gesture nor glance at him.

He did not realize how pallid Tomochika was.

"Oh, Otori-san. Good afternoon," Junpei who stuttered funnily bowed 90 degrees before Eichii. "I... I am sorry. I was joking..."

"It's okay. I was joking as well," Eichii smiled, patting Junpei's small shoulder. "Are you guys done?"

"Yes," Junpei and Tomochika said, almost in chorus.

"Then, should we have a lunch, dear? Tokiya, join us?" That was the only moment when Eichii directly looked at the guy.

"No, thanks. I will go with my manager," Tokiya said, quickly. In this kind of situation, there was no way he would ruin the couple's privacy.

Plus, for some reason, the usually friendly Eichii did not seem like one today.

"Okay, then. Let's go, dear," the tall guy grabbed Tomochika's slender arm, leaving Tokiya and the anxious photographer behind.

"Me and my big mouth! I shouldn't say something like that, right, Ichinose-san?" Junpei turned to look at Tokiya. He was expecting the idol to comfort him, saying that it was pardonable but...

He received an icy look from Tokiya before the idol headed for his manager. It seemed like Tokiya wanted to blurt out 'next time, use your brain before talking' line to him.

Oh, my... both of them are angry!

"Eichii, please. Don't do this to me," Tomochika pleaded, tears streamed down her face. Her back was pressed against a wall of a very dark alley of the studio. She was totally cornered by Eichii's burly frame. "You see... It's... It's just a joke. Junpei-san doesn't mean anything. What matters is I am your fiancée, right? Of course I love you, not Tokiya."

Normally, Eichii would hit her right away but when he was standing still like a statue, the terror Tomochika experienced was downright painful. She did not know what to expect from him so her brain ended up forcing out more possibilities that made Eichii burnt with anger.

"Or do you think that I almost laughed just now because I was happy to be associated with Tokiya? No, I swear I didn't! I was thinking about something funny so I almost laughed..."

The strong arms which abused her last night suddenly enveloped her shivering frame.

"It's okay. You must be happy to laugh like that, right? I am happy to see you happy, dear," he whispered to her ears, causing more tears streamed down her flawless cheeks.

She was scared to death and now, when he uttered his romantic side instead of hurting her, she felt empty. It was strange but emptiness was something that she was avid for. Rather than all the temporary lovey-dovey moments before getting ill-treated like an animal, she wanted to feel nothing.

"It must feel hurt, right?" His large hand stroked her back. It was an irony when now, he was being wary of touching her. "I am sorry. I promise I won't hurt you again."

She felt terrified again. This time, it was of his pointless promise. He certainly would do it again since his blind jealousy would be satisfied only if she screamed in pain.

"No, it doesn't hurt at all. You don't have to worry."

"You... You won't leave me for Tokiya, right?"

This. This was why she could not trust him anymore. Being jealous of her on-screen chemistry with her co-stars was something that she was familiar with but now, Eichii had grown another complex.

Since their movie shooting, Eichii would feel intimidated every time his fiancée and Tokiya acted together. In his eyes, their chemistry was so great that it was impossible for him to beat the Heart-throb. He even overheard the director's conversation with other staffs, saying that Tokiya should be the male lead instead of Eichii.

It certainly hurt his pride after being put down by his father, also because of Tokiya.

"I won't, Eichii. I promise."

"It seemed like your memory has improved greatly, Hijirikawa-san," the doctor said, smiling at the lovely couple. "Normally, you will slowly forget your family and friends in less than two weeks but now, it's already more than a month and you clearly remember all of them. You even started to remember how you met them."

"You don't know how much I want this to happen, doctor," Masato remarked, returning the man's smile. "I can't wait to let my friends know about this. They have anticipated this for who-knows how long."

"That's great to hear, Hijirikawa-san. Perhaps did you just meet someone new a month ago? You know, maybe someone who is so close to you but you haven't met them for a while."

"Someone new..." Haruka and Masato mumbled as they looked at each other. "Tokiya?"

"Do you mean your teammate, Ichinose Tokiya-san?" The doctor, Toraishi asked back.

"Yeah, he is. I only met him two times," Masato clarified.

"Then, I suggest maybe you should meet him often. Now, there are two possibilities. Either it's because of a close bond between you two or he holds a very large part of your lost memory that when you met him, it enhanced your memory without ado."

A close bond... A large part of lost memory...

Those were the only things that ricocheted in Haruka's mind.

No, Haruka. No need to be so pessimistic. You should truly be happy for Masato, her mind convinced her.

The exhausting fragment of her life paid off with the good news. Masato's memory had recovered and she could not ask for more.

As for Masato, he smiled as he gazed at his legs.

Maybe, just maybe... My legs will show a good progress too, his mind said.

"Haruka, what do you say if we invite everyone to have a lunch in our house? STARISH, our family, and Tomochika," Masato said as soon as they went back to their house. "I want to celebrate this good news with them too."

Haruka's eyes brightened up. It would be so fun to have everyone together.

But, speaking of everyone...

"But, Masato, does that everyone include Tokiya?" She asked, gaining a perplexed stare from her husband. She helped him settled against the headboard before covering his legs with the duvet.

"Of course. He's still a part of STARISH, right? I bet the others also will be happy to see him and the same goes for him," Masato said, innocently.

"Yeah, of course..." the composer mumbled, sitting next to her husband.

I don't know if they are really happy to see each other, Masato.

For sure, Tokiya would never accept her invitation if he knew this.

"I will call everyone and ask them about their schedule. I am all fired up," he lifted his yukata sleeves just like the old him when he wanted to cook before reaching to his cell phone.

"Who... who are you calling first?"

"Of course the busiest man, Tokiya," his quick answer gave apprehension to her spine. "Once we know his free time, it'll be easier to gather others too."

Haruka mentally gasped in horror. No, he can't do that! If he tells Tokiya about this...

"Actually, Masato," Haruka held his arm, restraining him to initiate any call. "Why don't you leave the invitation part to me?"

"Huh? Why?" Mystification was written over his face. "I can't really help you with other things so the least I can do is..."

"It's okay. I will do that part," Haruka insisted, still holding Masato's arm. "Plus, the others used to say to me that they prefer to have a potluck so I will ask everyone what will they bring for the gathering."

Masato stared at the smiling face for seconds. Haruka knew she was a terrible actress and almost believed that she failed to convince him.

"Okay, then."

Then only she could let out a sigh of relief. She knew it would be hard to gather all STARISH members in one room but she had to give it a shot for her husband's sake.

Or maybe she could tell some white lie in order to persuade Tokiya. She really wanted to question every single one of them; resolving their conflict in one go.

On the chosen day, Haruka deliberately asked Tokiya to come earlier. Asking the idol to spend time from his hectic schedule was difficult enough and she did not want to spoil his mood right from the beginning once he learned that his other teammates also would join them having lunch together.

So, before the actual event started as they were waiting for Harumi to get done with her music class, Tokiya continued his somewhat-obligatory task; assisting Masato to walk with more steps.

Frankly speaking, the blue head had become moody on that day. Some directors were so greedy in asking him to be more ridiculously provocative. It did not help when his hunch told him that Haruka lied to him.

"Why potluck?" He asked. "It's not like I don't want to cook for us but don't you think it's weird to have a potluck when I am the only guest?"

"Oh, actually Harumi... she said that she wants to eat your teriyaki chicken again. Well, to be honest, I miss your dish too and I kind of want Masato to taste it as well," Haruka said, avoiding his eyes as she reached the tiffin carrier from Tokiya. "I hope you don't mind, Tokiya. I am sorry for the trouble."

"It's okay. Speaking of which, why did you take out a lot of plates?"

"I... I just want to wipe them. They are dusty and I do have some free time today."

So fishy, he thought.

"Speaking of which, are you currently in a relationship, Tokiya?" Masato asked, dragging him away from his deep thought. The scion clung to Tokiya's arms, pushing his right leg forward.

"No, not yet," Tokiya answered. His eyes were busy monitoring Masato's legs that he did not even bother to provide a more detailed answer.

So, as the corollary, Masato ended up asking more questions which unconsciously tested his patience.

"Huh? It can't be," Masato exclaimed, staring at the guy who did not return the same attention. He believed that someone like Tokiya would never have a trouble to date a woman. "Why though?"

'Why, you ask? Because I am still in love with your wife,' was what Tokiya really wanted to say. Still, he pretended that he did not feel disturbed at any degree.

"I just don't find the right one to be my wife. Plus, I am still busy with my work. I don't have enough time to date..."

"But you do have someone that you love more than your job, right?"

"Yeah, I do."

Unfortunately, she is your wife.

Tokiya really wanted to answer the question instead of letting it glanced off his mind.

But again, his sagacity saved him from saying anything that might ruin their friendship again.

"Then, I hope she will be yours soon, Tokiya. You are a nice guy so you deserve a nice girl."

The sincere remarks triggered his rationality again. A certain agonizing memory about him and Masato engulfed his mind but he managed to put it aside.

The Saint called me a nice guy. How funny.

"Who's the nice guy? Me?" Tokiya asked. It was a bit sarcastic but Masato's view of Tokiya was too positive that he failed to spot any.

"Yes, you," Masato exclaimed. Perplexity was written over his face. "Why?"

"Nothing."

What's wrong with you, Tokiya? You already took the drug this morning, right? Normally, you won't easily let your emotion control you, his mind told him off.

They finally completed the practice with Tokiya assisted Masato to sit in his chair.

"You must have your first love, right?" Masato inquired as Tokiya took a seat in front of him.

Now Tokiya knew why he was thin-skinned today.

It was because Haruka's husband, Masato was so nosy with his love life.

"Yes, the same person."

Since he is quite meddlesome, I think I should let him know certain things.

"Wow, really? The woman is so lucky."

"No... I mean yes but she's lucky because she's married," Tokiya said, flatly. He was getting annoyed with the fact that no matter how aloof he sounded, it did not make Masato lost interest in knowing more about him.

"Oh, I am sorry, Tokiya. I don't know," Masato's thin body visibly shrank out of guilt.

That's fine, Masato. You always don't know anything. All you know is being sainted, pure, innocent...

While I'm here, the stripper, dirty, abused, harassed...

"It's okay. She's married to someone who is nicer than me anyway. As long as she's happy, I am happy for her too."

This. He hoped that the cheesy answer was enough to shut Masato's mouth.

Despite his bitterness, Tokiya was truly happy for Haruka. During their wedding, apart from mentally exclaiming how beautiful she was with the white veil and dress, he loved to see her smile. It truly showed that she was on cloud nine for marrying Masato.

But, the sincere feeling was always hampered by a sinister feeling. What Masato as the Saint did to him as the Stripper would surface and try to tower over his loyalty towards their friendship.

With the sinister feeling in his heart, sometimes he did want to be Masato's enemy instead. It would be easy for him to hate Masato outright. All their friendship knew after they were dubbed 'the Twins' was being vicious to him.

"Yeah, you're right. As long as the woman that we love is happy, it's enough for us. That's what I feel about my wife," Masato said, wearing the smile that would typically emerge once Haruka occupied his mind. "All I know is I want to protect her. When that HEAVENS guy... What's his name again? Van, right? When he shamelessly flirted with her, I even discouraged her from wearing a short skirt if she goes to work. I am afraid that Van guy will take advantage on her."

"I can't agree more with that," Tokiya said with a nod. As an originally conservative guy himself, he would consider doing the same thing to his wife if she faced that kind of flirt.

"You do?"

"Yeah, I can understand you. Back then, you used to tell him off since he' so thick-skinned. Since Haruka also had a good relationship with HEAVENS, she couldn't really complain about Van."

"Did he harass her too far?" Masato's eyes sized up.

"I don't think so," Tokiya replied calmly even he could see Masato's hand balled into a fist. "He just... you know, just teased..."

"But it's still unpleasant as her husband," Masato banged his fist on the armrest, much to Tokiya's shock. "Tokiya, you must help me."

"Huh?" Tokiya's eyes blinked at the sudden energy from his friend. Masato looked like a king from a historical drama who was eager to declare a war.

"Since you're my friend, you have to help me protect Haruka, Tokiya. I think I might ask other guys as well."

Typical Masato...

"Well, you do have a good point but..."

I rarely meet your wife. How can I fulfill your wish? Plus, do you really believe in me?

"I know I am disabled but I still have to protect my family at all cost. I have to fight for them!" Now, Masato did look more like a king. With his yukata and position, completed with his fist, Tokiya was uncertain about how to react.

Should he laugh at his friend? Masato did look like the old him; conservative, patriotic, and strong once he switched on his 'eager beaver' mode.

"Masato, relax. He isn't even here so you don't need to get carried away like this."

As he was trying so hard to stop Masato from launching an instant vendetta against Van, the door was suddenly open, revealing other STARISH members.

Which is the complete list of people who he did not want to meet anymore.

"Masato, we are here... Huh, Tokiya!?" a certain redhead exclaimed happily, followed by the soft gasps from other guys.

Tokiya froze on his spot. His mind was numb when he realized that everyone was here. Not only Natsuki who he bumped into sometimes. Not Otoya who still messaged him. He was facing with everyone who he insulted a few months ago.

While persuading his mind to be as cool as a cucumber, Tokiya turned to Masato. He could not care less that he was scowling at the pianist.

"I thought it's supposed to be only me as your guest."

"Huh? No, we invited other guys and Tomochika too," Masato said. His body tensed up at Tokiya's sudden change of tone and face expression. "That's why we have a potluck."

Tokiya could feel a flowing anger just burnt his sanity.

Haruka just lied to him. 

So happy to see this chapter was uploaded ^^ As usual, please let me know what do you think about this chapter, okay? See you guys in the next chapter.