I am finally back after I have free time and urge to finish this story. Hope you enjoy it despite the flaws :)

CHAPTER 34

Two months passed and it was not surprising for Tomochika how she could change and move on entirely from her broken engagement and not-so-healthy lifestyle. No matter how much she loved Eiichi and their relationship before, it always felt like she was given a special gift which was she could move on easily. She did not take a long time to stop feeling miserable. It was most probably because she was still taking a break from working and seriously focusing on curing her physical and emotional pain. This time, she took everyone's advice to stop consuming a lot of alcohol seriously. Her mind was empty from any sort of problems until...

The night when she decided she wanted to confess to Tokiya about her feeling. It never occurred in her mind that tonight was the first day when she would make her brain too busy. Tomochika typically did not favor anything academic like reading books or watching educational programs.

But now, too many thoughts crossed her mind as if she just studied a lot for her final exam during her days in Saotome Academy. She felt that she was stupid to have the audacity to confess to Tokiya at Haruka's house since they both coincidentally visited Masato on the same day.

When Tokiya was about to leave the house, Tomochika followed her heart. She mindlessly dragged the man to the back of the house. The innocent blue head was confused but he did not say much. It was a relief for the woman since other female artists would go through a hard time to have some privacy with the idol given he was always careful and suspicious.

"So, what is it?" At last Tokiya started the conversation first. He knew it from Tomochika's body language; she was nervous but determined to say whatever she had in her mind.

"Well, I..." she lifted her head, meeting Tokiya's eyes which sized up to see how red her face was. It must be strange for her to be this shy around him when in fact, they were close friends who knew each other's good and bad habits and basically had no reasons to feel awkward or shy around each other.

Well, unless their friendship would develop to the next step.

"Just so you know, I don't tell you this because I expect you to feel the same thing. Well, of course, it'll be nice if you reciprocate it but still, I don't want to force you. I swear."

Here she goes, Tokiya thought. He might not have dating experience given the demand for his previous job which required him to be single forever but he was not naïve enough to guess the direction of their current conversation. Tomochika wanted to officially confess her feeling to him.

"Okay, then. What is it?"

Just at that moment, Haruka who was curious about the unknown voices from the back of her house bloomed with joy as she managed to be a witness for Tomochika's confession.

"I am sorry, Tomo. I am so curious so please allow me to witness this wonderful moment," she whispered, internally praying that she would not get caught.

"Yes, please allow me to," a seductive voice felt close to her ears and just when she was about to shout in shock, a big hand closed her mouth. She thought that she was going to be kidnapped in her own house until she turned and saw a familiar wink from a handsome face.

"Ren?" She mumbled against his palm which he removed instantly. "When did you arrive?"

"Just a while ago, with Syo and Natsuki. Who are you spying on by the way?" He took a closer look before exclaiming almost instantly. His hands were on her shoulders, simultaneously turning her body to the couple's direction. "Oh, I see. But what are they talking about?"

"Just wait and see. It'll be juicy," Haruka said, smiling so bright that it gave the clue right away to the sharp Ren.

Is Tomo going to ask Tokiya out or something? Well, it's not surprising. I could tell that she's in love with Tokiya but...

"I..." Tomochika initiated. The urge to slap herself for acting like a schoolgirl who confessed to her first love despite her real age conquered her. "I know I shouldn't feel something like this but I can't help it. To tell you the truth, I remember what happened at that night. I felt so ashamed to did something too reckless to you. I am sorry."

"Woah," Ren was acting like himself to avoid Haruka detecting how scared he felt inside. "This is getting scandalous. What happened?"

"No, nothing happened," Haruka answered cheerfully. "But I am rooting for them."

No, you shouldn't, Haruka.

"That's okay. You were drunk anyway. I more and less can get used to it," Tokiya said nonchalantly.

"But still, I want to say sorry. I almost kissed you, I said so many craps and I forced you to accompany me. I bet you are disgusted with me, right?"

"No, why should I?" He asked, almost instantaneously. "That reminded me... You wear natural make-up this time. It suits you, to be honest."

As expected, Tomochika's face dusted with a darker color.

"Thanks to you, I just realized it," she replied, touching her cheek shyly.

You do have a cunning side with your words, Tokiya. As expected from a heart-throb, Ren thought. As Tokiya's rival when it comes to charm, he admitted that his friend had an irresistible aura. Women would have a hard time to push him aside.

But, do you realize that it imperils you as well, Tokiya?

"So, back to why I dragged you here, the thing is, I have decided that it's the best for me to make it official, not reckless like at that night. I want to... I want to let you know," Tomochika said. As soon as she saw Tokiya furrowed his forehead as a sign that he encouraged her to talk more, she continued, "I love you, Ichinose Tokiya. I love you so much."

Ren's eyes widened, ignoring Haruka's excited reaction.

"I felt it since I had a problem with Eiichi," when it comes to Eiichi, she and Tokiya had promised to each other that they would not talk about the guy and what kinds of sins he had done to Tomochika in public. "That's all. Sorry for wasting your precious time but I really appreciated it. I accept it if you reject me because you can't treat me as more than your friend. I don't mind."

Tokiya sighed but as usual, nobody could guess what he had in his mind. His blue eyes wandered randomly at Haruka's mini garden before returning to the woman opposite him.

"Can I ask you something, Tomo?"

"Yes?" She blinked.

"I know this is strange but what is your opinion regarding sexual intercourse before marriage?" He asked bluntly. "Is it compulsory?"

It was too blunt that Haruka felt it stabbed through her heart.

"What... what..." Tomochika swore she could die someday only because of this man. Most of the time, he was proper with his words but he could not care less when he decided to be blunt. "I... I am sorry but where did it come from..."

"I just want to know your opinion," he said, still with a straight face. It might be because he was victimized sexually a lot before so Tokiya did not see the topic as embarrassing. Plus, they were mature and old enough to talk about it openly.

But still, Tomochika was scared that the guy would judge her. He knew that she had done it several times with Eiichi, both out of love and force.

"Don't worry. I won't judge you for something that you believe. Everyone is influenced by their surrounding, right?"

She sighed in relief.

"Well, I guess I don't mind to do it as long as it's out of love and both parties are ready for that step. When I said 'ready', it means a lot of things will change and both parties need to get ready for marriage and sorts of things."

"I know, right? That's how relationships work nowadays. Live together and do those married couple stuff," Tokiya said with an affectionate smile yet before Tomochika could return it, he lost it. He was masked with his seriousness once again. "But I never agree on it. Not even the slightest."

While Tomochika immediately lost in despair with his cold answer, Haruka clutched her heart part. Her shared past with Tokiya even the man was still clueless about it lingered back in her mind.

"Just so you know, after what had happened to me these past years, it did traumatize me and it changed my perception when it comes to relationship. I wonder why we need to do that thing just to prove our love. Just like Kakeru, Himura-san's child asked me, why do we need a bed scene when simply giving flowers also show that how much we love the person? My heart cried at his question because that's what I believe but I had to be The Stripper, someone who looked like a hungry wolf all the time. Someone who used his body to seduce. Now that I am free, it's time for me to live with the mindset. Just like Masato said, if you don't believe in sex before marriage, live it. So, can you respect just that particular condition?"

As Masato's wife, Haruka knew she was not supposed to feel what she felt right now.

Even so, her heart still shattered once the man who was her first love mentioned how he despised such intimacy before marriage.

If Tokiya knows what had happened between us that night...

"Yes, I respect that. It's admirable of you to have such belief," Tomochika said before something crossed her mind. "Wait, does it mean you... you accept my..."

"As long as you agree on the condition, why not?" The charming smile melted her doubt.

"But... but, you don't love me, right? I am just your friend and..."

"Rather than 'I don't', I prefer to say 'not yet'. I believe love can be cultivated. Sure, I do love someone until now but I don't see any future with her. I already gave up."

Ren threw a glance at the despondent Haruka, immediately could read that they shared the same thought.

Haruka was the woman who Tokiya had no future with. They lost their timing to let the other person knew just how much they loved each other before.

"Why? Why would you give up? You are finally free from the no-dating rule, Tokiya. You should tell her..." that was when Tokiya, Haruka, and Ren realized that Tomochika was oblivious of this matter.

"It's because she's already somebody's wife long before I am free from the rule," Tokiya said. He was relaxed about it but it tore Haruka's heart who was standing not far from him. "It showed enough that she never had the same feeling as me. At least, I am happy for her because she met a guy who is ten times better than me."

Tears dropped as Haruka felt Ren stroked her shoulder for comfort. She smiled bitterly at the man as she wiped her tears.

"Oh..." Tomochika exclaimed. "Who is that girl?"

"It isn't important," he said. "Because from now on, you'll be my priority."

That was it. Tokiya sealed their hearts together, indicating a 'yes' for their new relationship. Tomochika could only stare into his sincere eyes, freezing on her spot.

He... he accepted me?

Meanwhile, Ren could feel that his heart was beating fast.

I think I should talk to this guy later. Does he know what's he facing with once he involves more with Tomochika?

"Hey, guys! It's hot news!" Syo's exclamation, followed by his too-fast running burst the romantic bubble in the spot. Tomochika and Tokiya had no time to be surprised at the three uninvited witnesses of their precious moment when Syo continued, "Somebody... somebody had poisoned Saotome in the prison. He's in a critical condition."

The news of Saotome was hospitalized for internal bleeding had been a hot subject. It was not sympathy that people wanted to convey since they thought he deserved the very kind of punishment after what he had done to Tokiya and other female celebrities but rather, they were curious about who was the killer. Some people had joked in comment sections that they were not surprised if it was Tokiya who took revenge on the monster.

It was just a joke until the cops really met the idol when he visited Masato.

"Where were you last Thursday?" One of the officers asked. Taking place in the living room, his eyes shifted among the three of them; Haruka, Masato, and Tokiya.

"I was at my house for the whole day," Tokiya said. "I didn't go anywhere."

"Do you have a witness?"

"No," he said with a smile. "One thing for sure, I don't need a witness if I am not the culprit. Feel free to inspect my house if you want to be more satisfied."

The three officers looked at each other, sharing their guilt. Masato, on the other hand, chose to observe and listen. He felt Haruka's hand reached to his, squeezing it.

"We're sorry, Ichinose-san. We don't mean to accuse you but this is part of the procedure. I bet you don't want to have anything to do with Saotome-san anymore after what he had done to you," the one who must be more superior than others explain politely.

"No, that's okay," Tokiya said, shaking his head. "It's my responsibility as a citizen to give cooperation, right? You can contact me anytime. I am currently taking a break so I am free most of the time."

No, you're not going to be free after you know what the others are going to offer you, Tokiya, Masato thought. He unconsciously smiled, feeling slightly impatient with Tokiya's response.

Masato's smile as he was spaced out attracted the officer to shift his question to the scion.

"It might be a coincidence but we found some 'interesting' facts about what Saotome-san has been suffering right now," he said. He looked more serious and worried as he vaguely looked at Masato's constitution. The guy who was the regular face of action movies before he falling sick looked paler and thinner. "Hijirikawa-san, is your personal doctor Dr. Toraishi?"

"Yes, he is," Masato answered, almost right away. His heart thumped fast as the doctor's name was mentioned randomly.

Soon after, he found out that it was not random at all.

"According to him, the symptoms that Saotome-san is suffering are the same as yours," the officer said. "After we investigated further, we found out that your and Saotome's unknown diseases were caused by a drug. It was new and illegal so only a few people possess it. It is not surprising if we say that you and Saotome-san shared the same attacker."

Haruka's eyes widened as she could feel the chill and sadness clouded her heart. Seeing her husband suffered was painful enough so to assume that his misery was caused by somebody else...

Who would be, though? What did her husband do to deserve this kind of fate?

Meanwhile, Masato and Tokiya's minds were like a maze. They were too devastated and confused about what the officer had served them.

Someone out there was trying to destroy Masato.

"Do you have any suspect in your mind that has a solid reason to harm you and Saotome-san?" The officer asked carefully as he could sense the disbelief written over the scion's face. "How about you, Ichinose-san? Do you have someone in your mind?"

"I...I am not sure," Tokiya said. It was depressing to stay here when he was still numb but also angry at the fact. "Saotome-san did have a lot of enemies and rivals so it's not surprising for him to end up that way but Masato..."

"Yeah, I got you, Ichinose-san," the officer supplied. "That's why the investigation is still in progress. We still don't have any clue about why on earth the culprit wants to harm Hijirikawa-san."

Nothing really changed since he and Tomochika dated each other. Apart from getting to see Tomochika blushed every time he unintentionally said something that melted her heart and they slowly tried to be affectionate to each other, those were the only limits they had. They were not ready to expose it to the public yet which was why they did not frequently meet each other yet. They spent more time texting and calling each other.

It at least filled a part of Tokiya's free time. Being jobless was something that never crossed Tokiya's mind but now it did happen. After the trial which presented a justice for him, Tokiya had more free time due to him being able to be choosy about his job. It was hard to find projects with literally no sexual scenes so he gave Himura the task to filter out those offers which did not meet his standard.

It was another lackluster but peaceful day for him when he was reading a novel. His phone was away from him most of the time since he did not think he needed it as much as before. He just set up a special ringtone for Himura and Tomochika so that he could pick up their calls instantly.

Yet, when Ren suddenly showed up with a bitter smile, he knew one of the reasons was he was bad at answering his phone.

"Coffee or tea?" Tokiya asked. That was the only thing he could blurt out when they made their way to the vast living room before Ren casually made himself comfortable on the sofa. That was when he noticed that it had been a long time since only he and the third son of Jinguuji family were in the same room.

"Nah, it's okay. I just had a few glasses with Otoya before I came here," Ren replied. He deliberately stared at Tokiya who was in his casual clothes and wearing reading glasses. He knew what he did would make the blue head uncomfortable. "You really look like a middle-aged man who enjoys his retirement. You don't even answer your phone well."

It was a joke but Tokiya and Ren shared this strong bond where they could easily read each other's mind. One of the psychology facts had stated that people who understood sarcasm well had a better mind-reading ability because they could guess what the other person really had in their mind.

The fact applied to them.

"And why should I answer my phone well? I don't see any necessity," Tokiya said, sitting opposite the scion.

"You got a girlfriend now, right? It's solid enough to be a reason," Ren said.

Here he goes, Tokiya thought. He immediately felt suffocated.

"And that's the reason why you are here, right?" Tokiya said, did not bother to conceal the sternness in his voice. Ren was sharp and he hated the trait the most when he did not need it.

"Wait, no need to be serious," when he still received the same response from the man, Ren continued, "Well, okay. It's a serious matter."

"And why the fact that I have a girlfriend concerned you?"

"It's because your girlfriend is Tomochika," Ren said. "She was engaged to Eiichi before."

"I know. That's literally a general knowledge for crying out loud."

"Then, why?"

"It's because they had broken off which means I don't steal her from anyone."

"But Masato said, Eiichi had strangled you before... Wait, wait...don't get angry yet. Yes, I know Masato can get very nosy at times but he does have a point. Don't you think it's because Eiichi resented you for being chummy with Tomo?"

Yes, he did, Tokiya thought.

"That's his problem then. Not mine," Tokiya responded. It was tiring to hide from the quickest friend of him that deep inside, he was also nervous with what Eiichi could do.

Still, he would not change his mind. It was all for Tomochika.

"No, it's also yours when you know what I found out," Ren said. "I found out from a doctor that Eiichi suffered from Othello syndrome and complex PTSD. His mental state is bad. So far, none of those therapies work on him. In other words, he's dangerous. He might harm you in any second, Tokiya."

Tokiya really appreciated how much the guy cared about him. Ren might be playful and annoying but when he cared, he did it sincerely.

"Yeah, mentally ill people like us are very dangerous. We don't just harm people, we also harm ourselves."

"Tokiya, you know that's not my point, right?" He could sense how desperate and disappointed Ren felt when his genuine intention was to warn and save his long-time friend. His fingers ran through his long hair, probably just realized how it made him feel stuffy.

"I don't have a choice, Ren," at last, the single man was tired to prolong their conversation. Ren understood the blue head right away from the very single sentence. "Tomo is almost like my everything. I can't let her suffer, not after I know what's the cause. Not after I knew that she was being stalked a few times after they broke off and not after I knew that Eiichi still tried to contact her."

"But, still... You don't love her, right?" Ren said softly which conveyed his worry more. "What made you think you should date her?"

"I care about her. I want to protect her and I want to learn to love her. She had confessed to me before that night and I was flattered by her sincerity. Maybe we do have a future together. Who knows, right?"

"But don't you think it's too fast for both of you? It's unlike you to accept someone that fast..."

"She was there when I was lonely for 13 years, Ren. She's a good friend of mine. Without her, it's hard for me and that's the type of person I am. I can live and spend time with someone who I know like the back of my hand. Plus, I kind of agree with Saotome-san. I don't have a family who will retaliate if something happens to me so..."

"You have us, Tokiya. You have STARISH," Ren said, his voice almost quivered with the anger that he tried to suppress. "We patched up again and we all know that we'll never disband. Don't you forget that? Don't tell me that you want to sacrifice your life for somebody else when you barely start a new one? I bet Tomochika doesn't agree with you too."

"I have learned to live without you guys' supports from a long time ago. I have accepted the fact that we can't always support each other when I still have a lot on my plate and you guys have family who depends on you. It's not the same as when we're still single, Ren. You cannot be selfish especially for this time around, the opposed party won't just kidnap or fire you. He might kill any of us."

Ren sighed in defeat. He should know from the start that Ichinose Tokiya was so stubborn to the point of it was disappointing.

"The others won't be happy if they hear you, Tokiya. They care about you..."

"As I said, I don't have a choice and protecting Tomochika is the only thing I can do. Don't worry. If something does happen to me, I won't put you and the others into trouble anymore. I will go far away from here or I'll just die quietly..."

"Stop that, Tokiya," Ren said. He was using the tone that was rare but intimidating for anyone who knew him.

"I mean it. I will disappear from your sight forever," Tokiya said, standing up from his spot before facing the bright sky from the window. "For the time being, I suppose if you want everyone to be safe, please ignore what you know about Eiichi. Just lead your life normally. You guys don't need more troubles after what happened since you wanted to destroy Saotome-san, right?"

It was silent. He did not hear any sound from Ren apart from his irritated sigh and the sound of his shoes. The main door was shut a bit loudly by the scion which caused a relieved smile from Tokiya.

Ah, it became peaceful again. I'll enjoy it as much as I can.

Practice nowadays was exhausting and heartbreaking. Eiichi did not know what the others thought but how he wished his father would just disappear instead of monitoring their practice all the time. Apparently, he was way too comfortable with showing his true color, much to everyone's horror. No more motivating but fake words, no more fatherly but fake smiles, no more sarcastic 'good job' greetings every time they finished with their jobs. All he had were harsh remarks that made Nagi silently cried and disregarded anyone who tried to comfort him. The only thing that made Raging Otori satisfied was when he could see the usually bubbly Van flinched at his yell, Kira stared blankly at floor and Eiji who performed three times better than usual to soothe his father's anger.

For Eiichi, he was numb with Otori's side but he felt at lost when he could not comfort anyone and tell them to perform like themselves. They were way far too miserable and that was all because of...

Tokiya. His very existence made Otori Eiichi's life hard. Since he went solo with the most of his projects and shot to stardom, the 34-years-old idol had threatened his life.

"Can you guys be more versatile like Tokiya!? Learn from his moves, study his visual. How many frigging times do I have to tell you!?"

"Are you freaking deaf? I said it's not enough at all! You're five people but you're way worse than Tokiya! I should have scouted him from the start!"

That proved enough how Otori was not emotionally stable because Tokiya kept rejecting his offer to be his underling. It was a smart decision for the blue head but Eiichi felt it stupid for his father to take the frustration out at them.

So, after not successfully making others better emotionally, he sat alone at his study desk in his room, making his mind busy with the urge to take revenge on Tokiya.

That was when he remembered how he used to plan something to destroy Masato's trust in Tokiya. Their friendship was precious to the showbiz. It could bring them more jobs and money since fans liked it. Eiichi thought that it was a golden chance for him as well. If he made Masato believed that Haruka cheated on him just not long after their wedding, it would cause a doomsday for Tokiya when he was accused of sleeping with his friend's fiancée.

That was why that night, during his birthday party, Eiichi trapped Haruka and Tokiya in the same room, in Tokiya's house. The drug in their drinks caused both of them to lose their rationality that they had used to mask their true feelings.

Eiichi never learned that trapping them together was the best decision he had ever made in his life. In a half-awake state, they confessed to each other, most probably for the first time since the moment was emotional and so sincere that Eiichi had to suppress his urge to laugh at their pathetic state.

Haruka and Tokiya loved each other. So much.

But, his plan was backfired by Masato. The guy's full trust for Tokiya was the main reason why his plan to destroy Masato and Tokiya's friendship by using Haruka was a complete failure.

Masato was another obstacle that he had to ruin.

He still remembered that night, when Masato suddenly interrogated him after meeting him at his old house. It was fortunate that he did not share the same house with his bandmates yet.

"Were the guests at your birthday party alright? Did they get any side effect from the drink?" The pianist asked before Eiichi could ask either he preferred something hot or cold for his drink. He did not even bother to take a seat even after Eiichi offered him two times.

At that time, Eiichi knew his plan at that night was a failure but the time where only he and Masato were in the same space, staring intensely at each other was what he anticipated the most.

He wanted to trigger the impatient Masato. He wanted to unmask the sainted and calm side of the man.

"No, not at all. Wait, what are you trying to imply? Something happened to you?" Eiichi said calmly. As he was sitting, he took the chance to observe Masato from head to toe. His figure was sturdy and anybody could tell that he was physically strong. Even the man was shorter than him but it would take a lot of effort to smack him down to the floor.

Eiichi was ready for that. It was better to be now.

"No, other people. They became not in their right minds..."

"Oh, are you talking about Haruka and Tokiya?" Eiichi almost burst into laughter when he saw how Masato's eyes were sized up at how fast their conversation moved.

"So, it's you who trapped them together?" the pianist's voice turned huskier for each syllable. In a short time, his face was completely red and Eiichi enjoyed it so much. "Or else, you wouldn't know who I am talking about, right?"

"Yes, it's me. I wanted to get rid of Tokiya from the showbiz because he gave HEAVENS such a hard time. Someone indecent like him... I bet STARISH wants to get rid of him, right? He might be the most popular out of you guys but at the same time, he made you ashamed, right?"

"Don't make me think that I am like you. He's my friend so I won't get rid of him."

"Your friend?" At last, Eiichi lost his laughter. He let it out which eased his lungs. He even clapped so hard that he almost received a punch from Masato. "Speaking of your friend, you might consider it after I tell you what happened at that night when they were together. You know, Tokiya and your fiancée... I thought that Haruka is just a scapegoat. You know, she will be a perfect reason for you and Tokiya to fight but... as I made them slept with each other, I found something interesting. Actually, they love each other for a long time, Masato. Even until now, she loves Tokiya. Not you."

Eiichi could recognize how Masato was not shocked at all.

"You're not surprised, are you? So I suppose you do learn about this from the beginning," he concluded himself but Masato remained stiff on his spot. He was probably considering all kinds of method to hit Eiichi "Poor you, Masato. You love her so much even she doesn't reciprocate your feeling. I do understand her if I were a woman, though. Haruka must be someone who loves hot men and that's why she chooses Tokiya instead of you. There's no way her focus is merely on music. But, I wonder how on earth both of you love a plain girl like her? Could it be, she is not so plain in seducing you..."

It happened too fast. Eiichi's body was hurt from being pushed against the wall while his lungs felt suffocated when Masato grab his collar, strangling him in process.

"You... you'll regret that, Eiichi!"

It was an intense fight. Their strength was about on the same level but on that day, he learned that luck did side an evil guy like him. The blue head's vision turned blurry all of sudden before he collapsed. Just right before Masato passed out, Eiichi made sure that the man knew this one particular truth.

"You aren't in good health nowadays, right? You know why? It's because I have drugged you as well, Masato. It's a different one. Unlike what happened to Haruka and Tokiya, this one will cost your life."

After that, he dropped Masato right in front of Haruka's apartment. No real reasons. He was just too lazy to think of the best place to get rid of the man from his house. He was certainly lucky because that was the first day where Masato faced his hell. He lost his memory for the first time and when he did recover, he could not recall how he and Eiichi almost killed each other that night.

Eiichi was grateful for Masato's misery.

I estimated that this story will meet its ending after a few chapters. For the time being, please let me know what do you think about this chapter, okay? Hopefully, I can upload the next chapter faster :)