CHAPTER 6

A few hours ago...

"I do love him but this is too much. I don't think I can be his slave anymore. He mooched off me, he abused me... I think a bastard like him doesn't deserve to live..."

"Oh my... Is she really going to kill him?" Masato mumbled anxiously. He balled his hands into fists when the female lead of the morning drama lifted a knife, preparing to stab her sleeping husband to death.

"I am sorry, dear... I love you. I do love you but I am so tired of this..."

"Please, don't murder him... It's not good for your future, you know? At least think about your children," like a supporting character who could only watch the situation in horror, Masato's eyes practically glued to the screen. It was impossible for him to notice his wife's presence, standing at the door quietly.

"What show is he watching?" Haruka murmured. While holding a basket of dry clothes, she made her way closer to the television. "Oh... this drama... No wonder he reacted like that."

She could relate to her husband since she was also the fan of the drama, The Reprisal. The fact that it was based on a real-life event had made a lot of audience greatly invested their emotions. Yet, Masato's dramatic reaction amused her the most. He was the same with the old him; very manly but sometimes getting too invested in a TV drama.

Haruka smiled cheekily before standing in front of the TV, blocking Masato's view.

"Ah, Haruka... Please, don't do that. It's almost..." As soon as Haruka moved, the credits appeared slowly with a tragic music background, starting with the director's name. "The end..."

Haruka laughed at Masato's pitiful but cute disappointment. She settled the basket on the bed, opposite her husband. A chummy smile appeared on her sweet face but the next thing that escaped from her pink lips was not as sweet.

"She still killed her husband and was sentenced to death," Haruka said casually, picking Masato's green shirt from the basket to fold. As she spoke, the husband believed that he heard a dramatic and petrifying sound effect, escorting Haruka's voice.

"What? She really killed him?" Masato's eyes sized up. He leaned forward to Haruka, oblivious with the fact that his hands just pressed the shirt on the bed, impeding his wife from folding it. "But why? Why couldn't she think of their children first?"

"I believe a depressed person like her could not think straight anymore. All she thought was she wanted to end her suffer. Her children were no longer in her mind."

Haruka's answer brought Masato back to his upright posture. His eyes stared at particularly nowhere but his mind was swirling with many kinds of thoughts.

A husband who only eats and sleeps at home while his wife works hard and feeds him, Masato thought, analyzing the main characters back. He felt something heavy tugged his weak body.

The husband is just like me.

His blue eyes observed every inch of his wife's face. The light make-up was not enough to cover her weariness. Her golden eyes were reddish from staying up late at night in order to compose a few songs for an idol group.

Was it possible for Haruka to suffer from a depression like Kyoko and ended up killing him?

If something happened to us, what'll happen to our daughters? Masato's wild imagination due to watching too many dramas nowadays had played its role well. It managed to push him to pick his dark blue jeans from the basket frantically before settling it flatly on the bed.

"Masato, it's okay. You don't need to..."

"It's okay. Unlike my legs, my hands still function well," he remarked without looking at his confused wife.

"Well, if you say so..."

Silence lingered in the air as the couple completed the task. At times, Masato would exclaim how small and cute the girls' dresses were.

"Haruka..."

"Yes, dear."

"Have I ever hit you just because you still got my clothes wrinkled even you already ironed them? Have I kicked you because you cooked late?" He asked. It sounded too innocent, totally not in sync with his questions.

"Huh?" The golden eyes sized up.

"Erk?" Masato closed his mouth, just realizing the sound of his questions.

Oh, my... Are they too violent?

"Are you okay, honey?" Her eyes still widened in surprise when she held his cheek. "Why are you asking such disturbing questions? Is there something bothering you?"

"Hm, well...What I am trying to say is... if I was a bad husband just like in the TV on top of being sick like this, I supposed you can just leave me and..."

He was startled with a soft kiss on his cheek. Given several occasions where Masato would blush every time she hugged or kissed him suddenly, Masato knew the woman was trying to shut him up.

'Stop saying crap' was the line that Haruka most probably wanted to say to him.

"Why should I leave you? You're a very good husband and a very good father," she said, softly. It was very soothing for Masato, especially with the way she gazed at him. "Harumi came to see you this morning, right? What do you think about her?"

"She's lovely," his concerned eyes brightened up. "The way she talked to me, the way she hugged me... Everything about her is endearing. She even squealed when I said I love her."

"You love her even you don't have any recollection about her?" Haruka asked.

"I don't know. It just came here," Masato said, poking his chest. "I think it's unconditional, just like how I feel when I see you."

Haruka swore she could literally fly after hearing the confession.

"See."

"See what?" Masato asked, putting down his hand.

"Our loving Hijirikawa Masato is always in you no matter how many times you forget about us. Your daughter won't be that excited if you had not been a good father to her, Masato. As for me, I don't exaggerate when I said that you did the house chore way better than me. Trust me, your cooking is better than me."

"Huh, really?" The dark blue brow was lifted skeptically. "I believe yours is the best cooking. It's really delicious."

"It's because you only ate my cooking after you fall sick," Haruka chuckled, tapping Masato's pointed nose with her finger.

"But it's really delicious, though..." Masato mumbled.

"Look at that. You can even fold clothes nicer than me..."

Masato looked down. She was right. The folds that he made were so neat. Obviously, it had become his second nature that his body still remembered it.

"So, don't think that I should leave you only because you're sick. It's not your choice," Haruka supplied, kissing every inch of the hand which used to cosset her and their daughters with his ceaseless affection. "Your sacrifice to us is what matters and makes us love you more. Harumi said to me that she'll help you just like how you helped her all this time. You might not remember but she does remember every single thing that you have done to her."

Thank you, the old me, he thought awkwardly as he savored the kisses from her. Thank you so much for being kind to your family and thank you for marrying a woman like Haruka.

Oh, there was also another person that he should say thanks as well.

"Thanks to that dude who had explained everything to her."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Haruka asked, still caressing the big hand.

"This guy," Masato pointed at STARISH's picture beside the bed. "He was the one who told Harumi that I am sick and forget things easily. He always asked her about me. I wish I can meet him, though. To say thanks and what not."

Haruka struggled to keep her sweet smile when the name was mentioned.

You do care about your friend, Tokiya, her mind whispered. Just like other STARISH members, her heart also lapsed with the thought of the guy.

She hoped their friendship could stay like before. She had bumped into him countless times while she worked but he would avoid her as if she was going to hit him with a broom if he got any closer.

She wished she could do something that would unite Tokiya with other STARISH members again. Maybe if the president gave a chance for her to compose for Tokiya's or STARISH next album, it would give her some hope.

The ringtone of STARISH's song curtailed her mind from evoking more memories with the idol. Haruka reached her phone, answering the call from her employer.

"Hello, Mr. President. Yes, I am with Masato. Yes."

The sudden brightness over the pretty face piqued Masato's curiosity. Why would the president ask about him out of the blue? What would happen if he was not with Haruka?

"Okay, I'll tell him. Okay, thank you, Mr. President! Thank you so much," after bowing several times as if the president, Saotome was right in front of her, she ended the conversation. Golden eyes met the confused blue pair, conveying her thrill.

"Honey, I think the God just answered your wish."

Heading to Tokiya's waiting room which was in the Shining Agency main building, Masato was served with the sights of trophies and frames, exhibited everywhere. STARISH pictures were exhibited the most, followed by the trophies that they won from a lot of worldwide awards ceremonies. For the nth time, Masato's mind would desperately convince him that he was not dreaming.

He was indeed the H of STARISH, one of the best-selling groups in the country.

The fact was further corroborated when there were always a group of people greeted and expressed their admiration to him. Heck, a group of juniors even openly said that they admired him more because Tokiya was way scarier and stricter.

Which made him wonder... Just why did they compare him only to Tokiya when he had other five teammates?

Meanwhile, Haruka curved in a smile as she slowly pushed Masato's wheelchair so that he could observe every inch of the building. Everything fascinated him and he would take every single chance to touch each poster with a deep interest.

Hope he can find something here or maybe... His meeting with Tokiya later will help him, Haruka mentally prayed.

"Oh, a movie with Tokiya!" He suddenly exclaimed, touching the said poster. A few movies of him and Tokiya as the male leads were positioned side by side. "So, I have one... No, it's... One, two, three... five movie with him, huh?"

"Yes, all of them brought a massive profit to the agency and considered as the masterpieces since people love your collaboration with Tokiya," Haruka said, calmly. She also stared at the posters and recalled the moment when she was a big fan of them and would binge watch them for countless times with her best friend, Tomochika.

When a movie had two male leads, it was typical for it to portray them as the smart one with his nimble friend and the twins' movies also did not separate themselves from the clichés. The prim Masato would play a role as a decent guy and be considered as the brain of the pair.

His twin on the other hand would be the polar opposite of him; the reckless and agile guy since Tokiya had a wilder and funkier image.

"It's amazing to know that I used to work with a famous actor like him," he exclaimed, softly. "It's quite an honor since I grow to like his acting..."

"Haruka? Masato?"

It was Himura, greeting them as soon as he went out of Tokiya's waiting room. A bright smile concealed his worried face which was returned right away by Haruka.

"Good afternoon, Himura-san," Haruka bowed, followed by the confused Masato.

"Good afternoon. It's nice to see you again, Masato," Himura tried his best to not let his devastated feeling as soon as he saw Masato visible. He held out his hand which the said guy reached happily. "You guys want to see him, right?"

"Yes," Haruka did not forget to flash a knowing smile to the manager. "Honey, this is Mr. Himura Koji, Tokiya's manager."

"Oh, really? It's nice to meet you, Himura-san! Does it mean he's around as well? Where is he?" The blue eyes brightened up, expecting another figure to show up. "He's the only friend that I never met before so I am kind of excited."

But that only friend is avoiding you as much as possible, Masato, Himura thought, sadly.

"Yeah, he is supposed to be around but the thing is... He's not and I am currently looking for him," despite the flatness in his voice which made him sound like a swarm of bees, the couple could tell that Himura was concerned. "He said he went to the washroom but he's taking too long. I am afraid he'll pass out somewhere... You know him, right, Haruka?"

"Yeah," Haruka sighed, also could not help but worrying about Tokiya.

"Himura-san, did Tokiya really... Oh, what a surprise!" Eichii who was as curious as Himura about Tokiya's whereabouts exclaimed. His eyes were directed more towards the perplexed Masato.

"Good afternoon, Eichii," Haruka greeted with a bright smile.

"Good afternoon, lovely couple," Eichii said, stepping out of the waiting room in order to approach Masato. "It has been a long time since my last visit, huh? Masato, how do you do? Do you remember me?"

"I... I don't think so," with a blank face, the scion shook hands with the tall guy. "I am sorry."

"It's okay," Eichii said, flashing his friendly smile.

"He's our friend from HEAVENS, Otori Eichii. You love 'Immortal Inferno', right? That's their song and Eichii is the leader," Haruka explained.

"Oh, really? I did think that I have seen you somewhere. Your group was dubbed the Best Group, right?"

'Yeah and it's thanks to your sickness' was what Eichii wanted to say.

But, no. Those words were supposed to spill at Tokiya once he found out the certain truth.

"Speaking of that guy, where is him?" He turned to meet eyes with the sighing Himura. "His twin is right here but he's still missing."

"Given he still hasn't come back since... when? An hour ago? I guess maybe he was kidnapped by his fans again," Himura exclaimed nonchalantly as if he was talking about the weather, much to Masato's shock.

Then, shall we report to the police instead of talking here? The scion thought, anxiously. Given Tokiya was a very handsome guy, it was not unforeseen that his 'kidnapper' would 'assault' him.

"Then, should I look for him? I want to go to the washroom anyway," Haruka suggested.

"Oh, that's very nice of you, Haruka. Thank you so much," Himura said dramatically while putting his hand on his chest. She just saved his time and energy to look for his artist. "When you find him, don't forget to slap him for me."

"Okay, just leave it to me," Haruka chuckled. "Can I leave Masato in your care for a while?" Haruka said, glancing at her husband who was busy worrying about Tokiya's safety.

"Of course," Eichii replied. "Let me help you, Masato."

Little did they know, Eichii was the happiest person to see Masato in that state; sitting on a wheelchair with a very pale face.

It seems the drug had done a veeeery good job.

"Is that Tokiya?" Haruka mumbled, spotting the said guy who was staggering out of the toilet, looking all tired.

"Tokiya?" She called but he ignored her. He blinked harshly, fighting against the dizziness that slowly towered over his consciousness. "Tokiya, are you okay?"

Yet, as soon as the tall frame was close to toppling to the floor, all Haruka had in her mind was she wanted to save her friend. She quickly caught him, trying her best to support the heavy body despite her dearth of strength.

"Tokiya!" She shouted. His head was pressed against her shoulder. "Oh, my... What should I do? Where are other people?" She looked around and strangely found that she could not spot anyone despite the fact that Shining Agency had a lot of staffs.

In the midst of the panic, Tokiya slowly stood up, still holding her shoulder to support himself. He winced as he messaged his forehead with eyes closed.

"Tokiya, are you okay?" As soon as a warm and delicate hand touched his forehead, the blue eyes snapped open.

For a moment, no one said anything. Tokiya's red lips lost the words to remark on her sudden presence. Now he knew why his heart thumped so fast.

It was because Haruka was here, standing so close to him. She never failed to look so beautiful whenever he saw her. At least, in the idol's eyes, she was the most beautiful woman that he had ever met even a lot of people would argue with him that she looked so-so compared to those female celebrities that he had ever collaborated with before.

His heart continued pounding against his broad chest but he did not like it at all because it showed that he was still in love with his close friend's wife.

Masato's wife on top of that...

He thought he was dreaming when he heard her sweet voice, calling out his name but apparently, he was not.

"Haruka?" He asked, huskily.

"Yes, it's Haruka," she answered. "Are you okay? You look tired."

"Huh? Well, I am okay. I am just a bit dizzy but I think I am fine now."

I am fine because I am shocked to see you here, his mind replied.

"Are you sure?" She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Yes, 100 percents sure."

"Then, take this!"

The next thing Tokiya gained was a strong slap across his bulging bicep.

"What was that for!?" Tokiya could not contain his surprise as he held his victimized arm. His eyes widened in sudden shock that it amused the composer but it was too early to stop her mini revenge on him.

"That's what you got for going missing for an hour," Haruka said with a smug face. "Your manager asked me to hit you if I find you."

"What!?"

"But you will get chastisement from me as well. I resent you a lot, you know that!?" She continued to smack his bicep and Tokiya swore, his fair skin would still be reddish after he reached home. "The first hit, for not allowing us to visit you when you're sick!"

"Auch!"

"Second bash, for skipping all STARISH gathering!"

"Stop it, Haruka!"

"Third, fourth, fifth bashes, for only answering Harumi's call but not mine, for avoiding me every time we bumped into each other and for not singing anymore!"

"I said, stop that!" Tokiya caught the smaller hand, glancing at her red palm. "Look at what you've done! Doesn't it hurt?"

What? He is worried about my hand instead of his arm? She could not help but chuckled. Tokiya could be that random sometimes.

"Of course it does," Haruka snatched her hand from Tokiya playfully. "But I feel so angry right now because I only met you now after three months, you T of STARISH."

Tokiya bit his lips, feeling like Haruka just slapped him across his cheek as well when she indirectly reminded him of where did he belong to. He was not ready to see Haruka this sudden, let alone to encounter her mini resentment. He knew she demanded his explanation but as stated, he was not ready and the same goes with the situation.

"We miss you, you know that!? I know you're not really a nice person but I never thought that you're this cruel to your friends," Haruka said. She crossed her arms while desperately stretching her neck in order to match his height.

For a second, Tokiya was positive that he was already out of his mind. When it was apparent that she was nagging at him, the only thing that he could focus on was how adorable the woman was.

He always loved to see how casual she was with him, considering they had been friends for 17 years. Besides, being the founder of STARISH had made her grow accustomed to how friendship between guys worked, which led her to be relaxed as well.

Other girls could only dream to talk casually with an aloof guy like him but Haruka was so special that she was the only one who deserved all his care, attention, and...

Love. No matter how many women threw themselves at him, they never brought out his hidden affection like what Haruka did to him.

"Even Masato also wonders just where are you. Thank God, I brought him here today."

That alone was enough to smash Tokiya's heart to smithereens.

"Wh... What? Masato is here as well?" Tokiya asked. He was mentally praying that his ears were lying to him the moment Masato was mentioned.

"Yes, he is! The president asked me to bring him here. You know, just to show him around his workplace. Plus, he has something to say to you."

"Huh?"

What kind of 'something' that he wants to say to someone invisible like me? By any chance, did he remember something about us?

"Come on! Let's go to your waiting room. Everybody is waiting," she hastily dragged him with her.

"Everybody? Who's everybody?" Tokiya asked, frantically. It was not hard for somebody with long legs like him to match Haruka's pace but to think that Masato was so near to him just made him frightened and his body felt like a heavy load.

If she means STARISH...

"Why? Are you expecting all your teammates?" Tokiya flinched as Haruka was quick to catch his mind.

"No, don't worry. They're not here, unfortunately," the sweet smile from her never changed the fact that she was being acerbic. "It's only Masato, Mr. Himura, and Eichii."

Oh, my... So, is she saying that I don't have a choice but to meet her husband now? What sorts of tight spot that I am in right now?

The fact that Tokiya suddenly zipped his mouth did not escape Haruka's attention. She glanced at her back, looking at the nervous Tokiya. His blue eyes were reaching everywhere while she could feel his hand that she held tightly was balling into a fist.

Judging from his face expression, he's not ready for this. Maybe he did feel guilty for not visiting Masato, she thought. But, I am sorry, Tokiya. We have to follow Natsuki's plan.

Haruka and Himura could not agree more with Natsuki's plan. The tallest guy in STARISH was light-hearted most of the time but he did take part whenever his teammates had a fracas. In this case, all he wanted was for Tokiya to reunite with his friends, starting with Masato, which brought Natsuki to leave his plan to Saotome.

While Tokiya, the urge to be childish grew in his mind as Haruka pushed his waiting room's door. Everything seemed to move in an unpleasantly slow motion and the only thing that clouded his mind was he wanted to snatch his hand away from Haruka and leave the building as quick as possible. That was how much he wanted to avoid Masato. He even considered to tell Haruka that the last time they met each other, he screamed at Masato's face that he hated him.

But nothing came out of his lips. The next thing he realized was the door was wide open, revealing the stunned Masato, staring at him. Just like the scion, the others were off the radar screen.

But little did he or anybody else know, Eichii found this meeting was so amusing that the monster in him laughed hysterically.

Here we go! But still, I think this will be more exciting if the children are also here. It will be a great reunion for this family.