CHAPTER 2

It was started with how Masato was panic-stricken to receive an email invitation from his ex-schoolmate. It was his habit to check his email often for job interviews or offers but on that day, he almost smacked himself for logging in.

"Just go then. Do you really have to make such a big fuss?" Tokiya who was watching TV remarked with annoyance. He was wiping the coffee which he had sprayed from his mouth out of shock when Masato suddenly shouted his name. What a way to disturb his breakfast!

"No, I can't possibly go. Not with how I look like and what I am doing," Masato said. "They literally said that if I don't show up, they will find me even in a wormhole and bury me deep inside."

"If clothes are what concern you, I can lend mine. If it's about your job, you can say you're doing freelance works. Just be vague about it so that they won't ask more. Simple, isn't it?" Tokiya suggested. He stood up as he was done with his absurd cleaning session. He might drink his coffee again in peace outside. "If you're done with your 'Oh My Reunion!' hysteria, I will leave first. Good luck with your job hunting and reunion."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Despite his nervousness, Masato was still strong enough to grab Tokiya's sleeve and hold him back. "Please help me, Tokiya. Please!"

"I did say that you can borrow my outfit, right?"

"No, I don't need to borrow anything except your body."

"I told you, I will lend it if I can."

"Your body, mental, and emotions... everything. Please lend them to me."

"Please ask in a language that I can understand."

"Please go to the reunion for me! Please!" This time, Masato released his iron grip which almost made Tokiya toppled. With the way Masato clasped his hands together, it looked like he was praying and Tokiya was the temple.

Tokiya sighed. It was so heavy since if it was not Masato who he faced right now, he would go berserk instead.

"I know talking to you is like talking to a wall but for the 8000times, you're not ugly, Masato. Sure, you're now tacky with that style but with a wide-scaled makeover, you will be more handsome than that Jinguuji Ren. But, seriously, if you're really ugly, it's not like they'll kill you..."

"No, you don't understand, Tokiya. I am a loser so I can't show up there with my current situation. They're all successful. Seriously, why would they organize the party on my birthday when I want to meet my parents..."

"Paraphrase your words. I have to go to work."

"Social experiment!" Masato said with a rare determination since he rarely asked help nor gave Tokiya a hard time. "You said you don't have idea for your upcoming shift, right? Maybe socializing with them tonight will spark an idea. Your listeners are always pleased with whatever you come up every time you mingle with people, right?"

They paused on their spots but Masato knew his negotiation worked out. The way Tokiya grimaced also convinced him.

"Masato..."

"To reach people with facts about people, you should mingle with people. You can't expect to go to zoo and feed some monkeys no matter how bad you're in socializing, right? Right?"

"Oh, my... Did you just casually insult my hobby, Hijirikawa Masato? Do you know how annoying you sound right now?"

"You're in, then," Masato remarked with a bright smile.

It was the first time for Tokiya to make a mutual-agreed deal with someone who ended up making him wanting to kill the other person afterward. Masato did say that he made friends with everyone but it never occurred to Tokiya's mind that the reason why those guys was desperate to meet Masato at the party was the blue head was the most popular student in his school.

Well, Masato might sound so arrogant if he really did say he was popular no matter how noticeable it was.

As soon as just one person noticed Tokiya's presence in the lobby, Tokiya felt like he would rather get hit by a tsunami instead of this 'disturbing' human forms. The squeals became crazier as more people started to gather around him, asking a lot of questions like a bunch of reporters.

As Tokiya predicted, they were asking what Masato, the birthday boy was doing.

That was when he learned more about his housemate. There were a lot of amazing facts about Masato who all this time had a critical self-esteem problem and very timid.

That was why the blue head deserved to be celebrated in the grand party which was held in Saotome Academy.

"To be honest, I have anticipated your debut the most! You were everyone's inspiration so I thought that you would be scouted by those big three agencies," said one of them as they finally settled down from blowing-the-candles session and squeals which took all for Tokiya to cover his ears and lash out at them for being too loud.

"No, things changed and I don't think I want to debut," Tokiya said, lazily holding a glass of wine. He would not take a risk to drink even a sip. It would be the end for him since his alcohol tolerance was downright low.

So, he's the star in his batch, huh? What happened to him? What made him turned into who he is? The blue head thought.

Tokiya knew he was an expert in being a wet blanket or at least, to indirectly tell people not to ask more. He was familiar with this kind of situation so unlike others who froze at his coldness, he was proud of himself for being able to dodge more questions.

After coming back from the toilet which was the only place he could calm himself down, he immediately called Masato

Going back to Tokiya's house would be empty and boring so Masato mindlessly rode a bus, straight to Saotome Academy which was where the reunion party was held. Standing in front of the gate, his heart ached and thumped fast at the same time.

This academy... it was the best place which held the best spot in his heart and life. He enjoyed every single day where their schedules were full with singing courses, pair works and group assignments. He did not have time to be upset about how skeptical his father was to the career path that he chose because everyone and everything was amazing for him.

Even his intense rivalry with Ren had become a pleasant memory for him. He would trade anything if it would take him to his past.

It was also the witness of how he was able to keep spending his moments with Haruka. He was already in the academy, walking past the extravagant garden but his mind wandered to a scene from a different place.

The first time they met was a week before the entrance exam of Saotome Academy. He just fought with his father about his decision to study performance art. He requested to go out alone without his father's servants so he wandered particularly nowhere in the town.

That was when he could hear a girl's voice from a playground. Despite singing together with a group of kids, his ears were particularly charmed by the orange-haired girl's voice who seemed to lead the kids with her arms raised like a conductor.

Masato was generally stiff with girls. He was raised conservatively where he saw how his father and mother were not really affectionate to each other. He also studied in all-boys school. But, Haruka had bloomed something strange but pleasant in his chest that he spent almost no second to greet her right after she was done with the singing while the children slowly dispersed.

"I lend a help sometimes in the nursery school. A good way to spend my free time," she said when she saw how he was awkward to extend their conversation.

Of course Masato would feel right away because he literally approached her and said something sudden like, "your voice when singing the star song is nice. You sing well. No... what I mean is... You... your singing has a... a heart? Wait, how should I put it?"

Generally speaking, everyone was good in singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star since it was literally everyone's childhood song but Haruka immediately saved him from falling into the hole of the deepest embarrassment in his life by smiling and not judging him at all.

As if Haruka knew him too well to be able to tell that his words did not mean to be literally translated into how it sounded.

"I am sorry for greeting you out of nowhere. Come to think of it, you must think that I am creepy for coming to see you like this. I am so sorry," he said, bowing as he faced her on the bench. "I'll leave first if you don't feel comfortable..."

He swore he could hear her voice calling him but he ignored her. He should not be mesmerized by some stranger's sweet voice. He had a lot on his plate including his father's disapproval so he should not be sitting around casually, talking about cheesy things like the heart of songs as.

Little did he know, she was not just a stranger. She ended up being the only girl he loved until now.

But, there was Jinguuji Ren on her side...

Haruka opened her eyes. She was alone in the lobby, being nervous about how the reunion party would end up tonight before eventually leading her to reminisce the old memory of her first meeting with Masato. His hands were holding a dark purple paper bag which contained a present for the man.

It was wonderful. It was far more wonderful than what currently happened. She did not even know where the man was. Actually, no one knew.

"Can you hang out with us tonight, Jinguuji-san? It won't be fun without you," she could hear a whiny voice of a female idol as the sounds of shoes approached her.

"Yes. It'll be an honor for us if a top idol like Jinguuji Ren can spend time with us. We promise it'll be fun," the other girl in a short red dress remarked.

That was when Ren and the two girls who shamelessly clung to him showed up from other alley.

"I am sorry, girls. I have a plan... oh, Haruka!" Ren's cool demeanor was taken off as soon he spotted the composer. The cyan eyes were always bright every time they met Haruka which had become the subject of jealousy among his fans. Without sparing any more glance to the girls nor concerning their reaction, he bowed to his beloved girl with a charming smile. "I am sorry for being late. They extended the shooting because of camera problems."

"That's okay," the surprised Haruka quickly stood from her seat, wondering which one she should do. Lightly lifting Ren's shoulders so that he could stand properly or letting him stand straight on his own because for sure, both actions would cause a rage from the girls. "I have just done with the meeting too."

"Then, should we go now?" Ren said, carefully holding her hand so that they would head to his car together. Then only he turned to the annoyed girls. "See you later then. Bye."

Haruka fixed her gaze to the outside view of their agency building. Even it was dark from the night view, it was still much better than the possible rage from Ren's fans.

She was so sick of it. She did not even date him but she had to face hatred from his nonsensical fans.

Just like how she faced Masato's during their school days.

Ah, that guy. She could not wait to see him again. Earlier, she had insisted that she could go to the reunion alone if Ren could not make it but the scion refused. He said it was better for them to go together since they worked in the same place on that day. Haruka attended a meeting regarding a CF promotional song while Ren was shooting a reality show featuring his daily life. Plus, he was worried about her safety.

It was just how the man showed how much he cared about her and Haruka was not a stranger to it. She would be more comfortable if it was not because of Ren's toxic fans.

"So, how are you feeling?" Ren asked as they were in his car, riding in comfortable silence. "I bet you're nervous, right?"

"Yes... since I am not popular like you. I don't have friends apart from you, Tomo-chan and..."

"It's okay. Masato will be there. I had confirmed it with the guys," Ren said with a reassuring smile.

"Really?" She sure could not conceal her happiness. Her eyes sized up before realizing that she was ecstatic. "I mean... how they..."

"He still used his old email and he did reply that he would come to the reunion party," Ren said. "I bet he already solved whatever that caused him to quit school drastically so he should be fine."

I hope so. I am worried sick about him, Haruka thought.

Masato was brought back to reality when his phone rang in his pocket.

"Hello, Tokiya. Is everything okay?"

He should know from the start that was the most idiotic question to begin with.

"Okay, my foot. Why it is so tiring to be you even only for one night, huh? You never said that you're this popular!" Masato guessed that Tokiya was covering his voice so that no one could eavesdrop on him.

Masato burst out his laughter since that was the first time. So, that was how the hopeless and helpless Tokiya would sound. It was not bad. Rather, it was better than the always uptight Tokiya.

"You're really having fun on your own, aren't you?"

"Sorry, sorry. Well, I don't know how to answer your statement regarding the popular thingy," he said, scratching his head. Before he knew it, Masato was already at the side of the hall, being separated from the glamorous bunch of people including his friend by a glass wall. The blue eyes' sized up as he could recognize them one by one. All of them looked stunning and luxuriously dressed-up. As expected from those students from 12 years ago who ended up pursuing their studies or careers in a showbiz.

"Forget that. I think you should come over. They threw the party tonight to celebrate your birthday, dude!"

"What?" Masato's eyes turned to where a five tiers chocolate cake was put, at the middle of the hall. "You mean, that tall cake is for me?"

"Yes! Wait, how do you know they prepared that kind of cake? Where are you?"

Masato did not answer Tokiya. In fact, he could not answer the man since his eyes were diverted to how people around him were staring at him in disgust.

Yes, they were disgusted by his appearance. His dirt-stained white long-sleeves shirt with a pair of dull jeans. His black cheap glasses made him look much older while the scars over his face from the car accident he had suffered from years ago sure would creep them out.

Of course they would find him creepy, pathetic, horrifying and...

Ah, the anxiety. It flowed in his veins yet again. He could not stand the way they looked at them anymore. It was too much for someone who had gone through a lot like him.

"Masato, what are you doing here? Come, come! There is a creepy guy out there."

His thought was right. They found him creepy, enough from the voice that he heard from his phone as he was still talking to Tokiya.

"What? Where?" Tokiya asked back.

Masato moved from the place right away as soon as Tokiya tried to look everywhere to search for the 'creepy guy'. He was ashamed. He did not want Tokiya to see how pathetic he was in front of his friends.

Of course they would feel disgusted by him. He was out of their league now. He was nobody.

As he walked fast, ignoring the friendly security guard he had met, he could feel and hear a car hit his legs, followed by a loud break sound. Masato collapsed on the ground. He could feel his knees were in a pain on the road.

Shit! Can you get any unluckier, Masato?

"Oh, my... are you okay?" A strangely familiar sweet voice crossed his hearing.

"Mister, are you okay? You should not cross dangerously like that. I could hit you worse!"

And also the half-scolding voice... he recognized it since he always listened to the guy's songs whenever he had a free time.

Haruka and Ren... it's them, right?

"Sir, do you hurt yourself? Should we help you?" Haruka's voice echoed back when there was no response from the victim.

Yes, it was them.

Yet, if his intuition was wrong, he did not intend to reveal who he was. It was better for him to leave the place as soon as possible and act like he never attended.

"I am okay," he said, trying to sound different before leaving the spot with a limp.

However, Haruka was not easy to give up. As she touched his hand to stop him, the warm feeling which his system had longed for so much occurred again.

He missed the girl so much.

"But, you don't look good, sir. You're limping," she said.

"That's okay," realizing that he should not be here longer, he lifted her hand, shaking his head as his gaze was still on the ground. "I was the one who crossed mindlessly. You don't need to help me for my stupidity."

After that, he limped as fast as he could before he managed to caught a taxi. He never turned to his back, looking at his friends once more.

Why do I feel like this, Haruka? I am glad to see you but I am also sad. Or is it because of a shame for being a pathetic loser like this?

But I know why I avoid you, Ren. I am pathetic. Unlike you.

"What? He just left?" Ren exclaimed. His face turned stern from the disappointment as he was so eager to see his long-lost friend. He turned to Haruka who also could not conceal her disappointment. "Why? At least you should have convinced him to stay until both of us arrived. I didn't plan this reunion just to find out later that my best fried had left as soon as I am here."

"I don't know, dude. He suddenly got angry when I asked him to avoid a suspicious-looking guy from the wall," Ren's friend said, pointing at a glass wall where he saw the tacky but real Masato.

"We did convince him to stay for you and Haruka but he just brushed us off. That Masato is really weird," the second friend said. "And rude when we held this party for his birthday."

Ren turned to Haruka. "I am sorry, Haruka."

"No, please don't be, Jinguuji-san. It's not even your fault," Haruka said, surprised at the man's unexpected apology. Ren's voice was so gentle which sent her guilt too.

While both the friends gave each other a look that suggested, 'As expected, he has a soft spot for this girl' and, 'I know right?'.

"So, how is he doing?" Haruka said carefully. At least if she could not meet Masato, she had to know about the man's well-being.

"He's weird," the first friend said, shrugging. "He didn't talk much and I bet he doesn't remember all of us."

"What do you mean?" Ren said back, earning nods from the guys. "How come?"

"He might be a bit suspicious when he suddenly quit school back then but I never thought someone likeable and sainted like Masato would forget us easily."

"He looked so absent-minded when we reminisced those happy and silly moments. But, I must say that he has become so stylish and hot. His voice is very nice. He will be a good singer with that voice."

"But he said he's just doing some freelance works. He never told us spesifically. Is that weird, Ren? No one would be the top student in idol course so that he could waste his talent and do some freelance work."

Ren's heart ached. It did because how frustrating it was when their paths with Masato's did not even cross since  12 years ago and now his friends told him the not-so-satisfying news.

What're you thinking you're doing, Hijirikawa? Just what happened to you? Do you forget me and Haruka as well? Why can't you stay until you meet us?

As for Haruka, no words could describe how she felt. The paper bag she had in her hands was held tightly.

I guess I lost a chance to give him this tonight. How can I possibly reach him then?

"Did any of you guys ask for his phone number?" Ren asked.

"Nope. Yamada did but he refused."

That again, earning a heavy sigh from Ren. 

Please don't hesitate to tell me what do you think about this chapter, okay? Byee :D