CHAPTER 4

In the showbiz, Haruka was a star composer who was sought-after for her music.

That was what everyone could sum up when it comes to her talent but the composer found it hard to believe. She never thought that she would achieve the level given where did she come from. She was sent to her grandmother to live in a rural area since she was young due to her poor health. The house did not even have a television so most of the time, she relied on the piano lesson with her grandmother as her entertainment and hobby. She never learned how to read music back then since she did so by ear. She never thought that it would cause problems until she passed the entrance exam and became the student of Saotome Academy.

Being a naïve girl who just wanted to study music and compose her own, she was bashed by her classmates for being unable to read music but still passed the exam. For this hindrance, despite she felt miserable at first, Tomochika, Masato and Ren (despite he was a lazy bone himself back then), they suggested her the obvious solutions which she had to pay no heed to others' critics and prove them that she could read music like everyone else if she learned and worked hard for it.

It was a forever solution unless she hit her head which caused her to forget how to read music. No one criticized her for the reason anymore, especially when she achieved the highest score for all tests and her excellence continued for her career. Well, that was all she was supposed to aim and achieve. As much as she never dreamed of fame, she was thrilled that her music could touch the people's hearts.

Yet, with her close relationship with popular students like Ren and Masato back then, she could not sit still and instead unwillingly serve as a threat to the men's fans. Even after Masato disappeared from their life, she still had a lot on her plate, thanks to Ren's crazy fans. She could swear to God that she treated the man like how she treated Tomochika but they always reacted like she would launch a missile to the world. Almost every day, she could not go working without being waylaid by those 'queen bees'.

The worst part was unlike when she was criticized for her inability to read music, this nuisance had no solution that would bring a total peace for her life. It was impossible for her to slap everyone who badmouthed her.

At last, they reminded Haruka of those titans from an anime who attacked a pitiful squad leader who could not escape anywhere due to his injured legs. The silly part of her brain even imagined that Ren would end up being mutilated into two parts of body like the squad leader.

Stop imagining things, Haruka. You shouldn't join Tomo-chan watching the anime if you're going to be like this, she shook her head while she still making her way to a meeting room.

"You."

As soon as Haruka dragged herself back to reality, she was unwillingly served by the sight of one of those 'queen bees' which made her music-esque life upside down. The composer was positive that their popularity had made them believed they were good enough to rudely interrogate her about her relationship with Ren.

On top of that, today she was meant to bump into Hoshikage Seira, an actress who was dubbed 'the other half' for Ren. Their dramas, films, and CFs would always win the hearts and charts but it did nothing for the man. Unlike Seira who was besotted and always grabbed any chance to ask him out, the man always gave calm but clear reactions that he thought nothing affectionate about her.

Since then, both Haruka and Ren knew what to expect when the stuck-up Seira got rejected more than once. No matter how much the composer wanted to hide and brush it off, the sharp Ren always somehow ended up being her knight in shining armor. Still, Haruka could not expect the man who barely got a few hours to sleep per week to always come to her rescue.

"Yes?" Haruka replied with a smile.

She gained some 'survival guidelines' from Tomochika after the idol heard a lot of episodes of Ren's fans from the composer. One of them was acting calm but austere was way more effective than being too reserved or outspoken. No need to be extreme because those fans could turn her reactions into her next nightmare. They could play victim for any harsh words from her or they could bully her for being compliant.

Seira was making her way elegantly with her manager towards Haruka. Her tight brown dress and leopard-print coat fit her slender figure perfectly but with the way she abruptly blocked Haruka's way while her blue eyes spoke smugness, she reminded Haruka of an old leopard which was proud of herself that finally, she had met someone to butcher.

"Seira-san, we're going to be late..." Seira's manager, Futaba spoke up but Seira lifted her hand, instructing the girl to zip her mouth.

"I just want to ask her something. Mind your own business, won't you?" she shot a glare at the girl before turning to Haruka. "You heard her, right? I am going to be late for shooting so I want you to answer me quickly. Where did you go with Jinguuji-san last night?"

"Good morning, Hoshikage-san, Futaba-san," Haruka said instead, bowing politely which Futaba returned on the spot. Haruka's mind was busy pondering on how none of Seira's words made any sense.

Even her order for her manager which was 'mind her own business' was so wrong in so many levels. How on earth an actress could use all her intelligence to order her own manager to mind her own business when it was clearly Futaba's job to ensure that she would not cause any more trouble that would jeopardize not only her career but also Futaba's?

The next sets of words from Seira were also laughable. She ordered Haruka to answer her question about Ren's personal life which had nothing to do with her own. Apparently, she had this mindset that when she was a prominent actress, she could order people around as if she was an empress and other people were her servants.

When in fact, she also worked to pay bills. That did not sound any different from other workers in this world.

'Don't waste your time and energy for someone like her. It won't benefit you anything other than dark songs. I don't want my friend end up composing more stressful songs because of a scum like her' remark from Tomochika suddenly echoed in her ears.

I will, Tomo-chan. I wish I don't have to face these people too.

"I don't need your 'good morning', honey. Just answer my question instead. Where did you go with Jinguuji-san last night? You know that he was supposed to enjoy a post-party with us, right?" Seira insisted, arms folded over her chest.

"Did you already ask him but he refused to answer it?" Haruka answered back. All she did with Ren was having dinner since if she did not insist to eat with him, who knows if he would really eat properly or starve himself again for his works.

Still, if Ren disapproved Seira's attention towards him, Haruka would respect it. She would not answer Seira's question.

"What?"

"Please answer me. Did you already ask him?"

"You..."

"If Jinguuji-san refused, I don't see why I should tell you about something that he refused to let you know. It's about his personal life and..."

"His personal life, my foot. Did you just act up to me? Do you think you're that close to him that you got a nerve..."

"Yes, she's close to me. She's my best friend," a familiar voice which was always silky for Haruka interposed, which grabbing the women's attention right away.

"Jinguuji-san..." just like that, the 'old leopard' tried her best way to look like an innocent cat. Her eyes suddenly shone to see her beloved man.

After that, Haruka knew what to expect. Seira would be in her dramatic queen mode and Ren who later would say how it took all for him not to insult or clobber the woman in public.

It was different this time. Ren did not even bother to whine about how their president, Shining Saotome always advised him about treating Seira nicely since any harsh words or tense relationship between them would cause unnecessary scandals and shortcomings for Ren's career. The president sure did know how to use Ren's passion for his career and image to stop any objections from the man. Seira was a very popular actress with a strong agency to back her so it would be tough if Ren acted impatiently.

Even it was for the sake of Haruka and Seira was already known as the Queen of Scandals, it would do nothing good for Ren, the sweet composer, and the agency.

Instead, after they sat together after Haruka's meeting and Ren's script reading session to have a lunch break together, Ren shifted his attention to other things.

"If it's not because of the president's warning, I would not be that lenient to her. I am sorry that you have to go through the trouble, Haruka. You must be thinking about a new song arrangement when she suddenly interrogated you..."

"Wow, how do you know? It's always impressive how you always can guess what I am up to," stopping herself from drinking the fresh orange while stopping himself from being apologetic, Haruka raised her head. Orange eyes sized up at another pair of light blue eyes.

A comment from Ren's close friend who was also an idol, Kurusu Syo spoke back in his head.

That Nanami... as much as I can tell that she's dense, you also hold the responsibility, Ren. What are you waiting for instead of confessing to her? You never told me but just like other people, I can see how much you love her. She'll always be confused if you continue to be vague.

That's a comment from someone who never knew why I can't confess my feeling to her. It's never easy, Ochibi-chan. It's never when you know whom she has always had her eyes for...

"Jinguuji-san? Jinguuji-san?" As soon as her warm hand shook his arm on the table, he was dragged from his thought. "Are you alright? What's with the look every time I ask you something? Is there anything bothering you? Is it about your work?"

He could hear the girl clearly. Even she talked too fast which indicated that she was worried about him, he could catch her questions word by word. But, with the way her concerned voice sounded pleasantly in his ears, with how near she was sitting and the fact that they were spending time together for their lunch break despite people around them were watching them (probably wondering if they really started dating each other or not), Ren could not help but be enchanted by the sight of her.

As an ex-ladies' man, he never thought that one day, a girl named Nanami Haruka would make him captivated just by her sole presence. She was definitely nothing special when it comes to her looks but it was not surprising for him when he sensed that Masato grew to love her. Haruka's personality was admirable and her music was amazing which was most probably why Masato found her attractive. Knowing that Haruka was his close friend's first love, Ren was interested to know what kind of girl she was. He acted like he teased Masato by always hanging out with them since it was always his hobby to annoy the heck of his roommate but deep inside of his heart, he wanted to learn about Haruka so that he knew, Masato fell for a right person.

But, at last, Ren was hit on his face with the truth that he took a liking for her from the very beginning. She stole his heart the moment the first time they met; on the day of their entrance exam. They had a proper conversation after he saved her from being chased away by the guards for being late. He was impressed by how she was still willing to help a lost girl despite she had to attend an entrance exam.

Now, even he knew and supported Masato's and Haruka's love towards each other, he still had regret in his heart. If only the old him who always judged girls based on their looks did not ponder on how it was impossible for him to love a plain girl like Haruka before realizing it way too late, their relationship might be different. He might have a chance to win her heart given Masato did not show any sign that he would show up again in their lives other than on the reunion night.

I like looking at you because I love you and I am always curious about you, Haruka. I am holding back a lot because I don't want to make you uncomfortable but...

I still can tease you at times, right? You look so cute when you're flustered.

"You're important to me and that's why I am looking at you. I am always curious about you, Haruka. That's why I know a lot about you and I can tell what you're thinking," at last, his brain decided to paraphrase his sincere thought and leave the 'I love you' part. This time, he agreed with Syo. He had always been vague and that was why Haruka could not totally read his mind.

"I know a lot about you and I am curious about you too, Jinguuji-san. We've known each other for too long anyway," she remarked as her eyes turned bright and her lips crack a breath-taking smile at the thought of how they had shared a lot of memories together. She did not have any idea how such simple and innocent gestures would make the handsome man's heart skip a beat. "Including how you have become so stern whenever you are working."

This time, she pouted at her remark which sent Ren chuckling.

You don't have any idea how much I want to kiss you right now, Haruka. Even in a public place like this, I don't care. I really want to declare to everyone that a special girl had won my heart and that girl is you.

"You should loosen up a bit, Jinguuji-san. It'll be not good for your health," she said softly. "I know the make-up always does a good job to cover your tiredness but whenever you are busy, I can't stop myself from worrying about you. Syo-kun even said that you never eat properly whenever you work for long hours. Do you want me to make you a bento every day? I don't want you to starve yourself anymore."

Her sincere remarks had made him the happiest man in the world at the moment. Even when the waiter sent their orders and his loving smile had made the waiter and people around them curious about their conversation, Ren could not care less. What mattered was he was somebody important in Haruka's life and the composer herself admitted it.

Pull yourself together, Ren. Don't start imagining how it would be if you marry her and she prepares you a bento every single day. That's far-fetched for a coward like you, he thought.

"No, it's okay. I will find ways somehow so that I will eat properly and not get sick," Ren said, eyes glued to his pasta as he grabbed the fork.

"If I insist?" Her lovely voice echoed again and this time, Ren lifted his head and look at her with an unreadable expression.

"Haruka..."

"Yes? Why?"

"Please don't be that caring when you aren't going to give your heart to me. Trust me, it'll be hard for me."

Ren knew what to expect but it was too late for him to take back his words. The girl opposite him froze on her spot, clearly shocked at the sudden confession.

"Jinguuji-san..."

Okay, he did not want to ruin the mood any longer. He would be a serious Ren right after their lunch break since he had to monitor his junior's training, so he should loosen up when he was around his beloved girl.

"I was joking," closing their distance a bit, he winked at her which almost made her lost her breath.

"That's mean, Jinguuji-san!" she rubbed her chest in relief despite her exclamation. She knew how mischievous this guy could be but she always ended up falling for his jokes or pranks.

"Sorry, but I can't help it. You're too cute when you're flustered," he said before finally tasting his pasta. "It's always been like this. You're so innocent, Haruka."

Having nothing to say since his claim about her being too innocent was true, she pouted again as she grabbed her fork. Relishing the taste of udon, the sight of Ren's bright smile had brightened her heart. It was her turn to become mesmerized by his smile.

Even Ren was the same flamboyant guy who she had known since their days in Saotome Academy every time they were around each other, she knew how his personality would flip once he was working. He would become too strict that no juniors would dare to work with him.

She wondered if he had changed because he tried to distract himself from the fact that Masato disappeared from their life for so long. Frankly speaking, she missed the old Ren. The fun-loving guy who always cheered her up and encouraged her to always move forward and enjoy her life despite all criticism she had endured from her haters.

She knew, given the current situation, it was the time for her to return the favor.

"Why are you behaving like he's a celebrity or something? You really don't want to tell me what's your friend doing for a living, huh? You know how I normally don't beg people but people do beg me for jobs. If your friend already shows me how stuck-up he is even you claim that he's just being secretive, I must say I should fire you as well, Hijirikawa-kun. You don't contribute anything to this café anyway. Just so you know, you were supposed to take this chance to make yourself useful!"

You don't contribute anything.

It was the same line that Masato's father used to blurt out at him.

So, that was how his job for the nth time ended. Often, the reasons were too ridiculous to be true.

He had no time to wonder why he was tested this much after his father disowned him when suddenly, Tokiya's annoyed voice hit his ears, followed by a pillow thrown to his face.

"You're spaced out again!? I mean, again!?" Tokiya who was standing right opposite him while resting his hands on his hips sounded and looked forbidding, much to Masato's puzzlement.

Oh...

Now, he could put two and two together. He was just too depressed after he lost his job so his head was busy pitying himself and thinking about his future. But now, with how angry Tokiya looked, he knew what to expect.

"You're making me talking by myself for the nth time, dude. What the heck is wrong with you?" Tokiya made himself seated before pushing a soft drink on the table towards Masato's direction. "Drink this or I will clobber you."

"Thank you," forming a tiny smile for the caring gesture from his housemate despite his nagging, Masato took a sip. "Did you talk about something? I am sorry for being spaced out. There are a lot of things..."

"Did you just get fired?" Tokiya interposed right away, probably before Masato got spaced out again which eventually would send him flip his lid.

"Yes," Masato said, almost instantly. Now he knew how Tokiya was worried about him while he himself was no longer as upset as before, telling the truth was the best option.

Tokiya heaved a long sigh. "Finally, you answered me after I took the whole day, right after I caught you editing your resume at the cybercafe, along the ride until we're at home. I thought that your boss and colleagues have grown fond of you."

Masato cracked a bitter smile whenever the situation happened which Tokiya grew to hate it since he had seen it a lot. The smile showed how unfair the situations had treated his housemate when he knew how hard he worked to survive on his own. "I smelled something bad. Did he use an absurd reason again to fire you?"

"What do you mean 'again'? He fired me because my work has ended and the original waiter finally returned from her long break," he said. There was no way he would say that Tokiya's secret had contributed to the end of his job. Tokiya would go berserk and he did not want the man turned into a criminal because of him.

"Really?" Tokiya practiced his typical method which was looking daggers at Masato but this time, the scion was determined not to fall for his 'trap'. "Or do you have something that you want to talk about?"

"It's okay. I was just a temporary waiter. It appeared that I forgot they needed me only for a month," Masato said.

"Okay, then. It's an acceptable reason after I found you in the town when you're supposed to work," Tokiya remarked as he stood and made his way to his room. "Just use my laptop if you want to edit your resume or something. Don't worry. A nice and hardworking person like you will find a better job soon."

"Okay, thanks," Masato said slowly as he stared at his soft drink.

With Masato's back facing him, Tokiya stared at the depressed frame sadly.

He's really a nice and hardworking person but his surroundings always treat him unfairly. I wonder why... His bad lucks have always been out of nowhere, even when he'd done nothing...

The men's fate had always been the opposite. Tokiya never had a problem when it comes to job-seeking. Instead, it seemed to other people that jobs sought after him instead. Even at this moment, he was supposed to tell Masato that his first novel manuscript was accepted. The man was the only one who knew that he had tried to be a novelist so it was bound for him to tell the man first.

But with how miserable the mood had become, he lost his will to carry on their conversation which was why he left the man on his own. When Masato did not talk much, it showed that he was too tired emotionally. He needed me-time to heal.

Instead, his head was recalling those insults that Masato never knew that Tokiya had kept to himself all this time.

It was obvious that Masato was way better in terms of personality. Just took their neighbor, Yui as the example of how not everyone would appreciate those who were compassionate. When Yui's parents were not at home and left the girl alone at their house due to a family emergency, Masato cooked for three days for her when it took all for Tokiya not to yell at the girl so that she would learn to cook instead of shamelessly accepting food from Masato. His housemate treated the girl like his younger sister and the man completely shut him up when he said, he already lost his own sister forever so he just wanted to be a good brother once in a while.

But, this was how Yui paid him which Tokiya happened to hear when she was talking on the phone with her friend, outside of her house.

"I am sorry but he looks like a mad man. The way he stutters and says weird things about music... it creeps me out. Sure, Ichinose-kun is cold but I think I love a man when he knows how to make himself hot. Not the one who makes me disgusted and want to puke."

He swore he could not forgive the girl. At least not for the time being.

And also those people at the reunion party who Masato claimed as his friends. They insulted him as soon as they caught Masato standing outside the hall.

"Is that your friend, Yamada? He looks crazy."

"No way in hell! How on earth did the geezer allow a beggar inside our castle? This is humiliating!"

"Should we report to the police? I bet he is here because he's hungry or something. He kept looking at the cake."

It was chaos after that since Tokiya immediately grabbed a dude's collar who just happened to badmouth Masato at that time. The others were panicky to see the sudden scene. As he could not stand the fake atmosphere fulfilled with the classy people, he immediately scurried his way to the main door, never turned back even when a few of them begged him to wait for Ren and Haruka.

"You can send some messages to that Nanami-san as well if you want. You forgot to log out last time," Tokiya remarked, sending Masato to flinch. Obviously, he was spaced out again and thought Tokiya was already in his bedroom.

Masato just nodded weakly. 

Thanks to Seira, I could write the first scene of this chapter almost smoothly haha. Please let me know your thought if you have any, okay? Byeee :D