“what’s wrong?” asked akira sitting down drinking some water. She was sweaty due to dance practice. “nothing…” she said looking away from her phone back to her laptop. “right…” akira said again. her phone sounded. They were able to get their phone back after Johnny suddenly lifted their punishment for some strange reason. It was a text from nino. “it looks like he went on a lunch date with her.” She read it quietly to herself despite yori being there. she gripped her phone slightly but was able to text back. “thanks.” “akira!” yelled out rin. “lets go!” Akira put on a smile again. “hai! coming!”
“what do you mean?” asked mizumi she was drinking her water and setting the glass down. “this is an apology lunch. I wanted to just say it, but I felt that it wasn’t enough, so that’s why I brought you there.” he stood up and bowed down to her. “I’m sorry for what happened between us. As the older one here, I should have been more responsible for both of our actions.” Mizumi just started at him bent over. “it’s okay.” she said quietly. Ohn stood back up again and looked at her. “It’s okay.” mizumi said again. “I was thinking about it afterwards, and I can easily say it’s my fault too. Those pictures were such a shock to me, I couldn’t handle it. should have played it safe before all those scandle pictures came out right?” she said smiling.
Ohno couldn’t understand her at this point. Was she forgiving him? making an excuse that it was partly her fault too? What was it? This was something he never understood about her while they were dating. Ohno sat back down. “you know…” said mizumi picking at her food. “you know when niji went and debuted at korea? Akira and I had a conversation.” Ohno started to pick at his food listening. “she told me she liked you. And had told me to stay away.” Ohno shuffled in his seat. “in a friendly way of course!” said mizumi quickly, “ but I also did tell her that it was up to him who he chose to like. From there on out, she stopped trying to get your attention and went on to Nino.”
Ohno remembered when akira was yelling out to him that night. “I liked you! I tried to get your attention! But you didn’t pay attention to me.” he sighed resting his elbows on the table burying his face in his hands. ‘she also knew.’ He said to himself. “why didn’t you tell me?” he said looking away now. Mizumi was now playing with her fingers in her lap looking at them. “because at the time, I already had feelings for you. “ “right” replied ohno. “that’s why I asked you to date me.” mizumi nodded. “and now that we’r e not dating anymore, I also know that Akira still has feelings for you, so if you can…please acknowledge her feelings.”
Ohno and mizumi met eye to eye after her comment. “please, don’t hurt her anymore.” She said earnestly. Ohno can see it in her eyes. ohno chuckled. “you were always so nice mizumi. Always worrying about others than yourself. That’s why I chose to like you.” Mizumi smiled. “but we’re not dating anymore, so it’s okay.” “right.” Said ohno. “so will you try? And give akira a chance?” she asked her. “and forget about what happened between us?” ohno was stuck on words. He still missed mizumi. “do…” he tried to make the words come out. “do…you still love me?” mizumi laughed a bit. “i don’t know. I used to , but as of now I really don’t know.” Mika flashed in her mind when they were on the trainstation.
“do you still love him?” asked mika. Mizumi thought for a moment. “I don’t know. That’s the mystery of the heart isn’t it? you’re never sure of anything.” She looked into his eyes and smiled sweetly.
“I see…” said ohno making her come back from her memory. “alright. I’ll try.” He said finally. Mizumi smiled really big. “really? You will? I’m sure she will be so happy! Thank you so much!” she looked at the time. “oh it’s time to go! Shall we go?” she asked him. ohno smiled and nodded. They left their cash on the table and went for the door. As soon as they left the restaurant, some one called out her name. it was a familiar voice. “MIZUMI!” she looked to her right to see a man strong and built. She covered her mouth reliazling who it was. He waved at her. “seungri-san..” she said to her self. ohno saw her reaction and looked at the guy in front of them. “who?” he asked.
He walked over to them. he bowed to the both of them and smiled. “how are you?” he asked her. Mizumi was still shocked and didn’t know what to say. “i…I’m fine.” She said trying to smile. Their time in korea began to come back to her. Seungri looked at ohno. “oh is this your boyfriend?” he asked. The two of them were shocked at the question. They both denied it. “no no! not anymore.” They both said. Seungri looked at them both. Something felt awkward between the two. Mizumi then turned to ohno. “why don’t you go first. I’ll catch a cab back to work. Don’t worry about me.” she smiled at him. ohno looked at her and seungri who was just standing there. “okay. be safe.” He left for the car leaving her and seungri alone.
Mizumi bit her lip and stretched her arm out a little facing seungri again. “welcome to japan?” she said laughing a bit. He laughed at her.
They both walked on the beach talking, catching up. “I see. You’re doing some solo work here in japan while the other members are working on their own solo work in korea. How exciting!” “that also means I’m able to see you more too.” He said happily. Mizumi said nothing to that comment but just kept on listening. “i heard what happened to you and niji as well as that guy you were with a while ago.” He looked off into the sea waiting for an answer. “sou desu ne.” she said to him. “I’m sorry to have troubled you then.” She wanted to end this conversation quick so she can go back to work. “but I’m glad though.” He said. “eh?” mizumi said stopping as he stepped in front of her. He came closer to her just as he did in korea. “I still like you mizumi.” He said softly taking both of her hands into his. he looked down on her resting his forhead on hers. She can feel her cheeks began to redden.
“can we maybe have a chance?” he suggested smiling. She looked into his eyes troubled. She searched for the answers inside of herself and came to a conclusion. She broke away from him. “no…I can’t.” she said. She bowed. “I’m sorry. but I’m not looking forward to be in an another relationship anytime soon. Please excuse me. I have to go back to work or I might be in trouble.” She left the beach as seungri followed. “I’m willing to wait!” he said aloud. “I’ve been waiting for many months already. I can wait until you are ready. I just need to know if there will be a probable us someday.” Mizumi stopped to listen what else he had to say, but nothing came out. She kept on walking and called for a cab and left him at the beach. in the cab she put back on her shoes. “of all times you appear again.” she said feeling relieved. She relaxed in the car all the way back to work.
Akira sat inside the dance studio. It was already evening time and all the girls had gone back home. She had her phone in her hand wondering if she should call or text him. biting her lips, she contemplated again and again until the door to the dance studio opened. “ah you’re here.” Said ohno. ‘ah crap.’ She said to herself. He walked over and sat down next to her. “she told me too.” He said finally. “who?” said akira. “mizumi. She told me of your conversation with her in korea.” Akira felt guilt for some strange reason. “sorry. I must have sounded selfish.” Akira played with her phone in her hands not looking at him. it was silent for a while. “I’m sorry too.” Said ohno. Akira stopped playing with her phone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know earlier about how you felt about me.”
“it doesn’t matter now does it?” akira said stubbornly. “you still like her obviously.” She got up. “enough. I’m going home.” She grabbed her bag and her hat. On her way to the door, ohno grabbed her hand. “wait! She also have asked me to try it with you.” Akira turned around. ”try what?” her heart ached inside. he pulled her in to hug her. “try and date and love you. I’m sorry for ignoring and hurting you.” He hugged her tighter. Akira did the same with tears coming out of her eyes. ohno’s eyes were getting teary as well. He held her for a while until akira stopped crying.
Mizumi got her things together ready to go meet daikoku danji. She had the report already done as well as the script for the news broadcast next Monday at midnight. Since her car was stolen and was still looking for a car, she took the cab again. she knocked on the door and saw that Jay had opened it. “konbawa. It’s me again!” she said smiling. Jay smiled “please come in. we’re just on our break time from dance practice.” Mizumi came in and went down to the dance area of their house. She was amazed at the space. “oh wow. This is amazing.” “welcome akimoto-san.” Said Injun. “please sit down.” She sat down on a cushion with a low table in front of her. She saw mika smiled nodding hello. He nodded back smiling.
“so here is the article I’ve written from your interview that will be published in the newspaper. Please look over it to see if there is anything that is wrong. That way I can make the changes in time for the printing session.” She handed out 6 copies to each of the member including their manager. “and here is the script for Mondays’ report.” She handed out 6 more for them too look at. They smiled and laughed seeming pleased with her work. “this is great.” Said their manager. “thank you I have no problems but I have to go now to take care of somethings. So I’ll leave you here with them. I hope that’s okay.” mizumi nodded .”its fine thank you.” As soon as their manager left, karam spoke out. “ano…are you done for the night? If you were I was hoping if you can stay for dinner. “ mizumi was surprised by such sudden request, but wasn’t bothered by it at all. “karam…” stressed out hyumin and jay. “sorry for that sudden request from him.” said injun. “he can be a bit impulsive since you’re here and everyting.” Said mika.
Mizumi giggled. “oh no, it’s fine. I can stay. I don’t have anymore work tonight. Besides, I heard karam-san loves to cook. I want to try some of his food.” Karam became happy. “I’ll go cook right now! I’ll make something yummy for sure!” he then left while the guys laughed at him. mizumi was concerned though. “I raised his ego haven’t i?” mika laughed. “yes, but you shouldn’t be worried. He makes great food.” The others agreed. Mika started at her in her professional clothings and her pin up hair. She looked nice. “ah…can I see some of your dance moves?” she asked jay who was re-reading the article. Jay looked at mizumi. “oh…s..sure. just me or..” “the group.” She said again. “oh hai.” he said happily getting back to their dance practice. “5, 6, 7, 8,” the boys popped to the music to their Korean song Stumble Stumble. It was exactly the same dance from the music video. She clapped when they were done. They were a talented group.
“sugoi!” she exclaimed. Her phone then rang. It was from ohno. “ah chotto matte. Moshi mosh.” “are you okay?” he asked her. Mizumi smiled. “yes I am. I’m at a client’s house right now.” “oh okay.” he said. She waited for him to talk more. “did you ask her?” she said interested. “yes! I did.” Ohno smiled on the other line. “we’re going to try. I’m hoping it will work.” Mizumi smiled. “I’m glad! Please take good care of her. She’s not as strong as she think she is.” she said giggling. They said their goodbyes and hung up. Mika came down to sit with her.
“who was that?” he asked. She looked at him, then the other two who was fooling around beatboxing while jay was dancing. “Ohno Satoshi. Arashi no riida.” Mizumi said smiling at him. “ah…your ex boyfriend.” He said . “yup!” she replied nodding. “he’s a good leader. So laid back does nothing, but yet at the same time, he seems to do the right thing all the time.” She looked at him. “maybe you can learn a few things from him someday.” She said giggling. Mika scoffed. “me from a leader like him? what can I learn from him?” mizumi laughed. “oh lots of things! They’ve been around for more than 10 years already. They are your senpais. Be more respectful.” She said commandingly. “hai. gotcha.” Said mika laughing.
Jay and injun looked at the two from afar. “they are really getting along well.” Said injun. “yeah. you think they will become a couple?” jay asked suddenly. “I don’t know. But I’m smelling karam’s food, so I’m gonna go see what he’s cooking and maybe try some.” “ah wait!...wait for me!” said jay running behind him.
Mika saw what was happening and laughed. mizumi did also. “it must be hard watching over them.” she said to mika. “it is. they see me as an older brother so I do my best to try and keep them behaving while here in japan.” Mizumi smiled. He was like any leader always caring for their members. “how….long are you all staying in japan?” she asked him. they met eyes again. “I don’t know. We’ve been discussing if we should stay and release an album and a single gift before we leave. maybe another year or so?” mizumi nodded. “I see. that’s good. how are things going back in korea?”
They kept on talking until it was dinner time. Karam brought their dinner to them. “here you go. Um…we’ll be upstairs if you two like to be alone down here…” they both became red. “umm…no it’s okay. let’s all eat together down here.” Said mizumi smiling. “I think it will be much more fun! Right? Mika-san?” she didn’t like the idea of being alone eating with mika. She was already feeling awkward talking with him alone. She was sure he felt the same way. “un…it’s better that way I can make sure you all are not fooling around.”
After dinner, she was taking the cab back home. she waved goodbye at the guys as she entered the cab. As she stepped out in front of her house, she can hear music booming inside. she shook her head wondering if it was another drinking party. She opened the front door. “tadai-“ “mizumi!” said noriko hugging her. “Come drink with us!” mizumi laughed. “why? What’s the occasion?” “konbawa mizumi.” Said a voice behind her. She turned around it was seungri again. “you..” She said quietly.