Boy Meets Girl, Girl Meets Boy: A Love Story (Chapter 18)
[6 hours. that's how long it took me to bloody write this. forgive me. i lack sleep. not to mention i have to wake up in about...oh 2 hours to go on vacation. thank God this is done. finally, they got out of my head and into a room...well, sort of...*goes to sleep*]
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Chapter Eighteen
When the clock struck at 6 pm, I started packing my stuff.
"So this is where you work..." A voice suddenly said behind me. "Suge~"
"Aaaahhh!!" I jumped in shock, so surprised that I dropped a book onto the floor.
I turned around to find Nino standing behind me. "Damn it Nino!! Stop doing that to me!" I picked up the book and threw it into one of my bags. "How did you find me? And how'd you get in here anyway?"
"I followed you through that door..." He pointed at the back door, which I'd left wide open. I slap myself mentally as I close the door. "...and anyway, I called you at home today. Your aunt told me where you were." He glanced around. "I didn't know you worked as a photographer..."
"God, if Toushin found out..." Toushin, my boss would...well, I don't know what he'll do if he finds out. But I'm sure it won't be good. Oh, and remind me to thank my aunt. "Sorry but I was just about to leave. My shift's almost over."
"Ah, sou ka?" He slides his hands into his pockets.
"Is there something you wanted?" I asked.
"Iie..." He kicked the floor.
"Listen, I was thinking about what you said last time and...maybe you're right. Maybe we should set some ground rules or something..."
"Look who's talking now!" He raised his hands in the air. "Aiyoh~"
"I'm serious." I sit down on a couch and glance up at him. Huh. He's wearing a beanie cap again. Plus, with that frown on his face, it kind of makes him look like a sulky, punk skateboarder, like the ones that hang out at the local park near here...
I lay down on the couch, closing my eyes. My head was starting to hurt a bit, probably because I hadn't eaten yet. I sighed.
"So why the sudden change of heart?" He sits on the coffee table across from me.
"Watashi mo shiranai ne..." I shrugged. "Things were getting a bit complicated so I thought we should establish some boundaries and rules when we're...you know...in character or something..."
"Like what for example?"
"Like..." I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. "For one, no touching!! We're not gonna touch each other on any body parts. Holding hands is okay. Touching each other's face is...maybe okay but touching other body parts such as arms, shoulders, back, waist, hips and slash or butt is not allowed! Second, no hugging, embracing or even throwing arms around each other! If it really can't be avoided, then keep hugging to a minimal and only in front of your family." He snorted at my last sentence. "And third, no kissing of any kind - not on the cheeks or lips! If your mom asks, just tell her I'm uncomfortable showing public displays of affection, especially in front of adults."
"What a stupid set of rules!! How are we going to convince my mom that you're my girlfriend if we don't even hug or touch??"
"Well..." I tried to think of something. "There are other ways that we can convey that we're in love. Like using words or showing her how we look at each other."
"And how do we look at each other?" He gets up from the table and sits on the floor next to the couch. He leans forward and his face is close to mine.
"Like...we're in love..." I whisper, noticing how close his face is next to mine. I felt my breath catch in my throat. Coughing, I sat up. "Ah! It's past 6:30! I better leave. Ja ne! I'll call you tonight, okay?" I grab my bags and head towards the back door.
"EEEEEEYYYYAAAAA!!!"
A scream echoed through the studio. It must be Rika's, I thought, Rika being the temporary receptionist the employment agency sent us. I slowly turn around to find Rika, standing at the other end of the room, her face in shock.
"Ni - ni...Ninomiya..." She rushed up to him. "You're Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya!!! Oh my God!!"
If he showed any sign of disdain or annoyance, I must say, Nino's really good at hiding it. I thought I saw something in his eyes for a moment but I must've imagined it. Like fear or disgust.
"What are you doing here? And how did you get in here without me seeing you? Ah, I must've missed you when I went on break!" She snaps a finger. "Or you probably came in when we were closing. Ah...but we're open! We're not closed yet!"
"I'm sorry but we are. Please come back tomorrow." I interrupt.
She turned to glance at me then back at Nino. "Ah...do you know each other? Oh my God, are you guys...dating or something? Are you together? Nino-kun, are you here to visit her? Oh my God!!"
I made a face at him. Okay, but why the hell does everyone think every time they see us together that we're together or something??
Nino's eyes turned big for a second. He stepped forward and flashed Rika a playful, flirty smile. "Ah, I didn't catch your name, miss...? Surely, a beautiful girl like you must have a name." He took her hand.
Her mouth hung open when his hand took hers. "Aaaahhhh....Ri - Rika desu..."
"Rika-chan? What a pretty name for a pretty girl..." He ran a finger against her cheek.
I rolled my eyes and pretended to vomit by sticking a finger down my throat (good thing I was standing behind Rika). Oh dear God. I wanted to puke for all the lies that he's telling Rika for that has got to be one of the worst pick up lines ever. What's worse, I can't believe Rika's actually falling for it - hook, line and sinker.
He might be smooth, but not that smooth...
I head towards the door. "Ja! Don't forget to lock up, okay?" I call out to Rika as I leave.
===============
Strolling along the parking lot, I drag my stroller against the pavement. I was contemplating if I should leave now because of the Friday night rush hour traffic. Friday nights in Shibuya are always bad. But, then again, so does every night.
A hand grabs my arm while another grabs one of my bags. "Let me help you with that."
"It's okay, I'm fine - " My face almost bumps into Nino's as our hands touch. I quickly pull my hands away. "Oh, it's you..."
"Going home?" He asks as we load my bags into the car.
I nod and close the door.
"Ah, sou ka..." He pulls out a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and slides them on. He then turned to me. "Ano...are you hungry? Want to go and grab something to - "
BEEP! BEEP!!
A car honked loudly as it drove by us. It slowed and the windows roll down, revealing the driver and its passengers.
"Nino-kun! There you are! What a coincidence!!" Aiba says as the car slowly moves into the parking lot and stops. "What are you doing here? Hey guys!! It's Nino-kun!"
He bent down to look inside the car. "MatsuJun? Sho-kun? What are you guys doing here?"
Out comes Sakurai-san and Matsumoto-san. Sakurai comes out first, slipping a pair of shades while wearing a tracksuit, then Matsumoto, already wearing expensive looking shades and a black blazer on top of a fitted white shirt and jeans, flipping and brushing his hair as he stepped onto the curb.
"Nino-kun!" Sho patted his back while Jun threw an arm around him. "We're so glad to see you! How are you? Genki desu ka?"
He gives them a frown as Jun continues, "We were just on our way to visit Hanari-san and invite her out to dinner. But since you're here as well, why don't you join us?"
Sho turns to me. "Hanari-san, we'd like to treat you to dinner tonight, that is, if you're free..."
"Ah, sorry but maybe some other night. I'm on my way home and it's - "
"What's the rush? It's still an early night and besides, traffic is terrible at this hour. Why not let it pass first by spending time with us?" Jun's lips curl up into a smile as he slides his arm around mine. "Promise, we won't bite..."
"Jun..." Nino hisses and crosses his arms over his chest. "Why are you all really here?"
Aiba scratched his head and laughed. He seems to be doing that a lot. "Oh, we just wanted to know Hanari-san more since she's your friend. And any friend of Nino-kun's is a friend of ours!! So we thought we'd invite her to dinner or something..."
"How'd you know she was here?" Nino pointed at them. "You're all following me, aren't you? Admit it!"
They all shot each other looks, their cheeks turning pink. "Sumimasen..." They bowed their heads.
"You should be!" He grins suddenly, a glint in his eyes. "I know! You should buy me dinner to make it up to me!"
"Eh??" They all protest at him. "Fine!" Sho waves a hand in the air. "But on one condition - Hanari comes along with us."
Their eyes turn to me, Nino raising an eyebrow at me. "Well," He says. "What do you say?"
===============
The waitress brought four more bottles of beer and another plate of sushi, this time Prawns. Sho offered me a piece as the others quickly attacked it.
"So, Hanari," He asks. I look at the boys, horrified, as they gobble up the pieces on their plates. Are they really idols? Because they don't act like one to me... "Tell me something about yourself."
"Um...What do you want to know?" I tear my eyes away from them and meet Sho's questioning gaze.
"Oi! Sho-kun! Stop asking her questions!" Nino yelled through mouthfuls of sushi.
Sho made a face at him. "I should be the one asking you questions! Like what are you doing, sneaking out of shooting to meet up with her!"
"I was not sneaking out! I thought we were already done so I left..." He shrugged.
"I thought we already talked about this!" Jun placed his chopsticks down on the table. "You're not supposed to go out and meet girls in public!! At least if you want to, have the discretion to call them first and inform them instead of these...spur of the moment outings. And do it somewhere secret, not where everyone can see you!!" He shakes his head. "You're a Johnny's or did you forget that?? You know the rules! You know what happens if they find out..."
"Jun-kun's right, Nino." Aiba interrupts. "That's why we followed you. We wanted to make sure the press doesn't follow you while you run around the city with a girl, especially a sixteen year old girl at that!"
"Nineteen actually..."
Everybody stopped talking. "Hah?" Aiba's jaw dropped.
I cleared my throat. "I'm not 16. I'm 19 years old." I pull out my wallet and show them my driver's license.
Sho, Aiba and Jun leaned forward and looked at it. "She's really 19..." Jun murmured.
"But...she doesn't look 19! She looks so...young..." Aiba said in astonishment.
"You're a...student?" Sho was in awe.
"Hai. I'm studying at Seisen University."
"Sugoi!" They exclaim. "What are you taking up?"
"I'm majoring in History, minor in English."
"Wow..." Sho whistles. Nino just continues eating, not saying anything, not even looking at me.
Aiba, Jun and Sho exchange curious looks at each other when the table becomes quiet. I take a sip of my drink, pretending that I didn't see what they did. But, inside my mind, I could read what those looks meant. They were all probably wondering the same thing I was...
What's Nino doing with a girl like me??
===============
"...Makiokose, A-ra-shi, A-ra-shi for dream~" Aiba sung off-key. Jun draped an arm around him. "You are my soul, soul! itsumo..." He laughed along the lyrics.
"Iyaa...looks like I'm gonna have to drive you drunk bakas home..." Sho shakes his head as he grabs the two. "Oyasumi Hanari-san! It was nice getting to know you! Let's do it again sometime!" He waves at me.
"Oyasumi, Sakurai-san!" I wave at him
"Bye bye~" Aiba and Jun yell out as Sho drags them away to the opposite direction.
"Bye!" I laugh as I stand there with Nino.
His hands are buried in his pockets again. "So..."
"Thanks for dinner! It was really delicious!" I patted my stomach.
"Next time, it's your turn to treat me." He takes off his cap, shaking his head.
"Um...no." I start walking down the street back towards the studio, where I left my car.
"Wait!" He ran to catch up with me. "I'm coming with you."
"You don't have to. I'm fine."
"Oh, I'm not doing it to be with you. My car is parked near there, that's why."
"Oh..." I hang my head in shame.
"Ano...how long have you been working as a photographer?" He strikes up.
"Not that long. Around...two years ago? I met Toushin through school and he took me in as an apprentice. Needless to say, I'm more of an assistant than anything else..."
"It must be really hard, working for a world-famous photographer like him..."
"It's not so bad..." I shrug my shoulders. "He's strict yet fair, not to mention really talented and kind. I learn a lot from him..." I went on to tell him about Studio 8, the photography studio that Toushin owns in Shibuya, which also doubles as his house, and how I ended up working for Toushin.
We arrive outside the studio's parking lot. For awhile, we just stand there, not moving or saying anything.
I take one step back and my body slams against the cement wall. "Ja! I'd better go ahead. Oyasumi..." I turn around to walk but my foot suddenly twists, making me trip. I scream as I almost fall down onto the hard sidewalk, that is, until a pair of arms catch me, breaking my fall.
Nino pulls me up, his arms around me. "Are you okay?"
"I..I think so..." I panted. We both look at the ground before I turn around and look at him, when I realize that my hands were on his chest. I quickly pull away from him. "Uh...thanks..."
I didn't move. I pressed myself against the wall, afraid that if I did, I might fall again.
"Doushita?" He tilted his head a bit towards me.
"Nothing..." My hands were shaking.
His hand reaches out, moves up to touch my cheek. He caresses it with his palm, and his skin is soft and warm against mine. His other hand brushes a few strands away from my face, tucking them behind my ear.
I lift my head up, and a tiny gasp escapes my lips as his face is close, too close, to mine for comfort. He smirks and my eyes travel down to his mouth, where one corner curls up. I guess I was too busy staring at his mouth that, before I knew it, he had bent his head down and his lips were pressing lightly against mine.
I shut my eyes and stand still, my lips pressed together. I didn't even want to begin to understand what was happening right now, for right now, Nino was kissing me. But then, his hands wrap themselves around my waist and rest against my hips, his lips gently planting brief kisses on my face before going back to my mouth.
When his mouth moves back against mine, they gently move, warm and hot, wreaking havoc on my senses. I don't know what came over me but my hands run up to his shoulders and stay there as my lips kiss him back. He tasted of beer and vanilla custard, creamy and smooth, and his lips were soft, so soft, melting against mine.
My fingertips reach against his neck as he opens his mouth, his tongue caressing my lower lip. His hand moves lower and lightly strokes the back of my thigh, then glides underneath my miniskirt. I whimper, and he took the chance to slide his tongue into my mouth.
White lights shine upon us as a car approaches, blowing its horns. I push him back and we instantly pull away as the car drives by, its passenger, a guy, leaning out of the window, hollering at us loudly.
He was breathing heavily, his eyes dazed, clouded and half-closed. His lips were red, swollen and moist against the darkness. He blinked at me several times, trying to regain consciousness, as if somebody had woken him up from a slumberous dream (or was it a nightmare?).
I took a deep breath and gulped. This wasn't how I expected my night to end...
"Good night!" I exclaim as I run back into the parking lot and into my car, leaving him standing there.
I pull out of the lot and drive off, shaking my head and trying to wake myself up. My head was still swirling, my vision starting to blur while my heart was still racing, my heartbeat thumping loudly against my chest. I suddenly started to panic. Shit! I really made a mess of things... What happened shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't have kissed him back...
As I reach the highway, one thought crosses my mind...
If it was so wrong, then why, to me, does it feel so right??
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as always, thanks to yuki84 for helping me out with this. part of the writing credits go to her *hugs*
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Chapter Eighteen
When the clock struck at 6 pm, I started packing my stuff.
"So this is where you work..." A voice suddenly said behind me. "Suge~"
"Aaaahhh!!" I jumped in shock, so surprised that I dropped a book onto the floor.
I turned around to find Nino standing behind me. "Damn it Nino!! Stop doing that to me!" I picked up the book and threw it into one of my bags. "How did you find me? And how'd you get in here anyway?"
"I followed you through that door..." He pointed at the back door, which I'd left wide open. I slap myself mentally as I close the door. "...and anyway, I called you at home today. Your aunt told me where you were." He glanced around. "I didn't know you worked as a photographer..."
"God, if Toushin found out..." Toushin, my boss would...well, I don't know what he'll do if he finds out. But I'm sure it won't be good. Oh, and remind me to thank my aunt. "Sorry but I was just about to leave. My shift's almost over."
"Ah, sou ka?" He slides his hands into his pockets.
"Is there something you wanted?" I asked.
"Iie..." He kicked the floor.
"Listen, I was thinking about what you said last time and...maybe you're right. Maybe we should set some ground rules or something..."
"Look who's talking now!" He raised his hands in the air. "Aiyoh~"
"I'm serious." I sit down on a couch and glance up at him. Huh. He's wearing a beanie cap again. Plus, with that frown on his face, it kind of makes him look like a sulky, punk skateboarder, like the ones that hang out at the local park near here...
I lay down on the couch, closing my eyes. My head was starting to hurt a bit, probably because I hadn't eaten yet. I sighed.
"So why the sudden change of heart?" He sits on the coffee table across from me.
"Watashi mo shiranai ne..." I shrugged. "Things were getting a bit complicated so I thought we should establish some boundaries and rules when we're...you know...in character or something..."
"Like what for example?"
"Like..." I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. "For one, no touching!! We're not gonna touch each other on any body parts. Holding hands is okay. Touching each other's face is...maybe okay but touching other body parts such as arms, shoulders, back, waist, hips and slash or butt is not allowed! Second, no hugging, embracing or even throwing arms around each other! If it really can't be avoided, then keep hugging to a minimal and only in front of your family." He snorted at my last sentence. "And third, no kissing of any kind - not on the cheeks or lips! If your mom asks, just tell her I'm uncomfortable showing public displays of affection, especially in front of adults."
"What a stupid set of rules!! How are we going to convince my mom that you're my girlfriend if we don't even hug or touch??"
"Well..." I tried to think of something. "There are other ways that we can convey that we're in love. Like using words or showing her how we look at each other."
"And how do we look at each other?" He gets up from the table and sits on the floor next to the couch. He leans forward and his face is close to mine.
"Like...we're in love..." I whisper, noticing how close his face is next to mine. I felt my breath catch in my throat. Coughing, I sat up. "Ah! It's past 6:30! I better leave. Ja ne! I'll call you tonight, okay?" I grab my bags and head towards the back door.
"EEEEEEYYYYAAAAA!!!"
A scream echoed through the studio. It must be Rika's, I thought, Rika being the temporary receptionist the employment agency sent us. I slowly turn around to find Rika, standing at the other end of the room, her face in shock.
"Ni - ni...Ninomiya..." She rushed up to him. "You're Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya!!! Oh my God!!"
If he showed any sign of disdain or annoyance, I must say, Nino's really good at hiding it. I thought I saw something in his eyes for a moment but I must've imagined it. Like fear or disgust.
"What are you doing here? And how did you get in here without me seeing you? Ah, I must've missed you when I went on break!" She snaps a finger. "Or you probably came in when we were closing. Ah...but we're open! We're not closed yet!"
"I'm sorry but we are. Please come back tomorrow." I interrupt.
She turned to glance at me then back at Nino. "Ah...do you know each other? Oh my God, are you guys...dating or something? Are you together? Nino-kun, are you here to visit her? Oh my God!!"
I made a face at him. Okay, but why the hell does everyone think every time they see us together that we're together or something??
Nino's eyes turned big for a second. He stepped forward and flashed Rika a playful, flirty smile. "Ah, I didn't catch your name, miss...? Surely, a beautiful girl like you must have a name." He took her hand.
Her mouth hung open when his hand took hers. "Aaaahhhh....Ri - Rika desu..."
"Rika-chan? What a pretty name for a pretty girl..." He ran a finger against her cheek.
I rolled my eyes and pretended to vomit by sticking a finger down my throat (good thing I was standing behind Rika). Oh dear God. I wanted to puke for all the lies that he's telling Rika for that has got to be one of the worst pick up lines ever. What's worse, I can't believe Rika's actually falling for it - hook, line and sinker.
He might be smooth, but not that smooth...
I head towards the door. "Ja! Don't forget to lock up, okay?" I call out to Rika as I leave.
===============
Strolling along the parking lot, I drag my stroller against the pavement. I was contemplating if I should leave now because of the Friday night rush hour traffic. Friday nights in Shibuya are always bad. But, then again, so does every night.
A hand grabs my arm while another grabs one of my bags. "Let me help you with that."
"It's okay, I'm fine - " My face almost bumps into Nino's as our hands touch. I quickly pull my hands away. "Oh, it's you..."
"Going home?" He asks as we load my bags into the car.
I nod and close the door.
"Ah, sou ka..." He pulls out a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and slides them on. He then turned to me. "Ano...are you hungry? Want to go and grab something to - "
BEEP! BEEP!!
A car honked loudly as it drove by us. It slowed and the windows roll down, revealing the driver and its passengers.
"Nino-kun! There you are! What a coincidence!!" Aiba says as the car slowly moves into the parking lot and stops. "What are you doing here? Hey guys!! It's Nino-kun!"
He bent down to look inside the car. "MatsuJun? Sho-kun? What are you guys doing here?"
Out comes Sakurai-san and Matsumoto-san. Sakurai comes out first, slipping a pair of shades while wearing a tracksuit, then Matsumoto, already wearing expensive looking shades and a black blazer on top of a fitted white shirt and jeans, flipping and brushing his hair as he stepped onto the curb.
"Nino-kun!" Sho patted his back while Jun threw an arm around him. "We're so glad to see you! How are you? Genki desu ka?"
He gives them a frown as Jun continues, "We were just on our way to visit Hanari-san and invite her out to dinner. But since you're here as well, why don't you join us?"
Sho turns to me. "Hanari-san, we'd like to treat you to dinner tonight, that is, if you're free..."
"Ah, sorry but maybe some other night. I'm on my way home and it's - "
"What's the rush? It's still an early night and besides, traffic is terrible at this hour. Why not let it pass first by spending time with us?" Jun's lips curl up into a smile as he slides his arm around mine. "Promise, we won't bite..."
"Jun..." Nino hisses and crosses his arms over his chest. "Why are you all really here?"
Aiba scratched his head and laughed. He seems to be doing that a lot. "Oh, we just wanted to know Hanari-san more since she's your friend. And any friend of Nino-kun's is a friend of ours!! So we thought we'd invite her to dinner or something..."
"How'd you know she was here?" Nino pointed at them. "You're all following me, aren't you? Admit it!"
They all shot each other looks, their cheeks turning pink. "Sumimasen..." They bowed their heads.
"You should be!" He grins suddenly, a glint in his eyes. "I know! You should buy me dinner to make it up to me!"
"Eh??" They all protest at him. "Fine!" Sho waves a hand in the air. "But on one condition - Hanari comes along with us."
Their eyes turn to me, Nino raising an eyebrow at me. "Well," He says. "What do you say?"
===============
The waitress brought four more bottles of beer and another plate of sushi, this time Prawns. Sho offered me a piece as the others quickly attacked it.
"So, Hanari," He asks. I look at the boys, horrified, as they gobble up the pieces on their plates. Are they really idols? Because they don't act like one to me... "Tell me something about yourself."
"Um...What do you want to know?" I tear my eyes away from them and meet Sho's questioning gaze.
"Oi! Sho-kun! Stop asking her questions!" Nino yelled through mouthfuls of sushi.
Sho made a face at him. "I should be the one asking you questions! Like what are you doing, sneaking out of shooting to meet up with her!"
"I was not sneaking out! I thought we were already done so I left..." He shrugged.
"I thought we already talked about this!" Jun placed his chopsticks down on the table. "You're not supposed to go out and meet girls in public!! At least if you want to, have the discretion to call them first and inform them instead of these...spur of the moment outings. And do it somewhere secret, not where everyone can see you!!" He shakes his head. "You're a Johnny's or did you forget that?? You know the rules! You know what happens if they find out..."
"Jun-kun's right, Nino." Aiba interrupts. "That's why we followed you. We wanted to make sure the press doesn't follow you while you run around the city with a girl, especially a sixteen year old girl at that!"
"Nineteen actually..."
Everybody stopped talking. "Hah?" Aiba's jaw dropped.
I cleared my throat. "I'm not 16. I'm 19 years old." I pull out my wallet and show them my driver's license.
Sho, Aiba and Jun leaned forward and looked at it. "She's really 19..." Jun murmured.
"But...she doesn't look 19! She looks so...young..." Aiba said in astonishment.
"You're a...student?" Sho was in awe.
"Hai. I'm studying at Seisen University."
"Sugoi!" They exclaim. "What are you taking up?"
"I'm majoring in History, minor in English."
"Wow..." Sho whistles. Nino just continues eating, not saying anything, not even looking at me.
Aiba, Jun and Sho exchange curious looks at each other when the table becomes quiet. I take a sip of my drink, pretending that I didn't see what they did. But, inside my mind, I could read what those looks meant. They were all probably wondering the same thing I was...
What's Nino doing with a girl like me??
===============
"...Makiokose, A-ra-shi, A-ra-shi for dream~" Aiba sung off-key. Jun draped an arm around him. "You are my soul, soul! itsumo..." He laughed along the lyrics.
"Iyaa...looks like I'm gonna have to drive you drunk bakas home..." Sho shakes his head as he grabs the two. "Oyasumi Hanari-san! It was nice getting to know you! Let's do it again sometime!" He waves at me.
"Oyasumi, Sakurai-san!" I wave at him
"Bye bye~" Aiba and Jun yell out as Sho drags them away to the opposite direction.
"Bye!" I laugh as I stand there with Nino.
His hands are buried in his pockets again. "So..."
"Thanks for dinner! It was really delicious!" I patted my stomach.
"Next time, it's your turn to treat me." He takes off his cap, shaking his head.
"Um...no." I start walking down the street back towards the studio, where I left my car.
"Wait!" He ran to catch up with me. "I'm coming with you."
"You don't have to. I'm fine."
"Oh, I'm not doing it to be with you. My car is parked near there, that's why."
"Oh..." I hang my head in shame.
"Ano...how long have you been working as a photographer?" He strikes up.
"Not that long. Around...two years ago? I met Toushin through school and he took me in as an apprentice. Needless to say, I'm more of an assistant than anything else..."
"It must be really hard, working for a world-famous photographer like him..."
"It's not so bad..." I shrug my shoulders. "He's strict yet fair, not to mention really talented and kind. I learn a lot from him..." I went on to tell him about Studio 8, the photography studio that Toushin owns in Shibuya, which also doubles as his house, and how I ended up working for Toushin.
We arrive outside the studio's parking lot. For awhile, we just stand there, not moving or saying anything.
I take one step back and my body slams against the cement wall. "Ja! I'd better go ahead. Oyasumi..." I turn around to walk but my foot suddenly twists, making me trip. I scream as I almost fall down onto the hard sidewalk, that is, until a pair of arms catch me, breaking my fall.
Nino pulls me up, his arms around me. "Are you okay?"
"I..I think so..." I panted. We both look at the ground before I turn around and look at him, when I realize that my hands were on his chest. I quickly pull away from him. "Uh...thanks..."
I didn't move. I pressed myself against the wall, afraid that if I did, I might fall again.
"Doushita?" He tilted his head a bit towards me.
"Nothing..." My hands were shaking.
His hand reaches out, moves up to touch my cheek. He caresses it with his palm, and his skin is soft and warm against mine. His other hand brushes a few strands away from my face, tucking them behind my ear.
I lift my head up, and a tiny gasp escapes my lips as his face is close, too close, to mine for comfort. He smirks and my eyes travel down to his mouth, where one corner curls up. I guess I was too busy staring at his mouth that, before I knew it, he had bent his head down and his lips were pressing lightly against mine.
I shut my eyes and stand still, my lips pressed together. I didn't even want to begin to understand what was happening right now, for right now, Nino was kissing me. But then, his hands wrap themselves around my waist and rest against my hips, his lips gently planting brief kisses on my face before going back to my mouth.
When his mouth moves back against mine, they gently move, warm and hot, wreaking havoc on my senses. I don't know what came over me but my hands run up to his shoulders and stay there as my lips kiss him back. He tasted of beer and vanilla custard, creamy and smooth, and his lips were soft, so soft, melting against mine.
My fingertips reach against his neck as he opens his mouth, his tongue caressing my lower lip. His hand moves lower and lightly strokes the back of my thigh, then glides underneath my miniskirt. I whimper, and he took the chance to slide his tongue into my mouth.
White lights shine upon us as a car approaches, blowing its horns. I push him back and we instantly pull away as the car drives by, its passenger, a guy, leaning out of the window, hollering at us loudly.
He was breathing heavily, his eyes dazed, clouded and half-closed. His lips were red, swollen and moist against the darkness. He blinked at me several times, trying to regain consciousness, as if somebody had woken him up from a slumberous dream (or was it a nightmare?).
I took a deep breath and gulped. This wasn't how I expected my night to end...
"Good night!" I exclaim as I run back into the parking lot and into my car, leaving him standing there.
I pull out of the lot and drive off, shaking my head and trying to wake myself up. My head was still swirling, my vision starting to blur while my heart was still racing, my heartbeat thumping loudly against my chest. I suddenly started to panic. Shit! I really made a mess of things... What happened shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't have kissed him back...
As I reach the highway, one thought crosses my mind...
If it was so wrong, then why, to me, does it feel so right??
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as always, thanks to yuki84 for helping me out with this. part of the writing credits go to her *hugs*
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