[Fanfic] A Beautiful Mess (Chapter Eleven)
I'm fast am I? *wink wink* I'm an very much inspired lately that I spend the whole Sunday writing this and three hours of today polishing it. :)
As always, comments, suggestions, opinions, reactions are very much welcome. Happy reading! :)
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I am not jealous. I am never jealous.
For the past six hours, that line is repeating despairingly in Ninomiya Kazunari’s head like a broken record. But it seems like his heart is not coming in terms with his head. He desperately tried to ignore that fact by concentrating to things other than Matsumoto Jun and Izumi Yana. He played Wii soccer with Aiba, playing so competitive like he’s wearing the national colors. But when Aiba suddenly asked Jun to substitute him, the national team player suddenly vanished and all they saw is a desperate soccer boy who fails mercilessly at the sport.
He then concentrates on annoying their leader, tailing on him wherever he goes and talking about random things in which Ohno Satoshi suddenly wondered, “What the hell happened?” Nino answers with a shrug while extending his hand on Ohno’s nipple and started talking randomly again. Ohno just listened, he figured that he doesn’t need to talk, he doesn’t even need to listen, just let the poor man talk.
And when all attempts to erase the word ‘jealous’ from his head failed, Nino decided to try one last solution. He needed a drink. And just like a telepathic message, Oguri Shun suddenly asked him out. Matsumoto Jun also had the same invite but when Nino asked if he is going, he replied no, because he has other plans. And that cruel word suddenly hits him again like a sniper going straight into his chest. He can’t bring himself to ask where he’s going or who he is going with, afraid that the answer might trigger one final attack and maybe he can’t survive it anymore.
When Nino arrived at their usual bar, Shun’s already sitting behind the bar, chatting up the regular bartender. They immediately catch up with each other, the last time they met was at Shun’s house party a week ago. After talking about varies topics like Shun’s new venture into movie production, Nino’s grueling schedule (juggling movie and drama filming plus Arashi activities) and last night’s intense baseball game on TV, Nino suddenly shifts their topic, much to Shun’s surprise.
“Do you know what really happened to Yana earlier this year?” Nino inquired.
“Why are you asking about Yana?” Shun asked in return. Five seconds ago they are talking about baseball.
“Just curious.” Nino answered.
“I already told you what I know. It’s just rumours to begin with. Nobody knows the truth.”
Both men turned silent, processing their minds on what to say next.
“You still like her?” Shun dared to ask.
“I think.” Nino softly said, Shun blinked his eyes a few times with that statement. “Things got better between us. We can actually stand each other now and I think we’re starting to become friends.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you guys being friends but keep your emotions at bay. Yana is bad news when it comes to the heart department. She breaks men’s heart all the time.” Shun stated as a matter-of-factly.
“What makes you say that? And isn’t she supposed to be your friend? Why are you suddenly bad mouthing her?”
“Of course she’s a friend but you are also my friend. I know her better than you do and I think it’s best to break it to you un-gently.” Shun sighed, as if preparing himself for a tale he’s about to share.
“Yana loves playing games. The image that the media portrays of her, that’s pretty much true. Actually, she’s worse than that.”
Nino puts down his drink and focused all his attention to Shun. Yana, the wild party girl, is nothing new to his ear. For the past year, media frenzy about her supposed ‘partying’ is everywhere. But the Yana he knew now is very different from that girl.
“There’s this game that she’s famous for, it’s called the ‘Three Month Game’. She would pick a target, whether at a party, a bar, TV stations, wherever. She will befriend him, flirt with him and share a night with him. If he passed her standards, she would keep him, make him fall in love with her and would make him believe that the feeling is mutual. When the clock finally ticks three months later, she would dump him like a decaying trash, leaving the poor man shattered and heartbroken.”
Nino’s mouth is half open in disbelief, he can’t believe Shun is talking about the same girl. “Is that even real?”
“I’ve seen it happen.” Shun stated in confirmation.
“Why is she doing that in the first place?” Nino asked.
“Daddy issues, I guess. Her father left them when she was young and she hated him since. She never really share family stories so I don’t know much about it.” Shun disclosed.
“She thinks every man is like her father?” Nino theorizes.
“Remember what I told you before that she has trust issues with men? Her father is probably the main reason.”
“But it looks like she has changed now…” Nino said. If she still has that trust issues, she wouldn’t be like that with Jun and with him as well.
“That’s true.” Shun agrees. “Whatever happened earlier this year changed her a whole lot… But don’t be too gullible on that. Yana is still Yana, she break hearts in the past, she’s still capable of doing that. If I were you, I’ll suppress my growing feelings before it’s too late.”
Nino stared blankly at his half-empty beer bottle. Could Shun be right? Does he know better? Is Yana playing her game on him? Or is she playing it on Jun? Is it impossible for someone to change entirely? Questions starts filling up his mind, he doesn’t know what to do anymore.
“This is my second warning, Ninomiya Kazunari. Don’t let it reached third, I might not be able to pull you out anymore.” Shun’s tone is serious and from the look on his face, he meant what he just said.
---
Yana spends the entire waiting time for the arrival of Matsumoto Jun lying in her bed. A blanket is wrapped around her body while tugging a pillow in between her legs. The surrounding is still dark except from the light coming from the lamp on her bedside table. She is wide awake but her mind is drifting far away. She pulled out her left arm from the blanket and removed her watch. A horizontal scar, about three centimeters long, appeared at the upper left side of her inner wrist. She ran a finger around it, feeling the little bumps that were formed from the stitches.
It was an eight year old scar she created herself during the darkest year of her life. It was lighter now than it used to be. She would spray concealer on it every day to avoid being seen by others. For her, it was a memory she doesn’t want remember. But she learned that no matter how hard you try to erase the painful scars of the past, it will always find its way back, like now, the concealer has already been rub out and the scar is proudly showing itself to the world.
A sudden sound from the door bell startled Yana, probably, Jun already arrived. She straps back the watch on her left wrist and stood up from the bed. She puts on her dark-rimmed eyeglasses to hide her eyes and rushed to open the door while opening the lights on her way.
Matsumoto Jun is standing at her front door, looking very fresh with a white v-neck shirt, a navy blue cardigan, khaki pants and a grey canvas shoes. He looks much simpler now compared before when they met at Starbucks.
“Come on in.” Yana steps back to give way for him to enter. “Sorry if it’s a bit messy. My housekeeper took this week off so the house hasn’t been cleaned since last week.” she apologizes while picking up scattered shopping bags, books and CD cases on the ground.
“No problem.” Jun assured as he look around.
Her apartment isn’t that big, Jun can actually see everything from the front door. Once he entered, the cozy living room welcomes him, a leather sofa and a center table lies in the middle of the carpeted space. On the far left side is a book shelf and a two-seater coffee table where about five books are towered together, beside it is a full length window draped with light gold colored curtains that fitly complements the cream colored walls. The curtains were tied so he can actually see the glowing lights from outside twelve floors above. On the right side of the house is the kitchen where grocery bags are placed on the top of the counter. She actually didn’t have a dining table, instead, a long dining counter with three kitchen stools are dividing the kitchen from the living room. On the far end is the bedroom and just like the kitchen and living room, her bedroom is only divided by a white lace, string curtain.
“I’m pretty lazy so pardon the messiness.” Yana apologizes again, tossing the mess she collected to her room.
“I’ve seen worst.” Jun commented while placing two take out bags on the dining counter. “My elder sister’s room was never tidy back then when I still used to live at home. I tried cleaning it once but she got mad at me. She said she prefer the messy one.” He shared as she finally stopped running around the house to pick up things.
For the first time he properly looked at her. She looks exhausted and tired, her eyes are swollen and he noticed that she’s still wearing the clothes she had earlier.
“I think your sister and I will be very good friends. I actually like my room messy and disorganized. My housekeeper never touched my bedroom coz she knows I’ll bite her off if she does.” Yana joked as she puts a half smile on her lips.
Yana notice Jun’s eyes studying her and before he can ask a question, she quickly looked away. Her eyes fell on the take out bags on the counter.
“What did you bought me?” Yana asked, untucking the hair from her ear to cover her face.
“I don’t know what you want, so I bought Chinese. Everybody loves Chinese food, right?” Jun smiled while unpacking the food from the bag. “I ordered some hot soup since you said you’re not feeling well.”
They sat side by side at the kitchen stool as they start digging into their late night dinner. Neither one didn’t say anything but it wasn’t an awkward silence but rather, it was a serene one. Both understanding what it means.
“Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay one day.” Jun breaks the silence. He respects her decision to keep it to herself but he doesn’t want to make her feel like she’s alone.
Yana stopped blowing the steaming hot soup on her spoon and slowly shifts her gaze on him, she can see the sincerity and concern from his eyes.
“I hope so.” Yana softly said, going back to her bowl of soup. “I feel so miserable.” she sighed.
Jun gently spun the kitchen stool to face her, he took her hand and tightly squeeze it. “I don’t know what happened and you don’t have to tell me to but I’m here, I’m your friend. If ever you start doubting things and feels miserable, call me, I will make you feel otherwise.”
Yana squeezed his hand in return and for a brief moment, their eyes are completely lost in each other. Oh how she loves those powerful eyes, it gives her an unexpected security.
“Can I tell you one embarrassing fact that I realized?” Yana broke the stare and removed her hand from his.
“Go ahead.” Jun returned to his food. That was awkward and random but she didn’t seem to mind.
“You never fail to make me feel good every time.” Yana confidently says. Jun doesn’t know if it’s the steam coming from the soup but his cheeks starts to feel hot. “Remember when Nino is bitching me at the backstage of Kouhaku? And you came to apologize in his behalf? I was actually dumbfounded after you did that but nevertheless, I felt relieved that you actually didn’t tolerate his bad manners.”
Jun tried to maintain his cool. Compliments from Yana surely make his pulse rate faster. “Well, Nino wasn’t in the right position to treat you like that. I just did what I had to do. You know, Nino can be an arrogant brat sometimes, he just needs someone to remind him that he’s going below the belt.”
“Do you want to know another interesting fact?” Yana smiled. If it’s going to be another compliment, Jun made a mental note to keep his composure intact. “I usually don’t trust guys right away, but I trust you. One hundred percent.”
If it’s possible for someone’s heart to jump out due to too much thumping, Jun’s heart is probably now on the ground, jumping for joy.
“That’s embarrassing.” Jun cupped his chin with his hand, his eyes are scrunching into a smile.
“I know right? I am actually embarrassed myself when I realized that.” Yana smiled.
Jun noticed that she’s starting to loosen up now, trying her best to force a smile.
“Do you feel better now?” Jun asked.
Yana nods her head, “A little bit better.”
“You know, I read this researched about smiling. It says that it’s easier to smile than to frown, it boosts the immune system and it relieves stress. Also, psychologists say that if you’re in a bad mood, forcing yourself to smile can instantly lift up you spirits. Now what more if it’s laughing, right?” A wide grin appears on Jun’s face as he said that.
Yana turned around her stool to face him, she straightened up her back and started smiling stupidly at him. “Is this good?” she asked, placing both hands in her cheeks as she scrunched her face.
Jun erupts into a hearty laughter while clenching his stomach.
“Am I doing it right?” Yana lifts both sides of her lips upward with her index finger, her whole set of teeth can be seen already. Jun is gasping for air from too much laughter.
“Oh gosh, my jaw hurts.” Yana finally stops making stupid smiles as Jun is calming himself now.
“Much better?” Jun asked.
“Uhmm.” Yana nods her head, smiling.
“Good.” Jun replied.
“Hey, uhmm…” Yana says uncertainly. “You want to join me laugh my heart out with comedy movies tonight?”
Jun is more than willing to accept that invitation. “I’d love to.” He answered.
---
The only television in this house is the forty inch LCD TV hanging inside her bedroom. Jun was left inside, browsing her wide DVD collection to pick up a movie of his choice while she took a quick shower. Her DVD collection comprises mostly of Hollywood movies but she left a small portion of Japanese productions in one whole row, neatly arranged according to genre. Now that’s a big gap. Her whole room is disorganized yet that corner of DVDs is arranged accordingly. Quickly glancing at her book shelf in the living room, Jun noticed that it’s arranged tidily also. He found himself smiling with small revelations of Yana’s personality.
He settled for three DVDs, all Hollywood movies that he hasn’t seen yet. As he waits for Yana to come out from the bathroom, he decided to look around. There’s a ton of music sheets spreading her working table along with some stage layout plans, some finished, some half done. She’s probably preparing for her summer tour this year. Those papers on the table reflect her stoic working ethics and Jun can definitely relate.
“Have you picked our movie yet?” Yana comes out from the bathroom, dressed in a big while t-shirt and a pajama, drying her hair with a towel.
“Yup.” Jun answered, returning the stage plan sheet back to the table and handing her his movie picks.
She smells really good as he comes closer, a combination of floral and powdery fragrance.
“Okay, let’s start.” Yana smiled, putting their first DVD in the player.
Jun looked around for a place to seat and found nothing but the bed. “So where are we sitting?” he asked.
Yana gives him a knowing look. “The bed is fine. I don’t bite.” She joked as she hops up the bed and gestured him to sit beside her.
Jun slowly came to the other side of the bed, removing his shoes and crawling up beside her. Unexpectedly, this is no feeling of awkwardness at all.
“Are you starting your summer tour anytime soon?” Jun casually asked. “I saw the stage plans. You drew those things?”
“It was cancelled.” There’s sadness in the way she said that. “Doctors advised to take it easy and the management thinks that a concert tour is too stressing for me so they settled for the drama. And yes, I drew those things. I’d like my concerts to have my own personal touch.”
“That’s amazing.” Jun sincerely remarked. “I plan our concerts too but I don’t have the talent to sketch my ideas. I just mostly relay the message through words and the staff takes care of it.”
“Well, sketching it is more precise, right?” Yana says. “It doesn’t need to be artistically challenged. A simple one will do. Why don’t you try it? I can help you.”
“That would be great, thank you.” Jun happily agreed. “I can start sketching my ideas for next year.” He laughs.
“There’s not harm in planning ahead of time, right?” Yana commented.
---
Their first movie is coming to an end and as Jun shifts his gaze to Yana, he noticed that her eyes are already close.
“Yana.” He softly called her but she didn’t bulge. He smiled at her peaceful face, she’s probably very tired already.
Her head is starting to lose balance and before it can knock the bed’s head board, Jun pulled her towards him, letting her head rest into his shoulders.
She moaned as he ran his soft hand through her hair. “You fell asleep on me.” He playfully accused her.
Yana grinned, his hand has a soothing touch that makes her feel blissful. “I’m sorry.” She mumbled, slightly opening her eyes only to see his bare chest a few centimeters away, thank God for V-neck shirts.
“It’s fine. Go back to sleep.” Jun ordered her, shifting his touch from her hair to her arm.
Suddenly, without a warning, Jun grips her tightly to his body as she can now smell his manly aftershave. He plants a soft kiss at the top of her head, his lips is buried to the nice flowery scent of her hair. That kiss automatically sends a sweet smile on her lips and just like magic, Yana feels like she’s alive again.
As always, comments, suggestions, opinions, reactions are very much welcome. Happy reading! :)
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I am not jealous. I am never jealous.
For the past six hours, that line is repeating despairingly in Ninomiya Kazunari’s head like a broken record. But it seems like his heart is not coming in terms with his head. He desperately tried to ignore that fact by concentrating to things other than Matsumoto Jun and Izumi Yana. He played Wii soccer with Aiba, playing so competitive like he’s wearing the national colors. But when Aiba suddenly asked Jun to substitute him, the national team player suddenly vanished and all they saw is a desperate soccer boy who fails mercilessly at the sport.
He then concentrates on annoying their leader, tailing on him wherever he goes and talking about random things in which Ohno Satoshi suddenly wondered, “What the hell happened?” Nino answers with a shrug while extending his hand on Ohno’s nipple and started talking randomly again. Ohno just listened, he figured that he doesn’t need to talk, he doesn’t even need to listen, just let the poor man talk.
And when all attempts to erase the word ‘jealous’ from his head failed, Nino decided to try one last solution. He needed a drink. And just like a telepathic message, Oguri Shun suddenly asked him out. Matsumoto Jun also had the same invite but when Nino asked if he is going, he replied no, because he has other plans. And that cruel word suddenly hits him again like a sniper going straight into his chest. He can’t bring himself to ask where he’s going or who he is going with, afraid that the answer might trigger one final attack and maybe he can’t survive it anymore.
When Nino arrived at their usual bar, Shun’s already sitting behind the bar, chatting up the regular bartender. They immediately catch up with each other, the last time they met was at Shun’s house party a week ago. After talking about varies topics like Shun’s new venture into movie production, Nino’s grueling schedule (juggling movie and drama filming plus Arashi activities) and last night’s intense baseball game on TV, Nino suddenly shifts their topic, much to Shun’s surprise.
“Do you know what really happened to Yana earlier this year?” Nino inquired.
“Why are you asking about Yana?” Shun asked in return. Five seconds ago they are talking about baseball.
“Just curious.” Nino answered.
“I already told you what I know. It’s just rumours to begin with. Nobody knows the truth.”
Both men turned silent, processing their minds on what to say next.
“You still like her?” Shun dared to ask.
“I think.” Nino softly said, Shun blinked his eyes a few times with that statement. “Things got better between us. We can actually stand each other now and I think we’re starting to become friends.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you guys being friends but keep your emotions at bay. Yana is bad news when it comes to the heart department. She breaks men’s heart all the time.” Shun stated as a matter-of-factly.
“What makes you say that? And isn’t she supposed to be your friend? Why are you suddenly bad mouthing her?”
“Of course she’s a friend but you are also my friend. I know her better than you do and I think it’s best to break it to you un-gently.” Shun sighed, as if preparing himself for a tale he’s about to share.
“Yana loves playing games. The image that the media portrays of her, that’s pretty much true. Actually, she’s worse than that.”
Nino puts down his drink and focused all his attention to Shun. Yana, the wild party girl, is nothing new to his ear. For the past year, media frenzy about her supposed ‘partying’ is everywhere. But the Yana he knew now is very different from that girl.
“There’s this game that she’s famous for, it’s called the ‘Three Month Game’. She would pick a target, whether at a party, a bar, TV stations, wherever. She will befriend him, flirt with him and share a night with him. If he passed her standards, she would keep him, make him fall in love with her and would make him believe that the feeling is mutual. When the clock finally ticks three months later, she would dump him like a decaying trash, leaving the poor man shattered and heartbroken.”
Nino’s mouth is half open in disbelief, he can’t believe Shun is talking about the same girl. “Is that even real?”
“I’ve seen it happen.” Shun stated in confirmation.
“Why is she doing that in the first place?” Nino asked.
“Daddy issues, I guess. Her father left them when she was young and she hated him since. She never really share family stories so I don’t know much about it.” Shun disclosed.
“She thinks every man is like her father?” Nino theorizes.
“Remember what I told you before that she has trust issues with men? Her father is probably the main reason.”
“But it looks like she has changed now…” Nino said. If she still has that trust issues, she wouldn’t be like that with Jun and with him as well.
“That’s true.” Shun agrees. “Whatever happened earlier this year changed her a whole lot… But don’t be too gullible on that. Yana is still Yana, she break hearts in the past, she’s still capable of doing that. If I were you, I’ll suppress my growing feelings before it’s too late.”
Nino stared blankly at his half-empty beer bottle. Could Shun be right? Does he know better? Is Yana playing her game on him? Or is she playing it on Jun? Is it impossible for someone to change entirely? Questions starts filling up his mind, he doesn’t know what to do anymore.
“This is my second warning, Ninomiya Kazunari. Don’t let it reached third, I might not be able to pull you out anymore.” Shun’s tone is serious and from the look on his face, he meant what he just said.
---
Yana spends the entire waiting time for the arrival of Matsumoto Jun lying in her bed. A blanket is wrapped around her body while tugging a pillow in between her legs. The surrounding is still dark except from the light coming from the lamp on her bedside table. She is wide awake but her mind is drifting far away. She pulled out her left arm from the blanket and removed her watch. A horizontal scar, about three centimeters long, appeared at the upper left side of her inner wrist. She ran a finger around it, feeling the little bumps that were formed from the stitches.
It was an eight year old scar she created herself during the darkest year of her life. It was lighter now than it used to be. She would spray concealer on it every day to avoid being seen by others. For her, it was a memory she doesn’t want remember. But she learned that no matter how hard you try to erase the painful scars of the past, it will always find its way back, like now, the concealer has already been rub out and the scar is proudly showing itself to the world.
A sudden sound from the door bell startled Yana, probably, Jun already arrived. She straps back the watch on her left wrist and stood up from the bed. She puts on her dark-rimmed eyeglasses to hide her eyes and rushed to open the door while opening the lights on her way.
Matsumoto Jun is standing at her front door, looking very fresh with a white v-neck shirt, a navy blue cardigan, khaki pants and a grey canvas shoes. He looks much simpler now compared before when they met at Starbucks.
“Come on in.” Yana steps back to give way for him to enter. “Sorry if it’s a bit messy. My housekeeper took this week off so the house hasn’t been cleaned since last week.” she apologizes while picking up scattered shopping bags, books and CD cases on the ground.
“No problem.” Jun assured as he look around.
Her apartment isn’t that big, Jun can actually see everything from the front door. Once he entered, the cozy living room welcomes him, a leather sofa and a center table lies in the middle of the carpeted space. On the far left side is a book shelf and a two-seater coffee table where about five books are towered together, beside it is a full length window draped with light gold colored curtains that fitly complements the cream colored walls. The curtains were tied so he can actually see the glowing lights from outside twelve floors above. On the right side of the house is the kitchen where grocery bags are placed on the top of the counter. She actually didn’t have a dining table, instead, a long dining counter with three kitchen stools are dividing the kitchen from the living room. On the far end is the bedroom and just like the kitchen and living room, her bedroom is only divided by a white lace, string curtain.
“I’m pretty lazy so pardon the messiness.” Yana apologizes again, tossing the mess she collected to her room.
“I’ve seen worst.” Jun commented while placing two take out bags on the dining counter. “My elder sister’s room was never tidy back then when I still used to live at home. I tried cleaning it once but she got mad at me. She said she prefer the messy one.” He shared as she finally stopped running around the house to pick up things.
For the first time he properly looked at her. She looks exhausted and tired, her eyes are swollen and he noticed that she’s still wearing the clothes she had earlier.
“I think your sister and I will be very good friends. I actually like my room messy and disorganized. My housekeeper never touched my bedroom coz she knows I’ll bite her off if she does.” Yana joked as she puts a half smile on her lips.
Yana notice Jun’s eyes studying her and before he can ask a question, she quickly looked away. Her eyes fell on the take out bags on the counter.
“What did you bought me?” Yana asked, untucking the hair from her ear to cover her face.
“I don’t know what you want, so I bought Chinese. Everybody loves Chinese food, right?” Jun smiled while unpacking the food from the bag. “I ordered some hot soup since you said you’re not feeling well.”
They sat side by side at the kitchen stool as they start digging into their late night dinner. Neither one didn’t say anything but it wasn’t an awkward silence but rather, it was a serene one. Both understanding what it means.
“Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay one day.” Jun breaks the silence. He respects her decision to keep it to herself but he doesn’t want to make her feel like she’s alone.
Yana stopped blowing the steaming hot soup on her spoon and slowly shifts her gaze on him, she can see the sincerity and concern from his eyes.
“I hope so.” Yana softly said, going back to her bowl of soup. “I feel so miserable.” she sighed.
Jun gently spun the kitchen stool to face her, he took her hand and tightly squeeze it. “I don’t know what happened and you don’t have to tell me to but I’m here, I’m your friend. If ever you start doubting things and feels miserable, call me, I will make you feel otherwise.”
Yana squeezed his hand in return and for a brief moment, their eyes are completely lost in each other. Oh how she loves those powerful eyes, it gives her an unexpected security.
“Can I tell you one embarrassing fact that I realized?” Yana broke the stare and removed her hand from his.
“Go ahead.” Jun returned to his food. That was awkward and random but she didn’t seem to mind.
“You never fail to make me feel good every time.” Yana confidently says. Jun doesn’t know if it’s the steam coming from the soup but his cheeks starts to feel hot. “Remember when Nino is bitching me at the backstage of Kouhaku? And you came to apologize in his behalf? I was actually dumbfounded after you did that but nevertheless, I felt relieved that you actually didn’t tolerate his bad manners.”
Jun tried to maintain his cool. Compliments from Yana surely make his pulse rate faster. “Well, Nino wasn’t in the right position to treat you like that. I just did what I had to do. You know, Nino can be an arrogant brat sometimes, he just needs someone to remind him that he’s going below the belt.”
“Do you want to know another interesting fact?” Yana smiled. If it’s going to be another compliment, Jun made a mental note to keep his composure intact. “I usually don’t trust guys right away, but I trust you. One hundred percent.”
If it’s possible for someone’s heart to jump out due to too much thumping, Jun’s heart is probably now on the ground, jumping for joy.
“That’s embarrassing.” Jun cupped his chin with his hand, his eyes are scrunching into a smile.
“I know right? I am actually embarrassed myself when I realized that.” Yana smiled.
Jun noticed that she’s starting to loosen up now, trying her best to force a smile.
“Do you feel better now?” Jun asked.
Yana nods her head, “A little bit better.”
“You know, I read this researched about smiling. It says that it’s easier to smile than to frown, it boosts the immune system and it relieves stress. Also, psychologists say that if you’re in a bad mood, forcing yourself to smile can instantly lift up you spirits. Now what more if it’s laughing, right?” A wide grin appears on Jun’s face as he said that.
Yana turned around her stool to face him, she straightened up her back and started smiling stupidly at him. “Is this good?” she asked, placing both hands in her cheeks as she scrunched her face.
Jun erupts into a hearty laughter while clenching his stomach.
“Am I doing it right?” Yana lifts both sides of her lips upward with her index finger, her whole set of teeth can be seen already. Jun is gasping for air from too much laughter.
“Oh gosh, my jaw hurts.” Yana finally stops making stupid smiles as Jun is calming himself now.
“Much better?” Jun asked.
“Uhmm.” Yana nods her head, smiling.
“Good.” Jun replied.
“Hey, uhmm…” Yana says uncertainly. “You want to join me laugh my heart out with comedy movies tonight?”
Jun is more than willing to accept that invitation. “I’d love to.” He answered.
---
The only television in this house is the forty inch LCD TV hanging inside her bedroom. Jun was left inside, browsing her wide DVD collection to pick up a movie of his choice while she took a quick shower. Her DVD collection comprises mostly of Hollywood movies but she left a small portion of Japanese productions in one whole row, neatly arranged according to genre. Now that’s a big gap. Her whole room is disorganized yet that corner of DVDs is arranged accordingly. Quickly glancing at her book shelf in the living room, Jun noticed that it’s arranged tidily also. He found himself smiling with small revelations of Yana’s personality.
He settled for three DVDs, all Hollywood movies that he hasn’t seen yet. As he waits for Yana to come out from the bathroom, he decided to look around. There’s a ton of music sheets spreading her working table along with some stage layout plans, some finished, some half done. She’s probably preparing for her summer tour this year. Those papers on the table reflect her stoic working ethics and Jun can definitely relate.
“Have you picked our movie yet?” Yana comes out from the bathroom, dressed in a big while t-shirt and a pajama, drying her hair with a towel.
“Yup.” Jun answered, returning the stage plan sheet back to the table and handing her his movie picks.
She smells really good as he comes closer, a combination of floral and powdery fragrance.
“Okay, let’s start.” Yana smiled, putting their first DVD in the player.
Jun looked around for a place to seat and found nothing but the bed. “So where are we sitting?” he asked.
Yana gives him a knowing look. “The bed is fine. I don’t bite.” She joked as she hops up the bed and gestured him to sit beside her.
Jun slowly came to the other side of the bed, removing his shoes and crawling up beside her. Unexpectedly, this is no feeling of awkwardness at all.
“Are you starting your summer tour anytime soon?” Jun casually asked. “I saw the stage plans. You drew those things?”
“It was cancelled.” There’s sadness in the way she said that. “Doctors advised to take it easy and the management thinks that a concert tour is too stressing for me so they settled for the drama. And yes, I drew those things. I’d like my concerts to have my own personal touch.”
“That’s amazing.” Jun sincerely remarked. “I plan our concerts too but I don’t have the talent to sketch my ideas. I just mostly relay the message through words and the staff takes care of it.”
“Well, sketching it is more precise, right?” Yana says. “It doesn’t need to be artistically challenged. A simple one will do. Why don’t you try it? I can help you.”
“That would be great, thank you.” Jun happily agreed. “I can start sketching my ideas for next year.” He laughs.
“There’s not harm in planning ahead of time, right?” Yana commented.
---
Their first movie is coming to an end and as Jun shifts his gaze to Yana, he noticed that her eyes are already close.
“Yana.” He softly called her but she didn’t bulge. He smiled at her peaceful face, she’s probably very tired already.
Her head is starting to lose balance and before it can knock the bed’s head board, Jun pulled her towards him, letting her head rest into his shoulders.
She moaned as he ran his soft hand through her hair. “You fell asleep on me.” He playfully accused her.
Yana grinned, his hand has a soothing touch that makes her feel blissful. “I’m sorry.” She mumbled, slightly opening her eyes only to see his bare chest a few centimeters away, thank God for V-neck shirts.
“It’s fine. Go back to sleep.” Jun ordered her, shifting his touch from her hair to her arm.
Suddenly, without a warning, Jun grips her tightly to his body as she can now smell his manly aftershave. He plants a soft kiss at the top of her head, his lips is buried to the nice flowery scent of her hair. That kiss automatically sends a sweet smile on her lips and just like magic, Yana feels like she’s alive again.