LOVE MANAGEMENT the story
LJ said my entry was too long, so I posted the 2nd chapter of the story here..
Title : LOVE ♥ MANAGEMENT
Author : zuttonatsu
Genre : drama, comedy, life, OC (original character)
Rated : PG-15 so far (for the complicated life story)
CHAPTER 2
you gotta learn about everything in everyday.
‘’Airaaa!’’
‘’yes, yes, im hereeee~~’’ She’s running towards her boss. ‘’I called Macchan earlier and it’s fixed.’’
‘’good, and your deadline is actually tomorrow. Good job.’’ MatsuJun nodded satisfiedly, ‘’but now tell me, where the hell is sponsor’s clothes for Eita.’’
‘’um.. he took it.’’
‘’what d’you mean, he took it?’’ the cool boss frowned and before Aira can say anything, Eita appears.
‘’I took it to the brand since I request for something else. Something more.. me.’’ the actor said as he pointed at what he wears.
MatsuJun sighed but Aira laughs, ‘’you were right. It suits you more than what the brand chose for you earlier, E-san.’’
She personally loves the skinny black vest with white stripe on each side that Eita wears with white buttoned shirt and black jeans. But what makes his look more interesting, is that Eita wore a pink bootlace tie.
‘’give me five, orange!’’ Eita said in English as he gave out his hand to Aira.
‘’E-san?’’ MatsuJun asked.
‘’ah, yes, Eita-san told me yesterday, to call me E-san.’’
The manager shook his head, ‘’while last week you told her to call you Ji-chan (uncle).’’
Eita appears as an uncle of a little girl in his new commercial.
‘’and orenji (Orange)?’’ MatsuJun murmured as he looks at Aira’s necklace. Eita loves to call Aira based on anything she wears that caught his eyes.
But it seems that Eita and Aira really had a great time by smiling around like that, so MatsuJun, he’s also smile to see that. ‘’ma (well).. it’s not a bad way to start the day..’’ he said, more to himself.
‘’ah, Im sorry, Matsu-san, I have to go to take Yamapi’s script.’’ Suddenly Aira said to him.
‘’what? you havent-‘’
‘’sorry, sorry, I ran to you as soon as I get here.’’ she saluted him in a hurry and Eita just laughs.
‘’easy MatsuJun, besides, if she appears in a mess like that, im sure Yamashita-kun will be upset.’’ Eita might knew about Yamapi doesn’t like to have someone in a hurry around him.
Aira mouthed to Eita, ‘’thank you.’’
And he replied, ‘’no problem.’’
She ran as fast as she could to the elevator. Then reach to the office where the scenario was kept.
‘’sumimasen (excuse me)~ im here for Yamashita-san’s script!’’ she took it and she walked out but then a staff called her.
‘’chotto (wait)!’’
‘’yes?’’ she turned around.
‘’can you take all of that to the studio where Yamashita’s waiting? It’s for the supporting actors too.’’
Aira looks at the pile of scenario. Well, it’s only about 15 of them and pretty much thin book, so she just nodded.
‘’ah, and this one, you can take it too, right? it’s Yamashita’s property.’’ the staff pointed to a box.
She sighed silently and nodded again, ‘’hai (yes).’’
After she grabbed all of those stuffs, she went to where Yamapi is.
Just 5 minutes later, she was in front of the door to wait for a while because she’s still panting. And she was standing there with her hands full. But before she put them on the floor to open the door,
‘’Aira-san?’’ the actor is the one who opens it from inside.
‘’ah, Ohayou gozaimasu (good morning).’’
‘’Ohayou.’’ Yamapi greeted her back as there’s some reporter walk out from the room so they exchanged greeting.
Then Aira took the box and the rest of the script on the floor and handled his script.
‘’this is yours.’’ She said. ‘’shitsureishimasu (please excuse me).’’ she said she grabbed the box and ready to walk when she realized, ‘’ah, this is the property for your film- ah, no, I’ll take it to the studio. Which one is it?’’
But when she waits for his reply, the box broke so stuffs dropped from it.
‘’as usual.’’ Yamapi commented. He means about her clumsiness.
‘’y-yeah..’’ Aira laughs uneasily. This guy really knew how to make someone even more nervous because he rarely speaks, but when he does, it’s usually something to the point.
He helped her pick the stuff and just put it into the box, ‘’make sure you held the base.’’
‘’hai, arigatou (yes, thanks).’’ Aira bowed and walk.
‘’Aira-san?’’
She turned around, ‘’yes?’’
‘’did already you know which Studio?’’
‘’ah.’’ once again, Aira felt so clumsy. Yamapi havent told her about the studio’s number yet.
Yamapi walks to her and get all of the script with his hand so Aira now only carried the box..
‘’eh? daijoubu, daijoubu (it’s okay)!’’
He continued to walk, ignoring her while he carries the scripts on his side.
Aira followed as she’s staring at him from behind. Yamapi is still wearing his personal clothes -grey cardigans, white printed t-shirt. His hair is tied up messily and it changed his image a lot, because it makes him less calm.
Up until now, Aira was getting along quite well with all of the actors, but she was so comfortable with Eita.
Eita is random like her, he’s also unpredictable, but he’s easy going which makes Aira in ease because she knew that she can be herself around him.
It’s different when it comes to Yamapi, he seems nice to everyone but actually also build a wall towards them. So she cannot help it but think too much whenever she works with him.
‘so today.. I’ll be working with the most opposite ones.’ Aira though. ‘well, im not saying that I prefer to work with Eita and not with Yamapi, but-‘
‘’Aira-san?’’
She stopped her thought because Yamapi called her name, again.
‘’hai (yes)!?’’ she startled.
He tilted his head, told her to walk first while he opens the door for her.
‘’ah, arigatou (thanks).’’
‘’douitashimashite (your welcome).’’ He replied normally.
Aira sighed carefully not to make him realized it. she would love to find how to break the ice so she can be easy around him, but so far, it seems so difficult.
And as if he can read her mind, Yamapi suddenly turns around,
‘’Aira-san?’’
She looked at him, realizing that he’s the only one who called her that formal.
‘’yes, Yamashita-san?’’
He said in his usual tone, ‘’If you want to, I can ask MatsuJun to change the assistants for today. Aya-san with me, and you can go to Eita-san.’’
She still frowned, then he said, ‘’thank you for the script.’’ Before he bowed slightly and walks away.
He left her standing there and when she was walking out from the studio, still find out what he’s talking about, the walkie talkie in her hand beeped.
‘’Aira?’’ MatsuJun’s voice came out from the gadget. They used to talk with walkie-talkie when they were in the building. it’s more practical and cheaper too.
‘’hai (yes)?’’
‘’you already gave Yamapi the script, right? come here, the press con is gonna start soon. Aya will take care of Pi.’’
So Yamapi really did ask MatsuJun for trades.
-----------------------------------
[Aira’s POV]
I admit, though it’s a bit tiring -as I have to run here and there, to manage the press, and also to help Eita manages what he should say in the magazine interviews after the press con, not to mention also to provide lunch meal to afternoon snacks-, but I enjoyed it.
Like I said before, to work as Eita’s assistant for a day, is my favorite. I would easily choose that work instead of anything I ever did in these 4 months, under MatsuJun’s order.
It was kept deep in my heart, of course, so no one knows about it. Well, though I’ve told Mao who’s my favorite ones when she asked me.
Ah, talking about Mao and friendship, Yui involved too. When I came to Tokyo 4 months ago, Im on a state where I really don’t want a gal friend. I tell you later about the reason why.
And soon as I lived on the place where I live now, and met Nishiki, he introduced me to Mao, his junior in college who lives on the first floor. I actually don’t really excited at the first time, but this girl reminds me of my only cousin, who’s a tomboy and doesn’t really care about what people think.
She works as a part-timer in a convenient store nearby, and so is Yui; who’s so sweet and tidy.
Well, though I didn’t plan it, but to have 3 different people met -Mao the tough one, Yui the nice girl, and me, the.. ordinary- naturally, friendship built without too much asking and planning.
‘’omatase shimashita (thank you for waiting).’’
A voice from behind made me back to reality. I turned around and saw the actor of the day, Eita.
--
On his hand, Eita held a small shopping bag. Well, he’s a straight guy, Aira know that for sure, but he surely loves to buy anything that caught his attention.
Now they were on the shopping district in the downtown of Tokyo.
‘’is it really okay for you to be seen with me in this crowded place?’’ Aira asked again for the 3rd times.
He laughs, ‘’well, im not really the idol type of actor, so..’’ he shrugged. ‘’besides, as you were seems so worried, I even let you to wait out here in the cold with your stubborn head.’’
She laughs too. See? It’s so natural when it comes to Eita. It’s not that she likes him or anything, it’s just he’s a great company. Although she doesn’t know what he thought about her.
‘’are you done? the van waited there.’’ she pointed to the management’s car.
‘’wait, there’s one more shop that I want to see. It’s around the corner.’’ He pointed to the other way.
Suddenly, there’s 2 girls stopped because they recognized Eita. Aira rolled my eyes secretly as she thought to herself, ‘how can people didn’t recognize him as he’s so tall like that? not to mention his bold blue double-breasted general jacket is love.’
Aira herself fell in love with his jacket.
‘’Eita-kun, good luck for your new movie!’’ one of the girl bowed politely.
‘’arigatou gozaimasu (thank you very much)..’’
And the other one also bowed before they continued to walk, Eita shouted, ‘’gambarimasu (I’ll work hard)!’’
So the two girls stop as they turned around and giggled. And at that moment, Aira saw one of them took a glance at her as the girl talked to her friends. She tries to ignore the fact that the other one also look at her while they walk away.
‘’do you want to wait here or you want to see the shop too?’’
‘’I just wait here.’’ she answered immediately after seeing the two girls talking about me like that. she’s not being so full of herself in here, she just thought that.. she have to understand her position when she hang around these boys.
‘’but the necklace there are soooo strange, extra-ordinary!’’ Eita exclaimed. Well, he seems to notice that Aira loves necklace in unique forms, especially when he saw her wearing one necklace with a typewriter machine as a pendant last week.
She laughs, ‘’I will go there as soon as I get my salary.’’
He smiled, ‘’okay then.. I’ll tell you if there’s any good stuff.’’ So he went there by himself as Aira called the driver and ask him whether he wants a hot coffee or something.
For a girl who came from a tropical country like her, she cannot handle early winter in Tokyo. Today is just 9 degrees, but she’s freezing. Yui warned her that in January and February it can reach to 2 or 0 degree.
So then Aira went to a coffee shop and bought drinks for her, the driver and also Eita. The actor loves black coffee, that’s one early information she gathered about these boys -what kind of food and drinks they like.
She sent a message to Eita,
‘I wait on the van. It parked on the place where the driver dropped us earlier.’
About 15 minutes later, there’s a knock on the van’s window glass. Aira opened the door and Eita went in.
‘’cold, huh?’’ he pointed to the coffee.
‘’ah, this is for you, but im sorry, it’s already cold.’’ she gave him his coffee.
He sat on the car and closed the door then grab the coffee, ‘’no problem. Thanks..’’
The driver start the engine and they go to Eita’s place to drop him, then he lifted one small shopping bags, smaller than the previous one.
‘’hey, I found this..’’
For these 4 months, Aira has been accompanying Ogurin, Eita and Macchan. MatsuJun? No, he’s the boss and he doesn’t need to be assist for shopping of course. Yamapi? Not yet, or maybe also no, because he seems to prefer to go alone.
And one more thing Aira finds interesting about Eita, he always shows all of the stuff he bought to Aira and asked her about her opinion.
‘’im not your fashion stylist.’’ She laughs at that moment.
‘’but the first thing I noticed about you is your purple bowtie. I even didn’t remember what my stylist wears when we met back then once I still have one.’’ Eita said.
Then not long after that, MatsuJun said to Aira that Eita didn’t have a fashion stylist, he actually ‘borrows’ Ogurin’s stylist when he really need one for some events.
And right now, he opens the shopping bag and showed Aira what’s inside. It’s a necklace with big black glossy beads and one big olive green bow.
‘’isnt it too girly, even for your standard?’’ Aira lifted with her hand as she smiled a bit.
Eita looked at her in confused, ‘’well of course, since it’s yours.’’
Aira dropped her hand to her lap, ‘’noooooo.’’ She shook her head.
‘’well, you can put it in your debt if you want.’’ He laughs as it also makes her laughs.
‘’what?’’ she looks at the necklace closely, ‘’but why?’’
‘’today you seems so busy with my press con and everything. then I saw this, you have a thing on bow, right? in flat shoes, in headband, in mini dresses-‘’
‘’okay, okay, I get it.’’ she sighed, ‘’well, im sorry if it’s too cheesy, but that’s the only girly thing I cant resist.’’
Eita laughs, ‘’how about this, if you saw something that you think it’s suits me, you bought it first, then I’ll pay you later.. and vice versa.’’
She frowned, ‘’so it’s like.. im your fashion stylist.. and you do the same thing for me..?’’
He nodded, ‘’yep, it’s because we have similar taste in weird stuffs.’’
Aira tilted her head, wondering if this is okay, considering that her profession is only his assistant.
‘’relax.. this job is unofficial.’’ He nudged her arms. ‘’you’re too serious sometimes. Reminds me of MatsuJun.’’
She laughs, ‘’okay then.. im in.’’
‘’deal?’’ Eita doesn’t give his hand, he’s pointed to the necklace instead.
‘’deal.’’ Aira lifted as it means the necklace is the first thing they ‘trades.’ ‘’how much is this?’’ she asked Eita.
He shook his head, ‘’the first thing is like a promo thing, so it’s free.’’ And he said it with a very -Aira has to add ‘very’ when she saw his face- serious face and it makes her laugh really hard.
--------------------------------
When Mao arrived at her own place, she got a message from Yui.
‘im sorry, I have an exam tomorrow, so if you don’t mind, you can do the dvd night on Mao’s place. She already knew about this.
Yui.’
Aira replied and told Yui it’s okay, good luck for her exam tomorrow. As she sent the message, she shook her head, Yui is a straight A student who doesn’t really need to study, but it seems that Yui herself, have the opposite thought.
So as she looked to her watch, it’s 7 PM. Then she said to herself, ‘’Mao might still at work.’’
Then she walks to Ryo’s door and knock.
‘’Nishiki~~~ are you there?’’
She waits but no one reply. Then she just shrugged and walk to her own room.
As she took off her coat and walks to the kitchen, she heard her cellphone is ringing.
‘’hai (yes)?’’
‘’Ai-chaaaan..’’ it’s Ryo.
‘’yes?’’
‘’im on convenient store right now, in front of Mao-chan.’’ he said as then there’s Mao’s voice, ‘’Aira~’’
Then Ryo continued, ‘’thanks for your sugar this morning, and now, do you want something from here?’’
Aira tilted her head as she’s thinking. ‘’I was so tired today, and doesn’t feel like cooking for dinner.. can you buy me yakitori (chicken skewers)?’’ there’s a yakitori restaurant beside the konbini (convenient store).
‘’okay. what else?’’ he asked.
‘’whatever you want or Mao wants for tonight’s dvd night.’’ she added.
He seems surprised, ‘’you invite me to the so-called girls night out?’’ he laughs stupidly, ‘’sorry, I’ll pass.’’
‘’baka (silly). Yui’s not gonna be there, so it wouldn’t be a girls night out without her.’’ she explained.
It seems that Ryo asked Mao, ‘’Aira said that I can join you for the dvd night..’’
‘’so, are you in?’’ Aira can hear Mao talks. ‘’don’t you want to go to goukon (dating group) or something?’’
Then Ryo said to Aira, regretfully, ‘’im sorry, but I promised my friends to go on a goukon.’’
Aira laughs, ‘’so you seems pretty serious about finding yourself a girlfriend..’’
‘’im not!’’ he exclaimed, ‘’it’s them, not me! im not that desperate.’’
She teased him more, ‘’still.. you agreed with your friends and say yes when they asked you to go.’’
‘’mouuuu~~~’’ Ryo said, as Aira can imagine he stomped in front of the cashier, ‘’the girls are the office lady from a make-up corporation, and they’re famous of their prettiness.. tell me Ai, how can I refused them?’’
Now she laughs even more, ‘’once a baka (silly), always a baka.’’
Then Ryo laughs too, ‘’you can say whatever you want, miss baby sitter.’’
‘’what?!’’
‘’Well, please don’t fall in love with one of them, Ai..’’
‘’yeah, and why is that?’’
‘’because like I always tell you, they’re just big babies. Okay, I’ll buy the yakitori and go back home to drop it in your place.’’ Then he laughs and hang up.
Aira sighed and murmured, ‘’like you’re not.’’
------------------------------
‘’so.. what are we gonna watch for tonight?’’ Mao asked to her. Ryo dropped the yakitori and he’s already went to the goukon right now.
Aira shrugged, ‘’the last dvd night, Yui made us watch a Korean drama. No offense, it’s good and the actor is so handsome, but I prefer comedy for tonight.’’
Mao laughs as she lifted 2 movies, ‘’it seems that you have a tough week, since you said it a couple of times, you want comedy for the next dvd night. So which one that you prefer, The Heartbreak Kid.. or Chuck and Larry?’’
Then Aira asked her, ‘’why 2007?’’
‘’wow, you knew it before I even mentioned.’’ Mao said. ‘’nothing, it’s just that I thought it was quite long enough.. 2 years old movies, as I bet you already seen both of them.’’
‘’yeah, I pretty much still remember about those movies.’’ Aira said. ‘’you havent seen them?’’
‘’I havent watch Chuck and Larry.’’ Mao shrugged.
‘’good, then Chuck and Larry it is.’’
And as Mao put the dvd on the player, Aira just sit there dumbfoundly. Good thing that Mao havent seen that movie, because the truth is, Aira remembered something back in 2007 as she saw the Heartbreak Kid’s dvd and she prefer not to watch it right now.
-----
‘’where are we going for tonight?’’ Aira asked the guy.
‘’to the cinema.’’ He answered. Then as they’re arrived, there’s one more couple waiting for them.
Aira laughs, ‘’so.. we’re on a double date?’’
The girl from the couple answered, ‘’yes, because I want to treat you guys for my birthday.’’
Then the guy who held Aira’s hand said, ‘’so.. can I choose the movie?’’
The 4 of them laughs then Aira said, ‘’she’s the birthday girl, why did you have to be the one who choose what to watch?’’
‘’no, it’s okay..’’ the girl nodded. ‘’I’ll agree to anything he choose.’’
‘’aww.. you’re such a sweet girl.’’ her boyfriend wrapped his arm around her as Aira also joked, ‘’of course, she’s the cotton candy in our friendship.’’
‘’and what makes you?’’ the guy who’s with Aira asked.
‘’what do you like? im whatever you want me to be.’’
He laughs, ‘’I love chocolate.’’
‘’then.. im the chocolate ones.’’ Aira smiled as then the guy smiled back and say to the 3 others, ‘’let’s watch the Heartbreak Kid. My brother said it was quite funny.’’
-----
The sound of the movie getting started, it’s kinda startled Aira for a while. As now she’s realized that she was reminiscing.
‘and you said you love chocolate at that time. I wonder when you changed your choice into another one.’ She said to herself as then she shook her head.
‘it’s your past, Aira. And now you’re a new person, here in Tokyo, welcoming your future.’ She nodded firmly as if she was trying to convince herself.
And then she said, ‘’im hungry, let’s eat while watching the movie.’’
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A couple of days later, MatsuJun called her to his office.
‘’yes, Matsu-san? I was just gonna go to the location with Macchan.’’ She said as she put her jacket over her wool mini dress.
‘’hey, I have a great news.. my uncle finally come back to Japan tomorrow.’’ MatsuJun smiled.
Aira stood there as she blinks. ‘’Hi-Hiroshi-san?’’
MatsuJun frowned a bit, but then he laughs, ‘’yeah.. so now you can meet him.’’
Last month, Hiroshi Abe supposed to be back to Japan, but suddenly there’s a change of schedule, that’s what his nephew said.
‘’my uncle will be here to talk to the boys about the project.. and.. he might have to go back to German in a couple of days.’’ Jun smiled, ‘’don’t worry, I let you to have a break so you can meet him..’’
‘’a-arigatou (thanks).’’
He’s still laughing, ‘’you really are so nervous, aren’t you?’’
Aira just nodded slightly so then her boss said, ‘’okay, now you better go with Macchan.. but.. don’t forget to come tonight. Macchan already knew about that too.’’
‘’tonight?’’ she asked.
‘’I never thought that you were so ignorant, Aira.’’ He shook his head, act like he’s surprised. ‘’I told you last week, that there’s gonna be a small dinner party. Tonight, the dinner’s on me.. today’s my birthday.’’
‘’E-EEEEHHH?’’ she exclaimed as Jun pleased her to walk out from the room while open the door for her and laughs at her even louder.
------
‘’otanjoubi omedetouuuu (happy birthday), MatsuJun!!!!’’ everyone in there cheers.
‘’arigatou (thanks)..’’ the cool young manager smiled as he lifted his champagne.
‘’here’s for you.’’ Shun said excitedly. A new kitchen equipment, Aira doesn’t really understand what it is. Well, her boss loves to cook, and it’s not surprising that Shun knew since they’re bestfriends.
Then Eita gave out his present; it’s a leather boots. Just by looking at it, Aira knew that it’s so expensive.
The 2 young actors, Macchan and Pi came out with one present, a limited edition of a USB filled by all of The Beatles song; MatsuJun’s most favorite band of all time.
Even Aya gave him a sunglasses, since he lost his favorite one last week and it makes him kinda upset for a while.
Then a couple of people also bring some gifts. Only Aira who came empty handed.
‘’im sorry..’’ she murmured.
MatsuJun laughs, ‘’and you called yourself my assistant?’’
‘’I-‘’
‘’it’s okay.. you’re new.’’ It’s supposed to be some consoling words came from her boss, but somehow it makes her uneasy.
She sighed as she walks back to her chair, beside Eita.
‘’ne..’’ she’s unconsciously called him.
‘’hai (yes)?’’
‘’when you’re still new in this business, are you already like this? or you’re kinda awkward and doesn’t really have the confident..’’
Eita frowned, ‘’why? Well.. I don’t know. if you asked me, I would say I havent change that much.. me back then or me right now is just like how you see..’’
She took the champagne and sipped, ‘’sometimes, I felt like I wasn’t try hard enough to work with all of you, since you all are so professional.. but on the other times, I felt like I was trying too hard to understand all of you as an individual, which is.. I still don’t understand, is it good or bad, because im only your assistant manager and all of you are the ones that I manage..’’
Eita didn’t reply as he seems doesn’t really understand what she’s talking about. But then he said, ‘’you mean.. you were a bit confused how to handle all of us? Both as a person and as a professional.’’
‘’yeah.. something like that.’’
‘’well, things like this.. aren’t you supposed to be discuss with your boss, not me?’’
Aira looked at him and nodded, ‘’im sorry, it’s just that.. between all of you, I can easily talk with you.. and MatsuJun, I wonder how I can be relax to talk with him since he’s my boss.’’
Eita laughs, ‘’see? You’re already think of me as a friend.. so I think, you can just thought the rest as your friends too.. it’s true that we’re professional, but to dealing with other people, especially when you involved with them everyday, it’s kinda hard to decide the lining, between personal thing and work.’’
Aira just sit there while he continued, ‘’you knew our favorite foods, right? and it has nothing to do with our job.’’ he laughs, ‘’maybe it’s just me, but I thought that way.. when I act with my co-stars, well, it’s not that we become friends but somehow, I try to know them as a person too..’’
Then she answered straightly, ‘’but Yamashita-san seems so good in choosing between personal thing and his job.’’
To heard that, Eita laughs a bit, ‘’so this is about him?’’
‘’well, not in particular.. but somehow I felt a bit upset as he changes me with Aya-san that day-‘’ but then Aira stop.
‘’ah, the day that you were working with me? you’re supposed to work with him?’’
‘’I-Im sorry.. it’s not that I want to work with him instead of you.. in fact, I was kinda glad.. but still.. argh, I don’t know..’’
Then Eita laughs, ‘’easy..’’ he said, ‘’it seems that you were more perfectionist than I expected. You want to nailed everything you do and get the best mark from all of it.. well, I think I have to agree with what you said earlier.. you tried too hard.’’
‘’am I?’’
‘’yeah..’’ he pointed at Yamapi, ‘’you see, he might be difficult, but as you know him, he’s actually a nice guy.’’
‘’I know that.’’ Aira rolled her eyes.
‘’so?’’
‘’but he.. he’s like having this-this wall as a barrier.’’ She protested.
‘’oh, and you’re not?’’
Aira blinks. ‘’huh?’’
Eita shrugged, ‘’people might think im a bit weird most of times, because I said what I want to say, I pointed to anything I feel attracted to, and most of it, it’s all the strangest thing of its kind.. but that’s why I love observing people.’’
She just listened to him as he speaks, ‘’about you, I said that I love the purple bow tie that you wear that day, and I feel attracted to your vest right now although it’s not really strange, ‘’ he pointed to Aira’s grey vest, ‘’and.. also from what I hear and see, it seems that it’s not only Yamapi who shut himself to you, but you’re also restricted yourself to open up to him.’’
Now she gets it. ‘’it’s because I was kinda scared.. of insulting him or something..’’
He laughs, ‘’you know, one more thing that I also get from you, is that.. you are really an insecure person, although you didn’t look like one.’’
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One the next day,
‘’Tsuki-chaaaan..’’
Aira turned around, and of course she recognized the voice.
‘’Ogurin, I told you not to call me that..’’ she said as Aya is just walking beside Oguri Shun.
‘’why? Your name means moon, so it’s supposed to be Tsuki-chan. God, your name is really are so adorable in every language.’’ He laughs at his own joke.
She just chuckled as then Aya tells her, ‘’today MatsuJun gave you a day off, well, at least until you meet Hiroshi-san.’’
It seems that the other assistant doesn’t like the idea of giving Aira a day off.
‘’ah, you must be pretty excited to finally meet Hiroshi-san, don’t you?’’ Shun wrapped his arm around Aira.
‘’well, uhm.. yeah.’’ She nodded. Of course, she is, and thanks to MatsuJun, everyone knew about the story of Aira being a big fan of Hiroshi Abe.
Then Shun asked Aya, ‘’ne.. am I gonna be busy today?’’
Aya looked at the schedule book on her hand and she said, ‘’only until.. 3 PM today.’’
‘’great, so Aira, after you meet the producer, you have to go somewhere with me.’’
‘’what?’’ both of Aira and Aya said in unison.
To Aya, Shun winked, ‘’relax, with this, your worries about that older woman will be gone.’’
Aira frowned. ‘’is this about that rumor, Shun?’’
Aya answering for Shun, ‘’and what, you will take Aira to her? It will make things get worst.’’
‘’wait.. can please someone explain everything to me?’’ Aira asked.
‘’Aira!’’ suddenly MatsuJun called from behind. ‘’my uncle will be here soon.. do you want to waste this opportunity?’’
Then she pointed to Shun, ‘’b-but he..’’
Shun pointed at himself, ‘’yes, what about me? do you want to abandon me?’’
‘’no one abandon anyone here, Shun!’’ Aira was getting upset to this actor. He can be sooo annoying and childish sometimes.
‘’what is it?’’ Jun asked Aya.
‘’this is about Misaki-san.. Shun wants to take Aira, he said that it can solve the problem. But I don’t think it’s a good idea.’’
Aira sighed, ‘’I need more explanation other than just the actress name, I know that it’s Misaki Itoh-san.’’
MatsuJun, as usual, he handles the situation. First, he said to Aira, ‘’you know that Misaki-san wants Ogurin to play in her new movie, right?’’
‘’yes, I know that, although it’s still off the record.’’
Jun nodded, ‘’yeah, and some of my source said that Misaki wants to used Ogurin to build a fake rumor too, after the media revealed that she got dumped by her boyfriend, the famous Baseball athlete..’’
‘’a fake rumor like.. Ogurin approached to her or something?’’ Aira frowned.
‘’yep.’’ Now it’s Shun who’s speaking for himself, and he added, ‘’although I don’t really mind about the idea of approaching her, she’s so beautiful even in her age.’’
‘’baka (stupid).’’ Jun laughs as he smacked Shun’s head.
‘’itai (ouch)! Im just joking, right?’’ Shun protested, ‘’I know that it’s gonna be a mess if her plan succeed, that’s why I wont appear to that party by my own!’’
‘’but why me?’’ Aira pointed to herself. ‘’why not Aya?’’
Shun frowned, ‘’hello.. you got a day off, remember? While Aya is stuck in here with me until 3 PM and then with Macchan after that.’’
‘’it’s not that I want to help you either.’’ Aya folded her arms, ‘’to be a fake girlfriend.’’
‘’ma-ma (well)..’’ MatsuJun said to them as then he said, ‘’let’s get this thing straight. First, Aira deserved her first day off to meet my uncle, and then Shun, if it’s possible, then I let you to take Aira to that party-‘’
‘’hoorraaaaay!’’ Shun throw his hands up in the air.
‘’as your manager.’’ Jun finished his sentence.
‘’eh?’’
‘’yes, besides, why did you need a fake girlfriend? It’s not that Misaki-san really interested on you. She’s just gonna use you for some publication, so it means Aira will be there only to prevent her getting too close to you.’’
Aira smiled as she heard Jun’s explanation. As expected, he’s so smart as sometimes can be tricky too.
‘’mouuuu~~~’’ Shun said, ‘’but it’s no fun at all! I planned to dress her up and everything..’’ he protested to his bestfriend.
But Jun showed his hand, ‘’no, Shun. I know it’s been a while since you play with some girl, to giving her one day as your playful princess of something like that.. but not her and also not Aya. They’re my assistant, and working really to assist you too.’’
‘’hey, who says im gonna play around with them?’’
Both Mao and Aya start to feel like the two guys talks like they weren’t there with them.
‘’besides, what if the press got mistaken by Aira’s presence?’’ Jun shook his head, ‘’im agree with Aya, it’s not a good idea, Shun.’’
Then he chuckled, ‘’you are not fun at all, MatsuJun..’’
‘’thank you.’’ Jun just laughs.
‘’but Eita can go shop with Aira! Why didn’t you get mad at him?’’ Shun still protest.
‘’and you’re not? you went with her, and last time it’s with Aya.’’ Jun reminds him. ‘’it’s because Eita took Aira for assisting.. not for playing.’’
Shun twitched his lips, ‘’yeah, he’s also like you, boring.’’
Jun laughs, ‘’stop your act, mister.. now I really have to go.’’ he patted Shun’s shoulder and say, ‘’but im a man of my word, Aira will be ready to go with you to the party at 7.’’
‘’Tsuki-chaaaaann..’’
Aira can hear Shun called her name as his hand spreading, asking for help while Aya pulled his jacket to go to the other direction with her and leave Aira with Jun.
After she heard what Jun said earlier, now she remembered about what she discussed with Eita. It seems that when it comes to work, she can easily talks with her boss, he’s just so tactful, and also generous too.
So now she’s walking with him, her heart beats faster as she’s gonna meet the one she always wonders, the famous producer. She also got one day off. She felt excited as suddenly, her cellphone is ringing.
‘’hai (yes), Macchan?’’ she answered.
‘’Senpai (senior), I forgot to bring one of my books that I need for an open book exam that will start in 2 hours, it’s on my dressing room.. ano.. can you bring it to my university?’’ the young actor pleading in the phone.
Then Aira closed the phone and say to MatsuJun, ‘’it seems that I have to go to Keio first, it’s Macchan.’’
MatsuJun laughs, and he said, ‘’okay, of course.. the youngest one is facing exams right now, so you better go help him. Don’t worry, my uncle’s plane arrive close to 12.. you can catch up with me later.’’
She nodded to him as then she said, ‘’jya, ittekimasu (okay, I go now).’’
As she ran to the elevator, she mumbled, ‘’a day off? Really.’’
************************************************************************
To be continued to chapter 3
im waiting for the reviews :)
Title : LOVE ♥ MANAGEMENT
Author : zuttonatsu
Genre : drama, comedy, life, OC (original character)
Rated : PG-15 so far (for the complicated life story)
CHAPTER 2
you gotta learn about everything in everyday.
‘’Airaaa!’’
‘’yes, yes, im hereeee~~’’ She’s running towards her boss. ‘’I called Macchan earlier and it’s fixed.’’
‘’good, and your deadline is actually tomorrow. Good job.’’ MatsuJun nodded satisfiedly, ‘’but now tell me, where the hell is sponsor’s clothes for Eita.’’
‘’um.. he took it.’’
‘’what d’you mean, he took it?’’ the cool boss frowned and before Aira can say anything, Eita appears.
‘’I took it to the brand since I request for something else. Something more.. me.’’ the actor said as he pointed at what he wears.
MatsuJun sighed but Aira laughs, ‘’you were right. It suits you more than what the brand chose for you earlier, E-san.’’
She personally loves the skinny black vest with white stripe on each side that Eita wears with white buttoned shirt and black jeans. But what makes his look more interesting, is that Eita wore a pink bootlace tie.
‘’give me five, orange!’’ Eita said in English as he gave out his hand to Aira.
‘’E-san?’’ MatsuJun asked.
‘’ah, yes, Eita-san told me yesterday, to call me E-san.’’
The manager shook his head, ‘’while last week you told her to call you Ji-chan (uncle).’’
Eita appears as an uncle of a little girl in his new commercial.
‘’and orenji (Orange)?’’ MatsuJun murmured as he looks at Aira’s necklace. Eita loves to call Aira based on anything she wears that caught his eyes.
But it seems that Eita and Aira really had a great time by smiling around like that, so MatsuJun, he’s also smile to see that. ‘’ma (well).. it’s not a bad way to start the day..’’ he said, more to himself.
‘’ah, Im sorry, Matsu-san, I have to go to take Yamapi’s script.’’ Suddenly Aira said to him.
‘’what? you havent-‘’
‘’sorry, sorry, I ran to you as soon as I get here.’’ she saluted him in a hurry and Eita just laughs.
‘’easy MatsuJun, besides, if she appears in a mess like that, im sure Yamashita-kun will be upset.’’ Eita might knew about Yamapi doesn’t like to have someone in a hurry around him.
Aira mouthed to Eita, ‘’thank you.’’
And he replied, ‘’no problem.’’
She ran as fast as she could to the elevator. Then reach to the office where the scenario was kept.
‘’sumimasen (excuse me)~ im here for Yamashita-san’s script!’’ she took it and she walked out but then a staff called her.
‘’chotto (wait)!’’
‘’yes?’’ she turned around.
‘’can you take all of that to the studio where Yamashita’s waiting? It’s for the supporting actors too.’’
Aira looks at the pile of scenario. Well, it’s only about 15 of them and pretty much thin book, so she just nodded.
‘’ah, and this one, you can take it too, right? it’s Yamashita’s property.’’ the staff pointed to a box.
She sighed silently and nodded again, ‘’hai (yes).’’
After she grabbed all of those stuffs, she went to where Yamapi is.
Just 5 minutes later, she was in front of the door to wait for a while because she’s still panting. And she was standing there with her hands full. But before she put them on the floor to open the door,
‘’Aira-san?’’ the actor is the one who opens it from inside.
‘’ah, Ohayou gozaimasu (good morning).’’
‘’Ohayou.’’ Yamapi greeted her back as there’s some reporter walk out from the room so they exchanged greeting.
Then Aira took the box and the rest of the script on the floor and handled his script.
‘’this is yours.’’ She said. ‘’shitsureishimasu (please excuse me).’’ she said she grabbed the box and ready to walk when she realized, ‘’ah, this is the property for your film- ah, no, I’ll take it to the studio. Which one is it?’’
But when she waits for his reply, the box broke so stuffs dropped from it.
‘’as usual.’’ Yamapi commented. He means about her clumsiness.
‘’y-yeah..’’ Aira laughs uneasily. This guy really knew how to make someone even more nervous because he rarely speaks, but when he does, it’s usually something to the point.
He helped her pick the stuff and just put it into the box, ‘’make sure you held the base.’’
‘’hai, arigatou (yes, thanks).’’ Aira bowed and walk.
‘’Aira-san?’’
She turned around, ‘’yes?’’
‘’did already you know which Studio?’’
‘’ah.’’ once again, Aira felt so clumsy. Yamapi havent told her about the studio’s number yet.
Yamapi walks to her and get all of the script with his hand so Aira now only carried the box..
‘’eh? daijoubu, daijoubu (it’s okay)!’’
He continued to walk, ignoring her while he carries the scripts on his side.
Aira followed as she’s staring at him from behind. Yamapi is still wearing his personal clothes -grey cardigans, white printed t-shirt. His hair is tied up messily and it changed his image a lot, because it makes him less calm.
Up until now, Aira was getting along quite well with all of the actors, but she was so comfortable with Eita.
Eita is random like her, he’s also unpredictable, but he’s easy going which makes Aira in ease because she knew that she can be herself around him.
It’s different when it comes to Yamapi, he seems nice to everyone but actually also build a wall towards them. So she cannot help it but think too much whenever she works with him.
‘so today.. I’ll be working with the most opposite ones.’ Aira though. ‘well, im not saying that I prefer to work with Eita and not with Yamapi, but-‘
‘’Aira-san?’’
She stopped her thought because Yamapi called her name, again.
‘’hai (yes)!?’’ she startled.
He tilted his head, told her to walk first while he opens the door for her.
‘’ah, arigatou (thanks).’’
‘’douitashimashite (your welcome).’’ He replied normally.
Aira sighed carefully not to make him realized it. she would love to find how to break the ice so she can be easy around him, but so far, it seems so difficult.
And as if he can read her mind, Yamapi suddenly turns around,
‘’Aira-san?’’
She looked at him, realizing that he’s the only one who called her that formal.
‘’yes, Yamashita-san?’’
He said in his usual tone, ‘’If you want to, I can ask MatsuJun to change the assistants for today. Aya-san with me, and you can go to Eita-san.’’
She still frowned, then he said, ‘’thank you for the script.’’ Before he bowed slightly and walks away.
He left her standing there and when she was walking out from the studio, still find out what he’s talking about, the walkie talkie in her hand beeped.
‘’Aira?’’ MatsuJun’s voice came out from the gadget. They used to talk with walkie-talkie when they were in the building. it’s more practical and cheaper too.
‘’hai (yes)?’’
‘’you already gave Yamapi the script, right? come here, the press con is gonna start soon. Aya will take care of Pi.’’
So Yamapi really did ask MatsuJun for trades.
-----------------------------------
[Aira’s POV]
I admit, though it’s a bit tiring -as I have to run here and there, to manage the press, and also to help Eita manages what he should say in the magazine interviews after the press con, not to mention also to provide lunch meal to afternoon snacks-, but I enjoyed it.
Like I said before, to work as Eita’s assistant for a day, is my favorite. I would easily choose that work instead of anything I ever did in these 4 months, under MatsuJun’s order.
It was kept deep in my heart, of course, so no one knows about it. Well, though I’ve told Mao who’s my favorite ones when she asked me.
Ah, talking about Mao and friendship, Yui involved too. When I came to Tokyo 4 months ago, Im on a state where I really don’t want a gal friend. I tell you later about the reason why.
And soon as I lived on the place where I live now, and met Nishiki, he introduced me to Mao, his junior in college who lives on the first floor. I actually don’t really excited at the first time, but this girl reminds me of my only cousin, who’s a tomboy and doesn’t really care about what people think.
She works as a part-timer in a convenient store nearby, and so is Yui; who’s so sweet and tidy.
Well, though I didn’t plan it, but to have 3 different people met -Mao the tough one, Yui the nice girl, and me, the.. ordinary- naturally, friendship built without too much asking and planning.
‘’omatase shimashita (thank you for waiting).’’
A voice from behind made me back to reality. I turned around and saw the actor of the day, Eita.
--
On his hand, Eita held a small shopping bag. Well, he’s a straight guy, Aira know that for sure, but he surely loves to buy anything that caught his attention.
Now they were on the shopping district in the downtown of Tokyo.
‘’is it really okay for you to be seen with me in this crowded place?’’ Aira asked again for the 3rd times.
He laughs, ‘’well, im not really the idol type of actor, so..’’ he shrugged. ‘’besides, as you were seems so worried, I even let you to wait out here in the cold with your stubborn head.’’
She laughs too. See? It’s so natural when it comes to Eita. It’s not that she likes him or anything, it’s just he’s a great company. Although she doesn’t know what he thought about her.
‘’are you done? the van waited there.’’ she pointed to the management’s car.
‘’wait, there’s one more shop that I want to see. It’s around the corner.’’ He pointed to the other way.
Suddenly, there’s 2 girls stopped because they recognized Eita. Aira rolled my eyes secretly as she thought to herself, ‘how can people didn’t recognize him as he’s so tall like that? not to mention his bold blue double-breasted general jacket is love.’
Aira herself fell in love with his jacket.
‘’Eita-kun, good luck for your new movie!’’ one of the girl bowed politely.
‘’arigatou gozaimasu (thank you very much)..’’
And the other one also bowed before they continued to walk, Eita shouted, ‘’gambarimasu (I’ll work hard)!’’
So the two girls stop as they turned around and giggled. And at that moment, Aira saw one of them took a glance at her as the girl talked to her friends. She tries to ignore the fact that the other one also look at her while they walk away.
‘’do you want to wait here or you want to see the shop too?’’
‘’I just wait here.’’ she answered immediately after seeing the two girls talking about me like that. she’s not being so full of herself in here, she just thought that.. she have to understand her position when she hang around these boys.
‘’but the necklace there are soooo strange, extra-ordinary!’’ Eita exclaimed. Well, he seems to notice that Aira loves necklace in unique forms, especially when he saw her wearing one necklace with a typewriter machine as a pendant last week.
She laughs, ‘’I will go there as soon as I get my salary.’’
He smiled, ‘’okay then.. I’ll tell you if there’s any good stuff.’’ So he went there by himself as Aira called the driver and ask him whether he wants a hot coffee or something.
For a girl who came from a tropical country like her, she cannot handle early winter in Tokyo. Today is just 9 degrees, but she’s freezing. Yui warned her that in January and February it can reach to 2 or 0 degree.
So then Aira went to a coffee shop and bought drinks for her, the driver and also Eita. The actor loves black coffee, that’s one early information she gathered about these boys -what kind of food and drinks they like.
She sent a message to Eita,
‘I wait on the van. It parked on the place where the driver dropped us earlier.’
About 15 minutes later, there’s a knock on the van’s window glass. Aira opened the door and Eita went in.
‘’cold, huh?’’ he pointed to the coffee.
‘’ah, this is for you, but im sorry, it’s already cold.’’ she gave him his coffee.
He sat on the car and closed the door then grab the coffee, ‘’no problem. Thanks..’’
The driver start the engine and they go to Eita’s place to drop him, then he lifted one small shopping bags, smaller than the previous one.
‘’hey, I found this..’’
For these 4 months, Aira has been accompanying Ogurin, Eita and Macchan. MatsuJun? No, he’s the boss and he doesn’t need to be assist for shopping of course. Yamapi? Not yet, or maybe also no, because he seems to prefer to go alone.
And one more thing Aira finds interesting about Eita, he always shows all of the stuff he bought to Aira and asked her about her opinion.
‘’im not your fashion stylist.’’ She laughs at that moment.
‘’but the first thing I noticed about you is your purple bowtie. I even didn’t remember what my stylist wears when we met back then once I still have one.’’ Eita said.
Then not long after that, MatsuJun said to Aira that Eita didn’t have a fashion stylist, he actually ‘borrows’ Ogurin’s stylist when he really need one for some events.
And right now, he opens the shopping bag and showed Aira what’s inside. It’s a necklace with big black glossy beads and one big olive green bow.
‘’isnt it too girly, even for your standard?’’ Aira lifted with her hand as she smiled a bit.
Eita looked at her in confused, ‘’well of course, since it’s yours.’’
Aira dropped her hand to her lap, ‘’noooooo.’’ She shook her head.
‘’well, you can put it in your debt if you want.’’ He laughs as it also makes her laughs.
‘’what?’’ she looks at the necklace closely, ‘’but why?’’
‘’today you seems so busy with my press con and everything. then I saw this, you have a thing on bow, right? in flat shoes, in headband, in mini dresses-‘’
‘’okay, okay, I get it.’’ she sighed, ‘’well, im sorry if it’s too cheesy, but that’s the only girly thing I cant resist.’’
Eita laughs, ‘’how about this, if you saw something that you think it’s suits me, you bought it first, then I’ll pay you later.. and vice versa.’’
She frowned, ‘’so it’s like.. im your fashion stylist.. and you do the same thing for me..?’’
He nodded, ‘’yep, it’s because we have similar taste in weird stuffs.’’
Aira tilted her head, wondering if this is okay, considering that her profession is only his assistant.
‘’relax.. this job is unofficial.’’ He nudged her arms. ‘’you’re too serious sometimes. Reminds me of MatsuJun.’’
She laughs, ‘’okay then.. im in.’’
‘’deal?’’ Eita doesn’t give his hand, he’s pointed to the necklace instead.
‘’deal.’’ Aira lifted as it means the necklace is the first thing they ‘trades.’ ‘’how much is this?’’ she asked Eita.
He shook his head, ‘’the first thing is like a promo thing, so it’s free.’’ And he said it with a very -Aira has to add ‘very’ when she saw his face- serious face and it makes her laugh really hard.
--------------------------------
When Mao arrived at her own place, she got a message from Yui.
‘im sorry, I have an exam tomorrow, so if you don’t mind, you can do the dvd night on Mao’s place. She already knew about this.
Yui.’
Aira replied and told Yui it’s okay, good luck for her exam tomorrow. As she sent the message, she shook her head, Yui is a straight A student who doesn’t really need to study, but it seems that Yui herself, have the opposite thought.
So as she looked to her watch, it’s 7 PM. Then she said to herself, ‘’Mao might still at work.’’
Then she walks to Ryo’s door and knock.
‘’Nishiki~~~ are you there?’’
She waits but no one reply. Then she just shrugged and walk to her own room.
As she took off her coat and walks to the kitchen, she heard her cellphone is ringing.
‘’hai (yes)?’’
‘’Ai-chaaaan..’’ it’s Ryo.
‘’yes?’’
‘’im on convenient store right now, in front of Mao-chan.’’ he said as then there’s Mao’s voice, ‘’Aira~’’
Then Ryo continued, ‘’thanks for your sugar this morning, and now, do you want something from here?’’
Aira tilted her head as she’s thinking. ‘’I was so tired today, and doesn’t feel like cooking for dinner.. can you buy me yakitori (chicken skewers)?’’ there’s a yakitori restaurant beside the konbini (convenient store).
‘’okay. what else?’’ he asked.
‘’whatever you want or Mao wants for tonight’s dvd night.’’ she added.
He seems surprised, ‘’you invite me to the so-called girls night out?’’ he laughs stupidly, ‘’sorry, I’ll pass.’’
‘’baka (silly). Yui’s not gonna be there, so it wouldn’t be a girls night out without her.’’ she explained.
It seems that Ryo asked Mao, ‘’Aira said that I can join you for the dvd night..’’
‘’so, are you in?’’ Aira can hear Mao talks. ‘’don’t you want to go to goukon (dating group) or something?’’
Then Ryo said to Aira, regretfully, ‘’im sorry, but I promised my friends to go on a goukon.’’
Aira laughs, ‘’so you seems pretty serious about finding yourself a girlfriend..’’
‘’im not!’’ he exclaimed, ‘’it’s them, not me! im not that desperate.’’
She teased him more, ‘’still.. you agreed with your friends and say yes when they asked you to go.’’
‘’mouuuu~~~’’ Ryo said, as Aira can imagine he stomped in front of the cashier, ‘’the girls are the office lady from a make-up corporation, and they’re famous of their prettiness.. tell me Ai, how can I refused them?’’
Now she laughs even more, ‘’once a baka (silly), always a baka.’’
Then Ryo laughs too, ‘’you can say whatever you want, miss baby sitter.’’
‘’what?!’’
‘’Well, please don’t fall in love with one of them, Ai..’’
‘’yeah, and why is that?’’
‘’because like I always tell you, they’re just big babies. Okay, I’ll buy the yakitori and go back home to drop it in your place.’’ Then he laughs and hang up.
Aira sighed and murmured, ‘’like you’re not.’’
------------------------------
‘’so.. what are we gonna watch for tonight?’’ Mao asked to her. Ryo dropped the yakitori and he’s already went to the goukon right now.
Aira shrugged, ‘’the last dvd night, Yui made us watch a Korean drama. No offense, it’s good and the actor is so handsome, but I prefer comedy for tonight.’’
Mao laughs as she lifted 2 movies, ‘’it seems that you have a tough week, since you said it a couple of times, you want comedy for the next dvd night. So which one that you prefer, The Heartbreak Kid.. or Chuck and Larry?’’
Then Aira asked her, ‘’why 2007?’’
‘’wow, you knew it before I even mentioned.’’ Mao said. ‘’nothing, it’s just that I thought it was quite long enough.. 2 years old movies, as I bet you already seen both of them.’’
‘’yeah, I pretty much still remember about those movies.’’ Aira said. ‘’you havent seen them?’’
‘’I havent watch Chuck and Larry.’’ Mao shrugged.
‘’good, then Chuck and Larry it is.’’
And as Mao put the dvd on the player, Aira just sit there dumbfoundly. Good thing that Mao havent seen that movie, because the truth is, Aira remembered something back in 2007 as she saw the Heartbreak Kid’s dvd and she prefer not to watch it right now.
-----
‘’where are we going for tonight?’’ Aira asked the guy.
‘’to the cinema.’’ He answered. Then as they’re arrived, there’s one more couple waiting for them.
Aira laughs, ‘’so.. we’re on a double date?’’
The girl from the couple answered, ‘’yes, because I want to treat you guys for my birthday.’’
Then the guy who held Aira’s hand said, ‘’so.. can I choose the movie?’’
The 4 of them laughs then Aira said, ‘’she’s the birthday girl, why did you have to be the one who choose what to watch?’’
‘’no, it’s okay..’’ the girl nodded. ‘’I’ll agree to anything he choose.’’
‘’aww.. you’re such a sweet girl.’’ her boyfriend wrapped his arm around her as Aira also joked, ‘’of course, she’s the cotton candy in our friendship.’’
‘’and what makes you?’’ the guy who’s with Aira asked.
‘’what do you like? im whatever you want me to be.’’
He laughs, ‘’I love chocolate.’’
‘’then.. im the chocolate ones.’’ Aira smiled as then the guy smiled back and say to the 3 others, ‘’let’s watch the Heartbreak Kid. My brother said it was quite funny.’’
-----
The sound of the movie getting started, it’s kinda startled Aira for a while. As now she’s realized that she was reminiscing.
‘and you said you love chocolate at that time. I wonder when you changed your choice into another one.’ She said to herself as then she shook her head.
‘it’s your past, Aira. And now you’re a new person, here in Tokyo, welcoming your future.’ She nodded firmly as if she was trying to convince herself.
And then she said, ‘’im hungry, let’s eat while watching the movie.’’
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A couple of days later, MatsuJun called her to his office.
‘’yes, Matsu-san? I was just gonna go to the location with Macchan.’’ She said as she put her jacket over her wool mini dress.
‘’hey, I have a great news.. my uncle finally come back to Japan tomorrow.’’ MatsuJun smiled.
Aira stood there as she blinks. ‘’Hi-Hiroshi-san?’’
MatsuJun frowned a bit, but then he laughs, ‘’yeah.. so now you can meet him.’’
Last month, Hiroshi Abe supposed to be back to Japan, but suddenly there’s a change of schedule, that’s what his nephew said.
‘’my uncle will be here to talk to the boys about the project.. and.. he might have to go back to German in a couple of days.’’ Jun smiled, ‘’don’t worry, I let you to have a break so you can meet him..’’
‘’a-arigatou (thanks).’’
He’s still laughing, ‘’you really are so nervous, aren’t you?’’
Aira just nodded slightly so then her boss said, ‘’okay, now you better go with Macchan.. but.. don’t forget to come tonight. Macchan already knew about that too.’’
‘’tonight?’’ she asked.
‘’I never thought that you were so ignorant, Aira.’’ He shook his head, act like he’s surprised. ‘’I told you last week, that there’s gonna be a small dinner party. Tonight, the dinner’s on me.. today’s my birthday.’’
‘’E-EEEEHHH?’’ she exclaimed as Jun pleased her to walk out from the room while open the door for her and laughs at her even louder.
------
‘’otanjoubi omedetouuuu (happy birthday), MatsuJun!!!!’’ everyone in there cheers.
‘’arigatou (thanks)..’’ the cool young manager smiled as he lifted his champagne.
‘’here’s for you.’’ Shun said excitedly. A new kitchen equipment, Aira doesn’t really understand what it is. Well, her boss loves to cook, and it’s not surprising that Shun knew since they’re bestfriends.
Then Eita gave out his present; it’s a leather boots. Just by looking at it, Aira knew that it’s so expensive.
The 2 young actors, Macchan and Pi came out with one present, a limited edition of a USB filled by all of The Beatles song; MatsuJun’s most favorite band of all time.
Even Aya gave him a sunglasses, since he lost his favorite one last week and it makes him kinda upset for a while.
Then a couple of people also bring some gifts. Only Aira who came empty handed.
‘’im sorry..’’ she murmured.
MatsuJun laughs, ‘’and you called yourself my assistant?’’
‘’I-‘’
‘’it’s okay.. you’re new.’’ It’s supposed to be some consoling words came from her boss, but somehow it makes her uneasy.
She sighed as she walks back to her chair, beside Eita.
‘’ne..’’ she’s unconsciously called him.
‘’hai (yes)?’’
‘’when you’re still new in this business, are you already like this? or you’re kinda awkward and doesn’t really have the confident..’’
Eita frowned, ‘’why? Well.. I don’t know. if you asked me, I would say I havent change that much.. me back then or me right now is just like how you see..’’
She took the champagne and sipped, ‘’sometimes, I felt like I wasn’t try hard enough to work with all of you, since you all are so professional.. but on the other times, I felt like I was trying too hard to understand all of you as an individual, which is.. I still don’t understand, is it good or bad, because im only your assistant manager and all of you are the ones that I manage..’’
Eita didn’t reply as he seems doesn’t really understand what she’s talking about. But then he said, ‘’you mean.. you were a bit confused how to handle all of us? Both as a person and as a professional.’’
‘’yeah.. something like that.’’
‘’well, things like this.. aren’t you supposed to be discuss with your boss, not me?’’
Aira looked at him and nodded, ‘’im sorry, it’s just that.. between all of you, I can easily talk with you.. and MatsuJun, I wonder how I can be relax to talk with him since he’s my boss.’’
Eita laughs, ‘’see? You’re already think of me as a friend.. so I think, you can just thought the rest as your friends too.. it’s true that we’re professional, but to dealing with other people, especially when you involved with them everyday, it’s kinda hard to decide the lining, between personal thing and work.’’
Aira just sit there while he continued, ‘’you knew our favorite foods, right? and it has nothing to do with our job.’’ he laughs, ‘’maybe it’s just me, but I thought that way.. when I act with my co-stars, well, it’s not that we become friends but somehow, I try to know them as a person too..’’
Then she answered straightly, ‘’but Yamashita-san seems so good in choosing between personal thing and his job.’’
To heard that, Eita laughs a bit, ‘’so this is about him?’’
‘’well, not in particular.. but somehow I felt a bit upset as he changes me with Aya-san that day-‘’ but then Aira stop.
‘’ah, the day that you were working with me? you’re supposed to work with him?’’
‘’I-Im sorry.. it’s not that I want to work with him instead of you.. in fact, I was kinda glad.. but still.. argh, I don’t know..’’
Then Eita laughs, ‘’easy..’’ he said, ‘’it seems that you were more perfectionist than I expected. You want to nailed everything you do and get the best mark from all of it.. well, I think I have to agree with what you said earlier.. you tried too hard.’’
‘’am I?’’
‘’yeah..’’ he pointed at Yamapi, ‘’you see, he might be difficult, but as you know him, he’s actually a nice guy.’’
‘’I know that.’’ Aira rolled her eyes.
‘’so?’’
‘’but he.. he’s like having this-this wall as a barrier.’’ She protested.
‘’oh, and you’re not?’’
Aira blinks. ‘’huh?’’
Eita shrugged, ‘’people might think im a bit weird most of times, because I said what I want to say, I pointed to anything I feel attracted to, and most of it, it’s all the strangest thing of its kind.. but that’s why I love observing people.’’
She just listened to him as he speaks, ‘’about you, I said that I love the purple bow tie that you wear that day, and I feel attracted to your vest right now although it’s not really strange, ‘’ he pointed to Aira’s grey vest, ‘’and.. also from what I hear and see, it seems that it’s not only Yamapi who shut himself to you, but you’re also restricted yourself to open up to him.’’
Now she gets it. ‘’it’s because I was kinda scared.. of insulting him or something..’’
He laughs, ‘’you know, one more thing that I also get from you, is that.. you are really an insecure person, although you didn’t look like one.’’
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One the next day,
‘’Tsuki-chaaaan..’’
Aira turned around, and of course she recognized the voice.
‘’Ogurin, I told you not to call me that..’’ she said as Aya is just walking beside Oguri Shun.
‘’why? Your name means moon, so it’s supposed to be Tsuki-chan. God, your name is really are so adorable in every language.’’ He laughs at his own joke.
She just chuckled as then Aya tells her, ‘’today MatsuJun gave you a day off, well, at least until you meet Hiroshi-san.’’
It seems that the other assistant doesn’t like the idea of giving Aira a day off.
‘’ah, you must be pretty excited to finally meet Hiroshi-san, don’t you?’’ Shun wrapped his arm around Aira.
‘’well, uhm.. yeah.’’ She nodded. Of course, she is, and thanks to MatsuJun, everyone knew about the story of Aira being a big fan of Hiroshi Abe.
Then Shun asked Aya, ‘’ne.. am I gonna be busy today?’’
Aya looked at the schedule book on her hand and she said, ‘’only until.. 3 PM today.’’
‘’great, so Aira, after you meet the producer, you have to go somewhere with me.’’
‘’what?’’ both of Aira and Aya said in unison.
To Aya, Shun winked, ‘’relax, with this, your worries about that older woman will be gone.’’
Aira frowned. ‘’is this about that rumor, Shun?’’
Aya answering for Shun, ‘’and what, you will take Aira to her? It will make things get worst.’’
‘’wait.. can please someone explain everything to me?’’ Aira asked.
‘’Aira!’’ suddenly MatsuJun called from behind. ‘’my uncle will be here soon.. do you want to waste this opportunity?’’
Then she pointed to Shun, ‘’b-but he..’’
Shun pointed at himself, ‘’yes, what about me? do you want to abandon me?’’
‘’no one abandon anyone here, Shun!’’ Aira was getting upset to this actor. He can be sooo annoying and childish sometimes.
‘’what is it?’’ Jun asked Aya.
‘’this is about Misaki-san.. Shun wants to take Aira, he said that it can solve the problem. But I don’t think it’s a good idea.’’
Aira sighed, ‘’I need more explanation other than just the actress name, I know that it’s Misaki Itoh-san.’’
MatsuJun, as usual, he handles the situation. First, he said to Aira, ‘’you know that Misaki-san wants Ogurin to play in her new movie, right?’’
‘’yes, I know that, although it’s still off the record.’’
Jun nodded, ‘’yeah, and some of my source said that Misaki wants to used Ogurin to build a fake rumor too, after the media revealed that she got dumped by her boyfriend, the famous Baseball athlete..’’
‘’a fake rumor like.. Ogurin approached to her or something?’’ Aira frowned.
‘’yep.’’ Now it’s Shun who’s speaking for himself, and he added, ‘’although I don’t really mind about the idea of approaching her, she’s so beautiful even in her age.’’
‘’baka (stupid).’’ Jun laughs as he smacked Shun’s head.
‘’itai (ouch)! Im just joking, right?’’ Shun protested, ‘’I know that it’s gonna be a mess if her plan succeed, that’s why I wont appear to that party by my own!’’
‘’but why me?’’ Aira pointed to herself. ‘’why not Aya?’’
Shun frowned, ‘’hello.. you got a day off, remember? While Aya is stuck in here with me until 3 PM and then with Macchan after that.’’
‘’it’s not that I want to help you either.’’ Aya folded her arms, ‘’to be a fake girlfriend.’’
‘’ma-ma (well)..’’ MatsuJun said to them as then he said, ‘’let’s get this thing straight. First, Aira deserved her first day off to meet my uncle, and then Shun, if it’s possible, then I let you to take Aira to that party-‘’
‘’hoorraaaaay!’’ Shun throw his hands up in the air.
‘’as your manager.’’ Jun finished his sentence.
‘’eh?’’
‘’yes, besides, why did you need a fake girlfriend? It’s not that Misaki-san really interested on you. She’s just gonna use you for some publication, so it means Aira will be there only to prevent her getting too close to you.’’
Aira smiled as she heard Jun’s explanation. As expected, he’s so smart as sometimes can be tricky too.
‘’mouuuu~~~’’ Shun said, ‘’but it’s no fun at all! I planned to dress her up and everything..’’ he protested to his bestfriend.
But Jun showed his hand, ‘’no, Shun. I know it’s been a while since you play with some girl, to giving her one day as your playful princess of something like that.. but not her and also not Aya. They’re my assistant, and working really to assist you too.’’
‘’hey, who says im gonna play around with them?’’
Both Mao and Aya start to feel like the two guys talks like they weren’t there with them.
‘’besides, what if the press got mistaken by Aira’s presence?’’ Jun shook his head, ‘’im agree with Aya, it’s not a good idea, Shun.’’
Then he chuckled, ‘’you are not fun at all, MatsuJun..’’
‘’thank you.’’ Jun just laughs.
‘’but Eita can go shop with Aira! Why didn’t you get mad at him?’’ Shun still protest.
‘’and you’re not? you went with her, and last time it’s with Aya.’’ Jun reminds him. ‘’it’s because Eita took Aira for assisting.. not for playing.’’
Shun twitched his lips, ‘’yeah, he’s also like you, boring.’’
Jun laughs, ‘’stop your act, mister.. now I really have to go.’’ he patted Shun’s shoulder and say, ‘’but im a man of my word, Aira will be ready to go with you to the party at 7.’’
‘’Tsuki-chaaaaann..’’
Aira can hear Shun called her name as his hand spreading, asking for help while Aya pulled his jacket to go to the other direction with her and leave Aira with Jun.
After she heard what Jun said earlier, now she remembered about what she discussed with Eita. It seems that when it comes to work, she can easily talks with her boss, he’s just so tactful, and also generous too.
So now she’s walking with him, her heart beats faster as she’s gonna meet the one she always wonders, the famous producer. She also got one day off. She felt excited as suddenly, her cellphone is ringing.
‘’hai (yes), Macchan?’’ she answered.
‘’Senpai (senior), I forgot to bring one of my books that I need for an open book exam that will start in 2 hours, it’s on my dressing room.. ano.. can you bring it to my university?’’ the young actor pleading in the phone.
Then Aira closed the phone and say to MatsuJun, ‘’it seems that I have to go to Keio first, it’s Macchan.’’
MatsuJun laughs, and he said, ‘’okay, of course.. the youngest one is facing exams right now, so you better go help him. Don’t worry, my uncle’s plane arrive close to 12.. you can catch up with me later.’’
She nodded to him as then she said, ‘’jya, ittekimasu (okay, I go now).’’
As she ran to the elevator, she mumbled, ‘’a day off? Really.’’
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To be continued to chapter 3
im waiting for the reviews :)