"Hey Mari, are you good now? We'll need to start the photoshoot now," the photographer said. Himari looked at him and sighed.
She's getting busier and busier as time passes. With her exquisite beauty, it's only natural that she has become famous a few months after her debut. Of course, it doesn't bother her much, as this job helps her be independent and not rely on her family anymore. But she only has one problem. As she glances to the side, Makoto is there smiling at her.
Sighing once again, she turned to him. "Why are you here? Did you snuck out again? I swear, if your director calls me again looking for you, I'll smack you in the head!" Makoto laughed at her, making her glare at him.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, don't worry, I ask permission this time!"
"You better be! I don't want to receive a phone call from your director while I'm on a photoshoot." She narrowed her eyes at him, annoyed. Makoto always loved to sneak out from his shooting to bother her photoshoot, and it all started when they got together.
Makoto hugged her and kissed her head before pulling away. "Don't worry; he won't! Go do your job!" she looked at him before sighing again and walking towards the studio.
It's been 2 years since their relationship started, and Makoto is treating her great. He spoils her so much; he is so gentle and caring. Other people kept saying she was lucky to have someone like him as her partner. She won't deny the fact that she is fortunate to have him.
She glances at everyone in the room. It's been five years since she left Japan, and until now, she still can't understand herself. In those five years, a lot has happened. As she glances around everyone in the room, she reminisces about what happened in the last five years.
+++---+++---+++---+++
Himari is walking through the airport. She has just arrived from Japan. She's back again and thinks it would be much better for her to live in California instead.
"Are you sure that you'll be fine in there? You know, Himari, you are my little sister, so I worry about you, okay?" Sumi said. They're currently on call with each other.
"I'm fine, Sumi-sama. This is not my first time living alone, and the former head won't be happy to hear you call me sister."
"Hima--" Himari hung up the call before she could utter another word.
Himari stopped walking and looked straight ahead. She no longer knows what to do with her life. All of the lies Tennou told her, the memories she recovered of Yuki's abuse, and her miscarriage. Will all of this happen if she never went back to Japan? She only returned to Japan because Sumi had been bugging her to come and visit her. She couldn't refuse her.
She should have left after that visit, but why did she stay? That's right. She only decided to stay to help Shihou and Mayumi get together. What she didn't expect to happen was Tennou.
Tennou's existence significantly affects her, making her make irrational decisions, such as staying much longer and agreeing with Yuki's proposal. When did her life turn out to be a mess? No, that's wrong! Her life is already a mess starting the day her mother abandons her.
Standing in the middle of the airport, she looks around, frowning. She wants to cry. Why was her life so bad? What did she do to deserve this? Why is her life full of sadness and misfortune? Thinking about it, her only happy memory is when she was still a child together with Tennou and Shihou, the moment when all of them were still not aware that she was an illegitimate child.
She sighs and starts to walk off the airport. Yelping, she bumps into someone. "I'm sorry. Are you alright?" the man asks. Himari nods and begins to leave. Hey, wait!" She stops as she hears the man call for her. She turns to him, expressionless. She's so tired she just wants to rest.
"My name is Jonathan, and I am a talent agent from Starlight. You have great features, so I want to know--"
"No!" Himari cut him off. "I need to go now if you'll excuse me. Goodbye!" Himari said, bowing a bit before she left. The man looks at her retreating form and sighs.
"What a waste. She can become a fantastic model!"
"Who?" the man turns to the voice to see a dark olive brown-haired guy with a suitcase. The man smiles and lightly smacks the other man on the arm.
"Oh, finally! You're here! Let's go! You already had enough vacation!"
"Haha, okay! Calm yourself, Nathan!" the male said, laughing lightly.
+++---+++---+++---+++
"Thank you for taking care of the house while I'm not here, Grandma!"
The old lady lightly pats her arm. "It's fine! It surprised me when you suddenly told me that you're going to stay for a few more months in there!"
Himari notices that the old lady is looking at her with wonder. She sighs, "What's the matter, grandma?"
"Did you see each other again?" Himari looks away. She knew who she was referring to because she was very close with the old lady, and Himari always talked to the older lady about her life. She considers her as a family.
"I did... we talked, I think?" Himari said, not sure of her answer. The older lady looked at her; a look of pity could be seen on her face.
"If you need someone to talk to you, don't forget I'll be here, okay dear?" Himari nods her head and goes inside the house.
How long will she stay here? She only started living here after she ran away last time, and now she's retreating again. Himari sighs. She should rest now. After all, she still needs to look for a job; she shouldn't rely on the Shima's. Or she can go back to her former job. She then begins to head out of her house.
+++---+++---+++---+++
It's been a month since Himari came back; she needs to lay low because there is a chance that Yuki's family may find her. She's back at her former job as a cashier in a famous cafe. Himari is fully aware that its products are delicious. But she also notices that her presence in the café attracts the patrons' interest. Her coworker and manager also noted how patrons increased after she returned.
"We're delighted that you have finally come back, Hikari! Your presence brought out many customers!" Their manager said as she gave her a new notepad for the orders
"I don't understand what's the big deal, Ma'am. After all, our café is famous on its own."
"Well, still, your presence adds up to it! Also, we have kept getting famous these past few days! Last week, a talent agent came here. Maybe if he sees you, they might think recruiting you!" her manager said, smiling the whole time. Himari smiles and bows lightly.
"Whether they recruit me or not, I won't turn an eye on it because I'm not interested. Anyway, if you excuse me, I'll return to work!" Himari said, bowing slightly and leaving.
"May I take your order?" Himari asks
"I want some Irish coffee, and she wants some affogato! Thank you!"
"Okay, please wait while we're preparing your coffee!" they nodded and talked with each other.
It's not like Himari doesn't want to be a model. In fact, Himari's dream job is to become a model. But after everything that has happened in the past months, she must lie low. Himari is lost in her thoughts when the bell chimes, signaling the entrance of a customer.
"Why are we here, Allan? I thought you said you wanted some ice cream," the male with dark olive-brown hair said. The black-haired male laughed before saying.
"Yep! That's why we're here! I want some affogato!"
"You really need to tone down your caffeine!"
"Umm... Welcome. May I take your orders?" Himari said quite awkwardly because of their conversation.
"Oh! Yep, I want some affogato!" the black-haired man said happily.
"Dude, what do you want?" the black-haired man named Allan said as he turned around to look at his friend. He saw his friend staring at the cashier, so he nudged him. This made him look at him, smiling apologetically.
"Umm, yeah. I want one cappuccino, please!"
"Will that be all?"
"Oh! A strawberry shortcake, too!" Allan said happily.
"Okay, then, please wait for your orders!" Himari said. The dark olive-haired man continues to stare at Himari. His friend notices this and nudges him.
"Heh? Caught your eye?" the male looks at him and smiles happily.
"Yep!" he glances at Himari again.
"It feels like I have seen her before."