Chapter 32：Big Brother is Going to Back to Work

"Dear, Hamada-san is visiting," Takeshi's mother informs him from the door. Takeshi nods then looks back at the monitor, writing a short line, "I have to go, we'll continue later, OK?"

After making sure the message is sent, Takeshi shuts down his laptop. He gets up from the bed and puts the thing that has accompanied him for three days to the table beside his bed. He touches up his appearance for little before walking to the living room to meet his boss, the director of the agency and production house company.

"How are you, Takeshi ? Feeling better ?" Mr. Hamada says when he saw Takeshi. Takeshi nods then bends his body to give him respect, "I'm very good. Thank you for your concern." Takeshi's eyes accidentally glance at Hiroshi who sits beside Mr. Hamada while pouting. Takeshi grins to see his assistant's sour face then sits across them.

Mr. Hamada smiles and stares at him. "What did the doctor says ?" he asks. "The doctor said my ulcer is getting better now, " Takeshi answers is replied with a relieved smiles from both Hiroshi and Mr. Hamada. "I'm glad to hear it," Mr. Hamada, says.

Takeshi's mother comes bringing drinks for them. "But the doctor also said that you need to pay attention to your health. The wound in your ulcer can not be fully healed, it will be wounded again if you don't take care of it," she says it gentle while placing the drinks on the table. "どうぞ (Dou zo - Please)," she offers the drinks to her guests.

"Mom, I'm okay now," Takeshi says to deny his mother's words. Mr. Hamada smiles but keeps his words until the woman goes back to the kitchen. He then turns to Takeshi.

"The schedules for the two movies are in mess. The production costs has been doubled. If you are feeling better.. then I hope tomorrow..." Mr. Hamada hangs his words instead continues it with his sight. Takeshi understands it. Takeshi glances at Hiroshi who drops his head and shaking it slow. In the kitchen, his mother stops her move.

Takeshi faintly smile. "I understand. Alright, tomorrow I will come to the filming set," he decides. Mr. Hamada widely smiles in instant, while Hiroshi has wry smile and his mother can only bite her lip.

"Beside, for four days I've done nothing but sleeping makes my body stiff," Takeshi continues to answer a disappointed look from Hiroshi.

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"Tomorrow ? so, you're saying that you're already well now ?"

"Yes, much better. Now I'm ready to work again."

"I'm relieved to hear it. I'm sure all of your fans happy to see you again tomorrow."

"And you ? Aren't you happy ?"

"Xiao Ping ??"

"Of course I'm happy ☺ it just … " Xiao Ping halts her typing. She thinks it is not proper to say her worry. "I thought you need couple of days for resting. I mean … I'm still worried about your health."

"You're just like my mom ☺ she said the same words. But for me 4 days are enough. I can't be selfish, laid back while other movie crews get confused by this delay."

"So nice of you …" Thinking of how selfish she was, Xiao Ping feels ashamed. "I think you're the nicest person I've ever met," Xiao Ping glances at Yu Jin behind him, "you and Yu Jin."

Takeshi frowns, "Yu Jin ?"

"He's my friend at work. you both are a very nice person. I'm so lucky having friends like you guys."

"I thought he's your boyfriend."

"No, I don't have boyfriend ☺. I consider him as a big brother."

Takeshi smiles to read it. Xiao Ping is so innocent. He can not help to let a tease to her, "And me ?"

Xiao Ping's eyes wide shot to read the question. Her heart beats fast. Should she admit her feeling ? What if Takeshi laugh at it ? "You are my big brother, too ☺ That if you want it to. I'm the eldest at my family, so I want to have elder brother."

Takeshi chuckles. "Okay, I'd love to be your big brother ☺. Having this kind of conversation with you really cheers me up. Maybe that's why I get well so fast."

Takeshi sighs, his smile fades a little, "Actually, I'm afraid we can't talk this intimately again in the future. I might be so busy so I don't have time to."

Once again, Xiao Ping's eyes wide open. She does not expect she would share the same concern as Takeshi. That fact makes her relieved. Turns out Takeshi still wants to keep in touch with her, too.

"It's okay, we still can communicate with email, just like before, right ? I'll write what has happened to me, and you'll write me yours."

"You're right. I'll try to manage my time so I can email you everyday."

"It'll be so great. But don't push yourself for it. I'll understand if you can't write me that often."

"I will do it. I promise" One thousand and three hundreds miles apart, both Xiao Ping and Takeshi smile at the same time.

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The next morning, Takeshi's arrival at the filming set has been awaited by reporters and fans. As usual, once the back door of the white SUV is opened, ear-piercing screams immediately heard. Takeshi comes down from the car and walks across the crowd. Once in a while he waves and shakes hand. Pinches on his cheeks, pulls on his hair, and grabs on his hands and chest does not loosen the smile on his face.

Takeshi walks toward a room that is prepared for press conference. The company needs to hold a press conference to straighten up all gossip and rumors about Takeshi. Yesterday Mr. Hamada asked Takeshi to keep a secret about his ulcer injury. He was afraid that the company will receive terror from his fans.