Chapter 101：Stupid Act

Being helped by security, Takeshi walks out of the stuffy room behind him, leaving the shouts of reporters, that sounded like thunderstorm, and blitzes that non stop on. While leaning his body to the elevator wall, a sigh and snort are slipped from his mouth. His blank eyes that staring at his shoes, catch but don't care about another shadow that also comes in to the elevator and stands beside him. The elevator door is closed. As the engine starts buzzing, the elevator moves upward.

"You are drunk," Miyu rebukes him with a whispery voice. Takeshi stares at her with the corner of his eyes then lets a mockery smile. "Did you like it ?" Takeshi asks in return. making Miyu gasps. "No," Miyu answers short while staring straight at the elevator door. He deepens his mockery smile to see the blush on Miyu's face telling him the contrary.

"You did told her, didn't you ?" Miyu investigates. Seeing Takeshi doesn't say a word, Miyu stares at him in disbelief. "Stupid! You really are stupid!" Miyu curses between annoyed and in desperate dealing with Takeshi.

"You have to tell her everything," she says. "It's a must!" Miyu asserts before comes out from the elevator.

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"… That's the whole truth. I realize you may not believe me, after all what I've done. And I sincerely regret my decision not to tell you from the beginning. Please, forgive me. I love you, Shiawase."

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"Then.. what did you tell her ?" Hiroshi asks after in silent for some moment with Takeshi is sitting down in front of him. Takeshi raises his head a little, just enough to glance at Hiroshi.

"Everything," Takeshi answers. "Everything ?" Hiroshi asks disbelief. "I can't afford to lie to her anymore," Takeshi explains with a tone that begs to be understood, "at least, let me be honest to her."

Hiroshi glances at him. "Do you think she will believe you ? I mean .. after your kiss bonus ?" Hiroshi satirizes. Takeshi sighs. ,"I don't know. I hope so," he answers doubtfully. It's Hiroshi's turn to sigh.

"You.. Why are you always extreme ? Can't you just announce without a kiss ? Just think about it, what advantage you will get ?" Hiroshi snaps both in upset and regret. Takeshi doesn't say a word. But his whole body's aura tells how much he regrets what he did yesterday. Stupid act due to a bottle of cognac.

"Well, I hope she can accept your explanation," Hiroshi says. He is about to continue his saying when cellular on the table vibrates. When it is still vibrating for numerous times Hiroshi turns to Takeshi. "Don't you want to accept it ?" Hiroshi asks, confused. Takeshi just shakes his head.

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With an extremely tired feeling, Takeshi turns off his laptop. There is no reply from Xiao Ping. Of course, Stupid ! his heart scolds. What do you expect ? She forgives you just like that ? Even so, he really anticipates an email from Xiao Ping. Even if the email is full of scolding and cursing.

The cellular on the coffee table is vibrating again, for numerous times. That must be his mother. Since noon his mother has kept on trying to contact him. Takeshi already can guess what she is about to talk. The problem is, he still doesn't know what should he say to his mother. Takeshi's head is pulsing. He closes his eyes to suppress the pulse. The problem is just getting complicated.

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"In a minute ..." Hiroshi grumbles. While covers his waist with bath towel, he comes out of the bathroom, drying his feet before approaching his bed where his cellular lies. "もしもし (Moshi moshi - Hello)," he is saying a greeting after putting the cellular near his ear. "Hayashi-san," the greeting voice across the line makes Hiroshi wide-eyed. Though he doesn't know the number, but he recognizes the voice. It is the voice of.. "I'm Hasegawa Yoshiko, Takeshi's mom," she explains. "Y..yes, Aunty," Hiroshi stutters, "How are you ?"

Instead of answering his question, Takeshi's mother scatters him with question, "What's really happening ? Why did Takeshi admit in a relationship with that actress ? Doesn't he have a girlfriend at Taiwan ?"

"A.. ano.."

"What are you guys planning ? Is he only playing with the Taiwanese girl ?"

"Aunty.. it is not like what you think," Hiroshi answers in abruptness. "Then tell me what has really happened ?" Mrs. Hasegawa pursues. Hiroshi scratches his hear while rounding around, his one hand is holding his almost fall towel.

"Hiroshi.. tell me the truth," Mrs. Hasegawa says unnegotiable. Hiroshi is stunned for a moment, then sighs. "So, it's like this.."

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Takeshi awakes with a short tingling vibrate in his hand. With a half-open eyes he sees his cellular. A short message from Hiroshi. Takeshi opens it while yawning. But his sleepiness disappears when he read the message: Forgive me. Your mom knows our play. She forced me to tell, but I only said it is for promotion. You better call her.

Takeshi makes a little curse. While petting his cellular he sits up from his sleeping position on the couch. Then, with full hesitation, Takeshi pushes some numbers he remembers by heart on his cellular before brings it up to his ear. "お母さん (Okasan - Mom)," he greets softly, almost like a little kid woos his mother. There is no response from across except a deep inhale.

"お母さん,ごめんなさい (Okasan, gomenasai - Mom, forgive me)," Takeshi asks. His request is responded by a three whole seconds of silence. "I'm disappointed of you," Mrs. Hasegawa says in a muffled voice. Takeshi doesn't mutter. "I want you to tell the truth to the media, Takeshi. That poor girl doesn't deserve this," His mother orders. "I can't, mom. I have a contract," Takeshi rejects.

"What kind of contract ? What company that telling its employee to lie like this ?!" Mrs. Hasegawa attacks.

"Mom.. you don't understand..."

"And you ... Is wealth already blinded you ?" Mrs. Hasegawa accuses him.

"It's not like that, Mom..," Takeshi denies.

"Then what is it ?!!" His mother demands the truth. Takeshi doesn't say a word. He doesn't want to tell the truth.

"Why did you sell your love like this, Takeshi ?" His mother asks in full disappointment. The question hits Takeshi right in the heart. "I had to, Mom.." Takeshi answers, biting his lower lips to suppress his eyes that are starting to heat up to not shed a tear. "Had to ? What's going on ?" Mrs Hasegawa asks is now in worry. Vaguely she can sense the big burden that squeezes her son. "No..nothing, Mom," Takeshi avoids with a chocking sound.

"Takeshi.. what is it, dear ?" The tenderness of his mother's voice breaks Takeshi into tears. Takeshi squeezes the nose part between his eyes to stop his sob. "I.. I borrowed money from the company, Mom," finally he admits, "and they made me do this."

"Borrowing money ? But.. they can't.. Oh, Takeshi.. how much ?" Mrs. Hasegawa asks. She reflexively covers her mouth and lets a small scream when Takeshi told het the amount.

"Wh.. why did you need that amount of money ?" Mrs. Hasegawa in pale face asks. "I.. It's.. to pay off Goro's debt," Takeshi answers weak. "I.. I don't want you to lose our house," he adds. "Takeshi ...," his mother hisses in between feel sorry and touched.