Chapter 163：Let's Not Wonder about The Future

Ting !

A notification sound is heard. Takeshi raises his tired body to take his cellular from the bedside. He does it not even with a thought. He lets a thin wry smile when he knows who chat him. "I'm sorry. my schedule is very tight lately. I will visit you next weekend. Is it okay ?" he then replies Aiko's chat who asked where he has been lately. "Of course it is. I'm going to sleep now. You should, too. Sleep well. おやすみ (Oyasumi - Good Night)," Aiko replies his chat, then gives him a love emoji. Takeshi sends her a good night greeting also before puts back his cellular on the bedside. He then sighs. It is so stupid of him when he still reflexively jolts and grabs his cellular every time the chat notification rings, even after these months. She blocks you. There is no way she chats you. His mind scolds him. I know, his heart whispers painfully, but I miss her a lot. His gaze stares in daze to the ceiling.

More than thousand miles away, Xiao Ping's index finger is halting in front of an OK button on her cellular. The black and white monitor is displaying a text to confirm whether she likes to unblock an account. She really wants to unblock Takeshi. Maybe.. it is okay to still chat as friends. He is moving on. Maybe he has no more feeling toward her and considers her only as friend. So it will be safe, won't it ? But.. your feeling never considers him as friend, doesn't it ? You will be hurt more to know that he only take you as friend. Xiao Ping bites her lips. After a long battle in her own mind, she shifts her finger to the Cancel button and presses it.

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"These are some drafts of movie scenarios offered to you. They all are Hollywood movies. Mr. Waseda said, you better choose 2 of them as a start," Hiroshi says to Takeshi while handing a pile of clipped documents. Hiroshi then grins toward Takeshi, "You really made the best decision by accepting his offer." Takeshi gives him a crooked smile. "I was not the one who decide it, actually," he says in gloom. Hiroshi makes small nods. "What do you think she's doing right now ?" Takeshi asks him in vain. "Who ? Xiao Ping ? How should I know.. She only chatted me once after you broke up," Hiroshi answers him. Takeshi sighs. "I'm worry about her," he utters. Hiroshi clicks his tongue. "You just miss her. I'm sure she is fine. She has Yu Jin, remember ?" Hiroshi's answers makes Takeshi even sadder. "How is your thing with Aiko ?" Hiroshi asks to change the topic. "Fine. She is just a happy simple girl. Even though she is sick and weak, she still keeps her spirit high," Takeshi answers with a thin smile remembering that petit girl. "I bet you have something to do with her high spirit," Hiroshi utters. "Maybe.."

Takeshi's cellular is ringing. "もしもし (Moshimoshi - Hello), Waseda-san," Takeshi greets the caller. "Takeshi, you will be performing at the Japan Music Award next week, right ?" Mr. Waseda asks him. "Yes, Sir. Hiroshi already confirmed it to the committee," Takeshi answers. "Hmm.. Good. Then.. would it be a trouble if I asked you to invite Aiko as your partner ? I mean.. for that event," Mr. Waseda asks him in polite. Of course, even when Mr. Waseda doesn't give any pressure, Takeshi won't be able to reject his request. "S..sure, Sir. I will ask the committee an extra invitation," Takeshi responds him. "No need. She can have my invitation. I can't attend it due to my business trip. So she will represent my company. But I need your favor to escort her since she has never attended this kind of event," Mr. Waseda explains to him. "Of course, Sir. Let assure I'll be taking good care of her," Takeshi says to assure the man.

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A black Roll-Royce limousine stops right at the gate where the red carpet starts. Takeshi comes out of the limousine with a gentle smile plastered on his face. Screams of his fans welcome him. He raises his hand to wave to his fans before stiffens it in front of the opened car door.

A woman's hand reaches for his arm to find a support before the owner slowly comes out of the limousine. Aiko looks stunning with her dusty pink long dress. The dress is strapless with a mermaid cut on below. She covers her bare shoulder with a short bolero that the cutting emphasizes her body. No one can guess she only has one breast. Her hair is made into a loose french bun and her make up is soft, makes her look fresh and yet elegant at the same time.

When she makes her first step, she is stuttered a little bit, but Takeshi holds her so firmly that she manages not to fall. Aiko looks at Takeshi face with a nervous face. Takeshi calms her down with his smile and also pets on her hand. "Let's go," Takeshi whispers to her ear before leads her to walk on the red carpet. With a grey triple suit that matches Aiko's dress, Takeshi looks incredibly handsome. His purposely disheveled hair makes him look like a naughty prince charming. His fans scream all along the red carpet. He continually waving to them with a wide smile.

When they arrive at the media area, reporters immediately attack them with hundreds of similar questions,

"Are you guys dating ?"

"Is she your new girlfriend ?"

Aiko is scare. Her face is tense. Takeshi makes a gesture to tell her to hide behind his back a little while he is answering those questions, "Until now.. we're just friends."

"So will it become more than just friends in the future ?" a reporter pursues.

"Let's not wonder about the future and just enjoy the present," Takeshi gives a diplomatic answer. A man from the committee then guides them to leave the media spot toward the photo spot. The media takes the couple poses for several time, before they are once again leaded to enter the building.