"Please tell me that's all of it..."
The manager giggled as she picked up the stack of papers that [first name] just read and signed, "Yep." she said, smiling at her.
[first name] stretched her arms as she stood up from the chair, "then I guess, we're done here?" she asked, smiling back at her. Her manager hummed in response as she put all the papers inside a box, "Let me drive you home." she offered, checking the time in her watch. [first name] looked at her phone to check the time as well, and it's currently 4:32 pm.
"I actually have somewhere to go.." said [first name], thinking about her deceased cousin, who she's going to visit.
Her manager placed the box under her desk then turned to look at her, "Okay, then I'll take you there." she said to me. "I don't want my precious pregnant model wandering all by herself..and since I know that her husband is still busy in their pet shop.." she added.
[first name] stared at her, blinking. Ever since she started working with her manager—she's nothing but nice to her, she doesn't treat her like she's only working with her, no—she treats her like a friend—like a daughter rather, since her manager is 5 years older than her, so she's much maturer than her.
[first name] couldn't control her emotions, tears began streaming down her face as she stares at her manager.
Her manager flinched, "E-Eh???? What's wrong??? Did I say something wro—" she stopped when [first name] ran to her. Her eyes slightly widened when [first name] hugged her. "[first name]-chan..?"
"Thank you...for everything. You're the best manager ever." said [first name] between her sobs, hugging her more.
Her manager's shocked expression softened, she smiled as she hugged [first name] back. "Aw..I should be the one thanking you, dear.."
[first name] pulled away, still staring at her with her glossy eyes. "I'm gonna m-miss you when I take a break from being a boring model.." she said, as she sobbed harder.
Despite being weirded out by [first name]'s hormones, she gave her a warm smile and said, "[first name], darling, it's way too early to say that...you'll only have your break when you're already 4 months pregnant.."
[first name] sniffed, "But still.." she couldn't finish her words so instead—she sobbed harder.
Her manager sighed, "How about you call your husband and update him, and after that, we'll hit the road.." she said warmly.
[first name] wiped her tears and nodded, "Okay.." she said, pulling out her phone.
Chifuyu
"Thank you, come again." I said, smiling and waving at the customer as he leaves. He smiled and waved back at me before he disappeared, then my attention went to Kazutora.
He was moping the floor, because he accidentally spilled water from one of the fish bowls. "I told you to be careful..that gold fish almost died." I said, pointing at the fish bowl, with the gold fish in it.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever.." said Kazutora, still mopping the floor.
Then my phone rang, I immediately picked it up, "Chifuyu Matsuno speaking,"
"Babe, it's me."
It was [first name], and she sounded really..happy.
"Oh hey, babe, how did it go?" I asked, putting it on speaker so Kazutora can hear her.
"Everything went well, I've signed a lot of papers, and met a lot of fashion designers..and all of them actually wants to have me.."
"That's great!" I said, obviously proud for her.
"Yeah..but at the same time I'm not really happy about it..because I'll be busy this whole month.."
Then Kazutora butted in, "Why not turn down some of the offers then? You're pregnant [first name], you shouldn't be working so much.." he said, leaning against the counter.
"Well, it's kinda too late for that.."
"But you already told the industry about your pregnancy, right?" I said. She hummed before saying, "And they said I can take a long break when I'm 4 months pregnant, meaning they won't let me work until I give birth."
That's good. I'm glad the industry's fine with her being pregnant. I remember them saying that they don't really allow their models to get pregnant..but I guess they all know that firing my wife is gonna be huge mistake, since she is the reason why their industry got famous.
"By the way, are you on your way to the cemetery now?" I asked, looking at the screen of my phone, where her face and number is displayed.
"Yep. I was planning on taking a cab to go there but my manager offered to drive me there." she explained, I may not see her but I can sense her smiling as she talks.
"That's nice of her, can you tell her that I say thank you for doing that." I said.
She chuckled softly, "Will do."
"I'll pick you up later, okay? There's still an hour left before I close the shop and I'm still waiting for our regular customer to pick up what he ordered from us." I said, looking at my watch.
"Yeah, sure, I'll wait for you."
"Don't talk to fans and strangers, okay?" said Kazutora, in a teasing tone. "Geez, you sound like my mom, Kazutora." she said, chuckling a little. After that, she ended out call.
I sighed heavily as I put my phone back inside my pocket, sitting back. I hope our regular customer comes here soon, it's gonna get dark soon and I don't want [first name] to wait too long in the cemetery.
"Oh! Chifuyu! Can I leave early?" said Kazutora, taking off his apron. I raised a brow at him, "Why?"
"I'm actually meeting Takemichi, he and I are..going somewhere." he said, looking away from me.
I gave him a serious look, "Kazutora-kun, if you're taking Takemitchy to a bar again, Hina's not gonna be happy..." I said, remembering how drunk Takemitchy was when he last went out with Kazutora. "She might strangle Takemitchy to death with her wedding gown.." I added.
Kazutora flinched, "W-We're not going to a bar! [first name] might get mad at me if I do that again.." he said, slightly shivering when he mentioned his nonbiological sister.
"Yeah, yeah. Just go already, and can you please not leave the shop with the spare key of my house? again?" I said, showing him an open palm, gesturing him to give me the key that I'm referring to.
He groaned, pulling something out from the pocket of his jacket. "It's not like I'm gonna break into your house..again.." he said, with his hand still in his pocket. Ever since this guy discovered the spare key that I'm leaving here in the shop, he would always break into our house and eat our cookies—my cookies. The cookies that [first name] always bakes for me, only for me.
I just stared at him, waiting for him to hand over the key.
He groaned lazily at me again, "Fine.." he said as he finally gave me the key.
———
[first name]
"I'm so sorry if I haven't been visiting you that much, Keisuke.." I said, staring at the flowers that I bought for him along the way here. "You understand, right?" I said, smiling at him.
Keisuke Baji
November 3, 1990 - October 31, 2005
My manager already left moments ago. She wanted to stay to keep me company, but knowing her, she's a single mom and has 3 kids to take care of—so I told her to go home to her kids instead of babysitting a pregnant woman..
I let out a heavy sigh, still standing in front of Keisuke's grave, then I began telling him everything what's been happening to me, "I've been very busy lately, and our pet shop's getting pretty well known in the area.." I said. I couldn't help but smile as I remember how Keisuke used to love animals, and I remember him saying that he wanted to own a pet shop back then.
"Chifuyu's working hard as I am.." I couldn't help but to smile again. Chifuyu didn't become a pilot like he always dreamed of becoming but..he's really happy with the pet shop that we own.
I took a deep breath and continued talking to him, "By the way, I haven't told you the good news..." I said to him,
"You're going to be an uncle.."
It was quiet, as always. I know it's stupid to think that he'll respond to me..—Not that I want him to. If he did, I'll literally be scared to death and immediately leave this place.
"When I told Mom and Auntie the news, they were so happy and excited to become grandmas, they even cried." I said, laughing a little. "Everyone already knows about me being pregnant..you're actually that last one I told.."
I slightly flinched when somethi—someone came into my mind..
..Mikey.
If only we're still in good terms. I would probably tell him the news too, but sadly—we're not. I tried contacting him..just to talk to him again but he blocked my number. I tried going to where Bonten usually hangs out but whenever I go there.. the place was always empty.
I didn't go around asking about Bonten, 'cause that's a dangerous thing for me to do..so I tried other ways on finding him, and heck, I even tried finding Sanzu—because I'm sure that crackhead is always with him.
I wonder how Mikey would react if he heard about me being pregnant..
Does he really not want to talk to any of us?
to me..?
I took a deep breath and tried shaking off the thought, and controlling my emotions—but I just can't..
..I'm sorry, Keisuke..
I tried..but I couldn't help him..
He kept pushing me away..
I bit my lip, still trying to control myself and trying my best not to shed a tear. "I'm sorry, Keisuke.." I gulped, "I tried..I really tried but Mikey is—"
"I'm what, [first name]?"
I gasped when I heard a very familiar voice behind me. I can feel my whole body getting cold.
..is this real..?
Or I'm just hearing and imagining things?
Then I began to hear footsteps coming from behind me, it became louder..and louder every second.
"I heard about the news. Congratulations to you and Chifuyu.." said the person behind me. I flinched when I confirmed who that person was. There's no way I'm wrong..
I can feel my whole body getting colder and my heart was beating so fast. "W-What are you doing here, Mikey?" I managed to say, not turning to look at him.
I heard him stopped in his tracks, and I can sense that he's—standing right behind me.
"To talk." he said in a very cold tone, making my skin crawl. "Why?" I asked, trying to sound brave.
Why in the world would he want to talk to me? It's very unlike him to want to talk to me.
I heard him let out a heavy sigh, then I felt something—touching the back of my head.
My eyes grew wide in realizing what that possible object is. I stood still, not daring to move a muscle.
"Let's just say that you have a lot to explain.." he said in a dark tone.
I may not see what he's holding to my head but I'm certain that..
..it's a gun.
third person
"Listen up, boys!" Sanzu shouted, to get all of the members of Bonten's attention. The higher ups were all in front, with Sanzu. And all of them were wearing serious looks.
"The boss isn't around because he said that he's gonna go to a cemetery to visit someone dear to him!" Sanzu announced. That's when some of the members exchanged weird looks and some began whispering,
"That's it? They called us here just to tell us that?" one of them said, "You've got to be shittin' me.." the other responded.
"I know he's our boss and all, but I don't really give a damn if he's not around."
"Right?"
Koko got annoyed with the whispers and yelled, "SHUT UP!"
It immediately went silent, dead silent.
Koko cleared his throat, "There are some people going to our old spots, and at the same time, they're searching for information about us—about our boss." he said.
Kakucho took a step forward and spoke, "They've been doing that for weeks now, and we're sure that their main goal is to see the boss."
"We're telling you this because Mikey wants all of us to be aware!" said Sanzu.
Moments later the meeting has ended, Mochi yawned as he walked around the area, with his hands inside his pockets. Ran looked through the window and saw that it's already dark outside, "Hmm..I wonder what's taking him so long." said Ran.
Sanzu was sitting on a fuzzy couch and shrugged, "He said he's just gonna visit some dead people.." he said in a bored tone. "and he even said that he wouldn't be gone for too long" he added, looking at his watch.
Koko frowned and looked over at Sanzu, "Hey, Sanzu, why the hell would you show them a picture of [first name]?" he questioned, slightly annoyed.
"Huh?" Sanzu looked back at him, slightly annoyed, "That bitch broke her promise to Mikey about keeping what she knows about him a secret." he said.
Koko's brows furrowed, "You idiot, you really think she would do a stunt like that?"
Everyone noticed Koko's tone changing, and it was obvious that he was getting annoyed.
"Are they gonna fight?" Rindo asked, watching the scene. "I hope so." said Ran, smirking.
Sanzu stood up from the couch, "What did you just call me?"
"Hey, Crackhead, Rich girl, knock it off.." said Mochi, frowning at them. Takeomi wasn't amused with the names that Mochi just called them, he gave him a serious look and said, "Rich girl? Really?"
"[first name] doesn't look like the type of person who breaks promises." said Koko. "That girl cares too much for the boss, she wouldn't just spread our secrets just like that." he added.
"Oh yeah?! How the hell do you know all of that?" Sanzu yelled right at his face.
Koko stared at him, "It's kinda obvious and she knows the consequences if she truly did that. I don't know if you're blind or just really stupid.." he said coldly.
Sanzu growled at him.
"He's right, Sanzu. The boss might get mad at you for showing them a picture of [first name]. His orders were only to inform them about the people asking about Bonten, not show them their identities." said Kakucho, scowling at the pink-haired man.
"I just showed them what that bitch looks like! It's not like I ordered them to kill her when they see her!" Sanzu yelled.
Then silence filled the entire room as they all stare at each other, all imagining the possible scenarios that might happen when Mikey finds out about what Sanzu just did.
Ran laughed, breaking the silence, "Mikey's not gonna be happy if he finds out." he said.
"That is if. If he finds out.." said Rindo, grinning at Sanzu.
Takeomi blew smoke out of his mouth and threw his used cigarette behind him, "Let's just hope he doesn't ask." he said.
——
Mikey was pointing the gun directly at [first name]'s head from behind. His tired-looking eyes were focused on her, he may not see [first name]'s face—but he knows what she's feeling at the moment.
Confused.
Nervous.
Scared.
Despite what she's feeling at the moment, [first name] remained still, not wanting to move a muscle—she was even holding her breath until—
Mikey broke the silence, "We had a deal, [first name]."
[first name] let out a soft gasp, she knows what their deal was, what she doesn't is that—why is he mentioning that at the moment?
Mikey narrowed his eyes, a bit annoyed with [first name]'s silence. "You should talk while you still can." he said, pressing the gun against the back of her head.
[first name] flinched, "Yes. I know about our deal." she said.
"Then why the hell were you going around the city with Takemitchy and Kazutora? We had an agreement, [first name]. You promised that you wouldn't tell a single soul about me. And Bonten.." he said, showing no emotions.
[first name]'s eyes widened in realization, thinking that Mikey must've saw her with Kazutora and Takemichu and he must've gotten the wrong idea. Her face immediately turned expressionless, "If you're thinking that I told them about what I know about Bonten, you're wrong." she said coldly.
Mikey tilted his head, still holding the gun to the back of her head.
"I don't know if I'm right but," she started, slowly turning around to face him. Once her cold looking eyes landed on Mikey's dead-looking ones, she immediately spoke, "You must've saw me with them near your old hideouts..They were searching information about you on their own, I'm not the one who told them about you, and Bonten."
Mikey was still gripping the gun, "Then why are you with them that time?" he asked, in his usual dark tone.
It became quiet for a moment, [first name] took a deep breath, not knowing if Mikey will believe what she's about to say, "Believe me or not, I tried stopping them."
Mikey stared at her, completely emotionless as always. He sighed, putting his gun down. [first name] was a little relieved when he did that.
"What's their main goal? Why the hell are they looking for me?" he asked.
[first name] looked down, with a sad look on her face and said, "Isn't it obvious.."
"Hm?" Mikey hummed, waiting for her next words.
"They want to see you—Takemitchy wants to see you." she said, with her eyes looking back at Mikey.
Mikey stayed quiet, staring at her.
"They've been trying to look for you for weeks now. When I caught them in the act, I immediately tried stopping them because I know how your organization works.." said [first name], giving Mikey a sad look.
"but Takemitchy really wants to talk to you.." she added.
Mikey closed his eyes, "Let me guess, he just came back." he said.
"He came back from the past months ago." she corrected.
Mikey was taken aback, but he remained giving her an expressionless face and stayed quiet.
"He's worried for you, Mikey. We all are." she said, remembering the time when everyone close to them opened the time capsule—the time when she discovered what was written in Mikey's letter.
Mikey let out another heavy sigh and turned his back on her, "Tell Takemitchy to stop being stupid." that's all what he can say. Then he began walking away from her.
[first name] doesn't know why, but she just let her tears stream down her face . It really pains her to watch him walk away from her like that—this wasn't the first time, but it still makes her heart ache.
Then an idea came into her mind, her eyes widened by the sudden thought.
"M-Mikey!!" she called.
Mikey stopped in his tracks, but he didn't turn to face her one last time.
"Meet me at the old bowling arena tomorrow!" she yelled at the top of her lungs so he can hear her.
Mikey stayed quiet, listening to her words. [first name] sniffed and wiped some of her tears off her face, "Unblock my number! So I can tell you when I'm already there!" she added.
After that, Mikey proceeded walking away from her in silence, and moments later—he's out of her sight.
[first name] turned and looked down at her cousin's grave, "You saw how he has changed..the Mikey that we know isn't here anymore.." she said, with her eyes still glossy.
Another tear escaped her left eyes as she stares at the grave, she couldn't help but to think that her cousin isn't happy to see Mikey being like that—especially in that state.
She used her sleeve to wipe off her tears, "But don't worry, I'm still not giving up.." she said, forcing herself to be determined. "I know that you, Emma, and Shinichiro-san wouldn't want Mikey to be like that forever.." she added, letting out a weak smile.
Then she heard a horn of a car from afar, making her jump a little. She quickly turned and saw a car, pulling up outside the cemetery. She immediately recognized the car, and it was her husband's.
Chifuyu got of the car, whistling a song while playing with his keys a little. [first name] immediately wiped all of her tears and fixing herself a little, she took deep breaths to calm
herself .
"Hey, sorry for making you wait. You ready to go?" said Chifuyu as he stood beside her, looking at her lovingly then he noticed her nose is a little red.
[first name] forced a weak smile and gave him a small nod.
"Why do you look like you just cried?" he asked, giving her a confused look.
[first name] laughed weakly at him, "I was only talking to Keisuke, then I got all emotional.." she said, obviously not telling him the real story behind her red nose and slightly glossy eyes.
Chifuyu believed her, he chuckled at his wife. "Those hormones of yours are really something, huh?" he said, putting an arm
around her shoulders, gently pulling her close to him.
[first name] smiled at him, "Yeah.." she said, wrapping an arm around his waist.
Chifuyu turned with his arm still around [first name], "Let's go home." he said as he and [first name] began walking away from Baji's grave.