Shizu came back to the wardrobe room with a bag of onigiri for her team mate. They were worried about her as she came back with swollen eyes but as usual Shizu just laughed it off. She asked Andy for a quick makeover to hide her gloomy eyes. The pink haired man gave her a pair of eye mask and let her use them to treat her swollen eyes before doing the makeup. Shizu was very grateful for her supportive team.
After the quick makeover from Andy, Shizu headed to the studio and everybody was surprised to see her. She appeared okay and not bothered. People were making a lot of rumors behind her back.
'Shameless!'
'Erika Itoh is dating Kira Atsui, but Shizu Katagiri the ex girlfriend is still in love with him and keeps seducing him so Kira kissed his girlfriend to make a statement.'
'It served her right!'
They threw her disgusted looks but Shizu had decided that they were not worth her time and energy. She just had to finish the job for a month then she'd be out.
She would no longer bother to apologize nor seek for explanation from Kira. She did her part and did not get the result that she wanted. Too bad but oh well. At least, she was being brave and honest about her feeling.
And at least now Mr. Shigeoka would not tell her to stay away from Kira so she could finish her job properly until Ayu return.
"And action!"
The filming was taking place. Shizu was standing beside Andy to watch the show. She would look at anyone but Kira as she tried to numb her heart from the pain. She only wanted to finish her job.
Erika Itoh was sitting beside the director as she watched the show from one of the cameras. She looked so bright, the smile wouldn't leave her thin face.
After this section, all stars would have to change their outfit with a big dinosaur costume so Le Sucre crew started to carry the costume boxes.
The boxes were not heavy but very big, you had to carry it one by one and you had to walk in a clear pathway as the box blocked your sight. The PD forbad them from using trolley, as the sound might get recorded so yeah it was a manual labor. Shizu was the last one to bring the box and she followed Andy from behind.
She could sense someone put an obstacle on her way, she fell instantly then she saw a unicorn prop falling on her.
"Gyaaaahh!!"
A man grabbed her wrist then pulled her to his side. Shizu's body was trembling as she looked at the shattered unicorn prop in horror. How could that thing fall from the ceilling?
The shooting was put to a halt. She got all of the attention. Mr. Shigeoka the FD approached her in a rush to see if she was ok.
"Ms. Katagiri are you okay? Call mr Fuji! Bring the prop manager to me!" He yelled while stepping closer.
The tall man pulled her to his back side, shielding her from everyone that tried to approach her.
"No one comes close." He didn't shout but his voice was loud and clear.
"I will have a word with you later." He said to Mr. Shigeoka. You could tell that he was really irritated from his tone.
Kira got up from his seat instantly but stopped after taking a single step when he saw that Shizu was ok. He could see a very tall guy standing between Shizu and the FD.
Shizu looked up. A guy just saved her.
Half of his face was hidden by a shade and a cap. He was wearing all black but his visible features and tall frame were too dazzling you could not help but staring at him. Wait, why did he look so familiar?
He took her away but then realized she was limping. So she carried her in his arms then strode away, leaving the studio.
Shizu still could not grasp the situation she was in as everything happened so fast. Someone just tried to hurt her, right? Then who is this guy again?
"Excuse me.." - Shizu.
He sat her on a sofa that was located in a quiet café. Only a few people knew about that café's whereabout, as it was located in the corner. He ran to the front door, put the 'Closed' sign then went to the bar with a stack of cash.
"Please remain closed until we're done."
He rushed back to Shizu, lowered his body then started removing her flat shoes.
"I didn't know RHK was this careless. And you, should not push yourself." He said after exposing her slightly purple ankle.
Shizu could hear him underline the word 'Not' but said nothing, as she was staring at the guy and studying him closely. She ignored her painful ankle and narrowed her eyes. She looked up as she was trying to meet his eyes, giving him a closer look like she was trying to discover the biggest mystery in the century.
The guy realized that she would not listen to any words he said so he removed his shades and cap at once.
Her eyes rounded, the corners of her mouth slid upwards. Her eyes were sparkling and she couldn't help but pointing him with her finger.
"Lee Changhyuk! It's you right? It is really you! Are you fully recovered now?"
How could she look so happy? Did she not remember the thing that just happened to her?
Without realizing it, the look on his face softened and he started breathing slowly. He could see the girl that had occupied his mind eversince he saw her.
He had a lot of things to tell her but nothing came out of his mouth. The phone in his pocket vibrated and he knew what that meant. It was a notification from the airline company's app. He was supposed to catch a flight to Kyoto for a medical check-up, but there he was, failing to brush the image of her crying alone. He was a first class passenger, they would wait for him- he kept convincing himself.
He did not realize that he was letting himself drowning in that moment. For the very first time, he had a clear look on that face. They had many encounters but most of them were one sided.
His mind took him to the first time he saw her in Saint Lazarus' swimming pool, he gave her his favorite handkerchief as she kept looking down and all gloomy in the elevator. He still could feel how that small body trembled as she was desperately bracing his tall form throughout the chaotic night. Her surprised face when he opened his eyes briefly when they were hiding behind a convenience store. A glimpse of her sleeping face that was half burried between her arms when he was hospitalized- he did not know which of them made him come to Japan and look for her.
Was he trying to pay her back for her kindness?
Shizu was still smiling at him. She shot her brows up as she was waiting for his reaction.
She was apparently smaller in person than he always imagined. Her slightly wavy hair still looked as soft as he remembered, it covered half of her slim back. She had a cute small nose and lovely chubby cheeks that made her look younger. Her big brown eyes were full of warmth, you would never get tired of them.
He wanted to tell her so many things and ask her so many questions. But most of all, he wanted to tell her that, he was really happy that he finally got to see her.
But he could only nod gently then said.
"You are right, my name is Lee Changhyuk. Nice to meet you."