"I'm going to make an official announcement with one requirement," Takeshi says half-shouting to overcome the crowd's buzzing sound. The reporters are immediately hushing one to another, to make their selves calm down. "My requirement is that you won't ask anything further than my announcement. What do you guys say ?" he offers. They are now whispering and humming. Some may not disagree but it is an offer that they can't turn down. So no one wants to shout their disagreement.
"Okay, here is the truth," Takeshi starts his announcement. "As you may know, few days ago, I was just making an announcement about my relationship with Miyu Saeki. I tell you now, that it was only a prank we made for you. Because you, the reporters, well.. especially Japanese reporters that is.. were making a huge gossip about Saeki-san and me, so we decided to prank you guys and made that false announcement." The crowd immediately buzzing again to hear what Takeshi said. He stands with a smile on his face, patiently waiting for the commotion to subside.
"I have had a girlfriend already. She is just an ordinary girl, not a celebrity. It was my mistake that she was not ready to hear the prank. She was so shock until needed to be hospitalized." A reporter asks why is his girlfriend being hospitalized at Taipei.
"Because she lives here. She is Taiwanese. Really just a common Taiwanese girl. That is why I kept our relationship private earlier. And that is also why I won't give you any more detail of her. I don't want her to be disturbed by the paparazzi and all stuffs. I beg you to let us keeping our relationship as a private matter."
And with that, the news is ended. Even when the television has shown another news, Xiao Ping still stares blank at it. She only blinks her eyes a few minutes later. He really did announced their relationship. He really is ...
With conflicted emotions in her heart, Xiao Ping moves her sight to the door. Then slowly she gets out of her bed and walks toward the door, dragging the infusion pole that still attached to her through the hose. She opens the door. Takeshi sits across the door, head bows down, busy talking to someone on the phone in Japanese with serious face.
"He can wait. I will go back to Japan soon as she gets better. Well, he can be as furious as he want and still I won't be there, will I ?," he smirks. "Yes, I can't thank you enough for being my brain, bro. I did everything you said. No blaming on the company, no mentioning any contract, not giving her details, too. I talked to Miyu about the reason and she willing to back me up. Now, we can only hope for the best result. Yeah.. I hope so.." Takeshi sighs then brush his hair to back. It is when he sees Xiao Ping, leaning on the door frame to support her stand, looking at him. "I.. I got to go. I'll talk to you again later."
He ends his call immediately, but slowly stands. While Takeshi still hesitate to approaches her, Xiao Ping already walks toward him.
"Stupid.. stupid.. stupid!!" Xiao Ping weakly shouts and punches as weakly at Takeshi's chest. Takeshi rounds his hands, taking her to his embrace. Xiao Ping struggles to let her self go, but she is too weak. "Why you did that ?" she asks.
"That's the only thing I can do.."
"What if I still won't forgive you ? You think I definitely be back to you because of.. "
"I don't care !" Takeshi snaps. But he remembers his words are not true. He shakes his head while mumbling, "No.. no... that's not correct" He then lets go his embrace just so he can hold Xiao Ping's shoulders with both hands and looking at her in the eyes.
"Shiawase, listen to me.. I care. I care a lot about your forgiveness. As a matter a fact all I want is you are back with me again. But I did the announcement not because I'm alluring you to forgive me. I did it because it is what right. I did it because it is what I should do in the first place. I did it because that's the only thing I can think of to proof you my love."
Xiao Ping doesn't say a word, she just bites her lips trying hard for not crying. Takeshi wipes the tear beneath her eyes with his thumbs.
"If the announcement is not enough, please tell me what should I do. I'm gonna do anything for not losing you."
Xiao Ping slightly turns her head away, but Takeshi holds it to face him back. "It is not merely a promise. It is the fact. The fact is... there are only two things.. two persons.. I can not afford to lose in this life. My mother.. and you. I will do anything I can to keep both of you."
Xiao Ping stares his eyes, ones that confirm how serious his saying is. She finally breaks down and cries. "Just.. just don't break.. any.. any promise.. again," she is stammered between her cry. Takeshi wraps her into his embrace again, letting her head on his chest. Tears soon dampen his shirt. "I'm sorry. I have made too many promises. I will remember each and every one of them and try hard not to break them," he whispers on her hair