----------MAHIKO'S PERSPECTIVE---------
(In Japanese)
"Zachi-san! Where are you?!", shouted the numerous bodyguards that were following me.
Sigh... what a pain in the ass.
I threw on my black jacket, covered my head with my hood and took large strides to get away quickly.
Woah!
"Have you seen Zachi-san anywhere?"
"No, I haven't. We can't find him anywhere."
Two guards were having a conversation.
That was close, I almost got seen.
Hiding behind a wall, I checked again to see if the guards were still there.
Oh, they are gone now.
I ran quickly away from the entrance and hid behind a tree next to the flight of stairs that was at the side of the building.
Coast is clear, I turned my head to check behind me in case of any searching staff while I walked swiftly towards the stairs.
"THAT'S IT!"
Huh? WOAH!
"Be careful!", I said as I grabbed onto a lady's waist who was about to fall.
She gasped, "Mahiko Zachi."
Oh shoot. I got found out.
"Over here! I heard something!", shouted a nearby security guard.
Thank goodness it was dark. I looked at the stranger and said with my fingers covering her mouth, "Sh... follow me."
She nodded with a freaked-out expression and I grabbed her hand and we both ran down the stairs.
"Agh... hurts...", she mumbled under her breath.
I stopped moving, "What's wrong??"
I looked down at her ankle and saw a big swollen bruise right under her high heel strap that was tied around the injured area.
This was no time to be standing around. I turned my head around to check the surroundings for any pedestrians. Luckily, there wasn't anyone.
"Get on.", I said as I bent down for a piggy ride.
"I'm sorry?"
"I said get on! Hurry, I'll carry you.", I repeated again with slight annoyance in my voice.
She hesitated for a second but still got on in the end, and I quickly ran towards the park that was across the road, carrying her.
After 5 minutes of running with her on my back, my legs were about to give in.
So I laid her down to sit on a park bench which was deeper and further into the huge park.
*Pants heavily*
"Please don't tell anyone that you saw me.", I requested.
She just stared at me in silence.
"What? Is there something on my face?"
"Um, no.", she finally said something, "I won't speak a soul to anyone about this. But, I have to get back there! I promised Setsui-san that I was going to be his plus-one. So I need to find a way to go in there and meet-", the lady said in a panic.
"Sorry. Who did you say you were meeting?"
"Huh? Setsui-san."
"Haru Setsui?", I asked.
"Yes. Why? Do you know him?"
Haru came? Haru was at the gathering??
After 6 years... that bastard has finally decided to come and see me.
"Oh um yes. I do know him.", I replied after a long break.
I know him too well, I stared at the small tattoo that was engraved on my wrist which said the numbers: 011122
What memories...
First November 2022. The day we first met. The day that marked the beginning of our brother-like friendship. The day that marked the start of our dramatic school life together.
"Excuse me??"
I snapped back into reality.
"Um... sorry, but would you mind helping me back to the building?"
I raised my eyebrows, "You are still planning to attend the party even with your busted ankle?"
Her cheeks puffed up, "It's not busted! It just hurt after wearing these heels for so long."
Pfft... what a funny young lady.
"Well I'm sure you know this already, but nice to meet you, I'm Mahiko Zachi. May I know your name too?"
She said with her arms crossed, still pouting, "I'm Aki Syan, nice to meet you too."
"Say... Aki-chan."
"Aki-chan??!", she exclaimed with her hands unfolding.
"Oh, can I not call you that? Sounds way better than calling you Syan-san.", I said with an amused smile on my face.
"Hmmph! Do what you want.", she said as she turned away from me, pouting again.
Hahaha. It was so fun to tease her.
"Anyways. I can help you out."
She suddenly turned to face me again, "Really?!"
"But Zachi-san, don't you suspect me as some crazy fan or some stalker?"
I gave her a smile, "If you were an imposter, you would have given up already the second we arrived at this park. Yet for some reason, you still want to head back, even though your ankle is injured. I'm PRETTY SURE you ain't lying. Also, just call be Mahiko from now on, I hate it when people I talk to go all formally."
She nodded silently.
I shrugged, "Anyways, if it turns out that you, in fact, an uninvited guest, then I'm sure you would LOVE to be on the next headline news. 'A crazy fan sneaked into the gathering of the celebration for the new release of Beyond Your Life'. Has a nice ring to it no?"
Her eyes widened, "Wait. This event was held for the celebration of the new movie Beyond Your Life?!"
I looked at her for a moment in silence before letting out a laugh.
"Hahahahaha! You didn't even know what this gathering was held for! Oh my goodness. Did Haru not tell you anything? That's so like him."
"Well! You seem to know Setsui-san awfully well. You are just like him! Always making fun of me for your amusement.", she grumbled under her nose.
"Hahaha... okay sorry sorry. I apologize."
I see Haru. You have found a very interesting girl indeed.
"So Aki-chan, do you want me to help you?"
Once again she looked at me in the eyes with that desperate expression and nodded.
"Well first thing's first. If you do plan on going back in there, I suggest that you change into another shoe at least, a more comfortable one at that."
She looked at me with one eyebrow lifted up and a face that said: And how am I suppose to do that?
"What's your shoe size?", I asked.
"36"
I sighed.
I grabbed my phone and clicked onto one of my contacts.
Ah he picked up.
"Wait! Before you say ANYTHING. If you want me to go back up there, bring me a pair of size 36 shoes that are flats but still look good enough to match a black dress. I'll meet you at the lift of the building."
"*deep breathes* I'll see you in 10 minutes.", he replied with an extremely angry-sounding tone that he was obviously trying to compress.
Ends call.
Oh.. I'm so screwed later. I'm surely going to get another earful scolding from him.
"Who was that?", Aki-chan asked.
"Oh, just my new manager."
"Ah-huh... I see... what a poor soul"
"What was that?"
"Nothing!!", she said while putting up an innocent smile.
------10 MINUTES LATER, AKI'S POV------
We are finally heading back, oh so many security guards.
"Zachi-san-"
Mahiko raised up his hand before the staff could continue to say anything else, and just walked past all of them.
I was trying to follow behind, but suddenly, a bunch of them blocked my path to him.
"She's with me. Step away from her this instant.", Mahiko said while glaring at the bodyguards coldly.
Goshes, no wonder he is an actor. Just that one phrase and I got goosebumps already.
"It's you.", said one of the guards.
I stuck my tongue out at him and quickly walked over to Mahiko's side.
The entrance door shut close and we were left alone inside the empty lobby.
"MAHIKO!!" shouted a young gentleman as he speed-walked over, who looked like he was 20 years old.
"STOP MAKING MY LIFE SO DIFFICULT!" he shouted again.
Mahiko had his hands covering his ears.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH OF A MESS YOU CAUSED FOR THE STAFF AND HOW HARD IT WAS FOR ME TO FIND SIZE 36 SHOES OUT OF A SUDDEN?! WHY DO YOU EVEN NEED SIZE 36 SHOes...", he stopped shouting immediately after he saw me.
"And who is this?", he asked sternly.
"My plus-one.", Mahiko answered.
I'm sorry what??!