I turned to look at Mahiko's face with a look that screamed: I'M YOUR WHAT NOW?!
He just continued to smile at me as if nothing was wrong.
"Ah…", I continued after him, "Yes, nice to meet you. I am HIS plus-one for this evening, Aki Syan."
The young man stared at me for a while.
He looked at me from head to toe, as if he was observing a rare species.
Then turned to Mahiko and asked with one eye-brow raised, "Are you serious?"
Mahiko then took a step back and placed his arms around my shoulder.
"Absolutely. Why would I not be? She is literally right here in the flesh, I just left for a moment to go pick her up because she was lost.", he said, covering up the lie while sounding so innocent.
What a sly man. Are all actors like this??
The young man squinted his eyes at him then back at me and sighed.
"Well, if that is how it is. Then next time be sure to informed me at least, if not everyone will start panicking, thinking that you may have been kidnapped."
"Hahaha! Sure! Sure! I'll definitely keep that in mind.", Mahiko said while laughing it off with his hand at the back of his head.
"Oh! And thoseee", Mahiko grabbed the bag with the shoes inside from the young gentleman's hand, "are for her", and suddenly passed it to me.
The young man cleared his throat and finally spoke to me.
"Nice to meet you Syan-san. I am Takahiro Suita, Mahiko's new manager. Please don't be deceived by his good looks, he is actually really cunning, always trying to escape from events."
"Hey hey hey! Hiro-san. Just because you are my manager doesn't mean you can start telling others such lies. You are still 2 years younger than me, have some respect please." , Mahiko cut in.
"It's TAKAHIRO-san for you Mister, and I'm not telling her lies, just stating straight facts. ALSO, it's because I know talking to you nicely won't work so I have to get over your head sometimes. In fact! YOU should be the one to show me some respect."
"Excuse me?!!"
"You are so lucky that I am still here after 1 month and not quitting after 2 weeks like all your previous managers! Have some empathy for me please! And stop making my life so difficult."
"Well! You are always…"
Their quarrel seemed to be never-ending, so I just decided to slip on the black leather flats that Suita-san got for me as they continued their heated conversation.
Ahh! Feels so much better already!! Flats for life!
"Um… sorry to break your discussion but can we head up now?", I asked awkwardly.
"Oh yes, please, let's head up now.", Suita-san said as he pressed for the elevator.
"Suita-san."
"Oh just call me Takahiro."
"Well then, Takahiro-san. Are there a lot of people up there?"
"But of course Syan-san. This is a Major event held to celebrate the release of the new movie by Mahiko and Shiya-san. There are many important and famous people present here tonight and they are all looking forward to seeing this very man beside you."
I gulped…
10th floor.
How did things become like this?
25th floor.
I was supposed to just be Setsui-san's partner and just stay by his side for the night.
37th floor.
But out of nowhere, I'm suddenly the main host's plus-one.
46th floor.
My hands were shaking, I'm scared. I don't know what to do.
"Just stay by my side.", Mahiko whispered, holding onto my trembling hands, reassuring me that everything was going to be fine.
"Doors are opening, 48th floor."
The door opened and we were greeted with a red carpet and a spotlight that shone directly down at both of us.
"And may we invite the host for tonight's celebration, the star himself, Mahiko Zachi.", said a person at the center of the room on a stage.
All the guests placed down their wine glasses and started to clap for us.
I was dumbfounded, I didn't know how to react.
This was the observatory deck, you could see a stunning view of Tokyo from up here.
The hall was dimly lighted, with many crystal built into the ceiling that resembled stars, so that people would be able to admire the night lights of the city.
Usually, this level was open to public use, but it seemed like the company had booked out the whole building just for tonight.
Unbelievable…
Mahiko turned to me and mouthed: Remember to smile.
I immediately placed on a delighted expression and we walked down the red carpet that led to the stage.
As we were walking, I tried to look around for Setsui-san, but there were too many people, so I could not see him.
Everyone's eyes were on me, I started cold sweating.
I don't want to be here.
When we reached the foot of the stage, Mahiko let go of my hand and gave me a slight bow.
I guess that meant that I was free now right??
I bowed at him too and was about to walk away when suddenly Takahiro grabbed ahold of my arm and said, "Stay. You still need to accompany him later."
"What?! I can't leave him?", I shrieked quietly.
"Of course you can't.", he replied softly too.
I rolled my eyes and stood beside the young manager in front of the stage as Mahiko gave out a speech.
After 10 minutes or so of Mahiko thanking everyone for coming and wishing everyone well this evening, he came down the stage and linked his arm with mine and started dragging me around everywhere. There were so many people who started crowding around us, wanting to have a chance to talk with him.
I was overwhelmed, too many people, too close.
I shut my eyes, holding firmly onto his arm.
I couldn't breathe, I'm scared… I'm scared… Someone…
"Syan-san!", a hand grabbed onto my wrist and pulled me into an embrace.
This cologne, it smelt of aromatic fir balsam and juniper berries with a hint of sandalwood. Setsui-san's scent. What a familiar smell.
(In English)
"Are you okay?", he whispered softly as he held me in his arm so that only I could hear him.
I gripped onto his suit tightly, not daring to say anything.
"It's okay now, everything will be fine, everything will be just fine. I'm here.", he said with such warmth and care in his voice.
How nostalgic.