*Yua Ichika's POV*
//February 14, 2039//Monday//
"The two of you did a great job again. Thank you for making the costumes that we asked for. Especially you Ichika, you really are amazing."
"It's a pleasure Mr. Director!"
Three years have passed since I accepted Tachibana's offer, and I have been a successful Fashion Designer.
At first, I was working with him as a Costume Designer, but as time passed by, people acknowledged my talent in the world of filmmaking, and some even started requesting different clothes not just for the film industry but as well as for different things that started my career as a Fashion Designer.
I am already 18 years old, and I can say that I have achieved my dream, and become a successful person. I forgot about my past and stopped my job as a prostitute.
Today, I am happy with my life, and it felt like I was free from all the sufferings that I have endured over the past years. It felt like all of those terrible things had paid off.
"Oi Yua, we have other work to do." Tachibana said.
"Sure, let me finish this dress for a wedding first."
"Sheeesh, you've been really busy, and people loved the things that you made for them."
"Hmph, no need to compliment me. Besides, if you didn't offer me this job, who knows where I would be right now?"
"You're welcome then. I'll be taking a break outside. Just meet me at the usual place when you are done."
"I thought you have work that you need to do?"
"Come on, Yua. Give this man a rest."
"Sigh… Fine then, take your break, slacker."
Tachibana left the apartment, and I continued making the wedding dress that was requested by my client.
When Tachibana invited me to work for him, he invited me to live with him at his apartment. At first, I was skeptical about living with him since I am suspicious of people who I do not know at all, especially men.
Most of the time when I am in a room alone with a man, the only thing they want from me is my body. But Tachibana was different. When I entered his apartment for the first time, he showed me my room where I will be staying with a huge desk where I can draw.
There were also mannequins inside, equipment to make clothes, and different fabrics. I really don't have any idea how to make the things I have drawn into a reality, but with his help, he showed me the way in becoming a successful Fashion Designer just like what I am right now.
When I started working in the film industry, there was someone who I really wanted to meet, and that was Ryo Asahi, a famous film director who had created a lot of blockbuster movies.
But for some reason, in my whole career as a Fashion Designer, I never get to see him even once, and when I ask Tachibana about him, he doesn't even know where Asahi went after he finished his last movie four years ago, and became inactive in the film industry. I really wanted to meet him.
What I learned from his grandfather when I was still a child is that we are the same age, and I felt that we can get along really well. But, it seems like that is unlikely to happen, and I didn't make a huge deal about meeting that guy in person.
"*YAAAWN* Finally, I'm done."
30 minutes have passed, and I am finally done with this wedding dress. I called my client immediately and told them it was ready to be picked up. I wore some nice casual clothes and left the apartment to meet Tachibana at the cafe.
"Hmm…"
But before I met Tachibana, I went into a nearby Chocolaterie and bought some expensive chocolates for him. It was Valentine's Day, and I think it would be nice to give something to the person who saved me from a tragic life.
After a few minutes, I finally got some and went straight to the cafe.
"Oh Yua, done with your work?"
I approached Tachibana who was sitting at a corner with a magazine in his hand that he might be reading to kill time. I approached the seat and sat in front of him.
"Yeah, finally I have finished it." I said.
"So how does it look?"
"It's okay if you ask me."
"Baaaah, just tell me that it was magnificent, no need to be humble, Yua."
"Hmph, shut up."
The two of us ordered something to eat, and we chatted with each other while waiting for our food.
"Is there something wrong, Yua?" Tachibana asked.
"..."
The chocolate that I bought for Tachibana kept on bothering me while I was talking to him. I kept on thinking about when is the best time I should give this to him.
Should I give it right now, after we are done eating, or on our way home? Aaaaaah! Overthinking really is not my cup of tea.
"Oi Tachibana."
I gave the chocolate that I bought for Tachibana while avoiding eye contact. It was really embarrassing, and this was the first time I gave something to a person.
"Chocolate? For me? Yua, are you feeling well?"
"Shut up or I will kill you."
Tachibana kept on laughing while I was in front of him, embarrassed for giving him something, and he really had a great time teasing me.
"But why would you give this to me?" Tachibana asked.
"Sigh… It's just a thank you gift for helping me become a successful Fashion Designer."
"Are you sure you didn't give this to me without any other intentions like for example… A romantic one?
"Hmph, don't jump to conclusions. It's just a thank you gift."
"Alright, alright. If you say so."
"Here is your order. Thank you for waiting." The waitress said.
The waitress gave us the food that we ordered. I ordered a Caesar Salad, and black coffee for our dinner. I have been really eating a lot of healthy foods since I started earning money. It is what I really wanted, and maybe it is because I wanted to have a great body.
As for Tachibana's food, he ordered the same salad that I have and a milkshake. Both of us had the same diet. Tachibana doesn't really like greasy foods and junk foods. He also told me that he feels sick when he doesn't get to eat something healthy in a day.
As we got to know each other more as time passed by, I noticed that the two of us really had a lot of similarities.
"Shall we start eating, Yua?"
"Sure."
The two of us ate the food that we ordered while chatting with each other. The chocolate that I gave him, he was right that there was a different intention that I had in mind.
"Hahaha! You really are funny, Yua."
As time passed by, I began to develop some feelings for this man. He was pleasant, organized, and an ambitious guy. I really liked his attitude. The two of us had a lot of similarities. We get along all the time even if I keep on putting a tough act in front of him.
He was really my ideal boyfriend, and he was the person who made me successful. The person who made my life happy.
"Hmph, shut up..."
But I think I will hold on to these feelings inside me for a while. I wanted to know this person more before I confessed my love for him.
And I am glad I did, but...
It was already too late.
******** TO BE CONTINUED ********