Chapter Text
It's been a couple of weeks since filming the new drama started. Everyone's been polite and Akane hasn't encountered anything strange when they were shooting. Yuki has been chatting her up during breaks, and even Shiranui made small talk with her.
Akane's interactions with Aqua had been cordial throughout the days when they would film, mostly centered on him directing the scenes. She tried to avoid being in the same space alone with him, but also silently a bit grateful - though it stung - to Kana for keeping Aqua's attention.
There were times, however, when Aqua would be close to her - his hand guiding her towards a certain position on set, a small tap on the hip to help her move around, or sometimes even brushing her arm as he silently walked by. It's during these moments when Akane had to calm the thundering beat of her heart and remind herself to keep her feelings or whatever these were at bay.
Just like what's currently happening as they shoot this scene where her character is having a loving moment with the male lead.
"Cut!" Taishi called out, scratching his chin. "Hmmm, you two definitely have chemistry but there seems to be something missing."
Aqua looked at the small screen in front of them as he studied both her and Taiki who were standing close to each other. His eyes then traveled to Akane and quietly spoke to Taishi before standing up.
He walked over to where Akane and Taiki were standing facing each other. He took Akane's hand in his, startling the girl with his action.
"It's the way you look at each other. The scene is a flashback to when Emika and Kazuya were about to get married so you have to show that kind of passion and happiness."
Aqua faced Akane, his hand holding hers while the other went to her hip. " I have long since waited for the day I can call you mine."
His eyes had a soft, loving expression, drawing Akane in. Memories from the past flashed in her mind, like that time Aqua asked her to be his girlfriend for real or when he would gaze at her softly during the times they went out.
Akane closed her eyes and used these memories to channel her character. She could at least pretend those words were real and Aqua was saying them as himself, not as a show of how the character should deliver those lines.
Akane placed her other hand over Aqua's chest and gave a lovely, radiant smile with her cheeks blushing. "Yes, Kazuya. I will always be yours."
And just like that the spell was broken.
Akane stepped away from Aqua, her face taking an indifferent expression. "Is that what you were looking for, Hoshino-san?"
Something flickered in his eyes. It was brief but she didn't miss it before his expression turned aloof. "Yes, that was perfect."
"Alright! Let's do a ten-minute break, then we'll start the scene again," Taishi called out.
"Sure," Aqua replied before walking away from Akane.
Her manager soon went over to her and guided her back to the waiting room and handed her a bottle of water. Akane dared not look back at Aqua as she walked back to the waiting room.
She was getting her makeup retouched when there was a knock at the door.
"Akane?" Yuki peeked in and greeted her with a small smile.
"Oh, Yuki! Is there something you need?" She asked warmly.
"Nothing! I just wanted to ask if you're okay with meeting up with some of the old gang from Love Now. We're going to eat at that yakiniku place we went to before. You know? Just like the good ol' days?"
Frankly, she didn't want to do a reunion because it would only mean seeing Aqua more. However, Akane noticed the other girl's nervousness so she asked, "Is there something wrong, Yuki?"
Yuki flinched, clasping her fingers together and her expression in a small frown. "Uhmmm..I know you have a past with Aqua-kun, and I'm not sure if you even want to hang out with us because you've broken up. But I still want to ask you if it's okay."
Akane looked away. She was glad that Yuki's being considerate of her feelings but she also felt guilty at putting a strain over other people's relationships with Aqua just because she wanted to avoid him.
If it's a Love Now reunion, Kengo would be there. It's comforting to know that she'll have a friend (and maybe Yuki) that she could trust in that space. It would only be one time, right?
Akane took a deep breath and gave a small smile to the other girl. "It's okay. I'll come. Thank you for inviting me, Yuki."
Yuki's face lit up with excitement and gave Akane a tight hug, "I'm so happy! Thank you for accepting the invite."
"It's no problem at all. It's great that everyone can see each other again."
Yuki pulled away and composed herself. "Yeah. You're the best, Akane!" She walked towards the door and gave Akane a small wave, "I'll let you know the details soon!"
Akane could only smile in return as she watched Yuki disappear through the door.
If he was surprised to have received a message from Sumi Yuki, Aqua sure didn't let it show. He planned on not going but the curiosity of how the evening would go got the better of him.
So here he was, standing outside the yakiniku place he hasn't been to in a long time. His phone buzzed just as he was about to enter and saw that it was a call from Mem.
"Where are you? Are you even coming?" came Mem's shrill voice on the other line.
"I'm already here so please stop yelling at me," he replied with annoyance.
"Oh, good. We're here at the back. Come quickly." Then the line went dead.
He clicked his tongue at being hung up by the other girl but decided to let it slide this time. He walked towards the far end of the restaurant, the smell of burning meat already filling his senses.
He heard a boisterous laughter coming from none other than Nobu who had an arm around Yuki. He didn't know they were still a thing even after all these years.
His eyes traveled to the rest of the group and saw Akane sitting in the corner seat, with Kengo right beside her. They were all caught up in a conversation but Aqua noticed how Akane was cooking and piling some meat on Kengo's plate.
"Look who finally decided to show his face!" Mem exclaimed, standing up from her seat with her hands on her hips and an impish smile on her face.
"Good evening to you, too, Mem," came Aqua's dry reply.
He noted that the only seat left was the one in front of Mem-Cho, which was in the other corner that sat diagonally from where Akane was sitting. Aqua sat down and was immediately bombarded by Nobu.
"The great director Aqua Hoshino graces us with his presence! How are you doing, man?"
He shrugged off the arm Nobu out around his shoulder and merely replied with a "Fine. Thanks."
"Still as cold and gloomy as ever! Don't know what Arima Kana sees in you - ouch!" Nobu's incessant chatting was interrupted when Yuki slapped him on the shoulder.
"Sorry about that Aqua-kun! Nobu's just excited to see you again," Yuki said.
"It's no problem. What were you all talking about before I came?"
"Kengo's band will be having a live concert to promote their new single! And Akane's in the video," Mem replied excitedly.
"Congratulations," Aqua said and looked over to Kengo.
"Thanks! I hope everyone can come. I'll send you all passes to the live concert," the other man replied with a sheepish smile.
"That's so cool! We get to see you play and be that rockstar who's popular with the ladies!" Yuki clapped her hands.
"I'm not that popular!"
"Oh don't be so modest! Everyone loves you," Mem added.
Kengo looked sideways at Akane, who was busy grilling meat and seemed to not notice Kengo's eyes on her. Kengo's ears turned red and he mumbled, "Well...I wonder…"
The group continued their conversations and shifted to a different topic, with Yuki talking about how everything was doing great at their shoot and how happy she is that Akane and her got to work again together.
"I hope this guy here is not giving you two a hard time. He's such a perfectionist sometimes," Mem said, picking up the newly cooked meat from the grill.
"Aqua-kun is still the same as ever. He even gave some tips while Akane and Taiki-san were doing a scene," Yuki replied.
"Ohhhh. And how was it Akane?" Mem glanced at the girl who was quiet most of the evening.
"It was fine. We were able to get the scene right afterwards," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Wow. To think Aqua would even do that. From what I heard from Kana, he usually just lets the actors learn on their own. It must have been a very special scene," Mem said.
"Not really…" Akane replied, looking down at her plate.
"Well, we're all excited to see the first episode. I'm sure you're doing great, Akane," Kengo reassured her with a soft smile, which the other girl returned.
Aqua saw the warmth on this smile, contrary to the one she gave before. Was that affection? Or were they just being friendly? Since when had these two even become close?
He didn't notice it before but Akane rarely smiled like that while on set and only smiled to be polite. But the smile she gave Kengo was different. It was like…
Like the way she used to smile at you.
He furrowed his brow at tHat thought.
"Something wrong, Aqua?" Mem asked, staring at him.
He turned to her and shrugged, picking up a piece of meat from his plate. "It's nothing."
It was nearly 11 when everyone called it a night. Yuki and Nobu went ahead, with the former supporting her boyfriend who had a bit too much to drink. When he stepped outside the yakiniku place, he saw Akane standing alone on the sidewalk and texting on her phone.
"Kurokawa," he called out. Akane flinched and immediately put down her phone and into her pocket.
"Oh, it's you, Hoshino-san."
"What are you doing alone out here? Do you need a ride home?"
"No, I'm fine. Thanks," she replied, looking away from him.
"I can call you a taxi," he said.
"There's no need for that," a voice called out from behind him. Kengo walked towards Akane, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry for the wait."
"It's okay. It wasn't that long." There it was again. That smile.
"Come on. I parked my car over there," Kengo gestured to the other corner of the street. "Well, see you around, Aqua," he said and waved to the other man.
"Goodnight, Hoshino-san."
Aqua watched the two walk away, both talking quietly among themselves. He saw Akane take out her phone from her pocket and showing the screen to Kengo. The other man immediately got excited and they both chuckled at whatever was on Akane's phone.
"Aww they look cute together," another voice chimed in beside him. Aqua didn't even notice Mem standing next to him.
"Where'd you disappear to?"
"Just went to the toilet," Mem replied nonchalantly.
"What makes you think they're together?" Aqua asked.
"I don't know if you're blind or just an idiot," Mem rolled her eyes at him. "Anyone can see how they're both acting during dinner."
"I didn't know they were close."
Mem shrugged. "I didn't either." She started walking the other direction. "Well, it's not anyone's business."
Mem stopped walking and turned to Aqua, "You know Akane's changed. There's definitely something different about her."
"It's been five years. Anyone can change over that span of time."
"You're right," she responded. Mem looked straight into Aqua's eyes, a serious expression on her face before speaking. "Aqua, you're my friend. Akane is also my friend. Kana, too. So please try not to break anyone's heart this time."
"You think I'll be breaking Kurokawa or Arima's hearts?"
Mem turned away from him, "You did it before. We never know if you'll do so again. Akane just got back after five years of radio silence. We don't know what she did or happened to her, but at least now, I think she deserves to be truly happy again."
She started walking again, leaving Aqua to his thoughts. Did everyone think he's out to break people's hearts? Can't he make anyone happy?
Aqua thought he wanted to prove them wrong.