Chapter 13

"What in the world were you thinking?" Shun asked Ren as they got back in their van.

"That the fans and audience love to gossip, even if no real details are given?" Ren raised an eyebrow, though he already knew Shun would be upset.

"Now, people will watch your every move, hoping to get more details."

"Aren't they always doing that?"

Daichi slammed his door and climbed into the front beside their driver. "This is why we go over things before an interview, Ren; we don't like surprises. Did you hear how loud that crowd got? And it took forever for them to quiet down enough to continue. And since when have you had someone you're keeping an eye on?" Daichi turned around to look at him as the van drove off.

"Since she walked back into my life." Ren sighed and leaned back, eyes closed. A sudden pain shot up his arm. "Ow! What was that for?" He rubbed the spot where Shun had pinched him.

"For acting recklessly again," Shun said, his hand ready to pinch him again.

Ren held his hands up. "I'm sorry, but as soon as they asked, my mind wandered. What was I supposed to do when they asked? It was obvious they had noticed my reaction. If I didn't give them something, they would've kept asking."

"What about her? What if she sees the interview?"

Ren froze, remembering the wink he'd given the camera as he thought of her. "What are the chances she watched it?"

"I'd say our reconnection increases those odds."

"Who are you two talking about?" Daichi asked, his brows drawing together as the van jolted over a speed bump.

Ren and Shun exchanged a knowing glance.

"You two are hiding things from me again, aren't you?" he huffed. "Things are easier to navigate if I'm kept in the know."

Ren thought for a moment before responding. "But this is extremely personal." And if he knew who Ren was talking about, he'd try to stop it even more than Shun.

"And? You two are my life! Something personal to you is personal to me, too." Daichi frowned, crossing his arms as he stared at the red streetlight. "Always on the outside," he muttered to himself as the light turned green.

Smack!

"Ow..." Ren rubbed his arm where Shun had hit him.

"Don't be a baby; I barely hit you." Shun rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, it was more startling than anything, but what was that for?"

Shun pointed at Daichi. "For doing that. Look how sad you made him."

"I didn't mean to do that... but what am I supposed to tell him?" Ren whispered, his eyes on Daichi.

"Do I still need to smooth things over between you two? You'd think after all these years—"

"I know, I know." Ren took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Daichi, but I'm not ready to talk about something that might be one-sided. I promise, if I'm ready to tell anyone other than Shun, you'll be the first person I go to, okay?"

Daichi glanced back into Ren's pleading eyes. "Fine! You know I can't take it when you give me that puppy-dog look. It made sense to work when you were a teenager, but why now?" He sighed.

"Because we'll always be those teens you took under your wing to you," Shun said. "It's like a parent with their children; they'll always be their babies."

Daichi nodded, fighting back a smile. "You two are like sons to me. I guess it makes sense. Please make sure you warn me if things move along with this woman you're so enamoured with. I'll speak with the company on your behalf and do my best to protect her identity, too."

"Thanks, Daichi; I appreciate it."

They pulled up to the Hayase residence and got out.

Daichi gave them a small bow. "Try to be good, you two." He climbed back into the van.

"Hey, what do you say about staying over for supper?" Shun offered.

"Are you cooking?"

"Yes, I feel like garlic shrimp and a mushroom risotto." Shun stroked his chin, trying to listen to his stomach as he thought.

"Oh, that sounds good." Daichi thanked the driver and closed the door. "My stomach is grumbling from just the idea." Daichi laughed and patted Shun on the back. "Thank you, my boys; it's been a while."

"What were you saying about not wanting to smooth things over anymore?" Ren nudged Shun with his elbow and snickered.

"Old habit..."

Shun headed straight for the kitchen as Ren and Daichi unwound on the couches in the living room.

Bing! Daichi got a notification on his phone from a news source he followed, specifically for gossip on Hayase. "Um, Ren." Daichi held up his phone to Ren, showing a picture of him and a woman at Kaouri Kafe, though it was blurry.

"Dammit." Ren gritted his teeth. "Go out once in a blue moon and still get caught."

"You're a worldwide superstar; you can always expect someone to notice you."

"Well... at least it's blurry, and you can't really make out who she is."

"But now everyone is guessing at who she might be." Daichi scrolled down to the hundreds of comments.

"You know, I love being a superstar, and I love my fans, but I don't like this part of it." He stared at Misaki in the picture and sat back on the couch with a huff, crossing his arms as he pouted.

"Unless you're looking to display your relationship with her, I suggest you lie low and only book private venues for your dates. And maybe you should have a better disguise than your hair down and a hat. Your superstar aura is too big to hide with so little. On that note, I should talk to our company." Daichi left the room while dialling.

Shun popped his head into the living room. "You should probably warn her about it, but I wouldn't expect another date anytime soon."

"Right..." Ren sighed and pulled out his phone. "That didn't last long."

Lyrics flowed out of Misaki like an eruption, finishing her new song before she knew it. "Geez." She read through the lyrics and intuitively played music to match them. "Wait, what do these lyrics really mean?"

Ren's face popped up in her mind. "Nope, stop that. There's no way I can risk releasing this song." She shoved it in her bottom drawer, underneath the folders and photo albums. "There's no way that song is telling the truth."

Her heart thumped hard in her chest.

"Shut up, you..."

Ring, ring.

"Ah!" Misaki jumped as her phone rang. "Oh, it's just my phone... Ren?" Almost like I summoned him with my thoughts.

She shook off her nerves and answered, ready to talk business. "Hello."

"Hey, Misa..." Ren cleared his throat.

Something's wrong. I can feel it. "What's up?"

"I don't want to alarm you, but... there was a picture of us from our date at Kaouri Kafe."

"What?!" She nearly dropped her phone. You can't be serious.

"You can tell it's me in the picture, but it's blurry enough that no one can tell who you are."

"I..." She took a deep breath, trying not to hyperventilate. "What—ugh..."

"I'm sorry, Misa. I didn't mean for this to happen."

"Who did it? It wasn't that girl, right?" Calm down.

"I don't think so; she seemed happy with the autograph, and I doubt she'd want to spread rumours like this. Must've been someone else."

"Let me guess, they're throwing hate at the unknown woman trying to steal their idol?" I know how it works all too well.

"Most of them are just wondering who you are and if it was a date or not. There are a few comments I've seen along the lines you've said, but I wouldn't worry about them. Seriously, Misa, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I was too careless."

"I wouldn't say it's all your fault. Mostly the fault of the person taking pictures of you in your personal life, but I also had my hand in it because I agreed. I knew there was a chance, but I went anyway. I guess we'll stick to work hours at your place. It's a good thing I finished my part in helping with your song for Shun already." Misa sighed and gazed at her bottom drawer, thinking about the song she wrote. Her fingers brushed against the drawer handle, and she recoiled.

Lock it away, Misa; it's better that way.

"So you're still going to work with me, then?"

"I've already signed the contract; I'm locked in."

"Oh, I see. Are you..." Ren cleared his throat. "Mad at me?"

"No, just wondering how I got so careless, but you're a bigger star, so you have to worry more."

"Maybe if I work on a real disguise, we can still—"

"It'll always be risking being caught. Let's stick to our work, please."

"Oh."

She could hear the disappointment in his voice. "Anyway, thanks for the warning. I'll be sure to stay bundled up, so no one knows it's me."

Ren sighed. "Okay, I get it."

Does he have to sound so sad? "And I'm sorry too. Bye, Ren. Text me when your schedule is open, so I know when to come over."

"Sure thing. I'll see you soon. Bye."

They both hung up.

"Ugh." Misaki held her hand over her aching heart and stared at the blurry picture. I have to be careful.