Hard Cloudy Day

I confessed my feelings to very few girls before. Maybe two of them, and I thought that I really liked them. I was young, still not a very good actor, but I was doing what there was to do. All my confessions ended in rejection. Probably most of the love confessions end that way. When you really are connected with someone, confessions of love are not needed. Confessing love is just like jumping out of a plane without a parachute and then expecting the girl that you just put in an awkward position to land you down softly. Confessions never work, do they?

I was lying in bed just thinking about love and this feeling that I am feeling right now. Was it the same feeling that she felt?

I looked to my right, and the love of my life could have been this woman. Akari was sleeping peacefully in my bed. After last night, everything is different now. I am not sure what will happen now, but I think she likes me as well. Maybe she is also having as much fun as me?

Ah, why did I remember my old confessions? That is so weird and awkward. I never want to feel like that again. Should I just watch Akari as she is sleeping like a psychopath? That would be pretty weird as well. Does she have work today? I don't want to wake her up.

In Venice, in a small gondola, Akari was in a hug of Toma. They were slowly and peacefully moving in the canals of Italy. The smell of Italian food and espresso coffee was all around them. The smell of their perfume was also matching this city's air and all of its beauty. The gondola guy asked, "Are you two a couple, or do you have partners?"

Akari was confused. "What do you mean?"

"You know, do you have a husband and wife at home, and now you two just partner and love each other in the dark, you know?"

Akari was shocked. That she woke up. She stood up from the bed quick and started dressing. She was looking at Toma, who was staring at the ceiling.

"Morning."

"Morning."

"Do you have work?" I asked, worrying that she overslept.

"Yes, I need to get there soon."

"I will drive you." I also got out of bed, started getting ready. I found my clothes in different parts of the room and dressed in the same things as yesterday.

I drove Ms. Akari to work and didn't know what to say.

She was getting out of the car.

"Thanks for getting me to work. Last night—"

I was holding the wheel of my car so tight, afraid of the words that come after "last night." I've done enough movies to know that a girl always says it was a mistake.

"Last night was really fun. We should do it again." She closed the car door.

"Ha? What?" I was shocked now. I opened the window. "Yes, we should." I don't know if she heard me.

For the rest of the day, I was driving around, wondering if tonight is too early for that again with Ms. Akari. Could I see her again, I wonder? Does she really want to see me again?

Akari had a busy day at work, going from one meeting to another, and then she had to go and speak publicly for the media.

The media gathered in front of the Japan House of Representatives, eagerly waiting for someone to come and speak with them.

Akari dealt with questions without many problems, but then one reporter started to be a sneaky little snake, as Sachiko would say.

"If they try to be sneaky little snakes, just say no comment." That was the plan they prepared.

"When will this alleged marriage happen?" came from the crowd of reporters.

Akari didn't even notice who asked that question. "We are looking at the dates with the wedding planner, but it will probably be next month. Please stick to the questions related to public matters."

The reporter came closer. The smile, the ugliness, the sleaziness—it was him from head to chin, Akari's favorite, Tanaka-san.

"I was just starting to get there. Can the public be sure that you will do a good job at such a high function even when you have a marriage to worry about, when you are starting a family? How will you find time for work and Japan's best interest?"

"I am fully committed to Japan's best interest. Together with the Prime Minister, we are thriving and driving Japan to new heights, as the data shows. I think you heard the data that I presented. Do you have any rebuttals for that?" Akari asked calmly.

Tanaka was in an awkward position now. He felt like he was the one who should be asking the questions. "I heard it, but what I am really asking is about your time and how will you find time for this work with family and media attention, young actor. How will you do it all?"

"I will find time for everything. Don't worry. And as the data suggests, the time that I put in the work is showing. I wouldn't be here if I didn't put the effort in."

"Yes, yes, but now that you made it to Deputy Prime Minister position, you decided to get married and just dedicate to family instead of work. Am I wrong?"

"Yes, you are wrong. I am still dedicated to work and Japan," Akari said confidently, sharp, maybe even now slightly angry.

"So you are saying that you are not dedicating enough time to your marriage?" Tanaka asked, all serious, like this question will solve anything.

"Does anyone else have any question actually related to public interest? I will further not respond to my private matters, but thank you very much for that."

"Why are you avoiding the question?"

Some reporter interjected. "Back off, dude. We also have questions."

"She is avoiding the questions..." Tanaka said defensively.

Akari smiled. "I will find time for anything and everything, so please don't worry. Me and the Prime Minister are working day and night to bring everyone the best life possible in this country."

Tanaka left, ashamed and totally defeated. He didn't get Akari as angry as he wanted. He didn't get any controversial response. He was not happy with himself.

Other reporters asked some hard questions, but Akari was prepared for them, mostly financial questions, questions about migration and other important issues. But she gave answers that she was working on with Sachiko, and the media was very happy about it.

The media speaking was over. All of them went their way. Akari went to her office, asked her assistant to make her cold coffee as she was getting back to paperwork. She sighed and thought how today it would be best to focus on work to get to her apartment as soon as possible to shower and change clothes.

Meanwhile, in the old bar, smoke was coming from an ashtray. The smell of alcohol was present in the air, even though it was the middle of the day.

Tanaka was in his suit, smoking and drinking sake. The waiter would pour him a new glass every time that Tanaka would empty it. The bar was small, only for locals. Besides Tanaka, there was one more alcoholic in there. Also, some young boy drinking orange juice.

The young guy was all smile and happiness, talking with the waitress about some girl and his love life.

Tanaka was getting annoyed with all this happiness and cheerfulness. What is there to be so happy about? Tanaka thought.

"Yeah, love, as if such a thing existed." Tanaka was quickly putting sake in his body to drown the memories of his ex.

Then he started shouting.

"There is no such thing as love, you hear me? You hear me, boy?"

"Just ignore him," the waiter said.

"Okay, it's okay. I understand him. He must have had a hard, cloudy day," Toma said with a smile.