Chapter 37

Shun made green tea for Misaki and sat across from her at the kitchen island.

"Thank you." Misaki sipped her tea and stared at a bubble in it.

"If it helps any, I don't think he planned it," Shun said. "Ren is all in with you, and he was determined to do things the right way as you grew closer, but... I don't know. Heat of the moment? It was an intense dance."

What do I want to do?

"I think... I need time away to do some thinking." Misaki swirled her finger around the top edge of her teacup.

Shun nodded. "I understand."

"Figured you would, but I don't know how Ren will take it."

"Let me worry about him. Do what you have to do, Misa."

"Thanks, Shun. I should probably pack my things and go now, or I won't be able to leave."

Shun raised an eyebrow as he thought about her words. "Is that so? Does that mean you have no intention of coming back?"

"It means I don't know how long I'll be gone." At least my job is done for now, anyway.

"I see... Well, we'll keep your room as-is, so you're free to come back anytime. Do you want me to give you a ride?"

"No, it's okay..."

"It wouldn't be a problem, and I'm not sure how safe a bus is right now."

Misaki pulled out the business card for Sora from her purse. "I'm sure he'll give me a ride if he has the time."

"Ah, I see." Shun nodded. "Well, I'm here if you need me." He finished his tea and put the cup in the sink.

"Thank you for everything." She bowed to him and rushed upstairs to her room.

Shun watched her go, wondering if he was doing the right thing for Ren. "He's going to be ticked," Shun mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

Misaki quickly packed up her clothes and bunny, and called Sora. "Hey, Sora, it's Misaki Minase. Any chance you're free to give me a ride right now?"

"Sure thing, Miss Minase—"

"Misa is fine. I'm at the Hayase house, and it'll be a bit of a ride... or maybe it'd be better to get dropped off at the train station."

Sora chuckled. "I think driving you to your actual destination would be best. Considering how many articles about you and Hayase are around right now, I wouldn't trust being on a train."

"Oh, I see..." Misaki swallowed hard. "But it's more than an hour ride to where I want to go."

"That's fine. I'm not busy today, and I love driving. Pay for the gas, and maybe give me an autograph, and I'm yours for the day."

"Thanks, Sora."

"Sure thing. I'll be there soon. Just text me our destination address." Sora hung up.

Misaki held her two bags and stood in the doorway, staring into her room. I think I grew used to this place too fast... It's so comfortable, but is it right? She took a deep breath and headed downstairs.

Shun was waiting near the entrance, leaning against the wall as he stared up at the ceiling. "Everything work out with Sora? I told the guards to let him in."

"Yup, it's all set up." Misaki bit her lip as she stopped beside him.

"You don't have to be so nervous around me. I'm not mad you're leaving. Sad to see you go, yes, but I understand."

She cautiously gazed up into his eyes.

"This is only goodbye for now." He held his arms out for a hug.

She dropped her bag and went for the warm, encompassing hug.

"Stay safe, Misa," Shun whispered. "And don't tell Ren about this part." He kissed the top of her head.

"And tell Ren I'm sorry, but I need time to think." Her grip on him tightened for a moment before she backed away.

Shun picked up her bags as she slipped her shoes on. "I'll wait outside with you." They went out the front door. "Which I suppose isn't much time at all, since he's here."

Guess I got lucky he showed up before Ren got back... Maybe...

"Hey, Sora," Shun greeted him as he got out of his car. "Make sure she gets home safe."

"Of course." Sora popped his trunk, and Shun dropped her bags in. "Ready to go, Misaki?"

"Yes..." Misaki turned to Shun and bowed. "Thank you again for everything."

"Stay safe, and don't keep him waiting too long." Shun chuckled and gave her a soft smile as she got into the back seat of Sora's car. He waved as they drove off.

Misaki waved back and watched as the house grew distant before turning back to the front with tears in her eyes. It's the right thing to do. She gripped her hands in her lap.

Sora glanced in the mirror back at her. "You don't seem too keen on leaving. Feel like talking about it?"

"Not really." I need to figure this out myself.

"Fair enough." Sora put on music, and Misaki's own song popped up. "Been listening to more of your music since we met. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not." She sat back, watching the trees and houses as they zoomed by, and listening to her old music. I was so optimistic back then, despite Aki's behaviour. But I didn't see it as wrong then; I thought it was normal.

So much has changed... Even my music feels different. Though I'm not sure what it is.

Her mind wandered back to Ren. His charming smile. The way he'd bounded up to her like an eager puppy. How he protected her.

I hope I'm not hurting him by doing this, but I need time to think... to breathe... to sort these feelings out.

"Misa, Shun, I'm home," Ren said as he walked through his front door. "I hope I haven't blown things up too much, but I'd like to talk about it." He glanced into the kitchen to find Shun cutting up vegetables. "Is Misa upstairs?"

Shun set his knife down and turned to Ren. "No."

"Then in the studio?"

"No, Ren, she's not here."

Ren froze. "What... do you mean? How can she not be here? You drove her home, right?"

"Yes, but she left after that."

"You let her leave alone?!" Ren grabbed Shun's collar with both hands. "What are you thinking? At least send a bodyguard—"

"She went back home. Sora is driving her."

Ren's grip loosened, and he stumbled back a step. "Did you... try to stop her?"

"She said she needed time to think."

"Meaning time away from me..." Ren sank to the floor. "I've screwed everything up! I didn't even mean to right then and there... It was probably a nightmare for her, it being in front of people and a camera. How could I?" He stared up at his brother. "What do I do?"

"Give her space. She's not turning you down; she's trying to figure out how she feels."

"Space? But I don't like space. I didn't get a chance to talk to her after it happened, so I can't try to fix things!" Ren hopped to his feet. "I'm going after her."

"What? No, you're not."

"I have to!" Ren bolted, slipped his shoes on, and headed to his car.

"Ren, get back here!" Shun chased after him and stood in front of Ren's car. "Ren, get out of the car."

He revved his car. "Move, please!"

Shun crossed his arms, glaring at him.

"You'll have to move eventually, Shun."

Shun rolled his eyes. "Don't push her."

"I just want to talk! Please..."

"Ugh, pulling the sad puppy look with me," Shun grumbled and moved to the side, getting into Ren's car.

"What are you doing?" Ren asked as Shun buckled up.

"What does it look like? I'm going with you."

"Why?"

Shun raised an eyebrow. "Is that really a question? To stop you from doing anything dumb, obviously."

"I'm not going to... It'll probably be too late for you to stop me if something happens, even if you're right there." Ren sighed and drove off.

Ren parked in front of Misaki's apartment and rushed to ring her room. He tapped his foot as he waited, glancing into the front lobby to see if anyone was around to let him in.

"Why isn't she answering? She should be home by now," Ren grumbled.

"Could be in the shower, or she could be avoiding everyone," Shun suggested as he looked around the parking lot. "Oh, by the way, where's your mask? Or at least the sunglasses."

The door to the lobby opened, and a blond-haired man froze in the doorway, staring at them. "Oh my gosh... You're Ren Hayase, aren't you? That would make you..." He pointed at Shun. "Shun Hayase? W-what are you doing here?"

"Can I come in? I'm looking for a friend of mine, but she's not answering; I figure if I knock on her door directly, she might answer."

"Sure thing!" He held the door open for them and followed them all the way up to the elevator.

Ren pressed the button and waited. "What's taking so long? Screw it, I'm taking the stairs."

"Mind if I ask who you're looking for?" the man asked as he followed them up to the third floor and stopped in front of Misaki's place. "Oh, that woman. I live directly below her."

Ren knocked on her door. "Misa, it's Ren. If you're in there, open up, please."

"Misa? As in Misaki, your new girl? That's who lives here?!"

Shun gripped the man's shoulder and pulled him away from Ren. "Mind giving us some space?"

"Oh, right, sorry, but I haven't seen her around in a while."

Ren pulled his phone out to call her, but it went straight to voicemail. "Misa, when you get this, please call me back. We need to talk." He shoved his phone back in his pocket and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "If she's not here, where is she? She said she was going home, right?"

Shun's eyes widened in realization. "I don't know how I didn't think of this earlier..." he grumbled.

"What is it?" Ren turned to him.

"When she said home, she didn't mean here; she meant back with her family. She's not even in the city then."

"Home with her family... Let's go."

"We don't know where they live."

"Oh, right." Ren's shoulders slouched. "I guess... I'm out of luck..."

"Thanks for letting us in." Shun patted the blond-haired man on the back. "And I'm driving." He snatched the car keys from Ren.

"Hey, can I get an autograph before you go? The name's Dan, by the way."