the Ibaraki Incident part 1

We ate breakfast before heading to the train station. “ Hey Akane, is it okay for you to miss a day for this? I mean you're the class president.” I asked her while we were waiting for the train.

“ I don’t know, I never thought I’d take a day off for personal reasons like this so I didn’t pay attention to the rules on these types of things.” she said, staring off at the platform looking a little worried. My phone starts ringing which surprises all of us as we spring back.

“ Hello Ken, this is the director speaking. Hey, where are you guys? I'll give you a ride to the photoshoot.” I quickly walk to the corner of the station before saying anything back.

“ Well we’re at Ibaraki station, it's a little far from Tokyo. Are you sure you want to drive all the way out here?” I mean that’s a far way for him to drive when we can take the train easily.

“ Well I don’t mind, after all you saved my daughter's life she had gone too far so that thrashing she got was also deserved. We had a long talk with her about that when her mom got home yesterday. Oh and the shoot isn’t in Tokyo, you have an amazing manager ya know.” The director chuckled a little before hanging up.

“ So who was it? And what did they want?” Akane asked as I walked back to the group”

“ Good news, we get to take showers! The director said he’d pick us up so I guess let’s head back to the hotel.” I said while walking away.

“ Wait all the way out here, that'll take him two more hours than us taking the train right?” Mio asked worriedly.

“ We shouldn't leave our manager for an extra two hours right? Knowing her she could…” Akane said with a horrified look in her eyes.

“ Knowing the manager she probably wants us to bring our own clothes to the shoot so we could also go shopping.” I suggested. Akane and Mio look at each other for a second before smiling. “ When did you two get so close?” I ask with a slight laugh.

“ Oh last night we had a long chat. Why do you think we were so tired? Next time maybe we’ll invite you.” Mio said giggling. Akane started walking so fast me and Mio had to jog to keep up with her. “ Wait, slow down please I’m dying Ken help I can’t keep going!” Mio whined as I helped her keep up. I couldn't help but realize she has a very frail body. Even her hand I was holding felt bony.” Don’t worry, I'm fine, you're easy to read. I can tell by looking at you that you're worried about me.” She smiled at me.

“ Well then since you're fine you can walk on your own right?” I let go of her hand for a second before picking her up and running.

“ Hey what are you doing Ken you idiot… people might think we’re dating.” I couldn't hear the second part because of the wind and both of us giggling. “ I feel like I’ve known you forever, you're just so easy to get along with.” She says grinning from ear to ear.

“ Come on lovebirds we’re here.” Akane said coldly before heading straight to the front desk.

“ Lovebirds? Us? Why would she think that?”

“ Ken…Look at what you’re doing.”

I was having so much I didn’t realize how it looked to everyone else. “ Oh, I guess it does look like that. Well I guess we should tell her what that really was.” I was a little embarrassed at how clueless I was.

“ I’ll let you handle it. I don't think I should be there for this.” Mio sat on a couch in the lobby and gave me a thumbs up. I walk over to Akane but I'm surprised to hear her crying.

“ Why her? I can't believe I got offended like that. I need to relax but it’s so hard.” She wipes her tears and takes a few deep breaths before finally noticing me. “ Oh I guess you heard huh go ahead make fun of me.”

“ Why would I do that? I mean I’m not dating Mio… I got carried away because it was fun. I'm sorry Akane.” I extend my hand to her but she runs away. I try to chase after her but quickly lose her in the many hallways in the hotel. I head back to the lobby and buy a green tea. This is what she preferred. I remember during our first real conversation we ordered from a vending machine just like this one now I just have to find her. I run back through the halls from floor to floor until I reach the top floor of the hotel where our room was last night. I knocked on the door after remembering Akane had gotten us the room key. “ Akane, if you're in there please talk to me!” I waited about a minute but there was no response so I knocked again but still nobody answered. I run back downstairs to talk to the lady at the front desk about which room Akane got but as I'm running down the staircase I notice her Golden brown hair peeking out from the very bottom. “ Man, where could that Akane be? She sure is causing me a lot of trouble. I even bought her this green tea.” She moves slightly and tries to go completely under the staircase. I reach the bottom of the staircase and leave the green tea on the floor before walking away. I know she needs to work through this on her own. I just wish there was more I could do for her than that. I head back to the lobby and sit across from Mio.

“ So how’d it go?” she asked without looking up from her magazine.

“ Well I did the best I could but the rest is ultimately up to her.” I say soberly

“ Well I guess if you couldn’t convince her it’ll just be you, me and Ai for the photoshoot. I think we both need Akane not just for the photoshoot but as a friend, let me talk to her.” Mio smiles as she puts down her magazine.