Chapter 5

You and Kame are back to being strangers; the time you spent in Okinawa is now just a dream.

You are in a meeting about the next Cartoon KATTUN episode:

Department Manger: "Does anyone have any ideas for the next episode?"

Narita-san: "Anoo what about a trip to their favorite shopping districts?"

Department Manager: "That's good, but we need something bigger. (Name)-san, do you have any ideas?"

You: "What about hometowns? What if we visit the hometowns of the older Johnny's?"

Department Manager: "I think you have something there, but I think we should visit KAT-TUN's hometowns."

Narita-san: "That's a great idea! We could film their homes, past schools and their childhood friends."

You: "Anoo...gome demo...don't you think that's too personal?"

Department Manager: "Iie. I think it's great. (Name)-san I'm putting you and Narita-san in charged. Meeting adjourned."

What did you get yourself into? You should have just kept your mouth shut.

You walk out of the meeting room thinking of a way to get out of this project. One of your co-workers approaches you.

Co-worker: "(Name)-san, there's a delivery for you. You're so lucky."

You keep walking to your desk wondering what she's talking about. This is what you find:

You read the card attached to the bouquet.

If I could give you a rose for every moment you made me happy, this wouldn't be enough because I would have to give you a rose for every second that I'm with you.
Love, Kenzo

Narita-san passes by: "Eh! Sugoi! If I give my girlfriend one of those, I'd be broke."

The department manager walking with Narita: "Well, you can't expect less; he's a Hiroshi after all."

While waiting for a cab after work, a limo stops in front of you.

The chauffer comes out and opens the door.

Chauffer: "(name)-san, Hiroshi-san is waiting for you. It's a very important matter."

You (worried): "What happened? Is he alright?!?!"

Chauffer: "Please come with me. We don't have much time."

You don't know where you're going, but you're really worried about Kenzo. The driver pulls over at the airport where a helicopter is waiting for you.

This must be really serious. You're hoping that he's alright.

The helicopter takes you to a hotel roof top. There's a lady waiting for you. She leads you in front of a huge door.

Lady: "Hiroshi-san's waiting for you."

You open the door and you're surprised by what you see. You're completely speechless. There's a table set for two in front of a huge window overlooking Mt. Fuji. You look around and see that everything was set especially for you. You see flower petals on the floor, your favorite color, your favorite food, your favorite everything. It's like someone read your mind and placed everything in this room.

Kenzo walks up to you holding a bouquet of red roses.

Kenzo: "Happy Anniversary."

Your eyes fill up with tears. How could you have forgotten? He loves you so much; you can't bear to hurt him. As hard as it may be, you realize that you can't bring back the past. This is your present, and this is your future. Can you give this up for your past?

A week later: The day of the Cartoon KAT TUN filming

Kenzo's helping you pack for the trip.

Kenzo: "One of the KAT-TUN members has the same hometown as you, ne?"

You: "Yeah, why?"

Kenzo: "You must be really excited to visit your hometown."

You stay quiet for a while.

You: "Kamenashi-san used to be my neighbor."

Kenzo: "Soka...He's really lucky to have grown up with you."

You: "Oo."

He pats your lightly head (if you've ever seen Koizora...it's like when Hiro pats Mika's head).

You're thinking: Can I really go back to the place where it all began? It's filled with too many memories, both wonderful and painful.

He drops you off in front of the JE building where the KAT-TUN bus is waiting for you.

The last destination is: you guessed it; Yours and Kame's hometown.

You guys arrive there at night. You’re staying at Kame's house with KAT-TUN. You prefer staying at the hotel to avoid awkward moments, but declining this invitation would be very rude to his family.

You guys walk inside the house, and you are greeted by Kame's younger brother.

Ottoto: "Nee-chan! It's been a while since I last saw you!"

The whole KAT TUN (except for Kame and Akanishi): "EH?!?!?!?!?! How does he know you?!?!?"

Okasan: "(name)-chan used to live next to us."

Koki (looking at you and Kame): "Eh?!?!? You guys knew each other???? Lucky!"

Okasan (giggling): "Knew each other? They were inseparable. Either her parents were looking for her here or we're looking Ka-kun at her house."

Taguchi: "Eh??? How come you guys never mentioned it to us?"

Akanishi: "Okasan, gome...demo, (name)-chan's stomach has been growling for a while now."

Kame's mom sees yours and Kame's face and understood what Jin was trying to do.

Okasan: "You guys must be really tired. I'll go get the food ready while you settle in."

You turn to Akanishi: "Arigatou."

Akanishi: "Betsuni."

During dinner someone comes in, it's Kame's older brother.

Oniisan (older brother): "(name)-chan! Sashiburi."

You: "Oniisan."

Oniisan: "Oniisan??? You used to call me aniki."

Nakamaru whispers to himself: "Aniki?"

He sits down to eat: "I saw you on TV the other day. Your fiancé seems like a great guy. To tell you guys the truth, I've always thought you and Ka-kun will end up together."

Ueda: "Who would have thought you guys were that close?"

Oniisan keeps yapping about the past.

Kame's mom clears her throat.

He stops.

After dinner, you insist on helping with the dishes.

His mom asks you about your family and from there the conversation finds its way to the day that you and your family left Japan.

Okasan (in an amused tone): "That boy...you're really special to him."

You: "Eh?"

Okasan: "On the day that you were leaving, Ka-kun fell of the stage during a rehearsal. We've never seen him like that before. He hurt his leg pretty bad, but he still insisted on seeing you off. He was so persistent. I remember him trying to sneak out of the hospital several times."

You are utterly silent as his mom continues to tell you the story. You could imagine Kame struggling to get to you.

A tear drop falls without you even knowing.

Once you finally realize, you wipe your face: "Gome."

Okasan: "Gome, I didn't mean to upset you."

The next day, after filming, Kame's mom mentions that his cousin Kana's wedding is today.
You and the KAT-TUN are invited. His cousin was probably one of the people that used to hang out with when you and Kame started to drift apart; so, you were pretty excited to see her again. Last time you talked to her, she was in the process of getting divorced.

Before the wedding, you enter the bride's room to wish her luck. The two of you are the only ones there. It just so happened that her maid of honor ate some bad sushi and got sick. She is hoping that you could fill in her place. It's a good thing the dress fits you perfectly.

You: "Kana-chan omedetou."

Kana: "Arigatou. You're getting married pretty soon too, ne?"

You: "Hai. Is it nerve racking?"

Kana: "Iie, because I know that I'm marrying the right man this time."

You: "How do you know he's the right one?"

Kana: "Because he's my first love."

You: "Eh?"

Kana: "You could marry your second love and live life wondering what it would have been like with your first love. I'm getting a second chance with my first love, and I can finally say that I have no regrets."

Someone knocks at the door: "Kana-chan, the ceremony's starting."

Kana walks to the door and turns to you.

Kana: "As long as you have no regrets... you'll be the happiest person on earth."

You walk out of the room and look around. You see Kurosawa Hitomi, Kame's ex-girlfriend, talking to KAT-TUN. She sees you and calls you over.

Hitomi: "(first name)-chan!"

You: "Kurosawa-san, sashiburi."

Nakamaru: "Ne ne ne... I bet you guys were pretty close in high school!"

Hitomi: "Iie! I never really liked her."

Taguchi: "Eh?! Nande? But (name)-chan's really cool and kawaii!"

Hitomi: "What does that have to do with anything? I was always jealous of her and Kamenashi-kun."

You: "Eh? But you were his girlfriend, I was just his friend."

Hitomi: "Kanojou? Iie. No one could have measured up to you in his eyes. It's like he was only staying around because of you..."

You: "What are you talking about?"

Hitomi: "He quit school right after you left."

You walk away completely silent.

After the wedding, the Cartoon KAT-TUN crew are scheduled to leave. You and the guys thank Kame's family for their hospitality.

Kame's mom pulls you to the side .She places something in your hand.

Okasan: "He's been keeping it for awhile now."

She leaves to say goodbye to Kame.

You open your hand and see:

You're more confused than ever.
...................................................................................................................He came after all.
To be Continued...

Next Chapter