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CHAPTER 15

"Original Resonance."

As soon as the song title glanced off the stadium, a round of vibrant applause rained down the whole space. Both Tokiya and Masato bowed 90 degrees, smiling enchantingly at the audience before flashing one at each other. No words were needed when they knew their hearts palpitated in the same tempo. Rapid but full of exhilaration.

The first concert of STARISH's sub-unit was a huge success and they were so proud of it. They bumped their fists together, silently celebrating their hard work and triumph.

Before the sub-unit was formed, Masato and Tokiya had a fairly close friendship. They had other five friends who they also hang out with so they could not say that they spent a lot of times together. Everything changed after they were assigned to perform temporarily in a sub-unit with Original Resonance as their emblematic song. Not only the song topped a lot of charts for several weeks, but they had also found that compared to other members, they were always on the same wavelength. Their manners, life view, hobbies, looks and many more were similar which supported the fans' reason to dub them the twins of STARISH.

"I like to talk to him. It feels like I just found my long-lost twin after 20 years. My father's hair color is even the same with him so he might be really my twin brother," was Masato's joke when they attended a talk show. "Unlike Ren, Tokiya doesn't cause me problems so it's fun and faster to work with him."

"I thought so too. My mother's hair color is the same as Masato's so he can easily pass as my twin brother as well," Tokiya's added. "And yeah. Unlike Otoya, Masato doesn't cause me problems too."

The friendship started so primly and innocuous. But later, as they grew older, they would learn in a harrowing way that their fates were entwined to each other from the start.

If they knew it earlier, they would avoid it. Most probably, they did not want to have anything to do with each other.

Meeting and knowing each other were partially the big mistakes for them.

Meanwhile, in Saotome's office, the president was watching HEAVENS' last performance intently. Their concert was held on the same day as Tokiya and Masato's.

Was it a coincidence? Saotome never thought so. Raging Otori might be his rival and also his enemy on a personal level but he knew the guy like his best friend.

Just like himself, Otori used any possible way to beat him.

"It's amazing!" Ringo exclaimed while using nail polish. "As expected from HEAVENS."

"By using five members?" Saotome replied sarcastically. "I wouldn't call it amazing, Ringo. Our agency only used two members from STARISH so it's obvious who is more successful."

"I can't agree more with that. Tokiya and Masato shine the most when they're together," Hyuga supplied, sitting at the coffee table with Ringo. "Your calculation about them drawing the most attention is very true, Saotome."

"Who are you talking to, Hyuga? I am the only one who can beat Otori's masterpiece so I can see what others can't see. Especially Otori's plan to beat me," Saotome said. Staring at Eiichi who was thanking his fans for supporting the concert, he found the guy amusing. "He wants to use the whole HEAVENS to vanquish me but I only use Tokiya to fight back. Tokiya will bring a lot of profits to us with Masato's help."

"So, Otoya will sing this part with Syo," Haruka mumbled, scribbling the said guys' names on the music sheet before putting down her pencil. A heavy sigh was heaved from her red lips and that was when she could feel the familiar growl in her stomach.

"I don't have dinner yet. No wonder," she murmured, glancing at the brown clock on the wall.

It was almost three o'clock in the morning and she had just done writing a few songs for STARISH. She received no order from Saotome but her new ideas could not be left wasted and so was her time.

She closed the piano lid before standing up. After doing some stretches for her sore arms and shoulders, she silently headed for the kitchen which was way far from her room. She often burnt the midnight oil when she had a lot of songs to write so walking alone in the middle of the corridor to grab some food was not a big deal.

Unless her head suddenly decided to be ingenious like a novelist, imagining that random creatures would jump out of nowhere and spook her...

"Oh my... It's so dark and quiet," she muttered while dramatically leaned against the wall when her golden eyes stubbornly concentrated on the end of the corridor. It was like a typical horror movie set; it was chilly that she felt something just nipped her exposed arms. The moon was the only source of light for her but if she switched on the lamp now, something would pop out right in front of her and...

"No, don't be ridiculous, Haruka. You've lived here almost for four years and so far, you haven't spotted any, right? Come on. You're hungry, Haruka. You're hungry."

With the charm in order to keep her mind distracted, she switched on the lamp. After breathing out a very relieved sigh since she did not spot any weird creatures, the girl fixed her eyes straight ahead until she reached the kitchen. Haruka was not sure with everyone's schedule but she would often bump into the boys who had a late night schedule or just simply practiced until morning especially Tokiya.

Deep inside, she was hoping that the idol would head for the kitchen as well. To accompany a fraidy-cat like her to eat was a pain but at least, his presence was enough to make her feel safe. The guy's moxie and composure were something that she had admired other than his talent and perseverance.

Or maybe, she just wanted to see him.

After soaking her ramen in the hot cup together with chopped scallion, egg, spinach, and other toppings, she was about to head straight for her room when she almost bumped into a tall figure. She squeaked right away, almost dropped her ramen cup.

"I am sorry!" she exclaimed before lifting her head to meet eyes with the guy. "To...Tokiya?"

It was Tokiya, the guy who she had in her mind a few minutes ago. The guy with the dark blue jacket was gazing at her with wide eyes. For some reasons, he touched his chest while panting heavily.

"Yes, it's Tokiya. Why are you reacting like I just trespassed on here?" He said. "Not to mention, your shriek..."

"Oh, it's ear-splitting, right? I am sorry," she grinned shyly. It was something that she could not change for ages, let alone overnight. "I was imagining things when I came here and I was hoping that you would at least show up so that I felt more secure... oh my!"

Oh, no. I just said my thought! Haruka mentally screamed while hitting her lips lightly.

"But it seemed like I scared you even more," Tokiya supplied, ignoring the fact that his heart was thumping fast since she just stated that she was thinking of him.

It seems we are thinking of each other, he thought.

"And then, your scream scared me."

"Yes, it did. I am so sorry about that," Haruka bowed again while being cautious about her ramen. "By the way, what're you still doing at this hour?"

"I was in the training room, memorizing a script," Tokiya said, pointing at a room which was located almost at the end of the corridor.

"Oh, is it a new movie?"

"Yes, with Masato."

"Then, why didn't you practice with him?"

"I don't want to push him to follow my routine. Masato is certainly hardworking but he knows how to give himself a rest. Unlike me," Tokiya said before a mesmerizing smile plastered on the thin lips.

He's just like me. Too absorbed in our work. No wonder we bump into each other a lot at a time like this, the composer mentally said. For some reason, she was staring at his smile.

"What about you?"

"Huh? Well, I... as usual, I am hungry after working," she said, lifting the ramen cup to match his eye level.

"Oh..." His blue eyes were unexpectedly glued to the packaging which also showed various toppings for the ramen. The smell was enthralling and he could easily imagine how delicious it could be. He never ate it due to his strict diet and lifestyle but now...

His blue eyes were staring dangerously at the mundane but scrumptious dish like a kid who craved for ice cream.

"Oh, do you want it too, Tokiya? I have an extra cup for you if you want and we can eat together," and to make it worse, Haruka asked him to eat together. "But I bet you don't want it, right? It's ramen and it's still early morning. I am so hungry so I grab anything that instantly cooked but can make me full."

It was together. His life was tiring because his job normally did not end earlier than midnight but his early morning was always blessed with a so-called date with Haruka. Tokiya had six friends and no-dating rule for him to keep a watchful eye on so this ramen-date should not be squandered just like that.

But the problem was the ramen itself. Should he cook another thing which was healthier instead?

"No, it's okay. The sodium..."

At last, his stomach divulged him. It growled so hard that it made them holding each other's eyes.

"Tokiya, is that you?" She asked, vacantly.

"No," he denied quickly but the red dust started to spread through his pale skin.

Stupid stomach!

Haruka was still giggling silently when Tokiya, also silently savoring the ramen. She turned to the opposite direction where she could face the window. Because of Tokiya's tragic stomach rumble, the pitch-black sky did not seem eerie to her. Thanks to Tokiya, the man did not only make her feel secure but also made her laughed at his humiliation.

"Stop that, Haruka," she could recognize the voice. It was Tokiya when he tried hard to act as nothing happened. As soon as the girl turned, she was 'blessed' with Tokiya's narrowed and supposed-to-be-intimidating eyes.

"Sorry, not sorry?" Haruka said with a wide grin. "It reminded me of..."

"The festival day when your stomach growled right in front of me, right?" Tokiya said before a smirk plastered over his face. "That's the nicest sound that I've ever heard from a demure girl like you."

Urgh!

"You have no idea how embarrassed I was. It'll feel better if it's other guys instead of you!" Haruka exclaimed, stirring the broth.

"Oh, I wonder why?" Tokiya asked. In the midst of the curiosity, his face was getting closer to hers. "Do you feel more comfortable with others than me?"

"Do you want me to lie?" Haruka asked back, glancing at the man from the corner of her eyes.

"No. I am asking because I want to know the truth, obviously."

"To be honest, it's awkward because I... I respect you. You have more experience than us and your singing always energizes me so I always end up looking up to you. Even the others also say that they depend on you for many things given how thoughtful and smart you are."

That was what she said but deep inside, she felt something was missing. It seemed like there was a significant piece of the puzzle which she had lost.

For some reason, I think the answer is incomplete, she thought.

"You don't have to feel that way, Haruka. We're on the same level now," Tokiya said. He himself noticed his demeanor. A lot of people said that he frequently looked like he judged or underestimated people when all he did was being a perfectionist.

"Yeah, especially when your stomach growled just now. I immediately felt that we're on the same level. Hihi," Haruka said. Her expression turned so impish that it almost made Tokiya shoved a large amount of ramen into her mouth if it was not because she was Haruka.

"Do you want me to leave you alone and go back to my room instead?" The threat was even more menacing when Tokiya put on a very blank face but letting a chilling voice escaped from his lips.

"No, please don't," she immediately switched on her beseeching mood. She moved closer, unconsciously charmed Tokiya with her glistened eyes. "I still can't get rid of the fact that something will emerge if I am alone..."

"You should be conscious of the window first of all," Tokiya said, pointing at the window which was just next to Haruka. "Who knows what might emerge and break the window when you're still eating, right? It happened a lot in movies. I mean a lot."

It was silent when Haruka stared at Tokiya blankly while swallowing her saliva. Slowly, she dragged her chair along, sitting closer to the guy.

"Stop that, Tokiya," Haruka said, slowly. She frowned when Tokiya split his sides. "You have no idea how I want to be brave like you so that I won't imagine things."

"Trust me. It's hard sometimes," Tokiya added before taking a sip of broth. "I watched a lot of horror movies with others and many times, I don't know why they screamed a lot when the scenes were not that scary. They asked me to be around because they felt secure but when they're done, they scolded me because I couldn't relate to them. At least, Masato got scared sometimes which made him more human. It makes me wonder if I am more robotic than human."

Haruka tittered. She could imagine the situation well given she was used to everyone's personality. Syo, Cecil, and Otoya were the typical cowards who could cry in their sleep but could not overcome their curiosity simultaneously.

"Don't worry, Tokiya. Everyone has good and bad points. You're fine as you're," she said as a pretty smile spread over her lips. They stared and smiled at each other before averting their gazes elsewhere.

That was close, Tokiya thought as he silently breathed out a relieved sigh. There was no way he could let his feeling for her shown.

"Thanks, I guess," he said, attempting to fill the silence. "But I must say that I am so grateful to have them as my friends. They changed me. Every one of them means a lot to me."

"Me too," Haruka said. She beamed as all the craziness from their past crossed her mind.

"But, please don't tell them about this. They'll make a fuss and it'll be tiring to handle," Tokiya said, shaking his head at the thought of his friends' dramatic reaction. "They always react dramatically towards what I say..."

"It's because behind the aloof demeanor, you have a very loving side, Tokiya," she said. The silk-like voice was one thing but to hear such heartening words from his beloved girl soothed him so much. He could listen to her all day and no music could match her voice. "They are just impressed and admire you more. To be honest, we're still shocked that you love children."

"I am not surprised given how cold I was," he stated. "I don't have a fun childhood. I spent too much on studies so I didn't hang out with my friends. When I see children, they're like the emotional healing for me. They remind me of the childhood that I would never have so I love to see them smile and don't worry over anything. I wish someday, I can travel and volunteer for children."

"When will it happen when you're so busy with your work?"

"I don't know. Maybe after I decide that my job kills me and I lose my passion for it," that was when he turned and that was when they noticed how close their faces to each other. Their arms brushed against each other, sending a weird but warm feeling to their veins.

It was a pregnant pause as they stared into each other, admiring each other's features. They did not know how exactly it happened but for now, they were charmed by the other person so much.

"Hmm...well..." she timidly dragged her chair away from him. Apparently, she was the factor why they sat that close. "I guess we can go back to our room now. You must be tired, right? You should get a rest now."

"I guess so," due to feeling so awkward of their position, Tokiya blurted out whatever remark off the top of his head.

Tokiya escorted Haruka to her room. Saying goodnight to each other when it was already five o'clock in the morning before heading for their ways, they slept with the familiar but wonderful feeling every time they spent time together.

Saotome was pulling a meeting with the biggest investor of his company, Nakamura Takeshi and his daughter, Nakamura Yuna.

"Well, I can see that your daughter is ecstatic," Saotome said, chuckling at how Yuna blushed at his comment.

"I can't help it. I have my eye on him since a long time ago," Yuna said. Despite tucking her brown hair behind her ear innocently, the reason why she was in the room with her father was far from being innocent. "But he never spared a glance at me. I wonder if I am not beautiful enough for him."

"Tokiya never has eye for beauties like you. That's how he is," Saotome said, tapping his fingers on the table. "But I am sure. Once you have him in the palm of your hand, he'll be all yours."

"Of course he'll. I'll pay him a lot and he doesn't have to work for the rest of his life. He'll belong to me forever," Yuna stated, confidently. "That's what he got for ignoring me."

And that's what Tokiya got for being a stripper, Saotome thought. He smiled at Takeshi who was eerily proud of her daughter's attitude and the topic that they were discussing.

Something that was fun for Yuna but hell for Tokiya.

"Mind to tell me why you did pick him? You do know that Masato is similar to him, right?" Saotome said. "Masato even comes from a very rich family like you."

"Why? The answer is everything. Everything about Tokiya is fascinating!" Yuna squeaked. Unlike her professional appearance which showed her high position in her company, it was only her job until evening. At night, she needed Tokiya as her indecent entertainment. "He's handsome, smart, has a sweet voice and many more. He has so many strong points that it makes me want to 'explore' him more and more. As for Masato, I am sorry. He's just not my taste. Too proper and boring. I can't stand someone traditional like him."

I am never wrong with my instinct. Tokiya indeed can bring the most money out of them. Even other clients also commented the same thing about him, Saotome thought.

"I see. That's okay. I am not planning to 'rent' Masato to anyone. He has to remain pure for his image," Saotome said. "Plus, he's from a very prestige family. His father surely will kick up a fuss if he knows that I make my friends 'rent' his son's body."

"I can't wait to see Tokiya. He's perfect to be the father of my future children," Yuna commented excitedly.

"You're too far-sighted, Yuna," Takeshi commented, half-joking. "You don't even start anything with him and you're already thinking about having children with him? What about your husband, then?"

"Oh, come on, Dad. Tokiya is so perfect! How come anyone can turn him down? I bet you're also proud to have him as your future son-in-law. About my husband, I can divorce him anytime if Tokiya wants to get serious with me," Yuna said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"But again, just a gentle reminder. Everything about what we discussed here should be our secret. He's an idol so he's not supposed to be caught having a relationship. I hope you understand that," Saotome supplied. His chummy-uncle image was replaced by a more serious one. It was important for him to ensure that his clients would not spill the beans.

"Sure, ojisan. I'll keep that in mind. So far, I need him only at midnight, just for my stress relief after working all day."

They could hear slow knocks from outside. Saotome calmly closed their indecent contract before putting it aside.

"Come in," Saotome said. The door was open, revealing an orange-haired girl. She was holding a file of music sheets close to her chest while smiling timidly at them. "Oh, Haruka. Please come in!"

"I am sorry for the disturbance," Haruka said, bowing before the two people who she was familiar with due to their frequent appearance in mass media.

"It's okay, Haruka. We've finished our meeting anyway. You know Nakamura Takeshi, right? He's our investor and this is his daughter, Nakamura Yuna."

Haruka bowed to them again but for some reason, all Yuna did was rolling her eyes before looking at anything but the composer.

"And this is Nanami Haruka, our top composer," Saotome said friendly while stretching his hand out at the shy Haruka.

"So, this is STARISH's composer, right?" Takeshi remarked, smiling like a proud father. "I must say for such a young girl, you sure have a knack of songwriting, right, Yuna?"

"Yeah," Yuna muttered, looking at each of her red nail instead of Haruka.

I think I've never met her before so why does she seem like she dislikes me? Haruka pondered. Or is she one of the typical STARISH fans who hate me because I am close to them?

"Thank you for your compliment, Nakamura-san. It's an honor for me," Haruka replied, deciding to ignore Yuna as much as the girl ignored her. "The reason why I came here because I want to show STARISH's new songs to you, president."

Haruka nervously put a few music sheets on the table which Saotome swiftly grabbed one of them. The man never criticized her songs but it was not enough for her to be self-assured. She believed she still had a lot to learn.

"I know they won't release any album soon but I just want to ask your opinion about them," Haruka reasoned out when perplexity was written over Saotome's face.

"Hmm... this is only the first song but I fall in love with it already," Saotome commented, earning a relieved smile from the composer. "As expected from you, Haruka! You're always productive and hardworking. For the rest of the songs, we'll discuss them later, okay?"

"Okay, president. Thank you so much," Haruka said, bowing at everybody before leaving the room. It soon was occupied by a heavy and irritated sigh from Yuna.

"I don't like her," she said without hesitation, drawing a perplexed expression from her father and a smirk from Saotome.

"What? Why? This is the first time you see her, right?" Takeshi responded. Almost every day, he would be shocked at how ridiculous his daughter's temper could be.

"Yes, but I know Tokiya isn't really close to any girl except that chick! Ojisan, I hope you can settle this matter. Please make sure that Nanami will stay away from Tokiya because he is mine! I won't let myself lose him to a plain girl like her!"

"Don't worry, Yuna. I'll make sure that Tokiya will never date anyone," he said.

It's the part of my plan to separate Haruka from Tokiya.

That was the end of their meeting. The ruthless president had more with those people with the same interest as Yuna. 

As usual, feel free to drop a comment. I'll be glad to know what do you think about this chapter ^^