One of Tokiya's lines is based on a Korean Drama, Suspicious Partner. And about how Masato was released from the prison... well, like the previous chapter, don't take it seriously. He was released because I wanted it lol. Just like he's sick but I never mention what's the illness.

CHAPTER 30

"I miss you, Masato."

"I miss you too."

Haruka and her kids were still hugging Masato right after he was released from the prison. They missed him so much and while the worry about the man's condition kept clouding their minds, they were still proud of his bravery.

When it was the time for him to face his friends especially Tokiya, the loving atmosphere turned into in an awkward manner. The twins kept staring at each other wordlessly but the rest of them did not to be a genius to guess that they were silently conveying just how much they felt grateful to meet each other again in their current states.

Tokiya with his deserved justice and Masato with his freedom.

"You..." Tokiya initiated. This was so awkward. A clichéd and childish thought occurred in his mind. If only he could transform into Natsuki or Otoya who were consistently affectionate with everyone, he would hug Masato and say thanks for 1000 times but apart from his stiff personality factor, their friendship did not work that way. "If you pull that kind of stunt again, I won't forgive you."

"You're welcome," Masato replied cheekily. He was holding Natsuki's arm for support but the big guy had another idea.

"What's with this serious mode? We're supposed to hug each other and cheer for our victory!" with the declaration, Natsuki pulled Tokiya closer, trapping both the blue heads into his arms. "STARISH hug, activated!"

"Wow, that's cool!" Otoya supplied, dragging the surprised Cecil to join them.

"Otoya, no! That's embarrassing! Hey, Syo! Come here! If I can't escape, so can't you!"

"Let me go, you jerk!"

"This one brings me back the very old memories," Ren remarked, being the last one to join the circle.

"Wait, wait! I don't approve this! Let me go!" Tokiya said, blush quickly dusted his face upon seeing their strange position. He ended up grabbing Masato's shoulder for support while their bodies were too close to each other.

"Are you guys out of mind!? We're too old to do this!" Syo shouted whose face was also as red as Tokiya. "Masato, do something! This is too embarrassing!"

"It's fun, though," Masato said with a singing voice, earning a horrified gasp from Tokiya.

They could not care less when people around them and also reporters snapped their pictures. It was too nice to be together again, no matter how dorky and lame their position was.

"Harumi, please help me here," Tokiya said, desperately. It was even more embarrassing when Harumi smiled widely while Mitsuki clapped her hands happily.

For Haruka? This was the best gift ever.

"STARISH hug!" Mitsuki exclaimed while putting her short hands up.

"Ojichan, you always hug me every time we see each other."

"That's totally different! They aren't cute, unlike you!"

"Hey, that's mean. Syo is cute, though," Ren supplied.

"What was that!?" The said and cute guy whined right away.

At that night, even all kinds of media were fulfilled with their sweet moments, fans expressed their gratification to see STARISH united, they needed privacy. They celebrated their victory in Otoya's restaurant or to be specific, in their personal VIP room which patiently waited for itself to be fulfilled with seven people instead of five.

"Kanpai!!" They shouted. Unlike others, Tokiya was only staring at his glass.

"Tokiya, why aren't you drinking?" Otoya asked.

"I guess the trauma is still savage, right?" Before Tokiya could come up with an excuse, Ren was faster to voice out what had clouded his mind. "To the point of you still can't drink alcohol until now. It's all that Kuoda's fault."

"Ah, I forgot that. I am so sorry. I'll ask someone to bring a cup of coffee for you. Is that okay?" Otoya said.

"Yeah, sure. Thanks, Otoya," Tokiya remarked. Ren was right. Thanks to Kuoda, he found it hard to drink again especially during the meetings with a group of people that he was not familiar with. Even back then when Eiichi invited him and Masato to drink at his house, he never took a sip.

"Waaaahhh, this is the best moment ever! Finally, all the rainbow colors are here!" Natsuki exclaimed. It was a relief for everyone that his definition of happiness on that day was spending each second with them and not cooking with Nozomi, Otoya's wife.

"But, don't you think we're too old to be referred to as rainbow?" Syo said.

"Considering we wasted 13 years to fight and patch up back, I think we still can consider ourselves as young. Just pretend that we return to our past and act like nothing happen will do," Ren said casually.

All of them were silent for a while. 13 years were too long and the regret of wasting so much time ricocheted in their minds.

Wasting 13 years and plus, I don't know if I can survive longer, Masato thought. He never told everyone that he coughed more than usual when he was imprisoned.

Deciding to ignore the worrisome thought, he joined the conversation which was lightened up again by Otoya talking about his children, Natsuki told them how cute Syo was when he was a child, Cecil with his confession that he just fell in love with his co-star and many more.

In just a short time, some of them who had low alcohol tolerance started to talk in an abnormal tone.

"My future plan is... I want to see all of you get married. So, Cecil and Tokiya... you both have to get married in order for me to get married," Natsuki said, pointing at the two single guys.

"What? Me? How?" Tokiya asked, ignoring the stupidity of his question.

"That's the point. How? I already have someone special but Tokiya? Huh! Don't even bother. He'll make you single for the rest of your life, Natsuki," Cecil said.

"Excuse me?" Tokiya raised his voice as he lifted his head in order to glare at the prince. With Otoya between them, it was hard for him to face Cecil. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"

"I am just stating the truth. At this rate, you're going to marry your job, Tokiya."

"Tell that on your face! Who else kept mumbling Japanese idioms in his dream other than you!?"

"I didn't!"

"Yes, you did! Ten times, 13 years ago!"

"What're they doing?" The sober Masato whispered to the sober Ren. The last thing he wanted to see in this friendship-esque moment was another fight.

"Hm... talking?"

"Talking? I thought they're going to kill each other."

"Heck, no. What made you think of that? That's how two men are patching up after being hostile to each other for a long time."

"For some reason, I can't understand your 'that's how two men are patching up' logic. Why can't they just be friends again like a normal person? They don't thank or apologize to each other yet, right?" Masato said.

"Beats me..." Ren said, ending the conversation by eating some French fries.

Meanwhile, the women's gathering was also in a lively mood. With children running around and their non-stop conversation, it was noisy but stress-relieving.

"Just imagine what will happen to Tokiya after this? His image is clean now so I bet he'll be sought after in a good way," Risa, Syo's wife pointed out. "Syo said to me that a lot of actresses gave hints that they like Tokiya since he's so inspiring."

Haruka nodded, could not agree more with the fact. As his friend who used to be in love with him, she was happy for him. It was the time for the man who had suffered alone for years to have someone by his side. Someone who would sincerely love and treasure him.

But for Tomochika, the idea of someone would win Tokiya's heart poked her mind uncomfortably. She did not like the sound of 'sought after' at all and it was strange. She was Tokiya's friend so it was bound for her to pray for his happiness...

But for some reason, her heart told her that she should not just pray for him.

"Too bad... none of us is single or else, I want to ship her with Tokiya. Like Otoya said, someone reserved like him is prone to be with a woman who he has known for a long time," Nozomi supplied. "That reminded me of you, Tomo. You've engaged since two years ago. When will you get married?" Risa pointed out, which made Haruka put down her spoon and looked at Tomochika as curious as others.

"Yes, I am also going to ask the same thing too. I can't wait to see you in the wedding dress. I bet your wedding will be the wedding of the year, Tomo. Everyone is anticipating it since you guys are such a sweet couple," Ren's wife, Maaya added.

It took all for Tomochika to keep curving in her bright smile when in fact, her heart was torn by the 'sweet couple' title.

"Well, we have a lot of things to think of so we still can't decide on the date," Tomochika said casually.

For Haruka who had known her since she was 16 years old, she could sense how the words and what Tomochika had in mind were different. That was why when everyone was too busy to call their husbands and children before heading to their houses, she pulled Tomochika closer and walked way slower than others with her.

"Are you sure you're okay, Tomo?" she whispered. "I notice that every time one of us asks about Eiichi, you will look depressed."

"I really can't hide anything from you, Haruka," the idol chuckled, indirectly showing her gratification for the composer's compassion.

"It's the same with you, Tomo. You're always there when I am sad about what happens to my husband so this time, I want to be there for you too."

"Well, something did happen..." A small smile appeared, followed by a stroke around Haruka's hand which was holding her arm. "And I hope that when Eiichi announces something shocking, you will still support and trust my decision, Haruka."

"What do you mean? What'll happen?"

"Soon, you'll know. Trust me. It's hard for me too but I don't have a choice."

"Hello, Mom. Are you guys okay? Did they still disturb you and Daddy?"

"No, honey. Everything is fine. Don't worry about us. You yourself should be careful. You still live alone in the apartment, right? Are you going to be okay?"

"I am okay, Mom. Don't worry. I am busy with a lot of things so I am not alone all the time."

Tomochika heaved a heavy sigh after she ended the call. Her long legs felt heavy with the thought of how soon or later, she had to face Eiichi. Meeting the beast was the same as she threw herself into a fire pit but she had no choices.

She wanted to end their relationship. The speculation, scandal and other kinds of consequences afterward meant nothing for her. For now, she valued her life more. She was done with what Otori family had done to her.

It was normal for her heart to thump fast when she reached home since he would show up anytime but in that evening, she clearly could see a tall and sturdy body which always hurt her, stepping slowly at her, out of nowhere. It was slow but so intimidating which answered her why her heart pounded way faster than usual.

"Finally I found you, honey," Eiichi said, a thankful smile that no one could guess that he was an abusive man. Tomochika no longer could receive the smile neither would be cheated by it.

Her feeling for him was no longer in her heart. It became dry and needed no time to be expressed so that the man would stay away from her life forever.

"Why don't you look happy to see me? I miss you so much, honey," he moved forward but she flinched. Sweats moistened her fingers but that only encouraged her to cling to her handbag more. "Don't you miss me?"

Her lack of response made his purple eyes widened. It did not take a while for him to snap.

"Or..." He whispered to her ears, "Do you wish to answer me only after I hit you with love?"

Still, she did not answer him because she knew no matter what kind of explanation she gave, it always led to one state of affairs.

Instead, she said, "At least, let's get inside first, okay? Do you really want to hit me in a public space like this? Learn some self-control, won't you?"

"Wh...what?" He was dumbfounded and ignored when Tomochika opened the door, leaving it open for him.

The first thing he did was inspecting every single inch of the house, making Tomochika sighed in utter disappointment and anger.

He still thinks that I am cheating on him, huh? Is that the only thing he has in his mind?

"So, Tokiya is not here today, huh? You're quite smart to hide him when I surprised you with my visit," he said sarcastically as he unmasked his beastly demeanor.

Seeing Tomochika who did not flinch given how angry he became, it insulted his ego.

"You don't even look nervous. Does it mean it's true!? You're such a..." as he scurried to slap her, her words made him stopped.

"Seriously, is that the only thing you can think of? Me, a relationship with Tokiya? Are you for real?" She asked. The way those words escaped her red lips cast how much she underestimated his common sense.

"Then, what else could make you avoid me!? You made me wait for you like a retard. I called you every day but you didn't even pick up. You claimed you're so busy but you have time to seduce Tokiya..."

"I am helping Tokiya with his case and also... he is my friend. Of course, I will visit him from time to time. I don't know what kind of logic do you use for your daily life but as far as I concern, it's not wrong for me to visit him. You, in contrast, have no right to tell me what I should and should not do."

Since when Tomochika knew how to talk back? He was positive that his beloved Tomochika was not like this at all. He would make sure that she would face the consequence for disobeying him.

"You're mine, Tomo. I won't allow you..."

"You're not even my husband so don't push your insane logic into me. I don't like it."

"You bitch!" At last, Eiichi felt something snapped in his head when he slapped her. The strong force threw her away from her spot but luckily for her, her hand managed to defend her nose from crashing the wall.

Damn, she thought, wiping her bloody lips right away. He still can't get the point, huh? All he knows is putting the blames on me.

As for Eiichi, he really wanted to see her cry out of regret. He wanted her to beg for his forgiveness. He wanted her to scream as he punished her again for driving him crazy nowadays.

Instead, she calmly took off her engagement ring, much to his shock. He could not believe what his sight served him, nor his hearing.

"You're the worst choice that I've ever made in my life, Otori Eiichi. I regret to know you, to love you. I really regret them," she said sternly as she put the ring into his cold hand. "Let's... No, this time it's my turn to make a decision on our relationship. The engagement is over. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other. You can take the ring and your so-called love away from me. I don't want them and you must be tired from being angry all the time, right? You should take care of your mental health too."

It took all for him not to hit her face again for saying such ridiculous things. No, she could not dump him. She could not leave him after what they had gone through together for two years.

"What the heck are you talking about, Shibuya Tomochika? What's with this ring? I don't want to break off and you are going to stay with me forever."

"No, it's my life and I'll decide on my own. I am not your toy, Otori Eiichi. I have a heart, I have feelings and I can feel pain. I don't want to die because you abuse me."

Eiichi had nothing to say. He did not know where did she gain the composure and power to oppose him but for sure, he did not like it at all. He wanted her to do what he wanted. He wanted her to love him forever because he loved her so much. There was no way he could live normally without her.

"But why!?" Violence was the only way he believed that it could stop her so he grabbed her arm tightly. "Why so sudden!? It's because of Tokiya, right?"

"Let me go, Eiichi."

"Your heart changed since he's hot, right?

"I said let me go! You're hurting me!"

"Tell me, you bitch! You fall in love with him, right!? Tell me!"

"Yes, I love him!!" She screamed, way louder and more desperate than him. That was when her victimized arm was freed by Eiichi's iron grip. "I've fallen in love with Tokiya and do you know who caused it? You, Eiichi! You! Your jealousy, your insults... You thought that I would cheat with every man in this world when in fact, I don't! No matter how many times I told you, you would hit me! What do you think I am, huh? A slut!? An animal!?"

They both had tears welled up in their eyes which tore her heart more. It showed that they did sincerely love each other. Their relationship used to be so pure and meeting him was one of the sweetest memories in her life. Who knows that it would turn darker like this?

"Tomo, please... don't leave me," he tried to hold her but she avoided him. She felt so sick to even hear apologies from him because as usual, they were pointless. Normally, the vicious cycle would continue during the very next day. "I do all of these because I don't want to lose you. You should try to understand me."

"I did, Eiichi. For two years, I tried to understand you. That's why I want you to get diagnosed. That's why I encouraged you to see the doctor. You said you have childhood trauma and that's why I want you to be healthy again but you denied yourself. You refused to help yourself but you have time to stalk me, to accuse me. And do you know who's the worst person in this matter? Your father. When I told him that you're sick, when I wanted to find a solution together with him, he didn't want to help you. Instead, he threatened me that he would hurt my family had I revealed your mental health state to anyone or if I chose to leave you. It's for a good relationship between Shining Agency and Raging Entertainment. But now, I am out of the shitty Shining Agency so, in other words, I don't see why I should continue this toxic relationship. I am done."

"Tomo, please..."

"Just please... stay away from me," she stepped back as she clasped her hands together. Her tears continued to stream down her face. "I don't even want you to apologize. I just want to be free from this relationship. I am tired of it, Eiichi. I am so sorry that I can't stay longer with you but I am in a lot of pain. I can't take it anymore."

"Tomo, please... I beg you..."

"Please inform me of the date of the news conference. If you don't want to ruin your father's reputation, please don't expose a lot of things about our relationship. As for me, I promise that I will never tell anyone about it. Let's build our new life separately without hurting each other anymore."

She took her handbag with her. Her tears stung the bruise on her lips but she could not care less. She wanted to run away from him.

"And please lock the door when you are ready to leave," she said, making her way outside as far as her legs could carry her.

Tomochika ended up driving with no particular destination in her mind. She cried, ignoring the honks around her when she broke the traffic laws. It was worse when her vision was limited by the heavy rains.

Her love for Eiichi was sincere before and she believed his was the same. She used to love him so much and that was why she cried. She regretted what happened to their relationship. She was devastated that this was the way they ended their love.

Feeling tired and just realized that she did not have anywhere to go, she parked her car at a park. It had no one due to the bad weather so it could be a blessing in disguise for her. She could clear her mind here no matter how weird and unsuitable it sounded. She closed her eyes, admiring the sound of rain and low temperature. She immersed her thought in them since her fight with Eiichi kept bothering her inside.

Yet, maybe the peace did not agree with her. Her phone vibrated, earning curses from her. She took it out, feeling surprised to see an unexpected name in the midst of this situation.

"Tokiya?" It was the first word as she picked up the call.

"Tomo, are you okay? What are you doing in this park alone? Not to mention it's raining," his words made her heart pounded. They were heart-warming but confusing at the same time.

"In... this park? What do you mean? Where are you?"

"I'm right behind you."

Her eyes widened. She looked at her back and that was when only she noticed that Tokiya's car was there. It was blurry but she could see a spiky-haired man was holding a phone inside the car.

"Tokiya, you're..." for some reasons, the warmth she felt turned into something stranger. The urge to have him beside her...

She needed Tokiya in this kind of bad luck.

"Just stay there. I'll get you."

The next seconds felt like she was in paradise. It was a normal line from him as her friend but she felt safe and protected just from his voice. Just from his sudden presence.

She knew it. God just sent her real comfort.

The sight of Tokiya with his blue umbrella outside of her car sent her to open the door and face him.

"Tomo, seriously... what are you doing here? You should stay at home," he said sternly as he shielded her with the umbrella but still with the soft tone that she grew to love each day. "And what's with the crazy driving? You could put yourself in danger."

"I... I could ask you the same thing too. What are you doing here? How do you know where I am?" She said. She loved this moment so much. Only two of them, raining heavily, under the same umbrella with Tokiya who only knew how to say how much he cared about her indirectly...

I love you.

"I had a check-up today at the hospital and one of the staffs said that you left your painkillers at the counter. And then, when I reached your apartment building to give them to you, I saw you crying so I thought I should follow you. What's with the painkiller anyway? Are you sick somewhere?"

She knew why she cried at his question. Eiichi's sweet memories with her slowly played in her mind. Back then, what Eiichi would do when she was sick was the same. He would be the gentlest man in the world.

But the loving Eiichi had disappeared and it was the time for her to completely move on from their story. It became her past, her painful history. She was glad that finally, she could end their relationship and cry like there was no tomorrow. She did not want to shoulder any kind of burden anymore.

"Yes, I am," she lifted her gaze and that was when he could see the bruise on her lips clearly. "I am sick... everywhere, Tokiya."

"What? Tomo, what happen to your face?"

Her heart had decided that it belonged to someone else, someone who was right in front of her. Now, it beat faster but with a pleasant tempo. It wanted to hear his soothing voice again and again. She wanted to run into his warmth, wanted to be enveloped by his protective arms.

She should know it. When a man always cared for her, always lectured her for being careless, she should realize that the man was the one. She fell in love with him way before than she noticed.

So, she wrapped her arms around the tall frame. Her face rested comfortably against his chest. She could not care less when he dropped his umbrella out of shock which caused they both to soak in the rain.

But apparently, Tokiya could not care more about their worrisome state of affairs.

"Tomo, let me... let me take the umbrella first..."

"Please help me, Tokiya..."

That was the only thing she could say.

After that, Tokiya accompanied her drinking even he was reluctant about the idea which proved him right. She did cause troubles to him.

Now, she was staring at a certain figure beside her in horror. They both were on her bed, sleeping while facing at each other before she woke up first.

It was the worst when she realized that she was the one who hugged Tokiya tightly. His arms instead were rested next to his face.

"What... what happened? How come he is here, on my bed?" Her dramatic mind led her eyes to look around but nothing suspicious happened. They both still properly dressed which made her relieved. Had they done something that they should not as friends which was caused by her drunken state, she could not forgive herself. It must be insulting for Tokiya who had his own principle when it comes to intimacy.

She shifted, making a safer distance between them but her eyes could not resist gazing at Tokiya's sleeping face. With her hesitant hand, she brushed his fringe away from his face. She continued to stroke his cheek, followed by his pointed nose.

"I guess I'll have a hard time to co-star with him after this. Yeah, it'll be hard."

"Of course it's hard, after what happened last night," the man suddenly opened his eyes with a tired look, sending Tomochika to shriek right away. She jumped from the bed, her messy hair covered half of her face.

Tokiya could not care less about the woman's frightened look. Of course, she had 1000 reasons to be panic-stricken when she woke up in that state with another person next to her but instead of sympathizing her, a smirk appeared.

Okay, that smirk is sooo handsome if only we aren't in this awkward situation, Tomochika thought. She stepped back when Tokiya approached her, being so scared that he could hear her thumping heart.

"What?"

"You look more beautiful with the bare face. Is this the first time? Yeah, it's the first time I saw you like this. Not bad. You should try to wear light make-up sometimes."

"Huh??" Her face flushed as she believed she should just die in embarrassment. "What's with the jokes, Tokiya?"

"Jokes? Hahaha. Unbelievable," he rolled his eyes at her question. "After what happened last night, I think it's safe to say I don't only want to pull jokes but also I would rather be slapped and had you pulled my hair than what happened last night."

"What... what happened last night?"

"You don't remember? How could you?" The blue eyes sized up as he faked that he was hurt by her question while Tomochika could feel her heart shrinking anxiously. She knew it. She had caused troubles. "After what you have done to me, how can you take responsibility when you forget it? Ah, it's so upsetting."

"Wait... why are you talking like I just harassed you... wait, did I really..."

Tokiya sighed. "Well, maybe it's also my fault. Just imagine for a second, okay? I am a man who obviously loves his opposite gender but I am still single. I live my life in that way until last night, a certain beautiful woman wanted to do something to me, asking me to stay in her house and she talked craps with her husky voice. I am certainly not a saint like Masato but I do have eyes, you know? And I am a normal human. A normal human with desire."

"So, something did happen last night?" Tomochika was about to cry, earning playful chuckles from Tokiya.

"Beats me..." he flicked her forehead which made her winced. "I'll leave first. It'll be risky if anyone catches me staying here. We'll talk about this later, okay?"

"Huh?" She could only stare at the tall figure before he made his way outside. She was confused. She wanted to ask him again but no words came out.

Meanwhile, Tokiya's playful mask grimaced into a worrisome look. He glanced at a few bottles of alcohol on the table, right at the center of the living room. Something upsetting that he had to put aside due to Tomochika's critically drunken state last night tugged again at his heartstrings.

"It does make sense now why she drinks a lot," he muttered. His empathy towards her grew stronger and all he had in his mind was he wanted to protect her. "Now, I know everything, Eiichi."

"Knowing what? And what are you doing here, Tokiya?"

He turned and was not surprised at all by the sturdy figure who he did not realize had been there before he walked out of Tomochika's room. The man who had been the main subject of Tomochika's confession last night, Otori Eiichi was there. His face was stiff but his anger was cast from his purple eyes.

No, it was not merely understandable anger. Instead, it looked like the man would pounce on him and kill him in any second.

"And why are you wearing my shirt?" The man asked again and that was when Tomochika who was still curious about last night's incident went out of her room. She froze on her spot when Eiichi and Tokiya were still facing each other coldly.

"I am sorry. I borrowed your shirt since it's raining heavily yesterday and I had to ensure Tomo not to cause troubles last night. And about your first two questions, what I mean is I just know your true color, Tomochika's ex-fiancé."

At that moment, Eiichi swore Tokiya must be wishing to be destroyed by him as soon as possible.

While Tomochika, she learned that she just told the truth to Tokiya last night. Instead of Eiichi, she was the one who revealed their secret first.

That's all for chapter 30. After Saotome, I really want to get rid of Eiichi as soon as possible but... yeah, he still has things on his side that need to be covered before this story can reach the climax. As usual, if you do have something to say, don't hesitate to drop a comment, okay? Bye~