Chapter 18
The concert venue was packed. I couldn’t believe that many girls had the time to go to a concert at night. This was my first concert and might be my last. I saw many girls holding uchiwas with Arashi's faces glued on it and some girl were wearing their concert t-shirts.
I wanted to tell Nino to cut me off from his life for good. I was hoping that me coming here, I would get a chance to tell him that.
The doors finally opened and I handed my ticket to the lady. She smiled at me. Then she called someone over and whispered something in his ear.
She took me out of the line and the guy led me backstage. I shouted. “Eh? Where am I going?” I saw many glares coming from the girls. I sighed and I saw all the staff people running around.
I looked around and saw many juniors warming up backstage. They smiled and bowed their heads to me. I smiled back and I began to become confused. I didn’t know where this person was taking me.
Before I could stop to think, I was already in front of Arashi’s dressing room.
He knocked on the door and I heard someone saying. “Come in.” The guy opened the door for me and I saw Arashi sitting at a table with their costumes on.
They looked up at me. I was scared of what they were going to say to me. I bowed my head and walked forward. Sho got up and pulled out a chair for me. I bowed my head to him and sat down.
There was silence in the room. It started to irritate me. “Ano…” I started to say.
“Hikari, right?” Jun interrupted me. I looked over at Jun. He seemed pissed off. I nodded my head.
“Johnny-san told us what had happened.” Sho said. I looked at him and frowned. I bit my lip and played with my fingers.
“Did you know Naoko-chan had brain cancer?” Sho asked me. I shook my head and said in a quiet voice. “No, she didn’t like when people were concern about her health.” All five of them nodded their heads and I saw Ohno placing a cup of water in front of me.
I heard a knock coming from the door. “You’re on in 5 minutes.” They nodded their heads and Sho, Ohno, Aiba and Jun got up from their chairs. Aiba placed his hand on Nino’s shoulder and then they left.
I looked up to see Nino looking the other way. I stood up and placed my hands on the table. “Ninomiya-san, please stop remembering me. Just cut me off from your life and find someone else like Naoko. It’s the best thing for you and me.” I turned and walked away.
Then I heard a chair falling over and I turned to see Nino right in front of my face. “That’s the thing, I can’t stop thinking about you. I even tried dating after you left but your face kept appearing. Now, I realize that your face is totally different from Naoko’s. I feel like Naoko-chan wanted me to be with you. I couldn't concentrate entirely on my work because I knew I had to see you again.” I gasped and then I smiled.
He leaned in and kissed me on the lips. “Now I’m in love with you Hikari, but Naoko will always be in my heart.”
I smiled and said. “I didn't expect to fall in love with my sister's boyfriend..”
"Ninomiya-san, you're needed on stage." The staff member can again and shouted to Nino. He nodded his head and left. The staff member looked at me.
"Naoko-chan, is that you?" He asked me.
I smiled and shook my head. "No, I'm Hikari. Naoko's twin sister."
Probably that time we began walking different paths.
Until the day that those feelings will release their radiance.
If the wheel begin to turn, the journey would start.
I won't stray anymore, I gently embrace the past.
I told my secret that I was hiding for a long time only to you.
No matter when, my everything is probably still...
People who I don't know the names are passing by the noisy street.
It seems that everyone has someone important burning in their hearts.
I remembered the time I'd be crushed with many things I had.
Forever we are connected because those hands are not lying.
The days we cannot go back to are lovely but tomorrow is waiting for us.
No matter where, we can still go on.
- -"Still..." by Arashi
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Mistaken Identity- Chapter 17
Chapter 17
I arrived home a few hours later and I noticed Naoko’s boxes already had arrived to my house. I smiled and loaded them inside in my living room. I found a lot of mail and messages from my answering machine.
There was one from Johnny-san, he said that he took everyone who knew Naoko really well to her grave. Then he said that everyone was devastated when they heard the news. I sighed. I still felt like that big boulder was still on my shoulders.
I went back to work the next day. They gave me flowers and celebrated my belated birthday. I tried to smile most of the time. I wasn’t really happy, every time I would think about being happy about my birthday. I would have a flashback to the time when Nino celebrated my birthday with me.
After a long day at work and celebrating my belated birthday at a restaurant with my co-workers, I came home feeling tired and drunk. I made myself drink until I threw up. I wanted to forget everything that had happened. Naoko, Nino, Arashi and Johnny-san. I finally escaped.
I had a really bad headache the next morning. I couldn’t walk and I called in to say that I was sick. I think they knew that I was badly hung-over.
I roamed around my house. I didn’t feel like going outside. I sat down on my bed. I sighed and looked around my room. Then I noticed Naoko’s boxes. I had to put them away.
I opened one of Naoko’s boxes and looked at what I stuffed inside. I didn’t even think when I was packing up Naoko’s stuff. I just threw all her stuff in some boxes and shipped it my place.
The box contained her papers. Then I saw a photo that stood out in the pile of papers. I picked it up and looked at it.
It was a picture of Naoko and Nino. I smiled. I placed it back and closed the box up with some tape.
I placed the boxes in my storage room. I sighed and I heard something falling into my mailbox.
I got up and checked what kind of mail I received. It was mostly flyers but then I saw a blue envelope. I checked to see the sender's name and I couldn't find one. I shrugged my shoulders and opened it up.
It was a ticket to an Arashi concert for tomorrow in Okinawa. I gasped. It must be from Nino.
I had to decide if I wanted to keep hiding or go face my fears.
I arrived home a few hours later and I noticed Naoko’s boxes already had arrived to my house. I smiled and loaded them inside in my living room. I found a lot of mail and messages from my answering machine.
There was one from Johnny-san, he said that he took everyone who knew Naoko really well to her grave. Then he said that everyone was devastated when they heard the news. I sighed. I still felt like that big boulder was still on my shoulders.
I went back to work the next day. They gave me flowers and celebrated my belated birthday. I tried to smile most of the time. I wasn’t really happy, every time I would think about being happy about my birthday. I would have a flashback to the time when Nino celebrated my birthday with me.
After a long day at work and celebrating my belated birthday at a restaurant with my co-workers, I came home feeling tired and drunk. I made myself drink until I threw up. I wanted to forget everything that had happened. Naoko, Nino, Arashi and Johnny-san. I finally escaped.
I had a really bad headache the next morning. I couldn’t walk and I called in to say that I was sick. I think they knew that I was badly hung-over.
I roamed around my house. I didn’t feel like going outside. I sat down on my bed. I sighed and looked around my room. Then I noticed Naoko’s boxes. I had to put them away.
I opened one of Naoko’s boxes and looked at what I stuffed inside. I didn’t even think when I was packing up Naoko’s stuff. I just threw all her stuff in some boxes and shipped it my place.
The box contained her papers. Then I saw a photo that stood out in the pile of papers. I picked it up and looked at it.
It was a picture of Naoko and Nino. I smiled. I placed it back and closed the box up with some tape.
I placed the boxes in my storage room. I sighed and I heard something falling into my mailbox.
I got up and checked what kind of mail I received. It was mostly flyers but then I saw a blue envelope. I checked to see the sender's name and I couldn't find one. I shrugged my shoulders and opened it up.
It was a ticket to an Arashi concert for tomorrow in Okinawa. I gasped. It must be from Nino.
I had to decide if I wanted to keep hiding or go face my fears.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Mistaken Identity- Chapter 16
Chapter 16
I arrived to the airport and bought a ticket to Okinawa. I had to wait two more hours until I could board my plane. I walked around the airport and saw a few fast food places open. I missed dinner so I bought myself some miso ramen. It was delicious.
I looked in the shops that were still open. I didn’t buy anything because I didn’t have anymore cash.
It was finally my time to depart.
I had a great time in Tokyo. I met lots of people because of my sister. It felt awkward but it was a good experience for me.
I picked up my stuff and was about to board the plane, when I heard someone calling my actual name.
“Hikari-chan!” I turned around. I saw Nino running to me. I gasped. I didn’t expect him to show up. I thought he hated me because I faked being Naoko.
“Why..?” I asked. He was panting. He looked up and smiled. “Hikari-chan, please don't go. I've read Naoko's letter over and over again. I know you’re not Naoko-chan but somehow I can’t stop thinking about you. ”
He straighten his back and I said. “What? I don’t understand..” He giggled and said. “Sometimes, I don’t even understand myself.” I laughed and kissed him on his cheek.
“Ninomiya-san, please forget about me and move on. Naoko and I want you to be happy. I have to leave now.” I turned around and walked towards the plane.
I glanced behind me. I saw that he was crying and slowly walking away from me. I closed my eyes and bit my lip. I had to leave. It was the right thing to do.
I sat in the plane. I was thinking about Nino and everyone that Naoko knew. They would be left with unanswered questions. I probably wouldn’t be able to answer them.
I stared outside from the plane window, trying to hold back my tears.
I arrived to the airport and bought a ticket to Okinawa. I had to wait two more hours until I could board my plane. I walked around the airport and saw a few fast food places open. I missed dinner so I bought myself some miso ramen. It was delicious.
I looked in the shops that were still open. I didn’t buy anything because I didn’t have anymore cash.
It was finally my time to depart.
I had a great time in Tokyo. I met lots of people because of my sister. It felt awkward but it was a good experience for me.
I picked up my stuff and was about to board the plane, when I heard someone calling my actual name.
“Hikari-chan!” I turned around. I saw Nino running to me. I gasped. I didn’t expect him to show up. I thought he hated me because I faked being Naoko.
“Why..?” I asked. He was panting. He looked up and smiled. “Hikari-chan, please don't go. I've read Naoko's letter over and over again. I know you’re not Naoko-chan but somehow I can’t stop thinking about you. ”
He straighten his back and I said. “What? I don’t understand..” He giggled and said. “Sometimes, I don’t even understand myself.” I laughed and kissed him on his cheek.
“Ninomiya-san, please forget about me and move on. Naoko and I want you to be happy. I have to leave now.” I turned around and walked towards the plane.
I glanced behind me. I saw that he was crying and slowly walking away from me. I closed my eyes and bit my lip. I had to leave. It was the right thing to do.
I sat in the plane. I was thinking about Nino and everyone that Naoko knew. They would be left with unanswered questions. I probably wouldn’t be able to answer them.
I stared outside from the plane window, trying to hold back my tears.
[Side Story] I Could Never Forget You
I Could Never Forget You
Ninomiya Kazunari's Point Of View
I was standing in front of my dead girlfriend's grave stone. I just found out that my girlfriend passed away a few weeks ago and I was in love with her twin sister, Hikari. I was confused. What was I going to tell Arashi, my girlfriend is dead and I kissed her twin sister without knowing it wasn't Naoko.
I messed up my hair and cried in front of Naoko's grave stone. I didn't even get to say my final good-bye to her. I loved her so much but why did she do that to me?
I slowly dragged myself back to my apartment. I was depressed and I got text messages from the guys. I ignored them. My heart was already confused and broken. I laid on my bed, thinking of the memories I shared with Naoko.
I suddenly widened my eyes. The letter that Hikari gave me. It was from Naoko. I quickly took it out from my pocket and opened it. I could smell the strawberry scent. She loved strawberries.
I opened it to see a short letter from Naoko. I guess she was sad while writing this letter. I could imagine her writing this farewell letter in her apartment. Trying to write about thoughtful and happy things.
Then I started to read the precious letter that my girlfriend wrote for me.
Dear Kazu,
I'm guessing my sister has revealed to you that she is not me. Gomen ne. For keeping my illness and my sister a secret. I thought it was good for you and me. I know you're strong enough without me. Look at you, you're a super star.
Please don't blame yourself. I want you to continue having a peaceful and happy life.
I've been keeping my illness a secret for a while. Before I met you, I knew I had this condition but I didn't expect to fall in love with someone who is like me. I always wanted to tell you but I was scared and worried. If I told you, you would concentrate more on me than your work.
Do you remember? When we first met at the department store. When I first saw you, I thought you were a stalker because you were wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. A few minutes later, fate came along. You picked up my cake thinking that it was yours. We argued and then the employee told us that it was the cake I bought. You were embarrassed and apologized to me. I couldn't hate you because you had a weird expression on your face, when you found out about you being wrong. Those memories will be forever in my heart and soul.
I love you and you'll always be in my heart.
"Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice but falling in love with you I had no control over."
- Anonymous
Love, Naoko
I dropped my head to the floor. I started to cry. I held the letter close to my heart. “Naoko, why…?” I muttered. I was sobbing. I laid back on my bed and tried to wipe my tears away but every time I wiped them away, new tears would come out.
A few hours later, my tears had dried out. I was staring at my ceiling, every time I would think of Naoko, I would think of Hikari. I shook my head. This wasn’t the time to be thinking about someone else.
I heard my cell phone ringing. I slowly grabbed it and it was from a friend. “Moshi-moshi?” I said.
“Nino-kun! Do you want to go to a goukon today? I need one more person.” My friend said. I had to stop thinking about Hikari and Naoko. I guess I could start dating someone else to get my thoughts rid of them.
“Sure. I’m up for it.” I said. I heard my friend shouting. “Okay, well it’s starting now. Meet me at…”
~*~
Ninomiya Kazunari's Point Of View
I was standing in front of my dead girlfriend's grave stone. I just found out that my girlfriend passed away a few weeks ago and I was in love with her twin sister, Hikari. I was confused. What was I going to tell Arashi, my girlfriend is dead and I kissed her twin sister without knowing it wasn't Naoko.
I messed up my hair and cried in front of Naoko's grave stone. I didn't even get to say my final good-bye to her. I loved her so much but why did she do that to me?
I slowly dragged myself back to my apartment. I was depressed and I got text messages from the guys. I ignored them. My heart was already confused and broken. I laid on my bed, thinking of the memories I shared with Naoko.
I suddenly widened my eyes. The letter that Hikari gave me. It was from Naoko. I quickly took it out from my pocket and opened it. I could smell the strawberry scent. She loved strawberries.
I opened it to see a short letter from Naoko. I guess she was sad while writing this letter. I could imagine her writing this farewell letter in her apartment. Trying to write about thoughtful and happy things.
Then I started to read the precious letter that my girlfriend wrote for me.
Dear Kazu,
I'm guessing my sister has revealed to you that she is not me. Gomen ne. For keeping my illness and my sister a secret. I thought it was good for you and me. I know you're strong enough without me. Look at you, you're a super star.
Please don't blame yourself. I want you to continue having a peaceful and happy life.
I've been keeping my illness a secret for a while. Before I met you, I knew I had this condition but I didn't expect to fall in love with someone who is like me. I always wanted to tell you but I was scared and worried. If I told you, you would concentrate more on me than your work.
Do you remember? When we first met at the department store. When I first saw you, I thought you were a stalker because you were wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. A few minutes later, fate came along. You picked up my cake thinking that it was yours. We argued and then the employee told us that it was the cake I bought. You were embarrassed and apologized to me. I couldn't hate you because you had a weird expression on your face, when you found out about you being wrong. Those memories will be forever in my heart and soul.
I love you and you'll always be in my heart.
"Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice but falling in love with you I had no control over."
- Anonymous
Love, Naoko
I dropped my head to the floor. I started to cry. I held the letter close to my heart. “Naoko, why…?” I muttered. I was sobbing. I laid back on my bed and tried to wipe my tears away but every time I wiped them away, new tears would come out.
A few hours later, my tears had dried out. I was staring at my ceiling, every time I would think of Naoko, I would think of Hikari. I shook my head. This wasn’t the time to be thinking about someone else.
I heard my cell phone ringing. I slowly grabbed it and it was from a friend. “Moshi-moshi?” I said.
“Nino-kun! Do you want to go to a goukon today? I need one more person.” My friend said. I had to stop thinking about Hikari and Naoko. I guess I could start dating someone else to get my thoughts rid of them.
“Sure. I’m up for it.” I said. I heard my friend shouting. “Okay, well it’s starting now. Meet me at…”
~*~
I arrived at the goukon place. I was wearing a simple t-shirt, a sweater and jeans. I didn’t feel like dressing up to impress some girl. I had my cell phone, didn’t bring my wallet, my keys and my cards. I was ready for the goukon.
I walked inside and looked through the windows. Then I saw my friend singing an Arashi song. I smiled and giggled. I opened the door and I saw everyone squealing.
“Ninomiya Kazunari! KYA! I can’t believe it’s him! Why is he here?” I heard the girls talking to each other. I smiled and my friend came over.
“Hey, I’m glad you could make it. Take a seat or you could sing.” My friend said to me. I nodded my head and sat down beside a girl.
She was cute. Her hair was in braids, she had glasses and she looked like a person that was dragged along with her friends.
“Konbawa.” I said to her. She nodded her head to me. I cocked my head and picked up the karaoke instruments.
The goukon was loud and I wanted to take a breather outside. I walked in the hallway and found a bench. I sat down and sighed. I was still depressed over Naoko and Hikari.
Then I saw that glasses girl again. She was walking out of the ladies washroom. I smiled at her and she nodded her head to me.
“What’s your name?” I asked her. I wanted to flirt with her and try to open her heart to me. Instead of always her giving me the cold shoulder. I was a free man now. I don’t have a girlfriend anymore so I’ll be fine.
“Rika. Kitamura Rika.” She said in a quiet voice. I smiled and asked. “Do you know my name?” She nodded her head to me.
“Do you want to sit? It’s pretty hot in there.” I pointed to the karaoke room. She nodded and slowly sat down beside me. “Ano..Do you have a boyfriend because you look like a girl that has a boyfriend..” I said. I started to sweat. I shouldn’t have asked her so straightforwardly.
She shook her head. “I came here because I wanted to find one. But I couldn’t believe that you came here. I mean you’re an idol.” She said to me.
I giggled. “You finally spoke to me.” She giggled along with me. I was getting more comfortable with her.
As I started to talk with her, I kept seeing Hikari’s face on her. Why did I kept seeing her face? Why is my heart beating faster if I see her face? Do I love Hikari or is it because she had Naoko’s face? I was confused.
“Gomen. I need to go now.” I said to Rika. She nodded her head. She seemed sad. I was feeling guilty for suddenly leaving her but I knew it was the right thing for me.
I went back to my apartment. I was in a mess. I couldn’t stop thinking about Hikari. Why? Then I suddenly perked up. I had fallen in love with Hikari but how? I mean, she’s pretty like Naoko. She has a cute laugh, she is friendly and shy… Wait, did I just name off things that I liked about her? I don’t completely know her but I already like some things about her. Yes, I was in love with Hikari.
I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Naoko’s apartment number. No one picked up. Darn! She's not in Naoko's apartment. Then I decided to call Johnny-san. I had to tell the truth to him because he was a close friend to Naoko. She would always talk to him when she visited the building.
“Johnny-san, umm about Naoko-chan..” I said. “I know.” He replied back. I was stunned. “What…Why?” I said and then suddenly he laughed. “You said the same thing that Hikari-chan said.” I giggled and said. “Do you know where she is? I need to talk to her.
“I think she is going back home. She is from Okinawa and wanted to spend her birthday with Naoko but…” I nodded my head. “Then Naoko died and she replaced her.” I interrupted him. He giggled and said. “I think she is at the airport now. You should leave now before she boards that plane.” I nodded my head and quickly left my apartment. I didn’t want to miss this farewell and I wanted to confess to Hikari that I loved her.
I walked inside and looked through the windows. Then I saw my friend singing an Arashi song. I smiled and giggled. I opened the door and I saw everyone squealing.
“Ninomiya Kazunari! KYA! I can’t believe it’s him! Why is he here?” I heard the girls talking to each other. I smiled and my friend came over.
“Hey, I’m glad you could make it. Take a seat or you could sing.” My friend said to me. I nodded my head and sat down beside a girl.
She was cute. Her hair was in braids, she had glasses and she looked like a person that was dragged along with her friends.
“Konbawa.” I said to her. She nodded her head to me. I cocked my head and picked up the karaoke instruments.
The goukon was loud and I wanted to take a breather outside. I walked in the hallway and found a bench. I sat down and sighed. I was still depressed over Naoko and Hikari.
Then I saw that glasses girl again. She was walking out of the ladies washroom. I smiled at her and she nodded her head to me.
“What’s your name?” I asked her. I wanted to flirt with her and try to open her heart to me. Instead of always her giving me the cold shoulder. I was a free man now. I don’t have a girlfriend anymore so I’ll be fine.
“Rika. Kitamura Rika.” She said in a quiet voice. I smiled and asked. “Do you know my name?” She nodded her head to me.
“Do you want to sit? It’s pretty hot in there.” I pointed to the karaoke room. She nodded and slowly sat down beside me. “Ano..Do you have a boyfriend because you look like a girl that has a boyfriend..” I said. I started to sweat. I shouldn’t have asked her so straightforwardly.
She shook her head. “I came here because I wanted to find one. But I couldn’t believe that you came here. I mean you’re an idol.” She said to me.
I giggled. “You finally spoke to me.” She giggled along with me. I was getting more comfortable with her.
As I started to talk with her, I kept seeing Hikari’s face on her. Why did I kept seeing her face? Why is my heart beating faster if I see her face? Do I love Hikari or is it because she had Naoko’s face? I was confused.
“Gomen. I need to go now.” I said to Rika. She nodded her head. She seemed sad. I was feeling guilty for suddenly leaving her but I knew it was the right thing for me.
I went back to my apartment. I was in a mess. I couldn’t stop thinking about Hikari. Why? Then I suddenly perked up. I had fallen in love with Hikari but how? I mean, she’s pretty like Naoko. She has a cute laugh, she is friendly and shy… Wait, did I just name off things that I liked about her? I don’t completely know her but I already like some things about her. Yes, I was in love with Hikari.
I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Naoko’s apartment number. No one picked up. Darn! She's not in Naoko's apartment. Then I decided to call Johnny-san. I had to tell the truth to him because he was a close friend to Naoko. She would always talk to him when she visited the building.
“Johnny-san, umm about Naoko-chan..” I said. “I know.” He replied back. I was stunned. “What…Why?” I said and then suddenly he laughed. “You said the same thing that Hikari-chan said.” I giggled and said. “Do you know where she is? I need to talk to her.
“I think she is going back home. She is from Okinawa and wanted to spend her birthday with Naoko but…” I nodded my head. “Then Naoko died and she replaced her.” I interrupted him. He giggled and said. “I think she is at the airport now. You should leave now before she boards that plane.” I nodded my head and quickly left my apartment. I didn’t want to miss this farewell and I wanted to confess to Hikari that I loved her.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Mistaken Identity- Chapter 15
Chapter 15
I walked out of Johnny-san’s office. My eyes were lightly swollen. I decided to get some fresh air on the roof.
I saw no one standing on the roof and there was a bench. As I walked towards the bench, I saw a pot of flowers on a piece of stone. I picked up the small pot. I looked at it and noticed there was some initials on the pot.
“I.N & N.K” I smiled. It was Naoko and Nino’s special pot together. It was a pot of yellow tulips. I giggled. The yellow tulips blossomed and there was three of them. I placed it back on the piece of stone and I heard someone shouting.
“Naoko!” I tossed my back behind me and I saw Nino running towards me. “I told you they would blossom..” Nino smiled and touched one of the yellow tulips.
“Ninomiya-san… I have to tell you something.” I fixed my gaze at him. He giggled and said. “What’s wrong? You usually don’t address me as Ninomiya-san.. It makes me feel old.” He smiled and I started to frown.
“I’m not actually…Naoko.” I looked away. I placed my hand on my elbow and looked down at the floor. He placed his hand on one of my shoulders. I pushed it away and looked up.
“I’m Naoko’s twin sister, Hikari. Naoko died from a brain operation last week. She wanted me to give you this.” I grabbed the letter from Naoko and handed it to him. He looked surprised. He blinked his eyes and his mouth was hanging open.
I started to walk away from him. He grabbed my hand. “Aren’t you Naoko, my girlfriend?” Nino looked confused. I shook my head and pulled my hand off from his grip. “Can't you see my face is totally different from Naoko's?" He shook his head and looked dumbfounded. I sighed and said. "If you don’t believe me then follow me.”
Nino and I got out from the taxi and we were standing in front of a graveyard. His happy face turned into a frown. I walked towards Naoko’s gravestone and pointed to it. He finally realized that she passed away.
I walked away, leaving him with Naoko. My vacation in Tokyo had ended, now it’s time for me to return home and face my own reality. The reality that was for me.
I took a taxi to Naoko’s apartment. I found some boxes and packed up her stuff. I finished packing up her stuff and placed the boxes in the living room. Everything was gone. Her clothes, books, papers, music and much more was all packed. All I had to do is to send it to my place.
I took all the boxes to a moving company. I had asked them to send it to my house. By the time I arrived home, the boxes would be in front of my door. I paid and went back to Naoko’s apartment complex.
I grabbed my stuff from her room and I took a minute to look at her room. I closed my eyes and imagined how busy she would be in her apartment. Work, love life and her daily life all happened in this apartment. I opened my eyes and smiled.
“I’m leaving now. Sayonara.” I said to the apartment. I took the elevator down to the front desk. I didn’t see the old lady. I guess she was busy. I wrote a note and placed the key on the counter. I left and I went to the airport.
Soon, I was going to leave and wouldn’t be able to see everyone again.
I walked out of Johnny-san’s office. My eyes were lightly swollen. I decided to get some fresh air on the roof.
I saw no one standing on the roof and there was a bench. As I walked towards the bench, I saw a pot of flowers on a piece of stone. I picked up the small pot. I looked at it and noticed there was some initials on the pot.
“I.N & N.K” I smiled. It was Naoko and Nino’s special pot together. It was a pot of yellow tulips. I giggled. The yellow tulips blossomed and there was three of them. I placed it back on the piece of stone and I heard someone shouting.
“Naoko!” I tossed my back behind me and I saw Nino running towards me. “I told you they would blossom..” Nino smiled and touched one of the yellow tulips.
“Ninomiya-san… I have to tell you something.” I fixed my gaze at him. He giggled and said. “What’s wrong? You usually don’t address me as Ninomiya-san.. It makes me feel old.” He smiled and I started to frown.
“I’m not actually…Naoko.” I looked away. I placed my hand on my elbow and looked down at the floor. He placed his hand on one of my shoulders. I pushed it away and looked up.
“I’m Naoko’s twin sister, Hikari. Naoko died from a brain operation last week. She wanted me to give you this.” I grabbed the letter from Naoko and handed it to him. He looked surprised. He blinked his eyes and his mouth was hanging open.
I started to walk away from him. He grabbed my hand. “Aren’t you Naoko, my girlfriend?” Nino looked confused. I shook my head and pulled my hand off from his grip. “Can't you see my face is totally different from Naoko's?" He shook his head and looked dumbfounded. I sighed and said. "If you don’t believe me then follow me.”
~*~
Nino and I got out from the taxi and we were standing in front of a graveyard. His happy face turned into a frown. I walked towards Naoko’s gravestone and pointed to it. He finally realized that she passed away.
I walked away, leaving him with Naoko. My vacation in Tokyo had ended, now it’s time for me to return home and face my own reality. The reality that was for me.
I took a taxi to Naoko’s apartment. I found some boxes and packed up her stuff. I finished packing up her stuff and placed the boxes in the living room. Everything was gone. Her clothes, books, papers, music and much more was all packed. All I had to do is to send it to my place.
I took all the boxes to a moving company. I had asked them to send it to my house. By the time I arrived home, the boxes would be in front of my door. I paid and went back to Naoko’s apartment complex.
I grabbed my stuff from her room and I took a minute to look at her room. I closed my eyes and imagined how busy she would be in her apartment. Work, love life and her daily life all happened in this apartment. I opened my eyes and smiled.
“I’m leaving now. Sayonara.” I said to the apartment. I took the elevator down to the front desk. I didn’t see the old lady. I guess she was busy. I wrote a note and placed the key on the counter. I left and I went to the airport.
Soon, I was going to leave and wouldn’t be able to see everyone again.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Mistaken Identity- Chapter 14
Chapter 14
The hospital had finally released me. Apparently Nino had paid for my hospital bill before hand. I grabbed my things and reached for my cell phone in my purse. I felt a piece of paper in my purse, it was Naoko’s letter to Nino. I had forgotten all about it. I sighed and took a taxi to the Johnny’s building. I had to tell the truth to someone, so I decided Johnny-san would be the right person.
I arrived to the building and I saw everyone smiling at me, again. I walked up to the secretary and she gave me a pass, without asking me why I was there. I shrugged my shoulders and took the elevator up to Johnny-san’s office.
His secretary nodded her head to me and I walked towards Johnny-san’s office. I knocked on the door and I heard him shouting. “I’m busy right now!” I sighed.
“Ano..Johnny-san. It’s me.” I said in a quiet voice. I heard a sudden thump and I saw Johnny-san opening the door for me.
“Gomen, Naoko-chan. I thought you were a business partner of mine. Come in.” He smiled at me. I cocked my head and sat on his sofa. “What can I do for you?” He asked me in a kind voice.
I looked up at him. He was sitting in his big leather chair. “I have something to tell you.” He giggled at me and I was frightened a bit. “Usually, I’m the one that tells you my problems.” I giggled along with him.
I stood up. “Johnny-san…Iie. Kitagawa-san, gomenasai!” I bowed my head. “Naoko-chan, why are you apologizing?” He cocked his head and came over to me. He placed his hand on my shoulder. I pushed his hand away.
I looked down at the floor. “I’m not Naoko.” I muttered. My eyes started to get watery.
“Eh? I didn’t hear you.” Johnny-san said.
I looked up at him and stared at his eyes. “I’m not Naoko! I’m Naoko’s sister, Hikari.” Tears came down from my eyes. I had finally told the truth to someone.
He gave me a pleasant smile and placed his hands on my shoulder again. “I know.” I widened my eyes. I was stunned. He knew the truth but kept it away from me..
“What?..Why?” I asked. He nodded to me and said. “Sit down.” I slowly dropped myself on the sofa and Johnny-san handed me a box of tissues.
“After I met you at the balcony, I received a mail from Naoko. She explained that she had brain cancer. She wanted me to call you and ask you to come to Tokyo. Then, she wanted you to experience her life in Tokyo. Meet all her friends and co-workers. She wanted you to live out her life for a while. After, Naoko-chan wanted you to tell Nino-kun that she died and he should move on. Her uncompleted life was for you to finish it off in her place.” I could see Johnny-san having some sadness in his eyes.
Naoko was always thinking of me. Even though we were a few miles apart, she was always looking out for me. I covered my face with my hands. My emotional tears came running down my hands.
“Hikari-chan, right?” Johnny-san asked in a quiet voice. I nodded my head. “I will notify everyone in the building that Naoko has passed away. The only thing is I’m concern is Nino-kun. Will you be able to tell him the truth?”
I moved my hands away from my face. I widened my eyes and stared at the floor. It felt like my heart stopped beating for a few minutes. I hurt Nino’s feelings and I’m going to tear him apart even more. I know he wouldn’t believe me because I had Naoko’s face.
The hospital had finally released me. Apparently Nino had paid for my hospital bill before hand. I grabbed my things and reached for my cell phone in my purse. I felt a piece of paper in my purse, it was Naoko’s letter to Nino. I had forgotten all about it. I sighed and took a taxi to the Johnny’s building. I had to tell the truth to someone, so I decided Johnny-san would be the right person.
I arrived to the building and I saw everyone smiling at me, again. I walked up to the secretary and she gave me a pass, without asking me why I was there. I shrugged my shoulders and took the elevator up to Johnny-san’s office.
His secretary nodded her head to me and I walked towards Johnny-san’s office. I knocked on the door and I heard him shouting. “I’m busy right now!” I sighed.
“Ano..Johnny-san. It’s me.” I said in a quiet voice. I heard a sudden thump and I saw Johnny-san opening the door for me.
“Gomen, Naoko-chan. I thought you were a business partner of mine. Come in.” He smiled at me. I cocked my head and sat on his sofa. “What can I do for you?” He asked me in a kind voice.
I looked up at him. He was sitting in his big leather chair. “I have something to tell you.” He giggled at me and I was frightened a bit. “Usually, I’m the one that tells you my problems.” I giggled along with him.
I stood up. “Johnny-san…Iie. Kitagawa-san, gomenasai!” I bowed my head. “Naoko-chan, why are you apologizing?” He cocked his head and came over to me. He placed his hand on my shoulder. I pushed his hand away.
I looked down at the floor. “I’m not Naoko.” I muttered. My eyes started to get watery.
“Eh? I didn’t hear you.” Johnny-san said.
I looked up at him and stared at his eyes. “I’m not Naoko! I’m Naoko’s sister, Hikari.” Tears came down from my eyes. I had finally told the truth to someone.
He gave me a pleasant smile and placed his hands on my shoulder again. “I know.” I widened my eyes. I was stunned. He knew the truth but kept it away from me..
“What?..Why?” I asked. He nodded to me and said. “Sit down.” I slowly dropped myself on the sofa and Johnny-san handed me a box of tissues.
“After I met you at the balcony, I received a mail from Naoko. She explained that she had brain cancer. She wanted me to call you and ask you to come to Tokyo. Then, she wanted you to experience her life in Tokyo. Meet all her friends and co-workers. She wanted you to live out her life for a while. After, Naoko-chan wanted you to tell Nino-kun that she died and he should move on. Her uncompleted life was for you to finish it off in her place.” I could see Johnny-san having some sadness in his eyes.
Naoko was always thinking of me. Even though we were a few miles apart, she was always looking out for me. I covered my face with my hands. My emotional tears came running down my hands.
“Hikari-chan, right?” Johnny-san asked in a quiet voice. I nodded my head. “I will notify everyone in the building that Naoko has passed away. The only thing is I’m concern is Nino-kun. Will you be able to tell him the truth?”
I moved my hands away from my face. I widened my eyes and stared at the floor. It felt like my heart stopped beating for a few minutes. I hurt Nino’s feelings and I’m going to tear him apart even more. I know he wouldn’t believe me because I had Naoko’s face.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Mistaken Identity- Chapter 13
Chapter 13
I groaned. My back still felt stiff. I opened my eyes and I saw the room was pitch black. It was night time and my stomach was growling. I sighed and looked on my left. I saw Nino sleeping beside me. I smiled and I had an urge to touch his hair. It was a bit messy and an idol can’t have messy hair, right?
I decided to fix it up for him, as a favor. I slowly raised up my hand and fixed his waxy hair. He moved his head. I sighed and tried to fix it up for him again. He raised his head up and saw me. Oops! I woke him up.
“Gomen ne. I was fixing your hair.” He smiled at me. I gave him a weak smile. Then my stomach started to growl. He giggled and bent down to pick up something. It was a white box. He placed it on the table that was in front of me. He opened it and it was a birthday cake. I had totally forgotten that my birthday was this week. That was my main purpose for coming here, to celebrate my birthday with Naoko.
I widened my eyes. I straighten my back and I saw that the cake said. “Happy birthday Naoko and Kazu.” I looked up at Nino. He smiled at me and kissed me on the cheek.
“Happy birthday Naoko-chan.” He whispered to me. This was suppose to be a special moment for Nino and Naoko. Instead, he couldn’t even spend his birthday with Naoko this year.. He spent it with me.
Tears came out from my eyes. I looked away and covered myself with my covers. Nino started to shake me. “Naoko-chan, what’s wrong?” I had to stop spending time with him because I was about to rip myself soon.
“GO AWAY! I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU ANYMORE!” I shouted. I started sniffling, I didn’t want to say it but it was the only thing I could do.
He mumbled something and left the room. I took off the covers from my head and looked around the room. He had actually left. I looked at the cake that was in front of me.
I bit my lip, he really cared for me. Then I saw a card beside the cake.
Dearest Naoko,
I'm so happy to celebrate my birthday with you. We can always celebrate our birthdays together.
Naoko, when I met you at the department store, we each bought a birthday cake for ourselves. You laughed because we both ate a birthday cake alone. It made me really happy.
When I introduced myself as Ninomiya Kazunari, you didn’t even care that I was famous. I remembered what you said. “What you’re an idol? Ha. Then that means I’m a princess.” You didn’t even believe me. Then I brought you to the Johnny’s building. Instead of waiting for me, I had to wait for you until you were done talking to the employees.
You got along with anyone and no matter how mean they were to you. You helped them open themselves to you. I’m really proud of myself that I can tell people that you’re my girlfriend.
Happy birthday, Naoko.
Love, Ninomiya Kazunari
I wiped my tears away with my arm. The card was meant for someone who didn’t exist anymore. I placed the card back on the table and took a bite of the cake.
“Happy birthday, Hikari.” I said to myself and ate alone in the dark hospital room.
I groaned. My back still felt stiff. I opened my eyes and I saw the room was pitch black. It was night time and my stomach was growling. I sighed and looked on my left. I saw Nino sleeping beside me. I smiled and I had an urge to touch his hair. It was a bit messy and an idol can’t have messy hair, right?
I decided to fix it up for him, as a favor. I slowly raised up my hand and fixed his waxy hair. He moved his head. I sighed and tried to fix it up for him again. He raised his head up and saw me. Oops! I woke him up.
“Gomen ne. I was fixing your hair.” He smiled at me. I gave him a weak smile. Then my stomach started to growl. He giggled and bent down to pick up something. It was a white box. He placed it on the table that was in front of me. He opened it and it was a birthday cake. I had totally forgotten that my birthday was this week. That was my main purpose for coming here, to celebrate my birthday with Naoko.
I widened my eyes. I straighten my back and I saw that the cake said. “Happy birthday Naoko and Kazu.” I looked up at Nino. He smiled at me and kissed me on the cheek.
“Happy birthday Naoko-chan.” He whispered to me. This was suppose to be a special moment for Nino and Naoko. Instead, he couldn’t even spend his birthday with Naoko this year.. He spent it with me.
Tears came out from my eyes. I looked away and covered myself with my covers. Nino started to shake me. “Naoko-chan, what’s wrong?” I had to stop spending time with him because I was about to rip myself soon.
“GO AWAY! I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU ANYMORE!” I shouted. I started sniffling, I didn’t want to say it but it was the only thing I could do.
He mumbled something and left the room. I took off the covers from my head and looked around the room. He had actually left. I looked at the cake that was in front of me.
I bit my lip, he really cared for me. Then I saw a card beside the cake.
Dearest Naoko,
I'm so happy to celebrate my birthday with you. We can always celebrate our birthdays together.
Naoko, when I met you at the department store, we each bought a birthday cake for ourselves. You laughed because we both ate a birthday cake alone. It made me really happy.
When I introduced myself as Ninomiya Kazunari, you didn’t even care that I was famous. I remembered what you said. “What you’re an idol? Ha. Then that means I’m a princess.” You didn’t even believe me. Then I brought you to the Johnny’s building. Instead of waiting for me, I had to wait for you until you were done talking to the employees.
You got along with anyone and no matter how mean they were to you. You helped them open themselves to you. I’m really proud of myself that I can tell people that you’re my girlfriend.
Happy birthday, Naoko.
Love, Ninomiya Kazunari
I wiped my tears away with my arm. The card was meant for someone who didn’t exist anymore. I placed the card back on the table and took a bite of the cake.
“Happy birthday, Hikari.” I said to myself and ate alone in the dark hospital room.
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