I'm Sorry

Chapter 1

After shooting for AKBINGO! I saw Yuko walking back to the dressing room with a deadpan face. It’s obvious that she was upset but I have to know what was in her mind. Therefore I walked up to her. When she saw me walking towards her, her eyes was shining, a smile was forming on her face. I was sure that she was happy to see me but when she was about to wrap herself onto my body she restrained herself and the sad looks once again appeared on her usually mischievous feature. 

“What’s with that long face?” I asked wanting to know what’s bothering her. She looked into my eyes and my heart was uncontrollably beating so fast as if it was almost jumping out of my chest. She was about to say something but reluctantly she just merely answered with a nothing and drag herself lifelessly to the dressing room. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than to see her in this state. Surprisingly, I was missing her playfulness and her warmth. 

“You are the sole reason that she was like that.” Mii chan startled me with that one comment. Maybe I was too caught up with my own thoughts and didn’t realize her presence. 

“I am?” now I was confused. She just sighed heavily and continued, “Sometimes I wonder are you really air-headed or you are just too full of yourself.”

That one comment is sure pissing me off but I had hold back my anger to see what she have to say about I am the one making Yuko feeling this way. 

“The shoujiki shoki session…about your liking of Yuko. Tell me about it do you really dislike her or there’s story behind it?” it clicked to me no wonder she was acting so weirdly towards me.

“No, I do really like her…a lot in fact. It is just that what make me dislike her is she is always flirting with other members and her rubbing on them is really irritates me to no end. I wanted her to pay attention to me and only.” I was surprised with my own possessiveness and I can see Mii chan was amused with my words as well.

“Well I guess you should confront her and tell her that you like her as well.” Mii chan was stuttering nervously and rubbing the back of her head. 

“I should get going now. See you later and remember to talk to her about it.” Finishing that she walked away waving me good bye. I was standing there recollecting the information and planning how should I confront her about it. 

I was thinking so hard that I didn’t realize that somebody was in front of me trying to get my attention.

“Nyan Nyan, what are you thinking? Let’s get going. I wanna spend my free time with you.” She was saying that and clings onto my arm. I looked at her, surprised. 

Yuko’s eyes shines in hope. Suddenly she released herself from my arm. Instantly I miss her touch. By the thought of it, I felt the temperature of my cheek rises. 

“You are so cute when you blush…” she said it out loud and then pinches my cheek. 

“That hurts.” I said while rubbing my cheek.

“I’m sorry I didn’t meant o pinch you that hard.” she said while caressing my cheek. Unknowingly I formed a small pout. I drag her along to the dressing room to change. She didn’t go in as she does usually. She just stands outside to wait for me.

After closing the door behind me, I could imagine that Yuko’s smile disappeared and sadness was flowing out from her again. I could hear her sighs heavily and whispers my name to no one. But what she said surprised me though.

“Nyan Nyan, I would wait for you to look at me.” she reassured herself.

“I’m always looking at you.”I said as my tears fall uncontrollably.

I am happy and sad at the same time. I am happy that she thinks of me. At the meantime I was sad that we have hurt each other by not telling how we feel about one another. It’s just painful to know that we actually feel the same for each other. I’m sure that I will confront her as soon as possible. 

“Neh…Yuko. What are you doing over here?” I recognized the voice of Mariko. Yuko and her have clicked it right they worked with each other in Majisuka Gakuen. They were good friends just like the roles they played in the drama. Mariko is a friend of Yuko and a friend of mine. Working together with her is fun and enjoyable but when it comes to Yuko my nerves just snapped. 

“I’m waiting for Nyan Nyan to change.” She answered. I could imagine that she was trying to sound cheerful knowing that she doesn’t want others to worry about her. 

“She’s taking her sweet time neh…”Mariko hissed under her breathe. 

“No matter how long she takes I’ll wait for her.” Yuko blurt out. 

The inner me was making an “aww..you are such a sweet heart” I quickly change and doesn’t want her to wait for long. Mariko’s next words was stopping me from turning the grip of the door.

“I think you should just let her go. It hurts to see you like this. Waiting for someone who doesn’t even care about you. Is it worth it? She is just too stupid for not realizing your goodness, Yuko. Just forget about her and don’t waste your precious time on her. She’s not worth your time. She’s not the one for you. There’s someone out there waiting for you. There’s someone out there who’s the right one for you.” 

Mariko’s words were like knife stab into my heart and I felt insulted when she said I was stupid.

“No, you are wrong Mariko. She’s the one for me. She’s perfection. I will wait for her till the world end. Whether she is worth or not could not be measure by money or anything else.” Yuko words are strong and powerful. I was touched that she thinks so highly of me. I feel the urge to hug her and confess to her right on the spot. Instead I open the door trying to look indifference. 

“Hey Mariko…”I said dangerously silent tone sending chill down to her spine. She just smirked at me. Oh how I wanted to wipe that smirk out of her face.

I gave her a glare and grab Yuko’s hand then heading towards the exit of the building. My anger was burning inside of me and I just keep on walking and walking with Yuko’s hand with mine. I could feel Yuko’s gaze on me worriedly. I just ignore her gaze. But, the loud horn is breaking the silence of the town. I tilted my head and saw a truck coming its way towards me. I was stunned on the spot and couldn’t move a muscle.

Chapter 2

Everything seemed to be move in slow motion. All I could felt is the strong grip of Yuko on my arm pulling me backward. I was lucky that I have avoided the accident from happening. But during the pull I lost my balance and landed on Yuko as cushion, which caused her to receive the most impact and injured her. Her arm was bleeding. I panicked. 

“YUKO, you are bleeding. Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital? No, you should go.”

Without second thought, I pulled her up carefully and hired a taxi to go to the nearest hospital. We both sat in the taxi silently. I could see that her blood keeps flowing from her arm and stained her clothes. Naturally, I wrapped my scarf on her bleeding arm in attempt to stop the flowing blood. 

“It’ll stain your scarf…besides it’s your favorite one.” She said softly.

“Nothing is more important than you…losing your blood.” I blurted out carelessly which earned a chuckle from her.

“So it means you like me right?” she asked which caught me off guard. I didn’t get to answer her as we have reached the hospital. I paid the taxi and quickly took her to the emergency room. 

While the doctor doing check up on her, I was attending the procedures. When the doctor done checking up we were there waiting for some documents to be confirmed. 

I held her wounded arm and carefully inspect it. 

“How are you feeling? Does it hurt?”I asked in concern.

“I’m fine, it’s nothing serious. Don’t worry” she said reassuring me that everything is okay.

“Yuko baka…don’t risk your life on me. It’s not worth it.”I whisper softly enough for her to hear. I held her hand and kissed it softly.

She blushes a little, which I find it cute. 

“Everything for you is worth it. I can give up everything I have even my life for you.” She said seriously and determinedly looking at me in the eyes. 

I gave her a real embrace careful not to add pressure on her arm. 

“Baka..Yuko baka..” inaudibly.

“Ano…Oshima-san, your medical card has the confirmation of covering the medical charges just sign at here and you could go. Don’t forget to take the medicines from the counter before you leave and don’t wet you wound.” The nurse instructed while handing her the documents.

After everything was done, we decided to take a cab back to her place. 

“I should stay over your place to take care of you till you are fully recovered. 

Besides it’s all because of me that you are injured.” 

“Really? You’ll stay over and accompany me till I recovered? “she asked excitedly.

“Yea.” I replied.

“If that’s the case I wished that I would never recovered.” She said light heartedly. 

I smacked her arm softly. 

“Don’t say that baka…if you never recovered how are you going to perform with an injured arm?” 

She thinks for awhile and replied “You are right. But it hurts when you smacked it.” 

“I’m sorry.” 

After a moment or so, we have reached her apartment. I carry all of our stuff and helped her to her unit. Waiting for her to open the door I can feel the weight of our belonging. Once the door was opened, I left our stuff on the couch and headed the kitchen for a glass of water.

After quenching my thirst I felt better. Looking around the house, I was amazed at her even more. Her house is neat and clean, unlike mine. Her small apartment features a hallway which she decorated the hallway with red wallpaper that gives people a sense of warmth. At the end of the end of the hallway came in view of the living room. At the center of the room hanging a beautiful swing pendent light by Monochro Design Studio, stunningly red couch at the living room complemented the whole house’s beauty. By just looking at her house I was truly astonished by her sense of artistic. The whole house just indicates her personality perfectly. Great complementary of funky owner with a funky apartment.

“Nyan nyan …are you feeling better?” she is waving in front of me nervously. 

“Your house is great. It’s beautiful like you.” she blushed a little which I found it cute. My hand automatically reached for her face and pinched it. 

“kawaii…”

“Hey, stop it” effortlessly swing my hand away. 

“Neh Yuko, I gotta go back to pack some clothes and necessity. Is it alright to leave you alone by yourself?” 

“Yea no prob, I’m fine don’t worry too much I’m just injured not handicapped. You go back and grab your stuff and I’ll be waiting for your return.”

I went to get my belonging and heading towards the exit. Yuko stopped me with her hold and handed me a key.

“Ano…this is the spare key. You can just come in with it, in case I fell asleep and didn’t notice the door bell.”

“Thanks.” 

Immediately I rushed back to my apartment and grab my stuff. I was happy that Yuko entrust me with her key to her private space, which meant a lot to me.

The train to her place was super slow to me, as I was anxious to get to her place as soon as possible. 

I used the key she gave to me to let myself into her place without disturbing her rest. 

Amusingly she was playing her guitar and singing “This One (Crying Like A Child)” by Utada. Her beautiful voice was undeniably soulful. I was standing there enjoying her performance. 

By understanding the lyrics of the song I can know her feelings. Her singing just sent me to tears. 

I was standing there crying like a child. Dropping my stuff on the ground. 

As she was finishing the song, I embraced her from behind. The feeling of urge is swarming up to my brain. I think I couldn’t hold back any longer. I was about to pour my feeling out to her.

But…

The door bell ring untimely. 

Chapter 3 

Beep…Beep…

Yuko placed her guitar back on its stand which was beside the couch. She headed to the door and checked out of the untimely guest.

“Otou-san?” she was surprised to see her father by the sound of it.

“Yu-chan, how’s your arm? Are you ok taking care of yourself?” Yuko was just vulnerable when facing on surprise visit.

“Aren’t you happy to see your father, are you?”

“No, I am. I am happy to see you but you just come out of the blue. You should at least let me know that you are coming.” 

“Oji-san, nice to meet you. I’m Kojima Haruna. A friend of Yuko.” Her father in my opinion was kind of a fun going guy. Which scientifically explain Yuko’s character.

“Kojiharu-san? Pleasure to meet you in person. Yu-chan always mentions me about you.” I felt a little embarrassed that Yuko always talked about me with her father.

“Ouji-san, please come in and let me help you to carry your stuff in.” acting as if I was the hostess of the house.

“Oh no..no.. I’ll do it myself. It’s not nice for a guy to let a beautiful lady to carry his stuff for him. Besides you’re my oshimen in AKB48.” 

I was surprised that Yuko’s father is an AKB fan. I was glad that Yuko had a supporting father by her side.

“Otou-san…so why are you here anyway?” Yuko kinda sounded annoying or she was feeling left out. Maybe I could cheer her up by a hug or a kiss. 

Wait a moment…why do I even have thought like that? It sounded so Yuko style. 

Am I influenced by her?

“Oh Yu-chan, you don’t want your papa here? Or… Am I interrupting something?”He was grinning evilly that embarrassed the both of us to no end.

“Argh…otou-san don’t say such an embarrassing thing…” Yuko growled deeply.

“Can I come in now?” 

Yuko and I step aside the door to let the poor man in. He took off his coat and hung it on the coat’s holder beside the shoe rack.

“How long you will be here?” Yuko asked her father.

“Till you don’t want me any longer?” he answered which probably was a replied in questioning form.

“You don’t need to specially come from a long way just to take care of me.”Yuko pouted.

“Well, I have to. You are my only daughter after all.” He was looking at my way which made me wondered what was he thinking.

“Well, I have Nyan nyan to take care of me till I recover after all…” surprisingly imitating her father’s way of saying.

“Nyan nyan?” 

“Yea, Nyan nyan. “

I was dumb folded by the two of them. It gave me the feeling of there’s two Yukos in the house.

“If that’s the case then, I wish that you’ll never recover. So that, this beautiful Nyan nyan would babysit you for me.” He said sheepishly, so Yuko style of thinking. No wonder Yuko is always like that.

“I guess I am unwelcome guest for now, since my Yu-chan has found her girl and doesn’t want papa anymore. I’m sad…”faking a teardrop. Surprisingly Yuko had a motherly type father and not to mention a fan of AKB too.

“It’s getting late now, so you are welcome to stay for the night. I will bring your stuff to the guest room. Have a seat.” Yuko carried his stuff to the guest room with the uninjured arm. 

Meanwhile I went to the kitchen and brewed some tea. I returned the living room with the drinks.

“You are such an attentive young lady.” He complimented me.

“No wonder Yuko is in love with you.” This caught me by surprised.

“Ouji-san, are you okay with your daughter to fall for a girl without feeling a slight of shame?” I asked curiously wanting to know what he thought about it.

“Young lady you think too much… Love has no boundary. You should enjoy with your freedom. When in my time, we are not free to love who we wanted. Marriage is arranged by parents and we have no chance to choose who we love and who we don’t. Live your life, young lady. Do not be bound by traditional way of thoughts. ” his kind smile reminds me of my mother.

“Thank you, ouji-san. I will treat your daughter well.”I cinched his hand to show my seriousness.

“You are truly my oshimen.” He laughed whole heartily.

“What so funny?” Yuko joined us in the living room after preparing the room for her father.

“Are you flirting with Nyan nyan?” slightly annoyed Yuko pouting like a child.

“Nope, what do want for tonight’s dinner?” at the mention of the food, Yuko’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Do you want sushi for dinner? Or something with cheese?” she just nodded excitedly. 

“I came up with a new recipe specially designed for you and it is still unknown to the world.” He announced proudly. 

“Please do so. My kitchen is right over there. Thanks for the food. We’ll wait right here.” Yuko hurried her father to the kitchen to get him going to do the magic.

“Nyan nyan, do you have something you need to say to me?” Yuko asked while looking into my eyes. 

“Eto…er.. I…I..” I was trying to form a proper sentence with a hopeful Yuko in front of me. Again I was interrupted by the third time of the day.

"Ladies, could any one of you please give me a hand?" Yuko's father shouted from the kitchen to gain our attention. 

Yuko was ready to go but I held her back and I went in to help the chef instead, knowing that she was incapable with her condition.

"Kojiharu chan, where's Yuko? I thought that she will help me out."

"Oh no..no.. ouji-san, she is incapable. Is there anything you need my assistance?" 

“Could you please help me cut up the onion as I am working on the sauce.”

“Sure.” I took a knife and sliced the onion.

“You’re quite skilled with the knife. Are you good at cooking?” he asked.

“Not as good as Yuko though.” 

He looked at me and smiled softly.

“I’m proud that she could cook. Yu-chan has really grown into a fine lady.” He looked teary.

“I bet you both would look cute as a couple.” I blushed as he mentioned about it.

“Thank you.”

“Well you’ve been a good helper. Now go out and hang out with her. She seemed lost with your absence.” I chuckled as I saw her strumming on the guitar and keep on pouting adorably.