My Way or the Highway

There was a simple feminine beauty to Erika’s apartment that was a clear reflection of her bright spirit. It was big and spacious, relaxing, and inviting. With calm pastels and a mix of pink, with flowers in full bloom, creating a truly serene environment. From the huge windows came a stream of light bathing the place in gentle ease. In the expanse of the room, though packed with sublime modern furnishings, there was still enough space to run around or host a party.

Yuuji’s head peaked through. He looked left and right to make sure there was no one there. Then, opened the door wide and ran for the desk ahead. He walked around as though he owned the place.

Well, he must have been here over a thousand times. But, after moving in together, he hasn’t come here since.

- “Sorry to intrude.” – Kazue took her shoes off, tucked them neatly on the side, and made her way inside.

The computer recently wiped, sat in pristine cleanness on a glass desk. The white monitor, keyboard, and mouse a complete contrast to Kazue’s trusty device.

Yuuji pushed the chair away and started clicking on the buttons like a maniac.

Kazue was visibly annoyed.

- “What are you doing?”

- “What does it look like I am doing!”

- “It’s not on sleep. Just turn it on, you idiot.”

- “Ah. Right.” – Yuuji pushed the button. “I knew that.”

- “Meh…”

Kazue grabbed the chair and returned it to its rightful place. Then, made herself feel comfortable. As soon as the computer was up and running, she was ready to get down to business. Only to end up at a loss for words.

Yuuji saw the shock register on her face before she could hide it. Then, he followed her stare. Erika’s casual desktop wallpaper was replaced with her goofy face and a message that said:

- “Stupid Yuuji! If you are reading this, don’t waste your time. I already sent the images to the agency. What do you take me for? A fool?! ROT you imbecile!”

- “Dang.” – Kazue whistled. “You’ve really done it this time.”

A wail of doom came over Yuuji’s face.

- “Ugh… You don’t have to slam it in my face.”

- “Oh well.” – Kazue giggled and stood up. “Let’s go.”

- “What?! No! Don’t say you’ve given up on me!” – Yuuji grabbed ahold of her hoodie and held it tight. His eyes glistened with tears.

- “Drop it.”

- “But…But…”

- “I didn’t say that. Just what we need isn’t here. We need to go back to my place and get this sorted.”

- “Ka-chan…”

There was an explosion in his brain. The good kind. The kind that carried endless possibilities and most importantly – hope. He could feel the buzz of electricity coursing through his veins. That’s when Yuuji stood up and headed for the door.

Noises came from the doorway. Then, the doorknob turned.

Yuuji and Kazue panicked.

In the heat of the moment, Yuuji grabbed Kazue by the hand and pulled her towards the walk-in closet. Then closed the door behind them, but not fully.

This closet. It was massive. Packed with countless white cabinets, drawers, smooth glass hardware, and mirrored panels. A chandelier brightened up the place. There was even enough space to fit two comfy armchairs and a small coffee table in between.

- “Eh? I thought I locked this place.”

Erika walked inside. Took off her shoes, removed her wig, and placed the other accessories on the nearby sofa.

- “What is she doing back so soon?” – Yuuji miffed. Making sure she wouldn’t hear him.

- “I guess the talk with the actress was short. Well, not that they have much to talk about.”

- “Yeah…but still.”

Suddenly, a deep voice ignited Yuuji’s internal engine. It was the kind of voice he had heard time and time again but never expected to find it here.

Erika giggled.

His kisses upon her neck started a fire within her that no one else could tame. He brushed her hair with his hand, before pulling her towards him.

Yuuji fumed.

- “You know this guy?” – Kazue mumbled.

The man pushed Erika on the bed and she awaited with open arms.

There was a ghostly cord that grew from Yuuji’s bent spine and dangled over his head. His cheeks flushed red.

- “It’s my manager.”

- “Oh my.” – Kazue giggled.

All of a sudden, the young man got the urge to rush outside and beat the crap out of him. But before he could storm out, Kazue’s voice reverberated.

- “Are you gonna stoop so low?”

- “What the hell are you saying? They must have been screwing behind my back all this time. Making a fool out of me.”

- “You did the same. Didn’t you?”

- “But…”

- “Haha. Yeah…Sure. What you do doesn’t matter. But, this does.”

- “I know! – Yuuji ignored her comment and continued. “I will give people a behind-the-scenes look!” – an evil smile formed on his face. As he was just about to press the record button, Kazue grabbed the phone from his hands.

- “Nope.”

- “What?!! Why??”

- “I still respect Erika. I won’t let you do something so pathetic. If you want my help, then we are doing this my way.”

- “Fine…”

Then things got juicy.

Yuuji started walking up and down the closet like a wind-up toy. Biting his nails and cursing every chance he got.

Kazue’s reaction was the complete opposite. Her blush paved the way to her heart. In an instant, her cheeks were as rosy as a cherry blossom in full bloom. She guessed it was okay to feel awkward given the current circumstance. So, she took out her phone and started browsing the screen for anything that would serve as a solid distraction.

Yuuji took a good look at the girl that sat nearby. Suddenly, his heart melted and he laughed.

- “Don’t tell me you’ve never done it before.”

- “Eh? Uhm…” – she looked his way, then back at the screen. “I have better things to do.”

- “No way! What about that boy you liked from our class? What was his name?”

- “Shin’ya.” – she added.

- “That’s right, Shin-kun!”

- “Nothing. I never told him.”

- “Why though?”

- “There is no way he would go out with me. Besides, he was chasing Erika the entire time. I couldn’t bother.”

- “I know!” – Yuuji jumped with excitement. “Remember your condition for helping me?”

- “Yeah. What about it?”

- “That’s going to be the favor! I will make you and Shin a couple!”

- “What the…Are you a moron? Yup. You are. You’ve lost it. Go back to your miserable stomping and leave me alone.”

- “No, listen. This is a perfect scenario! You will get the love of your life and I will escape with my reputation intact.”

- “He could have a girlfriend, you know.”

In a blink of an eye, Yuuji took out his phone and scrolled through social media. Then he opened up Shin’s profile and showed a recent picture of his fine abs.

Kazue exploded.

He was dreamy. From the depth of his dark eyes to the gentleness of his expression. Ah, that dark black hair with a side fringe complemented his face.

Kazue turned the other way.

- “See? He is single! This is it, Ka-chan! The perfect chance!!!”

- “Mind your own business.”

- “Let’s go! We got no time to waste! Next stop, the agency!!! But, first that laptop you wanted. Hehe.”

Yuuji breamed with energy. He lifted the tiny Kazue in his arms and brought her to the window. They were on the first floor, but the distance from the ground was still scary.

Kazue retaliated.

- “Put me down, you blockhead!!!! What the hell is wrong with you?”

- “Well, we can’t wait for them to finish. So, this is our only exit.”

- “The window?!! Are you mental? You can’t just… Aaaaaaaaah!!!!!”

Kazue screamed before landing in a nearby bush. She was a mess. Her hoodie was covered in leaves and branches. Her pants were dirty. Yuuji quickly followed.

There were still cars, of course. And people were staring at them like crazy.

Kazue climbed out of the bush. Then rubbed the pungent dust off her face and hands.

- “What was that?!!!” – Erika yelled.

- “Wait here, I will check it out.” – the manager added.

- “Hurry!”

Yuuji bolted down the sidewalk while holding onto Kazue’s hand. He laughed as her lungs heaved like the air was acidic. She wasn’t used to running.

- “You will pay for that!!!!” – she yelled.