Chapter Text
“Eh?! Are you sure?” Wataru stops from typing on his laptop as his editor called and told him good news. “A movie adaptation for my book? That's....that's awesome!” Wataru then stood up and took the said book, the very first book he wrote, a book that is close to his heart.
“Right! So, we will have the meeting from the production team by tomorrow, so you need to take enough sleep and make sure to dress well. Don't want you looking like a zombie.” His editor told him, well, Wataru knows she really specific about fashion, so to make sure his editor will be happy, he will just follow her for now.
After they talk about other things, the call ended, leaving Wataru staring again on the book. He started to write the story of this book when he was in high school, it is like a life story of him, but not exactly. He and the protagonist share same events on some, but the protagonist on this book live happily in the end, as for him, he is happy as a writer, but then, something deep inside, he is still dwelling about that past. And he is still not getting his happy ending.
Wataru closed his eyes, as a memory entered his mind.
“Wataru!” Wataru lifted his head from reading some books in the library when he heard someone calling him. He look around but no one is looking at him, and then, he heard it once again.
“Wataru, down here!” He then, look at the window next to him and saw a brown-haired boy waving at him, wearing some prince-like costume. “Do I look good?” the boy asked him.
Wataru stood up and put a finger on his lips as he told him to lower his voice. The boy just nodded and smiled at him. Wataru smiled back and put a thumbs up, letting the boy know that he looks good. This made the boy happy and finally run away going back to his club room.
Wataru opened his eyes, as he remember that boy. Someone he thinks of as a friend, and he believes that this boy did think the same way too, but he is wrong, at the end, he is one of those classmates and schoolmates who always rejects him.
He deeply sighed as he felt his heart ache once again remembering that past. He put back the book in the shelves and went to his kitchen to get some coffee and relax.
“There. You look good, Wataru-sensei.” Wataru lightly blush from the compliment his editor given him, he is really not used for the compliments when it comes to how he looks.
“I'm getting nervous.” Wataru said as he put a hand on his chest. “Will I be able to speak properly, Hikari-san?” He looks at his editor, worried on his eyes.
“It's fine, it's fine!” Tachibana Hikari said as she lightly pat his back. “I'm there so no need to worry.”
Wataru smiled at her, once she said that, he knows that he will be fine. She is the only one who helped him when he is at his lowest point in life. The one who gave him this opportunity, the reason why he is a famous writer now.
“Oh, after this let's go at my house, you are free, right? Yui wants to see you. She wants to see her favorite sensei.” She mentioned as they start to walk towards the meeting room.
“Yui-chan? Of course, I missed her too. I should buy her some cakes.” Wataru replied as he remembers that 3-year kid, the daughter of Tachibana, who got close to him.
The two of them lightly laughed as they talked about the child, until they reach the meeting room.
Wataru remains at the back of Tachibana as they entered the room.
“Hello, Tachibana-san, and I guess this is Matoba-sensei?” An older guy greeted them and turn to look at Wataru.
“Yes, our very own Matoba Wataru-sensei.” Tachibana introduced him. The older guy shake hand with him, and lightly nod.
“Why don't you two take a seat, we are waiting for the actor who will play the protagonist.” He said and gestured some chairs for them.
“Thank you!” Tachibana replied and both of them took a seat. She then turn to look at Wataru, who has his hand clasped together, she smiled at put her hand on top of it.
Wataru turn to look at her, “Relax, Wataru. No worries, I will mostly do the talking.” She whispered and assured him. Wataru nodded at this.
They didn’t tell me who the actor is. I hope he will play the main role properly. Wataru thought as he thinks about who will play the main role for his book.
As Wataru is in deep thoughts, the door opened, this cause Wataru to snap back and look up.
“Ah, hello everyone! We are sorry, we're a little late. We have some photoshoot that we attend.” a man wearing a business suit said. Wataru noticed a man behind him. “Ah, by the way, this is the actor that will play the main role.”
As the man went to the side, the man from behind showed up, a wide smile on his face. “Hello, I’m Goryo Yuto. Pleased to meet you all.” The brown-haired man introduced and bow down.
Wataru feels like his world stop, he froze on his seat as he saw that man. And some memories came back on his mind, right, this man that he can't forget (and forgive). The person that played a big part on his past.
“Wataru...Wataru-sensei?” Wataru finally snap back as he heard Tachibana called him. “Are you okay? You look so pale?” She asked him, whispering as the others starts to talk about the movie.
“I'm...I'm fine, sorry...” Wataru replied, and took the glass of water. Tachibana stares at him, she wants to ask more but she was called out by the director, as they continue to talk about what will happen for the movie.
Wataru glanced at the person sitting in front of him, Goryo Yuto, the actor who will play the main role of his book. He just can't believe that after so many years he will see him again, and he doesn't know what to feel about this. After all those attempts of forgetting him, just so that ugly past will be removed from his system, and now, he is there, in front of him, making him remember all of those events.
Wataru watched him, he is all smiles on all the people inside the room. Does he remember me? Well, I look different from my high school self. Wataru thought. Suddenly, Yuto turn to him, and smiled widely, Wataru just nodded back and went to look at the opposite side.
Once the meeting is done, Yuto is once again in front of Wataru, holding out his hands. Wataru look at it, thinking if he will accept it, but then, Tachibana lightly bump him, gesturing to accept it.
Wataru took his hand, look at how big it is from his.
“I'm glad that I will play the main role of your book. That book is my favorite one from your collection! So when I heard they will make a movie out of it, I immediately auditioned.” Yuto told him as he shake Wataru's hand.
“Tha-thank you...” Wataru replied and immediately pull his hand away as he felt Yuto lightly squished it. He really can't remember me? Wataru thought.
“Well, thank you for today! If you need anything, just call me.” Tachibana said and gave them her business card. “We need to go. See you.” She then took Wataru's arm and they immediately went out of the room.
As they walk, Tachibana bring Wataru at the corner where there are not so many people around.
“Wataru, are you really okay? It seems that something is bothering you. You can tell me.” Tachibana lightly said as she look at Wataru.
“Hikari-san, it's just, the actor, Goryo Yuto, he's the one I mentioned to you before.” Wataru replied as he look back at her.
“Oh! That's...what a small world, huh. But are you really okay? If you are not comfortable, we can--”
“No!” Wataru cut her off. “I don't want to be a bother and cause the company any trouble. We can continue with this. I just...I just hope that we don't see each other that much...I don't know what to do..” Wataru then took a seat to the bench next to them.
“Don't worry, I'm here. I will always help you, just call out to me. I'm your friend, and you're like a little brother to me.” Hikari assured him, as she lightly pat his shoulder.
“Thank you, Hikari-san.”
“Hmm. Let's go, we will buy some cake for Yui, right?”
Wataru smiled back and nod, and they both exits the building. Wataru needs to focus on other things for now, and don't dwell on the past, he is changed person, and he has a much better life.
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“Yuto, is something wrong?” Yuto went to look at his manager.
“Ah, no, no. It's just I was so happy I met the author of my favorite book.” Yuto replied as they went inside the car.
“Right, I remember you jumping at the office when you got the role.” His manager replied as he starts the car.
“Right!” Yuto said and give him a smile, as they drove away, he remember the face of that author.
He thought that the author's name was the same as that friend he had in high school that suddenly left him, but he looks different. Completely different from that boy. But deep inside he can feel that he really knows this author.
“Matoba Wataru, huh.” Yuto whispered his name, as he look outside watching the road. “I hope I can see him again..”