Chapter Text
“Oh, there she is!”
“Make sure you get a good shot!”
A luxury limousine swiftly drives down the road and stops right in front of a hotel lobby, ready with a read carpet to welcome whoever is inside.
As soon as the doors were opened by some muscular bodyguards, a gorgeous woman stepped out.
“Miss HiMERU, congratulations on the movie's success!”
“Miss HiMERU, what is your relationship with the other leading actor?"
“Miss HiMERU, should we expect another movie in the closest time?”
Even though she was swarmed by journalists, the blue-haired lady maintained her cool, calmly breezing through the crowd and into the hotel lobby.
The chandelier hanging above her head already tells her that this hotel is top-notch. No wonder the CEO of Starmaker Production decided to hold her fancy party here.
As she walked over towards a familiar group of people, she exchanged greetings with the other guests.
“Yo~ Merumeru’s here!!” the loud voice of Rinne Amagi, her fellow actor echoed throughout the venue as she approaches her friends- Rinne, Niki, the main chef of the hotel and Kohaku, the bodyguard of the actress Tsukasa Suou.
“Amagi, you need to keep your voice down” she glared as she took a seat next to Niki. “Kyahaha☆! Why should I? This is a party, ain't it?” Rinne grinned. "Not that kind of party.. Ugh, talking to you is a waste of HiMERU’s time” HiMERU pinched the bridge of her nose before turning her attention towards Kohaku.
“Oukawa, you're not with Suou? Is that okay?” she questioned. “Ah, she wanted to spend some time with her friends, so I stepped away for a sec. She's right there, so I can still keep an eye on her” Kohaku replied, his accent clear as he speaks.
HiMERU looked around and spotted the red-haired girl sitting at a table not far from them. “Ah, HiMERU sees her”
“Anyways, you should eat, HiMERU-san! We prepared the best food for tonight! Ah, I'm just so glad I could come out of the kitchen and eat!” Niki offered, gently pushing a plate of food towards HiMERU.
HiMERU smiled. "Thank you, Shiina. HiMERU’s sure whatever you cook will taste great” she complimented before finally taking a bite of her food.
“Well, Merumeru, you've been rather popular lately, haven't ya?” Rinne pointed out. “Like, those journalists swarmed you more than anybody else! Guess that movie of yours blew up, huh?”
HiMERU shrugged. "HiMERU guessed it did. She's been… Too busy to check the news”
“Wow, it must've been such a normal occurrence for you, then! You seem unfazed!” Niki commented. “HiMERU has always been certain that whatever she works on will be a success” HiMERU spoke confidently.
“Ya know, Merumeru, there's one thing that they could've done to make that movie blow up more!” Rinne interrupted. Everyone turned towards him curiously.
HiMERU raised a brow. “What?”
“Me in it, of course! Kyahahaha☆!” Rinne laughed, while the others just ignored him out of annoyance. “Imagine it, Rinne Amagi and HiMERU playing the leads! Wouldn't that be a hit?!” he continued.
“Rinne-han, you know that the leads are each other's love interests, right?” Kohaku asked. "Yeah, so what? That sounds fun☆!” Rinne grinned.
HiMERU rolled her eyes. "If HiMERU had a choice, she's choose anything but to act alongside you”
Rinne leaned forward. "You're acting all high and mighty now, but wait till you see my skills! Who knows, you might fall for my irresistible charm! Kyahaha!”
HiMERU made a disgusted face. “Ugh, if she knew you'd give that obnoxious reply, she wouldn't bother entertaining your fantasies. Give back the oxygen HiMERU wasted talking with you, Amagi” she demanded.
Rinne smirked. "Are you asking for a kiss, Merumeru?”
That unexpected reply almost made HiMERU choke on her food, her face turning red. "Not in front of my food!” Niki dramatically covered his plate with his hands.
“You two should really get a room, huh?” Kohaku added.
“Ugh, HiMERU wasn't….you guys really shouldn't entertain him further” HiMERU sighed. Suddenly, she felt something vibrating in her purse.
She took out her phone, its’ screen displaying a number she is very familiar with. “Excuse her, but HiMERU needs to take this call” she rose up from her chair and headed upstairs towards the balcony. It will be quiet there.
“Hello? Is there anything wrong?” she placed the phone to her ear. The moment the caller on the other end spoke, her face turned to one of worry.
A few brief minutes passed, and HiMERU was silent as she listened to the caller.
She sighed. “Is that so? I'll be right there” she ended the call, biting her lip. It would be rude to leave, but she knows she needs to.
“Yo, Merumeru! You done with the call?” Rinne’s sudden appearance startled the blue-haired. “Amagi… What are you doing here?” she asked.
Rinne rubbed the back of his neck. “Ah, I wanted to play mahjong, but it won't be complete without ya! Wanna play?☆” he smiled cheerfully.
HiMERU averted her eyes. "Sorry, but HiMERU has to leave. Tell the others too” she walked past Rinne coldly, her mind clearly elsewhere.
“Huh?” Rinne didn't have a chance to say anything. This isn't exactly a rare occurrence, as HiMERU has been leaving meetings and hangouts a bunch of times over the years he has known her.
“Well, alrighty” Rinne whispered to himself before walking away, whistling. Deep down, that worried face HiMERU was making… Intrigued him.
✤
The empty hallways of the hospital greeted her as she made her way towards a familiar ward. She's been here way too many times, she can find her way even if her eyes are closed.
As she approached the door to a ward room, it opened first and out came a nurse. She looked at HiMERU and bowed.
“Miss HiMERU, I'm glad you arrived. Miss Kaname’s condition is getting better, but just now, she was hyperventilating and begging to see you…” she informed.
HiMERU, her face still cold, nodded. “Alright. Thank you for taking care of her for me” she gave a brief smile before entering the room. The nurse bowed again and left promptly.
As soon as HiMERU closed the door, her cold act started to give away. She approached the hospital bed with a worried expression.
“Kaname… Are you still awake?” she sat beside the bed and gently touched the unconscious girl’s arm. No response. But HiMERU can clearly see her chest rise and fall under the blanket, indicating that she's sleeping peacefully.
HiMERU exhaled. "Don't worry Kaname, whenever you call, I'll always be there. No matter what” she held the girl's hand tight.