"Excuse?" Kenji asked, surprised.
"Sorry about the sudden change in date…" she smiled. "But our schedule changed."
"You're the TK representative?"
"The representative," she emphasized. "Yes, that's me. And a big fan."
Yume looked Usagui up and down. She already knew this was going to be a problem.
"So, you work at TK?"
"Yes, actually my father is the owner."
Kenji and Yume exchanged surprised looks.
"Excuse me," Usagui said. "But where is Jun?"
Yume muttered,
"It was taking too long…"
Kenji nudged her discreetly.
"So, Miss Usagui," Kenji said. "Since we were expecting you only next week, Jun went camping. He's not here right now…"
Her expression changed drastically.
"I see… but he'll be back soon, right?"
A pause.
"I really need to see him. I mean, for the interview."
"Of course, he'll be back soon," Kenji replied, helping her with her luggage.
As they walked toward the car, Kenji asked for the hotel address where she was staying.
"Oh… well… with all this schedule confusion, I forgot to change the reservation date…"
Yume rolled her eyes and looked at Kenji.
"Well… if you don't mind, you can stay in the guest room," Kenji said, closing the trunk. "The house is pretty big."
"I'd love to," she replied without hesitation.
At the top of the mountain, the romantic atmosphere was intense. Jun and Sayuri enjoyed every moment as if it were unique. He admired her in a special way, gently touching her soft skin, kissing her neck, while she closed her eyes, trying to stay grounded.
As she slept under the starlight, he watched her, feeling his heart beat calmly. He didn't want to miss a single moment of that night.
After settling Usagui in the guest room, Yume pulled Kenji aside.
"Why did you offer her the guest room?"
"Out of politeness, Yume."
She grabbed him by the collar.
"Kenji, this is going to turn into a mess."
"It won't, Yume. She doesn't seem as crazy as we thought."
Footsteps in heels echoed through the studio.
"So this is where you create those wonderful songs?" she asked, running her hand over the instruments.
"Yes, this is where we rehearse and create."
"Wonderful!"
She walked between the sofa and reached Jun's microphone, smiling.
"So this is where he sings…" she touched the microphone with two fingers, sliding down to the cable. "Incredible…"
Yume looked at Kenji with a deadpan expression.
"She's not crazy, right…"
She picked up her bag and left, leaving Kenji alone with her.
"Sit down."
Kenji pointed to the sofa, inviting her.
"So, Miss Usagui, how long will you stay in town?"
"Please, just Usagui."
"Of course, Usagui."
"Well, I'll stay long enough," she replied, looking directly at the microphone.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you. But tell me, when is Jun coming back?"
"Monday."
"Hmm… Monday… is he far away? Did you tell him I was coming earlier?"
Kenji was overwhelmed by the number of questions.
"Wow, so many questions," he laughed.
"Sorry, I just want to plan everything properly."
"Sure," Kenji opened a beer. "He's camping in the mountains. There's no signal there, so we couldn't warn him."
She seemed to be organizing her thoughts, crossing her legs as she turned to Kenji.
"Is he alone?"
He didn't know if he should mention Sayuri yet, so he said he didn't know, since Jun was unpredictable.
While Kenji tried to distract Usagui throughout the weekend, she kept asking personal questions about Jun, which was bothering Yume a lot.
"Kenji, just tell her about Sayuri. Maybe then she'll stop asking about Jun."
"Yume! No… I don't want to make her uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable? I'm the one getting uncomfortable listening to her questions…"
"Calm down. Tomorrow she'll meet Say, then we'll see what happens."
Morning came, and the mist covered the landscape. Jun was already awake, making coffee for Sayuri.
"Good morning, love," he kissed her forehead. "Come have breakfast."
"It's so cold," she stretched as she got out of the tent.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes. And you?" Sayuri asked, taking a sip of coffee.
"Not really."
She looked up.
"Why?"
He sighed. He didn't know how to explain it, but a strange anxiety was weighing on him. Still, he didn't tell her.
"Just anxiety, I guess."
A bark.
"Oh, look who wants coffee too."
"Mike…" Sayuri called, picking up the food bowl.
On the way back, Jun texted Kenji saying they would arrive around five in the afternoon. They would drop their bags at home and then meet him at the studio.
"Hey, Kenji," Yume said, looking around. "Where's the possessed spirit?"
"Yume!"
She laughed and sat down.
"She's in the shower. Jun arrives at five."
"Ahh, I just want to see it… I need popcorn for this show."
"You're impossible."
"Haha, but tell me, are they coming here first or going to the apartment?"
"Jun said he'll stop by the apartment first, then come here."
"Jun is coming?" Usagui appeared wearing a provocative dress, with a slit showing her long legs. She was overly perfumed for a simple greeting.
"Yes… he arrives at five," Kenji replied.
Usagui couldn't contain herself; her smile showed too much excitement.
"Love, are you bringing Mike?"
Sayuri placed her hands on her waist.
"Of course, Jun. I don't want to leave him alone right now, and it'll be quick anyway. I have class tomorrow and you work."
"Then let's go quickly so we can come back early."
They arrived at the studio hand in hand, placed Mike on the floor, and he ran toward Yume.
"Mike, my little love, I missed you."
"Hey everyone," Sayuri said.
Usagui stood up, and her smile faded instantly when she saw Jun holding Sayuri's hand. Yume noticed immediately and whispered,
"Now this is going to be fun."
"Jun, I want to introduce you to the TK representative."
"Oh, I thought she was only coming next week. Nice to meet you, Jun."
She walked toward him with a seductive gaze and extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you… Usagui…"
Sayuri immediately looked at Yume, surprised.
"Usagui? I've heard that name before…"
She smiled without letting go of his hand, staring directly into his eyes, completely ignoring Sayuri's presence.
"I'm just… a very, very big fan of yours."
Jun then remembered her name, the obsessed girl from the website. He pulled his hand away and hugged Sayuri.
"Usagui, let me introduce you. This is Sayuri, my girlfriend."
Her expression darkened as she looked at Sayuri, forcing a smile.
"Hi… funny, I was told you didn't have a girlfriend," she looked Sayuri up and down.
Jun frowned at Kenji.
"So, guys," Kenji interrupted. "How about dinner somewhere?"
"Sayuri quickly replied they couldn't, they just stopped by to say hi."
"But, friend," Yume muttered.
"Sayuri has class tomorrow and I have to work."
Usagui, still looking at Jun, asked,
"Work?"
"Yes…"
"Come on, let's go home," Sayuri said, picking up Mike.
Jun shook Kenji's hand firmly. Kenji understood the message and smiled.
"Let's go, we still have to clean up the apartment from the trip."
As they left, Usagui turned to Kenji and asked seriously,
"Apartment?"
Tired of her, Yume answered bluntly,
"Yes. Their apartment."
"Do they live together?"
"Exactly," Yume smiled, satisfied.