Misaki's p.o.v

"My back hurts." I complained to Reiji, who joined me for tea after my morning run. I had trouble sleeping these days after the wedding and it was all that Ranmaru's fault.

First he says he sees me as a sister, than says he doesn't see me as a sister and gives me that look. And that attack in the bedroom? Just how much can I take until my heart explodes. My head was going to explode from overthinking.

"So nothing interesting happened at the wedding?" Reiji asked.

"Nothing out of the ordinary." I took a sip from the tea.

"You seem different since you got back so something must have happened. Tell me. I'm more experienced I can help."

Maybe it was a dumb idea but I really needed someone to talk to before I exploded.

"Something might have happened. " I said.

"Like what?" He asked innocently.

"Uhhh." I couldn't say it. I really couldn't say it.

"Don't worry i would most certainly not gossip about this to anyone else."

I opened my mouth in shock. "I did not even think of that."

Reiji chuckled. "Now, now. Since romance is not allowed for idols, we must keep this a secret from everyone." He winked.

"Never did I thought my crush would lead to romance." I sighed.

The little pause in conversation made me glance at Reiji. He was beaming.

"Crush you say." He smirked. "On Maru?"

I bit my lower lip. "Like you didn't already assume trying to get us together from day one."

"Mm so you;re not that oblivious afterall."

I gave him a look. "The only thing I did was put up with it because I thought it was harmless. But now.."

"Now what?" His eyes was practically sparkling.

I suddenly remembered how loudly Ranmaru laughed at the wedding. I grinned and placed my hands under my chin. "Ahh you will never believe how good Ranmaru looks laughing."

"Whaaaat?" Reiji almost dropped his cup. "No way. Maru laughing?"

"Oh yeah. It's the most interesting thing to see." I chuckled.

"Do you have a picture?"

"I have."

"Let's see the  proof."

"No way. It's a picture just for myself."

He pouted but I had no plan on letting him see it.

"Misakiiiiiiiiiiiii."

I turned around as i heard my name shouted out.

"Manager?" I looked at him confused. He had ran into the agency as if the building was on fire.

It wasn't on fire right?

"Mamoru's agent called. We need to go to his office now so we can talk about the duet." He grabbed me. "Get up."

"Aaaaaaaaa." I screamed out loud hugging him. "Sorry Reiji I have to run. I have to get ready"

"No time. You'll get ready in the van. Come on." Manager ordered.

"Good luck with Mamoru." Reiji smiled and waved as Manger and I ran out of the room.

As we got in the van and I started getting ready as the dark princess i realized Reiji's reaction was a bit odd. Why did he wish me luck with that all knowing smile?

But meeting my brother was thought priority number one. I had to come up with the right phrases and conversations not to reveal who I was...

I took out my phone and dialed Ranmaru's number.

After the second ring he answered. "Hello.."

"Hello. Are you busy?" I was a little nervous to hear his voice.

"I'm just in the middle of a shooting."

But yet he picked up the phone.

"I just got a call from my brother's manager. I'm going to meet my brother and I'm so excited i can't calm down and think how to act, or what to say."

"First of all breathe." His voice was low and calming. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Now try to imagine him is a different person." Ranmaru suggested but i did not understand how this would help.

"But..."

"You want him to take you seriously, so take it up as a challenge. And of course you have to learn about him and what kind of person he is so don't panic. This is one of many more meetings with him. You got this."

I felt my heart go crazy from excitement. But this time not cause i was meeting my brother. Ranmaru was so sweet trying to calm me down.

"I have to go now, they are yelling for me." Ranmaru added. "Don't panic or you'll have to deal with me later."

"Ranmaru...Thank you." I said trying to contain the happiness in my heart. "Can i call you later?" I asked.

"Of course not. I have so many obligations today. I can't have you calling me whenever you want to."

Ouch..

"But.. I'll meet you later in the agency and you can have me to yourself."

"Haa?" WHAT?WHAT?WHAT? That was super cute. Why is he being super cute to me?

"Go do some work now." With that he hanged up.

"What did Kurosaki say?" Manager asked looking at my frozen face.

"He ...He..."

"He what?"

"Nothing." I tried to snap out of it and not think too much about it. One problem at a time.

***

Walking into the meeting room i had tried to keep my hands from sweating. The room was really bright. It bothered me because upon walking into the room, i already felt like i didn't belong there.

There was only one man in the room.

"I'm Takatsu Hiro, Mamoru's manager."

I felt a pinch of disappointment since my brother was not there.

"Thank you for welcoming us here." I bowed my head and he smiled kindly.

"You and your manager are both very persistent so after taking in consideration your talent i approved of this duet. I don't think I've made any mistake."

I smiled kindly figuring out that meant don't make me regret this.

"I have to ask where is Mamoru." My manager asked.

"He is going to be late. Honestly I'm not sure if he'll make it."

"Ah.." I sighed disappointed.

"But since we are here lets get started." He walked over to one of the chair and sat down. We did the same, though i managed to make a face to manager to show I was not happy about this turn of events.

"I think the duet should be something that both you and Mamoru will be able to perform while keeping your style and yet blend. Have you thought of any ideas?" His manager Taketsu asked me.

"Honestly that's why i hoped to meet with Mamoru." I tried to sound confident. "I'd like to know him better as a person, taking an idea from his songs I'd like to write something on a semi fast rock sound but I'd like to have a meaningful lyrics filled with emotions."

"Hmmm." Taketsu's brow furrowed. "I see where you're going with this. I agree. We must focus on the music first. I'd have some melodies ready for the next meeting."

"I brought these..." I pulled out some music sheets from the bag i carried. I had written those and than had Haru help me. She was a pro after all. "These is some of my music if you'd like to see..."

Taketsu took the papers and went through them slowly.

"These are good. Actually very good." He scratched his head. "I'm actually very impressed." He smiled and then gave them one more look.

"I'd ask to keep them so Mamoru can take a look but since these is your work i suppose it's better if you hang on to them, get them under rights and then bring those to me again an i can have Mamoru look at them."

"That sounds good to me." Manager spoke and then took the papers. "I'll take care of this Misaki."

I nodded his head and smiled.

"I hope you don't mind me asking but..." Taketsu looked at me. " I have a feeling that you remind me of someone. Do you have any relatives that are in the industry."

I was in shock so much that I burst out laughing.

Manager jumped in to save my reputation.  "If she has she's probably not close with them since she's been under my care for years now."

"I see, I see." Taketsu laughed.

I smiled politely and then turned towards the Manager."Should I leave now?"

"I'll deal with the paperwork here. You can go and rest for sometime in the coffee shop downstairs."

"Alright." I gave them both a smile, got up , bowed and then walked out of the room heading downstairs.

That was disappointing.

I entered the elevator ready to frown and sulk but there were few people in there that knew me and they started asking me questions.

After I greeted them properly I left the elevator in a hurry, passing through the agency's lobby and heading towards the coffee shop. It was pretty empty and upon entering I could see straight in front of my eyes the one who missed the meeting. Mamoru was sipping on coffee.

Unbelievable. He had turned into an irresponsible person after all these years. He noticed I saw him but I just sat down on an empty table.

To my surprise he walked over and sat opposite of me.

"Maki." He said and I shot him a glare.

"Why did you call me like that? I'm not your friend."

"What about the meeting?" He asked ignoring my rudeness.  "Didn't you come here for that?"

"Yes. I did." I smiled and leaned back on the chair. "However i did not know i would be wasting your precious time. Looks like once you get famous you don't have time for all the meetings, so some of them, have to be done through your manager. I mean the AUDACITY but huh, can't blame you. I'm not that big yet to allow myself to be an asshole. "

He covered his face and dropped his hands down on the table. He seemed embarrassed that he was being called out by a junior. "I apologize. I really did have an intention of showing up to this meeting."

I took a deep breath. "The beginning arrangements were made. The music is going to be decided in few days and then we will choose a theme and lyrics. Looks like you don't even have to be there for us to do a duet."

"I'm really sorry."

"You know what.." I was angry. "I can't listen to this. Excuse me."

I got up and headed out the cafe. To my surprise he followed me.

"Where are you from? You seem really familiar."

I mean the nerve to not show up to a meeting, be an asshole and now try to get to know me?

"I'm from...well not from Tokyo." I said and stopped walking once i was outside.  "What about you?"

"Um..I'm not from Tokyo either." He chuckled awkwardly like he wanted to avoid the subject he started.

"Let me ask you this." I turned towards him. "Your songs, the ones you write. Who do you write them for? Who is the specific person you have in mind?"

There were so many songs of his that just seemed like he was singing towards someone he lost and deep down i wanted that to be me. His lost sister. But that was always a gamble.

"Is it for someone you have romantic interest for?" I asked again.

"Not really no.." He answered with a low voice.

"I see."

My heart walked down for a moment. Were they for me after all?

"You're not interested in me are you?" He asks suddenly.

I looked at him completely disappointed. "Not only rude, brash irresponsible but now self observed too. You've become quite an adult. No, Mamoru I don't have a romantic interest in you."

"Who do you write songs for?" He asked ignoring all my insults

"My useless brother." I glanced at him.

"If he's useless why do you write songs about him?"

I stared at him my heart clenching in pain. Why do I keep coming back in full circle only to cry over the only family member I have left.

"Because I miss him." I told him. "I haven't seen him or talk to him in a long time."

"I'm sorry to hear that." He gave me a sad smile like he understood.

"And he changed to much. I don't recognize him anymore." I said feeling the tears gather at the corner of my eyes . I was starting to lose control over my voice.

"But that's normal. People change." He glanced aside.

"Yeah." I glanced the other way too. I had to try my hardest to blink away the tears in my eyes.

"Sorry, i think i stayed for too long and kept wasting your time. Next time I'll show up on time. If you excuse me.." He said and then went back inside without continuing the topic and part of me really wanted to believe that it was painful for him too to think about the sister no longer in his life.

Ahhh this chapter... Misaki and Mamoru are such cute brother and sister. I can't wait to develop their relationship more. I wanted to add a part with Ran too but i think i'd put it in the next chapter since i've been very inspired.

My good friend who is good at drawing just made a cute drawing of me and Ran, inspired by another fan art... and I'm like super excited 😍💕 This photo is me and Ran. I used to get jealous over other fan art but now i got my own.  I can die in peace *_*

Also wanted to add some pictures..
This is how i imagined Misaki's manager. It was just an image burned in my head probably from watching too much anime.

I found this online, i have no idea who drew it but i saw it and i was like.. Yap, this is how i see her manager. This face would be when he's taking on a serious challenge.
I will add more photos in the next chapter ;)