Artificial Love: Chapter 12

Kimiko POV

Once we arrived to the fair entrance, my mouth dropped as my eyes dilated in shock, huge crowds formed a long line that ended up being out to on the streets.“Hontouni? ….” I breathed out. Hiroto glanced down at me and laughed at my expression.

“Long huh?” he laughed, I nodded. “How come it’s so long? I don’t ever remember a fair ever being over populated with so many people.”

“I don’t know, maybe it’s because there holding an ‘amazing’ concert here” he smiled. “Really? Who’s playing?!” I asked.

“I heard it was a band called ‘Alice Nine’ and some other Bands with the same label company. I heard they’re really good” he grinned.

“You seem happy about it, are you one of Alice Nine’s fans?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t really say a fan, but I guess you can say like the group very much.” He answered. “C’mon let’s go!” he grabbed my hand leading pass the long line and for some reason tried hiding his face from everyone by looking down.

“Hold on Hiroto, aren’t we supposed to wait in line like everyone else?” I asked. He grinned and shook his head.

“We don’t need to; I have a secret way to get in” he walked away from the line so no one would see us and took us to a back around the ticket building and reached to a plain security door. He let goed of my hand and pulled out a card out of his pocket and slid the card, making the door automatically open.

“I got a free pass to everywhere to this place” he said with a smile, finally lifting his head up.

“Do you work here or something?” I asked.

“Nope, it’s only for today. Let’s not worry about that and have some fun shall we?” he said opening another door that finally led to the Fair.

The fair in town was so big the anticipation of the games at concessions, the riveting sounds of the concert music hanging in the air, the cotton candylight and fluffy like the clouds that drifted upon the Autumn breeze, and the laughter on children as they scurried onto a carnival ride and not to mention the large Ferris wheel attracting many couples and children wanting to get on so badly.

My heart started to flutter from this amazing sight.

“Oh my gosh… I haven’t had this feeling in a long time… I feel like a kid again” I turned my gaze to Hiroto again with a smile, and saw the familiar twinkle in his eye, he too felt like a kid in a candy store.

“I know right? It feels great to be like this again…” he sighed in a happy tone.

Where do you want to go first?” he asked, I looked around for a bit.

“We should ride on that one!” I pointed at high roller coasters. “You wanna?!” I grinned widely.

“Sure why not?” he laughed. And there we ran off where ever our feet may take us.

[Fast Forward]

Hiroto POV

After some riding on roller coasters, eating some delicious sweets, and played some of the concession games we ended up taking a small walk around to look for some other things to do.

“Are you having fun so far?” I asked her. She nodded her head a bit too fast with a big smile.

“Yep! I’m enjoying myself here with you, I’m glad we hung out today!” she answered. I looked ahead of me, seeing a big group of couples standing in front of a concession stand with anticipation. A young lady started getting up on the podium with a microphone in her hand as she began to speak. 

“Hello ladies and gentlemen! Today over at this concession game will be holding a game called ‘Romantic Heart race’ which is a small race for only couples out there today to compete against each other in getting to chance to win great prizes! First place winners will have the advantage of choosing their own prizes here we have on the podium.”  She pointed out the prizes out. One of them seemed to be a big oversized teddy bear with a red bow around its neck… it seemed to attract Kimiko’s attention very well.

“What’s so interesting about that bear?” I asked curiously. She gave a small smile and tilted her head.

“It’s just… I’ve never had a teddy bear in my life. When I was little, I remember that I always wanted a fluffy teddy bear just like that… but… I thought it be too much to ask to my parents to buy me one.” She answered followed by a sigh and continued to stare at it as the lady put it down onto the table.

“Oh is that so…” I breathed out. I looked back at the teddy bear then her, and then gazed back at it.

“Let’s do the race!” I said.

Kimiko POV

“Let’s do the race!” I heard him say. “Eh?” I said back.

“I said let’s do it, I’m sure it’ll be fun.” He said. 

“But it’s only for couples”

“So? We’ll just pretend we are one” he smiled “C’mon, I’m sure it’ll be fun.”  And so he led me to the front desk.

“Hello are you here to sign up for the race?” a lady at the desk asked. Hiroto looked away from her gaze and nodded. She handed him a sheet of paper, “Okay here you go, just write down your guy’s names and you’ll be all set” she said with a smile. Hiroto grabbed the pen in front of him and scribbled his name as well as mine and handed it back to her.

“Here you go.” He said looking away again.

“Okay well the race doesn’t start after an hour or so please enjoy your time here while we get enough contestants” she waved.

“Great! Thank you!” he replied back, I looked at him curiously.

“Why don’t you look her in the eye?  Or anybody?” I asked. He shrugged and looked around, “I have my reason.”  He answered.

“You act like you’re a super star here” I laughed; he fixed his eyes down to me and raised his brows.

“And what if I was?” he said.

“I’d be really surprised!” I laughed. “But then again, I really shouldn’t be, because you seem the type to be someone famous.” I said. He smiled,

“Do I really?” he laughed, I nodded. “Now that I mention it, are you someone famous?” I asked.

“I don’t know… maybe I am, maybe I’m not” he smirked.

“Hey, that ain’t no answer.” I pouted my lips as I heard him laughing and patted my head.

“Well, since the race doesn’t start yet why don’t we go to that concert? I’m sure it’ll be great to see” He said with a smile. I nodded my head. “Alrighty!”

(On the other Hand…)

Aoi POV

I stared at my phone for a few minutes, flipping it open and close again. I sighed, and got myself on my two feet, walking around for a bit.

“What’s wrong with you? Waiting for a call or something?” Kai came backstage. 

“No. that’s not it.” I answered back. He rolled his eyes coming next to me and patted my back.

“Is it about Kimiko?” he asked.“What?! No, no way.” I said itching the back of my head.

“mmhmm, right.” He shook his head. “You should have invited her here to come see us play” he added with a smile. I stood quietly not saying another word, “Why?” Kai gave another pat behind the back “Oh c’mon, the guys and I miss her, invite her again sometime... oh and get ready the concert is about to start anytime” He concluded and went back on stage to set up.

“Yeah…” I started walking pass staff member to get myself into the rehearsal room. I entered the room to get my guitar until I heard someone’s voice from behind the door.

“Well look who I found here, if it isn’t the famous Aoi from the Gazette” the voice said. I spin myself around and who I looked to see made my eyes wide and slightly making my mouth drop.

“Misaki?!” I said. She smiled and shook her head, crossing her arms against her chest. “You’re really that surprised to see me?” she laughed.

“Well yeah, I mean, I haven’t seen you in like forever.” I came over to her, she opened her arms wide and gave me a hug. “It’s good to see you again”

“Yeah, it’s good to see you too Aoi.” She said, “It feels good to be back home”

“Why did you come back? Didn’t you like it over at the states?” I asked.

“It’s nice, but I think I like it here better.” She answered.  “Yeah?” I laughed after. “I’m glad you’re back safe and sound… but hey by the way, how did you get here?” I asked.

“I happened to be around this area and saw posters of all the PS companies’ bands all over and said you guys were playing here at this fair.” She smiled. “Now, now enough with the questions and let’s go see you rock out then we can go play some games afterwards ne?” She grabbed my hand and led me to backstage. We walked towards the long hallway and talked for a while until she stopped when something caught her gaze.I looked down at her where her eyes were staring a poster of Alice Nine.

“He’s gotten more handsomer since I saw him.” She quietly said making a small frown. My eyes fixed onto Hiroto, then down at her. “Still in love with him?” I said. She made no attempt to answer, but instead kept gazing, then looked away and put up an obvious fake smile. “Come on, I don’t want this to make things go down pour, lets just have fun shall we?” she said and walked along the hallway.

Kimiko’s POV

Hiroto tightened his grip slightly to get pass through some audiences who came to see the concert. He stopped in the middle of the section of the crowd. “Wait here, I’ll be back, you stand here and watch okay?” he smiled.

“Wait Hiroto, where are you going?” I tugged onto his shirt. “It’s a surprise.” He smiled and resumed back into the crowds and disappeared quickly. My brows slightly scrunched confused.

“A surprise. I wonder…” I asked myself and turned my attention to the stage. A man went up to the podium with a big smile plastered across his face and bowed to the crowds before speaking.

“Ladies and Gents, thank you for waiting patiently. Now all you’ve been waiting for we present you all the PS companies’ bands out here at the grand fair! FIRST GIVE IT UP FOR ALICE NINE!! FIRST SONG: SENKOU!” he clapped and walked away as the curtains opened up. The audiences shouted and screamed with love when the stage lights were blinding until it went down showing the whole band itself and played away. First the lights focused onto a young man who happened to be the vocalist. My eyes started to squint towards the singer.

“Wait… that guy …he’s looks familiar.”

[Flash back]

“Oh hello, can I help you?” he opened the gate.

“Y-You’re not Hiroto…”

“No, but I’m his friend, names Shou nice to meet you.” he smiled.

[Flashback ends]

‘That guy, he’s Shou! Hiroto’s friend!’I thought in my head.‘Wow, I didn’t know he had a famous rock star friend. How lucky can he be?’ I thought once more. One by one, lights became focused on the other members, first the vocalist, then the drummer, the bassist, then the guitarist, and finally…

“HIROTO! HIROTO!” the crowds screamed.

“Hiroto? Wh--” I turned my gaze at the next light. There, Hiroto had appeared magically with a guitar in his hand and rocked out. My eyes widened and my mouth made a huge gasp. His fingers danced fret to fret and his head started to head bang with the other members. He stopped and came on the center of the stage with the other guitarist and played their solos amazingly. I never noticed he’d be a famous guitarist, it took my breath away. I couldn’t help but only stare at him. He was just so amazing.

It seems so that he spotted me and smiled then went back concentrating on playing then looked again. Without hesitation, I lifted both my arms and cheered for him with a big grin.“Go Go Go! Hiroto! Go Go!” I shouted happily. He started to brighten even more and nodded his head and rocked out more before ending the song.

[Fast Forward]

After his band was done with their part of the concert, I saw Hiroto coming out backstage where I waited patiently for him “There you are!” he smiled. Before he could do anything else I gave him a gentle punch on the shoulder.

“How come you didn’t tell me that you were a famous guitarist in a band?” I pouted. A small laugh came out of him and he patted my head softly.

“Well at first I wanted to keep it a secret from you. But I figured that you’d find out anyways. And so, I couldn’t help myself but show you who I really am and what I love to do.” He answered; I laughed softly and nodded my head.

“I understand. I’m glad you showed me what you do.” I said. You both heard laughing and voices from back stage, the other members had came out and came towards Hiroto.

“Hiroto where that girl you said you brought with you?!” one said.

“She’s right here” Hiroto went to my side. “Kimi-chan, this is my band mates, Tora, Shou, Saga and Nao, Saga, Tora, Shou and Nao this is Kimiko.” He introduced me to them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you” Tora bowed. “It’s very nice to meet you! I’m Saga” Saga greeted. “And I’m Nao! How do you do?” he waved.

“H-Hello it’s really nice to meet you all” I bowed.

“Hey are you Hiroto’s girlfriend by chance?!” Saga asked. Tora slapped the back of his head. “That was kind of rude don’t you think?”

“What? I was just asking, I to know! Hiroto!” he went next to him. “Are you guys dating?!”

Hiroto and I blushed, “N-No, were just really good friends. I-isn’t that right Kimi-chan?” Hiroto answered and looked over at me. I nodded my head. “Yeah that’s right” I added.

“Well now that we all met, if you guys will excuse us, Kimiko and I will be heading our way” Hiroto grabbed my hand and we made a run for it before the guys could catch us.

“Let’s go back to the race; it should have enough contestants by now.” He said.

Aoi POV

After our part of the concert was done, I saw Misaki waiting for me out in the back of the exit of the stage. “Hey you ready to go?” I asked. She nodded her head putting her hands behind and started walking towards the center of the fair.

“Ladies and gentlemen! This is a last call for signups for the Romantic Heart Race For couples!~ its fun and guaranteed to win any fabulous prize you both choose!” a lady on the podium announced.

“Hey, you want to try it?” Misaki asked me. Before I could answer, she already pulled my hand and ran towards the front desk. “One couple to sign up please!” she smiled.  The man smiled and nodded, “Names?”

“Misaki and Aoi” she answered.

“Okay, you got you guys in! Enjoy playing!” he smiled. He walked over to the announcer and told sign ups were full and ready to start the race. The lady smiled and went up to the podium once again and started her speech.

Third Person POV

“Okay folks we have enough people to finally start the race!” she exclaimed as the crowd of couples cheered. “The rules are simple, all you have to do is hold hands with your partner without letting it go throughout the race and to follow our instructions!” she explained. “Now everybody, begin to hold your partners hand now!” she said.

Both Hiroto and Kimiko blushed red, “Here…” he reached out his hand towards her as she grabbed it softly and smiled.

Over at the other side…

“Well I guess we have to follow rules” Aoi reached his hands out to Misaki who happily took it and held it gently as well.

“Did everyone link hands? Okay! First will be our food eating contest, contestants will have to feed one partner only, whoever shall finish, they have go to the obstacle courses displayed in front of the noodle booth, over at the third course, the men would have to only carry a sack of three basketballs for his lady to shoot a hoop for three chances.”

She paused for a breath, “Over at the fourth course you must quickly run over at the photo booth taking five different couple themed gestures, then the first two winners to reach back here, you guys will reach an area filled with balloons. You’ll have to find a balloon that says “Romantic Heart” and when you do, both couples will pop it but hugging each other. Lastly, after popping the balloon, couples will have to face each other in the running obstacle race and from there we’ll determine our Romantic Heart Winner!” she concluded.

“Seems easy enough right?” Hiroto looked down at Kimiko. She nodded her head to him and looked back at the courses “Yep! Piece of cake!” she answered.

Over at the other side…

“Aoi we better win this okay?” Misaki said pointing at the courses; Aoi smiled and nodded his head. “Yeah, let’s Win!” he chuckled. Not for long, something got his attention from afar. He squint his eyes so his vision could focus from a distance. Even if he couldn’t see clearly, he blurrily saw a man whom looked so familiar with blonde highlights underneath his natural black hair. He also spotted a woman whom he thought looked familiar as well; holding his hand with long black curled pig tails with a white hoodie and wore a bright smile plastered on her face.

‘That smile…’he thought. He relaxed his eyes as soon as he felt a small tug from his shirt.

“Aoi, what’s wrong? Something over there?” Misaki asked looking at him then over at the direction from where he was staring at. He smiled and shook his head. “No, don’t worry about it, it’s nothing.”  He assured her.

“Alright everybody, get into your positions!” the announcer yelled from the podium. All the couples held hands and positioned themselves into running position. “Remember folks, DON’T LET GO OF YOUR HANDS! BREAK IT, YOU’RE OUT!” the announcer reminded each and everyone for the race.

“3…2…1… GO!” The announcer shot a gunfire from the sky indicating the race has started. Both Aoi and Misaki ran towards the noodle stand quickly getting a pair of chop stick.

“Uh-oh, Aoi, I’m not left handed…” Misaki worriedly said to him. Aoi smiled and grabbed the chop sticks with his right hand, “Well, are you alright of me feeding you then?” he asked with a chuckle, she smiled and nodded. “Yeah sure! besides, I’m hungry!” she laughed. Aoi couldn’t help but blush and feel nervous feeding her. “A-Alright, open wide…” he stuttered his hands slightly. She opened and with perfect aim he was able to put the noodles into . “mmm, so good!” he chuckled.

[Fast Forward]

Over at the other side…

Both Kimiko and Hiroto reached the photo booth after running through the obstacle course with their breath filled with panting. They went inside the colorful booth where they found themselves overwhelmed with lots of buttons and options for a photo.

“Um so, it has to be a couple theme… you know any?” Kimiko asked and looked over at Hiroto who was unsure of himself as well. “We could try putting our faces together from the side and curl our open hands up to our cheeks?” he suggested. Both nodded their heads and went on with the plan. As they came together, their cheeks brushed together, making the two blushed red.

“S-Sorry!”She apologized slightly pulling herself away.

“I-It’s okay… it’s just the cheeks anyways, no harm done” he chuckled. They once again came close and there took a picture. “Okay, now that’s done now what should we do?” he asked.

“Um, well, I could act like I’m giving you a kiss on the cheek?” she blushed after suggesting it.

“That’s actually a good one, better than mine.” He laughed patting her head.

“Okay well, I’m going to close my eyes and pretend now… it’ll be embarrassing, so please make it quick” she pleaded. “Okay” he chuckled. He angled his face near her lips and smiled at the camera and snapped a picture. Just as he was about to say it was done, he blushed and realized her face posture. Her pink lips slightly puckered out and her eyes closed revealing her neat long eyelashes. He couldn’t help but think she was cute, without thinking, he unintentionally leaned in closer.

“Are you done? Did you take it already?” she asked. He quickly came back into reality and moved away. “Y-Yeah! Yeah, I’m done sorry…” he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. She opened her eyes and looked over at the photo.

“Oh not too bad I’d say.” She commented. “Now let’s hurry and get three more, or else were going to be last place!”

“Yeah, right! Let’s hurry” He agreed still blushing red.

[Fast forward]   

(A/N: I don’t know if this song fits to this scene but I was listening to a FFXIII-2 song and its called Bahamut battle theme (The song from the trailer) and it got me kinda pumping to write this closing. Care to listen to it while reading?)

Over at the other side…

“Come on Misaki were almost there!” Aoi said smiling, running next to Misaki still holding hands. “Really? Hahaha looks like we’re going to win this Aoi!” she said happily. “Yeah! C’mon we can make it!” he added and continued through the obstacles and finally reached to the exit.

Over at the other side…

 “Kimiko, I could see the next course! Let’s go a little faster” Hiroto said holding her hand a bit tighter so they wouldn’t slip off as he paced himself a little faster.

“You do? Then what are we waiting for? I’m going to go faster too” she said, pacing her speed about the same pace as Hiroto. “I didn’t know you could run this fast” he commented. She stuck out her tongue, “Well I am a tomboy after all. I’m an active person!” she said, they both ran and approached to the exit at the same time as the other contestants.

Hiroto POV

We finally reached to the exit of the obstacle and reached to the exit challenge, I smiled behind me at Kimiko who gave me thumbs up. “Kimiko! We made it! Now we just need to find the--” I stopped my speech. My eyes widened and my mouth slightly closed when the sight in front of me spotted something appalling.

Kimiko POV

“Kimiko! We made it! Now we just need to find the--” Hiroto stopped at his speech. His mouth slightly closed and his eyes began to widen as if he’d saw something he’d never wanted to see. I gave a confused look while still patting from the running. With my open hand I gently tapped on his arm.

“Hiroto? What’s wrong?” I asked. I looked in front of me to see where he was looking at. Surprisingly, I saw Aoi and some lady I’ve never seen. He seemed to have noticed me with Hiroto by my side. Widening my eyes as well, my mouth came out to be opened.

“Aoi?”

Aoi POV

 Once Misaki and I reached to the end of the obstacle, my eyes automatically met the other contestants. My eyes dilated when I saw Hiroto in front of me with a lady next to him who knelt down slightly to catch her breath. Once she looked up my eyes began to widen even more. She tapped onto Hiroto’s arms as he noticed Misaki next to me. Then she looked over towards us, seeing me right in front of her.

“Aoi?” she lipped.

“Kimiko?” I said quietly out of the blue.

Misaki POV

“Kimiko?” Aoi blurted out.

“Huh? You say something Aoi?” I looked up to him. He ignored me and kept his gaze what was in front of him. “Earth to Aoi” I called him once more but no response. My eyes fixed what’s in front; suddenly I was in shock by what I saw in front of me. Same with Aoi’s eyes, mine went big as well. Hiroto… was right in front of me. His eyes half darting at my gaze, as though if he seemed like he was disgusted to see me. I know… I feel guilty… but I can’t help but notice how handsome he’s become since I’ve left. My gaze switched to the young lady next to him whose hands he gently and carefully held. She looked adorably cute, who was she?  Is she… did Hiroto… Find another lover already? I thought.

Third person POV

They all stood at the center awkwardly, tension seemed to fill the atmosphere rapidly as each second passed by.  Hiroto, glaring at Misaki soon turned his gaze away from her. As for Misaki, she was still staring back at Hiroto then at Kimiko again whom she was especially confused and curious about. Aoi who kept gaze at Kimiko, he was confused in his own little world, thinking ‘What on earth was she doing here with Hiroto?’ Lastly, Kimiko, trying to figure out what’s going on, she took a glimpse at each and every one of them. Then her eyes fixed onto Misaki.

‘Who was she?’ she had thought. ‘Could it be?…  That Misaki girl?’ she observed.

To be continued.  

New Character Bio!

Name:Misaki Koyama                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Age:24

Personality:Kind, lovable, playful, caring, cheerful, gentle, and soft spoken.

Race: Asian:Japanese

Family: Parents.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Likes:Fruits, pink, jewelry, art, girly clothes, singing, music, any little cute items and dancing.

Dislikes:Mean people, Scary people, Scary objects/things, shots (needles) and the dark.

History/past:Misaki Koyama, she is a successful 24 year old pop star singer of Japan. She traveled to the states to get her name out to the world and to get better at her career and take it to the next level, or that’s what she said to her former ex-boyfriend Hiroto whom she dated for three years before her departure. She feels guilty about the break up they had with each other, but she knew it was for a good reason for her to do so. (Truth about her departure will be revealed soon). After two years has passed, she moved back to Japan as soon as her tour ended and also to relieve herself from homesickness. But she only came back for one reason and one reason only… to settle things straight with Hiroto and tell him the truth of why she had to leave him. (More reasons will be revealed soon in chapters.)