Somewhere Only We Know

Chapter Three

"On business news this morning, Aihara stock suffers largest one-day drop in Japanese history, shedding 26 billion of its value today–"

"Siri, change the station to NK 82.5." The man behind the wheel of the sleek black sedan advancing through a Tokyo tunnel gently says to its command system. He kept his eye on the road while "Barber's Adagio for Strings" by Kazushi Ono abruptly replaced the news broadcast.

At the backseat of the car, Aihara Mei, takes a pill from what used to be a small canister of mints and put it in her mouth. She has been taking anti-depressants for seven years now. They shut off all her emotions and replaced them with nausea and dizzy spells. In this wretched life, she isn't given much choice. If she allowed her emotions back in– these cunning little demons might end everything. She hasn't cried in years. As the car heads toward the bright glimmer of skyscrapers in the distance she turns her gaze to scan the alleys instead.

The city has changed for the worse, it's become so obtrusive and meretricious yet comes off dreary. Or is it because there's nothing in it for me? She has been yelling in pain for years now yet it cannot spare a minute to hear her, fixated on its own noise and glitter. She cannot stop the train of negative thoughts in her mind. She slightly shakes her head at a group of young schoolgirls in their uniforms hanging out at a cyberspace station happily discussing the new franchise of Final Fantasy.

"When I was Seitokaichou, that wasn't allowed." She mutters under her breath.

It made her chauffeur check the rearview mirror. The tycoon is talking to herself again. The mirror gives him a good look of those sunken, broken eyes.

"We're only a few minutes away from Narisawa, Madam. I received a message from their staff that the chef has already prepared your lunch." He updates the Aihara boss.

"Uchida-san, I changed my mind. Please head to Roppongi Hills instead. I want to be ready early for an investor's meeting at 3pm. Please call my personal assistant, Kojima-san, and ask her to meet me there instead." Mei firmly orders.

"Alright, madam." She's missing lunch again, and there's no point being concerned, her chauffeur purses his lips as he grips the wheel to change route. In the strict and unforgiving Aihara world, none of them has a say in anything. You live to follow the reclusive tycoon's orders.

The sedan works its way through the many stylish, glass-paned studios of the city. The area boasts of parametric and postmodern Japanese architecture, and through every glass window there's a view of the season's fashion and style innovations. Elegantly-dressed designers and supermodels pass by here and there, enjoying a leisurely walk and an afternoon coffee.

"Oh, this deconstructed denim gown looks so good! You're bossing it, Harumin!"

"I'm excited to see where you'll take it from here!" Yuzu shrieks as she hugs her bestfriend, Taniguchi Harumi. They are looking at the famous fashion designer's prototypes in her studio. "How about gifting the prototype to me when you're done with the final cut?" She winks.

Harumin laughs and looks fondly at her bestfriend. Despite Yuzu's fame in the industry, she still has an inclination for bargains, just like when they were schoolgirls always looking forward to the next sale season. "But Yuzucchi, you'll put Aihara on the fashion map soon. Don't you think a perfected, tailored dress suits you best when you come out of the runway on your first show?"

"Oh, you know I'm only going that direction because Miura-san wants me in it." She hugs her bestfriend's arm tightly as they walk the length of her ornate, maximalist studio together.

"Plus, I love anything hand-crafted by you."

Harumin nuzzles her head on her bestfriend's shoulder and smiles. Despite their wild days and lack of interest in studying and schoolwork, they still managed to make it in life simply by following their passion and working hard to be the best versions of themselves. It took long but dreams do come true and things click into place.

Synchronicity by Nogi46 suddenly plays. It's Yuzu's mobile phone, Harumi playfully smacks her bestfriend at her chosen ringtone, they laugh hysterically. "Yuzu, I thought we were 30-year olds!"

"Sorry, Harumin, give me a sec. I'm taking this." Yuzu says, still giggling. "Hello?"

Yuzu's expression slightly changed, the smile on her face disappeared. "I understand, Nomura-san, but I'm on leave today. This has been scheduled a month ahead."

Harumin looks her in the eye and shakes her head. "I see," Yuzu continues, "I'll be there in a few."

"Oh! Yuzu!" Harumi sighs in disbelief at her workaholic bestfriend. "Can't we have just one quiet girlfriends' day out?"

"I'm sorry, Harumin! I tried to refuse, but Miura-san is also on leave. And a VIP is sat there asking for a senior creative. I'll make it up to you, but right now, I have to run."