Lost and Found

Nostalgia

Minekos POV

As I entered my apartment, I couldn't help but recount my evening with Kaoru.

"Holy crap." I mumbled to myself. I don't remember the last time someone liked me. There was that one guy in college named Yuki...but that was different. It was college! This is my real adult life right now.

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. 'I don't know why I said yes.' I mentally cussed at myself, remembering how I agreed when he leaned in. As I was grabbing a water from my fridge, I jumped as Kyo entered the apartment.

"Someone is jumpy today." He laughed. All I could do was nervously smile. "Want one?" I asked, holding out a water bottle to Kyo. He nodded, "Thanks." When I passed the bottle to him, my fingers grazed his own and I looked up at him shyly.

I didn't know why but a part of me felt guilty about what happened in the car. My mind was racing and I couldn't understand my own feelings. I stared at Kyo as he gently plopped down on my sofa, it made that horrible squeaking noise as he shifted his weight.

"So how was dinner?" He inquired, taking a sip of his water. I gulped and without realizing my eyes widened. "I-it was good. The food was delicious!" I sat down next to Kyo.

I watched him as he slowly nodded his head at my response. For some strange reason, my heart began to beat fast in my chest as he leaned over to grab the remote control. His veiny, slender yet manly fingers picked up the remote—my eyes were transfixed on his movements.

I licked my lips as he scooted further back into the sofa, the fabric of his shirt rising up slightly when he moved. 'What is going on with me?' I internally screamed.

Time seemed to be moving in slow motion. Suddenly, Kyos voice snapped me out of my curious, and lingering gaze. Thank God he didn't notice me staring.

"You don't mind if I turn this on right?"

"Not at all—what are you gonna watch?"

"The usual."

"Star Wars?"

He nodded. We sat in silence, watching the show together. "Hey Kyo?" I spoke during the ending credits. He turned to face me. "Yeah?" I inhaled sharply, not sure how exactly to word what I wanted to tell him.

"Umm...I know we just met and all." I noticed Kyo gulp.

"Yeah?" He whispered, turning his body to me, legs fully crossed on the couch.
"Well, you see...we just met and I feel I can trust you. I'm not sure why, but I do." I started, pushing my hair behind my ears. "Anyway, promise me you won't tell any of this to the rest of the band or your management?" Kyo furrowed his brows.

"Kaoru confessed to me tonight." I stared at his face, unsure if I should continue. His expression was blank, and then to my surprise he slightly chuckled.

"We already know Mineko." A forced smiled pulling on his lips. He was about to continue talking but I cut him off. "That's not all Kyo...you can't tell him that I told you, but...we kind of kissed." I couldn't look at Kyo for some time after spitting that out. When I finally gained the courage to look up at him, I saw that his smile dropped, I noticed his jaw pulsing from obviously clenching his teeth.

Kyos POV

"Kyo?..." Mineko whispered out, pulling me from my thoughts. I didn't realize I was quiet; it must have been at least a minute that went by.

"Yeah?" I squeaked, my voice cracking.

"You're not saying anything." Mineko stared down at her hands, which were resting comfortably in her lap.

"Sorry...I'm just a bit shocked is all." I peered at her face, she was still looking down. "He practically spoke of you everyday since he met you, so I'm not too surprised he did this tonight." I tried to sound genuine, but the sudden jealousy I felt was undeniably sneaking in.

'Go figure I'd fall for someone my friend likes...tch...not just my friend but my band mate.'

I swallowed hard, studying Minekos features.

"How do you feel about it?" I questioned, picking up on a sense of uncertainly from her. She popped her head up at me, looking relieved that I finally asked a question.

"I don't know...it happened so fast! I like Kaoru but...as a friend. But when he leaned in I didn't exactly stop him." She shook her head. "I'm also a little upset. Is this why he pushed for me to work with you guys? Just because he likes me? Does he not like my work at all? Was it all just a ploy to get closer to me because he's lonely after getting out of a three year relationship?" Mineko shocked me with that one.

She rolled her eyes, and I couldn't help but interrupt her rant.

"Kaoru isn't that kind of person. Especially when it comes to the band. He wouldn't risk anything. I'm sure his feelings towards you developed over time."

'Mine did.' I said to myself.

She pursed her lips, pondering what I said.

"You're right. You've known him way longer...and like I said before , I don't know why but I just trust you and your judgment ." Her eyes peered into mine, and for just a moment I'm pretty sure my heart skipped a few beats.

I cleared my throat, smiling at her. "Well, it's getting late, I'll take the sofa tonight."

"You can have the bed again, Kyo. I'm not very tired anyway. I'm gonna make some tea and watch TV."

"Tea sounds good." I agreed.

She raised a brow, crossing her arms over her chest. "What happened to 'It's getting late.'? Mineko joked.

I chuckled, about to retort back when my phone went off. "Moshi-moshi?" I watched as Mineko went into the kitchen to boil the water.

"What was that Oka-San? I can't hear you...hold on let me put you on speaker." I quickly switched my phone to speaker.

"Nothing sweetie. Just calling to see how my Tooru is doing. My left breast was stinging me, and usually that means something is wrong with my child." I shook my head.

"Oka-Saaaann...you gotta stop with those weird maternal superstitions." My mom only laughed at me. "A mothers intuition is never wrong." She countered, matter-of-factly.

"I'm doing okay. Prepping for an upcoming tour...the usual." My mother and I spoke for a few minutes, catching up on life. When Mineko walked back in, I let my mom know that I had to get going.

"Okay Tooru! I love you. Call me more often please, I'm not getting any younger you know!"

"I love you too Oka-San." And I hung up the phone. When I looked up at Mineko, she was staring dead at me, a puzzled look on her face.

"That was my mom—oh thanks for the tea." She furrowed her brows, placing the mugs on her wooden ottoman.

"Your name...it's Tooru?"

I scratched the back of my neck. "Yeah..."

"Tooru." She repeated again, this time more tenderly.

"You okay?" I questioned, noticing that the color started to leave her face.

"Yeah, I just— I feel like I know someone with that name?" She bit her lip. "That or I've heard it somewhere before."

"Really? It's not that common, so I'm surprised." I sipped on the Jasmine tea that she made for me.

"Tooru.." She repeated, and I stared at her like she had three heads.

"We haven't met before, have we?" This time, her stare mirrored mine; and I was rendered speechless for the second time that night.