A Familiar Face ; A Banana Fish Alternative Universe

#1 : Who's That?

December 20, 9:30 am, Friday

"Sing!" I called out. Time to visit the gallery.

Sing walked out of his room, he wore a navy blue suit while I, the literal owner of the gallery, was wearing a polo shirt, pants, and a jacket.

"Where are you going? We're going to an image gallery, not a restaurant." I giggled.

"Am I not allowed to dress neatly now?" He laughed.

10:20 am, at the gallery.

As Sing and I arrived at the gallery, I couldn't help but stare in awe at the amount of people admiring the photos I took.

"Eiji, I'm gonna go get myself something to eat at the food vendor across the street. Just text me whenever you're done." Sing said before walking out.

"Wait, Sing...!" He brought my wallet.

Whatever. I thought. He'd be back soon anyway.

I walked through the cold halls of the gallery, everything looked the same. People were taking pictures, admiring the pictures, but I noticed that there was a picture that caught everyone's attention.

There was a crowd.

"Are you the guy in the picture?" I heard faint voices ask.

As I approached the crowd, my eyes widened and my breathing came to a quick halt.

There was a blond man, he sure did look like the one in the picture. Same eyes, same hair, same features, same.. Everything.

They and I locked eyes, and I felt my heart rate soar.

I pushed myself through the crowd, trying to get myself as close to this man as possible.

Aslan?

I felt my hands shake as I ripped through the people.

Beautiful.

I gathered all of my courage and spoke.

"Hello, I'm the owner of this gallery. You sure do look like him!" I held out my hand for a handshake as I laughed.

He smiled at me before taking my hand and shaking it gently.

"Well, hello. Eiji Okumura, isn't it?" He replied.

He knew my name.

"How do you know my name?" I queried.

"Well, it says it on the sign of the gallery, does it not?" He acknowledged.

"Ah, right... I apologize." Of course, how could I forget a detail that I asked to be added?

"You're quite interesting, Mr. Okumura."
He uttered.

"Me? Interesting.. Yeah right." I snickered.

It worked, he thinks I'm worth talking to! Now, time to ask for his number.

"Ah, I wish I could keep talking to you but my business here is done. Would you like to exchange numbers?" I asked politely, a smile lingering on my face.

"Of course. My number is ***********." Okay. I've acquired his number.

"I'll contact you whenever I can, Mister..?" Right, I don't know his name yet.

"Call me Jade." He said.

"Jade? What a beautiful name. Anyways, I've got to go. I'll contact you!" I replied, shaking his hand as I walked away.

Finally, I have his number.

I called Sing,

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"Pick me up, I'm done," I said, my voice shakey.

Who was this guy? Why did he look so much like.. Him..?

At home, I did everything I could to avoid calling that 'Jade' guy. I didn't want to seem weird, so I resisted.

A couple of hours later, I figured it was the perfect time to call him.

Ring ring.

"Hello?" He answered.

"Uhm.. Hello, this is Mr. Okumura."

"Ah! Mr. Okumura, I forgot I met you earlier, Haha." I froze, his cheerful voice echoing in my mind.

"Well, it was nice to meet you, Jade. Also, drop the honorifics. Let's address each other like two adult men, hm?" I chuckled nervously.

It was nice finally being able to talk to someone. Sing, having been busy this past week meant I had no one to talk to. Plus, Sing never wanted to have dinner with me in case Ash was 'watching over us'. Huh..??

"Alright, Eiji.. I have to go now, it was nice chatting." He said in a low voice.

"Wait, Jade."

"Hm?"

"Can- can we hang out sometime?"

He snickered.

"Of course." He paused.

"Is it a date?"

Oh. My. Gosh.

"If you want it to be. Then, I guess so."

I felt butterflies in my stomach, from my own words!!

"How about next Friday?" He spoke.

"Alright, I'll pick you up at the gallery."

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OH MY GOD. I HAVE A DATE!!!