JPOP Housemaid

Chapter 24 - Lights out

The rain came down heavily, dust arising from the first droplets on the road outside. Bird song was drowned out by the constant pour of water and the occasional clap of thunder.

"The weather better improve for tomorrow," frowned Isei, standing at a window. I remembered that their big concert was the next day at the Tokyo Dome. It was the start of a two month long world tour as the boys sing in English and Japanese. We hadn't talked about it much, but they'd been practicing for hours lately whilst me and Azalea were left to our own devices.

"I'm so excited for it!" exclaimed Takeo, his bright teeth flashing with a smile.

"I'm a bit nervous," admitted Makoto bashfully.

"You'll all do brilliantly," I insisted as I had been doing for the past few days. Makoto shrugged and scratched the back of his neck.

Thunder boomed outside and the room was illuminated for a moment with lightening before all of the lights turned off. Li screamed like a girl and I looked around with wide eyes.

"Is everyone alright?" asked Isei quickly. Everyone murmured how they were and I felt Yaito put his hand on my shoulder. Or at least I hoped it was Yaito. I spun around and was faced with his bright eyes. He smiled in the dim light of the streetlights outside and put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him.

"It's okay," he whispered. I blushed and was glad he couldn't see my red cheeks.

"We're going to have to get candles whilst I sort this out," sighed Isei. Takeo yelled out that he would get them and I volunteered to go as well.

"I will too," said Li, following Takeo and trying not to bump into the table. I wriggled away from Yaito and hurried after them, trying not to get left behind. Once we were out of the living room we ascended the stairs, rain still slapping against the windows outside and making me scared enough to walk close to Li.

Whilst Takeo lead the way to the storage room upstairs, Li asked me,

"Are you afraid?" I giggled nervously in response and held onto his arm.

"Just a bit." He laughed back and grabbed ahold of my hand, pulling me along.

"Nothing will hurt you here, apart from maybe Isei." I laughed and we heard Takeo crashing about ahead of us. "We better get to him," sighed Li.

We found him with a bucket on his foot and a broom across his chest.

"I fell," he smiled awkwardly whilst we laughed. I bent over after collecting myself and helped him up, Li still laughing.

"I found the candles, at least," said Takeo, pointing to a box in the back. Li stepped carefully over other boxes and picked up the one containing the candles.

"Are there matches?" I asked.

"Some in the kitchen I think," replied Li. "You go get them, Takeo." Takeo agreed and went running off downstairs, leaving me and Li alone. He placed the candles in the corridor and smiled at me.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Your eyes just look extra pretty right now." I blushed and looked away, thanking him awkwardly. He took a step forwards and reached out an arm, then drew it back towards him as if he rethought it. "Let's go light these." With that, he picked up the box and walked back down the stairs, leaving me wondering what that was about.

~

Once many of the candles were lit the room looked beautiful. Shadows danced on the walls in time with the flickering flames, looking like ghosts and spirits. Isei and Azalea were at the fuze box in the kitchen whilst the rest of us sat on sofas around the table of candles. The rain had died down and there had been no thunder for a while. Takeo was telling a scary story about a mad axe murderer but I was pretty sure no one was listening.

Yaito was sitting next to me, his shoulder against mine and his arm lying loosely behind my back. Makoto kept glancing at me but if he caught my eye he would look away quickly. Eventually I caught his eye and raised my eyebrows, cocking my head to one side in confusion. He simply shrugged and looked at the ground. I furrowed my eyebrows and crossed my arms, slightly annoyed at him. Yaito seemed to sense that I was annoyed and squeezed my side in reassurance.

"What's up?" he whispered in my ear, his breath tickling my neck.

"Nothing, I don't know..." I replied, looking up at him. He smiled gently and looked into my eyes, only inches from my face. His eyes strayed to my lips then back up, then he chucked and pulled me closer to his side, resting his head on top of mine. I closed my eyes and leant against him, feeling at ease again.

~~~

I haven't updated in forever I know I'm terrible D;

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, the book is nearly over!!

Comment who you want Kimi to choose! I can't decide :-)

Thanks for reading~