Escapism °• | NANA Fanfiction

[Chater 20] Empire Entertainment

Nanami walked through the aisles of the convenience store with Shin and Junko, the cart creaking as they piled in snacks and essentials. Junko pushed the cart ahead of them, while Shin walked beside Nanami.

"Nanami, what else do you need?" Junko called from a few steps ahead, reaching for some instant noodles and tossing them into the cart.

"Uh, maybe just some coffee," Nanami mumbled, grabbing a box of cereal.

"So, did you pick?" Junko asked, slowing down so they were walking next to each other. Shin noticed the candy isles and slipped away to get something for himself. 

"Um, not yet." Nanami said in a guilty tone, the money she was spending wasn't growing back on trees, but she was too indecisive. 

They reached the checkout counter, and Junko unloaded everything while Nanami dug through her bag for her card. Shin came back with some pocky and lollipops he unloaded onto the conveyer before shoving his hands into his pockets. 

She slid the card across the counter and waited for the beep.

The cashier swiped the card, and, after a few seconds, frowned. "I'm sorry, but the card's been declined."

Nanami blinked. "What?" She forced a smile. "There must be a mistake." She handed the card over again, but the result was the same. Declined.

A wave of embarrassment and frustration washed over her. She could feel Shin's eyes on her, and Junko raised an eyebrow. "So, Empire Entertainment, right?" Junko asked, pulling out her card.  

"But Junko!" She whined as they packed their groceries. "I don't want to be involved with him. Not again."

Junko stared her down. "Are you a child? You're avoiding an offer like that because of a man?" 

"Well, when you put it that way.."

"Get the contract and sign on; if you don't like it, leave after three years." 

Nanami sighed, but then she finally nodded. "Okay... okay, you're right. I'll... I'll respond to the email."

Junko smiled softly. "Good."

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Later that night, Nanami sat in her room, staring at her laptop screen. The email from 'EE' sat in her trash, waiting. She bit her lip as she clicked it open and skimmed the message again. They had attached a contract, and the terms seemed fair from what little she knew.

She closed her eyes for a moment before steeling herself. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, and finally, she typed a response, agreeing to look over the contract and asking for more time. Her pulse pounded as she hit 'send.'

The next day, Nanami stood outside Yasu's apartment. The contract from 'EE' was stuffed in her bag, and she felt a knot in her stomach as she prepared to knock. She didn't know who else to ask for help, and she hadn't expected him to live in such a soulless place.

Her knuckles rapped against the door softly, and within moments, Yasu opened it. He stood there in a simple black shirt and pants. Surprisingly, seeing him without a suit felt strange.

"Nanami," he said, a hint of surprise in his voice. He stepped aside quickly. "Come in."

She nodded, stepping into the unfamiliar space. It was immaculate, almost cold, and she felt awkward; it was so sanitary and looked unlived in. She followed Yasu into the living room, where he motioned for her to sit down. She sat stiffly across from him on a cold black leather couch and pulled out the contract from her bag.