Guardian Angel | Toru

Chapter 2: Mr. Present-Day Speaker

"What's with that dream," I groggily whisper under my breath while I lie in bed and continue to blink until my lazy eyes adjust themselves.

A dream of me singing and then crying over how touched I was by a guitar player's lyrics...What was his name again..? Eh. It does it matter.

After washing away the image in my head that I recently dreamt of, I check my phone to see what time it is and it is time to get ready to go to work. I have always wondered if anyone has those mornings when one is so comfortable in bed-warm and cozy-that one doesn't have any will to get up and do a single thing. Although I enjoy my job, at times like this when the sun hasn't risen yet, I just want to lie in my bed forever.

I have a job as an artist. I am famous for making beautifully unique art, being skillful in freehand drawing to painting. It's a simple job. All I have to do is fulfill my client's wishes. I also have my own successful business that allows me to not only earn enough money but do what I love, which is perfect for me.

• • • •

"Hey Y/N, I need some money for something."

After minutes of contemplating whether I should get out of bed or not, I eventually force myself to get up, make my bed, and get ready to go downstairs where I would usually do my thing. When I do, I decide to finish up water coloring my client's banner in the art studio. While doing so though, my little sister who is only a few years younger than me comes bashing through the entrance door. This happened too many times before that the noise doesn't surprise me anymore, causing me to not budge or look up from the product in front of me.

"What now? I lent you money last week," I bring myself to say.

This always happens. Ever since her and my father realized my success and the amount of money I have been making, they started relying on me. The reason? The trauma of our mother's death. It saddens me just thinking about it even though I had such a terrible past because of my parents.

"Fine. How much do you need?" I look up and say before S/N speaks once more.

When I lift my head up to glance at her face, I see that she is already looking into my purse for my wallet.

"I'm already ahead of ya!" she cheekily smiles as she replies and holds up the amount of money she is going to take for me to see.

"That's more than last time, but I guess it's okay."

The tone of my voice sounds calm, but my face looks annoyed.

"Oh, have you seen ONE OK ROCK's new music video yet??!!! It is AMAZING! And my Toru looks hot as always," S/N excitedly asks and fangirls.

To be honest, I wanted to fangirl along with her because...of course I did! I love ONE OK ROCK and their music. I've been following them for quite a while. I started listening to their music not too long after my mother's death, which was a part of my past that I tried to forget and not look back at. Doing so was unsuccessful at the time. That is, until I discovered ONE OK ROCK who saved me from those dreadful times.

The way they play their instruments..Taka's vocals..The lyrics of their songs..They inspire me and changed me into a better person somehow. I don't know if it's like that with the rest of their fans, but it was and still is like that for me. And seeing how far they have come makes me proud, so how can I not know about their new music video? However, hearing S/N's last sentence makes me stop everything altogether.

"I don't get it. What's so great about Toru? So many fans are all over him including you! And I don't get that..."

"Well, you just don't have good taste in men. Look, he is not only hot but the leader who brought Taka, Tomoya and Ryota together, is talented in a lot of things, is mysterious and did I mention cu-"

"Alright, alright I get it."

No, I don't and I probably never will. I know I said whatever I said earlier about ONE OK ROCK, but I hate people like him. Those artists, actors, or just any idol out there who gets attention like this for the silliest reasons. Everything about it is crazy in my eyes. It looks like he doesn't even try to swoon the ladies and get people to like him. Who knows how this guy is in real life and I don't want to know. Seeing him along with Taka, Tomoya and Ryota on stage at a concert is good enough for me.

"Hey? Earth to Y/N? You're getting a call."

Once I hear S/N's shouting voice, I snap out of my own world and quickly grab the phone connected to the wall.

"Hello, Y/N of Art Studio/N speaking. How may I help you?"

"Hello, I'm calling to ask if you are interested in taking a special request."

"At the moment, I'm about done with a project for one of my clients, which means I'll be fully available to take any requests once it's finished."

"That's great! I am the manager of a band called ONE OK ROCK. They want you to create artwork for their new album. Are you able to do that?"

....Wait, what?...Did I hear that correctly?? No way. I couldn't have heard "create artwork" and "ONE OK ROCK" all in one sentence.

"Um..Sure. I mean, yes. I can absolutely do that."

"Awesome! That was quick. I thought there would be a problem knowing that you must have a busy schedule. Anyways, I'll tell them and contact you as soon as possible on how this is all going to work."

"Okay, thank you."

"No, thank you."

The man on the phone who is, which I still can't believe is known as ONE OK ROCK's manager hangs up on the phone first while I am left standing with the studio's phone still resting on top of my ear, continuously beeping like there is no tomorrow. I am too shocked to put the phone down. I also stay in place staring at one spot for a long time.

"Y/N, are you okay?" S/N asks me with obvious worry in her voice.

No, I am not okay.

☼