Lost in Tokyo

Nana

I come in for a meeting with my management discussing my plans for the year starting with the upcoming teleserye.

"Any leads on who my love team is?" I had to ask. I have been confirmed for the role ever since October of last year, as for my partner, they were still on the look out for the most suitable match. I went on chemistry tests with a lot of upcoming matinee idols, and although some are my friends, I don't think we have that chemistry.

"Meron na, Maine," Direk Jen points out. "He's coming na. Kausap lang ng PR."

"Sino po?"

"Si Alden Richards. Okay ka lang ba don?" Of course, who was I to complain? He's good looking and quite the catch. I also think our chemistry might work if we push ourselves. We've grown in the industry together since we were in the same network. We've been in the same circle of friends and very comfortable with each other, but really, I think of us as mere brothers and sisters.

"Wow! Congratulate ko nga si Den. Tagal na kami di nagkikita!" Alden walks in with his handlers and manager. He busses my cheek. "Ano Maine? Ready ka na?" He tells me.

"Oo ba!"

The writers pool in the first story board for our teleserye. Two housemates Jana and Inigo who work in a foreign city only to find themselves in a weird, romantic situation.

I love to travel, and if work can make me travel, then good. Anything away from Manila and the noise it produces. "We're shooting abroad!?" I said excitedly.

"Yes. In Tokyo," the location scout suggested. In the character description Jana is rooted in Japanese culture with her obsession with cosplay and anime, while Inigo, a workaholic, brooding bad boy rents a room from Jana's apartment.

A part of me got excited at the fact that I get to see Richard again. At least once. Squeeze him in the craziness of my work schedule.

"When does shooting begin?"

"In one month."

***
"Hey beautiful! It's good to hear from you," Richard says on the other line.

"Baliw! Stop teasing," I tell him. "Anyway, I called because I could use your help."

"On what?"

"Japanese culture. Anime. The language."

He gets riled up and explained every detail. Being in Japan for three years, he's quite adept with their culture, I would presume. I wasn't wrong in asking him. He babbles for an hour and I take down notes for my character reference.

"What's this for?"

"My new teleserye..." I stopped, still deciding if I should let him know... "which we'll be shooting in Tokyo."

"You're coming here!?" I can hear the excitement in his voice. Calm down!

"Uhm, yes. In a month. I'm probably staying for two weeks but we'll be filming most of the time.

"I'm sure. But can I see you still? Remember a deal? At least once," he reiterated.

"I'll see," I tell him with a glint of hope.

The line goes quiet for a bit and then he breaks the silence.

"I miss you, Maine."

"Richard..."

"I know. I know. I just had to say it."

"Anyway, hopefully I'll see you then. One month isn't so far away. I'll try to squeeze you in, I promise."

Now I sound like a grade schooler trying to make promises with my boy best friend. A part of me wishes to see him, but I know it would be hard to enter this kind of friendship with him.

***
Alden helps me with my luggage and we all ride the limousine bus, the network rented out. He sits beside me because we've been rehearsing our lines, and for the PR team to be able to take staged behind-the-scenes of us looking all chummy.

It's not really so hard with Alden. We're friends and our closeness can always be misinterpreted as something more. It was always the reason why I tried to keep my distance as respect to his love team at that time. He and I know that we were always platonic.

My phone rings and it was Richard on the other line. I pick up with excitement in my voice. "Hey, stranger!"

"Got your text! You just landed?"

"Yup. Delayed flight. Hey, uhm, we haven't had dinner and I don't know any place that's still open, do you know where all of us can go?"

"Come to Ikinari."

"You're open?"

"Yeah. I'll see you in an hour?"

"Yup! Bye!"

The bus ride wasn't so dragging. The crew and the actors had high spirits. Alden was always the life of the party and he starts singing songs which all of us can sing along to.

The driver stops in front of Ikinari and I see him waiting outside sitting in one of the patio tables. The restaurant, however, seemed empty. I was the first one to leave the bus to make sure there was enough room for all of us.

"Hey stranger!" He calls out.

"Did you... just open this for us?"

"Hi Richard, how are you? I'm good." He said sarcastically. "Yes. Akihiro wanted to do some overtime anyway. He's saving up for his daughter's first birthday."

"Thank you, Richard! And hi," I respond to his bear hug.

I introduce the crew, then the writers, then my co actors, Direk Jen, and finally Alden. Richard leads us inside and there was already a spread of food ready to be eaten.

Richard speaks to Akihiro in Japanese giving instructions. Akihiro obliges, and goes back to the kitchen.

"Richard," Direk Jen says. "The food is really great and I love how the ambience is so authentic."

"Thank you, ma'am." He says politely.

"Do you by any chance know any interpreters we can hire?"

"I can," Richard volunteers enthusiastically.

"No, you don't have to!" I tell him. I mean the guy has a job to do and as much as I'd want to see him all the time, it might just be hard to function.

"It's okay, I insist. I could use the break from work."

"Perfect. Richard, can you meet us at 8 am tomorrow? Call time for the shoot is at 9."

"It would be my pleasure, ma'am." He tells her before he faces me and gives me a knowing smirk.