My Idol, My Brother

Chapter 8: End is a Start

it's almost Jesse's 18th birthday, even though he insisted not to anything special on his birthday, Aya wanted to bake a cake, much to Takaki's demise. Jasper and Jun were again not in Japan because of Jun's work. Jasper has a business of his own, so he has the luxury of travelling with Jun whenever he wanted.

"Chibi, I told you not to do anything for my birthday tomorrow right?" Jesse approached Aya who was happily baking cake for him.

"Why not? Mom and dad won't be here, so I think we should at least celebrate with a cake, you can invite some friends if you want, just few though!"

Jesse shook his head, "No need, how about we just eat the cake then study, exams are coming,"

"Okay then, let's do that, study on your birthday, so fun," Aya sarcastically responded to him.

"Then what do you want us to do?"

Aya shrugged, "Relax maybe? You've been busy with work,"

Jesse knew he couldn't when Aya's this determined. When it comes to determination, he's a first-hand witness to how determined Aya can be when she wanted to so he just gave in, "Fine fine, whateer you want,"

THe next day, Jesse didn't invite anyone. Even though he seemed like to have all the time in the world to be alone with Aya, it was a special day he wanted to spend with her. Aside from eating cake, the two watched a movie for relaxation.

"Ne, what did you wish for?" Aya asked, talking about the wish Jesse made before blowing the candle.

Without looking at her, Jesse answered, "Something extremely hard to get,"

"Eh? Tell me,"

"If I tell you then I really won't be able to get it, don't be so cruel to me chibi," Jesse poked Aya's forehead as punishment.

"Itai," Aya held her forehead then looked at Jesse, "you've changed, I don't know if I was able to help you from the pain of having your family destroyed, but I do hope I did help you... I'm still willing to help you now, so if anything's bothering you, just let me know, I'll do what I can... If you need someone to listen to your frustrations, I'll be your ears,"

Jesse smiled at her, pulled her closer to him and placed his arm around her shoulder, "I know you will chibi,"

Aya felt happy, but she's still skeptical of Jesse's actions. She's torn between wanting to believe that he's really sincere that had already changed, and maybe just pretending to be nice to her, like what Takaki said, then when she had exposed her vulnerable side again, he'll break her. Everytime she's close to giving in and believing Jesse, Takaki was always there to make sure she doesn't dive into something that'll hurt her.

Few minutes of silence and just watching movie was broken by Jesse, "How are you and Takaki-kun? You two have been really close, any romantic development?"

"We're friends, we're close, he's someone I can confide on, that's it," Aya quickly answered, but Jesse knew they're more than friends, especially on Takaki's side. He knew that Aya's happier to be with Takaki than be with him, so he cannot easily believe that they're just friends and that's it. He had actually already decided to let Aya be happy with someone who he's sure won't hurt Aya.

"Don't you like him?"

"I guess I do... but, I don't get the doki doki feeling I'm supposed to,"

"But he really loves you and I'm sure he'll take care of you, why don't you give it a chance, you and him?"

Aya looked at Jesse, "Well... if you say so..." then looked down. She didn't know but somehow, she felt disappointed that Jesse was actually pushing her to be with Takaki. She's very much aware that what Jesse's saying was true. She knew Takaki will take care of her more than any guy would. She'd be stupid to let someone like him go. Yeah, why not try, right?