Chapter 28 Final Scene

No one's POV

Upon taking the 30 minute bus drive, both Nhazul and Chizuru arriving at the hotel, as Chizuru finds it quite nice with a great view.

Chizuru: Wow, just the view from here is incredible already!

Nhazul: Yeah, it is pretty great.

Chizuru: Hey, is that Mount Myoko?

Nhazul: Yeah, it is.

Nhazul's thoughts: She seems back to normal now. Still, that expression was definitely a new one. Reminds of Sumi.

Chizuru would look up at Nhazul, seeing him in his thoughts.

Chizuru: What's up?

Nhazul: Oh, no, it's nothing. Come on, let's check in.

As the two walk up the receptionist, they soon learn that Mini had made reservations only for one room for two people, surprising Chizuru and annoying Nhazul.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Yep... I think I'm going to commit First Degree....

While Nhazul was in his thoughts, Chizuru takes the keys, causing him to look at her.

Nhazul: You're fine with it?

Chizuru: Not like it's the first time.

Nhazul: True.

After making their way up to their room, the two would leave their luggage in their room, while Nhazul would pull out things from his camera bag, Chizuru would speak up.

Chizuru: You'd better give Mini a good talking to when we get back...

Nhazul: ...-_-... Oh, I plan on giving her more then a talking to...

Chizuru: Though I guess we're at partly fault for giving her the wrong idea. But anyway, we're going to scout the location, right?

Nhazul: Yeah.

Chizuru: Then come on, we're losing daylight.

Nhazul: ...-_-... Don't rush me.

After leaving, the two would begin scouting locations for the shoot, before finding a good place,

which was a grassy valley. Nhazul would talk to the owners of the property and gain permission to shoot. He would also explain that he asked staff and they told him that post-midnight they can get a good starry sky.

Chizuru then suggest do a test run and Nhazul agrees. After filming a test run, they return to their room.

While Nhazul does a final check on the test run and storyboard, Chizuru would return from taking a bath and changes into an yukata.

Chizuru: Man, the outdoor bath is awesome! The food was great too.

Nhazul: Sounds like you enjoyed yourself.

Chizuru: I know we're here to film, so I kinda feel bad.

Nhazul: Doesn't sound like it.

Chizuru would just look at Nhazul annoyed, before crawling over next to him to see what he was doing.

Chizuru: What are you doing?

Nhazul: Running final checks on the earlier footage.

Chizuru: I see... I know you feel like you have to do this right, but why not take a breather? We did travel quite far. Also, the bath is free right now.

Nhazul: I can hit the bath once the work is finished. I can slake off until it's finished. This is my side of the job, just as acting is yours.

Looking at Nhazul, Chizuru is reminded of her grandfather, surprising her as she would look away.

Chizuru: ...

(Timeskip)

After midnight, the two would make their way back to the same place, as Nhazul sets up the camera and tripod.

Nhazul: Alright, we're all cleared. Let's get this done.

Chizuru would simply look at Nhazul, before speaking and getting his attention.

Chizuru: Hey, listen...

Nhazul: Hmm?

Chizuru: I changed my mind. I do need to tell you something.

Nhazul: Can it wait until after we finish?

Chizuru: No, it can't... I've made up my mind to tell you before we wrapped up!

Hearing this, Nhazul would look back at Chizuru both confused and surprised.

Nhazul's thoughts: What's with her? It's not like her to be so insistent. She's a lot more stubborn than I thought.

Nhazul: What is it?

Chizuru would look at Nhazul before talking a deep breath and speaking up.

Chizuru: You see, I had a grandpa I loved very dearly...But he passed away 3 years ago... When I first said I wanted to be an actress, he encouraged me. We made a promise with each other that he'd see me shine on screen. But he was killed in a car accident...

Hearing this, Nhazul would look at her surprised, as she continued to speak.

Chizuru: So I wanted Grandma to see it in his stead. I felt like if she did, it would reach him up in Heaven, too. But then she fell ill... For awhile I thought it was over. I wasn't passing any additions, either. It seemed like I wasn't going to make it in time... So it made me really happy. When you suggested making a movie together, I was really, really happy. So thank you. I realized I hadn't expressed my gratitude yet. So I'm going to repay you with my acting.

Hearing this, Nhazul could do nothing but smile before speaking up.

Nhazul: I see.

As the two world get into position, Nhazul would proceed to film the last scene.

While filming it, he is sure that he made the right decision to make a movie for her. However, as he did, he would feel a tightness in chest, as his feelings for Chizuru have most definitely changed, however in what capacity is what does not know.

Nhazul: ...

Chizuru on the other hand had began to recall her grandpa and his promise. She tells him that such promise is irresponsible as he will probably die before that happens. Katsuhito tells her that if she believes in her dream coming true, someone will surely show up and be her pillar of support. Recalling those memories and upon thinking of Nhazul, she would soon smile happily.

Chizuru: ...

(Timeskip)

After they filmed the last scene, Nhazul takes a bath. He thinks of Chizuru and that he didn't knew about her past with her grandpa, but realizes why she cried when he suggested to make the movie.

Nhazul's thoughts: Three years isn't that long ago. She must've held it in and kept moving forward.

(Flashback)

Chizuru: I think I understand you a little bit.

Nhazul: That so?

Chizuru: There's no one alive who doesn't get lonely. Just a lot of people good at hiding it. They all fill the void in their heart with work, significant others, or in your case, being a complete ass hole.

(Present)

Nhazul would soon feel the tightness in his chest, before feeling it.

Nhazul: ...

As Nhazul returns to their room and sees that Chizuru is already sleeping. He follows suit and goes to bed as well and falls asleep right away. Chizuru however has not, as she watches Nhazul sleeping.

Chizuru: ...

She recalls her grandpa words that someone will come to support her, Nhazul proposing to make a movie with her, and lastly Umi's words.

(Flashback)

Umi: Do you like him?

(Present)

Chizuru: ....

She soon lays back down and then gets a bit annoyed that she can't fall asleep.

Chizuru's thoughts: This sucks... Why am I the one having trouble falling asleep...?

(Timeskip)

It's now the morning and as the two prepare to leave the hotel, Chizuru would yawn, due to being unable to sleep all night. The reception lady notes that its must be good for a couple to travel together, making them blush a bit.

While on the bus, Nhazul states that the hotel, the bath and the view where great. Chizuru states that it might be ideal place to bring his real girlfriend, making Nhazul chuckle with a small smile.

Nhazul: Yeah, Ruka would probably love it up here.

Chizuru hearing this, would look over at him.

Chizuru: Speaking of, how are things with Ruka? You two doing well? I may have thrown a wrench in the works. This trial period has gone on for awhile now. Just as long as me being your "girlfriend". Everyone needs time to stop and sort out their feelings. Leo and your parents have taken a liking to her as well too, right?

Hearing this, Nhazul would begin to think about Ruka.

Nhazul: Yeah, she's an amazing girl. The fact she goes so far out of her way for someone like me is something I treasure. She even helped out with the movie. Still...

(Flashback)

Boy: Hey... Are you sure we should be doing this? Don't you have a boyfriend?

Mami: Oh, I'm done with him. I was only using him to buy me whatever I wanted. I couldn't care less about him.

(Present)

Nhazul would soon look down saddened, the lingering feelings of Mami's betrayal still weighing heavily on his mind.

Nhazul: ....

Chizuru: What is it?

Nhazul: It's nothing...

Chizuru: Well, what about Mami?

Hearing her name, Nhazul would simply sigh, now thinking back to when Ruka told her off.

Nhazul: Who knows? I haven't heard anything from her in ages.

Chizuru: I see.

With the filming done, Nhazul realizes that he will be spending less time with Chizuru now, but is glad that he made the movie. He thanks Chizuru, but in that moment,

she falls asleep on his shoulder, causing him to sigh. After the 30 minute ride, they reach the train station, there Ruka shows up annoyed that they left her, surprising Chizuru and making Nhazul sigh.

Chizuru: R-Ruka...?!

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Definitely saw this coming...

Ruka: Found you! You two think you can just come home the morning after and call it good?! You leave your girlfriend back home and do this?!

Nhazul: What are you doing here?

Ruka: Something sounded off during our call yesterday, so I questioned Mini and she spilled the truth!

Ruka starts checking out Chizuru, looking for kiss marks, but they tell her that nothing happened, however Nhazul would get her attention.

Nhazul: Ruka, I understand you are upset. But like you said, this was Mimi's fault and we had no intention of leaving you behind. But we needed to film the last scene and had no choice but to go.

Ruka: ...

Nhazul: I'm sorry for not telling you. But even if I told you, you wouldn't have been able to make it up in time. We had taken the last train. So telling you would just put unnecessary stress on you.

Ruka: ...

Nhazul: Trust... Trust is something extremely crucial in a relationship. Without it, it'll just fall apart. Nothing happened. Will you trust me?

Hearing this, Ruka would simply look at Nhazul, before looking down and responding.

Ruka: I trust you.

Ruka would then look towards Chizuru with a look

Ruka: I still don't trust you, though!

Rolling her eyes, Chizuru would simply walk away, leaving Nhazul and Ruka alone. Soon, Ruka would look up at Nhazul.

Ruka: I understand that Mini set this all up, but I'm still not happy about it...

Nhazul: I know.

Ruka: And staying another night is out of the the question, given how there's no more money, right?

Nhazul: Yeah.

Ruka: Then... To make it up to me, can you promise me something?

Nhazul: Hmm?

Ruka: August 26th is my birthday... Will you give me anything I desire..?

Hearing this, Nhazul would look at Ruka and her pleading eyes before sighing.

Nhazul: As long as it's within reason, sure.

Hearing this, Ruka would look at Nhazul wide eyed before hugging him tightly, tearing up.

Ruka: Thank you...

Again sighing, Nhazul would simply pat her head, As unbeknownst to them, Chizuru was looking at them.

Chizuru: ....