Chasing Memories - Finding A Way To Start Jin could hardly sleep for the next week when the investigator said it was difficult finding information on where Akira was. Nights wore on with him drinking heavily, just tiring the search engines out with searches for Akira, but it turned little to no results in the end. The results weren't related to the Akira Gojo he was looking for. How could that be possible? Medical and dental records missing, no trace of her in Okinawa and not even a report of her missing at the website of the Okinawan police department. Where could she be? Blankly he stared at the presentation being conducted before him. His mind was just off somewhere and his wasn't feeling happy with what he'd just learned. "Mr. Aizawa?" Jin glanced at the presenter and his other business associates were eyeing him oddly. "Continue on," he said. The meeting went on normally. After the meeting, Jin watched his business partners get up from their seats and exit the conference room, leaving him alone. Clearly, his mind still wasn't over the news and as he stood up, the door opened and his assistant came in. "Mr. Aizawa? I have on your table the files from the design company we hired recently. They said they needed feedback by 1PM." Jin stood up and sighed. "I'll be on it. Hold all calls and I don't want anyone disturbing me as I review the propositions," said Jin, as he went out the meeting room. His assistant followed him, looking slightly off as he checked his tablet. "You must have forgotten your meeting with their lead project designer, sir. It's this afternoon at 3." "Can't they just hold the meeting on a much later date?", asked Jin, frowning at the update. "They've been quite adamant in forcing the issue and they do know I am a busy man, right? Can't my design team hold the meeting with them? I do remember giving my preferences." Jin wasn't really feeling in the mood to talk about designs and colors and propositions for the new renovations for their office. However, that is going to change. "The designer assigned on your project is keen on making this meeting, sir." The assistant showed Jin the tablet in his hands and touched gestures on it to zoom in on the page. "Apparently, she's personally picked by the design head to lead your renovations. She said that if you want to start on time and finish without delays before the company yearly party, you have to meet now. She has a point. We could minimize expenses and we have the time on our hands to thoroughly go through the plans meticulously and change it as you see fit." Jin peered over and felt his insides seize up. The color drained from his face and he felt his throat run dry. It was as if he was looking at a ghost. There was a little pang of a headache developing, but he simply took off his glasses to divert the odd stare his assistant was giving him. With a slightly weakened voice, Jin told his assistant to push on with the meeting and to block off all others. Closing the door of his office behind him, Jin leaned on it, looking blankly at his desk with wide eyes. His heart was rapidly throbbing inside him and his hands were clammy. Looking at his clock on the wall, it was just 12. The feelings of anticipation seemed to make time both slower and faster at the same time, with Jin not sure of what he was feeling. ~~~~ "Is she there yet?" "No sir," "It's almost 3." "Yes I know, Mr. Aizawa. Do you want me to call the designer and ask of her whereabouts?" "That won't be necessary." Jin closed the door to his office and went to his mini bar. With scotch on the rocks in his hand, he drank the first shot in one swig and poured himself another glass. His dark eyes flitted to the clock on the wall. It was already 2:43. Jin swallowed his spit, looking quite edgy as he tried to calm himself. Peering back into the scotch he had poured himself, he saw his reflection looking anxious with anticipation. His heart was throbbing violently in his chest, a cold sweat coming out from his pores and he knew it wasn't the alcohol. Taking off his jacket, he increased the thermostat of his AC to lessen the heat and nerves he has, and drank his drink in one quick gulp. Jin took several breaths, his chest heaving as he steadied himself before his meeting. He needed to be calm and collected. "Surely I was seeing wrong... but it couldn't be," he muttered to himself, placing a hand to his face, his eyes wide with shock. "I just can't understand. How is that even possible?" Recalling what he saw in his assistant's tablet, he shook his head several times. He emptied the contents of his scotch bottle into his glass and tossed it back, feeling the hot sensation of the alcohol go down his throat to keep him sane for his 3PM meeting. "Isn't it a little chilly in here?" Jin froze where he stood, his eyes going wide and his heartbeat the only thing he could hear. "That voice....", he thought to himself, feeling his own body shaking. His eyes went to the display case of alcohol behind his desk and from the reflection, he can hardly bring himself to turn around. But he had to. Jin slowly turned his head and saw... A woman with kohl brown hair.. Cherry red lips... ...and beautiful amber eyes. With a gentle, warm smile on her lips, she bowed to Jin and said, "Thank you for having me, Mr. Aizawa, my name is Akira Gojo and I am to be the one to handle your project for your company's renovations. I am pleased to be working with you." And that was when Jin felt himself transported back to Okinawa, when he and Akira first met under the shade of the cherry blossom tree near the church. ~~~ "I am not sure about the layout by the lobby. Your design team suggested to liven it up a bit by putting pinks and powder blues, but that certainly isn't you, if I may say so. If you want a more minimalist approach without compromising professionalism, I would want to go for muted colors. I'll gladly change the lighting and reposition the furniture to give it a more luxurious feel." Akira was standing beside Jin and showing him the proposed layout for the lobby renovations. She was slightly bent over, her right hand placed on the edge of his table while her other hand was pointing on the layout. Jin couldn't concentrate. He could smell her perfume and her voice was a sweet, lulling tone that made him question more if it was real or not. Her arm brushed his hand, with Jin letting out a quiet sigh as he accepted that it was indeed her. He sneaked glances at her, feeling his body turn hot at the mere sight of her wearing a sleek and fitting knee-length, sleeveless A-line dress in white with a scoop-neck neckline, with simple pearls and black, pointy stilettos. He had never imagined the girl he loved transform into such a beautiful woman. Jin wanted to place a hand on her back and hold her in his arms, but he maintained control and not let his emotions take over. Akira seemed to be unperturbed by his hidden glances and continued to explain the concept she had planned. Jin watched her, listened to her and took all that she said, yet he couldn't seem to focus on the present. It felt like he was in a dream, but when her arm brushed his hand again as she pointed to design considerations on the layout, happiness would outweigh the dream sequence in his thoughts. She was indeed really there. "It's the same as before... It's the same as ten years ago...", said Jin in his mind, glancing up to see Akira's profile. "She's still as beautiful as I remember and I just can't believe she's here with me now after all those lonely years.." Despite the fact her hair was shorter now and just raked her collarbone, her darling waves framed her face beautifully and emphasized her amber eyes more. It was like ten years ago, and both of them just grew older and matured; but they were both still the same... or maybe, Jin was the only one who was still the same. Jin was going ballistic inside from all this and from how Akira was being towards him. Really? Akira calling him "Mr. Aizawa?". With their past, surely they should be WAY past the formalities now, right? They parted as lovers so how come it's as if they mere acquaintances now? "...I would suggest subtle leathers or satins to decrease the stiffening ambiance and to---" Akira noticed Jin looking at her. "Is.... is there something wrong, Mr. Aizawa?", she asked him, looking curiously back at him. Jin snapped out of it, cleared his throat and shook his head, a little laugh escaping him to dispel his thoughts. "So sorry.. I was quite taken by your eyes. They are like the sun, warm and just inviting. So... Leathers or satins, you say? I am not overly familiar with fabrics and textile, but I am liking your proposal, Akira." He gave her a smile and she returned it warmly, making his heart beat faster. Akira tilted her head and gave a cordial nod. "That is a pleasant thing to say, Mr. Aizawa. Thank you." She then looked away and her eyes wavered to the layout before them. "Someone used to tell me my eyes remind me of the sun...", she said in a quiet voice, her eyes slowly looking once more at him. Jin's eyes grew wide, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair tighter as Akira looked back at him in a nostalgic smile. Jin felt his insides churn. Maybe now they're going to open the part where in they will be happy to see each other again. The day will end in a passionate embrace with them reaffirming their love to one another. "But I was told he had gone and was never heard from again. Truth be told, I never remembered anything else... maybe it was just my imagination, but it couldn't be, otherwise I won't be having bittersweet emotions because of it." Jin died and was sent back to earth in an instant. Hearing her say such things... Standing up, Jin eyed Akira in disbelief. "But-- but, Akira, surely you know why he left, right? He told you he had to! I mean, I told you I was going to be studying abroad! I tried and tried to reach you but I couldn't and I searched for you all this time!!" Jin took her by her wrists, seeing Akira look shocked at how he was now holding her. "You're here now with me and I--" Akira frowned in confusion. "What? Mr. Aizawa, I don't understand. What do you mean 'you'??!! What are you---" The door to Jin's office suddenly opened and in came Kuniko Oda. Both Jin and Akira looked at her unaffectedly at first, with the former contorting his face in anger the moment he saw her. He dirtily gave Kuniko a glare, and Kuniko's own eyes darted to Akira's, with Akira looking from Jin to Kuniko over and over again. It was an awkward situation. "TOYUTOMA!", roared Jin, accompanied with a heavy hand on his table, making Kuniko flinch; Akira, on the other hand, was just quietly making her way back to her things. Jin's assistant, the nerdy Toyutoma peeked his head in looking pale. "S-Sir?", he quivered, looking fearfully at Jin. "Toyutoma! Didn't I say to hold all calls, meetings and visits until I finish my meeting with--" "Jin, baby, I came on my own and Toyutoma stopped me since you did say you were busy." Kuniko threw her Chanel purse on the couch, gesturing for Toyutoma to close the door. "I don't like you telling people off and you trying hard to keep me away from you." Kuniko went over to Jin and was about to kiss him, when Jin turned his head to the side, meeting Akira's eyes. Akira simply gave a wry, timid smile and slung her tote bag on her shoulders. Jin pushed Kuniko away and walked toward Akira, the look in his eyes saying he didn't want her to go. He'd looked for her for how many years now.. He can't simply let go of her now, can he? Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "Akira, we're not done yet. We haven't discussed the flooring and---" Akira glanced at Kuniko who was glaring behind Jin. Her eyes were lashing daggers at her. "I am so sorry, Mr. Aizawa but thing is I think I might have overstepped my welcome and I will just come back another time." Jin was about to protest when Kuniko stopped him by wrapping an arm around him. She threw a nasty glare at Akira. "Be on your way then. You're not being paid to linger on your work hours." She eyed Akira dirtily, who only looked back at her with a scowl. "Uh... If you are implying that I am doing something else aside from my job on work hours, don't." Akira turned her heel and was about to reach for the door, when she was spun around and dark brown eyes met her gaze. "JIN! What are you doing?!" Jin apparently had wrenched himself out of Kuniko's grasp and grabbed Akira by the arm. "Akira... Akira please... Don't say you don't remember.. Don't say you cannot recall..", he quietly pleaded to her. "Please...." Akira was baffled. Her amber eyes simply stared at him, lost for words at what he'd said. Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked to her side. "I.... I'm sorry... but I am not sure what I am to remember, Mr. Aizawa... I'm very sorry..", she muttered. With a last bow, she went on ahead and left, the sound of the door's click the only thing heard after her wake. Jin was blankly staring at his door. "It's her... It's really her...", he mumbled, his eyes misting over. His heart was beating the way it was tears ago, all for the same girl with the amber eyes and radiant smile. Having her touch him and their eyes meeting, he couldn't get over quickly. Jin is finally with Akira once more... ...but how is it she doesn't know him? "Who? What do you mean?", Kuniko went to him and took his face in her hands. "JIN! Who is she?!!" "Akira... My Akira...", Jin looked at Kuniko, and he got more and more repulsed when he saw that she was touching him. He pushed her away, looking bewilderedly as he made his way to his mini-bar. Taking a can of beer from his fridge, he opened it and the alcohol fizzed out. Jin watched it brim the sides before taking a sip, however, it was wedged out of his hands. Kuniko took the can and threw it on the couch, the beer spilling on the cushions and the pillows. "What the fuck are you doing?", asked Jin angrily. "If this is the only way for you to notice me and talk to me, I'll do it!", Kuniko looked near tears. "Is she.... Is she really Akira?" Jin scoffed. Shaking his head, he turned around. He walked back to his desk and sat down, surprised that Akira had left the layout on his desk. He thought for a moment, eyes glancing at Kuniko who was near tears, before shoving the hardbound proposal in his bag. "Tell me, is she?" "Yes." Kuniko tearfully looked at Jin. "How could you say something like that and not even feel guilty...?" Jin just returned her gaze with a cold one. "Because it's easy." Kuniko started taking off her clothes before him, but Jin was unaffected. He just stared. "What are you doing?" "I want you to desire me and love me." She now stood bare and naked before him, but Jin simply laughed insultingly at her. "That's not gonna happen," he said. "You're nothing to me but a slut." Jin stood up, took his bag and passed by Kuniko who grabbed him. She embraced him and tugged on his clothes. "JIN, PLEASE!!! I gave you all of me and left nothing for myself!!!", Kuniko tried to kiss Jin, but he simply averted his head as he pushed her away again. She fell to the floor, ragged sobs escaping her. "I love you, Jin... I always have!!!! Why can't it be me?! Why does it have to be that woman who's years too late??!!, she cried, holding on to Jin's pants leg. "She left you and she doesn't even show any hint of your past!" "But it doesn't mean she no longer loves me... I know her too well that she speaks to me through her eyes." Jin looked down at her. "You're nothing to me, Kuniko. Stop playing games and grow up. You consented sex with me, that's all. There were no talks of love or anything else like that between us." He took a step and Jin simply looked more hard-faced now. "Now that she's here, I have no use for you anymore. Put on your clothes and get the hell out of my office. Find a new toy to play with. There are a lot of them desperate enough to fuck you anyway. You won't get scarce," he told her, and finally left Kuniko to dress herself as she wept raggedly. He didn't bat an eyelash and went on his way, his face serious and unconcerned with everyone in his office who heard their argument. It was a different story once he got in his car. That was the only place he let his tears flow as he drove, hoping to understand soon how Akira couldn't remember him. Somewhere in those amber eyes, there is still a place in her for him. Jin knew her so well. He knew how she'd often leave her things behind when she wanted him to find her. Find her? "I'll chase you forever if I have to, Akira...", he determinedly told himself, as he sped on from his office and to her design firm.