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Chapter 3
A few days later, Brian and Leighanne left the resort and were back at work. This time, Brian was posted in Tokyo for a new project. He performed well and his colleagues felt that he had regained his lost confidence after returning from his holidays, including his boss who was impressed and full of praise of him.
However, back at the beach, Ayumi wished for Brian to come back. Masaru explained that Brian was just a guest, and all the guests came just to take a short break from life.
"But look at AJ," Ayumi protested.
"AJ is an exception, who doesn't know when his break will end. But one day, it's going to end. Saru mono wa hibini utoshi. (Out of sight, out of mind.)"
Ayumi felt unhappy at this because she wanted these 2 Beach Boys to stay with there forever.
Business at Diamond Head resort was improving, guests were flowing in quickly as summer began. One day, while preparing the room for the visitors, Ayumi found a poem written by Brian. She burst out laughing after reading it.
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At last the school term ended. Ayumi was happily cycling pass Youske and Yuko, obviously enthusiastic about the holidays. However, Youske suddenly stopped walking and shouted,
"Gaki! (Childish)"
"What's the matter with you? Aren't you happy that it's the holidays? Come over to the resort this afternoon. The lunch is on me." After saying this, Ayumi cycled down the road.
"Going to school is better right, Youske? So that you can meet Ayumi everyday," Yuko teased.
Ayumi returned to find out that AJ was going to Tokyo to help Masaru to run errands.
"But Boss, I really don't know the way."
"No excuses. I told you the way and gave you the map. There's no way that you're going to lose your way."
"Unreasonable old man!"
"Say as you like. I won't change my mind."
"Bakka."
"Good improvement in your Nippon-Go. (Japanese language) Keep up the good work."
AJ climbed up the stairs and met up with Ayumi.
"Tokyo ikuno? (Are you going to Tokyo?)"
"Yes. Is it 'so dayo' ?"
"Yeah. Bring me along."
"Go back to your room and study, little girl."
AJ didn't take her words seriously, but Ayumi was serious about it. Determined to go, she hid herself at the back seat of AJ's car.
"Show me the meaning of being lonely…" AJ sang aloud.
"Stop singing. Sound pollution."
Feeling shock, AJ looked into the rear mirror and saw Ayumi.
"What are you doing here?"
"I told you I want to come along."
"For what?"
"To find Brian-san. (Mr. Brian) He left something and I want to give it back to him."
"What did he left behind?"
"Odanae. (I won't tell you)"
"Whatever. But Masaru will be worried."
"No problem. I left a note saying that I'm following you to Tokyo."
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The both boarded a liner.
"What did he left?" AJ was still curious.
"Nothing much. I think Brian wished to stay at Diamond Head. Don't you feel lonely without him around?"
"What are you talking about? We're always quarrelling." After seconds of silence, AJ asked,
"Ayumi-san, you like him, don't you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You better give up, he's a bore. Besides, he has Leighanne. You stand no chance. Anyway, why didn't you fall for me? I'm certainly a much more better person."
"Thick-skinned."
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Yuko and Youske went to the resort as promised only to find that Ayumi was gone. They were forced by Masaru to help out, as the resort was short handed. Even Hajiko - a girl with heart problem came to help.
After a day of hard works, Yuko and Youske demanded for salary.
"Mr. Masaru, you've got to pay us something," said Yuko. But Masaru pretended not to hear her.
"How could you do this to us? It's all Ayumi's fault," added Youske.
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AJ completed his task and saw Ayumi adoring a dolphin necklace at a street vendor, so he bought it for her. Her lovely gesture seemed to touch Ayumi's heart. They then drove to look for Brian at his workplace. They tried in vain to seek the receptionist's permission to enter his office. Just as they were about to leave, they saw Brian entering the building with some clients.
"Brian-san! Brian-san!" Both of them tried to get his attention but to no avail. Just then, Ayumi remembered the poem and began reading it out loud to catch Brian's attention.
"Even when the mountains lost their peaks,
Even when the time came to a halt,
I still can't forget the beauty of this place."
Brian looked around and finally spotted the two. Feeling embarrassed, he rushed down the escalator and snatched the poem away from Ayumi.
"What are you two doing here?"
"Looking for you."
"Yeah. Ayumi wanted to meet you so bad."
"Don't listen to his nonsense. Just want to know how are you."
"Thanks. But I'm very sorry. Right now I'm very busy. Why not I ask someone to bring you to my apartment? I'll meet you after work."
"Sure," Ayumi replied.
Leighanne was asked to bring the two back to Brian's apartment.
"You're here in Tokyo too," said AJ to Leighanne.
"Yeah. I have work to do here."
"I see."
"Make yourself at home," said Leighanne before she left. After passing the keys to them, she left saying she had work to do.
"Look at the way you stared at her."
"AJ, what's your problem?"
"I could see jealousy in your eyes. You're prejudiced. She's a nice girl. I wonder why Brian is so lucky."
"Who said I care?"
"It hurts when you love someone and not be loved in return. But what is more painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel."
Ayumi stayed quiet.
Afraid that Masaru might get worried, AJ called back to inform him that Ayumi was with him. Masaru then took this opportunity to order AJ to let Ayumi meet Keiko, her mother who lived in Setagaya since they were already in Tokyo. AJ took down the address. But before he could reject, Masaru hung up the phone.
By the time Brian reached home late that night, Ayumi was already sound asleep.
"Sorry, I was cropped up with a lot of works."
"Never mind. We were the one who should say sorry.
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"Ayumi was asleep?"
"Yeah."
"Look, she looks so lovely while sleeping."
"Really? She had been waiting for the day to meet you again."
"Want any beer?"
"Sure, thanks."
He chatted with AJ for a while and had to continue to work on his computer at home. AJ thought he was still as hardworking as before.
The next morning, Brian departed for work while Ayumi was still sleeping. Ayumi got mad at AJ for not waking her up but AJ explained that it was Brian's lifestyle.
"You should have woke me up."
"Hey, I did. You were the one who slept like a pig. Tell you something."
"What?"
"The posture when you slept was not very nice. Your mouth was wide opened," teased AJ.
"Don't you bluff me," Ayumi was kind of convinced by his descriptions, "Really?"
"I'm just pulling your leg." AJ laughed.
"Bakka."
On the way back to Diamond Head, AJ remembered Masaru's order, on the other hand, he remembered Ayumi's saying that she didn't like people to decide her life. Thus, he defied Masaru's order and returned to Diamond Head without letting Ayumi meeting Keiko.
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Meanwhile, Brian succeeded in his new project. Despite all the praises from his friends and boss, he was determined to leave the company to work at the beach. His return gave everyone at the resort a real surprise especially to Ayumi who was delighted.
"Please, Mr. Masaru. Let me work for you."
At first, Masaru was reluctant to employ him as he felt that his resort did not need so many workers. However, he agreed with one condition.
"Actually, I am very glad to have 2 workers, but if I hire you, my expenses will exceed my calculations. However, if you don't feel despise, you can share your salary with AJ."
"Huh? No way! Boss, I can manage the works myself. See, there is no need to hire another worker."
"AJ, don't be so petty."
AJ was certainly against the idea but Brian thankfully accepted the deal.
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