22 June, 2012 8:26 PM

⇨ Regret

Matsumoto Jun doesn't regret many things.

He's the type of guy that thinks before he acts; before almost every action, he has thought of every possible consequence and his retaliation for those said consequences. But when it comes to his girlfriend Inoue Mao... he has done many things he didn't assess.

One was, of course, asking her out. After filming Hana Yori Dango Final, asking her out on a date was a spur of the moment thing. They were drinking into the night with the rest of the cast and the crew members, celebrating the end of the nation's then favourite series. Mao had acted strong as usual, accepting every drink that was offered to her. Jun kept his drinking to a minimum, knowing full well that she can't handle her liquor, wouldn't be able to drive home, and that he'd like to be the one to take care of her. Sure enough, a little past 2:30am, the inevitable happened.

"Mao-chan, you're drunk and falling asleep," Matsuda Shota observed and stated, his words slightly slurred. "I think someone should... like... drive you home."

"I'll do it," Jun quickly piped up before anyone else could.

"No, no, it's okay... I can... take a cab or something..." Mao slowly replied as she swayed in her chair and attempted to stand up. Jun rushed to her side to assist. He nodded his goodbye and his thanks to everyone before he grabbed Mao's arm and put it on his shoulder, supporting her as they walk to his car.

At the start of the drive home, it was silent, save for Mao's breathy chuckles. Around halfway through though, she started talking.

"Jun-kun... you're such a good kisser," she giggled, poking his cheek with her index finger. His eyes widened at her surprising remark, and the touch of her skin that felt as electric as always.

He could feel his cheeks fire up as her finger glided towards his lips, caressing them softly. "Such soft lips..." she whispered. Then she poked his cheeks twice more and giggled again, just as Jun pulled into her driveway.

"We're here Mao-chan..." he turned to her, looking at her half-closed eyes that were threatening to fall asleep at any moment. She lazily smiled at him and curtly bowed her head. "Thanks for taking me home..."

"It's alright," Jun waved her thanks, got out of the car and opened the car door for her. She clumsily got out, and Jun walked her to her door. Mao bit her lip, feeling unusually warm and flushed as she bowed for the last time. Turning her back on him, she unlocked her front door and opened it.
As she stepped inside and looked at him, smiling as she had one hand on the door, about to close it at any second, Jun can feel his heart wishing to jump out of his chest.
"Ano... Mao-chan!" he took a step forward. Her eyes slightly widened.
"1pm on Sunday, Ebizu Garden Place by the clock tower..."
There was a short silence before she giggled, nodded and said, "Oyasumi, Jun-kun," before she closed the door.
Jun did not, and still does not, regret this impulsive action.