5. The Birthday Party

Miyazaki Nana was still troubled by what is going on with her right now. And to add to her growing curiosity, she also can't stop thinking about that guy she happened to cross paths with at the school. 

Somehow, Nana has this weird impression that the mysterious guy she happened to met at school could be the only one who could answer all the questions that's been bugging in her mind for the past few hours.

"Nana? What's the matter?" Hiroshi, her best friend, seemed to notice that something's been bothering her mind as of this moment.

Upon hearing his voice, Nana snapped out of her reverie and shook her head with a tight-lipped smile on her face.

Right. Hiroshi and her were currently playing the latest version of Tekken in the living room when she was suddenly lost in her own thoughts.

"It's nothing. Don't mind me," Nana said. But she should know better that once Hiroshi starts to get curious on something, he won't stop until he gets his desired answer.

As expected, Hiroshi pushed through with the conversation. He dropped the controller he's been holding and came face to face with his childhood friend.

"We've technically grew up together, and I will know for cetain if something is bothering you or not. Plus, you always suck at lying anyway,"

Nana almost gasped at the last words Hiroshi had said but then decided to agree on that matter. She had to admit, she always has a way to make it obvious that she's lying in front of others no matter how much she tried to conceal it.

Since her best friend had already see through the lie anyway, it is best to ask his opinion on something that's been bothering her.

"Come on now. Spill it."

"Okay, okay," Nana let out a soft chuckle before continuing. "Say Hiroshi, do you... believe in the existence of these so-called extraordinary powers?"

To his surprise, Hiroshi wasn't able to answer to that immediately. Instead, his eyes widened in surprise and looked at Nana as if she had grown a horn on her forehead.

"Say what now?" was all Hiroshi responded, his face still stricken with confusion.

Nana mentally sighed. See, even Hiroshi, who is infamously known to be a super geek and a certified otaku, doesn't believe in those kinds of things.

Who would on their right mind would believe her anyway.

"Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?" Hiroshi quicky added, his eyebrows now knitted together.

Miyazaki Nana decided that it is best to drop the matter already and went to pick up her controller to her side to avoid having eye contact with the guy seated right nest to her.

"Just... forget that I asked. It's silly for me to think about it, I know," Nana scoffed with her own words. "Anyway, let's just resume playing, shall we?"

"Fine with me," 

The topic about superpowers were soon forgotten as Miyazaki Nana started to resume their Tekken battle. However, five minutes later while waiting for the screen to load, she heard Hiroshi said something prior to what she asked earlier.

"I think it's possible," Hiroshi muttered, causing Nana to meet him in the eye. "The existence of superpowers in this world, I mean."

Nana wanted to ask some follow up questions after that, like 'what makes you think that it's possible?" or "where did you get that idea from?" but the game has already loaded and Nana also think that it is wise just to leave the topic behind them already.

***

That same night, it was already time for Miyazaki Nana's debut party to start. Aside from her family and friends, the attendees also included her father's friends, the board of directors, and business partners to their growing business. 

Recently, it has come to Nana's knowledge that aside from the telecommunication industry, her father also started to invest on trading, energy and resources, hotel franchise, and even transportation. Thus that explains why there are so many important men to attend her party as well. 

Not only it was made grand by her father (even though that was really not necessary in Nana's opinion,) but her party also served as a businessman's chance to snare a chance to partner with her father, who was already known in the business world.

Nana can already pressure to behave on this particular day.

Speaking of which, she hasn't still went out of the hotel room that her father reserved that would serve as her dressing room though she was already finished with her dress and makeup. From her  window, she could already see the guests flashing their expensive cars outside the hotel with the media all over the place. She was also alone in her room since she immediately requested to be left alone after her hair and makeup was done.

Though she is the daughter and heir of a conglomerate, Nana could never be used to such fancy things.

Suddenly, there was a slight knock on the door, causing Nana to swiftly make a turn towards it. In her opinion, that's probably her personal maid Mrs. Sawada, who's like a second mother to her even though she hadn't had the chance to meet her real mother in person since she was informed that she died during the process of giving birth to her.

"Ms. Nana? Are you in there?" Mrs. Sawada called. Yep, that's her alright.

"Yes," Nana anwered with a quick sigh. "Please, come in."

On her remark, the white doot opened immediatey, revealing a plump old lady in her fifties wearing their maid's uniform. it was said that Mrs. Sawada also served as a personal maid to her mother when she was still alive.

"Hi, Mrs. Sawada. Is my father looking for me now?"

Somehow, Nana knew what Mrs. Sawada was going to say. After all, she could read everyone's minds as of the moment.

To her surprise, Mrs. Sawada blinked a couple of times before she manage to utter a word.

"Yes, you're right," Mrs. Sawada replied, still sounding surprised. "It is probably best to go the venue already. Aside from your father, a lot of visitors are already looking forward to meet the birthday celebrant."

"Ah, I guess it can't be helped," Nana turned to the vanity mirror in front of her and tried to examine her look for what seems to be the twentieth time already. 

The makeup was made to be simple yet classy to look, according to her request. As for her gown, Nana is currently wearing a lavender off-shoulder dress that hugs her curves perfectly and reaches her knees in just the right amount of length paired with her dazzling lavender sandals with real diamonds at its centerpiece.

"Tell father I'll be there in just a few minutes," Nana quickly added with a tight-lipped smile on her face.

This hotel was practically theirs and she somehow managed to memorized its floor plans. She would just simply find the "secret route" that still leads to the function hall downstairs instead of taking the usual path and attract unwanted attention.

Though the maid was quite against the idea, Mrs. Sawada bowed and took her leave. Knowing Nana, she would most definitely take the safest route away from the people's stares and the media's unnecessary attention.