That's When I Love You

That's When I Love You


The dressing room is bustling with activity. It's the same scenario early each morning when a recording for Haromoni@ is about to commence. I can hear Koharu hollering outside in the hallway about someone swiping her packet of Umeboshi sweets, Reina and Aika discussing enthusiastically what the next movie they should be watching is, the pandas going through their scripts in rapid Chinese, Kame helping Shige adjust the hair-tie on her head and finally there is you. You, who looked shyly away when you caught my eye.

When you have to look away
When you don't have much to say
That's when I love you
I love you, just that way

Aka-chin tells Kame to say some line to represent a proper Japanese lady for the introduction. She does it, executed beautifully and exploding with adorableness. You watch, smiling and amused by her antics. My throwing segment ends, you are the chosen victim for the batsu game since you guessed the number of tries wrongly. Uncertain of what your punishment would entail, you protest weakly, faltering at trying to escape the penalty. Unable to do so, you stumbled a little in your Yukata as you made your way to the front for that moment in the limelight.

To hear you stumble when you speak
Or see you walk with two left feet
That's when I love you
I love you, endlessly

That same night, we had to film the DVD magazine that was to be released for the Cinderella musical. Morning Musume DVD mag 18, I was excited to shoot it as I knew, I would have you next to me the entire time. The recording proceeded smoothly, everything went according to plan, that is until you lost the game. Reina was awarded the tiara and you were mad, angry but yet still so cute. Watching your complaining face, I remembered the day I stood waiting for you in the rain. Your expression was exactly how I imagined it to be when you cancelled our date over the phone at the last minute.

And when you're mad cuz you lost a game
Forget I'm waiting in the rain
Baby I love you
I love you anyway

"Hime-sama!"

I called out to you, pretending it was all for fun, a term to suit the fairytale theme we were having and the role of Cinderella you were playing. Except it wasn't a pretense. It was for real, my promise that you would be my only princess.

Here's my promise made tonight
You can count on me for life
That's when I love you
When nothing you do could change my mind
The more I learn, The more I love
The more my heart can't get enough
That's when I love you,
When I love you no matter what

The movie was interesting, a little sentimental, a little humorous and a little heartbreaking. It was entertaining, only I enjoyed watching you more. In the darkened cinema hall, my head shifted to watch you every time I was sure you were fully concentrated on the actors on screen. When I see you moved by a touching scene, secretly wiping away a tear that slipped from your eyes, I knew your emotional side was another quality that drew me to you.

So when you turn to hide your eyes
Cuz the movie it made you cry
That's when I love you
I love you a little more each time

"What do you think about this dress? Or this skirt? Would it match what I already have?"

"Would I end up looking like a walking tomato if I wore this with that red top I like so much?"

"Nah, it'll look great on you."

You tried on almost every piece of garment the store carried, determined to find that perfect outfit to end the day. Standing with you by the full-length mirrors, I smile inwardly admiring your trademark grin, feeling fortunate to be the person you look to for reassurance.

And when you can't quite match your clothes
Or when you laugh at your own jokes
That's when I love you
I love you, more than you'll know

The sun starts its daily routine of setting in the far horizon, its comfortable orange rays warming my skin. Our meeting time has long passed but you are nowhere to be seen. "Did you forget about our date again?" I wondered out to the random strangers who brushed briskly pass where I was waiting.

"Gomenasai Gaki-san!"

You ran up, panting from running all the way to meet me. Your hair hasn't settled from being blown about by the wind and your clothes are slightly creased. Seeing that apologetic expression on your face, I forgive you again like I always do.

And when you forget that we had a date
Or that look that you give when you show up late
Baby I love you, I love you anyway

I had spaced out while waiting for Reina and Kame, Koharu and the Chinese girls, Sayumin and Aika to finish taping their portions. And while I was dreaming, countless memories of the two of us surfaced in my mind. My most cherished treasure consists of only the precious recollections I have of you.

Here's my promise made tonight
You can count on me for life
That's when I love you
When nothing you do could change my mind
The more I learn, The more I love
The more my heart can't get enough
That's when I love you,
When I love you no matter what

"Ai-chan, we are next."

I creep up on you and position my hands on your shoulders, giving you a surprise massage.

"Already? I still have a few more chapters to go."

Putting down the novel on your seat, the childish pout that appeared after the initial disappointment was replaced by a genuine smile as you sneak your now free hand in mine. Squeezing gently the slim fingers which fitted so well in my palm, I returned the loving gesture.

That's when I love you
When nothing, baby
Nothing you do could change my mind
The more I learn, The more I love
The more my heart can't get enough
That's when I love you,
When I love you, no matter what

I love you, no matter what

No matter what