FIC - Stalking is Such a Harsh Word
Title: Stalking is Such a Harsh Word
Rating: G
Summary: Jin has noticed a change in Ueda; PIN decide to investigate.
Pairings (beside Ryoda) : PIN friendship, Ryoda
Warnings: none
A/N : Written for the ryoda_love fic challenge. Inspired by this picture and also this fic. From Jin’s (and to an extent Yamapi’s) perspective. Beta-ed by Nitapi ♥.
It wasn't exactly a rare occurrence. And yet it wasn't exactly expected either. KAT-TUN's photo shoots often involved being instructed to act "cool" and "sexy", because that was their image. Occasionally, the photographer told them to smile more and look like they were having a good time. Jin believed they did this to show that yes, KAT-TUN was capable of being cheerful and smiley. This time it was "try to look happy and relaxed in your individual shows" for that month's Popolo. Jin, Kame, and Nakamaru were done with theirs but the group couldn't leave until everything was done.
Jin went to get water and then decided to see how the photos were coming along. He stands behind the photographer and watches Ueda sitting in front of the camera, his cheek resting on his hand. Jin listens as the photographer tells Ueda to do any expression he likes. He thought about it for a minute before turning his head and looking off into space.
As Ueda stares to the right, his lips slowly form a grin before he smiles brightly. The photographer presses the shutter and the set is surrounded for a second in bright white light. Jin didn't think it’s as bright as Ueda's smile.
He remains in his spot, transfixed. There was only one thing that could make Ueda smile like that; love. Jin can’t remember ever seeing a smile like that in any of their other magazine photos. Ueda walks past him when he is done, Taguchi quickly taking his spot.
Jin spins around to gaze at Ueda as the other goes to his bag and pulls his phone out. He presses a few buttons, stills, then smirks and rapidly starts typing. He snaps his phone shut just as Jin walks over and tries to see who he was texting.
Ueda looks back over his shoulder. "Yes, Jin? Do you need something?"
"Who were you just texting?" Jin blurts out.
Ueda pauses, then spins around to face Jin. "A friend," he says simply. Jin makes a face, like he doesn't believe him. Which he doesn't.
"Oh? A special friend?" Jin asks. He has to admit he is curious; the whole situation seems like Ueda is hiding something. Jin’s mind spins with thoughts of Ueda involved in a secret love affair.
Ueda just shrugs his shoulders. Nakamaru suddenly calls Jin's name from the other side of the room. Jin swivels his head and sees Nakamaru waving him over. He stares at Ueda for a few seconds before he walks away. He glances back when he hears Ueda's phone ring. Another smile is gracing Ueda's lips as he types another message. Jin finds it all very suspicious. He makes a mental note to tell Yamapi about his observations over dinner later.
________________________________________________________________
"Why am I here again?" Yamapi asks, rustling the leaves of the bush.
"Shhh!" Jin whacks him on the arm. "They'll hear you!"
"They're all the way on the other side of the street!" Yamapi shouts. The people on the street turn to where they were crouching. Jin and Yamapi quickly duck behind the bush before anyone can spot them. Jin could just imagine the rumours that would spread from that one. "Johnny's Idols found behind a bush; a secret love affair exposed!?" With all the Yamapi and Jin interaction going on recently, Jin is positive the fan girls are going crazy.
They raise their heads after making sure the street scene has gone back to normal. Jin whips his head to his right, sighing. "Ahhhh, Pi, I told you to be quiet!"
"Sorry! But you still haven't told me why we are spying on people. I don't even know whom we’re spying on. You told me we were going to dinner and the next thing I know, we're behind a bush. What the hell, Jin? This is random even for you."
Jin just waves his hand, beckoning Yamapi to lean closer and points out two people walking down the street. Jin thanks the heavens that they’re on a busy street and said figures are easier to see under all the bright signs and lights from the shop windows.
He can definitely recognise Ueda, who was easy to spot through his hat and casual clothes disguise. His companion on the other hand was a different story. The only thing Jin could tell for certain was that it was a man. He has his hood up and had on one of those facemasks. The two "spies" watched them walk down the rest of the street and turn a corner before Jin turns expectantly to Yamapi.
Yamapi stares back with a confused look. "Was that...Ueda?" Jin gives a curt nod. Yamapi stares at the corner with a thoughtful look on his face. "And that was a guy he was with?"
"Uh-huh"
Yamapi makes no reply at first. Then he turns towards Jin. "Well, aren't we going to follow them?" Jin grins; he knew there was a good reason Yamapi is his best friend.
______________________________________________________________
Jin comes to work the next morning tired, yawning as he pushes the door open with his whole body. Kame, of course, isn’t happy but Jin promises that it was important he stayed out late last night. It was crucial to the fate of the entire Jimusho. Kame merely raises an eyebrow and walks away and Jin takes that as a sign that he is off the hook, for this time anyways.
He and Yamapi tailed Ueda all around Shibuya and then back to his apartment, where the stranger went in with him. They didn't come out for a while. Jin isn't sure how long said stranger stayed at Ueda's place since Yamapi suddenly remembered why they were out in the first place and dragged Jin to go eat dinner.
That didn’t stop them from discussing the events they had seen. Yamapi supposed it was just one of Ueda’s boxing friends. Jin, however, had a different opinion though it was too early to tell if his hypothesis is correct.
When Ueda walks into the room, Jin just about drops everything he is doing and scrutinizes the other man. Ueda comes over to Jin's side and sets his bag down. Jin continues to stare, though whether Ueda notices - or cares - isn't certain.
He looks for any clues that can tell him about what Ueda did last night, but Ueda acts as he usually does; he is always quiet in the mornings. He grabs a magazine, pulls one of the chairs at the table out, and starts to read.
Jin pouts. He isn’t sure what he was expecting…for Ueda to be all happy and giddy? He supposed that yes that was exactly what he was expecting. He figured Ueda would have a personality change if he were in love. Like, smiling and texting all the time, which Ueda has been doing a lot recently. Jin had a feeling Ueda was texting that stranger, and Jin had a feeling that stranger was more than just a friend.
He continues to think about Ueda and his mysterious friend throughout the next day, as Yamapi and he go to a few stores. He is so engrossed in his thoughts that when he sees Ueda and another person looking at a storefront he believes he has imagined them to be there.
He stops suddenly while he and Yamapi are leaving the store. Yamapi runs into his back, not expecting Jin to block his path.
“Jin? Wha-” is all Yamapi has time to say before Jin is pulling him by the sleeve and dragging them away from the entrance.
“Jin, we have to stop doing this,” Yamapi mutters in his ear. Jin pays him no attention, too focused on the two people a few feet from them. The other person with Ueda is unsurprisingly the same guy they saw him with before. Now that there is more light, Jin notices his hair colour is black and kind of short. This time he is wearing a black fedora hat similar to the one Jin has.
“It’s like we’re stalkers. I’m starting to freak myself out.”
“Excuse me, I’m not the one who suggested we follow them last time. And anyway, this is coincidence!” Jin retorted. Yamapi just shook his head.
“I-I…Well, if I hadn’t I knew you would have whined and been mad at me and I hate when you are mad at me. Now back to the point. This is still creepy; we’re hiding behind a store sign so we can spy on one of your band mates.”
“But Pi it’s jus- look!” Jin hisses, seizing Yamapi’s arm and shaking it while pointing to where Ueda and his companion are walking away.
They walk close to each other - almost touching but not quite. Jin sees their hands brush and tentatively the stranger grabs Ueda’s hand and entwines their fingers. Ueda throws a surprised look at the other man. The man just turns his head to face Ueda, eyes hidden by the brim of his hat. Though Jin thinks the visible smirk on the man’s face is strangely familiar.
The next morning, Jin throws open the door to KAT-TUN’s dressing room. Nakamaru and Koki jump at the sound. Ueda continues to write in his music notebook, only looking up at Jin when the other stands in front of him and points at him.
“I know something is going on with you! And I know what that something is!”
“Okay,” Ueda says slowly, “What would that be?”
Jin is about to reply when the dressing room door opens again. Yamapi, closely followed by Ryo, enters the room. Ryo looks out of his element with his arms crossed. He is peering around the room like he has just landed on a different planet. Yamapi rushes over to Jin.
“Don’t be rash, Jin, calm down. I can hear you shouting all the way from down the hall.”
Jin ignores him, “You are in love! You can’t hide it anymore. Pi and I have seen you with the same guy and-and- and you were holding hands!” He shouts down at Ueda.
Nakamaru and Koki stare at Jin with shocked expressions.
“I…what?”
“You have a boyfriend! I want to know why you didn’t tell anyone, more importantly why you didn’t tell me. Oh, and I want to know who he is.”
Ryo snorts from behind the couch where Nakamaru and Koki are sitting staring at each other with questioning faces.
“Well, I guess there is someone out there who isn’t repulsed by your face. Or maybe he’s just with you because you look so much like a woman.”
“No one asked for your input, Nishikido.” Ueda narrows his eyes.
“Oh yeah? Why don’t yo-”
“No, no, none of your fighting today. Leave it for some other time,” Yamapi interrupts, looking pointedly at both of them.
Nakamaru and Koki seem to have gotten over their surprise and wonder aloud what is taking Kame and Taguchi so long to get to work.
Ueda and Ryo stare at each other for a few seconds longer, before looking away. Jin thinks he saw Ryo wink before asking Yamapi when they are going back to the NEWS dressing room. Ueda goes back to writing, though Jin can see he is hiding a smile.
Everything suddenly clicks in Jin’s brain and he lets out a loud gasp. Everyone looks at him while he stumbles over the rush of thoughts. “He - they - I can’t believe - no, it can’t be - my hat - why would he - I thought they hated - wha - ” He looks wide eyed at Yamapi.
There is silence before Yamapi grabs him and drags him out of the room, shaking his head and muttering about how he is not going to become an actual stalker.
OMAKE
“So now we’re stalking Ryo-chan?”
“We are not stalking, Pi. We are simply…testing our hypothesis.”
“Our hypothesis?”
“Um, yes, our hypothesis. I do recall you dragging me out of the dressing room yesterday. You knew what I was thinking.”
“That doesn’t mean I am any part of your hypothesis, Jin!”
“You’re here now, aren’t you?”
“…Well, that's….because if I wasn’t who knows what you would do.”
“I would be here, peering around this wall and watching Ryo-chan wait by his car. I want to see who he is waiting for. If I am right, which I am positive I am, he is waiting for Ueda.”
“How do you know he isn’t waiting for someone else? Maybe one of the Kanjani guys?”
“No, no, it’s definitely….LOOK! It’s UEDA!!!!!!”
“Stupid! Be quiet!”
“I told you he was waiting for Ueda! HAHA, I am so good….Ahhhhh, no, NO! NOT THE HAIR, RYO-CHAN!!!!”
“Bakanishi, it’s your fault for having your hair so long!”
“PI, SAVE ME!!”
“…I guess we weren’t hidden that well.”
“PIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!”
Rating: G
Summary: Jin has noticed a change in Ueda; PIN decide to investigate.
Pairings (beside Ryoda) : PIN friendship, Ryoda
Warnings: none
A/N : Written for the ryoda_love fic challenge. Inspired by this picture and also this fic. From Jin’s (and to an extent Yamapi’s) perspective. Beta-ed by Nitapi ♥.
It wasn't exactly a rare occurrence. And yet it wasn't exactly expected either. KAT-TUN's photo shoots often involved being instructed to act "cool" and "sexy", because that was their image. Occasionally, the photographer told them to smile more and look like they were having a good time. Jin believed they did this to show that yes, KAT-TUN was capable of being cheerful and smiley. This time it was "try to look happy and relaxed in your individual shows" for that month's Popolo. Jin, Kame, and Nakamaru were done with theirs but the group couldn't leave until everything was done.
Jin went to get water and then decided to see how the photos were coming along. He stands behind the photographer and watches Ueda sitting in front of the camera, his cheek resting on his hand. Jin listens as the photographer tells Ueda to do any expression he likes. He thought about it for a minute before turning his head and looking off into space.
As Ueda stares to the right, his lips slowly form a grin before he smiles brightly. The photographer presses the shutter and the set is surrounded for a second in bright white light. Jin didn't think it’s as bright as Ueda's smile.
He remains in his spot, transfixed. There was only one thing that could make Ueda smile like that; love. Jin can’t remember ever seeing a smile like that in any of their other magazine photos. Ueda walks past him when he is done, Taguchi quickly taking his spot.
Jin spins around to gaze at Ueda as the other goes to his bag and pulls his phone out. He presses a few buttons, stills, then smirks and rapidly starts typing. He snaps his phone shut just as Jin walks over and tries to see who he was texting.
Ueda looks back over his shoulder. "Yes, Jin? Do you need something?"
"Who were you just texting?" Jin blurts out.
Ueda pauses, then spins around to face Jin. "A friend," he says simply. Jin makes a face, like he doesn't believe him. Which he doesn't.
"Oh? A special friend?" Jin asks. He has to admit he is curious; the whole situation seems like Ueda is hiding something. Jin’s mind spins with thoughts of Ueda involved in a secret love affair.
Ueda just shrugs his shoulders. Nakamaru suddenly calls Jin's name from the other side of the room. Jin swivels his head and sees Nakamaru waving him over. He stares at Ueda for a few seconds before he walks away. He glances back when he hears Ueda's phone ring. Another smile is gracing Ueda's lips as he types another message. Jin finds it all very suspicious. He makes a mental note to tell Yamapi about his observations over dinner later.
________________________________________________________________
"Why am I here again?" Yamapi asks, rustling the leaves of the bush.
"Shhh!" Jin whacks him on the arm. "They'll hear you!"
"They're all the way on the other side of the street!" Yamapi shouts. The people on the street turn to where they were crouching. Jin and Yamapi quickly duck behind the bush before anyone can spot them. Jin could just imagine the rumours that would spread from that one. "Johnny's Idols found behind a bush; a secret love affair exposed!?" With all the Yamapi and Jin interaction going on recently, Jin is positive the fan girls are going crazy.
They raise their heads after making sure the street scene has gone back to normal. Jin whips his head to his right, sighing. "Ahhhh, Pi, I told you to be quiet!"
"Sorry! But you still haven't told me why we are spying on people. I don't even know whom we’re spying on. You told me we were going to dinner and the next thing I know, we're behind a bush. What the hell, Jin? This is random even for you."
Jin just waves his hand, beckoning Yamapi to lean closer and points out two people walking down the street. Jin thanks the heavens that they’re on a busy street and said figures are easier to see under all the bright signs and lights from the shop windows.
He can definitely recognise Ueda, who was easy to spot through his hat and casual clothes disguise. His companion on the other hand was a different story. The only thing Jin could tell for certain was that it was a man. He has his hood up and had on one of those facemasks. The two "spies" watched them walk down the rest of the street and turn a corner before Jin turns expectantly to Yamapi.
Yamapi stares back with a confused look. "Was that...Ueda?" Jin gives a curt nod. Yamapi stares at the corner with a thoughtful look on his face. "And that was a guy he was with?"
"Uh-huh"
Yamapi makes no reply at first. Then he turns towards Jin. "Well, aren't we going to follow them?" Jin grins; he knew there was a good reason Yamapi is his best friend.
______________________________________________________________
Jin comes to work the next morning tired, yawning as he pushes the door open with his whole body. Kame, of course, isn’t happy but Jin promises that it was important he stayed out late last night. It was crucial to the fate of the entire Jimusho. Kame merely raises an eyebrow and walks away and Jin takes that as a sign that he is off the hook, for this time anyways.
He and Yamapi tailed Ueda all around Shibuya and then back to his apartment, where the stranger went in with him. They didn't come out for a while. Jin isn't sure how long said stranger stayed at Ueda's place since Yamapi suddenly remembered why they were out in the first place and dragged Jin to go eat dinner.
That didn’t stop them from discussing the events they had seen. Yamapi supposed it was just one of Ueda’s boxing friends. Jin, however, had a different opinion though it was too early to tell if his hypothesis is correct.
When Ueda walks into the room, Jin just about drops everything he is doing and scrutinizes the other man. Ueda comes over to Jin's side and sets his bag down. Jin continues to stare, though whether Ueda notices - or cares - isn't certain.
He looks for any clues that can tell him about what Ueda did last night, but Ueda acts as he usually does; he is always quiet in the mornings. He grabs a magazine, pulls one of the chairs at the table out, and starts to read.
Jin pouts. He isn’t sure what he was expecting…for Ueda to be all happy and giddy? He supposed that yes that was exactly what he was expecting. He figured Ueda would have a personality change if he were in love. Like, smiling and texting all the time, which Ueda has been doing a lot recently. Jin had a feeling Ueda was texting that stranger, and Jin had a feeling that stranger was more than just a friend.
He continues to think about Ueda and his mysterious friend throughout the next day, as Yamapi and he go to a few stores. He is so engrossed in his thoughts that when he sees Ueda and another person looking at a storefront he believes he has imagined them to be there.
He stops suddenly while he and Yamapi are leaving the store. Yamapi runs into his back, not expecting Jin to block his path.
“Jin? Wha-” is all Yamapi has time to say before Jin is pulling him by the sleeve and dragging them away from the entrance.
“Jin, we have to stop doing this,” Yamapi mutters in his ear. Jin pays him no attention, too focused on the two people a few feet from them. The other person with Ueda is unsurprisingly the same guy they saw him with before. Now that there is more light, Jin notices his hair colour is black and kind of short. This time he is wearing a black fedora hat similar to the one Jin has.
“It’s like we’re stalkers. I’m starting to freak myself out.”
“Excuse me, I’m not the one who suggested we follow them last time. And anyway, this is coincidence!” Jin retorted. Yamapi just shook his head.
“I-I…Well, if I hadn’t I knew you would have whined and been mad at me and I hate when you are mad at me. Now back to the point. This is still creepy; we’re hiding behind a store sign so we can spy on one of your band mates.”
“But Pi it’s jus- look!” Jin hisses, seizing Yamapi’s arm and shaking it while pointing to where Ueda and his companion are walking away.
They walk close to each other - almost touching but not quite. Jin sees their hands brush and tentatively the stranger grabs Ueda’s hand and entwines their fingers. Ueda throws a surprised look at the other man. The man just turns his head to face Ueda, eyes hidden by the brim of his hat. Though Jin thinks the visible smirk on the man’s face is strangely familiar.
The next morning, Jin throws open the door to KAT-TUN’s dressing room. Nakamaru and Koki jump at the sound. Ueda continues to write in his music notebook, only looking up at Jin when the other stands in front of him and points at him.
“I know something is going on with you! And I know what that something is!”
“Okay,” Ueda says slowly, “What would that be?”
Jin is about to reply when the dressing room door opens again. Yamapi, closely followed by Ryo, enters the room. Ryo looks out of his element with his arms crossed. He is peering around the room like he has just landed on a different planet. Yamapi rushes over to Jin.
“Don’t be rash, Jin, calm down. I can hear you shouting all the way from down the hall.”
Jin ignores him, “You are in love! You can’t hide it anymore. Pi and I have seen you with the same guy and-and- and you were holding hands!” He shouts down at Ueda.
Nakamaru and Koki stare at Jin with shocked expressions.
“I…what?”
“You have a boyfriend! I want to know why you didn’t tell anyone, more importantly why you didn’t tell me. Oh, and I want to know who he is.”
Ryo snorts from behind the couch where Nakamaru and Koki are sitting staring at each other with questioning faces.
“Well, I guess there is someone out there who isn’t repulsed by your face. Or maybe he’s just with you because you look so much like a woman.”
“No one asked for your input, Nishikido.” Ueda narrows his eyes.
“Oh yeah? Why don’t yo-”
“No, no, none of your fighting today. Leave it for some other time,” Yamapi interrupts, looking pointedly at both of them.
Nakamaru and Koki seem to have gotten over their surprise and wonder aloud what is taking Kame and Taguchi so long to get to work.
Ueda and Ryo stare at each other for a few seconds longer, before looking away. Jin thinks he saw Ryo wink before asking Yamapi when they are going back to the NEWS dressing room. Ueda goes back to writing, though Jin can see he is hiding a smile.
Everything suddenly clicks in Jin’s brain and he lets out a loud gasp. Everyone looks at him while he stumbles over the rush of thoughts. “He - they - I can’t believe - no, it can’t be - my hat - why would he - I thought they hated - wha - ” He looks wide eyed at Yamapi.
There is silence before Yamapi grabs him and drags him out of the room, shaking his head and muttering about how he is not going to become an actual stalker.
OMAKE
“So now we’re stalking Ryo-chan?”
“We are not stalking, Pi. We are simply…testing our hypothesis.”
“Our hypothesis?”
“Um, yes, our hypothesis. I do recall you dragging me out of the dressing room yesterday. You knew what I was thinking.”
“That doesn’t mean I am any part of your hypothesis, Jin!”
“You’re here now, aren’t you?”
“…Well, that's….because if I wasn’t who knows what you would do.”
“I would be here, peering around this wall and watching Ryo-chan wait by his car. I want to see who he is waiting for. If I am right, which I am positive I am, he is waiting for Ueda.”
“How do you know he isn’t waiting for someone else? Maybe one of the Kanjani guys?”
“No, no, it’s definitely….LOOK! It’s UEDA!!!!!!”
“Stupid! Be quiet!”
“I told you he was waiting for Ueda! HAHA, I am so good….Ahhhhh, no, NO! NOT THE HAIR, RYO-CHAN!!!!”
“Bakanishi, it’s your fault for having your hair so long!”
“PI, SAVE ME!!”
“…I guess we weren’t hidden that well.”
“PIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!”