No matter how much time passes... 1 of 3
Title: (I Tell Everyone I Smile Just Because I’ve Got a) City Love
Pairing/Characters: Sho/Jun with the rest of Arashi plus Becky and, why the heck not, Nagase Tomoya.
Rating: R for a violent scene and implied sexual situation
Word Count: 25,000+
Summary: It’s the second time incumbent Sakurai Sho becomes candidate in Minato Mayor election and Campaign Professional Matsumoto Jun is back in Tokyo as his Campaign Manager. It’s their second chance.
Notes: Dear astrangerenters, I truly apologize that it took the span of six Arashi single releases for me to finish this jpnforph charity fic. *facepalm. Real life happened and this universe kept on expanding and refusing to come full circle, overwhelming me to no end. What great prompts you’ve given me; this is my attempt on writing one of them, albeit a bit disjointed in parts because I wrote this in small pieces, in a long span of time. I hope you enjoy this 'political campaign' AU ♥!
Title is from John Mayer’s song, a melody that very often brought me back into writing this fic. I’m also blaming Sayonara no Ato de, just because. Some quotes from one of The Beatles’s song were included in the dialogue. I took most of the running a campaign bits from one Political Campaign Planning Manual - bless you, I can probably run one hell of a campaign (for Sakurai Sho) if opportunity occurs, LOL. And the Minato City website turned out to be helpful at the end. I also had great help from different beautiful people at different stages of writing this fic - for the pompoms and cheer for me to keep working this over-complicated universe, for the inside info, for the Tokyo political background. Thank you T, who beta-ed one fifth of this, and L, who gave another one fifth of this a read; any remaining mistakes are mine. I know I haven’t talked to you guys in a long time, yet this fic will never turn into its final shape if it weren’t for you, ilu~!
Now
“Caught you in a good time?”
Jun smiles at the greeting from the other line, fixing his bag on his shoulder and walking slower, now that he’s out of the crowded station-he doesn’t actually miss Tokyo morning rush hour. He makes his way down the road leisurely, after a glance to his wristwatch. Still 20 minutes before his appointment, he could spare some time to finally catch up with the news from Nino’s side. “Maybe.”
“Nice.” Jun can hear Nino says, sounding like sporting a smile himself-so early in the morning. “So, I got your late night email and was wondering if I should give you a call.”
“Which you did anyway,” Jun says, taking quick glance on the green pedestrian light on the intersection before quickening his pace to cross the street. “What you got for me then?”
“I’m not a miracle worker, you know, and you never ask easy favors,” Nino answers, and Jun can hear sound of papers rustling on the background. “And since you asked for a certain statistical method and the data wouldn’t be so easy to obtain-meaning there would be a lot of groveling to perform-I need a week to provide you with a proper dossier.”
“What happened to the claim of being the best?” Jun says, holding a beat before adding, “and the fastest.”
Nino groans and Jun laughs at that. “You are deliberately being painstakingly difficult, you know that.”
“You know I always am,” Jun says, “And just like you, I’m also the best; we never get the easy ones. Are you going to officially complain this time?”
“Point is, one week, Jun-kun. No less. I don’t want to get sloppy. It’s been a while since I need to snoop around Tokyo government files. Now that I have my full concentration of being local and not properly centralized, mind you.”
“Sad to hear. You’ve basically been thoroughly spoiled by the e-system. Yet I won’t be asking an easy favor from the best.” Another beat. “And the fastest after all.”
“You know I’ll get it done and I’m flattered really, but your sarcasm is lacking a bite. Must be the nervousness, late into the morning, with all the Tokyo rush. I can hear heavy traffic.”
Jun rolls his eyes; he can practically see Nino’s grinning. “See if I will buy you fancy dinner when you’re back in Tokyo.”
Nino chuckles on the other side of the line. “I was trying to be nice and there you were threatening me.”
“Just send it when it’s done, okay? I probably could ask for some additional legal docs from the mayor’s office. I just need to know who now have their hands in the council pie. I’ll confirm back to you then.”
“Make sure you do,” Nino says, tone now turns back to serious; it is business after all.
“I’ll talk to you later, Nino. Thanks.”
Nino doesn’t answer, and Jun puts his phone away back in his bag as he makes a left turn and finds the building in front of him, unflattering plain yet holding so much pride and importance.
As he stops on the corner for a while with the municipal building in plain sight, wondering what has changed from the day he walked out the very building with the promise of never looking back, Jun could only notice the ordinary, the building, and what it has done for him in the past.
*
He calmly approaches the reception desk. "Good morning."
"Good morning." A friendly yet unfamiliar face welcomes him. "What can I do for you, Sir?"
"I have an appointment today with the Mayor’s office. My name is Matsumoto."
The receptionist glances at her notepad, distractedly skimming before giving cursory smiles. She asks him to sign his name, and Jun nods at her afterward and heads straight to the elevator security.
Inside, the elevator announces his floor destination as he stares at his visitor card in hand with open amusement. This luxury of being a stranger won’t last long, he muses. Here comes complexity, and finally, returning to the past.
He steps out of the elevator and another security guard greets him. Without any more halt, he then walks down across few cubicles and reaches the end of the hall.
The door is wide open, and-so much for working up his nervousness, Jun tells himself-there he is.
The man, whom Jun has been so nervous about, stands with his back to the door. The Sakurai Sho. The incumbent Mayor of Minato, with his fancy suit, in his office, currently doing the dull task of sorting documents on his secretary desk.
“I thought you’d have more people guarding this sacred office,” Jun says, his voice a bit hoarse, his throat hurts for a reason he couldn’t-wouldn’t-pin down. He bows lightly as he announces his presence. “Good morning, Mayor, Sir.”
Sho freezes before turning to meet his gaze and Jun has to hold his reflex to flinch because Sho looks exceptional. Well, except for some creases on his suit-it’s barely shy nine o’clock in the morning, and he seems to have already going through a few meetings; a pair tired eyes meets Jun’s gaze greedily, along with the visible guarded hunched posture.
Under the polished smile, the polite grin, the public face of Sakurai Sho, Jun knows that it is as good as a warm official welcome he could get and he leaves their quick first glance after a long while at that.
“Oh. Jun. I didn’t expect you for another-” Sho says, glancing up to the big clock on the wall and finding it’s only a minute before nine. “Well, it’s practically nine already. I guess I was too occupied with the morning rounds. And they haven’t got back, I see. So. Let’s have you-. I’ll have- I guess, we can start there.” Sho makes a weak gesture to his open office door with one hand while the other holds a stack of documents.
Jun smiles at the gesture; he was expecting a bit more formal setting or going through too many necessities before he’s going to meet him. But he certainly wasn’t expecting this either. “Where’s the gang? Or are you usually alone at this time?”
“They are down on the second floor for a short meeting and should be back in less than half an hour,” Sho says, looking away to set his documents aside. “I feel like I must warn you, they are very excited to see you. You know how they are.”
Jun stays rooted by the door, waiting for Sho to finish with the documents in hand. It takes a while longer than necessary, in Jun’s opinion but he’s not complaining. “It’s fine. Do you need time to settle those first? I can wait.”
“What? Oh, these?” Sho looks down to the now neatly arranged documents on the desk. “No, not really. I’ll need this for later, and since you’re here already, let’s get down to business.”
And with that word, their bubble breaks and, just as Sho said, business begins.
Jun slightly stiffens at the off-hand comment and he can see that Sho notices him and then sighs. “I’m sorry, I just-“
“No need. Come on in. I should be able to serve coffee for you.” Sho leads them to the office and waits by the door, until Jun steps in. Sho then closes the door with a soft click before gesturing to the set of chairs on the center of the room. “Have a seat.”
Jun lets out a small smile at the formality. “I feel like an official guest.”
“You technically are my official guest this morning. Before we begin the meeting,” Sho says as he walks to the corner table. “Black with two sugars, right?”
“Yes.”
Sho quietly prepares the coffee, taking his time, while Jun takes a seat on one of the chair and tries to suppress the pleasant feeling to know that Sho still remembers how he takes his coffee-it’s nothing and it should stay nothing. They just spent time drinking coffee a lot and there’s that.
Jun looks around and finds the office calming in a certain way. No fuss-that’s very Sho, and still official-well, that’s also Sho. “I thought you’d have more photos plastered on your walls. You’ve been around with important people, haven’t you?”
Sho shrugs lightly as he brings two steaming mugs to the table, taking a seat across Jun. “I like everything neat and sparse anyway.”
“That you do.”
“Here you go.” Sho sets the mug in front of Jun and then reaches for his own before starting to take the first sip. “I haven’t had my second shot so this is a good reason to have another dose before noon.”
Jun reaches the mug, nearly sighs from the heavenly scent. He takes a small sip and finds himself nearly weeping at the strong and hot and electrifying caffeine kick. “Oh, god, is this the perk of being in office?”
“You can say that. Coffee is the best thing about this job.” Sho seems almost relaxed, leaning against the back of the sofa just a little bit-but Jun still picks up the subtle change.
Jun continues to sip the coffee, letting silence lingers, sensing that they are both trying to ready themselves for what they are about to discuss-as Sho has said-business.
It is then Sho who begins the talk-as it was always-and Jun would be lying if he said he wasn’t expected it.
“Soon it’s going to be the third year of my term.” Sho puts aside his coffee mug, back on leaning against his seat, but stiffer than before. “Let’s just have it known that I am counting the days. It’d save us trouble and you don’t have to guess, and probably it would make my point even easier to interpret. I’m under order to run again for the next election and I would like for you to head the campaign again.”
“Straight to the point, Sho-san. I didn’t expect any less.”
“You’d know,” Sho says softly with a polite smile.
Still, the smile is so polite that Jun could not possibly miss the implication. Sure, he would know. He knows almost everhitng about this man, one who sits trying to not look nervous in front of him in his fancy suit. Or perhaps it’s better not to term this in present tense. He knew this man. Four years ago, he knew everything about this man, before Jun decided to walk away without even looking back. But what is he doing here right now if it isn’t looking back and trying to relive the past? Jun can’t be sure and but somehow he’s here and it’s the time to look ahead, for a new project.
That’s all.
“So I am here already, reporting for duty. I already drafted my contract and sent all the official documents to your lawyers’ office. They should have them by now.”
With soft voice, not entirely able to mask his excitement, Sho says, “I truly appreciate you coming back for the campaign.”
“I didn’t do it for you,” Jun says, a beat too fast.
“Well, still,” Sho says, smile faltering just a little bit. “Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t turn down the offer.”
In lack of better thing to do Jun focuses on his coffee mug again, letting another slashing silence lingers on the empty office. He certainly doesn’t expect Sho to be on friendly term this morning-he was prepared for a cold shoulder, perhaps a punch in the face or something the like, or even worse, getting redirected to work with assistants. Instead he’s here sharing cups of coffee with Sho, all polite and quiet.
Jun then comes up with the question he has wanted to ask since he received a confirmation that he’s going to have a meeting at the city hall this morning. “I guess the office has been treating you well? You look good.”
“Thank you. And, yes, it’s been a good year.”
Jun doesn’t miss a slight hesitation and vagueness in Sho’s answer. He trusts his own trained observation skills and asks to ask another question. “You, in lack of better word, change.”
“So does every one else,” Sho says, showing no apparent emotion even though his eyes trained fast at Jun.
It’s time they’re going back to the purpose of the meeting-even though he was the one who wanted to strike a conversation, just for old time’s sake, just for the sake of politeness-Jun realizes. He fears another opening could only lead to another subject, so diversion is needed before they veer off to other matter, other matter that he doesn’t want to deal with at the moment. There should be time, later, way later, along their next year. He needs to take a step back and reassess this, whatever this is.
“To begin with everything, I would need to read your annual reports and-“
“-Aiba could get them ready for you. You are also welcome to access almost anything.”
“I’ll have them reviewed first and within the week we’re going to have-“
“-countless meetings?”
“I don’t even see the reason you need a campaign manager if you’re insisting in finishing my plan by yourself.”
Sho sobers instantly at the fast retort. “Okay, sorry for that. I just can’t help to tease, lighten up the air here a bit. Do go on.”
“You are always one,” Jun says under his breath, eying Sho for a while, trying to find something, something to break. He finds this new Sho a little bit annoying-and it should’ve shown on his face, frowning in slight confusion.
“Sorry?”
“Nothing.” Jun shakes his head, answering and clearing up his own thoughts. “Can I continue my explanation of the general plan then?”
“Of course.”
Then
His wristwatch shows that it’s going to be 10 more minutes before their appointment at the Plaza. Jun reaches his coffee cup before startling over the loud knocks on the high glass window beside him.
Then a muffled sound greets him. “Yo! Matsujun!”
Hand frozen above his cup, Jun turns and finds Councilman Nagase sporting sleek hair, loose crumpled suit, and a big grin across his face. Standing on the low edge of short plants, the man does nothing but waves enthusiastically at him. He merely sighs at the sight, gesturing the man to go to the entrance and properly join him.
Nagase laughs at his prompt gesture, giving a thumb up before prancing his way toward the front door. And Jun rises from his seat, walking toward the window to follow the man with his eyes, just making sure nothing else happened.
Councilman probably has had a drink or two or a lot before the appointment-such a carefree person at the core. Yet he could be scary serious when he puts his mind into it. And it was his serious call that got Jun here in the first place. It doesn’t actually matter; Jun will tolerate eccentricity to a level as long as he gets his job done.
The man strides to their table, hands deep on his pocket; the only thing that shows his status was a glinting councilman pin on his suit lapel. Other than that, Nagase could easily pass as a high-class thug-or so what Jun was told.
Jun bows deeply to greet him. “Councilman Nagase. Good evening.”
To his surprise, Nagase does exactly the opposite of his expectation. He bows as deeply as Jun and greets him formally. “Good evening to you too. I’m sorry to call you up at this hour.”
“It’s not a problem at all. If I can be a help, that’d be an honor.”
Nagase snorts at Jun’s statement, before he sets himself on the sofa across Jun. He motions Jun to take his seat. A waiter materializes beside him with a greeting bow.
“I’ll have whiskey on rocks,” Nagase says absently. “And do you want anything else other than coffee?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
The waiter walks away in silent, leaving the two men to their business.
“Matsujun,” Nagase starts, leaning his head a bit to take the man in front of him. “You don’t have to be so nervous.”
“I’m not,“ Jun says, a little bit too quick. “Well, perhaps a little bit, but not too much. All in all, not nervous.”
Nagase only laughs as he nods his thanks to the waiter who comes with his order.
“I’m not, Councilman. Or if I am, it will not affect my work performance.”
“As usual, taking things very seriously,” Nagase says, sipping his whiskey in leisure before turning into a serious low voice. “Yet, I believe you have already done your homework now that you’re here.”
“I have.” Jun nods as he straightens his posture. “Although I’m still perplexed over the fact that you would want me to take such important assignment.”
“It was our decision. The assembly session was held and you with that impeccable track record of yours is the best choice there is.”
“I’m deeply honored that you have put such trust in me, Nagase-san.”
“Stop with the bowing and honorific, will you? And it’s not an honor per se. You’ve earned this trust. You’ve earned your track record.” This time, Nagase is the one who bows his head to Jun. “And it’s our honor to have you for this assignment.”
And it only spurs Jun to bow deeper.
“We’ll be in your care then,” Nagase says, lifting his head up only to see that Jun is still bowing. “Okay, seriously, we need to stop being so formal to each other, Matsujun!”
Jun raises his head and meet Nagase’s serious eyes. He nods his agreement and reaches his now-cold coffee cup. He grimaces over the stale thick liquid and sighs; he is nervous after all.
Nagase slouches a bit on his seat. “Now, that we finish being formal to each other, can we have fun for a little while? To catch up and for old time sake?”
“You haven’t changed a bit,” Jun says with a small smile. “I have expected to have a formal meeting at the Ward office or something but here you are suggesting this fancy hotel.”
Nagase waves his hand in dismissal. “You’ll be even more formal in the office. My head hurts just to think of how you’re going to be so overly polite.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being overly polite. You of all people should know that,” Jun says, now relaxing more into his seat, still sipping the stale coffee. Probably he should order another set, this one has turned barely drinkable.
“Yeah. That’s how it works unfortunately. There’s nothing we can do about it. Enough formality. The more important matter is how much backlog homework has you done for this? Is it correct for me to assume that you have gone through his whole history?”
Jun nods. “I have perused all the documents you provided. I also have had my staffs run through a thorough research regarding Sakurai Sho.”
“Good. You too haven’t changed a bit, haven’t you?” Nagase says, a pleased smile on his face. “I have expected no less of you. It’s good to know that you’re still as good as you were.”
“I’m better now. Way better,” Jun says, with a full-blown confidence. His work is his pride, and it will not be an exaggeration to say that he has improved his skills gradually since the year one. Formality aside, he won’t hold back on his achievement; he works his earnest and, fuck formality, he’ll sing his own praises on a job well done.
Nagase laughs at his statement. “Nice to know we’re on good hands then.”
Jun checks his watch. “Almost 20 minutes past 10. Is he late?”
“No,” Nagase says, focusing on his whiskey again, hiding a smile. “Actually I told him that we’re meeting half past 10, half an hour later than our agreed time.”
“Huh?”
“See, I know you’re going to be annoying formal in the beginning, knowing you, and we haven’t met since what, four, five years back?”
“And?”
“Just to give us some time to catch up.”
“You’re unbelievable sometimes.”
“That’s what you said now.”
“It’s your job, Matsujun, to do proper research and planning. And then to properly forecast and assess the feasible risks.”
“I will be working for you, am I right? That’s the one thing I wanted to confirm. Who am I working for? Who’s to report? Or at pinched time, to whom I must report? Who’s order to follow? I haven’t even met this Sakurai Sho.”
“I’ll leave it to your discretion. I trust you to have good judgment when it comes to this. You know the rope pretty good, I believe.”
“That’s not entirely true. I don’t usually work for an publicly independent candidate. It goes without saying that I will offer my best ability to help and complete the job, the project, whatever you want to call it. But I need to know to whom I answer,” Jun ends his explanation in a soft voice. “It’s important.”
“In that case, you answer to him. And you report to us. Not necessarily on a full run-on basis, but just a general overview. Is everything working as plan, or is there anything we need to do to help?”
“I haven’t even known the big plan.”
“He’ll brief you,” Nagase says, lightly waving the concern. He puts his glass back on the table and sits back against the couch leisurely. “Or if I read this right and know you well enough, you’re going to make the big plan with him.”
“This job suddenly turns very vague now.”
“Well, it won’t be the first and it won’t be the last. Now, Sakurai should be here any minute. Let me ask you one last question while we’re still alone. What do you think of him? Let’s hear both your professional and nonprofessional opinion out.”
“Nonprofessionally? He’s fucking hot, even with his daily shabby appearance. Perhaps in need of just a bit of make over,” Jun says, with a smirk.
Nagase laughs loudly. “I am totally aware of that. We need not worry about first impression then. Anything else?”
There’s a slight change on Nagase’s face as Jun goes on with a more serious tone.
“Career-wise, he is suspiciously clean,” Jun says, concern loud on his voice. “Going through his record, there’s nothing but achievements. Great ones at that, don’t get me wrong. It’s amazing for a man in such a young age, for an upcoming politician to start a political career with such record. But if I, who technically am going to work with him, already have such feeling, I don’t even want to start thinking what the rivals would think. It’s dangerous.”
Nagase only nods in response.
“It’s going to be one of my first priorities,” Jun continues. “To settle the ground. If we’re going to do this, I believe in doing it right. He needs to have some qualities that people will hate.”
A deep voice comes from the back of his chair. “I see.”
Jun swears under his breath-goddamn, Councilman Nagase, for letting this happened-before turning and finding Sakurai Sho standing behind his couch, with his disheveled hair, staring back at him with a pair of cold eyes.
He rises immediately, bowing in both apology and greeting. “I’m sorry. I was. We were just. I-I don't. That wasn’t for you to hear.”
Jun looks up to find the coldness doesn’t waver even a bit. Sho continues to stare at him with a strange expression before shifting his attention to Nagase, who’s been watching the whole exchange in an unmasked amusement.
“Councilman Nagase. Good evening,” Sho says coldly, “I can see you have already started without me.”
“Sakurai-kun.” Nagase stands up, taking his time to brush off invisible lint off his suit, before giving his bow. “We haven’t started. No worries. We were just catching up a little bit.”
Sho only inclines his head further in question. “Catching up a bit?”
“Well, yes, among other things. You arrived at such a perfect time. I guess we have been a bit too eager to start.”
Sho turns from Nagase to see Jun’s offering open apology with his expression. He takes no heed of it. For now. “I see.”
“And now since you’re here,” Nagase continues, gesturing Sho to take a seat as well, “shall we?”
*
“I’ve set this meeting as an informal introduction.” Nagase sips his whiskey refill as he observes both men in front of him, both with straighten pose, stiff with politeness, sitting almost in the opposite of the long couch. “So please take everything that happened here as an informal introduction. No more no less.”
Sho hums his response as he slowly sips his coffee.
Nagase continues. “Long story short. Sensei, I would like you to meet Matsumoto Jun. He’s been in the profession for quite a while, a raising star in Japan PR business, and effective immediately, your campaign manager.”
Jun turns to Sho’s direction, bows deeply, and efficiently offers his business card without a glitch. On the opposite side of the couch, Sho instinctively bows in reply while taking Jun’s card.
“Ah, I must give you mine then,” Sho says, hands reaching into his front pocket and quickly offering his card in return.
Jun takes the card and examines it. He runs his finger at the embossed Keio University logo on the right end before looking up to meet Sho’s eyes. “I apologize for what I’ve said earlier. I’m sure it sounded terrible but I could say that I didn’t mean that even a bit. They were mere detailed observations.”
Shrugging, Sho nods in answer. “I see.”
And for tonight, Jun knew that it’s the best he could hope for. He settles in his seat right after Sho did.
“Disheartening,” Nagase says, smiling widely at the exchange. “I just know it. You guys are going very formal around each other.”
“Nagase-san,” Jun objects again, “There’s nothing wrong with being polite.”
“I have to agree to that.” Sho finally speaks up, leaning back against the arm of the couch, making sure he could address both Nagase and Jun at the same time. “But now that we could set the formality aside, why don’t we cut this down to the chase?”
“We talked about this before, Sensei,” the Councilman answer smoothly. “We thought it would be better if you get acquainted with Matsumoto as soon as possible. Have you, by any chance, read the documents we gave you?”
“I have.”
“Then I don’t have to get long and winded with introduction then,” Nagase continues. “Matsumoto has also received your files and was merely making unofficial comments. He’s exceptionally professional just as his record indicated. I’m sure you both can begin the preparation work straightaway. We’re looking forward for real results.”
“Real result huh?” Sho says. “I’m grateful for the endorsement. But I must ask if this is even necessary.”
“Sensei, trust me. It’s annoying to deal with Matsumoto, especially when it’s on formal setting. Let’s say you owe me for the meeting and leave it at that.”
Sho only raises his eyebrows in question, turning to Jun for confirmation.
Jun frowns at the statement. “I’m not annoying. Thank you very much.”
“You are,” Nagase brushes off the protests. “But Sensei here is, dare I say it, equally annoying. You two could be annoying duo or something. We are all in your hands.”
“Careful there, Councilman” Sho says, hands folded in front of his chest. “Please don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“We never do. You have things to talk about later, I sure. I’ll leave you two now.” Nagase turns to Jun. “And you, I expect your report within two weeks. Same goes to you, Sensei. I also believe we’ll be meeting again soon.”
Without giving both of them the chance to reply, Nagase swiftly stands, bows deeply before walking away from the vast lobby. “Now, I leave you two alone to discuss details. Good evening, gentlemen.”
*
“I appreciate the time you’ve made tonight for this-I supposed useless-meeting,” Sho begins, very sudden, surprising Jun all the same, yet he doesn’t turn to face Jun to address him. “I’m not in the best mood tonight and I intend to make a formal complaint to Councilman.”
Jun turns and slides a little bit so he could face Sho, even if the other man doesn’t move from his previous position. He waits for Sho to finish, shifting, holding back his own impatience.
They sit awkwardly on the couch. Somehow it’s not easy to talk while they are side by side-not that close though.
“That was awkward at the end.”
“It was awkward from the beginning though.” Jun turns, trying to offer a weak smile. One moment he was catching up with an old friend and the next there’s this Sakurai Sho, his assignment, all serious and all.
“Just so you know, unlike Councilman Nagase, I do prefer a formal setting to set up our further discussion.” Sho stares into his teacup, bending forward to flutter his fingers on the rim absently.
“I am not fond of this either, Sakurai-san. It did feel like an ambush, didn’t it?” Jun offers a line. Really, Nagase should have stayed long enough to repair the damage. Jun is going to work with the man beside him for quite a long time and now he’s getting a silent treatment on top of the awkward introduction.
Sho only hums, still in his own daze and Jun doesn’t prod further, he might as well finish his coffee, taking the time to come up with a reason later to excuse himself.
*
It’s well pass dinnertime and the quiet hush of people rushing in and out of the lobby has subsided. Jun sinks further into the plush sofa, practicing his lines over and over in his head.
Nervousness has brought him almost an hour early to their meeting place and it hasn’t subsided even a bit. After all, it was one of the biggest assignments he is going to take charge of. The offer doesn’t come easy and he isn’t planning to take it lightly; he in fact stayed up few nights just to make sure that he gathered all the available public data on his assignment.
He gives a short glance to his briefcase on the floor, knowing that he could simply reach out and produced the printed documents in a heartbeat. No room for error this time, he has learned that there’s nothing as much as being properly prepared; it’s exactly the time for it.
Jun can only itch to do something, anything. Anything else than holding his teacup while fully aware of the presence of the annoyed man beside him.
The night drags on.
Now
The moment Jun steps back into the hallway, a swirl of pastel colors fills his vision and suddenly a pair of arms in soft fluffy sweater finds him and hugs him tight. “You’re back!”
“Becky,” Jun says with a chuckle, “you are suffocating me.”
Becky lifts her head, completely beaming in delight. “Matsujun, you’re back.”
“I am. Now let me go. You’re not even drunk yet and you’re already very clingy.”
Becky chuckles and lets Jun go. She’s still practically bouncing on her feet, sending Jun her brightest smile.
Sho could only smile bitterly, being the non-participant of this small reunion. He sees Aiba walking down to them. “Aiba. Get Jun whatever file he needs. I’ll sign the authorization later.”
“Yes, Sir.” Aiba nods as he stops in behind Becky, his smile matching to her, beaming at Jun.
“I’ll leave you guys to it then,” Sho says softly, turning to go back to his office, closing the door with a soft click.
“Matsujun,” Aiba says, his tone low, his eyes shining from what Jun could only assume as the beginning of happy tears.
“Aiba, do not tear up, especially here and now.”
Aiba ignores him all the same and for the second time that day, Jun finds his arms full of his old colleague. “Matsujun, you’re back!”
“You guys are hopeless as ever.” Jun could only pat Aiba’s back as his eyes meet Becky’s. “Enough of this, really. You heard your boss. I need some files.”
“They are not going anywhere,” Aiba says, finally letting Jun go, but not with the teary grin. “You’re having lunch with us, right?”
Jun could only roll his eyes as Becky squeals with delight as she high fives Aiba. “I guess so.”
Aiba is deliberately holding back the documents and Jun knows it. He lets that go, busying himself with his email inbox as he waits on the lounging room, watching the two work to finish their morning workload.
It surely brings another rush of memory into his mind-inbox all checked and set aside. Back then on the days, it’d be him at the center, lashing his orders and triple-checking everything that came by his hands. Today Jun has the pleasure to witness Aiba and Becky seamlessly working perfectly without him at the center and it hurts and spreads joy in him all the same.
Sho comes out from his office after an hour. If he’s surprised to see Jun is still on the lounge room, he doesn’t show it. He steps to Becky’s desk, handing her a stack of paper and asking her to check his schedule.
“We’d be out for lunch in few minutes, Sir. Do you have anything else you need us to do before that?” Aiba says, just as Sho passes his desk to get back to his office.
“Both of you?”
“Yes. All of us.”
“I’ve got everything I need for the afternoon. You go enjoy your lunch then.”
The door clicks softly again, letting Sho out of the lounge and leaving the three of them back to their own little celebration. Jun has tried to ask-shouldn’t we ask him to come with us or something, even if he declines, at least he’s your boss, but Aiba and Becky dismiss his question easily. “He has a luncheon at 12.30 and he needs to sit on a meeting with the council division afterward. He’s too busy concentrating on his speech after all. It’d better to not bother him.”
They are walking out the office, and Jun finds the same receptionist still sitting behind the front desk now; their eyes meet and Jun nods again this time before returning to the two people currently bouncing on his sides. “And you guys, being good chiefs, decides to leave him alone so you can have lunch with me?”
“He’d have fancy food delivered. What else could we do?”
They both sport almost the same grin and Jun couldn’t help but laughing. “You guys are really hopeless as ever.”
“Matsujun, we miss you, too,” Aiba says, giving a round smack on Jun’s shoulder. “Now, what do say we’re going for the omurice special and you can tell us all about your previous fancy projects.”
After a short walk, they meet an end of a long queue. The restaurant is small and elegant, or so Becky shows him on the screen of her phone. All Jun could think about is the queue starts three blocks back and they will never get their lunch at this hour. They settle at the end of the queue, inching forward every five minutes, and now Aiba and Becky have Jun for themselves.
Aiba claps his hand, rounding Jun with another smile. “So? Deets?”
Jun chuckles at the anticipated question. “It’s nothing much to tell. I’m afraid I’d be running out of stories by the time our queue time is over.”
Becky does the same gesture as Aiba and Jun nearly laughs if it wasn’t for her question. “Is it true that you refused to work for Councilman Joushima of Akita for his Prime Ministry candidacy and chose to work for Sakurai-san again instead?”
“You don’t change a bit, Becky. Always going for the meat, I see,” Jun says with amusement, but he doesn’t give an answer. Instead he points that their queue is moving forward and takes a step away from the eager two.
“Well, is it true or not?” Becky presses further. “People are talking, Matsujun. They said you choose an easy mark this time and the same time, stupid move, since you’re taking a municipal level instead of going national.”
“I am here, aren’t I?”
“So, it is true?” Aiba says.
“I signed the papers already. You guys are stuck with me for another year,” Jun says. Both of them have grown better all these years-with Aiba using his height advantage to try staring him down for info and Becky pushing her merry phone as mock-microphone in this faux-interview style. “And Councilman Joushima was not aiming for PM. The last time I spoke to him, it was clear that he wants something else, something I cannot divulge here on the queue line of lunch break.”
“Oh, that’s interesting,” they both say in unison, with Aiba nodding his head and Becky raising her eyebrows.
“Which one? Something else Councilman Joushima wanted or my signing the papers.”
Becky answers with a bright smile. “Both, but more on the second.”
“We are going to have a great year, Matsujun.” Aiba punches him lightly on the left arm. “Becky here is hopeless when it comes to party arrangement. At least now with you around, we can have a real fun.”
Becky huffs. “Lunch is definitely on you, Aiba-kun.”
“No worries. It’s on Matsujun,” Aiba says, before turning back to Jun with wiggling eyebrows. “Right?”
Jun continues to observe the two, even if they are now turning their faces toward Jun and waits-and it just hits him, the old days, where he spent most of his time shouting at these two.
He has made Becky cry more than he could count, and Aiba even more. Along with Nino, they had formed a great team. There were even more tears when he had told them that he was going to end his contract and left newly sworn Mayor Sho for another project.
And now here he is, downtown Tokyo, queuing lunch just like the old days. “You guys do miss me.”
Becky punches his right arm this time. “Get that fact inside that thick head of yours. At least I’m not going to blubber about it, unlike Aiba-kun over here.”
“I can blubber all I want, now that Matsujun is here.”
Jun rolls his eyes. “Let’s keep the blubber to a minimum, please.”
They inches forward a little bit more, getting to near the door, talking about Jun’s Fukuoka project.
“Okay, enough about me. How about you guys?”
Aiba and Becky look at each other and shrug. Jun senses an underlying urge to tell him more stories. There will be time, later, when they are not standing in an alley for lunch, but Jun makes a mental note to talk to each of them soon.
“Ah, I’ve wanted to ask,” Aiba says instead. “How’s Nino?”
This time Jun laughs out loud. “There. I knew it. You don’t miss me, you miss him.”
Aiba grins. “Yeah, we take what we can, so don’t you worry, Matsujun. We do miss you but it has been a while since I talked to him, so I am asking you about him.”
“He’s stuck in Fukuoka for another month or two or maybe longer, but he’s still working on research and documents as usual,” Jun says. “He’s going to be here by the end of year, I guess.”
“Oh, and then we can be fully united!” This time Becky grins so wide, Jun practically see a glow out of her.
“Becky, stop talking about us like we are a bunch of heroes -united and all,” he says. “It’s creepy.”
“No it’s not. It’s cool,” Aiba corrects him. He’s smiling before turning toward the maître de on the door who gestures they can be seated now. “Oh, we’re in. Come on let’s go. I’m starving.”
“It’s about time,” Jun says, “and it’d better be good, this omurice.”
Becky grins. “It is. Trust us, we’ve been having lunch here way too many times.”
*
The omurice is exceptional and Jun needs to hold back to not ordering a second plate. Instead, he goes with Becky recommendation of having pudding, whatever that is, for dessert. After this satisfactory omurice, he’s not going to question her meal recommendation ever again.
Aiba finishes his side katsu dish and now beginning to send smile at Becky and Jun for more food.
Becky simply scoots her plate closer and ignores Aiba. She turns to Jun, “So, you’re practically leaving the governor race in in Fukuoka for this, this Minato mayor little thing?”
The topping of the pudding is sinful. Jun slides the plate toward Aiba with a thumb up. “Well, Nino’s down there. He’s good. He’s very good.”
“But not as good for you,” Becky says with a smile. “Pompous governor’s level people usually don’t settle for the best. Yet, you’re leaving your partner down there and are here for, what?”
“You’re up to something,” Jun says, squinting his eyes at Becky who tries to smile innocently even with the question. He knows that she’s digging deets even deeper and they need to hear the reason directly from him. They soon are going to work together again, and he trusts both of them-hardship and experience withstanding. “But I’m going to ignore that now and say that I’m here because I choose to be here. This municipal is a dear one.”
“Is?”
“Yes. Is,” Jun emphasizes. “First, Nino is one of the best. Well, I’m better but he’s can handle what I need to handle. He’s been handling everything marvelously down there. Second, Minato mayor race has been one of the milestones of my career.”
“Your first big break with the independent candidate winning by landslide and all.”
“Yes. And I know that that didn’t end with a flourish, but I want to do this again. I want to try. Either for the better this time, or even for the worse. I don’t know yet. When the offer came-”
“-When Fukuda-san called you,” Aiba says, now his chopstick set aside as he listens to Jun’s explanation seriously.
“Yes, Fukuda-san called and I had a week to consider the offer, I couldn’t help thinking back to what happened four years ago and regretting.”
“But withdrawing from the prestigious Fukuoka Governor race means you’re passing up something huge out of your portfolio. This district is a small change compared to a prefecture.”
“You are forgetting something.” Jun calmly begins to explain. He has experienced this exact talk of reasoning before-Nino was hard to lie to, but he pulled that off, barely. Talking this out with Aiba and Becky should be easier. “Minato is not a small change. Not at all. In fact, it might have a slightly more important significance than Fukuoka. As for today. Okay, handling a governor PR during the race might look good on my resume, but so does handling a mayor race in, what I simply believe as, the most important district in Japan.”
“Filled with the international business office and representative in Japan for example.”
“Right. And if you can see it that way, you won’t consider Minato as just a small change.”
“So you do believe in its importance.”
“Becky, you need to, if you are in this business. At least I believe that all this is damn important.”
Quietly, Aiba absorbs this information and sums it up in a sentence. “Sakurai-san is important.”
“Mayor Sakurai is important.” Jun corrects him; the sentence doesn’t actually sound convincing, he is fully aware of that, but that’s the best he got. “He is a good leader and now he’s going for his second term. I have the chance to keep a good leader in office, and that’s what I chose to do.”
“That’s a good way to put Minato and round up a cool answer, you know,” Becky says.
Jun nods and smiles. “Well, Fukuoka is less, let’s just say, interesting. And you need to know that my partner is actually whining that I got a better deal while he’s stuck with the old man.”
“While you’re here, living the high-life, with a hot Mayor,” Becky adds, now grinning.
Aiba rolls his eyes. “You’d tap that, Becky?”
“Nah. He likes pretty guys. I wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Jun chokes on his ice tea. “Does he know you’re bring that up in random conversation?”
Becky can be so blunt when she needs to. “Matsujun, I’m having this random conversation with you, the one that he likes, so I guess that’s okay.”
He chokes again on his ice tea. “What?”
“You’re going to get tea stain all over that shirt.” Becky offers him a napkin, but goes on with her point. “You think we never noticed?”
“This is way too surreal and you guys are too smart for your own good.”
“We have a great mentor. He’s strict and pretty.” Aiba reaches his ice tea silently, holding his laughter.
Jun stares into both of his former assistants; Aiba busy looking the other way, pretending to drink his ice tea and Becky openly grinning at him sweetly. “I’m definitely not paying this lunch.”
*
The lunch has set Jun into a cheerful mood. The day, so far, doesn’t turn to be as disastrous as he has expected. Jun at least doesn’t have to deal with guilt for now since meeting with Sho went quite well, in his opinion. Plus Aiba and Becky clearly miss him, not as much as they miss Nino though, and that’s a good boost for his day.
He turns the key to his old Tokyo office and simply stops by the doorway to appreciate the familiar sight.
He can admit at the very least that he does miss this space-it’s his after all and while it’s been kept tidy and clean by his trusted cleaning service, he consider a good workout is needed.
Jun then peels off his suit, down to his sleeveless and goes to work. Cleaning and dusting and stopping at times on desks, stack of documents and few framed photographs he finds, going into the cabinet and restraining himself for going too much on taking everything out and conducting a massive rearrangement.
Few hours later, he takes a look around and feels satisfied, finally taking deep breath, now that the window are open, letting some fresh air to replace the stink of dust.
Pulling his laptop out, Jun sits by his sparkling clean desk and begins to make a plan for the rest of the week, going through his notes and schedule book and then setting them up for the last leg. When he’s done with what the detailed estimate, he decides to call it a day and calls Nino.
“I just want to call to inform you that I’ve dumped all the dust and old files on your table here in our Tokyo office just because I can,” he says without bothering for a hello when Nino answers on the second ring.
“You jerk,” Nino says on the other line. “I can easily retaliate by hacking into your computer and deleting the porn folder here on our Fukuoka office. Let’s see what hurts the most.”
“I don’t have a porn folder. Not there in the office computer at least.”
“And I don’t have a table in our Tokyo office.”
“You do now.”
“Jun-kun.” Nino sighs on the end of the line. “We’ve talked about this.”
“Yes, we have. I just made some slight changes.”
Jun can hear Nino sighs heavier on the other end and he laughs at that.
“So?”
“Yeah. So. I send you the copy of dossier I got from Aiba. They should reach you tomorrow.”
“Good. I’ll slot a time for that then.”
“Did I interrupt you on something?”
“And you just asked this now, after a full minute of being an insensitive jerk on the phone?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I need to pause my game for a while so I can get back to it when you’re done being annoying.”
Jun chuckles. “Hopeless. And speaking of hopeless, I just had Aiba and Becky nagging about you over lunch-apparently they miss you even more than they miss me.”
“Good. That keeps you on your toe. How are they anyway?”
“Overworked and enthusiastic as ever, same old same old.”
Nino laughs. “I’ll shoot them an email tonight to schedule some drinking session ahead then.”
“Yeah, you should do that. When I’m back in full speed, I doubt that they’d even get time to have proper lunch.”
“Slave driver.” There’s a noise behind Nino’s connection, “Hey, I need to go soon. Turns out it’s not a long recess after all.”
“I see. No consensus yet?”
“Hopeless cranky old men, really. I don’t know why I need to keep up with these people.”
“Because I am not there to keep up with cranky old men.” Jun says. “You’re missing me already.”
“Yeah, guess I do. I’ll get the read over done tomorrow and then we can conference.”
“Sounds good.” Jun makes a quick calculation. “I’ll be away after lunch tomorrow, so afternoon again?”
Jun can hear rustles of paper and sound footsteps before Nino answers, “It sounds so lively and busy there in Tokyo, I cannot wait to get back.”
“No you don’t. But I’ll take that for now.”
“I really have to go. Talk to you tomorrow, Jun-kun.” This time Nino cuts the line first, leaving Jun no chance to reply.
Jun smiles as he sets aside his phone, leaning against the couch, straightening his tired feet.
Then the phone rings again.
Then
“Stop squirming, will you. People will notice. Can you just hold whatever it is until this convention is over?”
Sho feels Jun leans on his back, not too close but enough to let his presence known. He sighs on the feeling of Jun’s soft breath on the back of his head, knowing that the man will stand behind him all night if he has to. And now he’s being difficult, he knows he’s being difficult. Being difficult is the only way he could think of right now. “I don’t like this.”
“I sure can tell, Sho-san, but this is not about what you like or dislike. Or whether you’re nervous or not. You are going to do this.”
It took all his strength to not turn around and stare Jun’s face and just ask the man to give him a break, because all Sho wanted is to be not here, especially now. “But-“
“Sho-san.”
And he hates himself, so much at the moment, for caving in so early at the tone of the voice. He might be the one who’s standing on the front row, doing all the smiles and waves and necessities, but now that he is in the middle of this, to use Jun’s word, mayhem, he wouldn’t last another hour if it weren’t for the presence behind him.
“Sho-san,” Jun repeats, in softer voice this time
Sho could almost feel Jun’s palm running down on his expensive suit sleeve, a comforting gesture he desperately yearn at this very minute, but nothing comes after.
He knows that Jun knows that he probably won’t be doing anything, at least not now on this grand meeting hall. He knows that Jun knows that he’d push through everything till tonight ends just as planned. He’s going to do this, fair and square, because Jun wouldn’t have it any other way, hell, he himself, wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Okay.” This time he let himself shifting just a inch to the left and lock his momentary glance of the image of Jun’s smirking his winning smile, for keeping everything as planned, for seeing everything according to plan, for him, for them.
“Good. Focus on your simulation and recite that speech of yours again in your head,” Jun says, his tone flat. “You’ll be fine.”
Swallowing his small laugh, Sho does just that and is silently cursing for the long celebratory night. He nearly convinces himself that he heard a faint chuckle from his back but starts to recite the first lines of his speech instead.
*
The candidate convention is by no mean entertainment; everyone with a good grasp of political turns fully acknowledges this fact, even reverenced the whole process.
And Jun is here to accompany his first-time independent candidate Sakurai Sho delivering his first important speech. This will not be the last for him or for Sho. Jun senses how much pressure can send a man who usually doesn’t deal out of his comfortable classroom into a nerve wrecked state. This is the real thing; all the practice sessions they’ve been doing for the last month will pale in comparison.
Jun stays behind the spotlight, slightly leaning toward the wall on the side of the room. He always prefers the dark and shadowed nook, knowing that spotlight isn’t the one he wanted; yet it does give him immense pleasure to stand by the margin, in monochrome, along with shadows to observe his charge, in the opposite, stand on the center of attention, under bright light and of brilliant colors.
Jun’s mind is filled with only one thought: Sakurai Sho is fucking radiant tonight.
*
Of course, Sho stumbles. Of course.
How does one pronounced ‘liability’ again? And then so many complicated words, and he blinks twice on a kanji character. Why didn’t he listen to Jun’s suggestion of making notation of furigana just to simplify everything? I can read it just fine, I don’t need furigana’s help. I’m not a high school boy, I can read my kanji. Are you questioning my competency?
And now Jun can see Sho failing on what he has prided as his skills. And why the hell didn’t he try to rephrase ‘facility assessment program’ and turn it into something easier to pronounce, like trying to say ‘a program’ or something simpler? Out of all that he needed to speak in public, his speech tonight is probably the only one that didn’t have a presentation slides alongside.
Jun knows that everyone’s eyes are on him, sizing him up, judging him, probably flicking their mental files for their knowledge of Sakurai Sho, the Keio lecturer with an ambition of becoming a Minato mayor. They are probably asking the question: who did he think he is?
Between the flashes of moments, Jun couldn’t help to ask the same question toward himself.
Sho bows his respect and leaves the stage still in the middle of the dry compulsory applause. He doesn’t come back to the side of the stage-where Jun stands-instead he goes back to his chair, table front left, along with the gentlemen who nods at him in welcome.
*
Sho stays there for the rest of the night, until the last candidates finish delivering their speeches before excusing himself and making his way to find Jun. He pulls out his phone, dials the number, and doesn’t even wait for a hello. “Where are you? I’m walking toward the front lobby.”
Jun chuckles lightly on the other side of the line. “On my way. I’ll be there with the car in 5 minutes.”
The car air-conditioner is heaven for the first 10 minutes before the silence begins to hang even colder atmosphere between them.
He doesn’t want to ask, doesn’t want to make any demand, doesn’t want to do anything else but to bury himself under soft things, to be not there on the convention hall, to be somewhere else.
When Jun finally breaks the quiet, a suggestion, a gesture of celebration at the end of a long day, Sho nearly lets out a huge sigh. “Yes. That sounds good.”
Part 2
Pairing/Characters: Sho/Jun with the rest of Arashi plus Becky and, why the heck not, Nagase Tomoya.
Rating: R for a violent scene and implied sexual situation
Word Count: 25,000+
Summary: It’s the second time incumbent Sakurai Sho becomes candidate in Minato Mayor election and Campaign Professional Matsumoto Jun is back in Tokyo as his Campaign Manager. It’s their second chance.
Notes: Dear astrangerenters, I truly apologize that it took the span of six Arashi single releases for me to finish this jpnforph charity fic. *facepalm. Real life happened and this universe kept on expanding and refusing to come full circle, overwhelming me to no end. What great prompts you’ve given me; this is my attempt on writing one of them, albeit a bit disjointed in parts because I wrote this in small pieces, in a long span of time. I hope you enjoy this 'political campaign' AU ♥!
Title is from John Mayer’s song, a melody that very often brought me back into writing this fic. I’m also blaming Sayonara no Ato de, just because. Some quotes from one of The Beatles’s song were included in the dialogue. I took most of the running a campaign bits from one Political Campaign Planning Manual - bless you, I can probably run one hell of a campaign (for Sakurai Sho) if opportunity occurs, LOL. And the Minato City website turned out to be helpful at the end. I also had great help from different beautiful people at different stages of writing this fic - for the pompoms and cheer for me to keep working this over-complicated universe, for the inside info, for the Tokyo political background. Thank you T, who beta-ed one fifth of this, and L, who gave another one fifth of this a read; any remaining mistakes are mine. I know I haven’t talked to you guys in a long time, yet this fic will never turn into its final shape if it weren’t for you, ilu~!
Now
“Caught you in a good time?”
Jun smiles at the greeting from the other line, fixing his bag on his shoulder and walking slower, now that he’s out of the crowded station-he doesn’t actually miss Tokyo morning rush hour. He makes his way down the road leisurely, after a glance to his wristwatch. Still 20 minutes before his appointment, he could spare some time to finally catch up with the news from Nino’s side. “Maybe.”
“Nice.” Jun can hear Nino says, sounding like sporting a smile himself-so early in the morning. “So, I got your late night email and was wondering if I should give you a call.”
“Which you did anyway,” Jun says, taking quick glance on the green pedestrian light on the intersection before quickening his pace to cross the street. “What you got for me then?”
“I’m not a miracle worker, you know, and you never ask easy favors,” Nino answers, and Jun can hear sound of papers rustling on the background. “And since you asked for a certain statistical method and the data wouldn’t be so easy to obtain-meaning there would be a lot of groveling to perform-I need a week to provide you with a proper dossier.”
“What happened to the claim of being the best?” Jun says, holding a beat before adding, “and the fastest.”
Nino groans and Jun laughs at that. “You are deliberately being painstakingly difficult, you know that.”
“You know I always am,” Jun says, “And just like you, I’m also the best; we never get the easy ones. Are you going to officially complain this time?”
“Point is, one week, Jun-kun. No less. I don’t want to get sloppy. It’s been a while since I need to snoop around Tokyo government files. Now that I have my full concentration of being local and not properly centralized, mind you.”
“Sad to hear. You’ve basically been thoroughly spoiled by the e-system. Yet I won’t be asking an easy favor from the best.” Another beat. “And the fastest after all.”
“You know I’ll get it done and I’m flattered really, but your sarcasm is lacking a bite. Must be the nervousness, late into the morning, with all the Tokyo rush. I can hear heavy traffic.”
Jun rolls his eyes; he can practically see Nino’s grinning. “See if I will buy you fancy dinner when you’re back in Tokyo.”
Nino chuckles on the other side of the line. “I was trying to be nice and there you were threatening me.”
“Just send it when it’s done, okay? I probably could ask for some additional legal docs from the mayor’s office. I just need to know who now have their hands in the council pie. I’ll confirm back to you then.”
“Make sure you do,” Nino says, tone now turns back to serious; it is business after all.
“I’ll talk to you later, Nino. Thanks.”
Nino doesn’t answer, and Jun puts his phone away back in his bag as he makes a left turn and finds the building in front of him, unflattering plain yet holding so much pride and importance.
As he stops on the corner for a while with the municipal building in plain sight, wondering what has changed from the day he walked out the very building with the promise of never looking back, Jun could only notice the ordinary, the building, and what it has done for him in the past.
*
He calmly approaches the reception desk. "Good morning."
"Good morning." A friendly yet unfamiliar face welcomes him. "What can I do for you, Sir?"
"I have an appointment today with the Mayor’s office. My name is Matsumoto."
The receptionist glances at her notepad, distractedly skimming before giving cursory smiles. She asks him to sign his name, and Jun nods at her afterward and heads straight to the elevator security.
Inside, the elevator announces his floor destination as he stares at his visitor card in hand with open amusement. This luxury of being a stranger won’t last long, he muses. Here comes complexity, and finally, returning to the past.
He steps out of the elevator and another security guard greets him. Without any more halt, he then walks down across few cubicles and reaches the end of the hall.
The door is wide open, and-so much for working up his nervousness, Jun tells himself-there he is.
The man, whom Jun has been so nervous about, stands with his back to the door. The Sakurai Sho. The incumbent Mayor of Minato, with his fancy suit, in his office, currently doing the dull task of sorting documents on his secretary desk.
“I thought you’d have more people guarding this sacred office,” Jun says, his voice a bit hoarse, his throat hurts for a reason he couldn’t-wouldn’t-pin down. He bows lightly as he announces his presence. “Good morning, Mayor, Sir.”
Sho freezes before turning to meet his gaze and Jun has to hold his reflex to flinch because Sho looks exceptional. Well, except for some creases on his suit-it’s barely shy nine o’clock in the morning, and he seems to have already going through a few meetings; a pair tired eyes meets Jun’s gaze greedily, along with the visible guarded hunched posture.
Under the polished smile, the polite grin, the public face of Sakurai Sho, Jun knows that it is as good as a warm official welcome he could get and he leaves their quick first glance after a long while at that.
“Oh. Jun. I didn’t expect you for another-” Sho says, glancing up to the big clock on the wall and finding it’s only a minute before nine. “Well, it’s practically nine already. I guess I was too occupied with the morning rounds. And they haven’t got back, I see. So. Let’s have you-. I’ll have- I guess, we can start there.” Sho makes a weak gesture to his open office door with one hand while the other holds a stack of documents.
Jun smiles at the gesture; he was expecting a bit more formal setting or going through too many necessities before he’s going to meet him. But he certainly wasn’t expecting this either. “Where’s the gang? Or are you usually alone at this time?”
“They are down on the second floor for a short meeting and should be back in less than half an hour,” Sho says, looking away to set his documents aside. “I feel like I must warn you, they are very excited to see you. You know how they are.”
Jun stays rooted by the door, waiting for Sho to finish with the documents in hand. It takes a while longer than necessary, in Jun’s opinion but he’s not complaining. “It’s fine. Do you need time to settle those first? I can wait.”
“What? Oh, these?” Sho looks down to the now neatly arranged documents on the desk. “No, not really. I’ll need this for later, and since you’re here already, let’s get down to business.”
And with that word, their bubble breaks and, just as Sho said, business begins.
Jun slightly stiffens at the off-hand comment and he can see that Sho notices him and then sighs. “I’m sorry, I just-“
“No need. Come on in. I should be able to serve coffee for you.” Sho leads them to the office and waits by the door, until Jun steps in. Sho then closes the door with a soft click before gesturing to the set of chairs on the center of the room. “Have a seat.”
Jun lets out a small smile at the formality. “I feel like an official guest.”
“You technically are my official guest this morning. Before we begin the meeting,” Sho says as he walks to the corner table. “Black with two sugars, right?”
“Yes.”
Sho quietly prepares the coffee, taking his time, while Jun takes a seat on one of the chair and tries to suppress the pleasant feeling to know that Sho still remembers how he takes his coffee-it’s nothing and it should stay nothing. They just spent time drinking coffee a lot and there’s that.
Jun looks around and finds the office calming in a certain way. No fuss-that’s very Sho, and still official-well, that’s also Sho. “I thought you’d have more photos plastered on your walls. You’ve been around with important people, haven’t you?”
Sho shrugs lightly as he brings two steaming mugs to the table, taking a seat across Jun. “I like everything neat and sparse anyway.”
“That you do.”
“Here you go.” Sho sets the mug in front of Jun and then reaches for his own before starting to take the first sip. “I haven’t had my second shot so this is a good reason to have another dose before noon.”
Jun reaches the mug, nearly sighs from the heavenly scent. He takes a small sip and finds himself nearly weeping at the strong and hot and electrifying caffeine kick. “Oh, god, is this the perk of being in office?”
“You can say that. Coffee is the best thing about this job.” Sho seems almost relaxed, leaning against the back of the sofa just a little bit-but Jun still picks up the subtle change.
Jun continues to sip the coffee, letting silence lingers, sensing that they are both trying to ready themselves for what they are about to discuss-as Sho has said-business.
It is then Sho who begins the talk-as it was always-and Jun would be lying if he said he wasn’t expected it.
“Soon it’s going to be the third year of my term.” Sho puts aside his coffee mug, back on leaning against his seat, but stiffer than before. “Let’s just have it known that I am counting the days. It’d save us trouble and you don’t have to guess, and probably it would make my point even easier to interpret. I’m under order to run again for the next election and I would like for you to head the campaign again.”
“Straight to the point, Sho-san. I didn’t expect any less.”
“You’d know,” Sho says softly with a polite smile.
Still, the smile is so polite that Jun could not possibly miss the implication. Sure, he would know. He knows almost everhitng about this man, one who sits trying to not look nervous in front of him in his fancy suit. Or perhaps it’s better not to term this in present tense. He knew this man. Four years ago, he knew everything about this man, before Jun decided to walk away without even looking back. But what is he doing here right now if it isn’t looking back and trying to relive the past? Jun can’t be sure and but somehow he’s here and it’s the time to look ahead, for a new project.
That’s all.
“So I am here already, reporting for duty. I already drafted my contract and sent all the official documents to your lawyers’ office. They should have them by now.”
With soft voice, not entirely able to mask his excitement, Sho says, “I truly appreciate you coming back for the campaign.”
“I didn’t do it for you,” Jun says, a beat too fast.
“Well, still,” Sho says, smile faltering just a little bit. “Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t turn down the offer.”
In lack of better thing to do Jun focuses on his coffee mug again, letting another slashing silence lingers on the empty office. He certainly doesn’t expect Sho to be on friendly term this morning-he was prepared for a cold shoulder, perhaps a punch in the face or something the like, or even worse, getting redirected to work with assistants. Instead he’s here sharing cups of coffee with Sho, all polite and quiet.
Jun then comes up with the question he has wanted to ask since he received a confirmation that he’s going to have a meeting at the city hall this morning. “I guess the office has been treating you well? You look good.”
“Thank you. And, yes, it’s been a good year.”
Jun doesn’t miss a slight hesitation and vagueness in Sho’s answer. He trusts his own trained observation skills and asks to ask another question. “You, in lack of better word, change.”
“So does every one else,” Sho says, showing no apparent emotion even though his eyes trained fast at Jun.
It’s time they’re going back to the purpose of the meeting-even though he was the one who wanted to strike a conversation, just for old time’s sake, just for the sake of politeness-Jun realizes. He fears another opening could only lead to another subject, so diversion is needed before they veer off to other matter, other matter that he doesn’t want to deal with at the moment. There should be time, later, way later, along their next year. He needs to take a step back and reassess this, whatever this is.
“To begin with everything, I would need to read your annual reports and-“
“-Aiba could get them ready for you. You are also welcome to access almost anything.”
“I’ll have them reviewed first and within the week we’re going to have-“
“-countless meetings?”
“I don’t even see the reason you need a campaign manager if you’re insisting in finishing my plan by yourself.”
Sho sobers instantly at the fast retort. “Okay, sorry for that. I just can’t help to tease, lighten up the air here a bit. Do go on.”
“You are always one,” Jun says under his breath, eying Sho for a while, trying to find something, something to break. He finds this new Sho a little bit annoying-and it should’ve shown on his face, frowning in slight confusion.
“Sorry?”
“Nothing.” Jun shakes his head, answering and clearing up his own thoughts. “Can I continue my explanation of the general plan then?”
“Of course.”
Then
His wristwatch shows that it’s going to be 10 more minutes before their appointment at the Plaza. Jun reaches his coffee cup before startling over the loud knocks on the high glass window beside him.
Then a muffled sound greets him. “Yo! Matsujun!”
Hand frozen above his cup, Jun turns and finds Councilman Nagase sporting sleek hair, loose crumpled suit, and a big grin across his face. Standing on the low edge of short plants, the man does nothing but waves enthusiastically at him. He merely sighs at the sight, gesturing the man to go to the entrance and properly join him.
Nagase laughs at his prompt gesture, giving a thumb up before prancing his way toward the front door. And Jun rises from his seat, walking toward the window to follow the man with his eyes, just making sure nothing else happened.
Councilman probably has had a drink or two or a lot before the appointment-such a carefree person at the core. Yet he could be scary serious when he puts his mind into it. And it was his serious call that got Jun here in the first place. It doesn’t actually matter; Jun will tolerate eccentricity to a level as long as he gets his job done.
The man strides to their table, hands deep on his pocket; the only thing that shows his status was a glinting councilman pin on his suit lapel. Other than that, Nagase could easily pass as a high-class thug-or so what Jun was told.
Jun bows deeply to greet him. “Councilman Nagase. Good evening.”
To his surprise, Nagase does exactly the opposite of his expectation. He bows as deeply as Jun and greets him formally. “Good evening to you too. I’m sorry to call you up at this hour.”
“It’s not a problem at all. If I can be a help, that’d be an honor.”
Nagase snorts at Jun’s statement, before he sets himself on the sofa across Jun. He motions Jun to take his seat. A waiter materializes beside him with a greeting bow.
“I’ll have whiskey on rocks,” Nagase says absently. “And do you want anything else other than coffee?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
The waiter walks away in silent, leaving the two men to their business.
“Matsujun,” Nagase starts, leaning his head a bit to take the man in front of him. “You don’t have to be so nervous.”
“I’m not,“ Jun says, a little bit too quick. “Well, perhaps a little bit, but not too much. All in all, not nervous.”
Nagase only laughs as he nods his thanks to the waiter who comes with his order.
“I’m not, Councilman. Or if I am, it will not affect my work performance.”
“As usual, taking things very seriously,” Nagase says, sipping his whiskey in leisure before turning into a serious low voice. “Yet, I believe you have already done your homework now that you’re here.”
“I have.” Jun nods as he straightens his posture. “Although I’m still perplexed over the fact that you would want me to take such important assignment.”
“It was our decision. The assembly session was held and you with that impeccable track record of yours is the best choice there is.”
“I’m deeply honored that you have put such trust in me, Nagase-san.”
“Stop with the bowing and honorific, will you? And it’s not an honor per se. You’ve earned this trust. You’ve earned your track record.” This time, Nagase is the one who bows his head to Jun. “And it’s our honor to have you for this assignment.”
And it only spurs Jun to bow deeper.
“We’ll be in your care then,” Nagase says, lifting his head up only to see that Jun is still bowing. “Okay, seriously, we need to stop being so formal to each other, Matsujun!”
Jun raises his head and meet Nagase’s serious eyes. He nods his agreement and reaches his now-cold coffee cup. He grimaces over the stale thick liquid and sighs; he is nervous after all.
Nagase slouches a bit on his seat. “Now, that we finish being formal to each other, can we have fun for a little while? To catch up and for old time sake?”
“You haven’t changed a bit,” Jun says with a small smile. “I have expected to have a formal meeting at the Ward office or something but here you are suggesting this fancy hotel.”
Nagase waves his hand in dismissal. “You’ll be even more formal in the office. My head hurts just to think of how you’re going to be so overly polite.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being overly polite. You of all people should know that,” Jun says, now relaxing more into his seat, still sipping the stale coffee. Probably he should order another set, this one has turned barely drinkable.
“Yeah. That’s how it works unfortunately. There’s nothing we can do about it. Enough formality. The more important matter is how much backlog homework has you done for this? Is it correct for me to assume that you have gone through his whole history?”
Jun nods. “I have perused all the documents you provided. I also have had my staffs run through a thorough research regarding Sakurai Sho.”
“Good. You too haven’t changed a bit, haven’t you?” Nagase says, a pleased smile on his face. “I have expected no less of you. It’s good to know that you’re still as good as you were.”
“I’m better now. Way better,” Jun says, with a full-blown confidence. His work is his pride, and it will not be an exaggeration to say that he has improved his skills gradually since the year one. Formality aside, he won’t hold back on his achievement; he works his earnest and, fuck formality, he’ll sing his own praises on a job well done.
Nagase laughs at his statement. “Nice to know we’re on good hands then.”
Jun checks his watch. “Almost 20 minutes past 10. Is he late?”
“No,” Nagase says, focusing on his whiskey again, hiding a smile. “Actually I told him that we’re meeting half past 10, half an hour later than our agreed time.”
“Huh?”
“See, I know you’re going to be annoying formal in the beginning, knowing you, and we haven’t met since what, four, five years back?”
“And?”
“Just to give us some time to catch up.”
“You’re unbelievable sometimes.”
“That’s what you said now.”
“It’s your job, Matsujun, to do proper research and planning. And then to properly forecast and assess the feasible risks.”
“I will be working for you, am I right? That’s the one thing I wanted to confirm. Who am I working for? Who’s to report? Or at pinched time, to whom I must report? Who’s order to follow? I haven’t even met this Sakurai Sho.”
“I’ll leave it to your discretion. I trust you to have good judgment when it comes to this. You know the rope pretty good, I believe.”
“That’s not entirely true. I don’t usually work for an publicly independent candidate. It goes without saying that I will offer my best ability to help and complete the job, the project, whatever you want to call it. But I need to know to whom I answer,” Jun ends his explanation in a soft voice. “It’s important.”
“In that case, you answer to him. And you report to us. Not necessarily on a full run-on basis, but just a general overview. Is everything working as plan, or is there anything we need to do to help?”
“I haven’t even known the big plan.”
“He’ll brief you,” Nagase says, lightly waving the concern. He puts his glass back on the table and sits back against the couch leisurely. “Or if I read this right and know you well enough, you’re going to make the big plan with him.”
“This job suddenly turns very vague now.”
“Well, it won’t be the first and it won’t be the last. Now, Sakurai should be here any minute. Let me ask you one last question while we’re still alone. What do you think of him? Let’s hear both your professional and nonprofessional opinion out.”
“Nonprofessionally? He’s fucking hot, even with his daily shabby appearance. Perhaps in need of just a bit of make over,” Jun says, with a smirk.
Nagase laughs loudly. “I am totally aware of that. We need not worry about first impression then. Anything else?”
There’s a slight change on Nagase’s face as Jun goes on with a more serious tone.
“Career-wise, he is suspiciously clean,” Jun says, concern loud on his voice. “Going through his record, there’s nothing but achievements. Great ones at that, don’t get me wrong. It’s amazing for a man in such a young age, for an upcoming politician to start a political career with such record. But if I, who technically am going to work with him, already have such feeling, I don’t even want to start thinking what the rivals would think. It’s dangerous.”
Nagase only nods in response.
“It’s going to be one of my first priorities,” Jun continues. “To settle the ground. If we’re going to do this, I believe in doing it right. He needs to have some qualities that people will hate.”
A deep voice comes from the back of his chair. “I see.”
Jun swears under his breath-goddamn, Councilman Nagase, for letting this happened-before turning and finding Sakurai Sho standing behind his couch, with his disheveled hair, staring back at him with a pair of cold eyes.
He rises immediately, bowing in both apology and greeting. “I’m sorry. I was. We were just. I-I don't. That wasn’t for you to hear.”
Jun looks up to find the coldness doesn’t waver even a bit. Sho continues to stare at him with a strange expression before shifting his attention to Nagase, who’s been watching the whole exchange in an unmasked amusement.
“Councilman Nagase. Good evening,” Sho says coldly, “I can see you have already started without me.”
“Sakurai-kun.” Nagase stands up, taking his time to brush off invisible lint off his suit, before giving his bow. “We haven’t started. No worries. We were just catching up a little bit.”
Sho only inclines his head further in question. “Catching up a bit?”
“Well, yes, among other things. You arrived at such a perfect time. I guess we have been a bit too eager to start.”
Sho turns from Nagase to see Jun’s offering open apology with his expression. He takes no heed of it. For now. “I see.”
“And now since you’re here,” Nagase continues, gesturing Sho to take a seat as well, “shall we?”
*
“I’ve set this meeting as an informal introduction.” Nagase sips his whiskey refill as he observes both men in front of him, both with straighten pose, stiff with politeness, sitting almost in the opposite of the long couch. “So please take everything that happened here as an informal introduction. No more no less.”
Sho hums his response as he slowly sips his coffee.
Nagase continues. “Long story short. Sensei, I would like you to meet Matsumoto Jun. He’s been in the profession for quite a while, a raising star in Japan PR business, and effective immediately, your campaign manager.”
Jun turns to Sho’s direction, bows deeply, and efficiently offers his business card without a glitch. On the opposite side of the couch, Sho instinctively bows in reply while taking Jun’s card.
“Ah, I must give you mine then,” Sho says, hands reaching into his front pocket and quickly offering his card in return.
Jun takes the card and examines it. He runs his finger at the embossed Keio University logo on the right end before looking up to meet Sho’s eyes. “I apologize for what I’ve said earlier. I’m sure it sounded terrible but I could say that I didn’t mean that even a bit. They were mere detailed observations.”
Shrugging, Sho nods in answer. “I see.”
And for tonight, Jun knew that it’s the best he could hope for. He settles in his seat right after Sho did.
“Disheartening,” Nagase says, smiling widely at the exchange. “I just know it. You guys are going very formal around each other.”
“Nagase-san,” Jun objects again, “There’s nothing wrong with being polite.”
“I have to agree to that.” Sho finally speaks up, leaning back against the arm of the couch, making sure he could address both Nagase and Jun at the same time. “But now that we could set the formality aside, why don’t we cut this down to the chase?”
“We talked about this before, Sensei,” the Councilman answer smoothly. “We thought it would be better if you get acquainted with Matsumoto as soon as possible. Have you, by any chance, read the documents we gave you?”
“I have.”
“Then I don’t have to get long and winded with introduction then,” Nagase continues. “Matsumoto has also received your files and was merely making unofficial comments. He’s exceptionally professional just as his record indicated. I’m sure you both can begin the preparation work straightaway. We’re looking forward for real results.”
“Real result huh?” Sho says. “I’m grateful for the endorsement. But I must ask if this is even necessary.”
“Sensei, trust me. It’s annoying to deal with Matsumoto, especially when it’s on formal setting. Let’s say you owe me for the meeting and leave it at that.”
Sho only raises his eyebrows in question, turning to Jun for confirmation.
Jun frowns at the statement. “I’m not annoying. Thank you very much.”
“You are,” Nagase brushes off the protests. “But Sensei here is, dare I say it, equally annoying. You two could be annoying duo or something. We are all in your hands.”
“Careful there, Councilman” Sho says, hands folded in front of his chest. “Please don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“We never do. You have things to talk about later, I sure. I’ll leave you two now.” Nagase turns to Jun. “And you, I expect your report within two weeks. Same goes to you, Sensei. I also believe we’ll be meeting again soon.”
Without giving both of them the chance to reply, Nagase swiftly stands, bows deeply before walking away from the vast lobby. “Now, I leave you two alone to discuss details. Good evening, gentlemen.”
*
“I appreciate the time you’ve made tonight for this-I supposed useless-meeting,” Sho begins, very sudden, surprising Jun all the same, yet he doesn’t turn to face Jun to address him. “I’m not in the best mood tonight and I intend to make a formal complaint to Councilman.”
Jun turns and slides a little bit so he could face Sho, even if the other man doesn’t move from his previous position. He waits for Sho to finish, shifting, holding back his own impatience.
They sit awkwardly on the couch. Somehow it’s not easy to talk while they are side by side-not that close though.
“That was awkward at the end.”
“It was awkward from the beginning though.” Jun turns, trying to offer a weak smile. One moment he was catching up with an old friend and the next there’s this Sakurai Sho, his assignment, all serious and all.
“Just so you know, unlike Councilman Nagase, I do prefer a formal setting to set up our further discussion.” Sho stares into his teacup, bending forward to flutter his fingers on the rim absently.
“I am not fond of this either, Sakurai-san. It did feel like an ambush, didn’t it?” Jun offers a line. Really, Nagase should have stayed long enough to repair the damage. Jun is going to work with the man beside him for quite a long time and now he’s getting a silent treatment on top of the awkward introduction.
Sho only hums, still in his own daze and Jun doesn’t prod further, he might as well finish his coffee, taking the time to come up with a reason later to excuse himself.
*
It’s well pass dinnertime and the quiet hush of people rushing in and out of the lobby has subsided. Jun sinks further into the plush sofa, practicing his lines over and over in his head.
Nervousness has brought him almost an hour early to their meeting place and it hasn’t subsided even a bit. After all, it was one of the biggest assignments he is going to take charge of. The offer doesn’t come easy and he isn’t planning to take it lightly; he in fact stayed up few nights just to make sure that he gathered all the available public data on his assignment.
He gives a short glance to his briefcase on the floor, knowing that he could simply reach out and produced the printed documents in a heartbeat. No room for error this time, he has learned that there’s nothing as much as being properly prepared; it’s exactly the time for it.
Jun can only itch to do something, anything. Anything else than holding his teacup while fully aware of the presence of the annoyed man beside him.
The night drags on.
Now
The moment Jun steps back into the hallway, a swirl of pastel colors fills his vision and suddenly a pair of arms in soft fluffy sweater finds him and hugs him tight. “You’re back!”
“Becky,” Jun says with a chuckle, “you are suffocating me.”
Becky lifts her head, completely beaming in delight. “Matsujun, you’re back.”
“I am. Now let me go. You’re not even drunk yet and you’re already very clingy.”
Becky chuckles and lets Jun go. She’s still practically bouncing on her feet, sending Jun her brightest smile.
Sho could only smile bitterly, being the non-participant of this small reunion. He sees Aiba walking down to them. “Aiba. Get Jun whatever file he needs. I’ll sign the authorization later.”
“Yes, Sir.” Aiba nods as he stops in behind Becky, his smile matching to her, beaming at Jun.
“I’ll leave you guys to it then,” Sho says softly, turning to go back to his office, closing the door with a soft click.
“Matsujun,” Aiba says, his tone low, his eyes shining from what Jun could only assume as the beginning of happy tears.
“Aiba, do not tear up, especially here and now.”
Aiba ignores him all the same and for the second time that day, Jun finds his arms full of his old colleague. “Matsujun, you’re back!”
“You guys are hopeless as ever.” Jun could only pat Aiba’s back as his eyes meet Becky’s. “Enough of this, really. You heard your boss. I need some files.”
“They are not going anywhere,” Aiba says, finally letting Jun go, but not with the teary grin. “You’re having lunch with us, right?”
Jun could only roll his eyes as Becky squeals with delight as she high fives Aiba. “I guess so.”
Aiba is deliberately holding back the documents and Jun knows it. He lets that go, busying himself with his email inbox as he waits on the lounging room, watching the two work to finish their morning workload.
It surely brings another rush of memory into his mind-inbox all checked and set aside. Back then on the days, it’d be him at the center, lashing his orders and triple-checking everything that came by his hands. Today Jun has the pleasure to witness Aiba and Becky seamlessly working perfectly without him at the center and it hurts and spreads joy in him all the same.
Sho comes out from his office after an hour. If he’s surprised to see Jun is still on the lounge room, he doesn’t show it. He steps to Becky’s desk, handing her a stack of paper and asking her to check his schedule.
“We’d be out for lunch in few minutes, Sir. Do you have anything else you need us to do before that?” Aiba says, just as Sho passes his desk to get back to his office.
“Both of you?”
“Yes. All of us.”
“I’ve got everything I need for the afternoon. You go enjoy your lunch then.”
The door clicks softly again, letting Sho out of the lounge and leaving the three of them back to their own little celebration. Jun has tried to ask-shouldn’t we ask him to come with us or something, even if he declines, at least he’s your boss, but Aiba and Becky dismiss his question easily. “He has a luncheon at 12.30 and he needs to sit on a meeting with the council division afterward. He’s too busy concentrating on his speech after all. It’d better to not bother him.”
They are walking out the office, and Jun finds the same receptionist still sitting behind the front desk now; their eyes meet and Jun nods again this time before returning to the two people currently bouncing on his sides. “And you guys, being good chiefs, decides to leave him alone so you can have lunch with me?”
“He’d have fancy food delivered. What else could we do?”
They both sport almost the same grin and Jun couldn’t help but laughing. “You guys are really hopeless as ever.”
“Matsujun, we miss you, too,” Aiba says, giving a round smack on Jun’s shoulder. “Now, what do say we’re going for the omurice special and you can tell us all about your previous fancy projects.”
After a short walk, they meet an end of a long queue. The restaurant is small and elegant, or so Becky shows him on the screen of her phone. All Jun could think about is the queue starts three blocks back and they will never get their lunch at this hour. They settle at the end of the queue, inching forward every five minutes, and now Aiba and Becky have Jun for themselves.
Aiba claps his hand, rounding Jun with another smile. “So? Deets?”
Jun chuckles at the anticipated question. “It’s nothing much to tell. I’m afraid I’d be running out of stories by the time our queue time is over.”
Becky does the same gesture as Aiba and Jun nearly laughs if it wasn’t for her question. “Is it true that you refused to work for Councilman Joushima of Akita for his Prime Ministry candidacy and chose to work for Sakurai-san again instead?”
“You don’t change a bit, Becky. Always going for the meat, I see,” Jun says with amusement, but he doesn’t give an answer. Instead he points that their queue is moving forward and takes a step away from the eager two.
“Well, is it true or not?” Becky presses further. “People are talking, Matsujun. They said you choose an easy mark this time and the same time, stupid move, since you’re taking a municipal level instead of going national.”
“I am here, aren’t I?”
“So, it is true?” Aiba says.
“I signed the papers already. You guys are stuck with me for another year,” Jun says. Both of them have grown better all these years-with Aiba using his height advantage to try staring him down for info and Becky pushing her merry phone as mock-microphone in this faux-interview style. “And Councilman Joushima was not aiming for PM. The last time I spoke to him, it was clear that he wants something else, something I cannot divulge here on the queue line of lunch break.”
“Oh, that’s interesting,” they both say in unison, with Aiba nodding his head and Becky raising her eyebrows.
“Which one? Something else Councilman Joushima wanted or my signing the papers.”
Becky answers with a bright smile. “Both, but more on the second.”
“We are going to have a great year, Matsujun.” Aiba punches him lightly on the left arm. “Becky here is hopeless when it comes to party arrangement. At least now with you around, we can have a real fun.”
Becky huffs. “Lunch is definitely on you, Aiba-kun.”
“No worries. It’s on Matsujun,” Aiba says, before turning back to Jun with wiggling eyebrows. “Right?”
Jun continues to observe the two, even if they are now turning their faces toward Jun and waits-and it just hits him, the old days, where he spent most of his time shouting at these two.
He has made Becky cry more than he could count, and Aiba even more. Along with Nino, they had formed a great team. There were even more tears when he had told them that he was going to end his contract and left newly sworn Mayor Sho for another project.
And now here he is, downtown Tokyo, queuing lunch just like the old days. “You guys do miss me.”
Becky punches his right arm this time. “Get that fact inside that thick head of yours. At least I’m not going to blubber about it, unlike Aiba-kun over here.”
“I can blubber all I want, now that Matsujun is here.”
Jun rolls his eyes. “Let’s keep the blubber to a minimum, please.”
They inches forward a little bit more, getting to near the door, talking about Jun’s Fukuoka project.
“Okay, enough about me. How about you guys?”
Aiba and Becky look at each other and shrug. Jun senses an underlying urge to tell him more stories. There will be time, later, when they are not standing in an alley for lunch, but Jun makes a mental note to talk to each of them soon.
“Ah, I’ve wanted to ask,” Aiba says instead. “How’s Nino?”
This time Jun laughs out loud. “There. I knew it. You don’t miss me, you miss him.”
Aiba grins. “Yeah, we take what we can, so don’t you worry, Matsujun. We do miss you but it has been a while since I talked to him, so I am asking you about him.”
“He’s stuck in Fukuoka for another month or two or maybe longer, but he’s still working on research and documents as usual,” Jun says. “He’s going to be here by the end of year, I guess.”
“Oh, and then we can be fully united!” This time Becky grins so wide, Jun practically see a glow out of her.
“Becky, stop talking about us like we are a bunch of heroes -united and all,” he says. “It’s creepy.”
“No it’s not. It’s cool,” Aiba corrects him. He’s smiling before turning toward the maître de on the door who gestures they can be seated now. “Oh, we’re in. Come on let’s go. I’m starving.”
“It’s about time,” Jun says, “and it’d better be good, this omurice.”
Becky grins. “It is. Trust us, we’ve been having lunch here way too many times.”
*
The omurice is exceptional and Jun needs to hold back to not ordering a second plate. Instead, he goes with Becky recommendation of having pudding, whatever that is, for dessert. After this satisfactory omurice, he’s not going to question her meal recommendation ever again.
Aiba finishes his side katsu dish and now beginning to send smile at Becky and Jun for more food.
Becky simply scoots her plate closer and ignores Aiba. She turns to Jun, “So, you’re practically leaving the governor race in in Fukuoka for this, this Minato mayor little thing?”
The topping of the pudding is sinful. Jun slides the plate toward Aiba with a thumb up. “Well, Nino’s down there. He’s good. He’s very good.”
“But not as good for you,” Becky says with a smile. “Pompous governor’s level people usually don’t settle for the best. Yet, you’re leaving your partner down there and are here for, what?”
“You’re up to something,” Jun says, squinting his eyes at Becky who tries to smile innocently even with the question. He knows that she’s digging deets even deeper and they need to hear the reason directly from him. They soon are going to work together again, and he trusts both of them-hardship and experience withstanding. “But I’m going to ignore that now and say that I’m here because I choose to be here. This municipal is a dear one.”
“Is?”
“Yes. Is,” Jun emphasizes. “First, Nino is one of the best. Well, I’m better but he’s can handle what I need to handle. He’s been handling everything marvelously down there. Second, Minato mayor race has been one of the milestones of my career.”
“Your first big break with the independent candidate winning by landslide and all.”
“Yes. And I know that that didn’t end with a flourish, but I want to do this again. I want to try. Either for the better this time, or even for the worse. I don’t know yet. When the offer came-”
“-When Fukuda-san called you,” Aiba says, now his chopstick set aside as he listens to Jun’s explanation seriously.
“Yes, Fukuda-san called and I had a week to consider the offer, I couldn’t help thinking back to what happened four years ago and regretting.”
“But withdrawing from the prestigious Fukuoka Governor race means you’re passing up something huge out of your portfolio. This district is a small change compared to a prefecture.”
“You are forgetting something.” Jun calmly begins to explain. He has experienced this exact talk of reasoning before-Nino was hard to lie to, but he pulled that off, barely. Talking this out with Aiba and Becky should be easier. “Minato is not a small change. Not at all. In fact, it might have a slightly more important significance than Fukuoka. As for today. Okay, handling a governor PR during the race might look good on my resume, but so does handling a mayor race in, what I simply believe as, the most important district in Japan.”
“Filled with the international business office and representative in Japan for example.”
“Right. And if you can see it that way, you won’t consider Minato as just a small change.”
“So you do believe in its importance.”
“Becky, you need to, if you are in this business. At least I believe that all this is damn important.”
Quietly, Aiba absorbs this information and sums it up in a sentence. “Sakurai-san is important.”
“Mayor Sakurai is important.” Jun corrects him; the sentence doesn’t actually sound convincing, he is fully aware of that, but that’s the best he got. “He is a good leader and now he’s going for his second term. I have the chance to keep a good leader in office, and that’s what I chose to do.”
“That’s a good way to put Minato and round up a cool answer, you know,” Becky says.
Jun nods and smiles. “Well, Fukuoka is less, let’s just say, interesting. And you need to know that my partner is actually whining that I got a better deal while he’s stuck with the old man.”
“While you’re here, living the high-life, with a hot Mayor,” Becky adds, now grinning.
Aiba rolls his eyes. “You’d tap that, Becky?”
“Nah. He likes pretty guys. I wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Jun chokes on his ice tea. “Does he know you’re bring that up in random conversation?”
Becky can be so blunt when she needs to. “Matsujun, I’m having this random conversation with you, the one that he likes, so I guess that’s okay.”
He chokes again on his ice tea. “What?”
“You’re going to get tea stain all over that shirt.” Becky offers him a napkin, but goes on with her point. “You think we never noticed?”
“This is way too surreal and you guys are too smart for your own good.”
“We have a great mentor. He’s strict and pretty.” Aiba reaches his ice tea silently, holding his laughter.
Jun stares into both of his former assistants; Aiba busy looking the other way, pretending to drink his ice tea and Becky openly grinning at him sweetly. “I’m definitely not paying this lunch.”
*
The lunch has set Jun into a cheerful mood. The day, so far, doesn’t turn to be as disastrous as he has expected. Jun at least doesn’t have to deal with guilt for now since meeting with Sho went quite well, in his opinion. Plus Aiba and Becky clearly miss him, not as much as they miss Nino though, and that’s a good boost for his day.
He turns the key to his old Tokyo office and simply stops by the doorway to appreciate the familiar sight.
He can admit at the very least that he does miss this space-it’s his after all and while it’s been kept tidy and clean by his trusted cleaning service, he consider a good workout is needed.
Jun then peels off his suit, down to his sleeveless and goes to work. Cleaning and dusting and stopping at times on desks, stack of documents and few framed photographs he finds, going into the cabinet and restraining himself for going too much on taking everything out and conducting a massive rearrangement.
Few hours later, he takes a look around and feels satisfied, finally taking deep breath, now that the window are open, letting some fresh air to replace the stink of dust.
Pulling his laptop out, Jun sits by his sparkling clean desk and begins to make a plan for the rest of the week, going through his notes and schedule book and then setting them up for the last leg. When he’s done with what the detailed estimate, he decides to call it a day and calls Nino.
“I just want to call to inform you that I’ve dumped all the dust and old files on your table here in our Tokyo office just because I can,” he says without bothering for a hello when Nino answers on the second ring.
“You jerk,” Nino says on the other line. “I can easily retaliate by hacking into your computer and deleting the porn folder here on our Fukuoka office. Let’s see what hurts the most.”
“I don’t have a porn folder. Not there in the office computer at least.”
“And I don’t have a table in our Tokyo office.”
“You do now.”
“Jun-kun.” Nino sighs on the end of the line. “We’ve talked about this.”
“Yes, we have. I just made some slight changes.”
Jun can hear Nino sighs heavier on the other end and he laughs at that.
“So?”
“Yeah. So. I send you the copy of dossier I got from Aiba. They should reach you tomorrow.”
“Good. I’ll slot a time for that then.”
“Did I interrupt you on something?”
“And you just asked this now, after a full minute of being an insensitive jerk on the phone?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I need to pause my game for a while so I can get back to it when you’re done being annoying.”
Jun chuckles. “Hopeless. And speaking of hopeless, I just had Aiba and Becky nagging about you over lunch-apparently they miss you even more than they miss me.”
“Good. That keeps you on your toe. How are they anyway?”
“Overworked and enthusiastic as ever, same old same old.”
Nino laughs. “I’ll shoot them an email tonight to schedule some drinking session ahead then.”
“Yeah, you should do that. When I’m back in full speed, I doubt that they’d even get time to have proper lunch.”
“Slave driver.” There’s a noise behind Nino’s connection, “Hey, I need to go soon. Turns out it’s not a long recess after all.”
“I see. No consensus yet?”
“Hopeless cranky old men, really. I don’t know why I need to keep up with these people.”
“Because I am not there to keep up with cranky old men.” Jun says. “You’re missing me already.”
“Yeah, guess I do. I’ll get the read over done tomorrow and then we can conference.”
“Sounds good.” Jun makes a quick calculation. “I’ll be away after lunch tomorrow, so afternoon again?”
Jun can hear rustles of paper and sound footsteps before Nino answers, “It sounds so lively and busy there in Tokyo, I cannot wait to get back.”
“No you don’t. But I’ll take that for now.”
“I really have to go. Talk to you tomorrow, Jun-kun.” This time Nino cuts the line first, leaving Jun no chance to reply.
Jun smiles as he sets aside his phone, leaning against the couch, straightening his tired feet.
Then the phone rings again.
Then
“Stop squirming, will you. People will notice. Can you just hold whatever it is until this convention is over?”
Sho feels Jun leans on his back, not too close but enough to let his presence known. He sighs on the feeling of Jun’s soft breath on the back of his head, knowing that the man will stand behind him all night if he has to. And now he’s being difficult, he knows he’s being difficult. Being difficult is the only way he could think of right now. “I don’t like this.”
“I sure can tell, Sho-san, but this is not about what you like or dislike. Or whether you’re nervous or not. You are going to do this.”
It took all his strength to not turn around and stare Jun’s face and just ask the man to give him a break, because all Sho wanted is to be not here, especially now. “But-“
“Sho-san.”
And he hates himself, so much at the moment, for caving in so early at the tone of the voice. He might be the one who’s standing on the front row, doing all the smiles and waves and necessities, but now that he is in the middle of this, to use Jun’s word, mayhem, he wouldn’t last another hour if it weren’t for the presence behind him.
“Sho-san,” Jun repeats, in softer voice this time
Sho could almost feel Jun’s palm running down on his expensive suit sleeve, a comforting gesture he desperately yearn at this very minute, but nothing comes after.
He knows that Jun knows that he probably won’t be doing anything, at least not now on this grand meeting hall. He knows that Jun knows that he’d push through everything till tonight ends just as planned. He’s going to do this, fair and square, because Jun wouldn’t have it any other way, hell, he himself, wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Okay.” This time he let himself shifting just a inch to the left and lock his momentary glance of the image of Jun’s smirking his winning smile, for keeping everything as planned, for seeing everything according to plan, for him, for them.
“Good. Focus on your simulation and recite that speech of yours again in your head,” Jun says, his tone flat. “You’ll be fine.”
Swallowing his small laugh, Sho does just that and is silently cursing for the long celebratory night. He nearly convinces himself that he heard a faint chuckle from his back but starts to recite the first lines of his speech instead.
*
The candidate convention is by no mean entertainment; everyone with a good grasp of political turns fully acknowledges this fact, even reverenced the whole process.
And Jun is here to accompany his first-time independent candidate Sakurai Sho delivering his first important speech. This will not be the last for him or for Sho. Jun senses how much pressure can send a man who usually doesn’t deal out of his comfortable classroom into a nerve wrecked state. This is the real thing; all the practice sessions they’ve been doing for the last month will pale in comparison.
Jun stays behind the spotlight, slightly leaning toward the wall on the side of the room. He always prefers the dark and shadowed nook, knowing that spotlight isn’t the one he wanted; yet it does give him immense pleasure to stand by the margin, in monochrome, along with shadows to observe his charge, in the opposite, stand on the center of attention, under bright light and of brilliant colors.
Jun’s mind is filled with only one thought: Sakurai Sho is fucking radiant tonight.
*
Of course, Sho stumbles. Of course.
How does one pronounced ‘liability’ again? And then so many complicated words, and he blinks twice on a kanji character. Why didn’t he listen to Jun’s suggestion of making notation of furigana just to simplify everything? I can read it just fine, I don’t need furigana’s help. I’m not a high school boy, I can read my kanji. Are you questioning my competency?
And now Jun can see Sho failing on what he has prided as his skills. And why the hell didn’t he try to rephrase ‘facility assessment program’ and turn it into something easier to pronounce, like trying to say ‘a program’ or something simpler? Out of all that he needed to speak in public, his speech tonight is probably the only one that didn’t have a presentation slides alongside.
Jun knows that everyone’s eyes are on him, sizing him up, judging him, probably flicking their mental files for their knowledge of Sakurai Sho, the Keio lecturer with an ambition of becoming a Minato mayor. They are probably asking the question: who did he think he is?
Between the flashes of moments, Jun couldn’t help to ask the same question toward himself.
Sho bows his respect and leaves the stage still in the middle of the dry compulsory applause. He doesn’t come back to the side of the stage-where Jun stands-instead he goes back to his chair, table front left, along with the gentlemen who nods at him in welcome.
*
Sho stays there for the rest of the night, until the last candidates finish delivering their speeches before excusing himself and making his way to find Jun. He pulls out his phone, dials the number, and doesn’t even wait for a hello. “Where are you? I’m walking toward the front lobby.”
Jun chuckles lightly on the other side of the line. “On my way. I’ll be there with the car in 5 minutes.”
The car air-conditioner is heaven for the first 10 minutes before the silence begins to hang even colder atmosphere between them.
He doesn’t want to ask, doesn’t want to make any demand, doesn’t want to do anything else but to bury himself under soft things, to be not there on the convention hall, to be somewhere else.
When Jun finally breaks the quiet, a suggestion, a gesture of celebration at the end of a long day, Sho nearly lets out a huge sigh. “Yes. That sounds good.”
Part 2