Love Stays Strong - Chapter 5
Title: Love Stays Strong
Pairing: Akame
Genre: Angst
Summary: Reo bumped into someone and finally Akame meet! ^.^
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine..
A/N: Thanx Trangie a.k.a _miyabi for beta-ing this fic for me!! ^-^
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Chapter 5
Reo steadily walked out of a 24 hour supermarket, holding a few plastic bags of groceries his mother told him to buy since he was on the way, when he was out early morning in search of his brother.
“I’d never know it would be such a hard time finding these things.” Reo murmured endlessly remembering that he only told Jin that he would be gone for a few minutes. He never expected it to be this long, realizing it already pass a few minutes.
Who knew that those few minutes would turn into… a few ten to twenty minutes? No, it was more than that. Akanishi Reo took more than twenty minutes to search all those things on the list. The list was endless, he often wonder when will it stop completely, but as soon as he was finish finding one item there goes another one he had to find.
One can’t really blame Reo for that. After all, it was normally Akanishi-mama’s duty to do all that … groceries shopping. It wasn’t his job or Jin’s. They’ll just do the eating anyway. After all, the family was consider of three grown men who has way too much pride to step into a supermarket or step in a kitchen for cooking lessons.
Reo smoothly shifted all the plastic bags on his right hand onto his left hand, reaching for his cell phone from his lower back pocket. Since Reo was in a hurry to go out to search for his brother, he only managed to grab that and had forgotten his watch.
Not that it matters, cell phone also has the time stated. But still…
It’s better with a wrist watch on hand. So whenever you wanted to look at the time, one can just bring your hand forward to view … and there’s the time. Not with cell phone, it’s troublesome trying to search for it while holding lots of bags! Like what he is trying to do now, desperately trying not to drop any bags at all.
‘Trust me for forgetting the most important thing!’ Reo curse at his idiotic way too early in the morning. He guessed he just has to manage with it for now until he gets home. It wouldn’t kill him; or rather his mom would if he drops any food.
Pushing aside his thoughts, Reo held tightly onto the plastic bags which seems like it was about to poke a hole due to much weight obtain in the bag. With one hand Reo manage to take a looked at the time stated on his cell phone with his other, and cursed silently under his breathe, “Shit! It’s already 45 minutes! Oni-chan had waited long for me!” As fast as he could Reo carefully stuffed his cell phone back in his lower back pocket and took off at a speedily pace, as he held those heavy bags with both of his hands, running to the place where Jin decided on waiting for him at, it must be a long wait for oni-chan now.
Reo had thought that doing groceries shopping would only take 5 to 10 minutes of his time, or so that’s what he had told Jin, he was only going to buy some things that would not take much time.. But rather a few minutes. Those few minutes turn into 10 minutes then 20, and now nearly an hour!
Jin is being a patient brother. He had always been one, caring and loving toward Reo. Jin said that he was going to wait for him though Reo told him not to. For he did not want to leave his oni-chan alone at all. He wants Jin to have some company around him, so at least when we’re talking it will keep Jin from thinking too much for what he left behind in Tokyo... Kame…
“Don’t be such a brat, Reo. I’ll wait and we will go home together. It’s only 5 to 10 minutes, right? So just go and buy whatever you need. Quick!” Reo remembered clearly the words Jin had said to him before he rushed to the nearest supermarket in this area leaving Jin to be alone at their spot.
Oni- chan always calls me a brat, huh?
“Oni-chan really loves me.” Reo randomly and mindlessly thought, not realizing that he was walking in a really slow pace and was no longer running. Still smiling, Reo let himself flashback into the past when they were small. Jin always let Reo lick the spoon first and he was always so caring toward Reo. Thinking deeply into the past and was not watching where he was going therefore not noticing … a man walking past his way.
Reo couldn’t really recall what just happened for it was too sudden, but they brushed past each other and then bumped. That small impact had caused Reo to lose his balance thus dropping all his groceries bags onto the floor. He has always been a clumsy child, while deep in thoughts he never knows what is going on around him.
‘Ahh, it hurts.’
Reo silently whispered to himself, forgetting the bags of groceries for a moment as he rubbed his kneepads gently. “It’s trouble! The things mom told me to buy!” Reo whispered once again, eyes immediately shifted to the spilled contents of groceries on the dirty street floor where everyone walks by. Reo hastily attempted picking them up from the floor attempted with his bare two hands.
“Ano… about that, I’m really sorry. I didn’t see you walking by and… ”
Not bothering to look at his intruder since Reo was too focused on putting everything back into the plastic bags to the extent that he didn’t manage to capture that familiar voice millions of people knew. After all, the disease of Bakanishi runs in the family, don’t you say?
Once Reo was focused on something, it is rather difficult to shake him out of it.
“Trouble. Trouble.” He repeatedly whisper to himself as he quickly put the things back to its place, leaving out certain things that could not be of any use anymore - small pieces of vegetables that had dropped.
“Ano, sunimasen…”
Reo heaved out a sigh of relief, “It’s done.”
Reo leaped a small jump when he felt someone tap his shoulder, felt glad that he had just left those bags on the floor otherwise with that kind of shock, he would have dropped everything again. Okaasan wouldn’t be very happy with those dirtied vegetables, she would not be pleased. No one wants to see her when she’s un-please, trust Reo. He knows.
He would get a hell of a scolding from his mother! At least things were not as bad now, it’s not that dirty. Reo smiled slightly, hoping it was not only his thinking or hopes.
“I’m really sorry about just now. Bumping into you like that. Sorry about those groceries. I can pay for the loss! I’m so sorry!” Reo froze on hearing that voice, he finally stopped and listen to that one source of voice. He be familiar with this angelica voice.
Reo knew he would meet with him sooner or later since he was the one that had told Nakamaru about his brother’s whereabouts. He too knew every single detail of the plan Nakamaru had it mind.
But … he didn’t expect to meet him at this circumstance and at this time! Why was he so shocked anyway?
He wasn’t Akanishi Jin. And Reo had no reason to feel nervous being near him or around him but Reo could not help but have those feelings in his heart!
This man standing before him the love of his brother for lifetime and forever, Jin’s happiness and pride at the same time.. The only time that matters to Jin. Kamenashi Kazuya is a key to Jin’s happiness as Jin Akanishi is the key to Kamenashi Kazuya‘s happiness. Kazuya has the power to free Jin out of his own sadness that he himself had created.
Should I run or should I…
Before Reo could decide on any actions, Kame squatted down to be at the same level as he was, “I’m really sorry. Are you okay?” Kazuya looked up, and froze in shock at those eyes staring at him rather uncomfortably, familiar yet different.
It reminds him of….
Jin
They looked so much alike yet there are these small differences. This man in front of him indeed was not his Jin, this is just a rare case of look alike. Kame remembered by heart how Jin looked, those innocent looking eyes gazing lovingly at him, and those thick lips of his pouting continually for a kiss from him.
Kazuya had remembered all of those details even if he had not seen Jin for almost three months. By looking at this man, it’s as if his wound was ripped open once again at this moment, this period of time. How he wanted this young man to be his Jin, to hold him and live together again like nothing happened. When the time had not stopped and Jin had not left without a word being said to anyone.. Even who Jin said to be the love of his life.
They looked so identical.
Kame brushed away a single tear of furiously with Reo watching him worriedly by the side. Reo knew what was going on his mind right now. “This is such a wrong timing.” Reo thought silently, he was in such a spot and didn’t know what else to do but watch. For Reo Akanishi is not Jin Akanishi.
Reo can never comfort Kazuya-kun like the way his older brother would always do. No words of comfort would take his pain away. This… was all because of his brother, Jin had brought Kazuya pain that cannot be describe through words.
Both were hurt because of oni-chan’s one decision.
They were all hurting.
Reo too was hurt in the process of seeing Jin’s sadness, the unspoken words Reo knew he wanted so much to say but couldn’t for fear of deepening the pain in his brother’s wounded heart, those nights that he cried silently to himself until he falls asleep. Reo blamed himself that he could not even lend a hand to oni-chan whenever his brother was feeling down and sad.
Reo felt utterly useless as a younger brother. That was why… he was determined to bring those two back together in each other arms and longing hold.
Two people in love should stay reunited despite the obstacles huddling their way, and not being separated like they are now. Reo believes in destiny, if they are meant to be, no matter how hard Jin tried to distance himself from Kame, they would still meet.
“Sorry about that. You… you just remind me of someone I knew. Are you hurt in any way? That really was some kind of a fall. I’m really sorry.” Kame looked at him apologetically, once again trying to push Jin out of his mind. Lately, that’s all he been doing, but still times.. He had to force himself to do so.
I need to get out of here.
“No, umm I’m okay. No broken bones or anything so don’t worry! I’m kind of in a hurry right now so see you around soon!” Reo flashed out a small strange smile, waving his hand quickly as he ran off the opposite way.
Reo was running the wrong way though and he was too occupied to notice his directions. He just kept on running, thinking that Jin was on the other side of the area. Yes, bakanishi runs in the family.
“What a weird guy.” Kame chuckled softly, feeling relief that all of his emotions are released with just one tear drop, shifting his attention to a park not far away from his sight.
“The park it is.” Kame simply said as his attention budge, stuffing both of his hands into his pockets as he started walking towards it, a new place for him to explore and mesmerize its beauty.
Kyoto Park.
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Jin looked at his bare hands out of habit, wondering at how much time had passed since Reo had gone off to buy some necessities. Apparently he too had forgotten to wear his watch or even remembered to bring his cell phone along.
“I should have brought the phone along. There is no way I could contact Reo without it.” Jin turned to look at the public phone sadly, it was totally impossible for him to use it. Jin thought looking sadly at it.
Jin could not reach it. If he was able to stand like before, he would have just walked in and dialed any number he desired. But it was different now, with him in a wheelchair, it was too impossible to even reach the buttons.
“Reo, where the hell are you?” Jin thought as he looked for signs for his younger brother but none was found. He had considered on just leaving this place and going back home by himself but thinking it over Jin did not. Reo would go overly worried if he came back to find him gone and so he waited. Never did he think that he would have to wait for this long.
Jin had promised that they would go home together. He wouldn’t go back on his words. It seems like now. His words are all he has left.
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Kame looked at the big signboard that says ‘Kyoto Park’ in total awe, entering the park without any second thoughts in mind. He became attracted to the beauty of this place.
Everything about this place is just so… peaceful. No noise, no pollution, no loud commotions like the busy streets of Tokyo. Here is just quiet, with many types of greenery surrounding him. He liked it, just what he needed.
He could really live in a place like this.
This park is so lonely without anyone since its still morning yet it seems lively to Kame. Those plants were dancing with joy, beaming and bloom its colors at the excitement of having a visitor coming to its place.
He was all alone.
Kame came to a stop when he noticed a man in a wheelchair just a few distances away from him. He could not make out correctly how the man looked liked since he could only see the back view from here of the man.
So I’m not alone on this beautiful day. At least someone else appreciate nature, that it is in fact beautiful in every aspect.
Just like Jin would….
Amazing how that figure looked so much like Jin…. and that hair - I swear it’s identical to his. Why is there so many look alike in this world? To think I’ve met two persons who looked like him in a day. It could be one of Jin’s loyal friend. Kame chuckle at his thought.
But that figure…
It is the same exact fit that of Jin’s. Kame shuddered at the thought that the person sitting there was none other than his Jin. That was impossible.
Why would Jin be in a wheelchair?
He pushed away silly thoughts of his and decided just in his walking to walk towards the opposite direction, back to the exit when he heard a familiar sound he gladly knew.
Someone sneezed.
And it was indeed Jin’s.
Kame froze as that sound registered to his mind. It took him less than a few seconds to turn back to that direction, his eyes glued to the back view of said person.
Taking a deep breathe, Kame gathered his courage and walked closer. He has his hopes up.
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Hearing some footsteps nearby, Jin sighed in relief as he realized that the long wait was finally over and that they could go home now. Thinking the person who is walking up to him is indeed his brother, Reo.
Jin wasted no time to face that direction as he beamed excitedly, “Reo! Finally you are back! Do you know that I’ve waited for…?” Jin lost the words he was saying when it was not Reo who was standing right in front of him but his beloved lover. The person he longed so much for the pass three lonely months of his life. His pillar of support, his everything standing in front of him.
Kame.
Jin mouth gaped open as he looked at the thin and fragile looking figure nervously, fiddling with his wheelchair’s handle, Jin tried his best to not look at Kame in the eye. His eyes wandered to somewhere else, silently hoping that his brother would come back soon and bring him out of this awkwardness.
Why is he here?
How did he know that I’m here?
Why was he here at the first place?
Those questions were left unanswered as he pondered to himself the possible answers as to why Kame was here in Kyoto. It couldn’t be work, Jin thought. Our jobs were all Tokyo-based assignments.
Reo, please come back soon.
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His heart was beating faster as he approached the man in the wheelchair. Kame had this feeling that this man is Jin, the one person he had missed for the past three months. He wished that his assumption was right that it is indeed his lover. But part of him hoped that he was just mistaking someone else for Jin. For why would Jin be in a wheelchair? Unless this is all a joke or some sort.
Maybe he was just missing Jin too much that every little thing reminds him of his lover. This was no exception. The man in front of him is just a stranger.
Because … why would Jin be in a wheelchair?
His Jin would be standing, jumping and running around like an idiot, telling him stupid jokes and not being coped to a wheelchair where his movement is absolutely limited.
This man isn’t Jin!! It couldn’t be …
Kame’s eyes widened in surprised when he was face to face to the man. The man wheeled himself to face his position, his eyes find itself staring at those lovely set of eyes he had truly missed looking into.
It is Jin.
It is him!
Kame exclaimed excitedly in his heart but soon found himself froze for a moment when he finally regains his senses to the scene unfolding right in front of him.
Jin… his Jin is sitting on a wheelchair. Kame scan from toe to head, the wheelchair and up to Jin who was obviously doing his best to avoid his gaze, looking at other directions but not directly at him. Akanishi Jin was paralyzed from the waist down and he didn’t know that, this came as a complete shock to him.
Did Jin have an accident that he didn’t know of? That caused him to be paralyzed like this. Why didn’t the other members tell him about this?
Why was he kept in the dark all this time?
So this was the reason Jin had left him without any news, leaving Kame to wonder and suffer silently with things by himself, not knowing the true reason why his lover left so suddenly without a word… a farewell…. And now he knew, Kame felt guilty and hurt.
He blamed Jin for causing the misery to his heart, that if he didn’t leave at all, his heart wouldn’t have to hurt this much. Jin must have struggled through this cruel path, adjusting every life changing with that wheelchair. His only transport of moving. Kame wanted so much to take back those words he silently cried every night to sleep.
But it hurts so much to know that Jin didn’t want him to be in his life for this reason. Why was Jin always so selfish to carry the weight of his burden all by himself? Jin didn’t want to let him in and that hurts … a whole lot.
“Jin…” Kame whispered softly, as he looked up to his lover with unshed tears in his eyes, he wanted so much to hold him in his arms.
And he did.
Kame ran past the remaining distance that separated them both and hugged Jin tightly, his arms around Jin’s shoulders and he was bending slightly, with his weight falling to the latter.
“Jin. Why? Why …” Kame sobbed through his words. Holding onto Jin tightly, not letting for.
Jin was shocked at the sudden action Kame made; he was caught unprepared and didn’t know what to do. He wanted so much to return the gesture that Kame made but still he didn’t want him to have the wrong thoughts about it. This meeting was totally unexpected and it does not change anything.
He is still going to keep his distance away from Kame. Nothing ever is making him change his made decision. Not even his family members or Kame.
But... Just a moment...
Jin could let all his thoughts free and just let Kame hold him like that, for a short moment before he pulls away … He himself long for it each night. Long to touch Kame and hold him, whisper in his ears that everything will be alright. Jin suddenly distancing himself from Kame as he looked at him with a serious look on his face, ignoring those tears that had fallen freely on his lover’s angelic face.
“Listen Kame, I need to make this clear to you. I …”
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“Oni-chan!!” Reo was about to shout out loud when he noticed that his brother wasn’t alone, Kame was standing just a few distances away from where Jin was, looking emotionally drained out.
I never knew they would meet this fast. Reo kept his silence, pretending that he wasn’t there therefore not saying a word. But he listened and followed along to what Jin was trying to say.
“Things just aren’t the same anymore and I can’t pretend as if nothing had happened. I have to live my life in this wheelchair while you are free to wander around anywhere you want. So before this makes it complicated for the both of us, I really want to make it clear that…” Jin stated, numbing all of his emotions, he did not dare to look at Kame in the eyes. It is too hard on himself… and mostly on Kame.
“No!!! I won’t allow it! I definitely won’t agree to it!” Kame immediately interrupted Jin throwing his arms into the air shaking his head non-stopping, knowing exactly what he had wanted to say. The words he kept in him for so long, waiting to be release when he is face to face with Jin again.
Jin looked perplexed as he looked at Kame with a content expression, “This does not need your consent, Kame. I’m telling you now that we’re over.”
“No, we’re not! Don’t make decisions by yourself, Jin! I too have the right to decide. It’s not only about you.”
“And what is that? Still being together despite this?” Jin pointed towards his limb legs, it wasn’t useful anymore. Useless, that word always comes up when he look at himself. Now to point it out to the love of his life is painful more than anything. He is useless. Useless to himself and he is too useless to Kame.
“We could still be together. It won’t be the same but we could try adapting to the new lifestyle. I’m willing to try, Jin. Just don’t let go of our relationship just like that. Please, Jin.” His tone lowered as he looked at his lover, hoping that he would understand and listen to his views on this.
But apparently Jin was too emotionally caught up to even ponder for a moment about it. He wanted Kame to be happy, and he just knows he will be a burden to Kame if he returns now. He had played this game too long to now give up. Jin at his current condition was not thinking about Kame’s feelings.
Right from the start, it was all about him.
“Don’t say it as if you know how I feel. Damn it! You’re not the one trapped on a wheelchair like me! So you will never understand how I feel! You would never understand the pain of not being able to stand up again. I can’t run or walk anymore! How do you think that feels?” Jin exploded, looking at Kame with so much anger.
“You’re right. I might not understand all that. But … I understood the pain of losing someone I love. Why are you doing this to me, Jin?” Kame whispered softly. Pain and hurt flashed in his eyes, tears once again threaten to fall.
Jin just stared at the younger man and was looking ahead when he noticed the appearance of his brother, “Reo, what the hell are you standing there for? Get your butt here. We need to get home.”
Kame turned and was shocked to know that the man that he had bumped into earlier was none other than Akanishi Reo, Jin’s younger brother.
No wonder they looked similar. That is Reo.
“Hello.” Reo bowed slightly as he turned to face his brother, dumbfounded on what to do next. “Oni-chan, I think I’ll leave you two alone…”
“What are you saying? Let’s go home! Home!” Jin ended the conversation as he placed both of his hands on the wheels and moved forward without looking back.
“Jin! I’m not going to give up! I’m going to make you understand within the time I would be here. I definitely would make you change your mind about us! I’m not going to admit defeat without a fight! I will never give you up! Never!” Kame shouted to the retreating figure, trying to hold back his tears.
He wanted to try to be strong for Jin. So no more tears from now on … only undying fight of love on his part.
“It’s good that you have that determination, Kamenashi-kun. That outburst earlier is normal. Oni-chan would always throw a fit whenever he is reminded of his handicap. It had been like that for the past few months, we already got used to it. Actually oni-chan never meant a thing that he said to you. It was just a moment of anger. So I hope that you don’t take it to heart.” Reo gave out an assuring smile.
“I know. Reo, what actually…”
“Reo!! Be quick, will you?!” Jin’s voice was so loud that it could pierce right through his ears.
“I better go.” Reo hurriedly said as he looked for something in his wallet, handing a card to the stunned Kame, “Contact me whenever you feel like it. I’ll fill you in. Ja ne!” he waved a goodbye as he ran off to the direction that Jin had went.
Kame stared at the card he was holding which has Akanishi Reo’s contact number. He felt touched at the gesture of the younger man, realizing that even Jin’s brother wanted to help mend their broken relationship.
He wasn’t alone in trying to win Jin’s heart back, hoping that he would listen to him and return back to Tokyo, where he truly belongs.
Kame has the rest of KAT-TUN members to support him and now to add to the amount was none other than Reo.
I’m not alone in this fight.
Kame smiled as he placed the card preciously into his wallet where it would be kept safe. He couldn’t afford to lose it as that is the only key to communication with Jin.
“I’m not alone.” Kame thought as he walked away from the scene, ever determined to fight ways to have Jin back to him.
Never am I going to give up.
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A/N: This chapter is kinda long, I think. And I took a shorter time to complete writing it. Well, Akame finally meet! For this chapter, Jin is being selfish once again. Juz don't beat the poor guy out of this, kay? XDD I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter too! Please review, dearest readers!! ^-^
Pairing: Akame
Genre: Angst
Summary: Reo bumped into someone and finally Akame meet! ^.^
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine..
A/N: Thanx Trangie a.k.a _miyabi for beta-ing this fic for me!! ^-^
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Chapter 5
Reo steadily walked out of a 24 hour supermarket, holding a few plastic bags of groceries his mother told him to buy since he was on the way, when he was out early morning in search of his brother.
“I’d never know it would be such a hard time finding these things.” Reo murmured endlessly remembering that he only told Jin that he would be gone for a few minutes. He never expected it to be this long, realizing it already pass a few minutes.
Who knew that those few minutes would turn into… a few ten to twenty minutes? No, it was more than that. Akanishi Reo took more than twenty minutes to search all those things on the list. The list was endless, he often wonder when will it stop completely, but as soon as he was finish finding one item there goes another one he had to find.
One can’t really blame Reo for that. After all, it was normally Akanishi-mama’s duty to do all that … groceries shopping. It wasn’t his job or Jin’s. They’ll just do the eating anyway. After all, the family was consider of three grown men who has way too much pride to step into a supermarket or step in a kitchen for cooking lessons.
Reo smoothly shifted all the plastic bags on his right hand onto his left hand, reaching for his cell phone from his lower back pocket. Since Reo was in a hurry to go out to search for his brother, he only managed to grab that and had forgotten his watch.
Not that it matters, cell phone also has the time stated. But still…
It’s better with a wrist watch on hand. So whenever you wanted to look at the time, one can just bring your hand forward to view … and there’s the time. Not with cell phone, it’s troublesome trying to search for it while holding lots of bags! Like what he is trying to do now, desperately trying not to drop any bags at all.
‘Trust me for forgetting the most important thing!’ Reo curse at his idiotic way too early in the morning. He guessed he just has to manage with it for now until he gets home. It wouldn’t kill him; or rather his mom would if he drops any food.
Pushing aside his thoughts, Reo held tightly onto the plastic bags which seems like it was about to poke a hole due to much weight obtain in the bag. With one hand Reo manage to take a looked at the time stated on his cell phone with his other, and cursed silently under his breathe, “Shit! It’s already 45 minutes! Oni-chan had waited long for me!” As fast as he could Reo carefully stuffed his cell phone back in his lower back pocket and took off at a speedily pace, as he held those heavy bags with both of his hands, running to the place where Jin decided on waiting for him at, it must be a long wait for oni-chan now.
Reo had thought that doing groceries shopping would only take 5 to 10 minutes of his time, or so that’s what he had told Jin, he was only going to buy some things that would not take much time.. But rather a few minutes. Those few minutes turn into 10 minutes then 20, and now nearly an hour!
Jin is being a patient brother. He had always been one, caring and loving toward Reo. Jin said that he was going to wait for him though Reo told him not to. For he did not want to leave his oni-chan alone at all. He wants Jin to have some company around him, so at least when we’re talking it will keep Jin from thinking too much for what he left behind in Tokyo... Kame…
“Don’t be such a brat, Reo. I’ll wait and we will go home together. It’s only 5 to 10 minutes, right? So just go and buy whatever you need. Quick!” Reo remembered clearly the words Jin had said to him before he rushed to the nearest supermarket in this area leaving Jin to be alone at their spot.
Oni- chan always calls me a brat, huh?
“Oni-chan really loves me.” Reo randomly and mindlessly thought, not realizing that he was walking in a really slow pace and was no longer running. Still smiling, Reo let himself flashback into the past when they were small. Jin always let Reo lick the spoon first and he was always so caring toward Reo. Thinking deeply into the past and was not watching where he was going therefore not noticing … a man walking past his way.
Reo couldn’t really recall what just happened for it was too sudden, but they brushed past each other and then bumped. That small impact had caused Reo to lose his balance thus dropping all his groceries bags onto the floor. He has always been a clumsy child, while deep in thoughts he never knows what is going on around him.
‘Ahh, it hurts.’
Reo silently whispered to himself, forgetting the bags of groceries for a moment as he rubbed his kneepads gently. “It’s trouble! The things mom told me to buy!” Reo whispered once again, eyes immediately shifted to the spilled contents of groceries on the dirty street floor where everyone walks by. Reo hastily attempted picking them up from the floor attempted with his bare two hands.
“Ano… about that, I’m really sorry. I didn’t see you walking by and… ”
Not bothering to look at his intruder since Reo was too focused on putting everything back into the plastic bags to the extent that he didn’t manage to capture that familiar voice millions of people knew. After all, the disease of Bakanishi runs in the family, don’t you say?
Once Reo was focused on something, it is rather difficult to shake him out of it.
“Trouble. Trouble.” He repeatedly whisper to himself as he quickly put the things back to its place, leaving out certain things that could not be of any use anymore - small pieces of vegetables that had dropped.
“Ano, sunimasen…”
Reo heaved out a sigh of relief, “It’s done.”
Reo leaped a small jump when he felt someone tap his shoulder, felt glad that he had just left those bags on the floor otherwise with that kind of shock, he would have dropped everything again. Okaasan wouldn’t be very happy with those dirtied vegetables, she would not be pleased. No one wants to see her when she’s un-please, trust Reo. He knows.
He would get a hell of a scolding from his mother! At least things were not as bad now, it’s not that dirty. Reo smiled slightly, hoping it was not only his thinking or hopes.
“I’m really sorry about just now. Bumping into you like that. Sorry about those groceries. I can pay for the loss! I’m so sorry!” Reo froze on hearing that voice, he finally stopped and listen to that one source of voice. He be familiar with this angelica voice.
Reo knew he would meet with him sooner or later since he was the one that had told Nakamaru about his brother’s whereabouts. He too knew every single detail of the plan Nakamaru had it mind.
But … he didn’t expect to meet him at this circumstance and at this time! Why was he so shocked anyway?
He wasn’t Akanishi Jin. And Reo had no reason to feel nervous being near him or around him but Reo could not help but have those feelings in his heart!
This man standing before him the love of his brother for lifetime and forever, Jin’s happiness and pride at the same time.. The only time that matters to Jin. Kamenashi Kazuya is a key to Jin’s happiness as Jin Akanishi is the key to Kamenashi Kazuya‘s happiness. Kazuya has the power to free Jin out of his own sadness that he himself had created.
Should I run or should I…
Before Reo could decide on any actions, Kame squatted down to be at the same level as he was, “I’m really sorry. Are you okay?” Kazuya looked up, and froze in shock at those eyes staring at him rather uncomfortably, familiar yet different.
It reminds him of….
Jin
They looked so much alike yet there are these small differences. This man in front of him indeed was not his Jin, this is just a rare case of look alike. Kame remembered by heart how Jin looked, those innocent looking eyes gazing lovingly at him, and those thick lips of his pouting continually for a kiss from him.
Kazuya had remembered all of those details even if he had not seen Jin for almost three months. By looking at this man, it’s as if his wound was ripped open once again at this moment, this period of time. How he wanted this young man to be his Jin, to hold him and live together again like nothing happened. When the time had not stopped and Jin had not left without a word being said to anyone.. Even who Jin said to be the love of his life.
They looked so identical.
Kame brushed away a single tear of furiously with Reo watching him worriedly by the side. Reo knew what was going on his mind right now. “This is such a wrong timing.” Reo thought silently, he was in such a spot and didn’t know what else to do but watch. For Reo Akanishi is not Jin Akanishi.
Reo can never comfort Kazuya-kun like the way his older brother would always do. No words of comfort would take his pain away. This… was all because of his brother, Jin had brought Kazuya pain that cannot be describe through words.
Both were hurt because of oni-chan’s one decision.
They were all hurting.
Reo too was hurt in the process of seeing Jin’s sadness, the unspoken words Reo knew he wanted so much to say but couldn’t for fear of deepening the pain in his brother’s wounded heart, those nights that he cried silently to himself until he falls asleep. Reo blamed himself that he could not even lend a hand to oni-chan whenever his brother was feeling down and sad.
Reo felt utterly useless as a younger brother. That was why… he was determined to bring those two back together in each other arms and longing hold.
Two people in love should stay reunited despite the obstacles huddling their way, and not being separated like they are now. Reo believes in destiny, if they are meant to be, no matter how hard Jin tried to distance himself from Kame, they would still meet.
“Sorry about that. You… you just remind me of someone I knew. Are you hurt in any way? That really was some kind of a fall. I’m really sorry.” Kame looked at him apologetically, once again trying to push Jin out of his mind. Lately, that’s all he been doing, but still times.. He had to force himself to do so.
I need to get out of here.
“No, umm I’m okay. No broken bones or anything so don’t worry! I’m kind of in a hurry right now so see you around soon!” Reo flashed out a small strange smile, waving his hand quickly as he ran off the opposite way.
Reo was running the wrong way though and he was too occupied to notice his directions. He just kept on running, thinking that Jin was on the other side of the area. Yes, bakanishi runs in the family.
“What a weird guy.” Kame chuckled softly, feeling relief that all of his emotions are released with just one tear drop, shifting his attention to a park not far away from his sight.
“The park it is.” Kame simply said as his attention budge, stuffing both of his hands into his pockets as he started walking towards it, a new place for him to explore and mesmerize its beauty.
Kyoto Park.
---- ` ----
Jin looked at his bare hands out of habit, wondering at how much time had passed since Reo had gone off to buy some necessities. Apparently he too had forgotten to wear his watch or even remembered to bring his cell phone along.
“I should have brought the phone along. There is no way I could contact Reo without it.” Jin turned to look at the public phone sadly, it was totally impossible for him to use it. Jin thought looking sadly at it.
Jin could not reach it. If he was able to stand like before, he would have just walked in and dialed any number he desired. But it was different now, with him in a wheelchair, it was too impossible to even reach the buttons.
“Reo, where the hell are you?” Jin thought as he looked for signs for his younger brother but none was found. He had considered on just leaving this place and going back home by himself but thinking it over Jin did not. Reo would go overly worried if he came back to find him gone and so he waited. Never did he think that he would have to wait for this long.
Jin had promised that they would go home together. He wouldn’t go back on his words. It seems like now. His words are all he has left.
---- ` ----
Kame looked at the big signboard that says ‘Kyoto Park’ in total awe, entering the park without any second thoughts in mind. He became attracted to the beauty of this place.
Everything about this place is just so… peaceful. No noise, no pollution, no loud commotions like the busy streets of Tokyo. Here is just quiet, with many types of greenery surrounding him. He liked it, just what he needed.
He could really live in a place like this.
This park is so lonely without anyone since its still morning yet it seems lively to Kame. Those plants were dancing with joy, beaming and bloom its colors at the excitement of having a visitor coming to its place.
He was all alone.
Kame came to a stop when he noticed a man in a wheelchair just a few distances away from him. He could not make out correctly how the man looked liked since he could only see the back view from here of the man.
So I’m not alone on this beautiful day. At least someone else appreciate nature, that it is in fact beautiful in every aspect.
Just like Jin would….
Amazing how that figure looked so much like Jin…. and that hair - I swear it’s identical to his. Why is there so many look alike in this world? To think I’ve met two persons who looked like him in a day. It could be one of Jin’s loyal friend. Kame chuckle at his thought.
But that figure…
It is the same exact fit that of Jin’s. Kame shuddered at the thought that the person sitting there was none other than his Jin. That was impossible.
Why would Jin be in a wheelchair?
He pushed away silly thoughts of his and decided just in his walking to walk towards the opposite direction, back to the exit when he heard a familiar sound he gladly knew.
Someone sneezed.
And it was indeed Jin’s.
Kame froze as that sound registered to his mind. It took him less than a few seconds to turn back to that direction, his eyes glued to the back view of said person.
Taking a deep breathe, Kame gathered his courage and walked closer. He has his hopes up.
---- ` -----
Hearing some footsteps nearby, Jin sighed in relief as he realized that the long wait was finally over and that they could go home now. Thinking the person who is walking up to him is indeed his brother, Reo.
Jin wasted no time to face that direction as he beamed excitedly, “Reo! Finally you are back! Do you know that I’ve waited for…?” Jin lost the words he was saying when it was not Reo who was standing right in front of him but his beloved lover. The person he longed so much for the pass three lonely months of his life. His pillar of support, his everything standing in front of him.
Kame.
Jin mouth gaped open as he looked at the thin and fragile looking figure nervously, fiddling with his wheelchair’s handle, Jin tried his best to not look at Kame in the eye. His eyes wandered to somewhere else, silently hoping that his brother would come back soon and bring him out of this awkwardness.
Why is he here?
How did he know that I’m here?
Why was he here at the first place?
Those questions were left unanswered as he pondered to himself the possible answers as to why Kame was here in Kyoto. It couldn’t be work, Jin thought. Our jobs were all Tokyo-based assignments.
Reo, please come back soon.
---- ` ----
His heart was beating faster as he approached the man in the wheelchair. Kame had this feeling that this man is Jin, the one person he had missed for the past three months. He wished that his assumption was right that it is indeed his lover. But part of him hoped that he was just mistaking someone else for Jin. For why would Jin be in a wheelchair? Unless this is all a joke or some sort.
Maybe he was just missing Jin too much that every little thing reminds him of his lover. This was no exception. The man in front of him is just a stranger.
Because … why would Jin be in a wheelchair?
His Jin would be standing, jumping and running around like an idiot, telling him stupid jokes and not being coped to a wheelchair where his movement is absolutely limited.
This man isn’t Jin!! It couldn’t be …
Kame’s eyes widened in surprised when he was face to face to the man. The man wheeled himself to face his position, his eyes find itself staring at those lovely set of eyes he had truly missed looking into.
It is Jin.
It is him!
Kame exclaimed excitedly in his heart but soon found himself froze for a moment when he finally regains his senses to the scene unfolding right in front of him.
Jin… his Jin is sitting on a wheelchair. Kame scan from toe to head, the wheelchair and up to Jin who was obviously doing his best to avoid his gaze, looking at other directions but not directly at him. Akanishi Jin was paralyzed from the waist down and he didn’t know that, this came as a complete shock to him.
Did Jin have an accident that he didn’t know of? That caused him to be paralyzed like this. Why didn’t the other members tell him about this?
Why was he kept in the dark all this time?
So this was the reason Jin had left him without any news, leaving Kame to wonder and suffer silently with things by himself, not knowing the true reason why his lover left so suddenly without a word… a farewell…. And now he knew, Kame felt guilty and hurt.
He blamed Jin for causing the misery to his heart, that if he didn’t leave at all, his heart wouldn’t have to hurt this much. Jin must have struggled through this cruel path, adjusting every life changing with that wheelchair. His only transport of moving. Kame wanted so much to take back those words he silently cried every night to sleep.
But it hurts so much to know that Jin didn’t want him to be in his life for this reason. Why was Jin always so selfish to carry the weight of his burden all by himself? Jin didn’t want to let him in and that hurts … a whole lot.
“Jin…” Kame whispered softly, as he looked up to his lover with unshed tears in his eyes, he wanted so much to hold him in his arms.
And he did.
Kame ran past the remaining distance that separated them both and hugged Jin tightly, his arms around Jin’s shoulders and he was bending slightly, with his weight falling to the latter.
“Jin. Why? Why …” Kame sobbed through his words. Holding onto Jin tightly, not letting for.
Jin was shocked at the sudden action Kame made; he was caught unprepared and didn’t know what to do. He wanted so much to return the gesture that Kame made but still he didn’t want him to have the wrong thoughts about it. This meeting was totally unexpected and it does not change anything.
He is still going to keep his distance away from Kame. Nothing ever is making him change his made decision. Not even his family members or Kame.
But... Just a moment...
Jin could let all his thoughts free and just let Kame hold him like that, for a short moment before he pulls away … He himself long for it each night. Long to touch Kame and hold him, whisper in his ears that everything will be alright. Jin suddenly distancing himself from Kame as he looked at him with a serious look on his face, ignoring those tears that had fallen freely on his lover’s angelic face.
“Listen Kame, I need to make this clear to you. I …”
---- ` -----
“Oni-chan!!” Reo was about to shout out loud when he noticed that his brother wasn’t alone, Kame was standing just a few distances away from where Jin was, looking emotionally drained out.
I never knew they would meet this fast. Reo kept his silence, pretending that he wasn’t there therefore not saying a word. But he listened and followed along to what Jin was trying to say.
“Things just aren’t the same anymore and I can’t pretend as if nothing had happened. I have to live my life in this wheelchair while you are free to wander around anywhere you want. So before this makes it complicated for the both of us, I really want to make it clear that…” Jin stated, numbing all of his emotions, he did not dare to look at Kame in the eyes. It is too hard on himself… and mostly on Kame.
“No!!! I won’t allow it! I definitely won’t agree to it!” Kame immediately interrupted Jin throwing his arms into the air shaking his head non-stopping, knowing exactly what he had wanted to say. The words he kept in him for so long, waiting to be release when he is face to face with Jin again.
Jin looked perplexed as he looked at Kame with a content expression, “This does not need your consent, Kame. I’m telling you now that we’re over.”
“No, we’re not! Don’t make decisions by yourself, Jin! I too have the right to decide. It’s not only about you.”
“And what is that? Still being together despite this?” Jin pointed towards his limb legs, it wasn’t useful anymore. Useless, that word always comes up when he look at himself. Now to point it out to the love of his life is painful more than anything. He is useless. Useless to himself and he is too useless to Kame.
“We could still be together. It won’t be the same but we could try adapting to the new lifestyle. I’m willing to try, Jin. Just don’t let go of our relationship just like that. Please, Jin.” His tone lowered as he looked at his lover, hoping that he would understand and listen to his views on this.
But apparently Jin was too emotionally caught up to even ponder for a moment about it. He wanted Kame to be happy, and he just knows he will be a burden to Kame if he returns now. He had played this game too long to now give up. Jin at his current condition was not thinking about Kame’s feelings.
Right from the start, it was all about him.
“Don’t say it as if you know how I feel. Damn it! You’re not the one trapped on a wheelchair like me! So you will never understand how I feel! You would never understand the pain of not being able to stand up again. I can’t run or walk anymore! How do you think that feels?” Jin exploded, looking at Kame with so much anger.
“You’re right. I might not understand all that. But … I understood the pain of losing someone I love. Why are you doing this to me, Jin?” Kame whispered softly. Pain and hurt flashed in his eyes, tears once again threaten to fall.
Jin just stared at the younger man and was looking ahead when he noticed the appearance of his brother, “Reo, what the hell are you standing there for? Get your butt here. We need to get home.”
Kame turned and was shocked to know that the man that he had bumped into earlier was none other than Akanishi Reo, Jin’s younger brother.
No wonder they looked similar. That is Reo.
“Hello.” Reo bowed slightly as he turned to face his brother, dumbfounded on what to do next. “Oni-chan, I think I’ll leave you two alone…”
“What are you saying? Let’s go home! Home!” Jin ended the conversation as he placed both of his hands on the wheels and moved forward without looking back.
“Jin! I’m not going to give up! I’m going to make you understand within the time I would be here. I definitely would make you change your mind about us! I’m not going to admit defeat without a fight! I will never give you up! Never!” Kame shouted to the retreating figure, trying to hold back his tears.
He wanted to try to be strong for Jin. So no more tears from now on … only undying fight of love on his part.
“It’s good that you have that determination, Kamenashi-kun. That outburst earlier is normal. Oni-chan would always throw a fit whenever he is reminded of his handicap. It had been like that for the past few months, we already got used to it. Actually oni-chan never meant a thing that he said to you. It was just a moment of anger. So I hope that you don’t take it to heart.” Reo gave out an assuring smile.
“I know. Reo, what actually…”
“Reo!! Be quick, will you?!” Jin’s voice was so loud that it could pierce right through his ears.
“I better go.” Reo hurriedly said as he looked for something in his wallet, handing a card to the stunned Kame, “Contact me whenever you feel like it. I’ll fill you in. Ja ne!” he waved a goodbye as he ran off to the direction that Jin had went.
Kame stared at the card he was holding which has Akanishi Reo’s contact number. He felt touched at the gesture of the younger man, realizing that even Jin’s brother wanted to help mend their broken relationship.
He wasn’t alone in trying to win Jin’s heart back, hoping that he would listen to him and return back to Tokyo, where he truly belongs.
Kame has the rest of KAT-TUN members to support him and now to add to the amount was none other than Reo.
I’m not alone in this fight.
Kame smiled as he placed the card preciously into his wallet where it would be kept safe. He couldn’t afford to lose it as that is the only key to communication with Jin.
“I’m not alone.” Kame thought as he walked away from the scene, ever determined to fight ways to have Jin back to him.
Never am I going to give up.
---- ` ----
A/N: This chapter is kinda long, I think. And I took a shorter time to complete writing it. Well, Akame finally meet! For this chapter, Jin is being selfish once again. Juz don't beat the poor guy out of this, kay? XDD I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter too! Please review, dearest readers!! ^-^