Love Situation Chapters 9 through 12

[hippiefox]

Chapter 9

Luckily for me and my very nervous psyche, I didn’t run into any of the boys the rest of that morning. According to Aya, they had left an hour or so before us.

"Minako-san? Do you want one?" one of my trainees asked me as she held out a red bean cake. I shook my head and politely refused. Food was the last thing on my mind. Aya-san, Sato-san, the two assistants, myself and a few more staff members had taken an extra minibus that was following the director and his staff. I chose the back seat by myself so I didn’t have to be involved in their meaningless gossip. My cell phone was in my hand, open to a text page explaining what had happened between Jun and I... all I had to do was press send and it would go to Sho.

Nervousness was stopping me though. What if he thought I was being rude? Was I giving him too much information about us? I bit my lip and scrunched my eyes closed, my finger on the send button. Closer... closer... it was sent. I opened my eyes again, slightly relieved the pressure had disappeared. Now all I had to do was wait until he responded... if he responded at all. In the mean time, I occupied myself with trying to get extra sleep in hopes of pushing away the hangover. I had purposely set the phone to vibrate so it could wake me up if I fell asleep and that’s exactly what it did almost ten minutes later. Blinking the sleepiness from my eyes, I flipped open the phone and held it steady in my quaking hand.

"So that’s what you two were doing when we walked in... why’d he want to start something again?" I read Sho’s message carefully before sending my reply, I was very, very self conscience at this moment.

"I think... he was jealous? Maybe there’s still that feeling that we belong to each other?" I sent it and waited a few minutes.

"That was almost four years ago, though... ah, don’t worry about it, Mina-chan... Jun’s always been someone to hold a grudge, so I guess holding onto emotions isn’t that different."

"It’s over now... we had our last bit of fun... not in the hotel room! You just walked in at the wrong moment..."

"Haha! I know... Jun actually told me where he was going last night... um, could I ask you something?"

The last part of the message made me catch my breath. What was he going to ask? Being a hopeless and shameless romantic, my mind buzzed with movie type love confessions.

"Sure, Sakurai-kun, what is it?"
My heart was pounding in anticipation as I waited for his reply.

"Where do you usually have lunch?"
I can honestly say that the horrible disappointment shone brightly on my face. What? No deep, heartfelt love confession?

"Usually I have lunch in our staff room... why?"

"Meet me at lunch time, I’ll show you then."
I stared at the message for a few moments in confusion. I told him I would meet him, then put the phone back into my pocket after waiting a few minutes for him to respond. Settling back into the seat, I put on my earphones and played some music, hoping to fall asleep once again. I could hardly call it sleeping, more like... being in a deep daydream.

Conversations between Jun and I floated around in my head, Sho’s gorgeous smile, Aiba’s drunken laughter and even Jiro’s innocent face. This confusing sub-conscience continued for most of the ride until the last hour or so when I was shaken awake by Aya.

"Minako, we’re almost to the Dome." she said firmly, tapping my shoulder until I sat up in annoyance.

Walking into the Dome, I felt slightly out of my own body. Shuffling down the hall behind my chatty assistants, I spotted Jiro and a few of his friends coming down the hall. In a sudden panic, I pushed through my assistants and slid into our room, nearly tripping over a few chairs. Aya and Sato-san, who were going over concert details, looked up strangely at me and over to the startled assistants in the doorway.

"I’m just so excited!" I weakly exclaimed under my sensei’s disapproving eyes. Aya and Sato-san exchanged glances, then went back to the clipboard. I cleared my throat and set down my messenger bag on one of the tables. Opening up the bag, I grabbed my ID lanyard, placed it around my neck and removed a piece of bread that I had packed that morning. I had settled down enough to have something in my stomach.

"Minako-sensei?" a quiet voice called from the doorway. I whirled around and nearly choked on the bread. Jiro stood in the doorway with a big smile on his face, bowing deeply to Aya and Sato-san. I swallowed my bread, placed the rest on the table and walked over to him, feeling curious eyes of my colleagues burning into my back. Damn it, didn’t I make it into the room before he saw me? Stepping out into the usually busy hall, I looked at the happy Junior. "What were you doing? Didn’t you see me wave?" he asked curiously.

"I- I was just so excited to be here! It’s the end of the tour right?" it didn’t sound as lame when I thought it in my mind. But Jiro seemed to understand.

"Minako-san? I wanted to know, if you had time today, if you’d want to go to a new arcade later tonight? I heard it was supposed to be pretty fun." Jiro added quickly and nervously. I crossed my arms and looked down to the floor.

"Uh... Jiro-kun... it probably wouldn’t be the best thing to do." I said slowly, trying not to let him down too hard. I was right though, it wasn’t the smartest thing for a Junior to go out with a female almost eight years older than him... But on the other hand, I could always pull the family member card, just pretend I’m his cousin or something.

"You have other plans... with Matsumoto-san?" Jiro asked quietly, his once cheerful face now a little downhearted.

"What? No, Jiro-kun... Jun and I are done. Promise." I said firmly.

"Then come with me! I promise I’ll be in disguise." Jiro pleaded, holding out his pinky finger. I looked up at his puppy dog eyes and couldn’t help but to smile, Mr. Johnny sure knew how to pick these boys.
"Fine! Fine... I’ll go. But not too late, okay?" I said as I hooked my pinky finger with his. Jiro smiled brightly and nodded. I watched Jiro trot away down the hall and felt a strong sense of adoration. Maybe not what I felt towards Sho at the moment or what I felt with Jun all those years ago... but it was definitely something. Smirking slightly down at my pinky finger, I collected my thoughts and reentered the staff room, ready to get on with the tour.

Chapter 10

I don’t know what it is with the end of the summer tours, everyone seems to be much more organized and somewhat calmer. Maybe it’s because we finally got the hang of concert routine? Or maybe because we had a month’s vacation coming before the winter concerts? Whatever it was, I seemed to be the only one that had missed out on this calm. Aya and I went to work on moving the costumes to Arashi’s dressing room while they were doing the usual concert run through. Even Aya, who was naturally high strung and a perfectionist, was unusually calm today.

"Minako? Do you have plans for lunch? Sato-san and I were thinking about going to the new Mandarin restaurant, if you wanted to come along." she asked me as we rolled the costume rack into the dressing room. Being caught off guard, I gave out a yelp as I rolled over my foot with the rack. Jumping back and quickly composing myself, I looked at a startled Aya.

"I’m sorry, Aya-san... but I’ve already planned something... perhaps tomorrow?" I asked politely as I regained control of the costumes. Aya waved her hand in dismissal.

"Perhaps, it depends if Sato-san’s arthritis hasn’t flared. Ahh, you young kids... running behind our backs to meet each other. Tell me, Minako, that Junior today, Sakamoto-kun... he looked rather pleased to see you, ne?"

What was with Aya today!? Were all women her age gossip birds? The question made me loudly and nervously laugh. I scratched my head, thinking of a way to tell the truth, but at the same time, lie.

"Yes... Jiro-kun has looked up to me and I recently helped him with some... problems at school. Nothing more, Aya-san." I said, joining her in straightening out the jackets. She smiled widely and I wondered if she knew I was lying.

"If not Sakamoto-kun... then Aiba-san? You two seem to be rather close." she said as she separated a pair of jackets.

"Aiba-kun? Oh no, he’s my best friend." I was starting to get nervous now. What would I say when she reached Jun? Or Sho?

"Now don’t stand here and tell me you haven’t had any relationships with these boys! Even I had some fun in my days!" Aya exclaimed as she stood close to me, her aging hands on her hips and a look as if she was scolding me. I stood in front of her, my mouth slightly open and my mind blank.

"I... I’m sorry, Aya-san..." I stuttered as I bowed low. I heard her sigh and move over to the vanity mirror. I couldn’t tell her about Jun and I... for some reason it felt like I would be shamelessly flaunting our relationship and I didn’t want to have that information being spread around. Even though most people knew anyway, they just didn’t care to bring it up.

"Don’t worry Minako, you’re very honorable by keeping it to yourself... as for myself. Johnny Kitagawa, my old flame way back when..." Aya said with a slightly theatrical sigh.

"EH!?" I found myself nearly shouting. Aya looked over to me and smiled shyly. I didn’t know what to think about that bit of information.

"Quite the love situation there, my dear... found myself in a hurricane of trouble, I did. What an entertaining love triangle that was..." she said quietly with a hint of sadness. I looked on at Aya in a sudden sense of worry. Five years I’ve worked beside Aya and never once had she told me anything about her personal life. Having her being involved with such a powerful figure reminded myself of well, me. She looked over to me with her wise eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.

"You’re young, Minako-chan, and I know the last thing you need is some old woman giving you advice... however..." she paused here and I leaned forward, eager for her sudden wisdom.

"Nothing will make you happy, unless it’s the choice you’ve made from your heart. Nothing else will mean anything to you if you live your life for someone else, in regret or for what-ifs." this statement absolutely blew me away. Not just the words, but the way Aya said it. Her grouchy and irritated voice had been erased and was somehow replaced with a younger, gentler voice. I sat back in amazement, staring at my boss. She sniffed loudly and replaced her thick rimmed glasses on her nose.

"Well, enough of that nonsense, ne? Let’s get these costumes organized, whatever idiot packed these did a halfassed job." she said roughly. I smiled to myself, Aya-san was back.

After mine and Aya’s moment, she sent me on a seemingly meaningless mission to find her checklist. I personally thought she just needed a moment alone, she never once forgot her checklist. A break was fine with me, I had too much going on in my mind as it was. So, I made my way back to our staff room to finish my long forgotten bread. I found it in my bag where I had placed it, but it had turned a little crusty. Abandoning that plan, I sat quietly by myself at the plastic table, drumming my fingers. I glanced at the clock on the wall, "12:35". I waited a few more minutes before I left, just to give Aya some time to be alone. I made my way back to the dressing room about fifteen minutes before show time, but as I walked into the room, the tension was thick.

Aiba must have been choking on the negativity in the air, because when he saw me, he nearly sprinted to greet me.

"Aiba-kun... what’s going on?" I asked quietly as I looked around at the other members faces. Nino and Ohno were standing in the corner with Aya and Sato-san, taking a much longer time to get dressed. Sho was already dressed, sitting on the far couch and reading a magazine with a deep frown on his face. Jun was also dressed, but he was sitting with his arms and legs crossed and sitting the farthest away from Sho.

"MatsuJun and Sho-chan had a little... disagreement." Aiba said as quietly as he could and slightly hugging my arm. But Aiba being Aiba, his voice easily travels. Jun looked over to us, spotted me and stood up from the couch. Before he reached the door, he turned back to look at Aya.

"I’m done here, then? I’ll be backstage." Jun said sourly, putting his hands in his pockets roughly. Everyone looked over to Jun as he stalked across the room. Aiba pulled me aside to clear the way for Jun, but as everyone was watching him intently, my eyes darted immediately from his face. Jun paused for a moment as he passed me and I knew he was waiting for me to say something. However, I stayed silent and Jun stormed out into the hall, leaving everyone in the room to finally breathe. As I looked up at Aiba’s worried face, I could have sworn that Aya was looking at me from across the room, disappointment and concern written on her wise face.
Chapter 11

I think today was the first time that Arashi’s dressing room was unnaturally quiet. I would have asked Aiba for more details about Sho and Jun, but time was running out and they needed to be ready for the afternoon concert. So, for the first time since I’ve worked beside them, I said nothing. Jun had me worried though. Even though I knew he was probably pissed about me kicking him, he and Sho never got into an argument that caused them to not speak to each other.

The first concert seemed to take forever to be done with. Maybe it was because I was so anxious to have lunch with Sho? I was sitting alone in their dressing room, my eyes watching the clock, my stomach fluttering every time I heard someone walk by. Aya and Sato-san had already left for lunch and my two trainees were in our staff room, so all I had to do was wait. Chatting and laughter filled the hall outside and I knew the concert was officially over and everyone was getting ready for lunch. I stood up from the couch and nervously wrung my fingers.

"Minako-chan, are you ready?" I turned around and saw Sho standing inside the doorway, dressed in sweats and a T-shirt and his hair still damp. An uncontrollable smile crossed my face as I walked towards him.

"Yeah... Where are we going?" I asked as I followed him down the crowded hallway. He looked over and smirked.

"You’ll see... we’ll take a shortcut so you don’t have to run into Jun." Sho said as we headed towards backstage. Now was my chance to ask...

"Sakurai-kun... what happened?" I asked quietly as we walked through the side wings of the stage and up a long slope. Sho wrinkled his nose and crossed his arms.

"Ah, that... well, he’s been pissed since this morning when you kicked him... and he got even more pissed when I defended you." Sho said quietly, looking over his shoulder at me. Even though this strange hallway was dimly lit, I turned my head away so Sho couldn’t see my blushing.

"Defended me?" I asked softly. Sho laughed and smiled. I loved the way he smiled and the way his eyes looked when he laughed. I was hypnotized.

"I said he deserved it when he said it was uncalled for. He can’t stand losing, especially to me... Oh, here it is!" Sho suddenly exclaimed as we came to a door. Being too flattered and hopelessly head-over-heels, I didn’t notice where we were until I followed Sho out the door. I gasped when I finally saw the view. We were inside the Tokyo Dome on the very top level. It may sound silly, but I had never been inside the seating part of the Dome at all, much less at the very, very top. In a strange way, it was enchanting. The stage far below us was lit in ghostly blue lights and tiny white lights that sparkled like stars. And I even noticed the cleaning staff that looked like tiny ants running back and forth.

"Wow... eh? Oh! Sakurai-kun! We forgot lunch!" I said as I suddenly noticed we were both empty handed. Sho and I exchanged glances then burst into laughter.

"Ahh... I guess I was in such a hurry, sorry, Minako-chan." Sho said as he bowed slightly. "It’s okay, Sakurai-kun... we can remember it next time." I said quietly. We both went silent and looked around the Dome. It was a different silence though... it was comfortable, like we both felt secure. I walked down the top row of seats and sat down in a seat somewhere in the middle. I looked over to Sho, who was watching me with a slight smirk.

"You want to stay here?" he asked, walking down the row slowly.

"Of course. It’s so quiet and nice up here... thank you, Sakurai-kun." I said with a smile. Sho sat in the seat next me and looked out into the Dome. The same comfortable silence fell between us as we both looked over the huge area.

"Minako... about what Jun said..." his soft voice began. I looked over to him. Damn it, what did Jun say now?

"About what?" I asked curiously.

"Being seen with someone..." Sho said, looking at me seriously. Shaking myself out of his hypnotic look, I smiled.

"It was true... but it was only for advice... Jiro-kun needed advice about how to ask a girl out that he likes at school... he didn’t want be overheard. Nothing else happened." I explained calmly. That was another thing I noticed. I suddenly felt calm when I was talking to him and not nervous and panicky like I usually was. Sho didn’t respond, only nodded in understanding.

"And... what about Jun?" he asked softly. My smiled faded and I looked away from Sho’s curious face.

"All... All of that’s done now, Sakurai-kun... it was a mistake from the beginning." I said in almost a whisper. A moment passed again as we sat in silence.

"What advice did you give Sakamoto-kun?" Sho suddenly asked eagerly. I looked over to him and smiled again.

"To ask her out either at the zoo-"

"Typical." Sho said teasingly. I gave him a look and continued.

"On a boat under the stars-"

"Haha, cute..." I ignored his remark and continued again.

"Or ask her to join him at lunch time on the roof... that’s always been my favourite." I said with a smile.

"Like a manga?" Sho asked as he smiled and laughed. I crossed my arms and turned away from him. I wasn’t mad at all, I was laughing with him. It was like a cheesy romance manga, but I liked it. After our laughter finally died down, we were silent again for nearly five minutes. Sho shifted slightly in his seat and ran his hand through his hair. I wondered what was going through his mind...

"Would... this top row count?" Sho suddenly asked quietly and slowly. I turned towards him again, confused by what he meant.

"Count?"

"As a roof." What he meant suddenly sunk in. I stared at him, going through what he said to make sure I wasn’t making it up. All of my doubts about Sho having any type of feelings for me disappeared in such short amount of time, I suddenly felt dizzy. I gulped nervously and felt my breath hitch as he slowly rose one of his hands to the back of my neck and started to steadily lean in.

It felt like some sort of daydream of mine. This wasn’t real, right? I must have fallen asleep in the dressing room! But as our lips met for the first time, all my daydreams vanished... this was real... and so much better than my imagination.
Chapter 12

The first thing I noticed about Sho’s kiss, was that it was unbelievably gentle. Almost like kissing silk or velvet or something. And he wasn’t demanding like how I remember Jun being. Both of his tender hands were on my neck now, deepening the kiss a little further. Something had to interrupt this peaceful moment right? And that’s exactly what happened. As if it was cued, my stomach gave a loud and very audible growl. Sho started to laugh as he pulled away and I joined him after silently cursing my stomach.

"Ahhh! Why now? Seriously..." I said as I leaned limply back into the chair. Sho smiled and leaned towards me.

"We can stay longer..." he said softly. I looked up at him and smirked. Who needed food at a time like this?

"Sakurai-kun... how did you know that... you know... I liked you?" I asked in embarrassment. Sho laughed softly.

"You made it completely obvious..." he said with a smile. Thinking back, Sho was right. Everytime he came around I would panic and stumble over myself... I was definitely an open book. I straightened up in my chair and as we both leaned in again, Sho suddenly stopped and backed up.

"Uh, Minako... your nose." he said pointing to my nose. Confused at what was happening to my nose, I put my hand to it and sure enough, it was bleeding. I quickly plugged my nose and tilted my head back.

"What the hell!?" I weakly exclaimed, giving a fake cry afterwards. Sho grabbed my other arm and pulled me up, all the while laughing at how I sounded like a duck. I couldn’t hate my nose more than I did now. I never, ever got these bloody noses! So, with my head tilted back and plugging my nose, Sho escorted me out of the Dome, his arm around my waist the whole time. Walking down the hall I could feel everyone giving me stares as I clamped tissues to my nose. Sho did most of the talking when people asked what was wrong and I could tell he was fighting back laughter every time. He took me back to the dressing room, where he finally let go of my waist. I was a bit disappointed as he released me, but it was good thinking on his part.

"AH! Minako-chan! What happened!?" I heard Aiba’s frantic voice exclaim. I slowly lowered my head and saw all the members staring at me, chopsticks frozen in midair with noodles hanging limply. Aiba took my arm and pulled me over to the couch next to Ohno, who was forced to scoot over before Aiba unknowingly sat on him.

"Bloody nose..." I said as I leaned my head back again. I heard Ohno laugh beside me.

"You sound like a duck." he said quietly. Nino and Aiba looked over at Ohno, wondering what he had said, but Ohno just went back to eating.

"How’d that happen?" Nino asked curiously.

"Probably just a dry season... it happens a lot during the summer." Sho said with a shrug. I caught the look in Sho’s eye and nodded in agreement. But Jun didn’t seem to buy into it.

"You’ve never gotten bloody noses before." he said sharply. I couldn’t really say anything, so I just shrugged. He then got up from the couch and left the room without anything else said. Everyone’s eyes met each others quietly, then Nino stood up stretching.

"Ohno-kun? Want to get more ramen?" he said picking up his bowl and walking to the door. Ohno smiled widely and quickly followed.

"I haven’t had lunch yet, I’ll come with you." Sho said as Ohno and Nino passed him. Then he turned to me.

"Minako-chan? Do you want any?" he asked in an oddly casual voice. I shook my head and politely refused. He gave me a smile then walked over to the patiently waiting Nino and Ohno. Forgetting that Aiba was next to me, I smiled so happily and shyly that I might as well have announced what happened between Sho and I.

"Ah! I knew it!" Aiba exclaimed. Being so startled by his sudden explosion, I must have gasped and inhaled some spit. I started hacking and trying to breathe.

"You and Sho-chan! You know, I knew it was going to happen some day!" he continued on as I tried to calm myself. I scowled at him, wondering if he even knew I was choking.

"N- Nothing happened." I groaned weakly. Aiba looked at me doubtfully.

"What was with all that then?" he asked. I blew my nose into the tissues to see if the bleeding had stopped. I didn’t look over to Aiba.

"All what? Him helping me?" I asked. My nose bleed had fully stopped so I got up to search for a waste basket, Aiba following close behind me.

"His escort, his offering you food... and that smile." Aiba named off, keeping count on his fingers. I faced him with my arms crossed after I tossed the tissue away.

"Being polite, Aiba-kun. What would you do if someone you were with got a nose bleed?" I asked as I walked past him and over to the couch.

"Ohhh, you were with him? Where at?" Aiba asked curiously, sitting down closely to me. I wasn’t annoyed with Aiba, but his questions were making me lie and I hated lying to him.

"Aiba-kun...! Please... nothing happened, all right?" I said sternly. Pouting slightly, Aiba went silent. He remained quiet for an almost record time until he excused himself as he went to the bathroom. Leaning back against the couch, I closed my eyes and went back to daydreaming about Sho. When did I turn into such a girl? Being filled with the urge to giggle and cuddle... this wasn’t me at all. But whoever this new girl was, I liked her. I had a lot of questions for Sho too. Like when he even began to like me, why he chose until now to let me know and how serious he was about this whole thing. The smell of teriyaki and curry filled the room. I opened my eyes and saw Sho sitting down on the couch, next to my curled up legs.

"Aiba-kun knows something." I said quietly. Sho shoveled down some rice and curry, then reached over to set the plate on the plastic side table.

"Of course he would. We looked suspicious enough." he said with a smile. I picked absentmindedly at my fingernails.

"I hate lying to him." I said simply. Sho mumbled an agreement and cleared his throat.

"I think... it’s best no one knows right now... especially Jun." Sho said softly. I looked up at him and nodded in agreement. I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my head on them.

"He’s gonna be pissed..." I mumbled. Sho laughed lightly. He knew as well as I did that we were in a tough situation and we had to be careful. Not just for Jun’s sake or Arashi’s sake, but for everyone. Rumours had a tendency to get nasty real quick.

Sho reached out his hand and grabbed mine, pulling me close to him. I felt him leaning over to kiss me again but I stuck up my hand to block him. He looked at me rather confused.

"I have some questions for you." I said sternly. Sho’s playful expression turned serious and he leaned back from me. It took me longer than I thought to build up the courage to ask the question.

"Since... since you’ve never shown any interest in me at all... why now? Is it some male competition thing between you and Jun? How serious are you about this whole thing?" I asked seriously, gazing straight at Sho. He looked right back at me for what seemed like forever, then a smile erased his serious frown. He leaned forward until our foreheads met and held my head steady with his hands. My God... his eyes are gorgeous...

"Liking you for four years isn’t enough? Watching you everyday with MatsuJun while I kept my distance? You wouldn’t call that serious?" he whispered as he gazed into my eyes. I smiled with absolute happiness. I was satisfied. His questions had answered mine perfectly.