Flight 109 - Destination: First Love [Chapter 9]
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The story is inspired by yeppie . As usual, comments, inputs and criticisms are highly appreciated. And if you haven't read the previous chapter you can always refer to the master post.
The airplane icon marks the present time. 30-31 August 2013.
The cloud icon marks the past. Around the year of 2006.
「CHAPTER 9: THE THIN LINE BETWEEN MEDDLERS AND HEROES 」
Aiba Masaki should have known better not to butt into other people's business. He has learnt that experience in a hard way from time to time. But, of course, he has never hesitated to do it over and over again. Especially when the definition of 'other people' stands for the people he truly cares about. At this particular situation, that 'other people' is a fellow member of the idol group he has been working with for years, he treasures all of them as family.
And when one is not talking with another for more than a week already, he feels the need to butt into their business.
He has planned this since the night before. He would say to Sakurai Sho to go through some choreography at their concert rehearsal that night. When he knows that Sho has trouble with the new choreography. When he knows that the only person who can help them is none other but their youngest member that Sho has been avoiding for the last few days.
But when the Aiba Masaki's master plan of 'Member Reconcilation A' starts to take shape, right when Aiba fakes a sigh as both he and Sho gets lost in the first few difficult steps and Aiba casually calls out Jun who immediately looks up from his phone, if Sho's looks could kill, there would be no Aiba Masaki in this world anymore by now.
Luckily, Sho's looks can't kill. And he follows through with Aiba's plan. He accepts Jun's help with a flat expression, which makes Jun grins wide as this would be the first time they manage to say anything to each other off screen after that prank he pulled with Minako.
Seeing them start dancing together side by side, Aiba can't help but beams brightly. This is one of the reason why he can't help to not butt into other people's business. Because everytime he does, he can feel he does something useful for that certain other people. He is succeeded to help them. His plan always works. Well, most of the time.
So what if their youngest member smacks his head later on before he goes home, his way of saying thank you. So what if Sho gives him a warning when they are the last two people to leave the room.
"You shouldn't do that," Sho mutters under his breath with a grim expression. "You're big enough to know that butting into other people's business is a very annoying thing to do."
"You shouldn't be mad for such a long time. It is giving him hell. It is giving us who has to work together hell. It's been uncomfortable," Aiba has prepared his reasons in a tone he rarely uses. A serious tone.
"I am actually not really that mad anymore," Sho lets out an exasperated sigh.
"I know, right! So all you need is someone to break the ice so you can slip in that certain information that you are not mad anymore. It's okay, Sho-chan, I don't mind to be that someone!" Aiba exclaims with a big proud grin on his face.
Sho laughs softly, amongst all the people in his life, it is always the hardest to stay mad at Aiba Masaki. "I don't need to thank you, right?"
Then Sho tilts his head, as if thinking, "The thing is.. He mailed me the other day.."
"Who did?"
"Matsujun."
"What did he say?"
"Hold on, I still have it," Sho flicks his phone opens and read the message, "Dear Sho-kun, I am sorry for fooling around that day. I have said it to you before and I won't hesitate to do it over and over again. To my defense, there's a reason behind that stupid prank. I didn't realize the reason up till now. I am sorry for being stupid."
"What reason?"
"I also wonder."
"Why didn't you ask then?"
Sho shrugs, "He'll write it in this message if he wants to tell me."
"Well, since he owes you something, he might tell you without a fight if you ask."
"I am not such a busybody. Unlike a certain someone that I know.."
"You mean me?"
Sho just laughs it off and slaps the younger member's back. "Otsukare!" he finally says before heading out of the door.
But Aiba doesn't say anything back. He is busy with his own thoughts. It has occured to him that their Matsujun has been looking kind of different lately. He smiles a lot. He stares into his phone a lot. He has been living in his own little world and doesn't let anyone else enter that world. Or know about that world.
Could it be..?
Aiba decided to message the person who is the second most busybody member amongst Arashi as he walks outside, heading home.
From: Aiba Masaki
To: Ninomiya Kazunari
Eh Nino, what's the reason behind that prank you pulled on Sho-chan with Jun?
From: Ninomiya Kazunari
To: Aiba Masaki
1. Jun asked for my help that doesn't involve money.
2. We are young, stupid and have nothing better to do for daily amusement.
3. I have this theory that Jun might after her himself and I think it is interesting to see how it goes.
From: Aiba Masaki
To: Ninomiya Kazunari
Interesting! Is he going out with her now?
From: Ninomiya Kazunari
To: Aiba Masaki
Don't know.
Want to know?
From: Aiba Masaki
To: Ninomiya Kazunari
What's the plan?
---
"I can't believe we are doing this! I can't believe I am doing this!" Aiba mutters over and over again under his breath. He and Nino are hiding behind the dashboard of a rental car they got for the day, slouching their seating position in order to hide their faces.
The car is parked right on the opposite side of Minako's apartment building, where there are several small shops, post office and restaurants standing side by side. Jun's Land Cruiser is currently parking right in front of the apartment building.
As Jun steps out of the car, both Nino and Aiba slouch lower and lower in their seat. It's been weeks since they've planned this, but they never got the chance to put it on the move since they have been busy with their jobs. But right after concert rehearsal that day, they've finally got their moment when Jun excitedly become the first person who leaves the rehearsal. A very unlikely happening. Very likely that he is going to have a date. Both Nino and Aiba rushes to rent a car nearby and head to Minako's apartment building. Just in time when Jun's car has just arrived.
"I feel like a real detective! This is so cool!" Aiba whispers to Nino.
"Shut up, Aiba-chan!" Nino hisses.
Nino peeks from the car window and eyes Jun carefully as he walks into the building before he disappears.
"Get this, he has changed his outfit," Nino smirks. "Guess that means they just started dating.."
"He must haven't seen her for a while, ne? He has such a busy schedule lately.."
"Uh-huh.."
They don't say anything else as they watch both Jun and Minako walks out of the apartment building. He is smiling wide and so is Minako when Jun opens the passenger door for her. For a moment, Jun doesn't move an inch from the passenger door as Minako takes her seat in his car.
"Eh? Are they kissing?" Aiba-chan whispers as he peeks from the steering wheel.
"Uh-huh," Nino confirms with a big grin. "A lusty one.. Definitely full of lust.."
"They are not going to do it over there, right?"
"Would be an awesome view if they would.."
"Hmm.."
"Hey, don't get excited!"
"You're not the one to talk!"
They continue watching in silence.
"That's one hell of a kiss. How long has it been? One hour?" Aiba whispers again after a few minutes.
"Baka.." Nino hisses.
"He must have been missing her so much, ne?"
"Or they haven't done it yet.."
"Or both.."
Jun finally pulls away from the kiss and walks over to the driver's seat. But on his way circling his own car, he stops and notice the rental car. He quietly observes it for a while. Both Nino and Aiba immediately hides themselves completely.
"Kuso!" Aiba hisses.
"Shut up!"
Jun seems like noticing the small movements in the rental car and decides to walk over to check it. His eyebrows scrunch up, paranoid over paparazzi.
"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!" Aiba starts to panic.
"Sssshh!" Nino hisses but his face shows the same panic as Aiba's.
But then a girl's voice is heard calling him.
"Jun-kun!"
It is of course, Hanazono Minako, who has walked out of the car as well.
"What's wrong?"
Jun stops midway and turns to her, "Nothing."
She stares at him in disbelief, "You're lying.."
Jun walks over to her and put an arm around her shoulders, guiding her back to the car. But she shrugs off that arm.
"Tell me.."
"I told you it is nothing.."
"Why do you have to lie?" She starts to raise her voice.
"I am not.. I just think that someone might be there watching us.." Jun lets out an exasperated sigh. "Come on, let's go back to the car."
"Look, Jun, I know that perhaps it is bad idea for someone to be watching us, it might be paparazzi. But why do you have to lie to me?"
"Why do you have to make a big deal out of it? I just don't want to ruin this moment!" Jun starts to lose his temper. Why does she have to be so difficult? And right in the middle of the street from all places.
"But.." She tries to retort again.
But Jun doesn't let her, "I've been dying to see you for the past week! I don't want to make you worry.. I don't want you to feel like you are going with an idol! I just want you to be with me, Matsumoto Jun the ordinary guy, not Matsumoto Jun the idol who has paparazzi tailing his ass!"
"Shit, we made them fight!" Aiba whispers to Nino. "She's a bit on the stubborn side, is she? Looks like he finally meets his match."
They are now crouching between their seat and the dashboard, losing sight of their objects of interest but have no trouble in hearing their heated argument.
"Better than having him found us out!" Nino whispers back. He is about to add something to his statement when he notices something from the rear window. His expression turns grim.
The couple outside starts to tone down their argument.
"Matsumoto Jun the quick tempered guy.." Minako teases with a sly smile.
Jun stares at her for a while. His annoyed expression softens subtly.
"Matsumoto Jun the kissing maniac.." Minako pokes his waist with her index finger. His reflex jolts as she touches his weak point.
"I am not a kissing maniac," Jun catches that hand and pulls her closer, so that he can play with her beautiful hair.
But just about the time when Jun is about to embrace his girl, he hears a loud sound of a door being slammed shut from the mysterious car.
He breaks away from her immediately and turns around.
Just to find Nino and Aiba runs out of the car and head straight to the post office located about a couple of metres away from that mysterious car.
"Nino? Aiba-chan?" He can't believe his eyes and just stare at his two bandmates who are now running with all their might..
.. To catch a girl in her teens who stands just in front of the post office and just took a picture, shooting right at Jun and Minako's direction, with her mobile phone.
The girl doesn't even try to run, completely taken aback by the two members who appeared out of nowhere. Nino takes that chance to snatch away her mobile phone and scrambles through the images, deleting everything she took. Whilst Aiba takes her by the hand in case she's going to fight for it.
"Get the hell out!" Aiba hollers at Jun as he pulls the unforgivable fan by the hand. "We'll take care of this!"
Jun understands the emergency code and pulls her own girl by the hand to his car. He drives away as soon as possible, with millions of questions and uncertainty that can only be answered much later.
"Was it the reason why they finally broke up?" Rei can't help but wonders out loud. "Rumors start to travel around and the Jimusho asks him to break up with her?"
Aiba and her has joined the 2 other members, Ohno Satoshi and Ninomiya Kazunari, back to Jun's living room. Nino has been calling Aiba nonstop ever since he realized that they've left in the middle of the night. So Aiba decided to take the drive short and tell Jun and Minako's story back at Jun's apartment. Besides, the other two might help him go through with the difficult part of the story.
Rei has cringed at the kissing part. Nino has kicked his feet secretly as he told the unnecessary part. Yes, Aiba definitely needs some help narrating this story. Especially he knows that the worst is yet to come. At least, for him.
"Actually, no.." Nino answers, "Well, it was one of the triggers.. But no, I don't think that's it.."
"Yeah, it takes more than rumors and the Jimusho to broke two people who are so much in love with each other," Ohno points out with a sigh. That's when he gets his share of Nino's kick on his knees.
Rei can only stare at her own hands, looking down.
"Well, anyway," Nino continues, "thanks to our heroism that day, me and Aiba-chan," He grins a bit, hoping it will tone down the depressing aura around the girl he used to like a lot, "No scandalous pictures are leaked. No proofs. But we can't keep her shut the hell up, though."
"Rumors start to circle around, especially on the internet.. She posted this story on her blog and fan's forums. Saying that Matsujun is involved with this half Japanese girl and they were fighting in the middle of the road before they finally kiss and make up. She said that she took pictures but turns out Nino and Aiba deleted those pictures," Aiba explains the details of the situation, "Thankfully that fan didn't see them coming out of the apartment. She thought they just happened to pass by that area."
"I remember that bit when she wrote that the best moment of that situation was when Aiba-chan held her hand," Nino tries to joke again. To no avail as Rei just nods a couple of times. Still doesn't have any ability to crack a smile.
"What I remember the most was when Johnny-san called all five of us to talk about this issue. He is definitely not very happy with the situation.. When our CD sales are going up, when Hanadan Returns is approaching, not to mention our tour around Asia.." Ohno tells his part of the story for the first time that night.
Ohno then let out a scoff at his own pace, "But it is not like it is the first time for any of us to have broken up with our girlfriends because of the consequences of our career. Been there, done that. Nothing different about it all. The old guy got a point, but it is not like it is a happy thing to do.."
Nino gives him a sad smile to Aiba who catches his gaze, "Tell me about it."
"Then what happened after that?" Rei asks in a soft voice after a long silence.
"Matsujun finally introduced us.." Aiba clears his throat. "It was.."
"Weird?" Nino offers.
"I guess so.." Ohno remembers, "Especially with Sho-chan."
"Hajimemashite, Aiba Masaki desu.." Aiba stands up from his seat and gives Minako a deep bow. "The last time we meet, I didn't get the chance to properly introduce myself."
"And of course, you've met Nino, Riida and Sho-kun," Jun holds Minako's hand tightly even though he tries to sound casual as possible. The three boys nod to her. Sho even gives her a small smile, Jun lets out a relieved sigh seeing that.
"Hisashiburi, Hanazono-san," Sho greets her.
"Please, call me Minako," Minako beams at him. "Finally I get to meet all 5 of you under normal circumstances."
If Minako is nervous, Ohno takes a note to himself, she surely doesn't show it.
They has just finished recording one of their variety shows and Minako has entered their green room to greet them before going on a planned date with Jun.
"You're being reckless, aren't you, Jun-kun?" Sho has warned him when Jun announces his plan before Minako's arrival.
But the younger member just shrugs, "It's fine. I know what I am doing."
Ohno eyes him carefully all day. He hasn't expressed much lately. Building a wall around him from the rest of the world. Sometimes he would take a phone call and head outside, comes back with a frown. The other day he would be beaming brightly showered in happiness.
"Such a rollercoaster ride, this girl," Ohno has heard him mumble that to himself after reading a message on his mobile phone.
Ohno isn't the only one who eyes the couple carefully. Noticing their tangling fingers, the way they gaze at each other. And how each of her smile or frowns transmits to Jun's own face. The managers also frowns at her. Scrutinize her completely. It has been the first time Jun ever bring a girl to work. It is as if he is giving a statement by doing this.
A statement saying that he will stay with her no matter what others think about it.
Ohno remembers that day when a chill goes through his spine. He has never been able to forget that day.
"What happened that day?" Rei asks to the three boys.
"Johnny-san called on us. Along with our managers," Aiba explains in a low voice. "Big meeting. We always have this whenever there's a scandal involving one of the members."
"And the funniest thing is he always says the same exact words I think I can recite him perfectly," Nino mutters sarcastically.
Nino stands up and does his impression of Johnny Kitagawa. He folds his arms across his chest and deepens his voice, "You! You know what is going on! This is unacceptable! Definitely unacceptable! You know the rules! 10 years, no girlfriends! That's all I ask. After that you are free to date anyone, get marry even! And keep things low! How hard can it be! So you! Break up with her! Choose! Your career or this woman!"
"10 years?" Rei asks again.
"The reason why you can keep dating Jun right now without any scrutiny from Johnny-san, well as long as you guys keep it low, is because Arashi has passed the 10 years limit.. It is something like an unwritten rule amongst Johnnys," Ohno explains softly.
"Hontou?"
"It is not as easy as it seems, though," Aiba sighs, washing his face with dust in his dry hands.
"I understand now.." Rei nods a couple of times. She has wondered to himself time and time again about this. Right now, in the middle of the night, she finally finds the answer.
"But then Jun broke up with her because of this, right?" She is confused now.
"Well.." Aiba can't finish what he is trying to say.
"Yes." Nino answers at the same time as Ohno saying, "No."
Silence creeps up the room for a while. Rei just look from one member to the other with curiousity. It is as if they are communicating with this silence. With their minds instead of words said out loud.
When Nino finally says something, it looks like they've agreed on saying this.
"Johnny-san asked him to choose. His career, which is Arashi, or Minako.." Nino mumbles softly. Nino then just stares at the floor and let Ohno continues this brutal honesty.
"And he chose Arashi.." Rei tries to guess. It is unquestionable right? Especially they are still together right now. There's no history of them ever had a break up. It is Minako and Jun's relationship that has ended.
Ohno smiles to her, sincerely, "No, Rei-chan. At that time, he didn't choose Arashi."
"What?"
Then Ohno did his perfect impression of Matsumoto Jun, in a deep hard voice and teary eyes, "Gomen, minna. I can't leave her."
"What?" Rei still doesn't believe it.
"And with that he left the room. Leaving Arashi behind."
Continue to Chapter 10
The airplane icon marks the present time. 30-31 August 2013.
The cloud icon marks the past. Around the year of 2006.
「CHAPTER 9: THE THIN LINE BETWEEN MEDDLERS AND HEROES 」
Aiba Masaki should have known better not to butt into other people's business. He has learnt that experience in a hard way from time to time. But, of course, he has never hesitated to do it over and over again. Especially when the definition of 'other people' stands for the people he truly cares about. At this particular situation, that 'other people' is a fellow member of the idol group he has been working with for years, he treasures all of them as family.
And when one is not talking with another for more than a week already, he feels the need to butt into their business.
He has planned this since the night before. He would say to Sakurai Sho to go through some choreography at their concert rehearsal that night. When he knows that Sho has trouble with the new choreography. When he knows that the only person who can help them is none other but their youngest member that Sho has been avoiding for the last few days.
But when the Aiba Masaki's master plan of 'Member Reconcilation A' starts to take shape, right when Aiba fakes a sigh as both he and Sho gets lost in the first few difficult steps and Aiba casually calls out Jun who immediately looks up from his phone, if Sho's looks could kill, there would be no Aiba Masaki in this world anymore by now.
Luckily, Sho's looks can't kill. And he follows through with Aiba's plan. He accepts Jun's help with a flat expression, which makes Jun grins wide as this would be the first time they manage to say anything to each other off screen after that prank he pulled with Minako.
Seeing them start dancing together side by side, Aiba can't help but beams brightly. This is one of the reason why he can't help to not butt into other people's business. Because everytime he does, he can feel he does something useful for that certain other people. He is succeeded to help them. His plan always works. Well, most of the time.
So what if their youngest member smacks his head later on before he goes home, his way of saying thank you. So what if Sho gives him a warning when they are the last two people to leave the room.
"You shouldn't do that," Sho mutters under his breath with a grim expression. "You're big enough to know that butting into other people's business is a very annoying thing to do."
"You shouldn't be mad for such a long time. It is giving him hell. It is giving us who has to work together hell. It's been uncomfortable," Aiba has prepared his reasons in a tone he rarely uses. A serious tone.
"I am actually not really that mad anymore," Sho lets out an exasperated sigh.
"I know, right! So all you need is someone to break the ice so you can slip in that certain information that you are not mad anymore. It's okay, Sho-chan, I don't mind to be that someone!" Aiba exclaims with a big proud grin on his face.
Sho laughs softly, amongst all the people in his life, it is always the hardest to stay mad at Aiba Masaki. "I don't need to thank you, right?"
Then Sho tilts his head, as if thinking, "The thing is.. He mailed me the other day.."
"Who did?"
"Matsujun."
"What did he say?"
"Hold on, I still have it," Sho flicks his phone opens and read the message, "Dear Sho-kun, I am sorry for fooling around that day. I have said it to you before and I won't hesitate to do it over and over again. To my defense, there's a reason behind that stupid prank. I didn't realize the reason up till now. I am sorry for being stupid."
"What reason?"
"I also wonder."
"Why didn't you ask then?"
Sho shrugs, "He'll write it in this message if he wants to tell me."
"Well, since he owes you something, he might tell you without a fight if you ask."
"I am not such a busybody. Unlike a certain someone that I know.."
"You mean me?"
Sho just laughs it off and slaps the younger member's back. "Otsukare!" he finally says before heading out of the door.
But Aiba doesn't say anything back. He is busy with his own thoughts. It has occured to him that their Matsujun has been looking kind of different lately. He smiles a lot. He stares into his phone a lot. He has been living in his own little world and doesn't let anyone else enter that world. Or know about that world.
Could it be..?
Aiba decided to message the person who is the second most busybody member amongst Arashi as he walks outside, heading home.
From: Aiba Masaki
To: Ninomiya Kazunari
Eh Nino, what's the reason behind that prank you pulled on Sho-chan with Jun?
From: Ninomiya Kazunari
To: Aiba Masaki
1. Jun asked for my help that doesn't involve money.
2. We are young, stupid and have nothing better to do for daily amusement.
3. I have this theory that Jun might after her himself and I think it is interesting to see how it goes.
From: Aiba Masaki
To: Ninomiya Kazunari
Interesting! Is he going out with her now?
From: Ninomiya Kazunari
To: Aiba Masaki
Don't know.
Want to know?
From: Aiba Masaki
To: Ninomiya Kazunari
What's the plan?
---
"I can't believe we are doing this! I can't believe I am doing this!" Aiba mutters over and over again under his breath. He and Nino are hiding behind the dashboard of a rental car they got for the day, slouching their seating position in order to hide their faces.
The car is parked right on the opposite side of Minako's apartment building, where there are several small shops, post office and restaurants standing side by side. Jun's Land Cruiser is currently parking right in front of the apartment building.
As Jun steps out of the car, both Nino and Aiba slouch lower and lower in their seat. It's been weeks since they've planned this, but they never got the chance to put it on the move since they have been busy with their jobs. But right after concert rehearsal that day, they've finally got their moment when Jun excitedly become the first person who leaves the rehearsal. A very unlikely happening. Very likely that he is going to have a date. Both Nino and Aiba rushes to rent a car nearby and head to Minako's apartment building. Just in time when Jun's car has just arrived.
"I feel like a real detective! This is so cool!" Aiba whispers to Nino.
"Shut up, Aiba-chan!" Nino hisses.
Nino peeks from the car window and eyes Jun carefully as he walks into the building before he disappears.
"Get this, he has changed his outfit," Nino smirks. "Guess that means they just started dating.."
"He must haven't seen her for a while, ne? He has such a busy schedule lately.."
"Uh-huh.."
They don't say anything else as they watch both Jun and Minako walks out of the apartment building. He is smiling wide and so is Minako when Jun opens the passenger door for her. For a moment, Jun doesn't move an inch from the passenger door as Minako takes her seat in his car.
"Eh? Are they kissing?" Aiba-chan whispers as he peeks from the steering wheel.
"Uh-huh," Nino confirms with a big grin. "A lusty one.. Definitely full of lust.."
"They are not going to do it over there, right?"
"Would be an awesome view if they would.."
"Hmm.."
"Hey, don't get excited!"
"You're not the one to talk!"
They continue watching in silence.
"That's one hell of a kiss. How long has it been? One hour?" Aiba whispers again after a few minutes.
"Baka.." Nino hisses.
"He must have been missing her so much, ne?"
"Or they haven't done it yet.."
"Or both.."
Jun finally pulls away from the kiss and walks over to the driver's seat. But on his way circling his own car, he stops and notice the rental car. He quietly observes it for a while. Both Nino and Aiba immediately hides themselves completely.
"Kuso!" Aiba hisses.
"Shut up!"
Jun seems like noticing the small movements in the rental car and decides to walk over to check it. His eyebrows scrunch up, paranoid over paparazzi.
"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!" Aiba starts to panic.
"Sssshh!" Nino hisses but his face shows the same panic as Aiba's.
But then a girl's voice is heard calling him.
"Jun-kun!"
It is of course, Hanazono Minako, who has walked out of the car as well.
"What's wrong?"
Jun stops midway and turns to her, "Nothing."
She stares at him in disbelief, "You're lying.."
Jun walks over to her and put an arm around her shoulders, guiding her back to the car. But she shrugs off that arm.
"Tell me.."
"I told you it is nothing.."
"Why do you have to lie?" She starts to raise her voice.
"I am not.. I just think that someone might be there watching us.." Jun lets out an exasperated sigh. "Come on, let's go back to the car."
"Look, Jun, I know that perhaps it is bad idea for someone to be watching us, it might be paparazzi. But why do you have to lie to me?"
"Why do you have to make a big deal out of it? I just don't want to ruin this moment!" Jun starts to lose his temper. Why does she have to be so difficult? And right in the middle of the street from all places.
"But.." She tries to retort again.
But Jun doesn't let her, "I've been dying to see you for the past week! I don't want to make you worry.. I don't want you to feel like you are going with an idol! I just want you to be with me, Matsumoto Jun the ordinary guy, not Matsumoto Jun the idol who has paparazzi tailing his ass!"
"Shit, we made them fight!" Aiba whispers to Nino. "She's a bit on the stubborn side, is she? Looks like he finally meets his match."
They are now crouching between their seat and the dashboard, losing sight of their objects of interest but have no trouble in hearing their heated argument.
"Better than having him found us out!" Nino whispers back. He is about to add something to his statement when he notices something from the rear window. His expression turns grim.
The couple outside starts to tone down their argument.
"Matsumoto Jun the quick tempered guy.." Minako teases with a sly smile.
Jun stares at her for a while. His annoyed expression softens subtly.
"Matsumoto Jun the kissing maniac.." Minako pokes his waist with her index finger. His reflex jolts as she touches his weak point.
"I am not a kissing maniac," Jun catches that hand and pulls her closer, so that he can play with her beautiful hair.
But just about the time when Jun is about to embrace his girl, he hears a loud sound of a door being slammed shut from the mysterious car.
He breaks away from her immediately and turns around.
Just to find Nino and Aiba runs out of the car and head straight to the post office located about a couple of metres away from that mysterious car.
"Nino? Aiba-chan?" He can't believe his eyes and just stare at his two bandmates who are now running with all their might..
.. To catch a girl in her teens who stands just in front of the post office and just took a picture, shooting right at Jun and Minako's direction, with her mobile phone.
The girl doesn't even try to run, completely taken aback by the two members who appeared out of nowhere. Nino takes that chance to snatch away her mobile phone and scrambles through the images, deleting everything she took. Whilst Aiba takes her by the hand in case she's going to fight for it.
"Get the hell out!" Aiba hollers at Jun as he pulls the unforgivable fan by the hand. "We'll take care of this!"
Jun understands the emergency code and pulls her own girl by the hand to his car. He drives away as soon as possible, with millions of questions and uncertainty that can only be answered much later.
"Was it the reason why they finally broke up?" Rei can't help but wonders out loud. "Rumors start to travel around and the Jimusho asks him to break up with her?"
Aiba and her has joined the 2 other members, Ohno Satoshi and Ninomiya Kazunari, back to Jun's living room. Nino has been calling Aiba nonstop ever since he realized that they've left in the middle of the night. So Aiba decided to take the drive short and tell Jun and Minako's story back at Jun's apartment. Besides, the other two might help him go through with the difficult part of the story.
Rei has cringed at the kissing part. Nino has kicked his feet secretly as he told the unnecessary part. Yes, Aiba definitely needs some help narrating this story. Especially he knows that the worst is yet to come. At least, for him.
"Actually, no.." Nino answers, "Well, it was one of the triggers.. But no, I don't think that's it.."
"Yeah, it takes more than rumors and the Jimusho to broke two people who are so much in love with each other," Ohno points out with a sigh. That's when he gets his share of Nino's kick on his knees.
Rei can only stare at her own hands, looking down.
"Well, anyway," Nino continues, "thanks to our heroism that day, me and Aiba-chan," He grins a bit, hoping it will tone down the depressing aura around the girl he used to like a lot, "No scandalous pictures are leaked. No proofs. But we can't keep her shut the hell up, though."
"Rumors start to circle around, especially on the internet.. She posted this story on her blog and fan's forums. Saying that Matsujun is involved with this half Japanese girl and they were fighting in the middle of the road before they finally kiss and make up. She said that she took pictures but turns out Nino and Aiba deleted those pictures," Aiba explains the details of the situation, "Thankfully that fan didn't see them coming out of the apartment. She thought they just happened to pass by that area."
"I remember that bit when she wrote that the best moment of that situation was when Aiba-chan held her hand," Nino tries to joke again. To no avail as Rei just nods a couple of times. Still doesn't have any ability to crack a smile.
"What I remember the most was when Johnny-san called all five of us to talk about this issue. He is definitely not very happy with the situation.. When our CD sales are going up, when Hanadan Returns is approaching, not to mention our tour around Asia.." Ohno tells his part of the story for the first time that night.
Ohno then let out a scoff at his own pace, "But it is not like it is the first time for any of us to have broken up with our girlfriends because of the consequences of our career. Been there, done that. Nothing different about it all. The old guy got a point, but it is not like it is a happy thing to do.."
Nino gives him a sad smile to Aiba who catches his gaze, "Tell me about it."
"Then what happened after that?" Rei asks in a soft voice after a long silence.
"Matsujun finally introduced us.." Aiba clears his throat. "It was.."
"Weird?" Nino offers.
"I guess so.." Ohno remembers, "Especially with Sho-chan."
"Hajimemashite, Aiba Masaki desu.." Aiba stands up from his seat and gives Minako a deep bow. "The last time we meet, I didn't get the chance to properly introduce myself."
"And of course, you've met Nino, Riida and Sho-kun," Jun holds Minako's hand tightly even though he tries to sound casual as possible. The three boys nod to her. Sho even gives her a small smile, Jun lets out a relieved sigh seeing that.
"Hisashiburi, Hanazono-san," Sho greets her.
"Please, call me Minako," Minako beams at him. "Finally I get to meet all 5 of you under normal circumstances."
If Minako is nervous, Ohno takes a note to himself, she surely doesn't show it.
They has just finished recording one of their variety shows and Minako has entered their green room to greet them before going on a planned date with Jun.
"You're being reckless, aren't you, Jun-kun?" Sho has warned him when Jun announces his plan before Minako's arrival.
But the younger member just shrugs, "It's fine. I know what I am doing."
Ohno eyes him carefully all day. He hasn't expressed much lately. Building a wall around him from the rest of the world. Sometimes he would take a phone call and head outside, comes back with a frown. The other day he would be beaming brightly showered in happiness.
"Such a rollercoaster ride, this girl," Ohno has heard him mumble that to himself after reading a message on his mobile phone.
Ohno isn't the only one who eyes the couple carefully. Noticing their tangling fingers, the way they gaze at each other. And how each of her smile or frowns transmits to Jun's own face. The managers also frowns at her. Scrutinize her completely. It has been the first time Jun ever bring a girl to work. It is as if he is giving a statement by doing this.
A statement saying that he will stay with her no matter what others think about it.
Ohno remembers that day when a chill goes through his spine. He has never been able to forget that day.
"What happened that day?" Rei asks to the three boys.
"Johnny-san called on us. Along with our managers," Aiba explains in a low voice. "Big meeting. We always have this whenever there's a scandal involving one of the members."
"And the funniest thing is he always says the same exact words I think I can recite him perfectly," Nino mutters sarcastically.
Nino stands up and does his impression of Johnny Kitagawa. He folds his arms across his chest and deepens his voice, "You! You know what is going on! This is unacceptable! Definitely unacceptable! You know the rules! 10 years, no girlfriends! That's all I ask. After that you are free to date anyone, get marry even! And keep things low! How hard can it be! So you! Break up with her! Choose! Your career or this woman!"
"10 years?" Rei asks again.
"The reason why you can keep dating Jun right now without any scrutiny from Johnny-san, well as long as you guys keep it low, is because Arashi has passed the 10 years limit.. It is something like an unwritten rule amongst Johnnys," Ohno explains softly.
"Hontou?"
"It is not as easy as it seems, though," Aiba sighs, washing his face with dust in his dry hands.
"I understand now.." Rei nods a couple of times. She has wondered to himself time and time again about this. Right now, in the middle of the night, she finally finds the answer.
"But then Jun broke up with her because of this, right?" She is confused now.
"Well.." Aiba can't finish what he is trying to say.
"Yes." Nino answers at the same time as Ohno saying, "No."
Silence creeps up the room for a while. Rei just look from one member to the other with curiousity. It is as if they are communicating with this silence. With their minds instead of words said out loud.
When Nino finally says something, it looks like they've agreed on saying this.
"Johnny-san asked him to choose. His career, which is Arashi, or Minako.." Nino mumbles softly. Nino then just stares at the floor and let Ohno continues this brutal honesty.
"And he chose Arashi.." Rei tries to guess. It is unquestionable right? Especially they are still together right now. There's no history of them ever had a break up. It is Minako and Jun's relationship that has ended.
Ohno smiles to her, sincerely, "No, Rei-chan. At that time, he didn't choose Arashi."
"What?"
Then Ohno did his perfect impression of Matsumoto Jun, in a deep hard voice and teary eyes, "Gomen, minna. I can't leave her."
"What?" Rei still doesn't believe it.
"And with that he left the room. Leaving Arashi behind."
Continue to Chapter 10