Oneshot - Tadaiki
Title: Untitled (still confused)
Author: mar_coon_ah
Pairing: Tadaiki, Takayama, slight Inoobu, slight HikaDai
Rating: PG
Genre: Angst. Romance
Notes: This story is inspired by Chouchou Kumo, manga work from Ashihara Hinako sensei.
Word Count: 3605
Warning: crappy? failed?
X prefecture. Y island. The summer breeze has already touched our skin. Summer, the season I used to love a lot. The best season there is on earth. The season that always brought smile on my face. But i dreaded this summer.
“Daiki~!!!” I stopped my step. I turned around, looking for the voice that called me. It’s him. I smiled.
“You know what? There’s a new student from the mainland coming here today!” His uncontrolled breath made his shoulders up and down. That was a very big new like Japan capital city is moved to Okinawa.
“I know.” Ah~ man~!!! This trying to cool-act surely is hard. But I hate to be called kawai by him.
“Sou ka ? It’s not a surprise then~,” Oi, oi, oi. What’s with that low voice? Do you feel disappointed? What’s with that face?
“Let’s go to school then.” Ah, hey! What’s with sudden change of topic? Are you okay? You made me feel guilty….
“Eeh, HOUNTOU?! I mean…, I knew that there’s a new student coming to our school. But I don’t know that the new student is from the mainland!” It was weird right? My sudden tension rising? It doesn’t change anything, does it?
“See?! I knew it!! You didn’t know the thing that the new student is from the mainland!” Did it work? Did he cheer up already? It worked. He started to flail again. I smiled again.
“I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl…,” he murmured.
“Let’s check it out then!” I asked. But he gave me his questioned face. “To the harbour!”
“GREAT! Let’s go then!” He led the way grabbing my arms in the process.
“Hahah…,” I chuckled. Ano Bakaki….
I like him. I like his full of spirit side. I even like his baka side. I like everything about him.
How I wished he knew.
---
“KYAAA…!!! Mite, mite…! It’s Arioka Daiki!” The usual reaction. Yet i haven’t got used to it.
“Arioka-kun! Look at here!”
“GYAAA…! The best day in my life! I can see Arioka-kun in his photo session!!” Another over-reaction from those girls.
“The girls sure are noisy, huh?” the lighting man passed by.
I chuckled. “If it’s not because of them, I’m no one.” They’re my fans and I'm an idol.
“But, I wonder why do we have to have the photo shoot here? I mean…, it’s Shibuya!” the wardrobe girl prepared some clothes.
Shibuya, huh? I really hated this Shibuya and Tokyo things. But I ended up working here. Is it such a Karma?
---
“It’s a boy.” A new voice. Not Yuya’s not mine. Who said it? Inoo!!! Since when were you here?
“I heard it from my dad. He’s the principal, you know?” There again his arrogant tone. He acted as if he knows everything. Well, eh... he does. But he’s one of my close friend here.
“Look! It’s a girl!” Yuya got a binocular on his hand to see the new student from the hill.
“What?! A girl? I’m sure it’s a boy! My dad said it’s a boy!!”
“I said it’s a girl...!”
“Where? I want to see him! Or ah..., her. Maybe.”
“No! I want to see her a little bit more!” now, they’re quarrelling over the binocular.
“Ma, ma..., let me see it.” I grab the binocular from their hands and drifted it to the harbour.
It’s a boy, Yuya.... And he seemed so shy. He stood behind his mom.
“Let’s go there!” Yuya stood up and before we agreed, he was already running.
Having a new friend? It’s so rare for us. I mean, just imagine it! In this island, there are only 87 people, and 12 of them are my classmates! And there’s no such a good thing to make the mainland people came here. So, ah... I think we’ll treasure him so much.
“Oh, my.... My skin is burned! I can’t stand it! I should have take lotion before....” A usual remarks about our island.
“Tokyo people...,” Inoo murmured, obviously annoyed.
“Are they from Tokyo?” Yuya seemed a bit hyped up.
“Hey, Kids! Are you the junior high schoolers?”
“Well..., euhm..., you can say so, Mam. This year we only have the first grade,” it’s a bit complicated matter.
“Let me explain it to you,” Inoo took a turn. “There are only three classes in this island. One class for the elementary school, one class for the junior high school, and one class for the senior high school. And my Dad is the principal.” He bragged about it. Again. Promoting the school.
“Hai, hai.... I knew it. You must be Inoo-kun, right? I’ve met with your dad before to talk about the school. Oh, yeah! This is my son Ryousuke. He’s in the first grade. Be nice to him, ne?”
What a kawai boy.... No wonder, Yuya thought he was a girl back then. His well cut hair, his small and slender waist, all of that are enough to make him like a girl. His way of wearing the clothes is so different with us. As expected from the mainland people.
“I’m Arioka Daiki. This is Inoo Kei, and this is Takaki Yuya. Nice to meet you then...,” I gave my hand to shake with his, but then he turn around his head.
“What a rude boy you are!” he shouted.
“Yuya!” I whacked him because he was the one who’s rude.
“Ah, gomen ne! He must be really tired because of the ferry. Shitsureishimasu!”
At that time, I still haven’t notice something what will happen between us.
---
“Arioka! Give me a natural one. OK! One, two….” Kouta, the photographer gave me instruction.
“Flash!” A blinding flash light hit my eyes.
“Good! The last before we take a break! Another natural pose!” the photographer for this photo shoot.
“Flash!”
“OK! First session is done!”
“Do you want to have your lunch now?” The person who’s in charge on catering asked me.
“No. Pocari please….”
“Ok, then.”
“Ah…, Arioka-kun!” Kouta came to where I took a rest.
“In the next session, we’ll water you like in the rain. You just have to show your sad face. Ok?”
“Un! Wakatta!”
“Hah...” I sighed. “Really.... What kind of photo shoot is this? Do they need a sad looking face for the commercial photo album?” I murmured.
“They do,” I shocked when I heard the voice I really know.
“Inoo....”
One of the people from my past. Will I be alright? I know, run away is not the good thing to do. But I....
---
“Let’s patrol around the island!” Yuya broke the silence. It’s the end of the class. And everybody just went home already.
“Why don’t we go swimming?” I exclaimed. Cause it’s summer!
“Yeah! Let’s go to the beach!” the three of us agreed. But before we went home to prepare everything, I realized there’s someone besides us three.
“Ryousuke-kun! Wanna come join us?” I went to his seat. He’s still tidying up his books.
“I won’t let a rude boy to come.”
“Yuya!!! What did you just say?” He wasn’t like this before. I mean, he’s a good boy. That Yuya.
“If you’re not apologizing to Daiki, I won’t let you join us.” He came closer to me and said such an unusual line. Did he do it for my sake?
“Euhm.... That’s no need Ryousuke-kun. I know you’re just too shy.....”
“Gomen nasai.” Ryosuke murmured lowly, but I heard him.
“It’s okay.” I said to him and smiled, even though i could see the hesitance in his eyes of apologizing to me.
And then, we’re going to the beach. Still, I haven’t known what will happen between us....
---
“What?! How long will you stare at me like that? Don’t you want to hug your old friend?” he said. “I’m still young though! Hahah...,” he chuckled.
“Bruk!” I hugged him. Tightly. Inoo, you don’t know how much I missed you.
“Pat, pat” he patted me. “Well, don’t you want to ask why I am here?” he loosened the hug. I nodded. And say nothing because of this surprise.
“I came here for you. I mean..., I’m so worried about you. You haven’t called me since the day you went from the island.”
I stared at him. Looking for the difference he made. He’s still the same. Still wanted to be asked first, but at last he questioned him self and answer it himself. Still has two set moles below his collar bone.... Still has that big smile.... Still so beautiful.
---
“Hey...! We’re going to have storm...!” Inoo shouted.
“Storm?!” Ryousuke is surprised.
“It seems like it will be, because there’s a butterfly cloud.” I pointed out to the cloud which shaped like butterfly.
“Butterfly cloud?” He saw it too.
“It’s a type of cumulus cloud. If there’s a butterfly cloud, it warns you there’ll be a strong wind.” This WALKING encyclopaedia Inoo, explain it to Ryousuke.
“Let’s get in to the cave then!” Yuya lead us to the cave nearby. And we’ll wait till the storm gone.
Ryousuke was just too worry and he really wanted to go home. But I could calm him down, and promised him the best scene of the sea.
“See? The scenery of the sea after the storm is sooo beautiful!” I got out from the cave. Yuya, Inoo, and Ryousuke followed me.
“Time for free jumping!!!” Yuya run fast to the cliff, and then jumped to the sea. That’s our favourite play.
“Ikou, Ryousuke-kun!” I grabbed his hand, but he was hesitant.
“Ah..., are you afraid?” he didn’t answer me. We’re now on the cliff. “Is it okay if I go first?” I’m ready to jump.
“Daiki! Hurry and jump! Just leave him!” shouted Yuya. They were already in the water.
“You can stay here then. We’ll be back.”
“Yahooooo!” I jumped. Free style jump. Then we swam to the deeper sea. Meanwhile....
“BYURRR!!!!!”
“Did you hear something?” I asked the two.
“Bubble, bubble....”
“I heard... something bubbled?” Inoo noticed something.
“Ryousuke-kun!!!” I screamed with all my might. Shocked looking Ryousuke’s floating.
Yuya brought him to the seashore, and we circled him. He stayed still. Not making any noise or any move.
“Who would whack the water surface like that?!” Yuya exclaimed.
“Hiks, hiks!” he sobbed. His skin was burned because he slapped the water surface from that height.
“I eh..., I’ll get something too cool him with then!”
“I’ll get a towel then!” Inoo followed me.
I had no worry, left just the two of them. But then, when I came back with ice to cool Ryousuke with....
“What a ba...ka!” Yuya ruffled Ryousuke’s hair.
“Don’t laugh at me! It was really hurt, you know...,” they’re laughing.
“But for a beginner, it was such a good jump.”
I didn’t believe in what I saw. They’re just like old friend now. It’s as if they have befriended for a long time.
Watching them like that..., I felt somehow it hurts somewhere....
That day, I realized something. Something really happened between us.
---
“Genki?” We took a little walk in the middle of the photo shoot break.
“Ehm!” I nodded.
“Are you happy?” he gulped his juice. “Is this what you really want?” he stared at me. I looked at him for a short moment then i looked away.
“What’s so good about running away? Aren’t you tired already?”
I knew. I knew this conversation will go to this point. Damn Inoo, why are you so good at reading me?
“What can I do other than running away?” i retored back at him.
“You could-,” he stopped. “At least, you can tell him that you love him. And if you feel sorry, just say so! Even though that accident wasn’t your fault at all....”
“Arioka! Let’s begin the last session!” Kouta shouted from far.
“If I tell him that I love him, will it change any?” he said nothing.
“I have a job to do, see you around ne.” I walked away.
“Dai-chan....” He grabbed my hand.
“You know what...?” I faced him. “Actually, I was a bit happy when he got that accident.”
Inoo loosened my hand. Perhaps he felt shock to know what I really felt back then. That accident, at least it could be the best reason for me to leave the island.
---
“Can I call you Ryou?”
“Then, I’ll call you Yuya.”
“Fair enough!”
“Dai-chan! Doushitano?”
“Iie...! Nandemonai!” I felt something ached. Somewhere, but I didn’t know exactly where. I just couldn’t figure it out. But it stings so bad.
Tonight we’re going to the summer festival.
“Kawaii!!! You look so adorable, Dai-chan!” I smiled upon the compliment
“Inoo mo! You look beautiful in that yukata.”
“It’s once a year, so I put the best I have.” Another smug face Inoo put on.
“Whaaa!!! Choo kawaii...!” the two of us turned our heads to the voice direction, and then I saw him. Ryousuke, in his yukata. Even though men’s yukata is not that full of colour than the woman’s, but when it suits you so much, you’ll look great in it. And so does him. He looks gorgeous in it.
“Hello, minna!” Here comes Yuya.
“You look beautiful...! Well ah..., I mean..., FABULOUS!” Yuya praised him.
“Inoo-chan and Dai-chan are kawaii too, aren’t they?” Who allowed you to call me like that? What’s with that Inoo-chan? And why did you call me Dai-chan?? You refused to shake my hand before. I was just trying to welcome you in this island, trying to be friendly to you. I just did what your mom told us. “To be nice”.
After all this time with you being rude to me and i was patient enough to you, now what’s with sudden friendliness?
“Sssh...! Don’t call Daiki kawai. He hates it!” What? I do, hate it! But, it’s because you always teasing me, so I hate it. I hate to be called kawai. By you. Because you made butterfly flutter in my stomach.
“Ikou, Ryou!” they went to the stalls with their own, and left us behind.
“Were they that close before? I mean..., since when?” I knew Inoo can sense something too. He’s a genius after all.
I ignored Inoo. I didn’t give any response.
“Dai-chan! Where will you go?”
I knew it. I knew where I felt the ache. It’s here.... Right here.... In the chest. My heart ached.... It pained....
Looking them so close like that.... Watching their happy faces....
It pained me so much....
“Dai-chan, want to eat this? This eel is so tasty!” He suddenly appeared in front of me nearly shoving the eel in front of my face
“Slap!” I slapped his hand. Ryousuke’s hand. Till the eel fell down.
“Oi, Daiki! What’s with you?” Yuya yelled at me. It was the first time he yelled at me.
“No, it’s my fault. Maybe Dai-chan really hates the eel, so...,” Yeah, it’s your fault. That was just my reflex for slapping something that was being shoved to my face.
“Gomen ne Dai-chan.” Stop calling me Dai-chan, will you?
“Ne, Daiki, he apologize already.” People don’t smirk when you apologize. “What’s with that sour face? It’smatsuri yo! Cheer up!” Just shut up Yuya. Since when you’re defending him?
“C’mon. It doesn’t matter Yuuyan. Maybe he’s just jealous because you didn’t praise him despite he’s stunning as well in his yukata.” He giggled. It’s nice isn’t it? Mocking me like that?
“C’mon Dai-chan!! Let’s buy takoyaki!” he suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Who the hell allowed you to call me like that?! You are NO ONE for me! Don’t feel as you like to call me like that!” I exclaimed. We became people attention in seconds. I don’t care though.
I run. I fed up with all of what happened tonight. The closeness between them two.... The NICE attitude of his.... I regretted it. I regretted to have been nice to him. To have asked him to go with us that day. If I didn’t ask him to go to the beach..., this won’t happen.
“Dai-chan!” he grabbed my hand. “Did I do something bad? I’m sorry if I did.”
“Let me go.”
“I’m sorry if I was bad....”
“I say, let me go.” Inoo come faster please.... I don’t want to burst out here.
---
“I know it.” I glance at him showing question ‘what do you know?’. “I know you love Yuya.” Bull’s eye. I froze in front of him.
“But I love him too!” Then, why didn’t you confess to him?
“It’s because of you. I love him because of you.” I stared at him. Trying to find what he meant. His hand was still grabbing mine.
“You’re just too full of your self. You feel all mighty and felt like you’re the kindest person here.” I don’t get it. Just what are you tryng to say Yamada Ryosuke?
“It irritates me.... I hate you from the beginning.” He then gripped my hand, his nails digging into my skin. I winced in pain but he showed no sign of letting it go.
“So..., I just found a way to make you suffer. I’ll make the one you love, Yuya, love me. What’s this? Somehow I felt his dark aura.
“Ryou! Daiki!” Yuya and Inoo chased after us.
“Slapp me!” He said suddenly.
“What?”
“NO...!!! DAI-CHAN.......!!!!!!!”
It happened in a blink of eye. I didn’t realize what that was just now. Did I slap him till he fell down? Or..., he did it by him self...?
HE FELL?!
When I realized it, Ryousuke has fallen down through the stairs. The shrine stairs. I froze. Then I saw a shadow passed by me fast. It’s Yuya.
---
“We’ll turn on the water! Ready?”
“Shaaa...,” the water dripped.
“Good! Arioka! Give me your sad face!”
---
He went down stairs. Carrying him. But somehow, I felt he glanced at me. The very sharp glance I’ve never seen before. Did he blame me? Did he think that I was the one who has pushed him down?
Yuya, I didn’t even touch him.
---
“Give me another sad pose! Like you’re in pain!”
“Flash!”
---
When I and Inoo arrived in the clinic, I heard that it was a serious injury. Ryousuke have to be carried to the mainland for further treatment/examination.
“Ryou!” he screamed.
“I’ll come along!”
“No, you can’t! We use the police boat, and it’s just for the four of us!” Takaki-san is the police in our island.
---
“Like you have lost something and you can’t get it anymore. Got it?”
“Shaaa....”
Like I’ve lost something? Yeah.... I’ve lost him. I’ve lost the person I love. The kindness..., and the baka-ness of his..., I’ve lost all of them. I even lost his lovely gaze. I lost you, Yuya.
“Yeah! Like that!”
“Splash!”
---
All I got was just a cold back of his. He never talked to me ever since then. He even didn’t want to face me. He always avoided me if we catch up each other.
Then I heard that Ryousuke has broken his leg, and he had to have the rehabilitation in mainland. Yuya who were no longer very kind to me, came along to the mainland. To Ryousuke. He chose to be with him. Forever....
---
“OK! Thank you for today! I’ll treat you all!” it’s over. The photo shoot. And the Yuya story.
“Drip, drip,” the water’s still dripping from my clothes.
“Brugh!” I wobbled then fell down. Maybe it was because of the weight of the water in my clothes.
“Dai-chan!” Inoo got me. He held me, who has no longer had any strength even to sit.
“Dai-chan...,” he removed the hair that covered my eyes.
“It’s ok, now...,” he then hugged me. He rubbed my back, comforting me.
I felt my lips were trembling. My shoulders were shuddering. I don’t know whether the water that fell down on my cheek was the water from photo shoot before or my real tears. I just felt hot in my eyes and my nose. I finally shed my tears.
“Just let it out. It’s okay.” Inoo continued to utter soothing words to me. I hugged him back and cried my eyes out.
“It’s okay, I’m here.”
But he’s not.
---
“Inoo?!”
“Dai-chan? What are you doing here?” I came back to the island. Trying to stop from running away again. To face the reality. Now that I arrived here, actually I was in the same ferry with Inoo.
“I asked you first. And, why did you-? Kouta?!” I couldn’t believe what i saw in front of my eyes. They’re even holding hands!
“Thanks to you that I came to your photo shoot that day!” He giggled and held Kouta’s arm. That -WE ARE LOVERS- act was good enough to inform me what happened between them.
“Eh?! Aren’t you Hikaru? The top model from PyonPyon magazine?” he realized that I was with him. Hikaru. My light.
“Hajimemashite!” Hikaru bowed politely to the shock Inoo.
“Eh...?! Don’t tell me...?” what’s with that -ARE YOU TWO DATING?!- look?
“What? You’re dating with Kouta anyways....” I retorted to him trying to hide my blushing face. Then I hold Hikaru’s arm. Proofing to Inoo that we really are a couple now.
“Inoo!! Daiki!!” That voice. The face. The face that I run away from.
I held Hikaru’s arm tighter with my hands.
Help me to face this. Stay with me! Does it reach you?
“Pat, pat,” he then patted me thenp laced his hand above mine. He pulled me closer to his side and kiss my head.
“I’m here, Dai-chan. Don’t worry!”
-owari-
AN: So, do you like it? i'm sorry for making yamada bad here. comment please, let me know what you think about this! Well, ah... in making this fic, I always heard The Rose from Mai Kuraki.It's a short song though, but it really build the atmosphere... I LOVE IT!!! (^O^)d
Author: mar_coon_ah
Pairing: Tadaiki, Takayama, slight Inoobu, slight HikaDai
Rating: PG
Genre: Angst. Romance
Notes: This story is inspired by Chouchou Kumo, manga work from Ashihara Hinako sensei.
Word Count: 3605
Warning: crappy? failed?
X prefecture. Y island. The summer breeze has already touched our skin. Summer, the season I used to love a lot. The best season there is on earth. The season that always brought smile on my face. But i dreaded this summer.
“Daiki~!!!” I stopped my step. I turned around, looking for the voice that called me. It’s him. I smiled.
“You know what? There’s a new student from the mainland coming here today!” His uncontrolled breath made his shoulders up and down. That was a very big new like Japan capital city is moved to Okinawa.
“I know.” Ah~ man~!!! This trying to cool-act surely is hard. But I hate to be called kawai by him.
“Sou ka ? It’s not a surprise then~,” Oi, oi, oi. What’s with that low voice? Do you feel disappointed? What’s with that face?
“Let’s go to school then.” Ah, hey! What’s with sudden change of topic? Are you okay? You made me feel guilty….
“Eeh, HOUNTOU?! I mean…, I knew that there’s a new student coming to our school. But I don’t know that the new student is from the mainland!” It was weird right? My sudden tension rising? It doesn’t change anything, does it?
“See?! I knew it!! You didn’t know the thing that the new student is from the mainland!” Did it work? Did he cheer up already? It worked. He started to flail again. I smiled again.
“I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl…,” he murmured.
“Let’s check it out then!” I asked. But he gave me his questioned face. “To the harbour!”
“GREAT! Let’s go then!” He led the way grabbing my arms in the process.
“Hahah…,” I chuckled. Ano Bakaki….
I like him. I like his full of spirit side. I even like his baka side. I like everything about him.
How I wished he knew.
---
“KYAAA…!!! Mite, mite…! It’s Arioka Daiki!” The usual reaction. Yet i haven’t got used to it.
“Arioka-kun! Look at here!”
“GYAAA…! The best day in my life! I can see Arioka-kun in his photo session!!” Another over-reaction from those girls.
“The girls sure are noisy, huh?” the lighting man passed by.
I chuckled. “If it’s not because of them, I’m no one.” They’re my fans and I'm an idol.
“But, I wonder why do we have to have the photo shoot here? I mean…, it’s Shibuya!” the wardrobe girl prepared some clothes.
Shibuya, huh? I really hated this Shibuya and Tokyo things. But I ended up working here. Is it such a Karma?
---
“It’s a boy.” A new voice. Not Yuya’s not mine. Who said it? Inoo!!! Since when were you here?
“I heard it from my dad. He’s the principal, you know?” There again his arrogant tone. He acted as if he knows everything. Well, eh... he does. But he’s one of my close friend here.
“Look! It’s a girl!” Yuya got a binocular on his hand to see the new student from the hill.
“What?! A girl? I’m sure it’s a boy! My dad said it’s a boy!!”
“I said it’s a girl...!”
“Where? I want to see him! Or ah..., her. Maybe.”
“No! I want to see her a little bit more!” now, they’re quarrelling over the binocular.
“Ma, ma..., let me see it.” I grab the binocular from their hands and drifted it to the harbour.
It’s a boy, Yuya.... And he seemed so shy. He stood behind his mom.
“Let’s go there!” Yuya stood up and before we agreed, he was already running.
Having a new friend? It’s so rare for us. I mean, just imagine it! In this island, there are only 87 people, and 12 of them are my classmates! And there’s no such a good thing to make the mainland people came here. So, ah... I think we’ll treasure him so much.
“Oh, my.... My skin is burned! I can’t stand it! I should have take lotion before....” A usual remarks about our island.
“Tokyo people...,” Inoo murmured, obviously annoyed.
“Are they from Tokyo?” Yuya seemed a bit hyped up.
“Hey, Kids! Are you the junior high schoolers?”
“Well..., euhm..., you can say so, Mam. This year we only have the first grade,” it’s a bit complicated matter.
“Let me explain it to you,” Inoo took a turn. “There are only three classes in this island. One class for the elementary school, one class for the junior high school, and one class for the senior high school. And my Dad is the principal.” He bragged about it. Again. Promoting the school.
“Hai, hai.... I knew it. You must be Inoo-kun, right? I’ve met with your dad before to talk about the school. Oh, yeah! This is my son Ryousuke. He’s in the first grade. Be nice to him, ne?”
What a kawai boy.... No wonder, Yuya thought he was a girl back then. His well cut hair, his small and slender waist, all of that are enough to make him like a girl. His way of wearing the clothes is so different with us. As expected from the mainland people.
“I’m Arioka Daiki. This is Inoo Kei, and this is Takaki Yuya. Nice to meet you then...,” I gave my hand to shake with his, but then he turn around his head.
“What a rude boy you are!” he shouted.
“Yuya!” I whacked him because he was the one who’s rude.
“Ah, gomen ne! He must be really tired because of the ferry. Shitsureishimasu!”
At that time, I still haven’t notice something what will happen between us.
---
“Arioka! Give me a natural one. OK! One, two….” Kouta, the photographer gave me instruction.
“Flash!” A blinding flash light hit my eyes.
“Good! The last before we take a break! Another natural pose!” the photographer for this photo shoot.
“Flash!”
“OK! First session is done!”
“Do you want to have your lunch now?” The person who’s in charge on catering asked me.
“No. Pocari please….”
“Ok, then.”
“Ah…, Arioka-kun!” Kouta came to where I took a rest.
“In the next session, we’ll water you like in the rain. You just have to show your sad face. Ok?”
“Un! Wakatta!”
“Hah...” I sighed. “Really.... What kind of photo shoot is this? Do they need a sad looking face for the commercial photo album?” I murmured.
“They do,” I shocked when I heard the voice I really know.
“Inoo....”
One of the people from my past. Will I be alright? I know, run away is not the good thing to do. But I....
---
“Let’s patrol around the island!” Yuya broke the silence. It’s the end of the class. And everybody just went home already.
“Why don’t we go swimming?” I exclaimed. Cause it’s summer!
“Yeah! Let’s go to the beach!” the three of us agreed. But before we went home to prepare everything, I realized there’s someone besides us three.
“Ryousuke-kun! Wanna come join us?” I went to his seat. He’s still tidying up his books.
“I won’t let a rude boy to come.”
“Yuya!!! What did you just say?” He wasn’t like this before. I mean, he’s a good boy. That Yuya.
“If you’re not apologizing to Daiki, I won’t let you join us.” He came closer to me and said such an unusual line. Did he do it for my sake?
“Euhm.... That’s no need Ryousuke-kun. I know you’re just too shy.....”
“Gomen nasai.” Ryosuke murmured lowly, but I heard him.
“It’s okay.” I said to him and smiled, even though i could see the hesitance in his eyes of apologizing to me.
And then, we’re going to the beach. Still, I haven’t known what will happen between us....
---
“What?! How long will you stare at me like that? Don’t you want to hug your old friend?” he said. “I’m still young though! Hahah...,” he chuckled.
“Bruk!” I hugged him. Tightly. Inoo, you don’t know how much I missed you.
“Pat, pat” he patted me. “Well, don’t you want to ask why I am here?” he loosened the hug. I nodded. And say nothing because of this surprise.
“I came here for you. I mean..., I’m so worried about you. You haven’t called me since the day you went from the island.”
I stared at him. Looking for the difference he made. He’s still the same. Still wanted to be asked first, but at last he questioned him self and answer it himself. Still has two set moles below his collar bone.... Still has that big smile.... Still so beautiful.
---
“Hey...! We’re going to have storm...!” Inoo shouted.
“Storm?!” Ryousuke is surprised.
“It seems like it will be, because there’s a butterfly cloud.” I pointed out to the cloud which shaped like butterfly.
“Butterfly cloud?” He saw it too.
“It’s a type of cumulus cloud. If there’s a butterfly cloud, it warns you there’ll be a strong wind.” This WALKING encyclopaedia Inoo, explain it to Ryousuke.
“Let’s get in to the cave then!” Yuya lead us to the cave nearby. And we’ll wait till the storm gone.
Ryousuke was just too worry and he really wanted to go home. But I could calm him down, and promised him the best scene of the sea.
“See? The scenery of the sea after the storm is sooo beautiful!” I got out from the cave. Yuya, Inoo, and Ryousuke followed me.
“Time for free jumping!!!” Yuya run fast to the cliff, and then jumped to the sea. That’s our favourite play.
“Ikou, Ryousuke-kun!” I grabbed his hand, but he was hesitant.
“Ah..., are you afraid?” he didn’t answer me. We’re now on the cliff. “Is it okay if I go first?” I’m ready to jump.
“Daiki! Hurry and jump! Just leave him!” shouted Yuya. They were already in the water.
“You can stay here then. We’ll be back.”
“Yahooooo!” I jumped. Free style jump. Then we swam to the deeper sea. Meanwhile....
“BYURRR!!!!!”
“Did you hear something?” I asked the two.
“Bubble, bubble....”
“I heard... something bubbled?” Inoo noticed something.
“Ryousuke-kun!!!” I screamed with all my might. Shocked looking Ryousuke’s floating.
Yuya brought him to the seashore, and we circled him. He stayed still. Not making any noise or any move.
“Who would whack the water surface like that?!” Yuya exclaimed.
“Hiks, hiks!” he sobbed. His skin was burned because he slapped the water surface from that height.
“I eh..., I’ll get something too cool him with then!”
“I’ll get a towel then!” Inoo followed me.
I had no worry, left just the two of them. But then, when I came back with ice to cool Ryousuke with....
“What a ba...ka!” Yuya ruffled Ryousuke’s hair.
“Don’t laugh at me! It was really hurt, you know...,” they’re laughing.
“But for a beginner, it was such a good jump.”
I didn’t believe in what I saw. They’re just like old friend now. It’s as if they have befriended for a long time.
Watching them like that..., I felt somehow it hurts somewhere....
That day, I realized something. Something really happened between us.
---
“Genki?” We took a little walk in the middle of the photo shoot break.
“Ehm!” I nodded.
“Are you happy?” he gulped his juice. “Is this what you really want?” he stared at me. I looked at him for a short moment then i looked away.
“What’s so good about running away? Aren’t you tired already?”
I knew. I knew this conversation will go to this point. Damn Inoo, why are you so good at reading me?
“What can I do other than running away?” i retored back at him.
“You could-,” he stopped. “At least, you can tell him that you love him. And if you feel sorry, just say so! Even though that accident wasn’t your fault at all....”
“Arioka! Let’s begin the last session!” Kouta shouted from far.
“If I tell him that I love him, will it change any?” he said nothing.
“I have a job to do, see you around ne.” I walked away.
“Dai-chan....” He grabbed my hand.
“You know what...?” I faced him. “Actually, I was a bit happy when he got that accident.”
Inoo loosened my hand. Perhaps he felt shock to know what I really felt back then. That accident, at least it could be the best reason for me to leave the island.
---
“Can I call you Ryou?”
“Then, I’ll call you Yuya.”
“Fair enough!”
“Dai-chan! Doushitano?”
“Iie...! Nandemonai!” I felt something ached. Somewhere, but I didn’t know exactly where. I just couldn’t figure it out. But it stings so bad.
Tonight we’re going to the summer festival.
“Kawaii!!! You look so adorable, Dai-chan!” I smiled upon the compliment
“Inoo mo! You look beautiful in that yukata.”
“It’s once a year, so I put the best I have.” Another smug face Inoo put on.
“Whaaa!!! Choo kawaii...!” the two of us turned our heads to the voice direction, and then I saw him. Ryousuke, in his yukata. Even though men’s yukata is not that full of colour than the woman’s, but when it suits you so much, you’ll look great in it. And so does him. He looks gorgeous in it.
“Hello, minna!” Here comes Yuya.
“You look beautiful...! Well ah..., I mean..., FABULOUS!” Yuya praised him.
“Inoo-chan and Dai-chan are kawaii too, aren’t they?” Who allowed you to call me like that? What’s with that Inoo-chan? And why did you call me Dai-chan?? You refused to shake my hand before. I was just trying to welcome you in this island, trying to be friendly to you. I just did what your mom told us. “To be nice”.
After all this time with you being rude to me and i was patient enough to you, now what’s with sudden friendliness?
“Sssh...! Don’t call Daiki kawai. He hates it!” What? I do, hate it! But, it’s because you always teasing me, so I hate it. I hate to be called kawai. By you. Because you made butterfly flutter in my stomach.
“Ikou, Ryou!” they went to the stalls with their own, and left us behind.
“Were they that close before? I mean..., since when?” I knew Inoo can sense something too. He’s a genius after all.
I ignored Inoo. I didn’t give any response.
“Dai-chan! Where will you go?”
I knew it. I knew where I felt the ache. It’s here.... Right here.... In the chest. My heart ached.... It pained....
Looking them so close like that.... Watching their happy faces....
It pained me so much....
“Dai-chan, want to eat this? This eel is so tasty!” He suddenly appeared in front of me nearly shoving the eel in front of my face
“Slap!” I slapped his hand. Ryousuke’s hand. Till the eel fell down.
“Oi, Daiki! What’s with you?” Yuya yelled at me. It was the first time he yelled at me.
“No, it’s my fault. Maybe Dai-chan really hates the eel, so...,” Yeah, it’s your fault. That was just my reflex for slapping something that was being shoved to my face.
“Gomen ne Dai-chan.” Stop calling me Dai-chan, will you?
“Ne, Daiki, he apologize already.” People don’t smirk when you apologize. “What’s with that sour face? It’smatsuri yo! Cheer up!” Just shut up Yuya. Since when you’re defending him?
“C’mon. It doesn’t matter Yuuyan. Maybe he’s just jealous because you didn’t praise him despite he’s stunning as well in his yukata.” He giggled. It’s nice isn’t it? Mocking me like that?
“C’mon Dai-chan!! Let’s buy takoyaki!” he suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Who the hell allowed you to call me like that?! You are NO ONE for me! Don’t feel as you like to call me like that!” I exclaimed. We became people attention in seconds. I don’t care though.
I run. I fed up with all of what happened tonight. The closeness between them two.... The NICE attitude of his.... I regretted it. I regretted to have been nice to him. To have asked him to go with us that day. If I didn’t ask him to go to the beach..., this won’t happen.
“Dai-chan!” he grabbed my hand. “Did I do something bad? I’m sorry if I did.”
“Let me go.”
“I’m sorry if I was bad....”
“I say, let me go.” Inoo come faster please.... I don’t want to burst out here.
---
“I know it.” I glance at him showing question ‘what do you know?’. “I know you love Yuya.” Bull’s eye. I froze in front of him.
“But I love him too!” Then, why didn’t you confess to him?
“It’s because of you. I love him because of you.” I stared at him. Trying to find what he meant. His hand was still grabbing mine.
“You’re just too full of your self. You feel all mighty and felt like you’re the kindest person here.” I don’t get it. Just what are you tryng to say Yamada Ryosuke?
“It irritates me.... I hate you from the beginning.” He then gripped my hand, his nails digging into my skin. I winced in pain but he showed no sign of letting it go.
“So..., I just found a way to make you suffer. I’ll make the one you love, Yuya, love me. What’s this? Somehow I felt his dark aura.
“Ryou! Daiki!” Yuya and Inoo chased after us.
“Slapp me!” He said suddenly.
“What?”
“NO...!!! DAI-CHAN.......!!!!!!!”
It happened in a blink of eye. I didn’t realize what that was just now. Did I slap him till he fell down? Or..., he did it by him self...?
HE FELL?!
When I realized it, Ryousuke has fallen down through the stairs. The shrine stairs. I froze. Then I saw a shadow passed by me fast. It’s Yuya.
---
“We’ll turn on the water! Ready?”
“Shaaa...,” the water dripped.
“Good! Arioka! Give me your sad face!”
---
He went down stairs. Carrying him. But somehow, I felt he glanced at me. The very sharp glance I’ve never seen before. Did he blame me? Did he think that I was the one who has pushed him down?
Yuya, I didn’t even touch him.
---
“Give me another sad pose! Like you’re in pain!”
“Flash!”
---
When I and Inoo arrived in the clinic, I heard that it was a serious injury. Ryousuke have to be carried to the mainland for further treatment/examination.
“Ryou!” he screamed.
“I’ll come along!”
“No, you can’t! We use the police boat, and it’s just for the four of us!” Takaki-san is the police in our island.
---
“Like you have lost something and you can’t get it anymore. Got it?”
“Shaaa....”
Like I’ve lost something? Yeah.... I’ve lost him. I’ve lost the person I love. The kindness..., and the baka-ness of his..., I’ve lost all of them. I even lost his lovely gaze. I lost you, Yuya.
“Yeah! Like that!”
“Splash!”
---
All I got was just a cold back of his. He never talked to me ever since then. He even didn’t want to face me. He always avoided me if we catch up each other.
Then I heard that Ryousuke has broken his leg, and he had to have the rehabilitation in mainland. Yuya who were no longer very kind to me, came along to the mainland. To Ryousuke. He chose to be with him. Forever....
---
“OK! Thank you for today! I’ll treat you all!” it’s over. The photo shoot. And the Yuya story.
“Drip, drip,” the water’s still dripping from my clothes.
“Brugh!” I wobbled then fell down. Maybe it was because of the weight of the water in my clothes.
“Dai-chan!” Inoo got me. He held me, who has no longer had any strength even to sit.
“Dai-chan...,” he removed the hair that covered my eyes.
“It’s ok, now...,” he then hugged me. He rubbed my back, comforting me.
I felt my lips were trembling. My shoulders were shuddering. I don’t know whether the water that fell down on my cheek was the water from photo shoot before or my real tears. I just felt hot in my eyes and my nose. I finally shed my tears.
“Just let it out. It’s okay.” Inoo continued to utter soothing words to me. I hugged him back and cried my eyes out.
“It’s okay, I’m here.”
But he’s not.
---
“Inoo?!”
“Dai-chan? What are you doing here?” I came back to the island. Trying to stop from running away again. To face the reality. Now that I arrived here, actually I was in the same ferry with Inoo.
“I asked you first. And, why did you-? Kouta?!” I couldn’t believe what i saw in front of my eyes. They’re even holding hands!
“Thanks to you that I came to your photo shoot that day!” He giggled and held Kouta’s arm. That -WE ARE LOVERS- act was good enough to inform me what happened between them.
“Eh?! Aren’t you Hikaru? The top model from PyonPyon magazine?” he realized that I was with him. Hikaru. My light.
“Hajimemashite!” Hikaru bowed politely to the shock Inoo.
“Eh...?! Don’t tell me...?” what’s with that -ARE YOU TWO DATING?!- look?
“What? You’re dating with Kouta anyways....” I retorted to him trying to hide my blushing face. Then I hold Hikaru’s arm. Proofing to Inoo that we really are a couple now.
“Inoo!! Daiki!!” That voice. The face. The face that I run away from.
I held Hikaru’s arm tighter with my hands.
Help me to face this. Stay with me! Does it reach you?
“Pat, pat,” he then patted me thenp laced his hand above mine. He pulled me closer to his side and kiss my head.
“I’m here, Dai-chan. Don’t worry!”
-owari-
AN: So, do you like it? i'm sorry for making yamada bad here. comment please, let me know what you think about this! Well, ah... in making this fic, I always heard The Rose from Mai Kuraki.It's a short song though, but it really build the atmosphere... I LOVE IT!!! (^O^)d