[Fanfic] We'll Always Have Paris - Chapter Twelve: This Is Not Goodbye
To make up for my rather short updates the past days, this one is longer than usual. :D
I'm suppose to update earlier but man, I got distracted. There's just too much hot issue going on, isn't it? :) Akanishi Jin knocking up Kuroki Meisa resulting to a shotgun marriage. T__T and then in the neighboring country Korea, Park Yoochun got involved in a sex video controversy. These two are the only celebs I care about (besides Arashi of course.) So imagine how crazy I got when two shocking issues came out with both of them. Jin and Meisa are true and I can't do anything but support them. But Yoochun and CJES denied everything and I believe them. Considering how plausible it is to believe that SME are behind it. Anyways....
I hope everyone will like this chapter. *wink* *wink*
This is unbeta-ed so tell me if there are errors and mistakes. Comments, suggestions, reactions and criticisms are gladly welcomed. Happy reading!!
Chapter Twelve: This Is Not Goodbye
The weekend getaway with Sho temporarily took all of Sophie’s stress away from school works and she’s glad that they got to spend some time together even for a little bit. She felt quite bad that she’s spending more time at school these days and Sho is left alone at home. But the good about this is that Sho is already getting accustomed with the Parisian life. He takes the train and travels by himself outside the 7th district, he shops for food on his own and she’s also impressed that he learned a bit of French language in less than a month. He’s enjoying his own time walking around the street without people noticing him. He says it’s like a breath of fresh air, that’s why he always makes sure to take a walk every morning as it will never happen again once he comes back home.
The new week started quite hectic for Sophie. It was already late into the night when she arrived home from a group study with her classmates. With final exams coming in less than a month, they need all the study time they can get to prepare for the last stretch of their university life.
Sophie expected to see a sleeping Sho in the bed but an unexpected surprise greeted her. Positioned in the middle of her bedroom are two suitcases, packed with stuff and all ready to go. His things inside the closer are gone and the numerous shopping bags that used to be scattered on the floor are now empty and are neatly folded on top of each other.
She tried to call out for Sho but no one answered, it is only then she saw a piece of post-it note sticking on her bedside lamp.
Meet me in our bench in Champ de Mars.
Sho.
Sophie folded the paper and slips it inside her pocket. Momentarily, she lets it process on her mind. Could it be he decided to come back home now?
She ran down the stairs and into the street, the park is just across her apartment building and she instantly saw his back after she crosses the street. She stops and took a minute to watch him. He is leaning forward, with his elbows on his thighs, staring blankly on the tall and brightly-lit tower that already became a big part of their relationship. On his hand is a bouquet of red roses, her favorite, which he always gives her every morning, after she wakes up with the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
And all of a sudden, it struck her. He is about to say goodbye. Right here, right now. In the place that is most important for them.
“Isn’t it quite late for a trip in the park?” Sophie tried to hide the sadness in her voice and gave the best smile she can even if her heart is slowly breaking into pieces.
When Sho turned around to at look her, his eyes are swollen and full of sadness but still, he doesn’t want to show it and covered it with a faint smile.
He gave her the bouquet of red roses and took her hand tightly to his, as if he doesn’t want to let go of it. “I heard that it’s normal here for guys to give flowers to their girlfriends for no reason.” He chuckled embarrassingly. “If I do that in Japan people will laugh at me, but you’re no Japanese, at least in culture, I figured you’d love receiving flowers everyday…”
“Is that the reason why you constantly give me flowers every morning?” Sophie smiled, leaning over to him.
He nodded with a smile. “Don’t you like it?”
“I love it. It’s really sweet and thoughtful.”
Silence. No one dares to speak up about their impending separation. Even if Sophie prepared herself for this, it’s different when she’s finally faced with the truth. It hurts twice as much, she actually felt her heart shattering. Sho doesn’t want to talk about it out loud with her, he’s too afraid to let reality struck upon him.
No one dare to speak for over half an hour, they just stare into the bright lights in front of them with their hands tangled together and their hearts beating faster. The tidy bedroom, the sad and swollen eyes and the deafening silence says it all.
“Sophie…” Sho’s voice is hoarse and dry after the momentary silence. “I booked my flight back home…” Those words are spoken so softly and sadly at the same time.
Sophie pursed her lips to avoid breaking into tears. “I kinda figured that one out after I saw your suitcases in the bedroom…”
Both of them tried to suppress the tears that are about fall from their eyes.
“When is your flight?” Sophie asked, fighting the tears with a forced smile.
Sho sighed before speaking. “Tomorrow afternoon.” And he just can’t help it, a tear fell from his eyes.
“Don’t cry…” Sophie wipes the tears away but even herself can’t stop the tears on her own eyes.
“It’s what’s best for you, Sophie… It’s what’s best for both of us and for the people that we love.”
“I know that. I understand very well…”
The first time they sat in this very bench is that night when they finally made everything official. That night when they confessed to each other that they fell in love. That night when they agreed that Paris a magical place that brought them together. That night when they promised that they would fight for their relationship no matter how hard it is. And since that night, it became a special place. They never thought that in this bench, they would also eventually end everything. This is the last night and the last time that they would seat in this bench together. This is their final goodbye.
----------
When Sho woke up the next morning, he found Sophie, in her pajamas, making breakfast for the first time.
“Aren’t you going to school? You’ll be late…” He tried to sound cheerful.
They both promised to not shed a single tear today, even though it’s hard. Sophie said that goodbyes shouldn’t always be sad and full of tears, goodbyes should also be a happy moment, it’s a sign that you’re strong enough to let go and to face a new challenge in your life. For them, the challenge is the hardest one, which is to be away from the person you love.
“I’ll ditch it.” She smiled as she placed a plate of bread, omelet and strips of bacon in front of him. “I’ll just ask Ai-chan for her notes today.”
“Don’t ditch it.” Sho told her.
“I want to send you off to the airport.” She placed a freshly squeeze orange juice for both of them before sitting opposite him.
“I don’t want you to send me off to the airport.” Sho puts in, taking a bite of his breakfast.
“What? Sophie raised an eyebrow.
Sho abruptly flashes a small grinned. “I might not be able to walk inside if you’re there.”
She smiled. “Well, you have to face the French police for overstaying and you might get deported back home.”
He laughed. He’s going to miss this, the little moments they share every morning before she go to school. “But seriously, don’t send me off and attend your classes.”
“But Sho-”
“No buts.” Sho interrupted her. “Just do me one last favor…”
“What is it?”
“Before you head to school, come with me to the Eiffel Tower one last time.”
----------
Standing hand in hand facing the tallest structure in Paris are Sho and Sophie, trying their best to smile, overpowering the immense sadness they are feeling inside. This is it, in a few minutes, their hands will separate and they will have to walk away from each other. Also, in a few minutes, they will finally be able to cry without witnessing the other.
“This is not goodbye.” Sho is the first one to speak. “Goodbye for now… I promise Sophie, one day we’ll have our time.”
“Sho…” Sophie held his face on her palms.
“I want you to go after your dreams, the dreams you had before you met me. This goodbye is just temporary, until you accomplish what you need to accomplish, I will wait for you. Five years, six years or even ten years, I will wait patiently.” She can feel his cheeks burning with the suppressed emotions. “You know where to find me. When you’re ready, look for me and we’ll start a life together.” The tone of his voice is filled with hope that someday, when the time comes, they will be together again.
“Sho I don’t want you to expect anything from me.” Sophie’s eyes are beginning to get red. “It may take a long time...”
“I don’t care.” It was his turn to cradle her face in his hand. “I love you and I know you love me just as much. Someday, I want you to be my wife and we’ll create a family together.” He smiled beneath the tears forming in his eyes.
They broke the promise, they both cried in front of each other.
Just when she was about to say something, Sho pulled out a small box in his pocket that made her loss all her words.
Sho opens the box and a sparkling diamond ring glistens in her eyes. “When everything is right, let’s get married.” A new batch of tears fell from Sho’s eyes as he slowly inserts the ring on her right ring finger.
“Sho…” She is still lost and unable to collect herself.
“I love you, Sophie. I will always do.” Sho pulled her in for a passionate kiss as their eyes continue to shed tears.
“When the time comes…” Sophie tried to speak with all the tears. “One day, when I find you, I wish you accept not only Sophie but also who I really am… Sayumi and the rest of the people she loves… I hope accept you them because her life is very different from Sophie…”
“I will.” Sho assures blindly. “I’ll accept you for who you are, Sophie, I promise.”
They shared a big, warm embrace under the Parisian winter morning, one final embrace before they separate, for now.
“I have to go. I have to check-in a few hours earlier.” Sho reluctantly said. “And I don’t want you to miss your first class today.” He strokes her cheek admiringly, as if remember the softness of her skin and treasuring it until they meet again.
“Take care.” Her voice squeaks with emotions.
“I will.” He smiled, not taking his hand from her face. “Make me proud, okay?”
She nodded and they finally reached in for one final kiss.
“Goodbye.”
“This is not goodbye.” Sho corrected her. “I will see you soon.”
Sophie smiled softly. “See you soon.”
Sho slowly takes his steps away from her, keeping his eyes away from her face to avoid getting deeper into his emotions. He can’t watch her crying face as he go.
She watched his back walk away from her, with endless tears falling from her eyes and her hand holding on that ring on her finger.
Just when he reached the middle of what felt like a long walk back to the street, he turned again to look at her, he can clearly see her face just below the tower, with her hand on her mouth and her shoulders shaking from too much crying. She saw him and she instantly smiled, the smile that he’s been waiting to see for weeks.
He smiled back before waving his hands in the air. “I will wait for you! Remember that!” He shouted across the garden and she replied with a quick nod before breaking into his favorite smile and waving her hand back at him.
For the last time, they were able to exchanged sincere smiles to each other, a smile full of hope and anticipation for what may come in the future. A future they were not aware of and a future that will either make or break them.
----------
August 2012
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay in the dorms?” She heard her mother ask for the hundredth time.
“Yes, mother. I’m sure.” Sophie replied reassuringly. “The dorm is okay. I don’t want to have my own apartment here. It’s not Paris. Students live in the dorm and that’s exactly what I would do.”
“But you never lived in dorms before.” Her mother is still unimpressed.
“Mother, remember when I went to South America for that volunteer program? I slept in that cramped tent with my co-volunteers for three months. I can survive the dorms. It has a proper bed and a clean bathroom and my roommate is nice.”
“Oh well, just tell us if you suddenly felt like moving to an apartment.”
Sophie laughs as she shakes her head. “Yes, mother.”
“It’s a pity that we can’t see you before you start your first semester in law school.” Her mother sounded sad. “I’m sorry that we got caught up here.”
“I understand, mother. You’re free to visit me here with father once you find a free time.”
“Ahh, your father, he can’t even find time to call you for even one minute.”
“That’s okay, mother. He has responsibilities to attend to. I’m sure he’ll find time to call me one of these days.”
“Yumi-chan… I am very proud of you.”
Even if she can’t see her mother’s face, she can sense the sincerity in her voice and that’s enough for her to feel touched.
“In a few years, you’re going to be a lawyer, your dream will finally come true.”
“You know that I couldn’t have done this without your support, also father’s and nee-chan’s. You are all my inspiration.”
“Ne, Yumi-chan. Continue making me proud.” Now she feels like her mother is crying on the other line.
“Are you crying, mother?” She laughs.
“No, I’m not.” She denied it but the soft sobs give it away. “Yumi-chan… Take care of yourself, ne. Mom is always here when you need me… I love you, remember that.”
She finds it odd that her mother is suddenly getting emotional over this conversation, she’s not like this usually. “I love you too, mother.” She answers back.
----------
The sound of the people running outside the corridor making a big commotion distracts him from reviewing his ichimen for tonight’s News Zero. He was the only one inside the waiting room and they have one hour still before going on air. He wondered what the commotion outside is all about.
Just when he was about to go to the door to see what’s happening outside, his manager entered the room with one of the producers for the show.
“What is happening outside? Why are they running around the floor?” Sho asked the two men in front of him.
“Sakurai-san, there was big accident in Ginza.” Kato, the producer, answered him.
“Who was involved in the accident?” Sho asked. It worried him suddenly. Who got into the accident? The Arashi members? His family? Why does these two look really worried.
“The Crown Prince and Princess.” Kato answered.
“What?” Sho creases his eyebrow. “The Royal Family?” he confirms.
“Just the Prince and Princess. Apparently, the driver loses control and they crashed into a truck, causing traffic. It happened a few minutes ago, they were rushed into the nearest hospital and there’s no word yet on their condition.”
“Is it critical?” Sho inquired.
To be quite honest, the Royal Family of Japan maintains a low-profile compared to other royalties in the world. They rarely appear in public and the masses only received news about them from the Imperial Household Agency, a government agency in charge of the matters concerning the Royal clan.
“Their car is wrecked, according to onlookers, there’s no way one can survive with how the car looks.” Kato said.
“Woah…” Sho sighed, this is one big news. The public will talk about this accident for days considering how they are deprived of some Royal Family gossips lately. “Are we going to report about it tonight?”
“Sakurai-san, I already received permission from your manager and your agency, we will send you on location.” Kato informs him.
“On location?” Sho repeated.
“Yes. Are you up for it?” Kato confirms.
“Of course.” Sho willingly answered. He only has Olympics coverage and talks about world issues under his belt, this is the first time he’ll report about the Royal Family and it’s a big pressure.
----------
When Sophie arrived back to the dorm after her class, she noticed that her phone has more than twenty missed calls from her sister. She wondered what happened to make her sister desperately tries to reach her.
Just when she’s about to call her back, her phone started vibrating again.
“Nee-chan, I’m sorry, I just finished my class and I turned my phone on silent mode.”
“Yumi-chan!” Her sister is panting on the other line. “You need to get on the next plane back home!”
“Hold on, Nee-chan, calm down first. What happened?” She tried to stay calm even after hearing her sister panicking.
“It’s our parents.” Her sister’s voice suddenly breaks she started crying. “They got into an accident.”
*Dun dun dun dun! Did you like the ending? :D :D :D
Disclaimer: This story is purely made of fiction and I'm in no way connected to Arashi and Johnny's Entertainment. Most importantly, I'm not connected to the Imperial Family of Japan or the Imperial Household Agency. All names related to the Imperial Family are purely fictional.
I'm suppose to update earlier but man, I got distracted. There's just too much hot issue going on, isn't it? :) Akanishi Jin knocking up Kuroki Meisa resulting to a shotgun marriage. T__T and then in the neighboring country Korea, Park Yoochun got involved in a sex video controversy. These two are the only celebs I care about (besides Arashi of course.) So imagine how crazy I got when two shocking issues came out with both of them. Jin and Meisa are true and I can't do anything but support them. But Yoochun and CJES denied everything and I believe them. Considering how plausible it is to believe that SME are behind it. Anyways....
I hope everyone will like this chapter. *wink* *wink*
This is unbeta-ed so tell me if there are errors and mistakes. Comments, suggestions, reactions and criticisms are gladly welcomed. Happy reading!!
Chapter Twelve: This Is Not Goodbye
The weekend getaway with Sho temporarily took all of Sophie’s stress away from school works and she’s glad that they got to spend some time together even for a little bit. She felt quite bad that she’s spending more time at school these days and Sho is left alone at home. But the good about this is that Sho is already getting accustomed with the Parisian life. He takes the train and travels by himself outside the 7th district, he shops for food on his own and she’s also impressed that he learned a bit of French language in less than a month. He’s enjoying his own time walking around the street without people noticing him. He says it’s like a breath of fresh air, that’s why he always makes sure to take a walk every morning as it will never happen again once he comes back home.
The new week started quite hectic for Sophie. It was already late into the night when she arrived home from a group study with her classmates. With final exams coming in less than a month, they need all the study time they can get to prepare for the last stretch of their university life.
Sophie expected to see a sleeping Sho in the bed but an unexpected surprise greeted her. Positioned in the middle of her bedroom are two suitcases, packed with stuff and all ready to go. His things inside the closer are gone and the numerous shopping bags that used to be scattered on the floor are now empty and are neatly folded on top of each other.
She tried to call out for Sho but no one answered, it is only then she saw a piece of post-it note sticking on her bedside lamp.
Meet me in our bench in Champ de Mars.
Sho.
Sophie folded the paper and slips it inside her pocket. Momentarily, she lets it process on her mind. Could it be he decided to come back home now?
She ran down the stairs and into the street, the park is just across her apartment building and she instantly saw his back after she crosses the street. She stops and took a minute to watch him. He is leaning forward, with his elbows on his thighs, staring blankly on the tall and brightly-lit tower that already became a big part of their relationship. On his hand is a bouquet of red roses, her favorite, which he always gives her every morning, after she wakes up with the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
And all of a sudden, it struck her. He is about to say goodbye. Right here, right now. In the place that is most important for them.
“Isn’t it quite late for a trip in the park?” Sophie tried to hide the sadness in her voice and gave the best smile she can even if her heart is slowly breaking into pieces.
When Sho turned around to at look her, his eyes are swollen and full of sadness but still, he doesn’t want to show it and covered it with a faint smile.
He gave her the bouquet of red roses and took her hand tightly to his, as if he doesn’t want to let go of it. “I heard that it’s normal here for guys to give flowers to their girlfriends for no reason.” He chuckled embarrassingly. “If I do that in Japan people will laugh at me, but you’re no Japanese, at least in culture, I figured you’d love receiving flowers everyday…”
“Is that the reason why you constantly give me flowers every morning?” Sophie smiled, leaning over to him.
He nodded with a smile. “Don’t you like it?”
“I love it. It’s really sweet and thoughtful.”
Silence. No one dares to speak up about their impending separation. Even if Sophie prepared herself for this, it’s different when she’s finally faced with the truth. It hurts twice as much, she actually felt her heart shattering. Sho doesn’t want to talk about it out loud with her, he’s too afraid to let reality struck upon him.
No one dare to speak for over half an hour, they just stare into the bright lights in front of them with their hands tangled together and their hearts beating faster. The tidy bedroom, the sad and swollen eyes and the deafening silence says it all.
“Sophie…” Sho’s voice is hoarse and dry after the momentary silence. “I booked my flight back home…” Those words are spoken so softly and sadly at the same time.
Sophie pursed her lips to avoid breaking into tears. “I kinda figured that one out after I saw your suitcases in the bedroom…”
Both of them tried to suppress the tears that are about fall from their eyes.
“When is your flight?” Sophie asked, fighting the tears with a forced smile.
Sho sighed before speaking. “Tomorrow afternoon.” And he just can’t help it, a tear fell from his eyes.
“Don’t cry…” Sophie wipes the tears away but even herself can’t stop the tears on her own eyes.
“It’s what’s best for you, Sophie… It’s what’s best for both of us and for the people that we love.”
“I know that. I understand very well…”
The first time they sat in this very bench is that night when they finally made everything official. That night when they confessed to each other that they fell in love. That night when they agreed that Paris a magical place that brought them together. That night when they promised that they would fight for their relationship no matter how hard it is. And since that night, it became a special place. They never thought that in this bench, they would also eventually end everything. This is the last night and the last time that they would seat in this bench together. This is their final goodbye.
----------
When Sho woke up the next morning, he found Sophie, in her pajamas, making breakfast for the first time.
“Aren’t you going to school? You’ll be late…” He tried to sound cheerful.
They both promised to not shed a single tear today, even though it’s hard. Sophie said that goodbyes shouldn’t always be sad and full of tears, goodbyes should also be a happy moment, it’s a sign that you’re strong enough to let go and to face a new challenge in your life. For them, the challenge is the hardest one, which is to be away from the person you love.
“I’ll ditch it.” She smiled as she placed a plate of bread, omelet and strips of bacon in front of him. “I’ll just ask Ai-chan for her notes today.”
“Don’t ditch it.” Sho told her.
“I want to send you off to the airport.” She placed a freshly squeeze orange juice for both of them before sitting opposite him.
“I don’t want you to send me off to the airport.” Sho puts in, taking a bite of his breakfast.
“What? Sophie raised an eyebrow.
Sho abruptly flashes a small grinned. “I might not be able to walk inside if you’re there.”
She smiled. “Well, you have to face the French police for overstaying and you might get deported back home.”
He laughed. He’s going to miss this, the little moments they share every morning before she go to school. “But seriously, don’t send me off and attend your classes.”
“But Sho-”
“No buts.” Sho interrupted her. “Just do me one last favor…”
“What is it?”
“Before you head to school, come with me to the Eiffel Tower one last time.”
----------
Standing hand in hand facing the tallest structure in Paris are Sho and Sophie, trying their best to smile, overpowering the immense sadness they are feeling inside. This is it, in a few minutes, their hands will separate and they will have to walk away from each other. Also, in a few minutes, they will finally be able to cry without witnessing the other.
“This is not goodbye.” Sho is the first one to speak. “Goodbye for now… I promise Sophie, one day we’ll have our time.”
“Sho…” Sophie held his face on her palms.
“I want you to go after your dreams, the dreams you had before you met me. This goodbye is just temporary, until you accomplish what you need to accomplish, I will wait for you. Five years, six years or even ten years, I will wait patiently.” She can feel his cheeks burning with the suppressed emotions. “You know where to find me. When you’re ready, look for me and we’ll start a life together.” The tone of his voice is filled with hope that someday, when the time comes, they will be together again.
“Sho I don’t want you to expect anything from me.” Sophie’s eyes are beginning to get red. “It may take a long time...”
“I don’t care.” It was his turn to cradle her face in his hand. “I love you and I know you love me just as much. Someday, I want you to be my wife and we’ll create a family together.” He smiled beneath the tears forming in his eyes.
They broke the promise, they both cried in front of each other.
Just when she was about to say something, Sho pulled out a small box in his pocket that made her loss all her words.
Sho opens the box and a sparkling diamond ring glistens in her eyes. “When everything is right, let’s get married.” A new batch of tears fell from Sho’s eyes as he slowly inserts the ring on her right ring finger.
“Sho…” She is still lost and unable to collect herself.
“I love you, Sophie. I will always do.” Sho pulled her in for a passionate kiss as their eyes continue to shed tears.
“When the time comes…” Sophie tried to speak with all the tears. “One day, when I find you, I wish you accept not only Sophie but also who I really am… Sayumi and the rest of the people she loves… I hope accept you them because her life is very different from Sophie…”
“I will.” Sho assures blindly. “I’ll accept you for who you are, Sophie, I promise.”
They shared a big, warm embrace under the Parisian winter morning, one final embrace before they separate, for now.
“I have to go. I have to check-in a few hours earlier.” Sho reluctantly said. “And I don’t want you to miss your first class today.” He strokes her cheek admiringly, as if remember the softness of her skin and treasuring it until they meet again.
“Take care.” Her voice squeaks with emotions.
“I will.” He smiled, not taking his hand from her face. “Make me proud, okay?”
She nodded and they finally reached in for one final kiss.
“Goodbye.”
“This is not goodbye.” Sho corrected her. “I will see you soon.”
Sophie smiled softly. “See you soon.”
Sho slowly takes his steps away from her, keeping his eyes away from her face to avoid getting deeper into his emotions. He can’t watch her crying face as he go.
She watched his back walk away from her, with endless tears falling from her eyes and her hand holding on that ring on her finger.
Just when he reached the middle of what felt like a long walk back to the street, he turned again to look at her, he can clearly see her face just below the tower, with her hand on her mouth and her shoulders shaking from too much crying. She saw him and she instantly smiled, the smile that he’s been waiting to see for weeks.
He smiled back before waving his hands in the air. “I will wait for you! Remember that!” He shouted across the garden and she replied with a quick nod before breaking into his favorite smile and waving her hand back at him.
For the last time, they were able to exchanged sincere smiles to each other, a smile full of hope and anticipation for what may come in the future. A future they were not aware of and a future that will either make or break them.
----------
August 2012
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay in the dorms?” She heard her mother ask for the hundredth time.
“Yes, mother. I’m sure.” Sophie replied reassuringly. “The dorm is okay. I don’t want to have my own apartment here. It’s not Paris. Students live in the dorm and that’s exactly what I would do.”
“But you never lived in dorms before.” Her mother is still unimpressed.
“Mother, remember when I went to South America for that volunteer program? I slept in that cramped tent with my co-volunteers for three months. I can survive the dorms. It has a proper bed and a clean bathroom and my roommate is nice.”
“Oh well, just tell us if you suddenly felt like moving to an apartment.”
Sophie laughs as she shakes her head. “Yes, mother.”
“It’s a pity that we can’t see you before you start your first semester in law school.” Her mother sounded sad. “I’m sorry that we got caught up here.”
“I understand, mother. You’re free to visit me here with father once you find a free time.”
“Ahh, your father, he can’t even find time to call you for even one minute.”
“That’s okay, mother. He has responsibilities to attend to. I’m sure he’ll find time to call me one of these days.”
“Yumi-chan… I am very proud of you.”
Even if she can’t see her mother’s face, she can sense the sincerity in her voice and that’s enough for her to feel touched.
“In a few years, you’re going to be a lawyer, your dream will finally come true.”
“You know that I couldn’t have done this without your support, also father’s and nee-chan’s. You are all my inspiration.”
“Ne, Yumi-chan. Continue making me proud.” Now she feels like her mother is crying on the other line.
“Are you crying, mother?” She laughs.
“No, I’m not.” She denied it but the soft sobs give it away. “Yumi-chan… Take care of yourself, ne. Mom is always here when you need me… I love you, remember that.”
She finds it odd that her mother is suddenly getting emotional over this conversation, she’s not like this usually. “I love you too, mother.” She answers back.
----------
The sound of the people running outside the corridor making a big commotion distracts him from reviewing his ichimen for tonight’s News Zero. He was the only one inside the waiting room and they have one hour still before going on air. He wondered what the commotion outside is all about.
Just when he was about to go to the door to see what’s happening outside, his manager entered the room with one of the producers for the show.
“What is happening outside? Why are they running around the floor?” Sho asked the two men in front of him.
“Sakurai-san, there was big accident in Ginza.” Kato, the producer, answered him.
“Who was involved in the accident?” Sho asked. It worried him suddenly. Who got into the accident? The Arashi members? His family? Why does these two look really worried.
“The Crown Prince and Princess.” Kato answered.
“What?” Sho creases his eyebrow. “The Royal Family?” he confirms.
“Just the Prince and Princess. Apparently, the driver loses control and they crashed into a truck, causing traffic. It happened a few minutes ago, they were rushed into the nearest hospital and there’s no word yet on their condition.”
“Is it critical?” Sho inquired.
To be quite honest, the Royal Family of Japan maintains a low-profile compared to other royalties in the world. They rarely appear in public and the masses only received news about them from the Imperial Household Agency, a government agency in charge of the matters concerning the Royal clan.
“Their car is wrecked, according to onlookers, there’s no way one can survive with how the car looks.” Kato said.
“Woah…” Sho sighed, this is one big news. The public will talk about this accident for days considering how they are deprived of some Royal Family gossips lately. “Are we going to report about it tonight?”
“Sakurai-san, I already received permission from your manager and your agency, we will send you on location.” Kato informs him.
“On location?” Sho repeated.
“Yes. Are you up for it?” Kato confirms.
“Of course.” Sho willingly answered. He only has Olympics coverage and talks about world issues under his belt, this is the first time he’ll report about the Royal Family and it’s a big pressure.
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When Sophie arrived back to the dorm after her class, she noticed that her phone has more than twenty missed calls from her sister. She wondered what happened to make her sister desperately tries to reach her.
Just when she’s about to call her back, her phone started vibrating again.
“Nee-chan, I’m sorry, I just finished my class and I turned my phone on silent mode.”
“Yumi-chan!” Her sister is panting on the other line. “You need to get on the next plane back home!”
“Hold on, Nee-chan, calm down first. What happened?” She tried to stay calm even after hearing her sister panicking.
“It’s our parents.” Her sister’s voice suddenly breaks she started crying. “They got into an accident.”
*Dun dun dun dun! Did you like the ending? :D :D :D
Disclaimer: This story is purely made of fiction and I'm in no way connected to Arashi and Johnny's Entertainment. Most importantly, I'm not connected to the Imperial Family of Japan or the Imperial Household Agency. All names related to the Imperial Family are purely fictional.