[Fanfic] We'll Always Have Paris- Chapter Twenty - Five: Of Moving On and New Beginnings
I haven't updated for a week. Boo me! Writer's block struck. :( Anyways, as I said in the last update, this one's ending soon. Maybe 3 chapters or less to go. And it's all going to be fluffy already. :))))
As always, this is unbeta-ed so tell me if there are any errors and mistakes. Comments, suggestions, reactions and criticisms are gladly welcomed. Happy reading! :)
Disclaimer: I am no way related to Arashi, Johnny's Entertainment or the Japanese Imperial Family. All names and events pertaining to any member of the Imperial family are purely fictional.
Chapter Twenty - Five: Of Moving On and New Beginnings
It was a rare sight to see Ninomiya Kazunari at this time of the day. It was early morning on a Saturday, the sun shining brightly beneath the thin white curtains of the hospital suite. Usually, he drops by during the wee hours of the evening, when the media outside the building subsides and when his work for the day is done. He is sitting opposite her, hair still a bit damp from showering and his manly aftershave smells across the room. On his hand is a blue Nintendo DS, his eyebrows furrowed seriously with every sound effect the game emits.
Sayumi quickly got up from the uncomfortable couch and gently rubs her eyes from the temporary loss of sight because of the sunlight. Nino quickly discards his game and greeted her with a sweet good morning smile.
“Good morning, my Princess.” Nino tried to mimic Kiyomizu’s voice and Sayumi snorted in response. “I bought you my favorite milk buns.” He points to the table between them where a plate full of cheap looking small buns is placed.
Sayumi reached in for a piece, tear it in half and shoves one into her mouth. Nino laugh at the sight, most of the time when they are alone, she doesn’t really act like a princess.
“I didn’t wake you up when I arrived. You were smiling so much while asleep, I didn’t want to cut off your dream.” Nino noted with a smirk on the corner of his lips.
Sayumi chuckled timidly. It was indeed a nice dream, a first in almost a month of sleepless and tearful nights. “It’s not just a dream.” She couldn’t control the growing smile on her face as she said that.
Nino carefully watches her as she unconsciously curled up a pillow into a hug, a pleasant smile is written across her beautiful face.
“Finally. Sakurai Sho is back to his senses.” He wittily commented. “So what happened last night? Fill me in.” He tried to sound interested but in all honesty, he knows he will just break his heart by asking that question.
The smile never left her face ever since. “He just came rushing in, at three in the morning. And all of a sudden, without uttering a single word, he kissed me, like what he did when we first shared a kiss. In that instant I just knew that he’s finally back in my life.” Sayumi gaze up to look at him. “I was never this happy since I came back here. I have so many problems to face but now, with Sho by my side, I don’t have to worry about anything other than my father getting better. If he wakes up and he’s able to go back to his old life, I cannot ask for anything more. I’m contented with my life.”
Nino bows down his head and stares upon the first thing his eyes laid upon, the plate of milk buns on the table. He only wishes for one thing since he let Sayumi in his life, her happiness. Now, she has it and he should be happy as well, but his heart is breaking into tiny pieces at this very moment.
“Good for you.” He muttered in almost whisper. “I heard his vital signs are improving. The doctors said that he’s fighting.” Nino looks at the man in the bed. His color is getting better, not as pale white as when he first started visiting and the wounds on his face and arms are now healing.
“Every waking morning I am hoping that he will finally open his eyes. I’m not gonna give up until he do so.” Sayumi stood up and walk towards her father’s bed. She sat beside him and took his hand. Nino followed and stands behind her. “When he wakes up I’ll tell him about you.” She smiled as she looks back at Nino. “I’m sure my father will be glad to meet you, Kazu. You took care of him too all this time.”
Nino remembers the purpose of his very early and unusual morning visit, it saddens him even more. “Yumi, I think this is my last visit...” He figured that it’s better to get this over with while he has enough courage but Sayumi’s reaction makes him want to eat up his words. “For the meantime.” He added in desperation.
She looks at him with eyes full of questions, the pleasant smile on her face is gone and eyebrows crumpled together. “Last time you told me that your visits will be lessened and now you’re telling me that you’re not going to come anymore? What happened?”
“Well, I’m going to be busy with a lot of stuff.” He laughed cautiously to lighten up the mood. “And besides, Sho-chan is going be here with you now, isn’t he? I think you should spend more time with him and less time with me.”
“I think I got so used to you being around, Kazu.” She mumbled with a faint smile. “I feel so possessive of you that I didn’t realize that you also have a life of your own. You should go out, have fun with your friends and meet girls instead of staying here every day with me... I’m sorry.” She stood up and taps his shoulders.
“I didn’t regret the last month I stayed here with you, Yumi. I come here on my own accord.” Nino assured her.
“Thank you.” She said with a smile. “For the thousandth time, thank you.”
He’s going to miss everything in this place. The welcoming committee of uniformed Imperial guards, the delicious food served almost every hour, Kiyomizu-san’s calming presence, Satsuki-san and the adorable Rika-chan, the competitive games he plays with them, listening to Sayumi talking to her father before she sleeps, her laughter, her sunshine-like smile, her soothing voice and most importantly, the little moments they shared together in this room. Even if it all probably means nothing to her, to Nino, it’s an unforgettable memory. A collection of memory that will come to an end today as she starts to make her own memories with the man she loves.
And as for Nino, it’s time to move forward.
----------
Sakurai Sho has been blabbing on and on continuously for hours in the dressing room, the backstage and even while rehearsing on stage. He is grinning from ear to ear since he arrived and it came to point when Aiba asked if his jaw doesn’t hurt from excessive smiling. He already told them about what happened last night and the members are as happy as he is for they finally see the real Sho back now, at the first day of their tour, they didn’t want the grumpy Sakurai to accompany them for the rest of the tour.
“Did you invite her tonight at the concert?” Ohno asked. They are all huddled together in the catering room over lunch.
“No.” Sho shakes his head. “I couldn’t get tickets anymore, even for tomorrow. She’s okay with it though... but Nino gave her sister and niece tickets for tonight’s show.”
Nino suddenly feels uncomfortable with three pairs of eyes darting him. “The little girl is a big fan.” He suddenly mumbled.
“You gave them tickets but you didn’t give one to Sophie?” Aiba asked. Somehow, Nino finds it weird to address her as Sophie.
“She doesn’t want to.” Nino answered and they darted him again, this time, with Sho. “Well, it was during the time when things are not doing so well between the two of you. She said its better if you don’t see her in the audience, might ruin your mood.”
Sho jutted his chin and nods at once.
“Get one for her when the Dome tickets come out.” Nino suggested and Sho nods nonchalantly again.
In the corner of Nino’s eyes, he saw Jun raising an eyebrow and curling up his lips into a small silly pout before shaking off whatever he’s thinking and returning to his food.
----------
The little girl Rika-chan is chattering endlessly about her first concert experience and meeting the five handsome boys of Arashi. She is sitting on the bed of her grandfather and her mother and aunt are seated on a chair beside it, listening to her story.
“They sing on the big stage! And there are a lot of people singing along!” Rika relay her story with big hand gestures and exaggerating facial expressions which brings laughter to her mother and her Aunt Sayumi. “There are fountains and lights and fireworks and colourful balloons flying in the sky! And Nino-chan brought me and Mama at the back of the stage after they sang. I met Arashi!” Rika squeals happily as her face scrunches up for an adorable smile. “They all gave me a hug and they play with me! Sho-chan said that he’s visiting Grandpa later, Aunt Yumi.”
Sayumi smiled timidly as her sister eyed her with a grin. “He’s going to show up for the dinner the staffs arranged for them and he’ll go straight here, he said.” Satsuki informed her.
“I don’t want to go home yet, Mama! I want to see Sho-chan!” Rika pleads with both hands together in front of her.
“It’s late and you’re tired. Your Papa is coming here to pick you up and go home to sleep.” Satsuki isn’t swayed by her daughter’s persuasion as the little girl pouted looking like she’s about to throw a tantrum. “You’re going to see a lot of Sakurai-san starting today, Rika-chan...” Satsuki mumbled meaningfully as she nudges her sister’s arm.
“You’re staying here for the night?” Sayumi asked her sister.
Satsuki nodded. “You don’t want to have a date inside a hospital room, are you?” Sayumi gave her a gratifying smile. “You don’t have to come back here, just go home after your date. I’m staying until the morning... And yes, my sister, you’re welcome.” She smiled crookedly.
An hour later, the room is now quiet as Rika and her father already heads home. Sayumi and Satsuki are having tea in the receiving area.
“So you’re together now, huh?” Satsuki asked.
“Seems like it.” Sayumi replied with a smile as she warms her hand with the hot cup of tea.
“Why do you sound like you’re not so sure?” Satsuki laughed at her reply.
“We didn’t get to talk much last night. It was three in the morning, he doesn’t want to disturb Father and I don’t want him to stay awake until the morning for me, he wouldn’t have the energy for the concert so I asked him to go home and just come back when he’s free...” Sayumi suddenly smiled to herself as she remembered something. “His kisses and his touch and the way he looked at me say that I don’t need to worry anymore, that he’s back in my life.”
There was a knock on the door and the guard outside appears from behind. “Sakurai Sho-san is here to visit, Princess.” He said indifferently as he gives way for the visitor to enter.
Sho appears from the entrance, looking dashing in a white ¾ shirt, dark jeans and rugged loafers. His hair is unstyled and looks like he’s just fresh off the shower.
“Ah, Satsuki-san.” Sho greeted her upon seeing the sisters stood up from their seat to welcome him.
They offered him tea and snacks as they chat about the concert and the Crown Prince’s improving health.
Much to Satsuki’s persuasion, Sho and Sayumi spends time together outside the four corners of the hospital room. It was already a few minutes after midnight and the establishments outside the hospital are already closed so they drive further down to Roponggi.
They entered a rather chic and quiet cafe, much different from the loud and bouncy strip of nightclubs in the area.
“It’s a good news that your father’s health is improving. It’s refreshing to hear something positive on the news about him.” Sho smiled as he took a sip of his drink.
She smiled back but still she doesn’t look completely happy. “I can only breathe easily if he wakes up and able to speak clearly, or walk normally.”
“Considering that he’s getting better, isn’t the chance to wake up is a higher now?”
Sayumi sighed. “He’s still a coma patient, Sho. He suffered a major trauma in the head and it might affect his brain functions. You know how important a brain is to a person... And he’s the Crown Prince of this country.”
Sho took her hand and squeezes it gently. “There’s no harm in hoping for the best and praying for his health.”
“I will not lose hope, not with my father. I need him in my life.”
Sho gently strokes her cheek as she closes her eyes to feel the warmth it gives her.
As always, this is unbeta-ed so tell me if there are any errors and mistakes. Comments, suggestions, reactions and criticisms are gladly welcomed. Happy reading! :)
Disclaimer: I am no way related to Arashi, Johnny's Entertainment or the Japanese Imperial Family. All names and events pertaining to any member of the Imperial family are purely fictional.
Chapter Twenty - Five: Of Moving On and New Beginnings
It was a rare sight to see Ninomiya Kazunari at this time of the day. It was early morning on a Saturday, the sun shining brightly beneath the thin white curtains of the hospital suite. Usually, he drops by during the wee hours of the evening, when the media outside the building subsides and when his work for the day is done. He is sitting opposite her, hair still a bit damp from showering and his manly aftershave smells across the room. On his hand is a blue Nintendo DS, his eyebrows furrowed seriously with every sound effect the game emits.
Sayumi quickly got up from the uncomfortable couch and gently rubs her eyes from the temporary loss of sight because of the sunlight. Nino quickly discards his game and greeted her with a sweet good morning smile.
“Good morning, my Princess.” Nino tried to mimic Kiyomizu’s voice and Sayumi snorted in response. “I bought you my favorite milk buns.” He points to the table between them where a plate full of cheap looking small buns is placed.
Sayumi reached in for a piece, tear it in half and shoves one into her mouth. Nino laugh at the sight, most of the time when they are alone, she doesn’t really act like a princess.
“I didn’t wake you up when I arrived. You were smiling so much while asleep, I didn’t want to cut off your dream.” Nino noted with a smirk on the corner of his lips.
Sayumi chuckled timidly. It was indeed a nice dream, a first in almost a month of sleepless and tearful nights. “It’s not just a dream.” She couldn’t control the growing smile on her face as she said that.
Nino carefully watches her as she unconsciously curled up a pillow into a hug, a pleasant smile is written across her beautiful face.
“Finally. Sakurai Sho is back to his senses.” He wittily commented. “So what happened last night? Fill me in.” He tried to sound interested but in all honesty, he knows he will just break his heart by asking that question.
The smile never left her face ever since. “He just came rushing in, at three in the morning. And all of a sudden, without uttering a single word, he kissed me, like what he did when we first shared a kiss. In that instant I just knew that he’s finally back in my life.” Sayumi gaze up to look at him. “I was never this happy since I came back here. I have so many problems to face but now, with Sho by my side, I don’t have to worry about anything other than my father getting better. If he wakes up and he’s able to go back to his old life, I cannot ask for anything more. I’m contented with my life.”
Nino bows down his head and stares upon the first thing his eyes laid upon, the plate of milk buns on the table. He only wishes for one thing since he let Sayumi in his life, her happiness. Now, she has it and he should be happy as well, but his heart is breaking into tiny pieces at this very moment.
“Good for you.” He muttered in almost whisper. “I heard his vital signs are improving. The doctors said that he’s fighting.” Nino looks at the man in the bed. His color is getting better, not as pale white as when he first started visiting and the wounds on his face and arms are now healing.
“Every waking morning I am hoping that he will finally open his eyes. I’m not gonna give up until he do so.” Sayumi stood up and walk towards her father’s bed. She sat beside him and took his hand. Nino followed and stands behind her. “When he wakes up I’ll tell him about you.” She smiled as she looks back at Nino. “I’m sure my father will be glad to meet you, Kazu. You took care of him too all this time.”
Nino remembers the purpose of his very early and unusual morning visit, it saddens him even more. “Yumi, I think this is my last visit...” He figured that it’s better to get this over with while he has enough courage but Sayumi’s reaction makes him want to eat up his words. “For the meantime.” He added in desperation.
She looks at him with eyes full of questions, the pleasant smile on her face is gone and eyebrows crumpled together. “Last time you told me that your visits will be lessened and now you’re telling me that you’re not going to come anymore? What happened?”
“Well, I’m going to be busy with a lot of stuff.” He laughed cautiously to lighten up the mood. “And besides, Sho-chan is going be here with you now, isn’t he? I think you should spend more time with him and less time with me.”
“I think I got so used to you being around, Kazu.” She mumbled with a faint smile. “I feel so possessive of you that I didn’t realize that you also have a life of your own. You should go out, have fun with your friends and meet girls instead of staying here every day with me... I’m sorry.” She stood up and taps his shoulders.
“I didn’t regret the last month I stayed here with you, Yumi. I come here on my own accord.” Nino assured her.
“Thank you.” She said with a smile. “For the thousandth time, thank you.”
He’s going to miss everything in this place. The welcoming committee of uniformed Imperial guards, the delicious food served almost every hour, Kiyomizu-san’s calming presence, Satsuki-san and the adorable Rika-chan, the competitive games he plays with them, listening to Sayumi talking to her father before she sleeps, her laughter, her sunshine-like smile, her soothing voice and most importantly, the little moments they shared together in this room. Even if it all probably means nothing to her, to Nino, it’s an unforgettable memory. A collection of memory that will come to an end today as she starts to make her own memories with the man she loves.
And as for Nino, it’s time to move forward.
----------
Sakurai Sho has been blabbing on and on continuously for hours in the dressing room, the backstage and even while rehearsing on stage. He is grinning from ear to ear since he arrived and it came to point when Aiba asked if his jaw doesn’t hurt from excessive smiling. He already told them about what happened last night and the members are as happy as he is for they finally see the real Sho back now, at the first day of their tour, they didn’t want the grumpy Sakurai to accompany them for the rest of the tour.
“Did you invite her tonight at the concert?” Ohno asked. They are all huddled together in the catering room over lunch.
“No.” Sho shakes his head. “I couldn’t get tickets anymore, even for tomorrow. She’s okay with it though... but Nino gave her sister and niece tickets for tonight’s show.”
Nino suddenly feels uncomfortable with three pairs of eyes darting him. “The little girl is a big fan.” He suddenly mumbled.
“You gave them tickets but you didn’t give one to Sophie?” Aiba asked. Somehow, Nino finds it weird to address her as Sophie.
“She doesn’t want to.” Nino answered and they darted him again, this time, with Sho. “Well, it was during the time when things are not doing so well between the two of you. She said its better if you don’t see her in the audience, might ruin your mood.”
Sho jutted his chin and nods at once.
“Get one for her when the Dome tickets come out.” Nino suggested and Sho nods nonchalantly again.
In the corner of Nino’s eyes, he saw Jun raising an eyebrow and curling up his lips into a small silly pout before shaking off whatever he’s thinking and returning to his food.
----------
The little girl Rika-chan is chattering endlessly about her first concert experience and meeting the five handsome boys of Arashi. She is sitting on the bed of her grandfather and her mother and aunt are seated on a chair beside it, listening to her story.
“They sing on the big stage! And there are a lot of people singing along!” Rika relay her story with big hand gestures and exaggerating facial expressions which brings laughter to her mother and her Aunt Sayumi. “There are fountains and lights and fireworks and colourful balloons flying in the sky! And Nino-chan brought me and Mama at the back of the stage after they sang. I met Arashi!” Rika squeals happily as her face scrunches up for an adorable smile. “They all gave me a hug and they play with me! Sho-chan said that he’s visiting Grandpa later, Aunt Yumi.”
Sayumi smiled timidly as her sister eyed her with a grin. “He’s going to show up for the dinner the staffs arranged for them and he’ll go straight here, he said.” Satsuki informed her.
“I don’t want to go home yet, Mama! I want to see Sho-chan!” Rika pleads with both hands together in front of her.
“It’s late and you’re tired. Your Papa is coming here to pick you up and go home to sleep.” Satsuki isn’t swayed by her daughter’s persuasion as the little girl pouted looking like she’s about to throw a tantrum. “You’re going to see a lot of Sakurai-san starting today, Rika-chan...” Satsuki mumbled meaningfully as she nudges her sister’s arm.
“You’re staying here for the night?” Sayumi asked her sister.
Satsuki nodded. “You don’t want to have a date inside a hospital room, are you?” Sayumi gave her a gratifying smile. “You don’t have to come back here, just go home after your date. I’m staying until the morning... And yes, my sister, you’re welcome.” She smiled crookedly.
An hour later, the room is now quiet as Rika and her father already heads home. Sayumi and Satsuki are having tea in the receiving area.
“So you’re together now, huh?” Satsuki asked.
“Seems like it.” Sayumi replied with a smile as she warms her hand with the hot cup of tea.
“Why do you sound like you’re not so sure?” Satsuki laughed at her reply.
“We didn’t get to talk much last night. It was three in the morning, he doesn’t want to disturb Father and I don’t want him to stay awake until the morning for me, he wouldn’t have the energy for the concert so I asked him to go home and just come back when he’s free...” Sayumi suddenly smiled to herself as she remembered something. “His kisses and his touch and the way he looked at me say that I don’t need to worry anymore, that he’s back in my life.”
There was a knock on the door and the guard outside appears from behind. “Sakurai Sho-san is here to visit, Princess.” He said indifferently as he gives way for the visitor to enter.
Sho appears from the entrance, looking dashing in a white ¾ shirt, dark jeans and rugged loafers. His hair is unstyled and looks like he’s just fresh off the shower.
“Ah, Satsuki-san.” Sho greeted her upon seeing the sisters stood up from their seat to welcome him.
They offered him tea and snacks as they chat about the concert and the Crown Prince’s improving health.
Much to Satsuki’s persuasion, Sho and Sayumi spends time together outside the four corners of the hospital room. It was already a few minutes after midnight and the establishments outside the hospital are already closed so they drive further down to Roponggi.
They entered a rather chic and quiet cafe, much different from the loud and bouncy strip of nightclubs in the area.
“It’s a good news that your father’s health is improving. It’s refreshing to hear something positive on the news about him.” Sho smiled as he took a sip of his drink.
She smiled back but still she doesn’t look completely happy. “I can only breathe easily if he wakes up and able to speak clearly, or walk normally.”
“Considering that he’s getting better, isn’t the chance to wake up is a higher now?”
Sayumi sighed. “He’s still a coma patient, Sho. He suffered a major trauma in the head and it might affect his brain functions. You know how important a brain is to a person... And he’s the Crown Prince of this country.”
Sho took her hand and squeezes it gently. “There’s no harm in hoping for the best and praying for his health.”
“I will not lose hope, not with my father. I need him in my life.”
Sho gently strokes her cheek as she closes her eyes to feel the warmth it gives her.