[Fanfic] We'll Always Have Paris - Chapter Thirty: Just Remember That I Love You
Here's another update. :) After being lazy busy these past weeks, I pressured myself to update faster. :p This one's shorter than my last update. 1,856 words. Because I want the next events to happen in one chapter, so... yeah. :)
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 Thirty: Just Remember That I Love You
Sakurai Sho expects himself to arrive in a room filled with anxious people, the members and their managers, awaiting the verdict on his recent so called scandal, but instead, he was called into Johnny-san’s office, alone. This is more terrifying than being called together with the rest of the members because if they are around, he knows that they got his back with whatever decision Johnny-san has made regarding his punishment. Now’s he’s all by himself and his future with Sayumi is hanging loosely in the air.
He had expected the worst, this is Johnny-san we are talking about and the man is capable of anything. He once ruined a talent’s future because he secretly got married without the agency consent and Sho feels he’s no different from that guy. He revealed his relationship with a Princess without the agency and the IHA’s knowledge that resulted into a media spectacle, he might as well have the same fate or even worse.
As he sat on the chair by Johnny-san’s office table, awaiting his arrival, Sho can feel the growing uneasiness all over his body, his right leg unconsciously shaking, his hands cold and trembling and a lump forming on his dry throat. Silence creeps into the room that he can clearly hear the clock’s hand moving every minute.
The knob turned slowly and he felt like his heart is going to jump out of his chest any minute now. Johnny-san comes in, surprisingly without his assistant as he waved his hand to ask Sho to sit down. There’s a blank expression on his wrinkled face as he sat on his chair, he never looked once at the younger man’s faces as he fix the papers and folders on his desk.
When he finally looked up, he met Sho’s gaze, he maintained a calm expression but judging from how he bite his lower lip to stop from it quivering, he was anxious to know what lies ahead on his future.
Johnny-san placed his arms on the desk as he softly cleared his throat. “I don’t know how to begin this meeting, Sakurai.” He looked down again and Sho is certain something terrible is about to come.
Johnny-san is never this uncertain, he knows what he’s supposed to do the moment someone made a mistake but this time, even the man feels remorseful for what he’s about to say.
Sho clips his fingers together, so tight he can feel veins contracting. “I’m prepared for the worst.” He found himself saying. “Just say what you need to say, don’t beat around the bush and sugar coat your words.” He added nonchalantly but he can already feel his tears welling up this early.
The old man nodded understandingly as he sigh, such a rare sight to see him getting tense too. “As you know, I met with the Emperor yesterday…” He paused and Sho nodded blankly. “It was quick and precise, if I can describe it…” He laughed warily and Sho nodded again, his lips are pursed together. “The Emperor only wants one thing from the Jimusho and the rest they will handle on their own.”
“Just say it, Johnny-san.” Sho’s patience has reached its limit as he shifts on his chair to face the elder man.
Johnny-san nodded once, Sho’s trembling eyes are piercing at him. He leaned back on his chair, placed both his hands on the arm rest and spoke, “The Emperor wants you out of Princess Sayumi’s life.”
For a brief moment, he couldn’t read Sho’s expression but the second he bowed his head, his hands covering his eyes and soft sobs began escaping his mouth, Johnny-san can see the pain all over his face.
“I’m sure you want to know why because I did… I asked him why but his council told me I’m not supposed to ask anything.”
The lump on Sho’s throat tightens, he’s fighting to stop his tears but he couldn’t, this is just too painful for him. “Isn’t that what you want?” He asked, almost mocking.
The old man instantly shakes his head. “If it’s only me, I would allow you to continue dating her, Sakurai.” It was unusual of Johnny-san to say that.
“You’re one of the most reliable talents I have. You never once disobey my rules all these years and you already proven yourself in many ways. You earned my respect and for that, I will allow you to do as you like with this, after all, you’re already at this age…”
“Matsumoto once came up to me saying that he’s thinking of marrying his girlfriend, I told him to come back to me once he’s thirty and we’ll talk… We’ll probably have the same conversation we’re having right now. All five of you have proven yourselves to me. I will not hold you back as long you guys consult me of everything first before it reach the media. I think I already made myself clear of that the last time you’re all here.”
Sho chuckled sarcastically, drying his cheeks of tears as he run a hand on his forehead. “Luckily for them, their girlfriends don’t have the Emperor for a grandfather… Well, it sucks for me, big time.” He hated this, he hated them all. The Emperor and his council for deciding on what’s best for Sayumi, and what he hated most is that she possibly doesn’t have any idea that they are doing this to her.
“May I go now?” Sho asked, standing up from the chair. He can’t stand the atmosphere in this room, it suffocates him.
Johnny-san nodded softly and Sho quickly storms out of the room, banging the door with all his strength.
----------
Sho fearlessly zoom his car on the highway, driving almost 150 kph and beating every red light he comes across. He doesn’t know where he’s going nor does he mind not showing up on his next schedule. He just wanted to kill the pain in his chest, the anger he’s feeling and urge to break down and cry at the thought of losing Sayumi again.
Last night, he was so sure that he will not have any problem regarding her family, her father accepted him warmly and her sister is cheering for him from the start but he totally forgot that they are not her only family, he forgot about the most important person, the Emperor, her grandfather, the man she barely talks about. He’s got the power, way more than Johnny-san have and he gets what he wants.
He swerves into the far right of the highway came into an abrupt stop. His tears are making his vision fuzzy. He leaned on the steering wheel and started screaming, screaming his pain away yet it never runs out of his system. He only need one person to make him feel better, to calm him down and that person might be gone in his life soon.
He pulled out his phone and taps her number in speed dial, in three rings, he instantly heard her energetic voice greeting him.
“Good morning, love.” Sayumi’s voice sounded happy, worry-free and full of affection and Sho couldn’t help but break down again.
He was sobbing, tears uncontrollably falling out of him eyes. He couldn’t even answer back.
“Sho, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did something happen? Where are you?” In an instant, her sweet, cheery voice changed into worry as she started asking questions.
She still hasn’t heard of what her grandfather has done, she’s still clueless and Sho despised them for keeping it from her, leaving her in the shadows while they decide everything for her. It’s not fair, especially for someone as independent and smart like Sayumi. She’s supposed to live an unrestraint life and that’s what’s she been wishing for in the future.
“I just wanted to hear your voice, Yumi.” Sho finds himself saying through the tears. “I miss you so much.” He added prematurely.
“You just saw me last night, less than twenty four ago.” She chuckled warily. “And no one would cry like that just because they miss someone…” Her voice trembled in fear.
The line went silent as Sho just cried, controlling his emotions by pursing his lips together.
“Is it Johnny-san? Did he ask you to break-up with me?” Sayumi carefully asked, he knows that she’s braving not to cry. “Tell that old man that I’m not going to do as he says. I will not break up with you, Sakurai Sho, I will not.”
Sho shakes his head and he wishes she was here in front of him instead of talking about this over the phone but he realized that the security in their palace and in the hospital will probably not let him near her now.
Sho tried to gather his composure, just for a little time, to instruct her of what to do. He doesn’t want her to hear everything from him. “Are you still at home? Is Kiyomizu-san around?”
“I’m home but Kiyomizu is at the hospital. I will go there now.”
Sho rest his elbow on the side of the door, his fingers running around his temple. “Listen carefully, Yumi. Go and talk to Kiyomizu-san, okay?”
“Why?” She asked confusingly. “And what would I talk to him about? Sho, you’re making me worry, why don’t you just tell me now? Go here at home, I will wait for you.”
“No. I can’t go there.” Sho quickly said. “I cannot explain everything to you, Yumi. Go to Kiyomizu-san, I’m sure he can explain it to you more than I can.” He closed his eyes while dropping the back of his head on the seat.
“Is it my father, did something happened to him?” Sayumi’s voice suddenly went up nervously.
“No, it’s not about him. Don’t ask any more questions and just do as I say, Yumi, please…” His eyes are still closed as a single tear escaped his eyes.
Sayumi didn’t say anything more but Sho heard her sniffling softly on the other line.
“I don’t want you to cry, Yumi.” Sho murmured quietly, a new batch of tears fell from his eyes.
“I feel like I’m going to lose you, Sho. You made it sound like it.” She was sobbing, helplessness is showing in her voice.
Sho angrily punched the center of the steering wheel as his car horned loudly on the highway.
“Just do as I say, Yumi.” Sho told her again. “I’m hanging up now.” He doesn’t want to hear her cry.
Before he press on the end button, he heard Sayumi’s voice again.
“I love you, Sho. You know that, right? Whatever happens, I will always love you.”
That one breaks his heart, not because it pains him but because he knows that it may be the last time he can hear her saying that to him.
He smiled as tears continuously fall off his eyes. “I love you more, Yumi. You don’t know how much I do…” He utter softly, so full of love, before he ends the call and started sobbing to his car’s steering wheel.
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 Thirty: Just Remember That I Love You
Sakurai Sho expects himself to arrive in a room filled with anxious people, the members and their managers, awaiting the verdict on his recent so called scandal, but instead, he was called into Johnny-san’s office, alone. This is more terrifying than being called together with the rest of the members because if they are around, he knows that they got his back with whatever decision Johnny-san has made regarding his punishment. Now’s he’s all by himself and his future with Sayumi is hanging loosely in the air.
He had expected the worst, this is Johnny-san we are talking about and the man is capable of anything. He once ruined a talent’s future because he secretly got married without the agency consent and Sho feels he’s no different from that guy. He revealed his relationship with a Princess without the agency and the IHA’s knowledge that resulted into a media spectacle, he might as well have the same fate or even worse.
As he sat on the chair by Johnny-san’s office table, awaiting his arrival, Sho can feel the growing uneasiness all over his body, his right leg unconsciously shaking, his hands cold and trembling and a lump forming on his dry throat. Silence creeps into the room that he can clearly hear the clock’s hand moving every minute.
The knob turned slowly and he felt like his heart is going to jump out of his chest any minute now. Johnny-san comes in, surprisingly without his assistant as he waved his hand to ask Sho to sit down. There’s a blank expression on his wrinkled face as he sat on his chair, he never looked once at the younger man’s faces as he fix the papers and folders on his desk.
When he finally looked up, he met Sho’s gaze, he maintained a calm expression but judging from how he bite his lower lip to stop from it quivering, he was anxious to know what lies ahead on his future.
Johnny-san placed his arms on the desk as he softly cleared his throat. “I don’t know how to begin this meeting, Sakurai.” He looked down again and Sho is certain something terrible is about to come.
Johnny-san is never this uncertain, he knows what he’s supposed to do the moment someone made a mistake but this time, even the man feels remorseful for what he’s about to say.
Sho clips his fingers together, so tight he can feel veins contracting. “I’m prepared for the worst.” He found himself saying. “Just say what you need to say, don’t beat around the bush and sugar coat your words.” He added nonchalantly but he can already feel his tears welling up this early.
The old man nodded understandingly as he sigh, such a rare sight to see him getting tense too. “As you know, I met with the Emperor yesterday…” He paused and Sho nodded blankly. “It was quick and precise, if I can describe it…” He laughed warily and Sho nodded again, his lips are pursed together. “The Emperor only wants one thing from the Jimusho and the rest they will handle on their own.”
“Just say it, Johnny-san.” Sho’s patience has reached its limit as he shifts on his chair to face the elder man.
Johnny-san nodded once, Sho’s trembling eyes are piercing at him. He leaned back on his chair, placed both his hands on the arm rest and spoke, “The Emperor wants you out of Princess Sayumi’s life.”
For a brief moment, he couldn’t read Sho’s expression but the second he bowed his head, his hands covering his eyes and soft sobs began escaping his mouth, Johnny-san can see the pain all over his face.
“I’m sure you want to know why because I did… I asked him why but his council told me I’m not supposed to ask anything.”
The lump on Sho’s throat tightens, he’s fighting to stop his tears but he couldn’t, this is just too painful for him. “Isn’t that what you want?” He asked, almost mocking.
The old man instantly shakes his head. “If it’s only me, I would allow you to continue dating her, Sakurai.” It was unusual of Johnny-san to say that.
“You’re one of the most reliable talents I have. You never once disobey my rules all these years and you already proven yourself in many ways. You earned my respect and for that, I will allow you to do as you like with this, after all, you’re already at this age…”
“Matsumoto once came up to me saying that he’s thinking of marrying his girlfriend, I told him to come back to me once he’s thirty and we’ll talk… We’ll probably have the same conversation we’re having right now. All five of you have proven yourselves to me. I will not hold you back as long you guys consult me of everything first before it reach the media. I think I already made myself clear of that the last time you’re all here.”
Sho chuckled sarcastically, drying his cheeks of tears as he run a hand on his forehead. “Luckily for them, their girlfriends don’t have the Emperor for a grandfather… Well, it sucks for me, big time.” He hated this, he hated them all. The Emperor and his council for deciding on what’s best for Sayumi, and what he hated most is that she possibly doesn’t have any idea that they are doing this to her.
“May I go now?” Sho asked, standing up from the chair. He can’t stand the atmosphere in this room, it suffocates him.
Johnny-san nodded softly and Sho quickly storms out of the room, banging the door with all his strength.
----------
Sho fearlessly zoom his car on the highway, driving almost 150 kph and beating every red light he comes across. He doesn’t know where he’s going nor does he mind not showing up on his next schedule. He just wanted to kill the pain in his chest, the anger he’s feeling and urge to break down and cry at the thought of losing Sayumi again.
Last night, he was so sure that he will not have any problem regarding her family, her father accepted him warmly and her sister is cheering for him from the start but he totally forgot that they are not her only family, he forgot about the most important person, the Emperor, her grandfather, the man she barely talks about. He’s got the power, way more than Johnny-san have and he gets what he wants.
He swerves into the far right of the highway came into an abrupt stop. His tears are making his vision fuzzy. He leaned on the steering wheel and started screaming, screaming his pain away yet it never runs out of his system. He only need one person to make him feel better, to calm him down and that person might be gone in his life soon.
He pulled out his phone and taps her number in speed dial, in three rings, he instantly heard her energetic voice greeting him.
“Good morning, love.” Sayumi’s voice sounded happy, worry-free and full of affection and Sho couldn’t help but break down again.
He was sobbing, tears uncontrollably falling out of him eyes. He couldn’t even answer back.
“Sho, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did something happen? Where are you?” In an instant, her sweet, cheery voice changed into worry as she started asking questions.
She still hasn’t heard of what her grandfather has done, she’s still clueless and Sho despised them for keeping it from her, leaving her in the shadows while they decide everything for her. It’s not fair, especially for someone as independent and smart like Sayumi. She’s supposed to live an unrestraint life and that’s what’s she been wishing for in the future.
“I just wanted to hear your voice, Yumi.” Sho finds himself saying through the tears. “I miss you so much.” He added prematurely.
“You just saw me last night, less than twenty four ago.” She chuckled warily. “And no one would cry like that just because they miss someone…” Her voice trembled in fear.
The line went silent as Sho just cried, controlling his emotions by pursing his lips together.
“Is it Johnny-san? Did he ask you to break-up with me?” Sayumi carefully asked, he knows that she’s braving not to cry. “Tell that old man that I’m not going to do as he says. I will not break up with you, Sakurai Sho, I will not.”
Sho shakes his head and he wishes she was here in front of him instead of talking about this over the phone but he realized that the security in their palace and in the hospital will probably not let him near her now.
Sho tried to gather his composure, just for a little time, to instruct her of what to do. He doesn’t want her to hear everything from him. “Are you still at home? Is Kiyomizu-san around?”
“I’m home but Kiyomizu is at the hospital. I will go there now.”
Sho rest his elbow on the side of the door, his fingers running around his temple. “Listen carefully, Yumi. Go and talk to Kiyomizu-san, okay?”
“Why?” She asked confusingly. “And what would I talk to him about? Sho, you’re making me worry, why don’t you just tell me now? Go here at home, I will wait for you.”
“No. I can’t go there.” Sho quickly said. “I cannot explain everything to you, Yumi. Go to Kiyomizu-san, I’m sure he can explain it to you more than I can.” He closed his eyes while dropping the back of his head on the seat.
“Is it my father, did something happened to him?” Sayumi’s voice suddenly went up nervously.
“No, it’s not about him. Don’t ask any more questions and just do as I say, Yumi, please…” His eyes are still closed as a single tear escaped his eyes.
Sayumi didn’t say anything more but Sho heard her sniffling softly on the other line.
“I don’t want you to cry, Yumi.” Sho murmured quietly, a new batch of tears fell from his eyes.
“I feel like I’m going to lose you, Sho. You made it sound like it.” She was sobbing, helplessness is showing in her voice.
Sho angrily punched the center of the steering wheel as his car horned loudly on the highway.
“Just do as I say, Yumi.” Sho told her again. “I’m hanging up now.” He doesn’t want to hear her cry.
Before he press on the end button, he heard Sayumi’s voice again.
“I love you, Sho. You know that, right? Whatever happens, I will always love you.”
That one breaks his heart, not because it pains him but because he knows that it may be the last time he can hear her saying that to him.
He smiled as tears continuously fall off his eyes. “I love you more, Yumi. You don’t know how much I do…” He utter softly, so full of love, before he ends the call and started sobbing to his car’s steering wheel.