[Fanfic] A Beautiful Mess (Chapter Seven)
Finally, updated again! :) Sorry it took awhile but I'm gonna make sure the next one wouldn't reach another week to be updated. *winks* Happy reading! Tell me your thoughts, guys! :)
CHAPTER SEVEN
In the noisy, celebrity-filled underground club in the ever vibrant Roppongi district, Izumi Yana and the rest of her friends are partying since the place opened three hours ago. This is the first time she entered a night club for the past two months and man, did she miss it. Chit-chatting with the friendly bartenders she haven’t seen in along time, dominating the dance floor with every funky club music and even taking over the DJ from the mixer. She’s having fun, like how it was before, with her trusty group of friends.
“Oi!” Yana growled when someone from behind snatch her new bottle of beer.
“This is your eighth bottle. You’ve reached your limit for tonight.” Akanishi Jin told her while gulping down her beer.
“Since when did I have a drinking limit?” Yana creases her eyebrows at him.
“You do know that you’re still not allowed to drink, right?” Jin tries to refresh her memory.
“I’m fine, Jin.” Yana rolled her eyes as she sits beside him by the bar counter.
“Yeah, right. Eri told me you’re not attending your follow-up appointments with your doctor and you’re not taking your medications, how can you know that you’re alright?” Jin accused her with condemning eyes.
Yana sighed before speaking again. “It’s my own body, Jin. I feel that I’m fine, in fact, I feel extremely well now. I don’t need the doctors and those medications.”
“But still-”
“Stop acting like my mom.” Yana didn’t let Jin continue his sentence. “I had enough of my mom’s nagging for the past two months. Thank God she went back to work now and a thousand miles away from Japan already. I don’t need you to replace her.”
“We’re just worried.” Jin answered. His voice was almost buried by the loud music but Yana still managed to hear him.
“I understand that.” Yana rested both her elbows on the counter, her hands both on her cheeks. “But can you just believe me when I say that I’m fine? It seems like everyone thinks that I’m lying when I say that I’m okay now.” She pouted.
Jin silently laughs at the sight of Yana, obviously starting to get tipsy. “Let’s go outside.” He stood up from the bar stool and took Yana’s hand and lead her to the exit.
“What are we doing outside?” Yana asked, sitting at the metal railing by the sidewalk.
“We can’t talk inside, it’s too noisy.” Jin said, sitting beside her.
“We didn’t go here to talk, we came here to party.” Yana pokes Jin’s chest before standing up but a sudden dizziness hit her, Jin was just in time to catch her before she fall to the ground. “I’m fine, just drunk.” Yana laughs, resting her head on Jin’s chest to avoid the surrounding from spinning.
“Let’s go sober you up.” Jin said, wrapping her around arms as they walk on the sidewalk.
On the first coffee shop they stumbled on, Jin and Yana are sitting down on a secluded corner with their black coffee.
“Hey, I’m leaving in a week.” Jin muttered under his cup.
“Yeah, I heard. Chasing after the American dream.” Yana says with a smirk and Jin laughs. “I’m happy for you. And man, you’re going back to LA! Be good, Bakanishi!”
“Look who’s talking. I should be the one saying that to you! Be good here! Don’t do anything stupid!” Jin playfully ruffled her hair.
“When are you coming back?” Yana asked. This is the first time since 2006 that Jin will be abroad for a long time and Yana will definitely miss him badly.
“Summer, around July.” Jin answered. “Why are you asking? Are you going to miss me?” he added in a teasing tone.
“Of course I will, Bakanishi! Things are going to be dull around here since everyone’s going to be busy and you flying to the States.” Yana sighed.
“Yanana, since things will be pretty hectic in LA and I probably won’t have much time to call you-”
“I know what you’re going to say!” Yana interrupted him. “Jin…”
“Yana. Please.” Jin took her hand and squeezes it gently on his. “Attend that doctor’s appointments and take your medicine, that’s all I’m asking. I know Ryo and Pi will just tolerate your bad habit, Yuu will probably reprimand you but I know you will never listen to him because you’re stubborn like that and you’re not listening to Eri either, that’s why I’m stepping in now, before I go.”
“So you’re confident about your convincing powers towards me?” Yana said in a playful tone, still taking this topic lightly.
“Well, you do listen to me, right?” Jin says smugly, Yana just half-smiled before taking a sip of her coffee. “Okay, just tell me a good reason why you’re avoiding it?”
Yana cross her arms on her chest and slump her back on the comfy café couch before answering. “Because going back to that hospital creeps the hell out of me and seeing those medications reminds me that I did something stupid and pathetic in my life that I have to take antidepressants to treat them. I still don’t get why those doctors insists that I’m suffering from depression when I’m totally fine.”
“How will they know if you’re okay when you’re bailing out every time they schedule a check-up?” Jin deliberately said.
“But-”
“No buts.” Jin disrupts her. “Those doctors are there to help you, Yana. And if going to the hospital creeps you out, bring Eri and the guys with you.”
Yana didn’t utter a word. For a brief moment, she’s staring straightly at her coffee cup, thinking.
“My mom talked to you, isn’t it?” Yana breaks the silence, her eyes are now on Jin.
“She’s just worried, Yana.” Jin answered.
“I knew it.” Yana said, straightened up in her seat as she covered her face with her palm, breathing heavily.
“Look, Yana. We all just wanted you to get better.”
“I AM BETTER NOW!” Yana stood up and raised her voice, causing other customers to look at them.
“Sit down.” Jin begged her, pulling down her arms to make her sit.
Yana fights back and pulled her arms away from his grip. “Why can’t you believe me? Why do you all make me feel like I’m lying? Even my own mother thinks I’m pretending to be better.” her voice is breaking out and the tears are building up in her eyes.
Yana rushed out of the coffee shop before Jin can see the tears falling out her eyes.
“Yana, wait up!” Jin is running after her in the crowded sidewalk.
“Leave me alone, Jin!” Yana dismissed him and continued to walk to the parking lot. She reached her car and searched her bag for the keys.
“Yana.” Jin caught up with her before she can open the car door.
“I want to be alone.” Yana said, pushing him away from the car.
“Where are you going?” Jin worriedly asked.
“Home.” Yana entered the car and closed the door on him, speeding of the street.
When she reached the first stoplight, Yana breaks out in tears, helplessly holding on to the steering wheel for support.
----
It’s already past midnight when the drama filming ends for the day and Ninomiya Kazunari is on his way to his car when he noticed a familiar car in the parking lot. The headlights are on and the engine is still running.
What is she still doing here? She finished hours ago. Nino thought to himself. Could it be? He thought again but soon erased that horrible thought in his mind. He slowly walk over the driver’s side window and saw a girl bending down the steering wheel, her shoulders is constantly shaking like she’s crying.
Nino thought twice if he should knock and make himself known or just let her be and go to his car and go home. But the second thought will only just make him worry and think about what could have happened to make her cry like that.
He gathered up courage by taking a deep breath before extending his arms to knock on the car window. Izumi Yana slowly looked up, stares at him for a brief second before opening the door and getting out of the car.
“What happened?” Nino asked, his face, full of worry. “Are you robbed or something?”
“Baka!” Yana laughs behind her teary eyes. “I wouldn’t cry desperately like that if I was robbed!”
Nino sighed while rolling his eyes. “Seriously! I’m here worrying about what grave thing could have happen to you and you’re calling me a baka.” he says, irritated. “If you’re not robbed then what happened? Didn’t you finished hours ago? Don’t tell me you’ve been crying inside your car for the past six hours.”
Yana stood still, putting one hand on her waist and other wiping out her tears. “Let’s drink, brat. You drive.” She says, ignoring all his questions.
“Huh?” Nino gapes at her and before he can talk again, Yana decisively pushed him inside the driver’s seat of her car.
“Wait, I have my car there.” Nino pointed to his car, lost and uncertain of Yana’s sudden request.
“Call your manager and ask him to pick it up and bring it to your house. Let’s use my car tonight.” Yana decided and comfortably sits at the passenger’s side.
Nino scanned her face, her cheeks are red as tomato, her eyes are puffy, her eyeliner is ruined and she smells of alcohol. “You’re already drunk.” he concluded.
“I still want to drink.” Yana said, producing a can of beer from the backseat, opens it and gulps it down her throat.
Nino shoots a look at the back and cans of beer are comfortable sitting at the leather seat. “I think you had enough.” he says, pressing on the pedal and speeding off the parking lot.
“Stop lecturing me.” Yana firmly says, throwing the now empty can at the back.
“Okay, okay. Where are we going then?” Nino asked, giving in. He doesn’t want to argue with a mad and drunk Izumi Yana, plus, he’s too tired to argue in the first place.
“Wherever.” Yana pressed down her cheeks on the window, her mouth is turning to a pout.
“You’re funny when you’re drunk.” Nino laughs at her position, her eyes are starting to close. “And you’re nicer too.” he added, returning his attention to the road.
Yana didn’t answer, he looks at her and unsurprisingly, she’s already fast asleep with her face planted on the window.
---
“You’re crazy, you know that?” That’s the first thing that came out of Sakurai Sho’s mouth as soon as he joins Matsumoto Jun in their usual bar in Akasaka.
“But you still came.” Jun smirks and Sho could only shake his head.
An hour ago, at 2 in the morning, Jun sends a text message to Sho asking to join him drink.
“I was curious.” Sho said, signaling his order to the bartender. “So, who’s the girl?” he blatantly asked.
“What made you think it’s about a girl?” Jun tries to bluff.
“If it’s not a girl then what’s making you sleepless for the past five days?” Sho asked. Jun feint an innocent reaction by narrowing his eyes but Sho didn’t bulge in, he pointed at Jun’s big eye bags and dark circles. “And you’ve been spacing out a lot lately, a lot more than Satoshi-kun, if I may add.”
“You’re quite a detective.” Jun said, surprised that Sho can be this sensitive with what’s going on with him. “Who else have noticed?” he asked inquiringly.
“I’m not sure but I think Aiba-chan.” Sho willingly replied. “He asked me if you’re sick since you’ve been acting like your mind’s in outer space.” He chuckled.
Jun half-smiled with that comment. “What about Nino?” That’s the real question he wanted to ask.
“No.” Sho answered. “He’s too busy to notice. I think he’s having a hard time juggling drama filming and movie filming and Arashi stuff to even notice you struggling over a girl... Oh wait, you said it’s not a girl, right?” he tries to play along.
Jun smiled, staring at his now empty glass. “No, you’re right. It’s a girl.” He continues to stare, as if casting a magic spell on the glass.
Sho nods his head a couple of times, testing the waters on whether he should ask question or not.
“Would you mind me asking what happened?” Sho sided on the safe side since he can’t predict what’s been running on Jun’s mind with his expression.
“I will tell you but keep this a secret, will you? Just between the two of us, nobody will find out about it… especially Nino.” Jun shifts his gaze at Sho’s eyes on those last two words. Sho looks confused particularly with the mention of Nino’s name but still nods his head in agreement.
“You’re aware that Izumi Yana was hospitalized months ago, right?” Jun started and Sho nods his head once, he’s still confused. “And you know how tabloids were speculating things about it, right?” Sho nods again. “I don’t want to get into details but I know the truth regarding that issue.”
“What do you mean? You’re saying that the speculations are true?” Sho began asking question. “Do you know her personally?”
“No. The first time was in Kouhaku and that’s it. But during Valentine’s Day, I went to this party with Akanishi and Nishikido. I got really drank I fell asleep at the back seat of my car. The two were about to drop me home when Nishikido received a phone call and they started discussing something and their voices woke me up, I was curious so I eavesdrop in their conversation, Izumi Yana’s name got me even more interested. We ended up in the hospital and they asked me to stay in the car and sleep but I followed sneakily behind them and then later on I found myself inside the ICU.”
“ICU? You mean it’s that’s critical?” Sho is starting to get into the story.
“Yeah. According to the doctors it’s depression and anxiety.”
“Wow. Doesn’t look like her.” Sho commented. “I mean, she looks jolly and cheerful on TV and based on Nino’s stories, I see her as a strong and independent woman.”
“Well, I think she is or at least, she was.” Jun noted. “Anyways, back to the story. Two weeks ago, I saw her and we chatted. She knows that I know and she apologized in which I told her that there’s nothing to apologize for. It was a light talk, nothing too serious and emotional. But after that day I started having this weird feeling inside me. I don’t know if I just pity her for what happened or if it’s something else but for nine days I was confused of what I feel for her until I saw her again at Shun’s party five nights ago.”
“What happened there?” Sho asked.
“For one, she came with Nino and I was jealous. And then Nino started talking about his fantasies with her, that’s strike two.”
“You being jealous is already a sure answer, Jun.” Sho stated the obvious.
“Yeah, but I was too stubborn to admit.” Jun said. “I was sick of Nino and Shun talking and gossiping about her so I went out of the house and went to the nearby playground to cool down but I was getting frustrated with my emotions. Until I heard her voice from behind and you know what, that frustrating feeling just disappear like magic.”
“Answer number two.” Sho said, raising two fingers.
“We talked again, this time deeper than the first one. I know that she’s been hiding the sadness behind the pretty face and gorgeous smile that she have and I wanted to ease that even for a little while. And I think I did a great job since she told me that I helped her a lot. I was pretty happy with that and I was even happier when she asked if she can get a hug.” Jun laughs.
“What?!” Sho said exaggeratedly. “Oh well, I guess that’s very American of her. So did you give her a hug?” he asked in a playful tone.
“Yes I did.” Jun answered. He can still remember that exact moment when he pulled her in towards him, his heart was beating fast but he manages to keep his cool. As soon as she landed in his arms, he smelled the flowery scent of her perfume, the softness of her skin makes him want to caress his fingers all over it and her fragile body makes him want to protect her from anyone who wants to hurt her again.
“I found my long awaited answer in that hug.” Jun confessed.
Sho is waiting for a continuation but Jun remains quiet. “Which is?” he asked impatiently.
Jun sighed, it was deep, like it was coming from the bottom of his chest before finally saying “I’m falling for her.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
In the noisy, celebrity-filled underground club in the ever vibrant Roppongi district, Izumi Yana and the rest of her friends are partying since the place opened three hours ago. This is the first time she entered a night club for the past two months and man, did she miss it. Chit-chatting with the friendly bartenders she haven’t seen in along time, dominating the dance floor with every funky club music and even taking over the DJ from the mixer. She’s having fun, like how it was before, with her trusty group of friends.
“Oi!” Yana growled when someone from behind snatch her new bottle of beer.
“This is your eighth bottle. You’ve reached your limit for tonight.” Akanishi Jin told her while gulping down her beer.
“Since when did I have a drinking limit?” Yana creases her eyebrows at him.
“You do know that you’re still not allowed to drink, right?” Jin tries to refresh her memory.
“I’m fine, Jin.” Yana rolled her eyes as she sits beside him by the bar counter.
“Yeah, right. Eri told me you’re not attending your follow-up appointments with your doctor and you’re not taking your medications, how can you know that you’re alright?” Jin accused her with condemning eyes.
Yana sighed before speaking again. “It’s my own body, Jin. I feel that I’m fine, in fact, I feel extremely well now. I don’t need the doctors and those medications.”
“But still-”
“Stop acting like my mom.” Yana didn’t let Jin continue his sentence. “I had enough of my mom’s nagging for the past two months. Thank God she went back to work now and a thousand miles away from Japan already. I don’t need you to replace her.”
“We’re just worried.” Jin answered. His voice was almost buried by the loud music but Yana still managed to hear him.
“I understand that.” Yana rested both her elbows on the counter, her hands both on her cheeks. “But can you just believe me when I say that I’m fine? It seems like everyone thinks that I’m lying when I say that I’m okay now.” She pouted.
Jin silently laughs at the sight of Yana, obviously starting to get tipsy. “Let’s go outside.” He stood up from the bar stool and took Yana’s hand and lead her to the exit.
“What are we doing outside?” Yana asked, sitting at the metal railing by the sidewalk.
“We can’t talk inside, it’s too noisy.” Jin said, sitting beside her.
“We didn’t go here to talk, we came here to party.” Yana pokes Jin’s chest before standing up but a sudden dizziness hit her, Jin was just in time to catch her before she fall to the ground. “I’m fine, just drunk.” Yana laughs, resting her head on Jin’s chest to avoid the surrounding from spinning.
“Let’s go sober you up.” Jin said, wrapping her around arms as they walk on the sidewalk.
On the first coffee shop they stumbled on, Jin and Yana are sitting down on a secluded corner with their black coffee.
“Hey, I’m leaving in a week.” Jin muttered under his cup.
“Yeah, I heard. Chasing after the American dream.” Yana says with a smirk and Jin laughs. “I’m happy for you. And man, you’re going back to LA! Be good, Bakanishi!”
“Look who’s talking. I should be the one saying that to you! Be good here! Don’t do anything stupid!” Jin playfully ruffled her hair.
“When are you coming back?” Yana asked. This is the first time since 2006 that Jin will be abroad for a long time and Yana will definitely miss him badly.
“Summer, around July.” Jin answered. “Why are you asking? Are you going to miss me?” he added in a teasing tone.
“Of course I will, Bakanishi! Things are going to be dull around here since everyone’s going to be busy and you flying to the States.” Yana sighed.
“Yanana, since things will be pretty hectic in LA and I probably won’t have much time to call you-”
“I know what you’re going to say!” Yana interrupted him. “Jin…”
“Yana. Please.” Jin took her hand and squeezes it gently on his. “Attend that doctor’s appointments and take your medicine, that’s all I’m asking. I know Ryo and Pi will just tolerate your bad habit, Yuu will probably reprimand you but I know you will never listen to him because you’re stubborn like that and you’re not listening to Eri either, that’s why I’m stepping in now, before I go.”
“So you’re confident about your convincing powers towards me?” Yana said in a playful tone, still taking this topic lightly.
“Well, you do listen to me, right?” Jin says smugly, Yana just half-smiled before taking a sip of her coffee. “Okay, just tell me a good reason why you’re avoiding it?”
Yana cross her arms on her chest and slump her back on the comfy café couch before answering. “Because going back to that hospital creeps the hell out of me and seeing those medications reminds me that I did something stupid and pathetic in my life that I have to take antidepressants to treat them. I still don’t get why those doctors insists that I’m suffering from depression when I’m totally fine.”
“How will they know if you’re okay when you’re bailing out every time they schedule a check-up?” Jin deliberately said.
“But-”
“No buts.” Jin disrupts her. “Those doctors are there to help you, Yana. And if going to the hospital creeps you out, bring Eri and the guys with you.”
Yana didn’t utter a word. For a brief moment, she’s staring straightly at her coffee cup, thinking.
“My mom talked to you, isn’t it?” Yana breaks the silence, her eyes are now on Jin.
“She’s just worried, Yana.” Jin answered.
“I knew it.” Yana said, straightened up in her seat as she covered her face with her palm, breathing heavily.
“Look, Yana. We all just wanted you to get better.”
“I AM BETTER NOW!” Yana stood up and raised her voice, causing other customers to look at them.
“Sit down.” Jin begged her, pulling down her arms to make her sit.
Yana fights back and pulled her arms away from his grip. “Why can’t you believe me? Why do you all make me feel like I’m lying? Even my own mother thinks I’m pretending to be better.” her voice is breaking out and the tears are building up in her eyes.
Yana rushed out of the coffee shop before Jin can see the tears falling out her eyes.
“Yana, wait up!” Jin is running after her in the crowded sidewalk.
“Leave me alone, Jin!” Yana dismissed him and continued to walk to the parking lot. She reached her car and searched her bag for the keys.
“Yana.” Jin caught up with her before she can open the car door.
“I want to be alone.” Yana said, pushing him away from the car.
“Where are you going?” Jin worriedly asked.
“Home.” Yana entered the car and closed the door on him, speeding of the street.
When she reached the first stoplight, Yana breaks out in tears, helplessly holding on to the steering wheel for support.
----
It’s already past midnight when the drama filming ends for the day and Ninomiya Kazunari is on his way to his car when he noticed a familiar car in the parking lot. The headlights are on and the engine is still running.
What is she still doing here? She finished hours ago. Nino thought to himself. Could it be? He thought again but soon erased that horrible thought in his mind. He slowly walk over the driver’s side window and saw a girl bending down the steering wheel, her shoulders is constantly shaking like she’s crying.
Nino thought twice if he should knock and make himself known or just let her be and go to his car and go home. But the second thought will only just make him worry and think about what could have happened to make her cry like that.
He gathered up courage by taking a deep breath before extending his arms to knock on the car window. Izumi Yana slowly looked up, stares at him for a brief second before opening the door and getting out of the car.
“What happened?” Nino asked, his face, full of worry. “Are you robbed or something?”
“Baka!” Yana laughs behind her teary eyes. “I wouldn’t cry desperately like that if I was robbed!”
Nino sighed while rolling his eyes. “Seriously! I’m here worrying about what grave thing could have happen to you and you’re calling me a baka.” he says, irritated. “If you’re not robbed then what happened? Didn’t you finished hours ago? Don’t tell me you’ve been crying inside your car for the past six hours.”
Yana stood still, putting one hand on her waist and other wiping out her tears. “Let’s drink, brat. You drive.” She says, ignoring all his questions.
“Huh?” Nino gapes at her and before he can talk again, Yana decisively pushed him inside the driver’s seat of her car.
“Wait, I have my car there.” Nino pointed to his car, lost and uncertain of Yana’s sudden request.
“Call your manager and ask him to pick it up and bring it to your house. Let’s use my car tonight.” Yana decided and comfortably sits at the passenger’s side.
Nino scanned her face, her cheeks are red as tomato, her eyes are puffy, her eyeliner is ruined and she smells of alcohol. “You’re already drunk.” he concluded.
“I still want to drink.” Yana said, producing a can of beer from the backseat, opens it and gulps it down her throat.
Nino shoots a look at the back and cans of beer are comfortable sitting at the leather seat. “I think you had enough.” he says, pressing on the pedal and speeding off the parking lot.
“Stop lecturing me.” Yana firmly says, throwing the now empty can at the back.
“Okay, okay. Where are we going then?” Nino asked, giving in. He doesn’t want to argue with a mad and drunk Izumi Yana, plus, he’s too tired to argue in the first place.
“Wherever.” Yana pressed down her cheeks on the window, her mouth is turning to a pout.
“You’re funny when you’re drunk.” Nino laughs at her position, her eyes are starting to close. “And you’re nicer too.” he added, returning his attention to the road.
Yana didn’t answer, he looks at her and unsurprisingly, she’s already fast asleep with her face planted on the window.
---
“You’re crazy, you know that?” That’s the first thing that came out of Sakurai Sho’s mouth as soon as he joins Matsumoto Jun in their usual bar in Akasaka.
“But you still came.” Jun smirks and Sho could only shake his head.
An hour ago, at 2 in the morning, Jun sends a text message to Sho asking to join him drink.
“I was curious.” Sho said, signaling his order to the bartender. “So, who’s the girl?” he blatantly asked.
“What made you think it’s about a girl?” Jun tries to bluff.
“If it’s not a girl then what’s making you sleepless for the past five days?” Sho asked. Jun feint an innocent reaction by narrowing his eyes but Sho didn’t bulge in, he pointed at Jun’s big eye bags and dark circles. “And you’ve been spacing out a lot lately, a lot more than Satoshi-kun, if I may add.”
“You’re quite a detective.” Jun said, surprised that Sho can be this sensitive with what’s going on with him. “Who else have noticed?” he asked inquiringly.
“I’m not sure but I think Aiba-chan.” Sho willingly replied. “He asked me if you’re sick since you’ve been acting like your mind’s in outer space.” He chuckled.
Jun half-smiled with that comment. “What about Nino?” That’s the real question he wanted to ask.
“No.” Sho answered. “He’s too busy to notice. I think he’s having a hard time juggling drama filming and movie filming and Arashi stuff to even notice you struggling over a girl... Oh wait, you said it’s not a girl, right?” he tries to play along.
Jun smiled, staring at his now empty glass. “No, you’re right. It’s a girl.” He continues to stare, as if casting a magic spell on the glass.
Sho nods his head a couple of times, testing the waters on whether he should ask question or not.
“Would you mind me asking what happened?” Sho sided on the safe side since he can’t predict what’s been running on Jun’s mind with his expression.
“I will tell you but keep this a secret, will you? Just between the two of us, nobody will find out about it… especially Nino.” Jun shifts his gaze at Sho’s eyes on those last two words. Sho looks confused particularly with the mention of Nino’s name but still nods his head in agreement.
“You’re aware that Izumi Yana was hospitalized months ago, right?” Jun started and Sho nods his head once, he’s still confused. “And you know how tabloids were speculating things about it, right?” Sho nods again. “I don’t want to get into details but I know the truth regarding that issue.”
“What do you mean? You’re saying that the speculations are true?” Sho began asking question. “Do you know her personally?”
“No. The first time was in Kouhaku and that’s it. But during Valentine’s Day, I went to this party with Akanishi and Nishikido. I got really drank I fell asleep at the back seat of my car. The two were about to drop me home when Nishikido received a phone call and they started discussing something and their voices woke me up, I was curious so I eavesdrop in their conversation, Izumi Yana’s name got me even more interested. We ended up in the hospital and they asked me to stay in the car and sleep but I followed sneakily behind them and then later on I found myself inside the ICU.”
“ICU? You mean it’s that’s critical?” Sho is starting to get into the story.
“Yeah. According to the doctors it’s depression and anxiety.”
“Wow. Doesn’t look like her.” Sho commented. “I mean, she looks jolly and cheerful on TV and based on Nino’s stories, I see her as a strong and independent woman.”
“Well, I think she is or at least, she was.” Jun noted. “Anyways, back to the story. Two weeks ago, I saw her and we chatted. She knows that I know and she apologized in which I told her that there’s nothing to apologize for. It was a light talk, nothing too serious and emotional. But after that day I started having this weird feeling inside me. I don’t know if I just pity her for what happened or if it’s something else but for nine days I was confused of what I feel for her until I saw her again at Shun’s party five nights ago.”
“What happened there?” Sho asked.
“For one, she came with Nino and I was jealous. And then Nino started talking about his fantasies with her, that’s strike two.”
“You being jealous is already a sure answer, Jun.” Sho stated the obvious.
“Yeah, but I was too stubborn to admit.” Jun said. “I was sick of Nino and Shun talking and gossiping about her so I went out of the house and went to the nearby playground to cool down but I was getting frustrated with my emotions. Until I heard her voice from behind and you know what, that frustrating feeling just disappear like magic.”
“Answer number two.” Sho said, raising two fingers.
“We talked again, this time deeper than the first one. I know that she’s been hiding the sadness behind the pretty face and gorgeous smile that she have and I wanted to ease that even for a little while. And I think I did a great job since she told me that I helped her a lot. I was pretty happy with that and I was even happier when she asked if she can get a hug.” Jun laughs.
“What?!” Sho said exaggeratedly. “Oh well, I guess that’s very American of her. So did you give her a hug?” he asked in a playful tone.
“Yes I did.” Jun answered. He can still remember that exact moment when he pulled her in towards him, his heart was beating fast but he manages to keep his cool. As soon as she landed in his arms, he smelled the flowery scent of her perfume, the softness of her skin makes him want to caress his fingers all over it and her fragile body makes him want to protect her from anyone who wants to hurt her again.
“I found my long awaited answer in that hug.” Jun confessed.
Sho is waiting for a continuation but Jun remains quiet. “Which is?” he asked impatiently.
Jun sighed, it was deep, like it was coming from the bottom of his chest before finally saying “I’m falling for her.”