Our Vow That is Arashi - Part 2
Repost for Arashi’s Fanfiction for Competition on Ao_no_Michi
TITLE: Our Vow, That Is Arashi
RATING: PG
GENRE: Gen, Drama, Friendship
SUMMARY: They have their promises, their vows, their dreams, which always keep them to try their best.
Part 2
Things did not get well quickly after that, but they were still managed in the entertainment world. The CD’s sales were still lower than their first debut, but it still considered as stable. They once also doing a movie which actually making Aiba’s delight since it’s a movie which staring the five of them. They released a few singles which sells stabled enough, then starting regularly on night shows on some tv stations, a drama, and each starting to have a radio shows.
It countinues until 2004, that it seemed that year was appeared really bad for the five of them. Even Johnny-san seemed did not really care about them anymore. But Aiba still assured himself that everything was going to be okay. They have their dreams; they have their promise, their vows. Aiba was sure it’s just a storm before the calm. The rain before the rainbow.
And when Arashi got an offered to be the main personality on a well-known 24 Hours TV Shows that held every year, Aiba could not help but getting very excited.
“Isn’t it great, guys!?” Aiba said to his fellow members, in the middle of doing his little experiment to be brought in A no Arashi corner when their manager came into their Green Room. “It’s our change to make people recognize us more!”
“Yes, Julie-san accepted this offers in order to promote you guys.” Their manager told them with a smile. “Besides, you guys had worked hard, it’s one of great achievement, isn’t it?”
Considering how low the last single sold according to their company, Aiba actually surprised that they were asked to do this project. But then he always thinks there is always miracle in this world, along with their efforts all this time. They were going to do it, slowly but surely, to reach atop.
Aiba smiled widely when the others smiled back at him, nodding their heads in agree. But Aiba missed a strained smile that appeared on Sho and Jun’s face.
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“Otsukare-sama deshita!” Aiba bowed at the staffs that just take a shoot for his task. He felt very tired, and sleepy, but his heart felt full by happiness. He did many things in this project, met many people, got shared many wonderful stories, and learned many things. He felt grateful that they are being offered by this kind of wonderful job.
When he was going to go to next location, he felt the urge to go to the toilet and change his direction suddenly.
“Aiba-kun, where are you going?” One of the staff asked.
“Toilet, toilet!” he gestured at his lower part and the staff chuckled. “Don’t take too long! We’ll be waiting here, okay!”
Aiba gave a thumb up and ran to the nearest toilet. After accomplish his urge, Aiba let out a sigh and washed his hands. He came out from the toilet and walking through the alley. He stopped at someone mentioning Arashi’s name when he was about to turned around the corner.
“. . . Poor them though.”
Aiba peeked a bit from the corner to see two men having a conversation in front of a window while smoking. He did not know who were they, but Aiba thought maybe he saw one of the men once when they were in the NTV Station Building.
“Yeah, it must be because the Olympics in Athena right?”
“Well, people are put more interest in there rather that this project, I must say. But well, because it’s an annually project we keep doing this, and with a low budget, we just could pay Arashi to be the main personality.”
“I heard Julie-san, begging our producer to use Arashi?”
“I also heard about it.” The man inhaled his smoke and put out a grey smokes from his mouth. “But well, I also heard a rumors that 24hours program would likely fail this year, because people choose to watch the Olympics more than this. So they don’t care anymore who do the main personality actually.”
“Hey, guys, it’s time! How long are you going to smoke there? Work, work!” someone shouting from other direction and Aiba snapped out. He quickly turned and hid his head, leaning his body to the wall. His heart beating so fast and his mind full of what he just heard.
So Arashi was offered to be the main personality not because they worth it? They were offered because the TV just having a low budget? They were offered because they knew the program would likely to fail and they did not care anymore who would going to take a job? Even Julie-san begged the producer to take them?
Aiba felt his heart sunk. He slumped to his butt and hid his head inside his knees, sobbing quietly. He thought it’s finally came, the time when they were going to fulfill their promise, to fulfill their vows.
But apparently, reality was not that kind enough as he thought.
------
Aiba came back to where the staff waiting for him to go to the next location. One of the staff asking him worriedly when he approached them. “Aiba-san? Are you okay? Your eyes look red?”
Aiba rubbing his eyes and laughed, “Ah, I guess a dust went into my eyes. Suddenly it hurt so I tried to cry to get it out of my eyes.”
The staffs nodded and chuckled along in believe at what he said. Other staff approached him and asked him, “Aiba-san, a moment, please?”
Aiba nodded while the staff showing him some paperwork, “Actually, this year we’re going to ask one of the main personality to write an impression letter. The producer decided he wants you to write some letter to the rest of Arashi, some impression about them, and about your future dream . . . You know, as the theme of this year, ‘Your Dream is Everybody’s Dream’. The producer wants you to write out the dreams that you want to achieve in the future. How’s that sound?”
The staff smiled at him expectantly. The lanky guy stared at the paperwork the staff shown him for a while, and suddenly an idea struck him. Aiba nodded enthusiastically before beamed at the staff.
“I’ll do it!!”
--------
“Lastly, we will have this year 24 hour TV personality, everyone from Arashi!”
Applause started to reverberate around the big studio and Aiba felt his heart beating so fast. It was finally the time he was going to read his letters to Arashi, in front of people who watching them whether at the studio or from their house.
Aiba had spilled all his feelings towards this letters. He wanted all of Arashi members to know how all this time he always feel grateful being with them, for their encounter, for able to met them, for having Arashi in his life. He was certain; that the others still have not giving up fulfilling their promise to reach the top, and neither was he. Whenever he looked at the scar on his chest that he got from an operation, he remembered at the time when Arashi members visit him, and to their vows. It was the thing that always gives him power, to always keep trying, to be strong.
He believe, they were going to reach the top as they had promise. Because they are Arashi.
“. . . Aiba-san have something that he would like to say to everyone.” The MC said and Aiba clenched his jaw in determination. “Aiba-kun, please make your way here.”
“Yes.” Aiba walked beside the MC and the MC welcomed him. “So, it’s the first time, ne, you’re going to write to the members ne?”
“To the members, yes.” Aiba nodded nervously and from the other side Jun said, “Wait, we didn’t hear about this!”
“Okay, let’s hear about it.” The MC said again and Aiba nodded. He passed the mic to the MC and the opened his letter. He cleared his throat and inhaled a deep breath.
“To everyone in Arashi,
I have written down my feelings towards Arashi.
It’s been a 5 years since we’re debut
There’s a lot of things happened
Whether in a hard, painful, or happy moments, we’re always gone through it together.
Recently each and every one of us started to receive individual jobs.
Seeing your guys doing your jobs, really encourage me and I feel so happy for you.
To me, Arashi is my good friends.
And good rivals too.
However, I still have this kind of thought that I caused trouble for everyone.
I feel really sorry whenever I think about it.
It’s the time when I was hospitalized because of my chest infection.
During those days, I can’t get rid the thought about the member from my mind.
The work that supposed to be done by me, the other members had to fulfill it.”
Aiba stopped for a while because the emotions that running in his chest that threaten to get out at the moment.
“At that time,” Aiba continued, “there was a mark from the operation on my right chest.
Everytime I see it, it makes me want to do my best and gives me power.
I’m really thankful for everyone.
Usually because of shyness there are things that could not be said, but
This time, I’ll borrow this opportunity to say it.”
“Matsujun, thank you for always thinking about Arashi more than anyone.
Nino, thank you for always could read the situation well, and always brings up our spirits.
Sho-kun, thank you for always able to bring this 5 mess guys together.
The last one, to Leader Ohno-kun,
Although leader haven’t done anything that leader-like, but with you presence and your personality always helps us.
Thank you for always being reliable, Leader.”
“From now on too, let the 5 of us combine our strength and work hard.
Lastly, the dream that we always aim for “to be at the top”, let’s make it come true for real.”
“I’m grateful to be in Arashi, Aiba Masaki.”
A loud applause filled the studio and Aiba fold his letter and ran to his previous spot quickly. He bit his lips so he would stop crying.
“So, leader, how did you take it?”
Aiba appeared beside his leader, and he felt someone touched his back encouragingly from behind, but he too busy to hold his tears to know who it was. Then he heard Ohno responded to the MC beside him while biting back a sobs.
“I was surprised.” The leader chuckled while Aiba could hear Matsujun responded at him, “He surprised you, right?” and when the MC asked Jun’s opinion, the youngest member on Arashi smiled widely.
“It was the best.”
“Ninomiya-kun?”
“Well, as everyone else were aware about this, that our Aiba-chan gets sick easily.” Nino said. “And he, himself worried about that he always troubling us. But that’s not true.”
Aiba chocked out and had to turn his head in order to prevent his tears to fall down, although it’s not working. And Aiba could not help the tears to fall down when Nino said, “Because that is Arashi.”
And Sho continuing Nino’s speech, “During that time that he claimed he troubled us, was the time when he was the one who having the hardest time . . . I thank him for telling us how he felt during that time.”
“Actually,” Nino said again, “it’s been the best summer ever for Arashi.”
“Then, let’s have this wonderful companion to sing a wonderful song in this wonderful summer. Arashi, yoroshiku onegaitashimasu!”
Aiba still could not stop the tears that falling from his eyes as he walked to the stage with the other 4 arashi members trailing behind him. Then, he felt a warm hand supported him on his back. He turned his head to his side to see Ohno gave him a warm smile, and from the dried path on his cheeks, he knew the older man had been crying too. He felt a hand stroking his head roughly and when he looked up, he found Sho smiling proudly at him. He felt a squeeze on his shoulder and when he looked beside him, he saw Nino smiled at him encouragingly. And then he felt a warm hug around his shoulder, and he turned his head to see Matsujun grinned widely at him.
No need for exchanging actual words between them, but they knew how a small gesture and a simple smile could be meant more. A simple pat on the head, a light squeeze on a shoulder, a supportive hand on the back, or a warm hugs around, that always able to calm him, or to encourage him more.
Because he knew, the actual precious words are already graven in each of their hearts. “Their promise, their vows, their dreams, that is Arashi”, it was the words that always makes them strong.
Aiba walked to the stage and looked up to see his precious members waiting for him and he could not help the overwhelmed emotion that threaten to get out from his chest. He smiled widely and walked to where all of Arashi members stood. He stood on the stage with his friends, the spotlights brighten the stage, and the music started to play.
And as he looked surround him, to the thousand of people watching them, some of them were Arashi fans that always support them to go through this. That time, he knew he never felt regret.
Because to him, Arashi is one of the most precious treasure that happened in his life.
“’Your Dreams is our dreams’, that is the theme for this year 24 hours TV.”
---------
“. . . saki? Masaki?”
Aiba opened his eyes to see his mother looming over him, a soft smile spread on her lips.
“What are you dreaming about? You’re smiling all over.” She chuckled while Aiba tried to focus his eyes by blinking a few times. He looked at his surroundings and realized that he were at hospital. It’s been a few days he stayed there due to the relapse on his lungs problem.
Aiba stared unfocusedly, a smile still on his face. “Nah,” he said. “Just reminiscing about something.”
“Reminiscing?” his mother laughed, and his brother who happened to be there in the room said, “you used such a difficult word, aniki.”
“Shut up.” Aiba laughed breathlessly. He was smiling though remembering his dreams. It’s been a few years since that happened, and now Arashi has considered as national top idol group. “Aah, I’m bored. I wanna go home soon!”
“Wait till the doctor said so.” Mrs. Aiba said while put out something on the table beside his bed. “It’s just a week, just be patient.”
“Mum, I’m going to bring this to the car.” Yuusuke, Aiba’s brother said while pointing a plastic bag with dirty clothes in his hand. Mrs. Aiba said, “okay, wait me there~”
“Jya ne, aniki!” Yuusuke waved his hand to Aiba and Aiba replied, “Ou!”
“I’ll back home to take care of restaurant, then I’ll come back at night ne?” Mrs. Aiba told Aiba while arranging some fruits on a plate on the table. “If you need anything, just call the nurse, okay? Don’t forget to change your clothes if you start sweating again. It’s in the bag beside your bed, so you could easily grab it. Just throw the dirty one to the plastic bag near them, okay.”
“Mum, I’m not a kid anymore! I’m going to be okay!” Aiba told his mother cheerily. He didn’t worry at all about things like that. What he actually worried was how his mother looked so exhausted. “I think you’re the one who should go rest, mum, you look exhausted.”
Mrs. Aiba chuckled while stole a kiss to Aiba’s cheek. Aiba squeaked a ‘mum!’ and rubbed his cheek while his mother smiled at him. “Mothers always have more energy to take care of her kids, you know.”
Hearing that, Aiba blinked and replied his mother’s smile. Mrs. Aiba waved at her and bit a goodbye, before walked out to the door. “Don’t forget what I said, okay~”
“Okaaay~”
The door’s closed than the blonde guy whined loudly, “Uuh~ I’m bored . . . Why there’s no one come here?” he pouted.
“They just sending emails to me . . . well, at least Leader and Matsujun always sent me mails so I won’t get lonely, but Nino-chan and Sho-chan just sent me an email! An email!? How could they!!?”
The brunette complained to the air and threw his hands on the air freely as if he demanded for some explanation. Knowing nobody would answer he threw his upper body to the head rest. Suddenly, he felt a breezy wind and he realized that his mother opened the window that let the air to come into the room. He looked up to the window and as if he widened his eyes when he saw a five color paper birds were hung un the window, whirled around freely by the wind.
Aiba smiled. He did not know who had hung the paper birds that used to be in his hospital room seven years ago when he got hospitalized, though he guessed it’s his mom. So that’s why, he thought, that he was dreaming the thing that happened a few years back ago.
Now, Arashi had considered as a top national idol. Comparing to few years ago, now it looks like everywhere you see, you could see Arashi. On the TV, on the street, on the school, even on the airplane. And all of this happened not for an instant, but with so much hardworks. They had through so much and Aiba’s mind flew to the time when they were not anything, have to do many silly things (which he actually enjoying it and always looking forward to it), or when even people didn’t even knew who they were.
When he got hospitalized seven years ago, his heart was full of fear how he thought he was became a burden to the other members. But when they came to him and how they encourage him that he never became a burden, that he should share his worries because Arashi were 5, he knew that he had found the place that he really belongs to. Because they shared the same promises, the same vows, the same dreams. Because, they are Arashi.
Aiba rest his hands below his head and looked up again to the paper birds. It still swirling around as the wind blowing at them, the sky behind them so blue and Aiba could not help thought how beautiful it looks. From now on too, he always hope, Arashi would always keep moving, no matter how strong the wind pushing them.
Because they are Arashi, they are the one who going to make a storm.
-----------
EPILOGUE
The rain started pouring heavily from the sky above Tokyo Dome. The sky was pitch dark and the thunder rumbled loudly on the sky. People started running around to look for a place to shelter them from the rain.
“Uwaa, what a heavy rain!” Jun said while rubbing his head with towel he got from the staff.
He, Ohno, Sho, and Nino were happened to be under the open stage when the rain started to fall, and their managers hurry them to take a shelter. Aiba was happened to be behind the stage because he had not allowed doing the dance practices. And where they came running away from the rain, he helped the staffs giving them a towel. Now, the five of them were seated behind the stage staring ahead while waiting for the rain to stop.
At the time, because Aiba happened to out from the hospital, the Doctor asked him not to wearing himself out as soon as he out. He could follow the rehearsal, but it will be best if he avoid doing things that demand many moves. Although when he watched the members doing the rehearsal, he was longing to be able to also doing it. He really missed dancing and singing around with his fellow members on the stage.
While waiting for the rain to stopped, all of them chatting lightly. As they talked, the rain slowly started to cease. It’s when Aiba realized that the youngest member did not talk much and just staring ahead through the rain.
“Ah, by the way! Since earlier Matsujun is very silent, ne!” Aiba wondered aloud. Matsujun glanced at him and smiled, “Nah, I was just thinking . . .”
He looked around to the stage that was drenched by the rain, to the people walking around on and around the stage to ensure everything still worked properly, and to the empty bleachers around it, that in a few days going to fill up with a sea of people.
“Being able to hold a concert on Tokyo Dome, was like a like dream for me. But being able to do it here for four years in row . . .” Jun shook his head and smiled widely. “To be honest, it still feels like a dream.”
All of Arashi members followed him looking around the stadium. Back in their early years, they were happy when people bought their singles or album. They were happy when their promotion videos were played on tv. They were happy having a concert even though it was bit not in this big stadium. Now they could not help but agree that it feels like a dream.
“Yeah . . . back in our earlier times I even never dreamed of what we achieved until now.” Sho smiled. “You see, Able to hold a concert inside our country is already amazing, and I was never expecting to have a concert outside Japan!”
The members nodded along in agreement and suddenly Nino winced his eyes and groaned, “What I remember until now that we’re doing silly and sometimes painful experimental things.”
“Experimental . . .”
“I don’t know why we’re having that in the first place.”
‘Wait! You meant our experimental things?” Aiba mused loudly.
“Not ‘our’, but ‘you’ and dragged us along.” Nino told him. The members laughed and nodded along in agreement. Aiba pouted, “But, but, it’s fun, right?”
“Well, yeah, I have to agree it’s fun anyway.” Jun said and Sho nodded.
“I remember having a serious conversation in my room when we’re having a tour.” Ohno suddenly said and everybody looked at him wonderingly, and Jun asked, “Was there? What for?”
“Aah, ahh! I think I remember that!” Sho announced loudly and started named the meeting. “It’s “a-meeting-to-talk-about-arashi-future”, I remember , yes!”
“What a name!” Nino laughed.
“I remembered after that I was hospitalized.” Aiba said slowly although the grins never leave his face. “I remember I was stressed around at the time, afraid being a burden to you guys. And I was thinking about the worst things that could happen or how if because my lungs problem I can’t be with you guys anymore and . . .”
Aiba heard a stifled and he looked at Nino who was covered his mouth with his hand and Aiba snapped, “I’m trying to be serious and why are you always laughing when I talked about this?”
The man pouted while the others laughing but Nino waved his hand. “No, no, seriously, I’m not mocking you! I just remember how you were so excited when Leader brought a paper birds when we visiting you!”
“Paper birds?”
“The paper birds!” Aiba clapped his hands suddenly. “You know, actually when I was at hospital I was having a seemingly very long dream about our early years! And when I woke up, I saw the paper birds that Leader gave me hung around the window! And so I was thinking, that’s why I’m having all the reminiscing things in my dream!”
“Reminiscing?”
“You used such a difficult word, Aiba-shi!”
“Shut up!” Aiba shouted while still laughing. Ohno then nodded in understand. “Ah, the paper birds with our colors, ne?”
“At that time,” Aiba smiled. “When I feel all depressed . . . you guys suddenly came. When we talked, I feel like having a new kind of power, seeing you guys never give up for Arashi . . .” Aiba held his chest where the scar from the operation stayed there. “It’s like I still don’t want to give up too, I still want to be with you guys, I still want to fight along with you . . . I . . .”
Aiba grinned brightly to his fellow members, “Because to me, Arashi is one of the precious thing happened in my life. I can’t and I won’t give up easily on it.”
“Because we’re Arashi.” Ohno smiled at him. “We’re going to bring the storm. No matter how hard the wind pushing us, we’re not going to give up.”
The others smiled along and now staring to the sky that was clear from any dark clouds. The rain had stopped a while ago, and the sunshine shining brightly above them.
“Arashi-san, the stage was ready to use.” One of the staff told them and snapped all of them out from their thoughts.
“Ah, arigatou!” Sho said and rose from his seat. Ohno followed his moved while took held of Nino’s hand in order to help the younger man up. Jun stood up and stretched his body and yelling excitedly, “Yooosh! Practice, practice!”
Aiba still sat on his spot, staring at his fellow members’ back walking away from him towards the stage. Suddenly, Jun turned around and asked, “Eh? Aiba-kun? Why are you still sitting there?”
Taking in surprised, Aiba did not know what to answered, “Uhm . . . I . . .”
“You want to go practice along with us, right?”
Aiba glanced hesitantly to his manager, looking at the man with puppy eyes begging to let him just follow the practice. The man sighed and the nodded in defeat.
“But don’t push yourself!”
“I won’t!” Aiba grinned at the older man and rose from his seat. Never in his life, had he ever thought that he ever pushing himself for Arashi. Instead, he thought it was the happiest moments whenever he was together with the others, dancing and singing along together. It’s been 12 years since they’re debut, and so many things had happened. But how hard the obstacle they through, the still having the same feelings, they still won’t give up.
Even after one year, five years, ten years, twelve years, their vow never changed. And it wouldn’t ever change. Because it’s the one that they always keep in their mind, their hearts. Because it’s the one that gives them a power, to always thinking that they could through everything. Together. With the five of them.
“We’re going to reach the top
Because we’re Arashi
We’re going to make a storm”
----end-----
TITLE: Our Vow, That Is Arashi
RATING: PG
GENRE: Gen, Drama, Friendship
SUMMARY: They have their promises, their vows, their dreams, which always keep them to try their best.
Part 2
Things did not get well quickly after that, but they were still managed in the entertainment world. The CD’s sales were still lower than their first debut, but it still considered as stable. They once also doing a movie which actually making Aiba’s delight since it’s a movie which staring the five of them. They released a few singles which sells stabled enough, then starting regularly on night shows on some tv stations, a drama, and each starting to have a radio shows.
It countinues until 2004, that it seemed that year was appeared really bad for the five of them. Even Johnny-san seemed did not really care about them anymore. But Aiba still assured himself that everything was going to be okay. They have their dreams; they have their promise, their vows. Aiba was sure it’s just a storm before the calm. The rain before the rainbow.
And when Arashi got an offered to be the main personality on a well-known 24 Hours TV Shows that held every year, Aiba could not help but getting very excited.
“Isn’t it great, guys!?” Aiba said to his fellow members, in the middle of doing his little experiment to be brought in A no Arashi corner when their manager came into their Green Room. “It’s our change to make people recognize us more!”
“Yes, Julie-san accepted this offers in order to promote you guys.” Their manager told them with a smile. “Besides, you guys had worked hard, it’s one of great achievement, isn’t it?”
Considering how low the last single sold according to their company, Aiba actually surprised that they were asked to do this project. But then he always thinks there is always miracle in this world, along with their efforts all this time. They were going to do it, slowly but surely, to reach atop.
Aiba smiled widely when the others smiled back at him, nodding their heads in agree. But Aiba missed a strained smile that appeared on Sho and Jun’s face.
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“Otsukare-sama deshita!” Aiba bowed at the staffs that just take a shoot for his task. He felt very tired, and sleepy, but his heart felt full by happiness. He did many things in this project, met many people, got shared many wonderful stories, and learned many things. He felt grateful that they are being offered by this kind of wonderful job.
When he was going to go to next location, he felt the urge to go to the toilet and change his direction suddenly.
“Aiba-kun, where are you going?” One of the staff asked.
“Toilet, toilet!” he gestured at his lower part and the staff chuckled. “Don’t take too long! We’ll be waiting here, okay!”
Aiba gave a thumb up and ran to the nearest toilet. After accomplish his urge, Aiba let out a sigh and washed his hands. He came out from the toilet and walking through the alley. He stopped at someone mentioning Arashi’s name when he was about to turned around the corner.
“. . . Poor them though.”
Aiba peeked a bit from the corner to see two men having a conversation in front of a window while smoking. He did not know who were they, but Aiba thought maybe he saw one of the men once when they were in the NTV Station Building.
“Yeah, it must be because the Olympics in Athena right?”
“Well, people are put more interest in there rather that this project, I must say. But well, because it’s an annually project we keep doing this, and with a low budget, we just could pay Arashi to be the main personality.”
“I heard Julie-san, begging our producer to use Arashi?”
“I also heard about it.” The man inhaled his smoke and put out a grey smokes from his mouth. “But well, I also heard a rumors that 24hours program would likely fail this year, because people choose to watch the Olympics more than this. So they don’t care anymore who do the main personality actually.”
“Hey, guys, it’s time! How long are you going to smoke there? Work, work!” someone shouting from other direction and Aiba snapped out. He quickly turned and hid his head, leaning his body to the wall. His heart beating so fast and his mind full of what he just heard.
So Arashi was offered to be the main personality not because they worth it? They were offered because the TV just having a low budget? They were offered because they knew the program would likely to fail and they did not care anymore who would going to take a job? Even Julie-san begged the producer to take them?
Aiba felt his heart sunk. He slumped to his butt and hid his head inside his knees, sobbing quietly. He thought it’s finally came, the time when they were going to fulfill their promise, to fulfill their vows.
But apparently, reality was not that kind enough as he thought.
------
Aiba came back to where the staff waiting for him to go to the next location. One of the staff asking him worriedly when he approached them. “Aiba-san? Are you okay? Your eyes look red?”
Aiba rubbing his eyes and laughed, “Ah, I guess a dust went into my eyes. Suddenly it hurt so I tried to cry to get it out of my eyes.”
The staffs nodded and chuckled along in believe at what he said. Other staff approached him and asked him, “Aiba-san, a moment, please?”
Aiba nodded while the staff showing him some paperwork, “Actually, this year we’re going to ask one of the main personality to write an impression letter. The producer decided he wants you to write some letter to the rest of Arashi, some impression about them, and about your future dream . . . You know, as the theme of this year, ‘Your Dream is Everybody’s Dream’. The producer wants you to write out the dreams that you want to achieve in the future. How’s that sound?”
The staff smiled at him expectantly. The lanky guy stared at the paperwork the staff shown him for a while, and suddenly an idea struck him. Aiba nodded enthusiastically before beamed at the staff.
“I’ll do it!!”
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“Lastly, we will have this year 24 hour TV personality, everyone from Arashi!”
Applause started to reverberate around the big studio and Aiba felt his heart beating so fast. It was finally the time he was going to read his letters to Arashi, in front of people who watching them whether at the studio or from their house.
Aiba had spilled all his feelings towards this letters. He wanted all of Arashi members to know how all this time he always feel grateful being with them, for their encounter, for able to met them, for having Arashi in his life. He was certain; that the others still have not giving up fulfilling their promise to reach the top, and neither was he. Whenever he looked at the scar on his chest that he got from an operation, he remembered at the time when Arashi members visit him, and to their vows. It was the thing that always gives him power, to always keep trying, to be strong.
He believe, they were going to reach the top as they had promise. Because they are Arashi.
“. . . Aiba-san have something that he would like to say to everyone.” The MC said and Aiba clenched his jaw in determination. “Aiba-kun, please make your way here.”
“Yes.” Aiba walked beside the MC and the MC welcomed him. “So, it’s the first time, ne, you’re going to write to the members ne?”
“To the members, yes.” Aiba nodded nervously and from the other side Jun said, “Wait, we didn’t hear about this!”
“Okay, let’s hear about it.” The MC said again and Aiba nodded. He passed the mic to the MC and the opened his letter. He cleared his throat and inhaled a deep breath.
“To everyone in Arashi,
I have written down my feelings towards Arashi.
It’s been a 5 years since we’re debut
There’s a lot of things happened
Whether in a hard, painful, or happy moments, we’re always gone through it together.
Recently each and every one of us started to receive individual jobs.
Seeing your guys doing your jobs, really encourage me and I feel so happy for you.
To me, Arashi is my good friends.
And good rivals too.
However, I still have this kind of thought that I caused trouble for everyone.
I feel really sorry whenever I think about it.
It’s the time when I was hospitalized because of my chest infection.
During those days, I can’t get rid the thought about the member from my mind.
The work that supposed to be done by me, the other members had to fulfill it.”
Aiba stopped for a while because the emotions that running in his chest that threaten to get out at the moment.
“At that time,” Aiba continued, “there was a mark from the operation on my right chest.
Everytime I see it, it makes me want to do my best and gives me power.
I’m really thankful for everyone.
Usually because of shyness there are things that could not be said, but
This time, I’ll borrow this opportunity to say it.”
“Matsujun, thank you for always thinking about Arashi more than anyone.
Nino, thank you for always could read the situation well, and always brings up our spirits.
Sho-kun, thank you for always able to bring this 5 mess guys together.
The last one, to Leader Ohno-kun,
Although leader haven’t done anything that leader-like, but with you presence and your personality always helps us.
Thank you for always being reliable, Leader.”
“From now on too, let the 5 of us combine our strength and work hard.
Lastly, the dream that we always aim for “to be at the top”, let’s make it come true for real.”
“I’m grateful to be in Arashi, Aiba Masaki.”
A loud applause filled the studio and Aiba fold his letter and ran to his previous spot quickly. He bit his lips so he would stop crying.
“So, leader, how did you take it?”
Aiba appeared beside his leader, and he felt someone touched his back encouragingly from behind, but he too busy to hold his tears to know who it was. Then he heard Ohno responded to the MC beside him while biting back a sobs.
“I was surprised.” The leader chuckled while Aiba could hear Matsujun responded at him, “He surprised you, right?” and when the MC asked Jun’s opinion, the youngest member on Arashi smiled widely.
“It was the best.”
“Ninomiya-kun?”
“Well, as everyone else were aware about this, that our Aiba-chan gets sick easily.” Nino said. “And he, himself worried about that he always troubling us. But that’s not true.”
Aiba chocked out and had to turn his head in order to prevent his tears to fall down, although it’s not working. And Aiba could not help the tears to fall down when Nino said, “Because that is Arashi.”
And Sho continuing Nino’s speech, “During that time that he claimed he troubled us, was the time when he was the one who having the hardest time . . . I thank him for telling us how he felt during that time.”
“Actually,” Nino said again, “it’s been the best summer ever for Arashi.”
“Then, let’s have this wonderful companion to sing a wonderful song in this wonderful summer. Arashi, yoroshiku onegaitashimasu!”
Aiba still could not stop the tears that falling from his eyes as he walked to the stage with the other 4 arashi members trailing behind him. Then, he felt a warm hand supported him on his back. He turned his head to his side to see Ohno gave him a warm smile, and from the dried path on his cheeks, he knew the older man had been crying too. He felt a hand stroking his head roughly and when he looked up, he found Sho smiling proudly at him. He felt a squeeze on his shoulder and when he looked beside him, he saw Nino smiled at him encouragingly. And then he felt a warm hug around his shoulder, and he turned his head to see Matsujun grinned widely at him.
No need for exchanging actual words between them, but they knew how a small gesture and a simple smile could be meant more. A simple pat on the head, a light squeeze on a shoulder, a supportive hand on the back, or a warm hugs around, that always able to calm him, or to encourage him more.
Because he knew, the actual precious words are already graven in each of their hearts. “Their promise, their vows, their dreams, that is Arashi”, it was the words that always makes them strong.
Aiba walked to the stage and looked up to see his precious members waiting for him and he could not help the overwhelmed emotion that threaten to get out from his chest. He smiled widely and walked to where all of Arashi members stood. He stood on the stage with his friends, the spotlights brighten the stage, and the music started to play.
And as he looked surround him, to the thousand of people watching them, some of them were Arashi fans that always support them to go through this. That time, he knew he never felt regret.
Because to him, Arashi is one of the most precious treasure that happened in his life.
“’Your Dreams is our dreams’, that is the theme for this year 24 hours TV.”
---------
“. . . saki? Masaki?”
Aiba opened his eyes to see his mother looming over him, a soft smile spread on her lips.
“What are you dreaming about? You’re smiling all over.” She chuckled while Aiba tried to focus his eyes by blinking a few times. He looked at his surroundings and realized that he were at hospital. It’s been a few days he stayed there due to the relapse on his lungs problem.
Aiba stared unfocusedly, a smile still on his face. “Nah,” he said. “Just reminiscing about something.”
“Reminiscing?” his mother laughed, and his brother who happened to be there in the room said, “you used such a difficult word, aniki.”
“Shut up.” Aiba laughed breathlessly. He was smiling though remembering his dreams. It’s been a few years since that happened, and now Arashi has considered as national top idol group. “Aah, I’m bored. I wanna go home soon!”
“Wait till the doctor said so.” Mrs. Aiba said while put out something on the table beside his bed. “It’s just a week, just be patient.”
“Mum, I’m going to bring this to the car.” Yuusuke, Aiba’s brother said while pointing a plastic bag with dirty clothes in his hand. Mrs. Aiba said, “okay, wait me there~”
“Jya ne, aniki!” Yuusuke waved his hand to Aiba and Aiba replied, “Ou!”
“I’ll back home to take care of restaurant, then I’ll come back at night ne?” Mrs. Aiba told Aiba while arranging some fruits on a plate on the table. “If you need anything, just call the nurse, okay? Don’t forget to change your clothes if you start sweating again. It’s in the bag beside your bed, so you could easily grab it. Just throw the dirty one to the plastic bag near them, okay.”
“Mum, I’m not a kid anymore! I’m going to be okay!” Aiba told his mother cheerily. He didn’t worry at all about things like that. What he actually worried was how his mother looked so exhausted. “I think you’re the one who should go rest, mum, you look exhausted.”
Mrs. Aiba chuckled while stole a kiss to Aiba’s cheek. Aiba squeaked a ‘mum!’ and rubbed his cheek while his mother smiled at him. “Mothers always have more energy to take care of her kids, you know.”
Hearing that, Aiba blinked and replied his mother’s smile. Mrs. Aiba waved at her and bit a goodbye, before walked out to the door. “Don’t forget what I said, okay~”
“Okaaay~”
The door’s closed than the blonde guy whined loudly, “Uuh~ I’m bored . . . Why there’s no one come here?” he pouted.
“They just sending emails to me . . . well, at least Leader and Matsujun always sent me mails so I won’t get lonely, but Nino-chan and Sho-chan just sent me an email! An email!? How could they!!?”
The brunette complained to the air and threw his hands on the air freely as if he demanded for some explanation. Knowing nobody would answer he threw his upper body to the head rest. Suddenly, he felt a breezy wind and he realized that his mother opened the window that let the air to come into the room. He looked up to the window and as if he widened his eyes when he saw a five color paper birds were hung un the window, whirled around freely by the wind.
Aiba smiled. He did not know who had hung the paper birds that used to be in his hospital room seven years ago when he got hospitalized, though he guessed it’s his mom. So that’s why, he thought, that he was dreaming the thing that happened a few years back ago.
Now, Arashi had considered as a top national idol. Comparing to few years ago, now it looks like everywhere you see, you could see Arashi. On the TV, on the street, on the school, even on the airplane. And all of this happened not for an instant, but with so much hardworks. They had through so much and Aiba’s mind flew to the time when they were not anything, have to do many silly things (which he actually enjoying it and always looking forward to it), or when even people didn’t even knew who they were.
When he got hospitalized seven years ago, his heart was full of fear how he thought he was became a burden to the other members. But when they came to him and how they encourage him that he never became a burden, that he should share his worries because Arashi were 5, he knew that he had found the place that he really belongs to. Because they shared the same promises, the same vows, the same dreams. Because, they are Arashi.
Aiba rest his hands below his head and looked up again to the paper birds. It still swirling around as the wind blowing at them, the sky behind them so blue and Aiba could not help thought how beautiful it looks. From now on too, he always hope, Arashi would always keep moving, no matter how strong the wind pushing them.
Because they are Arashi, they are the one who going to make a storm.
-----------
EPILOGUE
The rain started pouring heavily from the sky above Tokyo Dome. The sky was pitch dark and the thunder rumbled loudly on the sky. People started running around to look for a place to shelter them from the rain.
“Uwaa, what a heavy rain!” Jun said while rubbing his head with towel he got from the staff.
He, Ohno, Sho, and Nino were happened to be under the open stage when the rain started to fall, and their managers hurry them to take a shelter. Aiba was happened to be behind the stage because he had not allowed doing the dance practices. And where they came running away from the rain, he helped the staffs giving them a towel. Now, the five of them were seated behind the stage staring ahead while waiting for the rain to stop.
At the time, because Aiba happened to out from the hospital, the Doctor asked him not to wearing himself out as soon as he out. He could follow the rehearsal, but it will be best if he avoid doing things that demand many moves. Although when he watched the members doing the rehearsal, he was longing to be able to also doing it. He really missed dancing and singing around with his fellow members on the stage.
While waiting for the rain to stopped, all of them chatting lightly. As they talked, the rain slowly started to cease. It’s when Aiba realized that the youngest member did not talk much and just staring ahead through the rain.
“Ah, by the way! Since earlier Matsujun is very silent, ne!” Aiba wondered aloud. Matsujun glanced at him and smiled, “Nah, I was just thinking . . .”
He looked around to the stage that was drenched by the rain, to the people walking around on and around the stage to ensure everything still worked properly, and to the empty bleachers around it, that in a few days going to fill up with a sea of people.
“Being able to hold a concert on Tokyo Dome, was like a like dream for me. But being able to do it here for four years in row . . .” Jun shook his head and smiled widely. “To be honest, it still feels like a dream.”
All of Arashi members followed him looking around the stadium. Back in their early years, they were happy when people bought their singles or album. They were happy when their promotion videos were played on tv. They were happy having a concert even though it was bit not in this big stadium. Now they could not help but agree that it feels like a dream.
“Yeah . . . back in our earlier times I even never dreamed of what we achieved until now.” Sho smiled. “You see, Able to hold a concert inside our country is already amazing, and I was never expecting to have a concert outside Japan!”
The members nodded along in agreement and suddenly Nino winced his eyes and groaned, “What I remember until now that we’re doing silly and sometimes painful experimental things.”
“Experimental . . .”
“I don’t know why we’re having that in the first place.”
‘Wait! You meant our experimental things?” Aiba mused loudly.
“Not ‘our’, but ‘you’ and dragged us along.” Nino told him. The members laughed and nodded along in agreement. Aiba pouted, “But, but, it’s fun, right?”
“Well, yeah, I have to agree it’s fun anyway.” Jun said and Sho nodded.
“I remember having a serious conversation in my room when we’re having a tour.” Ohno suddenly said and everybody looked at him wonderingly, and Jun asked, “Was there? What for?”
“Aah, ahh! I think I remember that!” Sho announced loudly and started named the meeting. “It’s “a-meeting-to-talk-about-arashi-future”, I remember , yes!”
“What a name!” Nino laughed.
“I remembered after that I was hospitalized.” Aiba said slowly although the grins never leave his face. “I remember I was stressed around at the time, afraid being a burden to you guys. And I was thinking about the worst things that could happen or how if because my lungs problem I can’t be with you guys anymore and . . .”
Aiba heard a stifled and he looked at Nino who was covered his mouth with his hand and Aiba snapped, “I’m trying to be serious and why are you always laughing when I talked about this?”
The man pouted while the others laughing but Nino waved his hand. “No, no, seriously, I’m not mocking you! I just remember how you were so excited when Leader brought a paper birds when we visiting you!”
“Paper birds?”
“The paper birds!” Aiba clapped his hands suddenly. “You know, actually when I was at hospital I was having a seemingly very long dream about our early years! And when I woke up, I saw the paper birds that Leader gave me hung around the window! And so I was thinking, that’s why I’m having all the reminiscing things in my dream!”
“Reminiscing?”
“You used such a difficult word, Aiba-shi!”
“Shut up!” Aiba shouted while still laughing. Ohno then nodded in understand. “Ah, the paper birds with our colors, ne?”
“At that time,” Aiba smiled. “When I feel all depressed . . . you guys suddenly came. When we talked, I feel like having a new kind of power, seeing you guys never give up for Arashi . . .” Aiba held his chest where the scar from the operation stayed there. “It’s like I still don’t want to give up too, I still want to be with you guys, I still want to fight along with you . . . I . . .”
Aiba grinned brightly to his fellow members, “Because to me, Arashi is one of the precious thing happened in my life. I can’t and I won’t give up easily on it.”
“Because we’re Arashi.” Ohno smiled at him. “We’re going to bring the storm. No matter how hard the wind pushing us, we’re not going to give up.”
The others smiled along and now staring to the sky that was clear from any dark clouds. The rain had stopped a while ago, and the sunshine shining brightly above them.
“Arashi-san, the stage was ready to use.” One of the staff told them and snapped all of them out from their thoughts.
“Ah, arigatou!” Sho said and rose from his seat. Ohno followed his moved while took held of Nino’s hand in order to help the younger man up. Jun stood up and stretched his body and yelling excitedly, “Yooosh! Practice, practice!”
Aiba still sat on his spot, staring at his fellow members’ back walking away from him towards the stage. Suddenly, Jun turned around and asked, “Eh? Aiba-kun? Why are you still sitting there?”
Taking in surprised, Aiba did not know what to answered, “Uhm . . . I . . .”
“You want to go practice along with us, right?”
Aiba glanced hesitantly to his manager, looking at the man with puppy eyes begging to let him just follow the practice. The man sighed and the nodded in defeat.
“But don’t push yourself!”
“I won’t!” Aiba grinned at the older man and rose from his seat. Never in his life, had he ever thought that he ever pushing himself for Arashi. Instead, he thought it was the happiest moments whenever he was together with the others, dancing and singing along together. It’s been 12 years since they’re debut, and so many things had happened. But how hard the obstacle they through, the still having the same feelings, they still won’t give up.
Even after one year, five years, ten years, twelve years, their vow never changed. And it wouldn’t ever change. Because it’s the one that they always keep in their mind, their hearts. Because it’s the one that gives them a power, to always thinking that they could through everything. Together. With the five of them.
“We’re going to reach the top
Because we’re Arashi
We’re going to make a storm”
----end-----