A Whole New World
Title: A Whole New World
Pairing: DaiTo (Daiki Arioka x Okamoto Keito)
Notes: Part of my self-celebration was to post a fanfic everyday from May 01 - 10, hence this fanfic. The others are still set to private though, but you'll see them soon. This fanfic is based from an interview where Daiki and Keito sang 'A Whole New World' from the Aladdin OST together :) Also my first try at writing a songfic :)
Summary: Let me share this whole new world with you.
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?
He stepped off the plane, removing the earphones from his ears. That would probably be the last English song he'll hear for quite some time. He was now back in Japan, to start a new life. Goodbye to the life he has grown used to, goodbye to the place where he grew up, gooodbye to the friends he had managed to make. England has always been cold, but it was there that he found warmth. England was the place where he had always felt secure. And yet, he knew deep down that something was really missing. Like he was never really complete after all. And so he has decided to come to Japan, to search for that missing piece of himself.
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
He passed by a group of rowdy kids on his way out of the airport. Two of them were playfully wrestling with each other. The taller kid pushed the smaller one a little too hard, causing him to fall down backwards and hit a passing Keito, who was busy trying to look for his dad that went out earlier to distract the paparazzi from finding him. As a result, a few of the things Keito was holding fell down from his hands, including the music player he was listening to a few minutes ago.
"Ah, sumimasen!" shouted the boy who collided with Keito. He just smiled and shook his head, and then started to pick up his things. The boy knelt beside him and helped him gather up his stuff too. He picked up the music player with a worried expression on his face and glanced at the screen to see if it was working.
"Uwa, please don't be broken, I don't have money~" the boy said. Keito smiled and retrieved the music player from the boy's hands. He experimentally pushed some buttons, and a few moments later the screen lighted up. He gave one of the earphones to the other boy. As he put it in his ear, Keito pressed "Play" and the screen showed that [A Whole New World] was playing. The other boy's faced was filled with relief and happiness that the music player wasn't broken, and Keito couldn't help but stop and stare. The other boy noticed this and smiled brightly at Keito.
"Yokatta ne~? Ah, Arioka Daiki desu! I'm fifteen years old! How about you, how old are you already? Ah, gomen nasai... do you understand Japanese? Since you were listening to an English song, maybe you didn't understand me at all... doushiyo..." Daiki said, realizing that the boy has yet to speak a word.
"Nihonggo o rikai suru koto ga dekimasu. Juu-san sai desu," Keito replied with a smile. Daiki opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by someone calling his name.
"Dai-chan iku yo~! The plane will leave us here!" one of the boys called out. The others began chanting "Hawaii~ Hawaii~ Hawaii~!" in their voices not yet affected by puberty.
"Ah yabai, we really are late. Ja ne, nice meeting you! I hope I see you again!" Daiki said, standing up and dashing off to meet his friends. Keito watched them until they disappeared into the terminal before standing up to continue his search for his dad...
"Arioka... Daiki... desu yo ne..." he whispered to himself, an unconscious smile finding its way up his face.
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming
"Ne ne, did you hear? Okamoto Kenichi's son got into JE! He's one of the newest Juniors; we'll meet all of them later at the dance practice," a hyper Yuto reported to his groupmates.
"And what do you expect us to do? He's just a Junior like a rest of us who just happens to be a son of one of our sempais," replied a very bored-looking Takaki, clearly disgruntled about something.
"I'm sure that wasn't what Yuto-kun meant, Takaki-kun. Don't be too harsh on your words," Inoo replied in a pacifying voice, seeing that Yuto looked like he was about to cry. His words seemed to have the desired effect, as Yuto immediately sniffed and smiled his trademark grin.
"I want all of us to be friends, ne~?" Yuto said in a cheerful tone. His childhood curiosity noticed, however, that there was a member that was just quietly staring off into space.
"Ne ne, Daichan, what are you listening to~?" Yuto said, dashing off to where Daiki was floating off in his own universe, his earphones blasting music from the music player he was holding slackly in his hand. When Daiki did not respond, Yuto began tugging on Daiki's shirt sleeve. Only then did the older boy look at Yuto with glassy eyes, his mind and consciousness still in a far-off place. Yuto waved his hand over Daiki's face, making him snap out of his trance and look at Yuto.
"Oh, Yuto-kun, hello," Daiki said, shaking his head experimentally like there's water in his ears.
"Hello? I've been calling your attention for the past fifteen minutes!" Yuto said with a cute pout. Daiki smiled and ruffled the younger boy's hair.
"Ah gomen ne? I was just listening to this song and remembered something," Daiki said apologetically.
"Nani nani~? What were you listening to anyway?" Yuto asked. The older boy showed his music player to Yuto, and the latter struggled for a while to read the English title.
"A Whole... New... World? Isn't that from Aladdin? I heard it when we went to Disneyland naaaa~" Yuto said excitedly, apparently getting more energized from the memory. Daiki nodded his head and smiled.
"Maybe Daichan remembers somebody special when he hears that song ne~?" Yuto said in a teasing voice, causing the older boy to blush. He was about to reply when a staff member called their attention, saying that they had to go to the practice room. All of them immediately stood up to go, except for Daiki who took time in keeping his music player in his bag. When he arrived at the practice room, the new Juniors were already being taught the new dance, while the rest were stretching at the back. He approached his groupmates and sat down on the floor next to them, beginning to stretch in preparation for what seems to be an intense dance practice. The other older Juniors were talking and laughing while they helped each other warm up for today's activities. Yuto sidled up to him and subtly pointed at the new Juniors.
"There's Okamoto-san's son. The one with the curly hair," he whispered. Daiki smiled at Yuto's enthusiastic interest on this particular Junior. He looked at the direction Yuto was pointing, and almost twisted his ankle when he saw the person Yuto was pointing.
It was him. That person that got him into listening to those English songs. The person who he bumped into that fateful day at the airport. The person with the music player. That person who gave his world a whole new different tune, a definitely new spin in his boring old revolution.
A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
that now I'm in a whole new world with you
They became friends, faster than anyone would expect. Nobody really quite knew how they became close, or how they even started talking. The Okamoto kid was one of the most quiet Juniors that ever joined them, and Daichan one of the more lively kids. How they even began talking was a mystery, but once they saw the results, they decided to leave them alone. They would talk, and it was as if Okamoto-kun woud come alive. His facial expressions would have this certain energy that only Arioka-kun could ever encourage. He was a good influence to him, a person making him more the idol that people were looking for. Some say that he was just being a good sempai to him, but there was something in the way they interact with each other that made them overcome the sempai-kouhai border. A new place was introduced to them as they get to know each other better, as they learn something new everyday. With every dance they memorize, with every step they miss, for all the lyrics they hit or miss, another memory is formed and shared. He who joined this industry because he thought it'll be something fun to do to pass time... suddenly found out that now, he really has a reason to legitimately enjoy every day that comes. Before he would come home, tired and often a little bit cranky from the hard dance practices. Now he would still come home tired, but now with a smile on his face.
Finding something worthwhile in a life of boring everyday normality was worth everything. Except nothing was normal anymore. Everyday has become more exciting... everyday has become a day that he'll surely look forward to.
Now I'm in a whole new world with you
Everyday became more fun. He was still awkwardly shy, but he's already started to open up to the others. Maybe being friends with him helped a bit. No, scratch that; it helped a lot. He taught him his way around the jimusho, and all he had to know to be able to move comfortably with the other people he had to mingle with in the entertainment world. Though he knows that he could ask his dad about all of this, but deep down he's glad that he has another to talk to his gentle sempai. In this way, he could forget about those snide comments and the whisperings behind his back. That he got to join because he has connections. That he was given more opportunities than othes. That he was being treated as one of the top Juniors even if he joined less than a year ago. That, and a lot more. That, but he couldn't care less. Anyone would be irritated, but he practiced by himself when everyone else would normally go home. Anyone would probably be discouraged, but he silently endured everything to prove--even just a little bit--that he was not as weak as majority would have expected. That he can live up to the whispers behind his back, and be a person greater than any rumor would match against.
He was the person who would try to quiet down the rumors before it reaches him. The person dancing with him, teaching him all the dances that he found hard. The one who would laughingly encourage him to do his best whenever he tripped over his own feet while doing a dance. He clearly was a sempai in this world of sparkly sequined costumes often five sizes too big for the wearer... and yet he found a friend. And every time he would stumble and he would extend his hand to help him stand, he couldn't help but feel that his own heart was falling... maybe a little bit at a time, but definitely there.
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
Debut. The biggest thing that could ever happen to a Junior. It was a common goal, that next stage that everyone was aspiring for. Naturally, anyone who joined the agency would aim for this from the start. Anyone, that is, except Keito. For him, everything was just a matter of having fun. Although it could get hard at times, he couldn't deny the fact that he would still go to practice the next day. Even if he's bad with mornings, a little loose with time, finds it hard speaking in Japanese and still tends to think in English, he still wanted to go to the jimusho everyday. Even if he has a hundred different reasons for not going, there would always be that one unfailing argument that he was glad in losing: if it makes him this happy, why shouldn't he go? Not to mention that he'll surely see him there.
Then he received news that changed his life once again.
Debut. The biggest news that the ten of them received. The biggest and youngest group to ever debut for their jimusho. No one would have expected that they would be put together in a group; although they do appear together, debuting as a unit was an entirely different matter. Daiki stared at the piece of paper in his hands, reading but not yet fully understanding. The words blurred together as he recalled the moment when he was told that he would debut. It was all a blur of voices and faces and words of congratulations rolled up in dazed confusion. Shocked wouldn't even begin to describe the way he was feeling right now. It was all he could ever hope for... and yet he couldn't help but be scared. What if it was all a mistake? What if someone else was supposed to debut and they chose him by mistake? What if this was all a dream and he was going to wake up any time soon? All these questions entered his head, making him panicky and unable to think straight. His surroundings were hazy, so much that he didn't even notice that Yuto was already standing in front of him. The poor kid has been trying to call him back to earth, but he didn't even notice him in the first place.
"Dai-chan...? DAI-CHAN!" Yuto finally shouted, in a last-ditch effort to pull his groupmate from whatever parallel universe he was in. Daiki turned his head towards his direction but he didn't say anything. Yuto sighed and sat down beside him, making most of the attention he was being given.
"Isn't this great? We're debuting in a group together... congratulations," he started, trying to break the ice. Daiki nodded and bit his lip, blinking a few times to confirm if he really was awake. The pain on his lip was real at least. It was here. He really was debuting.
"We could debut with Yabu-kun and Hikaru-kun and Okamoto-kun... although people are whispering about how Okamoto-kun got to debut when there are other Juniors who came to the jimusho first... I know he can do his best and he deserves this chance, but some don't see him in that light..." Yuto continued, noticing how Daiki's eyes snapped into focus when he said that last name and narrowed at his last words.
"Keito-kun's debuting... with us? Hontou ni?" said Daiki slowly, not believing his own ears. He believes he's still dreaming after all. Yuto nodded his head, seeing the change that went over his friend over the conversation. To his surprise, Daiki suddenly smiled and stood up.
"Do you know where e is?" he asked, in a tone that Yuto recognized. It was how Daiki sounded whenever he talks to Keito, teaching him those dance steps in a gentle voice and laughing over their weird conversations and the fact that they find it hard to wake up when sleeping and dreaming is such a nice experience. Then everything fell into place and he understood. Yuto smiled at his realization, and wondered if the two of them made the same discovery.
"He's at the rooftop the last time I saw him... maybe he needs someone to talk to..." Yuto answered. Without another word he dashed off and Yuto smiled, answering his own question.
Maybe they still don't know themselves what they feel... but they're getting there together... he mused, looking at his friend's retreating back. "Ganbare, futari tomo~" he whispered to the wind. Maybe they will listen to the breeze and he'll somehow get his message across.
Daiki ran up the stairs to the rooftop and burst through the door, startling a brooding Keito out of his reverie. Keito looked at him surprisedly, rubbing at his eyes to remove any stray tears. Slowly Daiki approached him and crouched down next to Keito, wiping a tear from his cheek with his sweater sleeve. Keito raised his hand to gently remove Daiki's comforting touch, but instead Daiki grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him upright. He started running, his hand firmly encasing Keito's own, his grip reassuring the younger boy that he wouldn't easily let go. He kept on running, each step that he took and his vision became clearer. Little by little he approached the point that Yuto understood. These feelings he had, he couldn't describe. The only thing he can confirm that he liked whatever he has right now, and he preferred to keep things that way. He was determined; if this was a dream, that he'll never wake up; if this was reality, he'll make this last as long as he could.
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling... definitely a breathtaking jetcoaster ride of emotions, just like the way he liked it.
A whole new world
(Don't you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see
(Hold your breath - it gets better)
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be
A whole new world
(Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue
(Every moment gets better)
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
"Why did you bring me to a karaoke bar?" Keito asked puzzlingly as they finally stopped running. Daiki didn't answer and pulled Keito inside an empty booth. He went willingly enough, still confused but deciding that Daiki will make his reasons clear soon. The older boy opened the song book, and a few moments later he picked up the remote and punched in a number code. He picked up a microphone and cleared his throat, tapping his finger against the microphone to check if it works. The title of the song he picked scrolled across the screen.
A Whole New World
He didn't say anything and started singing. He started timidly, almost whispering to the microphone. Eventually he built up his courage and got engrossed into singing, trying to put all of his emotions into the song that he wasn't sure if he fully understood.
A new voice joined in as the chorus approached. He looked next to him, and there he was singing beside him and looking into his eyes. Line for line they sing their hearts out. Adding unrelated arrangements and extending the song. That was the start. Of what exactly... there were no exact words for it. They let the song speak for them, the words rolling from their mouths and pouring out from some hidden part of their hearts. The music was their life... and love became the lyrics.
A whole new world
(A whole new world)
That's where we'll be
(That's where we'll be)
A thrilling chase
(A wondrous place)
For you and me
The song ended, the moment has passed. They stood next to each other, chests heaving with the effort of singing. It felt like running a marathon cross-country. Fulfilling, exhilarating, and simply fun. It's been 3-odd years and some months since they debuted, and yet they still couldn't forget this song. They come to the same karaoke bar as before, the song line-up changing every time... and yet that song will always be in the list. It was a long time since that fateful tussle in the airport. Things that seemed like ancient history were relived with every line, reinforcing the emotions that were awakened that day. Back when they were Juniors, they looked around them and acted with caution, careful not to anger or disappoint. They were lost... and then they found each other. Now they would never go back to the way they used to be, and never for a moment did they consider to return. Since the first moment that they heard that song together, they welcomed each other into their previously separated worlds and created an entirely different one. It was full of mystery and uncertainty, but they saw it with each other's eyes... and they simply let their hearts decide.
Let me share this whole new world... with you...
Pairing: DaiTo (Daiki Arioka x Okamoto Keito)
Notes: Part of my self-celebration was to post a fanfic everyday from May 01 - 10, hence this fanfic. The others are still set to private though, but you'll see them soon. This fanfic is based from an interview where Daiki and Keito sang 'A Whole New World' from the Aladdin OST together :) Also my first try at writing a songfic :)
Summary: Let me share this whole new world with you.
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?
He stepped off the plane, removing the earphones from his ears. That would probably be the last English song he'll hear for quite some time. He was now back in Japan, to start a new life. Goodbye to the life he has grown used to, goodbye to the place where he grew up, gooodbye to the friends he had managed to make. England has always been cold, but it was there that he found warmth. England was the place where he had always felt secure. And yet, he knew deep down that something was really missing. Like he was never really complete after all. And so he has decided to come to Japan, to search for that missing piece of himself.
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
He passed by a group of rowdy kids on his way out of the airport. Two of them were playfully wrestling with each other. The taller kid pushed the smaller one a little too hard, causing him to fall down backwards and hit a passing Keito, who was busy trying to look for his dad that went out earlier to distract the paparazzi from finding him. As a result, a few of the things Keito was holding fell down from his hands, including the music player he was listening to a few minutes ago.
"Ah, sumimasen!" shouted the boy who collided with Keito. He just smiled and shook his head, and then started to pick up his things. The boy knelt beside him and helped him gather up his stuff too. He picked up the music player with a worried expression on his face and glanced at the screen to see if it was working.
"Uwa, please don't be broken, I don't have money~" the boy said. Keito smiled and retrieved the music player from the boy's hands. He experimentally pushed some buttons, and a few moments later the screen lighted up. He gave one of the earphones to the other boy. As he put it in his ear, Keito pressed "Play" and the screen showed that [A Whole New World] was playing. The other boy's faced was filled with relief and happiness that the music player wasn't broken, and Keito couldn't help but stop and stare. The other boy noticed this and smiled brightly at Keito.
"Yokatta ne~? Ah, Arioka Daiki desu! I'm fifteen years old! How about you, how old are you already? Ah, gomen nasai... do you understand Japanese? Since you were listening to an English song, maybe you didn't understand me at all... doushiyo..." Daiki said, realizing that the boy has yet to speak a word.
"Nihonggo o rikai suru koto ga dekimasu. Juu-san sai desu," Keito replied with a smile. Daiki opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by someone calling his name.
"Dai-chan iku yo~! The plane will leave us here!" one of the boys called out. The others began chanting "Hawaii~ Hawaii~ Hawaii~!" in their voices not yet affected by puberty.
"Ah yabai, we really are late. Ja ne, nice meeting you! I hope I see you again!" Daiki said, standing up and dashing off to meet his friends. Keito watched them until they disappeared into the terminal before standing up to continue his search for his dad...
"Arioka... Daiki... desu yo ne..." he whispered to himself, an unconscious smile finding its way up his face.
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming
"Ne ne, did you hear? Okamoto Kenichi's son got into JE! He's one of the newest Juniors; we'll meet all of them later at the dance practice," a hyper Yuto reported to his groupmates.
"And what do you expect us to do? He's just a Junior like a rest of us who just happens to be a son of one of our sempais," replied a very bored-looking Takaki, clearly disgruntled about something.
"I'm sure that wasn't what Yuto-kun meant, Takaki-kun. Don't be too harsh on your words," Inoo replied in a pacifying voice, seeing that Yuto looked like he was about to cry. His words seemed to have the desired effect, as Yuto immediately sniffed and smiled his trademark grin.
"I want all of us to be friends, ne~?" Yuto said in a cheerful tone. His childhood curiosity noticed, however, that there was a member that was just quietly staring off into space.
"Ne ne, Daichan, what are you listening to~?" Yuto said, dashing off to where Daiki was floating off in his own universe, his earphones blasting music from the music player he was holding slackly in his hand. When Daiki did not respond, Yuto began tugging on Daiki's shirt sleeve. Only then did the older boy look at Yuto with glassy eyes, his mind and consciousness still in a far-off place. Yuto waved his hand over Daiki's face, making him snap out of his trance and look at Yuto.
"Oh, Yuto-kun, hello," Daiki said, shaking his head experimentally like there's water in his ears.
"Hello? I've been calling your attention for the past fifteen minutes!" Yuto said with a cute pout. Daiki smiled and ruffled the younger boy's hair.
"Ah gomen ne? I was just listening to this song and remembered something," Daiki said apologetically.
"Nani nani~? What were you listening to anyway?" Yuto asked. The older boy showed his music player to Yuto, and the latter struggled for a while to read the English title.
"A Whole... New... World? Isn't that from Aladdin? I heard it when we went to Disneyland naaaa~" Yuto said excitedly, apparently getting more energized from the memory. Daiki nodded his head and smiled.
"Maybe Daichan remembers somebody special when he hears that song ne~?" Yuto said in a teasing voice, causing the older boy to blush. He was about to reply when a staff member called their attention, saying that they had to go to the practice room. All of them immediately stood up to go, except for Daiki who took time in keeping his music player in his bag. When he arrived at the practice room, the new Juniors were already being taught the new dance, while the rest were stretching at the back. He approached his groupmates and sat down on the floor next to them, beginning to stretch in preparation for what seems to be an intense dance practice. The other older Juniors were talking and laughing while they helped each other warm up for today's activities. Yuto sidled up to him and subtly pointed at the new Juniors.
"There's Okamoto-san's son. The one with the curly hair," he whispered. Daiki smiled at Yuto's enthusiastic interest on this particular Junior. He looked at the direction Yuto was pointing, and almost twisted his ankle when he saw the person Yuto was pointing.
It was him. That person that got him into listening to those English songs. The person who he bumped into that fateful day at the airport. The person with the music player. That person who gave his world a whole new different tune, a definitely new spin in his boring old revolution.
A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
that now I'm in a whole new world with you
They became friends, faster than anyone would expect. Nobody really quite knew how they became close, or how they even started talking. The Okamoto kid was one of the most quiet Juniors that ever joined them, and Daichan one of the more lively kids. How they even began talking was a mystery, but once they saw the results, they decided to leave them alone. They would talk, and it was as if Okamoto-kun woud come alive. His facial expressions would have this certain energy that only Arioka-kun could ever encourage. He was a good influence to him, a person making him more the idol that people were looking for. Some say that he was just being a good sempai to him, but there was something in the way they interact with each other that made them overcome the sempai-kouhai border. A new place was introduced to them as they get to know each other better, as they learn something new everyday. With every dance they memorize, with every step they miss, for all the lyrics they hit or miss, another memory is formed and shared. He who joined this industry because he thought it'll be something fun to do to pass time... suddenly found out that now, he really has a reason to legitimately enjoy every day that comes. Before he would come home, tired and often a little bit cranky from the hard dance practices. Now he would still come home tired, but now with a smile on his face.
Finding something worthwhile in a life of boring everyday normality was worth everything. Except nothing was normal anymore. Everyday has become more exciting... everyday has become a day that he'll surely look forward to.
Now I'm in a whole new world with you
Everyday became more fun. He was still awkwardly shy, but he's already started to open up to the others. Maybe being friends with him helped a bit. No, scratch that; it helped a lot. He taught him his way around the jimusho, and all he had to know to be able to move comfortably with the other people he had to mingle with in the entertainment world. Though he knows that he could ask his dad about all of this, but deep down he's glad that he has another to talk to his gentle sempai. In this way, he could forget about those snide comments and the whisperings behind his back. That he got to join because he has connections. That he was given more opportunities than othes. That he was being treated as one of the top Juniors even if he joined less than a year ago. That, and a lot more. That, but he couldn't care less. Anyone would be irritated, but he practiced by himself when everyone else would normally go home. Anyone would probably be discouraged, but he silently endured everything to prove--even just a little bit--that he was not as weak as majority would have expected. That he can live up to the whispers behind his back, and be a person greater than any rumor would match against.
He was the person who would try to quiet down the rumors before it reaches him. The person dancing with him, teaching him all the dances that he found hard. The one who would laughingly encourage him to do his best whenever he tripped over his own feet while doing a dance. He clearly was a sempai in this world of sparkly sequined costumes often five sizes too big for the wearer... and yet he found a friend. And every time he would stumble and he would extend his hand to help him stand, he couldn't help but feel that his own heart was falling... maybe a little bit at a time, but definitely there.
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
Debut. The biggest thing that could ever happen to a Junior. It was a common goal, that next stage that everyone was aspiring for. Naturally, anyone who joined the agency would aim for this from the start. Anyone, that is, except Keito. For him, everything was just a matter of having fun. Although it could get hard at times, he couldn't deny the fact that he would still go to practice the next day. Even if he's bad with mornings, a little loose with time, finds it hard speaking in Japanese and still tends to think in English, he still wanted to go to the jimusho everyday. Even if he has a hundred different reasons for not going, there would always be that one unfailing argument that he was glad in losing: if it makes him this happy, why shouldn't he go? Not to mention that he'll surely see him there.
Then he received news that changed his life once again.
Debut. The biggest news that the ten of them received. The biggest and youngest group to ever debut for their jimusho. No one would have expected that they would be put together in a group; although they do appear together, debuting as a unit was an entirely different matter. Daiki stared at the piece of paper in his hands, reading but not yet fully understanding. The words blurred together as he recalled the moment when he was told that he would debut. It was all a blur of voices and faces and words of congratulations rolled up in dazed confusion. Shocked wouldn't even begin to describe the way he was feeling right now. It was all he could ever hope for... and yet he couldn't help but be scared. What if it was all a mistake? What if someone else was supposed to debut and they chose him by mistake? What if this was all a dream and he was going to wake up any time soon? All these questions entered his head, making him panicky and unable to think straight. His surroundings were hazy, so much that he didn't even notice that Yuto was already standing in front of him. The poor kid has been trying to call him back to earth, but he didn't even notice him in the first place.
"Dai-chan...? DAI-CHAN!" Yuto finally shouted, in a last-ditch effort to pull his groupmate from whatever parallel universe he was in. Daiki turned his head towards his direction but he didn't say anything. Yuto sighed and sat down beside him, making most of the attention he was being given.
"Isn't this great? We're debuting in a group together... congratulations," he started, trying to break the ice. Daiki nodded and bit his lip, blinking a few times to confirm if he really was awake. The pain on his lip was real at least. It was here. He really was debuting.
"We could debut with Yabu-kun and Hikaru-kun and Okamoto-kun... although people are whispering about how Okamoto-kun got to debut when there are other Juniors who came to the jimusho first... I know he can do his best and he deserves this chance, but some don't see him in that light..." Yuto continued, noticing how Daiki's eyes snapped into focus when he said that last name and narrowed at his last words.
"Keito-kun's debuting... with us? Hontou ni?" said Daiki slowly, not believing his own ears. He believes he's still dreaming after all. Yuto nodded his head, seeing the change that went over his friend over the conversation. To his surprise, Daiki suddenly smiled and stood up.
"Do you know where e is?" he asked, in a tone that Yuto recognized. It was how Daiki sounded whenever he talks to Keito, teaching him those dance steps in a gentle voice and laughing over their weird conversations and the fact that they find it hard to wake up when sleeping and dreaming is such a nice experience. Then everything fell into place and he understood. Yuto smiled at his realization, and wondered if the two of them made the same discovery.
"He's at the rooftop the last time I saw him... maybe he needs someone to talk to..." Yuto answered. Without another word he dashed off and Yuto smiled, answering his own question.
Maybe they still don't know themselves what they feel... but they're getting there together... he mused, looking at his friend's retreating back. "Ganbare, futari tomo~" he whispered to the wind. Maybe they will listen to the breeze and he'll somehow get his message across.
Daiki ran up the stairs to the rooftop and burst through the door, startling a brooding Keito out of his reverie. Keito looked at him surprisedly, rubbing at his eyes to remove any stray tears. Slowly Daiki approached him and crouched down next to Keito, wiping a tear from his cheek with his sweater sleeve. Keito raised his hand to gently remove Daiki's comforting touch, but instead Daiki grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him upright. He started running, his hand firmly encasing Keito's own, his grip reassuring the younger boy that he wouldn't easily let go. He kept on running, each step that he took and his vision became clearer. Little by little he approached the point that Yuto understood. These feelings he had, he couldn't describe. The only thing he can confirm that he liked whatever he has right now, and he preferred to keep things that way. He was determined; if this was a dream, that he'll never wake up; if this was reality, he'll make this last as long as he could.
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling... definitely a breathtaking jetcoaster ride of emotions, just like the way he liked it.
A whole new world
(Don't you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see
(Hold your breath - it gets better)
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be
A whole new world
(Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue
(Every moment gets better)
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
"Why did you bring me to a karaoke bar?" Keito asked puzzlingly as they finally stopped running. Daiki didn't answer and pulled Keito inside an empty booth. He went willingly enough, still confused but deciding that Daiki will make his reasons clear soon. The older boy opened the song book, and a few moments later he picked up the remote and punched in a number code. He picked up a microphone and cleared his throat, tapping his finger against the microphone to check if it works. The title of the song he picked scrolled across the screen.
A Whole New World
He didn't say anything and started singing. He started timidly, almost whispering to the microphone. Eventually he built up his courage and got engrossed into singing, trying to put all of his emotions into the song that he wasn't sure if he fully understood.
A new voice joined in as the chorus approached. He looked next to him, and there he was singing beside him and looking into his eyes. Line for line they sing their hearts out. Adding unrelated arrangements and extending the song. That was the start. Of what exactly... there were no exact words for it. They let the song speak for them, the words rolling from their mouths and pouring out from some hidden part of their hearts. The music was their life... and love became the lyrics.
A whole new world
(A whole new world)
That's where we'll be
(That's where we'll be)
A thrilling chase
(A wondrous place)
For you and me
The song ended, the moment has passed. They stood next to each other, chests heaving with the effort of singing. It felt like running a marathon cross-country. Fulfilling, exhilarating, and simply fun. It's been 3-odd years and some months since they debuted, and yet they still couldn't forget this song. They come to the same karaoke bar as before, the song line-up changing every time... and yet that song will always be in the list. It was a long time since that fateful tussle in the airport. Things that seemed like ancient history were relived with every line, reinforcing the emotions that were awakened that day. Back when they were Juniors, they looked around them and acted with caution, careful not to anger or disappoint. They were lost... and then they found each other. Now they would never go back to the way they used to be, and never for a moment did they consider to return. Since the first moment that they heard that song together, they welcomed each other into their previously separated worlds and created an entirely different one. It was full of mystery and uncertainty, but they saw it with each other's eyes... and they simply let their hearts decide.
Let me share this whole new world... with you...