[Multi-Chap] Mud Baby (Aiba x OC) Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Note: All conversations in Japanese are in Black
Sunday Very Early Morning
Ria checked her cell phone. There was still no reception. Exasperated, she stuffed the useless phone back in her pocket and thought desperately about what to do.
Aiba was sleeping again, his fever seemed lower than before, but his arm was beginning to look really bad. There was nothing she could do now, though the rain had lightened up somewhat. She caught a few minutes of sleep on and off since Friday night, but was unable to relax enough to close her eyes and turn her back on the dark forest that made strange sounds that reached her ears even through the rain.
Please stop raining…. She prayed silently.
Saturday Night, Tokyo
It was now 11 at night. Manager Tanaka had just got into a taxi and started his two hour trip to Chiba. Looking at the phone he held in his hand, he contemplated on whether he should call ahead. An idea he dismissed as soon as it came to mind.
I should tell them the news in person, and calling ahead would only worry them unnecessarily…. Well, worry is necessary….. He thought to himself sadly as he slipped his phone back into his pocket and stared out the window.
*******
Ohno and Nino sat down on a sofa opposite Jun and Sho. It was a strange feeling, close to fear. They had never seen these two act like this before.
“Is something wrong?” Ohno spoke up, leaning forward in his seat, clutching his hands together lightly. Jun and Sho exchanged glances. Jun’s eyes were unfocussed and glazed. Sho nodded and didn’t answer immediately.
“We were with Tanaka san just now, and we heard some news from him about Aiba kun.” Sho began.
Jun had decided to stare at Ohno’s knee and not make a move as Sho proceeded with his explanation, speaking softly.
Ohno perked when he heard Aiba’s name. He fixed a frowning stare on Sho. Nino slumped back in his seat and covered his mouth, his eyes shifting uncomfortably and not meeting any of the other members.
“Tanaka san had asked us to keep quiet about this. Aiba is having filming in Malaysia right now, he travelled with Yonaga san. Yonaga san called Tanaka san last night and told him that Aiba kun had gone missing.”
At this, Ohno’s frown turned to panicked surprise and Nino’s eyes shot immediately to Sho’s face. His bright black eyes searched and pleaded to know that this was a joke. A terribly sick joke. When no comforting words came from Sho, Nino’s face crumpled and he looked away, hiding behind a hand.
“Missing, Sho kun?” Ohno spoke after the four men had been quiet for a few minutes, letting the truth of the matter sink in.
Sho nodded.
“It seems he was filming alone in a forest when he went missing. I don’t know much of the details, though. Yonaga san is now keeping contact with Tanaka san. Tanaka san is on his way to Chiba now, to Aiba’s family. If he hears anything, he said he’ll immediately inform the family, Johnny san and us.”
Ohno and Nino remained in their seats, unmoving. Finally, Ohno spoke, looking Jun straight in the eye and placing a hand on Nino’s knee, who had his face turned away from the others the whole time.
“He’s just missing,” he said softly, “these things happen, and they always find them. They’re looking for him, I am sure, the company won’t rest until they get him back.”
Jun closed his eyes and let out a long held breath. Nobody said anything for the longest time. Then they jumped when someone knocked on the door.
“Anou, Ohno san, Ninomiya san, is everything okay?” a man’s voice sounded outside.
Sho went to open the door, much to the surprise of the visitor, who happened to be one of the studio’s staff. Their driver was waiting for them. After thinking for a moment, Sho fixed on a smile and politely asked the staff to send the driver off, and that Ninomiya san and Ohno san would get a ride back with him.
Returning after seeing off the staff, he found that Nino had stood up and was staring at the floor with his hands in his pockets.
“I don’t want to be alone tonight, can we go somewhere?”
********
Manager Tanaka now stood alone in front of Keikarou, in Chiba City. Aiba’s family managed restaurant, and home. It was 1.30 in the morning, and all the houses along the street were dark and quiet, asleep. He walked across the parking area in front of the small restaurant and placed his suitcase on the first step leading to the door.
Sitting down on the step, he took out his phone and dialed Yonaga’s number. It was answered on the third ring.
“Tanaka san?” came a bleary voice on the other end. Tanaka felt sorry for his assistant and this predicament they’re in.
“Yonaga, any news?”
“No Tanaka san, seven teams have gone in since last night. Only the guide that went in after Aiba kun yesterday came back late last night. He came back empty handed. And the rain has slowed down a little.”
Tanaka nodded, his slightly raised hopes sunk again.
“I’m at Aiba kun’s house now. I’ve informed the company and the boys too. We’re all to keep it quiet.”
“Aiba kun’s house, oh….”
An uncomfortable silence stretched. Tanaka san cleared his throat, and forced himself to face the job he had to do now.
“Call me, Yonaga.” And without waiting for an answer, he hung up.
Straightening his jacket and removing his tie, Manager Tanaka braced himself and pressed the intercom doorbell.
He waited a few minutes before the speaker rustled and a sleepy male voice answered.
“Yes?”
“Aiba san, konbanwa. I’m sorry to bother you at this time of the night. My name is Tanaka, from Johnny’s & Associates Office in Tokyo. There is a matter of utmost importance I must speak to you now.”
“Johnny’s? ….” The male voice at the other end of the intercom mumbled something unintelligible, and then disappeared altogether.
Five minutes later, the restaurant’s porch lights came on. Manager Tanaka heard the lock turn and the door opened, Aiba’s young mother was at the door in her pajamas, looking bewildered.
“Please, come in,” Aiba’s mother welcomed Manager Tanaka in.
Leaving his suitcase outside, Manager Tanaka entered the restaurant. He turned his back to her when he closed the door. He took his time in turning around to face the woman, who was waiting behind him expectantly.
“Tanaka san, what is it? You are Masaki’s manager right? Is there something wrong?”
Manager Tanaka sighed, hearing the apparent worry in her voice and turned around to finally face her. Not meeting her eyes, he bowed once and straightened up, keeping his eyes lowered.
“Aiba kun is in Malaysia.”
“Yes?” Aiba’s mother clasped her hands worriedly.
“There have been some complications in the location filming…. And, and… Aiba kun has been involved, in the complication….”
Aiba’s father had now come downstairs and joined them.
“Complications, Tanaka san? What do you mean?” Aiba’s father asked him blankly. His wife remained silent and clutched his arm.
Manager Tanaka swallowed, and bowed again.
“Sumimasen, Aiba kun has been missing since last night.”
Hearing no response from the couple in front of him, he looked up to find Aiba’s father in a state of shock, and his wife was hugging him.
A shaky gnarled hand covered his face as tears started welling in his eyes. Aiba’s mother hugged her husband tighter and rubbed his back, attempting to calm both him and herself down. She was wide eyed now with panic.
Manager Tanaka looked on helplessly and reached out a hand to comfort the couple, but before he could reach the man’s shoulder, the doorbell rang.
*******