[Fic] When will tomorrow be today? Chapter 4
Title: When will tomorrow be today? Chapter 4/?
Pairing: Tanaka Koki/OC, Ichihara Hayato/OC - friendship, some slight mentions and insinuations of Akame
Rating: G
Genre: Romance, drama, fluff
Length: 4357 words
Disclaimer: I love JE-boys but unless I can get one of them for Christmas this year, I don't own any of them.
Summary: Yuri and Koki - A couple that has stayed together for four years, and despite Koki being a famous idol and Yuri an upcoming designer they have managed to keep their relationship a secret for all this time. But when fate changes the rules of the game, will the two of them survive the probing eyes of the public?
A/N: Introducing a new character... Well, new to me anyways :P Hope you like him as much as I do! <3
~
“Yo, Yuri-chan! How are you? Good I hope, I was thinking that we should get together soon. Hope you're up for it! Love / Hayato”
Yuri looked at the message on the phone-screen, she hadn't seen her old childhood friend for what seemed like ages and although she was glad to hear from him she just couldn't help but to let the depressing aura surround her body again as she continued her sloth-like walk to work.
~
“What the hell is wrong with you today, Takegami?! At least try to look interested when the client comes!” Yuri rubbed her temples with a sigh, the headache was growing steadily worse and her boss hadn't given her a minute to even so much as breath since she had walked through the doors earlier.
It had been four days since Koki had left her alone at the apartment, he was currently staying over at Ueda's place even though he hadn't been the one to tell her. Kame had called to inform her about her boyfriend's whereabouts since he himself apparently was in no condition to contact her yet.
“Takegami! Get the designs ready!” Her boss, an old man who according to Yuri had no sense of fashion whatsoever, yelled at her again before exiting the room.
“Jesus! Does he ever plan to lighten up a bit?” The girl mumbled to herself as she looked around her desk for the drawing and sketches for the presentation, all she had been told was that a new possible sponsor and frontface was coming to see all the designers works and even though it was probably just some new hot-shot in the entertainment industry trying to make his own brand she wasn't really that excited about the whole thing.
Yuri glanced up at the mirror as she was looking through her papers and she flinched at what she saw. She was paler than usual and that made the dark bags under her eyes stand out even more, she had constantly been feeling sick since that night at the apartment and she hadn't been able to catch more than a couple of hours of sleep every night. She didn't know if it was the, at least temporary, loss of Koki or the pregnancy that affected her that much or if it was a combination but neither of them helped her to get more sleep at night. She would toss and turn in bed while the nightmares would get to her, slowly eating her up from the inside out until there would be nothing but a rotting shell left.
“Takegami!!! He's here!” The old man stuck his bald head through the door again, beads of sweat were already starting to make their way down his temples and Yuri could only imagined how excited and nervous he was about this meeting.
“I'm coming, I'm coming.” She mumbled as she grabbed what she needed and made her way out of the cramped little pathetic excuse for an office. She couldn't think of any place that she rather wanted to be right now than back on the country-side again with her grandparents where there was peace and quiet and no annoying boss who was getting in her face...
“Hurry up, will you? Get in line with the others and smile....” The man pulled her into the group of other designers who were basically practicing how to greet the future sponsor by then, and in her mind she kept chanting the words: “I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home.”, but she still smiled the best she could even though she could feel the stress of the past few days creeping up on her and her head started spinning a little as she heard the doors opening and a familiar man stepped into the room with a serious face.
“Ichihara-san. It's a real pleasure to have you here with us.” The bald man was using his sweetest voice as he spoke to the taller man and Yuri could almost see the wagging tail between the man's legs as he was sucking up to the actor.
“I wish I could say it was my pleasure to be here.” Hayato showed her boss a smile but Yuri could tell just from the monotone voice that he wasn't joking as he said those words even though the older man seemed to take it that way.
“So, shall we get straight to business then?” The actor nodded at the man's suggestion and walked up to the table to view the drawings and sketches laying on it. He picked them up, looked at them one by one. Some he looked at longer and some he just threw a single glance before moving on to the next one, making the old bald man grow seemingly more nervous.
“Is everything to your liking?” His voice was shaking and Yuri smiled a little to herself as she realized that she should have been worried about her sketches not being liked but that she wasn't. She didn't care at all and it made her feel... Proud in some strange way when she glanced over and realized that her colleagues were basically biting their nails in frustration and worry.
“Not really.” Hayato sighed with a scary smile on his lips and emptied the sketches in his hands onto the table again and stared straight at the older man with a serious face. “There is only one designer that I like in this pile and that is Takegami-san. The rest...” He picked up one of the sketches on the table and ripped it up still with that eery smile on his face. “I would never want to see on a living human being or a mannequin for that matter. Takegami!” Yuri jumped when he called her name rather loudly. “Come with me and bring your sketches.” He only gave her one look before walking out the door and Yuri hurried to gather her things and ran after him, slightly confused over the cold look in his eyes.
~
Back in Yuri's office
“Sorry about the attitude before. I just get like that when I'm on official business so don't take it to heart.” The kind hand on her shoulder and the soft voice speaking to her was more than enough for Yuri to tear up.
“I'm sorry.” She breathed as she wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “I'm sorry for being like this....” Suddenly Hayato's hand replaced hers and his kind dark eyes looked into hers.
“So how far along are you?” She looked up at him with wide eyes.
“What?”
“Well, it's kind of obvious that you're pregnant, Yuri. I have never seen you this emotional and we grew up together.” There was a grin on his face that made Yuri blush a little, damn that embarrassing blushing! Why hadn't she still gotten over that old crush? It was like 10 years ago...
“Probably about two months... Not too late anyways.” That last sentence came out as a whisper but the man had heard it.
“Abortion?”
“Yeah.” Yuri nodded and wiped away the last tear that had fallen.
“You're thinking about it?”
Another nod, although somewhat hesitant.
“What about Koki? Doesn't he have any say in this?”
“I don't know, haven't heard from him in four days after we had a fight.”
“Four days? That's quite a long time for a couple not talking to each other and especially if one of them is pregnant.” The tears started to form in her eyes again but she wasn't about to let them drop.
“Yeah, that day me and a friend were going out and when I left work just before that dinner I sent him a text saying that I would be late but somehow he didn't get it and he started screaming at me and then he just... left. And I haven't seen or heard from him since then.”
“Wow...” Hayato didn't really know what to say, the look in her eyes hurt him so much he couldn't bring himself to keep eye-contact with her. “So what do you plan to do?” He asked after a few moments of silence.
“Well, I should try to at least talk to Koki about this and if he doesn't... Then I'm just going to assume that he doesn't want to be a part of it and then it's completely up to me what to do.”
“Okay, then let's go talk to him.” Hayato said in such an enthusiastic way that if it would have been during any other circumstance Yuri would have giggled her heart out.. “I'll come with you so let's go.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to his car just outside the building and all Yuri had time to think before she was directing her oldest and most dearest friend to Ueda's apartment was “Am I really making the right decision here?”
~
“It's been four days, Koki. How long do you plan on staying here?” Ueda sighed as he with his arms crossed over his chest leaned against the doorframe and looked at his friend and bandmate who was looking through Ueda's closet to find something to “spice up” a little.
“I don't know, if I'm bothering you I can just stay over at Kame's place.” Koki said casually as he was still halfway inside the big closet.
“That's not the point here, Koki!” Ueda yelled but Koki just looked at him with questioning eyes. “You have to talk to her... You can't just keep avoiding this subject, Koki !” Koki had gone back to the closet and it pissed Ueda off beyond belief.
Ring ring!
“We are not done talking about this, so don't you dare run away until I come back.” Ueda walked to the door to answer it but his blood boiled when he heard Koki's reply.
“So I can run away after you come back?”
“NO!” He yelled towards the bedroom when he just about to open the door, making Yuri jump back at the loud voice.
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the apartment.” Yuri heard Hayato's voice in her ear and it actually made her giggle a little.
“Yes?” Ueda asked before he even saw who was on the other side of the door, he wasn't expecting company and let's just say that having Koki there for the past four days had been seriously affecting his otherwise calm iron-nerves.
“I'm here to see my boyfriend, if that's alright with you, Tat-chan.” Yuri smiled although she felt the nervousness creeping up her spine but the supporting hand on her back belonging to Hayato was enough for her not to start fidgeting with the hem of her top.
“Yuri-chan?!” Ueda looked at her with wide eyes and on pure instinct he closed the door slightly trying not to alert Koki of his girlfriend's presence . “What... Why... How...” He stuttered as his eyes floated from Yuri to the man behind her and back to Yuri again.
“She's here to see Koki.” Hayato said when he felt Yuri tremble a little at the sight of Ueda panicking. “Could you please let her in?” There was something in his voice that made Yuri look back at him, something very similar to pleading and Ueda must have noticed it too since he opened the door without saying anything further and stepped aside to let her in.
Yuri walked into the apartment, slowly as leaving Hayato's side made her feel uncomfortable again but no matter how small her steps might have been she steered them towards the sound of rustling clothes.
“Ueda! You really need to go shopping for some new clothes, there are no fun things in your closet.” Yuri's heart sped up when she heard her lover's voice coming from the closest room in the hallway and it was with butterflies in her stomach that she stepped through the door.
“Koki...” She breathed and the man in front of her stopped digging in the closet and turned around slowly. The hair on his head had been cut short and was back to its normal black color and it kind of hurt her because Koki knew how much she loved his long blondish hair, Yuri could only guess it was in protest that he had cut and colored it.
“What are you doing here?” The cold voice made Yuri shiver a little but she had to be strong right now and even though she was practically falling apart at the seems she somehow managed to bring a smile onto her face.
“I came to see you, I know that you're upset with me and you have every right to be but I need to know something.” Her voice was so calm and serious that it made even her surprised and even though Koki said nothing he hadn't refused to at least listen to her.
“I need to know where we stand. If you want to be a part of my life or not... That's all.”
Koki looked at her for a few seconds in silence that felt like an eternity to Yuri but when he finally opened his mouth again she didn't know what to feel.
“I'm not sure what I want anymore. I guess I want to find out what life has to offer before I get into something too serious like starting a family at this young age. I will get you the money you need though so don't worry about that...”
“No, Koki.” Yuri shook her head and spoke again with a soft voice. “If you don't want to be a part of it then you don't, don't pay for something to go away. You should know it doesn't work like that.” She smiled at him and Koki actually looked ashamed when she took a step forward with her kind eyes still locked in his.
“So I guess this is goodbye then. Thanks for these four years, I enjoyed them.” And with that she bowed and left the room, her back straight, her head held high and a soft smile on her face.
Hayato and Ueda were sitting in the livingroom, staring at each other in silence as they waited for any kind of sign that the encounter between the two lovers had turned out alright. From a spectator's point of view they kind of looked like the father and the boyfriend waiting for the girl to come down from her room to go on a date, Ueda looked at Hayato thinking that he looked like a bad seed and Hayato looked at Ueda thinking that he looked too much like a girl.
Suddenly Yuri appeared and the two men stood up with questioning looks on their faces.
“Well?” Hayato was the first to ask, only making Ueda feel that he had been right in thinking of him as a bad seed considering his straightforward way of talking to the girl.
“It's settled.” She said with a gentle look on her face and then turned to Ueda. “Sorry to have caused such a scene, Tat-chan. I won't bother you again.” She bowed gracefully towards the older man and without saying anything else she walked out the door, the smile never leaving her lips.
Hayato looked after her, shocked at the sudden change in behavior but soon gathered himself enough to bid Ueda farewell before hurrying after his childhood friend who was already on her way down to the car.
~
“Why don't you sit down and I'll make you some lunch.” Yuri said casually as they entered the apartment, she hadn't spoken a single word in the car since they left Ueda's place and Hayato was worried about her and seeing her act like nothing had happened pissed him off beyond belief.
“Yuri...” He called for her when she hung her jacket over one of the kitchen chairs and walked up to the fridge. “What the hell happened at Ueda's place?” He asked, a little more aggressively this time, seeing as she didn't answer him. He couldn't help but feel the worry sip out of his veins and be replaced with frustration. He had never been a hot-head, especially not around her but despite that and although he knew that now wasn't the time to let his temper flare up he just couldn't help himself from raising his voice again.
“Yuri!” Said girl stopped what she was doing, he could easily tell how she tensed up at the high voice and he instantly felt the guilt creep up on him. “Look at me.” He pleaded as he stepped closer to her but she was still frozen to the ground where she stood.
“Please look at me.” A pair of slightly shaking hands secured themselves around her waist and Yuri felt her own heart speed up when she felt Hayato's beating against her back.
“Don't make me...” The words came out in a mere whisper and it took Hayato a few seconds to comprehend what she had said. “Don't make me look at you.”
“Why? Am I that horrible to you?” His expression softened and although she couldn't see it Yuri could feel it from the way his body relaxed.
“N... no.” She stuttered, still not turning around to face him.
“Then why?” He mumbled as he softly placed his head at the crook of her neck and tightened his arms around her as if he was afraid to let her go.
“Because you're being good to me and I don't deserve it.” Her voice cracked at the final words and he could tell from the way she was starting to shake that she was on the verge of crying so he pulled her even closer.
“Koki is a complete moron for not realizing your worth.” He whispered close to her ear in a gentle voice. “You deserve to be treated with love and respect, never even for a second doubt that, Yuri.”
He could feel how she started struggling against his embrace but since he knew the reason why he didn't let her go.
“Don't be embarrassed about tears, you have every right to cry after what you have been trough and I just want you to know that no matter what I will always be there for you just like I always have. After all, what are best friends for if not for leaning on when times are tough?” He chuckled a little as the tears continued to flow down Yuri's face. “So why don't I make you something to eat, you must be starving, right?” Hayato slowly loosened his hold around her and turned her around to finally face him. “Go sit in the armchair in the livingroom and I'll come get you when it's done.” He gently nudged her towards the door to the livingroom with a smile on his face, he knew that it was going to take more than just a dinner and a nap to patch up her broken heart but it was a start and it was something that only he could do right now.
“I will protect you, Yuri. You and your baby for as long as you decide to keep it.” Hayato thought as he pulled his long-sleeved hoddie over his head, placed it on the counter and started cooking a meal that he had learned to make when his mom was pregnant with his little sister.
~
She knew she was supposed to rest but Yuri couldn't help but to let her thoughts wander as a hand unconsciously traveled to her stomach and placed itself on the hardly visible bump under her dark-red camisole.
She had always wanted a family but now that it was actually happening she didn't know what to do. The whole idea of starting her own fashion-label had been confusing enough as it was and now with her break-up with Koki... She sighed and ran the hand that wasn't on her stomach through her light brown hair, it had gotten longer recently she noted and she didn't know how she felt about it. She had no idea how she felt about anything anymore and she could only conclude that in a time like that it might not be the best idea to be expecting a kid.
She stood up, slowly because a headache was attacking her again. It had been haunting her a lot the last week and it just pissed her off. She walked out to the kitchen again, observing Hayato as he was too busy cooking to notice that she was standing behind him. He was such an angel, he always had been and she couldn't begin to explain how much they had been through together and how much he had helped and supported her throughout the years that they had known each other and therefor, despite all the confusing and chaotic thoughts and emotions running through her head at that moment, she felt lucky to have a person like him by her side.
“Hayato...” He turned his head to her with a surprised smile as he continued stirring in the pot on the stove.
“What are you doing up? I thought I told you to get some rest.” He turned his smiling face back to what he was doing.
“I know...” A deep breath. “I just needed to ask you something.”
“Hm? What's that?” He asked in a somewhat absentminded voice as he was now measuring up ingredients.
Yuri walked up next to him and placed herself with her back against the counter and looked straight into space.
“What would you say... If I told you wanted to abort the baby?” She had no idea why she was feeling nervous, it's not like it was his baby or anything.
Hayato looked up from what he was doing with a serious and slightly surprised look on his face.
“Well...” He pulled the frying-pan away from the heat and then turned towards her, all his attention on her at that moment. “I would say that it was completely up to you. You're the mother and you, and only you, can determine whether or not you are capable and willing to dedicate the rest of your life to this baby. If you decide to keep it I want you to know that I will be there for you every step of the way and if you don't then I will still do the same.” The words coming out of his mouth were so mature and wise Yuri almost felt the tears coming back into her eyes. Damn those hormones! Even though she wasn't that far along they were still playing like crazy with her mind and body.
“Un, thank you.” She said, her voice distant as it usually was when she was deep in thought.
“.... You're really serious about it, aren't you?” He looked at her, something sad in his eyes even though he tried his best to hide it.
“Yeah... I think I am.” The look in her eyes was that of an ashamed woman and he couldn't help but feel that it was a pity, Yuri would make a wonderful mother... but like he had told her: The choice was completely up to her.
~
“How are you feeling?” Hayato squeezed the shaking hand in his and Yuri looked up at him with a nervous yet grateful smile.
“I don't know.” She chuckled nervously. “I'm not really sure how these things work so I guess I'm a little terrified.”
“It's really nothing to feel nervous about. The whole thing will be over before you know it but you might feel down and depressed for a few days afterwards just so you know.” His voice was calm and his knowledge kind of surprised Yuri.
“How do you know so much about this?”
He looked at her for a few seconds as if he was looking for the right answer inside his head.
“I have had a few girlfriends since we were kids, you know.” He said matter-of factly with a raised eyebrow and his answer made her blush a little.
She knew he wasn't a virgin, no where near in fact but still the thought of him together with a girl in that intimate way seemed a little too indecent for her to want to think about.
“I... I guess so.” She stuttered and turned her eyes back to the poster in front of her: Use protection during intercourse. To protect both you and your partner.
“A little late for that now, isn't it?” She asked herself as she nervously started fingering the hem of her long sleeve.
“Takegami-san?” A nurse walked into the waiting room and called the name while scanning the people sitting there.
“Yes.” Yuri stood up even though her legs felt like jelly but thankfully Hayato stood up only a moment later and walked her over to the woman waiting for her.
“Is your boyfriend coming in as well?” The woman asked with a gentle smile when she realized that the young man's arm was planted firmly around the girl's waist without any intention to let go.
“Well... If he's allowed I would like him to.” The nurse nodded with the same smile on her face and she motioned for the couple, or the two that she thought was a couple, to follow her into one of the rooms and it was with a loudly thumping heart that Yuri saw the woman close the door behind them.
~
A/N: Once again sorry for the long wait! Please leave a comment, keeps me writing. <3