Come On! Koibito! 11/21
Sho wasn't entirely sure what the next challenge was really supposed to prove. Secretly, he had begun to suspect that Kimura was just making the contestants do whatever popped into his head and made him laugh the hardest. It probably wasn't far from the truth. Sho had seen the plans for the next few episodes and they were all ridiculous. Would they make good television? Certainly. Did they make any logical sense in helping Japan pick a good partner for Jun? Not at all.
It wasn't Sho's job to judge the content of the show, however, no matter how much he wished he could. As Kimura pointed out every time Sho opened his mouth to protest, CoKoi had been on the air five seasons, all under Kimura's direction, and it certainly looked like it would be there for awhile. Obviously, something was working. As much as Sho thought it was kind of worthless, most people probably disagreed.
And, okay, there was kind of a strange logic to everything that Kimura came up with. The last challenge, the bizarre trap they had set up with those three foreign models, did kind of present an interesting idea of who would give in to temptation and who wouldn't, as long as foreign blonds were also your type. Apparently, they had been some contestants' type, considering three fell for the trap and Hayami ultimately paid the price, getting voted off in a rather unsurprising ceremony a few days prior. When he had read the last name off the card, Aiba, who had taken his customary spot next to the host after having his own name read, had sighed in relief. Sho wasn't entirely sure what Hayami had done to earn the dislike of the rather easy-going man but whatever it was, at least Aiba didn't have to deal with it anymore.
Honestly, Sho wasn't sure what was going on in Aiba's mind half the time he was with the man, which seemed to be more and more at every second. Aiba always seemed to find him no matter where Sho was on set. He just popped out of the woodworks from somewhere, a cheery grin on his face and some kind of story for Sho, whether Sho really needed to hear it or not. Sho didn't particularly mind, though; he'd developed a soft spot for the energetic young man. A soft spot that was, apparently, rather noticeable to the rest of the staff.
"Aiba does know the show is centered around Jun, right?" Nakai had joked the other day, after Aiba had left the makeup tent where Sho was getting ready for the elimination ceremony. Sho had made a noncommittal grunt and ignored the lead cameraman. They'd never particularly gotten along, anyway.
"Try not to make too many of the contestants fall in love with you, would you, Sakurai? They're here for Jun, not you," Okada had yelled across set that morning after Aiba had "accidently" run into them while going for what he had called a morning jog. As far as Sho was concerned, that's exactly what it was. Aiba's cameraman, however, had given him the kind of look that had implied something far different.
It was Nagase's words from only a few minutes before that had really stuck in his head, however, wrapping themselves around all Sho's memories of his time spent with Aiba. Nagase had pulled him aside before Sho had made it to set, the kind of look on his face that let Sho know that he had to listen for real and not put on his mask of attention that he wore when most of the staff talked to him before he went onstage.
"That kid Aiba likes you," Nagase had said. "We all know it. You know it. And that's fine, whatever, it happens. But," he looked Sho in the eye, "you have to remember something: Aiba is a contestant on a game show that is all about having him be in love with another man. I don't care how you feel about this nonsense but if you want him to continue in this show and get a chance at that final round, you have to let Japan see him with Jun, not you. Don't let Aiba's eagerness take away his chance to win this game."
Nagase was right, of course. The only way that Aiba could win the game was to appeal to the viewers with his earnestness and passion. His earnestness and passion for Jun. As flattering as it was to be fawned over by the young man, he couldn't let that take away Aiba's chance of winning the competition.
Yes, Sho was aware of what he had to do but he wasn't particularly looking forward to it, he thought as he watched the subject of his thoughts see him from across the room, grin widely and bound over. It also didn't help that, due to the challenge this week, he was dressed in a poncho and giant floppy sombrero, looking for all intents and purposes like a child in a school play about world history.
'Sho-chan!" Aiba called, grin threatening to overtake his face as he caught up to the older man who had been walking briskly towards the stage. He had to announce the first set of contestants pretty soon. Aiba was obviously in that group. "Are you going to watch the fashion show?"
"I'll be on set, if that's what you mean," Sho replied as coldly as he could which was, surprisingly, much more effective than he thought, Aiba's face dropping the smile and replacing it with a confused frown. He quickly recovered, however.
"You should really watch," Aiba continued, ignoring the cold shoulder he was receiving from the host. "It's going to be really great. I don't know who's idea it was to have a World Fashion Show for the next challenge but it was a great plan! They even dressed Jun up as a European prince!"
"I know," Sho replied, grabbing a newspaper from a nearby table and flipping it open so he wouldn't have to look at Aiba's face, "I saw Jun earlier. I'm just happy they didn't go through with their original plan to dress me up as a Chinese person. It wouldn't have been funny." It had been one of Kimura's many plans for Sho's costume. The list had also included French maid, airline pilot and King Tut. Sho had put his foot down at the mention of the Egyptian pharaoh. There was only so far Sho would go.
"They were going to dress you up?" Aiba giggled, obviously imagining Sho in any number of assorted costumes that Sho didn't even want to think of. He was about to respond before he remembered that he had to be short with the man. Looking purposefully at the paper, he collected his emotions and opened his mouth.
"Shouldn't you be going?"
Sho knew that he shouldn't look at Aiba but he couldn't help peripheral vision and the crestfallen expression on Aiba's face was almost enough to make him take back his words. It was like kicking a puppy.
"You're right," Aiba agreed, his voice perhaps a bit tighter than it usually was. "I'll see you around." And with that, the young man turned on his heel and walked back towards the production tents.
Sho knew it was the right thing to do. He knew he had to distance himself from Aiba if the man wanted a chance at the prize. But did he have to feel so bad about it?
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"I feel idiotic," Nino sighed from backstage, pulling at his leather vest with a frown. Ohno glanced over from where he was fiddling with his camera, trying to make sure that the lens wasn't scratched because he'd been getting weird reception the past few days. Nothing unusable but definitely a different quality than he was used to. Once he caught sight of Nino's outfit, however, he couldn't help but grin.
The challenge that week, for reasons unbeknownst to him, was "World Fashion Show". Each contestant had been given to the wardrobe department for an hour and instructed to construct a costume that fit with some kind of country theme. Aiba had chosen Mexico and emerged with a sombrero that somehow suited him. Nino hadn't had any idea and told the costumers to just dress him in something. They, in all their infinite wisdom, had chosen 'cowboy' as their theme.
"Why? Don't feel like wrangling any cattle today?" Ohno joked, provoking another sigh from Nino. What made it better, though, was the fact that, along with the sigh, he unconsciously pulled his hat down farther on his head, only perpetuating the cowboy look.
"This is stupid," Nino complained, crossing his arms and vaguely pouting. "I don't see how this ridiculous 'fashion show' is supposed to prove who Jun should end up with. How does show at all what kind of boyfriend we would be? Useless..." He trailed off, eyes focusing on a spot beyond Ohno. When Ohno turned to see what he was looking at, there was nothing there. It was probably just nerves.
"Oh, I'm quite certain it won't help in that department at all," Ohno replied, shrugging, "but I do know one thing." Nino looked at him with vague interest. "It's definitely entertaining," Ohno finished with a grin, much to Nino's annoyance. The younger threw him grimace and moved to sink down to a squat. To add insult to injury, however, one foot must have slipped a bit in the motion, catching onto the wide leg of his pants and Nino lost his balance, falling on his back with a dull thud.
"Are you alright?" Ohno rushed over to him, worry painted on his face. Nino just groaned, sitting up slowly and rubbing the back of his head.
"I think so," he winced, stretching each limb to make sure it was still working. "The hat cushioned my head, at least." He took a second to stand up, leaning on Ohno's arm a bit as he rose. After dusting himself off, he slapped one leg with an angry frown. "Why the hell did those stupid Americans wear their pants so damn huge? It's a nuisance!"
"I'm sure there's some cultural reason," Ohno shrugged. Nino glared at him, obviously not having wanted an actual answer. Ohno couldn't help it, he realized. There was just something about Nino that caused him to respond, to actually talk and he had always been the kind of guy that went with the flow. For some reason, lately it seemed like the flow was drawing him closer to Nino.
"I wish I could just go onstage and get this over with," Nino whined, glancing up at the door to the catwalk, where the first group was completing their part of the challenge. It was still a good fifteen or so minutes until it would be Nino's turn.
"Sure you can do it without tripping?" Ohno teased and Nino swatted at him, not amused. Ohno couldn't help it, though. It was like ideas just appeared in his head and he said them before he could check himself. It wasn't like him but at the same time, he kind of liked it. He kind of liked the guy he was when he was with Nino.
Ohno glanced at Nino again, taking in everything about the young man's outfit. He eyed the mock spurs, the gigantic pants (Nino hadn't been kidding; there was surely no need for bell bottoms of that size), the leather vest, the hat. Sure, it was kind of over the top and yes, there was no way it could really be comfortable to wear. But it worked.
"You look cute."
The words just popped out of his mouth before he thought about them twice. It was true, though, and Ohno didn't feel particularly embarrassed about it. He was merely making a statement of fact. Nino, however, reacted more violently, taking a step back, surprise on his face before he trained it to become more serious, more resigned. Ohno had no idea what had brought that on.
"Don't say stuff like that, Oh-chan. You'll give people ideas." He said the words darkly and almost mournfully. Ohno had no idea what he was talking about and decided to say as much. Nino just sighed.
"Just -- just leave it be, okay?" Nino rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and moved to walk towards the stage door. He was obviously concentrating very hard so as not to trip over his pants. Ohno made a move to follow him but Nino stopped, back still turned.
"The catwalk cameras will get me. You can wait here until I'm done." And with that, his back disappeared behind the door.
Ohno was pretty sure he did something wrong but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what that was. Whatever the case, he'd give Nino a little time to calm down, at least. He didn't particularly like that cool look Nino'd given him before he left. He was going to do his best never to be on the receiving end of it again.
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Welcome to JTV forums. You are logged on as Guest.
JTV-->Shows-->CoKoi!-->Week Four: World Fashion Show
COKLuver56: What did u guiz think? Great idea or greatest idea? lol
SIGJKSDF: Jun looked sooooo hawt in his Prince outfit! I'll be his princess neday~
MrsSaKuRaI: Yamapi was so kewt dressed as a Russian! Greatest idea! :DD
Shunisnumberone: SHUN WAS THE BEST HE LOOKED REALLY GOOD DRESSED AS A BRAZILIAN SOCCER PLAYER HE IS GOING TO WIN
JTVFan2246: I'm starting to like that Nino kid. It was pretty amusing watching his pants try to eat him.
CoKoi763: Shota looked reeeeeeeally good dressed like a camel. That shouldn't be possible lol
7tropic: I'm still going with Mizushima, even though his Swedish outfit was kind of boring.
COKLuver56: Aiba in a sombrero ftw!
SunshineDreamer: I think I like Nino, too. He looked pretty adorable in that cowboy hat. Aiba in the sombrero was great, too. Maybe I just have a hat fetish lol xD
Shunisnumberone: SHUN IS THE BEST WHY ARE YOU EVEN TALKING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE?
7tropic: ....can we ban her?
COKLuver56: idk lol i don't know the forum rulez. N.E.WAY, elimination ceremony tomorrow! Excited? :D
SIGJKSDF: Of course! But if anyone other than one of the boring ones goes home, I'm going to be sad.
JTVFan2246: I'll PM a moderator. And of course. I'll be happy if Tegoshi goes home. That kid bugs me.
"At least people are starting to like me," Nino smiled, logging off of the forum and deciding that maybe it was time to get some rest. After the horrible embarrassment that was the fashion show and the ensuing day off, Nino was happy to see that he had at least a few fans out there, supporting him despite his giant fake spurs and the fact that he almost ate it on the runway.
FishingFool99 hadn't written anything, though, and that made Nino a little sad. He'd have to work harder to make sure his first fan would still be proud of him. It was a matter of pride. If that guy left him, it would seem kind of like a sham. Which was probably why he'd been refreshing the forum every fifteen minutes, hoping a message would show up. It hadn't.
It also didn't help that he hadn't seen Ohno since after the fashion show. His face got red just thinking about it. It wasn't just what Ohno had said but the combination of everything. Aiba ribbing him about his weird fixation with the man. The way Jun's eyes had looked when he had known something he couldn't have known. The mischievous look Yokoyama had given him in the hallway the day before. The way Ohno seemed to be able to not notice any of it. It was all so frustrating and overwhelming and Nino didn't quite know how to handle it anymore.
The first thing that had come to him had been to push Ohno away but it didn't seem to be working. Sure, Nino hadn't seen him lately but that was mainly because it was a day off and Ohno wasn't required to come into work. But Ohno was Nino's personal cameraman. It wasn't like they were never going to see each other again. Ohno was going to be there tomorrow for the elimination ceremony. And what was Nino going to say? How was he going to act? It would be a good idea to figure that out now so that he wouldn't have to fumble about with it in the morning.
Nino was in the middle of putting on a pair of sweatpants on while going through different Oh-chan related scenarios in his head when he heard a knock on his door. It was around midnight but hours of the day sometimes meant nothing to Aiba, especially when he got worked up about things. The man had seemed weird all day, nothing huge but Nino had known Aiba long enough to know when something was wrong. Maybe he was finally feeling up to sharing with him what it was. With a sigh, Nino went to open the door.
"What is it, Aiba?" he asked quietly before actually looking out into the hallway. Meeting Ohno Satoshi's eyes was not at all what he expected and he felt his body automatically jump away from the shock. Ohno just looked back apologetically and made no move to enter.
"What are you doing here?" Nino finally managed to ask. It was Ohno's day off, all the staff's day off, and there was no reason that Ohno should be in the area right now. It was like he was purposely trying to work Nino up. The bastard.
"I came in at noon to work on my camera," Ohno began, looking down at his hands with an annoyed yet embarrassed scowl. "It's been kind of broken for a few days now and I thought I could work on it a little so that maybe it would be good for tomorrow." Ohno ran a hand through his hair, sighing. Nino's eyes followed the arm before he realized what he was doing and returned his gaze to Ohno's face, trying to keep his own expression neutral.
"I was kind of tired after a few hours of working on it," Ohno continued, sheepishly, "so I laid down on the couch in the camera tent to take a nap. The next thing I knew, it was eleven thirty. There was no way I was going to make the last train and the night janitor caught me trying to stay the night in the camera tent. Apparently they have to lock up at midnight to prevent equipment theft or something." Ohno paused and looked at Nino. Nino vaguely saw where this was going but he was going to wait for the cameraman to say it first.
"I have nowhere else to go," Ohno finished lamely, his mouth in a small smile and his eyes wide and hopefully, like a puppy dog. Nino knew he should say no. He knew that this was the exact opposite of what he should do, of everything he had been practicing only moments before. But that face.
"Aiba's going to have a field day with this," Nino muttered but he opened the door wider to let Ohno in. The older man gave him a grateful smile and walked into the room, sighing in relief before sinking down in the bed.
"Oh no, there's only so far I'm letting this go," Nino put his foot down. "You're sleeping on the ground." Ohno tried to turn the puppy dog eyes on him again but Nino wasn't going to let it happen. "That's your punishment for sleeping through the last train."
It wasn't that Nino wanted to punish Ohno so much as he wanted to protect him or, more properly, their reputations. Aiba was going to find out about this. It was a given. But the more non-romantic Nino could make it seem, the better it would come across by the time the news eventually made it around the house. Probably at about noon the next day.
Ohno began making a nest on the floor, grabbing blankets out of drawers Nino didn't know he had and almost kind of burrowing into them, kind of resembling a woodland creature. It was weird but it was also kind of cute. Nino abruptly turned his head. If you think it's cute, don't watch. Self control.
Slipping into his own bed (that really was big enough for two but he couldn't. He couldn't), Nino reached over towards the light switch, only flicking it off when Ohno gave him a quick nod of the head.
"Night, Nino."
"Night, Oh-chan."
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Ohno knew Nino had said that sleeping on the floor was his punishment for missing the last train. He understood that, too. It was kind of like how his mom would hide his fishing gear whenever he stayed out overnight when he told her he was going to be home and would only return it after a few days. Ohno knew he was supposed to learn a lesson and all that.
But the floor was so very uncomfortable and it hurt his back. He kept moving about, trying to find a new, more comfortable way to lie down but it wasn't working. Surely, Nino wouldn't mind if he just got a few hours' sleep on the bed?
Ohno sat up and snuck a glance at Nino. It would totally work. The bed was clearly made for two people and Nino himself only probably took up a third of the entire thing. Ohno could probably fit himself and Tamaki in there. Not that he'd want to. That'd be weird.
He got up slowly and quietly, not wanting to wake the other man for fear of getting yelled at. He tiptoed around the bed frame until he reached the other side. After slowly lifting up the covers, he slipped inside himself, doing his best not to move the mattress too much and wake the slumbering man up.
It appeared Nino could sleep through an earthquake, though, because Ohno was not as smooth as he hoped, the bed moving quite a bit with his addition but the younger man barely moved, sleeping on. Ohno breathed a sigh of relief before positioning himself in such a way that he would be in no danger of accidently touching Nino. Bed moving was one thing but there was a very good chance Nino would wake up if there were suddenly an arm in his face. Ohno liked to take precautions.
Finally comfortable, Ohno allowed himself to exhale and close his eyes. He already felt a hundred times better than he had on the floor. He smiled to himself. This was nice. His body tensed automatically, however, when he felt Nino shift next to him. He opened one eye to see what had happened.
Nino hadn't woken, thank goodness, but had turned over so that he was now facing Ohno instead of having his back to him. Maybe it would have been better if he had woken up, though, because Ohno suddenly found himself entranced. Nino was all curled up into an adorable little ball. He had curved one arm under his head to cushion it underneath the pillow while the other curled under his chin and into his chest. Even his legs were kind of scrunched up, as if Nino was trying to take up as little room as possible. It was his face, however, that Ohno couldn't look away from.
Ohno had seen many faces of Nino. He had seen him angry, nervous, scared, falsely confident, happy, charmed, embarrassed. He had seen how peaceful Nino looked while playing his DS, eyes locked on the screen for what seemed like hours on end. But there was something about the absolute serenity on Nino's sleeping face that erased all other thoughts from Ohno's mind. He briefly tried to think if he had a sketchpad in his bag, to capture the image but quickly dismissed it. Even if he did have one, he didn't trust his skills enough to recreate it.
"Cute" he heard escape from his lips, softer than a sigh. In fact, he was almost unsure if he had actually said it, the word barely audible.
"I told you not to say that," Nino whispered, eyes still closed. Ohno started.
"You're awake?" he asked, realizing belatedly that it was a dumb question.
"Yes," Nino groaned, still not opening his eyes.
"Sorry," Ohno whispered, feeling guilty for both waking Nino up and getting caught. "I'll go back to the floor." He made a move to slide out of the bed when he felt a hand close on his wrist. He turned back around to see Nino looking at him, eyes barely opened into sleepy slits, making him appear almost feline.
"Ground's hard. Just stay," the younger man whispered, voice raspy with sleep.
"O-okay," Ohno agreed quietly, relaxing back down onto the bed and pulling the covers up to his neck. Nino retracted his hand and it returned to the curled position on his chest. "Sorry for waking you up," he whispered.
"Go to sleep, Oh-chan," Nino replied exasperatedly before shifting a bit and closing his eyes. It only took a few minutes before Ohno heard Nino's breathing even out. The younger man was asleep again. Ohno, however, was aware that he probably wouldn't fall asleep for a long time.
~
Told you it would be up this weekend! It was actually going to be posted a little later but I had a bit of a dramatic situation earlier today and I thought I should post it now so that I would start getting nice comment notifications instead of nasty ones. I know there was no Jun in this chapter (well, not really) but he'll be back next time, don't worry. And yes, the World Fashion Show is based on the outfits from Aiba's World Sugoroku. Not that you all didn't know that already~ ♥ Thanks for reading and I hope you like the latest chapter. ♥