Shifting Attention: B-Side or Constant
TITLE: Shifting Attention: B-Side or Constant
RATING: PG-13 (for suggested content)
PAIRINGS: Sakumoto
WORDCOUNT: 3,418
SUMMARY: Jun makes a deal with Sho
NOTES: This is Shifting Attention from Jun's POV. The first part was actually written before Shifting Attention but I thought it would be better as a spin-off instead of the original.
"So we have a deal?" asks Jun with crooked grin. "You sleep with me, or I tell poor Kobayashi Mao-chan that you're cheating on her with Kato Ai."
"I'm not! I swear we just had dinner!" yelled a much panicked Sho. It didn't matter. The trombone player could see through his lie and took amusement in Sho's sweaty palms and twitching lips. It was simply entertaining watching a man older than you suffer.
Jun leaned back in his seat, looking at Sho through his bangs. "Why bring her to an expansive hotel restaurant for 'just dinner'?"
"I haven't seen her for a while! She's a nice girl, but we're not-"
"It's fine to bring her to the restaurant, but don't think I didn't see you bring her upstairs afterwards."
Jun met Sho through Nino, who he kept in contact with long after he quit working at the convenience store for his orchestra. To help Jun get over his girlfriend Nino suggested a guys' night out with beer, karaoke, sushi, and more beer (on Jun's expense of course). While Jun wanted a bit more time to sulk, Nino promised with a dirty grin that he would thoroughly enjoy the company.
Nino did not disappoint. Jun might have had a girlfriend, but he was not adverse to male company, especially the kind Nino brought along.
First was Aiba Masaki. Slender, tan, and full of energy and long limbs. He worked in a bakery close to Nino's apartment liked to come to said apartment with "special deliveries." He used to be a track runner, but since it didn't make enough money (or let him experiment with bread dough) he quit and opened a bakery with his family. Despite Nino's approval of the shop's quality, Jun did not want to try a mabo tofu bread thank you very much. Although, he made sure to ask for DVDs of his meets. For purely educational purposes because Jun did not want to watch beads of sweat roll down Aiba's collarbone. Really he didn't.
Next was Ohno Satoshi, one of the leading stock brokers for a famous brokerage firm in Tokyo. Not that Jun could tell with his cheap Jusco shirt and the fact his shoes looked catalogue bought. Still, Ohno's cute round face, strong hands and calming aura meant he was totally Jun's type. If only he didn't smell like fish and Nino didn't already have his un-trimmed claws into his arm, Jun might have gone after him.
Then, there was Sakurai Sho. The musician was not even mildly attracted to exceedingly normal businessmen with a degree from Keio. Between Aiba's rendition of Ultraman songs and Nino and Ohno's WaT duets, Sho would nervously try to make small talk with Jun about the current economic situation. Jun would listen, nodding his head here and there, mostly staring at his ear piercing. It was strangely attractive and even though the conversation was boring, Jun liked him. A lot. His heart panged at Sakurai's soft smile and raced when he laughed at Jun's jokes. Jun didn't like this feeling and tried to reason it was the alcohol making his head light.
The night was ending, Aiba pushed himself into Ohno and Nino shoved the both of them in a taxi. Sakurai and Jun walked to the station quite sober and waved at each other from opposite platforms. While riding last round on the Yamanote line, Jun probably scared the salary man across from him with the wide, toothy grin on his face. It was a good night.
The orchestra he was in paid well, but not enough for his refined expensive wine collection and vintage hats. Jun had enough connections to get the occasional side job that didn't involve playing in seedy bars. A friend of his broke his thumb and asked Jun to replace him at his usual place as the piano player at some heavily decorated business hotel.
Half-way through Waltz of the Flowers, Jun spotted who he thought was Sakurai Sho. Although it can't be Sakurai Sho because he was eating dinner with Kato Ai. The same Kato Ai that was Jun's friend's ex. The same Kato Ai that was obviously not Kobayashi Mao, who was Sakurai Sho's beloved girlfriend. The same Kato Ai that was drunk and leading an equally drunk Sakurai Sho upstairs to a room.
Interesting.
What Jun did not know was that Nino put Sakurai's number into his cell phone the night of the party. Probably a joke knowing the prankster, but it was useful. He decided to use this to his advantage and called Sakurai knowing full well of the massive hang over the other man must have.
“Hello?" grumbled the voice on the other end. Somehow hearing him felt refreshing for the musician.
"Sakurai?"
"Yes? Sorry I'm not feeling to well." Jun giggled. Sakurai's headache voice was cute.
"Matsumoto?"
"Yes. I was hoping we could talk. Come meet me in the Sunshine City Mall."
"Now? I'm sorry, but I'm really not feeling too well and-..."
"It's about Kato Ai."
The phone clicked on the other end. Jun grinned to himself and entered the restaurant on the first floor of the mall to wait.
"Why do I have to sleep with you?" Sakurai whined. Jun pretended to not care and continue to eat his dinner. Italian Tomato pasta was okay, but he really did prefer to make it himself.
"You might be boring, but you are also seriously hot. I haven't had sex in months because of Keiko shacking it up with some basketball player and you are obviously frustrated to do it with someone like Kato." He was being honest. It was practically criminal for someone that good looking to be stuck behind a desk all day with no one to admire him save some virgin businessmen and tasteless OLs.
"You know her?"
"Yeah, she went out with my friend Toma for a while. Anyway that's beside the point. You seem more worried about having sex with me than with having sex with a guy so I figure you're okay with that. Am I right?" Jun knew that Sakurai was a college boy and college was the right time and place for everything.
Sakurai starred at Jun, giving him a chance to stare back and admire. Really, he didn't quite understand why he was so attracted to his man. It could be his high cheek bones, his soft dark eyes, his full lips. Or it could be that earring. It is pretty sexy. Every time he looked at it, Jun felt the urge to pull it with his teeth and suck on the earlobe. But that was for another time. He was having way too much fun teasing him and watching his fish-face.
"Can't we compromise? I can pay you whatever you want. Musicians need money right?" This was getting irritating. Jun sipped on his blood orange, thinking of ways to get what he wants and stop the other man from whining.
"Fine," Sakurai let out a sigh of relief to Jun's annoyance.
"Great. How much?"
"I don't need your money."
"BUT YOU JUST SAID-!"
"Stop yelling I won't fuck you." Sakurai squeaked. "Kiss me. Just one small kiss and I'll forget about this."
It's been weeks since he and Sho (he was Sho now) kissed in the shady corner outside of the mall. Shaky lips slid against his own confidant ones. Jun placed his hands around Sho's neck, trying hard not to pull his face closer than the other was comfortable with. It was awkward, but pleasant. The kiss reminded the musician of Summer, starting fast and ending in quick desperation. Jun's heart wrenched at Sho's taste and it scared him beyond belief. He's sure he has never met Sho before. After letting the businessman leave, Jun avoided calling him. Instead, he stared at the number on his phone, thumb on the dial button but never quite pressing it.
"Sho's alone at home," said Nino while ringing up Jun's Pepsi. Aiba was casually leaning across the counter, trying to decide whether he should simply climb over or vault over.
Jun gave Nino a look he usually reserved for Aiba whenever the older man asks to borrow his trombone for an experiment. "So?"
"He's sick." Aiba leaped over to the other side of the counter with Nino, trying to see how a convenience store cash register worked. "Food poisoning he says. It's not my bento despite what he might tell you."
"What does this have to do with me?"
"I have his apartment address," Aiba says. "If you want."
Nino smirked at him and Aiba's eyes sparkled in mirth.
Jun let out a sigh. "Where is it?"
As usual, Jun was the last one to leave. He waited for everyone to leave so he could have his private time with his new Biblio, reading the newest overly melodramatic cell phone novel. He shut of his phone ready to sling his bag over his shoulder when the doors to the auditorium opened to reveal a rather attractive, professional young woman. With a press badge.
"Hi," she started with a pleasant smile. "I was hoping someone was here. I'm a reporter from ZERO, the newspaper? I was wondering if I could have a brief interview with you on how the Caligula play is going."
"Sure." Although he didn't want to deal with her, he felt it might be good for his job reputation to at least be mentioned in a newspaper. She smiled sweetly and took out her pen and pad, ready to write.
"Can I get your name?" After a short ten minute interview of non-intrusive questions, the reporter thanked him and turned to leave.
"I'm sorry," he called out to her. "I didn't catch your name." She turned back to him, a little embarrassed.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Kobayashi Mao. Thank you again for the short interview." Jun squinted his eyes.
"Kobayashi Mao?"
"Yes. Do I know you?" She smiled politely in her confusion, obviously inching her foot to leave the creepy, empty orchestra room alone with an unknown male.
"No. Well, yes I-I know your boyfriend? Or...I know Sakurai Sho." She frowned and stared down at the floor, clutching the handles of her purse.
"We're...not together right now."
"I know. He misses you." The reporter looked up, eyes full of hope and confusion. "He was sick a few days ago, really sick. And I think he wanted you to call, but you didn't. He just-he really misses you, I think. He hasn't thrown anything of yours out and the apartment is a mess. He's a mess. I had to take care of him."
Kobayashi held her breath. Eyes watering and becoming red.
"He loves you," Jun continued. "He really does. And I don't think you should avoid him any longer."
Jun felt like he was making a mistake, but she needed to know. Right? Sho loves her so that's all that matters, right?
Right?
Sho gave Jun Kobayashi's spare key. Jun likes to think it's because Sho likes to have him around, but he's pretty sure it's because Jun is willing to cook and clean for him for his own sanity. While it was a far from the auditorium where he practiced and he had to wait an hour for the next train if he left the orchestra on time, he went. It was really troublesome for him to go, but he felt compelled to go.
He had a piano recital that night so he called Sho and told him he wasn't going to come by that evening. Jun specialized in trombone, but before than he used to play a pretty mean piano. It was a charity job in any case, to help raise funds for a cheap music school he used to go to. His parents didn't have much, but they gave that much to Jun and since he was already helping his parents, it only felt right to help the very school that got him where he was today. Besides, his pretty face brought in plenty of money.
On the way out through the lobby, Jun saw someone on the other side of the room.
"Sho?" he asked the man standing, eyes wondering around as if in search of something. When Sho spotted Jun, he beamed at the musician. As he approached Jun, his hands came out from behind him holding a giant, elaborate bouquet.
"Ta-da!" Sho said, shoving the flowers at Jun, blushing. "Congrats!"
"It's not that kind of show," Jun replied sardonically, his brilliant grin betraying him.
"I wanted to give that to you. You were great. Orchestra or community centre auditorium!"
"...you're so corny." Sho chuckled sheepishly. "But thanks. It means a lot. How'd you know anyway? I don't remember telling you."
"I do clean my apartment you know and you leave a lot of papers behind. I saw it the other day."
"Don't you have work?"
"I am 'visiting a sick aunt.'" Jun lightly whacked Sho with the flowers.
"Turning into a bad boy now aren't you Mister Straight-laced Salary Man?" Sho laughed and put his arm around Jun's shoulder, pushing him forward.
"Oh please. I have belly button ring. I'll show you sometime."
Jun's heart raced.
"Aiba? I'm here to pick up the stuff!" Jun called into the seemingly empty bakery. He was on the way to Sho's apartment when the businessman asked him to pick up some bread from Aiba's shop. Sho promised to pay him back and told him Aiba knew what Sho liked.
Instead of seeing Aiba, however, Ohno came from the backroom with a tray of colored bagels.
"Oh hello Jun-kun," he whispered in his usual soft voice. Jun nodded.
"The stock market that bad?" he joked. Ohno didn't laugh, but he grinned and Jun took that as a sign he understood. How can a man only three years older be this cute?
"I like baking. Aiba-chan said he needed my help making bagels, but I've never done them before. The dough looked too white so I added some food coloring."
"And umeboshi?"
"Yes."
"I see. So I need to pick up some things?" Ohno put the tray down on the counter and grabbed a bag from behind the counter. Before handing the bag to Jun, he added one of the blue bagels.
"I think it might need raw cream."
"Thanks!" Jun ruffled the older man's hair and bounced out of the store after paying.
Never mind Ohno being cute, Sho's "maximum umai!" was even cuter.
Many people think that Jun loves to go to fancy cafes and expensive restaurants with extensive wine lists. He likes them well enough, but it wasn't something he would go out of his way to pay for. Not with his new musician salary. Although, if he was invited by an old friend (a rich old friend) he wouldn't refuse.
The two didn't meet a lot. Mostly because Shun always had either a play to do or drama to film or movie to direct. In spite of the two of them having very different jobs and lifestyles, their personalities matched and they got along well so they exchanged emails once the play was over. Shun just came back from Hong Kong from filming some romantic comedy, finally having some time to sit down and eat dinner. He brought the both of them to a ritzy restaurant in Ginza that had great fillet minion that Jun just had to try.
"How are you getting along?" Shun asked, putting his wine glass up to his lips. "New girlfriend?"
"No," Jun said.
"New boyfriend?" Jun giggled. Shun knew a little about Sho and liked to tease the younger man about him.
"I wish. Not yet. I don't think he's ready."
"Hm." Just then a figure moved out of the corner of Jun's eye outside the restaurant. It sort of looked like-
"Sho?" Jun excused himself and ran to the door of the restaurant. He was almost certain that the figure was Sho. After all, he bought him that coat. He returned to his seat and apologized to Shun.
"I'm sorry. Thanks for the dinner, but I have to go. There's something I need to take care of. Can we try this again some other time?" Shun sharpened in glare.
"You know my schedule. I really wanted to hang out with you in person."
"I know and I'm sorry. I'll pay if you want. I just need to go. There's someone I need to see." They continued this impromptu staring contest for another second until Shun's gaze softened. He barked out a laugh and shooed Jun away.
"Go after him. I'll just sit here by my lonesome while you find love." Jun gave Shun a rare hug and flew from the restaurant, his phone speed dialing the apartment.
Jun knew when he was being ignored. He eventually gave up going to the apartment as he was sure he was going to break the door in desperation. He kept calling though, everyday. He left messages until Sho's voicemail was full. He emailed him, texted, called his cell phone, anything, everything. He was about ready to give up on that too. What he didn't expect was for his conductor to.
"Matsumoto!" yelled the conductor. The entire orchestra stopped playing to look at the nervous trombonist.
"I-I'm sorry. I'll get it right. I'm sorry." He picked up his trombone and placed the mouthpiece against his lips. The conductor shook his head.
"No. Leave."
"W-what?" Was he losing his job too?
"I said leave! Come back once you've settled whatever problem you're going through. You sound like shit and I have no doubt you feel like it too. So solve your problem and get back soon."
He's never loved the conductor more. He stood energetically, frantically picking up his notes. "Thank you!" He bowed and left the room for Sho.
For Sho.
It was a cold night even as Jun ran from the station. Luckily he was able to grab the early train and he was sure Sho was just heading home. Everything around him blurred and rushed and became unimportant. The air cut his face, his hair was a mess and he was catching his breath from running.
The world snapped back into focus when he saw the coat in the distance. Sho.
"Sho?" The man turned around and Jun's heart fluttered at seeing his face.
"Sho, please," Jun continued. "Please listen to me. He was just an old friend of mine. I played in the orchestra during his performance of Caligula. His name is Oguri Shun. He's an actor, just a friend I promise-Sho! Please, please believe me."
Sho looked up at him and Jun took this a signal to continue. "He was asking me to play at his wedding. He's getting married next month. Will you come with me then? As my friend?"
"...no." His knees crumbled as his legs turned to jelly. Sho refused him. He was angry and he didn't like him. When did he turn his way? When did Sho start to mean to so much?
Jun realized it was from the beginning.
"I don't beg, and please don't make me anymore, but I swear I-" Sho placed a gloved finger to his lips.
"I'll go as your...date." Jun felt his legs regain their strength and his cheeks began to hurt from grinning so wide.
It was almost as if they never had that misunderstanding. Here they were in Sho's apartment finishing dinner with Jun watching Sho wash the dishes. The heater never worked well in the apartment, but Jun was warm and comfortable. Sho looked so concentrated as he scrapped the carbonara stain from the dish. Jun's heart felt a need to be near him even though he was only a few meters away. He crept up behind the business man and inhaled
"What was that?" Sho asked, looking over his shoulder at him.
"You smell like me."
"...it's your shampoo, don't flatter yourself." Jun moved in closer to hold Sho. He moved his hands from around Sho's waist, slowly up and over the man's heart.
"So we have a deal?" He murmured against his ear. "Come with me to the wedding and I'll cook you pasta everyday for a month."
Sho took Jun's face into his hands and Jun closed his eyes softly to lean into them. "Kiss me now and I'll lower it to half a month. Besides money, you musicians need to eat too right?"
"That we do."
And they kissed.
RATING: PG-13 (for suggested content)
PAIRINGS: Sakumoto
WORDCOUNT: 3,418
SUMMARY: Jun makes a deal with Sho
NOTES: This is Shifting Attention from Jun's POV. The first part was actually written before Shifting Attention but I thought it would be better as a spin-off instead of the original.
"So we have a deal?" asks Jun with crooked grin. "You sleep with me, or I tell poor Kobayashi Mao-chan that you're cheating on her with Kato Ai."
"I'm not! I swear we just had dinner!" yelled a much panicked Sho. It didn't matter. The trombone player could see through his lie and took amusement in Sho's sweaty palms and twitching lips. It was simply entertaining watching a man older than you suffer.
Jun leaned back in his seat, looking at Sho through his bangs. "Why bring her to an expansive hotel restaurant for 'just dinner'?"
"I haven't seen her for a while! She's a nice girl, but we're not-"
"It's fine to bring her to the restaurant, but don't think I didn't see you bring her upstairs afterwards."
Jun met Sho through Nino, who he kept in contact with long after he quit working at the convenience store for his orchestra. To help Jun get over his girlfriend Nino suggested a guys' night out with beer, karaoke, sushi, and more beer (on Jun's expense of course). While Jun wanted a bit more time to sulk, Nino promised with a dirty grin that he would thoroughly enjoy the company.
Nino did not disappoint. Jun might have had a girlfriend, but he was not adverse to male company, especially the kind Nino brought along.
First was Aiba Masaki. Slender, tan, and full of energy and long limbs. He worked in a bakery close to Nino's apartment liked to come to said apartment with "special deliveries." He used to be a track runner, but since it didn't make enough money (or let him experiment with bread dough) he quit and opened a bakery with his family. Despite Nino's approval of the shop's quality, Jun did not want to try a mabo tofu bread thank you very much. Although, he made sure to ask for DVDs of his meets. For purely educational purposes because Jun did not want to watch beads of sweat roll down Aiba's collarbone. Really he didn't.
Next was Ohno Satoshi, one of the leading stock brokers for a famous brokerage firm in Tokyo. Not that Jun could tell with his cheap Jusco shirt and the fact his shoes looked catalogue bought. Still, Ohno's cute round face, strong hands and calming aura meant he was totally Jun's type. If only he didn't smell like fish and Nino didn't already have his un-trimmed claws into his arm, Jun might have gone after him.
Then, there was Sakurai Sho. The musician was not even mildly attracted to exceedingly normal businessmen with a degree from Keio. Between Aiba's rendition of Ultraman songs and Nino and Ohno's WaT duets, Sho would nervously try to make small talk with Jun about the current economic situation. Jun would listen, nodding his head here and there, mostly staring at his ear piercing. It was strangely attractive and even though the conversation was boring, Jun liked him. A lot. His heart panged at Sakurai's soft smile and raced when he laughed at Jun's jokes. Jun didn't like this feeling and tried to reason it was the alcohol making his head light.
The night was ending, Aiba pushed himself into Ohno and Nino shoved the both of them in a taxi. Sakurai and Jun walked to the station quite sober and waved at each other from opposite platforms. While riding last round on the Yamanote line, Jun probably scared the salary man across from him with the wide, toothy grin on his face. It was a good night.
The orchestra he was in paid well, but not enough for his refined expensive wine collection and vintage hats. Jun had enough connections to get the occasional side job that didn't involve playing in seedy bars. A friend of his broke his thumb and asked Jun to replace him at his usual place as the piano player at some heavily decorated business hotel.
Half-way through Waltz of the Flowers, Jun spotted who he thought was Sakurai Sho. Although it can't be Sakurai Sho because he was eating dinner with Kato Ai. The same Kato Ai that was Jun's friend's ex. The same Kato Ai that was obviously not Kobayashi Mao, who was Sakurai Sho's beloved girlfriend. The same Kato Ai that was drunk and leading an equally drunk Sakurai Sho upstairs to a room.
Interesting.
What Jun did not know was that Nino put Sakurai's number into his cell phone the night of the party. Probably a joke knowing the prankster, but it was useful. He decided to use this to his advantage and called Sakurai knowing full well of the massive hang over the other man must have.
“Hello?" grumbled the voice on the other end. Somehow hearing him felt refreshing for the musician.
"Sakurai?"
"Yes? Sorry I'm not feeling to well." Jun giggled. Sakurai's headache voice was cute.
"Matsumoto?"
"Yes. I was hoping we could talk. Come meet me in the Sunshine City Mall."
"Now? I'm sorry, but I'm really not feeling too well and-..."
"It's about Kato Ai."
The phone clicked on the other end. Jun grinned to himself and entered the restaurant on the first floor of the mall to wait.
"Why do I have to sleep with you?" Sakurai whined. Jun pretended to not care and continue to eat his dinner. Italian Tomato pasta was okay, but he really did prefer to make it himself.
"You might be boring, but you are also seriously hot. I haven't had sex in months because of Keiko shacking it up with some basketball player and you are obviously frustrated to do it with someone like Kato." He was being honest. It was practically criminal for someone that good looking to be stuck behind a desk all day with no one to admire him save some virgin businessmen and tasteless OLs.
"You know her?"
"Yeah, she went out with my friend Toma for a while. Anyway that's beside the point. You seem more worried about having sex with me than with having sex with a guy so I figure you're okay with that. Am I right?" Jun knew that Sakurai was a college boy and college was the right time and place for everything.
Sakurai starred at Jun, giving him a chance to stare back and admire. Really, he didn't quite understand why he was so attracted to his man. It could be his high cheek bones, his soft dark eyes, his full lips. Or it could be that earring. It is pretty sexy. Every time he looked at it, Jun felt the urge to pull it with his teeth and suck on the earlobe. But that was for another time. He was having way too much fun teasing him and watching his fish-face.
"Can't we compromise? I can pay you whatever you want. Musicians need money right?" This was getting irritating. Jun sipped on his blood orange, thinking of ways to get what he wants and stop the other man from whining.
"Fine," Sakurai let out a sigh of relief to Jun's annoyance.
"Great. How much?"
"I don't need your money."
"BUT YOU JUST SAID-!"
"Stop yelling I won't fuck you." Sakurai squeaked. "Kiss me. Just one small kiss and I'll forget about this."
It's been weeks since he and Sho (he was Sho now) kissed in the shady corner outside of the mall. Shaky lips slid against his own confidant ones. Jun placed his hands around Sho's neck, trying hard not to pull his face closer than the other was comfortable with. It was awkward, but pleasant. The kiss reminded the musician of Summer, starting fast and ending in quick desperation. Jun's heart wrenched at Sho's taste and it scared him beyond belief. He's sure he has never met Sho before. After letting the businessman leave, Jun avoided calling him. Instead, he stared at the number on his phone, thumb on the dial button but never quite pressing it.
"Sho's alone at home," said Nino while ringing up Jun's Pepsi. Aiba was casually leaning across the counter, trying to decide whether he should simply climb over or vault over.
Jun gave Nino a look he usually reserved for Aiba whenever the older man asks to borrow his trombone for an experiment. "So?"
"He's sick." Aiba leaped over to the other side of the counter with Nino, trying to see how a convenience store cash register worked. "Food poisoning he says. It's not my bento despite what he might tell you."
"What does this have to do with me?"
"I have his apartment address," Aiba says. "If you want."
Nino smirked at him and Aiba's eyes sparkled in mirth.
Jun let out a sigh. "Where is it?"
As usual, Jun was the last one to leave. He waited for everyone to leave so he could have his private time with his new Biblio, reading the newest overly melodramatic cell phone novel. He shut of his phone ready to sling his bag over his shoulder when the doors to the auditorium opened to reveal a rather attractive, professional young woman. With a press badge.
"Hi," she started with a pleasant smile. "I was hoping someone was here. I'm a reporter from ZERO, the newspaper? I was wondering if I could have a brief interview with you on how the Caligula play is going."
"Sure." Although he didn't want to deal with her, he felt it might be good for his job reputation to at least be mentioned in a newspaper. She smiled sweetly and took out her pen and pad, ready to write.
"Can I get your name?" After a short ten minute interview of non-intrusive questions, the reporter thanked him and turned to leave.
"I'm sorry," he called out to her. "I didn't catch your name." She turned back to him, a little embarrassed.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Kobayashi Mao. Thank you again for the short interview." Jun squinted his eyes.
"Kobayashi Mao?"
"Yes. Do I know you?" She smiled politely in her confusion, obviously inching her foot to leave the creepy, empty orchestra room alone with an unknown male.
"No. Well, yes I-I know your boyfriend? Or...I know Sakurai Sho." She frowned and stared down at the floor, clutching the handles of her purse.
"We're...not together right now."
"I know. He misses you." The reporter looked up, eyes full of hope and confusion. "He was sick a few days ago, really sick. And I think he wanted you to call, but you didn't. He just-he really misses you, I think. He hasn't thrown anything of yours out and the apartment is a mess. He's a mess. I had to take care of him."
Kobayashi held her breath. Eyes watering and becoming red.
"He loves you," Jun continued. "He really does. And I don't think you should avoid him any longer."
Jun felt like he was making a mistake, but she needed to know. Right? Sho loves her so that's all that matters, right?
Right?
Sho gave Jun Kobayashi's spare key. Jun likes to think it's because Sho likes to have him around, but he's pretty sure it's because Jun is willing to cook and clean for him for his own sanity. While it was a far from the auditorium where he practiced and he had to wait an hour for the next train if he left the orchestra on time, he went. It was really troublesome for him to go, but he felt compelled to go.
He had a piano recital that night so he called Sho and told him he wasn't going to come by that evening. Jun specialized in trombone, but before than he used to play a pretty mean piano. It was a charity job in any case, to help raise funds for a cheap music school he used to go to. His parents didn't have much, but they gave that much to Jun and since he was already helping his parents, it only felt right to help the very school that got him where he was today. Besides, his pretty face brought in plenty of money.
On the way out through the lobby, Jun saw someone on the other side of the room.
"Sho?" he asked the man standing, eyes wondering around as if in search of something. When Sho spotted Jun, he beamed at the musician. As he approached Jun, his hands came out from behind him holding a giant, elaborate bouquet.
"Ta-da!" Sho said, shoving the flowers at Jun, blushing. "Congrats!"
"It's not that kind of show," Jun replied sardonically, his brilliant grin betraying him.
"I wanted to give that to you. You were great. Orchestra or community centre auditorium!"
"...you're so corny." Sho chuckled sheepishly. "But thanks. It means a lot. How'd you know anyway? I don't remember telling you."
"I do clean my apartment you know and you leave a lot of papers behind. I saw it the other day."
"Don't you have work?"
"I am 'visiting a sick aunt.'" Jun lightly whacked Sho with the flowers.
"Turning into a bad boy now aren't you Mister Straight-laced Salary Man?" Sho laughed and put his arm around Jun's shoulder, pushing him forward.
"Oh please. I have belly button ring. I'll show you sometime."
Jun's heart raced.
"Aiba? I'm here to pick up the stuff!" Jun called into the seemingly empty bakery. He was on the way to Sho's apartment when the businessman asked him to pick up some bread from Aiba's shop. Sho promised to pay him back and told him Aiba knew what Sho liked.
Instead of seeing Aiba, however, Ohno came from the backroom with a tray of colored bagels.
"Oh hello Jun-kun," he whispered in his usual soft voice. Jun nodded.
"The stock market that bad?" he joked. Ohno didn't laugh, but he grinned and Jun took that as a sign he understood. How can a man only three years older be this cute?
"I like baking. Aiba-chan said he needed my help making bagels, but I've never done them before. The dough looked too white so I added some food coloring."
"And umeboshi?"
"Yes."
"I see. So I need to pick up some things?" Ohno put the tray down on the counter and grabbed a bag from behind the counter. Before handing the bag to Jun, he added one of the blue bagels.
"I think it might need raw cream."
"Thanks!" Jun ruffled the older man's hair and bounced out of the store after paying.
Never mind Ohno being cute, Sho's "maximum umai!" was even cuter.
Many people think that Jun loves to go to fancy cafes and expensive restaurants with extensive wine lists. He likes them well enough, but it wasn't something he would go out of his way to pay for. Not with his new musician salary. Although, if he was invited by an old friend (a rich old friend) he wouldn't refuse.
The two didn't meet a lot. Mostly because Shun always had either a play to do or drama to film or movie to direct. In spite of the two of them having very different jobs and lifestyles, their personalities matched and they got along well so they exchanged emails once the play was over. Shun just came back from Hong Kong from filming some romantic comedy, finally having some time to sit down and eat dinner. He brought the both of them to a ritzy restaurant in Ginza that had great fillet minion that Jun just had to try.
"How are you getting along?" Shun asked, putting his wine glass up to his lips. "New girlfriend?"
"No," Jun said.
"New boyfriend?" Jun giggled. Shun knew a little about Sho and liked to tease the younger man about him.
"I wish. Not yet. I don't think he's ready."
"Hm." Just then a figure moved out of the corner of Jun's eye outside the restaurant. It sort of looked like-
"Sho?" Jun excused himself and ran to the door of the restaurant. He was almost certain that the figure was Sho. After all, he bought him that coat. He returned to his seat and apologized to Shun.
"I'm sorry. Thanks for the dinner, but I have to go. There's something I need to take care of. Can we try this again some other time?" Shun sharpened in glare.
"You know my schedule. I really wanted to hang out with you in person."
"I know and I'm sorry. I'll pay if you want. I just need to go. There's someone I need to see." They continued this impromptu staring contest for another second until Shun's gaze softened. He barked out a laugh and shooed Jun away.
"Go after him. I'll just sit here by my lonesome while you find love." Jun gave Shun a rare hug and flew from the restaurant, his phone speed dialing the apartment.
Jun knew when he was being ignored. He eventually gave up going to the apartment as he was sure he was going to break the door in desperation. He kept calling though, everyday. He left messages until Sho's voicemail was full. He emailed him, texted, called his cell phone, anything, everything. He was about ready to give up on that too. What he didn't expect was for his conductor to.
"Matsumoto!" yelled the conductor. The entire orchestra stopped playing to look at the nervous trombonist.
"I-I'm sorry. I'll get it right. I'm sorry." He picked up his trombone and placed the mouthpiece against his lips. The conductor shook his head.
"No. Leave."
"W-what?" Was he losing his job too?
"I said leave! Come back once you've settled whatever problem you're going through. You sound like shit and I have no doubt you feel like it too. So solve your problem and get back soon."
He's never loved the conductor more. He stood energetically, frantically picking up his notes. "Thank you!" He bowed and left the room for Sho.
For Sho.
It was a cold night even as Jun ran from the station. Luckily he was able to grab the early train and he was sure Sho was just heading home. Everything around him blurred and rushed and became unimportant. The air cut his face, his hair was a mess and he was catching his breath from running.
The world snapped back into focus when he saw the coat in the distance. Sho.
"Sho?" The man turned around and Jun's heart fluttered at seeing his face.
"Sho, please," Jun continued. "Please listen to me. He was just an old friend of mine. I played in the orchestra during his performance of Caligula. His name is Oguri Shun. He's an actor, just a friend I promise-Sho! Please, please believe me."
Sho looked up at him and Jun took this a signal to continue. "He was asking me to play at his wedding. He's getting married next month. Will you come with me then? As my friend?"
"...no." His knees crumbled as his legs turned to jelly. Sho refused him. He was angry and he didn't like him. When did he turn his way? When did Sho start to mean to so much?
Jun realized it was from the beginning.
"I don't beg, and please don't make me anymore, but I swear I-" Sho placed a gloved finger to his lips.
"I'll go as your...date." Jun felt his legs regain their strength and his cheeks began to hurt from grinning so wide.
It was almost as if they never had that misunderstanding. Here they were in Sho's apartment finishing dinner with Jun watching Sho wash the dishes. The heater never worked well in the apartment, but Jun was warm and comfortable. Sho looked so concentrated as he scrapped the carbonara stain from the dish. Jun's heart felt a need to be near him even though he was only a few meters away. He crept up behind the business man and inhaled
"What was that?" Sho asked, looking over his shoulder at him.
"You smell like me."
"...it's your shampoo, don't flatter yourself." Jun moved in closer to hold Sho. He moved his hands from around Sho's waist, slowly up and over the man's heart.
"So we have a deal?" He murmured against his ear. "Come with me to the wedding and I'll cook you pasta everyday for a month."
Sho took Jun's face into his hands and Jun closed his eyes softly to lean into them. "Kiss me now and I'll lower it to half a month. Besides money, you musicians need to eat too right?"
"That we do."
And they kissed.