CLASSMATES 36/?
A/N: tHIS WAS A BIT IDEAL OF ME.. GOMEN:( but i hope you won't kill me for it.. :) comments are loved.
CHAPTER 36
-MOMENT OF TRUTH-
“OHAYOU!!” Aiba greeted cheerfully which, to his disappointment, no one was around to return the greetings.
These past days he didn’t know why he always ended up being the first to arrive at their greenroom that he couldn’t stop himself from wondering what the guys were up to. Ever since the truth about their second child being a father was revealed to them, he couldn’t help but be anxious every single moment, first for Sho whom he couldn’t find words to express how thankful he was, or the kids whom he considered as very precious kids from the first time he ever saw them, and for Angel whom he considered as one of his best friends now. The other members always say that he worried too much about small things, but for this particular day, he was unusually fidgety.
His mind was still occupied by that mob-attack in the Tokyo Station that he had witness awhile ago when he was on his way to JE building. He didn’t know but there was something about that incident that kept his heart beating too fast, and made himself pray for the safety of whoever it was that was involved. As he browsed the tv for some animal update, he picked up the newspaper which he bought in the station and began to read only to be struck by the morning headlines.
"Now this is something." Aiba said worriedly upon reading the article with a picture of Sho and the twins which was obviously tampered so that the faces were somehow unrecognizable.
"What?" Jun who'd just entered the green room asked curiously seeing the grave expression on their usually cheerful member.
"Here." he said handling the paper to the youngest member.
Jun browsed the paper and found the article that had caused Aiba's serious expression and began to read.
SAKURAI SHO HAS KIDS ALREADY?
Sakurai Sho, a member of the popular group 嵐 had been spotted with two kids in one of the major malls yesterday, reported by Cyzo. According to the sales lady, the two kids, a boy and a girl, who were actually twins, were heard calling the idol "Papa" and were very sweet to him. Another girl, who's actually an ARASHI fan swore she had seen them once at an ice cream parlor where she also overheard the three talking with words as "papa" and "tousan" barely audible.
Same instance where Sakurai and the said twins were spotted was during a party sported by his politician father…
"Ohayou!" Ohno was in his usual sleepy tone when he greeted. "What's wrong with you two? You look like someone who had just lost in a gamble." He remarked before settling himself in one of the sofa.
"You bet Ridaa. Have you seen this morning paper?" Jun asked but frowned when Ohno shook his head. He was about to pass the newspaper to Ohno when Sho and Nino entered.
"Ohayou!" they said.
"Good morning.. but not really good morning." Aiba's gloomy mood was noticeable.
"Oh yes. Quite right Masaki! We were stuck in that damn traffic!” Ninomiya Kazunari started complaining, “Have you seen that mob-attack in the Tokyo Station? It was outrageous! and you wouldn’t believe it, everyone’s talking about it, when I got by the elevator, I heard that two kids were attacked by fangirls- ”
Upon hearing those words, Jun and Aiba exchange glances. Aiba began sobbing. “No. please. Kami-sama, no!” Aiba said hysterically.
“What? Oi, that was some serious faces you’re wearing.. and why are you crying Masaki? Wait. What happened?" Nino asked the two members whose eyes were still on the newspaper that Jun was holding and wished he was just dreaming.
"I guess we're in-" Jun was about to say but Sho's phone distracted him.
"Moshi moshi?" Sho answered the call without looking who's calling, distracted by Aiba’s sudden outburst. "Mai? Wait young lady. Why is that everytime you called me, you're always hysterical? And its too early in the morning!" Sho pulled the phone away from his ears and decided to put it in speaker mode because his sister's voice was rowdy. Now everyone in the room heard what she was talking.
"Oniichan! You're kids!" Mai said in a panic voice.
"Huh? What kids?" Sho suddenly felt stifle. Putting Mai on a speaker was definitely not a good choice.
"Oniichan! Don't play dumb okay?" she said while hardly breathing. "I knew about them ages ago!"
"Hey, I knew that you know them, but what exactly are you trying to say Mai?" Sho was getting a little annoyed.
"Still denying? Goodness oniichan! I'm in a hospital right now! You're kids were attacked by some of your crazy fangirls, and~" Mai was sobbing before she continued speaking to him that Sho couldn't grasp what he was hearing.
"What? Fans? Why?" He asked, still unable to get the hang of it.
"mou~ ONIICHAN! Haven't you read the news? FINE!!. There's no point talking to you. I hate you!!" and she banged the phone.
Seconds passed and there was an unusual silence inside the green room until it was broken by the sound of Aiba's phone. When Aiba looked who's calling, it was Sho's brother this time that he opted to put it on speaker mode also.
"Ne~ Aiba-niichan, mind to put me on speaker mode?" Shu asked.
"You're already on it Shu, what happened?" Aiba asked although he knew what was coming. Sho still seemed to be on a shock state, processing what Mai had told him.
"Ohniichan baka! Shuji and Shuri were rushed to the hospital! Shi-neechan fainted seeing their condition! I bet you're still there. Please quit daydreaming! Your kids lost a lot of blood, and certainly they need you!"
Hospital. Kids. Blood. Attacked. Those were the only words that Sho managed to process on his mind. But it was enough to understand what his two siblings were conveying.
"Oh my God! No." Sho was panic-stricken. "Wait, did they just mention fangirls?" he asked the guys who were also in a horrified state as all of them heard the call. Aiba resumed crying. Jun tossed the newspaper to Sho who immediately caught a glimpse on the headline: SAKURAI SHO HAS KIDS ALREADY? And he didn't need to read the whole article to understand. "Sh*t. Sh*t." he muttered as he sped out of the room.
Before he could manage though, Nino caught his arm, "Wait! Calm down will you?"
"Calm down? Ninomiya! My kids were hurt because of me, and you're telling me to CALM DOWN?" he tried to shrug off the brat's hands, but Ohno restrained his other hand and together they pinned him down on the couch.
"Sho, did you realize that any mistake would only worsen up things?" Jun hissed at Sho who was glaring and fighting the hands that were restraining him.
"But you heard Shu! My kids lost blood!" Sho yelled, not bothering if somebody from the outside hears him.
"Of course we heard! But your rage won't solve anything!" Nino scowled. "You'll just make matters worse! Are you planning to go there in that state? Confirming the article?"
"Why? They would find out sooner or later! What's the difference with that?" Sho debated.
"There's a big difference Sho.. if you go there revealing yourself, it would only anger the fans more. Think. You're not Sakurai Sho for nothing. Think about your kids. About Shi. If the truth will be revealed in this manner, the fans would never understand and they would never accept your kids." Ohno reasoned out.
"But my kids.." Sho started to loosen out.
"We understand what you feel. We're also worried you know. But this is the time when you most needed to evaluate your decisions Sho." Ohno told him.
"If you understood, then why were you stopping me from going there?" Sho snuffled, he was fighting back the tears which were weighing in his eyes.
"Who said we're preventing you? Baka! We're just telling you to take precautions!" Jun stood and hit Sho's head.
"Sho-chan should wear a disguise." Aiba mumbled all of a sudden, his eyes a little red because of the tears brimming in his eyes.
"Now who said that Aiba is a baka-head?" Jun smirked as he rummaged inside Nino's bag and pulled off an unusually big spectacles and a wig.
"Oi, choto mate Jun-pon!" Nino grinned mischievously. "Don't tell me you'll make Sho wear that?"
"Of course. Better than going there completely undisguised." Jun once again walked towards Sho whose eyebrows were slightly furrowed and began fixing the wig and spectacles on him.
"Here." Aiba gave him a large worn out jacket. Jun was almost done with the wig.
"What do you think Ridaa?" Nino asked when the disguise was almost done.
"Perfect. Better than his usual parka. There you go Sho-chan. No one would recognize you in that." Ohno said, turning his attention to Aiba. "Aiba-chan, call Shu and tell him about Sho's appearance so that they would recognize him.
"Min'na, thanks." Sho sniffed again.
"Hey, instead of being dramatic, I think you should leave now, your kids need you." Nino patted his shoulder.
"Ganbare Sho-chan!" Aiba put out a thumb up.
"Don't worry, we'll tell manager.. I bet a lot in the jimusho knows, good thing we're johnny's.. so we can be rest assured that the secret will stay inside this building." Jun smiled. "Now go, surely you don't want your kids waiting ne~?"
"Thanks, I dunno what I will do without you guys." Sho walked out of the room.
God please let them be okay.. Sho's thoughts were wandering as he got through the crowd. Luckily there was a pictorial scheduled that day inside the building so that he need not trouble himself how to pass without being identified.
++++++++++
Sho looked around the parking lot in case there were reporters loitering in the hospital. When at last he was inside the facility, he walked hastily towards the emergency room where red light was lit indicating that there was an on-going operation. He roamed once again to check for some bystanders before removing his disguise and relieved when he saw two ladies at the corner- Mai and Shi. His younger sister took a glance at him, sensing his presence, making Shi look as well. She was crying but when he saw Sho, anger and frustration registered on her already pale face.
In one swift movement Sho managed to be in front of her, only to be dumbstruck on what came next.
SLAP
"How could you be so careless?" Shi was sobbing in her rage.
"I'm sorry.." It was all Sho could say. He could feel his cheeks throbbing in pain, but ignore it for it was less than what he deserved. He wanted to cry like her, but he knew it would not do any good. He knew he had to support her.
Shi was trembling hard that all Sho could do was to wound his arms around her to hold her. He tried containing his tears, but seeing Shi in a distressed manner, made it hard for him. Shi proceeded on hitting his chest despite being enclosed in his arms, continually muttering curses under her breath.
"I'm sorry.." he said again, crying in pain not because of Shi's punches but of worry and fear.
"What if..? Oh God.." Shi was sobbing, pain writhed in her face, her head against Sho's chest.."How could you do this Sho..I told you to be more careful!..I hate you.. I was so afraid.." and continued hitting his chest.
Sho tightened his embraced, afraid that if he didn't, she would break. He ran his hands along her hair and her back, as Shi continued weeping, making his shirt damped from all the tears.
"Everything's gonna be fine.. I'm here.. I won't let this happen again.." Sho assured her despite the lump that started forming in his throat upon realizing the weight of his own words and the agony that it will bring to him in the future. I need to decide... No matter how painful it will be, I have to do it for the sake of my kids, and the woman I love.. He thought endlessly placing his hand on her chin, making her look up to him. "It will be alright Shi, I promise.." and began kissing the tears that flowed uncontrollably from her eyes after hearing those words from him..
They were on that position when the door to the emergency room opened. When the doctor saw them, "I'm sorry they'd lost a lot of blood, unless we find a donor, we can't save them."
Shi stared at the doctor and pondered on his words. "What about mine? They took a sample of my blood a while ago. I’m O-" She asked, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I'm sorry, since the mother is considered as a direct bloodline, it won't do, I think their father-" the doctor explained but Sho interrupted.
"I'm their dad, Sakurai-desu.” He asked controlling his tears. Sho shifted his hand on Shi's side making it so that they were standing side by side and his other hand shook hands with the doctor.
"Oh, o-of course.” The doctor was shocked seeing Sakurai Sho in front of him. “ But~" the doctor started again but was cut in midsentence.
"But what doctor?" Sho asked impatiently.
"But the donor shouldn't have taken any alcohol for at-"
"If that's the case, then there's no problem doctor, I haven't taken alcohol for about two weeks now." Sho answered determinedly.
"Oh, okay. Follow me please, we should take necessary precautions before the blood transfer." The doctor told him and entered the ER.
Sho looked at Shi, "Be strong Shi, you're kids are still fighting.. " but Shi started to cry again.." Shsshhh.. hang in there love, I already promise didn't I?"
"Sakurai-san?" the nurse called this time. "Sensei is waiting."
"Hai," Sho nodded to the nurse and glanced at his sister who was watching all that was happening. "Mai, please make sure Shi eats something."
"Hai. I will oniichan. Ganbare!" Mai said.
Sho then turned towards Shi, "Promise me that you will also fight for your kids." He smiled, she nodded. He embraced her once again and kissed her before letting go. "Jya~ see you later."
Sho hurried where the nurse told him to go.
++++++++++++++++++
“This morning, in front of the Tokyo Station, two kids who were said to be the kids of idol and newscaster, Sakurai Sho, were attacked by fans.…causing them to be put up in a critical condition and were immediately brought to the hospital….”
“It was all over the news!” Shige exclaimed while watching the tv, slightly pissed because the station had cut his favorite morning show because of the breaking news.
“And over the internet, and over the radio, and over all stations..” Masuda smirked, his hands continually pressing the remote control, hoping to find a channel that was not airing the news about Sho and the twins but it was no luck.
“Hey, I think I must’ve seen these kids somewhere..” Ryo was keenly observing the newspaper in his hand particularly the blurred picture.
“Let me see,” Yamapi snatched the paper and looked closely, Yuya peeping in from behind.
“Ah! The elevator!” Yuya shouted, his index finger pointing on top. He was about to say something further when their greenroom door opened and in came Ikuta Toma.
“Ne~ Pi, had you seen the news?” Toma asked in an anxious tone before occupying the empty couch beside Koyama.
“Hey, where are your manners mate? don’t just enter someone’s room!” Yamapi shook his head disapprovingly seeing his bestfriend. “Oh, and about the news, who wouldn’t?”
“You bet Toma-kun. It was all over!” Shige was still pissed.
“Do you think its true?” Toma asked.
“hmm. I dunno. Although we were just saying that we had seen those kids.. and..” Yuya wasn’t able to finish his sentence.
“And what?” Koyama, who wasn’t with them in the elevator that time asked curiously.
“And I say, the boy did resemble Sakurai-sempai.” Ryo chuckled and added, “even the attitude matches..”
“Whoaa~ wait, maji?” Toma asked a bit dumbfounded.
“Erm.. we’re not sure though.. why don’t we asked them instead?” Masuda suggested although the idea was a bit ridiculous.
“Who?”
“Arashi-sempai of course!” Masuda was smiling.
“Choto..I don’t think it’s a good idea..” Yamapi said hesitantly.
“But it was brilliant!” Yuya said mischievously, his mind was thinking it’s a good opportunity for him to have a chance. If Sakurai-sempai have kids already, then there’s no point for Tetsuka Shi-chan and him to be together.. He thought.
++++++++++++
“Wait.. I’m really not sure about this..” Yamapi was still reluctant despite going with them.
After a bit of planning, the guys from NEWS together with Ikuta Toma went off to find ARASHI’s greenroom. Since it was still early in the morning, a lot of rooms beside the group’s greenroom were vacant so they didn’t have to worry about the possibility of others seeing them.
“Shhhshh.. we’re here.” Yuya said. He was about to knock on the door which was slightly opened when they heard Jun’s voice, who was unaware of their presence. The guys stood closely and listen, while Yamapi chose to be the lookout as he was the only one unenthusiastic about it. Add the fact that what the guys were doing, were clearly something they should not in the first place.
“Stop crying will you?” Jun’s tone was somewhat pissed. “Crying won’t do us any good.”
“Then what do you suggest Jun?”
They heard Aiba sniffed. Nino’s convincing yet somehow worried tone was the next thing they heard.
“Shut up Masaki! The twins are still fighting, and Sho was there right now, so please stop worrying.. all of us are worried okay?..instead of crying, I think we should see Johnny-san.”
“So its true huh?” Shige whispered as they continued listening on their sempai’s conversation. This time it was Ohno who had spoken.
“Yeah.. Kazu’s right.. Johnny-san probably knows what to do.. since he’s more aware of that matter than us.”
“Wait. Johnny-san knows????” Masuda couldn’t believe what he had just heard that he had risen his voice a little louder that earned him a prod in the head from Ryo who was pondering upon every words that he was hearing.
“Since he’s more aware, then I guess, we better think of a way to deal with this matter, wait I have an idea,”
“What is it Nino-chan?”
“There you go boys. I think you’ve heard enough.” The manager of ARASHI was standing behind NEWS and Ikuta Toma, with a stern expression on his face. “Eavesdropping is not good, especially if it’s done with my boys. So back off please?”
With that said, he stormed his way passed the still-in-a-shock state guys and opened the greenroom door widely, revealing himself and their uninvited guests. Seconds later, his voice roared inside and outside the room.
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT BOYS? DO YOU REALLY WANT YOUR MANAGER TO DIE IN THIS STATE? WHERE IS THAT SAKURAI SHO?” Manager-san shouted.
“Gomen.. gomen..” Jun apologized. “We didn’t expect things to turn out like this..”
“Manager-san,. Sorry if we keep this from you..” Aiba was still shocked upon seeing the NEWS and Ikuta in front of their room.
“Anou~ Manager-san, Sho was in the hospital.. Two kids’ lives were at stake here..”
“DO YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT OHNO-SAN? ITS ALL OVER THE NEWS YOU IDIOT! AND THE NEXT TIME YOU TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING THIS BIG, MAKE SURE YOUR DOOR IS CLOSED, ELSE, SOMEONE OR RATHER SOME GROUP,..” and turned towards the NEWS member and Ikuta, “MIGHT OVERHEAR YOU.!”
“What’s the deal Manager-san? At least they’re from Johnny’s and not from outside..RULES still apply to them.” Nino said cautiously while looking closely at their kohai.
The members of NEWS and Ikuta stared at each other, unable to move from where they were standing. Whether from fear or from the absurdity of the situation they were in, one thing they knew: this particularly sempai of them, no matter how brat he might look like, Ninomiya Kazunari is not someone whom they dare to mess up with.
“BE GRATEFUL YOU BRAT! IF THEY ARE FROM OUTSIDE, I SWEAR, IT’LL KILL ME.” Manager-san heaved a heavy sigh and stared at them. Age lines creased in his forehead, his wrinkled eyes that a while ago staged a pierced look was now replaced with a genuine concern for the boys he was managing for a long time now. “Now tell me, what is it that you want to discuss with Kitagawa-san?” He spoke softly.
“Oh.. about that..I think we don’t need an audience now, do we?” Nino smirked at his kohai who were still wearing looks that was a mixture of relieved and fright.
“Oh… gomen sempai,” Yamapi bowed in behalf of his group, the others followed suit and left afterwards, while nudging each other asking who was to blame that they experienced that moment.
When the guys were out of their sight, Manager-san locked the door and asked in a calm voice, “Now let us hear your idea brat.”
+++++++++++++++++
“This is too much!” Sakurai-san crumpled the newspaper and pounded the table the same time when his wife entered his study room. “My God! They’re just kids!”
“Anata!” Yuko hurried over her husband’s side and stopped him from hitting the table again.
“I knew it was bound to happen, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon! Those people are crazy!” He hissed angrily. “And that son of yours Yuko! How could he be so careless?”
“Dear, don’t forget Sho is yours too. If there was someone who was most grieved with what had happened, I believed it was our son, afterall, his kids were the ones who’re hurt. If we, his parents, will blame him, who would support him then?”
“But still, what was he thinking? He knew that with the kind of job he has, there was a danger yet he chose to go out with his kids? Anyway, how are they? How was their mother coping?”
“Mai called, she said that Shi-chan fainted upon seeing the kids, right now she was still in distress and wouldn’t eat anything..”
“Tsk. It must have been a shock to her.. and it happened after getting along with Sho again, if I knew better, I shouldn’t have let those two reconcile..” Sakurai-san started kneading his temples and turned at his wife, “How about Sho?” he inquired.
“Mai told me that he had arrived awhile ago for blood transfer, but there was no progress as the operation was still going on,” Yuko told him and proceeded on kneading her husband’s temple for him. “What do you plan now?”
“My assistant called me just now. Some reporters crowded outside the building wanting a statement from me regarding the news surrounding Sho. Someone had let it slip that the twins were first spotted during my official party,” Sakurai told his wife the thing about the article he read.
“Oh!” She gasped. “What do we do now?”
“I told him to do as much as he can to send those reporters away; in the meantime, I will stay here in the house, and will have him update me in detail.”
“How about Reiko? Have you contacted her?”
“Yes, but she was out of the country, unfortunately she had an urgent business to attend to, but she said that temporary precautions should be addressed, so she told me that the best way is to call that old man Kitagawa Johnny-san,”
“What did Kitagawa-san have to do with this?” Yuko asked worriedly.
“Oh, Reiko believed that the old man knows best how to hush the media for awhile, besides, I believed those guys from Arashi wouldn’t just sit and let matters as it is,”
“Aren’t we going to help them?”
“No. let them be.. If I know them better, those kids were probably cooking up some things about how to deal with the situation. Apparently, whether they like it or not, their careers were also at stake here, so they can’t afford to get sloppy with this one.”
“Are you sure its best to leave things in their hands?” Sakurai-mama was still anxious.
“Trust me dear, those kids need to have their own taste of trials so that they could learn and grow..” Sakurai-san smiled knowingly at his wife.
“Okay.. then I guess, I better prepare some food for Shi-chan, that kid.. according to Mai, she’d done all the possible means to persuade her, but still, Shi-chan wouldn’t eat anything.. I felt bad for her.” Yuko frowned remembering the conversation she had with Mai and nodded at his husband before leaving the room.
“Take care then, and as possible don’t leave her side.. she certainly needs it right now..” He told his wife and began placing a call, “Now, its time to talk with old man Kitagawa-san.”
++++++++++++
“Sir, it was positive. Sakurai Sho was seen around the hospital’s facilities just now,” the investigator told him.
“Oh.. good then,” Kitagawa Johnny san sat across his table, his eyes wandered outside the busy streets through his windows. Thank God.. I just hope the twins were safe.. Thinking about what had happened, he nearly got himself into another heart attack if not for the news about Sho going to the hospital right away. He didn’t want to admit, but it somehow calmed him knowing how the idol was exerting his effort despite knowing the risk of being exposed. His thought might have coincided with the idol’s thought, because that moment, nothing was ever so important to him than the lives of the kids. “How about the media?”
“It was going wild sir. The longer we hold our tongue about the issue, the more it is getting complicated,” Investigator-san reported.
“And the damage?” Johnny inquired, his eyes still focused outside.
“It was not that much, since Sakurai’s dad was still silent about the issue linking his party with the twins, reporters were doubting the validity of that news. Some civilian even questioned if it was really Sakurai Sho on the picture. But still, we need to take precautions.”
Raising an eyebrow, he turned to look at the investigator. “Like what?”
“Although Sakurai Sho had initiated to wear a disguise when he arrived at the hospital, we need to make sure that the hospital management will be held silent about the matter, especially the doctors and nurses who had seen him. Plus we need to conceal the identity of Tetsuka Shi-sama.”
“How about the identity of the twins?”
“I believed, the reporters were able to infiltrate their school.. Nonetheless, they must’ve gotten the twins’ name by now, but I doubt about their last name, since it was you who prevented the management..”
“No worries then,” Johnny-san felt relieved hearing that. “How long will it take to silence the hospital management?”
“My men were currently working on it, but we still have a problem,”
“What is it?”
“The Sakurai family-“
“Oh, no need, I just have a talk with Sakurai-san a while ago, it was to our advantage that he’s a politician,” Johnny told investigator-san. “Anything else?”
“About the fans, they were outraged, we need to do something about them. Especially those from ARASHI fans.”
“I’ll deal with them..” There was a beep on his intercom. He pushed the button and asked his secretary, “What is it?”
“Sir, ARASHI-san and their manager were here to see you,” the secretary said.
“Let them in.”
++++++++++++++++
"Now we will begin the press conference" Manager-san announced and everyone in the hall settled.
Reporters, journalists, bystanders, employees, even some of the idols were present. Prior to the conference, a large screen was placed outside the building where fans were watching and waiting for one of the biggest announcement that will happen in the history of Johnny's Jimusho.
Inside the hall, the guys sat uncomfortably, each bore different emotions deep inside, but still managed to look calm on the outside.
3 days ago
"We're really sorry Johnny-san, we should have been more careful." It was Ohno who had spoken first, taking his responsibility as the leader.
"Oh I see that there's only the four of you, I wonder where the other member is.." the old man eyed them curiously.
"He's in the hospital right now.." Aiba bowed his head remembering that the twins were in critical condition.
"Were you talking about this morning's paper?" He asked them calmly.
The guys nodded.
"And what was your insight about it Ninomiya-san?" Johnny asked Nino who was shocked that the old man knew his name.
"Those fans were crazy!" Nino hissed in anger. He can't help it.
"And do you realize that those fans were actually the one who is responsible for your fame?" He asked again.
"Demo Johnny-san, it was a serious crime to assault people, more so, they're just kids!" Jun answered this time.
"Then what do you want to do to calm your fans?"
"We came here for a proposal.." Aiba replied.
"Oh, let me hear it then.."
No one could grasp how the jimusho managed to silenced the reporters about the recent incidents which had caused a great uproar especially in the entertainment world until the day of their proposal. During those three days, diverse speculations rose up, insights could be heard inside the building, some nearly got the gist of it, but no one, except NEWS and Ikuta Toma, was able to come up 100% of the truth.
That day was now.
"Konnichiwa min'na-san, ARASHI-desu," Clearing his throat, it was Jun who first spoke. "Thank you for coming, especially the fans outside the hall that are always supporting us. You never let us down, and in return, we in ARASHI, also never wanted to let you down.”
"You are always there for us, during our good times and even in bad times. You laugh with us and you cry with us." Aiba furthered, tears forming in his eyes, which were clearly seen on the screen that made the fans gasped and others frowned.
"The recent events,.it was hard and I know, it was also hard for you too. And the reason why we held this conference is that we wanted, with all our strength outstretched, to lessen that burden which you guys were probably feeling right now." Nino talked.
"So min'na, spare with us some of your time, your ears and your heart to listen. Onegaishimasu." Ohno stood and the others followed.
"Onegaishimasu" five heads bowed together.
Seeing their idols with that gesture, fans outside the hall grew silent realizing the weight of the matter, as if telling them that they will listen until the end.
Inside the hall, camera flashed here and then and the guys resumed their sitting position.
"All people had their own circumstances" Ohno started, "This was said by our boss and jimusho’s father, Kitagawa-san, himself. As I pondered upon those words, I realized that he was right. In our case, even idols had their own circumstances. And by that all are not exempted to the fact that everyone makes mistakes, that in the end, they either regret it or be thankful for it."
"Even idols were not excused from that fact..there had been a lot of times that we faced trials, scandals that nearly ruin everything from where we started but you, our fans, stayed with us, believed in us and understood us. After those past storms on each idols' lives, you had always welcomed us with open arms and with hearts that always reached out to us..." Nino continued.
"We are humans..It just so happened that this time around, it was one of our members who committed a mistake..”
Taking a deep breath, Jun spoke again to the crowd after a long pause. “Please hear him out, our member, who is a rapper, a newscaster, and lastly, there's no point denying, now a father, Sakurai Sho." Jun ended.
Upon hearing those introductory words, everyone held their breaths, outside or inside the hall, no one wanted to break the deafening stillness among them, despite having the intuition of what will it be especially after hearing the word 'father'. Some even gasped and couldn’t hide their tears mixed with an onset of remorse and indignation.
"Min'na arigatou gozaimashita for coming here." Sho stood and repeated the gesture they'd done a while ago. "This will be a little long, but I plead with deepest sincerity, for you to listen, to hear my heart, hoping that in one way or another I'll be able to reach your heart also.." Sho shifted his attention to the camera which was connected to the screen outside the hall.
"Let me begin from five years ago.."
++++++++++++++++++++++
previous
CHAPTER 36
-MOMENT OF TRUTH-
“OHAYOU!!” Aiba greeted cheerfully which, to his disappointment, no one was around to return the greetings.
These past days he didn’t know why he always ended up being the first to arrive at their greenroom that he couldn’t stop himself from wondering what the guys were up to. Ever since the truth about their second child being a father was revealed to them, he couldn’t help but be anxious every single moment, first for Sho whom he couldn’t find words to express how thankful he was, or the kids whom he considered as very precious kids from the first time he ever saw them, and for Angel whom he considered as one of his best friends now. The other members always say that he worried too much about small things, but for this particular day, he was unusually fidgety.
His mind was still occupied by that mob-attack in the Tokyo Station that he had witness awhile ago when he was on his way to JE building. He didn’t know but there was something about that incident that kept his heart beating too fast, and made himself pray for the safety of whoever it was that was involved. As he browsed the tv for some animal update, he picked up the newspaper which he bought in the station and began to read only to be struck by the morning headlines.
"Now this is something." Aiba said worriedly upon reading the article with a picture of Sho and the twins which was obviously tampered so that the faces were somehow unrecognizable.
"What?" Jun who'd just entered the green room asked curiously seeing the grave expression on their usually cheerful member.
"Here." he said handling the paper to the youngest member.
Jun browsed the paper and found the article that had caused Aiba's serious expression and began to read.
SAKURAI SHO HAS KIDS ALREADY?
Sakurai Sho, a member of the popular group 嵐 had been spotted with two kids in one of the major malls yesterday, reported by Cyzo. According to the sales lady, the two kids, a boy and a girl, who were actually twins, were heard calling the idol "Papa" and were very sweet to him. Another girl, who's actually an ARASHI fan swore she had seen them once at an ice cream parlor where she also overheard the three talking with words as "papa" and "tousan" barely audible.
Same instance where Sakurai and the said twins were spotted was during a party sported by his politician father…
"Ohayou!" Ohno was in his usual sleepy tone when he greeted. "What's wrong with you two? You look like someone who had just lost in a gamble." He remarked before settling himself in one of the sofa.
"You bet Ridaa. Have you seen this morning paper?" Jun asked but frowned when Ohno shook his head. He was about to pass the newspaper to Ohno when Sho and Nino entered.
"Ohayou!" they said.
"Good morning.. but not really good morning." Aiba's gloomy mood was noticeable.
"Oh yes. Quite right Masaki! We were stuck in that damn traffic!” Ninomiya Kazunari started complaining, “Have you seen that mob-attack in the Tokyo Station? It was outrageous! and you wouldn’t believe it, everyone’s talking about it, when I got by the elevator, I heard that two kids were attacked by fangirls- ”
Upon hearing those words, Jun and Aiba exchange glances. Aiba began sobbing. “No. please. Kami-sama, no!” Aiba said hysterically.
“What? Oi, that was some serious faces you’re wearing.. and why are you crying Masaki? Wait. What happened?" Nino asked the two members whose eyes were still on the newspaper that Jun was holding and wished he was just dreaming.
"I guess we're in-" Jun was about to say but Sho's phone distracted him.
"Moshi moshi?" Sho answered the call without looking who's calling, distracted by Aiba’s sudden outburst. "Mai? Wait young lady. Why is that everytime you called me, you're always hysterical? And its too early in the morning!" Sho pulled the phone away from his ears and decided to put it in speaker mode because his sister's voice was rowdy. Now everyone in the room heard what she was talking.
"Oniichan! You're kids!" Mai said in a panic voice.
"Huh? What kids?" Sho suddenly felt stifle. Putting Mai on a speaker was definitely not a good choice.
"Oniichan! Don't play dumb okay?" she said while hardly breathing. "I knew about them ages ago!"
"Hey, I knew that you know them, but what exactly are you trying to say Mai?" Sho was getting a little annoyed.
"Still denying? Goodness oniichan! I'm in a hospital right now! You're kids were attacked by some of your crazy fangirls, and~" Mai was sobbing before she continued speaking to him that Sho couldn't grasp what he was hearing.
"What? Fans? Why?" He asked, still unable to get the hang of it.
"mou~ ONIICHAN! Haven't you read the news? FINE!!. There's no point talking to you. I hate you!!" and she banged the phone.
Seconds passed and there was an unusual silence inside the green room until it was broken by the sound of Aiba's phone. When Aiba looked who's calling, it was Sho's brother this time that he opted to put it on speaker mode also.
"Ne~ Aiba-niichan, mind to put me on speaker mode?" Shu asked.
"You're already on it Shu, what happened?" Aiba asked although he knew what was coming. Sho still seemed to be on a shock state, processing what Mai had told him.
"Ohniichan baka! Shuji and Shuri were rushed to the hospital! Shi-neechan fainted seeing their condition! I bet you're still there. Please quit daydreaming! Your kids lost a lot of blood, and certainly they need you!"
Hospital. Kids. Blood. Attacked. Those were the only words that Sho managed to process on his mind. But it was enough to understand what his two siblings were conveying.
"Oh my God! No." Sho was panic-stricken. "Wait, did they just mention fangirls?" he asked the guys who were also in a horrified state as all of them heard the call. Aiba resumed crying. Jun tossed the newspaper to Sho who immediately caught a glimpse on the headline: SAKURAI SHO HAS KIDS ALREADY? And he didn't need to read the whole article to understand. "Sh*t. Sh*t." he muttered as he sped out of the room.
Before he could manage though, Nino caught his arm, "Wait! Calm down will you?"
"Calm down? Ninomiya! My kids were hurt because of me, and you're telling me to CALM DOWN?" he tried to shrug off the brat's hands, but Ohno restrained his other hand and together they pinned him down on the couch.
"Sho, did you realize that any mistake would only worsen up things?" Jun hissed at Sho who was glaring and fighting the hands that were restraining him.
"But you heard Shu! My kids lost blood!" Sho yelled, not bothering if somebody from the outside hears him.
"Of course we heard! But your rage won't solve anything!" Nino scowled. "You'll just make matters worse! Are you planning to go there in that state? Confirming the article?"
"Why? They would find out sooner or later! What's the difference with that?" Sho debated.
"There's a big difference Sho.. if you go there revealing yourself, it would only anger the fans more. Think. You're not Sakurai Sho for nothing. Think about your kids. About Shi. If the truth will be revealed in this manner, the fans would never understand and they would never accept your kids." Ohno reasoned out.
"But my kids.." Sho started to loosen out.
"We understand what you feel. We're also worried you know. But this is the time when you most needed to evaluate your decisions Sho." Ohno told him.
"If you understood, then why were you stopping me from going there?" Sho snuffled, he was fighting back the tears which were weighing in his eyes.
"Who said we're preventing you? Baka! We're just telling you to take precautions!" Jun stood and hit Sho's head.
"Sho-chan should wear a disguise." Aiba mumbled all of a sudden, his eyes a little red because of the tears brimming in his eyes.
"Now who said that Aiba is a baka-head?" Jun smirked as he rummaged inside Nino's bag and pulled off an unusually big spectacles and a wig.
"Oi, choto mate Jun-pon!" Nino grinned mischievously. "Don't tell me you'll make Sho wear that?"
"Of course. Better than going there completely undisguised." Jun once again walked towards Sho whose eyebrows were slightly furrowed and began fixing the wig and spectacles on him.
"Here." Aiba gave him a large worn out jacket. Jun was almost done with the wig.
"What do you think Ridaa?" Nino asked when the disguise was almost done.
"Perfect. Better than his usual parka. There you go Sho-chan. No one would recognize you in that." Ohno said, turning his attention to Aiba. "Aiba-chan, call Shu and tell him about Sho's appearance so that they would recognize him.
"Min'na, thanks." Sho sniffed again.
"Hey, instead of being dramatic, I think you should leave now, your kids need you." Nino patted his shoulder.
"Ganbare Sho-chan!" Aiba put out a thumb up.
"Don't worry, we'll tell manager.. I bet a lot in the jimusho knows, good thing we're johnny's.. so we can be rest assured that the secret will stay inside this building." Jun smiled. "Now go, surely you don't want your kids waiting ne~?"
"Thanks, I dunno what I will do without you guys." Sho walked out of the room.
God please let them be okay.. Sho's thoughts were wandering as he got through the crowd. Luckily there was a pictorial scheduled that day inside the building so that he need not trouble himself how to pass without being identified.
++++++++++
Sho looked around the parking lot in case there were reporters loitering in the hospital. When at last he was inside the facility, he walked hastily towards the emergency room where red light was lit indicating that there was an on-going operation. He roamed once again to check for some bystanders before removing his disguise and relieved when he saw two ladies at the corner- Mai and Shi. His younger sister took a glance at him, sensing his presence, making Shi look as well. She was crying but when he saw Sho, anger and frustration registered on her already pale face.
In one swift movement Sho managed to be in front of her, only to be dumbstruck on what came next.
SLAP
"How could you be so careless?" Shi was sobbing in her rage.
"I'm sorry.." It was all Sho could say. He could feel his cheeks throbbing in pain, but ignore it for it was less than what he deserved. He wanted to cry like her, but he knew it would not do any good. He knew he had to support her.
Shi was trembling hard that all Sho could do was to wound his arms around her to hold her. He tried containing his tears, but seeing Shi in a distressed manner, made it hard for him. Shi proceeded on hitting his chest despite being enclosed in his arms, continually muttering curses under her breath.
"I'm sorry.." he said again, crying in pain not because of Shi's punches but of worry and fear.
"What if..? Oh God.." Shi was sobbing, pain writhed in her face, her head against Sho's chest.."How could you do this Sho..I told you to be more careful!..I hate you.. I was so afraid.." and continued hitting his chest.
Sho tightened his embraced, afraid that if he didn't, she would break. He ran his hands along her hair and her back, as Shi continued weeping, making his shirt damped from all the tears.
"Everything's gonna be fine.. I'm here.. I won't let this happen again.." Sho assured her despite the lump that started forming in his throat upon realizing the weight of his own words and the agony that it will bring to him in the future. I need to decide... No matter how painful it will be, I have to do it for the sake of my kids, and the woman I love.. He thought endlessly placing his hand on her chin, making her look up to him. "It will be alright Shi, I promise.." and began kissing the tears that flowed uncontrollably from her eyes after hearing those words from him..
They were on that position when the door to the emergency room opened. When the doctor saw them, "I'm sorry they'd lost a lot of blood, unless we find a donor, we can't save them."
Shi stared at the doctor and pondered on his words. "What about mine? They took a sample of my blood a while ago. I’m O-" She asked, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I'm sorry, since the mother is considered as a direct bloodline, it won't do, I think their father-" the doctor explained but Sho interrupted.
"I'm their dad, Sakurai-desu.” He asked controlling his tears. Sho shifted his hand on Shi's side making it so that they were standing side by side and his other hand shook hands with the doctor.
"Oh, o-of course.” The doctor was shocked seeing Sakurai Sho in front of him. “ But~" the doctor started again but was cut in midsentence.
"But what doctor?" Sho asked impatiently.
"But the donor shouldn't have taken any alcohol for at-"
"If that's the case, then there's no problem doctor, I haven't taken alcohol for about two weeks now." Sho answered determinedly.
"Oh, okay. Follow me please, we should take necessary precautions before the blood transfer." The doctor told him and entered the ER.
Sho looked at Shi, "Be strong Shi, you're kids are still fighting.. " but Shi started to cry again.." Shsshhh.. hang in there love, I already promise didn't I?"
"Sakurai-san?" the nurse called this time. "Sensei is waiting."
"Hai," Sho nodded to the nurse and glanced at his sister who was watching all that was happening. "Mai, please make sure Shi eats something."
"Hai. I will oniichan. Ganbare!" Mai said.
Sho then turned towards Shi, "Promise me that you will also fight for your kids." He smiled, she nodded. He embraced her once again and kissed her before letting go. "Jya~ see you later."
Sho hurried where the nurse told him to go.
++++++++++++++++++
“This morning, in front of the Tokyo Station, two kids who were said to be the kids of idol and newscaster, Sakurai Sho, were attacked by fans.…causing them to be put up in a critical condition and were immediately brought to the hospital….”
“It was all over the news!” Shige exclaimed while watching the tv, slightly pissed because the station had cut his favorite morning show because of the breaking news.
“And over the internet, and over the radio, and over all stations..” Masuda smirked, his hands continually pressing the remote control, hoping to find a channel that was not airing the news about Sho and the twins but it was no luck.
“Hey, I think I must’ve seen these kids somewhere..” Ryo was keenly observing the newspaper in his hand particularly the blurred picture.
“Let me see,” Yamapi snatched the paper and looked closely, Yuya peeping in from behind.
“Ah! The elevator!” Yuya shouted, his index finger pointing on top. He was about to say something further when their greenroom door opened and in came Ikuta Toma.
“Ne~ Pi, had you seen the news?” Toma asked in an anxious tone before occupying the empty couch beside Koyama.
“Hey, where are your manners mate? don’t just enter someone’s room!” Yamapi shook his head disapprovingly seeing his bestfriend. “Oh, and about the news, who wouldn’t?”
“You bet Toma-kun. It was all over!” Shige was still pissed.
“Do you think its true?” Toma asked.
“hmm. I dunno. Although we were just saying that we had seen those kids.. and..” Yuya wasn’t able to finish his sentence.
“And what?” Koyama, who wasn’t with them in the elevator that time asked curiously.
“And I say, the boy did resemble Sakurai-sempai.” Ryo chuckled and added, “even the attitude matches..”
“Whoaa~ wait, maji?” Toma asked a bit dumbfounded.
“Erm.. we’re not sure though.. why don’t we asked them instead?” Masuda suggested although the idea was a bit ridiculous.
“Who?”
“Arashi-sempai of course!” Masuda was smiling.
“Choto..I don’t think it’s a good idea..” Yamapi said hesitantly.
“But it was brilliant!” Yuya said mischievously, his mind was thinking it’s a good opportunity for him to have a chance. If Sakurai-sempai have kids already, then there’s no point for Tetsuka Shi-chan and him to be together.. He thought.
++++++++++++
“Wait.. I’m really not sure about this..” Yamapi was still reluctant despite going with them.
After a bit of planning, the guys from NEWS together with Ikuta Toma went off to find ARASHI’s greenroom. Since it was still early in the morning, a lot of rooms beside the group’s greenroom were vacant so they didn’t have to worry about the possibility of others seeing them.
“Shhhshh.. we’re here.” Yuya said. He was about to knock on the door which was slightly opened when they heard Jun’s voice, who was unaware of their presence. The guys stood closely and listen, while Yamapi chose to be the lookout as he was the only one unenthusiastic about it. Add the fact that what the guys were doing, were clearly something they should not in the first place.
“Stop crying will you?” Jun’s tone was somewhat pissed. “Crying won’t do us any good.”
“Then what do you suggest Jun?”
They heard Aiba sniffed. Nino’s convincing yet somehow worried tone was the next thing they heard.
“Shut up Masaki! The twins are still fighting, and Sho was there right now, so please stop worrying.. all of us are worried okay?..instead of crying, I think we should see Johnny-san.”
“So its true huh?” Shige whispered as they continued listening on their sempai’s conversation. This time it was Ohno who had spoken.
“Yeah.. Kazu’s right.. Johnny-san probably knows what to do.. since he’s more aware of that matter than us.”
“Wait. Johnny-san knows????” Masuda couldn’t believe what he had just heard that he had risen his voice a little louder that earned him a prod in the head from Ryo who was pondering upon every words that he was hearing.
“Since he’s more aware, then I guess, we better think of a way to deal with this matter, wait I have an idea,”
“What is it Nino-chan?”
“There you go boys. I think you’ve heard enough.” The manager of ARASHI was standing behind NEWS and Ikuta Toma, with a stern expression on his face. “Eavesdropping is not good, especially if it’s done with my boys. So back off please?”
With that said, he stormed his way passed the still-in-a-shock state guys and opened the greenroom door widely, revealing himself and their uninvited guests. Seconds later, his voice roared inside and outside the room.
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT BOYS? DO YOU REALLY WANT YOUR MANAGER TO DIE IN THIS STATE? WHERE IS THAT SAKURAI SHO?” Manager-san shouted.
“Gomen.. gomen..” Jun apologized. “We didn’t expect things to turn out like this..”
“Manager-san,. Sorry if we keep this from you..” Aiba was still shocked upon seeing the NEWS and Ikuta in front of their room.
“Anou~ Manager-san, Sho was in the hospital.. Two kids’ lives were at stake here..”
“DO YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT OHNO-SAN? ITS ALL OVER THE NEWS YOU IDIOT! AND THE NEXT TIME YOU TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING THIS BIG, MAKE SURE YOUR DOOR IS CLOSED, ELSE, SOMEONE OR RATHER SOME GROUP,..” and turned towards the NEWS member and Ikuta, “MIGHT OVERHEAR YOU.!”
“What’s the deal Manager-san? At least they’re from Johnny’s and not from outside..RULES still apply to them.” Nino said cautiously while looking closely at their kohai.
The members of NEWS and Ikuta stared at each other, unable to move from where they were standing. Whether from fear or from the absurdity of the situation they were in, one thing they knew: this particularly sempai of them, no matter how brat he might look like, Ninomiya Kazunari is not someone whom they dare to mess up with.
“BE GRATEFUL YOU BRAT! IF THEY ARE FROM OUTSIDE, I SWEAR, IT’LL KILL ME.” Manager-san heaved a heavy sigh and stared at them. Age lines creased in his forehead, his wrinkled eyes that a while ago staged a pierced look was now replaced with a genuine concern for the boys he was managing for a long time now. “Now tell me, what is it that you want to discuss with Kitagawa-san?” He spoke softly.
“Oh.. about that..I think we don’t need an audience now, do we?” Nino smirked at his kohai who were still wearing looks that was a mixture of relieved and fright.
“Oh… gomen sempai,” Yamapi bowed in behalf of his group, the others followed suit and left afterwards, while nudging each other asking who was to blame that they experienced that moment.
When the guys were out of their sight, Manager-san locked the door and asked in a calm voice, “Now let us hear your idea brat.”
+++++++++++++++++
“This is too much!” Sakurai-san crumpled the newspaper and pounded the table the same time when his wife entered his study room. “My God! They’re just kids!”
“Anata!” Yuko hurried over her husband’s side and stopped him from hitting the table again.
“I knew it was bound to happen, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon! Those people are crazy!” He hissed angrily. “And that son of yours Yuko! How could he be so careless?”
“Dear, don’t forget Sho is yours too. If there was someone who was most grieved with what had happened, I believed it was our son, afterall, his kids were the ones who’re hurt. If we, his parents, will blame him, who would support him then?”
“But still, what was he thinking? He knew that with the kind of job he has, there was a danger yet he chose to go out with his kids? Anyway, how are they? How was their mother coping?”
“Mai called, she said that Shi-chan fainted upon seeing the kids, right now she was still in distress and wouldn’t eat anything..”
“Tsk. It must have been a shock to her.. and it happened after getting along with Sho again, if I knew better, I shouldn’t have let those two reconcile..” Sakurai-san started kneading his temples and turned at his wife, “How about Sho?” he inquired.
“Mai told me that he had arrived awhile ago for blood transfer, but there was no progress as the operation was still going on,” Yuko told him and proceeded on kneading her husband’s temple for him. “What do you plan now?”
“My assistant called me just now. Some reporters crowded outside the building wanting a statement from me regarding the news surrounding Sho. Someone had let it slip that the twins were first spotted during my official party,” Sakurai told his wife the thing about the article he read.
“Oh!” She gasped. “What do we do now?”
“I told him to do as much as he can to send those reporters away; in the meantime, I will stay here in the house, and will have him update me in detail.”
“How about Reiko? Have you contacted her?”
“Yes, but she was out of the country, unfortunately she had an urgent business to attend to, but she said that temporary precautions should be addressed, so she told me that the best way is to call that old man Kitagawa Johnny-san,”
“What did Kitagawa-san have to do with this?” Yuko asked worriedly.
“Oh, Reiko believed that the old man knows best how to hush the media for awhile, besides, I believed those guys from Arashi wouldn’t just sit and let matters as it is,”
“Aren’t we going to help them?”
“No. let them be.. If I know them better, those kids were probably cooking up some things about how to deal with the situation. Apparently, whether they like it or not, their careers were also at stake here, so they can’t afford to get sloppy with this one.”
“Are you sure its best to leave things in their hands?” Sakurai-mama was still anxious.
“Trust me dear, those kids need to have their own taste of trials so that they could learn and grow..” Sakurai-san smiled knowingly at his wife.
“Okay.. then I guess, I better prepare some food for Shi-chan, that kid.. according to Mai, she’d done all the possible means to persuade her, but still, Shi-chan wouldn’t eat anything.. I felt bad for her.” Yuko frowned remembering the conversation she had with Mai and nodded at his husband before leaving the room.
“Take care then, and as possible don’t leave her side.. she certainly needs it right now..” He told his wife and began placing a call, “Now, its time to talk with old man Kitagawa-san.”
++++++++++++
“Sir, it was positive. Sakurai Sho was seen around the hospital’s facilities just now,” the investigator told him.
“Oh.. good then,” Kitagawa Johnny san sat across his table, his eyes wandered outside the busy streets through his windows. Thank God.. I just hope the twins were safe.. Thinking about what had happened, he nearly got himself into another heart attack if not for the news about Sho going to the hospital right away. He didn’t want to admit, but it somehow calmed him knowing how the idol was exerting his effort despite knowing the risk of being exposed. His thought might have coincided with the idol’s thought, because that moment, nothing was ever so important to him than the lives of the kids. “How about the media?”
“It was going wild sir. The longer we hold our tongue about the issue, the more it is getting complicated,” Investigator-san reported.
“And the damage?” Johnny inquired, his eyes still focused outside.
“It was not that much, since Sakurai’s dad was still silent about the issue linking his party with the twins, reporters were doubting the validity of that news. Some civilian even questioned if it was really Sakurai Sho on the picture. But still, we need to take precautions.”
Raising an eyebrow, he turned to look at the investigator. “Like what?”
“Although Sakurai Sho had initiated to wear a disguise when he arrived at the hospital, we need to make sure that the hospital management will be held silent about the matter, especially the doctors and nurses who had seen him. Plus we need to conceal the identity of Tetsuka Shi-sama.”
“How about the identity of the twins?”
“I believed, the reporters were able to infiltrate their school.. Nonetheless, they must’ve gotten the twins’ name by now, but I doubt about their last name, since it was you who prevented the management..”
“No worries then,” Johnny-san felt relieved hearing that. “How long will it take to silence the hospital management?”
“My men were currently working on it, but we still have a problem,”
“What is it?”
“The Sakurai family-“
“Oh, no need, I just have a talk with Sakurai-san a while ago, it was to our advantage that he’s a politician,” Johnny told investigator-san. “Anything else?”
“About the fans, they were outraged, we need to do something about them. Especially those from ARASHI fans.”
“I’ll deal with them..” There was a beep on his intercom. He pushed the button and asked his secretary, “What is it?”
“Sir, ARASHI-san and their manager were here to see you,” the secretary said.
“Let them in.”
++++++++++++++++
"Now we will begin the press conference" Manager-san announced and everyone in the hall settled.
Reporters, journalists, bystanders, employees, even some of the idols were present. Prior to the conference, a large screen was placed outside the building where fans were watching and waiting for one of the biggest announcement that will happen in the history of Johnny's Jimusho.
Inside the hall, the guys sat uncomfortably, each bore different emotions deep inside, but still managed to look calm on the outside.
3 days ago
"We're really sorry Johnny-san, we should have been more careful." It was Ohno who had spoken first, taking his responsibility as the leader.
"Oh I see that there's only the four of you, I wonder where the other member is.." the old man eyed them curiously.
"He's in the hospital right now.." Aiba bowed his head remembering that the twins were in critical condition.
"Were you talking about this morning's paper?" He asked them calmly.
The guys nodded.
"And what was your insight about it Ninomiya-san?" Johnny asked Nino who was shocked that the old man knew his name.
"Those fans were crazy!" Nino hissed in anger. He can't help it.
"And do you realize that those fans were actually the one who is responsible for your fame?" He asked again.
"Demo Johnny-san, it was a serious crime to assault people, more so, they're just kids!" Jun answered this time.
"Then what do you want to do to calm your fans?"
"We came here for a proposal.." Aiba replied.
"Oh, let me hear it then.."
No one could grasp how the jimusho managed to silenced the reporters about the recent incidents which had caused a great uproar especially in the entertainment world until the day of their proposal. During those three days, diverse speculations rose up, insights could be heard inside the building, some nearly got the gist of it, but no one, except NEWS and Ikuta Toma, was able to come up 100% of the truth.
That day was now.
"Konnichiwa min'na-san, ARASHI-desu," Clearing his throat, it was Jun who first spoke. "Thank you for coming, especially the fans outside the hall that are always supporting us. You never let us down, and in return, we in ARASHI, also never wanted to let you down.”
"You are always there for us, during our good times and even in bad times. You laugh with us and you cry with us." Aiba furthered, tears forming in his eyes, which were clearly seen on the screen that made the fans gasped and others frowned.
"The recent events,.it was hard and I know, it was also hard for you too. And the reason why we held this conference is that we wanted, with all our strength outstretched, to lessen that burden which you guys were probably feeling right now." Nino talked.
"So min'na, spare with us some of your time, your ears and your heart to listen. Onegaishimasu." Ohno stood and the others followed.
"Onegaishimasu" five heads bowed together.
Seeing their idols with that gesture, fans outside the hall grew silent realizing the weight of the matter, as if telling them that they will listen until the end.
Inside the hall, camera flashed here and then and the guys resumed their sitting position.
"All people had their own circumstances" Ohno started, "This was said by our boss and jimusho’s father, Kitagawa-san, himself. As I pondered upon those words, I realized that he was right. In our case, even idols had their own circumstances. And by that all are not exempted to the fact that everyone makes mistakes, that in the end, they either regret it or be thankful for it."
"Even idols were not excused from that fact..there had been a lot of times that we faced trials, scandals that nearly ruin everything from where we started but you, our fans, stayed with us, believed in us and understood us. After those past storms on each idols' lives, you had always welcomed us with open arms and with hearts that always reached out to us..." Nino continued.
"We are humans..It just so happened that this time around, it was one of our members who committed a mistake..”
Taking a deep breath, Jun spoke again to the crowd after a long pause. “Please hear him out, our member, who is a rapper, a newscaster, and lastly, there's no point denying, now a father, Sakurai Sho." Jun ended.
Upon hearing those introductory words, everyone held their breaths, outside or inside the hall, no one wanted to break the deafening stillness among them, despite having the intuition of what will it be especially after hearing the word 'father'. Some even gasped and couldn’t hide their tears mixed with an onset of remorse and indignation.
"Min'na arigatou gozaimashita for coming here." Sho stood and repeated the gesture they'd done a while ago. "This will be a little long, but I plead with deepest sincerity, for you to listen, to hear my heart, hoping that in one way or another I'll be able to reach your heart also.." Sho shifted his attention to the camera which was connected to the screen outside the hall.
"Let me begin from five years ago.."
++++++++++++++++++++++
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