TakaNoo Fic: Decisions
Title: Decisions
Author: the_fey_girl11
Pairing: Takaki Yuya x Inoo Kei
Summary: Inoo decides against his heart
Disclaimer: I own nothing. The boys own each other, however.
Sometimes, Inoo Kei wonders if his life was a series of bad decisions.
As a young impressionable boy of 10 and watching celebrities on cooking shows made him dream of joining the entertainment industry. So much so, that he had to beg his mom to sign his application for Johnny's Jimusho because really, he wanted to be a guest on Bistro Smap and have Japan's biggest idols then, cook for him all the delicious food his heart and stomach desires.
Rightfully, being a Johnny's idol got him tasting equally savory and unsavory dishes. Thanks to the sadistic staff at Itadaki High Jump and Little Tokyo Life. Though, he has yet to guest on Bistro Smap, if he'd ever guest at all, given the current circumstances.
By the time he got into Meiji University, he had to ask permission from Julie Kitagawa that he be allowed to pursue his studies in Architecture. Inoo knew he had a good hand at drawing. And making buildings and houses, especially since Japan is earthquake prone, intensified his resolve at being an architect one day. Besides, it was something to fall back on when he can no longer sing or dance or act cute in front of swooning teenage girls.
Suprisingly, Julie gave her approval though not without consequences, of course. That is to say, Inoo's presence in Hey!Say!Jump was kept to a minimum. People almost never noticed him there, with him delegated to the background most of the time, his voice heard only in the chorus of the group's songs and solo projects and guestings were things he never bothered with. Almost like he was being punished for choosing solid education over fame and popularity.
But then, Inoo never thought of it that way. He'd rather get his diploma, secure his future (because one can only be an idol for so long) and, make his parents prouder.
Juggling school work and his limited activities in Jump was quite advantageous to Inoo. He was able to forge deep friendships with his bandmates particularly, Yabu, Hikaru, Daiki and Chinen. And somewhere along the way, he had noticed how his heart speeds up just a little whenever Takaki Yuya looks his way.
They had never hit it off instantly. Somehow, he was kind of self conscious around the guy and it didn't help that the latter was a bit distant to begin with. Maybe it was fate or the fact that aside from being in one group they were also in a sub unit together. Gradually, they became more comfortable with each other. Though, Inoo's heart seems to have a mind of its own, still speeding up just a bit faster whenever Yuya would laugh out loud or whenever Yuya sat beside him during their group dinners or whenever Yuya would be telling them stories about his trips to the beach or basically, whenever Yuya was around, really.
The year he graduated from Meiji University, Yabu and Hikaru organized another karaoke outing with all the Best members in attendance. It was an impromptu celebration of Inoo's educational achievement. They had fun singing hit songs that seem to span the years Inoo has spent in Uni, though he had no idea how Daiki was able to come up with such a list. The boys were loud and most were drunkenly singing out of tune, something all Johnnys seem to have a penchant for whenever they were not obliged to perform on stage. Their voice coaches would have cringed if they heard them now.
In the middle of a senpai song that Yabu, Hikaru and Daiki were magnificently bastardizing with rap verses and beatboxing, Yuya had pulled Inoo aside to give him a little velvet box. Inoo could only stare dumfounded, looking up to see Yuya, blushing beet red.
"It's a graduation gift." Yuya told him, gesturing at the little box Inoo held in his hand. A smile made it's way across Inoo's face. "Open it."
With palms suddenly sweaty, Inoo tried hard to stop his hand from shaking as he opened Yuya's gift. Inside was a venetian link id bracelet in silver with his initials engraved on it.
"Takaki, it's.." speechless, Inoo can't still wrap his head around the fact that Yuya had taken time to buy a gift for him. "Thank you." Inoo smiled up at Yuya as he opened the clasp and wore the bracelet around his wrist.
Yuya was looking at him funny and Inoo can't help but look back at him. His mouth had gone dry, probably from the bottles of beer he had been consuming, or maybe it was because Yuya had closed his hand around his wrist, the one with the bracelet, and pulled Inoo close to him.
Inoo swore he almost died when Yuya leaned closer to whisper in his ear.
"Listen Kei, I really like you." Yuya's deep voice rang clearly in his ear as if they were the only two people present in the room. "I have liked you for a very long time, now."
He pulled back just a little as Takaki's words and what they meant washed over him. Inoo wonders if he made the right decision then when he answered. "I like you, too Yuya."
Inoo thinks that one of the best things of having a boyfriend is knowing that out of all the people in the world, another person has chosen you to be with. Yuya had chosen him. That even though Yuya was constantly being rumoured with all those women, Inoo never got jealous. He was sure he has Yuya's heart as Yuya has his.
He always looks forward to spending all his free time with his boyfriend. Now that he was done with school, he had a lot of time to spare. Inoo enjoyed the little out of town trips Yuya would plan for them. It was easier to be themselves whenever they were away from Tokyo. Inoo is a very tactile person and being physically affectionate with his boyfriend is something that he enjoys most of all.
It's a good thing that Jump was very accepting of their relationship and that they can be all cuddly and sweet even in the presence of the other members. Inoo was having the best time of his life. He had finished his degree, he has a stupidly cute and hot boyfriend and he had a job that a lot of guys could only dream of.
Life was perfect and it was about to get better. Inoo was finally cast in a drama together with Hikaru. It was his first full length drama in a long time. The management meeting that he and his manager Satomi san had just attended left them with a list of activities that Inoo was slated to do now that he can concentrate full time on being an idol.
The positive feedback that came from him being able to graduate from University reflected back to the Jimusho. That management believed it was high time that they make full use of Inoo's recent popularity and give him as many projects as possible.
Overwhelmed was an understatement, as Inoo looked over the list of projects on his once barren schedule. Suddenly, there were casting calls, production meetings, solo photoshoots, radio shows and a possible hosting stint on Mezamashi. Inoo took to the tasks as eagerly as he can. The joke of wanting to be more popular had become a reality.
As a result, Inoo had thrown himself enthusiastically in all the projects being given to him. The dramas seem to come one after the other, the tv appearances and that regular stint on Mezamashi, never mind if he had to get up really early for the show and suddenly, everyone in Japan knew his name. His face was displayed on various magazines, not only with the rest of Jump but all by himself on the covers.
But then, fame never came without a price. Yet, Inoo stubbornly believed he can get away with it. All of his days off, as sparse as they were, were all spent with Yuya. Even though he tried to stay awake most of the time but failed to do so. He was just so tired and so in need of sleep. But Inoo thought Yuya wouldn't mind. After all, even with him sleeping at least he was asleep beside Yuya. That would count for something. Wouldn't it?
Everything was going rather well in Inoo's opinion. Until that little incident at the back of the club in Ropponggi where Yuya was celebrating his birthday with him and some friends. At the heat of the moment, a drunken moment, Inoo had thrown all caution to the wind as he heatedly kissed his boyfriend in public.
The backlash was horribly looking back at him in polaroid. The photos on the table were screaming at him and he had wanted to cry. Not because he regrets kissing Yuya but because they weren't careful. In the end, it was his boyfriend who got suspended. Yuya's schedule was wiped out except for his Jump activites while Inoo's was full to the brim.
It was a sound business judgement, management had told them. Since Inoo's activities have already been full swing even before the 'scandal' happened, whereas Yuya's were still being negotiated and with the latter's track record for clubbing and being linked with girls, it made more sense to suspend Yuya's activities until the issue dies down.
"Nothing's going to change." Inoo felt the conviction in his words. "We just need to be more careful. Right?" Yet somehow he felt a bit unsure. Though management did not order them to break up, they were told not to be seen together unless it was on camera or on stage.
"Yuya," Inoo hesitantly placed his hand on the other man's. Yuya had been strangely quiet ever since they left the meeting. Not that Inoo can blame him. Who wouldn't be in his case? "I'm sorry." Inoo whispered insecurely.
Yuya interlaced their fingers still without saying a word and turned to give Inoo a smile.
"I'm not."
Sometimes Inoo wonders if he loves Yuya as much as the latter loves him. With his schedule as packed as it is and with Yuya practically free most of the time, the best that he can give his boyfriend are quick phonecalls during breaks from filming and a couple of hours during his days off where he promptly falls asleep from sheer exhaustion, not long after plopping down the couch, leaving Yuya watching him as he sleeps.
Guilty though he may be of neglecting his boyfriend, Inoo can't do much about it. Not with his workload that management seems to increase as the days go by. Yuya had always told him that he supports Inoo and is proud of how far he has come with this career as an idol. And Inoo believes him.
Satomi san handed Inoo plane tickets for Singapore right after the concert. Jump was in the middle of their summer tour and Inoo looked at the tickets, puzzled as to why he has them.
"We're meeting the executives of a local brand that you will be endorsing." Satomi san informed him. "I'll brief you on the specifics once we're en route. I'll have the car come pick you up tomorrow and Inoo, pack light."
"Kei."
Inoo turned at the sound of Yuya's voice. His boyfriend appeared at the doorway of the dressing room. Satomi san gave the other man a quick look over and turned back to Inoo.
"Don't stay out late. We have an early flight."
Inoo nodded at his manager and gave his boyfriend a look that meant they would have to forgo the plans they made that night.
If Inoo knew beforehand what the trip to Singapore meant, he wouldn't have come. Screw management and screw his career. He tried calling Yuya's number again after getting his voice message for the nth time that day. Inoo knew the pictures of him with that AV actress would no doubt be all over the news right now.
But it was his fault. He had let himself be photographed with her while they were lounging by the hotel's infinity pool and he even gamely went with her to an amusement park. Satomi san assured him it would be good publicity for the cm they were going to shoot together. Apparently, she was also an endorser of the same brand. What Inoo did not bargain for was the romantic angle that the media was speculating on.
"Kei, I know." Yuya said gently after Inoo had tried to explain the whole situation. "Look, let's talk about this when you get back, okay?"
"But, Yuya" Inoo protested but his boyfriend cut him off.
"When you get back, Kei."
There were no shouting, no dramatics, and no fighting. When Inoo arrived back in Tokyo, he had asked to be dropped off at Yuya's apartment. Satomi san looked like he wanted to say something but held himself back. Instead he instructed the driver to bring Inoo to the address.
As soon as Yuya opened the door Inoo had dropped his carry on luggage and gave his boyfriend a tight hug. Yuya hugged him back just as fiercely. They needed no words that night.
When Inoo looks back on that night, he knew without a doubt that he loves Yuya more than anything in the world. He would do anything to make him happy and to see him shine.
With his eyes fixed on the tv monitor watching a playback of Jump's latest pv that they were currently filming, Inoo can't stop his breath from catching when he saw Yuya on the front line up with his bright eyes shining like the star that he is.
Inoo knew then that he had made the right decision to let him go.