The Haunting (十九)
Title: Love So Sweet
Pairing: Juntoshi (Side pairing: future Sakuraiba)
Rating: PG 13 overall
Summary: Just how much could a dream change your life?
The Haunting (十九)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jun was grumbling.
Arashi (minus Sho) was on a large bus headed for their last shooting location of the trip. The reason for his discomfort was the dead weight draped over his right side. Aiba had passed out on him due to exhaustion from all their running around that day.
Jun had to admit it had been fun to do some off-site shoots with his friends and various comedians; that was, until the last guests had been revealed. Then he’d had to deal with the obsessive Matsujun fan Ooshima sitting on his lap during musical chairs and begging to be fed by him later. The only thing that made it bearable was seeing the jealous pout on Leader’s face.
His boyfriend had mostly returned to his usual spacey, cheerful self, much to Jun and Satoshi’s parents’ relief. Ohno’s mother was worried Rie’s less than ideal reaction to their talks would dishearten her son, but Ohno seemed determined to put the whole thing behind him.
Yoshie, as she had insisted Jun call her, hadn’t given up on getting through the woman’s thick head that their sons were actually in a healthy relationship.
I can’t understand why my mother is so set on hating Satoshi.
Said fisherman was attempting to reel in a salmon on Nino’s DS as its owner was watching over Ohno’s shoulder, trying to figure out why Leader was beating him at his own game. Jun didn’t want to deprive them of their fun, but he wished someone would trade seats with him. Aiba’s pillow was usually Sho, but since the rapper was out of the country at the moment, Jun got the job.
Jun’s thoughts turned to wonder why Arashi always felt strangely unbalanced when one of their members was absent for a while. The group had never felt this as strongly as when Ohno was in the hospital. The idols had been surprised by the number of times one of them would turn around to show Leader something, only to face an empty couch.
This week it was Sho, as he’d been appointed the main caster for the Beijing Olympics. They did talk to him most days, but it still felt weird that he wasn’t there with them. Aiba kept pouting when something reminded him of the rapper, so the other members had appeased Aiba by letting him buy an excessive amount of souvenirs for Sakurai. Little did they know that was going to backfire on them.
Jun felt the bus slow a bit and he pulled himself from his musings. The middle aged driver said over his shoulder to the group, “We’ll be there in five, boys.”
Matsumoto shoved Aiba off unceremoniously and stretched his sore arm above his head. The miracle boy blearily looked around and pouted when he realized Sho still wasn’t there. Jun didn’t say anything, but just ruffled his friend’s hair.
Arriving at their destination at nearly midnight, the members shuffled out of the bus and into a dark parking lot. Their co-hosts from Himitsu, Nakajima and Matsushima, were waiting to explain the producer’s next hare-brained scheme.
A haunted hospital?
Jun was not pleased, mainly because he knew they would all be filmed looking rather ridiculous. The group’s tension dropped further when the kimono clad comedian Ohtani introduced himself as an exceptional ghost story teller.
As soon as the cameras weren’t rolling, Aiba let out a soft whimper, clutching onto Ohno’s arm. “Le~ader. I don’t wanna go.”
The older man smiled softly, “Why not? It seems like fun.” Ohno patted his friend on the head playfully. “Nothing bad’ll happen to you. Don’t worry.”
Jun snorted, then glanced at Aiba. They both knew it was silly advice, but hearing it from Leader’s mouth still had a calming effect.
“Oh-chan, won’t you be the one that’s freaking out?” Nino froze as the snarky remark left his lips, wincing at the glare Jun was giving him. The members had been avoiding the topic of Ohno’s panic attacks, especially since their friend finally seemed to be getting better. “Sorry-”
Ohno shook his head and gave a wry grin. “It’s true. But...I think I understand now... there’s no one trying to hurt me here... and it’s hard to be scared when you guys are with me. Especially Jun.” The pointed grin sent Jun’s way warmed his heart. Matsumoto was relieved to know his special someone felt protected around him.
Aiba was awwing over the exchange, poking the shorter man’s cheek, while Ohno tried to swat away the finger. Jun was happily watching the two goof around when Nino passed behind him, whispering, “I’ll make sure the director doesn’t separate you two.”
Jun whispered back over his shoulder, “Thanks Nino.”
Once the staff had finished struggling to get a camp fire going, everyone reluctantly settled in to listen to Ohtani’s creepy story about a woman with the sixth sense and her deceased uncle. Everyone felt the hairs rise on the back of their necks, except a certain artist.
Aiba swallowed hard and wished the fire was warmer, while Jun shifted his leg to press against Ohno’s, wanting a bit of comfort too. His boyfriend glanced at him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
Brat.
After the chilling story came to a close, Nakajima tried to redirect everyone’s attention by announcing who was going with who for their courage tests. Although Nino made a fuss about being paired with Aiba, none of the group members missed the fake sarcastic tone the gamer used as he dragged the taller man away.
With nothing better to do but wait for the first two to finish their turn, the couple found a spot away from the staff members to relax. Leader sat down at Jun’s side with a pensive look on his face.
“Something on your mind?”
Ohno glanced sideways at him and then down at his own hands. “I talked to Mom this morning. I told her she didn’t have to try so hard to convince your mother. Then she scolded me, of course. She said this was one of the first times I’ve ever asked her for help with anything, so she won’t give up yet.”
Jun snorted lightly. “Sounds like your Mom.”
“I just didn’t want her to worry anymore.”
“Satoshi, I think she knows that. She’s just doing what she can for you.”
Ohno hummed his understanding and leaned against his shoulder. They sat in silence for a bit, and Jun would never admit it, but he was chilled by a shout belonging to a frightened Aiba echoing from the shutdown hospital just then.
Himitsu’s AD Kiku-chan called them over when Aiba and Nino’s turn was almost up. The pair came half running out of the hospital door towards the filming crew. They gave some vague hints about what startled them, but since Aiba was grinning rather widely, the lovers knew it was a sign not to worry.
Leader was right then. No need to panic... So why am I still worried?
A nervous Jun suggested the couple go holding hands and grabbed Satoshi’s a little too tight in his. Unable to calm down, Matsujun did what he always did when he got worked up. Talk.
He commented on the temperature, the poor lighting, little decorations, and where he thought the cameras were hidden. All the while, Ohno just let him chatter on, but he did grin when Jun yelled in surprise at an unexpectedly slam from a closing door. Matsujun lightly bumped his shoulder against Ohno’s in mock irritation.
After collecting a cell phone and camera from a locker in the dark hallway, they entered the first room and read the instructions painted on a sign. They were to take turns sitting on a chair in front of some ugly mannequins and take a snapshot.
They both knew something was going to happen here, so Satoshi raised his eyebrow in a silent question.
"I’ll go first.” Jun wanted to get this over with. His nervousness subsided when he saw his boyfriend struggling to work the Polaroid camera, relaxing a bit to laugh at their situation.
“Say cheese,” Jun held up a peace sign for the photo and smiled in response. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, so Ohno took his place on the chair next. When the shorter man seemed comfortable, Jun took the picture. As the camera clicked, the wood chair suddenly dropped down a few inches from the platform it was resting on. Satoshi looked down in curiosity.
“Did you say anything?”
Ohno glanced up at him. “I didn’t.”
“You didn’t? As expected of Leader.”
Ohno rolled his eyes, but smiled when Matsujun put an arm over his shoulder. They left the gruesome room for a silent hallway. For a few seconds, the pair spun around wondering where they were supposed to go next. They were saved the trouble when Ohtani popped out of a locker at the end of the gloomy hallway, much to Jun’s surprise.
“Wuii-” He took a step back and bumped into Satoshi. “Ah, I said something again!”
Ohno shoved him forward so they could grab the cushions Ohtani was holding out. Knowing they were in for another ghost story, Jun pulled up his legs close to his chest, only to hear Satoshi snicker at him.
Ignoring his boyfriend and trying not to let the story get to him either, he sat stiffly as the temperature seemed to drop. Matsujun frowned uncomfortably until he heard his partner ask, “How many?” in reference to the number of spirits in the tale. He laughed because it was just like Leader to want some bizarre details, even about a ghost story.
Their story teller screwed up his expression in confusion by the random question and while he was struggling to come up with an answer, Jun felt the air get warmer. He couldn’t help but giggle at Ohno’s antics.
Shaking his head, he dragged the shorter man off to complete their trip around the hospital. They started to climb the stairs to the next level, but Jun still didn’t let go of Ohno’s hand. He glanced up to see Satoshi with a shy pleased expression at his simple display of affection and he grudgingly came to the decision that haunted places weren’t so bad.
He felt a tug on his hand, so he looked back again, expecting Satoshi to say something sappy in the darkened stairwell. Instead, the shorter man was gazing back at a door behind them. Puzzled, he waited for Satoshi to say something, but the older man just met his gaze and jerked his head in the direction he’d just been facing.
It was then Jun noticed the quiet shuffling noise from behind a door leading off the stairs. Opening his mouth to ask how Ohno had heard the subtle noise, he was stopped as one of Ohno’s fingers pressed on his lips. Leader released his hand and went over to the mysterious door, promptly ripping it open.
The man dressed as a zombie standing behind it let out a startled yelp and raised his arms in surprise. The couple shared a long laugh. Jun felt much more relaxed when they were finally able to continue on to the next challenge.
The moving gurneys in the following room didn’t surprise them much, but Ohno snickered again when Jun yelled at a hair stuck on the doorknob leading to the final room.
“This is so annoying!”
Jun stalked into the morgue, ready to give whoever was waiting a piece of his mind, but it was only occupied with a single mannequin and a tripod. Sighing, he took the automatic switch for the camera, looking around as his nervousness returned.
Even Ohno could feel the tense atmosphere and groaned, “This isn’t good...”
Suspecting something would happen when he hit the button, Jun steeled himself to stay silent. Sure enough, many hands popped through the fake wall behind them, reaching to grab the idols. They whirled away from the trick wall and although Ohno was nearly giggling, Jun kicked the wall for good measure.
He turned to leave, but found the door wouldn’t open yet. Matsujun muttered darkly.
The pair watched as smoke billowed into the room, only to clear and reveal a ridiculously dressed Ooshima in zombie makeup and a cheap tiara. She outstretched her hands and tried to mutter in a low voice, but all Jun and Ohno could do was laugh at her, even when the other zombies from behind the trick wall joined her in trying to terrify the idols.
Hearing the door click open behind them, Jun grabbed his boyfriend’s hand and hightailed it out of Ooshima’s reach. They quickly left the hospital and met up with their co-hosts, but Ooshima persistently followed after, much to Jun’s irritation.
Satoshi caught his attention with a grin. Matsujun shook his head of evil thoughts and smiled back.
Returning his attention to finish the show, they all burst out laughing when Nino was declared the unanticipated loser of the game. The gamer growled at being obligated to pay for Sho’s souvenirs, but seeing everyone’s happy expressions, he only sighed and crossed his arms.
As soon as the director called for everyone to wrap up the equipment, the four members trekked back to the bus. Running ahead, Aiba was loudly vowing that he would convince the director to do this again and that next time, he wanted to be paired with Sho, and only Sho. Nino looked quite ill at the hinted suggestion that he might have to go by himself.
Feeling something was out of place, Jun was alarmed by the fact Ooshima was still following them. Spinning around to confront her, he demanded, “Where do you think you're going?”
She stopped like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. Jun scrunched his eyebrows together and pointed in the other direction. “Your van is over there.”
Ooshima pressed her forefingers together and looked down with a shy (but in Matsumoto’s opinion, disturbing) expression. “I thought I could catch a ride back with you guys. There’s so much for the two of us to talk about-”.
Jun put his hands on his hips in a “no-nonsense” stance. He wanted to tell her, “I put up with you for work and work only,” but it seemed a little harsh, even for the DoS. He glanced over at the bus to see Satoshi waiting for him with an anxious look. Ohno knew Jun could barely stand to be around the exasperating woman for limited periods of time.
Taking a breath, Matsujun looked at Ooshima squarely. “It’s time we had a talk.”
The chubby comedian perked up and started for Arashi’s bus again, but Jun sidestepped in front of her again.
“You seem to be under the impression we could be a couple. Under what bizarre reasoning did you come to that conclusion?”
Ooshima smiled. “But we get along so well and you always do everything I ask and you smile at me so sweetly and-”
Raising a hand to stop her list from growing, Jun regretted even asking. “Ooshima-san, I hardly have a choice." Once again, he struggled not to add the spiteful remark, "When the director orders me to follow your whim to make the show more interesting, I can’t just blatantly refuse,” as much as he really wanted to.
The woman’s face fell a bit, “But you don’t have a girlfriend and I thought I...”
“That’s where you’re off. I may not have a girlfriend, but I’ve already found the person who means everything to me.”
“Eh?... But I-”
Jun stepped forward and set his hands on her shoulders, face set in a serious expression. “Please understand that I’ve already got somebody waiting for me... and I’ve given my heart to him.”
Ooshima’s eyes darted to Ohno, who was watching the pair while biting his lip in worry, and in a flash of understanding, she deflated. Tears started to well up as she kept staring at the shorter man. “It’s him, isn’t it?”
Jun turned to gaze at Satoshi, and a sweet smile the comedian had never seen before graced the young man’s features. She sniffed loudly, knowing she was right.
“I’ve found my other half. Ooshima-san, you’re a nice woman. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding someone.”
She frowned, but nodded. Jun was pretty sure he’d broken her heart, but it was something unavoidable if he ever wanted her to realize his real feelings. “I gotta go. He’s waiting for me.”
The short woman sniffed again and rubbed a hand across her eyes. “If it doesn’t work out...” She left the open-ended invitation unsaid.
Jun ruffled her short hair and left her watching his retreating form. She had a sad smile on her face as she touched her hair.
Matsumoto strode directly to the shorter man and grabbed his hand with a grin. Ohno looked down at their intertwined fingers and then up to meet Jun’s eyes, a little surprised. “What happened?” Satoshi brushed his free hand against the taller man’s cheek, wondering why his boyfriend’s smile looked a little forced.
Jun closed his eyes and leaned into the warm touch, murmuring, “I’ve never liked turning down girls. They always seem to cry.”
Satoshi glanced back at the place Ooshima had been standing, but she’d already began to shuffle back to her assigned van. “Ah...” Then Ohno felt a painful flick on his forehead, shooting Jun an incredulous look, “Wha-?”
His tormentor smirked. “Don’t you go feeling sorry for her. She’ll be fine. I, on the other hand, demand retribution for all the times you’ve scoffed at me tonight. How is it anyway that you didn’t shout once?”
Ohno rubbed the sore spot and muttered something too quiet to hear. Annoyed, Jun pinned him against the bus and whispered in the shorter man’s ear, “What was that?”
Ohno stared at the ground as he repeated the words softly. This time Jun heard it.
“Because you were there.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note:
For anyone who hasn't seen the infamous Himitsu "Haunting" episodes, you are totally missing out. And for everyone who has, you should go watch them again. I love that Oh-chan seems half-asleep in them. <3
So, having finished planning ahead for Love So Sweet, it looks like it will end up being about 25 chapters with an epilogue. (That's if I don't get sidetracked somewhere...) Thank you to everyone for reading and look forward to the rest!
Surprise Visit (二十)
Pairing: Juntoshi (Side pairing: future Sakuraiba)
Rating: PG 13 overall
Summary: Just how much could a dream change your life?
The Haunting (十九)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jun was grumbling.
Arashi (minus Sho) was on a large bus headed for their last shooting location of the trip. The reason for his discomfort was the dead weight draped over his right side. Aiba had passed out on him due to exhaustion from all their running around that day.
Jun had to admit it had been fun to do some off-site shoots with his friends and various comedians; that was, until the last guests had been revealed. Then he’d had to deal with the obsessive Matsujun fan Ooshima sitting on his lap during musical chairs and begging to be fed by him later. The only thing that made it bearable was seeing the jealous pout on Leader’s face.
His boyfriend had mostly returned to his usual spacey, cheerful self, much to Jun and Satoshi’s parents’ relief. Ohno’s mother was worried Rie’s less than ideal reaction to their talks would dishearten her son, but Ohno seemed determined to put the whole thing behind him.
Yoshie, as she had insisted Jun call her, hadn’t given up on getting through the woman’s thick head that their sons were actually in a healthy relationship.
I can’t understand why my mother is so set on hating Satoshi.
Said fisherman was attempting to reel in a salmon on Nino’s DS as its owner was watching over Ohno’s shoulder, trying to figure out why Leader was beating him at his own game. Jun didn’t want to deprive them of their fun, but he wished someone would trade seats with him. Aiba’s pillow was usually Sho, but since the rapper was out of the country at the moment, Jun got the job.
Jun’s thoughts turned to wonder why Arashi always felt strangely unbalanced when one of their members was absent for a while. The group had never felt this as strongly as when Ohno was in the hospital. The idols had been surprised by the number of times one of them would turn around to show Leader something, only to face an empty couch.
This week it was Sho, as he’d been appointed the main caster for the Beijing Olympics. They did talk to him most days, but it still felt weird that he wasn’t there with them. Aiba kept pouting when something reminded him of the rapper, so the other members had appeased Aiba by letting him buy an excessive amount of souvenirs for Sakurai. Little did they know that was going to backfire on them.
Jun felt the bus slow a bit and he pulled himself from his musings. The middle aged driver said over his shoulder to the group, “We’ll be there in five, boys.”
Matsumoto shoved Aiba off unceremoniously and stretched his sore arm above his head. The miracle boy blearily looked around and pouted when he realized Sho still wasn’t there. Jun didn’t say anything, but just ruffled his friend’s hair.
Arriving at their destination at nearly midnight, the members shuffled out of the bus and into a dark parking lot. Their co-hosts from Himitsu, Nakajima and Matsushima, were waiting to explain the producer’s next hare-brained scheme.
A haunted hospital?
Jun was not pleased, mainly because he knew they would all be filmed looking rather ridiculous. The group’s tension dropped further when the kimono clad comedian Ohtani introduced himself as an exceptional ghost story teller.
As soon as the cameras weren’t rolling, Aiba let out a soft whimper, clutching onto Ohno’s arm. “Le~ader. I don’t wanna go.”
The older man smiled softly, “Why not? It seems like fun.” Ohno patted his friend on the head playfully. “Nothing bad’ll happen to you. Don’t worry.”
Jun snorted, then glanced at Aiba. They both knew it was silly advice, but hearing it from Leader’s mouth still had a calming effect.
“Oh-chan, won’t you be the one that’s freaking out?” Nino froze as the snarky remark left his lips, wincing at the glare Jun was giving him. The members had been avoiding the topic of Ohno’s panic attacks, especially since their friend finally seemed to be getting better. “Sorry-”
Ohno shook his head and gave a wry grin. “It’s true. But...I think I understand now... there’s no one trying to hurt me here... and it’s hard to be scared when you guys are with me. Especially Jun.” The pointed grin sent Jun’s way warmed his heart. Matsumoto was relieved to know his special someone felt protected around him.
Aiba was awwing over the exchange, poking the shorter man’s cheek, while Ohno tried to swat away the finger. Jun was happily watching the two goof around when Nino passed behind him, whispering, “I’ll make sure the director doesn’t separate you two.”
Jun whispered back over his shoulder, “Thanks Nino.”
Once the staff had finished struggling to get a camp fire going, everyone reluctantly settled in to listen to Ohtani’s creepy story about a woman with the sixth sense and her deceased uncle. Everyone felt the hairs rise on the back of their necks, except a certain artist.
Aiba swallowed hard and wished the fire was warmer, while Jun shifted his leg to press against Ohno’s, wanting a bit of comfort too. His boyfriend glanced at him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
Brat.
After the chilling story came to a close, Nakajima tried to redirect everyone’s attention by announcing who was going with who for their courage tests. Although Nino made a fuss about being paired with Aiba, none of the group members missed the fake sarcastic tone the gamer used as he dragged the taller man away.
With nothing better to do but wait for the first two to finish their turn, the couple found a spot away from the staff members to relax. Leader sat down at Jun’s side with a pensive look on his face.
“Something on your mind?”
Ohno glanced sideways at him and then down at his own hands. “I talked to Mom this morning. I told her she didn’t have to try so hard to convince your mother. Then she scolded me, of course. She said this was one of the first times I’ve ever asked her for help with anything, so she won’t give up yet.”
Jun snorted lightly. “Sounds like your Mom.”
“I just didn’t want her to worry anymore.”
“Satoshi, I think she knows that. She’s just doing what she can for you.”
Ohno hummed his understanding and leaned against his shoulder. They sat in silence for a bit, and Jun would never admit it, but he was chilled by a shout belonging to a frightened Aiba echoing from the shutdown hospital just then.
Himitsu’s AD Kiku-chan called them over when Aiba and Nino’s turn was almost up. The pair came half running out of the hospital door towards the filming crew. They gave some vague hints about what startled them, but since Aiba was grinning rather widely, the lovers knew it was a sign not to worry.
Leader was right then. No need to panic... So why am I still worried?
A nervous Jun suggested the couple go holding hands and grabbed Satoshi’s a little too tight in his. Unable to calm down, Matsujun did what he always did when he got worked up. Talk.
He commented on the temperature, the poor lighting, little decorations, and where he thought the cameras were hidden. All the while, Ohno just let him chatter on, but he did grin when Jun yelled in surprise at an unexpectedly slam from a closing door. Matsujun lightly bumped his shoulder against Ohno’s in mock irritation.
After collecting a cell phone and camera from a locker in the dark hallway, they entered the first room and read the instructions painted on a sign. They were to take turns sitting on a chair in front of some ugly mannequins and take a snapshot.
They both knew something was going to happen here, so Satoshi raised his eyebrow in a silent question.
"I’ll go first.” Jun wanted to get this over with. His nervousness subsided when he saw his boyfriend struggling to work the Polaroid camera, relaxing a bit to laugh at their situation.
“Say cheese,” Jun held up a peace sign for the photo and smiled in response. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, so Ohno took his place on the chair next. When the shorter man seemed comfortable, Jun took the picture. As the camera clicked, the wood chair suddenly dropped down a few inches from the platform it was resting on. Satoshi looked down in curiosity.
“Did you say anything?”
Ohno glanced up at him. “I didn’t.”
“You didn’t? As expected of Leader.”
Ohno rolled his eyes, but smiled when Matsujun put an arm over his shoulder. They left the gruesome room for a silent hallway. For a few seconds, the pair spun around wondering where they were supposed to go next. They were saved the trouble when Ohtani popped out of a locker at the end of the gloomy hallway, much to Jun’s surprise.
“Wuii-” He took a step back and bumped into Satoshi. “Ah, I said something again!”
Ohno shoved him forward so they could grab the cushions Ohtani was holding out. Knowing they were in for another ghost story, Jun pulled up his legs close to his chest, only to hear Satoshi snicker at him.
Ignoring his boyfriend and trying not to let the story get to him either, he sat stiffly as the temperature seemed to drop. Matsujun frowned uncomfortably until he heard his partner ask, “How many?” in reference to the number of spirits in the tale. He laughed because it was just like Leader to want some bizarre details, even about a ghost story.
Their story teller screwed up his expression in confusion by the random question and while he was struggling to come up with an answer, Jun felt the air get warmer. He couldn’t help but giggle at Ohno’s antics.
Shaking his head, he dragged the shorter man off to complete their trip around the hospital. They started to climb the stairs to the next level, but Jun still didn’t let go of Ohno’s hand. He glanced up to see Satoshi with a shy pleased expression at his simple display of affection and he grudgingly came to the decision that haunted places weren’t so bad.
He felt a tug on his hand, so he looked back again, expecting Satoshi to say something sappy in the darkened stairwell. Instead, the shorter man was gazing back at a door behind them. Puzzled, he waited for Satoshi to say something, but the older man just met his gaze and jerked his head in the direction he’d just been facing.
It was then Jun noticed the quiet shuffling noise from behind a door leading off the stairs. Opening his mouth to ask how Ohno had heard the subtle noise, he was stopped as one of Ohno’s fingers pressed on his lips. Leader released his hand and went over to the mysterious door, promptly ripping it open.
The man dressed as a zombie standing behind it let out a startled yelp and raised his arms in surprise. The couple shared a long laugh. Jun felt much more relaxed when they were finally able to continue on to the next challenge.
The moving gurneys in the following room didn’t surprise them much, but Ohno snickered again when Jun yelled at a hair stuck on the doorknob leading to the final room.
“This is so annoying!”
Jun stalked into the morgue, ready to give whoever was waiting a piece of his mind, but it was only occupied with a single mannequin and a tripod. Sighing, he took the automatic switch for the camera, looking around as his nervousness returned.
Even Ohno could feel the tense atmosphere and groaned, “This isn’t good...”
Suspecting something would happen when he hit the button, Jun steeled himself to stay silent. Sure enough, many hands popped through the fake wall behind them, reaching to grab the idols. They whirled away from the trick wall and although Ohno was nearly giggling, Jun kicked the wall for good measure.
He turned to leave, but found the door wouldn’t open yet. Matsujun muttered darkly.
The pair watched as smoke billowed into the room, only to clear and reveal a ridiculously dressed Ooshima in zombie makeup and a cheap tiara. She outstretched her hands and tried to mutter in a low voice, but all Jun and Ohno could do was laugh at her, even when the other zombies from behind the trick wall joined her in trying to terrify the idols.
Hearing the door click open behind them, Jun grabbed his boyfriend’s hand and hightailed it out of Ooshima’s reach. They quickly left the hospital and met up with their co-hosts, but Ooshima persistently followed after, much to Jun’s irritation.
Satoshi caught his attention with a grin. Matsujun shook his head of evil thoughts and smiled back.
Returning his attention to finish the show, they all burst out laughing when Nino was declared the unanticipated loser of the game. The gamer growled at being obligated to pay for Sho’s souvenirs, but seeing everyone’s happy expressions, he only sighed and crossed his arms.
As soon as the director called for everyone to wrap up the equipment, the four members trekked back to the bus. Running ahead, Aiba was loudly vowing that he would convince the director to do this again and that next time, he wanted to be paired with Sho, and only Sho. Nino looked quite ill at the hinted suggestion that he might have to go by himself.
Feeling something was out of place, Jun was alarmed by the fact Ooshima was still following them. Spinning around to confront her, he demanded, “Where do you think you're going?”
She stopped like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. Jun scrunched his eyebrows together and pointed in the other direction. “Your van is over there.”
Ooshima pressed her forefingers together and looked down with a shy (but in Matsumoto’s opinion, disturbing) expression. “I thought I could catch a ride back with you guys. There’s so much for the two of us to talk about-”.
Jun put his hands on his hips in a “no-nonsense” stance. He wanted to tell her, “I put up with you for work and work only,” but it seemed a little harsh, even for the DoS. He glanced over at the bus to see Satoshi waiting for him with an anxious look. Ohno knew Jun could barely stand to be around the exasperating woman for limited periods of time.
Taking a breath, Matsujun looked at Ooshima squarely. “It’s time we had a talk.”
The chubby comedian perked up and started for Arashi’s bus again, but Jun sidestepped in front of her again.
“You seem to be under the impression we could be a couple. Under what bizarre reasoning did you come to that conclusion?”
Ooshima smiled. “But we get along so well and you always do everything I ask and you smile at me so sweetly and-”
Raising a hand to stop her list from growing, Jun regretted even asking. “Ooshima-san, I hardly have a choice." Once again, he struggled not to add the spiteful remark, "When the director orders me to follow your whim to make the show more interesting, I can’t just blatantly refuse,” as much as he really wanted to.
The woman’s face fell a bit, “But you don’t have a girlfriend and I thought I...”
“That’s where you’re off. I may not have a girlfriend, but I’ve already found the person who means everything to me.”
“Eh?... But I-”
Jun stepped forward and set his hands on her shoulders, face set in a serious expression. “Please understand that I’ve already got somebody waiting for me... and I’ve given my heart to him.”
Ooshima’s eyes darted to Ohno, who was watching the pair while biting his lip in worry, and in a flash of understanding, she deflated. Tears started to well up as she kept staring at the shorter man. “It’s him, isn’t it?”
Jun turned to gaze at Satoshi, and a sweet smile the comedian had never seen before graced the young man’s features. She sniffed loudly, knowing she was right.
“I’ve found my other half. Ooshima-san, you’re a nice woman. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding someone.”
She frowned, but nodded. Jun was pretty sure he’d broken her heart, but it was something unavoidable if he ever wanted her to realize his real feelings. “I gotta go. He’s waiting for me.”
The short woman sniffed again and rubbed a hand across her eyes. “If it doesn’t work out...” She left the open-ended invitation unsaid.
Jun ruffled her short hair and left her watching his retreating form. She had a sad smile on her face as she touched her hair.
Matsumoto strode directly to the shorter man and grabbed his hand with a grin. Ohno looked down at their intertwined fingers and then up to meet Jun’s eyes, a little surprised. “What happened?” Satoshi brushed his free hand against the taller man’s cheek, wondering why his boyfriend’s smile looked a little forced.
Jun closed his eyes and leaned into the warm touch, murmuring, “I’ve never liked turning down girls. They always seem to cry.”
Satoshi glanced back at the place Ooshima had been standing, but she’d already began to shuffle back to her assigned van. “Ah...” Then Ohno felt a painful flick on his forehead, shooting Jun an incredulous look, “Wha-?”
His tormentor smirked. “Don’t you go feeling sorry for her. She’ll be fine. I, on the other hand, demand retribution for all the times you’ve scoffed at me tonight. How is it anyway that you didn’t shout once?”
Ohno rubbed the sore spot and muttered something too quiet to hear. Annoyed, Jun pinned him against the bus and whispered in the shorter man’s ear, “What was that?”
Ohno stared at the ground as he repeated the words softly. This time Jun heard it.
“Because you were there.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note:
For anyone who hasn't seen the infamous Himitsu "Haunting" episodes, you are totally missing out. And for everyone who has, you should go watch them again. I love that Oh-chan seems half-asleep in them. <3
So, having finished planning ahead for Love So Sweet, it looks like it will end up being about 25 chapters with an epilogue. (That's if I don't get sidetracked somewhere...) Thank you to everyone for reading and look forward to the rest!
Surprise Visit (二十)