Zoom In
It's been weeks since I last posted here.
I'm back with a new fic! This is dedicated to my lovely friend, nightbaron079 ! Happy Sweet 16th, Lovely! ♥♥♥
Title : Zoom In
Pairing : MegaBu (Megane x Yabu)
Summary : Nakayama Megane, Yuto's younger step sister, gets an opportunity to write for a Gossip Magazine.
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litalldrummerboy : LOL Megane have you even considered sleeping? You've been sleeping very late these past few days~
nakayamamegane : Screw that, Nii-chan. I don't even care. Why did you IM me at this point of the day? Isn't that weirder?
litalldrummerboy : Well, you don't actually care about that. xDDDD
nakayamamegane : LOL. You're weird, ne~. Whatevs. I bet you're messing up Ryosuke-nii's laptop?
litalldrummerboy: OMO. HOW. DID. YOU. KNOW?
nakayamamegane : You always do even though you have your own laptop. LOL SHAME ON YOU~
litalldrummerboy: Hey, do you want to get a seat reserved for tomorrow's show?
nakayamamegane : SERIOUSLY?
litalldrummerboy : Well, you don't have anybody to date you, right?
nakayamamegane : HAH. NICE. But yeah, I would love to.
litalldrummerboy : You'll watch? :D
nakayamamegane : Yeah
litalldrummerboy : BANZAIIIIIIIII! Well then, I'll pick you up tomorrow!
nakayamamegane : Ok
litalldrummerboy : 'Kay... will be going now. Yamada's getting mad.
Nakajima Yuto just signed out.
Sigh.
This had been the life of Nakayama Megane for so many years now. I always loved how people thank me for posting fresh information from the Jimusho. I basically, have the "connections", even though it's a pain that they don't really know I'm using them. It makes me feel really guilty sometimes, but the feeling of being appreciated, even though the readers only know me by the name "Nightbaron", keeps me standing on my feet--that there are still some people who looks up to me, trying not to hurt my integrity.
I totally have no right to complain about my adoptive family--after all, why would they take someone like me into their family? Why would they add another burden on their backs? I am thankful for the fact that someone accepted me in their family.
They had treated me fairly--just like their own child.
But I just can't stand the idea that I would be a sister to someone whom I would be forever a shadow. Okay, he's nice and all but everything else I do would never match up to what he did in the eyes of our parents.
That's why am I doing this.
That's why all this time blogging is my pleasure.
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"Megane!!!" Yuto called me from the front porch.
"Coming!"
Today is the day of their group's live performance in Shounen Club. I was personally invited by my step brother. I need to spill some beans on this episode for the fans so I have to watch even though I actually hate meeting up with his groupmates. Sure, they're real nice, but communicating with people who are close to my brother is just plainly odd for me. I don't know why--but I'm sure I feel that way.
The only person from his group I could stand hanging out for a long time would be Yamada Ryosuke, who had been very close to Yuto. Ryosuke-nii visits the house often, sometimes even tagging along his sister, which is a close friend of mine.
"Megane? Anything wrong?" Yuto asked as he left the car door open for me to hop in.
"N-nothing. Maybe I'm just a bit... excited? It's been a while since you last invited me to watch the show." I smiled as I lodged in. Yuto got in next and closed the car door.
As we cruise through the busy city streets, my mind is up on high--trying to make up a new concept on how I will report today's show on my blog.
"Megane."
"Uh...Yes?"
"You're not talking much. is there something you're worried about?" Yuto's voice was filled with concern. Even though I wanted to tell him about all the blogging I did, I can't help but lie and tell him that I'm just doing fine, or if not, the matter would be most likely about school.
"We're here!" The driver anounced.
"Already?!" I surprisingly replied.
"Silly, isn't this already your third time visiting this studio? Why are you still surprised?" Yuto gave me a pat on the back.
"Well, I'm not used to going along this area by car." I smiled, getting out of the car.
As I set foot on the damp pavement, excitement and anxiety took over me.
Please. No more backstage tour for me. I had enough.
I crossed my fingers as we walked through the back door. I knew that this will be inevitable--but I might come up with an excuse to skip meeting the members of Yuto's group.
"N-nii-chan?" I started, reenacting the voice of someone constipated--or maybe that's how I exaggerated things.
"What?" Yuto swiftly opened the glass back door.
"Yuto! You're kinda early!" The tall, brown-haired guy, Takaki Yuya welcomed us inside.
It's too late, I've been found. LOL
"Sugoii~! You brought your sister, huh? Happy Valentine's Megane-chan!" The guy offered me a small brown box of cupcake which I obligely accepted.
"Thank You!"
"Eh, Megane, let's go inside, some of the members are already there. They would be glad to see you today." Yuto gave the dreaded invitation. I'm defeated.
"Whatever you say." I replied, feeling like I was dragged into a room of people who might actually kill me if they found out about my blog.
Kidding.
The brightly-lighted room which felt like some replica of heaven made my eyes open completely.
"Megane-chan!!!" A chorus of familiar male voices greeted me.
"Morning." I smiled a bit at them.
"Oi--Yamada! You could destroy the dresser! Get off there!" Yuto playfully scolded Yamada who is sitting comfortably on the top of the room's dresser.
"Prsh. Hi Megane-chan! Ayuki would be glad you came!" Yamada smiled at my way as he got off the dresser.
"She's here too?" Somehow, my face lighted up. I think Ayuki would save me.
"Really?" Someone from behind me--Takaki, suddenly butted in which immediately made Yamada's face turn sour. I tried to suppress my laughter but I'm pretty sure that they saw me react.
"Where's Ayuki?" I asked.
"Well, I don't know. She said she's going to investigate on something. I don't know what got into her. She suddenly dressed like a guy today." Yamada replied.
Actually, what's new about that?
A newcomer pounced at the door. Takaki opened the door.
"You're late, mister." Takaki told at the newcomer.
"Shut Up Yo~. Hi Everyone!" Kota Yabu appeared at the room, piles of paper on his one hand.
"Ohayoo!" Everyone in the room--except for me, greeted him back. The guy stormed across the room--panting, as if some ghost chased him. When he passed by me, some of the sheets from his pile of papers fell. Being kinda the "good girl" (WHAT AM I SAYING), I picked it up.
Music Sheets
"Cool. You compose songs?" I glanced at the paper I am able to pick up. The song titles are entirely unknown and there's no credit to who composed the song.
"Yeah. You do too?" Yabu asked as I hand him over the sheets of paper.
"Hmm. Sort of." I answered as I straighten up the crumples of my clothing. I was about to wait him to talk back when I remembered something.
"Eh, you were the one who composed the lyrics to 'Score', right?" I enthusiastically asked.
"Uh, Yeah." He smiled.
I sheepishly smiled back. "You're good! I like that song!"
"Whoa, Thank You! I'm sure you compose good songs."
"Well, not really. I write--but definitely I'm not that musically inclined... you know..." I hesitated, feeling kinda shy because it was the first time I actually striked a conversation with him.
"I could help you with that..." He proposed when suddenly, somebody broke in.
"Oh. Why are you running?" Takaki asked.
Ayuki appeared inside the room with some urgency on her face. She didn't even mind Takaki and immediately grabbed me by the arm.
"There's some kind of fraud going on, you have to come with me." She whispered to my ear.
"Whoa, whoa. What's going on?" Ryosuke asked his sister.
"You have absolutely got nothing to do with this. Girl talk. Ciao." Ayuki dragged me out of the room.
"Ayuki?" Takaki wanted to grab Ayuki's attention as we got out of the room, but he kind of failed.
"Yo." Ayuki simply replied and urgently tagged me along.
"AYUKI! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO BRING MY SISTER?!" Yuto nervously shouted across the hallway.
"DON'T WORRY SHE WILL NOT GET PREGNANT!!!!" Ayuki replied.
I struggled and spanked her butt.
"What are you thinking?" I managed to ask but she grabbed me once again and dragged me.
She lead me to the bakstage and commanded me to hide behind the black instrument boxes.
"What the hell?" I protested, struggling to get my arm off her strong grasp.
"Megane, look at what that bastard is holding--isn't that your song?!"
I took a peek and saw what was written on the random guy's paper.
My composition.
But the name of the composer is totally not "Nakayama Megane". I suddenly became cranky. What is my only completed composition doing here? I never posted it in any site! And why on earth am I not cited as the composer?
"What on earth?!" I angrily scratched my nails on one of the instrument boxes in front of us.
"Chill, chill. What are you planning to do?" Ayuki asked.
"Well, I don't know how it got in there! The only ones who knew about that is you and Yuto. Now tell me..."
"Oh no... I didn't do it. I swear. Even if you sell my soul to Justin Bieber, I never did that. I promise!" Ayuki looked at me innocently.
I straightened up and walked back towards the room where JUMP is staying.
"Psst! Megaaaanneeee don't scare the wits out of me... Calm down!" Ayuki followed me, trying to get this out of my head. But of course, I simply can't.
I opened the door with hot and heavy hands.
"Yuto..." I looked at my brother with doubt.
"Good luck with the show. I'm going home."
"Oi, Megane!" Yuto tried to ran after me but I never looked back at him. He probably got the message--I don't want to talk about anything with him.
"Megane? You're going home?!" Ayuki still followed me as I continously get myself out of the studio.
"What am I supposed to do? Watch some show right after I learned that somebody ripped my song without me even knowing it?! How amusing!"
"And what are you going to do? Spark some rumor about your brother?"
"If that's what I can do to get what he deserves then I'll do it. You too, go home or stay here."
"I'm coming with you! When's the last time you saw your composition?"
"Just last week."
"Are there any other people who visited your home?"
I paused and started to think about what Ayuki asked me.
Over the past few days, Ayuki nor her twin visited the house and Yuto was barely home.
"Well..."
"...I'll ask the housekeepers about that." I turned to Ayuki.
"I'm coming with you." She assured me.
"I'll look after you. I'm going to make sure you are not going to do anything unnecessary." She gave my back a pat and hailed a cab.
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"Eh, Megane. Are you sure this is where you left your composition?" Ayuki pointed at the grand piano near the house's foyer.
"I'm sure about that, why?"
"Well, if that's the case, anyone of those visitors had access to that composition.
Well among those people, who do you think had an interest?"
"All of them are from the music industry. I can't seem to eliminate anybody who had been here last week." I started to become very hopeless. But somehow, I know that soon, I will find out.
"Then ask your brother who might be responsible..."
"Ayuki, NO. Just, no. I'm doing things without his help..."
My phone rang just then.
Unregistered number.
"Hello?"
"Yo, Megane-chan! Your brother gave your digits to me." A familiar voice was on the other line.
"Who's this?"
"There's some kind of misinterpretation, you know."
"What do you mean?"
"Apparently, your brother submitted your composition to the J-Storm Music Exec Ms. Tanaka Kei and as she gave the composition to the arrangement team, they thought it was Tanaka's. Well, Yuto and Tanaka cleared it now and your song's in."
"My song's in? What? I... no way..."
"You don't know?"
"I don't want to pass that song over J-Storm!"
"Okay...Okay... You should better talk to your brother. This is Yabu. Bye bye."
This is frustrating.
I never needed any help from Yuto.
"Ayuki let's go back to the studio."
"What happened?" Ayuki asked, curious why I suddenly got pissed off.
"Long story."
------------------------------
Ayuki and I arrived at the studio when everything is already being a mess backstage.
"Oh great." I pulled Ayuki by the arm. "We have no choice left but to WATCH. How glorious."
The two of us immediately proceeded to the reserved seats area.
"What exactly happened?" Ayuki asked.
"Well, the 'fraud' thing's already solved. Long story. It's just..." I breathed heavily.
"...Yuto submitted my composition to the execs. They liked it."
"What's wrong with that? Isn't that great? Your song's in!" Ayuki shrugged in amazement, but I, the composer, seem to feel the otherwise.
"I work hard on my own achievements, Ayuki. I don't want people say 'Oh, that song was just in because Yuto personally recommended it' or 'That song would never make it if it weren't for Yuto!' oh God, I am so sick."
I rolled my eyes and sat back in frustration.
"Well, they personally liked it! After all, the execs won't consider your song unless it's really good, right?" Ayuki tried to lighten the atmosphere. But come on, I just really wish all of the people around here thinks the same.
Still irritated, I started to protest. "When will this show start?"
"3 more hours." Ayuki replied.
"What?! 3 More HOURS?! Are you serious? But they're already getting ready!"
"Then, let's pass some time, let's see them backstage!" Ayuki suggested.
"No. Yuto is there. I might get irritated even more."
"Come on, talk it out with him while we're there.You still have 3 more hours!"
"...Or you wanted me to leave you alone here?"
"Fine. Leave me alone." I sat back once more.
"Well then, Ciao!" Ayuki waved good bye and left me in the still empty audience area.
I whipped out my phone and opened my blog site. Wow. These fans aren't really serious about suddenly invading the studio, huh?
"Megane!" Yabu sat beside me, suddenly alerting me. Frightened, I immediately put my phone inside my pocket.
"N-nothing..." I grinned.
"S-shouldn't... you be... rehearsing or something?"
"The song's good..."
"Eh?"
"...but it lacks some emotion...here." Yabu handed me my composition.
"I told the execs that the composer will make it even better."
"W-whoa. Yabu-kun... t-thanks." I finally managed to smile sincerely once again.
"You saved me from the verge of insanity!" We both chuckled.
"You need help about that song?"
"Uh...I could use some!"
Yabu suddenly grabbed my hand, extended my fingers to reveal my palm and he pulled out a marker pen from his pocket. He started scribbling his number on my palm.
"Call me if you have free time."
"But, your...number's already registered..."
"That's not my number. It's Takaki's. I ran out of battery." He explained.
"I see... But shouldn't you be the one setting the time, I mean... you're loaded... while I got lots of time in my hands..."
"...not if it's someone who has real potential..." Yabu clenched my fingers into a fist and gently put my hand back on my lap. "...and interesting." He smiled and got up.
"Rehearsal time!" He waved goodbye and finally left.
"Whoa." I breathed out.
Troublemaker - Arashi Ringtone
"Hello?"
"Hi, Nakayama Megane-san! or should I say, Nightbaron."
This creeps me out. Somebody knew of me already?
"W-what are you talking about?" I replied nervously on the female voice on the other line.
"Well, we're from ****** Publishing and we would like to offer you a little job."
"Whoa, whoa, easy lady. How did you know this is me?"
"We found out about your blog and one of your posts seem to be a little... illegal."
"What do you mean?"
"You might get arrested for illegally leaking official information from the jimusho. You know, we have hackers these days..."
"What do you want then?"
"Screw your blog. Write for our magazine instead. That way, you would be legal. Your identity would remain hidden, too. PLUS we are going to pay you. You seem to be highly connected to the jimusho. Well, we don't have to dig that up. Just. You're Nakayama Megane and we don't really care what else about you is dragged
when you work under contract."
"Whoa. I decline..."
"You'll be charged. I'm just saying. Even though you're still a minor, it goes to your records. At least, if you come under us, you would just simply be a writer. Even though people would know who you are, you won't be filed of anything because you work under the blue book of publishing media."
"Oh sweet Lord, are you really serious?"
"Fine, if you don't believe us, get your criminal record marked permanently. If you're interested, come over to our office. Just look for the address on the internet."
"Make things clear to me... If I work for you, I will not get arrested even though I am still "Nightbaron"?"
"Yes."
"And I would have to choose if I will write as Nightbaron or as Megane? Is that right?"
"Yes."
"You'll protect my identity if I decided to stick with my pen name, right?"
"Definitely."
"Okay, I'll come over to your office. Just to make sure."
"Thank you, Nakayama-san. We'll be looking forward to it."
I can't stay being a blogger all the time, after all.
I have to protect my identity and free myself from being arrested.
I had no choice left.
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"Damn it!"
Frustration slowly took over my veins. It's been already two weeks since I tried writing an article for the magazine.
Yes, I just accepted their offer.
I couldn't believe how hard it is to write when you're bounded by rules. This doesn't feel like blogging.
I miss my blog.
But it's too late.
I just deleted it.
Since that day, I kept on receiving 'hate mails' from people who anonymously stalk and leech info from my blog. Since then, I never had any courage to go out of the house. It felt like I owe my readers so much and yet, I chose to leave them in vain. I had never felt in danger in my whole life until now. I don't know. Even though
inside my home, the fact that I'm in the same ground with the enemy, all I could ever think is me being in complete jeopardy.
"Megane?" Yuto knocked on my bedroom door.
I immediately closed my laptop and lazily got up to reach for the door.
"Yo."
Yuto gave out a sigh, a concerned look plastered over his face. "Can...we...please, just talk even for just five minutes?"
I rolled my eyes and opened the door completely to let him in.
"What do you want?" I leaped across the room to sit beside my laptop, trying to protect him from fiddling with it, just in case.
Yuto sat beside me, which automatically made me push my laptop farther from him.
He looked into my eyes, shooting me with a very serious, yet gentle look.
"I've been very concerned. You don't even bother going out of this room for weeks already. Is there something wrong?" Yuto placed his hand on my leg, tapping it before settling his hand steadily against it.
"N-nothing." I immediately answered, which is a complete mistake.
"I don't believe you." Yuto's tone got even more serious.
"Believe what you want to believe. I'm not troubled. Now if that's what you wanted to know, you can now go out."
"Is this still about the compo--"
"Not a chance. I'm fine. I got over that matter already. Please leave."
Yuto's hand pressed hard on my leg as a support for him to straighten up. He slowly walked out of the room, glaning on me every now and then until he completely got out and shut the door behind him.
I feel guilt.
But he better not meddle into any of this.
Incoming Call : Kota Yabu
I stared at my phone in disbelief.
Why is he calling? Shouldn't I be the one supposed to be calling him since I am the one who seeks his help?
"Hello?"
"Ah, Megane-chan!"
"Y-yabu-kun!"
"You haven't called, eh. I just got really worried."
"W-what?"
"Uh--I mean, I'm available today. Are you free? This is the perfect time for us to meet up!"
I suddenly felt my arm muscles feel stiff. I am bound to become really speechless.
This was unexpected.
"W-wow. Isn't that kind of illegal or something?"
"Then, shall I drop by your house, then?"
Sure, if only Yuto isn't here.
"Well, I'll just meet you up. Don't worry, I've already mastered the art of disguising. Where?"
"The studio. I'm here already here."
"See you then!"
I dropped the line and hurriedly dressed up.
Excitement.
I never felt that for the last few weeks.
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It was a sunny afternoon and despite the heat outside, I hurriedly dashed through the streets to the studio. What added more to the heat was the baggy clothes, scarf and beanie I am wearing for me to go incognito.
The studio is empty. I nervously walked through scattered wires and slippery backstage floor to reach the private rooms which also double as the artist's dressing room.
I knocked on the door of the sole room which has a light turned on.
Like what I expected, the tall guy, appeared before me and ushered me inside.
"This is the secret of the studio. A massive music room. Welcome, Megane-chan!"
Yabu gave my shoulder a pat.
Suddenly, he motioned to the center of the room, sitting on a piano bench.
"Are you just going to stand there or something?" He smiled at me. I smiled back and sat beside him.
"Where's your composition?" He finally asked, which made me think if I ACTUALLY BROUGHT IT WITH ME.
I nervously unzipped my shoulder bag ang scourged its contents.
"Oh no." I blurted out which sent him into laughter.
"Oi. Don't laugh at me like that!" I scolded him, playfully tapping his right arm.
"Then, what are we going to do now?" He asked, barely recovering from laughing.
"I-I don't know." I softly replied, embarassed about my carelessness.
"Nakajima! You do crack me up!"
"Nakayama..." I blurted out.
Yabu fell silent.
Everything felt like vaccuum around me.
"I'm adopted..."
I saw Yabu look down for a second and turned to face me. "Sorry, Megane."
I smiled at him a bit. "It's okay."
Everything was still silent... and awkward.
"H-how...come? Shouldn't it be a lot better if you had their surname?" Yabu asked.
I kinda hesitated to speak.
"S-sorry. I shouldn't be asking..."
"That was the only condition." I tried to smile at him again, though this time, I couldn't help but show melancholy.
Unexpectedly, tears fell down from my eyes.
"Megane...Megane... I'm really, really sorry!" Yabu immediately went in front of me, holding both of my hands which are clenched into a fist.
"It's fine... It's..."
I finally broke down. Tears continue to trickle down my face. Everything surrounding me--even Yabu felt inexistent. Painful childhood memories came rushing back into my head.
How my parents abandoned me.
How my new family still felt inferior towards me...
It was so painful...
...eventually, the pain went away. Everything went dark. It felt like my body was sent into mere serenity.
-------------------------------
"M-Megane?"
Light entered my eyes.
"W-what happened?" I slowly opened my eyes.
"You fell asleep."
My head was against Yabu's shoulder, which made me jerk off immediately.
"Oh, sorry, Yabu-kun." I stood up.
"It's out late, Megane, I'll accompany you home." Yabu stood up too, straightening the crumples on his clothes.
"N-no... it's fine...I'd be really fine." I picked up my bag and bonnet.
"No, Megane. Your...brother called." Yabu's tone seemed serious.
I looked at him with surprise. But I hesitated to ask him why Yuto called.
"O-Okay...Thank...You." I simply bowed down as an act of gratitude.
"Everything will be alright." Yabu suddenly put his arm around my shoulder and kissed my head.
He let go of me and lead the way outside the studio.
-------------------------------------
I don't know what to feel anymore--bitterness and nervousness already mixed up in my veins. Even though I'm already at the safety of my home, the thought of my brother calling Yabu to walk me home (which is even weirder since I never told him that I'm with Yabu) makes me feel very uneasy.
"Yabu-kun..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for bringing me home."
"No problem."
Yabu stroked my cheek and smiled. "No matter what happens, do what's right, okay?"
He waved goodbye and walked away.
I slowly paced to the gate, sliding the panel open. As I did, I couldn't help but look at the metal plate attached to the gate's foundation.
Nakajima
Nakayama
I tried to ignore how bad it feels, but I couldn't help it. It's been already years that I've carried this burden.
I got inside the house--everything is inanimate. I walked even further, to the center of the living room, a deep voice broke all the serenity that was contained in the place.
"Megane..."
I turned around and saw Yuto.
He stood like a stone statue in front of me, his look... this was the first time he ooked at me this way. His one hand held pieces of white paper... a trembling hand.
Suddenly, he started to walk towards my direction. He stopped his tracks far enough for me to feel a bit of relief. I looked up again at my step brother's face--but the papers flew to my face. They felt like a hard slap against me.
I looked down, realizing that those papers were contracts and drafts for articles.
He already knew.
Tears fell once again from my eyes. I couldn't believe this is happening.
"Why did you do this?" Yuto's voice seemed that he also started crying.
"I-I'm...Sorry..." I tried to see his face again--but I'm afraid.
"Why...did...you do this?" Yuto repeated, biterness evident in his voice. I couldn't contain this anymore.
I ran upstairs to my room. I hear his footsteps chasing mine.
I pulled out a suitcase on my cabinet and stashed in clothes and other of personal belongings. I didn't care whatever I put in there. My watery eyes deprived me of seeing clearer.
"Are you going to run away, Megane? When will you learn? When will you realize that you could tell me what's going on? Megane, I'm your brother..."
"YOU'RE NOT MY BROTHER!" I blurted out, looking at him painfully.
"You were never my brother. You were always the person who always made me feel how worthless I am. You were always the one who's so much better than me. I did this because this is the ONLY way I could feel good of myself. This made me feel better!"
"And now, you're in the brink of being arrested?! Do you feel better now?" Yuto shouted back.
I fell silent. I continued crying, sitting on my bedroom floor.
Yuto sat beside me.
"I--I'm paying that publisher so that they won't let any of this out." Yuto said, finally getting over the tears.
This is too painful.
But I just realized that it might be more painful for him... for my brother.
"Oniichan...I'm so sorry about everything...about...everything I said...I'm sorry...I'm..."
Yuto put his arms around me. "Megane, I'm sorry too...but it's just..."
"...am I never a good brother to you?"
Yuto's tears fell once again, sending a stabbing pain on my chest. It's so hard to bear looking at him like this.
I held his hand, trying to smile at him now.
"You had always been a good brother to me."
I wiped his tears and we smiled at each other.
"Sorry, Niichan. I'll never do that again. I promise."
Yuto placed his head on my shoulder.
"Apology accepted. But there's one question bugging me..." Yuto straigtened his back against the wall and looked at me with mere curiosity now.
"What is it?" I asked, feeling a bit nervous once again.
Yuto smirked, "Why are you with Yabu-kun?"
I could feel my face turn red in a sudden before I could even start to answer him.
"Well, he's--he's helping me with...a...a composition."
"Oh sure, and you even left your composition here at home?" Yuto smiled even wider, attempting to laugh at me.
"W-well, that was an accident!" I immediately defended myself.
"Why are you blushing?" Yuto started pinching my cheeks and embarassing me.
Why am I even blushing in the first place?
-------------------------------
It was another day.
Yuto told about my escapade to the agency and they were the ones who called off my connection with the publishing company. Good thing they didn't file something against me or else my life would be truly messed up.
The sun brightly kissed my bedroom walls, infecting me with a positive vibe.
I should start over.
I immediately went to the bathroom-- washed my face and hands and arranged my hair into a messy bun. I reached for my glasses and finally reached for the door.
I suddenly felt my stomach protest as I descended down to the kitchen. I reached for the refrigerator but something bright from the table caught my attention.
Yuto's bento.
"Whoa, this is the first time he actually forgot his bento."
I grabbed a granola bar from the fridge, took few bites and got ready.
The weather is perfectly fine outside. I didn't bother wearing layers to 'disguise' myself.
After a few minutes, I saw Ayuki.
"Megane!" She hurriedly ran to my side, panting eveytime she tried to speak.
"Listen..."
"...a-are y-you g-going t-to..."
"The studio? Yes. Why?" I butted in, feeling the need to speak for her. She nodded in response and held a bento labeled "Buta".
"For Ryosuke-nii?" I asked, amused by the fact that she still call her brother a "buta".
She nodded once again. "Sankyuu~ I really have something else to do."
I really think it's weird.
They forgot their lunchboxes at the same time?
I don't think it's a coincidence.
"Yamajima..."
I laughed at myself. What am I thinking?
--------------------
"Niichan! Here's your bento!"
"Ah, thank you, Megane. Sorry you have to get into trouble just to deliver this."
The dressing room was kinda busy right now and I don't know how Yuto still managed to sit back and relax while the others are busy rehearsing. Yamada was one of them, so I have to sit and wait for him to finish so I could personally give him his bento.
I watched the nine guys, rehearsing happily, working as a team. I wonder how it felt to have a team?
"J Johnny's! U Ultora! M Music! P Power!"
"Jumping to my dream..."
"Minna-san, Thank you for coming today. Yokohama are you ready? I bring you, Kota Yabu!"
"Matataku Hoshi ga hitomi wo tojite..."
Slow music filled the room. I suddenly flexed my head to their direction--but this time Yabu was the only one standing there. The rest of the boys were watching.
"Kaze ga yukuesura miushinau toki ga kite mo..."
I don't know why but I feel like smiling...
"In my heart kono mune no naka shizuka ni..."
Suddenly, he looked at my direction.
"Want you to know
I really wanna say to you..."
I suddenly felt my heart beat faster as he slowly walked towards my direction.
"That you're the only one..."
I glanced at the other boys and my brother--they were all smiling sheepishly towards me.
"Kimi ga subete You're My everything..."
I'm puzzled. Why is this happening? It isn't like I don't want it or something... but it makes me feel somewhat weird... I don't even know. This is totally crazy...
"Eien ni mirai mo koko kara ugokidasu no sa..."
He stopped in front of me.
We locked our eyes on each other.
"Until the end of time, everything..."
===== FIN =====
OKAY I OFFICIALLY SUCK. GOMEN NE INGRID~!!!!
I'm back with a new fic! This is dedicated to my lovely friend, nightbaron079 ! Happy Sweet 16th, Lovely! ♥♥♥
Title : Zoom In
Pairing : MegaBu (Megane x Yabu)
Summary : Nakayama Megane, Yuto's younger step sister, gets an opportunity to write for a Gossip Magazine.
================================================================
litalldrummerboy : LOL Megane have you even considered sleeping? You've been sleeping very late these past few days~
nakayamamegane : Screw that, Nii-chan. I don't even care. Why did you IM me at this point of the day? Isn't that weirder?
litalldrummerboy : Well, you don't actually care about that. xDDDD
nakayamamegane : LOL. You're weird, ne~. Whatevs. I bet you're messing up Ryosuke-nii's laptop?
litalldrummerboy: OMO. HOW. DID. YOU. KNOW?
nakayamamegane : You always do even though you have your own laptop. LOL SHAME ON YOU~
litalldrummerboy: Hey, do you want to get a seat reserved for tomorrow's show?
nakayamamegane : SERIOUSLY?
litalldrummerboy : Well, you don't have anybody to date you, right?
nakayamamegane : HAH. NICE. But yeah, I would love to.
litalldrummerboy : You'll watch? :D
nakayamamegane : Yeah
litalldrummerboy : BANZAIIIIIIIII! Well then, I'll pick you up tomorrow!
nakayamamegane : Ok
litalldrummerboy : 'Kay... will be going now. Yamada's getting mad.
Nakajima Yuto just signed out.
Sigh.
This had been the life of Nakayama Megane for so many years now. I always loved how people thank me for posting fresh information from the Jimusho. I basically, have the "connections", even though it's a pain that they don't really know I'm using them. It makes me feel really guilty sometimes, but the feeling of being appreciated, even though the readers only know me by the name "Nightbaron", keeps me standing on my feet--that there are still some people who looks up to me, trying not to hurt my integrity.
I totally have no right to complain about my adoptive family--after all, why would they take someone like me into their family? Why would they add another burden on their backs? I am thankful for the fact that someone accepted me in their family.
They had treated me fairly--just like their own child.
But I just can't stand the idea that I would be a sister to someone whom I would be forever a shadow. Okay, he's nice and all but everything else I do would never match up to what he did in the eyes of our parents.
That's why am I doing this.
That's why all this time blogging is my pleasure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Megane!!!" Yuto called me from the front porch.
"Coming!"
Today is the day of their group's live performance in Shounen Club. I was personally invited by my step brother. I need to spill some beans on this episode for the fans so I have to watch even though I actually hate meeting up with his groupmates. Sure, they're real nice, but communicating with people who are close to my brother is just plainly odd for me. I don't know why--but I'm sure I feel that way.
The only person from his group I could stand hanging out for a long time would be Yamada Ryosuke, who had been very close to Yuto. Ryosuke-nii visits the house often, sometimes even tagging along his sister, which is a close friend of mine.
"Megane? Anything wrong?" Yuto asked as he left the car door open for me to hop in.
"N-nothing. Maybe I'm just a bit... excited? It's been a while since you last invited me to watch the show." I smiled as I lodged in. Yuto got in next and closed the car door.
As we cruise through the busy city streets, my mind is up on high--trying to make up a new concept on how I will report today's show on my blog.
"Megane."
"Uh...Yes?"
"You're not talking much. is there something you're worried about?" Yuto's voice was filled with concern. Even though I wanted to tell him about all the blogging I did, I can't help but lie and tell him that I'm just doing fine, or if not, the matter would be most likely about school.
"We're here!" The driver anounced.
"Already?!" I surprisingly replied.
"Silly, isn't this already your third time visiting this studio? Why are you still surprised?" Yuto gave me a pat on the back.
"Well, I'm not used to going along this area by car." I smiled, getting out of the car.
As I set foot on the damp pavement, excitement and anxiety took over me.
Please. No more backstage tour for me. I had enough.
I crossed my fingers as we walked through the back door. I knew that this will be inevitable--but I might come up with an excuse to skip meeting the members of Yuto's group.
"N-nii-chan?" I started, reenacting the voice of someone constipated--or maybe that's how I exaggerated things.
"What?" Yuto swiftly opened the glass back door.
"Yuto! You're kinda early!" The tall, brown-haired guy, Takaki Yuya welcomed us inside.
It's too late, I've been found. LOL
"Sugoii~! You brought your sister, huh? Happy Valentine's Megane-chan!" The guy offered me a small brown box of cupcake which I obligely accepted.
"Thank You!"
"Eh, Megane, let's go inside, some of the members are already there. They would be glad to see you today." Yuto gave the dreaded invitation. I'm defeated.
"Whatever you say." I replied, feeling like I was dragged into a room of people who might actually kill me if they found out about my blog.
Kidding.
The brightly-lighted room which felt like some replica of heaven made my eyes open completely.
"Megane-chan!!!" A chorus of familiar male voices greeted me.
"Morning." I smiled a bit at them.
"Oi--Yamada! You could destroy the dresser! Get off there!" Yuto playfully scolded Yamada who is sitting comfortably on the top of the room's dresser.
"Prsh. Hi Megane-chan! Ayuki would be glad you came!" Yamada smiled at my way as he got off the dresser.
"She's here too?" Somehow, my face lighted up. I think Ayuki would save me.
"Really?" Someone from behind me--Takaki, suddenly butted in which immediately made Yamada's face turn sour. I tried to suppress my laughter but I'm pretty sure that they saw me react.
"Where's Ayuki?" I asked.
"Well, I don't know. She said she's going to investigate on something. I don't know what got into her. She suddenly dressed like a guy today." Yamada replied.
Actually, what's new about that?
A newcomer pounced at the door. Takaki opened the door.
"You're late, mister." Takaki told at the newcomer.
"Shut Up Yo~. Hi Everyone!" Kota Yabu appeared at the room, piles of paper on his one hand.
"Ohayoo!" Everyone in the room--except for me, greeted him back. The guy stormed across the room--panting, as if some ghost chased him. When he passed by me, some of the sheets from his pile of papers fell. Being kinda the "good girl" (WHAT AM I SAYING), I picked it up.
Music Sheets
"Cool. You compose songs?" I glanced at the paper I am able to pick up. The song titles are entirely unknown and there's no credit to who composed the song.
"Yeah. You do too?" Yabu asked as I hand him over the sheets of paper.
"Hmm. Sort of." I answered as I straighten up the crumples of my clothing. I was about to wait him to talk back when I remembered something.
"Eh, you were the one who composed the lyrics to 'Score', right?" I enthusiastically asked.
"Uh, Yeah." He smiled.
I sheepishly smiled back. "You're good! I like that song!"
"Whoa, Thank You! I'm sure you compose good songs."
"Well, not really. I write--but definitely I'm not that musically inclined... you know..." I hesitated, feeling kinda shy because it was the first time I actually striked a conversation with him.
"I could help you with that..." He proposed when suddenly, somebody broke in.
"Oh. Why are you running?" Takaki asked.
Ayuki appeared inside the room with some urgency on her face. She didn't even mind Takaki and immediately grabbed me by the arm.
"There's some kind of fraud going on, you have to come with me." She whispered to my ear.
"Whoa, whoa. What's going on?" Ryosuke asked his sister.
"You have absolutely got nothing to do with this. Girl talk. Ciao." Ayuki dragged me out of the room.
"Ayuki?" Takaki wanted to grab Ayuki's attention as we got out of the room, but he kind of failed.
"Yo." Ayuki simply replied and urgently tagged me along.
"AYUKI! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO BRING MY SISTER?!" Yuto nervously shouted across the hallway.
"DON'T WORRY SHE WILL NOT GET PREGNANT!!!!" Ayuki replied.
I struggled and spanked her butt.
"What are you thinking?" I managed to ask but she grabbed me once again and dragged me.
She lead me to the bakstage and commanded me to hide behind the black instrument boxes.
"What the hell?" I protested, struggling to get my arm off her strong grasp.
"Megane, look at what that bastard is holding--isn't that your song?!"
I took a peek and saw what was written on the random guy's paper.
My composition.
But the name of the composer is totally not "Nakayama Megane". I suddenly became cranky. What is my only completed composition doing here? I never posted it in any site! And why on earth am I not cited as the composer?
"What on earth?!" I angrily scratched my nails on one of the instrument boxes in front of us.
"Chill, chill. What are you planning to do?" Ayuki asked.
"Well, I don't know how it got in there! The only ones who knew about that is you and Yuto. Now tell me..."
"Oh no... I didn't do it. I swear. Even if you sell my soul to Justin Bieber, I never did that. I promise!" Ayuki looked at me innocently.
I straightened up and walked back towards the room where JUMP is staying.
"Psst! Megaaaanneeee don't scare the wits out of me... Calm down!" Ayuki followed me, trying to get this out of my head. But of course, I simply can't.
I opened the door with hot and heavy hands.
"Yuto..." I looked at my brother with doubt.
"Good luck with the show. I'm going home."
"Oi, Megane!" Yuto tried to ran after me but I never looked back at him. He probably got the message--I don't want to talk about anything with him.
"Megane? You're going home?!" Ayuki still followed me as I continously get myself out of the studio.
"What am I supposed to do? Watch some show right after I learned that somebody ripped my song without me even knowing it?! How amusing!"
"And what are you going to do? Spark some rumor about your brother?"
"If that's what I can do to get what he deserves then I'll do it. You too, go home or stay here."
"I'm coming with you! When's the last time you saw your composition?"
"Just last week."
"Are there any other people who visited your home?"
I paused and started to think about what Ayuki asked me.
Over the past few days, Ayuki nor her twin visited the house and Yuto was barely home.
"Well..."
"...I'll ask the housekeepers about that." I turned to Ayuki.
"I'm coming with you." She assured me.
"I'll look after you. I'm going to make sure you are not going to do anything unnecessary." She gave my back a pat and hailed a cab.
-----------------------------------------
"Eh, Megane. Are you sure this is where you left your composition?" Ayuki pointed at the grand piano near the house's foyer.
"I'm sure about that, why?"
"Well, if that's the case, anyone of those visitors had access to that composition.
Well among those people, who do you think had an interest?"
"All of them are from the music industry. I can't seem to eliminate anybody who had been here last week." I started to become very hopeless. But somehow, I know that soon, I will find out.
"Then ask your brother who might be responsible..."
"Ayuki, NO. Just, no. I'm doing things without his help..."
My phone rang just then.
Unregistered number.
"Hello?"
"Yo, Megane-chan! Your brother gave your digits to me." A familiar voice was on the other line.
"Who's this?"
"There's some kind of misinterpretation, you know."
"What do you mean?"
"Apparently, your brother submitted your composition to the J-Storm Music Exec Ms. Tanaka Kei and as she gave the composition to the arrangement team, they thought it was Tanaka's. Well, Yuto and Tanaka cleared it now and your song's in."
"My song's in? What? I... no way..."
"You don't know?"
"I don't want to pass that song over J-Storm!"
"Okay...Okay... You should better talk to your brother. This is Yabu. Bye bye."
This is frustrating.
I never needed any help from Yuto.
"Ayuki let's go back to the studio."
"What happened?" Ayuki asked, curious why I suddenly got pissed off.
"Long story."
------------------------------
Ayuki and I arrived at the studio when everything is already being a mess backstage.
"Oh great." I pulled Ayuki by the arm. "We have no choice left but to WATCH. How glorious."
The two of us immediately proceeded to the reserved seats area.
"What exactly happened?" Ayuki asked.
"Well, the 'fraud' thing's already solved. Long story. It's just..." I breathed heavily.
"...Yuto submitted my composition to the execs. They liked it."
"What's wrong with that? Isn't that great? Your song's in!" Ayuki shrugged in amazement, but I, the composer, seem to feel the otherwise.
"I work hard on my own achievements, Ayuki. I don't want people say 'Oh, that song was just in because Yuto personally recommended it' or 'That song would never make it if it weren't for Yuto!' oh God, I am so sick."
I rolled my eyes and sat back in frustration.
"Well, they personally liked it! After all, the execs won't consider your song unless it's really good, right?" Ayuki tried to lighten the atmosphere. But come on, I just really wish all of the people around here thinks the same.
Still irritated, I started to protest. "When will this show start?"
"3 more hours." Ayuki replied.
"What?! 3 More HOURS?! Are you serious? But they're already getting ready!"
"Then, let's pass some time, let's see them backstage!" Ayuki suggested.
"No. Yuto is there. I might get irritated even more."
"Come on, talk it out with him while we're there.You still have 3 more hours!"
"...Or you wanted me to leave you alone here?"
"Fine. Leave me alone." I sat back once more.
"Well then, Ciao!" Ayuki waved good bye and left me in the still empty audience area.
I whipped out my phone and opened my blog site. Wow. These fans aren't really serious about suddenly invading the studio, huh?
"Megane!" Yabu sat beside me, suddenly alerting me. Frightened, I immediately put my phone inside my pocket.
"N-nothing..." I grinned.
"S-shouldn't... you be... rehearsing or something?"
"The song's good..."
"Eh?"
"...but it lacks some emotion...here." Yabu handed me my composition.
"I told the execs that the composer will make it even better."
"W-whoa. Yabu-kun... t-thanks." I finally managed to smile sincerely once again.
"You saved me from the verge of insanity!" We both chuckled.
"You need help about that song?"
"Uh...I could use some!"
Yabu suddenly grabbed my hand, extended my fingers to reveal my palm and he pulled out a marker pen from his pocket. He started scribbling his number on my palm.
"Call me if you have free time."
"But, your...number's already registered..."
"That's not my number. It's Takaki's. I ran out of battery." He explained.
"I see... But shouldn't you be the one setting the time, I mean... you're loaded... while I got lots of time in my hands..."
"...not if it's someone who has real potential..." Yabu clenched my fingers into a fist and gently put my hand back on my lap. "...and interesting." He smiled and got up.
"Rehearsal time!" He waved goodbye and finally left.
"Whoa." I breathed out.
Troublemaker - Arashi Ringtone
"Hello?"
"Hi, Nakayama Megane-san! or should I say, Nightbaron."
This creeps me out. Somebody knew of me already?
"W-what are you talking about?" I replied nervously on the female voice on the other line.
"Well, we're from ****** Publishing and we would like to offer you a little job."
"Whoa, whoa, easy lady. How did you know this is me?"
"We found out about your blog and one of your posts seem to be a little... illegal."
"What do you mean?"
"You might get arrested for illegally leaking official information from the jimusho. You know, we have hackers these days..."
"What do you want then?"
"Screw your blog. Write for our magazine instead. That way, you would be legal. Your identity would remain hidden, too. PLUS we are going to pay you. You seem to be highly connected to the jimusho. Well, we don't have to dig that up. Just. You're Nakayama Megane and we don't really care what else about you is dragged
when you work under contract."
"Whoa. I decline..."
"You'll be charged. I'm just saying. Even though you're still a minor, it goes to your records. At least, if you come under us, you would just simply be a writer. Even though people would know who you are, you won't be filed of anything because you work under the blue book of publishing media."
"Oh sweet Lord, are you really serious?"
"Fine, if you don't believe us, get your criminal record marked permanently. If you're interested, come over to our office. Just look for the address on the internet."
"Make things clear to me... If I work for you, I will not get arrested even though I am still "Nightbaron"?"
"Yes."
"And I would have to choose if I will write as Nightbaron or as Megane? Is that right?"
"Yes."
"You'll protect my identity if I decided to stick with my pen name, right?"
"Definitely."
"Okay, I'll come over to your office. Just to make sure."
"Thank you, Nakayama-san. We'll be looking forward to it."
I can't stay being a blogger all the time, after all.
I have to protect my identity and free myself from being arrested.
I had no choice left.
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Damn it!"
Frustration slowly took over my veins. It's been already two weeks since I tried writing an article for the magazine.
Yes, I just accepted their offer.
I couldn't believe how hard it is to write when you're bounded by rules. This doesn't feel like blogging.
I miss my blog.
But it's too late.
I just deleted it.
Since that day, I kept on receiving 'hate mails' from people who anonymously stalk and leech info from my blog. Since then, I never had any courage to go out of the house. It felt like I owe my readers so much and yet, I chose to leave them in vain. I had never felt in danger in my whole life until now. I don't know. Even though
inside my home, the fact that I'm in the same ground with the enemy, all I could ever think is me being in complete jeopardy.
"Megane?" Yuto knocked on my bedroom door.
I immediately closed my laptop and lazily got up to reach for the door.
"Yo."
Yuto gave out a sigh, a concerned look plastered over his face. "Can...we...please, just talk even for just five minutes?"
I rolled my eyes and opened the door completely to let him in.
"What do you want?" I leaped across the room to sit beside my laptop, trying to protect him from fiddling with it, just in case.
Yuto sat beside me, which automatically made me push my laptop farther from him.
He looked into my eyes, shooting me with a very serious, yet gentle look.
"I've been very concerned. You don't even bother going out of this room for weeks already. Is there something wrong?" Yuto placed his hand on my leg, tapping it before settling his hand steadily against it.
"N-nothing." I immediately answered, which is a complete mistake.
"I don't believe you." Yuto's tone got even more serious.
"Believe what you want to believe. I'm not troubled. Now if that's what you wanted to know, you can now go out."
"Is this still about the compo--"
"Not a chance. I'm fine. I got over that matter already. Please leave."
Yuto's hand pressed hard on my leg as a support for him to straighten up. He slowly walked out of the room, glaning on me every now and then until he completely got out and shut the door behind him.
I feel guilt.
But he better not meddle into any of this.
Incoming Call : Kota Yabu
I stared at my phone in disbelief.
Why is he calling? Shouldn't I be the one supposed to be calling him since I am the one who seeks his help?
"Hello?"
"Ah, Megane-chan!"
"Y-yabu-kun!"
"You haven't called, eh. I just got really worried."
"W-what?"
"Uh--I mean, I'm available today. Are you free? This is the perfect time for us to meet up!"
I suddenly felt my arm muscles feel stiff. I am bound to become really speechless.
This was unexpected.
"W-wow. Isn't that kind of illegal or something?"
"Then, shall I drop by your house, then?"
Sure, if only Yuto isn't here.
"Well, I'll just meet you up. Don't worry, I've already mastered the art of disguising. Where?"
"The studio. I'm here already here."
"See you then!"
I dropped the line and hurriedly dressed up.
Excitement.
I never felt that for the last few weeks.
---------------------------------------
It was a sunny afternoon and despite the heat outside, I hurriedly dashed through the streets to the studio. What added more to the heat was the baggy clothes, scarf and beanie I am wearing for me to go incognito.
The studio is empty. I nervously walked through scattered wires and slippery backstage floor to reach the private rooms which also double as the artist's dressing room.
I knocked on the door of the sole room which has a light turned on.
Like what I expected, the tall guy, appeared before me and ushered me inside.
"This is the secret of the studio. A massive music room. Welcome, Megane-chan!"
Yabu gave my shoulder a pat.
Suddenly, he motioned to the center of the room, sitting on a piano bench.
"Are you just going to stand there or something?" He smiled at me. I smiled back and sat beside him.
"Where's your composition?" He finally asked, which made me think if I ACTUALLY BROUGHT IT WITH ME.
I nervously unzipped my shoulder bag ang scourged its contents.
"Oh no." I blurted out which sent him into laughter.
"Oi. Don't laugh at me like that!" I scolded him, playfully tapping his right arm.
"Then, what are we going to do now?" He asked, barely recovering from laughing.
"I-I don't know." I softly replied, embarassed about my carelessness.
"Nakajima! You do crack me up!"
"Nakayama..." I blurted out.
Yabu fell silent.
Everything felt like vaccuum around me.
"I'm adopted..."
I saw Yabu look down for a second and turned to face me. "Sorry, Megane."
I smiled at him a bit. "It's okay."
Everything was still silent... and awkward.
"H-how...come? Shouldn't it be a lot better if you had their surname?" Yabu asked.
I kinda hesitated to speak.
"S-sorry. I shouldn't be asking..."
"That was the only condition." I tried to smile at him again, though this time, I couldn't help but show melancholy.
Unexpectedly, tears fell down from my eyes.
"Megane...Megane... I'm really, really sorry!" Yabu immediately went in front of me, holding both of my hands which are clenched into a fist.
"It's fine... It's..."
I finally broke down. Tears continue to trickle down my face. Everything surrounding me--even Yabu felt inexistent. Painful childhood memories came rushing back into my head.
How my parents abandoned me.
How my new family still felt inferior towards me...
It was so painful...
...eventually, the pain went away. Everything went dark. It felt like my body was sent into mere serenity.
-------------------------------
"M-Megane?"
Light entered my eyes.
"W-what happened?" I slowly opened my eyes.
"You fell asleep."
My head was against Yabu's shoulder, which made me jerk off immediately.
"Oh, sorry, Yabu-kun." I stood up.
"It's out late, Megane, I'll accompany you home." Yabu stood up too, straightening the crumples on his clothes.
"N-no... it's fine...I'd be really fine." I picked up my bag and bonnet.
"No, Megane. Your...brother called." Yabu's tone seemed serious.
I looked at him with surprise. But I hesitated to ask him why Yuto called.
"O-Okay...Thank...You." I simply bowed down as an act of gratitude.
"Everything will be alright." Yabu suddenly put his arm around my shoulder and kissed my head.
He let go of me and lead the way outside the studio.
-------------------------------------
I don't know what to feel anymore--bitterness and nervousness already mixed up in my veins. Even though I'm already at the safety of my home, the thought of my brother calling Yabu to walk me home (which is even weirder since I never told him that I'm with Yabu) makes me feel very uneasy.
"Yabu-kun..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for bringing me home."
"No problem."
Yabu stroked my cheek and smiled. "No matter what happens, do what's right, okay?"
He waved goodbye and walked away.
I slowly paced to the gate, sliding the panel open. As I did, I couldn't help but look at the metal plate attached to the gate's foundation.
Nakajima
Nakayama
I tried to ignore how bad it feels, but I couldn't help it. It's been already years that I've carried this burden.
I got inside the house--everything is inanimate. I walked even further, to the center of the living room, a deep voice broke all the serenity that was contained in the place.
"Megane..."
I turned around and saw Yuto.
He stood like a stone statue in front of me, his look... this was the first time he ooked at me this way. His one hand held pieces of white paper... a trembling hand.
Suddenly, he started to walk towards my direction. He stopped his tracks far enough for me to feel a bit of relief. I looked up again at my step brother's face--but the papers flew to my face. They felt like a hard slap against me.
I looked down, realizing that those papers were contracts and drafts for articles.
He already knew.
Tears fell once again from my eyes. I couldn't believe this is happening.
"Why did you do this?" Yuto's voice seemed that he also started crying.
"I-I'm...Sorry..." I tried to see his face again--but I'm afraid.
"Why...did...you do this?" Yuto repeated, biterness evident in his voice. I couldn't contain this anymore.
I ran upstairs to my room. I hear his footsteps chasing mine.
I pulled out a suitcase on my cabinet and stashed in clothes and other of personal belongings. I didn't care whatever I put in there. My watery eyes deprived me of seeing clearer.
"Are you going to run away, Megane? When will you learn? When will you realize that you could tell me what's going on? Megane, I'm your brother..."
"YOU'RE NOT MY BROTHER!" I blurted out, looking at him painfully.
"You were never my brother. You were always the person who always made me feel how worthless I am. You were always the one who's so much better than me. I did this because this is the ONLY way I could feel good of myself. This made me feel better!"
"And now, you're in the brink of being arrested?! Do you feel better now?" Yuto shouted back.
I fell silent. I continued crying, sitting on my bedroom floor.
Yuto sat beside me.
"I--I'm paying that publisher so that they won't let any of this out." Yuto said, finally getting over the tears.
This is too painful.
But I just realized that it might be more painful for him... for my brother.
"Oniichan...I'm so sorry about everything...about...everything I said...I'm sorry...I'm..."
Yuto put his arms around me. "Megane, I'm sorry too...but it's just..."
"...am I never a good brother to you?"
Yuto's tears fell once again, sending a stabbing pain on my chest. It's so hard to bear looking at him like this.
I held his hand, trying to smile at him now.
"You had always been a good brother to me."
I wiped his tears and we smiled at each other.
"Sorry, Niichan. I'll never do that again. I promise."
Yuto placed his head on my shoulder.
"Apology accepted. But there's one question bugging me..." Yuto straigtened his back against the wall and looked at me with mere curiosity now.
"What is it?" I asked, feeling a bit nervous once again.
Yuto smirked, "Why are you with Yabu-kun?"
I could feel my face turn red in a sudden before I could even start to answer him.
"Well, he's--he's helping me with...a...a composition."
"Oh sure, and you even left your composition here at home?" Yuto smiled even wider, attempting to laugh at me.
"W-well, that was an accident!" I immediately defended myself.
"Why are you blushing?" Yuto started pinching my cheeks and embarassing me.
Why am I even blushing in the first place?
-------------------------------
It was another day.
Yuto told about my escapade to the agency and they were the ones who called off my connection with the publishing company. Good thing they didn't file something against me or else my life would be truly messed up.
The sun brightly kissed my bedroom walls, infecting me with a positive vibe.
I should start over.
I immediately went to the bathroom-- washed my face and hands and arranged my hair into a messy bun. I reached for my glasses and finally reached for the door.
I suddenly felt my stomach protest as I descended down to the kitchen. I reached for the refrigerator but something bright from the table caught my attention.
Yuto's bento.
"Whoa, this is the first time he actually forgot his bento."
I grabbed a granola bar from the fridge, took few bites and got ready.
The weather is perfectly fine outside. I didn't bother wearing layers to 'disguise' myself.
After a few minutes, I saw Ayuki.
"Megane!" She hurriedly ran to my side, panting eveytime she tried to speak.
"Listen..."
"...a-are y-you g-going t-to..."
"The studio? Yes. Why?" I butted in, feeling the need to speak for her. She nodded in response and held a bento labeled "Buta".
"For Ryosuke-nii?" I asked, amused by the fact that she still call her brother a "buta".
She nodded once again. "Sankyuu~ I really have something else to do."
I really think it's weird.
They forgot their lunchboxes at the same time?
I don't think it's a coincidence.
"Yamajima..."
I laughed at myself. What am I thinking?
--------------------
"Niichan! Here's your bento!"
"Ah, thank you, Megane. Sorry you have to get into trouble just to deliver this."
The dressing room was kinda busy right now and I don't know how Yuto still managed to sit back and relax while the others are busy rehearsing. Yamada was one of them, so I have to sit and wait for him to finish so I could personally give him his bento.
I watched the nine guys, rehearsing happily, working as a team. I wonder how it felt to have a team?
"J Johnny's! U Ultora! M Music! P Power!"
"Jumping to my dream..."
"Minna-san, Thank you for coming today. Yokohama are you ready? I bring you, Kota Yabu!"
"Matataku Hoshi ga hitomi wo tojite..."
Slow music filled the room. I suddenly flexed my head to their direction--but this time Yabu was the only one standing there. The rest of the boys were watching.
"Kaze ga yukuesura miushinau toki ga kite mo..."
I don't know why but I feel like smiling...
"In my heart kono mune no naka shizuka ni..."
Suddenly, he looked at my direction.
"Want you to know
I really wanna say to you..."
I suddenly felt my heart beat faster as he slowly walked towards my direction.
"That you're the only one..."
I glanced at the other boys and my brother--they were all smiling sheepishly towards me.
"Kimi ga subete You're My everything..."
I'm puzzled. Why is this happening? It isn't like I don't want it or something... but it makes me feel somewhat weird... I don't even know. This is totally crazy...
"Eien ni mirai mo koko kara ugokidasu no sa..."
He stopped in front of me.
We locked our eyes on each other.
"Until the end of time, everything..."
===== FIN =====
OKAY I OFFICIALLY SUCK. GOMEN NE INGRID~!!!!