Yume de Ii Kara (Because it's Good to Dream) [a Sakurai Sho love story] Chapter 24, part 2
Yume de Ii Kara Chapter 24, part 2
Pairing: Sakurai Sho/OC, Arashi/non-Johnny's females
Rating: PG
Genre: Realistic romance, friendship, family
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Arashi, or anything of Johnny's Entertainment. And sorry if I've misused any Japanese phrases.
Summary:
What can you do when you fall in love with someone that is out of your reach, someone as distant and brilliant as the stars? Can one dare to dream? Singer, dancer, actor, newscaster, model. Idol, to put it simply. But behind Sakurai Sho’s public image is a sincere, dorky, passionate man. Few people get to see a real glimpse of the person behind the lights, except for what he chooses to display.
Friends, sure, but love? That’s impossible, according to the intelligent, beautiful and humble Kaori, a medical school student who doesn’t realize how much she can accomplish. But maybe, just maybe, she’s exactly what Sakurai Sho needs.
All previous chapters in the master post!
Part 1
---------------------------
credit: shoaday
After recovering from their initial alarm, the Kureha’s settled down at the dining room table around Sakurai Sho’s compelling presence. He did his best to divert the conversation away from himself, but it inevitably circled back to his high-status job and his impressive lifestyle. They were all fascinated by him - everyone but the head of the house that is, who was being uncharacteristically taciturn. Kureha Nobuyuki had notably separated Sho and Kaori by seating the chatty Yuuto between them. Thankfully, Sho was good at holding his own ground.
Kaori turned to the woman beside her older brother Mamoru - she was his girlfriend of several years, whom Kaori had only met a handful of times before since starting university. She seemed to be nervous herself, for some reason, and a little excited.
“Natsuko-san, how are things at the resort going? You work in their Human Resources department, right?”
“I was actually just promoted to Assistant Manager.” Natsuko revealed.
“Yes, there have been a lot of changes going on lately. Actually, that’s why I wanted everyone to be here for this dinner.” Mamoru cleared his throat; they all turned to look at him curiously. He held Natsuko’s hand firmly. They looked into each other’s eyes and nodded. “I - I’ve asked Natsuko-chan to be my wife and join our family, and she has accepted me. We ask for your support! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!”
This second shocker of the evening sent the house into an uproar once more. Finally the attention turned to the engaged couple. Kureha Etsuko immediately jumped up to embrace her new daughter-in-law, asking all sorts of details - when she wanted to start planning the details, when she could meet Natsuko’s parents - and being as absolutely ecstatic as a mother could be. Yuuto’s grin grew even wider and all he could do was exclaim ‘Sugoi~!’ over and over. Even the father’s eyes grew misty. He gave his son a long, proud hug and then took a step forward to officially welcome Natsuko as one of their own. A commemorative bottle of wine was brought out.
In the background of all this merriment and congratulations, Sakurai Sho knew that he was the spectator. He was the intrusive guest who was - or in due time who would be - held up to the new benchmark that Kureha Mamoru had just reached: marriage. Sho observed guiltily as Kaori admired Natsuko’s sparkling diamond ring with that quiet, overly bright smile she wore when she was trying to hold in her conflicting heart. He felt an overwhelming desire to make an escape.
The drop in Kaori’s stomach at the announcement came very much unexpectedly. She thought that her hurting heart was inappropriate; she should be happy for her brother, so why did she herself feel so hopeless and worthless? Kaori could not look Sho’s way even once.
---------
Fireflies arrived in the late evening and Kureha Nobuyuki pulled Sakurai aside from all the activity; they sat on the dimly lit back porch and watched the shadowy trees sway like sentinels. The older man was firm, somber, while Sho’s heart clenched. Nothing was said for a solid moment as they let the silent understanding between them sink in.
Nobuyuki breathed in calmly. “I am sorry that you had to be caught in this situation, Sakurai-san. I hope you don’t feel pressured - Mamoru and Natsuko hadn’t anticipated you coming, after all.”
This sincere acknowledgment brought down Sho’s defenses one notch. “Yes, of course.”
“… I don’t like you being with my daughter, Sakurai-san.”
And there was the punch. Sho’s throat closed painfully. Of course Nobuyuki was not unkind, but merely frank.
“Not because of your personality - surely Kaori has good enough sense to choose a decent man - but because I have not yet seen inconsistencies from you in terms of commitment. Whether it be your hesitancy in coming here, or you two being in approximately the same standing as you were several months ago.”
“Kureha-san that’s not true, Kaori is very important to me, it’s just that my - my status doesn’t allow me to… be open… But we have grown much closer, believe me, and we continue to.”
credit: ninoether on Tumblr
“I don’t doubt that.”
“Then… I don’t understand.”
“Sakurai-san, do not take this as patronizing, I simply state my observations. Your job must be a very impactful, meaningful part of your life, very fulfilling and enjoyable. Perhaps it is your biggest influence and longest triumph and because of that, no one could ever ask you to give it up. But as long as you live the way you do, Kaori is never going to be your priority. Being in a relationship with her now does not secure her in any way. The picture of your future - any direction that it takes, does she necessarily fit into it, or is she a simple noun that can be replaced?
“I am not saying that because you haven’t asked for her hand yet that you’re a scoundrel, no, that is ridiculous. But I do get the sense that the possibility of marrying her has never seriously crossed your mind, even at your age.
“Being an idol, I know you must already be breaking many strange rules by being with Kaori, and while that may seem brave, I do not think you’re doing your duty as a man - to be a daily reminder of strength and loyalty. You might have good intentions - but you do not have enough of them.”
Despite all his vicious inner protests, the only words in Sho’s mind felt so juvenile compared to this father’s resolved, commanding reasoning. Sho couldn’t argue against any of these claims. He could feel sick failure overcoming him, and most of all, felt his ties to Kaori slowly loosen helplessly.
“There’s a reason why Kaori is a good doctor, Sakurai-san. She’s always been willing to put aside her needs while justifying doing so. She has no qualms about sacrificing herself for her patients - or for anyone she cares about, for that matter. Don’t ask my daughter to do that for you as well. Kaori deserves more than uncertainty and love at someone’s convenience. Please, do what is right for her.”
Sho found the three women in the den flipping through piles of beauty magazines. He knocked on the doorframe.
“I’m here to say goodbye.” he said with a small bow. His reserve was apparent. “There are some things I need to tend to back at the hotel.”
Kaori, her mother and Natsuko stood up abruptly.
“Leaving so soon?” Kureha Etsuko asked warmly. “Why don’t you stay for the night? The roads are quite dark, you might get lost.”
Why did she have to be so kind? “It’s alright; I have a GPS. Thank you for having me, it was nice to finally meet you. And Natsuko-san, omedettou gozaimasu. Shitsure shimasu…”
At the front door, Kaori held him back by the hand. “Daijoubu? You don’t actually have work to do, do you?”
The porch light distorted the lines of his face as he turned and kissed her on the forehead, softly, as if he were scared to touch her. He had never done that before, and Kaori’s heart fluttered uncertainly.
“I’ll see you back in Tokyo.”
He left, keeping his turbulent heart to himself. He wanted to save her that, at least.
credit: dekinakatta on Tumblr
Pairing: Sakurai Sho/OC, Arashi/non-Johnny's females
Rating: PG
Genre: Realistic romance, friendship, family
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Arashi, or anything of Johnny's Entertainment. And sorry if I've misused any Japanese phrases.
Summary:
What can you do when you fall in love with someone that is out of your reach, someone as distant and brilliant as the stars? Can one dare to dream? Singer, dancer, actor, newscaster, model. Idol, to put it simply. But behind Sakurai Sho’s public image is a sincere, dorky, passionate man. Few people get to see a real glimpse of the person behind the lights, except for what he chooses to display.
Friends, sure, but love? That’s impossible, according to the intelligent, beautiful and humble Kaori, a medical school student who doesn’t realize how much she can accomplish. But maybe, just maybe, she’s exactly what Sakurai Sho needs.
All previous chapters in the master post!
Part 1
---------------------------
credit: shoaday
After recovering from their initial alarm, the Kureha’s settled down at the dining room table around Sakurai Sho’s compelling presence. He did his best to divert the conversation away from himself, but it inevitably circled back to his high-status job and his impressive lifestyle. They were all fascinated by him - everyone but the head of the house that is, who was being uncharacteristically taciturn. Kureha Nobuyuki had notably separated Sho and Kaori by seating the chatty Yuuto between them. Thankfully, Sho was good at holding his own ground.
Kaori turned to the woman beside her older brother Mamoru - she was his girlfriend of several years, whom Kaori had only met a handful of times before since starting university. She seemed to be nervous herself, for some reason, and a little excited.
“Natsuko-san, how are things at the resort going? You work in their Human Resources department, right?”
“I was actually just promoted to Assistant Manager.” Natsuko revealed.
“Yes, there have been a lot of changes going on lately. Actually, that’s why I wanted everyone to be here for this dinner.” Mamoru cleared his throat; they all turned to look at him curiously. He held Natsuko’s hand firmly. They looked into each other’s eyes and nodded. “I - I’ve asked Natsuko-chan to be my wife and join our family, and she has accepted me. We ask for your support! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!”
This second shocker of the evening sent the house into an uproar once more. Finally the attention turned to the engaged couple. Kureha Etsuko immediately jumped up to embrace her new daughter-in-law, asking all sorts of details - when she wanted to start planning the details, when she could meet Natsuko’s parents - and being as absolutely ecstatic as a mother could be. Yuuto’s grin grew even wider and all he could do was exclaim ‘Sugoi~!’ over and over. Even the father’s eyes grew misty. He gave his son a long, proud hug and then took a step forward to officially welcome Natsuko as one of their own. A commemorative bottle of wine was brought out.
In the background of all this merriment and congratulations, Sakurai Sho knew that he was the spectator. He was the intrusive guest who was - or in due time who would be - held up to the new benchmark that Kureha Mamoru had just reached: marriage. Sho observed guiltily as Kaori admired Natsuko’s sparkling diamond ring with that quiet, overly bright smile she wore when she was trying to hold in her conflicting heart. He felt an overwhelming desire to make an escape.
The drop in Kaori’s stomach at the announcement came very much unexpectedly. She thought that her hurting heart was inappropriate; she should be happy for her brother, so why did she herself feel so hopeless and worthless? Kaori could not look Sho’s way even once.
---------
Fireflies arrived in the late evening and Kureha Nobuyuki pulled Sakurai aside from all the activity; they sat on the dimly lit back porch and watched the shadowy trees sway like sentinels. The older man was firm, somber, while Sho’s heart clenched. Nothing was said for a solid moment as they let the silent understanding between them sink in.
Nobuyuki breathed in calmly. “I am sorry that you had to be caught in this situation, Sakurai-san. I hope you don’t feel pressured - Mamoru and Natsuko hadn’t anticipated you coming, after all.”
This sincere acknowledgment brought down Sho’s defenses one notch. “Yes, of course.”
“… I don’t like you being with my daughter, Sakurai-san.”
And there was the punch. Sho’s throat closed painfully. Of course Nobuyuki was not unkind, but merely frank.
“Not because of your personality - surely Kaori has good enough sense to choose a decent man - but because I have not yet seen inconsistencies from you in terms of commitment. Whether it be your hesitancy in coming here, or you two being in approximately the same standing as you were several months ago.”
“Kureha-san that’s not true, Kaori is very important to me, it’s just that my - my status doesn’t allow me to… be open… But we have grown much closer, believe me, and we continue to.”
credit: ninoether on Tumblr
“I don’t doubt that.”
“Then… I don’t understand.”
“Sakurai-san, do not take this as patronizing, I simply state my observations. Your job must be a very impactful, meaningful part of your life, very fulfilling and enjoyable. Perhaps it is your biggest influence and longest triumph and because of that, no one could ever ask you to give it up. But as long as you live the way you do, Kaori is never going to be your priority. Being in a relationship with her now does not secure her in any way. The picture of your future - any direction that it takes, does she necessarily fit into it, or is she a simple noun that can be replaced?
“I am not saying that because you haven’t asked for her hand yet that you’re a scoundrel, no, that is ridiculous. But I do get the sense that the possibility of marrying her has never seriously crossed your mind, even at your age.
“Being an idol, I know you must already be breaking many strange rules by being with Kaori, and while that may seem brave, I do not think you’re doing your duty as a man - to be a daily reminder of strength and loyalty. You might have good intentions - but you do not have enough of them.”
Despite all his vicious inner protests, the only words in Sho’s mind felt so juvenile compared to this father’s resolved, commanding reasoning. Sho couldn’t argue against any of these claims. He could feel sick failure overcoming him, and most of all, felt his ties to Kaori slowly loosen helplessly.
“There’s a reason why Kaori is a good doctor, Sakurai-san. She’s always been willing to put aside her needs while justifying doing so. She has no qualms about sacrificing herself for her patients - or for anyone she cares about, for that matter. Don’t ask my daughter to do that for you as well. Kaori deserves more than uncertainty and love at someone’s convenience. Please, do what is right for her.”
Sho found the three women in the den flipping through piles of beauty magazines. He knocked on the doorframe.
“I’m here to say goodbye.” he said with a small bow. His reserve was apparent. “There are some things I need to tend to back at the hotel.”
Kaori, her mother and Natsuko stood up abruptly.
“Leaving so soon?” Kureha Etsuko asked warmly. “Why don’t you stay for the night? The roads are quite dark, you might get lost.”
Why did she have to be so kind? “It’s alright; I have a GPS. Thank you for having me, it was nice to finally meet you. And Natsuko-san, omedettou gozaimasu. Shitsure shimasu…”
At the front door, Kaori held him back by the hand. “Daijoubu? You don’t actually have work to do, do you?”
The porch light distorted the lines of his face as he turned and kissed her on the forehead, softly, as if he were scared to touch her. He had never done that before, and Kaori’s heart fluttered uncertainly.
“I’ll see you back in Tokyo.”
He left, keeping his turbulent heart to himself. He wanted to save her that, at least.
credit: dekinakatta on Tumblr