i can finally breathe...
yes! it's finally over! my ever grueling and deadly mock board examinations has come to an end... as expected, our instructors sucked in every last drop of mind power we all have... we can't complain though... or we could, but it wouldn't really matter anyway... but at least it'll be at least one more month before the next batch takes place... hopefully it'll be enough for us to revive our dying brain cells...
i've been having a case of nostalgia lately, looking back, reminiscing and watching back the moments i've had for the past few years... in fact, i've been re-watching the championship games of my favorite basketball team from a couple of years back... and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that they make it to the championships again this season... (it's already the semi's!)
and yeah... valentines is just around the corner... my friends and i were planning for a girls night out but apparently, my parents and my younger sister will be coming over on Saturday since they're getting her a dress for their prom... (tsk...tsk..tsk... what's going on in my alma mater these days? they're holding prom practically a week after valentines day! anyway...)
and so my head hurts, my throat hurts (for some reason... i don't know why...), my back and butt hurts for sitting on a chair for 6 and a half hours straight... and now, i'm going to force myself to sleep at 3:00 in the afternoon (in my country)...
oh, and yeah... click the cut if you'd like to read my other fic, posted originally at ebisu_midnights . it's another matsumoto jun/inoue mao fic, dominated by the other four members of arashi... :)
Title: The Other Birthday Gift
Author: lovesmatch
Rating: G
Genre: fluff/comedy
Summary: when Arashi (sans Matsujun) decides to have a hand in their friends’ lovelife…
Disclaimer: My right to claim is restricted to anything that I have created and everything that I own... which does not include anyone or anything in this fic...
Author's Notes: in my great attempt to clear my mind so that I could focus in reviewing, I came up with this… (oh…and I probably am very bad when it comes to confessions…)
“See you guys tomorrow!” Jun declared as he made a grab for his bag sitting at the sofa.
Their last concert day at the Kokuritsu has just ended, completely successful amidst the onslaught of heavy rain.
“See ya…” replied Ohno who was busy buttoning up his shirt. The rest of the group is still busy with their preparations to go home. But they knew that Jun would not be going home, not just yet. Shun had said that he had made a reservation in Jun’s favorite restaurant to celebrate his birthday which is where Jun would be going. The rest of Arashi respectfully declined, claiming that they’ve already spent the whole day with the birthday boy anyway.
Jun was almost at the door when Aiba spoke up.
“Hey! Don’t forget your gift!” he said, holding up the paper bag which was previously seated at the table with a very expectant smile.
Jun made a small grimace as he reached for it. He IS completely touched with the effort his group mates had exerted towards his birthday gift but they can’t really blame him for having mixed emotions about it. After all, it DID make him look like a disco ball.
“You know, you guys should really have another present for me…” he demanded in jest before he finally left.
A burst of laughter exploded in the greenroom the moment the door closed behind him. It was all in good humor that they bought that jacket for him. It was Aiba’s fault really… Aiba, having seen the jacket during one of his shopping sprees, decided to take a picture of the jacket and show it to everyone else, claiming that it would be a perfect match for Matsujun’s gold shirt, the one he wore during the very last day of promotion for Hanadan Final. And then it was Nino’s fault since he actually agreed to it and suggested that they get it for him as a present. Sho and Ohno were a bit hesitant with the idea at first. They knew that there is no way that he’d be able to make use of it outside shooting but they had to agree when Nino said that seeing his face when he takes a first good look at the present would be really worth it.
Nino was right, of course. The look he gave them when he opened it onstage was priceless!
“Eh… But seriously, what gift do you think he wants?” asks Ohno when the laughter subsided.
“Forget about it, Riida. The gift Jun-kun wants involves a cute, mesmerizing woman with expressive brown eyes and a thousand-watt smile.” Nino said with a smirk, his mind creating the image of that certain woman in his head giving him a dreamy look.
Sho shook his head. “Why does it seem to me that you want that gift for yourself too, Nino-chan?” he jibed.
Ohno tried to stifle his laughter and Aiba guffawed as the dreamy look on Nino’s face was wiped away.
“I would love to Sho-kun… if Jun-kun never existed. Unfortunately, he’s here and my heart is broken…” he replied playfully, complete with the actions of someone stabbed at the heart.
Sho smirked. They all knew that Nino had had a crush on Matsujun’s co-star ever since they did the Secret Talk for Wish, something that he had undermined when they started to notice something different about their youngest group mate and his on-screen partner, something along the lines of the relationship not being merely on-screen.
“Anyway, who’s willing to bet that his love confession to the fans earlier was for her alone?” he said.
Ohno shook his head, Aiba smiled, and Nino snorted. Even they were quite amazed and heavily amused when the birthday boy suddenly blurted out “Ashiteru yo!” at the end of their last encore. All the fans squealed in glee, of course, but somehow, something tells them that most of that statement was directed to one of the audience, a woman seated in the VIP section in particular, who would be one of those few invited in the birthday party Jun is going to right now. Inoue Mao.
“I think, it would be more appropriate to bet on whether he had confessed already or not,” said Ohno.
The others looked at him in awe.
“Oh-chan… Come on! This IS Matsujun we’re talking about! Hadn’t he proven time and again that he is the most romantic among all of us?” said Aiba, rummaging around his bag for something, most probably his lip gloss. (“And that Sho-chan is the worst?” piped in Nino, his hands already occupied by his old reliable DS, followed an “Oi!” by Sho.) “And with the look those two keep on giving each other, how could you doubt him?”
The look they gave each other indeed was something. They looked besotted, completely mesmerized by one another that they seem to often forget that others are there, something which is much more telling that their statement that they are just friends. Shun, along with their other close cast and crew members from Hanadan would wholeheartedly agree.
Ohno shrugged as he put on his jacket, not really looking at his group mates. “Somehow, I have this feeling that he hasn’t confessed yet or else he’d be introducing her as his girlfriend already. Up to know, his description of her as his friend has not yet changed. I know Jun-kun will tell us, at least, if they’re already a couple but since he hasn’t, I think they’re still in the more-than-friends-but-not-yet-lovers phase…”
It was at this point that Ohno noticed the silence around him, Sho had stopped reprimanding Nino for that jibe earlier, Nino had stopped tapping his DS and Aiba had stopped rummaging through his bag. When he looked at them, they were all looking at him with wide eyes.
“I’m not right, am I?” he asked tentatively.
This resulted to another burst of laughter from the three as Sho walked over to tap him at the back, shaking his head.
“Sugoi! Ne, Riida…” blurted out Nino. “Who would have thought you were this observant when we thought you’d only be thinking of fishing?”
Ohno simply smiled. He really did often think about his next fishing trip, or the last one he went to, but at times, he would just let his eyes wander and observe his surroundings. He loved watching his friends from a distance, it felt like he could see them in a different light. And Matsujun tops the list of those he likes watching, mainly due to the ever changing character within him. He’d already said that Matsujun seemed to have mellowed down a lot recently. Yes, he still was perfectionist but there is also contentment in his eyes. And he looked happy.
“So… Jun-kun hadn’t confessed yet huh? Eeeeeh…” said Aiba rubbing the back of his head, as if thinking. “It’s been four years since they met already, what’s with all the wait?” He looked at his friends in confusion until he caught Nino’s eye. Nino’s eye had a mischievous glint in it, and being longtime friends with the sly gamer meant that they understood each other quite easily, he grinned.
“Yosh! Operation Make Matsujun Confess Begins!” Aiba says punching upwards while Nino rubs his chin, his DS paused on his other hand.
Sho and Ohno caught each other’s eye and shook their head. Looks like the Kids Team has found a new project to mess with.
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Right after the shooting for Himitsu no Arashi-chan with Inoue Mao as the guest
“Why is Jun-kun angry?” asked Sho as he entered the greenroom. Ohno was seated at the single-seater blanking out while Nino was stretched out lazily on the sofa, playing with his DS. They still had a half hour break before the next shooting continues.
He had just met the young man at the corridor, he seemed normal at first until Sakurai looked into his eyes. He had always been amazed at the depth of expression Matsujun’s eyes can express, that even if he carried a really blank façade, his eyes would somehow give him away. This time, his eyes read deadly, which meant that something, or someone, is in trouble.
“Because Aiba-chan is hiding from him…” Nino replied casually.
“And why is Aiba-chan hiding from him?”
“Because he doesn’t want to die… yet.”
“What did he do this time?” he asked as he sat across Ohno.
Matsumoto Jun was not nicknamed DoS for nothing. And having a member who is easily ticked off and another member having very little (and almost) no self-restraint meant that trouble would brew every now and then. They’d never fight actually, no, that never happens, but someone is bound to have his head smacked, which basically amounts it being Aiba.
“Oh, he hasn’t done anything...” Nino replied with a nasty smirk. “After all, it was not his fault that Jun-kun saw him talking animatedly with Mao-chan earlier or that when Jun-kun entered the greenroom he was so startled that he jumped and spilled a drop of juice on Jun-kun’s bag. And it was not his fault that Mao-chan decided to choose him as her favorite member earlier. No… none of this is his fault… That’s why Jun-kun is out for his blood.”
Sho shook his head and laughed a little. Yes, those weren’t really Aiba’s fault, but it didn’t really change a thing. “Poor Aiba…” he exhaled as he was about to reach for the morning paper but then he caught Nino’s expression. There was a satisfied glint in his eyes. “Why do you look so happy about this?” he asked suspiciously.
“Why should I be happy at all?” Nino asked, turning to face him with an angelic smile.
Sho snorted, seems that Matsujun is not the only one who got jealous with Mao's choice, not that he'd ever ask. “So, what happened to Operation Make Matsujun Confess? Dropped it already?” he decided to ask instead.
“Nah…” came the reply. “We’re just being held back on how we would force him to actually confess…” he admitted. Aiba, of course had come up with numerous ridiculous suggestions on how to force the two but most of it, all of it really, would just result to him being hit in the head (or strangled) by the DoS.
“Just lock them in a room!” Ohno said suddenly, startling the two.
“That’s a great idea Riida!” Nino exclaimed, the mischievous glint back in his eyes. “That’s absolutely perfect!” he continued grinning to himself, obviously picturing the idea in his head. Sho could only smile and shake his head.
He had a feeling that something was going to happen sooner or later with this plan. And with Mao-chan scheduled to guest in another one of their shows, Shukudai-kun this time, he’s sure that Aiba would push for a sooner than a later date. After all, he knows that Aiba hated hiding at the staff’s stockroom whenever Jun is out for his blood.
Ohno, on the other hand, is still in his own world, not even aware that he had actually helped or why he even blurted that out in the first place.
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After the shooting for Inoue Mao’s Shukudai-kun appearance…
“Where is he?” Aiba whispered as he tried to make himself inconspicuous by the stage light’s area. His eyes were moving frantically about, obviously worried.
“You could relax, you know…” laughed Ohno, seeing his friend. “He’s not looking for you…”
Aiba visibly relaxed until Nino, a few steps behind Ohno, smirked and added in “YET…” making the tall guy blanch. Nino just had to laugh.
“You can stop hiding now, he’s not in a bad mood…” said Sho who was also coming in. “Or at least I can guarantee that he won’t be attempting to murder somebody today…”
“That’s a relief!” sighed Aiba, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. “Where is he?”
“I just saw him chatting with Mao-chan back at the greenroom…”
Aiba’s eyes twinkled at this. “Let’s do it now!”
“Do what now?” asked the three, bewildered.
“Force him to confess! It’s the perfect timing!”
“And here I was thinking that you didn’t want him after your blood today…” smirked Nino.
“You sure you want to sacrifice your life today?” added Sho. “You do know that you won’t be able to get away easily from this…”
“I’m not going to get away from ANYTHING at this rate!” pouted Aiba.
True enough, Matsujun had taken to glaring at Aiba every time the later would even come close to saying a ridiculous idea ever since that VIP episode shooting. Matsujun would really say that the reason why he always glared at Aiba was because he was the one Mao chose, (which everyone knew anyway…) instead, he would notice something that Aiba had done wrong and pick on that. And since it IS Aiba, he would ALWAYS find something he did out of order and glare at him because of it. Though already used to it, Aiba still feels that it’s unnerving at times.
“You only get one shot…” says Ohno.
“Yes,” agreed Nino. “One shot Aiba, don’t mess it up or you better start running for your life.”
“I know!” he insisted as he rubbed his hands together. They had a plan (a very vague one at that) and it really could work. It HAD to work. Or it will be the end of him.
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“Mao-chan!” greeted Aiba energetically as he and Sho entered the greenroom where the targeted couple was busy talking.
The bright smile she had when she turned to him with “Nani?” was in stark contrast with the dark look he was giving him right now.
Aiba had to gulp. His life is now hanging on a very thin thread. It was now or never.
“Producer-san wants to talk to you for a while…” he said, careful not to look at the guy currently staring daggers at him. “So I’ve come to escort you to him!” he managed to end in a consistent high energy, even offering an arm with a slight bow as if to escort her to a ball.
Mao giggled at his act but stood up and placed a hand on the offered arm just the same. “I will be back, ne, Jun-kun…”, she said.
Jun could only grunt, all his efforts concentrated on keeping himself calm. He hated seeing other men be like that to her; Nino, her drama-husband who obviously had a crush on her, Sho, her drama-brother who could actually be charming if he really wants to, Riida who often remains quiet but is attractive enough on his own AND SPECIALLY Aiba, her self-confessed favorite Arashi member.
He knew that he should actually be okay with it, they're his friends. and they are her friends, too. But not yet, not when he still has no right to claim her as his own. Not when he still hadn’t told her exactly what he feels.
He had always treated her as special, made her feel special. But he’d always known that making her feel it does not mean she actually knows it, something he was determined to correct (and was getting to) if Aiba hadn’t barged in the midst of their conversation.
At that time, there were two things that Matsujun hadn’t noticed. One: that he was already glaring openly at the back of his friend (with Mao-chan’s hand still on his arm as they walk out of the room) and two: that Sho is looking at him in amusement.
“Jun-kun…” Sho said, cutting of his train of thought. “Daijobu desu ka?”
“Hai…” he answered distractedly as he covered his face with his palms, massaging his temples in the process as he stood up. He needed some fresh air.
Sho smiled to himself. “I wanted to talk about something for the concert…” he started, placing an arm on his shoulders and steered him outside the greenroom. Once outside the door, they could still see the retreating backs of both Aiba and Mao.
That they were headed away from their producer’s direction, instead of towards it, was not noticeable to Jun. He did notice, however, that her hand was still on his arm, and that she was laughing at whatever it is that he is saying. He noticed that they stopped at the middle of the corridor where it was just about to turn left, Aiba standing in front of her with his left hand on her right elbow.
He did not, however, notice that a door at that corner was unnaturally opened, or that his friend who was supposed to talk to him about their concert had stopped talking completely and was simply watching him, amused, or that the arm was placed on his shoulder to steer him to any movement was now removed, replaced with a hand on his left.
There was not much he noticed, really, at all, except that urge to hit something, anything, desperately, or else he might end up hitting his friend.
Which is why it took him a few seconds to digest what was happening when he was suddenly pushed into that open room. That few seconds was all they needed to push Mao in with him and lock the door from the outside. It was by sheer luck, or reaction, that he extend an arm to catch her, or else she might have stumbled, as clumsy as she already is. A few more blinks and he realized where they are, in one of the studio’s stockrooms.
“Guys! Open this!’ he demanded once he was sure that Mao was on a stable footing, twisting the knob and pounding at the door. It wouldn’t budge.
He heard fits of laughter and giggles that easily told him that Aiba and Sho were not the only ones outside that door, and that four people would be in grave danger once he gets out of that room.
“Gomen ne, Jun-kun…” he heard Ohno say.
“We are doing this for you!” Sho added.
He literally growled. “OPEN THIS! NOW!”
“I’m not opening it until I’m sure that you wouldn’t be glaring at me every five seconds!” Aiba cried indignantly.
Jun snorted. “AIBA!” he called threateningly.
But it was not Aiba who replied. Instead, it was Nino’s voice that came floating next.
“If I was there in your position, I would be extremely happy…” he said. “Just think of this as your other birthday present.” And with that, he heard footsteps going away.
A sudden gasp from behind him. Thinking that Mao had somehow attempted to move around and got herself in a pinch, he immediately turned around, one of his hands feeling for the switch and turning it on.
Thankfully, Mao was still standing where he left her. But he noticed the goosebumps all over her arms.
“Nande?” he asked in a soft voice, stepping closer, rubbing her arms.
“I… I…” she started, gulping as his eyes looked frantically at the walls. “I really hate bugs…” she said in a small voice.
Without thinking, Jun pulled her close and hugged her, offering her comfort as he rubbed her back, whispering her words of comfort, telling her that it was alright, he was there.
That went on for a while, until he felt her relax, her breathing return to normal. But he didn’t step away, not just yet. He remained where he was, savoring the sweet feeling of having her in his arms.
“Jun-kun…?” Mao whispered. “What did Kazu-kun mean when he said your other birthday present?”
Jun could feel the involuntary smile tugging at his lips. this may not be how he imagined saying it but it could wok. and if it would work, he may not be threatening his group mates for this after all. He did remember that statement he made before he rushed off to his birthday party, and apparently, so did the other four baka.
He took a deep breath, gathering the words in his head as he looked at her.
“Mao-chan…” he gulped. Simply thinking of the appropriate lines is way easier than actually saying it.
“Hmmmm?”
“Remember when we were still shooting for Hanadan? When we’d joke around, chase each other around and simply had fun?”
“How could I forget?” he felt her chuckle.
“Well…” he said, stepping back from the embrace to look directly at her face. “Somewhere along all the joking and the chasing… I think it’s safe to say that I have completely fallen in-love with you.”
She didn’t say anything for a while, she simply stood there looking at him. He could feel his shoulders drop, he could almost hear what she’s going to say next. That she doesn’t feel the same way. That he’s just a good friend to her and nothing more. He didn't want to hear those words. Not from her. Which is why he held on to his feelings for so long without telling her.
He was about to turn back when he saw her smile, a tear flowing from her eye.
“Nande?” he asked, stepping towards her, a hand extended to reach out to her, though in hesitation.
Tears continued to fall but Mao laughed and stepped in for a sudden embrace. Jun was a bit confused at first, with the tears and the suddenly laughter, until he heard her say…
“Baka! I’m just happy. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you to say that!”
It was at that moment that Jun released that breathe he didn’t notice he’d been holding.
“You mean?”
“Do I have to say it out loud? I love you too, baka…” she said, looking into his eyes. “And just so you know, falling in-love with an idol is not easy, especially when he’s a DoS named Matsujun.”
Jun’s smile widened as he looked at her tenderly. “You are aware what that confession means right?”
“Not really…” she smiled cheekily amidst those tears. “Care to enlighten me?”
“You are now officially mine. And I have no intent of letting you go,” Jun declared, determination in his voice, as he pulled her close for another embrace. In her ears, he whispered “Because I know I’d be loving you forever…”
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About 10 minutes later…
One of the PA’s peeked at the greenroom where four of the Arashi members are currently relaxing. Ohno had taken his usual spot by the window, staring outside, lost in his own world. Sho had seated himself in front of the table, busy reading the newspaper, his right hand darting out every now and then to pick up his coffee for a sip. Aiba and Nino decided to start playing with their own DS, and while Aiba would laugh every once in a while, chuckling to himself, Nino’s face is completely focused in his game.
“Minna-san…” the PA said, “director-san and producer-san wants to meet you for the next shooting date…”
“Hai! Hai!” answered Sho, folding his paper neatly while Ohno stirred from where he sat. However, both Aiba and Nino remained on their seats, seemingly uninterested to stand up at all.
“Oi, you guys!” Sho called. “Better get ready. You don’t want manager-san or Jun-kun breathing down our…”
It was at the mention at their youngest friend’s name that the two looked up suddenly and everybody caught each other’s eye. In a split second, the greenroom was vacated as if a bomb was set to explode there.
“Guys! Hurry up!” called Sho as they darted towards the stockroom where they locked their friend in. In almost a blink of the eye, they were outside the door.
“Hurry Nino!” said Ohno.
“Come on, Kazu! The key!” panted Aiba.
Nino’s eyes grew large as he started patting his jeans for the key. “Oh heck! Where is that damn key?!”
“YOU LOST IT?!”
And as the four scrambled to search Nino for the lost key (which was conveniently hidden in his jacket’s inner pocket for safe-keeping), the two lovebirds inside the small room didn’t really care.
They were still locked in an embrace, him looking at her with all the love in the world, and her, smiling up to him with all the tenderness she could muster. And not four helpful but infinitely baka guys could break it.
i've been having a case of nostalgia lately, looking back, reminiscing and watching back the moments i've had for the past few years... in fact, i've been re-watching the championship games of my favorite basketball team from a couple of years back... and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that they make it to the championships again this season... (it's already the semi's!)
and yeah... valentines is just around the corner... my friends and i were planning for a girls night out but apparently, my parents and my younger sister will be coming over on Saturday since they're getting her a dress for their prom... (tsk...tsk..tsk... what's going on in my alma mater these days? they're holding prom practically a week after valentines day! anyway...)
and so my head hurts, my throat hurts (for some reason... i don't know why...), my back and butt hurts for sitting on a chair for 6 and a half hours straight... and now, i'm going to force myself to sleep at 3:00 in the afternoon (in my country)...
oh, and yeah... click the cut if you'd like to read my other fic, posted originally at ebisu_midnights . it's another matsumoto jun/inoue mao fic, dominated by the other four members of arashi... :)
Title: The Other Birthday Gift
Author: lovesmatch
Rating: G
Genre: fluff/comedy
Summary: when Arashi (sans Matsujun) decides to have a hand in their friends’ lovelife…
Disclaimer: My right to claim is restricted to anything that I have created and everything that I own... which does not include anyone or anything in this fic...
Author's Notes: in my great attempt to clear my mind so that I could focus in reviewing, I came up with this… (oh…and I probably am very bad when it comes to confessions…)
“See you guys tomorrow!” Jun declared as he made a grab for his bag sitting at the sofa.
Their last concert day at the Kokuritsu has just ended, completely successful amidst the onslaught of heavy rain.
“See ya…” replied Ohno who was busy buttoning up his shirt. The rest of the group is still busy with their preparations to go home. But they knew that Jun would not be going home, not just yet. Shun had said that he had made a reservation in Jun’s favorite restaurant to celebrate his birthday which is where Jun would be going. The rest of Arashi respectfully declined, claiming that they’ve already spent the whole day with the birthday boy anyway.
Jun was almost at the door when Aiba spoke up.
“Hey! Don’t forget your gift!” he said, holding up the paper bag which was previously seated at the table with a very expectant smile.
Jun made a small grimace as he reached for it. He IS completely touched with the effort his group mates had exerted towards his birthday gift but they can’t really blame him for having mixed emotions about it. After all, it DID make him look like a disco ball.
“You know, you guys should really have another present for me…” he demanded in jest before he finally left.
A burst of laughter exploded in the greenroom the moment the door closed behind him. It was all in good humor that they bought that jacket for him. It was Aiba’s fault really… Aiba, having seen the jacket during one of his shopping sprees, decided to take a picture of the jacket and show it to everyone else, claiming that it would be a perfect match for Matsujun’s gold shirt, the one he wore during the very last day of promotion for Hanadan Final. And then it was Nino’s fault since he actually agreed to it and suggested that they get it for him as a present. Sho and Ohno were a bit hesitant with the idea at first. They knew that there is no way that he’d be able to make use of it outside shooting but they had to agree when Nino said that seeing his face when he takes a first good look at the present would be really worth it.
Nino was right, of course. The look he gave them when he opened it onstage was priceless!
“Eh… But seriously, what gift do you think he wants?” asks Ohno when the laughter subsided.
“Forget about it, Riida. The gift Jun-kun wants involves a cute, mesmerizing woman with expressive brown eyes and a thousand-watt smile.” Nino said with a smirk, his mind creating the image of that certain woman in his head giving him a dreamy look.
Sho shook his head. “Why does it seem to me that you want that gift for yourself too, Nino-chan?” he jibed.
Ohno tried to stifle his laughter and Aiba guffawed as the dreamy look on Nino’s face was wiped away.
“I would love to Sho-kun… if Jun-kun never existed. Unfortunately, he’s here and my heart is broken…” he replied playfully, complete with the actions of someone stabbed at the heart.
Sho smirked. They all knew that Nino had had a crush on Matsujun’s co-star ever since they did the Secret Talk for Wish, something that he had undermined when they started to notice something different about their youngest group mate and his on-screen partner, something along the lines of the relationship not being merely on-screen.
“Anyway, who’s willing to bet that his love confession to the fans earlier was for her alone?” he said.
Ohno shook his head, Aiba smiled, and Nino snorted. Even they were quite amazed and heavily amused when the birthday boy suddenly blurted out “Ashiteru yo!” at the end of their last encore. All the fans squealed in glee, of course, but somehow, something tells them that most of that statement was directed to one of the audience, a woman seated in the VIP section in particular, who would be one of those few invited in the birthday party Jun is going to right now. Inoue Mao.
“I think, it would be more appropriate to bet on whether he had confessed already or not,” said Ohno.
The others looked at him in awe.
“Oh-chan… Come on! This IS Matsujun we’re talking about! Hadn’t he proven time and again that he is the most romantic among all of us?” said Aiba, rummaging around his bag for something, most probably his lip gloss. (“And that Sho-chan is the worst?” piped in Nino, his hands already occupied by his old reliable DS, followed an “Oi!” by Sho.) “And with the look those two keep on giving each other, how could you doubt him?”
The look they gave each other indeed was something. They looked besotted, completely mesmerized by one another that they seem to often forget that others are there, something which is much more telling that their statement that they are just friends. Shun, along with their other close cast and crew members from Hanadan would wholeheartedly agree.
Ohno shrugged as he put on his jacket, not really looking at his group mates. “Somehow, I have this feeling that he hasn’t confessed yet or else he’d be introducing her as his girlfriend already. Up to know, his description of her as his friend has not yet changed. I know Jun-kun will tell us, at least, if they’re already a couple but since he hasn’t, I think they’re still in the more-than-friends-but-not-yet-lovers phase…”
It was at this point that Ohno noticed the silence around him, Sho had stopped reprimanding Nino for that jibe earlier, Nino had stopped tapping his DS and Aiba had stopped rummaging through his bag. When he looked at them, they were all looking at him with wide eyes.
“I’m not right, am I?” he asked tentatively.
This resulted to another burst of laughter from the three as Sho walked over to tap him at the back, shaking his head.
“Sugoi! Ne, Riida…” blurted out Nino. “Who would have thought you were this observant when we thought you’d only be thinking of fishing?”
Ohno simply smiled. He really did often think about his next fishing trip, or the last one he went to, but at times, he would just let his eyes wander and observe his surroundings. He loved watching his friends from a distance, it felt like he could see them in a different light. And Matsujun tops the list of those he likes watching, mainly due to the ever changing character within him. He’d already said that Matsujun seemed to have mellowed down a lot recently. Yes, he still was perfectionist but there is also contentment in his eyes. And he looked happy.
“So… Jun-kun hadn’t confessed yet huh? Eeeeeh…” said Aiba rubbing the back of his head, as if thinking. “It’s been four years since they met already, what’s with all the wait?” He looked at his friends in confusion until he caught Nino’s eye. Nino’s eye had a mischievous glint in it, and being longtime friends with the sly gamer meant that they understood each other quite easily, he grinned.
“Yosh! Operation Make Matsujun Confess Begins!” Aiba says punching upwards while Nino rubs his chin, his DS paused on his other hand.
Sho and Ohno caught each other’s eye and shook their head. Looks like the Kids Team has found a new project to mess with.
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Right after the shooting for Himitsu no Arashi-chan with Inoue Mao as the guest
“Why is Jun-kun angry?” asked Sho as he entered the greenroom. Ohno was seated at the single-seater blanking out while Nino was stretched out lazily on the sofa, playing with his DS. They still had a half hour break before the next shooting continues.
He had just met the young man at the corridor, he seemed normal at first until Sakurai looked into his eyes. He had always been amazed at the depth of expression Matsujun’s eyes can express, that even if he carried a really blank façade, his eyes would somehow give him away. This time, his eyes read deadly, which meant that something, or someone, is in trouble.
“Because Aiba-chan is hiding from him…” Nino replied casually.
“And why is Aiba-chan hiding from him?”
“Because he doesn’t want to die… yet.”
“What did he do this time?” he asked as he sat across Ohno.
Matsumoto Jun was not nicknamed DoS for nothing. And having a member who is easily ticked off and another member having very little (and almost) no self-restraint meant that trouble would brew every now and then. They’d never fight actually, no, that never happens, but someone is bound to have his head smacked, which basically amounts it being Aiba.
“Oh, he hasn’t done anything...” Nino replied with a nasty smirk. “After all, it was not his fault that Jun-kun saw him talking animatedly with Mao-chan earlier or that when Jun-kun entered the greenroom he was so startled that he jumped and spilled a drop of juice on Jun-kun’s bag. And it was not his fault that Mao-chan decided to choose him as her favorite member earlier. No… none of this is his fault… That’s why Jun-kun is out for his blood.”
Sho shook his head and laughed a little. Yes, those weren’t really Aiba’s fault, but it didn’t really change a thing. “Poor Aiba…” he exhaled as he was about to reach for the morning paper but then he caught Nino’s expression. There was a satisfied glint in his eyes. “Why do you look so happy about this?” he asked suspiciously.
“Why should I be happy at all?” Nino asked, turning to face him with an angelic smile.
Sho snorted, seems that Matsujun is not the only one who got jealous with Mao's choice, not that he'd ever ask. “So, what happened to Operation Make Matsujun Confess? Dropped it already?” he decided to ask instead.
“Nah…” came the reply. “We’re just being held back on how we would force him to actually confess…” he admitted. Aiba, of course had come up with numerous ridiculous suggestions on how to force the two but most of it, all of it really, would just result to him being hit in the head (or strangled) by the DoS.
“Just lock them in a room!” Ohno said suddenly, startling the two.
“That’s a great idea Riida!” Nino exclaimed, the mischievous glint back in his eyes. “That’s absolutely perfect!” he continued grinning to himself, obviously picturing the idea in his head. Sho could only smile and shake his head.
He had a feeling that something was going to happen sooner or later with this plan. And with Mao-chan scheduled to guest in another one of their shows, Shukudai-kun this time, he’s sure that Aiba would push for a sooner than a later date. After all, he knows that Aiba hated hiding at the staff’s stockroom whenever Jun is out for his blood.
Ohno, on the other hand, is still in his own world, not even aware that he had actually helped or why he even blurted that out in the first place.
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After the shooting for Inoue Mao’s Shukudai-kun appearance…
“Where is he?” Aiba whispered as he tried to make himself inconspicuous by the stage light’s area. His eyes were moving frantically about, obviously worried.
“You could relax, you know…” laughed Ohno, seeing his friend. “He’s not looking for you…”
Aiba visibly relaxed until Nino, a few steps behind Ohno, smirked and added in “YET…” making the tall guy blanch. Nino just had to laugh.
“You can stop hiding now, he’s not in a bad mood…” said Sho who was also coming in. “Or at least I can guarantee that he won’t be attempting to murder somebody today…”
“That’s a relief!” sighed Aiba, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. “Where is he?”
“I just saw him chatting with Mao-chan back at the greenroom…”
Aiba’s eyes twinkled at this. “Let’s do it now!”
“Do what now?” asked the three, bewildered.
“Force him to confess! It’s the perfect timing!”
“And here I was thinking that you didn’t want him after your blood today…” smirked Nino.
“You sure you want to sacrifice your life today?” added Sho. “You do know that you won’t be able to get away easily from this…”
“I’m not going to get away from ANYTHING at this rate!” pouted Aiba.
True enough, Matsujun had taken to glaring at Aiba every time the later would even come close to saying a ridiculous idea ever since that VIP episode shooting. Matsujun would really say that the reason why he always glared at Aiba was because he was the one Mao chose, (which everyone knew anyway…) instead, he would notice something that Aiba had done wrong and pick on that. And since it IS Aiba, he would ALWAYS find something he did out of order and glare at him because of it. Though already used to it, Aiba still feels that it’s unnerving at times.
“You only get one shot…” says Ohno.
“Yes,” agreed Nino. “One shot Aiba, don’t mess it up or you better start running for your life.”
“I know!” he insisted as he rubbed his hands together. They had a plan (a very vague one at that) and it really could work. It HAD to work. Or it will be the end of him.
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“Mao-chan!” greeted Aiba energetically as he and Sho entered the greenroom where the targeted couple was busy talking.
The bright smile she had when she turned to him with “Nani?” was in stark contrast with the dark look he was giving him right now.
Aiba had to gulp. His life is now hanging on a very thin thread. It was now or never.
“Producer-san wants to talk to you for a while…” he said, careful not to look at the guy currently staring daggers at him. “So I’ve come to escort you to him!” he managed to end in a consistent high energy, even offering an arm with a slight bow as if to escort her to a ball.
Mao giggled at his act but stood up and placed a hand on the offered arm just the same. “I will be back, ne, Jun-kun…”, she said.
Jun could only grunt, all his efforts concentrated on keeping himself calm. He hated seeing other men be like that to her; Nino, her drama-husband who obviously had a crush on her, Sho, her drama-brother who could actually be charming if he really wants to, Riida who often remains quiet but is attractive enough on his own AND SPECIALLY Aiba, her self-confessed favorite Arashi member.
He knew that he should actually be okay with it, they're his friends. and they are her friends, too. But not yet, not when he still has no right to claim her as his own. Not when he still hadn’t told her exactly what he feels.
He had always treated her as special, made her feel special. But he’d always known that making her feel it does not mean she actually knows it, something he was determined to correct (and was getting to) if Aiba hadn’t barged in the midst of their conversation.
At that time, there were two things that Matsujun hadn’t noticed. One: that he was already glaring openly at the back of his friend (with Mao-chan’s hand still on his arm as they walk out of the room) and two: that Sho is looking at him in amusement.
“Jun-kun…” Sho said, cutting of his train of thought. “Daijobu desu ka?”
“Hai…” he answered distractedly as he covered his face with his palms, massaging his temples in the process as he stood up. He needed some fresh air.
Sho smiled to himself. “I wanted to talk about something for the concert…” he started, placing an arm on his shoulders and steered him outside the greenroom. Once outside the door, they could still see the retreating backs of both Aiba and Mao.
That they were headed away from their producer’s direction, instead of towards it, was not noticeable to Jun. He did notice, however, that her hand was still on his arm, and that she was laughing at whatever it is that he is saying. He noticed that they stopped at the middle of the corridor where it was just about to turn left, Aiba standing in front of her with his left hand on her right elbow.
He did not, however, notice that a door at that corner was unnaturally opened, or that his friend who was supposed to talk to him about their concert had stopped talking completely and was simply watching him, amused, or that the arm was placed on his shoulder to steer him to any movement was now removed, replaced with a hand on his left.
There was not much he noticed, really, at all, except that urge to hit something, anything, desperately, or else he might end up hitting his friend.
Which is why it took him a few seconds to digest what was happening when he was suddenly pushed into that open room. That few seconds was all they needed to push Mao in with him and lock the door from the outside. It was by sheer luck, or reaction, that he extend an arm to catch her, or else she might have stumbled, as clumsy as she already is. A few more blinks and he realized where they are, in one of the studio’s stockrooms.
“Guys! Open this!’ he demanded once he was sure that Mao was on a stable footing, twisting the knob and pounding at the door. It wouldn’t budge.
He heard fits of laughter and giggles that easily told him that Aiba and Sho were not the only ones outside that door, and that four people would be in grave danger once he gets out of that room.
“Gomen ne, Jun-kun…” he heard Ohno say.
“We are doing this for you!” Sho added.
He literally growled. “OPEN THIS! NOW!”
“I’m not opening it until I’m sure that you wouldn’t be glaring at me every five seconds!” Aiba cried indignantly.
Jun snorted. “AIBA!” he called threateningly.
But it was not Aiba who replied. Instead, it was Nino’s voice that came floating next.
“If I was there in your position, I would be extremely happy…” he said. “Just think of this as your other birthday present.” And with that, he heard footsteps going away.
A sudden gasp from behind him. Thinking that Mao had somehow attempted to move around and got herself in a pinch, he immediately turned around, one of his hands feeling for the switch and turning it on.
Thankfully, Mao was still standing where he left her. But he noticed the goosebumps all over her arms.
“Nande?” he asked in a soft voice, stepping closer, rubbing her arms.
“I… I…” she started, gulping as his eyes looked frantically at the walls. “I really hate bugs…” she said in a small voice.
Without thinking, Jun pulled her close and hugged her, offering her comfort as he rubbed her back, whispering her words of comfort, telling her that it was alright, he was there.
That went on for a while, until he felt her relax, her breathing return to normal. But he didn’t step away, not just yet. He remained where he was, savoring the sweet feeling of having her in his arms.
“Jun-kun…?” Mao whispered. “What did Kazu-kun mean when he said your other birthday present?”
Jun could feel the involuntary smile tugging at his lips. this may not be how he imagined saying it but it could wok. and if it would work, he may not be threatening his group mates for this after all. He did remember that statement he made before he rushed off to his birthday party, and apparently, so did the other four baka.
He took a deep breath, gathering the words in his head as he looked at her.
“Mao-chan…” he gulped. Simply thinking of the appropriate lines is way easier than actually saying it.
“Hmmmm?”
“Remember when we were still shooting for Hanadan? When we’d joke around, chase each other around and simply had fun?”
“How could I forget?” he felt her chuckle.
“Well…” he said, stepping back from the embrace to look directly at her face. “Somewhere along all the joking and the chasing… I think it’s safe to say that I have completely fallen in-love with you.”
She didn’t say anything for a while, she simply stood there looking at him. He could feel his shoulders drop, he could almost hear what she’s going to say next. That she doesn’t feel the same way. That he’s just a good friend to her and nothing more. He didn't want to hear those words. Not from her. Which is why he held on to his feelings for so long without telling her.
He was about to turn back when he saw her smile, a tear flowing from her eye.
“Nande?” he asked, stepping towards her, a hand extended to reach out to her, though in hesitation.
Tears continued to fall but Mao laughed and stepped in for a sudden embrace. Jun was a bit confused at first, with the tears and the suddenly laughter, until he heard her say…
“Baka! I’m just happy. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you to say that!”
It was at that moment that Jun released that breathe he didn’t notice he’d been holding.
“You mean?”
“Do I have to say it out loud? I love you too, baka…” she said, looking into his eyes. “And just so you know, falling in-love with an idol is not easy, especially when he’s a DoS named Matsujun.”
Jun’s smile widened as he looked at her tenderly. “You are aware what that confession means right?”
“Not really…” she smiled cheekily amidst those tears. “Care to enlighten me?”
“You are now officially mine. And I have no intent of letting you go,” Jun declared, determination in his voice, as he pulled her close for another embrace. In her ears, he whispered “Because I know I’d be loving you forever…”
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About 10 minutes later…
One of the PA’s peeked at the greenroom where four of the Arashi members are currently relaxing. Ohno had taken his usual spot by the window, staring outside, lost in his own world. Sho had seated himself in front of the table, busy reading the newspaper, his right hand darting out every now and then to pick up his coffee for a sip. Aiba and Nino decided to start playing with their own DS, and while Aiba would laugh every once in a while, chuckling to himself, Nino’s face is completely focused in his game.
“Minna-san…” the PA said, “director-san and producer-san wants to meet you for the next shooting date…”
“Hai! Hai!” answered Sho, folding his paper neatly while Ohno stirred from where he sat. However, both Aiba and Nino remained on their seats, seemingly uninterested to stand up at all.
“Oi, you guys!” Sho called. “Better get ready. You don’t want manager-san or Jun-kun breathing down our…”
It was at the mention at their youngest friend’s name that the two looked up suddenly and everybody caught each other’s eye. In a split second, the greenroom was vacated as if a bomb was set to explode there.
“Guys! Hurry up!” called Sho as they darted towards the stockroom where they locked their friend in. In almost a blink of the eye, they were outside the door.
“Hurry Nino!” said Ohno.
“Come on, Kazu! The key!” panted Aiba.
Nino’s eyes grew large as he started patting his jeans for the key. “Oh heck! Where is that damn key?!”
“YOU LOST IT?!”
And as the four scrambled to search Nino for the lost key (which was conveniently hidden in his jacket’s inner pocket for safe-keeping), the two lovebirds inside the small room didn’t really care.
They were still locked in an embrace, him looking at her with all the love in the world, and her, smiling up to him with all the tenderness she could muster. And not four helpful but infinitely baka guys could break it.