Happy Birthday Matsujun!!!
First off...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATSUMOTO JUN!!!
only a few years more and you might be allowed to get married already! LOLz
anyway, here's hoping (although you'll never read this) you enjoyed your birthday with the ones you love and the ones who can really make you happy!
Tanjoubi Omedetou!
anyway, i'm breaking my own tradition with this... no one shot this time for the birhtdya boy but an update... and a surprise! :D
TITLE: One Chance (Falling...)
CHARACTERS: Matsumoto Jun, Ikuta Toma, Inoue Mao, Horikita Maki, Toda Erika, Mizushima Hiro, Nishikido Ryo, Takaki Yuya, Sakamoto Masayuki (please proceed to cast list for more of the cast)
GENRE: AU
RATINGS: Pg
DISCLAIMER: The only thing i own in this story is the plot...
SUMMARY: She was waiting for a guy to sweep her off her feet. He was waiting for that girl he could sweep off hers... And then a new guy came to change the story... This is a story of falling in love, and realizing that you've fallen in love... Typical isn't it? Maybe... Maybe not...
Prologue, Chapter1, Chapter2, Chapter3, Chapter4, Chapter5, Chapter6, Chapter7, Chapter8, Chapter 9, Chapter10, Chapter11, Chapter12, Chapter13, Chapter14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter17,Chapter 18, Chapter 19,
Chapter 20: First Light
“Why would he do that?” Erika asked in anger and confusion.
Their little group is already inside the ICU where Toma was transferred to after his operation just minutes ago. His injuries weren’t fatal, but it was bad enough to break a few ribs and bones and cause a lot of muscle stress. The doctors said that it would take him some time to recover from all that.
Before Toma was moved there though, Ryo had received an important phone call. No one bothered to give him that much attention since the doctor had just cleared Toma for transfer from the emergency room he had been wheeled to 12 hours ago to the ICU.
It turns out that the phone call Ryo received was from the police, informing him of the latest developments on Toma’s case. Some witnesses had turned up and identified the third car in Toma’s car mishap and the police had already identified the owner and driver.
Yamashita Tomohisa.
“I know they weren’t on the best terms when all was said and done but I don’t think they ever reached the hostility point,” she continued. “Why would Yamashita do something like this?”
“I…” Mao started, her eyes moving from Erika to Maki before landing on Toma. The three girls are seated around Toma’s bed while Ryo and Jun stood a little further back.
There was something surreal with what she saw, Toma with all those tubes and machines connected to his body. And if anything, it only emphasized that things really are serious. Serious not only because of Toma’s present situation but also because it reminded her of the most possible source of the hostility between the two men.
She was just about to tell them the story of what happened all those years ago, back in college, when Maki suddenly spoke up.
“I think this might actually all be my fault,” she said in a voice that is very much unlike her own.
-----
“What do you mean?” Maki heard Erika ask. The girl was just sitting next to her but for some reason, it sounded to Maki as if she was from somewhere afar. In fact, everything and everyone sounded distant to Maki the moment Ryo mentioned that name.
And she knew why. After all, she thought everything was already over after that dinner she had with the guy.
“I never gave up hope that you’d still want to see me,” Yamapi said as he approached her table.
Maki was in a restaurant in the mall where she first saw Yamashita again for the first time in ages. About half an hour earlier, she had finally mustered up enough courage to call him up at the studio and ask him to meet her there. The time it took for her to get to that decision though was a whole lot longer.
But she knew it needed to be done. If only for her own piece of mind.
“Have a seat Yamashita-san,” she simply said, signaling to the seat opposite her. There was a smile plastered on her lips, but it was neither coy nor playful nor sincere. It was similar to the smile people would usually use for ID photo-taking, purely just for show.
If truth be told, she would have preferred if they got over it real quick and easy, to avoid the hassle, but she knew she couldn’t. She needed everything to be clear and for that, she had to take it slow. Besides, the moment Yamapi sat down, a service crew arrived to take his order and returned quickly with his preferred drink.
When they were left on their own though, Maki suddenly found herself searching for something to say. She didn’t have to worry about that though, because Yamapi, like usual, made that part easier.
“You’re still as beautiful as always, Ma-chan,” he said.
Maki found herself smiling, a bit more sincerely this time. But it wasn’t a smile of pleasure. It was more of a reminiscent smile, a smile that says she remembers how it used to feel back when she still feel terribly pleased by those words coming from that guy.
“And you’re still good with words,” she said. “Some things haven’t changed. Others, however, had.”
“You’re sounding very cryptic,” Yamapi observed as he took a sip of his coffee without taking his eyes away from her. “Sexy.”
Maki chuckled, shaking her head lightly. She remembered how she used to find it cute whenever Yamapi suddenly blurts out those kinds of things when they’re having a conversation, or a walk, or something along those lines. It still is sort of cute now, not just that endearing anymore.
“There’s nothing for you to come back to” she chose to say bluntly. It was, to a certain point, a bit too blunt for her that while Yamapi raised an eyebrow, she found herself holding her breath in surprise.
“What?”
Maki reached for her own cup but she didn’t raise it to her lips. She just played with it, making it turn on the saucer.
“What I’m saying is, what we had before, what we shared all those years ago, is already over,” she said. “It cannot be continued no matter what you say or do. It was over years ago. It’s still over now.”
Yamapi was silent for a while, the confidence etched in his face slowly fading like the sunlight with the arrival of a huge storm. For a while there was confusion in his eyes, then fury, and then it turned suspiciously blank, completely void of any expression.
“Ikuta?” he simply asked. Maki nodded.
“I’m sorry,” Maki said as soon as she finished telling them her story, her eyes practically welling up. “I never thought it would come to this. I just thought I would play along since Toma-kun and I had already started that charade in front of him. If I had known…”
“It’s not your fault,” Erika interrupted, clutching her best friend’s hand. “You didn’t know that Yamashita would be going for this kind of revenge, or that he’s going to take any revenge at all. Even I can’t believe that he’d be thinking of doing this to Toma-kun because of that.”
“Actually,” came another interruption, coming from Mao this time. “I think it’s not just because of that.”
“What do you mean?”
Mao took one long look at Toma’s sleeping form before she turned to Ryo and Jun at the far side before finally landing on the two girls on the opposite side of Toma’s bed.
“Toma-kun was the one who demanded Yamashita-san to leave you alone,” she said. “Back in college.”
“What?”
Mao sighed. Toma had made her promise never to share that particular story to anyone, let alone to Maki but she knew that they need to know, if only to be able to make sense of everything that happened.
“We, that is, the two of us, were at the mall back in college when we saw Yamashita-san with another girl. Actually, he was alone when we first saw him. But when we were about to approach him, the girl arrived and suddenly hugged him from behind before kissing him on the lips.”
“We froze, actually, I did. The next thing I knew, Toma-kun was storming towards them and he hit him, right there and then and in front of the girl too. And then he told him to set things right and admit everything to you or else he will.”
“Oh my God!”
“I think it happened right before you found out though,” Mao added quickly. “And he made me promise not to tell you guys what happened. But then, you found out,” she added, looking at Maki. “And you broke it off, and well, I think Yamashita-kun was a bit wary of Toma-kun for quite some time after that.”
“And he held that as a grudge?!” Erika exclaimed in disbelief. “It was his fault to begin with!”
“It’s because of his pride,” Maki said in a low voice. “His ego was hurt when Toma-kun hit him in front of those people and in front of that girl, even more so when he wasn’t able to do anything about it. Yamashita is a prideful man. And that pride was once again hit when I told him that I’m already seeing Toma-kun.”
Everyone was silent for a while as they all tried to digest what had just been said. It was Erika who first broke the silent minutes later.
“I’m guessing he blames Toma-kun then,” she said. When Maki and Mao simply looked at her in confusion, she continued “If he really seriously wants to go back with you now, then chances are, he wanted you back too years back. And in both times, Toma-kun was the reason why he couldn’t get you back.”
-----
It has been hours since the girls had that talk (while Jun and Ryo listened) but nothing much had changed. The morning turned to afternoon and the afternoon turned to evening and the evening turned to night but Toma still had not woken up.
His doctors had dropped by quite a few times already to check on his development and subsequently assure the girls that it is normal for people to take longer to wake up, especially with what Toma had just gone through. None of the trio though felt even remotely reassured, whatever it is the doctors would say, and had been tearing up every now and then or had simply stared and stared at Toma, especially during the last three hours or so. They’re all still worried why Toma has not opened his eyes.
And with that worry came their neglect of their own needs and bodies, something both Ryo and Jun noticed when they went down to the cafeteria for a bit to bring up food and found that food remained untouched or simply feebly stirred and sniffed. In fact, none of the girls would even leave their seats unless they’re going to the bathroom.
“You guys need to eat!” Ryo suddenly commanded into the silence. It wasn’t a shout or even just a loud voice. It was his usual low drawl but the silence in the room punctuated only by the steady rhythm of the machines attached to Toma’s body, carried his tone and the order with it.
When Erika looked up and met his boyfriend’s eyes, it was obviously to dispute him. But before she, or Maki, or Mao could say anything, Ryo said “You’re not doing yourselves a favor. And frankly, you’re not doing Toma-kun one either.”
-----
It still took a bit of convincing before all three girls agreed to go down. Ryo and Jun had this unspoken realization and understanding that the girls should all go down together or else they’d end up not going at all. Jun, who volunteered to stay behind to watch over Toma, even had to promise that he’d get them immediately the moment Toma wakes up.
It was a promise he had crossed his fingers to though, because while the girls were still just trying to dissuade him and Ryo, he had already noticed that Toma is awake and was just pretending to still be unconscious.
“They’re gone,” Jun simply declared the moment he closed the door behind Maki’s back.
And true enough, when he turned around to face Toma, Toma’s eyes were wide open, looking at him. Well, it looked like he was looking at him but Jun knew that his eyes were on the door. There was a bit of a sad, sorry look on it.
“Why didn’t you tell them immediately that you were already awake?” Jun asked, proceeding to take a seat next to Toma’s bed. “They were worried about you. Still are actually.”
“That’s exactly why I didn’t want to,” Toma replied, his voice slightly croaky before he cleared his voice. “They were all worried. Mao-chan was crying. Maki-chan was distraught. Even my cousin looked bad. I didn’t want to see that. I don’t know how to deal with that.”
“Oh, I see,” Jun simply said, nodding his head.
Toma turned to him, his eyes questioning. “You don’t agree?”
Jun shrugged. “To each his own. For me, I’d want to be able to see all the faces the woman I love makes. Her happy face, her sad face, her angry face, her sleeping face, even her worried face. Because for me, it means that I mean that much to her for her to allow me to see those faces. But like I said, to each his own,” he said before he straightened out. “Oh, yeah! Right! How are you by the way? Should I go get the doctors now?”
Toma didn’t respond with anything more that a slight shake of the head before he turned to the door again. For a while, silence reigned between them.
Jun was just about to reach for the phone to call the doctors when Toma suddenly said “You’ll take care of her, won’t you?”
Jun turned to Toma immediately and in confusion. There wasn’t any derision he could detect in the guy’s tone or facial expression. He looked quite serious actually.
And then he snorted.
“You’re not going to die,” Jun said. “I wouldn’t want Mao-chan to choose me by default.”
Toma, on the other hand, simply smiled. He’s not about to tell the guy that he thinks and feels that the battle has already been won.
-----
and there's chapter 20! how was it???
comments are really appreciated and keeps me motivated (although i don't get the chance to reply these days... sorry about that)
anyway... i posted a story here eons months ago...
it's a story that i was planning to post in February and then on April but i never really got to post... so here it is
finally!
anf so i wed my OTP in my new JunxMao series... lol
TITLE: Perfect
CHARACTERS: Matsumoto Jun, Inoue Mao, Kuroki Meisa, Oguri Shun, Yamada Yuu, Ashida Mana, Ohno Satoshi, Fujigaya Taisuke, Sakurai Sho, Oomasa Aya, Ninomiya Kazunari, Nakai Masahiro, Joushima Shigeru, Matsuoka Masahiro, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Inohara Yoshihiko
GENRE: AU
RATINGS: PG
DISCLAIMER: The only thing i own in this story is the plot...
SUMMARY: People say that they are a match made in heaven. They say that if this is heaven’s doing, then heaven has got it in for them. Two people forced into a relationship they didn’t really want because of an obligation they never really declined or accepted. And they’re living a life that everyone thought is perfect.
The Wedding:
“This is it!” Tsuyoshi exclaimed as soon as he saw the guards moving in to close the doors right after Oguri Yuu, his daughter’s maid-of-honor and son-in-law’s older sister. Turning to his only daughter, he added “Are you ready?”
Mao couldn’t help but chuckle seeing her father like this. Even beneath the veil that obscured nothing but her vision, her eyes could clearly see how nervous the guy is.
“Dad, this isn’t my first time doing this,” she couldn’t help but point out.
After all, it was true. It isn’t Inoue Mao’s first wedding. She had been wed before, in a completely different place using a completely different outfit. But, of course, it wasn’t with a completely different guy. Of course not!
She’s getting married, again, to the guy she married earlier that morning. Matsumoto Jun.
But the two of them weren’t trying to catch attention, or be regarded as unique or any of that. Their reason was actually quite simple. Their fathers, Matsumoto Masahiro and Inoue Tsuyoshi wanted them to wed under the traditional Japanese ceremony while their mothers dreamt for a church one. Including everything else, or almost everything else, in that wedding, she and Jun didn’t want to disappoint anyone which is why they opted for both.
Earlier that morning, the Japanese ceremony had just concluded.
Tsuyoshi ended up chuckling too at what she said but then that chuckle slowed to a mellow smile as he let his eyes take in her whole face.
“I am so proud of you, Mao,” he said. “Always remember that. Your mom and I love you so much.”
Mao smiled but noticing how the corner of her father’s eyes seemed to well up at that moment, she had to exert much effort for her throat to not suddenly be croaky.
“I love you too, Papa. You and Mom,” she said.
Yes, that’s exactly what she had to always put in mind.
That she is doing this for love.
-----
“She looks so beautiful…”
“He looks dashing…”
“They look so perfect together…”
“It’s like a fairy tale…”
“This is just so sweet…”
“Awww… I wish I could be her…”
These are just some of the words that echoed in the church the moment the door opened to finally reveal the beautiful bride. Mao has heard it all before, read about it, and even seen the pictures on the magazines with her own two eyes. Theirs was going to be a blockbuster wedding because other than the fact that she and his groom are heirs to two of the biggest companies in Japan, Jun just happens to be the most sought after bachelor in town.
Correction. He was the most sought after bachelor in town all right, but he also is the most sought after unavailable guy in town. Always has and it looks like he always will be. Mao knew that there are a number of women in attendance who’d give anything to exchange places with her.
But those things were pushed to the back of her mind as she took a deep breath and looked straight forward. Because there he was, waiting by the altar, looking very dapper in his white wedding suit, his eyes trained no one else but her. And even at their distance, she could see how his eyes seem to be twinkling.
She couldn’t help but smile as heat flushed to her face. Her steps were slow but deliberate, guided only by the eyes that seem to be pulling her closer to him.
-----
“Do you, Inoue Mao, take Matsumoto Jun as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, ‘til death do you part?” Mao heard the priest say.
She took as quick a glance as any at her husband before she looked straight at the priest, smiled and said “I do.”
“And do you, Matsumoto Jun, take Inoue Mao as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, to protect, in sickness and in health, for richer of for poorer, ‘til death do you part?” the priest continued.
Feeling him squeezing her hand lightly, Mao heard Jun say “I do.”
From behind them, there was scattered but audible gasp from among some of the women but neither the bride nor the groom noticed as the priest continued “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
As though caught in suspended motion, Mao saw how Jun slowly turned to face her as she felt her body do the same. In reality, it took just one heartbeat even as she saw him smile. Another heartbeat more and he was raising the veil that did nothing to hide her face. One last heartbeat and his lips are on hers.
Lights from the cameras flashed to capture that moment that would go on to be the perfect picture of a kiss, with a hint of a blush on her cheeks and his attention being directed only towards her.
Mao knew that that moment was going to be a perfect picture of two people in love and she had told herself ruefully that those pictures would be telling a lie.
But at that moment, Mao didn’t think about that. Her thoughts are on the kiss.
She had always thought that the kiss they would be sharing would be somewhat weird, especially for her part. But as he guided that kiss, she couldn’t help but think that it was okay.
In fact, it felt just right.
-----
Applause filled the air as the guests witnessed the kiss that signifies so many things to so many people, applause that was slowly mixed in with cheers when the groom still had not lifted his head for what should have been a quick kiss only.
To the women in attendance, it was the signal of a fairytale union they could only hope and dream for; an attractive guy giving up his bachelorhood at an age considered to still be at his prime to marry a maiden, although not a commoner, but one who is simple and unflashy, unlike most of the women of her age and kind.
To most of the men in attendance, it was the signal of one of the most powerful unions Japan’s business industry could ever have, the Global Financials owned by the Matsumoto’s and the Japan Shipping Lines of the Inoue’s. The marriage(s) signaled the formalization of the merger of two of Japan’s leaders in their respective industries that started years before Jun and Mao were even born.
But to two of the oldest men in attendance, it was a mark of the fulfillment of a long standing wish, an age old hope that started back in their youth. Matsumoto Masahiro and Inoue Shigeru, who became friends during the war when the former saved the latter from imminent danger, had always wanted to marry off their kid to the other’s child. But when their respective wives gave birth to a boy, that wish was put on hold up until Mao was born 24 years ago, four years after Masahiro’s grandson, Jun, was born.
And the two men, seated next to each other in a place of prominence in the very front of the aisles could only look on and smile as the younger crowd started cheering and their sons, Matsuoka and Tsuyoshi cleared their throats.
Jun and Mao’s kiss had still not ended.
-----
“Before these two could proceed to the most anticipated part of the wedding, you know what I mean, as their individual godfather and as their union’s godfather, I would like to make a speech!” Inocchi, Inohara Yoshihiko, Matsuoka and Tsuyoshi’s best friend, called to the group at large.
The banquet is already entering its final stage as, like Inoochi had so willfully announced much to the bride’s blushing, everyone is preparing to wave off the new couple to their honeymoon.
Getting everyone’s attention, especially the new couple with the groom’s arm protectively over his bride’s shoulder, Innochi smiled.
“When these two asked me to become their godfather in their wedding, the first thing that came to my mind was ‘Again?! Am I the only person who can be these two’s guardian?’ As some of you may already know, I am Jun’s birth guardian and Mao’s birth guardian as well,” he started narrating, much to the crowd’s amusement as even Jun and Mao smiled.
“But like always, I couldn’t say no. Why should I, after all. Jun is one of the most responsible men I’ve ever met and Mao is as sweet and strong as a woman as any. And what they’re going to have is something that others could only hope for, the support and guidance of their friends and family. They’re especially going to have the help of the most charismatic guy in this group. That would be me.”
The crowd broke into chuckles but no one said a word, not even the mild-mannered Tsuyoshi or the stronger-willed Matsuoka who simply allowed their best friend to talk freely, although the latter had raised his eyebrow at the guy, an action Innochi didn’t miss.
“So before this goes anywhere else,” he continued to the crowd. “I guess I should probably go to the point. Jun and Mao,” he said as he turned to the couple. “I wouldn’t be wishing for you love, or happiness, or a long relationship because those are stuff you two would be responsible off. I, however, would be wishing what everyone supporting you, particularly your grandfathers and parents, hope for. I wish and hope that in the very near future, you two would be calling me to be a godfather once again, this time, to your daughter or son. Congratulations!”
Jun could only chuckle while Mao blushed as they both stood up to meet Innochi approaching their table.
“I meant that,” Innochi even said as he shook Jun’s hand.
“Of course,” Jun could only smile.
Right at that moment, Yuu approached them and whispered to Jun and Mao “The car is ready.”
Jun nodded before holding out his hand to Mao and heading towards the table where both their parents and grandfathers are seated.
“We’re going,” he addressed the group after a small bow to each person there.
“You will take care of her,” Tsuyoshi immediately said. It wasn’t a question, not even an order. It was a mere statement that held quite a weight for everyone in the table.
“Yes, I will,” Jun responded, meeting Tsuyoshi’s eyes. But the eye contact didn’t last long as Tsuyoshi turned to face his daughter and Matsuoka addressed Jun.
“You’ve always made me proud son.”
For a while, Jun and Mao made their rounds to everyone on that table who either gave them small advices or quick hugs. When all was said and done, Jun turned to the crowd and addressed them, with Mao’s hand in his.
“I guess it’s time for us to go now. There are foods and drinks ready, eat, drink and enjoy!”
“You should enjoy!” one of the members of the crowd, Sho, their common friend and Innochi’s son to be exact, called out causing the others to chuckle and cheer.
Jun acknowledged his friend with a simple smile before they turned around and headed out. From behind them, they could hear the movements of the chairs as their guests followed to see them out although no one really attempted to come close especially since the two had entered the car.
No one but Yuu, though, who had moved to Mao’s window side the moment the new couple entered the vehicle.
Rolling down the window, Mao smiled at her sister-in law.
“Thank you for everything.”
Yuu, after all, had been Mao’s constant companion all throughout the wedding preparations. And without the woman to help her out and guide her through, she would have collapsed half way already.
“No problem,” Yuu smiled. “Just give my Mana a playmate and we’ll call it even.”
Mao felt herself blushing at the woman’s words. She didn’t even have time to give a retort since Yuu had stepped back and signaled the driver to advance the car. And even as she waved goodbye to the rest of hers and Jun’s family who was at the forefront of the large group outside, she still cannot take her mind of what Yuu had said.
Mana is Yuu and her husband, Shun’s, six year old beautiful and bubbly daughter and she knew what he woman meant by giving the kid a playmate. It was the exact same thing their godfather, Inocchi, had said in his speech.
Mao could feel her cheeks heating up. She knew that they were bound to get those kinds of messages during their wedding day but it got worse than expected because of that extended kiss they shared after the ceremony.
It wasn’t even a torrid kiss or anything deep, but she knew that their lips weren’t just touching too. She couldn’t very well blame that extended kiss on Jun though, because while Jun did initiate and lead that kiss, she could have easily made a move to stop the kiss immediately.
But she didn’t. She stood there and accepted his kiss, responding to it and it could very well be said that she was mesmerized by it. And that thought almost made her want to hide her face in the palm of her hands.
“Are you ok?” she heard Jun ask next to her.
Turning around, she pasted a casual smile on her lips, nodded, and said “Yes.”
“Good,” Jun nodded himself and smiled. “If you want, you can take a quick nap. It could take us quite a while before we get there.”
Mao nodded and immediately decided to heed that suggestion.
It’s not her first time to be alone in a closed compartment with the guy. She’s been there a number of times before. But it is her first time alone with him as his wife and she still has no idea on what to do.
The moment she closed her eyes though, she felt Jun move next to her, guiding her so that he had his arms over her shoulders and her head on his chest.
Mao fought hard to steady the erratic beating of her heart.
Both she and Jun entered that union knowing full well that love wasn’t part of the agreement but she can’t help but admit that her husband is one very charming guy.
-----
and there's the new story!!!
how was it?
worth it or not?
comments/critics are very much welcome and really loved!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATSUMOTO JUN!!!
only a few years more and you might be allowed to get married already! LOLz
anyway, here's hoping (although you'll never read this) you enjoyed your birthday with the ones you love and the ones who can really make you happy!
Tanjoubi Omedetou!
anyway, i'm breaking my own tradition with this... no one shot this time for the birhtdya boy but an update... and a surprise! :D
TITLE: One Chance (Falling...)
CHARACTERS: Matsumoto Jun, Ikuta Toma, Inoue Mao, Horikita Maki, Toda Erika, Mizushima Hiro, Nishikido Ryo, Takaki Yuya, Sakamoto Masayuki (please proceed to cast list for more of the cast)
GENRE: AU
RATINGS: Pg
DISCLAIMER: The only thing i own in this story is the plot...
SUMMARY: She was waiting for a guy to sweep her off her feet. He was waiting for that girl he could sweep off hers... And then a new guy came to change the story... This is a story of falling in love, and realizing that you've fallen in love... Typical isn't it? Maybe... Maybe not...
Prologue, Chapter1, Chapter2, Chapter3, Chapter4, Chapter5, Chapter6, Chapter7, Chapter8, Chapter 9, Chapter10, Chapter11, Chapter12, Chapter13, Chapter14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter17,Chapter 18, Chapter 19,
Chapter 20: First Light
“Why would he do that?” Erika asked in anger and confusion.
Their little group is already inside the ICU where Toma was transferred to after his operation just minutes ago. His injuries weren’t fatal, but it was bad enough to break a few ribs and bones and cause a lot of muscle stress. The doctors said that it would take him some time to recover from all that.
Before Toma was moved there though, Ryo had received an important phone call. No one bothered to give him that much attention since the doctor had just cleared Toma for transfer from the emergency room he had been wheeled to 12 hours ago to the ICU.
It turns out that the phone call Ryo received was from the police, informing him of the latest developments on Toma’s case. Some witnesses had turned up and identified the third car in Toma’s car mishap and the police had already identified the owner and driver.
Yamashita Tomohisa.
“I know they weren’t on the best terms when all was said and done but I don’t think they ever reached the hostility point,” she continued. “Why would Yamashita do something like this?”
“I…” Mao started, her eyes moving from Erika to Maki before landing on Toma. The three girls are seated around Toma’s bed while Ryo and Jun stood a little further back.
There was something surreal with what she saw, Toma with all those tubes and machines connected to his body. And if anything, it only emphasized that things really are serious. Serious not only because of Toma’s present situation but also because it reminded her of the most possible source of the hostility between the two men.
She was just about to tell them the story of what happened all those years ago, back in college, when Maki suddenly spoke up.
“I think this might actually all be my fault,” she said in a voice that is very much unlike her own.
-----
“What do you mean?” Maki heard Erika ask. The girl was just sitting next to her but for some reason, it sounded to Maki as if she was from somewhere afar. In fact, everything and everyone sounded distant to Maki the moment Ryo mentioned that name.
And she knew why. After all, she thought everything was already over after that dinner she had with the guy.
“I never gave up hope that you’d still want to see me,” Yamapi said as he approached her table.
Maki was in a restaurant in the mall where she first saw Yamashita again for the first time in ages. About half an hour earlier, she had finally mustered up enough courage to call him up at the studio and ask him to meet her there. The time it took for her to get to that decision though was a whole lot longer.
But she knew it needed to be done. If only for her own piece of mind.
“Have a seat Yamashita-san,” she simply said, signaling to the seat opposite her. There was a smile plastered on her lips, but it was neither coy nor playful nor sincere. It was similar to the smile people would usually use for ID photo-taking, purely just for show.
If truth be told, she would have preferred if they got over it real quick and easy, to avoid the hassle, but she knew she couldn’t. She needed everything to be clear and for that, she had to take it slow. Besides, the moment Yamapi sat down, a service crew arrived to take his order and returned quickly with his preferred drink.
When they were left on their own though, Maki suddenly found herself searching for something to say. She didn’t have to worry about that though, because Yamapi, like usual, made that part easier.
“You’re still as beautiful as always, Ma-chan,” he said.
Maki found herself smiling, a bit more sincerely this time. But it wasn’t a smile of pleasure. It was more of a reminiscent smile, a smile that says she remembers how it used to feel back when she still feel terribly pleased by those words coming from that guy.
“And you’re still good with words,” she said. “Some things haven’t changed. Others, however, had.”
“You’re sounding very cryptic,” Yamapi observed as he took a sip of his coffee without taking his eyes away from her. “Sexy.”
Maki chuckled, shaking her head lightly. She remembered how she used to find it cute whenever Yamapi suddenly blurts out those kinds of things when they’re having a conversation, or a walk, or something along those lines. It still is sort of cute now, not just that endearing anymore.
“There’s nothing for you to come back to” she chose to say bluntly. It was, to a certain point, a bit too blunt for her that while Yamapi raised an eyebrow, she found herself holding her breath in surprise.
“What?”
Maki reached for her own cup but she didn’t raise it to her lips. She just played with it, making it turn on the saucer.
“What I’m saying is, what we had before, what we shared all those years ago, is already over,” she said. “It cannot be continued no matter what you say or do. It was over years ago. It’s still over now.”
Yamapi was silent for a while, the confidence etched in his face slowly fading like the sunlight with the arrival of a huge storm. For a while there was confusion in his eyes, then fury, and then it turned suspiciously blank, completely void of any expression.
“Ikuta?” he simply asked. Maki nodded.
“I’m sorry,” Maki said as soon as she finished telling them her story, her eyes practically welling up. “I never thought it would come to this. I just thought I would play along since Toma-kun and I had already started that charade in front of him. If I had known…”
“It’s not your fault,” Erika interrupted, clutching her best friend’s hand. “You didn’t know that Yamashita would be going for this kind of revenge, or that he’s going to take any revenge at all. Even I can’t believe that he’d be thinking of doing this to Toma-kun because of that.”
“Actually,” came another interruption, coming from Mao this time. “I think it’s not just because of that.”
“What do you mean?”
Mao took one long look at Toma’s sleeping form before she turned to Ryo and Jun at the far side before finally landing on the two girls on the opposite side of Toma’s bed.
“Toma-kun was the one who demanded Yamashita-san to leave you alone,” she said. “Back in college.”
“What?”
Mao sighed. Toma had made her promise never to share that particular story to anyone, let alone to Maki but she knew that they need to know, if only to be able to make sense of everything that happened.
“We, that is, the two of us, were at the mall back in college when we saw Yamashita-san with another girl. Actually, he was alone when we first saw him. But when we were about to approach him, the girl arrived and suddenly hugged him from behind before kissing him on the lips.”
“We froze, actually, I did. The next thing I knew, Toma-kun was storming towards them and he hit him, right there and then and in front of the girl too. And then he told him to set things right and admit everything to you or else he will.”
“Oh my God!”
“I think it happened right before you found out though,” Mao added quickly. “And he made me promise not to tell you guys what happened. But then, you found out,” she added, looking at Maki. “And you broke it off, and well, I think Yamashita-kun was a bit wary of Toma-kun for quite some time after that.”
“And he held that as a grudge?!” Erika exclaimed in disbelief. “It was his fault to begin with!”
“It’s because of his pride,” Maki said in a low voice. “His ego was hurt when Toma-kun hit him in front of those people and in front of that girl, even more so when he wasn’t able to do anything about it. Yamashita is a prideful man. And that pride was once again hit when I told him that I’m already seeing Toma-kun.”
Everyone was silent for a while as they all tried to digest what had just been said. It was Erika who first broke the silent minutes later.
“I’m guessing he blames Toma-kun then,” she said. When Maki and Mao simply looked at her in confusion, she continued “If he really seriously wants to go back with you now, then chances are, he wanted you back too years back. And in both times, Toma-kun was the reason why he couldn’t get you back.”
-----
It has been hours since the girls had that talk (while Jun and Ryo listened) but nothing much had changed. The morning turned to afternoon and the afternoon turned to evening and the evening turned to night but Toma still had not woken up.
His doctors had dropped by quite a few times already to check on his development and subsequently assure the girls that it is normal for people to take longer to wake up, especially with what Toma had just gone through. None of the trio though felt even remotely reassured, whatever it is the doctors would say, and had been tearing up every now and then or had simply stared and stared at Toma, especially during the last three hours or so. They’re all still worried why Toma has not opened his eyes.
And with that worry came their neglect of their own needs and bodies, something both Ryo and Jun noticed when they went down to the cafeteria for a bit to bring up food and found that food remained untouched or simply feebly stirred and sniffed. In fact, none of the girls would even leave their seats unless they’re going to the bathroom.
“You guys need to eat!” Ryo suddenly commanded into the silence. It wasn’t a shout or even just a loud voice. It was his usual low drawl but the silence in the room punctuated only by the steady rhythm of the machines attached to Toma’s body, carried his tone and the order with it.
When Erika looked up and met his boyfriend’s eyes, it was obviously to dispute him. But before she, or Maki, or Mao could say anything, Ryo said “You’re not doing yourselves a favor. And frankly, you’re not doing Toma-kun one either.”
-----
It still took a bit of convincing before all three girls agreed to go down. Ryo and Jun had this unspoken realization and understanding that the girls should all go down together or else they’d end up not going at all. Jun, who volunteered to stay behind to watch over Toma, even had to promise that he’d get them immediately the moment Toma wakes up.
It was a promise he had crossed his fingers to though, because while the girls were still just trying to dissuade him and Ryo, he had already noticed that Toma is awake and was just pretending to still be unconscious.
“They’re gone,” Jun simply declared the moment he closed the door behind Maki’s back.
And true enough, when he turned around to face Toma, Toma’s eyes were wide open, looking at him. Well, it looked like he was looking at him but Jun knew that his eyes were on the door. There was a bit of a sad, sorry look on it.
“Why didn’t you tell them immediately that you were already awake?” Jun asked, proceeding to take a seat next to Toma’s bed. “They were worried about you. Still are actually.”
“That’s exactly why I didn’t want to,” Toma replied, his voice slightly croaky before he cleared his voice. “They were all worried. Mao-chan was crying. Maki-chan was distraught. Even my cousin looked bad. I didn’t want to see that. I don’t know how to deal with that.”
“Oh, I see,” Jun simply said, nodding his head.
Toma turned to him, his eyes questioning. “You don’t agree?”
Jun shrugged. “To each his own. For me, I’d want to be able to see all the faces the woman I love makes. Her happy face, her sad face, her angry face, her sleeping face, even her worried face. Because for me, it means that I mean that much to her for her to allow me to see those faces. But like I said, to each his own,” he said before he straightened out. “Oh, yeah! Right! How are you by the way? Should I go get the doctors now?”
Toma didn’t respond with anything more that a slight shake of the head before he turned to the door again. For a while, silence reigned between them.
Jun was just about to reach for the phone to call the doctors when Toma suddenly said “You’ll take care of her, won’t you?”
Jun turned to Toma immediately and in confusion. There wasn’t any derision he could detect in the guy’s tone or facial expression. He looked quite serious actually.
And then he snorted.
“You’re not going to die,” Jun said. “I wouldn’t want Mao-chan to choose me by default.”
Toma, on the other hand, simply smiled. He’s not about to tell the guy that he thinks and feels that the battle has already been won.
-----
and there's chapter 20! how was it???
comments are really appreciated and keeps me motivated (although i don't get the chance to reply these days... sorry about that)
anyway... i posted a story here eons months ago...
it's a story that i was planning to post in February and then on April but i never really got to post... so here it is
finally!
anf so i wed my OTP in my new JunxMao series... lol
TITLE: Perfect
CHARACTERS: Matsumoto Jun, Inoue Mao, Kuroki Meisa, Oguri Shun, Yamada Yuu, Ashida Mana, Ohno Satoshi, Fujigaya Taisuke, Sakurai Sho, Oomasa Aya, Ninomiya Kazunari, Nakai Masahiro, Joushima Shigeru, Matsuoka Masahiro, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Inohara Yoshihiko
GENRE: AU
RATINGS: PG
DISCLAIMER: The only thing i own in this story is the plot...
SUMMARY: People say that they are a match made in heaven. They say that if this is heaven’s doing, then heaven has got it in for them. Two people forced into a relationship they didn’t really want because of an obligation they never really declined or accepted. And they’re living a life that everyone thought is perfect.
The Wedding:
“This is it!” Tsuyoshi exclaimed as soon as he saw the guards moving in to close the doors right after Oguri Yuu, his daughter’s maid-of-honor and son-in-law’s older sister. Turning to his only daughter, he added “Are you ready?”
Mao couldn’t help but chuckle seeing her father like this. Even beneath the veil that obscured nothing but her vision, her eyes could clearly see how nervous the guy is.
“Dad, this isn’t my first time doing this,” she couldn’t help but point out.
After all, it was true. It isn’t Inoue Mao’s first wedding. She had been wed before, in a completely different place using a completely different outfit. But, of course, it wasn’t with a completely different guy. Of course not!
She’s getting married, again, to the guy she married earlier that morning. Matsumoto Jun.
But the two of them weren’t trying to catch attention, or be regarded as unique or any of that. Their reason was actually quite simple. Their fathers, Matsumoto Masahiro and Inoue Tsuyoshi wanted them to wed under the traditional Japanese ceremony while their mothers dreamt for a church one. Including everything else, or almost everything else, in that wedding, she and Jun didn’t want to disappoint anyone which is why they opted for both.
Earlier that morning, the Japanese ceremony had just concluded.
Tsuyoshi ended up chuckling too at what she said but then that chuckle slowed to a mellow smile as he let his eyes take in her whole face.
“I am so proud of you, Mao,” he said. “Always remember that. Your mom and I love you so much.”
Mao smiled but noticing how the corner of her father’s eyes seemed to well up at that moment, she had to exert much effort for her throat to not suddenly be croaky.
“I love you too, Papa. You and Mom,” she said.
Yes, that’s exactly what she had to always put in mind.
That she is doing this for love.
-----
“She looks so beautiful…”
“He looks dashing…”
“They look so perfect together…”
“It’s like a fairy tale…”
“This is just so sweet…”
“Awww… I wish I could be her…”
These are just some of the words that echoed in the church the moment the door opened to finally reveal the beautiful bride. Mao has heard it all before, read about it, and even seen the pictures on the magazines with her own two eyes. Theirs was going to be a blockbuster wedding because other than the fact that she and his groom are heirs to two of the biggest companies in Japan, Jun just happens to be the most sought after bachelor in town.
Correction. He was the most sought after bachelor in town all right, but he also is the most sought after unavailable guy in town. Always has and it looks like he always will be. Mao knew that there are a number of women in attendance who’d give anything to exchange places with her.
But those things were pushed to the back of her mind as she took a deep breath and looked straight forward. Because there he was, waiting by the altar, looking very dapper in his white wedding suit, his eyes trained no one else but her. And even at their distance, she could see how his eyes seem to be twinkling.
She couldn’t help but smile as heat flushed to her face. Her steps were slow but deliberate, guided only by the eyes that seem to be pulling her closer to him.
-----
“Do you, Inoue Mao, take Matsumoto Jun as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, ‘til death do you part?” Mao heard the priest say.
She took as quick a glance as any at her husband before she looked straight at the priest, smiled and said “I do.”
“And do you, Matsumoto Jun, take Inoue Mao as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, to protect, in sickness and in health, for richer of for poorer, ‘til death do you part?” the priest continued.
Feeling him squeezing her hand lightly, Mao heard Jun say “I do.”
From behind them, there was scattered but audible gasp from among some of the women but neither the bride nor the groom noticed as the priest continued “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
As though caught in suspended motion, Mao saw how Jun slowly turned to face her as she felt her body do the same. In reality, it took just one heartbeat even as she saw him smile. Another heartbeat more and he was raising the veil that did nothing to hide her face. One last heartbeat and his lips are on hers.
Lights from the cameras flashed to capture that moment that would go on to be the perfect picture of a kiss, with a hint of a blush on her cheeks and his attention being directed only towards her.
Mao knew that that moment was going to be a perfect picture of two people in love and she had told herself ruefully that those pictures would be telling a lie.
But at that moment, Mao didn’t think about that. Her thoughts are on the kiss.
She had always thought that the kiss they would be sharing would be somewhat weird, especially for her part. But as he guided that kiss, she couldn’t help but think that it was okay.
In fact, it felt just right.
-----
Applause filled the air as the guests witnessed the kiss that signifies so many things to so many people, applause that was slowly mixed in with cheers when the groom still had not lifted his head for what should have been a quick kiss only.
To the women in attendance, it was the signal of a fairytale union they could only hope and dream for; an attractive guy giving up his bachelorhood at an age considered to still be at his prime to marry a maiden, although not a commoner, but one who is simple and unflashy, unlike most of the women of her age and kind.
To most of the men in attendance, it was the signal of one of the most powerful unions Japan’s business industry could ever have, the Global Financials owned by the Matsumoto’s and the Japan Shipping Lines of the Inoue’s. The marriage(s) signaled the formalization of the merger of two of Japan’s leaders in their respective industries that started years before Jun and Mao were even born.
But to two of the oldest men in attendance, it was a mark of the fulfillment of a long standing wish, an age old hope that started back in their youth. Matsumoto Masahiro and Inoue Shigeru, who became friends during the war when the former saved the latter from imminent danger, had always wanted to marry off their kid to the other’s child. But when their respective wives gave birth to a boy, that wish was put on hold up until Mao was born 24 years ago, four years after Masahiro’s grandson, Jun, was born.
And the two men, seated next to each other in a place of prominence in the very front of the aisles could only look on and smile as the younger crowd started cheering and their sons, Matsuoka and Tsuyoshi cleared their throats.
Jun and Mao’s kiss had still not ended.
-----
“Before these two could proceed to the most anticipated part of the wedding, you know what I mean, as their individual godfather and as their union’s godfather, I would like to make a speech!” Inocchi, Inohara Yoshihiko, Matsuoka and Tsuyoshi’s best friend, called to the group at large.
The banquet is already entering its final stage as, like Inoochi had so willfully announced much to the bride’s blushing, everyone is preparing to wave off the new couple to their honeymoon.
Getting everyone’s attention, especially the new couple with the groom’s arm protectively over his bride’s shoulder, Innochi smiled.
“When these two asked me to become their godfather in their wedding, the first thing that came to my mind was ‘Again?! Am I the only person who can be these two’s guardian?’ As some of you may already know, I am Jun’s birth guardian and Mao’s birth guardian as well,” he started narrating, much to the crowd’s amusement as even Jun and Mao smiled.
“But like always, I couldn’t say no. Why should I, after all. Jun is one of the most responsible men I’ve ever met and Mao is as sweet and strong as a woman as any. And what they’re going to have is something that others could only hope for, the support and guidance of their friends and family. They’re especially going to have the help of the most charismatic guy in this group. That would be me.”
The crowd broke into chuckles but no one said a word, not even the mild-mannered Tsuyoshi or the stronger-willed Matsuoka who simply allowed their best friend to talk freely, although the latter had raised his eyebrow at the guy, an action Innochi didn’t miss.
“So before this goes anywhere else,” he continued to the crowd. “I guess I should probably go to the point. Jun and Mao,” he said as he turned to the couple. “I wouldn’t be wishing for you love, or happiness, or a long relationship because those are stuff you two would be responsible off. I, however, would be wishing what everyone supporting you, particularly your grandfathers and parents, hope for. I wish and hope that in the very near future, you two would be calling me to be a godfather once again, this time, to your daughter or son. Congratulations!”
Jun could only chuckle while Mao blushed as they both stood up to meet Innochi approaching their table.
“I meant that,” Innochi even said as he shook Jun’s hand.
“Of course,” Jun could only smile.
Right at that moment, Yuu approached them and whispered to Jun and Mao “The car is ready.”
Jun nodded before holding out his hand to Mao and heading towards the table where both their parents and grandfathers are seated.
“We’re going,” he addressed the group after a small bow to each person there.
“You will take care of her,” Tsuyoshi immediately said. It wasn’t a question, not even an order. It was a mere statement that held quite a weight for everyone in the table.
“Yes, I will,” Jun responded, meeting Tsuyoshi’s eyes. But the eye contact didn’t last long as Tsuyoshi turned to face his daughter and Matsuoka addressed Jun.
“You’ve always made me proud son.”
For a while, Jun and Mao made their rounds to everyone on that table who either gave them small advices or quick hugs. When all was said and done, Jun turned to the crowd and addressed them, with Mao’s hand in his.
“I guess it’s time for us to go now. There are foods and drinks ready, eat, drink and enjoy!”
“You should enjoy!” one of the members of the crowd, Sho, their common friend and Innochi’s son to be exact, called out causing the others to chuckle and cheer.
Jun acknowledged his friend with a simple smile before they turned around and headed out. From behind them, they could hear the movements of the chairs as their guests followed to see them out although no one really attempted to come close especially since the two had entered the car.
No one but Yuu, though, who had moved to Mao’s window side the moment the new couple entered the vehicle.
Rolling down the window, Mao smiled at her sister-in law.
“Thank you for everything.”
Yuu, after all, had been Mao’s constant companion all throughout the wedding preparations. And without the woman to help her out and guide her through, she would have collapsed half way already.
“No problem,” Yuu smiled. “Just give my Mana a playmate and we’ll call it even.”
Mao felt herself blushing at the woman’s words. She didn’t even have time to give a retort since Yuu had stepped back and signaled the driver to advance the car. And even as she waved goodbye to the rest of hers and Jun’s family who was at the forefront of the large group outside, she still cannot take her mind of what Yuu had said.
Mana is Yuu and her husband, Shun’s, six year old beautiful and bubbly daughter and she knew what he woman meant by giving the kid a playmate. It was the exact same thing their godfather, Inocchi, had said in his speech.
Mao could feel her cheeks heating up. She knew that they were bound to get those kinds of messages during their wedding day but it got worse than expected because of that extended kiss they shared after the ceremony.
It wasn’t even a torrid kiss or anything deep, but she knew that their lips weren’t just touching too. She couldn’t very well blame that extended kiss on Jun though, because while Jun did initiate and lead that kiss, she could have easily made a move to stop the kiss immediately.
But she didn’t. She stood there and accepted his kiss, responding to it and it could very well be said that she was mesmerized by it. And that thought almost made her want to hide her face in the palm of her hands.
“Are you ok?” she heard Jun ask next to her.
Turning around, she pasted a casual smile on her lips, nodded, and said “Yes.”
“Good,” Jun nodded himself and smiled. “If you want, you can take a quick nap. It could take us quite a while before we get there.”
Mao nodded and immediately decided to heed that suggestion.
It’s not her first time to be alone in a closed compartment with the guy. She’s been there a number of times before. But it is her first time alone with him as his wife and she still has no idea on what to do.
The moment she closed her eyes though, she felt Jun move next to her, guiding her so that he had his arms over her shoulders and her head on his chest.
Mao fought hard to steady the erratic beating of her heart.
Both she and Jun entered that union knowing full well that love wasn’t part of the agreement but she can’t help but admit that her husband is one very charming guy.
-----
and there's the new story!!!
how was it?
worth it or not?
comments/critics are very much welcome and really loved!