Gift Fic for jade_lil part 2/2
A piece of rainbow for jade_lil Part 2
October 21th, 2017. Some time before midnight.
Jun had to wait for about an hour before he was let in to Sho’s room. Sho had been appointed to the ICU after the operation was done. Jun walked with a heavy heart when the doctor finally told him that he could get into the room. That one hour he waited made him think about a lot of things, yet he still had no idea on what to do when he had to actually see Sho again.
Jun opened the door slowly, then peeked his head inside. Sho was there, sleeping on the bed, his chest heaving up and down in a steady rhythm of his breathings. The oxygen mask he was wearing was fogged every time he heaved his breath. Jun was once again shaken by the view in front of him. He found himself beside Sho’s bed without he realized that he was dragging his feet to there. He took the chair and dragged it to beside the bed. He sat down on it then reached for Sho’s hand. He caressed it softly, remembering again how that hand felt on his. Something that, he thought, after five years, he would be able to forget, but he wasn’t. Sho’s hand felt exactly the same as he remembered it was, and when he felt Sho gripped his hand back, Jun jerked his head.
Sho was opening his eyes and smiling to Jun, but then it seemed like his senses were catching up on him, his eyes went wide.
Without the need of question, Jun squeezed Sho’s hand gently.
“You were stabbed,” Jun explained, “Doctor said you lost some blood but that was all. There was no internal bleeding or anything, and you have received the transfusion you needed.
“You were so lucky that Nino came right when the guy just stabbed you. You know. It was thanks to him that the knife didn’t manage to leave any serious damage,” Jun ran his thumb over the back of Sho’s hand.
Sho sighed on hearing that, but then his eyes went big again.
“I haven’t heard from Nino too, unfortunately,” Jun squeezed Sho’s hand harder, “Let’s just hope he’ll be fine.”
Sho closed his eyes a bit, then opened them again to throw a comforting look to Jun. Like he was telling him to be patient and wait because Nino would be alright.
Seeing that, Jun finally broke down. All the feelings that were mixed inside him suddenly demanded to be let out at the same time. With all that was happening too fast for him, Jun just couldn’t contain it anymore. He squeezed Sho’s hand even harder, then moved his face closer to kiss it. He started to feel his tears fell down to his hand one by one. Jun didn’t try to stop it, he just let them all go. When Sho pulled his other hand and pat Jun’s head with it, Jun lost it. He cried, sobbing uncontrollably, although he didn’t let out any other sound. His body shook violently as he continued, Sho kept patting his head. It seemed that Sho wanted to get up and haul Jun into his hug but he still didn’t have the strength to.
That night, Jun fell asleep on the chair beside the bed. His head was rested on the bed and both of his hands holding Sho’s like it was a lifeline.
..
October 22th, 2017.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
The first thing Jun heard that morning was the faint voice of Nino waking him up. He opened his eyes as he felt Nino shook his body slowly. His head felt a bit dizzy, but his heart was so light. It was like something huge and heavy had been taken out of it over the night.
“I brought you breakfast, J,” Nino saw that Jun had woken up and walked to the other side of the room, putting the food on the table, “But I don’t think you’re allowed to eat here,” he chuckled a bit, sadly.
Jun shook his head at the offer. He wasn’t the type of person who refused breakfast, but the image of leaving the room, and losing the warmth of Sho’s hand on his were terrifying him.
Nino chuckled again on that, this time fondly. “I think it’s alright if you let him go for a while. He was still sleeping anyway. He won’t just leave out of the window, you know,” Nino said, smiling sincerely, “or do you prefer me accompany you to have your breakfast? Come on, Jun, are we reversing our roles or what?”
Jun chuckled at that. Nino was right. Jun was usually the one who insisted Nino on having his food, since that guy had never been fond of food. He could go days without having real food and Jun disliked that habit so much. Jun then got up from his seat and kissed Sho’s forehead.
“Fine, I’ll eat. But you better explain to me what all this... madness is about,” Jun walked to the table to snatch the food then out.
Nino saw that and shook his head. At the very least he had to tell Jun everything. He really didn’t like it. Even so, he followed Jun outside the room and to the cafeteria. Well, Jun deserved to know too, it was about him in the end. Nino decided, skipping his steps to follow Jun’s broad ones.
The cafeteria was nearly empty that time. It was 10 am, not too early in the morning and not anywhere close to lunchtime so maybe that’s why. Jun took the seat on a far corner of the cafeteria while Nino just followed. Nino decided that Jun had to be at his most comfortable state to be able to listen through his explanation, so he let Jun chose.
They sat down, facing each other. Although Jun had refused to meet Nino’s gaze all along, it didn’t stop Nino from sitting across of him. Nino stared at Jun running through the things he had brought. Nino just brought sandwiches, actually, so Jun didn’t really have a lot of choice. He finally settled on one of them and unwrapped it.
“So? What do you need to tell me about?” Jun started the conversation, eyes still shifting anywhere else but Nino’s eyes.
Nino smiled. If he remembered it well, Jun was the one who demanded for explanation from him. But Nino was already too familiar with Jun’s stubbornness so he went ahead.
“Where do you want me to start?” Nino asked, keeping the smile on his face.
“Where did it all begin?” Jun replied with a question.
Nino sighed, he would never win this battle against Matsumoto Jun, he thought. So he decided to just go and tell Jun the fact straight, cutting all the preamble.
“You know Kitagawa Corporation, don’t you?” Nino asked, “No, don’t answer that. I know. Sorry. So the thing is, he’s a good friend of your grandfather, and since he doesn’t have a son, even more grandson, he had chosen you to be his heir.”
Jun stopped chewing in an instance, “His what?”
“His heir,” Nino answered.
“His what?!” Jun raised his tone.
“You heard what I say, Matsumoto,” Nino replied.
“And I have no idea about it?” Jun’s eyes went wide, he couldn’t believe everything he just heard.
“Yeah. And I know about it. How funny, right?” Nino scoffed.
“Are you even serious about this? And what does it have to do with Sho? And what, why, who wants to kill him?! Goddammit, Nino, this doesn’t even make the slightest sense!” Jun throw his sandwich to the table and hit the table with his free hand.
“Calm down, Matsumoto,” Nino said, his tone serious, “Sho is the person listed as the second heir.”
“What?! Nino, this is not a dorama, would you just go straight to the point and tell me what’s happening?” Jun cut Nino mid-sentence.
Nino raised his hand in front of Jun, gesturing him to shut up, “If you keep on interrupting me, this would take forever and it won’t finish anything.”
Jun took a deep breath, sighed, and took his sandwich from the table again. “Alright. It’s just- I don’t-”
“I know that this fact is bizarre and I understand it isn’t something easy to take it, but Jun, if you want to know what’s going on, you should just let me tell the whole story,” Nino added, his voice was even more serious.
Jun could only nod, signing with his eyes that Nino could go on.
“So, yeah, that Kitagawa guy has chosen you to be his heir, and he also chose Sho, since he was close to Sho’s grandfather too, don’t ask me how or why since I have no idea,” Nino paused, “And I think there’s actually this arrangement for the both of you to get married or something.”
Nino smiled as he saw Jun’s cheeks blushing at the mention of marriage. Jun was always so obvious. Nino was glad he didn’t have to lie about this one fact.
“The thing is, there’s someone else, who was officially the third heir of Kitagawa san. Her name is Iijima. You know, Iijima Michi. Have you ever heard about her-” Jun quickly nodded so Nino continued, “And yeah, she’s ruthless and she’s been aiming for the corporation for so long. Well, Kitagawa san doesn’t really mind that, he knows that she’s capable and what not.
“But the thing is, Kitagawa san doesn’t want his money that he has earned for himself falls into the hands of that woman. That’s why he picked you and Sho.
“The arrangement was all secret, though. Kitagawa san doesn’t want Iijima knows about the arrangement because she has her eyes set on Kitagawa san’s properties and she really won’t let it go. She’s even willing to kill to actually get her hands on them.
“But of course, Kitagawa san’s right hand turned out to be Iijima’s ears all along. So she figured that out and she started to hunt the both of you like a lion chasing a couple of deer.”
“What?” Jun couldn’t help letting out a small hiss. The whole story had even been more bizarre than when he only knew a part of it.
“Yeah, I know,” Nino sighed.
“And what about Sho kun’s disappearing? And why did you say that you don’t even know him at the first place?” Jun asked with the small energy that he had left. Listening to Nino’s explanation had somehow drained his energy.
“That was my idea, actually,” Nino grinned.
“What? How?” Jun wanted to be angry at Nino that time, for he was actually the one responsible for the miserable five years of his life, but his current state didn’t let him do so.
“Do you even realize that your parents are not your real parents?” Nino threw another bizarre question.
“My parents are what?!” Jun stood up from his chair, getting them some weird stares from people around.
“J, calm down, sit down,” Nino got a bit panic by that and so he pulled Jun’s hands to make him sit back down.
“What the hell? I can’t calm down after hearing such a thing!” Jun hissed. He was still so angry that Nino suddenly dropped such bomb to him but he didn’t like the attention they were getting thus he lowered his voice.
“Sorry, sorry. Urgh. I’ve done too good of a job,” Nino grunted, ruffling his hair.
“What?!” Jun hissed again.
“Alright. Where do I start? Urgh,” Nino scratched his head, “Where do you want me to start?”
“My parents,” Jun answered shortly.
“Alright,” Nino heaved a deep breath. That day was going to be a long day.
.
August 30th, 1985.
It was a chilly and windy autumn evening. Matsumoto family gathered in the occasion of little Jun’s birthday. Jun was officially two years old as by that day, and everyone happily celebrated the growth of the little boy. It felt like it was only yesterday that he was born and made everyone’s life brighter by his petite body and cute smile.
There was something that not everyone in the house notice, though. Upstairs, in Jun’s grandfather’s room, there was a secret meeting being held.
“Are you sure about this?” A man with a slender built and slight wrinkles on his face paced back and forth on the room. He was restless, he refused to take the chair ever since the suggestion was sounded.
“I think that’s the only safe way we have,” the slightly bulkier man replied, “I’m sorry, I never meant for it to be like this, but I’m afraid we have no other choice. Iijima is a very persistent woman, you see, and I don’t want your grandson to be searched and haunted like that.”
The slender man, who was apparently Jun’s grandfather, sighed as he walked around the room.
“I don’t want my grandson to grow up not knowing his roots, you know that very well.”
“I can make sure it won’t happen. It’s not like I will make him knowing nothing about you. It’s just that he’ll be raised by another parents, and that I’ll make sure that Iijima will never be able to touch him.
“Please, just. Won’t you do a favor for this old friend of yours?” Kitagawa’s sound was almost pleading.
“This is not just a favor, you know? We’re talking about the future of my grandchild. He’ll never know his actual parents, not to mention that he’ll probably live under a false identity. Do you want that?” Jun’s grandfather raised his tone.
“I won’t let him live under false identity. I just need to remove the trace from you to him. That’s all. Please, just. Tell me what I have to do to get your permission,” Kitagawa still insisted.
“You won’t give up on this at all, will you?” Jun’s grandfather sighed in defeat. It was hard to be friend with Johnny Kitagawa and he was probably the only one person of the whole world who knew it best.
“I’m sorry. I really am. I mean,” Kitagawa sighed, “But yeah, desperate time calls for desperate measures.”
“If that so, then, you better prepare what I’m going to ask from this agreement,” Jun’s grandfather replied.
“You never need to doubt me, you know that,” Kitagawa nodded his head.
.
“So, yeah, that’s pretty much how that was,” Nino ended his story.
Jun was loss for words. Never even once in his normal life he imagined that he had such complicated history. He thought the most complicated thing he had to deal with was his struggle when he lost Sho five years ago. Apparently, there was a long story behind that and Jun just didn’t want to believe that. Not then, not when he thought he was finally going to have a normal, better life with Sho beside him.
“And now about what happened with Sho,” Nino continued, seeing Jun distressed face. The faster it’s over, the better, he thought.
.
August 31st, 2012. Very early in the morning.
Nino shook Sho’s body until the later jerked up and sat on the bed. Sho blinked a few times before he realized that it was Nino waking him up.
“Sho san, it’s already time,” Nino said without preamble.
“Time for what?!” Sho replied exasperatedly. He just got forcefully woken up from his peaceful dream and suddenly got talked to that way.
“Your departure,” Nino replied, still short and not explaining.
“Departure to where?” Sho almost yelled and shoved Nino away if it wasn’t for Jun’s arm still on his stomach.
“Sho san, we’ve talked about this. I thought you’ve agreed on this plan,” Nino said, his tone warning.
“Nino, I-” Sho scratched his head, then he remembered the conversation they just had for the whole last month. He remembered about Nino’s plan to keep both of them safe and alive. He remembered all the horror that was haunting them at that moment. Then he sighed.
“Nino, didn’t I tell you that you had to at least notify me so I can tell Jun about this matter?” Sho calmed down, he carefully put Jun’s arm away from his body and stood up. “Let’s have this talk on the living room. I don’t want to wake Jun up.”
“I figured that it will be easier if Jun knows nothing at all about this,” Nino explained, “And don’t worry about him, I put enough sleeping pills on him last night. Enough to keep him sleeping for the whole night, not more, not less.”
“You did what?” Sho hissed and got out of the bedroom. He then walked to the living room and realized that some things were missing.
“I’ve cleaned up. Yeah, I also put some pills on you last night, so you didn’t hear any commotion that had happened while you’re sleeping,” Nino shrugged.
Sho did it out of reflex when he pulled Nino by his collar and pushed him to the wall, “What in the hell?” he hissed angrily.
“Sho san,” Nino tried to pull Sho’s hand away but he failed, so he let him be, “I thought we have agreed on this? I thought you agreed that being separated with him is the only option available to keep both of you safe?”
Sho released his grip from Nino’s collar and sighed, “Couldn’t you at least notice me before you throw all my stuffs away? Couldn’t you at least wait? It’s one day after his birthday, Nino. Don’t you think it’s too cruel?”
Nino walked to the nearest couch and plopped himself down, “I have waited for until after his birthday, Sho. It was already too kind on my part. It wasn’t that easy to let you inside your office when I have wiped your data out of the database.”
Sho sighed, he started to have cold feet again, “Nino, I, I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Sho san, don’t make me force you, please,” Nino warned him, “I could drug you and leave you in the destination and you won’t be able to go back here, do you want that?”
Sho took a deep breath. Actually, yes, he would prefer that. He would prefer being drugged and left in a strange place where he could never be able to go back. But he knew Nino, it wouldn’t be as scary as it sounded. It would be way scarier.
“Let me say goodbye to Jun for the last time,” Sho said finally, already walking toward the bedroom.
“Oh I’ve disposed your phone too. The things you would need for your new identity would be inside the car,” Nino added.
Sho nodded and continued heading to the bedroom. Once he was there, he saw Jun’s sleepy peaceful face and couldn’t stop a tear from rolling on his cheek. He walked closer to the bed and kissed Jun’s forehead gently.
“Good bye, Jun,” he said bitterly.
.
“Iijima never found out about you ever since that arrangement your grandfather and Kitagawa san made,” Nino continued explaining, “But she knew about Sakurai Sho even though she didn’t have as equal power as Sakurai family to just go ahead and hunt him down.
“But then you guys met, and she started to put two and two together. She started to track you down and I had to work my ass off to keep both of you safe, until I realized that if I can separate the both of you, she’ll give up eventually.
“I also planned a new identity for Sho not only because I want you to stop looking for him, but also in a hope that you guys can get back together later, without Iijima could lay a finger on the both of you.”
“Wait. So what are you, really? And why do you know about all of this? I mean, aren’t we the same age? You wouldn’t be able to be involved in this when you were just two years old, Nino,” Jun finally found common sense back to his brain and he started to ask the necessary question. “And why did you have to cover for me?”
“My family works at Kitagawa Company,” Nino took a breath, “This mission was my mother’s. But as she gets older, I was appointed to take over on her behalf.”
Jun froze. So all this time, all this freaking time?
“Jun, I’m sorry. It sounds like I’m just using you for something, I-” Nino tried to explain but he choked on his own words. He never thought he would need to admit to Jun about his job. He thought that his mission was going to be all fine when Sho was scheduled to leave for England, but even his plan couldn’t fight against their persistence.
“I don’t know if I should hate you or kill you or thank you for all the trouble I’m having right now,” Jun stood up and circled the table to stand beside Nino. Then, he pulled Nino by his collar and threw one hell of a punch to Nino’s face.
“Shit, Jun, that hurt-” Nino’s complaint was cut short because the next thing he knew Jun had already pulled him in a hug.
“Thank you, Nino,” Jun whispered.
Nino smiled and returned the hug. To think about it again, he might probably have just signed himself for an early retirement.
“Let’s go back to the room. I want to see Sho kun first, then you have to help me make an appointment with Kitagawa san. I need to talk to him about his whole arrangement,” Jun said when he released the hug.
“Wait, that’s not in my job description!” Nino protested.
“You know him better than me, it would be the most logical thing to do,” Jun winked at him.
Nino smiled, “Alright.”
They walked back to the room after that, and when they arrived, Sho was already awake. Jun took the chair beside the bed again and began caressing Sho’s face. Nino saw the scene and thought that it was probably the best time for him to excuse himself.
..
November 14th, 2017.
Since Sho was released from the hospital, he had been living on Jun’s, actually, their, apartment unit. Nino had told them that it was alright and he would do whatever he could to keep them safe together, at least until the day that was planned for Jun’s meeting with Kitagawa. He said they didn’t have to worry and they should consider it as a small favor for all the time he had put the both of them in suffer.
So that morning, Jun was getting ready to leave, while Sho watched him preparing everything from the dining table. Even though he was back in town and his England plan had been canceled and his family had been noticed that he was no longer in hiding, Nino told them that it was best if Sho stayed inside for some times, not going out so no one would see him. He sat in silence, having finished his breakfast for that morning, and watched Jun with an adoring smile.
“Do you have another thing to say to him?” Jun tilted his head to Sho’s direction before heading off.
Sho shook his head, “We’ve discussed it thoroughly enough. I think there’s nothing else.”
“Alright, I’ll go now then,” Jun raised his hand to see his watch.
“Wait,” Sho said, he stood up and walked to the genkan, where Jun was at the moment.
Jun hummed a question then turned his head to look at Sho, but he was met with a kiss on his lips. They kissed passionately for a while, Jun almost forgot that he had a plan to go out.
When they pulled away, both breathless, Sho put his forehead on Jun’s, his hand holding Jun’s nape.
“I have no idea how I survived five years without that,” Sho sighed.
“Dude, you wrinkled my clothes,” Jun scolded jokingly, “And we can have it your way however you want it later anyway.”
“You’re right,” Sho let go, “Be careful on your way there,” he kissed the top of Jun’s head.
Jun smiled at that, then turned to the mirror to make sure that he looked decent enough after the ‘accident’. He ran his hand over his head once, then tapped both his cheeks, and straightened his clothes. Then he glanced at Sho and said, “I’ll go now.”
Sho nodded as an answer and Jun got out of the door. Jun went to the lift and pushed the button to go to the basement parking. He played with the car keys on his hand, started to feel uneasy. That meeting would decide a lot of things for the both of them. Jun only wanted one, to live happily with Sho forever, but he knew that it wouldn’t be that easy.
Jun reached his car and got in. He drove out of the building and pushed the call button when he was already outside. He needed to make sure that Nino didn’t forget that appointment. He had called before, earlier in the morning, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
“Nino, where are you?” Jun said immediately when the line was connected.
“At Kitagawa’s office, of course,” Nino replied, “I had to drive very early in the morning to get here. At least Oh chan was being a nice boyfriend and didn’t protest this time. Although I’d say he was just glad that he didn’t have to go along.”
Jun laughed at that, “I’m on my way. See you there.”
“Come soon! I’ll be waiting in the lobby,” Nino said before hanging up.
It was a short drive to Kitagawa’s office. Jun found out that he had arrived earlier than he had expected. He parked his car on the available spot and walked to the lobby.
Nino greeted him formally when they met. Apparently, there was this code of conduct that he had to obey on the office when he met with the person he worked for. Jun nodded slightly and they took the lift to get to Kitagawa’s room.
“Kitagawa san hasn’t arrived yet,” Nino broke the silence when they were inside the lift, “But I’ve asked his secretary and she said it’s alright to wait inside.”
Jun nodded briefly. The uneasiness got his best. He really didn’t know what he would say to the old man about the whole situation and he doubted that he would understand. Hearing the story from Nino about his conversation with his grandfather, Jun thought that he was a very powerful yet persistent person and Jun didn’t know if the talk would end up well.
“Don’t worry, Jun,” Nino said, dropping the formality, “Kitagawa san loves you, he’ll understand.”
Jun sighed and looked at Nino, “I hope so, Nino. I do hope so.”
“I mean it, Jun,” Nino patted Jun’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, okay? Just be your usual charming self.”
Jun smiled. Nino always knew how to make his mood better to face serious things.
The lift dinged and the door was opened. “We’re here,” Nino said, then led the way out. Jun followed along behind him.
Nino stopped in front of a door and gestured Jun to get in. “You wait inside. He won’t like to see me inside, so you have to wait alone, I think.”
Jun squeezed his own sweaty hand but he walked in anyway. He briefly said thank you to Nino before Nino closed the door behind him.
The room was just a normal office room. At least normal for someone with that position of the company. Jun gave himself the liberty to wait on the sofa, although he sat up straight the whole time, not wanting to make bad impression to Kitagawa san.
It took exactly half an hour, Jun watched the clock on the wall, before Kitagawa san finally arrived. When he saw Jun, he smiled and nodded. “It’s about time,” he said.
Jun stood up and bowed, but Kitagawa san scolded him. “No, don’t bow at me, son,” he then sat on the sofa beside Jun’s. Kitagawa san put his hand on both arm cushions and started the conversation, “So, I heard you want to refuse to be my heir.”
Jun took a deep breath. He had rehearsed this conversation more than a hundred times in his head so he opened his mouth and replied, “Well, Kitagawa san, it would be rude if I ask for that. But, you see. I would really love to have a peaceful life, and having the possibility of Iijima trailing on my back every time prevents me from having that.”
Kitagawa smiled on that statement. Not the kind of intimidating smile Jun had imagined before, it actually felt comforting for Jun.
“So, will it be possible to give her what she wants and so she would let me live?” Jun carefully picked his words.
Kitagawa still kept his smile when he answered, “I’m really sorry for my selfishness, Jun,” he patted the arm cushion, “My plan was to make you my heir so Iijima won’t completely have this company for herself. I totally don’t mind her taking over the company, but I don’t want her to own it. This company is my legacy, and I don’t want anyone I don’t approve to have the ownership of this company.
“That’s why I put you and Sho on my will to receive my shares of this company. I have the biggest shares of this company, and Iijima is on the second place.
“If I split my shares in halves and inherit them to the both of you, each one of you won’t even have as big as her, that’s why I also planned to you two to get married,” Kitagawa grinned when he saw Jun blushed.
“But I see how that plan was flawed because Iijima would do anything to get her hands on you guys,” Kitagawa sighed.
“Sakurai Sho’s disappearance for five years was my plan too, actually,” Kitagawa bowed to Jun, “I’m sorry for that. That was just horrible on my part.”
“But, I thought it was Nino’s plan?” Jun asked, confused, “And wasn’t the plan to make Sho disappears forever?”
Kitagawa smiled and nodded, “Ninomiya is one of my very loyal people. But that guy isn’t very bright.”
Jun raised his eyebrows, “What do you mean?”
“I let him believe that the plan was his, and I let him do as he pleases when it pleases me too, but in the end I have to make desperate calls. The woman and kid you met at the park who were with Sho all along? She’s one of my people,” Kitagawa answered, making Jun felt uncomfortable because even that was of his doing.
“I had to do that to make Sho meet you again, because I know his resolve won’t be that strong if he gets the chance to meet you again. And if Sho disappeared forever, then he would never be able to receive the shares and my will would become invalid because I would inherit my wealth to a person that never exist,” Kitagawa added calmly.
“And Iijima would end up having the control of your company,” Jun chimed in.
“Exactly,” Kitagawa nodded, “See? You’re smarter than him,” he laughed after he said that.
Jun just smiled politely, not sure of what to say to reply that.
“This is so troublesome for you, isn’t it, Jun?” Kitagawa asked when his laughter subsided.
“Well, now that you have explained the reason, I don’t actually know what to do to make your wish happened without me having to sacrifice my life,” Jun answered honestly.
Kitagawa nodded and smiled at that, “You’re honest, I like it,” then he took a deep breath, “If that’s so, then, I guess I just have to find another way. I don’t want to be the one person to stand before your happiness.
“You’ll still get the shares of the company, although not as many as before. And I will make sure that all my personal property will belong to you and Sho after I die. I’ll call my lawyer after this to settle this thing. I’ll ask him too about what I should do about Iijima,” Kitagawa decided.
“It’s... It sounds like a lot of trouble for you,” Jun said, then stood up and bowed again, “I’m really, truly sorry that I have to make it difficult for you. I’m really sorry for being so selfish about this.”
Kitagawa stood and patted Jun’s back, gesturing him to stand up straight again. “That’s alright, young man, I was the one being selfish. And after reaching this age, nothing is that difficult for me anymore, you know.
“By the way, what do you think about a dinner later, me, you, and Sho?” Kitagawa offered.
Jun sighed in relief. That was going better than he thought. He didn’t know Kitagawa that well to take his dinner offer immediately, but he still felt that he had caused that man trouble so he agreed anyway.
“If that’s all, Jun, then if you’ll excuse me, I’ll have to call my lawyer and have a talk with him,” Kitagawa said.
Jun got the cue and he excused himself, “See you later, then, Kitagawa san.”
Nino was just outside the room when Jun got out and he threw Jun a questioning look. He looked so worried that Jun was tempted to tease him by lying about the result of the meeting, but he couldn’t do so. He flashed a thumb up to Nino and Nino’s face broke to a wide smile.
“Where are you going after this?” Nino asked when they’re already back in the lobby.
“Home. I have to tell Sho kun about the result and then later we’ll have dinner with Kitagawa san,” Jun answered.
Nino snorted, “See? That man really likes you. Both you and Sho, actually.”
Jun smiled. Never in his life he felt as thankful as right then, having Nino as the person he knew he could always trust the most.
..
August 30th, 2018.
That night, Jun was lying on the bed with Sho beside him. They’re facing each other, clinging to each other and refusing to let go.
“Sho san,” Jun said, fingers playing with the hair on Sho’s nape.
Sho replied with a mindless hum before leaning closer to kiss Jun’s lips.
“I love you,” Jun whispered to Sho’s lips when they broke the kiss.
Sho kissed Jun some more before he pulled away and replied, “I love you, Jun.”
“Please never leave me?” Jun pulled Sho’s face closer and kissed him again.
Sho shook his head when they were kissing as an answer and Jun found it adorably cute so he kissed even harder until both of them were breathless.
Jun had to admit that he was still worried, he was still scared, that Sho would probably leave again in the morning. Like he did six years before. But as Sho started to trail soft kisses to his neck and collarbones, Jun tried to shove the thoughts away. He would deal with them later, not right then, when Sho’s lips were hot and needy against his skin.
They’re together, they’re alright, and no one would be able to disturb their lives this time. Jun assured himself about that as he pulled Sho’s face for another good round of kissing. And preferably some more things.
October 21th, 2017. Some time before midnight.
Jun had to wait for about an hour before he was let in to Sho’s room. Sho had been appointed to the ICU after the operation was done. Jun walked with a heavy heart when the doctor finally told him that he could get into the room. That one hour he waited made him think about a lot of things, yet he still had no idea on what to do when he had to actually see Sho again.
Jun opened the door slowly, then peeked his head inside. Sho was there, sleeping on the bed, his chest heaving up and down in a steady rhythm of his breathings. The oxygen mask he was wearing was fogged every time he heaved his breath. Jun was once again shaken by the view in front of him. He found himself beside Sho’s bed without he realized that he was dragging his feet to there. He took the chair and dragged it to beside the bed. He sat down on it then reached for Sho’s hand. He caressed it softly, remembering again how that hand felt on his. Something that, he thought, after five years, he would be able to forget, but he wasn’t. Sho’s hand felt exactly the same as he remembered it was, and when he felt Sho gripped his hand back, Jun jerked his head.
Sho was opening his eyes and smiling to Jun, but then it seemed like his senses were catching up on him, his eyes went wide.
Without the need of question, Jun squeezed Sho’s hand gently.
“You were stabbed,” Jun explained, “Doctor said you lost some blood but that was all. There was no internal bleeding or anything, and you have received the transfusion you needed.
“You were so lucky that Nino came right when the guy just stabbed you. You know. It was thanks to him that the knife didn’t manage to leave any serious damage,” Jun ran his thumb over the back of Sho’s hand.
Sho sighed on hearing that, but then his eyes went big again.
“I haven’t heard from Nino too, unfortunately,” Jun squeezed Sho’s hand harder, “Let’s just hope he’ll be fine.”
Sho closed his eyes a bit, then opened them again to throw a comforting look to Jun. Like he was telling him to be patient and wait because Nino would be alright.
Seeing that, Jun finally broke down. All the feelings that were mixed inside him suddenly demanded to be let out at the same time. With all that was happening too fast for him, Jun just couldn’t contain it anymore. He squeezed Sho’s hand even harder, then moved his face closer to kiss it. He started to feel his tears fell down to his hand one by one. Jun didn’t try to stop it, he just let them all go. When Sho pulled his other hand and pat Jun’s head with it, Jun lost it. He cried, sobbing uncontrollably, although he didn’t let out any other sound. His body shook violently as he continued, Sho kept patting his head. It seemed that Sho wanted to get up and haul Jun into his hug but he still didn’t have the strength to.
That night, Jun fell asleep on the chair beside the bed. His head was rested on the bed and both of his hands holding Sho’s like it was a lifeline.
..
October 22th, 2017.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
The first thing Jun heard that morning was the faint voice of Nino waking him up. He opened his eyes as he felt Nino shook his body slowly. His head felt a bit dizzy, but his heart was so light. It was like something huge and heavy had been taken out of it over the night.
“I brought you breakfast, J,” Nino saw that Jun had woken up and walked to the other side of the room, putting the food on the table, “But I don’t think you’re allowed to eat here,” he chuckled a bit, sadly.
Jun shook his head at the offer. He wasn’t the type of person who refused breakfast, but the image of leaving the room, and losing the warmth of Sho’s hand on his were terrifying him.
Nino chuckled again on that, this time fondly. “I think it’s alright if you let him go for a while. He was still sleeping anyway. He won’t just leave out of the window, you know,” Nino said, smiling sincerely, “or do you prefer me accompany you to have your breakfast? Come on, Jun, are we reversing our roles or what?”
Jun chuckled at that. Nino was right. Jun was usually the one who insisted Nino on having his food, since that guy had never been fond of food. He could go days without having real food and Jun disliked that habit so much. Jun then got up from his seat and kissed Sho’s forehead.
“Fine, I’ll eat. But you better explain to me what all this... madness is about,” Jun walked to the table to snatch the food then out.
Nino saw that and shook his head. At the very least he had to tell Jun everything. He really didn’t like it. Even so, he followed Jun outside the room and to the cafeteria. Well, Jun deserved to know too, it was about him in the end. Nino decided, skipping his steps to follow Jun’s broad ones.
The cafeteria was nearly empty that time. It was 10 am, not too early in the morning and not anywhere close to lunchtime so maybe that’s why. Jun took the seat on a far corner of the cafeteria while Nino just followed. Nino decided that Jun had to be at his most comfortable state to be able to listen through his explanation, so he let Jun chose.
They sat down, facing each other. Although Jun had refused to meet Nino’s gaze all along, it didn’t stop Nino from sitting across of him. Nino stared at Jun running through the things he had brought. Nino just brought sandwiches, actually, so Jun didn’t really have a lot of choice. He finally settled on one of them and unwrapped it.
“So? What do you need to tell me about?” Jun started the conversation, eyes still shifting anywhere else but Nino’s eyes.
Nino smiled. If he remembered it well, Jun was the one who demanded for explanation from him. But Nino was already too familiar with Jun’s stubbornness so he went ahead.
“Where do you want me to start?” Nino asked, keeping the smile on his face.
“Where did it all begin?” Jun replied with a question.
Nino sighed, he would never win this battle against Matsumoto Jun, he thought. So he decided to just go and tell Jun the fact straight, cutting all the preamble.
“You know Kitagawa Corporation, don’t you?” Nino asked, “No, don’t answer that. I know. Sorry. So the thing is, he’s a good friend of your grandfather, and since he doesn’t have a son, even more grandson, he had chosen you to be his heir.”
Jun stopped chewing in an instance, “His what?”
“His heir,” Nino answered.
“His what?!” Jun raised his tone.
“You heard what I say, Matsumoto,” Nino replied.
“And I have no idea about it?” Jun’s eyes went wide, he couldn’t believe everything he just heard.
“Yeah. And I know about it. How funny, right?” Nino scoffed.
“Are you even serious about this? And what does it have to do with Sho? And what, why, who wants to kill him?! Goddammit, Nino, this doesn’t even make the slightest sense!” Jun throw his sandwich to the table and hit the table with his free hand.
“Calm down, Matsumoto,” Nino said, his tone serious, “Sho is the person listed as the second heir.”
“What?! Nino, this is not a dorama, would you just go straight to the point and tell me what’s happening?” Jun cut Nino mid-sentence.
Nino raised his hand in front of Jun, gesturing him to shut up, “If you keep on interrupting me, this would take forever and it won’t finish anything.”
Jun took a deep breath, sighed, and took his sandwich from the table again. “Alright. It’s just- I don’t-”
“I know that this fact is bizarre and I understand it isn’t something easy to take it, but Jun, if you want to know what’s going on, you should just let me tell the whole story,” Nino added, his voice was even more serious.
Jun could only nod, signing with his eyes that Nino could go on.
“So, yeah, that Kitagawa guy has chosen you to be his heir, and he also chose Sho, since he was close to Sho’s grandfather too, don’t ask me how or why since I have no idea,” Nino paused, “And I think there’s actually this arrangement for the both of you to get married or something.”
Nino smiled as he saw Jun’s cheeks blushing at the mention of marriage. Jun was always so obvious. Nino was glad he didn’t have to lie about this one fact.
“The thing is, there’s someone else, who was officially the third heir of Kitagawa san. Her name is Iijima. You know, Iijima Michi. Have you ever heard about her-” Jun quickly nodded so Nino continued, “And yeah, she’s ruthless and she’s been aiming for the corporation for so long. Well, Kitagawa san doesn’t really mind that, he knows that she’s capable and what not.
“But the thing is, Kitagawa san doesn’t want his money that he has earned for himself falls into the hands of that woman. That’s why he picked you and Sho.
“The arrangement was all secret, though. Kitagawa san doesn’t want Iijima knows about the arrangement because she has her eyes set on Kitagawa san’s properties and she really won’t let it go. She’s even willing to kill to actually get her hands on them.
“But of course, Kitagawa san’s right hand turned out to be Iijima’s ears all along. So she figured that out and she started to hunt the both of you like a lion chasing a couple of deer.”
“What?” Jun couldn’t help letting out a small hiss. The whole story had even been more bizarre than when he only knew a part of it.
“Yeah, I know,” Nino sighed.
“And what about Sho kun’s disappearing? And why did you say that you don’t even know him at the first place?” Jun asked with the small energy that he had left. Listening to Nino’s explanation had somehow drained his energy.
“That was my idea, actually,” Nino grinned.
“What? How?” Jun wanted to be angry at Nino that time, for he was actually the one responsible for the miserable five years of his life, but his current state didn’t let him do so.
“Do you even realize that your parents are not your real parents?” Nino threw another bizarre question.
“My parents are what?!” Jun stood up from his chair, getting them some weird stares from people around.
“J, calm down, sit down,” Nino got a bit panic by that and so he pulled Jun’s hands to make him sit back down.
“What the hell? I can’t calm down after hearing such a thing!” Jun hissed. He was still so angry that Nino suddenly dropped such bomb to him but he didn’t like the attention they were getting thus he lowered his voice.
“Sorry, sorry. Urgh. I’ve done too good of a job,” Nino grunted, ruffling his hair.
“What?!” Jun hissed again.
“Alright. Where do I start? Urgh,” Nino scratched his head, “Where do you want me to start?”
“My parents,” Jun answered shortly.
“Alright,” Nino heaved a deep breath. That day was going to be a long day.
.
August 30th, 1985.
It was a chilly and windy autumn evening. Matsumoto family gathered in the occasion of little Jun’s birthday. Jun was officially two years old as by that day, and everyone happily celebrated the growth of the little boy. It felt like it was only yesterday that he was born and made everyone’s life brighter by his petite body and cute smile.
There was something that not everyone in the house notice, though. Upstairs, in Jun’s grandfather’s room, there was a secret meeting being held.
“Are you sure about this?” A man with a slender built and slight wrinkles on his face paced back and forth on the room. He was restless, he refused to take the chair ever since the suggestion was sounded.
“I think that’s the only safe way we have,” the slightly bulkier man replied, “I’m sorry, I never meant for it to be like this, but I’m afraid we have no other choice. Iijima is a very persistent woman, you see, and I don’t want your grandson to be searched and haunted like that.”
The slender man, who was apparently Jun’s grandfather, sighed as he walked around the room.
“I don’t want my grandson to grow up not knowing his roots, you know that very well.”
“I can make sure it won’t happen. It’s not like I will make him knowing nothing about you. It’s just that he’ll be raised by another parents, and that I’ll make sure that Iijima will never be able to touch him.
“Please, just. Won’t you do a favor for this old friend of yours?” Kitagawa’s sound was almost pleading.
“This is not just a favor, you know? We’re talking about the future of my grandchild. He’ll never know his actual parents, not to mention that he’ll probably live under a false identity. Do you want that?” Jun’s grandfather raised his tone.
“I won’t let him live under false identity. I just need to remove the trace from you to him. That’s all. Please, just. Tell me what I have to do to get your permission,” Kitagawa still insisted.
“You won’t give up on this at all, will you?” Jun’s grandfather sighed in defeat. It was hard to be friend with Johnny Kitagawa and he was probably the only one person of the whole world who knew it best.
“I’m sorry. I really am. I mean,” Kitagawa sighed, “But yeah, desperate time calls for desperate measures.”
“If that so, then, you better prepare what I’m going to ask from this agreement,” Jun’s grandfather replied.
“You never need to doubt me, you know that,” Kitagawa nodded his head.
.
“So, yeah, that’s pretty much how that was,” Nino ended his story.
Jun was loss for words. Never even once in his normal life he imagined that he had such complicated history. He thought the most complicated thing he had to deal with was his struggle when he lost Sho five years ago. Apparently, there was a long story behind that and Jun just didn’t want to believe that. Not then, not when he thought he was finally going to have a normal, better life with Sho beside him.
“And now about what happened with Sho,” Nino continued, seeing Jun distressed face. The faster it’s over, the better, he thought.
.
August 31st, 2012. Very early in the morning.
Nino shook Sho’s body until the later jerked up and sat on the bed. Sho blinked a few times before he realized that it was Nino waking him up.
“Sho san, it’s already time,” Nino said without preamble.
“Time for what?!” Sho replied exasperatedly. He just got forcefully woken up from his peaceful dream and suddenly got talked to that way.
“Your departure,” Nino replied, still short and not explaining.
“Departure to where?” Sho almost yelled and shoved Nino away if it wasn’t for Jun’s arm still on his stomach.
“Sho san, we’ve talked about this. I thought you’ve agreed on this plan,” Nino said, his tone warning.
“Nino, I-” Sho scratched his head, then he remembered the conversation they just had for the whole last month. He remembered about Nino’s plan to keep both of them safe and alive. He remembered all the horror that was haunting them at that moment. Then he sighed.
“Nino, didn’t I tell you that you had to at least notify me so I can tell Jun about this matter?” Sho calmed down, he carefully put Jun’s arm away from his body and stood up. “Let’s have this talk on the living room. I don’t want to wake Jun up.”
“I figured that it will be easier if Jun knows nothing at all about this,” Nino explained, “And don’t worry about him, I put enough sleeping pills on him last night. Enough to keep him sleeping for the whole night, not more, not less.”
“You did what?” Sho hissed and got out of the bedroom. He then walked to the living room and realized that some things were missing.
“I’ve cleaned up. Yeah, I also put some pills on you last night, so you didn’t hear any commotion that had happened while you’re sleeping,” Nino shrugged.
Sho did it out of reflex when he pulled Nino by his collar and pushed him to the wall, “What in the hell?” he hissed angrily.
“Sho san,” Nino tried to pull Sho’s hand away but he failed, so he let him be, “I thought we have agreed on this? I thought you agreed that being separated with him is the only option available to keep both of you safe?”
Sho released his grip from Nino’s collar and sighed, “Couldn’t you at least notice me before you throw all my stuffs away? Couldn’t you at least wait? It’s one day after his birthday, Nino. Don’t you think it’s too cruel?”
Nino walked to the nearest couch and plopped himself down, “I have waited for until after his birthday, Sho. It was already too kind on my part. It wasn’t that easy to let you inside your office when I have wiped your data out of the database.”
Sho sighed, he started to have cold feet again, “Nino, I, I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Sho san, don’t make me force you, please,” Nino warned him, “I could drug you and leave you in the destination and you won’t be able to go back here, do you want that?”
Sho took a deep breath. Actually, yes, he would prefer that. He would prefer being drugged and left in a strange place where he could never be able to go back. But he knew Nino, it wouldn’t be as scary as it sounded. It would be way scarier.
“Let me say goodbye to Jun for the last time,” Sho said finally, already walking toward the bedroom.
“Oh I’ve disposed your phone too. The things you would need for your new identity would be inside the car,” Nino added.
Sho nodded and continued heading to the bedroom. Once he was there, he saw Jun’s sleepy peaceful face and couldn’t stop a tear from rolling on his cheek. He walked closer to the bed and kissed Jun’s forehead gently.
“Good bye, Jun,” he said bitterly.
.
“Iijima never found out about you ever since that arrangement your grandfather and Kitagawa san made,” Nino continued explaining, “But she knew about Sakurai Sho even though she didn’t have as equal power as Sakurai family to just go ahead and hunt him down.
“But then you guys met, and she started to put two and two together. She started to track you down and I had to work my ass off to keep both of you safe, until I realized that if I can separate the both of you, she’ll give up eventually.
“I also planned a new identity for Sho not only because I want you to stop looking for him, but also in a hope that you guys can get back together later, without Iijima could lay a finger on the both of you.”
“Wait. So what are you, really? And why do you know about all of this? I mean, aren’t we the same age? You wouldn’t be able to be involved in this when you were just two years old, Nino,” Jun finally found common sense back to his brain and he started to ask the necessary question. “And why did you have to cover for me?”
“My family works at Kitagawa Company,” Nino took a breath, “This mission was my mother’s. But as she gets older, I was appointed to take over on her behalf.”
Jun froze. So all this time, all this freaking time?
“Jun, I’m sorry. It sounds like I’m just using you for something, I-” Nino tried to explain but he choked on his own words. He never thought he would need to admit to Jun about his job. He thought that his mission was going to be all fine when Sho was scheduled to leave for England, but even his plan couldn’t fight against their persistence.
“I don’t know if I should hate you or kill you or thank you for all the trouble I’m having right now,” Jun stood up and circled the table to stand beside Nino. Then, he pulled Nino by his collar and threw one hell of a punch to Nino’s face.
“Shit, Jun, that hurt-” Nino’s complaint was cut short because the next thing he knew Jun had already pulled him in a hug.
“Thank you, Nino,” Jun whispered.
Nino smiled and returned the hug. To think about it again, he might probably have just signed himself for an early retirement.
“Let’s go back to the room. I want to see Sho kun first, then you have to help me make an appointment with Kitagawa san. I need to talk to him about his whole arrangement,” Jun said when he released the hug.
“Wait, that’s not in my job description!” Nino protested.
“You know him better than me, it would be the most logical thing to do,” Jun winked at him.
Nino smiled, “Alright.”
They walked back to the room after that, and when they arrived, Sho was already awake. Jun took the chair beside the bed again and began caressing Sho’s face. Nino saw the scene and thought that it was probably the best time for him to excuse himself.
..
November 14th, 2017.
Since Sho was released from the hospital, he had been living on Jun’s, actually, their, apartment unit. Nino had told them that it was alright and he would do whatever he could to keep them safe together, at least until the day that was planned for Jun’s meeting with Kitagawa. He said they didn’t have to worry and they should consider it as a small favor for all the time he had put the both of them in suffer.
So that morning, Jun was getting ready to leave, while Sho watched him preparing everything from the dining table. Even though he was back in town and his England plan had been canceled and his family had been noticed that he was no longer in hiding, Nino told them that it was best if Sho stayed inside for some times, not going out so no one would see him. He sat in silence, having finished his breakfast for that morning, and watched Jun with an adoring smile.
“Do you have another thing to say to him?” Jun tilted his head to Sho’s direction before heading off.
Sho shook his head, “We’ve discussed it thoroughly enough. I think there’s nothing else.”
“Alright, I’ll go now then,” Jun raised his hand to see his watch.
“Wait,” Sho said, he stood up and walked to the genkan, where Jun was at the moment.
Jun hummed a question then turned his head to look at Sho, but he was met with a kiss on his lips. They kissed passionately for a while, Jun almost forgot that he had a plan to go out.
When they pulled away, both breathless, Sho put his forehead on Jun’s, his hand holding Jun’s nape.
“I have no idea how I survived five years without that,” Sho sighed.
“Dude, you wrinkled my clothes,” Jun scolded jokingly, “And we can have it your way however you want it later anyway.”
“You’re right,” Sho let go, “Be careful on your way there,” he kissed the top of Jun’s head.
Jun smiled at that, then turned to the mirror to make sure that he looked decent enough after the ‘accident’. He ran his hand over his head once, then tapped both his cheeks, and straightened his clothes. Then he glanced at Sho and said, “I’ll go now.”
Sho nodded as an answer and Jun got out of the door. Jun went to the lift and pushed the button to go to the basement parking. He played with the car keys on his hand, started to feel uneasy. That meeting would decide a lot of things for the both of them. Jun only wanted one, to live happily with Sho forever, but he knew that it wouldn’t be that easy.
Jun reached his car and got in. He drove out of the building and pushed the call button when he was already outside. He needed to make sure that Nino didn’t forget that appointment. He had called before, earlier in the morning, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
“Nino, where are you?” Jun said immediately when the line was connected.
“At Kitagawa’s office, of course,” Nino replied, “I had to drive very early in the morning to get here. At least Oh chan was being a nice boyfriend and didn’t protest this time. Although I’d say he was just glad that he didn’t have to go along.”
Jun laughed at that, “I’m on my way. See you there.”
“Come soon! I’ll be waiting in the lobby,” Nino said before hanging up.
It was a short drive to Kitagawa’s office. Jun found out that he had arrived earlier than he had expected. He parked his car on the available spot and walked to the lobby.
Nino greeted him formally when they met. Apparently, there was this code of conduct that he had to obey on the office when he met with the person he worked for. Jun nodded slightly and they took the lift to get to Kitagawa’s room.
“Kitagawa san hasn’t arrived yet,” Nino broke the silence when they were inside the lift, “But I’ve asked his secretary and she said it’s alright to wait inside.”
Jun nodded briefly. The uneasiness got his best. He really didn’t know what he would say to the old man about the whole situation and he doubted that he would understand. Hearing the story from Nino about his conversation with his grandfather, Jun thought that he was a very powerful yet persistent person and Jun didn’t know if the talk would end up well.
“Don’t worry, Jun,” Nino said, dropping the formality, “Kitagawa san loves you, he’ll understand.”
Jun sighed and looked at Nino, “I hope so, Nino. I do hope so.”
“I mean it, Jun,” Nino patted Jun’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, okay? Just be your usual charming self.”
Jun smiled. Nino always knew how to make his mood better to face serious things.
The lift dinged and the door was opened. “We’re here,” Nino said, then led the way out. Jun followed along behind him.
Nino stopped in front of a door and gestured Jun to get in. “You wait inside. He won’t like to see me inside, so you have to wait alone, I think.”
Jun squeezed his own sweaty hand but he walked in anyway. He briefly said thank you to Nino before Nino closed the door behind him.
The room was just a normal office room. At least normal for someone with that position of the company. Jun gave himself the liberty to wait on the sofa, although he sat up straight the whole time, not wanting to make bad impression to Kitagawa san.
It took exactly half an hour, Jun watched the clock on the wall, before Kitagawa san finally arrived. When he saw Jun, he smiled and nodded. “It’s about time,” he said.
Jun stood up and bowed, but Kitagawa san scolded him. “No, don’t bow at me, son,” he then sat on the sofa beside Jun’s. Kitagawa san put his hand on both arm cushions and started the conversation, “So, I heard you want to refuse to be my heir.”
Jun took a deep breath. He had rehearsed this conversation more than a hundred times in his head so he opened his mouth and replied, “Well, Kitagawa san, it would be rude if I ask for that. But, you see. I would really love to have a peaceful life, and having the possibility of Iijima trailing on my back every time prevents me from having that.”
Kitagawa smiled on that statement. Not the kind of intimidating smile Jun had imagined before, it actually felt comforting for Jun.
“So, will it be possible to give her what she wants and so she would let me live?” Jun carefully picked his words.
Kitagawa still kept his smile when he answered, “I’m really sorry for my selfishness, Jun,” he patted the arm cushion, “My plan was to make you my heir so Iijima won’t completely have this company for herself. I totally don’t mind her taking over the company, but I don’t want her to own it. This company is my legacy, and I don’t want anyone I don’t approve to have the ownership of this company.
“That’s why I put you and Sho on my will to receive my shares of this company. I have the biggest shares of this company, and Iijima is on the second place.
“If I split my shares in halves and inherit them to the both of you, each one of you won’t even have as big as her, that’s why I also planned to you two to get married,” Kitagawa grinned when he saw Jun blushed.
“But I see how that plan was flawed because Iijima would do anything to get her hands on you guys,” Kitagawa sighed.
“Sakurai Sho’s disappearance for five years was my plan too, actually,” Kitagawa bowed to Jun, “I’m sorry for that. That was just horrible on my part.”
“But, I thought it was Nino’s plan?” Jun asked, confused, “And wasn’t the plan to make Sho disappears forever?”
Kitagawa smiled and nodded, “Ninomiya is one of my very loyal people. But that guy isn’t very bright.”
Jun raised his eyebrows, “What do you mean?”
“I let him believe that the plan was his, and I let him do as he pleases when it pleases me too, but in the end I have to make desperate calls. The woman and kid you met at the park who were with Sho all along? She’s one of my people,” Kitagawa answered, making Jun felt uncomfortable because even that was of his doing.
“I had to do that to make Sho meet you again, because I know his resolve won’t be that strong if he gets the chance to meet you again. And if Sho disappeared forever, then he would never be able to receive the shares and my will would become invalid because I would inherit my wealth to a person that never exist,” Kitagawa added calmly.
“And Iijima would end up having the control of your company,” Jun chimed in.
“Exactly,” Kitagawa nodded, “See? You’re smarter than him,” he laughed after he said that.
Jun just smiled politely, not sure of what to say to reply that.
“This is so troublesome for you, isn’t it, Jun?” Kitagawa asked when his laughter subsided.
“Well, now that you have explained the reason, I don’t actually know what to do to make your wish happened without me having to sacrifice my life,” Jun answered honestly.
Kitagawa nodded and smiled at that, “You’re honest, I like it,” then he took a deep breath, “If that’s so, then, I guess I just have to find another way. I don’t want to be the one person to stand before your happiness.
“You’ll still get the shares of the company, although not as many as before. And I will make sure that all my personal property will belong to you and Sho after I die. I’ll call my lawyer after this to settle this thing. I’ll ask him too about what I should do about Iijima,” Kitagawa decided.
“It’s... It sounds like a lot of trouble for you,” Jun said, then stood up and bowed again, “I’m really, truly sorry that I have to make it difficult for you. I’m really sorry for being so selfish about this.”
Kitagawa stood and patted Jun’s back, gesturing him to stand up straight again. “That’s alright, young man, I was the one being selfish. And after reaching this age, nothing is that difficult for me anymore, you know.
“By the way, what do you think about a dinner later, me, you, and Sho?” Kitagawa offered.
Jun sighed in relief. That was going better than he thought. He didn’t know Kitagawa that well to take his dinner offer immediately, but he still felt that he had caused that man trouble so he agreed anyway.
“If that’s all, Jun, then if you’ll excuse me, I’ll have to call my lawyer and have a talk with him,” Kitagawa said.
Jun got the cue and he excused himself, “See you later, then, Kitagawa san.”
Nino was just outside the room when Jun got out and he threw Jun a questioning look. He looked so worried that Jun was tempted to tease him by lying about the result of the meeting, but he couldn’t do so. He flashed a thumb up to Nino and Nino’s face broke to a wide smile.
“Where are you going after this?” Nino asked when they’re already back in the lobby.
“Home. I have to tell Sho kun about the result and then later we’ll have dinner with Kitagawa san,” Jun answered.
Nino snorted, “See? That man really likes you. Both you and Sho, actually.”
Jun smiled. Never in his life he felt as thankful as right then, having Nino as the person he knew he could always trust the most.
..
August 30th, 2018.
That night, Jun was lying on the bed with Sho beside him. They’re facing each other, clinging to each other and refusing to let go.
“Sho san,” Jun said, fingers playing with the hair on Sho’s nape.
Sho replied with a mindless hum before leaning closer to kiss Jun’s lips.
“I love you,” Jun whispered to Sho’s lips when they broke the kiss.
Sho kissed Jun some more before he pulled away and replied, “I love you, Jun.”
“Please never leave me?” Jun pulled Sho’s face closer and kissed him again.
Sho shook his head when they were kissing as an answer and Jun found it adorably cute so he kissed even harder until both of them were breathless.
Jun had to admit that he was still worried, he was still scared, that Sho would probably leave again in the morning. Like he did six years before. But as Sho started to trail soft kisses to his neck and collarbones, Jun tried to shove the thoughts away. He would deal with them later, not right then, when Sho’s lips were hot and needy against his skin.
They’re together, they’re alright, and no one would be able to disturb their lives this time. Jun assured himself about that as he pulled Sho’s face for another good round of kissing. And preferably some more things.