Star-crossed [Chapter 3]
Title: Star-crossed
Author: Masuhisa
Pairing: Matsumiya
Summary: Based on Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Nino had been taught to hate his father’s other family. Up till now, he had done so, but what happens when he falls for the person who he had been made to abhor?
Disclaimer: Don’t own.
[Prologue][ Chapter 1][ Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Epilogue]
Chapter 3:
“Nino, aren’t you going to that arcade with that friend of yours?” asked Aiba oh-so-innocently that Nino wanted to punch him, firstly for mentioning Jun, secondly for reminding him that he and Jun were mad at each other.
“Not today,” replied Nino unenthusiastically, “or ever again,” added Nino quietly, making him feel even more depressed.
Being Nino’s best friend for god knows how many years, Aiba was able to tell that something was wrong with the former, and knowing his character, Nino won’t tell him what’s bothering him and try to pretend that everything was fine.
So being the really nice best friend that he is, Aiba grinned, “Let’s go eat at that fast food restaurant opposite our school, my treat!”
Nino gave his friend a small smile and nodded. Aiba treating him to a meal sounded like the perfect thing to help him keep his mind of Jun (and of course his broken heart).
When they got there, the fast food restaurant was quite packed with students, some from their own school, Sakura Sake High School, and the others from their neighbour school, WISH High School. Nino tensed as he realized that Jun was from WISH High School, and there was a very high possibility that he was there. Thankfully, when Nino scanned the restaurant, he didn’t spot anyone with curly hair and thick eyebrows, and he subconsciously sighed in relief.
“Two cheeseburgers and two sodas,” said Aiba to the lady at the counter, “eat in,”
She smiled at the two of them and proceeded to get them their food. While Aiba was busy digging through his wallet looking for money, Nino looked around the place looking for seats. But instead of finding two empty chairs, all Nino saw was someone who he never ever wanted to see again coming through the glass doors.
“Excuse me,” he called the waitress, “Can we take away our order?”
Aiba was about to protest when he saw Jun walking in with a bunch of other guys from his school. As he had no clue what happened between Nino and Jun, he waved his hands furiously in the air, calling Jun’s name.
The moment Jun’s name left Aiba’s mouth, Nino’s ears pricked and his head jerked up. At the speed of light, Nino grabbed the bag which they food was in even before that waitress finished putting in condiments, and pulled Aiba out of the fast food restaurant.
Nino knew he must have caused quite a scene, but it’s not like he cared. On his way out, Nino caught Jun’s eye. He didn’t even know why he turned slightly to look at the taller man, but when he did. He saw an expression on Jun’s face which made him feel even worse that he already was.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Jun, you’re home early today,” said his mother the moment he entered his house.
“Oh, Hi mom,” replied Jun rather unenthusiastically.
It was either Jun’s mother wasn’t paying much attention, or Jun’s acting was pretty good as she didn’t notice the hint of sadness in Jun’s voice and said, “This is the first time you’re home early in a whole month! What happened? Did you girlfriend break up with you?”
Jun froze. He started to wonder why he actually said ‘yes’ when his mother asked if he was going out with some girl, since he had been home late. Jun knew that that was totally not true since Nino was a guy and he hadn’t actually asked Nino to go out with him. But now that Nino was really mad at him, Jun didn’t know if he would have the chance to.
After what happened that day, Jun had forced the truth out of his father. The moment he understood the whole story, Jun really felt like punching his father too, except that he couldn’t. Jun could not believe that Nino had to go fatherless his whole life just because of his.
Even though Jun now knows that Nino is his step-brother, it doesn’t change a thing between them. Jun still likes Nino, and nothing can change that.
Retreating to his room, Jun laid face flat onto his bed. He was certain Nino was pissed at him. Nino didn’t even give him a chance when he saw him at the fast food restaurant near their school!
Letting out a frustrated yell, Jun pounded his pillow furiously. However, he knew that no matter how much he yelled, nothing was going to change. Instead, he vowed that he’ll have a proper talk with Nino and then confess his undying love for him.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Stepping out of the train, Jun let out a curse as he realized it was raining cats and dogs. He had forgotten his umbrella in his haste to get to school, and now he’s probably going to have to run in the rain. The distance from the train station to his school wasn’t that far, but the heavy rain would surely make him be drenched to the bone. It was either that, or get detention for being late, and there was no way Jun was getting himself into detention that day.
He had other plans. Plans concerning Nino.
Taking a huge breath, Jun dashed out from the station towards his school. Like he predicted, the rain had already seeped through his jacket by the time he reached the traffic light. And to top it off, the red man was on and the only thing he could do was stand at the junction and wait for the light to turn green.
The red man seemed to enjoy taking its time to turn green, the rain had already gotten through his shirt. But suddenly, the arrows of rain stopped pounding mercilessly onto him. Jun looked up, and saw a bright yellow umbrella above his read, shielding him from the rain.
He turned. It was Nino, holding out his umbrella to shelter him from the torturous rain.
“Nino,” he breathed. Now that Nino was right in front of him, the words he wanted to say to the latter just had to be stuck in his throat. Thankfully, the lights turned green and Nino started crossing the road. Jun followed hastily, not wanting to get any wetter.
As they were crossing the road, Nino was deep in thought. He didn’t know why he bothered to shelter Jun from the rain, but he sort of felt sorry seeing him soaking wet. As Nino thought about his strange behaviour, he was completely oblivious to a speeding car headed their way. The road was wet and it was nearly impossible for the driver to bring the car to a complete halt before running into Jun and Nino.
Fortunately, Jun had sharp senses. He saw the car racing towards the both of them and he immediately dived towards Nino with a loud ‘watch out’. The pair crashed into the pavement, Jun sprawled on top of Nino, both busy recovering from the shock.
“Thanks,” muttered Nino softly, blushing red as he realized Jun was flat on top of him.
Instead of reply, at least with words, Jun reached out to brush Nino’s bangs that were obstructing his view of Nino’s gorgeous eyes.
“Nino,” he breathed, “I think I like you,”
Nino flushed even redder, “Oh, how romantic, Jun,” he replied sarcastically, “confessing while we’re both slumped over the sidewalk after being nearly ran over by a car while the clouds rain down on us, very romantic indeed,”
Jun didn’t chuckle at Nino’s remark, nor made any signs of acknowledging his sentence. With a very straight face, Jun asked, “So…how do you feel…about me…?”
The smirk on Nino’s face turned into a pout as the smaller teen avoided eye contact with the other, “I think I like you too,” Nino added in a whisper.
“Ha, very romantic, Nino,” laughed Jun, pushing himself off of Nino, “replying to my confession while we’re both slumped over the sidewalk after being nearly ran over by a car while the clouds rain down on us, very romantic indeed,”
Nino pouted. Jun stood up and pulled Nino to his feet, “let’s go before we’re late,”
Hand in hand, Nino and Jun sped off in the direction of their school, Nino’s bright yellow umbrella lay forgotten on the sidewalk.