AoixUruha - Shindig to Shoudou 18A/19
Title : Shindig to Shoudou
Author : dani_25
Chapter(s) : 18A/19 +epilogue
Genres : Angst, Fluff, Romance, Smut
Rating : PG15 - NC17
Fandom : the GazettE
Pairing(s) : Aoi/Uruha, Reita/Ruki side pairing
Warnings : Language, OFCs, Sex [Overall]
Disclaimer : No owning of Gazetto Boys.
Comments : Unbeta-ed. Shoudou means impulse.
Synopsis : Nights of shindies led to a strong impulse. A young and wild beauty fell to a mysterious older man. A May-December Romance?
Chapter 18A: Catch me, catch you
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It was Saturday yet, still a working day. And Uruha, he would still be doing the usual chores no matter what.
Like cleaning the always messy room. Uruha always find it abnormal, of the way the little girl’s room was always, practically messy. Of how the girl was pretty tidy in appearance, it was funny to think that her own room was the opposite in reality. Uruha shook his head in utter amusement. It wasn’t like he wasn’t messy himself but still, he had the reason because he wasn’t a girl.
“Umii~ you dress~” The said girl called up to him. Him who was busy picking up every little thing that was scattered around the proportionally small room. He eventually quickens his dreamy pace after hearing the demand.
“Yes-yes~ My little Madam…” He playfully replied. Turning around like a whirlwind, he dash here and there, putting up all the stuff in one place by the drawer.
“Umii~ you dress me too~” Another missy whine and Uruha pouted before approaching the little girl. He was so used to her little whines and sassy demands so, he crouch down to her level and gave her small nose a playful tap.
As always, Uruha was mesmerized by her foreign eyes. And even though Aoi still hadn’t given him any information of who was her real mother, he instinctively had a fraction of idea of what the unknown woman might be. A foreigner.
“Alright princess~ I’ll dress you first then I’ll dress too. And then we’ll going to your father and see Ruru-kun and have lunch at the restaurant.” He smiled. Uruha always knows his tricks would click because the little girl always buys them. It’s also the same trick he uses to his nephews and nieces.
“Okay~ we eat ice cream too okay? And Ruru eat with us too okay?” She smiled widely that her cheeks stretched up to her ears. Eating lunch outside with Ruki was their favorite. It always made the girl excited and cheerful and Uruha mentally praise himself for coming up with that idea at first. Though unfortunately, only Saturdays were available due to loaded schedules.
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She was still the most annoying, most eyebrow-raising, most day-ruining life form in the whole building. Uruha still couldn’t keep himself saint in mind whenever she was around. Her presence itself was irritating.
“Having lunch with Aoi?” Yoko asked while her back was on them. They’ve been following her as she led them to the office of the said man.
“Uh-yeah…yes.” Uruha answered. He almost lost his manners. The little girl she was holding turns her head to him, smiling too cutely. If it weren’t for Megumi, he would probably kick her in the ass for being so, so bitchy.
Uruha doesn’t have any choice but to smile back to the sweet girl and before he could react, Megumi tugged her hand out of Yoko’s grip and dash back to him.
“Hey Megumi-chan! You shouldn’t run around here.” Yoko almost shouted. Her brows furrowed showing her premature wrinkles. In his mind, Uruha burst in laughter. Yoko’s misery was funny to him even if it’s rude in the sense.
After grabbing the girl’s hands that were reaching up for him, Megumi let out a cheeky giggle but instead of clutching onto Uruha’s hand, she circled her small arms and wrapped them around his hips.
“Umii~ ice cream~” She smiled up to him. It was a contagious expression and as always, Uruha couldn’t resist. Her slightly chubby cheeks and dolly eyes were too much sugar for his hands.
“Okay~okay~ just wait until we can tell your father then, off we go nee? Alright Megumi?” He reassured the small girl with the same cheekiness.
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“Ms. Yoko, take this draft sample to the supplier please.” Aoi’s voice sound so deep, prominent and the said woman only nodded in act. She gave them a small, seemingly forced-like smile before turning on his perfectionist heels and head out of the spacious office. Uruha stuck his tongue out after hearing the door closing unceremoniously.
“You two are early for lunch.” Aoi commented jokingly. He shook his head as he grinned at his visitors, both standing beside the door way.
“I want ice cream!” The girl whined, stomping her foot to emphasized her sudden craving. The act made Uruha’s eyes widen because it was uncharacteristically of the girl and Aoi wasn’t known to be playful even with his own child.
“You’re way too…noisy Megumi. I think you’re making little troubles with that attitude and you probably gave Uruha a headache. Is that?” Aoi furrowed his brow, turning his gaze to the young man beside the little girl. Megumi wasn’t in the least interested or even affected by his father’s words towards her. All that was in her mind was that they were going to eat at the restaurant down the building with Ruki who she liked so much because he always drew her anything she requested.
Uruha caught Aoi’s suspicion with open mouth. He quickly tried thinking of an excuse to divert the man’s attention away from his little lady because the truth is, Megumi was just too excited for the lunch out because of how only often she ever got a chance to have one. Sometimes, Uruha thought of how boring, inactive and monotonous her life was. Inside the big house with nothing but servants whom were all elderly people and with a father who works six days a week with more often than eight hours of shift was too terrible for her young age. Uruha noted that and he thought like it was somehow a blessing for the child that he was unexpectedly hired as her nanny. Ever since he lived with them, at least the little girl had someone to get close to that was still not far from her age.
“Ah…Aoi-san, she was just excited. Very much actually.” Uruha quickly covered, nervously smiling at the seemingly confuse older man. “She used to be liked that when she was feeling excited over something. You know her…she’s enthusiast when it comes to going outside the house.” It sounded average but it was the truth. Uruha would cover any misunderstanding about the little girl because he thought that, if he didn’t, who would? He’s the only one whom Megumi was depending on right now. They were closer than they could ever know.
“Hmm. All right. Well then…wait for me there at that room. I’ll be back after ten minutes.” Fortunately for Uruha, they were out of trouble faster than he had expected. The man didn’t ask further more issue and that was extended relief.
“Okay. We’ll wait there. Sorry if we barged in.” He bowed and glance to his side where his little lady was stomping her feet in clear impatience. He silently and unnoticeably shushed her with friendly glare until she glared back at him with a pointed pout of her small lips. Uruha could have sworn he would have laughed at that but he couldn’t. Aoi was already looking at them suspiciously.
When he lifted his head up, he smiled for purpose only. But when his hopeful gaze met Aoi’s, Uruha couldn’t quite fathom of what was the older man’s pensive gaze over him could mean of.
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“Megumi…You’ve got cream on your chin.” Aoi noticed and motion with a frown. He barely had touched his own plate and Uruha almost felt the small tension around him.
“Uhmm…none!!” The young girl exclaimed, glaring innocently towards her calmly-looking father.
It wasn’t intimidating. Uruha felt it usually when they were eating at the house but as strange as it may be, the two people across him looked seemingly comical rather than that intimidating.
“You are getting spoiled, aren’t you? Uruha, you must have been treating her too nice, she seemingly losing her manners.” The older man suddenly observed, frowning just a little. Now, that knocked Uruha’s brain. Just as he thought of the situation unintimidating, the man suddenly watched them both not so nonchalantly. That made Uruha’s eyes widen.
“Huh?! Eh? I’m-” Stuttering, Uruha couldn’t immediately think of anything to cover up. He didn’t think that his hard work of treating his little Miss had become too carefree. He thought it was only right to show and guide the child in his own ways but, it seemed like that wasn’t advisable at all. He was now being criticized.
Uruha’s mouth fall open, brows creasing and an explainable shaking of knees began as he tried hard to utter a word. But suddenly, the older man sighed heavily and pushed the plate a bit away to show that he was finished eating. Nothing could stop Uruha’s chest to pound as if he was sitting on his own judgment day.
“It’s all right. She was already like that ever since. It’s not your fault and I’m definitely not scolding you.” Aoi said, smiling shortly before calling for a waitress. Was he kidding around? Uruha almost lost his appetite but then, Aoi smiled like he didn’t said something triggering at all.
Uruha frowned for a moment, processing everything with calculated eyes. Aoi was now giving out cash to the waitress with a casual ‘thank you’ and referred back to him with a raised brows and uncommon flash of giddy smile.
The slightly confusing scenarios were slowly getting onto him. Uruha blinked more than once, trying hard to concentrate on eating the expectedly expensive lunch he was not interested anymore. His attention was solely placed over the two people looking together across him. They were both smiling like goofs and that frightens him for seconds.
“Megumi, may I borrow Umii tonight?” Aoi suddenly said that had cause Uruha to cough right after he swallowed a piece of meat.
“Hmmn…why?” The girl paused on sipping her milkshake. She pouted at Aoi’s sudden declaration while kicking her feet under their table. Uruha covered his lips, still coughing out as he looked desperately at the two. Their conversation was far more serious than what he thought.
“I’m going to need his company. We’ll be out for tonight so, you will stay with Maki-san. Behave yourself so that we wouldn’t have a problem with the old lady, okay?” Aoi clarified seriously, face yet gentle as Uruha calmed himself. He was rather more surprised hearing Aoi’s little confirmation than being alarmed when the small girl glared at him comically.
“I come too! Umii go I will cry~” She prattled. She was usually sweet and nice but when her favorite nanny would be taken away from her even for just an hour, she would throw tantrums even if Aoi would get angry at her.
Uruha scratched the back of his right ear, confused as to why he let himself watch the intensified argument between father and daughter? He was never the one who sit down and watch or hear arguments about family matters. That’s why it’s one of the reasons he left his home. He was not used to hearing complicated situations. And in the mean time, he felt like a mother who was forced to watch her husband and child argue childishly in front of her face.
“No, you will not. It was late in the evening and no child is allowed in the conference.” Aoi calmly declared, not too harsh for a four year old to hear. He had planned the whole evening and not this time he would want a child around them. Some quality adult time alone with Uruha was very inviting to him.
“Hmmph!” Megumi huffed childishly as she tried to intimidate her father by glaring at him and sticking her tongue out. She kicked her feet once before proceeding back on finishing her glass.
“And that’s why I don’t like bringing kids out.” Aoi shook his head. He leaned back on his seat and glanced at Uruha who was consoling his daughter by patting her head affectionately. Deep inside, Aoi couldn’t even say of how much grateful he was that Uruha had come into their life. Even if he had complicated past, he wasn’t regretting his life that much. After the storm that nearly ruined him, there then comes the sun that was now the brightest light in his eyes. Uruha was a blessing to him and everything he would do to make the young man stay with them for the rest of the time.
“She could understand you, you know.” Uruha pouted slightly at him and Aoi had a sudden hard time choosing who has the most effective pout out of the two of them.
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He felt the inhale stronger than he had ever been before. He was a heavy-smoker but it’s only now that he felt it almost burning inside him. Was he nervous or something? Aoi doesn’t quite understand but he felt like a damn teenager feeling all nervous. Like he was going out for his first ever date with the girl of his dream though, the person he’s going out with tonight wasn’t a girl. He’s confused about the way his hands felt so sweaty and his feet can’t behave. Going out with Uruha that night wasn’t the first but it still made him rock uncontrollably.
“Sorry for the wait. She cried out when she noticed me running downstairs.” Uruha suddenly emerge in the front door. He was slightly panting and his light-colored shirt was wrinkled.
“It’s…all right. Are you ready?” Aoi finished off his stick. He threw the remaining on the ground before crashing it. “I hope you don’t mind accompanying me tonight.” He smiled but the kind of smile that was more of a forced twitch of lips rather than the normal stretch of mouth.
Uruha seemingly shied, tucking the fallen blond locks that almost hid his pleasant face. He gazed down them before shaking his head as a definite ‘no’ to Aoi’s question.
“No. I don’t mind at all. Besides…” He smiled shyly, looking anywhere but to Aoi. “Besides, I feel so happy that you chose me to be your date- ah! I mean…to be your company tonight.” Uruha slightly stammered. All he was thinking of after their lunch that day was, Aoi had set up another date for the two of them. So when Aoi had declared his surprise plan, Uruha was speechless all throughout the afternoon. It was like a joke, a prank, a tease. He still couldn’t register all that he had heard until now. Maybe he was dreaming but no, it was all happening.
Aoi smiled at his slip before leading the way and opened the passenger’s door of his car. He saw how Uruha’s smile practically reached his ears and that calmed him totally. He then could forget how he made himself act like a nerve-racked teenager only minutes ago.
After he pulled the passenger’s door open, Uruha bowed to him, eyes seemingly sparkling. Aoi could notice it. He could notice everything about Uruha. He wasn’t sure until now if what he was feeling towards the younger man was admiration to his kind heart or the deeper way. Aoi knew that what he felt towards Uruha was something new, something unexplainable but at the same time, something so special that any more sweetness and honest smile would probably pull him down to the forbidden line.
“Thank you Aoi-san. Actually, you don’t have to open the car door for me. I’m your servant remember?” Uruha chuckled after seating beside Aoi. For all Uruha could know, he was the only employee that was allowed and generally being given the authority to sit right next to the master of the house. He didn’t understand but, it’s only him that was being placed right there. Right next to Aoi.
Uruha remembered the many times that they would go out to shop for groceries. The old lady was with them and even though he insisted to sit at the back together with Maki-san, Aoi would insist back that he should be right next to him and his daughter at the back with the old lady.
During those times, Uruha would think many unimaginable scenarios. Sometimes in his silly mind or better say, his classic, epic-fail-of-a-fairytale, he thought he seemed like Aoi’s wife. Sitting right next to the man and their child at their back with her nanny while they go for a ride, heading for a perfect planned picnic at the nearest park. It could be his dream if only he was born on the opposite side.
“I remember but, I always told you that you are far more valuable than a mere servant. I don’t want you thinking that you are treated as one. I chose you and we accept you as a new family member, that is why Megumi grew fond of you that she actually liked you more than me. More than Maki-san and even more than her grandparents. You didn’t know but, she used to have complex problem with interacting with people she doesn’t knew.” Aoi slowly started the engine and seconds later, they drove off.
Uruha was quite for a moment. He looked at Aoi with a frown, watching at how serious Aoi’s face was when he talked. Uruha always thought that Aoi was the perfect man any woman could dream of and here he was, sitting right next to that man with nothing to separating them. If it was possible to feel luckier than luckiest, he would.
“But when I introduced you to her for the very first time, the next moment, I saw you two playing like you both knew each other for a long time. You truly amazed me that time Uruha. You don’t have any idea how lucky I felt that I have met you and brought you to our home.” Aoi’s eyes locked on him when he was saying those words. It was like hypnotizing Uruha with those sincerities.
“You said that the last time also.” Uruha pouted and looked away against the window. He could see the living-bright city blurring passed his slightly tired eyes. But deep inside, honestly, Uruha felt his chest pumping shard at the older man’s words. For the past few months, Aoi would tell him words that were too sweet for his own good. Those were flattering just as intriguing. Only in his dream that the man would look at him the way he do but he was no hypocrite. A part of him still hoped extremely to have a chance to have Aoi’s heart, his love.
“That…I don’t remember.” Aoi snorted. Uruha quickly glance back at him. If Aoi said that to annoy him, well it was just slightly effective. The way the older man’s lips quirk up at the side, Uruha could notice the playful air he missed so much about Aoi. The joy that the little girl gave him was heart-warming and endearing but it could never top the feeling of utter bliss Aoi gave him when they were this close together. Just the two of them.
Uruha mocked-pouted. He half-heartedly glared at Aoi who seemed to have been smirking for the last ten second.
“You forgot ‘cause you’re old.” He absentmindedly commented back. It’s nothing personal. He just wanted to play along if that’s what Aoi wanted for the mean time.
“I’m old? You are right young man. And yet you still seduce me with your angel-faced tactic.” Unexpectedly, Uruha didn’t see it coming when Aoi smirked back at him while driving.
“Do I?” He couldn’t help but ask. Asked the older man with a face of incredulity.
Aoi briefly glanced at him before smirking again. His eyes were trained on the road and Uruha wanders if what exactly his question points to.
“Do you…what?” Aoi asked back, confusing Uruha even more.
“You said…seduce you and…angel-faced tactic? What do you mean by that?” Uruha again mocked hurt. He pouted away, muttering under his breath of words he knows were too silly to hear.
“I’m not that old to forget everything in the past Uruha. I still remember. The beginning, everything.” Aoi muttered before holding tight the steering wheel and pulled off. They turned and eventually halt onto the curb that led to the underground parking of the building.
“The past? You mean…?” Uruha was struck, feeling speechless as Aoi glanced at him with a knowing grin. He couldn’t quite pretend but he knows he was blushing against Aoi’s gaze.
“We are here. You don’t need to feel insecure or anything. Just stay beside me.” Aoi said as he pushed open his side of door and got out. “We’ll going to discuss about the new branch and hopefully, we can return home before midnight.” Aoi explained as he went to Uruha’s side of door and opened it.
Uruha still felt embarrassed when Aoi opens the car door for him. It wasn’t right. How could he let Aoi do that? The night was chilly and Uruha somehow regret agreeing to Aoi. The venue was more than intimidating.
“You didn’t answer me.” He mumbled out when Aoi smiled at him and put a hand to his back, leading them inside the building. He started to feel cold, shivering slowly.
Aoi chuckled half-heartedly at his words. For Uruha, he hadn’t said anything funny so it was somehow irritating that the older man seemed to not notice his pouting.
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Uruha couldn’t help but awed in amazement. It was his first time at that building and he was more than nervous when they walked inside with so many people in business suit in every corner.
The venue’s ground floor was like a hotel. A very extravagant one and all the people inside were all prominent. Exactly why he felt the regret much stronger.
“What the hell am I doing in here?” He whispered, more to himself. He couldn’t help but felt like shrinking down onto some far corner because he wasn’t acceptable looking compare to them. They wore clothes too excessive-looking and his attire more looked like a sorry excuse of street-style hopeless.
“What? Something wrong?” Aoi suddenly asked as they halted on their way to another slightly crowded area.
Uruha frowned, whistling his obvious tenseness. Yes he was tensed. All from the subtle belittling stares from people there, it made him feel like running far away.
He fidgeted, pulling his scarf as his feet seem to march uncontrollably under him. It’s freaking him up. The crowd, the stares, the murmurs and even the clinking of glasses and spoons. He was not use to this kind of gathering. Clubs and disco bars were one thing. The shindigs, he was used to those but not this. Aoi took him to an exclusive formal party.
“Aahm…no-nothing. I was just- aa…” He practically stammered. He just couldn’t help feeling anxious at the sight around him.
“Are you alright?” Aoi starts to lead them to a table a little bit farther from the center. They reached there and Uruha quickly went around and sat on the other side. He blew a breath before biting his lower lip as he gazed around, worry evident in his face. He barely noticed Aoi’s very concerned look until the older man came to his side and puts a hand over his shoulder.
“I’m okay. Really. Don’t worry about me. Go on, they were looking for you I’m sure.” Uruha tried smiling, even if a bit forced as he noticed the familiar people looking over to them or rather, looking over for Aoi. Uruha knew them by their faces. They were working at Aoi’s company.
“You kept biting on your lip so don’t expect me to not be worried. Are you nervous or something? You can tell me.” Aoi insisted. He was frowning down at him, prominent wrinkles on his forehead and corners of his eyes were visible under the fine glimmer of the authentic chandeliers.
Uruha looked up to Aoi with a glare, not that accusing or something but out of deliberate confusion. He wanders if he should ever tell Aoi that he doesn’t want social gatherings because of some so-close-phobia of his. The last time he went out to a particularly crowded place, one of his past-regular clients almost made his day. That incident told him of how to be careful when showing up on broad daylight. Not that he was hiding from them but, the thought of Aoi seeing them could almost rival his worst nightmare.
Uruha doesn’t want to go back to his past. He doesn’t even want to remember even a single thing about his life back then. He liked how his new path was leading him. He liked it so much now that he had someone to admire to and hope upon. Aoi to him was his salvation, his now sole purpose to live on. His ultimate dream, the person he wanted to have for the rest of his life.
Funny or silly to think but for Uruha, there’s nothing more fortunate than him finally finding the right person.
He had always felt that Aoi was the right one. He had that feeling since the first time their eyes met and the first time Aoi had saved him. If that wasn’t called a destiny, then Uruha doesn’t know what it was at all.
“How was I supposed to calm?” He couldn’t help but glare still, pouting as he looked up to Aoi. He knew he was acting childish but he just couldn’t help it. “You’ve said we’re going to a meeting but this isn’t a meeting!” He practically and emotionally referred to the place in whole. The elegant catering, elegant people and elegant evening.
“What are you saying? What do you mean ‘not a meeting’?” Aoi asked, confusion terrible against his expression as he leaned down slightly as if not hearing Uruha correctly.
Uruha felt guilt right away as he saw the confusion in the older man’s eyes. Honestly, he didn’t mean to worry Aoi. He was just being paranoid. What if someone saw him there? Someone who became one of his clients and approach him. What if they embarrassed him? In front of those prominent people, in front of Aoi. Uruha could take possible scenarios but not involving Aoi. He couldn’t take it if he got humiliated in front of Aoi.
“This isn’t a meeting. This is a social party. People are very elegant. I do not fit in here.” He pouted away, suddenly seeing one very familiar face from a far.
“Party? You saw it wrong Uruha.” Aoi sighed before chuckling behind his hand. He suddenly thought Uruha was being childish for thinking such intuition. So that was the reason of the pointed lips and uncommon fidgeting.
“Wrong? But what you call this? You were all wearing suits and I was wearing my regular clothes because I thought you took me here just to look after you from a far corner.” Uruha kept pouting, turning his head away a little bit more just to make sure that he was seeing right. In tight-black short dress, the face of faked innocence. Elegant but deep inside, manner-less and very cunning. Uruha just wanted to bolt off even more. Not her again. He was tired of seeing that woman’s face for more than twice that day.
“I could now guess that you haven’t been into something like this before.” Aoi shook his head. He then pulled the chair beside Uruha and sat on it, facing the pouting young man. Uruha, even if his evening was half-ruined by Yoko’s face, turned to Aoi, frowning with now only a small pout on his lips. “Look, we have this to support the new project. Like a strategy. Encouraging people especially potential consumers. It’s a complicated scheme but understand that, I want you to know the things I do. The way I worked with other people and all the things that involved in my business. I want you to know my real life.” Aoi reached out a hand and placed it on Uruha’s shoulder. His expression was serious as if saying he trusted Uruha more than Uruha could ever know.
And that silenced Uruha. He was speechless. Just staring straight to Aoi. He forgot all his paranoia, his insecurities, Yoko’s bitch-of-a-face. He forgot they were on a place full of different people, full of eyes. The hell he care. Aoi was touching him on the shoulder out in the open and nothing matters to him other than the gracious moment.
Aoi smiled to him, heartwarming, damn endearing. Uruha wouldn’t blame himself if he was blushing there. There’s too much reason for him to blush anyway.
“Alright. Sorry for acting so stupid.” He admitted. He thought suddenly if he was being too obvious on his admiration but he guessed it wouldn’t matter maybe. Aoi was the one being so kind and sweet to him so it’s reasonable enough for him to get flattered that way.
“Don’t say that.” Aoi sighed and shook his head. He patted Uruha’s shoulder before reaching down for Uruha’s hands, squeezing it.
They locked their gazes. Aoi was seeing the importance of Uruha’s presence there as Uruha was seeing the miracle unfold before his very eyes. If they could both stop the time there, they would. Something stronger was gently drawing them closer. Like an invisible string that could bound anything even heaven and earth.
“There you are. I thought you still haven’t arrived.” Suddenly, annoyingly, the voice of the unwanted woman came up and rudely disrupts Uruha’s chain of fate. Oh how annoyed Uruha was.
“I’m not late, aren’t I?” Aoi turned to her, smiling and that, Uruha thought that Yoko had intentionally done it. Interrupt everything.
“I’m proud to say that you are not. You couldn’t miss something like this. Not even if some little shenanigan tried to prevent you from coming earlier than intended.” Yoko’s tone was ice to Uruha’s ears. The way she raised a brow at him, give him a disgusted, disapproved look, she was the worst thing Uruha had ever known. He doesn’t remember having done something wrong to her so it was pointless to Uruha of why that woman used to be like that to him. But truthfully, Uruha did have a definite clue of the reason. It was from his own instinct and based on his every observation. Only blind and insensitive would not know. Maybe including Aoi but Uruha kept it to himself. The older man doesn’t need to know.
Uruha doesn’t want her to be his rival nor want her thinking she could rival against him. Even if there wasn’t any official stating, Uruha loved to think that Aoi liked him more than Yoko. He believed in himself and to Aoi’s every words to him. Also, Uruha has the greatest allies. Megumi and Maki-san.
“I tried my best to come early but Megumi threw a fit.” Aoi explained. He extracted his hand slowly from Uruha’s. “Where’s Reita?” He asked, nodding at Uruha as if apologizing for the rude remark. Aoi’s expression was calculating, eyeing Yoko with stern look that had Uruha distancing between the two elderly people.
“He’s over there. Talking to Doumoto-san. You are supposed to join their conversation, aren’t you?” Yoko smirked. She had this annoying red lipstick that looked older than her bobcat hair-style.
Uruha stared at her while she waved a hand over and there animatedly. He had manners enough to not speak against her likely mocking words towards him so he remained silent over there, sitting a bit away just to be safe from her arrogant eyes.
“Would be there in a minute.” Aoi casually answered before standing. He gave Uruha an apologetic look and Uruha did understand. He wasn’t a possessive bitch unlike the woman talking to them at the moment. He may be obsessive, obsessed with Aoi but he wouldn’t be like that. Possession over someone wasn’t in his list of manners and he was too young for that.
Aoi smoothed the sleeves of his elegant black suit and was ready to walk away when he suddenly frowned then turned to Uruha.
“Why don’t you go with Yoko while I talk there? Or would you rather go with me?” Aoi offered, more like demanded it. Uruha was in surprise as his mouth opened in utter shock. Aoi just said it out loud. In front of Yoko and Uruha couldn’t believe it fast. Aoi wanted for Uruha to stay beside him even if Yoko was in there too. He chose Uruha over her! That was remarkable!
“Aoi, he sure would rather go with me. He doesn’t know a single thing about automobiles.” As if on cue, Yoko replied, smiling but for Uruha, it was fraudulent enough that made him felt more insecure. Yoko looked at him with lips stretched wide and brow arched in silent reprimand. Uruha shuddered at the thought of Aoi leaving him to Yoko. It made him cringe inside.
“I-” Uruha turned to Aoi and started but suddenly cut off when he felt hand grabbed him by the arm.
“Uruha-kun, I know you were shying around here because this isn’t familiar to you. I know where your friend is. He’s here too. Reita had brought him along. You two could chat away while we talk business over there.”
“So Ruki-kun was in here too? That would be good. Uruha looks like running out of here. Maybe you should take him to Ruki-kun then.” Aoi smiled at him and Uruha felt like Yoko had built a plan so quickly just to get rid of him. She was the most cunning bitch Uruha had ever known.
“No! I- I don’t-”
“It’s alright with me. Come on Uruha-kun. Ruki-kun is in there.” Yoko interrupted Uruha. It was a clever way, competitive and Uruha panicked. He doesn’t want to leave Aoi’s side. Yoko would have her way over Aoi and that he didn’t want.
Yoko grabbed his left arm but Uruha was more than determined to not lose. He would rather sat over there and watch Aoi talked to people than go with that lady with invisible horns.
Uruha stood from where he sat and with a deep breath, he faced Aoi. He clenched his fists on either side of him and looked Aoi straight in the eyes sternly.
“No, thank you. I’m going with Aoi-san. I’ll talk to Ruki later.” He said, determine to not lose to a woman. If Yoko think it was easy to get rid of him, she thought wrong. Uruha was never one to surrender. Not if the prize at stake was the man beside him.
“Are you sure? You will just sit over there and wait until I’m finish talking with those people. Isn’t that boring to you? You could go to Ruki-kun. I will just call you later if we’re done with the meeting.” Aoi smiled again at him. If it weren’t for Yoko kicking him out silently, Uruha would probably grab her by the hair and shove her on the floor with a mocking raise of an eyebrow. She was the ultimate one who wants him out of the picture.
“Ahm…it’s okay. It’s all right to me. I don’t mind listening to meeting. It’s not like that I have any concern in it.” Uruha insisted. He was not going away with that woman. Who knows where she would dump him? Yoko had done that once and Uruha was sure she could do it again.
“Well if you insist then…you can-”
“Isn’t it irrational to bring this kid there? Besides, we’re getting late to the conversation.” Yoko interrupted. Aoi’s words were cut and truthfully, that didn’t surprise Uruha. He knew that coming because of the impatience in Yoko’s eyes. And honestly, Uruha didn’t give a damn. Nobody could separate him to Aoi. Not even Yoko’s dramatic glaring.
Aoi frowned, looking to Yoko then back to Uruha. The older man seemed really confuse and that angered Uruha to no end. If Yoko didn’t like him there, why the hell she would waste her time tricking Aoi? She could have just said it out loud and Uruha wouldn’t give a fuck. In that case, Aoi would finally know of their secret rivalry.
Yoko began and nodded to where she reached for Aoi’s arm and deliberately made him turn to head over the meeting area. Aoi, even if he was still in question, turned on his heels and walk to the meeting. He eventually planned on talking to Yoko later about her questionable manners towards Uruha.
Yoko smiled at him before turning back to the table where Uruha was silently fuming over.
“Uruha-kun, you could follow us if you still want to.” Yoko offered but her brow was high in maintenance. Uruha gritted his teeth as he felt his blood boil in utter seethe. “You have already took too much of Aoi’s time and for me, it was rather impolite. You made him waste time in here, talking to you about stuffs I’m sure was full of childishness. He was giving you too much attention and it annoys me, do you know that?” There, finally. The perfect blow Uruha was waiting for since she showed up.
Uruha frowned, glaring there and for a moment, he thought of honestly losing his manners just to give that woman a hard blow on the face. She deserves that for condemning him with no apparent reason.
“I didn’t waste his time.” He began, slowly blowing his breath out. He couldn’t lose control. He still didn’t want to embarrass himself and especially, Aoi. “He brought me here. I didn’t insist. Do not confuse him or you might get your elegant hair pluck from your head.” For all the years he had stayed on the club, Uruha was no saint and he practically inherits all the bad languages of the people there.
He glared, tired of hearing the woman’s repetitive insults. Yes she was older and that he should give respect but hell, the woman was acting too ignorant to be even consider as respectable.
“And yes I do know that you hate me. You dislike me ever since and I have a clue of the reason why.” Uruha continued. He felt dizzy as he looked away, over and around the place. All the lights blinding him and the tension with Yoko were adding to his senses.
There was a pause. Yoko glared at him, this time intense.
“I was right. I was right.” She muttered, almost mindlessly as she locked eyes with Uruha. “I was right that you are a fake-face.” Uruha glared even more, eyes trained to the woman who talked like she was not one herself. He wanted to laugh at that. “Aoi seemed to believe you are a reliable kid. He doesn’t have any idea of what kind of scammer you are.”
Though Yoko’s tone was delicate, her eyes showed no mercy. Uruha, he wasn’t terrified. He knew more than getting offended by her that it was like her natural way of expressing annoyance. Only, he is more concern about of was, if she decided to condemn him in front of Aoi. Uruha knew that she could do it without any second thought and that terrified him to no extent. What if Yoko suddenly says everything Uruha said against her? What if she would spin everything around and make Uruha appear the worst or would make up story that would tarnish his good built-up reputation? Anything could happen. And if she would literally do it right there at the moment, Uruha had a vision of something more difficult than her scandalizing him in the public.
“I didn’t do anything for you to dislike me that much.” Uruha couldn’t help but confirmed. Although he had a very definite clue of the reason, he felt the need to pull some answer directly from Yoko.
“This I will tell you.” Yoko replied sternly. Locking gaze with her was intimidating enough to made Uruha felt nervousness seeping through his skin. She puts a hand over her hip and expectedly, Uruha just somehow expected what was going to come out of her mouth. “The very first time I saw your face, I had the feeling that you’ll be a hinder. And somehow, I know I was right all along. In fact, I really am right in my suspicion.” She furrowed her brows and looked Uruha from head to toe, as if belittling him face to face, and maybe she really was. By the way she rolled her eyes at him as if he was a dust in the air she breathes, Yoko treated him like he was worthless to all.
Uruha frowned deeper because even if she franked him, it still hit Uruha like sting in the skin. He doesn’t know if he really deserves to be attacked by this kind of unreleased hatred.
“I didn’t do anything to you. Aoi-san was the one who hired me. I don’t know why you’re acting like this towards me and why you make so much effort of separating me from him. Aoi-san wants me always beside him and I won’t disappoint him even if you come between us.”
“Just that you came to his life was the thing that you did wrong to me. How I wish Aoi had never found you in that God-forsaken place.” Yoko suddenly blurted and by that, Uruha was taken aback. He didn’t, all this time, he didn’t know that other than Aoi and Reita, that person also knows about his past. Yoko seemed to be more cunning that she already was. It shocked Uruha to no avail.
“And I will do anything to make you disappear in his life. You’re nothing compare to me. You’re just a pathetic kid and you didn’t deserve something like him. So stop daydreaming.”
She continued, staring Uruha down.
Her words were truly painful and Uruha couldn’t help but hold back. His eyes were stinging, he hadn’t notice. Damn the impoliteness! He had heard too much humiliation even if she still had the decency to not utter foul-enough words. Uruha gotten their real meaning and that feared him. The woman could really tarnish him without any second thought about his sincerity.
“Why are you doing this right here?” He asked. Biting on his lower lip enough to draw blood, Uruha couldn’t help but tremble. He wanted to shout, to attack the rude woman and give her a split-lip just to release his fears. It’s getting too much for him by the second as they stare down at each other. Fisting his hands against his sides, Uruha wanted to walk-out, to run away. He wanted to punch the woman’s face for all the things she had said to him.
“Frankly, you disgust me. I know of where you came from and what you do before you made it this far. I just didn’t understand of why Aoi was so fond of you when you are nothing but a dirty little rag.” She rubbed her temple as if she was in great distress and maybe, she really was.
“You hated me because of what I am before? And because Aoi-san had me living under the same roof with him, and that you hated the most?”
“Right. That’s the reason. Aoi had gotten such a bad taste when he hired you as nanny of his little brat. What do you know really? You know nothing. And you will never erase the fact that you’re a juvenile hooker. Even if you’ll live in a great house or dressed in all elegant.”
Uruha was about to break down and reached forward to shut the woman up but a single appearance behind her made him stood stiff, eyes widening in silent horror.
“What is going on in here?” Aoi, he suddenly emerge from somewhere behind the woman.
Previous
Part B
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A/N: Thank you for reading!
I just don’t know what to say anymore. This story took so long in the making.
Just few more chapters. Please stay until the end!
Author : dani_25
Chapter(s) : 18A/19 +epilogue
Genres : Angst, Fluff, Romance, Smut
Rating : PG15 - NC17
Fandom : the GazettE
Pairing(s) : Aoi/Uruha, Reita/Ruki side pairing
Warnings : Language, OFCs, Sex [Overall]
Disclaimer : No owning of Gazetto Boys.
Comments : Unbeta-ed. Shoudou means impulse.
Synopsis : Nights of shindies led to a strong impulse. A young and wild beauty fell to a mysterious older man. A May-December Romance?
Chapter 18A: Catch me, catch you
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It was Saturday yet, still a working day. And Uruha, he would still be doing the usual chores no matter what.
Like cleaning the always messy room. Uruha always find it abnormal, of the way the little girl’s room was always, practically messy. Of how the girl was pretty tidy in appearance, it was funny to think that her own room was the opposite in reality. Uruha shook his head in utter amusement. It wasn’t like he wasn’t messy himself but still, he had the reason because he wasn’t a girl.
“Umii~ you dress~” The said girl called up to him. Him who was busy picking up every little thing that was scattered around the proportionally small room. He eventually quickens his dreamy pace after hearing the demand.
“Yes-yes~ My little Madam…” He playfully replied. Turning around like a whirlwind, he dash here and there, putting up all the stuff in one place by the drawer.
“Umii~ you dress me too~” Another missy whine and Uruha pouted before approaching the little girl. He was so used to her little whines and sassy demands so, he crouch down to her level and gave her small nose a playful tap.
As always, Uruha was mesmerized by her foreign eyes. And even though Aoi still hadn’t given him any information of who was her real mother, he instinctively had a fraction of idea of what the unknown woman might be. A foreigner.
“Alright princess~ I’ll dress you first then I’ll dress too. And then we’ll going to your father and see Ruru-kun and have lunch at the restaurant.” He smiled. Uruha always knows his tricks would click because the little girl always buys them. It’s also the same trick he uses to his nephews and nieces.
“Okay~ we eat ice cream too okay? And Ruru eat with us too okay?” She smiled widely that her cheeks stretched up to her ears. Eating lunch outside with Ruki was their favorite. It always made the girl excited and cheerful and Uruha mentally praise himself for coming up with that idea at first. Though unfortunately, only Saturdays were available due to loaded schedules.
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She was still the most annoying, most eyebrow-raising, most day-ruining life form in the whole building. Uruha still couldn’t keep himself saint in mind whenever she was around. Her presence itself was irritating.
“Having lunch with Aoi?” Yoko asked while her back was on them. They’ve been following her as she led them to the office of the said man.
“Uh-yeah…yes.” Uruha answered. He almost lost his manners. The little girl she was holding turns her head to him, smiling too cutely. If it weren’t for Megumi, he would probably kick her in the ass for being so, so bitchy.
Uruha doesn’t have any choice but to smile back to the sweet girl and before he could react, Megumi tugged her hand out of Yoko’s grip and dash back to him.
“Hey Megumi-chan! You shouldn’t run around here.” Yoko almost shouted. Her brows furrowed showing her premature wrinkles. In his mind, Uruha burst in laughter. Yoko’s misery was funny to him even if it’s rude in the sense.
After grabbing the girl’s hands that were reaching up for him, Megumi let out a cheeky giggle but instead of clutching onto Uruha’s hand, she circled her small arms and wrapped them around his hips.
“Umii~ ice cream~” She smiled up to him. It was a contagious expression and as always, Uruha couldn’t resist. Her slightly chubby cheeks and dolly eyes were too much sugar for his hands.
“Okay~okay~ just wait until we can tell your father then, off we go nee? Alright Megumi?” He reassured the small girl with the same cheekiness.
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“Ms. Yoko, take this draft sample to the supplier please.” Aoi’s voice sound so deep, prominent and the said woman only nodded in act. She gave them a small, seemingly forced-like smile before turning on his perfectionist heels and head out of the spacious office. Uruha stuck his tongue out after hearing the door closing unceremoniously.
“You two are early for lunch.” Aoi commented jokingly. He shook his head as he grinned at his visitors, both standing beside the door way.
“I want ice cream!” The girl whined, stomping her foot to emphasized her sudden craving. The act made Uruha’s eyes widen because it was uncharacteristically of the girl and Aoi wasn’t known to be playful even with his own child.
“You’re way too…noisy Megumi. I think you’re making little troubles with that attitude and you probably gave Uruha a headache. Is that?” Aoi furrowed his brow, turning his gaze to the young man beside the little girl. Megumi wasn’t in the least interested or even affected by his father’s words towards her. All that was in her mind was that they were going to eat at the restaurant down the building with Ruki who she liked so much because he always drew her anything she requested.
Uruha caught Aoi’s suspicion with open mouth. He quickly tried thinking of an excuse to divert the man’s attention away from his little lady because the truth is, Megumi was just too excited for the lunch out because of how only often she ever got a chance to have one. Sometimes, Uruha thought of how boring, inactive and monotonous her life was. Inside the big house with nothing but servants whom were all elderly people and with a father who works six days a week with more often than eight hours of shift was too terrible for her young age. Uruha noted that and he thought like it was somehow a blessing for the child that he was unexpectedly hired as her nanny. Ever since he lived with them, at least the little girl had someone to get close to that was still not far from her age.
“Ah…Aoi-san, she was just excited. Very much actually.” Uruha quickly covered, nervously smiling at the seemingly confuse older man. “She used to be liked that when she was feeling excited over something. You know her…she’s enthusiast when it comes to going outside the house.” It sounded average but it was the truth. Uruha would cover any misunderstanding about the little girl because he thought that, if he didn’t, who would? He’s the only one whom Megumi was depending on right now. They were closer than they could ever know.
“Hmm. All right. Well then…wait for me there at that room. I’ll be back after ten minutes.” Fortunately for Uruha, they were out of trouble faster than he had expected. The man didn’t ask further more issue and that was extended relief.
“Okay. We’ll wait there. Sorry if we barged in.” He bowed and glance to his side where his little lady was stomping her feet in clear impatience. He silently and unnoticeably shushed her with friendly glare until she glared back at him with a pointed pout of her small lips. Uruha could have sworn he would have laughed at that but he couldn’t. Aoi was already looking at them suspiciously.
When he lifted his head up, he smiled for purpose only. But when his hopeful gaze met Aoi’s, Uruha couldn’t quite fathom of what was the older man’s pensive gaze over him could mean of.
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“Megumi…You’ve got cream on your chin.” Aoi noticed and motion with a frown. He barely had touched his own plate and Uruha almost felt the small tension around him.
“Uhmm…none!!” The young girl exclaimed, glaring innocently towards her calmly-looking father.
It wasn’t intimidating. Uruha felt it usually when they were eating at the house but as strange as it may be, the two people across him looked seemingly comical rather than that intimidating.
“You are getting spoiled, aren’t you? Uruha, you must have been treating her too nice, she seemingly losing her manners.” The older man suddenly observed, frowning just a little. Now, that knocked Uruha’s brain. Just as he thought of the situation unintimidating, the man suddenly watched them both not so nonchalantly. That made Uruha’s eyes widen.
“Huh?! Eh? I’m-” Stuttering, Uruha couldn’t immediately think of anything to cover up. He didn’t think that his hard work of treating his little Miss had become too carefree. He thought it was only right to show and guide the child in his own ways but, it seemed like that wasn’t advisable at all. He was now being criticized.
Uruha’s mouth fall open, brows creasing and an explainable shaking of knees began as he tried hard to utter a word. But suddenly, the older man sighed heavily and pushed the plate a bit away to show that he was finished eating. Nothing could stop Uruha’s chest to pound as if he was sitting on his own judgment day.
“It’s all right. She was already like that ever since. It’s not your fault and I’m definitely not scolding you.” Aoi said, smiling shortly before calling for a waitress. Was he kidding around? Uruha almost lost his appetite but then, Aoi smiled like he didn’t said something triggering at all.
Uruha frowned for a moment, processing everything with calculated eyes. Aoi was now giving out cash to the waitress with a casual ‘thank you’ and referred back to him with a raised brows and uncommon flash of giddy smile.
The slightly confusing scenarios were slowly getting onto him. Uruha blinked more than once, trying hard to concentrate on eating the expectedly expensive lunch he was not interested anymore. His attention was solely placed over the two people looking together across him. They were both smiling like goofs and that frightens him for seconds.
“Megumi, may I borrow Umii tonight?” Aoi suddenly said that had cause Uruha to cough right after he swallowed a piece of meat.
“Hmmn…why?” The girl paused on sipping her milkshake. She pouted at Aoi’s sudden declaration while kicking her feet under their table. Uruha covered his lips, still coughing out as he looked desperately at the two. Their conversation was far more serious than what he thought.
“I’m going to need his company. We’ll be out for tonight so, you will stay with Maki-san. Behave yourself so that we wouldn’t have a problem with the old lady, okay?” Aoi clarified seriously, face yet gentle as Uruha calmed himself. He was rather more surprised hearing Aoi’s little confirmation than being alarmed when the small girl glared at him comically.
“I come too! Umii go I will cry~” She prattled. She was usually sweet and nice but when her favorite nanny would be taken away from her even for just an hour, she would throw tantrums even if Aoi would get angry at her.
Uruha scratched the back of his right ear, confused as to why he let himself watch the intensified argument between father and daughter? He was never the one who sit down and watch or hear arguments about family matters. That’s why it’s one of the reasons he left his home. He was not used to hearing complicated situations. And in the mean time, he felt like a mother who was forced to watch her husband and child argue childishly in front of her face.
“No, you will not. It was late in the evening and no child is allowed in the conference.” Aoi calmly declared, not too harsh for a four year old to hear. He had planned the whole evening and not this time he would want a child around them. Some quality adult time alone with Uruha was very inviting to him.
“Hmmph!” Megumi huffed childishly as she tried to intimidate her father by glaring at him and sticking her tongue out. She kicked her feet once before proceeding back on finishing her glass.
“And that’s why I don’t like bringing kids out.” Aoi shook his head. He leaned back on his seat and glanced at Uruha who was consoling his daughter by patting her head affectionately. Deep inside, Aoi couldn’t even say of how much grateful he was that Uruha had come into their life. Even if he had complicated past, he wasn’t regretting his life that much. After the storm that nearly ruined him, there then comes the sun that was now the brightest light in his eyes. Uruha was a blessing to him and everything he would do to make the young man stay with them for the rest of the time.
“She could understand you, you know.” Uruha pouted slightly at him and Aoi had a sudden hard time choosing who has the most effective pout out of the two of them.
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He felt the inhale stronger than he had ever been before. He was a heavy-smoker but it’s only now that he felt it almost burning inside him. Was he nervous or something? Aoi doesn’t quite understand but he felt like a damn teenager feeling all nervous. Like he was going out for his first ever date with the girl of his dream though, the person he’s going out with tonight wasn’t a girl. He’s confused about the way his hands felt so sweaty and his feet can’t behave. Going out with Uruha that night wasn’t the first but it still made him rock uncontrollably.
“Sorry for the wait. She cried out when she noticed me running downstairs.” Uruha suddenly emerge in the front door. He was slightly panting and his light-colored shirt was wrinkled.
“It’s…all right. Are you ready?” Aoi finished off his stick. He threw the remaining on the ground before crashing it. “I hope you don’t mind accompanying me tonight.” He smiled but the kind of smile that was more of a forced twitch of lips rather than the normal stretch of mouth.
Uruha seemingly shied, tucking the fallen blond locks that almost hid his pleasant face. He gazed down them before shaking his head as a definite ‘no’ to Aoi’s question.
“No. I don’t mind at all. Besides…” He smiled shyly, looking anywhere but to Aoi. “Besides, I feel so happy that you chose me to be your date- ah! I mean…to be your company tonight.” Uruha slightly stammered. All he was thinking of after their lunch that day was, Aoi had set up another date for the two of them. So when Aoi had declared his surprise plan, Uruha was speechless all throughout the afternoon. It was like a joke, a prank, a tease. He still couldn’t register all that he had heard until now. Maybe he was dreaming but no, it was all happening.
Aoi smiled at his slip before leading the way and opened the passenger’s door of his car. He saw how Uruha’s smile practically reached his ears and that calmed him totally. He then could forget how he made himself act like a nerve-racked teenager only minutes ago.
After he pulled the passenger’s door open, Uruha bowed to him, eyes seemingly sparkling. Aoi could notice it. He could notice everything about Uruha. He wasn’t sure until now if what he was feeling towards the younger man was admiration to his kind heart or the deeper way. Aoi knew that what he felt towards Uruha was something new, something unexplainable but at the same time, something so special that any more sweetness and honest smile would probably pull him down to the forbidden line.
“Thank you Aoi-san. Actually, you don’t have to open the car door for me. I’m your servant remember?” Uruha chuckled after seating beside Aoi. For all Uruha could know, he was the only employee that was allowed and generally being given the authority to sit right next to the master of the house. He didn’t understand but, it’s only him that was being placed right there. Right next to Aoi.
Uruha remembered the many times that they would go out to shop for groceries. The old lady was with them and even though he insisted to sit at the back together with Maki-san, Aoi would insist back that he should be right next to him and his daughter at the back with the old lady.
During those times, Uruha would think many unimaginable scenarios. Sometimes in his silly mind or better say, his classic, epic-fail-of-a-fairytale, he thought he seemed like Aoi’s wife. Sitting right next to the man and their child at their back with her nanny while they go for a ride, heading for a perfect planned picnic at the nearest park. It could be his dream if only he was born on the opposite side.
“I remember but, I always told you that you are far more valuable than a mere servant. I don’t want you thinking that you are treated as one. I chose you and we accept you as a new family member, that is why Megumi grew fond of you that she actually liked you more than me. More than Maki-san and even more than her grandparents. You didn’t know but, she used to have complex problem with interacting with people she doesn’t knew.” Aoi slowly started the engine and seconds later, they drove off.
Uruha was quite for a moment. He looked at Aoi with a frown, watching at how serious Aoi’s face was when he talked. Uruha always thought that Aoi was the perfect man any woman could dream of and here he was, sitting right next to that man with nothing to separating them. If it was possible to feel luckier than luckiest, he would.
“But when I introduced you to her for the very first time, the next moment, I saw you two playing like you both knew each other for a long time. You truly amazed me that time Uruha. You don’t have any idea how lucky I felt that I have met you and brought you to our home.” Aoi’s eyes locked on him when he was saying those words. It was like hypnotizing Uruha with those sincerities.
“You said that the last time also.” Uruha pouted and looked away against the window. He could see the living-bright city blurring passed his slightly tired eyes. But deep inside, honestly, Uruha felt his chest pumping shard at the older man’s words. For the past few months, Aoi would tell him words that were too sweet for his own good. Those were flattering just as intriguing. Only in his dream that the man would look at him the way he do but he was no hypocrite. A part of him still hoped extremely to have a chance to have Aoi’s heart, his love.
“That…I don’t remember.” Aoi snorted. Uruha quickly glance back at him. If Aoi said that to annoy him, well it was just slightly effective. The way the older man’s lips quirk up at the side, Uruha could notice the playful air he missed so much about Aoi. The joy that the little girl gave him was heart-warming and endearing but it could never top the feeling of utter bliss Aoi gave him when they were this close together. Just the two of them.
Uruha mocked-pouted. He half-heartedly glared at Aoi who seemed to have been smirking for the last ten second.
“You forgot ‘cause you’re old.” He absentmindedly commented back. It’s nothing personal. He just wanted to play along if that’s what Aoi wanted for the mean time.
“I’m old? You are right young man. And yet you still seduce me with your angel-faced tactic.” Unexpectedly, Uruha didn’t see it coming when Aoi smirked back at him while driving.
“Do I?” He couldn’t help but ask. Asked the older man with a face of incredulity.
Aoi briefly glanced at him before smirking again. His eyes were trained on the road and Uruha wanders if what exactly his question points to.
“Do you…what?” Aoi asked back, confusing Uruha even more.
“You said…seduce you and…angel-faced tactic? What do you mean by that?” Uruha again mocked hurt. He pouted away, muttering under his breath of words he knows were too silly to hear.
“I’m not that old to forget everything in the past Uruha. I still remember. The beginning, everything.” Aoi muttered before holding tight the steering wheel and pulled off. They turned and eventually halt onto the curb that led to the underground parking of the building.
“The past? You mean…?” Uruha was struck, feeling speechless as Aoi glanced at him with a knowing grin. He couldn’t quite pretend but he knows he was blushing against Aoi’s gaze.
“We are here. You don’t need to feel insecure or anything. Just stay beside me.” Aoi said as he pushed open his side of door and got out. “We’ll going to discuss about the new branch and hopefully, we can return home before midnight.” Aoi explained as he went to Uruha’s side of door and opened it.
Uruha still felt embarrassed when Aoi opens the car door for him. It wasn’t right. How could he let Aoi do that? The night was chilly and Uruha somehow regret agreeing to Aoi. The venue was more than intimidating.
“You didn’t answer me.” He mumbled out when Aoi smiled at him and put a hand to his back, leading them inside the building. He started to feel cold, shivering slowly.
Aoi chuckled half-heartedly at his words. For Uruha, he hadn’t said anything funny so it was somehow irritating that the older man seemed to not notice his pouting.
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Uruha couldn’t help but awed in amazement. It was his first time at that building and he was more than nervous when they walked inside with so many people in business suit in every corner.
The venue’s ground floor was like a hotel. A very extravagant one and all the people inside were all prominent. Exactly why he felt the regret much stronger.
“What the hell am I doing in here?” He whispered, more to himself. He couldn’t help but felt like shrinking down onto some far corner because he wasn’t acceptable looking compare to them. They wore clothes too excessive-looking and his attire more looked like a sorry excuse of street-style hopeless.
“What? Something wrong?” Aoi suddenly asked as they halted on their way to another slightly crowded area.
Uruha frowned, whistling his obvious tenseness. Yes he was tensed. All from the subtle belittling stares from people there, it made him feel like running far away.
He fidgeted, pulling his scarf as his feet seem to march uncontrollably under him. It’s freaking him up. The crowd, the stares, the murmurs and even the clinking of glasses and spoons. He was not use to this kind of gathering. Clubs and disco bars were one thing. The shindigs, he was used to those but not this. Aoi took him to an exclusive formal party.
“Aahm…no-nothing. I was just- aa…” He practically stammered. He just couldn’t help feeling anxious at the sight around him.
“Are you alright?” Aoi starts to lead them to a table a little bit farther from the center. They reached there and Uruha quickly went around and sat on the other side. He blew a breath before biting his lower lip as he gazed around, worry evident in his face. He barely noticed Aoi’s very concerned look until the older man came to his side and puts a hand over his shoulder.
“I’m okay. Really. Don’t worry about me. Go on, they were looking for you I’m sure.” Uruha tried smiling, even if a bit forced as he noticed the familiar people looking over to them or rather, looking over for Aoi. Uruha knew them by their faces. They were working at Aoi’s company.
“You kept biting on your lip so don’t expect me to not be worried. Are you nervous or something? You can tell me.” Aoi insisted. He was frowning down at him, prominent wrinkles on his forehead and corners of his eyes were visible under the fine glimmer of the authentic chandeliers.
Uruha looked up to Aoi with a glare, not that accusing or something but out of deliberate confusion. He wanders if he should ever tell Aoi that he doesn’t want social gatherings because of some so-close-phobia of his. The last time he went out to a particularly crowded place, one of his past-regular clients almost made his day. That incident told him of how to be careful when showing up on broad daylight. Not that he was hiding from them but, the thought of Aoi seeing them could almost rival his worst nightmare.
Uruha doesn’t want to go back to his past. He doesn’t even want to remember even a single thing about his life back then. He liked how his new path was leading him. He liked it so much now that he had someone to admire to and hope upon. Aoi to him was his salvation, his now sole purpose to live on. His ultimate dream, the person he wanted to have for the rest of his life.
Funny or silly to think but for Uruha, there’s nothing more fortunate than him finally finding the right person.
He had always felt that Aoi was the right one. He had that feeling since the first time their eyes met and the first time Aoi had saved him. If that wasn’t called a destiny, then Uruha doesn’t know what it was at all.
“How was I supposed to calm?” He couldn’t help but glare still, pouting as he looked up to Aoi. He knew he was acting childish but he just couldn’t help it. “You’ve said we’re going to a meeting but this isn’t a meeting!” He practically and emotionally referred to the place in whole. The elegant catering, elegant people and elegant evening.
“What are you saying? What do you mean ‘not a meeting’?” Aoi asked, confusion terrible against his expression as he leaned down slightly as if not hearing Uruha correctly.
Uruha felt guilt right away as he saw the confusion in the older man’s eyes. Honestly, he didn’t mean to worry Aoi. He was just being paranoid. What if someone saw him there? Someone who became one of his clients and approach him. What if they embarrassed him? In front of those prominent people, in front of Aoi. Uruha could take possible scenarios but not involving Aoi. He couldn’t take it if he got humiliated in front of Aoi.
“This isn’t a meeting. This is a social party. People are very elegant. I do not fit in here.” He pouted away, suddenly seeing one very familiar face from a far.
“Party? You saw it wrong Uruha.” Aoi sighed before chuckling behind his hand. He suddenly thought Uruha was being childish for thinking such intuition. So that was the reason of the pointed lips and uncommon fidgeting.
“Wrong? But what you call this? You were all wearing suits and I was wearing my regular clothes because I thought you took me here just to look after you from a far corner.” Uruha kept pouting, turning his head away a little bit more just to make sure that he was seeing right. In tight-black short dress, the face of faked innocence. Elegant but deep inside, manner-less and very cunning. Uruha just wanted to bolt off even more. Not her again. He was tired of seeing that woman’s face for more than twice that day.
“I could now guess that you haven’t been into something like this before.” Aoi shook his head. He then pulled the chair beside Uruha and sat on it, facing the pouting young man. Uruha, even if his evening was half-ruined by Yoko’s face, turned to Aoi, frowning with now only a small pout on his lips. “Look, we have this to support the new project. Like a strategy. Encouraging people especially potential consumers. It’s a complicated scheme but understand that, I want you to know the things I do. The way I worked with other people and all the things that involved in my business. I want you to know my real life.” Aoi reached out a hand and placed it on Uruha’s shoulder. His expression was serious as if saying he trusted Uruha more than Uruha could ever know.
And that silenced Uruha. He was speechless. Just staring straight to Aoi. He forgot all his paranoia, his insecurities, Yoko’s bitch-of-a-face. He forgot they were on a place full of different people, full of eyes. The hell he care. Aoi was touching him on the shoulder out in the open and nothing matters to him other than the gracious moment.
Aoi smiled to him, heartwarming, damn endearing. Uruha wouldn’t blame himself if he was blushing there. There’s too much reason for him to blush anyway.
“Alright. Sorry for acting so stupid.” He admitted. He thought suddenly if he was being too obvious on his admiration but he guessed it wouldn’t matter maybe. Aoi was the one being so kind and sweet to him so it’s reasonable enough for him to get flattered that way.
“Don’t say that.” Aoi sighed and shook his head. He patted Uruha’s shoulder before reaching down for Uruha’s hands, squeezing it.
They locked their gazes. Aoi was seeing the importance of Uruha’s presence there as Uruha was seeing the miracle unfold before his very eyes. If they could both stop the time there, they would. Something stronger was gently drawing them closer. Like an invisible string that could bound anything even heaven and earth.
“There you are. I thought you still haven’t arrived.” Suddenly, annoyingly, the voice of the unwanted woman came up and rudely disrupts Uruha’s chain of fate. Oh how annoyed Uruha was.
“I’m not late, aren’t I?” Aoi turned to her, smiling and that, Uruha thought that Yoko had intentionally done it. Interrupt everything.
“I’m proud to say that you are not. You couldn’t miss something like this. Not even if some little shenanigan tried to prevent you from coming earlier than intended.” Yoko’s tone was ice to Uruha’s ears. The way she raised a brow at him, give him a disgusted, disapproved look, she was the worst thing Uruha had ever known. He doesn’t remember having done something wrong to her so it was pointless to Uruha of why that woman used to be like that to him. But truthfully, Uruha did have a definite clue of the reason. It was from his own instinct and based on his every observation. Only blind and insensitive would not know. Maybe including Aoi but Uruha kept it to himself. The older man doesn’t need to know.
Uruha doesn’t want her to be his rival nor want her thinking she could rival against him. Even if there wasn’t any official stating, Uruha loved to think that Aoi liked him more than Yoko. He believed in himself and to Aoi’s every words to him. Also, Uruha has the greatest allies. Megumi and Maki-san.
“I tried my best to come early but Megumi threw a fit.” Aoi explained. He extracted his hand slowly from Uruha’s. “Where’s Reita?” He asked, nodding at Uruha as if apologizing for the rude remark. Aoi’s expression was calculating, eyeing Yoko with stern look that had Uruha distancing between the two elderly people.
“He’s over there. Talking to Doumoto-san. You are supposed to join their conversation, aren’t you?” Yoko smirked. She had this annoying red lipstick that looked older than her bobcat hair-style.
Uruha stared at her while she waved a hand over and there animatedly. He had manners enough to not speak against her likely mocking words towards him so he remained silent over there, sitting a bit away just to be safe from her arrogant eyes.
“Would be there in a minute.” Aoi casually answered before standing. He gave Uruha an apologetic look and Uruha did understand. He wasn’t a possessive bitch unlike the woman talking to them at the moment. He may be obsessive, obsessed with Aoi but he wouldn’t be like that. Possession over someone wasn’t in his list of manners and he was too young for that.
Aoi smoothed the sleeves of his elegant black suit and was ready to walk away when he suddenly frowned then turned to Uruha.
“Why don’t you go with Yoko while I talk there? Or would you rather go with me?” Aoi offered, more like demanded it. Uruha was in surprise as his mouth opened in utter shock. Aoi just said it out loud. In front of Yoko and Uruha couldn’t believe it fast. Aoi wanted for Uruha to stay beside him even if Yoko was in there too. He chose Uruha over her! That was remarkable!
“Aoi, he sure would rather go with me. He doesn’t know a single thing about automobiles.” As if on cue, Yoko replied, smiling but for Uruha, it was fraudulent enough that made him felt more insecure. Yoko looked at him with lips stretched wide and brow arched in silent reprimand. Uruha shuddered at the thought of Aoi leaving him to Yoko. It made him cringe inside.
“I-” Uruha turned to Aoi and started but suddenly cut off when he felt hand grabbed him by the arm.
“Uruha-kun, I know you were shying around here because this isn’t familiar to you. I know where your friend is. He’s here too. Reita had brought him along. You two could chat away while we talk business over there.”
“So Ruki-kun was in here too? That would be good. Uruha looks like running out of here. Maybe you should take him to Ruki-kun then.” Aoi smiled at him and Uruha felt like Yoko had built a plan so quickly just to get rid of him. She was the most cunning bitch Uruha had ever known.
“No! I- I don’t-”
“It’s alright with me. Come on Uruha-kun. Ruki-kun is in there.” Yoko interrupted Uruha. It was a clever way, competitive and Uruha panicked. He doesn’t want to leave Aoi’s side. Yoko would have her way over Aoi and that he didn’t want.
Yoko grabbed his left arm but Uruha was more than determined to not lose. He would rather sat over there and watch Aoi talked to people than go with that lady with invisible horns.
Uruha stood from where he sat and with a deep breath, he faced Aoi. He clenched his fists on either side of him and looked Aoi straight in the eyes sternly.
“No, thank you. I’m going with Aoi-san. I’ll talk to Ruki later.” He said, determine to not lose to a woman. If Yoko think it was easy to get rid of him, she thought wrong. Uruha was never one to surrender. Not if the prize at stake was the man beside him.
“Are you sure? You will just sit over there and wait until I’m finish talking with those people. Isn’t that boring to you? You could go to Ruki-kun. I will just call you later if we’re done with the meeting.” Aoi smiled again at him. If it weren’t for Yoko kicking him out silently, Uruha would probably grab her by the hair and shove her on the floor with a mocking raise of an eyebrow. She was the ultimate one who wants him out of the picture.
“Ahm…it’s okay. It’s all right to me. I don’t mind listening to meeting. It’s not like that I have any concern in it.” Uruha insisted. He was not going away with that woman. Who knows where she would dump him? Yoko had done that once and Uruha was sure she could do it again.
“Well if you insist then…you can-”
“Isn’t it irrational to bring this kid there? Besides, we’re getting late to the conversation.” Yoko interrupted. Aoi’s words were cut and truthfully, that didn’t surprise Uruha. He knew that coming because of the impatience in Yoko’s eyes. And honestly, Uruha didn’t give a damn. Nobody could separate him to Aoi. Not even Yoko’s dramatic glaring.
Aoi frowned, looking to Yoko then back to Uruha. The older man seemed really confuse and that angered Uruha to no end. If Yoko didn’t like him there, why the hell she would waste her time tricking Aoi? She could have just said it out loud and Uruha wouldn’t give a fuck. In that case, Aoi would finally know of their secret rivalry.
Yoko began and nodded to where she reached for Aoi’s arm and deliberately made him turn to head over the meeting area. Aoi, even if he was still in question, turned on his heels and walk to the meeting. He eventually planned on talking to Yoko later about her questionable manners towards Uruha.
Yoko smiled at him before turning back to the table where Uruha was silently fuming over.
“Uruha-kun, you could follow us if you still want to.” Yoko offered but her brow was high in maintenance. Uruha gritted his teeth as he felt his blood boil in utter seethe. “You have already took too much of Aoi’s time and for me, it was rather impolite. You made him waste time in here, talking to you about stuffs I’m sure was full of childishness. He was giving you too much attention and it annoys me, do you know that?” There, finally. The perfect blow Uruha was waiting for since she showed up.
Uruha frowned, glaring there and for a moment, he thought of honestly losing his manners just to give that woman a hard blow on the face. She deserves that for condemning him with no apparent reason.
“I didn’t waste his time.” He began, slowly blowing his breath out. He couldn’t lose control. He still didn’t want to embarrass himself and especially, Aoi. “He brought me here. I didn’t insist. Do not confuse him or you might get your elegant hair pluck from your head.” For all the years he had stayed on the club, Uruha was no saint and he practically inherits all the bad languages of the people there.
He glared, tired of hearing the woman’s repetitive insults. Yes she was older and that he should give respect but hell, the woman was acting too ignorant to be even consider as respectable.
“And yes I do know that you hate me. You dislike me ever since and I have a clue of the reason why.” Uruha continued. He felt dizzy as he looked away, over and around the place. All the lights blinding him and the tension with Yoko were adding to his senses.
There was a pause. Yoko glared at him, this time intense.
“I was right. I was right.” She muttered, almost mindlessly as she locked eyes with Uruha. “I was right that you are a fake-face.” Uruha glared even more, eyes trained to the woman who talked like she was not one herself. He wanted to laugh at that. “Aoi seemed to believe you are a reliable kid. He doesn’t have any idea of what kind of scammer you are.”
Though Yoko’s tone was delicate, her eyes showed no mercy. Uruha, he wasn’t terrified. He knew more than getting offended by her that it was like her natural way of expressing annoyance. Only, he is more concern about of was, if she decided to condemn him in front of Aoi. Uruha knew that she could do it without any second thought and that terrified him to no extent. What if Yoko suddenly says everything Uruha said against her? What if she would spin everything around and make Uruha appear the worst or would make up story that would tarnish his good built-up reputation? Anything could happen. And if she would literally do it right there at the moment, Uruha had a vision of something more difficult than her scandalizing him in the public.
“I didn’t do anything for you to dislike me that much.” Uruha couldn’t help but confirmed. Although he had a very definite clue of the reason, he felt the need to pull some answer directly from Yoko.
“This I will tell you.” Yoko replied sternly. Locking gaze with her was intimidating enough to made Uruha felt nervousness seeping through his skin. She puts a hand over her hip and expectedly, Uruha just somehow expected what was going to come out of her mouth. “The very first time I saw your face, I had the feeling that you’ll be a hinder. And somehow, I know I was right all along. In fact, I really am right in my suspicion.” She furrowed her brows and looked Uruha from head to toe, as if belittling him face to face, and maybe she really was. By the way she rolled her eyes at him as if he was a dust in the air she breathes, Yoko treated him like he was worthless to all.
Uruha frowned deeper because even if she franked him, it still hit Uruha like sting in the skin. He doesn’t know if he really deserves to be attacked by this kind of unreleased hatred.
“I didn’t do anything to you. Aoi-san was the one who hired me. I don’t know why you’re acting like this towards me and why you make so much effort of separating me from him. Aoi-san wants me always beside him and I won’t disappoint him even if you come between us.”
“Just that you came to his life was the thing that you did wrong to me. How I wish Aoi had never found you in that God-forsaken place.” Yoko suddenly blurted and by that, Uruha was taken aback. He didn’t, all this time, he didn’t know that other than Aoi and Reita, that person also knows about his past. Yoko seemed to be more cunning that she already was. It shocked Uruha to no avail.
“And I will do anything to make you disappear in his life. You’re nothing compare to me. You’re just a pathetic kid and you didn’t deserve something like him. So stop daydreaming.”
She continued, staring Uruha down.
Her words were truly painful and Uruha couldn’t help but hold back. His eyes were stinging, he hadn’t notice. Damn the impoliteness! He had heard too much humiliation even if she still had the decency to not utter foul-enough words. Uruha gotten their real meaning and that feared him. The woman could really tarnish him without any second thought about his sincerity.
“Why are you doing this right here?” He asked. Biting on his lower lip enough to draw blood, Uruha couldn’t help but tremble. He wanted to shout, to attack the rude woman and give her a split-lip just to release his fears. It’s getting too much for him by the second as they stare down at each other. Fisting his hands against his sides, Uruha wanted to walk-out, to run away. He wanted to punch the woman’s face for all the things she had said to him.
“Frankly, you disgust me. I know of where you came from and what you do before you made it this far. I just didn’t understand of why Aoi was so fond of you when you are nothing but a dirty little rag.” She rubbed her temple as if she was in great distress and maybe, she really was.
“You hated me because of what I am before? And because Aoi-san had me living under the same roof with him, and that you hated the most?”
“Right. That’s the reason. Aoi had gotten such a bad taste when he hired you as nanny of his little brat. What do you know really? You know nothing. And you will never erase the fact that you’re a juvenile hooker. Even if you’ll live in a great house or dressed in all elegant.”
Uruha was about to break down and reached forward to shut the woman up but a single appearance behind her made him stood stiff, eyes widening in silent horror.
“What is going on in here?” Aoi, he suddenly emerge from somewhere behind the woman.
Previous
Part B
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A/N: Thank you for reading!
I just don’t know what to say anymore. This story took so long in the making.
Just few more chapters. Please stay until the end!