Make You Mine /// Twelfth Lie: Worry About You
Title: Make You Mine
Pairing: Akanishi Jin x Kazuya Kamenashi //Akame//
Genre: Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13 and up.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. I don't make profit with this.
Summary: The first impression counts and Kazuya's first impression of Jin is not the best. However, Jin is determined to get to know Kazuya - and Kazuya makes up a few lies, which suddenly become huge... And then, the tide is turning.
A/N: English isn't my mother tongue, but I've been living in the UK for quite a time, so I basically write and speak well. You're welcome to correct any mistakes, though. Of course.
Uhm... Well, I tried to make it a quick update. But failed. Sooooorry! I haven't even managed yet to answer all comments from the previous chap. As always: I'll get to that v.v
Jin is starting to regret, I'd say~~~~
Please enjoy it :) ♥
Previous Chapters:
First Lie: Who am I?
Second Lie: Find Me
Third Lie: Exposed
Fourth Lie: On Repeat
Fifth Lie: More of You
Sixth Lie: Not My Fault
Seventh Lie: Out of Reach
Eighth Lie: Leaving You
Ninth Lie: Hold On
Tenth Lie: Secret
Eleventh Lie: Broken Lovers
Twelfth Lie: Worry About You
Jin woke up, as something pressed hard into his belly.
He rolled onto his back and groaned quietly, putting an arm over his face. The sun wasn’t yet up, it was still dark and he reached out to turn on a light.
Almost six, he thought and yawned, as he turned back and pulled his daughter into his arms. She instinctively nuzzled close to him and Jin smiled slightly, pressing a soft kiss to her hair.
Lately, he often had her sleep in his bed. Jin excused it with not being home, when she’d go to bed, but the honest reason was that he just didn’t want to sleep alone.
He wanted her by his side; it reminded him of where exactly he belonged.
Natsuki needed him like no one else did and more than anyone in the world.
Pulling her close, embracing her, he closed his eyes once more, enjoying the warmth in his bed, the warmth of her small body. Then, he pressed another kiss to her forehead and ran a hand over her face.
“Natsuki”, Jin murmured and saw her stir in her sleep. “We have to get up.”
She shook her head and curled up beneath the blanket and against his chest.
Jin smiled and tickled her slightly, got a shriek as an answer. Natsuki kicked him, as she wound in his arms and he laughed.
“We have to get ready”, he said and pulled the blanket back.
Natsuki stretched and yawned, then, she hopped out of bed and ran off into the bathroom. Jin looked after her and made his bed, before he followed her.
“Do you need any help?”
She shook her head and looked at his reflection in the mirror, as she pressed some toothpaste to her toothbrush. “Can I take Mi-chan to preschool today?”
Jin leaned against the doorframe and smiled. “No, she’s staying home.”
Natsuki made a pouting face. “Papa, please. She wants to see my friends and…”
Jin shook his head again. “Mi-chan is staying home, Natsuki.”
He turned and walked over to his wardrobe to get one of his suits.
It was always again amazing to him that he knew the names of each and every toy Natsuki possessed. Jin always knew whether she talked about a friend of hers or one of her toys.
Mi-chan was Natsuki’s recent favourite doll. He had bought it a few weeks ago and Natsuki just loved it. She had different dresses and could spend hours dressing her doll, making her hair or just play something Jin had not yet figured out.
However, he didn’t want her taking any of her toys to preschool. He didn’t want anyone to realize just how expensive some of her toys were and that, at times, he would buy those without any special occasion.
No one there knew about his job or their family circumstances.
As she came back from the bathroom, Jin went over and lifted her up. She still looked sleepy and put her head to his shoulder.
“Okay”, Jin said and opened her wardrobe, and a lot of bright colours hit his eye. “What are we going to wear?”
Natsuki chuckled. “You can’t wear my clothes, Papa.”
“Not?” He gripped a violet pullover with a light pink hearts print. “True, not my size.”
He put her down to her own bed and she got undressed from the night dress she’s been wearing, correctly folding it and putting it beneath her pillow.
Her room wasn’t too big. Jin hadn’t wanted her to have a huge room, but a smaller one, where all her things were always close to her and in which she would be able to build her own little world.
It was packed with things, because Natsuki liked to collect things, but didn’t look stuffed.
He got a jeans skirt and tights from a drawer and then, opened another one to take out some underwear.
“No”, Natsuki said suddenly and came over. “The blue one!”
Jin laughed and put away the white one, taking the blue. She was a typical girl and in a way, he had always been thankful that she wasn’t a tomboy.
After he had dressed her properly, he got dressed himself and prepared some breakfast then. While water was boiling up, Jin tied Natsuki’s fringe back with a pink clip, before he applied some cream to her face and carefully worked it into her skin.
He checked the watch, as they had breakfast and let Natsuki talk most of the time.
“Don’t forget to eat”, he said, when she would have to breathe, before she went on talking.
They left a quarter to seven and Jin just got a thin coat, but properly dressed Natsuki in a warm jacket, a scarf and warm boots.
It wasn’t yet spring and he didn’t want her to catch a cold.
When they left the house and Jin locked the door, she took his hand and walked with him to his car - an estate car, which he only used when he drove with her. Jin opened the door for her and she crawled in, onto her safety seat. Jin buckled her seat belt and then, made his way to the driver’s seat. He turned on the radio and made it louder, as Natsuki started to sing along.
At preschool, he parked the car and walked her in.
“Good morning, Natsuki-chan!” The teacher greeted and gave them a lovely smile.
“Good morning!” Natsuki waved back at her and let Jin undress her from her warm jacket and boots. Several other kids with their parents were undergoing the same procedure and Natsuki cheerfully greeted all her friends.
Jin smiled slightly, as he put her shoes to her box and helped her into her slippers.
“Behave”, he said with a wink.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Are you picking me up today?”
Jin nodded.
Natsuki beamed and quickly kissed him again, before she turned. “Bye, Papa!”
Jin smiled, as she ran off, yelling some friend’s name.
On his way out, he slightly bowed to the teacher with a smile. “Thank you for taking care of Natsuki.”
She shook her head. “Not at all. Natsuki is a good girl.”
Jin talked to her for a few more minutes, then, he made his way back to his car. Checking his watch, he planned the rest of the day in his head and drove back home to switch cars.
He knew his life was packed with lots of things and he had a lot going on, but he wouldn’t want it any other way.
He loved his job, but Jin knew that what he preferred would always be the life as a father. Being with Natsuki was his greatest pleasure and he enjoyed every second he spent with her.
For a moment, he thought of Kazuya, but erased that thought.
Nothing could ever be more important than his daughter.
Kazuya looked through the café, as he nipped his tea.
It was Friday and he had half of the day off. First, he had planned to stay home and sleep, get some chores done, but then, he had received an interesting phone call.
He smiled now, as he thought about the situation. When his phone had flashed an unknown ID, he had panicked at first. He and Jin were over, after all, so whoever had been threatening Kazuya should just leave him alone. But, Kazuya had still picked up, awaiting that scary whisper to threaten him once again.
However, a cheerful and nice voice had greeted him, inviting him to lunch at a small café nearby. Whatever had made Kensaku call him, Kazuya was glad he had. It was nice to meet up with someone, to get to know someone knew, even if it wouldn’t take that direction.
Since that night, when Jin had said those words - thinking Kazuya had been asleep - nothing had changed. Kazuya pretended to not have heard a word.
He had thought about confronting Jin, but eventually, Kazuya had decided that it wouldn’t make any sense. Jin had made his decision and even if he had any deeper feelings for Kazuya, they weren’t important enough to him to stay with Kazuya.
Or to let him in on what was actually going on in Jin’s life.
“Kamenashi!”
Kazuya turned and smiled, as he got up to greet Kensaku.
“Iio-san”, he said and bowed slightly. “Thanks for your call.”
“I am happy you had time to meet up”, Kensaku said and sat down across from Kazuya. “How are you doing?”
Kazuya kept smiling. “Very well. How about you?”
“Oh, just great.” He ordered a coffee, as the waitress approached their table and placed a glass of water in front of him. “How is your job going?”
Kazuya shrugged. “Quite okay. It’s not too busy at the hotel these days.”
“Aren’t you planning to open a few shops?”
Kazuya nodded. “Yes, we’re integrating a small mall. Just about ten shops, but it’s a very good concept.”
Kensaku nodded. “Ueda wasn’t too happy to hear about those plans. It’ll give some more comfort and opportunities for the guests, after all.”
Kazuya leaned back and held his cup in his hand. “That’s what we expect it to be like.”
“And how is Akanishi-san?”
“Ah, well…” Kazuya tried to keep up his smile. “Just fine, I guess. I haven’t talked to him that much lately.”
“Well, you have nothing to do with his private matters, I suppose”, Kensaku said and thanked the waitress, as she placed the coffee in front of him.
“We usually just talk about business matters”, Kazuya agreed. “But, what was it that you wanted to see me about?”
Kensaku nipped his coffee. “Oh, nothing in particular. I just thought it was nice meeting again.”
For a moment, Kazuya was a little surprised, before he smiled. “Well, that’s nice.”
“To be honest”, Kensaku said and lowered his look. “I had wanted to get to know you better ever since we started that trial period at Redline together.”
Kazuya felt his heart skip a beat, as the first thing he thought of was Jin and that he couldn’t - because, it meant cheating on Jin.
They were over, he reminded himself. He didn’t owe Jin one single bit.
“I never knew”, Kazuya said. “But, I don’t see a reason, why we shouldn’t spend some time together.”
Kensaku looked up again. “So, you’re okay with that?”
It wrenched Kazuya’s heart, he felt it. And he knew the reason, knew why it hurt so much. The only person he wanted to be with, truly wanted to be with, was Jin.
But he also knew that it wasn’t possible. Not anymore.
“Of course”, he answered and leaned in.
“I’m more than okay with that.”
Jin stood at the window of his office, looked down at the car park of the hotel and frowned.
He had noticed another day that Kazuya had taken the train back home and had already wondered that time, just why exactly Kazuya didn’t come by car anymore.
The answer was right in front of him now and he couldn’t believe just how angry it made him.
Kazuya had just gotten off a dark blue car and another guy - someone Jin knew too well - got off on the other side. They stood for a moment longer and talked, before that guy leaned in and kissed Kazuya.
How could they kiss like that in public?
Jin turned away and sat down in his chair, staring - glaring - at the table.
He knew he didn’t have a right to be jealous or to even mess with Kazuya’s business, but wasn’t he over Jin rather quick? Didn’t it last a bit too short to get over what had been between them?
Jin cursed and as the door opened, he looked up.
Kazuya came in with a satisfied look on his face and absently greeted him.
Jin watched him closely, running a finger over his chin. “You’re in quite a good mood.”
Kazuya froze, as he went through his post and looked up. They hadn’t talked in over a month - only when it had been about the hotel.
Jin shrugged. “I suppose your new boyfriend is the reason.”
Kazuya stared at him for a little longer, before he put down the unopened letters and raised a brow. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
Jin shrugged. “I’m not saying it was.”
“Good. Because I won’t talk to you about my new boyfriend.”
For a moment, Jin didn’t say anything, as Kazuya turned to leave again. He bit his tongue, but the moment Kazuya gripped the door handle, Jin said: “That guy is no good.”
Kazuya looked back at Jin over his shoulder. “Are you saying?”
“I’m just saying”, Jin answered and shrugged.
Kazuya hesitated for a moment, then, he stepped back in and closed the door. “I just want to make one thing clear.”
In that moment, Jin wished he hadn’t said a single word about it. Jealousy had taken over and he had spoken, before thinking things through properly.
“You cheated on me and you dumped me, when you had enough of me”, Kazuya said calmly. “So, there is no reason for you to be concerned about my affairs.”
Jin raised his look to Kazuya’s eyes. “It’s not like I was concerned.” His expression was indifferent.
Kazuya waited for a moment, stared back, before he gave Jin a cold smile. “Is that so? Well, Jin, let me say it in another way.” He stepped closer. “You don’t have the right to be jealous, either.”
Something changed in Jin’s expression, but he quickly put on an arrogant mask. “You just reminded both of us that I was the one who dumped you, so why should I be jealous?”
“I’m just saying”, Kazuya said and his tone exposed that he wanted to say something else, more.
Someone knocked the door that moment and Jin got up, going over to open it. He threw Kazuya a short look, but didn’t say anything else.
“Someone is asking for Kamenashi”, the receptionist said.
Kazuya raised a brow and walked out, coming close to Jin at the door. “You better don’t say another word about this, Jin. You’ll lose.”
Jin froze and kept standing in his place, while Kazuya walked out into reception.
“You forgot these”, Jin heard someone say and that kicked off all his senses again and he followed Kazuya.
He stood in front of the counter for reception and smiled at Kensaku, taking a bunch of keys from his hands. Jin felt agony crawl up his throat and he fisted his hands.
This was not how it was supposed to go. He just couldn’t give up Kazuya like that.
He had thought he could and he could have done it - if Kazuya hadn’t turned to someone else.
Jin walked out of reception and gripped Kazuya’s arm. “We’re leaving.”
“What?” Kazuya pulled back and frowned at Jin.
“An important client is waiting for us. So, we don’t have time for you flirting around.”
“Didn’t I just tell you to leave me alone about this?” Kazuya lowered his voice. “Besides, it’s your meeting - we never talked about me meeting the client, too.”
“Well, now, you’ll have to accompany me. He wants to see you.” Jin gripped Kazuya’s arm again. “It’s safer than having him spy on you for Ueda.”
Kensaku gave Jin a long cold look, before he turned back to Kazuya. “I think I’ll just call you later, Kazuya.”
“Kensaku”, Kazuya started, but Jin dragged him along. “Stop it, Jin.”
“We don’t have time for you to have a quick intermezzo with your lover”, Jin said and opened the front door. “He said he’d call you, didn’t he?”
“That’s not the point, Jin”, Kazuya said and pulled his arm free from Jin’s grip. “Your behavior is far from grown-up.”
“Sorry”, Jin murmured and opened his car. “I’ve always been far from that.”
“Jin…”
“Just shut up and get in.”
Kazuya hesitated. Running off now would be more than childish; but going with Jin was the last thing he wanted to do. Yet, eventually, he got into the car. “I really don’t get you.”
Jin kept silent and started the engine, driving off smoothly.
“Why can’t you see me with somebody else? Why did you lie to me all the time we spent together?” Kazuya asked quietly. He wanted to feel anger, but all he really felt was confusion. A confusion that shook him up to the bone. “Why did you do that to me, broke up and said all those hurting stuff, when you still love me?”
Jin hit the brakes and pulled the car off the road. A car behind them honked.
Jin turned to Kazuya and stared at him. “Why would you think that?”
“Jin, why exactly am I here right now?” Kazuya gave him a tired laugh. “Because, you can’t stand the thought of me being with Kensaku.”
“No”, Jin said immediately. “I’m just getting mad, when I see how naïve and dumb you are.”
Kazuya raised a brow. “Are you…”
“He’s working for Ueda!” Jin couldn’t control his temper anymore. He gripped Kazuya’s collar and pulled him closer. “That guy is working for Ueda and didn’t just fall in love with you. He is spying on you for that asshole and you’re not safe with him.”
Kazuya slowly raised his hands and gripped Jin’s; loosening them from the collar of his shirt. “That doesn’t concern you, Jin. It’s not of your business.”
Jin stared at him in anger for a little longer, before he pushed Kazuya back and turned to the window, running a hand through his hair. “Damn you.”
Kazuya straightened out his shirt with calm hands. “A few weeks ago, when you came into the office at night…”
Kazuya was cut, when Jin’s mobile started ringing.
“I have to take this”, Jin said, as he looked at the display. “Akanishi here.”
Kazuya watched him and saw his facial expression change from that anger and despair that had drawn the lines to something different - not less serious, but with a touch of concern.
“Is it very bad?” Jin licked his lips and changed gears with his free hand, before he pulled the car back on the road. “I’ll be there in ten.”
Kazuya frowned, as Jin hung up and waited for an explanation, but as Jin kept the silence, he asked: “Something about the client?”
Jin sighed and clicked his tongue. “No, it’s…” He ran his hand over his nape and gave Kazuya a quick glance. “It’s Natsuki.”
Kazuya felt his heart skip a beat. “Ah.”
“We’ll have a change of plans.” Jin checked the mirror, before he turned left. “I’ll have to postpone the meeting. The client will hate it, but I don’t have much of a choice.”
“I could go to the meeting for you.”
Jin bit his tongue, but then said, nevertheless: “He wants to meet me, as I am the owner.”
Different from what he had expected, Kazuya just nodded. “So, what exactly happened?”
“Natsuki fainted”, Jin answered slowly. “And she has a high fever now.”
Kazuya nodded; again. “We could lose the client.”
Jin tapped his fingers to the steering wheel. “I know that. But…”
“You should go”, Kazuya said. “If I can’t go to the meeting, I could take Natsuki back home for you and you could go to the meeting.”
Jin stared at him in disbelief.
“Watch the street”, Kazuya just said calmly.
Jin looked back front and tried to collect himself. “I can’t entrust you my daughter.”
Kazuya kept silent for a moment, before he shrugged. “Fine. I just wanted to offer it.”
Jin didn’t say any more, until he parked the car. “Wait here”, he murmured and got off.
In silence, Kazuya stayed in Jin’s car and watched the street. A few cars came by, other than that, it was a quiet street.
Jin was a complete idiot and Kazuya couldn’t say just why exactly he endured it; let Jin have his mind. Even if it would have been easy to tell Jin off.
Kazuya knew it was because those few words Jin had said that one night - they made Kazuya believe there was more to all those lies.
However, it didn’t change the facts that Jin had done the worst of all: betraying Kazuya.
He looked up, when he saw Jin coming back; a small body in his arms, clinging to her father.
Jin opened the door of the small sports car and carefully placed her on Kazuya’s lap. “Sorry, but that has to work.”
For a moment, Kazuya didn’t know how to react, but then, glassy, brown eyes looked at him and he closed his arms around Natsuki and held her close.
“That’s Kazuya, Natsuki.” Jin started the engine. “He’s a friend of mine and will take care of you for a bit, okay?”
Natsuki nodded - but Kazuya had to admit, he wasn’t sure that she actually had understood a single word. He looked back at Jin with a frown.
“Okay”, Jin said. “I’ll drive to the meeting now, get off and you’ll drive back to the hotel with her.”
Kazuya blinked. “What?”
“I’ll accept the offer”, Jin said.
“I can call a doctor to come and…”
“She’s been to the doctor at preschool.”
Kazuya nodded and silence stretched, occasionally disturbed by some coughing. “How old is she”, Kazuya asked eventually.
“Five.” Jin threw her a look and reached out to touch her cheek. “She’s going to school this year.”
“She looks like you.” He had said it before thinking and Kazuya pressed his lips together.
“She’s prettier”, Jin just commented and then, pulled to a stop. “I’m still in time.”
Kazuya carefully placed Natsuki in the passenger’s seat, before he got off. Jin gave him the keys and for a moment, they stayed like that.
“Drive safe”, Jin instructed. “And make sure she’ll sleep, when you’re at the hotel. It’s just a cold, they say, but I don’t want it to get any worse.”
Kazuya smiled slightly and turned to get into the car. “Fine.”
“And…” Jin waited for Kazuya to turn to him again. “Don’t leave her alone. I’d prefer you staying by her side, until I’m back.”
“I won’t leave her side”, Kazuya promised and raised his hand slightly. “Don’t worry.”
Jin was worried, when he finally came back to the hotel.
Natsuki didn’t get sick often, but when she did, he preferred to stay with her, instead of leaving her to others.
The meeting had taken longer than expected and Jin felt nervous, when he took the lift back up to the manager’s suite.
When he stepped into the living room, everything was quiet. He carefully walked over to the bed room; but, before he entered it, he heard Kazuya laughing.
“I win”, Natsuki exclaimed in delight.
Jin stepped into the room and saw Natsuki in the huge bed, covered by a thick blanket and in between many cushions. Kazuya sat next to the bed on a chair and laughed.
“Papa!” She sat up and beamed at him.
Jin went over with a smile and sat onto the edge of the bed to let her crawl into his arms. “Hey. How’s my baby doing?”
She nuzzled against him, before she sat back. “Okay.”
Jin felt her forehead and frowned slightly. “Still feverish.”
“Kazuya-san kept me company”, she said and leaned back again. “I won at our stare-down-contest.”
Jin laughed and threw Kazuya a look. “No one beats you, huh?”
Kazuya got up from his chair. “Okay, I’ll better leave. Get well soon, Natsuki-chan”, he said and waved at her shortly.
“Thank you. Good bye, Kazuya-san.”
“Tomo-nii-chan was here, Papa”, Natsuki said and Jin pulled her blanket up to her chin, running a hand through the short hair.
“I’ll be back in a minute, okay?” He got up and followed Kazuya out of the bed room.
“Yamashita-san came by”, Kazuya informed Jin. “I wasn’t sure, but Natsuki was happy to see him, so I assumed it was okay to let him see her.”
Jin nodded. “That’s fine.”
“Don’t worry”, Kazuya said and took his jacket. “I didn’t ask her any question about you.”
“I…” Jin swallowed thickly. “I didn’t think that.”
Kazuya had a slight smile for him. “She’s a lovely girl.”
“Kazuya…” Jin buried his hands in his pockets. “Thank you.”
Kazuya stopped and turned to Jin. “You’re welcome.”
“You see, there’s quite a bit I should explain to you about…” Jin stopped, as Kazuya’s mobile started ringing. He watched Kazuya checking the display and bit his lip.
“Don’t take it, Kazuya.”
Kazuya glanced at Jin and back at the display that flashed Kensaku’s ID. He pressed decline and looked up at Jin.
“I really need to go now, Jin.”
“You should stay.”
With a smile, Kazuya shook his head a pressed the button for the private lift. “I have some work to do.”
“I won’t say you’re wrong, if you leave now, Kazuya”, Jin said and the doors slid open. “But you know that I’ll worry about you.”
Kazuya didn’t look back at him, as he stepped into the lift.
“I don’t need you to worry about me.”
He didn’t turn to face Jin, until the doors closed.
--------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for reading
Pairing: Akanishi Jin x Kazuya Kamenashi //Akame//
Genre: Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13 and up.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. I don't make profit with this.
Summary: The first impression counts and Kazuya's first impression of Jin is not the best. However, Jin is determined to get to know Kazuya - and Kazuya makes up a few lies, which suddenly become huge... And then, the tide is turning.
A/N: English isn't my mother tongue, but I've been living in the UK for quite a time, so I basically write and speak well. You're welcome to correct any mistakes, though. Of course.
Uhm... Well, I tried to make it a quick update. But failed. Sooooorry! I haven't even managed yet to answer all comments from the previous chap. As always: I'll get to that v.v
Jin is starting to regret, I'd say~~~~
Please enjoy it :) ♥
Previous Chapters:
First Lie: Who am I?
Second Lie: Find Me
Third Lie: Exposed
Fourth Lie: On Repeat
Fifth Lie: More of You
Sixth Lie: Not My Fault
Seventh Lie: Out of Reach
Eighth Lie: Leaving You
Ninth Lie: Hold On
Tenth Lie: Secret
Eleventh Lie: Broken Lovers
Twelfth Lie: Worry About You
Jin woke up, as something pressed hard into his belly.
He rolled onto his back and groaned quietly, putting an arm over his face. The sun wasn’t yet up, it was still dark and he reached out to turn on a light.
Almost six, he thought and yawned, as he turned back and pulled his daughter into his arms. She instinctively nuzzled close to him and Jin smiled slightly, pressing a soft kiss to her hair.
Lately, he often had her sleep in his bed. Jin excused it with not being home, when she’d go to bed, but the honest reason was that he just didn’t want to sleep alone.
He wanted her by his side; it reminded him of where exactly he belonged.
Natsuki needed him like no one else did and more than anyone in the world.
Pulling her close, embracing her, he closed his eyes once more, enjoying the warmth in his bed, the warmth of her small body. Then, he pressed another kiss to her forehead and ran a hand over her face.
“Natsuki”, Jin murmured and saw her stir in her sleep. “We have to get up.”
She shook her head and curled up beneath the blanket and against his chest.
Jin smiled and tickled her slightly, got a shriek as an answer. Natsuki kicked him, as she wound in his arms and he laughed.
“We have to get ready”, he said and pulled the blanket back.
Natsuki stretched and yawned, then, she hopped out of bed and ran off into the bathroom. Jin looked after her and made his bed, before he followed her.
“Do you need any help?”
She shook her head and looked at his reflection in the mirror, as she pressed some toothpaste to her toothbrush. “Can I take Mi-chan to preschool today?”
Jin leaned against the doorframe and smiled. “No, she’s staying home.”
Natsuki made a pouting face. “Papa, please. She wants to see my friends and…”
Jin shook his head again. “Mi-chan is staying home, Natsuki.”
He turned and walked over to his wardrobe to get one of his suits.
It was always again amazing to him that he knew the names of each and every toy Natsuki possessed. Jin always knew whether she talked about a friend of hers or one of her toys.
Mi-chan was Natsuki’s recent favourite doll. He had bought it a few weeks ago and Natsuki just loved it. She had different dresses and could spend hours dressing her doll, making her hair or just play something Jin had not yet figured out.
However, he didn’t want her taking any of her toys to preschool. He didn’t want anyone to realize just how expensive some of her toys were and that, at times, he would buy those without any special occasion.
No one there knew about his job or their family circumstances.
As she came back from the bathroom, Jin went over and lifted her up. She still looked sleepy and put her head to his shoulder.
“Okay”, Jin said and opened her wardrobe, and a lot of bright colours hit his eye. “What are we going to wear?”
Natsuki chuckled. “You can’t wear my clothes, Papa.”
“Not?” He gripped a violet pullover with a light pink hearts print. “True, not my size.”
He put her down to her own bed and she got undressed from the night dress she’s been wearing, correctly folding it and putting it beneath her pillow.
Her room wasn’t too big. Jin hadn’t wanted her to have a huge room, but a smaller one, where all her things were always close to her and in which she would be able to build her own little world.
It was packed with things, because Natsuki liked to collect things, but didn’t look stuffed.
He got a jeans skirt and tights from a drawer and then, opened another one to take out some underwear.
“No”, Natsuki said suddenly and came over. “The blue one!”
Jin laughed and put away the white one, taking the blue. She was a typical girl and in a way, he had always been thankful that she wasn’t a tomboy.
After he had dressed her properly, he got dressed himself and prepared some breakfast then. While water was boiling up, Jin tied Natsuki’s fringe back with a pink clip, before he applied some cream to her face and carefully worked it into her skin.
He checked the watch, as they had breakfast and let Natsuki talk most of the time.
“Don’t forget to eat”, he said, when she would have to breathe, before she went on talking.
They left a quarter to seven and Jin just got a thin coat, but properly dressed Natsuki in a warm jacket, a scarf and warm boots.
It wasn’t yet spring and he didn’t want her to catch a cold.
When they left the house and Jin locked the door, she took his hand and walked with him to his car - an estate car, which he only used when he drove with her. Jin opened the door for her and she crawled in, onto her safety seat. Jin buckled her seat belt and then, made his way to the driver’s seat. He turned on the radio and made it louder, as Natsuki started to sing along.
At preschool, he parked the car and walked her in.
“Good morning, Natsuki-chan!” The teacher greeted and gave them a lovely smile.
“Good morning!” Natsuki waved back at her and let Jin undress her from her warm jacket and boots. Several other kids with their parents were undergoing the same procedure and Natsuki cheerfully greeted all her friends.
Jin smiled slightly, as he put her shoes to her box and helped her into her slippers.
“Behave”, he said with a wink.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Are you picking me up today?”
Jin nodded.
Natsuki beamed and quickly kissed him again, before she turned. “Bye, Papa!”
Jin smiled, as she ran off, yelling some friend’s name.
On his way out, he slightly bowed to the teacher with a smile. “Thank you for taking care of Natsuki.”
She shook her head. “Not at all. Natsuki is a good girl.”
Jin talked to her for a few more minutes, then, he made his way back to his car. Checking his watch, he planned the rest of the day in his head and drove back home to switch cars.
He knew his life was packed with lots of things and he had a lot going on, but he wouldn’t want it any other way.
He loved his job, but Jin knew that what he preferred would always be the life as a father. Being with Natsuki was his greatest pleasure and he enjoyed every second he spent with her.
For a moment, he thought of Kazuya, but erased that thought.
Nothing could ever be more important than his daughter.
Kazuya looked through the café, as he nipped his tea.
It was Friday and he had half of the day off. First, he had planned to stay home and sleep, get some chores done, but then, he had received an interesting phone call.
He smiled now, as he thought about the situation. When his phone had flashed an unknown ID, he had panicked at first. He and Jin were over, after all, so whoever had been threatening Kazuya should just leave him alone. But, Kazuya had still picked up, awaiting that scary whisper to threaten him once again.
However, a cheerful and nice voice had greeted him, inviting him to lunch at a small café nearby. Whatever had made Kensaku call him, Kazuya was glad he had. It was nice to meet up with someone, to get to know someone knew, even if it wouldn’t take that direction.
Since that night, when Jin had said those words - thinking Kazuya had been asleep - nothing had changed. Kazuya pretended to not have heard a word.
He had thought about confronting Jin, but eventually, Kazuya had decided that it wouldn’t make any sense. Jin had made his decision and even if he had any deeper feelings for Kazuya, they weren’t important enough to him to stay with Kazuya.
Or to let him in on what was actually going on in Jin’s life.
“Kamenashi!”
Kazuya turned and smiled, as he got up to greet Kensaku.
“Iio-san”, he said and bowed slightly. “Thanks for your call.”
“I am happy you had time to meet up”, Kensaku said and sat down across from Kazuya. “How are you doing?”
Kazuya kept smiling. “Very well. How about you?”
“Oh, just great.” He ordered a coffee, as the waitress approached their table and placed a glass of water in front of him. “How is your job going?”
Kazuya shrugged. “Quite okay. It’s not too busy at the hotel these days.”
“Aren’t you planning to open a few shops?”
Kazuya nodded. “Yes, we’re integrating a small mall. Just about ten shops, but it’s a very good concept.”
Kensaku nodded. “Ueda wasn’t too happy to hear about those plans. It’ll give some more comfort and opportunities for the guests, after all.”
Kazuya leaned back and held his cup in his hand. “That’s what we expect it to be like.”
“And how is Akanishi-san?”
“Ah, well…” Kazuya tried to keep up his smile. “Just fine, I guess. I haven’t talked to him that much lately.”
“Well, you have nothing to do with his private matters, I suppose”, Kensaku said and thanked the waitress, as she placed the coffee in front of him.
“We usually just talk about business matters”, Kazuya agreed. “But, what was it that you wanted to see me about?”
Kensaku nipped his coffee. “Oh, nothing in particular. I just thought it was nice meeting again.”
For a moment, Kazuya was a little surprised, before he smiled. “Well, that’s nice.”
“To be honest”, Kensaku said and lowered his look. “I had wanted to get to know you better ever since we started that trial period at Redline together.”
Kazuya felt his heart skip a beat, as the first thing he thought of was Jin and that he couldn’t - because, it meant cheating on Jin.
They were over, he reminded himself. He didn’t owe Jin one single bit.
“I never knew”, Kazuya said. “But, I don’t see a reason, why we shouldn’t spend some time together.”
Kensaku looked up again. “So, you’re okay with that?”
It wrenched Kazuya’s heart, he felt it. And he knew the reason, knew why it hurt so much. The only person he wanted to be with, truly wanted to be with, was Jin.
But he also knew that it wasn’t possible. Not anymore.
“Of course”, he answered and leaned in.
“I’m more than okay with that.”
Jin stood at the window of his office, looked down at the car park of the hotel and frowned.
He had noticed another day that Kazuya had taken the train back home and had already wondered that time, just why exactly Kazuya didn’t come by car anymore.
The answer was right in front of him now and he couldn’t believe just how angry it made him.
Kazuya had just gotten off a dark blue car and another guy - someone Jin knew too well - got off on the other side. They stood for a moment longer and talked, before that guy leaned in and kissed Kazuya.
How could they kiss like that in public?
Jin turned away and sat down in his chair, staring - glaring - at the table.
He knew he didn’t have a right to be jealous or to even mess with Kazuya’s business, but wasn’t he over Jin rather quick? Didn’t it last a bit too short to get over what had been between them?
Jin cursed and as the door opened, he looked up.
Kazuya came in with a satisfied look on his face and absently greeted him.
Jin watched him closely, running a finger over his chin. “You’re in quite a good mood.”
Kazuya froze, as he went through his post and looked up. They hadn’t talked in over a month - only when it had been about the hotel.
Jin shrugged. “I suppose your new boyfriend is the reason.”
Kazuya stared at him for a little longer, before he put down the unopened letters and raised a brow. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
Jin shrugged. “I’m not saying it was.”
“Good. Because I won’t talk to you about my new boyfriend.”
For a moment, Jin didn’t say anything, as Kazuya turned to leave again. He bit his tongue, but the moment Kazuya gripped the door handle, Jin said: “That guy is no good.”
Kazuya looked back at Jin over his shoulder. “Are you saying?”
“I’m just saying”, Jin answered and shrugged.
Kazuya hesitated for a moment, then, he stepped back in and closed the door. “I just want to make one thing clear.”
In that moment, Jin wished he hadn’t said a single word about it. Jealousy had taken over and he had spoken, before thinking things through properly.
“You cheated on me and you dumped me, when you had enough of me”, Kazuya said calmly. “So, there is no reason for you to be concerned about my affairs.”
Jin raised his look to Kazuya’s eyes. “It’s not like I was concerned.” His expression was indifferent.
Kazuya waited for a moment, stared back, before he gave Jin a cold smile. “Is that so? Well, Jin, let me say it in another way.” He stepped closer. “You don’t have the right to be jealous, either.”
Something changed in Jin’s expression, but he quickly put on an arrogant mask. “You just reminded both of us that I was the one who dumped you, so why should I be jealous?”
“I’m just saying”, Kazuya said and his tone exposed that he wanted to say something else, more.
Someone knocked the door that moment and Jin got up, going over to open it. He threw Kazuya a short look, but didn’t say anything else.
“Someone is asking for Kamenashi”, the receptionist said.
Kazuya raised a brow and walked out, coming close to Jin at the door. “You better don’t say another word about this, Jin. You’ll lose.”
Jin froze and kept standing in his place, while Kazuya walked out into reception.
“You forgot these”, Jin heard someone say and that kicked off all his senses again and he followed Kazuya.
He stood in front of the counter for reception and smiled at Kensaku, taking a bunch of keys from his hands. Jin felt agony crawl up his throat and he fisted his hands.
This was not how it was supposed to go. He just couldn’t give up Kazuya like that.
He had thought he could and he could have done it - if Kazuya hadn’t turned to someone else.
Jin walked out of reception and gripped Kazuya’s arm. “We’re leaving.”
“What?” Kazuya pulled back and frowned at Jin.
“An important client is waiting for us. So, we don’t have time for you flirting around.”
“Didn’t I just tell you to leave me alone about this?” Kazuya lowered his voice. “Besides, it’s your meeting - we never talked about me meeting the client, too.”
“Well, now, you’ll have to accompany me. He wants to see you.” Jin gripped Kazuya’s arm again. “It’s safer than having him spy on you for Ueda.”
Kensaku gave Jin a long cold look, before he turned back to Kazuya. “I think I’ll just call you later, Kazuya.”
“Kensaku”, Kazuya started, but Jin dragged him along. “Stop it, Jin.”
“We don’t have time for you to have a quick intermezzo with your lover”, Jin said and opened the front door. “He said he’d call you, didn’t he?”
“That’s not the point, Jin”, Kazuya said and pulled his arm free from Jin’s grip. “Your behavior is far from grown-up.”
“Sorry”, Jin murmured and opened his car. “I’ve always been far from that.”
“Jin…”
“Just shut up and get in.”
Kazuya hesitated. Running off now would be more than childish; but going with Jin was the last thing he wanted to do. Yet, eventually, he got into the car. “I really don’t get you.”
Jin kept silent and started the engine, driving off smoothly.
“Why can’t you see me with somebody else? Why did you lie to me all the time we spent together?” Kazuya asked quietly. He wanted to feel anger, but all he really felt was confusion. A confusion that shook him up to the bone. “Why did you do that to me, broke up and said all those hurting stuff, when you still love me?”
Jin hit the brakes and pulled the car off the road. A car behind them honked.
Jin turned to Kazuya and stared at him. “Why would you think that?”
“Jin, why exactly am I here right now?” Kazuya gave him a tired laugh. “Because, you can’t stand the thought of me being with Kensaku.”
“No”, Jin said immediately. “I’m just getting mad, when I see how naïve and dumb you are.”
Kazuya raised a brow. “Are you…”
“He’s working for Ueda!” Jin couldn’t control his temper anymore. He gripped Kazuya’s collar and pulled him closer. “That guy is working for Ueda and didn’t just fall in love with you. He is spying on you for that asshole and you’re not safe with him.”
Kazuya slowly raised his hands and gripped Jin’s; loosening them from the collar of his shirt. “That doesn’t concern you, Jin. It’s not of your business.”
Jin stared at him in anger for a little longer, before he pushed Kazuya back and turned to the window, running a hand through his hair. “Damn you.”
Kazuya straightened out his shirt with calm hands. “A few weeks ago, when you came into the office at night…”
Kazuya was cut, when Jin’s mobile started ringing.
“I have to take this”, Jin said, as he looked at the display. “Akanishi here.”
Kazuya watched him and saw his facial expression change from that anger and despair that had drawn the lines to something different - not less serious, but with a touch of concern.
“Is it very bad?” Jin licked his lips and changed gears with his free hand, before he pulled the car back on the road. “I’ll be there in ten.”
Kazuya frowned, as Jin hung up and waited for an explanation, but as Jin kept the silence, he asked: “Something about the client?”
Jin sighed and clicked his tongue. “No, it’s…” He ran his hand over his nape and gave Kazuya a quick glance. “It’s Natsuki.”
Kazuya felt his heart skip a beat. “Ah.”
“We’ll have a change of plans.” Jin checked the mirror, before he turned left. “I’ll have to postpone the meeting. The client will hate it, but I don’t have much of a choice.”
“I could go to the meeting for you.”
Jin bit his tongue, but then said, nevertheless: “He wants to meet me, as I am the owner.”
Different from what he had expected, Kazuya just nodded. “So, what exactly happened?”
“Natsuki fainted”, Jin answered slowly. “And she has a high fever now.”
Kazuya nodded; again. “We could lose the client.”
Jin tapped his fingers to the steering wheel. “I know that. But…”
“You should go”, Kazuya said. “If I can’t go to the meeting, I could take Natsuki back home for you and you could go to the meeting.”
Jin stared at him in disbelief.
“Watch the street”, Kazuya just said calmly.
Jin looked back front and tried to collect himself. “I can’t entrust you my daughter.”
Kazuya kept silent for a moment, before he shrugged. “Fine. I just wanted to offer it.”
Jin didn’t say any more, until he parked the car. “Wait here”, he murmured and got off.
In silence, Kazuya stayed in Jin’s car and watched the street. A few cars came by, other than that, it was a quiet street.
Jin was a complete idiot and Kazuya couldn’t say just why exactly he endured it; let Jin have his mind. Even if it would have been easy to tell Jin off.
Kazuya knew it was because those few words Jin had said that one night - they made Kazuya believe there was more to all those lies.
However, it didn’t change the facts that Jin had done the worst of all: betraying Kazuya.
He looked up, when he saw Jin coming back; a small body in his arms, clinging to her father.
Jin opened the door of the small sports car and carefully placed her on Kazuya’s lap. “Sorry, but that has to work.”
For a moment, Kazuya didn’t know how to react, but then, glassy, brown eyes looked at him and he closed his arms around Natsuki and held her close.
“That’s Kazuya, Natsuki.” Jin started the engine. “He’s a friend of mine and will take care of you for a bit, okay?”
Natsuki nodded - but Kazuya had to admit, he wasn’t sure that she actually had understood a single word. He looked back at Jin with a frown.
“Okay”, Jin said. “I’ll drive to the meeting now, get off and you’ll drive back to the hotel with her.”
Kazuya blinked. “What?”
“I’ll accept the offer”, Jin said.
“I can call a doctor to come and…”
“She’s been to the doctor at preschool.”
Kazuya nodded and silence stretched, occasionally disturbed by some coughing. “How old is she”, Kazuya asked eventually.
“Five.” Jin threw her a look and reached out to touch her cheek. “She’s going to school this year.”
“She looks like you.” He had said it before thinking and Kazuya pressed his lips together.
“She’s prettier”, Jin just commented and then, pulled to a stop. “I’m still in time.”
Kazuya carefully placed Natsuki in the passenger’s seat, before he got off. Jin gave him the keys and for a moment, they stayed like that.
“Drive safe”, Jin instructed. “And make sure she’ll sleep, when you’re at the hotel. It’s just a cold, they say, but I don’t want it to get any worse.”
Kazuya smiled slightly and turned to get into the car. “Fine.”
“And…” Jin waited for Kazuya to turn to him again. “Don’t leave her alone. I’d prefer you staying by her side, until I’m back.”
“I won’t leave her side”, Kazuya promised and raised his hand slightly. “Don’t worry.”
Jin was worried, when he finally came back to the hotel.
Natsuki didn’t get sick often, but when she did, he preferred to stay with her, instead of leaving her to others.
The meeting had taken longer than expected and Jin felt nervous, when he took the lift back up to the manager’s suite.
When he stepped into the living room, everything was quiet. He carefully walked over to the bed room; but, before he entered it, he heard Kazuya laughing.
“I win”, Natsuki exclaimed in delight.
Jin stepped into the room and saw Natsuki in the huge bed, covered by a thick blanket and in between many cushions. Kazuya sat next to the bed on a chair and laughed.
“Papa!” She sat up and beamed at him.
Jin went over with a smile and sat onto the edge of the bed to let her crawl into his arms. “Hey. How’s my baby doing?”
She nuzzled against him, before she sat back. “Okay.”
Jin felt her forehead and frowned slightly. “Still feverish.”
“Kazuya-san kept me company”, she said and leaned back again. “I won at our stare-down-contest.”
Jin laughed and threw Kazuya a look. “No one beats you, huh?”
Kazuya got up from his chair. “Okay, I’ll better leave. Get well soon, Natsuki-chan”, he said and waved at her shortly.
“Thank you. Good bye, Kazuya-san.”
“Tomo-nii-chan was here, Papa”, Natsuki said and Jin pulled her blanket up to her chin, running a hand through the short hair.
“I’ll be back in a minute, okay?” He got up and followed Kazuya out of the bed room.
“Yamashita-san came by”, Kazuya informed Jin. “I wasn’t sure, but Natsuki was happy to see him, so I assumed it was okay to let him see her.”
Jin nodded. “That’s fine.”
“Don’t worry”, Kazuya said and took his jacket. “I didn’t ask her any question about you.”
“I…” Jin swallowed thickly. “I didn’t think that.”
Kazuya had a slight smile for him. “She’s a lovely girl.”
“Kazuya…” Jin buried his hands in his pockets. “Thank you.”
Kazuya stopped and turned to Jin. “You’re welcome.”
“You see, there’s quite a bit I should explain to you about…” Jin stopped, as Kazuya’s mobile started ringing. He watched Kazuya checking the display and bit his lip.
“Don’t take it, Kazuya.”
Kazuya glanced at Jin and back at the display that flashed Kensaku’s ID. He pressed decline and looked up at Jin.
“I really need to go now, Jin.”
“You should stay.”
With a smile, Kazuya shook his head a pressed the button for the private lift. “I have some work to do.”
“I won’t say you’re wrong, if you leave now, Kazuya”, Jin said and the doors slid open. “But you know that I’ll worry about you.”
Kazuya didn’t look back at him, as he stepped into the lift.
“I don’t need you to worry about me.”
He didn’t turn to face Jin, until the doors closed.
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Thank you so much for reading