[Multi-chapter] My Long Way to Marry You (2/?)
Title : My Long Way to Marry You (Chapter 2/?)
Author : icha_kazeinda and my beloved sister aka_caster
Pairing : Sakuraiba, Juntoshi (side)
Rating : PG-13
Genre : Romance, Drama, Angst
Disclaimer : It's just our imagination
Summary : How I wish to hold him. Kissing his red lips. Seeing him laugh. Hearing his cheerful voice. Want to make love to him. But I couldn't. I can't. Because I'm away. Far away...
A/N : - Beta-ed by our best friend. Thanks for your helping, dear. *big hugs*
- Our native language is not English so we're sorry for bad grammars and any mistakes or typos here and there m(_ _)m
[My name is Aiba Masaki]
***
Masaki's POV
~Two weeks before~
"Masaki, what do you want for breakfast?" Sho-chan asked from our bedroom. I was in our bathroom, enjoyed my shower after four session of love making with Sho-chan. Well, actually I just wanted to cuddle with my lover the whole day, but I know I couldn't. Sho-chan needs to go back to his work early morning while I have to go to the zoo to check some animals there.
Anyway, let me introduce myself first. My name is Aiba Masaki, 31 years old but soon turn 32. I work at a zoo near my apartment as a veterinarian. There was nothing special in my life before I met my boyfriend. Yes, I have a gorgeous boyfriend and I'm proud of it. His name is Sakurai Sho. He works in one of the major bank in the city. If you asked me how we met, it will be a long funny story but I like to call it as a 'fate'.
So, the story began around two years ago. I was invited to my high school reunion party along with my childhood friend, Matsumoto Jun. Jun and I had been friends since babies and I treated him like my own little brother. We had always been together until we've graduated from high school. Jun decided to study literature in the best university in Tokyo, as he dreamt to be a famous novel writer while I decided to stay in Chiba and continue my study in one of the best university to reach my dream as a veterinarian. Eventhough we separated, we were still contacted each other by phone or mail.
Okay, back to my story about the reunion party. I couldn't waste my chance to meet Jun again since it had been more than a year since last time I saw him. That's why I didn't need a second to say 'Yes' when Jun asked me if I wanted to go or not. So, when I came to the party, I was immediately greeted by Jun who was hugging me,
"Masaki!! Glad to see you again. You don't know how much I miss you,"
I chuckled and released his arms around me to see his face, He got tears in his beautiful brown eyes. I couldn't stop to tease him,
"As expected, you're still my little brother, the crybaby Jun," and messed his hair playfully.
He pouted while fixing his hair, "I'm not a crybaby!”. Suddenly I heard someone's voice behind Jun,
" Jun, what should I do? I can't find him anywhere,". I tilted my head to the right to see that person. He's a bit shorter than Jun and his cheeks are chubby like a marshmallow. Jun, who just realized that the man was coming toward him, suddenly dragged that man to stand beside him.
"Masaki, let me introduce you. This is Ohno Satoshi. He's a painter and owns a gallery. He's my... my fiancee," he blushed like a red tomato when he introduced the man beside him. To be honest, I was a bit startled hearing what Jun had just said. I would never thought that Jun was interested in man and more less be proud about it. I smiled widely,
"Hi... I'm Aiba Masaki, Jun's childhood friend. Thank you for taking care of Jun all this time. He can be grumpy and difficult sometime, right?" I laughed when Ohno-kun nodding his head and laughing so hard seeing his lover pouted and crossed his arms in front of his chest. He quickly stopped laughing, afraid his lover would be mad, then wrapped his arm around Jun's waist and pecked Jun's lips,
"Well, I don't mind about it. It makes him even more cute and I love him no matter what,". Jun’s blush getting redder than before but he smiled and gently pinched Ohno-kun's arm on his waist, "Sappy..."
I smiled seeing Jun finally had found his beloved one. When I saw Jun looked happy with Ohno-kun, I couldn't stop wondering, when my chance will come to meet someone who will love me forever and spend the rest of his life together with me. Wait?! What have I thought? His? A man? What made me think about being interested in a man? Was it because I just saw Jun and Ohno-kun? Or maybe I was really have no interest with woman?
I woke up from my thought when I saw a gorgeous, handsome man walked toward us. The man has bright eyes, black hair, rounded cheeks, and a sexy yet luscious lips. Eeehh?! Did I just say 'sexy'? I didn't know that I was blushing like a red tomato while looking at the man.
"Satoshi! Finally I find you! Where have you been?! You said you wanted to introduce me with your fiancee but suddenly you disappeared. Do you understand how hard it was looking for you between these strangers?!" the man sounded very mad at Ohno-kun but I found his expression at that moment was very cute.
"Sho-chan! I'm really really sorry. I was looking for Jun and I didn't know that I left you alone in the middle of party. Forgive me, please?" Ohno-kun lowered his head. I heard this 'Sho-chan' sighed and softened his voice,
"It's okay Satoshi. I'm not mad at you. So where is Jun?" The man suddenly turned his gaze to meet mine and he looked at me from head to toe. He smiled at me and suddenly reached my hand to give a handshake while introducing himself.
"Hi! You must be Jun. I'm Sakurai Sho. I'm Satoshi's childhood friend. He's been mentioned about you a lot. I can see that Satoshi is indeed very lucky to have a fiancee as gorgeous like you."
For a moment I could feel my heart skipped a beat before start beating wildly and I blushed so hard to feel his warm hand on my hand. But after some seconds of dumbfounded, I just realize, did he just say 'Jun'?
I cleared my throat and tried to smile, " Ano... I'm sorry but I'm not Jun. I'm Aiba Masaki, Jun's childhood friend."
I could see Sakurai-kun's eyes widened and his expression changed. He became shocked and panicked while his hands were still grabbing my hand. After a silent moment between us, he finally found his voice and awkwardly said, "I... I'm sorry. I..." and then I heard Jun and Ohno-kun giggled beside me.
"Sho-chan, that's not Jun. This is Jun, " Ohno-kun muffled his laugh with his left hand and took Jun closer with his other hand.
"Hello. I'm Matsumoto Jun but you can call me Jun. And that person that hand been in your hold is my childhood friend, Aiba Masaki. He and I is like Satoshi and you." At Jun's words, we realized that our hands were still linked. Both Sakurai-kun and I quickly withdrew our hand while blushed like a boiled crab. I could heard Jun and Ohno-kun muffled their laugh again. They tried to break the awkward tension between us.
"Hey, let's get something to drink. You're thirsty, right, Satoshi?" said Jun while put his hand around Ohno-kun's shoulder. Was is it just me or I could see Jun winked and smirked at Ohno-kun, like giving a code or something? Ohno-kun smirked at Jun.
"Let's go. Aiba-kun, Sho-chan, you both can wait here while I and Jun get some drink. Do you want any?" asked Ohno-kun while looking at me and Sakurai-kun.
"No. I'm fine, thanks" I said to Ohno-kun.
"Me too..." Sakurai-kun mumbled while looking away. Ohno-kun took Jun's hand and said,
"Okay then. We will be there if you are looking for us, " he pointed a mini bar not far from where we stand, then he looked at me and Sakurai-kun while smirking, "Ah! you can talk about each other while waiting for us."
For some minutes, we just stood there in silent while looking away. To be honest, I want to lessen our earlier awkwardness but I didn't know how to start it. After another minutes, finally I decided to speak first. I took a deep breath and look at Sakurai-kun beside me, ready to speak.
"I..."
"You..."
We both surprised. We looked at each other and realized that both of us spoke at the same time just now.
"You first..."
"You first..."
We widened our eyes and suddenly burst into laughter knowing that both of us spoke at the same time again.
After a moment, I calmed down a bit while giggling, "It's okay, really. You speak first."
He stopped his laugh and smiled softly at me, "I'm sorry for earlier. You know... when I was mistaken you as Jun.”
I returned his smile and said, "You don't have to apologize. It's nothing. Let's say our earlier 'accident' was Ohno-kun's fault for not showing you Jun's picture before this party." He chuckled and nodded his head,
"Yeah! Satoshi never showed me Jun's photo before. He only talked about how he met Jun at first time and how they decided to enganged a month later," he paused then smiled at me while looking into my eyes, "but the 'gorgeous' comment earlier is clearly not for Jun since I've never saw his face before."
I tried to think what Sakurai-kun just said and suddenly I blushed when I realized something. So he means he said that to me?
"Thank you, I guess." I stammered and lowered my head, avoiding his gaze and his smile on me. The smile that could warm my heart like a sunshine.
We talked about many things. I told him that I was in my last semester of my study and my dream to be a veterinarian. I learned that Sakurai-kun was same. He studied about economy at Keio University and was in his last semester. He's already got job though in a bank, offered by his father.
"So, you're studying at Keio University and got promoted in one of the famous major bank in Tokyo? It's awesome!!" I couldn't stop to be amazed. He chuckled to see my expression, "It's nothing."
And at that night I realized something. I wanted to see his smile everyday. I wanted to hear his chuckle that made flutter in my stomach. I want to see his eyes sparkle everytime he talked about food. I love him!
No, Masaki! You can't love him. You're a man. How can you fall in love with the same gender as you?! And as if he would reciprocate your feeling!? He must be straight. He's handsome and perfect. I bet he has a beautiful woman as his girlfriend! I couldn't stop about my thought about my feeling though. Could it be just one-sided and I got broken hearted even before the other realized?
It's about midnight that day when Jun and Ohno-kun came to the place we're waiting. Ohno-kun was a bit drunk so Jun decided to take him home.
"I'm sorry, Masaki but I have to take Satoshi home. You can see why, right?" Jun apologized to me while put his arm around Ohno-kun's waist to keep him stand up. I took a glance at Ohno-kun. He was giggling and mumbling something incoherent. I sighed,
"Okay. I'll go back myself. You just take care of Ohno-kun." I tried to smile to reassure him that I was fine. The train might had stopped when I arrived in the station by walking but I can’t let Jun worry about me. He already had drunken Ohno to take care of. Jun shook his head, "No no! It's almost midnight. There's hotel near this place. Stay there for a night until tomorrow morning then...,"
"Jun..." I interupted him, "I have class early morning and you know I can't skip it." I saw Jun opened his mouth already to say something when suddenly I heard Sakurai-kun said, "Then I'll take you to station."
No! Please! I can't stand to stick with you longer than this. I can't hold back my feeling anymore. It hurts.
I wanted to say something but Jun interupted me and glanced at Sakurai-kun, "Thanks a lot Sho-kun. I will leave him to you. Bye...", he slowly dragged Ohno-kun to the exit door.
I wanted to refuse his offer, to say to Jun that I can go home by myself. But then I realized that Jun was too preoccupied with the drunk Ohno-kun, so I decided to leave him be.
I sighed, looking at anywhere except the man beside me. The man who's cruelly has took half of my heart since the first time I saw him.
"You know, you don't have to take me to the station. I can go there by taxi," I looked at my shoes, but I could feel his eyes were fixed at me.
"I insist it and I meant it. I don't want you to go there alone," Sakurai-kun said softly and made me blushed a little.
"Besides, I had promised to Jun." I stunned at his last sentence. Of course that's the reason. Because he'd promised to Jun and nothing's more behind it.
"Let's go to the parking area, we will go by my car," Sakurai-kun said and started walking. I followed behind him. Of course he has a car. He's a rich man after all. I lowered my head, realized how different I am compared to him.
The silence was prolonged along the way to the station. I was looking at the road through the car window, wondering about my poor feeling while Sakurai-kun kept concentrate on his driving. After 10 minutes, we finally arrived in front of the station. He stopped the car. No one of us got out from the car.
So, this is it?? My love is impossible after all?? Maybe after this I won't be able to see him anymore. Maybe this is the first and the last time we will meet. But, am I strong enough for it? Am I ready enough to feel heartbroken without experience how to love and to be loved by him??
"I... Th-thank you... I..." I shuddered and hold back my tears to flow. I wanted to say more when suddenly I felt my cheek was caressed by a warm hand.
"Why did you cry?" Sakurai-kun said while wiping my tears on my cheek with his hand. I didn’t realized that my tears kept flowing and I couldn't control it. I closed my eyes and turned my head away, kept crying silently. I felt my head was slowly being turned to face Sakurai-kun. Now he cupped my face with both of his hands. I couldn't be like this. I started to open my eyes slowly,
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." I couldn't continue my words when Sakurai-kun leaned in his head slowly and the next second his lips landed on mine. I wided my eyes, shocked, surprised.
He kiss me!? Oh God!! Is it just a dream?? He really kiss me!! I started crying loudly and maybe that startled him. Sakurai-kun stopped kissing me and caressed my wet cheek while saying 3 words that I really dreamt about,
"I love you, Masaki"
That's it. I pulled him closer, hugged him tight and cried again, "I... love... you too... Sakurai-kun" I said between my sobs. I don’t know if it’s true or not but I believe in love at the first sight. Suddenly, he releases me while pouting. I looked at him,
"What happened, Sa..." he interupted my words by pecking my lips.
"It's Sho-chan, Masaki. Why do you call your boyfriend's name by his family name?". I smiled warmly and chuckled,
"Sho-chan...", I giggled. Still couldn't believe that I have him, my love at first sight, is my boyfriend now. He smiled and kissed my forehead, pecked my nose, kissed my cheeks and finally kissed me on my lips. This second kiss was more passionate than our first kiss earlier but still same. Sweet yet temptating. At the end, I skipped my class the next morning as I never got on the train.
After that night, we started to become couple. Of course Jun and Ohno-kun were very happy to hear that. They told us the next morning that they actually planned to set me up with Sho-chan at reunion party. Well, let's say their plan worked.
Along our relationship, we could understand about each other more. About our family and about our past.
For Sho-chan's sake, I decided to move from Chiba to Tokyo after I graduated from my study. I will do anything to see him everyday, even if I had to move from my own hometown. I started to look for job in Tokyo and stayed in a cozy yet not too expensive apartment. At that time, Sho's still live with his parents. We could only meet on the station before we go to different path. Sho-chan would go to the bank, while I went to the zoo.
Everyday I made a bento for him, knowing that he barely ate breakfast. Then at our 3rd month anniversary, he decided to move out from his parents house to live with me together. It's like the best day of my life. Finally I could live together with the man I loved very much.
***
"What are you thinking, hmm?" My run of thought about two years ago was abruptly stopped and I was threw back to the present when I heard Sho-chan from behind while put his hands around my waist.
“I called you many times from bedroom but you didn’t answer. Tell me. Did you think about me?” his question was directed into my ears. I was preparing him an omurice for breakfast while he took a bath. I smiled answering him, "Just now I remembered about the first time we met. Do you remember?"
Sho-chan placed his chin on my shoulder, "Hmm.. When was it I wonder...?" I pouted and tried to release from his hug,
"So you don't remember!! Hmmph!!" I sulked a bit. He chuckled and tighten his arms around my waist while kissed my cheek,
"Of course I remember, Masaki. At your reunion party, right? How could I forget the first time I ever saw the most beautiful man I've ever seen? Well, maybe I had already said this before but I fall in love with you at first sight, Masaki. The first time I saw your smile, I wish I can make you mine forever." Yes, he's already said those words many times, but it could still make me blushed so hard, just like right now.
I chuckled and turned to face Sho-chan and pushed him backward gently, "now go to dining room. I will bring the omurice there."
Sho-chan smiled, pecked my nose and my lips before went to our dining room.
Our daily activites were kinda always like this. Eat breakfast together, walk to station together, then have to seperate in the station because we had to take different train. But this day I felt different, like I don’t want to be separated from my lover.
I decided to wait Sho-chan to get his train first then I took mine. I hold his hands tighter than usual and hugged him longer than usual when he was about to take the train. I saw his train moving slowly... slowly... and finally disappeared. Why my heart was so sad and lonely right now? Why it seemed that I would lost something important for me right now? I shook my head and decided to go to another platform to take my train.
***
"Ah, Aiba san, otsukaresama deshita, wanna go home earlier?" a girl asked me when I was going to put coffee in my glass. "Otsukaresama Nana chan. Well, I guess so. I think I have some time for preparing dinner," I smiled at her.
Eikura Nana, she is my assistant and also my kouhai at the university. She is so beautiful. Maybe if i hadn't met Sho, I would fall for her. And if I'm straight, of course. I couldn’t stop giggling at my thought.
"I want to buy something at the grocery store though, do you want to walk with me there ? Maybe I can suggest you something you should buy for making dinner.. " she asked me while I stirred the coffee. Well, that's one of my habit before I went home after work.
"Yosh, it looks like I was running out of potatoes to make nikujaga. Come on." I emptied my glass, then I took my bag on my desk quickly, and accidently knocked a photo frame on the table. The frame fell to the floor and the glass broken into pieces. I was shocked. My mind went blank at that moment. I tried to clean up the broken glass, but instead it cut into my fingers.
"Ouch, how careless I am, " I laugh bitterly.
"Are you ok ? I’ll handle this. You just go clean your wound." Nana chan came carrying a broom to clean up the mess. While bandaged my wounds, I couldn’t stop wondering what was just actually happened. Why do I have an uncomfortable feelings like this since this morning?
"Everything is clean Aiba san, I put the picture back on your desk. It looks like you need a new frame for that though," Nana chan smiled while pointed a photo that had been displayed in the frame before it broken. A picture of two men who were laughing happily. Two men who love each other. Picture of me and Sho.
***
" Have you seen Yura-chan's baby that was born yesterday?" Nana-chan asked me while we walked to the store.
"Yura? The baby panda?" I tried to remember. Yura-chan is a baby panda that entered the zoo at my first day.
"Ah, Aiba san, Yura has become a mother now, not a baby panda anymore. She has a baby now, " Nana laughed.
"Her baby was really cute. Especially when he was suckling at Yura-chan. Had Shimura-san given the baby a name ? I really want to give some suggestions for her name, " she really got excited everytime we talked about animal.
"I don't think so. I didn't heard him called Yura chan's baby with a specific name today. So, why don’t you try to talk to Shimura-san and tell about your suggestion,". I said to her. She nodded frantically and smiled. Shimura-san is the owner and also the head of the zoo. He is really a nice and kind person. He even once told me that he considered me and Nana-chan as his own son and daughter.
We arrived at the grocery store and began to look out for ingredients that I needed to make Nikujaga while talking about all the things that happened today in the zoo after work.
" Uwah, Babies are so cute,ne ? Even though it was an animal's baby. I'd like to have my own baby someday. Do Aiba-san also want it too?” she suddenly covered her mouth with her hand,
“Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ... " she lowered her head. I smiled at her,
"You know, Nana chan, of course I do love babies and want to have it one for real someday. Sho also loves kids. We hope to have it when we're already married. Although, of course, the baby will not be born from one of us, since we're both men, " I chuckled a bit, tried to relieve her awkwardness.
"I'm sorry Aiba-san. Sometimes I can be too presumptuous," She looked down. I smiled at her and slightly patted her shoulder,
"Daijoubu Nana chan. I'm used to dealing with this," I laughed to reassure her that I’m okay. But still, deep inside my heart, it's hurts. Really hurts.
***
"Tadaima..." I mumbled and sighed. Of course there would be no answer, because I was the one who always came home earlier than Sho. It's 6:30 pm already. Looks like I have to prepare the dinner quickly because usually Sho would be home at 7.30 pm. I quickly showered and started preparing our dinner. I glanced at the clock on the wall, it's already 8.30 pm. I wonder why Sho hasn't came home yet.
I picked up the phone and tried to call him, but it seemed he was still busy and did not answer. But then he called me a minute after, i pressed the green button immediately and bombered him with many questions, "Hello, Sho-chan! Where are you now? Why do you come home late? Are you okay?"
"Masaki, I've told you that I have a promise to meet with Jun and Satoshi at coffee shop, right? Have you forgotten?"
I gasped and hit my head lightly with my hand, "Aaahh!! I forgot about that! I'm sorry, Sho-chan. I don't know why but I can't stop worrying about you. I wish I can hug you right now," I pouted even though he didn't see my face right now.
"Me too, dear. You know, I wish I have that Doraemon door which can move us to wherever we want just with one step through that special door. I wish there is that door in front of me right now, so I can immediately at home right now to hug and kiss you," Sho said and it made me chuckled. I knew right now he was trying to made me less worried about him.
"Silly!! There is no such a door in the real life. That's in a manga!" We laughed for some moment and suddenly he stopped laughed and said with his voice that could melt my heart,
"I love you, Masaki".
Suddenly I felt something unusual like I’ve never felt before. It scared me, the feeling that this might be the last time I heard him said those words to me. Something that made my eyes turned glassy and all I could say is, "I love you more, Sho-chan".
We both silent for a moment. Then I told him about my first attempt to make Nikujaga for our dinner and about what happened today at the zoo, anything to distract my bad omen that kept coming since the morning. After some minutes I couldn’t help to ask,
"Sho-chan, have you arrive at station yet?" I heard him sighing.
"Not yet, Masaki. Will be arriving soon though. Just some meters ahead and I'll be in the station."
Suddenly I heard another voice in the phone. It seemed that someone, a man, talk to him in an impolite tone. I started to worry again,
"Sho-chan? Whose voice is that? What happened? Sho chan !!" I grabbed my phone tighter, waiting for Sho-chan’s reply. But all what I could hear his reply was, " Sorry, Masaki. I'll call you again later. Love you," and ended the call without let me said even one word. I got panicked.
Who is that man?? Why I feel scared by just hearing his voice?? Don’t tell me... Sho-chan... Oh my God, what should I do ?
Suddenly, I felt my heart beat faster than usual. Cold sweat started to drip from my forehead. I couldn’t breath. I couldn’t think properly. I ran out of the apartment, hoping that Sho already taken his train and was inside the train now. The train he always take everyday was just two station away from the nearest station in our apartment area. Should I waited him there? Then without thinking, I ran to the nearest station, waited there and kept trying to call him hundred times even though he never answered.
10 minutes...
30 minutes...
An hour...
Tears started to flow in my eyes.
Sho-chan, where are you?
-tbc-
Hello again guys!! xDD
We're really sorry. It took a quite longer time than I've excpected to finish this chapter. ><
So, what do you think about the second chapter? ^^ We're trying to explain a bit more about our Sakuraiba when they first met and what kind of situation at the day the incident happened in Masaki's POV here.
Oh! You can read the previous chapter here :
Chapter 1 : http://icha-kazeinda.livejournal.com/1467.html
The next chapter will be updated next week (or maybe another next week xD)
Comments are really appreciated~ <333
Author : icha_kazeinda and my beloved sister aka_caster
Pairing : Sakuraiba, Juntoshi (side)
Rating : PG-13
Genre : Romance, Drama, Angst
Disclaimer : It's just our imagination
Summary : How I wish to hold him. Kissing his red lips. Seeing him laugh. Hearing his cheerful voice. Want to make love to him. But I couldn't. I can't. Because I'm away. Far away...
A/N : - Beta-ed by our best friend. Thanks for your helping, dear. *big hugs*
- Our native language is not English so we're sorry for bad grammars and any mistakes or typos here and there m(_ _)m
[My name is Aiba Masaki]
***
Masaki's POV
~Two weeks before~
"Masaki, what do you want for breakfast?" Sho-chan asked from our bedroom. I was in our bathroom, enjoyed my shower after four session of love making with Sho-chan. Well, actually I just wanted to cuddle with my lover the whole day, but I know I couldn't. Sho-chan needs to go back to his work early morning while I have to go to the zoo to check some animals there.
Anyway, let me introduce myself first. My name is Aiba Masaki, 31 years old but soon turn 32. I work at a zoo near my apartment as a veterinarian. There was nothing special in my life before I met my boyfriend. Yes, I have a gorgeous boyfriend and I'm proud of it. His name is Sakurai Sho. He works in one of the major bank in the city. If you asked me how we met, it will be a long funny story but I like to call it as a 'fate'.
So, the story began around two years ago. I was invited to my high school reunion party along with my childhood friend, Matsumoto Jun. Jun and I had been friends since babies and I treated him like my own little brother. We had always been together until we've graduated from high school. Jun decided to study literature in the best university in Tokyo, as he dreamt to be a famous novel writer while I decided to stay in Chiba and continue my study in one of the best university to reach my dream as a veterinarian. Eventhough we separated, we were still contacted each other by phone or mail.
Okay, back to my story about the reunion party. I couldn't waste my chance to meet Jun again since it had been more than a year since last time I saw him. That's why I didn't need a second to say 'Yes' when Jun asked me if I wanted to go or not. So, when I came to the party, I was immediately greeted by Jun who was hugging me,
"Masaki!! Glad to see you again. You don't know how much I miss you,"
I chuckled and released his arms around me to see his face, He got tears in his beautiful brown eyes. I couldn't stop to tease him,
"As expected, you're still my little brother, the crybaby Jun," and messed his hair playfully.
He pouted while fixing his hair, "I'm not a crybaby!”. Suddenly I heard someone's voice behind Jun,
" Jun, what should I do? I can't find him anywhere,". I tilted my head to the right to see that person. He's a bit shorter than Jun and his cheeks are chubby like a marshmallow. Jun, who just realized that the man was coming toward him, suddenly dragged that man to stand beside him.
"Masaki, let me introduce you. This is Ohno Satoshi. He's a painter and owns a gallery. He's my... my fiancee," he blushed like a red tomato when he introduced the man beside him. To be honest, I was a bit startled hearing what Jun had just said. I would never thought that Jun was interested in man and more less be proud about it. I smiled widely,
"Hi... I'm Aiba Masaki, Jun's childhood friend. Thank you for taking care of Jun all this time. He can be grumpy and difficult sometime, right?" I laughed when Ohno-kun nodding his head and laughing so hard seeing his lover pouted and crossed his arms in front of his chest. He quickly stopped laughing, afraid his lover would be mad, then wrapped his arm around Jun's waist and pecked Jun's lips,
"Well, I don't mind about it. It makes him even more cute and I love him no matter what,". Jun’s blush getting redder than before but he smiled and gently pinched Ohno-kun's arm on his waist, "Sappy..."
I smiled seeing Jun finally had found his beloved one. When I saw Jun looked happy with Ohno-kun, I couldn't stop wondering, when my chance will come to meet someone who will love me forever and spend the rest of his life together with me. Wait?! What have I thought? His? A man? What made me think about being interested in a man? Was it because I just saw Jun and Ohno-kun? Or maybe I was really have no interest with woman?
I woke up from my thought when I saw a gorgeous, handsome man walked toward us. The man has bright eyes, black hair, rounded cheeks, and a sexy yet luscious lips. Eeehh?! Did I just say 'sexy'? I didn't know that I was blushing like a red tomato while looking at the man.
"Satoshi! Finally I find you! Where have you been?! You said you wanted to introduce me with your fiancee but suddenly you disappeared. Do you understand how hard it was looking for you between these strangers?!" the man sounded very mad at Ohno-kun but I found his expression at that moment was very cute.
"Sho-chan! I'm really really sorry. I was looking for Jun and I didn't know that I left you alone in the middle of party. Forgive me, please?" Ohno-kun lowered his head. I heard this 'Sho-chan' sighed and softened his voice,
"It's okay Satoshi. I'm not mad at you. So where is Jun?" The man suddenly turned his gaze to meet mine and he looked at me from head to toe. He smiled at me and suddenly reached my hand to give a handshake while introducing himself.
"Hi! You must be Jun. I'm Sakurai Sho. I'm Satoshi's childhood friend. He's been mentioned about you a lot. I can see that Satoshi is indeed very lucky to have a fiancee as gorgeous like you."
For a moment I could feel my heart skipped a beat before start beating wildly and I blushed so hard to feel his warm hand on my hand. But after some seconds of dumbfounded, I just realize, did he just say 'Jun'?
I cleared my throat and tried to smile, " Ano... I'm sorry but I'm not Jun. I'm Aiba Masaki, Jun's childhood friend."
I could see Sakurai-kun's eyes widened and his expression changed. He became shocked and panicked while his hands were still grabbing my hand. After a silent moment between us, he finally found his voice and awkwardly said, "I... I'm sorry. I..." and then I heard Jun and Ohno-kun giggled beside me.
"Sho-chan, that's not Jun. This is Jun, " Ohno-kun muffled his laugh with his left hand and took Jun closer with his other hand.
"Hello. I'm Matsumoto Jun but you can call me Jun. And that person that hand been in your hold is my childhood friend, Aiba Masaki. He and I is like Satoshi and you." At Jun's words, we realized that our hands were still linked. Both Sakurai-kun and I quickly withdrew our hand while blushed like a boiled crab. I could heard Jun and Ohno-kun muffled their laugh again. They tried to break the awkward tension between us.
"Hey, let's get something to drink. You're thirsty, right, Satoshi?" said Jun while put his hand around Ohno-kun's shoulder. Was is it just me or I could see Jun winked and smirked at Ohno-kun, like giving a code or something? Ohno-kun smirked at Jun.
"Let's go. Aiba-kun, Sho-chan, you both can wait here while I and Jun get some drink. Do you want any?" asked Ohno-kun while looking at me and Sakurai-kun.
"No. I'm fine, thanks" I said to Ohno-kun.
"Me too..." Sakurai-kun mumbled while looking away. Ohno-kun took Jun's hand and said,
"Okay then. We will be there if you are looking for us, " he pointed a mini bar not far from where we stand, then he looked at me and Sakurai-kun while smirking, "Ah! you can talk about each other while waiting for us."
For some minutes, we just stood there in silent while looking away. To be honest, I want to lessen our earlier awkwardness but I didn't know how to start it. After another minutes, finally I decided to speak first. I took a deep breath and look at Sakurai-kun beside me, ready to speak.
"I..."
"You..."
We both surprised. We looked at each other and realized that both of us spoke at the same time just now.
"You first..."
"You first..."
We widened our eyes and suddenly burst into laughter knowing that both of us spoke at the same time again.
After a moment, I calmed down a bit while giggling, "It's okay, really. You speak first."
He stopped his laugh and smiled softly at me, "I'm sorry for earlier. You know... when I was mistaken you as Jun.”
I returned his smile and said, "You don't have to apologize. It's nothing. Let's say our earlier 'accident' was Ohno-kun's fault for not showing you Jun's picture before this party." He chuckled and nodded his head,
"Yeah! Satoshi never showed me Jun's photo before. He only talked about how he met Jun at first time and how they decided to enganged a month later," he paused then smiled at me while looking into my eyes, "but the 'gorgeous' comment earlier is clearly not for Jun since I've never saw his face before."
I tried to think what Sakurai-kun just said and suddenly I blushed when I realized something. So he means he said that to me?
"Thank you, I guess." I stammered and lowered my head, avoiding his gaze and his smile on me. The smile that could warm my heart like a sunshine.
We talked about many things. I told him that I was in my last semester of my study and my dream to be a veterinarian. I learned that Sakurai-kun was same. He studied about economy at Keio University and was in his last semester. He's already got job though in a bank, offered by his father.
"So, you're studying at Keio University and got promoted in one of the famous major bank in Tokyo? It's awesome!!" I couldn't stop to be amazed. He chuckled to see my expression, "It's nothing."
And at that night I realized something. I wanted to see his smile everyday. I wanted to hear his chuckle that made flutter in my stomach. I want to see his eyes sparkle everytime he talked about food. I love him!
No, Masaki! You can't love him. You're a man. How can you fall in love with the same gender as you?! And as if he would reciprocate your feeling!? He must be straight. He's handsome and perfect. I bet he has a beautiful woman as his girlfriend! I couldn't stop about my thought about my feeling though. Could it be just one-sided and I got broken hearted even before the other realized?
It's about midnight that day when Jun and Ohno-kun came to the place we're waiting. Ohno-kun was a bit drunk so Jun decided to take him home.
"I'm sorry, Masaki but I have to take Satoshi home. You can see why, right?" Jun apologized to me while put his arm around Ohno-kun's waist to keep him stand up. I took a glance at Ohno-kun. He was giggling and mumbling something incoherent. I sighed,
"Okay. I'll go back myself. You just take care of Ohno-kun." I tried to smile to reassure him that I was fine. The train might had stopped when I arrived in the station by walking but I can’t let Jun worry about me. He already had drunken Ohno to take care of. Jun shook his head, "No no! It's almost midnight. There's hotel near this place. Stay there for a night until tomorrow morning then...,"
"Jun..." I interupted him, "I have class early morning and you know I can't skip it." I saw Jun opened his mouth already to say something when suddenly I heard Sakurai-kun said, "Then I'll take you to station."
No! Please! I can't stand to stick with you longer than this. I can't hold back my feeling anymore. It hurts.
I wanted to say something but Jun interupted me and glanced at Sakurai-kun, "Thanks a lot Sho-kun. I will leave him to you. Bye...", he slowly dragged Ohno-kun to the exit door.
I wanted to refuse his offer, to say to Jun that I can go home by myself. But then I realized that Jun was too preoccupied with the drunk Ohno-kun, so I decided to leave him be.
I sighed, looking at anywhere except the man beside me. The man who's cruelly has took half of my heart since the first time I saw him.
"You know, you don't have to take me to the station. I can go there by taxi," I looked at my shoes, but I could feel his eyes were fixed at me.
"I insist it and I meant it. I don't want you to go there alone," Sakurai-kun said softly and made me blushed a little.
"Besides, I had promised to Jun." I stunned at his last sentence. Of course that's the reason. Because he'd promised to Jun and nothing's more behind it.
"Let's go to the parking area, we will go by my car," Sakurai-kun said and started walking. I followed behind him. Of course he has a car. He's a rich man after all. I lowered my head, realized how different I am compared to him.
The silence was prolonged along the way to the station. I was looking at the road through the car window, wondering about my poor feeling while Sakurai-kun kept concentrate on his driving. After 10 minutes, we finally arrived in front of the station. He stopped the car. No one of us got out from the car.
So, this is it?? My love is impossible after all?? Maybe after this I won't be able to see him anymore. Maybe this is the first and the last time we will meet. But, am I strong enough for it? Am I ready enough to feel heartbroken without experience how to love and to be loved by him??
"I... Th-thank you... I..." I shuddered and hold back my tears to flow. I wanted to say more when suddenly I felt my cheek was caressed by a warm hand.
"Why did you cry?" Sakurai-kun said while wiping my tears on my cheek with his hand. I didn’t realized that my tears kept flowing and I couldn't control it. I closed my eyes and turned my head away, kept crying silently. I felt my head was slowly being turned to face Sakurai-kun. Now he cupped my face with both of his hands. I couldn't be like this. I started to open my eyes slowly,
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." I couldn't continue my words when Sakurai-kun leaned in his head slowly and the next second his lips landed on mine. I wided my eyes, shocked, surprised.
He kiss me!? Oh God!! Is it just a dream?? He really kiss me!! I started crying loudly and maybe that startled him. Sakurai-kun stopped kissing me and caressed my wet cheek while saying 3 words that I really dreamt about,
"I love you, Masaki"
That's it. I pulled him closer, hugged him tight and cried again, "I... love... you too... Sakurai-kun" I said between my sobs. I don’t know if it’s true or not but I believe in love at the first sight. Suddenly, he releases me while pouting. I looked at him,
"What happened, Sa..." he interupted my words by pecking my lips.
"It's Sho-chan, Masaki. Why do you call your boyfriend's name by his family name?". I smiled warmly and chuckled,
"Sho-chan...", I giggled. Still couldn't believe that I have him, my love at first sight, is my boyfriend now. He smiled and kissed my forehead, pecked my nose, kissed my cheeks and finally kissed me on my lips. This second kiss was more passionate than our first kiss earlier but still same. Sweet yet temptating. At the end, I skipped my class the next morning as I never got on the train.
After that night, we started to become couple. Of course Jun and Ohno-kun were very happy to hear that. They told us the next morning that they actually planned to set me up with Sho-chan at reunion party. Well, let's say their plan worked.
Along our relationship, we could understand about each other more. About our family and about our past.
For Sho-chan's sake, I decided to move from Chiba to Tokyo after I graduated from my study. I will do anything to see him everyday, even if I had to move from my own hometown. I started to look for job in Tokyo and stayed in a cozy yet not too expensive apartment. At that time, Sho's still live with his parents. We could only meet on the station before we go to different path. Sho-chan would go to the bank, while I went to the zoo.
Everyday I made a bento for him, knowing that he barely ate breakfast. Then at our 3rd month anniversary, he decided to move out from his parents house to live with me together. It's like the best day of my life. Finally I could live together with the man I loved very much.
***
"What are you thinking, hmm?" My run of thought about two years ago was abruptly stopped and I was threw back to the present when I heard Sho-chan from behind while put his hands around my waist.
“I called you many times from bedroom but you didn’t answer. Tell me. Did you think about me?” his question was directed into my ears. I was preparing him an omurice for breakfast while he took a bath. I smiled answering him, "Just now I remembered about the first time we met. Do you remember?"
Sho-chan placed his chin on my shoulder, "Hmm.. When was it I wonder...?" I pouted and tried to release from his hug,
"So you don't remember!! Hmmph!!" I sulked a bit. He chuckled and tighten his arms around my waist while kissed my cheek,
"Of course I remember, Masaki. At your reunion party, right? How could I forget the first time I ever saw the most beautiful man I've ever seen? Well, maybe I had already said this before but I fall in love with you at first sight, Masaki. The first time I saw your smile, I wish I can make you mine forever." Yes, he's already said those words many times, but it could still make me blushed so hard, just like right now.
I chuckled and turned to face Sho-chan and pushed him backward gently, "now go to dining room. I will bring the omurice there."
Sho-chan smiled, pecked my nose and my lips before went to our dining room.
Our daily activites were kinda always like this. Eat breakfast together, walk to station together, then have to seperate in the station because we had to take different train. But this day I felt different, like I don’t want to be separated from my lover.
I decided to wait Sho-chan to get his train first then I took mine. I hold his hands tighter than usual and hugged him longer than usual when he was about to take the train. I saw his train moving slowly... slowly... and finally disappeared. Why my heart was so sad and lonely right now? Why it seemed that I would lost something important for me right now? I shook my head and decided to go to another platform to take my train.
***
"Ah, Aiba san, otsukaresama deshita, wanna go home earlier?" a girl asked me when I was going to put coffee in my glass. "Otsukaresama Nana chan. Well, I guess so. I think I have some time for preparing dinner," I smiled at her.
Eikura Nana, she is my assistant and also my kouhai at the university. She is so beautiful. Maybe if i hadn't met Sho, I would fall for her. And if I'm straight, of course. I couldn’t stop giggling at my thought.
"I want to buy something at the grocery store though, do you want to walk with me there ? Maybe I can suggest you something you should buy for making dinner.. " she asked me while I stirred the coffee. Well, that's one of my habit before I went home after work.
"Yosh, it looks like I was running out of potatoes to make nikujaga. Come on." I emptied my glass, then I took my bag on my desk quickly, and accidently knocked a photo frame on the table. The frame fell to the floor and the glass broken into pieces. I was shocked. My mind went blank at that moment. I tried to clean up the broken glass, but instead it cut into my fingers.
"Ouch, how careless I am, " I laugh bitterly.
"Are you ok ? I’ll handle this. You just go clean your wound." Nana chan came carrying a broom to clean up the mess. While bandaged my wounds, I couldn’t stop wondering what was just actually happened. Why do I have an uncomfortable feelings like this since this morning?
"Everything is clean Aiba san, I put the picture back on your desk. It looks like you need a new frame for that though," Nana chan smiled while pointed a photo that had been displayed in the frame before it broken. A picture of two men who were laughing happily. Two men who love each other. Picture of me and Sho.
***
" Have you seen Yura-chan's baby that was born yesterday?" Nana-chan asked me while we walked to the store.
"Yura? The baby panda?" I tried to remember. Yura-chan is a baby panda that entered the zoo at my first day.
"Ah, Aiba san, Yura has become a mother now, not a baby panda anymore. She has a baby now, " Nana laughed.
"Her baby was really cute. Especially when he was suckling at Yura-chan. Had Shimura-san given the baby a name ? I really want to give some suggestions for her name, " she really got excited everytime we talked about animal.
"I don't think so. I didn't heard him called Yura chan's baby with a specific name today. So, why don’t you try to talk to Shimura-san and tell about your suggestion,". I said to her. She nodded frantically and smiled. Shimura-san is the owner and also the head of the zoo. He is really a nice and kind person. He even once told me that he considered me and Nana-chan as his own son and daughter.
We arrived at the grocery store and began to look out for ingredients that I needed to make Nikujaga while talking about all the things that happened today in the zoo after work.
" Uwah, Babies are so cute,ne ? Even though it was an animal's baby. I'd like to have my own baby someday. Do Aiba-san also want it too?” she suddenly covered her mouth with her hand,
“Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ... " she lowered her head. I smiled at her,
"You know, Nana chan, of course I do love babies and want to have it one for real someday. Sho also loves kids. We hope to have it when we're already married. Although, of course, the baby will not be born from one of us, since we're both men, " I chuckled a bit, tried to relieve her awkwardness.
"I'm sorry Aiba-san. Sometimes I can be too presumptuous," She looked down. I smiled at her and slightly patted her shoulder,
"Daijoubu Nana chan. I'm used to dealing with this," I laughed to reassure her that I’m okay. But still, deep inside my heart, it's hurts. Really hurts.
***
"Tadaima..." I mumbled and sighed. Of course there would be no answer, because I was the one who always came home earlier than Sho. It's 6:30 pm already. Looks like I have to prepare the dinner quickly because usually Sho would be home at 7.30 pm. I quickly showered and started preparing our dinner. I glanced at the clock on the wall, it's already 8.30 pm. I wonder why Sho hasn't came home yet.
I picked up the phone and tried to call him, but it seemed he was still busy and did not answer. But then he called me a minute after, i pressed the green button immediately and bombered him with many questions, "Hello, Sho-chan! Where are you now? Why do you come home late? Are you okay?"
"Masaki, I've told you that I have a promise to meet with Jun and Satoshi at coffee shop, right? Have you forgotten?"
I gasped and hit my head lightly with my hand, "Aaahh!! I forgot about that! I'm sorry, Sho-chan. I don't know why but I can't stop worrying about you. I wish I can hug you right now," I pouted even though he didn't see my face right now.
"Me too, dear. You know, I wish I have that Doraemon door which can move us to wherever we want just with one step through that special door. I wish there is that door in front of me right now, so I can immediately at home right now to hug and kiss you," Sho said and it made me chuckled. I knew right now he was trying to made me less worried about him.
"Silly!! There is no such a door in the real life. That's in a manga!" We laughed for some moment and suddenly he stopped laughed and said with his voice that could melt my heart,
"I love you, Masaki".
Suddenly I felt something unusual like I’ve never felt before. It scared me, the feeling that this might be the last time I heard him said those words to me. Something that made my eyes turned glassy and all I could say is, "I love you more, Sho-chan".
We both silent for a moment. Then I told him about my first attempt to make Nikujaga for our dinner and about what happened today at the zoo, anything to distract my bad omen that kept coming since the morning. After some minutes I couldn’t help to ask,
"Sho-chan, have you arrive at station yet?" I heard him sighing.
"Not yet, Masaki. Will be arriving soon though. Just some meters ahead and I'll be in the station."
Suddenly I heard another voice in the phone. It seemed that someone, a man, talk to him in an impolite tone. I started to worry again,
"Sho-chan? Whose voice is that? What happened? Sho chan !!" I grabbed my phone tighter, waiting for Sho-chan’s reply. But all what I could hear his reply was, " Sorry, Masaki. I'll call you again later. Love you," and ended the call without let me said even one word. I got panicked.
Who is that man?? Why I feel scared by just hearing his voice?? Don’t tell me... Sho-chan... Oh my God, what should I do ?
Suddenly, I felt my heart beat faster than usual. Cold sweat started to drip from my forehead. I couldn’t breath. I couldn’t think properly. I ran out of the apartment, hoping that Sho already taken his train and was inside the train now. The train he always take everyday was just two station away from the nearest station in our apartment area. Should I waited him there? Then without thinking, I ran to the nearest station, waited there and kept trying to call him hundred times even though he never answered.
10 minutes...
30 minutes...
An hour...
Tears started to flow in my eyes.
Sho-chan, where are you?
-tbc-
Hello again guys!! xDD
We're really sorry. It took a quite longer time than I've excpected to finish this chapter. ><
So, what do you think about the second chapter? ^^ We're trying to explain a bit more about our Sakuraiba when they first met and what kind of situation at the day the incident happened in Masaki's POV here.
Oh! You can read the previous chapter here :
Chapter 1 : http://icha-kazeinda.livejournal.com/1467.html
The next chapter will be updated next week (or maybe another next week xD)
Comments are really appreciated~ <333