Heartbeat
TITLE: Heartbeat
GENRE: Romance, Real Life
RATING: GP
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the celebrities whose names were used in this fiction.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a Kohaku-related fanfiction. I know it is quite late as it is already February but I just can't stop writing when this came into my mind. Also, I read a rumor about a getting back together of an actresss "I" and her ex-boyfriend "M" and it just got me thinking what if they were Inoue and Matsumoto and that Kohaku had lead them to get back together? But of course I would be very much happier if they had never really broke up in real life... xD
SUMMARY:Even after a year Matsumoto Jun still can't forget about his ex-girlfriend Inoue Mao. Now, they are picked to host a very important year-end show. Will this meeting lead them to try and take another shot at romance in each others arms?
Heartbeat
“Mao-chan daijoubu?!?” Kazunari Ninomiya teased an already flustered Matsumoto Jun. They had returned to their greenroom for a while just to take a rest while the 62nd Kouhaku Uta Gassen is having a commercial break.
Jun sighed heavily. Normally, anyone who would tease Matsumoto Jun would receive a murderous glare from Arashi’s resident DoS but tonight was different. Jun knew he was wrong and he is somewhat frustrated.
He slipped! He, the ever perfectionist Matsumoto Jun of Arashi, slipped!
“We know you can’t stop thinking about her Jun-kun but do be careful.” said a very concerned Satoshi Ohno.
“Haii…” Jun could only reply.
There was a knock on the door and a staff from the show peeked in.
“It’s time to get back onstage Arashi-chan.” He called.
“Ok. We’ll be right over.” Aiba assured him.
As the staff closed the door behind him, all four pairs of eyes went to Jun.
“Don’t look at me that way okay? I’ll be more careful I swear.” Jun told them.
Satoshi Ohno approached their youngest member and patted his shoulders.
“We know how hard this is for you but put up with it ne?” Ohno said to him in a rarely seen leader-like manner.
Jun sighed again.
“I’ll try to.” He nervously answered back slightly doubting his ability to work professionally for the first time in a long time. After all, it’s four hours: four hours of being so close to the one girl who could make his heart beat faster than it normally should and yet he can’t even touch her or talk to her or those rumors from the past would definitely resurface again- that is, if those rumors had ever died. He’s fine with those rumors but there are a lot of other things to be considered.
Jun absent-mindedly followed the rest of Arashi out of the room.
“Why does it have to be this complicated?” Jun thought to himself but he knew the answer to that question of his. It was his choice to enter Johnny’s Agency with the full knowledge of how strict the agency is in implementing rules and one of those rules is to keep their love life, if ever they have one, in the dark.
“Jun-kun?” Sakurai Sho’s voice broke Jun’s reverie and brought him back to the present. All four members had stopped walking and was looking at him with concern written all over their faces.
“Gomen. I’m making everyone worry.”Jun said. He took a really deep breath as he tried to clear his mind of thoughts about his life and love and broke out into a smile just as they were given a cue to come back onstage.
“Do you think he can do it?” Sho silently asked Ohno.
“I’m sure he can. Jun is a professional actor… plus… He’s around her so he’ll be able to relax and be himself.”
“Let’s just keep an eye out on him though. He might become too relaxed and he might show more about himself than necessary.” Sho suggested.
Ohno just nodded as they readied themselves to step out into the stage once again.
*****
“Are you alright Jun?” Masaki Aiba asked when he noticed Jun massaging his neck with his eyes closed.
“Yes.. No.. My neck kind of hurts.” Jun replied.
“A result of you trying to take every opportunity to peek at our lovely host.”
“Eh? Kimutaku-san?” Ohno acknowledged the arrival of their sempai from SMAP who had entered their room unceremoniously.
“Ahh.. Sorry for just storming in. I just want to congratulate you for a job well done.” Kimutaku stated.
“Arigatou! But it’s not even finished yet.” Ohno replied.
“Oh! There’s no need to finish the show to conclude that you’re doing fine.” Kimutaku said. “Would you like a massage Jun-kun? I’m actually a natural at those kinds of things.”
“I guess trying your so-called natural massaging ability wouldn’t hurt sempai.” Jun replied with a smile.
Kimutaku moved behind Jun and started massaging him.
“Honestly Jun you should just approach her again.”
Jun and the others need not ask for there could only be one girl their sempai was talking about.
*****
“Omedetou!”
Arashi’s green room was filled with congratulatory remarks for a few minutes until only the 5 of them were left.
They were packing up their things when somebody knocked on their door. Nino opened the door to reveal a beaming figure of a young lady.
Inoue Mao.
“Anou… Arigatou gozaimasu minna-san! Thank you for supporting and guiding me all throughout the show.” She said as she bowed down in front of the five young men inside the room. It took her half an hour to decide whether or not she should personally come here to say that to them. She was, after all, trying to avoid that one man who had and is still making her heart beat faster everytime he is around her.
“It’s nothing Mao-chan. Who else would support each other but us right? By the way, omedetou for winning!” Ohno exclaimed. Four more “omedetous” followed after that.
“Ahh! “ Aiba suddenly blurted out. Everyone looked at him.
“Nani?” asked Sho.
“I think I left something backstage. I wonder if it’s still there. Sho can you come with me to search for it?” Aiba answered.
Sho’s eyebrows furrowed as he was confused by Aiba’s act and then a shadow of a smile appeared on his lips as he finally understood what the guy was trying to achieve.
“I think it would be better if many would come looking for it. Mao-chan, can you wait for us here? I still have some things I want to tell you and we want to give you something as well.” Sho announced.
Mao-chan, although she was a bit doubtful and nervous, just nodded her head.
Nino pulled a chair and motioned for Mao to sit down.
“We’ll be right back!” Ohno assured her as all five of them started walking towards the door.
Sho had his hand on the doorknob when he suddenly stopped and looked back a hint of mischief on his eyes.
“Ah! Where are our manners guys? Are we just going to leave Mao-chan here alone?” Sho suddenly blurted out.
Mao-chan suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
“Ahh right! Why are we leaving her here alone? Jun-kun! Why don’t you stay behind?” Ohno suggested and even gave a wink only Jun could see.
“Eh?” Jun, who had been silent since Mao’s arrival, gave Ohno a questioning look.
“You stay behind and accompany Mao-chan here while we go look for that something Aiba-chan left backstage.” Ohno repeated as Sho opened the door.
“Demo….” Jun started but the four had already walked out the door leaving only him and Mao inside the green room.
Silence.
Jun was rooted on the spot. He is still nervous to look at Mao who was also looking down at her feet afraid to meet his gaze.
Jun’s heart started to beat really fast. Mao’s heart started to beat faster too.
“Damn it! Just say it Matsumoto!” Jun lectured himself and in three seconds he had turned around and faced Mao.
Mao could feel Jun’s eyes on her.
“Omedetou!” Jun finally spoke up.
Mao looked up to him but she was still avoiding his gaze.
“I think I haven’t told you this yet but you do look beautiful today.” Jun started
“And….” Jun was prolonging the word as he was still contemplating whether or not to say what he was about to say. With a sigh, he added “I really can’t take my eyes off of you.”
Mao was not really shocked. She had after all felt his gaze all throughout the show. She smiled at him and finally gazed into his dark eyes.
“Thank you! But.. Why am I not surprised with that admission?” Mao smiled at him.
“Eh?” Jun asked lost in her smile.
“Matsumoto, do you think I can’t feel your eyes on me the whole time? I can hardly concentrate on my lines.” Mao teased.
Jun started to like what he was hearing. “It was your fault for being so beautiful.” He said.
Mao’s heart was fluttering. She decided to try teasing him further.
“Are you making your move on me Matsumoto?” she asked.
Jun was surprised with Mao’s question. “You started this Mao, there’s no going back.” He told himself.
“Maybe…” Jun started trying to look like he was seriously thinking about it.
Mao felt a slight stab on her heart. She had somehow hoped that he’ll admit to her right then but it looks like he was having second thoughts now.
Jun saw a hint of sadness on Mao’s eyes when he answered. He grinned. Looks like he need not worry about her pushing him away.
Jun silently walked towards Mao. Every step magnified due to the silence inside the room and in every step Jun’s heart is beating faster and faster. He was not taking his eyes off of hers. They were just inches apart when he stopped.
Mao’s heart was pounding harder in her chest as Jun stood only a few inches away from her looking into her eyes.
Jun held out his right hand and touched Mao’s left cheek making her blush.
Jun gave her a sad smile.
“It’s been a year Mao-chan. It’s been a year since I had you this close to me. A year since I last touched your face. A year since I last gazed into your eyes.” Jun said trying to keep his voice from croaking.
A tear fell from Mao’s left eye. Jun wiped that tear away.
“I want you to know that even after a year, you are still the only girl who had and who is still making my heart beat fast. You’re the only girl who can make me relax and be myself whenever you are around. You are the only girl in my heart and mind Mao-chan..” Jun admitted pouring every ounce of emotion on every word he utters.
Mao was already crying but she smiled and teased Jun, “That is too obvious awhile ago you know. Mao-chan daijoubu huh? You really can’t get me out of your mind can’t you?”
Jun smiled down at her and in just a heartbeat he had Mao in his arms.
Mao had missed this. She missed teasing him. She missed looking and drowning into his eyes. She missed every smile, every laugh, every hug, every kiss, every touch. She missed everything about him. She hugged him tighter afraid that she might lose him again.
“Aishiteru… and I would never let you go again.” Jun whispered in her ears.
Mao’s smile grew even wider just as more tears flow down her eyes. She felt like her heart might burst anytime soon.
“I love you too Matsumoto Jun…” Mao clearly whispered despite her tears.
Jun released her from his hug to look into her teary eyes. In just one heartbeat his lips were on hers as he poured down all his longing and feelings into a deep and sweet kiss.