Withstanding You [one-shot]
Title: Withstanding You
Rating: PG
Pairing: Tamamori Yuta x OC
Genre: AR (Alternate Reality), fluff, romance
Summary: There's more to him than a fusspot, there's more to her than a talker, and there's more to them than two people living together.
A/N: My first Tamamori Yuta x OC fic. When I started writing this I wasn't a Kisumai fan yet, but now... Ah, how I love them! Especially the male protagonist in the story (Yes, my ichiban is Tama~ *o*). Written for erikz_16 as a birthday fic. Otanjoubi omedetou Erikzpapa! ♥
Erika admits that she is attention-deprived. Not that she needed it her whole life, but she just feels like she's missing out on something she deserves to have. She's an above average student who thinks fast, talks fast, and has a good posture fairly noticeable than the other girls around. She's involved in a number of social circles and has a supportive family. But in this time of her life, she wants more... More interesting things, to a heap of attention. That's interesting enough to ask for.
Fortunately, some real interesting things are not hard to reach. Her roommate is a fangirl and is actually a daughter of an 'idol' manager. Idols are quite popular everywhere, probably in the whole-wide world which spins for them, as the whole-wide world seem to adore them in the highest degree. Erika doesn't think that being a fan is stupid; she just can't relate and except for the big-named novelists, she never admired a famous personality.
"They'll arrive here tomorrow," her roommate said coolly. That's what she liked about her: a fangirl, but not a creep. Unlike the others who push the limits to the point of figuratively pushing the idols out of their homes and live in a more secured one.
That's the case. Two idols are living with them because of freaks destroying these idols' privacy.
"You'll get along with them~" Miki, the roommate said, seeing Erika in deep thought. "Tamamori-san is a little weird though. Kisumai members said he's quiet, and when he talks it's nothing but complaints!" She chuckled. "But he is a softie, and he's very understanding."
"Oh. Aren't all famous people like that? Whiners, never contented with their lives." Erika spoke confidently, like the show biz columnists who expertise in writing stuff about the people they barely know personally. Okay, if fangirls are bad, biz writers are ruthless. Erika saw her roommate pout, obviously wanting her to take back what she said.
"Well--of course! Celebrities are whiners, but... This Tamamori is nice, right? And the other guy... Miyata? Hyper? Yeah, I'm looking forward to meet them!"
Miki bursts into laughter. "Whatever Erika! Don't try, you look cynical than ever. Won't you relax? Whenever I mention about the two moving in here, your face always turns like this," she copied Erika's scornful look, then shook her head about how she can never copy Erika's expressions. Both of them laughed after it all, one victorious and one in defeat.
Erika rested her head on the wall and closed her eyes. "Whatever Miki. I'm not cynical. Nor uncomfortable. In fact, I'm excited to meet those two," she opened her eyes, lips forming to a grin. "I'd like to annoy them."
"What? Don't be a yarakashii, Erika."
Erika sticked out her tounge. "Whatever~"
**
It was the 9th of November. There was a knock on the door. Miki ran across the wide living room trying to stay composed while Erika peeked from the stairs. A second passed and three men came into view.
"Papa!" Miki hugged her father briefly. She then looked at the two idols, then at her father who manages them, and back to the idols again. Finally she managed to speak. "Hajimemashite. Mikiko desu! I'm a huge fan of Johnny's." She bowed rather fast, fidgeting her hair the whole time.
The two were almost taken aback upon hearing the words "huge fan". Must be too traumatic to them being stalked by those yarakashii. But since there aren't any yarakashii around and Mikiko still looks decent and has the manager's daughter aura, they instantly felt at ease with her. The 'healthier', jolly-looking one voiced out his greetings; the thinner, taller guy just nodded. It wasn't difficult to distinguish who's the Miyata Toshiya and the Tamamori Yuta between the two.
She continued to notice the gestures the two idols made, feeling like a real paparazzi. But paparazzi has cameras. And are very aggressive. She was a stalker, then? But stalkers are scary. And has cameras too. Erika was a mild version of both. Ew, even 'mild' is disturbing. But she cannot hide the fact that she was intrigued by the peculiarity of the new housemates, especially the one called Tamamori.
"Erika! Come down here!" Miki's voice almost sent Erika down to a stumble. She's been observing things from the stairs, totally forgetting that she's actually part of the picture. "Yes, I'm sorry!" she walked briskly. Wearing only a rugged shirt and a rugged shorts, she's expecting an earful from Miki later scolding her why'd she wore crap. Worse, even Miki's papa, who forever wears formal, might scold her too.
"Tamamori-san, Miyata-san, this is Erika my roommate." Miki gestured to Erika and to the boys. "Erika-chan, they're Tamamori-san and Miyata-san from Kis-My-Ft2." Miki emphasized the -chan in Erika's name; it was suggesting, "Erika! Be nice or I'll kill you!" She snorted and stretched out her hand. "It's my pleasure to meet you two! Welcome to your new home... I guess."
"What's the 'I guess' for??" Miki elbowed Erika. Everyone didn't mind though, as Miyata actively shook Erika's hand, and Tamamori just nodded again. What, Tamamori. Are you just gonna nod all the time?
"She's almost like Mikiko's sister now, so we let her live with us while she goes to university." Mr. Asa, the idols' manager and the father of the house, said warmly. Erika blushed a little. "You won't have problems since these ladies are quite the ordinary university students. Right, my daughters?"
"Yes, of course!" Miki and Erika chorused. The latter's thoughts of annoying the idols started to dissolve. She does want attention, but family is more important to her... And Miki and her dad are family. Still, Tamamori intrigued her. Miyata was a lot more predictable, with his reactions and comments and words. Tamamori wasn't even speaking at all! After the long introduction and orientation of the house they all went to their respective rooms. Erika and Miki, though technically roommates, each has their own space divided by Miki's walk-in closet. Miyata and Tamamori have different rooms.
But before Erika can enter her room, a smiling Tamamori blocked her way. She almost tripped but the guy's hand caught her wrists. Erika was startled not by the moment, but by Tamamori's smile. "Hi Erika, I'm Tama." Did he just talked? The surprised look on Erika's face wasn't affecting the guy's weird demeanor.
"I'm Tamamori Yuta." He introduced himself again, smile still attached to his lips and hand still clenching her wrist. Surprisingly, this man could speak. Erika released herself and stomped hard on the floor--if it wasn't for the high-priced flooring she could have been kicked out of the house by now for destroying it. "You creep! What are you doing to me?"
Getting the idea of what he did was indeed creepy, Tama backed off and bowed worryingly. "I'm sorry," he uttered, scratching the back of his head. "I just wanted to talk to someone."
Erika turned from surprised to amused. She looked around to see if Miki and Tama's groupmate Miyata were aware of what's happening, but the doors were closed and this bizarre encounter remained undisturbed. "Let's go to the living room. Tell me about yourself."
They walked along the hallway. Erika suddenly felt nervous; did she just invite him to talk with her, in a secluded space, just the two of them, both stranger to each other? But somehow they aren't now. They're gonna be living together for a month or so; and the earlier they feel at ease with each other, the better. Plus he and the other new housemate looked trustworthy enough. Tamamori relaxed himself on the end of the long couch while Erika tensed on the opposite side. The idol seemed not to notice this yet, and Erika's nervousness faded when she began to speak. That was one of her strong points anyway--talking confidently to any kind of people.
After two hours of talk with no breaks, a yawn and a series of yawns escaped both of them, a manifestation of sleepiness. She realized that the person who invited her to talk remained wordless throughout the conversation... He only laughed, smiled, nodded, made facial expressions. "Hey, are you really this quiet?" She arched her brow at Tama, though she was sure she doesn't know how to do so.
"I enjoyed listening to you. And I can see you enjoyed talking too," he half-smiled at her. True, she enjoyed the little spotlight Tamamori gave her tonight. Happiness washed through her.
"Come on, let's sleep now!" She giddily pulled Tamamori's hand and they climbed up the stairs. Upon reaching their doors they said their good night.
**
Erika woke up hearing a loud voice whining about something. She immediately jumped out of the bed unaware of who it was. When she opened the door she saw her housemate Tamamori, standing in front of the common bathroom tapping his feet, shouting at whoever was inside.
"Can you wait, Tama?" Miyata shouted back. Nonetheless his voice didn't sound commanding enough.
"No. Hurry up!"
"Do you really need to use the bathroom, like, now?" Miyata started to get irritated but Tama wasn't every bit intimidated.
"No. But hurry up!"
Erika felt her cheeks red watching the situation. Such behavior! What happened to the easy Tamamori she chatted with last night?
"Oi," she called Tama and the latter turned his head to her. "Oh, good morning!" He exclaimed. Erika's displeased expression confused Tama a little, and when she started to 'preach' the idol his co-idol went out of the bathroom. "Ne, Eri-chan~ don't mind us, don't mind Tama," he bowed several times and pulled his roommate an inch away. "He's just like this, no ill intentions," he added, smiling. Miyata was an all-smiles person so Erika hardly believed him saying Tama wasn't an inconvenience. He may be, it's just that Miyata is tolerant. Maybe the rest of Kisumai are.
"Okay," Erika retreated, looked at the two men one last time and went back to her room. "He annoys me!" she blurted out upon herself. The annoyance which she once planned to give them is backfiring at her. Oh, and she haven't done that plan yet. She's now living in karma, and karma is interesting.
If she's gonna live with a person like Tamamori, then interesting things are surely within her grasp.
**
November 20
One: the perks of living with celebrities
point one: is having beautiful creatures you see almost every day
point two: when they irritate you--yes they are irritating too--you can say anything to them without feeling sorry
point three: they change your lifestyle... If you let them to.
Two: the downside of being myself
point one: is I don't really have an amor for these idols
point two: I get irritated by the fuss they do--and I say anything to them without consideration
point three: but they have a chance to change me... I don't know why but they make me happy. (is this a downside)
Three: Why does Tamamori's face lighten up whenever we argue?
point one: he's crazy
point two: he probably thinks I'm stupid
point three: we look funny
point four: we are a funny couple ??? EEEEEHHHHHH :/
Miki saw Erika scribbling on her post-it notes; the latter seem troubled. She peeked at the tiny papers but the writing was too hazy. Nevertheless Erika's face was a tell-all to Miki. "Erika," she stopped writing.
"Ah? This? This is nothing," She shoved the scraps into her pocket. She can't tell her best friend yet. She's the freakin' daughter of Tamamori's manager. Besides, maybe she was just dazed by the presence of idols in their house.
That so, she tried to push the idea of idol-crushes in the back of her mind.
Erika stood up and left the astonished Miki, went out of the room and headed downstairs. Halfway through the steps she heard the sound of men in their living room: all of Kisumai members. They were discussing about a new song, as far as Erika could comprehend in the talk. For some reason she stayed in her place, sat on the far end of the step leaning against the wall, and even with the bad angle and scarce view of the whole thing she was curious as ever to pry again.
Paparazzi mode on. With her curiosity adding everyday, she had already learned the art of stalkership--or simply stalking, but the added -ship makes it sound more complicated... Stalking is a complicated job anyway. 11 days after meeting these idols she can't help but listen to almost all of the groups conversations in this house. And unconsciously butting in whenever she hears Tamamori, and only Tamamori, complain.
From what she sees they were sitting in this order: Nikaido, Senga, Kitayama, Wataru, Fujigaya, Miyata, Tamamori. The "T" of Kis-My-Ft2 wasn't paying attention; he was fidgeting a pattern on his accessorized pants. They took notice of this, but why do they just let him do his own thing? At last, Fujigaya, better known as Taipi, poked Tama and with a surprised look everyone asked him. "You understand?"
"Yes, yes," Tama answered. Then he started to fidget his pants again, and when not contented he moved over to Miyata's pants and played with the latter's beaded design on his jeans. It bothered Erika who was quietly flaming up on the stairs.
After a minute Wataru closed the informal meeting. "No more questions, you guys sure?"
Tamamori, whose facial expression looked like he fell from a tall tree, suddenly straightened up awkwardly and raised his hand. "Wait," he said. "Why the title?"
"What about that?"
"I don't understand why the title has to be 'Understanding You'. The characters in the song were ignorant of each other's feelings, right? And because of that they couldn't stand each other, they were at war... It was a bitter love story so why the title??"
"Stupid!" Erika's voice rang among them. She couldn't control herself, and though aware of what she's getting into, she couldn't care more.
The Kisumai members were murmuring their cheers, except for Miyata who was seriously worried for housemate Tama getting into a "fight" again with housemate Erika. Nevertheless everyone was was excited, including Tama who stood face-to-face with the aggressive Erika, as shown in his wicked smile. "Why are you smiling, stupid?" She asked irritably.
Tama, like what he was ever since, didn't speak. He just looked at her eyes for seconds and nodded.
"You're like that again! If you think you look cool by doing that then you're not. Let me explain the things you weren't listening to because you were busy playing with you and Miyacchi's pants!"
Gasps were heard. By Kisumai, and by Miki who was present too; she went down upon hearing the first word Erika shouted. STUPID!
"Look, the title was 'Understanding You' because in the end, the characters understood each other's hearts! Got that? They were mortal enemies before, they weren't aware of the thing called love, but through time they finally understood it and they just realized they're..."Erika stopped, suddenly feeling uncomfortable by Tama's intent stare. She shrugged her head and looked at him again as cold as possible. "...They realized they were in love. Understood, Mr. Smiling Deaf?"
Tamamori laughed hard, his deep voice blowing her brain off... In an unbelievably good way. He gave a semi-nod. Nikaido and Senga applauded, Miyata was dumbfounded, and the others were downright amazed. Tama was a tsundere but with Erika he was a silent yandere. Like, he would kill if somebody tries to stop a moment like this. Nobody would stop the moment though, it was entertaining. And sweet, if they ever did understand.
--
Like what Miki's father said, she was quite an ordinary university student. Simple--to be exact. Not involved in any societal hang-ups, she even dismissed parties and such. She wanted to stay at home. Odd as it was, she looked forward to the things at home, and the reason was more odd...
Tama still intrigued her. And annoyed her at the same time. Days passed, then weeks, then came the final week of the two idols' stay. Erika's simple university life remained the same but her life inside the home she shares with her best friend and the two men quite changed. In a sense the idols are now a part of her life. Frequent in the spacious house, the seven members of Kisumai who she rarely knew before became her buddies; even Tama, of course. But they had a weird relationship, full of debates. Rather, it was only Erika who talked while Tama preferred to keep his mouth shut--at any cost. In spite of his stubbornness Erika continued to 'scold' Tama whenever he rants, it was almost like a routine. She knew she's gonna miss the rants and the scoldings when the time comes.
She arrived home seeing Tamamori sitting lazily on the couch. The last time she saw him like that was the first night of his and Miyata's stay. Only this was gloomier, with Tama holding a can of beer in his hands, eyes watery. Did the whiner cry? What drama is this again?
"Sit here," Tama patted the couch. Erika hesitantly took a step. "I'm not drunk... No, I am, but just a little," he chuckled between his words. She sat hesitantly, stared at him hesitantly, and spoke with clear hesitation.
"Were you crying?"
Tama didn't answer her question, instead he imposed another one. "Remember the time when Kisumai first gathered here? Everybody was happy but I was complaining. I said there were too many people, and it was very noisy.
All of them didn't mind me but you went to give me an earful. You told me what a killjoy member I was, what a useless idol. Remember that?"
Erika swallowed, unsure of where this conversation was going. Her "yes" came out as a whisper.
"Then, the time when the fridge had nothing left and I was practically yelling why there was no food. You heard me and you shrieked at me even louder, telling me to shut up and just buy!"
Erika cringed. She remembered that scene well, and it was true that she yelled at Tama really loud then. Her throat had a tingling sensation afterwards, how could she forget that?
"And you were always telling me that I was up to no good, always pissing off people. You took it back though, and replaced it with a more mean 'I see everybody as piss' and that I'm so full of myself."
Erika looked down. Maybe she felt guilty. But she knew there was nothing to be guilty about. "Tama! Why are you saying this?--"
"Because I like you!" He answered, his intonation quite strong. His eyes deeply searched hers. "I liked you since the first day."
As if derailed--and she definitely was, Erika cleared her throat thinking of what else to say. "Since the day you came here?"
"Yes. I sensed that you needed attention--I mean, you wanted someone to hear you... Right?" Tamamori sounded uncertain as she was. But he must've been quite an observer to notice the thing she wanted in her life. I thought I was the paparazzi, the stalker, the one prying on you. But it looks like you know a lot more of me than I know you. How?
"Tama... You're right. But, please don't get the wrong idea, those arguments we had... Ah, I didn't mean to..." Erika was out of words which rarely happened. Is this what celebrities feel like whenever they're caught off guard by the interrogating people?
"Okay, I'm really sorry." Erika breathed deeply and stood up. Their first night talking wasn't awful at all. On the contrary, this one was quite the nightmare she didn't ever expected; since the moment Tamamori and Miyata stepped inside the house she never thought of anything but plainly living with them. The argument part was nothing personal, the bonding part was a friendly act. For heaven's sake she didn't want to meddle with this man's personal matters... Even though she constantly bugged him in the practical sense, and even though she knows she has a pinch of more-than-friend feelings for him too.
Tamamori blinked, and hurriedly grasped Erika's hand. It really was like the first night, the first night in which he also held her wrist. "Wait, don't go. You can talk to me all you want."
"Eh???" His hand holding hers wasn't what made her forehead curl. It was the weird attitude again. "You want me to talk? Do you know how awkward we are tonight? Telling me this and that, then you want us to talk like nothing happened, or nothing will happen soon? I don't get you, go live in your own world!" She wriggled out her clasped hand easily; Tamamori's groggy state made his grip loose. He rested his back on the couch and laughed heartily.
"So you didn't want to talk huh," he teased. "How many words did you just said?"
"Aaaahh, Tamamori!" she palmed her forehead. "What do you want?" She glared at him, and the latter bit his lip and smiled. Erika quickly changed her line of vision, profusely swearing in her mind how Tama was attractive physically. Undoubtedly. She just kept on denying it, for she believed that swooning over an idol's body would make her a yarakashii.
"I'll throw up if you leave," he added, much to her disgust... And concern. This Tamamori knows how to bribe. What else is in this guy's unpredictable mind? Erika sat beside him, a little closer than the usual. He put aside the can, and gently pulled Erika to him. The move was unexpected that both of them almost fell off the couch.
"You're drunk! I have to drag you upstairs. Or do you want me to bring your blankets to you?"
"Either way is fine," he murmured.
She dashed off to Tama's room. She entered inhaling a familiar scent: the scent she always smelled whenever they come close to contact... When they argue, what else? The room was clean, clean for a guy. And she was dazed by the amount of post-its stuck on the wall. They do have something in common! After pausing for a moment she went down, finding him peaceful in slumber. She carefully propped his head and placed a pillow, then she covered him with the blanket. Seeing him in this state, somehow she didn't want to go back to her room.
November 28
Four: the weirdness of it all
point one: I think I like him (weird for a person like me)
point two: he said he liked me too (weird for a person like him)
point three: we can be a couple. (?)
The next morning, packed bags in the living room greeted Erika. Miyata was stretching, jumping up and down, wearing his jolly unwary smile. Tamamori was staring at some plant outside. Miki appeared, her mood wasn't good. Erika understood why. "I thought you'll leave on Sunday? Today's just Thursday, why are you...?"
Miyata shrugged. "Tama." He pointed at the person having his moment with the plant there. "Uh?" Tamamori wondered.
"I said, why are you leaving earlier than planned?" Miki asked, her style of speaking just like her father: strong and intimidating.
"Personal problems." Tamamori answered briefly. He was emotionless, unlike the drunk, love-stricken Tama last night. Miyata shrugged again. Poor Miyata doesn't know anything.
"Is it because of Erika?" Miki further questioned. Erika turned ice-cold. Miki, her ever-sweet roommate, was unmistakably scary when furious. Erika can't say a word, knowing that she was the 'personal problem' Tama was referring to.
"No," good thing Tama reacted fast. No? A smile of reassurance showed in his face as he scanned the faces of the people around him. "It wasn't because of her, or any of you. I just had to sort out things--"
"And you're bringing Miyata with you? What if he wants to stay?" Erika finally spoke. "I mean, if your problem is outside here then what's the point of tagging Miyata along?" She was cautious this time. She didn't want Miki to give assumptions on Tama's 'problem'--she was sure Tamamori was just covering her up. Thank you, then.
"It's fine with me, Eri-chan~" Miyata tried to sound convincing as possible.
Miki crossed her arms, eyeing the two idols like she was never a fan. She's acting boss-like. Well, her father manages these men, she could act like that too. "You told dad already?" She did the raise-brow thing Erika wasn't good at. "Or I'll call him?"
"We already did, Miki-san. Thank you for reminding though." Tama carried his bags. He and Miyata were about to leave when Erika stopped them. "Ah, wait! I have something to give to you, Tama." She went to get a piece of post-it she had 'abused' last night before sleeping. There were a lot of doodles in the small but useful piece of paper. And a brief sentence at the center. No one could see it because it was folded.
Miyata pouted. "I don't have one, Eri-chan?" Erika laughed and Miyata smiled sheepishly. "Joking." he winked and walked along with Tama who didn't even say a word and walked away. "Bye! We'll be back!" Miyata's loud voice filled the morning air. At least the tension was gone.
"What was that, Erika?" Miki said, back to her familiar aura. The sweet and supportive best friend and roommate. Erika hoped Miki would understand her if she tells the whole story...
...But not now. "An apology note," Erika sighed, then smiled. "I was mean to Tama."
"Yeah, you were. Ha ha." Tamamori whines about everything and anything; Erika whines about Tama. Turns out Tama liked me, and I... liked him too. "You guys are perfect, did you know that?"
"Eh? Are you joking?" Perhaps Miyata's joker ambience influenced her roommate. She's sure she was.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Miki said benevolently. "You look good together. Both of you are funny. But the way you stare at each other is... Intense. You should know that, you're the ones who stare at each other's eyes when quarreling! But do you quarrel for real? Or was just an act to amuse us? You know, Kisumai anticipates your duo whenever they're here." Each word Miki states made Erika blush uncontrollably. How on earth did everybody see 'sparks' while the two of them have no idea? Or, probably Tama has an idea. Erika was just in denial.
With a chuckle Miki pulled her into her own room, and she opened Erika's bedside table searching for something. "Where are your post-its?"
"Wait, Miki, why are you--"
"Ta-da!" Miki placed the bunch of colored little papers on the table and trailed one by one with her fingers. She giggled at everything she sees. "I'm sorry for invading your personal stuff, friend. But I knew about your blooming feelings for Tama-chan." She looked back at the embarrassed Erika and she held her hands tightly. "We're bestfriends. You speak, I get it. You say nothing, I still get it. Look at these notes, aren't you cute? Here, you said Tama is cute! And..." She read a particular line aloud. "And... Miyacchi is annoying because he sticks with Tama all the time!!! Would he please space out sometimes?"
"Oiiiii, Miki!" Erika grabbed the papers, including the ones stuck between Miki's fingers. "Okay now you know. I tried to stop my feelings, promise."
"Oh Erika. Don't be a tsundere."
"Whatever. I'm not!"
"Then tell the me things I do not know."
Erika wrinkled her nose. "I like Tamamori. Contented?"
"Nope! What did you write on the post-it you gave to him a while ago?"
"It's for Tama only! Don't dare ask!"
Eventually everybody knew about it. Not the post-it; in fact it wasn't a big deal for everyone to know, but the thing between Tamamori and Erika.
**
December 8. She was on her way to Tamamori's real house. Yarakashii or not, tsundere or not, what matters most is that they now both understood their feelings for each other, with no hindrances except maybe for the unforgiving fans--Miki already said that she, her father, and Kisumai knew the 'relationship' and were happy for it. As far as she knew idols were not allowed to date, so she was definitely shocked by Mr. Asa's positive reaction. Maybe because it was Erika who he considers as daughter; he's biased after all? Or, he doesn't interfere with the idols' love life. Anyway, she and Tama still weren't official. Life today doesn't need formality anymore... As her mind was filled with these thoughts she boarded the bus and followed all of Tama's instructions on how to get to his home. But when she was only blocks away she was confused by the parallel and perpendicular streets ahead, so she decided to text him again.
She panicked upon realizing her phone was lost. She swallowed and inhaled deeply, looking at the seemingly vast intersection of alleys and figuring out the right way. Ah~ she'd ask for directions!
A group of girls younger than her appeared and marched along, they looked kinda menacing. They saw Erika staring at them, and the 'leader' approached her recklessly. "Join us?" She said, her thick make-up looking horrible on her face. Probably this girl didn't intend to look scary but aside from the depressing get-up, her aura really was. It took a good minute--and thankfully only a minute--to know who the girls were. Stalkers of something or someone, the bold kana characters of Tamamori Yuta and Kis-My-Ft2 glistened on every girls' bag tag and other cutesy things. But the creepy part was the materials they were carrying. That's for setting up a tent! That's a telescope! That's a teargas and that's pesticide... What the hell???
"Yarakashii!" Erika shouted in horror. She tried to run but her feet couldn't move. If these people were targeting Tama's house then she need to get there first. The problem was, these girls knew his house better than her.
"You're a fan too? You know Yuta-sama?" The leader's face brightened up, still it was eerie. A little more and she could punch this girl and the others. But that would end up being violent, a label she wouldn't want to have. Violence is for them only, not mine.
Erika tried to sound authoritative but nice. "I do know him, but I'm not a fan. Sorry." She waved her hands in the nicest way possible. Just as she thought the girls were leaving, one of the girls at the back handed a can of spray paint to the leader. Erika slowly backed off, feeling demented and betrayed. Why, these girls are sadistic. "Wait, don't be... We can talk this out!" As her personal philosophy was "we can talk it out", talking was a little bit too late.
Yelling wasn't. A loud scream out of nowhere silenced the laughing girls. The nozzle hasn't been pressed and Erika was gratefully paint-free. But she didn't care about her appearance at the moment and she ran to the girl whose scream saved her. In addition to the saving act she thought the girl looked very familiar.
The girl was with some guy with a hoodie. The hooded man looked like a joke with his ensemble. Flashy outfit plus big shades, a hood and a cap on top, he gives the impression of being heliophobic: afraid of the sunlight. Though Erika didn't really care, he just looked funny. When she had reached the two people they pulled her fast and they ran altogether until the mean yarakashii were out of sight. All of them panting, Erika laughed sourly. "Those troublemakers!"
"Yeah, they are." The kind girl agreed. She was fanning herself with a face towel and she handed another one to her companion, who removed his shades and wiped his face with the towel. He smiled at the girl and then Erika.
But Erika was staring at the girl; when she almost gave up she recognized her at last. "Leya!" She squealed. Her childhood friend who was forever petite is in front of her. It seemed that she didn't grow up at all. Leya's eyes sparkled and they hugged each other tight. "Erika!"
"How are you?" Erika excitedly pumped her friend with questions. "Wait, should we ask you first? What were you doing with the yarakashii there? Do you know them?"
"Ugh," Erika started "They're--"
"Ah, by the way this is Yuu-chan, my boyfriend!" Leya pushed the guy beside her gently. "This is Erika, a very close pal." Erika and the guy shook hands. That was when Erika saw the full features of his face. He was also familiar--she saw him on TV last Sunday, when she randomly watched a variety show. "You're from ItteQ!" She said in a rather hyper tone. "Ah yes. I'm Tegoshi," he smiled warmly.
"You're as handsome as Tama..." Erika muttered, astonished. Tegoshi looked like an idol. His presence on TV is quite justifiable.
"Idol desu~" he added. See, just like Tama.
Leya heard the several "Tama" in Erika's reactions while looking at Tegoshi. "Who's Tama?"
Erika told the pair about what happened between her and the yarakashii, her lost (or plausibly stolen) phone, and who she was wanting to visit in this place. Leya grew excited upon learning who Tama was. "I really need to call him because I don't know where his house is." Erika sighed, low-spirited. "Tegoshi-san, do you have his number?" Being both in JE, she assumed they have each other's numbers.
"I'm sorry, I don't." Flashy Tegoshi who was actually shy to ask for numbers felt sorry for Erika. He bowed at her and bit his lip apologetically.
"I do! I have his number!" Erika and Tegoshi looked at her, surprised. "Just so you know... Tama-chan is my other favorite Johnny's~" She giggled. The two exchanged glances and glared at Leya who was eagerly scanning her phonebook. Tegoshi gave a deadly glare while Erika a prickly stare of what do you do with Yuta's number??? It was the first time she called her Yuta, even mentally. Well... She does 'own' him now, doesn't she?
Leya dialed Tama's number. Seeing the two, she laughed like a kid. "What? Jealous?" She held her boyfriend's hand and rubbed his with her thumb. Tegoshi's smile came back. "Ah, here, it's ringing!" She passed her phone to Erika.
"Hello... Tamaaaaaa!!" Erika burst into tears all of a sudden. The couple beside Erika let her talk for a while... After several minutes Tamamori came.
The day was long and so were the happenings. She constantly thanked her old friend Leya and new friend Tegoshi for helping her, and thanked Tama for gladly welcoming her in his abode. The group of yarakashii set up their tents in front of the idol's house, but it lasted only for hours. Otherwise they didn't do anything more explicit than that... Though she would never really know what the yarakashii can do to Tama, for they no longer live together.
Deep inside she wished Tama would live with them again.
**
Erika felt so sore she decided not to go to class. Lying on her bed, she reads the post-its stuck on her bedside lamp and table. Things to do, things to remember, even things to forget and things to be celebrated.
"Happy birthday Erika!!!"
She heard voices on a megaphone. Megaphone? She jumped out of her bed and ran to the window. Kis-My-Ft2! She flustered. It took some time before she came down and opened the door for the noisy group with a box of cake, some snacks and drinks, and lots of baggage... Lots of baggage.
"Speak, Tama-chan. Speak~" Nikaido urged the quiet but restless-looking Tamamori. He looked back at Nikaido and whispered, "I can't! Will you say it for me?" He pleaded the members. "What Tama. You aren't going to propose a marriage, you'll just say happy birthday." Senga raised his forehead disapprovingly. Miyata walked in front, hiding the guy who was supposed to speak. Seeing his beloved fellow member out of words, Miyacchi's jolliness covered it up instead. "Happy birthday Eri-chan, Tama-chan loves you!" The Kisumai members shouted at Miyata. "Oi, oi, oi!" Get out of here, you're ruining the moment!" and they picked on the pathetically cute Miyacchi.
Erika laughed at all of these. Then she remembered the luggage and pointed to all of the big bags on the doorway. "Those are for what? Aren't those your things?"
Kitayama cheerily announced the news which they all knew but Erika."Miyacchi and Tama will live here again... Along with us! Ask manager-san; he and Miki-san arranged this last week. Is it okay with you?" He looked at Tama amd smirked. "Of course it should be!" Then the rest of the group started partying. Erika was completely startled. "Oh my god. Seven boys in the house. Waaah!" She thought she only told this to herself, but it came out fairly loud for someone who is Tamamori. The Tamamori who you'd think is absentminded, but he's very attentive and... caring. He went beside her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I understand. Seven boys in the house could be an absolute disaster. But you liked us right? And we'll live here just as long as needed." He smiled as Erika slowly rested her head on his shoulder. "Hey Tama, I only liked you," she proclaimed selfishly. "And what if I want you to live here as long as I needed?" She teased. Tamamori's smile grew even wider.
Not so long after, Miki and Miki's papa arrived. Even her friend Leya, but without her boyfriend Tegoshi who she said was filming something with his groupmates, NEWS. Leya almost collapsed when she saw the seven boys of Kisumai, yet she immediately regained her composure and even posed with the boys in lots of pictures Miki's papa took. Erika wondered how Tegoshi would react to that.
The impromptu party was fun. No, it was super fun. In a matter of hours she felt positive about living with Kisumai... They'll keep up the energy, the house would be in high-spirits, and music would fill the air. And since the house is wide, dancing might be a daily scenario too!
"Happy birthday Erika," a soft, low voice disrupted her thinking. Tamamori. The only one who could observe her deepest thoughts.
"Thank you," she answered in a soft voice matching her boyfriend. Everything was different from the time Erika and Miki were the only residents of the house, to the time when Tama and Miyata lived here, to the time when they left, and today that the whole group's living with them. Everything was fast-paced. When the house was quiet again Erika and Tamamori stayed in the living room. It's the place where they held their 'talks', and most of their 'fights'.
"You said you liked me since day one?" She clarified, in case it was an overstatement.
"Yes. How about you? You liked me since the day you gave me the post-it?" He took a little paper out of his pocket, the one Erika gave him before he left. It was full of doodles and in the center were the words I LIKE YOU TOO.
"No, not since that! That's so recent!" She irately punched his arm. "I guess... Since day one too?"
"Look at that!" Tamamori randomly danced. He smoothly pulled Erika and he danced her around the room. "Don't speak." He gently placed his finger on Erika's lips. She shivered, and although she tried to remain calm, she cannot shut up her mouth. "Ssssh!" Tamamori pouted, the natural pout which was one of the things Erika noticed since the first day. She took an instant liking to it, and now she loves it. "Tama! You know I can't withstand being mute!"
"Can you withstand me?" He pouted more. Now Erika wants to smooch him. But before she can say it out loud Tama leaned forward and indulged her in a sweet, deep kiss.
**