Tanabata 愛 << If it was hard for me it should be harder on him >>
Chapter 6
Sounds of clicks and flashes filled the ballroom as soon as both entered the room. The press conference will also be broadcasted live exclusively on Nishikido’s news portal apart from Sakurai Corporations media portal. His father tried to stop it but when his grandfather, one of the key executives and one of the major shareholders insisted that their employee should know the truth, his father had no more excuse to stop it.
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Both Sho and Masaki bowed politely to the reporters before taking their seat. Sho looked at his love who is taking a deep breath and squeezed the other hand under the table, to calm him before starting his speech.
“Firstly, I would like to apologise to our family, friends and everyone in Sakurai Corporations for all the fuss from the rumours involving me these past days. To avoid more rumours and confusion, we will answer your questions as much as possible within our means however I hope for your cooperation and understanding to avoid questions that may caused any damage to our company as this press conference is about us not the business.” Hands were raised as soon as Sho end his opening speech.
Q: “Seeing both of you come together, can we assume the marriage news is true? That both of you were married and kept it in secret in the past 6 years? And how long have you known each other?”
Sho smiled at his nervous lover in his left before answering the questions.
S: Yes! The news about our marriage is true and the photos released were taken during our wedding. We’ve known and dated each other in the last 15 years ago till we decided to make it official and got married in Hawaii 6 years ago.
Q: But why it was kept as a secret, Is there any rejection from your family? Or do they know but insist to keep it as a secret due to family reputations.
This time Sho took a deep breath before answering.
S: Other than our grandparents and our three close friends in the photos, no one know about our marriage including my parents so to say they kept it a secret for the sake of the family reputation is totally wrong. I’m sorry that they had to find out about our marriage in this way although this is not what I’ve planned. As why it was a secret, well I don’t think it will be easy for my parents to accept the fact that their eldest heir is a gay and is in love with another man. Maybe it is true that I do think of our reputation and I admit I was a coward at that time. As the eldest son, it was my responsibilities to continue the family business which my grandfather and my father built through a lot of hardships. Sakurai Corporation was not only about us but all the employees, stake holders and their families who worked hard to build it to what it is now and depending on it to support their families. I want to be able to contribute to the stability of the company, so they don’t have to worry about losing their job before I decided to announce to the world about it. I wanted to announce it when people can see my capability and Sakurai Corporation capability as it is without getting influence by my own interest.
Q: So, the rumours about the possible marriage between you and the daughter of Ogawa group and the pregnancy are not true. So, she was not pregnant?
S: Yes, it was false rumours. It was true that our families met for dinner occasionally which of course Aiba-san was also aware of this, but it was a normal dinner between family friends who had known each other for a long time. As everyone knows, our father are best friends since they were in college and of course we as their kids had known each other since childhood but our relationship was nothing more than that especially after I went to middle school where I spent most of my time in my grandparents’ home. As about the pregnancy, I don’t think I’m in any position to comment since I don’t know anything about it but the rumours of the possibility it may be my child was false.
Q: My questions to Aiba-san, I’m sorry if my questions may sound offending, but it was hard to understand how you accepted this situation. Is there any special reason?
Sho took his hand in his and squeezed it under the table to tell him it will be fine.
A: If your special reason referring to anything material my answer is no but if you asked me for my own special reason it will be because I’ve met a wonderful man who is always by my side and love me as what I am without caring about my status. Yes, it was hard and frankly there were times when I want to give up on this relationship, especially when I saw other couples expressing their love openly, but we must hide it even when we were together we must pretend to be friends. I even told him to break off our relationship when I first know who he is. But as it was hard for me it should be harder on him. While protecting me so I can lead my normal life and protecting our love, he also needs to protect his family, the corporation and everyone that depending their life on it. But instead of giving up, he continued to work hard to fulfil his responsibilities and I know I won’t be able to find another amazing guy like him, so I decided to stay with him and support him.
A loud of round of applause heard in the ballroom that made Aiba blushed, Sho smiled at his shy reactions. After few more serious questions, they became more relax and even the reporters started to ask more relaxing questions related to their relationship.
Q: How did both of you met?
S: We met during summer vacation 15 years ago when I was in grade 9. I followed my grandparents to visit a farm nearby to their vacation home in Chiba. He was my saviour. I was almost stepped by a horse when I fell from it. It was so scary, and I thought that will be the end of my life but fortunately, Masaki was fast to pull the horse away before it ran over me.
Q: So, you fell for him because he saved you?
The other reporter asked half teasing the couple.
S: Hmm… I won’t say that I fell for him because of that but he did attract my attention because of that incident but after we are spending some time together in the farm during my stay, I fell for his beauty and laugh. He is like a happy virus that made me laugh along whenever he laughed.
A big wooo heard in the ballroom.
A: Stop lying and made me blushed. Please don’t believe him, he is just lying.
Aiba can feel the heat on his face and everyone were laughing along with his comment. The serious and awkward environment were gone. The casual atmosphere calmed them.
Q: I was wondering if your disappearance every once a year had anything to do with your marriage and where you usually spend your time together since no one manage to capture both of you till recently.
S: Yes! That is the only time we can spent our time as who we are. Since our birthday are 33 days apart so we use the days in between to spend it together and to be able to celebrate our birthdays together in our vacation home. Our friends called us the Tanabata couple since we only spent time together once a year. We do travel together regionally or to foreign countries. Well thanks to my efficient secretary we manage to enjoy our times peacefully.
Q: Aiba-san, what do you love the most about Sakurai-san, Is he your first love?
A: First love? Hmm… I think so, as you can see he is a handsome man now, but he was more handsome when he was young, and he was cleverer than me.
Sho looked at him with narrowed eyes while the reporters were laughing at his reactions before Aiba continued with his reason.
A: He is someone who taught me, who only know nothing more of my family restaurant, about a lot of other things. I used to think that taking over my family business was enough, but he taught me to be someone better. Seeing him working hard to achieve his dream, it’s inspired me to have a dream too and he always supported and encouraged me to chase after it. I can proudly say that I am what I am today because of him. Because he was by my side that I manage to achieve it.
S: Well after all he is my first love.
Sho reply gain another laugh from everyone who love to see their playfulness.
Q: You are also aware there were rumours about you and Matsumoto-san among those in the culinary world. Are you aware of this Sakurai-san?”
Both laughed at the questions as they talked about it before.
S&A: Yes, we are aware of it and we just laughed it off.
A: Jun and I met in Culinary academy and we became good friend easily since we have the same interest in cooking and promised to start a restaurant together when he came back to Japan after completing his studies in France. But since I’m tight with my Chinese restaurant and know nothing of French cuisine, we’ve decided that I will only be one of the investors while Jun take charge of it.
S: I’ve known Jun as long as Masaki know him so there is no issue of jealousy and the five of us are close friends. We are closer than brothers or family. I hope this will also clear the misunderstanding about their relationship. Since Matsumoto-san had been complaining that he can’t date because of us.
Everyone laughed including Jun who was standing at the end of the room with Nino and Satoshi. Satoshi came forward to inform them their time is up and there is one last announcement from both.
S: Once again we would like to thank everyone for coming today. We hope we manage to clear all the misunderstandings and we will be allowed to lead our life like other couples. We also hope, no one will be pointing fingers to the company or our family for our choice.
Sho took a deep breath and look at Masaki who is nodding his head to show him his encouragement before delivering the last news.
S: Before we end, I would like to announce that I am resigning from my position as Chief Operating Officer of Sakurai Corporation as of today. My brother, Shu Sakurai will be taking over my position. He had been learning from me these past years, although he may need more guidance but please put your trust in him and I hope you will look kindly upon him.
Q: Last questions, do you resign because of this issue? Did both of you plan to start a business together?
S: No, it had always been my dream to start my own business independently from my parents. But like I said I have my own responsibilities to make sure Sakurai Corporation is stable and there will be someone to continue taking care of the business when I left. I think this will be the right time for it. We will not be setting up the same business together. I will be focusing on setting up my own business consulting firm along with my secretary who is also my best friend, Ohno Satoshi. Masaki will be focusing on his restaurant business and franchising along with Matsumoto Jun and our best friend Ninomiya Kazunari who had been helping him in managing the Chinese restaurant.
Q: So, both of you are going to pursue different businesses?
A: We may be pursuing different business, but as we had been doing now, we will keep rooting and supporting each other. Jule's Le Bistro will be Sakurai Sho and Ohno Satoshi first clients since we need a consultant’s advice to expand our restaurant franchising. So, Sakurai-san, おねがいしますplease take care of us and give us a good price for using your services.
Everyone laughed seeing both bowing to each other. Both posed lovingly for the reporters before they were joined by their three close friends who are always by their side before and left the room.
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They were relieved with the good reaction that they received during the conference and now there is one more hurdle they need to cross. Sho wanted to go alone but Masaki insisted to follow him. Satoshi drove them to Sho’s parents house and as expected Ogawa family was there too. All eyes on both and Masaki can feel how much he was hated by them only Sho’s siblings were welcoming him. The Ogawa family stared at him with full of hatred, it didn’t bother him and but not Sho. “I’m sorry, Ogawa-san, but I don’t think you have any right to stare at him or look at him like that. It was not his fault or my fault when both you and my father decided to make a gay like me a scapegoat.” Sho said firmly standing in front of Masaki as if shielded him from the older man anger. “What a shameless person, how dare you came here after what you did?” Mrs Ogawa said. Masaki was holding his tears, he stopped Sho from saying anything when he heard Sho’s father’s voice. “If you want to talk to me, asked him to leave. He was not welcome here. I can’t accept him as part of my family.” Although he expected this will happen, Sho can’t help to be disappointed in his father. He wanted to answer him, but his mother voiced up first. “Why he needs to leave and not welcome here when he is part of our family. Whether you like it or not, he is your son in law.” This was the first time Sho saw his mother go against his father which shocked him, Masaki and his two younger siblings. “Are you in your right mind to accept that shameless guy as your son in law?” His father asked. His tone clearly shown his anger. Sho heard soft sobs from the one behind him. He felt guilty because of him, Masaki had to face this. “Shameless? If you think he was shameless for loving your son, then that make your son no different from him because they love each other. At least he didn’t sleep around unlike the woman who you chose to be your daughter in law and Ogawa-san, I’ve been keeping silence because of our husband friendship but you have no right to call my son in law shameless when your daughter is the shameless one hoping to be my daughter in law after sleeping around and got pregnant without knowing the father. What a shameless person are you to be in my house and show your almighty attitude towards my son in law.” As if a cat caught her tongue, Mrs Ogawa can’t answer his mother and looked at her husband. “Sakurai-san is this how you treasure our long friendship?” Mr Ogawa asked in anger and shoot a laser stare to Sho’s father. “Choose between us, your family or your best friend. It’s up to your choice. I’m tired of this stupid friendship. If this friendship which you appreciated so much meant to clean their mess every time it’s happened, I’m sorry, I’m not going to accept it. Now the decision is in your hand. Stop this stupid friendship or lost your family.” His mother said before his father can answer Mr Ogawa.
His mother walked away and called Sho, Masaki and his younger siblings to follow her. “Let’s go kids, your father needs time to think. Let’s go and gave him as much time as he needed till he can make a wise decision”. Sho asked them to wait for a while because he has something to tell and to give to his father. “Father, I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you, but as much as I want to follow what you said, I can’t jeopardize my happiness for your friendship and Masaki is my happiness which I want to protect. This is my resignation letter. Shu is ready to take over the job from me and I’m sure he will do well. Satoshi will still be in the company for next two weeks to help Shu get used to it before he joins me setting up our own new company. Good bye, Father, please be healthy.” Sho said and left. “Mum! Are you sure you want to leave him alone? I think he needs you now.” Sho tried to stop his mother from leaving but it seemed they had already prepared for this seeing all the luggage that they brought along with them. “Sometime! You need to leave them alone for them to realise your worth. If both of you not in rush, follow us to your grandfather house. I need to speak to both of you especially Masaki.” His mother replied looking right into Masaki eyes for the first time that night. Sho nodded his head and asked Satoshi to drive them there. His mother rode in his brother’s car along with his sister.