[Multi-chapter] Change Me - Chapter Three: Two Brats Getting Along
This is way overdue for Nino's birthday. :D Hope you'll like it! :))
As always, this is unbeta-ed so tell me if there are any errors and mistakes. Comments, suggestions, reactions and criticisms are gladly welcomed. Happy reading! :)
Words: 1,950
Chapter Three
Two Brats Getting Along
After rebelliously locking herself inside her room the entire day, Seira finally gave in to her mother, who’s been tirelessly knocking and calling for her from outside.
“Seira…” Her mother uttered as soon as she opens the door, giving her a reprimanding look. “You’re not a little kid anymore so don’t act like one.” She added with her usual calm and mellow voice.
“If of all you stop treating me as one then maybe I’ll act accordingly.” Seira boldly retorts back and her mother look at her disappointedly. “I’m just saying, I’m already twenty-three years old, I don’t need punishments at this age. It’s embarrassing.”
“Your father just wanted you to be more responsible, you can’t be dependent on him for the rest of your life.”
“I would not be.” Seira assured defensively.
“So when will that be?” Her mother asked. “Most girls your age are earning their own money already. They have a job and a secured future early on. What about you?”
Seira sighed irritably. “Do you doubt me as well, Mom?” She asked, sounding hurt.
Tomoko is quick to shake her head. “I just think that your father and I spoiled you a little bit.” She honestly shared, making Seira’s eyebrows knit together. “I don’t doubt you, Seira. I know you’re capable. You just need to have a little bit of faith in yourself.”
“Mom…” Seira shakes it off, she knows they’re going into that topic again.
“Ahh…” Her mother stood up from the bed and claps her hands together as if she remembers something. “Yuji is at this party, I asked him to bring you along.”
“I don’t want to.” Seira stubbornly refused.
“Come on, Sei-chan. You love parties, do you?” Her mother continued convincing. “And besides, it’s Nino-kun’s birthday. Didn’t you have a wonderful time dancing together during our party?” She puts in implicitly.
Seira looked at her mother and she knows that she’s implying something with that.
There’s nothing noteworthy happening that night though. They just dance and robbed the bar with alcohol along with the rest of her brother’s friends. And then her mother commented the morning after that they looked good together and Yuji just sniggered offensively at the thought.
“Come on.” Tomoko pats Seira on the back, pushing her to the dresser. “Pick something sexy.”
There are no clothes up on the rack, only the scattered ones down in her open-faced suitcase.
“I don’t even have clothes here.” Seira grumpily complained. “And all my things are in LA.”
“I’m sure we can find a way to ship all your stuff here.”
“Or I can go to LA and pack my things then go back here.” Seira suggested with a grin.
“There are other ways that doesn’t require you to get on a plane.” Her mother flatly said. “Your father wouldn’t allow you to leave his sight.”
Seira pouted disappointedly, dropping lazily into her bed as she freely let her mother pick clothes from her messy pile.
~~~
Her mother picked a dark blue mini-dress with a flowy, pleated skirt and a strappy wedge shoes. She might be a fifty-something middle aged lady but Takasugi Tomoko is arguably one of the best dressers in the entertainment industry. Seira took after her when it comes to fashion, they both love dressing up more than anything, and now she wonders why her father never reprimanded her for buying new clothes, shoes and bags almost every week. It’s just unfair on her part.
“Seira.” Someone called her from behind and she saw Matsumoto Jun approaching her. “You look good.” He commented as soon as he got to her side.
“I always do.” Seira answered smugly, flaunting her flowy skirt by twirling her waist. Someone came up beside Jun and witnessed what she did. Then she found out it was Aiba Masaki after looking at him carefully.
Jun began introducing them and Aiba is enthusiastic to meet her, saying that he’s been hearing a lot about her since her parents’ party. Seira was shocked to hear that and Jun has to nudge Aiba with his elbow to shut him up.
“Shun’s smitten by you.” Jun told her and she found herself blushing a bit. “Anyways, have you seen Nino yet?” He’s pretty quick to notice the atmosphere and changed the topic.
“No. I just arrived a few minutes ago.” She answered.
Jun and Aiba looked around the crowd to look for someone, positively, for Nino.
“Ah. There he is.” Aiba pointed on something from Seira’s back and she turned around to find Nino a few inches away from her, talking to some people.
“Go and greet the birthday boy.” Aiba told her and Jun supported by nodding his head.
“He’s talking to someone.” Seira said with small laugh.
“They’re just our staff. It’s okay, really.” Jun uncrossed his arms from his chest and pushed her lightly towards Nino’s location and before she knew it, he has pushed her by Nino’s side.
“Hey Nino, look who I saw.” Jun tried to get his attention and Nino’s eyes fell on her.
The birthday boy’s face brightens up and he breaks into a sweet smile.
“Seira.” Nino uttered, the smile is still plastered across his face.
“Happy birthday.” Seira greeted him and she’s slowly sensing the atmosphere beginning to change awkwardly.
It was Jun and Aiba presence that made it unbearable. Seira is pretty sure that Aiba is chuckling almost breathlessly behind her, carefully not letting a sound out and Jun, being the good actor that he is, remained poker faced beneath his chiseled facial features.
“Ah, Michiru’s here, I’ll just get to her.” Jun’s eyes are on the entrance and when Seira curiously looked at where he’s looking, a girl entered the bar just by herself.
“I’m going to look for Leader.” Aiba also made his excuse and disappeared.
Nino exactly knew what his friends are doing and he made a mental note to get back on them later.
Jun kept on pestering him since the Takasugi’s party, asking about ‘What happened in LA?’ every chance he gets. Even the members know Jun’s made-up story now.
“Is there something I need to know?” Seira suddenly asked. “I mean, they are acting suspiciously.”
Nino is quick to reassure. “No.” He sounded slightly defensive. “They just love playing around for no reason, just to annoy.”
“Ohh..” Seira replied, still not very convinced.
“So, how are you coping up?” Nino asked to change the topic. Seira looked confused and then he realized that maybe he shouldn’t have come up with that question.
“Yuji told you?” Seira said with utter frustration. “He’s such a bad mouth! He’s embarrassing me!” She puts a hand on her forehead, trying to cover her eyes.
“I’m pretty sure that he didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Nino felt the need to quickly console her. “When he asked me if he can bring you here, he kinda told me about what happened.”
“But it’s very embarrassing!” Seira is still hiding with her hands on her face. “I bet you see me now as some dependent useless spoiled brat…”
“No, I didn’t. Don’t think like that.” Nino answered. Although he slightly wondered how she really is, that even her own brother could say something delicate about her.
“The members call me a brat as well. Even my own fans call me one. I don’t even know them personally and yet they say that about me.” He laughed, relieving the tension.
Seira chuckled under her hands and then she slowly pulled out her hand from her face with a small smile.
So, she wasn’t that hard to please, Nino thought after seeing the change in her expression. That’s a good thing. She may be a brat but at least she’s still the same bubbly and cheerful girl he knew.
Without any warning, Nino took her hand and pulled her towards the bar counter. “Come on. What do you want to drink?”
~~~
The night went on with Seira not leaving Nino’s side, even when Oguri Shun would come and try to lure her into his company or even when Yuji commented that the birthday boy should entertain the rest of the guest not just one person. Of course, that earned a raising eyebrow from everyone who has heard.
Nino also introduced Seira to the last Arashi member she’s yet to meet, Ohno Satoshi. Surprisingly out of his image, he’s pretty hyper and talkative, wrapping an arm around Nino and calling him Nino-chan. Nino then whispered that their leader has reached his alcohol limit.
“So Arashi have girlfriends, huh?” Seira mentioned. She’s in a table with Nino and Sho.
“Not me.” Sho retorted back with a laugh. “Actually, it’s just Matsumoto.” He looked at Nino with conversing eyes and Nino nodded at once.
“They’re fairly a new couple. I can’t really say if they will last or not. Given how career-driven, Michiru-chan is...” Nino said, looking at Jun’s direction, he’s got an arm around a girl’s waist, kissing in the middle of the dance floor.
“He looks really in love though.” Seira mumbled, watching the couple.
“Jun-kun always falls hard, anyways.” Nino told her and it came as a surprise. She can’t picture Matsumoto Jun as softie, head over heels in love.
Seira turned to Nino. “Don’t you have a girlfriend?” She asked abruptly.
Nino was sudden by her question and she even caught Nino and Sho exchanging meaningful looks.
“I don’t have right now.” Nino answered. “Like Sho-chan said, Jun-kun is the only one that’s in a relationship at the moment.” He staggered uneasily as he says that.
“Don’t you have a boyfriend, Seira?” Sho comes to the rescue before Nino starts breaking into cold sweat.
Seira snorted at the question. “I don’t have one and even if I did, I might have to break-up with him because my family is taking me hostage.” She glances at Nino knowingly, leaving Sho cluelessly smiling at what she just said.
~~~
The party ended just before four in the morning and Nino’s guest are saying their goodbyes and birthday greetings before they get into their cars or before hailing a taxi in the street.
Seira and Yuji hangs out by the bar entrance, watching everyone leave before they go home.
“It was a great success, thanks for planning this, really.” Nino finally sends everyone off and Yuji and Seira are the only ones left.
“No problem.” Yuji answered proudly.
“My own brother doesn’t even plan a surprise party for me, how disappointing.” Seira commented.
“Shut up.” Yuji answers back. Apparently, they are still fighting. “Even if I don’t plan one for you, you will plan it yourself anyways.”
“Seriously, you guys are still fighting until now?” Nino laughed.
“I will never forgive him for what he did.” Seira remains firm on her stand.
“I just told Nino what happened, it’s not like I invented stuff.” Yuji defended.
“You say things that should only remain as a family matter.” Seira answered back.
Nino finally gets in between the arguing siblings pushed them arms apart.
“I will not tell anyone about that, Seira, I promise. Calm down, okay?” Nino told her, his arms flung obliviously around her shoulder.
“We have to go now, Seira, let Nino rest. Unlike you, we both have work tomorrow.” Yuji said walking over to his car. Nino and Seira followed along, while she make faces behind her brother’s back.
“We should go out some time… For dinner or something.” Nino suggested, keeping his voice down before Yuji can hear.
“That would be nice.” Seira replied in the same tone. “But remember? I’m broke.” They giggled silently.
“Don’t worry about that.” Nino whispered reassuringly.
A/N: As you all know (and for those who haven't read the past Jun/ Sho fics) they are all part of a series. And this fic happened earlier than the two completed ones. For those who have read A Beautiful Mess, remember when Yana had this conversation about Jun's ex? It is said there that Jun had a girlfriend in 2007 and it so happened that this Nino fic happened around that time. So here you get to meet Jun's special girl before he found Yana. :D
As always, this is unbeta-ed so tell me if there are any errors and mistakes. Comments, suggestions, reactions and criticisms are gladly welcomed. Happy reading! :)
Words: 1,950
Chapter Three
Two Brats Getting Along
After rebelliously locking herself inside her room the entire day, Seira finally gave in to her mother, who’s been tirelessly knocking and calling for her from outside.
“Seira…” Her mother uttered as soon as she opens the door, giving her a reprimanding look. “You’re not a little kid anymore so don’t act like one.” She added with her usual calm and mellow voice.
“If of all you stop treating me as one then maybe I’ll act accordingly.” Seira boldly retorts back and her mother look at her disappointedly. “I’m just saying, I’m already twenty-three years old, I don’t need punishments at this age. It’s embarrassing.”
“Your father just wanted you to be more responsible, you can’t be dependent on him for the rest of your life.”
“I would not be.” Seira assured defensively.
“So when will that be?” Her mother asked. “Most girls your age are earning their own money already. They have a job and a secured future early on. What about you?”
Seira sighed irritably. “Do you doubt me as well, Mom?” She asked, sounding hurt.
Tomoko is quick to shake her head. “I just think that your father and I spoiled you a little bit.” She honestly shared, making Seira’s eyebrows knit together. “I don’t doubt you, Seira. I know you’re capable. You just need to have a little bit of faith in yourself.”
“Mom…” Seira shakes it off, she knows they’re going into that topic again.
“Ahh…” Her mother stood up from the bed and claps her hands together as if she remembers something. “Yuji is at this party, I asked him to bring you along.”
“I don’t want to.” Seira stubbornly refused.
“Come on, Sei-chan. You love parties, do you?” Her mother continued convincing. “And besides, it’s Nino-kun’s birthday. Didn’t you have a wonderful time dancing together during our party?” She puts in implicitly.
Seira looked at her mother and she knows that she’s implying something with that.
There’s nothing noteworthy happening that night though. They just dance and robbed the bar with alcohol along with the rest of her brother’s friends. And then her mother commented the morning after that they looked good together and Yuji just sniggered offensively at the thought.
“Come on.” Tomoko pats Seira on the back, pushing her to the dresser. “Pick something sexy.”
There are no clothes up on the rack, only the scattered ones down in her open-faced suitcase.
“I don’t even have clothes here.” Seira grumpily complained. “And all my things are in LA.”
“I’m sure we can find a way to ship all your stuff here.”
“Or I can go to LA and pack my things then go back here.” Seira suggested with a grin.
“There are other ways that doesn’t require you to get on a plane.” Her mother flatly said. “Your father wouldn’t allow you to leave his sight.”
Seira pouted disappointedly, dropping lazily into her bed as she freely let her mother pick clothes from her messy pile.
~~~
Her mother picked a dark blue mini-dress with a flowy, pleated skirt and a strappy wedge shoes. She might be a fifty-something middle aged lady but Takasugi Tomoko is arguably one of the best dressers in the entertainment industry. Seira took after her when it comes to fashion, they both love dressing up more than anything, and now she wonders why her father never reprimanded her for buying new clothes, shoes and bags almost every week. It’s just unfair on her part.
“Seira.” Someone called her from behind and she saw Matsumoto Jun approaching her. “You look good.” He commented as soon as he got to her side.
“I always do.” Seira answered smugly, flaunting her flowy skirt by twirling her waist. Someone came up beside Jun and witnessed what she did. Then she found out it was Aiba Masaki after looking at him carefully.
Jun began introducing them and Aiba is enthusiastic to meet her, saying that he’s been hearing a lot about her since her parents’ party. Seira was shocked to hear that and Jun has to nudge Aiba with his elbow to shut him up.
“Shun’s smitten by you.” Jun told her and she found herself blushing a bit. “Anyways, have you seen Nino yet?” He’s pretty quick to notice the atmosphere and changed the topic.
“No. I just arrived a few minutes ago.” She answered.
Jun and Aiba looked around the crowd to look for someone, positively, for Nino.
“Ah. There he is.” Aiba pointed on something from Seira’s back and she turned around to find Nino a few inches away from her, talking to some people.
“Go and greet the birthday boy.” Aiba told her and Jun supported by nodding his head.
“He’s talking to someone.” Seira said with small laugh.
“They’re just our staff. It’s okay, really.” Jun uncrossed his arms from his chest and pushed her lightly towards Nino’s location and before she knew it, he has pushed her by Nino’s side.
“Hey Nino, look who I saw.” Jun tried to get his attention and Nino’s eyes fell on her.
The birthday boy’s face brightens up and he breaks into a sweet smile.
“Seira.” Nino uttered, the smile is still plastered across his face.
“Happy birthday.” Seira greeted him and she’s slowly sensing the atmosphere beginning to change awkwardly.
It was Jun and Aiba presence that made it unbearable. Seira is pretty sure that Aiba is chuckling almost breathlessly behind her, carefully not letting a sound out and Jun, being the good actor that he is, remained poker faced beneath his chiseled facial features.
“Ah, Michiru’s here, I’ll just get to her.” Jun’s eyes are on the entrance and when Seira curiously looked at where he’s looking, a girl entered the bar just by herself.
“I’m going to look for Leader.” Aiba also made his excuse and disappeared.
Nino exactly knew what his friends are doing and he made a mental note to get back on them later.
Jun kept on pestering him since the Takasugi’s party, asking about ‘What happened in LA?’ every chance he gets. Even the members know Jun’s made-up story now.
“Is there something I need to know?” Seira suddenly asked. “I mean, they are acting suspiciously.”
Nino is quick to reassure. “No.” He sounded slightly defensive. “They just love playing around for no reason, just to annoy.”
“Ohh..” Seira replied, still not very convinced.
“So, how are you coping up?” Nino asked to change the topic. Seira looked confused and then he realized that maybe he shouldn’t have come up with that question.
“Yuji told you?” Seira said with utter frustration. “He’s such a bad mouth! He’s embarrassing me!” She puts a hand on her forehead, trying to cover her eyes.
“I’m pretty sure that he didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Nino felt the need to quickly console her. “When he asked me if he can bring you here, he kinda told me about what happened.”
“But it’s very embarrassing!” Seira is still hiding with her hands on her face. “I bet you see me now as some dependent useless spoiled brat…”
“No, I didn’t. Don’t think like that.” Nino answered. Although he slightly wondered how she really is, that even her own brother could say something delicate about her.
“The members call me a brat as well. Even my own fans call me one. I don’t even know them personally and yet they say that about me.” He laughed, relieving the tension.
Seira chuckled under her hands and then she slowly pulled out her hand from her face with a small smile.
So, she wasn’t that hard to please, Nino thought after seeing the change in her expression. That’s a good thing. She may be a brat but at least she’s still the same bubbly and cheerful girl he knew.
Without any warning, Nino took her hand and pulled her towards the bar counter. “Come on. What do you want to drink?”
~~~
The night went on with Seira not leaving Nino’s side, even when Oguri Shun would come and try to lure her into his company or even when Yuji commented that the birthday boy should entertain the rest of the guest not just one person. Of course, that earned a raising eyebrow from everyone who has heard.
Nino also introduced Seira to the last Arashi member she’s yet to meet, Ohno Satoshi. Surprisingly out of his image, he’s pretty hyper and talkative, wrapping an arm around Nino and calling him Nino-chan. Nino then whispered that their leader has reached his alcohol limit.
“So Arashi have girlfriends, huh?” Seira mentioned. She’s in a table with Nino and Sho.
“Not me.” Sho retorted back with a laugh. “Actually, it’s just Matsumoto.” He looked at Nino with conversing eyes and Nino nodded at once.
“They’re fairly a new couple. I can’t really say if they will last or not. Given how career-driven, Michiru-chan is...” Nino said, looking at Jun’s direction, he’s got an arm around a girl’s waist, kissing in the middle of the dance floor.
“He looks really in love though.” Seira mumbled, watching the couple.
“Jun-kun always falls hard, anyways.” Nino told her and it came as a surprise. She can’t picture Matsumoto Jun as softie, head over heels in love.
Seira turned to Nino. “Don’t you have a girlfriend?” She asked abruptly.
Nino was sudden by her question and she even caught Nino and Sho exchanging meaningful looks.
“I don’t have right now.” Nino answered. “Like Sho-chan said, Jun-kun is the only one that’s in a relationship at the moment.” He staggered uneasily as he says that.
“Don’t you have a boyfriend, Seira?” Sho comes to the rescue before Nino starts breaking into cold sweat.
Seira snorted at the question. “I don’t have one and even if I did, I might have to break-up with him because my family is taking me hostage.” She glances at Nino knowingly, leaving Sho cluelessly smiling at what she just said.
~~~
The party ended just before four in the morning and Nino’s guest are saying their goodbyes and birthday greetings before they get into their cars or before hailing a taxi in the street.
Seira and Yuji hangs out by the bar entrance, watching everyone leave before they go home.
“It was a great success, thanks for planning this, really.” Nino finally sends everyone off and Yuji and Seira are the only ones left.
“No problem.” Yuji answered proudly.
“My own brother doesn’t even plan a surprise party for me, how disappointing.” Seira commented.
“Shut up.” Yuji answers back. Apparently, they are still fighting. “Even if I don’t plan one for you, you will plan it yourself anyways.”
“Seriously, you guys are still fighting until now?” Nino laughed.
“I will never forgive him for what he did.” Seira remains firm on her stand.
“I just told Nino what happened, it’s not like I invented stuff.” Yuji defended.
“You say things that should only remain as a family matter.” Seira answered back.
Nino finally gets in between the arguing siblings pushed them arms apart.
“I will not tell anyone about that, Seira, I promise. Calm down, okay?” Nino told her, his arms flung obliviously around her shoulder.
“We have to go now, Seira, let Nino rest. Unlike you, we both have work tomorrow.” Yuji said walking over to his car. Nino and Seira followed along, while she make faces behind her brother’s back.
“We should go out some time… For dinner or something.” Nino suggested, keeping his voice down before Yuji can hear.
“That would be nice.” Seira replied in the same tone. “But remember? I’m broke.” They giggled silently.
“Don’t worry about that.” Nino whispered reassuringly.
A/N: As you all know (and for those who haven't read the past Jun/ Sho fics) they are all part of a series. And this fic happened earlier than the two completed ones. For those who have read A Beautiful Mess, remember when Yana had this conversation about Jun's ex? It is said there that Jun had a girlfriend in 2007 and it so happened that this Nino fic happened around that time. So here you get to meet Jun's special girl before he found Yana. :D