I Do... Not *Chapter 6*
I'm Back!! Yey! :DD
Chapter 6
It’s been three weeks and the upcoming drama series comeback for Jin is the talk of the town. Everyone’s hyped up and the media is all over them, the pairing of Jin and Takako got the media and fans suspicious on what’s behind the excessive publicity.
“Have you seen this?” Yamapi held up a gossip magazine in his hand.
Jin smugly looked at him, rolling his eyes and throwing himself on the couch. “Tell me something I don’t know...” he said, turning on the TV. “If it’s about my so-called alcoholic problem or my extreme partying, please Yamashita, spare me.” he said sarcastically.
“It’s different from that...” Yamapi said, joining Jin on the couch. “They are suspecting that the Jimusho is into something...” Jin looked at Yamapi with a puzzled look. “Excessive PR. Your projects are all with her. Cancellation of your US tour... I think the media knew something fishy is going on.”
“I’ve seen that coming...” Jin said. “We’re forced together, we are everywhere to the point that it’s annoying already.”
“So, you’re not bothered by this?” Yamapi asked, showing him the magazine.
“I don’t care. I think Johnny-san is more bothered than anyone else. I wonder what damage control he will do now that the media has already picked up his game.” Jin smirked.
Yamapi laughed. “How are things going with Takako? Everything’s fine?” Yamapi looked at him.
“If not talking and constant eye rolling is your definition of fine then I think we are fine.” Jin sighed. “I really don’t get it how she’s always in a bad mood, it’s been three weeks already...”
“Look who’s talking.” Yamapi chuckled.
“At least I’m trying to be nice...” Jin defended. “I’ve been striking up a conversation but she’ll just give me one-liner answers.”
“Maybe she’s not yet adjusted to the whole marriage thing.” Yamapi teased.
“Shut up!” Jin said, irritated.
“Sorry, man. Just trying to cheer you up.” Yamapi smiled.
“Talking about that will not make me cheer up. It just reminds me to my stupidity and carelessness.” Jin turned serious making Yamapi guilty for bringing it up.
“I apologize. I didn’t mean it, sorry.” Yamapi said.
“It’s fine.” Jin said getting up and coming over to the fridge to get some water.
Yamapi slapped his head. “Why are you so insensitive.” he whispered to himself. Jin is doing well this past week compared to two weeks before. He went out two days ago to party with his friends for the first time since what happened, he’s been smiling frequently too and it somehow took away the guilt that his friends had been feeling. And now, Yamapi saw the sadness in his eyes again. He got up and approached him.
“I’m really sorry.” Yamapi said, looking down on the floor.
“I told you it’s okay.” Jin forced a smile.
“I mean, I’m sorry for being drunk that night...” Yamapi’s eyes couldn’t meet his friend’s.
Jin took a deep breath, “If there’s someone to blame, it’s me. Not you or Ryo and Yuu.” Jin said.
“Somehow, I taught that there should be at least one of us who is sober enough to stop you from doing something stupid...” Yamapi explained.
“And you think it should be you?” Jin asked, seeing that Yamapi is really taking account of what happened.
Yamapi nodded. “I should be the mature one, remember?” He smiled softly. Among the four of them, Yamapi is usually the one who takes care of them whenever they get wasted on a party.
Jin smiled. “It’s Vegas, that rule is not applicable, everyone should get wasted in Vegas afterall.” Jin said, trying to cheer Yamapi up. “Anyways, it happened already, we cannot bring it back anymore.”
“You’ve been affected so much by this and we can’t help but feel guilty.” Yamapi insisted.
“It was a shock for me...” Jin said. “My life changed so much from what happened, it’s like everything was taken away from me in just a click. But as I said, we can’t bring it back anymore, what’s best is to move forward and see the future, I’m just thinking that it will get better in time.”
Silence fills the room for a while. “Instead of blaming you...” Jin broke the silence. “I’m thankful that you stick with me and remained my friend.”
Yamapi smiled. “Ewww, don’t be so cheesy Akanishi.” he exclaimed. Both men laugh and somehow, Yamapi was relieved by Jin’s words.
^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^
It was a sunny Friday morning and today is the press conference for the much awaited drama. Jin arrived at the venue and he saw the media flocking the entrance. He shakes his head and sighed, he went straight to the parking area and parked his car. He saw Takako coming out her car.
“Ohayo Gazaimasu.” Jin greeted her, Takako slightly bowed to greet him back. She continues walking without even waiting for Jin.
Jin shakes his head. She already went inside and he rushed over to her side.“If you don’t want to be friends can we just at least be civil with each other?” Jin asked. “I just want a harmonious working environment and the past three weeks is nothing beyond harmonious.”
“Let’s talk about that later.” she said, “The press conference will start soon and I still need to prepare myself.” she said, pointing on her watch as she walked to her dressing room.
Jin looked at his own watch, they only have an hour before it will start. “Promise me that we’ll talk about this later...” he said, before she can enter the room.
Takako stopped to look at him, “Meet me at the Starbucks few blocks from here later at 2 o’clock.” she instructed and entered her dressing room.
The press conference started and the media are hyped up. They showed the official trailer in the big screen and the reactions are great so far. They are filled with questions regarding the drama until one reporter asked something else.
“With the recent excessive publicity for both of you, I smell something fishy is being work inside the Jimusho. Are we expecting some announcement from the both of you regarding your private lives?” he smiled cheekily which makes Jin and Takako look at each other.
“We don’t know anything about that, you’re just overanalyzing thing. It’s just purely work for both of us.” Takako answered with a smile.
“Don’t you think working with your former boyfriend is a little awkward?” Another reporter asked, “It wasn’t confirmed by the both of you but we all know that you shared something special in the past.”
Takako looked at Jin, unsure of what to answer. Jin raised his microphone and speak, “It’s true that we were an item.” Jin announced, making Takako raised her eyebrow. “But it was in the past. We forgotten it already and now we are starting anew, as friends, as we work on this project.”
More questions are thrown at them as minute passed, the questions are getting more personal so their managers stopped the questioning and moved on with the next part of the event.
^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^
It’s 1:50pm and Jin is waiting at Starbucks with a hot cappuccino on the table. He saw Takako entering the store and approached him. “It’s been harsh, huh?” he said, seeing that she’s in bad mood again.
“They are going overboard!” she said, sitting on the chair opposite Jin.
“Expect more from them once we tell them about our “relationship”.” Jin said, she looks like she doesn’t want to talk about it so he changed the topic. “Want something?” he asked.
“No, it’s fine. I will not stay long.” she caught Jin’s eyes as she felt that awkward feeling again, a feeling that she’s been having for three weeks already. She looked down to break the stare, “The being civil thing...” she started, Jin removed his eyes on hers as he felt that she’s a bit awkward.
“I’m not asking for so much, Takako. As I said earlier, I just want a peaceful working environment.” he said, hoping the he sounds convincing for her.
She felt that he’s being serious about this so she gave in. “Okay, if that’s what you wanted. A harmonious environment is better than being cold and ignoring each other, right?” she smiled softly, making Jin’s stomach flutter.
“Right...Thank you.” he smiled and for the first time in three weeks, they smiled at each other.
“I have to go.” she said, getting up.
“Okay.” Jin said, he felt a bit sad that she had to leave. He still wants to be with her company but he realized that they both agreed to be just ‘civil’ not to be ‘friends’ outside work.
^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^
Jin left a few minutes after Takako left. He had the rest of the day as a free time but he decided to stay at home and wait for his friends invitation to go out later tonight, it’s a Friday and it means party time again. He arrived at his apartment building and was shocked to see someone familiar on the lobby, he stopped dead on his tracks.
“Jin!!” she exclaimed as she went over his direction and gave him a hug.
“Suki...” he said, puzzled. “It’s been a while...” he said, escaping the hug to hear her answer.
“I know.” she smiled brightly. “I wanted to surprise you.” she leaned closer for his lips.
“Wait...” he stopped her. “You said that you’ll be gone for a year...there’s still two months...”
“I was needed here so they called me back early.” she explained. “I jumped for joy when I heard that I’ll be going back. I love it in New York but I love Tokyo more. It’s my home!”
“You’re back for good?” Jin asked and she nodded happily. “That’s great!” Jin exclaimed as he tried to level up with her excitement.
Suki is a model slash fashion designer. They met at a party and became friends... with benefits, and soon after they became a couple, it was what she wanted and he gave in to her. Suki is not the like usual escort that Jin plays with. She’s a high class model who comes from a very influential family, they are very well known in the fashion industry and she’s on her way to inheriting the whole fashion empire of her parents. She’s loves to party but not wild, she grows up in the elite circle but she’s very down-to-earth, she’s very sweet but not clingy, just the perfect mix for a perfect girl. Jin thought that she’s the right person he’s been looking for, the right girl who will knock him off his feet again and falls head over heels in love with. It’s been a bliss for them at the beginning of their relationship, but one month into it, she received an invitation to do internship for Tory Burch in New York and she couldn’t say no to it, not only did her parents want her to come but it was also her dream to do internship for a foreign brand. Jin didn’t want her to go but he never got the chance to say it to her because she’s so excited and happy, he didn’t want to give her any burden so he pretended to support her.
When she left, they started to have a long-distance relationship but it didn’t work, both of them are very busy and rarely gets the chance to talk over the phone. They broke up a month after she left Tokyo but they made a deal to wait until she comes back to Tokyo and see it from there if they can still go on with their relationship. Jin went back to his old ways, sleeping and messing around with random girls. They never maintained their communication, so as his friends, so he feels that she’s enjoying the good life in New York and he never thought that she’ll return to Tokyo anymore even if her contract is only for a year. Suki is very determined when it comes to her career, she’s pressured to be the best like her mother and an opportunity in New York will make her even more successful than her parents.
“I thought you’ll never go back here...” he said as the take a seat on the living room.
“I told you that I’ll be back, right?” she said, “I missed you so much.” she moved closer and they kissed. It was deep and passionate just like before but she feels something is not right, something in his kiss makes her suspect that.
She pulled from him and ran her fingers on his hair, “Something’s wrong?” she asked, afraid of what will he answer.
Jin didn’t know how to respond, he doesn’t know how will he react with her coming back, he never expected that in the middle of all the mess in his life, the girl who was once special to him will comes back. He doesn’t want hurt her, he knows that she’ll be devastated when she finds out that the man she trust has gotten married.
“Nothing.” he faked a smile. “I’m glad that you’re back.”
to be continued...
Chapter 6
It’s been three weeks and the upcoming drama series comeback for Jin is the talk of the town. Everyone’s hyped up and the media is all over them, the pairing of Jin and Takako got the media and fans suspicious on what’s behind the excessive publicity.
“Have you seen this?” Yamapi held up a gossip magazine in his hand.
Jin smugly looked at him, rolling his eyes and throwing himself on the couch. “Tell me something I don’t know...” he said, turning on the TV. “If it’s about my so-called alcoholic problem or my extreme partying, please Yamashita, spare me.” he said sarcastically.
“It’s different from that...” Yamapi said, joining Jin on the couch. “They are suspecting that the Jimusho is into something...” Jin looked at Yamapi with a puzzled look. “Excessive PR. Your projects are all with her. Cancellation of your US tour... I think the media knew something fishy is going on.”
“I’ve seen that coming...” Jin said. “We’re forced together, we are everywhere to the point that it’s annoying already.”
“So, you’re not bothered by this?” Yamapi asked, showing him the magazine.
“I don’t care. I think Johnny-san is more bothered than anyone else. I wonder what damage control he will do now that the media has already picked up his game.” Jin smirked.
Yamapi laughed. “How are things going with Takako? Everything’s fine?” Yamapi looked at him.
“If not talking and constant eye rolling is your definition of fine then I think we are fine.” Jin sighed. “I really don’t get it how she’s always in a bad mood, it’s been three weeks already...”
“Look who’s talking.” Yamapi chuckled.
“At least I’m trying to be nice...” Jin defended. “I’ve been striking up a conversation but she’ll just give me one-liner answers.”
“Maybe she’s not yet adjusted to the whole marriage thing.” Yamapi teased.
“Shut up!” Jin said, irritated.
“Sorry, man. Just trying to cheer you up.” Yamapi smiled.
“Talking about that will not make me cheer up. It just reminds me to my stupidity and carelessness.” Jin turned serious making Yamapi guilty for bringing it up.
“I apologize. I didn’t mean it, sorry.” Yamapi said.
“It’s fine.” Jin said getting up and coming over to the fridge to get some water.
Yamapi slapped his head. “Why are you so insensitive.” he whispered to himself. Jin is doing well this past week compared to two weeks before. He went out two days ago to party with his friends for the first time since what happened, he’s been smiling frequently too and it somehow took away the guilt that his friends had been feeling. And now, Yamapi saw the sadness in his eyes again. He got up and approached him.
“I’m really sorry.” Yamapi said, looking down on the floor.
“I told you it’s okay.” Jin forced a smile.
“I mean, I’m sorry for being drunk that night...” Yamapi’s eyes couldn’t meet his friend’s.
Jin took a deep breath, “If there’s someone to blame, it’s me. Not you or Ryo and Yuu.” Jin said.
“Somehow, I taught that there should be at least one of us who is sober enough to stop you from doing something stupid...” Yamapi explained.
“And you think it should be you?” Jin asked, seeing that Yamapi is really taking account of what happened.
Yamapi nodded. “I should be the mature one, remember?” He smiled softly. Among the four of them, Yamapi is usually the one who takes care of them whenever they get wasted on a party.
Jin smiled. “It’s Vegas, that rule is not applicable, everyone should get wasted in Vegas afterall.” Jin said, trying to cheer Yamapi up. “Anyways, it happened already, we cannot bring it back anymore.”
“You’ve been affected so much by this and we can’t help but feel guilty.” Yamapi insisted.
“It was a shock for me...” Jin said. “My life changed so much from what happened, it’s like everything was taken away from me in just a click. But as I said, we can’t bring it back anymore, what’s best is to move forward and see the future, I’m just thinking that it will get better in time.”
Silence fills the room for a while. “Instead of blaming you...” Jin broke the silence. “I’m thankful that you stick with me and remained my friend.”
Yamapi smiled. “Ewww, don’t be so cheesy Akanishi.” he exclaimed. Both men laugh and somehow, Yamapi was relieved by Jin’s words.
^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^
It was a sunny Friday morning and today is the press conference for the much awaited drama. Jin arrived at the venue and he saw the media flocking the entrance. He shakes his head and sighed, he went straight to the parking area and parked his car. He saw Takako coming out her car.
“Ohayo Gazaimasu.” Jin greeted her, Takako slightly bowed to greet him back. She continues walking without even waiting for Jin.
Jin shakes his head. She already went inside and he rushed over to her side.“If you don’t want to be friends can we just at least be civil with each other?” Jin asked. “I just want a harmonious working environment and the past three weeks is nothing beyond harmonious.”
“Let’s talk about that later.” she said, “The press conference will start soon and I still need to prepare myself.” she said, pointing on her watch as she walked to her dressing room.
Jin looked at his own watch, they only have an hour before it will start. “Promise me that we’ll talk about this later...” he said, before she can enter the room.
Takako stopped to look at him, “Meet me at the Starbucks few blocks from here later at 2 o’clock.” she instructed and entered her dressing room.
The press conference started and the media are hyped up. They showed the official trailer in the big screen and the reactions are great so far. They are filled with questions regarding the drama until one reporter asked something else.
“With the recent excessive publicity for both of you, I smell something fishy is being work inside the Jimusho. Are we expecting some announcement from the both of you regarding your private lives?” he smiled cheekily which makes Jin and Takako look at each other.
“We don’t know anything about that, you’re just overanalyzing thing. It’s just purely work for both of us.” Takako answered with a smile.
“Don’t you think working with your former boyfriend is a little awkward?” Another reporter asked, “It wasn’t confirmed by the both of you but we all know that you shared something special in the past.”
Takako looked at Jin, unsure of what to answer. Jin raised his microphone and speak, “It’s true that we were an item.” Jin announced, making Takako raised her eyebrow. “But it was in the past. We forgotten it already and now we are starting anew, as friends, as we work on this project.”
More questions are thrown at them as minute passed, the questions are getting more personal so their managers stopped the questioning and moved on with the next part of the event.
^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^
It’s 1:50pm and Jin is waiting at Starbucks with a hot cappuccino on the table. He saw Takako entering the store and approached him. “It’s been harsh, huh?” he said, seeing that she’s in bad mood again.
“They are going overboard!” she said, sitting on the chair opposite Jin.
“Expect more from them once we tell them about our “relationship”.” Jin said, she looks like she doesn’t want to talk about it so he changed the topic. “Want something?” he asked.
“No, it’s fine. I will not stay long.” she caught Jin’s eyes as she felt that awkward feeling again, a feeling that she’s been having for three weeks already. She looked down to break the stare, “The being civil thing...” she started, Jin removed his eyes on hers as he felt that she’s a bit awkward.
“I’m not asking for so much, Takako. As I said earlier, I just want a peaceful working environment.” he said, hoping the he sounds convincing for her.
She felt that he’s being serious about this so she gave in. “Okay, if that’s what you wanted. A harmonious environment is better than being cold and ignoring each other, right?” she smiled softly, making Jin’s stomach flutter.
“Right...Thank you.” he smiled and for the first time in three weeks, they smiled at each other.
“I have to go.” she said, getting up.
“Okay.” Jin said, he felt a bit sad that she had to leave. He still wants to be with her company but he realized that they both agreed to be just ‘civil’ not to be ‘friends’ outside work.
^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^
Jin left a few minutes after Takako left. He had the rest of the day as a free time but he decided to stay at home and wait for his friends invitation to go out later tonight, it’s a Friday and it means party time again. He arrived at his apartment building and was shocked to see someone familiar on the lobby, he stopped dead on his tracks.
“Jin!!” she exclaimed as she went over his direction and gave him a hug.
“Suki...” he said, puzzled. “It’s been a while...” he said, escaping the hug to hear her answer.
“I know.” she smiled brightly. “I wanted to surprise you.” she leaned closer for his lips.
“Wait...” he stopped her. “You said that you’ll be gone for a year...there’s still two months...”
“I was needed here so they called me back early.” she explained. “I jumped for joy when I heard that I’ll be going back. I love it in New York but I love Tokyo more. It’s my home!”
“You’re back for good?” Jin asked and she nodded happily. “That’s great!” Jin exclaimed as he tried to level up with her excitement.
Suki is a model slash fashion designer. They met at a party and became friends... with benefits, and soon after they became a couple, it was what she wanted and he gave in to her. Suki is not the like usual escort that Jin plays with. She’s a high class model who comes from a very influential family, they are very well known in the fashion industry and she’s on her way to inheriting the whole fashion empire of her parents. She’s loves to party but not wild, she grows up in the elite circle but she’s very down-to-earth, she’s very sweet but not clingy, just the perfect mix for a perfect girl. Jin thought that she’s the right person he’s been looking for, the right girl who will knock him off his feet again and falls head over heels in love with. It’s been a bliss for them at the beginning of their relationship, but one month into it, she received an invitation to do internship for Tory Burch in New York and she couldn’t say no to it, not only did her parents want her to come but it was also her dream to do internship for a foreign brand. Jin didn’t want her to go but he never got the chance to say it to her because she’s so excited and happy, he didn’t want to give her any burden so he pretended to support her.
When she left, they started to have a long-distance relationship but it didn’t work, both of them are very busy and rarely gets the chance to talk over the phone. They broke up a month after she left Tokyo but they made a deal to wait until she comes back to Tokyo and see it from there if they can still go on with their relationship. Jin went back to his old ways, sleeping and messing around with random girls. They never maintained their communication, so as his friends, so he feels that she’s enjoying the good life in New York and he never thought that she’ll return to Tokyo anymore even if her contract is only for a year. Suki is very determined when it comes to her career, she’s pressured to be the best like her mother and an opportunity in New York will make her even more successful than her parents.
“I thought you’ll never go back here...” he said as the take a seat on the living room.
“I told you that I’ll be back, right?” she said, “I missed you so much.” she moved closer and they kissed. It was deep and passionate just like before but she feels something is not right, something in his kiss makes her suspect that.
She pulled from him and ran her fingers on his hair, “Something’s wrong?” she asked, afraid of what will he answer.
Jin didn’t know how to respond, he doesn’t know how will he react with her coming back, he never expected that in the middle of all the mess in his life, the girl who was once special to him will comes back. He doesn’t want hurt her, he knows that she’ll be devastated when she finds out that the man she trust has gotten married.
“Nothing.” he faked a smile. “I’m glad that you’re back.”
to be continued...