Bittersweet (Chapter 16)
Title: Bittersweet
Group/pairing: Arashi/ Ohmiya, Sakuraiba, Sho X OC1 (one-sided), Nino X OC1 (Friendship), Ohno X OC2 (one-sided)
Genre: Romance, Humour, Angst
Length: Chaptered
Chapter: 16
Prompt: Taste
Summary: On the same day Nino started working at Choco la Vie, he met one face he'd never forget.
Word Count: 3307 words
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I only own a LOVE photoset of Sho and the story plot- nothing else XD
Author note:Wow. 3.36am in the morning here. I should get to sleep soon. This is un-betaed, and I worked on this from 11pm++ to now (okay I was watching a gay-love movie for inspiration. Guilty.) So...please forgive any errors. ><''
Bittersweet chapter 16: Honey Lemon Chocolate Squares
Ohno flipped on his bed as he snuggled under the warmth of his blanket. It was comfortable. He opened his sleepy eyes, only to find that Nino was gone.
"... Ah... maybe he went to buy some breakfast..." Ohno thought as he shuffled out of his bed, heading to the bathroom to wash up.
Just then, his phone rang. He looked at it, only to find that it was his mother.
"Satoshi-kun," Mrs. Ohno said, "I know that it's a Sunday, but you need to come down right now. I made an appointment with our financial advisor last night and he will be here in an hour."
"Mother, I can't," Ohno said, "I'm occupied at the moment."
"And I know exactly what you're occupied with. Please, Satoshi. Give it up. Come right now," Mrs. Ohno said.
"But-"
"You promised me, Satoshi, that you'll not let your lover compromise your responsibilities as heir," she reminded sternly.
"Fine," he said, "I'll tell him first."
"...Satoshi, please. Just come." Mrs. Ohno said, and ended the call. Ohno frowned as he dialled Nino's number.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
Ohno stood rooted to where he was, shocked.
"... of course! I dialled the wrong number!" he muttered with a laugh, and redialed Nino's number.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
"What!?" Ohno thought, "it can't be! Let me try.."
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
His fingers fumbled worriedly on his phone.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
"No, Kazu! No!" Ohno was yelling worriedly at the phone now.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
"KAZU!" Ohno shouted alone in his apartment.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in u-"
Ohno threw his phone on the floor in complete frustration, not caring if it broke into pieces, and then dashed out off the apartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Oh.. why is Matsumoto-san calling me on a Sunday morning..." Michiyo mumbled as she reached for her phone that rang on her bedside table.
"Matsumoto-san, it's Sunday. None of us are wo-"
"Ninomiya-san is gone!"
Michiyo blinked in complete surprise.
"Eh? What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep herself calm.
"I came to the shop to check on our inventory and there, on the chair outside, is his resignation letter!" Jun informed worriedly. Michiyo nearly dropped her phone on the floor but caught it just in time.
"Nino-san!? Oh my.. oh my goodness but why!?" Michiyo asked.
"He stated that it's for better prospects elsewhere," Jun said, "but I don't understand why he'd leave us without saying goodbye!"
"Okay, give me a moment, I'll try to contact him!" Michiyo said.
"It's no use! I tried so many times but I think he changed his number!" Jun said
"He changed his number!? Oh dear.. Nino-san..." Michiyo muttered anxiously, "what has been done to find him?"
"I don- wait.. there's a lette-there are two letters. One for Ohno-san and one for you, Michiyo-san. From Ninomiya-san." Jun said.
"Wait for me! I'll be right there! Tell Aiba-san and Sho-san to come as well!" Michiyo said as she got ready.
"They're on their way here as we speak," Jun said and sat down on the steps.
On her way to the shop, Michiyo tried to contact Nino from her phone.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
"Don't do this to us, Nino-san!" she pleaded as she tried again.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
Michiyo sighed exasperatedly as she looked outside.
"Nino-san... please... not like this..." she prayed.
When she finally arrived, the three men were huddled around one of the tables in the shop, the two letters on the table. Michiyo snatched the letter up, tore it open and read it aloud.
"Michiyo-chan,
I'm sorry for leaving on such a short notice. But don't worry about me- I'm alive and well and I'm on my way to achieving my dreams as a singer.
Please help me tell the rest that they have been the best colleagues I've ever worked with so far, and that I'll remember them well in many ways- Matsumoto-san for his DoS-ism, Sho-san for his sloping shoulders, Aiba-san for his spicy chocolates, and finally you, for your wisdom.
I don't know when I'll be able to see everyone again. But I wish everyone the best.
-Ninomiya Kazunari"
"What is he thinking!?" Aiba yelled with some tears in his eyes. Sho sighed and hugged him.
Just then the doors swung open, and they turned to see Ohno look at them in shock.
"Where is he!?" Ohno demanded.
"We don't know! We only saw his resignation letter and.. OH! This is for you!" Michiyo said hurriedly and handed Ohno his letter. Ohno ripped the envelope open and read it.
"Oh-chan,
By the time you see this, I'm already gone. Don't look for me- you won't be able to find me.
These days with you have been the happiest days of my life, and I'm sorry that it has to end this way.
I have gone far away to chase my dream of becoming a singer- and one that I will be proud to become.
Wishing you all the best.
Ninomiya Kazunari."
"What is this?" Ohno asked shakily.
"I don't know, it almost seems so cold.." Michiyo replied, giving Ohno a concerned look.
"But," Aiba said with a short sniffle, "wasn't Nino-chan happy with Ohno-san? How could the contents of that letter be so cold?"
"Ohno-san, were you the last person Nino was with?" Sho asked.
"Yes, he slept over at my place. But when I woke up, he's gone!" Ohno said.
"Well, let's think!" Aiba said, trying to be optimistic, "m-maybe he simply changed his number and had to go back to his apartment for something."
"Should we check Kazu's house?" Ohno asked.
Jun nodded, "Ohno-san, take Sho-kun and Aiba-kun with you. Lead us there. Michiyo-chan, you'll come with me."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The two cars arrived outside Nino's apartment block, and they followed Ohno to Nino's home.
"Ah, maybe you're right.. the plants outside are still here!" Ohno exclaimed. He then pounded on the door, calling out Nino's name.
"Kazu! Open the door! Kazu!" Ohno yelled.
"Nino-san, are you okay!?" Michiyo shouted.
"Will you keep it down!?"
The group turned to see an elderly woman glaring at them.
"What are all of you doing here? I have the notion to call the police on all of you!" she scolded in a shrill voice.
"Please, Ma'am," Sho spoke politely, "we are worried about our friend who lives in this apartment. Have you seen him?"
The old woman huffed irritably but thought for a moment. Suddenly, she remembered.
"Right! This was the apartment unit that was so noisy yesterday! All that shifting of tables and chairs, all the shouting and yelling.." she recounted.
"But that's impossible! Nino was with me all day!" Ohno protested.
"It wasn't him, young man. There were so many others! I think he's moving his things out- he paid me the rest of his rent in the mail." she said before staggering back into her house.
Ohno's heart sank.
"Kazu... moved away?"
"Oh dear, now we're back to square one and we can't find him." Michiyo said.
"There must be some way, guys! Did he say anything about what he has to do next week?" Jun asked.
"Ah! " Michiyo said, "he told me that he has to go to a talent agency to sign a contract tomorrow! But.. I don't know which one..."
"That's enough! Thanks, Michiyo-chan! Now we just need to look up the various talent agencies around!" Aiba said.
"I think.. I know why Kazu has disappeared..." Ohno said solemnly.
Michiyo looked at him in shock. "You don't think that Mrs. Ohno would do such a thing, do you!?"
"I can't say I remember her doing anything like that. But she has the reason to," Ohno replied, already heading back to his car.
"Let's follow him!" Aiba said, only to be stopped by Jun.
"I don't think it's appropriate for all of us to barge in like that," Jun said, "Michiyo-chan and I will go. Sho-chan, Aiba-chan needs you." Sho nodded gravely, turning to Aiba to give him a fierce hug.
Jun then looked at Michiyo, who then followed him to his car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*"Mother!"
Mrs. Ohno looked up from her desk in surprise to see her son's angry face.
"What happened to Nino!?" Ohno asked hurriedly.
"I thought that much is quite obvious, Satoshi-kun. He left you." Mrs. Ohno answered coldly.
"But why!? I don't understand! " he protested.
Mrs. Ohno sighed and took off her glasses.
"I didn't want to say this, but you leave me no choice," Mrs. Ohno said, "Ninomiya-san was only after you for your money."
"Lies!" Ohno shouted, "I don't believe that!"
"I have documented proof," Mrs. Ohno said, "that Ninomiya Kazunari had accepted a total of 50 million yen from me in exchange for leaving your side. Don't believe me? Look at these bank statements. "
"I have worked with Ninomiya-san for a long while now, and I can vouch for the fact that he would never deceive people for money like that," Jun said.
"But please think about it, Matsumoto-san," Mrs. Ohno said, "if he could possibly fool Satoshi-kun, who definitely knows him more than both of you, how is it not possible that he had not deceived you?"
Michiyo stared at the bank statements, unable to believe her eyes. Indeed, it was shown that some sums of money were drawn out right after that transfer.
"... It can't be! I don't believe it!" Michiyo cried.
"Miss, I know it is hard to believe. But facts are still facts. It is all down in black and white." Mrs. Ohno said before turning to her son, "don't you see what I have been trying to tell you, Satoshi? He never really loved you. He was only around for your money."
"... It can't be! I'm going back! I don't believe a word of this!" Michiyo screamed and ran away from the office, and Jun hurriedly chased after her. All this time, Ohno remained where he was, his eyes staring blankly at the balance sheets in front of him. He could not bring himself to believe that Nino had been sticking with him because he knew he was a wealthy person.
"No, it cannot be,"he thought. Not when he could remember the first time he saw him on the bus. Not when he could remember Nino's surprise when he found out that he was the CEO of Ohno Group. Not when he had looked so peaceful sleeping on his shoulder. Or when he looked so satisfied with those cup noodles.
Or when Nino had played him the songs that he composed and sang so beautifully.
Or when the first kiss that they shared was so full of emotion and want.
Or when the first time they had made love it was right after Nino had saved him with his song.
Or when just the day before, Nino ignored the fact that he gets seasick easily and simply hopped on his boat to fish with him anyway.
Ohno could not hold in his tears anymore as he dashed out of the office. What the evidence on the table, his mother's words and his own memories have completely confused him. Mrs. Ohno watched him run before sighing and looking up at the window.
"I've done as you asked, Ninomiya-san,"Mrs. Ohno thought as she sat down on her chair, "but you are really lucky- All your friends believe in you, even now when you are far away."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Takuya held her gently in his arms, patting her back as she sighed into his chest.
"I don't believe a word that she told me! I don't believe that he's that kind of a person! But.."Michiyo said, "but I don't understand, why would he leave all of us? Why would he leave?"
Takuya took her head in his hands and kissed her softly on the forehead. "Michiyo-chan, do you remember when you asked me about that friend?" Michiyo nodded.
"Don't you think it could be because of that?"he asked. Michiyo looked up at him.
"What do you mean?"she asked.
"Maybe,"Takuya said, "your friend wasn't sure if he could make his lover happy. For him to be working with you at that shop, he probably is not someone well-off. Rather than apparently running away with the money, maybe he just wants to find some way to prove that he doesn't need to rely on his lover to make him happy."
"But... the bank statements... they say otherwise. I'm almost scared that my own judgment of the situation would fail me..."Michiyo admitted. Takuya smiled softly and puller her close again.
"That happens sometimes. But if you know your friend as well as you said you do,"he advised, "then believe in him."
Michiyo nodded and straightened up, dabbing tears away from her eyes.
"I'm.. erm.. a little sorry I barged in on your lunch time. I was so overcome with emotion that I had my boss drive me here," Michiyo apologised. Takuya simply laughed and patted her head.
"Come anytime. I'd like to see my other colleagues envious of me,"Takuya joked.
"What.. so that's why we're together?" Michiyo teased back, sticking out her tongue before strolling off.
"That's right.. I must believe in him,"she thought. Just as she stepped out of the recording agency Takuya worked at, she passed by a man of a small built. He wore a black coat with sunglasses and stepped into the agency.
"Excuse me," he told the receptionist, "I'm here for the official voice auditioning for Storm Talent Agency."
"Alright, sir. Give me your name and I'll check where you're allocated,"the receptionist replied.
"Ninomiya Kazunari." Nino said as he looked around the place and waited for the receptionist.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"It's no good," Jun said as he hung up the phone, "the talent agencies refuse to give confidential information of their newcomers."
"We should have seen that coming. What are we to do now?" Sho asked.
"Honestly? I am not sure. Not anymore,"Jun admitted as he slumped against his sofa. He had called the other two men into his home when he got back, and they had been contacting every known talent agency ever since.
"Meanwhile, Aiba-kun has been working in the kitchen again,"Jun remarked.
"But this is different,"Sho said, "I don't think I have seen him so determined on making something before."
"Guys! I'm done!" Aiba said as he carried a small tray out. They peered into the tray and looked.
There lay several chocolate squares, each one of them looking smooth and shiny with a small lemon peel on it.
"What in the world is that?" Jun asked.
"It's for Nino-kun," Aiba said simply.
"But... he isn't here," Sho stated.
"But that does not mean that he won't be coming back," Aiba insisted, "this contains honey and lemon! Honey lemon drinks have been used by singers to soothe their throats and prepare their voices for singing, ne?"
"... How did you know all that?" Jun asked.
"Michiyo-chan texted me that when I asked her. She was in the choir in Jounan after all,"Aiba said, "at least right now we have something to wish Nino-kun all the best, ne?"Aiba said.
"Masaki..." Sho said as he reached over to hug his boyfriend. Jun, for once, did not scold them about their display of affection, and simply reached over to the tray for a small piece.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Takuya stood behind the glass, watching the small man sing into the microphone, noting the way that his melodious voice brought out raw emotions, as if every word that was in the song he wrote was so heartfelt.
"Takuya-kun?"one man spoke behind him, "I think we can bring him in. His vocals are impressive... and he writes his own songs too. That's enough talent, right?"
Takuya simply smiled and nodded, taking the man's file and looking through it.
"Ninomiya Kazunari, huh..."he thought, as he read, and his eyes widened as he caught sight of "Choco La Vie" in his employment history. He looked up at the man in realisation, as he recalled what Michiyo had said about him.
"...my friend loves someone, but ... he found that being with that person only seemed to hinder him from his responsibilities. What should he do? What would you do in this situation?"
"I don't believe a word that she told me! I don't believe that he's that kind of a person! But.."Michiyo said, "but I don't understand, why would he leave all of us? Why would he leave?"
"So I was right,"Sho thought as he closed the file, "that's why he left."
Presently, the small man looked up at them, giving them a charming smile. As Takuya's senior walked in and told him that he could leave, he waited till he was out of the door before he ran out to find him.
"Ninomiya-san!"he called. The man turned and nodded at him.
"I need you to tell me something, since we are going to be working together quite closely," he began, "... what happened in your previous job that made you come here?"
Nino's eyes gazed down at the floor, giving a loud sigh.
"Let's just say, I made a deal." Nino said, and with that, he walked away, the event from a week ago still playing in his mind.
"Let me explain," Nino said, "and then, I need you to do me a big favour. It's something that I need you, Mrs. Ohno, to keep as a secret from anyone else. ... Including Oh-chan."
Mrs. Ohno frowned and pursed her lips. "I'm listening..." she said.
"I will leave everyone,"Nino said, "be it Choco La Vie or Oh-c- Ohno-san, because I don't want them to be put in such a difficult position for my own sake. In return, I require you to deposit 50 million yen into my account."
Mrs. Ohno raised an eyebrow, "you are asking me to pay you to leave him?"
"No,"Nino said, "that is only a small thing required for the favour. There's something else I need you, Mrs. Ohno, to do."
Mrs. Ohno breathed out as she waited for his answer.
"Tell Ohno-san, that I took the money and ran off on Sunday morning. And do not tell the truth of the matter to anybody,"he said.
Mrs. Ohno stared at him in complete shock. So the money is to be used to generate evidence that he seemed to have taken the money.
"What..? All this to...?" she asked. Nino shook his head.
"No, Mrs. Ohno. I'm not giving up on him. I have no plans to. But at least... if this deal could buy me enough time, I can show him and you that I will be capable of taking care of him and helping out Ohno Group one day."
Mrs. Ohno sighed. "You are taking a big risk here. What if I want to marry off Serizawa Mei to Satoshi-kun? Your efforts would be for nothing."
"It won't be for nothing,"Nino assured, "because at least I've had my turn in trying to make your son happy. That would be more than enough."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"... what are you doing here, Satoshi-kun?"Mrs. Ohno asked as her son stepped into the office that night.
"... I'll do it." he said.
Mrs. Ohno nearly dropped her pen as she tried to absorb what her son had told her, "what do you mean?"
Ohno looked up at his mother.
"I'll marry Serizawa-san."he said in a determined tone, but Mrs. Ohno was somehow unable to be happy at her son's words. Not when she could somehow see from his empty eyes that something in her son had died.
Group/pairing: Arashi/ Ohmiya, Sakuraiba, Sho X OC1 (one-sided), Nino X OC1 (Friendship), Ohno X OC2 (one-sided)
Genre: Romance, Humour, Angst
Length: Chaptered
Chapter: 16
Prompt: Taste
Summary: On the same day Nino started working at Choco la Vie, he met one face he'd never forget.
Word Count: 3307 words
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I only own a LOVE photoset of Sho and the story plot- nothing else XD
Author note:Wow. 3.36am in the morning here. I should get to sleep soon. This is un-betaed, and I worked on this from 11pm++ to now (okay I was watching a gay-love movie for inspiration. Guilty.) So...please forgive any errors. ><''
Bittersweet chapter 16: Honey Lemon Chocolate Squares
Ohno flipped on his bed as he snuggled under the warmth of his blanket. It was comfortable. He opened his sleepy eyes, only to find that Nino was gone.
"... Ah... maybe he went to buy some breakfast..." Ohno thought as he shuffled out of his bed, heading to the bathroom to wash up.
Just then, his phone rang. He looked at it, only to find that it was his mother.
"Satoshi-kun," Mrs. Ohno said, "I know that it's a Sunday, but you need to come down right now. I made an appointment with our financial advisor last night and he will be here in an hour."
"Mother, I can't," Ohno said, "I'm occupied at the moment."
"And I know exactly what you're occupied with. Please, Satoshi. Give it up. Come right now," Mrs. Ohno said.
"But-"
"You promised me, Satoshi, that you'll not let your lover compromise your responsibilities as heir," she reminded sternly.
"Fine," he said, "I'll tell him first."
"...Satoshi, please. Just come." Mrs. Ohno said, and ended the call. Ohno frowned as he dialled Nino's number.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
Ohno stood rooted to where he was, shocked.
"... of course! I dialled the wrong number!" he muttered with a laugh, and redialed Nino's number.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
"What!?" Ohno thought, "it can't be! Let me try.."
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
His fingers fumbled worriedly on his phone.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
"No, Kazu! No!" Ohno was yelling worriedly at the phone now.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
"KAZU!" Ohno shouted alone in his apartment.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in u-"
Ohno threw his phone on the floor in complete frustration, not caring if it broke into pieces, and then dashed out off the apartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Oh.. why is Matsumoto-san calling me on a Sunday morning..." Michiyo mumbled as she reached for her phone that rang on her bedside table.
"Matsumoto-san, it's Sunday. None of us are wo-"
"Ninomiya-san is gone!"
Michiyo blinked in complete surprise.
"Eh? What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep herself calm.
"I came to the shop to check on our inventory and there, on the chair outside, is his resignation letter!" Jun informed worriedly. Michiyo nearly dropped her phone on the floor but caught it just in time.
"Nino-san!? Oh my.. oh my goodness but why!?" Michiyo asked.
"He stated that it's for better prospects elsewhere," Jun said, "but I don't understand why he'd leave us without saying goodbye!"
"Okay, give me a moment, I'll try to contact him!" Michiyo said.
"It's no use! I tried so many times but I think he changed his number!" Jun said
"He changed his number!? Oh dear.. Nino-san..." Michiyo muttered anxiously, "what has been done to find him?"
"I don- wait.. there's a lette-there are two letters. One for Ohno-san and one for you, Michiyo-san. From Ninomiya-san." Jun said.
"Wait for me! I'll be right there! Tell Aiba-san and Sho-san to come as well!" Michiyo said as she got ready.
"They're on their way here as we speak," Jun said and sat down on the steps.
On her way to the shop, Michiyo tried to contact Nino from her phone.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
"Don't do this to us, Nino-san!" she pleaded as she tried again.
"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in use. Thank you."
Michiyo sighed exasperatedly as she looked outside.
"Nino-san... please... not like this..." she prayed.
When she finally arrived, the three men were huddled around one of the tables in the shop, the two letters on the table. Michiyo snatched the letter up, tore it open and read it aloud.
"Michiyo-chan,
I'm sorry for leaving on such a short notice. But don't worry about me- I'm alive and well and I'm on my way to achieving my dreams as a singer.
Please help me tell the rest that they have been the best colleagues I've ever worked with so far, and that I'll remember them well in many ways- Matsumoto-san for his DoS-ism, Sho-san for his sloping shoulders, Aiba-san for his spicy chocolates, and finally you, for your wisdom.
I don't know when I'll be able to see everyone again. But I wish everyone the best.
-Ninomiya Kazunari"
"What is he thinking!?" Aiba yelled with some tears in his eyes. Sho sighed and hugged him.
Just then the doors swung open, and they turned to see Ohno look at them in shock.
"Where is he!?" Ohno demanded.
"We don't know! We only saw his resignation letter and.. OH! This is for you!" Michiyo said hurriedly and handed Ohno his letter. Ohno ripped the envelope open and read it.
"Oh-chan,
By the time you see this, I'm already gone. Don't look for me- you won't be able to find me.
These days with you have been the happiest days of my life, and I'm sorry that it has to end this way.
I have gone far away to chase my dream of becoming a singer- and one that I will be proud to become.
Wishing you all the best.
Ninomiya Kazunari."
"What is this?" Ohno asked shakily.
"I don't know, it almost seems so cold.." Michiyo replied, giving Ohno a concerned look.
"But," Aiba said with a short sniffle, "wasn't Nino-chan happy with Ohno-san? How could the contents of that letter be so cold?"
"Ohno-san, were you the last person Nino was with?" Sho asked.
"Yes, he slept over at my place. But when I woke up, he's gone!" Ohno said.
"Well, let's think!" Aiba said, trying to be optimistic, "m-maybe he simply changed his number and had to go back to his apartment for something."
"Should we check Kazu's house?" Ohno asked.
Jun nodded, "Ohno-san, take Sho-kun and Aiba-kun with you. Lead us there. Michiyo-chan, you'll come with me."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The two cars arrived outside Nino's apartment block, and they followed Ohno to Nino's home.
"Ah, maybe you're right.. the plants outside are still here!" Ohno exclaimed. He then pounded on the door, calling out Nino's name.
"Kazu! Open the door! Kazu!" Ohno yelled.
"Nino-san, are you okay!?" Michiyo shouted.
"Will you keep it down!?"
The group turned to see an elderly woman glaring at them.
"What are all of you doing here? I have the notion to call the police on all of you!" she scolded in a shrill voice.
"Please, Ma'am," Sho spoke politely, "we are worried about our friend who lives in this apartment. Have you seen him?"
The old woman huffed irritably but thought for a moment. Suddenly, she remembered.
"Right! This was the apartment unit that was so noisy yesterday! All that shifting of tables and chairs, all the shouting and yelling.." she recounted.
"But that's impossible! Nino was with me all day!" Ohno protested.
"It wasn't him, young man. There were so many others! I think he's moving his things out- he paid me the rest of his rent in the mail." she said before staggering back into her house.
Ohno's heart sank.
"Kazu... moved away?"
"Oh dear, now we're back to square one and we can't find him." Michiyo said.
"There must be some way, guys! Did he say anything about what he has to do next week?" Jun asked.
"Ah! " Michiyo said, "he told me that he has to go to a talent agency to sign a contract tomorrow! But.. I don't know which one..."
"That's enough! Thanks, Michiyo-chan! Now we just need to look up the various talent agencies around!" Aiba said.
"I think.. I know why Kazu has disappeared..." Ohno said solemnly.
Michiyo looked at him in shock. "You don't think that Mrs. Ohno would do such a thing, do you!?"
"I can't say I remember her doing anything like that. But she has the reason to," Ohno replied, already heading back to his car.
"Let's follow him!" Aiba said, only to be stopped by Jun.
"I don't think it's appropriate for all of us to barge in like that," Jun said, "Michiyo-chan and I will go. Sho-chan, Aiba-chan needs you." Sho nodded gravely, turning to Aiba to give him a fierce hug.
Jun then looked at Michiyo, who then followed him to his car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*"Mother!"
Mrs. Ohno looked up from her desk in surprise to see her son's angry face.
"What happened to Nino!?" Ohno asked hurriedly.
"I thought that much is quite obvious, Satoshi-kun. He left you." Mrs. Ohno answered coldly.
"But why!? I don't understand! " he protested.
Mrs. Ohno sighed and took off her glasses.
"I didn't want to say this, but you leave me no choice," Mrs. Ohno said, "Ninomiya-san was only after you for your money."
"Lies!" Ohno shouted, "I don't believe that!"
"I have documented proof," Mrs. Ohno said, "that Ninomiya Kazunari had accepted a total of 50 million yen from me in exchange for leaving your side. Don't believe me? Look at these bank statements. "
"I have worked with Ninomiya-san for a long while now, and I can vouch for the fact that he would never deceive people for money like that," Jun said.
"But please think about it, Matsumoto-san," Mrs. Ohno said, "if he could possibly fool Satoshi-kun, who definitely knows him more than both of you, how is it not possible that he had not deceived you?"
Michiyo stared at the bank statements, unable to believe her eyes. Indeed, it was shown that some sums of money were drawn out right after that transfer.
"... It can't be! I don't believe it!" Michiyo cried.
"Miss, I know it is hard to believe. But facts are still facts. It is all down in black and white." Mrs. Ohno said before turning to her son, "don't you see what I have been trying to tell you, Satoshi? He never really loved you. He was only around for your money."
"... It can't be! I'm going back! I don't believe a word of this!" Michiyo screamed and ran away from the office, and Jun hurriedly chased after her. All this time, Ohno remained where he was, his eyes staring blankly at the balance sheets in front of him. He could not bring himself to believe that Nino had been sticking with him because he knew he was a wealthy person.
"No, it cannot be,"he thought. Not when he could remember the first time he saw him on the bus. Not when he could remember Nino's surprise when he found out that he was the CEO of Ohno Group. Not when he had looked so peaceful sleeping on his shoulder. Or when he looked so satisfied with those cup noodles.
Or when Nino had played him the songs that he composed and sang so beautifully.
Or when the first kiss that they shared was so full of emotion and want.
Or when the first time they had made love it was right after Nino had saved him with his song.
Or when just the day before, Nino ignored the fact that he gets seasick easily and simply hopped on his boat to fish with him anyway.
Ohno could not hold in his tears anymore as he dashed out of the office. What the evidence on the table, his mother's words and his own memories have completely confused him. Mrs. Ohno watched him run before sighing and looking up at the window.
"I've done as you asked, Ninomiya-san,"Mrs. Ohno thought as she sat down on her chair, "but you are really lucky- All your friends believe in you, even now when you are far away."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Takuya held her gently in his arms, patting her back as she sighed into his chest.
"I don't believe a word that she told me! I don't believe that he's that kind of a person! But.."Michiyo said, "but I don't understand, why would he leave all of us? Why would he leave?"
Takuya took her head in his hands and kissed her softly on the forehead. "Michiyo-chan, do you remember when you asked me about that friend?" Michiyo nodded.
"Don't you think it could be because of that?"he asked. Michiyo looked up at him.
"What do you mean?"she asked.
"Maybe,"Takuya said, "your friend wasn't sure if he could make his lover happy. For him to be working with you at that shop, he probably is not someone well-off. Rather than apparently running away with the money, maybe he just wants to find some way to prove that he doesn't need to rely on his lover to make him happy."
"But... the bank statements... they say otherwise. I'm almost scared that my own judgment of the situation would fail me..."Michiyo admitted. Takuya smiled softly and puller her close again.
"That happens sometimes. But if you know your friend as well as you said you do,"he advised, "then believe in him."
Michiyo nodded and straightened up, dabbing tears away from her eyes.
"I'm.. erm.. a little sorry I barged in on your lunch time. I was so overcome with emotion that I had my boss drive me here," Michiyo apologised. Takuya simply laughed and patted her head.
"Come anytime. I'd like to see my other colleagues envious of me,"Takuya joked.
"What.. so that's why we're together?" Michiyo teased back, sticking out her tongue before strolling off.
"That's right.. I must believe in him,"she thought. Just as she stepped out of the recording agency Takuya worked at, she passed by a man of a small built. He wore a black coat with sunglasses and stepped into the agency.
"Excuse me," he told the receptionist, "I'm here for the official voice auditioning for Storm Talent Agency."
"Alright, sir. Give me your name and I'll check where you're allocated,"the receptionist replied.
"Ninomiya Kazunari." Nino said as he looked around the place and waited for the receptionist.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"It's no good," Jun said as he hung up the phone, "the talent agencies refuse to give confidential information of their newcomers."
"We should have seen that coming. What are we to do now?" Sho asked.
"Honestly? I am not sure. Not anymore,"Jun admitted as he slumped against his sofa. He had called the other two men into his home when he got back, and they had been contacting every known talent agency ever since.
"Meanwhile, Aiba-kun has been working in the kitchen again,"Jun remarked.
"But this is different,"Sho said, "I don't think I have seen him so determined on making something before."
"Guys! I'm done!" Aiba said as he carried a small tray out. They peered into the tray and looked.
There lay several chocolate squares, each one of them looking smooth and shiny with a small lemon peel on it.
"What in the world is that?" Jun asked.
"It's for Nino-kun," Aiba said simply.
"But... he isn't here," Sho stated.
"But that does not mean that he won't be coming back," Aiba insisted, "this contains honey and lemon! Honey lemon drinks have been used by singers to soothe their throats and prepare their voices for singing, ne?"
"... How did you know all that?" Jun asked.
"Michiyo-chan texted me that when I asked her. She was in the choir in Jounan after all,"Aiba said, "at least right now we have something to wish Nino-kun all the best, ne?"Aiba said.
"Masaki..." Sho said as he reached over to hug his boyfriend. Jun, for once, did not scold them about their display of affection, and simply reached over to the tray for a small piece.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Takuya stood behind the glass, watching the small man sing into the microphone, noting the way that his melodious voice brought out raw emotions, as if every word that was in the song he wrote was so heartfelt.
"Takuya-kun?"one man spoke behind him, "I think we can bring him in. His vocals are impressive... and he writes his own songs too. That's enough talent, right?"
Takuya simply smiled and nodded, taking the man's file and looking through it.
"Ninomiya Kazunari, huh..."he thought, as he read, and his eyes widened as he caught sight of "Choco La Vie" in his employment history. He looked up at the man in realisation, as he recalled what Michiyo had said about him.
"...my friend loves someone, but ... he found that being with that person only seemed to hinder him from his responsibilities. What should he do? What would you do in this situation?"
"I don't believe a word that she told me! I don't believe that he's that kind of a person! But.."Michiyo said, "but I don't understand, why would he leave all of us? Why would he leave?"
"So I was right,"Sho thought as he closed the file, "that's why he left."
Presently, the small man looked up at them, giving them a charming smile. As Takuya's senior walked in and told him that he could leave, he waited till he was out of the door before he ran out to find him.
"Ninomiya-san!"he called. The man turned and nodded at him.
"I need you to tell me something, since we are going to be working together quite closely," he began, "... what happened in your previous job that made you come here?"
Nino's eyes gazed down at the floor, giving a loud sigh.
"Let's just say, I made a deal." Nino said, and with that, he walked away, the event from a week ago still playing in his mind.
"Let me explain," Nino said, "and then, I need you to do me a big favour. It's something that I need you, Mrs. Ohno, to keep as a secret from anyone else. ... Including Oh-chan."
Mrs. Ohno frowned and pursed her lips. "I'm listening..." she said.
"I will leave everyone,"Nino said, "be it Choco La Vie or Oh-c- Ohno-san, because I don't want them to be put in such a difficult position for my own sake. In return, I require you to deposit 50 million yen into my account."
Mrs. Ohno raised an eyebrow, "you are asking me to pay you to leave him?"
"No,"Nino said, "that is only a small thing required for the favour. There's something else I need you, Mrs. Ohno, to do."
Mrs. Ohno breathed out as she waited for his answer.
"Tell Ohno-san, that I took the money and ran off on Sunday morning. And do not tell the truth of the matter to anybody,"he said.
Mrs. Ohno stared at him in complete shock. So the money is to be used to generate evidence that he seemed to have taken the money.
"What..? All this to...?" she asked. Nino shook his head.
"No, Mrs. Ohno. I'm not giving up on him. I have no plans to. But at least... if this deal could buy me enough time, I can show him and you that I will be capable of taking care of him and helping out Ohno Group one day."
Mrs. Ohno sighed. "You are taking a big risk here. What if I want to marry off Serizawa Mei to Satoshi-kun? Your efforts would be for nothing."
"It won't be for nothing,"Nino assured, "because at least I've had my turn in trying to make your son happy. That would be more than enough."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"... what are you doing here, Satoshi-kun?"Mrs. Ohno asked as her son stepped into the office that night.
"... I'll do it." he said.
Mrs. Ohno nearly dropped her pen as she tried to absorb what her son had told her, "what do you mean?"
Ohno looked up at his mother.
"I'll marry Serizawa-san."he said in a determined tone, but Mrs. Ohno was somehow unable to be happy at her son's words. Not when she could somehow see from his empty eyes that something in her son had died.