[One-Shot] True Love Found
Title: True Love Found [A Sequel to Photograph]
Author: ringo_seijin
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG
Characters: Akahara (Akanishi Jin, Uehara Takako)
Word Count: 3566
Warning: Not edited. Look out for horrible grammatical mistakes plus sudden 'timeslips'.
Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional. I do not own the characters, only the story plot.
Jin grinned to himself goofily as he looked at the photograph lying in the photo frame set up on his working table. It’s a picture of Takako and him, taken when they were out at the sub-urban area, taking pictures of the nature for his latest assignment. Holding up an extra piece of the photograph he has developed for Takako, he lay his head down onto the table top as what happened that day replayed in his mind.
… …
Jin tried hard to wipe that goofy grin off his face as he felt Takako’s hand on his arm. Taking a few deep breaths as discreetly as he could, Jin managed to keep his crazily beating heart under control as he turned around towards Takako, reaching his hand out to hers as they neared a small slope.
“Come, give me your hand.”
Takako stretched out her hand towards Jin’s as he nodded his head at her reassuringly. Mentally slapping herself, Takako chided herself for insisting on tagging along with Jin on this trip. Jin has already suggested the idea of coming out alone. But no, she just had to have her way and tagged along, creating so much trouble for him. But then again, looking at pictures wouldn’t be as nice as coming down to have a look, would it? Lifting her head up into the sky, Takako took in a deep breath of the fresh air and gave a contented smile as she enjoyed the scenery of the sub-urban. This hassle is definitely worth it. Perhaps she was too engrossed in the view she was enjoying; or perhaps the warmth that radiated from Jin’s fingers, traveling all the way up to her heart was causing her to get lightheaded. Not noticing of a protruding tree root near her feet, Takako tripped over it.
“Careful, Taka-chan!”
Takako gasped as she felt herself toppling over. Squeezing her eyes shut, she mentally prepared herself for the fall, and also perhaps the rolling down the slope, silently praying that she would escape unscathed. However, she felt herself hovering above the ground in an awkward angle, propped up by a strong force around her waist.
“I’m so sorry. I should have warned you about that root. Are you all right?”
Takako opened her eyes upon hearing Jin’s voice to find herself staring straight into his face as he held his arms around her waist while looking over at the tree root which she has tripped over just now. Turning around to face her, Jin found himself staring straight into Takako’s eyes. Those pair of eyes which has captured his heart even before he got to befriend this girl of his dreams. A stifling awkwardness sank in when they realized that their lips were actually less than an inch apart, but neither of them willing to break the special contact. Takako held on to her breath as her heart missed a beat. Willing herself to breathe for the sake of her life, she tried to open her mouth to speak in spite of the rising lump in her throat, her head jerking slightly at the effort. Bad move.
“Jin…”
A hot blush immediately crept up her cheeks as the jerky movement of her head caused her lips to brush against Jin’s softly. Takako knew that speaking any further would only make her lips brush against his for a second time. But she couldn’t resist the naughty urge to steal another taste of his erotic sweet lips.
“thank-thank you.”
Jin felt his heart beating like crazy as Takako’s lips brushed against his for the first time, and then the second time. Then, as if drawn by an unknown force, he inched his face closer to Takako’s, this time, brushing his lips against hers ever so lightly, afraid that the slightest pressure would make her shrink away. Just as he increased the pressure of his lips on hers, a deep voice rang out from a distance, making them jump apart.
“Anybody there?”
Takako stumbled to her feet against Jin’s broad chest as both of them nearly jumped out of their skin, startled by the sudden intrusion. Lowering her head, she could felt her cheeks burning as Jin slid his arm off her slender waist.
“Arh, yes! We’re from the city and would like to have a tour around your farm! I’m a photographer for PIN Magazine and we’re doing an article on the suburbs.”
Jin cursed silently at the sudden intrusion as he made his way down the slope towards the owner of the farm, not forgetting to reach out his hand for Takako, who caught hold of it meekly and immediately dropped it upon reaching level ground.
“Oh, you would like to tour my farm? Sure!”
… …
“What would happen, should that damned farmer didn’t f*cking appear?”
Scowling bitterly upon remembering that farmer’s face, Jin questioned himself for the nth time and got the same answer. Just what would happen? He had no idea.
“Have you fallen for me as well?”
Shaking his head at his absurd thinking, he placed the photograph back onto the table as he heard a soft knock at his door.
“Coming!”
… …
Takako immediately regretted it as her fist got into contact with the door to Jin’s unit. Flashes of the scene that took place between them at the farm replayed in her mind. A hot blush crept up her cheeks and she started panicking like a high school girl meeting her favourite idol for the first time.
“Should I leave it here?”
Before she could come down to a decision, the door to Jin’s unit swung open and out came Jin, clad in his usual white wife-beater and black Bermudas, his wavy hair pulled back into a messy ponytail.
‘Utterly sexy.’
Takako immediately slapped herself mentally for allowing her thoughts to wander into that weird region. A sense of awkward hung in the air as the duo stood rigidly and staring at each other, blushing like two ripe tomatoes. Chewing on her lips, Takako could only lower her head bashfully and tightened her grip on the bag in her hand, silently praying for this awkward moment to be over as soon as possible.
“It’s you, Taka…ko! Err…come on in!”
Giving an awkward smile, Takako stepped into the house she has entered for a countless time. Yet, it was the first time she felt so awkward inside. Fidgeting around like a nervous child, Takako finally remembered her motive for coming over to Jin’s house today. Cookies! Holding out the bag to him, she tried her best to smile without blushing as the feeling of having his lips brushing against hers ever so gently invaded her senses.
“These are for you. Well, I baked quite a lot. So…”
Takako secretly hoped that Jin would not see through her lie. She didn’t leave a single cookie for herself.
“Oh, thanks!”
Jin took the bag from Takako’s hand, careful not to touch her fingers as a sudden wave of self-consciousness hit him, and peek into the bag curiously, only to find his favourite chocolate chip cookies lying in a box.
“Yosha! Cookies!”
Takako watched as Jin started grinning like a child, rubbing his hands together in glee before picking up a piece of the cookie from the box and popping it into his mouth, munching happily. Unknowingly, a sweet smile gradually broke out on her pretty face as she continued to study his each and every move.
“Oh yes, I have something for you too!”
Takako snapped back to reality as Jin sprang up from the couch and walked over to his worktable, bringing over a photograph. Handing over the photograph to her, Jin silently prayed that she would appreciate this tiny effort of his to develop this particular photograph for her. Their very first photograph taken together. Perhaps it wouldn’t mean anything much to her, but for him, it may jolly well be everything to him.
“Thank you! It’s really thoughtful of you! Uwa… It’s beautiful…”
Jin heaved a sigh of relief as Takako smiled happily, tracing the outline of the background with the tip of her finger. Popping another of the addictive cookie into his mouth, Jin headed for the kitchen.
“I’ll get you something to drink!”
Takako nodded as Jin walked into the kitchen after popping another of the cookie into his mouth, secretly elated that he actually likes the cookies. Placing the photograph onto the coffee table, Takako stood up from the couch and wandered over to Jin’s worktable, admiring the rest of the pictures he has taken during their trip.
“Amazing…”
Takako mumbled to herself as she looked at each and every picture taken by Jin, some of which she didn’t even notice during the trip. After going through the entire stack of photographs, Takako placed them back onto the tabletop, her admiration for Jin as a photographer doubled. As she walked over to the window, she caught sight of something sticking out from the space between the table and the wall. Curious, she stepped over and pulled out the board from behind the table.
“Huh? What is this?”
… …
Jin walked out of this kitchen with two mugs of hot chocolate in his hands, eyeing the box of cookies lying on the coffee table. Gosh, they’re so delicious! Setting the two mugs down on the table, he immediately reached over and popped another cookie into his mouth, munching happily. As he turned around to find Takako standing by his worktable, the once delicious cookie didn’t taste as nice suddenly. Instead, they tasted like sandpaper, making him choke out in surprise. There stood Takako at his table, staring down on the soft board filled with her pictures. The very soft board he has wanted to discard a few months back but never had the heart to. Swallowing the lump of cookie down his throat, Jin opened his mouth to speak but all he could manage was an awkward croak of her name.
“Taka-chan…”
Takako nearly jumped out of her skin as a familiar voice rang out from behind her. Spinning around on her heels, she found Jin standing a few feet away from her, staring back at her in shock. Stepping back, Takako felt her heartbeat increasing rapidly due to nothing but fear. Just who was this young man? How did he manage to get so many photographs of her?
“Who-who are you?”
Jin took a step towards Takako as she looked back at him fearfully, stepping back with every step he advanced.
“No, Takako you have to listen to me. I didn’t… It wasn’t like what you think.”
Takako’s eyes widen in fear as Jin took another step towards her. Taking a look behind her, she found herself backing up against the wall. She’s trapped! Licking her lips nervously and eyeing the door, she made a silent prayer.
‘Oh God, please let me make it to the door.’
“Get away from me!”
Pushing Jin away, Takako made a mad rush for the door but failed as she felt Jin’s grip tightening around her arms, pulling her back towards him. Panicking, Takako started screaming and waving her arms about hysterically, slapping Jin a couple of times in the process.
“Just listen to me! Calm down and listen to me! TAKAKO!”
Takako stiffened up as Jin hollered. Staring at him blankly, she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She didn’t know why but she just felt like bursting into tears there and then. Her heart was aching, badly. Perhaps, for misplacing her trust in this man or even falling in love with him.
“I admit these pictures are taken by me. But I meant no harm! I swear! I was planning to take pictures of the sunrise during that time, but I always oversleep. Somehow, I caught sight of you through my camera as I was letting my focus roam the streets through my window. I didn’t know why, but I just ended up taking so many pictures of you. I couldn’t stop myself. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I was completely attracted to your eyes. You must understand that I mean no harm in befriending you. Our acquaintance was really a coincidence! I never expected myself to be able to see you ever again since that day you stopped appearing at the bus stop. Really, I’m speaking the truth! Please, believe me…”
Jin slowly released his grip on her as he felt Takako softened. Lowering his head, he felt an acute ache in his heart as he thought that he has ruined everything that has miraculously built up between the two of them. All his hopes of having his wildest dreams come true were dashed in an instance.
“But why me? The bus stop was always so crowded.”
Takako questioned as she walked over to the soft board again, looking through each and every photograph, including the small scribbles beneath some of them. She didn’t know why, but she just wanted to trust him.
“I don’t know. I really have no idea, Takako.”
Jin shook his head as he looked out of the window, trying as hard as he could to come up with a satisfactory answer to her question. But there was none. He had no idea as well.
“He left me, for another woman who was able to give him something I couldn’t.”
Jin looked up from the ground, puzzled at Takako’s sudden change of subject. Peering over her shoulders, he realized that she was looking at the very last photograph he has taken of her before she stopped appearing at the bus stop every morning. That particular photograph of her with tears in her eyes, with the heartbreaking look in her eyes that nearly tore Jin’s heart into pieces…
Jin watched as tears fell from her eyes. His heart ached, but there is nothing he could do to help her. How he wished he could reach out for her, to pull her into his arms and comfort her. But what rights did he have to do so? None. Dejected, Jin stood beside Takako stiffly as she continued to speak between sobs.
“I had really thought that he would be the one for me. I trusted him so much. So much so that I fell out with my parents, just to move in with him. I didn’t mind the idea of cohabiting for I thought true love doesn’t need the certification of marriage. So, despite my parent’s violent objection, I moved in with him. Throughout those two years, I was so happy. I thought I would be the happiest girl in the world. But I weren’t. It was so sudden. Suddenly, he didn’t love me anymore. I found him in bed with another woman. There weren’t any signs, any premonition that he would be leaving me. Nothing! He changed all of a sudden, overnight. He told me, that woman is able to give him something I’ve never given him. What he wanted was… was…”
Jin bit down on his lips as he watched Takako breaking down into tears. It was then that he decided he could take it no more. Reaching out, he grabbed hold of Takako, pulling her snugly into his arms as she sobbed.
“I understand, Taka. You don’t have to continue.”
Takako held on tightly onto Jin as she finally stopped crying, silently praying that he wouldn’t release his hold on her. She felt so safe and warm inside his arms. Had she fallen for him? Before she could come up with a definite answer, Jin released his arms around her, lifting her face up to meet his gaze. Takako couldn’t help it but blushed furiously as she immediately let go of Jin’s arms, attempting to lower her head to hide her embarrassment. However, Jin hooked a finger under her chin, lifting her face up towards his while using his thumb to wipe away the trail of tears that has dampened her cheeks. Seeing a damp patch on his shoulder, Takako lowered her gaze apologetically.
“I’m sorry.”
Jin shook his head and smiled as Takako pointed towards the wet patch on his shoulder. Looking into her eyes, he finally came to a decision.
“Taka, I think… No, I’m sure. I’m very sure that I’ve fallen in love with you. Ever since the very first time I lay my eyes on you at the bus stop, I’ve fallen for you. I had thought that it was just an infatuation that would die away with time. But I realized that I was wrong. Those feelings, they wouldn’t go away. And after these few months of cultivating a friendship with you, I’ve become very sure of what those feelings are. I love you.”
Takako turned her face away from Jin’s intense gaze as she felt her cheeks becoming burning hot and her heart started palpitating. Not knowing how to react, she let her eyes roamed the room aimlessly and somehow her eyes got into contact with a framed up picture of Jin and her, set up on his worktable. That very photograph that Junyang has developed another one for her. She didn’t know why, but she felt all sweet and happy upon seeing it, like a child receiving a lollipop.
“I don’t dare to think of getting into a relationship with you, but I really hope that you would not end our friendship just because of this. If you feel uneasy about this, I promise you, I’d never bring this issue up ever again.”
Takako revert her gaze back to Jin, who was staring back at her in a serious manner. Looking deeply into those eyes of his, she finally got her answer.
“I don’t know, Jin. But are you sure that without putting an end to our friendship…”
Takako paused in between her sentence intentionally, biting down on her lips to prevent herself from bursting out into giggles as Jin’s eyebrows creased into a sad frown, looking as though he would burst out crying any moment.
“We can start building up on our relationship?”
“But we. Eh! Huh? Re-re-re-relationship?”
Takako burst into helpless fits of giggles as Jin stuttered nervously. Nodding her head meekly as she felt herself blushing a faint pink, she couldn’t stop that happy smile from breaking out on her face as Jin reached out for her hands.
“You mean… You mean you feel the same for me as well? You are willing to be my girlfriend?”
Nodding her head, Takako could only smile sweetly as Jin wrapped his arms around her tightly, pulling her into his warm embrace.
… …
Jin grinned happily as he popped another of the cookie into his mouth, munching on gleefully, which made Takako laugh. Holding up her hand, she brushed away the crumbs on the side of his lips.
“Look at you, you’re eating just like a child!”
Jin turned towards Takako and rubbed his nose against hers in an affectionate manner before turning back to the box of cookies lying in his hands. They’re just so delicious that he couldn’t leave them alone.
“Taka, being the best and the final boyfriend you would ever going to have, I hereby request that you bake a box of chocolate chip cookies for me every day!”
Jin smirked as he gave an egotistical look at Takako while she stuck out her tongue at him before pinching his nose affectionately. Pretending to be annoyed, she failed miserably as the corners of her mouth twisted upwards into a sweet smile before bursting out into girlish giggles.
“Then you would grow fat and I’ll dump you! I don’t want to have an overweight boyfriend!”
Jin glared at her in mock horror and he set the box of cookies onto the coffee table as Takako laughed softly, backing away from him as he advanced on her. Without warning, he pounced on her and started tickling her without mercy. Half laughing and half screaming for help, Takako fell back onto the couch.
“Are you sure you’re going to dump me? Very sure? Very very sure?”
Takako giggled as she squirmed beneath Jin helplessly.
“Yes, very very sure! Grow any fatter and I’m going to dump you!”
Jin suddenly stopped his tickling and wrapped his arms around her waist, giving a sad puppy look as he adjusted his weight around Takako such that he wouldn’t be crushing her.
“You bear to do so?”
Rubbing her nose against Jin’s, Takako chose not to answer that question of his and stuck out her tongue at him instead. That look in Jin’s eyes were making her felt so loved so much so that she couldn’t bring herself to say yes, and neither did she want to admit that she couldn’t bear to leave him.
“Okay, then I’m going to catch hold of you right now and never let you go!”
Takako felt her heart melting as Jin tightened his arms around her waist, looking deeply into her eyes. Those words were out of her mouth in an instance.
“I love you, Jin.”
“I love you too.”
At that moment, it just seemed so right for them to inch their faces closer and closer together, until Jin finally locked his lips over hers. Takako threw her arms around Jin’s neck as she savoured the taste of his lips. It tasted of chocolate chip cookies. And love. Lots of love.