[oneshot] shadow
title shadow
pairing(s) tomoko/ryusei, JK/tomoko, JK/miyu
verse kamen rider fourze
rating g
notes all my tokufics are dedicated to yatsuiko_chan. every single of them. written from JK's perspective. also, warning: sad JK is sad. i just love torturing him.
The world may call him a joker, a simple goofball who does nothing but wastes every second of his life dealing with teenagers dressed in colorful outfits and vibrant accessories, collecting all sorts of crazy rumors god knows who started them in the first place. JK walks around Amanogawa with hands kept his pants pocket, lips whistling and humming to a set of random melody - something he'd like to call as "Jingu Kaizou's original masterpiece" - pair of black eyes looking both bored and amused at the same time, a Cheshire cat grin across his friendly exterior.
Those are but the things people think they knew.
He was and will always be a good liar, he thought so himself. He's fake and he knows it. There's no need for someone else to try and see what's hidden underneath that cheeky smirk and smug grin of his, neither did he even need others to try and understand him. It's useless, he once said, it's not like I understand myself either, he added. JK is a good informant and that has always been a fact; ask him anything and he will give you all the answers he could find. Nothing escaped him.
Well, almost.
There were times when JK wanted to tell them - Amanogawa, everyone, the world - that no, he may not be one of the best informants in town. A skilled informant does not let even the slightest, silliest information to slip away from his fingertips but he did.
Or at the very least, he pretended not to know and closed his eyes instead. If he can put on a facade every time he goes to school, he can fake a smile and laugh at the idiocy of people saying how his classmate, how she seems to have developed a crush on a particular transfer student.
At first, JK let the news flowed like the river; let them have the fun, he thought, let them enjoy the party and spread fake rumors about Tomoko-chan. Nonetheless, deep inside, he knew - always have - that no, these people and their rumors, they were never wrong. They were right, every single of them.
Tomoko-chan has made a choice.
A voice rang in his head, almost repeatedly like resonating cymbals consisting of ghosts, ghosts and more ghosts.
That day, JK walked home with a heavy heart, kicking pebbles along the path he traveled, head hanging low and shoulders hunched. His mind was screaming out curses but there was nobody there who would stop and listen--
Tomoko-chan has made a choice.
---
The next day, Miu assembled everyone (and by everyone, of course, Ohsugi was there since he's basically part of the whole Kamen Rider mess) in the rabbit hutch right after school. JK wanted to pass and go home; he even made a lame excuse, putting on an act of having an intense stomachache, going as far as blaming Yuki for her awful planetarium cooking to which the girl only screamed in protest, pinching JK's arm, telling everyone that she never cooked anything for him.
"JK, did you really want to go back home that badly?"
He cringed at the sight of a frowning chairman. Miu can be tough when she's upset and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he could see her eyebrows furrowed together, a sign to show that she's a little bit offended. Clasping both hands together, JK tried to sell an apology, putting on yet another lie by saying, "I wanted to pass because there's a new video game waiting for me-- but never mind. I'll stay with whatever you're about to say."
Evidently, Miu was trying to tell everyone about her upcoming birthday party.
"Wear a mask." she reminded.
"Should we? All of us?" Yuki questioned, pointing to herself and everyone in the room.
Miu nodded, "it won't be a masquerade party if you don't wear one, right? Ohsugi-sensei is invited too, of course."
Everyone laughed when Ohsugi's face lit up like a broken firework. The middle aged man grinned, flashing everyone his squirrel-like teeth while pulling his suspenders loudly, creating a chain of unpleasant echoes throughout the chamber. JK was about to laugh when he accidentally caught a sight across him - a sight he would love to forget eternally.
"Ryusei-san, you're coming, aren't you?"
"Hm? Hm, yeah. Maybe."
JK wanted to ask Kengo if there's any switch Fourze could use to erase one's memory. Then again, there's no way he would ask anything like that. He's not going to make a real fool out of himself.
---
He never meant to be evil. Heck, how is it even possible? A duty was given to him, entrusted in his hands; to protect her, to stay by her side, all the freaking time. JK never wanted to be so bitter and yet, sometimes, he just feel the urge to land at least one punch on Ryusei's cheek. Just one punch and one bruise. But she wouldn't like that; he knew how she would scream in utter horror and asked for a valid reason.
And a valid reason is not something he can give.
Even if he's a skilled informant.
JK sipped his glass of champagne while keeping his eyes affixed on a girl dressed in a dolly like black dress, laces and ribbons and frills bringing grace and elegance to her figure. She got her fringe pinned to the right and it wasn't until he paid closer attention that no, she was not wearing her usual, signature black hair bow - it's a feathered hair pin, like a raven's feather, also in black. Beside her stood him; the transfer student, the secondary Kamen Rider, Gentarou-san's partner....and the list of nicknames continue. Like her, he was wearing black; sleek and well-ironed business suit accompanied by a silky black bow tie.
The two of them, as much as JK would like to ignore, were engaged in what looked like a very interesting conversation. JK noticed how she tried her very best to hide a sheepish, embarrassed smile, rosy red the color of her aura. It certainly did not help with the fact that Ryusei, too, tried to hide the crimson enveloping his cheeks. JK sighed and kept one hand inside his pants pocket.
There was no denying that the two of them, indeed, looked so perfect. Right there and then.
Nobody would have guessed that she's naturally an odd girl, a goth and he's a Kamen Rider, a superhero. To JK, they looked like an ordinary couple - girl and boy bathed in romance, nothing more nothing less.
JK always knew, no matter how much he tries to pretend he doesn't, that she'd be there for him. Tomoko was the one who taught Ryusei how to open his heart and see things deeper ("there's more than what you see on the surface, Ryusei-san"), she was the one who brightened up his days and she was also the one who brought the first smile upon his face. She assisted him and no matter how weird her antics are (with all the superstitious beliefs of straw dolls, snake's blood and frog's eyes), JK knew that the secondary Kamen Rider, too, enjoyed her company.
They were made for each other.
He didn't quite understand himself either.
One would suggest him to just turn his head and walk away, pretend that he had seen nothing, pretend that none of this had ever happened, that they were never carved inside his mind. But instead of walking away, JK stayed. He stayed on his spot and watched how Ryusei knelt on one knee, obviously asking her hand for a dance and even if her face was partially hidden by one elegant, feathery mask (not to mention, black as well), JK could have sworn that there was amusement running through her eyes.
No matter how hard JK wanted to block her from agreeing, he wouldn't.
He never wanted to be so corrupted.
He couldn't.
So he did the only thing he could have done; he gulped and tried to inhale fresh air even if it hurts.
Congratulations, Tomoko-chan. He finally noticed you, didn't he?
---
JK always knew wealthy Miu is but he never imagined a house with such beautifully composed garden to exist. Then again, she's not the queen for nothing, he chuckled to himself, suddenly feeling stupid.
It's weird, though, to think that Tomoko's enjoying the party inside while he's the one leaving all the noise behind. It was like their personalities were switched. He remembered how Tomoko would try to run away from all the crowd and blinking lights in the middle of a party and yet, there she was, surrounded by wars of noises and people, dancing - holding hands and flashing girly smiles with someone who is not him.
Leaning against one of the tall, medium-sized garden gnomes, JK heaved out another sigh.
"JK."
There was no need for him to try and see who was his visitor.
He recognized that voice by heart; everyone in Amanogawa does.
"Miu-senpai!" he beamed, trying to act tough once more.
"What's wrong? It's really unusual for you to bail out a party," she tilted her head, confused, "or.... is my party too boring for your extravagant taste?"
JK let out a dry, humorless laugh and shook his head.
"I was just...." he stretched his arms and groaned, "I was looking for some fresh air. Everyone needs fresh air once in a while, right? So yeah-- But I should be going back now, I guess. I didn't mean to be rude, Miu-senpai. It has nothing to do with your party being boring, seriously. Everything is great and I mean it."
He patted her shoulder and was about to walk away when he felt her blocking him instead. He couldn't help but to frown a little when she sighed and let her mask go, revealing the complete face of Amanogawa's one and only queen.
"You shouldn't force yourself."
He coughed, trying to ease away the shock overlapping his mind.
"W-what do you mean? I really love parties and you know that. JK loves parties, everyone knows that." he shrugged.
"You can stay here, JK," she pulled him towards the nearest bench and made him to sit despite his urge to complain, "I watched you. You've been staring at Tomoko and Ryusei like a hawk," he was about to reply when she continued, "and don't even try to fool me. Everyone may be too foolish to notice but not me. I see the way you look at her, JK. Don't even try to find an excuse."
Her voice was bold, stern and fix. JK felt chill embedding his inner core.
"W-what are you saying-- I don't--"
"I am not Gentarou," she placed a palm on her forehead, "I am not as stupid as Gentarou. Look, you can be honest with me or I can spit out all my guesses to you right now."
JK thought he might die due to fear. The queen was, indeed, looking rather threatening and menacing.
"JK," he braced herself for he knew what she's going to say next, "you love Tomoko."
It was no longer a question. It was a statement and a very accurate one at that.
He leaned his head against the bench and stared at the sky; dark but full of stars and yet, so very lonely and bitter.
"I'm busted, ain't I?" he whined like a five year old, fighting back the sudden ache in his heart.
He expected her to laugh, to try and make a lame joke again but she didn't. She stood there, arms folded and face looking both tired and annoyed at the same time. A little bit surprising, he thought. Why would she be pissed?
"Is that the reason why you agreed when Ryusei told you to protect her? Even if you wished it is your responsibility and not some kind of task assigned to you by someone else?" by that, she had taken an empty seat next him, "seriously, JK."
"But I should," he replied as if it's the most obvious thing in the universe, "I should agree to that assignment because she is an important person to me. She may not know it, neither does she care but I dear her. That's a reasonable answer, don't you think?" when Miu didn't answer, JK thought he should elaborate even better, "when Ryusei-san's around, I'm temporarily dismissed from my duty which is, as you know, to protect her. When Ryusei-san stayed by her side, I became nothing but a friend. Just a friend, a classmate. So you see," he paused for a moment, feeling reluctant, "it's like... the only chance I have to prove Tomoko-chan that I care is when Ryusei-san wasn't around. I never meant to be so dirty but I can't help it-- I will always be the shadow who hides behind Ryusei-san's figure; he's a Kamen Rider, a hero and he has the skill to protect her, something that an ordinary lame goofball like me can't. And no matter how hard I try, I can never be him." he flashed a bitter smile.
There was an awkward silence between them; so quiet that even the howling of the wind sounded as loud as a dynamite explosion.
"JK," Miu stood up, facing her junior with a genuine countenance, "what do you like to do?"
"Eh?"
"What's your hobby? What do you usually do when you have so much free time?"
"What--?" he was too appalled to think of a reply.
"Ah, you like music, isn't it? You like singing, don't you?" Miu cheered, clasping her hands together, "Ah, I know! How about we go out and have a karaoke together this Saturday? Don't worry, it's my treat. You can sing your lungs out and then maybe we can go get some parfait or something-- there's this newly opened cafe somewhere in Ikebukuro and I think I would love a company--"
"Eh-- w-wait a minute, what--?"
"Oh, come on, JK!" she playfully punched his arm, "it's my treat. What else are you worrying about? Hush, you're not allowed to reject me. I'm the queen, remember? This Saturday, let's meet at the local park. Twelve o'clock sharp, don't be late or I will execute you," she teased, "defy me and 'off with your head'." she winked, turning her back on him and like a happy five year old, he watched how she sang out a random song while skipping back to her manor.
JK scratched the back of his head, suddenly feeling both embarrassed but glad at the same time.
pairing(s) tomoko/ryusei, JK/tomoko, JK/miyu
verse kamen rider fourze
rating g
notes all my tokufics are dedicated to yatsuiko_chan. every single of them. written from JK's perspective. also, warning: sad JK is sad. i just love torturing him.
The world may call him a joker, a simple goofball who does nothing but wastes every second of his life dealing with teenagers dressed in colorful outfits and vibrant accessories, collecting all sorts of crazy rumors god knows who started them in the first place. JK walks around Amanogawa with hands kept his pants pocket, lips whistling and humming to a set of random melody - something he'd like to call as "Jingu Kaizou's original masterpiece" - pair of black eyes looking both bored and amused at the same time, a Cheshire cat grin across his friendly exterior.
Those are but the things people think they knew.
He was and will always be a good liar, he thought so himself. He's fake and he knows it. There's no need for someone else to try and see what's hidden underneath that cheeky smirk and smug grin of his, neither did he even need others to try and understand him. It's useless, he once said, it's not like I understand myself either, he added. JK is a good informant and that has always been a fact; ask him anything and he will give you all the answers he could find. Nothing escaped him.
Well, almost.
There were times when JK wanted to tell them - Amanogawa, everyone, the world - that no, he may not be one of the best informants in town. A skilled informant does not let even the slightest, silliest information to slip away from his fingertips but he did.
Or at the very least, he pretended not to know and closed his eyes instead. If he can put on a facade every time he goes to school, he can fake a smile and laugh at the idiocy of people saying how his classmate, how she seems to have developed a crush on a particular transfer student.
At first, JK let the news flowed like the river; let them have the fun, he thought, let them enjoy the party and spread fake rumors about Tomoko-chan. Nonetheless, deep inside, he knew - always have - that no, these people and their rumors, they were never wrong. They were right, every single of them.
Tomoko-chan has made a choice.
A voice rang in his head, almost repeatedly like resonating cymbals consisting of ghosts, ghosts and more ghosts.
That day, JK walked home with a heavy heart, kicking pebbles along the path he traveled, head hanging low and shoulders hunched. His mind was screaming out curses but there was nobody there who would stop and listen--
Tomoko-chan has made a choice.
---
The next day, Miu assembled everyone (and by everyone, of course, Ohsugi was there since he's basically part of the whole Kamen Rider mess) in the rabbit hutch right after school. JK wanted to pass and go home; he even made a lame excuse, putting on an act of having an intense stomachache, going as far as blaming Yuki for her awful planetarium cooking to which the girl only screamed in protest, pinching JK's arm, telling everyone that she never cooked anything for him.
"JK, did you really want to go back home that badly?"
He cringed at the sight of a frowning chairman. Miu can be tough when she's upset and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he could see her eyebrows furrowed together, a sign to show that she's a little bit offended. Clasping both hands together, JK tried to sell an apology, putting on yet another lie by saying, "I wanted to pass because there's a new video game waiting for me-- but never mind. I'll stay with whatever you're about to say."
Evidently, Miu was trying to tell everyone about her upcoming birthday party.
"Wear a mask." she reminded.
"Should we? All of us?" Yuki questioned, pointing to herself and everyone in the room.
Miu nodded, "it won't be a masquerade party if you don't wear one, right? Ohsugi-sensei is invited too, of course."
Everyone laughed when Ohsugi's face lit up like a broken firework. The middle aged man grinned, flashing everyone his squirrel-like teeth while pulling his suspenders loudly, creating a chain of unpleasant echoes throughout the chamber. JK was about to laugh when he accidentally caught a sight across him - a sight he would love to forget eternally.
"Ryusei-san, you're coming, aren't you?"
"Hm? Hm, yeah. Maybe."
JK wanted to ask Kengo if there's any switch Fourze could use to erase one's memory. Then again, there's no way he would ask anything like that. He's not going to make a real fool out of himself.
---
He never meant to be evil. Heck, how is it even possible? A duty was given to him, entrusted in his hands; to protect her, to stay by her side, all the freaking time. JK never wanted to be so bitter and yet, sometimes, he just feel the urge to land at least one punch on Ryusei's cheek. Just one punch and one bruise. But she wouldn't like that; he knew how she would scream in utter horror and asked for a valid reason.
And a valid reason is not something he can give.
Even if he's a skilled informant.
JK sipped his glass of champagne while keeping his eyes affixed on a girl dressed in a dolly like black dress, laces and ribbons and frills bringing grace and elegance to her figure. She got her fringe pinned to the right and it wasn't until he paid closer attention that no, she was not wearing her usual, signature black hair bow - it's a feathered hair pin, like a raven's feather, also in black. Beside her stood him; the transfer student, the secondary Kamen Rider, Gentarou-san's partner....and the list of nicknames continue. Like her, he was wearing black; sleek and well-ironed business suit accompanied by a silky black bow tie.
The two of them, as much as JK would like to ignore, were engaged in what looked like a very interesting conversation. JK noticed how she tried her very best to hide a sheepish, embarrassed smile, rosy red the color of her aura. It certainly did not help with the fact that Ryusei, too, tried to hide the crimson enveloping his cheeks. JK sighed and kept one hand inside his pants pocket.
There was no denying that the two of them, indeed, looked so perfect. Right there and then.
Nobody would have guessed that she's naturally an odd girl, a goth and he's a Kamen Rider, a superhero. To JK, they looked like an ordinary couple - girl and boy bathed in romance, nothing more nothing less.
JK always knew, no matter how much he tries to pretend he doesn't, that she'd be there for him. Tomoko was the one who taught Ryusei how to open his heart and see things deeper ("there's more than what you see on the surface, Ryusei-san"), she was the one who brightened up his days and she was also the one who brought the first smile upon his face. She assisted him and no matter how weird her antics are (with all the superstitious beliefs of straw dolls, snake's blood and frog's eyes), JK knew that the secondary Kamen Rider, too, enjoyed her company.
They were made for each other.
He didn't quite understand himself either.
One would suggest him to just turn his head and walk away, pretend that he had seen nothing, pretend that none of this had ever happened, that they were never carved inside his mind. But instead of walking away, JK stayed. He stayed on his spot and watched how Ryusei knelt on one knee, obviously asking her hand for a dance and even if her face was partially hidden by one elegant, feathery mask (not to mention, black as well), JK could have sworn that there was amusement running through her eyes.
No matter how hard JK wanted to block her from agreeing, he wouldn't.
He never wanted to be so corrupted.
He couldn't.
So he did the only thing he could have done; he gulped and tried to inhale fresh air even if it hurts.
Congratulations, Tomoko-chan. He finally noticed you, didn't he?
---
JK always knew wealthy Miu is but he never imagined a house with such beautifully composed garden to exist. Then again, she's not the queen for nothing, he chuckled to himself, suddenly feeling stupid.
It's weird, though, to think that Tomoko's enjoying the party inside while he's the one leaving all the noise behind. It was like their personalities were switched. He remembered how Tomoko would try to run away from all the crowd and blinking lights in the middle of a party and yet, there she was, surrounded by wars of noises and people, dancing - holding hands and flashing girly smiles with someone who is not him.
Leaning against one of the tall, medium-sized garden gnomes, JK heaved out another sigh.
"JK."
There was no need for him to try and see who was his visitor.
He recognized that voice by heart; everyone in Amanogawa does.
"Miu-senpai!" he beamed, trying to act tough once more.
"What's wrong? It's really unusual for you to bail out a party," she tilted her head, confused, "or.... is my party too boring for your extravagant taste?"
JK let out a dry, humorless laugh and shook his head.
"I was just...." he stretched his arms and groaned, "I was looking for some fresh air. Everyone needs fresh air once in a while, right? So yeah-- But I should be going back now, I guess. I didn't mean to be rude, Miu-senpai. It has nothing to do with your party being boring, seriously. Everything is great and I mean it."
He patted her shoulder and was about to walk away when he felt her blocking him instead. He couldn't help but to frown a little when she sighed and let her mask go, revealing the complete face of Amanogawa's one and only queen.
"You shouldn't force yourself."
He coughed, trying to ease away the shock overlapping his mind.
"W-what do you mean? I really love parties and you know that. JK loves parties, everyone knows that." he shrugged.
"You can stay here, JK," she pulled him towards the nearest bench and made him to sit despite his urge to complain, "I watched you. You've been staring at Tomoko and Ryusei like a hawk," he was about to reply when she continued, "and don't even try to fool me. Everyone may be too foolish to notice but not me. I see the way you look at her, JK. Don't even try to find an excuse."
Her voice was bold, stern and fix. JK felt chill embedding his inner core.
"W-what are you saying-- I don't--"
"I am not Gentarou," she placed a palm on her forehead, "I am not as stupid as Gentarou. Look, you can be honest with me or I can spit out all my guesses to you right now."
JK thought he might die due to fear. The queen was, indeed, looking rather threatening and menacing.
"JK," he braced herself for he knew what she's going to say next, "you love Tomoko."
It was no longer a question. It was a statement and a very accurate one at that.
He leaned his head against the bench and stared at the sky; dark but full of stars and yet, so very lonely and bitter.
"I'm busted, ain't I?" he whined like a five year old, fighting back the sudden ache in his heart.
He expected her to laugh, to try and make a lame joke again but she didn't. She stood there, arms folded and face looking both tired and annoyed at the same time. A little bit surprising, he thought. Why would she be pissed?
"Is that the reason why you agreed when Ryusei told you to protect her? Even if you wished it is your responsibility and not some kind of task assigned to you by someone else?" by that, she had taken an empty seat next him, "seriously, JK."
"But I should," he replied as if it's the most obvious thing in the universe, "I should agree to that assignment because she is an important person to me. She may not know it, neither does she care but I dear her. That's a reasonable answer, don't you think?" when Miu didn't answer, JK thought he should elaborate even better, "when Ryusei-san's around, I'm temporarily dismissed from my duty which is, as you know, to protect her. When Ryusei-san stayed by her side, I became nothing but a friend. Just a friend, a classmate. So you see," he paused for a moment, feeling reluctant, "it's like... the only chance I have to prove Tomoko-chan that I care is when Ryusei-san wasn't around. I never meant to be so dirty but I can't help it-- I will always be the shadow who hides behind Ryusei-san's figure; he's a Kamen Rider, a hero and he has the skill to protect her, something that an ordinary lame goofball like me can't. And no matter how hard I try, I can never be him." he flashed a bitter smile.
There was an awkward silence between them; so quiet that even the howling of the wind sounded as loud as a dynamite explosion.
"JK," Miu stood up, facing her junior with a genuine countenance, "what do you like to do?"
"Eh?"
"What's your hobby? What do you usually do when you have so much free time?"
"What--?" he was too appalled to think of a reply.
"Ah, you like music, isn't it? You like singing, don't you?" Miu cheered, clasping her hands together, "Ah, I know! How about we go out and have a karaoke together this Saturday? Don't worry, it's my treat. You can sing your lungs out and then maybe we can go get some parfait or something-- there's this newly opened cafe somewhere in Ikebukuro and I think I would love a company--"
"Eh-- w-wait a minute, what--?"
"Oh, come on, JK!" she playfully punched his arm, "it's my treat. What else are you worrying about? Hush, you're not allowed to reject me. I'm the queen, remember? This Saturday, let's meet at the local park. Twelve o'clock sharp, don't be late or I will execute you," she teased, "defy me and 'off with your head'." she winked, turning her back on him and like a happy five year old, he watched how she sang out a random song while skipping back to her manor.
JK scratched the back of his head, suddenly feeling both embarrassed but glad at the same time.