Fate
Title : Fate ~ Maboroshi verse part 3 of 3
Author :sakumo114
Beta reader : afrit_marid *thanks for everything and sorry for all inconvenient,,lol*
Length : 4395 words
Genre : AU, Angst
Rating : R
Pairing : Sakuraiba and Yama Pair
Disclaimer : I own them in my dreamland
Summary : Even if our red threads have been severed, memories of you will never fade.
Warning : Sho-centric. It’s the last installment of the Maboroshi-verse.
Previous Link : Illusion (the 1st installment) || Red Threads (the 2nd installment)
*-*-*-*-*
“Sho-chan… Happy birthday,” Sho looked up and saw his dearest person smiling in front of him. Sho couldn’t help but smile back.
“I made seventeen muffins for you,” the guy continued his words and gave a paper bag full of muffins to Sho.
“I don’t need this much. Why did you make seventeen?”
“It’s your 17th birthday after all, Sho-chan! So I had to make seventeen.”
“You don’t have to make this much, Aiba-chan.”
“So you don’t like my present?”
“That’s not what I meant…. It’s just that… I don’t know if I could eat this much…”
“You shouldn’t eat all this in one go. You have two days to eat your present, you know.”
Sho gave Aiba a small smile and began to take bite from a muffin, “ah… it’s too sweet!”
“Thanks for the compliment, Sho-chan.”
“No… I mean it’s sweeter than it supposed to be!”
“Eh? Really?” Aiba took a bite then, “ah… you’re right. Sorry… you could throw it if you don’t want to eat it.”
“It’s okay. I was just surprised with the taste. I can eat all of it so no need to throw anything,” Sho patted Aiba’s hair, and the other just gave him a weak smile. “It’s my pleasure to have these as my birthday present. Thanks.”
Both of them looked away as they want to hide their blushing faces.
“You’re welcome,” Aiba murmured and bit his bottom lip. Sho can’t help but smile when he took a glance at the shy Aiba. I’ve never seen Aiba’s face this red.
*-*-*-*-*
One year later, they graduated from high school. Aiba ran after Sho when the graduation ceremony ended.
“Sho-chan, wait….!”
“What’s up, Aiba-chan?” Sho turned around and faced Aiba who panted hard.
“Ano… Sho-chan… there’s something I need to tell you….”
“What’s that? I think you should take a breath first,” Sho giggled as he saw Aiba panting. “You seem like you’re lacking oxygen.”
“Sho-chan!” Aiba gazed at Sho directly. He bit his bottom lip and his face became crimson. “Thank you for being my friend for the past three years.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m also happy to have you as my friend,” Sho gave a pat on Aiba’s shoulder. Then Aiba took Sho’s hand from his own shoulder, surprising Sho.
“But… I would be happier if you were thinking of me more than just your ordinary friend.”
“You’re not ordinary Aiba-chan,” Sho smiled and wrapped his other hand to Aiba’s. “You’re my best friend.”
Aiba took away his hands with a frown on his face. “I don’t want to be your best friend, Sho-chan!”
“Eh? What’s does that mean? I don’t get what you’re saying…,” Sho’s eyes widened as he couldn’t believe what he heard.
“I want to be your lover… I love you, Sho-chan… since the summer of our second year… it was around that time… I think that…,” Aiba’s words were halted when he saw Sho bowing in front of him.
“I’m sorry… I can’t see you more than just my best friend… I’m sorry….,” Sho still looked down. He didn’t dare look at Aiba’s face. It might hurt him, but I have to.
Both of them didn’t move a bit, still at a numb state. Then Aiba laughed halfheartedly trying to remove the awkwardness between them.
“It’s okay Sho-chan… it’s just my silly request… I’ll be happy with this… as your best friend…,” Aiba said as he looked up into the gloomy sky, trying to stop his tears from falling.
“Ah… it seems like it’s going to rain… we should go home now…,” Aiba turned around then walked away. Before he disappeared from Sho’s vision, Aiba waved and gave a big smile. “Congratulations on graduating!!”
“Yeah… you too…,” Sho shouted as he waved back. Then after Aiba dashed away, Sho took a look into the sky. I hurt him…and somehow it hurts me too… though I have to obey my father’s rules.
“A cloudy sky… please don’t cry…,” Sho murmured as he felt a cold drop of water from the gloomy clouds.
“I have to give him up… so please… don’t cry…,” Sho remained standing at the same spot until he couldn’t differentiate his own tears from the sky’s rain.
*-*-*-*-*
“You have to go home! There are marriage meetings that you have to attend! At least choose one of those!” Sho flipped his phone and turned back to his literature, though he couldn’t concentrate anymore with the book.
“What is he thinking!? He’s the one who told me that I must finish my studies soon! What now!? He asked me to marry someone I didn’t know! It makes me want to kill him as soon as possible!” Sho murmured as he remembered what his father texted him.
“Need more coffee, sir?” a waiter asked Sho, though the other only nodded and didn’t take a glance at the waiter. Sho is too busy with his own thoughts, and also about his cursed father. Then, Sho smelled something that he recognized well. Ah, my cup’s refilled.
“Eh? Are you a newbie?” Sho realized after the waiter turned around. He halted and faced Sho. Jun-kun and Nino didn’t say anything about a new employer or did I miss something here. I’ve never seen this boy before.
“Un…,” the waiter nodded as he saw a bright smile from the other.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Sakurai Sho. I always come here every day, so please don’t get bored with me,” Sho chuckled. The waiter nodded once again and went silent.
“Hey! What’s your name then?” Sho closed his book and stared deeply at the newbie.
“I… I’m Ohno Satoshi… Nice to meet you….,” Ohno bowed to hide his blushing face.
“Nice to meet you too, Ohno-san,” Sho grinned. It was his first encounter with the second person who could steal his heart.
*-*-*-*-*
“What’s going on?” Sho entered 15th Moon café and saw three men standing around the cashier desk.
“Ah, welcome, Sho-kun…,” Matsumoto Jun greeted him. “Today is Oh-chan’s birthday.”
“Oh… happy birthday then… wish you all the best,” Sho shook Ohno’s hand and Ohno murmured his thanks.
“So what’s with the muffins?” Sho continued and pointed to a tray full of muffins.
“It’s my treat. I tried to make something that everyone can enjoy,” Ohno said.
“But if you gave it as freebies to the customers, you shouldn’t just make twenty two muffins for today, Oh-chan! I mean… you know how many guests we have everyday, right? It’s more than twenty two!” Nino scratched his hair.
“Maybe we could just give it to the first twenty two guests today,” Jun said.
“Then… what must we said if the 23rd guest asked us about this? Twenty two is a weird amount. What if we make it twenty five or maybe just twenty?” Nino suggested.
“No, Nino-chan! I did it on purpose,” Ohno pouted between Jun and Nino.
“What’s that Oh-chan?” Jun asked calmly.
“It’s my 22nd birthday,” Ohno gave a straight answer. But it was enough to make Sho’s body tense.
“Are you silly?” Nino gave sharp gaze into Ohno’s eyes. “Though it sounds cute,” then Nino gave him a warm hug. “Happy birthday Oh-chan!”
“Thank you,” Ohno said as he rubbed Nino’s back, then after Jun coughed, they broke the hug.
“Ah! Since Sakurai-san is our first guest, here’s your free muffin,” Ohno handed one to Sho and smiled.
“Thanks… can I have a seat by the way?” Sho said.
“Sure… with a cup of robusta as usual, right?” Jun responded as he prepared the cup that Sho used to drink from.
“Yeah…,” Sho smiled and walked into his favorite seat. He smiled faintly when he looked at the muffin before taking a bite.
“Sakurai-san, here is…,” Ohno placed the cup on the table, and then he frowned as he found something wrong. “Ah… Sakurai-san why are you crying? Does it taste bad?”
Sho shook his head and wiped his tear. “It’s delicious… though it’s too sweet.”
“What’s wrong with you? I hope you didn’t make our guests think that we did something wrong to you,” Nino came after he sent another customer into their seat.
“Maybe it was because of my muffin. It seems that it doesn’t taste that good. Sorry for the inconvenience, Sakurai-san.”
“Nothing’s wrong, Ohno-san. It’s just me who couldn’t bear the sweet taste.”
“Then… does it taste bad?” Nino asked.
“No. It’s good,” Sho smiled as he tried to hide something that rung a bell with his own feeling. It tasted like Aiba’s.
After the muffin incident, Sho talked more with Ohno and he could feel something for the older man. Ohno could fill the empty space of his heart. As he assured that his feeling with Ohno has grown bigger than Aiba’s, he started to date Ohno. Sho believed that he could have a better life with Ohno. He rebelled with his father as he told him that he lived with a man after university graduation. And also, he could forget about how he loved Aiba before. Unfortunately, what he believed wasn’t the truth. He still loves Aiba from the deepest side of his heart.
*-*-*-*-*
“Sho-chan? Is that you?” a pink bunny costume stopped Sho’s steps.
“I didn’t know you have a bunny as a friend, Sho-chan,” Ohno giggled and Sho pinched his right cheek.
“Sho-chan… it’s me… don’t you remember?” The bunny said as he pointed at his head.
“Yeah… I’m Sho… but who the hell are you?” Sho was becoming annoyed with the bunny.
“It’s me…,” the bunny pulled out the head. Ohno could see a pretty boy with an awesome smile.
“Aiba-chan?” Sho tilted his head. What should I do know? I never expected that I could meet Aiba again.
“Yay! You didn’t forget me after all!” the bunny guy named Aiba Masaki bounced happily and hugged Sho tightly. He’s hugging me, after what happened with us before, after five years without seeing each other.
“How could I forget you?” Sho chuckled happily too. He’s too happy to describe it. How can I forget someone that I love so much… wait! If I still love Aiba-chan… then what about Satoshi? Do I love him too?
“Then who is he? Your cousin?” Aiba pointed at Ohno with a confused face.
“I’m Ohno Satoshi… nice to meet you…,” Ohno bowed politely.
“Nice to meet you too… I’m Aiba Masaki… Sho-chan’s high school friend,” Aiba bowed and gave a sparkling smile. That was the beginning of it all.
The day after that encounter, without Ohno knowing it, Sho came to Aiba’s apartment then confessed to Aiba and the other is too surprised to answer it. Aiba just jumped into Sho’s arms, kissed wildly as ‘a yes’ to Sho’s confession. Then the pair had their first night together, right after Aiba answered the confession. That happened on the day after Sho made love with Ohno as the other man’s birthday present.
*-*-*-*-*
“It seems your cousin hasn’t arrived yet?” Aiba said as he took a bite from a chocolate cake.
“Are you missing Satoshi?” Sho asked, teasing him. Yes, he lied to Aiba and said that Ohno was his cousin.
“No way! I was just relieved that he wasn’t clinging around you as usual,” Aiba pouted and Sho poked his cheeks.
“A jealous Masaki… it makes me love you more,” Sho teased Aiba. Then Aiba snapped as he heard a familiar voice.
“Here he comes,” Aiba murmured.
“Who?”
“Your beloved cousin, of course,” Aiba pinched Sho cheeks and giggled. After a minute, Ohno appeared and looked nervous.
“Ah! Ohno-san,” Aiba waved at him. “How are you today?”
“F-fine…,” Ohno stammered as he took a seat beside Sho. “Can I take a seat here?”
“Sure… Why not?” Sho smiled calmly and then continued chatting with Aiba. Sho felt uneasy with Ohno’s presence. Whatever happened, Ohno is still his boyfriend, and they hadn’t broken up yet. Ohno frowned and pouted, he looked jealous, but Sho didn’t see his adorable pout, or Sho didn’t want to see Ohno’s face now.
Ohno placed his hand on Sho’s knee, hoping their fingers would intertwine under the table. Sho took a glance at Ohno when he felt his lover touch his knee. What’s with him now? Does he want to me to kiss him now? Not in front of Masaki. Sho just gave him a simple smile and continued chatting with Aiba. Then Ohno snuggled into Sho’s arm in order to feel the other’s warmth. Aiba frowned and gave a sign of going somewhere else as Ohno closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Satoshi…,” Sho whispered and Ohno opened his eyes. “I must go to my office now. Lunch time is over.”
Sho stood up and opened his wallet. “Aiba-chan, don’t worry, it’s my treat.”
“Aww… you’re so kind, Sho-chan. Ooh… I have to go too. Bye, Ohno-san,” Aiba waved as he walked out of the café.
“Here’s the payment, dear… bye…,” Sho patted Ohno’s head and stormed out of the café, “Aiba-chan…! Wait for me!”
Aiba waited in front of the café, the frown still marking his face.
“Why is your cousin too spoiled? He must have work then snuggled in your arm. Maybe someday I have to tell Matsumoto-san about his employer’s habit, clinging around someone else’s boyfriend,” Aiba walked away and whined when Sho followed him with a dry laugh.
*-*-*-*-*
“Sho-chan, where are you? I know you’re still alive. You’re not burnt inside Aiba-san’s car, right? Please tell me that you’re safe. Please reply to my mail and say that you’re still alive somewhere.” That was Ohno’s text to Sho, right after Nino got a call from Mr. Ogura.
Sho flipped his phone and put it in his pocket. It’s better if he didn’t know where I am.
“Eh? You didn’t reply? He’s worried about you,” Aiba complained, though he still felt uneasy having his boyfriend care about someone else.
“There’s no need to tell him about my well being now,” Sho answered coldly.
*-*-*-*-*
“Sho-chan? You’re safe, right? Nino-chan and Jun-kun are worried about you.”
Ohno sent Sho another text, though there’s a bunch of messages from Ohno on his phone.
“I’m not safe. I died. So please don’t even try to search for me anymore.” That was the reply from Sho. He knew it’s silly, but he fed up with all Ohno’s messages. Sho decided to reply Ohno’s mail when Aiba is not around him.
“Are you in heaven now? It’s better to know that you’re safe in heaven. I know you deserve to live there. In an hour, Jun-kun will pick me up to your cremation ceremony, by the way. It sounds weird that you have to be cremated when you’re burnt.”
Sho didn’t blink once when he read the text from Ohno. Satoshi… are you kidding me?
*-*-*-*-*
Even if it’s weird, Sho still sent Ohno a message or two a day. And it’s just around a silly question, like what does heaven look like? Or does Sho have to go to work in heaven? Or did Sho meet Ohno’s ancestors there? But there’s a message that clenched Sho’s heart.
“Is Aiba-san with you in heaven?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Send my best regards to him. And could you say thanks to him for me as well. I would like to follow you in heaven, so I could be with you like Aiba-san does but Nino-chan scolded me. I wonder why he cried while scolding to me.”
“You better not follow me now or Nino will kill me twice.”
“Hahaha… it’s impossible, you wouldn’t die twice right?”
Does Satoshi really believe I was died? Or just pretending to keep in touch with me? Sho thought as he saw a picture of Ohno smiling on his phone. Whatever it is… he somehow looks good to me.
*-*-*-*-*
26th November, two years after the incident, Sho and Aiba will be going back to Tokyo after Sho agreed to do the interview for Jun’s café.
“I wonder if Matsumoto-san forgot about us, since we have different haircuts from two years ago,” Aiba chirped in and Sho didn’t give any response. What Sho was thinking that time was how he could face Jun, Nino, especially Ohno.
“What are you thinking about, Sho-chan?” Aiba asked, and once again Sho ignored him. I wonder what kind of response Satoshi will give if I suddenly appeared in front of him, which was what Sho was thinking.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk to me… It’s fine!” Aiba whined as he drove his car
*-*-*-*-*
“You can do this alone, right?” Sho asked after Aiba parked his car in front of the café. I’m not sure I could face those three guys.
“What do you mean!?”
“I know you can do this interview by yourself,” Sho murmured and pulled his head down. Without saying a word, Aiba got out of the car and slammed the door. Aiba was upset because of Sho’s behavior today.
*-*-*-*-*
Sho couldn’t think clearly and it seems he wasted his time for nothing as Aiba entered the car and slammed the door.
“What’s wrong, Masaki?” Sho asked worriedly.
“May I ask you something, Sho-chan…?”
“S-sure…”
“Who is Ohno Satoshi?”
“What do you mean?"
“Just answer it!”
There was silence between them. Then Sho dared to open his mouth.
“He is… my relative…”
“Is he your cousin?”
“Sort of….”
“Get out from my car…”
“What?”
“I said get out from my car, you liar!”
“Wait… Masaki…?”
“No! Get out! Now! I don’t want to see you anymore, bastard!!!” Aiba pushed Sho out of his car and drove as fast as he could, leaving Sho dumbfounded.
*-*-*-*-*
Sho walked alone without any direction. He stopped in front of a jewelry shop and bought a sapphire brooch. Maybe I should give Satoshi a birthday present properly and it looks like it’ll fit him.
Then Sho walked into Ohno’s apartment. Their apartment. Is he at home already? Sho took of his necklace. He has their apartment key as a pendant. Aiba asked him about that key pendant, but Sho just said that was something he bought it at a boutique. He lied about that too.
Sho pushed the door knob and walked in their apartment. Is he here? It’s a bit quiet. Sho sneaked in and found Ohno lying on his bed.
“I’m home, Satoshi…,” I wonder what he will do now. I’m the dead Sho who came visiting him.
“Welcome home, Sho-chan,” Ohno answered Sho’s greeting as if nothing happened between them. Sho shivered when he saw Ohno’s desperate smile.
“Happy birthday, dear. I know you have been waiting for me to bring you a present, right?” Sho took a seat and suddenly Ohno hugged him tight as he wouldn’t break the hug.
“Thank God for granting my prayers,” Ohno mumbled at Sho’s shoulder and enjoyed the smell that he lost before.
“What do you mean Satoshi?” Sho caressed Ohno hair. It’s been a while since I hugged him like this, unexpectedly comfortable.
“I wished that I could meet you again,” Ohno said softly.
“Is that so?” once again, Ohno could fill the sudden emptiness of Sho’s heart.
“Ah… I nearly forgot!” Ohno snapped and broke his embrace, and then he walked into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong Satoshi?”
“I have to take my medications if I met you.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Nino said that I must take a pill if I see you or hear your voice,” Ohno said then he swallowed the medicine that he needed. Sho took a peak at the medicine. It’s an antidepressant. Does that mean Satoshi really thought me as a ghost? Suddenly, Sho felt miserable. I made him suffer like this.
*-*-*-*-*
“It’s time for me to go back to heaven,” Sho said while giggling at Ohno’s pouting face.
“Could you stay here for a while?” Ohno bit his lip and looked down. He didn’t want to be separate with Sho anymore. He wants Sho to stay with him forever. He was afraid that he would lose Sho again.
“I’m sorry but God would yell at me if I didn’t go back now.”
Ohno nodded as he understood. “If you got yelled at, have God kick you out off the heaven, okay?”
“Maybe…”
“Oh okay then… you must go now,” Ohno pushed Sho out of their apartment. “You could go home next time if I pray again. Hope that God would grant it again.”
Sho gave a small peck on Ohno’s lips. It made Ohno want to embrace Sho once again.
“Don’t make me regret giving you up to the heaven,” Ohno mumbled on Sho’s chest. “I love you so much, Sho-chan. I don’t want see you dumped in the Hell.”
Sho giggled once, but he couldn’t give any reply to Ohno’s words. I deserve to be in hell, Satoshi. I made you and Masaki suffer. I hurt the two people I love the most.
When Sho opened the door, there’s a punch that greeted him.
“I knew you were here, bastard! Aiba-san had told me about you! How dare you come back here! You broke Aiba-san’s trust and also made Oh-chan depressed. Isn’t it enough!?” Jun yelled at Sho as he continued to beat Sho’s face.
“Eh? Jun-kun could see Sho-chan? Do you need my medication too, Jun-kun?” Ohno asked, but there wasn’t any answer.
“He didn’t die, Oh-chan. Sho-chan is alive and he lied to you,” Nino said while holding Ohno’s shoulders.
“You’re the one who said that Sho-chan was no longer alive, so you lied to me as well.”
“No, Oh-chan! Sho-chan lied to us as well,” Nino snapped.
“You’re lying! You said that I need to move on without Sho! You also called a doctor for me! And the doctor said that you must present reality to me! But you’re lying now, Nino!” Ohno screamed aloud. “Please let Sho go now! God will be angry if he didn’t go back to heaven now.”
“Are you insane Oh-chan?” Nino said but was interrupted by his lover.
“Oh-chan… you should trust us… Kazu didn’t lie, but Sho did,” Jun said slowly.
“You’re saying that because he’s your boyfriend, it’s not fair Jun-kun.”
“Ohno-san,” Aiba came and interrupted the argument between Ohno and the Matsumiya pair. “I’m sorry… it was my fault.”
Aiba bowed down to Ohno, and the situation became messier.
*-*-*-*-*
Three months after Jun beat Sho, they’re back to the old routine, Sho living in his old apartment with Ohno. Though there’s a new condition at their apartment, Ohno still saw Sho as a ghost. He still thought that Sho was really dead on the car accident two years ago. And sometimes it made Sho feel guilty.
“Ping… Pong…,” their apartment bell was ringing. Then Ohno opened the door and greeted the guest.
“I brought a present from heaven to you,” Aiba said as he saw Ohno greeting him.
“Wow… what a nice pineapple…,” Ohno said as he accepted the bucket of pineapple.
“I know you like it… so I brought it special for you… you should eat it while it’s still fresh,” Aiba said while the two went to the kitchen.
“Sho-chan, good morning!” Aiba cheerfully greeted Sho who has reading the newspaper. Sho just gave him a nod. He still felt bad every time he saw Aiba and Ohno’s friendship now, it left him feeling guilty.
Aiba had apologized to Ohno because of stealing Sho from him. Ohno just smiled and said that it didn’t matter anymore since Aiba didn’t hurt Sho. Then Ohno offered friendship to Aiba, and Aiba accepted it with pleasure.
“I’m happy that you could persuade God to give a special permit for Sho-chan to move in this apartment,” Ohno began cutting the pineapple.
“It’s an easy thing since me and God are best friends,” Aiba laughed out loud. He felt more like a retard talking to Ohno about heaven since the doctor said to not reject what Ohno believed at this level, cause it would make Ohno’s state worst.
“That’s nice… how did that happen?”
“God love animals and so do I, then it seemed to be a regular talk with us everyday.”
More laughter exploded in the kitchen.
*-*-*-*-*
“Why do you do it?” Sho asked Aiba when Ohno went to the bathroom.
“Do what?”
“Come here everyday. Talk a lot with Satoshi and ignore me.”
“I don’t ignore you. I greet you every time I come over or go home.”
“Masaki…”
“Stop calling my first name like that. There’s no more Masaki for you.”
“I don’t know what I can say, but I love both of you at the same time.”
“What a shame, Sho-chan.”
“Why do you still call me Sho and I couldn’t call you Masaki?”
“I called you like that since the first time I met you, but you called me Masaki since we were dating. So it’s a different case.”
“Masaki…”
“Stop it…”
“I know you still love me.”
“There’s has nothing to do with this.”
“So you’re doing all this because you pity Satoshi.”
“That’s not it,” Aiba snapped. “I just don’t want you hurting anyone. You don’t have any idea that you always called Oh-chan’s name every time you slept or you always look over the window and space out. You always have Oh-chan on your mind and that’s nothing to do with me. You loved him more, and I knew that.”
“What are you two talking about? It sounds interesting,” Ohno came back to the living room and smiled at the two men.
“Ah… nothing. But I have to go back now, God’s calling me. Bye-bye Oh-chan. Bye Sho-chan,” Aiba stormed out of that apartment while holding his tears.
“Take care, Aiba-chan, don’t forget to say thanks to God for me. The pineapple tasted good,” Ohno waved and sent Aiba out.
“Aiba-chan is a nice man, right?” Ohno said as he closed the door. “I love him to be my friend.”
“But I love you the most,” Ohno kissing the pout on Sho’s face. A small smile was hanging on Sho’s face. You loved him more, and I knew that, Aiba’s words were spinning around Sho’s head.
“Yeah… you’re the one I love the most too,” Sho kissed Ohno back. It was how fate works, even if the two of you has separated, you can still be together at the end.
*-*-*-*-*
A/N : Sorry for messing these mini series. I made Sho looks bad and i also made Aiba broken heart. It seems i failed to make these series. What a mess =__=;;
aw.. nearly forgot to say... Happy Mr. Failed's day <3
Author :sakumo114
Beta reader : afrit_marid *thanks for everything and sorry for all inconvenient,,lol*
Length : 4395 words
Genre : AU, Angst
Rating : R
Pairing : Sakuraiba and Yama Pair
Disclaimer : I own them in my dreamland
Summary : Even if our red threads have been severed, memories of you will never fade.
Warning : Sho-centric. It’s the last installment of the Maboroshi-verse.
Previous Link : Illusion (the 1st installment) || Red Threads (the 2nd installment)
*-*-*-*-*
“Sho-chan… Happy birthday,” Sho looked up and saw his dearest person smiling in front of him. Sho couldn’t help but smile back.
“I made seventeen muffins for you,” the guy continued his words and gave a paper bag full of muffins to Sho.
“I don’t need this much. Why did you make seventeen?”
“It’s your 17th birthday after all, Sho-chan! So I had to make seventeen.”
“You don’t have to make this much, Aiba-chan.”
“So you don’t like my present?”
“That’s not what I meant…. It’s just that… I don’t know if I could eat this much…”
“You shouldn’t eat all this in one go. You have two days to eat your present, you know.”
Sho gave Aiba a small smile and began to take bite from a muffin, “ah… it’s too sweet!”
“Thanks for the compliment, Sho-chan.”
“No… I mean it’s sweeter than it supposed to be!”
“Eh? Really?” Aiba took a bite then, “ah… you’re right. Sorry… you could throw it if you don’t want to eat it.”
“It’s okay. I was just surprised with the taste. I can eat all of it so no need to throw anything,” Sho patted Aiba’s hair, and the other just gave him a weak smile. “It’s my pleasure to have these as my birthday present. Thanks.”
Both of them looked away as they want to hide their blushing faces.
“You’re welcome,” Aiba murmured and bit his bottom lip. Sho can’t help but smile when he took a glance at the shy Aiba. I’ve never seen Aiba’s face this red.
*-*-*-*-*
One year later, they graduated from high school. Aiba ran after Sho when the graduation ceremony ended.
“Sho-chan, wait….!”
“What’s up, Aiba-chan?” Sho turned around and faced Aiba who panted hard.
“Ano… Sho-chan… there’s something I need to tell you….”
“What’s that? I think you should take a breath first,” Sho giggled as he saw Aiba panting. “You seem like you’re lacking oxygen.”
“Sho-chan!” Aiba gazed at Sho directly. He bit his bottom lip and his face became crimson. “Thank you for being my friend for the past three years.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m also happy to have you as my friend,” Sho gave a pat on Aiba’s shoulder. Then Aiba took Sho’s hand from his own shoulder, surprising Sho.
“But… I would be happier if you were thinking of me more than just your ordinary friend.”
“You’re not ordinary Aiba-chan,” Sho smiled and wrapped his other hand to Aiba’s. “You’re my best friend.”
Aiba took away his hands with a frown on his face. “I don’t want to be your best friend, Sho-chan!”
“Eh? What’s does that mean? I don’t get what you’re saying…,” Sho’s eyes widened as he couldn’t believe what he heard.
“I want to be your lover… I love you, Sho-chan… since the summer of our second year… it was around that time… I think that…,” Aiba’s words were halted when he saw Sho bowing in front of him.
“I’m sorry… I can’t see you more than just my best friend… I’m sorry….,” Sho still looked down. He didn’t dare look at Aiba’s face. It might hurt him, but I have to.
Both of them didn’t move a bit, still at a numb state. Then Aiba laughed halfheartedly trying to remove the awkwardness between them.
“It’s okay Sho-chan… it’s just my silly request… I’ll be happy with this… as your best friend…,” Aiba said as he looked up into the gloomy sky, trying to stop his tears from falling.
“Ah… it seems like it’s going to rain… we should go home now…,” Aiba turned around then walked away. Before he disappeared from Sho’s vision, Aiba waved and gave a big smile. “Congratulations on graduating!!”
“Yeah… you too…,” Sho shouted as he waved back. Then after Aiba dashed away, Sho took a look into the sky. I hurt him…and somehow it hurts me too… though I have to obey my father’s rules.
“A cloudy sky… please don’t cry…,” Sho murmured as he felt a cold drop of water from the gloomy clouds.
“I have to give him up… so please… don’t cry…,” Sho remained standing at the same spot until he couldn’t differentiate his own tears from the sky’s rain.
*-*-*-*-*
“You have to go home! There are marriage meetings that you have to attend! At least choose one of those!” Sho flipped his phone and turned back to his literature, though he couldn’t concentrate anymore with the book.
“What is he thinking!? He’s the one who told me that I must finish my studies soon! What now!? He asked me to marry someone I didn’t know! It makes me want to kill him as soon as possible!” Sho murmured as he remembered what his father texted him.
“Need more coffee, sir?” a waiter asked Sho, though the other only nodded and didn’t take a glance at the waiter. Sho is too busy with his own thoughts, and also about his cursed father. Then, Sho smelled something that he recognized well. Ah, my cup’s refilled.
“Eh? Are you a newbie?” Sho realized after the waiter turned around. He halted and faced Sho. Jun-kun and Nino didn’t say anything about a new employer or did I miss something here. I’ve never seen this boy before.
“Un…,” the waiter nodded as he saw a bright smile from the other.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Sakurai Sho. I always come here every day, so please don’t get bored with me,” Sho chuckled. The waiter nodded once again and went silent.
“Hey! What’s your name then?” Sho closed his book and stared deeply at the newbie.
“I… I’m Ohno Satoshi… Nice to meet you….,” Ohno bowed to hide his blushing face.
“Nice to meet you too, Ohno-san,” Sho grinned. It was his first encounter with the second person who could steal his heart.
*-*-*-*-*
“What’s going on?” Sho entered 15th Moon café and saw three men standing around the cashier desk.
“Ah, welcome, Sho-kun…,” Matsumoto Jun greeted him. “Today is Oh-chan’s birthday.”
“Oh… happy birthday then… wish you all the best,” Sho shook Ohno’s hand and Ohno murmured his thanks.
“So what’s with the muffins?” Sho continued and pointed to a tray full of muffins.
“It’s my treat. I tried to make something that everyone can enjoy,” Ohno said.
“But if you gave it as freebies to the customers, you shouldn’t just make twenty two muffins for today, Oh-chan! I mean… you know how many guests we have everyday, right? It’s more than twenty two!” Nino scratched his hair.
“Maybe we could just give it to the first twenty two guests today,” Jun said.
“Then… what must we said if the 23rd guest asked us about this? Twenty two is a weird amount. What if we make it twenty five or maybe just twenty?” Nino suggested.
“No, Nino-chan! I did it on purpose,” Ohno pouted between Jun and Nino.
“What’s that Oh-chan?” Jun asked calmly.
“It’s my 22nd birthday,” Ohno gave a straight answer. But it was enough to make Sho’s body tense.
“Are you silly?” Nino gave sharp gaze into Ohno’s eyes. “Though it sounds cute,” then Nino gave him a warm hug. “Happy birthday Oh-chan!”
“Thank you,” Ohno said as he rubbed Nino’s back, then after Jun coughed, they broke the hug.
“Ah! Since Sakurai-san is our first guest, here’s your free muffin,” Ohno handed one to Sho and smiled.
“Thanks… can I have a seat by the way?” Sho said.
“Sure… with a cup of robusta as usual, right?” Jun responded as he prepared the cup that Sho used to drink from.
“Yeah…,” Sho smiled and walked into his favorite seat. He smiled faintly when he looked at the muffin before taking a bite.
“Sakurai-san, here is…,” Ohno placed the cup on the table, and then he frowned as he found something wrong. “Ah… Sakurai-san why are you crying? Does it taste bad?”
Sho shook his head and wiped his tear. “It’s delicious… though it’s too sweet.”
“What’s wrong with you? I hope you didn’t make our guests think that we did something wrong to you,” Nino came after he sent another customer into their seat.
“Maybe it was because of my muffin. It seems that it doesn’t taste that good. Sorry for the inconvenience, Sakurai-san.”
“Nothing’s wrong, Ohno-san. It’s just me who couldn’t bear the sweet taste.”
“Then… does it taste bad?” Nino asked.
“No. It’s good,” Sho smiled as he tried to hide something that rung a bell with his own feeling. It tasted like Aiba’s.
After the muffin incident, Sho talked more with Ohno and he could feel something for the older man. Ohno could fill the empty space of his heart. As he assured that his feeling with Ohno has grown bigger than Aiba’s, he started to date Ohno. Sho believed that he could have a better life with Ohno. He rebelled with his father as he told him that he lived with a man after university graduation. And also, he could forget about how he loved Aiba before. Unfortunately, what he believed wasn’t the truth. He still loves Aiba from the deepest side of his heart.
*-*-*-*-*
“Sho-chan? Is that you?” a pink bunny costume stopped Sho’s steps.
“I didn’t know you have a bunny as a friend, Sho-chan,” Ohno giggled and Sho pinched his right cheek.
“Sho-chan… it’s me… don’t you remember?” The bunny said as he pointed at his head.
“Yeah… I’m Sho… but who the hell are you?” Sho was becoming annoyed with the bunny.
“It’s me…,” the bunny pulled out the head. Ohno could see a pretty boy with an awesome smile.
“Aiba-chan?” Sho tilted his head. What should I do know? I never expected that I could meet Aiba again.
“Yay! You didn’t forget me after all!” the bunny guy named Aiba Masaki bounced happily and hugged Sho tightly. He’s hugging me, after what happened with us before, after five years without seeing each other.
“How could I forget you?” Sho chuckled happily too. He’s too happy to describe it. How can I forget someone that I love so much… wait! If I still love Aiba-chan… then what about Satoshi? Do I love him too?
“Then who is he? Your cousin?” Aiba pointed at Ohno with a confused face.
“I’m Ohno Satoshi… nice to meet you…,” Ohno bowed politely.
“Nice to meet you too… I’m Aiba Masaki… Sho-chan’s high school friend,” Aiba bowed and gave a sparkling smile. That was the beginning of it all.
The day after that encounter, without Ohno knowing it, Sho came to Aiba’s apartment then confessed to Aiba and the other is too surprised to answer it. Aiba just jumped into Sho’s arms, kissed wildly as ‘a yes’ to Sho’s confession. Then the pair had their first night together, right after Aiba answered the confession. That happened on the day after Sho made love with Ohno as the other man’s birthday present.
*-*-*-*-*
“It seems your cousin hasn’t arrived yet?” Aiba said as he took a bite from a chocolate cake.
“Are you missing Satoshi?” Sho asked, teasing him. Yes, he lied to Aiba and said that Ohno was his cousin.
“No way! I was just relieved that he wasn’t clinging around you as usual,” Aiba pouted and Sho poked his cheeks.
“A jealous Masaki… it makes me love you more,” Sho teased Aiba. Then Aiba snapped as he heard a familiar voice.
“Here he comes,” Aiba murmured.
“Who?”
“Your beloved cousin, of course,” Aiba pinched Sho cheeks and giggled. After a minute, Ohno appeared and looked nervous.
“Ah! Ohno-san,” Aiba waved at him. “How are you today?”
“F-fine…,” Ohno stammered as he took a seat beside Sho. “Can I take a seat here?”
“Sure… Why not?” Sho smiled calmly and then continued chatting with Aiba. Sho felt uneasy with Ohno’s presence. Whatever happened, Ohno is still his boyfriend, and they hadn’t broken up yet. Ohno frowned and pouted, he looked jealous, but Sho didn’t see his adorable pout, or Sho didn’t want to see Ohno’s face now.
Ohno placed his hand on Sho’s knee, hoping their fingers would intertwine under the table. Sho took a glance at Ohno when he felt his lover touch his knee. What’s with him now? Does he want to me to kiss him now? Not in front of Masaki. Sho just gave him a simple smile and continued chatting with Aiba. Then Ohno snuggled into Sho’s arm in order to feel the other’s warmth. Aiba frowned and gave a sign of going somewhere else as Ohno closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Satoshi…,” Sho whispered and Ohno opened his eyes. “I must go to my office now. Lunch time is over.”
Sho stood up and opened his wallet. “Aiba-chan, don’t worry, it’s my treat.”
“Aww… you’re so kind, Sho-chan. Ooh… I have to go too. Bye, Ohno-san,” Aiba waved as he walked out of the café.
“Here’s the payment, dear… bye…,” Sho patted Ohno’s head and stormed out of the café, “Aiba-chan…! Wait for me!”
Aiba waited in front of the café, the frown still marking his face.
“Why is your cousin too spoiled? He must have work then snuggled in your arm. Maybe someday I have to tell Matsumoto-san about his employer’s habit, clinging around someone else’s boyfriend,” Aiba walked away and whined when Sho followed him with a dry laugh.
*-*-*-*-*
“Sho-chan, where are you? I know you’re still alive. You’re not burnt inside Aiba-san’s car, right? Please tell me that you’re safe. Please reply to my mail and say that you’re still alive somewhere.” That was Ohno’s text to Sho, right after Nino got a call from Mr. Ogura.
Sho flipped his phone and put it in his pocket. It’s better if he didn’t know where I am.
“Eh? You didn’t reply? He’s worried about you,” Aiba complained, though he still felt uneasy having his boyfriend care about someone else.
“There’s no need to tell him about my well being now,” Sho answered coldly.
*-*-*-*-*
“Sho-chan? You’re safe, right? Nino-chan and Jun-kun are worried about you.”
Ohno sent Sho another text, though there’s a bunch of messages from Ohno on his phone.
“I’m not safe. I died. So please don’t even try to search for me anymore.” That was the reply from Sho. He knew it’s silly, but he fed up with all Ohno’s messages. Sho decided to reply Ohno’s mail when Aiba is not around him.
“Are you in heaven now? It’s better to know that you’re safe in heaven. I know you deserve to live there. In an hour, Jun-kun will pick me up to your cremation ceremony, by the way. It sounds weird that you have to be cremated when you’re burnt.”
Sho didn’t blink once when he read the text from Ohno. Satoshi… are you kidding me?
*-*-*-*-*
Even if it’s weird, Sho still sent Ohno a message or two a day. And it’s just around a silly question, like what does heaven look like? Or does Sho have to go to work in heaven? Or did Sho meet Ohno’s ancestors there? But there’s a message that clenched Sho’s heart.
“Is Aiba-san with you in heaven?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Send my best regards to him. And could you say thanks to him for me as well. I would like to follow you in heaven, so I could be with you like Aiba-san does but Nino-chan scolded me. I wonder why he cried while scolding to me.”
“You better not follow me now or Nino will kill me twice.”
“Hahaha… it’s impossible, you wouldn’t die twice right?”
Does Satoshi really believe I was died? Or just pretending to keep in touch with me? Sho thought as he saw a picture of Ohno smiling on his phone. Whatever it is… he somehow looks good to me.
*-*-*-*-*
26th November, two years after the incident, Sho and Aiba will be going back to Tokyo after Sho agreed to do the interview for Jun’s café.
“I wonder if Matsumoto-san forgot about us, since we have different haircuts from two years ago,” Aiba chirped in and Sho didn’t give any response. What Sho was thinking that time was how he could face Jun, Nino, especially Ohno.
“What are you thinking about, Sho-chan?” Aiba asked, and once again Sho ignored him. I wonder what kind of response Satoshi will give if I suddenly appeared in front of him, which was what Sho was thinking.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk to me… It’s fine!” Aiba whined as he drove his car
*-*-*-*-*
“You can do this alone, right?” Sho asked after Aiba parked his car in front of the café. I’m not sure I could face those three guys.
“What do you mean!?”
“I know you can do this interview by yourself,” Sho murmured and pulled his head down. Without saying a word, Aiba got out of the car and slammed the door. Aiba was upset because of Sho’s behavior today.
*-*-*-*-*
Sho couldn’t think clearly and it seems he wasted his time for nothing as Aiba entered the car and slammed the door.
“What’s wrong, Masaki?” Sho asked worriedly.
“May I ask you something, Sho-chan…?”
“S-sure…”
“Who is Ohno Satoshi?”
“What do you mean?"
“Just answer it!”
There was silence between them. Then Sho dared to open his mouth.
“He is… my relative…”
“Is he your cousin?”
“Sort of….”
“Get out from my car…”
“What?”
“I said get out from my car, you liar!”
“Wait… Masaki…?”
“No! Get out! Now! I don’t want to see you anymore, bastard!!!” Aiba pushed Sho out of his car and drove as fast as he could, leaving Sho dumbfounded.
*-*-*-*-*
Sho walked alone without any direction. He stopped in front of a jewelry shop and bought a sapphire brooch. Maybe I should give Satoshi a birthday present properly and it looks like it’ll fit him.
Then Sho walked into Ohno’s apartment. Their apartment. Is he at home already? Sho took of his necklace. He has their apartment key as a pendant. Aiba asked him about that key pendant, but Sho just said that was something he bought it at a boutique. He lied about that too.
Sho pushed the door knob and walked in their apartment. Is he here? It’s a bit quiet. Sho sneaked in and found Ohno lying on his bed.
“I’m home, Satoshi…,” I wonder what he will do now. I’m the dead Sho who came visiting him.
“Welcome home, Sho-chan,” Ohno answered Sho’s greeting as if nothing happened between them. Sho shivered when he saw Ohno’s desperate smile.
“Happy birthday, dear. I know you have been waiting for me to bring you a present, right?” Sho took a seat and suddenly Ohno hugged him tight as he wouldn’t break the hug.
“Thank God for granting my prayers,” Ohno mumbled at Sho’s shoulder and enjoyed the smell that he lost before.
“What do you mean Satoshi?” Sho caressed Ohno hair. It’s been a while since I hugged him like this, unexpectedly comfortable.
“I wished that I could meet you again,” Ohno said softly.
“Is that so?” once again, Ohno could fill the sudden emptiness of Sho’s heart.
“Ah… I nearly forgot!” Ohno snapped and broke his embrace, and then he walked into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong Satoshi?”
“I have to take my medications if I met you.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Nino said that I must take a pill if I see you or hear your voice,” Ohno said then he swallowed the medicine that he needed. Sho took a peak at the medicine. It’s an antidepressant. Does that mean Satoshi really thought me as a ghost? Suddenly, Sho felt miserable. I made him suffer like this.
*-*-*-*-*
“It’s time for me to go back to heaven,” Sho said while giggling at Ohno’s pouting face.
“Could you stay here for a while?” Ohno bit his lip and looked down. He didn’t want to be separate with Sho anymore. He wants Sho to stay with him forever. He was afraid that he would lose Sho again.
“I’m sorry but God would yell at me if I didn’t go back now.”
Ohno nodded as he understood. “If you got yelled at, have God kick you out off the heaven, okay?”
“Maybe…”
“Oh okay then… you must go now,” Ohno pushed Sho out of their apartment. “You could go home next time if I pray again. Hope that God would grant it again.”
Sho gave a small peck on Ohno’s lips. It made Ohno want to embrace Sho once again.
“Don’t make me regret giving you up to the heaven,” Ohno mumbled on Sho’s chest. “I love you so much, Sho-chan. I don’t want see you dumped in the Hell.”
Sho giggled once, but he couldn’t give any reply to Ohno’s words. I deserve to be in hell, Satoshi. I made you and Masaki suffer. I hurt the two people I love the most.
When Sho opened the door, there’s a punch that greeted him.
“I knew you were here, bastard! Aiba-san had told me about you! How dare you come back here! You broke Aiba-san’s trust and also made Oh-chan depressed. Isn’t it enough!?” Jun yelled at Sho as he continued to beat Sho’s face.
“Eh? Jun-kun could see Sho-chan? Do you need my medication too, Jun-kun?” Ohno asked, but there wasn’t any answer.
“He didn’t die, Oh-chan. Sho-chan is alive and he lied to you,” Nino said while holding Ohno’s shoulders.
“You’re the one who said that Sho-chan was no longer alive, so you lied to me as well.”
“No, Oh-chan! Sho-chan lied to us as well,” Nino snapped.
“You’re lying! You said that I need to move on without Sho! You also called a doctor for me! And the doctor said that you must present reality to me! But you’re lying now, Nino!” Ohno screamed aloud. “Please let Sho go now! God will be angry if he didn’t go back to heaven now.”
“Are you insane Oh-chan?” Nino said but was interrupted by his lover.
“Oh-chan… you should trust us… Kazu didn’t lie, but Sho did,” Jun said slowly.
“You’re saying that because he’s your boyfriend, it’s not fair Jun-kun.”
“Ohno-san,” Aiba came and interrupted the argument between Ohno and the Matsumiya pair. “I’m sorry… it was my fault.”
Aiba bowed down to Ohno, and the situation became messier.
*-*-*-*-*
Three months after Jun beat Sho, they’re back to the old routine, Sho living in his old apartment with Ohno. Though there’s a new condition at their apartment, Ohno still saw Sho as a ghost. He still thought that Sho was really dead on the car accident two years ago. And sometimes it made Sho feel guilty.
“Ping… Pong…,” their apartment bell was ringing. Then Ohno opened the door and greeted the guest.
“I brought a present from heaven to you,” Aiba said as he saw Ohno greeting him.
“Wow… what a nice pineapple…,” Ohno said as he accepted the bucket of pineapple.
“I know you like it… so I brought it special for you… you should eat it while it’s still fresh,” Aiba said while the two went to the kitchen.
“Sho-chan, good morning!” Aiba cheerfully greeted Sho who has reading the newspaper. Sho just gave him a nod. He still felt bad every time he saw Aiba and Ohno’s friendship now, it left him feeling guilty.
Aiba had apologized to Ohno because of stealing Sho from him. Ohno just smiled and said that it didn’t matter anymore since Aiba didn’t hurt Sho. Then Ohno offered friendship to Aiba, and Aiba accepted it with pleasure.
“I’m happy that you could persuade God to give a special permit for Sho-chan to move in this apartment,” Ohno began cutting the pineapple.
“It’s an easy thing since me and God are best friends,” Aiba laughed out loud. He felt more like a retard talking to Ohno about heaven since the doctor said to not reject what Ohno believed at this level, cause it would make Ohno’s state worst.
“That’s nice… how did that happen?”
“God love animals and so do I, then it seemed to be a regular talk with us everyday.”
More laughter exploded in the kitchen.
*-*-*-*-*
“Why do you do it?” Sho asked Aiba when Ohno went to the bathroom.
“Do what?”
“Come here everyday. Talk a lot with Satoshi and ignore me.”
“I don’t ignore you. I greet you every time I come over or go home.”
“Masaki…”
“Stop calling my first name like that. There’s no more Masaki for you.”
“I don’t know what I can say, but I love both of you at the same time.”
“What a shame, Sho-chan.”
“Why do you still call me Sho and I couldn’t call you Masaki?”
“I called you like that since the first time I met you, but you called me Masaki since we were dating. So it’s a different case.”
“Masaki…”
“Stop it…”
“I know you still love me.”
“There’s has nothing to do with this.”
“So you’re doing all this because you pity Satoshi.”
“That’s not it,” Aiba snapped. “I just don’t want you hurting anyone. You don’t have any idea that you always called Oh-chan’s name every time you slept or you always look over the window and space out. You always have Oh-chan on your mind and that’s nothing to do with me. You loved him more, and I knew that.”
“What are you two talking about? It sounds interesting,” Ohno came back to the living room and smiled at the two men.
“Ah… nothing. But I have to go back now, God’s calling me. Bye-bye Oh-chan. Bye Sho-chan,” Aiba stormed out of that apartment while holding his tears.
“Take care, Aiba-chan, don’t forget to say thanks to God for me. The pineapple tasted good,” Ohno waved and sent Aiba out.
“Aiba-chan is a nice man, right?” Ohno said as he closed the door. “I love him to be my friend.”
“But I love you the most,” Ohno kissing the pout on Sho’s face. A small smile was hanging on Sho’s face. You loved him more, and I knew that, Aiba’s words were spinning around Sho’s head.
“Yeah… you’re the one I love the most too,” Sho kissed Ohno back. It was how fate works, even if the two of you has separated, you can still be together at the end.
*-*-*-*-*
A/N : Sorry for messing these mini series. I made Sho looks bad and i also made Aiba broken heart. It seems i failed to make these series. What a mess =__=;;
aw.. nearly forgot to say... Happy Mr. Failed's day <3