[Fanfic] Childhood Friend - Shingo & Arisa
Repost! Wrote this in 2009^^
Childhood Friend
~Osananajimi~
written by yanie
Autumn, 1988
We were finally gathered in the studio. We made a circle and the producer started to introduce herself. Her name is Nakagawa-san. She looks like a very kind lady. The star of this drama, a group of boys named SMAP, introduced themselves. Seem like they're not of the same age. Some of them looks like high school students. Am I the only 5th grader here?
"Ee... Katori Shingo desu. I'm 11 years old, 5th grade in elementary school, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
Aa... that boy has the same age as mine. So, the two of us are the youngest ones here...
After SMAP, there were veteran actors who will play the roles as teachers, introducing themselves. Then, it's finally my turn to introduce myself, "Mizuki Arisa desu. 11 years old, I'm in 5th grade elementary school, yoroshiku onegaishimasu,"
"Oo... Arisa-chan, so I guess you're in the same class year as Shingo-kun??" Nakagawa-san asked, and looked at me and that boy in turns. She continued, "Then I guess, you might get along well with him, ne..."
That boy is starting to stare at me. I just looked up to Nakagawa-san and give her a nod and a smile. When I glanced at that boy again, he was still looking at me. Nani yo(what)?? Stop staring at me! I looked away. The way he was staring at me is very annoying.
I don't see why Nakagawa-san would think we could get along well just because we're of the same age. It's another matter if he's a girl, but he's a BOY. To me, boys are so annoying. Boys in our school aren't more than just a bunch of skirt-lifters and lazy people. I'm sure this one is not any different either.
After about a month filming the drama, Abunai Shonen III, I get to know more of the casts. The other girls casts who are older 2-3 years than me are very kind to me, and they're like big sisters. Among the SMAP boys, I get along very well with Nakai-kun and Kimura-kun, they always greeted me and started a conversation with me, many times. Mori-kun talked to me from time to time to ask where I study, where I live, or how was the filming, like that. Inagaki-kun seem quiet but he gave me candies the other day, he seem nice. I have never talked with Kusanagi-kun, but he seem okay. As for Katori Shingo, I never talked to him, but he seem quiet, aloof and weird. I heard he collects insects in spare time. I also heard he had ate ants before. Eww! What a strange boy!
One day, Nakagawa-san gathered us in a room, 6 members of SMAP, and 4 girls of the newspaper club, including me. Nakagawa-san said she wants to make a story about love letters this time. And so she asked us, "I'm trying to look for some ideas for the story. Does any of you here has interesting experience in love letters?". We were all quiet for a few seconds, but suddenly Nakai-kun who was sitting right beside Katori-kun, raised Katori-kun's hand and said, "Shingo here has just received a love letter few days ago!!". Katori-kun seem very surprised, "Chotto! Nakai-kun!!!", and pulled back his hand. He shook his head to Nakai-kun like he doesn't want Nakai-kun to tell everyone about that. While laughing, Nakai-kun pat Katori-kun's back, "C'mon! Just tell everyone about the story! It's a pretty good one, da be?".
Katori-kun seem reluctant and he looked down. Nakagawa-san asked, "Do you want to tell us, Shingo-chan? It's alright if you don't want to,".
Nakai-kun kept slapping Katori-kun's back, "Hayakuuu(hurry)!! Just tell Nakagawa-san the story,".
Aa... now I know what Nakai-kun is doing. He told me once, that it's very easy for him to order around Katori-kun because he's the youngest. And now, Nakai-kun is trying to squeeze out an embarrassing story out of Katori-kun, so he doesn't has to share anything embarrassing here, in case Nakagawa-san likes Katori-kun's story, she might end the meeting sooner.
Seem like Katori-kun looked a bit scared of Nakai-kun and so he finally tells Nakagawa-san and everyone here, "Anooo... few days ago, when I just arrived in the class, there was a pink envelope inside my desk's drawer. I saw it is from.... a classmate...".
Nakai-kun interrupted, "Misa-chan tte iu n da be(from Misa-chan right)??"
Katori-kun widened his eyes to Nakai-kun, "How do you know?".
"I heard it when you told the story to Tsuyoshi, you idiot!" Nakai-kun chuckled.
Katori-kun continued, "Anyway, before I get to open the envelope, my friends, the boys, saw it and snatched it away from me, "Heyyy!! Listen, listen! Katori got a love letter from Misa-chan!!!"...and they read the letter loudly so the whole class can hear it. I was quite embarrassed because Misa-chan confessed that she likes me in that letter. But then, I saw Misa-chan started crying out loud and left the classroom. I just realized she must be ten times embarrassed than me. After that, suddenly a group of girls came to me, and they all scolded me. They said I was being very mean to Misa-chan, letting everyone to hear the letter. I tried to explain to them, that the letter was snatched even before I get to read it, but they were all very angry, and didn't listen to what I said...".
As Katori-kun finished his story, everyone were laughing. Kimura-kun said, "Shingo, kawaisou na, omae(poor you)!". The other girls besides me were laughing and as they are older than Shingo, they said, "Kawaiiiiiii!!!! Ii na~~ an elementary student love story!".
Seem like I'm the only person who is not laughing. And Nakagawa-san noticed my expression. She asked, "Arisa-chan, what do you think of this?".
I said honestly, "Hidoi desu ne(that was mean), Katori-kun wa..."
Katori-kun seem surprised, "Hidoi tte!?"
One of the other girls, said to me, while chuckling, "But Arisa-chan, Shingo-kun didn't intend for the letter to be snatched away and to be read aloud, it was an accident,"
I pout my lips, "Sou da kedo(I know, but)..." I turned to Katori-kun, "Have you apologize to Misa-chan already?"
"Apologized? ..." he shook his head a bit.
"You haven't apologize??" I asked.
Katori-kun said, "Things gets awkward between me and her since that day, that I don't talk to her anymore,".
I frowned, "Hidoi! You should apologize to her soon! She has finally gather up the courage to confess to you that she likes you. It took alot to even write a letter to tell you that. But then you humiliated her in front of the class. Even if it was not your fault, you should apologize to her,"
"If I talk to her, my classmates will start making noises and gossips that we're together or something, they might start writing our names with the heart shapes or love umbrella or something on the chalk board. That would be more embarrassing,"
"But...!"
Nakagawa-san asked me, "Arisa-chan, have you experienced something like this?".
I just looked down and said in a small voice, "Well... not exactly like this, but I wrote a letter and handed it over to the boy I liked, but since then, he never talk to me again and he even has this cold attitude towards me...." remembering this, I feel like crying now, but I tried to hold it back. I turned to Katori-kun and continued, "That's why... I understand Misa-chan's feelings very well... the least you can do, just talk to her again---"
Katori-kun interrupted, "Aaaa~~ah, onna no ko tte mendokuse', (Girls are so troublesome)"
I feel very angry and I'm finally in tears, "Otoko no ko datte(boys are...)!!! Saitei! You boys are the worst! You never get anything done right! Hurting girls and don't care at all about people's feelings! And, and...." I felt my throat is choked, I can't talk anymore so I just cried.
Nakagawa-san immediately came sit next to me, "Aw, Arisa-chan gomen ne... I'm the one who brought this all up,". The other girls tried to cheer me up.
"Chottooo! Shingoooo! You just made Arisa-chan cry! Apologize to her!" Nakai-kun told me.
"Haa?? Why do I have to apologize? She just got carried away by her own love matter!" he refused.
I heard Mori-kun said to Kusanagi-kun while grinning, "Aa~ah, elementary school student's problems sounds so fun, na!".
Kusanagi-kun just nod while grinning too.
Inagaki-kun doesn't seem care with the situation and he's fixing his hair while looking at a compact mirror he's holding, and said, "Childish, ne...".
Kimura-kun pat Shingo's head, "Yappari, you're still a kid, na...".
Shingo denied, "I'm not a kid! She's the one who's still a kid!" he pointed at me.
Still in tears, I gazed at him in hatred and he stared at me back, but then he made those weird faces that I don't understand. He's so weird, annoying and he's the worst kind of boy I ever met! I'm starting to hate him since this day!
*******************
Summer, 2009
My cellphone rings, the number show up on the screen, so I have never saved this number before. I picked up, "Hai! Mosh-mosh! Mizuki desu!".
"Moshimoshi? Arisa?" a deep, low, man's voice with a low spirit kind of voice is heard.
"Who is this?"
"Guess!"
"Then give me a hint?"
"You just gave your number to me yesterday,"
Aaahh, sou ka, I know this voice sounds familiar. But I decided to play it a bit more, "Yesterday, I gave this new number to my grandmother. Obaachan, is that you??".
"Yes, dear! This is your grandmother!" he changed his tone and way of speak a bit to sound like an old woman.
"Obaachan!! Why was your voice is so low and deep?"
"I have a flu!"
"What proof do you have that you're really my grandmother?"
"I know that Arisa-chan has a big mole on her ass!"
I laughed, "NO WAYYY!! I don't have a mole there! You're not my grandmother!! Who are you? Give me another hint!"
He's back to his original voice, "Uhhh... I was the one who stole Mizuki Arisa's memorable first indirect kiss!".
"Ahahahaha, I can't believe you still remember that!" I'm amazed he still remember something happened 20-some years ago.
"How could I forget? You slapped my face that time!".
"It served you right for drinking the juice can I was drinking!"
"It was a dry day, I was thirsty, but I didn't expect you to believe me when I said, "Aaa~ we just had an indirect kiss","
"Haha, yeah, I was a very sensitive little girl that time, and gullible too! Not to mention, I hated you that time, so it just added up the anger,"
"Ah, sou da... you hated me that time. Do you still hate me now?"
"Well, I hate you now, that I know you've changed your cellphone number and didn't tell me,"
"I told you I lost your number, and I didn't save it anywhere else,"
"Liar! Your mother know my cellphone's number, you can easily ask her,"
"I forgot okaasan has it,"
"Aw, c'mon, I know you wanted to cut me out of your life," I said.
"I didn't! I'm calling you now, aren't I??!"
"Aaa... sou da ne! So, what's up?"
"Yeah, remember I showed you my drawing book on the filming set yesterday?"
"Um, yes..."
"Yes, I think you brought it back with you,"
"No way! What is this? In the end, you just cared about your stupid drawing book---" I talked while groping around my bag in case I actually brought it back with me, "...and on top of that, you accused me that I brought back your stupid---" I found it. "Aa, atta(here it is)!".
"Hora ne~(See?)"
I mumbled while holding the book, "No wonder my bag feels heavier since yesterday,"
"You got your answer,"
"What am I suppose to do with this?" I asked.
"Can you bring it over to my apartement?"
"Oh great. You think I have nothing better to do?? I'm not going to your apartement just to deliver to you your book! Not to mention, my manager can't pick me up and I have to ride a taxi to go home!"
"Where are you?"
"Shibuya,"
"I'll pick you up and I'll take you home,"
"Ehh? Where's Shingo-chan now?"
"I'm driving now around Shinjuku area,"
"Aaa... that sounds nice!! Arigatooo! You're my hero!"
***
I got into the car.
"Sorry, did you wait long?" he asked.
"Nope," I handed him over his drawing book, "Here you go!"
"Oh, thanks," he put it on the back seat, then he turned to me, "Where's your apartement building again?"
"It's just 2 blocks away from your building,"
"Oh right. That's where the rental video shop is. Do you mind if we go back to my place first? I have to return DVDs to the rental shop near your building,"
"Sure! No problem,"
"Okay,"
"Wait a minute, won't your girlfriend be mad if I come with you? Oh, I should just wait in the car?"
He chuckled, "There's no girlfriend,"
"No girlfriend? Katori Shingo has no girlfriend right now?? Mezurashiiii(that's so unusual)~~!"
"Is it really that unusual?"
"Yeah, when we meet every a few years, you always had a girlfriend, or probably still with the same girlfriend,"
"Yeah well... not anymore now..."
"Heee... you must be feeling lonely now,"
"Not really, I'm really having fun with work right now!"
"Aaaa, wakatta! You're in love with one of the female hairstylist in KochiKame set!"
He laughed, "Wrong!"
"But you ARE in love with someone??"
He kept quiet and smiled shyly.
"You ARE!!! Who is it??" I excitedly asked him.
"I don't wanna say..."
"Who is it!! C'mon! I won't tell anyone, I promise!"
"Well, she used to be my co-star...."
"USED TO BE?? Aaaaa.... Takeuchi Yuko-chan??!"
He widened his eyes and turned to me, "How did you do that??"
"Hahahahaha.... wakariyasuiiii(you're so predictable)!"
"How, how, how???" he kept asking.
"Oh pleaaasse! Yuko-chan is that stereotype kind of girl, which is actually your type! I can see it right away. I watched Mezamashi with you and Yuko-chan, and I could see it right away, you were so smittened by her,"
"Seriously??"
"So did you get her number??"
"Are you kidding?? I don't exchange numbers with co-stars,"
"You exchanged numbers with me,"
"I already know you as my hometown friend's cousin, before we became co-stars,"
"Ah, right. So you're in love with her, but you're not making any move??"
"NOT in love... just.... you know, feelings in the drama becoming real... it'll go away, sometime,"
"But that feelings is still there now?"
"Well... but it gets less and less, so I think I'm good, just need a bit more time,"
"Dame da naaa(you're no good), Shingo-chan..."
"It's gonna be complicated... she's a big actress, plus she's a divorcee with a son,"
"Complicated for your agency?"
"Well, yeah..."
"Sou kaa.... but, you know, I can give you her number, if you want,"
He widened his eyes, "You have Yuko-chan's number?? How?!"
"We got along pretty well during TSUBAKI filming,"
"Ahhh... TSUBAKI kaaa..."
"Oh, but I actually met her for the first time in MIJ concert, she was sitting right beside me, y'know!"
"Maaaji de??!"
"Yeah... and she talked to me about having filmed a movie together with Kusanagi-kun, then she asked me, "Mizuki-san, which SMAP member do you have filming with, this year?", and I didn't know what to say,"
"Then what did you say?"
"I pretended that I didn't hear and ignored her question,"
"Hahahahaha... how could you!" he laughed.
"Well... I thought you don't want people to know that we have a relation and often meet from time to time,"
"So you have never told anyone that my parents' house in Yokohama is right next to your uncle and aunt's house?" he asked.
"Nope, have you?"
"Me too,"
"Actually, it should be okay to tell people about this, no?" I asked.
"Yeah right, after I took you to the hospital cause of your urgent appendix situation, we were on the papers' headlines that time! You sure you want to spice that up?"
"Hey, don't say it like it's my fault, my stomach was hurting like hell that time, obasan, ojisan and my cousins weren't home, and you came!"
"Yeah, I shouldn't have help my mother to deliver that lasagna to your aunt's house..."
"And you know, you can just call my aunt and uncle, you shouldn't have be the one who took me to the hospital,"
"After all those crying and sweating you had? I thought you were dying,"
"Who says I was dying! See, if you were calmer that time, the press won't be claiming I aborted your baby!". He laughed.
"What's so funny?"
Still grinning he said, "Mizuki Arisa aborted Katori Shingo's child... sugoi ne, that headline! And you were just 16!".
"I know! How crazy was that?? They were calling me "The Legendary Arisa", those idiot press!"
"Alright, alright. We're here..." he turned off the engine.
"Eeee? We've arrived? That's fast!" I got off the car.
It's a pretty quiet apartement building. Well, at least the parking area in the basement is quiet. We entered an indoor room with elevators. There are 7 elevators.
He pointed 4 elevators, "These are the regular elevators...", and he pointed another 3 which are located separately than the other four, "These are special ones... this one here, is my elevator,".
"Special?" I'm not sure I understand what he meant.
I just followed him entering one elevator. And as we reached the 10th floor, it opens.
"And, here we are! My room," he said.
"Ahhhh.... so, it's an elevator that directly enters your apartement! Sugoooi! You must have bring alot of women here without the press knowing, ne!!"
He chuckled, "Sonna koto nai yo!(no such thing!)". He placed his bag on the sofa.
"Heee... the last time I came here, you still used the regular elevator, didn't you! So you have moved to a bigger one?"
"Yup! Do you want beer?" he pulled out two beer cans from the fridge.
"Sure! Thanks!" I looked around his apartement and I found Wii game connected to his TV, "Wooo.... I've always wanted to play this! Is this the latest Dragon Quest??".
He handed me over the beer can, "Yup, got it for free,"
"Haha... coz SMAP starred the CM?" I opened the beer can and took a sip.
He opened the DVD rack, and seem like he can't find the DVDs he's looking for, "That's strange...".
"What's wrong?"
"The DVDs I rented, not here... I wonder if my brother took it,"
"Oh, your brother was here?"
"Yeah, he stayed for a night... chotto matte, I'll call him,"
While he's calling his brother, I looked around. I found alot of big canvas in the corner with some painting tools. I smiled widely to see this. He really loves drawing. It seem like they're new and still unused. When I was just looking at the painting tools....
"Oy!! Don't touch that!" he warned me.
I turned back, "Is this new?"
"Yeah, I got it from Friend Park the other day,"
"So you hit the prizes with the darts!"
"Yup! Haven't use it at all though,"
"Heeee...."
"Hey, apparently Yuji has the DVDs, so I can't return them anyway... you want me to take you home now?"
"Ahhh, sou ka! ....mmmm...." I'm thinking for awhile.
" 'Mmmm??'
What do you mean with "mmmm"?? You don't wanna go home now?"
"Just that, it has been a long time since I hangout at your place! I miss this... would it be alright if I stay for awhile? I want to play the Wii too!" I begged him.
"But if I have to take you home later midnight, I can't... I have work tomorrow early morning... unless.... if you don't mind staying here?? Do you have work tomorrow?" he asked hesitantly.
"No, I'm free tomorrow. So, okay! I'll stay for the night! If that's alright with you though???"
"Of course, it's fine... I don't have women here that often," he laughed.
"Yatta!!! Then, c'mon, let's play Wii!!" I walked towards the TV.
"Ehhhh.... I have Ryo-san's lines to memorize for tomorrow's filming...."
"Awww... that's too bad...." I pout my lips.
"Alright, I guess, just one round would be okay..." he gave in.
"Yatta~"
***
I've changed my clothes and wear one of his clean shirt which is bigger than my size. We had fun playing Dragon Quest together for one round. Then Shingo-chan went into his room to memorize his lines for tomorrow. I decided to make spaghetti for our dinner tonight, after looking around what's available in his kitchen... and well, because I can only cook easy stuff.
I remember the last time I visited his apartement we had nabe together and we had fun cooking it together. It was right after the Roulette Bowling game, I went back to his place that night. So that was like... almost 4 years ago.
That time he told me how he just broke up with his longtime girlfriend and I tried to cheer him up.
Before yesterday, when I filmed my scenes for KochiKame, I haven't seen him in 4 years... that's right, before that somehow we managed to meet coincidentally or arranged, mostly coincidentally, though. But I didn't meet him at all in these 4 years, not even in Yokohama, when I visited my aunt's house. Until 2005, we met each other quite a few times in every year. Four years, but seem like our sense of distance with each other feels the same... nothing changes, nothing awkward, it's just like old times.
In 2003, we met in a supermarket in Yokohama, so he invited me to have dinner with his family. And that's where he invited me to watch SMAP's MIJ concert. And I remember that was the night, when we had our first.... real kiss... Right after dinner, we were just talking at the backyard, sitting on the swings, and out of nowhere, he suddenly kissed me. We have never talked about it, though. We just kept quiet after the kiss, pretended like nothing happened.
As my mind is somewhere else, I didn't really pay attention to what I was doing and before I know it, I cut my own finger with a knife. I hurt my left middle finger and it's bleeding. I hurried wash it with running water, but the blood keep coming out.
I knocked his room's door, and opened it slowly, "Shingo-chan...?"
He's sitting on his bed, reading the script, "What?"
"Do you have a bandage? I cut my finger,"
"Horaaa..... I told you to be careful! Good thing you didn't explode the microwave like last time," he got up from the bed, grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the bathroom, "Come here,"
"I've washed it, but..."
He washed my hand with the tap water, and as he see the bleeding is not stopping, he put my middle finger to his mouth.
"Iyaaaaa........ chotto! That's gross!!
" I yelled at him.
"Shut up!" he spit the blood to the sink, "See, the bleeding is lessened,"
He washed and put my finger is his mouth over and over until the bleeding stop.
Then he dragged me to the bed and we sit there.
He bandaged my middle finger carefully. Our arms are intertwining, so we are in a pretty close distance. I can smell that manly sweat smell from his body. I stared at him. And he noticed, "What?".
"Nothing.... just amazed that you haven't change at all..."
"Haven't I?"
"No, you're still the Shingo-chan who is so quiet, calm and mature in daily life but crazy, weird and childish in public. And you still smell sweat, you should really take a shower!"
He laughed, "It's summer!!"
"You smell sweat in every season!" I laughed, too.
"Is this your attitude to someone who just treated your wound??!" suddenly he changed his voice to Ryo-san's voice, "This is a service provided by the Kameari police station, so I want my 500 yen! Hogeeee~~~!!".
I laughed, "Ahahahaaha.... Ryo-san daaa!"
"Okay, you're done," he let go off my hand.
"Sankyuuu...."
"So I guess I can't trust all the cooking to you anymore," he stood up.
"Ehh... chotto!" I followed him to the kitchen, "No, let me do it! You have to memorize your lines,"
"I'll forget them again in the morning anyway... your finger is hurt now, I can't let you do this," he persisted.
"Ehhh...."
"Mattaku(really).... how come you still can't cook properly in this age?? No wonder no one wants to be your husband,"
"Chottoooo... how impolite of you!!" I hit his arm.
"How old are you? 32? What you're gonna do if you're not married yet when you hit 40?"
"Then, I'll just marry Shingo-chan...."
He chuckled, "Oree(me)?? Why would you want to marry me? I thought I'm not your type!"
"You're not! But I know everything about you already. It's just a safe choice,"
"Ahhh... like you have no other choice ne... But what if I'm married already that time?"
"You won't, you're SMAP, dakara...heeheehee...." I grinned.
"Sou kaaa.... but you're not my type naa..."
"And yet, you kissed me, six years ago..." I pout.
He's taken aback and pretend to not remember, "Are?? Have I kissed you?"
"Seriously...? So exactly how many girls have you kissed spontaneously like that, while you're still together with your girlfriend??" I feel a bit upset and I sit on the chair on the dining table.
He smiled, "What is this? You're mad at me?"
"No, I'm not,"
"Yes, you are,"
"I'm not,"
"You are..."
"I told you, I'M NOT!!!" I snapped.
He mumbled, "You're definitely mad..."
We stayed quiet. A few seconds later, he took a seat right across me.
"Fine... you want to know?" he asked.
I didn't answer.
"It was because you're so beautiful that night... so beautiful, that somehow I felt..." he didn't continue.
I'm taken aback. I didn't see that coming. I think I'm blushing. And now, I feel awkward and shy, "W..what's that... such a made-up reason..." I pretend like I'm not satisfied with his answer but I'm actually feeling very flattered.
"It's true. But then I thought, we had such a good friendship that time... that I didn't want to wreck that, so I didn't say anything..."
"Liar. What friendship... you never contacted me for almost 4 years..."
"I got busy with alot of things, with life, and SMAP had many problems too... I'm sorry... and I did rarely go back home to Yokohama too, in these 4 years... maybe that's why we lost contact..."
Somehow, I can finally accept that, "You're right... I was very busy too... sou da neee... we rarely meet in Yokohama anymore ne... I almost never go there anymore too... my cousins has gotten married and they're busy with their children, in the past I always go there because I was close with them and I can hang out with them... but now..."
"Yeah, things change... our friends, cousins and siblings has gotten married..." he mumbled.
There's silence for a moment. But then I started to talk again.
"Frankly, I have no wish to get married at all," I said.
He seem surprised, "What??"
"Got tired being disappointed by men... I don't want to experience another heart-break... not to mention if that heart-break has to be followed with divorce and child custody trials... iyada..."
"So you'll just keep being single for the rest of your life?"
"Sou!"
"Won't you feel lonely?"
"Well... then, maybe I can live together with a friend who doesn't get married for the rest of his life too," I laughed.
He smiled widely, "And that's suppose to be... me?"
"Yeah! Maybe! We can be childhood friends who live together for the rest of our lives!"
"But, not married?" he asked still smiling.
"Nope!! Friends forever!"
"That's impossible!" he laughed.
I stood up, "Okay! I'll make that spaghetti now! You just get back to your script! You'll have a long day tomorrow, deshou?? Hayaku, hayaku(hurry)!" I got him up and pushed him inside his room.
I made the spaghetti successfully and when I called him, he said he'll be out in a minute, coz he has to memorize some more lines. He told me to go ahead first. But I decided to wait for him to come out. As I sit and lay back on the sofa... my eyes gets heavier and heavier....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My stomach has started to make noises. I finally exited my room to eat that spaghetti.
I saw the spaghetti served neatly on the dining table. But I don't see her around and both plates are still clean and unused. She hasn't eat yet.
Then I found her sitting on the sofa with her head laid back... she's asleep. She was waiting for me and she fell asleep. Kawaii naa...
I took a seat right next to her. But it disturbed her balance and her head slid down and landed on my shoulder. When I was going to let go her head off of my shoulder and moved a bit, it made her head slid down more to my chest instead, and still asleep, she suddenly put her arms around my waist tightly and made herself comfortable in this position.
I wonder if she still sleep with her teddy bear and stuffed dolls like she used to? If she does, then she must have thought I'm her teddy bear.
Now, I can't move without waking her up. Her hair is right below my nose, and it smells coconutty. I can also smell a floral odor from her body. She always smells nice. I slowly put my arm around her shoulder and I caressed her long wavy hair.
I'm feeling it again... that urge to kiss her, just like 6 years ago. And at these kind of times I always lost my self-control.
I gently kissed her forehead...
I just realized I care about her so much. I want to protect her. Hearing that men has broke her heart, makes me feel mad. And I want to be the man who can make her feel happy. What is this? What is this that I'm feeling...? She's obviously not my type and we've been friends forever... but somehow...
I want to make her feel comfortable just for tonight.... wait, no... maybe for a few more nights... I feel like I want to be with her longer this time.... with her...
With my first love...
I turned my gaze to the dining table and my stomach started to make noises again.
I said to myself, "Hara hetta naa (I'm hungry)...."
I turned to Arisa once again. She's sleeping so peacefully like Sleeping Beauty. Then I decided to close my eyes too. I'll just eat double portion in the morning...
~*THE END*~
THE FACTS:
1. Yes, Shingo loved to collect insects when he was a child. His mother is very worried that Shingo never play with his friends outside but he always play alone inside the house with his insects or digital games. And that's why, Shingo's mother applied him to Johnny's so that he'll has outside activities more^^
2. Yes, Shingo ate ants before. He read in an encyclopedia that fellow ants can walk in a row because ant's butt is sweet, so a fellow ant can follow the sweet smell from their friends' butts, so he wanted to know what it tastes like.
3. Except the "Misa-chan" name, the whole love letter story is true. Shingo had talked about this cute memories he had on love letter twice, I think. Once, in SmaStation, when Tsuyoshi and Hirosue Ryoko were guests to promote their drama SP that has them as lovers who sends each other love letters. And Shingo said he had a bad memories on love letter, lol. And he told them about it.
4. I only know the fact that Arisa had once write a love letter during childhood/teenage, but I don't know the details.
5. Arisa said in Gout Temps Nouveau that she had once talk about marriage with one of her ex-boyfriend but it didn't work out. And now she's saying she has no wish to get married at all. Honestly, I feel sad she think that way =(
AUTHOR'S COMMENTS:
Do you know that this is MY VERY FIRST full-fledged fanfiction on Shingo's romantic story??! XD
The last time I did on Shingo-Yuko was barely a story and it was like, only, a scene XD
I don't know why, ever since I started writing SMAP fanfics in 2006, I could never write a fanfic with Shingo as the lead. He's my ichiban, and yet, it was so hard for me to picture romantic-Shingo. You know, how he's always being crazy and all??? Maybe that's why... and I always think Shingo is not really good in romances with women. I don't think he's a romantic guy at all, except maybe he can be romantic, just once in awhile.
That's why I could only write Nakai and Kimura's fanfics most of the time, because it's easy for me to picture them in romantic situations. And, or maybe because I found the perfect romantic partners for them.
When Shingo acted in Bara, I was starting to be able to see the romantic side of Shingo. But the story was too depressing, and so every time I picture Shingo-Yuko, I can't see any other kind of romance for them except tragic romance. And I hate making tragic fanfic stories, lol!
And now, I finally can! This kind of love story that involves childhood... I think it fits Shingo very much!^v^ And it's easy to write, too. Most probably because it's easier for me to understand Arisa's personality rather than Yuko's personality.
And such a pleasant thing too, that I get to write their childhood, I've always wanted to write a fanfic about SMAP in their teenage days. And I love it that I can write in Mori here too^^
When I have more ideas on Shingo-Arisa's love story, I'll write a sequel^^
For the mean time, I kept imagining a story where ShingoArisa and TsuRena having a trip together to Hawaii and they caught KimuraMatsu there. LOL! Or, ShingoArisa and TsuRena trying to match-make Nakai and Nakama together, lol.
Childhood Friend
~Osananajimi~
written by yanie
Autumn, 1988
We were finally gathered in the studio. We made a circle and the producer started to introduce herself. Her name is Nakagawa-san. She looks like a very kind lady. The star of this drama, a group of boys named SMAP, introduced themselves. Seem like they're not of the same age. Some of them looks like high school students. Am I the only 5th grader here?
"Ee... Katori Shingo desu. I'm 11 years old, 5th grade in elementary school, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
Aa... that boy has the same age as mine. So, the two of us are the youngest ones here...
After SMAP, there were veteran actors who will play the roles as teachers, introducing themselves. Then, it's finally my turn to introduce myself, "Mizuki Arisa desu. 11 years old, I'm in 5th grade elementary school, yoroshiku onegaishimasu,"
"Oo... Arisa-chan, so I guess you're in the same class year as Shingo-kun??" Nakagawa-san asked, and looked at me and that boy in turns. She continued, "Then I guess, you might get along well with him, ne..."
That boy is starting to stare at me. I just looked up to Nakagawa-san and give her a nod and a smile. When I glanced at that boy again, he was still looking at me. Nani yo(what)?? Stop staring at me! I looked away. The way he was staring at me is very annoying.
I don't see why Nakagawa-san would think we could get along well just because we're of the same age. It's another matter if he's a girl, but he's a BOY. To me, boys are so annoying. Boys in our school aren't more than just a bunch of skirt-lifters and lazy people. I'm sure this one is not any different either.
After about a month filming the drama, Abunai Shonen III, I get to know more of the casts. The other girls casts who are older 2-3 years than me are very kind to me, and they're like big sisters. Among the SMAP boys, I get along very well with Nakai-kun and Kimura-kun, they always greeted me and started a conversation with me, many times. Mori-kun talked to me from time to time to ask where I study, where I live, or how was the filming, like that. Inagaki-kun seem quiet but he gave me candies the other day, he seem nice. I have never talked with Kusanagi-kun, but he seem okay. As for Katori Shingo, I never talked to him, but he seem quiet, aloof and weird. I heard he collects insects in spare time. I also heard he had ate ants before. Eww! What a strange boy!
One day, Nakagawa-san gathered us in a room, 6 members of SMAP, and 4 girls of the newspaper club, including me. Nakagawa-san said she wants to make a story about love letters this time. And so she asked us, "I'm trying to look for some ideas for the story. Does any of you here has interesting experience in love letters?". We were all quiet for a few seconds, but suddenly Nakai-kun who was sitting right beside Katori-kun, raised Katori-kun's hand and said, "Shingo here has just received a love letter few days ago!!". Katori-kun seem very surprised, "Chotto! Nakai-kun!!!", and pulled back his hand. He shook his head to Nakai-kun like he doesn't want Nakai-kun to tell everyone about that. While laughing, Nakai-kun pat Katori-kun's back, "C'mon! Just tell everyone about the story! It's a pretty good one, da be?".
Katori-kun seem reluctant and he looked down. Nakagawa-san asked, "Do you want to tell us, Shingo-chan? It's alright if you don't want to,".
Nakai-kun kept slapping Katori-kun's back, "Hayakuuu(hurry)!! Just tell Nakagawa-san the story,".
Aa... now I know what Nakai-kun is doing. He told me once, that it's very easy for him to order around Katori-kun because he's the youngest. And now, Nakai-kun is trying to squeeze out an embarrassing story out of Katori-kun, so he doesn't has to share anything embarrassing here, in case Nakagawa-san likes Katori-kun's story, she might end the meeting sooner.
Seem like Katori-kun looked a bit scared of Nakai-kun and so he finally tells Nakagawa-san and everyone here, "Anooo... few days ago, when I just arrived in the class, there was a pink envelope inside my desk's drawer. I saw it is from.... a classmate...".
Nakai-kun interrupted, "Misa-chan tte iu n da be(from Misa-chan right)??"
Katori-kun widened his eyes to Nakai-kun, "How do you know?".
"I heard it when you told the story to Tsuyoshi, you idiot!" Nakai-kun chuckled.
Katori-kun continued, "Anyway, before I get to open the envelope, my friends, the boys, saw it and snatched it away from me, "Heyyy!! Listen, listen! Katori got a love letter from Misa-chan!!!"...and they read the letter loudly so the whole class can hear it. I was quite embarrassed because Misa-chan confessed that she likes me in that letter. But then, I saw Misa-chan started crying out loud and left the classroom. I just realized she must be ten times embarrassed than me. After that, suddenly a group of girls came to me, and they all scolded me. They said I was being very mean to Misa-chan, letting everyone to hear the letter. I tried to explain to them, that the letter was snatched even before I get to read it, but they were all very angry, and didn't listen to what I said...".
As Katori-kun finished his story, everyone were laughing. Kimura-kun said, "Shingo, kawaisou na, omae(poor you)!". The other girls besides me were laughing and as they are older than Shingo, they said, "Kawaiiiiiii!!!! Ii na~~ an elementary student love story!".
Seem like I'm the only person who is not laughing. And Nakagawa-san noticed my expression. She asked, "Arisa-chan, what do you think of this?".
I said honestly, "Hidoi desu ne(that was mean), Katori-kun wa..."
Katori-kun seem surprised, "Hidoi tte!?"
One of the other girls, said to me, while chuckling, "But Arisa-chan, Shingo-kun didn't intend for the letter to be snatched away and to be read aloud, it was an accident,"
I pout my lips, "Sou da kedo(I know, but)..." I turned to Katori-kun, "Have you apologize to Misa-chan already?"
"Apologized? ..." he shook his head a bit.
"You haven't apologize??" I asked.
Katori-kun said, "Things gets awkward between me and her since that day, that I don't talk to her anymore,".
I frowned, "Hidoi! You should apologize to her soon! She has finally gather up the courage to confess to you that she likes you. It took alot to even write a letter to tell you that. But then you humiliated her in front of the class. Even if it was not your fault, you should apologize to her,"
"If I talk to her, my classmates will start making noises and gossips that we're together or something, they might start writing our names with the heart shapes or love umbrella or something on the chalk board. That would be more embarrassing,"
"But...!"
Nakagawa-san asked me, "Arisa-chan, have you experienced something like this?".
I just looked down and said in a small voice, "Well... not exactly like this, but I wrote a letter and handed it over to the boy I liked, but since then, he never talk to me again and he even has this cold attitude towards me...." remembering this, I feel like crying now, but I tried to hold it back. I turned to Katori-kun and continued, "That's why... I understand Misa-chan's feelings very well... the least you can do, just talk to her again---"
Katori-kun interrupted, "Aaaa~~ah, onna no ko tte mendokuse', (Girls are so troublesome)"
I feel very angry and I'm finally in tears, "Otoko no ko datte(boys are...)!!! Saitei! You boys are the worst! You never get anything done right! Hurting girls and don't care at all about people's feelings! And, and...." I felt my throat is choked, I can't talk anymore so I just cried.
Nakagawa-san immediately came sit next to me, "Aw, Arisa-chan gomen ne... I'm the one who brought this all up,". The other girls tried to cheer me up.
"Chottooo! Shingoooo! You just made Arisa-chan cry! Apologize to her!" Nakai-kun told me.
"Haa?? Why do I have to apologize? She just got carried away by her own love matter!" he refused.
I heard Mori-kun said to Kusanagi-kun while grinning, "Aa~ah, elementary school student's problems sounds so fun, na!".
Kusanagi-kun just nod while grinning too.
Inagaki-kun doesn't seem care with the situation and he's fixing his hair while looking at a compact mirror he's holding, and said, "Childish, ne...".
Kimura-kun pat Shingo's head, "Yappari, you're still a kid, na...".
Shingo denied, "I'm not a kid! She's the one who's still a kid!" he pointed at me.
Still in tears, I gazed at him in hatred and he stared at me back, but then he made those weird faces that I don't understand. He's so weird, annoying and he's the worst kind of boy I ever met! I'm starting to hate him since this day!
*******************
Summer, 2009
My cellphone rings, the number show up on the screen, so I have never saved this number before. I picked up, "Hai! Mosh-mosh! Mizuki desu!".
"Moshimoshi? Arisa?" a deep, low, man's voice with a low spirit kind of voice is heard.
"Who is this?"
"Guess!"
"Then give me a hint?"
"You just gave your number to me yesterday,"
Aaahh, sou ka, I know this voice sounds familiar. But I decided to play it a bit more, "Yesterday, I gave this new number to my grandmother. Obaachan, is that you??".
"Yes, dear! This is your grandmother!" he changed his tone and way of speak a bit to sound like an old woman.
"Obaachan!! Why was your voice is so low and deep?"
"I have a flu!"
"What proof do you have that you're really my grandmother?"
"I know that Arisa-chan has a big mole on her ass!"
I laughed, "NO WAYYY!! I don't have a mole there! You're not my grandmother!! Who are you? Give me another hint!"
He's back to his original voice, "Uhhh... I was the one who stole Mizuki Arisa's memorable first indirect kiss!".
"Ahahahaha, I can't believe you still remember that!" I'm amazed he still remember something happened 20-some years ago.
"How could I forget? You slapped my face that time!".
"It served you right for drinking the juice can I was drinking!"
"It was a dry day, I was thirsty, but I didn't expect you to believe me when I said, "Aaa~ we just had an indirect kiss","
"Haha, yeah, I was a very sensitive little girl that time, and gullible too! Not to mention, I hated you that time, so it just added up the anger,"
"Ah, sou da... you hated me that time. Do you still hate me now?"
"Well, I hate you now, that I know you've changed your cellphone number and didn't tell me,"
"I told you I lost your number, and I didn't save it anywhere else,"
"Liar! Your mother know my cellphone's number, you can easily ask her,"
"I forgot okaasan has it,"
"Aw, c'mon, I know you wanted to cut me out of your life," I said.
"I didn't! I'm calling you now, aren't I??!"
"Aaa... sou da ne! So, what's up?"
"Yeah, remember I showed you my drawing book on the filming set yesterday?"
"Um, yes..."
"Yes, I think you brought it back with you,"
"No way! What is this? In the end, you just cared about your stupid drawing book---" I talked while groping around my bag in case I actually brought it back with me, "...and on top of that, you accused me that I brought back your stupid---" I found it. "Aa, atta(here it is)!".
"Hora ne~(See?)"
I mumbled while holding the book, "No wonder my bag feels heavier since yesterday,"
"You got your answer,"
"What am I suppose to do with this?" I asked.
"Can you bring it over to my apartement?"
"Oh great. You think I have nothing better to do?? I'm not going to your apartement just to deliver to you your book! Not to mention, my manager can't pick me up and I have to ride a taxi to go home!"
"Where are you?"
"Shibuya,"
"I'll pick you up and I'll take you home,"
"Ehh? Where's Shingo-chan now?"
"I'm driving now around Shinjuku area,"
"Aaa... that sounds nice!! Arigatooo! You're my hero!"
***
I got into the car.
"Sorry, did you wait long?" he asked.
"Nope," I handed him over his drawing book, "Here you go!"
"Oh, thanks," he put it on the back seat, then he turned to me, "Where's your apartement building again?"
"It's just 2 blocks away from your building,"
"Oh right. That's where the rental video shop is. Do you mind if we go back to my place first? I have to return DVDs to the rental shop near your building,"
"Sure! No problem,"
"Okay,"
"Wait a minute, won't your girlfriend be mad if I come with you? Oh, I should just wait in the car?"
He chuckled, "There's no girlfriend,"
"No girlfriend? Katori Shingo has no girlfriend right now?? Mezurashiiii(that's so unusual)~~!"
"Is it really that unusual?"
"Yeah, when we meet every a few years, you always had a girlfriend, or probably still with the same girlfriend,"
"Yeah well... not anymore now..."
"Heee... you must be feeling lonely now,"
"Not really, I'm really having fun with work right now!"
"Aaaa, wakatta! You're in love with one of the female hairstylist in KochiKame set!"
He laughed, "Wrong!"
"But you ARE in love with someone??"
He kept quiet and smiled shyly.
"You ARE!!! Who is it??" I excitedly asked him.
"I don't wanna say..."
"Who is it!! C'mon! I won't tell anyone, I promise!"
"Well, she used to be my co-star...."
"USED TO BE?? Aaaaa.... Takeuchi Yuko-chan??!"
He widened his eyes and turned to me, "How did you do that??"
"Hahahahaha.... wakariyasuiiii(you're so predictable)!"
"How, how, how???" he kept asking.
"Oh pleaaasse! Yuko-chan is that stereotype kind of girl, which is actually your type! I can see it right away. I watched Mezamashi with you and Yuko-chan, and I could see it right away, you were so smittened by her,"
"Seriously??"
"So did you get her number??"
"Are you kidding?? I don't exchange numbers with co-stars,"
"You exchanged numbers with me,"
"I already know you as my hometown friend's cousin, before we became co-stars,"
"Ah, right. So you're in love with her, but you're not making any move??"
"NOT in love... just.... you know, feelings in the drama becoming real... it'll go away, sometime,"
"But that feelings is still there now?"
"Well... but it gets less and less, so I think I'm good, just need a bit more time,"
"Dame da naaa(you're no good), Shingo-chan..."
"It's gonna be complicated... she's a big actress, plus she's a divorcee with a son,"
"Complicated for your agency?"
"Well, yeah..."
"Sou kaa.... but, you know, I can give you her number, if you want,"
He widened his eyes, "You have Yuko-chan's number?? How?!"
"We got along pretty well during TSUBAKI filming,"
"Ahhh... TSUBAKI kaaa..."
"Oh, but I actually met her for the first time in MIJ concert, she was sitting right beside me, y'know!"
"Maaaji de??!"
"Yeah... and she talked to me about having filmed a movie together with Kusanagi-kun, then she asked me, "Mizuki-san, which SMAP member do you have filming with, this year?", and I didn't know what to say,"
"Then what did you say?"
"I pretended that I didn't hear and ignored her question,"
"Hahahahaha... how could you!" he laughed.
"Well... I thought you don't want people to know that we have a relation and often meet from time to time,"
"So you have never told anyone that my parents' house in Yokohama is right next to your uncle and aunt's house?" he asked.
"Nope, have you?"
"Me too,"
"Actually, it should be okay to tell people about this, no?" I asked.
"Yeah right, after I took you to the hospital cause of your urgent appendix situation, we were on the papers' headlines that time! You sure you want to spice that up?"
"Hey, don't say it like it's my fault, my stomach was hurting like hell that time, obasan, ojisan and my cousins weren't home, and you came!"
"Yeah, I shouldn't have help my mother to deliver that lasagna to your aunt's house..."
"And you know, you can just call my aunt and uncle, you shouldn't have be the one who took me to the hospital,"
"After all those crying and sweating you had? I thought you were dying,"
"Who says I was dying! See, if you were calmer that time, the press won't be claiming I aborted your baby!". He laughed.
"What's so funny?"
Still grinning he said, "Mizuki Arisa aborted Katori Shingo's child... sugoi ne, that headline! And you were just 16!".
"I know! How crazy was that?? They were calling me "The Legendary Arisa", those idiot press!"
"Alright, alright. We're here..." he turned off the engine.
"Eeee? We've arrived? That's fast!" I got off the car.
It's a pretty quiet apartement building. Well, at least the parking area in the basement is quiet. We entered an indoor room with elevators. There are 7 elevators.
He pointed 4 elevators, "These are the regular elevators...", and he pointed another 3 which are located separately than the other four, "These are special ones... this one here, is my elevator,".
"Special?" I'm not sure I understand what he meant.
I just followed him entering one elevator. And as we reached the 10th floor, it opens.
"And, here we are! My room," he said.
"Ahhhh.... so, it's an elevator that directly enters your apartement! Sugoooi! You must have bring alot of women here without the press knowing, ne!!"
He chuckled, "Sonna koto nai yo!(no such thing!)". He placed his bag on the sofa.
"Heee... the last time I came here, you still used the regular elevator, didn't you! So you have moved to a bigger one?"
"Yup! Do you want beer?" he pulled out two beer cans from the fridge.
"Sure! Thanks!" I looked around his apartement and I found Wii game connected to his TV, "Wooo.... I've always wanted to play this! Is this the latest Dragon Quest??".
He handed me over the beer can, "Yup, got it for free,"
"Haha... coz SMAP starred the CM?" I opened the beer can and took a sip.
He opened the DVD rack, and seem like he can't find the DVDs he's looking for, "That's strange...".
"What's wrong?"
"The DVDs I rented, not here... I wonder if my brother took it,"
"Oh, your brother was here?"
"Yeah, he stayed for a night... chotto matte, I'll call him,"
While he's calling his brother, I looked around. I found alot of big canvas in the corner with some painting tools. I smiled widely to see this. He really loves drawing. It seem like they're new and still unused. When I was just looking at the painting tools....
"Oy!! Don't touch that!" he warned me.
I turned back, "Is this new?"
"Yeah, I got it from Friend Park the other day,"
"So you hit the prizes with the darts!"
"Yup! Haven't use it at all though,"
"Heeee...."
"Hey, apparently Yuji has the DVDs, so I can't return them anyway... you want me to take you home now?"
"Ahhh, sou ka! ....mmmm...." I'm thinking for awhile.
" 'Mmmm??'
What do you mean with "mmmm"?? You don't wanna go home now?"
"Just that, it has been a long time since I hangout at your place! I miss this... would it be alright if I stay for awhile? I want to play the Wii too!" I begged him.
"But if I have to take you home later midnight, I can't... I have work tomorrow early morning... unless.... if you don't mind staying here?? Do you have work tomorrow?" he asked hesitantly.
"No, I'm free tomorrow. So, okay! I'll stay for the night! If that's alright with you though???"
"Of course, it's fine... I don't have women here that often," he laughed.
"Yatta!!! Then, c'mon, let's play Wii!!" I walked towards the TV.
"Ehhhh.... I have Ryo-san's lines to memorize for tomorrow's filming...."
"Awww... that's too bad...." I pout my lips.
"Alright, I guess, just one round would be okay..." he gave in.
"Yatta~"
***
I've changed my clothes and wear one of his clean shirt which is bigger than my size. We had fun playing Dragon Quest together for one round. Then Shingo-chan went into his room to memorize his lines for tomorrow. I decided to make spaghetti for our dinner tonight, after looking around what's available in his kitchen... and well, because I can only cook easy stuff.
I remember the last time I visited his apartement we had nabe together and we had fun cooking it together. It was right after the Roulette Bowling game, I went back to his place that night. So that was like... almost 4 years ago.
That time he told me how he just broke up with his longtime girlfriend and I tried to cheer him up.
Before yesterday, when I filmed my scenes for KochiKame, I haven't seen him in 4 years... that's right, before that somehow we managed to meet coincidentally or arranged, mostly coincidentally, though. But I didn't meet him at all in these 4 years, not even in Yokohama, when I visited my aunt's house. Until 2005, we met each other quite a few times in every year. Four years, but seem like our sense of distance with each other feels the same... nothing changes, nothing awkward, it's just like old times.
In 2003, we met in a supermarket in Yokohama, so he invited me to have dinner with his family. And that's where he invited me to watch SMAP's MIJ concert. And I remember that was the night, when we had our first.... real kiss... Right after dinner, we were just talking at the backyard, sitting on the swings, and out of nowhere, he suddenly kissed me. We have never talked about it, though. We just kept quiet after the kiss, pretended like nothing happened.
As my mind is somewhere else, I didn't really pay attention to what I was doing and before I know it, I cut my own finger with a knife. I hurt my left middle finger and it's bleeding. I hurried wash it with running water, but the blood keep coming out.
I knocked his room's door, and opened it slowly, "Shingo-chan...?"
He's sitting on his bed, reading the script, "What?"
"Do you have a bandage? I cut my finger,"
"Horaaa..... I told you to be careful! Good thing you didn't explode the microwave like last time," he got up from the bed, grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the bathroom, "Come here,"
"I've washed it, but..."
He washed my hand with the tap water, and as he see the bleeding is not stopping, he put my middle finger to his mouth.
"Iyaaaaa........ chotto! That's gross!!
" I yelled at him.
"Shut up!" he spit the blood to the sink, "See, the bleeding is lessened,"
He washed and put my finger is his mouth over and over until the bleeding stop.
Then he dragged me to the bed and we sit there.
He bandaged my middle finger carefully. Our arms are intertwining, so we are in a pretty close distance. I can smell that manly sweat smell from his body. I stared at him. And he noticed, "What?".
"Nothing.... just amazed that you haven't change at all..."
"Haven't I?"
"No, you're still the Shingo-chan who is so quiet, calm and mature in daily life but crazy, weird and childish in public. And you still smell sweat, you should really take a shower!"
He laughed, "It's summer!!"
"You smell sweat in every season!" I laughed, too.
"Is this your attitude to someone who just treated your wound??!" suddenly he changed his voice to Ryo-san's voice, "This is a service provided by the Kameari police station, so I want my 500 yen! Hogeeee~~~!!".
I laughed, "Ahahahaaha.... Ryo-san daaa!"
"Okay, you're done," he let go off my hand.
"Sankyuuu...."
"So I guess I can't trust all the cooking to you anymore," he stood up.
"Ehh... chotto!" I followed him to the kitchen, "No, let me do it! You have to memorize your lines,"
"I'll forget them again in the morning anyway... your finger is hurt now, I can't let you do this," he persisted.
"Ehhh...."
"Mattaku(really).... how come you still can't cook properly in this age?? No wonder no one wants to be your husband,"
"Chottoooo... how impolite of you!!" I hit his arm.
"How old are you? 32? What you're gonna do if you're not married yet when you hit 40?"
"Then, I'll just marry Shingo-chan...."
He chuckled, "Oree(me)?? Why would you want to marry me? I thought I'm not your type!"
"You're not! But I know everything about you already. It's just a safe choice,"
"Ahhh... like you have no other choice ne... But what if I'm married already that time?"
"You won't, you're SMAP, dakara...heeheehee...." I grinned.
"Sou kaaa.... but you're not my type naa..."
"And yet, you kissed me, six years ago..." I pout.
He's taken aback and pretend to not remember, "Are?? Have I kissed you?"
"Seriously...? So exactly how many girls have you kissed spontaneously like that, while you're still together with your girlfriend??" I feel a bit upset and I sit on the chair on the dining table.
He smiled, "What is this? You're mad at me?"
"No, I'm not,"
"Yes, you are,"
"I'm not,"
"You are..."
"I told you, I'M NOT!!!" I snapped.
He mumbled, "You're definitely mad..."
We stayed quiet. A few seconds later, he took a seat right across me.
"Fine... you want to know?" he asked.
I didn't answer.
"It was because you're so beautiful that night... so beautiful, that somehow I felt..." he didn't continue.
I'm taken aback. I didn't see that coming. I think I'm blushing. And now, I feel awkward and shy, "W..what's that... such a made-up reason..." I pretend like I'm not satisfied with his answer but I'm actually feeling very flattered.
"It's true. But then I thought, we had such a good friendship that time... that I didn't want to wreck that, so I didn't say anything..."
"Liar. What friendship... you never contacted me for almost 4 years..."
"I got busy with alot of things, with life, and SMAP had many problems too... I'm sorry... and I did rarely go back home to Yokohama too, in these 4 years... maybe that's why we lost contact..."
Somehow, I can finally accept that, "You're right... I was very busy too... sou da neee... we rarely meet in Yokohama anymore ne... I almost never go there anymore too... my cousins has gotten married and they're busy with their children, in the past I always go there because I was close with them and I can hang out with them... but now..."
"Yeah, things change... our friends, cousins and siblings has gotten married..." he mumbled.
There's silence for a moment. But then I started to talk again.
"Frankly, I have no wish to get married at all," I said.
He seem surprised, "What??"
"Got tired being disappointed by men... I don't want to experience another heart-break... not to mention if that heart-break has to be followed with divorce and child custody trials... iyada..."
"So you'll just keep being single for the rest of your life?"
"Sou!"
"Won't you feel lonely?"
"Well... then, maybe I can live together with a friend who doesn't get married for the rest of his life too," I laughed.
He smiled widely, "And that's suppose to be... me?"
"Yeah! Maybe! We can be childhood friends who live together for the rest of our lives!"
"But, not married?" he asked still smiling.
"Nope!! Friends forever!"
"That's impossible!" he laughed.
I stood up, "Okay! I'll make that spaghetti now! You just get back to your script! You'll have a long day tomorrow, deshou?? Hayaku, hayaku(hurry)!" I got him up and pushed him inside his room.
I made the spaghetti successfully and when I called him, he said he'll be out in a minute, coz he has to memorize some more lines. He told me to go ahead first. But I decided to wait for him to come out. As I sit and lay back on the sofa... my eyes gets heavier and heavier....
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My stomach has started to make noises. I finally exited my room to eat that spaghetti.
I saw the spaghetti served neatly on the dining table. But I don't see her around and both plates are still clean and unused. She hasn't eat yet.
Then I found her sitting on the sofa with her head laid back... she's asleep. She was waiting for me and she fell asleep. Kawaii naa...
I took a seat right next to her. But it disturbed her balance and her head slid down and landed on my shoulder. When I was going to let go her head off of my shoulder and moved a bit, it made her head slid down more to my chest instead, and still asleep, she suddenly put her arms around my waist tightly and made herself comfortable in this position.
I wonder if she still sleep with her teddy bear and stuffed dolls like she used to? If she does, then she must have thought I'm her teddy bear.
Now, I can't move without waking her up. Her hair is right below my nose, and it smells coconutty. I can also smell a floral odor from her body. She always smells nice. I slowly put my arm around her shoulder and I caressed her long wavy hair.
I'm feeling it again... that urge to kiss her, just like 6 years ago. And at these kind of times I always lost my self-control.
I gently kissed her forehead...
I just realized I care about her so much. I want to protect her. Hearing that men has broke her heart, makes me feel mad. And I want to be the man who can make her feel happy. What is this? What is this that I'm feeling...? She's obviously not my type and we've been friends forever... but somehow...
I want to make her feel comfortable just for tonight.... wait, no... maybe for a few more nights... I feel like I want to be with her longer this time.... with her...
With my first love...
I turned my gaze to the dining table and my stomach started to make noises again.
I said to myself, "Hara hetta naa (I'm hungry)...."
I turned to Arisa once again. She's sleeping so peacefully like Sleeping Beauty. Then I decided to close my eyes too. I'll just eat double portion in the morning...
~*THE END*~
THE FACTS:
1. Yes, Shingo loved to collect insects when he was a child. His mother is very worried that Shingo never play with his friends outside but he always play alone inside the house with his insects or digital games. And that's why, Shingo's mother applied him to Johnny's so that he'll has outside activities more^^
2. Yes, Shingo ate ants before. He read in an encyclopedia that fellow ants can walk in a row because ant's butt is sweet, so a fellow ant can follow the sweet smell from their friends' butts, so he wanted to know what it tastes like.
3. Except the "Misa-chan" name, the whole love letter story is true. Shingo had talked about this cute memories he had on love letter twice, I think. Once, in SmaStation, when Tsuyoshi and Hirosue Ryoko were guests to promote their drama SP that has them as lovers who sends each other love letters. And Shingo said he had a bad memories on love letter, lol. And he told them about it.
4. I only know the fact that Arisa had once write a love letter during childhood/teenage, but I don't know the details.
5. Arisa said in Gout Temps Nouveau that she had once talk about marriage with one of her ex-boyfriend but it didn't work out. And now she's saying she has no wish to get married at all. Honestly, I feel sad she think that way =(
AUTHOR'S COMMENTS:
Do you know that this is MY VERY FIRST full-fledged fanfiction on Shingo's romantic story??! XD
The last time I did on Shingo-Yuko was barely a story and it was like, only, a scene XD
I don't know why, ever since I started writing SMAP fanfics in 2006, I could never write a fanfic with Shingo as the lead. He's my ichiban, and yet, it was so hard for me to picture romantic-Shingo. You know, how he's always being crazy and all??? Maybe that's why... and I always think Shingo is not really good in romances with women. I don't think he's a romantic guy at all, except maybe he can be romantic, just once in awhile.
That's why I could only write Nakai and Kimura's fanfics most of the time, because it's easy for me to picture them in romantic situations. And, or maybe because I found the perfect romantic partners for them.
When Shingo acted in Bara, I was starting to be able to see the romantic side of Shingo. But the story was too depressing, and so every time I picture Shingo-Yuko, I can't see any other kind of romance for them except tragic romance. And I hate making tragic fanfic stories, lol!
And now, I finally can! This kind of love story that involves childhood... I think it fits Shingo very much!^v^ And it's easy to write, too. Most probably because it's easier for me to understand Arisa's personality rather than Yuko's personality.
And such a pleasant thing too, that I get to write their childhood, I've always wanted to write a fanfic about SMAP in their teenage days. And I love it that I can write in Mori here too^^
When I have more ideas on Shingo-Arisa's love story, I'll write a sequel^^
For the mean time, I kept imagining a story where ShingoArisa and TsuRena having a trip together to Hawaii and they caught KimuraMatsu there. LOL! Or, ShingoArisa and TsuRena trying to match-make Nakai and Nakama together, lol.