Aperture (Chapter 6)
Title: Aperture
Pairing: Sakumoto, Ohmiya, Sho/??, Sho/OC
Rating: PG13
Chapter - Word Count: Chapter 6 - 5 173 words
Genre: AU, Angst, Drama, Family, Fluff, Kid, Romance
Summary: "Did you hate me when I didn't fight for you before?" Sho asked before it was too late. The other man paused and then turned to look back at him. The other looked up, thinking intently before looking back at Sho and shaking his head, "Maybe at first... But then you made me realize that something that is perfect isn't real happiness, and so instead, I'm thankful."
Beta: Un-beta.
Author’s Notes: I’m super late! Super-duper-late again and again! I don’t think I can finish this in time for Sho’s birthday. But definitely, I’ll continue to update this till it ended. Thanks for akhikaru for helping me nailing the time table. And I hope this update will cheer our dear octavialao! Thanks for pushing me to update this one. Just a reminder since this chapter has a lot of flashbacks: paragraphs written in past tense are happening in the present. Paragraphs written in present tense are happening in the past. Quite ironic don’t you think? Nurufufufu~
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Six Years Ago
These two days had been surreal in Sho’s opinion. (Yeah, it took him two days to recover completely from flu.)
Finding Jun in Sho’s home was one thing. Seeing Jun interacting with Aiba like Jun knew the lanky man long before was another. Judging with how awkward the situation was when Jun first met Aiba, Sho wouldn't picture those two people in one room. He did end things with Jun after all. But then, Jun had his way with people, and Aiba wasn't one to be a snob. It was inevitable that the two of them would click with each other.
No, Sho wasn't jealous or anything. Jun's attention had mostly been directed towards him. The younger man had fed him, assisted him, and nursed him back to health. Jun had been in his house like the other man lived there. Jun cleaned mostly of it, done the laundry Sho wasn't able to do, and cooked meals for him and Shojiro (with Aiba included. That man kept coming back since Jun’s cooking was the best). Jun had done nothing but took good care of them.
Maybe he really couldn’t just believe it that Jun entered his life… my real life that is.
If Sho would be honest, Jun was one of the most wonderful things that happened in his life. (Of course, the other one was Shojiro’s birth.) Sadly, he met Jun in an unfavorable timing, and he couldn’t really give Jun his everything except his love that time.
It was complicated really. It was him who made it like that actually, but Sho chose that. It seemed living and giving out lies was easier for Sho that time. It was a selfish choice, but he couldn’t burden anyone else with his baggage anymore.
Sho had admitted to himself that his decisions were hasty and harsh. But then, it was better to end things fast and abrupt than make the suffering longer right? Cutting ties from the start was lesser evil than dragging people to misery in any case. It was twisted, but Sho believed things would work out in the end.
Things did mostly work out somehow. Sho was able to let Yuka chase her dream. He had Shojiro in his care with a promise he would take care of the boy with his best ability. He just didn't expect that Jun would still be here after everything that had happened between them… after everything that I had put him into.
It was a quarter after six in the morning when Sho finally opened his eyes. His conscious was widely awake. The other man that had been sleeping beside him these two days was gone, but Sho could hear little rustles and buzzes somewhere within the house. Sho knew it was made by the same man, making breakfast for two people (and a half). Jun doesn’t admit it, but he loves cooking.
Sho went downstairs after getting up. He looked around and was pleased after seeing everything was in order. He got to thank Jun for that. Thinking about it, he had a lot to thank for. As he approached the kitchen, he could hear fits of laughter. Sho paused by the doorway that led to the kitchen, loving the sight he thought he would never see. In front of the stove were Jun and Shojiro. From the smell that floated around, Sho could tell Jun was cooking pancakes, and by Jun's side, Shojiro watched with interest as the boy narrated stories.
"Daddy tried cooking Anpanman the other day..." Shojiro shared to Jun.
"Anpanman? How it went?" Jun asked, smiling down to Shojiro in amusement.
"It got burned." Shojiro pouted, and Jun laughed.
Sho blushed from where he was standing, but he didn't make any move to protest. On second thought, he did burn that one.
"Do you want to try making Anpanman then? I'm sure your papa will like it." Jun suggested. Shojiro nodded enthusiastically. Jun got a chair beside him and lifted the boy to stand there afterwards. He moved to the back of Shojiro as he guided the boy in creating a pancake that looked like Anpanman.
The sight in front of Sho brought back memories from before. It wasn’t the same sight, but it had the same feelings in one way or another. Somehow, Sho felt refreshed and energize. It felt just right.
"'Morning~".
"'Morning~"
(Another man was in front of the stove, cooking something. Sho hugs the other man from behind.)
“Coffee?”
(Sho peeks over the other man's shoulder before nuzzling his nose against the other man's neck.)
"Pancakes too?"
(The other man chuckles before flipping the pancake in the pan.)
"Sho-chan, why do you like pancakes so much?"
"Because it reminds me Anpanman I guess."
"What?"
(The other man laughs.)
"I'm sure Shojiro will love pancakes as much as I do..."
(Sho pauses.)
"Especially yours."
"Shojiro?! Who is Shojiro?"
"The name of my son… our son… in the future.”
(Silence. Only the sizzle of the pan can be heard until the other man switches off the stove. He turns around, encircling his arms around Sho's neck.)
"Shojiro huh?"
(The other man repeats the name. He smiles.)
"Well, it has a punch."
(Sho grins.)
"Papa!"
Sho snapped out of his reverie. He found Shojiro was already standing on the floor. The boy was probably done making Anpanman under Jun's guidance.
"Good Morning!” Shojiro greeted happily. On the other hand, Jun turned to Sho, smiling shyly.
Shojiro ran towards Sho. Sho crouched down to scoop the boy up, making Shojiro giggle.
"Papa! I made Anpanman! I made Anpanman!" Shojiro announced gleefully.
"Really? Where is Anpanman then?"
"There! There!" Shojiro pointed at the counter beside the stove. While carrying Shojiro, Sho approached the counter. There was indeed a pancake laid out in a plate that looked like Anpanman.
"Wow, that's better than what Papa did!" Sho cooed, making Shojiro giggle again.
"Yay, I beat papa in cooking!" Shojiro shouted. He turned to Jun, "An-chan, I beat papa in cooking!"
"Oh yes, you did." Jun smiled, squishing Shojiro's cheeks.
Sho observed the interaction silently. He felt like his heart soared.
Jun glanced at the clock in the wall. He asked Shojiro, "Did you fix the things you'll bring to school?"
Shojiro shook his head. Jun smiled and gave instructions, "Go upstairs first. An-chan will just finish here then I'll help you get ready okay?"
Shojiro nodded. Sho put him down after he pecked Sho's and Jun's cheeks. The boy ran excitedly towards the stairs as the adults watched him till he was out of sight.
Jun turned back in cooking the remaining pancake mix. Sho just stood at the same spot, observing the younger man quietly. Before the silence stretched, Jun asked without looking, "Coffee?"
Sho didn't reply. Instead, he went at Jun's back, hugging the younger man from behind. Jun stiffened in his arms, but Sho didn't let it bother him.
"Thank you..." Sho whispered before burying his face against Jun's nape. He felt Jun relaxing, and he was glad Jun didn't push him away.
"Thank you for staying..." Sho clarified this time. He could feel, or rather hear, Jun taking a deep breath before switching the stove off.
Sho lifted his head when he felt Jun turning around to face him. They were eye to eye. Both were blushing from the close contact. Sho tilted his head, getting ready to put a kiss in Jun's lips. Jun's eyes closed in anticipation until...
"AN-CHAN!"
Sho and Jun instantly pulled away from each other after hearing Shojiro's shout from upstairs, both looking flustered. It was awkward, but it was also funny in Sho's opinion.
"I... I better go and check on Shojiro."Jun excused himself.
Sho watched in amusement as Jun left the kitchen. The fact that they were acting like a lovesick couple in their new life after marriage fascinated Sho to no end aside for the reason that Jun was wearing his clothes (since Jun hadn't gone home ever since that day).
"Lovesick couple?"Sho mused. He didn't object that idea in his head.
"Don't I get to drive you both there?" Sho pouted as he walked Jun and Shojiro towards Jun's car after breakfast. Since he recovered already, he thought at least he could drop them both off at the kindergarten.
"No, you just recovered. It's better if you take it easy here because getting relapse is worse, Sho-san." Jun reprimanded. Worry can be seen in his face. Sho's pout didn't disappear though, but he still gave a nod. Jun chuckled as he opened the car door of the driver’s seat.
"I'll come back later to drop Shojiro off later after class. Just heat the lunch I prepared for you." Jun reminded as he get out of the car again after starting the engine.
"I will." Sho replied while lifting Shojiro up. He went to the back and opened the door of the back seat to let Shojiro sit there.
"Be a good boy, okay?" Sho said.
Shojiro nodded before asking curiously, "Papa, will you read me books again?"
Sho pretended to be thinking about his answer as he strapped the seatbelt around Shojiro. When there was a pout forming in Shojiro's face, he kissed Shojiro's forehead. "Of course." He promised. Shojiro cheered, directing thumbs up at him. Sho replied it by doing the same before closing the door.
Sho turned to Jun who had been watching them. The younger man was grinning while leaning his side against the car.
"We'll be going then." Jun said, and Sho just gave another nod. Jun turned serious when he gave Sho another reminder, "Please don't forget to drink your medicine, Sho-san."
"Yes, doctor." Sho kidded.
Jun laughed softly before sitting again to the driver's seat.
Sho didn’t know what do. He didn’t want to leave things hanging. When Jun was about to close the door, Sho put his hand over Jun’s on the car’s door.
"Thank you." Sho said. He hoped his voice and smile were enough to show how grateful he was.
"It's nothing." Jun said, trying to sound nonchalant. Still, Sho could see blush in Jun's cheeks, making him grin goofily.
"I'll see you later." Sho said, squeezing Jun's hand under his. Jun gave a shy nod. Their joined hands closed the car's door before Sho pulled his hand back.
"Take care."Jun said before steering the wheel.
"Bye Papa!" Shojiro shouted, and Sho waved at his child. He watched Jun's car moving away until it was out of sight.
As Sho entered his home, he felt kind of empty. It always did when he went home alone. But something inside made him look forward for the afternoon. He thought it was about time he took Jun to a proper date. No more hiding. It was about time he grasped the idea that he was already divorced, and Jun deserved better from him. Honestly, he didn’t know whether he really did deserve the younger man, but he wanted to try. For all he knew, after these weeks he had been alone, Sho learned that he needed Jun in his life. Starting from now on, he would treat Jun right just as he was supposed to from the very start. He just hoped it wasn’t too late yet for the two of them.
Before negativity flooded his mind, Sho set out to plan for his and Jun’s first official date. He needed help, so he dialed Aiba's phone. Once the other man answered, Sho asked if he was free tonight.
"Yeah, I don't have any plans.” Aiba replied. He then asked excitedly, “Is MatsuJun cooking again tonight?"
"Not really..." Sho mumbled. "MatsuJun?" Sho asked bemused when he finally caught how Aiba addressed Jun.
"Yeah, and he didn't object. It seemed some of his friends call him that too." Aiba said proudly.
Sho didn't know that. Thinking again, he didn't know much about Jun's life outside their relationship. It made Sho sad, knowing how he made this difficult for the two of them. He really needed to talk with Jun soon, but before anything, he needed to make sure his plan was in motion. "Anyways, I was hoping you can help me be alone with Jun for tonight."
"Why? You're going to fuck his brains out in compensation for the lost time?" Aiba whistled.
"Masa-kun!" Sho exclaimed, scandalized with Aiba's choice of words. He was blushing completely. It was a good thing they were only talking through phone. It would be more embarrassing than it already was if they were out in the public and people heard Aiba. Though Aiba's question wasn't far from what he had in mind.
"Oops. Sorry about that." Aiba apologized. Sho could imagine Aiba bowing his head several times with an embarrass smile."So what you want me to do?" Aiba asked, diverting their conversation back to the topic.
"I was hoping Shojiro can stay at your place for tonight."
"Oooh... Don't tell me you're really planning on-"
"Masa-kun, just…" Sho cut in before Aiba could say anything further. There were really just times Aiba's mouth was too loose for his own good, and green stuff kept on getting out.
"Hai! Hai! Don't worry! I'll take good care of Shojiro..." Aiba assured Sho.
"Thanks. I owe you one." Sho said in relief.
"What time should I pick Shojiro up? Or should I just pick him from kindergarten after class?" Aiba asked nonchalantly. He didn't know that his suggestion was greater than what Sho had in mind.
"Actually, that's better than what I had in mind." Sho mused. At least, he and Jun could spend time longer, thinking that he needed to go to work in the next morning.
"Is Jun-pon in the kindergarten?" Aiba asked. Sho nodded, but he remembered they were only talking through phone."Yeah, he was going to drop Shojiro here later." Sho informed.
"Then it would be better if we pick the two up. What you think?"Aiba suggested further. Sho could imagine the other man wiggling his eyebrows. Aiba could be genius at times.
"Yeah, that will be great." Sho agreed.
Aiba told Sho to pick him up by four in his apartment since Aiba's shift would end after lunch. It would give him enough time to fix his apartment so that Shojiro could stay.
"You don't want Shojiro to find things inappropriate for his age, do you?" Aiba kidded before laughing like a hyena. Sho could only shake his head at Aiba's crazy antics.
They talked a couple more minutes before Aiba said that he needed to hang up since his appointment had arrived already. Sho said thanks and was about to end the call but stopped when Aiba spoke again. "I’m really happy for you Sho-chan. Jun-kun is really a good person.”
Sho took a deep breath, before asking. He needed to know. “Is this okay, Masaki?”
Aiba might be one of Sho’s closest friends, but he was still Yuka’s cousin. Sho did meet him after befriending Yuka, and what he was doing now could be an insult for the fact that Yuka was Sho’s wife. It wasn’t that Aiba was judgmental or something. Aiba was a kind person and he never had prejudice over anyone.
Aiba’s carefree laugh on the other line relaxed Sho’s over thinking mind, but his words freed Sho of doubts, “Everyone deserves to be Sho-chan… I’m sure Yuka would say the same.”
“Thanks, Masaki.” Sho said one last time before Aiba said goodbye and hanged up.
Sho stood for a couple of minutes in his spot, looking at his phone with a smile. Sho shrugged and went to Shojiro’s room with the intention of packing Shojiro’s stuff for the overnight at Aiba’s place.
It was around after lunch when Sho finished taking a bath. He was looking for something decent to wear in closet when he spotted a red box hidden below the files of his clothes. Sho carefully took it out and placed it at his bed. Since he was covered with towel, he decided to change first into a pair of jeans, a printed white v- neck shirt before he could catch a cold. He also took out a jacket he would wear later on. He sat beside the red box on his bed and opened it. Inside was that picture he used to put beside his picture with Yuka and Shojiro in the book shelf full of his favorite books.
Ever since Shojiro started living with him, Sho had hidden that picture for some reasons he couldn’t really explain. He just felt that it shouldn’t be there. Sho shrugged and lifted the picture frame, revealing the other contents of the box.
There were CDs from bands from different countries, souvenirs from trips and some receipts. Sho couldn’t help but laughed with all the things he had collected before. They were all from those times when he was still in college, struggling to finish his studies with flying colors just to please his family.
Sho took out the CD first. He skimmed through each. There were CDs of artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire, X Japan, Beatles and rock band Kiss. Next were the souvenirs. There were a dream catcher (if he remembered clearly, it was from Hokkaido), a keychain, and a broken plate with dedications written on it. Too bad the writing was smudged already. Sho couldn’t read it anymore. Carefully, Sho laid out each of the item in the box on his bed.
Sho got the receipts out of the box next without looking inside. Those receipts were full of creases and some texts were unreadable. He could only make out that they were from western themed restaurants, particularly from those that specialized stakes and burgers. There were also receipts of good-old-ramen houses he had visited in his college years.
When he looked again at the box, Sho saw that there were still papers inside. It wasn’t just simple papers or notes but score sheets.
How long had it been since he played piano? Sho did learn to play it when he was in grade school since his parents sent him to a lot of after-school programs. If Sho was honest, playing piano was the only thing he enjoyed the most out of those programs aside from soccer. If he was given a chance, he would have chosen to be a music major than an economic major.
Sho looked at each sheet, playing them in his mind. Some were just playful compositions by him. Other sheets were written and composed by another man. When he saw the last score sheet, he couldn’t help but drift back to that time when he was a sophomore in college, and things had just been the same routine for Sho… until I met him.
Sho finishes his research for a term paper in the library. After the intensive hours he has conferred in that term paper, Sho wants to get home as soon as possible. It’s pretty late, and Sho likes to reward himself with a nice long sleep. Sho decides to pass by the music department since the gate there is the nearest out of the campus and to his dorm.
It is pretty dark outside. Although he hates admitting it, walking through the empty hallways scares Sho. The silence doesn’t help at all in easing the tremble he is feeling. That is why it frightens him when he hears a soft music resonating around the empty halls. A humming voice accompanies it next. For some reason, Sho can’t help but to follow it.
There is light that seeps through the gap of the door in one of the music rooms. Sho decided to peek in, and there he sees another student, a male, behind the keys.
Sho doesn’t say anything. He just listens. It’s been a while since he hears someone playing a piece so beautiful. Sho is so into the mood that he doesn’t realize his eyes have been closed and the music has stopped.
“Sorry, it’s not done yet.”
Sho opens his eyes in surprise. His cheeks are red of embarrassment for being found out.
“Sorry for intruding.” Sho apologizes, not knowing what to do. He is about to walk away when the other student calls him again.
“I don’t mind someone listening. If you like, you can see beside me.” The other man offers with a smile.
Sho blinks his eyes. He is astonished at the other man’s bold offer. It’s not like it is bad or anything though, but Sho is just surprised how straightforward the other man’s words is. It’s also the first time someone gives him that kind of vibe. Usually, people tend to avoid him because he has temper issues. The only one who can tolerate bad temper is another Economic major named Yuka Arimura, but that’s because Sho and Yuka have been classmates since high school.
The other man tilts his head sideways with a smirk, as if telling Sho, ‘I’m not going to bite you, you know?’
Sho doesn’t think it will harm him. Yes, he is tired with all the studying he has done. Still, Sho can’t decline the offer.
As the night stretches, Sho remembers how much he enjoys music with the help of the man who he just met. As days pass, Sho falls in love all over again with music. He also falls in love with the man who has reminded him of that.
Sho’s smile is fond as he read the notes in the sheet. He wondered if he could play it. The question was if he could actually play the piano again. It had been more or less six years since then since he last touched one.
Sho scanned again the sheets he had in hand especially those he had composed before, wondering if he could play it for Jun. His composition weren’t the best, but he had done it with full of heart. Maybe he could dedicate one for Jun. Like him, Jun loved music.
Sho chuckled. I just hope he won’t mind listening to my crappy creations.
Sho caught another sheet that gained his interest. Unlike the rest, it was smudged because of tear drops. Sho let out a shaky breath realizing why it turned out like that.
“I got-, what again?”
“A scholarship! A scholarship to such prestigious school in Paris. It’s a good opportunity.”
“You’re kidding right?”
(Sho hides at a corner. He can’t be seen by two people talking in the hallway, but he can clearly hear the conversation.)
“I don’t know if I should take it. I mean, I’m okay with what I have now. I only have two years left anyways.”
“But it’s a good opportunity. It will be a waste if you turn it down.”
“But Sho-chan…”
“I’m sure your boyfriend can wait for you. Think about your future…”
“I am thinking about the future… and that’s why I can’t leave him…”
(Pauses.)
“Sho-chan needs me more than now.”
(Sho leaves silently.)
“What the hell are you thinking about? Marry you? How can you even think of that?”
“But it’s the only choice, Yuka. Do you think our parents will get off our backs once they know who I’m really with? They would enforce it more than before! Either ways, we’ll be married whether we want it or not.”
“But you’re with him! I thought you’re going to fight for him, no matter what the consequences are? You two love each other.”
(Sho stays silent.)
“Don’t you love him anymore?”
(Silence.)
“Tell me what’s wrong, Sho-chan? You’re not telling me everything are you?”
“I…”
(Sho starts sobbing. Yuka hugs Sho.)
“He needs to leave. He needs to.”
(Sho’s sobs get louder. Yuka takes a deep breath.)
“Only for two years right?”
(Sho nods while still in Yuka’s embrace.)
“I guess I’ll be Mrs. Sakurai for awhile then.”
(Sho enters a music room. Another man is occupying the bench already behind the piano.)
“Glad you can make it, Sho-chan!”
“We need to break up.”
(The other man stays silent. Sho takes a deep breath before looking at straight to the other man’s eyes. The other man composes himself.)
“This will be our last anniversary then?”
“Yeah, I’m engaged to Yuka.”
“Thought so, people were buzzing around with that news. Congratulations then.”
(The other man stands up, gets his backpack and walks towards the door. He stops when he’s beside Sho, pushing a score sheet in Sho’s chest. He looks down.)
“My marriage gift for you guys. Congratulations again.”
(The other man leaves. Sho stands still. Tear drops one by one on the paper, blurring some notes written there.)
There was a twinge in his chest as Sho traced the blurred notes in the score sheet. His eyes were teary after remembering that day when he said goodbye to the man he had loved. I’m sorry. Sho wanted to say, but he never got the chance. Thinking again, he didn’t deserve the man’s forgiveness. The other man was a wonderful person in Sho’s life, yet Sho discarded him like he was nothing.
I never fought for him.
Ding!
Sho’s eyes shifted to his phone in his bedside drawer. It alerted him that he just got a mail. After reaching for it, he found out that he received a message from Aiba, telling him that the other man was done and that Aiba could be pick-up anytime Sho was ready.
Sho tried to calm himself. He put each of the stuff back to the box. He looked at the picture longer before putting it with the rest. Sho decided it wasn’t yet the time to think about it. He still needed to fix things between him and Jun. Their relationship was shaky, and he didn’t want to prolong it.
Once everything is settled, I’ll definitely look for you and ask for your forgiveness.
Sho picked Aiba up before coming to the kindergarten. They still needed to wait for at least twenty minutes before the class would end. Sho and Aiba decided to wait in the car. They were talking about trivial things until Sho got a call from Yuka, who was in America.
Yuka said that Aiba had told her about his sickness and that she was worried because Sho tended to disregard his health. Sho assured her that he recovered already and that he and Shojiro were fine. After that Yuka bombarded him with questions about Jun’s stay at his house. He was surprised at first, but he remembered that Yuka had met Jun before when they only knew him as ‘an-chan’ that Shojiro talked about. If Yuka knew the nature of their relationship, she didn’t mention it. Sho was well aware Yuka already knew much (because Aiba could be a blabbermouth too), but he’ll definitely talk everything to her in the future. Before Yuka was his wife, she had been a dear friend to him, and she was also Shojiro’s mother.
After hearing the bell ringing from the kindergarten, they ended the call with a promise to talk longer and with Shojiro. Yuka wished him good luck and good health. Sho said the same and to take care before hanging up.
When they saw some parents walking out with their children, Aiba and Sho marched towards the kindergarten’s entrance just in time to see Jun and Shojiro walking out of the door with Juri in tow. Jun and Juri were talking about something, and it was Shojiro who noticed their presence.
“PAPA!” Shojiro shouted and instantly ran towards Sho. Sho lifted him up before he kissed Sho’s cheek. He kissed Aiba’s cheek after the uncle asked for it. When Sho put down Shojiro again, Jun was in front of Sho already.
“So this is your way of taking it easy, Sho-san?” Jun glared at Sho. His tone was rough despite Jun smiling. Sho suddenly became nervous. Jun was definitely mad, and that wasn’t good.
“I…I just thought… maybe… uhm…” Sho stuttered, turning to Aiba to ask for help. Aiba looked away, whistling innocently. So much for helping, you idiot.
Jun was still glaring at Sho when he looked back to the younger man, and he didn’t exactly know how to appease the younger man. Maybe coming there was a bad idea. It was Aiba’s idea nevertheless.
“Did you eat your meal and take your medicine properly?” Jun asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course! You told me to.” Sho instantly answered, grabbing Jun’s hand and squeezing it. Somehow, it put a smile back to Jun’s face.
“That’s good to hear.” Jun said, sounding relieved.
“Papa!”
The three looked towards the kindergarten’s entrance again, finding out that Shojiro had gone back in while they were talking. This time he was dragging someone with him.
“Yes! Yes! I’m coming, Shojiro-kun.”
Sho froze at the spot the moment he had a clearer view of who Shojiro was dragging. “Kazu…”
The said man was now in standing in front of him, his hand holding Shojiro’s hand. Behind him was Ohno whom Sho remembered as Jun's friend.
Nino smiled, “Ah, my guest was right then. Shojiro-kun here is your child.”
Sho couldn’t utter a world. He couldn’t believe it. Six years ago, he had broken Nino’s heart in hopes of releasing the shorter man from the miseries of his life. That day, Nino was back again in his life.
“Papa! Nino onii-chan is the man with you in that picture, right?” Shojiro asked excitedly.
Sho could only nod his reply. His mind bombarded with a lot of emotions and memories.
“My marriage gift for you guys. Congratulations again.”
(Nino leaves.)
“I can’t tell them yet Nino… I’m really sorry.”
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s not that I’m eager to meet them.”
(Sho looks at Nino.)
“Not that I don’t want to meet them.”
(Silence.)
“I just wish I could tell everyone you’re mine.”
“But I am yours, Sho. And I don’t need anyone to acknowledge that except you.”
(Nino kisses Sho in the lips.)
“Please remind me not to come with you again if you ever decided to go on a trip.”
“Come on, you had fun.”
(Nino grunts.)
“Just one more picture, then we can go back.”
(Nino grumbles as Sho readies his camera for a picture.)
“Just be thankful I love you too much to deny.”
“Say cheese!”
(Sho and Nino poses close together with bright smiles to the camera.)
(Sho fidgets in his sit. Nino stops playing.)
“You okay, Sho-chan?”
“Uhm… I… Nino… I… I think… Uhm…”
(Nino kisses Sho in the lips. Sho’s eyes widen.)
“I love you too, Sakurai Sho.”
(Sho blinks his eyes several times. Nino laughs.)
“Eh? How did you-”
“Yuka is right. You won’t be able to say it.”
“Yuka? That’s woma-“
(Nino kisses Sho again.)
(Nino stops playing and looks at Sho.)
“I haven’t gotten your name yet?”
“Oh, I’m Sakurai Sho.”
(Sho offers his hand for a handshake. Nino laughs before taking and shaking it.)
“Ninomiya Kazunari at your service.”
(Nino gives his two-fingers salute. Both of them laugh.)
(Silence.)
“Will you play more?”
“Of course, Sho-chan.”
(Nino starts playing again.)
Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7---------------
Additional notes from the author:
And the mystery of Sho/?? is finally revealed. I present to you the entrance of Sakumiya couple in this story. Did anyone expect that? I told you guys (well maybe some?) that Ohmiya couple will still play a big part ne? Nurufufufufu~~~
There were also snippets of Sho and Yuka’s relationship and how things went. Most importantly, we got to see from Sho’s point of view. From this chapter and here on, it would be written in Sho’s POV. After all, there would be a lot of flash backs in his part from now on. Hope you wouldn’t mind the sudden change in POV. OTL
Next chapter would be entitled In the Seventh Floor or along those lines. More flashbacks coming in your way and a smut scene. The question is whether it will be Sakumiya or Sakumoto? Nurufufufufu~~~
If you guys got confused with things especially how I formatted flashbacks and such, just ask away. I'd try to explain it to you. Thanks for reading. Love to hear from you guys! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
Pairing: Sakumoto, Ohmiya, Sho/??, Sho/OC
Rating: PG13
Chapter - Word Count: Chapter 6 - 5 173 words
Genre: AU, Angst, Drama, Family, Fluff, Kid, Romance
Summary: "Did you hate me when I didn't fight for you before?" Sho asked before it was too late. The other man paused and then turned to look back at him. The other looked up, thinking intently before looking back at Sho and shaking his head, "Maybe at first... But then you made me realize that something that is perfect isn't real happiness, and so instead, I'm thankful."
Beta: Un-beta.
Author’s Notes: I’m super late! Super-duper-late again and again! I don’t think I can finish this in time for Sho’s birthday. But definitely, I’ll continue to update this till it ended. Thanks for akhikaru for helping me nailing the time table. And I hope this update will cheer our dear octavialao! Thanks for pushing me to update this one. Just a reminder since this chapter has a lot of flashbacks: paragraphs written in past tense are happening in the present. Paragraphs written in present tense are happening in the past. Quite ironic don’t you think? Nurufufufu~
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Six Years Ago
These two days had been surreal in Sho’s opinion. (Yeah, it took him two days to recover completely from flu.)
Finding Jun in Sho’s home was one thing. Seeing Jun interacting with Aiba like Jun knew the lanky man long before was another. Judging with how awkward the situation was when Jun first met Aiba, Sho wouldn't picture those two people in one room. He did end things with Jun after all. But then, Jun had his way with people, and Aiba wasn't one to be a snob. It was inevitable that the two of them would click with each other.
No, Sho wasn't jealous or anything. Jun's attention had mostly been directed towards him. The younger man had fed him, assisted him, and nursed him back to health. Jun had been in his house like the other man lived there. Jun cleaned mostly of it, done the laundry Sho wasn't able to do, and cooked meals for him and Shojiro (with Aiba included. That man kept coming back since Jun’s cooking was the best). Jun had done nothing but took good care of them.
Maybe he really couldn’t just believe it that Jun entered his life… my real life that is.
If Sho would be honest, Jun was one of the most wonderful things that happened in his life. (Of course, the other one was Shojiro’s birth.) Sadly, he met Jun in an unfavorable timing, and he couldn’t really give Jun his everything except his love that time.
It was complicated really. It was him who made it like that actually, but Sho chose that. It seemed living and giving out lies was easier for Sho that time. It was a selfish choice, but he couldn’t burden anyone else with his baggage anymore.
Sho had admitted to himself that his decisions were hasty and harsh. But then, it was better to end things fast and abrupt than make the suffering longer right? Cutting ties from the start was lesser evil than dragging people to misery in any case. It was twisted, but Sho believed things would work out in the end.
Things did mostly work out somehow. Sho was able to let Yuka chase her dream. He had Shojiro in his care with a promise he would take care of the boy with his best ability. He just didn't expect that Jun would still be here after everything that had happened between them… after everything that I had put him into.
It was a quarter after six in the morning when Sho finally opened his eyes. His conscious was widely awake. The other man that had been sleeping beside him these two days was gone, but Sho could hear little rustles and buzzes somewhere within the house. Sho knew it was made by the same man, making breakfast for two people (and a half). Jun doesn’t admit it, but he loves cooking.
Sho went downstairs after getting up. He looked around and was pleased after seeing everything was in order. He got to thank Jun for that. Thinking about it, he had a lot to thank for. As he approached the kitchen, he could hear fits of laughter. Sho paused by the doorway that led to the kitchen, loving the sight he thought he would never see. In front of the stove were Jun and Shojiro. From the smell that floated around, Sho could tell Jun was cooking pancakes, and by Jun's side, Shojiro watched with interest as the boy narrated stories.
"Daddy tried cooking Anpanman the other day..." Shojiro shared to Jun.
"Anpanman? How it went?" Jun asked, smiling down to Shojiro in amusement.
"It got burned." Shojiro pouted, and Jun laughed.
Sho blushed from where he was standing, but he didn't make any move to protest. On second thought, he did burn that one.
"Do you want to try making Anpanman then? I'm sure your papa will like it." Jun suggested. Shojiro nodded enthusiastically. Jun got a chair beside him and lifted the boy to stand there afterwards. He moved to the back of Shojiro as he guided the boy in creating a pancake that looked like Anpanman.
The sight in front of Sho brought back memories from before. It wasn’t the same sight, but it had the same feelings in one way or another. Somehow, Sho felt refreshed and energize. It felt just right.
"'Morning~".
"'Morning~"
(Another man was in front of the stove, cooking something. Sho hugs the other man from behind.)
“Coffee?”
(Sho peeks over the other man's shoulder before nuzzling his nose against the other man's neck.)
"Pancakes too?"
(The other man chuckles before flipping the pancake in the pan.)
"Sho-chan, why do you like pancakes so much?"
"Because it reminds me Anpanman I guess."
"What?"
(The other man laughs.)
"I'm sure Shojiro will love pancakes as much as I do..."
(Sho pauses.)
"Especially yours."
"Shojiro?! Who is Shojiro?"
"The name of my son… our son… in the future.”
(Silence. Only the sizzle of the pan can be heard until the other man switches off the stove. He turns around, encircling his arms around Sho's neck.)
"Shojiro huh?"
(The other man repeats the name. He smiles.)
"Well, it has a punch."
(Sho grins.)
"Papa!"
Sho snapped out of his reverie. He found Shojiro was already standing on the floor. The boy was probably done making Anpanman under Jun's guidance.
"Good Morning!” Shojiro greeted happily. On the other hand, Jun turned to Sho, smiling shyly.
Shojiro ran towards Sho. Sho crouched down to scoop the boy up, making Shojiro giggle.
"Papa! I made Anpanman! I made Anpanman!" Shojiro announced gleefully.
"Really? Where is Anpanman then?"
"There! There!" Shojiro pointed at the counter beside the stove. While carrying Shojiro, Sho approached the counter. There was indeed a pancake laid out in a plate that looked like Anpanman.
"Wow, that's better than what Papa did!" Sho cooed, making Shojiro giggle again.
"Yay, I beat papa in cooking!" Shojiro shouted. He turned to Jun, "An-chan, I beat papa in cooking!"
"Oh yes, you did." Jun smiled, squishing Shojiro's cheeks.
Sho observed the interaction silently. He felt like his heart soared.
Jun glanced at the clock in the wall. He asked Shojiro, "Did you fix the things you'll bring to school?"
Shojiro shook his head. Jun smiled and gave instructions, "Go upstairs first. An-chan will just finish here then I'll help you get ready okay?"
Shojiro nodded. Sho put him down after he pecked Sho's and Jun's cheeks. The boy ran excitedly towards the stairs as the adults watched him till he was out of sight.
Jun turned back in cooking the remaining pancake mix. Sho just stood at the same spot, observing the younger man quietly. Before the silence stretched, Jun asked without looking, "Coffee?"
Sho didn't reply. Instead, he went at Jun's back, hugging the younger man from behind. Jun stiffened in his arms, but Sho didn't let it bother him.
"Thank you..." Sho whispered before burying his face against Jun's nape. He felt Jun relaxing, and he was glad Jun didn't push him away.
"Thank you for staying..." Sho clarified this time. He could feel, or rather hear, Jun taking a deep breath before switching the stove off.
Sho lifted his head when he felt Jun turning around to face him. They were eye to eye. Both were blushing from the close contact. Sho tilted his head, getting ready to put a kiss in Jun's lips. Jun's eyes closed in anticipation until...
"AN-CHAN!"
Sho and Jun instantly pulled away from each other after hearing Shojiro's shout from upstairs, both looking flustered. It was awkward, but it was also funny in Sho's opinion.
"I... I better go and check on Shojiro."Jun excused himself.
Sho watched in amusement as Jun left the kitchen. The fact that they were acting like a lovesick couple in their new life after marriage fascinated Sho to no end aside for the reason that Jun was wearing his clothes (since Jun hadn't gone home ever since that day).
"Lovesick couple?"Sho mused. He didn't object that idea in his head.
"Don't I get to drive you both there?" Sho pouted as he walked Jun and Shojiro towards Jun's car after breakfast. Since he recovered already, he thought at least he could drop them both off at the kindergarten.
"No, you just recovered. It's better if you take it easy here because getting relapse is worse, Sho-san." Jun reprimanded. Worry can be seen in his face. Sho's pout didn't disappear though, but he still gave a nod. Jun chuckled as he opened the car door of the driver’s seat.
"I'll come back later to drop Shojiro off later after class. Just heat the lunch I prepared for you." Jun reminded as he get out of the car again after starting the engine.
"I will." Sho replied while lifting Shojiro up. He went to the back and opened the door of the back seat to let Shojiro sit there.
"Be a good boy, okay?" Sho said.
Shojiro nodded before asking curiously, "Papa, will you read me books again?"
Sho pretended to be thinking about his answer as he strapped the seatbelt around Shojiro. When there was a pout forming in Shojiro's face, he kissed Shojiro's forehead. "Of course." He promised. Shojiro cheered, directing thumbs up at him. Sho replied it by doing the same before closing the door.
Sho turned to Jun who had been watching them. The younger man was grinning while leaning his side against the car.
"We'll be going then." Jun said, and Sho just gave another nod. Jun turned serious when he gave Sho another reminder, "Please don't forget to drink your medicine, Sho-san."
"Yes, doctor." Sho kidded.
Jun laughed softly before sitting again to the driver's seat.
Sho didn’t know what do. He didn’t want to leave things hanging. When Jun was about to close the door, Sho put his hand over Jun’s on the car’s door.
"Thank you." Sho said. He hoped his voice and smile were enough to show how grateful he was.
"It's nothing." Jun said, trying to sound nonchalant. Still, Sho could see blush in Jun's cheeks, making him grin goofily.
"I'll see you later." Sho said, squeezing Jun's hand under his. Jun gave a shy nod. Their joined hands closed the car's door before Sho pulled his hand back.
"Take care."Jun said before steering the wheel.
"Bye Papa!" Shojiro shouted, and Sho waved at his child. He watched Jun's car moving away until it was out of sight.
As Sho entered his home, he felt kind of empty. It always did when he went home alone. But something inside made him look forward for the afternoon. He thought it was about time he took Jun to a proper date. No more hiding. It was about time he grasped the idea that he was already divorced, and Jun deserved better from him. Honestly, he didn’t know whether he really did deserve the younger man, but he wanted to try. For all he knew, after these weeks he had been alone, Sho learned that he needed Jun in his life. Starting from now on, he would treat Jun right just as he was supposed to from the very start. He just hoped it wasn’t too late yet for the two of them.
Before negativity flooded his mind, Sho set out to plan for his and Jun’s first official date. He needed help, so he dialed Aiba's phone. Once the other man answered, Sho asked if he was free tonight.
"Yeah, I don't have any plans.” Aiba replied. He then asked excitedly, “Is MatsuJun cooking again tonight?"
"Not really..." Sho mumbled. "MatsuJun?" Sho asked bemused when he finally caught how Aiba addressed Jun.
"Yeah, and he didn't object. It seemed some of his friends call him that too." Aiba said proudly.
Sho didn't know that. Thinking again, he didn't know much about Jun's life outside their relationship. It made Sho sad, knowing how he made this difficult for the two of them. He really needed to talk with Jun soon, but before anything, he needed to make sure his plan was in motion. "Anyways, I was hoping you can help me be alone with Jun for tonight."
"Why? You're going to fuck his brains out in compensation for the lost time?" Aiba whistled.
"Masa-kun!" Sho exclaimed, scandalized with Aiba's choice of words. He was blushing completely. It was a good thing they were only talking through phone. It would be more embarrassing than it already was if they were out in the public and people heard Aiba. Though Aiba's question wasn't far from what he had in mind.
"Oops. Sorry about that." Aiba apologized. Sho could imagine Aiba bowing his head several times with an embarrass smile."So what you want me to do?" Aiba asked, diverting their conversation back to the topic.
"I was hoping Shojiro can stay at your place for tonight."
"Oooh... Don't tell me you're really planning on-"
"Masa-kun, just…" Sho cut in before Aiba could say anything further. There were really just times Aiba's mouth was too loose for his own good, and green stuff kept on getting out.
"Hai! Hai! Don't worry! I'll take good care of Shojiro..." Aiba assured Sho.
"Thanks. I owe you one." Sho said in relief.
"What time should I pick Shojiro up? Or should I just pick him from kindergarten after class?" Aiba asked nonchalantly. He didn't know that his suggestion was greater than what Sho had in mind.
"Actually, that's better than what I had in mind." Sho mused. At least, he and Jun could spend time longer, thinking that he needed to go to work in the next morning.
"Is Jun-pon in the kindergarten?" Aiba asked. Sho nodded, but he remembered they were only talking through phone."Yeah, he was going to drop Shojiro here later." Sho informed.
"Then it would be better if we pick the two up. What you think?"Aiba suggested further. Sho could imagine the other man wiggling his eyebrows. Aiba could be genius at times.
"Yeah, that will be great." Sho agreed.
Aiba told Sho to pick him up by four in his apartment since Aiba's shift would end after lunch. It would give him enough time to fix his apartment so that Shojiro could stay.
"You don't want Shojiro to find things inappropriate for his age, do you?" Aiba kidded before laughing like a hyena. Sho could only shake his head at Aiba's crazy antics.
They talked a couple more minutes before Aiba said that he needed to hang up since his appointment had arrived already. Sho said thanks and was about to end the call but stopped when Aiba spoke again. "I’m really happy for you Sho-chan. Jun-kun is really a good person.”
Sho took a deep breath, before asking. He needed to know. “Is this okay, Masaki?”
Aiba might be one of Sho’s closest friends, but he was still Yuka’s cousin. Sho did meet him after befriending Yuka, and what he was doing now could be an insult for the fact that Yuka was Sho’s wife. It wasn’t that Aiba was judgmental or something. Aiba was a kind person and he never had prejudice over anyone.
Aiba’s carefree laugh on the other line relaxed Sho’s over thinking mind, but his words freed Sho of doubts, “Everyone deserves to be Sho-chan… I’m sure Yuka would say the same.”
“Thanks, Masaki.” Sho said one last time before Aiba said goodbye and hanged up.
Sho stood for a couple of minutes in his spot, looking at his phone with a smile. Sho shrugged and went to Shojiro’s room with the intention of packing Shojiro’s stuff for the overnight at Aiba’s place.
It was around after lunch when Sho finished taking a bath. He was looking for something decent to wear in closet when he spotted a red box hidden below the files of his clothes. Sho carefully took it out and placed it at his bed. Since he was covered with towel, he decided to change first into a pair of jeans, a printed white v- neck shirt before he could catch a cold. He also took out a jacket he would wear later on. He sat beside the red box on his bed and opened it. Inside was that picture he used to put beside his picture with Yuka and Shojiro in the book shelf full of his favorite books.
Ever since Shojiro started living with him, Sho had hidden that picture for some reasons he couldn’t really explain. He just felt that it shouldn’t be there. Sho shrugged and lifted the picture frame, revealing the other contents of the box.
There were CDs from bands from different countries, souvenirs from trips and some receipts. Sho couldn’t help but laughed with all the things he had collected before. They were all from those times when he was still in college, struggling to finish his studies with flying colors just to please his family.
Sho took out the CD first. He skimmed through each. There were CDs of artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire, X Japan, Beatles and rock band Kiss. Next were the souvenirs. There were a dream catcher (if he remembered clearly, it was from Hokkaido), a keychain, and a broken plate with dedications written on it. Too bad the writing was smudged already. Sho couldn’t read it anymore. Carefully, Sho laid out each of the item in the box on his bed.
Sho got the receipts out of the box next without looking inside. Those receipts were full of creases and some texts were unreadable. He could only make out that they were from western themed restaurants, particularly from those that specialized stakes and burgers. There were also receipts of good-old-ramen houses he had visited in his college years.
When he looked again at the box, Sho saw that there were still papers inside. It wasn’t just simple papers or notes but score sheets.
How long had it been since he played piano? Sho did learn to play it when he was in grade school since his parents sent him to a lot of after-school programs. If Sho was honest, playing piano was the only thing he enjoyed the most out of those programs aside from soccer. If he was given a chance, he would have chosen to be a music major than an economic major.
Sho looked at each sheet, playing them in his mind. Some were just playful compositions by him. Other sheets were written and composed by another man. When he saw the last score sheet, he couldn’t help but drift back to that time when he was a sophomore in college, and things had just been the same routine for Sho… until I met him.
Sho finishes his research for a term paper in the library. After the intensive hours he has conferred in that term paper, Sho wants to get home as soon as possible. It’s pretty late, and Sho likes to reward himself with a nice long sleep. Sho decides to pass by the music department since the gate there is the nearest out of the campus and to his dorm.
It is pretty dark outside. Although he hates admitting it, walking through the empty hallways scares Sho. The silence doesn’t help at all in easing the tremble he is feeling. That is why it frightens him when he hears a soft music resonating around the empty halls. A humming voice accompanies it next. For some reason, Sho can’t help but to follow it.
There is light that seeps through the gap of the door in one of the music rooms. Sho decided to peek in, and there he sees another student, a male, behind the keys.
Sho doesn’t say anything. He just listens. It’s been a while since he hears someone playing a piece so beautiful. Sho is so into the mood that he doesn’t realize his eyes have been closed and the music has stopped.
“Sorry, it’s not done yet.”
Sho opens his eyes in surprise. His cheeks are red of embarrassment for being found out.
“Sorry for intruding.” Sho apologizes, not knowing what to do. He is about to walk away when the other student calls him again.
“I don’t mind someone listening. If you like, you can see beside me.” The other man offers with a smile.
Sho blinks his eyes. He is astonished at the other man’s bold offer. It’s not like it is bad or anything though, but Sho is just surprised how straightforward the other man’s words is. It’s also the first time someone gives him that kind of vibe. Usually, people tend to avoid him because he has temper issues. The only one who can tolerate bad temper is another Economic major named Yuka Arimura, but that’s because Sho and Yuka have been classmates since high school.
The other man tilts his head sideways with a smirk, as if telling Sho, ‘I’m not going to bite you, you know?’
Sho doesn’t think it will harm him. Yes, he is tired with all the studying he has done. Still, Sho can’t decline the offer.
As the night stretches, Sho remembers how much he enjoys music with the help of the man who he just met. As days pass, Sho falls in love all over again with music. He also falls in love with the man who has reminded him of that.
Sho’s smile is fond as he read the notes in the sheet. He wondered if he could play it. The question was if he could actually play the piano again. It had been more or less six years since then since he last touched one.
Sho scanned again the sheets he had in hand especially those he had composed before, wondering if he could play it for Jun. His composition weren’t the best, but he had done it with full of heart. Maybe he could dedicate one for Jun. Like him, Jun loved music.
Sho chuckled. I just hope he won’t mind listening to my crappy creations.
Sho caught another sheet that gained his interest. Unlike the rest, it was smudged because of tear drops. Sho let out a shaky breath realizing why it turned out like that.
“I got-, what again?”
“A scholarship! A scholarship to such prestigious school in Paris. It’s a good opportunity.”
“You’re kidding right?”
(Sho hides at a corner. He can’t be seen by two people talking in the hallway, but he can clearly hear the conversation.)
“I don’t know if I should take it. I mean, I’m okay with what I have now. I only have two years left anyways.”
“But it’s a good opportunity. It will be a waste if you turn it down.”
“But Sho-chan…”
“I’m sure your boyfriend can wait for you. Think about your future…”
“I am thinking about the future… and that’s why I can’t leave him…”
(Pauses.)
“Sho-chan needs me more than now.”
(Sho leaves silently.)
“What the hell are you thinking about? Marry you? How can you even think of that?”
“But it’s the only choice, Yuka. Do you think our parents will get off our backs once they know who I’m really with? They would enforce it more than before! Either ways, we’ll be married whether we want it or not.”
“But you’re with him! I thought you’re going to fight for him, no matter what the consequences are? You two love each other.”
(Sho stays silent.)
“Don’t you love him anymore?”
(Silence.)
“Tell me what’s wrong, Sho-chan? You’re not telling me everything are you?”
“I…”
(Sho starts sobbing. Yuka hugs Sho.)
“He needs to leave. He needs to.”
(Sho’s sobs get louder. Yuka takes a deep breath.)
“Only for two years right?”
(Sho nods while still in Yuka’s embrace.)
“I guess I’ll be Mrs. Sakurai for awhile then.”
(Sho enters a music room. Another man is occupying the bench already behind the piano.)
“Glad you can make it, Sho-chan!”
“We need to break up.”
(The other man stays silent. Sho takes a deep breath before looking at straight to the other man’s eyes. The other man composes himself.)
“This will be our last anniversary then?”
“Yeah, I’m engaged to Yuka.”
“Thought so, people were buzzing around with that news. Congratulations then.”
(The other man stands up, gets his backpack and walks towards the door. He stops when he’s beside Sho, pushing a score sheet in Sho’s chest. He looks down.)
“My marriage gift for you guys. Congratulations again.”
(The other man leaves. Sho stands still. Tear drops one by one on the paper, blurring some notes written there.)
There was a twinge in his chest as Sho traced the blurred notes in the score sheet. His eyes were teary after remembering that day when he said goodbye to the man he had loved. I’m sorry. Sho wanted to say, but he never got the chance. Thinking again, he didn’t deserve the man’s forgiveness. The other man was a wonderful person in Sho’s life, yet Sho discarded him like he was nothing.
I never fought for him.
Ding!
Sho’s eyes shifted to his phone in his bedside drawer. It alerted him that he just got a mail. After reaching for it, he found out that he received a message from Aiba, telling him that the other man was done and that Aiba could be pick-up anytime Sho was ready.
Sho tried to calm himself. He put each of the stuff back to the box. He looked at the picture longer before putting it with the rest. Sho decided it wasn’t yet the time to think about it. He still needed to fix things between him and Jun. Their relationship was shaky, and he didn’t want to prolong it.
Once everything is settled, I’ll definitely look for you and ask for your forgiveness.
Sho picked Aiba up before coming to the kindergarten. They still needed to wait for at least twenty minutes before the class would end. Sho and Aiba decided to wait in the car. They were talking about trivial things until Sho got a call from Yuka, who was in America.
Yuka said that Aiba had told her about his sickness and that she was worried because Sho tended to disregard his health. Sho assured her that he recovered already and that he and Shojiro were fine. After that Yuka bombarded him with questions about Jun’s stay at his house. He was surprised at first, but he remembered that Yuka had met Jun before when they only knew him as ‘an-chan’ that Shojiro talked about. If Yuka knew the nature of their relationship, she didn’t mention it. Sho was well aware Yuka already knew much (because Aiba could be a blabbermouth too), but he’ll definitely talk everything to her in the future. Before Yuka was his wife, she had been a dear friend to him, and she was also Shojiro’s mother.
After hearing the bell ringing from the kindergarten, they ended the call with a promise to talk longer and with Shojiro. Yuka wished him good luck and good health. Sho said the same and to take care before hanging up.
When they saw some parents walking out with their children, Aiba and Sho marched towards the kindergarten’s entrance just in time to see Jun and Shojiro walking out of the door with Juri in tow. Jun and Juri were talking about something, and it was Shojiro who noticed their presence.
“PAPA!” Shojiro shouted and instantly ran towards Sho. Sho lifted him up before he kissed Sho’s cheek. He kissed Aiba’s cheek after the uncle asked for it. When Sho put down Shojiro again, Jun was in front of Sho already.
“So this is your way of taking it easy, Sho-san?” Jun glared at Sho. His tone was rough despite Jun smiling. Sho suddenly became nervous. Jun was definitely mad, and that wasn’t good.
“I…I just thought… maybe… uhm…” Sho stuttered, turning to Aiba to ask for help. Aiba looked away, whistling innocently. So much for helping, you idiot.
Jun was still glaring at Sho when he looked back to the younger man, and he didn’t exactly know how to appease the younger man. Maybe coming there was a bad idea. It was Aiba’s idea nevertheless.
“Did you eat your meal and take your medicine properly?” Jun asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course! You told me to.” Sho instantly answered, grabbing Jun’s hand and squeezing it. Somehow, it put a smile back to Jun’s face.
“That’s good to hear.” Jun said, sounding relieved.
“Papa!”
The three looked towards the kindergarten’s entrance again, finding out that Shojiro had gone back in while they were talking. This time he was dragging someone with him.
“Yes! Yes! I’m coming, Shojiro-kun.”
Sho froze at the spot the moment he had a clearer view of who Shojiro was dragging. “Kazu…”
The said man was now in standing in front of him, his hand holding Shojiro’s hand. Behind him was Ohno whom Sho remembered as Jun's friend.
Nino smiled, “Ah, my guest was right then. Shojiro-kun here is your child.”
Sho couldn’t utter a world. He couldn’t believe it. Six years ago, he had broken Nino’s heart in hopes of releasing the shorter man from the miseries of his life. That day, Nino was back again in his life.
“Papa! Nino onii-chan is the man with you in that picture, right?” Shojiro asked excitedly.
Sho could only nod his reply. His mind bombarded with a lot of emotions and memories.
“My marriage gift for you guys. Congratulations again.”
(Nino leaves.)
“I can’t tell them yet Nino… I’m really sorry.”
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s not that I’m eager to meet them.”
(Sho looks at Nino.)
“Not that I don’t want to meet them.”
(Silence.)
“I just wish I could tell everyone you’re mine.”
“But I am yours, Sho. And I don’t need anyone to acknowledge that except you.”
(Nino kisses Sho in the lips.)
“Please remind me not to come with you again if you ever decided to go on a trip.”
“Come on, you had fun.”
(Nino grunts.)
“Just one more picture, then we can go back.”
(Nino grumbles as Sho readies his camera for a picture.)
“Just be thankful I love you too much to deny.”
“Say cheese!”
(Sho and Nino poses close together with bright smiles to the camera.)
(Sho fidgets in his sit. Nino stops playing.)
“You okay, Sho-chan?”
“Uhm… I… Nino… I… I think… Uhm…”
(Nino kisses Sho in the lips. Sho’s eyes widen.)
“I love you too, Sakurai Sho.”
(Sho blinks his eyes several times. Nino laughs.)
“Eh? How did you-”
“Yuka is right. You won’t be able to say it.”
“Yuka? That’s woma-“
(Nino kisses Sho again.)
(Nino stops playing and looks at Sho.)
“I haven’t gotten your name yet?”
“Oh, I’m Sakurai Sho.”
(Sho offers his hand for a handshake. Nino laughs before taking and shaking it.)
“Ninomiya Kazunari at your service.”
(Nino gives his two-fingers salute. Both of them laugh.)
(Silence.)
“Will you play more?”
“Of course, Sho-chan.”
(Nino starts playing again.)
Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7---------------
Additional notes from the author:
And the mystery of Sho/?? is finally revealed. I present to you the entrance of Sakumiya couple in this story. Did anyone expect that? I told you guys (well maybe some?) that Ohmiya couple will still play a big part ne? Nurufufufufu~~~
There were also snippets of Sho and Yuka’s relationship and how things went. Most importantly, we got to see from Sho’s point of view. From this chapter and here on, it would be written in Sho’s POV. After all, there would be a lot of flash backs in his part from now on. Hope you wouldn’t mind the sudden change in POV. OTL
Next chapter would be entitled In the Seventh Floor or along those lines. More flashbacks coming in your way and a smut scene. The question is whether it will be Sakumiya or Sakumoto? Nurufufufufu~~~
If you guys got confused with things especially how I formatted flashbacks and such, just ask away. I'd try to explain it to you. Thanks for reading. Love to hear from you guys! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!