Two Shots ~ Gratitude (Chapter One: Valentine's Day)
It's Michieda's turn to provide a gift for Meguro's birthday.
Long story short: in my mind this should have been a 'quick short fic for Meme's Bday'. It ended up as the fanfic I have been writing for two days already and since it slipped me.
Pls enjoy and I hope you had a very nice Meme day!
**
Chapter 1: Mission 1: Valentine's Day
Chapter Text
13th February 2022, Osaka
"So, do you think you'll manage to give Meguro-kun your chocolate tomorrow, finally?" Daigo asks Michieda first thing in the morning. It's Sunday, but Naniwa Danshi members has to meet up for work anyway, before Michieda will once again hop on the Shinkansen bound for Tokyo in the afternoon.
The younger man stares horrified at his colleague, saying simply nothing.
"Why are you glaring at me like that, Micchi?"
"Because you're talking nonsense," he frowns.
"It'll be Valentine’s Day," Daigo says matter-of-factly.
"I KNOW it's Valentine’s Day tomorrow," he hisses, "then what?"
"You're 10.000 times more intriguing when you look THAT slightly annoyed, you know, Micchi?" Daigo adds, chuckling. "Maybe I should try to irritate you more often, just like KenKen does."
"Eh? Eh? Eh? Has someone called me?" Kento tweets, poking the nose between the two colleagues.
"Nope. And please don't, Ken-chan," Michieda snorts.
"Don't what? I haven't even-"
"Just don't. Please."
"You're so boooooring," Kento pouts, "I really don't know how you managed to co-star even TWICE with the amazing Fukumoto-san in a romance story. I am so freakin' envious..."
"Oh, right, are you going to give chocolate to Fukumoto-san also?" Daigo asks deadly serious, widening his eyes.
"Eh? What do you mean with 'also'?" Kento curiously wonders. "Who else... EHH? You mean MEGURO-SENPAI? EH? EH? EEEEH?!!"
"I recommend you to talk a bit louder, Ken-chan!" Ohashi cries out from the other side of the spacious practice room. "Someone in the offices down there, I mean those over the Yodobashi river, might not have heard you! I mean, I have, but if you have to make sure that everybody knows all the details about Micchi's most infamous crush, please be even louder! I know you can, my boy!"
"I will!" Kento tweets, while Daigo bursts into a laughter.
Michieda rolls his eyes. He's never been more eager to flee to Tokyo, for once. Almost.
**
"Anyway. I was serious, this morning," Daigo tells him, while the two of them are on their way to the nearest metro station, a few hours later.
"Oh please, not again, please-"
"No, wait, Micchi, wait. Please listen to me," Daigo cuts him off. "Since I am not deaf, I think I DO have a not so vague idea about the amount of playful tease you have been going through ever since your name has started being paired up with Meguro-kun's, months ago.
I guess it might have been flattering and embarrassing for you, to a certain extent, and quite annoying to another, at the same time. Am I wrong?"
"You are not wrong," Michieda admits, sighing. "But there's something else, also. The fact that I don't like the idea that all of this might put Meguro-senpai in open discomfort, sooner or later... and he'd be just right finding my presence annoying at least. I'd hate it, and I just don't know how to... I mean..."
"Micchi... I don't know exactly the boundaries of the feelings you nurture for him, but I might have made myself an idea, so far."
"I don't-"
"You needn't tell me," Daigo cuts him off again. "Seriously. I needn't know. And not because I am not curious whether you might feel romantically involved or not, quite rather because I know you need time to process and maybe figure it out yourself. I can understand that."
Michieda says nothing in reply, merely biting his lip after adjusting his glasses on his nose.
"What I wanted you to know is, and please listen carefully to me, that you actually played a couple of tender lovers on-screen, plus you've actually been the first on-screen love interest of Meguro-kun's career, plus a male boyfriend. Those are facts and no one can deny nor change them. Do you understand just how significant this might be?"
"Nope. It's just fiction, anyway," Michieda says.
"To a certain extent, it is indeed. And it is not, at the same time," Daigo points out. "When there's real chemistry taking place, it's not fiction anymore."
"I'm not-"
"What I am trying to tell you, Micchi," Daigo gently imposes again, "is that Meguro-kun would definitely remember your chocolate for his entire lifetime, should you decide to give him some. Giri choco or Honmei choco, that is completely up to you. But if you care about the guy, whatever the feelings, believe me: should it be me, I would not let this chance go wasted, I swear. That's just it."
Michieda glances sideways at Daigo, staring for a while, this time mystified by the young man's words of wisdom. He can tell he's talking seriously. He can tell from the way Daigo's gaze seems almost watching over him as they walk one beside the other.
If he expected to be sort-of-made-fun-of as usual, he's the one being wrong this time. Because there's some part of him who knows, not really knowing how nor why, that Daigo is speaking the truth.
I have something else in mind, Michieda would like to confess him. But he doesn't, afraid that he would once again embarrass himself first, even before finishing what he's supposed to do, if he will ever manage to deliver what he's supposed to deliver.
14th February 2022, Tokyo
It's hectic like usual, in the capital city. It's the first time Michieda's frantic work schedule has to clash with Saint Valentine’s, though, and he cannot say he's fully prepared for it, even when he's arranged everything to his utmost best.
After a whole morning spent on the set in the open, filming the 5th generation Kindaichi drama, he's ready to literally fly away during lunch time, before work will resume in the afternoon. He's tried to organize his spare time today carefully with his manager, explaining him he wishes to personally deliver a well-thought gratitude gift to Snow Man members, after their joint collaboration for the Kieta Hatsukoi drama that did so well for the career of both groups.
Approving on the idea, his manager has helped out by squeezing in a couple interviews later than due, so that Michieda can retrieve a very special Saint Valentine’s box at his favourite Ladurée shop in Nihonbashi, before bringing it to the guys at the TV station they're currently working at, that day.
However curious to know the full details he's not aware of, Koji-kun has been a compulsory element of his strategy, by agreeing to telling him at which time Snow Man members would have been available for being paid homage. He's promised him to keep the secret until today, and Michieda knows his senpai is restraining himself to blurt everything out just in order to brag about the whole thing once the surprise will be delivered.
But anyway, he's an accomplice he's more than willing to have, after all, being the family that Koji-kun is.
The manager asks him whether he'd love to go accompanied but he gently refuses, just like he courteously declined the possibility of the home delivery service the Ladurée shop had offered him.
Somehow, he wants to be the one doing it, and not because he's expecting to be rewarded with words of appreciation or maybe, just maybe, that gentle gaze and the kind smile of Meguro-kun's that he misses so much, lately.
He just feel he needs to accomplish the sweet task. Even when he knows that a part of him just wishes to apologize in advance for the possible abomination in progress that has been filling his brain for a few days already.
Once he's out of the shop with the precious box, heading towards the metro for reaching the TV station, he cannot say he's not proud of the selection of sweets he has conscientiously chosen for the nine artists and their staff: together with the multicoloured macarons that he's requested in nine specific colour shades, there are also deliciously lacquered pastries and mini-versions of the trademark Plaisir Sucre, the gourmet dacquoise cake the French maison is so proud of.
They're extremely beautiful to see, and even more tempting to devour, to the point he regrets not having bought not even a single macaron for himself.
As he reaches the TV station and informs the staff of the appointment he's got with the classy idol group, though, he's being told that the guys have finished their filming earlier and have all rushed out in order to fulfil some urgent and unanticipated meeting elsewhere in Tokyo.
So unexpected that even Koji-kun was unaware of the schedule re-arrangement, judging by the lack of messages coming from him, Michieda realizes once he checks his mobile phone.
He doesn't want to feel defeated yet, not at all; some part of him could have expected that succeeding in the mission could have been even harder than the way it already was.
He asks the lady whether the young men will be back or not before the day will be gone for good and she nods, telling him they are expected to be a few more meetings late in the afternoon. Michieda knows he won't be able to delay his deliver at that very same hour, for he'll be at the other side of Tokyo by that time.
Still, he asks for a pen and frantically looks for the message card coming with the box of sweets, that he had left completely blank on purpose, hoping he could deliver his words through his voice and a deep bow in front of the guys.
For taking care of Naniwa Danshi members, and for watching over me especially,
Thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.
A small token of Gratitude
Michieda Shunsuke
As he re-reads it before putting it into the envelope, he hopes his handwriting won't be too hard to decipher, for the emotion has given away a part of his feelings while composing the kanjis.
He asks the lady whether she could be this gentle to deliver the box on his behalf, to which she kindly agrees. He bows deeply, before rushing back to work, trying
hard to ignore the small lump that has started invading his throat.
**
His mobile phone vibrates, later that evening, while he's going out of his hotel room, heading to the practice room in the basement with the guitar he has brought with him from Osaka the previous week.
He doesn't expect it to be Meguro-kun and it isn't indeed, but the jubilant voice that welcomes him, once he accepts the call, is all but unwanted.
"Micchiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!! I love you so much! I mean I love you utterly! You don't know exactly how much I love you, my precious boy!!! Sukiyaneeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!" Koji's croaky voice shouts over the line, and he cannot help but giggle softly.
"I take it you were successfully delivered the box and you appreciated its content, ne?" he comments, laughing gently, reverting to talking in Kansaiben like his senpai just automatically did, in the heat of the moment.
"I'm so moved, you damn cutie! How do you even manage to be so cute and thoughtful and classy and smart at the same time?! How dare you?! You make me feel so proud but, at the same time, you remind me how you're not truly by actual brother... for there's no way I could deliver something so impressive like you did. Man. I'm so proud of you! Micchi!!!"
"I am happy you appreciated the surprise, even though it was not fully a surprise for you."
"Oh, by the way, Micchi... I'm so sorry we couldn't meet, in the end. I had no idea the work schedule would have turned out so upside down. I would have loved to text you but I didn't even have the time to pick up my mobile from my bag at all," Koji goes on, lowering his voice in a way more submissive tone.
"But you're not at fault, not at all!" he clarifies, "and besides, nothing of this could actually happen without your help... so it's me who has to be eternally grateful to you, senpai. Thank you really, thank you so much," he says, bowing a little, almost absentmindedly.
"Oh c'mon Micchi, it's you who is this great! And being it the first time I receive chocolate for Valentine’s Day, I'd say it's even greater to be pampered like this by my beloved boy."
"Eh?! Am I really your first? I can't believe it!"
"I've been given Giri chocolate indeed, but I am going to consider these Ladu-whatsoever sweets as Honmei choco. May I?"
"Permission granted," Michieda smiles, "but I think it'll be a problem for me if everyone among Snow Man members will consider it as Honmei choco," he goes on, flushing slightly pink at the thought of a certain tall guy in particular.
"Oh but they won't," Koji quickly replies. "I mean, I have forbidden them to. I told the guys it was Giri choco for everyone but me, of course. Oh but, not sure how Meme reacted about that, now that I think about it..."
"E-eh?"
"It might have been indeed too cocky of me to claim your feelings as mine when he's officially been your boyfriend on screen while I haven't, darn."
"B-but he's not-"
"Anyway, who cares. You made my day, Micchi. You seriously made my day and I'm so happy and grateful!"
"Hearing you this happy makes my heart flutter a little, senpai," Michieda confesses all of sudden, giggling.
"See? I told you. It was Honmei choco after all!" Koji insists, laughing as well. "Anyway, I'm going to devour the mini chocolate cake now. Please take your deserved rest, Micchi. I love you."
"Me too, senpai. Good night," he assures him, before hanging up.
He had not had the time to think over it for the rest of the day, but hearing Koji's enthusiastic reaction makes him feel definitely accomplished now.
On the mobile display he notices a few incoming messages from unknown numbers, and as he opens them one after another, he realizes that the other Snow Man members are about to thank him as well. With much probability, they must have waited for Koji's green light before contacting him freely, for the Kansai guy must have wished to be the first one showering him with the due affection.
He cannot say he does not appreciate, even though it's not the acknowledgment, the feeling he was looking for; quite rather the contrary, about the possibility of returning a gratefulness he feels literally overflowing from him, especially whenever senpai Meguro is somehow involved.
As he's about to go back strumming the musical notes he cannot manage to play just fine, his mobile vibrates again and, this time, he picks it up as quickly as he can, even though it's not a call but a long written message.
> Not really knowing if this message will bother you when it'll reach you. Being this late already, you must be exhausted from filming, and maybe sleeping like you deserve. <
> Even so, please allow me to try and tell you how grateful I am for the amazing surprise that we, as Snow Man members and fellow colleagues, have been gifted with today. I am still speechless, Michieda-kun. <
He feels suddenly engulfed, cheeks going on fire, biting his lower lip.
= I am not sleeping yet, senpai. Please don't worry. = he quickly types, juggling between the mobile and the guitar still kept between his lap and one arm.
> Oh. I am glad to tell you "live" then, eheh. The pastries were delicious and the guys have gone crazy about them. Well, Koji has literally melted with joy, but I guess you might have already heard from him straight. <
There's a soft emoticon coming with the last message, and Michieda feels like melting inside as well.
= I am so happy... I really needed it, I needed to offer something tangible to tell you all how I felt during the last months, thanks to you. =
> And how a gesture. I'm so impressed, Michieda-kun... <
> You know, when Raul tasted his double-layered macaron filled with coconut and crisped meringue, he's almost stopped moving and even batting his eyelashes for a few minutes, in the middle of the room. And when we asked him whether he was okay, he simply told me 'Michieda-kun, he's not just one year older than me. He's ten years older than me, maturity speaking'. He looked really moved, believe me. <
= T-thanks. But Raul-kun is very cool and mature himself. =
= How was the black macaron, by the way? =
> In one word? <
= Yup. Just one, please. =
> Then... Sublime. <
> Oh, sorry, I used two words. My bad. <
He chuckles, his insides caught in a wobbly, cotton-like sensation.
> May I use some more words for it, or is it forbidden? <
= Please go ahead, senpai. =
> It was... sweet and salty at the same time, while it smelled like spices and it carried a very peculiar flavour and fragrance. I had never tasted a sweet like that before, let alone a French macaron. Thank you... thank you really. <
He doesn't tell him that he had specially requested the black macaron with the Ladurée shop, as it was not normally produced by them.
> By the way, Michieda-kun, there's something I wished to ask you, if I may. <
His heart makes an unrequested backflip while pink colour arises again on his cheeks, but he takes a deep breath and forces himself not to imagine things. Not anymore, at least.
= There's nothing you cannot ask me, senpai. Please. = he types back.
> Okay. Then... <
> Uhm, it's a bit embarrassing, please forgive my naivety in advance... <
> Do you reckon... that Ida-kun and Aoki-kun might have finally spent their long awaited first Valentine’s Day together? I cannot stop thinking about it. <
As he re-reads the message thrice, he feels tears pricking the corner of his eyes, and he pushes them hastily back.
= Absolutely. = he quickly types.
= That goes beyond saying. There's no way they cannot be together, on such a special day. =
= And, Aoki-kun... =
= He must have prepared something special for the day, with Hashimoto-san's help. I am certain of it. =
> I see... <
> I can sleep well tonight, then. <
= Absolutely. You have to, senpai. =
= Please have sweet dreams. =
> Oh, I certainly will, thanks to you! < Meguro replies, together with another soft emoji, that once again unconsciously matches the contents of his own heart.
> And please have some nice rest, as well. Good night, Michieda-kun. <
= I will. I promise. Good night, senpai. =
He bites his lip again, slouching back on the armchair of the small room he's asked the staff of the hotel to use for himself, so that not to disturb any of the hotel guests.
He's not used to promises he cannot keep, but he repeats himself that this time his white lie was rather necessary.
He puts down his mobile and retrieves the pick instead; he adjusts his lopsided glasses on his nose and resumes his arranging, musical sheets scattered on the small table in front of him as he tenaciously plays the guitar.
**
Chapter Two
Long story short: in my mind this should have been a 'quick short fic for Meme's Bday'. It ended up as the fanfic I have been writing for two days already and since it slipped me.
Pls enjoy and I hope you had a very nice Meme day!
**
Chapter 1: Mission 1: Valentine's Day
Chapter Text
13th February 2022, Osaka
"So, do you think you'll manage to give Meguro-kun your chocolate tomorrow, finally?" Daigo asks Michieda first thing in the morning. It's Sunday, but Naniwa Danshi members has to meet up for work anyway, before Michieda will once again hop on the Shinkansen bound for Tokyo in the afternoon.
The younger man stares horrified at his colleague, saying simply nothing.
"Why are you glaring at me like that, Micchi?"
"Because you're talking nonsense," he frowns.
"It'll be Valentine’s Day," Daigo says matter-of-factly.
"I KNOW it's Valentine’s Day tomorrow," he hisses, "then what?"
"You're 10.000 times more intriguing when you look THAT slightly annoyed, you know, Micchi?" Daigo adds, chuckling. "Maybe I should try to irritate you more often, just like KenKen does."
"Eh? Eh? Eh? Has someone called me?" Kento tweets, poking the nose between the two colleagues.
"Nope. And please don't, Ken-chan," Michieda snorts.
"Don't what? I haven't even-"
"Just don't. Please."
"You're so boooooring," Kento pouts, "I really don't know how you managed to co-star even TWICE with the amazing Fukumoto-san in a romance story. I am so freakin' envious..."
"Oh, right, are you going to give chocolate to Fukumoto-san also?" Daigo asks deadly serious, widening his eyes.
"Eh? What do you mean with 'also'?" Kento curiously wonders. "Who else... EHH? You mean MEGURO-SENPAI? EH? EH? EEEEH?!!"
"I recommend you to talk a bit louder, Ken-chan!" Ohashi cries out from the other side of the spacious practice room. "Someone in the offices down there, I mean those over the Yodobashi river, might not have heard you! I mean, I have, but if you have to make sure that everybody knows all the details about Micchi's most infamous crush, please be even louder! I know you can, my boy!"
"I will!" Kento tweets, while Daigo bursts into a laughter.
Michieda rolls his eyes. He's never been more eager to flee to Tokyo, for once. Almost.
**
"Anyway. I was serious, this morning," Daigo tells him, while the two of them are on their way to the nearest metro station, a few hours later.
"Oh please, not again, please-"
"No, wait, Micchi, wait. Please listen to me," Daigo cuts him off. "Since I am not deaf, I think I DO have a not so vague idea about the amount of playful tease you have been going through ever since your name has started being paired up with Meguro-kun's, months ago.
I guess it might have been flattering and embarrassing for you, to a certain extent, and quite annoying to another, at the same time. Am I wrong?"
"You are not wrong," Michieda admits, sighing. "But there's something else, also. The fact that I don't like the idea that all of this might put Meguro-senpai in open discomfort, sooner or later... and he'd be just right finding my presence annoying at least. I'd hate it, and I just don't know how to... I mean..."
"Micchi... I don't know exactly the boundaries of the feelings you nurture for him, but I might have made myself an idea, so far."
"I don't-"
"You needn't tell me," Daigo cuts him off again. "Seriously. I needn't know. And not because I am not curious whether you might feel romantically involved or not, quite rather because I know you need time to process and maybe figure it out yourself. I can understand that."
Michieda says nothing in reply, merely biting his lip after adjusting his glasses on his nose.
"What I wanted you to know is, and please listen carefully to me, that you actually played a couple of tender lovers on-screen, plus you've actually been the first on-screen love interest of Meguro-kun's career, plus a male boyfriend. Those are facts and no one can deny nor change them. Do you understand just how significant this might be?"
"Nope. It's just fiction, anyway," Michieda says.
"To a certain extent, it is indeed. And it is not, at the same time," Daigo points out. "When there's real chemistry taking place, it's not fiction anymore."
"I'm not-"
"What I am trying to tell you, Micchi," Daigo gently imposes again, "is that Meguro-kun would definitely remember your chocolate for his entire lifetime, should you decide to give him some. Giri choco or Honmei choco, that is completely up to you. But if you care about the guy, whatever the feelings, believe me: should it be me, I would not let this chance go wasted, I swear. That's just it."
Michieda glances sideways at Daigo, staring for a while, this time mystified by the young man's words of wisdom. He can tell he's talking seriously. He can tell from the way Daigo's gaze seems almost watching over him as they walk one beside the other.
If he expected to be sort-of-made-fun-of as usual, he's the one being wrong this time. Because there's some part of him who knows, not really knowing how nor why, that Daigo is speaking the truth.
I have something else in mind, Michieda would like to confess him. But he doesn't, afraid that he would once again embarrass himself first, even before finishing what he's supposed to do, if he will ever manage to deliver what he's supposed to deliver.
14th February 2022, Tokyo
It's hectic like usual, in the capital city. It's the first time Michieda's frantic work schedule has to clash with Saint Valentine’s, though, and he cannot say he's fully prepared for it, even when he's arranged everything to his utmost best.
After a whole morning spent on the set in the open, filming the 5th generation Kindaichi drama, he's ready to literally fly away during lunch time, before work will resume in the afternoon. He's tried to organize his spare time today carefully with his manager, explaining him he wishes to personally deliver a well-thought gratitude gift to Snow Man members, after their joint collaboration for the Kieta Hatsukoi drama that did so well for the career of both groups.
Approving on the idea, his manager has helped out by squeezing in a couple interviews later than due, so that Michieda can retrieve a very special Saint Valentine’s box at his favourite Ladurée shop in Nihonbashi, before bringing it to the guys at the TV station they're currently working at, that day.
However curious to know the full details he's not aware of, Koji-kun has been a compulsory element of his strategy, by agreeing to telling him at which time Snow Man members would have been available for being paid homage. He's promised him to keep the secret until today, and Michieda knows his senpai is restraining himself to blurt everything out just in order to brag about the whole thing once the surprise will be delivered.
But anyway, he's an accomplice he's more than willing to have, after all, being the family that Koji-kun is.
The manager asks him whether he'd love to go accompanied but he gently refuses, just like he courteously declined the possibility of the home delivery service the Ladurée shop had offered him.
Somehow, he wants to be the one doing it, and not because he's expecting to be rewarded with words of appreciation or maybe, just maybe, that gentle gaze and the kind smile of Meguro-kun's that he misses so much, lately.
He just feel he needs to accomplish the sweet task. Even when he knows that a part of him just wishes to apologize in advance for the possible abomination in progress that has been filling his brain for a few days already.
Once he's out of the shop with the precious box, heading towards the metro for reaching the TV station, he cannot say he's not proud of the selection of sweets he has conscientiously chosen for the nine artists and their staff: together with the multicoloured macarons that he's requested in nine specific colour shades, there are also deliciously lacquered pastries and mini-versions of the trademark Plaisir Sucre, the gourmet dacquoise cake the French maison is so proud of.
They're extremely beautiful to see, and even more tempting to devour, to the point he regrets not having bought not even a single macaron for himself.
As he reaches the TV station and informs the staff of the appointment he's got with the classy idol group, though, he's being told that the guys have finished their filming earlier and have all rushed out in order to fulfil some urgent and unanticipated meeting elsewhere in Tokyo.
So unexpected that even Koji-kun was unaware of the schedule re-arrangement, judging by the lack of messages coming from him, Michieda realizes once he checks his mobile phone.
He doesn't want to feel defeated yet, not at all; some part of him could have expected that succeeding in the mission could have been even harder than the way it already was.
He asks the lady whether the young men will be back or not before the day will be gone for good and she nods, telling him they are expected to be a few more meetings late in the afternoon. Michieda knows he won't be able to delay his deliver at that very same hour, for he'll be at the other side of Tokyo by that time.
Still, he asks for a pen and frantically looks for the message card coming with the box of sweets, that he had left completely blank on purpose, hoping he could deliver his words through his voice and a deep bow in front of the guys.
For taking care of Naniwa Danshi members, and for watching over me especially,
Thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.
A small token of Gratitude
Michieda Shunsuke
As he re-reads it before putting it into the envelope, he hopes his handwriting won't be too hard to decipher, for the emotion has given away a part of his feelings while composing the kanjis.
He asks the lady whether she could be this gentle to deliver the box on his behalf, to which she kindly agrees. He bows deeply, before rushing back to work, trying
hard to ignore the small lump that has started invading his throat.
**
His mobile phone vibrates, later that evening, while he's going out of his hotel room, heading to the practice room in the basement with the guitar he has brought with him from Osaka the previous week.
He doesn't expect it to be Meguro-kun and it isn't indeed, but the jubilant voice that welcomes him, once he accepts the call, is all but unwanted.
"Micchiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!! I love you so much! I mean I love you utterly! You don't know exactly how much I love you, my precious boy!!! Sukiyaneeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!" Koji's croaky voice shouts over the line, and he cannot help but giggle softly.
"I take it you were successfully delivered the box and you appreciated its content, ne?" he comments, laughing gently, reverting to talking in Kansaiben like his senpai just automatically did, in the heat of the moment.
"I'm so moved, you damn cutie! How do you even manage to be so cute and thoughtful and classy and smart at the same time?! How dare you?! You make me feel so proud but, at the same time, you remind me how you're not truly by actual brother... for there's no way I could deliver something so impressive like you did. Man. I'm so proud of you! Micchi!!!"
"I am happy you appreciated the surprise, even though it was not fully a surprise for you."
"Oh, by the way, Micchi... I'm so sorry we couldn't meet, in the end. I had no idea the work schedule would have turned out so upside down. I would have loved to text you but I didn't even have the time to pick up my mobile from my bag at all," Koji goes on, lowering his voice in a way more submissive tone.
"But you're not at fault, not at all!" he clarifies, "and besides, nothing of this could actually happen without your help... so it's me who has to be eternally grateful to you, senpai. Thank you really, thank you so much," he says, bowing a little, almost absentmindedly.
"Oh c'mon Micchi, it's you who is this great! And being it the first time I receive chocolate for Valentine’s Day, I'd say it's even greater to be pampered like this by my beloved boy."
"Eh?! Am I really your first? I can't believe it!"
"I've been given Giri chocolate indeed, but I am going to consider these Ladu-whatsoever sweets as Honmei choco. May I?"
"Permission granted," Michieda smiles, "but I think it'll be a problem for me if everyone among Snow Man members will consider it as Honmei choco," he goes on, flushing slightly pink at the thought of a certain tall guy in particular.
"Oh but they won't," Koji quickly replies. "I mean, I have forbidden them to. I told the guys it was Giri choco for everyone but me, of course. Oh but, not sure how Meme reacted about that, now that I think about it..."
"E-eh?"
"It might have been indeed too cocky of me to claim your feelings as mine when he's officially been your boyfriend on screen while I haven't, darn."
"B-but he's not-"
"Anyway, who cares. You made my day, Micchi. You seriously made my day and I'm so happy and grateful!"
"Hearing you this happy makes my heart flutter a little, senpai," Michieda confesses all of sudden, giggling.
"See? I told you. It was Honmei choco after all!" Koji insists, laughing as well. "Anyway, I'm going to devour the mini chocolate cake now. Please take your deserved rest, Micchi. I love you."
"Me too, senpai. Good night," he assures him, before hanging up.
He had not had the time to think over it for the rest of the day, but hearing Koji's enthusiastic reaction makes him feel definitely accomplished now.
On the mobile display he notices a few incoming messages from unknown numbers, and as he opens them one after another, he realizes that the other Snow Man members are about to thank him as well. With much probability, they must have waited for Koji's green light before contacting him freely, for the Kansai guy must have wished to be the first one showering him with the due affection.
He cannot say he does not appreciate, even though it's not the acknowledgment, the feeling he was looking for; quite rather the contrary, about the possibility of returning a gratefulness he feels literally overflowing from him, especially whenever senpai Meguro is somehow involved.
As he's about to go back strumming the musical notes he cannot manage to play just fine, his mobile vibrates again and, this time, he picks it up as quickly as he can, even though it's not a call but a long written message.
> Not really knowing if this message will bother you when it'll reach you. Being this late already, you must be exhausted from filming, and maybe sleeping like you deserve. <
> Even so, please allow me to try and tell you how grateful I am for the amazing surprise that we, as Snow Man members and fellow colleagues, have been gifted with today. I am still speechless, Michieda-kun. <
He feels suddenly engulfed, cheeks going on fire, biting his lower lip.
= I am not sleeping yet, senpai. Please don't worry. = he quickly types, juggling between the mobile and the guitar still kept between his lap and one arm.
> Oh. I am glad to tell you "live" then, eheh. The pastries were delicious and the guys have gone crazy about them. Well, Koji has literally melted with joy, but I guess you might have already heard from him straight. <
There's a soft emoticon coming with the last message, and Michieda feels like melting inside as well.
= I am so happy... I really needed it, I needed to offer something tangible to tell you all how I felt during the last months, thanks to you. =
> And how a gesture. I'm so impressed, Michieda-kun... <
> You know, when Raul tasted his double-layered macaron filled with coconut and crisped meringue, he's almost stopped moving and even batting his eyelashes for a few minutes, in the middle of the room. And when we asked him whether he was okay, he simply told me 'Michieda-kun, he's not just one year older than me. He's ten years older than me, maturity speaking'. He looked really moved, believe me. <
= T-thanks. But Raul-kun is very cool and mature himself. =
= How was the black macaron, by the way? =
> In one word? <
= Yup. Just one, please. =
> Then... Sublime. <
> Oh, sorry, I used two words. My bad. <
He chuckles, his insides caught in a wobbly, cotton-like sensation.
> May I use some more words for it, or is it forbidden? <
= Please go ahead, senpai. =
> It was... sweet and salty at the same time, while it smelled like spices and it carried a very peculiar flavour and fragrance. I had never tasted a sweet like that before, let alone a French macaron. Thank you... thank you really. <
He doesn't tell him that he had specially requested the black macaron with the Ladurée shop, as it was not normally produced by them.
> By the way, Michieda-kun, there's something I wished to ask you, if I may. <
His heart makes an unrequested backflip while pink colour arises again on his cheeks, but he takes a deep breath and forces himself not to imagine things. Not anymore, at least.
= There's nothing you cannot ask me, senpai. Please. = he types back.
> Okay. Then... <
> Uhm, it's a bit embarrassing, please forgive my naivety in advance... <
> Do you reckon... that Ida-kun and Aoki-kun might have finally spent their long awaited first Valentine’s Day together? I cannot stop thinking about it. <
As he re-reads the message thrice, he feels tears pricking the corner of his eyes, and he pushes them hastily back.
= Absolutely. = he quickly types.
= That goes beyond saying. There's no way they cannot be together, on such a special day. =
= And, Aoki-kun... =
= He must have prepared something special for the day, with Hashimoto-san's help. I am certain of it. =
> I see... <
> I can sleep well tonight, then. <
= Absolutely. You have to, senpai. =
= Please have sweet dreams. =
> Oh, I certainly will, thanks to you! < Meguro replies, together with another soft emoji, that once again unconsciously matches the contents of his own heart.
> And please have some nice rest, as well. Good night, Michieda-kun. <
= I will. I promise. Good night, senpai. =
He bites his lip again, slouching back on the armchair of the small room he's asked the staff of the hotel to use for himself, so that not to disturb any of the hotel guests.
He's not used to promises he cannot keep, but he repeats himself that this time his white lie was rather necessary.
He puts down his mobile and retrieves the pick instead; he adjusts his lopsided glasses on his nose and resumes his arranging, musical sheets scattered on the small table in front of him as he tenaciously plays the guitar.
**
Chapter Two