TakaNoo fic: Choices
Title: Choices
Author: the_fey_girl11
Pairing: TakaNoo
Rating: PG 13
Summary:Yuya had to make a choice between staying and letting go.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. The boys own each other, however.
Takaki Yuya heaved a deep sigh. He had just gotten out of a two hour meeting with his manager, Ishihara san and Julie Kitagawa. It was a good meeting considering, and yet, he had locked himself inside the men's restroom on the 3rd floor of the Jimusho building, right after.
He should've been glad, ecstatic even. After all he was back in Julie's good graces. But truth be told, it took all of his self control and a stern look from Ishihara san, not to throw a tantrum in front of the Kitagawa heiress.
"We will be strictly keeping a close eye on you, Takaki." She had told him. "I expect you won't disappoint us," Julie added while eyeing him derisively, "again."
She then turned to his manager. "Ishihara san make sure that Takaki knows the full extent of the reprieve we are giving him. I'm afraid another slip and we would have to reconsider his services, as well as yours. Understood?"
"Of course, Kitagawa san. Understood. I will make sure that Takaki complies with the rules and keep all his appointments."
"Good. You are both dismissed."
Ishihara san made a deep bow, pulling Yuya's head down with his. Yuya wanted to struggle out of Ishihara's grip but held himself still. As soon as they were out in the hallway however, Yuya grabbed his manager's coat, dark eyes fiery with suppressed anger.
"The hell did you just do?" He shouted in frustration. Ishihara san being the ever patient man that he is, calmly took hold of Yuya's hands and loosened his grip on his coat.
"I did what any manager would have done for you. I got you out of suspension."
"Like hell you did! You've put me through worse!" Yuya clenched his fists. How he wanted to hit Ishihara san badly. But the professional side in him prevented him from doing so. The man was truly just doing his job, really.
"Listen, Takaki you know how this works, right?" Ishihara san rubbed his temples. His job was never easy. For a moment he wonders if he was better off handling juniors, instead. "Would you rather he suffer, too?"
Ishihara knows that it was the one card that he can use against Takaki. Not that he wants to use it as freely and as often. But it was the card that could get his message across effectively.
"No! Of course not." Yuya answered dejectedly. As quick as he was to anger, it was equally quick to have it dissipate at the mere mention of the other.
This was the price to pay for their forbidden relationship. Yuya should've known the consequences. He had witnessed it before with his senpais after all. And he did not want them to suffer the same fate. Besides, Yuya had no plans of going solo, much less dropping out of the agency. He's not as talented nor as popular as the ones who did. Or so, he thinks.
"Look, you have a new drama and a movie to look forward to and several magazine shoots as well. That would keep you quite busy in the coming months." Ishihara san knew he was being unsympathetic but that was his job. He had nothing against Takaki's relationship with his bandmate. But not when it interfered with his job as a manager. As Takaki's manager it was his job to make sure Takaki does not get involved in anything resembling a scandal. And a scandal involving his own bandmate most of all.
"Just keep it low for a while, both of you. You can still do fanservice together on stage."
The Jimusho knows that fanservice sells and Jump being still a relatively young group, can benefit much from tickling their fans' fantasies. It made good business sense and something the Jimusho have been shamelessly exploiting with every group, collateral damage, such as Takaki's, notwithstanding.
Ishihara san clapped Takaki's shoulder lightly and gave him a genuine sympathetic smile.
"I'll see you on tuesday. The production meeting's at 9am. I'll be sending the car for you at 8:30."
Yuya nodded, not bothering giving his manager a proper answer. Ishihara san shook his head and made his way to the elevators while Yuya took off for the restrooms.
Yuya stared at his reflection, his hands gripping the sink tightly. He knows what was coming and he was powerless to stop it. Knowing the truth did not prevent that helpless feeling of dread settling in his stomach. He really wanted to hit something or better yet, someone. He had wanted to hit his manager earlier though the man was just looking out for his best interest.
"Best interest, my ass!" Yuya fumed at himself. He knows he loves his job. He likes being an idol and all but he loves his boyfriend even more. Being in the same group had many advantages and they were able to keep their relationship a secret from management and the fans until the night of his 26th birthday.
Eversince, he became of legal age, Takaki would celebrate his birthday at his favorite club with his closest friends. This year was no different, except his boyfriend and bandmate, Inoo Kei was there to celebrate with him.
Being regulars of the club, they had their own vip room which the owner, another personal friend, made sure would afford them the privacy they wanted and needed.
Everything went as usual but since it was his birthday, the drinks were flowing quite heavily. Moreso, since Shohei won't stop proposing toasts to the birthday boy. Yuya was more than a little tipsy as he downed another shot of vodka. He leant back against the couch and draped an arm around his boyfriend who was nursing a colourful cocktail. Inoo smiled that cute little smile of his and Yuya couldn't help but capture Inoo's lips in a drunken kiss.
The rest of the group catcalled and hooted at the couple, making them break apart abruptly. Inoo blushed furiously while Yuya just laughed at Shohei's loud and obnoxious "get a fucking room!"
Yuya smiled sheepishly at his blushing boyfriend and grabbed his hand, pulling him up with him. Yuya led Inoo out of the club and out in the dark alley. He pushed the younger man up against the wall and kissed him even before Inoo could protest.
To his delight, as much as his alcohol addled mind could perceive, Inoo returned his kiss with much fervor, making Yuya deepen the kiss, losing himself in the taste and warmth of his boyfriend's luscious mouth.
Unbeknownst to both of them, a camera was busy snapping up pictures of them in that compromising position.
The following week had them staring at numerous photographs of them kissing taken from all angles possible and zoomed in at varying degrees. Inoo looked like he wanted to cry, his career was starting to pick up after all, as they got the dressing down of the century from an irate Julie Kitagawa.
In the end, it was Yuya who was put on the backburner for the reason that his rebellious stunts in the past had already put a dent on his records, earning him the displeasure of the upper management. All his prospective drama and movie roles were either turned down or given to other talents, his singing lines kept to a minimum and his television appearances were all Jump related. Basically only Jump activities, no more, no less. And no hanging out with Inoo outside the confines of the Jimusho.
Yuya should've been relieved that they were not ordered to break up then. Although, when management piled up ridiculous amounts of work on Inoo's schedule, it made Yuya feel that management was breaking the two of them apart slowly and painfully.
As it was, they rarely had time to see one another, apart from taping Itadaki and Jump guestings on music shows. Inoo always had somewhere to be at, whether it be a production meeting for yet another drama or movie, an actual taping or a photo shoot for yet another magazine.
They had to make do with emails and calls made to one another whenever Inoo had a break in between whatever it was he was doing for that day. On Inoo's days off that's when Yuya seemed to have something on his schedule, as little activity as there was on it, it always coincided with Inoo's day off. Yuya was convinced it was management's way of making sure they won't be spending time together and risking the jimusho's reputation with their reckless behavior, as Julie had put it.
Yuya turned on the tap and splashed water on his face. It won't do him good to dwell on this subject any longer. He must resign himself to the possible outcome. And brace himself, too. He wants to see Inoo badly, before any of these things happen but as luck would have it, he knew he wouldn't be able to.
Inoo had sent him a message yesterday, telling him he was flying out to Singapore with his manager for a possible commercial stint there. But Yuya knew better. He knew fully well why Inoo was sent to Singapore. The feeling of dread once again settled in his stomach at the thought.
Yuya quickly got out of the restroom, lest he follows his instinct and break the bathroom mirror with his fist. He did not need another misdemeanor added to his name.
Jump's dressing room was the usual clutter and noise as was expected of 9 boys, 8 because one was in Singapore. They had dance practices scheduled for that day. Chinen, Yamada and Yuto were at one end of the room, stretching while Keito and Hikaru were busy playing games on their phones. Daiki was napping on the couch and Yabu was reading a magazine.
"Yo." Yuya greeted no one in particular. He just felt he had to say something. He made his way to the dresser to put his things there. Yabu immediately glanced up from his magazine.
"Hey, Yuya." the eldest smiled at him. "How did your meeting go?"
"The usual." he replied blandly, not really wanting to talk about it. He sat on his chair facing another mirror and he made a face. Yabu stood behind him putting an arm around his shoulder.
"It will get better, Yuya." the older one assured. He was looking at Yuya through the mirror. Yabu was always the wise one, the optimistic one when it came to the problems of the other members of the group.
"Then why does it feel so bad right now?" Yuya can't help but whine. He buried his face in his arms. He wanted to disappear right that minute. Yabu was looking at him quizzically not really understanding what was eating Takaki.
Until Keito made a surpised sound.
"Uhm guys have you seen this?" Keito held up his phone to the members.
"What is it?" Chinen asked curiously as he, Yamada and Yuto made their way to Keito.
"It's ah.." Keito was looking at Yuya warily but Yuya hardly moved from his position and neither did he look up at Keito's direction.
He heard the gasps and the quiet whispers of his bandmates but Yuya stubbornly closed his eyes and willed his ears to stop listening. He did not want to hear any of it much less see any of the pictures that he was sure his bandmates were all looking at now.
"Woah!" Daiki's high pitched exclamation filled the room and Yuya heard Yamada shushing him. "Does he know?"
Of course, he knows.
"Nonsense." Hikaru says dismissively. "It looks photoshopped to me."
Bless Hikaru and his heart. But Yuya knew better. It was as real as it can get. Now that it's all over the net, Yuya would have to live through seeing the whole thing broadcasted and, all the speculations that would come out of it, on national television, too.
It came as a blessing that the group was then called by the choreographer to the dance studios. Yuya stood up and made his way out of the dressing room without as much as a glance at his bandmates.
The next hours had Yuya learning the choreographies with a determined look on his face. He made as little mistakes as possible and seemed bent on perfecting each move with a fierceness that his bandmates had hardly seen in him before.
During the breaks, he would be in one corner, going through the routine over and over again. He was far from the goofy and childish member that would either whine out loud or pull pranks on the other members in between practices.
By the end of practice, their choreographer had praised Yuya's enthusiam and concentration. Yuya barely said a word in acknowledgement, instead he got his things and left immediately. The rest of the group looked at one another, knowing fully well what had caused Takaki's behavior.
"Ne, don't you guys feel like it's 2008 all over again?" Daiki can't help but ask.
"Don't be silly." Yabu assured him. "We all know that this news is not true. Kei never even mentioned knowing her."
"Yeah, it has management's hand written all over it. We should know." Yuto remarked, nodding quickly at Yamada. They were recently in the news too, both of them being linked to some woman. It was all publicity of course, to drum up attention on their new solo projects.
"Let's leave Yuya to deal with this for the meantime. I'm sure he and Inoo chan have some sort of plan, right?" Chinen piped in. Everyone murmured their assent. They were all aware that this was not simply some publicity stunt to boost Inoo's popularity. It had something to do with their two members and their relationship.
"Damn. Asuka chan though." Keito sighed dreamily. "Itai!" Both Yamada and Hikaru had thumped him on the head.
"Baka!"
**
A familiar ringtone pulled Yuya's attention. He was lying on his bed staring at the ceiling eversince he came home from the jimusho. Usually, he would turn on the television as soon as he enters his room but this time he didn't. It would be all over the news by now and he does not need the added reminder.
A quick look at the screen told Yuya that it was Inoo calling him. Again.
Probably to explain, which was totally unnecessary. His boyfriend was due back tomorrow and that means these overseas calls were a waste of time and money. There was no need for Inoo to tell him what he already knows.
He let his phone ring a couple more times before he picked up the call.
"Yuya?" Inoo's voice sounded worried. "I've been trying to call you for the past hour. Where were you?"
"Out. I just got back." a little lie. He did not want his boyfriend to know he had been ignoring his calls. "So, what's up?"
He made his tone as impersonal as possible. Like they were nothing more than bandmates. Yuya knows he was being unfair. It wasn't his boyfriend's fault. He heard Inoo's hitched breath on the other end and he immediately felt guilty.
"You know it isn't true. What they're saying?" Inoo said softly yet his voice betrayed his emotions. Yuya can tell his boyfriend sounded scared as if he was expecting Yuya to explode any minute now.
"I did not know I was going to meet her there. And those photos. We were just hanging out. She happened to be staying in the same hotel. Satomi san introduced us. He said that the cm would also include her and I don't really understand why and Yuya," Inoo rambled on while Yuya remained silent. "say something. Please?"
There was a plea in his boyfriend's voice saying he understood that Yuya's upset with everything that has happened.
Yuya sighed. The last thing he wanted was for Inoo to think that this was his fault and yet, his attitude was leading his boyfriend to believe otherwise.
"Kei, I know." He said gently, "Look, let's talk about this when you get back, okay?"
"But, Yuya" Inoo protested,
"When you get back, Kei." Yuya replied firmly. This wasn't something they should be discussing over the phone long distance.
Yuya had already made up his mind with this whole thing. He would be the better man in all this. His boyfriend deserves all the breaks he has been getting and a relationship with him is not going to do Inoo any good right now.
But of course, he won't tell Inoo that right now over the phone. He owes it to him to say it in person. It won't be easy, not for both of them, he was sure. But sometimes, other things take precedence over love and relationships, especially in a job such as theirs.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Kei." Yuya felt the finality in his voice. Tomorrow will be a day he will never forget.
"Okay." Inoo seemed resigned to waiting for tomorrow. "Yuya, I love you."
"Love you, too babe" Yuya replied.
His words tasted of goodbye.