[FANFIC] Ryo, The Latchkey Boy, Chapter 5: Nightmares
Title: Ryo, the Latchkey Boy
Characters: Kanjani8, News, Various other JE boys.
Main Focus: Ryo
Summary: An unexpected event rips the hearts of Kanjani8 and News members. They are left to attend their wound while looking after one of their own.
(side note: this is NOT a death fic, even though it looks like it.)
Format: Multi-Chapter Story
Warnings: This is set during spring 2010 while News was still a six-member group and *obviously* Subaru was still in the band.
Enjoy!
Edited on 10.03.2019
Chapter 5: Nightmares
Clean sheets, puffy pillows and a dusky room. Ryo quickly faded to sleep. He didn’t hear the door bell, or the shocked voice accompanying it. He was in another world now, dreams world.
He was standing in a dark hallway, looking out of the window. The sun was about to set, the shadows were growing longer, longer and longer. Suddenly Ryo felt the urge to stay away from those growing shadows. There was something ominous about the shadows even though it didn’t look like it. Ryo shouldn’t let them touch him; he should stay in light no matter what.
He started to run.
The scene changed quickly.
He was standing under the shades of trees in a sunny day. Someone was resting his back at the closest tree with a guitar on his lap. The guy slowly began a melody which seemed like a lullaby. The wind was blowing the leaves, birds were chirping. It was so relaxing that Ryo felt his eyes closing.
A sudden pain yanked on his ankle and startled him. The shadow just caught him. He looked down to see his ankle lying in a dark pool. It was sticky, consuming and suffocating. Ryo screamed and tried to free himself.
The guitarist was still playing the relaxing melody, unaware of anything around him.
The shadow got angry at Ryo’s action and grabbed his ankle, threw him up to the sky with great velocity.
Ryo yelled his lungs out, he was falling now. He was falling towards a pond; no it was much more like a lake.
“Ryo.” A voice let out his name. It was so gravely that Ryo didn’t want to hear it. He covered his ears before splashing on the water.
He fell on his right arm and sank in to the lake. Ryo couldn’t breathe, he felt like suffocating, water invading every pour of him, pressuring him. He needed to get to the surface. But his arm was in tremendous pain that it prevented Ryo to move even an inch.
The water was getting colder and darker. Looking down he could see the shadow was slowly heading towards him from the depths of the lake, no it was a sea now; Ryo knew it was.
“Ryo.”
That grave voice again, it must be the shadows voice.
Somehow Ryo realized he still had strength in his legs. He kicked water with all his might and suddenly found himself above surface. He jumped out of the water, and saw the waves coming after him, trying to catch him.
He fell down on a garden. In front of him was a little cottage, seemingly peaceful.
Someone came out the front door and spotted Ryo.
“Hello.” said the person.
Ryo couldn’t see the persons face, it was so shiny because of the sun. “Are you okay? What happened to your arm?”
Ryo tried to form a word, but he couldn’t say anything. Instead of words, water dropped from his lips.
Then he saw it, the shadow. It was now coming out of the house. Ryo tried to warn the owner of the house with his hands, waving and jumping. The shadow passed the owner, but the owner didn’t seem to notice it at all. Ryo felt his breath hitching when he saw the shadow catching him again, this time from his hair.
The shadow threw him towards the house. Ryo heard something crack when he hit the wall. He nearly passed out of pain, but something kept him conscious. A voice told him that if he passed out this would be the end of him. No matter what, he should stay awake and alert.
Ryo nodded his agreement and slowly got up. But the scenery changed once more.
He was in a field, it was way too hot. Ryo felt the need to cover him from the burning sun. He looked around; there were two groves opposite to each other. One had tall elegant like trees, but the trees were so close that Ryo wasn’t sure he could fit in there. On the other side the other one had gnarled odd trees, but somehow it offered a hiding place from the sun; which seemed very uncomfortable but safe nonetheless.
Just when Ryo was about to decide which way to go, the shadow came out of nowhere and grabbed him by his waist.
“You are a disgrace to this world!” said the shadow and squished him to the ground. Ryo felt the breath leaving him; his body was about to explode under the pressure. All his bones were aching. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t breathe. Every cell of his body was burning with pain. A little more pressure and he would become dust. But suddenly the shadow stopped and threw Ryo once again.
Ryo fell on something soft and cool, laundry. He looked up to see someone hanging clothes.
“I didn’t see you! You look awfully bad. Are you okay? Do you need help?” the person exclaimed in concern.
Ryo looked up, he was not sure what to do. Then again fear started to grow in him; the laundry person was in grave danger. The shadow was lurking just behind the person and was about to crush them with a giant rock.
Ryo squeezed his eyes “No!” he screamed. When he opened his eyes again he found himself in a hallway, next to a kid.
“Are you afraid?” the kid asked. “Want me to hold your hand?” the kid reached out and grabbed Ryo’s hand. He led him to a too long too thin bridge. Ryo tried to see what was underneath, but it was so deep and misty. He felt a sudden wind blow his hair.
“Quick!” the kid pulled him and they ran to the other side of the too long too thin bridge. Once they reached the end, the kid let go of his hand.
“I can’t come any further, it’s only you from here.”
Ryo swallowed down his fear. A part of him wanted to force the kid but another part was agreeing with him. So he turned to face what was in front of him.
Ryo saw a mirror and checked his reflection. The thing he saw there sent goose bumps on his skin. Ryo slowly turned to look at his back and saw his own shadow chasing him. He screamed when his own shadow jumped on him, strangling him.
His own voice woke him up, but he couldn’t stop screaming.
“Ryo! Ryo calm down, it’s okay.”
Ryo felt he was wrestling with someone. Or something?
The shadow!
It’s not real!
It is!
“It was just a nightmare, it’s okay now. Your awake. It’s okay. It’s only a nightmare.”
Ryo continued to wrestle with the sheets and the pillows despite the calming voice.
“Stop it, you are going to hurt yourself. You are not dreaming anymore. Stop it Ryo.” He felt two big hands restrain him. That effectively stopped his struggling and screaming.
A short silence fell. The room was dark; it must have been late.
Ryo tried to say something, but he couldn’t form any words. He swallowed down to wet his throat. “Lights...” he managed to whisper. Whoever was in the room got up quickly and turned the lights on.
Ryo was lying in the middle of his messy bed. Pillows, sheets, everything was tangled around him now. He even ripped one or two of them. It was quite a scene, he was sure.
Ryo stared at the ceiling to calm down; his whole body was trembling still. He had a hard time catching his breath. Now that everything was motionless Ryo could feel his wet cheeks, his aching knuckles.
“Ryo, would you like some water?”
Ryo turned to see who the soothing voice belonged to. That tall and creepy guy. Ryo blinked, unsure what to think. He nodded his head in agreement when he met the other’s eyes.
Ohkura got him a glass of water in no time. “Drink it, you’ll calm down.”
“Y-yes.” Ryo only took a slip. His hands were shaking so badly.
“Do you... do you want any help?”
“It’s okay.” Ryo’s voice was still shaking.
Ohkura got near Ryo and wiped away his tears. He couldn’t help it, whenever he saw Ryo crying, he felt like wiping his tears. It became a habit.
Unfortunately, this frightened Ryo and he tried to back away; his hands trembling, his tears falling freely now.
The sight of his friend scared mindless frightened Ohkura too. He wasn’t sure how to handle this. But still, he tried to look calm and reassuring in front of Ryo. He really didn’t know what else to do. He felt so helpless. “Hey, you are sweating too much. Do you want to take a shower maybe?”
“Uh... yy-” Ryo closed his eyes to see the waves chasing him and drawing him to the dark depths of it. “NO!” he screamed.
Okay, now that was odd. This was getting worse
“It’s okay, you don’t have to.” Ohkura assured him. “Let’s just change your clothes. Now where was it...” he headed towards the closet.
“Thank you.” Ryo managed to say. Ohkura startled and looked back at Ryo but the other quickly looked away. “For helping me change I mean.” The other finished, somewhat embarrassed.
Ohkura couldn’t stop a smile spreading. That was genuine Ryo right there. “I didn’t help you yet.” He teased.
“Well you are going to, right?”
“Right.” Ohkura chuckled at the stubborn and shy Ryo. Well maybe it was not getting that worse. “Oh lucky me, I found a clean pair.” Ohkura pulled the clothes out, closed the drawer and headed towards Ryo. “So, does this mean you don’t find me creepy anymore?”
Ryo locked his gaze on the pair of clothes Ohkura was holding. “Nope it doesn’t of course. You are even creepier than before.”
“Oh, okay.” Ohkura bit his lips not to laugh.
Changing Ryo was harder than Ohkura expected. Ryo, being his ever-stubborn self, didn’t want anyone to dress him up, but he couldn’t even take off his shirt. He sat on the tangled sheet with a wide stance and folded his arms. A shirt was dangling around his neck. “Why can’t I sleep with my boxers only? It’s much more comfortable!”
“You are sick, remember? Your body is weak right now.”
Ryo sighed heavily. “But...”
“Come on, stop being so stubborn and let me help you. There’s only one arm left...”
“I... am... not... a... baby...” Ryo muffled while Ohkura pulled the shirt off carefully.
“Yup, we know that. Now yo-“ Ohkura suddenly cut his own words. He was looking at Ryo’s bruised and injured body. Ryo’s back was full of black bruises lashes; at some parts his skin was even peeled off.
“What is it?” Ryo felt uneasy not knowing what Ohkura was up to.
“Nothing.” Ohkura lied. “I was wondering if you were a kid, you are just so skinny.”
Ryo snorted but Ohkura ignored him. “You need to eat, more. Let me help you wear this, and I’ll prepare something for you after.”
Ryo looked at him with suspicious eyes but didn’t say anything. But, to Ohkura’s relief, he stayed still when Ohkura tuck the shirt over his head and helped him slowly with his arms.
“I am not a baby.” Ryo said once more in anger once it was all finished.
“Yeah. Okay do you prefer anything to eat?” Ohkura backed to the door.
“No.” Ryo watched him open the door and enter the dark hallway. “No!” he screamed. Ohkura quickly entered the room.
“Hey, you okay? What’s the matter?”
Ryo nodded even though he was breathing heavily. “Yes. Just... just open all the lights... and don’t close the door.”
“Do you want me to stay here?”
“Of course not.” Ryo made a show of rolling his eyes, but Ohkura could see he was afraid. “Who would want you to stay by his side!”
Ohkura smirked “I wonder. Whatever, want to come to the kitchen?”
“I am good here thanks.”
Ohkura vanished from the door. Soon all the lights were on and Ryo relaxed a bit. he could hear Ohkura working in the kitchen with all the faint clatter coming from that direction.
Ryo turned his head to look around the room, would any shadow jump on him. He found himself on his feet, walking towards the door. When he leaned on the doorway to take a break Ohkura entered the living room with a tray on his hands.
“Oh, you are up.” He smiled. “Guess you are tired of lying down.”
Ryo didn’t comment. His eyes were locked on the tray.
“Ah, this is from my father’s place. One of your favourites.” Ohkura winked at him while placing the tray on the coffee table. Ryo slowly headed towards the couch and looked at the food. His back was aching bad, but the accomplishment he achieved by walking by his own made Ryo proud. Looking down at the tray, he felt his mouth water with hunger.
“Eat well. It’s medicine time after your meal.”
Ryo pouted. “Do I have to?”
“Yup.”
“What if I refuse?”
Ohkura smiled. “You do realize I am bigger and stronger than you, don’t you?”
“That’s abuse!”
“Then do as I say.”
“You’re evil.”
“I am your friend. Yours. The poison tongued scary man’s.”
Ryo thought about it for a second. “Am I like that?”
Ohkura raised an eyebrow at his friend. “You want to learn more? Well Okay then. You like to act tough in front of others, but you are secretly a cry-baby. You have a deep emotional side you like to hide from everyone.”
Ryo frowned. “I am a cry-baby? Am I a freak?”
“Idiot.” Ohkura laughed. He was about to smack Ryo’s head, but he stopped himself just in time. “You are not a freak, you are sensitive. Once Yassu said you were actually twice as gentle as other people.”
“Am I a girl?”
“Does having emotions mean you are a girl?”
Ryo didn’t answer. That was a stupid thing to say, he had to admit.
“So, if I may continue you are hot headed,” Ohkura looked amused at Ryo’s expression. “…stubborn, angry and tough. Mature and childish, maybe you are only spoiled. Besides that, you care about people around you but you don’t want to show it; you are shy, sensitive and a smart ass. You are a workaholic; you even fell sick because you overworked yourself.”
“I must be crazy.” Ryo sighed and took a bite from the chicken in front of him.
Ohkura rolled his eyes. “Well actually we - I mean Kanjani8 - are known as crazy men. But we are not, we are just not like the other idols. We are way too ordinary, that’s why we seem different.”
“You mean they think we are crazy because we are normal?”
“Exactly.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s more on the sense that we are not afraid to show it. I believe it’s pretty fresh for a Johnny’s Idol. Or outdated, according to fans.”
Ryo shrugged. “Whatever.”
Ohkura chuckled before continuing. “And you don’t like the things I said about you but those are the truths. You are not an idol picture Ryo; you are a normal, actually sensitive, shy and hyper human being.”
Ryo sighed “Whatever.”
“trying to run away? Whatever.” Ohkura shrugged. Ryo glanced at Ohkura with the corner of his eyes.
“Don’t copy me.”
“Whatever.” Ohkura sighed.
“Hey!”
Ohkura shrugged.
“Idiot.” mumbled Ryo. “I am finished, give those medicines you were talking about.”
“Okay.” Ohkura got up to get them. “to your bedroom?”
“No, I want to stay here... with lights on.” He added quickly.
“Want me to hold your hand?”
Ryo had a questioned look on his face. “No thanks, I am not a coward.”
“mm-hm.” Ohkura filled a glass with water and handed the pills to Ryo.
Ryo looked at the pills in his palm. He sighed, “I’ve never been good with pills, once I remember my mom forced me to have some, nearly chocked me.”
Ohkura looked at with disbelief. “What are you saying?”
“I am saying...” Ryo suddenly shut his mouth and looked up at Ohkura. “I just...” he just what? “I remembered something...” Ryo tried to concentrate on the memory, but it was fading away quick.
“Were you kidding about your amnesia?” Ohkura asked.
“What?” Ryo blinked. “I am not. Hey if you don’t believe me you can get out! Nobody forced you to stay here!” Now he was angry. “Get out!”
Ohkura was mad too. “Shut up Ryo! I asked you a question.”
“Yeah a stupid one! What can I achieve by faking amnesia?”
“Revenge.”
“For what.” Ryo suddenly backed away from Ohkura. “What did you do to deserve revenge?”
Two guys, two former best friends examined each other with furious eyes.
“What else do you remember?” Ohkura broke the silence.
“I am not sure, but the thing I know is I would like to know why I would want revenge.”
“Don’t dodge the question.”
“I am not. You are the one who is.”
“What do you remember Ryo?”
“Okay!” Ryo gritted his teeth. “I am sitting on a bed, my mom forces a pill in my mouth and helps me drink water. That’s all. My arm is broken, it hurts so much. I am coughing. Believe me or not, that is all.”
“Anything else?”
Ryo was thinking, did this remind him of anything else?
“No… I can’t remember.” Ryo stood up and slowly headed to the bedroom.
“Where are you going?”
“Where do you think!”
Ryo shut the door loudly after him and gladly lay down on his bed; It was very painful to walk, even for a short distance. He hated feeling so helpless.
But at the moment, he hated the guy in the other room the most, bets friend or not.
Closing his eyes, Ryo vaguely remembered the torn sheets around him. But he couldn’t get himself to cate before he drifted off to sleep.
Ryo found himself in another dream.
In this one he was walking with some kids, they were all middle schoolers just like him, maybe a bit younger, or a bit older.
The kids stopped abruptly and cornered him. They started speaking loudly, arguing with Ryo. Ryo couldn’t catch a word but when they attacked him, he wasn’t surprised at all. He began a counterattack. He kicked the nearest boy and punched the other in the stomach. The one behind Ryo kicked him from his back, making him fall down. But that didn’t stop him, he rolled and kicked the kid who made him fall. And got up. The others surrounded him, in that scuffle they ended up at the top of the stairs. Without realizing it, Ryo found himself falling down. Hitting every step and crashing at the bottom with a loud thud. A flash of pain spread over his body.
This time he didn’t scream, with a sudden breath he opened his eyes. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to look at the window. It was sunrise.
A.N: as always, I am not pleased with this chapter. It’s kind of lame. Feel free to point out my mistakes; and the nice places if you want to of course.
Sorry it was a very, very late update. But probably the next one will be too, because my life in hell is about to begin. I hope I can find web connection and post something : )
Previous Chapter: Reunion
Next Chapter: Member-ai
Characters: Kanjani8, News, Various other JE boys.
Main Focus: Ryo
Summary: An unexpected event rips the hearts of Kanjani8 and News members. They are left to attend their wound while looking after one of their own.
(side note: this is NOT a death fic, even though it looks like it.)
Format: Multi-Chapter Story
Warnings: This is set during spring 2010 while News was still a six-member group and *obviously* Subaru was still in the band.
Enjoy!
Edited on 10.03.2019
Chapter 5: Nightmares
Clean sheets, puffy pillows and a dusky room. Ryo quickly faded to sleep. He didn’t hear the door bell, or the shocked voice accompanying it. He was in another world now, dreams world.
He was standing in a dark hallway, looking out of the window. The sun was about to set, the shadows were growing longer, longer and longer. Suddenly Ryo felt the urge to stay away from those growing shadows. There was something ominous about the shadows even though it didn’t look like it. Ryo shouldn’t let them touch him; he should stay in light no matter what.
He started to run.
The scene changed quickly.
He was standing under the shades of trees in a sunny day. Someone was resting his back at the closest tree with a guitar on his lap. The guy slowly began a melody which seemed like a lullaby. The wind was blowing the leaves, birds were chirping. It was so relaxing that Ryo felt his eyes closing.
A sudden pain yanked on his ankle and startled him. The shadow just caught him. He looked down to see his ankle lying in a dark pool. It was sticky, consuming and suffocating. Ryo screamed and tried to free himself.
The guitarist was still playing the relaxing melody, unaware of anything around him.
The shadow got angry at Ryo’s action and grabbed his ankle, threw him up to the sky with great velocity.
Ryo yelled his lungs out, he was falling now. He was falling towards a pond; no it was much more like a lake.
“Ryo.” A voice let out his name. It was so gravely that Ryo didn’t want to hear it. He covered his ears before splashing on the water.
He fell on his right arm and sank in to the lake. Ryo couldn’t breathe, he felt like suffocating, water invading every pour of him, pressuring him. He needed to get to the surface. But his arm was in tremendous pain that it prevented Ryo to move even an inch.
The water was getting colder and darker. Looking down he could see the shadow was slowly heading towards him from the depths of the lake, no it was a sea now; Ryo knew it was.
“Ryo.”
That grave voice again, it must be the shadows voice.
Somehow Ryo realized he still had strength in his legs. He kicked water with all his might and suddenly found himself above surface. He jumped out of the water, and saw the waves coming after him, trying to catch him.
He fell down on a garden. In front of him was a little cottage, seemingly peaceful.
Someone came out the front door and spotted Ryo.
“Hello.” said the person.
Ryo couldn’t see the persons face, it was so shiny because of the sun. “Are you okay? What happened to your arm?”
Ryo tried to form a word, but he couldn’t say anything. Instead of words, water dropped from his lips.
Then he saw it, the shadow. It was now coming out of the house. Ryo tried to warn the owner of the house with his hands, waving and jumping. The shadow passed the owner, but the owner didn’t seem to notice it at all. Ryo felt his breath hitching when he saw the shadow catching him again, this time from his hair.
The shadow threw him towards the house. Ryo heard something crack when he hit the wall. He nearly passed out of pain, but something kept him conscious. A voice told him that if he passed out this would be the end of him. No matter what, he should stay awake and alert.
Ryo nodded his agreement and slowly got up. But the scenery changed once more.
He was in a field, it was way too hot. Ryo felt the need to cover him from the burning sun. He looked around; there were two groves opposite to each other. One had tall elegant like trees, but the trees were so close that Ryo wasn’t sure he could fit in there. On the other side the other one had gnarled odd trees, but somehow it offered a hiding place from the sun; which seemed very uncomfortable but safe nonetheless.
Just when Ryo was about to decide which way to go, the shadow came out of nowhere and grabbed him by his waist.
“You are a disgrace to this world!” said the shadow and squished him to the ground. Ryo felt the breath leaving him; his body was about to explode under the pressure. All his bones were aching. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t breathe. Every cell of his body was burning with pain. A little more pressure and he would become dust. But suddenly the shadow stopped and threw Ryo once again.
Ryo fell on something soft and cool, laundry. He looked up to see someone hanging clothes.
“I didn’t see you! You look awfully bad. Are you okay? Do you need help?” the person exclaimed in concern.
Ryo looked up, he was not sure what to do. Then again fear started to grow in him; the laundry person was in grave danger. The shadow was lurking just behind the person and was about to crush them with a giant rock.
Ryo squeezed his eyes “No!” he screamed. When he opened his eyes again he found himself in a hallway, next to a kid.
“Are you afraid?” the kid asked. “Want me to hold your hand?” the kid reached out and grabbed Ryo’s hand. He led him to a too long too thin bridge. Ryo tried to see what was underneath, but it was so deep and misty. He felt a sudden wind blow his hair.
“Quick!” the kid pulled him and they ran to the other side of the too long too thin bridge. Once they reached the end, the kid let go of his hand.
“I can’t come any further, it’s only you from here.”
Ryo swallowed down his fear. A part of him wanted to force the kid but another part was agreeing with him. So he turned to face what was in front of him.
Ryo saw a mirror and checked his reflection. The thing he saw there sent goose bumps on his skin. Ryo slowly turned to look at his back and saw his own shadow chasing him. He screamed when his own shadow jumped on him, strangling him.
His own voice woke him up, but he couldn’t stop screaming.
“Ryo! Ryo calm down, it’s okay.”
Ryo felt he was wrestling with someone. Or something?
The shadow!
It’s not real!
It is!
“It was just a nightmare, it’s okay now. Your awake. It’s okay. It’s only a nightmare.”
Ryo continued to wrestle with the sheets and the pillows despite the calming voice.
“Stop it, you are going to hurt yourself. You are not dreaming anymore. Stop it Ryo.” He felt two big hands restrain him. That effectively stopped his struggling and screaming.
A short silence fell. The room was dark; it must have been late.
Ryo tried to say something, but he couldn’t form any words. He swallowed down to wet his throat. “Lights...” he managed to whisper. Whoever was in the room got up quickly and turned the lights on.
Ryo was lying in the middle of his messy bed. Pillows, sheets, everything was tangled around him now. He even ripped one or two of them. It was quite a scene, he was sure.
Ryo stared at the ceiling to calm down; his whole body was trembling still. He had a hard time catching his breath. Now that everything was motionless Ryo could feel his wet cheeks, his aching knuckles.
“Ryo, would you like some water?”
Ryo turned to see who the soothing voice belonged to. That tall and creepy guy. Ryo blinked, unsure what to think. He nodded his head in agreement when he met the other’s eyes.
Ohkura got him a glass of water in no time. “Drink it, you’ll calm down.”
“Y-yes.” Ryo only took a slip. His hands were shaking so badly.
“Do you... do you want any help?”
“It’s okay.” Ryo’s voice was still shaking.
Ohkura got near Ryo and wiped away his tears. He couldn’t help it, whenever he saw Ryo crying, he felt like wiping his tears. It became a habit.
Unfortunately, this frightened Ryo and he tried to back away; his hands trembling, his tears falling freely now.
The sight of his friend scared mindless frightened Ohkura too. He wasn’t sure how to handle this. But still, he tried to look calm and reassuring in front of Ryo. He really didn’t know what else to do. He felt so helpless. “Hey, you are sweating too much. Do you want to take a shower maybe?”
“Uh... yy-” Ryo closed his eyes to see the waves chasing him and drawing him to the dark depths of it. “NO!” he screamed.
Okay, now that was odd. This was getting worse
“It’s okay, you don’t have to.” Ohkura assured him. “Let’s just change your clothes. Now where was it...” he headed towards the closet.
“Thank you.” Ryo managed to say. Ohkura startled and looked back at Ryo but the other quickly looked away. “For helping me change I mean.” The other finished, somewhat embarrassed.
Ohkura couldn’t stop a smile spreading. That was genuine Ryo right there. “I didn’t help you yet.” He teased.
“Well you are going to, right?”
“Right.” Ohkura chuckled at the stubborn and shy Ryo. Well maybe it was not getting that worse. “Oh lucky me, I found a clean pair.” Ohkura pulled the clothes out, closed the drawer and headed towards Ryo. “So, does this mean you don’t find me creepy anymore?”
Ryo locked his gaze on the pair of clothes Ohkura was holding. “Nope it doesn’t of course. You are even creepier than before.”
“Oh, okay.” Ohkura bit his lips not to laugh.
Changing Ryo was harder than Ohkura expected. Ryo, being his ever-stubborn self, didn’t want anyone to dress him up, but he couldn’t even take off his shirt. He sat on the tangled sheet with a wide stance and folded his arms. A shirt was dangling around his neck. “Why can’t I sleep with my boxers only? It’s much more comfortable!”
“You are sick, remember? Your body is weak right now.”
Ryo sighed heavily. “But...”
“Come on, stop being so stubborn and let me help you. There’s only one arm left...”
“I... am... not... a... baby...” Ryo muffled while Ohkura pulled the shirt off carefully.
“Yup, we know that. Now yo-“ Ohkura suddenly cut his own words. He was looking at Ryo’s bruised and injured body. Ryo’s back was full of black bruises lashes; at some parts his skin was even peeled off.
“What is it?” Ryo felt uneasy not knowing what Ohkura was up to.
“Nothing.” Ohkura lied. “I was wondering if you were a kid, you are just so skinny.”
Ryo snorted but Ohkura ignored him. “You need to eat, more. Let me help you wear this, and I’ll prepare something for you after.”
Ryo looked at him with suspicious eyes but didn’t say anything. But, to Ohkura’s relief, he stayed still when Ohkura tuck the shirt over his head and helped him slowly with his arms.
“I am not a baby.” Ryo said once more in anger once it was all finished.
“Yeah. Okay do you prefer anything to eat?” Ohkura backed to the door.
“No.” Ryo watched him open the door and enter the dark hallway. “No!” he screamed. Ohkura quickly entered the room.
“Hey, you okay? What’s the matter?”
Ryo nodded even though he was breathing heavily. “Yes. Just... just open all the lights... and don’t close the door.”
“Do you want me to stay here?”
“Of course not.” Ryo made a show of rolling his eyes, but Ohkura could see he was afraid. “Who would want you to stay by his side!”
Ohkura smirked “I wonder. Whatever, want to come to the kitchen?”
“I am good here thanks.”
Ohkura vanished from the door. Soon all the lights were on and Ryo relaxed a bit. he could hear Ohkura working in the kitchen with all the faint clatter coming from that direction.
Ryo turned his head to look around the room, would any shadow jump on him. He found himself on his feet, walking towards the door. When he leaned on the doorway to take a break Ohkura entered the living room with a tray on his hands.
“Oh, you are up.” He smiled. “Guess you are tired of lying down.”
Ryo didn’t comment. His eyes were locked on the tray.
“Ah, this is from my father’s place. One of your favourites.” Ohkura winked at him while placing the tray on the coffee table. Ryo slowly headed towards the couch and looked at the food. His back was aching bad, but the accomplishment he achieved by walking by his own made Ryo proud. Looking down at the tray, he felt his mouth water with hunger.
“Eat well. It’s medicine time after your meal.”
Ryo pouted. “Do I have to?”
“Yup.”
“What if I refuse?”
Ohkura smiled. “You do realize I am bigger and stronger than you, don’t you?”
“That’s abuse!”
“Then do as I say.”
“You’re evil.”
“I am your friend. Yours. The poison tongued scary man’s.”
Ryo thought about it for a second. “Am I like that?”
Ohkura raised an eyebrow at his friend. “You want to learn more? Well Okay then. You like to act tough in front of others, but you are secretly a cry-baby. You have a deep emotional side you like to hide from everyone.”
Ryo frowned. “I am a cry-baby? Am I a freak?”
“Idiot.” Ohkura laughed. He was about to smack Ryo’s head, but he stopped himself just in time. “You are not a freak, you are sensitive. Once Yassu said you were actually twice as gentle as other people.”
“Am I a girl?”
“Does having emotions mean you are a girl?”
Ryo didn’t answer. That was a stupid thing to say, he had to admit.
“So, if I may continue you are hot headed,” Ohkura looked amused at Ryo’s expression. “…stubborn, angry and tough. Mature and childish, maybe you are only spoiled. Besides that, you care about people around you but you don’t want to show it; you are shy, sensitive and a smart ass. You are a workaholic; you even fell sick because you overworked yourself.”
“I must be crazy.” Ryo sighed and took a bite from the chicken in front of him.
Ohkura rolled his eyes. “Well actually we - I mean Kanjani8 - are known as crazy men. But we are not, we are just not like the other idols. We are way too ordinary, that’s why we seem different.”
“You mean they think we are crazy because we are normal?”
“Exactly.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s more on the sense that we are not afraid to show it. I believe it’s pretty fresh for a Johnny’s Idol. Or outdated, according to fans.”
Ryo shrugged. “Whatever.”
Ohkura chuckled before continuing. “And you don’t like the things I said about you but those are the truths. You are not an idol picture Ryo; you are a normal, actually sensitive, shy and hyper human being.”
Ryo sighed “Whatever.”
“trying to run away? Whatever.” Ohkura shrugged. Ryo glanced at Ohkura with the corner of his eyes.
“Don’t copy me.”
“Whatever.” Ohkura sighed.
“Hey!”
Ohkura shrugged.
“Idiot.” mumbled Ryo. “I am finished, give those medicines you were talking about.”
“Okay.” Ohkura got up to get them. “to your bedroom?”
“No, I want to stay here... with lights on.” He added quickly.
“Want me to hold your hand?”
Ryo had a questioned look on his face. “No thanks, I am not a coward.”
“mm-hm.” Ohkura filled a glass with water and handed the pills to Ryo.
Ryo looked at the pills in his palm. He sighed, “I’ve never been good with pills, once I remember my mom forced me to have some, nearly chocked me.”
Ohkura looked at with disbelief. “What are you saying?”
“I am saying...” Ryo suddenly shut his mouth and looked up at Ohkura. “I just...” he just what? “I remembered something...” Ryo tried to concentrate on the memory, but it was fading away quick.
“Were you kidding about your amnesia?” Ohkura asked.
“What?” Ryo blinked. “I am not. Hey if you don’t believe me you can get out! Nobody forced you to stay here!” Now he was angry. “Get out!”
Ohkura was mad too. “Shut up Ryo! I asked you a question.”
“Yeah a stupid one! What can I achieve by faking amnesia?”
“Revenge.”
“For what.” Ryo suddenly backed away from Ohkura. “What did you do to deserve revenge?”
Two guys, two former best friends examined each other with furious eyes.
“What else do you remember?” Ohkura broke the silence.
“I am not sure, but the thing I know is I would like to know why I would want revenge.”
“Don’t dodge the question.”
“I am not. You are the one who is.”
“What do you remember Ryo?”
“Okay!” Ryo gritted his teeth. “I am sitting on a bed, my mom forces a pill in my mouth and helps me drink water. That’s all. My arm is broken, it hurts so much. I am coughing. Believe me or not, that is all.”
“Anything else?”
Ryo was thinking, did this remind him of anything else?
“No… I can’t remember.” Ryo stood up and slowly headed to the bedroom.
“Where are you going?”
“Where do you think!”
Ryo shut the door loudly after him and gladly lay down on his bed; It was very painful to walk, even for a short distance. He hated feeling so helpless.
But at the moment, he hated the guy in the other room the most, bets friend or not.
Closing his eyes, Ryo vaguely remembered the torn sheets around him. But he couldn’t get himself to cate before he drifted off to sleep.
Ryo found himself in another dream.
In this one he was walking with some kids, they were all middle schoolers just like him, maybe a bit younger, or a bit older.
The kids stopped abruptly and cornered him. They started speaking loudly, arguing with Ryo. Ryo couldn’t catch a word but when they attacked him, he wasn’t surprised at all. He began a counterattack. He kicked the nearest boy and punched the other in the stomach. The one behind Ryo kicked him from his back, making him fall down. But that didn’t stop him, he rolled and kicked the kid who made him fall. And got up. The others surrounded him, in that scuffle they ended up at the top of the stairs. Without realizing it, Ryo found himself falling down. Hitting every step and crashing at the bottom with a loud thud. A flash of pain spread over his body.
This time he didn’t scream, with a sudden breath he opened his eyes. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to look at the window. It was sunrise.
A.N: as always, I am not pleased with this chapter. It’s kind of lame. Feel free to point out my mistakes; and the nice places if you want to of course.
Sorry it was a very, very late update. But probably the next one will be too, because my life in hell is about to begin. I hope I can find web connection and post something : )
Previous Chapter: Reunion
Next Chapter: Member-ai