Ryo The Latchkey Boy, Chapter 9: Shattered
Chapter 9 : Shattered
“Good morning Shige!” Koyama greeted his band mate with a loud and cheerful voice. Both of them had just entered the building of Johnny’s Entertainment.
“Good morning.” The other answered while trying not to yawn. “You’re very cheerful today.”
“When am I not?” Koyama grinned. “Besides todays whether is really nice and warm. Flowers are blossoming…”
“Ah Nishikido-kun.” It wasn’t Shige’s voice that stopped Koyama; it was his words. He turned his back to find the one and only Nishikido Ryo in the Jimusho walking down the hall with his manager by his side.
“What is he doing here? Koyama asked. Ryo should be resting at home.
“How could I know?” Koyama wasn’t expecting an answer but Shige answered anyway. “Well he is coming toward us, we can ask him.”
A door opened behind them and a second later they heard Akansihi Jin’s voice. “Oh the monkey is back. HEY KIDO!”
Ryo, who was seriously discussing something rather than paying attention to the world around him, startled at the voice at first but didn’t pay further attention to it. His manager looked at Jin instead of him.
“Good morning Akansihi-kun.” The man answered. “Nishikido-kun-“ Ryo finally turned his head to look. “This is Akanishi Jin-kun. He is one of your friends. He…“
“Ne, why is he explaining everything to Ryo-chan? That monkey knows these stuff.”
“Shige answered impatiently. “Because he has amnesia. Didn’t Yamashita-kun tell you?”
“Amnesia? Wow man that sucks. Pi? Oh yeah he said something like that when we were drinking the other night.”
“Not only you look like a pig, you have one’s brain too.” Ryo brushed past them.
“He doesn’t seem amnesic to me, he’s just grumpy that’s all.”
The only one who stared at Jin angrily was Shige, Koyama was trying to gain Ryo’s attention at that moment.
“Ryo-chan you’re cold today. Why didn’t you greet us?” his wide smile faded away with Ryo’s glance. Koyama never saw Ryo’s eyes that cold and full of hatred before.
“Nishikido-kun is busy today.” The manager answered as they walked down the hall. “Sorry for the rudeness. I’m sure he’ll explain it to you later.”
The guys from News watched their band mate disappear at the end of the hall helplessly.
“You okay Kei-chan?” Shige put an hand on Koyama’s shoulder.
“Why, yes of course.” Koyama answered, the smile returned to his face immediately. “He is just being grumpy like usual.”
“I wouldn’t call that usual. Ever since the accident it became really hard to communicate with him.”
Koyama was surprised at Shige’s words. “I didn’t know you were concerned about Ryo-chan. You always seemed to prefer the long distance between you two.”
“I am not concerned.” Shige snapped. “I am just pointing at the obvious while everyone else is paying blind and seek.”
Koyama was now staring at him with wide eyes. “I didn’t get that.”
“Whatever, let’s get to work. Bye Akansihi.”
“Yea, yea, bye.” Jin didn’t seem to pay any attention to them either. He was glued to his phone once again.
Yamapi just finished shooting one of the scenes, when he heard his phone ring he was heading for the rest room. He opened it to find a text message from Jin.
From: Baka-chan
I saw skinny monkey today
Wow he lost so much weight
He can fit in to his nephews clothes now
You know it’s sad that girls would still find him hot
I mean I am at the normal weight here.
To: Baka-chan
Quit blabbering Bakansihi
Where did you see Ryo?
You went to his home?
I haven’t seen him in a while
How is he?
In a second Jin’s answer came.
From: Baka-chan
Who is blabbering
Look at yourself!
I wasn’t at Ryo’s place
That monkey came to Jimusho today
He was really grumpy.
Ne, does he really have amnesia?
Yamapi stared at the screen of his phone. Ryo went to work? But why? He should be resting.
To: Baka-chan
Idiot.
How much do I have to tell you
He of course has amnesia
Idiot!
Why was he at the Jimusho?
According to yamapi he waited for a long time for Jin’s reply before dialing Koyama’s number. According to his cell phone he only waited few seconds.
“Hey.”
“Hi Leader-san.” Koyama said happily.
“Why is Ryo at the Jimusho?” Yamapi didn’t care for politeness at all.
“Thank you I am fine.” Koyama laughed.
“Koyama…”
“Okay, okay. I don’t know anything about Ryo-chan. He just suddenly showed up with his manager. He didn’t talk to us at all. I don’t know where he is or what is he doing.”
“When did he show up?”
“Half an hour ago or so.” Koyama’s voice answered with a wandering ting.
Yamapi glanced at his watch. “Okay. Put an eye on him. I’ll check him after the shooting.” He said with a monotone voice.
“I’ll try to.” Koyama laughed. “It would be easier if I knew where he was.”
“Well you can ask someone.”
“I’ll see what can I do.”
“Thanks. I have to go now.”
“Okay, see you.”
When yamapi ended the call he found a text message waiting for him.
From: Baka-chan
Stop calling me idiot!
Idiot…
Isn’t Ryo-chan your friend?
I thought you knew
Weren’t you talking about taking care of him?
It’s weird that you don’t know.
Now stop calling me idiot and call your friend.
Idiot!
Yamapi sent a last text before running back to the shooting.
To: Baka-Chan
Fuck you!
If you were here I would punch you
I swear!
Jin stared at his phone with his jaw nearly touching the floor.
“Yo, close your mouth Bakanishi.” Came a voice behind him. It was Matsumoto Jun. “What is making you look even more like a monkey?”
“Oi! I think Yamapi is mad at me. But I really don’t know why.”
“So that’s why you’re blocking the hallway?”
“I am not blocking anything. Besides Yamapi isn’t the only thing that’s distracting me. Ryo’s helping too.”
“Oh? Wasn’t he resting at home for some time? He sure is incredible to distract you from miles away.”
“He was here just a moment ago. Though that’s not what’s distracting me. Did you know he had amnesia?”
“Who has amnesia?” asked Ninomiya staring at them behind his big sunglasses, he just arrived at the scene.
“Who? Ryo-chan of course.”
“Are you kidding?”
“Nishikido has amnesia? No wonder he is hidden from cameras.” Commented Ohno.
“Ah…” Ninomiya went silent. “We should visit Him.” He yelled excitedly after a second.
Before Ninomiya’s team mates could reject him Jin cut in.
“I think he is working right now. Moreover, he is grumpy today; don’t expect him to welcome you.”
“Well we have work too, so we have to go anyway.” Ohno said.
“Come on,” Jun put his arm around Ninomiya’s shoulder. “We’ll see him after work. Everyone needs to do their work right now.”
Nino shrugged.
Deep down in the building the said man, Ryo, was watching a dance video for the ninth time.
“See that.” The choreographer said. “That’s the way you do it, one step behind the other, arms like this while you move your body.”
“I get that.” Ryo answered in a very rude manner. He stood up to do what he saw.
The amnesic guy put one of his feet behind the other and tried to turn his body a bit, which caused a sharp pain on his back. He stopped immediately. His failure was not because he didn’t understand the moves; it was because his body kept betraying him. Every move set a fire of pain on his cracked bones and injured body.
The choreography teacher didn’t understand his pain. Looking from the outside all his stops, wrong moves seemed like he didn’t know what to do. How could the choreographer know the truth, after all Ryo had always been good at hiding his weakness. Gaining a nice and fresh amnesia didn’t make him lose this ability.
Ryo wiped his face with a towel and started again.
After hours of work people would expect Ryo to learn the required move, at least to do it sloppily. But they would be wrong; straining his muscles and wounds many times like that tired Ryo so much that he couldn’t even do the first, and easy, steps.
“Okay!” the teacher clapped his hands. “That’s enough for today. See you tomorrow.”
Ryo didn’t say anything, he just nodded and looked at his manager who was sitting at a far corner, doing some paperwork. He raise his head and looked at the standing two men. “So its finished?”
“Yup.”
“Okay, I’ll pack things up while you take your shower Nishikido-kun.”
The idea of a shower, again, was terrifying. But Ryo would never show this weakness to anyone again. He picked a clean towel. “Where is the shower?”
“Oh this way.” The choreographer showed the way. Ryo followed him to enter a shower room. He chose one of the showers and turned on the water, carefully avoiding it. He watched it sprinkle on the floor for minutes to gain some strength. It didn’t help, he realized nothing would help so he let out a heavy sigh and raised his hand.
First he wetted his fingers, and then his whole hand and his arm. After not seeing any threat he stepped in to the water to soak from head to toe. He could only endure the pressure of the water ponding on his head for a fes seconds. He jumped out hurriedly and breathed out heavily. If he had more energy left in him he would try to endure it more, try to do it again and again, but with his aching body he just wanted to go home. He didn’t think twice when he grabbed a towel to dry himself.
When Ryo entered the room fully dressed he found Yamapi talking with his manager in the exact corner Ryo left him. The manager nodded at Yamapi’s words and answered him. Yamapi listened carefully while his head was lowered and his gaze was on the carpet.
The uneasy feeling returned to Ryo. Seeing them - those who claim to be his friends and enters his flat freely- was upsetting him, tiring him, angering him. Ryo turned to the dance teacher to ask some questions about the dance figures, the song and the next practice.
“Ryo-chan?” yamapi was heading towards him with a smile on his face. Ryo turned to watch the News member.
“You really look exhausted. Are you okay?”
“My wellbeing is none of your concern.” Ryo answered. It sounded as cold as it was harsh.
Yamapi’s eyebrows twitched but his smile remained. “It’s a tough day huh?” the question wasn’t asked to be answered so Ryo didn’t bother himself, he remained silent. “You know what, I’m finished too and I can give you a ride.” The others expressionless stare made Yamapi feel uneasy.
“No. I’m going home with the manager. Can’t entertain you on your way to home.”
“Well maybe I can entertain you?”
“I don’t want your company, nor your pity. I can handle everything on my own.”
The smile on Yamapi’s face faded at the end, now he seemed troubled. “Why are you saying that. Its not because I pity you! Its because we’re fri-“
“Shut up! Don’t you dar to say that word again!”
Yamapi mused at Ryo’s confusing words. He really couldn’t read what was on his friends mind anymore. Ryo brushed past him to exit the room. Yamapi tried hard not to grab the others arm and force him to a serious conversation. He remained still and silent as much as he could.
It took only five minutes for Ryo to exit the building. With his manager at his side it was easy.
Yamapi followed them for a while and watched them leave from a window. Then he went back to News’ room.
“You look tired Yamashita-san.” Massu commented. He was packing up tp leave for the night. Shige, who was standing near a table with a magazine on his hands turned to glance at their leader.
Yamapi ruffled his hair with his hands.
“Yamapi?” Koyama came out of the shower. “Was the shooting really hard?”
Yamapi rested his head on the couch. “No it’s not work, its Ryo.”
Shige glanced back at him again.
“Ryo’s new state is so tiring. I don’t know what’s on his mind anymore. I don’t know how to react to his words or actions.”
“Hmm... interesting.” Shige mumbled.
Koyama and Yamapi turned to look at Shige. “What is it?” asked the younger of the two.
“You could read every act of Nishikido-kun before the accident?” shige focused his stare on Yamapi.
“What do you mean?” Yamapi’s eyes glistened with anger.
“Didn’t you guys fight just before the accident? And its not only that. You guys fight frequently. That’s your regular relationship with him.”
Yamapi jumped on his feet. “You mean I never actually understood him?” his question was asken with an harsh tone.
“Exactly.” Shige didn’t back away. “I don’t think Nishikido changed. He has closed his doors to the outside world. Before you were at the other side of those doors, but now you’re left out too. You don’t know what to do because you don’t really know him.”
Massu Jumped in between the two just in time. A second later Koyama was trying to pull Yamapi back.
“What the- What’s going on?!” Tegoshi just entered the room.
Shige shrugged, grabbed his bag and disappeared in to the building.
“Shige!” Yamapi yelled.
Tegoshi Rubbed his ears. “What’s going on?” He asked again.
“Yamapi, calm down!”
Yamapi pushed Koyama, causing the other to stumble and nearly fall on his butt. Without any further interactions News leader flew out of the door; he wasn’t chasing Shigei he was running away from the demons chasing him. What if Shige was right?...
A.N: I’m not familiar with Arashi, if they are out of character -probably they are- I’m sorry. I haven’t watched anything Asian related like…5 or 6 months, so anything that seems wrong, I’m truly sorry.
I missed you all, I missed writing, I missed your comments. I’m sorry that it took so long, I didn’t want it to be like this though.