Family Matters: Chapter 5
Title: Family matters ~ Chapter 5
Pairing: Jun, Masaki, Sho, Satoshi, Kazu (there are going to be additional side-characters though. No OCs.) I'm trying to give each of the five their well-deserves spot-light <3
Rating: PG
Multi-chapter
Beta: lover_youshould
Genre: family!AU in which Arashi are brothers :-) slice of life, a little drama (and I'm trying to add some light-hearted, funny moments to it too)
Summary: Since they were little they were always close to each other. And when unfortunate events force them to live together without their parents, it's only natural that they try to make the best out of it.
He knows it’s weird to say that as a guy, but he just likes shopping. And it’s been a nice surprise that Shota - unlike Shun and Toma - enjoys it too. Hence they have ended up in one store or another several times when they went out with their friends, much to Shun’s and Toma’s desperation. The girls however enjoy it. Jun just wonders how long he can basically hold Shota at distance like that - until now he has managed to invite other friends out as well whenever Shota tried to ask him out for a shopping trip.
This time though it came as a huge advantage that parties and evening activities are starting soon, and Mao and her friends want to buy a few dresses, and asked him for help.
“She is like his sister. Why don’t they go alone?” Toma grumbles but nevertheless he tugs along, as Shota is joining too and some other girls from their class. Toma is pretty much into any social activities with his friends.
“It’s not that easy, I guess,” Shun says. He has toned the complaining down a lot, which surprises Jun a bit. He even seems to be a little bit interested in shopping right now, which surprises Jun even more.
“Jun-kun.” Mao eyes her reflection in the mirror, frowning deeply. “Do you think the dress is okay?”
Next to him Jun can see Toma frowning. “The colour is off,” he whispers. “Looks like freaking candy. Ugh.”
“The dress makes her hips look broad,” Shun whispers back. “What kind of weird fabric is that?”
Shota nods towards them. “But she has nice boobs in it,” he comments in a low voice. “Who cares about the colour?”
“Shut up you three idiots,” Jun hisses quietly before he turns his attention back to Mao. “It looks nice, but with your beautiful and light skin you could be more daring. Or you could also go for a cool look in general.”
Shota pulls his eyebrows up. “How can he be so diplomatic,” he mumbles. “If I had said the same thing - namely that the dress is horrible - I would have gotten hit.”
“Guess it’s rather how you say it,” Toma snickers. “Seriously, Shota-kun.”
Mao gladly doesn’t hear them, instead she blushes slightly. “Really? Like what?”
“You could basically pull off just about anything.” He angles for a red dress with broader sleeves, without much décolleté. “This is not particularly the sexy look, however you will look approachable and cool, yet elegant in it. And the fact that it’s not pink will take the princess look away, and not make you look too innocent.”
“Exactly the perfect look for a casual party,” she muses, and nods. “What else? For a dinner party for example?”
“Hm-” He takes another dress. This time one in a light colour, satin, with some pearls on it. It’s fancy but not over the top. “How about that one? You have light skin, but not too extremely porcelain like, you can wear such a colour and it won’t make you invisible. I assume most girls are going to wear black in those events - this will make you stand out, and add to your perfect proportions. You can wear heavier jewellery with this as it’s not so loaded with all kind of weird tulle and accessories.”
“Awesome.” She grins and in a sudden attack she wraps her arms around his waist and squishes him. “To imagine you were such an awkward kid once…”
Jun can’t help but laugh. Any interaction with Mao has always been surprisingly natural. “To imagine you were such a shy kid once…” he teases right back.
She laughs and takes the two dresses, heading for the changing room. While she changes, she sticks her head out of the stall. “Just give me any dress you like. You just know how to dress a person.”
When she is busy with changing, Jun already knows that he will hear no end about this from his friends. “Why again are we joining you two?” Toma snickers. “I mean, talk about the fifth wheel, you know. Especially since the other girls headed for the bra section. I guess we are very much not welcomed there either.”
“It’s not like that,” Jun defends himself and Mao. “It’s just that we’ve known each other since forever. She is one of my best friends.”
“Hm~” Shota sighs dreamily. “Must be nice to be so close to a girl.”
“Speaking of which,” Shun suddenly starts, blushing slightly. “I might need a little hand too.”
Jun blinks. So there was a reason for Shun being so silent. “With what?” he asks curiously.
“My parents are organising a party,” Shun stutters.
“One of those high society match-making parties?” Toma asks curiously and exchanges a glance with Jun. “I thought you hate them.”
Shun blushes harder, a weird sight. “There might be a person, I like. Or rather… there will be…”
“I see,” Jun says. And. “Sure, I’ll help you.”
“Just like that?” Shota asks in surprise. “Don’t you want to know who it is first?”
“Nope,” Jun grins and twinkles a bit. “Other than you two, I know who it is!”
Shun chuckles, but no matter how hard the others try to make him spill the news, he just stays silent.
~~~
Jun knew it. He knew that it would only be a matter of time until it’s going to happen. Still, when it does, although it’s not even unexpected and the timing fits, he feels taken aback.
“Why don’t we go to my place,” Shota suggests after they all successfully bought their outfits for the upcoming twenty or maybe even thirty parties, including Shun. “It’s pretty close. We could beat some games and order something in. Not sure-“ he turns to Mao and her friends with questioning eyes. “-if you girls are interested in joining too?”
“I’m sorry,” Mao says and bows slightly. “I’m meeting my sister later. Maybe next time!”
However, two of Mao’s friends indeed decide to join them, and also Shun and Toma seem to be very much interested in seeing Shota’s house and the place he lives in.
Toma even lets out a relieved sign. “The perfect suggestion after such a long, draining shopping day.”
Jun knows, there is no way he can escape that. He nods too. “Thanks for the invitation,” he says, but his lips feel weirdly dry now. The feeling gets worse when they reach the house - and it’s all the others imagined, because it’s huge and stylish and modern. Only remotely Jun realizes how Shota is embarrassed by the others’ open admiration.
“Do you want something to drink, Jun-kun?”
It’s only when he hears Shota’s voice right next to him that Jun snaps out of it, remembering that he is still with his friends. This is not the time to doze off. “Please. Need any help?”
Shota grins. “Yeah, would be awesome. I only have two hands after all. And the other idiots are already heavily abusing my videogame console.”
Jun chuckles and follows his friend out to the corridor. It really is a fancy house, almost too fancy and big for Jun’s liking. He is living in a rather big house too, but the atmosphere there is livelier and it’s not that perfect. There is always a piece of clothing from Kazu lying around or some baking utensils from Masaki, or several folders and documents from Sho, paintings from Satoshi. Jun always feels comfortable when coming home.
He is about to make some small talk with Shota, when they get interrupted by a man opening the main door and taking his shoes off. It could be years and decades, Jun thinks, but he will for sure never forget that man. He is tall, has dark hair with some grey hair shining through. His eyebrows are pretty dominant, giving his soft face a certain edge. The nurses call him handsome most of the time, and Jun and Kazu called him George-Clooney-san secretly. “Ah, hi dad!” Shota calls out.
Matsuda-sensei looks up in surprise and smiles. “Shota, didn’t know you would be home so early.”
“Yeah,” Shota grabs some glasses and soft drinks. “My friends joined. Talking about that-“ he points at Jun. “This is one of them. I think I told you about him? Jun.”
“You?” Jun knows that Matsuda-sensei recognized him immediately. There is a moment of silence in the air, in which Matsuda looks at him for a while. His glance even softens up, the typical look in his eyes when he was still treating Jun and Kazu, with endless patience - going through every panic attack and temper tantrum with them. The look in Jun’s eyes must have been pretty desperate though, because Matsuda doesn’t say anything. He has always been a sincerely nice guy. “Nice to meet you, Jun-kun.”
“Nice to meet you too, Matsuda-san,” Jun stutters.
Matsuda retreats with another friendly nod towards them, leaving the both of them alone. Shota looks at him for a while. “Do you know my father?” he finally asks.
“He looked familiar for a moment,” Jun lies. A desperate lie, he hopes Shota is going to buy it. “Maybe he mistook me for someone else?” he adds.
“Hm~ with your distinctive features?” Shota says sceptically. “But then he has tons of patients every day.”
“Exactly.” Jun laughs. And when he does, it apparently sounds convincing because Shota’s eyes clear up too. “I’m hungry,” Jun says to distract him further. “Didn’t you say something about ordering something in?”
“Ah!” Shota beams. “Right, let’s buy something from that new sushi place. They’re the best.”
“Sounds fine for me.”
When they walk back to the others with the drinks in their hands and the menu of the sushi place, they pass Matsuda’s study. While he walks by it, Jun throws a glance inside, catching Matsuda’s eyes. Thank you he forms with his lips, silently.
Matsuda smiles warmly, and nods.
~~~
He should have probably listened to Kazu’s advice and told everyone it was a joke, Jun thinks not without guilt when the rumours about Sho’s erotic adventures spreads through school. It’s slowly getting out of control - one rumour even says he is part of the red-light district.
He just snapped when his classmates mentioned it to him and talked without thinking properly, pretty stupid. And so not like him. He really needs to get a grip and turn back to his usual self.
Usually he doesn’t mind company but today he is glad that was able to sneak to the roof top of the school alone, mainly because the whole issue with Matsuda-sensei is still lying heavily on his mind, maybe even more than the whole Sho-thing.
At least he thinks he is alone, until there is a sudden shadow hovering above him. When he looks up, his eyes meet Mao’s.
“I thought-“ She smiles carefully. “You might like something to eat?”
Jun blinks in surprise. But when she reaches out her hands to hand him the offered bento-box, he points at the place next to him. “Wanna join me?” he asks.
She sighs in relief. “Thought you would never ask. In the cafeteria there is a huge fuss happening, because some apparently hot senpai is looking for his shirt after sport class.”
Jun laughs slightly when she talks and jokes so openly. “The self-confident image suits you much more than the shy princess one. You know that, right?”
“Not really,” she says and hands him a bento box. It looks self-made. “Boys don’t like me too self-confident. The others were sincerely shocked when I attack-hugged you. I’m already too straight-forward for most of them and they seem to see me as a good friend rather than a girlfriend.”
“They say you are the prettiest among all the girls,” Jun argues.
“Hm, pretty or not, they keep the distance.” She brushes through her hair. It’s shorter now, only shoulder-length - unlike most other girls she likes it that way. Jun thinks it looks pretty good on her too. “Don’t you think being girly is better than being independent and confident?”
“I like you both ways,” Jun says and tries one of the mini-onigiri from her bento box. It tastes good. “You know,” he chuckles. “Talking about image…”
“Yes?”
“My brother does not have an STD.”
“I know,” she grins. “Figured as much. But I like it when the cool and stoic Jun-san slips. Adds to his charm.”
“Really?” he smiles. “Just keep it to yourself.”
“Only if you don’t tell anyone that I’m all into videogames and sport. And that once a week I get to go jogging with you - I really don’t want every girl in school to hate me.”
Jun puts the bento box aside, reaching out his hand to grab her arm. “Want to hug?” he asks. “Like back then when you were still Princess Mao-chan and wanted me to make a crown out of flowers for you.”
Her lips tug a little when she bends forward, arms wrapped around his waist. “And you accidentally fell into the creek while getting a particularly beautiful flower. You cried.”
“But I got the flower,” Jun chuckles and puts his arm around her shoulder. Only remotely Jun wonders why and how he went from being all emo because of Matsuda-sensei to reminiscing about the past. It dawns on him soon though. “You know,” he muses. “Coming back has been difficult.”
“You mean, coming back to this place here? To your old home, house and school?” Mao wants to know, looking up to see his face.
“No, I mean coming back to life and reality.” He plays with some strands of her hair. “Reality was a bitch.”
“Hm,” she nods. “Yes, it was.”
“Sometimes it still is.”
“True again,” she agrees. “Let’s just flee it sometimes, okay?”
Jun smiles brightly. “Yes.”
~~~
“It’s raining!” Shun eyes him suspiciously when Jun angles for his bicycle. “Are you seriously taking that one and not the bus?”
“I like the rain,” Jun says. It sounds too serious. He can see it in his friend’s face how he doesn’t know how to continue this talk. Hence, Jun grins to diffuse the tension. He has learned how to do that over the past couple of years when others feel uncertain if they just touched upon a sort topic concerning his past. “You will find your way home alone, won’t you or do you really need me to accompany you?”
Shun chuckles. “Shut up, idiot.” When Jun sits on his bicycle ready to drive away, he waves. “See you on Monday. Have a nice weekend.”
Jun didn’t lie when he said that he loves the rain. He likes it when his clothes get soaked and when he can feel the little piercing cold drops on his arms. He feels alive then. Maybe Kazu has similar reasons for joining these stupid motor-bike guys.
This time though, the rain gets too strong all of a sudden and it even gets windy. He curses inwardly. This was indeed not planned. He wonders how he should continue on. It’s then that he can hear a car halting next to him and a very well-known voice calling him. “Jun, is that you?” It’s raining so heavily by now that Jun has to squeeze his eyes a bit to see that it’s Sho and Satoshi. “Are you nuts!?” Satoshi huffs.
“I can’t believe it,” Sho mumbles when he jumps out of the car. He pushes an umbrella in Jun’s hand and before he can even react, Sho has already fixed his bicycle at the luggage rack. "Come,” he says.
“Yeah, please hurry. You are going to catch a cold.” Satoshi’s voice is unusually impatient and sharp; hence, Jun decides not to argue. “Thanks guys.” He closes the door of the back seat. “I was already wondering how to get home.”
“To wait somewhere and call one of us didn’t cross your mind?” Satoshi wants to know. He still sounds a bit angry, but his eyes have softened up.
“No,” Jun says and shakes the umbrella a bit. He shifts around. It’s Sho’s new car and pretty fancy, but even so, there is something in his stomach tugging at him painfully.
You are not a child anymore, Jun. Not a child. You are already 16. Almost grown-up. It’s just a twenty-minute drive. Breathe.
Sho looks into the rear-view mirror. For a moment, he looks directly in his eyes. Jun wonders what he has seen in them. But Sho doesn’t say much, only: “You alright? You are pretty drenched.”
“Let’s halt at Masaki’s shop. It’s closer. You can change there,” Satoshi agrees.
Masaki’s shop. Ten minutes. Jun’s stomach relaxes all of a sudden. That’s okay. Ten minutes.
~~~
Masaki’s shop is everything but normal. It’s a cute, comfortable place, with tables to eat and have coffee and with little spaces stuffed with pillows just to hang out. It’s one of the number 1 hanging-out places for teenagers and one of the number 1 party places for children by now.
“Why does that look better on you than on me?” Masaki complains once Jun is wearing a pair of his trousers and a shirt. He always has some extra clothes in his shop.
Jun grins. “It’s not looking better on me.”
“Yeah.” Satoshi joins his teasing. “It’s the man who makes his clothes shine, not the other way round.”
Masaki glares when they all giggle. To soothe him down a bit Jun decides to help him with his decoration. “What is happening today?” he wants to know.
“Reading party,” Masaki explains, obviously pleased that the others are finally helping him. “Soon there will be a bunch of little ones with their parents and their favourite books. We are going to have my freshly made ice-cream and coloured eggs.”
“Ah-“ Sho smiles. “You have found some use for the eggs?”
“Yes and I’ve hidden the ones you coloured beneath mine.” Masaki jokes. “Well, at least they are better than Satoshi’s. I’ve given most of his to the ducks.”
“Philistine,” Satoshi scolds him.
Jun has to smile a bit. It’s one of this very rare occasions that he actually feels full and whole - and not torn at all. “Wish Kazu was here too, but his class is taking longer today.” It’s not even a lie, gladly.
They didn’t intend to stay, but somehow, the atmosphere is good enough and it just happens that they are here when the children drop by.
“Jun-nii and Sho-nii,” one little girl, a regular customer of Masaki’s shop, calls out happily. “You are here too! It’s all of them, only Kazu-nii is missing.”
Her friend Ken, another little regular customer, nods. “With Satoshi-oji and Masaki-oji.”
For a moment, Masaki and Satoshi freeze at being called Uncle. Jun can’t help it but exchange a glance with Sho. The latter’s lips are tugging slightly, he tries his best to hold his pokerface. Jun basically flees to the storage room where he finally breaks down laughing. Sho joins him soon afterwards.
“Did you hear how they called us brother and them uncles?” he asks unnecessarily because Jun remembers well enough.
Jun grins. “I’ll never forget that.”
For a moment they are both chuckling. It’s unusually light-hearted. It’s then that Jun suddenly realises that it’s been forever that they just hang out with each other and had fun. And for a moment he even wonders if he should be honest and tell Sho openly about all the rumours about his sexual adventures and explain how he didn’t want it to be like that.
But before he can do so, Satoshi opens the door and glares at them. “Did you laugh enough about Masaki and me?”
Sho grins. “Probably not, Satoshi-oji.”
~~~
“Seems like you had fun,” Kazu says and sounds almost insulted and hurt. Most likely because he missed something fun.
“I’m sorry you had school,” Jun says and sits down next to him on Kazu’s sofa. “Here, I brought you something to eat.” He grins. “Some eggs.”
Kazu’s face lights up a bit. “One of the ugly ones coloured by Sho?”
“Sure. And I even found a leftover from Satoshi’s gothic eggs.” Jun chuckles.
“Let’s take a photo!” Kazu demands. He grabs for his phone, forces one of Satoshi’s and Masaki’s eggs into Jun’s hands while he takes Sho’s. He sticks his head closer to Jun. “Now, smile~”
Jun smiles almost automatically.
“Send it to me,” he says later. The photo looks cute, he thinks. He needs to keep that and maybe print it out and put it on his wall.
It’s like Kazu has read his thoughts. “If you print it out, make a copy for me too?”
“Sure.”
For a moment they are silent, just enjoying each other’s presence. Then Kazu sighs slightly. He rubs over his forehead, his typical gesture when he feels guilty. “Jun, it’s Friday and I-“
Jun knows immediately what he wants to say. “No, please don’t.”
“I’ve already told them I’m going. It’s just a club I’m visiting. Nothing too extreme, I promise.”
“You tend to break your promises recently,” Jun says sharply. Kazu looks a bit hurt all of a sudden. A slight feeling of guilt spreads through Jun, but he can’t help it. He is hurt too. “I can’t always lie for you, Kazu. I mean, I would take a bullet for you, yes, but this is going too far.”
“I’m trying to stop.” Kazu says and by the way he looks at Jun directly, Jun knows he technically means it. He just wonders if his resolution is strong enough. “Please believe me. I just need to decide on my steps properly.”
“And for that you need to visit this club?”
“Yes-“ Kazu sighs. “I need to talk to some people.”
“Fine.” Jun shrugs, not sure if he should give in that easily. But for once, Kazu has sounded really determined. “But please, don’t come back too late.”
“Expect me before 1 AM.”
Actually, Jun hasn’t really believed in Kazu’s promise, but when he hears how his phone vibrates at exactly 12:30 and he throws the well-known ladder down for Kazu, he feels almost relieved and happy.
Kazu looks tired though, and Jun wonders if really everything is alright.
Author's note: Somehow I have the feeling that Jun's POV is always slightly depressing? There is a lot going on in his mind, but he doesn't voice it out. What do you think?
Oh, and Kazu's arc is going to start soon too. :-)
Pairing: Jun, Masaki, Sho, Satoshi, Kazu (there are going to be additional side-characters though. No OCs.) I'm trying to give each of the five their well-deserves spot-light <3
Rating: PG
Multi-chapter
Beta: lover_youshould
Genre: family!AU in which Arashi are brothers :-) slice of life, a little drama (and I'm trying to add some light-hearted, funny moments to it too)
Summary: Since they were little they were always close to each other. And when unfortunate events force them to live together without their parents, it's only natural that they try to make the best out of it.
He knows it’s weird to say that as a guy, but he just likes shopping. And it’s been a nice surprise that Shota - unlike Shun and Toma - enjoys it too. Hence they have ended up in one store or another several times when they went out with their friends, much to Shun’s and Toma’s desperation. The girls however enjoy it. Jun just wonders how long he can basically hold Shota at distance like that - until now he has managed to invite other friends out as well whenever Shota tried to ask him out for a shopping trip.
This time though it came as a huge advantage that parties and evening activities are starting soon, and Mao and her friends want to buy a few dresses, and asked him for help.
“She is like his sister. Why don’t they go alone?” Toma grumbles but nevertheless he tugs along, as Shota is joining too and some other girls from their class. Toma is pretty much into any social activities with his friends.
“It’s not that easy, I guess,” Shun says. He has toned the complaining down a lot, which surprises Jun a bit. He even seems to be a little bit interested in shopping right now, which surprises Jun even more.
“Jun-kun.” Mao eyes her reflection in the mirror, frowning deeply. “Do you think the dress is okay?”
Next to him Jun can see Toma frowning. “The colour is off,” he whispers. “Looks like freaking candy. Ugh.”
“The dress makes her hips look broad,” Shun whispers back. “What kind of weird fabric is that?”
Shota nods towards them. “But she has nice boobs in it,” he comments in a low voice. “Who cares about the colour?”
“Shut up you three idiots,” Jun hisses quietly before he turns his attention back to Mao. “It looks nice, but with your beautiful and light skin you could be more daring. Or you could also go for a cool look in general.”
Shota pulls his eyebrows up. “How can he be so diplomatic,” he mumbles. “If I had said the same thing - namely that the dress is horrible - I would have gotten hit.”
“Guess it’s rather how you say it,” Toma snickers. “Seriously, Shota-kun.”
Mao gladly doesn’t hear them, instead she blushes slightly. “Really? Like what?”
“You could basically pull off just about anything.” He angles for a red dress with broader sleeves, without much décolleté. “This is not particularly the sexy look, however you will look approachable and cool, yet elegant in it. And the fact that it’s not pink will take the princess look away, and not make you look too innocent.”
“Exactly the perfect look for a casual party,” she muses, and nods. “What else? For a dinner party for example?”
“Hm-” He takes another dress. This time one in a light colour, satin, with some pearls on it. It’s fancy but not over the top. “How about that one? You have light skin, but not too extremely porcelain like, you can wear such a colour and it won’t make you invisible. I assume most girls are going to wear black in those events - this will make you stand out, and add to your perfect proportions. You can wear heavier jewellery with this as it’s not so loaded with all kind of weird tulle and accessories.”
“Awesome.” She grins and in a sudden attack she wraps her arms around his waist and squishes him. “To imagine you were such an awkward kid once…”
Jun can’t help but laugh. Any interaction with Mao has always been surprisingly natural. “To imagine you were such a shy kid once…” he teases right back.
She laughs and takes the two dresses, heading for the changing room. While she changes, she sticks her head out of the stall. “Just give me any dress you like. You just know how to dress a person.”
When she is busy with changing, Jun already knows that he will hear no end about this from his friends. “Why again are we joining you two?” Toma snickers. “I mean, talk about the fifth wheel, you know. Especially since the other girls headed for the bra section. I guess we are very much not welcomed there either.”
“It’s not like that,” Jun defends himself and Mao. “It’s just that we’ve known each other since forever. She is one of my best friends.”
“Hm~” Shota sighs dreamily. “Must be nice to be so close to a girl.”
“Speaking of which,” Shun suddenly starts, blushing slightly. “I might need a little hand too.”
Jun blinks. So there was a reason for Shun being so silent. “With what?” he asks curiously.
“My parents are organising a party,” Shun stutters.
“One of those high society match-making parties?” Toma asks curiously and exchanges a glance with Jun. “I thought you hate them.”
Shun blushes harder, a weird sight. “There might be a person, I like. Or rather… there will be…”
“I see,” Jun says. And. “Sure, I’ll help you.”
“Just like that?” Shota asks in surprise. “Don’t you want to know who it is first?”
“Nope,” Jun grins and twinkles a bit. “Other than you two, I know who it is!”
Shun chuckles, but no matter how hard the others try to make him spill the news, he just stays silent.
~~~
Jun knew it. He knew that it would only be a matter of time until it’s going to happen. Still, when it does, although it’s not even unexpected and the timing fits, he feels taken aback.
“Why don’t we go to my place,” Shota suggests after they all successfully bought their outfits for the upcoming twenty or maybe even thirty parties, including Shun. “It’s pretty close. We could beat some games and order something in. Not sure-“ he turns to Mao and her friends with questioning eyes. “-if you girls are interested in joining too?”
“I’m sorry,” Mao says and bows slightly. “I’m meeting my sister later. Maybe next time!”
However, two of Mao’s friends indeed decide to join them, and also Shun and Toma seem to be very much interested in seeing Shota’s house and the place he lives in.
Toma even lets out a relieved sign. “The perfect suggestion after such a long, draining shopping day.”
Jun knows, there is no way he can escape that. He nods too. “Thanks for the invitation,” he says, but his lips feel weirdly dry now. The feeling gets worse when they reach the house - and it’s all the others imagined, because it’s huge and stylish and modern. Only remotely Jun realizes how Shota is embarrassed by the others’ open admiration.
“Do you want something to drink, Jun-kun?”
It’s only when he hears Shota’s voice right next to him that Jun snaps out of it, remembering that he is still with his friends. This is not the time to doze off. “Please. Need any help?”
Shota grins. “Yeah, would be awesome. I only have two hands after all. And the other idiots are already heavily abusing my videogame console.”
Jun chuckles and follows his friend out to the corridor. It really is a fancy house, almost too fancy and big for Jun’s liking. He is living in a rather big house too, but the atmosphere there is livelier and it’s not that perfect. There is always a piece of clothing from Kazu lying around or some baking utensils from Masaki, or several folders and documents from Sho, paintings from Satoshi. Jun always feels comfortable when coming home.
He is about to make some small talk with Shota, when they get interrupted by a man opening the main door and taking his shoes off. It could be years and decades, Jun thinks, but he will for sure never forget that man. He is tall, has dark hair with some grey hair shining through. His eyebrows are pretty dominant, giving his soft face a certain edge. The nurses call him handsome most of the time, and Jun and Kazu called him George-Clooney-san secretly. “Ah, hi dad!” Shota calls out.
Matsuda-sensei looks up in surprise and smiles. “Shota, didn’t know you would be home so early.”
“Yeah,” Shota grabs some glasses and soft drinks. “My friends joined. Talking about that-“ he points at Jun. “This is one of them. I think I told you about him? Jun.”
“You?” Jun knows that Matsuda-sensei recognized him immediately. There is a moment of silence in the air, in which Matsuda looks at him for a while. His glance even softens up, the typical look in his eyes when he was still treating Jun and Kazu, with endless patience - going through every panic attack and temper tantrum with them. The look in Jun’s eyes must have been pretty desperate though, because Matsuda doesn’t say anything. He has always been a sincerely nice guy. “Nice to meet you, Jun-kun.”
“Nice to meet you too, Matsuda-san,” Jun stutters.
Matsuda retreats with another friendly nod towards them, leaving the both of them alone. Shota looks at him for a while. “Do you know my father?” he finally asks.
“He looked familiar for a moment,” Jun lies. A desperate lie, he hopes Shota is going to buy it. “Maybe he mistook me for someone else?” he adds.
“Hm~ with your distinctive features?” Shota says sceptically. “But then he has tons of patients every day.”
“Exactly.” Jun laughs. And when he does, it apparently sounds convincing because Shota’s eyes clear up too. “I’m hungry,” Jun says to distract him further. “Didn’t you say something about ordering something in?”
“Ah!” Shota beams. “Right, let’s buy something from that new sushi place. They’re the best.”
“Sounds fine for me.”
When they walk back to the others with the drinks in their hands and the menu of the sushi place, they pass Matsuda’s study. While he walks by it, Jun throws a glance inside, catching Matsuda’s eyes. Thank you he forms with his lips, silently.
Matsuda smiles warmly, and nods.
~~~
He should have probably listened to Kazu’s advice and told everyone it was a joke, Jun thinks not without guilt when the rumours about Sho’s erotic adventures spreads through school. It’s slowly getting out of control - one rumour even says he is part of the red-light district.
He just snapped when his classmates mentioned it to him and talked without thinking properly, pretty stupid. And so not like him. He really needs to get a grip and turn back to his usual self.
Usually he doesn’t mind company but today he is glad that was able to sneak to the roof top of the school alone, mainly because the whole issue with Matsuda-sensei is still lying heavily on his mind, maybe even more than the whole Sho-thing.
At least he thinks he is alone, until there is a sudden shadow hovering above him. When he looks up, his eyes meet Mao’s.
“I thought-“ She smiles carefully. “You might like something to eat?”
Jun blinks in surprise. But when she reaches out her hands to hand him the offered bento-box, he points at the place next to him. “Wanna join me?” he asks.
She sighs in relief. “Thought you would never ask. In the cafeteria there is a huge fuss happening, because some apparently hot senpai is looking for his shirt after sport class.”
Jun laughs slightly when she talks and jokes so openly. “The self-confident image suits you much more than the shy princess one. You know that, right?”
“Not really,” she says and hands him a bento box. It looks self-made. “Boys don’t like me too self-confident. The others were sincerely shocked when I attack-hugged you. I’m already too straight-forward for most of them and they seem to see me as a good friend rather than a girlfriend.”
“They say you are the prettiest among all the girls,” Jun argues.
“Hm, pretty or not, they keep the distance.” She brushes through her hair. It’s shorter now, only shoulder-length - unlike most other girls she likes it that way. Jun thinks it looks pretty good on her too. “Don’t you think being girly is better than being independent and confident?”
“I like you both ways,” Jun says and tries one of the mini-onigiri from her bento box. It tastes good. “You know,” he chuckles. “Talking about image…”
“Yes?”
“My brother does not have an STD.”
“I know,” she grins. “Figured as much. But I like it when the cool and stoic Jun-san slips. Adds to his charm.”
“Really?” he smiles. “Just keep it to yourself.”
“Only if you don’t tell anyone that I’m all into videogames and sport. And that once a week I get to go jogging with you - I really don’t want every girl in school to hate me.”
Jun puts the bento box aside, reaching out his hand to grab her arm. “Want to hug?” he asks. “Like back then when you were still Princess Mao-chan and wanted me to make a crown out of flowers for you.”
Her lips tug a little when she bends forward, arms wrapped around his waist. “And you accidentally fell into the creek while getting a particularly beautiful flower. You cried.”
“But I got the flower,” Jun chuckles and puts his arm around her shoulder. Only remotely Jun wonders why and how he went from being all emo because of Matsuda-sensei to reminiscing about the past. It dawns on him soon though. “You know,” he muses. “Coming back has been difficult.”
“You mean, coming back to this place here? To your old home, house and school?” Mao wants to know, looking up to see his face.
“No, I mean coming back to life and reality.” He plays with some strands of her hair. “Reality was a bitch.”
“Hm,” she nods. “Yes, it was.”
“Sometimes it still is.”
“True again,” she agrees. “Let’s just flee it sometimes, okay?”
Jun smiles brightly. “Yes.”
~~~
“It’s raining!” Shun eyes him suspiciously when Jun angles for his bicycle. “Are you seriously taking that one and not the bus?”
“I like the rain,” Jun says. It sounds too serious. He can see it in his friend’s face how he doesn’t know how to continue this talk. Hence, Jun grins to diffuse the tension. He has learned how to do that over the past couple of years when others feel uncertain if they just touched upon a sort topic concerning his past. “You will find your way home alone, won’t you or do you really need me to accompany you?”
Shun chuckles. “Shut up, idiot.” When Jun sits on his bicycle ready to drive away, he waves. “See you on Monday. Have a nice weekend.”
Jun didn’t lie when he said that he loves the rain. He likes it when his clothes get soaked and when he can feel the little piercing cold drops on his arms. He feels alive then. Maybe Kazu has similar reasons for joining these stupid motor-bike guys.
This time though, the rain gets too strong all of a sudden and it even gets windy. He curses inwardly. This was indeed not planned. He wonders how he should continue on. It’s then that he can hear a car halting next to him and a very well-known voice calling him. “Jun, is that you?” It’s raining so heavily by now that Jun has to squeeze his eyes a bit to see that it’s Sho and Satoshi. “Are you nuts!?” Satoshi huffs.
“I can’t believe it,” Sho mumbles when he jumps out of the car. He pushes an umbrella in Jun’s hand and before he can even react, Sho has already fixed his bicycle at the luggage rack. "Come,” he says.
“Yeah, please hurry. You are going to catch a cold.” Satoshi’s voice is unusually impatient and sharp; hence, Jun decides not to argue. “Thanks guys.” He closes the door of the back seat. “I was already wondering how to get home.”
“To wait somewhere and call one of us didn’t cross your mind?” Satoshi wants to know. He still sounds a bit angry, but his eyes have softened up.
“No,” Jun says and shakes the umbrella a bit. He shifts around. It’s Sho’s new car and pretty fancy, but even so, there is something in his stomach tugging at him painfully.
You are not a child anymore, Jun. Not a child. You are already 16. Almost grown-up. It’s just a twenty-minute drive. Breathe.
Sho looks into the rear-view mirror. For a moment, he looks directly in his eyes. Jun wonders what he has seen in them. But Sho doesn’t say much, only: “You alright? You are pretty drenched.”
“Let’s halt at Masaki’s shop. It’s closer. You can change there,” Satoshi agrees.
Masaki’s shop. Ten minutes. Jun’s stomach relaxes all of a sudden. That’s okay. Ten minutes.
~~~
Masaki’s shop is everything but normal. It’s a cute, comfortable place, with tables to eat and have coffee and with little spaces stuffed with pillows just to hang out. It’s one of the number 1 hanging-out places for teenagers and one of the number 1 party places for children by now.
“Why does that look better on you than on me?” Masaki complains once Jun is wearing a pair of his trousers and a shirt. He always has some extra clothes in his shop.
Jun grins. “It’s not looking better on me.”
“Yeah.” Satoshi joins his teasing. “It’s the man who makes his clothes shine, not the other way round.”
Masaki glares when they all giggle. To soothe him down a bit Jun decides to help him with his decoration. “What is happening today?” he wants to know.
“Reading party,” Masaki explains, obviously pleased that the others are finally helping him. “Soon there will be a bunch of little ones with their parents and their favourite books. We are going to have my freshly made ice-cream and coloured eggs.”
“Ah-“ Sho smiles. “You have found some use for the eggs?”
“Yes and I’ve hidden the ones you coloured beneath mine.” Masaki jokes. “Well, at least they are better than Satoshi’s. I’ve given most of his to the ducks.”
“Philistine,” Satoshi scolds him.
Jun has to smile a bit. It’s one of this very rare occasions that he actually feels full and whole - and not torn at all. “Wish Kazu was here too, but his class is taking longer today.” It’s not even a lie, gladly.
They didn’t intend to stay, but somehow, the atmosphere is good enough and it just happens that they are here when the children drop by.
“Jun-nii and Sho-nii,” one little girl, a regular customer of Masaki’s shop, calls out happily. “You are here too! It’s all of them, only Kazu-nii is missing.”
Her friend Ken, another little regular customer, nods. “With Satoshi-oji and Masaki-oji.”
For a moment, Masaki and Satoshi freeze at being called Uncle. Jun can’t help it but exchange a glance with Sho. The latter’s lips are tugging slightly, he tries his best to hold his pokerface. Jun basically flees to the storage room where he finally breaks down laughing. Sho joins him soon afterwards.
“Did you hear how they called us brother and them uncles?” he asks unnecessarily because Jun remembers well enough.
Jun grins. “I’ll never forget that.”
For a moment they are both chuckling. It’s unusually light-hearted. It’s then that Jun suddenly realises that it’s been forever that they just hang out with each other and had fun. And for a moment he even wonders if he should be honest and tell Sho openly about all the rumours about his sexual adventures and explain how he didn’t want it to be like that.
But before he can do so, Satoshi opens the door and glares at them. “Did you laugh enough about Masaki and me?”
Sho grins. “Probably not, Satoshi-oji.”
~~~
“Seems like you had fun,” Kazu says and sounds almost insulted and hurt. Most likely because he missed something fun.
“I’m sorry you had school,” Jun says and sits down next to him on Kazu’s sofa. “Here, I brought you something to eat.” He grins. “Some eggs.”
Kazu’s face lights up a bit. “One of the ugly ones coloured by Sho?”
“Sure. And I even found a leftover from Satoshi’s gothic eggs.” Jun chuckles.
“Let’s take a photo!” Kazu demands. He grabs for his phone, forces one of Satoshi’s and Masaki’s eggs into Jun’s hands while he takes Sho’s. He sticks his head closer to Jun. “Now, smile~”
Jun smiles almost automatically.
“Send it to me,” he says later. The photo looks cute, he thinks. He needs to keep that and maybe print it out and put it on his wall.
It’s like Kazu has read his thoughts. “If you print it out, make a copy for me too?”
“Sure.”
For a moment they are silent, just enjoying each other’s presence. Then Kazu sighs slightly. He rubs over his forehead, his typical gesture when he feels guilty. “Jun, it’s Friday and I-“
Jun knows immediately what he wants to say. “No, please don’t.”
“I’ve already told them I’m going. It’s just a club I’m visiting. Nothing too extreme, I promise.”
“You tend to break your promises recently,” Jun says sharply. Kazu looks a bit hurt all of a sudden. A slight feeling of guilt spreads through Jun, but he can’t help it. He is hurt too. “I can’t always lie for you, Kazu. I mean, I would take a bullet for you, yes, but this is going too far.”
“I’m trying to stop.” Kazu says and by the way he looks at Jun directly, Jun knows he technically means it. He just wonders if his resolution is strong enough. “Please believe me. I just need to decide on my steps properly.”
“And for that you need to visit this club?”
“Yes-“ Kazu sighs. “I need to talk to some people.”
“Fine.” Jun shrugs, not sure if he should give in that easily. But for once, Kazu has sounded really determined. “But please, don’t come back too late.”
“Expect me before 1 AM.”
Actually, Jun hasn’t really believed in Kazu’s promise, but when he hears how his phone vibrates at exactly 12:30 and he throws the well-known ladder down for Kazu, he feels almost relieved and happy.
Kazu looks tired though, and Jun wonders if really everything is alright.
Author's note: Somehow I have the feeling that Jun's POV is always slightly depressing? There is a lot going on in his mind, but he doesn't voice it out. What do you think?
Oh, and Kazu's arc is going to start soon too. :-)