Family Matters: Chapter 20
Title: Family matters ~ Chapter 20/22
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
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.
Kazu feels nervous when he knocks at Jun’s door, so carefully that his knocking almost can’t be heard.
“Yes?” Jun’s voice can be heard from inside and Kazu decides it’s better to just walk into the room before Jun finds out that it’s him… He is not sure if he is welcomed. Jun blinks when he slips through the door. “Kazu?”
“Hi,” Kazu says and sits down at the edge of Jun’s bed. He is silent for a while, apparently long enough for Jun to put his book aside and look at him.
“Is something wrong?” Jun asks, sudden worry filling his eyes. “Are you feeling bad? Are you in pain? Did you fight with Sa-chan again?”
“No, no, nothing alike.” Kazu has to chuckle slightly. “I haven’t seen Sa-chan alone since I left the hospital, so it would be a real stunt to find a way to argue with him.”
“What is it then?”
Kazu blushes slightly under Jun’s intense stare. When the hell did his innocent, helpless brother learn to look like that? “I just wanted to know if we are alright.”
Jun blinks in surprise, his eyes widening when the realisation of Kazu’s words apparently sunk in. “Ah,” he says.
Yes, ah.
“You are still mad at me, aren’t you?”
Jun chuckles. “I’m 16, I’m probably always mad at someone,” he jokes and Kazu has to smile. Jun puts his book aside - a notebook it seems, he has been writing something into it - and drops down next to Kazu on the bed. “I’m not mad at you.”
“But you are feeling hurt,” Kazu pushes the topic.
Jun blinks in surprise, and shrugs. “It’s nothing major,” he admits. “It’ll pass. I love you too much after all.”
“Listen…” Kazu pauses, frowning slightly as he is searching for words. “I’m truly sorry. I know recently I haven’t made your life particularly easy. First you had to look after me in hospital, then I was all gloomy and depressed here and you were trying to make me feel better. Then I lashed out on you. And then yesterday that whole incident with these bullies. You were trying so hard and I didn’t give you back anything at all. Seems like I took advantage of you once more.”
Jun lets out a sigh. “It’s okay…but…”
“But?”
Jun shrugs. “But I think you should stop apologizing at one point and try to do better instead. It might just become empty words otherwise.”
For a moment Kazu blinks, then he bursts into giggles.
“What?” Jun asks, sounding slightly annoyed.
“Who would have thought that my little brother would scold me one day,” Nino grins. “What an interesting development.” He sits up and takes Jun’s hands. “Let’s make a deal. A new one.”
Jun chuckles. “A new pinky swear?”
“Exactly.” Kazu smiles. “Let’s promise from now on to always listen to each other, no matter how bad the situation might look at first. Let’s be as honest to each other as before, and I personally promise not to use you again or lash out against you like I did. So, when I do, promise me you’ll kick my butt.”
Jun chuckles and links their fingers together. “Fine,” he says. “I promise it too.”
For a while they don’t say anything, until Kazu’s eyes catch the little book at Jun’s bedside table. “Is that your old diary?” he asks in surprise.
“Yes, found it recently and started to use it again,” Jun admits.
Kazu doesn’t open it, but brushes over the cover with one finger. Old memories indeed. “Do you think we’ll ever forget what happened?”
“No,” Jun answers. “But last time Matsuda-sensei told me that it’s fine not to forget it as long as we won’t be looking back all the time. I personally am more worried that I’ll never be able to find a partner that way… I mean, who would want to keep up with me and all my issues?”
“You are wonderful, Jun,” Kazu says with insistence and brushes through Jun’s hair playfully. “Don’t stress yourself over something like that. You’ll find someone, definitely, and you’ll be able to tell this person everything. Someone who will unconditionally love you the way you are. We’ll both find someone like that.”
“Maybe.” Jun sighs. “Guess we’ll need to accept that this is our past, and we can’t change it.”
“It’s a part of us, I guess,” Kazu muses. “Do you think it would have ended differently if we hadn’t been in the car?”
“You mean if Dad would have found a way to get rid of that person? Because of us he couldn’t since he tried to keep us safe?”
Kazu shrugs and nods.
To his relief Jun nods too. “Sometimes I do believe that, yes. You know…” He sighs. “A few weeks ago when I went for lunch with Sho, I slipped and mentioned some details about the accident. Poor brother, I think it came as a shock for him.”
“Maybe that’s good?” Kazu points out. “I mean to be more open towards them. After all, it’s also been their parents. And we are their brothers they are worried about.”
“I know,” Jun sighs slightly, a cute frown appearing on his face. “Matsuda-sensei said something like that too.”
Kazu snorts. “He is so annoying, right?”
“Totally!”
“Be glad you only meet him once a week. I’m seeing him three times. After this I might need a therapy.”
Jun grins. “Good to see you being snarky again.”
“It’s just so nerve-wracking and draining,” Kazu grumbles. “He is not cutting me any slack at all.”
“I think he isn’t cutting anyone any slack,” Jun points out with a glare. “Guess who is supposed to drive in a car once a week now? He even particularly called Sho and Masaki to tell them. Like he doesn’t trust me to tell them myself.”
Kazu grins. “Would you have told them?”
“Of course not.” Jun chuckles. “He was right not to trust me.”
Kazu smiles and puts Jun’s diary aside. Instead he takes his brother’s iPod and skims through the track list. There are quite some new songs. Some of them sound familiar though. He is sure Jun had been listening to them when he was a kid, before the accident. When he… “Did you start dancing again?” he asks carefully. “Are you going to a school?”
Jun gasps in obvious surprise. “How did you know?”
“Well,” Kazu smiles warmly. “I didn’t, but I know you. So?”
“There is a dance school close to school. There is a new teacher there, a former professional. A month ago he was looking for a few students. I’ve participated in an audition and got a scholarship for it.”
“Private lessons? Seriously?”
Jun blushes slightly. “Don’t tell anyone please.”
“Why not?” Kazu blinks in surprise. “You used to dance as a kid and only stopped after the accident. I’m sure all of our brothers would be thrilled to know you are picking it up again.”
“I just…” Jun sighs. “I’m not sure yet what this means, to be honest. I mean, the fact I’m dancing again… does it have a meaning for me or does it lead me somewhere? I don’t know yet. I want to figure it out. And for now I want this to be my own private place to be honest.”
“Fine,” Kazu gives in and chuckles. “At least I know about it. Fair enough. But if there is a competition and you won’t invite me, I’m going to tell on you.”
Jun grins. “Alright.”
Kazu nods before a sudden thought crosses his mind. “Say, Masaki asked me to help him this upcoming weekend… Do you know what it’s about?”
“Really? You too?” Jun blinks. “He also asked me. Apparently he needs help for… I don’t know. Apparently it’s for something outside of town.”
“Hm,” Kazu hums. “Wonder what it is.”
~~~
“Where are we going to?” Kazu and Jun exchange a wary look while they follow Masaki outside and towards his car.
“There is something important to do,” Masaki exclaims.
“So important that we aren’t waiting for Satoshi and Sho?” Jun frowns.
“Well, Sho is on a business trip until tomorrow and Sa-chan is working for the exhibition. He is staying away until Tuesday.” Masaki opens the door of his little red van and waits for them to take place there.
“So, what are we doing?” Jun asks once again.
“Going shopping!”
“It’s Sunday.” Kazu points out.
Masaki grins when he pulls the car out of the parking spot. “Just wait a while, will you? And be patient! You two together are worse than Sho and Satoshi.”
“Uh.” Jun presses his hand against his heart much to Kazu’s amusement. “That hurt, Ma-chan.”
“Yes.” Kazu joins the teasing, and whines. “Something inside me just broke.” When Masaki throws them a little amused glance they both burst into giggles.
“You are so childish sometimes,” he complains but it sounds too soft and happy to really be reproachful.
There is plenty of answers Kazu could reply to that, like That’s why we get along so well with you, Masaki. Duh. Or just underline the fact that Masaki is approaching his 30s in a few years - so old~ But in the end he stays silent. He enjoys the little bickering but at the same time he is a little too thankful to Masaki for staying so faithful and genuinely nice.
It’s when they drive into a huge parking lot and even have to show some tickets at the entrance of it that Jun is all earnest again. “Masaki,” he says. “Where are we?”
Masaki just smiles, parks his car and gets out of it, waiting for them to follow. Kazu still limps when he walks, he has these stupid crutches, which he hates with a passion, because they slow everyone down. But he figures whining and sulking won’t get him anywhere, especially not when it’s his own fault for being in that place.
He takes Jun’s offered arm and half walks half limps next to him until they reach the huge entrance. Kazu pauses, eyes widening in surprise as several emotions flow through him. “This is a convention,” he breaths out after what seems like minutes of silence in which he didn’t even move.
Jun blinks. “A convention?”
“Videogame convention,” Masaki explains light-heartedly. “I just really need something from this place. And I need your help to carry some things.”
“No you don’t,” Kazu says.
Jun blinks at Kazu’s response then it dawns on him too, it’s written so clearly in his eyes. He doesn’t say anything though. Just coughs. “Well, since we are already here-“ he finally says, sounding all casual.
“Guys-“ Kazu lets out a sigh, not sure what he should feel now: Appreciate the gesture or just try to be responsible. “-You know I’m technically still grounded. And this here is not grocery shopping! Nor will Sho or Satoshi buy it if you said it was a walk for rehabilitation.”
Jun and Masaki exchange a glance which he can’t quite read properly, but then Jun grins. “Technically?” he repeats Kazu’s words. “You are not technically still grounded. You are.” Fucking tease. Still Kazu has to smile.
“Well, and I personally didn’t ground or punish anyone,” Masaki says wisely. “I was as neutral as Switzerland. So I can technically do whatever I want.”
“Right,” Jun agrees. “I’m all with Switzerland-san on this!”
“And why should Sho and Satoshi care?” Masaki continues with a smirk. “None of the other two is around to scold us. Sho is in Tokyo and Satoshi isn’t even in the country. I called them right before we left, just to make sure.”
“But-“ Kazu feels how his cheeks heat up.
“Can’t you just accept the fact that we love you and want to see you happy,” Masaki says.
“Yeah, I know you missed a lot in school but you can’t be that dense already, can you?” Jun snickers. “Besides, since when are you such a goody-good kid? What about the good old times even before the motorbike-agenda, when you were all for grey areas and using little holes in our family’s rules. Don’t tell me you want to turn into Sho now?”
“Ah.” Masaki raises his index-finger in mock-scolding. “No jokes about Sho when he isn’t here.”
Jun grins. “Sorry, just had to get it out of my system. But fine, I will wait for him to be here next time!”
“Awesome, that’s the spirit!” Masaki angles for the tickets once more. “Can we go inside now. It’s getting cold.”
“Is it really okay?” Kazu wants to know. There is a certain hint of excitement and joy spreading through him. Like the old times when he didn’t feel bad for being a little mischievous.
“Let’s go!” Masaki says instead of an answer. “I want to see the Dragon Quest event!”
“And I want to go shopping.” Jun says casually.
“Shopping!? At a videogame convention?”
“Believe me, I can find something to wear in just any place,” Jun jokes. “It’s a gift!”
“Awesome, let’s have fun. I might not be used to that anymore,” Masaki calls out excitedly. “It’s been forever.”
It certainly is, Kazu thinks, when they are spending the whole day at the convention, playing stupid videogames and lining up for the less stupid ones. Masaki and Jun shamelessly take advantage of Kazu still being hurt. Excuse me, we have a handicapped person with us - is there another, shorter line for us?
There are even times when Kazu can forget all his problems with Satoshi and just laugh with the others and enjoy his times.
Jun kept up to his shopping promise too. Because at the end of the day Jun has bought two sweatshirts, a black one that had a blinking collar and a particularly soft one with a hood with ears of a cat. Kazu grins - he can almost imagine Mao’s and Shun’s excited, and Shota’s somewhat shocked face when seeing it. “You can’t be serious.”
“Why not?” Jun smirks with the confidence of someone who has the looks to just wear anything. Almost enviable, seriously.
When they pass the stand with the fan goods, Jun almost drops his shopping conquests though. He grabs one of the little plush animals. “This is so cute!” He breathes out and grabs one of the tiny unicorns.
Masaki sneaks closer, eyes widening. “Oh, I like that one!” he exclaims and angles for another. A frog with a cake on his head.
Kazu watches them for a while before he shakes his head in amusement. “You are serious, aren’t you?”
“Kazu-“ Jun says earnestly and shows him the huge-eyed fluffy animal. Looks like a mixture out of a Pokémon and a pony, with a horn on its forehead. “It’s pink!”
“Yes,” Masaki nods and shows off his own favourite. “And this one has a cake as its hat.”
Masaki buys them, and an additional one (a yellow duck with blinking heart-shaped eyes) for Kazu.
When they drive home and reach their house, Masaki slows down. “That’s Sho’s car,” he mumbles. “He is back early. Why is he here already?”
They exchange a few glances, then Kazu laughs all of a sudden. “Let me handle it,” he chuckles. “Jun could help too…?” he adds, still a little embarrassed to ask him for back up again, like he did so often during the last year.
“That’s the spirit.” Jun grins. “Finally. I’ll just put it on the list.”
With that Masaki parks the car and they get out of it like there is nothing weird going on. Sho is sitting in the kitchen.
“Sho-“ Jun says and sounds happy. He hugs Sho and pats his shoulder. “We didn’t know you are going to be back so soon. We would have waited for you. You could have joined us.”
“The business meeting got rescheduled and we already had it today. So I came back early.” Sho is obviously a little flustered by Jun’s heartfelt welcome, but also clearly happy. Jun’s good, Kazu thinks. Even though he might be really happy to see Sho - which is a whole new development all in all - but the way he voiced it was just brilliant.
Well, he is on it too. He puts his weight on the crutches, limping with intent. “Masaki-“ he sighs. “Can you help me please? The walk was a little too long.”
“Oh,” Sho stands up and angles for Kazu’s free arm, while Masaki clings to the other. “You were going on a walk? You shouldn’t overstrain yourself, Kazu.”
“No, it’s alright. Next week I can finally go back to school and I need to be fitter for that.” With a theatrical sigh he works his way upstairs, pretending to be completely spent. It’s actually half true anyway as he feels tired from the long day. “Will take a nap now,” he mumbles.
When he turns around, he can see how Jun angles for something in his bag. “Here,” he says calmly and hands Sho a keychain. It’s one of those cute blinking heart-shaped ones that he wanted to give to some of his friends originally. “I actually bought it for someone else but I rather give it to you.”
“Why?” Sho asks in surprise.
Jun smiles as he hurries upstairs too, twinkling towards Kazu. “For pretending not to realize that you are being tricked.”
Sho grins a bit.
~~~
“Yo!” Ryo throws himself on Kazu’s bed, stretching there. He snuggles against the pillow. “Your bed is comfortable.”
Kazu grins. “Is that some sort of weird invitation I didn’t get?”
“Why? Do you want it to be an invitation?” Ryo smirks.
Kazu laughs. Half an hour ago Karina and Ryo have dropped by for a visit, and it’s so nice to see them again. Kazu hasn’t even realized how much he missed them, until Karina hugged him for about half an hour, telling him over and over again how glad she is he finally wants to see someone.
Now she is in the living room, cooking soba together with Masaki. He wonders how these two will ever manage to cook something together with their different tastes, but then Masaki gets along with just anyone, so it’s most likely no problem.
Meanwhile Kazu is glad to have someone around he can play a computer game with. “Mario Kart?” he suggests, grinning a bit. “I need someone to beat mercilessly.”
“Ah,” Ryo snickers. “I see. So you are holding back when it’s your sweet younger brother?”
“Of course I am.” Kazu pulls his eyebrows up. “But when it’s you, I can just wipe the floor with you.”
Ryo rubs his hands expectedly. “Let’s see if you are really that good. I think not.” He grins. “You are all talk.”
That’s it. Let the war begin. Kazu grunts. “May the best win!”
They are both actually doing well, until they reach that stupid rainbow platform where their carts drop down from all the time. At one point Kazu has to fight hard against throwing his controller against the wall.
When the door gets ripped opened, they both spin around in surprise. It’s Masaki and Sho. “What’s going on?” Sho asks in shock. “We could hear you yell through the house. Are you in some sort of argument?”
“Indeed we are,” Ryo grumbles. “It’s us against this stupid AI!”
“Yeah, they don’t drop down from the rainbow path at all,” Kazu agrees, frowning deeply. “It’s so unfair.”
Sho blinks. “Aren’t you overreacting? It’s just a game!”
“Just a game?” Kazu moves back, eyes wide. Then he grins slyly. “If it’s so stupid and we are so immature, why not give it a try yourself?”
Sho seems to ponder for a while, then however he shrugs and nods.
Masaki grins. “Awesome. Never thought I would live to see Sho actually taking you up on a gaming challenge.”
Sho indeed takes the challenge, and fails miserably. Soon it’s all four of them playing against each other. Still none of them manages to win anything, except for Masaki being in a somewhat good position. Beginner’s luck it seems.
On the brighter side this means that Masaki is in a good mood, a really good one, and when their guests already left and it’s only them, he grins brightly. “Okay, I’m such a nice guy, so, on Sunday I’ll cook whatever you want. Everyone can voice his wish,” he chirps. “So, special wishes. Lay it on me!”
“Cool!” Jun’s eyes gleam. “Shrimp croquettes?”
“Hamburger,” Kazu adds.
Sho smiles. “Soba with tempura”
Satoshi frowns, thinking deeply. “Roast venison with bread dumpling.”
Masaki looks at him in sincere surprise. “Are you serious, Sa-chan!? European cuisine?”
Sho laughs. “Way to go. And here I thought I was being the demanding one.”
Kazu chuckles, listening to their banter happily. It feels weirdly relaxing to hear them talk, although most of the time he stays out of it. Almost like he still feels awkward and a bit shy to participate, like it would destroy the carefree and casual atmosphere then.
~~~
It’s one week later, the last Saturday before school. Technically there is still Sunday to come. But he has never been much of a fan of Sundays anyway, Sundays mark the end of the week, they are still free but there is basically nothing to do or to enjoy, except for being all bored and lazy. They also mark the end of a weekend, remembering him that it’s soon going to be Monday again.
This time though Kazu can’t wait for it to be Sunday, finally. He has done nothing so far during the last weeks except for trying to catch up a bit with his school work with Jun’s help, helping Masaki with his weird cake creations and watching some movies. Sometimes the others drag him outside because he should move. And all these stupid appointments at hospital and his talks with Matsuda-sensei. Other than that he has kept his distance from Satoshi and rather stuck to Masaki or Jun. Masaki has the ability to make him smile and Jun to make him feel loved and at home. His recovery time at home will finally be over tomorrow and his doctors officially let him back to school. FINALLY! He can’t even believe that he is thinking that, but he can’t wait for being back again! School’s not starting officially though as there are still public holidays, but he will go there regularly despite that to talk with Yamaguchi-sensei and to find a way to finish the school year despite having missed so much.
He tosses around in his bed. It’s a weird restless feeling that seems to catch up on him quite often regularly. It’s not only his health issues. It’s rather something deep inside him. He wonders if this empty feeling is going to get away soon, like he lost something precious, like he is searching but doesn’t know for what. He wonders if it will get better when he finally can talk to Sho all hundred percent normally again, because until now he doesn’t know how to approach him after all the mess he went through with the penalty fees and the police. Although Sho really seems to be genuinely friendly and casual towards him. And he wonders if he will feel more complete when he finally makes up with Satoshi again. He has barely exchanged any words with him.
He is about to get up and catch a glass with water, when there is a knock at the door. Kazu blinks. It’s 10 PM which is not particularly late but recently he has excused himself and gone to bed pretty early.
“It’s me,” Jun says and opens the door with a swift movement. Then he throws a pillow and a blanket into Kazu’s direction.
“Jun?” Kazu blinks.
“No,” Jun grins. “Santa Clause.”
“Well.” Kazu chuckles. Like always when it’s Jun he feels relaxed almost immediately. “Santa-san, why are you here?”
“Hm~” Jun closes the door, and puts a huge bowl with Mango Lhassi and one with some sort of chocolate smoothie on the night stand table. Then he grabs his pillow and throws it on Kazu’s bed. “Thought you were too emo again recently. And you are 17, you shouldn’t go to sleep so early! Hence we are going to make a pyjama party. Make some place on the bed, will you?”
Kazu blinks and sits up. Before he can even think or react properly, Jun has already tugged him out of the bed, put the blanket over it and a few pillows and forced a bathrobe on him. It finally dawns on Kazu. “We?” he presses out.
“Yes,” Jun says and switches on the small light in Kazu’s room, before preparing the TV. Kazu sits down on one of the pillows on his bed, wondering who else is supposed to come.
Before he can ask though, the door opens again and Masaki basically waltzes inside, a huge plate with his newest mini-cake productions on it. He takes the place right next to Kazu. Then it’s Sho with pizza and Satoshi with a pretty impressive amount of horror movies in his hands.
Sho frowns. “We are lacking popcorn,” he mumbles.
“Popcorn?” Jun asks sweetly. “Isn’t all the junk food we already have enough? You know, I already told you, you should watch your wei-”
“Ah-“ Sho grins and interrupts him. “One comment about my weight and I’ll slap you right across your face.” It’s clearly a joke and a light-hearted teasing comment, not a threat, so that Masaki giggles slightly and Jun smirks.
“Jeez. Not like that didn’t happen before,” Jun bites right back.
“Oh my-“ Sho rolls his eyes in mock-complaint. “To imagine that you were so adorable once as a baby. Then, unfortunately, you learned to talk… But I still remember it, your tiny fingers and your sweet nose. And your cute little feet. And-“
“Ah.” Masaki nods. “His feet were so adorable. And he was able to put his toes into his mouth. So cute~”
Jun’s expression is something between mere embarrassment, horror and panic. He nods towards Sho. “What about the popcorn?” he says. Perfect distraction strategy.
“Ah, right!” Sho hurries out of the door. “Will be back immediately.”
It takes Sho only a few minutes before he is back with fresh popcorn. “What are we going to watch?” he asks and sits down next to Jun on the bed. “Satoshi stayed true to his gloomy artistic image and brought along some of the worst horror movies.”
Satoshi grabs the sofa chair and pulls it closer, right next to the side of the bed where Kazu is sitting. “They are awesome movies.”
“You said that the last time too,” Sho teases. “Then we ended up watching a five hours long documentary about child birth.”
“Oh come on,” Satoshi snorts. “Someone as educated as you for sure enjoys some additional knowledge!”
Kazu listens to the two in amazement. It hardly happens that he encounters the two of them together and having one of their infamous bickering. He has only heard about that from Masaki - nice to finally encounter it personally. He feels though that he should at least try to reason and try to be super-responsible. “Really guys, I appreciate the effort, but isn’t it pretty late for you? I mean, I don’t want to keep you from work.”
“Oh my-“ Sho chuckles. “How old do you think I am that I need a bed now?”
“Ah, a bed would be nice,” Masaki grins. “Just with the right person inside.”
Satoshi smacks him with a pillow. “Dirty. Make your jokes at least PG-15 rated!”
“Oh,” Jun snorts. “We can definitely take some R-rated jokes, if not more.”
“Please.” There is slight panic in Sho’s eyes. “I don’t want to think about anything R-rated considering any of you two. Makes me panicked and want to give you a sex education lecture.” Kazu and Jun exchange a glance. Like that wouldn’t come a little too late. “And I don’t want to know what that glance between you means either.”
Kazu smiles carefully. “Is it really okay for you to make a video night? Isn’t it too boring or too late?”
“Oh my god.” Sho takes a handful from the popcorn and stuffs it in his mouth. Then he points at one of the movies, signalling Satoshi that they should go for that one. “Shouldn’t out of all you be used to partying all night?”
Jun’s mouth basically drops open, while Kazu raises his eyebrows in surprise. Masaki and Satoshi however hardly react, they seem to know that weird silly version of Sho pretty well. Jun snickers. “Sixteen years of my life and it’s the first time that I hear him crack a joke. It’s unbelievable.”
“Yes,” Kazu agrees. “One can almost get used to that!”
“The real funny thing is that this verbal strike is coming from STD-san himself,” Masaki mumbles in mock-amazement.
“Weird how it’s the guy with a Lolita complex pointing out my weak point,” Sho smirks. “Dating older, experienced women, hm~”
“Oh dear.” Jun grabs the movie on the top of the staple. Attack of the Killer-Tomato. “Let’s start. Before I hear sex stories about my Italian teacher.”
Satoshi watches the scene in obvious amusement. When he realizes that Kazu is looking at him, he turns his head. There is a soft smile curling around his lips, one that Kazu hasn’t seen in a while. He isn’t quite sure if it’s coming from heart or as an instinctive reaction. Still, he carefully returns it.
A/N: OMG, I can't believe it's chapter 20 already. Only two more to go... it's going to be kinda hard for me to let this fic to be honest. I'm already thinking about a sequel... like: 5 years later or something like that.
Well, this here was a rather calm chapter, with Kazu and Jun talking and Kazu getting closer to the others again. Next chapter will voice our remaining Satoshi-Kazu issue though ;-)
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
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.
Kazu feels nervous when he knocks at Jun’s door, so carefully that his knocking almost can’t be heard.
“Yes?” Jun’s voice can be heard from inside and Kazu decides it’s better to just walk into the room before Jun finds out that it’s him… He is not sure if he is welcomed. Jun blinks when he slips through the door. “Kazu?”
“Hi,” Kazu says and sits down at the edge of Jun’s bed. He is silent for a while, apparently long enough for Jun to put his book aside and look at him.
“Is something wrong?” Jun asks, sudden worry filling his eyes. “Are you feeling bad? Are you in pain? Did you fight with Sa-chan again?”
“No, no, nothing alike.” Kazu has to chuckle slightly. “I haven’t seen Sa-chan alone since I left the hospital, so it would be a real stunt to find a way to argue with him.”
“What is it then?”
Kazu blushes slightly under Jun’s intense stare. When the hell did his innocent, helpless brother learn to look like that? “I just wanted to know if we are alright.”
Jun blinks in surprise, his eyes widening when the realisation of Kazu’s words apparently sunk in. “Ah,” he says.
Yes, ah.
“You are still mad at me, aren’t you?”
Jun chuckles. “I’m 16, I’m probably always mad at someone,” he jokes and Kazu has to smile. Jun puts his book aside - a notebook it seems, he has been writing something into it - and drops down next to Kazu on the bed. “I’m not mad at you.”
“But you are feeling hurt,” Kazu pushes the topic.
Jun blinks in surprise, and shrugs. “It’s nothing major,” he admits. “It’ll pass. I love you too much after all.”
“Listen…” Kazu pauses, frowning slightly as he is searching for words. “I’m truly sorry. I know recently I haven’t made your life particularly easy. First you had to look after me in hospital, then I was all gloomy and depressed here and you were trying to make me feel better. Then I lashed out on you. And then yesterday that whole incident with these bullies. You were trying so hard and I didn’t give you back anything at all. Seems like I took advantage of you once more.”
Jun lets out a sigh. “It’s okay…but…”
“But?”
Jun shrugs. “But I think you should stop apologizing at one point and try to do better instead. It might just become empty words otherwise.”
For a moment Kazu blinks, then he bursts into giggles.
“What?” Jun asks, sounding slightly annoyed.
“Who would have thought that my little brother would scold me one day,” Nino grins. “What an interesting development.” He sits up and takes Jun’s hands. “Let’s make a deal. A new one.”
Jun chuckles. “A new pinky swear?”
“Exactly.” Kazu smiles. “Let’s promise from now on to always listen to each other, no matter how bad the situation might look at first. Let’s be as honest to each other as before, and I personally promise not to use you again or lash out against you like I did. So, when I do, promise me you’ll kick my butt.”
Jun chuckles and links their fingers together. “Fine,” he says. “I promise it too.”
For a while they don’t say anything, until Kazu’s eyes catch the little book at Jun’s bedside table. “Is that your old diary?” he asks in surprise.
“Yes, found it recently and started to use it again,” Jun admits.
Kazu doesn’t open it, but brushes over the cover with one finger. Old memories indeed. “Do you think we’ll ever forget what happened?”
“No,” Jun answers. “But last time Matsuda-sensei told me that it’s fine not to forget it as long as we won’t be looking back all the time. I personally am more worried that I’ll never be able to find a partner that way… I mean, who would want to keep up with me and all my issues?”
“You are wonderful, Jun,” Kazu says with insistence and brushes through Jun’s hair playfully. “Don’t stress yourself over something like that. You’ll find someone, definitely, and you’ll be able to tell this person everything. Someone who will unconditionally love you the way you are. We’ll both find someone like that.”
“Maybe.” Jun sighs. “Guess we’ll need to accept that this is our past, and we can’t change it.”
“It’s a part of us, I guess,” Kazu muses. “Do you think it would have ended differently if we hadn’t been in the car?”
“You mean if Dad would have found a way to get rid of that person? Because of us he couldn’t since he tried to keep us safe?”
Kazu shrugs and nods.
To his relief Jun nods too. “Sometimes I do believe that, yes. You know…” He sighs. “A few weeks ago when I went for lunch with Sho, I slipped and mentioned some details about the accident. Poor brother, I think it came as a shock for him.”
“Maybe that’s good?” Kazu points out. “I mean to be more open towards them. After all, it’s also been their parents. And we are their brothers they are worried about.”
“I know,” Jun sighs slightly, a cute frown appearing on his face. “Matsuda-sensei said something like that too.”
Kazu snorts. “He is so annoying, right?”
“Totally!”
“Be glad you only meet him once a week. I’m seeing him three times. After this I might need a therapy.”
Jun grins. “Good to see you being snarky again.”
“It’s just so nerve-wracking and draining,” Kazu grumbles. “He is not cutting me any slack at all.”
“I think he isn’t cutting anyone any slack,” Jun points out with a glare. “Guess who is supposed to drive in a car once a week now? He even particularly called Sho and Masaki to tell them. Like he doesn’t trust me to tell them myself.”
Kazu grins. “Would you have told them?”
“Of course not.” Jun chuckles. “He was right not to trust me.”
Kazu smiles and puts Jun’s diary aside. Instead he takes his brother’s iPod and skims through the track list. There are quite some new songs. Some of them sound familiar though. He is sure Jun had been listening to them when he was a kid, before the accident. When he… “Did you start dancing again?” he asks carefully. “Are you going to a school?”
Jun gasps in obvious surprise. “How did you know?”
“Well,” Kazu smiles warmly. “I didn’t, but I know you. So?”
“There is a dance school close to school. There is a new teacher there, a former professional. A month ago he was looking for a few students. I’ve participated in an audition and got a scholarship for it.”
“Private lessons? Seriously?”
Jun blushes slightly. “Don’t tell anyone please.”
“Why not?” Kazu blinks in surprise. “You used to dance as a kid and only stopped after the accident. I’m sure all of our brothers would be thrilled to know you are picking it up again.”
“I just…” Jun sighs. “I’m not sure yet what this means, to be honest. I mean, the fact I’m dancing again… does it have a meaning for me or does it lead me somewhere? I don’t know yet. I want to figure it out. And for now I want this to be my own private place to be honest.”
“Fine,” Kazu gives in and chuckles. “At least I know about it. Fair enough. But if there is a competition and you won’t invite me, I’m going to tell on you.”
Jun grins. “Alright.”
Kazu nods before a sudden thought crosses his mind. “Say, Masaki asked me to help him this upcoming weekend… Do you know what it’s about?”
“Really? You too?” Jun blinks. “He also asked me. Apparently he needs help for… I don’t know. Apparently it’s for something outside of town.”
“Hm,” Kazu hums. “Wonder what it is.”
~~~
“Where are we going to?” Kazu and Jun exchange a wary look while they follow Masaki outside and towards his car.
“There is something important to do,” Masaki exclaims.
“So important that we aren’t waiting for Satoshi and Sho?” Jun frowns.
“Well, Sho is on a business trip until tomorrow and Sa-chan is working for the exhibition. He is staying away until Tuesday.” Masaki opens the door of his little red van and waits for them to take place there.
“So, what are we doing?” Jun asks once again.
“Going shopping!”
“It’s Sunday.” Kazu points out.
Masaki grins when he pulls the car out of the parking spot. “Just wait a while, will you? And be patient! You two together are worse than Sho and Satoshi.”
“Uh.” Jun presses his hand against his heart much to Kazu’s amusement. “That hurt, Ma-chan.”
“Yes.” Kazu joins the teasing, and whines. “Something inside me just broke.” When Masaki throws them a little amused glance they both burst into giggles.
“You are so childish sometimes,” he complains but it sounds too soft and happy to really be reproachful.
There is plenty of answers Kazu could reply to that, like That’s why we get along so well with you, Masaki. Duh. Or just underline the fact that Masaki is approaching his 30s in a few years - so old~ But in the end he stays silent. He enjoys the little bickering but at the same time he is a little too thankful to Masaki for staying so faithful and genuinely nice.
It’s when they drive into a huge parking lot and even have to show some tickets at the entrance of it that Jun is all earnest again. “Masaki,” he says. “Where are we?”
Masaki just smiles, parks his car and gets out of it, waiting for them to follow. Kazu still limps when he walks, he has these stupid crutches, which he hates with a passion, because they slow everyone down. But he figures whining and sulking won’t get him anywhere, especially not when it’s his own fault for being in that place.
He takes Jun’s offered arm and half walks half limps next to him until they reach the huge entrance. Kazu pauses, eyes widening in surprise as several emotions flow through him. “This is a convention,” he breaths out after what seems like minutes of silence in which he didn’t even move.
Jun blinks. “A convention?”
“Videogame convention,” Masaki explains light-heartedly. “I just really need something from this place. And I need your help to carry some things.”
“No you don’t,” Kazu says.
Jun blinks at Kazu’s response then it dawns on him too, it’s written so clearly in his eyes. He doesn’t say anything though. Just coughs. “Well, since we are already here-“ he finally says, sounding all casual.
“Guys-“ Kazu lets out a sigh, not sure what he should feel now: Appreciate the gesture or just try to be responsible. “-You know I’m technically still grounded. And this here is not grocery shopping! Nor will Sho or Satoshi buy it if you said it was a walk for rehabilitation.”
Jun and Masaki exchange a glance which he can’t quite read properly, but then Jun grins. “Technically?” he repeats Kazu’s words. “You are not technically still grounded. You are.” Fucking tease. Still Kazu has to smile.
“Well, and I personally didn’t ground or punish anyone,” Masaki says wisely. “I was as neutral as Switzerland. So I can technically do whatever I want.”
“Right,” Jun agrees. “I’m all with Switzerland-san on this!”
“And why should Sho and Satoshi care?” Masaki continues with a smirk. “None of the other two is around to scold us. Sho is in Tokyo and Satoshi isn’t even in the country. I called them right before we left, just to make sure.”
“But-“ Kazu feels how his cheeks heat up.
“Can’t you just accept the fact that we love you and want to see you happy,” Masaki says.
“Yeah, I know you missed a lot in school but you can’t be that dense already, can you?” Jun snickers. “Besides, since when are you such a goody-good kid? What about the good old times even before the motorbike-agenda, when you were all for grey areas and using little holes in our family’s rules. Don’t tell me you want to turn into Sho now?”
“Ah.” Masaki raises his index-finger in mock-scolding. “No jokes about Sho when he isn’t here.”
Jun grins. “Sorry, just had to get it out of my system. But fine, I will wait for him to be here next time!”
“Awesome, that’s the spirit!” Masaki angles for the tickets once more. “Can we go inside now. It’s getting cold.”
“Is it really okay?” Kazu wants to know. There is a certain hint of excitement and joy spreading through him. Like the old times when he didn’t feel bad for being a little mischievous.
“Let’s go!” Masaki says instead of an answer. “I want to see the Dragon Quest event!”
“And I want to go shopping.” Jun says casually.
“Shopping!? At a videogame convention?”
“Believe me, I can find something to wear in just any place,” Jun jokes. “It’s a gift!”
“Awesome, let’s have fun. I might not be used to that anymore,” Masaki calls out excitedly. “It’s been forever.”
It certainly is, Kazu thinks, when they are spending the whole day at the convention, playing stupid videogames and lining up for the less stupid ones. Masaki and Jun shamelessly take advantage of Kazu still being hurt. Excuse me, we have a handicapped person with us - is there another, shorter line for us?
There are even times when Kazu can forget all his problems with Satoshi and just laugh with the others and enjoy his times.
Jun kept up to his shopping promise too. Because at the end of the day Jun has bought two sweatshirts, a black one that had a blinking collar and a particularly soft one with a hood with ears of a cat. Kazu grins - he can almost imagine Mao’s and Shun’s excited, and Shota’s somewhat shocked face when seeing it. “You can’t be serious.”
“Why not?” Jun smirks with the confidence of someone who has the looks to just wear anything. Almost enviable, seriously.
When they pass the stand with the fan goods, Jun almost drops his shopping conquests though. He grabs one of the little plush animals. “This is so cute!” He breathes out and grabs one of the tiny unicorns.
Masaki sneaks closer, eyes widening. “Oh, I like that one!” he exclaims and angles for another. A frog with a cake on his head.
Kazu watches them for a while before he shakes his head in amusement. “You are serious, aren’t you?”
“Kazu-“ Jun says earnestly and shows him the huge-eyed fluffy animal. Looks like a mixture out of a Pokémon and a pony, with a horn on its forehead. “It’s pink!”
“Yes,” Masaki nods and shows off his own favourite. “And this one has a cake as its hat.”
Masaki buys them, and an additional one (a yellow duck with blinking heart-shaped eyes) for Kazu.
When they drive home and reach their house, Masaki slows down. “That’s Sho’s car,” he mumbles. “He is back early. Why is he here already?”
They exchange a few glances, then Kazu laughs all of a sudden. “Let me handle it,” he chuckles. “Jun could help too…?” he adds, still a little embarrassed to ask him for back up again, like he did so often during the last year.
“That’s the spirit.” Jun grins. “Finally. I’ll just put it on the list.”
With that Masaki parks the car and they get out of it like there is nothing weird going on. Sho is sitting in the kitchen.
“Sho-“ Jun says and sounds happy. He hugs Sho and pats his shoulder. “We didn’t know you are going to be back so soon. We would have waited for you. You could have joined us.”
“The business meeting got rescheduled and we already had it today. So I came back early.” Sho is obviously a little flustered by Jun’s heartfelt welcome, but also clearly happy. Jun’s good, Kazu thinks. Even though he might be really happy to see Sho - which is a whole new development all in all - but the way he voiced it was just brilliant.
Well, he is on it too. He puts his weight on the crutches, limping with intent. “Masaki-“ he sighs. “Can you help me please? The walk was a little too long.”
“Oh,” Sho stands up and angles for Kazu’s free arm, while Masaki clings to the other. “You were going on a walk? You shouldn’t overstrain yourself, Kazu.”
“No, it’s alright. Next week I can finally go back to school and I need to be fitter for that.” With a theatrical sigh he works his way upstairs, pretending to be completely spent. It’s actually half true anyway as he feels tired from the long day. “Will take a nap now,” he mumbles.
When he turns around, he can see how Jun angles for something in his bag. “Here,” he says calmly and hands Sho a keychain. It’s one of those cute blinking heart-shaped ones that he wanted to give to some of his friends originally. “I actually bought it for someone else but I rather give it to you.”
“Why?” Sho asks in surprise.
Jun smiles as he hurries upstairs too, twinkling towards Kazu. “For pretending not to realize that you are being tricked.”
Sho grins a bit.
~~~
“Yo!” Ryo throws himself on Kazu’s bed, stretching there. He snuggles against the pillow. “Your bed is comfortable.”
Kazu grins. “Is that some sort of weird invitation I didn’t get?”
“Why? Do you want it to be an invitation?” Ryo smirks.
Kazu laughs. Half an hour ago Karina and Ryo have dropped by for a visit, and it’s so nice to see them again. Kazu hasn’t even realized how much he missed them, until Karina hugged him for about half an hour, telling him over and over again how glad she is he finally wants to see someone.
Now she is in the living room, cooking soba together with Masaki. He wonders how these two will ever manage to cook something together with their different tastes, but then Masaki gets along with just anyone, so it’s most likely no problem.
Meanwhile Kazu is glad to have someone around he can play a computer game with. “Mario Kart?” he suggests, grinning a bit. “I need someone to beat mercilessly.”
“Ah,” Ryo snickers. “I see. So you are holding back when it’s your sweet younger brother?”
“Of course I am.” Kazu pulls his eyebrows up. “But when it’s you, I can just wipe the floor with you.”
Ryo rubs his hands expectedly. “Let’s see if you are really that good. I think not.” He grins. “You are all talk.”
That’s it. Let the war begin. Kazu grunts. “May the best win!”
They are both actually doing well, until they reach that stupid rainbow platform where their carts drop down from all the time. At one point Kazu has to fight hard against throwing his controller against the wall.
When the door gets ripped opened, they both spin around in surprise. It’s Masaki and Sho. “What’s going on?” Sho asks in shock. “We could hear you yell through the house. Are you in some sort of argument?”
“Indeed we are,” Ryo grumbles. “It’s us against this stupid AI!”
“Yeah, they don’t drop down from the rainbow path at all,” Kazu agrees, frowning deeply. “It’s so unfair.”
Sho blinks. “Aren’t you overreacting? It’s just a game!”
“Just a game?” Kazu moves back, eyes wide. Then he grins slyly. “If it’s so stupid and we are so immature, why not give it a try yourself?”
Sho seems to ponder for a while, then however he shrugs and nods.
Masaki grins. “Awesome. Never thought I would live to see Sho actually taking you up on a gaming challenge.”
Sho indeed takes the challenge, and fails miserably. Soon it’s all four of them playing against each other. Still none of them manages to win anything, except for Masaki being in a somewhat good position. Beginner’s luck it seems.
On the brighter side this means that Masaki is in a good mood, a really good one, and when their guests already left and it’s only them, he grins brightly. “Okay, I’m such a nice guy, so, on Sunday I’ll cook whatever you want. Everyone can voice his wish,” he chirps. “So, special wishes. Lay it on me!”
“Cool!” Jun’s eyes gleam. “Shrimp croquettes?”
“Hamburger,” Kazu adds.
Sho smiles. “Soba with tempura”
Satoshi frowns, thinking deeply. “Roast venison with bread dumpling.”
Masaki looks at him in sincere surprise. “Are you serious, Sa-chan!? European cuisine?”
Sho laughs. “Way to go. And here I thought I was being the demanding one.”
Kazu chuckles, listening to their banter happily. It feels weirdly relaxing to hear them talk, although most of the time he stays out of it. Almost like he still feels awkward and a bit shy to participate, like it would destroy the carefree and casual atmosphere then.
~~~
It’s one week later, the last Saturday before school. Technically there is still Sunday to come. But he has never been much of a fan of Sundays anyway, Sundays mark the end of the week, they are still free but there is basically nothing to do or to enjoy, except for being all bored and lazy. They also mark the end of a weekend, remembering him that it’s soon going to be Monday again.
This time though Kazu can’t wait for it to be Sunday, finally. He has done nothing so far during the last weeks except for trying to catch up a bit with his school work with Jun’s help, helping Masaki with his weird cake creations and watching some movies. Sometimes the others drag him outside because he should move. And all these stupid appointments at hospital and his talks with Matsuda-sensei. Other than that he has kept his distance from Satoshi and rather stuck to Masaki or Jun. Masaki has the ability to make him smile and Jun to make him feel loved and at home. His recovery time at home will finally be over tomorrow and his doctors officially let him back to school. FINALLY! He can’t even believe that he is thinking that, but he can’t wait for being back again! School’s not starting officially though as there are still public holidays, but he will go there regularly despite that to talk with Yamaguchi-sensei and to find a way to finish the school year despite having missed so much.
He tosses around in his bed. It’s a weird restless feeling that seems to catch up on him quite often regularly. It’s not only his health issues. It’s rather something deep inside him. He wonders if this empty feeling is going to get away soon, like he lost something precious, like he is searching but doesn’t know for what. He wonders if it will get better when he finally can talk to Sho all hundred percent normally again, because until now he doesn’t know how to approach him after all the mess he went through with the penalty fees and the police. Although Sho really seems to be genuinely friendly and casual towards him. And he wonders if he will feel more complete when he finally makes up with Satoshi again. He has barely exchanged any words with him.
He is about to get up and catch a glass with water, when there is a knock at the door. Kazu blinks. It’s 10 PM which is not particularly late but recently he has excused himself and gone to bed pretty early.
“It’s me,” Jun says and opens the door with a swift movement. Then he throws a pillow and a blanket into Kazu’s direction.
“Jun?” Kazu blinks.
“No,” Jun grins. “Santa Clause.”
“Well.” Kazu chuckles. Like always when it’s Jun he feels relaxed almost immediately. “Santa-san, why are you here?”
“Hm~” Jun closes the door, and puts a huge bowl with Mango Lhassi and one with some sort of chocolate smoothie on the night stand table. Then he grabs his pillow and throws it on Kazu’s bed. “Thought you were too emo again recently. And you are 17, you shouldn’t go to sleep so early! Hence we are going to make a pyjama party. Make some place on the bed, will you?”
Kazu blinks and sits up. Before he can even think or react properly, Jun has already tugged him out of the bed, put the blanket over it and a few pillows and forced a bathrobe on him. It finally dawns on Kazu. “We?” he presses out.
“Yes,” Jun says and switches on the small light in Kazu’s room, before preparing the TV. Kazu sits down on one of the pillows on his bed, wondering who else is supposed to come.
Before he can ask though, the door opens again and Masaki basically waltzes inside, a huge plate with his newest mini-cake productions on it. He takes the place right next to Kazu. Then it’s Sho with pizza and Satoshi with a pretty impressive amount of horror movies in his hands.
Sho frowns. “We are lacking popcorn,” he mumbles.
“Popcorn?” Jun asks sweetly. “Isn’t all the junk food we already have enough? You know, I already told you, you should watch your wei-”
“Ah-“ Sho grins and interrupts him. “One comment about my weight and I’ll slap you right across your face.” It’s clearly a joke and a light-hearted teasing comment, not a threat, so that Masaki giggles slightly and Jun smirks.
“Jeez. Not like that didn’t happen before,” Jun bites right back.
“Oh my-“ Sho rolls his eyes in mock-complaint. “To imagine that you were so adorable once as a baby. Then, unfortunately, you learned to talk… But I still remember it, your tiny fingers and your sweet nose. And your cute little feet. And-“
“Ah.” Masaki nods. “His feet were so adorable. And he was able to put his toes into his mouth. So cute~”
Jun’s expression is something between mere embarrassment, horror and panic. He nods towards Sho. “What about the popcorn?” he says. Perfect distraction strategy.
“Ah, right!” Sho hurries out of the door. “Will be back immediately.”
It takes Sho only a few minutes before he is back with fresh popcorn. “What are we going to watch?” he asks and sits down next to Jun on the bed. “Satoshi stayed true to his gloomy artistic image and brought along some of the worst horror movies.”
Satoshi grabs the sofa chair and pulls it closer, right next to the side of the bed where Kazu is sitting. “They are awesome movies.”
“You said that the last time too,” Sho teases. “Then we ended up watching a five hours long documentary about child birth.”
“Oh come on,” Satoshi snorts. “Someone as educated as you for sure enjoys some additional knowledge!”
Kazu listens to the two in amazement. It hardly happens that he encounters the two of them together and having one of their infamous bickering. He has only heard about that from Masaki - nice to finally encounter it personally. He feels though that he should at least try to reason and try to be super-responsible. “Really guys, I appreciate the effort, but isn’t it pretty late for you? I mean, I don’t want to keep you from work.”
“Oh my-“ Sho chuckles. “How old do you think I am that I need a bed now?”
“Ah, a bed would be nice,” Masaki grins. “Just with the right person inside.”
Satoshi smacks him with a pillow. “Dirty. Make your jokes at least PG-15 rated!”
“Oh,” Jun snorts. “We can definitely take some R-rated jokes, if not more.”
“Please.” There is slight panic in Sho’s eyes. “I don’t want to think about anything R-rated considering any of you two. Makes me panicked and want to give you a sex education lecture.” Kazu and Jun exchange a glance. Like that wouldn’t come a little too late. “And I don’t want to know what that glance between you means either.”
Kazu smiles carefully. “Is it really okay for you to make a video night? Isn’t it too boring or too late?”
“Oh my god.” Sho takes a handful from the popcorn and stuffs it in his mouth. Then he points at one of the movies, signalling Satoshi that they should go for that one. “Shouldn’t out of all you be used to partying all night?”
Jun’s mouth basically drops open, while Kazu raises his eyebrows in surprise. Masaki and Satoshi however hardly react, they seem to know that weird silly version of Sho pretty well. Jun snickers. “Sixteen years of my life and it’s the first time that I hear him crack a joke. It’s unbelievable.”
“Yes,” Kazu agrees. “One can almost get used to that!”
“The real funny thing is that this verbal strike is coming from STD-san himself,” Masaki mumbles in mock-amazement.
“Weird how it’s the guy with a Lolita complex pointing out my weak point,” Sho smirks. “Dating older, experienced women, hm~”
“Oh dear.” Jun grabs the movie on the top of the staple. Attack of the Killer-Tomato. “Let’s start. Before I hear sex stories about my Italian teacher.”
Satoshi watches the scene in obvious amusement. When he realizes that Kazu is looking at him, he turns his head. There is a soft smile curling around his lips, one that Kazu hasn’t seen in a while. He isn’t quite sure if it’s coming from heart or as an instinctive reaction. Still, he carefully returns it.
A/N: OMG, I can't believe it's chapter 20 already. Only two more to go... it's going to be kinda hard for me to let this fic to be honest. I'm already thinking about a sequel... like: 5 years later or something like that.
Well, this here was a rather calm chapter, with Kazu and Jun talking and Kazu getting closer to the others again. Next chapter will voice our remaining Satoshi-Kazu issue though ;-)