[Arashi Fanfic] Love, Courage and Cherry Pie - Chapter 15~Final~
Yuuki-chan,
There is so much that I've wanted to tell you, but never had the chance, or courage, to actually say to you.
Even though you only came into my life last year, you've been through so much with me, ne. We shared fun times, sad times, and difficult times; these are memories which I will cherish forever. When you walked into my life, that night after the Kokuritsu con, I honestly had no idea how much you would change me. I was lost, confused, and depressed, drowned in the thought that I was in love with my best friend's fiancée, Hikari; and you were the first to notice and know this. I'm not proud of what happened, but in a way, I'm happy that it did. Because without that experience, I wouldn't know my true feelings as I do now.
When I was confused, you lent me your light. When I was lost, you helped me find the right course. When I was sad, you consoled me. When I was hurt, you held me in your arms. And when I was most vulnerable, you protected me. You were my support when I most needed it. While I kept on hurting you, with my words of confession and my thoughtless action, you quietly shared my burdens, and listened to all I had to say. I'm so sorry to have caused you so much trouble and pain, Yuuki-chan, when you've done nothing but do what was best for me.I could not have asked for a better friend. Arigatou, Yuuki-chan. Thank you for being my support. And thank you, for being my friend, when I needed you most.
We-Nino, Riida, Yamapi and I-we're so lucky to have met and known you. Even though we didn't know it at the time, you always placed us before yourself; choosing to do what was best for us at every necessary moment, yet you asked for nothing in return. Even if the best thing to do was to leave us.
Yuuki-chan, you told me that if I loved something, I should let it go; if it comes back to me, then it belongs with me. I thought I knew what you meant at the time, but now I realise I never understood your words at all. Ididn't let Hikari go, and ended up hurting some of the people dearest to me. I won't make the same mistake again.
I'm in love with you, Yuuki-chan. But I'm willing to let you go if you don't feel the same way. As long as you're happy, I will be happy too. You are my love, courage and cherry pie.
Masaki.
Aiba smiled as he looked at the sleeping form before him. He still couldn't believe that Yuuki had flown to Toronto, that she was right in front of him, in his room, fast asleep. That after all he had done in the months before, she still chose to be with him.
What have I done to deserve her…
Aiba's thoughts flew back to when he first met Yuuki. It was just after the Kokuritsu concert, and he was crying for so many reasons: that his dream-Arashi's dream- of becoming the top group was finally achieved, that he had performed at the Kokuritsu Stadium, that Hikari wasn't there to witness the moment… not realising that they had a 'guest'. Sure, he was probably the last person to notice her, but she definitely paid him the most attention. Yuuki reminded him of Hikari, Sho's Hikari, who was always fun, bubbly, strong and beautiful, someone he considered as more than a friend.
They grew closer, and Aiba confided to Yuuki things he kept from his bandmates, his best friends. Things that he thought would make Yuuki leave his side, once she saw his true self-a man who was after his best friend's fiancée. But Yuuki never did; instead, she stayed, and supported him. She never judged him by his actions. All because she considered him "a friend".
It wasn't until after Hikari's miscarriage that he realised Yuuki's true feelings for him, and him for her. The baka idol didn't realise how much he had put Yuuki through, by making her his confidante; nor did he realise how important she, and her support, meant to him. Yet he couldn't bring himself to contact the girl, not after the things he had made her go through. So he ran; he ran from her, and he ran from himself. A two-week long shoot for Tensai in South Africa provided him with the perfect opportunity to forget his troubles.
Or so he thought.
Far from forgetting, Aiba found himself thinking more and more about Yuuki each moment he was without her company and correspondence. Everything he saw and did reminded him more and more of the girl who was, for a short while, always by his side, be it in spirit or physically. Every night, he tossed and turned in his bed, longing for Yuuki's voice which spoke words of consolation softly, calming his troubled and vulnerable heart. It must have been then that she walked into his heart; the cheerful, kind, bubbly girl who supported him, and helped him come out of the darkest moment of his life, meant more to him than he thought. Sure, he loved Hikari; but his feelings towards Yuuki was completely different. He wanted to be her source of happiness.
Aiba wrapped up shooting a couple of days early, and returned to Japan as soon as he could. From Nino, he knew that Yamapi was having a bash at The Hotspot, and the prankster hinted that Yuuki might just attend. And when she entered the room, bantering with Nino as they lugged a drunk Riida into the VIP lounge… she simply took his breath away. He wanted to hug her, and kiss her senseless; but he controlled himself. After all, she told him to not look for her in that note…
Watching Yuuki that night was nothing short of torture. He thought he had been jealous of Sho for having Hikari-oh, how wrong he was. That feeling was nothing compared with his jealousy of Yamapi. The way he wrapped his arm around Yuuki's bare shoulders, the way he introduced her to the other guys, the way he looked at her… it was more than what he thought he could bear. So he decided to run again-run, so that the pain in his heart would not increase.
But when Yuuki followed him out, he saw hope. The way she asked about Hikari, and her roundabout way of enquiring about him… Aiba realised that in her own way, she did care. That, perhaps, she didn't leave Canada because of him. Though it pained him, he agreed to being friends with her; he would rather that, than to lose her altogether.
And that hope drove him to do more for Yuuki, starting with a birthday surprise. When he saw a genuine smile appear on her face from happiness, the joy in his heart overflowed. She was right: love was not about being loved in return; it was about making your beloved happy. But her words later that night, her description of her relationship with Yamapi, the confession of what she would do for her friends… it made Aiba fall in love with Yuuki even more, yet it pained his heart that she only considered him as a friend. He wanted to tell her that he wanted more than just friendship, but her reaction-that sudden jerk of her body- made him swallow his words. He had already hurt Hikari so much; Aiba refused to make the same mistake of hurting a girl again.
It would be months before he found out the truth behind Yuuki's actions. Kato-san told him to 'mind his actions' more carefully for the next couple of weeks, but offered no reason for the sudden demand for stricter adherence to the rules It was Yamapi, the kouhai he was so jealous of, who told him about the entire matter, or, at least the crux of it-the photographs, her first meeting with Johnny, and the conversations with their managers. He finally understood why Yuuki had been so elusive. And if his instincts were right, then there could be a chance for him after all. So, before he left Japan, Aiba asked Yamapi for a favour: to find Yuuki, and give her the letter before she leaves Japan for good.
It took only a couple of days for the younger man to find Yuuki; but as his days in Canada went on, the lack of response only increased Aiba's anxiety. By the day of the wedding, he was convinced that she wouldn't show, and had chosen Yamapi over him. When she appeared before him during the reception, he was beyond surprised. Her presence was confirmed again as he stroked her face, as she rested in his room.
She's here…she's really here, Aiba thought as his lips curled up into a smile. Her eyelashes fluttered, as Yuuki woke from his contact.
"Gomen, did I wake you?"
Yuuki shook her head sleepily, and answered his question with a reassuring smile. "Is the party over?" She yawned.
"Yeah. Sho and Hikari are on their way to their honeymoon."
"Ah, how nice." She paused, and scrutinised his face. "You look tired, Aiba-chan. Sure you don't want to get some rest before flying back tomorrow?"
"I- um-" His face flushed.
Yuuki furrowed her brows as she circumspected the room, before realising the reason for Aiba's embarrassment, and suppressed a giggle. "There's plenty of room for the both of us, Aiba-chan. And it's not like I bite." She joked, before her voice became more serious. "Besides, I trust you. My love."
My love. The words echoed in Aiba's head, as he gazed deeply into Yuuki's eyes. My love.
With butterflies fluttering in her stomach, Yuuki broke off the gaze and grabbed his arm, shuffling to make space for Aiba as she pulled him onto the bed. He cupped her face, forcing Yuuki to look into his large brown eyes.
"I promise I won't do anything." He said, solemnly.
Yuuki smiled, and the butterflies disappeared. "I know you won't." She whispered, as she snuggled closer to him. "I love you."
Aiba tightened his hold on Yuuki, as he planted a kiss on her forehead. "I love you too."
For the first time in their lives, Yuuki and Aiba felt secure and complete, as they slept, in each other's embrace.
If airports could speak, they would have endless stories to tell. Each and every person who passed through its doors had a unique story to tell, of reunion, of separation, of escape, of adventure. Today, it was one of love, as a couple hugged tightly in the arrivals hall, before the immigration stands.
"Ne, Aiba-chan, when are you gonna let her go? I think Yuuki-chan's starting to turn blue."
The tall brown-haired man blanched, and released his hold on the young woman, as though dropping a hot potato. She burst out into giggles, her laughter rang like silver bells through the hall.
"Nino, I'm so going to miss your quips and remarks." She said, with mock sarcasm, earning a small chuckle from Arashi's leader as he wrapped an arm around the prankster's waist.
"Haha." He replied, with equal sarcasm. "It was fun having you around, Yuuki-chan."
She smiled, "You were kinda fun to hang around, Nino." She turned to Ohno, "If you ever happen to visit Australia, let me know. I'll take you fishing."
Ohno grinned and nodded, before pulling Nino away to the immigration stands, despite the prankster's protests. Yuuki blinked back tears as she turned around, unsure of how to face Aiba. Her eyes were still downcast when Aiba's hand held out a slender blue box. She looked up, as her fingers hesitantly took the box.
"I never got to give you this on your birthday."
With trembling hands, she opened the slender box. Inside was a mobile strap, not dissimilar to a charm bracelet, with a small crystal panda attached. "Aiba-chan… I…"
"I know it took me a while, but I finally figured out what you meant by that birthday present last year." He looked at her lovingly, "You gave me your heart. And now, I'm giving you mine."
Yuuki looked closer at the small crystal panda, and saw that it too held a heart in its chubby arms. Tears welled up in her eyes, as she whispered, "Thank you."
The boarding call for Yuuki's flight came through the PA system.
"I guess this is it."
Yuuki's free hand cupped Aiba's cheek, as she stroked it for one last time before they parted. "Let me know if you fall in love with someone else, okay?"
"There won't be anyone else. I love you." With that, he grabbed Yuuki's wrist, and pulled her in for one final, passionate kiss.
"I know." She smiled. "I love you too."
Well, that's it! My first Arashi fanfic finished. Thanks for reading!
A special note of thanks to Hikari-chan, who beta-ed everything and kept me motivated. Couldn't have done it without you, girl. *glomps*
Thanks also to everyone who commented, either publicly or by PM. The feedback meant a lot to me. *hugs* And to the silent readers, thank you, even though I don't know who you are.
In 2 weeks the fanfic chapters will be f-locked on LJ, and the links will be neighbourhood-locked. I'm a bit concerned as some sites have the fic on their sites (um, what has this fic got anything to do with Tokyo Hotels?), so please leave a comment here if you want to be added and continue accessing the fic. I'm very, very sorry about the inconvenience. m(__)m
That doesn't mean everything's over, though!