[fic] step by Step; Light and Shade - (14.1/?)
TITLE: Step by Step; Light and Shade
PAIRINGS: Sakuraiba, Matsumiya, Aimiya, Ohmiya, ShoxMaki, and JunxMao
LENGTH: Multi-chaptered
BANDS Arashi (with Horikita Maki and Inoue Mao)
GENRE: Romance, drama... etc.
RATING (by chapter): G-13/14
WARNINGS: AU, language and potentially sexual situations in later chapters.
SUMMARY: "To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak" - Indian Proverb
Sakurai Sho is the Chief Financial Officer for a large corporation, he has a loving girlfriend, a strange (but friendly) co-worker, and a best friend who teaches a ballroom dance class (which Sho has been guilted into attending). At the class, Sho's encounter with another unorthodox dancer -and his partner- will be the spark needed to kindle new relationships and end others.
PREVIOUS: Step01 Step02 Step03 Step04 Step05 Step06 Step07 Step08 Step09 Step10 Step11 Step12 Step13
NOTE: I've tried to do my research but I am neither a dancer or a business person, so please excuse any incorrect information!!
A/N: As a little bonus (and to beg for your forgiveness) I've done up a soundtrack for this fic. It's all music I listened to while writing, as well as any and all songs mentioned within the story itself (Example: Dean Martin's 'Under The Bridges of Paris' is mentioned in this chapter).
Here's a download link (including cover art and a tracklist): http://www.mediafire.com/?rdy6q85vdnjfxli
And a link to listen to it online, if you'd prefer: http://8tracks.com/albinococonut23/step-by-step-light-and-shade
Aaaaaaand on with the show!
Step 14.
“Oh, he’s here! Satoshi!” Mina waved her brother over to join the rest of the Ohno family.
“I’m surprised you’re actually on time…”
Satoshi rolled his eyes. “Gee. Thanks, Dad.”
“And… who’s this?” His Father narrowed his eyes, peering around Satoshi to where Ninomiya was standing awkwardly.
“Champagne, miss?” A voice very close to Mao’s left jolted her out of her eavesdropping. She jumped, startled that a waiter had noticed her in her hiding spot behind a ficus.
“Um, yes please.” She blushed, reaching blindly for one of the many flutes balanced on his tray.
The waiter chuckled as she continued watching Ohno and Ninomiya meet Ohno’s parents. “Spying?”
She felt herself turn a darker shade of red and turned to scowl at the man, only to jump again when her eyes landed on the handsome features grinning at her. “Jun-kun? What are you doing here?”
“My café is doing the catering. You didn’t know?”
She blinked. “No… this must be Ohno-kun’s doing.” She made a mental note to thank him for it later.
“I’m actually supposed to be working the bar, but I thought I’d come over and say hello before the party really gets goin-“
“Ah! Hide!” Mao grabbed his shirtsleeve, pulling him down to crouch with her behind the ficus pot as Ohno’s father dragged him across the room towards them. Jun barely managed to avoid spilling champagne everywhere. “Oh… Ohno-kun’s dad does not look happy.” She whispered with a grimace, watching Satoshi wrench himself free of his father’s grip just a few feet away from their hiding place.
“Ouch, could you not drag me around like a misbehaving kid?” Ohno scowled, rubbing his arm. “I’m 31 years old!”
“Satoshi, what is this? A joke?”
“What?”
“The girl.” His father demanded. “Who is she?”
“Ni- Kazuko-san? I just introduced her to you!”
“She’s not your date.” The CEO looked dangerous.
“Yes, actually. She is. Weren’t you listening? We’ve been together three months-”
“This isn’t funny!” He exploded, face going purple with rage.
Satoshi gaped at him for a moment before bursting back. “I thought you’d be happy! You, of all people!” His fists were clenched at his sides. “There’s just nothing I can do to make you proud of me, is there?” He stormed away, and his father said nothing to stop him.
“Um…” Jun spoke up awkwardly once Ohno’s father had stalked away in the opposite direction. “I should get back to the bar.”
Mao nodded, getting to her feet. “I’ll meet you there after I rescue Ninomiya. Have something strong waiting for me, please.” She grinned, slipping away into the crowd.
“So, how was it that you met my brother?” Mina was asking, eyes narrowed in confusion and suspicion.
“… At work.” Ninomiya answered nervously. She looked like a deer in headlights, eyes darting around Mina and her mother in search of an escape route.
“Do you work for ShunTaro Inc.?” Mrs. Ohno asked.
“N-no. I work at a video rental store.”
“Which one?” She pressed.
“Um… It’s-“
“Kazuko-chan!” Mao hurried to her side, pasting an excited smile on her face. “Are you here with Satoshi-kun?”
“Yeah.” Ninomiya smiled shakily. “I don’t know where he went though…”
“There’s someone I want you to meet!” Mao beamed, taking Ninomiya excitedly by the arm. She then turned to Mina and her mother. “Mind if I borrow Kazuko-chan for a little while?”
“You already know each other?” Mina questioned.
“Of course!” Mao exclaimed. “We’ve become good friends since I came to town. Her and Satoshi-kun are always together.” Ninomiya nodded along, and Mao began to tug her into the crowd. “Let’s go!”
“W-who are we going to meet?” Ninomiya asked, struggling not to lose her balance in heels she was obviously unaccustomed to walking in.
“Nobody in particular.” Mao answered. “I just thought you might want an excuse to get out of there.”
“Oh.” Ninomiya exhaled with obvious relief as they came to a stop beside the bar. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Mao smiled, accepting a colorful drink from Jun.
“Can I get you anything, Ninomiya-san?” Jun asked politely.
Mao answered for her. “No alcohol for her tonight, Jun-kun. She has to be as alert as possible.” Ninomiya’s shoulders slumped visibly. Mao looked past her into the crowd, and her brow furrowed. “On that note, I think Mrs. Ohno is sending my mother in this direction… You might want to go find Ohno-kun, and stick with him. He was heading towards the washrooms last I saw him.” She slurped back a third of her drink and grimaced, gesturing for Ninomiya to get moving. “Hurry, or she’ll corner you!”
Ninomiya tottered away as quick as her heels could carry her.
+++
Nino very nearly walked straight into the men’s room before catching himself. “Ohn- Um, Satoshi-kun?” He called, knocking hesitantly on the door. “Are you in there?”
“Oh, Kazuko-san.”
Nino jumped at the woman’s voice, and turned to find Mina standing behind him. “Ah, hello again… I was just looking for Satoshi-kun.”
Mina nodded. “I think I saw my brother step out for a cigarette a couple minutes ago. Dad’s being hard on him tonight, but I’m sure Satoshi will be back once he’s calmed down.”
“Oh, thanks.” Nino attempted to shuffle away, but Mina stopped him.
“Actually, Kazuko-san, can I speak to you privately for a minute?” Nino had barely nodded before she continued. “Let’s step in here for a moment.” She beckoned for Nino to follow her into the women’s washroom, and locked the door behind them.
Nino gulped, shifting nervously as Mina faced him again.
“I’m sorry.” Mina suddenly apologized and bowed her head, looking almost as uncomfortable as Nino was feeling. “I know you must be very bewildered by the way we’ve all been interrogating you. I just want you to know that you seem like a very nice girl, and we’re just… concerned.”
Nino let out the breath he was holding. “I think it’s really sweet that you’re so worried about your brother, and I swear I would never do anything to hurt him-“
“Oh, no. I mean we’re concerned for you, dear.” Mina clarified. “Satoshi is… Well, this is the first time he’s ever brought a girl home, so to speak. And he’s never been in a serious relationship before, that we’re aware of. I love my brother, but you seem like a nice girl and I wanted to warn you before you get your heart broken. Just… be careful. I’d hate to think that my brother would ever use someone just to get out of a sticky situation, but… It’s suspicious. I can’t help but worry that this won’t end well.”
Nino gaped at her, not even sure what to say. “I… don’t think you need to worry.”
Mina sighed with obvious pity in her eyes. “I know you feel like you know my brother, but I grew up with him. He might not be the kind of guy you think he is.”
“But…”
“I’m not urging you to break up with him on the spot!” Mina clarified. “You might want to at least stick it out for tonight, for both of your sakes. If you’re friends with Inoue Mao then you’re probably already aware of her mother’s plans for the two of them… If you and Satoshi want to get through tonight in one piece, it’s best that you stay close to each other. Just don’t let him lead you on forever. I worry this entire relationship was designed to get him out of danger with the Inoue family.”
“I… know.” Nino admitted feeling bad about the legitimate concern on her face. “He told me, so you don’t have to worry. I’m not being deceived.”
“He did?” Mina looked extremely relieved. “So there’s really nothing going on between you? You’re just friends?”
“Well, I don’t know about ‘friends’…”
Mina bit her lip. “Ninomiya-san,-”
Someone tried the door and began knocking impatiently. “Excuse me! Open the door, please!”
Mina sighed. “Keep my warning in mind, okay? Maybe you think you can win him over… but I doubt it.” The knocking continued more urgently, and Mina rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, alright.” She unlocked the door, and an annoyed mother burst in with a four year old bouncing around behind her.
“I should go, but it was nice talking to you.” Nino hurriedly exited the washroom before he could be sucked into another cryptic lecture. He was so busy looking over his shoulder to make sure Mina wasn’t following him, that he didn’t realize who he was hurrying towards until it was too late, and Mao’s mother had already seen him.
“You!” She barked, moving through the crowd towards him. “I’ve been looking for you, young lady!”
Nino felt himself pale and his legs begin to shake, in danger of giving out from under him completely. He took two wobbly steps backwards, searching for an escape route but no obvious options were forthcoming. Just when all hope seemed lost, he felt arms wrap around his waist from behind and pull him through the doors to the kitchen.
“Ohno-san!” Nino gasped, looking up at his savior and nearly collapsing with relief. “Thank god, you’re back!”
“Whoa, come on. We’re not safe yet.” Ohno urged him to keep on his feet, ushering him past all the curious kitchen staff and then squeezing them both into a closet. “We’re not here, okay?” He hissed at the onlookers before reaching for the door handle. The door barely clicked shut behind them both, wedged in as they were with a collection of mops, brooms, and cleaning supplies. Ohno exhaled with relief, so close that his breath fluttered a few strands of Nino’s bangs. “That was too close…”
“Where were you?!” Nino burst. “I can’t believe you dragged me to this party with you and then abandoned me to deal with your family all by myself! We were supposed to be a team!”
Ohno winced apologetically. “I’m really sorry, I shouldn’t have left. I’m such an idiot.”
Nino laughed, feeling a little bit hysteric. His heart was pounding in his chest, and for some reason his eyes were watery. “Don’t you dare disappear again.” He warned shakily, staring down at Ohno’s chest because they were too close to make comfortable eye contact.
“I won’t.” Ohno nodded, brow furrowed with concern. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just-“ Nino lifted his hand to smooth down his hair and then jumped when the doors to the kitchen burst open with a bang.
“Where are they?!” Demanded Mrs. Inoue’s sharp voice, sounding even more enraged than she had out in the ballroom.
“Who, ma’am?” Spoke up one of the kitchen workers.
“Did anybody come in here who shouldn’t have? Anybody who wasn’t one of your staff?”
“…No, ma’am. No one.”
Inoue let out a surprisingly unladylike curse and let the doors slam shut again behind her.
Nino let out the breath he’d been holding and let his head fall onto Ohno’s shoulder. Only then did he realize he’d latched onto the other man in his panic, eliminating the few inches of space that had been between them before. He knew he should pull away, but Ohno was rubbing his back awkwardly, and Nino was just too emotionally exhausted to move.
“You’re shaking, Ninomiya-san.” Ohno observed, hushed voice somewhere between concerned and amused. “It’s okay. She’s gone.”
“I don’t know if I can do this after all.” Nino mumbled into his shoulder and sighed. Ohno’s arms tightened around him, trying to impart some sort of comfort, and Nino tried really hard not to shiver. “I’m going to have a heart attack before the night’s over.”
Ohno’s quiet laugh rumbled in his chest.
Nino scowled and lifted his head. “It’s not funny. I’m being serious.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Ohno apologized, but he was still smiling. Nino turned away with a huff, mostly just to avoid staring at Ohno’s quirked lips. “Listen,” Ohno continued more seriously, pulling Nino closer though he hadn’t moved very far. “You can relax. I’m sticking with you, and I’ll handle anything that anybody has to say to us. Okay?”
Nino tried to purse his lips, but Ohno’s confident smile was contagious. “Okay.”
When they stepped out of the closet, it was obvious what the kitchen staff assumed they’d been up to. The dishwasher even whistled. Nino was mortified, but at least Ohno seemed to find it amusing. “Thanks for your help, guys!” He called, and then grabbed Nino’s hand. “Ready?”
“When you are.” Nino responded, heart in his throat. He wasn’t sure whether it was his nerves or Ohno’s dazzling smile that took his breath away as he was pulled through the doors to the ballroom.
+++
Aiba picked up on the second ring. “Hey! Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine. I’m just bored.” Sho smiled. “Parties have never been my kind of scene.”
“Oh.” Aiba sounded amused, and a little breathless. From the background noise Sho guessed he was probably outdoors.
“Are you on your way home?” Sho shifted, leaning against the wall and cradling his cell to his ear.
“Well I got back from Chiba about an hour ago, but I decided to drop by and take Chubby for another walk before I went home. We ran around in the park for a bit.” He chuckled fondly. “Poor little guy’s tired out now.”
Sho grinned. “Sounds like you are too. Don’t wear yourself out, you’re not as young as you think you are.”
Aiba laughed breathily. “Shut up.” He said, and Sho was pleased to note he sounded no less fond now than he had while referring to Chubby. “When are you coming home? Soon?”
Sho swallowed, feeling warmth spread in his chest at the way Aiba called his house home. As of late, Sho had started to feel like it was Aiba’s home too, or at least his home away from home. Sho hadn’t been at his house since before the gay bar, meaning he hadn’t seen Aiba in person since he’d reached certain revelations about himself. These feelings he had, that Aiba brought out in him, were so new that he didn’t know how to process them. He was afraid if he analyzed them too closely he’d panic and shut down. Over-analyzing and panicking were special talents of his, after all. But this -whatever it was- was something Sho wanted to explore, and he’d be damned if he let his supposed sexuality get in the way. Sho knew his best bet was to try and go with the flow, relax for now and let his impulses lead the way, so that’s what he would do. He wouldn’t think- he would act.
“Maybe. If I left within the next twenty minutes, would you still be there when I got home?” He held his breath, waiting for a response. If his ears weren’t deceiving him, he could swear he heard Aiba’s breath catch quietly through the receiver.
“I’ll stay as long as you want me to.” He said quietly, maybe a little hopefully. “And I’m sure Chubby will keep me busy until you get back.” He added, back to his usual carefree goofiness.
“Good.” Sho tried not to smile too widely. No one would possibly believe he’d excused himself from the mingling to make a business call if they could see his expression. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
+++
Aiba was beaming when he hung up. “Come on, Chubby!” He urged the dog, who yipped excitedly and pranced at his heels. “Let’s go ho-“ He broke off, interrupted by a fierce yawn. Chasing Chubby around the park had truly worn him out. “Actually,” he said. “Let’s find the nearest coffee shop first. Don’t want to fall asleep before your daddy comes home, right?”
They found a Starbucks only a couple blocks away from the park, and Aiba tied Chubby’s leash to the bicycle rack outside. “Be good, okay? With any luck I won’t be long.” He gave the panting dog a pat on the head and turned around to enter the coffee shop. The door swung open as he was reaching for it, and he nearly collided with the woman stepping out.
“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t see y-“ She started to apologize before stopping short and squinting up at his surprised expression. “Aren’t you… Aiba-san?”
“Y-yeah. Hi, Horikita-san. Nice to see you again.”
+++
“Mao.”
Mao jumped, nearly spilling her drink all over the bar. “M-Mother. Hi…” She smiled weakly. Her mother looked far from pleased. “Nice party.”
“This is preposterous. You!” She barked at Jun, who nearly jumped out of his skin. “Get me a scotch on the rocks.” She turned her attention back to her daughter. “I hear that little skank is a friend of yours.”
“Ninomiya isn’t a ‘skank’, Mother.” Mao frowned.
“Perhaps from now on you’ll reconsider the sort of company you keep.”
Mao sighed. “I’ll have another Mai Tai, please.” She implored Jun, before wearily readdressing her mother. “There’s nothing wrong with the company I keep.”
“People want what you have, so you can’t let them close enough to take any of it. Look what happened!” She accepted her tumbler of scotch from Jun and downed most of it in one gulp, with barely a grimace. “Crafty women like that tramp know how to tempt men away from the women they should be with. We’ll need to work very hard from now on to win him back for you.”
“Hold on.” Mao stood up. “He was never mine to begin with, and I don’t want him! Just let it go, Mom. I have no interest in Ohno Satoshi. I’m honestly happy that he’s here with Ninomiya-san!”
“Your drink, Miss.” Jun nervously cut in, sliding the colorful drink over to her.
“Thank you.” Mao brought the glass to her lips, but her mother grabbed her arm before she could take more than a sip.
“I know you’re upset, even if you won’t admit it, but there’s no need to be pathetic about it!”
“Excuse me?” Mao scowled, watching her mother slide the Mai Tai back to Jun.
“You don’t think I noticed that you’ve spent the whole evening here at the bar? Binge drinking your sorrows away won’t get you anywhere! Suck it up and get out there! Socialize! Winners don’t quit.”
“Thanks for the pep-talk, Mother, but there’s nothing to win. I haven’t lost anything.”
“That’s the spirit.” She turned to Jun, who recoiled a little at her stern expression, while Mao rolled her eyes behind her back. “You. Serve my daughter anymore alcohol and I’ll see that you’re fired before the night’s over.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Jun was glad she’d already turned to stalk away when he responded; sure his expression betrayed his opinion of her.
“Well, that was mortifying.” Mao sighed, dragging a hand wearily over her face. “You can see why I never invite people back to the house.”
“She wasn’t that bad…” Jun responded unconvincingly. “At least she was concerned about you.”
“If she was concerned for me, she would actually listen to me when I tell her how uninterested I am in Ohno-kun. She’s only concerned because she wants me to hook up with him.” She glared through the crowd in the direction her mother had gone. “I really wish I wasn’t related to her, sometimes. Instead of my dad, I really wish-….” She trailed off, expression going from angry to saddened. “Well that’s just too cruel to say out loud. I feel horrible enough for thinking it.”
She was startled when Jun reached tentatively across the bar to squeeze her hand. “It’s alright.” He said quietly. “Better to say it than to bottle it up.” He smiled softly. “I won’t think any less of you.”
Mao had to duck her head again to hide the wetness in her eyes, not entirely from unhappy feelings.
+++
“Hey guys!” Sho smiled, catching Ohno and Nino’s attention as they weaved through the crowd. “Where have you been? I wanted to say goodbye before I left. I have something I need to deal with at hom-” His expression took on an element of concern. “…You look really rattled.” He said, addressing Nino in particular. “Are you alright?”
“Sho-kun, I think we’re going to head out a little early too.” Ohno spoke up, arm tightening around Nino’s waist. “It’s been a rough evening, I don’t know if we can handle anymore interrogations.”
Sho nodded. “Understandable. I saw Mao’s mother stalking around earlier, when she first realized you two were here together. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of her anger…” He trailed off, looking past them. The crowd seemed to be quickly and mysteriously parting, and it took him a moment to realize why. “Oh sh-“ He broke off, the color leaving his cheeks. “Speak of the devil.” He mumbled. Ohno and Nino shared a look of fear and despair as Sho stepped around them, looking for all the world like a noble hero about to sacrifice himself for the greater good. “Go,” He urged solemnly. “I’ll try to stall her.”
“Come on.” Ohno wasted no time in grabbing Nino’s hand, tugging him along as they tried to maneuver through the crowd without too much pushing and shoving.
Sho took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders and pasting a smile on his face. “Inoue-san!” He greeted, doing his best not to quail beneath her rage as she approached him. “Can I have a moment of your time? I’d like to discuss-“
“Not now.” She snapped, barreling past him with all the force of a gushing torrent of water, practically shoulder-checking him in the process. He was helpless to stop her, let alone slow her down. The partygoers continued to clear a path before her for fear of becoming a casualty of her rage, and it was no time at all before she had gained on her prey.
+++
Continued in chapter 14.2