Love So Sweet [an Ohno Satoshi love story] - Chapter 5
Rina was sitting at the bus stop when her cell phone started ringing. It was her father calling. The ringtone was a popular American song, so people looked at her curiously.
“Dad! What’s up?”
“Rina…” Her father sounded very serious, much more than usual. “I have some… troubling news.”
Her stomach dropped. “What happened?”
“One of my major investments just filed for bankruptcy, without warning. I’ve had to inform all my clients to drop it… It looks like I’m out of a job too.”
Panic rose in Rina’s throat. This couldn’t be happening.
“A major sector of my stocks has plummeted... Our other assets have been saved, for the time being, but I’ve had to make some quick decisions. So I’ve had to cut your credit card. Your aunt and uncle can take care of your basic needs… Really, Rina, we’ve lost a lot. Things are getting worse, so many more that are out of my control. The world’s economy is in really bad shape right now…”
Sho immediately noted Rina’s troubled countenance as she walked through the door. She was so deep in thought that she was still clutching her cell phone with white knuckled hands.
“Ah, you’re home early.” she said, not quite able to manage a smile when she saw Sho in the hallway.
“Douka shita no, Rina-chan?” he murmured.
The two moved to sit in the living room, and Rina explained the situation in a grave voice. “What if things get worse? What if he loses his job? The whole world’s in a lot of trouble. What if YOU lose your job, Sho-chan? What will you do?”
He chuckled. “Well, I have a lot of jobs… It wouldn’t hurt too badly if I lost one of them, I suppose. But seriously though, it’ll be okay. Your father is a smart man - he’ll take care of things.”
“Still,” she said, turning serious eyes on him. “You have a lot of connections, don’t you? I - I want a job.”
This surprised him. “Majide? But you’re not going to lose your house or anything that drastic… Shouldn’t you focus on your studies?”
“You were already a part of Arashi when you went to Keio University, right? It was really hard but worth it, right? You managed.”
“Do you really want to work…?”
“Yes. Please, Sho-chan, help me find a job?”
He couldn’t say no to her pleading puppy eyes. “Ahhh~ Alright, I’ll talk to some people and see what I can do. Okay?”
“Thank you!” She gave him a big hug.
“First thing though, we need to get you a new phone.”
“Hai?”
“Your cell is kind of… ugly.”
Unexpectedly, this made her laugh. “Really? But it’s brand new.” It was a sleek Nokia.
“Not in Japan it’s not.” he smirked. He pulled out his own phone, all shiny with tons of cool graphics and features that she would have never thought of. “I’ll get one for you. I’m, well WE (Arashi) are, promoting AU KDDI right now, so they’ll probably offer one free.”
“Commercials too? Goodness, Sho-chan, you guys are everywhere.”
“Well, there’s definitely always something going on. Speaking of which,” Sho shuffled through some mail on the kitchen counter, and presented a flier with excitement. “The Seijin no Hi ceremony is coming up soon… You should go!”
The Coming of Age Day was to celebrate young people reaching the age of adulthood (twenty years of age) during that year. Rina was turning twenty in March.* (Wiki quote at the end)
Rina took the advertisement. “Sou? It looks fun! Games and food…”
“There’s an archery competition too! That’s the coolest.”
“How was your ceremony?”
“Ahno… I actually went as a Johnny’s boy. There was a bunch of press, and I was presented with someone from V6 and… Well, we still did basically the same things though. Visited the temple, had our fortunes told, dressed up.”
“And I get to dress up too? What do I wear?”
“Yes. We’ll have to get you a furisode…” Those were the most elaborate kimonos that single women could wear. One could cost up to 1,000,000 yen ($10,000), which worried Rina especially considering the recent shocking news. “I already asked Jun-kun and the stylists and they told me of some nice places. Satomi said that she would take you shopping.”
It was exciting, but she could never ask them to pay so much for her. Also, she was smart enough to realize that the family situation was more serious than her parents had let on. She knew there was more at stake with the risks her father had made. All the people Sho had spoken with about giving Rina a job were still not responding, although he was stubbornly advocating for her. So when Rina got a call a few days later from Mark Ross, this seemed to be the only way to solve this problem.
“Rina, I’m calling to let you know that the show’s staff and I have looked over all the submission, and we’ve decided that we would love for you to be on our show! You would be a perfect edition… You’re one of our top candidates, in fact we NEED you. It wouldn’t be quite what we’re looking for without you.
Like I said before, it’s like Laguna Beach, but we’re focusing on several college kids at the Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku, so it’ll definitely be more mature and meaningful. All we ask is that cameras follow you from nine AM to ten PM, maybe a bit more depending on what’s going on. For example, the - this Coming of Age Ceremony is coming up, right? And you’re turning twenty this year I believe, so you’ll be in it, right? That would be great for TV, showing you all fresh and pretty to the culture while still being familiar for the fan base. I can see it now.
Anyways, we’ll take a week’s worth of footage from each person and make compile them into one episode each week, telling the story of your interesting lives basically. Hopefully you’ll interact with each other too. It’s just for curiosity’s sake, but those we’ve chosen, including you, are worth watching. Audiences will love it!
What do you say? Do you have any questions?”
She hadn’t said a word yet. “Do… we get paid?”
“Absolutely NOT!” Sho cried when Rina told him of the agreement she had made with Mark Ross. “Are you out of your mind? They can’t just come snooping into our lives!”
“Calm down, Sho,” Satomi said firmly. “Let’s think this through. Would it really be so bad if it’s only for a few months? They would only focus on Rina for the most part.”
“What if I were home?” Sho exclaimed, frustrated with their logic. “I don’t mean to be conceited - I’m being realistic. The media would go crazy. Fans would figure out where we live and camp outside every night. There is no way that I would ever be allowed to have my life shown to this extent!”
“But you’re hardly ever home, Sho-chan.” Sora murmured.
The eldest brother pursed his lips. “They can see all these pictures along the walls,” he said, pointing to all the family portraits from his childhood up till now. “And my room, and I will lose what little privacy I have left.”
“What if you had your lawyer talk to the staff? One of the Johnny’s lawyers.” Rina suggested cautiously. She hated making him angry like this, but she was adamant. This opportunity couldn’t be passed up. “They can arrange it so that nothing about you is ever mentioned. The camera crew can stick to my room, and maybe the kitchen… I’ll probably be at school most of the time.”
So, while Sho grudgingly got on the phone - to settle things with his lawyer, the show’s lawyers, and of course get approval from Johnny-san and Sho’s parents - Rina and Satomi went shopping for a furisode. Though the two cousins were enjoying the female bonding time, Rina was still feeling guilty for perhaps forcing Sho into this. She stared off in the mirrors around her and yet didn’t see herself, as she was being fitted for a custom furisode. Fashion being a form of expression for her, she wanted her ensemble to fit her personality. Yards of soft embroidered silk were being draped and measured, cut and pinned. Maybe she would never get this special treatment ever again, if her family lost all its money.
“It’s not really what you think, Rina-chan.” Satomi softly said.
“Eh?” Rina blinked, thoughts came back to her current setting.
“I don’t think Sho is necessarily mad at you, not after the legal things have been dealt with and that he won’t be exposed. It’s just possibly that… he’s worried about you.”
“About me?”
“He’s been in the industry for almost fifteen years - that’s more than half his life - so he really does know. It’s been a really tough path. Many times before, he even doubted whether he’d made the decision to join…” She didn’t say specifics in front of the women quietly working all around at Rina’s feet. “The responsibilities and hard work he’s had to put in, he probably doesn’t want you to experience such things, not the bad things anyway.”
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* Wikipedia: Until recently, all young adults attending the coming of age ceremony were exactly 20 years of age, having held their 20th birthday after the previous year's Coming of Age Day but before (or on) the present Coming of Age Day. In current practice, some of those attending the coming of age ceremony are actually only 19 years old; attendees are those whose 20th birthday falls between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year.
Comments are always appreciated :)
“Dad! What’s up?”
“Rina…” Her father sounded very serious, much more than usual. “I have some… troubling news.”
Her stomach dropped. “What happened?”
“One of my major investments just filed for bankruptcy, without warning. I’ve had to inform all my clients to drop it… It looks like I’m out of a job too.”
Panic rose in Rina’s throat. This couldn’t be happening.
“A major sector of my stocks has plummeted... Our other assets have been saved, for the time being, but I’ve had to make some quick decisions. So I’ve had to cut your credit card. Your aunt and uncle can take care of your basic needs… Really, Rina, we’ve lost a lot. Things are getting worse, so many more that are out of my control. The world’s economy is in really bad shape right now…”
Sho immediately noted Rina’s troubled countenance as she walked through the door. She was so deep in thought that she was still clutching her cell phone with white knuckled hands.
“Ah, you’re home early.” she said, not quite able to manage a smile when she saw Sho in the hallway.
“Douka shita no, Rina-chan?” he murmured.
The two moved to sit in the living room, and Rina explained the situation in a grave voice. “What if things get worse? What if he loses his job? The whole world’s in a lot of trouble. What if YOU lose your job, Sho-chan? What will you do?”
He chuckled. “Well, I have a lot of jobs… It wouldn’t hurt too badly if I lost one of them, I suppose. But seriously though, it’ll be okay. Your father is a smart man - he’ll take care of things.”
“Still,” she said, turning serious eyes on him. “You have a lot of connections, don’t you? I - I want a job.”
This surprised him. “Majide? But you’re not going to lose your house or anything that drastic… Shouldn’t you focus on your studies?”
“You were already a part of Arashi when you went to Keio University, right? It was really hard but worth it, right? You managed.”
“Do you really want to work…?”
“Yes. Please, Sho-chan, help me find a job?”
He couldn’t say no to her pleading puppy eyes. “Ahhh~ Alright, I’ll talk to some people and see what I can do. Okay?”
“Thank you!” She gave him a big hug.
“First thing though, we need to get you a new phone.”
“Hai?”
“Your cell is kind of… ugly.”
Unexpectedly, this made her laugh. “Really? But it’s brand new.” It was a sleek Nokia.
“Not in Japan it’s not.” he smirked. He pulled out his own phone, all shiny with tons of cool graphics and features that she would have never thought of. “I’ll get one for you. I’m, well WE (Arashi) are, promoting AU KDDI right now, so they’ll probably offer one free.”
“Commercials too? Goodness, Sho-chan, you guys are everywhere.”
“Well, there’s definitely always something going on. Speaking of which,” Sho shuffled through some mail on the kitchen counter, and presented a flier with excitement. “The Seijin no Hi ceremony is coming up soon… You should go!”
The Coming of Age Day was to celebrate young people reaching the age of adulthood (twenty years of age) during that year. Rina was turning twenty in March.* (Wiki quote at the end)
Rina took the advertisement. “Sou? It looks fun! Games and food…”
“There’s an archery competition too! That’s the coolest.”
“How was your ceremony?”
“Ahno… I actually went as a Johnny’s boy. There was a bunch of press, and I was presented with someone from V6 and… Well, we still did basically the same things though. Visited the temple, had our fortunes told, dressed up.”
“And I get to dress up too? What do I wear?”
“Yes. We’ll have to get you a furisode…” Those were the most elaborate kimonos that single women could wear. One could cost up to 1,000,000 yen ($10,000), which worried Rina especially considering the recent shocking news. “I already asked Jun-kun and the stylists and they told me of some nice places. Satomi said that she would take you shopping.”
It was exciting, but she could never ask them to pay so much for her. Also, she was smart enough to realize that the family situation was more serious than her parents had let on. She knew there was more at stake with the risks her father had made. All the people Sho had spoken with about giving Rina a job were still not responding, although he was stubbornly advocating for her. So when Rina got a call a few days later from Mark Ross, this seemed to be the only way to solve this problem.
“Rina, I’m calling to let you know that the show’s staff and I have looked over all the submission, and we’ve decided that we would love for you to be on our show! You would be a perfect edition… You’re one of our top candidates, in fact we NEED you. It wouldn’t be quite what we’re looking for without you.
Like I said before, it’s like Laguna Beach, but we’re focusing on several college kids at the Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku, so it’ll definitely be more mature and meaningful. All we ask is that cameras follow you from nine AM to ten PM, maybe a bit more depending on what’s going on. For example, the - this Coming of Age Ceremony is coming up, right? And you’re turning twenty this year I believe, so you’ll be in it, right? That would be great for TV, showing you all fresh and pretty to the culture while still being familiar for the fan base. I can see it now.
Anyways, we’ll take a week’s worth of footage from each person and make compile them into one episode each week, telling the story of your interesting lives basically. Hopefully you’ll interact with each other too. It’s just for curiosity’s sake, but those we’ve chosen, including you, are worth watching. Audiences will love it!
What do you say? Do you have any questions?”
She hadn’t said a word yet. “Do… we get paid?”
“Absolutely NOT!” Sho cried when Rina told him of the agreement she had made with Mark Ross. “Are you out of your mind? They can’t just come snooping into our lives!”
“Calm down, Sho,” Satomi said firmly. “Let’s think this through. Would it really be so bad if it’s only for a few months? They would only focus on Rina for the most part.”
“What if I were home?” Sho exclaimed, frustrated with their logic. “I don’t mean to be conceited - I’m being realistic. The media would go crazy. Fans would figure out where we live and camp outside every night. There is no way that I would ever be allowed to have my life shown to this extent!”
“But you’re hardly ever home, Sho-chan.” Sora murmured.
The eldest brother pursed his lips. “They can see all these pictures along the walls,” he said, pointing to all the family portraits from his childhood up till now. “And my room, and I will lose what little privacy I have left.”
“What if you had your lawyer talk to the staff? One of the Johnny’s lawyers.” Rina suggested cautiously. She hated making him angry like this, but she was adamant. This opportunity couldn’t be passed up. “They can arrange it so that nothing about you is ever mentioned. The camera crew can stick to my room, and maybe the kitchen… I’ll probably be at school most of the time.”
So, while Sho grudgingly got on the phone - to settle things with his lawyer, the show’s lawyers, and of course get approval from Johnny-san and Sho’s parents - Rina and Satomi went shopping for a furisode. Though the two cousins were enjoying the female bonding time, Rina was still feeling guilty for perhaps forcing Sho into this. She stared off in the mirrors around her and yet didn’t see herself, as she was being fitted for a custom furisode. Fashion being a form of expression for her, she wanted her ensemble to fit her personality. Yards of soft embroidered silk were being draped and measured, cut and pinned. Maybe she would never get this special treatment ever again, if her family lost all its money.
“It’s not really what you think, Rina-chan.” Satomi softly said.
“Eh?” Rina blinked, thoughts came back to her current setting.
“I don’t think Sho is necessarily mad at you, not after the legal things have been dealt with and that he won’t be exposed. It’s just possibly that… he’s worried about you.”
“About me?”
“He’s been in the industry for almost fifteen years - that’s more than half his life - so he really does know. It’s been a really tough path. Many times before, he even doubted whether he’d made the decision to join…” She didn’t say specifics in front of the women quietly working all around at Rina’s feet. “The responsibilities and hard work he’s had to put in, he probably doesn’t want you to experience such things, not the bad things anyway.”
--------
* Wikipedia: Until recently, all young adults attending the coming of age ceremony were exactly 20 years of age, having held their 20th birthday after the previous year's Coming of Age Day but before (or on) the present Coming of Age Day. In current practice, some of those attending the coming of age ceremony are actually only 19 years old; attendees are those whose 20th birthday falls between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year.
Comments are always appreciated :)