Love So Sweet [an Ohno Satoshi love story] - Chapter 43
As promised, once there was a space in their schedules, Sho took Rina out for coffee so that the two cousins could simply catch up. So much had happened for both of them, and there was much to congratulate each other on, from Rina’s Julliard honors to Sho’s renewed News Zero contract. Of course, there were countless Arashi successes.
“I only played a part in it all.” Sho said modestly. “The other guys carry such a bulk of the weight. They’re such hard workers.” Matsujun kept on getting drama after drama offer, and then there was Nino’s new movie of course. Aiba did lots of promotions and was getting into fashion collaboration, actually. Ohno, as always, continued to surprise everyone with his weird talents.
Sho smiled slyly. “Speaking of which… Have you talked to Ohno-kun recently?”
Rina blushed. “Yeah, well, we’ve been kind of… slowly seeing each other again.”
“I can tell. At work - he’s been especially sweet to me lately. I’d like to think that it’s because of me, but it’s probably because I remind him of you.” Sho smirked. “I remember - his switch would just turn “on” whenever he was around you, but in a relaxed way. Even now, if anyone mentions you on a variety show or in the news. He’s more… alive. His eyes light up. Majide.”
Rina asked Sho about his fiancée. How did they meet, and how did he propose? When did he know that Kaori was “the one”? When Sho spoke of Kaori his whole body seemed to float on a cloud as well.
“Are you nervous?” The wedding was in only a week.
“Extremely. You have no idea.” he gulped, then laughed. “But at the same time, I want to just marry her right now. There are so many plans I have for the two of us; I can’t wait to get started.”
Very, very soon, the big day finally came. Activity in the Sakurai household reached a peak on the morning of the momentous wedding. Aunties helped each other with their nice dresses and hair and makeup. The groomsmen were ready in their crisp suits and bright ties. Rina took candid pictures with an armful of everyone’s cameras strung on her arm while Satomi was trying to slick Sora’s difficult hair over neatly. In the middle of it all was Sho - he was in a constantly fluctuating state of laughter and panic, seriousness and elation. He stood up straighter, with a man’s pride in his fluid tuxedo, and took a deep breath as he stared into the mirror. The proud Sakurai parents stood behind their son. It was time.
Lilting, amorous notes danced forth from the piano and filled the spacious sanctuary (imagine instrumental of “Amie” by Damien Rice). The double doors opened and all those sitting in the hushed pews turned. Leading the procession was the serene priest, followed by the handsome groomsmen and bridesmaids. Then, the joyful groom himself made his way down the aisle, grinning at all his friends and family surrounding him on the biggest day of his life. Sho made eye contact with four men - Aiba gave a thumbs up, Ninomiya saluted, Matsumoto nodded encouragingly and Ohno grinned at their longtime friend. The first of them to marry, they couldn’t believe they had been through so much together and were continuing that ever-changing journey.
Then, the doors opened again, and all were in awe at the beautiful woman in a sumptuous white chiffon gown gliding down the aisle, holding onto the arm of her teary father. Through the bride’s thin veil, Rina could see her beaming tenderly, timidly but at the same time powerfully with sheer emotion. Rina turned back to see Sho’s reaction at this exact moment. Up at the altar he stood poised with his hands clasped in front of him. The joy seemed to radiate from head to toe as he gazed at Kaori, his one and only.
Kaori and her father reached the end; they embraced lovingly and the father took his seat. She deftly took Sho’s outstretched hand, and they faced each other before the priest. So much was exchanged between them through mere glances.
Rina’s thoughts drifted in and out as she listened to the priest’s oration. Today, they all would witness the uniting of two lovely young people, the joining of their families, the celebration of such a blissful occasion… She thought of how amazing it must be, to venture the rest of one’s life with a single person that - despite being as flawed as you are - is going to stay by your side because you bring out the best in each other. How deep such love would grow as they experienced the world as a single unit. And somehow, it didn’t seem like such an impossible thing to find… Maybe…
-- “You may now kiss the bride.”
With those key words finally uttered, Sho pulled Kaori against him and kissed her without inhibition. Cheers rang out - they were now husband and wife. As they exited the church together, beaming ear to ear and ducking under the flying rice with laughter, they could not have looked more perfectly complete as one.
Everyone was lively and blithe at the wedding reception held in the luxurious ballroom of a nearby hotel. All the traditional gestures had been made, and now they were all free to party the night away. One person who was mingling around was the brilliant Aiba Masaki. On this festive evening, he spread his infectious delight. When he spotted Rina, he greeted her as warmly as before.
“You’re back, that’s so awesome!” Aiba exclaimed. Of course, he already knew all about why. With a mischievous grin, he pulled her up from her seat. “Come with me.”
Just like that, he steered her up to the bar. “A Bellini for this lady, please.” he said to the bartender. Turning to Rina, “Stay right here, ne?”
After a few moments of wondering what in the world Aiba was up to, someone leaned up against the counter beside her. Ohno Satoshi.
“Hey.” he smiled bashfully before quietly ordering a Kahlua. Rina grinned back, inwardly laughing at Aiba’s maneuvering. She had in fact seen Ohno across the dozens of tables, but hadn’t found a chance to approach him.
Like two wallflowers, the two sipped at their drinks and observed the reception contently.
“They look really happy, don’t they?” Rina murmured, nodding to Sho and Kaori sitting at the head table. “I’m so happy for them.” Every once in awhile Kaori would lean in and whisper something in Sho’s ear, and he would burst out laughing and look at her with the most affectionate gaze.
There was an open space where many guests were dancing to the fun hip hop music, even some children and elders. The song ended and transitioned to a slow ballad. The lilting piano and soaring strings stirred something in Rina. People trickled off, leaving only couples left on the floor. Everyone saw Sho and Kaori come up and sway to the melody.
“Want to dance?” Ohno asked suddenly.
This surprised her. “A-are you sure? In front of everyone?”
“We’re safe here.”
Without another word, he took her hand. It was as if people parted for them as they passed, staring at this declaration, that yes, they cared for each other and nothing, not idol restrictions or public scrutiny, was stopping them now. Everyone watched them in amazement, but it didn’t matter anymore. Rina’s parents, who were also present, looked at each other knowingly.
For a moment Rina and Ohno stood there on the floor facing each other; then Ohno put his hand on her waist, she put her hand on his shoulder. Ohno gave the nervous Rina a bold smile and pulled her closer. He gently guided her along to the rhythm, which sent her stomach aflutter.
The handsome, triumphant groom and his beautiful bride in white glided by. Sho did a double take and gave a huge thumbs up that almost knocked another couple out of the way. He wholly approved of Ohno and Rina now. Rina laughed, and turned back to Ohno, who wouldn’t take his eyes off of her.
When there was a slight calm, Satomi borrowed the DJ’s microphone and asked all the young women to gather on the floor. It was time for the bouquet toss. At that time, Rina and Ohno were sitting outside on a bench, taking a breather from all the excitement inside. They heard the female frenzy and chuckled to themselves.
“You aren’t going to go give it a shot?” Ohno asked.
Rina shrugged and rested her head on his warm shoulder. “Iye… I’m alright, right here…”
So, all the other single women pushed forward and gazed up at Kaori in determination. She turned her back to them with a sly look. Who would be the lucky one?
“Ready? Seno--!”
She threw her arms up and tossed the bouquet behind and upwards. The women squealed, jumped and reached for it. It bounced off a few hands before landing in the stunned arms of Satomi. Everyone hooted - perhaps there would be another Sakurai wedding soon. Satomi blushed and clutched the flowers to her chest.
As Rina and Ohno continued to enjoy the night sky on the balcony in the shadows, two more people walked out. Peeking around the topiary, they could see that it was Satomi and her boyfriend. Satomi still held the trophy-like bouquet leisurely at her side.
Although they couldn’t catch his words, their mouths fell open as the man unexpectedly went down on one knee and presented Satomi with a ring. She dropped the flowers as she embraced him in elation. The man slipped the ring on her finger…
“Suge…” Rina breathed softly, still staring in wonder. “Maybe we should - give them some privacy.”
Ohno blinked; he had been gazing at Rina from the corner of his eye. “Ah, right.”
credit: wannatee_1984
Eventually, the night started merging into morning, and the newlyweds finally drove off. The hotel staff started to clean up the ballroom. Straggling guests, exhausted with revelry, walked about and parted with their friends and family. News of Satomi’s engagement had already started to spread through the vine as well, and they were all looking forward to another night like this one.
Ohno sat with Rina on the building’s steps as she waited for her parents to be ready.
“Ne, Rina… Listen…”
“Hmm?”
He spoke very delicately. “Remember the very last thing you told me, that night right before the concert when you met me backstage? Well - same.” He took a deep breath. “I mean… aishiteru, Rina. I should have told you a long time ago.”
That simple aishiteru hung in the air as he kissed her. It was there for the world to see, but in that moment it was just Satoshi and Rina.
credit: a_cheshire_grin
----------------------------
This chapter was full of ^____^ moments for me lol. You will notice that I didn't focus on Sho/Kaori too much because, after all, this is an Ohno/Rina fanfic. It would be too much to try to add both (or all four?) perspectives into one chapter. But I will of course go into the wedding in depth with the Sho fanfic.
“I only played a part in it all.” Sho said modestly. “The other guys carry such a bulk of the weight. They’re such hard workers.” Matsujun kept on getting drama after drama offer, and then there was Nino’s new movie of course. Aiba did lots of promotions and was getting into fashion collaboration, actually. Ohno, as always, continued to surprise everyone with his weird talents.
Sho smiled slyly. “Speaking of which… Have you talked to Ohno-kun recently?”
Rina blushed. “Yeah, well, we’ve been kind of… slowly seeing each other again.”
“I can tell. At work - he’s been especially sweet to me lately. I’d like to think that it’s because of me, but it’s probably because I remind him of you.” Sho smirked. “I remember - his switch would just turn “on” whenever he was around you, but in a relaxed way. Even now, if anyone mentions you on a variety show or in the news. He’s more… alive. His eyes light up. Majide.”
Rina asked Sho about his fiancée. How did they meet, and how did he propose? When did he know that Kaori was “the one”? When Sho spoke of Kaori his whole body seemed to float on a cloud as well.
“Are you nervous?” The wedding was in only a week.
“Extremely. You have no idea.” he gulped, then laughed. “But at the same time, I want to just marry her right now. There are so many plans I have for the two of us; I can’t wait to get started.”
Very, very soon, the big day finally came. Activity in the Sakurai household reached a peak on the morning of the momentous wedding. Aunties helped each other with their nice dresses and hair and makeup. The groomsmen were ready in their crisp suits and bright ties. Rina took candid pictures with an armful of everyone’s cameras strung on her arm while Satomi was trying to slick Sora’s difficult hair over neatly. In the middle of it all was Sho - he was in a constantly fluctuating state of laughter and panic, seriousness and elation. He stood up straighter, with a man’s pride in his fluid tuxedo, and took a deep breath as he stared into the mirror. The proud Sakurai parents stood behind their son. It was time.
Lilting, amorous notes danced forth from the piano and filled the spacious sanctuary (imagine instrumental of “Amie” by Damien Rice). The double doors opened and all those sitting in the hushed pews turned. Leading the procession was the serene priest, followed by the handsome groomsmen and bridesmaids. Then, the joyful groom himself made his way down the aisle, grinning at all his friends and family surrounding him on the biggest day of his life. Sho made eye contact with four men - Aiba gave a thumbs up, Ninomiya saluted, Matsumoto nodded encouragingly and Ohno grinned at their longtime friend. The first of them to marry, they couldn’t believe they had been through so much together and were continuing that ever-changing journey.
Then, the doors opened again, and all were in awe at the beautiful woman in a sumptuous white chiffon gown gliding down the aisle, holding onto the arm of her teary father. Through the bride’s thin veil, Rina could see her beaming tenderly, timidly but at the same time powerfully with sheer emotion. Rina turned back to see Sho’s reaction at this exact moment. Up at the altar he stood poised with his hands clasped in front of him. The joy seemed to radiate from head to toe as he gazed at Kaori, his one and only.
Kaori and her father reached the end; they embraced lovingly and the father took his seat. She deftly took Sho’s outstretched hand, and they faced each other before the priest. So much was exchanged between them through mere glances.
Rina’s thoughts drifted in and out as she listened to the priest’s oration. Today, they all would witness the uniting of two lovely young people, the joining of their families, the celebration of such a blissful occasion… She thought of how amazing it must be, to venture the rest of one’s life with a single person that - despite being as flawed as you are - is going to stay by your side because you bring out the best in each other. How deep such love would grow as they experienced the world as a single unit. And somehow, it didn’t seem like such an impossible thing to find… Maybe…
-- “You may now kiss the bride.”
With those key words finally uttered, Sho pulled Kaori against him and kissed her without inhibition. Cheers rang out - they were now husband and wife. As they exited the church together, beaming ear to ear and ducking under the flying rice with laughter, they could not have looked more perfectly complete as one.
Everyone was lively and blithe at the wedding reception held in the luxurious ballroom of a nearby hotel. All the traditional gestures had been made, and now they were all free to party the night away. One person who was mingling around was the brilliant Aiba Masaki. On this festive evening, he spread his infectious delight. When he spotted Rina, he greeted her as warmly as before.
“You’re back, that’s so awesome!” Aiba exclaimed. Of course, he already knew all about why. With a mischievous grin, he pulled her up from her seat. “Come with me.”
Just like that, he steered her up to the bar. “A Bellini for this lady, please.” he said to the bartender. Turning to Rina, “Stay right here, ne?”
After a few moments of wondering what in the world Aiba was up to, someone leaned up against the counter beside her. Ohno Satoshi.
“Hey.” he smiled bashfully before quietly ordering a Kahlua. Rina grinned back, inwardly laughing at Aiba’s maneuvering. She had in fact seen Ohno across the dozens of tables, but hadn’t found a chance to approach him.
Like two wallflowers, the two sipped at their drinks and observed the reception contently.
“They look really happy, don’t they?” Rina murmured, nodding to Sho and Kaori sitting at the head table. “I’m so happy for them.” Every once in awhile Kaori would lean in and whisper something in Sho’s ear, and he would burst out laughing and look at her with the most affectionate gaze.
There was an open space where many guests were dancing to the fun hip hop music, even some children and elders. The song ended and transitioned to a slow ballad. The lilting piano and soaring strings stirred something in Rina. People trickled off, leaving only couples left on the floor. Everyone saw Sho and Kaori come up and sway to the melody.
“Want to dance?” Ohno asked suddenly.
This surprised her. “A-are you sure? In front of everyone?”
“We’re safe here.”
Without another word, he took her hand. It was as if people parted for them as they passed, staring at this declaration, that yes, they cared for each other and nothing, not idol restrictions or public scrutiny, was stopping them now. Everyone watched them in amazement, but it didn’t matter anymore. Rina’s parents, who were also present, looked at each other knowingly.
For a moment Rina and Ohno stood there on the floor facing each other; then Ohno put his hand on her waist, she put her hand on his shoulder. Ohno gave the nervous Rina a bold smile and pulled her closer. He gently guided her along to the rhythm, which sent her stomach aflutter.
The handsome, triumphant groom and his beautiful bride in white glided by. Sho did a double take and gave a huge thumbs up that almost knocked another couple out of the way. He wholly approved of Ohno and Rina now. Rina laughed, and turned back to Ohno, who wouldn’t take his eyes off of her.
When there was a slight calm, Satomi borrowed the DJ’s microphone and asked all the young women to gather on the floor. It was time for the bouquet toss. At that time, Rina and Ohno were sitting outside on a bench, taking a breather from all the excitement inside. They heard the female frenzy and chuckled to themselves.
“You aren’t going to go give it a shot?” Ohno asked.
Rina shrugged and rested her head on his warm shoulder. “Iye… I’m alright, right here…”
So, all the other single women pushed forward and gazed up at Kaori in determination. She turned her back to them with a sly look. Who would be the lucky one?
“Ready? Seno--!”
She threw her arms up and tossed the bouquet behind and upwards. The women squealed, jumped and reached for it. It bounced off a few hands before landing in the stunned arms of Satomi. Everyone hooted - perhaps there would be another Sakurai wedding soon. Satomi blushed and clutched the flowers to her chest.
As Rina and Ohno continued to enjoy the night sky on the balcony in the shadows, two more people walked out. Peeking around the topiary, they could see that it was Satomi and her boyfriend. Satomi still held the trophy-like bouquet leisurely at her side.
Although they couldn’t catch his words, their mouths fell open as the man unexpectedly went down on one knee and presented Satomi with a ring. She dropped the flowers as she embraced him in elation. The man slipped the ring on her finger…
“Suge…” Rina breathed softly, still staring in wonder. “Maybe we should - give them some privacy.”
Ohno blinked; he had been gazing at Rina from the corner of his eye. “Ah, right.”
credit: wannatee_1984
Eventually, the night started merging into morning, and the newlyweds finally drove off. The hotel staff started to clean up the ballroom. Straggling guests, exhausted with revelry, walked about and parted with their friends and family. News of Satomi’s engagement had already started to spread through the vine as well, and they were all looking forward to another night like this one.
Ohno sat with Rina on the building’s steps as she waited for her parents to be ready.
“Ne, Rina… Listen…”
“Hmm?”
He spoke very delicately. “Remember the very last thing you told me, that night right before the concert when you met me backstage? Well - same.” He took a deep breath. “I mean… aishiteru, Rina. I should have told you a long time ago.”
That simple aishiteru hung in the air as he kissed her. It was there for the world to see, but in that moment it was just Satoshi and Rina.
credit: a_cheshire_grin
----------------------------
This chapter was full of ^____^ moments for me lol. You will notice that I didn't focus on Sho/Kaori too much because, after all, this is an Ohno/Rina fanfic. It would be too much to try to add both (or all four?) perspectives into one chapter. But I will of course go into the wedding in depth with the Sho fanfic.