Somewhere Only We Know [a Ninomiya Kazunari love story] - Chapter 38
Somewhere Only We Know, Chapter 38
Pairing: Ninomiya Kazunari/OC
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Arashi or Johnny's Entertainment. Sorry if I misuse some Japanese phrases.
Summary:
When you've been alone for so long, sometimes you forget that you're lost. But if one day you brush across another hand grappling in the dark - if you dare to take it and hold on tight - you just might find the way out together. Love, in the end, is what saves us all; if you're brave enough you'll find it, and if you're crazy enough it just might stay.
All previous chapters in the master post!
-----------
Several hours later, Yuri and Manager Anzai crammed in with a gaggle of reporters into the only working elevator in the building. They all stood very still, avoiding each other’s eye contact, and tried to keep at least a few millimeters distance between bodies for propriety's sake. Just as the double doors were about to slide closed, Manager Satake appeared and quickly pulled in Ninomiya Kazunari, who almost toppled onto Yuri as the doors closed. Her hands automatically reached out to help him steady but he jerked away from her touch. The protesting beeping stopped and the elevator lurched upward.
In the cramped space Nino’s lips were mere inches from hers; she held her breath uncertainly. Why wasn’t he saying anything? Clearing his throat, he shuffled around so that his back was towards her. The fluff of hair on the back of his neck nearly tickled Yuri’s nose - and that was the moment alarms went off in her brain.
A deep, sensual mix of sambac jasmine, vanilla, patchouli and musk brushed her senses; a woman’s scent - and it certainly was not hers. Had the stylist he’d borrowed his outfit from accidentally sprayed it with her perfume? Like a pill, Yuri bravely swallowed the lump in her throat and slipped on her mask as the doors re-opened to the reception of dozens of blinding flashing lights.
credit: ninoether and heylululu on Tumblr
How strange and yet how familiar it felt, the sensation of swimming in an invisible fishbowl, with all the surrounding stimuli hitting her seeming muffled and distorted and distant. In the modern conference hall, all critical eyes centered on the handsome stars of Shiawase Na No Ni. Below the platform and facing them rows of reporters - from pop culture magazines such as Look Star and GQ, to movie-centric Pict-Up, to even intellectual and literary publications like Faust and Mita Bungaku - typed away furiously and took turns standing to their feet with their questions. Large cameras from all the major news stations zoomed in, preoccupied with Ninomiya Kazunari, and did not notice the frozen quality of Shimada Yuri’s stunning face as she attentively listened to his responses. She hardly touched the water bottle placed in front of her, for fear of her hands shaking.
As expected, Nino had been right. The only inquiries directed towards Yuri were about her vintage transformation, her adjustment to Japan, her friendships with everyone on set, while Nino was asked about his acting methods, what nuances he tried to adapt from the novel, and his analysis on the morality of his character. Yuri sat there like a statue, or a doll, and began to understand that she could have been absolutely anybody - they could have stuck any other actress in her shoes to fulfill the same one-dimensional role and it would not have made any difference.
Another reporter stood up for his turn. “Hoshina from Reel Bite magazine here with some questions for Shimada-san.”
Yuri straightened up, all attention suddenly on her.
“How does it feel taking the lead for your first role?”
“Well, before this film I’ve played minor characters in dramas, so acting is not completely new to me. But filming for a drama is much different than being on a movie set. It was definitely an intriguing challenge to need to embody this real person, Sugase Yukino, who had such a strong, complex presence. Our director focused a lot on the subtleties of body language. Yukino particularly uses her gaze to communicate, which is one thing that people have always pointed out that I do.”
“Shimada-san, it’s well known that you quit your work as an idol in Korea before coming to Japan. Why did you gravitate towards acting?”
“It gives me the opportunity to be all sorts of different people… so I get to experience and say a lot of things that I never would have been able to on my own. There’s also something rather cathartic about telling a good story.”
Although she had given many meaningful points for the reporters in the room to expand on, they began to hone in on the rumors.
“Shizuoka from Dazed and Confused magazine. Would you consider yourself strictly an actress now?”
“Well, no… I have interest in various other work, too. I co-host a radio show, do some modeling…”
“Is that not the same as what an idol does?”
Not understanding why these personal questions were suddenly being brought up, Yuri coolly replied, “What makes someone an idol is the fact that their company markets them as such.”
“In what way?”
“… Portraying them like unattainable people dedicated to only their work and their fans.”
“So then coming to Japan, you meant to escape that stigma?”
She couldn’t believe their nerve. “I came to seek new opportunities without having fame as an advantage.”
“Do you have a bad view of the idol industry after having been part of it?”
“No.” she lied.
“Did you have any preconceptions when you began working with a member of the most popular idol group in Japan?”
Ninomiya nervously glanced at the woman sitting up tall beside him, wanting to jump in and chide the reporters for their rudeness, but he could feel the tension in the air that they fed off for getting a good scoop.
It took all the patience that Yuri had left in her to not to call them trashy tabloid seekers. Taking a sharp breath she surveyed the whole audience unwaveringly and murmured, “I respect Ninomiya-san both as an actor and an idol. His immense talent was obvious from the very first day, and even more so I admire his ability to capture people’s hearts just by being himself. As for Arashi… Even though I’ve only briefly met most of them, they seem like such genuine people, which I think is very hard to find in the entertainment world. Arashi is a special group that actually spreads genuine happiness, not just a trendy concept… I only wish I had been able to carve out and experience such a positive position during my own idol days.”
Nino knew how difficult it had been for her to say nothing but good things, whether it be for his sake or for the sake of the film’s success. He wanted so badly to reach under the table and grasp her hand tightly, but he faced the cameras - it was his duty to ease the tension. This was his chance to jump in and take the pressure upon himself.
“I think Shimada-chan understands my point of view in terms of being underestimated when it comes to areas outside of our usual realm, like how people think idols get coveted roles just because of their popularity and newbies get big roles by some sort of bribery… But Shimada-chan did earn this. In fact, I was the one who had to be cast to be a good match with her.”
“Sou desu ka?” There was a sly glimmer in the reporter’s eye. “On that note - everyone has commented on the great chemistry between you two. It’s so convincing that we wouldn’t be surprised if you were a real couple.”
While Yuri’s stomach twisted in panic, Nino didn’t miss a beat and replied so lightheartedly that no one even suspected, “Well, two good-looking people are naturally going to look good together, no?”
Whatever tension that had been stirred up by the taboo comment was cut through by the low chuckle that rumbled throughout the room. However, the reporter wasn’t going to give up that easily.
“Since this is your first time challenging the romance genre, Ninomiya-san, does this film hold a special significance?”
Doing his best to not to smirk - for he had been beating reporters like this at their own game for more than half his life - Nino decided he would be as inscrutable as he could get away with.
“Well every movie is one that I haven’t done before so… yes.”
“Being immersed daily in a love story, has it change your view of relationships or marriage at all?”
“Shiawase Na No Ni’s story isn’t exactly typical or fairytale-like.” he shrugged. “If anything, it highlighted how much of a miracle it is that people stay in love at all. All these variables have to somehow line up to bring two people together… Almost impossible, I would say, but then again they all say that I’m a natural cynic.”
“I bet it will be a thought-provoking film for Valentine’s Day. Without spoiling the ending, what was one of your favorite scenes and why?”
“Ma… if I do say so myself, I think the first kiss scene is one to rival HanaDan.”
As intended, this tease sent a murmur throughout the assembly; in turn, it drowned out the slow grating at the tender heart with each of Ninomiya’s indifferent, hollow words that downplayed the circumstances under which they had fallen in love. It wasn’t quite what he said so much as what he did not admit. Yuri knew - of course she knew - that there was never going to be a proper time or place for them to become public, but she hated how easy it was for him to lie with her right beside him, how impeccable of a liar he was, and how she could never tell what he truly meant behind the sarcasm. On the other hand, if he possibly weren’t lying…
“And you, Shimada-san?”
She quickly waded out of her thoughts. “Hai?”
“Which scene was most memorable for you?”
Although she knew she should choose to play along with the lighthearted atmosphere, she felt literally sick to her stomach with biting her tongue all of her life.
“One that left a great impression was the moment just before ‘the truth’ is revealed, when we see an older Nomura-san taking a break from his mundane work, taking out his old typewriter… He’s begun writing a new story inspired by his wife. It’s a scene overflowing with a pure, undeniable sort of love.”
“Interesting - a very mature viewpoint. In fact, literary scholars often discuss the novel’s recurrent theme of ‘the pledge.’ Ninomiya-san, what would you dedicate to someone you loved?”
The man had become very still. Gone was the toying smirk; his somber reply caught the audience off guard yet again.
“I suppose I’d… dedicate a song.”
-----
A song. No matter how she’d braced herself, it was amazing how much it still hurt when she looked up Ninomiya’s old solo. There could be no other reason why he had refused to let her cover it, other than it was still important to him.
‘”The rainbow is beautiful.
No wait, not more than you.”
And to you, who is beginning to feel shy,
Thank you, thank you…’
On the soft carpet of her living room, Yuri hugged the hollow guitar in her lap and lightly strummed the same chords, humming snippets of the sweet words that belonged to someone else.
Yuri’s lips stung from the lyrics light as raindrops. Whoever this love had been of his, it had been true, and perhaps the type of love that could never be repeated again. At the very least, she knew that Nino had never been inspired enough to write one for her.
Fingers stiff, she stopped to look out the window at the purple sky - the sun had set without her realizing.
Pairing: Ninomiya Kazunari/OC
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Arashi or Johnny's Entertainment. Sorry if I misuse some Japanese phrases.
Summary:
When you've been alone for so long, sometimes you forget that you're lost. But if one day you brush across another hand grappling in the dark - if you dare to take it and hold on tight - you just might find the way out together. Love, in the end, is what saves us all; if you're brave enough you'll find it, and if you're crazy enough it just might stay.
All previous chapters in the master post!
-----------
Several hours later, Yuri and Manager Anzai crammed in with a gaggle of reporters into the only working elevator in the building. They all stood very still, avoiding each other’s eye contact, and tried to keep at least a few millimeters distance between bodies for propriety's sake. Just as the double doors were about to slide closed, Manager Satake appeared and quickly pulled in Ninomiya Kazunari, who almost toppled onto Yuri as the doors closed. Her hands automatically reached out to help him steady but he jerked away from her touch. The protesting beeping stopped and the elevator lurched upward.
In the cramped space Nino’s lips were mere inches from hers; she held her breath uncertainly. Why wasn’t he saying anything? Clearing his throat, he shuffled around so that his back was towards her. The fluff of hair on the back of his neck nearly tickled Yuri’s nose - and that was the moment alarms went off in her brain.
A deep, sensual mix of sambac jasmine, vanilla, patchouli and musk brushed her senses; a woman’s scent - and it certainly was not hers. Had the stylist he’d borrowed his outfit from accidentally sprayed it with her perfume? Like a pill, Yuri bravely swallowed the lump in her throat and slipped on her mask as the doors re-opened to the reception of dozens of blinding flashing lights.
credit: ninoether and heylululu on Tumblr
How strange and yet how familiar it felt, the sensation of swimming in an invisible fishbowl, with all the surrounding stimuli hitting her seeming muffled and distorted and distant. In the modern conference hall, all critical eyes centered on the handsome stars of Shiawase Na No Ni. Below the platform and facing them rows of reporters - from pop culture magazines such as Look Star and GQ, to movie-centric Pict-Up, to even intellectual and literary publications like Faust and Mita Bungaku - typed away furiously and took turns standing to their feet with their questions. Large cameras from all the major news stations zoomed in, preoccupied with Ninomiya Kazunari, and did not notice the frozen quality of Shimada Yuri’s stunning face as she attentively listened to his responses. She hardly touched the water bottle placed in front of her, for fear of her hands shaking.
As expected, Nino had been right. The only inquiries directed towards Yuri were about her vintage transformation, her adjustment to Japan, her friendships with everyone on set, while Nino was asked about his acting methods, what nuances he tried to adapt from the novel, and his analysis on the morality of his character. Yuri sat there like a statue, or a doll, and began to understand that she could have been absolutely anybody - they could have stuck any other actress in her shoes to fulfill the same one-dimensional role and it would not have made any difference.
Another reporter stood up for his turn. “Hoshina from Reel Bite magazine here with some questions for Shimada-san.”
Yuri straightened up, all attention suddenly on her.
“How does it feel taking the lead for your first role?”
“Well, before this film I’ve played minor characters in dramas, so acting is not completely new to me. But filming for a drama is much different than being on a movie set. It was definitely an intriguing challenge to need to embody this real person, Sugase Yukino, who had such a strong, complex presence. Our director focused a lot on the subtleties of body language. Yukino particularly uses her gaze to communicate, which is one thing that people have always pointed out that I do.”
“Shimada-san, it’s well known that you quit your work as an idol in Korea before coming to Japan. Why did you gravitate towards acting?”
“It gives me the opportunity to be all sorts of different people… so I get to experience and say a lot of things that I never would have been able to on my own. There’s also something rather cathartic about telling a good story.”
Although she had given many meaningful points for the reporters in the room to expand on, they began to hone in on the rumors.
“Shizuoka from Dazed and Confused magazine. Would you consider yourself strictly an actress now?”
“Well, no… I have interest in various other work, too. I co-host a radio show, do some modeling…”
“Is that not the same as what an idol does?”
Not understanding why these personal questions were suddenly being brought up, Yuri coolly replied, “What makes someone an idol is the fact that their company markets them as such.”
“In what way?”
“… Portraying them like unattainable people dedicated to only their work and their fans.”
“So then coming to Japan, you meant to escape that stigma?”
She couldn’t believe their nerve. “I came to seek new opportunities without having fame as an advantage.”
“Do you have a bad view of the idol industry after having been part of it?”
“No.” she lied.
“Did you have any preconceptions when you began working with a member of the most popular idol group in Japan?”
Ninomiya nervously glanced at the woman sitting up tall beside him, wanting to jump in and chide the reporters for their rudeness, but he could feel the tension in the air that they fed off for getting a good scoop.
It took all the patience that Yuri had left in her to not to call them trashy tabloid seekers. Taking a sharp breath she surveyed the whole audience unwaveringly and murmured, “I respect Ninomiya-san both as an actor and an idol. His immense talent was obvious from the very first day, and even more so I admire his ability to capture people’s hearts just by being himself. As for Arashi… Even though I’ve only briefly met most of them, they seem like such genuine people, which I think is very hard to find in the entertainment world. Arashi is a special group that actually spreads genuine happiness, not just a trendy concept… I only wish I had been able to carve out and experience such a positive position during my own idol days.”
Nino knew how difficult it had been for her to say nothing but good things, whether it be for his sake or for the sake of the film’s success. He wanted so badly to reach under the table and grasp her hand tightly, but he faced the cameras - it was his duty to ease the tension. This was his chance to jump in and take the pressure upon himself.
“I think Shimada-chan understands my point of view in terms of being underestimated when it comes to areas outside of our usual realm, like how people think idols get coveted roles just because of their popularity and newbies get big roles by some sort of bribery… But Shimada-chan did earn this. In fact, I was the one who had to be cast to be a good match with her.”
“Sou desu ka?” There was a sly glimmer in the reporter’s eye. “On that note - everyone has commented on the great chemistry between you two. It’s so convincing that we wouldn’t be surprised if you were a real couple.”
While Yuri’s stomach twisted in panic, Nino didn’t miss a beat and replied so lightheartedly that no one even suspected, “Well, two good-looking people are naturally going to look good together, no?”
Whatever tension that had been stirred up by the taboo comment was cut through by the low chuckle that rumbled throughout the room. However, the reporter wasn’t going to give up that easily.
“Since this is your first time challenging the romance genre, Ninomiya-san, does this film hold a special significance?”
Doing his best to not to smirk - for he had been beating reporters like this at their own game for more than half his life - Nino decided he would be as inscrutable as he could get away with.
“Well every movie is one that I haven’t done before so… yes.”
“Being immersed daily in a love story, has it change your view of relationships or marriage at all?”
“Shiawase Na No Ni’s story isn’t exactly typical or fairytale-like.” he shrugged. “If anything, it highlighted how much of a miracle it is that people stay in love at all. All these variables have to somehow line up to bring two people together… Almost impossible, I would say, but then again they all say that I’m a natural cynic.”
“I bet it will be a thought-provoking film for Valentine’s Day. Without spoiling the ending, what was one of your favorite scenes and why?”
“Ma… if I do say so myself, I think the first kiss scene is one to rival HanaDan.”
As intended, this tease sent a murmur throughout the assembly; in turn, it drowned out the slow grating at the tender heart with each of Ninomiya’s indifferent, hollow words that downplayed the circumstances under which they had fallen in love. It wasn’t quite what he said so much as what he did not admit. Yuri knew - of course she knew - that there was never going to be a proper time or place for them to become public, but she hated how easy it was for him to lie with her right beside him, how impeccable of a liar he was, and how she could never tell what he truly meant behind the sarcasm. On the other hand, if he possibly weren’t lying…
“And you, Shimada-san?”
She quickly waded out of her thoughts. “Hai?”
“Which scene was most memorable for you?”
Although she knew she should choose to play along with the lighthearted atmosphere, she felt literally sick to her stomach with biting her tongue all of her life.
“One that left a great impression was the moment just before ‘the truth’ is revealed, when we see an older Nomura-san taking a break from his mundane work, taking out his old typewriter… He’s begun writing a new story inspired by his wife. It’s a scene overflowing with a pure, undeniable sort of love.”
“Interesting - a very mature viewpoint. In fact, literary scholars often discuss the novel’s recurrent theme of ‘the pledge.’ Ninomiya-san, what would you dedicate to someone you loved?”
The man had become very still. Gone was the toying smirk; his somber reply caught the audience off guard yet again.
“I suppose I’d… dedicate a song.”
-----
A song. No matter how she’d braced herself, it was amazing how much it still hurt when she looked up Ninomiya’s old solo. There could be no other reason why he had refused to let her cover it, other than it was still important to him.
‘”The rainbow is beautiful.
No wait, not more than you.”
And to you, who is beginning to feel shy,
Thank you, thank you…’
On the soft carpet of her living room, Yuri hugged the hollow guitar in her lap and lightly strummed the same chords, humming snippets of the sweet words that belonged to someone else.
Yuri’s lips stung from the lyrics light as raindrops. Whoever this love had been of his, it had been true, and perhaps the type of love that could never be repeated again. At the very least, she knew that Nino had never been inspired enough to write one for her.
Fingers stiff, she stopped to look out the window at the purple sky - the sun had set without her realizing.