A Winter Apart - Chapter 5
Chapter 5a
air was thick with smoke and heat of bodies moving to the beat. Almost stifling.
“Get the fuck off me Sato!!”
But he only smirked. Kame struggling just turned him on even more. He raised both of Kame’s arms and pinned them with one hand above his hand so freeing his other hand with which he began to trace length of Kame’s body.
Bodies against bodies…
He hated this filthy place…
Sato was stronger and of a bigger build than he was and all he could to throw his face helpless from side to side trying to avoid Sato’s lips.
“Sato fuck off..!”
Hips against hips…
The smell, the heat, he hated it all…
Kame winced in pain as Sato firmly wedged a knee between his legs before trapping them with his own.
Lips lustfully brushed against pulsating necks…
He hated this dirty place but where is his safe haven…
Sato dragged his tongue slowly down Kame’s neck fully enjoying the taste and only grinned as he felt Kame flinch with disgust.
Untamed hands ran teasingly searching for pleasure…
He hated the fact that he was here, that he had to hate something to ease…
“Sato get off me…”
“Still playing hard to get…you’re so beautiful…” He nibbled at Kame’s ear who vehemently pulled away which only made him chuckle and run his hands beneath Kame’s shirt. “Aww Kazuya you shouldn’t breath so hard…” He pressed his hips against him before dropping his hands lower.
Gasps and moans from wet lips whispered against ears before being drowned within fervent music…
Why can’t they just leave him be…
“…please… leave me alone…”
Kame opened his eyes. His head was pounding. Monday mornings.
He lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. It was only 6am and daylight had not even broken through his thin curtains yet. He continued to lay still listening to the silence save his own breathing and the quiet loving murmurs of the young couple getting up next door. Kame breathed in and sat up causing the quilt to fall from his upper body. He winced at the cold air hitting his body. There was a winter he’d enjoy that feeling; it made the warmth of another body more gratifying.
Kame no longer sleeps shirtless now.
“Ohayo gozaimasu…” Kame sat down at his desk, opened his diary and ran his eyes down the ‘to do’ list for the day: edit reviews on the new books coming out this week, oh and he needed to finish that article on lifestyle - surfing…he hasn’t done that in a while - contact Sakur -
“Kamenashi-san!”
Kame looked up to see Yamaguchi Tatsuya striding towards him. “Hai…”
“Glad to see you back mate! How about lunch today?”
Kame opened his mouth to answer that he wasn’t feeling very hungry because -
“Excellent! We’d go to the usual place! Lunch is so much more fun with you being there otherwise Sasaki -“
“I what Yamaguchi Tatsuya-SAN?” Kame turned to find Sasaki standing not too far behind him death-glaring Tatsuya who instantly laughed somewhat embarrassed.
“- otherwise Sasaki - Sasaki - anyway so I’d come over to tell you that…” He trailed off. Actually what did he had he come over to tell Kame about? “that…”
“Yamaguchi-san, e-mail me when you remember as I’m in the middle of something else at the moment anyway,” Kame smiled at him helpfully feeling the tension in the air between him and Sasaki who was not all that pleased at the older man’s inefficiency.
Sasaki retorted. “No need. Kamenashi-san, what he’d wanted to tell you was that I’d contacted Akanishi-san’s secretary this first thing this morning after I heard your good news over the weekend. I suppose he’d wanted to come over to congratulate you…”
Tatsuya grinned sheepishly.
Pause.
“…why are you still standing here Yamaguchi-san?” Sasaki put a hand on her hips.
Tatsuya laughed then coughed. “Er…yes lunch Kame! Back to work.”
Kame nodded as Tatsuya returned to his seat. The unsettled sleep lately has been taking his appetite and his stomach was currently not agreeing with his breakfast, but ah well….
“You’re not coming to the interview Kamenashi-san.”
Kame turned a little speechless.
“Two reasons really. You’ve just come back from sick leave so I think you should take it easy.” Sasaki lowered her voice slightly as she sorted papers on papers on his desk. “I don’t think I need to mention the second reason. With regards to this particular aspect of the matter you won’t be dealing with unless as a last resort. But this aside…” She gathered her papers and looked him. “…actually… nevermind… anyway I’ll be here if you need to talk.” She patted him on the shoulder and walked away.
Kame stared after her a little dazed. So he won’t be seeing Jin again…
Should he be elated…
…or disappointed…?
Matsumi undid the curtain ties and glanced out at the darkening city. Even now she couldn’t quite believe that she was back in Tokyo and that Jin was by her side. She drew the curtain slowly across the full-length windows.
It’d begun to rain.
“Weren’t you guys going out tonight?” Matsumi turned the page of the textbook and flicked her hair to one side. “Why don’t these stupid accounts balance?” She ran her pencil down across her own page. “Clare!”
Her friend looked up. “Oh yeah...”
Matsumi opened up another webpage on the laptop. “Why can’t these lecturers just write in Japanese - I might join you guys…”
“Mmm…” Her friend continued to write notes again. “Because then the rest of US won’t understand baka! I think we’re going for drinks in Covent Garden and if the weather clears up a bit we’ll head across to Leicester Square. I rather not ruin my new shoes in this rain!”
“Meh…it’d be better explained in Japanese! You and shoes! Yeah I might join you if I can get these bloody accounts to balance -“
“Hun numbers are numbers whether you’re English or Japanese…”
“Urusei!”
Clare grinned and turned her book to the index. “Baldwin…Baldwin, James…page 64… Don’t you have to go see your rich clueless boyfriend tonight?”
“Hm…? He’s not clueless!! No not tonight so I can come…” She angrily flicked over the page. “- 9 thousand…8 hundred… - anyway his parents are not going to be there tonight - 9 thousand…8 hundred…shit!”
Clare looked up from her book at her friend and paused. “Tactful aren’t you…”
“Minus the overheads will give me…sorry what?” Matsumi looked up, eyebrow slightly knotting from trying to get the accounts to balance.
“Nothing…” Clare smiled. “We haven’t been out together in a while.”
“No we havennn’t!!” Matsumi beamed. “RIGHT! Ganbatte!! 9 thousand…8 hundred…”
Rain reminded her of London.
She startled as she felt warm arms slip around her waist.
“What are you thinking about hmm…?” Jin hugged her from behind and placed a kiss on her neck. Matsumi smiled and sank into the warmth of his arms.
“Nothing much…just London…” She tipped her head sideways so she could see him. “And what a fool you were.”
“I see…I wonder who’s more stupid then: the fool himself, or the woman who’s marrying him?”
Matsumi looked away trying unsuccessfully to look offended. “I’m still having second thoughts!” She teased.
Jin laughed and hugged her tighter. “Well tough! Cos I’m not letting you go now! You’re stuck with me till the end! Hahaha!”
She put her arms over his and shook her head in amusement. Jin had such a silly laugh, but despite her need for sophistication in every other aspect of her life, when it came to her fiancée, she wasn’t sure what happened. She chuckled and sighed happily.
The couple stood quiet for a moment staring out onto the night scene of the heart of Japan that never seems to stop beating.
“It rains a lot in London…”
“Mmm…I miss the city somewhat…”
“Really…?” Jin sounded slightly surprised. He paused. “I do too in a way…but after the accident… like when we use to come briefly to Tokyo, I would be excited but I…. I was always kinda relieved to be back in London.” He paused again.
Matsumi listened in silence, staring out into the rain.
“And… it was like that at first…but…”
It was lighter in London though. The rain.
“But…this time…somehow it feels different… like…I’m here with you and we have our own place…and staying this time… I’ve taken more time to… recognise and remember things in Tokyo…
She watched the raindrops trickle slowly, then quicker, then slow again down the glass window.
Jin chuckled. “I finally sorted out my old things and…just…” He sighed and hugged her closer. “…I finally feel like I’m returning to Tokyo, my home…and I belong here…”
“I’m glad you’re happy Jin…”
Jin smiled. “Yeah…and seeing photos reminded me of some high school days.” He chuckled again. “I wish I could remember better! Haha!”
“You were a womaniser weren’t you Jin?”
Jin blinked. “N-No! What makes you think I was!? I’m offended!”
Matsumi broke from his arms. “And maybe if you can remember better you can go and see those girls again right? I get it now!”
“Hey wait - now you’re -“
“See you at work tomorrow Akanishi-san. I’m staying with my friend tonight.”
“But - but what about -“ Jin flinched as the door slammed.
“…my dinner…”
Kame turned down the stove so not to over steam the fish. He picked up the small frying pan from the kitchen sink and began scrubbing the bottom with a sponge.
"I'm sorry I ate your dinner tonight..."
He turned on the tap and rinsed away the bubbles before opening the cupboard below and placing it inside. Kame glanced at the steamer before turning his eyes back to the cupboard.
“I don’t mind…” Kame shuddered as felt Jin’s hot breath on his neck. “I have you…”
He reached into the cupboard and took out a larger pan and placed it onto another hob. He opened the lid of the steamer to check the fish before pausing to try and figure out what else to cook tonight.
Jin arched an eyebrow at the comment and pulled his body up so that his face was level with Kame’s. He tenderly brushed aside Kame’s wet fringe that covered the eyes he loved and placed a gentle
kiss on his lips. “Didn’t know you had it in you Kame…”
He knelt before open fridge and looked at the contents inside. His mother use to cook whenever she could, but had always insisted on teaching him. He remembers scorning it at first, thinking it far too girly, but it wasn’t long before he realised why his mother was so persistent.
Kame grinned. He ran his fingers over Jin’s naked back, over his muscles and feeling them move and respond to his hand. “You’re a bad influence Jin…”
Cooking wasn’t a hobby. His mother was teaching him to survive on his own. Without her.
Jin moaned softly, enjoying Kame’s touch; the way his fingers teased his skin, the way
they brushed along his neck, the way they stroked his muscles as his hands curved
their way down his back.
He reached inside and took out some mushrooms. He had better cook the beansprouts tonight too. He stood up and placed them onto the somewhat cramped kitchen worktop.
He gently placed kisses down Kame’s neck as his hands slowly stroked the thinner body beneath him.
“Jin…”
“Mmm?”
“Did you want to stay…for the next few nights…”
Jin paused.
“…at least until things clear up…with your parents…”
Turning, Kame stepped towards the low table and bent over to clear away his things. He picked up his laptop and moved it onto the small dresser beside his bed. Turning again back he picked up the pile of notes and paused. Kame closed his eyes and breathed in. Tatsuya had taken his place in going to interview Jin, and that had seemed the end of the affair. Yet fate hadn’t finished toying with his heart.
“I’ll...try not eat all your dinner…”
Tatsuya’s own projects had called him away suddenly and the manager needed Sasaki’s expertise elsewhere. Seeing it was only the write-up, and he too had had contact with Akanishi Jin, the manager had told Sasaki to leave the rest to the newbie for follow-up. It would be ‘good experience’ for him.
The steamer squeaking broke Kame’s thoughts and he quickly shuffled the papers together and put it on his bed. Stepping over to the stove, Kame turned off the hob. He opened the packet and began to wash the beansprouts.
“…as good as it tasted though…I like you more…”
Sasaki had apologised earnestly to him, but he smiled and apologised to her for causing trouble, telling her he was ‘going to be fine’. She passed him her notes, the dictator-phone and gave him a run-down of what happened. She seemed to have sensed his feelings as he sat down trying to concentrate on her words, because as she finished up she added: “Just do what you can...” Kame decided that it was best that he brought it home and worked on it away from the office.
He placed the beansprouts into a large bowl and put it aside. Reading over her notes earlier had already made him slightly nauseas. Much of the article was obviously about the beginnings of Sakura, the company history, its appeal etc etc but as the interview had been with the son and not Akanishi-san himself, the interview had taken a slightly different turn.
He grabbed Jin’s arm and pulled him around the corner. They slammed themselves flat against the wall breathing hard.
“Jin…why…did you…come?” Kame, still panting turned towards Jin and looked at him with eyes that were both loving and fearful.
Jin ran his fingers through Kame’s hair and his moan shuddered as Kame’s hot breath travelled down the length of his body.
Kame placed the cutting board next to the sink and one by one started slicing the mushrooms. Sasaki had asked a little about Akanishi’s past, both about his life in London, and had asked after his decision to move to London rather than finish studying in Tokyo.
“And you…call me baka…” Only Jin can still grin like that at a time like this.
Kame closed his eyes. This should have had nothing to do with Jin. “I don’t… you shouldn’t have…
got involved in the…first place I -“
“Where did they go? Hey down this way!”
Kame froze silent, but Jin grabbed his arm and pulled him further down the alleyway.
“The only person…touching you…”
“They’re here!! Hey hey come back! C’mon don’t you want to play! You enjoy it don’t you!”
“…is me…”
Jin placed two fingers inside Kame and his tongue made
teasing circles over his nipples as Kame threw his head
back and moaned in pleasure.
“Jin…I want…you…”
Kame paused, his knife posed over the mushroom. Jin had replied that he didn’t have a choice in the matter. He had jokingly talked about how he was a little ‘off the rails’ when he was younger and had a particularly nasty incident one winter evening when he had stupidly entered the wrong side of town.
“He really knows how to pick them doesn’t he?” Laughter.
They glanced around. Could they fight their way out? But then what? But no Kame wasn’t sure how they were going to get out of this one let alone -
“Jin just leave without me! This isn’t your turf!”
“Aww…aren’t they cute! He must have paid you a lot! More than Sato.” Laughter. “Well you are pretty even though a bitch would have been more fun. He’s got it all going for him hasn’t he that guy.”
Jin smiled and placed his lips over Kame’s kissing him long and
deeply. Their tongues intertwining and tasting each other’s wet and
hungry lips. Jin pulled away and paused to admire the face below that
looked back him with a longing to be satisfied. Jin gently pushed
himself into Kame, who arched his back and gave a soft moan. He closed his eyes and breathed heavily as he began rock, slowly at first,
then a little faster. He leaned in and bit Kame’s bottom lip, whispering,
“Say…my name…”
Kame pushed the knife downwards and sliced the mushroom into four, dumped it into a bowl before reaching for another. Jin had briefly related a story about how he’d seen this gang picking on a couple and he’d interfered. He hadn’t want dwell on it in the interview as he said that incident doesn’t matter now. It was good in a way, as he gained many opportunities during his time in London and of course, found the love of his life.
“JIIIINNN!!!” Kame launched himself towards Jin as he helplessly watched the side of a metal pole be rammed into Jin’s stomach. Somebody grabbed his arm and violently pulled him back.
“Where are you going?” A hand grabbed his backside. “Nice ass!” Laughter.
“It’s a shame we have to do this you know. To be honest, you both look like a good fuck.” Laughter.
“But it’s only this one we want.”
“Get your filthy hands off him.” Jin’s voice was dangerously low as he threw a fist into a nearby face
and sent another body into a wall. “Don’t. Touch. Him.”
Kame wrestled his arms free and brutally sent his knee into a body. “JIN!! GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!”
Jin was not quick enough as a heavy punch sent him into a wall. Another kick in the stomach made
him bend double.
“Sato sure knows how to manipulate. I wonder why your old man hasn’t noticed yet.” Laughter.
Kame’s eyes blazed with anger. “Shut the fuck up.” He threw a punch, missed, turned and was
grabbed and thrown into Jin.
“I guess he shouldn’t mind if we have a little fun ourselves first eh? So how much did rich boy here
pay you then?” Sounds of metal poles against flesh. Laughter. “How much whore?”
“No JIN -“
Kame pulled his hand sharply back as he felt pain. He quickly brought his hand to his mouth and sucked at the wound.
“Shit…” Kame put the knife down and moved over to his bedside drawers to look for the first-aid kit. He really shouldn’t think about work when cooking. He carefully bandaged up the wound before going back to the kitchen. He threw away the remainder of the mushrooms and just decided to cook what he already had.
No, he really mustn’t think about work...not at the moment anyway…
“What happened to your hand Kamenashi-san?”
Kame blinked in surprise at hearing his name. He looked up to see Junno’s face beaming at him as usual.
“How did you -“
Junno laughed then blushed with embarrassment at thought that he might have offended Kamenashi-san by calling his name suddenly. “Well I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while, but you haven’t been too conscious lately…”
The edge of Kame’s lip lifted slightly as he looked down, paused, then looked away. “Yeah…”
Junno panicked slightly. “I mean I -”
“Excuse me! Tequila please!”
“Hai!” Junno flashed Kame an apologetic smile and dashed off to serve the man who had just come to the bar. Kame’s eyes followed Junno with confusion. Though, looking at him now, as he busied himself with work, it did remind him of someone. Kame clicked his tongue as his eyebrows furrowed. He had a funny feeling that it was probably one of his old classmates. Kame felt a little embarrassed, and turned his head away from where Junno was serving. No wonder he didn’t have too many friends from high school; though he generally didn’t make a lot of effort either. They never lasted long anyway… and the only time that it did - A movement to his left caught his eye. The young woman had rather forcefully wrenched her arm free from an older guy who obviously has had a few to drink. Taller than she was he grabbed her shoulders and was saying something to which she looked offended. Kame involuntarily flinched. He thought he’d got away from that.
“You’re too cute Kazuya but maybe I should -”
“Go get a room already!”
Why…
Sato looked up to see a figure about the same age as Kame leaning casually against the wall a few feet away. He tipped his head their way and grinned at them.
“Although if you carry on I get free porn…”
…does it have to…
Jin caught the sight of Kame not soon after he’d entered the club. He was a little surprised to see him there as despite the school rumours about his family background, this still was the last place on earth he thought he’d catch him in here. He had grinned at the thought that even the anti-social Turtle had a wild side. But in a place such as this, only Kame can still look as if he wasn’t enjoying himself. He had begun making his way towards his ice-king friend when an older man got there before him. Jin had arched an eyebrow - so maybe he was getting some.
Sato grinned. This other boy wasn’t bad either, but he was a little busy with his prize at present. “You’re not good enough to tempt me to a threesome kid. But if you’re lucky I could spare some time for you…”
Jin grinned and glanced at Kame who gave him a look of pure hatred.
“Sorry mate you’re not good enough to tempt me to your spare time. But if you’re lucky I could let you sit and watch me do a threesome…”
Kame startled as he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Fancy seeing you here Kamenashi-san!”
Genre: Angst, romance
Rating: PG-15
Disclaimer: Do not own JE or the lyrics used in this fic for that matter…and yes this is fiction!
Chapter 5b
(N.B.: This half of the chapter contains some mild satire, please do not take seriously!!!!!!)
…be him…
Kame put down his shot and turned towards the older man who sat down beside him and lifted a hand to be served.
Akanishi. Not Jin.
“I was a little surprised to be honest as -“
Akanishi. Not Jin.
“-I didn’t expect to find you here.”
Kame nodded. Akanishi. Not Jin. “No…nor me…” Hence why I’m here. “…Akanishi…san…”
Pause.
Kame shifted slightly on his bar stool and stared at his almost empty glass. Akanishi.
Not Jin.
“Can I buy you a drink?”
Kame looked at Jin, who looked back at him with slight amusement.
Pause.
“…did you want another drink Kamenashi-san…?” He flashed a grin. This guy is too much! Rather than wait for a reply, Jin went ahead and ordered two whiskeys.
Impulsive baka, I don’t even particularly like whiskey Jin - Akanishi. Akanishi.
Kame forced a smile and murmured a “thanks” as Junno placed the two drinks in front of them, glancing at the two as he did so.
“Take it as an apology for my rudeness to you last time!” Jin flicked a smile and winked. Kame averted his eyes.
God don’t do that!
Kame returned Jin’s gesture with a polite smile. Jin laughed and looked away whilst taking a sip from his glass.
Pause.
“Kamenashi-san is not impressed clearly.” He was so easy to read. The smile was the same, but it was obvious, to him anyway, that he was still bearing a grudge. Jin chuckled, admiring his own prowess.
Don’t flatter your own ego!
“No…my apologies actually for causing trouble, Akanishi-san.”
Kame picked up his glass and drank again. Jin glanced around the bar.
Pause.
“So…” Jin turned back to the figure beside him, who was still looking straight ahead of him. “Kamenashi-san…”
Pause.
Kame continued to look at his drink.
Pause.
“…you didn’t come to the interview…”
Pause.
“No…I was…busy…” Kame smiled politely and took another sip of his drink avoiding Jin’s eye contact. Jin arched an eyebrow slightly.
“You know that’s a poor excuse, Kamenashi-san!”
Before Kame could stop himself, he rolled his eyes and heard himself say. “Well what do you want me to do? Jump at the opportunity to remind myself of just how painful it is seeing you?”
Kame’s eyes widened in shock. “I’m-I’m sorry!! Excuse me!”
He quickly slipped off the barstool and was about to leave when Jin grabbed his arm. Kame turned in surprise. “Ji - Akanishi -san…”
“For god’s sake sit down!” Jin looked mildly serious. He’s so damn emotional! (why is he even noticing?). “Man you don’t take a joke! I’m sorry - I brought up a sore subject. Why don’t we talk about something else? Hm? Kamenashi-san?” Jin dipped his head slightly as he was trying to catch Kame’s eyes which were now staring at his hand. “Earth to Kamenashi-san?”
“That…ring…”
Jin looked down at the ring. “Oh! Yeah it’s nice isn’t it? I found it amongst my high school stuff the other day. It was hanging from a necklace.” Jin gave an embarrassed laugh. “Hey don’t write this in the article will you, but I seem to have had some pretty weird tastes back then!”
He paused and admired the ring on the middle finger of his right hand. Kame turned his eyes away and stared hard again at the empty glass before him, his hands clenched tightly around it.
Rubbing the sides, Jin continued, almost half talking to himself. “Yeah… I don’t know…I kinda took to it the moment I saw it. It has a slightly nostalgic feel…”
Pause.
Jin shifted slightly then chuckled. “God you must think I’m weird admiring my own jewellery!” He turned to Kame. “But I think I will find out - oh! Excuse me!” Jin suddenly rummaged into his pockets. “Moshi moshi? Matsumi? Hai…hai…Alright I’ll come over now.” Jin put down his phone. “Hey Kamenashi-san, sorry I’ve got to run. Women! You know! Catch you for a drink another time! And don’t forget - don’t write what I’ve just said in the article!” He laughed and winked again.
He gave Kame a quick bow and sauntered quickly from the bar.
The music playing in the background now switched to a slow jazz blues.
Kame closed his eyes and put his head in his hands.
“Kamenashi Kazyua-kun!”
Kame sharply pulled his shoulder away from Jin’s hand and carried on walking very quickly down the corridor. Jin followed with bemusement.
“That was a very quick dash around the corner as you saw me” Jin smirked widened. “Do I provoke that great an effect on you?”
Kame let the water crash down onto his face, the steam from the shower slowly filling the cubicle size bathroom. He ran his hands over his face, up through his hair and down to his neck where he held them there. He tipped his head forwards and stared at the water droplets falling from his head and down past the length of his body to his feet.
God why does Jin insist on torturing him like this.
He lifted his head up towards the shower again as if he was trying to drown the thoughts out of his mind.
When he wanted to see him he wasn’t there: whenever he becomes the last person on earth he wants to see, the guy’s everywhere.
It was the same back then too. He had turned a girl down, and the next thing he knew his well-kept secret seemed to hang on everyone’s mouths. Eyes seemed to be watching him everywhere, but when he looked up the eyes pretended not to see. Mouths were moving, but when he listened they just smiled with a taunting knowing. They whispered of his “dirty family background”, the connections his father had, scare stories snowballed, jokes turned nasty. It suited him fine in a way as it just meant he would be left alone and he’d grown immune to the whispers and the looks. That was until everywhere he went he ran into ‘Badboy Jin’ and his notorious playboy reputation. Kame wanted to be inconspicuous, but Jin wouldn’t leave him alone. Back then, Jin seemed oblivious to how he was making his life more complicated than he liked and reminded him of everything he hated.
Kame turned the shower off and stood still. He put his hands against the wall and leant his body weight onto it staring at the water falling from him. His hand clenched into a fist. How much more of this can he take? Maybe he should just move again. Maybe back to Kyoto.
Anyway, Jin’s going to be married soon.
“Fuck man! Jin you badboy, we all thought you were dead!! What the hell? God!! I thought it was that coffee I just had, but shit man!!! What the hell happened?! God I can’t believe it’s you!!!”
Jin stared hard at the two guys standing before him. He recognised their faces but who they were exactly he simply could not remember. He frowned which provoked the shorter of the two to slap him hard across the shoulder!
“Akanishi - it’s me mate! Koki! God what happened to you!?”
The one named ‘Koki’, Jin had vague memories of and concluded that he must have been someone he’d known for a long time. The other taller guy, he did not recognise so much but he face rang a bell from the photos.
Jin smiled awkwardly. They were standing in front of their office and people were beginning to stare at them with curiosity. He glanced at his watch. He had a meeting in an hour and he had a funny feeling this was going to be more than that; yet something in him was nagging to find out about his past.
“Look Koki-san, I - ”
Koki looked offended. “Shit man! We haven’t met for 6 years and we fall out of first name terms?”
Jin frowned and glanced again at his watch, then loosened his tie. “Look, let’s just go and get a drink.”
“Kamenashi-kun…”
Kame looked up. “Sasaki-senpai…”
“That article you wrote...” She placed the article in front of him. Kame averted his eyes from the shot of Akanishi Jin on the side looking calm and collected, but still with a hint of flare in his eyes.
“….it’s very good…” Sasaki pulled out a chair and sat down beside him. “…but I don’t think it can go under the business section…the way you’ve written it - it’s more a lifestyles feature.”
Kame nodded. “Sumimasen…Did you want me to… rewrite it…” His hand clenched the side of his chair, not entirely sure if he could deal with that possibility.
Sasaki shook her head. “No actually I talked to Buchou. He agreed that we can move Tatsuya’s business feature into this issue as his is ready and move yours over to ‘Lifestyles’ to replace your article on surfing.” She paused and looked at him.
“I… don’t mind.”
She didn’t say anything for a while, just watching him. He smiled at her and looked down and then away. Sasaki put her hands on his desk and looked out onto the cold winter afternoon of Tokyo. “I want you to go and hand him the article and tell him about the change…”
There was a slight pause.
“I know…” she breathed out. “…I said I’d try to shield you from having anything to do with it…and perhaps I shouldn’t interfere… but from the way you wrote the article…” She turned to look at him. “…I just think there is something you and him need to sort out.” She smiled at him and then got up. “Ganbatte Kamenashi-kun.”
“What do you mean you can’t remember who we are?! Don’t fuck with me man! I’ve been with you since the beginning of secondary!”
“God calm down!” Jin ran an irritated hand through his hair. “It’s not my fault!” He paused and Koki sat back and looked away, his expression one of hurt. The taller, calmer of the two had not said much throughout the half hour, but had introduced himself as Nakamaru, or better known as Maru.
“Okay I think you both need to calm down." He sighed. “Akanishi-kun, we all thought you were dead these past six years. Ever since that last winter of high school. But out of the blue we find out that you’re "back from the dead". Koki by chance knew Sakura was the name of your father’s company and was surprised that they were back in Tokyo so he thought he’d come and see. Then all of a sudden we saw you!”
“Why does everyone think I’m dead?! Is this what happens when you go away for a few years?! I have an accident and you guys don’t even ask after me after I was moved to London.”
“BECAUSE WE THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD FOR FUCK’S SAKE!!”
“Koki!!!!” Maru shot him a warning glance as all eyes in the bar fell on them.
Jin closed his eyes. What the hell was happening? His head began to throb and he lowered it into his hands.
Silence.
“Have you seen Kazuya yet?”
Jin looked up at Koki who’d calm down, but was looking down at his hands.
“Who’s…Kazuya…?”
This time it was their turn to stare at him. “You mean…you don’t remember Kazuya…?”
Silence.
Koki clicked his tongue and was shaking his head in disbelief. Maru shifted in his seat and looked at him steadily. “Akanishi-kun…just what happened six years ago? After the incident, Kazuya didn’t come back to school and you were apparently dead. Everyone blamed it on Kazuya, but we figured that wasn’t the case.”
“Waita sec - “ Jin looked at them, his eyebrows now knotted with confusion. “What’s this got to do with this Kazuya guy?”
Matsumi flicked her hair to one side as she looked over her friend’s work, correction pencil in hand.
“Clare why have you done this?! The romanji here! Come on!” Matsumi laughed, but her face didn’t give an expression of amusement. “And what’s this?!”
Clare looked up from her book and arched a slightly irritated eyebrow. “Hey hey! I know my Japanese is not great, but I don’t yell when you leave the ‘u’ out of ‘colour’, spell ‘airplane’ instead of “AEROplane’, despite the fact that you’re at a British institution and say “ima-jin” instead of “imagine” cos you listen to too much JE!!”
Matsumi looked up at her friend, who returned the look and carried on with a hint of hurt in her tone. “Hurts doesn’t it? Be careful when you’re criticising people!”
Matsumi held her nose and lifted her head slightly. “Oh I AM sorry daarling! I suggest we should make up over tea and crumpets? What do you say? Or shall we be rebellious and dine over fish and chips?”
There was a pause and then both girls broke into a grin. Clare’s expression softened. “What’s eating you tonight Matsumi?”
“I’m sorry…it’s just…I guess I’m a little nervous… I’m having a formal dinner with Jin’s parents tonight… and just…”
Clare laughed. “You’re not the good little Japanese girl they would hope for you to be!”
“Urusei!”
“Mind your language! Good little Japanese girls shouldn’t use such crude male words!”
“Oh for -“
“Matsumi?”
Jin’s voice broke her thoughts. “Jin…”
He smiled weakly at her. “I just wanted to ask about tonight. Sorry am I disturbing you?”
“Oh no! I’m cooking tonight.” She smiled back at him. “I thought that since your parents just landed not too long ago it would it better if we didn’t eat out. Anyway, it’d make them happy to know their daughter -in-law can look after their son.” Matsumi had got up and gone over to him. She paused as he didn't smile at her attempt to humour him and put two hands on his arms. “Jin…are you alright?”
“Hmmm…?” he smiled back weakly. “Just…a headache…that’s all.”
Matsumi looked worried and felt his head. “Well you don’t have a fever and you seemed alright this morning.” She frowned. “I’ve pretty much finished. Why don’t we go early?”
“No I think -“
But Matsumi shooed him out of the door. “I’ll see you downstairs in 15.”
Kame breathed in as he stood in front of Sakura's building with the envelope in his hand. Sasaki meant well, but all Kame wanted was to leave it behind him. He decided to leave the article at the reception and go. It would be best for the both of them. He’d seen Jin now and he’s alive, and maybe forgetting him was even for the better. No painful memories. It will never work out anyway now, not with Jin where he is now. He’s getting married soon.
He looked up at the darkening sky.
Yes it’d be the best for the both of them.
It was beginning to snow.
Matsumi slipped her hand into Jin’s as the lift doors opened and gave it a quick squeeze. He turned and smiled down at her and stepped out of the lift.
“My parents will be delighted that you’re cooking. Did you want any help?”
“Baka Jin help?!” Matsumi grinned. “I rather you rested and took a nap!”
Jin tapped her on the head. “Oi! We’re still in the office building.”
She laughed, but then presently stopped.
“What’s -“ Jin followed Matsumi’s gaze and settled on a slim male figure waiting at the reception. Kame turned presently and caught sight of the couple.
He looked down and away awkwardly and bit the insides of his cheeks. Why is Jin everywhere when he doesn’t want to see him? As calmly as he could he walked over with the folder in his hand. He gave a slight bow. “Akanishi-san, this is the article…” He paused. “It’s going into the Lifestyle section of the magazine…instead of the business section…if that’s alright by you…apologies for the change.” He bowed low before pulling himself straight again.
“Kamenashi-san…” Jin smiled weakly and took the folder. His head was throbbing too much to think about this right now. “Yeah…I think it should be fine…” He quickly opened the folder to look inside. “I’ll read it…” He stopped. “…tomorrow…”
Silence.
“Jin…?” Matsumi looked at her fiancé and glanced at the folder in his hand, which he closed quickly and looked up.
“Excuse me…” Kame bowed and was about to turn to go.
“Kamenashi-san…” Jin let go of Matsumi’s hand. “Actually…are you free tomorrow evening?" He stepped towards the younger man. “There is…something I want to discuss with you…” His head was really hurting him now. He ran a hand through his hair, but kept his tone business-like and steady. “I’ll email you time and place tomorrow… Excuse us…”
Jin turned, smiled at Matsumi and took her hand and began walking out of the office building, leaving Kame just standing there staring not entirely comprehending what just happened. By instinct, he sensed something was wrong.
He turned and murmured to the disappearing figure. “Please…take care of yourself…Jin.”
Sato paused and eyed the boy before him. Jin looked back unflinchingly before slowly stepping closer. Sato chuckled and looked at Kame.
“I can have you another day Kazuya-chan…” before leaning in to run his tongue across Kame’s protesting lips. He pointed at Jin, but said nothing; he then turned and disappeared into the crowds.
Jin clenched his fist as he watched Sato disappear. He turned to Kame who was still looking at him with eyes burning of embarrassment and hate.
“Kame -”
Jin didn’t even have a chance to explain as Kame shoved fiercely past him and out towards the exit.
“Shit! Why can’t that guy get a grip?! KAME!”
Snow was floating gently downwards as Kame burst outside the club. He just wanted to run. Anywhere somewhere nowhere he didn’t care just run. Why did he have to be there? He just wanted to be left alone. Is that really too much to ask?
“KAME!!”
Fuck off.
Just keep running. He was tugging forcefully at his own jacket. That place was so filthy.
“KAME!!” The few metres between them began to widen. It’s fucking freezing! What the hell does he think he’s doing?! “KAME!! SHIT! KAME STOP!”
Anywhere somewhere nowhere. He wanted to rip his own skin off.
Jin grabbed Kame’s discarded coat as it fell towards him. “For god’s sake! KAME!!” He suddenly halted.
“So was he not paying you enough Kame?”
Kame stopped short.
Silence.
What…?
“How much did you want him to pay you then…Kame?”
The jarring crash of a cup smashing onto the floor caused Kame to jerk his head behind him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing!? This suit costs more than your monthly wages put together!” The manager rushed over and gave the embarrassed waitress a stern word to which she bowed apologetically and hurried away.
“Sumimasen… Kamenashi-san?”
He turned away from the commotion to find the figure of Matsumi smiling at him. He stood up quickly and half-bowed in greeting.
“We’ve met before,” She paused and smiled. “But I think Jin didn’t introduce us. I’m Nishikido… Nishikido Matsumi.”
“Nishikido-san…” There was a pause. “Oh… please sit down.”
Matsumi smiled and carefully pulled out the chair and sat opposite him. “Are you waiting for someone? I won’t be long. I promise. I walked by and saw you in the window and thought it’d be polite to come and greet you as you recently wrote about my fiance.”
Kame nodded and smiled.
Matsumi carried on. “It was a very well written article…” She paused. “...I met Jin in London, whilst he was recovering from the accident. It was pretty horrific, but I’m glad you downplayed it and wrote about it so sensitively… His recovery was tough as he lost most of his more recent memories so he was very confused and depressed for much of the first few months in London. I guess trying to remember was just too painful.”
Kame moved his hands onto his lap, as they were now tightly locked onto each other. He nodded and forced a smile.
“You were right though,” She brushed a strand of hair behind her ears and carefully placed her hands together onto the table. “The more outgoing side of him pulled through and he quickly recovered after those initial few months. He's very happy now." She laughed lightly and blushed. “I know he will do very well, starting a new life in Tokyo. I want to be there to support him.”
Matsumi looked at her watch. “Well... I just wanted to thank you for writing about my fiancé so well. I was very happy." She got up and smiled down at Kame. “It was lovely talking to you.”
Kame slowly got up as Matsumi began to leave. She picked up her coat from her chair. “Well I guess I should be going. I promised to keep Jin’s parents company tonight.” She folded the jacket carefully over her arms. “Kamenashi-san?”
Kame looked at her.
“You will come to the wedding won’t you. It’d be nice to have you there.” Matsumi tipped her head slightly to one side. “Well, take care Kamenashi-san.” She smiled at him once more, then turned and walked towards the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
moshi moshi -もしもし ー hello (when answering telephones)
Sumimasen.ーすみません ー Some people say it as "Suimasen”. Here it’s used like ‘excuse me’.
Buchou - 部長 ー Dept. Chief
Ganbatte - 頑張って- word for encouragement, work hard/come on!
Urusei - うるせぃ - shut up!
(other: うるせー uruse- うるせぇ uruse うるっせー urusse- うるせぃ urusei)
((I hope that didn't seemed too rushed! Hope you enjoyed it!))