"My Eminent Serenity" | chapter 29 (end)
-x-x-x-
Ayako was busy drowning herself into the information she was reading across the 385th page of the book in front of her together with all the other books sprawled on the desk when she heard a singing voice. She flinched when the voice singing in acapella started to fill in her surroundings. She peeked on the phone beside her book and smiled. The voice, which was actually her ringing tone, was singing 'Snow Song', a perfect song for the season. For a while, she let her phone rang until she couldn't stop grabbing it anymore and answered her caller.
"Moshi moshi..." She greeted.
"Merry Christmas!!!" She heard the same voice as her ringing tone from the other line.
She grinned, "Merry Christmas to you too!!!"
"Where are you?" Inquired by her caller.
"School."
Her caller smiled from the other line, 'I knew it'. "Nande? You are still reviewing? Today is the 24th of December. Tonight will going to be Christmas Eve and you're still there, reviewing!!! I bet you're all alone in there, aren't you?"
She sighed, "I can't help it. I wanna finish this book I'm reading before I celebrate the holidays..." She explained painstakingly.
"Haha! Don't study anymore. I know you'll pass every college entrance exam you'll take next year!" The caller encouraged.
"Nahh! I hope so." She muttered. "Ahh, by the way, where are you?"
"Ahhh... Secret..."
She made a face, 'Why is he hiding his location?' "Seriously..."
"Hmm, sing me a song first then I'll tell you where I am." The caller demanded.
She frowned, "No need. I don't want to know where you are anymore, bye!!!"
"Wait, wait... Fine! I'll tell you."
'Haha! I won!' "Yes, where are you Nakajima Yuto?"
"Outside your school..." He revealed.
She was astounded. "Haa? What are you doing there?" Her eyes widened.
"I was supposed to surprise you but it seemed you don't want to be surprised..."
"How long have you been there?"
"Ahh, just a moment ago..." He lied. He was there for almost an hour already waiting for her. "Anou, Mama is actually inviting you for lunch. I hope you don't have any plans yet."
"Ehh? Your Mama? Me? Lunch?" 'Is this what do they call meet-your-in-laws-thing? Oh yeah, stupid me. We're not getting married yet.'
"Yeah! She's being eager to meet you and set up this lunch. She said she'll cook something special."
"D-demo, I'm shy!!!" She admitted while flustering.
His smile was ear to ear, "Don't be. My Mama won't eat you alive!" He pulled the gag to ease her tension.
"Yeah, she will kill me first before she eats me." She replied sarcastically.
"HAHAHA!" He laughed loudly.
"No, seriously Yuto, I don't think I can do that yet..."
"You can! And I'll be meeting your sister and best friend later this afternoon right? So it's just fine, I'll also feel that heart-throbbing experience you are having but just a little bit later."
She smiled sheepishly, "Hai, as what you say..."
"So sing me a sing now!" He changed the topic so she won't be worried.
She started closing her books in front of her along with all her belongings scattered on her table, put it all in her bag and stood up, "I won't sing."
"Just the chorus of jingle bells will do." He insisted.
"I'm going out, wait for me." She said, ignoring his request.
While outside the school gates of Toyo High School, Yuto was all smiles. He was leaning on the wall, waiting for Ayako to come out. As what he heard from the morning news, snow would gonna fall on Tokyo by noon. Snow doesn't always pour on Tokyo, particulary in Machida by noon so he was sure it would gonna be a very nice surprise to Ayako and she's a kind of person who doesn't watch morning news so he was sure she was not aware.
'Oh come on Yuki-sama! Just fall right now. I wanna have a White Christmas!!!' He pleaded inwardly.
Few minutes passed. Ayako finally arrived. "Merry Christmas!" She greeted him once again.
"Merry Christmas!" Yuto looked on his watch. There was still 30 minutes before 12noon, good timing. "Let's go now! I'm sure we will arrive in Machida approximately by 12..."
"Sure!" And they started walking towards the train station.
"Ah, did you finish your book?" He asked.
"No. I'll finish it later."
"Ahh, I'm sorry. I think it was my fault that's why you didn't finish it." He apologized.
She shook her head, "Oh no. I was distracted even before you called so I knew I won't finish the book by now."
"Why are you distracted then?" He inquired.
"I'm wondering if it will snow... Last year, snow fell way too late for Christmas but today the weather is getting colder... What do you think?"
"Hmm, I don't really know. Lately we've been very busy rehearsing so I haven't really checked out the weather..." He lied.
"Ahh, sou desu ka? I'm sorry but I think I can't go to your winter concert tomorrow. My parents will be coming home!" She informed.
"Really!!!" He got hyper. "That's so nice! I'm happy for you!"
"Thanks! Hehe!!!"
Later, after they rode the train and traveled to their hometown, Yuto suggested for them to walk instead of hiring a taxi despite of the worsening condition of the weather.
"Are you really sure?" Ayako asked in doubt.
"Yeah!" He assured.
And they preceded walking. It would took them 10 minutes to walk from the station to the Nakajima residence yet Ayako saw Yuto being all too excited with their journey.
"Are you hiding anything from me?" She asked again.
"No." He confidently answered. "Hey, while walking, why don't you sing Jingle Bells?"
"Why don't you sing? You're the singer in here anyway!" She snapped. She knew he's really up to something.
"Oh come on Aya-chan!!! PLEASE!" He begged.
She grimaced, 'What is in Jingle Bells that he really wants me to sing that song?' "Fine. It's just a song anyway..."
"Yey!!!" He rejoiced.
"Okay, here I go... Hashire sori yo kaze no you ni..." She started softly. Yuto couldn't help smiling.
(**This is basically the Japanese version of Jingle Bells. You can sing it w/ the tune of that song.)
"Yuki no naka wo karuku hayaku... Waraigoe wo yuki ni makeba... Akarui hikari no hana ni naru yo!" She started clapping to add some beat, "Jinguruberu jinguruberu Suzu ga naru Suzu no rizumu ni hikari no wa ga mau Jinguruberu jinguruberu Suzu ga naru Mori ni hayashi ni hibikinagara!!!"
"Yey!!!" Yuto exclaimed. "Wah! You're the best Jingle Bells singer Aya-chan!"
She blushed. "Stop it!" She had always love singing but she never sang in front of many people... so her self-confidence was really low but Yuto tended to make her sing any song so she was not shy to him anymore.
"Since you sang for me again, I have a surprise for you!" He said.
Her eyes widened. "What is it?"
Yuto stopped from walking and stretched his arms on both sides while looking upward. Ayako was puzzled so she stopped from her tracks too and looked upward. She suddenly felt something very cold dropped from the heavens toward her face. "Yuki..."
Yuto smiled. His eyes were full of love. "Happy First Monthsary!"
Her vision shifted from the skies to the person in front of her. Yes, it's been a month since Ayako bid goodbye to being single and became his girlfriend. It took Nakajima Yuto; a JE talent, singer, dancer, drummer, actor, handsome and famous, the whole autumn season and a bunch of effort to finally hear her say yes to his question, 'Will you be my girlfriend?’
"Happy Monthsary too..." She greeted back, almost teary. "Crap, you're so mushy!" She commented.
He blushed, "Just let it be. Merry Christmas Aya-chan!!!"
She suddenly hugged him and whispered, "Merry Christmas to you too Yuu-chan." 'I really love this guy.'
Yuto embraced her too.
And later, Ayako found herself enjoying the first ever conversation she was having with Yuto's Mama. The awkwardness and formalities she thought would dominate their first meeting had gone with the winter wind. His Mama talked like they knew each other for so long. Ayako thought she was lucky.
"Are you enjoying your curry Ayako?" Yuto's Mama asked.
She nodded, "Hai Nakajima-san!"
Yuto smiled on where he was, "Ahh Mama, Raiya won't come to have lunch?" He asked.
"No, he said he will come home by afternoon. He was finishing something in their soccer club. He was actually eager to see Ayako but he just couldn't abandon his duties of being the soccer club's team captain." His Mama explained.
"Ahh, too bad. You should meet that guy next time Aya-chan... He's really incredible as a younger brother!"
"Really. I would love to meet him." She replied excitedly.
"Hahaha! I'll just get the dessert. Suit yourself in here Ayako!" Mama said before leaving the two of them on the dining table.
"Are you alright?" Yuto asked.
She nodded, "Yeah! Your Mama is an awesome cook!"
He smiled. "You bet. She's the best cook I've ever known!"
-x-x-x-
Later, while they were letting the time pass by before meeting Ayako's sister and best friend on a restaurant on a nearby mall, Yuto and Ayako went to a pet shop.
"Look! There's a terribly cute animal in there!" Ayako pointed.
Yuto excitedly looked at where she was pointing, "That's a baby raccoon!"
"Ehh? Baby raccoons look like that?" She was surprised. She never saw a baby raccoon before.
"Yeah!"
"Ahh wait, I'll call Ryosuke-kun!" She exclaimed.
He was puzzled, "Why would you call him?"
But before she could answer his question, she was already dialing a number on her phone and put it near her ear. "Hello, Ryosuke-kun! Merry Christmas!"
On the other line, "Ahh, Ayako-san, Merry Christmas to you too!"
"Hmm, you said Mirai-san likes raccoons, right?" She inquired. Yuto went near to her to listen.
"Ha?! You remember that?"
"I saw a baby raccoon in a pet shop. Why don't you buy her one? Or two? I bet that's gonna be the best Christmas gift ever!!! What do you think?" She suggested.
Yuto was nodding in agreement with her. Ayako smiled to him.
"Why would I do such thing? And besides she only said she like stuffed toy raccoons!" Yamada protested.
"Ahh, sou desu ka?! So then, buy her one!!!"
"I told you I'm not buying anything for her."
She made a face, "How stingy! Do you think you'll end up being together if you don't put some effort in making her happy even for Christmas?"
"Baka!!! I am not planning to be her boyfriend!" Yamada spat.
"But you said you like her, didn't you?!" She caught him.
Yamada blushed, "What the heck Ayako-san, did you call to just tease me?"
"Buy her a stuffed toy raccoon, okay? Bye!" And she hung up.
Yamada groaned in his room. He was annoyed of how Ayako could affect his decisions. "Fine! I'll buy a raccoon then!"
On the other hand...
"You think he'll buy her a gift?" Yuto asked as they walked around the mall.
"Yeah. I know he will. He likes her, he's just in denial. Being in denial for so long rather makes it very obvious. And I like them together..." She replied.
'Wow, she's really into match making Yama-chan!' Yuto smiled in delight.
"Hmm, next will be Chinen-kun and Umika-san, what do you think?" She asked; her 'match-making' mood turned on.
Yuto turned pensive too, "I really can't say anything. I don't know Umika-san personally... but I think they are cute together."
"Ohh, I'm really good at this!" She remarked confidently. 'Thanks to those fan fictions I read online, haha!'
-x-x-x-
Yuto couldn't stop the nervousness devouring his being. He felt his heart thumping wildly as they walked nearer and nearer to the restaurant where he would meet two of the closest persons (girls) to Ayako. Nevertheless, he still tried his best to look calm but his sweaty palms were betraying him.
"It's fine. Sumi nee-chan and Michi-chan are both Hey! Say! JUMP fans... they know you! Don't worry too much."
Yuto looked away, "They know me??? Oh good heavens..." 'It has just added the pressure.'
She smiled while patting his shoulder, "Gather yourself. You're making me nervous too."
That was when Yuto noticed her cold palm patting his shoulder, 'So she's tensed too.'
And the moment of truth came. Ayako pulled him along with her as they made their way across the Italian restaurant they went in. She looked over an area familiar to her and saw two figures sitting and chatting heartily as a symphony was played on the background.
"That's them!" She announced to him.
Yuto gulped, "Okay..." 'This is it.'
And they went near to a table.
"Sumi nee-chan! Michi-chan!!!" Ayako exclaimed.
"Oh, you're finally here!" Yuto heard a girl said. He wasn't actually looking at them because of nervousness.
"What is it that you wanna talk about? You're intriguing us Aya-chan!" A voice which seemed younger than the first one said.
"Ahh... about that, actually I want you to meet someone!" Ayako started, "I just hope you won't squeal because we are in a formal restaurant!" That's one of the reasons why she chose that place, because she was assuming that they won't be able to fan girl due to the formal atmosphere of the restaurant.
"Hmm, it depends you know. Who is it?"
"Ahh... this is my b-" She stuttered, "B-boyfriend... Nakajima Yuto..." She revealed while stepping aside so that the two of them could see Yuto clearly.
"..."
"Ano... konbanwa, Nakajima Yuto desu..." He introduced himself while bowing.
"..."
Ayako was surprised. Her plan actually worked. Her sister and her best friend were totally silent... the expression of surprise was all over their faces.
"W-who are you again? I think I have heard you wrong... Nakajima Yuto you say???" Michiko asked. Doubt was in her voice.
"Yeah..." Yuto replied shyly.
"HAAA? Seriously? Nakajima-kun!" Sumika suddenly exclaimed.
Ayako face palmed. 'And I thought everything will flow silently.'
"Ehh??! Nurse-chan?!!" Yuto blurted when he focused on Sumika's face. "Y-you are Aya-chan's sister???" He was terribly surprised.
"And you are her boyfriend?" Sumika asked back.
Ayako was dumfounded on the side. "Y-you knew each other?" She asked softly.
"Yeah! She is our personal nurse! She's the one who always assist us every time we go to the hospital for flu vaccinations!" Yuto answered.
"Wow! What a coincidence!" Sumika exclaimed again. "He was the one I'm talking about last night. My celebrity patient!"
"W-wait..." Michiko intervened, "Tell me, are you the Nakajima Yuto of Hey! Say! JUMP too or you just have the same name? Because for me, as of now, I'm really in a confused state of thinking... so I want you to answer my question without letting me think."
"Ah, yes, I'm a member of Hey! Say! JUMP." He answered.
Michiko took a deep breath, "I think I'm gonna collapse..." She stated.
"Oh no, please. Not here! Maybe later!!!" Ayako said as she rushed and sat to Michiko's side.
Yet instead, Michiko glared daggers upon her, "You freak! You didn't even tell me that you're going out with a Hey! Say! JUMP member!!!" He madly whispered to her.
Ayako gave her an apologetic look, "Gomen Michi-chan, it should be a secret and I know you're obsession with Ryo- I mean Yamada-kun so I thought it must be nice if I keep it as a secret from everyone..."
"And now you only had the nerve to tell us since he's already your boyfriend! How could you!!" Michiko blabbered.
Ayako bowed, "I'm really sorry but you also hid the fact that you and the basketball team captain had a relationship too right! I only knew about it a week after your broke up!"
"Hey, that's a different story! We're talking about Hey! Say! JUMP here and that jerk doesn't deserve to be boasted!!!"
"Ahh, Nakajima-kun, please sit beside me. You've been standing there for a while already..." Both of them heard Sumika said to Yuto.
Yuto bowed, "Arigatou Nurse-chan." And he sat beside her. "Wow! I never thought you are Aya-chan's sister! Well, I knew that her sister is a nurse..."
"Isn't it a small world, ne?" Sumika said before chuckling.
"Hai! Ah, now I remember, I never ask about your name either. I only address you as Nurse-chan!!!' He commented.
On the other part of their table, Ayako looked at them, 'Waah! I'm happy they are getting along with each other.'
Michiko went near to her, "But still, you're so lucky Aya-chan!!! Having a boyfriend like him is like winning in a lottery! I'm happy for you!!!"
"Thanks Michi-chan!"
She then looked closely at him, "Wow, he really looks so handsome in person ne!"
Ayako nodded. 'I wonder what she will do if I tell her that Ryosuke-kun is a friend of mine too.'
"Wait, if Nakajima-kun is your boyfriend, I bet Yamada-kun knows you too, right?"
'She just got me...' She smiled sheepishly, "Ahh, about that... maaa~ slight..." She lied.
Michiko's eyes narrowed, "Tell me, you're close already... ne?"
"Eto..." She couldn't say anything anymore.
"Aha! I have an idea, match-make me to Yamada-kun!"
"EHH? Isn't that a bit too much? And besides, I'm rooting for YamaShi!!!" She blurted without thinking. 'Uhh, I think I have said the wrong things...'
"WHAT?"
"Fine! Fine! I'll give you his number later!!!" She immediately said.
Michiko smiled, "Now that's better." She then shifted her attention to Yuto, "Ahh, konbanwa Nakajima-kun! I'm Michiko, Aya-chan's best friend, yoroshiku onegai shimasu!!!" She finally introduced herself while bowing.
"Ah, hai! Nice to meet you too!" He bowed too.
'Finally, everything seemed to be settled. Yes! At least I think these people approved of our relationship...' Ayako thought as she watched the three closest people to her talking to each other. She couldn't help smiling. 'This is one of my happiest Christmases.'
-x-x-x-
Ayako sipped her tea as she watched the distant fireworks display by her window. The clock on the wall struck 12:05AM. It was officially Christmas. She heard her sister yelling Merry Christmas downstairs and later, their telephone rang. Sumika answered it. She knew who it was, their Mama.
Ayako smiled once again as she walked across her room and sat on her bed... her cats were all around, the 12 of them and Maya was beside her. She stroked his fur with her right hand, the left hand holding her cup of tea. "Ne Maya... You know what, this happiness I'm feeling right now is all because of you. If you weren't born naughty, you would not trap yourself to the canopy of Yuto's house and let our paths crossed towards each other."
"Meow..." Maya answered like he understood what his owner said.
"Thank you very much Maya.... Merry Christmas!" She greeted, "And Merry Christmas to everyone!!!" She said loudly and made all the other cats looked at her.
"Meow... meow..." They replied.
"Wow!" 'I really have this feeling that I have the smartest cats ever!'
"AYA!!! MAMA IS CALLING YOU!!!" She heard Sumika shouted downstairs.
She jerked, "Uhh... HAI! I'M COMING!" She replied and went down hurriedly.
Maya followed her with his eyes and when she disappeared, he leaped from her bed to the desk nearby where she placed her phone. It suddenly beeped, signaling a message received. Maya looked at it... "Meow!"
The phone showed, "1 Voice Message Received from: Yuto♥"
"Meow..." Maya seemed to snicker.
-x-x-x-
When the sun has finally risen up, Yamada was hesitatingly dialing a number on his phone. His heart was thumping loudly until he heard someone answered on the other line...
"Merry Christmas!"
His eyes widened, "Ahh.. Merry Christmas to you too S-shida-san..." He stuttered. He was gripping a stuffed toy raccoon with his left hand, "Do you have any plans later? I-I just wanna give you something... You know, as a Christmas gift." He asked timidly.
"EHH? Ah, no! I don't have any plans yet... Hai! I actually wanna give you something too..."
He blushed. "S-sou dayo ne... What a great coincidence... Hehe…"
- O W A R I -
終 わ り
Comments are loved. ♥
Please give your constructive, wonderful, violent, random comments about the fan fiction as a whole.
Thank you very much for reading this until the end.
(I don't wanna cry!)
This fan fiction has been very dear to me.
I'll miss Ayako so much, seriously.
There has been a part of me who stands like her.
I got much ideas of her personality from my own.
But I tend to be jealous over her too, tch..
So then, I think this is where I should stop writing and concentrate on things that I should prioritize!
I'll be writing one-shots by the time I'll be free because I've realized that no matter how exciting it is to write multi-chaptered fanfics, its really nerve wracking!
Yet I couldn't abandon writing. This is what I enjoy the most
And for the love of Hey! Say! JUMP, see you on my next fan fiction!
Ja!
(Is now really crying! Crap! Why did my playlist intentionally played Thank you - Bokutachi kara kimi e?? It's adding the nostalgic feeling!! MY GOSH!)