Who Are You? - Part 2
“This is Ohchan’s apartment,” said Jun as he dropped Nino off at an old apartment building. Sho was busy spending time with Aiba and that’s why Nino asked Jun to send him to Ohno’s apartment. He had a feeling that Ohno must feel lonely now that Aiba is gone from his house. That’s why he decided to visit him. “When do you want me to pick you up?”
Nino glanced at his watch. It was only 8 pm. To be honest, he didn’t want to go home today but… Well… Let’s see how Ohno reacted first.
“I’ll call you later,” answered Nino.
“Don’t be naughty okay,” said Jun, giving him an evil smile before leaving.
“Eh… What is his apartment number?” Nino thought to himself once Jun left, scolding himself for forgetting to ask Jun about that. But… the apartment..., he had seen this apartment in his dream. Perhaps he can figure out which one is Ohno’s by himself. Instinctively, he pressed the elevator to go to the second floor and looked for apartment number 2-6. Once he stood in front of the apartment, he doubted if he should rang the doorbell. What if it’s the wrong apartment? What if Ohno didn’t like to see him there?
“Ka… Ninomiya san?” Before he could decide what to do, Ohno suddenly show up in front of the elevator, carrying a cup of hot coffee. “What are you doing here?”
“Ah…. Just visiting you,”
“Are you here alone?” Asked Ohno.
Nino nodded his head but remembering how Ohno snapped at Jun and Sho this morning for leaving him alone, he immediately added. “Jun sent me here,”
Ohno smiled at him as he unlocked the door. He invited Nino inside before he put the coffee on the table. There weren't too much things in the apartment. Just a bed and table. This apartment, like other things related to Ohno…. he recognized this as the place where he often spend his time with Riida.
“Sorry for taking too long,” Ohno said to the empty table. It must be one of the spirits that only Ohno could see. “So, you will go once you smell this coffee for the last time?”
Nino ignored him as he continued to look around the house. He saw a sketchbook on the bed and sat on the bed to look at Ohno’s art work. Just like Jun said, Ohno was indeed talented. His drawings… They were so beautiful. As he flipped through the sketchbook, once again, he saw the drawing of himself as the princess. He smiled as he looked at the drawing before turning to the next page, expecting to see a drawing of Jun as the prince. However, it was a different drawing. It was a drawing of Ohno, dressing like a knight.
Nino was at loss for words as he stared at the sketch. He wondered how long had Ohno drawn this. Was it before he draw Jun as the prince or if it was for their latest project. The drawing of Ohno as the knight was perfect for the image of the servant he had in his mind.
“Where did you find that?” Ohno asked him as he took the sketchbook from him. His face turned red in embarrassment. At the same time, he seems mad.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t look,”
“You were always like that. Always looking at my sketchbook without my permission,”
“I’m sorry…” He didn’t know what else to say. “I just think that drawing was beautiful,”
“Making fun of my drawing or making fun of my feeling?” Said Ohno in response.
“Ohchan… I’m really sorry. I thought it was a drawing for our project. It’s per…,”
“This wasn’t for our project. It was something delusional I have. Just like you requested to have Jun as the prince so that you can be with him in your imagination, I draw this to fulfill my own imagination to be with you,” his voice. It was full of pain and it was all because of Nino. Nino never thought that Riida actually had unrequited feeling for Kazu. “Please leave, Kazu. I will quit from the company. It must be awkward for you to have me working for you after knowing that I love you,”
Nino didn’t want to leave. He didn’t want to lose Ohno, not because of a misunderstanding. It’s true, it must be unrequited feeling for Ohno when they first met. But, after spending a year with Ohno as the spirits, he didn’t realized that he had finally fall in love with the other guy. Maybe because he wanted to be with Ohno as a true couple, he decided to wake up from his coma. Unfortunately, he lose all of his memories with Ohno but he still has the feelings for Ohno. That’s why he no longer interested with Jun and was craving to be with Ohno.
“I don’t want to leave. You were wrong. I… I don’t love Jun. Not anymore,” said Nino as he stood in front of Ohno, holding his hands and refused to let him go.
“I love you, Riida,”
Ohno was surprised to hear the confession and Nino used the chance to kiss Ohno.
It was dark. Everything was dark so Nino couldn’t see anything. He closed his eyes, hoping that when he opened again, it will be bright. He opened his eyes but it is still dark. He didn’t know what to do so he wander around in the dark. Perhaps there would be light if he search for it.
And then he found the light. It was in the form of human. He shines so brightly so Nino walked to that person. He was a small guy, as short as Nino but he was chubby. Unlike Nino’s pale complexion, the guy was tanned. Nino stood in front of him, wondering if the guy can see him. Then, all of his surrounding become brighter and he looked around to see he was in a hospital.
“Riida!” A guy next to the light shouted excitedly. He was taller than Nino. “There is a new guy!”
The taller guy pointed his finger at Nino. The light ignore the taller guy, instead he keeps on staring at a body on the bed. Nino turned to look at what he was staring at and was surprised to see… It was the taller guy on the bed.
“I’m not dead. I’m in a coma,” said the taller guy. “I’m Aiba. That is Ohno but I love to call him Riida. He is the only one who can see us,”
“Us?”
“Yup. Spirits. How about you? Are you dead?”
Nino shook his head. He didn’t know. The last thing he remembered… He was driving when suddenly a car from the opposite side collided with his car. Did he die because of that? Nino shook his head a few times, refusing to believe that he is dead.
“Are you okay?” He heard a soft voice. It was Ohno.
“I don’t know. Am I dead?”
“You looked familiar. What’s your name?”
“Ninomiya Kazunari,”
“Ah, the game president. You involved in an accident. But, I don’t think you are dead. You are still unconscious,”
“Accident?”
“Yes. Ah, do you want to find your body? I think you are treated in this hospital. If you reunited with your body, maybe you will wake up,”
Ohno gestured for Nino to follow him. But, Nino didn’t want to follow him. He didn’t want to look at what happened to his body because of the accident.
“I don’t want,”
“So, you have been in coma for 4 years?” Asked Nino. He ended up following Ohno home. Ohno visited his physical body in the hospital without him. It was badly injured but he survived the accident. The doctor cannot predict when will Nino regained his consciousness so Ohno advised Nino to returned to his body to wake up. Like before, Nino refused to reunite with his physical body.
“Yes. It’s better this way, Nino. I can run away from people that I don’t want to see. I can tease people. Their reaction when I pulled a prank was golden. I also know a lot of secrets,” answered Aiba. Ohno looked at him disapprovingly.
“Aiba, you are a bad influence to Ninomiya san,” said Ohno. “Ninomiya san, don’t you worry about your company?”
Of course, he was worried about his company. But, even if he woke up right now, the doctor won't allow him to get back to work immediately. He will be asked to rest until his body was fully recovered. Being a spirits, he can work by using Ohno. He had seen the sketch made by Ohno. He can work as the design artist in his company. So, with Aiba’s help, he left a memo on Sho’s table, instructing him to hire Ohno as the design artist. They made sure to put it under a pile of files, so that Sho will think it was there before the accident happened and he didn’t see it because there were a lot of files.
“Don’t worry. Sho and Jun will take care of my company. And please stop calling me, Ninomiya san. It’s too formal. We’re going to be roommate, right? Why don’t you called me….” He leaned towards Ohno who sat next to him, flashing the most seductive smile he could manage before whispering to Ohno. “… Kazu?”
Ohno blinked in surprise. He immediately pushed Nino away and go to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Nino and Aiba laughed looking at his reaction. He was too adorable.
“If we both returned to our body, you will be lonely, Riida,” said Aiba once Ohno was back in the living room.
“Whatever. Ninomi…” Nino silenced Ohno with a finger on his lips.
“Kazu. Call me, Kazu”
“It sounds too intimate,”
“It’s okay. We’re going to spend a lot of time together after all. If you do not call me Kazu after this, I will kiss you,” warned Nino. He loved the way Ohno panic to hear that so he ended up laughing at him.
“That would be enough teasing for today, Nino,” Aiba interrupted both of them. “Let’s play games. Riida didn’t really like to play game so I always play alone. Yeah, I finally have someone to play with,”
Nino immediately agreed. Yes, there will be no Jun or Sho who would nag at him if he played too much. Being a spirits has a lot of advantages, right?
“Riida… Riida… Hurry up! You need to hide. J is here,” shouted Nino. He had asked Ohno to copy a few files from his PC in the office so that he can work on it at Ohno’s house. He will be on guard to see if Jun or Sho suddenly show up in the office.
“Didn’t I tell you it would be easier if you came at night? No one can see you! Jun or Sho wouldn’t be around so you don’t have to worry for them. Why do you have to cause trouble for me?” Ohno was complaining as Nino instructed him to hide under the table. Hopefully, Jun wouldn’t check the table and was only looking for the files in the shelf. If he went to the table, Nino would think of a way to distract him.
“It’s scary at night,”
“Bring Aiba chan with you,”
“He is too noisy,”
It was a lie. He just enjoyed doing this with Ohno, instead of Aiba. He loves the way Ohno complained each time he came out with a ridiculous idea. It’s still fresh in his mind how Ohno yelled at both of them after Sho called him to offer a job in NeenGames. Ohno rejected the offer but Sho wanted him to reconsider because that was the last request from Nino before the accident. But, Ohno knew that it was something both Aiba and Nino did after the accident so he yelled at them for doing so. Nino then defended himself saying it would be better if there is someone he can communicate with in the company which Ohno counterattacked that it would be solved if Nino go back to his physical body. The argument continued for about 30 minutes when Ohno finally agreed with his request. That is what he like the most about Ohno. He always fulfill what Nino wanted even though he complained a lot. Sometimes, Nino felt guilty for causing too much trouble to Ohno but he love the way Ohno pouted so that’s why he never stopped. It was really unfortunate for Ohno to meet a bratty spirits like him, combining with the weird Aibaka.
The door of his office was opened from the outside. Jun stepped inside, taking a file from the shelf and immediately left. Ohno sighed in relief. They waited for 15 minutes before Nino checked if anyone else was on the floor. After making sure everything is clear, he signalled for Ohno to go. They decided to take the stairs, in case Sho or Jun was in the elevator. But, when they opened the door for the stairs, both Sho and Jun were there.
Nino yelped in surprise, but of course no one can hear him except Ohno. He didn’t check the stairs because… No one ever use the stairs before.
“Ohno san, what’s in your pocket?” Asked Jun. He didn’t wait for Ohno to answer, but instead checked the pocket and took out the usb Ohno used to copy the files.
“What is this?” Asked Jun angrily. “Are you a spy?”
“It… Kazu wants… I don’t know,” Ohno mumbled incoherently, clearly panic. He looked at Nino’s direction, expecting him to come out with an idea to save him. But, Nino cannot think at all.
“You betrayed Nino. He wants you to work here but you…” Sho was clearly disappointed. Nino wanted to scream, to defend Ohno but he knew no one will hear him.
“Riida, I’m so sorry. I should check the stairs. Don’t worry, I will save you,” said Nino as Jun dragged Ohno to Nino’s office, threatening to call the police if Ohno refused to talk.
Once they were in the room, Sho grabbed the office’s telephone but before he could dialled, Nino snatched the phone from him. He was scared to see the phone hanging in the air without anyone holding it. He tried to grab the phone but Nino ran away with the phone. Jun was too focus with Ohno so he didn’t see the incident.
“Sho, why didn’t you called the police yet?” Asked Jun and he turned only to be surprised with what he saw.
“What the heck? What happened?” He tried to sound cool but there’s no denying he was also scared to see that.
“Kazu…” Ohno looked at his direction.
“Why do you keep saying Kazu? Is he your boss? He is some kind of weird magician and he do this?” Asked Sho pointing at the phone. But, Ohno shook his head. Nino then pointed at the PC, telling Ohno to ask both Sho and Jun to look at the PC. He decided to explain the real situation to his friends so that they won’t doubt Ohno anymore.
“Look at the PC,” Ohno sounded unsure, perhaps worrying that Jun and Sho wouldn’t believe him. But, they did as what they were told even though Jun was still glaring at him.
Nino switched on the PC and use Microsoft word to explain his situation to his friends.
It’s me, Nino. I am a spirit now. I’m not dead, I just don’t want to wake up yet. Riida.. No, Ohno san can see people like me and I asked him to work for the company. That’s why I left the memo on your table, Sho chan.
“Is that really you, Nino?” Both of them asked simultaneously.
Yes. If you don’t believe me, I will tell you the secret that only both of us know. First, Sho, please look away. I’m going to talk about my secret with Jun.
Sho looked away, allowing only Jun to look at the screen.
I confessed to you but you reject me. You love someone else but you never tell me who the lucky person is.
“I’m sorry,” mumbled Jun and Nino typed his reply.
It’s okay. I understand, please call Sho. It’s his turn.
He deleted his previous message with Jun before he typed the secret Sho shared with him.
You love your friend who is in coma.
“Nino, did you tell anyone else about it?” Asked Sho.
Don’t worry. I never told anyone. You believe me now?
“Yes,” answered Sho shortly. He called Jun back to the screen as Nino deleted their previous message.
“So, when are you coming back?” Asked Jun.
If I get back to my body now, the doctor won't let me work or playing games. But, if I stayed as spirits, I could do both. Don’t worry, I will be back but not now. I will wait until my physical body is ready. It’s fun, you know. I get to tease you like just now. Your scared face was really funny, J!
“If I can see you, I will definitely pull your ear,” said Jun. Nino was grateful for that and because Jun cannot pulled his ear, he did so to Jun, which causes him to scream.
“Nino!” Jun yelled. “Just wait until you come back,”
Nino glanced at Ohno who was watching him from the couch. Ohno smiled at him. It looked genuine but Nino couldn’t help but thinking Ohno was jealous. But, why? Did he like Jun?
Nino shook his head, refused to think about that possibility before he typed a new message for his friends to read.
You can trust Riida. He is a nice guy.
Jun read the message before typing a reply for him.
Why did Ohno san called you Kazu? I thought you don’t let people call your first name, especially if you just meet him.
Well, because he is adorable, that’s why I allowed him to call my first name.
He was so tired of typing so he went to Ohno, ordering him to tell his friends that he will use Ohno to tell them anything. The other guy did as he was told and his friends looked at Ohno in disbelief.
“Ohno san, I’m so sorry that Nino treated you like his servant,” said Sho, sympathizing with the way Nino was treating Ohno. Nino used to think why Ohno was so obedient, he will complain but he will still do it. However, Aiba told him it’s because Ohno is a nice guy and that’s why he continue to take Ohno’s kindness for granted. “You don’t have to do what he told you. I believe if you let him be, he will go back to his own body instead of wandering as spirits,”
“It’s okay. He’s not ready yet,”
Jun and Sho exchanged look but didn’t say anything else, respecting Ohno’s choice to let Nino bossing him.
“So, when the other employee saw you talking to yourself… You were actually talking to Nino?” Asked Sho. Ohno nodded his head. Actually, Ohno tried to ignore him but, maybe because he was too noisy, Ohno would answer him back in annoyance. He knew it was wrong but he loves the way other people looked at Ohno at such times. Ah, he should stop doing that or Ohno would soon be admitted to a mental institution.
“He is a brat, right?” Said Jun. “I had my doubt at first but now I am convinced that it was really him. Just you wait, brat! I will definitely pay you back for what you did earlier,”
Hearing that, Nino took the empty trash can and put it on top of Jun’s head.
“Umai!” Exclaimed Ohno as he ate the hamburger.
Nino envied him. This is the only thing he didn’t like about being a spirits. He cannot eat or drink.
“I’ve told you. It’s better if you wake up. You missed a lot of nice food if you stay as a spirits,” said Ohno when he saw how Nino was looking at his hamburger hungrily.
“But you will be alone,” answered Aiba. His standard answer whenever Ohno started persuading them to wake up from their coma.
“Aiba chan was waiting for Sho to kiss him. You know, like Snow White and Prince Charming,” Said Nino. He laughed looking at Aiba’s red face.
“Nonsense!”
Nino didn’t say anything in response. Maybe it was him who was hoping for a kiss from Jun. It has been 5 months since the accident. It’s fun being a spirits. Like Aiba used to tell him, he will know a lot of secrets, know how people truly feel about him. His parents… They missed him and Nino felt guilty for making them worried for him. As for his friends, he didn’t really care what they think of him. He only care for Jun and Sho because they are his real friends. They missed him and interacting with him through Ohno wasn’t enough. Probably because Ohno wasn’t a brat like him.
Well, what he really hope to see was Jun becomes frustrated that he wasn’t by his side. Sadly, the frustration was there, but not for the reason he was hoping for.
“What’s wrong?” Asked Nino. He caught Ohno staring at him instead of eating. Ohno shrugged it off.
“Aiba chan, I appreciate you were worried that I will be alone. But, please think of my sanity too. People keep looking at me strangely. They cannot see you so they thought I am crazy,” said Ohno in a low voice so that other people won’t hear him.
“Ne….” Said Nino. Something was bothering him. “Do you think we will remember the time we spend as spirits once we woke up?”
“I don’t know,” answered Aiba.
Nino glanced at Ohno, wondering how would Ohno feel if Nino didn’t remember him once he wake up. Perhaps that was the reason he didn’t want to wake up yet. He didn’t want to forget Ohno.
“Riida~~~”
Nino sing song as he entered the living room but Ohno wasn’t there. He wasn’t in the kitchen nor the toilet. Aiba wasn’t in the house as well. Looking at the time, he must be in the hospital, watching Sho who always visiting him at this time. Maybe Ohno followed him to the hospital.
Nino sighed, wondering what he should do while waiting for his friends to get home until his eyes caught something. It was Ohno’s favourite sketchbook under the pillow. Ohno must be in a hurry and that’s why he didn’t hide the book properly. Ohno had been protective of the book ever since Nino found the drawing of him as the princess. He knew Ohno was drawing something new because he was always alone with his sketchbook right now. Interested to see the new drawing, he took the book from the hiding place.
“Riida, can I look at your new drawing?”
“Yes, you may,” he imitated the way Ohno would answer before laughing at himself for making fun of Ohno.
Nino pretended asking for permission to ease the guilt he felt for doing this. He just want to see the latest drawing. Ohno had been so secretive and it made him curious. He flipped the pages. He had seen most of the drawing because he was with Ohno when he drew them. He smiled, remembering the happy memory they shared together. When he saw the drawing of him as a princess, he was excited to think that the next drawing should be Prince Jun. Ohno told him that he had finished the drawing but he hasn’t shown the drawing yet. That must be what he had been working on all these times. He didn’t want Nino to see the drawing before it was complete so that’s why he was so protective of his sketchbook. Ah, whatever, Ohno was going to show him the drawing later so what’s wrong if he see it now!
“Eh?” Nino was surprised to see the drawing. It wasn’t a prince but a knight. And the face… It wasn’t Jun, but Ohno himself. He didn’t think much of the drawing, Ohno had the freedom to draw whatever he want. He turned to the next page and was even more surprised to see the next drawing.
Ohno drew the princess and the knight together in a wedding ceremony. On the top of the drawing was a fancy handwriting of ‘Satoshi Kazunari Forever’. Eh? What does this mean? Ohno likes him? Eh? Is that even possible? But why? Why would Ohno like him?
“Kazu…”
Nino was surprised to hear the voice and instantly, he throw the sketchbook away without thinking.
“I see…” Ohno collected the sketchbook that was on the floor. “… The idea of us together… You must be thinking it was disgusting,”
Eh? Nino didn’t like the tone of Ohno’s voice as he said that. He didn’t throw the book because he hate the idea of being with Ohno. He was… Surprised to be caught in the act. Ohno got it all wrong. He wants to be with Ohno. That’s why he didn’t want to wake up. He was afraid he will forget Ohno and their adventure together. He didn’t want Ohno to be alone.
Ohno pulled him to stand in front of him. He could see tears on Ohno’s face as they stared at each other. He wanted to wipe the tears and explained to Ohno how he really feel but before he could do anything, Ohno hugged him tightly.
“Allow me to hug you for the last time. You should wake up so that you would forget about me,”
No no. He didn’t want to wake up. Not yet. No, this wasn’t something that Ohno can decide. He is going to stay here no matter what Ohno said. He wonder why he froze on the spot that he cannot deny or do anything.
“I will pray for your happiness with Jun,”
He didn’t love Jun. He loves Ohno.
“It doesn’t matter if I confess right? You would forget once you wake up,”
No, he’s not going to wake up. Why didn’t Ohno give him any chance to explain himself?
“I love you, Kazu,”
Ohno let him go and slowly lifted his face before kissing his lips slowly. He wanted to respond to the kiss but his head… It was too painful… Did something happened to his real body that caused him to be in pain right now?
He opened his eyes and looked at his surrounding.
He was in the hospital. But why?
Oh, yes! He was in an accident.
Strangely, why, instead of his body, there were so much pain in his heart? It feels like… he had lost someone important.
Ohno was disappointed. Even though he knew it was impossible, for a second, he truly hoped Nino would deny everything he said and stay with him.
But.. Nino didn’t do anything. He was too stubborn to wake up before. But, once he knew about Ohno’s feeling for him, he didn’t hesitate to leave him. He didn’t even respond to the kiss. Instead, he left Ohno without even saying goodbye.
Ohno stared at the unconscious Nino on the bed. He was surprised when Nino called him Riida and confessed to him. Did Nino finally remembered him? Did he really mean it when he said he loves Ohno?
Ohno wanted to ask a lot of questions to Nino. However, before he could do so, Nino kissed him and then collapsed. He wonder why something always happened after their kiss. Their first kiss… When Nino was still a spirits… He disappears after Ohno kissed him. Then, Ohno received a phone call from Sho who thanked him for convincing Nino to wake up from the coma. However, he has no memory of being a spirits or staying together with Ohno. When Ohno heard that, he remembered feeling bitter about that. Who would guess that to make Nino leave the spirits world was to make him feel disgusted that a weirdo like Ohno loves him.
When he whining about it to Aiba, he told him a myth about the spirits and the person who can sees them. He made it sounds like Nino left against his own will because of what Ohno did to him. Ohno had doubt about it but when Sho and Jun told him how Nino often called for Riida when he was sleeping, he sort of believe Aiba.
“Rii… Da….” He jolted in surprise when Nino suddenly talked even though he was still unconscious. But, a few seconds later, he opened his eyes slowly. He blinked for a few times and then tried to sit on the bed.
“Ouch,”
“Are you okay? Do you need anything, Kazu?”
“I’m okay… I felt dizzy just now but it’s okay,”
Ohno just nodded his head. He didn’t know what to say. Did Nino remember anything that happened before he fainted? Should he talk about the kiss and the confession? But what if Nino didn’t remember any of that? Should he call him Ninomiya san or Kazu? Nino didn’t say anything when Ohno called him Kazu just now but maybe it’s because he felt dizzy so that’s why he didn’t notice.
“Ninomiya san, do you remember me?” He decided to go for the safer option. It will be too much to explain if he acted over familiar with Nino if Nino didn’t recognize him.
Nino stared at him for a few seconds before answering.
“Ohno Satoshi. You worked for me as design artist,” Ohno’s heart was broken to hear that. Nino didn’t remember him as Riida anymore. So, it means he didn’t remember the confession nor the kiss. “Where am I? What am I doing here?”
Nino looked around the house. He seems confused to be here.
“Ah… Hmmm… I met you at the store. We talked and you don’t feel well. So, I brought you here to rest,” answered Ohno. That’s the best lie that he could think of.
“Really? Or… Did you bring me here to do something to me?” Nino narrowed his eyes.
“No… No… I don’t have that kind of intention,”
Nino laughed in return.
“It’s okay. I know you are not like that. I just want to tease you,” said Nino. “It’s late. I better get home,”
“I will call Sho to get you,”
Ohno was ready to stand up to get his phone on the table. However, Nino was quick to stop him as he kissed him passionately. It caught him by surprise so he didn’t know how to react. Should he respond? Thinking that it was Nino who initiated the kiss, he slowly leaned closer to Nino to kiss him back.
They finally let go of each other after a few minutes. Thankfully, nothing happened to Nino after the kiss this time. Two red spots appeared on Nino’s face and Ohno swore, this is the most adorable Nino he had ever seen. Nino scooted a bit and then pointed at the spot beside him, asking him to sit next to him. When he sat down, Nino pushed him to lie on the bed before positioning himself to lie on top of Ohno.
“Didn’t I tell you… If you didn’t call me Kazu, I will kiss you,”
Eh? Ohno frowned to hear that? What does that mean?
“I didn’t count properly. But I think, you called me Ninomiya san about 10 times. So, you owe me 10 kisses,”
Ohno shook his head. He didn’t think he called Nino as Ninomiya san that much. He didn’t think it was more than 5.
“Really? I thought it was less than 5,” he mumbled only to be kissed once again by Nino.
“That is for doubting me,” said Nino. Ohno smiled to be kissed like that.
“Do you remember everything?” Asked Ohno. “Including the time you spend as spirits when you were in coma?”
“Eh? I met you when I was in coma? How?” Asked Nino, smiling teasingly at Ohno.
“Kazu, stop teasing me,”
Nino laughed at him.
“Yup. I remember everything. Including the drawing of us together. I am angry at you. You didn’t even give me the chance to explain. I admit that I want to stay as spirits at first because I don’t want to get back to my injured body. Like I said before, once my physical body is ready, I will get back. But, I met you and we made a lot of memories together. I am afraid that I will forget you if I wake up,”
“But I thought you were waiting for Jun to kiss you. Do you remember the talk we had in the restaurant? When you said Aiba chan is waiting for Sho to kiss him?”
“Ahhhh… That’s why you were staring at me,”
“Hmmm… That’s why I drew you as a princess,”
“Do you know why I get back my memory as spirits? I don’t think it was possible,”
Ohno thought of the myth Aiba told him about. Is it really because of the myth?
“Aiba told me about a myth. People like me was called mediator. He said that to wake someone from coma, mediator can kiss the spirits. If there is no romantic feeling between those two, the spirits won’t remember anything. But, if there is, the person who wake up from the coma would have a glimpse of his time as the spirits. To get all the memories back, the person has to kiss the same mediator again,”
“He always listen to stupid rumours,” complained Nino. “But I think the myth might be true. Since the first time we met, I keep on thinking who are you and why am I so attracted to you. I’m glad that I finally remember everything. Well, enough talk for now, I need to collect your debt,”
Nino was ready to kiss him once again when his phone rang. He groaned as he looked at the caller ID and told Ohno it was Jun. He rejected the call.
“Now, let’s get back to business,”
“Nino, do you want to meet Matsujun’s new assistant?” Asked Sho. Nino shook his head. Jun had told him he needs a new assistant and Nino allowed him to hire one. He gave Jun full freedom to choose whoever he thought was suitable to work with him.
“It’s okay. I trust J to hire the best person,”
“But. He’s already here,”
“So, send him away. I thought I’ve told you. I only allowed you, J and Satoshi upstairs,” said Nino, not lifting his head from the computer.
“You should add Aiba in the list!” Nino blinked his eyes when he heard the familiar voice. He turned to the source but before he could be sure it was really who he thought he was, someone ran towards him and hugged him.
“I miss you so much, Nino!” Said the happy ball of sunshine who was hugging him. “I couldn’t say goodbye to you because of Riida. But, it’s okay. I’m back. I’m so happy to know you are together with Riida,”
“Eh?” Nino couldn’t say anything as the sunshine keeps on talking non-stop. He saw Jun and Ohno entered his room and begged for them to separate him from the sunshine. He wanted to push the sunshine away but he was far stronger than Nino.
“That’s enough, Aiba chan. You are suffocating him,” He was thankful when Sho took the initiative to separate them. He turned to see his attacker. It was really Aiba Masaki, his friend in spirits world.
“J… Is this the best candidate you have for your assistant?” Asked Nino. Aiba pouted in return.
“How could you, Nino? I get the job fair and square,”
“Really? You don’t use Sho to get the job?”
“I don’t even know he applied for the job,” Sho defended Aiba. “But… I don’t know if he used any kind of magic on Jun,”
“Hey hey. Don’t doubt my judgement, okay” said Jun.
“Okay enough about that,” said Nino, putting a stop on the story of how Aiba get the job. Aiba might be clumsy but Nino knew he was a determined person. He believe Aiba would do well in his job. Furthermore, he had a lot of weird ideas in his head so he believe that Jun would love all his ideas. However, Nino had one concern.
“You remember us? I thought we will forget everything about spirits once we woke up,”
“Before I wake up, I decided to help people like us. Maybe that’s why I still remember everything about my time as spirits,”
“Wait a second,” said Sho. “Do you mean, you can see spirits like Ohno san?”
“Yup. There is one of them behind you,” said Aiba, pointing behind Sho. “He had been following you for quite some time,”
“Uso!” Said Sho in panic as he turned to look behind him.
“Am I, Riida?” Aiba turned to look at Ohno.
“I wonder. I’ve been trying to approach him but he always disappear before I can say anything. I think he is one of the stubborn spirits like you guys,” answered Ohno. Nino and Jun laughed looking at Sho. He didn’t know if Ohno and Aiba were bluffing but he enjoyed looking at Sho’s scared face.
“Ah, whatever. I don’t believe you. I’m going to do my work instead of being the subject of your prank,” said Sho as he moved towards the door.
“Ah, he followed you,” said Aiba, following Sho out of the office.
“Is there a spirits behind Sho?” He asked Ohno. But, Ohno shrugged him off. He wondered how the other employees would think of Aiba if they see him talking to himself. Ohno had been trying to act subtle with those spirits but he was still thought as weird. How about Aiba? He didn’t think Aiba would learn to speak in a low voice with the spirits so hmmmm…. Let’s see what would happen.
“I will leave you two lovebirds to enjoy your time,” said Jun leaving him alone with Ohno.
“So… Want to go for brunch?” Asked Nino. Ohno shook his head.
“As much as I love spending time with you, I shouldn’t take advantage of my position as the president’s boyfriend and be lazy in doing my job. Jun sent me here to discuss with you about my design,” Said Ohno, giving him a small usb. He inserted the usb in his pc.
“Hmmm… Okay. Whatever you say. Ne… Satoshi,” said Nino as Ohno clicked one of the files.
“Yes,” answered Ohno without looking at him. So, he lifted Ohno’s face to look at him properly.
“I love you, Satoshi,” he said with blush on his face. Ohno smiled at him.
“I love you too, Kazu,” answered Ohno, giving him one of the best kiss they ever shared.
A/N: This is one weird idea I get after watching a korean drama Master's Sun. So, I borrowed a bit of the scene from the drama. Hope it's okay. Comments are loved and very much appreciated :)
Nino glanced at his watch. It was only 8 pm. To be honest, he didn’t want to go home today but… Well… Let’s see how Ohno reacted first.
“I’ll call you later,” answered Nino.
“Don’t be naughty okay,” said Jun, giving him an evil smile before leaving.
“Eh… What is his apartment number?” Nino thought to himself once Jun left, scolding himself for forgetting to ask Jun about that. But… the apartment..., he had seen this apartment in his dream. Perhaps he can figure out which one is Ohno’s by himself. Instinctively, he pressed the elevator to go to the second floor and looked for apartment number 2-6. Once he stood in front of the apartment, he doubted if he should rang the doorbell. What if it’s the wrong apartment? What if Ohno didn’t like to see him there?
“Ka… Ninomiya san?” Before he could decide what to do, Ohno suddenly show up in front of the elevator, carrying a cup of hot coffee. “What are you doing here?”
“Ah…. Just visiting you,”
“Are you here alone?” Asked Ohno.
Nino nodded his head but remembering how Ohno snapped at Jun and Sho this morning for leaving him alone, he immediately added. “Jun sent me here,”
Ohno smiled at him as he unlocked the door. He invited Nino inside before he put the coffee on the table. There weren't too much things in the apartment. Just a bed and table. This apartment, like other things related to Ohno…. he recognized this as the place where he often spend his time with Riida.
“Sorry for taking too long,” Ohno said to the empty table. It must be one of the spirits that only Ohno could see. “So, you will go once you smell this coffee for the last time?”
Nino ignored him as he continued to look around the house. He saw a sketchbook on the bed and sat on the bed to look at Ohno’s art work. Just like Jun said, Ohno was indeed talented. His drawings… They were so beautiful. As he flipped through the sketchbook, once again, he saw the drawing of himself as the princess. He smiled as he looked at the drawing before turning to the next page, expecting to see a drawing of Jun as the prince. However, it was a different drawing. It was a drawing of Ohno, dressing like a knight.
Nino was at loss for words as he stared at the sketch. He wondered how long had Ohno drawn this. Was it before he draw Jun as the prince or if it was for their latest project. The drawing of Ohno as the knight was perfect for the image of the servant he had in his mind.
“Where did you find that?” Ohno asked him as he took the sketchbook from him. His face turned red in embarrassment. At the same time, he seems mad.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t look,”
“You were always like that. Always looking at my sketchbook without my permission,”
“I’m sorry…” He didn’t know what else to say. “I just think that drawing was beautiful,”
“Making fun of my drawing or making fun of my feeling?” Said Ohno in response.
“Ohchan… I’m really sorry. I thought it was a drawing for our project. It’s per…,”
“This wasn’t for our project. It was something delusional I have. Just like you requested to have Jun as the prince so that you can be with him in your imagination, I draw this to fulfill my own imagination to be with you,” his voice. It was full of pain and it was all because of Nino. Nino never thought that Riida actually had unrequited feeling for Kazu. “Please leave, Kazu. I will quit from the company. It must be awkward for you to have me working for you after knowing that I love you,”
Nino didn’t want to leave. He didn’t want to lose Ohno, not because of a misunderstanding. It’s true, it must be unrequited feeling for Ohno when they first met. But, after spending a year with Ohno as the spirits, he didn’t realized that he had finally fall in love with the other guy. Maybe because he wanted to be with Ohno as a true couple, he decided to wake up from his coma. Unfortunately, he lose all of his memories with Ohno but he still has the feelings for Ohno. That’s why he no longer interested with Jun and was craving to be with Ohno.
“I don’t want to leave. You were wrong. I… I don’t love Jun. Not anymore,” said Nino as he stood in front of Ohno, holding his hands and refused to let him go.
“I love you, Riida,”
Ohno was surprised to hear the confession and Nino used the chance to kiss Ohno.
It was dark. Everything was dark so Nino couldn’t see anything. He closed his eyes, hoping that when he opened again, it will be bright. He opened his eyes but it is still dark. He didn’t know what to do so he wander around in the dark. Perhaps there would be light if he search for it.
And then he found the light. It was in the form of human. He shines so brightly so Nino walked to that person. He was a small guy, as short as Nino but he was chubby. Unlike Nino’s pale complexion, the guy was tanned. Nino stood in front of him, wondering if the guy can see him. Then, all of his surrounding become brighter and he looked around to see he was in a hospital.
“Riida!” A guy next to the light shouted excitedly. He was taller than Nino. “There is a new guy!”
The taller guy pointed his finger at Nino. The light ignore the taller guy, instead he keeps on staring at a body on the bed. Nino turned to look at what he was staring at and was surprised to see… It was the taller guy on the bed.
“I’m not dead. I’m in a coma,” said the taller guy. “I’m Aiba. That is Ohno but I love to call him Riida. He is the only one who can see us,”
“Us?”
“Yup. Spirits. How about you? Are you dead?”
Nino shook his head. He didn’t know. The last thing he remembered… He was driving when suddenly a car from the opposite side collided with his car. Did he die because of that? Nino shook his head a few times, refusing to believe that he is dead.
“Are you okay?” He heard a soft voice. It was Ohno.
“I don’t know. Am I dead?”
“You looked familiar. What’s your name?”
“Ninomiya Kazunari,”
“Ah, the game president. You involved in an accident. But, I don’t think you are dead. You are still unconscious,”
“Accident?”
“Yes. Ah, do you want to find your body? I think you are treated in this hospital. If you reunited with your body, maybe you will wake up,”
Ohno gestured for Nino to follow him. But, Nino didn’t want to follow him. He didn’t want to look at what happened to his body because of the accident.
“I don’t want,”
“So, you have been in coma for 4 years?” Asked Nino. He ended up following Ohno home. Ohno visited his physical body in the hospital without him. It was badly injured but he survived the accident. The doctor cannot predict when will Nino regained his consciousness so Ohno advised Nino to returned to his body to wake up. Like before, Nino refused to reunite with his physical body.
“Yes. It’s better this way, Nino. I can run away from people that I don’t want to see. I can tease people. Their reaction when I pulled a prank was golden. I also know a lot of secrets,” answered Aiba. Ohno looked at him disapprovingly.
“Aiba, you are a bad influence to Ninomiya san,” said Ohno. “Ninomiya san, don’t you worry about your company?”
Of course, he was worried about his company. But, even if he woke up right now, the doctor won't allow him to get back to work immediately. He will be asked to rest until his body was fully recovered. Being a spirits, he can work by using Ohno. He had seen the sketch made by Ohno. He can work as the design artist in his company. So, with Aiba’s help, he left a memo on Sho’s table, instructing him to hire Ohno as the design artist. They made sure to put it under a pile of files, so that Sho will think it was there before the accident happened and he didn’t see it because there were a lot of files.
“Don’t worry. Sho and Jun will take care of my company. And please stop calling me, Ninomiya san. It’s too formal. We’re going to be roommate, right? Why don’t you called me….” He leaned towards Ohno who sat next to him, flashing the most seductive smile he could manage before whispering to Ohno. “… Kazu?”
Ohno blinked in surprise. He immediately pushed Nino away and go to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Nino and Aiba laughed looking at his reaction. He was too adorable.
“If we both returned to our body, you will be lonely, Riida,” said Aiba once Ohno was back in the living room.
“Whatever. Ninomi…” Nino silenced Ohno with a finger on his lips.
“Kazu. Call me, Kazu”
“It sounds too intimate,”
“It’s okay. We’re going to spend a lot of time together after all. If you do not call me Kazu after this, I will kiss you,” warned Nino. He loved the way Ohno panic to hear that so he ended up laughing at him.
“That would be enough teasing for today, Nino,” Aiba interrupted both of them. “Let’s play games. Riida didn’t really like to play game so I always play alone. Yeah, I finally have someone to play with,”
Nino immediately agreed. Yes, there will be no Jun or Sho who would nag at him if he played too much. Being a spirits has a lot of advantages, right?
“Riida… Riida… Hurry up! You need to hide. J is here,” shouted Nino. He had asked Ohno to copy a few files from his PC in the office so that he can work on it at Ohno’s house. He will be on guard to see if Jun or Sho suddenly show up in the office.
“Didn’t I tell you it would be easier if you came at night? No one can see you! Jun or Sho wouldn’t be around so you don’t have to worry for them. Why do you have to cause trouble for me?” Ohno was complaining as Nino instructed him to hide under the table. Hopefully, Jun wouldn’t check the table and was only looking for the files in the shelf. If he went to the table, Nino would think of a way to distract him.
“It’s scary at night,”
“Bring Aiba chan with you,”
“He is too noisy,”
It was a lie. He just enjoyed doing this with Ohno, instead of Aiba. He loves the way Ohno complained each time he came out with a ridiculous idea. It’s still fresh in his mind how Ohno yelled at both of them after Sho called him to offer a job in NeenGames. Ohno rejected the offer but Sho wanted him to reconsider because that was the last request from Nino before the accident. But, Ohno knew that it was something both Aiba and Nino did after the accident so he yelled at them for doing so. Nino then defended himself saying it would be better if there is someone he can communicate with in the company which Ohno counterattacked that it would be solved if Nino go back to his physical body. The argument continued for about 30 minutes when Ohno finally agreed with his request. That is what he like the most about Ohno. He always fulfill what Nino wanted even though he complained a lot. Sometimes, Nino felt guilty for causing too much trouble to Ohno but he love the way Ohno pouted so that’s why he never stopped. It was really unfortunate for Ohno to meet a bratty spirits like him, combining with the weird Aibaka.
The door of his office was opened from the outside. Jun stepped inside, taking a file from the shelf and immediately left. Ohno sighed in relief. They waited for 15 minutes before Nino checked if anyone else was on the floor. After making sure everything is clear, he signalled for Ohno to go. They decided to take the stairs, in case Sho or Jun was in the elevator. But, when they opened the door for the stairs, both Sho and Jun were there.
Nino yelped in surprise, but of course no one can hear him except Ohno. He didn’t check the stairs because… No one ever use the stairs before.
“Ohno san, what’s in your pocket?” Asked Jun. He didn’t wait for Ohno to answer, but instead checked the pocket and took out the usb Ohno used to copy the files.
“What is this?” Asked Jun angrily. “Are you a spy?”
“It… Kazu wants… I don’t know,” Ohno mumbled incoherently, clearly panic. He looked at Nino’s direction, expecting him to come out with an idea to save him. But, Nino cannot think at all.
“You betrayed Nino. He wants you to work here but you…” Sho was clearly disappointed. Nino wanted to scream, to defend Ohno but he knew no one will hear him.
“Riida, I’m so sorry. I should check the stairs. Don’t worry, I will save you,” said Nino as Jun dragged Ohno to Nino’s office, threatening to call the police if Ohno refused to talk.
Once they were in the room, Sho grabbed the office’s telephone but before he could dialled, Nino snatched the phone from him. He was scared to see the phone hanging in the air without anyone holding it. He tried to grab the phone but Nino ran away with the phone. Jun was too focus with Ohno so he didn’t see the incident.
“Sho, why didn’t you called the police yet?” Asked Jun and he turned only to be surprised with what he saw.
“What the heck? What happened?” He tried to sound cool but there’s no denying he was also scared to see that.
“Kazu…” Ohno looked at his direction.
“Why do you keep saying Kazu? Is he your boss? He is some kind of weird magician and he do this?” Asked Sho pointing at the phone. But, Ohno shook his head. Nino then pointed at the PC, telling Ohno to ask both Sho and Jun to look at the PC. He decided to explain the real situation to his friends so that they won’t doubt Ohno anymore.
“Look at the PC,” Ohno sounded unsure, perhaps worrying that Jun and Sho wouldn’t believe him. But, they did as what they were told even though Jun was still glaring at him.
Nino switched on the PC and use Microsoft word to explain his situation to his friends.
It’s me, Nino. I am a spirit now. I’m not dead, I just don’t want to wake up yet. Riida.. No, Ohno san can see people like me and I asked him to work for the company. That’s why I left the memo on your table, Sho chan.
“Is that really you, Nino?” Both of them asked simultaneously.
Yes. If you don’t believe me, I will tell you the secret that only both of us know. First, Sho, please look away. I’m going to talk about my secret with Jun.
Sho looked away, allowing only Jun to look at the screen.
I confessed to you but you reject me. You love someone else but you never tell me who the lucky person is.
“I’m sorry,” mumbled Jun and Nino typed his reply.
It’s okay. I understand, please call Sho. It’s his turn.
He deleted his previous message with Jun before he typed the secret Sho shared with him.
You love your friend who is in coma.
“Nino, did you tell anyone else about it?” Asked Sho.
Don’t worry. I never told anyone. You believe me now?
“Yes,” answered Sho shortly. He called Jun back to the screen as Nino deleted their previous message.
“So, when are you coming back?” Asked Jun.
If I get back to my body now, the doctor won't let me work or playing games. But, if I stayed as spirits, I could do both. Don’t worry, I will be back but not now. I will wait until my physical body is ready. It’s fun, you know. I get to tease you like just now. Your scared face was really funny, J!
“If I can see you, I will definitely pull your ear,” said Jun. Nino was grateful for that and because Jun cannot pulled his ear, he did so to Jun, which causes him to scream.
“Nino!” Jun yelled. “Just wait until you come back,”
Nino glanced at Ohno who was watching him from the couch. Ohno smiled at him. It looked genuine but Nino couldn’t help but thinking Ohno was jealous. But, why? Did he like Jun?
Nino shook his head, refused to think about that possibility before he typed a new message for his friends to read.
You can trust Riida. He is a nice guy.
Jun read the message before typing a reply for him.
Why did Ohno san called you Kazu? I thought you don’t let people call your first name, especially if you just meet him.
Well, because he is adorable, that’s why I allowed him to call my first name.
He was so tired of typing so he went to Ohno, ordering him to tell his friends that he will use Ohno to tell them anything. The other guy did as he was told and his friends looked at Ohno in disbelief.
“Ohno san, I’m so sorry that Nino treated you like his servant,” said Sho, sympathizing with the way Nino was treating Ohno. Nino used to think why Ohno was so obedient, he will complain but he will still do it. However, Aiba told him it’s because Ohno is a nice guy and that’s why he continue to take Ohno’s kindness for granted. “You don’t have to do what he told you. I believe if you let him be, he will go back to his own body instead of wandering as spirits,”
“It’s okay. He’s not ready yet,”
Jun and Sho exchanged look but didn’t say anything else, respecting Ohno’s choice to let Nino bossing him.
“So, when the other employee saw you talking to yourself… You were actually talking to Nino?” Asked Sho. Ohno nodded his head. Actually, Ohno tried to ignore him but, maybe because he was too noisy, Ohno would answer him back in annoyance. He knew it was wrong but he loves the way other people looked at Ohno at such times. Ah, he should stop doing that or Ohno would soon be admitted to a mental institution.
“He is a brat, right?” Said Jun. “I had my doubt at first but now I am convinced that it was really him. Just you wait, brat! I will definitely pay you back for what you did earlier,”
Hearing that, Nino took the empty trash can and put it on top of Jun’s head.
“Umai!” Exclaimed Ohno as he ate the hamburger.
Nino envied him. This is the only thing he didn’t like about being a spirits. He cannot eat or drink.
“I’ve told you. It’s better if you wake up. You missed a lot of nice food if you stay as a spirits,” said Ohno when he saw how Nino was looking at his hamburger hungrily.
“But you will be alone,” answered Aiba. His standard answer whenever Ohno started persuading them to wake up from their coma.
“Aiba chan was waiting for Sho to kiss him. You know, like Snow White and Prince Charming,” Said Nino. He laughed looking at Aiba’s red face.
“Nonsense!”
Nino didn’t say anything in response. Maybe it was him who was hoping for a kiss from Jun. It has been 5 months since the accident. It’s fun being a spirits. Like Aiba used to tell him, he will know a lot of secrets, know how people truly feel about him. His parents… They missed him and Nino felt guilty for making them worried for him. As for his friends, he didn’t really care what they think of him. He only care for Jun and Sho because they are his real friends. They missed him and interacting with him through Ohno wasn’t enough. Probably because Ohno wasn’t a brat like him.
Well, what he really hope to see was Jun becomes frustrated that he wasn’t by his side. Sadly, the frustration was there, but not for the reason he was hoping for.
“What’s wrong?” Asked Nino. He caught Ohno staring at him instead of eating. Ohno shrugged it off.
“Aiba chan, I appreciate you were worried that I will be alone. But, please think of my sanity too. People keep looking at me strangely. They cannot see you so they thought I am crazy,” said Ohno in a low voice so that other people won’t hear him.
“Ne….” Said Nino. Something was bothering him. “Do you think we will remember the time we spend as spirits once we woke up?”
“I don’t know,” answered Aiba.
Nino glanced at Ohno, wondering how would Ohno feel if Nino didn’t remember him once he wake up. Perhaps that was the reason he didn’t want to wake up yet. He didn’t want to forget Ohno.
“Riida~~~”
Nino sing song as he entered the living room but Ohno wasn’t there. He wasn’t in the kitchen nor the toilet. Aiba wasn’t in the house as well. Looking at the time, he must be in the hospital, watching Sho who always visiting him at this time. Maybe Ohno followed him to the hospital.
Nino sighed, wondering what he should do while waiting for his friends to get home until his eyes caught something. It was Ohno’s favourite sketchbook under the pillow. Ohno must be in a hurry and that’s why he didn’t hide the book properly. Ohno had been protective of the book ever since Nino found the drawing of him as the princess. He knew Ohno was drawing something new because he was always alone with his sketchbook right now. Interested to see the new drawing, he took the book from the hiding place.
“Riida, can I look at your new drawing?”
“Yes, you may,” he imitated the way Ohno would answer before laughing at himself for making fun of Ohno.
Nino pretended asking for permission to ease the guilt he felt for doing this. He just want to see the latest drawing. Ohno had been so secretive and it made him curious. He flipped the pages. He had seen most of the drawing because he was with Ohno when he drew them. He smiled, remembering the happy memory they shared together. When he saw the drawing of him as a princess, he was excited to think that the next drawing should be Prince Jun. Ohno told him that he had finished the drawing but he hasn’t shown the drawing yet. That must be what he had been working on all these times. He didn’t want Nino to see the drawing before it was complete so that’s why he was so protective of his sketchbook. Ah, whatever, Ohno was going to show him the drawing later so what’s wrong if he see it now!
“Eh?” Nino was surprised to see the drawing. It wasn’t a prince but a knight. And the face… It wasn’t Jun, but Ohno himself. He didn’t think much of the drawing, Ohno had the freedom to draw whatever he want. He turned to the next page and was even more surprised to see the next drawing.
Ohno drew the princess and the knight together in a wedding ceremony. On the top of the drawing was a fancy handwriting of ‘Satoshi Kazunari Forever’. Eh? What does this mean? Ohno likes him? Eh? Is that even possible? But why? Why would Ohno like him?
“Kazu…”
Nino was surprised to hear the voice and instantly, he throw the sketchbook away without thinking.
“I see…” Ohno collected the sketchbook that was on the floor. “… The idea of us together… You must be thinking it was disgusting,”
Eh? Nino didn’t like the tone of Ohno’s voice as he said that. He didn’t throw the book because he hate the idea of being with Ohno. He was… Surprised to be caught in the act. Ohno got it all wrong. He wants to be with Ohno. That’s why he didn’t want to wake up. He was afraid he will forget Ohno and their adventure together. He didn’t want Ohno to be alone.
Ohno pulled him to stand in front of him. He could see tears on Ohno’s face as they stared at each other. He wanted to wipe the tears and explained to Ohno how he really feel but before he could do anything, Ohno hugged him tightly.
“Allow me to hug you for the last time. You should wake up so that you would forget about me,”
No no. He didn’t want to wake up. Not yet. No, this wasn’t something that Ohno can decide. He is going to stay here no matter what Ohno said. He wonder why he froze on the spot that he cannot deny or do anything.
“I will pray for your happiness with Jun,”
He didn’t love Jun. He loves Ohno.
“It doesn’t matter if I confess right? You would forget once you wake up,”
No, he’s not going to wake up. Why didn’t Ohno give him any chance to explain himself?
“I love you, Kazu,”
Ohno let him go and slowly lifted his face before kissing his lips slowly. He wanted to respond to the kiss but his head… It was too painful… Did something happened to his real body that caused him to be in pain right now?
He opened his eyes and looked at his surrounding.
He was in the hospital. But why?
Oh, yes! He was in an accident.
Strangely, why, instead of his body, there were so much pain in his heart? It feels like… he had lost someone important.
Ohno was disappointed. Even though he knew it was impossible, for a second, he truly hoped Nino would deny everything he said and stay with him.
But.. Nino didn’t do anything. He was too stubborn to wake up before. But, once he knew about Ohno’s feeling for him, he didn’t hesitate to leave him. He didn’t even respond to the kiss. Instead, he left Ohno without even saying goodbye.
Ohno stared at the unconscious Nino on the bed. He was surprised when Nino called him Riida and confessed to him. Did Nino finally remembered him? Did he really mean it when he said he loves Ohno?
Ohno wanted to ask a lot of questions to Nino. However, before he could do so, Nino kissed him and then collapsed. He wonder why something always happened after their kiss. Their first kiss… When Nino was still a spirits… He disappears after Ohno kissed him. Then, Ohno received a phone call from Sho who thanked him for convincing Nino to wake up from the coma. However, he has no memory of being a spirits or staying together with Ohno. When Ohno heard that, he remembered feeling bitter about that. Who would guess that to make Nino leave the spirits world was to make him feel disgusted that a weirdo like Ohno loves him.
When he whining about it to Aiba, he told him a myth about the spirits and the person who can sees them. He made it sounds like Nino left against his own will because of what Ohno did to him. Ohno had doubt about it but when Sho and Jun told him how Nino often called for Riida when he was sleeping, he sort of believe Aiba.
“Rii… Da….” He jolted in surprise when Nino suddenly talked even though he was still unconscious. But, a few seconds later, he opened his eyes slowly. He blinked for a few times and then tried to sit on the bed.
“Ouch,”
“Are you okay? Do you need anything, Kazu?”
“I’m okay… I felt dizzy just now but it’s okay,”
Ohno just nodded his head. He didn’t know what to say. Did Nino remember anything that happened before he fainted? Should he talk about the kiss and the confession? But what if Nino didn’t remember any of that? Should he call him Ninomiya san or Kazu? Nino didn’t say anything when Ohno called him Kazu just now but maybe it’s because he felt dizzy so that’s why he didn’t notice.
“Ninomiya san, do you remember me?” He decided to go for the safer option. It will be too much to explain if he acted over familiar with Nino if Nino didn’t recognize him.
Nino stared at him for a few seconds before answering.
“Ohno Satoshi. You worked for me as design artist,” Ohno’s heart was broken to hear that. Nino didn’t remember him as Riida anymore. So, it means he didn’t remember the confession nor the kiss. “Where am I? What am I doing here?”
Nino looked around the house. He seems confused to be here.
“Ah… Hmmm… I met you at the store. We talked and you don’t feel well. So, I brought you here to rest,” answered Ohno. That’s the best lie that he could think of.
“Really? Or… Did you bring me here to do something to me?” Nino narrowed his eyes.
“No… No… I don’t have that kind of intention,”
Nino laughed in return.
“It’s okay. I know you are not like that. I just want to tease you,” said Nino. “It’s late. I better get home,”
“I will call Sho to get you,”
Ohno was ready to stand up to get his phone on the table. However, Nino was quick to stop him as he kissed him passionately. It caught him by surprise so he didn’t know how to react. Should he respond? Thinking that it was Nino who initiated the kiss, he slowly leaned closer to Nino to kiss him back.
They finally let go of each other after a few minutes. Thankfully, nothing happened to Nino after the kiss this time. Two red spots appeared on Nino’s face and Ohno swore, this is the most adorable Nino he had ever seen. Nino scooted a bit and then pointed at the spot beside him, asking him to sit next to him. When he sat down, Nino pushed him to lie on the bed before positioning himself to lie on top of Ohno.
“Didn’t I tell you… If you didn’t call me Kazu, I will kiss you,”
Eh? Ohno frowned to hear that? What does that mean?
“I didn’t count properly. But I think, you called me Ninomiya san about 10 times. So, you owe me 10 kisses,”
Ohno shook his head. He didn’t think he called Nino as Ninomiya san that much. He didn’t think it was more than 5.
“Really? I thought it was less than 5,” he mumbled only to be kissed once again by Nino.
“That is for doubting me,” said Nino. Ohno smiled to be kissed like that.
“Do you remember everything?” Asked Ohno. “Including the time you spend as spirits when you were in coma?”
“Eh? I met you when I was in coma? How?” Asked Nino, smiling teasingly at Ohno.
“Kazu, stop teasing me,”
Nino laughed at him.
“Yup. I remember everything. Including the drawing of us together. I am angry at you. You didn’t even give me the chance to explain. I admit that I want to stay as spirits at first because I don’t want to get back to my injured body. Like I said before, once my physical body is ready, I will get back. But, I met you and we made a lot of memories together. I am afraid that I will forget you if I wake up,”
“But I thought you were waiting for Jun to kiss you. Do you remember the talk we had in the restaurant? When you said Aiba chan is waiting for Sho to kiss him?”
“Ahhhh… That’s why you were staring at me,”
“Hmmm… That’s why I drew you as a princess,”
“Do you know why I get back my memory as spirits? I don’t think it was possible,”
Ohno thought of the myth Aiba told him about. Is it really because of the myth?
“Aiba told me about a myth. People like me was called mediator. He said that to wake someone from coma, mediator can kiss the spirits. If there is no romantic feeling between those two, the spirits won’t remember anything. But, if there is, the person who wake up from the coma would have a glimpse of his time as the spirits. To get all the memories back, the person has to kiss the same mediator again,”
“He always listen to stupid rumours,” complained Nino. “But I think the myth might be true. Since the first time we met, I keep on thinking who are you and why am I so attracted to you. I’m glad that I finally remember everything. Well, enough talk for now, I need to collect your debt,”
Nino was ready to kiss him once again when his phone rang. He groaned as he looked at the caller ID and told Ohno it was Jun. He rejected the call.
“Now, let’s get back to business,”
“Nino, do you want to meet Matsujun’s new assistant?” Asked Sho. Nino shook his head. Jun had told him he needs a new assistant and Nino allowed him to hire one. He gave Jun full freedom to choose whoever he thought was suitable to work with him.
“It’s okay. I trust J to hire the best person,”
“But. He’s already here,”
“So, send him away. I thought I’ve told you. I only allowed you, J and Satoshi upstairs,” said Nino, not lifting his head from the computer.
“You should add Aiba in the list!” Nino blinked his eyes when he heard the familiar voice. He turned to the source but before he could be sure it was really who he thought he was, someone ran towards him and hugged him.
“I miss you so much, Nino!” Said the happy ball of sunshine who was hugging him. “I couldn’t say goodbye to you because of Riida. But, it’s okay. I’m back. I’m so happy to know you are together with Riida,”
“Eh?” Nino couldn’t say anything as the sunshine keeps on talking non-stop. He saw Jun and Ohno entered his room and begged for them to separate him from the sunshine. He wanted to push the sunshine away but he was far stronger than Nino.
“That’s enough, Aiba chan. You are suffocating him,” He was thankful when Sho took the initiative to separate them. He turned to see his attacker. It was really Aiba Masaki, his friend in spirits world.
“J… Is this the best candidate you have for your assistant?” Asked Nino. Aiba pouted in return.
“How could you, Nino? I get the job fair and square,”
“Really? You don’t use Sho to get the job?”
“I don’t even know he applied for the job,” Sho defended Aiba. “But… I don’t know if he used any kind of magic on Jun,”
“Hey hey. Don’t doubt my judgement, okay” said Jun.
“Okay enough about that,” said Nino, putting a stop on the story of how Aiba get the job. Aiba might be clumsy but Nino knew he was a determined person. He believe Aiba would do well in his job. Furthermore, he had a lot of weird ideas in his head so he believe that Jun would love all his ideas. However, Nino had one concern.
“You remember us? I thought we will forget everything about spirits once we woke up,”
“Before I wake up, I decided to help people like us. Maybe that’s why I still remember everything about my time as spirits,”
“Wait a second,” said Sho. “Do you mean, you can see spirits like Ohno san?”
“Yup. There is one of them behind you,” said Aiba, pointing behind Sho. “He had been following you for quite some time,”
“Uso!” Said Sho in panic as he turned to look behind him.
“Am I, Riida?” Aiba turned to look at Ohno.
“I wonder. I’ve been trying to approach him but he always disappear before I can say anything. I think he is one of the stubborn spirits like you guys,” answered Ohno. Nino and Jun laughed looking at Sho. He didn’t know if Ohno and Aiba were bluffing but he enjoyed looking at Sho’s scared face.
“Ah, whatever. I don’t believe you. I’m going to do my work instead of being the subject of your prank,” said Sho as he moved towards the door.
“Ah, he followed you,” said Aiba, following Sho out of the office.
“Is there a spirits behind Sho?” He asked Ohno. But, Ohno shrugged him off. He wondered how the other employees would think of Aiba if they see him talking to himself. Ohno had been trying to act subtle with those spirits but he was still thought as weird. How about Aiba? He didn’t think Aiba would learn to speak in a low voice with the spirits so hmmmm…. Let’s see what would happen.
“I will leave you two lovebirds to enjoy your time,” said Jun leaving him alone with Ohno.
“So… Want to go for brunch?” Asked Nino. Ohno shook his head.
“As much as I love spending time with you, I shouldn’t take advantage of my position as the president’s boyfriend and be lazy in doing my job. Jun sent me here to discuss with you about my design,” Said Ohno, giving him a small usb. He inserted the usb in his pc.
“Hmmm… Okay. Whatever you say. Ne… Satoshi,” said Nino as Ohno clicked one of the files.
“Yes,” answered Ohno without looking at him. So, he lifted Ohno’s face to look at him properly.
“I love you, Satoshi,” he said with blush on his face. Ohno smiled at him.
“I love you too, Kazu,” answered Ohno, giving him one of the best kiss they ever shared.
A/N: This is one weird idea I get after watching a korean drama Master's Sun. So, I borrowed a bit of the scene from the drama. Hope it's okay. Comments are loved and very much appreciated :)