je_united gift fic for kurokouchi Part 1/2
Lovely fic for kurokouchi
Title: Lie to me
Pairing: Inohara Yoshihiko x Okada Junichi (v6), Okada Junichi x Sakurai Sho (side pairing)
Rating: PG 13
Warnings: (none)
Summary: To prolong the life of his grandfather, Inohara ‘rents’ a fiancé, someone his grandparent wishes him to have. Inohara has a deal with someone, scrounger look, breaking and entering his residence twice. But little did he know, Okada may be the one who could change his fate forever and moreover open his heart to love again.
Notes: I tried my best to fulfil your request. I hope you enjoy reading my fanfic for you. I slipped a few songs in this fic to lighten it/things up a bit. I'm glad I had the chance to write a fic for you, especially with V6's characters in it.
1. Alien
There was a time I was one of a kind
Lost in the world out of me myself and I
Was lonely then like an alien
I tried but I never figured it out
Why I always felt like a stranger in a crowd
That was then like an alien
But the stars in the sky look like home, take me home
And the light in your eyes lets me know I'm not alone
Inohara Yoshihiko sits still on his desk. Even though he doesn't move an inch, he knows that at this time his co-workers, his employees are about to leave the office. It's payday and it's friday night. They must plan something to spend the night. Karaoke, beer, or even a strip club. But those happy vibes don't reach Inohara. It feels like just another day to Inohara. He's always working like 24/7. He only stops when his stomach grumbles or he falls asleep at his desk. He goes home of course but he will be right back in his office the next morning. In his mid-thirties, your average male would think about marriage, having a kid, traveling with their significant other. But Inohara only thinks about how to expand his company overseas.
Inohara is entrusted with the work as a manager. His company runs a café but is also a distributor of a few varieties of coffee. The main café is located on the first as well as the second floor, it's the biggest in the country. The café is popular among kids nowadays and it's all thanks to Inohara's hard work.
How to describe Inohara Yoshihiko? He's tall and slim but not lanky, he wears his black hair in an early 2000 style, he has droopy eyes. His family often tells him he looks sweet when he smiles, but he rarely does that. He's only having an expressionless face.
Just because he is cold as ice on the outside doesn't mean that he can't love. He can. He loves children, he likes freshly brewed coffee, even candy and cake. But he will never give his love to another person, he likes to keep his heart to himself. The only person he loves is his grandfather who raised him well since his parents departed.
Why?
Working for five years at a firm that takes care of diforcement made his faith in relationships go thin. He saw so sooo many couples that let go rather easily of something they held dear. His firm's statistic showed that 70% of all marriages would end within six or seven years. This is why he thinks it is needless to start something that will most probably end.
Someone knocks at his door before a head pops in to look at him.
"Sir, we're heading to the mall. Do you want to join?"
"No. Thanks for inviting me."
The man nods and takes his leave.
"I told you he wouldn't come."
"Just asking, maybe someday he will change his mind?"
He can hear it clearly in his room, but Inohara only sighs. He takes out his 5 x 5 Rubik's Cube that he has in his drawer. When he lets his thoughts wander, when he needs to muse or in times like these when he's lonely: Then, the only thing that can keep him company is his cube. He has six unfinished cubes on this desk, knowing that there will be a lot of lonely times ahead.
Crossed through the universe to get where you are
Travel the night riding on a shooting star
Was lonely then like an alien
Had to get used to the world I was on
While yet still unsure if I knew where I belong
That was then like an alien
But the stars in the sky look like home , take me home
And the light in your eyes lets me know I'm not not alone
When the clock strikes two, he cleans up his desk and heads home. In his car, he activates his Bluetooth speaker and speed-dials someone.
"Doctor? Sorry for disturbing you. How is his condition?"
"It's the same as yesterday, Inohara. He's weak. I know I shouldn't say this as a doctor but I know your family, especially your grandfather. I don't want to give you false hope."
Inohara nods and after few words he ends the call.
He turns his car to drive to the suburban area ahead. That's where his villa is located. His parent's villa. But since they died when he was 15, he has had the villa to himself. He often goes there to keep his grandfather company. But at the moment, his grandfather is in the hospital, terminally ill and nobody is home. So he decides to go to the villa, to let go of the heavy feeling on his chest there. The villa has been a silent witness of his tears. When things get rough, he isolates himself on his room's balcony, because there, nobody will see his weak side.
He parks his car promiscuously. He goes to the second floor, sits down on the cold wooden floor and closes his eyes. As if one tear can describe how he hopes his grandfather will be all right and come home soon.
Same place, different room, different concern, someone has been freely using the villa's kitchen, filling his empty stomach with any available food there. Not much but enough for a few days.
You want to know whom we're talking about? I'll tell you. He's an intruder. Early thirties, thick beard and a moustache. Blonde frizzy hair that looks like it hasn't been washed in weeks. He wears his clothes carelessly and looks like a hobo. But in reality, he's only a completely broke man who has been kicked out of his apartment, running away from loan sharks and riding a random bus only to get here, to this empty, big, warm, nice villa. He's hoping that the owner of the villa won't come around any time soon, at least until he gets a job to be able to rent some place to live in.
When he feels calmer, Inohara goes down to the first floor, suddenly feeling an urge to pee. When he's in the bathroom he hears a voice coming from his living room next to the toilet. He thinks it's just his imagination when a second random voice gets louder. He grabs something close to him, slowly walking towards the living room, seeing someone who is sitting on his couch eating a sandwich.
He raises his hand high, ready to attack the intruder anytime. Then the intruder turns his head to him. Both look surprised and shocked but the man stands up and bows politely.
"Ah master, you came home early. How may I help you today?" Inohara raises an eyebrow.
"What?"
"I'm your butler? The usual butler is absent today so I replace him."
What the hell? He's definitely not my butler. No butler would be sitting carelessly on his master's couch like this! He surely can't think of another reason to break into someone's home.
Inohara's butler always comes on Monday morning and stays until the afternoon so Inohara simply never meets him. He must be a hobo intruding my villa, Inohara thinks. He contemplates whether he needs to deal with this man alone or call the cops. He picks the first choice.
"So she send you here?"
"Yep."
"Are you sure you're not in the wrong house?"
"No, sir."
"Okay. First, my assistant comes every Monday morning. And second, my butler should be a he! And I don't have a maid here. Also my butler never told me he would send anyone to replace him."
"Crap." The man dashes through the main door, trying to avoid the stick that Inohara threw at him. Inohara tries to catch the intruder. He grabs him by his collar and pins him down on the cold road.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?"
"I...I...."
"Answer me!"
Inohara doesn't realize he doesn't wear any underwear after he went to the toilet earlier.
"Help me!!!" Suddenly the man screams and the next thing Inohara knows is that there are one or two policemen reaching his place.
"What happened?" One of them asks.
"This man... he wants to rape me."
The policemen look at underwearless Inohara and seize him.
"This is a misunderstanding. He's the one who broke into my house!"
"You can explain that at the police station." The policemen harshly pull Inohara up and force him to follow them.
The intruder smiles and slowly slips away. Inohara chuckles, as he doesn't have a choice than to follow the cop.
What a day.
2. Cry
When Inohara is released from the police station the next morning, he takes his car which is parked next to the villa and drives back home.
Okada, who was saved from the rage of the villa's owner, hitchhikes in a truck to the city where he thinks that the owner will never find him. He walks aimlessly through the city, not knowing what to do. He finds a garden full with orange trees. He is surprised how big the garden is; big enough to take some of the fruit unnoticed. His cunning mind starts calculating. If he can take a few kilos of the fruit and sell it at the market, he may have extra cash. This neighbourhood seems quiet and not so many people pass by. This is the perfect place for his "crime". Okada takes off his jacket and uses it as a bag to hold the oranges he picks. He knows someone in the market who will buy them from him.
Inohara goes straight to the bathroom, takes a nice warm bath and changes his clothes. He told his employees at work that he will come there after lunchtime. He needs to rest for a moment. His phone vibrates as Inohara receives a message. It's from the doctor, the one he called later the night before.
Your grandfather was moved to ICU. Please pray for his recovery.
For how long does his grandfather need to go through this?
He stands up and opens the glass door that connects his room to a garden. He takes a deep breath, the smell of fresh oranges relaxes him.
Okada happily chooses a ripe orange when he hears a door being opened. He quickly hides behind an orange tree and peeks through its branches. "What!" It's the same person who owns the villa. What a damn coincidence. Why does it seem like he's everywhere? He owns the villa and he owns the garden too? He sees the face of the man who almost caught him last night. Is it his eyes or is the man really crying?
Little does Okada know, but he's the only person, aside from Inohara's relatives, to see him in tears.
It was late in September
And I've seen you before
You were always the cold one
But I was never that sure
You were all by yourself
Staring at a dark grey sky
I was changed
In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry
Okada feels that his catch is not much to sell, so he slowly sneaks to the other side of the garden to pick some more. Okada climbs up one of the trees that has many ripe oranges. Okada promises himself that he will go after taking those fruits. But one of the branches betrays him and he fells to the ground. Butt first.
Inohara hears a noise in his garden and slowly takes a peek from his window only to find a man in his garden, picking his oranges. And not just a random person. It's the one who intruded his villa. The one that set him up, making him almost go to jail. Inohara is going to make sure he catches the man this time. Inohara grabs a blanket from the laundry basket, sneaks into the garden and from behind, he jump towards the man. Before the man can escape, Inohara covers the man with the blanket and a rope. He ties him up tight to the tree. Double tied to make sure he won't escape again.
"You almost made me go to jail. Now it's time to take you there."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean any harm. I'm just searching a place to live for a while."
"Is this why you are stealing my fruits?"
"I need to sell them."
"Why do you need to sell them? Are you one of those illegal sellers who often roam the market? Selling stolen things??"
"No!! I sell them for a living. Duh! Also, my orphanage needs fixing, otherwise the government will close it."
"Liar! You must sell them for drugs, right?"
Okada rolls his eyes. "You must watch so many dramas. It's the orphanage that raised me until I grew up. Now it's on the edge of demolition. Why do I need to explain this to you?" The man grumbles.
Inohara is not a heartless man. What if what the man's saying is the truth? But he's not a fool. Inohara secures the tie and asks for the location of the orphanage and takes his car there. It's not so far. He can reach it in 30 minutes. From his car, he sees an old wooden house, slanted to the right. The roof is perforated in a few places. Inohara can't tell the colour of the house since it's walls are covered with moss and black fungus. He has a feeling that the building won't last long until it falls apart. At the front of the building there's the name of the orphanage. Himawari House - orphanage. He gets out of his car, walks to the house and knocks at the door. A young woman in her late twenties welcomes him. After introducing himself, he asks the woman if a man named Okada is really related to that place.
"Ah... Okada Junichi. Yes, he's been in our home until he was 17. He helped us many times. He lent us a few bucks for this place to stand on its feet. The government's help is not enough to restore this building. No loan sharks are chasing him. I already told him not to borrow money carelessly. Is he okay, sir?"
"Ah yes... he's fine. He's with me now."
He is with Inohara, the only thing Inohara does not tell her is the part where he holds Okada captive in his garden. Through the back door he can see a few children playing in the backyard.
"How many children are here?"
"Seven. I don't know where to accommodate them if the government closes this place."
Inohara feels that those children need a proper place to live in, not this gloomy, damp saddening place.
"Don't worry, miss. I and Okada will find a way to restore this home."
After that he bows to the lady and apologizes. I told you he likes children.
3. Pretenders
After he reaches his house again he finds Okada still there, tied to the tree, sleeping soundly. How can people fall asleep like this?
Inohara pokes Okada's face with his finger. But the man doesn't move. He shakes his body harshly, knowing that doing it the soft way won't wake him up.
After a few attempts the man finally wakes up.
"Ah, you again?" The man stares lazily at Inohara.
"That should be my line."
"Have you already found out the truth?"
"Yes."
"So, release me already."
"I'm about to..."
When he opens the tie, his phone starts ringing. "Wait."
He fishes his phone from his pocket.
"Inohara speaking." His face turns stiff when he listens to the man at the other end of the line.
It's his doctor again.
"Inohara-san... I'm just human. I only can do my best. As long as your grandfather's still breathing, I suggest you give him whatever he wants. I can't be sure he will survive until Christmas. I know it's beyond my authority as a doctor to say this but I know he expects you to have a fiancé. Do you have one?"
"It's not that significant others are easy to find."
"I know but... please. It's for his sake."
Not long after, he ends the call.
"So, are you going to release me or not?"
Inohara contemplates while untying Okada. Both stand up when he releases Okada. "That's so tight. Are you a navy?" Okada caresses the mark on his hands.
"Okada-san.... I know this question is weird and impossible." Inohara ignores the other's question. "Could you be my fiancé?"
"What!" Okada's jaw drops down when he hears Inohara's question. Or request.
"I mean you wouldn't be a real fiancé but could you pretend to be? At least for my grandfather. I want him to die happy, not with the burdening fact that his grandson is lonely."
"That's even weirder."
"I know... and in exchange I will restore your orphanage. You can use my villa in the meantime. "
"It sounds tempting, but I think I and my orphanage can do just fine without your help. So, no... I don't think so." With that Okada walks away from the garden, leaving a helpless Inohara behind.
Inohara grip his hand. What was I thinking? Why did he ask a man who looks like a tramp to be his lover? After all he's sure the doctor will cure his grandfather like before.
4. Yoroshiku, fiancé
Inohara goes back to the house again, he walks to the west side, entering his workspace. It's a medium-sized room with a mini fireplace on the left. There is a bookshelf behind his desk. He opens the drawer to pull out a notepad when something falls on the floor.
He sees an acrylic-based toy, his toy. It does not take him long to remember that Thomas the train was a present from his grandfather on his 10th birthday. It was the toy his parents refused to give to him because they thought Inohara had plenty of them. Still, his grandfather always fulfilled his wishes.
'You are my precious grandson, I will try my best to give you what you want.'h
Is this the time to pay back his grandfather's kindness to him?
Grandpa... I will bring you my fiancé, like you always wanted.
Inohara clenches his fist. Why is finding a man to play the part as his lover so hard? He tries to think of someone who could help him but his mind always returns to Okada. He's not close with anyone around him. The thought that Okada is just a mere person whom he met twice and that after the "drama" they will part and won't meet again, makes him choose that guy to be his fake fiancé.
I need to find that guy.
Finding Okada in the big city is not as hard as Inohara thought it would be. Inohara sees a figure with a horrible moustache and a typical navy slingbag. Inohara bets it is him. Okada is fighting with the loan sharks who cornered him in the street. Okada is about to run away again, but when some gang members pull out a pocket knife, he knows that things are getting serious. Okada looks around for a way to escape until blinding car headlights interfere. Someone is getting out of the car, but Okada can't be sure who is it because the car headlights are blinding him.
Okada is still on his knees when the man reaches his spot. "Okada... Okada...." The man squats and shakes his shoulder slowly.
"You? What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?" Inohara chuckles because of Okada's shocked expression.
"Please return home, dear... it's uncomfortable to live without you." Okada swears his heart skips a beat when the latter says those words. Okada needs to scream internally that this is a lie.
"Hey!! What are you doing?"
Inohara turns to the loan sharks.
"I'm sorry if my husband is troubling you."
"So he's your husband?"
"Yes... he ran away from home a few weeks ago. Thanks for finding him for me."
"Then pay his debt."
"How much?"
The man states the amount of money. It's doesn't take a minute to pay the debt with his check. He always brings some in his wallet in case he needs them.
"So, can I have my husband back please?"
The loan sharks grumble a few words and walk away from the spot.
When Inohara turns to Okada again, the man is already standing on his feet with an unfriendly face.
"What was that?"
"Helping you."
"I bet you expect something in return."
"Yes... the thing I said at my house... I meant it. I asked you to pretend to be my fiancé. My grandfather won't live long, he's sick, but at least I could make him happy before he takes his last breath. It's just this one time and then you can go."
"So you are like that, huh?"
"What?"
"You are like all the other rich people who think they can buy anyone with their money?"
"What are you saying? I'm not buying you... I ask you to help me."
"If that's the case then the answer is still no." Okada yanks his slingbag and walks away. "God! You're such a freak!"
Inohara doesn't move a muscle knowing it's impossible to persuade Okada this time. He thinks he'll try another time.
When Okada goes to the orphanage, he's sure that seeing his brother and sister will make him calmer. But he is terribly shocked when he finds a plank on the fence blocking the entrance: "Foreclosure. House for sale. For further information call xxxx-oooo"
Okada runs to the public telephone and calls the house, but no one answers. That means no one is staying in the house anymore. Where could they be? He tries to reach Hiroshi, the mom of the children, who is in charge of taking care of the house, the one who came in contact with Inohara the previous time. But she doesn't pick up her phone too. What happened to the children? The payment was due yesterday and he forgot about it. Okada feels so sorry about it, he feels like he neglected his family. How about asking Inohara for help?
Ah... but he already insulted and rejected his offer. But aside from his pride, his family needs the money and they need it now. The only person that comes to his mind and who can provide such a large amount of money for his house to survive is Inohara.
Heavy-hearted, he gets up on his feet and forces himself to go to Inohara's house.
By the time he reaches it, it's already night. He rings the bell a few times until the security man comes out. "How can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Inohara."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No. But I'm sure he would like to meet me."
"I'm sorry but this evening the master got a call from the hospital."
"Is it about his grandfather?"
"Yes..."
After being informed about the hospital where Inohara's grandfather is taken care of, he rushes to the bus station to get there.
"Grandpa..." Inohara takes his grandfather in his arms. The monitor shows that his grandfather is getting weaker.
Suddenly, the door is opened. He sees someone familiar. Ignoring Inohara, that man rushes to his grandfather and hugs him. "Grandfather. Please wake up, I'm here... your future son-in-law."
Inohara's eyes widen but he understands where this may lead.
After a few attempts, Inohara's grandfather moves an inch. He slowly opens his eyes.
"Grandpa...." Inohara cannot hold back his tears. After all this time, his grandfather finally opens his eyes.
"I'm so glad Inochi. Finally you're not alone. I'm so happy." He closes his eyes again...
"Grandpa!! Please don't die... please don't leave me!" He falls down on his knees.
Inohara is too busy crying to notice that Okada is poking his shoulder. "Ano... Inohara-san... if your grandfather died, shouldn't the monitor show a flat line and make a static sound like 'deeee....deeeee...'?"
Inohara comes back to his senses and stares at the monitor. "I think he is just sleeping?"
"Ah!" Inohara covers his face. He almost sh*t himself when his grandfather closed his eyes.
"Thank you..." He says slowly.
"What?"
"I said thank you."
"I'm not doing this for free."
"So you agree to my offer? Play my fiancé?"
"Come outside. We need to talk further about this. I need your help with something too."
They have a deal. Okada will play Inohara's fiancé for a while and in return, Inohara will give Okada a place to live with his children from the orphanage, also money for the renovation the orphanage.
"You said it's just this one time and then I can go?"
"I thought my grandfather would die but since he did not, we still need to play the drama a little longer."
"I think a deal is a deal..."
"I will give you a monthly fee." Hearing the "fee" word makes Okada doubt if he should stop this play.
"How much?"
Inohara names several amounts of money and lets Okada contemplate.
"Deal then...."
5. Fixer upper
"First things first. We need to settle on some 'facts' about us. You are my employee at work. I will give you some material to read, so when my family asks about your job you know the answers. We met at work of course. And... please, read this."
Inohara hands Okada some big-ass books. "Personality guide for dummies? For real?"
"You need to learn that. My family is strict and old-fashioned. Your carefree attitude won't fit in. So learn how to be a good gentleman and my family will leave you in peace."
Okada sighs heavily but doesn't say a word.
"Stand up!"
Okada is standing in front of Inohara. "You have good shoulders, so stop walking sluggishly. Stand straight!"
Inohara teaches Okada some basic lessons that Okada needs in order to face his grandfather. After a few lessons, some scolding and a non-stop argument, Inohara stops. Okada sits down and wipes the sweat from his forehead.
"Come on! I need a rest... just face it that I am who I am. No need to change me."
"Stop that crap. We will practise until you become an ikemen my grandfather will like."
"Shouldn't personality come first?"
"Yeah, but yours sucks. After this you need to change your choice of words to more acceptable ones."
15 days later
"What do you do at work?"
"Negotiating the core business with the company's partners."
"And what's your career goal?"
"To be vice president or (?) corporate secretary."
"Good. You've been taught well."
"Can we start the drama already? The pretending is too much."
"My grandfather is smart. One glitch and he will know that our relationship is a lie."
At least Okada is a fast learner and he knows how to play well. So it's not very hard to transform him into the perfect fiancé.
"So what do I have to do now?" The only thing that makes Okada obey Inohara is the amount of money he offered him.
"When was the last time you had a bath?"
Inohara brings Okada to one of the buildings in Ginza. It's been mentioned six times in fashion magazines.
"Okay, but you need to get a makeover."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do!"
"No. Even though I look like this, I'm actually lovely on the inside."
"But on the outside you look like trash. What do you reckon my family and my grandfather would think if I'm going to marry someone who looks like you? No offense."
"But he seemed fine when he met me."
"Because he was comatose."
They enter a place, which reeks of hairspray and has a minimalist interior. "My friend who works here will take care of you. I will return to my office and pick you up in the evening."
"Thank God, you're leaving me."
"If you haven't noticed yet, I have a respectable job. So would you mind?"
Inohara walks to the back of the salon.
Someone, it seems to be the one Inohara talked to, walks towards Okada from the back of the salon. The man is slightly taller than him. He has a unique hairstyle with his left fringe kept long and covering his cheekbone, bouncing every time he takes a step. Okada bets his hair is soft. He's brunet with blond highlights. He has a cute face, which makes him look five years younger.
"So... you're the one Inohara told me about."
"Depends on what he told you."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Miyake Ken. But you can call me Ken." The man offers Okada his hand but when Okada raises his hand the man has already pulled back his.
Miyake cringes a lot. Like he's found someone who has spent years and years in the jungle. "You need more than just a makeover. It's a disaster. How did you get a haircut like this?"
"I cut it myself."
"During an earthquake?"
Okada wants to answer but Miyake starts to brush his hair. "You.... may... find an... UFO in here."
Okada tries to hold his tears back as Miyake forces his brush through Okada's hair until it breaks in two.
"Do you have glasses?"
"Yes, I do." Okada fishes them out of his slingbag.
Without saying a word Miyake takes the glasses from Okada and breaks them in half.
"You broke my glasses."
"You broke my brush. I'll get you contact lenses later."
After tons of magic here and there, the makeover turns out really well. It made Okada change into someone totally different. His eyebrows are shaped and his facial hair is shaved. He got a haircut and a permanent smoothing to tame his permed, dark brown hair. He gets a good scrub from head to toe and all that unnecessary body hair has been waxed. For the last touch Miyake injects whitening into Okada's body to decrease the sunburn on Okada's arms and legs.
Miyake approaches Okada with a phone in his hand.
"Yes?"
"I forgot you didn't have a phone, I will give you one." Without even saying hello back, Inohara gets straight to the point.
"What do you want?"
"My grandfather's awake. But he's more awake than before so I hope you'll be ready. My family will hold a dinner to celebrate his return from hospital."
Okada feels that he is relieved when he finds out Inohara's grandfather is doing okay now.
"When?"
"Tonight."
"What? Why so soon?"
"He wants to meet my fiancé. He wants to meet you."
"I bet I have no choice than to join that dinner, right?"
"Absolutely. I will pick up my grandfather at the hospital so I can't pick you up. You will come to the xx restaurant at 8 pm. Don't be late." And Inohara hangs up on a stunned Okada.
Okada turns his head to Miyake and asks, "Where can I get a taxi in less than ten minutes?"
Inohara is sitting at his table with his grandfather, who needs a wheelchair, as well as his uncle and aunt. "Will he come?"
"Yes, he will," Inohara says impatiently. It's 8.30 and he has no idea where Okada is. Maybe he's running away? Maybe after he and his orphanage got the money, he will betray Inohara?
"Wait a second, I will try to call him." Inohara rises from his seat, wanting to call Miyake to make sure Okada got in the cab to his place, not hitchhiking another car to run away.
"I do not think that will be necessary." Masayuki Sakamoto, Inohara's grandfather, smiles while throwing a glance at a glass wall behind Inohara.
Inohara thinks that five waitresses are waaay to many to escort Okada to their VIP room in the back of the restaurant. You cannot look into the VIP room thanks to the mirror glass wall, but from the inside you can see clearly what is happening outside. The waitresses squeal, when Okada bows and thanks them. When Okada enters the room, time seems to stop for a while. Inohara almost doesn't recognize the man who bows to his family and sits down beside him. The words handsome and gorgeous are not enough to describe what Okada has become. He's a total ikemen now. He has totally changed from who he was this morning. Inohara would have almost dropped his phone if he hadn't snapped himself out of his trance. Miyake really worked some magic on Okada.
"Why are you so late?" Inohara asks quietly.
"The driver took a wrong turn and we were stuck in traffic."
Okada turns his head to Masayuki, "I am very sorry for arriving this late, Grandpa..." Okada smiles nicely at Masayuki.
"It is all right. At least you arrived here safe and sound. So what is your name again, dear?" It's rare to see his grandfather tolerating anyone who is late. Even when it's Inohara, his grandfather will scold him for wasting someone's time.
"Okada Junichi. You can call me Junichi or Jun."
"Ah... Jun-chan. Welcome to Inohara's family then..." Masayuki smiles gently. "You came and saved my life. And Inocchi's too."
"I'm happy that you've been discharged from hospital."
"I wanted to see you. My grandchild is great at picking his partner, nee..."
When the food comes, Inohara notices that Okada has learnt well, he knows how to use the proper cutlery for each dish. Okada looks so elegant in front of his family, like he's a prince being pulled out from a fairy tale book. Inohara breaths a sigh of relieve. But all of a sudden his grandfather drops another bomb...
"Inochi... Have you already taken your pre-wedding photos?"
6. Picture-perfect memories
They are both sitting silently in a car.
"So... thank you."
Inohara is the first to break the silence between them.
"To you too..."
"So, I... booked a place, for our pre-wedding photos."
"You really need to obey everything your grandfather says?"
"He won't stop until he gets what he wants."
"Sounds like someone I know..."
"It's just a photo, you don't need to be cynical."
"One picture is worth a thousand words and we will have plenty..."
"I'll give you extra cash."
"Deal."
Inohara rolls his eyes at how easy it is to tame Okada.
They are going to take an outdoor and an indoor photo. The outdoor photo will be taken in a park near Tokyo Castle. The indoor one will be taken in Inohara's own cafe. One thing Inohara didn't predict is that his grandfather will come along too. It seems like he has become attached to Okada and is fond of him. Okada knows how to behave and acts so well in front of Masayuki.
Inohara now realizes that Okada has beautiful eyes, which were hidden behind his bushy hair. His daydreaming stops when Okada notices that Inohara is staring at him. Okada wants to say something harsh, but only mouths it to prevent Masayuki from hearing it too. Inohara comes to his senses and curses back silently.
Okada is already handsome, but his handsomeness is being doubled when the make-up artist beautifies his face. Okada wears his dark blue suit to match with Inohara's.
Okada steps closer to Inohara for the first picture. "Inohara, lean closer to Okada." Inohara moves a bit to his left.
"More..."
Inohara tries to slightly touch Okada's shoulder.
"I mean, you should hold Okada-san like this..." The photographer moves Inohara's hand into the right position and corrects Okada's position until his head is touching Inohara's belly.
"Bow until your head is leaning on Okada-san's shoulder."
He pushes Inohara's shoulder so that his face is located near Okada's.
"Put your hand around Okada, hug him."
"Don't be so stiff, Inochi!" Masayuki yells from behind. He knows his grandson is not familiar with romantic things like this.
"Okay, hold that pose..."
They have never been this close before. Okada can feel Inohara's breath on his neck. It makes him nervous and... happy?
I've been running from the pain
Trying not to feel the same
But it's a shame that we're sinking
See, my confidence is shaking
And my heart is feeling vacant
So you try to fill it in
You say "I could fix the broken in your heart
You're worth saving darling"
But I don't know why you're shooting in the dark
I got faith in nothing
It's not only Okada. Inohara feels nervous too. He's so sweaty the make-up artist needs to fix his make-up and Inohara is sure it's not because of the sun. Inohara can smell Okada's body scent; it's sweet and addicting.
You are only pretending, Inohara. Don't be fooled. Don't let your heart get it wrong.
"Okay, that's enough for today. Thank you for your cooperation, Inohara-san and Okada-san. The photo drafts will be send to you within the next two weeks."
Okada and Inohara sigh relieved after an awful hour of hugging, holding hands, sitting side by side, looking at each other happily, stroking cheeks (Okada almost slapped Inohara's hand when his grandfather was not watching them like CCTV). Okada didn't know that taking pre-wedding photos could be this hellish. He tries to deny that every time Inohara smiled, his heart got warmer. His droopy eyes get narrow when he smiles. The wrinkles in the corner of his eyes make him even sweeter.
"Wait... wait... I think there's one pose left..." his grandfather finally says. "You never took a kissing photo."
"What?" Okada's eyes widen while Inohara is rubbing his forehead.
"They wouldn't be proper pre-wedding photos if you don't even take one kissing photo?" Masayuki orders the photographer with a gesture.
Okada and Inohara stare at each other, not knowing what to do.
"Inohara-san, please place one hand on Okada's waist, and put your other hand on Okada's cheek," the photographer orders. A shiver runs through Okada's body when he feels Inohara's hand on him. He has never seen Inohara's face this close. "Okada-san, please put your hands on Inohara-san's shoulders."
When Okada obeys, the photographer starts taking photos. "Inocchi! Kiss him!" Masayuki insists. Slowly, Inohara leans his face forward until the tip of his nose touches Okada's. From this almost zero distance, Inohara notices that the colour of Okada's eyes is hazel brown, not grey like he thought it was. His eyebrows are shaped perfectly, they make a beautiful frame for the latter's face. His voluptuous lips are coloured with pink lip tint, calling on Inohara to touch them, to kiss them. Inohara slowly puts his lips on Okada's. Thankfully, the latter doesn't dodge his kiss but rather accepts his lips. It is their first kiss.
But love, pray for me
I never had somebody
So I don't know how to love
Pray for me
I know I need somebody
So I can learn how to love
I know it's been a while
Cause my memory's on trial
For the way I used to be
My head is running miles
Round in circles and I try
To find the little light in me
You say "I could fix the broken in your heart. You're worth saving darling"
But I don't know why you're shooting in the dark
I got faith in nothing
I know I need somebody
So I can learn how to love
How to love
The photographer has already captured their kissing moment, but they haven't separated their lips yet. He wants to remind them that he is done taking their photo but Masayuki forbids him to do so. He asks the photographer to leave the room and let them both be alone. Okada and Inohara embrace each other, they touch and kiss, the heat rises but they don't care. They find themselves trapped in their kiss and they don't want to stop. Inohara can taste the sweetness of a snickers bar on Okada's lips.
Okada comes to his senses and pinches Inohara's neck.
"Ouch!! What was that for?"
"Don't get carried away!"
"You enjoyed it, didn't you?"
"No!"
"But you didn't move when I kept kissing you."
"It's because your grandfather is here...!" Okada points to the place where Masayuki has been sitting just to notice that no one is around. They already left five minutes ago.
"They've gone."
Inohara notices that Okada's cheeks are getting redder. He finds that teasing Okada amuses him.
"You knew they had finished taking our picture but you still kept kissing me. So, who's enjoying it now?" Okada fires back.
"I just wanted to tease you..." Inohara takes off his shirt and changes into his favourite sweater. It is weekend, he would normally be sitting at his desk, doing his work like usual. However, since Okada came into his life, everything changed. His dull life is getting coloured and it's not something bad, he thinks.
"I want to eat! I even skipped breakfast to come here early."
"You ate a snickers bar, didn't you?"
"Snacks don't count as eating. Come on, take me some place decent to eat."
Inohara sighs heavily, why does he need to obey that chubby guy anyway?
Okada is already walking to his car, sitting nicely beside him and buckling up.
"Wake me when we are there and don't take me to McD's." Inohara is surprised to see Okada is fast asleep, in less than a minute Okada is already making a snoring sound.
"Ck... this guy really..." Inohara starts the engine and drives them to a restaurant where he used to have lunch.
"This restaurant looks homey. They have many different dishes too," Okada says while wiping his face. Inohara has evilly splashed some water in his face when they arrived. Inohara feels a bit guilty but it's really hard to deal with a sleeping Okada. It's like he's dead rather than sleeping.
The benefit of eating with Okada is that the waitresses serve you first and they will always be around. So when you need anything they'll be there for you in under a second.
"I'll have a double cheeseburger, French fries, fish and chips, a lasagne and a lemon tea. Also, I would like a meat pizza with colla for takeaway. What are you having?"
"A macchiato please and how many persons do you want to feed with that much food?"
"Three. Me, myself and I."
"I've never known someone like you before."
"Now you do..."
When Okada's food comes, he happily accepts it. In just a minute their small table is full with Okada's food and takeaway. He devours his burger in less than 10 minutes.
"You don't eat?" Okada asks while stuffing his mouth with French fries.
"Swallow your food properly before speaking."
Okada tries hard to swallow the food in his mouth before talking again.
"Are you not hungry?"
"No. Seeing you eat already makes me full."
"Try this. This is delicious." Okada takes some of the fish with his hand and offers it to Inohara.
Inohara shakes his head. "No... I'm not..." But a piece of fish is already being stuffed into his open mouth. He grumbles while chewing the fish. Okada smiles innocently like nothing is wrong.
While Okada continues eating, Inohara smiles and chuckles when he sees how the latter's chubby face is getting even chubbier when he stuffs food in his already full mouth.
Inohara pulls his phone out and opens the camera. He's capturing the moment Okada's eating. He laughs at the picture of Okada opening his mouth happily.
"What?"
"Nothing?"
"Why are you laughing?"
"You look so cute when you're eating. Like my hamster."
"Are you taking my photo?"
"No..... yes, a bit."
"Stop it!" Okada reaches for Inohara's smartphone but in vain. Inohara keeps taking pictures of Okada's face while the latter grumbles. Okada takes another piece of fish and shoves it again into Inohara's mouth. The latter almost chokes due to the large amount of food in his mouth.
"In your face." Okada sits back while he continues eating what's left on his plate.
Inohara takes a napkin and cleans his greasy face. He has never done this kind of thing before, his family is boring, he must sit nicely when eating, hands off the table, mouth closed when eating. He has never done something wild. That's why he didn't fancy eating that much until now.
"Come on, let's go home...."
"Wait... wait. Stop the car, please." Inohara stops the car confused. Okada opens the door and runs to the side of the road. Inohara parks his car properly before following Okada.
Okada squats in front of two people lying on the ground, both of them look like they have been beaten up badly.
"Please, call an ambulance, Inohara."
"Aren't they the loan sharks who chased you?"
"Yes. It seems they lost a fight."
"It's good then, they got their karma."
"Inohara! What are you saying? Call an ambulance immediately! They may be bad people but that doesn't mean we need to do a bad thing to them in return."
"Alright... alright."
Inohara calls an ambulance and within five minutes the car arrives, taking the two men with them. Okada goes back to Inohara's car after bowing and saying thank you to the officer and paramedic.
"Why did you help them? They wanted to beat you up earlier, right?"
Inohara continues driving to his home after helping the loan sharks.
"Yes. But what's wrong with offering a forgiving hand to people? The more we give, the more we have. That's what my father told me."
"Ah... you're a good person."
"Of course I am. I told you I'm lovely on the inside."
Inohara smirks when hearing Okada's statement but inwardly he agrees.
"Your home is big..." Okada says while walking inside. He sees a picture of Inohara's family. "And you have a big family too."
"Our room is on the second floor, take the main stairs, then turn left, it's the second room on the left."
"Wait... wait. You mean we need to sleep in one room?"
"What do you think?"
"But we are just engaged. Not married."
"My grandfather said so. He asked me to be in one room with you. To deepen our bond, he said."
"Yeah, right." Okada sloppily drags his feet to the second floor and reaches Inohara's room.
Inohara's room is big but empty. Not too many things inside. All Okada makes out are a king-size bed, a cupboard, a table and the door to the bathroom. Above the table, Okada can see two pictures. One shows an older man and a young boy, who Okada assumes is Inohara with his grandfather. The second picture shows a man and a woman. The woman is holding chibi Inohara.
"Are those your parents?"
"Yes."
Inohara takes off his sweater and changes into a simple black shirt with khaki pants. "Don't stare at it too much."
Inohara turns the picture around.
"Where are your parents?"
"Dead..."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's ok. My grandfather takes good care of me."
Inohara takes a seat beside Okada.
"They died when I was 15. Then my grandfather took care of me like I was his own child. I nearly can't remember my parents anyway. They were busy making money and never spend time with me. My world only revolved around my grandfather. I remember I didn't shed a tear on my parents' funeral because I almost didn't know them. What they liked, what they hated, what their favourite food or drink was, they are like strangers to me."
"So you love your grandfather more than anything?"
"Yes..."
Okada is taken aback. Now he knows why Inohara is so obedient towards Masayuki.
"What about you?"
"Me? Well.... My mother died when she gave birth to me. I was put in an orphanage because my father ran away from the loan sharks. He couldn't take care of me properly. He borrowed some money but wasn't able to pay it back."
"What did you father need the money for? Gambling?"
"No. God! No! He was helping my mom with labour fee. We didn't have any cash back then. The choice was between me and my mom dead or my father borrowing the money."
"So where's your father now?"
"I don't know. He's working everywhere to pay off the loan but since you already did that, I think he can rest for a while. I wanted to give him a few bucks when we meet again. I wonder if he's eating properly..." Okada bites his thumb and looks worried.
Inohara finds that habit cute. "Don't worry, I'll ask for help to locate your father." Inohara strokes Okada's hair to comfort him. Okada seems surprised but he keeps still.
"Change your clothes then. You spilt some sauce on your shirt."
"I bought a few sleeping outfits yesterday." He takes his bag and goes to the bathroom to change.
Inohara expect it's only a boxer brief that leaves Okada shirtless. Just thinking about it makes his face warmer. But to his disappointment, Okada has put on a cute onesie.
"That's what you call a sleeping outfit?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Did you rob the children's department?"
"No, I think it's cute." The onesie is equipped with a tail made of cotton and bunny ears. Doubling the cuteness of Okada's appearance. It is cute.
"I'll wash my face first."
When Inohara is back from the bathroom, he finds Okada already asleep again on his bed. "How can a person fall asleep that quickly?"
Inohara observes the complexion of Okada's face. His soft cheeks and his pointy nose. He looks tired as if he needed to wake up at four in the morning for today's photo session. Inohara takes another pillow and puts it beside Okada, then he lies down beside his 'fiancé' where he can sleep nicely at last.
7. Sweet Halloween
"I haven't said thank you for accommodating the orphans in your villa while their former residence is being renovated."
"You're welcome."
"Usually at this time we will gather to celebrate Halloween. We will decorate our orphanage and the children will go trick-or-treating." Okada smiles as he remembers the tradition of his orphanage.
"How about we celebrate this Halloween in my villa?"
"For real?" Okada raises an eyebrow.
"I will help you decorate my villa. They are still kids. Let them have fun," Inohara says while already staring at his computer screen.
They ordered a few Halloween accessories online and even fresh pumpkin to be carved.
"Why didn't you order already-carved pumpkin?"
"You'll miss the joy of decorating the pumpkin if you do. The children like to do it too. We only need to empty the pumpkin and let the children carve it," Okada says while squatting in front of their pumpkins, cutting them open.
Inohara who is sitting behind Okada stands up suddenly, bumping into the back of Okada, who wasn't prepared for a sudden move. It makes him stumble forward, his head entering the half-empty big pumpkin he's working on.
"Ooi!!!"
"What? I'm sorry.... I'm.... hahahaha!"
Inohara can't control himself not to laugh out loud. The scene in front of him is overly hilarious, Okada's head stuck inside the pumpkin.
"Don't laugh. Help me get out of this."
"Wait, let me cut it open a bit."
"Don't break it!!"
"I won't. Stay still or I might slash your neck."
Slowly, little by little Inohara cuts the upper side of the pumpkin wide-open so he can pull the pumpkin up.
The pumpkin makes Okada's voice inaudible. Inohara barely hears what he says.
"For the record, I like it when you laugh."
Inohara hears that. But he pretends not to.
"When was the last time you had a good laugh?"
The question makes Inohara tongue go dry. He ponders on that question. When did he let himself be happy? Thank God that Okada is there to remind him how to do it. "I think it's because of you, that someday I will be happy. I can be happy... aside from this drama, I think it's not so bad that I became your lover," Inohara answers.
"What?"
"Never mind."
"No... I didn't hear that..."
"Not my problem." Inohara pulls the pumpkin up. He stands up, walks into the kitchen so that Okada won't see him flustered.
You know what's hard for Okada? To pretend that he keep pretending that he didn't hear it.
We were strangers, starting out on a journey
Never dreaming, what we'd have to go through
Now here we are, I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you
No one told me I was going to find you
Unexpected, what you did to my heart
When I lost hope, you were there to remind me
This is the start
8. Intruder
"Can I come to your office?"
"No..."
"I want to taste the signature coffee from your café. I won't disturb you at work."
"If you do I will send you home."
"Deal."
They drive to Inohara's workplace. When they reach the building, Okada begs Inohara to go have breakfast with him. Inohara rolls his eyes because he knows Okada will keep asking him until Inohara does what he wants.
They spend their morning sipping macchiato together while eating some pastry.
After finishing their plate, Inohara stands up and takes his bag. He wants to head to his office when someone approaches. Not him actually.
"Okada?? Is that you?"
The change in Okada's expression makes Inohara think there must be something between them. Okada looks more than surprised to see that man, who is about Okada's height, young and handsome too, cute, but there is a slightly cunning look in his eyes.
"You here?" Okada only nods.
That man looks at Inohara and asks surprised, "Are you the CEO assistant?"
"Yes. How do you know that?"
"Your reputation precedes you. I'm Sakurai Sho, his friend."
Sakurai offers his hand to Inohara before turning back to Okada.
"Okada, you look so different. You look more decent that I remember. You look... handsome."
Inside his heart Inohara agrees.
Sakurai approaches Okada who hasn't spoken a word. He reaches out his hand as if he is about to hug the latter but Inohara is faster than him. He puts his hand on Okada's forehead and pulls him into his embrace. "He is my fiancé, I hope you're not going to touch him freely."
Sakurai is stunned but in the next second he is as composed as ever.
"So you already have your significant other, Okada-kun... too bad. All right, I need to make an order here. See you later Okada and Inohara-san...." Sakurai winks as he moves to the counter.
"Who is he?"
"My first love..."
Sakurai doesn't touch what's on his plate. He looks blankly towards his white plate. His is wondering about something. That Okada must have enhanced his social status, as he now is the fiancé of a wealthy man. Along his time after he met with Okada, he never met someone like him ever again. Okada always obeyed, he was someone who could fulfil his egoistic requests. Sakurai was born that way and he needs Okada beside him again, not as a real lover but more like a semi-servant he can order around. His other boyfriends weren't even able to last six months, as they couldn't cope with Sakurai's evil side even though he has a charming appearance. After he gets bored with him, he will toss Okada away like before. The fact that Okada already has a significant other is disturbing to him, but he wouldn't be Sakurai if he gave up easily. He'll think of something to make Okada his again.
Inohara thinks that it's his fault that he asked Okada about Sakurai. He's worried and ends up taking Okada to his office. Now that the latter has filled his tummy with breakfast, he lazily sits on his couch. It seems like he's falling asleep as his head moves back and forth.
Inohara is afraid that Okada still has feelings towards Sakurai. He can't be egoistic by keeping Okada in his drama forever. The drama needs to end. In the meantime he still needs to search for his real partner. But the thought of letting Okada go is bothering him. Among all his acquaintances and friends Okada is the one who is different. Inohara never feels uncomfortable around him.
He looks to his side and Okada has already fallen asleep. He takes off his coat and puts it around Okada. He moves Okada slowly to make the latter's head rest on the pillow behind him.
Title: Lie to me
Pairing: Inohara Yoshihiko x Okada Junichi (v6), Okada Junichi x Sakurai Sho (side pairing)
Rating: PG 13
Warnings: (none)
Summary: To prolong the life of his grandfather, Inohara ‘rents’ a fiancé, someone his grandparent wishes him to have. Inohara has a deal with someone, scrounger look, breaking and entering his residence twice. But little did he know, Okada may be the one who could change his fate forever and moreover open his heart to love again.
Notes: I tried my best to fulfil your request. I hope you enjoy reading my fanfic for you. I slipped a few songs in this fic to lighten it/things up a bit. I'm glad I had the chance to write a fic for you, especially with V6's characters in it.
1. Alien
There was a time I was one of a kind
Lost in the world out of me myself and I
Was lonely then like an alien
I tried but I never figured it out
Why I always felt like a stranger in a crowd
That was then like an alien
But the stars in the sky look like home, take me home
And the light in your eyes lets me know I'm not alone
Inohara Yoshihiko sits still on his desk. Even though he doesn't move an inch, he knows that at this time his co-workers, his employees are about to leave the office. It's payday and it's friday night. They must plan something to spend the night. Karaoke, beer, or even a strip club. But those happy vibes don't reach Inohara. It feels like just another day to Inohara. He's always working like 24/7. He only stops when his stomach grumbles or he falls asleep at his desk. He goes home of course but he will be right back in his office the next morning. In his mid-thirties, your average male would think about marriage, having a kid, traveling with their significant other. But Inohara only thinks about how to expand his company overseas.
Inohara is entrusted with the work as a manager. His company runs a café but is also a distributor of a few varieties of coffee. The main café is located on the first as well as the second floor, it's the biggest in the country. The café is popular among kids nowadays and it's all thanks to Inohara's hard work.
How to describe Inohara Yoshihiko? He's tall and slim but not lanky, he wears his black hair in an early 2000 style, he has droopy eyes. His family often tells him he looks sweet when he smiles, but he rarely does that. He's only having an expressionless face.
Just because he is cold as ice on the outside doesn't mean that he can't love. He can. He loves children, he likes freshly brewed coffee, even candy and cake. But he will never give his love to another person, he likes to keep his heart to himself. The only person he loves is his grandfather who raised him well since his parents departed.
Why?
Working for five years at a firm that takes care of diforcement made his faith in relationships go thin. He saw so sooo many couples that let go rather easily of something they held dear. His firm's statistic showed that 70% of all marriages would end within six or seven years. This is why he thinks it is needless to start something that will most probably end.
Someone knocks at his door before a head pops in to look at him.
"Sir, we're heading to the mall. Do you want to join?"
"No. Thanks for inviting me."
The man nods and takes his leave.
"I told you he wouldn't come."
"Just asking, maybe someday he will change his mind?"
He can hear it clearly in his room, but Inohara only sighs. He takes out his 5 x 5 Rubik's Cube that he has in his drawer. When he lets his thoughts wander, when he needs to muse or in times like these when he's lonely: Then, the only thing that can keep him company is his cube. He has six unfinished cubes on this desk, knowing that there will be a lot of lonely times ahead.
Crossed through the universe to get where you are
Travel the night riding on a shooting star
Was lonely then like an alien
Had to get used to the world I was on
While yet still unsure if I knew where I belong
That was then like an alien
But the stars in the sky look like home , take me home
And the light in your eyes lets me know I'm not not alone
When the clock strikes two, he cleans up his desk and heads home. In his car, he activates his Bluetooth speaker and speed-dials someone.
"Doctor? Sorry for disturbing you. How is his condition?"
"It's the same as yesterday, Inohara. He's weak. I know I shouldn't say this as a doctor but I know your family, especially your grandfather. I don't want to give you false hope."
Inohara nods and after few words he ends the call.
He turns his car to drive to the suburban area ahead. That's where his villa is located. His parent's villa. But since they died when he was 15, he has had the villa to himself. He often goes there to keep his grandfather company. But at the moment, his grandfather is in the hospital, terminally ill and nobody is home. So he decides to go to the villa, to let go of the heavy feeling on his chest there. The villa has been a silent witness of his tears. When things get rough, he isolates himself on his room's balcony, because there, nobody will see his weak side.
He parks his car promiscuously. He goes to the second floor, sits down on the cold wooden floor and closes his eyes. As if one tear can describe how he hopes his grandfather will be all right and come home soon.
Same place, different room, different concern, someone has been freely using the villa's kitchen, filling his empty stomach with any available food there. Not much but enough for a few days.
You want to know whom we're talking about? I'll tell you. He's an intruder. Early thirties, thick beard and a moustache. Blonde frizzy hair that looks like it hasn't been washed in weeks. He wears his clothes carelessly and looks like a hobo. But in reality, he's only a completely broke man who has been kicked out of his apartment, running away from loan sharks and riding a random bus only to get here, to this empty, big, warm, nice villa. He's hoping that the owner of the villa won't come around any time soon, at least until he gets a job to be able to rent some place to live in.
When he feels calmer, Inohara goes down to the first floor, suddenly feeling an urge to pee. When he's in the bathroom he hears a voice coming from his living room next to the toilet. He thinks it's just his imagination when a second random voice gets louder. He grabs something close to him, slowly walking towards the living room, seeing someone who is sitting on his couch eating a sandwich.
He raises his hand high, ready to attack the intruder anytime. Then the intruder turns his head to him. Both look surprised and shocked but the man stands up and bows politely.
"Ah master, you came home early. How may I help you today?" Inohara raises an eyebrow.
"What?"
"I'm your butler? The usual butler is absent today so I replace him."
What the hell? He's definitely not my butler. No butler would be sitting carelessly on his master's couch like this! He surely can't think of another reason to break into someone's home.
Inohara's butler always comes on Monday morning and stays until the afternoon so Inohara simply never meets him. He must be a hobo intruding my villa, Inohara thinks. He contemplates whether he needs to deal with this man alone or call the cops. He picks the first choice.
"So she send you here?"
"Yep."
"Are you sure you're not in the wrong house?"
"No, sir."
"Okay. First, my assistant comes every Monday morning. And second, my butler should be a he! And I don't have a maid here. Also my butler never told me he would send anyone to replace him."
"Crap." The man dashes through the main door, trying to avoid the stick that Inohara threw at him. Inohara tries to catch the intruder. He grabs him by his collar and pins him down on the cold road.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?"
"I...I...."
"Answer me!"
Inohara doesn't realize he doesn't wear any underwear after he went to the toilet earlier.
"Help me!!!" Suddenly the man screams and the next thing Inohara knows is that there are one or two policemen reaching his place.
"What happened?" One of them asks.
"This man... he wants to rape me."
The policemen look at underwearless Inohara and seize him.
"This is a misunderstanding. He's the one who broke into my house!"
"You can explain that at the police station." The policemen harshly pull Inohara up and force him to follow them.
The intruder smiles and slowly slips away. Inohara chuckles, as he doesn't have a choice than to follow the cop.
What a day.
2. Cry
When Inohara is released from the police station the next morning, he takes his car which is parked next to the villa and drives back home.
Okada, who was saved from the rage of the villa's owner, hitchhikes in a truck to the city where he thinks that the owner will never find him. He walks aimlessly through the city, not knowing what to do. He finds a garden full with orange trees. He is surprised how big the garden is; big enough to take some of the fruit unnoticed. His cunning mind starts calculating. If he can take a few kilos of the fruit and sell it at the market, he may have extra cash. This neighbourhood seems quiet and not so many people pass by. This is the perfect place for his "crime". Okada takes off his jacket and uses it as a bag to hold the oranges he picks. He knows someone in the market who will buy them from him.
Inohara goes straight to the bathroom, takes a nice warm bath and changes his clothes. He told his employees at work that he will come there after lunchtime. He needs to rest for a moment. His phone vibrates as Inohara receives a message. It's from the doctor, the one he called later the night before.
Your grandfather was moved to ICU. Please pray for his recovery.
For how long does his grandfather need to go through this?
He stands up and opens the glass door that connects his room to a garden. He takes a deep breath, the smell of fresh oranges relaxes him.
Okada happily chooses a ripe orange when he hears a door being opened. He quickly hides behind an orange tree and peeks through its branches. "What!" It's the same person who owns the villa. What a damn coincidence. Why does it seem like he's everywhere? He owns the villa and he owns the garden too? He sees the face of the man who almost caught him last night. Is it his eyes or is the man really crying?
Little does Okada know, but he's the only person, aside from Inohara's relatives, to see him in tears.
It was late in September
And I've seen you before
You were always the cold one
But I was never that sure
You were all by yourself
Staring at a dark grey sky
I was changed
In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry
Okada feels that his catch is not much to sell, so he slowly sneaks to the other side of the garden to pick some more. Okada climbs up one of the trees that has many ripe oranges. Okada promises himself that he will go after taking those fruits. But one of the branches betrays him and he fells to the ground. Butt first.
Inohara hears a noise in his garden and slowly takes a peek from his window only to find a man in his garden, picking his oranges. And not just a random person. It's the one who intruded his villa. The one that set him up, making him almost go to jail. Inohara is going to make sure he catches the man this time. Inohara grabs a blanket from the laundry basket, sneaks into the garden and from behind, he jump towards the man. Before the man can escape, Inohara covers the man with the blanket and a rope. He ties him up tight to the tree. Double tied to make sure he won't escape again.
"You almost made me go to jail. Now it's time to take you there."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean any harm. I'm just searching a place to live for a while."
"Is this why you are stealing my fruits?"
"I need to sell them."
"Why do you need to sell them? Are you one of those illegal sellers who often roam the market? Selling stolen things??"
"No!! I sell them for a living. Duh! Also, my orphanage needs fixing, otherwise the government will close it."
"Liar! You must sell them for drugs, right?"
Okada rolls his eyes. "You must watch so many dramas. It's the orphanage that raised me until I grew up. Now it's on the edge of demolition. Why do I need to explain this to you?" The man grumbles.
Inohara is not a heartless man. What if what the man's saying is the truth? But he's not a fool. Inohara secures the tie and asks for the location of the orphanage and takes his car there. It's not so far. He can reach it in 30 minutes. From his car, he sees an old wooden house, slanted to the right. The roof is perforated in a few places. Inohara can't tell the colour of the house since it's walls are covered with moss and black fungus. He has a feeling that the building won't last long until it falls apart. At the front of the building there's the name of the orphanage. Himawari House - orphanage. He gets out of his car, walks to the house and knocks at the door. A young woman in her late twenties welcomes him. After introducing himself, he asks the woman if a man named Okada is really related to that place.
"Ah... Okada Junichi. Yes, he's been in our home until he was 17. He helped us many times. He lent us a few bucks for this place to stand on its feet. The government's help is not enough to restore this building. No loan sharks are chasing him. I already told him not to borrow money carelessly. Is he okay, sir?"
"Ah yes... he's fine. He's with me now."
He is with Inohara, the only thing Inohara does not tell her is the part where he holds Okada captive in his garden. Through the back door he can see a few children playing in the backyard.
"How many children are here?"
"Seven. I don't know where to accommodate them if the government closes this place."
Inohara feels that those children need a proper place to live in, not this gloomy, damp saddening place.
"Don't worry, miss. I and Okada will find a way to restore this home."
After that he bows to the lady and apologizes. I told you he likes children.
3. Pretenders
After he reaches his house again he finds Okada still there, tied to the tree, sleeping soundly. How can people fall asleep like this?
Inohara pokes Okada's face with his finger. But the man doesn't move. He shakes his body harshly, knowing that doing it the soft way won't wake him up.
After a few attempts the man finally wakes up.
"Ah, you again?" The man stares lazily at Inohara.
"That should be my line."
"Have you already found out the truth?"
"Yes."
"So, release me already."
"I'm about to..."
When he opens the tie, his phone starts ringing. "Wait."
He fishes his phone from his pocket.
"Inohara speaking." His face turns stiff when he listens to the man at the other end of the line.
It's his doctor again.
"Inohara-san... I'm just human. I only can do my best. As long as your grandfather's still breathing, I suggest you give him whatever he wants. I can't be sure he will survive until Christmas. I know it's beyond my authority as a doctor to say this but I know he expects you to have a fiancé. Do you have one?"
"It's not that significant others are easy to find."
"I know but... please. It's for his sake."
Not long after, he ends the call.
"So, are you going to release me or not?"
Inohara contemplates while untying Okada. Both stand up when he releases Okada. "That's so tight. Are you a navy?" Okada caresses the mark on his hands.
"Okada-san.... I know this question is weird and impossible." Inohara ignores the other's question. "Could you be my fiancé?"
"What!" Okada's jaw drops down when he hears Inohara's question. Or request.
"I mean you wouldn't be a real fiancé but could you pretend to be? At least for my grandfather. I want him to die happy, not with the burdening fact that his grandson is lonely."
"That's even weirder."
"I know... and in exchange I will restore your orphanage. You can use my villa in the meantime. "
"It sounds tempting, but I think I and my orphanage can do just fine without your help. So, no... I don't think so." With that Okada walks away from the garden, leaving a helpless Inohara behind.
Inohara grip his hand. What was I thinking? Why did he ask a man who looks like a tramp to be his lover? After all he's sure the doctor will cure his grandfather like before.
4. Yoroshiku, fiancé
Inohara goes back to the house again, he walks to the west side, entering his workspace. It's a medium-sized room with a mini fireplace on the left. There is a bookshelf behind his desk. He opens the drawer to pull out a notepad when something falls on the floor.
He sees an acrylic-based toy, his toy. It does not take him long to remember that Thomas the train was a present from his grandfather on his 10th birthday. It was the toy his parents refused to give to him because they thought Inohara had plenty of them. Still, his grandfather always fulfilled his wishes.
'You are my precious grandson, I will try my best to give you what you want.'h
Is this the time to pay back his grandfather's kindness to him?
Grandpa... I will bring you my fiancé, like you always wanted.
Inohara clenches his fist. Why is finding a man to play the part as his lover so hard? He tries to think of someone who could help him but his mind always returns to Okada. He's not close with anyone around him. The thought that Okada is just a mere person whom he met twice and that after the "drama" they will part and won't meet again, makes him choose that guy to be his fake fiancé.
I need to find that guy.
Finding Okada in the big city is not as hard as Inohara thought it would be. Inohara sees a figure with a horrible moustache and a typical navy slingbag. Inohara bets it is him. Okada is fighting with the loan sharks who cornered him in the street. Okada is about to run away again, but when some gang members pull out a pocket knife, he knows that things are getting serious. Okada looks around for a way to escape until blinding car headlights interfere. Someone is getting out of the car, but Okada can't be sure who is it because the car headlights are blinding him.
Okada is still on his knees when the man reaches his spot. "Okada... Okada...." The man squats and shakes his shoulder slowly.
"You? What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?" Inohara chuckles because of Okada's shocked expression.
"Please return home, dear... it's uncomfortable to live without you." Okada swears his heart skips a beat when the latter says those words. Okada needs to scream internally that this is a lie.
"Hey!! What are you doing?"
Inohara turns to the loan sharks.
"I'm sorry if my husband is troubling you."
"So he's your husband?"
"Yes... he ran away from home a few weeks ago. Thanks for finding him for me."
"Then pay his debt."
"How much?"
The man states the amount of money. It's doesn't take a minute to pay the debt with his check. He always brings some in his wallet in case he needs them.
"So, can I have my husband back please?"
The loan sharks grumble a few words and walk away from the spot.
When Inohara turns to Okada again, the man is already standing on his feet with an unfriendly face.
"What was that?"
"Helping you."
"I bet you expect something in return."
"Yes... the thing I said at my house... I meant it. I asked you to pretend to be my fiancé. My grandfather won't live long, he's sick, but at least I could make him happy before he takes his last breath. It's just this one time and then you can go."
"So you are like that, huh?"
"What?"
"You are like all the other rich people who think they can buy anyone with their money?"
"What are you saying? I'm not buying you... I ask you to help me."
"If that's the case then the answer is still no." Okada yanks his slingbag and walks away. "God! You're such a freak!"
Inohara doesn't move a muscle knowing it's impossible to persuade Okada this time. He thinks he'll try another time.
When Okada goes to the orphanage, he's sure that seeing his brother and sister will make him calmer. But he is terribly shocked when he finds a plank on the fence blocking the entrance: "Foreclosure. House for sale. For further information call xxxx-oooo"
Okada runs to the public telephone and calls the house, but no one answers. That means no one is staying in the house anymore. Where could they be? He tries to reach Hiroshi, the mom of the children, who is in charge of taking care of the house, the one who came in contact with Inohara the previous time. But she doesn't pick up her phone too. What happened to the children? The payment was due yesterday and he forgot about it. Okada feels so sorry about it, he feels like he neglected his family. How about asking Inohara for help?
Ah... but he already insulted and rejected his offer. But aside from his pride, his family needs the money and they need it now. The only person that comes to his mind and who can provide such a large amount of money for his house to survive is Inohara.
Heavy-hearted, he gets up on his feet and forces himself to go to Inohara's house.
By the time he reaches it, it's already night. He rings the bell a few times until the security man comes out. "How can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Inohara."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No. But I'm sure he would like to meet me."
"I'm sorry but this evening the master got a call from the hospital."
"Is it about his grandfather?"
"Yes..."
After being informed about the hospital where Inohara's grandfather is taken care of, he rushes to the bus station to get there.
"Grandpa..." Inohara takes his grandfather in his arms. The monitor shows that his grandfather is getting weaker.
Suddenly, the door is opened. He sees someone familiar. Ignoring Inohara, that man rushes to his grandfather and hugs him. "Grandfather. Please wake up, I'm here... your future son-in-law."
Inohara's eyes widen but he understands where this may lead.
After a few attempts, Inohara's grandfather moves an inch. He slowly opens his eyes.
"Grandpa...." Inohara cannot hold back his tears. After all this time, his grandfather finally opens his eyes.
"I'm so glad Inochi. Finally you're not alone. I'm so happy." He closes his eyes again...
"Grandpa!! Please don't die... please don't leave me!" He falls down on his knees.
Inohara is too busy crying to notice that Okada is poking his shoulder. "Ano... Inohara-san... if your grandfather died, shouldn't the monitor show a flat line and make a static sound like 'deeee....deeeee...'?"
Inohara comes back to his senses and stares at the monitor. "I think he is just sleeping?"
"Ah!" Inohara covers his face. He almost sh*t himself when his grandfather closed his eyes.
"Thank you..." He says slowly.
"What?"
"I said thank you."
"I'm not doing this for free."
"So you agree to my offer? Play my fiancé?"
"Come outside. We need to talk further about this. I need your help with something too."
They have a deal. Okada will play Inohara's fiancé for a while and in return, Inohara will give Okada a place to live with his children from the orphanage, also money for the renovation the orphanage.
"You said it's just this one time and then I can go?"
"I thought my grandfather would die but since he did not, we still need to play the drama a little longer."
"I think a deal is a deal..."
"I will give you a monthly fee." Hearing the "fee" word makes Okada doubt if he should stop this play.
"How much?"
Inohara names several amounts of money and lets Okada contemplate.
"Deal then...."
5. Fixer upper
"First things first. We need to settle on some 'facts' about us. You are my employee at work. I will give you some material to read, so when my family asks about your job you know the answers. We met at work of course. And... please, read this."
Inohara hands Okada some big-ass books. "Personality guide for dummies? For real?"
"You need to learn that. My family is strict and old-fashioned. Your carefree attitude won't fit in. So learn how to be a good gentleman and my family will leave you in peace."
Okada sighs heavily but doesn't say a word.
"Stand up!"
Okada is standing in front of Inohara. "You have good shoulders, so stop walking sluggishly. Stand straight!"
Inohara teaches Okada some basic lessons that Okada needs in order to face his grandfather. After a few lessons, some scolding and a non-stop argument, Inohara stops. Okada sits down and wipes the sweat from his forehead.
"Come on! I need a rest... just face it that I am who I am. No need to change me."
"Stop that crap. We will practise until you become an ikemen my grandfather will like."
"Shouldn't personality come first?"
"Yeah, but yours sucks. After this you need to change your choice of words to more acceptable ones."
15 days later
"What do you do at work?"
"Negotiating the core business with the company's partners."
"And what's your career goal?"
"To be vice president or (?) corporate secretary."
"Good. You've been taught well."
"Can we start the drama already? The pretending is too much."
"My grandfather is smart. One glitch and he will know that our relationship is a lie."
At least Okada is a fast learner and he knows how to play well. So it's not very hard to transform him into the perfect fiancé.
"So what do I have to do now?" The only thing that makes Okada obey Inohara is the amount of money he offered him.
"When was the last time you had a bath?"
Inohara brings Okada to one of the buildings in Ginza. It's been mentioned six times in fashion magazines.
"Okay, but you need to get a makeover."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do!"
"No. Even though I look like this, I'm actually lovely on the inside."
"But on the outside you look like trash. What do you reckon my family and my grandfather would think if I'm going to marry someone who looks like you? No offense."
"But he seemed fine when he met me."
"Because he was comatose."
They enter a place, which reeks of hairspray and has a minimalist interior. "My friend who works here will take care of you. I will return to my office and pick you up in the evening."
"Thank God, you're leaving me."
"If you haven't noticed yet, I have a respectable job. So would you mind?"
Inohara walks to the back of the salon.
Someone, it seems to be the one Inohara talked to, walks towards Okada from the back of the salon. The man is slightly taller than him. He has a unique hairstyle with his left fringe kept long and covering his cheekbone, bouncing every time he takes a step. Okada bets his hair is soft. He's brunet with blond highlights. He has a cute face, which makes him look five years younger.
"So... you're the one Inohara told me about."
"Depends on what he told you."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Miyake Ken. But you can call me Ken." The man offers Okada his hand but when Okada raises his hand the man has already pulled back his.
Miyake cringes a lot. Like he's found someone who has spent years and years in the jungle. "You need more than just a makeover. It's a disaster. How did you get a haircut like this?"
"I cut it myself."
"During an earthquake?"
Okada wants to answer but Miyake starts to brush his hair. "You.... may... find an... UFO in here."
Okada tries to hold his tears back as Miyake forces his brush through Okada's hair until it breaks in two.
"Do you have glasses?"
"Yes, I do." Okada fishes them out of his slingbag.
Without saying a word Miyake takes the glasses from Okada and breaks them in half.
"You broke my glasses."
"You broke my brush. I'll get you contact lenses later."
After tons of magic here and there, the makeover turns out really well. It made Okada change into someone totally different. His eyebrows are shaped and his facial hair is shaved. He got a haircut and a permanent smoothing to tame his permed, dark brown hair. He gets a good scrub from head to toe and all that unnecessary body hair has been waxed. For the last touch Miyake injects whitening into Okada's body to decrease the sunburn on Okada's arms and legs.
Miyake approaches Okada with a phone in his hand.
"Yes?"
"I forgot you didn't have a phone, I will give you one." Without even saying hello back, Inohara gets straight to the point.
"What do you want?"
"My grandfather's awake. But he's more awake than before so I hope you'll be ready. My family will hold a dinner to celebrate his return from hospital."
Okada feels that he is relieved when he finds out Inohara's grandfather is doing okay now.
"When?"
"Tonight."
"What? Why so soon?"
"He wants to meet my fiancé. He wants to meet you."
"I bet I have no choice than to join that dinner, right?"
"Absolutely. I will pick up my grandfather at the hospital so I can't pick you up. You will come to the xx restaurant at 8 pm. Don't be late." And Inohara hangs up on a stunned Okada.
Okada turns his head to Miyake and asks, "Where can I get a taxi in less than ten minutes?"
Inohara is sitting at his table with his grandfather, who needs a wheelchair, as well as his uncle and aunt. "Will he come?"
"Yes, he will," Inohara says impatiently. It's 8.30 and he has no idea where Okada is. Maybe he's running away? Maybe after he and his orphanage got the money, he will betray Inohara?
"Wait a second, I will try to call him." Inohara rises from his seat, wanting to call Miyake to make sure Okada got in the cab to his place, not hitchhiking another car to run away.
"I do not think that will be necessary." Masayuki Sakamoto, Inohara's grandfather, smiles while throwing a glance at a glass wall behind Inohara.
Inohara thinks that five waitresses are waaay to many to escort Okada to their VIP room in the back of the restaurant. You cannot look into the VIP room thanks to the mirror glass wall, but from the inside you can see clearly what is happening outside. The waitresses squeal, when Okada bows and thanks them. When Okada enters the room, time seems to stop for a while. Inohara almost doesn't recognize the man who bows to his family and sits down beside him. The words handsome and gorgeous are not enough to describe what Okada has become. He's a total ikemen now. He has totally changed from who he was this morning. Inohara would have almost dropped his phone if he hadn't snapped himself out of his trance. Miyake really worked some magic on Okada.
"Why are you so late?" Inohara asks quietly.
"The driver took a wrong turn and we were stuck in traffic."
Okada turns his head to Masayuki, "I am very sorry for arriving this late, Grandpa..." Okada smiles nicely at Masayuki.
"It is all right. At least you arrived here safe and sound. So what is your name again, dear?" It's rare to see his grandfather tolerating anyone who is late. Even when it's Inohara, his grandfather will scold him for wasting someone's time.
"Okada Junichi. You can call me Junichi or Jun."
"Ah... Jun-chan. Welcome to Inohara's family then..." Masayuki smiles gently. "You came and saved my life. And Inocchi's too."
"I'm happy that you've been discharged from hospital."
"I wanted to see you. My grandchild is great at picking his partner, nee..."
When the food comes, Inohara notices that Okada has learnt well, he knows how to use the proper cutlery for each dish. Okada looks so elegant in front of his family, like he's a prince being pulled out from a fairy tale book. Inohara breaths a sigh of relieve. But all of a sudden his grandfather drops another bomb...
"Inochi... Have you already taken your pre-wedding photos?"
6. Picture-perfect memories
They are both sitting silently in a car.
"So... thank you."
Inohara is the first to break the silence between them.
"To you too..."
"So, I... booked a place, for our pre-wedding photos."
"You really need to obey everything your grandfather says?"
"He won't stop until he gets what he wants."
"Sounds like someone I know..."
"It's just a photo, you don't need to be cynical."
"One picture is worth a thousand words and we will have plenty..."
"I'll give you extra cash."
"Deal."
Inohara rolls his eyes at how easy it is to tame Okada.
They are going to take an outdoor and an indoor photo. The outdoor photo will be taken in a park near Tokyo Castle. The indoor one will be taken in Inohara's own cafe. One thing Inohara didn't predict is that his grandfather will come along too. It seems like he has become attached to Okada and is fond of him. Okada knows how to behave and acts so well in front of Masayuki.
Inohara now realizes that Okada has beautiful eyes, which were hidden behind his bushy hair. His daydreaming stops when Okada notices that Inohara is staring at him. Okada wants to say something harsh, but only mouths it to prevent Masayuki from hearing it too. Inohara comes to his senses and curses back silently.
Okada is already handsome, but his handsomeness is being doubled when the make-up artist beautifies his face. Okada wears his dark blue suit to match with Inohara's.
Okada steps closer to Inohara for the first picture. "Inohara, lean closer to Okada." Inohara moves a bit to his left.
"More..."
Inohara tries to slightly touch Okada's shoulder.
"I mean, you should hold Okada-san like this..." The photographer moves Inohara's hand into the right position and corrects Okada's position until his head is touching Inohara's belly.
"Bow until your head is leaning on Okada-san's shoulder."
He pushes Inohara's shoulder so that his face is located near Okada's.
"Put your hand around Okada, hug him."
"Don't be so stiff, Inochi!" Masayuki yells from behind. He knows his grandson is not familiar with romantic things like this.
"Okay, hold that pose..."
They have never been this close before. Okada can feel Inohara's breath on his neck. It makes him nervous and... happy?
I've been running from the pain
Trying not to feel the same
But it's a shame that we're sinking
See, my confidence is shaking
And my heart is feeling vacant
So you try to fill it in
You say "I could fix the broken in your heart
You're worth saving darling"
But I don't know why you're shooting in the dark
I got faith in nothing
It's not only Okada. Inohara feels nervous too. He's so sweaty the make-up artist needs to fix his make-up and Inohara is sure it's not because of the sun. Inohara can smell Okada's body scent; it's sweet and addicting.
You are only pretending, Inohara. Don't be fooled. Don't let your heart get it wrong.
"Okay, that's enough for today. Thank you for your cooperation, Inohara-san and Okada-san. The photo drafts will be send to you within the next two weeks."
Okada and Inohara sigh relieved after an awful hour of hugging, holding hands, sitting side by side, looking at each other happily, stroking cheeks (Okada almost slapped Inohara's hand when his grandfather was not watching them like CCTV). Okada didn't know that taking pre-wedding photos could be this hellish. He tries to deny that every time Inohara smiled, his heart got warmer. His droopy eyes get narrow when he smiles. The wrinkles in the corner of his eyes make him even sweeter.
"Wait... wait... I think there's one pose left..." his grandfather finally says. "You never took a kissing photo."
"What?" Okada's eyes widen while Inohara is rubbing his forehead.
"They wouldn't be proper pre-wedding photos if you don't even take one kissing photo?" Masayuki orders the photographer with a gesture.
Okada and Inohara stare at each other, not knowing what to do.
"Inohara-san, please place one hand on Okada's waist, and put your other hand on Okada's cheek," the photographer orders. A shiver runs through Okada's body when he feels Inohara's hand on him. He has never seen Inohara's face this close. "Okada-san, please put your hands on Inohara-san's shoulders."
When Okada obeys, the photographer starts taking photos. "Inocchi! Kiss him!" Masayuki insists. Slowly, Inohara leans his face forward until the tip of his nose touches Okada's. From this almost zero distance, Inohara notices that the colour of Okada's eyes is hazel brown, not grey like he thought it was. His eyebrows are shaped perfectly, they make a beautiful frame for the latter's face. His voluptuous lips are coloured with pink lip tint, calling on Inohara to touch them, to kiss them. Inohara slowly puts his lips on Okada's. Thankfully, the latter doesn't dodge his kiss but rather accepts his lips. It is their first kiss.
But love, pray for me
I never had somebody
So I don't know how to love
Pray for me
I know I need somebody
So I can learn how to love
I know it's been a while
Cause my memory's on trial
For the way I used to be
My head is running miles
Round in circles and I try
To find the little light in me
You say "I could fix the broken in your heart. You're worth saving darling"
But I don't know why you're shooting in the dark
I got faith in nothing
I know I need somebody
So I can learn how to love
How to love
The photographer has already captured their kissing moment, but they haven't separated their lips yet. He wants to remind them that he is done taking their photo but Masayuki forbids him to do so. He asks the photographer to leave the room and let them both be alone. Okada and Inohara embrace each other, they touch and kiss, the heat rises but they don't care. They find themselves trapped in their kiss and they don't want to stop. Inohara can taste the sweetness of a snickers bar on Okada's lips.
Okada comes to his senses and pinches Inohara's neck.
"Ouch!! What was that for?"
"Don't get carried away!"
"You enjoyed it, didn't you?"
"No!"
"But you didn't move when I kept kissing you."
"It's because your grandfather is here...!" Okada points to the place where Masayuki has been sitting just to notice that no one is around. They already left five minutes ago.
"They've gone."
Inohara notices that Okada's cheeks are getting redder. He finds that teasing Okada amuses him.
"You knew they had finished taking our picture but you still kept kissing me. So, who's enjoying it now?" Okada fires back.
"I just wanted to tease you..." Inohara takes off his shirt and changes into his favourite sweater. It is weekend, he would normally be sitting at his desk, doing his work like usual. However, since Okada came into his life, everything changed. His dull life is getting coloured and it's not something bad, he thinks.
"I want to eat! I even skipped breakfast to come here early."
"You ate a snickers bar, didn't you?"
"Snacks don't count as eating. Come on, take me some place decent to eat."
Inohara sighs heavily, why does he need to obey that chubby guy anyway?
Okada is already walking to his car, sitting nicely beside him and buckling up.
"Wake me when we are there and don't take me to McD's." Inohara is surprised to see Okada is fast asleep, in less than a minute Okada is already making a snoring sound.
"Ck... this guy really..." Inohara starts the engine and drives them to a restaurant where he used to have lunch.
"This restaurant looks homey. They have many different dishes too," Okada says while wiping his face. Inohara has evilly splashed some water in his face when they arrived. Inohara feels a bit guilty but it's really hard to deal with a sleeping Okada. It's like he's dead rather than sleeping.
The benefit of eating with Okada is that the waitresses serve you first and they will always be around. So when you need anything they'll be there for you in under a second.
"I'll have a double cheeseburger, French fries, fish and chips, a lasagne and a lemon tea. Also, I would like a meat pizza with colla for takeaway. What are you having?"
"A macchiato please and how many persons do you want to feed with that much food?"
"Three. Me, myself and I."
"I've never known someone like you before."
"Now you do..."
When Okada's food comes, he happily accepts it. In just a minute their small table is full with Okada's food and takeaway. He devours his burger in less than 10 minutes.
"You don't eat?" Okada asks while stuffing his mouth with French fries.
"Swallow your food properly before speaking."
Okada tries hard to swallow the food in his mouth before talking again.
"Are you not hungry?"
"No. Seeing you eat already makes me full."
"Try this. This is delicious." Okada takes some of the fish with his hand and offers it to Inohara.
Inohara shakes his head. "No... I'm not..." But a piece of fish is already being stuffed into his open mouth. He grumbles while chewing the fish. Okada smiles innocently like nothing is wrong.
While Okada continues eating, Inohara smiles and chuckles when he sees how the latter's chubby face is getting even chubbier when he stuffs food in his already full mouth.
Inohara pulls his phone out and opens the camera. He's capturing the moment Okada's eating. He laughs at the picture of Okada opening his mouth happily.
"What?"
"Nothing?"
"Why are you laughing?"
"You look so cute when you're eating. Like my hamster."
"Are you taking my photo?"
"No..... yes, a bit."
"Stop it!" Okada reaches for Inohara's smartphone but in vain. Inohara keeps taking pictures of Okada's face while the latter grumbles. Okada takes another piece of fish and shoves it again into Inohara's mouth. The latter almost chokes due to the large amount of food in his mouth.
"In your face." Okada sits back while he continues eating what's left on his plate.
Inohara takes a napkin and cleans his greasy face. He has never done this kind of thing before, his family is boring, he must sit nicely when eating, hands off the table, mouth closed when eating. He has never done something wild. That's why he didn't fancy eating that much until now.
"Come on, let's go home...."
"Wait... wait. Stop the car, please." Inohara stops the car confused. Okada opens the door and runs to the side of the road. Inohara parks his car properly before following Okada.
Okada squats in front of two people lying on the ground, both of them look like they have been beaten up badly.
"Please, call an ambulance, Inohara."
"Aren't they the loan sharks who chased you?"
"Yes. It seems they lost a fight."
"It's good then, they got their karma."
"Inohara! What are you saying? Call an ambulance immediately! They may be bad people but that doesn't mean we need to do a bad thing to them in return."
"Alright... alright."
Inohara calls an ambulance and within five minutes the car arrives, taking the two men with them. Okada goes back to Inohara's car after bowing and saying thank you to the officer and paramedic.
"Why did you help them? They wanted to beat you up earlier, right?"
Inohara continues driving to his home after helping the loan sharks.
"Yes. But what's wrong with offering a forgiving hand to people? The more we give, the more we have. That's what my father told me."
"Ah... you're a good person."
"Of course I am. I told you I'm lovely on the inside."
Inohara smirks when hearing Okada's statement but inwardly he agrees.
"Your home is big..." Okada says while walking inside. He sees a picture of Inohara's family. "And you have a big family too."
"Our room is on the second floor, take the main stairs, then turn left, it's the second room on the left."
"Wait... wait. You mean we need to sleep in one room?"
"What do you think?"
"But we are just engaged. Not married."
"My grandfather said so. He asked me to be in one room with you. To deepen our bond, he said."
"Yeah, right." Okada sloppily drags his feet to the second floor and reaches Inohara's room.
Inohara's room is big but empty. Not too many things inside. All Okada makes out are a king-size bed, a cupboard, a table and the door to the bathroom. Above the table, Okada can see two pictures. One shows an older man and a young boy, who Okada assumes is Inohara with his grandfather. The second picture shows a man and a woman. The woman is holding chibi Inohara.
"Are those your parents?"
"Yes."
Inohara takes off his sweater and changes into a simple black shirt with khaki pants. "Don't stare at it too much."
Inohara turns the picture around.
"Where are your parents?"
"Dead..."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's ok. My grandfather takes good care of me."
Inohara takes a seat beside Okada.
"They died when I was 15. Then my grandfather took care of me like I was his own child. I nearly can't remember my parents anyway. They were busy making money and never spend time with me. My world only revolved around my grandfather. I remember I didn't shed a tear on my parents' funeral because I almost didn't know them. What they liked, what they hated, what their favourite food or drink was, they are like strangers to me."
"So you love your grandfather more than anything?"
"Yes..."
Okada is taken aback. Now he knows why Inohara is so obedient towards Masayuki.
"What about you?"
"Me? Well.... My mother died when she gave birth to me. I was put in an orphanage because my father ran away from the loan sharks. He couldn't take care of me properly. He borrowed some money but wasn't able to pay it back."
"What did you father need the money for? Gambling?"
"No. God! No! He was helping my mom with labour fee. We didn't have any cash back then. The choice was between me and my mom dead or my father borrowing the money."
"So where's your father now?"
"I don't know. He's working everywhere to pay off the loan but since you already did that, I think he can rest for a while. I wanted to give him a few bucks when we meet again. I wonder if he's eating properly..." Okada bites his thumb and looks worried.
Inohara finds that habit cute. "Don't worry, I'll ask for help to locate your father." Inohara strokes Okada's hair to comfort him. Okada seems surprised but he keeps still.
"Change your clothes then. You spilt some sauce on your shirt."
"I bought a few sleeping outfits yesterday." He takes his bag and goes to the bathroom to change.
Inohara expect it's only a boxer brief that leaves Okada shirtless. Just thinking about it makes his face warmer. But to his disappointment, Okada has put on a cute onesie.
"That's what you call a sleeping outfit?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Did you rob the children's department?"
"No, I think it's cute." The onesie is equipped with a tail made of cotton and bunny ears. Doubling the cuteness of Okada's appearance. It is cute.
"I'll wash my face first."
When Inohara is back from the bathroom, he finds Okada already asleep again on his bed. "How can a person fall asleep that quickly?"
Inohara observes the complexion of Okada's face. His soft cheeks and his pointy nose. He looks tired as if he needed to wake up at four in the morning for today's photo session. Inohara takes another pillow and puts it beside Okada, then he lies down beside his 'fiancé' where he can sleep nicely at last.
7. Sweet Halloween
"I haven't said thank you for accommodating the orphans in your villa while their former residence is being renovated."
"You're welcome."
"Usually at this time we will gather to celebrate Halloween. We will decorate our orphanage and the children will go trick-or-treating." Okada smiles as he remembers the tradition of his orphanage.
"How about we celebrate this Halloween in my villa?"
"For real?" Okada raises an eyebrow.
"I will help you decorate my villa. They are still kids. Let them have fun," Inohara says while already staring at his computer screen.
They ordered a few Halloween accessories online and even fresh pumpkin to be carved.
"Why didn't you order already-carved pumpkin?"
"You'll miss the joy of decorating the pumpkin if you do. The children like to do it too. We only need to empty the pumpkin and let the children carve it," Okada says while squatting in front of their pumpkins, cutting them open.
Inohara who is sitting behind Okada stands up suddenly, bumping into the back of Okada, who wasn't prepared for a sudden move. It makes him stumble forward, his head entering the half-empty big pumpkin he's working on.
"Ooi!!!"
"What? I'm sorry.... I'm.... hahahaha!"
Inohara can't control himself not to laugh out loud. The scene in front of him is overly hilarious, Okada's head stuck inside the pumpkin.
"Don't laugh. Help me get out of this."
"Wait, let me cut it open a bit."
"Don't break it!!"
"I won't. Stay still or I might slash your neck."
Slowly, little by little Inohara cuts the upper side of the pumpkin wide-open so he can pull the pumpkin up.
The pumpkin makes Okada's voice inaudible. Inohara barely hears what he says.
"For the record, I like it when you laugh."
Inohara hears that. But he pretends not to.
"When was the last time you had a good laugh?"
The question makes Inohara tongue go dry. He ponders on that question. When did he let himself be happy? Thank God that Okada is there to remind him how to do it. "I think it's because of you, that someday I will be happy. I can be happy... aside from this drama, I think it's not so bad that I became your lover," Inohara answers.
"What?"
"Never mind."
"No... I didn't hear that..."
"Not my problem." Inohara pulls the pumpkin up. He stands up, walks into the kitchen so that Okada won't see him flustered.
You know what's hard for Okada? To pretend that he keep pretending that he didn't hear it.
We were strangers, starting out on a journey
Never dreaming, what we'd have to go through
Now here we are, I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you
No one told me I was going to find you
Unexpected, what you did to my heart
When I lost hope, you were there to remind me
This is the start
8. Intruder
"Can I come to your office?"
"No..."
"I want to taste the signature coffee from your café. I won't disturb you at work."
"If you do I will send you home."
"Deal."
They drive to Inohara's workplace. When they reach the building, Okada begs Inohara to go have breakfast with him. Inohara rolls his eyes because he knows Okada will keep asking him until Inohara does what he wants.
They spend their morning sipping macchiato together while eating some pastry.
After finishing their plate, Inohara stands up and takes his bag. He wants to head to his office when someone approaches. Not him actually.
"Okada?? Is that you?"
The change in Okada's expression makes Inohara think there must be something between them. Okada looks more than surprised to see that man, who is about Okada's height, young and handsome too, cute, but there is a slightly cunning look in his eyes.
"You here?" Okada only nods.
That man looks at Inohara and asks surprised, "Are you the CEO assistant?"
"Yes. How do you know that?"
"Your reputation precedes you. I'm Sakurai Sho, his friend."
Sakurai offers his hand to Inohara before turning back to Okada.
"Okada, you look so different. You look more decent that I remember. You look... handsome."
Inside his heart Inohara agrees.
Sakurai approaches Okada who hasn't spoken a word. He reaches out his hand as if he is about to hug the latter but Inohara is faster than him. He puts his hand on Okada's forehead and pulls him into his embrace. "He is my fiancé, I hope you're not going to touch him freely."
Sakurai is stunned but in the next second he is as composed as ever.
"So you already have your significant other, Okada-kun... too bad. All right, I need to make an order here. See you later Okada and Inohara-san...." Sakurai winks as he moves to the counter.
"Who is he?"
"My first love..."
Sakurai doesn't touch what's on his plate. He looks blankly towards his white plate. His is wondering about something. That Okada must have enhanced his social status, as he now is the fiancé of a wealthy man. Along his time after he met with Okada, he never met someone like him ever again. Okada always obeyed, he was someone who could fulfil his egoistic requests. Sakurai was born that way and he needs Okada beside him again, not as a real lover but more like a semi-servant he can order around. His other boyfriends weren't even able to last six months, as they couldn't cope with Sakurai's evil side even though he has a charming appearance. After he gets bored with him, he will toss Okada away like before. The fact that Okada already has a significant other is disturbing to him, but he wouldn't be Sakurai if he gave up easily. He'll think of something to make Okada his again.
Inohara thinks that it's his fault that he asked Okada about Sakurai. He's worried and ends up taking Okada to his office. Now that the latter has filled his tummy with breakfast, he lazily sits on his couch. It seems like he's falling asleep as his head moves back and forth.
Inohara is afraid that Okada still has feelings towards Sakurai. He can't be egoistic by keeping Okada in his drama forever. The drama needs to end. In the meantime he still needs to search for his real partner. But the thought of letting Okada go is bothering him. Among all his acquaintances and friends Okada is the one who is different. Inohara never feels uncomfortable around him.
He looks to his side and Okada has already fallen asleep. He takes off his coat and puts it around Okada. He moves Okada slowly to make the latter's head rest on the pillow behind him.