Flight 109 - Destination: First Love [Chapter 3]
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here's the 3rd chapter. My disclaimer about this one is the first scene is not actually mine, it's Matsumoto Jun's idea :D I forgot where/when he said it (I think it is from some older episode of HNA on that Mote Arashi Dame Arashi corner. Correct me if I am wrong), and I based that scene from his description :) And the chapter's title is from Bjork's song lyrics 'Joga'. If you haven't heard of the song, I strongly recommend you to hear it for once in your life. It's one of the most beautiful song ever made, IMHO :)
And this chapter took place when I hate Jun's hair the most. But let's just forget about that, okay? Let's imagine he is in his newest Kpopish hairstyle instead. Hey, it's a fic after all.
Thank you all for your support for my second fic, inspired/story by yeppie . As usual, comments, inputs and criticisms are highly appreciated. And if you haven't read the previous chapter you can always refer to the master post.
The airplane icon marks the present time. 30 August 2013.
The cloud icon marks the past. Around the year of 2006.
「CHAPTER 3: COINCIDENCE MAKES SENSE ONLY WITH YOU」
This is a bad idea, Matsumoto Jun curses himself.
He drowns himself further in his disguise, his baseball cap, hood of his parka and sunglasses, before he walks into the crowded CD store. He knows he should have just instructed his PA to do the job or buy it online, but he needs the distraction. He needs to get out of his busy schedule once in a while, doing something as normal as looking for a CD to listen to. These kinds of things help to keep himself sane.
Even though it has a high risk of getting swarmed by fans. But some things are worth the risk, let's just hope this particular 'trying-to-be-a-normal-guy' trip to the biggest CD store in Tokyo would be one of those things.
Besides, if I get away with this, it would be such a great success story to brag to the other members, he smiles to himself.
The motivational thought gives some energy to his light steps. He then squeezes his way towards the escalator, leaving the crowded shelves. He takes a glimpse of the chart shelf, where his group's latest album, "Arashic", is still featured as number one. He feels his chest is warming up with a familiar feeling. Pride.
He hides his glimmering with pride face under his cap and climbs the escalator to the second level, where he could find older releases and some western music he has in mind at that moment. To his delight, the second level isn't crammed with people at all. The atmosphere is a lot calmer with only 5 to 6 people who are completely absorb in their search for the perfect CD to buy. Doing the exact same thing Jun wants to do himself.
Jun browses on the older releases of Japanese music with interest, taking some that catches his attention, trying to remember whether he already had a copy or not. He also picks up some concert DVDs he wants to watch. He had a talk with Johnny-san himself a couple of days ago and he learnt Johnny-san's plan to have the first Asian tour for Arashi later that year.
With a bundle of DVDs and CDs already in hand, he goes to the Western music section. He opens the list he has typed into his mobile phone earlier. He has gotten interested in Bjork and some electropop music like The Postal Service and Polyphonic Spree. He finds the last two without much hassle in the P section.
He then goes to the B section. Bjork, Bjork, Bjork, he repeats the name to himself. A girl with long jet black hair is browsing that section as well. She is most probably a few years younger than Jun. Both are completely oblivious with the other's presence.
He finds it! The CD that was released a while ago, one of her older and earlier albums, titled Homogenic. And just the last copy available. His hand immediately reaches for it, at about the same time the girl also picks it up.
Their hands brush into each other for a second, but enough to create a jolt to both hearts.
But even though Jun is not entirely comfortable with the situation of touching some stranger's hand, he doesn't let go of the CD. The girl did the same.
"Ah, sumimasen," But Jun tries to pull away the CD from her and she just pulls it tighter.
"But I got it first!" The girl eyes him in disbelief.
"No, I got it first," Jun flatly answers.
Jun flicks off his cap off his face for a bit intentionally, revealing his infamous eyebrows. The girl eyes him carefully and gapes. Obviously recognizing who he is.
Jun smirks. This has always worked. Let's just hope she won't squeal in excitement or he would be in a big trouble. Before the girl could react any further, he pulls the CD from her, this time with success.
He calmly walks away, leaving her gaping behind him.
"Chotto matte!"
The girl calls to him. Jun lazily turns around. On second thought, this might cost him an autograph.
"I usually can't sign any unauthorized autograph, but this time I.." He mutters as the girl walks closer to him.
"Get over yourself, Domyouji guy," She snaps incredulously. "Just because you are someone famous, you think you can get away just like that? I've been looking for that everywhere." She points at the bluish cover of the CD in Jun's hand.
Jun raises an eyebrow, "But we reach for it at about the same time, so are you going to ask me to give it up just because you're a girl?"
"No," she scoffs. The girl ain't that pretty, but there's something about her. "I'll say let's janken for it. Winner takes all."
"Janken?" He is almost amused by the preposition. Almost.
"I bet you've done it many times before," the girl sarcastically remarks.
"Fine," he finally sighs and transfer all his CDs and DVDs to one hand so he has a free right hand to fulfill the duty.
The girl grins wide to him, "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
There's something about her smile that made him relax a bit. Both hands get ready for the battle.
"Saisho wo gu, Janken pon!" They mumble at the same time.
At first it is a draw, both hands giving scissors, "Aiko desho!"
Still a draw with both hands giving rocks, "Sho!"
Finally, Jun gives rock, whilst she gives paper.
"Yosh!" Her grin becomes wider and punches her fist to the air. She quickly snatches away the Bjork CD from Jun's losing hand.
Without another word or look, she happily walks away from him, winning the CD, still grinning wide.
Leaving Jun completely ticked off with a scarred ego.
"Sheesh, she even called me Domyouji," he mutters out loud to himself. But she is no longer around to hear that.
He slowly lets it go. He is still pissed but he guesses that he can just buy the CD online, no fuss. He shouldn't be a sore loser over Janken with an unknown girl.
He fixes his baseball cap position on his head and starts to head to the cashier. Well, at least he has managed to get most of the CDs he had listed beforehand. Without getting found out.
Well, except from that girl. But she didn't make any scene, so that doesn't count.
Quite an interesting girl, he smiles to himself. But annoying as hell.
But what Jun doesn't know yet, it wouldn't be the last time he would encounter that girl. It was only the first time of many encounters to come.
At their second meeting, he would learned more about her. Including her name.
He doesn't know yet that it was his first meeting with who would be his first love, Hanazono Minako.
---
The second encounter with Hanazono Minako doesn't happen until about a couple of weeks later.
Matsumoto Jun is relaxing under his script with his earphones on, slouching on the sofa of the Arashi's green room. He has quite a relaxed schedule today with only concert rehearsals to do with the rest of the members. Jun is using his lunch time to read a script that has been offered to him the other day, a manga adaptation of Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru (I Love My Younger Sister). Shooting wouldn't take place until later this year, but he decides to get into the role as soon as possible.
Jun takes a casual glance around the room. He is not sure whether Nino is more into his game or the script behind it. It always amazes him how the guy can do two to three things at once with full concentration. Riida is sleeping next to him. Aiba-chan is watching a rehearsal video and try to imitate the choreography as best as he could as he fools around with Sho-kun who is joining his mini-rehearsal.
"You're in the wrong position, Aiba-chan," Jun points out as he studies his rehearsal with Sho-kun.
"Eh?" Aiba-chan checks the video again. "Ah, that's right. I should be on the right wing instead.."
When Aiba-chan thanks him, Jun doesn't hear it as he already turns on his iPod again.
"Oi! Jun-kun!" Nino calls him.
Jun doesn't hear it.
"Jun-kun!" Nino tries again as he slaps one of Jun's legs next to him. "Your phone is ringing!"
Now Nino gets his attention. Jun turns off his iPod and reaches for his phone on top of the table, signaling Aiba-chan to mute the video for a while.
"Oi, Shun! What's up?" He cheerily answers the phone after checking the call ID.
"Jun.. You busy today?" Oguri Shun's voice greets him from the other side of the phone.
"I only have rehearsals. We are on abreak now.."
"I have a favor to ask.." One of the reasons that he gets along so well with Oguri Shun is the way he always gets to the point but still being considerate at the same time.
"Sure, ask away.."
"I just ask a girl out.."
"Eh? Dare?" A grin appears on Jun's face.
"You don't know her. She's a new talent in my management. I just met her for the first time today.. She's the daughter of that veteran actor, Hanazono Shinobu."
"Aah.. She's an actress as well?"
"I'm not sure. She's new. I'll let you know the full story later.. But I kinda ask her in a whim, telling her that I had promised my bestfriend on a double date tonight, but the girl rejects me.. And I can't stand the humiliation if my idol friend finds out that I am being rejected.." Shun-kun starts his story.
"Why would you tell her that? Why didn't you just ask her out in a normal way?" Jun couldn't help but ask. It is a stupid way to ask a girl out.
"Look, I have my ways okay?" Shun retorts. Jun laughs at that. Shun does have his mysterious way with girls. Mysterious, funny ways.
"So the idol friend you don't want to know you are being rejected by your imaginary date is me?"
"Kind of.."
"But if it is a double date, who should I go with?"
Shun clears his throat, "Ano, I kinda have asked Mao-chan to come along.."
"Mao-chan?" Jun hisses to the phone, a bit too loudly. All 5 members, well 4, except the oldest one who is in his dream world right now, all look up to him with uttermost curiousity.
"Oh, Shun.. You've got to be kidding me.."
"Well if it's going to make you feel any better, she has already said yes immediately the moment she hears your name.." Jun could swear he can hear Shun's smiling over the phone.
"Bad idea, Shun. Bad idea.."
Nino raises his hand, "I don't mind going in your place!"
"Me too!" Aiba-chan joins in, raises his own hand, eager to be picked instead of Nino.
Jun rolls his eyes and scoffs, "You heard that? You could choose between Nino or Aiba-chan. They are idols as well.. Fit your description.."
"I kinda have told Hanazono-chan that it is you.. Matsumoto Jun," he has a mocking tone as he pronounces his name.
Jun groans, "So I have no choice?"
"She also says she is interested in seeing you. She's a fan of Arashi."
Jun groans at that, "A fan, no less. Man, you owe me for this."
"Ah, thanks, Jun. I'll pick you up at your place tonight. Don't complain too much. Besides it would be a great chance for you to break the ice with Mao-chan. You haven't hanged around each other much after what happened right?"
Jun sighs. Shun is right. Especially since there has been talk of Hanadan second season.
"Well, don't blame me though, if your date falls for me instead of you," Jun points out.
"Arrogant much? You underestimate Hanazawa Rui's charm, Tsukasa," Shun retorts with a laugh before hanging up.
Jun doesn't know it that time, that what he said to Shun, would actually come true. He just hangs up and put his phone back to the coffee table.
"Double date with Mao-chan, huh?" Sho-kun is the one who starts it first.
"Kyuuuuuu!" Aiba-chan and Nino squeals as they give each other a high five.
Jun groans silently. He should have bring the phone call outside. Now he is stuck with a bunch of busy bodies he calls as family.
"Urusai," he lazily retorts before he drowns himself in his iPod and script. Completely shutting the world off around him.
His usual stance works, he tries to hide his satisfied smile. His bandmates certainly can tell when to start and stop before anyone gets mad. Besides, he only has a couple of more hours to think over what he is going to say to Inoue Mao tonight. So he better starts now.
---
Jun still doesn't know what to say up until Shun drives them to Hanazono Minako's residence. He and Mao-chan just exchange the obligatory 'konbanwa' and 'hisashiburi' as they pick her up at her apartment earlier. And after that he just stays silent in the passenger seat, thanking the situation that he sits in the front of the car while she's at the back. And Shun. For trying to tone down the awkwardness.
Actually, no, he doesn't need to thank Shun. Any of this wouldn't happen if it wasn't for him.
Shun stops the car in front of an apartment building, "I'll just get her for a while, okay? Don't kill each other whilst I'm gone."
Jun just smirks at that. Mao-chan nods, "Don't worry, I won't."
Okay, what's that tone all about? Jun can't help but comment silently in his heart.
The car goes into silence for a good 5 minutes as soon as Shun shut the door close. Not a comfortable silence. More like an awkward one.
"So I heard you are going to have your first Asian tour. Congratulations," Mao-chan finally speaks up.
"Domou.." Jun immediately says, a bit too quickly.
Okay, this awkwardness just has to stop now, Jun finally decides.
"Mao-chan, I kinda need to talk.."
But Jun can't finish his sentence. Because at that exact moment, Shun has walked back to the car, hand in hand, with the girl Jun encountered in that CD store weeks ago but still carved well in his memory. The girl is no other but Hanazono Minako.
Of course, Jun still doesn't know her name, yet. Shun has mentioned her surname, but not her first name.
"Eh, that girl?" He can't help but welcome the nice surprise. Yes, a nice one. Somehow the sight of the girl amuses him.
"You know her?" Mao-chan is definitely surprised.
"Well, no.. I met her at a CD store and she janken my Bjork album away from me," Jun smirks at the memory. He can't help smiling everytime he remembers that moment.
Mao-chan stares at him for a while, as if thinking, as if trying to read him, "Such a coincidence, then."
"Weird, right? It doesn't make any sense," Jun says again without taking his eyes off the Hanazono girl, as if he is saying those words to himself instead of Mao-chan.
"She seems to leave quite an impression on you.." She quietly mumbles.
Okay, what's with that tone again, Jun mutters silently.
But Jun doesn't need to answer to that weird tone of Mao-chan's. Because Shun-kun already signals them to come out of the car and greet his date.
Jun happily obliges. Anything to get out of the awkwardness.
This Hanazono girl gives him a lopsided grin, as if expecting him to be surprised by her appearance.
"Well, well, it's you again," Jun crosses his arm in front of his chest, giving her an amused look.
"You know each other?" Shun raises his eyebrows.
"We had a coicidental encounter a couple of weeks ago," Hanazono girl starts to explain with a big grin plaster on her face. "I janken his Bjork album away from him."
Mao-chan, who has get out of the car as well, notices the same wording Jun uttered earlier with what the girl has chosen.
"Hajimemashite," She tries to ignore the weird feeling creeping into her chest, "Inoue Mao desu."
"Hajimemashite," Hanazono girl bows back politely, "Hanazono Minako desu."
"And as you might already know, this is Arashi's Matsumoto Jun," Shun points at Jun mockingly, as if presenting him in a show.
"I've been dying to see you again!" Hanazono Minako exclaims all of a sudden, with an excitement that only a little girl who encounters a brand new toy can compare.
Jun is a bit taken aback, this attitude is surely different with the sarcasm he encountered at their first meeting.
"You want a rematch?" He raises his eyebrows.
"You wish!" Okay, the sarcasm is still there.
"Then? What is it?"
"I kinda regret being such a brat to you the other day. But here, I'll give this back, you don't have to pay me anything," She picks up the Bjork album from her handbag and hand it to him.
"Eh?" Okay, this girl is impossible to figure out.
"But you just HAVE TO introduce me to Sakurai Sho-san," she excitedly, dreamily sighs as she pronounces the name carefully as if it is something sacred.
Mao-chan stifles a laugh. Shun gapes at his date.
Matsumoto Jun? Well, he scrunches up that infamous eyebrows of his. Unclear whether he is just deep in thoughts or utterly displeased by what this Hanazono girl is saying.
Continue to Chapter 4
And this chapter took place when I hate Jun's hair the most. But let's just forget about that, okay? Let's imagine he is in his newest Kpopish hairstyle instead. Hey, it's a fic after all.
Thank you all for your support for my second fic, inspired/story by yeppie . As usual, comments, inputs and criticisms are highly appreciated. And if you haven't read the previous chapter you can always refer to the master post.
The airplane icon marks the present time. 30 August 2013.
The cloud icon marks the past. Around the year of 2006.
「CHAPTER 3: COINCIDENCE MAKES SENSE ONLY WITH YOU」
This is a bad idea, Matsumoto Jun curses himself.
He drowns himself further in his disguise, his baseball cap, hood of his parka and sunglasses, before he walks into the crowded CD store. He knows he should have just instructed his PA to do the job or buy it online, but he needs the distraction. He needs to get out of his busy schedule once in a while, doing something as normal as looking for a CD to listen to. These kinds of things help to keep himself sane.
Even though it has a high risk of getting swarmed by fans. But some things are worth the risk, let's just hope this particular 'trying-to-be-a-normal-guy' trip to the biggest CD store in Tokyo would be one of those things.
Besides, if I get away with this, it would be such a great success story to brag to the other members, he smiles to himself.
The motivational thought gives some energy to his light steps. He then squeezes his way towards the escalator, leaving the crowded shelves. He takes a glimpse of the chart shelf, where his group's latest album, "Arashic", is still featured as number one. He feels his chest is warming up with a familiar feeling. Pride.
He hides his glimmering with pride face under his cap and climbs the escalator to the second level, where he could find older releases and some western music he has in mind at that moment. To his delight, the second level isn't crammed with people at all. The atmosphere is a lot calmer with only 5 to 6 people who are completely absorb in their search for the perfect CD to buy. Doing the exact same thing Jun wants to do himself.
Jun browses on the older releases of Japanese music with interest, taking some that catches his attention, trying to remember whether he already had a copy or not. He also picks up some concert DVDs he wants to watch. He had a talk with Johnny-san himself a couple of days ago and he learnt Johnny-san's plan to have the first Asian tour for Arashi later that year.
With a bundle of DVDs and CDs already in hand, he goes to the Western music section. He opens the list he has typed into his mobile phone earlier. He has gotten interested in Bjork and some electropop music like The Postal Service and Polyphonic Spree. He finds the last two without much hassle in the P section.
He then goes to the B section. Bjork, Bjork, Bjork, he repeats the name to himself. A girl with long jet black hair is browsing that section as well. She is most probably a few years younger than Jun. Both are completely oblivious with the other's presence.
He finds it! The CD that was released a while ago, one of her older and earlier albums, titled Homogenic. And just the last copy available. His hand immediately reaches for it, at about the same time the girl also picks it up.
Their hands brush into each other for a second, but enough to create a jolt to both hearts.
But even though Jun is not entirely comfortable with the situation of touching some stranger's hand, he doesn't let go of the CD. The girl did the same.
"Ah, sumimasen," But Jun tries to pull away the CD from her and she just pulls it tighter.
"But I got it first!" The girl eyes him in disbelief.
"No, I got it first," Jun flatly answers.
Jun flicks off his cap off his face for a bit intentionally, revealing his infamous eyebrows. The girl eyes him carefully and gapes. Obviously recognizing who he is.
Jun smirks. This has always worked. Let's just hope she won't squeal in excitement or he would be in a big trouble. Before the girl could react any further, he pulls the CD from her, this time with success.
He calmly walks away, leaving her gaping behind him.
"Chotto matte!"
The girl calls to him. Jun lazily turns around. On second thought, this might cost him an autograph.
"I usually can't sign any unauthorized autograph, but this time I.." He mutters as the girl walks closer to him.
"Get over yourself, Domyouji guy," She snaps incredulously. "Just because you are someone famous, you think you can get away just like that? I've been looking for that everywhere." She points at the bluish cover of the CD in Jun's hand.
Jun raises an eyebrow, "But we reach for it at about the same time, so are you going to ask me to give it up just because you're a girl?"
"No," she scoffs. The girl ain't that pretty, but there's something about her. "I'll say let's janken for it. Winner takes all."
"Janken?" He is almost amused by the preposition. Almost.
"I bet you've done it many times before," the girl sarcastically remarks.
"Fine," he finally sighs and transfer all his CDs and DVDs to one hand so he has a free right hand to fulfill the duty.
The girl grins wide to him, "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
There's something about her smile that made him relax a bit. Both hands get ready for the battle.
"Saisho wo gu, Janken pon!" They mumble at the same time.
At first it is a draw, both hands giving scissors, "Aiko desho!"
Still a draw with both hands giving rocks, "Sho!"
Finally, Jun gives rock, whilst she gives paper.
"Yosh!" Her grin becomes wider and punches her fist to the air. She quickly snatches away the Bjork CD from Jun's losing hand.
Without another word or look, she happily walks away from him, winning the CD, still grinning wide.
Leaving Jun completely ticked off with a scarred ego.
"Sheesh, she even called me Domyouji," he mutters out loud to himself. But she is no longer around to hear that.
He slowly lets it go. He is still pissed but he guesses that he can just buy the CD online, no fuss. He shouldn't be a sore loser over Janken with an unknown girl.
He fixes his baseball cap position on his head and starts to head to the cashier. Well, at least he has managed to get most of the CDs he had listed beforehand. Without getting found out.
Well, except from that girl. But she didn't make any scene, so that doesn't count.
Quite an interesting girl, he smiles to himself. But annoying as hell.
But what Jun doesn't know yet, it wouldn't be the last time he would encounter that girl. It was only the first time of many encounters to come.
At their second meeting, he would learned more about her. Including her name.
He doesn't know yet that it was his first meeting with who would be his first love, Hanazono Minako.
---
The second encounter with Hanazono Minako doesn't happen until about a couple of weeks later.
Matsumoto Jun is relaxing under his script with his earphones on, slouching on the sofa of the Arashi's green room. He has quite a relaxed schedule today with only concert rehearsals to do with the rest of the members. Jun is using his lunch time to read a script that has been offered to him the other day, a manga adaptation of Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru (I Love My Younger Sister). Shooting wouldn't take place until later this year, but he decides to get into the role as soon as possible.
Jun takes a casual glance around the room. He is not sure whether Nino is more into his game or the script behind it. It always amazes him how the guy can do two to three things at once with full concentration. Riida is sleeping next to him. Aiba-chan is watching a rehearsal video and try to imitate the choreography as best as he could as he fools around with Sho-kun who is joining his mini-rehearsal.
"You're in the wrong position, Aiba-chan," Jun points out as he studies his rehearsal with Sho-kun.
"Eh?" Aiba-chan checks the video again. "Ah, that's right. I should be on the right wing instead.."
When Aiba-chan thanks him, Jun doesn't hear it as he already turns on his iPod again.
"Oi! Jun-kun!" Nino calls him.
Jun doesn't hear it.
"Jun-kun!" Nino tries again as he slaps one of Jun's legs next to him. "Your phone is ringing!"
Now Nino gets his attention. Jun turns off his iPod and reaches for his phone on top of the table, signaling Aiba-chan to mute the video for a while.
"Oi, Shun! What's up?" He cheerily answers the phone after checking the call ID.
"Jun.. You busy today?" Oguri Shun's voice greets him from the other side of the phone.
"I only have rehearsals. We are on abreak now.."
"I have a favor to ask.." One of the reasons that he gets along so well with Oguri Shun is the way he always gets to the point but still being considerate at the same time.
"Sure, ask away.."
"I just ask a girl out.."
"Eh? Dare?" A grin appears on Jun's face.
"You don't know her. She's a new talent in my management. I just met her for the first time today.. She's the daughter of that veteran actor, Hanazono Shinobu."
"Aah.. She's an actress as well?"
"I'm not sure. She's new. I'll let you know the full story later.. But I kinda ask her in a whim, telling her that I had promised my bestfriend on a double date tonight, but the girl rejects me.. And I can't stand the humiliation if my idol friend finds out that I am being rejected.." Shun-kun starts his story.
"Why would you tell her that? Why didn't you just ask her out in a normal way?" Jun couldn't help but ask. It is a stupid way to ask a girl out.
"Look, I have my ways okay?" Shun retorts. Jun laughs at that. Shun does have his mysterious way with girls. Mysterious, funny ways.
"So the idol friend you don't want to know you are being rejected by your imaginary date is me?"
"Kind of.."
"But if it is a double date, who should I go with?"
Shun clears his throat, "Ano, I kinda have asked Mao-chan to come along.."
"Mao-chan?" Jun hisses to the phone, a bit too loudly. All 5 members, well 4, except the oldest one who is in his dream world right now, all look up to him with uttermost curiousity.
"Oh, Shun.. You've got to be kidding me.."
"Well if it's going to make you feel any better, she has already said yes immediately the moment she hears your name.." Jun could swear he can hear Shun's smiling over the phone.
"Bad idea, Shun. Bad idea.."
Nino raises his hand, "I don't mind going in your place!"
"Me too!" Aiba-chan joins in, raises his own hand, eager to be picked instead of Nino.
Jun rolls his eyes and scoffs, "You heard that? You could choose between Nino or Aiba-chan. They are idols as well.. Fit your description.."
"I kinda have told Hanazono-chan that it is you.. Matsumoto Jun," he has a mocking tone as he pronounces his name.
Jun groans, "So I have no choice?"
"She also says she is interested in seeing you. She's a fan of Arashi."
Jun groans at that, "A fan, no less. Man, you owe me for this."
"Ah, thanks, Jun. I'll pick you up at your place tonight. Don't complain too much. Besides it would be a great chance for you to break the ice with Mao-chan. You haven't hanged around each other much after what happened right?"
Jun sighs. Shun is right. Especially since there has been talk of Hanadan second season.
"Well, don't blame me though, if your date falls for me instead of you," Jun points out.
"Arrogant much? You underestimate Hanazawa Rui's charm, Tsukasa," Shun retorts with a laugh before hanging up.
Jun doesn't know it that time, that what he said to Shun, would actually come true. He just hangs up and put his phone back to the coffee table.
"Double date with Mao-chan, huh?" Sho-kun is the one who starts it first.
"Kyuuuuuu!" Aiba-chan and Nino squeals as they give each other a high five.
Jun groans silently. He should have bring the phone call outside. Now he is stuck with a bunch of busy bodies he calls as family.
"Urusai," he lazily retorts before he drowns himself in his iPod and script. Completely shutting the world off around him.
His usual stance works, he tries to hide his satisfied smile. His bandmates certainly can tell when to start and stop before anyone gets mad. Besides, he only has a couple of more hours to think over what he is going to say to Inoue Mao tonight. So he better starts now.
---
Jun still doesn't know what to say up until Shun drives them to Hanazono Minako's residence. He and Mao-chan just exchange the obligatory 'konbanwa' and 'hisashiburi' as they pick her up at her apartment earlier. And after that he just stays silent in the passenger seat, thanking the situation that he sits in the front of the car while she's at the back. And Shun. For trying to tone down the awkwardness.
Actually, no, he doesn't need to thank Shun. Any of this wouldn't happen if it wasn't for him.
Shun stops the car in front of an apartment building, "I'll just get her for a while, okay? Don't kill each other whilst I'm gone."
Jun just smirks at that. Mao-chan nods, "Don't worry, I won't."
Okay, what's that tone all about? Jun can't help but comment silently in his heart.
The car goes into silence for a good 5 minutes as soon as Shun shut the door close. Not a comfortable silence. More like an awkward one.
"So I heard you are going to have your first Asian tour. Congratulations," Mao-chan finally speaks up.
"Domou.." Jun immediately says, a bit too quickly.
Okay, this awkwardness just has to stop now, Jun finally decides.
"Mao-chan, I kinda need to talk.."
But Jun can't finish his sentence. Because at that exact moment, Shun has walked back to the car, hand in hand, with the girl Jun encountered in that CD store weeks ago but still carved well in his memory. The girl is no other but Hanazono Minako.
Of course, Jun still doesn't know her name, yet. Shun has mentioned her surname, but not her first name.
"Eh, that girl?" He can't help but welcome the nice surprise. Yes, a nice one. Somehow the sight of the girl amuses him.
"You know her?" Mao-chan is definitely surprised.
"Well, no.. I met her at a CD store and she janken my Bjork album away from me," Jun smirks at the memory. He can't help smiling everytime he remembers that moment.
Mao-chan stares at him for a while, as if thinking, as if trying to read him, "Such a coincidence, then."
"Weird, right? It doesn't make any sense," Jun says again without taking his eyes off the Hanazono girl, as if he is saying those words to himself instead of Mao-chan.
"She seems to leave quite an impression on you.." She quietly mumbles.
Okay, what's with that tone again, Jun mutters silently.
But Jun doesn't need to answer to that weird tone of Mao-chan's. Because Shun-kun already signals them to come out of the car and greet his date.
Jun happily obliges. Anything to get out of the awkwardness.
This Hanazono girl gives him a lopsided grin, as if expecting him to be surprised by her appearance.
"Well, well, it's you again," Jun crosses his arm in front of his chest, giving her an amused look.
"You know each other?" Shun raises his eyebrows.
"We had a coicidental encounter a couple of weeks ago," Hanazono girl starts to explain with a big grin plaster on her face. "I janken his Bjork album away from him."
Mao-chan, who has get out of the car as well, notices the same wording Jun uttered earlier with what the girl has chosen.
"Hajimemashite," She tries to ignore the weird feeling creeping into her chest, "Inoue Mao desu."
"Hajimemashite," Hanazono girl bows back politely, "Hanazono Minako desu."
"And as you might already know, this is Arashi's Matsumoto Jun," Shun points at Jun mockingly, as if presenting him in a show.
"I've been dying to see you again!" Hanazono Minako exclaims all of a sudden, with an excitement that only a little girl who encounters a brand new toy can compare.
Jun is a bit taken aback, this attitude is surely different with the sarcasm he encountered at their first meeting.
"You want a rematch?" He raises his eyebrows.
"You wish!" Okay, the sarcasm is still there.
"Then? What is it?"
"I kinda regret being such a brat to you the other day. But here, I'll give this back, you don't have to pay me anything," She picks up the Bjork album from her handbag and hand it to him.
"Eh?" Okay, this girl is impossible to figure out.
"But you just HAVE TO introduce me to Sakurai Sho-san," she excitedly, dreamily sighs as she pronounces the name carefully as if it is something sacred.
Mao-chan stifles a laugh. Shun gapes at his date.
Matsumoto Jun? Well, he scrunches up that infamous eyebrows of his. Unclear whether he is just deep in thoughts or utterly displeased by what this Hanazono girl is saying.
Continue to Chapter 4