[Fanfic] Like We Used To (Chapter Nine)
CHAPTER NINE
Matsumoto Jun’s apartment is rocking with party tunes booming from loud speakers, overflowing alcohol and great food everywhere. Besides the Arashi members, some kouhais from Johnnys and close celeb friends are invited too.
The Arashi members all tried to keep Aki’s mind away from whatever happened earlier in the day. They told her inside stories in the dressing rooms, mock about Sho’s failures in their variety shows, Nino showed her some magic skills, Ohno talked about fishing and even asked her out together with Sho whenever they got a free time, Aiba tried his best to communicate to her English which ended up in Aki laughing her heart out with his random English outburst.
“It is fun in New York, Aki-chan?” Aiba asked. Him, Nino, Ohno and Aki are seated in a large couch by the living room. Jun is busy entertaining his guests and Sho is caught up in a conversation with Oguri Shun.
“It is!” Aki gleamed in response. “The lights, the people, the lifestyle, I got used to it in no time. It’s like my own home now. I found myself in that place.” a weak smile is seen in her face. The three noticed how she suddenly stopped like she remembered something.
“I would love to try living there for once.” Nino said, ending the sudden silence. “For a month or two, just to experience a whole new different place where I can be a normal person for once.”
“And meet some American girls to hook up with?” Jun suddenly barged in their conversation handing Aki a bottle of beer, she thanked him in response.
“Urusai, Jun-kun!” Nino yelled at him. “Aki here might believe you.” he smiled, Aki laughed behind the beer bottle.
“Do you think Nino’s charm works with American girls? I don’t think so.” Aiba grinned widely.
“Oi! You wouldn’t know unless I tried!” Nino acts all defensive, Aki and the three guys all laughed at how he gets so whiny after that.
“Do you get to travel too with your job?” Ohno ignores the whiny Ninomiya and starts asking Aki.
“Yes.” Aki nodded. “I’ve been to Milan, Paris, London and other European countries for photo shoots and runway shows. I just love the idea of me getting paid by simply doing things I love, wearing beautiful clothes, getting all pretty with make-up and hairstyling and most of all travelling to places I’ve never been to. I also get to meet new friends in every country.” she sounded happy while telling that.
“That’s true.” Jun agreed. “Getting paid by simply doing things I love. That’s exactly how I describe my job too.”
“Only a few in this world are lucky to have a job that makes them happy. Some are just simply staying to be able to live. Trust me, I already proved that. In my world before, the people I meet are just mere puppets of their parents, of their family.” Aki said, not noticing that’s she turning too serious. “Ahh, sorry for being so serious all of a sudden.” she smiled shyly.
The party is still banging at 3 in the morning, with everyone a bit drunk now. Arashi’s leader is now asleep on the couch, Aiba is drunk dancing in the middle of the living room with some kouhais, Nino is drinking his tenth beer bottle as he sits in the bottom of the couch watching Aiba, Jun is still totally fine without a hint of being drunk as he still roam around the place to check on everyone. Sho and Aki are lost in their own world in the balcony, with a bottle of champagne in hand.
“Did you have fun tonight?” Sho asked, pouring champagne on her glass.
“I did.” Aki smiled. “Everyone is so nice. I’m glad you introduced me to them.”
“My plan worked out then.” Sho smirked, looking at the dark sky above them.
“I knew it’s your plan. Thank you, for the endless time today, thank you for taking care of me.” Aki slipped her arm on his and rests her head on his shoulder. Side by side, they are looking the stars in the sky.
“Everything for you and you know that, right?” Sho softly smiled, he felt her nodding on his shoulders. “Ne, Aki. Can I ask you something?” He asked, they are still looking upward.
“What’s that?” Aki moved her head to look at him, now, they are face to face.
“Ano…” Sho is hesitating if this is the right time to ask about their relationship. “About us.” He finally said it, looking straight to her eyes. Thanks to all the alcohol inside his body, he had the guts to open this topic. She smiled at him and he felt relieved by that smile.
Aki knew right away what he meant by that. She came forward to caress his chipmunk cheek. “I love you, Sakurai Sho, always have, always will.” She said gazing into those big round eyes of his.
Sho suddenly felt his heart fluttering with happiness with what she said. He touched the hand on his cheek, gently gripping it on his. “I love you even more.” He proclaimed, the smile on Aki’s face grew even bigger with that. He leaned forward, wrapping his hands on her waist as they shared the most passionate kiss they had in the past seven years.
---
The next morning, Aki wake up inside Matsumoto Jun’s bedroom with Sho sleeping soundly beside her. She was too drunk to even remember what leads her inside this room. She glanced at her watch, it’s almost twelve noon already. As she got from the bed, she noticed that she still got her shoes on. I got really wasted, huh? She told herself. Hearing sounds coming from the kitchen, she quickly made her way outside. Jun’s already up, preparing lunch for them.
“Oh. You’re awake now.” Jun said as he saw Aki came out from the room. “You were so happily drunk last night with Sho-kun. I asked him to just stay instead of driving to his home.” He said, pouring a glass of water from the fridge. “Water?” he offered the glass to her.
“Thanks.” Aki smiled, drinking from the glass. “Where are the others?” She looked at the couch only to find Nino sleeping there.
“Riida got home earlier, saying that he’ll be able to sleep much comfortable in his house.” Jun laughed with his statement, Aki joined him too. “As for Aiba-chan, has recording for Shimura Doubutsuen today.”
“Sorry for intruding your room.” Aki apologize, seeing the blanket and pillow on the one-seater couch beside Nino, Jun probably slept there. “And for preparing meal for the drunken guys. And girl.” She laughed.
“No problem. I have the rest of the day to sleep, you know.” Jun smiled, placing four plates on the dining table. “As for the guys, I always do this for them. Sometimes I think I’m the oldest among us five, taking care of everyone and such.” he chuckled. Aki was surprised to see this side of Matsumoto Jun. She wishes her sister is here to see this rare sight.
“Is there anything that I can do to help?” Aki offered.
“Sure. I think the rice is ready.” Jun pointed at the rice cooker in front of her. “So Sho-kun and you.” He grinned and he saw her blush a little. “It’s official now, huh?”
“Yes, it is.” Aki softly said as she placed four bowls of rice in the table. She might have forgotten some happening last night but she will never forget that conversation in the balcony. Hearing Sakurai Sho say I love you to her, kissing under the star-filled night sky, the fluttering feeling in her stomach as their kiss starts to get deeper. She will never forget that for the rest of life.
“I’m happy for the both of you.” Jun smiled, “Finally, Sho-kun has found someone he really loves.”
“What do you mean by that?” Aki narrowed her eyes.
“Sho-kun had some relationships in the past, but I never saw him this happy. That’s all because of you.” Jun smiled.
“I was never this happy too in the past seven years.” Aki softly said, realizing how Sho means so much in her life. “I guess he’s everything I ever needed to be completely happy.”
“Soulmate, destiny, I never believed in those things but after seeing the two of you, I found myself wishing for that too.” Jun shyly laughed, sitting on one of the chairs as they finished preparing the dining table, Aki sat opposite him.
“You don’t go looking for that person, you know. She’ll come, in the most unexpected way. Just like how Sho and I met again in that Chanel store.” Aki placed a hand on her chin as she rests her elbow on the table. “That moment feels like a start of a fairy tale and I hope this fairy tale wouldn’t end.” She smiled, a bright smile that Jun has seen for the first time.
“You are so in love, huh?” Jun asked, amused by this sight of her. He began to realize why Sho is head over heels in love with this girl.
Aki nodded, her face is flushed red. “Are you not in love at the moment, Matsumoto-san?” she smiled.
“Please, just call me by my first name.” Jun insisted. “And no, I am not in love at the moment.”
“Are you not interested in someone?” Aki asked.
Your sister. As much as Jun wanted to say that out loud, he couldn’t. He can never have her anyways. Nakagawa Rina is just a crush, that’s what he wanted to tell himself since seeing that picture of her in the newspaper. But it seems like her effect on him is more than just a crush. “No.” he lied.
“Sou ka.” Aki murmured. She suddenly starts laughing.
“What’s wrong?” Jun asked. “Is there something on my face?” he said, touching his face.
“Nothing.” Aki replied, “It’s just that I have never imagined myself to have this kind of conversation with you.” She explained, a bit calmed down now.
“Why is that?” Jun asked, amused.
“My sister is a big fan of yours and if she found out that I spent the night partying with you and even sleeping in Matsumoto Jun’s bed, she’ll freak out like a crazy person.”
“Really?” Jun asked. He can’t help but smile to himself. He pursed his lips before Aki can see the smile on his face.
“Umm.” Aki nodded. “When you guys debuted, we watch your first ever TV performance live.”
“Music Station?” Jun asked, feeling slightly embarrassed as he remembered their costumes that very day.
“Yup, with your see-through outfits.” Aki grinned and Jun buried his face on his hands. “We were never really a fan of Johnnys so we don’t know you guys, we just came to see and support Sho but when my sister saw you, she instantly claimed Matsumoto Jun to herself.”
“Wow. Thank you, I guess.” Jun tried to stay composed but he swears he’ll be in his very best mood for the rest of the day.
Matsumoto Jun’s apartment is rocking with party tunes booming from loud speakers, overflowing alcohol and great food everywhere. Besides the Arashi members, some kouhais from Johnnys and close celeb friends are invited too.
The Arashi members all tried to keep Aki’s mind away from whatever happened earlier in the day. They told her inside stories in the dressing rooms, mock about Sho’s failures in their variety shows, Nino showed her some magic skills, Ohno talked about fishing and even asked her out together with Sho whenever they got a free time, Aiba tried his best to communicate to her English which ended up in Aki laughing her heart out with his random English outburst.
“It is fun in New York, Aki-chan?” Aiba asked. Him, Nino, Ohno and Aki are seated in a large couch by the living room. Jun is busy entertaining his guests and Sho is caught up in a conversation with Oguri Shun.
“It is!” Aki gleamed in response. “The lights, the people, the lifestyle, I got used to it in no time. It’s like my own home now. I found myself in that place.” a weak smile is seen in her face. The three noticed how she suddenly stopped like she remembered something.
“I would love to try living there for once.” Nino said, ending the sudden silence. “For a month or two, just to experience a whole new different place where I can be a normal person for once.”
“And meet some American girls to hook up with?” Jun suddenly barged in their conversation handing Aki a bottle of beer, she thanked him in response.
“Urusai, Jun-kun!” Nino yelled at him. “Aki here might believe you.” he smiled, Aki laughed behind the beer bottle.
“Do you think Nino’s charm works with American girls? I don’t think so.” Aiba grinned widely.
“Oi! You wouldn’t know unless I tried!” Nino acts all defensive, Aki and the three guys all laughed at how he gets so whiny after that.
“Do you get to travel too with your job?” Ohno ignores the whiny Ninomiya and starts asking Aki.
“Yes.” Aki nodded. “I’ve been to Milan, Paris, London and other European countries for photo shoots and runway shows. I just love the idea of me getting paid by simply doing things I love, wearing beautiful clothes, getting all pretty with make-up and hairstyling and most of all travelling to places I’ve never been to. I also get to meet new friends in every country.” she sounded happy while telling that.
“That’s true.” Jun agreed. “Getting paid by simply doing things I love. That’s exactly how I describe my job too.”
“Only a few in this world are lucky to have a job that makes them happy. Some are just simply staying to be able to live. Trust me, I already proved that. In my world before, the people I meet are just mere puppets of their parents, of their family.” Aki said, not noticing that’s she turning too serious. “Ahh, sorry for being so serious all of a sudden.” she smiled shyly.
The party is still banging at 3 in the morning, with everyone a bit drunk now. Arashi’s leader is now asleep on the couch, Aiba is drunk dancing in the middle of the living room with some kouhais, Nino is drinking his tenth beer bottle as he sits in the bottom of the couch watching Aiba, Jun is still totally fine without a hint of being drunk as he still roam around the place to check on everyone. Sho and Aki are lost in their own world in the balcony, with a bottle of champagne in hand.
“Did you have fun tonight?” Sho asked, pouring champagne on her glass.
“I did.” Aki smiled. “Everyone is so nice. I’m glad you introduced me to them.”
“My plan worked out then.” Sho smirked, looking at the dark sky above them.
“I knew it’s your plan. Thank you, for the endless time today, thank you for taking care of me.” Aki slipped her arm on his and rests her head on his shoulder. Side by side, they are looking the stars in the sky.
“Everything for you and you know that, right?” Sho softly smiled, he felt her nodding on his shoulders. “Ne, Aki. Can I ask you something?” He asked, they are still looking upward.
“What’s that?” Aki moved her head to look at him, now, they are face to face.
“Ano…” Sho is hesitating if this is the right time to ask about their relationship. “About us.” He finally said it, looking straight to her eyes. Thanks to all the alcohol inside his body, he had the guts to open this topic. She smiled at him and he felt relieved by that smile.
Aki knew right away what he meant by that. She came forward to caress his chipmunk cheek. “I love you, Sakurai Sho, always have, always will.” She said gazing into those big round eyes of his.
Sho suddenly felt his heart fluttering with happiness with what she said. He touched the hand on his cheek, gently gripping it on his. “I love you even more.” He proclaimed, the smile on Aki’s face grew even bigger with that. He leaned forward, wrapping his hands on her waist as they shared the most passionate kiss they had in the past seven years.
---
The next morning, Aki wake up inside Matsumoto Jun’s bedroom with Sho sleeping soundly beside her. She was too drunk to even remember what leads her inside this room. She glanced at her watch, it’s almost twelve noon already. As she got from the bed, she noticed that she still got her shoes on. I got really wasted, huh? She told herself. Hearing sounds coming from the kitchen, she quickly made her way outside. Jun’s already up, preparing lunch for them.
“Oh. You’re awake now.” Jun said as he saw Aki came out from the room. “You were so happily drunk last night with Sho-kun. I asked him to just stay instead of driving to his home.” He said, pouring a glass of water from the fridge. “Water?” he offered the glass to her.
“Thanks.” Aki smiled, drinking from the glass. “Where are the others?” She looked at the couch only to find Nino sleeping there.
“Riida got home earlier, saying that he’ll be able to sleep much comfortable in his house.” Jun laughed with his statement, Aki joined him too. “As for Aiba-chan, has recording for Shimura Doubutsuen today.”
“Sorry for intruding your room.” Aki apologize, seeing the blanket and pillow on the one-seater couch beside Nino, Jun probably slept there. “And for preparing meal for the drunken guys. And girl.” She laughed.
“No problem. I have the rest of the day to sleep, you know.” Jun smiled, placing four plates on the dining table. “As for the guys, I always do this for them. Sometimes I think I’m the oldest among us five, taking care of everyone and such.” he chuckled. Aki was surprised to see this side of Matsumoto Jun. She wishes her sister is here to see this rare sight.
“Is there anything that I can do to help?” Aki offered.
“Sure. I think the rice is ready.” Jun pointed at the rice cooker in front of her. “So Sho-kun and you.” He grinned and he saw her blush a little. “It’s official now, huh?”
“Yes, it is.” Aki softly said as she placed four bowls of rice in the table. She might have forgotten some happening last night but she will never forget that conversation in the balcony. Hearing Sakurai Sho say I love you to her, kissing under the star-filled night sky, the fluttering feeling in her stomach as their kiss starts to get deeper. She will never forget that for the rest of life.
“I’m happy for the both of you.” Jun smiled, “Finally, Sho-kun has found someone he really loves.”
“What do you mean by that?” Aki narrowed her eyes.
“Sho-kun had some relationships in the past, but I never saw him this happy. That’s all because of you.” Jun smiled.
“I was never this happy too in the past seven years.” Aki softly said, realizing how Sho means so much in her life. “I guess he’s everything I ever needed to be completely happy.”
“Soulmate, destiny, I never believed in those things but after seeing the two of you, I found myself wishing for that too.” Jun shyly laughed, sitting on one of the chairs as they finished preparing the dining table, Aki sat opposite him.
“You don’t go looking for that person, you know. She’ll come, in the most unexpected way. Just like how Sho and I met again in that Chanel store.” Aki placed a hand on her chin as she rests her elbow on the table. “That moment feels like a start of a fairy tale and I hope this fairy tale wouldn’t end.” She smiled, a bright smile that Jun has seen for the first time.
“You are so in love, huh?” Jun asked, amused by this sight of her. He began to realize why Sho is head over heels in love with this girl.
Aki nodded, her face is flushed red. “Are you not in love at the moment, Matsumoto-san?” she smiled.
“Please, just call me by my first name.” Jun insisted. “And no, I am not in love at the moment.”
“Are you not interested in someone?” Aki asked.
Your sister. As much as Jun wanted to say that out loud, he couldn’t. He can never have her anyways. Nakagawa Rina is just a crush, that’s what he wanted to tell himself since seeing that picture of her in the newspaper. But it seems like her effect on him is more than just a crush. “No.” he lied.
“Sou ka.” Aki murmured. She suddenly starts laughing.
“What’s wrong?” Jun asked. “Is there something on my face?” he said, touching his face.
“Nothing.” Aki replied, “It’s just that I have never imagined myself to have this kind of conversation with you.” She explained, a bit calmed down now.
“Why is that?” Jun asked, amused.
“My sister is a big fan of yours and if she found out that I spent the night partying with you and even sleeping in Matsumoto Jun’s bed, she’ll freak out like a crazy person.”
“Really?” Jun asked. He can’t help but smile to himself. He pursed his lips before Aki can see the smile on his face.
“Umm.” Aki nodded. “When you guys debuted, we watch your first ever TV performance live.”
“Music Station?” Jun asked, feeling slightly embarrassed as he remembered their costumes that very day.
“Yup, with your see-through outfits.” Aki grinned and Jun buried his face on his hands. “We were never really a fan of Johnnys so we don’t know you guys, we just came to see and support Sho but when my sister saw you, she instantly claimed Matsumoto Jun to herself.”
“Wow. Thank you, I guess.” Jun tried to stay composed but he swears he’ll be in his very best mood for the rest of the day.