STRINGS: 03 - Kimi to zutto
title: STRINGS: 03 - Kimi to zutto
author: yumeyana
fandom: seiyuu
genre: fluff, humor, sap, drama, light angst
rating: pg
summary: There are times that accidental meetings become those that change your life forever. That is exactly what Ishikawa and Sakaguchi are about to learn.
Author’s Notes: As the curtain falls, who will be holding whose hand? The final installment of this series and I’m happy to say that I had fun writing this. This may not be true but at least, while you are reading it, it is.
Disclaimers: None of these events are real. I haven’t met these people. This only my version of what could’ve happened if I was the one pulling the strings in their life. Only the plot is mine.
Dedication: Happy Birthday, Kim.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRINGS
Part III: Kimi to zutto
They meet at least once a month.
At four in the afternoon, they meet at the park near Hayashi’s place. They show up on time - never even a minute late. The next few hours are spent in some serious two-on-two basketball. The pairings get jumbled all the time and they end up just shooting for fun. After basketball, they eat dinner in Midorikawa’s pad. Sometimes, they go to Hayashi’s or Hideo’s. But never to Okiayu’s; they don’t want to disturb the baby.
They take turns in cooking but when they are too tired from playing, they order pizza or ramen. Okiayu acts as if he isn’t married; Midorikawa acts like he has forgotten that fact. Hayashi teases Daisuke about being a scaredy cat. The latter seeks protection from Hideo, which the older one provides.
It is as if they are still a group.
*
The meetings become less and less.
They don’t find it unusual that it is Okiayu and Midorikawa who become the first ones to break tradition. They are, after all, the most popular of the five. For a time, it is the three of them but it is not the same. Hayashi feels that there is sadness in the air but they know it is part of their life.
But when Hideo arrives - one of those rare times that they are all present - with a girl holding his hand, everything changes.
Okiayu almost drops his glass; Midorikawa has his chopsticks in mid-air. Hayashi’s mouth is wide open, as if wanting to say something but he doesn’t. Hideo beams at them - this is Aya-san, my girlfriend.
It takes no more than a nanosecond for the eldest three to get back to their normal selves. They make room for Aya-san; it is only by accident that she sits across the only person who has remained quiet. Hideo continues to talk, about how work is good and Aya-san is better, but he doesn’t see anything unusual.
He doesn’t see Daisuke staring at him, his eyes blank.
*
Daisuke can’t understand anything that is happening.
He doesn’t understand why can’t react to anything Hideo has been saying for last couple of minutes. He doesn’t understand why he feels as if his world is crumbling right in front of him. Everyone is laughing; he doesn’t understand why he isn’t doing so as well. He doesn’t find anything funny about what Hideo and that girl is saying.
He wants to cry, to tear the girl’s hair. He wants to shout at Hideo - he is so stupid and blind.
His heart is breaking and yet Daisuke can’t seem to see why.
*
Hideo finds it peculiar when he doesn’t see Daisuke among them.
It is Okiayu’s birthday and even the busiest of them all, Midorikawa, found a way to get to the little party they are having. He sees Koyasu-san somewhere in the group, even Ishida-san and Morikawa-san. He sees a lot of people in the celebrant’s house but no sign of the youngest EMU member.
Have you seen Daisuke, he asks Ishida-san as the latter passes by.
Ishida blinks. Daisuke-?
Sorry. I meant Sakaguchi Daisuke.
No, I haven’t.
Hideo bows and thanks Ishida, quickly traversing through the crowd to - in the older one’s opinion - find a phone. Ishida thinks it’s funny; Hideo has transformed into a bee.
Found something interesting?
Ishida doesn’t turn around - he knows, without even looking, that it’s Morikawa - and smiles.
He has only one ‘Daisuke’ in mind.
*
Daisuke?
Ishikawa-san.
Where are you?
I’m busy right now. I’ll be on-air in a few-
I don’t care. Come here right now.
Okiayu-san knows why I can’t come. I’ve already greeted him.
Daisuke-
I can’t talk now. Goodbye.
*
Hideo stares at the phone, wishing that he’s still hearing Daisuke’s voice and not the steady busy tone. This is not usual, he thinks. Daisuke is never the one to skip gatherings. And he is never the one who would turn Hideo down.
Hide-kun? What’s wrong?
He looks up and sees Aya-san, her eyes full of worry. He wants to cry, he seriously feels so bad inside. He can’t understand why he feels that way - Daisuke might really be just busy - but it is hurting him so much.
Everything is wrong.
*
I’m getting married.
There is no prelude to Daisuke’s announcement and it takes all the EMU members by surprise. They don’t exactly know how to react; the surprise is just too much.
You have a girlfriend, Midorikawa asks.
Daisuke laughs - I’m sorry I never introduced her to you; I’ll bring her here next time.
He doesn’t say anything about how they met or how it all happened behind their backs but they don’t ask. One way or the other, they think, it is their fault for being too busy for a friend. Hayashi changes the mood, asking about when the wedding will be and who exactly popped the question.
Of course, I proposed! Daisuke’s indignant answer amuses them all.
Okiayu sees the laughter but hears the tears dropping from two pairs of eyes. He wants to stand and tell them to stop pretending and denying all their feelings - it is enough that he had gone through that. He doesn’t want his friends to experience that pain.
But he doesn’t stand; Midorikawa’s hand on his own is telling him to just sit and be still.
Let them learn.
*
Why?
Daisuke stops in his tracks. He doesn’t turn around - doing so would prolong their conversation and he doesn’t want to be alone with Hideo.
What do you mean?
Why are you getting married?
That’s a stupid question. I love her, that’s why I’m marrying her.
The younger of the two starts walking away, his foot ready to take him anywhere but where he is right now. His resolve might crumble and he can’t have that happening. Not this time around.
Don’t - Hideo cries out as he closes their distance, wrapping his arms around Daisuke - please.
He doesn’t care if they are in a park; anyone might just pass by see them. Their reputations are at stake. But he doesn’t care about that as well.
Stop it. Please.
Don’t marry her.
You have Aya-san. Let me go.
I won’t.
Set me free. You’ve kept me chained enough.
*
His tears are falling - why does Hideo have to be stronger than him? He wants to break free of the arms that chain him, of the person who is shattering his heart.
Please.
No.
Ishikawa-san-
I love you, Daisuke.
*
Why are you telling me this now?
Because I’m an idiot.
Daisuke turns around and Hideo sees tears in those eyes. The younger one doesn’t say anything, a hand brushing the tears also flowing down Hideo’s cheeks. He shakes his head.
I couldn’t agree with you more.
*
Hayashi laughs the moment Hideo and Daisuke enter the basketball court. Midorikawa raises an eyebrow, his smile widening. Okiayu almost cries.
They are hand in hand.
They don’t ask what has transpired or how everything became what it is now; Hideo and Daisuke are happy and that is what is important. They might have hurt people along the way but that is the price they have to pay for the wrong decisions they made along the way.
It is a cold Sunday afternoon, the Sakura are starting to fall from the branches. It is nearing winter but the warmth they feel is more powerful than the changing seasons.
In a world where the day, the month, and the year is important - a world surrounded by busy and frustrating schedules - they have crossed all the boundaries to make everything that is impossible, possible.
Hideo and Daisuke.
xxx
11Sept06
09:30p
author: yumeyana
fandom: seiyuu
genre: fluff, humor, sap, drama, light angst
rating: pg
summary: There are times that accidental meetings become those that change your life forever. That is exactly what Ishikawa and Sakaguchi are about to learn.
Author’s Notes: As the curtain falls, who will be holding whose hand? The final installment of this series and I’m happy to say that I had fun writing this. This may not be true but at least, while you are reading it, it is.
Disclaimers: None of these events are real. I haven’t met these people. This only my version of what could’ve happened if I was the one pulling the strings in their life. Only the plot is mine.
Dedication: Happy Birthday, Kim.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRINGS
Part III: Kimi to zutto
They meet at least once a month.
At four in the afternoon, they meet at the park near Hayashi’s place. They show up on time - never even a minute late. The next few hours are spent in some serious two-on-two basketball. The pairings get jumbled all the time and they end up just shooting for fun. After basketball, they eat dinner in Midorikawa’s pad. Sometimes, they go to Hayashi’s or Hideo’s. But never to Okiayu’s; they don’t want to disturb the baby.
They take turns in cooking but when they are too tired from playing, they order pizza or ramen. Okiayu acts as if he isn’t married; Midorikawa acts like he has forgotten that fact. Hayashi teases Daisuke about being a scaredy cat. The latter seeks protection from Hideo, which the older one provides.
It is as if they are still a group.
*
The meetings become less and less.
They don’t find it unusual that it is Okiayu and Midorikawa who become the first ones to break tradition. They are, after all, the most popular of the five. For a time, it is the three of them but it is not the same. Hayashi feels that there is sadness in the air but they know it is part of their life.
But when Hideo arrives - one of those rare times that they are all present - with a girl holding his hand, everything changes.
Okiayu almost drops his glass; Midorikawa has his chopsticks in mid-air. Hayashi’s mouth is wide open, as if wanting to say something but he doesn’t. Hideo beams at them - this is Aya-san, my girlfriend.
It takes no more than a nanosecond for the eldest three to get back to their normal selves. They make room for Aya-san; it is only by accident that she sits across the only person who has remained quiet. Hideo continues to talk, about how work is good and Aya-san is better, but he doesn’t see anything unusual.
He doesn’t see Daisuke staring at him, his eyes blank.
*
Daisuke can’t understand anything that is happening.
He doesn’t understand why can’t react to anything Hideo has been saying for last couple of minutes. He doesn’t understand why he feels as if his world is crumbling right in front of him. Everyone is laughing; he doesn’t understand why he isn’t doing so as well. He doesn’t find anything funny about what Hideo and that girl is saying.
He wants to cry, to tear the girl’s hair. He wants to shout at Hideo - he is so stupid and blind.
His heart is breaking and yet Daisuke can’t seem to see why.
*
Hideo finds it peculiar when he doesn’t see Daisuke among them.
It is Okiayu’s birthday and even the busiest of them all, Midorikawa, found a way to get to the little party they are having. He sees Koyasu-san somewhere in the group, even Ishida-san and Morikawa-san. He sees a lot of people in the celebrant’s house but no sign of the youngest EMU member.
Have you seen Daisuke, he asks Ishida-san as the latter passes by.
Ishida blinks. Daisuke-?
Sorry. I meant Sakaguchi Daisuke.
No, I haven’t.
Hideo bows and thanks Ishida, quickly traversing through the crowd to - in the older one’s opinion - find a phone. Ishida thinks it’s funny; Hideo has transformed into a bee.
Found something interesting?
Ishida doesn’t turn around - he knows, without even looking, that it’s Morikawa - and smiles.
He has only one ‘Daisuke’ in mind.
*
Daisuke?
Ishikawa-san.
Where are you?
I’m busy right now. I’ll be on-air in a few-
I don’t care. Come here right now.
Okiayu-san knows why I can’t come. I’ve already greeted him.
Daisuke-
I can’t talk now. Goodbye.
*
Hideo stares at the phone, wishing that he’s still hearing Daisuke’s voice and not the steady busy tone. This is not usual, he thinks. Daisuke is never the one to skip gatherings. And he is never the one who would turn Hideo down.
Hide-kun? What’s wrong?
He looks up and sees Aya-san, her eyes full of worry. He wants to cry, he seriously feels so bad inside. He can’t understand why he feels that way - Daisuke might really be just busy - but it is hurting him so much.
Everything is wrong.
*
I’m getting married.
There is no prelude to Daisuke’s announcement and it takes all the EMU members by surprise. They don’t exactly know how to react; the surprise is just too much.
You have a girlfriend, Midorikawa asks.
Daisuke laughs - I’m sorry I never introduced her to you; I’ll bring her here next time.
He doesn’t say anything about how they met or how it all happened behind their backs but they don’t ask. One way or the other, they think, it is their fault for being too busy for a friend. Hayashi changes the mood, asking about when the wedding will be and who exactly popped the question.
Of course, I proposed! Daisuke’s indignant answer amuses them all.
Okiayu sees the laughter but hears the tears dropping from two pairs of eyes. He wants to stand and tell them to stop pretending and denying all their feelings - it is enough that he had gone through that. He doesn’t want his friends to experience that pain.
But he doesn’t stand; Midorikawa’s hand on his own is telling him to just sit and be still.
Let them learn.
*
Why?
Daisuke stops in his tracks. He doesn’t turn around - doing so would prolong their conversation and he doesn’t want to be alone with Hideo.
What do you mean?
Why are you getting married?
That’s a stupid question. I love her, that’s why I’m marrying her.
The younger of the two starts walking away, his foot ready to take him anywhere but where he is right now. His resolve might crumble and he can’t have that happening. Not this time around.
Don’t - Hideo cries out as he closes their distance, wrapping his arms around Daisuke - please.
He doesn’t care if they are in a park; anyone might just pass by see them. Their reputations are at stake. But he doesn’t care about that as well.
Stop it. Please.
Don’t marry her.
You have Aya-san. Let me go.
I won’t.
Set me free. You’ve kept me chained enough.
*
His tears are falling - why does Hideo have to be stronger than him? He wants to break free of the arms that chain him, of the person who is shattering his heart.
Please.
No.
Ishikawa-san-
I love you, Daisuke.
*
Why are you telling me this now?
Because I’m an idiot.
Daisuke turns around and Hideo sees tears in those eyes. The younger one doesn’t say anything, a hand brushing the tears also flowing down Hideo’s cheeks. He shakes his head.
I couldn’t agree with you more.
*
Hayashi laughs the moment Hideo and Daisuke enter the basketball court. Midorikawa raises an eyebrow, his smile widening. Okiayu almost cries.
They are hand in hand.
They don’t ask what has transpired or how everything became what it is now; Hideo and Daisuke are happy and that is what is important. They might have hurt people along the way but that is the price they have to pay for the wrong decisions they made along the way.
It is a cold Sunday afternoon, the Sakura are starting to fall from the branches. It is nearing winter but the warmth they feel is more powerful than the changing seasons.
In a world where the day, the month, and the year is important - a world surrounded by busy and frustrating schedules - they have crossed all the boundaries to make everything that is impossible, possible.
Hideo and Daisuke.
xxx
11Sept06
09:30p