Oretachi no Omoide - Chap 21
Chapter 21: In which final stage begins…
Sho was still thinking about what the hell Ikuta-san wants from him when he arrived home.
“Tadaima!” he called out but got no answer.
Neither Aiba, nor Shibu-chan came running to greet him like they normally did. Sho pouted a bit. Why Aiba had to take the puppy to walk now? But he could do nothing just wait patiently till those two come back. Which could mean hours.
He changed his suit to something homey then grabbed the remote controller and collapsed on the couch…
“Ittai!...” he cried and jumped from his seat when something hard was imprinted on his back. He rubbed his waist while dropped the cushions to the floor and found a small diary under them. He frowned confused. He had never seen the book in his life which means it wasn’t his. So it could belong only to Masaki. But why would he hide a book behind the couch’s cushions?...
With the book in hand he sat back on the couch and opened it.
His eyes widened in surprise when he realized what was in his hands…
As soon as I left the classroom, Sho-chan appeared from nowhere, grabbed my wrist and started to drag me somewhere. No matter how much I asked where we are going he didn’t answer just frowned and pressed his lips into a thin line.
Yabai! Sho-chan must be angry at me for something though I have no idea what it is. Kowaiyo! Angry Sho-chan is scary!...
We were already out of the school but Sho-chan stopped only when we reached the old gym storage where none could see or hear us.
“Gomen ne, Sho-chan!” I said immediately and closed my eyes tightly a bit fearing that he might hit me.
I felt his grip loosen on my wrist.
“Why are you apologizing, Masaki?” he asked softly.
“Well…” I opened my eyes cautiously. “I don’t know but… you’re angry at me for something… so I thought…” I stuttered.
Sho-chan started laughing.
“I’m not angry at you, Masaki. I could never be angry at you…”
“Then… why did you bring me here?” I asked curiously.
Sho-chan was silent for a while and… blushed?...
“I… love you Masaki! Please go out with me!” he said with one breath then pressed his lips on mine kissing me…
Sho smiled. His confession… It was unbelievable to him that Aiba remembered this much already yet said nothing to him!
He turned a page curiously…
I shut open the auditorium’s door not caring about that the play didn’t finish yet. The corridor was crowded with people and it was hard to make even one step. I hate school festivals! Yet somehow I managed to reach the stair leading to the roof. I stumbled a lot times till I reached the roof cause I saw almost nothing because of my tears.
“Baka Sho-chan!” I shouted with all my might. “Baka Sho-chan…” I muttered again before broke down crying.
I jumped a bit when the door was shut open again and the next minute Sho collapsed next to me panting. He still wore that ridiculous, idiot outfit what he had when… He tried to embrace me but I pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me! Baka Sho-chan! I hate you!” I shouted in his face crying.
“Masaki, please, listen to me! It wasn’t that I wanted it! It wasn’t even me who should’ve played Romeo! But Yamanaka-kun got fever last week and they forced me to take his part…” Sho tried to explain.
“I don’t care…” I mumbled pouting. “You still kissed that girl… Just go out with her and leave me alone!”
“I just kissed her cause I had to… Please believe me, Masaki, there’s no way that on my free will I would kiss anyone but you… Because I love you, okay?” he asked and leant to me to kiss me but I turned my head away from his kiss. Sho-chan looked at me confused.
“You kissed that girl…” I said still pouting. “Her sticky-sweety lipgloss is still on your mouth… Disgusting!...”
Sho-chan rubbed his lips with his sleeve furiously wanting to remove the last, smallest hints of ‘Juliet’s’ kiss.
“It’s okay now? Will you let me kiss you now?”
I nodded slowly and Sho-chan pressed his lips on mine immediately…
Sho laughed at the memory. Aiba was simply adorable when he was jealous. Usually he got jealous over ridiculously stupid things but it was what Sho loved in him so much.
He turned another page…
“Masaki, honey, can you come down for a bit? Tou-san and me want to speak with you…” mom said and she went ahead leaving my room’s door open.
I followed him curiously.
Tou-chan and kaa-chan sat at the dining table waiting for me. I sat down too though I had a bad feeling about this.
“Nani?” I asked.
My parents looked at each other then tou-chan started to speak:
“Masaki! I got promoted at the office so… we’ll move to Kamogawa in March…”
Sho couldn’t read the rest cause he heard the front door closing and the next minute Aiba entered the living room with Shibu-chan in his arms.
“Sho-chan! Tadaima!” Aiba said happily.
“Okaeri, Masaki…” Sho said while stood up and turned to Aiba.
“Ah! Wasurechatta!” Aiba cried out frightened when he saw the diary in Sho’s hand and the smile disappeared from his face that instant.
“Did you forget where you hid it or did you forget to tell me that you practically remember everything from our childhood?” Sho asked in calm tone.
“I forgot to put it back to its real hiding place…” Aiba muttered while he put down Shibu-chan. “Gomen ne, Sho-chan… I didn’t mean to keep it from you… or I did… because…”
“Because what? What did you think what will happen if I know that your memories came back?” Sho asked softly; he put down the diary on the small table before the couch and stepped closer to Aiba.
“Well… I was afraid that… you might not want to stay with me if…” Aiba started embarrassed but went silent when Sho suddenly pulled him in his arms.
“Baka! How can you think something like this? I was waiting ten years to get you back. There’s no way in hell that I’ll let go you again, not even for a minute!” Sho said determined and hugged tighter the younger guy.
Aiba laughed and hugged Sho’s waist. Sho was right, how could he even think about it?...
In the end Sho said nothing to Aiba about the meeting with Ikuta-san. It wasn’t that he wanted to keep it in secret; he just had a bad feeling about it and didn’t want Aiba to worry. So the next morning he only said that he has something to do after work today so he’ll be late. And Aiba asked nothing…
“Ne, Toma-chan!” Jun said when he put down the bags from grocery shopping in the kitchen.
The model just got back with the ingredients to their breakfast.
“Nani?” he younger asked still busy with his phone.
“Did you know that there’s a black mini van in front of our apartment? It looks like those observer cars in the movies. It’s there for a week or so…” the model said and stepping to the window looked out as if he wanted to make sure it wasn’t his mind playing tricks on him.
“Yeah, I know. They’re after me…” Toma said calmly and stepping next to Jun looked down at the car too.
“You’re kidding, right?” Jun asked dumbfounded. “Wait! You’re really the heir of the Ikuta Group or some yakuza kid?” Jun asked suspiciously.
“Tsk… I’m flattered how much you trust me…” Toma said rolling his eyes and went to the kitchen to check out what Jun brought back. “What’s for breakfast?”
“French toast” Jun said automatically. “Hey! Don’t change the topic! I’m your lover so it affects me too if you got involved in bad company!” Jun snapped and followed Toma.
The younger guy turned his attention from the shopping bags to the entering model.
“Is it me or your reputation you’re worried about?” he teased mocking.
“Oi! Since when do you use this tone on me? And of course I’m worried about you!” Jun said offended by the assumption.
Toma grinned at him and kissed his pouting lips.
“It’s sweet of you but unnecessary. I’m a big boy and I can take care of me. It all is just my father’s paranoia… He’s afraid that I might cross his plans about Sho-kun” Toma said shrugging.
“What does your father want from Sakurai?” Jun asked confused.
“He wants him to marry me and take over the Ikuta Group” Toma said simply like he was talking about the weather.
“He wants what?” Jun shrieked; he didn’t use to hear this kind of news in the early morning. “But… but…”
“Calm down! I didn’t plan to accept this. And I already have a plan how to escape this situation. But it was harder to prepare it with my dad’s hawks after me…” he added thoughtfully and stopped unpacking.
“What’s on your mind? You’ll emigrate from the country?” Jun asked doubtfully. After all, this was Japan’s nearly most powerful person they want to trick now!
“No. Instead I’ll try to buy our freedom… If I know my father well enough it could work…” Toma said determined.
“How?” Jun asked still doubting.
“I can tell you if you have time…”
“I have a few hours before today’s night shooting…” Jun answered without looking at the clock…
Sho walked into the Ikuta Goups office building and as soon as he told his name, half a dozen people appeared next to him to accompany him to the arranged room. Sho wasn’t sure that it’s a honor or a threat? But whichever it wasn’t long. As soon as they reached the same room where he and Aiba signed the contract someone gave him a cup of tea then they left him with that Ikuta-san will be there soon.
His former apprehension just grew bigger by the whole day waiting and it was almost unbearable now. But he did his best to hide it. He didn’t want to give one more advantage to the older man.
After a few minutes of waiting Ikuta-san arrived together with Toma. Sho was surprised to see Aiba’s friend there and it was obvious on his face. Toma gave him a small, reassuring smile and nod before his face became serious again and sat down next to his father on the opposite side of the table.
Sho, he didn’t know why, but really became calmer now that Toma was there too and he could look at Ikuta-san more composed.
“Sakurai-kun! I’m happy you accepted my invitation. If you don’t mind, I start already why I summoned you here today…” the older man started.
Sho nodded signaling that he’s paying attention.
“I’m really amazed by your knowledge about the world and how easily you can analyze the situations. I want you to join the presidency of the Ikuta Group and later you would take my place as the head of the Ikuta Group…” the man said in a serious tone his eyes never leaving Sho’s.
Sho looked back at him unbelieving.
“I think you mistook something, Ikuta-san…” Sho said with cautious politeness. “I’m just an architect, I know nothing about business. Let alone how to direct Japan’s most powerful financial company!” Sho said with a forced laugh. He looked at Toma with hopeful eyes that he’ll affirm his suspicion that it’s some misunderstanding but he could read nothing from the younger guy’s face.
“I think, it’s you who misunderstand the situation this time, Sakurai-kun…” Ikuta-san said and gave a paper to Sho.
“What’s this?” Sho asked.
He took the paper and needed no more answer.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
It was written there with big, bold letters. All his data were filled already (he didn’t want to know how they got them) and the other part was none other than Toma…Sho shot up his head trying to catch Toma’s eyes but he turned his head away and his face was still unreadable.
“Let me make this clear…” Ikuta-san said. “You sign these papers, got married with my son and taking the role of the Ikuta Group’s heir with this or…”
“Or what?” Sho asked determined. It was obvious to him that he’ll choose the second option no matter what it is…
“Or you pay back the money I lent you. The whole amount!” Ikuta-san stressed.
“You can’t do it!” Sho shouted jumping up from his seat. “The contract says…” he started but the older man cut in:
“The contract says I can change the terms of the pay back any time the Group’s interest needs this. And what the Group needs now is this…” he said calmly and gave Sho a copy of their contract.
Sho grabbed the papers from the man’s hand annoyed to read it but it was just how Ikuta-san said. Everything was there clearly yet Sho didn’t remember this part when he first read the contract and accepted it.
“You can’t expect this! It’s impossible to gather this amount in such a short time!” Sho said but he was more desperate than angry now.
“Then sign the marriage papers” the man said matter-of-factly. “With this all of us will get what we want. Your little ‘boyfriend’ can keep his shelter what he wants so much and by me you can finally take the place you deserve…”
Sho stared at the older man with hatred burning in his eyes before grabbed his bag and stormed out without a word.
Toma looked at his father then grabbed the marriage papers and run after Sho…
A/N: okay, I need to be shot. I wanted to finish this in the next chap or after that but now I want to write some action like kidnapping or something which would made it hell longer! God! I can't finish a story... it's hard... *pouts* Well, I'll try find out something to solve this... XD
Sho was still thinking about what the hell Ikuta-san wants from him when he arrived home.
“Tadaima!” he called out but got no answer.
Neither Aiba, nor Shibu-chan came running to greet him like they normally did. Sho pouted a bit. Why Aiba had to take the puppy to walk now? But he could do nothing just wait patiently till those two come back. Which could mean hours.
He changed his suit to something homey then grabbed the remote controller and collapsed on the couch…
“Ittai!...” he cried and jumped from his seat when something hard was imprinted on his back. He rubbed his waist while dropped the cushions to the floor and found a small diary under them. He frowned confused. He had never seen the book in his life which means it wasn’t his. So it could belong only to Masaki. But why would he hide a book behind the couch’s cushions?...
With the book in hand he sat back on the couch and opened it.
His eyes widened in surprise when he realized what was in his hands…
As soon as I left the classroom, Sho-chan appeared from nowhere, grabbed my wrist and started to drag me somewhere. No matter how much I asked where we are going he didn’t answer just frowned and pressed his lips into a thin line.
Yabai! Sho-chan must be angry at me for something though I have no idea what it is. Kowaiyo! Angry Sho-chan is scary!...
We were already out of the school but Sho-chan stopped only when we reached the old gym storage where none could see or hear us.
“Gomen ne, Sho-chan!” I said immediately and closed my eyes tightly a bit fearing that he might hit me.
I felt his grip loosen on my wrist.
“Why are you apologizing, Masaki?” he asked softly.
“Well…” I opened my eyes cautiously. “I don’t know but… you’re angry at me for something… so I thought…” I stuttered.
Sho-chan started laughing.
“I’m not angry at you, Masaki. I could never be angry at you…”
“Then… why did you bring me here?” I asked curiously.
Sho-chan was silent for a while and… blushed?...
“I… love you Masaki! Please go out with me!” he said with one breath then pressed his lips on mine kissing me…
Sho smiled. His confession… It was unbelievable to him that Aiba remembered this much already yet said nothing to him!
He turned a page curiously…
I shut open the auditorium’s door not caring about that the play didn’t finish yet. The corridor was crowded with people and it was hard to make even one step. I hate school festivals! Yet somehow I managed to reach the stair leading to the roof. I stumbled a lot times till I reached the roof cause I saw almost nothing because of my tears.
“Baka Sho-chan!” I shouted with all my might. “Baka Sho-chan…” I muttered again before broke down crying.
I jumped a bit when the door was shut open again and the next minute Sho collapsed next to me panting. He still wore that ridiculous, idiot outfit what he had when… He tried to embrace me but I pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me! Baka Sho-chan! I hate you!” I shouted in his face crying.
“Masaki, please, listen to me! It wasn’t that I wanted it! It wasn’t even me who should’ve played Romeo! But Yamanaka-kun got fever last week and they forced me to take his part…” Sho tried to explain.
“I don’t care…” I mumbled pouting. “You still kissed that girl… Just go out with her and leave me alone!”
“I just kissed her cause I had to… Please believe me, Masaki, there’s no way that on my free will I would kiss anyone but you… Because I love you, okay?” he asked and leant to me to kiss me but I turned my head away from his kiss. Sho-chan looked at me confused.
“You kissed that girl…” I said still pouting. “Her sticky-sweety lipgloss is still on your mouth… Disgusting!...”
Sho-chan rubbed his lips with his sleeve furiously wanting to remove the last, smallest hints of ‘Juliet’s’ kiss.
“It’s okay now? Will you let me kiss you now?”
I nodded slowly and Sho-chan pressed his lips on mine immediately…
Sho laughed at the memory. Aiba was simply adorable when he was jealous. Usually he got jealous over ridiculously stupid things but it was what Sho loved in him so much.
He turned another page…
“Masaki, honey, can you come down for a bit? Tou-san and me want to speak with you…” mom said and she went ahead leaving my room’s door open.
I followed him curiously.
Tou-chan and kaa-chan sat at the dining table waiting for me. I sat down too though I had a bad feeling about this.
“Nani?” I asked.
My parents looked at each other then tou-chan started to speak:
“Masaki! I got promoted at the office so… we’ll move to Kamogawa in March…”
Sho couldn’t read the rest cause he heard the front door closing and the next minute Aiba entered the living room with Shibu-chan in his arms.
“Sho-chan! Tadaima!” Aiba said happily.
“Okaeri, Masaki…” Sho said while stood up and turned to Aiba.
“Ah! Wasurechatta!” Aiba cried out frightened when he saw the diary in Sho’s hand and the smile disappeared from his face that instant.
“Did you forget where you hid it or did you forget to tell me that you practically remember everything from our childhood?” Sho asked in calm tone.
“I forgot to put it back to its real hiding place…” Aiba muttered while he put down Shibu-chan. “Gomen ne, Sho-chan… I didn’t mean to keep it from you… or I did… because…”
“Because what? What did you think what will happen if I know that your memories came back?” Sho asked softly; he put down the diary on the small table before the couch and stepped closer to Aiba.
“Well… I was afraid that… you might not want to stay with me if…” Aiba started embarrassed but went silent when Sho suddenly pulled him in his arms.
“Baka! How can you think something like this? I was waiting ten years to get you back. There’s no way in hell that I’ll let go you again, not even for a minute!” Sho said determined and hugged tighter the younger guy.
Aiba laughed and hugged Sho’s waist. Sho was right, how could he even think about it?...
In the end Sho said nothing to Aiba about the meeting with Ikuta-san. It wasn’t that he wanted to keep it in secret; he just had a bad feeling about it and didn’t want Aiba to worry. So the next morning he only said that he has something to do after work today so he’ll be late. And Aiba asked nothing…
“Ne, Toma-chan!” Jun said when he put down the bags from grocery shopping in the kitchen.
The model just got back with the ingredients to their breakfast.
“Nani?” he younger asked still busy with his phone.
“Did you know that there’s a black mini van in front of our apartment? It looks like those observer cars in the movies. It’s there for a week or so…” the model said and stepping to the window looked out as if he wanted to make sure it wasn’t his mind playing tricks on him.
“Yeah, I know. They’re after me…” Toma said calmly and stepping next to Jun looked down at the car too.
“You’re kidding, right?” Jun asked dumbfounded. “Wait! You’re really the heir of the Ikuta Group or some yakuza kid?” Jun asked suspiciously.
“Tsk… I’m flattered how much you trust me…” Toma said rolling his eyes and went to the kitchen to check out what Jun brought back. “What’s for breakfast?”
“French toast” Jun said automatically. “Hey! Don’t change the topic! I’m your lover so it affects me too if you got involved in bad company!” Jun snapped and followed Toma.
The younger guy turned his attention from the shopping bags to the entering model.
“Is it me or your reputation you’re worried about?” he teased mocking.
“Oi! Since when do you use this tone on me? And of course I’m worried about you!” Jun said offended by the assumption.
Toma grinned at him and kissed his pouting lips.
“It’s sweet of you but unnecessary. I’m a big boy and I can take care of me. It all is just my father’s paranoia… He’s afraid that I might cross his plans about Sho-kun” Toma said shrugging.
“What does your father want from Sakurai?” Jun asked confused.
“He wants him to marry me and take over the Ikuta Group” Toma said simply like he was talking about the weather.
“He wants what?” Jun shrieked; he didn’t use to hear this kind of news in the early morning. “But… but…”
“Calm down! I didn’t plan to accept this. And I already have a plan how to escape this situation. But it was harder to prepare it with my dad’s hawks after me…” he added thoughtfully and stopped unpacking.
“What’s on your mind? You’ll emigrate from the country?” Jun asked doubtfully. After all, this was Japan’s nearly most powerful person they want to trick now!
“No. Instead I’ll try to buy our freedom… If I know my father well enough it could work…” Toma said determined.
“How?” Jun asked still doubting.
“I can tell you if you have time…”
“I have a few hours before today’s night shooting…” Jun answered without looking at the clock…
Sho walked into the Ikuta Goups office building and as soon as he told his name, half a dozen people appeared next to him to accompany him to the arranged room. Sho wasn’t sure that it’s a honor or a threat? But whichever it wasn’t long. As soon as they reached the same room where he and Aiba signed the contract someone gave him a cup of tea then they left him with that Ikuta-san will be there soon.
His former apprehension just grew bigger by the whole day waiting and it was almost unbearable now. But he did his best to hide it. He didn’t want to give one more advantage to the older man.
After a few minutes of waiting Ikuta-san arrived together with Toma. Sho was surprised to see Aiba’s friend there and it was obvious on his face. Toma gave him a small, reassuring smile and nod before his face became serious again and sat down next to his father on the opposite side of the table.
Sho, he didn’t know why, but really became calmer now that Toma was there too and he could look at Ikuta-san more composed.
“Sakurai-kun! I’m happy you accepted my invitation. If you don’t mind, I start already why I summoned you here today…” the older man started.
Sho nodded signaling that he’s paying attention.
“I’m really amazed by your knowledge about the world and how easily you can analyze the situations. I want you to join the presidency of the Ikuta Group and later you would take my place as the head of the Ikuta Group…” the man said in a serious tone his eyes never leaving Sho’s.
Sho looked back at him unbelieving.
“I think you mistook something, Ikuta-san…” Sho said with cautious politeness. “I’m just an architect, I know nothing about business. Let alone how to direct Japan’s most powerful financial company!” Sho said with a forced laugh. He looked at Toma with hopeful eyes that he’ll affirm his suspicion that it’s some misunderstanding but he could read nothing from the younger guy’s face.
“I think, it’s you who misunderstand the situation this time, Sakurai-kun…” Ikuta-san said and gave a paper to Sho.
“What’s this?” Sho asked.
He took the paper and needed no more answer.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
It was written there with big, bold letters. All his data were filled already (he didn’t want to know how they got them) and the other part was none other than Toma…Sho shot up his head trying to catch Toma’s eyes but he turned his head away and his face was still unreadable.
“Let me make this clear…” Ikuta-san said. “You sign these papers, got married with my son and taking the role of the Ikuta Group’s heir with this or…”
“Or what?” Sho asked determined. It was obvious to him that he’ll choose the second option no matter what it is…
“Or you pay back the money I lent you. The whole amount!” Ikuta-san stressed.
“You can’t do it!” Sho shouted jumping up from his seat. “The contract says…” he started but the older man cut in:
“The contract says I can change the terms of the pay back any time the Group’s interest needs this. And what the Group needs now is this…” he said calmly and gave Sho a copy of their contract.
Sho grabbed the papers from the man’s hand annoyed to read it but it was just how Ikuta-san said. Everything was there clearly yet Sho didn’t remember this part when he first read the contract and accepted it.
“You can’t expect this! It’s impossible to gather this amount in such a short time!” Sho said but he was more desperate than angry now.
“Then sign the marriage papers” the man said matter-of-factly. “With this all of us will get what we want. Your little ‘boyfriend’ can keep his shelter what he wants so much and by me you can finally take the place you deserve…”
Sho stared at the older man with hatred burning in his eyes before grabbed his bag and stormed out without a word.
Toma looked at his father then grabbed the marriage papers and run after Sho…
A/N: okay, I need to be shot. I wanted to finish this in the next chap or after that but now I want to write some action like kidnapping or something which would made it hell longer! God! I can't finish a story... it's hard... *pouts* Well, I'll try find out something to solve this... XD