CLASSMATES (24/?) part 1
A/N: Sorry for this.. my connection's been low for two days that I haven't posted this last friday as promised.. enjoy^^
*master post will be available after I finish the fic..*
CHAPTER 24
+THEIR NAME+
"SHI!" Sho exclaimed along with other members' "Angel" upon realizing that the girl was falling. It was lucky that Aiba was beside Angel, who managed to catch her before she hit the floor that was now scattered with shattered glasses.
"Angel! Shikari!" Aiba said while his arms hold on to her tightly. He observed the lady whose pretty face remained despite her pale appearance. He glanced at others who looked totally distressed at having their first taste of revelation regarding Angel. Everything seemed unreal. While they process what was happening, Aiba glanced passed through them to see that the twins had arrived the same time when Angel fainted.
At the door, the twins were pinned to where they're standing. Shuji, who's first to recover from the shocked of his mom's fainting dropped his guitar on the floor, pulled Shuri by the hand and approach the guys with utmost hatred in his eyes-unaware that he's doing it. All he knew is that he needed to protect his mom.
"What did you do to her?" he shouted momentarily without even trying to hide his disgust. When no one answered, Shuji continued. "I may not be as old as you nii-chan's and I don't really understand what was happening right now, all I know is that you did something awful to mama for her to faint like that." the boy said defiantly, eyeing the members of ARASHI who still can't absorbed what had just really happened. Beside him, Shuri couldn't voice out her thought. She knew her twin brother.. saying something in that moment will just worsen up matters as they are now. All she could do is to grip his hand tightly, even if it hurts doing so. Shuri was afraid that if she let go of Shuji's hand, her brother will do something that was unnecessary that moment. An ultimate silence floated in the air.
For a minute or so, the members of ARASHI just stared directly into the boy's eyes. The feeling was awkward but they dare not look away.. doing so would mean guiltiness. Aiba, who's still holding Angel by his arms, sweated more than usual upon meeting the boy's eyes. Nino, on the other hand, was hurting. While eyes on Shuji, his mind wandered off somewhere as he tried to keep his cool. Jun felt nauseated as the situation is something he hadn't expected Why would she faint at the sight of Sho?.Jun thought. Ohno shrugged as his assumptions were happening one by one. Sho just stared at the boy's eyes.. unable to contain what he was seeing. To be played by gods like this was something he wasn't prepared at all..she have kids? But who's their dad? Why he isn't here? Sho pondered.
Shuri felt her brother's grip loosened. It was a sign- a sign that Shuji had already weighed things over in his mind and an assurance that he had somehow calmed down. She was surprised when her brother dropped off his death stare and was now replaced with a soft expression that even the guys from ARASHI can't fathom. Now is the time..Shuri thought.
While hands still on her brother's hand.. keeping it closely in case Shuji loses his cool, she said with utter conviction: "Gomen ne~ ARASHI-niichan..Shuji sometimes does things without thinking.. mou.. its alright now.." while bowing her head off, making Shuji bowed as well despite being unapologetic at all.
The guys exchange looks. Everyone was amazed at how composed the little girl was while saying those things, yet they were still speechless or rather just had no idea what to say. While trying to think of a better way to explain what just happened, Shuji said something that made it easier for them to give account of the incident. The boy was really a genius.
"Anou~ did someone or something had just shocked mama?" Shuji asked lazily as he withdrawn his hand from Shuri who now look bewildered at them. Before they could answer Shuji's question, she spoke.
"Oh please. Can someone put first mama upstairs before we discuss what happened? Honestly, I pity Aiba-niichan. He had been standing for a while there supporting mom." Shuri said worriedly. " And mama certainly needs rest if Shuji was right about her being shocked by something/someone."
"Ah right.. sorry Shuri-chan, we didn't mean to leave her in that position.." Ohno said before he called Nino. "Nino, mind to help Aiba? After all you'd already gone upstairs once right?" He asked Nino, not really waiting for a reply. For some reason, his hunch told him that it was the right thing to do on that situation especially when Nino appeared to lose his cool anytime; it will be unsightly if he lets him stay there when Sho was in the same living room.
"Ah..h-hai." Nino was back to reality. He didn't know why Ohno requested for that but he didn't mind at all. Knowing their leader, it was probably the right decision now. Not that he believed what his mind was telling him. After all, its not always wrong to be sure of things. By that, Nino walked pass Sho wearing a cold expression, he felt jealous at how Angel reacted when she saw their fellow member. "Aiba-chan, let me help you with her" he told the other guy as he placed his hands on Angel's back, merely supporting her weight. It was Aiba who carried her all the way to the stairs.
When the two was out of sight, it was Jun who first spoke. At first he was listless on what to say, but thanks to the twins, he suddenly remembered.
"Shuji-chan?" he called clearly to get the boy's attention.
"Hnnm?" Shuji broke away his eyes from the two men who went carrying his mom upstairs to Jun who suddenly called his name.
"What do you mean by your question a while ago?" Jun asked directly. He thought its better to be as direct with the kid rather than beating around the bush. All attention was now focused with the kid, notwithstanding the fact that they're still in standing position.
"Ah..that..mama tends to be like that whenever she was shocked or surprised.. you see, normally when a person was shocked, he/she tends to do two things: either stay silent or react with the silliest reaction you can find. But mom was different. When she's shocked or surprised, she just can't process anything to the point that her mind suddenly blacks out which resulted to fainting." Shuji explained but the guys seemed not to get the hang of it, reflected when Ohno asked: "Is that possible?" which made Shuji's eyebrows furrowed.
"The shocked brought by that something/someone, add the shock from the fact of not being able to process anything at all, is just too much for mama..that's why her system goes off-meaning she faints." Shuri explained to them patiently, rather amused at why these nii-chans couldn't comprehend that simple matter as it is. Maybe their thinking are way too complicated.. she just thought.
"Speaking of that, what made Mama surprised?" Shuji questioned them. His tone was lighter than when he confronted them earlier. The guys look at each other. There was an air that prevented them from saying "it was Sho" despite of it being simple. Somehow, they just can't casually say it, as doing so will require some explaining to do. It was at that moment when Shuri noticed the pieces of glass on the floor, and how it was colored with red fluid. She suddenly gasped drawing the guys' and her brother's attention to her.
"Shuji! That's it. There's blood. Mama's hemophobic!" but when she looked at it closely, she realized that it was only strawberry juice. Out of nowhere, Shuji, joined in by the members of Arashi, burst out laughing. Unable to hide her embarrassment, she lowered down into a squatting position and started picking the shard pieces of glass and placed it on the tray beside it.
"Seriously Shuri, you're good in suddenly changing the topic." Shuji said while trying to catch his breath. The guys sighed in relief.
"oww..itte!" Shuri bit her lip as she stared in the tiny cut in her finger.
"Oi Shuri! Baka! You know how mom always told us not to hold broken glass with bare hands." Shuji scolded his twin sister instead of helping her.
Sho, who was nearest to Shuri, approached. "Daijobu ka? Let me see." He pulled the hand of the little girl to see how deep the cut was and felt relieved that it was a shallow one despite the bleeding. Sho drawn out his handkerchief from his side pocket and wrap it around Shuri's wound. By this, Shuri looked up and realized for the first time who he was. Sho was taken aback when she suddenly smiled widely at him.
"Kyaaa~~~ Sho-niichan!" Shuri's outburst was heard all the way upstairs, while her delightful eyes fixed on him. Sho was overwhelmed by how warm that exclamation was. "An-chan! Look who's here! It was Sho-niichan!" the girl said excitedly as if those around them weren't aware of it at all.
"Of course he is! Baka! The moment we enter the house, I recognized him right away. Don't you? Seriously my sister, where have you been this whole time? Don't tell me you had been off to dreamland again? And how rude of you to just call Sakurai-san "niichan" when you haven't even introduce yourself properly " Shuji teased his twin sister before walking towards Sho's direction, "Gomen ne." Shuji said bowing his head. "Hajimemashite, watashi wa Shuji-desu, yoroshiku onegaishimasu." And looked at his twin signaling her to introduce as well to which Shuri reacted fairly. "Shuri-desu" she introduced herself before adding: "ne~ please allow me to call you Sho-niichan just like Jun-niichan, Aiba-niichan, Nino-niichan and Oh-niichan," She looked to him expectantly.
"H-hai. I don't mind really. If you're calling them niichan, why shouldn't I be?" Sho smiled awkwardly at Shuri, without meeting the kid's eyes.
"Yatta! Arigatou nii-chan!" Shuri hugged Sho out of merriment.
"Hmm, that reminds me. Jun nii-chan, a while ago when Mama fainted, did somebody just called her 'Shi'? I'm not sure because your backs were against us so I didn't know who it was." Shuji asked innocently at the man who's now sitting on the sofa.
Upon hearing Shuji's question, Jun felt a little constricted, making him undo two of his shirt's button.
"Ah, I heard that too.. because it stood out…from all of you who shouted "angel" there was this one who called mama "shi".. Honestly I was surprised, Shuji too.. no one knew mama's Japanese name, unless they were her former classmate or colleague..and mama made us promise that we won't tell anybody.. especially to you ARASHI-niichans.." Shuri said casually.
"Oi Shuri,.. stop that.. you're making it look like mama lied to them.." Shuji reprimanded his twin.
"Demo~ there's no point in hiding it from them Shuji, since one of them knew." Shuri reasoned to her brother.
"Even so..you shouldn't put it too bluntly..or niichans will think of mama as a bad person for lying to them about her identity.. not that she really lied.. she just opted to use her English name.." Shuji said calmly.
"Ne~ niichan.. please don't hate mama.. she had reasons why.." Shuri turned her attention towards them with eyes pleading.
"Of course we won't. silly. That's not really a big deal, besides, there are things that are meant to be hidden…she's fine the way she's now.." Jun was the one who answered, his eyes suddenly caught Sho's mixed expression. He suddenly remembered the funny thought that entered his mind for a split second. It took a while for him to register what did it meant for Sho to actually call Angel 'Shi'.
"MASAKA?!!~" Jun questioningly glared at Sho. "Masaka!`" he repeated. He was on his feet before he knew it.. pacing back and forth, making Shuri dizzy.
"Nii-chan what's wrong?" Shuri observed the man who stopped at her sudden question.
"Huh?" Jun just said. He need some time to cool his mind. For the first time he noticed that the girl was still wearing her uniform that gave him the idea to do what he was about to do. Shuri tried to hide herself away from Jun's view by leaning closely behind Ohno's back. The man's expression was quite frightening. Ohno felt the little girl tremble but before he can say anything, Shuji was quick to observe.
"Hey nii-chan! What's with that expression.? You're scaring my sister!" Shuji reacted enough for Jun to soften his expression.
"Ah gomen.. I just remember something" He said from which he turn to Sho, wearing a serious façade. "Sho-chan, do you still have the same wallpaper as before?"
Sho looked a bit confused before he answered hesitantly. "Ah, hai. Why?"
"Can I see?" Jun asked, his expression changed sternly.
"Ah..sure.." Sho handed him his phone despite having an uneasy feeling about it. This was the same time as when Nino and Aiba descended the stairs.
"How is she?" Ohno said a little distracted by what Jun was planning. If his assumption was right, it was not a good timing especially now when Nino and Aiba joined them.
"She's sleeping.. seemed she won't wake up until morning" Aiba said before he positioned himself beside Shuri where Jun was seated before. Nino, on the other hand, kept sending Sho cold shoulders which made the latter to think what have I done? before he drop himself at the beanbag below Aiba, his back against Aiba's knees.
This made Jun a little abstracted before he kneeled opposite Shuri. "Ne~ Shuri-chan? Can I take a picture of you?" Jun asked the girl with puffy eyes. This made everyone in the apartment curious.
"Eh? But I'm still on my uniform nii-chan.." Shuri said, suddenly conscious at herself.
"Its okay.. that's exactly how I wanted you to appear in the picture.." Jun smiled sheepishly that made it even more probing as to what his real intentions are.
"Um okay.. just once ne?" Shuri smiled back. "Where do you want to take the picture nii-chan?"
"Hmm, just stand there in front of the tv facing us." Jun told her as he occupied the space where the girl seated before. He was unsure why he suddenly didn't want to do according to his plan. But he thought it was the only way to find out. He knew he won't be able to sit at ease until he confirmed.
Shuri did what she was told and stand facing them, her back against the tv.
"Now, try to do some "peace sign"" Jun commanded. The guys can't follow what Jun was up to. They just observed quietly.
The girl seemed bothered but obeyed. She gestured her right hand into a 'peace' sign and position it beside her head. Jun positioned his camera phone focusing onto Shuri.. his other hand was trembling by just holding Sho's phone. "SMILE" he said and pressed the capture button.
Jun opened Sho's phone, and look at it hesitantly. On his left hand he looked closely at the fresh picture of Shuri and could not believe his eyes. He was right. The truth hit him harder than he thought it would be.
Nino didn't need to see the picture before he realized what Jun was trying to confirm. Just by seeing Shuri do the pose and the peace sign, he finally understood. How could he forget? Shuri's expression was the same expression as the little girl in Sho's wallpaper, only it was Shi-Shuri's mother, who happened to be Angel.
Above him, Aiba stole a look at the two phones only to be taken aback by how similar the photos were had not it been separated by time. Ohno wasn't surprised at all, as all his assumptions were right. Sho, sat there frozen, trying to figure out, calculating, contemplating, as if that's all he could do at the moment. Shuji, who was squeezed in between Ohno and Sho, tried to peep as well only to be overwhelmed by what he had seen.
"Sugoi! Sho-niichan! How come you had mama's first grade picture?" Shuji wondered innocently.
"Eh hontou?" Shuri asked jumpily as she ran to look as well.
That did it.
Before they realized it, Nino was already on his feet yanking Sho by the collar.
"HOW DARE YOU!"
For a moment there, the guys from ARASHI thought that Nino would hit Sho, but after saying those three words, he just let him go and stormed out of the apartment.
Not long after that he received a message from Nino, through Aiba's phone. "SHO. AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO HIT YOU. I CAN'T. NOT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE TWINS." And the rest of his message was generally for everyone. "Please don’t let Angel be alone, someone please stay with her.." It was enough to call for the twins' attention.
"Ne~ Sho-niichan? Daijobu?" Shuji asked Sho with such apprehension that no one understood. Shuri on the other hand straightened out his collar which was messed up due to Nino's sudden action.
"H-hai.. I'm fine.. it’s a matter between big guys.. Don't worry about it.." Sho replied with bizarre feeling while he was totally absorbed at how sweet the little girl was. He didn't know why but looking at the boy's eyes sent chills deep down his spine.
"Gomen ne~ Sho-niichan.. its because Shuji said something that was uncalled for" Shuri looked at him embarrassedly.
"What do you mean?" this time it was Aiba who asked the question. He felt sickly just by seeing how the twins comforted Sho when the guy didn't even deserve it.
"Eh?.. you've been together for 11years and yet you didn't notice? Oh c'mon niichans! Just give me a break.." Shuji reacted half amused half annoyed at how these niichans were not keen to notice.
"Explain." The guys demanded.
"Oh please. Nino-niichan is inlove with mama, isn't he? that's why he felt jealous when Shuji rambled about how Sho-niichan had mama's picture." Shuri explained totally irritated. To her sheer confusion, Aiba, Jun, Ohno snickered while Sho was deeply struck by the fact.
"Eh? Nande?" the twins asked in chorus.
"Of course we know! But it isn't about that." Ohno retorted amusedly. It was such a surprise that the twins knew about Nino's feeling and how they seem to be cool about it. Sho was the only one adamant about it. He was aware that Nino like her, but to the extent of hitting him? It was outrageous now that he knew that Angel was actually the girl he had been longing to see despite him being reluctant about it.
"If it wasn't about that, what's the reason?" Shuji asked inquisitively.
"Are? Sho told you it is a matter between big guys.. you shouldn't stress yourself too much about it." Jun said impassively. He dreaded that if they dig further about that topic, they will have to touch the point that was still unclear to them despite of it being confirmed a while ago. Now Jun understood why Angel collapsed. If he was in her shoes, he'll faint as well.. seeing your kids' dad all of a sudden was really a surprising matter especially when you least expected it.
"Eh? Son'na.." Shuji reacted, unwilling to drop the topic. But since his mom told him not to meddle with grown-up things, he gave up. Shuri got to her feet and walked towards the kitchen.
"Ne~ Sho-niichan, are you friends with mama?" Shuji asked when Shuri was out of sight. He didn't want to discuss the matter that had been bothering him eversince the mention of his mom's picture with his sister around. He knew his sister and how she longed for a father. He knew that but didn’t want to give her false hope.
Sho flinched at the mentioning of the word 'niichan'. Somehow he felt as if the word was out of place. Why Sho? Do you want them to call you otousan? The thought popped on his mind that made him shook his head which was presumed by Shuji as his answer to the question.
"Ah.. no? Then I guess its just random..thanks Sho-niichan.. I won't ask again.. just don't mention it to Shuri okay? I know she'll be very disappointed if she found out that you don't have any idea who our dad is. Even without saying it, I can tell she was hoping that you could somehow tell us a link where we can find him..you see, my sister was a bit sentimental about meeting our dad." Shuji said coolly. For a while he was hoping that Sho's answer will be a yes. But since it was like that, then he had no right to assume that Sho was somehow connected to his dad. His thoughts wandered slightly. It was a close one.
"How about Shuji-chan?" Jun asked the question that Sho couldn't bring himself to ask.
"Me? I think otherwise. I mean why should I bother myself looking for a father who didn't even have a clue about our existence? I dunno if mama told you, but that man left her right after what happened between them-that is unforgiveable. As her children, mama always told us not to hate the father that we haven't even met. But how can't I? Maybe there are things I couldn't understand, but you don't know how much I yearn to grow up quickly and hit the father we never knew straightly in the face!!" He said with deep hatred in his eyes. It was the same time when Shuri emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with fresh cans of beer and two glasses of strawberry juice for everyone that Shuji suddenly softened his expression. Afraid of how his sister will react if she sees him like that.
"Anou~ Everyone seemed exhausted.. let us drink ne? It'll help us ease a bit.," The girl said thoughtfully.
"AH.. sou desu~ Arigatou Shuri-chan" Aiba smiled at the girl. Deep inside, he was troubled at Shuri, who had no idea that her dad was right in front of them and at Shuji, who despite from being at a young age, had experienced strong feelings of hatred all because of one person, all because of Sho. It was normal for them to laugh at the guy's failure, but this time, what he'd done isn't a laughing matter.
Jun and Ohno felt the same. Jun was disturbed by Shuji's sudden outburst and the apparent hatred he had seen from his eyes. He didn't expect that a little boy like him was capable of bearing such strong feelings. More so, he felt the urge to hug the little girl in front of them, wanting to shield her away from the truth. Ohno looked calm and peaceful, but his inner thoughts were in such mayhem. He knew that there's a possibility that one of the twins will hate their dad, but he didn't anticipate for it to be like that of Shuji's. It was just too bothersome and too great for a child to carry. 4yr old kids shouldn't be experiencing something like that.
Beside him, Sho felt deeply hurt by Shuji's words. He didn't know why, but the truth is, he still could not accept the certainty as how it was being laid in front of him. Its just too overwhelming. As much as he didn't want to accept the reality that the twins could be his own, his feelings betrayed him. He was so distressed by how Shuji's hatred penetrated deep down inside him. Despite having a calm façade, his body was put in revulsion. Having the taste of Shuji's loathing, despite of it being indirect because the boy had no idea at all, he felt as if he was smacked straightly in the face just by his words. Now he wondered if it'll hurt more when the boy actually found out the truth about him.
Shuri suddenly yawned and that distracted all of them out of their thoughts for a while. Jun glanced at the wall clock and it read 12:30. He then carried the tray that was in Shuri's hands, put it on the center table and gesture to the girl to sit on his lap to which Shuri obeyed instantly.
"Gomen ne nii-chan.. its quite late, and we usually sleep at 10.." Shuri said with another yawn before closing her eyes, her head lolled over onto Jun's chest.
Jun put his arms around the girl to make her position more comfortable.
"yosh. Lets call it a night." Ohno said before standing on his feet. After doing so, there was a soft thump heard behind him. He spun around to see Shuji sleeping with his head slump on Sho's lap. It was unexpected. Apparently, the boy was just as sleepy as his sister, only that he tried hardly to keep them from noticing.
"Ne~ Aiba-kun, would you mind helping me take the kids upstairs? Sho and Ridaa can then tidy up things here." Jun requested not minding the questioning look from Sho. That's the least he could do to keep Sho from hurting Angel once again.
"Ah.. sure.. I don't mind" Aiba replied, who's already in front of Sho already. He then carried Shuji carefully as not to wake him.
Sho and Ohno were left in the living room. Like what Jun suggested, the two started tidying to lessen the awkward feeling. When Sho nearly dropped the tray with the empty beer cans and half-done glasses of juice, Ohno was right there in front of him, and took the tray away from his hand with just one hand. His other hand patted Sho's shoulder.
"There. There. Take it easy man." With a single stride, Ohno was on his way to the kitchen and Sho was left there speechless.
*master post will be available after I finish the fic..*
CHAPTER 24
+THEIR NAME+
"SHI!" Sho exclaimed along with other members' "Angel" upon realizing that the girl was falling. It was lucky that Aiba was beside Angel, who managed to catch her before she hit the floor that was now scattered with shattered glasses.
"Angel! Shikari!" Aiba said while his arms hold on to her tightly. He observed the lady whose pretty face remained despite her pale appearance. He glanced at others who looked totally distressed at having their first taste of revelation regarding Angel. Everything seemed unreal. While they process what was happening, Aiba glanced passed through them to see that the twins had arrived the same time when Angel fainted.
At the door, the twins were pinned to where they're standing. Shuji, who's first to recover from the shocked of his mom's fainting dropped his guitar on the floor, pulled Shuri by the hand and approach the guys with utmost hatred in his eyes-unaware that he's doing it. All he knew is that he needed to protect his mom.
"What did you do to her?" he shouted momentarily without even trying to hide his disgust. When no one answered, Shuji continued. "I may not be as old as you nii-chan's and I don't really understand what was happening right now, all I know is that you did something awful to mama for her to faint like that." the boy said defiantly, eyeing the members of ARASHI who still can't absorbed what had just really happened. Beside him, Shuri couldn't voice out her thought. She knew her twin brother.. saying something in that moment will just worsen up matters as they are now. All she could do is to grip his hand tightly, even if it hurts doing so. Shuri was afraid that if she let go of Shuji's hand, her brother will do something that was unnecessary that moment. An ultimate silence floated in the air.
For a minute or so, the members of ARASHI just stared directly into the boy's eyes. The feeling was awkward but they dare not look away.. doing so would mean guiltiness. Aiba, who's still holding Angel by his arms, sweated more than usual upon meeting the boy's eyes. Nino, on the other hand, was hurting. While eyes on Shuji, his mind wandered off somewhere as he tried to keep his cool. Jun felt nauseated as the situation is something he hadn't expected Why would she faint at the sight of Sho?.Jun thought. Ohno shrugged as his assumptions were happening one by one. Sho just stared at the boy's eyes.. unable to contain what he was seeing. To be played by gods like this was something he wasn't prepared at all..she have kids? But who's their dad? Why he isn't here? Sho pondered.
Shuri felt her brother's grip loosened. It was a sign- a sign that Shuji had already weighed things over in his mind and an assurance that he had somehow calmed down. She was surprised when her brother dropped off his death stare and was now replaced with a soft expression that even the guys from ARASHI can't fathom. Now is the time..Shuri thought.
While hands still on her brother's hand.. keeping it closely in case Shuji loses his cool, she said with utter conviction: "Gomen ne~ ARASHI-niichan..Shuji sometimes does things without thinking.. mou.. its alright now.." while bowing her head off, making Shuji bowed as well despite being unapologetic at all.
The guys exchange looks. Everyone was amazed at how composed the little girl was while saying those things, yet they were still speechless or rather just had no idea what to say. While trying to think of a better way to explain what just happened, Shuji said something that made it easier for them to give account of the incident. The boy was really a genius.
"Anou~ did someone or something had just shocked mama?" Shuji asked lazily as he withdrawn his hand from Shuri who now look bewildered at them. Before they could answer Shuji's question, she spoke.
"Oh please. Can someone put first mama upstairs before we discuss what happened? Honestly, I pity Aiba-niichan. He had been standing for a while there supporting mom." Shuri said worriedly. " And mama certainly needs rest if Shuji was right about her being shocked by something/someone."
"Ah right.. sorry Shuri-chan, we didn't mean to leave her in that position.." Ohno said before he called Nino. "Nino, mind to help Aiba? After all you'd already gone upstairs once right?" He asked Nino, not really waiting for a reply. For some reason, his hunch told him that it was the right thing to do on that situation especially when Nino appeared to lose his cool anytime; it will be unsightly if he lets him stay there when Sho was in the same living room.
"Ah..h-hai." Nino was back to reality. He didn't know why Ohno requested for that but he didn't mind at all. Knowing their leader, it was probably the right decision now. Not that he believed what his mind was telling him. After all, its not always wrong to be sure of things. By that, Nino walked pass Sho wearing a cold expression, he felt jealous at how Angel reacted when she saw their fellow member. "Aiba-chan, let me help you with her" he told the other guy as he placed his hands on Angel's back, merely supporting her weight. It was Aiba who carried her all the way to the stairs.
When the two was out of sight, it was Jun who first spoke. At first he was listless on what to say, but thanks to the twins, he suddenly remembered.
"Shuji-chan?" he called clearly to get the boy's attention.
"Hnnm?" Shuji broke away his eyes from the two men who went carrying his mom upstairs to Jun who suddenly called his name.
"What do you mean by your question a while ago?" Jun asked directly. He thought its better to be as direct with the kid rather than beating around the bush. All attention was now focused with the kid, notwithstanding the fact that they're still in standing position.
"Ah..that..mama tends to be like that whenever she was shocked or surprised.. you see, normally when a person was shocked, he/she tends to do two things: either stay silent or react with the silliest reaction you can find. But mom was different. When she's shocked or surprised, she just can't process anything to the point that her mind suddenly blacks out which resulted to fainting." Shuji explained but the guys seemed not to get the hang of it, reflected when Ohno asked: "Is that possible?" which made Shuji's eyebrows furrowed.
"The shocked brought by that something/someone, add the shock from the fact of not being able to process anything at all, is just too much for mama..that's why her system goes off-meaning she faints." Shuri explained to them patiently, rather amused at why these nii-chans couldn't comprehend that simple matter as it is. Maybe their thinking are way too complicated.. she just thought.
"Speaking of that, what made Mama surprised?" Shuji questioned them. His tone was lighter than when he confronted them earlier. The guys look at each other. There was an air that prevented them from saying "it was Sho" despite of it being simple. Somehow, they just can't casually say it, as doing so will require some explaining to do. It was at that moment when Shuri noticed the pieces of glass on the floor, and how it was colored with red fluid. She suddenly gasped drawing the guys' and her brother's attention to her.
"Shuji! That's it. There's blood. Mama's hemophobic!" but when she looked at it closely, she realized that it was only strawberry juice. Out of nowhere, Shuji, joined in by the members of Arashi, burst out laughing. Unable to hide her embarrassment, she lowered down into a squatting position and started picking the shard pieces of glass and placed it on the tray beside it.
"Seriously Shuri, you're good in suddenly changing the topic." Shuji said while trying to catch his breath. The guys sighed in relief.
"oww..itte!" Shuri bit her lip as she stared in the tiny cut in her finger.
"Oi Shuri! Baka! You know how mom always told us not to hold broken glass with bare hands." Shuji scolded his twin sister instead of helping her.
Sho, who was nearest to Shuri, approached. "Daijobu ka? Let me see." He pulled the hand of the little girl to see how deep the cut was and felt relieved that it was a shallow one despite the bleeding. Sho drawn out his handkerchief from his side pocket and wrap it around Shuri's wound. By this, Shuri looked up and realized for the first time who he was. Sho was taken aback when she suddenly smiled widely at him.
"Kyaaa~~~ Sho-niichan!" Shuri's outburst was heard all the way upstairs, while her delightful eyes fixed on him. Sho was overwhelmed by how warm that exclamation was. "An-chan! Look who's here! It was Sho-niichan!" the girl said excitedly as if those around them weren't aware of it at all.
"Of course he is! Baka! The moment we enter the house, I recognized him right away. Don't you? Seriously my sister, where have you been this whole time? Don't tell me you had been off to dreamland again? And how rude of you to just call Sakurai-san "niichan" when you haven't even introduce yourself properly " Shuji teased his twin sister before walking towards Sho's direction, "Gomen ne." Shuji said bowing his head. "Hajimemashite, watashi wa Shuji-desu, yoroshiku onegaishimasu." And looked at his twin signaling her to introduce as well to which Shuri reacted fairly. "Shuri-desu" she introduced herself before adding: "ne~ please allow me to call you Sho-niichan just like Jun-niichan, Aiba-niichan, Nino-niichan and Oh-niichan," She looked to him expectantly.
"H-hai. I don't mind really. If you're calling them niichan, why shouldn't I be?" Sho smiled awkwardly at Shuri, without meeting the kid's eyes.
"Yatta! Arigatou nii-chan!" Shuri hugged Sho out of merriment.
"Hmm, that reminds me. Jun nii-chan, a while ago when Mama fainted, did somebody just called her 'Shi'? I'm not sure because your backs were against us so I didn't know who it was." Shuji asked innocently at the man who's now sitting on the sofa.
Upon hearing Shuji's question, Jun felt a little constricted, making him undo two of his shirt's button.
"Ah, I heard that too.. because it stood out…from all of you who shouted "angel" there was this one who called mama "shi".. Honestly I was surprised, Shuji too.. no one knew mama's Japanese name, unless they were her former classmate or colleague..and mama made us promise that we won't tell anybody.. especially to you ARASHI-niichans.." Shuri said casually.
"Oi Shuri,.. stop that.. you're making it look like mama lied to them.." Shuji reprimanded his twin.
"Demo~ there's no point in hiding it from them Shuji, since one of them knew." Shuri reasoned to her brother.
"Even so..you shouldn't put it too bluntly..or niichans will think of mama as a bad person for lying to them about her identity.. not that she really lied.. she just opted to use her English name.." Shuji said calmly.
"Ne~ niichan.. please don't hate mama.. she had reasons why.." Shuri turned her attention towards them with eyes pleading.
"Of course we won't. silly. That's not really a big deal, besides, there are things that are meant to be hidden…she's fine the way she's now.." Jun was the one who answered, his eyes suddenly caught Sho's mixed expression. He suddenly remembered the funny thought that entered his mind for a split second. It took a while for him to register what did it meant for Sho to actually call Angel 'Shi'.
"MASAKA?!!~" Jun questioningly glared at Sho. "Masaka!`" he repeated. He was on his feet before he knew it.. pacing back and forth, making Shuri dizzy.
"Nii-chan what's wrong?" Shuri observed the man who stopped at her sudden question.
"Huh?" Jun just said. He need some time to cool his mind. For the first time he noticed that the girl was still wearing her uniform that gave him the idea to do what he was about to do. Shuri tried to hide herself away from Jun's view by leaning closely behind Ohno's back. The man's expression was quite frightening. Ohno felt the little girl tremble but before he can say anything, Shuji was quick to observe.
"Hey nii-chan! What's with that expression.? You're scaring my sister!" Shuji reacted enough for Jun to soften his expression.
"Ah gomen.. I just remember something" He said from which he turn to Sho, wearing a serious façade. "Sho-chan, do you still have the same wallpaper as before?"
Sho looked a bit confused before he answered hesitantly. "Ah, hai. Why?"
"Can I see?" Jun asked, his expression changed sternly.
"Ah..sure.." Sho handed him his phone despite having an uneasy feeling about it. This was the same time as when Nino and Aiba descended the stairs.
"How is she?" Ohno said a little distracted by what Jun was planning. If his assumption was right, it was not a good timing especially now when Nino and Aiba joined them.
"She's sleeping.. seemed she won't wake up until morning" Aiba said before he positioned himself beside Shuri where Jun was seated before. Nino, on the other hand, kept sending Sho cold shoulders which made the latter to think what have I done? before he drop himself at the beanbag below Aiba, his back against Aiba's knees.
This made Jun a little abstracted before he kneeled opposite Shuri. "Ne~ Shuri-chan? Can I take a picture of you?" Jun asked the girl with puffy eyes. This made everyone in the apartment curious.
"Eh? But I'm still on my uniform nii-chan.." Shuri said, suddenly conscious at herself.
"Its okay.. that's exactly how I wanted you to appear in the picture.." Jun smiled sheepishly that made it even more probing as to what his real intentions are.
"Um okay.. just once ne?" Shuri smiled back. "Where do you want to take the picture nii-chan?"
"Hmm, just stand there in front of the tv facing us." Jun told her as he occupied the space where the girl seated before. He was unsure why he suddenly didn't want to do according to his plan. But he thought it was the only way to find out. He knew he won't be able to sit at ease until he confirmed.
Shuri did what she was told and stand facing them, her back against the tv.
"Now, try to do some "peace sign"" Jun commanded. The guys can't follow what Jun was up to. They just observed quietly.
The girl seemed bothered but obeyed. She gestured her right hand into a 'peace' sign and position it beside her head. Jun positioned his camera phone focusing onto Shuri.. his other hand was trembling by just holding Sho's phone. "SMILE" he said and pressed the capture button.
Jun opened Sho's phone, and look at it hesitantly. On his left hand he looked closely at the fresh picture of Shuri and could not believe his eyes. He was right. The truth hit him harder than he thought it would be.
Nino didn't need to see the picture before he realized what Jun was trying to confirm. Just by seeing Shuri do the pose and the peace sign, he finally understood. How could he forget? Shuri's expression was the same expression as the little girl in Sho's wallpaper, only it was Shi-Shuri's mother, who happened to be Angel.
Above him, Aiba stole a look at the two phones only to be taken aback by how similar the photos were had not it been separated by time. Ohno wasn't surprised at all, as all his assumptions were right. Sho, sat there frozen, trying to figure out, calculating, contemplating, as if that's all he could do at the moment. Shuji, who was squeezed in between Ohno and Sho, tried to peep as well only to be overwhelmed by what he had seen.
"Sugoi! Sho-niichan! How come you had mama's first grade picture?" Shuji wondered innocently.
"Eh hontou?" Shuri asked jumpily as she ran to look as well.
That did it.
Before they realized it, Nino was already on his feet yanking Sho by the collar.
"HOW DARE YOU!"
For a moment there, the guys from ARASHI thought that Nino would hit Sho, but after saying those three words, he just let him go and stormed out of the apartment.
Not long after that he received a message from Nino, through Aiba's phone. "SHO. AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO HIT YOU. I CAN'T. NOT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE TWINS." And the rest of his message was generally for everyone. "Please don’t let Angel be alone, someone please stay with her.." It was enough to call for the twins' attention.
"Ne~ Sho-niichan? Daijobu?" Shuji asked Sho with such apprehension that no one understood. Shuri on the other hand straightened out his collar which was messed up due to Nino's sudden action.
"H-hai.. I'm fine.. it’s a matter between big guys.. Don't worry about it.." Sho replied with bizarre feeling while he was totally absorbed at how sweet the little girl was. He didn't know why but looking at the boy's eyes sent chills deep down his spine.
"Gomen ne~ Sho-niichan.. its because Shuji said something that was uncalled for" Shuri looked at him embarrassedly.
"What do you mean?" this time it was Aiba who asked the question. He felt sickly just by seeing how the twins comforted Sho when the guy didn't even deserve it.
"Eh?.. you've been together for 11years and yet you didn't notice? Oh c'mon niichans! Just give me a break.." Shuji reacted half amused half annoyed at how these niichans were not keen to notice.
"Explain." The guys demanded.
"Oh please. Nino-niichan is inlove with mama, isn't he? that's why he felt jealous when Shuji rambled about how Sho-niichan had mama's picture." Shuri explained totally irritated. To her sheer confusion, Aiba, Jun, Ohno snickered while Sho was deeply struck by the fact.
"Eh? Nande?" the twins asked in chorus.
"Of course we know! But it isn't about that." Ohno retorted amusedly. It was such a surprise that the twins knew about Nino's feeling and how they seem to be cool about it. Sho was the only one adamant about it. He was aware that Nino like her, but to the extent of hitting him? It was outrageous now that he knew that Angel was actually the girl he had been longing to see despite him being reluctant about it.
"If it wasn't about that, what's the reason?" Shuji asked inquisitively.
"Are? Sho told you it is a matter between big guys.. you shouldn't stress yourself too much about it." Jun said impassively. He dreaded that if they dig further about that topic, they will have to touch the point that was still unclear to them despite of it being confirmed a while ago. Now Jun understood why Angel collapsed. If he was in her shoes, he'll faint as well.. seeing your kids' dad all of a sudden was really a surprising matter especially when you least expected it.
"Eh? Son'na.." Shuji reacted, unwilling to drop the topic. But since his mom told him not to meddle with grown-up things, he gave up. Shuri got to her feet and walked towards the kitchen.
"Ne~ Sho-niichan, are you friends with mama?" Shuji asked when Shuri was out of sight. He didn't want to discuss the matter that had been bothering him eversince the mention of his mom's picture with his sister around. He knew his sister and how she longed for a father. He knew that but didn’t want to give her false hope.
Sho flinched at the mentioning of the word 'niichan'. Somehow he felt as if the word was out of place. Why Sho? Do you want them to call you otousan? The thought popped on his mind that made him shook his head which was presumed by Shuji as his answer to the question.
"Ah.. no? Then I guess its just random..thanks Sho-niichan.. I won't ask again.. just don't mention it to Shuri okay? I know she'll be very disappointed if she found out that you don't have any idea who our dad is. Even without saying it, I can tell she was hoping that you could somehow tell us a link where we can find him..you see, my sister was a bit sentimental about meeting our dad." Shuji said coolly. For a while he was hoping that Sho's answer will be a yes. But since it was like that, then he had no right to assume that Sho was somehow connected to his dad. His thoughts wandered slightly. It was a close one.
"How about Shuji-chan?" Jun asked the question that Sho couldn't bring himself to ask.
"Me? I think otherwise. I mean why should I bother myself looking for a father who didn't even have a clue about our existence? I dunno if mama told you, but that man left her right after what happened between them-that is unforgiveable. As her children, mama always told us not to hate the father that we haven't even met. But how can't I? Maybe there are things I couldn't understand, but you don't know how much I yearn to grow up quickly and hit the father we never knew straightly in the face!!" He said with deep hatred in his eyes. It was the same time when Shuri emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with fresh cans of beer and two glasses of strawberry juice for everyone that Shuji suddenly softened his expression. Afraid of how his sister will react if she sees him like that.
"Anou~ Everyone seemed exhausted.. let us drink ne? It'll help us ease a bit.," The girl said thoughtfully.
"AH.. sou desu~ Arigatou Shuri-chan" Aiba smiled at the girl. Deep inside, he was troubled at Shuri, who had no idea that her dad was right in front of them and at Shuji, who despite from being at a young age, had experienced strong feelings of hatred all because of one person, all because of Sho. It was normal for them to laugh at the guy's failure, but this time, what he'd done isn't a laughing matter.
Jun and Ohno felt the same. Jun was disturbed by Shuji's sudden outburst and the apparent hatred he had seen from his eyes. He didn't expect that a little boy like him was capable of bearing such strong feelings. More so, he felt the urge to hug the little girl in front of them, wanting to shield her away from the truth. Ohno looked calm and peaceful, but his inner thoughts were in such mayhem. He knew that there's a possibility that one of the twins will hate their dad, but he didn't anticipate for it to be like that of Shuji's. It was just too bothersome and too great for a child to carry. 4yr old kids shouldn't be experiencing something like that.
Beside him, Sho felt deeply hurt by Shuji's words. He didn't know why, but the truth is, he still could not accept the certainty as how it was being laid in front of him. Its just too overwhelming. As much as he didn't want to accept the reality that the twins could be his own, his feelings betrayed him. He was so distressed by how Shuji's hatred penetrated deep down inside him. Despite having a calm façade, his body was put in revulsion. Having the taste of Shuji's loathing, despite of it being indirect because the boy had no idea at all, he felt as if he was smacked straightly in the face just by his words. Now he wondered if it'll hurt more when the boy actually found out the truth about him.
Shuri suddenly yawned and that distracted all of them out of their thoughts for a while. Jun glanced at the wall clock and it read 12:30. He then carried the tray that was in Shuri's hands, put it on the center table and gesture to the girl to sit on his lap to which Shuri obeyed instantly.
"Gomen ne nii-chan.. its quite late, and we usually sleep at 10.." Shuri said with another yawn before closing her eyes, her head lolled over onto Jun's chest.
Jun put his arms around the girl to make her position more comfortable.
"yosh. Lets call it a night." Ohno said before standing on his feet. After doing so, there was a soft thump heard behind him. He spun around to see Shuji sleeping with his head slump on Sho's lap. It was unexpected. Apparently, the boy was just as sleepy as his sister, only that he tried hardly to keep them from noticing.
"Ne~ Aiba-kun, would you mind helping me take the kids upstairs? Sho and Ridaa can then tidy up things here." Jun requested not minding the questioning look from Sho. That's the least he could do to keep Sho from hurting Angel once again.
"Ah.. sure.. I don't mind" Aiba replied, who's already in front of Sho already. He then carried Shuji carefully as not to wake him.
Sho and Ohno were left in the living room. Like what Jun suggested, the two started tidying to lessen the awkward feeling. When Sho nearly dropped the tray with the empty beer cans and half-done glasses of juice, Ohno was right there in front of him, and took the tray away from his hand with just one hand. His other hand patted Sho's shoulder.
"There. There. Take it easy man." With a single stride, Ohno was on his way to the kitchen and Sho was left there speechless.