CLASSMATES (29/?)
Tadaima! I'm supposed to have a vacation in other country, but upon seeing my blood test about two weeks ago, the doctor didn't even give me the chance to go home and confined me right away. My on and off fever turned out to be a serious case of dengue. Sheesh. so in the end the trip's been canceled and instead i'd spent most of my vacation in the hospital. Well so much for that. This was kinda lengthy but i hope you liked it. few more chapters and it will be done. please support my Nino-fic. Already written some chapters of it but i decided on posting it after I'm done with this one:)
CHAPTER 29
-STAGE I-
From what Shuri told her, they were supposed to be out at 6pm because Shuji's insisting that he's going to the library, so basically, they should be home at 7pm since the school weren't that far, and she already hired a service thinking that she'll be busier in the coming days. She glanced at the wall clock: 7:10.
Oh God, what a reckless mother I am. O God. Shi was in deep thoughts when she heard the door opened and in came the twins with their usual cheerful voice. "Tadaima!"
"Okaeri" Shi can't help but felt relieved. "Where have you been? I'm so worried!" she exclaimed, hugging them tightly making the two gasped for breath.
"Mama! Let go, I can't breathe." Shuri said.
"Mama? Itte-" Shuji struggled to get off his mom's embrace. "Daijobu Mama, something came up on our way here but everything's fine now." the boy assured her.
"Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?" Shi asked still holding her kids.
"Hai. Anou ne~ mama, Sorry for making you worry." Shuri said smiling widely at her.
"Um okay," Shi let go but ushered them to change clothes and headed for the kitchen right away.
+++++++++++++++++++++
A week of staying in the hospital, Sho's brother was able to be discharged and was now on a house break as advised by the doctor. Thanks to that anonymous call and the hospital ambulance was able to respond right away, if not, the situation would be a lot complicated than expected.
After Shu got home, Sho headed for their concert tour where he would meet up with the other members who had already left 2 days prior to Shu's discharge.
"Oniichan, Mom said she wanted to know who made that phone call to the hospital."
Mai told him the night before he left. He was currently arranging all his necessary stuff and his sister bothering him wasn't helping.
"How am I supposed to know? You're the one who first got the news about Shu's accident that time." Sho answered uninterested.
"Demo~"
Getting a little annoyed, "Argh, Mai, can't you see, I'm packing my things? Now, if you wanted to know the caller, best to ask the hospital's information desk, they should have at least records of phone calls that night instead of bothering me," he blurted out of nowhere, not really thinking if he was making sense, he just wanted his sister to leave him alone. But to his surprised, Mai took his advice immediately.
"Uwaaa~ you're such a genius niichan!" She exclaimed giving him a hug. Sho just stared puzzled at his sister who was now dialing the hospital's number. "Jya~ niichan! Ganbate!" and strode out of his room. Moving his head in disbelief, he proceeded on what he's doing.
++++++++++++++++++++
-OSAKA-
RRRRRRRRnng.
Ne~ are you sure of this?
"Of course, baka! don't worry too much, it will stressed you out."
Demo~
"Please? You're the only one that I can trust."
Wakatta! Just don't forget the souvenirs or I swear, it'll be bloody hell!
"Promise. Hey, I gotta go, I still have rehearsals, jya~ Ganbarou!"
++++++++++++++
It had been a week and ARASHI's concert tour was about to end. On their last day, staffs were busy every now and then, making sure that it will be a moment to remember for fans around Osaka area and also for everybody involved in the concert. Fans were jeering loudly, anticipation combined with high spirits were enough to get them so pumped up.
Before the concert began, the usual start up meeting was led by Matsujun, speaking as enthusiastic as ever and at the same time nervous as anyone.
"Minna, this is our last day here in Osaka Dome. Let's get the crowd happy and satisfied, and let's hope that no one will be injured. That's all. Yosh! Let's do this!"
The group, staff, juniors, P.A's and ARASHI huddled for the last time and headed to their respective position.
"Yosh! Let's do this!" Sho kept repeating and repeating on their way to the stairs.
"Hey! What are you, some kind of recorder?" Nino said glancing back at the older member. "You seemed more excited than usual Sho-chan, something happened?"
"Eh? Sho-chan's excited?" Aiba repeated.
"Baka! I just said that." Nino smacked the top of the older member's head.
"Of course! Who wouldn't?" Sho answered innocently. If half of his heart was excited with the concert, the other half is thrilled because of other thing.
"But from the looks of it, you're competing against Aiba's energy here." Ohno remarked, feeling a little lightheaded on the matter. Something's weird. He thought.
"Eh?? Maji de?"
"Oi, we still have a concert to do. Instead of chatting there, would you mind getting up here? NOW." Jun called from above the stairs.
"Yosh! Let's do this."
The four burst out laughing as they head towards the stairs leading to the stage where Matsujun was waiting.
+++++++++++++++++
TOKYO
Something doesn't sit well with Shi. Its only 30minutes passed since her kids left, but for some reason, she couldn't seem to calm down.
ONE WEEK AGO
Ding dong.
Since ARASHI's concert tour was happening in Osaka, TBS staff recommended that her filming with Matsujun which had already started would resume after the tour ended. The truth was, she did hope for a break, after what happened between her and Jun, she knew it will be awkward for them. Since the twins were at school, she's currently cleaning the apartment when she heard that unexpected buzz on their doorbell.
Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.
The anonymous guest continued pressing until she was so pissed, she had no choice but to leave her chores for a moment.
"Who the hell?" She said before opening the door with an eyebrow raised it can reach the sky.
"Konnichiwa!" The lady greeted cheerfully, oblivious of Shi's annoyance.
"Da-re?" She asked, slightly inching the door open while giving her an awkward smile.
"Ah! Sumimasen! I already called one of your siblings, but it seemed he forgot to mention it to you based on that puzzled look." The lady smiled apologetically at her. Feeling guilty all of a sudden, she gave her a polite smile.
"Siblings?" She can't help but asked.
"Eh? Shuji, I believe that was his name." it was the lady's turn to be confused.
"Ah, iie, he's my kid." She smiled genuinely this time upon seeing the mixture of shock and amusement in her reaction. "Ah gomen, what a bad way of treating my kid's friend. Please come in." She opened the door widely and motioned her to come inside. "Although, I'm sorry about the little mess, I was currently doing household chores when you practically ring my doorbell, I'm afraid it would break." She said when they were already inside the apartment.
"Ah, sorry about that, I was just excited to meet them." The lady slightly bowed. "But I was surprised to learn that they're your kids.. I mean, you look young and all so I thought you're siblings."
"That's because I am, or at least too young, in this society's perspective, to have five year old kids Miss." She explained.
"How old are you when you got them?" The lady asked, still on a hyper mode, but when she glanced at her, "Ah, gomen gomen, you don't need to answer the question if its too personal."
"It was..but then, no problem, Afterall I'm not ashamed of it. I was sixteen then." She look at the lady, giving her an assurance that its okay.
"Sixteen? Hmm, so basically, you're two or three years younger than me. Ah! I forgot, Mai-desu." The lady introduced herself in a way she'd less expected it to be. Mai looked properly dressed so she thought it was rather formal, but she didn't know why it made her glad that she did in that way. It's as if they'd known each other for too long when in fact, its only 15 minutes since she saw her.
"Ah, Angel-desu." She replied hesitantly. She felt bad, but she opted to use her English name.
"Wow. Angel-chan..was ..that your real name?" Mai asked her knowingly.
"Um, nope.. I meant.. not my Japanese name..sorry, if that troubled you, you can call me Shi." This time she's the one who's apologizing. She admired the lady's wit and the ability to read through her as if she's some kind of open book.
"Oh, I don't mind.. don't worry, I believe there's a reason for that, anyway, I'll call you Angel-chan." She said smiling at her.
"Then, Mai-chan that is." And they laughed together. "Oh, what about your purpose on coming here? I believe it was something to do with my kids. Have they done wrong?" She asked.
"Iie. The truth is…
And that's how she found out that the night when her kids come home a bit late, it was because they're the one who called the hospital about Mai's brother and accompanied him there.
"But it was too late.. when I got there, your kids already left" She remembered Mai telling her that.
Just a moment ago, Mai arrived to pick up her kids for dinner. According to her, her mom wanted to thank her kids for that phone call because if they didn't, Mai's brother would still be in hospital suffering. Although Mai didn't elaborate what was her brother's condition, Shi believed that it was really bad based on how Mai's mom was so insistent on meeting her kids.
But what about her dad? Shi can't help but get a little anxious. During her conversation with her the week before, Mai didn't mentioned, even once, about her dad and his insights about inviting her kids for dinner, so that's what actually worrying her.
++++++++++++++
"Mom, we're here." Mai called over as they stepped inside the grand looking manor. Glancing back at the twins who seemed enchanted by the house, "Come in", she said while ushering the two inside.
"Ah, hai Mai-neechan" the kids followed quietly.
"Ah, Irashaimase."
They were greeted by the warmth smile of Mai's mom, a refined looking woman and the one who invited them for dinner.
"Ah," they bowed nervously, making it too hard for them to move.
"Shuri-desu"
"Shuji-desu"
+++++++++++++++++
"We're really sorry for troubling you." They said in chorus. They were currently seated on the long table where dinner was already served in front of them.
"Iie. Im actually the one who should apologize for that, I heard from Mai that you're mom's really worried" but when the kids won't reply, the woman just continued, "Ah, kawaii ne?" the woman asked her daughter who merely nodded and chuckled at the sight.
"Hey, mom's not gonna eat you okay? Relax," she said keeping them in sight while still trying hard not to show her amusement.
"Ah, gomennasai" the little girl bowed tensely that her head accidentally hit the wooden table. "Itte-" she winced in pain and placed a hand on her forehead. Anou~ Ma'a"
"Obaa-san, call me Obaa-san" [different from obaa-san]
"Hai, obaasan, how's Shu-niichan?" Shuri asked curiously.
"Ah, he's fine now thanks to you two. He's just talking to someone over the phone, he should be back here any minute." Yuko(?) told them, a warm smile etched in her face and that didn't escape Mai's notice.
"Sou ne~" Mai commented, "I wonder what's up with him these days. Ever since he got back from the hospital, he's always carrying his phone, always talking to someone, and one time when I tried to peep, he shoved me away. Ne~ okaasan, do you think Shu's got himself a girlfriend?" she asked interestedly.
"Hey, I heard that nee-chan. And for your information, I was talking to Oniichan just now." Shu smirked at his sister before taking a sit beside Shuri who smiled seeing his presence.
"But that doesn't explain those weird and constant phone calls." Mai retorted.
"Mai-neechan, I didn't know that you're that nosy." Shu glanced at his sister, smirking more widely.
In return, she gave her a sarcastic laugh, "that's because I am your sister young man, and I am older than you" and then pouted a little.
"Hey, stop that we have guests," Yuko reprimanded the siblings and turned to the twins, "Sorry about that, they tend to act like that over some fetish things"
"Oh! So they're the one who made the call that saved me huh?" Shu acted as though he was as surprised, regardless of the wide grin that was already displayed on his lips. "Hajimemashite, I'm Shu. Well I guessed they'd already done the thank you part, but I still wanted to say it, Thank you!"
"Ah, iie, we just acted according to what was right.." Shuji said giving him a shy smile. Sitting at his side was Shuri who also give a tiny smile before speaking, "Besides, anyone who'd found you in that state would've done what we did Shu-niichan."
But before the others could react to what the kids said, there was a loud snort coming from the head of the house.
"Exactly my point to my wife when she told me she wanted to invite two complete strangers in our household." The man who had just come in and seated himself at the center of the long table had spoken for the first time earning a wary look from Mai and Shu.
"Dear!" Yuko shot a warning glance at his husband. "Is that the proper way of thanking these kids who had just saved your son?"
"Why thanks to both of them. But I don't see any point why they had to be invited for dinner and why they had accepted it in the first place if they really done it out of good will?" He reasoned to his wife and gave her a look which had silenced everyone sitting in the dining table, the twins shocked in terror.
Looking apologetically at the twins, "Tou-san, I-" Shu tried to say something but was stopped by his father's voice.
"I didn't remember asking for your opinion young man," he said in a dead serious tone.
"Demo Tou-san, they're just ki-" it was Mai, but no luck.
"Kids? Was that what you're trying to tell me Mai? Are you implying that I was dumb not to notice that they're just kids?" he said mockingly.
"Iie~ demo-" she kept on talking but was interrupted again.
"And didn't I tell Shu that I didn't ask for his opinion? Same thing goes with you young lady." He retorted before eyeing the twins closely, his eyes deeply penetrating the kids who stared back at him innocently. "so tell me, how much do you want?"
"Dear!"
"Dad!"
"Tou-san!"
The three reacted simultaneously, it echoed all throughout the hall.
"What? I'm just being practical, isn't that what they came here for?" He furrowed his eyebrows seeing how exaggerated their reaction were. "Oh, let me rephrase it, how much did your okaa-san told you to ask us?" looking back at the twins, at the young girl who gulp down her saliva, tears started to form in her eyes, and at the young boy who surprisingly shot a glare to him which he received with a grunt.
"Obaa-san, we don't want to be rude, but this was just way out of hand," Shuji bowed his head in front of the kind woman before he stood up dragging Shuri to stand as well. Turning his gaze back at the head of the house, "Look sir, we helped your son thinking that it was the proper thing to do, and we came here out of courtesy because your wife had asked us, but if I knew that it will be misinterpreted like this, then we shouldn't had come in the first place," he pushed the chair sideways and acted to leave.
"Where do you think you're going young boy? Did your mom teach you that stuff too?" he taunted.
"Please sir, this had nothing to do with our mom," he replied staying on the same position, his hand still gripping Shuri's wrist. "Mom said never to raise a tone towards an older person, but, but, I JUST CAN'T HELP IT!" he snapped raising his pitch louder despite his still undeveloped voice.
"Oh! You had a fierce attitude young boy, I wonder where d'you got that?" he asked sarcastically.
"With all due respect SIR, our mom didn't even know what we had done or where we had gone off that night we came home late, and we didn't even had plans on telling her about the dinner until your daughter practically paid her a visit!" Shuri shrieked in horror.
To their surprised, the man clapped his hands, Tsk. What a hard headed young boy and girl.. in a mocking way he said, "What a cunning idea to lure her kids into a situation like this, seemed that she taught you very well huh?"
"Mou~yameteru.." Shuri, now teary eyed, sat back at her chair. "Mama's not like that Ojiichan!" she manage to call him 'ojiichan' despite sobbing, "Mama, she.." but her tears were uncontrollable that she can't continue talking, her free hand forming into a ball of fist for the fright the man was sending to her.
Sakurai-san was speechless for a minute. He didn't know but the moment the little girl called him 'ojiichan' it sent a warm feeling deep within him.
"For five years, Mama raised us while she's suffering alone. In spite of all those pains that our dad had caused her, leaving her when we were still yet a blood in her womb, she still managed…" Shuri was crying like a baby that she stopped herself from saying all the things that she wanted to say.
"Wait, you were born without a father?" the man kept on asking. He was beginning to get a little distracted by the girl's crying yet he still can't help but become suspicious.
"he left Ma- itte!" she winced at the pain she felt in her wrist. Shuji's clutch was wounding her.
"Stop it Shuri, ne~ stop it. You don't have to say anything anymore.." He said stooping to wipe the tears off from his sister's eyes, giving her a weak smile as a sign of assurance before glancing half passed the woman, "Obaa-san, thank you for the food, although we barely eaten anything," he said bowing a little. Changing his face into what seemed like a more calm expression, he looked at Shu, "Onii-chan, yokata ne? you're fine now..that's all that matters," and onto Mai, "Ne~ Mai-neechan, please, can you take us back home?"
Mai just nodded. She still couldn't believe his father's action just now. That was very rude.. especially to these kids..
+++++++++++++++++++
Rrrrrrrrrrrrnnngggg.
"What happened?" he asked excitedly although a bit puzzled because its too early for him to call.
"Sorry.. I"
He listened as the caller narrated what happened, doubling his already worn-out composure.
++++++++++++
"Tadaima!" the twins ran to hug her tightly the moment she opened the door.
"Okaeri, what happened? Its too early.." Shi knelt upon seeing that her kid wouldn't let go of her. "wait, why are you being sweet all of a sudden?" She mused.
"Nothing Ma, just happy that you're our mom." Shuji told her, face still buried on her shoulder.
Beside him, Shuri began to tremble until it was clear that she was crying.
"Hey, what happened?" She stared at them, eyes a mixture of confusion and concern. But the kids just embraced her tightly, making her looked up and noticed for the first time the lady which stood as if she was pinned to the ground.
"Mai-chan? What happened? Why are they crying?" She asked in a soft expression, she didn't want to put a prejudice on her. To her surprised, the lady also knelt in front of her, placed her arms around her, squeezing the twins between them, and cried like Shuri.
"Mai-chan?" She asked again. Mai was now sobbing hard.
"I'm sorry Angel-chan, I could have at least protected them, but I could not.." Mai told her in between sobs.
"Wait, I don't understand." Shi pulled her up with difficulty until they were in standing position. The twins' arms still encircled around her, "Ne~ Mai, stop crying, shall we go inside the apartment? A tea will help you calm down, and then you could explain afterwards."
"H-hai.." The lady looked at her teary eyed before going inside.
"Ne, Shuri, Shuji, Iku?" She crouched to carry her kids inside. They were heavy, but she carried them anyway, and used his back to close the door. However, when she was about to put them down on the couch, the twins clung strongly on to her, making it painful.
"Hey, Mama needed to get some tea for Mai-neechan, and milk for you two," but the twins just wouldn't let go. "Shuji, Shuri, why don't you sit beside Onee-chan so that she'll stop crying as well." She told them assuredly and bent down so that Mai could grab one of them. It was good that Shuri finally let go and was now holding onto Mai. Shuji on the other hand, sat silently beside Mai, cuddling the lady.
Shi walked towards the kitchen to get tea and milk for all of them. When she's back in the living room, the atmosphere was a lot better. Mai had calmed down even without drinking the tea, and the twins were sleeping. Shuji's head resting on her shoulder, and Shuri was on a cradling position.
"Gomen ne Mai-chan, I didn't know that they would sleep immediately. " She told her as she carefully lifted Shuji. "Mind to help me carry them upstairs?" She smiled at Mai who nodded and lifted Shuri, careful as not to wake her.
++++++++
"Sir, I'm sorry for my action just now, no matter how distress I was for you insulting our mother, I know its still rude of me behaving that way when I'm not in my own house," the little boy said, his back facing them," its just that, I don't really want mingling with people who think bad about Mama.. sorry Sir, Bye."
Sakurai-san paced back and forth inside his study room, his mind deeply troubled by their visitors, whom he had, although not literally, drove away. He was surprised to see that the boy's face was void of the emotions while saying those words to him, and instead there was only sadness in there. What troubled him more was when the little girl's words seemed to stab deep within him for a reason he himself could not understand.
"Gomennasai ojii-, I mean, Sir, We will not trouble you again," Shuri smiled innocently at him, her eyes red from crying, she bowed, and followed her brother's footsteps.
Clearly, there was something mysterious about them and that's what bothered him.
"Dear?"
There was a soft knock on his door and he knew it was his wife. He was suddenly snapped out of his reverie.
"Would you mind if I come in?" The woman slowly opened the door and walk towards him.
"For years of being married, I don't recall you asking permission before entering, especially inside your husband's study room. " He smiled warmly, looking up from his book to the woman whose expression spelled 'worry'.
Smiling widely, "That's because you're always engrossed with work dear," and sat at the visitor's seat in front of the study table. "Something's wrong dear?" she asked concern apparent in her voice.
"You know very well what happened Yuko(?), weren't you going to reprimand me for what I did a while ago?" he replied unsure of what he was supposed to feel that time.
"As much as I wanted to, I can't. I couldn't. I know you only meant it for good. Although I'm worried about Mai, it seemed she's spending the night at her friend's" his wife told him knowingly.
"Had I done it too much?" he asked although he already knew the answer.
"You seriously gave those kids quite a fright, and I don't think their mom would be glad about it. About Mai, she seemed a little mad at you." She answered gravely.
"Do you hate me now?" he asked feeling a bit stupid. He can only show that side of him to his wife.
"I don't. If I do, I shouldn't have married you in the first place knowing that part of your personality." She smiled an assuring smile.
"Thanks." He chuckled. Clearly, his wife loves him as much as he loves her.
"Dear?" Yuko asked when he saw her husband was back to reading the documents in his table.
"Hm?"
"It is never wrong to trust, it'll just be wrong the moment you started to see it as a threat that in the end you begin to mistrust people. What you did a while ago, however harsh it may seem to both Mai and Shu, even to the twins, just keep in mind that you should never doubt what you believe and never believe what you doubt." She told him earnestly making her husband turned his attention on her.
"What do you mean?" he asked, eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Nothing. I just meant I believe you and I always will." She smiled before she stood and gave him a hug. She walked towards the door, with one last look, "Oyasumi. Don't stay so late dear," and closed the door behind her.
"I still didn't know your name," he said making the two look back.
That time, he was wearing an odd expression, which definitely a smile, but not really a happy one.
"Does it matter?" Shuji asked across the hall, looking a little puzzled.
Sakurai-san kneaded his temple upon remembering how the boy responded when he asked them about their names.
"Sakurai"
He remembered how shocked he was hearing his own name mentioned by the young boy that he merely shrugged and snorted before talking.
"How dare you speak to me like that?" he asked.
"Iie. I wasn't talking about you. You asked my sister's name? then I'm answering, seemed that my sister was still on a state of shock, thanks to you.
It left his mouth gaping upon hearing their full names that he mentally noted to call his assistant right after the kids left. He opened his drawer and rummaged for his phone to check if his assistant had called back.
3 Missedcalls.
He flipped open his phone and dialed his assistant's number.
"Moshi moshi." The man on the other line answered.
"Its me."
"Ah, sir, I hired a private investigator to check on the two names you told me awhile ago,"
"What did you found out?"
"4 year olds, both in first grade-"
"First grade? You mean preschooler"
"No sir, the file says first grade-"
"No 4-yr olds are in first grade!" he snapped, he's starting to get a little impatient.
"Obviously there are! Sir, if you want I could send to you the file" his assistant told him a little pissed.
"No, continue,"
"Okay sir, sorry about that, As I was saying, they're both first grade in Keio Yochisha E.S., both excellent students, talented, can play different type of instruments-" assistant-san continued but interrupted again.
"Okay, wait, what about their parents? Their mother? Their father?" he asked.
"Sorry sir, I can't access, seemed that they're blocking it. I dunno Sir, according to the information the investigator sent me, everytime he tried to access that part of information about those kids, the computer diverted him to sort of sites, in the end crashing his right of entry."
"Doyukoto?"
"It seemed that there was someone preventing other people to know that information about those particular kids. Because when he tried searching for other kids in that school, it gave him instant results including the child's birth and parents."
"How about the civil registry?"
"Sorry sir, it seemed that the kids weren't born here in Japan. That's all Sir"
"Ah, sou~ good work assistant-san, inform me if you found something new." He ended the call without waiting for his assistant reply.
First Grade huh? He thought. Now he understood why the twins' too sensitive about their mom, seemed that she really did a good job raising them well despite having no father at their side. He can't help but respect the woman. But what's bugging him was the fact that someone was preventing others to know that kind of information about them.
"Who exactly are their mom and dad?" He muttered under his breath. Now he wished he could take back all of what he said during the dinner. "Had I gone overboard?" he asked himself again. "But I just acted accordingly to what I thought was right."
Never doubt what you believe and never believe what you doubt…
Words of his wife a while ago somehow comforted him. He sighed heavily as he turned off his study lamp and left the room.
+++++++++++++++++
"And then my dad started telling mean things about you, Shuji got mad and Shuri got sensitive and cried." She told her with tears in her eyes.
Mai had just finished telling her what happened. They were now on her bedroom since she asked, almost pleaded, to let her stay over for the night. It was obvious that the lady doesn't want to go home yet.
"I'm really sorry I couldn't do anything.. you see, sometimes I really can't understand my dad!" Mai clutched the blanket, as if releasing all her anger.
"Daijobu.. it just normal for a dad to act that way.. But are you sure, its okay for you to stay over? Your family might get worried you know.." Shi smiled warmly.
"Not my dad. But I already called my mom and my brother when you'd gone to lock the doors a while ago." Mai told her, eyes still red, but there were no traces of resentment anymore.
"You sure?" she asked again.
'Hai. Mom's a little worried though, but I'm old enough to take care of myself so its fine…and about your reaction. Didn't you feel mad at my dad for saying those things?" She asked a little worried.
"Not really..I mean, maybe because I'm used to people being like that to me.. but if you told me that your dad hurt my kids, that’s when I'll get furious." Shi smiled weirdly, not knowing whether to smile sadly or happily.
"Not a chance.. my dad was only capable of hurting others mentally and emotionally, he was that type of person." She widened her eyes on the emphasis.
"ah, sou~ then, he'll never hurt me.." She stared endlessly at the ceiling. "I had suffered enough Mai-chan, so much that I think, I'd gone too numb. Although you may call it hypocrisy, its just that, I'm tired of hearing others think bad about me..sometimes ignoring is far better than minding every bits and pieces of it."
"Ah, sou desu ne? But I think there will always be someone who's capable of making us feel those wave of emotions without trying.." Mai sprawled on the bed, her elbows supporting the hands where her head was resting. "Even if we say that we're numb, that we won't feel anything, as long as that someone exists, we'll still be able to.."
"ah, I guess you're right.." She pulled herself on a sitting position.
"Eh? I was just bluffing.." Mai looked at her, a playful grin spread all over her face.
"Eh?!.. well.. although you were just bluffing, I still think you're right..there's really that someone.." she stared back at her.
"Ah sou ne..wait, are you talking about Shuji and Shuri's father?" Mai, suddenly on a sitting position, faced her.
"Eh?!!" Shi wondered. She didn't expect her to be this quick-witted.
"Eh? I'm right? I'm right?" She rolled her eyes and began tickling Shi's sides.
"Yamete~ haha. Mai-chan, stop, it tickles.." Shi was now caught between getting annoyed or playing along.
"Ne~ Answer me Angel-chan, or I won't stop," She threatened with her index finger.
"Okay fine, just stop it," slapping Mai's hand which was beginning to tickle her again.
"Okay," Mai pouted and pretended to be offended by the slap.
"Hey, don't pout, it's your fault anyway.." she chuckled before continuing, "I guess you're right."
"Am i?" Mai asked again.
"Hey Miss, stop that, I already told you right?" she can't help but be amused. She seldom disclosed herself and it was the first time she became honestly open with a girl, not to mention that Mai was still considered stranger in her vocabulary.
"Hey, what's wrong? You just admitted, and now you're spacing out?" Mai playfully ruffled her hair.
"Nan demo nai. Just that, I feel comfortable with you. I dunno, but this was the first time that I freely talk about my own feelings to a girl," Shi simply replied, making Mai stare at her in awe.
"I'm flattered then." And they laugh together until their sides hurt.
"Hey, you're forgetting something my lady," Mai announced after a series of laughter.
"What?" Shi looked at her puzzled.
"About the twins' dad," Mai gave her a serious look.
"Oh! What about him?" she asked innocently. Suddenly, she became nervous. She knew that if Mai asked, she wouldn't be able to lie and she'll end up talking.
"You said, he still got you to feel those wave of emotions.. why? Is he upsetting you?" Mai questioned. There was an awkward silence. "Oooopps, I'm sorry, I got carried away by curiosity. Actually when I saw your kids reaction while they're standing up for you in front of my dad, I had this sudden urged of punching that guy, whoever he is."
To Mai's surprise, Shi laughed.
"Eh, what's funny?" the lady was confused.
"Haha. Gomen Mai. Can't help myself, because recently, I kept hearing that phrase about having the urged of hitting that guy..but seriously, what are you? A lesbian? we don't punch babe, we slap." She giggled. It was hilarious.
"Then, it seemed you still had wonderful friends." Mai smiled.
"Um, I guess so, like you, I barely knew them., but I guess time difference doesn't matter ne~?" she asked.
"Yup."
"About your question, actually, he's not upsetting me, but he's getting on my nerves recently.. he was too full of himself, he tended to get mad for small matters, got bothered by simple things, not to mention, quite dorky." She complained.
"Oh! Sounds like my older brother! Oh sorry, that was unnecessary.." She giggled. "And its getting on your nerves?" Mai asked curiously. "Why?"
"I dunno.. maybe because I feel uneasy of him being close with my kids?"
"Eh? I thought they grew up without a dad?" She asked more curious.
"Yup..but just recently they met him unknowing that he's their dad.." Shi sighed, its going to be a long talk if they continued, however, Mai seemed more interested about it. She sighed again.
+++++++++++
"What's wrong Sho-kun?" Jun sat beside him.
"Betsuni." Sho replied resting his head on the couch. Luckily that part of the room was dimly lit so the youngest member couldn't see the anxiety that was written all over his face. They were in a reserved hotel for the after party celebration of their concert.
"Ah sou~ are you sure? You seemed to be a little down after you'd gone out for bathroom." Jun glanced at him intently.
He closed his eyes to prevent himself from getting an eye contact with Jun, "Just a little tired Matsujun.."
"Oh, okay, hey, if you have a problem, I'm here okay?" the youngest member said tapping his shoulder before leaving.
"Thanks" he muttered although Jun was out of sight. He kept his eyes closed so that no one would see his painful expression. He was already stressed out after the concert and what he found out had taken away all his remaining energy for that day, leaving him with nothing.
"Akiramenai.."
He remembered what his last word for him.
"Ne~ Sho-chan's a bit weird.. Just a while ago he was so full of energy, now, he's not moving even a single inch from where he was sitting," Aiba whispered to the guys.
"Leave him alone Aiba, he's just tired." Jun scolded. Surely, there was something wrong with the older member, even Aiba noticed it.
"Eh? Maji?" Nino's eyes traveled around the room and found the pretending-to-be-asleep Sho. "But just a while ago.." he stopped upon seeing Jun's cold look. "Ah, he DID seem tired Aiba-chan, please don't think of disturbing him" He added when Aiba was about to leave his place.
"Wakata. Its not that I wanted to disturb him either." Aiba pouted and shot a hurt expression towards the younger member. He sat beside Jun who was playing with his drink. "Ne~ jun-pon, how's your filming with Angel-chan?"
"Ah, it started ne~?" Ohno spoke making Aiba jumped off his seat and Jun spilled the contents of his drink.
"Oi Ridaa! Don't just butt in like that!" Jun hissed at Ohno while wiping himself with napkin.
"Eh? Nande? I just followed up Aiba-chan's question," Ohno reasoned out. The two members were eyeing each other, gathering the attention of all the members, even Sho slightly opened his eyes when he heard the mention of Shi's name.
"What? Why are you staring at me like that?" Jun grunted.
"Um~ nan demo nai. Just that, for you to react that way, I think something came up." Ohno looked at their youngest member blankly.
"We're not dumb as you think Matsujun." It was Nino this time.
"Yapari! Something came up. What it was Matsujun? Did you do scenes like- itte!" Aiba was knocked at the head by Nino. "What was that for Ninomiya!"
"You're thinking of weird things again baka!" Nino snapped.
"Hey, stop that. First, nothing came up okay? Just that, I don't feel like talking about it." Jun told them coolly.
"Then, what was your reaction just now?" Ohno asked.
"I was just surprised okay? I didn't expect you to join the conversation Ridaa." He answered defensively, although he himself was sure if the guys would buy his excuse.
"Ne~ Nino-chan, Jun's blushing, I knew it! Something- itte! That was a serious blow Ninomiya! If you hit me agai- itte! Nande? Why do you keep on hitting me?" he pouted. The brat's getting on his nerves.
"Betsuni. I just feel like it." Nino smirked.
"Hey, someone's trying to sleep here." Sho commented, his eyes still closed.
"This isn't the place for that Sho-chan." Nino grinned devilishly.
"Whatever brat." He said to Nino and then spoke to Jun, "Seriously Jun, mind answering their question? Its annoying that Aiba kept mouthing and thinking about weird things." He snapped open his eyes.
"Something did happen." Jun finally admitted.
All eyes turned towards the youngest member. "Eh??!!!"
"You mean, you two did the-" Aiba was the first one who spoke.
"Baka! What did you think of her? A whore?" Jun clicked his tongue before continuing. "Seriously Aiba, you need to clear your minds off those things."
"Then what do you mean something happened?" Sho's eyes were opened completely. His rage was building inside him toppled by jealousy.
Like Ohno, Nino just pursed his lips, he too wanted to know the whole story.
"Like I said, its not what you think it was. What's with you guys, do you honestly believe I'm capable of doing such a thing?" he asked, now sulking.
"Um, well.. since its Matsujun.."
"Knowing his charms,"
"Probably.."
"I wonder,."
Hearing his friends' responses, "Hey, are you really my friend? Tsk. If I wanted to hurt Sho, I would've done it a long time ago..so, do you still wanted to hear what happened or not?" Jun snorted. "And Sho, don't give me that damn look, I remembered very well what you said to us two weeks ago, that's how I was able to stop myself from doing unnecessary things and besides she slapped me." He looked at Sho who was eyeing him suspiciously while he placed his palm on his face.
"Slapped you? Now that's new. Didn't know her to be that violent." Aiba commented.
"That's if Jun did something she didn't like." Sho reached for a glass of drink. "Did you?"
"I kissed her." Jun told them casually.
*******
so what do you think?
CHAPTER 29
-STAGE I-
From what Shuri told her, they were supposed to be out at 6pm because Shuji's insisting that he's going to the library, so basically, they should be home at 7pm since the school weren't that far, and she already hired a service thinking that she'll be busier in the coming days. She glanced at the wall clock: 7:10.
Oh God, what a reckless mother I am. O God. Shi was in deep thoughts when she heard the door opened and in came the twins with their usual cheerful voice. "Tadaima!"
"Okaeri" Shi can't help but felt relieved. "Where have you been? I'm so worried!" she exclaimed, hugging them tightly making the two gasped for breath.
"Mama! Let go, I can't breathe." Shuri said.
"Mama? Itte-" Shuji struggled to get off his mom's embrace. "Daijobu Mama, something came up on our way here but everything's fine now." the boy assured her.
"Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?" Shi asked still holding her kids.
"Hai. Anou ne~ mama, Sorry for making you worry." Shuri said smiling widely at her.
"Um okay," Shi let go but ushered them to change clothes and headed for the kitchen right away.
+++++++++++++++++++++
A week of staying in the hospital, Sho's brother was able to be discharged and was now on a house break as advised by the doctor. Thanks to that anonymous call and the hospital ambulance was able to respond right away, if not, the situation would be a lot complicated than expected.
After Shu got home, Sho headed for their concert tour where he would meet up with the other members who had already left 2 days prior to Shu's discharge.
"Oniichan, Mom said she wanted to know who made that phone call to the hospital."
Mai told him the night before he left. He was currently arranging all his necessary stuff and his sister bothering him wasn't helping.
"How am I supposed to know? You're the one who first got the news about Shu's accident that time." Sho answered uninterested.
"Demo~"
Getting a little annoyed, "Argh, Mai, can't you see, I'm packing my things? Now, if you wanted to know the caller, best to ask the hospital's information desk, they should have at least records of phone calls that night instead of bothering me," he blurted out of nowhere, not really thinking if he was making sense, he just wanted his sister to leave him alone. But to his surprised, Mai took his advice immediately.
"Uwaaa~ you're such a genius niichan!" She exclaimed giving him a hug. Sho just stared puzzled at his sister who was now dialing the hospital's number. "Jya~ niichan! Ganbate!" and strode out of his room. Moving his head in disbelief, he proceeded on what he's doing.
++++++++++++++++++++
-OSAKA-
RRRRRRRRnng.
Ne~ are you sure of this?
"Of course, baka! don't worry too much, it will stressed you out."
Demo~
"Please? You're the only one that I can trust."
Wakatta! Just don't forget the souvenirs or I swear, it'll be bloody hell!
"Promise. Hey, I gotta go, I still have rehearsals, jya~ Ganbarou!"
++++++++++++++
It had been a week and ARASHI's concert tour was about to end. On their last day, staffs were busy every now and then, making sure that it will be a moment to remember for fans around Osaka area and also for everybody involved in the concert. Fans were jeering loudly, anticipation combined with high spirits were enough to get them so pumped up.
Before the concert began, the usual start up meeting was led by Matsujun, speaking as enthusiastic as ever and at the same time nervous as anyone.
"Minna, this is our last day here in Osaka Dome. Let's get the crowd happy and satisfied, and let's hope that no one will be injured. That's all. Yosh! Let's do this!"
The group, staff, juniors, P.A's and ARASHI huddled for the last time and headed to their respective position.
"Yosh! Let's do this!" Sho kept repeating and repeating on their way to the stairs.
"Hey! What are you, some kind of recorder?" Nino said glancing back at the older member. "You seemed more excited than usual Sho-chan, something happened?"
"Eh? Sho-chan's excited?" Aiba repeated.
"Baka! I just said that." Nino smacked the top of the older member's head.
"Of course! Who wouldn't?" Sho answered innocently. If half of his heart was excited with the concert, the other half is thrilled because of other thing.
"But from the looks of it, you're competing against Aiba's energy here." Ohno remarked, feeling a little lightheaded on the matter. Something's weird. He thought.
"Eh?? Maji de?"
"Oi, we still have a concert to do. Instead of chatting there, would you mind getting up here? NOW." Jun called from above the stairs.
"Yosh! Let's do this."
The four burst out laughing as they head towards the stairs leading to the stage where Matsujun was waiting.
+++++++++++++++++
TOKYO
Something doesn't sit well with Shi. Its only 30minutes passed since her kids left, but for some reason, she couldn't seem to calm down.
ONE WEEK AGO
Ding dong.
Since ARASHI's concert tour was happening in Osaka, TBS staff recommended that her filming with Matsujun which had already started would resume after the tour ended. The truth was, she did hope for a break, after what happened between her and Jun, she knew it will be awkward for them. Since the twins were at school, she's currently cleaning the apartment when she heard that unexpected buzz on their doorbell.
Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.
The anonymous guest continued pressing until she was so pissed, she had no choice but to leave her chores for a moment.
"Who the hell?" She said before opening the door with an eyebrow raised it can reach the sky.
"Konnichiwa!" The lady greeted cheerfully, oblivious of Shi's annoyance.
"Da-re?" She asked, slightly inching the door open while giving her an awkward smile.
"Ah! Sumimasen! I already called one of your siblings, but it seemed he forgot to mention it to you based on that puzzled look." The lady smiled apologetically at her. Feeling guilty all of a sudden, she gave her a polite smile.
"Siblings?" She can't help but asked.
"Eh? Shuji, I believe that was his name." it was the lady's turn to be confused.
"Ah, iie, he's my kid." She smiled genuinely this time upon seeing the mixture of shock and amusement in her reaction. "Ah gomen, what a bad way of treating my kid's friend. Please come in." She opened the door widely and motioned her to come inside. "Although, I'm sorry about the little mess, I was currently doing household chores when you practically ring my doorbell, I'm afraid it would break." She said when they were already inside the apartment.
"Ah, sorry about that, I was just excited to meet them." The lady slightly bowed. "But I was surprised to learn that they're your kids.. I mean, you look young and all so I thought you're siblings."
"That's because I am, or at least too young, in this society's perspective, to have five year old kids Miss." She explained.
"How old are you when you got them?" The lady asked, still on a hyper mode, but when she glanced at her, "Ah, gomen gomen, you don't need to answer the question if its too personal."
"It was..but then, no problem, Afterall I'm not ashamed of it. I was sixteen then." She look at the lady, giving her an assurance that its okay.
"Sixteen? Hmm, so basically, you're two or three years younger than me. Ah! I forgot, Mai-desu." The lady introduced herself in a way she'd less expected it to be. Mai looked properly dressed so she thought it was rather formal, but she didn't know why it made her glad that she did in that way. It's as if they'd known each other for too long when in fact, its only 15 minutes since she saw her.
"Ah, Angel-desu." She replied hesitantly. She felt bad, but she opted to use her English name.
"Wow. Angel-chan..was ..that your real name?" Mai asked her knowingly.
"Um, nope.. I meant.. not my Japanese name..sorry, if that troubled you, you can call me Shi." This time she's the one who's apologizing. She admired the lady's wit and the ability to read through her as if she's some kind of open book.
"Oh, I don't mind.. don't worry, I believe there's a reason for that, anyway, I'll call you Angel-chan." She said smiling at her.
"Then, Mai-chan that is." And they laughed together. "Oh, what about your purpose on coming here? I believe it was something to do with my kids. Have they done wrong?" She asked.
"Iie. The truth is…
And that's how she found out that the night when her kids come home a bit late, it was because they're the one who called the hospital about Mai's brother and accompanied him there.
"But it was too late.. when I got there, your kids already left" She remembered Mai telling her that.
Just a moment ago, Mai arrived to pick up her kids for dinner. According to her, her mom wanted to thank her kids for that phone call because if they didn't, Mai's brother would still be in hospital suffering. Although Mai didn't elaborate what was her brother's condition, Shi believed that it was really bad based on how Mai's mom was so insistent on meeting her kids.
But what about her dad? Shi can't help but get a little anxious. During her conversation with her the week before, Mai didn't mentioned, even once, about her dad and his insights about inviting her kids for dinner, so that's what actually worrying her.
++++++++++++++
"Mom, we're here." Mai called over as they stepped inside the grand looking manor. Glancing back at the twins who seemed enchanted by the house, "Come in", she said while ushering the two inside.
"Ah, hai Mai-neechan" the kids followed quietly.
"Ah, Irashaimase."
They were greeted by the warmth smile of Mai's mom, a refined looking woman and the one who invited them for dinner.
"Ah," they bowed nervously, making it too hard for them to move.
"Shuri-desu"
"Shuji-desu"
+++++++++++++++++
"We're really sorry for troubling you." They said in chorus. They were currently seated on the long table where dinner was already served in front of them.
"Iie. Im actually the one who should apologize for that, I heard from Mai that you're mom's really worried" but when the kids won't reply, the woman just continued, "Ah, kawaii ne?" the woman asked her daughter who merely nodded and chuckled at the sight.
"Hey, mom's not gonna eat you okay? Relax," she said keeping them in sight while still trying hard not to show her amusement.
"Ah, gomennasai" the little girl bowed tensely that her head accidentally hit the wooden table. "Itte-" she winced in pain and placed a hand on her forehead. Anou~ Ma'a"
"Obaa-san, call me Obaa-san" [different from obaa-san]
"Hai, obaasan, how's Shu-niichan?" Shuri asked curiously.
"Ah, he's fine now thanks to you two. He's just talking to someone over the phone, he should be back here any minute." Yuko(?) told them, a warm smile etched in her face and that didn't escape Mai's notice.
"Sou ne~" Mai commented, "I wonder what's up with him these days. Ever since he got back from the hospital, he's always carrying his phone, always talking to someone, and one time when I tried to peep, he shoved me away. Ne~ okaasan, do you think Shu's got himself a girlfriend?" she asked interestedly.
"Hey, I heard that nee-chan. And for your information, I was talking to Oniichan just now." Shu smirked at his sister before taking a sit beside Shuri who smiled seeing his presence.
"But that doesn't explain those weird and constant phone calls." Mai retorted.
"Mai-neechan, I didn't know that you're that nosy." Shu glanced at his sister, smirking more widely.
In return, she gave her a sarcastic laugh, "that's because I am your sister young man, and I am older than you" and then pouted a little.
"Hey, stop that we have guests," Yuko reprimanded the siblings and turned to the twins, "Sorry about that, they tend to act like that over some fetish things"
"Oh! So they're the one who made the call that saved me huh?" Shu acted as though he was as surprised, regardless of the wide grin that was already displayed on his lips. "Hajimemashite, I'm Shu. Well I guessed they'd already done the thank you part, but I still wanted to say it, Thank you!"
"Ah, iie, we just acted according to what was right.." Shuji said giving him a shy smile. Sitting at his side was Shuri who also give a tiny smile before speaking, "Besides, anyone who'd found you in that state would've done what we did Shu-niichan."
But before the others could react to what the kids said, there was a loud snort coming from the head of the house.
"Exactly my point to my wife when she told me she wanted to invite two complete strangers in our household." The man who had just come in and seated himself at the center of the long table had spoken for the first time earning a wary look from Mai and Shu.
"Dear!" Yuko shot a warning glance at his husband. "Is that the proper way of thanking these kids who had just saved your son?"
"Why thanks to both of them. But I don't see any point why they had to be invited for dinner and why they had accepted it in the first place if they really done it out of good will?" He reasoned to his wife and gave her a look which had silenced everyone sitting in the dining table, the twins shocked in terror.
Looking apologetically at the twins, "Tou-san, I-" Shu tried to say something but was stopped by his father's voice.
"I didn't remember asking for your opinion young man," he said in a dead serious tone.
"Demo Tou-san, they're just ki-" it was Mai, but no luck.
"Kids? Was that what you're trying to tell me Mai? Are you implying that I was dumb not to notice that they're just kids?" he said mockingly.
"Iie~ demo-" she kept on talking but was interrupted again.
"And didn't I tell Shu that I didn't ask for his opinion? Same thing goes with you young lady." He retorted before eyeing the twins closely, his eyes deeply penetrating the kids who stared back at him innocently. "so tell me, how much do you want?"
"Dear!"
"Dad!"
"Tou-san!"
The three reacted simultaneously, it echoed all throughout the hall.
"What? I'm just being practical, isn't that what they came here for?" He furrowed his eyebrows seeing how exaggerated their reaction were. "Oh, let me rephrase it, how much did your okaa-san told you to ask us?" looking back at the twins, at the young girl who gulp down her saliva, tears started to form in her eyes, and at the young boy who surprisingly shot a glare to him which he received with a grunt.
"Obaa-san, we don't want to be rude, but this was just way out of hand," Shuji bowed his head in front of the kind woman before he stood up dragging Shuri to stand as well. Turning his gaze back at the head of the house, "Look sir, we helped your son thinking that it was the proper thing to do, and we came here out of courtesy because your wife had asked us, but if I knew that it will be misinterpreted like this, then we shouldn't had come in the first place," he pushed the chair sideways and acted to leave.
"Where do you think you're going young boy? Did your mom teach you that stuff too?" he taunted.
"Please sir, this had nothing to do with our mom," he replied staying on the same position, his hand still gripping Shuri's wrist. "Mom said never to raise a tone towards an older person, but, but, I JUST CAN'T HELP IT!" he snapped raising his pitch louder despite his still undeveloped voice.
"Oh! You had a fierce attitude young boy, I wonder where d'you got that?" he asked sarcastically.
"With all due respect SIR, our mom didn't even know what we had done or where we had gone off that night we came home late, and we didn't even had plans on telling her about the dinner until your daughter practically paid her a visit!" Shuri shrieked in horror.
To their surprised, the man clapped his hands, Tsk. What a hard headed young boy and girl.. in a mocking way he said, "What a cunning idea to lure her kids into a situation like this, seemed that she taught you very well huh?"
"Mou~yameteru.." Shuri, now teary eyed, sat back at her chair. "Mama's not like that Ojiichan!" she manage to call him 'ojiichan' despite sobbing, "Mama, she.." but her tears were uncontrollable that she can't continue talking, her free hand forming into a ball of fist for the fright the man was sending to her.
Sakurai-san was speechless for a minute. He didn't know but the moment the little girl called him 'ojiichan' it sent a warm feeling deep within him.
"For five years, Mama raised us while she's suffering alone. In spite of all those pains that our dad had caused her, leaving her when we were still yet a blood in her womb, she still managed…" Shuri was crying like a baby that she stopped herself from saying all the things that she wanted to say.
"Wait, you were born without a father?" the man kept on asking. He was beginning to get a little distracted by the girl's crying yet he still can't help but become suspicious.
"he left Ma- itte!" she winced at the pain she felt in her wrist. Shuji's clutch was wounding her.
"Stop it Shuri, ne~ stop it. You don't have to say anything anymore.." He said stooping to wipe the tears off from his sister's eyes, giving her a weak smile as a sign of assurance before glancing half passed the woman, "Obaa-san, thank you for the food, although we barely eaten anything," he said bowing a little. Changing his face into what seemed like a more calm expression, he looked at Shu, "Onii-chan, yokata ne? you're fine now..that's all that matters," and onto Mai, "Ne~ Mai-neechan, please, can you take us back home?"
Mai just nodded. She still couldn't believe his father's action just now. That was very rude.. especially to these kids..
+++++++++++++++++++
Rrrrrrrrrrrrnnngggg.
"What happened?" he asked excitedly although a bit puzzled because its too early for him to call.
"Sorry.. I"
He listened as the caller narrated what happened, doubling his already worn-out composure.
++++++++++++
"Tadaima!" the twins ran to hug her tightly the moment she opened the door.
"Okaeri, what happened? Its too early.." Shi knelt upon seeing that her kid wouldn't let go of her. "wait, why are you being sweet all of a sudden?" She mused.
"Nothing Ma, just happy that you're our mom." Shuji told her, face still buried on her shoulder.
Beside him, Shuri began to tremble until it was clear that she was crying.
"Hey, what happened?" She stared at them, eyes a mixture of confusion and concern. But the kids just embraced her tightly, making her looked up and noticed for the first time the lady which stood as if she was pinned to the ground.
"Mai-chan? What happened? Why are they crying?" She asked in a soft expression, she didn't want to put a prejudice on her. To her surprised, the lady also knelt in front of her, placed her arms around her, squeezing the twins between them, and cried like Shuri.
"Mai-chan?" She asked again. Mai was now sobbing hard.
"I'm sorry Angel-chan, I could have at least protected them, but I could not.." Mai told her in between sobs.
"Wait, I don't understand." Shi pulled her up with difficulty until they were in standing position. The twins' arms still encircled around her, "Ne~ Mai, stop crying, shall we go inside the apartment? A tea will help you calm down, and then you could explain afterwards."
"H-hai.." The lady looked at her teary eyed before going inside.
"Ne, Shuri, Shuji, Iku?" She crouched to carry her kids inside. They were heavy, but she carried them anyway, and used his back to close the door. However, when she was about to put them down on the couch, the twins clung strongly on to her, making it painful.
"Hey, Mama needed to get some tea for Mai-neechan, and milk for you two," but the twins just wouldn't let go. "Shuji, Shuri, why don't you sit beside Onee-chan so that she'll stop crying as well." She told them assuredly and bent down so that Mai could grab one of them. It was good that Shuri finally let go and was now holding onto Mai. Shuji on the other hand, sat silently beside Mai, cuddling the lady.
Shi walked towards the kitchen to get tea and milk for all of them. When she's back in the living room, the atmosphere was a lot better. Mai had calmed down even without drinking the tea, and the twins were sleeping. Shuji's head resting on her shoulder, and Shuri was on a cradling position.
"Gomen ne Mai-chan, I didn't know that they would sleep immediately. " She told her as she carefully lifted Shuji. "Mind to help me carry them upstairs?" She smiled at Mai who nodded and lifted Shuri, careful as not to wake her.
++++++++
"Sir, I'm sorry for my action just now, no matter how distress I was for you insulting our mother, I know its still rude of me behaving that way when I'm not in my own house," the little boy said, his back facing them," its just that, I don't really want mingling with people who think bad about Mama.. sorry Sir, Bye."
Sakurai-san paced back and forth inside his study room, his mind deeply troubled by their visitors, whom he had, although not literally, drove away. He was surprised to see that the boy's face was void of the emotions while saying those words to him, and instead there was only sadness in there. What troubled him more was when the little girl's words seemed to stab deep within him for a reason he himself could not understand.
"Gomennasai ojii-, I mean, Sir, We will not trouble you again," Shuri smiled innocently at him, her eyes red from crying, she bowed, and followed her brother's footsteps.
Clearly, there was something mysterious about them and that's what bothered him.
"Dear?"
There was a soft knock on his door and he knew it was his wife. He was suddenly snapped out of his reverie.
"Would you mind if I come in?" The woman slowly opened the door and walk towards him.
"For years of being married, I don't recall you asking permission before entering, especially inside your husband's study room. " He smiled warmly, looking up from his book to the woman whose expression spelled 'worry'.
Smiling widely, "That's because you're always engrossed with work dear," and sat at the visitor's seat in front of the study table. "Something's wrong dear?" she asked concern apparent in her voice.
"You know very well what happened Yuko(?), weren't you going to reprimand me for what I did a while ago?" he replied unsure of what he was supposed to feel that time.
"As much as I wanted to, I can't. I couldn't. I know you only meant it for good. Although I'm worried about Mai, it seemed she's spending the night at her friend's" his wife told him knowingly.
"Had I done it too much?" he asked although he already knew the answer.
"You seriously gave those kids quite a fright, and I don't think their mom would be glad about it. About Mai, she seemed a little mad at you." She answered gravely.
"Do you hate me now?" he asked feeling a bit stupid. He can only show that side of him to his wife.
"I don't. If I do, I shouldn't have married you in the first place knowing that part of your personality." She smiled an assuring smile.
"Thanks." He chuckled. Clearly, his wife loves him as much as he loves her.
"Dear?" Yuko asked when he saw her husband was back to reading the documents in his table.
"Hm?"
"It is never wrong to trust, it'll just be wrong the moment you started to see it as a threat that in the end you begin to mistrust people. What you did a while ago, however harsh it may seem to both Mai and Shu, even to the twins, just keep in mind that you should never doubt what you believe and never believe what you doubt." She told him earnestly making her husband turned his attention on her.
"What do you mean?" he asked, eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Nothing. I just meant I believe you and I always will." She smiled before she stood and gave him a hug. She walked towards the door, with one last look, "Oyasumi. Don't stay so late dear," and closed the door behind her.
"I still didn't know your name," he said making the two look back.
That time, he was wearing an odd expression, which definitely a smile, but not really a happy one.
"Does it matter?" Shuji asked across the hall, looking a little puzzled.
Sakurai-san kneaded his temple upon remembering how the boy responded when he asked them about their names.
"Sakurai"
He remembered how shocked he was hearing his own name mentioned by the young boy that he merely shrugged and snorted before talking.
"How dare you speak to me like that?" he asked.
"Iie. I wasn't talking about you. You asked my sister's name? then I'm answering, seemed that my sister was still on a state of shock, thanks to you.
It left his mouth gaping upon hearing their full names that he mentally noted to call his assistant right after the kids left. He opened his drawer and rummaged for his phone to check if his assistant had called back.
3 Missedcalls.
He flipped open his phone and dialed his assistant's number.
"Moshi moshi." The man on the other line answered.
"Its me."
"Ah, sir, I hired a private investigator to check on the two names you told me awhile ago,"
"What did you found out?"
"4 year olds, both in first grade-"
"First grade? You mean preschooler"
"No sir, the file says first grade-"
"No 4-yr olds are in first grade!" he snapped, he's starting to get a little impatient.
"Obviously there are! Sir, if you want I could send to you the file" his assistant told him a little pissed.
"No, continue,"
"Okay sir, sorry about that, As I was saying, they're both first grade in Keio Yochisha E.S., both excellent students, talented, can play different type of instruments-" assistant-san continued but interrupted again.
"Okay, wait, what about their parents? Their mother? Their father?" he asked.
"Sorry sir, I can't access, seemed that they're blocking it. I dunno Sir, according to the information the investigator sent me, everytime he tried to access that part of information about those kids, the computer diverted him to sort of sites, in the end crashing his right of entry."
"Doyukoto?"
"It seemed that there was someone preventing other people to know that information about those particular kids. Because when he tried searching for other kids in that school, it gave him instant results including the child's birth and parents."
"How about the civil registry?"
"Sorry sir, it seemed that the kids weren't born here in Japan. That's all Sir"
"Ah, sou~ good work assistant-san, inform me if you found something new." He ended the call without waiting for his assistant reply.
First Grade huh? He thought. Now he understood why the twins' too sensitive about their mom, seemed that she really did a good job raising them well despite having no father at their side. He can't help but respect the woman. But what's bugging him was the fact that someone was preventing others to know that kind of information about them.
"Who exactly are their mom and dad?" He muttered under his breath. Now he wished he could take back all of what he said during the dinner. "Had I gone overboard?" he asked himself again. "But I just acted accordingly to what I thought was right."
Never doubt what you believe and never believe what you doubt…
Words of his wife a while ago somehow comforted him. He sighed heavily as he turned off his study lamp and left the room.
+++++++++++++++++
"And then my dad started telling mean things about you, Shuji got mad and Shuri got sensitive and cried." She told her with tears in her eyes.
Mai had just finished telling her what happened. They were now on her bedroom since she asked, almost pleaded, to let her stay over for the night. It was obvious that the lady doesn't want to go home yet.
"I'm really sorry I couldn't do anything.. you see, sometimes I really can't understand my dad!" Mai clutched the blanket, as if releasing all her anger.
"Daijobu.. it just normal for a dad to act that way.. But are you sure, its okay for you to stay over? Your family might get worried you know.." Shi smiled warmly.
"Not my dad. But I already called my mom and my brother when you'd gone to lock the doors a while ago." Mai told her, eyes still red, but there were no traces of resentment anymore.
"You sure?" she asked again.
'Hai. Mom's a little worried though, but I'm old enough to take care of myself so its fine…and about your reaction. Didn't you feel mad at my dad for saying those things?" She asked a little worried.
"Not really..I mean, maybe because I'm used to people being like that to me.. but if you told me that your dad hurt my kids, that’s when I'll get furious." Shi smiled weirdly, not knowing whether to smile sadly or happily.
"Not a chance.. my dad was only capable of hurting others mentally and emotionally, he was that type of person." She widened her eyes on the emphasis.
"ah, sou~ then, he'll never hurt me.." She stared endlessly at the ceiling. "I had suffered enough Mai-chan, so much that I think, I'd gone too numb. Although you may call it hypocrisy, its just that, I'm tired of hearing others think bad about me..sometimes ignoring is far better than minding every bits and pieces of it."
"Ah, sou desu ne? But I think there will always be someone who's capable of making us feel those wave of emotions without trying.." Mai sprawled on the bed, her elbows supporting the hands where her head was resting. "Even if we say that we're numb, that we won't feel anything, as long as that someone exists, we'll still be able to.."
"ah, I guess you're right.." She pulled herself on a sitting position.
"Eh? I was just bluffing.." Mai looked at her, a playful grin spread all over her face.
"Eh?!.. well.. although you were just bluffing, I still think you're right..there's really that someone.." she stared back at her.
"Ah sou ne..wait, are you talking about Shuji and Shuri's father?" Mai, suddenly on a sitting position, faced her.
"Eh?!!" Shi wondered. She didn't expect her to be this quick-witted.
"Eh? I'm right? I'm right?" She rolled her eyes and began tickling Shi's sides.
"Yamete~ haha. Mai-chan, stop, it tickles.." Shi was now caught between getting annoyed or playing along.
"Ne~ Answer me Angel-chan, or I won't stop," She threatened with her index finger.
"Okay fine, just stop it," slapping Mai's hand which was beginning to tickle her again.
"Okay," Mai pouted and pretended to be offended by the slap.
"Hey, don't pout, it's your fault anyway.." she chuckled before continuing, "I guess you're right."
"Am i?" Mai asked again.
"Hey Miss, stop that, I already told you right?" she can't help but be amused. She seldom disclosed herself and it was the first time she became honestly open with a girl, not to mention that Mai was still considered stranger in her vocabulary.
"Hey, what's wrong? You just admitted, and now you're spacing out?" Mai playfully ruffled her hair.
"Nan demo nai. Just that, I feel comfortable with you. I dunno, but this was the first time that I freely talk about my own feelings to a girl," Shi simply replied, making Mai stare at her in awe.
"I'm flattered then." And they laugh together until their sides hurt.
"Hey, you're forgetting something my lady," Mai announced after a series of laughter.
"What?" Shi looked at her puzzled.
"About the twins' dad," Mai gave her a serious look.
"Oh! What about him?" she asked innocently. Suddenly, she became nervous. She knew that if Mai asked, she wouldn't be able to lie and she'll end up talking.
"You said, he still got you to feel those wave of emotions.. why? Is he upsetting you?" Mai questioned. There was an awkward silence. "Oooopps, I'm sorry, I got carried away by curiosity. Actually when I saw your kids reaction while they're standing up for you in front of my dad, I had this sudden urged of punching that guy, whoever he is."
To Mai's surprise, Shi laughed.
"Eh, what's funny?" the lady was confused.
"Haha. Gomen Mai. Can't help myself, because recently, I kept hearing that phrase about having the urged of hitting that guy..but seriously, what are you? A lesbian? we don't punch babe, we slap." She giggled. It was hilarious.
"Then, it seemed you still had wonderful friends." Mai smiled.
"Um, I guess so, like you, I barely knew them., but I guess time difference doesn't matter ne~?" she asked.
"Yup."
"About your question, actually, he's not upsetting me, but he's getting on my nerves recently.. he was too full of himself, he tended to get mad for small matters, got bothered by simple things, not to mention, quite dorky." She complained.
"Oh! Sounds like my older brother! Oh sorry, that was unnecessary.." She giggled. "And its getting on your nerves?" Mai asked curiously. "Why?"
"I dunno.. maybe because I feel uneasy of him being close with my kids?"
"Eh? I thought they grew up without a dad?" She asked more curious.
"Yup..but just recently they met him unknowing that he's their dad.." Shi sighed, its going to be a long talk if they continued, however, Mai seemed more interested about it. She sighed again.
+++++++++++
"What's wrong Sho-kun?" Jun sat beside him.
"Betsuni." Sho replied resting his head on the couch. Luckily that part of the room was dimly lit so the youngest member couldn't see the anxiety that was written all over his face. They were in a reserved hotel for the after party celebration of their concert.
"Ah sou~ are you sure? You seemed to be a little down after you'd gone out for bathroom." Jun glanced at him intently.
He closed his eyes to prevent himself from getting an eye contact with Jun, "Just a little tired Matsujun.."
"Oh, okay, hey, if you have a problem, I'm here okay?" the youngest member said tapping his shoulder before leaving.
"Thanks" he muttered although Jun was out of sight. He kept his eyes closed so that no one would see his painful expression. He was already stressed out after the concert and what he found out had taken away all his remaining energy for that day, leaving him with nothing.
"Akiramenai.."
He remembered what his last word for him.
"Ne~ Sho-chan's a bit weird.. Just a while ago he was so full of energy, now, he's not moving even a single inch from where he was sitting," Aiba whispered to the guys.
"Leave him alone Aiba, he's just tired." Jun scolded. Surely, there was something wrong with the older member, even Aiba noticed it.
"Eh? Maji?" Nino's eyes traveled around the room and found the pretending-to-be-asleep Sho. "But just a while ago.." he stopped upon seeing Jun's cold look. "Ah, he DID seem tired Aiba-chan, please don't think of disturbing him" He added when Aiba was about to leave his place.
"Wakata. Its not that I wanted to disturb him either." Aiba pouted and shot a hurt expression towards the younger member. He sat beside Jun who was playing with his drink. "Ne~ jun-pon, how's your filming with Angel-chan?"
"Ah, it started ne~?" Ohno spoke making Aiba jumped off his seat and Jun spilled the contents of his drink.
"Oi Ridaa! Don't just butt in like that!" Jun hissed at Ohno while wiping himself with napkin.
"Eh? Nande? I just followed up Aiba-chan's question," Ohno reasoned out. The two members were eyeing each other, gathering the attention of all the members, even Sho slightly opened his eyes when he heard the mention of Shi's name.
"What? Why are you staring at me like that?" Jun grunted.
"Um~ nan demo nai. Just that, for you to react that way, I think something came up." Ohno looked at their youngest member blankly.
"We're not dumb as you think Matsujun." It was Nino this time.
"Yapari! Something came up. What it was Matsujun? Did you do scenes like- itte!" Aiba was knocked at the head by Nino. "What was that for Ninomiya!"
"You're thinking of weird things again baka!" Nino snapped.
"Hey, stop that. First, nothing came up okay? Just that, I don't feel like talking about it." Jun told them coolly.
"Then, what was your reaction just now?" Ohno asked.
"I was just surprised okay? I didn't expect you to join the conversation Ridaa." He answered defensively, although he himself was sure if the guys would buy his excuse.
"Ne~ Nino-chan, Jun's blushing, I knew it! Something- itte! That was a serious blow Ninomiya! If you hit me agai- itte! Nande? Why do you keep on hitting me?" he pouted. The brat's getting on his nerves.
"Betsuni. I just feel like it." Nino smirked.
"Hey, someone's trying to sleep here." Sho commented, his eyes still closed.
"This isn't the place for that Sho-chan." Nino grinned devilishly.
"Whatever brat." He said to Nino and then spoke to Jun, "Seriously Jun, mind answering their question? Its annoying that Aiba kept mouthing and thinking about weird things." He snapped open his eyes.
"Something did happen." Jun finally admitted.
All eyes turned towards the youngest member. "Eh??!!!"
"You mean, you two did the-" Aiba was the first one who spoke.
"Baka! What did you think of her? A whore?" Jun clicked his tongue before continuing. "Seriously Aiba, you need to clear your minds off those things."
"Then what do you mean something happened?" Sho's eyes were opened completely. His rage was building inside him toppled by jealousy.
Like Ohno, Nino just pursed his lips, he too wanted to know the whole story.
"Like I said, its not what you think it was. What's with you guys, do you honestly believe I'm capable of doing such a thing?" he asked, now sulking.
"Um, well.. since its Matsujun.."
"Knowing his charms,"
"Probably.."
"I wonder,."
Hearing his friends' responses, "Hey, are you really my friend? Tsk. If I wanted to hurt Sho, I would've done it a long time ago..so, do you still wanted to hear what happened or not?" Jun snorted. "And Sho, don't give me that damn look, I remembered very well what you said to us two weeks ago, that's how I was able to stop myself from doing unnecessary things and besides she slapped me." He looked at Sho who was eyeing him suspiciously while he placed his palm on his face.
"Slapped you? Now that's new. Didn't know her to be that violent." Aiba commented.
"That's if Jun did something she didn't like." Sho reached for a glass of drink. "Did you?"
"I kissed her." Jun told them casually.
*******
so what do you think?