i need to free my mind....
Oct. 13th, 2010 07:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
angelshill Apparently i can't write anything that has romance/fluff or anything of that sort this week which meant the two Baby Steps one-shot sequels i had planned to make would be up sometime next week maybe...
Anyway, this came to my mind when i was trying to calm myself from some sort of a nervous breakdown i had earlier this week. The thing is, i found out that i couldn't write while having a recovery from that breakdown. I also found out that i couldn't concentrate on me review, even when i've recovered enough, unless i write these out...
It's like a collection of three drabbles i've just made because i was inspired enough to write the first one but i didn't want to post it alone, thus making this a one-shot instead.
In an unrelated note, i've had fun watching Hey!Say!JUMP for at least two weeks now, i'm not sure why... i think my favorite out of all of them would be Takaki Yuya, and then Chinen, and then Yamada, and Keito and Morimoto would be special mentions... :)
Back to fic...
TITLE: Leader Worries
CHARACTERS: Yabu Kota and Takaki Yuya (Hey!Say!JUMP), Ohno Satoshi and Sakurai Sho (Arashi), Joushima Shigeru and Yamaguchi Tatsuya (TOKIO)
PAIRING: none; gen
RATINGS: PG
DISCLAIMER: The only thing i own in this story is the plot...
10. Introduction
Three individuals who had some things in common, most of which revolving around being the leader of their group in the Johnny's Jimusho. All three have their worries but all three of them have great members too...
20. Hey!Say!JUMP
Most of the time, people forget that Takaki Yuya is actually the second oldest member of Hey! Say! Jump. Even the other members forget about it too, and on occasion, Takaki doesn’t even remember it himself. He is a child, after all, a child that just happened to have been born in an earlier year, with a more mature body. Often, people would picture him as that BEST member who always plays with the rest of 7.
But he didn’t really have to remember that he holds that position as he played his part in the 10-member group. It was normal for him, doing things for and with his group mates. His being second oldest had nothing to do with what he loves doing.
But there are times when he remembers his position and is conscious about it, most of the time when their eldest, Yabu, is concerned.
From the very start, Yabu had always been the den mother of Hey! Say!, they all knew that and no one is going to counter that. He looks after everyone else even if he didn’t need to. Takaki knew how hard it is with nine of them, especially since Yabu is not that much older himself. It always amazes him how the (slightly) older idol would continue to show a smile and helping hand even when he knew that he’s as tired as everyone else is.
He, Yabu, rarely shows anyone else how tired he really is, maybe except to Hikaru on occasion, but that was just because Hikaru happened to have known Yabu the longest out of all of them. Takaki, however, had noticed a pattern when he feels like Yabu is about to breakdown. He noticed that during one of those times when he was just spacing out in their greenroom (he had long since mastered the ability of no longer being distracted by whatever the other had found themselves interested in) and noticed Yabu leaving the greenroom, his shoulders dropping more than usual. When he returned though, the normal Yabu is back, with the smiles and helping hand.
That day, just after the dance instructor declared a break, something they all badly needed after going through the grueling steps for their next song, Takaki was late going to the greenroom that when he was about to enter, he noticed on the other end of the corridor, the slumped shoulders of Yabu, turning towards where the stairs was to the rooftop.
He was already about to get in when he suddenly changed his mind and followed their eldest. He saw him by the rooftop, leaning on the fence with his eyes closed, his face reflecting something he knew Yabu wouldn’t show them, how tired he really is.
When he sensed him there though, he turned around, looking at him with a smile ready.
“What are you doing here Takaki?” he asked. “Chinen might be causing chaos downstairs because you’re not there…”
Takaki chuckled. “Daiki’s there… And so is Yamada…” he said, stepping next to Yabu, his eyes watching the distant sky. “I just thought I’d enjoy the scenery for now…”
He knew that Yabu knew that the scenery, nor the sky, is the real reason why he’s there. He heard him sigh as a short span of silence spanned between the two of them.
“Do you ever wonder if we’d survive?” Yabu asked after a while.
“Huh?” he asked, turning to face the older idol.
“This industry I mean…” Yabu continued, his eyes still trained on the horizon. “Do you think we can make it like all our other sempais?”
“I hope…” Takaki shrugged. “I mean, we’re still young, four of us had just turned 20… And the group’s just a couple years old… There’s still so much we can do… Why?”
“I just sometimes wonder…” Yabu admitted. “If we all can make it to our 10-15th year… I sometimes worry if the fans actually does see and feel how hard we all are working… If we’d hit big…”
“Most of the sempais took time before they got there... And for sure it’s going to be a bumpy ride… But we can make it though…” Takaki said before adding with a small chuckle “You worry too much…”
Yabu smiled. “I can’t help it… It’s like ever since I became part of JUMP, I’ve always been worrying. Initially, it was just because there are 10 of us and everyone else was younger and I felt like I had to take charge…”
“Of course you had…” Takaki laughed. “Half the group is composed of practically just kids with one of them still re-learning Japanese…”
“Yeah…” Yabu laughed. “And the other half is composed of me, a prankster, a softee student, a guy whose height is for kids, and a guy who’s supposed to be the second oldest but never actually is…”
Takaki laughed. “That can’t be helped, I’m a kid at heart after all…” he said. “But things have changed, well, other than Daiki’s height of course. More or less, everyone had matured.”
“Yeah… They have…” Yabu agreed. “It’s funny actually how it’s Morimoto who matured the most so far. Yamada and Chinen had developed twice the professionalism they had when we just started too…”
“Yeah…” Takaki grinned. “Keito has improved greatly too… Everyone’s working hard as members of JUMP…”
“We are…” Yabu agreed. “I sometimes worry about Yamada and Chinen though, with the amount of work they have with both JUMP and NYC…”
Takaki grinned, sensing a hidden worry that Yabu is having about the two.
Putting an arm around Yabu’s shoulder, he said “They’re not going to leave us… They both love the group so much for them to just leave it all behind…”
He supposed Yabu was going to object that he hadn’t said anything like that but Takaki simply tapped his shoulder, Yabu no longer disagreed but he ended up laughing.
“I never thought I’d be having this conversation with you…”
Takaki shoved him lightly before chuckling himself.
“Well, the playful older brother must sometimes step up when the Mama suddenly feels down…” he grinned.
“I’m not the Mama!” Yabu said, doing some shoving of his own.
“Of course you are!” Takaki grinned. “Since you don’t seem comfortable being called Leader, I guess Mama could work too…”
“JUMP doesn’t have a leader!” Yabu opposed. “Who says I’m the leader anyway?”
“Me…” Takaki simply said. “And no one of the remaining 8 would say otherwise… Everyone considers you as the leader already, you just weren’t given the name just yet.”
Yabu remained silent for a while but he didn’t look shocked, or angry, or sad. He looked happy even if there’s no smile on his face.
Takaki smiled, shoving the older idol for one last time before saying “Come on, put on that smile. Your kids might be causing chaos at the greenroom without you checking on them…”
Yabu looked at Takaki seriously for a while before he smiled, nodding as the two of them walked towards the door.
Before they reached the door though, Yabu heard Takaki say “JUMP will succeed… You’ll see… We’ll all succeed…”
Yabu smiled. Yes, no matter what happens, Hey!Say!JUMP will succeed, they’re all determined to make that happen.
30. ARASHI
Everyone knew Ohno Satoshi is a very laid back person. Well, he mustn’t be as laidback as most people would perceive him to be (being surrounded by at least three guys who knows how to take charge and one other guy who’s one big ball of energy tends to magnify his laidback-ability) but he is laidback to a certain point. What the rest of the world didn’t know though that the rest of Arashi is aware of, is that Ohno is also a worrier.
For quite sometime before Arashi really made it big, Ohno had been worrying that he’s the one who’s pulling the group down seeing as he was, for the longest time, the most unknown member of all of them. When the other four had finally convinced him that he isn’t pulling them down and that Arashi is the five of them and not just some of them, he started worrying that the others, particularly Nino and Matsujun, would end up leaving them behind.
He thought that way when Nino left for the shooting of Iwo Jima. Even as laidback as he is, he knew how big the opportunity Nino was presented with. Plus the fact that he knew that before Arashi debuted, Nino had wanted to go to America to study theater and acting there. Matsujun had told him, even though he hadn’t said a thing, that much has changed since they debuted, that even though Nino would somehow still want to study, he’s not going to just leave them behind, much like the fact that Ohno wouldn’t want to leave the group even though he had wanted to leave the jimusho prior to their debut like Nino.
Ohno knew Matsujun was right but it still didn’t stop him from worrying, especially not when he’s worrying that the youngest might consider leaving the group too. Matsujun had slowly accumulated fame and position in the acting industry ever since the group debuted. In fact, around the same time Nino left for the States, Matsujun had become more popular as an actor rather than being an idol. It was Aiba that time, who he had gone drinking with, who told him that it should be last of his worries since more than anyone else, Arashi is Matsujun’s dream, he wasn’t going to leave it behind. Aiba also pointed out that Matsujun had actually made it a point to be introduced as Arashi’s Matsumoto Jun even when he’s working alone which meant he wanted to be connected to Arashi, something he wouldn’t do if he’s planning to leave them.
Ohno knew that what Aiba said was true, but he still couldn’t help but worry. The other four knew that and that’s why they made it a point to make their leader not worry about them.
Which is why when they heard Ohno utter those lines during their press conference for Boku no Miteiru Fukei selling more than one million copies, 4/5ths of Arashi knew that Ohno had been worrying again. They elected Sho, the second oldest, to do the talking with Ohno.
Sho, having been left behind by the other 3 as they pretended to grab something to eat during one of their shooting breaks for Arashi ni Shiyagare the day after that press conference, mustered up all his courage before he closed his newspaper and sat next to their leader who is currently doodling absentmindedly on his sketch pad.
“Oh-chan…” he muttered, making the older idol look at him. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah…” replied Ohno, nodding. “Why?”
“Ah nothing…” Sho tried to smile although that smile had turned a bit awkwardly. “You just seem pre-occupied…”
Ohno raised an amused eyebrow at him, and Sho wanted to groan. It was like he’s telling Ohno that he looked like he enjoyed fishing. That’s already a fact.
“What’s up?” Ohno asked.
“Nothing much…” Sho shrugged, opting to go for the truth. “It’s just that we heard what you said yesterday…”
When Ohno had looked at him in confusion, he continued to explain “When you said ‘Everyone please don’t turn away from Arashi’…”
“Oh, that one…” Ohno exclaimed, finally understanding what Sho is pointing out. “What about it?”
“Well…” Sho started, shrugging. “You don’t really just say those kinds of things, not aloud anyway, unless you’re really worried about it…”
Ohno looked absolutely prepared to brush of Sho’s worries but when he turned to face the newscaster/idol, he knew that it was one of those moments when there’s no point in him telling lies.
“I can’t help but worry…” Ohno eventually admitted. “What if all of a sudden the fans decide that they’re sick of us? Or if they suddenly find us boring? Or they just wouldn’t like us anymore? I was worrying a lot when we weren’t at this level that we didn’t have enough fans, now I’m worrying that those fans would suddenly leave us behind…”
Sho knew what Ohno meant, they all do. In the back of all of their minds, they were worrying about that too. For sure that day will arrive, they just don’t know when but Matsujun had once said that they’re going to face it when it happens and they knew it was true, because there’s no point in worrying about it until it really happens. And while it hasn’t happened yet and even when it happens, they’d just continue to doing their best, giving their best for those who remain to still like them.
Patting the back of the older idol, Sho smiled “What we show the fans are what we really are. We show the truth, we present them the real us… They may get tired of us soon, and the time will come that they actually will, but what matters most is that we show them the truth and that what they see from us are not just for show… What’s important is that, before they get tired of us, we’ve made them happy and proud of being our fans…”
Ohno had remained silent for a while, his hand still doodling on his sketch pad, and then he sighed.
“I guess you’re right…” he said eventually. “I shouldn’t be this negative…”
Sho smiled encouragingly. “That’s right! Besides, whatever happens, there will always be the five of us. We’d still be Arashi…”
“Yeah…” Ohno nodded and smiled. “I’m really glad to be part of Arashi…”
Hearing Aiba’s tag phrase, Sho chuckled nudging Ohno as he said “Oh come on, don’t become all Aiba on me now…”
Ohno simply grinned. “It is true…” he said. “I’m proud to be part of Arashi… And I’m going to make sure that our sixth member would continue to be proud of us too as long as they want to…”
Sho nodded and grinned. He knew what Ohno meant. Ohno had already said that the sixth member of Arashi are the fans.
40. TOKIO
“I’m getting old…” Joushima suddenly declared when Gussan sat next to him by the latter’s patio as the two of them looked at the sea.
It was one of those few moments when Gussan didn’t take the opportunity to go surfing, even if the waves looked good for the younger one’s favorite hobby. Their shooting for Tetsuwan Dash had just come to an end and Joushima had decided to go with Gussan to the latter’s home to visit, for the first time, his new godson. Gussan had chosen all four of them to be the godfathers of both his sons although Mabo had jokingly said that Joushima could technically be the de facto grandfather of the two Tokio babies. Taichi and Nagase agreed. Joushima didn’t see anything wrong with that. He loves kids although he has none of his own.
The two eldest members of Tokio, and quite positively two of the eldest active members of the whole jimusho, Gussan and Joushima had always been together ever since that fateful day the Joushima Shigeru Band was formed. The two of them were amongst those few who were still able to debut despite the fact that they’ve passed their 20’s.
There was something special about their relationship. They were not really best friends, seeing as most of their hobbies do not match, but they’re not just friends either. They are brothers. And while it is usually the older brother who plays pranks or laughs at his younger brother, it is not what happens in their case, especially when Joushima starts his old man talks.
Gussan chuckled, hearing their leader utter those words.
“Everyone’s been saying that for years and you only notice it now?” he asked, shaking his head.
Joushima smiled, a little bit melancholically. “It’s not that I didn’t notice it before, it’s just that I feel it now more than ever…”
“Why is that?” Gussan asked curiously, sensing how the older idol had reached his Leader-should-be-taken-seriously level and not just his usual Leader-is-serious-but-we-don’t-have-to-take-him-seriously level.
“I’ve always known that I’ve looked old…” Joushima started, sighing. “I don’t think I ever looked young. Even when I was young, I already looked old. But that isn’t really the point. I mean, look at you. You’re just a year younger than me but you still look young. Plus, I’m already 40.”
“So?” Gussan shrugged. “Higashiyama-san is over 40, and so is Matchy-san… There’s nothing wrong with that age. Sakamato-kun and Nagano-kun is almost there too… I’m turning 40 next year…”
“But your case is different…” Joushima insisted. “You have a family. You have a wonderful wife and you know have two adorable kids. What have I got? I don’t think I even have fans…”
“For the type who would go ‘kya’ on you, that’s true…” Gussan smiled and then immediately added. “But I think most of us don’t have those anymore. We’re way past that age already… What we do have, what you have, are those who respect you, admire you, because of what you have done, what you’re still doing, and what you still can do… Plus, you’ve got all four of us. I think that’s worth a lot…”
Gussan watched as Joushima looked thoughtful for a while.
None of them would ever really say it aloud but Joushima is the biggest reason why Tokio is as strong as it is, despite the fact that most people think of them as variety show hosts rather than idols and despite the fact that the other 3 has more jobs as individuals as compared to their group works. They all knew how much Joushima loved the profession; he loved it so much that he stayed when everyone else had left.
He wasn’t their leader, he’s more than that. Joushima is the glue that had held them together all these time. He was the reason why despite the fact that the others would have individual works, they still go home to the group because Joushima would be there, waiting for them.
After a few minutes of deep thought, he saw him relax a bit and then he saw his old man smile.
Turning to him, Joushima smiled and said “Thanks…”
Gussan simply smiled as he patted the elder’s back.
The sound of the door opening both made them turn towards it as the sound of Gussan’s older son came in. He’d been to a walk around the beach with one of Gussan’s teen-age neighbors. His neighbors had all been nice enough to accompany and babysit his oldest son while his wife recuperates from giving birth.
“Hey there!” Gussan greeted, making his son shout “Papa!” in joy and his sitter smile.
“Good afternoon Tatsuya-san…” she smiled. “My mom asked me to give this knitted bonnet to your wife for the baby…”
“Ah… Thank you…” Gussan smiled, bowing slightly. “She’s at the nursery…”
Seeing his sitter proceed to the nursery, his older son was about to follow suit when Joushima stood up and made himself visible to the young boy.
“Jichan!” he cried, shouting the name Taichi had jokingly taught him to call Joushima as he ran towards the patio.
Stopping only to kiss his father on the cheeks, he ran straight to Joushima and extended both his arms, demanding to be carried. Joushima smiled and willingly obliged. The boy is still on his lap when he got back to his seat next to Gussan.
“Had fun?” Joushima asked, playing with the boy’s hands.
“Mmm!” the boy nodded smiling.
Gussan chuckled as he reached out to ruffle his son’s hair.
Turning to Joushima, he said “You really are my kids’ grandfather…”
Joushima simply grinned. “That is not a bad thing…”
~~~FIN~~~
So yeah, the numbers that looks like the chapter numbers before the group names (and the introduction) are the respective ages of the eldest/leader of that group and their ages just simply amuses me...
This is my first non-pair fic so i'd like to know what you think of it... Comments/critics are welcome! :)
Anyway, this came to my mind when i was trying to calm myself from some sort of a nervous breakdown i had earlier this week. The thing is, i found out that i couldn't write while having a recovery from that breakdown. I also found out that i couldn't concentrate on me review, even when i've recovered enough, unless i write these out...
It's like a collection of three drabbles i've just made because i was inspired enough to write the first one but i didn't want to post it alone, thus making this a one-shot instead.
In an unrelated note, i've had fun watching Hey!Say!JUMP for at least two weeks now, i'm not sure why... i think my favorite out of all of them would be Takaki Yuya, and then Chinen, and then Yamada, and Keito and Morimoto would be special mentions... :)
Back to fic...
TITLE: Leader Worries
CHARACTERS: Yabu Kota and Takaki Yuya (Hey!Say!JUMP), Ohno Satoshi and Sakurai Sho (Arashi), Joushima Shigeru and Yamaguchi Tatsuya (TOKIO)
PAIRING: none; gen
RATINGS: PG
DISCLAIMER: The only thing i own in this story is the plot...
10. Introduction
3 Generations
3 Leaders
3 Worries
1 Jimusho
3 Leaders
3 Worries
1 Jimusho
Three individuals who had some things in common, most of which revolving around being the leader of their group in the Johnny's Jimusho. All three have their worries but all three of them have great members too...
20. Hey!Say!JUMP
Most of the time, people forget that Takaki Yuya is actually the second oldest member of Hey! Say! Jump. Even the other members forget about it too, and on occasion, Takaki doesn’t even remember it himself. He is a child, after all, a child that just happened to have been born in an earlier year, with a more mature body. Often, people would picture him as that BEST member who always plays with the rest of 7.
But he didn’t really have to remember that he holds that position as he played his part in the 10-member group. It was normal for him, doing things for and with his group mates. His being second oldest had nothing to do with what he loves doing.
But there are times when he remembers his position and is conscious about it, most of the time when their eldest, Yabu, is concerned.
From the very start, Yabu had always been the den mother of Hey! Say!, they all knew that and no one is going to counter that. He looks after everyone else even if he didn’t need to. Takaki knew how hard it is with nine of them, especially since Yabu is not that much older himself. It always amazes him how the (slightly) older idol would continue to show a smile and helping hand even when he knew that he’s as tired as everyone else is.
He, Yabu, rarely shows anyone else how tired he really is, maybe except to Hikaru on occasion, but that was just because Hikaru happened to have known Yabu the longest out of all of them. Takaki, however, had noticed a pattern when he feels like Yabu is about to breakdown. He noticed that during one of those times when he was just spacing out in their greenroom (he had long since mastered the ability of no longer being distracted by whatever the other had found themselves interested in) and noticed Yabu leaving the greenroom, his shoulders dropping more than usual. When he returned though, the normal Yabu is back, with the smiles and helping hand.
That day, just after the dance instructor declared a break, something they all badly needed after going through the grueling steps for their next song, Takaki was late going to the greenroom that when he was about to enter, he noticed on the other end of the corridor, the slumped shoulders of Yabu, turning towards where the stairs was to the rooftop.
He was already about to get in when he suddenly changed his mind and followed their eldest. He saw him by the rooftop, leaning on the fence with his eyes closed, his face reflecting something he knew Yabu wouldn’t show them, how tired he really is.
When he sensed him there though, he turned around, looking at him with a smile ready.
“What are you doing here Takaki?” he asked. “Chinen might be causing chaos downstairs because you’re not there…”
Takaki chuckled. “Daiki’s there… And so is Yamada…” he said, stepping next to Yabu, his eyes watching the distant sky. “I just thought I’d enjoy the scenery for now…”
He knew that Yabu knew that the scenery, nor the sky, is the real reason why he’s there. He heard him sigh as a short span of silence spanned between the two of them.
“Do you ever wonder if we’d survive?” Yabu asked after a while.
“Huh?” he asked, turning to face the older idol.
“This industry I mean…” Yabu continued, his eyes still trained on the horizon. “Do you think we can make it like all our other sempais?”
“I hope…” Takaki shrugged. “I mean, we’re still young, four of us had just turned 20… And the group’s just a couple years old… There’s still so much we can do… Why?”
“I just sometimes wonder…” Yabu admitted. “If we all can make it to our 10-15th year… I sometimes worry if the fans actually does see and feel how hard we all are working… If we’d hit big…”
“Most of the sempais took time before they got there... And for sure it’s going to be a bumpy ride… But we can make it though…” Takaki said before adding with a small chuckle “You worry too much…”
Yabu smiled. “I can’t help it… It’s like ever since I became part of JUMP, I’ve always been worrying. Initially, it was just because there are 10 of us and everyone else was younger and I felt like I had to take charge…”
“Of course you had…” Takaki laughed. “Half the group is composed of practically just kids with one of them still re-learning Japanese…”
“Yeah…” Yabu laughed. “And the other half is composed of me, a prankster, a softee student, a guy whose height is for kids, and a guy who’s supposed to be the second oldest but never actually is…”
Takaki laughed. “That can’t be helped, I’m a kid at heart after all…” he said. “But things have changed, well, other than Daiki’s height of course. More or less, everyone had matured.”
“Yeah… They have…” Yabu agreed. “It’s funny actually how it’s Morimoto who matured the most so far. Yamada and Chinen had developed twice the professionalism they had when we just started too…”
“Yeah…” Takaki grinned. “Keito has improved greatly too… Everyone’s working hard as members of JUMP…”
“We are…” Yabu agreed. “I sometimes worry about Yamada and Chinen though, with the amount of work they have with both JUMP and NYC…”
Takaki grinned, sensing a hidden worry that Yabu is having about the two.
Putting an arm around Yabu’s shoulder, he said “They’re not going to leave us… They both love the group so much for them to just leave it all behind…”
He supposed Yabu was going to object that he hadn’t said anything like that but Takaki simply tapped his shoulder, Yabu no longer disagreed but he ended up laughing.
“I never thought I’d be having this conversation with you…”
Takaki shoved him lightly before chuckling himself.
“Well, the playful older brother must sometimes step up when the Mama suddenly feels down…” he grinned.
“I’m not the Mama!” Yabu said, doing some shoving of his own.
“Of course you are!” Takaki grinned. “Since you don’t seem comfortable being called Leader, I guess Mama could work too…”
“JUMP doesn’t have a leader!” Yabu opposed. “Who says I’m the leader anyway?”
“Me…” Takaki simply said. “And no one of the remaining 8 would say otherwise… Everyone considers you as the leader already, you just weren’t given the name just yet.”
Yabu remained silent for a while but he didn’t look shocked, or angry, or sad. He looked happy even if there’s no smile on his face.
Takaki smiled, shoving the older idol for one last time before saying “Come on, put on that smile. Your kids might be causing chaos at the greenroom without you checking on them…”
Yabu looked at Takaki seriously for a while before he smiled, nodding as the two of them walked towards the door.
Before they reached the door though, Yabu heard Takaki say “JUMP will succeed… You’ll see… We’ll all succeed…”
Yabu smiled. Yes, no matter what happens, Hey!Say!JUMP will succeed, they’re all determined to make that happen.
30. ARASHI
Everyone knew Ohno Satoshi is a very laid back person. Well, he mustn’t be as laidback as most people would perceive him to be (being surrounded by at least three guys who knows how to take charge and one other guy who’s one big ball of energy tends to magnify his laidback-ability) but he is laidback to a certain point. What the rest of the world didn’t know though that the rest of Arashi is aware of, is that Ohno is also a worrier.
For quite sometime before Arashi really made it big, Ohno had been worrying that he’s the one who’s pulling the group down seeing as he was, for the longest time, the most unknown member of all of them. When the other four had finally convinced him that he isn’t pulling them down and that Arashi is the five of them and not just some of them, he started worrying that the others, particularly Nino and Matsujun, would end up leaving them behind.
He thought that way when Nino left for the shooting of Iwo Jima. Even as laidback as he is, he knew how big the opportunity Nino was presented with. Plus the fact that he knew that before Arashi debuted, Nino had wanted to go to America to study theater and acting there. Matsujun had told him, even though he hadn’t said a thing, that much has changed since they debuted, that even though Nino would somehow still want to study, he’s not going to just leave them behind, much like the fact that Ohno wouldn’t want to leave the group even though he had wanted to leave the jimusho prior to their debut like Nino.
Ohno knew Matsujun was right but it still didn’t stop him from worrying, especially not when he’s worrying that the youngest might consider leaving the group too. Matsujun had slowly accumulated fame and position in the acting industry ever since the group debuted. In fact, around the same time Nino left for the States, Matsujun had become more popular as an actor rather than being an idol. It was Aiba that time, who he had gone drinking with, who told him that it should be last of his worries since more than anyone else, Arashi is Matsujun’s dream, he wasn’t going to leave it behind. Aiba also pointed out that Matsujun had actually made it a point to be introduced as Arashi’s Matsumoto Jun even when he’s working alone which meant he wanted to be connected to Arashi, something he wouldn’t do if he’s planning to leave them.
Ohno knew that what Aiba said was true, but he still couldn’t help but worry. The other four knew that and that’s why they made it a point to make their leader not worry about them.
Which is why when they heard Ohno utter those lines during their press conference for Boku no Miteiru Fukei selling more than one million copies, 4/5ths of Arashi knew that Ohno had been worrying again. They elected Sho, the second oldest, to do the talking with Ohno.
Sho, having been left behind by the other 3 as they pretended to grab something to eat during one of their shooting breaks for Arashi ni Shiyagare the day after that press conference, mustered up all his courage before he closed his newspaper and sat next to their leader who is currently doodling absentmindedly on his sketch pad.
“Oh-chan…” he muttered, making the older idol look at him. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah…” replied Ohno, nodding. “Why?”
“Ah nothing…” Sho tried to smile although that smile had turned a bit awkwardly. “You just seem pre-occupied…”
Ohno raised an amused eyebrow at him, and Sho wanted to groan. It was like he’s telling Ohno that he looked like he enjoyed fishing. That’s already a fact.
“What’s up?” Ohno asked.
“Nothing much…” Sho shrugged, opting to go for the truth. “It’s just that we heard what you said yesterday…”
When Ohno had looked at him in confusion, he continued to explain “When you said ‘Everyone please don’t turn away from Arashi’…”
“Oh, that one…” Ohno exclaimed, finally understanding what Sho is pointing out. “What about it?”
“Well…” Sho started, shrugging. “You don’t really just say those kinds of things, not aloud anyway, unless you’re really worried about it…”
Ohno looked absolutely prepared to brush of Sho’s worries but when he turned to face the newscaster/idol, he knew that it was one of those moments when there’s no point in him telling lies.
“I can’t help but worry…” Ohno eventually admitted. “What if all of a sudden the fans decide that they’re sick of us? Or if they suddenly find us boring? Or they just wouldn’t like us anymore? I was worrying a lot when we weren’t at this level that we didn’t have enough fans, now I’m worrying that those fans would suddenly leave us behind…”
Sho knew what Ohno meant, they all do. In the back of all of their minds, they were worrying about that too. For sure that day will arrive, they just don’t know when but Matsujun had once said that they’re going to face it when it happens and they knew it was true, because there’s no point in worrying about it until it really happens. And while it hasn’t happened yet and even when it happens, they’d just continue to doing their best, giving their best for those who remain to still like them.
Patting the back of the older idol, Sho smiled “What we show the fans are what we really are. We show the truth, we present them the real us… They may get tired of us soon, and the time will come that they actually will, but what matters most is that we show them the truth and that what they see from us are not just for show… What’s important is that, before they get tired of us, we’ve made them happy and proud of being our fans…”
Ohno had remained silent for a while, his hand still doodling on his sketch pad, and then he sighed.
“I guess you’re right…” he said eventually. “I shouldn’t be this negative…”
Sho smiled encouragingly. “That’s right! Besides, whatever happens, there will always be the five of us. We’d still be Arashi…”
“Yeah…” Ohno nodded and smiled. “I’m really glad to be part of Arashi…”
Hearing Aiba’s tag phrase, Sho chuckled nudging Ohno as he said “Oh come on, don’t become all Aiba on me now…”
Ohno simply grinned. “It is true…” he said. “I’m proud to be part of Arashi… And I’m going to make sure that our sixth member would continue to be proud of us too as long as they want to…”
Sho nodded and grinned. He knew what Ohno meant. Ohno had already said that the sixth member of Arashi are the fans.
40. TOKIO
“I’m getting old…” Joushima suddenly declared when Gussan sat next to him by the latter’s patio as the two of them looked at the sea.
It was one of those few moments when Gussan didn’t take the opportunity to go surfing, even if the waves looked good for the younger one’s favorite hobby. Their shooting for Tetsuwan Dash had just come to an end and Joushima had decided to go with Gussan to the latter’s home to visit, for the first time, his new godson. Gussan had chosen all four of them to be the godfathers of both his sons although Mabo had jokingly said that Joushima could technically be the de facto grandfather of the two Tokio babies. Taichi and Nagase agreed. Joushima didn’t see anything wrong with that. He loves kids although he has none of his own.
The two eldest members of Tokio, and quite positively two of the eldest active members of the whole jimusho, Gussan and Joushima had always been together ever since that fateful day the Joushima Shigeru Band was formed. The two of them were amongst those few who were still able to debut despite the fact that they’ve passed their 20’s.
There was something special about their relationship. They were not really best friends, seeing as most of their hobbies do not match, but they’re not just friends either. They are brothers. And while it is usually the older brother who plays pranks or laughs at his younger brother, it is not what happens in their case, especially when Joushima starts his old man talks.
Gussan chuckled, hearing their leader utter those words.
“Everyone’s been saying that for years and you only notice it now?” he asked, shaking his head.
Joushima smiled, a little bit melancholically. “It’s not that I didn’t notice it before, it’s just that I feel it now more than ever…”
“Why is that?” Gussan asked curiously, sensing how the older idol had reached his Leader-should-be-taken-seriously level and not just his usual Leader-is-serious-but-we-don’t-have-to-take-him-seriously level.
“I’ve always known that I’ve looked old…” Joushima started, sighing. “I don’t think I ever looked young. Even when I was young, I already looked old. But that isn’t really the point. I mean, look at you. You’re just a year younger than me but you still look young. Plus, I’m already 40.”
“So?” Gussan shrugged. “Higashiyama-san is over 40, and so is Matchy-san… There’s nothing wrong with that age. Sakamato-kun and Nagano-kun is almost there too… I’m turning 40 next year…”
“But your case is different…” Joushima insisted. “You have a family. You have a wonderful wife and you know have two adorable kids. What have I got? I don’t think I even have fans…”
“For the type who would go ‘kya’ on you, that’s true…” Gussan smiled and then immediately added. “But I think most of us don’t have those anymore. We’re way past that age already… What we do have, what you have, are those who respect you, admire you, because of what you have done, what you’re still doing, and what you still can do… Plus, you’ve got all four of us. I think that’s worth a lot…”
Gussan watched as Joushima looked thoughtful for a while.
None of them would ever really say it aloud but Joushima is the biggest reason why Tokio is as strong as it is, despite the fact that most people think of them as variety show hosts rather than idols and despite the fact that the other 3 has more jobs as individuals as compared to their group works. They all knew how much Joushima loved the profession; he loved it so much that he stayed when everyone else had left.
He wasn’t their leader, he’s more than that. Joushima is the glue that had held them together all these time. He was the reason why despite the fact that the others would have individual works, they still go home to the group because Joushima would be there, waiting for them.
After a few minutes of deep thought, he saw him relax a bit and then he saw his old man smile.
Turning to him, Joushima smiled and said “Thanks…”
Gussan simply smiled as he patted the elder’s back.
The sound of the door opening both made them turn towards it as the sound of Gussan’s older son came in. He’d been to a walk around the beach with one of Gussan’s teen-age neighbors. His neighbors had all been nice enough to accompany and babysit his oldest son while his wife recuperates from giving birth.
“Hey there!” Gussan greeted, making his son shout “Papa!” in joy and his sitter smile.
“Good afternoon Tatsuya-san…” she smiled. “My mom asked me to give this knitted bonnet to your wife for the baby…”
“Ah… Thank you…” Gussan smiled, bowing slightly. “She’s at the nursery…”
Seeing his sitter proceed to the nursery, his older son was about to follow suit when Joushima stood up and made himself visible to the young boy.
“Jichan!” he cried, shouting the name Taichi had jokingly taught him to call Joushima as he ran towards the patio.
Stopping only to kiss his father on the cheeks, he ran straight to Joushima and extended both his arms, demanding to be carried. Joushima smiled and willingly obliged. The boy is still on his lap when he got back to his seat next to Gussan.
“Had fun?” Joushima asked, playing with the boy’s hands.
“Mmm!” the boy nodded smiling.
Gussan chuckled as he reached out to ruffle his son’s hair.
Turning to Joushima, he said “You really are my kids’ grandfather…”
Joushima simply grinned. “That is not a bad thing…”
~~~FIN~~~
So yeah, the numbers that looks like the chapter numbers before the group names (and the introduction) are the respective ages of the eldest/leader of that group and their ages just simply amuses me...
This is my first non-pair fic so i'd like to know what you think of it... Comments/critics are welcome! :)
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-13 12:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-13 10:55 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-13 12:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-13 10:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-13 08:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-13 10:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-14 03:08 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-13 10:06 pm (UTC)Thanks for posting~!
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-13 10:57 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-15 03:45 am (UTC)loved it
thank you for sharing
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-15 09:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-31 01:06 pm (UTC)Hoho~~seriously, I love TOKIO too. they are my 1st JE that i love before Arashi, and it was looooong time ago. And I still love them until now especially Mabo and Nagase~~ ^____^
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-31 01:09 pm (UTC)thanks... :) TOKIO is my all time favorite sempai group... :) with V6 closing in... :)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-31 01:12 pm (UTC)with V6 closing in..! ^__^
seem like we have a same taste ne? huhuhu