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Aug. 21st, 2010 11:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
angelshillTITLE: Baby Steps
CHARACTERS: Arashi members, NewS members, Horikita Maki, Inoue Mao, Oguri Shun, Ikuta Toma, and a whole horde of other Johnny's and female Japanese actresses
PAIRING: Yamashita Tomohisa/Horikita Maki; Matsumoto Jun/Inoue Mao; others
RATINGS: PG
DISCLAIMER: The only thing i own in this story is the plot...
Prologue / Chapter1/ Chapter2/ Chapter3/ Chapter4/ Chapter5
Chapter 6: Tensions and Meetings
Note: Yamapi's manager's name (just like Maki's) came from two tv characters. Nanba from Mizushima Hiro's Hana Kimi role (Nanba Minami or just plain Nanba-senpai) and Shinji from Takizawa Hideaki's role in Orhtros no Inu (Ryuzaki Shinji)
There was a very weird aura in the NewS green room when Ryo entered it two days after their commiserative drinking at Matsujun’s place.
It was not because Shige was not actually reading his law books even if he is sitting in front of an open one. It was also not because Koyama didn’t notice that his best friend is not actually reading and is not commenting about it. It was not because Tegoshi didn’t have the sort of dreamy look on his face whenever they’re not really discussing something. It was not because Masuda continued to play the food with his fork and did not have the urge of eating it. It was not even because they’re there despite the fact that they did not have any scheduled meeting, appearance, or anything that would warranty all of their presence.
Because no matter the weirdness the other members portrays, it was not the reason of the tension in the room.
The weirdest thing (and the source of that tension) is, for the first time in known history, Yamapi had called each and every one of them the previous night and requested for a group meeting. That was as rare as Koyama getting angry at the rest of them, of Masuda being excellent during live interviews, of Shige not being picked on in a day, of Tegoshi not admiring Yamapi or of Ryo not being snarky. To put it simply, that was as rare as SMAP attending the Johnny’s New Year Countdown Concert.
And Ryo knew from the looks of the others that they already have a clue. He didn’t have a clue; he already knew the gist of what Yamashita was going to say because he knew that of all the things that were said that night, Yamapi took to heart some of the things that Matsujun said especially when the latter added that it would be what he’d do.
“Set things straight with everybody. Don’t leave anybody hanging. Everybody affected should know, your manager, your group mates, Johnny… Set things right with Maki-chan…”
Apparently, it took Yamapi the whole day yesterday to set things in motion before he talked to them. Ryo was having doubts on whether he should go seeing as he already know what Yamapi is planning to say but decided in the end that he should, not only because of his responsibilities to NewS but because he wouldn’t really pass up the chance to see Yamapi stumble through his words in telling the others.
He knew he was not going to be disappointed when Yamapi entered the green room and then double back, seeing everyone there already. Ryo couldn’t help but smirk, sitting himself a few steps behind the others, completely intent on watching everything as it unfolds, especially because everyone else looked up at Yamapi but no one said a single word.
----------
“So, you’re going to talk to Maki-chan now?” asked Shige as he, Yamapi and Ryo were leaving their green room.
It took Yamapi a whole half hour just to tell them what he wanted to say. Nobody really spoke when he was talking, even when he was stumbling over words and nerves as he told his group mates what had happened and what he’s planning to do, nobody dared comment. Matsujun was right, these guys deserved to know.
30 minutes after he started though, he had expected them to be outraged, or angered, or react in any sort of negative manner. He was anticipating it, had already accepted if the others would call him “selfish” or “foolish” or the like. He knew that his decision would have repercussions on the group, not only to him.
But he didn’t anticipate what happened next. Koyama stood up and walked to him, extending a hand and congratulating him, and then Masuda came up and said he shouldn’t forget to invite them for the wedding. Tegoshi even hugged him and said he’d always want him and Maki to be happy. Shige had been smiling on the sideline while Ryo was trying to contain his laughter at the shock on Yamapi’s face when all these happened.
Koyama had been dragged clear of the room by their two youngest members a little while later when they noticed that Koyama was about to start asking Yamapi some questions; Tegoshi having manipulated him already to treating him and Masuda at the cafeteria. They all knew it wasn’t really time for Koyama to start “mothering”.
“Yeah…” Yamapi sighed, smiling gratefully. “I have requested a meeting with her and her manager an hour from now.”
“You need that long to prepare?” Ryo asked.
“Well, in all honesty, I was thinking this meeting would take longer than 30 minutes…” Yamapi admitted, shrugging.
Ryo laughed. “It would have taken shorter if you weren’t beating around the bush!” he said. “Plus you practically took 10 minutes stuttering! Right, Shige-kun?”
Shige simply smiled, steering clear of taking sides when these two members started bantering.
“You talked to Johnny-san already?” Shige asked instead.
“Yeah…” Yamapi sighed. “I was in a meeting with him yesterday. The upper management is not really very happy with me at the moment…”
“Why? You were expecting anything else?” smirked Ryo.
Shige sighed. “I guess I better go check on the others at the cafeteria…” he said. Turning to Yamapi, he extended his hand. “Good luck then… I hope your meeting goes well…”
“Ahm… Thanks…” Yamapi said, shaking the offered hand.
“And please… Anoh… Don’t mess it up…” Shige added, turning around immediately for the cafeteria.
“Wow!” said Ryo, clearly amused, eyes darting between Shige’s retreating back and Yamapi’s dumbfounded face. “When Shige-kun starts telling you to not mess up, you must really be in a worse shape than you thought… That’s just something!”
Yamapi couldn’t respond back immediately, having been shocked at what he was just told.
“So, where’s your meeting?” Ryo asked instead.
“At a café near Ebisu…” Yamapi responded, still recovering.
“Okay! I’ll drive you there!” Ryo cheered, making Yamapi turn to him.
“Why?”
Ryo snorted. “Because I seriously doubt you can handle driving yourself there without getting yourself into any sort of accident. You were practically shaking in there a while ago. And we wouldn’t want you to miss that meeting now, would we?”
Yamapi frowned, looking at the younger guy who had just turned his back to him and started walking towards the parking lot. He couldn’t help but smile. After all, Ryo does have a weird way of showing he cares.
“You’re that concerned about me huh?” he jested, catching up to walk with him.
“Shut up.”
----------
Yamapi had always known that he’d have some of the most serious and tensed meetings he could ever encounter when he decides to get married. And with that decision made that night, he knew he has to start with those meetings.
The first meeting he went to the previous day was not exactly a tensed one but it was really important. It was with manager, Nanba Shinji. If truth be told, Nanba was more tensed between the two of them before he started.
When he was able to blurt his decision all out though, Nanba was no longer tensed; he was furious, furious at him for not thinking about his career and his status as an idol, furious at him for not thinking how it would affect him and Maki both. But most importantly, he was furious for the fact that he wasn’t given any notice at all.
“I don’t have a magic wand that could easily fix things with a flick you know!” Nanba said, holding his head with both hands as though it would explode. “Why am I only finding out about this now?”
“I didn’t know something like this would happen…” Yampai said. “I’m sorry…”
Nanba sighed, looking straight into his client’s eyes. “Who else knew about this?”
“Some of the sempais…” he admitted.
“How about the others?”
“Only Ryo-chan…” Yamapi said, knowing that he was referring to his group mates. “But I’d have to tell them too…”
There was a resigned look in Nanba’s face when he stood up and said “Who do you want to meet with first? The guys or the bosses?”
Yamapi chose to meet with the upper management first, and Nanba had found a way for him to meet them that same afternoon. And it would probably be the most tensed and serious conversation he’d ever had with the bosses, every one was there, including Mary and Johnny himself.
Out of all of them, Johnny was the one Yamapi was most anxious to get the approval of. The old guy may have handed his cape and scepter to Mary but he’s still seated at the throne. The old man was non-committal all throughout the meeting although the others had expressed their outrage at his irresponsibility to his status. In fact, Johnny didn’t look surprised at all. It was at this point that Yamapi was surprised by his manager when Nanba stood up to the others and said, “Would you rather he ignore his responsibilities taking in mind that she is Horikita Maki after all?”
That had silenced everyone with the strongest response being simply “This is business”. It was at this point that Johnny spoke up for the first time, asking Yamapi what he wanted to do and what he wanted the jimusho to do with him.
The others had wanted to put him in hiatus when he said he decided for marriage but Johnny didn’t agree. In the end though, they all agreed that he had to keep it as quiet as possible, until at least his present engagements are over.
Before he left though, Johnny told him one thing. “You. Set things right. Then you and I will talk.” He never expected the old man to tell him that, not when he was expecting Johnny to fly to him in rage.
But what he never really expected was that his most tensed meeting of all would be with the woman he had decided to marry.
Since Maki and Riko entered the private room Nanba had reserved for them, Maki had not looked at him, barely even acknowledging his presence.
Yamapi felt like he wanted to shake her, push her into a corner, or hold her face to make her look at him. There was a weird feeling in his chest when he noticed that Maki was looking at anything and everything in the room except at him. He was new to that kind of emotion, never felt that way before. He decided that it must be because he was just feeling responsible to Maki for putting her in her current situation.
Other than the usual pleasantries though, Yamapi opted to say nothing else, the same way Maki did not utter another word. The one thing he’s really uneasy off in this meeting was that he and Nanba did not talk about what they’re going to say or do. Nanba told him to let him and Riko handle things first, to sort things out. Yamapi agreed.
After all, in the first place, he did not know what to say or do.
----------
“We both know this isn’t a social call Nanba-kun…” Riko smiled when the café’s manager himself turned his back to get their drinks. Nanba had gestured for her and Maki to order their preferred drinks, both men having already ordered their own.
Both managers had already worked and dealt with each other for quite a number of times, not only because of their main client’s collaborations, but also of their other clients. And both managers already knew how to deal with the other in most circumstances.
“It isn’t…” Nanba sighed, looking at both Maki and Yamapi, with her looking determined to ignore him and him looking completely confused at her.
But Nanba did not continue until after the café manager returned with the ladies’ drinks and left.
“But I wouldn’t categorize this as business either…” he continued.
“Really?” asked Riko, playing with her straw.
“Unless you categorize your client’s personal and future life as business…” said Nanba.
“I don’t…” smiled Riko, going into serious mode just like her counterpart. “What is it about my client that you seem to be interested about now?”
“We know Horikita-san is pregnant,” said Nanba flatly. Maki gasped in shock and Yamapi turned to his manager in surprise, never expecting he’d be this blunt, but Riko did not even flinch. “And I guess you already knew that…”
Riko simply shrugged.
“That’s what I want us to talk about…” Nanba continued.
“I don’t see why you’d want to talk about that at the moment… After all, what is it to you if in case Horikita-san is pregnant?” she smiled at Maki before turning back to Nanba.
Nanba smirked, noticing how the woman is stonewalling him. “Why, are you saying she isn’t pregnant?”
“No, I’m saying that’s none of your business,” Riko returned.
Nanba chuckled. “Come on Riko-san… We both know this is my business since Yamashita-kun is the father of her child.”
“Really?!” cried Riko, her eyes in wide mocked surprise as she looked from Maki, who was suddenly concentrating hard on her drink, to Yamapi, who swallowed hard when he saw her assessing him. “I don’t think I ever heard Maki-chan acknowledge that…”
“I am the father!” Yamapi all but shouted. “The fact that I am acknowledging that is enough!”
Riko raised an eyebrow in amusement, not at all taken aback by the sudden declaration; she had noticed Maki looking up from her drink and is now glaring at Yamapi.
“While it’s so noble of you and all to acknowledge the child as yours, that doesn’t really change a thing now, does it?” Riko smiled at Yamapi patronizingly. “If anything, it actually makes matters a whole lot worse since you’re a Johnny.”
“And that’s why we are here now…” said Nanba, getting everyone’s attention. “We’re here to discuss how to make it a bit easier on everyone involved.”
“So, an extremely popular idol gets an equally popular actress pregnant, both in their mid twenties, the prime of their careers. Tell me Nanba, how would you make that easier?”
But it wasn’t Nanba who responded. Because even before Nanba could open his mouth, Yamapi spoke up.
“Marriage…” he told Riko before turning to Maki. “We’re getting married.”
----------
“Just go there and listen to what they have to say…”
That was what Riko said to convince Maki to agree to a meeting when Riko told her than Yamapi and his manager requested for one. She already knew by then that they’re going to discuss about her condition.
She planned to do just that, sit there and hear them out. But she couldn’t stay quiet for long after that declaration.
“Excuse me?” she said, glaring at Yamapi. “Just because you said it, it’s going to happen, is that it?! When I agreed to this meeting Yamashita-san, I thought I was going to be given a chance to voice my side, not to be ordered around.”
Before anyone could say a word, she stood up and bowed to both managers saying “I’m sorry for wasting both your time but this is that, a waste of all our time.. Good day to you both…” before storming out.
Yamapi could only groan, hitting his forehead with his fist, as he scrambled to his feet after her, realizing how he had just messed things further up.
The door had closed behind him when Nanba finally let out his chuckle.
“Well, that was something…” he said as both managers watched the door.
He knew Riko would not be running after Maki the same way he wouldn’t be going after Yamapi. Those kids need to sort things out themselves.
“Really, Nanba?” laughed Riko, shaking her head. “That’s the best proposal a Johnny’s idol could come up with?! ‘We’re getting married’?!”
Nanba shrugged. “Give the kid a break… He never thought he was going to propose this early in life… I’m actually quite proud that he didn’t stutter when he said that… The kid has made his decision…”
“Well, so has Maki-chan… and Maki-chan wouldn’t soon change her mind about it. We may be gracious enough to count that declaration as a marriage proposal but it’s not like Johnny-san would allow Yamashita-san to get married now…”
“Oh… Yamapi already has Johnny-san’s nod…” said Nanba, smiling. “I was about to say that before he declared his proposal…”
“Is that so…” said Riko, sounding really amused. “I guess Maki-chan didn’t know that…”
“Would that have changed how she reacted?” Nanba asked.
Riko laughed. “Absolutely… not the way you’d think…”
0_0... i'm late for my own schedule but... well, better late than never right? :)
i hope this does not disappoint you guys... :)
CHARACTERS: Arashi members, NewS members, Horikita Maki, Inoue Mao, Oguri Shun, Ikuta Toma, and a whole horde of other Johnny's and female Japanese actresses
PAIRING: Yamashita Tomohisa/Horikita Maki; Matsumoto Jun/Inoue Mao; others
RATINGS: PG
DISCLAIMER: The only thing i own in this story is the plot...
Prologue / Chapter1/ Chapter2/ Chapter3/ Chapter4/ Chapter5
Chapter 6: Tensions and Meetings
Note: Yamapi's manager's name (just like Maki's) came from two tv characters. Nanba from Mizushima Hiro's Hana Kimi role (Nanba Minami or just plain Nanba-senpai) and Shinji from Takizawa Hideaki's role in Orhtros no Inu (Ryuzaki Shinji)
There was a very weird aura in the NewS green room when Ryo entered it two days after their commiserative drinking at Matsujun’s place.
It was not because Shige was not actually reading his law books even if he is sitting in front of an open one. It was also not because Koyama didn’t notice that his best friend is not actually reading and is not commenting about it. It was not because Tegoshi didn’t have the sort of dreamy look on his face whenever they’re not really discussing something. It was not because Masuda continued to play the food with his fork and did not have the urge of eating it. It was not even because they’re there despite the fact that they did not have any scheduled meeting, appearance, or anything that would warranty all of their presence.
Because no matter the weirdness the other members portrays, it was not the reason of the tension in the room.
The weirdest thing (and the source of that tension) is, for the first time in known history, Yamapi had called each and every one of them the previous night and requested for a group meeting. That was as rare as Koyama getting angry at the rest of them, of Masuda being excellent during live interviews, of Shige not being picked on in a day, of Tegoshi not admiring Yamapi or of Ryo not being snarky. To put it simply, that was as rare as SMAP attending the Johnny’s New Year Countdown Concert.
And Ryo knew from the looks of the others that they already have a clue. He didn’t have a clue; he already knew the gist of what Yamashita was going to say because he knew that of all the things that were said that night, Yamapi took to heart some of the things that Matsujun said especially when the latter added that it would be what he’d do.
“Set things straight with everybody. Don’t leave anybody hanging. Everybody affected should know, your manager, your group mates, Johnny… Set things right with Maki-chan…”
Apparently, it took Yamapi the whole day yesterday to set things in motion before he talked to them. Ryo was having doubts on whether he should go seeing as he already know what Yamapi is planning to say but decided in the end that he should, not only because of his responsibilities to NewS but because he wouldn’t really pass up the chance to see Yamapi stumble through his words in telling the others.
He knew he was not going to be disappointed when Yamapi entered the green room and then double back, seeing everyone there already. Ryo couldn’t help but smirk, sitting himself a few steps behind the others, completely intent on watching everything as it unfolds, especially because everyone else looked up at Yamapi but no one said a single word.
----------
“So, you’re going to talk to Maki-chan now?” asked Shige as he, Yamapi and Ryo were leaving their green room.
It took Yamapi a whole half hour just to tell them what he wanted to say. Nobody really spoke when he was talking, even when he was stumbling over words and nerves as he told his group mates what had happened and what he’s planning to do, nobody dared comment. Matsujun was right, these guys deserved to know.
30 minutes after he started though, he had expected them to be outraged, or angered, or react in any sort of negative manner. He was anticipating it, had already accepted if the others would call him “selfish” or “foolish” or the like. He knew that his decision would have repercussions on the group, not only to him.
But he didn’t anticipate what happened next. Koyama stood up and walked to him, extending a hand and congratulating him, and then Masuda came up and said he shouldn’t forget to invite them for the wedding. Tegoshi even hugged him and said he’d always want him and Maki to be happy. Shige had been smiling on the sideline while Ryo was trying to contain his laughter at the shock on Yamapi’s face when all these happened.
Koyama had been dragged clear of the room by their two youngest members a little while later when they noticed that Koyama was about to start asking Yamapi some questions; Tegoshi having manipulated him already to treating him and Masuda at the cafeteria. They all knew it wasn’t really time for Koyama to start “mothering”.
“Yeah…” Yamapi sighed, smiling gratefully. “I have requested a meeting with her and her manager an hour from now.”
“You need that long to prepare?” Ryo asked.
“Well, in all honesty, I was thinking this meeting would take longer than 30 minutes…” Yamapi admitted, shrugging.
Ryo laughed. “It would have taken shorter if you weren’t beating around the bush!” he said. “Plus you practically took 10 minutes stuttering! Right, Shige-kun?”
Shige simply smiled, steering clear of taking sides when these two members started bantering.
“You talked to Johnny-san already?” Shige asked instead.
“Yeah…” Yamapi sighed. “I was in a meeting with him yesterday. The upper management is not really very happy with me at the moment…”
“Why? You were expecting anything else?” smirked Ryo.
Shige sighed. “I guess I better go check on the others at the cafeteria…” he said. Turning to Yamapi, he extended his hand. “Good luck then… I hope your meeting goes well…”
“Ahm… Thanks…” Yamapi said, shaking the offered hand.
“And please… Anoh… Don’t mess it up…” Shige added, turning around immediately for the cafeteria.
“Wow!” said Ryo, clearly amused, eyes darting between Shige’s retreating back and Yamapi’s dumbfounded face. “When Shige-kun starts telling you to not mess up, you must really be in a worse shape than you thought… That’s just something!”
Yamapi couldn’t respond back immediately, having been shocked at what he was just told.
“So, where’s your meeting?” Ryo asked instead.
“At a café near Ebisu…” Yamapi responded, still recovering.
“Okay! I’ll drive you there!” Ryo cheered, making Yamapi turn to him.
“Why?”
Ryo snorted. “Because I seriously doubt you can handle driving yourself there without getting yourself into any sort of accident. You were practically shaking in there a while ago. And we wouldn’t want you to miss that meeting now, would we?”
Yamapi frowned, looking at the younger guy who had just turned his back to him and started walking towards the parking lot. He couldn’t help but smile. After all, Ryo does have a weird way of showing he cares.
“You’re that concerned about me huh?” he jested, catching up to walk with him.
“Shut up.”
----------
Yamapi had always known that he’d have some of the most serious and tensed meetings he could ever encounter when he decides to get married. And with that decision made that night, he knew he has to start with those meetings.
The first meeting he went to the previous day was not exactly a tensed one but it was really important. It was with manager, Nanba Shinji. If truth be told, Nanba was more tensed between the two of them before he started.
When he was able to blurt his decision all out though, Nanba was no longer tensed; he was furious, furious at him for not thinking about his career and his status as an idol, furious at him for not thinking how it would affect him and Maki both. But most importantly, he was furious for the fact that he wasn’t given any notice at all.
“I don’t have a magic wand that could easily fix things with a flick you know!” Nanba said, holding his head with both hands as though it would explode. “Why am I only finding out about this now?”
“I didn’t know something like this would happen…” Yampai said. “I’m sorry…”
Nanba sighed, looking straight into his client’s eyes. “Who else knew about this?”
“Some of the sempais…” he admitted.
“How about the others?”
“Only Ryo-chan…” Yamapi said, knowing that he was referring to his group mates. “But I’d have to tell them too…”
There was a resigned look in Nanba’s face when he stood up and said “Who do you want to meet with first? The guys or the bosses?”
Yamapi chose to meet with the upper management first, and Nanba had found a way for him to meet them that same afternoon. And it would probably be the most tensed and serious conversation he’d ever had with the bosses, every one was there, including Mary and Johnny himself.
Out of all of them, Johnny was the one Yamapi was most anxious to get the approval of. The old guy may have handed his cape and scepter to Mary but he’s still seated at the throne. The old man was non-committal all throughout the meeting although the others had expressed their outrage at his irresponsibility to his status. In fact, Johnny didn’t look surprised at all. It was at this point that Yamapi was surprised by his manager when Nanba stood up to the others and said, “Would you rather he ignore his responsibilities taking in mind that she is Horikita Maki after all?”
That had silenced everyone with the strongest response being simply “This is business”. It was at this point that Johnny spoke up for the first time, asking Yamapi what he wanted to do and what he wanted the jimusho to do with him.
The others had wanted to put him in hiatus when he said he decided for marriage but Johnny didn’t agree. In the end though, they all agreed that he had to keep it as quiet as possible, until at least his present engagements are over.
Before he left though, Johnny told him one thing. “You. Set things right. Then you and I will talk.” He never expected the old man to tell him that, not when he was expecting Johnny to fly to him in rage.
But what he never really expected was that his most tensed meeting of all would be with the woman he had decided to marry.
Since Maki and Riko entered the private room Nanba had reserved for them, Maki had not looked at him, barely even acknowledging his presence.
Yamapi felt like he wanted to shake her, push her into a corner, or hold her face to make her look at him. There was a weird feeling in his chest when he noticed that Maki was looking at anything and everything in the room except at him. He was new to that kind of emotion, never felt that way before. He decided that it must be because he was just feeling responsible to Maki for putting her in her current situation.
Other than the usual pleasantries though, Yamapi opted to say nothing else, the same way Maki did not utter another word. The one thing he’s really uneasy off in this meeting was that he and Nanba did not talk about what they’re going to say or do. Nanba told him to let him and Riko handle things first, to sort things out. Yamapi agreed.
After all, in the first place, he did not know what to say or do.
----------
“We both know this isn’t a social call Nanba-kun…” Riko smiled when the café’s manager himself turned his back to get their drinks. Nanba had gestured for her and Maki to order their preferred drinks, both men having already ordered their own.
Both managers had already worked and dealt with each other for quite a number of times, not only because of their main client’s collaborations, but also of their other clients. And both managers already knew how to deal with the other in most circumstances.
“It isn’t…” Nanba sighed, looking at both Maki and Yamapi, with her looking determined to ignore him and him looking completely confused at her.
But Nanba did not continue until after the café manager returned with the ladies’ drinks and left.
“But I wouldn’t categorize this as business either…” he continued.
“Really?” asked Riko, playing with her straw.
“Unless you categorize your client’s personal and future life as business…” said Nanba.
“I don’t…” smiled Riko, going into serious mode just like her counterpart. “What is it about my client that you seem to be interested about now?”
“We know Horikita-san is pregnant,” said Nanba flatly. Maki gasped in shock and Yamapi turned to his manager in surprise, never expecting he’d be this blunt, but Riko did not even flinch. “And I guess you already knew that…”
Riko simply shrugged.
“That’s what I want us to talk about…” Nanba continued.
“I don’t see why you’d want to talk about that at the moment… After all, what is it to you if in case Horikita-san is pregnant?” she smiled at Maki before turning back to Nanba.
Nanba smirked, noticing how the woman is stonewalling him. “Why, are you saying she isn’t pregnant?”
“No, I’m saying that’s none of your business,” Riko returned.
Nanba chuckled. “Come on Riko-san… We both know this is my business since Yamashita-kun is the father of her child.”
“Really?!” cried Riko, her eyes in wide mocked surprise as she looked from Maki, who was suddenly concentrating hard on her drink, to Yamapi, who swallowed hard when he saw her assessing him. “I don’t think I ever heard Maki-chan acknowledge that…”
“I am the father!” Yamapi all but shouted. “The fact that I am acknowledging that is enough!”
Riko raised an eyebrow in amusement, not at all taken aback by the sudden declaration; she had noticed Maki looking up from her drink and is now glaring at Yamapi.
“While it’s so noble of you and all to acknowledge the child as yours, that doesn’t really change a thing now, does it?” Riko smiled at Yamapi patronizingly. “If anything, it actually makes matters a whole lot worse since you’re a Johnny.”
“And that’s why we are here now…” said Nanba, getting everyone’s attention. “We’re here to discuss how to make it a bit easier on everyone involved.”
“So, an extremely popular idol gets an equally popular actress pregnant, both in their mid twenties, the prime of their careers. Tell me Nanba, how would you make that easier?”
But it wasn’t Nanba who responded. Because even before Nanba could open his mouth, Yamapi spoke up.
“Marriage…” he told Riko before turning to Maki. “We’re getting married.”
----------
“Just go there and listen to what they have to say…”
That was what Riko said to convince Maki to agree to a meeting when Riko told her than Yamapi and his manager requested for one. She already knew by then that they’re going to discuss about her condition.
She planned to do just that, sit there and hear them out. But she couldn’t stay quiet for long after that declaration.
“Excuse me?” she said, glaring at Yamapi. “Just because you said it, it’s going to happen, is that it?! When I agreed to this meeting Yamashita-san, I thought I was going to be given a chance to voice my side, not to be ordered around.”
Before anyone could say a word, she stood up and bowed to both managers saying “I’m sorry for wasting both your time but this is that, a waste of all our time.. Good day to you both…” before storming out.
Yamapi could only groan, hitting his forehead with his fist, as he scrambled to his feet after her, realizing how he had just messed things further up.
The door had closed behind him when Nanba finally let out his chuckle.
“Well, that was something…” he said as both managers watched the door.
He knew Riko would not be running after Maki the same way he wouldn’t be going after Yamapi. Those kids need to sort things out themselves.
“Really, Nanba?” laughed Riko, shaking her head. “That’s the best proposal a Johnny’s idol could come up with?! ‘We’re getting married’?!”
Nanba shrugged. “Give the kid a break… He never thought he was going to propose this early in life… I’m actually quite proud that he didn’t stutter when he said that… The kid has made his decision…”
“Well, so has Maki-chan… and Maki-chan wouldn’t soon change her mind about it. We may be gracious enough to count that declaration as a marriage proposal but it’s not like Johnny-san would allow Yamashita-san to get married now…”
“Oh… Yamapi already has Johnny-san’s nod…” said Nanba, smiling. “I was about to say that before he declared his proposal…”
“Is that so…” said Riko, sounding really amused. “I guess Maki-chan didn’t know that…”
“Would that have changed how she reacted?” Nanba asked.
Riko laughed. “Absolutely… not the way you’d think…”
0_0... i'm late for my own schedule but... well, better late than never right? :)
i hope this does not disappoint you guys... :)
