angelshill (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
angelshill) wrote2010-08-25 07:27 pm
angelshill) wrote2010-08-25 07:27 pm
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I was writing when i should have been reviewing... And then I was watching when i should have been writing! Oh well...
Since my muses suddenly went on vacation and did not return for a few days (seriously, last night was the only time i was able to add to the chapter i was working on in a good number of days...), i got crazy and started dl-ing and watching some video clips and reading about the other JE groups other than Arashi. :)
i realized quite a few things from those clips. Kanjani8 interviews are always loud, funny, and they absolutely love to talk! and i absolutely love their Shin Domoto Kyudai appearances. Toma guesting on a JE-hosted show is always fun because of the bullying that ensues (well, that goes for any kouhai appearing on a sempai show...). Becky had probably guested on almost all Johnny-hosted show, and her appearances are always lots of fun. Koichi is bad in drawing but perhaps not as bad as Tegoshi is while Tsuyoshi is artistic. Ryo can't really handle interviews and is the worst at being funny amongst all of Kanjani8 (I love his Hanamaru Cafe guesting when he positively stuttered when one of the hosts asked him if he liked doing the laundry!) while both Hina and Yoko don't really need the host to get the talk going... NewS apparently is the only group who has no group show (from what i've seen at least).
I now know at least one song from each of the debuted Johnny's group since SMAP. And i can now name every member of all groups since SMAP except Hey!Say!JUMP (but i do know at least half of them...)
Toma is still my favorite non-Arashi JE boy, but is now closely followed by Ryo. TOKIO is my favorite sempai group but Arashi still remains to be at the top... :) And oh, i'm seriously in love with Tegomassu's Ai ai gasa right now... :)
And now... :)
TITLE: 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/ Chapter6
Chapter 7:
“Marina!” Yamapi called, grabbing Maki by the arm after finally catching up to her before she reached the elevator at the third floor.
“Leave me alone!” cried Maki, looking away from him while trying to free herself from his grasp. “I don’t want to talk to you anymore!”
“You haven’t talked to me at all!” he said in annoyance, trapping her by the wall to stop her from any more flailing. It was a good thing the café’s third floor comprised of mostly private booths for meetings and private gatherings that the chances of someone walking into them was a bit slim. “We need to talk,” he emphasized, forcing her to look at him in the eyes.
Maki could not do anything more but glare at him, especially since she couldn’t move at all. It doesn’t help that his eyes are looking pleadingly at her, almost begging her to agree.
“What is there to talk about?” she hissed, trying to strengthen her resolve.
Yamapi didn’t immediately respond. Instead he looked around before suddenly pulling her towards the nearest private booth. Thankfully, it was vacant.
He had released his hold on her the moment they entered the room but it wasn’t like Maki had any escape route available to her, not when he just locked the door behind him and still is blocking it from her.
Silence reigned for a few moments between the two of them as the tension in the room rose. Yamapi continued to simply look at Maki while she glared at him defiantly.
“I’m not going to say I’m sorry…” he started in a slightly croaky voice.
“What?!”
“That’s right! I’m not…” Yamapi repeated, his voice getting stronger. “I’m not going to say sorry for something that I don’t feel sorry for. I’m not sorry for what happened, that’s what I feel and that’s what I’m going to stand by.”
Maki didn’t say a word. She just stood there, crossing her arms, her eyes growing steadily icy with each word he utters.
“But what I said in that room was true… I want to do right by you…”
Maki suddenly blurted out laughing. It wasn’t the cute, warm laugh she has. It was sarcastic... a bit cold even.
“Right by me?!” she cried. “Tell me exactly Yamashita-san, how do you plan to do right by me? That meeting was already supposed to set what is right for all of us but I think you and I would both agree that nothing of that sort happened, don’t we?”
Yamapi sighed, knowing that it was true and knowing that it probably is his fault. Well, it really was his fault their meeting made a turn for the worst.
“I won’t entertain the idea that I’m not your baby’s father…” he admitted, staring into her eyes.
Maki’s eyes widened, some of the ice in them melting at what he said.
But when she still did not say anything, Yamapi stepped closer to her. “Tell me straight, I am your baby’s father…” he said.
Maki visibly swallowed but she held her place. “That is not the moot point…” she started.
“But I need to hear it...” Yamapi reiterated, now merely centimeters away from her. “I need you to tell me that I am the father.”
That was what’s been running in his mind ever since Gussan opened up that option that night. Because even though he would not and could not accept that to be true, he could not deny the fact that Maki had never told him so. The fact that Maki never said otherwise was not enough for him, it felt like he really needed to hear her say it.
He was almost afraid she would say no when she held her head high and met his gaze, not that he would believe it if she’d say that, Maki had always had the flare at doing the opposite of what he asks, but he was almost afraid to hear her say something else.
He didn’t know that he was holding his breathe until he realized he released it when Maki said “Yes”.
“You are the father, but as Riko-chan said earlier, it doesn’t really change anything…” Maki added immediately.
“It does…” he insisted. “I’m not going to back down from my responsibilities. We are getting married.”
Maki shook her head. “You’re not taking this seriously…” she said, taking a step back. “This isn’t something you do on a whim…”
“Of course it isn’t!” Yamapi cried, taking that step Maki had taken away from him. “I wouldn’t call something a whim if I had already discussed it with Johnny-san.”
“What?!”
“That’s right. I’ve already talked to my management. I’ve already told them about my decision.”
“Just like that huh…” Maki shook her head, smiling bitterly. “What you guys have agreed to behind close doors is not something that would take effect unless your fans feel that way. You’re an idol Yamapi. Always have. Always will.”
“And I’m also your baby’s father. That’s not going to change either.”
Maki simply stood there, looking at him both in doubt and disbelief when he uttered those words.
Running his hands through his hair in frustration, he said “I just need you to give me a chance…”
“What makes you think you deserve one?” she challenged.
“Because I need… I want that chance to prove to you that me being your baby’s father changes everything.”
----------
Yamapi could only sigh when he looked at his reflection at the café’s men’s room, remembering the words Maki said before she left.
“I am not going to wait for you…” those were her first words after the silenced that reigned between them after his determined words. She was looking directly into his eyes but her own eyes were shielded, void of any show of emotion. It struck him that she wouldn’t want him to see what she really felt.
“If you want the chance to prove yourself, you have it. How or when, it’s up to you. But I am not going to wait around for you to succeed or fail. There’s too much at stake for that. I’m not going to wait…”
After that, she said that she had to go. He had wanted to walk her to her car when Maki stopped him entering when she stepped in the elevator.
“It probably would not be the best idea that we both be seen in this elevator right now…” she said, her smile civil.
Yamapi had wanted to argue but he knew it was a moot point so he reluctantly agreed. He stood there until the elevator door closed, taking her downstairs. However, he was completely unsure on whether it was sadness that flashed through Maki’s face at that split second when the metal doors were just about a couple millimeters away or something else. But the possibility bothered him.
He was glad too, though. Glad that the confrontations he had envisioned are now over. Glad especially that Maki had given him a chance despite the fact that he is currently unsure on how to prove himself to her. He knew that he had to do his best. Doing exactly what is the problem.
His mind was still completely on that issue when he stepped out of the men’s room that he did not immediately notice the female figure standing at the deserted corridor outside. It was only when he was a few feet away that he saw her looking at him, the fierce and fighting figure of Kuroki Meisa.
----------
The moment Yamapi entered Meisa’s field of vision, she had to literally restrain herself from marching to him and extending her arm for a slap.
She knew what he was doing there since Maki had told her about the meeting. Maki was asking for someone to pick her up when the meeting ends since she said Riko might end up discussing the issues extensively and she didn’t really intend to stay there longer than necessary. Meisa had passed that baton to Erika, claiming that she has her recording that morning and knowing that Erika would be free during that time frame. They’ve all agreed that Maki shouldn’t be driving on her own for the time being.
But Meisa’s recording ended about an hour before the meeting even started, giving her enough time to get to Ebisu. Before she could even reach the café though, she had already decided that she wouldn’t be there to pick up Maki. She had another agenda all together. After all, her confrontation with Yamapi is already long overdue.
She had always wanted to have a talk with Yamapi ever since she noticed the changes in Maki emotionally through the course of their three collaborations, particularly during the Kurosagi period. But her first real urge to confront the guy came about when she saw a particular item in Maki’s bedroom two months ago.
“Maki-chan… Who’s is this?” she asked curiously, noticing the black piece of clothing strewn carelessly with some of Maki’s clothing while she was waiting for Maki to finish preparing. They were going out for dinner.
“What’s that?” asked Maki from the bathroom. “Probably mine since it’s in my room…”
“A men’s jacket?!” responded Meisa incredulously as she started rummaging through the pockets.
“What jacket are you talking about?” Maki was saying as she entered the bedroom only to stop on her tracks when she saw the jacket Meisa was holding. Her eyes grew large and in one of the rare cases in Maki’s life, her face actually colored of its own accord. Her face grew really red.
Maki was just about to grab from her the said jacket when she felt a lump in the jacket’s inner pocket. It turned out to be a piece of folded paper.
It was already in an accusing stare when she turned to Maki.
“Why do you have Yamashita Tomohisa’s jacket with you?” she asked, holding the piece of paper that was Yamapi’s drama schedule.
“Anoh… That’s Toma’s, he lent it to me when he saw me yesterday…” Maki stuttered.”How would I know that would be in his pocket?”
“And why would Ikuta-kun have this in his pocket?!” Meisa snorted.”You’re absolutely lying … What are you not telling your best friend?”
The only thing that stopped Meisa from confronting Yamapi then was Maki pleading her not to. But the thing that really triggered her to want to talk to him came from Maki just the same.
Keiko was having a grand time interrogating/ribbing Mao when she went over at Maki’s place a few nights ago, Matsujun having just left a few minutes before she arrived.
Apparently, Mao had looked really flustered during the time her former boyfriend was in the building, staying at the kitchen all the time. The only time she interacted with him, according to Keiko, was when Matsujun was about to leave and they both looked quite lost in each others eyes for a while.
Seeing the blush creep into Mao’s face, Meisa had joined in the teasing. “Can this be..? Mao-chan, don’t tell me you’re still in love with Matsumoto Jun?”
When Mao merely pouted and looked away, the other three burst into giggles as Maki pointed out “You so are still into him!”
The fact that Mao did not oppose or even imply otherwise made them all squeal in their seats, which only made Mao blush deeper.
“But…” Keiko started. “If you are still in love with him, why did you two break up?”
“It wasn’t right from the beginning…” Mao shrugged. “Our relationship would only interfere with his work as an idol…”
“Eh… I thought his group mates were in support of your relationship?” asked Maki, having worked with all 5 of Arashi at one point or another. “From what I’ve seen, they still are up to now… Even the other Johnnys …”
“They were… are… I don’t know. I don’t really talk to them about that stuff…” Mao admitted. “But, still, there were two many factors involved, we’re both in the entertainment business that’s always difficult… Plus, he is an idol… And a Johnny… And he’s Arashi … Besides, we are both still young. It’s not like he wouldn’t be able find someone else…”
“He doesn’t seem like he’s searching though…” Meisa said, shrugging. “From what I’ve seen and heard from him, he’s more like waiting… For you…”
The silence and looks of amazement that greeted that statement, not only from Mao but from the other two as well, made Meisa frown. “What?!” she asked, slightly annoyed.
“I can’t believe I’d be hearing that from you…” Maki admitted.
“Yeah… It’s almost as if you’re cheering for Matsumoto Jun, and he’s a Johnny…” Keiko added.
“I’ve got nothing against Johnnys!” Meisa objected. “I’ve got something against men who are not capable of thinking for themselves or making their own decisions or standing by their decisions… Those idiots I know off who’re just like that just happen to be Johnny! Besides, I think Jun-kun is one of the relatively few Johnnys of this generation who don’t simply follow, he makes his own decisions…”
“Wow Mei-chan…” exclaimed Keiko. “Such fighting words… It makes me actually wonder who amongst the present-day Johnny’s have angered you so much…”
“No one…” Meisa answered defiantly before turning back to Mao. “Why don’t you give it a chance?”
“So many things have changed…” Mao said in deep thought, hugging her knees. “It’s been two years…”
“It’s not like you haven’t seen each other during those years…” Maki laughed. “Besides, I think he still loves you too… It shows… I think you’re lucky the one you love loves you right back…”
Meisa wasn’t the only one who noticed the sudden melancholy in Maki’s features when she added those words. In fact, it was Mao who asked the question she had wanted to ask.
“Are you in love with Yamapi?”
Maki started, having the attention suddenly turn to her. She had just put on a smile to deny it when she saw how all three women were looking at her knowingly, like they could read through the lies she was still to say.
“Since when?” asked Keiko curiously.
“I don’t know… I just woke up one day and I realized I liked him…” she admitted, smiling humorlessly. “But it doesn’t really matter; he doesn’t love me back... It doesn’t matter that he’s going to be my baby’s father because he doesn’t love me back…”
She had always known Maki had developed some feelings towards Yamapi over the years, most noticeably during the rise of Yamapi and Keiko’s supposed relationship. For a while, Maki and Keiko became really awkward towards each other even if they were both pretending that nothing had changed. Thankfully, it returned to normal after a while although they didn’t really know how.
But it was the first time Maki actually said those words and she knew what it means. Maki wouldn’t have said it aloud if she didn’t mean it. Adding that to the current situation, Meisa had more than enough reason to face Yamashita Tomohisa.
----------
Yamapi almost wanted to hit himself. How could he have forgotten that he’d still have to face Maki’s best friend? Maki’s view might have been the most important for him to garner right now but he knew that Meisa’s opinion is a big deal, too. And with the glare Meisa is sending him right now, he’s sure that whatever that opinion is, it’s nowhere near good.
He made himself walk normally towards her direction, not really an easy feat when the woman, in all honesty and especially right now, intimidates him.
“Kuroki-san…” he started with a small bow when he was near enough her for small conversation.
Meisa did not bothering bowing, or greeting back. She pulled herself to her full height and looked directly into his eyes.
“Maki might have given you a chance to prove whatever it is you’re trying to prove but I’m here to tell you that I’m not giving you a chance to hurt her. Try hurting her one more time and I wouldn’t give a second thought of you being an idol, I’d make you feel sorry from the very day you sent Johnnys your precious application.”
Before Yamapi could even blink or cohesively make a reply, Meisa had turned her back to him and walked away. She was already in the elevator when his mind even had the chance to fully digest what had just happened.
And he was still wrapping his head around her words when he heard a familiar female voice behind her chuckling.
“I guess Mei-chan and I thought of the same thing.”
----------
“Keiko-chan?!” Yamapi exclaimed when he turned around.
True enough, a few feet away from him, from the opposite direction, is the tall figure of Kitagawa Keiko.
“Hello Yamapi…” smiled Keiko as she walked nearer. “It’s been a while, ne?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to do another version of what Meisa-chan just did…”
Yamapi blanched, remembering that Keiko is friends with Meisa and Maki.
“I’m not going to threaten you…” Keiko laughed. “But we do need to talk.”
Yamapi wanted to groan out loud. It was like being in Matsujun’s place that night all over again, with his JE sempais waiting for him to talk. The difference is that then he knew what they wanted him to tell them, he knew what they wanted him to share. This time, he did not have any idea of what Keiko wanted him to say.
----------
“So…” Keiko started lightly when their orders had been set on their tables already. It was completely difficult for her to hide her amusement at Yamapi, seeing how the younger man seemed to be completely out of his element.
“So… what?” asked Yamapi in irritation. “You’re the one who said we needed to talk.”
“But you’re the one with the million questions…” Keiko smiled. “I only have quite a few… Why don’t you ask your questions first?”
Yamapi had gaped at her in disbelief but she simply shrugged.
After a while, he cleared his throat and asked “How much do you know?”
“Most probably everything you do…” Keiko admitted. “And some things you don’t…”
When Yamapi continued to look confused, Keiko laughed and continued.
“Maki told us about her condition and decision... And maybe some other things that by the looks of it, you still do not know…”
“And what is it that you know that I still don’t?”
“There are some things that would be more meaningful if you find out for yourself…” Keiko simply smiled.
“Then what is it that we’re supposed to talk about?” Yamapi almost growled.
“Maki-chan…” Keiko said. “I want us to talk about her…”
“What about her?” he asked.
“Maki-chan is a unique girl, don’t you think so?”
“Huh?”
“She’s very independent, tough… She knows what she wants… She’s a bit like me in some ways, she wouldn’t settle for anything less…”
“I don’t understand where you’re getting at…” Yamapi admitted, looking at her, thoroughly confused.
Keiko chuckled, shaking her head. “I have always been amazed by you, Yamapi… You always seem to know what you’re capable off. What you can and cannot do… But it seemed to me that you’re not as aware of your feelings as you are of your abilities…”
“I still don’t get your point,” Yamapi said.
“I’m going to take a very wild guess and say you’re proposing or have proposed to Maki-chan already, right?”
“And if I have?”
Keiko couldn’t help but smile seeing how Yamapi, who was earlier offensive, was suddenly on the defense. “And she didn’t say yes…”
“Well, she didn’t say no either.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?” asked Yamapi, completely bewildered at how their conversation is going on.
“Why did you propose?” asked Keiko, still smiling but is now really serious. “What is your reason?”
“She’s pregnant. I’m the father,” answered Yamapi. “Isn’t that reason enough?”
Keiko smiled ironically. “You and I both know that Maki-chan does not deserve anything half-baked. A cake wouldn’t taste as good if some of its ingredients are missing…”
“What do you mean?”
Keiko smiled. “You’ll realize soon enough…” she said. “You have to… Because if you don’t, you might end up losing something special…”
Yamapi looked down, his eyebrows furrowed as he tried to understand what she said. When he looked up, she was already on her feet, fully prepared to leave.
“I’d love to stay and chat but I’ve got work to do…” she smiled. She was about to turn her back when Yamapi spoke up.
“Wait… Can I ask you one thing?”
“Sure…”
“Why didn’t you let us happen?” he asked.
Keiko chuckled. “Because most of the time, women realize things way before men do…”
it's a late update but this chapter is seriously the hardest chapter i've worked on... :) i hope it wont disappointed though... :)
Since my muses suddenly went on vacation and did not return for a few days (seriously, last night was the only time i was able to add to the chapter i was working on in a good number of days...), i got crazy and started dl-ing and watching some video clips and reading about the other JE groups other than Arashi. :)
i realized quite a few things from those clips. Kanjani8 interviews are always loud, funny, and they absolutely love to talk! and i absolutely love their Shin Domoto Kyudai appearances. Toma guesting on a JE-hosted show is always fun because of the bullying that ensues (well, that goes for any kouhai appearing on a sempai show...). Becky had probably guested on almost all Johnny-hosted show, and her appearances are always lots of fun. Koichi is bad in drawing but perhaps not as bad as Tegoshi is while Tsuyoshi is artistic. Ryo can't really handle interviews and is the worst at being funny amongst all of Kanjani8 (I love his Hanamaru Cafe guesting when he positively stuttered when one of the hosts asked him if he liked doing the laundry!) while both Hina and Yoko don't really need the host to get the talk going... NewS apparently is the only group who has no group show (from what i've seen at least).
I now know at least one song from each of the debuted Johnny's group since SMAP. And i can now name every member of all groups since SMAP except Hey!Say!JUMP (but i do know at least half of them...)
Toma is still my favorite non-Arashi JE boy, but is now closely followed by Ryo. TOKIO is my favorite sempai group but Arashi still remains to be at the top... :) And oh, i'm seriously in love with Tegomassu's Ai ai gasa right now... :)
And now... :)
TITLE: 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/ Chapter6
Chapter 7:
“Marina!” Yamapi called, grabbing Maki by the arm after finally catching up to her before she reached the elevator at the third floor.
“Leave me alone!” cried Maki, looking away from him while trying to free herself from his grasp. “I don’t want to talk to you anymore!”
“You haven’t talked to me at all!” he said in annoyance, trapping her by the wall to stop her from any more flailing. It was a good thing the café’s third floor comprised of mostly private booths for meetings and private gatherings that the chances of someone walking into them was a bit slim. “We need to talk,” he emphasized, forcing her to look at him in the eyes.
Maki could not do anything more but glare at him, especially since she couldn’t move at all. It doesn’t help that his eyes are looking pleadingly at her, almost begging her to agree.
“What is there to talk about?” she hissed, trying to strengthen her resolve.
Yamapi didn’t immediately respond. Instead he looked around before suddenly pulling her towards the nearest private booth. Thankfully, it was vacant.
He had released his hold on her the moment they entered the room but it wasn’t like Maki had any escape route available to her, not when he just locked the door behind him and still is blocking it from her.
Silence reigned for a few moments between the two of them as the tension in the room rose. Yamapi continued to simply look at Maki while she glared at him defiantly.
“I’m not going to say I’m sorry…” he started in a slightly croaky voice.
“What?!”
“That’s right! I’m not…” Yamapi repeated, his voice getting stronger. “I’m not going to say sorry for something that I don’t feel sorry for. I’m not sorry for what happened, that’s what I feel and that’s what I’m going to stand by.”
Maki didn’t say a word. She just stood there, crossing her arms, her eyes growing steadily icy with each word he utters.
“But what I said in that room was true… I want to do right by you…”
Maki suddenly blurted out laughing. It wasn’t the cute, warm laugh she has. It was sarcastic... a bit cold even.
“Right by me?!” she cried. “Tell me exactly Yamashita-san, how do you plan to do right by me? That meeting was already supposed to set what is right for all of us but I think you and I would both agree that nothing of that sort happened, don’t we?”
Yamapi sighed, knowing that it was true and knowing that it probably is his fault. Well, it really was his fault their meeting made a turn for the worst.
“I won’t entertain the idea that I’m not your baby’s father…” he admitted, staring into her eyes.
Maki’s eyes widened, some of the ice in them melting at what he said.
But when she still did not say anything, Yamapi stepped closer to her. “Tell me straight, I am your baby’s father…” he said.
Maki visibly swallowed but she held her place. “That is not the moot point…” she started.
“But I need to hear it...” Yamapi reiterated, now merely centimeters away from her. “I need you to tell me that I am the father.”
That was what’s been running in his mind ever since Gussan opened up that option that night. Because even though he would not and could not accept that to be true, he could not deny the fact that Maki had never told him so. The fact that Maki never said otherwise was not enough for him, it felt like he really needed to hear her say it.
He was almost afraid she would say no when she held her head high and met his gaze, not that he would believe it if she’d say that, Maki had always had the flare at doing the opposite of what he asks, but he was almost afraid to hear her say something else.
He didn’t know that he was holding his breathe until he realized he released it when Maki said “Yes”.
“You are the father, but as Riko-chan said earlier, it doesn’t really change anything…” Maki added immediately.
“It does…” he insisted. “I’m not going to back down from my responsibilities. We are getting married.”
Maki shook her head. “You’re not taking this seriously…” she said, taking a step back. “This isn’t something you do on a whim…”
“Of course it isn’t!” Yamapi cried, taking that step Maki had taken away from him. “I wouldn’t call something a whim if I had already discussed it with Johnny-san.”
“What?!”
“That’s right. I’ve already talked to my management. I’ve already told them about my decision.”
“Just like that huh…” Maki shook her head, smiling bitterly. “What you guys have agreed to behind close doors is not something that would take effect unless your fans feel that way. You’re an idol Yamapi. Always have. Always will.”
“And I’m also your baby’s father. That’s not going to change either.”
Maki simply stood there, looking at him both in doubt and disbelief when he uttered those words.
Running his hands through his hair in frustration, he said “I just need you to give me a chance…”
“What makes you think you deserve one?” she challenged.
“Because I need… I want that chance to prove to you that me being your baby’s father changes everything.”
----------
Yamapi could only sigh when he looked at his reflection at the café’s men’s room, remembering the words Maki said before she left.
“I am not going to wait for you…” those were her first words after the silenced that reigned between them after his determined words. She was looking directly into his eyes but her own eyes were shielded, void of any show of emotion. It struck him that she wouldn’t want him to see what she really felt.
“If you want the chance to prove yourself, you have it. How or when, it’s up to you. But I am not going to wait around for you to succeed or fail. There’s too much at stake for that. I’m not going to wait…”
After that, she said that she had to go. He had wanted to walk her to her car when Maki stopped him entering when she stepped in the elevator.
“It probably would not be the best idea that we both be seen in this elevator right now…” she said, her smile civil.
Yamapi had wanted to argue but he knew it was a moot point so he reluctantly agreed. He stood there until the elevator door closed, taking her downstairs. However, he was completely unsure on whether it was sadness that flashed through Maki’s face at that split second when the metal doors were just about a couple millimeters away or something else. But the possibility bothered him.
He was glad too, though. Glad that the confrontations he had envisioned are now over. Glad especially that Maki had given him a chance despite the fact that he is currently unsure on how to prove himself to her. He knew that he had to do his best. Doing exactly what is the problem.
His mind was still completely on that issue when he stepped out of the men’s room that he did not immediately notice the female figure standing at the deserted corridor outside. It was only when he was a few feet away that he saw her looking at him, the fierce and fighting figure of Kuroki Meisa.
----------
The moment Yamapi entered Meisa’s field of vision, she had to literally restrain herself from marching to him and extending her arm for a slap.
She knew what he was doing there since Maki had told her about the meeting. Maki was asking for someone to pick her up when the meeting ends since she said Riko might end up discussing the issues extensively and she didn’t really intend to stay there longer than necessary. Meisa had passed that baton to Erika, claiming that she has her recording that morning and knowing that Erika would be free during that time frame. They’ve all agreed that Maki shouldn’t be driving on her own for the time being.
But Meisa’s recording ended about an hour before the meeting even started, giving her enough time to get to Ebisu. Before she could even reach the café though, she had already decided that she wouldn’t be there to pick up Maki. She had another agenda all together. After all, her confrontation with Yamapi is already long overdue.
She had always wanted to have a talk with Yamapi ever since she noticed the changes in Maki emotionally through the course of their three collaborations, particularly during the Kurosagi period. But her first real urge to confront the guy came about when she saw a particular item in Maki’s bedroom two months ago.
“Maki-chan… Who’s is this?” she asked curiously, noticing the black piece of clothing strewn carelessly with some of Maki’s clothing while she was waiting for Maki to finish preparing. They were going out for dinner.
“What’s that?” asked Maki from the bathroom. “Probably mine since it’s in my room…”
“A men’s jacket?!” responded Meisa incredulously as she started rummaging through the pockets.
“What jacket are you talking about?” Maki was saying as she entered the bedroom only to stop on her tracks when she saw the jacket Meisa was holding. Her eyes grew large and in one of the rare cases in Maki’s life, her face actually colored of its own accord. Her face grew really red.
Maki was just about to grab from her the said jacket when she felt a lump in the jacket’s inner pocket. It turned out to be a piece of folded paper.
It was already in an accusing stare when she turned to Maki.
“Why do you have Yamashita Tomohisa’s jacket with you?” she asked, holding the piece of paper that was Yamapi’s drama schedule.
“Anoh… That’s Toma’s, he lent it to me when he saw me yesterday…” Maki stuttered.”How would I know that would be in his pocket?”
“And why would Ikuta-kun have this in his pocket?!” Meisa snorted.”You’re absolutely lying … What are you not telling your best friend?”
The only thing that stopped Meisa from confronting Yamapi then was Maki pleading her not to. But the thing that really triggered her to want to talk to him came from Maki just the same.
Keiko was having a grand time interrogating/ribbing Mao when she went over at Maki’s place a few nights ago, Matsujun having just left a few minutes before she arrived.
Apparently, Mao had looked really flustered during the time her former boyfriend was in the building, staying at the kitchen all the time. The only time she interacted with him, according to Keiko, was when Matsujun was about to leave and they both looked quite lost in each others eyes for a while.
Seeing the blush creep into Mao’s face, Meisa had joined in the teasing. “Can this be..? Mao-chan, don’t tell me you’re still in love with Matsumoto Jun?”
When Mao merely pouted and looked away, the other three burst into giggles as Maki pointed out “You so are still into him!”
The fact that Mao did not oppose or even imply otherwise made them all squeal in their seats, which only made Mao blush deeper.
“But…” Keiko started. “If you are still in love with him, why did you two break up?”
“It wasn’t right from the beginning…” Mao shrugged. “Our relationship would only interfere with his work as an idol…”
“Eh… I thought his group mates were in support of your relationship?” asked Maki, having worked with all 5 of Arashi at one point or another. “From what I’ve seen, they still are up to now… Even the other Johnnys …”
“They were… are… I don’t know. I don’t really talk to them about that stuff…” Mao admitted. “But, still, there were two many factors involved, we’re both in the entertainment business that’s always difficult… Plus, he is an idol… And a Johnny… And he’s Arashi … Besides, we are both still young. It’s not like he wouldn’t be able find someone else…”
“He doesn’t seem like he’s searching though…” Meisa said, shrugging. “From what I’ve seen and heard from him, he’s more like waiting… For you…”
The silence and looks of amazement that greeted that statement, not only from Mao but from the other two as well, made Meisa frown. “What?!” she asked, slightly annoyed.
“I can’t believe I’d be hearing that from you…” Maki admitted.
“Yeah… It’s almost as if you’re cheering for Matsumoto Jun, and he’s a Johnny…” Keiko added.
“I’ve got nothing against Johnnys!” Meisa objected. “I’ve got something against men who are not capable of thinking for themselves or making their own decisions or standing by their decisions… Those idiots I know off who’re just like that just happen to be Johnny! Besides, I think Jun-kun is one of the relatively few Johnnys of this generation who don’t simply follow, he makes his own decisions…”
“Wow Mei-chan…” exclaimed Keiko. “Such fighting words… It makes me actually wonder who amongst the present-day Johnny’s have angered you so much…”
“No one…” Meisa answered defiantly before turning back to Mao. “Why don’t you give it a chance?”
“So many things have changed…” Mao said in deep thought, hugging her knees. “It’s been two years…”
“It’s not like you haven’t seen each other during those years…” Maki laughed. “Besides, I think he still loves you too… It shows… I think you’re lucky the one you love loves you right back…”
Meisa wasn’t the only one who noticed the sudden melancholy in Maki’s features when she added those words. In fact, it was Mao who asked the question she had wanted to ask.
“Are you in love with Yamapi?”
Maki started, having the attention suddenly turn to her. She had just put on a smile to deny it when she saw how all three women were looking at her knowingly, like they could read through the lies she was still to say.
“Since when?” asked Keiko curiously.
“I don’t know… I just woke up one day and I realized I liked him…” she admitted, smiling humorlessly. “But it doesn’t really matter; he doesn’t love me back... It doesn’t matter that he’s going to be my baby’s father because he doesn’t love me back…”
She had always known Maki had developed some feelings towards Yamapi over the years, most noticeably during the rise of Yamapi and Keiko’s supposed relationship. For a while, Maki and Keiko became really awkward towards each other even if they were both pretending that nothing had changed. Thankfully, it returned to normal after a while although they didn’t really know how.
But it was the first time Maki actually said those words and she knew what it means. Maki wouldn’t have said it aloud if she didn’t mean it. Adding that to the current situation, Meisa had more than enough reason to face Yamashita Tomohisa.
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Yamapi almost wanted to hit himself. How could he have forgotten that he’d still have to face Maki’s best friend? Maki’s view might have been the most important for him to garner right now but he knew that Meisa’s opinion is a big deal, too. And with the glare Meisa is sending him right now, he’s sure that whatever that opinion is, it’s nowhere near good.
He made himself walk normally towards her direction, not really an easy feat when the woman, in all honesty and especially right now, intimidates him.
“Kuroki-san…” he started with a small bow when he was near enough her for small conversation.
Meisa did not bothering bowing, or greeting back. She pulled herself to her full height and looked directly into his eyes.
“Maki might have given you a chance to prove whatever it is you’re trying to prove but I’m here to tell you that I’m not giving you a chance to hurt her. Try hurting her one more time and I wouldn’t give a second thought of you being an idol, I’d make you feel sorry from the very day you sent Johnnys your precious application.”
Before Yamapi could even blink or cohesively make a reply, Meisa had turned her back to him and walked away. She was already in the elevator when his mind even had the chance to fully digest what had just happened.
And he was still wrapping his head around her words when he heard a familiar female voice behind her chuckling.
“I guess Mei-chan and I thought of the same thing.”
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“Keiko-chan?!” Yamapi exclaimed when he turned around.
True enough, a few feet away from him, from the opposite direction, is the tall figure of Kitagawa Keiko.
“Hello Yamapi…” smiled Keiko as she walked nearer. “It’s been a while, ne?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to do another version of what Meisa-chan just did…”
Yamapi blanched, remembering that Keiko is friends with Meisa and Maki.
“I’m not going to threaten you…” Keiko laughed. “But we do need to talk.”
Yamapi wanted to groan out loud. It was like being in Matsujun’s place that night all over again, with his JE sempais waiting for him to talk. The difference is that then he knew what they wanted him to tell them, he knew what they wanted him to share. This time, he did not have any idea of what Keiko wanted him to say.
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“So…” Keiko started lightly when their orders had been set on their tables already. It was completely difficult for her to hide her amusement at Yamapi, seeing how the younger man seemed to be completely out of his element.
“So… what?” asked Yamapi in irritation. “You’re the one who said we needed to talk.”
“But you’re the one with the million questions…” Keiko smiled. “I only have quite a few… Why don’t you ask your questions first?”
Yamapi had gaped at her in disbelief but she simply shrugged.
After a while, he cleared his throat and asked “How much do you know?”
“Most probably everything you do…” Keiko admitted. “And some things you don’t…”
When Yamapi continued to look confused, Keiko laughed and continued.
“Maki told us about her condition and decision... And maybe some other things that by the looks of it, you still do not know…”
“And what is it that you know that I still don’t?”
“There are some things that would be more meaningful if you find out for yourself…” Keiko simply smiled.
“Then what is it that we’re supposed to talk about?” Yamapi almost growled.
“Maki-chan…” Keiko said. “I want us to talk about her…”
“What about her?” he asked.
“Maki-chan is a unique girl, don’t you think so?”
“Huh?”
“She’s very independent, tough… She knows what she wants… She’s a bit like me in some ways, she wouldn’t settle for anything less…”
“I don’t understand where you’re getting at…” Yamapi admitted, looking at her, thoroughly confused.
Keiko chuckled, shaking her head. “I have always been amazed by you, Yamapi… You always seem to know what you’re capable off. What you can and cannot do… But it seemed to me that you’re not as aware of your feelings as you are of your abilities…”
“I still don’t get your point,” Yamapi said.
“I’m going to take a very wild guess and say you’re proposing or have proposed to Maki-chan already, right?”
“And if I have?”
Keiko couldn’t help but smile seeing how Yamapi, who was earlier offensive, was suddenly on the defense. “And she didn’t say yes…”
“Well, she didn’t say no either.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?” asked Yamapi, completely bewildered at how their conversation is going on.
“Why did you propose?” asked Keiko, still smiling but is now really serious. “What is your reason?”
“She’s pregnant. I’m the father,” answered Yamapi. “Isn’t that reason enough?”
Keiko smiled ironically. “You and I both know that Maki-chan does not deserve anything half-baked. A cake wouldn’t taste as good if some of its ingredients are missing…”
“What do you mean?”
Keiko smiled. “You’ll realize soon enough…” she said. “You have to… Because if you don’t, you might end up losing something special…”
Yamapi looked down, his eyebrows furrowed as he tried to understand what she said. When he looked up, she was already on her feet, fully prepared to leave.
“I’d love to stay and chat but I’ve got work to do…” she smiled. She was about to turn her back when Yamapi spoke up.
“Wait… Can I ask you one thing?”
“Sure…”
“Why didn’t you let us happen?” he asked.
Keiko chuckled. “Because most of the time, women realize things way before men do…”
it's a late update but this chapter is seriously the hardest chapter i've worked on... :) i hope it wont disappointed though... :)
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This update is exactly what I felt!
Whoo!
Go Meisa! *waves banner*
I just love how strong spirited she is!
the perfect best friend for Maki.
And the line where Maki admits she loves Tomo is<3!
you go Keiko hahaha!
guess Tomo still really likes her ne?
ah love...
such a whirlwind of feelings...
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!
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that's actually how i really see Meisa would be as a best friend...
thanks... :)
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I love it! :DD
Meisa is just how envisioned her in this fanfic!
I wonder which Johhnys she's paired up with? I wish it's Jin! ;)
I have to admit that I'm a KeikoPi shipper and I love their convo here!
Aaaaahhh, Jun and Mao!! I want more of them! ^^
I love this chapter, sweetie! Keep rockin'! :DD
Thanks for sharing! :D
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i don't really know much about Keiko (or even Pi for that matter...) so i'm not really confident about writing their scenes...
JunMao would get their chance... :)
thanks... :)
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men are always lack of sense~
Pi should repent his self for not understand what keiko mean~huhu
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Does Yamapi like to get physical with Maki or what? Haha...I guess the tension is too much to stay away from. They can probably cut it with a knife since it's been hanging for years. I think I might be starting to understand where Maki's coming from. With how Yamapi keep mentioning responsibility for the baby, it probably re-enforced her thoughts that he only want to be with her because of the baby. Bad move, Yamapi. =/
Oh...Meisa and Keiko makes Yamapi look like a baka for his slowness...haha Until his last question, I wouldn't think they had anything going on but I wonder what Yamapi did that made Keiko realize 'the something'.
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the tension is always there, since they both have not yet made a move to get rid of it. Yamapi had just not yet realized what the others had but yeah, doing something of that magnitude out of responsibility is almost like doing it out of pity (at least that's what i think...) and that wouldn't feel right...
Oh, i wasn't intending for Meisa to make Yamapi look slow, just the normal "she's my best friend, don't hurt her" thing... i think i may or may not have subconsciously thought that way for Keiko though... i'm not really sure...:)
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off to read the nexr chap.
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