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06/05/09--05:22: I can has a formal invitation for Toycon/JE Meet 2009? :D (chan 2194298)

Hello gays!♥

Believe it or not, TOYCON coming around next weekend (June 13 and 14)! And as we all know, it has been a sort-of "tradition" to arrange a JE fans meetup WITHIN the event. If you must remember, I was one of the organizers of the last year's event.

2007 - KAT-TUN-themed... by Ionne ionnesaysrawr and Ira hwangak
2008 - KANJANI 8 themed... hosted by The Pinoy Kansaijins a.k.a Cog i, Mia nekoism, Joan shokizuki, KC and Karen.

SO, WHO WILL DO IT THIS 2009?
Let me introduce... Rona musikal_neko and Nicole thistealistoxic!

Yeah, they are the ones willing to continue the legacy, and as far as I know, they have this J-drama theme in mind, and it involves actual cosplay! :D SO, uh, what I'm trying to say is please support them for this third consecutive year in Toycon~

In as much as we guys want to organize this event, we thought, why not give chance to others to use their creativity? Besides, the former organizers (a.k.a evil masterminds XD) are getting busier (OMG IS THIS ADULTHOOD? AKIRA SHOCK!) than ever so we decided to support the "kouhais" in continuing the tradition instead. But, who knows? We MIGHT organize the FIFTH meetup: 2012... THE SENPAI SPECIAL~ LOL. *kicked* But don't worry yo, we'll still be around the event to make it as gay as possible. Hahah~

There's no shiny, blindingly gay, banner in this invitation because it comes straight from the heart. (Naks!) AAAAND we leave it to the organizers. Hahaha! *evil cackle*

Let's recap!

WHAT? JE FANMEET WITHIN TOYCON~
WHO? All JE fans, whether they've attended the past two meetups or the fresh ones~
WHEN? JUNE 13, 2009, Saturday, FROM 10 AM TO INFINITY. In short, we can hang out and chill anytime during the event~! :D
WHERE? Megatrade Halls 2-3 at SM Megamall
THE GOAL? More than the incoherence and massive group flailing and ear-raping screams, we want to meet and greet the new fans and somehow establish a bond. Like, of the senpai-kohai kind? (Someone: Yay! Vote Mia for president!!!)

YES. Let's be friends and let's be gay altogether (gay, in a happy sort of way!)
Can we expect you guys to share this to your fellow JE-admiring friends? Please?
Make this event a total PWN like the past two years~ Read the amazing summaries if you can't get enough!

Success story - 2007
Success story - 2008

Uh, that's all? Show your support through this entry okay? I'll be waiting.

Lots of love,
Mia... formerly known as Maki. (The Tacchon of Pinoy Kansaijins, haha!)


06/09/09--02:01: [Yuya/Maki] S.N.m.T.o.G ch.4 (chan 2194298)

Title: So Not My Type of Girl ~ Chapter 4
Pairing: Mainly Yuya Tegoshi/Maki Nekoi... and then some. YAY FOR FICS OF EPIC SELF-INSERTIONS.
Genre: Generally Romance, Comedy. AU.
Rating: PG-13
Notes: THE FIC LIVES. *sparkle* This is a long comeback from yours truly. Please be patient and watch me from this point forward.

SO NOT MY TYPE OF GIRL
1. Modern-Day Cinderella
2. Everywhere in Circles
3. Behind Chimera Lights



Finding company in each other's point of view at least, they headed to the Greek-inspired building which was a fifteen-minute walk away from Shigeaki's university. They walked, a feet away from each other, and in another's point of view, they seem totally oblivious of each other. The idol busied himself by listening to the rhythm of his feet against the linoleum, and the photographer had her head up, fascinated by the architecture of the said building. They entered an orange wall with a huge circular glass wall at the middle, and this served as the entrance to the said exhibit.

"We're here, finally." Said the idol who is in his last year of studying Law. When he turned back, his companion was gone,
"He-ey?"
He spotted her ogling at a set of paintings six feet away from him. He sighed and walked up to her.
"Van Gogh's got a solo corner! This is just... too amazing!" She gushed like a kid, much to the other's bewilderment.
"Ne, Shigeaki, I'm really glad I got free time to see this." In the nick of time, she looked by her right and saw the NEWS member looking as well.
"Un." He responded, "So, you're a fan of his works?"
"Like you have no idea!" She exclaimed, and it made heads turn. But Shigeaki didn't mind, because he finds it cool when another expresses his/her interests that way.
"Vincent Van Gogh was born on March 30 at the Netherlands, if I remember right. He is such a visionary that he was able to merge in a lot of painting techniques." She walked to her left, dragging Shigeaki along.
"Here, what can you say about this painting?"
The idol, despite wary eyes noticing his slightly star-like presence, pretended not to notice and leaned in to inspect the masterpiece, depicting a cafe of some sort.
"Hmm," his intelligent aura naturally showing at times like this. His hand supported his chin, imitating The Thinker.

"Rough strokes, but despite the orange and red hues, one can feel the emptiness in the painting. Like..." He paused, "It's pulling you into a whirlpool of gloom."
Maki didn't actually expect that metaphorical manner of stating observations, which amused her. "Exactly. Well put." She beamed, "Almost all his painting depict a dry air of despair. Being alone, isolation, and being standoffish from the crowd. Another will be this picture."
She walked further and little did she notice that a small crowd of fellow art enthusiasts were following her steps. Her companion was aware of the queer occurrence, but didn't question what's going on and instead, listened with increasing interest.
"This painting of wheat fields with crows was something he did while he was in a state of isolation. This is the work that depicted a faint light of hope in his paintings." She breathed, "It looked like hope will be there, still it's far. Like you said, there's this black hole that's pulling you deeper into depression in the middle of that golden field." The NEWS member was drawn to observe the painting some more, and unknowingly, he was hanging on to her explanations.

During the next five minutes, she narrated Van Gogh's history the same manner as it would be shown in a Wikipedia page, while standing beside the painter's most famous work, Starry Night.

"AND, do you know that the 1980 Don McLean's song Vincent is actually inspired by Starry Night?" She jutted out to the humongous painting at the wall. Even the other onlookers were flocked before her, listening to her narration. Soon, she noticed that she had been talking for too long. She saw Shigeaki nudging her to look behind them. The Myojo photographer was astonished to see the other onlookers flocked behind her, listening. Perhaps they thought she was a tour guide inside the exhibit.

"Oops." She sheepishly grinned, "I think I got carried away!"
To which Shigeaki replied, "Yes, you were." He reached out a hand to Maki's back and led her off so they can roam more exhibits from other artists.



------

A little after three o'clock in the afternoon was still too early for a busybody, like a famous idol, so Shigeaki decided for the next best thing after an art exhibit.
"Let's have coffee."
Compared to his silent self years back, he had changed a lot. Maki, however, was equally expressive of what she wants.
"No thanks. I don't drink coffee."
The idol was crestfallen.
"But I can have a frappe, I guess."
He smiled like a child given an extra treat. Maki likes it when he does. It's adorable, compared to his always stern and frowning expression.

A freshly-brewed macchiato, a tall glass of vanilla frappe, and a box of assorted donuts stood on table number twenty-three, which was located under a dark blue umbrella at the post Aoyama sidewalk. Shigeaki sipped on his drink as he thought of a good way to start a conversation. It was easier earlier since they had a common activity, but now they're idle, he's become his old self who's wary of how people would react when he does something. Or at least her presence makes him more conscious for a reason he cannot exactly point out.

"Err, you seemed to know a whole lot about Van Gogh." He turned back to that fact about her.
"If it couldn't get any more obvious, yes, he's my favorite." Maki restated, "He's led such a miserable life, but that misery was what made him famous after his death. A blessing in disguise, that misery, I must say."
"Very, very informative, that tour guide thing earlier."
"Are you being sarcastic?" She flashed him a glare.
"N-no, I'm sincere with that."
Silence. A dead end on Shigeaki's part. He watched as Maki stared into space. Out of nowhere, she asked:

"Why does a donut have a hole in the middle?"

"Eh." The Law student was surprised, "What kind of a question is that?"
"You're an intelli-idol as I've read on your past interviews, so you can answer that I guess."
"Uh." Wanting to impress and prove his intelli-idol status, he thought hard. "Ah, I remember. We had a show years ago wherein we went to a donut factory, and as I can see, it has a hole in the middle for it to be cooked evenly, inside and out."
"But," She wore an innocent face, and in this junction Shigeaki saw Tegoshi in her. He shook his head promptly, "What about those donuts with fillings in the middle? They do not have holes obviously, still they cook well."
"Ahh." Why didn't he think of that?
Suddenly, she laughed aloud. He frowned.
"Stop being too serious over stuff." Maki found delight on making others think over useless things. "You cannot have the answer to everything in this world.. So stop frowning and do the otherwise, okay?"

A total icebreaker. She won for that part, he admitted.

She grinned, and he grinned back.
"I made you wonder, didn't I?" She asked.
"Uh huh," He sipped his coffee.
"It's because you're not talking that's why I'm making up things." Adding after a lapse of three seconds, "Don't make this hard for me okay?"
She took out her cellphone. Shigeaki immediately noticed her cellphone charm.
"Marie?" He read, and Maki covered it in defense.
"Oh. Well. That's my real name."
"Really? But, why are you using Maki?"
"It sounds cool, and..." She got a tissue paper and a pen, then wrote her name, "As you can see, my R looks like a K, so..."
"You are using Maki to make your name sound Japanese."
"Uh, close to that." She grinned. "Shh, it's a secret okay?"

Little did they realize that they started talking randomly, from how to make a name legal (hence challenging the knowledge gained from his course), to such a term as unjust vexation, to photography, the costs of SLRs in the market, then to showbusiness, and back to photography when it comes to magazines. Nothing personal for now, just staking out interests (which turns out they had quite a lot). They only realized that it's getting late when the streetlights opened and they spotted the birds fly west, back to their home sweet homes.

"I had fun. Did you?" Shigeaki was curious to know if he was boring or otherwise.
"Van Gogh's great!" It turned out that the girl was still not over the art exhibit hype.
Silence. Shigeaki's face turned serious.
"Anou, can I see you again?"
"What," She frowned, "What a question!" Laughter. "Of course you can! Then we will go and see some more art exhibits, all right?"
Another Tegoshi resemblance. He shook his head to get the image off.
"Why of course."
"All right! It's been a day. Shigeaki, I am heading the opposite way." The way she calls his name was very casual, as if he's being treated like a friend, and it really amused him.
They started walking to a parting point.
"By the way," The idol added, "Shige will do."
The Myojo photographer was taken aback, "O-okay. See you then, uhm, Shige."
"If you don't mind..."

Two weeks and three evenings later, Maki received an email. It was Kato-san - Shige, rather - telling her about a concert of a band named SID, whom he knew Maki admires so much (through constant Q and A's). He told her that he knows the bassist, Aki, personally, and if she wanted to, he can get her an autograph after the live. Everything was said in a very formal tone. She mailed back, "I won't come with you until you start loosening up! :D"

------

"Man, you were wild out there!" Shigeaki taunted her as they walked together after the live. He was shocked to hear her sing along to their songs and flailed real bad when Aki did his authentic hip gyration moves during the track named Sweet?. AND, she jumped real high when the said bassist threw the pick exactly at their direction. She even hit a fellow fan across the face.
"What can you do? I'm so in love with them!" She blushed furiously to which the NEWS member laughed even more.

"Oh, thanks for getting the limited edition live t-shirt for me." She admitted that having the idol around was such a benefit. Imagine, they even got to meet them up close . That instant, she fainted. Almost.
"Aki isn't that attractive for you to faint about." Shigeaki refuted. "But he plays mad bass."
"Hah, you just don't appreciate masculine beauty." Maki taunted.
"Nah! I was simply jealous."
"YEAH RIGHT."
Shigeaki was on the verge of saying that it's the truth, when a bunch of kids called Maki's name.
"OI!" She smiled and waved as four kids rushed to their direction. Shigeaki eyed her back as if asking, "Who are they?"

"They're my children."

The idol's eyes went wide.
"Just kidding! They are the kids I'm taking care of in a day-care center."
"Huh? You mean?"
"Yeah. That's another of my jobs." She patted the kids' heads before adding, "Well actually it's not an ordinary day-care center." A pause, "It's an orphanage."
Shigeaki was speechless as he watched the girl ask the kids if they have eaten dinner.
"You go ahead. I will be fetching these angels home."
"I want to go with you." He stated abruptly, and Maki didn't argue anymore.
"Mister!" One of them called out, "You look like..."
"No I don't look like anybody!" He replied, obviously defensive.
"Like who, Kenzo?" The photographer crouched and faced the kid at his level.
The kid was still looking at Shige warily, then faced Maki.
"Come on, you can tell me when he leaves. You don't have to be shy around oneesan, right?"
Kenzo smiled and nodded. Maki patted his cheek.
Shigeaki felt his heart swell.

------

"Thanks for getting these rascals home." A nun welcomed them at the gate as another fetched the kids inside.
"No problem, Sister Yukari." Maki nodded.
"Oneesan, when will you be back again?" A girl named Ayako hugged Maki on her hips.
"Aya-chan," She smiled, "Two days from now I will be back. On Saturdays and Sundays we play, remember? I told you to mark that on the numbers on your wall."
"But two days is still too far!" the girl demanded.
"Come on now, Ayako. Maki-oneesan's got lots of work. You better take a bath before dinner." Another young nun came in and fixed in the girl.
"NO! I WANT ONEESAN RIGHT NOW!" She yelled as the nun took her away.
Sister Yukari said, "You are so loved by the kids around here, you know?"
Maki smiled.
"Oh," She whispered, "And that guy you are with, is he your boyfriend?"
The question was asked with a knowing grin. "He is handsome. Nice choice!"
"Sister!" She just laughed aloud. The nuns sure are oblivious about the existence of Japanese pop idols.
"Just a friend, just a friend." She soothed. Shigeaki actually didn't understand what they were talking about.
"Oh, as you say. How about you two get in and eat some dinner?"
"It's okay! I just fetched my kids home." She explained.
"You sure?" The nun turned to Shigeaki.
"Aa. As Maki says."
A child tumbled on his way back to the house. Shigeaki walked to him and dusted him off.
"Next time be careful, all right?" He said softly at the kid's eye level.
"Thank you, Oniisan..." The chld fidgeted, "What is your name?"
"Shige. Shigeaki."
"Thank you, Shige-oniisan!"
Maki smiled as she watched the idol interact with the kids in the orphanage.

------

As they proceeded walking beneath the spacious sanctuary garden, Shigeaki was looking at Maki who was walking before him. With ponytailed hair, blue grafitti shirt, black cargo pants, black Chuck Taylors, she is such a simple person. She cared less about make-up and vanity in general. Most of all, she has a straightforward - to the point of being sarcastic - personality and a big heart to help out all those kids. The immense admiration overflowed that he couldn't help but tell her. But before he could open his mouth, she spoke;
"Thank you for bearing with me and going against your way and your schedule."
"My pleasure, madame."
"GAH, that formal tone again?" Maki laughed aloud. "I tell you, stop it. It annoys the hell out of me."
"Maybe I'm just deliberately annoying you?" Shigeaki laughed in turn.
"It's not funny okay."
"That's why it's called annoying." He grinned.
"... fine."

Silence. Another dead end.

"I'm just thinking," He was already beside Maki, and he was walking along her pace. The young lady looked at him. "At twenty-two... you're in a foreign land, you are independent. You seem to know what really makes you happy. Juggling all these jobs at the same time." He added after five seconds of hesitation, "You are amazing."
"No need to be amazed. I need to earn money. Simple as that." She said casually. "And about that "happy" part, I'm just doing what I really want."
"While look at me. I am just an idol, and..."
"Just an idol?" She didn't mean to, but her voice came out loud. "What do you mean by JUST? My friend, you're making people happy just by watching you. You get to do a lot of things normal people don't."

A beat.

"You're making it sound like I am an abnormal person." Shigeaki joked.
"Haha. No." Pause. "Wait... you are, right?"
"WHAT." Shigeaki was offended. Maki laughed without restraints.
"Seriously speaking, you are a bunch of special people, you idols." She reverted to a contemplative mood, "You have the ability to cheer people up by performing. Plus you get to lead the life of superstars. Where's
the just part in that?"
Shigeaki contemplated, maybe this girl has a point.
"Or... wait, is that self-pity you're having? You don't have to pity yourself!" Maki pushed on, "You are lucky to have that job, so make the best out of it."
"Maa." The idol said flatly. "But you don't know what it takes, how hard it is to parade yourself fakely most of the time."
Maki caught what he said but feigned being deaf, "Huh?"
Shigeaki looked up, "Saa, it's getting late, no?"
"Yes."
The idol was thinking of what to do next, "Uh, do you mind if we walk home together?"
"No thanks. I can go alone. And... you seem to be always forgetting that we're heading on different directions."
They finally stopped at the parking lot, and Shigeaki was astonished once more.
"This thing is... yours?"
"Yes."
"WHOA." was his ender.

------

"Pi, have you noticed Shige lately?" Keiichiro voiced out after drinking his tea.
"There's something making him happy. Too happy." Ryo replied without even being asked. His voice hinted that he wanted to destroy whatever that thing that's lifting his co-member to high spirits.
"A weird glint in his eyes everyday, huh..." Tomohisa declared for everyone. "Maybe he's doing good in his studies."
"He always does good on his studies." Keiichiro refuted. "It's something else."
"Why are you super concerned?"
"Why of course he is my bestfriend."
No more responses. Bestfriend is equivalent to being as concerned as a girlfriend in Keiichiro's vocabulary.
Everyone reverted to what they were doing and Keiichiro headed outside. He was walking down the corridor when he heard laughter. He searched for where it was coming from and was surprised to recognize Shigeaki's voice saying, "Maa! Exactly!" He peeked behind a wall, and was even more surprised to see his co-member standing beside the spiral staircase, talking to... Maki?

Oh, when was he ever that close to the photographer?

He noted that Maki was also enjoying his company, and it baffled him so much. Shigeaki looked at his wristwatch and said his goodbye. "You may have those as long as you like." He told her, smiled at her before exiting the scene. As soon as Shigeaki was of proper distance, he sneaked in behind Maki and asked,
"Hey you!"
"Oh! Kei-san! How are you?"
"Have to ask that to you, Maki-chan. What you doing at the fire exit?" He pretended to be as innocent as a sheep. He looked over her shoulder, "And those are?"
"Books. CD's... rock CD's." She grinned, "I borrowed it from Shige."
"Kato-san huh?" His eyes turned round. Shige, huh? Such closeness!
"We just bumped on each other on this area and... well, he gave me all these."
He was fascinated on how transparent Maki was on the entire ordeal.
"I see." He nodded thoughtfully. "I better get going. Bye!"
At the back of his mind, the scene of Shigeaki very happy while conversing with her replayed. And he actually wondered if perhaps... is Maki the reason for his bestfriend's recent glee?

Keiichiro is known to have strong gut feelings.

------

"Oh God, whoa."

Keiichiro's eyes seemed to have double eyelids (and that's a rarity) when he saw the video taken on Shigeaki's mobile phone. It was a video of him and Maki. In a karaoke bar. They filmed themselves while singing in it. They were even more surprised when Koi no ABO played at the background. And they were doing the hand signals like complete dorks... while sitting down.
"Scandalous! Scandalous!" Tomohisa gaped, but obviously amused on how dorky the two can get when they are together.
"In all fairness, they're doing great." Ryo snickered. He thought he finally got the perfect Shigeaki-blackmailing item.
"Don't you think this is invasion of privacy?" Takahisa was the only one who had the proper sense to question what they were doing. They found Shigeaki's mobile lying around recklessly, and upon Keiichiro's revelation about what he witnessed yesterday, they decided to confirm it by reading the mails. And look what they found! He's got an entire inbox with replies from the photographer. Then they chanced upon the video to which they had a great laugh. Yuya walked over them who were still huddled close.

"What are you watching, guys?" He chirped sweetly, but his face turned sour when he saw what it was.
"That is invasion of privacy!" He yelled, and it startled them. "If you don't stop that soon enough, I'll tell Shige." The statement made them jolt and return the phone on the table.
"Geez Tegoshi why are you so bitter?" Ryo scowled. "We're just having fun. Besides, they do look cute, acting stupidly like that."
"It's not fun for me." He pouted cutely, but it didn't get any sympathy. Knowing the outcome, he stomped away from the group, a sharp, hurting feeling pooling inside him.

"Obviously, that's it." Keiichiro confirmed in a shaky voice, and Tomohisa was back to his own world after the video ended.

------

"NO SHIT, WE'RE GONNA BE LATE." Maki declared loudly, dragging the NEWS idol (who was disguised by big shades and a black fedora) to the Myojo central office. They had such a great time shopping for books and checking out the French Film Festival that they didn't realize the time for their appointment, a photoshoot.

As soon as they stepped in front of the building, Shigeaki mouthed,
"You go to the other entrance, alright? I'd take the stairs, you go to the front elevator" The idol looked at her seriously, as if a plan is already mapped on his mind.
"B-but! It is the tenth floor, don't you understand? Heck, there are many elevators in that building."
"It's safer. We might end up on one elevator. Others might see us. Who knows?"
"AND, What's this so-called plan for?"
"Just do as I say!"
Maki looked back at him, but knowing she's a dead girl already for being tardy, she started sprinting away.
As the elevator rose, she thought about the paranoia every idol is sure to undergo. Spies are everywhere. Paparazzis. Everyone is their enemy. True enough, it's hard leading the life of an idol, especially if you just want to lead a simple life, like Shigeaki confided to her during one of their... dates, if you must call it. She just shrugged as the elevator signaled that she reached her desired floor. She made a dash for it.

"I'm sorry!" She exclaimed as the door banged open and eyes were on her.
"OI YOU MAKI, YOU'RE LATE FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS MONTH! You ought to be aware about our policies when it comes to lates. You are a professional, so act like one!" Nishino started his sermon.
In the midst of that, the door banged open once more.
"OI SHIGE, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? You're not answering my calls." Takahisa asked the heaving person who found his way beside him. Shigeaki trailed his eyes around the room, and upon seeing Maki beating him by five minutes, he sighed in relief.

"What's with you?"
The male photographer and Shigeaki's muscular co-member asked simultaneously.

As Nishino-san continued his verbal assault on Maki in front of the idols, her and Shigeaki's eyes met. They grinned sheepishly at each other. Yuya, who was on the other side of Shigeaki, noticed that action and raised his eyebrow at the photographer. Maki looked away and feigned being apologetic.

After the prep talk, everyone dispersed, but Keiichiro elbowed Shigeaki and asked, "So, you really like Maki, ne Shige?"
"Eh? You're saying?" Shigeaki was being innocent, but his smile was a great giveaway.

------

While he was reading another of those scripts for an incoming drama project and drinking coffee from a can, Yuya saw Maki walking on the opposite direction on the same alley as his.
On impulse, he reached out and grabbed her left wrist as soon as she came by his side.
"OW OW!" The photographer cringed. Yuya was gripping her too tight.
"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?" Maki asked, irritation mixed with exhaustion present on her voice.
Yuya stopped on his tracks.

What is my problem, really?

"Uh." His eyes rolled to the side as a sign of hesitancy.
"If you're not talking anytime soon, please let me go. Your grip freaking hurts."
Her eyes were as cold as steel.
Having nothing to defend himself with, he did let her go.

------

He cannot understand the rationality of his actions earlier. Yuya pondered as he sat on the couch, staring into space. He was fully aware that his co-members were rather amused of that Koi No ABO karaoke video Shigeaki and that damned photographer filmed. In fact, Keiichiro even copied it to his phone so they can gush over it like fanboys even without stealing their friend's phone. They're replaying it, highly entertained of the pair's silliness. Most of all, they are happy that their friend - the ever-so-grumpy Shigeaki Kato - has finally learned how to loosen up. Amazing how someone can change just because of love, yes?

In his case, he's happy that Shige - Kato-san rather - is easing himself, but why does he have this sharp, hurting feeling in his gut, that gets stronger everytime he hears his co-members gloat about how compatible Shigeaki and Maki is?

"That girl's really impossible!" Ryo laughed as he watched how she imitated his part at the second refrain.

"Tegoshi, you're not happy for our friend?"
"... I am." The guy holding his own cellphone mumbled faintly.
"Then why so serious?"
Tegoshi ignored them.
"Aha, jealous?" Ryo mocked.
"I'M NOT SO SHUT UP." He plugged in his earphones and turned his mp3 player full blast.

"Definitely, he isn't." Tomohisa grinned and returned to his magazine reading.

------

That night, Maki was in her room, magazines and clothes sprawled on the floor. She was browsing a Vivi magazine, thinking... thinking very hard.

- TO BE CONTINUED -


WATCH OUT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!

Hi. Ryo Nishikido here.

Okay, so, I actually don't know what to talk about here. As much as I don't want to do this portion, my members are busy right now. THE HELL, PEOPLE! WHERE ARE YOU?

*door opens*

OH MY GOD... MAKI! WHAT THE F**K ARE YOU WEARING?!
*sigh*
Our beloved fans, please watch out for the next chapter of this insanity, named Checklist Checkup.

See you.


A/N: I am fulfilling every girl's fantasy of being with the idols HAHAHA. *bricked* The character is Mary Sue-ish I know, but let me; this is my way of entertaining myself. :))


06/20/09--04:27: [Ohkura/Yassan] Family Values (chan 2194298)

Title: Family Values
Pairing: Ohkura/Yassan
Rating: PG-15. :))
Genre: PORN-COMEDY. :D
Notes: Inspired by the fact that Yasu's family is open to porn according to Janiben. Plotted with the prompt of the awesome resha_ueda!



Ohkura smiled gratefully as Yasu's mom served him green tea after a light dinner. He was listening and responding accordingly to their hearty chat. It was composed of light conversations such as musings about their latest album, plus the bills they had to pay, up to the playful admiration of Yasu's older sister about her newborn. He liked the aura in Yasu's home: friendly, welcoming, totally family-oriented. The members are tightly-knit. Which makes him feel a bit sad about his own family condition.

"Dear, why is Subaru not with you today?" The stately old lady asked her dear son.
"He's not invited." Yasu flatly replied, "You always ask me that everytime I bring Tacchon here."
"Can't help it. Back then we always have dinner together... but now you're bringing Ohkura-kun along."
"Well, he's not always available right now." The guitarist seemed to have snapped.
"I'm just wondering. No need to be angry." She replied in a sing-song manner. She glanced only to see Kanjani 8's drummer feeling a bit uneasy.

"Ohkura-kun, you're going to sleep with Sho-chan in his room, if that's alright."
"It's alright. Tacchon, my dear friend here, doesn't mind us sharing rooms. We do most of the time during tour." Yasu replied for his bandmate.
His mother seemed to catch something, "Your dear friend?" she asked with a knowing look.
"Yes, ma." Shota giggled as he replied. His older sister shot a glance at their mom, who simply nodded.
"Okay okay. We'll clean this up. Now off to your room, kids. You had a long day."
"Thanks so much." He smiled, and helping Ohkura up, they headed together to their room. Yasu's younger sister pointed at their entwined hands using her eyes as they walked.
"That is, if they're really going to sleep tonight." She ended as she heard the closing of the door.

As soon as the door closed, they started getting into business. They've been so horny, and out to fuck each other from the moment their rehearsals that day ended.
"Are we really gonna fuck in here?" Tacchon whispered to him hotly, quite disturbed as Yasu started yanking down his jeans, including his undergarments. "Everyone's around."
"Yes, Tacchon, YES." He started kissing him hotly, lips tremendously excited of the night to come. "Now get off those clothes and get this started okay. I'm horny for you right now." He rubbed his body against his lithe form. "Tell me that you're horny for me too honey." His voice had that distinct huskiness, hinting that he's already as aroused as FUCK.
Tacchon felt his cheeks flush as Yasu looked down on his exposed, erected length. "God, you're so yummy." He looked back at his face, "So, we're doing this or not?"
"Well, as you say." He chuckled as he started nibbling wildly down his neck, literally ripping off his shirt, and laying him down on the bed... all at the same time.

----

"Ohkura-kun, did you have a great night?" Yasu's mother asked as she cut their tamago roll and served them on individual plates. She need not ask though, because the pair obviously had dark bags under eyes.
"Yes. Yes." Ohkura responded, and they noticed the huskiness it had acquired overnight.
"Tell you we didn't too." The younger sister immediately butted in, "I really wonder what caused the intense earthquake last night though."
Yasu shot a sharp look at his sister, which made her go back to drinking coffee.
"Lies." Moments later, Yasu's mom stood up and fed a disc on the DVD player. Ohkura and Yasu looked with intent at the blank screen, which was still reading the disc.

"Mom..." Yasu muttered and took ten seconds before realization settled in. He shrieked. "OH NO YOU DIDN'T!"
"YES I DID." Almost simultaneously, the TV opened and Tacchon's hot moans and repetitive whimpering of Yasu's name while they were pumping walked clearly in their ears. The film was well-lighted, effort well-taken, their slick bodies tightly pressed against each other. The film continued playing, much to the couple's embarrassment, until they reached orgasm and Yasu whispered, "God Tacchon I love you, I love you, I love you so much.... unhhhh." in between torrid kisses. Tacchon at that moment wanted to duck under the table and magically disappear or run away as fast as he could.
"So, you're enjoying your breakfast?" The old lady who, like Yasu, didn't look her age, turned to her daughters, who eagerly congratulated themselves for a filming well done.
"This goes to our collection. You're free to borrow it anytime." The younger chuckled as she ate another mouthful of egg roll.
To Ohkura's surprise, Yasu's mother reached across the table and patted his shoulder, saying: "You're free to use our house as a venue, anytime. Just tell us beforehand okay?"
Breakfast went by slowly, with Yasu's family admiring how long Tacchon was. Tacchon was totally mortified, and Yasu can only squeak a sorry as they finished their food simultaneously.
But for a second thought, he loved Yasu's family that way: evil in a discreet manner just like his beloved. He could just imagine the vast sex video collections they could have in a lifetime.



- THE END -


07/27/09--02:26: [Yuya/Maki] S.N.m.T.o.G ch. 5 (chan 2194298)

Title: So Not my Type of Girl Chapter 5
Pairings: Yuya Tegoshi/Maki, and then some...? YAY FOR FICS OF EPIC SELF-INSERTIONS.
Genre: Romance-Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Notes: I enjoyed writing this chapter. But I like the next one even more! And yeah, I'm pushing, pushing through! XD

SO NOT MY TYPE OF GIRL
1. Modern-Day Cinderella
2. Everywhere in Circles
3. Behind Chimera Lights
4. Is it Possible?



It was another bustling day for the Myojo magazine staff. They were currently on an on-site beach photoshoot for the month of May... when it is still March. (They shoot two months in advance, the reason behind this the protagonist still can't comprehend.) Ken Nishino and all the "fresh" staff members eagerly awaited the idols and their little boss Maki to arrive. Yes you heard it right, five months after her hiring, she got promoted due to her innovative ideas.

"Two minutes late." Rina mumbled as she looked at her watch. "That woman should be taught a lesson, really. Demotion perhaps?" She joked to which the others laughed a little, but didn't take seriously.

The instant she ended, the News' van arrived and out came the members. They exchanged the usual "Good mornings" and "Let's do our best". Keiichiro was about to ask where Maki was when a taxi arrived... and out came someone whom they barely recognized as part of their team.

"Ohayou." She bowed promptly and when she raised her head, her co-staff exclaimed.

"MAKI?!"

"What?" She asked, bewildered upon seeing the questionable-looking faces of the staff. "I'm not late, okay? My watch says I'm right on time."
Her co-staff still couldn't erase the shocked looks, as if they have just seen Sadako crawl out of a TV set.
"I... is that YOU?!" Ken finally overcomed her shock.
It took a moment before Maki realized it. "Ah," she beamed, "Do you like my dress?"
Before anyone said something about her green, sleeveless dress that cut an inch below her knee, Rina approached their little boss and immediately pulled her in to the Myojo staff van. Others followed them with their still-petrified gazes.
"Oww! Wait! What is this? Why are you against this?"
"No, we are not against it." Rina declaired as they reached the makeshift makeup corner. "But we are TERRIFIED."
She let her sit down and made her face the big mirror. Maki almost toppled back from her chair.
"See?" Rina crossed her arms. "Because you LOOK terrifying."
Given her lack of interest about vanity, makeup sure posed a challenge for Maki that morning.
"Oops." She sheepishly grinned.
"What's with the drastic fashion change anyway?" Rina started fixing her up by dusting off the excess, cakey foundation.
Maki chose not to answer.

"M-Maki-chan?" Keiichiro was surprised of the great change the photographer had undergone, after not seeing her for two months.
"Whoa, I didn't recognize you until you finished filming my set."
"Haha, it's a bit of an experimental phase I'm undergoing." She replied without looking at him as she fixed the next roll.
"Saa, it's Yamapi's turn." She looked around and saw the group leader wearing his outfit.
Unknown to the photographer, other eyes were observing her, including the pair she was aiming to get the attention of.



------

"Everyone know what day it is?" She cheered after finishing the shoot, which was around four in the afternoon. The others nodded.
"It's the reason why I arrived a bit later today." She rummaged from her backpack, took out chocolates, and started distributing them to her staff.
"Happy White Day." Everyone appreciated the fact that Maki gave every one of them chocolates, including the idols. However...

"OH SHIT!" She totally forgot about the last one, which perhaps was still in her fridge. Not to mention it's white chocolate. She pouted as the last of them seemed

half-expectant of his gift.
"Sorry." She mouthed as calmly as possible, "I forgot one of the chocolates."
The member left behind pouted and started his primadonna mode.
"Uh, it's all right. I'm pretty sure I can have chocolates more delicious than those." Yuya stated and it gritted her nerves.
"You're saying that just because you're BITTER you didn't get one." She replied coldly as she walked off to pack up the remaining of their things. She knew she promised to herself she will tame her crude attitude, but given this idol's brattiness, it looked like it would take more time than she expected.
Yuya, on the other hand, pouted. He did it again. He recognized her efforts of being good to everyone, but he ticked her off once more. He noted Ryo and Tomohisa look at him as if saying, "Apologize!" Takahisa, knowin his bestfriend too well, offered his chocolate to him instead, and that's a big move for a guy who loves food.

"I know you want it. Badly." Yuya heard him say, and indeed his best friend's right. Keiichiro meanwhile wasn't surprised when Shigeaki disappeared immediately.

"Maki!" Shigeaki chased after the photographer in some good distance from the cottage. She waited till he reached her.
"What?"
"You're pretty wearing that dress." He complimented casually. "You should wear clothes like that more often."
"Thanks." She casually replied in turn, her sour mood still not erased.
A moment of silence. Shigeaki reached for his pocker and handed out something to her.
"Huh?" This time, Maki was surprised.
"It's for you. Happy White Day."
Maki was still hesitant, looking to and fro the chocolate and Shigeaki.
"Take it!" He shoved the box on Maki's hands and darted off.
"B-but!" She wasn't heard by the intelli-idol.
From afar, Yuya watched them.

------

The rain incessantly fell when they altogether reached Myojo's office for final edits and instructions. After spending a good hour of reviewing the photographs, they were left on their own. After the crew packed up, Maki headed to the lounge area with hot cocoa on hand. She enjoyed idle moments like this, watching the city get drenched in the rain from the comforts of that white couch. She was then reminded of the chocolates Shigeaki gave her. She took the box out from her backpack and discovered that those are premium Belgian chocolates. She smiled to herself, but not for long, for she recognized another person standing four feet away, watching the rain like she does. She stood up and approached him.
"Not going home yet, I see." She stated the obvious. The guy was taken aback by the fact that she approached him head-on just like that.
"I am waiting for Massu." Yuya replied, but he was lying. His co-members had traveled home thirty minutes ago (He made sure of it.)
"Okay." She said in understanding. "Look. I'm... I'm sorry for forgetting your chocolates. It wasn't intentional, I swear."
Then, she offered him the opened box.
"Dig in. These are Belgian, much delicious than the ones I brought."
Yuya was surprised by the turn of events. Maki was offering him Shigeaki's chocolates. The girl sure was clueless of what "White Day" actually means for lovers.
"But YOU are not lovers, so it won't mean ANYTHING in the first place." Yuya scolded himself in his head. He looked at her; she was really expectant he would get some, so he gave in.
"Thanks." Yuya stays away from sweets, but this is something he'd definitely not want to miss.
They spent eating chocolates in silence as the rain poured harder.
"In fact," The idol started, "I should be the one saying sorry to you."
Maki just smiled at him mysteriously, and it baffled the idol a lot.

------

Shigeaki Kato is a precise man. He always keep everything organized, his moves calculated. This is the picture he wanted to paint, for everyone to see of him. Which explains why he fails so much at times for trying hard to do so. He foresees what comes next, but this one was something that was otherwise, and it knocked him off his feet. He was scanning the files from his mobile on his laptop late that night, and he cannot help but smile everytime he views a picture of him with that photographer. Looking at her, he was immediately reminded of the "perfect girlfriend checklists" magazines publish of them ANNUALLY (Really now, when will they EVER stop with the checklists?). She looked like a high school student given her stature and is far from being posh and model-like, his ideal type. However, she is smart, kind, independent, down-to-earth and her silly, quirky goof-ups make her charming. He wondered so well: how can this person come in so suddenly and be perfect without looking like it? He noted himself; indeed he looked shades livelier than he does when he worries and perfects everything. Everyone noticed it too, particularly his friends. And this, pointedly, happened because of her. She was the one who brought him a change... a spring.

SPRING!
A surge of inspiration hit him.

Smiling to himself, he opened his word processor. Writing essays was never a chore for him, but he strived to perfect everything he wrote, picking up a theme that sounds "intellectual". But tonight, for the first time ever, Shigeaki typed what his heart actually felt, with minimal editing. He finished two essays for his Myojo column.

------

After a long, tiring day, Maki propped her feet up on two pillows as she lay on her bed. Wearing footwear you're not used to is an equal pain on the legs, feet, and the ass (as you occasionally fall on your butt)! She sighed in relief as she slathered lotion on her feet and massaged them, giving extra attention on the soles. Day by day, her fashion sense is improving; she's earned a gamut of girlier clothing, shoes, accessories... the likes. Thanks to Rina, she had learned how to NOT apply makeup like a clown. All these accomplishments she had done in a span of a week and a half, much to her co-workers' horror and constant questioning. She loosened the air up by (lamely) joking that she's aiming to join Morning Musume, and that she will be the next Hitomi Yoshizawa, complete with dancing their old but steadfastly popular songs such as Love Machine and Kanashimi Twilight. Honestly, she still has a hard time dealing with the freaking heeled shoes (Why the hell are they invented anyway?!). There had been quite some bloops and mess-ups, such as slipping in public places (i.e Shibuya pedestrian), which technically did not offend her since she's known to have an extremely shameless attitude. ("They won't see me again, why bother being embarrassed?" she reasoned).
Her greatest wardrobe error would be wearing midriffs and hanging shirts when she is terribly prone to get gas pains and colic everytime her stomach is exposed. God knows how much she had prevented from farting during conferences!

"Whatever." She ended as she stopped and stared at the far wall of her pad. She took out pictures from her bag and posted it up there. She smiled upon realizing that her collection is fast growing. Well, at least it is kind of working.

------

Yuya Tegoshi was doing his ritual of soaking on a hot tub bath with low pop music on the background. At this point when he's alone, his mind always drifts to what happened that day, and at the end of it all, to that young lady who's continuously capturing his attention. Maki. Whether he admit it or not, the hurt everytime he sees that photographer and Shigeaki together grows steadily stronger. The fact that Maki can be that friendly toward him when they shared some chocolates, and when she smiled at him, intrigued him so badly. If she can be that good, then he may have even more chances to approach her, right? But it seemed like she is just open to Shigeaki everytime, and she just shrugs him off. But the way she appears now, the fashion change all... he can't help but tell the truth; she is kind of cute, especially when she lets her waist-length hair down with some curls at the ends. The pink mid-ribbed halter top she wore that day fit her well too, and her make-up is just right. Not to mention that she's chubby but of the healthy type. His mind drifted to the checklist he had established himself years back; right now she suits in the scope, as if she's tailored-made to be in agreement with the checklist. Yuya is an idealistic type of guy, if it can't get any more obvious. He finds those items he had listed in his checklist attractive. Perfect. It was during that moment that he concluded:

Perhaps, when she learns to soften up a little, I might be really drawn to her.

He stood up from the tub for a rinse.

------

Maki immediately availed of copies of their magazine so she could see how their post-editing looked like, and so she could critique how they did their job. However, instead of staring at the pictures, her attention was drawn more to Shigeaki's April and May essays, titled Spring and Unexpected respectively. He was talking about changes and a person who can bring about those changes in that person, in terms of love. Her heart swelled, because she was so happy the intelli-idol has finally loosened up and found a new inspiration. Whoever that person is, she ought to thank her too for cheering up her friend. She was reading the copies while standing in a jampacked train. The photographer was too absorbed on reading the magazine that she wasn't fully aware of her surroundings. She froze in horror as she felt a huge hand creep up her thigh.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING MISTER!" She exclaimed brutally, if Japanese girls' conservatism is being considered. The said salaryman, in his mid-forties, was still in a drunken high that he didn't mind her outburst and continued his ministration. His hand was steadily going up. Maki was sweating profusely, teary-eyed.

She can't move as another hand started holding on her back part. She can't back off even a little because the train was too crowded. She closed her eyes and prayed it would stop... and it DID stop as she heard a hand slapping another hand.

"Stop that, pervert old man." Her hero hissed lowly. On impulse, she reached out and held that person's hand with her sweaty one. She was extremely grateful for whoever this person is, as she was already reduced to a frightened heap.

"You messing up with me, kid?" She heard the drunk, shabby-looking man exclaim angrily. Instead of fighting back, he simply dragged Maki away from his perpetrator and hopped out the train just in time it stopped at Ikebukuro station.

They were still running when Maki took the time to thank the stranger. "Thanks so m... Y-YUYA?!" The photographer could not believe it was the idol who pulled her away from danger. He was wearing a brown fedora and big, unflattering shades... the typical idol disguise. " Hah! No wonder you weren't brawn enough to fight him

back!" She teased instead of being grateful. "I could've kicked his ass before you rushed in action."

"How could you kick someone's ass while wearing THAT dress?" He responded, angry not at her (well, partly) but at her attacker. He looked at her outfit of sky blue graffiti shirt and black denim skirt that cut an inch above her knee ."You cannot even walk properly given those heeled slippers." His statement softened as he finally reminded her, "And... please think twice before wearing skirts in a cramped train." To another observer, it looked like Yuya was a boyfriend superbly worried of his girlfriend's clothes... while running.

When Maki stepped her right foot forward, the heel of her right sandal broke, and if it weren't for Yuya's fast reflex, she could've slipped straight to the floor.
Maki cursed aloud, Yuya presumed it's her native language, but he didn't mind as he helped her up. The photographer bent down and saw that the heel of her shoe broke... again.

"Oh man, you're really unlucky with shoes ne." Yuya teased, but Maki ignored him, and instead she moped. The idol understood her sadness as he looked at the broken shoe as well as they sat at a nearby bench. Suddenly he had an idea.
"May I borrow your other sandal?" Yuya asked and Maki frowned at him but gave him the sandal anyway. To her surprise, he broke the heel as well.
"WHAT!!" Maki was disheartened, but Yuya replied, "At least you can now walk without limping. Were you hurt?"

"OH, now you're concerned!" Maki said sarcastically, a bit heaving and still broken-hearted for he broke her OTHER sandal. "Anyway, what were you doing riding a public transport when you got your car anyway?" Yuya was surprised of the girl's question. No one can ever question him so casually like that, especially given his status as a famed Japanese idol.

"Shut it." He hissed, then looked around. "I have a free day. I'm going shopping here at Ikebukuro." He looked up. The day was too sunny to pass up, and Ikebukuro's a good place for some get-together (and perhaps patching up) "Let's buy flat shoes."

"HUH? And what makes you think I will go with you to shop for YOUR shoes?" Maki could not believe what she's hearing, but in fact she was just about to roam around Ikebukuro area as well. It's her first time in this place. Talk about coincidences!

Losing patience, he responded sourly, "Stupid, it's FOR YOU." Without further ado, he walked away. "If you're not interested, you're free to go back and be molested again."

Deep inside, Maki found the premise interesting so she ran after him. "W-wait! What's the random shopping for?!"
Yuya wasn't slowing down.
"Hey!" Maki called out at him, but he wasn't looking back, so she ran faster and gripped his free hand. This took Yuya's attention... and amusement.
"Okay, okay! I will go with you. I have a free day today too anyway."
Yuya looked back at her from head to toe and simply lead her on. They were walking three feet away from each other. Some girls still recognize him even with his attire, and it baffled her. Compared to Shigeaki, Yuya is definitely more popular, she told herself. Also, she realized how the idols lead their lives; in hiding, in caution. They were never free.
"Hey." After a lapse of three minutes, he asked, "Were you scared earlier?"
Maki gulped as she heard the question. Definitely she was. It was her first time to be attacked like that in a foreign land. If she's in her native country and given her normal clothes, she could've just beat the crap out of that guy. This time, she didn't have the upper hand, so she decided to go mum.
"OF COURSE." She exclaimed, tears were formed at the sides of her eyes. "I could've just taken a taxi instead, that's my biggest regret today."
Yuya just looked at her thoughtfully.

As promised, Yuya accompanied her on buying a pair of silver flat shoes. He just stood by as she took her pick. It didn't take her so long, compared to how he had envisioned girls when they shop. Pick, purchase, and leave the store, that's how it went. After that, Maki said, "I'll do my groceries, but I bet you aren't interested with that." Yuya nodded; he never was anyway.
"O--okay." He thought if he could ask her to eat even a bit, but she already disappeared as quick as air.

------

Apart from conducting the photoshoots, Maki also made sure she's around when the backdrops and props are being produced. That's what her boss adored about her.
"Such dedication!" Ken exclaimed as he carried a heavy roll of tarpaulin and acrylic paints. Maki had her waist-length hair flowing behind her; she wearing eyeglasses, with brushes at hand, poised to paint designs on the tarps.

"All right, just leave it there, and I'd get it started." She was fully aware that her other co-workers are busy working on the other props, and Rina was on a mall, buying other things needed.

Getting busy with work, she didn't notice that one of the maintenance people had set up a huge industrial fan right behind her, and it was set on the highest power.Unfortunately, her long hair was caught on the rails and the blades. It got wound up with every spin of the industrial fan. What happened reduced Maki to a series of bloodcurdling screams.

"Cut it off! CUT. IT. OFF! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" was her hideous cry. Ken was astonished of what greeted him when he returned. He dropped the coloring pens at hand and rushed to her.

"OH MY GOD MAKI YOUR HAIR!"

"CUT. IT. OFF!" She repeatedly yelled.
"A... are you sure?!" Ken hesitated.
"FUCK! JUST DO IT OR I WILL KILL YOU AFTER THIS!" She cursed because her friend is taking TOO long.

Being the obedient (and equally-terrified) friend that he is, Ken darted away, only to come back with a huge pair of shears on hand, and cut off the stuck portions of her hair from the fan. Ken's cutting wasn't good, and she ended up getting uneven hair cuts. This time, she couldn't help it and she cried real bad, mailing her co-workers about the disaster she had experienced.

At the end of the day, Maki tearily swore to herself she would stop trying too hard. She had enough of these stupid mishaps just because of trying to be someone whom she isn't.

------

Two weeks later, at a pre-photoshoot conference, Maki went to work with a neat boycut with sideswept bangs. Her fashion was back to normal, but at least the shirts this time are a bit fitting and girlier. And, she was wearing colorful bead necklaces and earrings.

"WELCOME BACK, MAKI!" Rina even hugged her as they greeted in chorus. "Damn girl, that has been A LONG VACATION! Where have you been?"
"Huh?" Maki asked them innocently, "But I was here ALL THE TIME."
"No." Ken rebutted, "With that HORRIBLE sense of fashion? THAT IS YOUR CLONE."
"Next time, do not send her back here if you want to escape work."
"Really, just tell us if you want a long vacation leave. We'll readily grant you one!"

Maki laughed without restraints. She LOVES her co-workers so much. THEY WIN.

"I have a pretty good concept in mind!" Ken gushed during their conference. "We'd get to interview them about their lifestyles, and how they maintain their clear skin and health despite hectic work schedules."
The crew nodded in unison. Interesting indeed.
"With that." He said as Rina handed in a box filled with papers. "Each one will be assigned to interview one of them. Get as much info as possible, and it's up to you if you want to get personal or otherwise... but of course we have to limit what we publish yes?"
"Better if you will let them pick what they want to be published, so no conflicts would arise." Maki suggested, and the others nodded.
"All right! Little boss - who's got a new cool haircut - agreed, so take your picks!" Ken chided them to pick one from the box.

"DAMN IT! OF ALL PEOPLE, WHY HIM?!" Maki had this scream of anguish. She held her head with both hands in defeat.

Rina was even happier when she saw who Maki picked. "It's Tegoshi-san! He's such a cutie!" The makeup artist dreamily looks away, "How can you NOT want to interview him?"
Maki grumbled incoherently as she drank her cocoa.

------

The News members were already updated of the next photoshoot's plan, as briefed by the director of the shoot, Ken Nishino. Yuya already knew to whom he was assigned to, and that's the point why he's walking down the alley right now. After a few more searching, he found her at the lounge area, sipping her favorite hot cocoa and dazing off. He approached her this time, and the photographer innocently looked back.

"This Wednesday. Eight in the morning. Stardust Cafe, near Shibuya Station." Yuya said stiffly in a telegraph-style. Without further ado, he walked off.

"HA?" She called his attention. Is that a date?!
"You need to interview me, right?" He replied without looking back.
"Ah... yeah."
Seeing that she's finally realized it, Yuya walked away.
When he was of proper distance, he hissed, "Yosh!" complete with hand actions. He stopped only to find Tomohisa looking at him warily.
"What are you doing?" Their group leader flatly asked. Yuya sheepishly grinned.

------

Maki was still sleepy as she was eating her breakfast consisting of omelette and a full bowl of fried rice with green peas. She was watching the TV, which was focused about a health and wellness show. Suddenly, her door bell rang. Still groggy, she walked heavily to the door and looked at the peephole only to find...

"WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?!" She hissed to herself as she saw Yuya Tegoshi paraded before her door. But she need not waste time. She sprang up to her feet, and as if adrenaline had rushed in her, she tidied up her place and hid the things others should not see (to be elaborated at later parts) in partitions and curtains. After a tedious preparation, she opened the door out wide.

"What's taking you so long?!" Yuya heaved, annoyed. "Don't you realize what time it is?"
"What are you doing on some stranger's house at SEVEN in the morning?!" Maki asked grumpily, primarily because she hadn't even had the time to fix herself before facing the visitor. "AND..." She stepped out of the door and found her neighbors crowding at the other side, very curious of who the handsome guy was. "WHO THE HELL AMONG YOU POINTED HIM HERE?"
Her two female neighbors next door, in their early thirties and still with curlers and unwashed face masks, pointed each other. Maki sighed in sheer disbelief. How did this person know that she lives in this very building anyway?

Maki turned to the idol who was already freshly-bathed, "Okay, okay. I get it. Give me half an hour. You wait outside."
"Twenty minutes." He demanded, and it made Maki scowl.
"Excuse me mister, for your information, I can prepare in ten minutes." She dared.
"Oh really?" Yuya challenged, "Then let me see you do it, for I hate wasting time."
"B-but!"
"Twenty minutes. I will time you." He said firmly.
Maki banged the door on his face.
Yuya turned to the crowd behind him. They pretended they weren't listening and went back to what they were doing.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

EXTRA:

Maki: Hello! This is Maki, and with me is Yuya Tegoshi, the primadonna idol.
Yuya: I'm not!
Maki: YOU ARE! AND YOUNG MAN, what were you thinking going at my place at seven in the morning?! That' so IMPOLITE!
Yuya: It's your fault, really! If you were early on our meet I could've just met you at Stardust Cafe.
Maki: But you said EIGHT IN THE MORNING! Damn, it's an hour early!
Yuya: I... I don't want traffic.
Maki: THE HELL. As if there's traffic in Japan!
Yuya: *in a small voice* ... there is.
Maki: We're going to his place, as prescribed in my interview with him. *mumbles* Damn, why did I pick you out of all the six idols. :(
Yuya: AND. She's going to meet my mom.
Maki: HUH?! Isn't this too early? *wicked smirk*
Yuya: *blush* No! This isn't what you think it is.
Maki: *laughs furiously*

So avid fans(?) , please stick with this delusionary fanfiction and watch out for the next sixth chapter named Kimi + Boku = ?. See you soon! :)


08/15/09--21:57: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 1 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 1/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes: It has started! Whoooo!




Chapter One: Sequel of My Dying Hope

I hate August.

That is my lingering thought as I walked down the catwalk leading to the other side of the campus. I got too much scholarly stuff to do than to worry about the fact that I exist within this month.

I hate the sun.

I shielded my eyes from the sun's rays. I never liked that big ball of fire, nor the season that it governed. I have this lingering sickness that make me despise it so much, but despite this deep-lingering psychological sickness, I'm a whole new person compared to the mess I was exactly a year ago.

In a flash, everything played inside my head, like a movie being rewinded. Maybe this is the effect of hunger, of working so much for things just to forget the other things. Then the images, those hazy rewinding images, stopped to reveal a face that I've been wanting to bury amongst the many things I've been doing.

"Sho-chan?" The voice reverberated crystal clear, as if the speaker was still right in front of me.

I shook the sickening bittersweet thoughts away.

Among the mentions of the month, the season, and the numerous troublesome things I have to do despite vacation, August is the thing I hate most...

... because it was the month I met him.

----

Enter Shota Yasuda, twenty-two years old, English and Literature Education graduate... a man who never moved, who never grew.

Yes, that's me.

Apart from the above-mentioned facts, internet governs my life. I use the internet as my past time; it is my mere escape from the reality I'm challenged with. My username on most accounts is narcissus-911, mostly linked with my birthday and the mythological character who loved himself too much. I use the internet to keep track of the rock music scene which I've been so enamored with since I was a high school student. I keep a blog wherein I become the most transparent character than I ever was offline. I go online on chat rooms and meet numerous faceless characters I wouldn't mind messing around with. Needless to say, I have become quite addicted to the internet. My passions I channeled so much through this other life; I've become a seasoned entertainer on streaming sites. I have gathered many fans who appreciated my efforts of maintaining numerous sites about my rock bands... who admired voice, my songwriting capabilities and my random blazing trails of thought.

But among these legions of admirers, I was amazed of this character who commented without fail on everything I wrote, no matter how superficial or senseless it was. I find him so sweet, so dear, that I sought his other identities. Next thing I knew we usually chat over fancy things about our favorite band, latest rumors... and we even criticized the new releases. Later he was already asking me how my day went, and I instinctively vent out my frustrations, my tiredness, and my fears about the future which come out from time to time. Then this character sat on the other end of the computer, pondering what to answer next. Definitely I will have no idea of what his real feelings are; maybe he was already ridiculing me for being too worried about life and its damn complexities, but whatever. The first thing I needed is someone interested to hear me out.

This character's username was think_green.

"Maybe you're a pervert." Was the first sentence I typed when I learned of his chat username.

"Closet pervert perhaps." He typed back with a couple of smileys.

He was online; I was online. There was never a time that passed that he'd bother me from what I'm doing... and I would gladly be bothered back, simply because I never saw him as a bother at all. Microphones and webcameras were put to good use a bit later. My image of online people as merely characters dissolved as soon as the webcam flashed a gentle face staring hard at the monitor and a low voice boomed at my headphones. In turn I was flattered of the fact that he said I looked, well, cute. It was such a comment well-expected from someone way younger than me. I was never someone moved by such impressions, but this time it hit me well. I just smiled at him on the camera.

----

He opened the fact about this hotel which his family owned. I wowed inwardly and thought damn, this kid's got so much. Lots of carefree time, riches, and not to mention the handsome looks... admittedly.

"Come over." He typed with formality and finality.

I cringed, thank goodness the camera was turned off. Two weeks ago, out of boredom, I roamed within the vicinity of the school which he said he was studying at. He was such an irresponsible kid for making me wait like that. In the end, I gave up... but it was my own shortcoming; I didn't think meeting him personally would be fulfilling in such a time. Especially if this would be my first time ever to meet a character.

"Let's go." The words registered on my monitor two weeks later.

I thought hard, primarily gauging on my readiness to meet him. But thinking was of no use anymore as my fingers typed

"I'm usually in that place on Saturdays, visiting the shrine then doing a little shopping."

"I promise I won't be late anymore." Then seconds later it was followed by, " That's great! Saturdays are perfect!"

I didn't understand what's happening. I replied, "Ten in the morning. This Saturday. Meet me, all right? Now give me directions."

"As you please. :)"

----

The bus I was riding at turned at the far side, and it left me no other choice but walk all the way back to the shrine then ahead to that hotel. Sweaty and being literally "sun-kissed", I found my way to the entrance of the hotel.

My breath caught on my throat.

I saw him standing there.

Exactly how I see him on the web camera. He was on an all-black attire, leaning on one of the pillars of the entrance. His black hair shrouded his eyes.

Those love-at-first-sight encounters, the electricity-running-on-your-spine feeling I read in romance novels were bullshit; nothing special was felt... except the fact

that I was staring at him who was towering at a height of six feet.

I walked up to him casually, and he spoke first in a voice so low, "Sho-chan?"
I waved a hand. "Yes, that's me."
He smiled meekly, and I grinned. Without further ado, he led me inside his tower.

Maybe this meeting isn't half as bad as I thought.

- To be continued -

Comments please!


08/17/09--00:22: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 2 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 2/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope



Chapter Two: Soundtrack of my Summer

August has barely started. Cue in the character at the receiving end.

Username think_green's offline identity is Tadayoshi Ohkura, a struggling senior high school student. According to our past conversations, he has just celebrated his seventeenth birthday last May. He had this cold aura which I cannot reach into, so I kept mum and observed the place as he led me to his own flat.

The entire hotel was eerily silent. My throat was dry as we walked down the empty hallways leading to his room which was at the cornermost area of the twelfth floor. We immediately sat on a couple of chairs by the right side of the door and meekly looked at each other. He had these piercing, observant eyes that seemed to watch everything I do. I, on the other hand, tried to talk to him, but all I got were one-liners of agreement or otherwise. Seeing a person who doesn't talk in my presence makes me even more fired up to make him talk, because I was never someone who blend well with tranquility. Not that I was never tranquil, but being in a quiet place just makes me nervous.

He grabbed hold of his mobile and phoned a friend.

"Morning... uh Ryo, I need some help round here?"

All of a sudden, he passed the mobile to me. "My friend Ryo wants to talk to you." He whispered.

"Hi, Sho-chan!" A cheery voice at the other end of the line. Right, Ryo. He is another character I know online, someone who sparingly comments on my entries and I've talked to a bunch of times in a chat. And he is Tadayoshi's classmate and best friend.

"Uh, hi." I smiled just in case he sees.

"Sorry, I was supposed to go with my helpless friend here, but I got some family affair right now." He explained cooly.

"It's all right."

"HEY you, talk to him well." I heard him scold the person in front of me, and Tadayoshi made a face.

"I'm doing my best."

"Really now." The voice said skeptically.

"Yes I do. Anyway." He turned his back on me and they started talking about another topic. Then he hanged up. He followed my every move with his eyes.

I stood at the center of his room, still feeling his eyes burning at the back of my nape.

He stood up next and offered me a drink. He scolded me for walking too far, and I explained my side. A bit later he mentioned a joke which I didn't understand.

Next thing I knew he was laughing. I gave him a silly smile. He closed his mouth with an audible click.

Those were dry moments.

"So, what are we ought to do now?"

"... silence?" I giggled, and he just smiled and shook his head, obvious that he can't think of anything else to say.

His sight stopped at the fridge. "My sister has a leftover ice cream cake here. You want some?"

"No thanks. I just ate."

Silence. I wanted to crack a joke or tell a bunch of stories. I usually do that in front of my friends. But here I am, reduced to nothing but a solid piece of silence.

"Okay, me and my non-existent social skills. Hahah." He set his sight up on the ceiling. Meanwhile, I checked on my mobile to see if anyone has mailed me back.

None.

My heart was beating fast for a reason God-knows-what. Maybe it's the environment that contributed to my shyness.

Maybe.

----

I requested that he play some songs of our favorite band at the background, to which he gladly obliged.

"Wow, your place is so huge. I bet this costs a whole lot." I mused at my surroundings, loosening up as soon as there was soft music at the background.

He affirmed, saying that the furnishings and the space itself, costed them six million yen.

I stood up comically. "DAMN. I don't deserve to be in this place." The student looked up at me and just wore a tight-lipped smile. I continued probing in his place.

"No wonder it's expensive. Your bed is so soft." I placed some weight on his bed, and discerned it is a water bed.

"You may sit as you please."

I looked at the bed, then at him for a while. To his sheer surprise, I dived on his bed and threw all the covers on top of me.

Sound of crisp laughter rang on my senses. I looked back and saw him wear this happy grin. He reverted to his tight-lipped smile when I noticed him.

I sat right back up, and he sat beside me, hugging a pillow across his chest as if in defense.

Another lapse of silence. Damn, when will the silence end?

"You... you got huge hands." I started noting at the most random things out of lack of better things to do.

Suddenly, he locked his right hand with mine, as if measuring its difference. There was a moment when no words were uttered and we just stared at each other for a good thirty seconds. He looked away and looked at the curtains swaying softly with the breeze of the airconditioner.

"Actually, my parents don't know I got a visitor." A pause. "They are such close-minded people. They think that my friends are supposed to be limited within school.

They never knew that I go online, that I meet people online... speaking of which, you are the... second online person I've met." Another pause, and I yearned to hear him vent out some more.

He sighed "Anyway, they will be back by one in the afternoon to pick me up."

"HUH? So this is..."

"A secret rendezvous, if you don't mind me putting it that way."

"You are Rapunzel."

My joke was lame but he got my drift and laughed. It's nice seeing him laugh, I told myself.

"Don't worry much; they will phone me once they're in this building."

"B-but! What if they just open that damned door?" I comically pointed at the huge door by our left side.

"Then you can just jump out of the window."

"That would be a greater issue."

Another laugh. I discerned I wanted to make him laugh some more.

"Honestly, I don't know what to say. I swear I'm a lot more talkative when I am alone." He finally admitted.

I grinned. "Maybe you can pretend I am a wall, and you can just talk your heart out."

"I will look insane that way, won't I?"

"My point exactly."

He watched as I lay on his bed and hugged a pillow. "Damn. I can sleep here forever."

I saw him smile at me. I felt the ice break. I hope he did feel it too.

----

He jumped a mile when I placed a hand on his bent knee to get his attention. He had been spacing out for a good three minutes. I was singing along to the background music, still lying on his bed but facing his side and observing him warily.

"You have a brother?"

He nodded. "But she is not exactly a brother. You know... a brother-sister?"

I frowned in a bit, "What do you mean?"

He paused to find some explanation. "It's more like, he is a brother trapped in a woman's body..."

Hesitation. "Actually, we got switched..." The look he gave me was full of meaning as his voice trailed off. I sought for the continuation in his soulful eyes. He pursed his lips tighter.

Thirty seconds before realization sank in. He had just blurted out his sexuality within that mere statement.

"Oh." I gaped at him. I didn't know what to say anymore, but I definitely don't despise him.

I saw him hug his pillow tighter. Silence.

He suddenly appeared so wounded to me. The air around us turned suffocating.

"But just... assure me you won't be gay for me. Please... just no." I reiterated in a joking tone, complete with hand signals.

He looked at me once again with those soulful eyes, and said solemnly, "I promise."

I wish I never told him that.

Five minutes later, I stood up and fixed my clothes. "Hey, give me a mini-tour in your hotel."

"Good idea." He smiled back, and I hoped it was genuine.

----

As we walked around the hotel, I was even more convinced that I have to get my own suite once I earned a lot of money.

The part I enjoyed most was when we reached the rooftop which was big enough for a helicopter to land upon. I am sucker for panoramic, bird's eye views.

I glanced at my side. He was standing at the very edge, looking down the busy highway as if death didn't terrify him.

If ever he falls down, I will save him.

----

"I'm planning to have lunch in our place." I explained. "Besides, it's twelve-thirty. Your parents might be..."

"We can have lunch in the cafeteria." He offered, and I was never someone to decline such a good suggestion. This opportunity comes once in a long while after all.

I ordered my favorite rice bowl. He ordered pasta. To my amusement, the tight air around us disappeared. He began talking about himself... more about his family background, especially the fact that they are so uptight and stern that they don't engage in animated talking while eating meals.

Which was of the exact opposite of mine, I told him. And it dawned to me that I'm damn lucky for having my family the way it is.

I imagined how lonely he might be.

----

"One in the afternoon came." I declared, pointing at my wrist watch. We reached the ground floor. It was back to reality for the both of us.

I remember breathing in before facing him and saying, "See you." After that I walked away.

When I was of proper distance, I turned to check on him. He wasn't looking back at me. He ran back to his place, in fear of his parents' arrival.

----

There was never a proper goodbye.

----

That night, we were online.

I was attending to my typing job. His private message window popped, and just the same, my responsibilities vanished into thin air.

The air of our talk that night was very different.

The topic: his scorned love life.

He chose not to use a web camera and microphone that night.

I understand his purpose. I could just imagine hearing his meek, low voice and his dry, hurt laugh as he relayed the times when his heart got trampled, when he picked the wrong decisions, when he ended up not speaking when it's the prescribed time to confess.

"May this serve as an opening that I'm ready to listen to your love life, work life... whatever -life you have." He typed as an ender.

"Thanks, Tadayoshi. Thanks for sharing that part of you to me."

He typed back a laughing emoticon when I pertained to him by his whole first name.

He said I was the first ever non-relative who called him that. Even his parents never call him that name, like it was a curse word.

"I understand. I will tell you my stories once I got some." I typed.

But what story will I tell him? What can you expect? I am the man who never moved, who never changed.

"Good night." His message appeared on my screen.

:hug:

But he signed out. I wondered if he received my message.

At the same time, I wished I could've done that in real time.

----

A week later, I dropped by his blog.

A new entry.

Here lies my messages to the people I haven't talked much, and one I have talked to only recently. You got code names, and you are the ONLY people who can see this entry. Consider yourself lucky (or otherwise) if you do.

"That makes me lucky, huh." I said aloud as I scrolled down the page.

To: Echo's beloved

Narcissus?

Your birthday is well-remembered by the Americans.

September 11 was when the well-known Twin Towers bombing occurred. Indeed, it IS me.

What I read next were the sweetest sentences I've read in a lifetime. It sounded like sentences from a mushy love story, but I didn't mind. Even if it wasn't verbalized, I felt the sincerity.

I've been your fan for quite some time, but only recently did we get to talk a lot more. Talking to you relieved me so much. My world is now rotating on its proper axis. I'm back on my sane state of mind... though I have to tell you there are times I thought I was going gay for you. (But that won't happen, I assure you again.)

Thank you. I cannot even put it into words properly. Thank you, really. Thank you.
By the way, the flailing person on my water bed is fun to see. Hope you drop by again sooner.

I didn't reply on his post. I kept the contentment to myself.

----

Tadayoshi wasn't able to reassure me after that. Neither did I.

- To be Continued -

Hope you watch this series!


08/20/09--06:52: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 3 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 3/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes: Relatively short chapter, sorry.
Gah, I have lots of troubling things in mind right now. :/

AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope
2. Soundtrack of my Summer



Chapter Three: For the Thrill of the Fall

Last year I was an average fresh graduate finding his place in this humongous hustle-bustle of a society. I had just finished my teaching licensure exam and was highly considering where to apply for work, but I, Shota Yasuda, twenty-two years old, dreaded the thought of growing up too fast and too soon. There was this lingering belief that there is still a long way to traverse in this journey called life and I still have lots of time to catch up with the pace. Besides, I want to take full advantage of rest after four years of relentless, non-delinquent studying. Therefore, despite my mother's dismay, I bummed at home and spent my precious time in front of the computer.

With him.

----

"What are you doing right now?" Came the question across the screen. It was his usual question, and such familiar questions get the familiar replies.

"Nothing. Surfing the net of course." I typed. "You ought to know I'm not doing much lately. It's like... I am in a standstill."

In that junction, he started bombarding me with stories about his prep class. High school students usually do in summer, and he's planning to take a full year of prep schooling before he gets enroled in the university next year, come early April.

"Looks like you got a busy week ahead." I summarized.

"Yes, and actually, I am studying Physics right now. I'm looking at our online manual and such, but I end up getting sidetracked."

"Ah, and I bet I am one of those distractions, ain't I?"

He did not reply. I think I'm right.

"No, of course you aren't." He replied, "This thing can wait. I still have two weeks of prep school. Learning takes time."

"You slacker! :P"

"Besides, Physics is annoying. Sho-chan is not."

I blinked and read the line twice to make sure that it was he who typed those.

"Physics and Sho-chan are complicated things, but I am more interested to learn about Sho-chan."

I can't think of a decent reply.

"Most of all, Physics doesn't deserve my time... Sho-chan does."

A gap.

"There it goes, my short comparison of Physics and Shota Yasuda. =)"

All I typed was a laughing smiley followed by a sweatdrop.

"But Sho-chan won't help you pass the exam." I refuted everything he said.

"Oh yes he will." He typed back. "Ne, sensei, will you teach me everything you know about Literature?"

Cue in a 32-point Arial Black font response of "EH?!"

And cue in his pouty face on the camera.

Sigh. Who was I to decline?

----

I really find it amusing everytime I see him smile, everytime I was able to break his almost eternally poker face.

"I blame you if I get a terrible migraine tonight!" It was his eternal sickness. If I have this "psychological fear" of summer, Tadayoshi experiences sudden migraine attacks which serves as one of the reasons why he should not overexert himself physically, mentally or emotionally.

It was like any other chat sessions we shared, full of random musings about daily events, music, our favorte band... anything and everything under (and over) the sun. As he claimed, he put aside his prep school studies, and I put aside my obligations toward my family and the part-time typing job I have in a law firm.

My responsibilities disappear everytime I see him smile.

I did not know how it get there, but Tadayoshi revealed the origin of his name.

"It's from my aunt. Her name was Tadako. She died in a freak car accident when she was around your age. Her body was crushed beyond recognition."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." I replied and I meant it.

"She is mom's favorite sister, hence she promised she will name her second-born after her. But... well, I didn't come out as a girl. So she combined aunt's name with my father's..."

"And it became a beautiful name. Tadayoshi."

"I don't find it beautiful." He smirked at the camera. "I mean, count the people with this given name."

"Which is why it is beautiful. It's rare."

He didn't reply.

"Speaking of which, I remember asking mother my supposed name if I were born a girl. She told me it's gonna be Sumiko."

"Huh, that's pretty far from Shota." He smirked again.

"Sumiko, she said, means pure... a clear-thinking child." I proceeded, "But as I see it, I do not think clearly."

He nodded thoughtfully, "Sumiko... sounds good to me."

A follow-up statement, "I wonder how it would be like if Sumiko was born."

A grin.

"That would be chaos! The world has just seen the most beautiful girl they've ever seen!" I meant to sound conceited, but he played along.

"A girl around five feet and two, with striking cute looks... who plays the guitar, writes good songs and prose, draws murals and loves rock music!" He laughed.

"She will be everything a man can dream of!"

"If that's the case, I want to make her mine."

A lapse of silence. His face turned serious.

"LOL." And I followed, "But hey, if Tadako exists, I will court her too, being the interesting girl that she will be... but of course, the Tadayoshi I know is already interesting so I need not ask for more, right?"

I didn't realize the sincerity of his last statement until I read his new status message.

thinkgreen -> I wish Sumiko exists.

----

Two weeks passed by like two days, and I spent sleepless nights being an online teacher to Tadayoshi. He began appreciating English literature. Mythology was the topic he loved most. Perhaps I am ought to thank technology at this point for making long-distance tutoring possible, oh, and not to mention getting me a newfound friend.

"Let's celebrate." was his offer.

"Anytime."

He already had my mobile number so coordination was never a hassle.

Meeting him was a welcome change from the monotony of my life.

----

Two days later, I was sharing the same view with him at his rooftop. It was nighttime; the highways shone brightly, giving everything an intoxicating and mysterious feel. But what was more intoxicating without me even realizing was the fact that he was standing beside me. After sharing non-alcoholic drinks of tea and apple-flavored water and munching on some dark chocolates (which he claimed were his favorites), Tadayoshi reclaimed his spot at the very edge of the rooftop, staring at the thousands of vehicle lights a hundred feet below.

"What would it feel if I were to fall down to my death right now?" He blurted out of nowhere.

I heard him within an earshot. I walked up to him and patted his back, "What if I push you to your death right now?" I lightheartedly asked with a chuckle, but I knew he was dead serious on what he was saying. I shut my mouth.

I followed his line of sight and looked at the dizzying streetlights. The winds were blowing strongly on our faces, and I had this feeling that my entire body was light. A few stars were out that night and the moon was young. It was as if time has stopped and accommodated two souls who were lost and had built an atmosphere they could call their own. If there would be a time where ages meet halfway, then that instance would be the perfect moment.

"I... I will go with you... if you jump off this building right now." I finally blurted out what I've been meaning to say since the first day I saw him face death that way.

Silence which I think lasted for three minutes ensued. I stole side glances of him and his serious look. I dared not crack a joke because for some reason, I enjoyed seeing him pondering deeply.

"Let's go bungee jumping." Again, out of nowhere, he said.

I kept silent as I glanced at my watch. "My time is up."

----

Next thing I knew, I was already packing my things to Macau.

- To Be Continued -

Comments are highly appreciated!
Thanks for taking interest on this humble story~ ;D


08/23/09--21:13: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 4 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 4/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes: I enjoyed writing this chapter. Hope you enjoy reading it too!

AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope
2. Soundtrack of my Summer
3. For the Thrill of the Fall



Chapter Four: Not-so Little You and I

I have been always the one to care. May it be toward my family, friends or even batch mates, I have been always the one concerned about their general well-being and such. I have been giving so much that it has often become a cause of my own losses; exhaustion which usually leads to sickness.

Sometimes it's already tiring.

Not that I'm saying that I don't want to care anymore, but I feel like the care I give away never equated to the care I have ever received.

It's just... unfair. Don't you think?

----

Macau.

We were quiet the entire trip, as if we were mere strangers in the plane even in the taxi. He was particularly focused on his music player which seemed to be eternally plugged in his ears, while I busied myself enjoying the amenities of the plane and even dozing off for prolonged hours.

Macau.

I couldn't believe I went all the way there with him, and I honestly had no idea why he brought me to such a place.

Not until we rode a taxi to its highest tower.

I looked up, and there standing before me was an infrastructure two hundred and thirty-three meters tall as I learned later on.

"This is where we will jump off." Tadayoshi announced as he made his first step forward.

----

There was a trace of disappointment in his eyes when he learned that only one person is allowed to jump at a time.

"So, who will go first?" The person named John See who was there to assist us in the process asked.

"I will." He said boldly, and the other men started putting ropes and harnesses on him.

He looked at the ground, and I looked at him from afar, silently wishing he will be okay.

He didn't even wait for the officiators to push him. After the count of three, he spread his arms wide and leaned forward.
I was aghast, and I had the inner urge to walk forward and stop him.

The way he flew off was cool; it was as if he solemnly surrendered his body to the strong winds.

At the same time, I couldn't help but look down as he descended. I felt helpless because the uncertainty of his survival was clearly there.
I squinted and fought the wild winds as I watched him descend toward the big white mattress.

The officiators applauded for the success of his jump. I just stared.

----

I breathed out slowly in an attempt to calm my nerves. I took a moment to relish the magnificent bird's eye view.
At least I have enjoyed the scenery just in case I wouldn't live to see what's after that.

"Will you be okay?" He solemnly asked, and I grinned as wide as I could.

"Of course I will."

He walked back five steps, his eyes still not leaving me. I was looking at him as if pleading him to stop me right then and there.

Of course he didn't, and I myself didn't realize that the count was over and Mr. John had already given me a firm push towards my fall.

... I think I forgot to breathe. I wanted to yell but I couldn't.

"Spread your arms!" Mr. John kept on telling me, and I obeyed, stiffly.

"Sho-chan!" I think I heard Tadayoshi yell, but I could be mistaken, because I was busy telling myself repeatedly;

This is the end! This is the end!

As I felt gravity rushing against me, I thought of the people I would be leaving behind when I die.

I don't want to leave just yet.

----

As soon as I was reeled back in and all the harnesses were removed, Tadayoshi approached me.
Without further ado, he knelt in front of me, looked in my eyes, and enveloped me in an embrace.

"Why?" I asked quietly, shock still circling in my system.

"I realized I don't want you to die." Tadayoshi confided while I was within his hold. "Not because of me."

"T-thank you." I whispered as I leaned my forehead on his shoulder. I wanted to cry, to tell him that I was so terrified of losing my life... but I held it all in.

Most of all, I forgot to tell him that I don't want to lose him either.

----

Being with him made me feel how it was like to be cared for.

----

What followed was the most relaxing three-day summer vacation. That says a lot from me, Shota Yasuda, someone who's highly afraid of summer.

Needless to say, I came to enjoy the sun with him.

We literally burned cash, but it didn't matter. As Tadayoshi said, money was made to buy happiness. However, he mentioned a big exception.

"But right now I discerned that there are things that money cannot buy." He confided while we were riding a Ferris wheel.

I was looking at the distant horizon. I was certain he's looking at me.

We took a hefty lot of pictures and videos of us goofing about while doing a variety of things in his camera.
Unfortunately, the camera was stolen in the airport.

Till now I can still remember hearing Tadayoshi whine and yell about in frustration, demanding the airport staff to do a thorough search.
I stopped him however... I told him what mattered most were the memories... the bittersweet memories which I came to write a year later.

Looking back, I am thankful that the camera went missing. The memories are a bit easier to forget that way.

Or so it seems.

----

"Tacchon."

He stopped eating his crepe and looked at me in surprise. "What did you just call me?"

"It's another way of saying Tada-chan." I explained shortly. "I think it's cool, like how you call me Sho-chan."

He let his eyes glide to the side in consideration.

"Anything you wish." He just beamed back, and I nodded.

We stared in the dead space of the night.

----

dokkun has invited you to a chat session. View?

"Yo. How's Macau?" was his message.

"T'was fun."

"Ah. I'm glad you did enjoy. It's the perfect way to unwind after the big college entrance exams."

I typed back a smiley.

"So it looks like Ohkura-kun's been hogging you a lot lately huh."

"Yeah, you can say that."

"You've been all over his life. He can't stop talking about you."

I kept silent.

"Everywhere we go, he can always relate things to you."

I can't help but smile as I replied, "I didn't know I have such effect. :laugh:"

Silence.

"Well, on the other hand it bothers me... he tends to fall asleep during prep class. I presume it's because of your crazy night conversations and such."

"Really?"

"Yes, and being a friend I am asking for some consideration."

"I am asking him to sleep early. Believe me I do. But he told me prep school can wait."

"Don't you think you can distance yourself?"

My face turned grim. Ryo had a point, and he followed it up with another question.

"Aren't you fed up?"

I felt the iciness of his words. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing much."

"I don't." I immediately typed. It was my turn to defend myself. "I am always happy to spare some time for him."

dokkun is now offline

----

I want to be selfish this time.

----

"Could it be?" My younger sister's eyes opened wide as she observed me some more.

"I know that look, oh I'm certain of it!"

"WHAT?" I frowned as I took another crispy bite of the katsudon.

"You ARE in love, brother."

I choked.

"No I'm not..." I flatly rebutted.

"What can you call the sparkle in those eyes, hm?" My mother followed.

These people! They are really unbelievable.

"No I don't have the sparkle... unless I put glitter on my eyes." I ridiculed, shaking my head.

"I heard him laughing real loud over the phone this dawn." she pointed, "Mom, I tell you he is in love!"

"That's just a friend." I put down my chopsticks. "I'm done. Thanks for the meal."

----

I looked at the mirror as I brushed my teeth. Indeed, the faint glimmer was there.

I was immediately reminded of the crazy conversation with Tadayoshi which lasted for about three hours.

Online, offline, in the mobile and now even on the telephone... Tadayoshi's been everywhere in my life.

I smiled.

"... maybe I am."

It's awkward to be in such a situation, but at the same time I don't want to leave just yet.

I looked outside. It has started drizzling.

It was the mid-summer rain.

- To Be Continued -

Thanks for the positive comments! It keeps me going on~


08/25/09--00:10: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 5 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 5/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes: AGH. I find this chapter difficult to write.
I tried my best to capture the confusion of both parties... and I hope you enjoy.
The Ohkura/Ueda cameo is dedicated to resha_ueda. :P


AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope
2. Soundtrack of my Summer
3. For the Thrill of the Fall
4. Not-so Little You and I



Chapter Five: You to Know Who I Am


I am happy when it rains, especially during midnight.

Tadayoshi and I were night people. We became even more active when darkness pervades everywhere. It was when we become too hyped up and talk about random things.

But eventually, it would all be reduced to prolonged moments of silence, that which I enjoyed most. We did nothing but listen to each others' exhalations, even the sound of munching as we eat our midnight snacks. Most of all, we were highly aware of the sounds of rain falling from the other line.

It rained almost every time we talked, but the ground was dry.

Now that I think of it, those moments of silence were perhaps nothing special to him.
Perhaps we already ran out of things to talk about.

----

"My Tat-chan is getting even more jealous of us, hahaha."

"Your Tat-chan?" I was a lot more curious by the possessive pronoun he used.

"He is the first person I came to like so much online. And I liked him a whole lot. In fact, I am holding on to him till now..."

"Is that feeling mutual?" I can't help but ask.

"No. We were both confused of our feelings that time. But eventually the hurt was gone and we became friends. Super close at that."

"I see." I feigned understanding.

Of course I know. I have read every single entry he had in his journal, and I have an inkling of what happened between them.

He was so gay for him.

Secretly I was wishing he is too, for me.

----

I scoured for that person's username. whimsical-faerie

The name sure sounded gay.

"Tatsuya Ueda, twenty-four years old." I read his real name and his age aloud. So he is Japanese... and he currently resides in Britain.

I opened this Tat-chan's blog and scrolled through his entries

Then I read his comment pages, and I saw Tadayoshi's username all over the place.
They have shared long, indulging and seemingly random conversations which conversely had transformed Tatsuya's comment page to a chat room.

They were so sweet, I have to admit. Tadayoshi had been too expressive of his feelings for him.
He wrote a dozen of hearts and smileys for his birthday which was on October 4 two years ago.
He acted the same way he's acting towards me.

A bitter pang of jealousy hit me.

----

Everyone has this instinct of holding on to whatever makes them happy.
He makes me happy.
Therefore, I hold on to him.

----

"Tacchon, I have a problem." I opened up one midnight while he was busy gobbling down potato chips.

"Hm?"

"I am so in love with this person but I cannot tell her directly what I'm feeling."

The reason why I had put my "confession" that way is to know if he's into someone else at that time as well.

"OH."

"And I feel awful everytime she goes around talking with other guys."

"Can you tell me who that she is?"

I refused to answer.

"Wow, Sho-chan has fallen in love with a mystery woman."

":laugh:"

"Kidding aside, do your best. And tell her how you feel."

"... thanks." I typed. But will I ever be able to gather the courage to tell it to you, Tacchon?

"I don't want to see you miserable like that... I want to ease your pain."

"Damn, if only I can be a robot so I don't have to feel awful." I started imagining.

"If Sho-chan had become a robot, I will sell all my riches, be the highest bidder so I can take Sho-chan home."

Tadayoshi is the only person who can effectively rob my words off me.
That says a lot from an English literature graduate and aspiring teacher who uses words as his sole weapon.

----

August 24, 2008 @ 11:40 PM
The Modern-day Echo and Narcissus

I want to hold your hand, but you were stroking your hair.
You were too busy looking at your reflection, adoring yourself.
I want to yell, but I was cursed never to have the first word.

"I love you."
Nice to hear, hard to defend.

----

I was even more baffled when I read Tadayoshi's latest entry.

August 23, 2008 @ 1: 10 AM
[no title]

Should I tell the truth and hurt you, or keep it and hurt myself some more?

----

We were two Echos who fell in love with each other's Narcissus.

----

"The gender confusion you've been long suppressing all along is hitting right back at you!"
A good friend, Ryuhei Maruyama, ridiculed me over a tall glass of ice cream after I told him my latest experience about love, if that's what you call it.

We haven't seen each other since college started, and I sort of felt guilty for bombarding him with my gender issues first-hand.

"Damn, Maru. Stop making fun of my situation." I scowled back. A sigh. "I don't know if I love him solely because he's like a little brother to me or he's already someone I really love."

"Kidding aside," He wiped his lips with a tissue, "I will never be the one to change the course of your relationship, am I right?"

A pat on my shoulder as I finished my own tall glass.

"It's been always like you to hide what you really feel... so how about you set yourself free this time?"

He was saying the damn truth. I was immediately reminded of my first love when we were in high school.
I clearly remember how I gripped on my love letter and chickened out after graduation.

I don't want history to repeat itself.

----

I stared hard at my mobile phone.
This is it. I have to tell him.
This needs to be resolved, before it screws up my life.

I sucked in my breath as I sent my message.

"Tacchon, can I talk to you on the phone?"

Ten minutes later, a reply arrived.

"I'm sorry, not now. I'm too sleepy. It's been a long day."

I slept early that night.

----

I was about to click on Tadayoshi's username the moment I was online but a window popped up, distracting my view.

dokkun has invited you to a conference. Accept?

"YOU!" He exclaimed.

"HUH."

"I know what you did to Ohkura-kun!"

"WHAT?!" I was bewildered. Why was he reading my mind anyway?

thinkgreen has joined the conference

"I caught you and Ohkura-kun in a bar. And you were stripping in front of him. Right, Ohkura-kun?"

"HUH." It was Tadayoshi's turn to ask.

"See? The two of you even have the same reactions now." Ryo declared his observation.

"WHAT THE HELL. WHY DO YOU SET US UP LIKE THIS, DOKKUN?" Tadayoshi exclaimed.

"Hey, calm down. I want to witness the grand event of summer. So, feel free. I give the floor to you Ohkura-kun."

"So, uh, what was it you want to talk about last night?" Tadayoshi typed in his usual green-colored text.

"I have to tell you who it was that I really liked."

"Then who is it?"

"It was you."

I felt the tension rise even through typed words.

"But... I confirmed I like you just because you were like a little brother to me." I redeemed myself. "More like, I saw myself in you."

My response made it look like I was a Narcissus all along, as my username implied. But that was not the case.

"How did you realize it's all over?"

Before I could reply to Tadayoshi's question, Ryo typed in huge font, all-caps, followed by a dozen of laughing smileys.

"HAHA... I KNEW IT. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE FEELING ABOUT THE TWO OF YOU ALL ALONG!"

I typed a bunch of ellipses.

"Don't fret too much, Sho-chan. When it comes to Ohkura-kun, issues happen."

My mind went blank.

"Damn, why am I happy for the two of you?"

Tadayoshi, meanwhile, wasn't typing anything.

"BRB." Ryo finally typed, and his status message was replaced with a busy sign.

----

thinkgreen has invited you to a private chat. Accept?

"So, uhm. That's how it is, huh." was his opening.

"Yeah... I am sorry for messing up like this."

Silence.

"No, you did not mess up. I did." He typed.

"What?"

"Remember the times I told you I thought I was going gay for you?"

"Yes."

"Well... it sort of came true."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Really?"

"Uh huh. When you told me you like someone else, you have no idea how jealous I was."

"I see. I'm sorry."

"And right now I can list down the reasons why I like you one by one."

Silence.

"So?"

"You were waiting for it!"

"What's wrong? Of course it concerns me so I have to know!"

A beat.

"Can we talk on the phone instead?"

----

I don't want the world to see me.
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am.

----

August twenty-five, four in the afternoon.

I took his confession lightly, but it felt like my chest was constricting in every minute that we talked.

"One: You're cute. Two, you got a cool sense of humor, and that's exactly what I like."

"Thank you." I had nothing more to say. "Thank you for liking me."

There, I was holding myself back again.

"In fact, I already have my theme song for you."

He didn't wait for me to reply and asked, "Do you know the song Iris?"

"Why, that's my favorite." I laughed nervously.

He played the said song at the background, and we spent another minute of silence.

Then...

"I love you, Sho-chan." Tadayoshi said slowly but surely.

And as if on cue, a tear started rolling down my left cheek.

I ran to my room and ducked under the sheets. I don't want my younger sister to see me bawl my eyes out.

I didn't know why I was crying either.

Was it because of overflowing joy upon knowing that he likes me too?
Or sadness because I can't reciprocate the solemn feelings he had for me?
Or frustration... because I knew in the first place that I cannot... will never fight for him?

"Are you crying?" He was listening keenly.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand.

"Be-because... you like me a lot. You love me, and I know I can't... give that back." I couldn't help but cry for him.

I am sure my sobs were heard on the other line.

"It's okay." He said after a span of three minutes. "What matters is I love you."

I hate love stories with tragic endings.

I kept on saying sorry, and he said I don't have to be sorry for the turn of events.

But I knew beforehand it was all my fault, my shortcoming.

He proceeded stating the things he adored of me as if he wasn't hurt.

It hurt me more.

----

thinkgreen has invited you to a private chat. Accept?

"Hey, I know of this poetry reading and writing event near the hotel. Do you want to go with me?"

narcissus911 is now offline

----

August twenty-six, eight in the morning.

"Good morning, Sho-chan. Have a great day ahead."

I woke up next day with Tadayoshi's good morning message on my phone.

But the general feeling was different. Our feelings were all mixed up, scattered, the boundaries of which I cannot define.

The ground was still dry, but the rain had developed into a typhoon.

- To Be Continued -


08/27/09--09:20: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 6 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 6/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-15 for this chapter because of the bedscene. *gasp!*

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes: MY SPIRIT WAS DRAINED AFTER WRITING THIS CHAPTER! *nosebleeds*
Song inspiration for this chapter is Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars
I highly recommend you listen to it to set the mood!


AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope
2. Soundtrack of my Summer
3. For the Thrill of the Fall
4. Not-so Little You and I
5. You to Know Who I Am



Chapter Six: And Just Forget the World


New entry from thinkgreen

September 4, 2008 @ 1:10 AM
[no title]

If red balloons are for flying
And the blue ones are for free-falling
What are the violet ones for?

Will you keep me flying
Or will you just let me fall (for you)?

----

"Now that you mentioned it, I have picked your perfect nickname."

He typed one dawn four hours after our chat session began.

"What is it?"

"Yassan. Short for Yasu-san. The same way you baptized me as Tacchon."

"Yassan. Non-intimidating. Playful but still with respect... perfect. ^o^"

"Thank you. Now how's your day?"

----

September has begun.

It has been a month of standing beside each other, continuing our usual conversations.
However, that usual has changed ever-so drastically.

I could not deny that everything's already changed after the grand confrontation.

We continued talking as if we're friends, though it's clear that we are not anymore.

We continued existing in each other's minds without having an idea of what we really are.

The lines that bound us seemed to be getting more fragile by the day for a reason I cannot point out.

And in that moment I wished I have never confronted my feelings for him in the first place.

Cue in the even more frequent rainshowers.
----

"HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YASSAN!"

As expected, he typed in bold and all-caps, in my favorite color, with a dozen of hearts and smileys.

"Thank you." was my sole reply.

"How are you celebrating it?"

"I've had a simple dinner with my family, all from my own pocket."

"Man, being an adult sure is tough."

"Please don't call me that!" I replied sourly.

"But what should I call you? You've just turned twenty-three! :))"

"Call me Yassan, what else?" I typed back with a couple of smileys.

"LOL." Tadayoshi mused.

Then again we lacked of things to talk about.

"I want to treat you for your birthday in the hotel."

I am always free on Saturdays. In fact, I'm free all the time, if it's exclusively for him.
That's the sole reason why I quit my typing job before August ended.

"Will a Saturday night do?"

That was a queer yet earnest request.

"Okay." I ended.

----

If it weren't for my standstill and my desire not to grow old so fast,
My world would not stop halfway, thus not allowing me to meet him.

----

September thirteen, nine in the evening.

Another secret rendezvous.

I was standing on his rooftop with the boy I have come to like so much.

Thick clouds were overhead, rain threatening to fall.

He was sipping light beer (To hell with legalities!) and I was sipping a stronger one.

His glass made a sharp clink as it landed on the table.

I watched the moon disappear and reappear behind the clouds.

Suddenly, his arms enveloped me. He hugged me from behind. I felt him place his chin on my head.

I didn't flinch. Instead, I savored the moment, the physical contact, the togetherness.

His big hands held on my shoulders. He made me face him.

As always, we were communicating without words.

The wind grew stronger, and it blew against our faces.

He looked at me with those piercing eyes, those eyes I cannot get enough of.

Then, he slowly leaned towards me. Still, I wasn't moving.

Our lips touched.

----

My eyes were wide open, disbelieving what was happening.

It was as if I was existing in a place where ages meet halfway.

No.

We have just made his rooftop a place where ages do not matter anymore.

I opened my mouth and welcomed him.

----

We got drenched in the rain. Still, the ground was dry.

----

I felt the world slow down from the moment we entered his room, still latching on each other for warmth.

He turned on the dim lights, then laid me down on his water bed, part of his weight landing on my chest.

I looked at him then whispered "W-wait, aren't we so rushed about this?"

But my words were cut off as he kissed me even deeper than I did.

I tasted the light beer, but his sweetness, the softness of his tongue was apparent.

Next thing I knew, my clothes were off one by one.

I helped him out of his as well, and slowly grazed my fingertips against his hot, flushed skin.

Meanwhile, his touch melted my blunt facade.

----

"Yassan... you never get angry, do you?" Our conversation replayed.

"Yes I do. Of course I am human."

"When was the last time you got REALLY angry?"

A hesitation, "... last year?"

"REALLY?!" He typed in astonishment.

Silence.

"And you cried for me when I confessed. Silly you."

I could only type back a laughing smiley, though my feelings were otherwise. I was holding it all in.

"Maybe... you were crying your own tears that time too, weren't you?"

"I guess."

"That is your flaw. You don't set yourself free." He typed as if it was nothing.

I turned silent. His words hit me right on spot, especially what followed next.

"Yassan, let me be your freedom."

----

He took a good long look of my nakedness before our tongues danced once more.

I felt sort of ashamed because he was seeing me in my vulnerable state, but he didn't utter a sound.

Rather, he hoisted my leg up to find the entrance.

"Let me in?" He whispered huskily, his eyes mysteriously shaded by his dark fringes.

I could only look at him with eyes clearly glazed with desire, my feelings overflowing deep inside.

"Can I?"

Shivering, I held on his length and said with equal huskiness, "In me, Tacchon. N-now."

He smiled before pushing me on my knees.

----

The waters overflowed. We danced in the rain.

----

I moaned aloud as he continued pushing his length in me.

He massaged my thigh to soothe the steadying pain.

I felt his pulsating length pushing deeper, filling up the space in me.

He was tearing me apart.

It took a good three minutes before the pain subsided and was replaced by an overwhelming fullness.

I was aware of how my fingers made deep cresent shapes on his back, and I wanted to say sorry.

But I set my blurry sight at him with an expression so focused, so pleased, very much in ecstasy.

I found my voice to yell his name in repetition.

I saw him smile, as if enjoying the pain he was giving me.

In love, it was all about hurting each other just to gain the pleasure they truly desired.

We danced together in the dark; slick skin against slick skin.

"Yah---yassan." He muttered my name sharply as he rhythmically punctured me, penetrated me with his whole.

Our breaths were deep and ragged but they were surprisingly in unison.

Never in my life have I felt this whole, with another person inside me.

The activity at hand drained away my energy, but I strived to be in movement just for him as I welcomed back his thrusts.

We shifted places and I opened up myself further just for him, and only for him.

And he took it all in. His touches were all on the right places, his thrusts hit all the right spots.

Even the growing creaks of the bed gave a rhythm for us to follow.

Our breaths that filled the room were the accompaniament. The continuous mentions of each other's names as if they were uttered prayers were the lyrics.

----

We sped ahead to the crescendo.

The burning sensations on our groins and pits of our stomachs grew in intensity.

His touch became rougher, as if he was holding on for dear life.

My name became incomprehensible, his thrusts piercing. I felt as if my insides were already bleeding.

In one very sharp thrust of his entire length, sticky liquid coated me inside.

I gave a sharp yelp and my seed overflowed within his hold as well, soaking the sheets and even his bare abdomen.

That release drained our spirits down to the core. I felt like I was born anew.

I collapsed on top of him, and he collapsed on his water bed, still using his remaining strength to hold me close to his sweaty chest. Together we basked in the afterglow.

I leaned on his chest and controlled my breaths as our hearts beat as one.

When the flush subsided, Tadayoshi brushed off the messy blonde fringes away from my eyes, then probed deep at them.

And he kissed me again, as if the thousand kisses we shared that night were never enough to tell me that he wanted me so much.

I kissed him back, passing all my feelings, the unspoken words directly in his mouth.

We broke the union of our tongues, then he looked at me again.

His eyes were still filled with an insatiable lust.

The repeat was even more electrifying. It was made even more intense the second... and the third time around.

----

I want him to be with me, in me, forever.

----

Next morning when my consciousness was back, I was still trapped within his embrace, a part of him still buried in me.

I cannot understand why, or how I gave myself away so easily, but as I looked at his slumbering face I understood.

It was screaming at me.

I love him. I truly love him.

He opened an eye.

"Good morning." I told him lazily.

He smiled, weakly.

Perhaps I was blinded by the ecstasy that I didn't notice how drastic things changed after that one magnificent night.

----

For the nights to follow, I wondered if he really loved me back.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

Comments are considered precious!♥


08/30/09--12:03: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 7 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 7/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: Back to PG-13

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes:
I tried my best to show the confusion plus the reasons why Yasu was pulling away.
So all I ask is to just read this chapter thoroughly.
This is getting even more painful to write as I proceed with every chapter, DAMNIT.

AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope
2. Soundtrack of my Summer
3. For the Thrill of the Fall
4. Not-so Little You and I
5. You to Know Who I Am
6. And Just Forget the World



Chapter Seven: With Such a Heavy Heart

New entry from thinkgreen

September 15, 2008 @ 12:02 AM
[no title]

What do you really want me to do?
How do you define the word "we"?

I want to know.

----

The rain has turned into a full-blown storm.

Another silence on the phone. Cue in Tadayoshi's dry laughter.

"Aren't you sleepy yet?" I asked, praying that my annoyed tone wasn't obvious.

"No." Was his lazy response.

I thought of a cool anecdote about my friend. I told the story and we shared some laughter.

Then everything died once more.

"We're staring at each other again, huh." I flatly declared.

A ragged breath, "I want to stay like this all the time." He said.

"You mean you want us to be silent all the time?"

"Well, that depends on you and the time when you can finally speak up."

----

New entry from narcissus0911

September 17, 2008 @ 10:01 AM
Role Reversal

This Narcissus has officially become an Echo. He is cursed never to have the first word.

Never.


Though I cannot promise that I'll love you back the way you want or expect me to, please stay with me.
You are my source of strength.

----

I haven't told Tadayoshi that I have my own scorned love story.

It was during high school.
I was in love with a boy. He was everything a girl could wish for... and I was really infatuated with him. We were good friends; we worked hand in hand on the school council, the music club, and even poster-making contests. What attracted me most is his hurt inner being, the persona he was hiding behind his cheerfulness and confidence. I wanted to nurture him so he can become whole.

But I was never given the chance. I had my eyes on him; he had his eyes on pretty things. He was his own Narcissus.

Graduation arrived, and it arrived with me clutching my love letter and farewell letter rolled into one. At the corner of my eye, I saw people flocking around him after the ceremonies, congratulating him and his earned honors. I crumpled the letter in my grasp and stomped away, heavy-hearted.

----

"Damn it Yassan. I really like you." Tadayoshi summarized after a long round of laughter.
It was the laughter that resounds and stings my heart.

"Really?" I chuckled. "Prove how much you love me by words."

"I LOVE YOU... this love will extend until I am breathless."

It hurt too much.

"I LOOOOOOOVE---"

I hanged up that night, but I kept on coming and coming back, carrying with me apologies and excuses.

I was literally though indirectly begging him to still love me despite how twisted and selfish my philosophy is.

And he understood. He understood it all.

I believe he did.

----

New entry from thinkgreen

September 21, 2008 @ 11:20 PM
[no title]


There is no remedy for love but to love more.

----

I am someone who made sure he is a step ahead. I know when to stop myself when I go overboard.

I am willing to pull away as soon as possible, but he was making me too happy that I forget everything around me.

And that, also, is the reason why I am even more convinced to turn away.

I felt like I've already gained a significant, unswimmable distance between me and the ones I treasured most.

My family, my friends, and the career that I'm supposed to take upon seriously.

I'm giving away myself too much I suppose.

My standstill was getting more and more apparent each day.

----

"Sho-chan! You have to talk to Ohkura-kun!" Ryo exclaimed through another private message window.

"What? What happened?"

"He kept on yelling at me." Cue in the sad emoticon.

I laughed. Tadayoshi can be really grouchy at times, and I know the reason why. He does get moody on me too.

"He is simply having his migraines." I casually typed. "Leave him alone for one moment and he'll be okay on the next."

Silence.

"... I see. I'll try that."

Then an ender, "Because right now you know Ohkura-kun even more than his bestfriend does."

Offline, I smiled a bitter smile.



True enough, two hours later, I saw Tadayoshi's status message saying "Migraine's gone, hooray! Back in action. ^_^"

"HEY THERE!" His private message popped in.

"Hello. :)"

"My migraine's gone! Thanks God for pain relievers."

"Yeah. It looks like you've been having migraines more often lately."

"Yes. It's because I am thinking too much."

"School?"

"Like I've told you I don't think too much it. It's not my primary concern. It's something else."

"Family?"

"Definitely a no-no."

"Then what?"

Silence.

"Thank you, love, for being always in my head."

I remembered the fact that Tadayoshi experiences migraine whenever he's stressed physically or emotionally.

A lump formed on my throat.

"BRB." Was all I typed back.

----

New entry from thinkgreen

September 24, 2008 @ 12:44 AM
[no title]

The question is until when will I be able to hold on.


(sarcasm) I've had migraines in one month to suffice me in a year. Isn't that amazing? (end sarcasm)

----

"Do you really love him?"

Ryo's direct interrogation was like a punch on the gut.

Tadayoshi's bestfriend has become my confidante of what I've been feeling, since he's the witness to everything we've been through, and he had sworn himself to secrecy.

I copied my entry when we met each other before the Macau trip.


I stare at his face, and I just want to exist to look at him some more. He pouts and my heart skips a beat. I touch him and something inside me melts. It's inexplicable. I link my arm on his, and I feel secure. His silence is a rush of fresh air. I feel no worry or fear, just the sense that I want to make those hours last for forever. And when that forever comes, I want him to hold me and never let go. But for the meantime, there is silence. Comfortable silence. No words are needed. There is only me, him and the clear night sky. It is the happiest and contented feeling that I had after a long, long time.


"OH MY GOD." He typed. "I WAS RENDERED BREATHLESS."

I didn't say anything.

"YOU, SHO-CHAN, YOU REALLY LOVE MY BESTFRIEND."

"Do I?" I asked him back.

"IF THAT IS NOT LOVE THEN I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS."

Silence.

"Know what? Right now I am jealous of Ohkura-kun."

"Why?"

"Because someone as wonderful as you is INTENSELY loving him."

Another silence.

"Can you give him a chance?"

I sighed heavily.

"Can you?" He insisted for an answer.

"I don't really know, Dokkun."

"WHY DON'T YOU KNOW?" He seemed to scream at me.

"... I'm freaking scared."

"What? It's a part of the process, you have to understand that."
His words slowly appeared on my window, and I slowly selected my words.

"It is because I don't want us to get hurt. I know that when I love him it would be useless because our genders do not allow us to love each other... in this lifetime at least."

I took a sip of my cola.

"I don't want to push through with it because I know in the end we won't be able to defend each other for what we are feeling. If I am going to break a person, at least I've broken him early on than break him when he's already expectant of something."

"I... I don't know." Even Ryo himself seemed to be confused of what I was telling him. "I don't understand why you're preventing yourself from loving."

A pause, "You are a miserable person, Sho-chan."

The third silence.

"I don't know what to do anymore." I typed and said out loud simultaneously.

"Tell you the truth, he doesn't know what to do with you either."

"Huh?"

"Sho-chan... you have no idea how much you've changed him."

"Tell me..." I was about to press enter when the next statement appeared.

dokkun is now offline.

He wasn't able to go back.

----

There came a point when I didn't want to read Tadayoshi's entries anymore.

----

Falling in love with someone of the same gender gives you discrimination.

Falling in love with a minor sends you to jail.

Put them together, welcome to eternal damnation.

I've been always taught that boys are made for girls, not for each other.

And I hate the fact that my gender confusion has kicked back bigtime upon seeing him.

It was something I feared, the dreaded past.

Wake up, fool. This fairytale's got to end.

----

New entry from thinkgreen

Long hesitation ensued. But I have to know, I should know.

Scroll down.



September 27, 2008 @ 12:44 AM
[no title]

At times it shines on and on but brightens, zooms in oh-so-slowly.
And at other times it ignites oh-so-quickly,
yet it dies as soon as the sparks lit my dim room.

And it's been barely two months.

I wonder why.
Maybe it's me outgrowing things.
Or maybe I just have too much time to spare.

----

It's over, isn't it?

I have to forget him, fast.

Because he's gotten over me already.

That fast.

----

I roused to consciousness one early morning, with the ghosts of his embrace and his fullness still haunting me.

I ducked under the sheets as wetness formed on my eyes.

I always do, everytime I dream about him.



... I don't want to wake up anymore.

----

September twenty-nine, three in the afternoon.

It was raining hard, literally and figuratively.

Next thing I knew I was knocking on Ryuhei's front door.

"Ya--yasu!" He caught me as soon as I sagged on his doorstep.

"Are you okay?" He felt for my neck, "YASU, YOU'RE SICK. WHAT'S GOING ON?"

And all I uttered was, "Maru, I am now trying to forget him... but... why do I hurt?"

- To be Continued -

Special Request: Can a kind soul give me download links to Yasuko to Kenji episode 5, WITHOUT subs and preferably on Mediafire? I need it for a project for this story. Help is greatly appreciated.

Once again, comments please!


09/01/09--01:59: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 8 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 8/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: Elevated to PG-15 because of the curse words.

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes: I take this time to thank the people who read this fic religiously!
I'm happy for your comments, and yes, this fic is about to end, if you can sense it.

AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope
2. Soundtrack of my Summer
3. For the Thrill of the Fall
4. Not-so Little You and I
5. You to Know Who I Am
6. And Just Forget the World
7. With Such a Heavy Heart



Chapter Eight: When I Said Waiting Was Fine

"You have to take care of yourself because no one else will do." Ryuhei ranted as he looked down on his lap where my head was settled.

He pressed an ice pack against my forehead.

"Yasu, you have to move on, seriously. That BOY is messing... fucking up with your once-sensible brain." He frowned as I moved my head away from his lap and to a throwpillow.

He had the right to say that for he had witnessed how I existed since high school.

Growth and existence, may I reiterate, have significant differences.

"What can you do? He already FUCKED me literally." I weakly revealed.

Cue in the bewildered gasp and exagerrated facial reactions.

"YOU MESSED UP BIGTIME THERE, BUDDY."

"I know, right?"

He shook his head wildly, "You are so fucking stupid you deserved to be fucked bigtime."

"Thank you." I flatly replied. "I'm a big fuckhole."

I heard myself holding back my sobs.

Ryuhei's expression softened. He leaned forward and offered himself.

Without hesitation this time, I leaned in and cried.

"WHY?" I kept asking myself that word until my voice got hoarse. He glided a palm on my back.

Ryuhei has his soft sides; it was tried and tested through the length of time we were together.

"It's a welcome change to see you let it all out." He said in a hushed tone. "I told you, Yasu, you are changing bit by bit... especially after you met that Tadayoshi guy."

I just sobbed.

"There there, you have to sleep. You are too exhausted." He let loose, walked out awhile, and returned with a blanket on hand.

----

I rose from his couch. It was already dusk.

"Okay! No more fever." I saw him read a thermometer.

"I slept for so long." I stated the obvious.

"You badly need it." Ryuhei smiled. "Besides, mom's out of town. You're free to stay."

Silence, but not the type of silence I and Tadayoshi spends in his rooftop.

"Let's pig out." Out of the blue, he declared.

"W-when?"

"RIGHT NOW. I'll call in Shingo." He started phoning our third friend in.

"There's no better cure for a broken heart than eating and company of some good friends, right?"

My friends are weird, but they are wise in their own quirky ways.

"Great idea." I answered.

----

Grabbing my wallet and a pack of cigarettes, I wandered aimlessly every night.

I swore I won't smoke anymore, but the situation called for it.

Every night I parked myself in front of his hotel, wondering what he was doing, or if he was even there.

The lights in his suite were always off.

I always pursed my lips into a grimace.

Then I always drank alcohol at a nearby bar to numb the pain.

There was one instance when I got home half past one in the morning.

To my surprise, my younger sister welcomed me at the aisle leading to my room.

She looked at me, then hugged me back without saying anything.

She didn't mind the fact that I looked wasted, that I smelled nicotine and booze.

"Oniisan, I missed you."

I bent my knees and kissed her on the forehead.

I was surprised that she has gotten a bit taller.

"I miss you too."

"Uh... were you smoking and drinking again?"

I was taken aback. She was no longer the "innocent" little kid I thought she once was.

It amused me, and at the same time it gave me sad thoughts.

I wasn't spending enough time with them at all.

----

I didn't realize how much the people around me have grown.

----

Four new entries from thinkgreen


October 7, 2008 @ 4:20 PM
[no title]

I forget to breathe as each day passes because the air was never there.

This is when something essential is forgotten.


I was wondering if the "air" he was pertaining to was me.


October 18, 2008 @ 1:40 PM
[no title]

Even when it's painful, you have to do it, because you know it's the only cure.

Never ever think that I did it for YOU. I did it for ME.
Maybe I did it a bit for YOU but mainly for ME.


... you are really Narcissus, Tadayoshi. You really are.
And perhaps being into you so much was my biggest mistake.


October 28, 2008 @ 1:20 AM
An entry of enormous love.

Tatchan baby! Welcome back online!
I miss you so much!
We got lots of catching up to do.
♥♥♥♥ times infinity.

In other news, I have a new pet.
It's a Doberman who goes by the name of...

Rain!

Goodnight!


Maybe I only reminded him of Tatchan.
Maybe he loved Tatchan all along.


November 3, 2008 @ 6:17 PM
[no title]

My joy has arrived.

[image]

MY OWN SLR!

School has started. Start of busy months. How's it treating you?
I'm sorry for being too depressed-sounding the past months.
But it's all over now.

Over.

PS: Happy Birthday to my bestfriend, Dokkun!
You owe me bigtime!

----

"Ohkura-kun has short attention span." Ryo declared finally in a short chat session.

"It's the same with every relationship he's had. I've witnessed it all.
It's like he's searching, but once he finds it he's not interested anymore...
then he fixes his attention on someone else."

Awkward pause.

"It's a vicious cycle... and I really wonder how he can take it so lightly."

"A playboy, huh." I swallowed the bitter reality.

"Exactly. That's Ohkura-kun for you."

My chest suddenly felt like it was about to explode.

"I can compare myself to ice cream right now." I typed.

"HUH. What's with the weird comparison?"

"Because I was a flavor of the month."

He laughed... but I knew Ryo understood my joke.

And he knew I wasn't joking at all.

----

My mother scolded me for sleeping so long.

If only I could tell her that I don't want to wake up anymore.

As I sat down our couch, I stared into space.

My eyes stopped at the computer which seemed to be gathering dust after a week of inactivity.

I cleaned my room.

----

The leaves had turned into the deepest shades of red, yet my future was still uncertain.

As I boarded a bus home, I thought I saw someone familiar sitting at the left side, staring outside.

I grinned widely when it hit home.

"Kimi-kun!" I was so excited to see him again that I embraced him tight.

"Hey hey! You don't have to overreact, do you?" He scowled but patted my back as well.

We talked like the excited senior high school students we once were. I concluded that like me, he didn't change much in a span of four years.

"Do you have a girlfriend now?" The conversation drew sharply to that curb. I shook my head.

"H-hey, have you just broken up?" He looked at my slightly watery eyes.

I cleared my throat.

"Since we're getting off the same bus stop, how about let's eat dinner together?"

"Sounds good to me."


As soon as we ordered our rice bowls and tea, I started telling him about my recent relationship which still had no proper ending.

Kimitaka Yokoyama has always been someone who never took things so seriously, but he was another of those people who witnessed how I held myself in, everytime, ever since.

He was all-ears, which was something that surprised me. From before.

After hearing my miserable story, he sipped his green tea and said simply.

"WHOA. Yasu. I'm surprised. Remember in high school when were betting on who among us will get laid first..."

A chuckle. "Turns out it's you."

"Y-yeah." I said, shyly. He took everything I said in stride, without discrimination.

"That Tadayoshi guy is lucky for finding someone as dedicated as you..."
Another sip, "But I have to be frank and tell you that it's all your damn fault."

That verbal slap stung hard.

"You were too weak. You didn't hold on to him, and most of all, you were afraid to lose, to risk... which exactly what love is." A pause. "I'm thinking you still aren't ready for it yet."

"But he's a boy." I squeaked.

"SO WHAT?" He thundered.

He had a big point. I started asking myself, "I love him, but he's a boy... so what?"

"I'm scared of hurting him." My voice was weak.

"OR!" He raised his voice again. "Are you scared of what others might think when you get into that kind of relationship?"

I pursed my lip. The truth hurts more when you hear it from another person.

"So what if you chose to love him? You're free to love; it's a right others can't take away from you."

A pause.

"I am not saying this because you're my friend, but you're free to do whatever you want to."

Another meaningful pause.

"Who knows, that love can be the only thing you're waiting for that will change you."

I could not believe I heard all those words from the troublemaker of our high school batch.

"Thanks for that. Kimi-kun."

"Finally, Yasu." He smiled warmly.

He is the perfect proof that growth is not measured physically.

----

I have been hiding myself for nothing.

----

One night, I decided to sit in and watch the television with my family.

They were watching a documentary about homosexuality. Perfect timing, I cursed under my breath.

"Onee..."

"Mmhm?"

A pause.

"What if I tell you I'm bisexual... gay even?"

She choked on her drink and laughed so hard she almost choked again.

"FINALLY!" She turned to mom and yelled, "Did you hear that mom? We're all girls now!"

"You're old enough to decide for your happiness." My mom simply replied without taking her eyes off the television.

I sat still. I was waiting for something that'd hint me that they were just joking.

But they weren't.

"Who's the lucky guy?"

I love my family so much, and they love me back as well.

Which concludes that there's still tons more reasons for me to be waking up every day.

----

Finally.

----

"Can I tell you something?" I sent him a private message despite the busy sign on his status message. I was frantically hoping, though that hope was rapidly decreasing.

"Yes?"

Hesitation filled my subconscious, but it's now or never.

"I love you. I love you A WHOLE LOT, Tacchon."

What follows next will either be a return confession, laughter, or breakdown.

"Uh..." He responded, "I didn't think someone as stupid as me will be loved by someone as patient as you."

I held my breath.

"I don't know what to say but..."

I was biting my lower lip so hard that it bled.

"... thank you, Yassan."

The clock struck midnight.

Tears stained my cheeks for two discernible reasons.

First, because I was late. I always was.

And second, because I was finally free.

I still didn't know what reason I'm crying more for though.

----

Love sure is a fucking backstabber.

----

"Sir, you want a haircut?"

I stared hard at my reflection.

Goodbye, the guy who never, refused, to grow.

"Please dye it black too." I smiled at the salon owner.

----

Mom was surprised when I woke up early the next day.

I was all freshened up with a plastic file case under my arm.

"Oh, where are you going?"

I smiled at her like I usually do and answered, "I'm finding my future."

- TO BE CONTINUED -

You know what I'm about to say at this point. Comments! :D


09/02/09--02:01: [fanfic trailer] August (chan 2194298)

No chapter update today (was supposed to but yes I got sidetracked. AGAIN.) but this is something special because I stayed in front of the computer the entire afternoon making my first ever fanfic trailer. AND WHAT A SUCCESS IT WAS!♥♥





SPAZZING AND CELEBRATORY MODE RIGHT NOW OKAY.
OH OHYASU, MY LOVE FOR YOU WILL NEVER DIE.
♥♥♥♥


09/04/09--01:41: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 9 (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 9/?
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: Elevated to PG-15 because of the curse words.

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes: I find it important to post the trailer before this chapter because it's in this part where the scenes took place.

Oh, and for the people who still haven't seen it, WATCH IT PLEASE!

AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope
2. Soundtrack of my Summer
3. For the Thrill of the Fall
4. Not-so Little You and I
5. You to Know Who I Am
6. And Just Forget the World
7. With Such a Heavy Heart
8. When I Said Waiting was Fine



Chapter Nine: Changed my Life so it Seems

Winter was nearing its end.

I have been away the entire cold season and spent it with my relatives in Hokkaido.

Cue in mid-January and I received the best New Year's gift, ever.

I came running in our house, much to my younger sister's surprise.

"MOM!!" I shrieked as I rushed to her room.

"What? What?" It looked like I distracted her from reading a romance novel and she was at the verge of tears.

"I GOT MY JOB!" I said most deliberately and intensely.

Cue in the excited squeals of my siblings as my mom hugged me tight.

I hugged her tighter.

It was then that I thought, I will always have my family to come home to.

----

I thought I was doing great until February arrived.

I remember I was doing a little research when a message appeared.

thinkgreen has invited you to a private chat. Accept?

It's been roughly two months so I agreed.

"Happy Valentines." He wrote.

"Ah. Same to you. What's this all of a sudden?"

"Nothing much."

"Okay. Thanks for that."

Silence of the awkward kind. We ran out of steam.

"You see, a good friend of mine who has an indie band will have a performance in Cherry Park this February thirteen."

I didn't reply. I think I knew what he'd say next.

"I am thinking if you want to come."

No response.

"Are you free next Wednesday night?"

"I don't think so. I have work."

But I was pretty much lying. I'm out by five in the afternoon.

"But there's good music... and I believe they said there are lots of food stalls."

"What do you think of me, a pig?" I loosened up the tension, and he typed back smileys.

Silence. "But I said it. I'm busy."

"Let me say this more directly then: I'm asking you out."

It took me fifteen seconds to read the words out, then my heart felt like it was about to explode.

"DAMN YOU! XD BUT WHY A PARK OF ALL PLACES?"

"There's food, good music, and it's nighttime."

Hesitation.

"I just thought it's a great place for us to... make amends."

My heart was thumping, and I couldn't understand why I was feeling that way.

"So, please?"

"I have work, I said it."

"But you can come after work." This guy can be so impulsive.

It was as if my hands had minds of their own as I replied, "... what time?"

I wanted to see him too, which was something stupid.

----

February thirteen, a day before Valentines. I assumed fate was mocking us.

We met at a convenience store. He walked up to me, and we started walking to the park.

No conversation was started.

I walked ahead of him, deliberately increasing my pace. He walked a few steps behind.

For some reason, I felt good.

I have to show him that I've already moved on, that I stopped caring.

I want to hurt him somehow, in payback.

But somehow, I was glancing back to see if he was still following me.

----

"Sho-chan!" I saw a copper-skinned guy wearing a white Nirvana shirt and acid-washed jeans.

"H-hi." I waved a hand.

"I'm Dokkun." He smiled and shook my hand relentlessly. "God, and Ohkura-kun really fails at describing things."

"Why?"

"He said you're WAY shorter than me." He replied followed by laughter.

"Are you making fun of me?" I turned to Tadayoshi who was then watching us mingle.

"Hmm, I guess so." He grinned shortly.

"Come." He grabbed me by the wrist and made me walk beside him. "Damn it, this is my dream come true."

"So how are you? Been a long time since I saw you online."

Ryo was a great conversationalist compared to his bestfriend.

It was then I decided I will talk to him throughout the event.

He introduced me to their buddies before the event started, and I smiled politely everytime.

"Now, for some souvenir!" Ryo walked up to us holding a camera. I discerned it was Tadayoshi's.

He started arranging everyone for a good shot.

"Sho-chan, sit beside Ohkura-kun."

I didn't know if he was simply making fun of me or he was just reconstructing a bridge.

Our bridge.

"Is this part of the plan?" I snorted and I saw Tadayoshi purse his lips.

Anyway, I moved to my designated position.

Seconds before the picture was taken, his chin stopped mere inches away from my shoulder.

Then he held on my forearm.

I had no time to back off as Ryo drew in the countdown.

CLICK.

That was the only existing picture they had of me.

----

I clapped. The show was great; his friend which was the guitarist can belt out great riffs.

"Next song will be, Deep Inside of You by Third Eye Blind." The vocalist introduced.

I listened to the song which I never knew of and clapped to the beats.

But as the vocalist sang the chorus, I stopped.

My own story was being sung before me.

I never felt alone until I met you.
I'm all right on my own, and then I met you.
And I'd know what to do if I just knew what's coming.

I would change myself if I could
I'd walk with my people if I could find them
And I'd say that I'm sorry to you, I'm sorry to you.

And I don't wanna call you, but then I wanna call you.
Cause I don't wanna crush you, but I feel like crushing you.
And it's true, I took for granted you were with me.
I breathe by your looks, and you look right through me.

Tadayoshi, who was beside me, was busy staring into space as well.

----

Ryo left shortly to get refreshments. We were standing in the middle of a clearing in the park, lined by chrysanthemums blazing in different colors. Fireflies danced around the blossoms.

Tadayoshi was taking pictures.

I was standing five feet away, merely observing his back, wondering if he still cared.

"Let's leave Ohkura-kun. He's too busy to care about us." Ryo declared as if reading my mind.

I guess he's right.

----

Upon going home, I immediately searched for that song and saved it on my player.

Some great in me starts to bleed.

----

Spring has come.

I breathed deeply as I started walking outside.

I have just finished my month-long orientation and teaching seminars.

I'm once again free from binding schedules, and I'm slowly building myself whole.

However, the pain doesn't end there, not at all.

Spring. Early April. By this time, Tadayoshi is already in his first year of college.

Thinking of him was still an inevitable part of my life, as inevitable as eating. Breathing even.

Ryuhei and Shingo were ridiculing me about it.

They said I'm one of those clingy people who don't easily get over things.

Clingy? I guess I am.

"DAMN IT! TO HELL WITH LOVE LIVES!" Shingo raised his mug in his all-tipsy glory.

"YEAH!" Ryuhei was twice louder when drunk. "LONG LIVE SINGLE MEN!"

He paused as he looked at me, "AND THE NOT-SO MEN!"

I whacked him and his forehead hit the table.

I love my friends.

----

Little by little, the hints decreased.

I stopped searching, not because I stopped caring, but because it hurt.

In the same manner we first met, he focused on himself.

So did I.

----

May 6, 2009: Offline Messages from thinkgreen


"Merry Christmas! :D"

[BUZZ]

"Happy New Year! :D"

"Are you even online anymore?"

[BUZZ]

"I wonder when will you read my messages. Just give me a buzz when you do."

"Yassan!"
"How are you?"
"College is tough. MAN I SWEAR I CAN DIE ANY MINUTE NOW."
"
"... you there?"
[BUZZ]
"Let's catch up if you have time."


Delete messages?

YES.

----

I was writing my teaching plans one dawn. I looked at the calendar to confirm the date.

It's May sixteen, and it's barely thirty minutes after midnight.

I looked at my mobile phone which was resting at my desk, inactive yet tempting.

"Nothing special is happening today." I chanted in my head.

I searched for more things to accomplish.

----

I hate being late, so I was running at full speed down the hallway.

Next thing I knew is I already bumped on someone.

Our books and folders littered on the marble flooring.

"Shit, sorry!" I bent down and picked up my mess.

Judging from the books, I presumed that this person is a fellow professor.

And he is teaching philosophy.

"Thanks." When I raised my line of sight, I saw a guy about the same height as I am.

He had neat black hair and dark, expressive eyes.

"You're new here, right?" He finally asked.

"Yes?"

"Same here." He reached out a hand. "Subaru Shibutani."

"You're Shota Yasuda, am I right? I've been seeing you during the seminars."

I looked at him; indeed he looked familiar. I shook his hand.

"Yes, it's me."

----

Day by day, I'm finding it more natural to smile.

----

The man who never moved has traveled far.

August of the present year arrived.

I was standing before legions of students.

Finally, I can say I have become what I want to be.

I hovered among the crowd of students who were as excited as me.

I checked on the list of transferee students who made it.

An event like this makes me even more fired up for the incoming second half of the year.

It's a fresh start for everyone.

I checked on that lucky intelligent person who made it on the top of the incoming sophomore batch.

"Tadayoshi... Ohkura?"

I spun around, and my heart leapt on my throat.



I saw him standing there.


- To Be Continued -

♥♥♥


09/06/09--13:00: [Tatsuya/Yuri] The Lone Piano (chan 2194298)

Title: The Lone Piano
Pairing: Tatsuya Ueda x Yuri Ebihara fic
Genre: Romance. Drama
Rating: PG-13
Notes: Because I love resha_ueda so much, I wrote this oneshot for her current favored pair. I tried my best, mama. ^o^;
Song Inspiration: John Farnham's Please Don't Ask Me




The Lone Piano

We were supposed to meet here, I and my co-members.

This cozy place holds so much memories that others never knew of.

This is the cafe where we first met.

And here I am sitting on the spot where we exchanged sweet words and silence.

As I sat quietly sipping my macchiato, the singer started playing a familiar tune.

I stopped halfway.

The song playing on the background brought back lots of memories.

The ghosts started haunting me again.

----

I have always compared myself to a grand piano.

I can imagine myself standing in the middle of nowhere with a reputation so decent yet mysterious.

As an instrument of music I give out a resonating, mellow sound, but it can grow intense at times.

I played several sweet melodies to keep several crowds entertained.

But for who those love songs were, there was no one in particular...

... until she came along.

----

"Your name is Tatsuya."

A voice boomed as I downed my usual macchiato.

I am never used to have someone bother my silence.

I looked at her, as if asking how she knew me.

"I see you on TV almost all the time."

I stopped sipping my drink and observed as this confident woman sat in front of me.

I know who she was at that instant.

"Coffee is best when shared with someone. Do you believe that?"

She gave me a ready smile, then called in a waiter for her order.

"Mind if we share seats?" She asked calmly, and I cannot decline as hazelnut coffee was served in front of her seven minutes later.

"I never thought someone would be particularly interested on sharing a seat with me."
I said, a small smile tugging on my lips.

"Anyway, pleased to meet you." Yes, I was pleased.

I reached out a hand to show interest. Genuinely, I was.

Her hand was warm. She was still in all smiles.

Her name was Yuri Ebihara.

----

I knew she's a model.

I knew her as I looked up at billboards and glitzy TV promotions.

But there was a lot more to know.

What are the odds of me meeting her and knowing her in a depth no one has ever reached?

Life is that mysterious, yet purposive.

Out of all the adjectives interviews use to describe her, there was only one word left for me to say.

She is different.

----

I played a lively tune in front of my grand piano.

And there she was beside me, squeezing my arm, beaming.

I often wondered when she will ever stop smiling.

Not that I was complaining.

Still she was there, listening to my crescendo.

Her hands glided across the keys. I held them.

We shared tender glances.

And we kissed.

The feeling was thrice more magical than when I play the piano alone.

----

I can still remember everything.

How her body arched before me, its contours lit by the dim lampshade.

How her breasts were emphasized by the laces of her black brassiere.

How her lips tasted like saccharine.

How her long eyelashes fluttered with ecstasy.

How her porcelain skin sent electricity down my spine.

She was damn beautiful.

"I love you, Tatsuya." She whispered on my ear as she lay sated.
I held on her chestnut curls and her flushed cheeks.

I kissed her back, uttering nothing else.

For me, loving is just that simple.

It's a vicious give-and-take cycle.

But it becomes a different story when you give so much.

----

She was the only woman who left me yearning for more.

Needless to say, this is the very first I was so sure of something.

----

"I am engaged."

The news broke in unison with the thunder outside.

I said nothing.

"But I love you. I love you so much."

I still said nothing. My brain was still coming up of something rational to say.

"How is that possible?" I muttered in disbelief.

It was her turn to keep quiet.

I was like a piano that just went out of tune as my world started crumbling.

----

I could not live the lie it would take
To have you near would be a mistake.

----

"We cannot go on with this any longer." I finally said without looking at her face.

After a week of deliberation, I finally gathered the courage to say it straight.

"Break me before it gets even harder to do..."

"... before I fall even more into you."

I knew it had to stop immediately.

But she was also straight about it; she could not pull away.

I could not either.

I was just pretending to be brave.

----

Please don't ask me why I'm not talking
I just can't explain
And please don't ask me
Why I go walking out in the rain

----

There was deafening silence as the truth befell us, these two silent lovers.

Sobs walked in my ears. She started crying.

As much as I wanted to wipe them dry, I knew I would just aggravate things.

But how could I stop her from crying if I am the reason for her tears?

Besides, I hate seeing women cry.

I turned away.

Because it breaks me too.

----

Perhaps she did not understand something.

I gave her up easily not because I didn't love her.

In fact, I do love her. So much that I wanted her to be safe.

A week later, their engagement was published on magazines.

----

I toss and turn
Can't sleep at night
It's worrying me.

I go to bed
Turn out the light
But your face I see

----

I stepped out of the train at Shibuya station.

I looked up at billboards.

She was smiling back at me.

She was eternally shining.

While there I was standing, looking lost and broken.

"What's the point?" I mumbled.

Tons of love affairs that I had passed by without a sound.

I have always lived my life privately. That is my talent.

Hence this love story would be just like one of them.

It should pass by quietly as well.

The story could, but could I?

----

After many sleepless nights, I dreamt again.

I dreamt that I was carrying a child.

She was named Eri, just like what I wanted her to be named.

And when I turned to see who my wife was,

She came to my side and squeezed my arm like she usually does.

That dream was bullshit.

And it was even more bullshit when I woke up crying.

----

My lips were tightly sealed.

Life within my group continued as I slowly died inside.

The seven-day concert had a great timing.

I buried myself alive in work, in songwriting.

People never had the idea that whenever he's alone, this piano played an elegy.

It was an elegy to the woman he had loved so true.

As I promised to myself, no one knew that I have fitful nights after each busy workday, thinking if what I did was wrong.

I never told anyone anything. Not even my group members.

This is the price I have to pay of being famous.

----

It only hurts
The more I pretend
That we could ever
Be more than friends.

----

My knuckles were wet as soon as the last notes reverberated inside the cafe.

Someone made her way out the cafe.

She bumped my seat, and she looked my way to apologize.

Our eyes met.

I knew who she was.

She was the woman I loved so true.

"Yuri." Her name was smooth in my lips, the same way her mouth was as we kissed for several times.

She looked away, bowed down, and left hurriedly.

She slid outside the cafe, and I ran after her.

I was the one who broke the contact.

It rained even harder.

"Y-Yuri!" I mustered the courage to yell her name in the middle of the downpour.

She stopped on her tracks, and turned back at me.

Our eyes met again.

I was about to take my first step to her direction when someone called me.

"Ueda!" Kazuya's echoed from a distance.

When I looked back at her, she was already at the sidewalk.

She shared an umbrella with another man.

Our paths never crossed again after that night.

----

I could only look up at her face on every billboard as I drive down the busy streets.

I hope she is still eternally smiling.

I, as a lone piano, will continue singing the love song I have written for her.

A love song she never understood.



- THE END -

WITH THIS WRITTEN OUT, I SHOULD SLEEP. WHAAAAAT.


09/09/09--12:24: [Ohkura/Yassan] August ch 10 (FINALE) (chan 2194298)



Title: August
Chapters: 10/10
Pairing: Tadayoshi Ohkura / Shota Yasuda
Genre: Romance. Drama. Alternate Universe
Rating: Elevated to PG-15 because of the curse words.

Tadayoshi wants to grow up.
Shota is tired of growing up.
In a sunny day they meet halfway... online.

Notes: HOFACK THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER. AAAAAAAAAH.
Thank you, thank you, and THANK YOU LOTS.♥!

AUGUST
1. Sequel of My Dying Hope
2. Soundtrack of my Summer
3. For the Thrill of the Fall
4. Not-so Little You and I
5. You to Know Who I Am
6. And Just Forget the World
7. With Such a Heavy Heart
8. When I Said Waiting was Fine
9. Changed my Life so it Seems



Chapter Ten: It's You Who is Closest


"O-Ohkura-kun?"

He turned to look back at me.

My breathlessness turned to a giddy feeling as my feet rushed to him.

"Hah! Just as I thought, it's you!" I stopped in front of him and grinned.

My apprehensions were put aside as he turned his body to me.

He nodded with pursed lips and said, "Yes, it's me."

I thought it was a deja vu of the time we first met, but now the dialogues were interchanged.

Plus the feelings were back to normal. However you define normal, it's all up to you.

"So! What brings you here?" I observed him casually but warily.

He hadn't changed physically, but I knew he did emotionally.

He's not as dark compared to the very silent Tadayoshi I met in that hotel's entrance.

"I transfered."

I laughed, "You backed out? Man, it's been only a semester on your former university!"

"No." A pause. "Let's say I have this important goal."

"You want to succeed in your studies, yes?"

A beat.

"I think so."

A slight uneasy feeling crept upon me. I wished it'd go away.

"I was so surprised you made it on the top of the transferee batch." I mused.

"I was surprised as well."

"You're intelligent, and you've worked hard. Admit that."

He laughed, "T'was just pure luck."

"What I said was the truth!" I glanced up at his thoughtful face.

Silence.

"Or maybe you've been really wanting to transfer here." I took my words back.

He looked at me, and I looked over his shoulder.

"I guess I do." He answered finally.

I pretended to gasp upon looking at my watch.

"Ah, I have my class five minutes from now." I patted him on a shoulder.

"See you then." My voice was faltering but I fought it back.

"... aa."

I turned my back at him sharply and fixed my glasses.

Why is he here?

----

"How are you?" I broke the long moment of uneasiness as we both stared into space.

Into nothingness.

He was the one who blocked me and sat on my table in the first place.

He should be the one to speak up, I know, but the silence was too deafening.

I have to talk. It's talk or bicker... or cry. Somewhere along those lines.

It's been a week since the second semester started.

"How are you, Ohkura-san?" I repeated in case he didn't hear.

Then he said the words I wasn't totally expecting from him.


"I am in love with you. That's how I am."


I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

But it hurt so much. The pinch, and what's more, the hanging feelings between us.

It still does.

The bell rang. I hurriedly packed my things and left for my next Literature class.

I barely touched the chicken rice bowl that I ordered.

----

It was a flood that I've barricaded a long time ago.

I was successful on putting up a dam to separate rationality from sentimentality.

I made sure it was strong until the typhoon subsided.

I didn't think the dam would have cracks long after the storm has stopped.

I didn't think that without me knowing, very suddenly, that dam would break.

And it was today.

The murky waters gushed in and drowned me to great depths.

----

I clicked on my blog account's profile after what seemed like decades.

narcissus911's last update was February 10, 2009

My life in the internet has been well-forgotten.
I would not want to go back anymore, anyway.

Not now, when it is again starting to invade my real life.

----

Exhausted from work, I closed the door.

Cue in the first chord to melancholy.

Nobody wants to sing this song
of moving on, of moving on.

I dropped my things on the floor and walked ahead to my bed with even turning the lights on.

Strength - physical and emotional - drained out of me, I sagged on the carpet.

All of a sudden, it got harder to breathe.

M head was spinning. It was as if I want to vomit everything I ate.

My world was again spinning around, losing its axis.

Vertigo.

Next thing I knew, I was already sobbing, leaning at the edge of the mattress.

Sometimes you want to end it all
instead of moving on.
Moving on.

----

They say nobody can have a successful career, a blooming love life and a rich social life all at the same time.

If you excel on some areas, you lack points on the others.

Go figure.

----

New entry from thinkgreen

August 25, 2009 @ 1:10 PM
[no title]

Today was a great day.
Uni is awesome.
I never thought I will enjoy school like this.
Today has been a great day.
It should be treated like any other day.

----

"Yasuda-san, are you okay?"

I looked up and saw Subaru before me.

"U-uh." I can only hesitate as an answer.

"You're not eating properly lately, so I guess you aren't."

He looked at the seat at my right side. "Mind if I?"

I nodded weakly.

He placed his beef misono bowl beside my shrimp fry bowl.

"Y-Yasuda-san..."

To my surprise, he held my hand.

It's been a long while someone did that to me so I did not flinch.

His hand was warm.

"You know, it's not the usual you to wear a poker face."

He began eating, paused and said, "I'm not used to it, honestly."

I refused to explain the reasons of my loneliness and ate to my heart's content.

The shrimp was well-done. Delicious.

As soon as we were finished eating, he placed a big cup of purin in front of me.

"My treat." He smiled as I looked in query.

I looked at the cup, then at him again.

"People say sweets can cheer people up, so take it."

I grabbed hold of the purin. It looked delicious so I had a spoonful.

He was observing my reaction.

"So? How was it?"

I felt my lips twitch upwards. "Delicious!" I responded.

"Great!" He said, amused. "So you should smile more like that!"

I ate another spoonful.

"Smile!" He repeated.

I finally obliged.

He smiled back. I noted that his face lights up thrice brighter when he does.

Silence.

"Thanks for the concern, Shibutani-san." I wiped my lips with a tissue.

"No problem." He patted my back, "And... Subaru will do."

He helped me out in a way.

----

I have just finished washing my hands when someone blocked my way.

It was Tadayoshi.

"W-why are you--?"

I had no more time to ask as his hands held my shoulders and pinned me on the wall.

Then... he kissed me.

It was rough at first, but eventually it was replaced by a tongue coaxing me to dart out my own.

I couldn't believe it when I found myself melting into his kiss.

This thing is implausible! It shouldn't happen!

I pushed him away with all my might.

He took three steps backwards.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" I yelled at him as I fixed my glasses.

I frantically looked left and right to see if other students saw us.

Thank goodness we were the only ones in the washroom.

"Ya-Yassan." He muttered, disbelieving what he himself had done. "I-I'm sorry!"

"YOU SHOULD BE!" I glared at him, eyes filled with contempt.

As far as I can remember, rain had ended long ago...

... but I realized we were still knee-deep in the flood.


When I sat on my swivel chair in the faculty room, I found myself burying my face on my hands.

I was stifling my fired-up emotions. I was holding everything in, once more.

Guilt, dismay, and perhaps some percent of frustration mixed in my chest.

----

And in my mind a question is set,
"Why is it so hard to forget?"

----

September of the present year.

In five days, I will turn twenty-four.

It was a chilly day, hinting that autumn will begin three weeks later.

At the corner of my eye, I saw Tadayoshi rushing towards our direction.

"Happy Birth..."

He paused as he saw who was walking beside me.

He looked at the guy, then at me, as if questioning who he was.

"He is Subaru Shibutani, co-teacher."

I saw him bite his lower lip.

"Why of course!" Subaru smiled and offered his hand.

"I know Ohkura-san. He's in my Philosophy class."

It took ten seconds before Tadayoshi shook it.

"Is he an acquaintance from long ago, Yasuda-san?" Subaru asked me.

"Yes." I replied with a calm smile.

The three of us heard the bell. Tadayoshi bowed politely.

"See you, Yasuda-sensei, Shibutani-sensei." He greeted stiffly as he slid past us.

I hurt him, didn't I?

At last I did.

----

Happy Birthday to me.

After two years of stagnancy, it is now when I can say I actually lived.

Being in love, it was the best thing that I experienced.

Loving taught me how to be courageous, how to be free, how to go for the things that would make me happy...

... things that would set me free.

He set me free.

All I'm going to say is at this junction is, thank you Tadayoshi Ohkura.

Though you're not here right now, still, thank you.

You made me live again. You forced me to move along, to somewhat change, to somehow grow up.

Happy Birthday to me.

----

Twenty-four candles were lit.

I looked at my parents, then at my siblings.

My closest friends whom I've known since high school were singing beside me.

Shingo, Ryuhei and Kimitaka... thanks, guys.

I realized it's great to be alive.

Two knocks fell on the door.

"Subaru?"

He smiled at me as he gave me the blue box which he was holding.

It was a big fruitcake.

"Happy Birthday, Yasu." He smiled, and my co-professors were welcomed graciously by my mother.

I held his hand.

Lastly, thank you too, Subaru.

----

He said it himself.

There is no remedy for love but to love more.

So I do it now.

----

In the midst of the feast, I excused myself.

I leaned at the wall of our dimly-lit aisle, cellphone on my right hand.

I held it tightly as if I was holding on for dear life.

I bet he won't call anymore; I'm sure he had plenty of homework.

It's perfectly fine. It's about time he forget.

For the nth time, I told myself it's about time to forget as well.

Sighing heavily, I turned it into silent mode and locked it inside my bedroom.

----

Calling: Tacchon

----

Did you know you took my breath away?

- The End -

HOFACK I FINISHED IT. lskjfd;ksdmf;lksd!


09/10/09--01:56: Inspirations for "August" (chan 2194298)

Happy Birthday, Hiroki Uchi... and Advanced Happy Birthday to Yasuda Shota too!♥

Okay, so here goes the part where I talk about the recently-concluded OhYass fanfiction August.

Let's start with the fact that this is 40% fiction and 60% based from own experience. To someone who does not know my story, fantasy and reality are enmeshed in this fic so well. I want to immortalize everything I felt during that stage through a story other people may appreciate, hence this story was born.

This is dedicated to resha_ueda, a very supportive friend.
I also thank kuroi_shin, because she WAS my thinkgreen.

(EH! XD)

Again, lots of gratitude goes out to the people who religiously read this story. I am glad you were moved, cause that implies that my style have somewhat improved compared to last time I've attempted to write something. :)

No beta-reading was done in this story. They were just the pure thoughts and words that came out my mind, written on Notepad and published immediately on Livejournal. This is actually the first time I haven't given up on a multichaptered story so I am really proud of how it turned out.

Now, the soundtrack!

I have a song inspiration in every chapter. Here, I compiled them to make a soundtrack.



August, the Soundtrack
Download .rar file (52.5 MB)

Typecast - The Boston Drama
Boys Like Girls - Thunder
This Providence - My Beautiful Rescue
Jason Mraz - You and I Both
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
Placebo - My Sweet Prince*
Dashboard Confessional - The Bitter Pill
Urbandub - Safety in Numbers
Third Eye Blind - Deep Inside of You
INXS - Afterglow
David Choi - End it All**

* Thanks to violet_eitolove for the suggestion. The song was perfect for their LOVEMAKING scene, LOL!

** David Choi is a songwriter who has recently released a digital album. I admire him so therefore I PIMP his music through this fanfiction. This rip is taken from his youtube channel.Grabbed to my PC in FLV form via get2pc.com and converted to mp3 via Switch File Converter.
PLEASE CHECK OUT HIS PAGE BECAUSE HE IS AWESOME! :)

There. Some people are bugging me for a sequel, but I plan to end it like this.

...FOR NOW. XD

Ohyass lingers on~! :)


09/23/09--12:14: [Yuya/Maki] S.N.m.T.o.G ch. 6A (chan 2194298)

Title: So Not my Type of Girl Chapter 6.A
Pairings: Yuya Tegoshi/Maki, and then some...? YAY FOR FICS OF EPIC SELF-INSERTIONS.
Genre: Romance-Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Notes: I PROMISE I AM NOT GONNA SLACK OFF ON WRITING THIS STORY ANYMOAR!

SO NOT MY TYPE OF GIRL
1. Modern-Day Cinderella
2. Everywhere in Circles
3. Behind Chimera Lights
4. Is it Possible?
5. Checklist Checkup



Chapter Six: Kimi + Boku = ? PART A

Maki has just finished preparing herself when she heard her pesky neighbors talking aloud outside her flat.

"Maki-chan is on a date!"
"How the heck did she pick a hot, charming guy like that?"
"What are the chances, huh?"
"Man! That guy looks like a perfect glass slipper... while she is like foot with lots of bunions."
Annoyed by the last comment, she stormed out her apartment and yelled, "WHO AMONG YOU SAID THE LAST SENTENCE, HUH." with hands on her hips.
Dead air of fright filled the air as she looked at each neighbor.
"Sorry to crush your hopes guys, but we are NOT on a date. Totally. This is in line of duty." She rebutted everything they said with a stern voice.

Just when the big rumor had been pacified, someone exclaimed, "Our youngest has become a lady!"
It was followed by a sniff. "And what a fine lady she has become! I am so touched I want to hug you right now!"
"Ka Ador*!" Maki exclaimed in despair. She overheard Aling Elsie and Rosie** whisper, "FINE LADY?? WHERE?!" to each other and she shot them a wide-eyed look.
"But... it's the truth!" The sixty-something gardener who had been working in that foreign land for over ten years gave her the puppy-eyed look, something she found so heartwarming. She had such weakness when it comes to elders. Respect, she had it instilled in her mind.

"Oh, okay." She surrendered as the old man hugged her. Well, she cannot complain on such an affection; despite the quite bossy attitude she had presented earlier everyone knew she always cared. These are the people who make her feel like she's still in her home country. They are totally bonded in that little "local" heaven they have created for themselves.

"You've got no time for bickering." He casually replied as he started tending to the small garden by their balcony. "Your Prince is waiting."

She looked at the parked black sports car then looked at her watch. Indeed, her twenty minutes were almost up. "Saa," She pulled away, "I'm off now."

"Take care, hun!" The two women on their late thirties (who, if one must remember, were the very people who pointed Yuya to Maki's boxing training place) waved their hands.

"Thanks so much for inviting him in SO unexpectedly." Maki sarcastically replied before making her way down the steel staircase.



------

Yuya immediately noted what his companion (or in classier terms, his DATE) was wearing. Crisp white polo blouse on top of blue spandex sando, black acidwashed pants and green flipflops. Her short brown hair was parted to a side, she wore minimal makeup, and her eyes were shied away by dark-rimmed shades.

"What took you so long?" He grumbled.
"Unlike you, I have lots of domestic things to worry about." She flatly replied as she closed the car door.
There was silence as the NEWS member seemed to digest the thought.
"Uh huh, so what are you waiting for now? Let's go!"

Yuya looked up the balcony to see her neighbors spread out a banner which was obviously harriedly-made with spare cloth and red paint.

"HAVE A NICE DAY, MAKI-CHAN AND OUJI-CHAN!", it said. The girl facepalmed in shame.
"DAMN THOSE GUYS." She muttered, and Yuya watched her with eyes getting curious.
Curiouser and curiouser.

------

The car had established a good speed of sixty kilometers per hour when Yuya decided to play something in his car radio. Seconds later, a sappy love song started filling the air.
"Mmn, booooring." Maki, being the totally shameless character that she is, casually reached out for the stereo and switched it an FM playing hardcore rock.
"I'm a guest, so treat me well."
"GRRR." The girl was obnoxious, but she really had a point so he kept his mouth shut.
"Anyway," She broke the hot-tempered air between them, "Why didn't you meet me at Stardust? And how the heck did you know my house?"
"Don't you know the high risk I'm putting myself into by going in such a crowded place?" He simply replied. Full of himself, as always. Maki let out an annoyed sigh.

"Hah, you're acting as if you're so high and mighty, mister. Let me tell you, you aren't." She wasn't able to control her mouth so she spat everything out. "You were incidentally an idol. INCIDENTALLY. But it doesn't make you different from me, or the other guys at all." Her harsh words stung and he almost bumped a red sedan upon listening to her. They took a sharp swerve to the right.

"Did I hurt you, Tegoshi-san?" She asked in a mocking tone.
"I am SO unlucky to have you as my interviewer, that is all." He said in a voice hertz lower than his usual "high and mighty" intonation.
Silence. Maki felt good for telling what she had in mind. Yuya meanwhile can't help but feel down for he realized how "bad" the photographer sees him.

"What's all this lengthy driving for? I thought your house is in Shibuya?" The Myojo photographer looked outside; they have been traveling for almost an hour already.

"Shibuya? We're going to Kanagawa."

Maki nodded half-mindedly until the thought sank in.

"Kanaga--- WHAT?!"

"You said you wanted to interview me." He responded in an attempt to look as cocky and confident as ever. "So off we go to my family home."

That time, the only thing Maki had in mind was for the good results of their monthly issue. She shrugged and just turned on her own Ipod. Another hour of painstaking travel with the most arrogant idol she had ever known. What better way to spend it than to continue her disrupted rest?

Yuya tore away his sight as a slight traffic built up. He looked at the girl by his right side. He wanted to ask her a lot of things... but she was already asleep. AND SNORING ALOUD. He shook his head partly in dismay, but mostly in frustration.

------

They were welcomed by a cute Papillon with light brown and white fur. The cute dog ran to her master.

"Tinny! I miss you!" He exclaimed and cuddled the dog for a while before putting her down. Just then, the dog bit at the hem of his right leg, tugging it down.

Yuya hissed, saying, "Not now, Tinny. Not now."

"Training a cute dog to pull down your pants." Maki flatly described what she was seeing. "What a useful talent. You really are too full of yourself."

Tinny, as if sensing the mocking Maki had down to her master, growled at her.

"Yes. I also trained her to sense a rival." Yuya bit back with that response.

They walked to the spacious interior of the idol's ancestral home. The house was primarily decorated in deep burgundy and white tones. Very elegant. They headed to the airy and pristine guest room, where blown-up pictures of the young pop idol were lined up neatly against the wall. On the coffee table stacked back episodes of every magazine he got photographed into, and on the DVD shelf were multiple copies of the dramas he had guested or starred into. It was like a museum dedicated to him.

"WOW." She simply uttered, amazed, and literally BLINDED. "Any fan will kill to have this place for herself."

"Oh yeah, mom and grandma did all these."He replied proudly, in a tune as if telling her, "Yeah, that's how much they regard me in this family." Meanwhile, she found herself stifling the laughter; turns out the females of their family are his number one fans. No wonder this guy has an ego ten - even twenty - times his size.

As they stood in the center of the room, the door opened and in came a homely woman who Maki presumed to be the same age as her mother back home. She dressed elegantly with traces of aging minimized by aesthetic technology. However, she still cannot lie about her age despite the reduced crows feet. She couldn't understand how she could tell either; she can only feel it.

"Yuya-chan!" She went straight to her son and gave him a brief hug. "Good you decided to drop by, and it's good 'cause it's a weekend." Then she turned to the photographer and looked at her for a good three minutes. Maki felt as if an extra head would grow from her neck by the way the middle-aged woman studied her.

"I... I think we've met before." She uttered, and it made Yuya look at her curiously too.

"M-ma'm?"

Then, her eyes lit up, "AHA! You're that girl!"

------

Mrs. Tegoshi has just finished doing her groceries somewhere in Ikebukuro when one of her plastic bags which stored her kitchenwares gave up. Its contents spilled on the marbled flooring with loud, attention-getting clangs. She didn't know how to carry them, considering how far her home was from that shopping district. She was at loss when a voice offered, "Ma'm, you can have my plastic bags." Next thing she knew was there was this young lady who was already helping her carry her groceries all the way to the train station.

------

"I see! So you remember, ma'm!" Maki chuckled as Yuya's mother giggled too.
"Of course I do. You were such a nice girl then."
"B-but... I still am!"
"OH COME ON." Yuya deadpanned and Maki shot him a glare which was definitely not of the nice type.
Mrs. Tegoshi glared at her so, and Yuya sighed. "FINE."
Maki grinned; it was obvious that the angels were at her side.
"You ought to know how thankful I am for her that day, Yuya-chan." Yuya saw his mother grin fondly at the visitor.
"Uhm, anou..." Maki cut off the air of amusement, "May I excuse myself? I need to answer nature's call, if you know what I mean!" Then she scurried off to the staircase as silently as she could. She slid through doors as fast as she could until she saw the room which she thought would be most likely Yuya's. She took out a super slim camera and wore a nasty grin on her face.

Plan execution, ON.

------

"DAMN THE HEAVENS. This guy SURE IS girlier than me." To hell with that TV interview wherein he said he only washes with lukewarm water to keep his skin clean and clear! She eyed the basket full of imported skin and hair care products, compared to her small stash of facial wash, an ordinary anti-dandruff shampoo, body wash, cold cream and toner. Anyway, who was she to wonder? He is an idol, hence he should maintain himself critically. However, she can't help but wonder if he actually comes across the boundaries of being a homo, or being a metrosexual even, considering the products he use... and the wide variety of clothes (not to mention weird-looking ones) in his walk-in closet. Thank goodness her camera didn't sweep across any female undergarment or something suspicious-looking that will make any fan protest violently. Not that she will show the "tour" caught in video plus the secretly-recorded "conversations" to anyone... in Japan at least anyway.

Maki hurriedly opened the door and found her way outside just before someone (worse, the high and mighty idol himself) gets in HIS room.

------

"What took you so long?" Yuya grumbled.

"That question again?" Maki asked back, "Can't get enough of me, huh." Maki joked and his mother laughed.
"Seems like Yuya-chan's so fond of you." Mrs. Tegoshi followed up the joke.
"ME? FOND OF THAT GIRL?" The idol was the first to react violently.
"HUH." Maki rebutted immediately and rolled her eyes. "Not really, ma'm."
Silence filled the air as Maki dusted her sling bag.
"Are you really leaving now?" Mrs. Tegoshi asked, a little sadness in her voice.
"Yes, mom. We're leaving. Maki still has a long way to go."
"Then at least get her back to her home safely." She stated more as a command than a request.
"You heard that, Yuya-KUN?" The Myojo photographer grinned at the idol to annoy him.
Yuya simply said "hmph!" under his breath.
"OR how about!" She held the visitor's hands in delight. "Join us in an early dinner, Maki-chan."
Maki was surprised by the offer, but the moment she saw her expectant gaze, she answered,
"Well, who am I to decline a wonderful offer..." she gave Yuya a smirk, "Ne, YUYA-KUN?"

"I'm sure you will like what I've prepared for tonight!" The housewife excitedly headed to the kitchen as the two young adults settled themselves on the dining table.
Yuya simply grinned in agreement as his mother turned to take out the stew but kicked Maki on the shin as soon as his mother was out of sight.
"Don't call me -KUN. OKAY?"
"Just play nice at least this time, alright?" Maki had her huge eyes at him and Yuya had the urge to bang his head on the table if it weren't for his mom serving his favorite seafood stew in front of them.
"It's rare that I have other visitors in here... well, aside from my friends, the mothers of Yuya's fellow NEWS members that is. Have you heard about the group NEWS, missy?"
Mrs. Tegoshi excitedly talked about NEWS and how successful their recent concert had been. Maki could only nod in her every explanation. If only Mrs. Tegoshi knew her... and her covert purpose for dropping by.

The housewife was all eyes at Maki as the latter tasted the stew.
"... well, Maki-chan?"
"Mm! Delicious!" She smiled, and Mrs. Tegoshi smiled at her son too. "It reminds me of my own mother's cooking."
"Oh." She nodded, "I hope you don't mind, but why are you in this foreign place at such a young age?"
Maki paused and collected her thoughts, "I have to help out my family, ma'm. It's a necessity. And..." A bitter pause, "Mama and I aren't actually in good terms, so I chose to stay away."
The housewife and her son detected the sadness, so she cheered up the air.
"Anyway! You can always come by and I will teach you how to cook this, Maki-chan."
"Uh, thanks Mrs. Tegoshi, but you see, my place is pretty far from here."
"Then I can have Yuya-chan bring you back here, anytime you wish." She responded and Yuya shot a surprised look at his mother.
"Besides, call me Auntie." She offered, and it baffled the young idol some more.
Maki stopped chewing her food and reconsidered the coolness of the situation. She grinned and said,

"Okay, Auntie."

She emphasized the last word while looking at Yuya who was almost choking beside her.
"MOM. STOP CALLING ME YUYA-CHAN." The idol scratched his nape in annoyance.
"But... that's the way I usually...!"
"Let's eat!"
For Maki, it was a total LOL moment, not until...

"You know, Yuya-chan, the only times you bring home a girl is when you introduce them to me as your girlfriend." A long stare at Maki, then, "I'm surprised it's not a fellow celebrity this time..."

It was Maki's turn to choke on her food.

Yuya coughed aloud. "Mom will you please stop shaming me like this?"

------

After eating, Maki even volunteered to help clean the dishes, much to Yuya's mother's protests. The young idol opened the television, but his eyes couldn't help look back at his mother and the photographer having a light and happy chatter over dishwashing soap and suds. After washing the dishes, Maki sat on the armchair beside Yuya, a smile spread on her face. The idol hissed in her ear, "When are you going to interview me, Maki?"

The photographer, pleased with her plans for the day, replied, "Don't you get it? It's already ONGOING."
Yuya was about to ask what's the meaning of that when Tinny climbed onto Maki's lap and rested there.
"Aww, cute!" She stroke the dog's long fur and got her super-slim camera to take a picture. Yuya stared at them... and for some reason he seemed to lose his concentration at the soccer game he was watching.

What are these? Signs?

He shook his head in an attempt to ward off the weird thoughts.

------

They got at the road a little after six in the evening, and due to Mrs. Tegoshi's insisting, Yuya had to drop the photograher off to somewhere safe.

"I'm fine from the train station onwards." After a while, Maki smiled at him.
That action made him change his mind.
"Come on. I'll drop you off your flat."
"Seriously?" In an attempt to ridicule, she held on Yuya's forehead and asked, "Tegoshi-SAN, are you sick?"
"Grab this chance, for this MIGHT not happen again." Anyway, he knew it would. Again. And again.
"Mm. Okay. If you insist."
Their silence was filled with SID singing "Nidome no Kanojo" from the car stereo. Their pace has slowed down to a good forty-five kilometers per hour.

"And come to think of it, you didn't actually interview me today." Yuya wondered aloud.

"It's done." Maki grinned knowingly at him, and his eyes went as wide as saucers.
Yuya's face paled in horror as he recalled the fact that he saw her come out from HIS room, claiming that it's an accident that she relieved herself in HIS washroom.
"D-don't tell me."
"Why yes, can't I?" Her grin turned even more evil.

That instant, he wanted to strangle her for being such a nosy interviewer, but Maki's curious gaze outside the window made him follow her gaze as well.

"What's...?"

"Stop the car." She commanded, and he was surprised of her tone.
Upon doing so, Maki immediately stepped out.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

*Ka Ador = the Filipino way to refer to an old man. You can consider it respect.
**Aling Elsie and Rosie = the Filipino way to refer to an old woman. You can consider it respect.

This has to be cut for it had turned more epic than I expected it to be. HAHAHA.
And yes I know it's getting more and more delusional, but I DON'T CARE. This is my fun.
COMMENTS ARE SO WELCOME. >:D!


09/28/09--06:39: [trailer] February (chan 2194298)

"February begins where August is due."

As promised, here is my big surprise, fandom-wise!



February Official Fanfic Trailer


YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT. August has a sequel! Uploaded on Mediafire because Youtube hates my audio and photobucket rejects the entire video. WOE.

OCTOBER IS THE MONTH OF EPIC, so please look forward to the series!♥


09/29/09--09:40: [Yuya/Maki] S.N.m.T.o.G ch. 6B (chan 2194298)

Title: So Not my Type of Girl Chapter 6.B
Pairings: Yuya Tegoshi/Maki, and then some...? YAY FOR FICS OF EPIC SELF-INSERTIONS.
Genre: Romance-Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Notes: The part two comes here. Once again, I totally enjoyed writing this chapter! Hope you enjoy reading it too.

SO NOT MY TYPE OF GIRL
1. Modern-Day Cinderella
2. Everywhere in Circles
3. Behind Chimera Lights
4. Is it Possible?
5. Checklist Checkup
6. Kimi + Boku = ? PART A



7. Kimi + Boku = ? PART B

Maki was about to rush to the crowd when Yuya held her on a forearm.

"Why do you love poking your nose into other people's business?"

She looked back at who was stopping her and replied, "It's because I can." Then, she cut loose from his grip and went straight ahead. Yuya, in annoyance, mimicked her last statement before following her, curious of what she's about to do.
"What happened here?" The bystanders were surprised when Maki asked them about the nature of the incident, but replied anyway. "This old lady was hit by a rushing vehicle five minutes ago."
She took a long look at the old lady who was still stunned of what happened to her.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" Maki asked as she assessed physical injuries. "I'm here to save you, ma'm." Her eyes stopped at a bunch of bruises at the right leg and hip and a wound probably caused by the heat emitting from the vehicle. Yuya was still struggling to see amongst the crowd of people seeing what she'd do. She retrieved a black pouch bag from her backpack and retrieved alcohol and iodine preps, gauzes, plus a four-by-five elastic bandage to treat the wounds.

"Can you stand, granny?" When the old lady shrugged, she asked assistance from the bystanders to help her up. "Tegoshi-san."
"Y-yeah?" He almost missed it.
"Do you have any metal rods in your car? Just to stabilize granny's leg?"
He couldn't understand why he immediately offered the medium-sized metal rods for his portable tent as an alternative. Maki didn't say another word and proceeded immobilizing the lady's leg using another two of the bandages from her emergency pouch.
"Tegoshi-san, let's drive her to a hospital." The Myojo photographer looked at the young idol with such undeniable concern. Yuya can only reply an "U... un."

When they've seated the rescued person to the passenger's seat, Maki sat beside Yuya and started contacting someone whom she told the details of the incident to. Yuya can only look at the photographer and wonder well why she helps literally everyone on her way... and how efficently she does it.
"... thank you."
The two didn't catch what the old lady said so they turned around.
"Thank you miss." She repeated, "People were just looking at me while I was at the side street. I didn't know what to do."
"You're welcome, granny. I'm a nurse, and it's something I'm ought to do."
"REALLY?" It was Yuya's turn to be surprised. He looked at Maki, astonishment obvious on his features.
The young lady, meanwhile, didn't look his way.
"Yes, Tegoshi-san. I AM. Now if you may, please set your eyes on the road and turn left by that cafe. The nearest hospital is just a kilometer away."



------

Yuya was still baffled why the emergency room nurses in that hospital knew her, and he was more baffled when she told him not to get out of the car. Anyway, he waited at the driver's seat until the moment came when Maki returned, sitting beside him and closing the car door with a loud thud. It was a little after seven in the evening.

"How was she?" He couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, she's fine." She simply replied. "They'll take care of her, including tracking down the culprit and her relatives... thank goodness she didn't have fractures."
"... okay." Then there was silence. That time, Yuya had tons more of questions for her to answer as he started the engine.
"You never told us you're a nurse."
"Why, is there a need to know?" She asked back, voice not stinging him but her choice of words still crass just like when he first saw her.
"T'was a surprise, especially the way you calmly rescued her."
"I know right." She grinned, more because of a job well done.
Another silence.
"You find those things, the rescue stuff, really amusing huh."
"Definitely." She grinned, "I miss working full-time in a hospital... not that my volunteer job in a triaging team isn't fulfilling."
Yuya still couldn't understand why he was wanting to hear more from the photographer.
"Anyway!" She haphazardly cut her own thoughts, leaned in and turned the radio on. Once again, rock-metal music banged in their eardrums. It wasn't long when her mobile phone rang and she started chatting happily to the person on the other line.

"Ah! Sounds great! Too bad there's no scheduled art exhibit. Let's try two weeks from now perhaps? Okay, tomorrow afternoon is okay. Then I'd visit the orphanage. Okay. Got you... Bye, Shige."

"Shige?" Yuya shot her a frown as she hanged up.
"Yeah... he said he has this Italian restaurant in mind." She paused as she hummed to the song on the radio.
A bitter feeling crept up Yuya's stomach.
"Uhm, Maki?"
"Yeah?"
"If you're busy this week and two weeks from now... uh."
Maki was looking at him, somehow with intent.
"Can I have this week to have you for a while?"
Silence, then she snorted.
"HUUUH." Her right eyebrow raised a centimeter or two, "What is with that CHEESY line?!"
Yuya thought he was being shamed that he raised his voice.
"There's nothing wrong with asking you out, is there? If Shige can, so can I!"
Maki was amused at the outburst that she laughed out loud. Yuya was still pouting.
"Just now you acted like a jealous boyfriend."
"N-no! D-don't say that!" Yuya revolted, his cheeks getting hot.
Maki shrugged. "And just now you made it look like I'm some easy-to-get girl."
A pause. "Tell you what, I am NOT easy to get... and I am not easy to get over with either!"
The young idol laughed stiffly. The latter fact would be something he'd find out as the story progessed.
Meanwhile, Maki found it funny why she was suddenly mildly flirting with this guy.
"Let me look at my upcoming schedule first."
"... okay."
They were awkwardly silent until they reached Maki's flat. The photographer left without another word, and it hurt the idol a bit. However, when he was already driving, he received an email.

From: Maki

Subject: ...

Hey, dropping by to tell you I had a nice day. Thanks for seeing me home. And... yeah, I'm free Wednesday and Friday two weeks from now.

He felt his heart jump a bit.

------

"HE IS FRIGGING LATE." Maki cursed under her breath as she looked at her watch for the nth time. Ten thirty-five, it registered.
Meanwhile, at the other side of Shibuya, Yuya Tegoshi was panicking. He woke up super late from a night out with his soccer buddies. Not to mention that his car was cranky and his mobile phone was uncharged. In simplified terms, he barely forgot that it was the date he was waiting for; it was actually a date between him and that Myojo photographer. And now he was screwing up bigtime. He rushed in the middle of the park. He promised to meet her by the fountain, but she wasn't there. He got his mobile and emailed her. When he was about to press the send button, a voice boomed behind him.

"You. You're almost an hour late." That voice declared. He spun around and saw Maki carrying a bag of certain things she fancied. Upon closer inspection, he discerned them as hardware supplies and mags for a bunch of car tires. Presumably.
"Huh. You already roamed around the place?"
"Why of course. What else do you expect me to do, stand there and wait for you like a lost puppy?"
Yuya bit back his words, "Uh, n-no. Of course not."
"Okay then. Let's go!" She exclaimed but stopped upon realization, "Wait. Where's your car?"
The idol facepalmed. The photographer can be weirdly insensitive at times. "That's the exact reason why I was late."
"Mm. Okay. Let's walk instead."
"Is it okay for you?"
"Of course. Don't worry too much about me..." She gave him a knowing grin before adding, "Ouji-sama."
"You," He said flatly. "Stop calling me that."
"Hahah. Fine." The photographer smirked as she found the annoyed expression amazing.

------

"Dear God, I know I'm not in the right position to question your authority but... just why am I stuck in this cheesy flick with him?" Was what Maki thought as she fought the urge to yawn aloud. She was slouched on the movie chair, an empty popcorn container on hand. They were watching the most typical romance movie of the season where boy meets girl, they fall in love, girl reveals she has a deadly sickness, dies on his arms, and he's left mourning over her. The movie was alright, if it weren't following the same tearjerker formula. She had used up all the boredom-fighting tendencies (even to the extent of throwing popcorn on a couple in front of her) and was left with nothing to do... and damn it, the movie was in a language she never understood! NO SUBTITLES EVEN.
She looked at her right side and there she found the idol looking intently at the screen, tears forming at the corner of his eyes. She fought the urge to laugh at the situation, plus the fact that the idol was waaaay girlier than she is.

Yuya composed himself and made it appear like he was enjoying the movie. The tears on his eyes were in fact products of prolonged staring (or forcing himself to be "touched" by the death scene). He could get the gist of what happened in the story, being the typical story that it is... but he would NEVER understand what the heck the characters were saying. It was his total failure, in fact. There were no other mystery/action movies on the selection; they had no other choice except for that French film. It could've been good, if it weren't for the facts that he missed reading the "NO SUBTITLES RELEASE" warning before entering the cinema, and... Maki never liked sappy movies. Never. He only thought he would get her attention just because he had fine taste in the arts. That's how she and Shige spends a day together, right?

Turns out it's not.

When the entire movie ended, he even shook her - wildly - to wake her up.
"Oh, it's over?" Maki stood up abruptly and primped her short hair. As they walked outside, she just said, "You know Tegoshi... we could've just gone to another cinema and watched a suspense/thriller flick than THIS CRAP." She looked at him and added "Anyway, it seemed like you were totally moved so I give you that... but we HAVE TO watch another because well, JUST BECAUSE ALRIGHT?"
Yuya simply shrugged; if only she knew how BORED TO DEATH he was.

------

"DAMN! THAT WAS ONE HECK OF A MOVIE." She aired out her admiration as they exited ANOTHER moviehouse. "The blood effects were so great. And, who would've known that the killer was that person, huh?" She was still musing aloud as they walked down the escalator. Yuya was silent all the time. Aside from paying the tickets for the two of them (Yuya paid for the first boring movie.), he couldn't admit that she picked up a movie he ACTUALLY liked. Then earlier they had a quick trip to the arcades, which undeniably, he enjoyed because the games he usually played are present, and second, he saw that the Myojo photographer had also enjoyed something during their date, if you can call it as such.

He needed to redeem himself, that was his lingering thought. He had the entire date plan in his head, but it seemed that circumstances are against him. Among all things, he hated losing and
failing. Everything has to be perfect in his little idealistic world.
"Tegoshi, why are you such a worrier?" The photographer wasn't able to help herself so she asked him directly.
"Pardon?" He asked as he roused back to reality.
"I said, do not worry too much about being perfect."
As she said that, thunder rolled and a mild rain poured down on the district. There it went, the planned outdoor buffet down on the drain.

Plan B, Tegoshi.

As cliche as it'd get, long walks under the rain with a shared idea has a romantic feel, right?
However, as he rummaged in his bag, he found out he left his umbrella at home... along with his luck.
"What are you standing there for?" He set his sight straight only to find Maki facing him, wearing her dark blue windbreaker, rain starting to drench her.
"Uh. I forgot my umbre---"
Before he could finish his sentence, Maki dragged him under the rain.
"We could get sick! We should stop this." The idol revolted.
"I don't suppose you idols get sick easily, do you?" Maki asked without looking straight at him. "It's okay if you fail this time, okay." She said finally.
"Thanks for rubbing it in." The idol said with bitterness.
Silence.
"... let's go to my orphanage. It's just a short walk away."
"Orphanage? WHAT?" Yuya was bewildered. "Why?"
"Why not?" Maki smiled at him, and he was rendered speechless for some reason.

------

"Maki-chan, who is this another handsome guy?" Sister Eri whispered to her as they were seated together at the dining table. "Is he the one?" She added with a knowing grin.
"Another friend." The Myojo photographer responded casually. "Ah! Nothing beats a home-cooked meal!"
And Yuya couldn't agree more. He was immensely surprised by how the nuns, plus the kids, welcomed them inside... and how hospitable they were.
"Kenzo-chan, are you taking your vitamins everyday?" The photographer asked a chubby six year old beside her. The boy could only nod, and she handed her another bottle from the bag of groceries she had all throughout their date. Then, she turned to another girl to coax her to eat some more. Yuya ate his meal silently as he intently listened to how Maki asked the nuns about the conditions of certain kids under her care. He still couldn't believe.

"By the way, how's Himiko-chan?"

Sister Eri sighed before replying, "She's fine. Still on the warmer though, but she's starting to feed on some milk already."
"Himiko-chan?" Yuya butted in.
"My daughter."
The idol blinked before exclaiming, "DAUGHTER?"

They walked to a room lit by fluorescent lights, and another from the radiant warmer.
"She's Himiko." Maki motioned for Yuya to walk forward. When Yuya peeked at the bassinet, his heartstrings were moved.
"She is my adopted daughter." Maki continued, a serious expression on her face. "She was actually an abandoned kid. She was found in one of the cubicles of a shopping mall, hungry and cold. Sister Eri here took care of her, then I decided I wanted to adopt her the moment I first saw her."
Without another word, she carefully cradled the baby in her arms and fed her a bottle of milk.Yuya still couldn't believe what he was seeing from a distance. The girl whom he had been seeing as someone so insensitive, cold-hearted and crass, was standing there feeding a baby she called her own. What's more, she's been serving in that orphanage during her free time, taking care and teaching a bunch of kids. The NEWS member could not believe it, still. That girl, she is such a tsundere*.

And for a reason he still cannot comprehend, he suddenly found her hairstyle fitting for her "active" lifestyle and her smile charming when she smiled at him after their date that afternoon.

------

"It's gotten late." She declared the obvious as they stepped outside after another time together. As cliche as it'd seem, the amusement park was his idea, and thank goodness the weather cooperated with him that time. As the photographer suggested that he should let loose and stop reminding himself to be perfect, they spent the time at their own pace. From time to time, these small bickers about which ride to take first or which combo meal to order in a restaurant. He found it weird how he was laughing all the time when in fact there was actually nothing to laugh about; even Maki was already calling him a weirdo. It was that afternoon when he realized that Maki was highly afraid of the roller coaster, which he immensely enjoyed. She had the urge to vomit after the ride, and he was utterly surprised when she leaned on his shoulder while they were seating on a bench to calm down her vertigo after drinking a tablet of meclizine. Then there was silence. He let the silence consume them, and he found it more enjoyable than bickering.

For NEWS' youngest member, the Myojo photographer seemed surreal and unconventional. So close... but still so far.

It was already seven in the evening when they stepped out of that fantasy land.
"Hey, you don't have your car." She reminded as they walked at the parking lot.
"It's okay. I'll take the train home."
"Don't you want to ride mine?"
Three seconds before the idol realized what she said.
"You have... a ride?"
"Uh huh. Not exactly a car though." She clicked something on her keychain and it signaled where her ride was parked.
"HERE." She signaled at the big black shiny motorbike, the type commonly used by the goons on bad guy movies.
"... THAT?!"
"Why not?" She grinned again, saying her trademark line.

"CAN YOU. PLEASE. JUST... SLOW THIS DOWN?!"
Yuya yelled as he clung on her shirt. He couldn't believe that he - a famous pop idol named Yuya Tegoshi - was hitching a ride with this weird girl on a big black motorbike down the highway at a speed that's breaking Japan's traffic rules. Imagine the horror of the public when dawn breaks and the news about a NEWS idol (pun intended) who faced death in a haphazard way. And there he was, thinking of the unbelievable. However, the unbelievable and weird and crazy were there, present from the day he met this girl still hiding under the nickname Maki.

"SLOW THIS DOWN! I TELL YOU! I AM TOO YOUNG TO DIE!"

His screams were futile as Maki played SID's "Dear Tokyo" at full volume.
"DON'T BE SUCH A SCAREDY-CAT, ALRIGHT?" Maki yelled back at him, and he clutched tighter on her black rider jacket. He yelled some more as she kicked up a notch and tried squeezing herself between two sedans in a sensationally slow driving session.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"WHAT THE HECK IS YOUR PROBLEM? TOUGHEN UP! ARE YOU GAY?!" She scolded in a low voice; what made it even scarier was the fact that she said everything in straight Kansaiben. The idol shut his mouth with a click. The ride got exhilarating when they squeezed in a bunch of alleys (for shortcuts) and they returned the trip to a flyover overlooking the city lights. Yuya felt the driver slow down.
"Pretty." He heard her whisper against the wind. He followed where she was looking.
He inhaled the wind and immediately realized that Maki was wearing a citrus-scented cologne... and her hair smelled like bubblegum.
Among the impossible facts, what he couldn't believe most was how this girl had turned out to be someone whom he would like in the end.

He whined aloud again as they made a sharp turn to another dark alley.

------

"WHAT. WE RAN OUT OF GAS?!" Yuya grumbled as they parked in one of her known dimly-lit shortcuts.
"Y-yeah."
"It's your fault! We could've just slowed down the travel!"
"But we won't reach our houses earlier if I didn't do that."
"Do you think we got home earlier NOW?"
Maki looked at his angry eyes and realized they were again fighting.
A sigh. "Okay okay I am sorry. But let's see how we will find a way out of this."
She turned her back for a while, but she heard a loud thud.
"What happened?" She turned to her companion, and found another man running away from them.
"That guy... just bumped me." He answered innocently, but Maki knew better.
"Where's your mobile phone?" She asked and Yuya fumbled for his pockets.
"Here... OH SHIT."
"What?"
"My wallet..."
"I KNEW IT!" Maki glared at the direction the man headed and prepared herself for a dash, but Yuya held her back.
"Where?"
"I'M GOING AFTER HIM, WHAT ELSE??"
"But that's just money."
"I don't care. Money is still money alright?"
She paused and gave the idol a long look and said, "Hah, besides you don't know the actual value of money, given that you're so pampered and all, LIKE A PRINCE."
"It's not like---"
"THEN LET'S GO AFTER HIM."
"WAIT! How about your?"
"I've hidden my bike well. Now let's go." She dragged him along and ran very fast. They were headed to an area overlooking the bay. Maki knew that it's the place where most robbers take their illegal refuge, and she knew she's the one to be blamed for this mishap.

"Yuya."

The idol was surprised at how she called him by his first name. "Huh?"
"I'm so sorry. If something happens, just take a taxi home." She threw her purse to his direction.
"Wh--what are you??"
"THERE YOU ARE!!" She yelled out loud at the guy who unmistakeably stole Yuya's wallet. He stood there, frozen, his back on the bay.
"GIVE. THAT. WALLET. BACK!!!" Without warning, the photographer launched herself at the culprit and gave him a high roundhouse kick at the spleen. But the man was a fighter himself, and they exchanged a short brawl. To Maki, it was like a judo sparring. To Yuya, it was like an action movie... with him as the damsel in distress. What a shame, for he felt helpless at the moment.
He was surprised when Maki fell on both knees, and the man's expression paled. As if on cue, a police car passed by, lighting the way. In fear, the culprit dropped the wallet in front of the photographer and scurried off. The police didn't catch their presence and simply strolled by.
Then there were only the two of them. It was Yuya's turn to rush to her.
"MAKI!" He yelled angrily. "YOU ARE SO STUPID." As he looked closer, he noted that Maki was holding her midsection with both hands.
"W... well, at least I got you w-wallet b---"
She bent forward and grimaced in pain.
"What happened?" But Yuya need not ask more questions as he saw blood on Maki's hands.

"OH MY GOD."

------

"HELP HER." Was Yuya's breathless plea as they reached the emergency room of a nearby hospital. He had carried her in piggyback all the way for she was steadily losing consciousness, her voice getting slurred by the minute.
To his surprise, the attending emergency nurse gasped aloud as he laid Maki on the stretcher.
"Maki-san?!"
"Huh? You know her?"
Maki tried her best to open her eyes. "... Aiko?" She asked weakly.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?" The nurse on duty asked her as she was being wheeled in behind the treatment area.
"NOTHING MUCH. I JUST... SAVED... MY PRINCE'S... WALLET." She said through already-pallid lips.
The nurse named Aiko looked at the guy and it took him a good while before realization sank in.
"Y-Yuya Tegoshi? From... NEWS?" Her eyes were as wide as saucers.
"SHHH!" Maki silenced her.
"You know Tegoshi?!" The nurse was immediately excited and Maki smacked her forehead lightly.
"AIKO. I'M BLEEDING AND ABOUT TO DIE. REFER ME TO A DOCTOR NOW." She flatly said in straight, scary Kansaiben using what was remaining of her strength. The nurse returned to her duties.

"Anou... Maki." Yuya called as Maki's wound was being sutured. Thank goodness no internal organs were harmed. She had a laceration five to six centimeters at the right abdominal area, and it was from a knife the culprit had armed himself secretly during the brawl.
"Uh huh?" Despite the ongoing operation, she had the strength to respond to him. She regained her full consciousness thanks to the fluid being shot on her veins.
"What the hell were you thinking?" He asked, but it wasn't of the scolding type. "You could've left the money instead. I have lots of that back home."
Maki wasn't speaking but she was listening. Yuya couldn't stand looking back at her who was being treated behind a green curtain. Everything happened primarily because of his stupidity.
"At least I," She grimaced as the needle cut through her skin and muscle, "I didn't die, right?"
"Well I won't let you. Your life is more important than that stupid wallet." A sigh. "I'm sorry."
Maki found the strength to chuckle a little. "It's okay. I know you couldn't get yourself off that mess without me... ouji-sama."
"Enough of that cheesiness!" The surgeon cut the sentimentality as he passed by the idol from the treatment area. "She'll be fine, mister. She needs to rest for an hour or two here then you can go home."
"Thanks. This event shall be hidden from media, doc. Promise me." Maki faced the doctor, then the nurse. "You too, Aiko."

------

They reached Maki's apartment by three in the morning via a taxi. Maki's motorbike was tightly strapped behind the vehicle by ropes. Yuya and the taxi driver dismantled the bike from its stirrups and settled it on the parking space. As soon as they were behind the gate, the young idol gave the photographer a long look.

Maki was the first to shrug. "It's been a tough night, huh."
Before she could turn away, the idol grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into a light hug.
"... T-tegoshi?"
"No matter how boyish you act, remember you're still a girl." Those were Yuya's parting words.
"... okay." Was all she said.
"Get well soon." He said last before opening the gate to leave, and it was return to normal for Maki. Well, almost normal, she reminded herself as she held on the packed dressing on her abdomen.

Upon the closing of her apartment door, Maki covered her mouth with two hands and giggled in her most girly manner.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

tsundere* - A girl tough (or crass) on the outside yet is actually a softie.


OMG HAHAHAHAHA. THE START OF SOMETHING NEW, EH? XD
COMMENTS ARE TOTALLY LOVED!


10/08/09--02:13: [Yuya/Maki] S.N.m.T.o.G ch. 7 (chan 2194298)

Title: So Not my Type of Girl Chapter 7
Pairings: Yuya Tegoshi/Maki, and then some...? YAY FOR FICS OF EPIC SELF-INSERTIONS.
Genre: Romance-Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Notes: This chapter is the total LOL and is VERY delusional ALL RIGHT!

SO NOT MY TYPE OF GIRL
1. Modern-Day Cinderella
2. Everywhere in Circles
3. Behind Chimera Lights
4. Is it Possible?
5. Checklist Checkup
6a. Kimi + Boku = ? PART A
6b. Kimi + Boku = ? PART B




Chapter Seven: Yume Monogatari

Yume Monogatari. Chronicles of a Dream.

Everyone has their own dreams, possible or otherwise, that they wanted to achieve. It is the dream that persists no matter how many circumstances are against it. The more it becomes unclear and impossible, the more that person wants to go after it. Everyone has their own dreams, and Maki the Myojo photographer was no exception. Before she landed a job in the prestigious idol magazine, there was only one person in her dreams. That person's name is Yuya Tegoshi. And she believed she had to meet him no matter how hard the conditions may be. Against all odds.



------

"I swear I will be reaching you soon." She mumbled breathlessly as she watched the idol's Sunadokei's solo performance on Shounen Club for the millionth time. After her mumble, the mailman called outside her gates. She received the letter with shaky hands; she didn't think she will receive the results head-on in such an early time.

"Mom." She barged in her mother's room, "I have to tell you something."
The fifty-something woman with bobcut hair inched her ear to her daughter's direction, a cue that she's listening.
"I'm going to Japan. A month from now."
"WHAT?" Her mother responded, aghast. "How many times did I tell you TO STOP BEING STUPID over that silly ambition of yours?"
But she ran out of her words as Maki pulled out the letter that said she passed the placement test as a photographer, a sign that she wasted away everything she learned in college.
A hard slap struck her on a cheek.
"You... you're not using your brain for such senseless things."
There was silence as Maki started crying. She knew her mother was totally against this, but she knew no one, DELIBERATELY no one, could stop her from dreaming big.
"Leave." The old woman ducked under the blanket, and she had no choice.
In her room, she took long glances on her younger siblings. That instant, she promised she will prove that she won't fail on this decision she'd made.

Tomorrow she will get her visa.

------

"Now we're going to check if you have your tolerance levels for the idols in check." Her good friend Joan declared as Joy and Mira settled another bunch of magazines and posters beside her.
"I told you I have already practised this." Maki crossed her arms to her chest.
"This will be your FINAL EXAM." Joan said firmly. They all knew that they only had four days to be with their high school friend. It was again one of their epic sleepovers in Mira's place, where they thrive in a world where they fantasize over musicians and handsome Johnny's idols. However, it was different this time because Maki chose to stay in her friends' place in turns to escape the fact that her mother was totally in opposition of her departure.

"See how handsome Shigeaki Kato is?" Joan flailed as she pressed the poster close to Maki's face.
"No, I am not affected." Maki grinned.
"THIS?" She flashed Yamapi's poster.
"DEFINITELY NOT. Man-boobs." Maki made a face of disgust.
There was silence as Kanjani 8's PUZZLE started playing on the speakers.
"Just, promise us you'll keep in touch ALL THE TIME." Joy pouted. "And give us updates!"
"SEND IN THE MERCHANDISE! UCHIWAS!"
"OR better yet, KIDNAP THEM AND SEND THEM VIA BIG CARDBOARD BOXES!" Mira cracked the serious air.
They had a good laugh for a minute or so.

"THEN. MAKI, HOW ABOUT... THIS!" She flashed a big, full-body poster of the person she admired most in front of her face. Maki gulped the lump on her throat and tried her best to focus her eyes on the white spaces instead.

"MUST. RESIST. TEMPTATION." was Maki's eternal chant to herself. Soon, it ceased to become a mental note as her friends heard her mumble the three words repeatedly to stop herself.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! DAMN IT! WHY IS HE TOO AWESOME?!" She didn't hold it any longer and broke down, admiring the idol's handsome features and sexiness incoherently.

Joan put down the poster as Maki walked off to get herself a drink. The hotness of the picture made her thirsty.

"Do you think she'll be able to hold herself in once she works with NEWS?" Joy asked her other friends.
"I don't think so. She will soon be uncovered as the rabid fan that she is." Mira concluded, to which the other two nodded sympathetically.

------

The day she stood at the airport with three hand-carries by her side, she saw her mother crying.
"You wasted what you've studied for." She bitterly said as her tears sprung from her eyes. "But that's what makes you happy... just. Be careful."
Maki hugged her tightly for the last time before turning heel to the entrance, not looking back.

She woke up in a sweaty heap.
The clock said it's five minutes after eight in the morning.
That dream again.

She remembered that she was about to take Himiko for a stroll, plus she was supposed to buy her new items. She looked at the far wall of her room... where she posted her collection of studio off-shots of Yuya Tegoshi, the dream that she has finally reached.
"Very well. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts." She heard herself say as she stood from her bed to prepare her brunch.

------

"What are you doing here?"
She was wide-eyed as she saw who was on the doorstep of the orphanage.
"I'm visiting Himiko." Yuya smiled curtly at Sister Eri who was equally shocked of his sudden visit.
"Good morning."
Maki definitely knew that the idol had a drama taping that dawn, but there he was, standing before them.
"Your eyebags are so huge." The Myojo photographer indirectly stated her concern.
"I'm okay."
"You're okay, but you look like fainting." She let him in. Some kids who passed them by waved at the idol while eyeing their Maki-oneesan curiously.

After Sister Eri settled in two cups of jasmine tea (plus a teasing wink at Maki) and her twin Yukari disappeared to fix in the bunch of curious kids, Yuya asked while pointing at Maki's abdomen.

"How's your wound?" He asked with sincerity.

"It's been a month, Tegoshi-sama. It's completely healed." The photographer replied after sipping a coffee followed by, "Thanks for asking."
Yuya was not in the mood to fool around that morning, and hearing Maki calling him "Tegoshi-sama" totally reminded him of Shigeaki when he mocks him, so he snapped, "I SAID STOP CALLING ME THAT."
The intensity of the response took Maki aback, "Okay okay... Just as I thought, you really should sleep." A pause, "Why did you visit?"
"I said it. I'm checking on Himiko."
"Aww, not me?" She pretended to be hurt as a joke, but Yuya followed, "Yes, you too Maki."
"Really now."
"Yes, really." Yuya looked at her with those dreamy eyes. If it were a manga scene, there would be sparkles all around them. Maki was the first to cut the sappy air.
"Ah. Well." She tried her very best to gain composure, for she had the mad urge to hug him that time, given her rabid fangirling tendencies. "She's apparently okay. She's weaned off the warmer now, and she can already enjoy the outdoors."
Yuya's brows furrowed in concentration of what she's saying, then replied, "Good idea."
"... what?"
"We should take her out."
"What do you mean by 'we'? I will really take her out and buy new stuff for her. Today."
"Then let me go with you."
At the corner of her eye, she saw the twins Sister Eri and Yukari giggling by the kitchen door.
"It's a better idea." Sister Yukari concluded.
Sister Eri chided, "Besides, you can't carry a new crib alone with a baby on your arms, right?"
Her twin followed, "Yes. You really need someone to go with you."
Maki looked at the NEWS member who was smiling at her... as if the three of them had conspired for this to happen. She sighed in defeat.

------

"Hey! That's the perfect crib!" Maki pointed at the show window of a shop. It took Yuya twenty seconds before he realized who owned the furniture shop.
"No!" Yuya yelled as he rushed after her. He totally disagreed at the idea of her going in that shop to the point of dragging her away from the shop, if it weren't for her holding THEIR... wait, HER child.
"Why are you stopping me?" The Myojo photographer looked inside the shop. Just then, someone familiar crossed her sight.

"Auntie?" She called out and the stately woman bossing in some sales ladies looked their way.
"Oh, Maki!"
"AUNTIE! You're here!" The woman smiled as they paused in front of her.
Yuya was reduced to mumbling "Oh no." as he followed on the way in.

"I am here because I OWN this shop." Mrs. Tegoshi declared.
Maki looked at Yuya curiously, then said, "Ah. Well. Auntie, we're here to buy the crib on your show window."
"For who...?" Mrs. Tegoshi asked, not until she looked at the baby on Maki's arms.
"YUYA?! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME THAT... MAKI-CHAN HAS MY GRANDDAUGHTER."
"What? Mom! Don't conclude things too fast!"
"Oh! She's just too cute..." The woman started doting on the baby. "What's her name?"
"Himiko." Maki smiled at her auntie.
"Oh! Himiko! Such a cute name!" She cradled the baby and started saying things like, "Yuya! She has the Tegoshi eyes! We cannot deny that she's your daughter. MY GRANDDAUGHTER!"
Maki just grinned sheepishly and Yuya was blushing like a tomato upon his mother's praises.

The scenario turned even more epic when other NEWS members spotted them inside that furniture shop.

"Maki-chan!" Keiichiro opened the glass door and stormed towards them, so was Takahisa, Ryo and Shigeaki.
"Oh! Koyama-san! Nishikido-san! Masuda-san... Shige. Hello."
"Shige, huh." Nishikido nudged the hard intelli-idol on the side.
"PERFECT TIMING." Yuya facepalmed.
"Hey guys! Meet my granddaughter!" Mrs. Tegoshi angled the baby on her arms to the three NEWS members.
"HUH? YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER?" Keiichiro was utterly shocked.
"You didn't know? Yuya has a daughter... and she's the mother." She pointed at Maki who was still grinning sheepishly.
"REALLY?! WHAT!" Cue in Keiichiro's exaggerated reactions. "Tegoshi! You... you're not telling us!"
"... there's nothing to tell, Koyama." He deadpanned, blushing even harder.
"You bastard. You hit home run even earlier than I would." Ryo taunted, his arms on his chest.
"Awww! Tegoshi-san, you have such a cute granddaughter!" Keiichiro mused.
"I know, right?" Look, she even has Yuya-chan's eyes!"
Keiichiro squinted and just said while nodding, "Yes, she has!"
With that said, the simple-minded Keiichiro Koyama and Mrs. Tegoshi continually doted on Himiko.
Takahisa and Shigeaki were both silently observing, because they knew better.
"Awkward situation, huh." Nishikido whispered and Maki sweatdropped.
"I KNOW, RIGHT?"
It was Maki's turn to facepalm.


------

"Is that true?" Shigeaki cracked the question while they were in the streets of Roppongi Hills.
"What's true?"
"That you have Tegoshi's child?"
An air of silence reigned, then she laughed hysterically.
"WOW, SHIGE. JUST. WOW. COMMON SENSE PLEASE." She was losing air due to laughter, "And I thought you're smarter than everyone else."
"Well, it won't hurt to ask?" He found his cheeks getting hot. Why did he ask such a stupid question?
"OF COURSE NOT." She was holding her abdomen to calm herself. "That baby's Himiko, another of those kids in the orphanage. And, I am seriously planning to adopt her."
Shigeaki sighed in relief as she took everything in stride.
"Why did you ask?"
"Yuya has been claiming to everyone in NEWS that he's already a father."
Maki was surprised of that fact. What made him think of continuing that joke after that scenario in the furniture shop?
"M-maybe he's just carrying on with the joke. And IT IS A JOKE OKAY."
"But he--"

His words trailed off as Maki shoved a flyer on his face.

"I read of this photography class downtown. Thought you might be interested." She smiled, and Shigeaki's doubts about her and Yuya's deeper relationship suddenly cleared.
"Sure." He smiled cutely. Suddenly he had an idea,
"Ne Maki." He called as he pulled out two rolls of film. Maki's eyes were wide with excitement.
"You're going to develop those?"
He nodded. "You want to come?"
She smiled and said, "Yeah."
Shigeaki looked at his SLR. "In fact, I think this roll, too, is about to be full."
The photographer grabbed the camera and poised it an angle in front of them.
"Wha--?"
"Let's take a picture."
Shigeaki said nothing and held the other side of the camera to secure it.
"Say cheese!"

CLICK.
They really can hear the pieces click into place.


------

Maki eagerly watched in amusement as the images printed on paper. The intelli-idol "rented" his friend's dark room for a day for their pics to be developed, and he found it funny how Maki didn't know the process of developing even if she's a photographer. After tedious work of waiting and hanging the papers to air dry, Maki was bemused of the products. Shigeaki really had the talent when it comes to photography, but what baffled her was the fact that most of the pictures were of him and her, together.
"Shige, this is funny."
"Hmm?"
Maki carefully lifted a 8R paper with her side profile overlooking the bay in it. She remembered it was perhaps taken while they were riding a ferris wheel.
"I didn't know you take this one." She said as she hanged the 8R as well.
Shigeaki just laughed as he stood beside her, watching their masterpiece in the dim light.

Subconsciously, the NEWS member was also watching the masterpiece standing beside him.
"Maki." He said in his certified bedroom voice.
"Huh?" She was surprised when he held her shoulders.
"I... I want to..."
She was just watching her with curious eyes. Thank goodness the lighting was red, else his blush would be totally seen.
"I want to... eat." He can't say it just yet.
"Sure." Maki smiled at him. "Where to?"
Deep inside, the idol wished Maki would also say "Sure." once he asks her to bring their closeness to a different level.

------

"I'm here." Shigeaki Kato barged in backstage ten minutes after Maki's arrival. They deliberately set up things that way to make it appear they don't go to Myojo together. Every single time.
"Hi there... oh. OH! WHAT'S THIS?" Keiichiro stopped Shigeaki from unloading his things as he noticed the ring on his finger. "WHAT A COINCIDENCE."
"What?"
"You have the same ring as Maki." He turned to the photographer who was hanging out with them backstage and presented him the exact ring on her finger.
"Oh... wow. Really." Maki shot a glance up at the idol, and Shigeaki looked at her too. They were as if communicating without words.

True enough, they were out together that morning at a photography class. Incidentally, they were selected as a "model couple" for a wedding photoshoot. They could only pray that no one among those old people (mid-30s to 50s) recognized Shigeaki Kato, the NEWS member. They were even given the rings as a souvenir, certificates of participation which looked like marriage certificates, and a huge white book with the photos that typically resembles a wedding album. Incidentally, too, they almost forgot about the Myojo shoot that afternoon that they forgot to remove the 'traces of evidence'.

"Ah... well." Maki tried to reason out as other NEWS members looked at the situation.
"What's this?" Ryo casually pointed out at the white album peeking out from Shigeaki's plastic bag. If there's one thing Shigeaki totally disliked about his co-members, that'd be their desperate way of showing that they have member-ai, to the extent of being extremely nosey about each other's business. Especially HIS business.
"It's a wedding album!" Takahisa looked over Ryo's shoulder, and shock filled their faces as they saw Shigeaki on a tux and Maki... on a wedding gown.

"TELL US WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT!" Keiichiro, once again on his exaggerated mode, shrieked. Tomohisa hovered on the crowd to catch a glimpse of the so-called wedding pictures.
Shigeaki sighed; they don't even know the truth to conclude that fast. Ah, showbiz.
"And I thought Yuya has Maki's child? WHAT? Maki! What are you doing?!" Keiichiro continued shrieking at them like there's no tomorrow. Maki just sighed.
Just then, Yuya entered the scene. "Hey guys, what's that?"
"Tegoshi, look! It's Shigeaki and Maki's wedding."
"WHAT?!" Yuya almost lost hold of his cup and rushed toward them. "When were you guys married?"
"Just today." Shigeaki smiled naughtily and winked at the photographer. She decided to play along.
"Why yes. You have to see our wedding rings." She made them look at her left hand.
It was like a silent agreement between everyone except Yuya. "And this! Wedding certificates!" Takahisa gushed.
"Yappari na." Tomohisa had this naughty grin on his face too. "Shigeaki, you're not talking about your relationship with Maki-chan all along."
"You've been always mum about girls." Ryo grinned. "Congratulations."
"I still can't believe that my bestfriend is married at twenty-three." Keiichiro started sobbing like a mother. "My son's all-grown up!"
"No wonder. They've always looked good together, right?" Takahisa simply concluded.

"WAIT!" Yuya banged his hands on the table in his primadonna-in-tantrums mode. "I DO NOT GET THIS. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?!"

"Obviously, they decided to get married today." Ryo deadpanned. "What is not understandable about that?"
"NO! I MEAN, HOW DID THE TWO OF YOU..." Yuya's voice trailed off as he saw that nobody was paying attention to his tantrum. He turned to Maki.
"And I thought we're good."
"Huh? Of course we're good friends!" Maki declared.
"Then why are you calling my mother 'Auntie'? How do you call Shige's mom then?"
"Of course I call her my mother, stupid." She deadpanned, and the other NEWS members fought the urge to chuckle at Yuya's hurt reactions.
"Aha, you are so jealous!" Ryo stated the very obvious.
"YES I AM! I AM SO JEALOUS LIKE YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT HURTS!" Yuya exclaimed, and seeing the picture where they kissed (But in reality, it was a big accident. And it was just a millisecond brushing of the lips.) didn't help to calm his feelings down. Meanwhile, Maki was secretly bewildered of his outburst and was actually wondering if that's the truth.
Everyone was being amused by Yuya's show of jealousy. Maki looked at her watch.
"I'm overstaying. I'm off to set up our travel. Bye!" In an attempt to tease Yuya even more, she paused by Shigeaki's side and said, "You're so handsome today, sweetie." with a pat on the cheek.
Tomohisa and Ryo hooted, which made Shigeaki turn as red as a strawberry.
Yuya turned his back on them and sulked, his heart broken into a million pieces.
"Is it all over?" He mumbled under his breath.
Behind him, the NEWS members started laughing hysterically.

------

"Can you believe that? We're again going to Hawaii." Keiichiro declared excitedly.
"Now now, Koyama. You act as if you haven't been there for the nth time." Ryo flatly declared as he was roused to consciousness thanks to his co-member's noisiness.
They were riding the Shinkansen together on the way home after a photoshoot in Nagoya. Everyone was dead tired, but Yuya was totally awake, thinking, wondering how everything ended that way.

He bit his lower lip as he watched Maki and Shige sitting beside each other, sleeping. Maki's head was even on Shigeaki's shoulder. The NEWS members already informed him that the marriage issue was a total joke, but he still can't help but be bitter about it. He looked at them; the hurt and jealousy ate him even more. How can he slice in between two people who seemed so inseparable?

He scowled even more as Keiichiro, who was a row away from him, took a picture of the two slumbering people and giggle, "They're so cute."

He fished inside his paper bag where he snuck in the picture he found backstage before they left for Nagoya. It was a picture where Maki and Shigeaki were in the streets of Aoyama, smiling before the camera cheek-to-cheek.

In anger, he tore the picture to shreds. He wanted to cry, but he would reserve that once he locks himself in his room, plucking his guitar, singing his desperate love songs.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

RANDOM TALK:

Maki: Shige, sweetie! *does that on purpose because Yuya is around*
Yuya: Why can't I be your honey instead?
Maki: What?
Yuya: Can't you see? I am so freaking jealous of you and Shige in this story.
Maki: What do you want me to do then?
Yuya: I want a chapter exclusively about the two of us.
Maki: DREAM ON. :P
Yuya: D:
Shige: Hey Maki... sweetie! *wink*
Yuya: STOP CALLING HER SWEETIE. THE MARRIAGE IS NOT TRUE.
Shige: What can you do? Maki is mine.
Yuya: But... I MET HER FIRST. *pause* I HAVE HER STINKING SHOE!
Shige: So what?
Yuya: Want to brawl this out?
Shige: BRING IT ON.
Maki: AGH! YOU GUYS! DON'T FIGHT HERE. PLEASE!
Yuya and Shige: *not listening*
Maki: *kicks their butts simultaneously*

Anyway kids, if you're not yet sick of this delusional story, please watch out for the next chapter named Aloha... Sayonara. Thanks!♥


10/17/09--23:31: [Yuya/Maki] S.N.m.T.o.G ch. 8 (chan 2194298)

Title: So Not my Type of Girl Chapter 8
Pairings: Yuya Tegoshi/Maki, and then some...? YAY FOR FICS OF EPIC SELF-INSERTIONS.
Genre: Romance-Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Notes: OMG. WHY. (ToT)

SO NOT MY TYPE OF GIRL
1. Modern-Day Cinderella
2. Everywhere in Circles
3. Behind Chimera Lights
4. Is it Possible?
5. Checklist Checkup
6a. Kimi + Boku = ? PART A
6b. Kimi + Boku = ? PART B
7. Yume Monogatari



Chapter Eight: Aloha... Sayonara

An hour past midnight. In Yuya Tegoshi's apartment, a song that a fan sent him for his twentieth birthday played on loop as he lay awake on his bed.

If I close my eyes I can feel love.
You move me and give me power.
My worries don't matter.
I stand up.
Because you give me these things,
I'm always smiling.

He had been playing the song every night, as if it is his lullaby, and a constant reminder that on one side of the world, someone constantly believes in him and loves him for who he is. He had been wishing to meet the girl who had such talent and determination to send him such a heartwarming song... about how he inspired her to do her best always. And, for some reason, he believed he already loved her in return, too, irregardless of how she would look like. A blind belief in goodness, if you may call it.

You've given me a new outlook in life.
You've filled this heart with music and sunshine.
You've made me believe I can be happy though it rains.
For that, thank you.

Yuya tucked himself in his blanket, believing that he would once again dream of happy dreams... despite the fact that he's burning with jealousy over Shigeaki and that damned Myojo photographer.

As if on cue, "Kataomoi na Chiisana Koi" started playing on his IPod.

On the other side of the city, Shigeaki has just finished his case study. He rubbed his nosebridge to alleviate the tiredness. Then, he sat back and minimized every window in his laptop only to reveal a wallpaper of him and the girl who constantly attracted his attention, everyday, in every way. He crossed his arms on his chest and smiled.

Meanwhile, Maki was... in deep sleep, unaware of the feelings she had stirred in the two NEWS members of her age.

Or is she?



-----

"What are you reading?" Keiichiro peered in a very serious-looking Shigeaki Kato who was absorbed in a book. They have just finished taping a radio show.
"Whaa... Shige, you're learning..."
"Tagalog." The twenty-three year old guy ended for him, the usual "r" lisp whenever they, the
Japanese, pronounce the letter L obviously minimized.
"Ehhh. Such dedication." The single-eyelidded co-member patted his shoulder in encouragement. "I haven't seen you that worked up for something for AGES."
"DUH. As if you're saying I am a man with no drive." Shigeaki flatly stated, feigning hurt. "I've been always driven to do things, especially studying."
"But not with something about... love. I must say." Keiichiro smiled and Shigeaki understood. He just smiled in agreement. Just then, he looked at his watch.
"Oh, I'm leaving soon." He closed the book with a snap.
"Where?"
"With Maki and Himiko." He smiled before turning heel.
A few minutes after Shigeaki had left, Yuya appeared behind Keiichiro and said, "Kei-chan, I have a favor."

Being the most sensitive in their group, he knew what Yuya would ask of him.
This is when the Kato-Tegoshi rivalry has fired up some more.

-----

They were settled quietly in the middle of the park with a huge fountain overhead. Maki was resting to soothe her tired feet and Shigeaki played with Himiko.

"Pa... pa."
Shigeaki's eyes turned as wide as saucers. "Papa?!" He turned back and yelled, "Maki! Himiko-chan's got something to say!"
Upon hearing Himiko repeat what she said, Maki preened and it seemed like she was sparkling.
"Wow! That's her first word ever!" "That's great, Himiko! Can you say that again?"
"Pa--- pa! Papa! Papa!" The child gleefully stated while her hands reached out to the NEWS member who was carrying her.
"Shige, she thinks you're her father." Maki pointed out before turning back to what she was doing.
"Haha, well... I hope I will be."
"What?" Maki inched her ear to his direction.
"N-nothing. Let's go."

From afar, Yuya Tegoshi witnessed everything.
"Tegoshi, you're not helping yourself." Keiichiro, being the ultimate mother of the group, reminded their youngest. He watched as the two walked back to a furniture shop...

"OH NO, NOT AGAIN." He facepalmed, for they have returned to his mother's boutique.
"Konnichiwa, Auntie!" Maki was in all-smiled as she greeted the woman behind the desk.
"Oh hi there! Shige... and... Himiko?" She questioned.
As soon as her question ended, there was a loud opening of the door.
"Yuya-chan! What are you doing here?"
"Uh, I'm just dropping by." Yuya, still heaving, lied as he watched Shigeaki pass the child to Maki. Keiichiro followed suit, heaving as well.
There was an awful silence. "Oh. Okay..." Mrs. Tegoshi turned to Maki, "And your business here is?"
"I'm here to buy the crib! Plus that lovely drawer!" Maki exclaimed as she and Shigeaki walked toward the crib. "Ne Shige, doesn't it look great?"
"Mmhm. That's great. Fits OUR Himiko so well." He deliberately said it out loud for Yuya to hear.
Yuya gritted his teeth.
"AH. I get it." Mrs. Tegoshi nudged her son immediately and whispered, "You are so slow."
"Me? Slow?" Yuya turned back to his mother. Keiichiro nodded in silent agreement.
"YES YOU ARE YUYA-CHAN." She eyed her son's co-member and the girl whom she knew her son really liked. "EVEN SLOWER THAN A TURTLE."
"I am not!"
"Denial won't work at times like these." Her mother tutted before walking away to assist her customers. At the background, Yuya heard some people say, "What a young couple..." while looking at Shigeaki and Maki.
"Yes, you are Tegoshi. YOU ARE." Keiichiro ended.

-----

"YOU NEED TO GET ME OUT OF THIS PLACE ASAP."

The youngest NEWS member bellowed at Keiichiro over the cellphone. The "mother" of their group cringed and cleaned his right ear with a pinky before listening again.
"Why? You insisted to go with them... now you're turning back." He declared. It was the truth; Yuya
has just heard about Shigeaki and Maki's gimmick about attending an art exhibit in a hotel, and they were about to shop for formal clothes. In impulse, he squeezed himself in and insisted to go with them. But heck, he was treated like a complete third wheel all along. The two acted like he was air, and they proceeded being sweet toward each other. Shigeaki ended up picking Maki's entire outfit for her, given her total failure for picking up dresses. Meanwhile, Maki insisted that the idol should pick something that's not straight out from a Johnny's idol closet ("Less shiny things and clashing colors please! You're not going to perform Murarisuto for heaven's sake, are you?!" Maki yelled as she pushed Shigeaki back to the dressing area, just like bickering couples do.)

"And remember how Himiko-chan cried when I carried her last time?" Yuya continued rambling, not minding if Keiichiro was getting deaf by the minute. "And how she was pacified when Shige got her from me?"
The single-eyelidded NEWS member just sighed.
"Tell me, why are you this affected." Keiichiro asked Yuya for the millionth time, though he need not ask anymore for he knew the exact reason even without him speaking up. He just needed a confirmation.
"B-b-but this is!" Yuya stopped as he heard Maki stutter. He saw her point at the jade-studded necklace which was being packed in a silver box.
"Don't mind the price." Shigeaki smiled, and Yuya noted it's the most sincere smile he'd seen of him. "I bought it for you."
"... Tegoshi?" Keiichiro's voice boomed from the other line after that moment of silence.
"Just... take me out of here." Yuya sighed as he pressed the end call button.

This is one of the innumerable times Keiichiro Koyama wished he would be finally freed from being Yuya's baby-sitter.

-----

Maki has just finished applying foundation when the door bell rang. She immediately opened the door without looking at the peephole first.
"Who--- whoa." She was robbed off her breath when she saw her partner-in-crime standing before her, looking elegant in the attire she had picked.
"Obviously, you're not yet ready." Shigeaki commented, near-chuckling.

Maki turned away from him and started rubbing the concealer dots across her cheeks in a rush. "D-don't worry! I-I can manage!"
"Sit down." He held her firmly on her shoulders and made her sit in front of the dresser mirror. She fell on her butt on the soft cushion with some impact. The idol removed his coat and tie and retrieved another chair. Then he asked, "Where is your make-up set?"
"W-w-what?" Maki asked but she noted the seriousness on the idol's face. She pointed at the left side, "Over there."
Shigeaki pored on the colors and commented, "These won't suit your attire. Don't you have any other set?"
"Uh, no?" Maki grinned sheepishly.

"Just as I thought." The idol turned back to his bag and retrieved his own make-up kit. Maki was aghast; it was then she proved that the idols are even more vain than girls themselves.
"IS THAT YOUR MOM'S?" She attempted humor, but she was brushed off immediately.
"Sit still, alright?" He prepped the mineral brush and started sweeping loose powder across her face.
She complied, having considered that Shigeaki was serious at this craft. She bit her lower lip and watched as her face was slowly transformed. At some point, she admired how efficient the idol worked, even on applying mascara and eyeliner, things she would never be adept at.
"You ought to realize... that you got nice features. You just have to, you know, accentuate." The idol started rambling as he swept some pink across her cheeks. She felt uncomfortable as Shigeaki held her chin towards his direction and painted her lips pearl-pink. Much to Maki's protests, he topped the color with some gloss. She can't help but notice how his eyes were so much in focus on her lips, and it made her squirm.

"Your lips... they are..." The NEWS member cut himself off when he realized he was saying too much.
"Hmm. The hair's a bit off." Shigeaki studied her closely instead.
"This is alright! My hair as it is is okay." The photographer revolted. "Don't tell me you'll be my hairstylist too?!"
"No it's not!" He retrieved cut-up foils next and started tying her short locks in little braids. He left it for twenty minutes, then let it loose. Next thing Maki knew she already had cute slightly curly locks adorned with a silver clip with another jade in the center.
"Uwaa. That's cool." She stared at her reflection, awestruck.
"For the finale..." He got the necklace he bought and strung it around her neck.
"Now, don't tell me Tegoshi's even girlier than you are... because you ARE beautiful."
Maki was amazed on how she looked after the transformation. Not to mention that she was also distracted because Shigeaki's face was near her cheek and his hands were on her bare shoulders.
"Ready?" He whispered.

There were hoots and cheers as Maki's neighbors followed her down the steel stairs with their stares.
"Have fun!" Ka Ador called out.
"Your curfew's at midnight, all right?" The two thirtysomething women yelled next.
Maki frowned but was immediately surprised upon seeing the jet black car parked in front of them.
She looked at Shigeaki, as if questioning him.
"Why of course, the car has to match the get-up too." Shigeaki grinned.
"Maki-chan! LOOK UP!" And they did.
Her pesky yet comical neighbors spreaded out a banner with the words "Have fun, Maki and Ouji-chan II!" This time, there were even red glittery confetti raining from above.
"W-wait, who's Ouji-chan the First?" Shigeaki can't help but ask as he started the engine.
"Yuya."
"Huh? He'd been at your house?" Shigeaki's question was unanswered as they drove away.

-----

The door to the cafe opened. Shigeaki looked at the entrance and saw the girl he immensely liked. She was wearing a plaid green and white dress and gold flats, with her hair combed to one side held in place by a white clip. She was looking around, uncertain as to why she was such in a posh cafe that night. Only Shigeaki knew the reason. He will say it straight right there, that night. He had decided.

He stood up in recognition and offered the couch for her.
"Wow, this is a nice change." Maki beamed at him, and Shigeaki just stared. The lights dimmed a bit and the big band started playing a soothing background music. The idol ordered a vanilla frappe which he knew was Maki's favorite, his cinnamon-glazed macchiato, and pasta.

"Stevie Wonder!" Maki exclaimed as she recognized the intro of the next song. "Such a nice selection." She beamed again, still unaware of Shigeaki's motive. They started talking about movies for a while like they usually do until there was silence... and the proper timing.

Lately, I have had the strangest feeling
With no vivid reason here to find
Yet the thought of losing you's been hanging
Around my mind

"I've been thinking a lot lately..." Shigeaki started as he wiped his lips with a tissue.
"About what?"
"Sarah Marie Kato sounds good, don't you think?" The intelligent NEWS member solemnly said.
"HA?" She almost tipped her drink.
Without further ado, he held her hand.
"What I'm meaning to say is... mahal kita."
Maki just stared, air escaping from her body.
"I love you."
The moment was surreal, magical. Maki's head was racing; she wanted so badly to ask how the heck Shigeaki knew her language, but she didn't. The piano strains were soft against the background, but the air dissipated when Maki broke loose from his hold.
"Sorry, Shige."
Shigeaki's jaw dropped.
"I... how should I put this." Her eyes inched to the left, "I am content if our relationship will remain as it is, as friends. Besides... I like someone else. In fact, he is the reason why I am in this place."
She noticed that the idol was close to crying.

Well I'm a man of many wishes
I hope my premonition misses
But what I really feel
My eyes won't let me hide
Cause they always start to cry...

"W-wait... did my revelation sound TOO hard?" She blurted as she saw the unmistakeable hurt across his features. On impulse, she hugged him. "I am really sorry, Shige. I am sorry for making you expect too much..."
Shigeaki meanwhile didn't say anything and just hugged her close.
"I believe I know who's the lucky person."
Maki whispered within his shoulder, "Who?"

His reply made Maki confirm that Shigeaki is indeed a clever guy.

"But hey... do I still have a chance?" He managed to ask despite the pain.
The Myojo photographer replied without any hesitation, "DEFINITELY."
To her surprise, Shigeaki kissed her on her forehead.
She didn't protest. Rather, she closed her eyes and muttered, "Thanks a lot."
They remained standing close to each other until the big band ended their rendition of Stevie Wonder's Lately

Cause this time could mean goodbye.

-----

The next day, she woke up to the sound of her Murarisuto ringtone.

"Maki, don't go to work today." it said. It was Ken who mailed her.

Still groggy, she typed back, "What? Why?" and eagerly waited, an acidic feeling creeping up her stomach.

After ten minutes, the email read: "You are suspended. Indefinitely."

-----

The NEWS members were baffled as to why Maki wasn't able to go with them in their Hawaii photoshoot.
"Yuya, where are you going?" Tomohisa and Takahisa simultaneously shouted as they saw their youngest dart away.
Keiichiro looked at the closed door with thoughtful eyes.
"That guy, so impulsive." Shigeaki muttered as he started dialing Maki's number. He was surprised to hear her voicemail instead.
"I'm worried, Koyama." Shigeaki silently confided to his bestfriend.
"What are you going to do now?" Keiichiro asked, and followed, "And why are your eyes so puffy for three days straight? Did you sleep well?"
There was an awkward silence. Keiichiro felt like he asked the wrong question.

"I leave the floor to Tegoshi." The intelli-idol replied quietly.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

Comments are ♥, as always!


12/30/09--00:24: [Yuya/Maki] S.N.m.T.o.G ch. 9 (chan 2194298)

Title: So Not my Type of Girl Chapter 9
Pairings: Yuya Tegoshi/Maki, and then some...? YAY FOR FICS OF EPIC SELF-INSERTIONS.
Genre: Romance-Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Notes: UHM, hello? I know it's second to the last day of the year, so I have to finish this monstrosity. :))

SO NOT MY TYPE OF GIRL
1. Modern-Day Cinderella
2. Everywhere in Circles
3. Behind Chimera Lights
4. Is it Possible?
5. Checklist Checkup
6a. Kimi + Boku = ? PART A
6b. Kimi + Boku = ? PART B
7. Yume Monogatari
8. Aloha... Sayonara




Chapter Nine: Try Try Try


"Where's Maki?" Catching his breath, Yuya asked Ka Ador who has just finished tending to his garden that late afternoon.
"What's the matter, Ouji-chan the First?" He responded, and in less than three minutes, Maki's neighbors had flocked behind the gardener, wondering what the commotion was all about.
The NEWS member caught his breath as he scanned their faces for any clue, and to their surprise, he rushed upstairs.

"H-Hoy! What are you doing?" They gasped altogether when the guy parked himself in front of Maki's door and flung it open. Yuya, meanwhile, was surprised that the door wasn't locked, which implied that she might be somewhere near. He didn't mind courtesy for now; he had known that barging in is rude, but the circumstances called for it.

When the door gave way, he stood for a good three minutes before stepping in. No one's inside hence he made himself welcome. The lights were open, and so was the television airing a documentary about whale killings. Ten steps and he saw a still unfinished brunch consisting of fried rice and curry.

Three steps then a sharp turn to the left, and his mouth hanged open.

At the far wall, he saw pictures of him. Offshots from his studio photos. He could just imagine how Maki secretly takes pictures of him during photoshoots, whisks them away in her backpack, then takes them home to join this humongous display of creepiness. A signature stalker move.

No wonder she always spent a good five to ten minutes behind a locked door before she lets him in.

On the working table he saw additional pictures of him, stolen shots, and an open laptop with the word processor on display. Across the white page, a testimony of her day to day encounters with the idols was being processed. He tinkered on the laptop, opening the other minimized programs. He discovered that she had the complete collections of their discography, which may imply that she had known them long before she became Myojo's photographer. He finally discovered an open email program.

She was about to forward the testimony to a bunch of people, as implied by the numerous addresses on her "To" textbox. Maki had posted up pictures of herself while in Japan. Probably... she was feeding other rabid faggots... err, fangirls, of inside information about them.

Yuya cannot stop being suspicious. He had long ago despised how dirty the fangirls act, ruining their private lives. And here goes Maki, the young woman whom he particularly admired because she always acts like they are ordinary bestfriends, mere mortals. She has always been a welcome change for him... for their group, and now she was feigning innocence. He wondered what else she has been faking.

"Tegoshi!"

He looked back, and he saw Maki who looked like she has just seen a ghost, her eyes as wide as saucers, her mouth hanging open, and her skin taut against her cheeks.

"You are invading---!"
"Explain this." He raised his voice as he pointed at the photos on her wall.
She stood there, frozen, then licked her lips.
"EXPLAIN THIS!" His voice was louder, and Maki's neighbors flocked by her half-open door.
Still no reply from Maki.
"I see." He concluded, as if Maki had explained her side too well. "So you're just like everyone else, like every other fangirl. You are no different."

"What makes you think?"

"And I thought you're special because you've seen something different in me, in us." He droned, ignoring Maki's pleads for clarification. "I thought you were different. I thought you were perfect... but you're not."

Yuya's statement was funny, she thought, because he kept on pointing that she was different, but on what sense she cannot fathom. Suddenly, he turned heel and darted toward the door.

"Wait." She called out, but he proceeded on his way.
"WAIT!" She yelled, but his grasp was on the door knob already.

"PUCHA, ANO BA?! Sabi ko diyan ka lang! Hindi pa tayo tapos mag-usap!*" Maki didn't mind the language barrier as she yelled another time.

Yuya thought he heard her speak an alien language, hence he looked back. "WHAT?!"

"I SAID WAIT. CHOTTO. Stand there. We're not yet done talking this through." She said, more calmly, surprised that she was speaking her native tongue in front of the person she admired so much.

"There's nothing to talk about." Yuya snapped. "You're a fan."

"DAMN THIS!" She yelled again, "You're telling me to explain earlier, now you're saying that there's nothing to talk about!" Maki tugged at her hair, "YUYA TEGOSHI, YOU ARE SO IMPOSSIBLE."

"The same as how brainless you are, just like any other fangirl."

That hit a nerve. The Myojo photographer seethed.

"You're right. I am a fan, a very avid fan... but I am not like the brainless who did nothing but fantasize about you day and night. I have my purpose." Maki bridged the distance between them as she boldly proclaimed. "I mean..." She inhaled deeply in preparation for her parting speech. "There would be no one who would forget the profession she had learned in four long years, who would go against her parents, who would use up her energy to sign up for a job far away from her home. No other fangirl would ever think of using up all her savings just to RESIDE in a land too foreign for her, just because she dreamed to meet an idol who inspired her to dream big. No one except me, Sarah Marie Alonzo. No one except this girl standing before you, Yuya Tegoshi. Remember that."

A pause. Yuya's counters were caught on his throat.

"Well. It turns out that my efforts seemed brainless for you." Everyone could see that she was on the verge of breaking down... and they were right. Maki started crying, but she wiped them immediately with the back of her right hand, like any other child would do. It was as if denying them to glimpse at her sensitive side.

"Go away." She commanded, trying her best to steady her voice.

"Ma..."

"LEAVE ME ALONE, YUYA TEGOSHI." She said, with more finality this time.

It left the NEWS idol no other choice but turn heel. He asked for an explanation; he got what he wanted. Maki's once pesky neighbors were now the sympathetic ones who followed her wish. They shut the door behind them, not before they left their Ouji-chan the First stares, as if telling him to reconcile with her ASAP, for clearly she had a point.

Yuya's phone vibrated as he reached the ground. He received an e-mail from their manager, directing him to go to the entertainment company's office, ASAP.



-----

Yuya and Shige was staring at a Bubka headline before their contemplative silence was cut by a baritone voice.

"How do you explain yourselves?" Mr. Shimamura, Kitagawa's representative, confronted them behind his dark cherry desk. Spread before him was a glossy page of paparazzi pictures of them and a girl. Yuya discerned that his were taken while they were in a date, basking in the rain. Shigeaki recognized that it was when he and Maki were in Roppongi hills, when he first thought of confessing to her.

"But Sh-Shige." Yuya was fighting back his tears that it caused a break in his voice. "Shige was the first one who..."

Their boss' representative raised an eyebrow as he questioned the intelli-idol via his icy gaze.

"I have always liked that photographer, and yes we're dating." A pause, "I admit it was my recklessness that caused us to be photographed in such a state." Shigeaki had indeed changed. From being the timid guy who was always at the background, he had learned to stand for himself. Yuya wondered if he would be able to defend himself too, considering that his career, the job he's worked so hard for, is now at stake.

"We have been ignoring these series of these photos being sent to us via email... but because of its severity and frequency, we came to ask your opinion of this."

Shigeaki thought something wasn't right.

"How did these pictures found their way to rumor magazines if they were sent to you in the first place?" He couldn't help but question. Yuya looked at him too, not as a rival in love, but as a co-member trying to defend their names. He nodded. Indeed, how did that happen?

Mr. Shimamura can't offer them a wise answer, hence he proceeded. "You don't know how this has affected your career..."

They inhaled as the next fact was revealed.

"And worse, you have to know the bad things you have caused to this young lady whom you claimed to love."

-----

That night, Keiichiro and Shigeaki hanged out with two of their mutual friends, drinking strong beer and losing their voices over karaoke. Their mutual friends, John and Hideki, were wondering what was driving the law school graduate to sing too many songs.

"Wait! I have more!" He called aloud as he downed another tall glass of beer.

"Oi, Shige. You alright?" Keiichiro was undeniably as concerned as a girlfriend.

The night endured, and their haphazard talks made a sharp curb about ex-girlfriends. Shigeaki started crying. On instinct, Keiichiro held his bestfriend's head and made him lean on his shoulder. He knew Shigeaki is a man who didn't want others to see his soft side, but he also knew that he can't hold it in any longer.

The intelli-idol tried his best to stifle his sobs using his scarf. Their other friends were suddenly silent, wondering why the heck he was crying over Koi no ABO.

-----

Yuya spent that same night with Ryo Nishikido in a silent pub that served heavy beer.

"Why does love hurt?" Yuya Tegoshi questioned Ryo. Ryo stared at him incredulously. He was initially thinking that his junior was already heavily influenced by the beer. He wanted to tell him to stop drinking but hearing his queries such as this makes him more interested to hear him rant on.

"It won't be deserving of an eternity if it won't hurt in the beginning." Ryo answered, quite more poetically than he usually does. A sentimental fool caught up under alcohol's influence, what more can you expect? "However, I also wonder why a love that doesn't end up in eternity had hurt me so much."

Yuya paused from sipping his beer, "You mean... you've loved intensely before?" To be honest, Ryo had always had the image of a playboy, hence hearing him so sincere in such a topic surprised Yuya quite a bit.

A long silence ensued.

"Uchi quit our group because of me." Ryo had found the proper timing to tell someone of his long-overdue heartache. Of all people, he wondered why it had to be Yuya... but the time called for it.

"So... Uchi-kun?"

"Yes, I loved him." A gulp on his Kirin, "I still do, in fact."

In usual sane conversations, Yuya might have gone aghast by Ryo Nishikido's homosexual revelation, but at times like these, at times when his judgment and his emotions are muddled, he just nodded, tipsy from drinking too much to forget the matters of his own heart.

"But you said it, you still love him..." Yuya gulped on his beer as well, "so an eternity is still possible."

"He is already engaged." Ryo held out a dry chuckle, as if it was his way to stifle his tears.

"She is, too. Well, technically speaking." Yuya mumbled, still recalling how Maki's words stung him... and how the fact that Maki finds comfort on his co-member's arms hurt him, like pouring acid on his midsection.

Another silence. Ryo knew a lot more. Ryo had the sense from point one that Maki had loved him, and it's love in its purest form of sacrifice, of letting go. Considering the photographer's statements two days ago, he knew Yuya was only misinterpreting her words. Same goes for Shigeaki. Oh, how that guy surprised him... his intelligent mind works perfectly well.

"I guess every guy born under the month of November has to learn the lessons of the heart the hard way, huh."

With the dry May air surrounding them, two heartbroken fools toasted.

-----

Her dream has ended. The turbulence has begun.

In front of her apartment, vandalisms were on display, and they're telling her to die. She knew Ka Ador and the gang had tried their best to clear up their complex's walls, but the scare it had caused her would be something only she would be able to clear. She declined going online, because rumors about her, pictures included, had been circulating on the forums she frequented at. She made sure she would go around the city only late at night, in the guise the idols usually take, to make sure no one would take any more nasty pictures or hurt her, in actions or words. So, this is how it is, living the life of a famous personality.

She was immediately reminded of Aya Matsuura and the trauma the fangirls caused her when w-inds' Keita Tachibana and she were dating, and immediately felt sorry for getting herself involved with the idols.

Oh yes, the fangirls' league that she once belonged would be the one to betray her at the end of it all. Such irony.

-----

She couldn't stand how alone it felt in her flat. Around ten in the evening, she took out her motorbike and dashed to where she could feel safe. Either a vacant park or a crowded amusement center were on her mind, but her body betrayed her as she raced to Omotesando. She had been in his place only once, but she could vividly recall the directions. Her pained heart tells her so.

The door opened.

"Shige." Maki sagged into his arms.

"... what happened?" He was breathless as the most important lady in his life, second to his mother, started sobbing in his hold.

Maki let go as she wiped away her tears the same manner as a child would do.

"I'm sorry. I must have looked stupid just now."

Silence.

"No." Shigeaki's eyes bore through her. "In fact, you looked more beautiful when you cry."
Instantly, Maki had a flashback in that cafe where Shigeaki said the three sweetest words in her own language... and the place where she turned him down. She felt so sorry, but it's just the way it is. Meanwhile, Shigeaki was surprised of where he got that cheesy pickup line. He had been watching too much drama series.

Someone went down the stairs.

"'Kaasan?" Shigeaki's voice raised a timbre higher as he saw the woman on their far left.

Mrs. Kato raised an eyebrow when she saw her son holding a girl in his arms.

"... hi there, ma'am." Maki tried her best to smile as she stood straight, away from the NEWS member's arms.

His mother just smiled, a knowing type of smile. It's been a long time since she hadn't talked to her son, considering his uptight schedules. Judging by the way he held her, and the fact that this is the first time he had invited a girl to their home, she knew instantly that she meant something for him. Motherly instincts, if you may call it.

"I'll prepare something for your dinner."

-----

The aspiring lawyer stayed on Maki's bedside until she fell asleep. He closed the door lightly and spun to his right, only to find his mother looking at him, perplexed. She already knew the backstory, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for her son.

Shigeaki was quivering.

"I can't help it... I'll do anything for her, 'kaasan."

It turns out he also had his own pains.

-----

"Maki, please look outside." was the email she received. She obliged and she didn't know how to react, whether to be in awe or to stifle laughter.

Cue in Shigeaki Kato lead-singing Sono Egao Boku ni Misete. His fellow members were behind him, providing the harmonies. It was initially Shigeaki's idea to cheer Maki up. He had read over the internet about this thing named harana, or serenade, wherein a guy who courts someone would have to go to her house and sing her love songs, complete with an acoustic ensemble. In their case, they decided to do it acapella.

"Aww. You guys." Maki's heart leapt as she proceeded down the steel staircase, with her neighbors hooting at the background. Apparently, the NEWS members cooperated with her pesky yet supportive neighbors, who made sure the idols weren't seen by the "outsiders" during the entire ordeal. She was too caught up in the moment that she stumbled face front. NEWS' intelli-idol didn't mind how he would look like as he rushed forth to catch her. Considering Maki's weight plus Shigeaki's physically-inadept form, they fell on the ground.

"Owww." Shigeaki cringed.

"Shige, I'm so sorry!" Maki panicked as she stood up immediately. "I bet you have broken your ribs!"

"Stop being silly." The idol stood up and felt for broken bones. Thank goodness there's none.

The photographer looked at who was around her, then asked, "Yuya... where is he?"

The NEWS members exchanged glances.

"He's not here." Being the most straightforward of them, Ryo responded, "We couldn't contact him."

"I really cannot understand why you're looking for someone else when... you have someone right now, in front of you." Tomohisa said in his monotone.

At that point, Shigeaki and Maki looked at each other. The former blushed and Maki had a bitter smile. Cue in the hoots and giggles of her neighbors.

"Well, to be honest." Ka Ador cut off the solemn air, "We all knew Maki has the "thing" for Yuya ever since..." Another pause, "I'm sorry, Ouji-chan the Second."

"I knew I lost the battle." The law graduate inadvertently grinned at everyone, though he can't deny that he was getting teary-eyed. "But it's too early to give up."

There was a long silence before Maki revealed to everyone the sour truth. "But I did, Shige."

-----

The next day, they walked in only to find Rina and the Myojo gang evacuating Maki's locker, stuffing everything in it in huge bags. They saw stacks of photo papers, scripts, even Maki's favorite set of camera lens being restacked and stored away.

It dawned to everyone. Maki has quit Myojo.
From behind, Ken Nishino approached them.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

OUTTAKE

Maki: Doumo! This is Maki, or better known as Sarah Marie, as I have revealed my whole name in this chapter. And as we all know, this series is about to end.

*cue in groans from the other staff*

Maki: ... so you guys haven't had enough of this insanity/delusional story??
Shige: No! I mean, we still don't know whom you will end up with! Is it me?
Yuya: Or me?
Maki: Hahaha, isn't it obvious?! The previous chapter says it all!
Shige: NO, it's not, because I can tell that you have fallen for me already!
Yuya: No! Maki's mine!
Shige: You tell that yourself.
Maki: Augh, damn it! Stop bickering!!! 2009's going to end!
As a fresh start for 2010, I have to finish this story as well!
Shige: For you to give way to OUR MULTICHAPTERED STORY, yes?
Maki: Uh... well, that is...
Yuya: WHAT!? YOU HAVE A STORY WHEREIN YOU'RE THE COUPLE?
Shige: I told you, she has crossed the KATO KINGDOM! NYAHAHAHAH! *evil laughter*
Yuya: ... damn.
Maki: *pats* I'm sorry, Tegoshi. XD;;

So, there you have it. The finale, titled Imperfectly Perfect, shall be up on this site tomorrow, or on January 1... if time will allow. Hang on!!!


12/30/09--22:43: [Yuya/Maki] S.N.m.T.o.G ch. 10 (FINALE) (chan 2194298)

Title: So Not my Type of Girl Chapter 10 (FINALE)
Pairings: Yuya Tegoshi/Maki, and then some...? YAY FOR FICS OF EPIC SELF-INSERTIONS.
Genre: Romance-Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Notes: AS PROMISED! THE FINALE! WHOOOOO! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! XD

SO NOT MY TYPE OF GIRL
1. Modern-Day Cinderella
2. Everywhere in Circles
3. Behind Chimera Lights
4. Is it Possible?
5. Checklist Checkup
6a. Kimi + Boku = ? PART A
6b. Kimi + Boku = ? PART B
7. Yume Monogatari
8. Aloha... Sayonara
9. Try Try Try




Chapter Ten: Imperfectly Perfect


"Oh, Mr. Nishino." Yuya smiled curtly, but he immediately noticed his bothered facial expression.
"Is everything all right?" Keiichiro questioned in his usual optimistic manner.

The assistant photographer abruptly bowed ninety degrees in front of them.
"I'm sorry." He mouthed, and Tomohisa raised an eyebrow to question the move.

"What's this all about?" Ryo casually asked, proving once again that he's the Bosschan, the small but terrible Boss of their group, and no one's going to take that place anytime soon.

"I was the one who sent..." He avoided their curious gazes, "I was the one who took those pictures."

Silence. Exchange of glances ensued... except Shigeaki who balled his fists tightly.

"OI YOU!" His anger gushed like a river breaking a dam as he stepped forward and held the guy two inches shorter than him on the collar. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?" His yell caused Rina and the other staff's eyes to stop to their direction.

Keiichiro rushed forward on impulse to pacify his bestfriend. "Shige, Shige... stop---"

"I WON'T BE STOPPING UNTIL HE TELLS US WHY HE DID THAT." The intelli-idol bellowed, his cheeks reddening some more, apparently shedding off his composure. Neither of his co-members had seen him this angry or worked up like this, not until that photographer came along in his life.

Ken was backing off, the heat of his anger rendering him even more speechless.

"Scaring off this guy's wits won't be good, Shige." With again his superior air, their youngest member stepped forward and held on Shigeaki's balled fist as if to calm him. Then his soft dark brown eyes met the angered person's pure black ones. They talked using their stares for about ten seconds. Tensed air.

Shigeaki let hot air escape his lungs as he loosen up and moved back.

"Now, Nishino-san... please tell us." Yuya met the offender's eyes in a tranquil manner.

"I'm... jealous."

Takahisa was about to ask Ken if he was jealous because Maki caught Yuya and Shigeaki's attentions, but he bit back his words. No time for comedy relief here.

"She got promoted as head photographer faster than I was." Ken mumbled, "I could have been there first. I should have been there FIRST."

There was an eerie silence as the members realized how one person can be offensively evil and hurt another intensely just because of jealousy.

"How about Maki?" Shigeaki immediately asked, finally beginning to calm down. "Does she know all of this? Is she still being rudely attacked?"

"I told her all about this first... and I got my due consequences."

They didn't dare question the assistant about the cast on his elbow plus an arm sling draped on his left shoulder. It served as a warning that they should not anger the (ex)-Myojo photographer too much.

"Now the whole issue has been solved, you have to tell the truth to the magazine company so they can take back the article and the pictures." Ryo suggested the most logical, yet the hardest, moves to undo the mistakes.

"So... can we have her back now?" Keiichiro asked next.

"No." Ken finally had the courage to meet their gazes first, "Leaving Myojo was Maki's own decision."



-----

Shigeaki was basking in the crisp yet dry, almost-summer air when a hand patted his shoulder.

"Hey." Yuya found his way beside him, and he found no reason to repulse him right there. After all, he has always been the cute one in their group. The one whom literally everyone cannot hate.

He acknowledged back with a nod as Yuya found his seat on his left side. The latter noted that

Shigeaki had been holding his mobile phone and had been contacting Maki's number again and again. After each trial, he pushes the END button, then sighs in frustration.

"So it's back to being safe and boring again, huh." Yuya declared after a mere two minutes. The law graduate looked his way.

"I'll let you in a secret." He proceeded, still not meeting his eyes, "I met Maki a month and a half before she got into Myojo... through a shoe accident." He let himself chuckle upon recalling. "Back then I thought she was so repulsive. I mean damn, that girl's got no manners! She has a blunt attitude, and she acts like... I don't know, like she's not a girl at all." A pause, "I thought she would be the only girl I wouldn't be able to like."

"So I'm right." Shigeaki concluded. "You really like her."

Yuya sighed. "I guess things... everything won't be the same without her."

They simultaneously gazed at the bright blue sky being framed by the green foliage above, then Shigeaki realized he cannot make Yuya admit his feelings right then and there. The two of them are in different states of denial. One was refusing to give up, the other still refusing to give in.

He mumbled, "Same here."

-----

Two months had passed. July eleven arrived. Unknown to NEWS members, Shigeaki and Maki were still seeing each other, and it was when everyone had finished celebrating his birthday, when he is left alone in his flat. Earlier that evening, they walked along the streets of Aoyama with complete abandon, the freedom he mostly needed whenever she's with him. They stayed wherever they want, ate whatever they want, and laughed without restraint. It was apparent that Shigeaki didn't care about the paparazzi anymore. He was more than proud to show the world that he was with the girl who had brought him such important changes. They might have not ended together, but nonetheless they are still together.

The clock ticked twelve, signifying the end of his birth date, still they were together in the law graduate's posh velvet sofa.

"Have you already given me up?"

The question caught the law graduate, now twenty-four years old, off-guard.

"If there should be no gray answers, I'd say no." Shigeaki masked the still-lingering pain with a wide smile.

"I'd say this again and again, I am so sorry." Maki had a drink of her punch, which Shigeaki himself prepared.

"Don't rub more salt on the wound, for it hasn't completely healed yet." He flatly declared.

"Oh..." Maki took another sip from her punch.

"But I am getting there." He instantly assured, and that earned a smile from the ex-photographer, the smile he won't trade for anything else.

"How's Yuya?" She asked next.

"He's fine, except that he cannot stop asking Rina and the other staff members about you, of course."

"Ah." A nod from the ex-photographer, and there was another dead end of a silence. She had changed addresses and phone numbers. She made sure to go away, to contemplate, to start anew. She thought, perhaps it is about time for her to apply what she had learned from the profession she had properly finished.

"Have you given up on your dream?" It was Shigeaki's turn to ask.

As a reply, she held on Shigeaki's forearm and wore a grin, the same when they had conspired to attack an art exhibit on a whim during their previous dates. Shigeaki immediately had the flashing thoughts of what could have been between them. It made him gasp a bit.

"I still haven't told you one thing." She heralded her announcement.

-----

A series of concerts made them unspeakably busy when autumn began. Yuya chose this high time to focus on his energies, to improve himself, to further up his career, and to not speak of the regrets that still enveloped his being. His co-members knew it was a way of coping, but the duration was already way too long. With some deliberation, and under Shigeaki's leadership, they decided it's high time for him to let go of whatever it is that's trapped in his chest, and also to make him realize of the greater truth that will make him forget the reason why he's feigning leading a productive lifestyle.

The usual male bonding times happen over booze. So came the usual production and performance bickering and criticisms until Ryo, with his usual bluntness and collected attitude, decided it has to be gotten over with.

"How's your progress now, Tegoshi?" He started asking when Yuya was starting to be giddier than his usual hyper self. Of all the members, he should be the one who would best know that their youngest would be easily coaxed into the truth with a little help of intoxication.

"What progress?" Yuya chuckled, "I could not progress anymore because I am already at my best!" His usual pride struck mightier that evening, for his new solo which he performed that night caused many hearts to fall for him. Subconsciously, of all the hearts that fell on his charm, he wondered why he cannot lure the one he wanted most.

"Don't act innocent." He snapped, also mightier because of alcohol, and he pointed quite forcibly on Yuya's chest. There was immediate silence among the six of them, and everyone except the subject knew that the heated discussion would be scripted.

"Stop that. I don't like her..." Yuya's voice came and trailed off as fast as it started for the maximum drama effect. His friends were in all ears.

"I... I love her."

"Then that's great!" Takahisa chimed in, his cheerful voice seemingly twice happier.

"Huh?"

"We're not as DENSE as you are, Tegoshi. There's no point on continuing this stupid story anymore, is there?" Ryo said in Kansaiben, which makes it a ton creepier. He folded his arms across his chest.

"Right. All you have to do is 'fess up in front of her and that's the start of a wonderful story." Tomohisa followed with a pat on his shoulder.

"You say it as if it's the easiest thing in this darn world to do." The youngest NEWS member mumbled incoherently.

"Yes it is." Shigeaki confirmed, his voice coming out the clearest, then a sigh, "Look." he declared in his firmest voice. "Maki... Maki loves you."

"You're saying that out of pity."

"Idiot." Shigeaki mildly whacked him upside the head. "You are supposed to be the one pitying me because... she dumped me."

The statement caused his eyes to go as round as saucers.

"CAN YOU STILL NOT UNDERSTAND? SHE DUMPED ME JUST FOR YOU."

Before Yuya could have a sharp comeback, Keiichiro breathlessly called out,

"Tegoshi."

In unison, the NEWS members stood up abruptly.

"Listen."

-----

A whirr of static followed until Keiichiro got the proper tuning.They heard digitally-produced claps, then the familiar voice boomed at the speaker.

"Yes, doumo. Thanks for welcoming me here."

"Maki?!" Yuya was awaken from his drunken stupor.

"Our winner is actually someone from another country who had an interesting background. She came here to fulfill her dream job..." Slight shuffling of papers ensued, "Now, Maki-san, can you tell us a bit, like what inspired you to write this song?"

The youngest NEWS member was already in all ears. Keiichiro gave Shigeaki a thumbs-up sign from behind. His script had worked.

A tensed silence, then the guest's voice proceeded, "I wrote this song back when I was in college, and this song goes out for someone whom I have been adoring."

"Oh, a love song. Hey, judging by the lyrics, you are infatuated with a musician."

"Yes, you are right." She agreed, "In fact, he is the reason why I gave up my comfortable life and went to Japan all on my own." A dramatic pause, "I wanted to meet him. I wanted to tell him that there is someone, in one corner of the world, who actually liked him not for being the perfect "idol" that he projects onscreen, but as a person who have struggled so much, who have battled with his imperfections that date years back. And look at him now... he is famous, even internationally.

There was silence, as if the disc jockey was waiting for her to finish in an impact.

"I want him to know that I like him for being imperfectly perfect as he is. I want to make him realize that not all seemingly perfect things are indeed, perfect."

There was silence among the NEWS members as well.

"You are one sweet fan." The host concluded after giving the last statement another proper pause.

"You bet I am!" Maki cheered, and they laughed together.

"I bet whoever that musician is, he will be totally honored that you dedicated this song for him."

Silence. "He knows who he is right now." Maki revealed, and even the NEWS members were amused of how bravely she stepped into that radio station only to sing the song that would convey her praises to their co-member.

"Aaah." The disc jockey sounded amused, "So, everyone, please enjoy the night away with Maki-san's acoustic song named Egao. Douzo!"

For four whole minutes they stared into space as Maki's lyrics and acoustic plucking filled the airwaves.

When the song ended, eyes turned back to Yuya Tegoshi, who looked petrified in a good way.
"Who would have known..." It was obvious that he's holding back his tears and he was already shaking. "She was the one..."

"The one? Who?" Tomohisa seemed interested to hear what's next.

"Maki was the girl who gave me that CD... on my hatachi." Yuya revealed, breathless.

"Oh, I remember!" Takahisa cut the terse air, "The original song that you kept on playing on your IPod. It's the content of that CD, right?"

Yuya nodded, totally stunned.

"So, you see? You could have ended the chase earlier if you intended to." Ryo ended the dramatic air with his cut-through comment.

Shigeaki smiled, though everyone cannot exactly tell if it's sincere or otherwise.

They watched as Yuya stood up from their seat, struggled to walk forward with his legs wobbling like jelly, miss a step-down tread on the floor, and fall facefront toward another edge of another tread leading to the restroom.

Yuya's limbs, now flat across the floor, twitched twice, and their faces contorted in horror.

"TEGOSHI!" Keiichiro, being the ultimate mother, rushed forward and lifted his head. "OH SHIT."

Everyone was aghast as bright red blood oozed from a deep cut on his head.

Now, that was something out of the script.

-----

"G-guys, where am..."

"I really cannot understand how this happened, Yuya Tegoshi." The familiar voice he last heard singing on the radio was already decibels closer to him. His sight finally cleared, and it registered Maki wearing a navy blue scrub suit, looking down at him... at him who was lying on a bed smack at the center of the emergency room.

"MAKI!" He exclaimed as he used his force to stand up, only to be blinded again by a searing pain on his left forehead. He fell back on his pillow.

"Don't move, stupid." Ryo scolded.

"Ne Maki, he was too stunned of your radio performance!" Keiichiro jeered.

"I can see that, Koyama-san." Maki laughed in triumph.

"It freaking hurts, Maki! Stop laughing at me!" Yuya grudgingly yelled.

"Shut up!" Maki yelled back in her certified Kansaiben, even though she not from Osaka. "I am even more convinced that you're gay by the minute."

"Wow. What a loving relationship." Tomohisa mused in his usual monotone. If it is sarcasm or otherwise, it would remain undetermined.

"... spare me the dextrose scare, Maki. PLEASE?" Yuya tugged on her scrub suit.

"No you won't be put on a dextrose, Ouji-sama. But..." She grinned mischievously as she held a needle and a suture, both on her gloved hands. "Your wound has to be sutured." As if on cue, the emergency room surgeon on duty appeared, in his mask-and-gloves glory.

"Lidocaine, please."

"Yes, doc!" Maki cheered. As a finale, she looked at Yuya's once-rival, "Shige, hold his arms, quick!"

Yuya's protesting - and pained - wails were heard throughout the emergency room.

-----

That dream again.

"Pucha, I'm late!" She panicked as she rose swiftly from her bed and went down her kitchen. Indeed, as she had dared the NEWS idol before, she got dressed in less than fifteen minutes. Those minutes involved bathing, putting on light makeup, her dark green scrubs for the day and tying her shoulder-length hair in a bun. She grabbed her black backpack and made a dash outside. On her ears played Boku no Cinderella, her self-proclaimed theme song for what she has experienced in terms of the heart.

She walked in her usual harried pace, along that familiar sidewalk... the sidewalk where everything started.

"Good morning, Maki." Someone greeted her just around the bend. She turned around, and she smiled back. It's always the face that welcomed her everyday.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming anymore." She told that someone, just for confirmation, as she does everyday that she sees him.

In turn, two hands pinched her cheeks.

"OUCH. THAT HURT, DAMN IT... TEGOSHI."

"See? You're not dreaming anymore." His bright smile blinded her.

Maki raised her hands to give the man a warm hug, and everyone could see the glistening band across her ring finger. They are not ashamed to tell the world about it now.

It is an engagement ring.

- Then there comes the ultimate... END! -

HAPPY NEW YEAAAAAAAR!♥


12/31/09--06:28: This journal is left for preservation. (chan 2194298)

So you know I know
I know you know
We have, we have
We have grown.

Well, I did grow up.
Did you?

personal blog -> apicalbeat
fanfic blog -> c0nfabulati0n

Those close to me are added.
Add/add back if you still want to
keep up with the less fangirly me.

See you.♥
- mia -