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ninoexchange2013-06-20 08:33 pm
nino-mod.livejournal.com) wrote in ninoexchange2013-06-20 08:33 pm
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arashiforyou
For: arashiforyou
From:shardaunei
Title: Forevermore
Pairing/Focus: Ohmiya
Rating: PG
Warnings: Unrequited love -nino_mod
Summary: Back in high school, Nino thought Ohno-kun is someone he can only admire from afar. No way would one of the most popular sempais in school would ever notice a mere lower classman such as himself… until his best friend, Aiba Masaki, gave Ohno two of his songs he was secretly writing about his feelings for the boy. Instead of embarrassing him, Ohno had been kind and praising him for his gift of songwriting. Years later, Nino became one of the most popular musicians in Japan. Yet, all these years he wondered, whatever became of the boy who was his inspiration years ago?
Notes: Forarashiforyou. This was truly a challenge because truth be told, I have only written one other Ohmiya fic before and this pairing is out of my comfort zone. Apologies in advance if the pairing characterization is off. I was only working off from my muse. I hope you still like it. Big thanks to my beta reader, J. ^^
“So I told Toma-kun to put it back in his pants, but you know he could be such a di - hey! Are you listening?”
“Huh? What?” Ninomiya Kazunari shook his head from his daze, sheepishly grinning at his best friend, Aiba Masaki, for barely listening to his story. Aiba narrowed his eyes and followed the line where Nino seemed to zone in during half of the conversation, if it was that at all. Masaki sighed. He knew it, and turned back to Nino who seemed to blush profusely for being found out.
“Staring at Ohno Satoshi once again, I see?” Aiba said.
“I’m sorry, Aiba-chan,” Nino said. “What were you saying about Ikuta-kun?”
Aiba shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Forget it,” he sighed. “You can read it in my blog tonight, if you’re not too busy writing yet another song about the Prince Satoshi.”
“Yeah, he does seem princely, doesn’t he?” Nino sighed as he stuffed his slippers inside the shoe cubby robotically, his gaze still on the boy in question. Ohno Satoshi is a senior at Toukyou High School. He was one of the most popular guys in school, both guys and girls want to be with him. He was one of the best athlete in track and gymnastics. On top of that, he was the vice president of student association and the president of the art club.
Nino felt overwhelmed, intimidated, and awed by the boy. He felt inferior for being a first year student. A princely guy like Ohno would never notice him.
Or so he thought. Until Aiba did something that totally changed up things.
He would never forget how Ohno came up to him and asked, “You’re Ninomiya Kazunari, right?”
Nino felt like a fool for just staring at him with his mouth hanging open. Ohno just smiled at him and held up a piece of notebook paper. “This was really sweet,” he said. “You’ll make a good songwriter someday.” He reached up and patted Nino’s head as he continued his way down the hall.
It wasn’t until he was out of sight that Nino wondered what he was talking about, and what was that he held up. A scary thought crept in his mind, and he looked through his bag for his folder of poems and songs he wrote about Ohno. He knew every one of them, and he noticed that a couple were missing. They were always in his bag or his room, but he hadn’t been bringing the folder for two weeks since he kept forgetting. There was one person who goes in his room and knew of his crush on Ohno. Aiba!
The interviewer laughed at Nino’s recollection of his childhood days, and how he started his path to being one of Japan’s best solo artist and most sought after songwriter.
“So, whatever happened to your friend, Aiba-san?” the interviewer asked. “Are you still friends with him after he gave your poems and songs to Ohno-san?”
“Haha. Oh, he got an earful out of me, but he’s the type of guy that doesn't let anything faze him. Sure, he apologized, but then went around to say that at least Ohno knew and wasn’t I glad that he finally came up to me and knew I existed?”
“Haha. Your friend is one hell of a guy.”
Nino smiled. “That he is.”
“Well, thank you very much, Ninomiya-san, for taking time for this interview in spite of your hectic schedule in preparing for your upcoming concert.”
They shook hands as soon as the director said “cut” and the interviewer thanked Nino one last time before he could leave the set. Nino went backstage to the greenroom where Aiba was waiting for him. He was sitting on the couch, talking on the phone while sipping a cup of coffee and watching the interview broadcasted live on TV. He only moved his eyes in Nino’s direction, then back to the screen as he ended his phone conversation.
“Toma-kun?” Nino asked, plopping next to his friend and swiping a bottle of water from the coffee table.
“Nah, my cousin from Chiba.” Aiba tucked his phone inside his shirt pocket. “He wanted to see you in person.”
Nino gave a noncommittal hum before asking, “How did I do? Did I look good?”
“Yes, my liege.”
“No, seriously, Aiba-chan.”
“You should’ve thanked me on national TV.”
“Okay, next time.” Nino checked his watch and got up. “C’mon, I’m gonna be late for the NewsZero interview. You’re supposed to be my manager. Why aren’t you managing?”
Aiba threw away his cup and Nino’s half-consumed water bottle in the trash and pulled on his jacket as he followed Nino out to the car. At NewsZero, he was interviewed again, but mostly about his concert and his latest album.
It was late when Aiba dropped him off at his apartment. Nino got in bed and thought about the interview earlier. He didn’t know what had gotten into him to tell his story about his high school crush on Ohno Satoshi. He hadn’t really thought about the guy in years. Just thinking about him again made Nino dokidoki and he scolded himself. He’s gonna be thirty soon and he was still not over his crush on Ohno who probably has a wife and kids by now
He wondered where he was now. The last time he heard anything about Ohno, he was attending University of Japan. He wasn't sure if he had graduated or if he was even working.
Oh, well. Wherever he was, Nino was grateful how kind Ohno was to him during the remainder of the school year. After that awkward first encounter with Ohno, the guy would wave to him on school grounds or greet him in the courtyard before and after school. Nino would see Ohno’s friends giving him questionable glares, but Ohno didn’t seem to inform them why he was being nice to a mere first year student.
Nino remembered one of the few exchanges between them. It was a talent show at the high school. Normally, he stayed away from performing in front of the whole school, but Aiba was in the student activities committee as a first year representative, and he bribed Nino into it, saying it was Nino’s obligation as best friend to help him look good with his fellow representative. After Nino finished his performance on the piano, Ohno had gone up to him backstage to congratulate him for a job well done.
“Yappari,” he had said in that sexy voice of his, well, as sexy as Nino deemed it to be. He held out his hand, which Nino gingerly shook. “You really have a talent with songwriting.”
“Ohno-kun,” Nino said just as Ohno started to walk away. Nino walked up to him and stood toe-to-toe. It felt like the world stopped for a moment as Nino and Ohno stared at each other’s eyes. Before he lost his nerve, Nino kissed him on the lips. His cheeks burned as he pulled back and shyly smiled at Ohno.
Ohno blinked, startled from the kiss. He gave Nino a lopsided smiled and stammered, “I’ll look forward to buying your album at a record store in the future.”
“Kyaa~~” Nino sighed and buried himself under the covers. The guy was so cool back then. Nino had no idea how he got the balls to just kiss him like that. Man, he was so nervous. He was worried that he blew the semi-friendship he had with Ohno, but still, the guy treated him kindly. He wondered if Ohno would recognize him now. His face was all over the country with his endorsements, having been contracted by different brands to represent them, and CMs and magazines. Not to mention his album had been multiple-platinum.
“Ohno-kun, will I ever see you again?” Nino said aloud to the dark room. All he got in reply was the faint sound of traffic and the gentle buzz of the air conditioner. He shifted in his bed to get some sleep.
***
“Ah, Chiba, how I love this place,” Aiba said as he alighted the tour bus. He stood just outside the door, his hands on each hip. He took a deep breath. “Ah, you can just smell the love,” he breathed out.
“Move,” Nino muttered as he made his way down the steps of the bus. He didn’t get enough sleep last night and seeing Aiba’s giddy attitude annoyed him. How could people be so cheerful early in the morning?
Aiba merely smiled at him and teased, “Grumpy, grumpy, neko-chan.” He wiggled a finger at Nino’s face, who snapped his teeth to bite it. Aiba pulled his finger back just in time.
Nino followed one of the assistants to the convention center where he would have a concert later that night. They had to come early for rehearsal and when he entered the enormous hall where thousands of fans will see him, he could see that the set directors and their staff had done a great job setting the stage the day before. The assistant called him to follow her down the hall where his greenroom would be.
Someone had gone and prepared the room before his arrival, leaving some fruit basket and flowers and bottles of water to make him as comfortable as possible. There was a couch and a couple of throw pillows, plus a coffee maker and mini fridge. His clothes to wear for the show were hanging from a rack at the corner of the room next to the makeup counter and mirror.
“Is there anything you need, Ninomiya-san?” the assistant asked. Nino shook his head. She bowed and left, shutting the door softly. He checked his watch. He still has about an hour until rehearsal so he settled onto the couch and lounge, shutting his eyes.
***
The rehearsal lasted forever, at least in Nino’s mind. He kept messing up his lines and missing the cues to sing or dance. His backup dancers were performing better than he was. The director kept stopping and starting over again and again until Nino voiced out he needed a two-hour break. The director hesitated, but he must have sensed Nino wouldn’t be in top shape, looking as horrible as he did, and it was nearing lunch anyway, so he allowed it.
“Where are you going?” Aiba had said in the greenroom as Nino started putting on a hat and grabbing his sunglasses. “I’ll come with you.” His phone buzzed.
“No, I wanna be alone for now,” Nino replied. He frowned when Aiba was busy typing on his phone. “Who have you been on the phone a lot lately? A new girlfriend you have yet to introduce me?”
“Ah, no,” Aiba said, putting his phone back in his pocket. “It’s my cousin, again. He found out I’m in Chiba and he wants to meet up for lunch. He asked if you could come with.”
“Oh, I’ll pass this time. I just need to think.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, you can meet us at my family’s restaurant.”
Nino nodded, though it didn’t occur to him then what Aiba had said. Once he left the convention center, he kept walking down the street and wander aimlessly, making sure to remember landmarks in case he needed to get back.
Like clockwork, his stomach growled at exactly noon. He should’ve taken up Aiba’s offer of free food. He was getting thirsty as well, thanks to the heat of the high-noon sun. Nino checked his watch and realized he had been walking for an hour. It was time to head back. He looked around and realized he had lost track of the landmarks and now had no idea where he was. He followed the path where he had come from, but when he reached an intersection, he forgot if he had turned left or right. Deciding on taking a right, he walked on, and noticed nothing familiar. He retraced his steps and found another intersection. Shit! He was getting nowhere. He should call Aiba to come get him. He fished for his phone only to find out he had forgot to take it with him. Dammit! He cursed his luck for the day and wondered if it would be like this the whole day.
Seeing a shop of some kind down the road, he decided to see if he could use their phone to call Aiba. He neared it and noticed it wasn’t just any shop but an art gallery called Freestyle. He cocked his head at the word and frowned. He never heard of that word used for a gallery before. Shrugging off the strange gallery name, he opened the front door and a gust of cool air blew onto his face.
Nobody greeted him as he entered the gallery. It wasn’t as big as he had expected, but this wasn’t the Tokyo Museum of Art, so Nino wondered why he was surprised at the size anyway. Several paintings hung the wall, from abstract to landscape and some portraits of people he didn’t recognize. Between the paintings, there were pillars with glass covers showcasing figurines of faces what he now assumed to be from the artist’s imagination. He leaned down closer to inspect one figurine, which seemed to smile back at him. There was still nobody coming into the room to greet him and he wondered if the gallery was close. He saw a sign hanging overhead a double door saying “Studio” and went to check it out.
There, he found two people in front of a canvas, their backs turned from him. One was sitting on a stool in front of the canvas, while the other stood beside him, pointing to the artwork still in progress. The one standing had his hand over the art student’s shoulder. As they discuss the painting, the art teacher squeezed the shoulder in approval. The student wrapped an arm around the teacher’s hip and hugged him closer. They looked at each other and smiled. Nino obviously had walked into a private lesson. As they leaned forward to kiss, Nino cleared his throat and they both turned, startled. Nino jolted back in surprised. The teacher mirrored his expression.
“Ohno-kun!”
“Ninomiya-kun! Irrashaimase!”
Nino couldn’t believe his luck. He had been thinking about Ohno ever since the interview, and now he appeared before his eyes. It’s amazing how the world works. The man, now looking a bit older, but still had youthfulness to his steps came up to him with a huge smile. Nino felt his cheeks burned, and he hoped his blush wasn’t obvious. There was a tug on his heart, but he wasn’t too sure if it was from seeing Ohno again or the almost kiss between him and his student.
“Hisashiburi,” Ohno said, shaking his hand. “How long has it been? 10, 15 years?”
“Something like that,” Nino replied, still couldn’t believe seeing Ohno again. The man was as friendly as he remembered. He had also kept that sleepy-eyed look. Yet, the years had been kind to him. The man looked dashing in spite of splatters of paint on his clothes and face, his fingernails stained from the paints that just wouldn’t come off. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your lesson,” Nino added, nodding apologetically to the student. The student gave him a small smile back and nodded his head in return.
“Oh, no, I was just giving Jun some advice,” Ohno replied, then turned to the man in question. “I’ll be right back.”
“So, he’s a student of yours?” Nino asked when they walked back to the gallery. He looked around in amazement. “I can’t believe you own a gallery.”
“Ah, no, Matsumoto-kun is an artist himself. He just uses my studio as his work space if he gets bored at his.” Ohno swept his hand around the room. “Some of the paintings are his and my students. Most of them are mine, though.”
“I knew you were in the art club, but I never would’ve thought you would have your very own studio and gallery.”
Ohno shrugged and smiled. “It was my calling, I guess.” He walked to a barstool and sat down. “So, how about you, Ninomiya-kun? What have you been up to all these years?”
Nino stared at him. “Really? You have no idea?”
Ohno frowned and shook his head. “Should I?”
“Ohno-kun, where have you been?”
Ohno laughed. “Something tells me that I should’ve known, right?” he said. “You caught me. I barely got back here in Japan, about a year ago, to be exact. I’ve been in Paris for the past six years, and before that, I was in Florence for art school.”
“So you have no news about Japan at all?”
“Only the sad report about Sendai two years ago, but other than anything major, nothing.” Ohno paused, and gave him a pointed look. “Why? Did you do something news worthy?”
Nino looked away, embarrassed. He had no idea how to break the news to Ohno without looking like a conceited ass about his success. “Uh, well…” Nino started to say, when he noticed the newspaper on the counter behind Ohno. He flipped through the pages and found an article about his concert being held in Chiba he knew would be there, right in the entertainment news section. He showed it to Ohno as his way of reply.
“Wow, really?” Ohno exclaimed, looking up from the newspaper. “I should have known that. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Nino said. He almost added that Ohno was the reason he pursued this career, but stopped. Instead, he patted his pockets and produced a business card, smiling at the irony of how he always had Aiba’s card on him but never his phone. “Call this guy to hook you up with a backstage pass.”
Ohno laughed when he read the name on the card. “I remember Aiba-kun,” he said, pocketing the card. “I can’t believe he’s your manager now. He always had been your protector.”
Nino smiled and shrugged. Aiba and Nino had always been inseparable as far back as he could remember, and apparently so did Ohno.
“Well, I better get going. Call Aiba about tonight,” Nino said moments later after Ohno gave him the direction back to the convention center.
“Okay. Thank you.”
Nino hesitated to leave, wondering if he should say something about how Ohno had been in his thoughts for the longest time. Ohno looked at him as if expecting him to say something else, but instead, Nino just gave him a small smile, nodded, and left. He would tell Ohno how he feels in the best way he can: through a song.
***
Nino craned his neck to glance at the audience, searching for one particular face. It was during intermission when a local group was on stage performing for a few minutes while he takes a break. He wondered if Aiba gave Ohno a crappy ticket that would seat him all the way to the balcony.
“It may be years since high school, but damn, you still look for him among the crowd.”
Nino whipped around, startled at Aiba’s voice behind him. The other guy just smiled. He walked up closer and scanned the crowd with Nino. “Now where did I place him?”
“Did you even give him a ticket at all?” Nino asked.
“Yeah, about that-” Aiba started.
“Did you or didn’t you?”
“Jeez, calm down. Yeah, I did, but-”
The crowd erupted with applause then, drowning out Aiba’s words. The band had finished their segment and the members were now thanking the audience. A staff member ran up to Nino and Aiba, telling Nino to get to his place already for his entrance in the second half of the concert.
“Where did you put him?” Nino asked before he followed the staff member.
“Near the front, in the arena section, but-”
“Thanks,” Nino said as dashed to his place. He heard Aiba yell something, but the other staff members were now rushing up to him and giving his guitar and checking his headset microphone one last time before being pushed to where he exited to the stage.
The crowd went wild as he walked to the center stage where someone had already set up a chair and a mic stand for the guitar. He waved his hand and gave them a smile, which seemed to push up the volume level of the screams and shouts from the audience. He sat down and set his guitar on his lap. He took his time scanning the crowd. There, standing among the women just a few feet from the stage was Ohno Satoshi. Their eyes made contact and Nino nodded at him. The women around Ohno thought it was for them, and they squealed and waved their signs with more enthusiasm. Nino strummed the guitar and sung:
There are times when I just want to look at your face
with the stars in the night.
There are times when I just want to feel your embrace
in the cold of the night
All those years I’ve longed to hold you in my arms
I've been dreaming of you every night,
I've been watching all the stars that fall down
wishing you would be mine
Time and again there are these changes
that we cannot end
sure a star that keeps going on and on
my love for you will be forevermore
The crowd erupted again with applause as Nino thanked them. He gave the guitar to the awaiting staff and sang his next song in the line up. The rest of the concert was a blur. What seemed like forever, he was finally making his way backstage after waving goodbye to his fans one last time. The staff, the band, the backup singers and dancers were all gathering around him, congratulating him and each other for another successful concert. Aiba came up to him and handed him a huge bouquet of flowers. Nino bowed his thanks to everybody and as the crowd thinned out around him, each making their own way to their greenroom to change and go home, Nino asked Aiba if Ohno had already left.
“Actually, he’s just outside the stage door and wanting to congratulate you,” Aiba said. Before Nino could reply, his friend already made his way to the door and opened it. Ohno came in, a big smile on his face. Nino’s heart fluttered a storm, but his smile of joy for seeing Ohno slowly faded to a confused grin. Someone came in behind Ohno. It was the man from the studio. Matsumoto Jun.
Nino walked up closer to them. Feeling silly of the big bouquet in his arms, he handed it to Aiba before facing the pair. “Hi,” he said, still unsure what this Matsumoto Jun was doing with Ohno. Something clicked in his head. Aiba was trying to tell him something then backstage. Was this what he wanted to tell him about? He gave out two tickets instead of one?
“I hope you don’t mind, but Jun wanted to come on behalf of his niece who’s a big fan of yours.” Ohno started, turning his head to Matsumoto then back at Nino. “I guess I didn’t properly introduced you two. This is Ninomiya Kazunari, he’s my kouhai in high school. This is Matsumoto Jun. We met in Florence, then came back here and start up the gallery together.”
Nino shook hands with Matsumoto. He wanted to like the man. He seemed to be friendly and nice. But something was tugging in his brain that he didn’t want to face yet. He wasn’t going to like what it is if he admits it to himself.
“Um, if it isn’t too rude to ask,” Matsumoto said, scrunching his face in an awkward grin of bashfulness. He handed Nino one of his CD album. “I’ll be forever grateful if you can sign this for my niece. She’d be super thrilled to know you signed it especially for her.”
Nino hesitated for a second before taking it from Matsumoto’s hand to sign inside the liner, handing it back to him. Matsumoto’s grin seemed to get bigger. He turned to Ohno and nudged him on the arm. Ohno seemed to be happy for him as well, and Nino couldn’t help feeling that tug again and an unsettling churn in his stomach. A flash of the little scene he saw at the studio came to mind. He now realized it and tried to deny it but it was so obvious that it was impossible to deny. Ohno is with this Matsumoto. Nino seemed surprised, not because he admitted it to himself that Ohno is definitely unavailable, but because he wasn’t as shocked as he thought he’d be. They looked happy together, and for that, Nino could only be happy for his sempai. It took him a second to realize that Ohno had thrust something in his hands. It was another copy of his album. He glanced up and raised an eyebrow at him.
“Didn’t I tell you, I’d definitely buy your album when you become famous?” Ohno said with a smile. “May I have your autograph, too?”
Nino chuckled and opened the still-wrapped CD. It was obvious he just bought it outside during the goods line up. He paused for a moment to think what he could say. It took a while when the words finally came. “To the one who inspired me since the beginning, and believed in me. May you always bring inspirations to those who love you. Ninomiya Kazunari.”
He handed it slowly back to Ohno, a lump forming in his throat. Ohno accepted it gratefully and nodded his thanks. Before Nino knew it, he was waving goodbye to them, especially to Ohno. Nino stared at the door a few seconds more after Ohno and Matsumoto left. He was finally gone and it sucked he didn’t get a second chance with his first love. He wondered if he was ever going to find someone who could love him back.
“Nino, are you okay?” Aiba asked. Nino turned around to face him.
“Yeah,” he said, nodding. “I’m okay."
“Sorry about that. I tried to tell you earlier…” Aiba’s voice trailed.
“No, it’s okay,” Nino said. He started to say something, but Aiba’s phone rang. He growled. “Seriously, your phone calls have the worst timings!”
Aiba nodded in apology as he slid his thumb across the touch screen to answer. Nino rolled his eyes and waited for Aiba to end his conversation before making their way back to Nino’s greenroom, nodding to a few stage staff along the way.
“Oh, I forgot to mention one last thing,” Aiba said while they walked down the narrow hallway to the convention center’s backstage dressing rooms.
“What?”
“You know my cousin, the one who wanted to meet you earlier during lunch? Well, he kinda begged if he could meet you after the concert. In fact, I let him wait in your greenroom.” Aiba winced when Nino stopped cold and turned to give him his best annoyed expression.
“He’d better not be one of those annoying fans who’d meddle around in my business and send it to the tabloids.”
“He’s not like that at all, promise.” Aiba raised a palm up in an oath. “He’s as normal as me.” Nino gave him a droll expression. “Okay, bad example. But, really, you’ll like him.”
Nino wasn’t sure about that, but he let it pass. They made their way again, and Nino braced himself as he opened the door to his greenroom, expecting the worst. He was shocked all right, but in the nicest way. There, sitting on his couch reading a newspaper was one of the finest-looking men he’d ever seen. The man looked up when they entered, and he shot to his feet. He smiled as he walked up to Nino, holding out his hand.
“Hi! I’m Masaki’s cousin, Sakurai Sho.”
It took Nino a moment to realize that he was staring at the man. Shyly, he shook the man’s hand. “Hi. Nice to meet you.” He noted the firm grip of the man’s hand over his, the gleam in the man’s eyes, truly glad to finally meet him. He vaguely heard Aiba saying something, but his eyes were transfixed with Sho’s.
“Hey, your eyes have gold flecks in them,” Sho said. Nino grinned, and shyly looked away.
“O-kay, apparently you two didn’t hear me!” Nino and Sho turned their heads to Aiba’s direction. Aiba gave them a knowing grin. “If you two could let go of each others’ hands now, I’d like to get my drink on to celebrate the success of the concert. That is, if you two gentlemen could kindly accompany me.” He strolled out of the greenroom before either of the two could reply.
Nino’s face burned at the realization that they hadn’t let go when they shook hands. He reluctantly loosened his grip and stuffed his hands inside his pockets. Sho himself looked embarrassed and nonchalantly scanned around the room.
“We better go with Masaki in case he gets too drunk to go home,” Sho said, filing out the door. As he walked out, Nino stared at Sho’s back, and couldn’t help noticing how his shirt seemed to just mold against his back muscles. He nearly tripped when Sho suddenly turned around and locked onto his eyes. Darting his eyes and biting his lower lip, Nino felt his face flare up for having caught staring.
“Ikou,” Sho said, grinning. He held out his hand to Nino, who hesitated for a second before taking it. As they walked after Aiba down the hall, Nino stole a side-glance at Sho. It might be too early to say for sure, but maybe, just maybe he didn’t need to wonder for long.
FIN
arashiforyouFrom:
shardauneiTitle: Forevermore
Pairing/Focus: Ohmiya
Rating: PG
Warnings: Unrequited love -
nino_modSummary: Back in high school, Nino thought Ohno-kun is someone he can only admire from afar. No way would one of the most popular sempais in school would ever notice a mere lower classman such as himself… until his best friend, Aiba Masaki, gave Ohno two of his songs he was secretly writing about his feelings for the boy. Instead of embarrassing him, Ohno had been kind and praising him for his gift of songwriting. Years later, Nino became one of the most popular musicians in Japan. Yet, all these years he wondered, whatever became of the boy who was his inspiration years ago?
Notes: For
arashiforyou. This was truly a challenge because truth be told, I have only written one other Ohmiya fic before and this pairing is out of my comfort zone. Apologies in advance if the pairing characterization is off. I was only working off from my muse. I hope you still like it. Big thanks to my beta reader, J. ^^“So I told Toma-kun to put it back in his pants, but you know he could be such a di - hey! Are you listening?”
“Huh? What?” Ninomiya Kazunari shook his head from his daze, sheepishly grinning at his best friend, Aiba Masaki, for barely listening to his story. Aiba narrowed his eyes and followed the line where Nino seemed to zone in during half of the conversation, if it was that at all. Masaki sighed. He knew it, and turned back to Nino who seemed to blush profusely for being found out.
“Staring at Ohno Satoshi once again, I see?” Aiba said.
“I’m sorry, Aiba-chan,” Nino said. “What were you saying about Ikuta-kun?”
Aiba shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Forget it,” he sighed. “You can read it in my blog tonight, if you’re not too busy writing yet another song about the Prince Satoshi.”
“Yeah, he does seem princely, doesn’t he?” Nino sighed as he stuffed his slippers inside the shoe cubby robotically, his gaze still on the boy in question. Ohno Satoshi is a senior at Toukyou High School. He was one of the most popular guys in school, both guys and girls want to be with him. He was one of the best athlete in track and gymnastics. On top of that, he was the vice president of student association and the president of the art club.
Nino felt overwhelmed, intimidated, and awed by the boy. He felt inferior for being a first year student. A princely guy like Ohno would never notice him.
Or so he thought. Until Aiba did something that totally changed up things.
He would never forget how Ohno came up to him and asked, “You’re Ninomiya Kazunari, right?”
Nino felt like a fool for just staring at him with his mouth hanging open. Ohno just smiled at him and held up a piece of notebook paper. “This was really sweet,” he said. “You’ll make a good songwriter someday.” He reached up and patted Nino’s head as he continued his way down the hall.
It wasn’t until he was out of sight that Nino wondered what he was talking about, and what was that he held up. A scary thought crept in his mind, and he looked through his bag for his folder of poems and songs he wrote about Ohno. He knew every one of them, and he noticed that a couple were missing. They were always in his bag or his room, but he hadn’t been bringing the folder for two weeks since he kept forgetting. There was one person who goes in his room and knew of his crush on Ohno. Aiba!
The interviewer laughed at Nino’s recollection of his childhood days, and how he started his path to being one of Japan’s best solo artist and most sought after songwriter.
“So, whatever happened to your friend, Aiba-san?” the interviewer asked. “Are you still friends with him after he gave your poems and songs to Ohno-san?”
“Haha. Oh, he got an earful out of me, but he’s the type of guy that doesn't let anything faze him. Sure, he apologized, but then went around to say that at least Ohno knew and wasn’t I glad that he finally came up to me and knew I existed?”
“Haha. Your friend is one hell of a guy.”
Nino smiled. “That he is.”
“Well, thank you very much, Ninomiya-san, for taking time for this interview in spite of your hectic schedule in preparing for your upcoming concert.”
They shook hands as soon as the director said “cut” and the interviewer thanked Nino one last time before he could leave the set. Nino went backstage to the greenroom where Aiba was waiting for him. He was sitting on the couch, talking on the phone while sipping a cup of coffee and watching the interview broadcasted live on TV. He only moved his eyes in Nino’s direction, then back to the screen as he ended his phone conversation.
“Toma-kun?” Nino asked, plopping next to his friend and swiping a bottle of water from the coffee table.
“Nah, my cousin from Chiba.” Aiba tucked his phone inside his shirt pocket. “He wanted to see you in person.”
Nino gave a noncommittal hum before asking, “How did I do? Did I look good?”
“Yes, my liege.”
“No, seriously, Aiba-chan.”
“You should’ve thanked me on national TV.”
“Okay, next time.” Nino checked his watch and got up. “C’mon, I’m gonna be late for the NewsZero interview. You’re supposed to be my manager. Why aren’t you managing?”
Aiba threw away his cup and Nino’s half-consumed water bottle in the trash and pulled on his jacket as he followed Nino out to the car. At NewsZero, he was interviewed again, but mostly about his concert and his latest album.
It was late when Aiba dropped him off at his apartment. Nino got in bed and thought about the interview earlier. He didn’t know what had gotten into him to tell his story about his high school crush on Ohno Satoshi. He hadn’t really thought about the guy in years. Just thinking about him again made Nino dokidoki and he scolded himself. He’s gonna be thirty soon and he was still not over his crush on Ohno who probably has a wife and kids by now
He wondered where he was now. The last time he heard anything about Ohno, he was attending University of Japan. He wasn't sure if he had graduated or if he was even working.
Oh, well. Wherever he was, Nino was grateful how kind Ohno was to him during the remainder of the school year. After that awkward first encounter with Ohno, the guy would wave to him on school grounds or greet him in the courtyard before and after school. Nino would see Ohno’s friends giving him questionable glares, but Ohno didn’t seem to inform them why he was being nice to a mere first year student.
Nino remembered one of the few exchanges between them. It was a talent show at the high school. Normally, he stayed away from performing in front of the whole school, but Aiba was in the student activities committee as a first year representative, and he bribed Nino into it, saying it was Nino’s obligation as best friend to help him look good with his fellow representative. After Nino finished his performance on the piano, Ohno had gone up to him backstage to congratulate him for a job well done.
“Yappari,” he had said in that sexy voice of his, well, as sexy as Nino deemed it to be. He held out his hand, which Nino gingerly shook. “You really have a talent with songwriting.”
“Ohno-kun,” Nino said just as Ohno started to walk away. Nino walked up to him and stood toe-to-toe. It felt like the world stopped for a moment as Nino and Ohno stared at each other’s eyes. Before he lost his nerve, Nino kissed him on the lips. His cheeks burned as he pulled back and shyly smiled at Ohno.
Ohno blinked, startled from the kiss. He gave Nino a lopsided smiled and stammered, “I’ll look forward to buying your album at a record store in the future.”
“Kyaa~~” Nino sighed and buried himself under the covers. The guy was so cool back then. Nino had no idea how he got the balls to just kiss him like that. Man, he was so nervous. He was worried that he blew the semi-friendship he had with Ohno, but still, the guy treated him kindly. He wondered if Ohno would recognize him now. His face was all over the country with his endorsements, having been contracted by different brands to represent them, and CMs and magazines. Not to mention his album had been multiple-platinum.
“Ohno-kun, will I ever see you again?” Nino said aloud to the dark room. All he got in reply was the faint sound of traffic and the gentle buzz of the air conditioner. He shifted in his bed to get some sleep.
***
“Ah, Chiba, how I love this place,” Aiba said as he alighted the tour bus. He stood just outside the door, his hands on each hip. He took a deep breath. “Ah, you can just smell the love,” he breathed out.
“Move,” Nino muttered as he made his way down the steps of the bus. He didn’t get enough sleep last night and seeing Aiba’s giddy attitude annoyed him. How could people be so cheerful early in the morning?
Aiba merely smiled at him and teased, “Grumpy, grumpy, neko-chan.” He wiggled a finger at Nino’s face, who snapped his teeth to bite it. Aiba pulled his finger back just in time.
Nino followed one of the assistants to the convention center where he would have a concert later that night. They had to come early for rehearsal and when he entered the enormous hall where thousands of fans will see him, he could see that the set directors and their staff had done a great job setting the stage the day before. The assistant called him to follow her down the hall where his greenroom would be.
Someone had gone and prepared the room before his arrival, leaving some fruit basket and flowers and bottles of water to make him as comfortable as possible. There was a couch and a couple of throw pillows, plus a coffee maker and mini fridge. His clothes to wear for the show were hanging from a rack at the corner of the room next to the makeup counter and mirror.
“Is there anything you need, Ninomiya-san?” the assistant asked. Nino shook his head. She bowed and left, shutting the door softly. He checked his watch. He still has about an hour until rehearsal so he settled onto the couch and lounge, shutting his eyes.
***
The rehearsal lasted forever, at least in Nino’s mind. He kept messing up his lines and missing the cues to sing or dance. His backup dancers were performing better than he was. The director kept stopping and starting over again and again until Nino voiced out he needed a two-hour break. The director hesitated, but he must have sensed Nino wouldn’t be in top shape, looking as horrible as he did, and it was nearing lunch anyway, so he allowed it.
“Where are you going?” Aiba had said in the greenroom as Nino started putting on a hat and grabbing his sunglasses. “I’ll come with you.” His phone buzzed.
“No, I wanna be alone for now,” Nino replied. He frowned when Aiba was busy typing on his phone. “Who have you been on the phone a lot lately? A new girlfriend you have yet to introduce me?”
“Ah, no,” Aiba said, putting his phone back in his pocket. “It’s my cousin, again. He found out I’m in Chiba and he wants to meet up for lunch. He asked if you could come with.”
“Oh, I’ll pass this time. I just need to think.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, you can meet us at my family’s restaurant.”
Nino nodded, though it didn’t occur to him then what Aiba had said. Once he left the convention center, he kept walking down the street and wander aimlessly, making sure to remember landmarks in case he needed to get back.
Like clockwork, his stomach growled at exactly noon. He should’ve taken up Aiba’s offer of free food. He was getting thirsty as well, thanks to the heat of the high-noon sun. Nino checked his watch and realized he had been walking for an hour. It was time to head back. He looked around and realized he had lost track of the landmarks and now had no idea where he was. He followed the path where he had come from, but when he reached an intersection, he forgot if he had turned left or right. Deciding on taking a right, he walked on, and noticed nothing familiar. He retraced his steps and found another intersection. Shit! He was getting nowhere. He should call Aiba to come get him. He fished for his phone only to find out he had forgot to take it with him. Dammit! He cursed his luck for the day and wondered if it would be like this the whole day.
Seeing a shop of some kind down the road, he decided to see if he could use their phone to call Aiba. He neared it and noticed it wasn’t just any shop but an art gallery called Freestyle. He cocked his head at the word and frowned. He never heard of that word used for a gallery before. Shrugging off the strange gallery name, he opened the front door and a gust of cool air blew onto his face.
Nobody greeted him as he entered the gallery. It wasn’t as big as he had expected, but this wasn’t the Tokyo Museum of Art, so Nino wondered why he was surprised at the size anyway. Several paintings hung the wall, from abstract to landscape and some portraits of people he didn’t recognize. Between the paintings, there were pillars with glass covers showcasing figurines of faces what he now assumed to be from the artist’s imagination. He leaned down closer to inspect one figurine, which seemed to smile back at him. There was still nobody coming into the room to greet him and he wondered if the gallery was close. He saw a sign hanging overhead a double door saying “Studio” and went to check it out.
There, he found two people in front of a canvas, their backs turned from him. One was sitting on a stool in front of the canvas, while the other stood beside him, pointing to the artwork still in progress. The one standing had his hand over the art student’s shoulder. As they discuss the painting, the art teacher squeezed the shoulder in approval. The student wrapped an arm around the teacher’s hip and hugged him closer. They looked at each other and smiled. Nino obviously had walked into a private lesson. As they leaned forward to kiss, Nino cleared his throat and they both turned, startled. Nino jolted back in surprised. The teacher mirrored his expression.
“Ohno-kun!”
“Ninomiya-kun! Irrashaimase!”
Nino couldn’t believe his luck. He had been thinking about Ohno ever since the interview, and now he appeared before his eyes. It’s amazing how the world works. The man, now looking a bit older, but still had youthfulness to his steps came up to him with a huge smile. Nino felt his cheeks burned, and he hoped his blush wasn’t obvious. There was a tug on his heart, but he wasn’t too sure if it was from seeing Ohno again or the almost kiss between him and his student.
“Hisashiburi,” Ohno said, shaking his hand. “How long has it been? 10, 15 years?”
“Something like that,” Nino replied, still couldn’t believe seeing Ohno again. The man was as friendly as he remembered. He had also kept that sleepy-eyed look. Yet, the years had been kind to him. The man looked dashing in spite of splatters of paint on his clothes and face, his fingernails stained from the paints that just wouldn’t come off. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your lesson,” Nino added, nodding apologetically to the student. The student gave him a small smile back and nodded his head in return.
“Oh, no, I was just giving Jun some advice,” Ohno replied, then turned to the man in question. “I’ll be right back.”
“So, he’s a student of yours?” Nino asked when they walked back to the gallery. He looked around in amazement. “I can’t believe you own a gallery.”
“Ah, no, Matsumoto-kun is an artist himself. He just uses my studio as his work space if he gets bored at his.” Ohno swept his hand around the room. “Some of the paintings are his and my students. Most of them are mine, though.”
“I knew you were in the art club, but I never would’ve thought you would have your very own studio and gallery.”
Ohno shrugged and smiled. “It was my calling, I guess.” He walked to a barstool and sat down. “So, how about you, Ninomiya-kun? What have you been up to all these years?”
Nino stared at him. “Really? You have no idea?”
Ohno frowned and shook his head. “Should I?”
“Ohno-kun, where have you been?”
Ohno laughed. “Something tells me that I should’ve known, right?” he said. “You caught me. I barely got back here in Japan, about a year ago, to be exact. I’ve been in Paris for the past six years, and before that, I was in Florence for art school.”
“So you have no news about Japan at all?”
“Only the sad report about Sendai two years ago, but other than anything major, nothing.” Ohno paused, and gave him a pointed look. “Why? Did you do something news worthy?”
Nino looked away, embarrassed. He had no idea how to break the news to Ohno without looking like a conceited ass about his success. “Uh, well…” Nino started to say, when he noticed the newspaper on the counter behind Ohno. He flipped through the pages and found an article about his concert being held in Chiba he knew would be there, right in the entertainment news section. He showed it to Ohno as his way of reply.
“Wow, really?” Ohno exclaimed, looking up from the newspaper. “I should have known that. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Nino said. He almost added that Ohno was the reason he pursued this career, but stopped. Instead, he patted his pockets and produced a business card, smiling at the irony of how he always had Aiba’s card on him but never his phone. “Call this guy to hook you up with a backstage pass.”
Ohno laughed when he read the name on the card. “I remember Aiba-kun,” he said, pocketing the card. “I can’t believe he’s your manager now. He always had been your protector.”
Nino smiled and shrugged. Aiba and Nino had always been inseparable as far back as he could remember, and apparently so did Ohno.
“Well, I better get going. Call Aiba about tonight,” Nino said moments later after Ohno gave him the direction back to the convention center.
“Okay. Thank you.”
Nino hesitated to leave, wondering if he should say something about how Ohno had been in his thoughts for the longest time. Ohno looked at him as if expecting him to say something else, but instead, Nino just gave him a small smile, nodded, and left. He would tell Ohno how he feels in the best way he can: through a song.
***
Nino craned his neck to glance at the audience, searching for one particular face. It was during intermission when a local group was on stage performing for a few minutes while he takes a break. He wondered if Aiba gave Ohno a crappy ticket that would seat him all the way to the balcony.
“It may be years since high school, but damn, you still look for him among the crowd.”
Nino whipped around, startled at Aiba’s voice behind him. The other guy just smiled. He walked up closer and scanned the crowd with Nino. “Now where did I place him?”
“Did you even give him a ticket at all?” Nino asked.
“Yeah, about that-” Aiba started.
“Did you or didn’t you?”
“Jeez, calm down. Yeah, I did, but-”
The crowd erupted with applause then, drowning out Aiba’s words. The band had finished their segment and the members were now thanking the audience. A staff member ran up to Nino and Aiba, telling Nino to get to his place already for his entrance in the second half of the concert.
“Where did you put him?” Nino asked before he followed the staff member.
“Near the front, in the arena section, but-”
“Thanks,” Nino said as dashed to his place. He heard Aiba yell something, but the other staff members were now rushing up to him and giving his guitar and checking his headset microphone one last time before being pushed to where he exited to the stage.
The crowd went wild as he walked to the center stage where someone had already set up a chair and a mic stand for the guitar. He waved his hand and gave them a smile, which seemed to push up the volume level of the screams and shouts from the audience. He sat down and set his guitar on his lap. He took his time scanning the crowd. There, standing among the women just a few feet from the stage was Ohno Satoshi. Their eyes made contact and Nino nodded at him. The women around Ohno thought it was for them, and they squealed and waved their signs with more enthusiasm. Nino strummed the guitar and sung:
There are times when I just want to look at your face
with the stars in the night.
There are times when I just want to feel your embrace
in the cold of the night
All those years I’ve longed to hold you in my arms
I've been dreaming of you every night,
I've been watching all the stars that fall down
wishing you would be mine
Time and again there are these changes
that we cannot end
sure a star that keeps going on and on
my love for you will be forevermore
The crowd erupted again with applause as Nino thanked them. He gave the guitar to the awaiting staff and sang his next song in the line up. The rest of the concert was a blur. What seemed like forever, he was finally making his way backstage after waving goodbye to his fans one last time. The staff, the band, the backup singers and dancers were all gathering around him, congratulating him and each other for another successful concert. Aiba came up to him and handed him a huge bouquet of flowers. Nino bowed his thanks to everybody and as the crowd thinned out around him, each making their own way to their greenroom to change and go home, Nino asked Aiba if Ohno had already left.
“Actually, he’s just outside the stage door and wanting to congratulate you,” Aiba said. Before Nino could reply, his friend already made his way to the door and opened it. Ohno came in, a big smile on his face. Nino’s heart fluttered a storm, but his smile of joy for seeing Ohno slowly faded to a confused grin. Someone came in behind Ohno. It was the man from the studio. Matsumoto Jun.
Nino walked up closer to them. Feeling silly of the big bouquet in his arms, he handed it to Aiba before facing the pair. “Hi,” he said, still unsure what this Matsumoto Jun was doing with Ohno. Something clicked in his head. Aiba was trying to tell him something then backstage. Was this what he wanted to tell him about? He gave out two tickets instead of one?
“I hope you don’t mind, but Jun wanted to come on behalf of his niece who’s a big fan of yours.” Ohno started, turning his head to Matsumoto then back at Nino. “I guess I didn’t properly introduced you two. This is Ninomiya Kazunari, he’s my kouhai in high school. This is Matsumoto Jun. We met in Florence, then came back here and start up the gallery together.”
Nino shook hands with Matsumoto. He wanted to like the man. He seemed to be friendly and nice. But something was tugging in his brain that he didn’t want to face yet. He wasn’t going to like what it is if he admits it to himself.
“Um, if it isn’t too rude to ask,” Matsumoto said, scrunching his face in an awkward grin of bashfulness. He handed Nino one of his CD album. “I’ll be forever grateful if you can sign this for my niece. She’d be super thrilled to know you signed it especially for her.”
Nino hesitated for a second before taking it from Matsumoto’s hand to sign inside the liner, handing it back to him. Matsumoto’s grin seemed to get bigger. He turned to Ohno and nudged him on the arm. Ohno seemed to be happy for him as well, and Nino couldn’t help feeling that tug again and an unsettling churn in his stomach. A flash of the little scene he saw at the studio came to mind. He now realized it and tried to deny it but it was so obvious that it was impossible to deny. Ohno is with this Matsumoto. Nino seemed surprised, not because he admitted it to himself that Ohno is definitely unavailable, but because he wasn’t as shocked as he thought he’d be. They looked happy together, and for that, Nino could only be happy for his sempai. It took him a second to realize that Ohno had thrust something in his hands. It was another copy of his album. He glanced up and raised an eyebrow at him.
“Didn’t I tell you, I’d definitely buy your album when you become famous?” Ohno said with a smile. “May I have your autograph, too?”
Nino chuckled and opened the still-wrapped CD. It was obvious he just bought it outside during the goods line up. He paused for a moment to think what he could say. It took a while when the words finally came. “To the one who inspired me since the beginning, and believed in me. May you always bring inspirations to those who love you. Ninomiya Kazunari.”
He handed it slowly back to Ohno, a lump forming in his throat. Ohno accepted it gratefully and nodded his thanks. Before Nino knew it, he was waving goodbye to them, especially to Ohno. Nino stared at the door a few seconds more after Ohno and Matsumoto left. He was finally gone and it sucked he didn’t get a second chance with his first love. He wondered if he was ever going to find someone who could love him back.
“Nino, are you okay?” Aiba asked. Nino turned around to face him.
“Yeah,” he said, nodding. “I’m okay."
“Sorry about that. I tried to tell you earlier…” Aiba’s voice trailed.
“No, it’s okay,” Nino said. He started to say something, but Aiba’s phone rang. He growled. “Seriously, your phone calls have the worst timings!”
Aiba nodded in apology as he slid his thumb across the touch screen to answer. Nino rolled his eyes and waited for Aiba to end his conversation before making their way back to Nino’s greenroom, nodding to a few stage staff along the way.
“Oh, I forgot to mention one last thing,” Aiba said while they walked down the narrow hallway to the convention center’s backstage dressing rooms.
“What?”
“You know my cousin, the one who wanted to meet you earlier during lunch? Well, he kinda begged if he could meet you after the concert. In fact, I let him wait in your greenroom.” Aiba winced when Nino stopped cold and turned to give him his best annoyed expression.
“He’d better not be one of those annoying fans who’d meddle around in my business and send it to the tabloids.”
“He’s not like that at all, promise.” Aiba raised a palm up in an oath. “He’s as normal as me.” Nino gave him a droll expression. “Okay, bad example. But, really, you’ll like him.”
Nino wasn’t sure about that, but he let it pass. They made their way again, and Nino braced himself as he opened the door to his greenroom, expecting the worst. He was shocked all right, but in the nicest way. There, sitting on his couch reading a newspaper was one of the finest-looking men he’d ever seen. The man looked up when they entered, and he shot to his feet. He smiled as he walked up to Nino, holding out his hand.
“Hi! I’m Masaki’s cousin, Sakurai Sho.”
It took Nino a moment to realize that he was staring at the man. Shyly, he shook the man’s hand. “Hi. Nice to meet you.” He noted the firm grip of the man’s hand over his, the gleam in the man’s eyes, truly glad to finally meet him. He vaguely heard Aiba saying something, but his eyes were transfixed with Sho’s.
“Hey, your eyes have gold flecks in them,” Sho said. Nino grinned, and shyly looked away.
“O-kay, apparently you two didn’t hear me!” Nino and Sho turned their heads to Aiba’s direction. Aiba gave them a knowing grin. “If you two could let go of each others’ hands now, I’d like to get my drink on to celebrate the success of the concert. That is, if you two gentlemen could kindly accompany me.” He strolled out of the greenroom before either of the two could reply.
Nino’s face burned at the realization that they hadn’t let go when they shook hands. He reluctantly loosened his grip and stuffed his hands inside his pockets. Sho himself looked embarrassed and nonchalantly scanned around the room.
“We better go with Masaki in case he gets too drunk to go home,” Sho said, filing out the door. As he walked out, Nino stared at Sho’s back, and couldn’t help noticing how his shirt seemed to just mold against his back muscles. He nearly tripped when Sho suddenly turned around and locked onto his eyes. Darting his eyes and biting his lower lip, Nino felt his face flare up for having caught staring.
“Ikou,” Sho said, grinning. He held out his hand to Nino, who hesitated for a second before taking it. As they walked after Aiba down the hall, Nino stole a side-glance at Sho. It might be too early to say for sure, but maybe, just maybe he didn’t need to wonder for long.
FIN
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