Fic ~ When Sakurai is Driven by Hunger
Aug. 18th, 2009 02:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amh1988Chapter 5 people!!! This is a very ‘talky’ instalment. It also contains slightly less angst and more of the rest of Arashi. Also, Leader does what he does best here. And the two ‘drama-kings’ actually like a good gossip XD OK, OK, I’m kidding, but still, Arashi starts to bring the love in this chapter. Seriously. Like they’re trying to make up for Sho’s singular lack of love for Aiba.
Title: Spiral (Chapter 05 ~ Discourse)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Angst
Pairing: Sakurai/Aiba
Word Count: 2,400
Type: Multi-Chapter/Series
Summary: Arashi has gone through a lot in the past. This time, however, it’s a problem within the group that prompts the members into action.
Prologue - Ouroborus - HERE
Chapter 01 - Parallels - HERE
Chapter 02 - Tempest - HERE
Chapter 03 - Philos - HERE
Chpater 04 - Sacrosanct- HERE
Disclaimer: I don’t own Arashi. I’m just using them to entertain myself.
Spiral
Chapter 05 ~ Discourse
The karaoke parlour was a frequent hangout for the members of Arashi. Whether as a group or with individual acquaintances, it was not unusual for them to spend a night drinking and partying in a private booth. It was unusual, however, for three of the five members of the Idol group to have gathered there before noon. It was even stranger for the invitation to have come from Ohno Satoshi and for two of the members to have been deliberately excluded.
Spread out on the vinyl upholstered seating of the booth, none of the men seemed interested in perusing the song list. They had been discussing a topic that had nothing to do with current chart hits or who would attempt Sakurai’s rap in his absence.
“It hasn’t even been a week.” Ninomiya sighed, directing his comment at the oldest man. “You can’t expect them to be completely normal with each other yet.”
“I don’t. I just don’t think it’s right.” Ohno pouted. “It doesn’t feel like Arashi anymore.”
Matsumoto agreed with his leaders’ assessment but spoke out in defence of the former couple. “It’s true that they’re awkward around each other in private.” He conceded. “But, somehow, they can still work together just fine.”
The sharp witted gamer drummed blunt fingers against his chin thoughtfully. “It’s an act.” He concluded with confidence. “Completely. They’re just acting like they think they’re supposed to.”
“Yeah, I get that.” Jun nodded. “As soon as they have an audience, they take on the role of their characters.”
“It’s sad.” Ohno told the younger men. “It’s not real; it’s not Arashi.”
Both of his young friends accepted Ohno’s statement as the truth, but neither of them liked it any more than he. Frustrated with the situation, Jun clicked his tongue impatiently. “But what can we do?” He asked realistically. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with work, it’s got nothing to do with us.”
“Yes it does.” Satoshi insisted. His words were spoken softly, but the resolve in his voice lent them strength. He repeated the phrase that had become something of a mantra for the group of friends: “Arashi is five people.” Gravely, he amended the saying: “And, right now, two of our people are falling apart.”
“Uh, besides…” Ninomiya broke in quickly. Effectively pulling attention away from Ohno’s last remark so that they would not dwell on it, he addressed Jun. “Those two are good actors. But they’re not that good. How long before the fans notice that something is different between them? Rumours about them fighting will be all over the internet inside a month!”
Ohno’s head shot up to regard the younger man in surprise. Eyes wide, the diffident Idol had obviously not yet considered this. “But they’re not angry at each other; they’re upset.” He objected indignantly. Naively, the possibility of misinformation being circulated by the fans distressed him.
“They must have argued at some point, Oh-chan.” The gamer pointed out logically. “Why else would they break up in the first place?”
Matsumoto interjected: “Actually, Aiba-chan said they never fought. Never.”
“Not ever!?” The two elder men chorused at the same moment.
At Jun’s nod of confirmation, the magician cursed softly and muttered curiously to himself. “If they had it so good, why did Sho end it? Especially if it’s just making him miserable…. I didn’t think he was that much of an M.”
“Aiba-chan is miserable too.” Satoshi pointed out, ignoring his friends’ snide remark.
Nino shrugged. “So he’s an S and M. It still doesn’t make sense.”
The youngest man was thoughtful. “I think that’s what is upsetting Aiba-chan most.” He informed them. “I don’t think Sho-kun gave him a proper explanation Aiba-chan doesn’t know what’s going on any more than we do.”
“Probably less.” The gamer amended. “No wonder he’s depressed.”
The laid-back leader looked to his friend for further information. Of the three men there, Kazunari was the one with the greater insight into Masaki’s mind. The sardonic man did not always fully understand how Aiba’s mind worked, but he was closer to figuring it out than anyone else. “What do you mean?” Ohno enquired.
“Because Aiba-chan hates being confused.” Ninomiya explained expressively. “He can’t stand not knowing something he’s interested in.”
“Um… Nino?” Matsumoto began sceptically. “This is Aiba-chan we’re talking about, you know. He isn’t exactly the brightest rhinestone on the agency shirt.”
“Well, yeah; ignorance is bliss, isn’t it?” The man replied evenly. “If he isn’t curious about it, it doesn’t bother him. But if he really wants to know something – no matter how weird – well…. Liquid Nitrogen, remember?”
“And boats.” Satoshi added. “Lots and lots of boats.”
The musician rolled his eyes at the unnecessary reminder. “Whatever. Anyway, that’s how far he is willing to go to answer stupid questions he knows aren’t important….”
Matsumoto saw his friends’ point almost instantly. “But this time it isn’t stupid and it matters to him a lot.” The taller man offered, voicing his comprehension aloud.
“Exactly! Except that Aiba-chan doesn’t know how to even begin looking for the answer this time.”
Ohno shared a worried frown with his friends. “What if there isn’t one?” He asked concerned.
For a while, the trio remained silent, each contemplating the effect this could have on their normally cheerful friend. It was difficult to imagine Aiba’s current melancholy lasting forever. Yet, they all knew his low mood was unlikely to lift any time soon; not without answers.
Jun was the person to finally disturb the uncomfortable stillness of the room. Smacking his hand loudly on his thigh, he refused to believe his friends were beyond hope. “No! Sho-san must have had a reason. He wouldn’t do something like this without a reason.”
Ninomiya was inclined to agree. “Yeah, but what?” He asked. “And why not just tell Masaki up-front?”
“Maybe he can’t.” The younger man suggested. “Maybe, somehow, there is something he found out about Aiba-chan, while they were dating, that means they’re not compatible.”
“Ah, I see.” Ninomiya said, immediately picking up on Jun’s train of thought. “So he can’t be honest about it because he still wants to be friends?”
Jun nodded animatedly, warming to his theory. “Right. Otherwise Aiba-chan would think it was all his own fault and blame himself. Sho-kun doesn’t want Aiba-chan to feel that way, so he kept his reasons to himself.”
“I guess that makes sense…” The magician conceded. “Sho-kun is kind, so he doesn’t want Masaki to think he brought it on himself; Sakurai would rather take the all the blame.” Ninomiya paused, collecting his thoughts. “But then, why is he still so miserable himself?”
“Because Aiba is. He’d doing all this to stay friends with him, but Aiba-chan is upset and can barely look at him in private.”
Ninomiya considered this. “You think he feels guilty?”
“Of course!” Matsumoto enthused. “He knows he caused all this, and it won’t get any better until Aiba-chan gets over it.”
“If Aiba-chan gets over it.” The gamer pointed out darkly.
“He will.” Jun assured him confidently. “As soon as he realises that Sho-san doesn’t hate him, they will go back to being friends.”
“And how long will that take?” Ninomiya groaned. “Arashi could be in serious trouble by the time Aiba-chan figures that out.”
After simply watching the exchange between the younger men, Ohno finally contributed then. “He doesn’t hate Aiba-chan.” Their unassuming leader agreed. “He still cares about him.”
Matsumoto Jun sighed heavily. “This is getting us nowhere.” He noted. “We’ve been talking in circles for over an hour and we still don’t know what to do.”
“Urg…” Frustrated, the young gamer ran his hands roughly through his hair before quickly turning on the older man. “You!” He snapped menacingly and pointing an accusing finger at the timid man. “You’re the one who called us here; don’t you have any ideas!?”
“Ah… um, I… I just thought, you know…. We should talk.” He replied defensively. More firmly he added: “And we have to help.”
“You say that Leader, but…” Jun shrugged to demonstrate their collective helplessness.
“How?” Ninomiya finished the sentence aloud, in case Ohno had not understood the visual clue. “How are we supposed to help?”
“By talking.” The older man explained. “Talking to each other and by talking to them.” He shifted uncomfortably, entwining his fingers in his lap and staring at his hands intently. “Maybe it’s no good…” He mumbled. “But we have to get them to talk to each other too.”
The youngest member approved of this assessment, but raised one obvious objection. “We can’t force them to talk to each other, though. And, if Aiba-chan is convinced that Sho-san doesn’t like him anymore, he won’t want to speak to him. Aiba-chan is probably afraid of making him angry.”
“Well then,” Ninomiya straightened up resolutely and smirked. “One of us needs to convince Masaki otherwise.”
Ohno smiled. “By talking to him.” He reiterated proudly.
“Yeah, yeah.” The younger man casually waved off his leaders’ apt guidance. He usually delighted in pointing out – in tones of great disbelief – whenever the older man did something unintentionally leader-like. It was not as much fun, however, when the small man actively took charge. Also, it would not be good if Ohno suddenly developed an ego over his leadership skills. “I’ll drop by Aiba’s apartment this evening.” He continued lightly. “I know he had plans for today, so he’s probably not home yet.”
“In that case…” Jun grinned. Stimulated by the emergence of a definite plan of action, he felt the weight lift from his shoulders. Picking up his soft-drink with one hand and a microphone with the other, he beamed at his friends. “We may as well have some fun and hang out in the meantime.”
The other men agreed – albeit with much less enthusiasm.
* * *
Sakurai Sho had never been fond of dining in a restaurant alone; he felt that they were places that were meant to be enjoyed socially. This is why, when the aroma emanating from the high-class establishment caught his attention, Sakurai nearly walked right on by. However, his lack of appetite over the last week finally caught up with him and the caster was surprised to find himself ravenously hungry.
Usually, Sakurai would have simply gone home and eaten there. But increasingly, he had been avoiding situations that left him alone with his mother. If only because her occasional mentions of the date she had arranged and her enquiries about Arashi in the same sentence were difficult for him. It was inadvertent on her part, Sho knew, but it made spending time with his family an ordeal. When he was home, he had kept mostly to his room and dove into his work like never before.
So – just this once – Sakurai allowed the scent to tempt him inside. Walking through the doors he carefully ignored any other diners that might have noticed him and proceeded directly to the counter. It was not the sort of place where one could eat at the counter, but he could and did place his order with the waitress without waiting to be seated. He was hungry enough to want to eat quickly and uncomfortable enough to wish they offered take-out.
Just as he had placed his order, he sensed someone hovering at his side. Assuming that he had been recognised by a fan, Sho schooled his features into patience and turned. Meeting the eyes of the kindly host of Tensai! Shimura Doubutsuen, however, had been the furthest thing from his mind.
“Sakurai-kun! What a coincidence.” The spry elderly man greeted him fondly with a wide smile.
“Ah, yes… It- it’s been a while.” The young Idol stuttered quickly, his mind struggling to cope with his surprise.
Obviously enjoying the young Idols’ discomfiture, Shimura Ken gave a throaty bark of laughter and clapped the younger man on the back. “Yes it has!” He agreed. “What are you doing here?” He enquired politely.
“Um, I’m just…uh, having a quick lunch.” The caster admitted sheepishly.
The elderly man regarded him cheerfully. “Alone?”
“Alone.” Sho confirmed. The easy, open charm of the older man made it difficult to be evasive, and Sakurai did not bother to try.
“No, no, that won’t do.” Shimura Ken argued kindly. Catching the eye of the waitress behind the bar, he asked Sho a question as she made her way over to them: “Sakurai-kun, have you already ordered?”
“Uh, yes sir, I have.” The young man answered carefully, he did not want to offend someone who was not only so obviously senior to him, but was also Aiba’s boss.
“Good, good!” The man nodded. He turned to address the waitress. “Could we have a dishcloth for my table, please? Some water was spilled.” He explained. “Oh, and whatever this young man ordered? Put it on my tab and serve it at my table, if you would be so kind; he’ll be joining us.”
“Eh!?”
The bespectacled old man smiled innocently. “You will join us, won’t you, Sakurai-kun?” He cajoled the youngster. “There really is no reason for you to be eating alone, after all.”
“B-but….” Sakurai protested weakly as the older man began to lead him inexorably away from the counter and into the dinning space.
“Now, now…” The affable celebrity admonished him gently. “It’s no problem at all. I’ve just won a thrilling game of golf, so I’m in a celebratory mood, anyway. The more the merrier, after all. And two people isn’t nearly enough for a decent celebration.”
The young man balked. “Two people?”
“Yeah, but when it’s your opponent, it just feels like your gloating and takes all the fun out of it.” He explained with a mischievous smirk as they neared a distant corner of the restaurant. “So I’m actually glad I bumped into you-”
Arriving at their destination, Sakurai froze. He had suspected it; but it was still a shock to meet the eyes of Shimura’s companion. Time seemed to stand still, his heart stopped and his breath hitched in his throat. And yet, the elderly man, leading him to sit, continued obliviously.
“Aiba-kun, look who I found!” He proclaimed proudly. “I guess we can call this your prize for second place, huh? Someone else to talk to beside me!”
The tall young Idol smiled misleadingly at his boss and former lover. “Sho-chan, please, do sit down.”
Feeling as though a lead ball had just replaced his stomach, Sakurai lowered himself into the chair next to the older man and opposite his colleague. Unsurprisingly, he found his newly returned appetite seemed to have deserted him just as swiftly as it had appeared.
To be continued…
Chapter 06 is HERE
___________________________
I’m sorry, another cliff-hanger…. I don’t mean to write them, you know. They tend to write themselves. Besides, it’s relatively small compared to the ‘scandal’ one, right? ^.^’
Next update on: Friday 21st August. If you want to keep track of this story and its progress, check out my post [HERE] I’ll keep it updated with any new information.
Comments, criticisms, opinions and ideas are all welcome! ♥
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-08-18 10:08 am (UTC)Of course, it wouldn't be so bad if I had someone to share the braindamage with.... Maybe we could work together to
take over the worldwrite some serious crack. ^_~no subject
Date: 2009-08-18 11:09 am (UTC)A collaboration? Hum...seems interesting ^^ I think we're both crazy enough to do it XD
no subject
Date: 2009-08-18 11:23 am (UTC)And I'll have some down-time soon too. I've only got chapter 10 and the epilogue of this story left to write, so I'm in need of a new project. And crack!fic is just what I need after writing all this angst... XD
Wanna do it?
no subject
Date: 2009-08-18 11:49 am (UTC)I'm working on my own fic right now, but I'm ahead of the chapters, and I need some break ^^
Okay I'm in! ^^
no subject
Date: 2009-08-18 12:20 pm (UTC)We should start brainstorming....
Stuff like how Ma-chan (Aiba) would accidently kill the class pet and be forced to take an animal husbandry course to make up for it. Or maybe Sho-chan is on the student council as treasurer but can't handle her own fineances because she's always buying CDs, books or shoes. XD
And Sato-chan is beening stalked by a boy from another class...
(a freshman named Chinnen)And Kazuko-chan and Junko-chan team up to stop him. (By any means necessary...)no subject
Date: 2009-08-18 12:53 pm (UTC)Maybe it would be easier (and discreet) if I give you my ideas by private message?
Your ideas are great! I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun writing this :p