Chapter Text
Jun sighed as he crossed out another name on the list of the audition. Today was the last day of the audition but it seemed that they failed to find their new guitarist.
“Is that all?” asked Sho as he rubbed his tired face.
“Yes, and we’re doomed,” replied Jun.
“Satoshi, wake up,” Sho pinched Ohno’s face as Aiba entered the room with their drinks.
Aiba handed the drinks to each of them and pressed the cold drink on Ohno’s cheek. Ohno shrieked and Aiba laughed his heart out.
“So, what do we do?” Jun sipped his cold tea and looked at his band mates.
“Maybe we need to advertise the position?” suggested Aiba.
“No, didn’t we agree to let the agency searched for the candidates in the first place?” Sho frowned.
“And it will bad if it’s flood with girls’ application, right?” added Jun.
Everyone became silent at Jun’s words, remembering their bitter incident that almost break the group apart. Luckily, they managed to patch up the relationship and saved the group that they all love.
“Hey, remembered that my mum got re-married last month?” Ohno suddenly said, startled them all.
“Yeah, how about that?”
“Apparently, my step father had a son. I just met him last week after he came back from Prague.”
“Satoshi, I’m impressed you managed to say Prague well,” Sho interrupted which earned a laughed from all of them.
“Well, he just finished his studies in music there. I saw him playing guitar last week, and he’s awesome.”
“And why you just said this now?” asked Aiba.
“After all the torture that we need to go through looking at all the talentless guitarist that our agency picked?” Jun scowled, remembering the candidates that crushed their expectation in an instant.
“Well…. I don’t want to suggest someone that related to me and simply because I didn’t think about that.”
“Fair enough,” replied Sho. “Can you ask him to come tomorrow? I will inform our manager about that.”
“Okay. I will tell him.”
The door opened and their manager poked his head inside.
“Arashi-san, the van is ready for you.”
“Right, thanks Tanaka-san,” Jun answered and all of them gathered their things, ready to call it a day.
*
Jun climbed on his bed as soon as he finished bathing. He sighed in content as the bed felt comfortable under his tired body. Before falling asleep, he scrolled through the news content on his mobile phone.
‘Arashi on the verge of breaking apart?’
Jun read the highlight and cringed at the ridiculous content of the article. He dropped his mobile on the bed and sighed. Once again remembering the incident.
Arashi was formed five years before as soon as Jun and Aiba finished their studies in university. Forming a band has always been their dream.
And Nino’s.
“Shit,” Jun cursed as his mind wandered to the bittersweet memories that he tried to suppress all this long. His heart ache at the thoughts.
“Damn Ninomiya,” Jun cursed again. Wondering how that single person managed to turn him into chaos after all this while. Even after they parted ways more than 10 years ago.
Jun stirred to the side of his bed and opened the drawer there. He grabbed the small box and opened the lid. As soon as his eyes landed on the item inside, a single tear ran down his cheek.
*
Jun yawned as he pushed the door to the audition room. The other members had already been there and in the middle of enjoying their early breakfast.
“Morning,” the three members greeted him in unison and Jun grunted his response.
“Here’s your breakfast,” Sho handed him his portion and Jun looked at it absentmindedly.
“Are you okay Matsujun? You looked tired,” asked Aiba.
“Can’t sleep well last night,” Jun answered and yawned again to prove his point.
“Well, better you eat this and prepare yourself because my step brother will arrive in 5 minutes,” Ohno said and patted Jun’s back.
“Yeah,” Jun grabbed the food and started to dig on it.
As Jun tried to swallow his food properly, they heard the knock on the door and everyone give their consent. It was their manager.
“Morning everyone. He’s here,” Tanaka said as he opened the door wider and a figure step inside with a huge guitar behind him.
As soon as Jun’s eyes landed on the figure, he choked on his food and he swore his heart fell to his legs. He sure Aiba was in the same state as him.
“Nino?!” Aiba yelled and stood in disbelief looking at Nino.
Nino just smiled and bowed politely. Surely Nino already knew who’s in the band already as Arashi has been huge in Japan (and outside Japan too).
“Wait, you know each other?” asked Ohno and he turned to look at all person available there. Everyone seemed to be in a state of mysterious shock.
“Unfortunately, or fortunately yes, Satoshi,” Nino answered. “I know them all.”
“Nice to meet you all again, Aiba-chan, Jun-kun,” greeted Nino, “And Sho-chan.”
“Sho-chan?”
At the moment, Jun just realized that Sho looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him.
“He’s, he’s… my ex,” Sho managed to say making everyone startled.
“Wait, are you gay?” asked Aiba.
“You can say I’m bisexual.”
“Okay, can someone explain to me what happened here?” Ohno asked frustratingly.
“Well, I’m in the same high school with Aiba-chan and Jun-kun. Sho-chan was my boyfriend during college,” explained Nino. “And you are my cute step brother,” added Nino as he grabbed Ohno’s back.
Everyone seemed to fall into silence before Aiba jumped and hugged Nino.
“Idiot! Release me,” Nino screamed as he pushed Aiba.
“I miss you idiot!” Aiba kept on hugging Nino and Jun wished that he got the same gut as Aiba.
“Yes, yes, I got it. But please release me!” Nino struggled and he met Jun’s eyes as Aiba finally release him.
Jun swore his heart already left him as he stared into the eyes that brought back all the memories.
“You don’t miss me, Jun-kun?” Nino smirked and Jun realized how much he missed that smirk.
“Of course, I miss you. Where did you disappear, brat?” Jun braced himself as he walked to Nino and engulfed him in a light hug. He was afraid that Nino will hear his crazy heartbeats. Nino laughed and Jun knew he missed that laugh too.
“It’s a secret,” Nino winked at Jun and turned to Sho. “Where’s my hug, Sho-chan,” Nino teased and laughed when he saw how stiffed Sho became. Nino hugged him anyway.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Sho-chan. You didn’t invite me,” Nino pouted and managed to make Sho turned red.
“Sorry, I don’t have your number anymore, and I believe you changed your number, right?”
“That’s right,” Nino smiled and walked to stand beside Ohno. “So, when will we start my audition?”
“Ah, that’s right. Seems like we forget the real purpose here. Can we start now?” Jun asked, his professionalism showed but only God knew how much he tried to look okay in front of the others.
“Yes,” all of them replied in unison and everyone began to get to their place.
Jun braced himself as Nino getting ready to start playing the guitar. He knew how amazing Nino was and that’s one of his traits that made Jun fell for him in the past. He glanced at Sho as Nino started to get prepared. His heart clenched as a string of jealousy creeped into his heart.
His mind blanked later as Nino started strumming his guitar and Jun wondered how after all these years, Nino still managed to turn his world upside down.
*
It’s been two months since Nino had been accepted into Arashi. His introduction as an Arashi member was met with great welcome from all, especially the fan. The fan was quick to love him and he started to gain his own fan in a short period of time. Jun can understand that honestly. Nino is adorable and his talent managed to capture many hearts.
Nino was also quick in adapting his place between the members also. Although he and Sho has some kind of history, there’s no any awkward interaction as Nino managed to get Sho comfortable again around him. Ohno and Nino was like a twin joint by the hip. Even though they’re also just met each other, they clicked in a way that no one can understand. Aiba was the usual Aiba. He’s just liked his usual cheerful self and always joking around with Nino. Jun remembered that they were also like that during their school years and Jun wondered if Aiba still had feelings for Nino. Nevertheless, Aiba looked normal to him.
The only problem was Jun. Jun still can’t act normal around Nino and he tried really hard to maintain his professionalism. They were so close back then, sometimes even closer than Aiba and Nino but Jun found it’s hard to bring the closeness back. Deep down in his heart, Jun knew the reason but he tried to deny it as much as he can.
As usual today, Jun managed to escape as they finished practice for their first performance as five members of Arashi. The performance will take place next week and Jun was a little bit nervous with the fact that Nino will be playing along them.
As soon as they finished the session, Jun escaped by making excuse that he needed to see his manager. Jun still wanted to practice and decided to just come back later when the others already left. Jun did see his manager and after half an hour, he decided to went back to the studio.
Jun pushed the door and as he entered the room, his heart fell as he saw Nino was still practicing. He stopped when he saw Jun and gave a smile that make Jun wanted to bring Nino into his arms.
“Hey, you still here?” asked Jun, trying to cast away any awkwardness.
“Yeah, I need to do my best,” Nino said and kept his eyes on Jun’s.
“I think you did good already,” praised Jun.
“Thanks, but I still need to make sure it will be perfect,” Nino turned his eyes away and Jun could see a glint of sadness in Nino’s eyes.
“Are you okay?” asked Jun and he saw how Nino tightened his hold on his guitar.
“I’m okay. Why did you ask that?” Nino smiled the kind of smile that Jun knew well. It’s the type of smile that Nino used to build a barrier around him.
“I’m just asking,” Jun didn’t want to probe more as he didn’t want to see a sad Nino. “Let’s practice together?” Jun held his bass guitar and took his position.
“Yeah,” Nino smiled and they started their session with heavy air around them.
*
They ended up going back together later as Jun offered to send Nino home when Nino said he will be going back by train. Jun was worried to be alone with Nino but when he looked at Nino’s tired face, he didn’t have the heart to let the smaller man to went back by himself.
“J,” called Nino as Jun started the drive to Nino’s house. His heart skipped a bit as Nino used the nickname that he often used back then.
“Hmm?”
“What happened with Arashi actually?”
“What do you mean?” Jun tried to feign ignorance as Nino asked the matter that all of them want to bury.
“You know what I mean,” Nino half pouted as he looked at Jun. “I asked Satoshi about that but he ended up getting mad at me for a week.”
“Then, I don’t have the right to tell.”
“You are mean, J. I’m also an Arashi now,” Nino scoffed and turned away from Jun.
“Fine, I guess you are right,” Jun sighed and cursed his heart for being weak with Nino. “But are you sure you want to hear it now? It will be a long story,” Jun continued as he realized that they were getting near to Nino’s apartment complex.
“Then come with me upstairs?” asked Nino as they stopped at the apartment’s parking lot.
“Are you sure? You seemed tired though,” Jun tried to avoid the situation.
“I’m okay, “said Nino. “And it’s been awhile since we spend time together.”
“Ah, you are right,” Jun cursed his heart again as he looked at Nino’s pleading eyes.
“I will cook you something if you want,” added Nino, leaving Jun at loss for any excuse.
“Okay then.”
“Yay, come,” Nino stepped out from the passenger’s seat and waited for Jun.
Nino walked ahead of Jun as Jun was still struggling with his bag when he heard a sound of car coming from his right. Jun looked at Nino and startled when Nino kept on walking, unaware of the incoming car.
“Nino!” called Jun as he ran towards Nino and grabbed him to his chest. Luckily the car was slowing down and Jun managed to pull Nino at the right time.
“Are you okay?” asked Jun as he felt Nino trembled in his arm. Nino tightened his hold on Jun’s arm and nodded, unable to say anything. Jun continued to rub Nino’s back until he felt the trembling was gone.
“Thanks Jun-kun,” said Nino as he pulled apart.
“It’s okay. Let me send you upstairs.”
Nino nodded and this time they walked side by side to Nino’s apartment. They fell silent along the way to Nino’s unit and Jun wondered about the incident.
The incident strengthened the feeling that Jun got ever since they met again. Nino seemed off and he always spacing out when he thought that no one saw him. But Jun did saw him. In fact, since they met years ago in middle school, Jun can never tear his eyes from Nino. Every single thing that Nino did will be engrave in Jun’s mind.
They entered the apartment and Jun asked Nino to drink a water to calm his nerves. Nino looked better than before but Jun was still worried.
“I think you need to rest already,” said Jun. “I will take my leave so you can rest.”
“But J,” Nino argued but Jun just shook his head.
“Not today, not after what happened,” Jun sighed as Nino looked at him with those eyes. “I promise I will tell you later. Everything. I will tell you everything that happened.”
“Hmm.”
“Now, I need you to rest.”
“Okay,” Nino agreed.
“Bye Nino,” Jun smiled, patting Nino’s head gently.
“Thanks Jun-kun,” Nino smiled back and walked Jun to the door. “Take care, J.”
“You too. Good night,” Jun waved and walked to the elevator.
All the way back home, Jun’s heart kept racing and his mind was full of Nino.