☆Sunday, November 11, 2007
Title: EVERYBODY’S GOT SOMETHING TO HIDE EXCEPT ME AND MY HONEYStarring: Yamashita Tomohisa and Inoue Mao and A LOT of other famous people
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Love/comedy
Disclaimer: No I don’t own Yamapi (though I wish and pray hard I do) or Mao. I am not whatsoever affiliated with JE either. It’s fiction. Look it up in the dictionary.
Chapters: ?
13TH & FINAL CHAPTERYamapi made a post on his J-web, after a long time of not writing on it. He felt he had to say it himself, and not just read about it on some random tabloid. Whatever the outcome may be, he was prepared to face it.
“To all those who have been a supporter of me or of any Johnny’s idol for a long time:
Hello everyone. Before you go any further, I will warn you beforehand that this will be a very long post. This is by far my longest j-web post. This special post is dedicated to all the JE supporters, so I hope you will read this thoroughly because every word comes from the bottom of my heart. First of all, before anything else and before you hear any news from a newspaper or the net, thank you. I can’t find another synonym to “thanks” to explain the depth of my gratitude. We idols say it all the time: thank you, and you’re probably sick of hearing it already. I lived majority of my life being an idol, being in the public eye, and being a performer. You witnessed me grow up. You witnessed me succeed. You witnessed me fail. You witnessed my constantly changing hairstyles. You all know everything about me to the point where I feel you know me more than I know myself. But the Yamapi you know is the “Idol Yamapi” …the one onstage singing, dancing, doing fanservice, and acting for a drama. That is the Yamapi you came to know. You are convinced to believe that performing is all I live for, that my whole world revolves around it, that I have no life or concern other than those. The truth is, I am just like any other guy in Japan. I am painfully normal; it just so happens that I have a cooler job. I make mistakes, I get pimples, I get diarrhea, I burp, I watch porn, I curse, I used to smoke, I get drunk, and yes, I fall in love—just like everyone else. I cannot live up to the perfect image you expect me to, because believe it or not, I am anything but perfect. You have looked up to us, put us on a pedestal like we are saints, and we appreciate that, but you have to understand we cannot live up to your expectations all the time. The entertainment world is a scary place. Sometimes I feel suffocated and imprisoned. I can’t just go to Harajuku when I want to, I can’t go out without photographers following me, I can’t spend time outdoors without a disguise. Everything is limited in my private and social life and it’s frustrating. I am frustrated that I have to hide the real side of me in order to please the whole world, that I have to be this different person in front of an audience. It doesn’t have to be that way, ne. I want to be open to you, to my fans, and I want you to accept me. I wish you could accept the side of Yamapi you don’t know. If you truly are a supporter of mine, you would accept my flaws, my actions and especially my decisions. I want to be able to share my happiness when I’m happy, my sadness when I’m sad, without having to worry about other people’s reactions. I am sorry to say I cannot be a good role model and example all the time because no matter how hard I try to be someone else or no matter how much I struggle to keep a perfect and ideal persona, my flaws will eventually come out and everyone will hate me for it. I love my job, and if given the chance, I would do this again in another life, but I never thought the pressure and the attention could be so unbearably suffocating. If this continues, I’m afraid I won’t be able to go on anymore. I’m sorry for these blunt words, but I feel I have a right to express them even though Johnny might fire me for it. You also have a right to know the truth and the truth is, there are a lot of decisions I want to make and undertake, and one of them include being with someone I like. There’s someone I want to be with right now, and you probably know that by now, but circumstances have prevented me from being with her, and it has caused me immense pain and suffering, nothing like I’ve felt before. I promised myself before that once I’ve found someone I truly care about, I’d tell the whole world at any cost, and set aside the fact that it will cause an outburst. So now, I officially proclaim that I’ve found that person. And I’ve never been happier. And if it’s not too much to ask, I’d want you to be happy for me too. I rarely got to make big sweeping decisions on my own, and now I want to follow my heart and instinct. I am hoping everyone would understand this. Again, thank you, and at the same time, sorry. I do not regret this, and will never do. I owe you the truth, and you’ve got it. Whatever becomes of everything, Yamapi will remain strong and will continue to work hard for everyone, because his love always prevails.”
His excessively long J-web post was read by millions of fans almost instantly, and stirred mixed emotions. Some felt sad, some cried, some felt guilty, some were moved, some were woken up from their delusions. All of those who’ve read it were impressed by his courage to speak out and show the side of him that the people never see. He successfully sent the subliminal message he had been wanting to send for a long time and it took him a long time to do it. Fans wrote comments and e-mails, encouraging him to keep up, and not quit Johnny’s. They were all messages of love and encouragement and “gambattes”, and strangely, no one ranted about who the girl is, or “Why this girl taking my precious kawaii Pi away from me I kill this biyatch.” kind of messages, which what anyone would expect. Of course, the photo sticker came out and went public in a matter of hours, and it became infamous in an instant. There was outrage, but it wasn’t as horrible as anyone had thought. In fact, the general reaction of the mass was…nothing. For the first time in history, fans tolerated and even encouraged a “scandal” by a Johnny’s. Johnny, surprisingly, didn’t say a word about it, and remained mum on the subject and kept out of the public eye. If it wasn’t causing him any problems, then he has nothing to do with it anymore. Sure it was a shocker, but it wasn’t something everyone got all worked up about, except probably the photographers who tailed Yamapi and Mao 90% more. But other than that, it didn’t blow out of proportion and stemmed to mass suicide or anything fatal. As a matter of fact, “shippers” sprung about and proclaimed undying support for the both of them and these shippers are multiplying by the second. It was ridiculous if you think about it, but if you look at it in another way, it was a miracle. A modern day miracle. And it gave hope to every Johnny’s in the business.
Yamapi and Mao continued the drama, as if nothing would hinder them. It was about to wrap up and finish, and it was maintaining at the top spot, still receiving crazy ratings now more than ever. They’ve been asked to do magazine interviews left and right, and to grace the covers together, but they wanted to keep a low profile as much as possible. They haven’t been officially back together yet, but only because of formality. They didn’t know how to take the next step, now that everyone already knew.
One late afternoon, Yamapi and Mao walked out together out of the set on their way home. It was obvious that they were being followed, but then again, they have nothing to hide.
“Do you still want to continue?” Yamapi asked.
“Continue what?”
“You know…part two of our lives.”
“Part two? That’s funny. So there could be a part three too, like a manga?”
“Maybe.”
He reached for her hand and held it as they walked while photographers lurking close by scrambled for a good shot.
“We should get back together now.” Yamapi remarked.
“Nah, let’s wait a while.”
“I’m holding your hand right now. That means we’re back together.”
“No it doesn’t.”
Yamapi pulled her by the hand and kissed her without any warning, and it made the photographers’ day. Mao hit him on the chest and looked around consciously if people were looking.
“Are we back together yet?” he smiled wryly.
“No!” she hissed, distracted by the clicking sounds of the camera.
Yamapi attempted to kiss her again, but then she backed away.
“Alright, alright, we’re back together.” she gave up, holding his face and pushing him away.
And so it seemed they were the new Nagase and Ayumi (back when they were together), what with people following them around, but not because everyone hated them for being together, but it was more of a sight to see—like America’s Angelina and Brad. Yamapi cannot get over the fact that his curse had finally been broken, and that he broke the “rule” of every Johnny’s had to follow. It was hard to believe, but there it was—acceptance. Whatever reason there is, whether they just look good together, or whether it was the influence of their chemistry in the drama, it was uncertain why everyone welcomed their relationship with open arms. But now they know for sure, that they really didn’t have anything to hide all along.
--END--
I send out my gratitude to everyone who read and enjoyed this. Thank you for making my day with your comments and for suppporting YAMAOPI! Keep the Yamaopi fandom alive,ne. I'd also like to acknowledge yamapinku-rabu, because she was the one who got me into writing this fanfic in the first place! It was because of her that I got hooked on Yamaopi. :) I hope I ended the story well, and it has been a great pleasure providing you with Yamapi and Mao goodness. Hopefully I will be able to make another one, because nothing makes me happier than writing and writing for you guys. Honto arigatou and long live Maoness and Yamapiness! :D
With much love,
Roxie <3
I drink to all of you! Cheers! :)
missingY O U
Title: EVERYBODY’S GOT SOMETHING TO HIDE EXCEPT ME AND MY HONEYStarring: Yamashita Tomohisa and Inoue Mao and A LOT of other famous people
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Love/comedy
Disclaimer: No I don’t own Yamapi (though I wish and pray hard I do) or Mao. I am not whatsoever affiliated with JE either. It’s fiction. Look it up in the dictionary.
Chapters: ?
CHAPTER 12If you’ve broken up with someone you really love, you would know the kind of pain that heartbreak gives. But if you’re not a famous idols or actress who’s forced to break up with someone you’re surely in love with because it is against some kind of rule, then you don’t know jack-diddly squat how that feels like. No question that everything’s been hard for Yamapi and Mao. They had to go and move on in separate ways. There’s a time for departure even when there’s no certain place to go. Yamapi went back to performing, forcing himself to smile and sing happily, touring and working as hard as he did before he met Mao. Mao went back to school and never rode the train again, for some obvious reason. Of course, when the time they had to start filming their drama came, they met each other, after a hiatus from seeing each other. They talked on the phone a few times, but it was different facing each other again. One of the phone conversations they had went:
MAO: Hello?
PI: Are you awake?
MAO: No, this is a dream, I’m asleep.
PI: You know, when you’re grumpy and sarcastic, you’re not cute at all.
MAO: [laughs] So how can I be of service to you?
PI: [scoffs] Service? Okay, how much for you to come here, give me an oil massage and then afterwards sleep with me?
MAO: Don’t you have like 10 other girlfriends to do that kind of stuff?
PI: Nah, I don’t want anything. I just called because I want to, before I go to sleep.
MAO: [smiles] I’m glad you did.
PI: So…what’re you wearing now?
MAO: PI!!!
PI: I was joking. Do you miss me?
MAO: What if I tell you I don’t? What would you do?
PI: Nothing. Because I know you do.
MAO: No, I don’t.
PI: Well just so you know, I don’t miss you either.
MAO: [pissed] Bye bye!
PI: Mao-chan. I do miss you. Why else would I call?
MAO: Fine. Me too.
PI: [sneers] You think about me?
MAO: Honestly, I try not to.
PI: Nande, I think about you a lot. Sometimes it’s unpleasantly painful, but other times it calms me. Like talking to you right now, it makes me feel so much better.
MAO: Are you in bed?
PI: Yeah, you?
MAO: Yeah. You better sleep now. You know you need it badly, you’re deprived of it.
PI: Fine, fine. I’m hanging up.
MAO: Goodnight Yamashita-kun.
PI: Don’t call me that.
MAO: Pi-chan then.
PI: Better. Goodnight, Macchan.
MAO: Macchan?
PI: I call you that behind your back.
MAO: Oh. Goodnight…stop thinking about me too much ne.
PI: I’ll try.
MAO: Oh and just for the record…I’m wearing your shirt…ja ne.
That was the last phone call they shared before they saw each other again. And now that they’re facing each other again to work, it felt to Yamapi as if he was in junior high school scenario: when you come face to face with the prettiest girl in school whom you have this major crush on and you don’t know what to say or how to act. He felt as if his manliness was weakened by Mao’s presence. They acted as if they were just good friends, and they were just good friends…in front of the crew and camera, but they both knew there exists an unspoken vulnerability between them, a tension thick in the atmosphere that they might grope at each other and make out in any second.
The kissing scenes were troubling. Not for Yamapi and Mao, but for the crew. At one point, a kissing scene took a staggering 12 takes. Whether Yamapi screwed up on purpose or not, it is not for certain.
“Yamashita-kun! You really had you tongue in there!” the director exclaimed, after yelling cut for the nth time.
“We’re trying to make it look more realistic.”
“I understand but kids will be watching this, please make it more wholesome. Now this time, no more tongue.”
“Hai, sorry director.”
They would re-take the scene again, and Yamapi would “accidentally” slip in the tongue again, and lather, rinse, repeat. It was their only chance to be a “couple” so they took advantage of that chance to make out and act like the couple they want to be. The cast and crew were surprised by their chemistry on set. The director and producers didn’t need to tell them what to do to make the scene more passionate or romantic, believing that they were just extremely good actors. Teppei once asked,
“How long have you been together again?”
Yamapi and Mao looked at each other.
“We broke up.” Mao answered in a hushed voice.
“No way!” Teppei exclaimed, looking surprised.
“Yeah, no way!” Yamapi joined Teppei.
Koichi once visited Mao on the set, and the whole crew and cast got all jumped up about him and Mao, thinking they were dating. This did not make Yamapi happy at all. Mao let Koichi in her dressing room one lunch time, with Koichi bringing her her favorite food, natto. How could she resist. She was so giddy about it too, which even made Yamapi more jealous. Yamapi barged in the dressing room, still in his “motorcycle badass” get-up.
“I thought you have a scene to film.” Mao asked him.
Yamapi eyed Koichi threateningly as he sat down on the couch there.
“Yeah I’m done, and man was it cool riding the motorbike over a high ramp, I felt like Evil Knievel. Have you done that Koichi?”
“No I haven’t.”
“You haven’t either, a stunt double does that for you.” Mao intervened, her mouth full of rice.
Yamapi threw a couch pillow at her.
“Usai! I’m capable enough to do dangerous stuff you know. I know a thing or two about bikes.”
“Koichi-kun does too, ne Koichi-kun? He has a Harley.”
“Ya-ya, I only use it once in a while. I’m not very good with it.”
Yamapi deliberately made a loud gagging sound. What a phony, he thought.
“Nanni?” Mao asked, startled by his muffled gagging sound.
“Nothing.”
“Want some of Koichi-kun’s natto?”
Yamapi shook his head disdainfully.
“Come on, I’ll feed you.” she said, raising her chopsticks.
Yamapi smiled and went over to her, and bent down as she fed him like he was a baby. She patted his head afterwards.
“Kawaii.” she laughed.
Yamapi was called from outside by one of the crew. He stood up and stole a loud kiss on her cheek.
“Yummy!” he said, then ran outside.
Mao smiled as she continued to eat.
“I think it’s alright for you two to get back together.” Koichi commented.
“Nah.” she said, waving him off.
It’s not that she didn’t want to, of course she did. But she knew things are complicated. Their more-than-friends-but-less-than-lovers plan worked out pretty well, but there was always this yearning deep inside.
When came the time for them to promote their ever-so-anticipated drama, to their delight, they were able to spend even more time together, going from place to place together, guesting on shows, press cons, and whatnot. Sure it was tiring, but as long as they side by side, they couldn’t possible complain.
On the show Utaban:
TAKASAN: There are kissing scenes, ne?
PI: Hai.
NAKAI: You haven’t done much kissing scenes, have you?
PI: I’ve done some!
NAKAI: Sure, off-screen maybe.
[laughter]
TAKASAN: Have you done any preparations for the scenes, Mao-chan?
MAO: [looks at Pi] Not really… LIE.
TAKASAN: So you didn’t practice kissing your hand or something?
MAO: [laughing] Ya….da!
NAKAI: So, who’s it going to be for you? Matsumoto, Yuuta, Eiji, or Yamapi?
TAKASAN: Include me, Hiro-chan.
NAKAI: Uruhe!
MAO: [laughs] I’ll have to pick Taka-san.
PI: Who?!
[Major laughter]
They didn’t know just how anticipated their drama was going to be, until the first episode was aired. It received high ratings; the first episode alone acquired a staggering figure. It could’ve even surpassed HYD’s pilot episode ratings. Was it because MARS was such a hit manga? Maybe. Was it because everyone waned to see Yamapi on a motorbike? Definitely plausible. It is indefinite what drew the audience to it. What’s certain is, their tandem seemed to have sparked a sensation, causing a huge speculation amongst the people who watch TV. It was an epidemic, a craze, a phenomenon, or whatever word fits best for it, it won everyone’s attention and Yamapi and Mao were the “It Boy” and the “It Girl” as if they weren’t “It” already. The center of every meaningful homeroom discussion in schools was them. The main topic in forum threads on the net was them. They were being watched now more than ever, and they didn’t know exactly if it’s a good or bad thing. They didn’t know why the media was so focused on them when a Hikaru Genji member was fired from Johnny’s because of meth use, Erika Sawajiri bitch-slapped someone, Beyonce was in town for a concert, and all the other more significant happenings in Nippon that deserve to be getting attention as well.
One night, after filming, while Mao was changing in her dressing room ready to go home, Yamapi knocked on the door.
“Wait, keep the door closed.” she said, hastily putting on her clothes.
“Why?”
“I’m getting dressed.”
“Why?”
“When I walk outside naked, people throw garbage at me.”
“Why can’t I go in?”
Mao rolled her eyes and opened the door quickly to let him in.
“What am I, a stranger? Like I haven’t seen you naked before?” he complained.
“It’s different now.”
“Emotionally I’m still your boyfriend. So nothing’s different. I can even close my eyes and picture you naked. See?” he said and closed his eyes.
Mao gaped in horror.
“I can see you naked in my head right now.”
Mao hit him hard on the stomach.
“That’s sick, stop doing that!”
“Listen. Something happened. You do know that people are prying about our lives right? Especially now that our dynamic duo became such a big hit?”
“Yes…”
“Well, people have been trying to dig up stuff about us, so…remember that time when I drove you home, and we exchanged numbers and posed for the security camera in your building?”
“Yes…”
“Well, it’s out, and everyone has seen them by now. And they know it was at your place.”
“Okay…it wasn’t like we were doing anything suspicious at that time, we just met then. So they can’t make conclusions, because there’s no proof.”
“True. But then, lo and behold, our Print Club photo sticker leaked out. How’d that happen?”
Mao’s eyes widened.
“Seriously?” she gasped.
“Someone posted it on the net just today. Hours from now it will be on every tabloid. Where’s your copy of the photo sticker?”
Mao scratched her head and crinkled her nose. She re-traced where she’d gone and what she’s done with the sticker: It was in her wallet, then she took it out when she missed him, then she put it in her pocket when she went to school, and in the middle of a class lecture, she put it on her table, smiling at it the whole time, then she remembered the bell rang and she was in a hurry to get out because she still had filming to do. But she didn’t recall taking back the photo sticker at all. *insert doomed music*
“Oh no I think I left it in the classroom and someone must’ve taken it.” she breathed, and put her hands on her cheeks.
“Why would you take it out?”
“Like you don’t.”
“So what do we do?”
“I don’t know. Say it’s not you in the sticker?”
“Any idiot can tell it’s me. Anyone can tell it’s you too, you had your face unnecessarily close to the camera doing the V sign.”
“Then our career is over.”
“Don’t get all negative.”
“I’m not. I’m panicking.”
“Well there’s no use. We can’t deny those now.”
“We’ll just issue a statement that it was a long time ago and we broke up and we apologize to them?”
“Hell no!”
“Is there another way?”
“There should be. I just don’t know what.”
“Do you think Johnny knows now?”
“Probably.”
“Do you think there’s mass suicide going on as we speak?”
“Let’s not mention suicide for a while and think this through.”
“Wow so this is how it feels like to be in a scandal.”
“Scandal? You think our relationship is a scandal? I treasure that photo sticker and you leave it on your desk. I am so hurt.”
“Let’s just act normal, ne. And if we get mobbed or something outside, then we’ll rethink our next career move.”
“We wouldn’t know, what if they actually accept it? I mean, if they’re so fond of us, they wouldn’t be all against it. Don’t you think?”
Mao and Yamapi pondered and mulled over quietly in the dressing room. The secret’s out but somehow, they weren’t scared or guilty because they never felt as if they had something to hide or to be ashamed of. Not even for a second.
After a long time of just sitting there, thinking and contemplating, Yamapi decided to go out.
“Where are you going?” Mao asked.
“I don’t know. Let out my feelings.”
“Are you scared?”
“Not even a little bit.”
Mao showed a small smile.
“Me too. It’s weird.”
Yamapi smiled in return and went for the door.
“We’re in this together, ne. I won’t leave your side, so you do your best while I do my part too.”
Mao nodded and he was out the door, to the awaiting world.
--END OF TWELFTH CHAPTER--
missingY O U
☆Sunday, November 4, 2007
CHAPTER 11 (PART II)The News tour bus went straight to the hotel where they were to stay. It was already dark, and most of the people on board were already asleep, including Yamapi. He hadn’t slept properly since the breakup, and being able to sleep that long, strangely put him into a better mood. They were all woken up by the staff, and all were relieved to see Yamapi not grumpy, the way he always is when he’s been woken up by someone.
“I think I forgot her already.” he said confidently, as they boarded off the bus and walked to the hotel, swarmed by the crew and assistants.
“See? Sleep and rest is all you needed.” Ryo said, patting his back.
“Probably.” he replied.
Mao and Koichi arrived in Osaka earlier than they expected, since Koichi’s car broke down along the way and they had to stop at a gas station to have it fixed. Koichi, the cool guy that he is, called up a hotel and made early reservations for two rooms beforehand, so they needn’t worry about where to sleep over. Miraculously, he and Mao arrived just in time for dinner and they planned to have fancy dinner in the restaurant there in the hotel. They checked in to their rooms and changed before going downstairs to have dinner.
“I’ll be down in 5 minutes. You go ahead.” Mao said to him. Koichi went ahead downstairs to the in-house restaurant while Mao got ready. She looked out the window, and pictured Yamapi leaning against it, the way he did the last time she was in a hotel. She quickly erased the image, and went out of the room.
“Pi, we’re hitting the onsen. Their onsen is the best here. You coming?” Koyama invited, wearing a bathrobe already.
“Nah. I think I’ll eat first. I’m hungry.” he replied, and looked for the room service number on the bedside table.
“Alright then.” Koyama said and went out of the room.
Yamapi looked at the menu card beside the phone and took him forever to pick something. He didn’t know why, but every dish on the menu reminded him of Mao, especially ramen. He decided not to eat in the end and follow the guys to the onsen. He put his bathrobe on and went out of the room. He casually walked to the elevators and ran when one of them was about to close.
“Chotto matte!” he said, running to the closing doors.
He was too late, but not too late to catch a glimpse of who was inside—Mao, arms crossed, head tilted upwards. The doors closed before he even realized it was her—or was it just his imagination? He stood there immobile, like a mannequin, unable to decide whether his mind was playing tricks on him or not. He got on the next elevator, still in a daze. No it can’t be, he thought. What’re the odds of that happening. He walked haphazardly to the onsen, his mind in a blur.
“Sorry, did you wait long?” Mao said as she sat down with Koichi. Everyone eating looked elegant, matching the place.
“No, it’s okay.” he said, waving her off.
“It looks expensive here. Well of course, it’s a hotel.” she giggled, looking at the menu.
“People are recognizing you already.” Koichi pointed out, after noticing people constantly turning their heads to Mao’s direction.
“Yeah, they’re probably thinking ‘It’s that Gegege no Kitaro girl.’”
“Wouldn’t they know you more from Hana Yori Dango?”
“Gegege was popular too you know.”
“Speaking of popular, seems like there’s another celebrity here too. A group, I think. People were scrambling in the lobby awhile ago. I didn’t see who they were though.”
“Ooh maybe it’s L’arc~en~ciel or the Hikaru Genji guys. I’d get their autograph.”
They ordered their dinner, and without realizing it, they looked like a couple on a date.
Yamapi’s head was elsewhere again, while they were in the onsen. The guys were talking about dirty and x-rated things as usual, but Yamapi kept quiet the whole time and didn’t join in.
“Pi, you better enjoy this free time we have, because tomorrow is going to be hell.” Ryo said, his wet stringy hair covering his eyes.
“Yeah, I better go up and get some sleep.” he said wearily, and put on his bathrobe.
Tego was about to stop him, but Koyama signaled no, and let Yamapi go. Yamapi couldn’t contain himself and hurried back to the room to change and went downstairs to find out if he’s just really seeing things. He didn’t know why he’s so worked up looking for her; if she was indeed there, why should he care? They weren’t anything anymore, except mere co-workers. He looked for her in the lobby, causing people to gawk and ogle at him. Nope, not there. He headed next to the gift shop, where the cashier there almost fainted at the sight of him. Not there, either. Alas, he proceeded to the restaurant. At first, he had a hard time spotting, since there were a lot of people In the area, but then there she was—sitting prettily, smiling and cutting her food. He was 100% certain it was her, in the flesh and it sent tingly sensations all over his body. It felt like he hasn’t seen her for a long time, he forgot how pretty she looked. But halt! She was not alone. She was with none other than Koichi, on what seemed like a date. His body was telling him to go over there, beat him up, sit in his chair, and sweep Mao off her feet again, but his head was saying to let it go, that she was not his anymore and that she’s clearly happy without him so he had to back off. He felt as if he’s been stabbed in the back and for a split second, he swore he heard his heart crumble to minuscule pieces. He knew his head was way smarter, so he backed off, and left. He had mixed emotions—shocked, angry, disgusted, devastated, sad, crushed, and everything in between. It made him dizzy, he needed fresh air. He went to the pool area, which was a good idea, because it was the only open place where it’s deserted, quiet and breezy. He sat on one of the beach chairs and sat there for a long time, staring at the aquamarine glow of the pool.
“Thank you for dinner. It was oichii.” Mao chirped, as they got up from their seats.
“You better sleep well tonight. Tomorrow we have a full day ahead of us.” Koichi said.
“I’ll call me mother first to let her know where I am. Ugh, there’s no signal here.” she grumbled, frowning at her phone.
“Try outside. The outdoor pool is right that way.”
“Okay, thanks. You go ahead. And goodnight.” she said, and they went separate ways. She walked towards the entrance to the outdoor pool and dialed on her phone.
“Ma? Hello?” she said, as she stepped outside.
“Ma, it’s me. I just called to tell you I’m in Osaka…I’m in a hotel…No, I’m with Koichi…No, he’s a friend…Ma! No! That’s gross, we sleep i separate rooms, God…Just, take care, okay? I’m fine. Goodnight. Send dad some love from me. Ja ne.”
She hung up and shook her head amusedly at her mother. She missed her sorely. She turned to leave, but then…
“You moved on pretty quickly, don’t you think?”
A voice spoke up from the dark, and it caused her to jump back in surprise.
“Heh? Who’s there?” she breathed, squinting her eyes to make out the outline of the person sitting on one of the beach chairs. She came closer and her eyes widened into a big round shape.
“Pi.” she exhaled.
“Kon~ban~wa.” he said, rather casually.
“W-what are you doing here in Osaka?” she stuttered, unable to believe he was right there in front of her.
“Business stuff. What about you?”
“V-vacation…”
“Ah. Good to know you’re enjoying yourself. Good to know you’re in good hands too.”
Mao sighed and rubbed her arms. What a cold night.
“Can I sit here?” she asked.
He scooted aside to make room for her and she sat down beside him.
“Actually I’ve been doing good too. I’ve went to karaokes, and clubs with the guys. We’re touring for a bit and I’m thinking of throwing a party in the hotel room tonight.” Yamapi lied. Mao faked a smile and hung her head. She clasped her hands together and rested her elbows on her knees.
“Honestly…I came here to cheer myself up. I spent days in my house alone, crying and sleeping. In short, crying myself to sleep. I haven’t eaten either. And then, just when I needed someone most, Koichi showed up at my door, and promised to cheer me up. So we came here because being there all alone will just keep reminding me how sad I should be. I’m here to put everything past me.” she said softly, fixating her gaze on the bluish light the pool gave off.
Yamapi heaved a sigh a tousled his hair. There was no use lying.
“Same here. I’m probably doing worse than you. I’m having mood swings, tantrums, hissy fits, sleepless nights, I’m in a Mao withdrawal phase.”
She laughed a little bit. It was like they quit cold turkey and they were both in a withdrawal period.
“I wanted to back out of our drama. I told Johnny.” he said in a hushed tone.
She looked at him, as if taken aback.
“Why? I can’t do kissing scenes with anyone else.”
“Yeah I kind of figured I’d die if I let anyone else kiss you, so I’m still in the game. I signed a contract.”
“Oh. Good.”
“Just admit it. I’m a great kisser and you want more of me.”
“Baka. You’re the only person I can trust to do kissing scenes with me. It has nothing to do with your tongue skills.”
They laughed quietly in unison. They were back to they way they were before they decided to become more than friends. It wasn’t exactly something they wanted to happen, but it was better than having to avoid each other.
“You’re going to be busy ne?” she asked.
“Yeah. We’re only staying here for 1 night. You?”
“At most 2 nights. Then I’m going back to school, then do our drama.”
Yamapi nodded. He was still certain he wasn’t going to school for awhile. He’d have to take special exams. As much as possible, he had to keep a certain distance from her, it was bad enough they were going to be in a drama together.
“Gambatte, Pi.” she said encouragingly.
“Gambatte, Mao-chan.” he repeated.
“Yosh. I’ll see when I see you. Goodnight.” she said, and stood up.
“Mao-chan.”
He stood up and they faced each other.
“Can I hug you? A friendly hug. I think it’ll make me sleep better tonight.”
She was hesitant at first, but she opened her arms wide and he wrapped himself around her, and it was, for them, the most soothing and breathtaking hug they’ve ever had in their life. It felt so good they didn’t let go immediately.
“Goodnight, Pi-chan.” she said.
“Kawaii.” he whispered, and they both smiled as they finally let go.
She began walking back inside.
“Don’t say goodbye.” he called out.
“I won’t.”
Then she was gone.
“I still wont let go.” he said to himself and stared at the spot where she had stood.
--END OF ELEVENTH CHAPTER--
missingY O U
Title: EVERYBODY’S GOT SOMETHING TO HIDE EXCEPT ME AND MY HONEYStarring: Yamashita Tomohisa and Inoue Mao and A LOT of other famous people
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Love/comedy
Disclaimer: No I don’t own Yamapi (though I wish and pray hard I do) or Mao. I am not whatsoever affiliated with JE either. It’s fiction. Look it up in the dictionary.
Chapters: ?
CHAPTER 11 (PART I)Yamapi came to Johnny hung over, and in an extremely unpleasant mood. It’s the first time in so long that he woke up without a smile on his face. Johnny was expecting him and as Yamapi entered his office, he beckoned him to take a seat. But Yamapi didn’t bother.
“I have good news and bad news for you Johnny-san. I’ll get straight to the point. Good news, we broke up. Bad news, I’m not doing the drama with her anymore. You’ll just have to replace me with someone else because being around her again will make me want to abduct her and never take her back. News is going to tour for awhile around Japan as soon as possible. This is to keep myself busy and preoccupied otherwise I might kill myself. Ja ne, and thank you so much for the good advice you gave me.” the last bit was a sarcastic one, and without delay, he bowed and left the office before he starts choking his creator.
Johnny was left quite bewildered and stunned. But he figured the break-up didn’t go well, and the kid was restraining himself from making an outburst in front of him. And he was right, the break-up didn’t go well. Yamapi came home severely drunk the previous night and caused chaos in front of Takki, News, and Akanishi. His friends had to carry him home and it didn’t end there—he trashed the kitchen looking for more alcohol, locked himself in the bathroom while throwing up, and then taking a bath with all his clothes still on. He was rather violent when his friends tried to control him, and at one point, even pushed Takki, his father figure. Yamapi was on the verge of insanity, and he didn’t know quite what to do next, it was as if he couldn’t function—he wasn’t himself at all and his members are extremely worried.
“Are you sure you can do well?” Ryo had asked him.
“I’m a pro.” was all Yamapi could answer.
And he was. But being one doesn’t necessarily mean being prone to post-breakup syndrome. He was crankier, meaner, more aloof, and strangely, became more sarcastic, which used to be Ryo’s specialty only. Yamapi decided to busy himself with work, instead of sulking in his house with Akanishi, staring at Mao’s pictures in his phone. He agreed to have a mini tour with news all over the country promoting, performing, and holding fan meetings. He thought it would be a way to get her off his mind, but no matter how hard he concentrated, her face keeps popping out in his head every 5 seconds. This was what drove him crazy. He decided not to go back to school too, not until he is able to muster the strength to move one. Though he wanted to forget her, he didn’t erase anything associated with her from his life. Like their pictures in his phone (which were mostly of them kissing), their Print Club photo sticker, her valentine letter, or the receipt from their first date. It never crossed his mind to throw all those away, not even once. Mao, unbeknownst to Yamapi, is doing just as horribly as he was. She stayed in bed the whole time in her bathrobe, doing nothing except eat ice cream and watch re-runs of animes. She missed school, and ignored the tons of calls and messages from her friends, including Koichi. She did not talk to anyone at all, not even Hug-chan. One time, she was surfing through the channels on TV, and caught accidentally landed on one where News’ Hoshi wo Mezashite music video was playing, and it was just in time for Yamapi’s solo part. Before she even knew it, she reduced to tears. The days following their tragic breakup were harder than anyone can imagine. It was only a few couple of days, but for the both of them, they were excruciating and torture, that felt as if it would last and linger for a long time. Yamapi stirred great worry by demonstrating odd behaviors. Each day he would have a different attitude, which would change into something else the following day. It scared his friends to death.
Behavior 1: Emo Yamapi
Yamapi sits in a corner, head hung low, listening to his iPod. Tego comes over and tried to make small talk to see if he was still alive.
TEGO: What’re you listening to?
PI: Michael Jackson
TEGO: Eh? What song?
PI: She’s out of my life.
TEGO: Oh I see. Is it nice?
PI: [death glare] No, it’s not. It’s an utterly depressing song that talks about a girl leaving him with nothing, making him feel he’s been cut by a knife. He let her slip away from his hands and now the way that it stands she’s out of his life. So no, Tego, it’s not nice. Leave me alone.
Behavior 2: Mean Yamapi
SHIGE: Is it okay for you to tour like this?
PI: Like what?
SHIGE: You’re not the way, you know, you used to be.
PI: Well you’re not the way you used to be either. You’re uglier now.
KOYAMA: Pi! That was a bit too much.
PI: Sure, take his side, you always do because you two stick together all the time. Why don’t you two just get married.
RYO: We’re just concerned for you, dude.
PI: Yeah, sure. Be quiet and go back to your other group.
Behavior 3: Fanboy Yamapi
PI: I’m going out.
JIN: Where?
PI: I’m buying something.
JIN: Can you buy me root beer?
PI: No.
JIN: What’re you buying?
PI: Hana Yori Dango DVD set.
JIN: Heh? @_@
PI: You better be out of the living room when I get back, I’m having a DVD marathon.
As Yamapi continued to portray different shades of personalities, Mao remained indoors, on the brink of turning into a hermit. After her daily routine of watching anime re-runs in the early hours of morning, someone knocked on the door. Her heart pounded for some reason and she half-hoped it was Yamapi. She sprinted to the door to see who it was. It was Koichi, to her surprise.
“Koichi-kun.” she said, embarrassed and surprised at the same time.
He looked at her as if he hasn’t seen her in years.
“Sorry for this sudden visit. You weren’t answering your phone, so I was a bit worried.” he said.
She let him in, even though the whole house looked like a catastrophic mess.
“Gomen ne. I’ve been… busy.” she lied. But she knew Koichi was too smart to buy that.
He saw all the tissues and tissue boxes on the floor and all over the couch, and there was even an empty ice cream box too, and everyone knew ice cream was the universal comfort/breakup food. He looked at her worn out and sleepless face and he knew right away.
“You and Yamashita-san…”
“Yeah, we did.” she cut him off, smiling awkwardly.
He nodded sympathetically.
“Sorry. Do you…want to talk about it?” he asked.
That was the last thing she wanted to do.
“No, no it’s fine. I’ll get by.” she said optimistically.
“You need cheering up.” he smiled, taking something out of his bag. He reached for a big envelope and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” she asked, opening it.
“Your pictures. They came out so good, I thought I’d let you see them.”
They were good indeed. Mao hasn’t seen such beautiful pictures of her like that before, not even in her photobooks. She was thoroughly impressed, especially by the photo of her where she was against the sunlight, turning her head towards the camera.
“These are seriously good. You’re very skilled.” she told him, awestruck at each of the photos.
“My teacher gave me the highest remark in class for them.”
“Really? That’s awesome.” she said, and handed them back to him.
“No, they’re yours.”
“Oh. Thanks. I hope I could hire you for my next photobook.”
They sat at the dining table, where there were less crumpled up tissues.
“Mao-chan. I know you’re not the type who would share your sadness to people. You’re the kind who doesn’t display your emotional side, so as not to affect anyone else. You hide it, thinking that the pain would go away faster, but I’ve been there, and it doesn’t work that way.”
He had a point. Everything that ever came out of Koichi’s mouth made perfectly good sense, and she knows it. She laughed quietly, the way she always did when she’s embarrassed, amused or uncomfortable.
“You seem to know me more than I know myself.” she chuckled.
“You need to get away. From here. Take a vacation somewhere.”
“Really? You think so?”
“Yeah.”
“Ooh that’s a good idea. I’d like that. I’m tired of crying. Sooner or later I’m going to have to get out.”
“Exactly.”
“Where should we go?”
We, Koichi thought.
“W-wait, I’m coming too?”
Mao grinned warmly. She’s been severely lonely for the past few days, a little company could cheer her up.
“Yeah, the two of us. Unless, you don’t want to.”
“No, no. I’d like to.”
Koichi felt ecstatic about the idea, but he knew he had no shot at her. Even though she might never be with him, he would still be there, to accompany her and just be a friend.
“Where should we go then?” he asked.
“Anywhere but Kyoto.” she mumbled.
“Okinawa then?”
“No, not Okinawa either.”
“Osaka?”
“Osaka sounds good. We can do a photobook shoot there, ne?”
“Yeah, we could. Let’s go to Osaka then.”
“What about school?”
“I think it’s okay, if the excuse is important.”
They laughed together, and it was then that she realized she hasn’t laughed in a long time. Maybe this trip could help her move on. Maybe Koichi’s company could too. Maybe.
“What do you mean, I can’t quit? They told me at the last minute, I don’t see why my last minute back out is unacceptable.” Yamapi argued on the phone with his manager.
“You already signed a contract. You can’t back out now. You will just have to continue with the drama.”
“But I can’t. I can’t stand the girl I’m working with.”
“Then don’t talk to her unless it’s a scene. f it’s not As long as it’s not Erika Sawajiri you’re working with, then you’re fine.”
“You don’t understand. I just can’t work with her.”
“You are a professional. Please find a way to deal with this.”
His manager hung up on him which caused him to get into a scary hissy fit. He can already picture it: a scene with Mao, where he messes up his lines from staring at her too much, or in a kissing scene, where he turned it into an X-rated one because he can’t control himself, or the breaks between takes where they don’t talk at all, and just stand there awkwardly, avoiding each other’s eyes. It would drive him completely nuts.
TEGO: Shige, call Pi, we’re about to leave.
SHIGE: Why me? He’ll yell at me again.
TEGO: You’re the underdog here. Do it.
SHIGE: No.
TEGO: We’re going to be late for the tour damn it.
SHIGE: Let Ryo do it. Ryo eats babies for breakfast, Ryo makes grown men cry, let him do it.
RYO: Pi-chan! Let’s go, the bus is waiting!
Yamapi cringed.
“Don’t call me that!” he snapped.
They began their journey full of hope—the other 5 members of News hoping Yamapi doesn’t kill them off one by one, and Yamapi hoping he can get rid of his feelings for her the way he did for his past girlfriends. Massu turned on the TV in their tour bus, and surprise, surprise, a music video greeted them—Oda Kazumasa’s Kokoro, where Mao portrays a bride. Ryo immediately threw his cap at Massu, signaling him to turn it off, which Massu understood immediately. Everyone got uncomfortably quiet for a moment, wondering when Yamapi will cause havoc. Surprisingly, he didn’t. He acted all cool and passive, convincing himself not to be affected anymore.
“Are you all set?” Koichi asked.
“Yep, let’s go.” Mao said, carrying a bag.
They exited the building, and went on their own journey. Not long ago she went on a roadtrip, but it was to a different place, and with a totally different person. If Koichi did all this effort to help her, the she would do her part as well, and do her best to be happy again.
missingY O U
