my place to wander

Eh?!

Eh?!

I mean..

How-

Why?

But-

I spent the whole night watching Skip Beat..

.....

....

...

*that's why I always prefer manga over anime*

Hot Gimmick : [Masterpost]

Title: Hot Gimmick

Who?: Masaki Aiba x OC x OC

Status: Ongoing

Disclaimer: Again 'In My Dreams'

What's up?: At this point? I'm not sure myself either..ehehe..^^

---

a/n: 2nd time attempting writing ongoing. Again. Do not plan. I just write. Therefore, didn't know how many chapters it will be either.

 

Masterposts are public. Chapters are n-/f- only.

 

Friendly reminder: English is NOT my first language.

 

Happy Reading!

 

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[OneShot] TIME : [Her Side] - The Promise

a/n: second part.

some of it are repetitive contents of first part, just to match the flow.

*thank you to akane-chan for approving this, again and also for the new sho-header^^

First Part : [His Side] - The Secret

Third Part : [Their Side] - The Departure

---

[TIME]

[Her Side] - The Promise

The moment she saw the two men smartly dressed in suit, in front of her apartment, late at night, she immediately understand.

 

The time has come.

 

Finally.

 

She had thought they would come sooner. It was a surprised because it took them a whole nine years to figure things out.

 

She smiled to both men before inviting them in.

 

“This will be a very long conversation” she thought as she closes the door behind her.

 

“Asaoka-san” the older man spoke as soon as she invited him and his younger companion inside. The older man sits in front of her while the other one remains standing beside him. It appears to her that maybe the younger is his subordinate.

 

“Can I help you gentlemen?” she politely asks, smiling to both of them.

 

The older raise one arm to his companion and the younger took out an envelope from inside his jacket before handing it to his boss.

 

She took the envelope handed to her, knowing precisely what’s inside it even before she open it.

 

“And?” she finally asks after seeing the content. “How can I help you?” she asks once again.

 

The older man draws a cigar from his pocket and lights it up before puffing a few times. He stares at her, lightly inhales the nicotine inside his lung before finally spoke.

 

“He’s precious to the agency. One of the promising idols in the industry and he’s in his full force right now” he began lightly.

 

“Nonsense like this” he pointed at the picture “is something that he didn’t need right now”

 

She smiled again, gaining her composure “You do realize that this nonsense has been going on for a long time right?” she said.

 

“I must admit that he’s good in hiding it”

 

She took the picture and examines it closely. It was recent, from two nights ago after he had dropped her of to her front door and both were sharing a heavy kiss.

 

They didn’t hesitate to take any action.

 

She raises her head and stares at the older.

 

“Here’s what we’re offering you” he said, signaling his subordinate. The younger man nodded before placing a briefcase in front of her and popped it open.

 

Her eyes widen by the unexpected content.

 

They’ll do anything to get rid of me.

 

She shifted nervously on her own sofa and realized that the heat has increased a few degrees inside her head. She took a few deep breaths, calming herself. “You guys do take extra care towards your idols, isn’t it?”

 

“To our assets. Yes” he replied.

 

She stares at the content inside the bag for a few moments. She feels her pride is being played. She accepted him nine years ago not because of his status but for his kindness and warm hearted.

 

She avoided him at first, thinking that he was just some artist, whose been using some connection to enter this prestige university just for leisure. She thought he was someone who never takes anything for granted. He is just another stupid idol who would show off who he was and being nothing but pain in the ass.

 

How she was awfully wrong.

 

He’s the same with everybody else. He took the same entrance exam, he studies hard for his grade, and he did his homeworks and assignments too. More than that, he never brags about himself and never uses his status for personal use. He was just like anyone of their classmates, doing his homework, studies, eating, goofing around with some stupid jokes, mingling with others. He fits just fine with anyone.

 

That was when she realized he’s special.

 

But she was ashamed for her own actions towards him. Instead of him, she’s the one being the pain in the ass. But words had said, the more you hate someone, the more likely that you’ll fall in love with that person.

 

She did.

 

And so does he.

 

The rest was something that worth nine years of hiding behind shadows.

 

Today, this old man is here to buy her love, her pride.

 

He doesn’t even bother to think to give her some respect. He can just say it or giving her a cheque. 

 

Instead he brought cash.

 

Lots of them.

 

Each bundle contains a ten thousand yen notes stack neatly inside the bag. She doesn’t need to be a mathematic professor to understand that it’s worth a fortune.

 

Again, she inhales another deep breath.

 

If they really concerned about their asset, let see just how much they are willing to offer.

 

“Give me another bag of the same amount, maybe I’ll consider it” she said calmly.

 

The old man smirk and chuckles to himself. “You’re smart Asaoka-san. I like you” he puffs his cigar again.

 

“Three bags of the same amount, a house and a new job anywhere you name it” he said seriously.

 

They are not kidding and she immediately understands that the sky is the limit.

 

She smirks. “Good offer you have here”

 

“We’ll do anything to our future prospect”

 

“And if I refuse?” she said, grabbing one of the bundle and casually flipping through it.

 

The old man suddenly lean forward, taking the money from her hand, replace it into the briefcase and shut it close. “Either way, you’re at lost here” he said.

 

“You won’t be here in the first place if you are sure that he will leave me. I bet you have spoken to him and must have reminded him about the stupid contract too but you are unsure if he will obey the order” she replied. This time she’s the one leaning forward closer to the old man.

 

“We both know him; well enough to understand that whenever he has put his heart into something, he’ll never back away”

 

“He’s been hiding it for nine years, what makes you so sure that he will listen to your words?” she asks.

 

Silence fills the atmosphere as the old man continues puffing his cigar. She leans her back onto the sofa and crossed her arms.

 

She continues when she get no response from him. “That is why you are here. Because you need me to leave him, knowing precisely that he will never, ever break my heart”

 

The old man stares at her for a moment before chuckles again. “You talk a lot Asaoka-san” he said snapping his finger to his companion. The younger man quickly took another envelope from the briefcase before handing it to the older.

 

“You’ll definitely agree after seeing this” he tossed the envelope onto her lap.

 

She slowly lifts the concealed envelope and took out some papers from it. Her eyes widen in surprise, seeing the content.

 

They’d dig this far.

 

She flipped through the papers before finally turning her head to face him.

 

“I’m sure Sho-san doesn’t know about it because like you said before, he will never back away when he had decided on something. If he knew about this, I’m sure he’d do anything to be with you” the old man said.

 

“How is it, Asaoka-san? Still hesitating?”

 

She sighed heavily.

 

“Don’t waste your time or his time anymore. Now we both know this relationship isn’t going anywhere”

 

What else can she say?

 

“Let me add another bag, make it four. I’m sure it will be enough to cover everything” he offered.

 

“Leave him. We both know it’s the best for him” he whispered before standing onto his feet.

 

“What’s it going to be?” he asks again.

 

“I’ll do it” she replied weakly.

 

“Good girl” the man said before leaving her apartment.

 

She stares blankly at the papers in front of her.

 

Even if the man didn’t show up in front of her place, she has decided that it is the time for them to fulfill their promise.

 

A promise that was made right after the first night they had been together. She had decided that if she was willing to sleep with him, he must in return make a promise to her.

 

“I need you to promise me something” she had said once, when they were in her apartment, on her bed.

 

“Hmm?” he kissed her shoulder.

 

“Someday, when you are needed to choose between paths, keep in mind that your job comes first”

 

“What are you talking about?” he asks, puzzled.

 

She smiled at him, gently brushing his hair that fall on his forehead. “I love you, Sho. So much. I don’t think I can ever imagine what is it in me if I don’t have you” she confessed.

 

Even in the dim light of her bedside lamp, she can see that he’s blushing red.

 

“However, I am not willing to be one selfish girl that will claim you to be my own, fully”

 

“I don’t understand” he said, confused.

 

“You’re a public figure. I need to share you with thousands other girls-“

 

“But they’re fans. You are my lover” he cut her words, quickly.

 

“I know that” she sighed. “But listen to me. Someday in future, when you are needed to choose between your career or me, your job comes first”

 

“I choose both” he said stubbornly.

 

“No. Please be realistic. You work hard and you love doing your job so much, I can see it. Don’t you ever, ever jeopardized your work because of me”

 

He flipped himself from on top of her and lay on his back on the bed. “I love you as much as I love my job. I cannot choose either one”

 

“That’s why you must promise me now. Whenever you’re forced to choose either one, your job comes first” she said, turning to her side, facing him.

 

He was silence for a brief moment. He continues staring at her ceiling as if he was thinking what he should do next.

 

“Sho?”

 

He didn’t respond.

 

“Promise me” she said.

 

“There’s nothing to be promise”

 

“Sho, please”

 

“I intended to keep you both with my job, there’s no need such promise” he finally said.

 

“No. You can’t keep both. Choose your job” she stressed out.

 

“You don’t even consider ifs or maybes. We don’t know what’s going to happen next. You’re saying like you are so sure that I need to make such decision” he replied turning his head facing her.

 

Tears already down on her cheeks.

 

“Yuri-?”

 

“Promise me. Please?” she said, almost begging between her small sobs.

 

He turn and once again and stay on top of her. He runs his fingers on her cheeks, drawing the tears away. He stares into her deep eyes.

 

“Please?” she pleaded again.

 

Off all things, tears are the only thing that he cannot bear with.

 

“I promise” he finally agreed.

 

She smiled bringing his face close to hers and sealed the promise with a long lingering kiss.

 

Each time after a lovemaking series on her bed, she’d make sure he remembers his words.

 

Each time she’d make sure that he say ‘I promise’.

 

Because she knew, from the first time that there are no ifs and maybes.

 

It will happen.

 

She has composed herself together all this years for just another brief moment with him.

 

But now, the final time is here.

 

The men in suit were a perfect excuse for her.

 

The right moment for such promise to be fulfilled has finally come.

 

She knew he will keep his words.

 

She reached for her phone to call him but it rings first. She knew it was him.

 

“Hi” she answered.

 

“Hi” he replied.

 

Even by the simply reply, she knew he was miserable.

 

“Sho?” she asks after a few moment of silence.

 

“Hmmmm”

 

“You called me-?”

 

“Ah~ Can we meet?” he asks.

 

“Sure”

 

“Tomorrow evening at the usual park?”

 

“Okay”

 

There was another brief moment of silence.

 

“Sho?”

 

“Sorry for disturbing you this late. Good night”

 

“Good night”

 

“I love you, Yuri” he finally said.

 

“I know” she replied before hung up.

 

She never thought that tomorrow comes faster than she had expected. Now, she was walking slowly towards the park, head low.

 

She counted her steps, like she was counting the remaining moment that she can spent with him. It’s hard, but its need to be done.

 

She immediately spotted him on the park bench, his head hung low. He is as miserable as she is.

 

She forced a smile before approaching him. “Hi”

 

“Hi”

 

“It’s cold” she whined and brought her coat closer to her chin.

 

He tried snuggling closer but she lightly pushed him away. “Someone might see us” she simply said.

 

Both of them fell into their own space. She was fidgeting her fingers nervously whilst he rested his chin on both of his hands.

 

She has to break the ice, so she finally speaks. “It’s the time to fulfill our promise”

 

His eyes filled with fear and disbelief to her words.

 

“Why?”

 

And here is where she started asking him questions that she already knew the answer but sure he’ll never speak up his mind.

 

“Can you be here when I need you?” she started.

 

Yes. She already knew the answer.

 

“Can you be my side?” she continues.

 

Yes.

 

“Can you caress me when I cried an awfully lonely nights?”

 

Yes. Yes.

 

“Can you be the cure to my pain?”

 

Yes, I know you can, Sho!

 

“Can you be my sunshine after rain?”

 

I knew you’ve been my sunshine since forever.

 

“Do you love me?”

 

Tell me you love me now and I can forget the whole thing. We can spend the remaining time together.

 

But he didn’t answer.

 

She knew he couldn’t. This is the cruel way for her to force him.

 

She almost cried seeing him broke down. She took deep breath and counted to five, collecting herself and forces herself facing him.

 

“Don’t cry. We made this promise together. This is the right time to fulfill it” she said.

He raised his head, looking at her with his sad eyes.

 

She almost gave up, seeing him cry is like a thousand needles pinned inside her heart.

 

“Go. Don’t look back. Let me go” she said, pushing him lightly.

 

He too a few steps and hesitates.

 

She almost ran for him, to hug him and comforting him and said that they didn’t need to do this.

 

But she didn’t.

 

“Go on. Don’t look back” she said miserably, trying hard to hold back her tears.

 

This time he didn’t hesitates or even hold back.

 

She knew she had lost him forever.

 

She took out a cell phone and dialed a certain number.

 

“It’s done” she said slowly before hung up.

 

For the first time since the promise made, she collapse and awfully cried.

 

I love you, Sho.

---