Automata: Don't Love Me (Chapter 5)
Sep. 8th, 2013 04:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
silverdoll14
Title: Automata: Don’t Love Me
Disclaimer: Big emphasis to “Fiction”. The only thing I own is the idea and plot.
Fandom: Arashi, DBSK/JYJ, Super Junior
Pairing: HaeHyuk (Lee Donghae/Lee Hyukjae), Ohmiya (Ohno Satoshi/Ninomiya Kazunari), YunJae (Jung Yunho/ Kim Jaejoong)
Rating: PG-13 to R
Genre: AU, Drama/Angst, Fantasy, Romance
Chapter – Word Count: Chapter 5 – 8 526 words
Summary: How can two people love each other when only one of them is entitled to exist to love and be loved?
Warning: Unbeta-ed
Author’s Notes: And here is the start of the real story. Better watch out for other characters reactions. Although, I think I got carried away in writing this chapter.
---------------------------------------------------
"Your love is pouring even from afar
The warmth you emit even we're apart
Each and every moment will always count
Even if so much pain as its amount
Still I love you,
the sky is crying for this love."
Jaejoong reads Nino's new set of lyrics out of all the music scores that is scattered in the coffee table. This is the first time he has seen this and that's why he becomes curious. They are once again in Nino's apartment since the older asks for his assistance in creating a rock song and Nino admits it's out of his forte. Nino is actually recommending Jaejoong to take that said project alone as his first song to work on solely but Jaejoong declines saying; he doesn't feel yet working on official songs alone. Of course Jaejoong has composed some songs alone but usually it isn't done yet and it's only completed if Nino works with him on it.
"Hmm, I wonder what the title is for this song?" Jaejoong wonders as he looks through the page for some clue to his question, he doesn't notice Nino has come back from the kitchen with two cups of tea at hand.
"Title for what?"
Jaejoong looks up and shows the paper he is holding to Nino. The latter settles first the cups before taking a sit beside the younger man and scans the music score. Both of them are seated in the carpeted floor in the living room with their backs press against the couch, a guitar on Nino's side while a keyboard is residing above the coffee table, almost buried from the dozens of music scores scattered.
"Oh, I thought I threw this already." Nino says after reading the contents and put down the paper to reach out for his tea and zips from it. Jaejoong gets the piece of paper quickly, afraid of Nino actually throwing it.
"How come? It's actually good." Jaejoong pouts and reads again the lyrics which is only consist of a stanza and a chorus. No chords are added yet. It isn't even halfway finish. The lines he has read are part of the chorus and somehow, those words trigger something in him. Well, maybe he's getting too emotional these days.
“Rain.” Nino says after a minute of silent and when he feels Jaejoong’s attention is back in him even if the younger man doesn’t speak, Nino continues, “I’m actually naming it Rain.” He rephrases and Jaejoong can only nod at that.
It actually fits in Jaejoong’s opinion. Even if most words don’t go with rain, it still fits. It feels like he can already hear melodies that will go with it and Jaejoong honestly wants to continue this.
"Onii..." Jaejoong starts and when Nino looks at him with a raised of eyebrow, he can't help but to bite his lower lip.
Jaejoong rarely address him or Ohno onii. Well, everyone rarely do. It's understandable because they are in Korea and 'hyung' is the right term (but they do address him and Ohno, onii if they are in Japan but since they haven't visited the country so it's really unusual for Nino to hear it in usual days) but if one does, it means they are serious about something just like what Eunhyuk and Donghae have done when he is able to talk to them with serious stuff (aka relationship. issues) and so it does makes Nino curious.
"Can we work in this song after we meet the deadlines?" Jaejoong asks.
"Huh?"
"Can we continue this if we have time? I really like this." Jaejoong repeats and even if it's a bit out of the blue, Nino isn't really surprise with Jaejoong's request, Jaejoong's actions towards the lyrics says it all. Nino does want to tease Jaejoong with how desperate the other looks in continuing the lyrics. When Nino is working on it, he instantly stops when he isn't in the mood anymore. So he wonders why Jaejoong is so eager at it. Is he in love or something? He just let a chuckle at it.
"Are you sure? You can actually work on it on your own." Nino teased, a smirk playing in his face. He finally adds, "You can really work on it on your own seemingly your inspired. Is there a one-sided love you are keeping secret from us?" He implies and Jaejoong's face shades in multiple layers of red.
"Of course not, hyung..." Jaejoong whispers, shaking his head while unconsciously playing with his index fingers. "Of course, everyone will know if there is one." He murmurs and it makes Nino's laughter to get louder.
"No wonder Yunho bear loves to tease you. You are so cute." Nino laughs and Jaejoong huffs his cheeks in annoyance.
"Hyung!" Jaejoong whines when Nino doesn't stop in laughing and the only revenge he can think of is tickling the older man.
"Oi! Oi! Hahahaaha! Stop! Stop! Hahahahaha~" Nino pleads between laughs but the younger doesn't.
"Hahaha! That's what you get for teasing me!" Jaejoong declares playfully, tackling Nino who also plays along with it. It isn’t everyday they get to be carefree as this now that both of them are full grown up men with a lot of responsibilities at hand, but then no one is too old to play games even as childish as this.
"Alright! Hahahaha~ Alright! You win." Nino surrenders but still having a fits of laughter together with Jaejoong until...
Kriiiing!
Nino and Jaejoong freeze at the ring of Nino's house phone and then they look at each other's eyes.
"Expecting any calls, hyung?" Jaejoong asks and Nino answers with a shake of head.
"Nah, if that is something important. They'll probably leave a message." Nino says and shrugs on it, getting back to the lyrics they are working on. The phone on the other hand is still ringing and Jaejoong wonders if he'll answer it on behalf of Nino.
Beeep!
"Sorry I'm not home right now? Or probably too busy playing games that I don't have time to answer you..."
And Jaejoong rolls his eyes at Nino's message in his answering machine. Nino can really be a game addict at times and not that Jaejoong is against it but Nino surely has unhealthy eating habits when he's too busy playing games. It actually reminds him of someone or rather a lot of people.
Why everyone in their group is coping up with their own things that they forgot to eat properly? First there’s Yunho who is workaholic and always forget to eat a decent meal at work. Then there's also Ohno who sometimes doesn't eat at all when he's engross with his fishing for 12 hrs straight. And then he also has caught Nino once with eating only packs of ramen when he's too busy killing bosses in his gaming spree for two days straight. Don't forget to add Eunhyuk who forgets to at least eat something before he goes on training dances vigorously for hours. He doesn't know about Donghae but as he remembers before, the said male is like Yunho too. But then they aren't friends for nothing since Jaejoong does share same eating habits sometimes when he's busy too focus on his shoots.
"If it's very, as in very important, please leave a message and I'll call you as soon as I can but if not? Well, nevermind! Peace!"
There's a melodious laughter that echoes and it isn't from the owner of the house but rather from the guest. Well who can blame Jaejoong? How his Nino hyung can be so bratty and still it sounds childishly cute. (not to mention this guy is 30 years old already) Maybe Nino isn't really that much snarky brat as everyone thinks Nino glares at him, but it isn't life threatening so Jaejoong can probably still live.
"Hi, Mr Ninomiya Kazunari sshi. I'm Lee Sungwan from the Rampage Entertainment and…"
Nino and Jaejoong look at each other again at the mention of the caller and the company he has been working for as they listen to the message being recorded. Rampage Entertainment is one of the biggest producers of idols in the entertainment world in South Korea. Although they aren't new when it come to assisting idols for albums, this will be the first time they get a call from the said company.
"We're hoping we could meet up with you as soon as we can. We would like to ask for your assistance in creating a new song for the debut of our new boy group. We hope to hear from you as soon as you can. Good day!"
When the message stops broadcasting its record, no one said a word until Nino does."Well, that's new."
"Yeah. I did hear from Boa that they will debut a new group soon… didn't know it will be another boy group." Jaejoong has recalled from one of his singer friends who is also under Rampage Ent.
"Ah, BoA-chan?" Nino says in recognition. And it makes Jaejoong to chuckle with how Nino is so familiar with Boa when the two actually have met only twice. He confirmed it before with Boa, the girl saying she is actually surprise when Nino calls her Boa-chan in their second meeting. It isn't actually bad or rude because the singer doesn't mind, admitting she likes it even more because even in the circumstances, she feels Boa as normal rather than Boa as the singer. Maybe he should bring Nino with him if he meets up with Boa from time to time. With Nino's personality, it won't take long before Nino and Boa become friends.
"So what you say hyung? Will you work on it?" Jaejoong asks, getting back on their real topic while looking back now to some music scores.
"Nah..." Nino shrugs and it makes Jaejoong to have a second look at Nino. This will be the first time someone contacted Nino for a debut song and usually it's a bit tricky because debut songs usually carries the image of the artists so they'll, or rather Nino, has to create a new image and music rather than just following-up the music the artist has already established. But then Jaejoong knows Nino is someone who tries a lot of interesting things and this is really interesting. That's why it surprises him.
"Eh?"
"Because we're going to work on it." Nino declares.
There is a grin in Jaejoong's face because he knows where this will lead to, but it's better to confirm it, after all, the company only asks for Nino's assistance and he doesn't want to think highly of his self and jumps to conclusions. Even if he and Nino have already worked with a couple of songs, he still knows his place.
"You do know that they are only asking for your assistance right?"
"They did ask for my assistance so it means they have tracked my previous works. Probably they do know I mostly work with songs that I composed with you." Nino says, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.
"Basically, we're partners in crime." Jaejoong concludes with a chuckle.
Nino answers it with a big nod and then adds, "Exactly." Before checking through the music scores again and Jaejoong does the exact thing. Most of the songs are finished anyways. They just need to work with the demo and they are completely done.
"On second thought, we really need to work on something out." Nino suddenly recalls after a minute of pondering. Jaejoong looks from the music scores he has been holding and raises an eyebrow.
"Tight schedule after this work?" Jaejoong asks. He does recall Nino saying he has accepted a new production and he needs to study it so he can give proper directions for it.
After staying silent for a couple of seconds, probably thinking of a plan, he then turns to Jaejoong, "Do you have plans after this?"
“No, why? Hyunjoong knew we have a composing session so he deliberately made this day a free time for me…” Jaejoong narrates.
“So, let’s call in a meeting for today?” Nino asks and Jaejoong agrees. It will be great if they can start out something seemingly they are mostly done.
"Yeah. That will be better."
"Wait up, Imma give them a ring first and then I'll take a bath since I think I smell shit already." Nino says and then looks at himself, pulling his sleeves towards his nose so he can have a sniff. He's still in his pajama with hair jutting in different directions.
"Finally hyung!" Jaejoong snickers, teasing the older man who glares at him as he walks towards his phone.
Jaejoong is left alone in the living room while Nino is already in his bedroom, talking probably to some representative in Rampage Entertainment. Since there isn't much to do, Jaejoong has decided to tidy things up a bit. He isn't a neat prick but for the sake of doing something rather than stare at nothingness, he decides it's better to do the former.
He arranges the music scores, filing it in the folder where it is previously placed. He divides it to those that are finished and those that aren't (with the Rain lyrics on top of it. He's quite excited to work on it) and then placed it in the table. He gets the music instruments they have used and placed it in their respective places. After securing everything is in place, he gets his cup of tea and let's himself gets warm with it.
He goes around, checking Nino's collection of CDs of music with different genres, all arranged in a shelf beside the entertainment set. He skims in awe as variety of artists' albums and singles indulges his eyes. He has been here hundreds of times but this is the first time he gives attention to the shelf. He thinks the next shelf will contain the continuation of the collection but it proves him wrong after seeing CDs not containing songs but rather games. Laughter erupts until a photo frame has caught his eyes.
It's a picture of a family, Ohno's family to be exact seeing the small resemblance in each and everyone to Ohno's younger version and the only one that seems to be out of the picture is a young Nino with his peace sign. With the smiles and proximity of each member in the picture, it will look that Nino is indeed part of the family but then it makes Jaejoong to remember his last conversation with Nino.
"...because I don't have one."
And once again, their previous conversation flooded his mind.
His thoughts travel with questions brewing. He doesn't want to pry to people's lives but Nino is like a brother and it triggers something in him. He wonders if it’s just a figure of speech that he overacted to. After all, a person can say he doesn't have parents if they did abandon him from the start.
But somehow, Jaejoong feels the sadness in Nino's voice that even if the other has said it with a straight face, he feels sorry for him. But is it really just like that? Why Jaejoong does feel it is something more.
"Jae-ah, I'm done."
Jaejoong quickly turns in surprise but thankfully he doesn't let go of anything in his hands even in his flustered state. Nino blinks at him in confusion as he is still drying a bit his hair. "You okay?"
"Yeah, you just startled me hyung." Jaejoong replies with a sigh of relief that his clumsiness hasn't cause any disasters. "I'll just put this back to sink." Jaejoong adds, referring to the mug that he has been holding and puts back the picture frame in its rightful place before striding down to Nino's kitchen.
From where he is standing by his room's doorstep, Nino watches as Jaejoong walks out of the living room and when he is alone, he stares at the younger's previous post. He has seen how Jaejoong is holding to the only frame he had put in the shelf and it makes Nino to wonder whether Jaejoong has somehow figured out their connection to one another.
---------------------------------------------------
Eunhyuk is fiddling with his phone when he is entering the cafe until he bumps to someone.
"Oh, so-"
"Oh Hyukkie, you're here!"
Eunhyuk looks up and finds his Leeteuk hyung in front of him.
"Teukkie hyung? Why are you here?" He asks quite shock. For an author who has a lot of deadlines, Leeteuk usually stays in their house. It's rarely to see him going out unless he needs a big break. Then there goes Leeteuk's high pitch laugh and Eunhyuk has to will his eyes not to roll with how Leeteuk looks like some crazy person.
"Hyung?"
"Ah yeah, I just need a little breather plus Kyuhyun will be coming over and I need to buy something to eat for that editor of mine." Leeteuk reasons and adds another nervous laugh.
"Oh... sweets?" Eunhyuk ponders remembering that Leeteuk's young editor is quite fond of sweets.
"Yeah..."
"Though I did left some stew. Just heat it up if you guys really get hungry."
"Sure. Thanks Hyuk." Leeteuk smiles and pats his shoulder as he passes by the younger.
"Say hi to Kyuhyun for me. I might come home a bit late to help Nino hyung for inventory." Eunhyuk says.
"Okay. Jya!" He hears Leeteuk's last words as the older flees from the shop. Eunhyuk then quirk an eyebrow just noticing Leeteuk has left the shop empty-handed.
He shrugs it off and goes to the counter where Yoochun just finished serving a customer.
"You're early and quite dashing." Yoochun comments, his eyes running up and down. Seeing Eunhyuk up-close, he notices Eunhyuk's new get up.
"Shut up. I just came from backing up an idol in shooting an music video." Eunhyuk grins. Aside from the white sleeveless shirt he has with and black skinny with lots of zippers and white high-cut rubber shoes, he still has his make up on, faintly but still it complements his skin tone with a little blush and red lips. What makes it outstanding is the manly eyeliner he sports that defines his eyes. It may be one-lidded but still it has its unique beautiful almond shape.
"I'd say you better keep that look till we close and who knows, our earnings will double up." Yoochun wiggles his eyebrows with his proposition. Eunhyuk chortles with that and shrugs but he is considering the idea. He goes to the employee's small lounge to distribute his back and change his outfit to the uniform. He may be one of the owners but he diligently wears it when helping. After finishing, he grabs his apron and heads out back to the counter while tying it around his waist. He does keep his make-up on.
"So did Leeteuk hyung asks something here? He says he is buying some sweets but he ends up empty-handed." Eunhyuk asks once he is in the back of the counter. He helps Yoochun in making the beverages, taking the task of making the milkshakes while Yoochun covers the hot ones.
"Well, he did ask if Donghae-sshi really came back in Korea." Yoochun answers nonchalantly, busying his self in operating the steamer for the cafe latte.
Eunhyuk stiffens in Yoochun's answer and the other has noticed it. “Uhm… I think that did come quite rude. Sorry~” Yoochun admits and Eunhyuk shakes his head in reply.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Don’t worry about it.” He tried to reassure the other. “Nothing’s wrong about it.” He shrugs and he don’t know if he is convincing enough but that will do. He really doesn’t want to talk anything about Donghae.
Donghae is back. He has accepted it and he doesn’t have anything to do with it anymore. Donghae is a friend he decides and he’ll let it be.
Past is past.
That is what he has decided the night he cries his self in his sleep, the same night Donghae has been back and he doesn't want to cry for the latter anymore knowing it isn't worth it. Donghae seems fine already and he's moving on (well, that's what he believes) and so he needs to do the same. He doesn't know where all of these have come from but Eunhyuk believes it is enough already. Nino is right. Five years have passed but which is easier with Donghae completely out of his or with Donghae being back?
"Hyukkie~ you're phone is ringing."
"Huh?" Eunhyuk is brought back from his stupor with Yoochun's call and it comes to him that his phone is indeed ringing. He then bites his lips remembering he still needs to help Yoochun with the drinks but the other seems to have read his gesture, saying "Go ahead. I got this covered." Eunhyuk smiles in gratefulness and excuses his self to answer the phone back in employees' lounge where the buzzing noises of the cafe won't be much of a hindrance.
"Yeobeoseyo?"
"Hyukkie!" Eunhyuk instantly recognizes the voice.
"Oh, Jae?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm at the cafe already. You’re coming today?"
"Yeah, I'm with Nino hyung and we're heading back." Jaejoong explains in the other line. And then loud screams are heard that causes him to jerk his phone away from his ears. When it becomes normal to his ears again, he breathes in disbelief “Woah, what the hell is that?”
“Sorry, some fan girls just screamed.” Jaejoong mutters under his breath and with the way the sound of screams becoming distant; Eunhyuk guesses that Jaejoong and Nino have probably walked away from those overexcited girls.
“Your fangirls?” Eunhyuk grins and Jaejoong chuckles at it.
“Nope, Nino hyung’s…” Jaejoong says and there is a soft laughter in the background until Eunhyuk retorts, “Impossible. A brat? Having fans?”
“OI!”
He and Jaejoong laugh at that.
"Where are you guys anyways?"
“We just had a meeting with Rampage Entertainment representatives for a possible song to produce and we're heading back now. You’ll help in the inventory right?” Jaejoong asks.
“Yeap! Take care on your way here.” Eunhyuk bids before Jaejoong completely hangs up. Eunhyuk’s smile becomes light-hearted, his confusion has been forgotten. Guess, this day will continue smoothly since he’ll definitely enjoy doing the inventory with Nino and Jaejoong. Or so he thought…
“He’s a brat!” Nino grumbles when Jaejoong hangs up the phone call.
“Says the famous brat~” Jaejoong interjects playfully and Nino thinks for awhile before shrugging his shoulders.
“Oh well, that’s my strong point anyways.” Nino admits indifferently, quite proud of it and Jaejoong releases another fit of laughter once again.
“Really hyung, you keep on complaining that people says you’re a brat but at the end you still admits it's true.” Jaejoong starts to point out with mirth as he makes his way towards the car with Nino in tow.
“Well, I’m not that brat right?” Nino reasons and Jaejoong stops and pointedly stares at Nino, his eyebrow is raised and a smirk in his lips.
“Okay, okay! I am a brat.” Nino says, raising his hand in act of a surrender and then adds, “But not a ‘brat’ brat~” Nino tries to compromise, still following Jaejoong towards the car.
“Uhuh~” Jaejoong scoffs, his focus on his backpack as he tries to find the keys for his car. Exactly, how does Nino describe himself as brat? Jaejoong doesn’t know.
“It comes with the package you know.” Nino decides to his self and Jaejoong admits his hyung got a point but it’s just that it’s really a rare chance to tease their Nino hyung like this when all the teasing usually comes from him.
“plus-“
“Plus?” Jaejoong asks but then there’s a long pause that he is only able to tear his attention from his backpack when he obtains his keys.
“Plus what hyung?” and it only occurs to him that Nino’s eyes is towards somewhere. When his eyes follow Nino’s, it is focus towards a lanky man not far from where they are standing at.
“Nino hyung?” he asks when Nino is just staring at the said man. They are in the outside parking lot of Rampage Entertainment, the one beside a sidewalk where the man Nino’s eyes is focusing towards standing. Jaejoong wonders if Nino knows the guy because there is a hint of recognition in Nino’s eyes.
“Nino hyung?”
“Ah yes.” Nino snaps and shakes his head like he has woken up from someone’s hypnosis. He then looks at Jaejoong, quite lost as to what they are doing again.
“Are you okay?” Jaejoong asks worried.
“Yeah…” Nino nodded, almost like a whisper and it makes Jaejoong to worry more.
“Do… do you know the guy?” Jaejoong asks hesitating but it leaves him more confuse when Nino cocks his head, his eyebrows raising like Jaejoong is asking a dumb question.
“Of course not…” Nino waves his hand emphasizing his answer. Jaejoong decides just to let it go and click the remote of his car to open the lock. Nino is already on his way to the other side of the car when someone calls for their attention.
“Wait!!!”
Nino’s and Jaejoong’s head turns towards the caller’s direction and it surprises Jaejoong that it is the guy Nino has been looking at, now running towards them. When the stranger finally stops near them, crouching down to catch his breath, Jaejoong looks at Nino who just shrugs his shoulders.
“Sorry~ uhm…” the stranger says and then straighten his self. “Anou...” He starts and then thinks for awhile. With the changes in the stranger's face, Jaejoong and Nino can tell the stranger is struggling to ask something. They just can’t decipher what the other wants.
“Anou… to Namsam tower swim gift ?” the other asks in a Korean they can’t quite get. Jaejoong finally figures that the stranger is a foreigner that is lost but then Jaejoong can’t tell what the other really wants and he can’t help but grimace at that.
Jaejoong’s reaction seems easy enough for the foreigner to understand that what he has said doesn’t make sense for the Korean and so the foreigner bites on his lips with worry, muttering a ‘Yabaii’ which Jaejoong recognizes immediately.
“You are a Japanese right?” Jaejoong asks in his decent Japanese and the other’s face glow with happiness when he can finally communicate with someone in the same language.
“Yes! Uwah!” The stranger cheers, seemingly that he is save now. It seems he can talk to his mother-tongue freely now.
“Sorry about that but I have a terrible Korean. This is the first time I have come here and I end up getting lost as I look for my friend who's with me,” the other explains animatedly and Jaejoong smiles at that. Even at their first meeting, Jaejoong feels they will really get along with each other fast. “Are you a Japanese too?” the other questions as because Jaejoong seems to have a decent Japanese.
“A no, but Nino hyung is.” Jaejoong says, pointing at Nino who is silent all throughout. He then notices the silence Nino emits since the stranger has call them earlier but the older doesn’t speak and just give a nod of acknowledgement.
“Oh, how rude of me… I’m Aiba Masaki.” The stranger named Aiba introduces his self and Jaejoong doesn’t have any time anymore to dwell with Nino’s silent treatment all of a sudden.
“I’m Kim Jaejoong and that is Nino hyung, Ninomiya Kazunari.” Jaejoong introduces immediately because it seems Nino won’t talk from some time and he doesn’t know why Nino is acting like that now.
“Aree, it seems you two are in a hurry so I won’t take more of your time.” Aiba says and Jaejoong smiles apologetic at that because Nino seems to be in his bratty mood after glancing to him and seeing him with cross-arms but his eyes remain trained towards Aiba.
“I’m hoping you can direct me towards Namsam tower to meet my friend who went ahead of me. The taxi driver had dropped me close by and said I just need to walk towards it. But I just don’t know to what direction I should be heading to.” Aiba admits, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment and Jaejoong laughs at understanding before giving out instructions to the lost foreigner. After doing so, Jaejoong wishes Aiba good luck and hope he is enjoying his stay in Seoul before bidding him goodbye. Nino wordlessly continues his way towards the other side of the car, not a single word coming from his mouth and his face sports a poker face that gives a nostalgic feeling towards Jaejoong for some reason.
Yet again, they are interrupted getting in the car when Aiba yelped and both their heads snaps towards the lanky man who is beaming at them.
“Aha! No wonder I end up drawn to you guys. You’re Automata!” Aiba beams, enjoyment twinkling in his eyes.
Jaejoong is taken back with what Aiba is spurting but what shock him the most is Nino’s frozen state when he chances a glance towards the older male.
“Huh?” It’s the only reaction he can get out of his self. Everything is bizarre for some reason and Jaejoong doesn’t know how to act.
“Uwah! This is a rare chance.” Aiba cheers still excited as he approaches them with Jaejoong to reach first since the latter is closer.
“A-a… you must be mis-“
“Let’s go.” Jaejoong hears the faint voice of Nino in his right that his eyes turns back to Nino but Aiba is getting closer and the Jaejoong is torn in entertaining Aiba and hopefully clears things up. His head darts back and forth between his Nino hyung and Aiba. But the sudden shout of Nino alerts him as he can hear pleading from the older guy.
“JAEJOONG, LET’S GO!” And the slam of the door by the passenger’s seat emphasizes it.
“I’m sorry Aiba-san. Take care.” Jaejoong excuses him and Nino in haste, still shock at how Nino has reacted. He gets in the car and starts it immediately after closing his door. They hit the road in a minute and as the red light alerts them to stop in a crossing, Jaejoong glances by Nino’s side and his shock doubles up.
Nino’s face is white like a sheet of paper and beads of sweat started to form in his forehead. He can see Nino gripping at the seatbelt. But what really makes Jaejoong to worry more is the fact that Nino is trembling and he doesn’t know what to do. Does it have to do with what the Japanese guy, Aiba Masaki referring them to, or the man itself only?
On the other hand, Aiba stares at the fleeing car, quite fascinated but then it dawns to him with how the two have reacted to his call. He quickly hits his forehead with his palm. “Yabai, I think only one of them knows what they really are.”
---------------------------------------------------
“Is Nino hyung alright?" Eunhyuk asks after some time and Jaejoong can just shrug at that. He doesn’t have an idea at all. From the counter, he and Eunhyuk observe Nino who is sitting in their usual table, knees tucked in front of his chest while his eyes focus in the nothingness of the outside world through the glass window of their shop.
Jaejoong and Nino have arrived almost two hours ago, with the older instantly sitting and staying at the same spot for that long. They have tried to talk to him from time to time but Nino only gives them one sentence as reply at most and it’s making Jaejoong to worry more. Well, almost everyone in the staff who knows Nino well is really worried. Usually, he's the one that makes the cafe lively with his snarky remarks and side comments. They have tried to make him eat or drink something but the food they have left in his table is still untouched.
“What have happened Jae?” Eunhyuk inquires him but Jaejoong doesn’t know how to reply that. In all, honestly he doesn’t know how to explain it.
“I don’t really know. We just helped a Japanese guy who seemed lost and then…” Jaejoong tries, and he can’t add anymore. He doesn’t know how to put it into words. And that's when he remembers how the guy call him? Or is it Nino? Jaejoong doesn't know but still that word haunts him.
“Automa-“
“Oh, good thing you guys are here.”
Jaejoong isn’t able to finish his word when new comers interrupt and his and Eunhyuk’s attention towards the door, finding Yunho with Donghae following suit.
Eunhyuk on the other hand flinches a bit at the new comers but he tries his best to disregard it and shakes his head.
When there is lack of response from people in the counter, Yunho blinks in confusion. “What’s wrong?” He asks as Jaejoong looks so gloomy and worried that he can’t understand. Jaejoong juts his lower lip towards Nino’s direction and the new comers’ eyes follow instantly.
“What happened to Nino hyung?” He instantly asks the moment he realizes that Nino seems dazed and from the looks of it, it isn't good. Admittedly, it scares a hell out of him. No kidding aside, this is the first time he sees Nino like this. The one who is strong willed and quick to retort looks so vulnerable.
“Did something happen?” Donghae repeats Yunho’s question, this time looking at both Jaejoong and Eunhyuk. He then notices Eunhyuk’s get up and he knows that even if it isn’t the right time to think about it still he can’t help but enjoy his self at the presence of Eunhyuk looking so handsomely beautiful.
He clears his throat, earning him a raise of eyebrow from Eunhyuk and a knowing smirk Yunho. Jaejoong though has just given him a look of indifference, maybe still preoccupied with Nino's state. “Have you called Ohno hyung?” Donghae tries to change the topic and it seems he succeeds when Jaejoong snaps his fingers with a hint of hope in his eyes.
“Ah! I should’ve done that earlier. Aish~” Jaejoong says and quickly get his phone and dials Ohno’s phone. He immediately excuses his self in the solitude of the employee’s lounge to make a call at a quieter environment and only the three are left by the counter with Yoochun joining them.
“He’s been like that for 2 hours right?” Yoochun supplies information. Yunho and Donghae look at Eunhyuk for a confirmation which the latter agrees with a nod.
“Though really, what happened?” Yunho asks again for the third time. It isn’t clear what actually happened that makes Nino to that state and it’s not making sense at all.
“I don’t know. I got a call from Jaejoong earlier that they’ll be heading here and Nino hyung seems still okay to the point we were playfully bickering." Eunhyuk pauses and takes a look around the people who is inquiring him before looking back to Nino's direction and continues, "but when they arrive, Nino hyung just acted like a robot. “
There’s a tinge of sadness in his voice and then he adds in a whisper. “I’m scared…”
Yunho doesn’t move at all and Donghae wonders if he hears Eunhyuk’s last sentence. Nevertheless, he hears it himself and he really wants to comfort the latter like he used to when they are still together but restrain his self. Even though he and Eunhyuk is talking in normal terms (well, if it’s really normal), he knows his limitations and he knows the thing between them isn’t settled yet. He is just gathering his guts to be able to talk it with Eunhyuk as soon as he can. But right now, Nino’s state is more important. He looks so broken, torn and lost. What really have happened?
---------------------------------------------------
"I can't stop now."
"Please don't do this. Please stop this. I'm begging you. It will no do go-, ah wait."
"Cut!" The director shouts, alerting everyone to stop the rehearsal after an NG by one of the leading actress is committed.
"I'm sorry." The actress apologizes, bowing her head. Everything is perfect already and almost to the end but then she forgets a single line and she feels apologetic to her co-stars.
"It's okay. I think we actually over-rehearse today." The director admits, smiling to reassure her.
"Let's call it a day. Everyone has worked hard." The director decides after catching a glimpse at his watch. "Great work everyone." He says and claps his hands. All of the team members follow, greeting each other with good work.
"I'm really sorry, Ohno-san. You were so great but I just ruin it." Fuji Mina, who like Ohno have made a name in Korea's stage productions, apologizes again in Japanese which is also her mother-tongue.
"Don't be too harsh to yourself Mina-chan. You were great too. Don't worry about it; I think others are quite thankful at you for ending this long hours or rehearsal." Ohno replies with a joke and Mina laughs at that.
"Thank you." Mina says and they continue their talk while walking towards their dress room.
“By the way, are you okay?” Mina asks suddenly in the middle of their talk.
“Of course, why do you ask?” Ohno asks a bit baffled.
“I dunno, there is a moment when we are rehearsing a scene and suddenly you stopped in the middle, like there is a shock. At first, I thought you were just trying to remember your lines but then when you have recited it so perfectly, I doubt that's the reason. It could be an adlib but something tells me it isn’t. It’s just that you look so lost for a moment and then suddenly it’s gone.” Mina explains but Ohno doesn’t quite catch on it. Well, he does quite remember that moment when he felt everything has stopped. But since the director hasn’t said anything, he just thought that maybe it’s just an adlib he suddenly came up with for that scene and the director seems to like it.
“Ah, oops… I think I pried too much…” Mina apologizes when Ohno doesn’t answer but he reassures her with a shake of the head.
“Don’t worry… It’s nothing” Ohno says, just that he doesn’t have anything to say. Along the way to their respective dressing rooms, Ohno feels his phone vibrating in his pocket. He gets it and sees the call's details. Seeing Jaejoong's name flashing in the screen, he excuses his self.
"Sorry, I have to get this."
"Sure, I'll go on ahead. Thank you again and take care in going home." Mina bows to which Ohno replies with curt bow and farewell.
He isn't able to greet the other when Jaejoong immediately asks away.
"Hyung, are you busy?"
"No, the rehearsal just ended." He explains and the anxiety in Jaejoong's voice alerts him so he adds, "Did something happen?"
"I don't know how to explain this but Nino hyung is acting weird."
He wants to laugh at first really. What does Jaejoong mean by Nino acting weird? The last time he remembers Jaejoong saying something like that, it is part of a prank Nino is trying to pull to the younger one but Jaejoong's serious tone is stopping him to do so.
"What do you mean?" He asks as calm as he can, but deep inside he's petrified for some unknown reason. And then it dawns to him what Mina has said earlier.
“It’s just that you look so lost for a moment and then suddenly it’s gone.”
"I don't know. He just seems lost..." Jaejoong admits in the other line. Even if he can't see Jaejoong, he knows the younger male is sporting a look like he is lost too. Ohno now wants to know what happened that it seems it has affected Jaejoong somehow. But Nino's is worst and he needs to see him now.
One step, two steps and the next thing he knows is running towards his dressing room to get his bag and then towards the café, their last part of conversation before Jaejoong hangs up is ringing in his head.
"This isn't like Nino hyung at all. I know it may be a prank but then it's like life is suck out of him. I think you're the only one who can amend it somehow..."
---------------------------------------------------
Eunhyuk watches as Ohno leads Nino out of the coffee shop. The younger of the two seems still out of it, just following Ohno without constrain when usually Nino is the one who teasingly leads the other. But still, he is thankful that Nino has shown a little life.
Awhile ago, Ohno had arrive in the cafe, panting really hard. It seems the older male had run like a thousand miles just to get here. There is panic written all over his face and it softens when he approaches Nino, kneeling in front of him before calling out softly and holding into Nino's hands.
"Kazu?"
And for the first time that day that he has seen Nino, the Japanese guy speaks up with emotion and not some kind of a robot.
"Satoshi?" Nino whispers.
"Yeah, I'm here. Let's bring you home." Ohno coos and Nino nods at that.
He and Jaejoong sigh in relief from where they are observing at. From outsiders' view, this maybe like a somewhat fairytale that has been reenacted but for those who are involved, this is quite a relief. It's actually the first time they witness something like this from Nino and it really scares them.
"I'll bring Kazu home. You guys can take care of the shop?" Ohno says, stopping in front of them.
Jaejoong nods eagerly, finally seeing Nino going back to his old self little by little. "Sure we can handle this. Don't worry about it hyung and take care of Nino hyung."
Ohno smiles and nods and then looks at Nino who finally lets out a small chuckle and shakes his head.
"Sorry about that..." Nino says, finally addressing them. "Let's just do the inventory tomorrow." He declares and Eunhyuk and Jaejoong really want to shout 'Yay' for having Nino to talk again. They opt in hiding their high-five behind the counter.
"We'll see you tomorrow." Ohno bids them goodbye.
And that's why both Nino and Ohno disappear to go home.
"I so love you Lee Donghae!" Someone cheers that startles Eunhyuk from his reverie and once he turns his head towards the commotion after someone just groaning, he sees Jaejoong hugging Donghae merrily, well more like hugging him to death. Yunho who witness the whole commotion can't help but just laugh at it to which Eunhyuk follows.
And as seconds tick by with Jaejoong still not letting go of Donghae, Yunho positions his self to be the referee and let the two separate in Donghae's favor.
"Come on Joongie, let the man breathe." Yunho says and realizing that he has been carried away, Jaejoong lets go.
"Oops, sorry." He mumbles and bites his lower lip in embarrassment.
Donghae smiles at Jaejoong, saying that it's fine while Yunho gives a heartfelt laugh along with Eunhyuk but stops when the dancer catches Donghae trying to fix his tie. Maybe it's out of reflex that he starts fixing Donghae's tie and polo shirt which is crumpled by Jaejoong's bone crushing hug . He feels Donghae stunned at his gesture but he doesn't move his hand away continues.
"This is nothing." He chants to his self to be able to continue on because he feels his heart jumping and it isn’t good showing how nervous he really is. He finishes rearranging Donghae's tie with a smile and put his attention back to two who are gawking at what just happened to them.
"So Jae, what did the man call you guys again?" Eunhyuk asks to change the attention back to their earlier talk and he really wants to congratulate his self for sounding so calm when inside emotions are rampaging to be let out. He doesn't know what to feel? Nervous? Hurt? Or what? With Donghae in here in front of him, he can't really control his feelings. He should feel anger and despise him but in reality, he just silently wants everything to be back like before.
"I don't know if he's just calling Nino hyung that or even just me... or both of us..." Jaejoong starts and Eunhyuk is thankful that Jaejoong finally talks about his inquiry because this can distract his mind in the whirlwind of questions. But then another question erupts in his mind when Jaejoong continues,
"He started yelling out something about Automata."
He wanted to ask his question out loud but it goes dry in his throat especially after glancing towards Yunho, the taller man standing frozen as that word has escaped Jaejoong's lips.
"What exactly is an automata?"
When Nino and Ohno arrive at Nino's apartment, Ohno asks if Nino wants to eat dinner but the latter refuses, saying he doesn't have an appetite. Ohno wants to protest but seeing Nino's pleading eyes, he just complies, bringing the latter towards his room. He let the younger man to lie on his bed, securing him in the blanket. After making sure, Nino is comfortable enough, Ohno makes his way towards the kitchen, probably to get some water if the younger man suddenly feels he needs a drink in the middle of the night but fingers around his wrist stops him.
“Stay.” Nino whispers and Ohno doesn’t object. He joins Nino under the blanket, surrounding his arms around the younger’s lithe frame. He tucks Nino’s head under his chin as he hums lullabies he used to sing with the latter when they were younger.
Ohno can hear Nino’s calm breathing, the air of the younger man lets go by his throat gives him a tingling sensation and it just makes him to tighten his hold in the younger.
“What have happened Kazu?” He asks after minutes when curiosity has enveloped him. It scares him when Nino had become like that. It isn’t the first time and he has always wished that time will be the last.
It had happened almost 14 years ago, barely a year when Nino came to his life. He was waiting by the gate so that he and Nino could go home together like they usually do. But that time Nino didn’t meet him at the time they usually do. He felt a shock and then a pang in his heart. He looked around and even if he had been studying at that school for 10 years already, he felt so lost like he was in another dimension, another world. It was like he didn’t know where he belongs. Everyone is a blur and then suddenly, it’s gone and all he could think of was about Nino.
He doesn’t wait anymore, and he runs towards the building where Nino’s class is located. He runs as fast as he can, bumping to some boys along the way who is laughing out loud with something but he heeds them no attention, only his focus is to find Nino.
When he arrives, the classroom is empty and it makes him devastated, thinking where Nino can be. But because of the silence the empty corridors provided, he hears small whimpers. It doesn’t stop and so Ohno follows the sound until it brings him to a bathroom. His eyes widens after seeing one of the cubicle with a soaking Nino. But what scares him the most is the radiance in Nino’s eyes is gone.
“Kazu!” He instantly cradles Nino’s cheeks, making the younger guy to look at him. Their eyes have met and Ohno hates seeing Nino’s eyes so empty. “Kazu~” He calls him again. But the latter still doesn’t speak. He wonders who has done this to Nino and when it dawns that the guys he has bumped into awhile ago are Nino’s classmates, he has the idea already. His fist form into tight balls as he lets Nino go. He grits his teeth, ready to run after them but then there are stubby fingers around his wrist and his expressions softens.
“Who am I?” Nino whispers and suddenly his eyes carries tears, sadness can be seen in his dark hazel orbs and all Ohno can do is to hug him.
“I’m here… sssh~ It’s okay… I’m here…” Ohno says, trying to comfort Nino. He doesn’t know what to reply and he really hates it if Nino asks that question.
“Who am I really, Oh-chan… Who am I?” Nino continues to whisper, sobs echoing in the confines of the bathroom. Ohno lets go of Nino so that he properly make Nino to look at him by cradling his face, his eyes looking at Nino’s crying ones.
“Don’t you ever question who you are Nino… You are Ninomiya Kazunari, you understand me? Don’t you ever question that again!” Ohno says firmly, thumbing Nino’s cheeks to wipe away his tears. He leans his forehead to Nino’s wet ones and continues, “You are Ninomiya Kazunari and you’ll create your own identity no matter what you are.” Ohno whispers.
Since then, he had never seen Nino like that ‘till now.
Ohno wonders if it’s the same as before. It is the same occurrence to him and Nino judging by Mina"s explanation earlier and Jaejoong's call.
Nino felt somehow lost again and he wants to know what happened that triggers that feeling from Nino again.
“It’s nothing…” Nino replies after sometime, barely a whisper but Ohno hears nevertheless. Ohno pulls away to have a good look at the younger man, wanting to check on the other. With the light from the moonlight the curtains lets in, Ohno can see Nino’s face, eyes already close. Ohno wonders if Nino has fallen asleep or Nino just doesn't want to talk about it.
It disappoints him really when Nino's shuts him out especially when it's comes to his problems but the younger man is stubborn and so he had learn to let the younger man be until it's really time for him to butt in.
And seeing the other's peaceful face, Ohno is already assure that everything is okay will be okay now.
He just wishes that Nino won't feel lost again because he'll always be with him no matter what unaware how much Nino is actually thankful to him.
Ohno doesn’t know how much he has done to Nino with just the moment when he held Nino’s hands the first thing he arrived at the café earlier. He doesn’t know how Nino is woken up from diffidence, finding courage once again to those words he had said before to younger one.
“You are Ninomiya Kazunari and you’ll create your own identity no matter what you are.”
That night, Nino is smiling in his sleep, remembering the first time he came to life with the sight of the bewildered Ohno, the 16 year old boy who doesn’t show any fears but rather has accepted him wholeheartedly.
The warmth you emit even we're apart
Each and every moment will always count
Even if so much pain as its amount
Still I love you,
the sky is crying for this love."
Jaejoong reads Nino's new set of lyrics out of all the music scores that is scattered in the coffee table. This is the first time he has seen this and that's why he becomes curious. They are once again in Nino's apartment since the older asks for his assistance in creating a rock song and Nino admits it's out of his forte. Nino is actually recommending Jaejoong to take that said project alone as his first song to work on solely but Jaejoong declines saying; he doesn't feel yet working on official songs alone. Of course Jaejoong has composed some songs alone but usually it isn't done yet and it's only completed if Nino works with him on it.
"Hmm, I wonder what the title is for this song?" Jaejoong wonders as he looks through the page for some clue to his question, he doesn't notice Nino has come back from the kitchen with two cups of tea at hand.
"Title for what?"
Jaejoong looks up and shows the paper he is holding to Nino. The latter settles first the cups before taking a sit beside the younger man and scans the music score. Both of them are seated in the carpeted floor in the living room with their backs press against the couch, a guitar on Nino's side while a keyboard is residing above the coffee table, almost buried from the dozens of music scores scattered.
"Oh, I thought I threw this already." Nino says after reading the contents and put down the paper to reach out for his tea and zips from it. Jaejoong gets the piece of paper quickly, afraid of Nino actually throwing it.
"How come? It's actually good." Jaejoong pouts and reads again the lyrics which is only consist of a stanza and a chorus. No chords are added yet. It isn't even halfway finish. The lines he has read are part of the chorus and somehow, those words trigger something in him. Well, maybe he's getting too emotional these days.
“Rain.” Nino says after a minute of silent and when he feels Jaejoong’s attention is back in him even if the younger man doesn’t speak, Nino continues, “I’m actually naming it Rain.” He rephrases and Jaejoong can only nod at that.
It actually fits in Jaejoong’s opinion. Even if most words don’t go with rain, it still fits. It feels like he can already hear melodies that will go with it and Jaejoong honestly wants to continue this.
"Onii..." Jaejoong starts and when Nino looks at him with a raised of eyebrow, he can't help but to bite his lower lip.
Jaejoong rarely address him or Ohno onii. Well, everyone rarely do. It's understandable because they are in Korea and 'hyung' is the right term (but they do address him and Ohno, onii if they are in Japan but since they haven't visited the country so it's really unusual for Nino to hear it in usual days) but if one does, it means they are serious about something just like what Eunhyuk and Donghae have done when he is able to talk to them with serious stuff (aka relationship. issues) and so it does makes Nino curious.
"Can we work in this song after we meet the deadlines?" Jaejoong asks.
"Huh?"
"Can we continue this if we have time? I really like this." Jaejoong repeats and even if it's a bit out of the blue, Nino isn't really surprise with Jaejoong's request, Jaejoong's actions towards the lyrics says it all. Nino does want to tease Jaejoong with how desperate the other looks in continuing the lyrics. When Nino is working on it, he instantly stops when he isn't in the mood anymore. So he wonders why Jaejoong is so eager at it. Is he in love or something? He just let a chuckle at it.
"Are you sure? You can actually work on it on your own." Nino teased, a smirk playing in his face. He finally adds, "You can really work on it on your own seemingly your inspired. Is there a one-sided love you are keeping secret from us?" He implies and Jaejoong's face shades in multiple layers of red.
"Of course not, hyung..." Jaejoong whispers, shaking his head while unconsciously playing with his index fingers. "Of course, everyone will know if there is one." He murmurs and it makes Nino's laughter to get louder.
"No wonder Yunho bear loves to tease you. You are so cute." Nino laughs and Jaejoong huffs his cheeks in annoyance.
"Hyung!" Jaejoong whines when Nino doesn't stop in laughing and the only revenge he can think of is tickling the older man.
"Oi! Oi! Hahahaaha! Stop! Stop! Hahahahaha~" Nino pleads between laughs but the younger doesn't.
"Hahaha! That's what you get for teasing me!" Jaejoong declares playfully, tackling Nino who also plays along with it. It isn’t everyday they get to be carefree as this now that both of them are full grown up men with a lot of responsibilities at hand, but then no one is too old to play games even as childish as this.
"Alright! Hahahaha~ Alright! You win." Nino surrenders but still having a fits of laughter together with Jaejoong until...
Kriiiing!
Nino and Jaejoong freeze at the ring of Nino's house phone and then they look at each other's eyes.
"Expecting any calls, hyung?" Jaejoong asks and Nino answers with a shake of head.
"Nah, if that is something important. They'll probably leave a message." Nino says and shrugs on it, getting back to the lyrics they are working on. The phone on the other hand is still ringing and Jaejoong wonders if he'll answer it on behalf of Nino.
Beeep!
"Sorry I'm not home right now? Or probably too busy playing games that I don't have time to answer you..."
And Jaejoong rolls his eyes at Nino's message in his answering machine. Nino can really be a game addict at times and not that Jaejoong is against it but Nino surely has unhealthy eating habits when he's too busy playing games. It actually reminds him of someone or rather a lot of people.
Why everyone in their group is coping up with their own things that they forgot to eat properly? First there’s Yunho who is workaholic and always forget to eat a decent meal at work. Then there's also Ohno who sometimes doesn't eat at all when he's engross with his fishing for 12 hrs straight. And then he also has caught Nino once with eating only packs of ramen when he's too busy killing bosses in his gaming spree for two days straight. Don't forget to add Eunhyuk who forgets to at least eat something before he goes on training dances vigorously for hours. He doesn't know about Donghae but as he remembers before, the said male is like Yunho too. But then they aren't friends for nothing since Jaejoong does share same eating habits sometimes when he's busy too focus on his shoots.
"If it's very, as in very important, please leave a message and I'll call you as soon as I can but if not? Well, nevermind! Peace!"
There's a melodious laughter that echoes and it isn't from the owner of the house but rather from the guest. Well who can blame Jaejoong? How his Nino hyung can be so bratty and still it sounds childishly cute. (not to mention this guy is 30 years old already) Maybe Nino isn't really that much snarky brat as everyone thinks Nino glares at him, but it isn't life threatening so Jaejoong can probably still live.
"Hi, Mr Ninomiya Kazunari sshi. I'm Lee Sungwan from the Rampage Entertainment and…"
Nino and Jaejoong look at each other again at the mention of the caller and the company he has been working for as they listen to the message being recorded. Rampage Entertainment is one of the biggest producers of idols in the entertainment world in South Korea. Although they aren't new when it come to assisting idols for albums, this will be the first time they get a call from the said company.
"We're hoping we could meet up with you as soon as we can. We would like to ask for your assistance in creating a new song for the debut of our new boy group. We hope to hear from you as soon as you can. Good day!"
When the message stops broadcasting its record, no one said a word until Nino does."Well, that's new."
"Yeah. I did hear from Boa that they will debut a new group soon… didn't know it will be another boy group." Jaejoong has recalled from one of his singer friends who is also under Rampage Ent.
"Ah, BoA-chan?" Nino says in recognition. And it makes Jaejoong to chuckle with how Nino is so familiar with Boa when the two actually have met only twice. He confirmed it before with Boa, the girl saying she is actually surprise when Nino calls her Boa-chan in their second meeting. It isn't actually bad or rude because the singer doesn't mind, admitting she likes it even more because even in the circumstances, she feels Boa as normal rather than Boa as the singer. Maybe he should bring Nino with him if he meets up with Boa from time to time. With Nino's personality, it won't take long before Nino and Boa become friends.
"So what you say hyung? Will you work on it?" Jaejoong asks, getting back on their real topic while looking back now to some music scores.
"Nah..." Nino shrugs and it makes Jaejoong to have a second look at Nino. This will be the first time someone contacted Nino for a debut song and usually it's a bit tricky because debut songs usually carries the image of the artists so they'll, or rather Nino, has to create a new image and music rather than just following-up the music the artist has already established. But then Jaejoong knows Nino is someone who tries a lot of interesting things and this is really interesting. That's why it surprises him.
"Eh?"
"Because we're going to work on it." Nino declares.
There is a grin in Jaejoong's face because he knows where this will lead to, but it's better to confirm it, after all, the company only asks for Nino's assistance and he doesn't want to think highly of his self and jumps to conclusions. Even if he and Nino have already worked with a couple of songs, he still knows his place.
"You do know that they are only asking for your assistance right?"
"They did ask for my assistance so it means they have tracked my previous works. Probably they do know I mostly work with songs that I composed with you." Nino says, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.
"Basically, we're partners in crime." Jaejoong concludes with a chuckle.
Nino answers it with a big nod and then adds, "Exactly." Before checking through the music scores again and Jaejoong does the exact thing. Most of the songs are finished anyways. They just need to work with the demo and they are completely done.
"On second thought, we really need to work on something out." Nino suddenly recalls after a minute of pondering. Jaejoong looks from the music scores he has been holding and raises an eyebrow.
"Tight schedule after this work?" Jaejoong asks. He does recall Nino saying he has accepted a new production and he needs to study it so he can give proper directions for it.
After staying silent for a couple of seconds, probably thinking of a plan, he then turns to Jaejoong, "Do you have plans after this?"
“No, why? Hyunjoong knew we have a composing session so he deliberately made this day a free time for me…” Jaejoong narrates.
“So, let’s call in a meeting for today?” Nino asks and Jaejoong agrees. It will be great if they can start out something seemingly they are mostly done.
"Yeah. That will be better."
"Wait up, Imma give them a ring first and then I'll take a bath since I think I smell shit already." Nino says and then looks at himself, pulling his sleeves towards his nose so he can have a sniff. He's still in his pajama with hair jutting in different directions.
"Finally hyung!" Jaejoong snickers, teasing the older man who glares at him as he walks towards his phone.
Jaejoong is left alone in the living room while Nino is already in his bedroom, talking probably to some representative in Rampage Entertainment. Since there isn't much to do, Jaejoong has decided to tidy things up a bit. He isn't a neat prick but for the sake of doing something rather than stare at nothingness, he decides it's better to do the former.
He arranges the music scores, filing it in the folder where it is previously placed. He divides it to those that are finished and those that aren't (with the Rain lyrics on top of it. He's quite excited to work on it) and then placed it in the table. He gets the music instruments they have used and placed it in their respective places. After securing everything is in place, he gets his cup of tea and let's himself gets warm with it.
He goes around, checking Nino's collection of CDs of music with different genres, all arranged in a shelf beside the entertainment set. He skims in awe as variety of artists' albums and singles indulges his eyes. He has been here hundreds of times but this is the first time he gives attention to the shelf. He thinks the next shelf will contain the continuation of the collection but it proves him wrong after seeing CDs not containing songs but rather games. Laughter erupts until a photo frame has caught his eyes.
It's a picture of a family, Ohno's family to be exact seeing the small resemblance in each and everyone to Ohno's younger version and the only one that seems to be out of the picture is a young Nino with his peace sign. With the smiles and proximity of each member in the picture, it will look that Nino is indeed part of the family but then it makes Jaejoong to remember his last conversation with Nino.
"...because I don't have one."
And once again, their previous conversation flooded his mind.
His thoughts travel with questions brewing. He doesn't want to pry to people's lives but Nino is like a brother and it triggers something in him. He wonders if it’s just a figure of speech that he overacted to. After all, a person can say he doesn't have parents if they did abandon him from the start.
But somehow, Jaejoong feels the sadness in Nino's voice that even if the other has said it with a straight face, he feels sorry for him. But is it really just like that? Why Jaejoong does feel it is something more.
"Jae-ah, I'm done."
Jaejoong quickly turns in surprise but thankfully he doesn't let go of anything in his hands even in his flustered state. Nino blinks at him in confusion as he is still drying a bit his hair. "You okay?"
"Yeah, you just startled me hyung." Jaejoong replies with a sigh of relief that his clumsiness hasn't cause any disasters. "I'll just put this back to sink." Jaejoong adds, referring to the mug that he has been holding and puts back the picture frame in its rightful place before striding down to Nino's kitchen.
From where he is standing by his room's doorstep, Nino watches as Jaejoong walks out of the living room and when he is alone, he stares at the younger's previous post. He has seen how Jaejoong is holding to the only frame he had put in the shelf and it makes Nino to wonder whether Jaejoong has somehow figured out their connection to one another.
---------------------------------------------------
Eunhyuk is fiddling with his phone when he is entering the cafe until he bumps to someone.
"Oh, so-"
"Oh Hyukkie, you're here!"
Eunhyuk looks up and finds his Leeteuk hyung in front of him.
"Teukkie hyung? Why are you here?" He asks quite shock. For an author who has a lot of deadlines, Leeteuk usually stays in their house. It's rarely to see him going out unless he needs a big break. Then there goes Leeteuk's high pitch laugh and Eunhyuk has to will his eyes not to roll with how Leeteuk looks like some crazy person.
"Hyung?"
"Ah yeah, I just need a little breather plus Kyuhyun will be coming over and I need to buy something to eat for that editor of mine." Leeteuk reasons and adds another nervous laugh.
"Oh... sweets?" Eunhyuk ponders remembering that Leeteuk's young editor is quite fond of sweets.
"Yeah..."
"Though I did left some stew. Just heat it up if you guys really get hungry."
"Sure. Thanks Hyuk." Leeteuk smiles and pats his shoulder as he passes by the younger.
"Say hi to Kyuhyun for me. I might come home a bit late to help Nino hyung for inventory." Eunhyuk says.
"Okay. Jya!" He hears Leeteuk's last words as the older flees from the shop. Eunhyuk then quirk an eyebrow just noticing Leeteuk has left the shop empty-handed.
He shrugs it off and goes to the counter where Yoochun just finished serving a customer.
"You're early and quite dashing." Yoochun comments, his eyes running up and down. Seeing Eunhyuk up-close, he notices Eunhyuk's new get up.
"Shut up. I just came from backing up an idol in shooting an music video." Eunhyuk grins. Aside from the white sleeveless shirt he has with and black skinny with lots of zippers and white high-cut rubber shoes, he still has his make up on, faintly but still it complements his skin tone with a little blush and red lips. What makes it outstanding is the manly eyeliner he sports that defines his eyes. It may be one-lidded but still it has its unique beautiful almond shape.
"I'd say you better keep that look till we close and who knows, our earnings will double up." Yoochun wiggles his eyebrows with his proposition. Eunhyuk chortles with that and shrugs but he is considering the idea. He goes to the employee's small lounge to distribute his back and change his outfit to the uniform. He may be one of the owners but he diligently wears it when helping. After finishing, he grabs his apron and heads out back to the counter while tying it around his waist. He does keep his make-up on.
"So did Leeteuk hyung asks something here? He says he is buying some sweets but he ends up empty-handed." Eunhyuk asks once he is in the back of the counter. He helps Yoochun in making the beverages, taking the task of making the milkshakes while Yoochun covers the hot ones.
"Well, he did ask if Donghae-sshi really came back in Korea." Yoochun answers nonchalantly, busying his self in operating the steamer for the cafe latte.
Eunhyuk stiffens in Yoochun's answer and the other has noticed it. “Uhm… I think that did come quite rude. Sorry~” Yoochun admits and Eunhyuk shakes his head in reply.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Don’t worry about it.” He tried to reassure the other. “Nothing’s wrong about it.” He shrugs and he don’t know if he is convincing enough but that will do. He really doesn’t want to talk anything about Donghae.
Donghae is back. He has accepted it and he doesn’t have anything to do with it anymore. Donghae is a friend he decides and he’ll let it be.
Past is past.
That is what he has decided the night he cries his self in his sleep, the same night Donghae has been back and he doesn't want to cry for the latter anymore knowing it isn't worth it. Donghae seems fine already and he's moving on (well, that's what he believes) and so he needs to do the same. He doesn't know where all of these have come from but Eunhyuk believes it is enough already. Nino is right. Five years have passed but which is easier with Donghae completely out of his or with Donghae being back?
"Hyukkie~ you're phone is ringing."
"Huh?" Eunhyuk is brought back from his stupor with Yoochun's call and it comes to him that his phone is indeed ringing. He then bites his lips remembering he still needs to help Yoochun with the drinks but the other seems to have read his gesture, saying "Go ahead. I got this covered." Eunhyuk smiles in gratefulness and excuses his self to answer the phone back in employees' lounge where the buzzing noises of the cafe won't be much of a hindrance.
"Yeobeoseyo?"
"Hyukkie!" Eunhyuk instantly recognizes the voice.
"Oh, Jae?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm at the cafe already. You’re coming today?"
"Yeah, I'm with Nino hyung and we're heading back." Jaejoong explains in the other line. And then loud screams are heard that causes him to jerk his phone away from his ears. When it becomes normal to his ears again, he breathes in disbelief “Woah, what the hell is that?”
“Sorry, some fan girls just screamed.” Jaejoong mutters under his breath and with the way the sound of screams becoming distant; Eunhyuk guesses that Jaejoong and Nino have probably walked away from those overexcited girls.
“Your fangirls?” Eunhyuk grins and Jaejoong chuckles at it.
“Nope, Nino hyung’s…” Jaejoong says and there is a soft laughter in the background until Eunhyuk retorts, “Impossible. A brat? Having fans?”
“OI!”
He and Jaejoong laugh at that.
"Where are you guys anyways?"
“We just had a meeting with Rampage Entertainment representatives for a possible song to produce and we're heading back now. You’ll help in the inventory right?” Jaejoong asks.
“Yeap! Take care on your way here.” Eunhyuk bids before Jaejoong completely hangs up. Eunhyuk’s smile becomes light-hearted, his confusion has been forgotten. Guess, this day will continue smoothly since he’ll definitely enjoy doing the inventory with Nino and Jaejoong. Or so he thought…
“He’s a brat!” Nino grumbles when Jaejoong hangs up the phone call.
“Says the famous brat~” Jaejoong interjects playfully and Nino thinks for awhile before shrugging his shoulders.
“Oh well, that’s my strong point anyways.” Nino admits indifferently, quite proud of it and Jaejoong releases another fit of laughter once again.
“Really hyung, you keep on complaining that people says you’re a brat but at the end you still admits it's true.” Jaejoong starts to point out with mirth as he makes his way towards the car with Nino in tow.
“Well, I’m not that brat right?” Nino reasons and Jaejoong stops and pointedly stares at Nino, his eyebrow is raised and a smirk in his lips.
“Okay, okay! I am a brat.” Nino says, raising his hand in act of a surrender and then adds, “But not a ‘brat’ brat~” Nino tries to compromise, still following Jaejoong towards the car.
“Uhuh~” Jaejoong scoffs, his focus on his backpack as he tries to find the keys for his car. Exactly, how does Nino describe himself as brat? Jaejoong doesn’t know.
“It comes with the package you know.” Nino decides to his self and Jaejoong admits his hyung got a point but it’s just that it’s really a rare chance to tease their Nino hyung like this when all the teasing usually comes from him.
“plus-“
“Plus?” Jaejoong asks but then there’s a long pause that he is only able to tear his attention from his backpack when he obtains his keys.
“Plus what hyung?” and it only occurs to him that Nino’s eyes is towards somewhere. When his eyes follow Nino’s, it is focus towards a lanky man not far from where they are standing at.
“Nino hyung?” he asks when Nino is just staring at the said man. They are in the outside parking lot of Rampage Entertainment, the one beside a sidewalk where the man Nino’s eyes is focusing towards standing. Jaejoong wonders if Nino knows the guy because there is a hint of recognition in Nino’s eyes.
“Nino hyung?”
“Ah yes.” Nino snaps and shakes his head like he has woken up from someone’s hypnosis. He then looks at Jaejoong, quite lost as to what they are doing again.
“Are you okay?” Jaejoong asks worried.
“Yeah…” Nino nodded, almost like a whisper and it makes Jaejoong to worry more.
“Do… do you know the guy?” Jaejoong asks hesitating but it leaves him more confuse when Nino cocks his head, his eyebrows raising like Jaejoong is asking a dumb question.
“Of course not…” Nino waves his hand emphasizing his answer. Jaejoong decides just to let it go and click the remote of his car to open the lock. Nino is already on his way to the other side of the car when someone calls for their attention.
“Wait!!!”
Nino’s and Jaejoong’s head turns towards the caller’s direction and it surprises Jaejoong that it is the guy Nino has been looking at, now running towards them. When the stranger finally stops near them, crouching down to catch his breath, Jaejoong looks at Nino who just shrugs his shoulders.
“Sorry~ uhm…” the stranger says and then straighten his self. “Anou...” He starts and then thinks for awhile. With the changes in the stranger's face, Jaejoong and Nino can tell the stranger is struggling to ask something. They just can’t decipher what the other wants.
“Anou… to Namsam tower swim gift ?” the other asks in a Korean they can’t quite get. Jaejoong finally figures that the stranger is a foreigner that is lost but then Jaejoong can’t tell what the other really wants and he can’t help but grimace at that.
Jaejoong’s reaction seems easy enough for the foreigner to understand that what he has said doesn’t make sense for the Korean and so the foreigner bites on his lips with worry, muttering a ‘Yabaii’ which Jaejoong recognizes immediately.
“You are a Japanese right?” Jaejoong asks in his decent Japanese and the other’s face glow with happiness when he can finally communicate with someone in the same language.
“Yes! Uwah!” The stranger cheers, seemingly that he is save now. It seems he can talk to his mother-tongue freely now.
“Sorry about that but I have a terrible Korean. This is the first time I have come here and I end up getting lost as I look for my friend who's with me,” the other explains animatedly and Jaejoong smiles at that. Even at their first meeting, Jaejoong feels they will really get along with each other fast. “Are you a Japanese too?” the other questions as because Jaejoong seems to have a decent Japanese.
“A no, but Nino hyung is.” Jaejoong says, pointing at Nino who is silent all throughout. He then notices the silence Nino emits since the stranger has call them earlier but the older doesn’t speak and just give a nod of acknowledgement.
“Oh, how rude of me… I’m Aiba Masaki.” The stranger named Aiba introduces his self and Jaejoong doesn’t have any time anymore to dwell with Nino’s silent treatment all of a sudden.
“I’m Kim Jaejoong and that is Nino hyung, Ninomiya Kazunari.” Jaejoong introduces immediately because it seems Nino won’t talk from some time and he doesn’t know why Nino is acting like that now.
“Aree, it seems you two are in a hurry so I won’t take more of your time.” Aiba says and Jaejoong smiles apologetic at that because Nino seems to be in his bratty mood after glancing to him and seeing him with cross-arms but his eyes remain trained towards Aiba.
“I’m hoping you can direct me towards Namsam tower to meet my friend who went ahead of me. The taxi driver had dropped me close by and said I just need to walk towards it. But I just don’t know to what direction I should be heading to.” Aiba admits, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment and Jaejoong laughs at understanding before giving out instructions to the lost foreigner. After doing so, Jaejoong wishes Aiba good luck and hope he is enjoying his stay in Seoul before bidding him goodbye. Nino wordlessly continues his way towards the other side of the car, not a single word coming from his mouth and his face sports a poker face that gives a nostalgic feeling towards Jaejoong for some reason.
Yet again, they are interrupted getting in the car when Aiba yelped and both their heads snaps towards the lanky man who is beaming at them.
“Aha! No wonder I end up drawn to you guys. You’re Automata!” Aiba beams, enjoyment twinkling in his eyes.
Jaejoong is taken back with what Aiba is spurting but what shock him the most is Nino’s frozen state when he chances a glance towards the older male.
“Huh?” It’s the only reaction he can get out of his self. Everything is bizarre for some reason and Jaejoong doesn’t know how to act.
“Uwah! This is a rare chance.” Aiba cheers still excited as he approaches them with Jaejoong to reach first since the latter is closer.
“A-a… you must be mis-“
“Let’s go.” Jaejoong hears the faint voice of Nino in his right that his eyes turns back to Nino but Aiba is getting closer and the Jaejoong is torn in entertaining Aiba and hopefully clears things up. His head darts back and forth between his Nino hyung and Aiba. But the sudden shout of Nino alerts him as he can hear pleading from the older guy.
“JAEJOONG, LET’S GO!” And the slam of the door by the passenger’s seat emphasizes it.
“I’m sorry Aiba-san. Take care.” Jaejoong excuses him and Nino in haste, still shock at how Nino has reacted. He gets in the car and starts it immediately after closing his door. They hit the road in a minute and as the red light alerts them to stop in a crossing, Jaejoong glances by Nino’s side and his shock doubles up.
Nino’s face is white like a sheet of paper and beads of sweat started to form in his forehead. He can see Nino gripping at the seatbelt. But what really makes Jaejoong to worry more is the fact that Nino is trembling and he doesn’t know what to do. Does it have to do with what the Japanese guy, Aiba Masaki referring them to, or the man itself only?
On the other hand, Aiba stares at the fleeing car, quite fascinated but then it dawns to him with how the two have reacted to his call. He quickly hits his forehead with his palm. “Yabai, I think only one of them knows what they really are.”
---------------------------------------------------
“Is Nino hyung alright?" Eunhyuk asks after some time and Jaejoong can just shrug at that. He doesn’t have an idea at all. From the counter, he and Eunhyuk observe Nino who is sitting in their usual table, knees tucked in front of his chest while his eyes focus in the nothingness of the outside world through the glass window of their shop.
Jaejoong and Nino have arrived almost two hours ago, with the older instantly sitting and staying at the same spot for that long. They have tried to talk to him from time to time but Nino only gives them one sentence as reply at most and it’s making Jaejoong to worry more. Well, almost everyone in the staff who knows Nino well is really worried. Usually, he's the one that makes the cafe lively with his snarky remarks and side comments. They have tried to make him eat or drink something but the food they have left in his table is still untouched.
“What have happened Jae?” Eunhyuk inquires him but Jaejoong doesn’t know how to reply that. In all, honestly he doesn’t know how to explain it.
“I don’t really know. We just helped a Japanese guy who seemed lost and then…” Jaejoong tries, and he can’t add anymore. He doesn’t know how to put it into words. And that's when he remembers how the guy call him? Or is it Nino? Jaejoong doesn't know but still that word haunts him.
“Automa-“
“Oh, good thing you guys are here.”
Jaejoong isn’t able to finish his word when new comers interrupt and his and Eunhyuk’s attention towards the door, finding Yunho with Donghae following suit.
Eunhyuk on the other hand flinches a bit at the new comers but he tries his best to disregard it and shakes his head.
When there is lack of response from people in the counter, Yunho blinks in confusion. “What’s wrong?” He asks as Jaejoong looks so gloomy and worried that he can’t understand. Jaejoong juts his lower lip towards Nino’s direction and the new comers’ eyes follow instantly.
“What happened to Nino hyung?” He instantly asks the moment he realizes that Nino seems dazed and from the looks of it, it isn't good. Admittedly, it scares a hell out of him. No kidding aside, this is the first time he sees Nino like this. The one who is strong willed and quick to retort looks so vulnerable.
“Did something happen?” Donghae repeats Yunho’s question, this time looking at both Jaejoong and Eunhyuk. He then notices Eunhyuk’s get up and he knows that even if it isn’t the right time to think about it still he can’t help but enjoy his self at the presence of Eunhyuk looking so handsomely beautiful.
He clears his throat, earning him a raise of eyebrow from Eunhyuk and a knowing smirk Yunho. Jaejoong though has just given him a look of indifference, maybe still preoccupied with Nino's state. “Have you called Ohno hyung?” Donghae tries to change the topic and it seems he succeeds when Jaejoong snaps his fingers with a hint of hope in his eyes.
“Ah! I should’ve done that earlier. Aish~” Jaejoong says and quickly get his phone and dials Ohno’s phone. He immediately excuses his self in the solitude of the employee’s lounge to make a call at a quieter environment and only the three are left by the counter with Yoochun joining them.
“He’s been like that for 2 hours right?” Yoochun supplies information. Yunho and Donghae look at Eunhyuk for a confirmation which the latter agrees with a nod.
“Though really, what happened?” Yunho asks again for the third time. It isn’t clear what actually happened that makes Nino to that state and it’s not making sense at all.
“I don’t know. I got a call from Jaejoong earlier that they’ll be heading here and Nino hyung seems still okay to the point we were playfully bickering." Eunhyuk pauses and takes a look around the people who is inquiring him before looking back to Nino's direction and continues, "but when they arrive, Nino hyung just acted like a robot. “
There’s a tinge of sadness in his voice and then he adds in a whisper. “I’m scared…”
Yunho doesn’t move at all and Donghae wonders if he hears Eunhyuk’s last sentence. Nevertheless, he hears it himself and he really wants to comfort the latter like he used to when they are still together but restrain his self. Even though he and Eunhyuk is talking in normal terms (well, if it’s really normal), he knows his limitations and he knows the thing between them isn’t settled yet. He is just gathering his guts to be able to talk it with Eunhyuk as soon as he can. But right now, Nino’s state is more important. He looks so broken, torn and lost. What really have happened?
---------------------------------------------------
"I can't stop now."
"Please don't do this. Please stop this. I'm begging you. It will no do go-, ah wait."
"Cut!" The director shouts, alerting everyone to stop the rehearsal after an NG by one of the leading actress is committed.
"I'm sorry." The actress apologizes, bowing her head. Everything is perfect already and almost to the end but then she forgets a single line and she feels apologetic to her co-stars.
"It's okay. I think we actually over-rehearse today." The director admits, smiling to reassure her.
"Let's call it a day. Everyone has worked hard." The director decides after catching a glimpse at his watch. "Great work everyone." He says and claps his hands. All of the team members follow, greeting each other with good work.
"I'm really sorry, Ohno-san. You were so great but I just ruin it." Fuji Mina, who like Ohno have made a name in Korea's stage productions, apologizes again in Japanese which is also her mother-tongue.
"Don't be too harsh to yourself Mina-chan. You were great too. Don't worry about it; I think others are quite thankful at you for ending this long hours or rehearsal." Ohno replies with a joke and Mina laughs at that.
"Thank you." Mina says and they continue their talk while walking towards their dress room.
“By the way, are you okay?” Mina asks suddenly in the middle of their talk.
“Of course, why do you ask?” Ohno asks a bit baffled.
“I dunno, there is a moment when we are rehearsing a scene and suddenly you stopped in the middle, like there is a shock. At first, I thought you were just trying to remember your lines but then when you have recited it so perfectly, I doubt that's the reason. It could be an adlib but something tells me it isn’t. It’s just that you look so lost for a moment and then suddenly it’s gone.” Mina explains but Ohno doesn’t quite catch on it. Well, he does quite remember that moment when he felt everything has stopped. But since the director hasn’t said anything, he just thought that maybe it’s just an adlib he suddenly came up with for that scene and the director seems to like it.
“Ah, oops… I think I pried too much…” Mina apologizes when Ohno doesn’t answer but he reassures her with a shake of the head.
“Don’t worry… It’s nothing” Ohno says, just that he doesn’t have anything to say. Along the way to their respective dressing rooms, Ohno feels his phone vibrating in his pocket. He gets it and sees the call's details. Seeing Jaejoong's name flashing in the screen, he excuses his self.
"Sorry, I have to get this."
"Sure, I'll go on ahead. Thank you again and take care in going home." Mina bows to which Ohno replies with curt bow and farewell.
He isn't able to greet the other when Jaejoong immediately asks away.
"Hyung, are you busy?"
"No, the rehearsal just ended." He explains and the anxiety in Jaejoong's voice alerts him so he adds, "Did something happen?"
"I don't know how to explain this but Nino hyung is acting weird."
He wants to laugh at first really. What does Jaejoong mean by Nino acting weird? The last time he remembers Jaejoong saying something like that, it is part of a prank Nino is trying to pull to the younger one but Jaejoong's serious tone is stopping him to do so.
"What do you mean?" He asks as calm as he can, but deep inside he's petrified for some unknown reason. And then it dawns to him what Mina has said earlier.
“It’s just that you look so lost for a moment and then suddenly it’s gone.”
"I don't know. He just seems lost..." Jaejoong admits in the other line. Even if he can't see Jaejoong, he knows the younger male is sporting a look like he is lost too. Ohno now wants to know what happened that it seems it has affected Jaejoong somehow. But Nino's is worst and he needs to see him now.
One step, two steps and the next thing he knows is running towards his dressing room to get his bag and then towards the café, their last part of conversation before Jaejoong hangs up is ringing in his head.
"This isn't like Nino hyung at all. I know it may be a prank but then it's like life is suck out of him. I think you're the only one who can amend it somehow..."
---------------------------------------------------
Eunhyuk watches as Ohno leads Nino out of the coffee shop. The younger of the two seems still out of it, just following Ohno without constrain when usually Nino is the one who teasingly leads the other. But still, he is thankful that Nino has shown a little life.
Awhile ago, Ohno had arrive in the cafe, panting really hard. It seems the older male had run like a thousand miles just to get here. There is panic written all over his face and it softens when he approaches Nino, kneeling in front of him before calling out softly and holding into Nino's hands.
"Kazu?"
And for the first time that day that he has seen Nino, the Japanese guy speaks up with emotion and not some kind of a robot.
"Satoshi?" Nino whispers.
"Yeah, I'm here. Let's bring you home." Ohno coos and Nino nods at that.
He and Jaejoong sigh in relief from where they are observing at. From outsiders' view, this maybe like a somewhat fairytale that has been reenacted but for those who are involved, this is quite a relief. It's actually the first time they witness something like this from Nino and it really scares them.
"I'll bring Kazu home. You guys can take care of the shop?" Ohno says, stopping in front of them.
Jaejoong nods eagerly, finally seeing Nino going back to his old self little by little. "Sure we can handle this. Don't worry about it hyung and take care of Nino hyung."
Ohno smiles and nods and then looks at Nino who finally lets out a small chuckle and shakes his head.
"Sorry about that..." Nino says, finally addressing them. "Let's just do the inventory tomorrow." He declares and Eunhyuk and Jaejoong really want to shout 'Yay' for having Nino to talk again. They opt in hiding their high-five behind the counter.
"We'll see you tomorrow." Ohno bids them goodbye.
And that's why both Nino and Ohno disappear to go home.
"I so love you Lee Donghae!" Someone cheers that startles Eunhyuk from his reverie and once he turns his head towards the commotion after someone just groaning, he sees Jaejoong hugging Donghae merrily, well more like hugging him to death. Yunho who witness the whole commotion can't help but just laugh at it to which Eunhyuk follows.
And as seconds tick by with Jaejoong still not letting go of Donghae, Yunho positions his self to be the referee and let the two separate in Donghae's favor.
"Come on Joongie, let the man breathe." Yunho says and realizing that he has been carried away, Jaejoong lets go.
"Oops, sorry." He mumbles and bites his lower lip in embarrassment.
Donghae smiles at Jaejoong, saying that it's fine while Yunho gives a heartfelt laugh along with Eunhyuk but stops when the dancer catches Donghae trying to fix his tie. Maybe it's out of reflex that he starts fixing Donghae's tie and polo shirt which is crumpled by Jaejoong's bone crushing hug . He feels Donghae stunned at his gesture but he doesn't move his hand away continues.
"This is nothing." He chants to his self to be able to continue on because he feels his heart jumping and it isn’t good showing how nervous he really is. He finishes rearranging Donghae's tie with a smile and put his attention back to two who are gawking at what just happened to them.
"So Jae, what did the man call you guys again?" Eunhyuk asks to change the attention back to their earlier talk and he really wants to congratulate his self for sounding so calm when inside emotions are rampaging to be let out. He doesn't know what to feel? Nervous? Hurt? Or what? With Donghae in here in front of him, he can't really control his feelings. He should feel anger and despise him but in reality, he just silently wants everything to be back like before.
"I don't know if he's just calling Nino hyung that or even just me... or both of us..." Jaejoong starts and Eunhyuk is thankful that Jaejoong finally talks about his inquiry because this can distract his mind in the whirlwind of questions. But then another question erupts in his mind when Jaejoong continues,
"He started yelling out something about Automata."
He wanted to ask his question out loud but it goes dry in his throat especially after glancing towards Yunho, the taller man standing frozen as that word has escaped Jaejoong's lips.
"What exactly is an automata?"
When Nino and Ohno arrive at Nino's apartment, Ohno asks if Nino wants to eat dinner but the latter refuses, saying he doesn't have an appetite. Ohno wants to protest but seeing Nino's pleading eyes, he just complies, bringing the latter towards his room. He let the younger man to lie on his bed, securing him in the blanket. After making sure, Nino is comfortable enough, Ohno makes his way towards the kitchen, probably to get some water if the younger man suddenly feels he needs a drink in the middle of the night but fingers around his wrist stops him.
“Stay.” Nino whispers and Ohno doesn’t object. He joins Nino under the blanket, surrounding his arms around the younger’s lithe frame. He tucks Nino’s head under his chin as he hums lullabies he used to sing with the latter when they were younger.
Ohno can hear Nino’s calm breathing, the air of the younger man lets go by his throat gives him a tingling sensation and it just makes him to tighten his hold in the younger.
“What have happened Kazu?” He asks after minutes when curiosity has enveloped him. It scares him when Nino had become like that. It isn’t the first time and he has always wished that time will be the last.
It had happened almost 14 years ago, barely a year when Nino came to his life. He was waiting by the gate so that he and Nino could go home together like they usually do. But that time Nino didn’t meet him at the time they usually do. He felt a shock and then a pang in his heart. He looked around and even if he had been studying at that school for 10 years already, he felt so lost like he was in another dimension, another world. It was like he didn’t know where he belongs. Everyone is a blur and then suddenly, it’s gone and all he could think of was about Nino.
He doesn’t wait anymore, and he runs towards the building where Nino’s class is located. He runs as fast as he can, bumping to some boys along the way who is laughing out loud with something but he heeds them no attention, only his focus is to find Nino.
When he arrives, the classroom is empty and it makes him devastated, thinking where Nino can be. But because of the silence the empty corridors provided, he hears small whimpers. It doesn’t stop and so Ohno follows the sound until it brings him to a bathroom. His eyes widens after seeing one of the cubicle with a soaking Nino. But what scares him the most is the radiance in Nino’s eyes is gone.
“Kazu!” He instantly cradles Nino’s cheeks, making the younger guy to look at him. Their eyes have met and Ohno hates seeing Nino’s eyes so empty. “Kazu~” He calls him again. But the latter still doesn’t speak. He wonders who has done this to Nino and when it dawns that the guys he has bumped into awhile ago are Nino’s classmates, he has the idea already. His fist form into tight balls as he lets Nino go. He grits his teeth, ready to run after them but then there are stubby fingers around his wrist and his expressions softens.
“Who am I?” Nino whispers and suddenly his eyes carries tears, sadness can be seen in his dark hazel orbs and all Ohno can do is to hug him.
“I’m here… sssh~ It’s okay… I’m here…” Ohno says, trying to comfort Nino. He doesn’t know what to reply and he really hates it if Nino asks that question.
“Who am I really, Oh-chan… Who am I?” Nino continues to whisper, sobs echoing in the confines of the bathroom. Ohno lets go of Nino so that he properly make Nino to look at him by cradling his face, his eyes looking at Nino’s crying ones.
“Don’t you ever question who you are Nino… You are Ninomiya Kazunari, you understand me? Don’t you ever question that again!” Ohno says firmly, thumbing Nino’s cheeks to wipe away his tears. He leans his forehead to Nino’s wet ones and continues, “You are Ninomiya Kazunari and you’ll create your own identity no matter what you are.” Ohno whispers.
Since then, he had never seen Nino like that ‘till now.
Ohno wonders if it’s the same as before. It is the same occurrence to him and Nino judging by Mina"s explanation earlier and Jaejoong's call.
Nino felt somehow lost again and he wants to know what happened that triggers that feeling from Nino again.
“It’s nothing…” Nino replies after sometime, barely a whisper but Ohno hears nevertheless. Ohno pulls away to have a good look at the younger man, wanting to check on the other. With the light from the moonlight the curtains lets in, Ohno can see Nino’s face, eyes already close. Ohno wonders if Nino has fallen asleep or Nino just doesn't want to talk about it.
It disappoints him really when Nino's shuts him out especially when it's comes to his problems but the younger man is stubborn and so he had learn to let the younger man be until it's really time for him to butt in.
And seeing the other's peaceful face, Ohno is already assure that everything is okay will be okay now.
He just wishes that Nino won't feel lost again because he'll always be with him no matter what unaware how much Nino is actually thankful to him.
Ohno doesn’t know how much he has done to Nino with just the moment when he held Nino’s hands the first thing he arrived at the café earlier. He doesn’t know how Nino is woken up from diffidence, finding courage once again to those words he had said before to younger one.
“You are Ninomiya Kazunari and you’ll create your own identity no matter what you are.”
That night, Nino is smiling in his sleep, remembering the first time he came to life with the sight of the bewildered Ohno, the 16 year old boy who doesn’t show any fears but rather has accepted him wholeheartedly.
Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6
------------------------------------------
Author’s Notes:
Woah, I didn’t imagine I’ll be writing this chapter with 8k words. I mean, the last time I checked this, it was 5k words and it’s more than half already and just continued it on my phone in my free time. Sorry, I was supposed to update this last week but I got busy in fixing my application for a Japan Exchange Program. I dunno the results yet but I’m praying hard for me and twinkletofu to make it. Please do pray for us. We really need this for our course.
Anyways, Aiba Masaki finally made an appearance and so did Leeteuk and a little hint of Kyuhyun.
Please do watch out for these characters since they’ll be having a big role when it comes to Automata and our main characters development.
I better stop or I might reveal more. So see you in the next update.
For the lyrics at the first part, it is made by me and I'm honestly planning to make it to a song if time permits and I find a good person to work the songs with. So expect that I'll be releasing a whole lyrics just to express the emotions in this fic like I did in my previous ones.
Though if you have inquiries or questions, just tweet me @6002TheMekmek or ask in ask.fm/theMekmek
You don’t have to worry because I don’t bite. Rawr! ^,…,^
Have a nice day and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
New Cameos:
Leeteuk (Super Junior)
Aiba Masaki (Arashi)
