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nilielhTitle : [Fic] I Have Kept You In My Heart (Part 5)
Pairing : Ohno/Jun, Sho/Nino, Ohno/Nino, Eventual Jun/?
Rating : R
Summary : Before Jun, there was only Nino. The man Ohno loved with everything he had, loved with such ferocity that any other emotion would pale in comparison. He was Ohno's everything, the love of his life, the person Ohno dreamed of sharing his whole life with someday. Until Nino's untimely death, six years ago.
Disclaimer : fiction, yo!
Warning : Angst in large doses. Memory loss. Minor character death. One-sided love.
It took Aiba a while to decide where to meet Ohno. He didn’t think it was worth mentioning that, while he said he was on his way to Tokyo to see Ohno, he was already there.
Though he would still need to drive a long way from Kodaira to anywhere near Nishitokyo (he knew Ohno and his partner lived somewhere in Hoya, but he couldn’t be sure anymore), so he thought it would be better to just meet somewhere else.
He was stuck in traffic just five minutes after he managed to get out of the hospital’s parking lot, and he was worried he would meet the same fate even before he got to the main road. So, instead of taking his chances, he messaged Ohno the name of that place in Koganei he took Becky last week, the only other place he could think of meeting Ohno that wasn’t the hospital or Ohno’s apartment, and hoped that was the best choice.
He had just stopped in the intersection when his phone vibrated once again, continuously, signaling another call. Aiba grabbed it, thinking it was Becky again.
It wasn’t.
It was Kazuko-san.
He tapped Accept and hit the speaker icon before he completely forgot to.
Masaki, where are you? - she said, her voice sounded strained.
Aiba steeled himself for what was coming, because the question obviously didn’t sound like one. She knew exactly where he was headed to.
“In the car. I’m at the intersection now,” he said unhelpfully, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently. “Is there anything you need from me, Kaa-chan?”
Somehow, what she she said next was startling as it was unexpected.
Nothing really, I just… I wanted to tell you I’ve thought about what you said, and I’ve already decided. About telling Kazu, that is. You’re right, Ma-kun. It’s unfair to keep the truth from my son, of what happened to him despite the mystery surrounding the incident, so I’ve decided to talk to him when he wakes up.
Aiba released the breath he didn’t realize he was holding, saw the lights change at the signal and prompted himself to drive.
“Thank you, Kaa-chan,” he said, pleased. “I know it’s going to be difficult for Nino-chan, so, let’s try to make things easier for him, yeah? I - I wish I could be there with you when you talk to him but I have somewhere I need to be and this can’t wait.”
To meet Satoshi-kun, I presume? - she asked, though she didn’t sound the least bit unsure. Aiba said nothing and she treated this as her cue to continue. I can’t persuade you to reconsider, even if I ask you to, right?
“Kaa-chan, you know I can’t just -”
I understand, Ma-kun - she cut in, her voice gentler now, softer, and Aiba found himself basking at the sound of it despite himself. It had been hard on her, too, and Aiba understood her fully. The last twenty four hours had been quite a shock to everyone that Aiba knew he wasn’t the only one reeling from all those unexpected revelations, kept hidden for the last six years.
I just - I think it would be better to leave some of the other minor details behind, at least those that I’m certain would only confuse Kazu more, at least for the time being. - she said, I mean, of course we’d have to tell him those eventually, but right now, I think we have to focus on what’s important.
Aiba’s heart ached something fierce that he wasn’t able to stop himself saying, “And by other details you mean those that have anything to do with Ohno, right?” pain and frustration mingling in his chest.
She was quiet for a moment before she was speaking again. My son doesn’t remember him - she said, pointing out the obvious as if Aiba needed reminding. I think it would be better to leave it at that for now.
Aiba’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he breathed deeply. Maybe it was for the best, he thought; telling Nino about Ohno now might only trigger unpleasant results, such as Nino demanding to know why the supposed love of his life wasn’t around when he woke up. Besides, since Nino only remembered fragments of his life before he met Ohno, what would be the point of telling Nino about Ohno’s existence?
But that didn’t mean Ohno had to suffer the same thing. All of them, Ohno included, had suffered enough thinking that Nino died, and the least he could do to appease the pain (he hoped) would be to tell Ohno they were wrong.
“Do whatever you think is best, Kaa-chan.” he said, hoping they were both about to do the same.
Somehow, Aiba knew that talking to Nino would be easier, despite Nino’s frustration about the whole damn thing. Nino would simply have to listen and take everything in, hoping that being told such things would help him remember.
Dealing with Ohno, however, would certainly not going to be a complete cake walk.
Aiba sighed and wondered if he was really up to this, if he was ready to face Ohno and handle the older man after Aiba was done talking, but he knew he had to, no matter the outcome. No one would volunteer to do this job after all, to go out of their way to talk to Ohno especially since Ohno had obviously moved on with his life, and therefore had nothing to do with Nino anymore, but being their friend, Nino and Ohno both, Aiba felt like it was the right thing to do.
You do the same, Ma-kun - was what she told Aiba in return, before she hung up.
Aiba sighed deeply and wondered vaguely how uncomplicated his life was just a couple of days ago, and honestly already missing it. Somehow, he could no longer remember how peaceful life had been, not when he hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep ever since that moment he found himself staring at his best friend’s face, wondering if he was dreaming.
Then he remembered the way Nino had smiled at him as if the past six years didn’t happen, as if Aiba didn’t spend those years missing him, hoping for another chance to see him again, and realized how stupid he was for even liking the uncomplicated-ness of it all, before that night. Despite it all, Aiba wasn’t going to trade this for anything, complicated or not.
He would welcome the hardships that came along with having Nino here, alive, no matter the consequences. The complications, Aiba told himself, were too little compared to the fact that Nino is alive. He would brave it all, even if he didn’t know he could.
For Nino. For his best friend.
And he knew he’d just barely started.
++
Sakurai-Sensei wasn’t exactly what Jun was expecting.
Of course, after having old Takahashi-Sensei as his appointed doctor for years, it was kind of difficult to stray away from his expectations that Takahashi-Sensei’s replacement would be the same as him : a balding old man in his fifty’s, with goofy eyes and equally goofy smile to match it. Jun had honestly expected the worse, because, the man standing right before him didn’t look an inch like Takahashi-Sensei.
Ah, yes. Takahashi-Sensei did mention the doctor was of Jun’s age, Jun reminded himself wryly.
“Matsumoto Jun-san, right?” Sakurai-Sensei said, gesturing Jun inside with an elegant wave of his hand. Jun bowed, walked in with his eyes trained on the tiled floor and was met halfway by Sakurai-Sensei, offering his outstretched hand out to Jun. Jun accepted the handshake, albeit hesitantly, feeling his previous edginess melting at the way Sakurai-Sensei had Jun’s hand in a firm but careful grip.
“I’m Sakurai Sho,” Sakurai-Sensei introduced himself without letting go of Jun’s hand. “I gathered you’re here because of Takahashi-Sensei’s request?” Sakurai-Sensei inquired.
Jun nodded and cleared his throat, before remembering tugging his hand away. Sakurai-Sensei seemed not to notice Jun’s discomfort as Jun was led towards the cream-coloured couch there, situated on the opposite end of the office (or was this a clinic?), and not on the chair in front of the working table Sakurai-Sensei was seated from before where Jun had expected to be invited to sit.
Jun quietly followed and sat when Sakurai-Sensei gestured him to.
“Sorry, but I just prefer it better to talk here.” Sakurai-Sensei said by way of explanation, smiled and pointed at the couch they were now sitting on as if he knew what Jun was thinking. It also didn’t escape Jun’s attention that Sakurai-Sensei didn’t refer to him as a patient, when they both knew that was the case.
Jun tilted his head in affirmation, but kept quiet. He honestly didn’t know what to say. He was certain it would have been easier for him to talk if the doctor Takahashi-Sensei told him to meet was close to the old doctor himself, appearance-wise at least, because then it wouldn’t feel like he was meeting a stranger all over again.
“Are you okay, Jun-san?” Sakurai-Sensei inquired once again, the tone of his voice remained soft and unhurried. “Ah, sorry. Is it okay if I just address you with your first name? Addressing people with their last names makes me feel like I’m always talking to their parents, if you know what I’m saying.”
“I don’t have any problem with that.” he agreed, diverting his gaze somewhere behind Sakurai-Sensei’s shoulder.
By doing so, he was able to take in the office/clinic’s surprisingly elegant appearance, despite its interior’s simplicity. The white-washed walls were covered with wallpapers instead of them being painted over, the design similar to the tiled floor. There were streaks of off-white and baby-blue lines, barely visible, but they matched perfectly with the design of the wallpapers pasted on the walls.
Aside from the office table and the two chairs in front of it, there were also two balance balls - red and purple in color - sitting at the farther corner, to the right side of the door. Next to them was something that looked like a digital weighing scale and, from what Jun could gather from the relative distance, something that looked exactly like a pair of - dumbbells?
Is this a makeshift gym, too?
“Hmm, I like to work out when I’m not too busy?” Sakurai-Sensei said, sounding part-amused and equal-parts embarrassed. “Still haven’t completed the five-minute exercise using the balance ball, though.” Sakurai-Sensei added, like an after-thought.
Jun chuckled, feeling slightly amused himself. He knew exactly what Sakurai-Sensei was talking about. Once purchased, along with it was a compilation of video tutorials using the balance balls as exercise tools. The five minute one was seriously the easiest.
“I have.” he mumbled, realizing he’d admitted his thoughts out-loud without him actually meaning to.
“Oh, you have?” Sakurai-Sensei exclaimed and stood. Jun mentally slapped himself upside the head, and watched Sakurai-Sensei crossed the way towards where the balance balls were, stopped, then beckoned Jun over.
Jun, against his better judgments, did what he’d been requested and joined Sakurai-Sensei there.
Together, they stood over the balance balls, Sakurai-Sensei pointing down at them. “I haven’t really gotten past the two and a half minute mark before I’m already rolling over and dropping on my butt,” Sakurai-Sensei admitted, sounding and looking sheepish.
“And no, don’t make me try it out for you to see. It’s embarrassing.”
Jun shook his head and realized he was grinning. He looked up and saw Sakurai-Sensei gazing thoughtfully at the balance balls, like he was beginning to wonder the merits of using them. Jun chuckled, couldn’t not, finding himself amused at this unexpected development more than anything.
Was this really Sakurai-Sensei’s way of putting his new patients at ease, Jun wondered, because it honestly felt like it. His awkwardness during the first few minutes of their meeting had mysteriously dissipated without Jun realizing it that it was easy to think past the real reason why he was here.
Maybe, that was Sakurai-Sensei’s plan, too. For them to start this out differently, so Jun could be assured he wouldn’t just be changing doctors, but meeting a new friend, too.
Jun honestly liked the sound of that.
“Well, if you want, I can just show you how it’s done,” Jun said, leaning down to grab one of the balance balls - the purple one - and rolled it over next to Sakurai-Sensei’s feet. “If you want me to, that is.” he said.
Sakurai-Sensei looked and sounded pleased when he gestured with his hand for Jun to take over.
“By all means, Jun-san.”
++
Ohno honestly hadn’t expected to see Aiba so soon, not when he’d already planned ahead and cleared his weekend free but he guessed things happened for a reason. Aiba’s text message seemed rather urgent, despite it lacking anything significant to warrant the way Ohno had felt like he’d been punched in the gut after reading it, without an emoji or others added to it, but Ohno felt it just the same.
The next message came not even twenty minutes later, and with it only mentioned the name of that newly-opened coffee and bar restaurant in East Koganei, very near to Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum - the La Verde Bar and Restaurant - where Aiba said he would be waiting for Ohno.
Ohno and Jun’s apartment was in Tanashi-cho, a few blocks away from that famous Tanashi Shrine itself. It would only take him minutes to reach Koganei by bus but the urgency thrumming under his skin was enough to make him decide to take the taxi instead.
It was only half past ten in the morning, and Ohno was supposed to meet Jun for lunch, but he doubted he was going to make it. Jun hadn’t said anything about it this morning before Jun left to meet Higayashima’s assistant, after all, so Ohno wasn’t that worried Jun would be upset if he said he couldn’t go.
His phone went off again by the time he was flagging a cab. When he checked, it was from Aiba.
It simply read, Oh-chan, I’m here.
Ohno breathed through his nose and pocketed his phone, strapped himself in and told the driver where he needed to go.
++
Jun was pleasantly sweating when they stopped, amused at Sakurai-Sensei’s antics even despite himself. Jun had never met a man with a face and physique Sakurai-Sensei had, who looked gorgeous enough to pass up more as an idol than a doctor, but was a total dork behind that gorgeous exterior.
“Here,” Sakurai-Sensei said, handing Jun a face towel as Sakurai-Sensei wiped his own face with one of the same. “Don’t worry, it’s new. I always make it a point to stock up on those here for when I am staying over and don’t have time to go to the gym properly.”
Jun accepted the towel gratefully - it was white and soft to the touch - and started wiping his face and neck with it, just as he spied Sakurai-Sensei crossing the short way towards the mini-fridge there (Jun didn’t notice that, at all) and retrieved two bottles of water.
Afterwards, Sakurai-Sensei gestured them back towards the couch, water bottles still in his hands. Jun complied without a word and sat, watching Sakurai-Sensei elegantly walking back from the fridge to the couch.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
Jun took the offered water and uncapped it, brought it to his lips and took a quick swig. Sakurai-Sensei did the same, and Jun noted the way Sakurai-Sensei’s fingers tightened on the bottle, squeezing it while drinking.
“So, are you ready to talk to me now?” Sakurai-Sensei inquired as he put his half-empty bottle down and turned to give Jun his full attention. Jun did the same with his own bottle but thought better than to copy Sakurai-Sensei’s stance, and just opted on leaning back on the couch before crossing his legs.
He frowned. “Of course. What made you think I wasn’t, anyway?”
Sakurai-Sensei shrugged. “No offense meant, Jun-san, but yes, you weren’t. I saw it your eyes when you came in and I asked you to sit.”
Jun blinked, translating that statement into words in his head and actually not liking it.
“I’m not scared of you, if that’s what you’re implying.” he said around an ugly scowl, biting his tongue a second too late because the words were already out of his mouth when he remembered to stop himself.
Sakurai-Sensei waved an apologetic hand at him. “No no no, I didn’t say -” Sakurai-Sensei said, then paused, giving Jun a look and then chuckling softly a few moments after. “Ah, now I understand why Baldy said I should be careful. You’re a difficult one, aren’t you, Jun-san?”
“Excuse me?”
Sakurai-Sensei gave himself exactly three seconds to gape at Jun before he was laughing, loud and carefree, his head thrown back in obvious amusement as Jun rendered speechless in turn, unsure whether to feel offended or awed. Sakurai-Sensei did seem to find Jun’s sudden outburst funny, and for the life of Jun, he didn’t think someone could look so attractive, laughing so openly like that, his eyes reduced to slits, at least aside from Ohno who rarely cracked a smile when he was in Jun’s company.
But apparently, Sakurai-Sensei was one of those who did look lovely when he laughed, and Jun found himself unable to keep himself from smiling in return. Sakurai-Sensei had an infectious laughter that Jun couldn’t help but laughed with him.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry,” Sakurai-Sensei said, hands gripping his side as mirth still tumbled out of his gorgeous mouth. Jun wondered vaguely why he’d been noticing such things when he knew he shouldn’t.
“But just - God, you should have seen your face, Jun-san. For a second there, I was afraid I was going to be punched in the face for laughing in the most appropriate times! You looked terrifying, but it was surprising, really, that someone could look like he could murder someone else with his fingernails and yet remained so mysteriously beautiful like you did, Jun-san.” Sakurai-Sensei said without even a hint of uncertainty that Jun was honestly loss for words.
Jun blinked, and knew instantly that he was blushing. “Now, you’re just making fun of me, Sensei. Seriously, if this is what I would get for changing doctors, I shouldn’t have bothered.” he muttered, lips curling into an embarrassed smile.
Sakurai-Sensei shook his head, smile still in place. “Oh, Jun-san, no, please, I - I’m sorry. I really am. I’m sorry if I have offended you because of my reaction, but I promise you it wasn’t like that. I just. You seriously have a very strong face, and very expressive eyes, too, so it’s really -” Sakurai-Sensei paused here, chuckled, as if he was trying to rearrange his thoughts into words, then couldn’t, and instead settled on, “I was stunned. Laughing obviously wasn’t a proper reaction but you will find that I could be so easily amused. By anything and anyone. And the most appropriate times, even. My bad, I know. I’m so sorry. I hope you could forgive me.”
Jun couldn’t help it, he was chuckling, too. It didn’t help that his brain was telling him that that was rather offensive, to be told his face was terrifying as it was amusing, but that Jun honestly didn’t find anything offensive in the way Sakurai-Sensei had said it, or the way he was looking directly at Jun when he was talking.
Somehow, it felt rather nice to be looked at, to be told he looked beautiful despite being terrifying all at the same time.
“I’m going to accept that as a compliment, even though it honestly sounded anything but.” Jun snorted, as Sakurai-Sensei offered him another smile in return.
“Thank you, Jun-san,” Sakurai-Sensei said, shifting so he was once again facing Jun, and Jun had an unobstructed view of Sakurai-Sensei’s handsome face up-close. “So, ready to do some introductions now? Hmm, I’m sorry to tell you this, but I’m certain the receptionist you have talked to earlier told you that I have a patient I have to attend to in, half an hour, wow, what in hell just happened to the time?” Sakurai-Sensei winced as he checked his watch.
Jun chuckled. “Well, we did spend about the same time on those balance balls.”
“That was a warm up, Jun-san,” Sakurai-Sensei threw him a good-natured wink. “Always a good thing to watch a ‘client’ warm up to me by letting them see how fantastic I am with the balls.”
“You weren’t.” Jun snorted, amused at this blatant lie. “You totally sucked at it.”
“Of course! But don’t tell anyone that, this is our secret, okay?”
Jun sighed, feigning annoyance. “You’re kind of weird, aren’t you? Are you sure you’re a real doctor? What kind of doctor are you anyway? Takahashi-Sensei said you’re kind of the best, in what, I have no idea, so I’m actually kind of worried here.”
Sakurai-Sensei smirked, and this particular one looked good on him, too. He pointed at the laminated certificates hanging at the wall, and Jun simply arched his brows at Sakurai-Sensei.
“Sorry, can’t read those. I forgot to wear my glasses.”
Sakurai-Sensei took this in stride and shrugged. “I’m a Neuropsychologist, Jun-san.”
Jun blinked. “I was expecting something similar to what Takahashi-Sensei is, a Psychiatrist, if I remember it correctly? but, okay, there’s ‘psychology’ in there, too, so I guess you must know what you’re doing.”
“Don’t worry, Jun-san, I promise you’re in good hands.” Sakurai-Sensei said, sounding awfully confident. Jun looked at him dubiously.
“So, introductions?” Sakurai-Sensei followed.
Jun eyed the doctor warily. Seriously? “You already know my name, even my age and phone number, courtesy of your receptionist, of course. Do I need to tell you what my favorite color is? Or what I had for breakfast this morning? Maybe what I’ve put in my mouth the night before?” he said, promptly blushing remembering exactly what he’d put in his mouth the previous night that obviously didn’t want to be there.
Sakurai-Sensei grinned. “Whatever you feel like telling me.”
Jun rolled his eyes. “I thought you were supposed to ask me questions,” he countered, frowning, “Or is this how you usually ‘deal’ with clients so they won’t end up running off after your first meeting?”
“Not really,” Sakurai-Sensei said, mouth twitching just the tiniest bit. “Just trying out a different approach, is all. As I’ve said earlier, you’re one of the most difficult ones I’ve had in a while, so I’m doing my best to be careful.”
“That just make it sound so awful,” he grimaced. “I mean, why don’t you just try and do the usual? Your usual, at least. I couldn’t all be that different.”
“Oh, believe me, Jun-san, you are.”
Jun harrumphed. “In what way?”
Sakurai-Sensei shrugged. “You’re questioning my ability as a doctor, for one. I haven’t had a client who questioned my degree and my capability to do my job. This is a first.”
Damn you and your big mouth, Matsumoto. “Err, sorry?”
“No need to apologize, no,” Sakurai-Sensei said. “Different people, different approach, that’s my motto. I actually shouldn’t be telling you this but I feel like you ought to know it just the same. I know I’ve said you’re difficult, but I didn’t mean that like it’s a bad thing. I mean, you’re obviously a strong-headed person, Jun-san, and I gathered that a normal approach won’t work on you. You’re stubborn - you know what you want and you have no qualms of doing whatever you can to get it, but that quality often gets you to question your own worth. And that’s what we’re going to be working on, if you agree to work with me, that is.”
Jun stared, stunned. No one had ever described Jun himself that way, on point and scarily accurate.
“So, what’s your decision, good Sir? I only have a few minutes left to sign you up for your next visit so -”
“Sensei, your eleven thirty is waiting for you.” someone spoke from the door, and effectively cutting Sakurai-Sensei off. Jun blinked and saw Sakurai-Sensei smiling apologetically at him.
“I’ll be out in a minute, Kiritani-san,” Sakurai-Sensei called back, before turning to Jun. “Your decision, Jun-san?”
He stood just as Sakurai-Sensei did, too, knowing he was bound to agree anyway. “Fine, okay.”
“Great,” Sakurai-Sensei exclaimed, catching Jun’s hands for another heartfelt handshake. Jun found himself grinning before he realized he was doing it. “That’s fantastic. Come with me and I’ll direct you to Mizuhara-san. She’ll handle our schedules so I won’t mess it up.” Sakurai-Sensei said, leading Jun towards the door and opening it.
Outside, a small, pretty nurse was waiting. She smiled and bowed her head at them. Jun returned the gesture in kind.
“This is Kiritani-san,” Sakurai-Sensei introduced her, “Kiritani-san, meet Matsumoto Jun-san. The one Takahashi-san was talking about, you remember?”
“Oh,” she exclaimed, demurely. Jun didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. “Nice to finally meet you, Matsumoto-san.” Jun smiled and decided not to say anything as Sakurai-Sensei led him towards another opened door.
“Kiko-chan, are you here?”
A moment later, a woman grunted from somewhere around the vicinity of the ceiling, and they found themselves staring up at her, sitting atop a ladder, her long legs dangling in the air as she fixed something there.
“Jesus Christ, what are you doing?!” Sakurai-Sensei muttered, looking and sounding horrified. Jun honestly mirrored his sentiment, and he was torn between coming to the woman’s rescue and fainting.
“Fixing the light, what does it look like?”
“That’s what the electricians are for, Kiko-chan, for Christ’s sake! Get your skinny butt down here and call someone to do that for you, jeez!”
“I got this!”
Kiritani-san giggled behind them. “I already told her that but you know how she is. She said she doesn’t need any man to do things for her.”
Sakurai-Sensei whipped his head around and gave Kiritani-san a disbelieving stare. “This is different!”
“Tell her that yourself, Sensei.”
“I’m done, just wait a second.” Kiko-chan exclaimed from the ceiling, waving her shapely hand at them.
Jun watched as the woman slowly descended from above the ladder, and landed gracefully on her naked feet. She smiled cheerfully and slipped on her heels, left the ladder where it was and went to meet them by the door.
“Hello, it’s Matsumoto Jun-san, right? I’m Mizuhara Kiko, the one you talked to on the phone earlier.” she said, offering her hand.
Jun accepted, tongue-tied. He wondered if this hospital was only accepting good-looking employees, seeing how true that was after meeting the doctor and the nurse, and now this model-like woman who was smiling cheerfully towards Jun.
“Ah, yes. Nice meeting you, Mizuhara-san -”
“Kiko is fine,” she countered, before Jun could even finish. “Mizuhara-san is my dad, or my Mom, depending on who you are talking to,” she said, turning her pretty smile on Sakurai-Sensei. “Right, Sensei?”
“I told you to stop eavesdropping on me when I’m talking to a client, Kiko-chan!” Sakurai-Sensei whined, but he looked more like an indulging older brother than a superior verbally boxing his subordinate’s ears.
Jun chuckled and was most certain he would enjoy visiting this hospital from here on.
“I wasn’t eavesdropping! You left the door wide open, you don’t remember?”
“I did no such thing!”
“Ah, that’s enough,” Kiritani-san piped up from where she was sitting on Jun’s right, watching the spectacle happening in front of them as if it was something normal. She glanced on the watch on her wrist and gestured at it, too. “You’re both scaring Matsumoto-san off, if you haven’t noticed it. Also, Sensei,” she said, pointing at her wrist.
“You’re ten minutes late, already. Ninomiya-san is already awake and is waiting for you.”
Jun blinked, then stared at Kiritani-san as if she’d grown two heads, turning round to catch Sakurai-Sensei chuckling and nodding at Kiritani-san. Then, turning to give Mizuhara-san further instructions before he bowed his head, he turned to Jun and excused himself.
“I have to go, Jun-san. Kiko-chan here will let me know when you’re coming next for a visit. I’ll see you then, yeah? It was really lovely meeting you today. I’m sorry I really have to go.” Sakurai-Sensei said.
Jun didn’t know if he said anything to Sakurai-Sensei in return, could vaguely hear Mizuhara-san talking through the heavy pounding of blood through his ears, as Sakurai-Sensei started walking but not before turning to Kiritani-san and saying,
“Go ahead and tell Kazuko-san I’ll be there in a few minutes. Let me just take a quick trip to the lab to get Ninomiya-san’s test results. I’ll be right after you.”
Kazuko-san?
Nino - miya - san?
Jun closed his eyes and barely felt the way Mizuhara-san’s fingers closed around his wrist, shaking him out of his stupor, his heart expanding in his chest he was afraid it was going to explode and kill him. He knew that name, had heard it a thousand times over the last six years, from the lips of his own lover and the people who knew him, but.
But - this one, the name he heard just now, it belonged to an entirely different person, right?
“Matsumoto-san, are you okay? Oh my god, you’re so white, do you want me to call Sensei back so he could -”
He turned and found Mizuhara-san tugging at his arm, looking genuinely worried. He swallowed through the lump that lodged itself in his throat and forced the words out.
“M-Mizuhara-san, I’m so sorry, I know this is going to sound odd but I just - can I ask you something?” he asked, his own fingers now wrapped around Mizuhara-san’s slender wrist.
“O-Of course. What is it?”
Jun cleared his throat. “I - h-heard about Sakurai-Sensei’s next patient, N-Ninomiya-san, right?”
She nodded; she still looked worried but she was looking at him oddly. “Yes. One of Sensei’s very first patients here. He was already here before I started working in this hospital.”
Jun braved the urge to shut up, knowing he was acting like a complete whack job. Mizuhara-san was already looking at him as if she was considering calling someone up so they could throw Jun out or something.
Jun just didn’t care.
“I - Could you tell me how long he’s been a patient here?” he asked, voice shaking at the syllables.
Mizuhara-san blinked. “Hmm, not sure but from what I heard, around five years or so? He was in a coma, and had just regained consciousness a couple of days ago.” she said, then. “Wait, do you know him?”
Jun knew he should say No, shake his head and tell her to fix his schedule with Sakurai-Sensei so he could go, but somehow, he couldn’t. He just couldn’t.
“I-If his name is Ninomiya Kazunari-san,” he said, breathing around the name he didn’t, not even in his most vulnerable state, would have dreamed of saying, not then, and definitely not six years later, after that person’s death.
“Then yes, I know him.”
Mizuhara-san’s eyes were wide, and her lips formed a soundless ‘O’ before she recovered herself.
“Oh, but, it is. That patient's name is indeed Ninomiya Kazunari, Matsumoto-san.”she said, and Jun felt as if his whole world had collapsed around him.
Pairing : Ohno/Jun, Sho/Nino, Ohno/Nino, Eventual Jun/?
Rating : R
Summary : Before Jun, there was only Nino. The man Ohno loved with everything he had, loved with such ferocity that any other emotion would pale in comparison. He was Ohno's everything, the love of his life, the person Ohno dreamed of sharing his whole life with someday. Until Nino's untimely death, six years ago.
Disclaimer : fiction, yo!
Warning : Angst in large doses. Memory loss. Minor character death. One-sided love.
It took Aiba a while to decide where to meet Ohno. He didn’t think it was worth mentioning that, while he said he was on his way to Tokyo to see Ohno, he was already there.
Though he would still need to drive a long way from Kodaira to anywhere near Nishitokyo (he knew Ohno and his partner lived somewhere in Hoya, but he couldn’t be sure anymore), so he thought it would be better to just meet somewhere else.
He was stuck in traffic just five minutes after he managed to get out of the hospital’s parking lot, and he was worried he would meet the same fate even before he got to the main road. So, instead of taking his chances, he messaged Ohno the name of that place in Koganei he took Becky last week, the only other place he could think of meeting Ohno that wasn’t the hospital or Ohno’s apartment, and hoped that was the best choice.
He had just stopped in the intersection when his phone vibrated once again, continuously, signaling another call. Aiba grabbed it, thinking it was Becky again.
It wasn’t.
It was Kazuko-san.
He tapped Accept and hit the speaker icon before he completely forgot to.
Masaki, where are you? - she said, her voice sounded strained.
Aiba steeled himself for what was coming, because the question obviously didn’t sound like one. She knew exactly where he was headed to.
“In the car. I’m at the intersection now,” he said unhelpfully, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently. “Is there anything you need from me, Kaa-chan?”
Somehow, what she she said next was startling as it was unexpected.
Nothing really, I just… I wanted to tell you I’ve thought about what you said, and I’ve already decided. About telling Kazu, that is. You’re right, Ma-kun. It’s unfair to keep the truth from my son, of what happened to him despite the mystery surrounding the incident, so I’ve decided to talk to him when he wakes up.
Aiba released the breath he didn’t realize he was holding, saw the lights change at the signal and prompted himself to drive.
“Thank you, Kaa-chan,” he said, pleased. “I know it’s going to be difficult for Nino-chan, so, let’s try to make things easier for him, yeah? I - I wish I could be there with you when you talk to him but I have somewhere I need to be and this can’t wait.”
To meet Satoshi-kun, I presume? - she asked, though she didn’t sound the least bit unsure. Aiba said nothing and she treated this as her cue to continue. I can’t persuade you to reconsider, even if I ask you to, right?
“Kaa-chan, you know I can’t just -”
I understand, Ma-kun - she cut in, her voice gentler now, softer, and Aiba found himself basking at the sound of it despite himself. It had been hard on her, too, and Aiba understood her fully. The last twenty four hours had been quite a shock to everyone that Aiba knew he wasn’t the only one reeling from all those unexpected revelations, kept hidden for the last six years.
I just - I think it would be better to leave some of the other minor details behind, at least those that I’m certain would only confuse Kazu more, at least for the time being. - she said, I mean, of course we’d have to tell him those eventually, but right now, I think we have to focus on what’s important.
Aiba’s heart ached something fierce that he wasn’t able to stop himself saying, “And by other details you mean those that have anything to do with Ohno, right?” pain and frustration mingling in his chest.
She was quiet for a moment before she was speaking again. My son doesn’t remember him - she said, pointing out the obvious as if Aiba needed reminding. I think it would be better to leave it at that for now.
Aiba’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he breathed deeply. Maybe it was for the best, he thought; telling Nino about Ohno now might only trigger unpleasant results, such as Nino demanding to know why the supposed love of his life wasn’t around when he woke up. Besides, since Nino only remembered fragments of his life before he met Ohno, what would be the point of telling Nino about Ohno’s existence?
But that didn’t mean Ohno had to suffer the same thing. All of them, Ohno included, had suffered enough thinking that Nino died, and the least he could do to appease the pain (he hoped) would be to tell Ohno they were wrong.
“Do whatever you think is best, Kaa-chan.” he said, hoping they were both about to do the same.
Somehow, Aiba knew that talking to Nino would be easier, despite Nino’s frustration about the whole damn thing. Nino would simply have to listen and take everything in, hoping that being told such things would help him remember.
Dealing with Ohno, however, would certainly not going to be a complete cake walk.
Aiba sighed and wondered if he was really up to this, if he was ready to face Ohno and handle the older man after Aiba was done talking, but he knew he had to, no matter the outcome. No one would volunteer to do this job after all, to go out of their way to talk to Ohno especially since Ohno had obviously moved on with his life, and therefore had nothing to do with Nino anymore, but being their friend, Nino and Ohno both, Aiba felt like it was the right thing to do.
You do the same, Ma-kun - was what she told Aiba in return, before she hung up.
Aiba sighed deeply and wondered vaguely how uncomplicated his life was just a couple of days ago, and honestly already missing it. Somehow, he could no longer remember how peaceful life had been, not when he hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep ever since that moment he found himself staring at his best friend’s face, wondering if he was dreaming.
Then he remembered the way Nino had smiled at him as if the past six years didn’t happen, as if Aiba didn’t spend those years missing him, hoping for another chance to see him again, and realized how stupid he was for even liking the uncomplicated-ness of it all, before that night. Despite it all, Aiba wasn’t going to trade this for anything, complicated or not.
He would welcome the hardships that came along with having Nino here, alive, no matter the consequences. The complications, Aiba told himself, were too little compared to the fact that Nino is alive. He would brave it all, even if he didn’t know he could.
For Nino. For his best friend.
And he knew he’d just barely started.
++
Sakurai-Sensei wasn’t exactly what Jun was expecting.
Of course, after having old Takahashi-Sensei as his appointed doctor for years, it was kind of difficult to stray away from his expectations that Takahashi-Sensei’s replacement would be the same as him : a balding old man in his fifty’s, with goofy eyes and equally goofy smile to match it. Jun had honestly expected the worse, because, the man standing right before him didn’t look an inch like Takahashi-Sensei.
Ah, yes. Takahashi-Sensei did mention the doctor was of Jun’s age, Jun reminded himself wryly.
“Matsumoto Jun-san, right?” Sakurai-Sensei said, gesturing Jun inside with an elegant wave of his hand. Jun bowed, walked in with his eyes trained on the tiled floor and was met halfway by Sakurai-Sensei, offering his outstretched hand out to Jun. Jun accepted the handshake, albeit hesitantly, feeling his previous edginess melting at the way Sakurai-Sensei had Jun’s hand in a firm but careful grip.
“I’m Sakurai Sho,” Sakurai-Sensei introduced himself without letting go of Jun’s hand. “I gathered you’re here because of Takahashi-Sensei’s request?” Sakurai-Sensei inquired.
Jun nodded and cleared his throat, before remembering tugging his hand away. Sakurai-Sensei seemed not to notice Jun’s discomfort as Jun was led towards the cream-coloured couch there, situated on the opposite end of the office (or was this a clinic?), and not on the chair in front of the working table Sakurai-Sensei was seated from before where Jun had expected to be invited to sit.
Jun quietly followed and sat when Sakurai-Sensei gestured him to.
“Sorry, but I just prefer it better to talk here.” Sakurai-Sensei said by way of explanation, smiled and pointed at the couch they were now sitting on as if he knew what Jun was thinking. It also didn’t escape Jun’s attention that Sakurai-Sensei didn’t refer to him as a patient, when they both knew that was the case.
Jun tilted his head in affirmation, but kept quiet. He honestly didn’t know what to say. He was certain it would have been easier for him to talk if the doctor Takahashi-Sensei told him to meet was close to the old doctor himself, appearance-wise at least, because then it wouldn’t feel like he was meeting a stranger all over again.
“Are you okay, Jun-san?” Sakurai-Sensei inquired once again, the tone of his voice remained soft and unhurried. “Ah, sorry. Is it okay if I just address you with your first name? Addressing people with their last names makes me feel like I’m always talking to their parents, if you know what I’m saying.”
“I don’t have any problem with that.” he agreed, diverting his gaze somewhere behind Sakurai-Sensei’s shoulder.
By doing so, he was able to take in the office/clinic’s surprisingly elegant appearance, despite its interior’s simplicity. The white-washed walls were covered with wallpapers instead of them being painted over, the design similar to the tiled floor. There were streaks of off-white and baby-blue lines, barely visible, but they matched perfectly with the design of the wallpapers pasted on the walls.
Aside from the office table and the two chairs in front of it, there were also two balance balls - red and purple in color - sitting at the farther corner, to the right side of the door. Next to them was something that looked like a digital weighing scale and, from what Jun could gather from the relative distance, something that looked exactly like a pair of - dumbbells?
Is this a makeshift gym, too?
“Hmm, I like to work out when I’m not too busy?” Sakurai-Sensei said, sounding part-amused and equal-parts embarrassed. “Still haven’t completed the five-minute exercise using the balance ball, though.” Sakurai-Sensei added, like an after-thought.
Jun chuckled, feeling slightly amused himself. He knew exactly what Sakurai-Sensei was talking about. Once purchased, along with it was a compilation of video tutorials using the balance balls as exercise tools. The five minute one was seriously the easiest.
“I have.” he mumbled, realizing he’d admitted his thoughts out-loud without him actually meaning to.
“Oh, you have?” Sakurai-Sensei exclaimed and stood. Jun mentally slapped himself upside the head, and watched Sakurai-Sensei crossed the way towards where the balance balls were, stopped, then beckoned Jun over.
Jun, against his better judgments, did what he’d been requested and joined Sakurai-Sensei there.
Together, they stood over the balance balls, Sakurai-Sensei pointing down at them. “I haven’t really gotten past the two and a half minute mark before I’m already rolling over and dropping on my butt,” Sakurai-Sensei admitted, sounding and looking sheepish.
“And no, don’t make me try it out for you to see. It’s embarrassing.”
Jun shook his head and realized he was grinning. He looked up and saw Sakurai-Sensei gazing thoughtfully at the balance balls, like he was beginning to wonder the merits of using them. Jun chuckled, couldn’t not, finding himself amused at this unexpected development more than anything.
Was this really Sakurai-Sensei’s way of putting his new patients at ease, Jun wondered, because it honestly felt like it. His awkwardness during the first few minutes of their meeting had mysteriously dissipated without Jun realizing it that it was easy to think past the real reason why he was here.
Maybe, that was Sakurai-Sensei’s plan, too. For them to start this out differently, so Jun could be assured he wouldn’t just be changing doctors, but meeting a new friend, too.
Jun honestly liked the sound of that.
“Well, if you want, I can just show you how it’s done,” Jun said, leaning down to grab one of the balance balls - the purple one - and rolled it over next to Sakurai-Sensei’s feet. “If you want me to, that is.” he said.
Sakurai-Sensei looked and sounded pleased when he gestured with his hand for Jun to take over.
“By all means, Jun-san.”
++
Ohno honestly hadn’t expected to see Aiba so soon, not when he’d already planned ahead and cleared his weekend free but he guessed things happened for a reason. Aiba’s text message seemed rather urgent, despite it lacking anything significant to warrant the way Ohno had felt like he’d been punched in the gut after reading it, without an emoji or others added to it, but Ohno felt it just the same.
The next message came not even twenty minutes later, and with it only mentioned the name of that newly-opened coffee and bar restaurant in East Koganei, very near to Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum - the La Verde Bar and Restaurant - where Aiba said he would be waiting for Ohno.
Ohno and Jun’s apartment was in Tanashi-cho, a few blocks away from that famous Tanashi Shrine itself. It would only take him minutes to reach Koganei by bus but the urgency thrumming under his skin was enough to make him decide to take the taxi instead.
It was only half past ten in the morning, and Ohno was supposed to meet Jun for lunch, but he doubted he was going to make it. Jun hadn’t said anything about it this morning before Jun left to meet Higayashima’s assistant, after all, so Ohno wasn’t that worried Jun would be upset if he said he couldn’t go.
His phone went off again by the time he was flagging a cab. When he checked, it was from Aiba.
It simply read, Oh-chan, I’m here.
Ohno breathed through his nose and pocketed his phone, strapped himself in and told the driver where he needed to go.
++
Jun was pleasantly sweating when they stopped, amused at Sakurai-Sensei’s antics even despite himself. Jun had never met a man with a face and physique Sakurai-Sensei had, who looked gorgeous enough to pass up more as an idol than a doctor, but was a total dork behind that gorgeous exterior.
“Here,” Sakurai-Sensei said, handing Jun a face towel as Sakurai-Sensei wiped his own face with one of the same. “Don’t worry, it’s new. I always make it a point to stock up on those here for when I am staying over and don’t have time to go to the gym properly.”
Jun accepted the towel gratefully - it was white and soft to the touch - and started wiping his face and neck with it, just as he spied Sakurai-Sensei crossing the short way towards the mini-fridge there (Jun didn’t notice that, at all) and retrieved two bottles of water.
Afterwards, Sakurai-Sensei gestured them back towards the couch, water bottles still in his hands. Jun complied without a word and sat, watching Sakurai-Sensei elegantly walking back from the fridge to the couch.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
Jun took the offered water and uncapped it, brought it to his lips and took a quick swig. Sakurai-Sensei did the same, and Jun noted the way Sakurai-Sensei’s fingers tightened on the bottle, squeezing it while drinking.
“So, are you ready to talk to me now?” Sakurai-Sensei inquired as he put his half-empty bottle down and turned to give Jun his full attention. Jun did the same with his own bottle but thought better than to copy Sakurai-Sensei’s stance, and just opted on leaning back on the couch before crossing his legs.
He frowned. “Of course. What made you think I wasn’t, anyway?”
Sakurai-Sensei shrugged. “No offense meant, Jun-san, but yes, you weren’t. I saw it your eyes when you came in and I asked you to sit.”
Jun blinked, translating that statement into words in his head and actually not liking it.
“I’m not scared of you, if that’s what you’re implying.” he said around an ugly scowl, biting his tongue a second too late because the words were already out of his mouth when he remembered to stop himself.
Sakurai-Sensei waved an apologetic hand at him. “No no no, I didn’t say -” Sakurai-Sensei said, then paused, giving Jun a look and then chuckling softly a few moments after. “Ah, now I understand why Baldy said I should be careful. You’re a difficult one, aren’t you, Jun-san?”
“Excuse me?”
Sakurai-Sensei gave himself exactly three seconds to gape at Jun before he was laughing, loud and carefree, his head thrown back in obvious amusement as Jun rendered speechless in turn, unsure whether to feel offended or awed. Sakurai-Sensei did seem to find Jun’s sudden outburst funny, and for the life of Jun, he didn’t think someone could look so attractive, laughing so openly like that, his eyes reduced to slits, at least aside from Ohno who rarely cracked a smile when he was in Jun’s company.
But apparently, Sakurai-Sensei was one of those who did look lovely when he laughed, and Jun found himself unable to keep himself from smiling in return. Sakurai-Sensei had an infectious laughter that Jun couldn’t help but laughed with him.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry,” Sakurai-Sensei said, hands gripping his side as mirth still tumbled out of his gorgeous mouth. Jun wondered vaguely why he’d been noticing such things when he knew he shouldn’t.
“But just - God, you should have seen your face, Jun-san. For a second there, I was afraid I was going to be punched in the face for laughing in the most appropriate times! You looked terrifying, but it was surprising, really, that someone could look like he could murder someone else with his fingernails and yet remained so mysteriously beautiful like you did, Jun-san.” Sakurai-Sensei said without even a hint of uncertainty that Jun was honestly loss for words.
Jun blinked, and knew instantly that he was blushing. “Now, you’re just making fun of me, Sensei. Seriously, if this is what I would get for changing doctors, I shouldn’t have bothered.” he muttered, lips curling into an embarrassed smile.
Sakurai-Sensei shook his head, smile still in place. “Oh, Jun-san, no, please, I - I’m sorry. I really am. I’m sorry if I have offended you because of my reaction, but I promise you it wasn’t like that. I just. You seriously have a very strong face, and very expressive eyes, too, so it’s really -” Sakurai-Sensei paused here, chuckled, as if he was trying to rearrange his thoughts into words, then couldn’t, and instead settled on, “I was stunned. Laughing obviously wasn’t a proper reaction but you will find that I could be so easily amused. By anything and anyone. And the most appropriate times, even. My bad, I know. I’m so sorry. I hope you could forgive me.”
Jun couldn’t help it, he was chuckling, too. It didn’t help that his brain was telling him that that was rather offensive, to be told his face was terrifying as it was amusing, but that Jun honestly didn’t find anything offensive in the way Sakurai-Sensei had said it, or the way he was looking directly at Jun when he was talking.
Somehow, it felt rather nice to be looked at, to be told he looked beautiful despite being terrifying all at the same time.
“I’m going to accept that as a compliment, even though it honestly sounded anything but.” Jun snorted, as Sakurai-Sensei offered him another smile in return.
“Thank you, Jun-san,” Sakurai-Sensei said, shifting so he was once again facing Jun, and Jun had an unobstructed view of Sakurai-Sensei’s handsome face up-close. “So, ready to do some introductions now? Hmm, I’m sorry to tell you this, but I’m certain the receptionist you have talked to earlier told you that I have a patient I have to attend to in, half an hour, wow, what in hell just happened to the time?” Sakurai-Sensei winced as he checked his watch.
Jun chuckled. “Well, we did spend about the same time on those balance balls.”
“That was a warm up, Jun-san,” Sakurai-Sensei threw him a good-natured wink. “Always a good thing to watch a ‘client’ warm up to me by letting them see how fantastic I am with the balls.”
“You weren’t.” Jun snorted, amused at this blatant lie. “You totally sucked at it.”
“Of course! But don’t tell anyone that, this is our secret, okay?”
Jun sighed, feigning annoyance. “You’re kind of weird, aren’t you? Are you sure you’re a real doctor? What kind of doctor are you anyway? Takahashi-Sensei said you’re kind of the best, in what, I have no idea, so I’m actually kind of worried here.”
Sakurai-Sensei smirked, and this particular one looked good on him, too. He pointed at the laminated certificates hanging at the wall, and Jun simply arched his brows at Sakurai-Sensei.
“Sorry, can’t read those. I forgot to wear my glasses.”
Sakurai-Sensei took this in stride and shrugged. “I’m a Neuropsychologist, Jun-san.”
Jun blinked. “I was expecting something similar to what Takahashi-Sensei is, a Psychiatrist, if I remember it correctly? but, okay, there’s ‘psychology’ in there, too, so I guess you must know what you’re doing.”
“Don’t worry, Jun-san, I promise you’re in good hands.” Sakurai-Sensei said, sounding awfully confident. Jun looked at him dubiously.
“So, introductions?” Sakurai-Sensei followed.
Jun eyed the doctor warily. Seriously? “You already know my name, even my age and phone number, courtesy of your receptionist, of course. Do I need to tell you what my favorite color is? Or what I had for breakfast this morning? Maybe what I’ve put in my mouth the night before?” he said, promptly blushing remembering exactly what he’d put in his mouth the previous night that obviously didn’t want to be there.
Sakurai-Sensei grinned. “Whatever you feel like telling me.”
Jun rolled his eyes. “I thought you were supposed to ask me questions,” he countered, frowning, “Or is this how you usually ‘deal’ with clients so they won’t end up running off after your first meeting?”
“Not really,” Sakurai-Sensei said, mouth twitching just the tiniest bit. “Just trying out a different approach, is all. As I’ve said earlier, you’re one of the most difficult ones I’ve had in a while, so I’m doing my best to be careful.”
“That just make it sound so awful,” he grimaced. “I mean, why don’t you just try and do the usual? Your usual, at least. I couldn’t all be that different.”
“Oh, believe me, Jun-san, you are.”
Jun harrumphed. “In what way?”
Sakurai-Sensei shrugged. “You’re questioning my ability as a doctor, for one. I haven’t had a client who questioned my degree and my capability to do my job. This is a first.”
Damn you and your big mouth, Matsumoto. “Err, sorry?”
“No need to apologize, no,” Sakurai-Sensei said. “Different people, different approach, that’s my motto. I actually shouldn’t be telling you this but I feel like you ought to know it just the same. I know I’ve said you’re difficult, but I didn’t mean that like it’s a bad thing. I mean, you’re obviously a strong-headed person, Jun-san, and I gathered that a normal approach won’t work on you. You’re stubborn - you know what you want and you have no qualms of doing whatever you can to get it, but that quality often gets you to question your own worth. And that’s what we’re going to be working on, if you agree to work with me, that is.”
Jun stared, stunned. No one had ever described Jun himself that way, on point and scarily accurate.
“So, what’s your decision, good Sir? I only have a few minutes left to sign you up for your next visit so -”
“Sensei, your eleven thirty is waiting for you.” someone spoke from the door, and effectively cutting Sakurai-Sensei off. Jun blinked and saw Sakurai-Sensei smiling apologetically at him.
“I’ll be out in a minute, Kiritani-san,” Sakurai-Sensei called back, before turning to Jun. “Your decision, Jun-san?”
He stood just as Sakurai-Sensei did, too, knowing he was bound to agree anyway. “Fine, okay.”
“Great,” Sakurai-Sensei exclaimed, catching Jun’s hands for another heartfelt handshake. Jun found himself grinning before he realized he was doing it. “That’s fantastic. Come with me and I’ll direct you to Mizuhara-san. She’ll handle our schedules so I won’t mess it up.” Sakurai-Sensei said, leading Jun towards the door and opening it.
Outside, a small, pretty nurse was waiting. She smiled and bowed her head at them. Jun returned the gesture in kind.
“This is Kiritani-san,” Sakurai-Sensei introduced her, “Kiritani-san, meet Matsumoto Jun-san. The one Takahashi-san was talking about, you remember?”
“Oh,” she exclaimed, demurely. Jun didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. “Nice to finally meet you, Matsumoto-san.” Jun smiled and decided not to say anything as Sakurai-Sensei led him towards another opened door.
“Kiko-chan, are you here?”
A moment later, a woman grunted from somewhere around the vicinity of the ceiling, and they found themselves staring up at her, sitting atop a ladder, her long legs dangling in the air as she fixed something there.
“Jesus Christ, what are you doing?!” Sakurai-Sensei muttered, looking and sounding horrified. Jun honestly mirrored his sentiment, and he was torn between coming to the woman’s rescue and fainting.
“Fixing the light, what does it look like?”
“That’s what the electricians are for, Kiko-chan, for Christ’s sake! Get your skinny butt down here and call someone to do that for you, jeez!”
“I got this!”
Kiritani-san giggled behind them. “I already told her that but you know how she is. She said she doesn’t need any man to do things for her.”
Sakurai-Sensei whipped his head around and gave Kiritani-san a disbelieving stare. “This is different!”
“Tell her that yourself, Sensei.”
“I’m done, just wait a second.” Kiko-chan exclaimed from the ceiling, waving her shapely hand at them.
Jun watched as the woman slowly descended from above the ladder, and landed gracefully on her naked feet. She smiled cheerfully and slipped on her heels, left the ladder where it was and went to meet them by the door.
“Hello, it’s Matsumoto Jun-san, right? I’m Mizuhara Kiko, the one you talked to on the phone earlier.” she said, offering her hand.
Jun accepted, tongue-tied. He wondered if this hospital was only accepting good-looking employees, seeing how true that was after meeting the doctor and the nurse, and now this model-like woman who was smiling cheerfully towards Jun.
“Ah, yes. Nice meeting you, Mizuhara-san -”
“Kiko is fine,” she countered, before Jun could even finish. “Mizuhara-san is my dad, or my Mom, depending on who you are talking to,” she said, turning her pretty smile on Sakurai-Sensei. “Right, Sensei?”
“I told you to stop eavesdropping on me when I’m talking to a client, Kiko-chan!” Sakurai-Sensei whined, but he looked more like an indulging older brother than a superior verbally boxing his subordinate’s ears.
Jun chuckled and was most certain he would enjoy visiting this hospital from here on.
“I wasn’t eavesdropping! You left the door wide open, you don’t remember?”
“I did no such thing!”
“Ah, that’s enough,” Kiritani-san piped up from where she was sitting on Jun’s right, watching the spectacle happening in front of them as if it was something normal. She glanced on the watch on her wrist and gestured at it, too. “You’re both scaring Matsumoto-san off, if you haven’t noticed it. Also, Sensei,” she said, pointing at her wrist.
“You’re ten minutes late, already. Ninomiya-san is already awake and is waiting for you.”
Jun blinked, then stared at Kiritani-san as if she’d grown two heads, turning round to catch Sakurai-Sensei chuckling and nodding at Kiritani-san. Then, turning to give Mizuhara-san further instructions before he bowed his head, he turned to Jun and excused himself.
“I have to go, Jun-san. Kiko-chan here will let me know when you’re coming next for a visit. I’ll see you then, yeah? It was really lovely meeting you today. I’m sorry I really have to go.” Sakurai-Sensei said.
Jun didn’t know if he said anything to Sakurai-Sensei in return, could vaguely hear Mizuhara-san talking through the heavy pounding of blood through his ears, as Sakurai-Sensei started walking but not before turning to Kiritani-san and saying,
“Go ahead and tell Kazuko-san I’ll be there in a few minutes. Let me just take a quick trip to the lab to get Ninomiya-san’s test results. I’ll be right after you.”
Kazuko-san?
Nino - miya - san?
Jun closed his eyes and barely felt the way Mizuhara-san’s fingers closed around his wrist, shaking him out of his stupor, his heart expanding in his chest he was afraid it was going to explode and kill him. He knew that name, had heard it a thousand times over the last six years, from the lips of his own lover and the people who knew him, but.
But - this one, the name he heard just now, it belonged to an entirely different person, right?
“Matsumoto-san, are you okay? Oh my god, you’re so white, do you want me to call Sensei back so he could -”
He turned and found Mizuhara-san tugging at his arm, looking genuinely worried. He swallowed through the lump that lodged itself in his throat and forced the words out.
“M-Mizuhara-san, I’m so sorry, I know this is going to sound odd but I just - can I ask you something?” he asked, his own fingers now wrapped around Mizuhara-san’s slender wrist.
“O-Of course. What is it?”
Jun cleared his throat. “I - h-heard about Sakurai-Sensei’s next patient, N-Ninomiya-san, right?”
She nodded; she still looked worried but she was looking at him oddly. “Yes. One of Sensei’s very first patients here. He was already here before I started working in this hospital.”
Jun braved the urge to shut up, knowing he was acting like a complete whack job. Mizuhara-san was already looking at him as if she was considering calling someone up so they could throw Jun out or something.
Jun just didn’t care.
“I - Could you tell me how long he’s been a patient here?” he asked, voice shaking at the syllables.
Mizuhara-san blinked. “Hmm, not sure but from what I heard, around five years or so? He was in a coma, and had just regained consciousness a couple of days ago.” she said, then. “Wait, do you know him?”
Jun knew he should say No, shake his head and tell her to fix his schedule with Sakurai-Sensei so he could go, but somehow, he couldn’t. He just couldn’t.
“I-If his name is Ninomiya Kazunari-san,” he said, breathing around the name he didn’t, not even in his most vulnerable state, would have dreamed of saying, not then, and definitely not six years later, after that person’s death.
“Then yes, I know him.”
Mizuhara-san’s eyes were wide, and her lips formed a soundless ‘O’ before she recovered herself.
“Oh, but, it is. That patient's name is indeed Ninomiya Kazunari, Matsumoto-san.”she said, and Jun felt as if his whole world had collapsed around him.
