CHAPTER 12:

“Guys!” Aiba shouted as he slammed the door of their dressing room open. He held his knees and panted.

“Slow down, Aiba-chan,” Jun instructed, letting him inside to sit down. “What is it?”

“Anna-san’s in the administration office! She’s resigning!” he shouted in a panicked voice. “Shun-sempai told me.”

Sho has just come out of the shower. “Anna-san’s resigning? Isn’t it a little early?” he asked. He took his duffel bag and went back inside, changing as rapidly as he could. He wanted to stop her.

Ohno suddenly broke the pencil he was holding. “Gomen,” he apologized to no one in particular. Nino shot a worried look at him.

“Let’s go to the administration office,” Nino said, still looking at Ohno. “We could convince her to stay.”

“Hai. Surely if she’s leaving that fast, we could be the reason. We’re her first project, aren’t we?”

Sho got out of the room, his hair still dripping wet. He just hung a towel over his shoulders and made his way to the door. “Are we all going?” he asked everyone.

Nino, Jun and Aiba stood up. Ohno was staring at emptiness but he was still sitting down. “Oh-chan, come on,” Nino said stubbornly, half-dragging Ohno. Too weak to resist, he just stood up and followed.

***

Johnny was staring at the envelope Anna passed to him.

“Did you have any problem choreographing Arashi?” he asked. “I could transfer you to other groups if there’s a problem.”

“Iie,” she replied, not looking at him. “It’s more of a personal stuff.”

“Mitsuhashi-san,” he said, standing up. “You are a prodigy. I cannot let you go as simple as that. You have proven yourself in the first concert you’ve made with all your effort. The dancing was given rave reviews from the critics who attended. I can imagine that you will leave a mark in this world of singing and dancing. Why giving up?”

“I’m not giving up,” she said in a small voice. “It’s just that…”

“It’s one of them,” the old man said. She looked at him. “I thought so. It’s indeed one of them.”

“Iie,” she replied, looking at the cup of tea offered to her, still untouched.

Johnny sighed. He moved the letter across the table, back to the one who wrote it. “Mitsuhashi-san, we have a lot of secrets in this building. Why don’t you share what’s bothering you? Who’s bothering you? It wouldn’t hurt adding to the pile of secrets we have here.”

“I have no problem,” she lied. She blinked.

“I won’t accept your resignation,” he said in a final tone. “I’ll give you a break since all groups finished their tour choreography but I expect you to return when everything’s fine.” He mused for a moment. “Do you plan on talking to the members of Arashi?”

“No need,” she replied. “Thank you for the chance, Kitagawa-san. I hope I’ll be able to return when you call for me.”

“You will return. I know it,” he said, smiling.

“Arigatou gozaimasu,” she said, standing up and bowing. “I have to leave now.” She took her bag.

“And one more thing, Mitsuhashi-san,” he said, sitting down behind his desk. “We don’t allow relationships with our talents but if you tell me directly, I’ll do my best to protect you.”

She was shocked with his last words. “Relationships?” She merely nodded and made her way to the door.

“Anna-san,” he heard familiar voices calling her. It was Arashi.

“Is it true?” Aiba asked, looking at her sadly.

“You’re quitting?” Jun continued.

Sho went near her. “Why are you quitting?” he asked her. He was trying to show his affection as he tried to touch her. But she backed away.

“Daijoubu. He just gave me a rest,” she replied, trying to fake a smile. She happened to take a glance at Ohno who was trying to hide away from view. She bit her lip. “Minna, I have to go home now.” She patted Sho’s shoulder and smiled a little. “Arigatou, Sho-kun.”

She passed Ohno as she made her way back to the elevator. It was a bittersweet moment. She saw him and she was happy for that. He saw her and he felt sad and at fault.

“Johnny-san!” Aiba shouted, jumping inside the office.

“Arashi, what brings you here?” he asked.

Ohno stared at Anna’s untouched cup of tea as the five of them sat down.

“Admit it, who did it?” he asked in a playful tone.

“Did what?” Jun asked, jerking up from his seat.

“Who here made dear Mitsuhashi-san upset? Don’t you like her as your choreographer?” he asked further. The five were in an interrogating session.

All of them gulped. It was their least favorite session. They all looked to Ohno, who was looking at the teacup in front of him, oblivious that he was taking all the blame.

“Ah, sou ka,” Johnny merely said. “Now, I want you to fix this problem. Fix this problem with the help of everyone. Now, go. Chop-chop!”

“Chop-chop? Where did you get that?” Aiba asked curiously.

“In one of my trips,” he replied, smiling like the Cheshire cat.

***

“Anna-san?” Sho said, answering his phone. He has just came out of the shower.

“Sho-kun…” she said from the other side of the line. There were few seconds of silence. “I…”

He noticed that her voice was croaky. He knew that she was crying all night. “Do you need someone to talk to?” he asked, taking the initiative.

“I… arigatou,” she said.

“I’ll be there,” he replied, hanging up. It broke his heart listening to her voice full of sadness. “If I could do something for you, Anna…” he thought gravely as he wore a black shirt and jeans, took the keys from his table and went downstairs.

He drove his car to Anna’s house. She was waiting in the living room, clad in black turtleneck and gray pleated skirt. She stood up at the sight of him and smiled. It was a painful smile. There were black circles under her eyes.

“Konbanwa,” he greeted.

“Konbanwa,” she replied. “Maki’s already asleep. Iku?” She held out her hand.

Sho took it with slight reluctance. He felt her contagious sadness course through his whole body as he held her hand. He opened the car door for her.

“Where do you like to go?” he asked.

She merely shrugged as if to say she’s letting him decide. He smiled at her to assure her. “I know a place.”

Instead of a café or a restaurant, they stopped by in a parking lot beside a park. Sho helped her wear her coat as they walked the park, lighted by the moon and few streetlamps.

“I go here when I feel sad,” he said, holding her hand tighter. They sat on a bench surrounded by small flowers. “Go on. Say your problems to the wind. They’ll carry it away.”

“I… I can’t,” Anna said, closing her fist, crumpling her jacket underneath it. She gasped when Sho suddenly embraced her.

“Then let me be your wind,” he said, his voice muffled as his head was buried on her shoulder.

Anna couldn’t take it anymore. She started saying everything to Sho. “He told me he never wanted to see me again!” she wailed, burying her face with her hands. Sho was patting her back as she released her feelings. “I wanted to tell him I will always be there for him. I wanted to tell him that I love him!”

Sho had to close his eyes as he heard her. “She really loves Ohno,” he thought sadly. He embraced her once again. She needed someone to love her. And he knew that he will love her.

“Give me a chance, Anna,” he said, stroking her hair. She was still crying. “I will never make you cry.” He cupped her face and kissed her softly.

***

The next morning, the group was in the airport, along with their manager.

“Sho-kun, who are you waiting for? You look uneasy,” Aiba said. She kept on glancing at his phone, as if anticipating something.

“Flight number 1706 heading for Fukuoka, passengers, please proceed to gate 5,” a voice paged.

Sho bent his head down. “She’s not coming.”

The five of them started to walk towards the gate. However, all of them halted when they heard a voice shout. “Sho-kun!”

“Shouldn’t we not look around?” Nino asked, thinking that it was just a fangirl.

Sho, however, looked around. “Anna!”

She ran towards him, slightly panting. She held her knees and tried to catch her breath. “Sho-kun… I…”

“It’s best if you won’t turn around, Oh-chan,” Nino said, frowning. However, Ohno had already instinctively turned around to where the voice came from.

“Sho-kun… I… I…” Anna started, still wheezing. “I’ll give you a chance.”

Ohno wanted someone to kill him in the spot when he saw Sho embrace Anna with a smile. His cap was knocked off. “Arigatou, Anna…” he said. His cap fell on the floor.

“Now, I think you have to go now, Sho,” she said with a little uneasiness as the other four were staring at the two of them. “I hope you’ll have a nice trip. Gambarimasu.”

“Hai,” he replied, letting go. Anna picked up the cap and placed it on his head with a smile.

It was more than what Ohno could take. He sadly made his way to the escalator, to the gate. Nino followed him and patted his back. “Oh-chan, daijoubu ka?” he asked.

Ohno just nodded.

Anna smiled at Sho once again as he made his way to the escalator, along with Jun and Aiba. However, as she waved, she looked at Ohno. “Gomen ne, Ohno-kun…”

“I’m sorry that i’m here when you said you never wanted to see me…

“I wanted to see you so badly…”

***

It was a miracle on how Ohno kept on smiling for the remainder of their one-month tour. It was a miracle on how he was able to sing and wave at the fans in front of him. most of all, it was a miracle that he was able to dance his solo without getting distracted by the fact that he was supposed to be dancing this dance with Anna. Furthermore, it was a miracle that he was able to hide his madness and sadness now that Anna is currently with Sho.

He finally went back to his house after the tiring one month. He did not feel like partying with the others. It was three days before their Tokyo Dome concert, the end of the tour.

“Okaeri!” his sister greeted as he entered the door.

“Onee-chan, you’re here,” he said with a little surprise etched on his face.

“You got thinner,” she remarked, pushing him inside. “Okaa-san is not around so she asked me to wait for you here. But since there’s nothing in the pantry, I decided to just take you out for dinner.”

“Hai,” he said unexcitedly.

“Hey, otouto,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “You aren’t happy for that? Did the concert exhaust all your life’s energy?” She tried to cheer him up as she knew what happened a month ago.


“Dear, please make sure you won’t upset ‘Toshi when he arrives,” their mother reminded her as she placed stuff inside her bag.

“Nande? Did he return to his sensitive self again?” she asked jokingly.

“Don’t joke about things like that,” her mother said in a mad tone. “He has gone through a rough path and it has been a burden that he has to do concerts and smile and wave at the people.”

“Okaa-san, you’re not telling me something!” she said, jumping out from the couch.

Her mother just looked at her sadly, her hand over her chest. She understood. “Baka Satoshi,” she muttered under her breath.




Ohno just sighed. “I’ll just change clothes, Nee-chan. Then we could go,” he said. He went up to his room. It has been a long while since he last saw it. It was kept clean by their mother. The art boxes piled neatly on one side. He happened to glance on his table.

“What…?” and he saw the sketch he always looked at. “I have to forget you now. Gomen…” He crumpled the paper and threw it to the bin.

He looked around the silent room. He felt that Anna’s screams never left it as it was still ringing in his ears. “I HATE YOU!”

“’Toshi!” his sister shouted from downstairs. “When will you come down?”

“Hai!” he said as he hastily changed clothes.

***

“This is a nice place,” Anna remarked.

Sho was cooking the okonomiyaki. “You think so?” he replied, not yet looking at her since he was seriously guarding the dish on the pan.

“Hai,” she said, nodding. She looked around. “There are only a few people here so I think it’s nice.” She looked at what he was doing. “Do you need help?”

“Daijoubu,” he replied. But she took it away from him as she tried to do it herself. “Hey! Give me that!”

“Iie,” she said teasingly. Both of them started to laugh as they tried to get the okonomiyaki first.

“Ah, Sakurai-kun,” a voice greeted. They both stopped, the okonomiyaki landing on Anna’s plate.

Anna also turned around and her smile was wiped off. “And Mitsuhashi-san!”

“Konbanwa,” she greeted slowly.

“What brings you here?” Sho asked, smiling. But he kept on glancing at Anna, worried about her sudden silence.

“I brought Satoshi to eat dinner,” she said, pulling Ohno who was behind her, clearly not wanting to be seen.

“Yo,” he greeted in a small voice. He tried not to look at Anna.

“If you don’t mind, sumimasen,” his sister said, steering him at a corner to sit.

“Anna, daijoubu ka?” Sho asked the silent Anna.

She tried to regain her composure. “Daijoubu,” she said with a smile, taking a bite of the food. “Itai! Atsui!” she said, as it was hot. She fanned her tongue.

“Douzo,” Sho said, passing her a glass of water as he went beside her to wipe her mouth. “That is hot. You should be careful.”

“Hai,” she replied, smiling at him.

Ohno, form afar, could only look as Sho wiped Anna’s lips with the napkin. His sister cleared her throat as she divided the okonomiyaki between the two of them.

“We’re not here to stare at her, my dear,” she said sternly. “The last time I saw you, you were enthusiastic about getting her. What happened?” she asked, really acting like a big sister.

“Betsuni,” he replied, looking down at the food. He tried to start eating but it only tasted like rubber.

“You’re lying,” she replied. “There is something wrong. It looked like she likes you but why is she with Sakurai-kun now?” she wondered. “Come on. You always tell your problems to Nee-chan.”

“Nee-chan…” Ohno started, looking at his sister. She was smiling at him comfortingly. She was waiting for him to talk as she ate her own share. And he told her what happened inside his room that night.

“Baka Satoshi,” she just said. She has just started drinking a glass of sake. “Why did you do that to the girl you love?” It seemed like she was not alcohol-resistant.

“It’s because of Sho-kun. He likes Anna-san too much. He said he could not live without her,” he said, closing his eyes.

“Ah, baka Sakurai brat!” she said, raising the next glass. “Kampai!” she said, before drinking. “Let me tell you a piece of advice,” she said in a serious voice, as though she had not drunk a half bottle.

“Hm?”

“We could share everything and give away everything. We could be selfless. But we should at least be selfish about love,” she said, looking directly at her brother.

“Sou ne?” he asked.

“Gotcha!” she suddenly shouted, going back to her drunken state.

“Nee-chan, you’re drunk! Who will drive the car back home?” Ohno said hopelessly.

***

please do try to notice that i've been updating everyday as what i have here is also near to its end... i can't really explain but i'm in a rush 1 out of 5...

EDIT: don't misunderstand me... what i mean is that the written fic is already near at its end... but i have not yet posted those parts here yet!

near to an end?
wahhh!! nooooooooooooooo!!

demo it up to yours..
hope that we can see more of your fics here..

i hope ohno-kun will do his best to bring back anna,,

near end already? awwwww... but i guess its your choice then, as the writer..

anyway. ganbatte.

next chapter's up!

CHAPTER 13:

“It’s Anna’s birthday today,” Aiba said as Ohno entered the karaoke room. He was asking where Sho had gone to. “We thought we could reserve this one for her but she declined. Now she’s with Sho all alone.”

“Ah… sou ka…” Ohno said weakly.

“Aiba-chan! Urusei!” Nino said, hitting his head with the microphone. He knew very well that no one should tell Ohno about these things. But he requested that the secret about the Sho-Anna-Ohno love triangle should remain only with him.

“Itai!” Aiba wailed, rubbing the painful part where the mic landed.

“Oh-chan, have some food,” Nino said, trying to cheer up his friend. He sat down and he was offered some chips by Jun. Aiba has started singing at the top of his voice.

“Riida, come on! Join the party!” Aiba said as the three of them started singing. Nino dragged him and gave him a microphone to sing along with them.

“Oh-chan. At least forget,” he whispered to his ear. He nodded and smiled. He took the microphone and sang along with them.

It was Jun’s turn to sing. He was singing some English songs while the other three sat, munching.

“Do you know that Sho-chan and Anna-san checked in a hotel?” Aiba said excitedly. “Sho-chan reserved the room a week ago and he said it is a beautiful room! What can happen to the two of them in a…”

“Aiba-chan, uruseiyo!” Nino said again, giving him a death glare. Ohno turned away and finished the can of beer in one gulp, some of it going down his neck.

“Aiba-chan, Nino, I have to go,” he said.

“Oh-chan… demo…”

“Daijoubu,” he said, patting Nino’s shoulder. The smaller guy’s eyes narrowed as he watched Ohno say goodbye to Jun.

“Nice move, Aiba-chan,” Nino said sarcastically.

“Eh? What did I do?” Aiba asked obliviously.

“Betsuni,” Nino replied, looking at the closed door.

***

Ohno closed the door with a sigh of relief. He felt his heart beating slower and slower… feeling that life was slowly draining out of him.

“What can happen to the two of them in a…” Aiba’s words echoed inside his head.

“What are you upset about?” he asked himself, smirking. “You should be happy for them.”

He walked out of the corridor, half-limping as half of his body was paralyzed at the thought. He did not know where to go or what to do… he just wanted to forget everything he had heard. He just wanted to wake up from this nightmare… or to go back in time.

“If I hadn’t told her those things, she would have been with me tonight,” he thought miserably as he half-dragged himself inside a bar.

***

Sho removed Anna’s blindfold to reveal her a room lighted by a crystal chandelier. On the table were wine, food, and a small cake with unlighted candlesticks.

“This is… too much,” Anna said, looking around.

“Nothing is too much for you, Anna,” Sho said, bending down a little to kiss her but she moved back. He was frustrated by this sudden reluctance.

“Anou… aren’t we going to light up the candles?” she asked, trying to change the topic.

They both sat across each other, the cake in between them. Sho dimmed the lights and lighted the candlesticks that glowed in Anna’s eyes. “Otanjoubi omedetou,” he greeted. “Make a wish now.”

Anna did not know what to wish for so she just pretended to do so before blowing the candles. Applause followed. “Arigatou,” she said again.

After eating, Anna went to the glass window to look at the scenery. She particularly looked at the sky. “What might he be doing?” she thought. She gasped as she felt hands go around her waist. “Sho!” she exclaimed, looking at him. she pushed him away lightly.

“Anna,” Sho said, sitting by the window beside her. “Daijoubu. I’m not planning to do something with you.”

“It’s not that… it’s just…”

“You’re scared,” he said, pulling her to an embrace. “I could see it in your eyes. I promised that I will never make you cry. And if I do that, you’ll surely be upset.”

“Gomenasai,” she just said as she let her hands embrace him back. they pulled away when Anna’s phone rang.

“Moshi moshi?” she said.

“Anna…onegai…onegai…” the voice from the other line said. It was raspy and inaudible but she clearly knew who it was.

“Nande? Where are you?” she asked with urgency. The voice from the other line made indistinctive sounds, something like laughing while crying. The phone was hung up. “Sho, gomen. I have to go.”

Sho just nodded at her. “Do take care of yourself.”

“Hai. Arigatou,” she said, taking her bag from the couch and away from the door.

Sho sat down and poured himself a glass of wine while he took from his pocket the gift he was supposed to give to her. The blue velvet box revealed a silver necklace with a tear-shaped crystal hanging as a pendant.

***

“Ohno-kun, where are you?” Anna muttered as she ran here and there, looking for Ohno. Based on the way he talked earlier, he was in a bar or someplace. She decided to call Nino.

“Nino-kun, is Ohno-kun there with you?” she asked.

“Iie,” he answered. “He went home earlier.”

“He’s alone somewhere,” she concluded, running inside and outside the bars that lined the streets. She chanced upon a building that has a staircase leading to the bar itself and saw Ohno holding on the wall, clearly drunk.

“Ohno-kun!” she gasped, running to him. She touched his face, still red with drunkenness and held his hand as she tried to pull him up. “What happened?”

“Anna-san…” he said dimly. Then without warning, he pulled her near him and started to kiss her. He kissed her as though he had never kissed before. He kissed her, pouring all his love, sorrow, regret, and guilt. He wanted to make her feel that he did not mean it.

Anna savored the kiss, feeling everything Ohno wanted her to feel. Her hand roamed around his hair as tears streamed down her face. The sensation was almost burning her. However, she suddenly pushed him away. “I’ll take you home.”

“Stay…” he said.

“Iie… you’re drunk,” she said. She helped him walk and called a taxi.

“Doko?” the driver asked.

Anna had been to Ohno’s house but she did not really know where that was. But because she pitied him, she just decided to take him home.

Maki’s already asleep, tired from his game, so she decided not to wake him and take care of Ohno herself. She helped him lay down on the couch and went to the kitchen to heat water for coffee. She also took a towel and cool water.

She wiped his face with the towel, tears freely falling down her face as she watched how miserable he was. She dipped the towel in the water and started to wipe his arms. As her hand passed his, he held her and pulled her close.

“Anna-san…” he whimpered.

She embraced him tight. “Gomenasai, Ohno-kun. I don’t hate you. Please don’t be like this. Onegai!” she said, touching her forehead to his. Seconds later, their lips touched, descending to a kiss.

***

“Gomen, Sho,” Anna said as the two of them sat on the same table of the same café.

“Daijoubu,” Sho replied. He knew what she was talking about. “You don’t have any feelings for me.”

“Gomen ne, Sho-kun,” she said, her hands on her lap. She did not know how to say it. “I only see you as a friend…”

Sho was silent for a moment. “Wakatta,” he said, smiling at her. “You love Ohno-kun, deshou?”

Anna slowly nodded.

“I love you so much that I cannot live without you, Anna,” he said, taking her hand. “But if it is me who causes you pain or sadness, I’ll gladly step aside.”

Ann smiled at him, teary-eyed. “Arigatou, Sho. Gomen for hurting you.”

“You did not hurt me. I was happy when I was with you, no matter how short the time was.” He stood up and left. However, he turned around halfway. “Anna-san, please accept this last gift.” He placed the velvet box on top of the table. “Ja ne…”

Anna opened the box. He saw the crystal necklace. And taped at the other side of the box was a small envelope. She took the envelope and opened it to see the contents. A staff ID for the Dome concert, and a note.

“I hope you’ll dance forever with him. Tokyo Dome, 6:00 PM.”

Anna knew what would happen. “I’m given a chance to dance with him.” She has decided against it as she went back to her house.

“Nee-chan! Pass that shoebox,” Maki said, pointing at the top of the cabinet. Anna took a stool and stepped on it, trying to reach the shoebox. She took the box but it accidentally hit the painting. “Nee-chan! The painting!”

“Move away!” she shouted, jumping from the stool to shield her brother from the glass shards, some of it cutting through her skin. “Maki, daijoubu ka?” she asked through gritted teeth. She was whimpering as she saw cuts on her hands, arms, and one on her cheek.

“Nee-chan! You’re bleeding!” Maki said. He immediately went down to get the first aid kit.

Anna, however, stepped carefully on the floor to get the painting. It injured her more, holding the frame that turned to splinters. A piece of paper fell from it.

Written in beautiful calligraphy were these words:

“Dance with me forever, Mitsuhashi Anna.”

- Ohno Satoshi

The piece of paper was slowly stained with her blood. She looked at the clock. 5:30

“Nee-chan! Matte! Your cuts aren’t yet cleaned!” Maki shouted after her as she hastily wore her coat, grabbed her bag, and got out of the house.

“Maki, I’ll be late! Just order dinner,” she said as she dashed out.

“Nee-chan!” he continued to shout.

Anna rode a taxi. “To the hospital?” the driver asked, eyeing her bleeding cheek and her coat that is now stained with blood.

“Iie. Tokyo Dome onegai. As fast possible,” she said.

The driver was puzzled but her drove away. “There’s a concert in Tokyo Dome, Miss. It’ll be traffic.” 5:45

“I know,” she replied. She took her handkerchief and wiped the blood off her cheek and off her hands. She took the staff ID and clutched it near her chest. “I’ll dance with you… forever…”

FINALLY! YAY OHNO&ANNA

eh, its ending soon, im sad to see this go..

but this is a very wonderful fic, and i look forward to your next story/ies

Ganbare

Anna is bleeding..
i hope she's fine..

can't wait for the next chapter..

This is my most favorite chapter! it took me days and nights formulating this one... it took 3 hours of continuous "take me faraway" playing... and some foot sprains and wall hitting spins... nyahahaha!!

feeling ko mamamatay ako habang sinasayaw ko ito... haha... too much drama!

so i hope you enjoy this part...

CHAPTER 14:

“Where is she?” Sho asked Shun, who has just finished his solo. He went to the small dressing room to change.

“She’s not yet here,” Shun said. He glanced at the concert sequence taped in front of the dressing room door. “Five more performances before his solo. She still has time. ”

“I hope she arrives on time,” Sho replied.

“Is Anna-chan here?” Minako asked. She was not wearing the costume. “I’m worried.”

“Daijoubu,” Shun replied. “She’ll be here.”

***

“Are we almost there?” she asked the driver. She glanced at her watch. 7:00

“We’re supposed to be there thirty minutes ago. But since there’s a concert, we’re having difficulty on the traffic.”

Anna stuck her head outside. She was seeing the dome already, the large spotlights going here and there. The vehicles were not moving and other drivers were blowing their horns madly.

“Mister, here’s the payment. I’ll run from here,” she said, giving cash. She went down the car, her legs giving a little jerk because of the wound near her foot and started to run towards the Dome, hitting some people here and there, increasing the pain at her arms. It was obvious that her wounds opened and were already bleeding profusely.

“Finally,” she said, seeing the Dome in full view. The front was still not deserted as some fangirls were waiting for their idols to go out.

She saw the door exclusively for the staff and showed her ID. “Anna-chan!” Shun shouted as he saw her. “Three more so… What happened to you?”

“Shun-sempai!” she said, almost falling on his arms as she was getting weak. “Onegai! Let me dance with him!”

“That was the original plan. But with your situation…”

“Onegai!” she pleaded, crying. She was not crying because of the physical pain but she was crying because of the emotional pain that would happen to her if she will not dance with Ohno. “This is my last chance!”

“Hayaku, ne,” Shun said, calling a girl. “Please help her clean her wounds and change her to her costume.”

The girl nodded and assisted her, running towards the dressing room where Minako sat. “Anna-chan! What happened?”

“Minako-chan, please just help me!” she said. Minako nodded and helped the staff clean the small wounds on her arms and the cut on her cheek. However, she winced as they dabbed cotton on her palms.

The stylist started to curl her hair with heat and tied it up on a ponytail. The other one started to put on make up, but a little careful on her cheek.

“Are you sure you want to dance in that state?” Minako asked as she gave her the costume. It was of two layers. She helped her wear the dancing shoes, Anna wincing as the straps hit the cut near her foot. “We could bandage your hands and you can wear these gloves,” Minako said, showing her the gloves she wore in the past concerts.

“No need, Minako-chan,” she said, as she stood up to practice with the shoes. She was having difficulty because the shoes hurt.

“Mitsuhashi-san, please standby. One more dance before Ohno-kun’s,” a man said, knocking on the door.

“Hai,” she replied.

“Ganbarre,” Minako said, smiling at her.

Anna nodded as she wore the black glittery mask. As she went up the stairs to the raised stage where she will come from, noise met her ears. Noise from the fans. Nino was about to finish his piano solo.

Anna’s foot hurt with the shoes. “I was not able to practice with these shoes,” she thought. She hastily removed the shoes and gave them to the assistant. “I don’t need them,” she told him.

The whole Dome became dark and one spotlight lighted Ohno, who was walking to the middle of the stage…

(a/n: This dance is fashioned from “Take Me Faraway”. So it would be nice if you listen to the track while reading this…)

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

He started to dance. She followed suit. Slowly, another spotlight bathed her in her black dress. She still knew the dance by heart. She still remembered the sensation…

She twirled before walking slowly to Ohno, who was doing some hand movements as though pulling her near him. She stopped at each of his movements as though hiding from him. She was breathless at each note he hit. He tried to walk towards her but she spun away, her hands on the air like the wind. She made circling motions towards him but her hands slowly pulled away, escaping…

He tried to hold her but she moved away, her hands gracefully waving in the air, forming shadows. Quick and slow. His voice was soothing her soul. She closed her eyes as she turned her head around, allowing to be surrounded by his hands. He could never touch her yet… She was just his shadow…

They continued to chase each other using their intricate body movements, showing how much they love each other. Ohno wanted her while she wanted to drive him away, no matter how painful it would be for her. She felt like she stop breathing as she heard Ohno’s aria.

They danced in perfect rhythm, their bodies danced like one, divided by two… Both of them spun until they met each other in the middle of the stage. They wanted to touch each other but something was stopping them… a wall was between them… Their hands held out, slowly uniting and holding each other like touching your own image in a mirror… breaking the wall down.

Ohno held her hand tight, earning a slight wince from Anna. He turned her a few times and she turned until he held her waist, drawing her near him, their faces almost touching. Both of them fighting for air to breathe. The blood flowing from Anna’s palm a stung as the sweat coming from Ohno’s hands flowed on it but she did not care. All she wanted to do was to dance with him.

Ohno turned around, and made movements of hailing her when the mask accidentally knocked off. His eyes widened at the sigh of her dancing with him. However, he easily regained his composure as he slowly touched her wounded cheek, the wound noticeable even with the make up, wanting to heal it with his own hands. He turned her once again, this time pulling the strings of the dress, revealing a pure white dress inside. It revealed her full beauty as she was lighted up by the spotlight. He pulled her again near to him, their foreheads touching. Ohno wanted to kiss her on the spot but her look stopped him. He just mouthed, “Arigatou.”

Anna smiled. She pulled away again and Ohno held her waist. She was slightly trembling when he did so. This time, they’re going to dance holding each other. They chose to be with each other, no matter how hard the road ahead will be. They will never be separated. Slowly, Ohno steered her to different directions, lifting her, caressing her. Anna did not care no matter how painful her wounds were. She was miraculously numbed and she only felt Ohno’s warm touch of love as he danced with her until the end. She did not hear the noisy crowd. She only heard his sweet voice singing next to her.

She did not really know where to go so she allowed Ohno to steer her to the part of the stage that could be raised or lowered. One final turn, and they froze as the music ended, Anna bended back low and Ohno bended towards her, as though he would kiss her. The spotlight slowly faded into blue and they were lowered down.

“Anna…” Ohno said as they finally went down.

Anna smiled and touched his cheek. But she couldn’t take it anymore. Her grasp on Ohno’s hand loosened and he saw blood flowing down freely from her palms. Her heel was also bleeding. “Ohno-kun, I…” she started to say as she touched him with her other hand but before she could do so, she collapsed on his arms.

“Tasukete!” Ohno shouted, trying to carry her. Some of the staff went to her and one of them carried her.

“I should be with her,” Ohno said, trying to follow.

“She would not like that,” Shun argued, pushing him towards the small dressing room to change for the next song.

***

Anna woke up. Everything above her was white. She tried to sit up and she found herself in a hospital. A boy was asleep on her bedside. Obviously, it was not Ohno because the boy’s hair is black and he’s smaller.

She looked around. The room was full of flowers. Flowers from Nino, Aiba, Jun and Sho. Also, flowers from the company. She was silently and hopefully looking for Ohno’s flowers or anything but she found nothing.

The boy beside her woke up and stretch. “Ohayou,” he said, smiling sweetly.

“Anou… you look familiar…” Anna said with narrowed eyes. “Have I taught you before?”

He just smiled. “Iie. Not yet,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to.”

“Ah… anata wa…?”

“Chinen Yuuri desu,” he answered. “Hajimemashite.”

“Hajimemashite,” she replied, trying to smile too. “May I ask… why are you here? Why am I here?”

“Ohno-kun asked if someone has time to take care of you until you wake up,” he explained. “I volunteered. I am so excited to meet you, Mitsuhashi-san.”

“Anna…” she replied, wanting him to call her on a first-name basis.

“Anna-san,” he continued. “I’ve heard that you’re one of the best choreographers in Johnny’s. And Ohno-kun… Ohno-kun likes you.” He blushed.

Anna felt herself blush too. She looked at her palms. They were now bandaged. She touched her cheek. It was also bandaged. “Chinen-kun, why am I here?”

“After your number with Ohno-kun, you collapsed. Maybe because you have injuries and you’re bleeding,” he said. “Ah, I almost forgot!” He took something from his bag. It was a sculpture crafted as a rose and painted in red. “Ohno-kun asked me to give this to you.” He passed the sculpture to her.

“Arigatou,” Anna said, smiling as she touched the sculpture. She placed it on her bedside table. “Aren’t you in a rehearsal or something?” she asked.

The boy shook his head. “That’s why I volunteered.”

“You should be resting so you’ll grow taller,” Anna said in a caring tone. “Don’t you?”

“I want to be as tall as Ohno-kun,” he said cheerfully. Anna can’t help but laugh.

“But Ohno-kun’s not that tall,” she told him.

“Iie. It’s alright,” he said.

“Ah, Ohno-kun’s not that tall, eh?” a voice from the door said.

“Ohno-kun!” Chinen exclaimed, standing up. Ohno went near to her bed, carrying forget-me-nots.

“I’m not that tall?” he asked Anna again, pouting a little.

“Hai,” she said, smiling. It was the first time she felt light and really happy. “Ohno-kun, hontou ni arigatou.”

“Douitashimashite,” he said, sitting down in place of Chinen as the boy decided to go outside to get them something to eat. “Satoshi.”

“Satoshi,” she said, the name playing on her lips. “I remember the day you saved me in the train station,” she said. “You just introduced yourself as Satoshi then.” Her smile dropped. “You saved me again.”

“Why did you go to the concert with all those cuts?” he asked. “You were having pain while you were dancing.” He looked at her with utmost concern.

“I did?” she asked. “I just wanted to abide by your request.”

“Eh?” he asked, confused.

“The painting fell and the glass cut through my hands and my foot. And also my cheek,” Anna explained, touching her bandaged cheek. “Then I saw your letter.”

Ohno just smiled at her. “Gomenasai,” he apologized, “For saying all of those rude things to you.”

“Iie. Gomenasai, Satoshi, for telling you that I hate you,” Anna also apologized. “I did not mean it. What I…”

“But you meant it when you said you wanted to be by my side and that you love me,” Ohno continued, his face inching near hers.

“I…” she blushed furiously. Ohno edged nearer and gave her a kiss. “Hey!” she shouted.

“Gomen ne, I can’t help myself,” he replied, pouting again like a small child. “Gomen for giving you so much trouble. Are your hands still painful?”

“Iie,” she replied, looking at them.

“When sweat drops on a wound, it’s painful, right?” he asked. “My hands were sweaty at that moment and I did not know that you had wounds.” He looked at his own hands. “You dance well, Anna.”

“Arigatou,” she replied. “I went barefoot because I think I could not dance with heels. I have never practiced with the costume on.”

“You look like a goddess when you danced last night,” he praised. “Even with the wounds. You look more wonderful. Thousands of times more wonderful.” He actually did not know what to say so he just shut up.

“Satoshi, why are you quiet?” Anna asked out of the blue.

“I… I don’t really know how to start a conversation. Gomen,” he said embarrassingly.

“Daijoubu,” she replied, going near him. And without any further word, she leaned to him for a kiss.

Ohno was motionless, his eyes wide. However, after he had adjusted to whatever he was experiencing, he slowly closed his eyes dreamily.

“Ah! Gomen!” a voice squeaked from the door, making the two jerk awake.

“Chinen-kun,” Ohno said, quite disappointed. He touched his lips.

“Ah, gomen, gomen,” he continued to say, bowing to the lowest extent. “I did not know…”

“What happened here?” another voice asked, entering the room. Nino ruffled Chinen’s hair as he sat down on the couch. Aiba followed, carrying packed food, and Jun and Sho entered.

Anna was still feeling awkward seeing Sho but he just smiled at her. She also smiled at him as a reply.

“My Okaa-san cooked food and I brought it here,” Aiba said happily. “Anna-san, how are you feeling?”

“It was a surprise that you arrived in Tokyo Dome in time,” Jun said. “We were watching the performance. I was also surprised that it was you.”

Sho just edged near Anna and said in a low voice, “I’m glad you came…”

“Arigatou, Sho-kun,” she replied. “It was the best thing I’ve done in my life.”

***

please don't make me cry...

"take me faraway" is my most favorite dream-a-live solo (gomen ne, nino)

subarashiiiiiiiiiiii~!!!!! im a happy happy happy happy reader

the song match it so much.
i so feel like crying now

I think I agree with you. This may just be my favorite chapter. And I so love that song. I always seem to put it on repeat for a couple times before I let my MP3 player go back on random.

next chapter! iku!!!

CHAPTER 14:

“Johnny called for us,” Aiba shouted again, panting in front of Arashi’s dressing room.

“Nande?” Jun replied, quite puzzled.

The five of them went to the administration office nervously. The ambiance of the room was not really something to be nervous about, as the secretary gave them hot chocolate from England and some cookies and crumpets.

“Something from my trips. Help yourselves,” Johnny said. He had just gone from England.

“Why did you call us?” Jun asked. He did not touch the hot chocolate unlike the others, who started to taste food from the West. “Of course you won’t call us here just to taste these.”

“Ah, good point. I just guess it would be a good idea for you to calm down before…” he put three tabloids on the table, on the page where Ohno and Anna’s faces were visible.

“Eh? What are these things?” Nino asked, taking one and reading. “NO WAY!”

“Yes way,” Johnny replied sadly. “It has been a rule for us, I know. No other forms of video recording or picture taking, except the ones who will record the concert for official use and those who will take photos for the official shop. But this one got out of hand. Maybe stubborn mediamen or fans.”

There were pictures of Anna and Ohno dancing, clearly taken in the concert by some amateur. And to add to that, a picture of them walking in the park that was quite a long time ago. The headline was clear: Johnny’s choreographer having a relationship with Arashi member Ohno Satoshi.

“First of all, is this true?” he asked Ohno.

He did not know what to answer. They haven’t even talked about having an official relationship yet. “I don’t… I don’t know…”

“Ah, wakatta,” the old man replied. “But if you plan to go through that, I think you should be more careful. People these days. I was about to congratulate you with the wonderful number and was amazed that Mitsuhashi-san came back with a bang, but for people to misinterpret it… or didn’t they?”

The five of them went back to the dressing room to think. “What should we do about Anna-san now? I’m so sure she’ll be mobbed! It’s scary! I know that!” Aiba said, panicking.

“Uruseiyo!” Sho told him. He was worried about Anna himself. “We should talk to Anna.

It was Jun who phoned Anna. “Moshi moshi?” a voice answered.

“Anna-san, this is Jun. can we…?” he was stopped when he met shrill shouting voices from the other end.

“It’s Matsujun!”

“I thought so! She’s connected to all of them!”

“Let me talk to him!”

“No! Let me! Matsujun, I…!”

Jun hung up the phone in disgust. “Aiba-chan, I think you’re right. Lend me your phone. It has the tracking feature, hasn’t it?”

Aiba nodded. “Try tracking Anna-san’s phone,” he said.

“Nande?” Ohno asked.

“It was not Anna-san who answered the phone. They’re obviously obsessed fangirls. We have to look for Anna-san.”

***

Anna just hopped down from the taxi as she was going to her friend. She was walking along a small street, making her way when a group of girls approached her.

“Ah, sumimasen, I have to go somewhere,” she said, trying to pass through them, but one of them blocked her.

“Are you this woman?’ one of them asked, showing the page of the tabloid that showed their faces.” Anna observed the lot. They were clearly not a good lot.

“I…” she started. She has to think of something.

Then suddenly, one of them grabbed her bag, another pulled her hair, almost dragging her to a corner. “Yamette!” she pleaded as one of them dragged her by the hair. She tried to root herself on the spot but her fingers just scratched on the cement. She could not really defend herself yet as her wounds still hurt.

“What should we do with her?” one of them asked. Their leader slapped her continuously.

“You’re sick!” Anna managed to shout, but she was silenced with more slaps. The woman who was pulling her hair pulled it tighter. She had a feeling that her long hair could be ripped off. The other girls took their part, hurting her more.

When the torture was done, the group left her, laughing like a group of witches. They took her bag with them. She felt her head spinning. She could not move.

“Tasukete! Tasukete kudasasi!” she tried to shout but only a small hiss came out from her mouth. She felt like she wanted to cry but she knew that if she cried, those women will be more pleased. She tried crawling out of the corner to the part of the street where someone could easily see her.

Luckily, she heard footsteps. “Are?” the voice said, dashing towards her. “Eh? Isn’t this Mitsuhashi-san?” she looked up and all she saw was a blur of a man. “Mitsuhashi-san, can you hear me? Wake up!”

And then all she saw was darkness.

***

“Remind me what we are doing here,” Nino asked Aiba disgustingly as they made their way through the crowd of women. “Women like these in broad daylight!”

Aib was seriously looking at his phone, trying to find the place where Anna’s cellphone was. Then Sho poked him.

“Look, that’s Anna’s phone,” he mouthed, pointing at the woman who was carrying the phone, the dangling little crystal obvious. They looked at the side, and one of the group was fumbling inside a bag, obviously owned by Anna.

Ohno was fuming as he tried to run to those women but Sho stopped him. “Let me handle this.” He arranged his disguise and approached the woman.

“Hey there,” she said seductively as she tried to make her moves on him. “How are you doing?”

“Hi. Nice phone,” he commented, grinning.

“Of course,” she replied, now holding his necktie as he was disguised as a businessman.

“Now, where did you steal this one?” he asked, taking it.

“Eh?”

“You stole this. Now, where’s the owner?” he flashed his dangerously, making the girl back off.

Aiba, on the other hand, received a call. “Aiba-kun, I brought Mitsuhashi-san to the hospital.”

“Eh? Yu-kun, why?” he asked back.

“Someone hurt her. I was walking to the building when I saw her in a street corner full of bruises. She told me that a group of girls took away her bag and hurt her,” Yoko said.

“Hai, we’ll go there,” Aiba replied, hanging up. Sho was returning, carrying with him the bag and the phone. The girls form the bar looked shaken.

“Got it,” he replied.

“Anna-san’s in the hospital. Yoko found her.”

“Let’s go then,” Jun said, tossing the keys to Sho.

***

“Hospital? Again?” Anna sighed, looking at the white ceiling. A man was looking at her, blinking.

“Anou… daijoubu ka?” he asked.

“Hai. Arigatou,” she said in appreciation. “Demo… have we met?”

“Not really,” he replied. “I just saw you when you went to our Johnny’s branch to teach.”

“Ah, sou ka,” she replied. “Gomen for the trouble.”

“Yokoyama Yu desu,” he said.

“I think I know you,” she replied, shaking his hand as she sat up. The door opened.

“Anna-san!” Aiba jumped. “So glad you’re safe! Sho-kun took your bag and your cellphone back!”

“Arigatou,” she said, taking the bag and checking the things.

“Is there anything missing? We could go back and take them,” Jun asked, smirking. He was ready for the idea.

“Iie. None,” Anna replied, double checking. The door opened and closed again and Ohno appeared, along with Nino.

“Anou, I think it’s better if we leave, right?” Jun asked everyone, showing a glare that made sure they’ll agree.

“Hai,” everybody said, making their way out. Only Ohno and Anna were left in the room.

“Gomenasai,” Ohno suddenly said, falling on his knees. He had his head bowed and his eyes closed. He heard a rustle and someone touched his face.

“Why are you saying sorry?” Anna asked him. She was in front of him.

“Because of me, you went through this,” he said. He was afraid of the idea that Anna could be hurt more if she continued to be with him.

“Daijoubu. I’ll be fine,” she said simply. “I’ll be careful next time.”

“I’m scared for you!” Ohno wailed, breaking down. “What if next time something worse could happen? What if they hurt you more? What if…?”

He was silenced when Anna embraced him. “I will not let that happen.”

“Anna…” Ohno said, breaking off the hug. “I don’t know what I’m going to do if you’re like this. Just this morning, Johnny talked to us about us showing up in tabloids.”

“Eh? Impossible! That is not allo…”

“I know,” Ohno interrupted. “Don’t you know I’m worried sick when Jun said we have to track your phone?” Tears rolled down silently. “I’m really, really worried…”

“I’m fine now,” Anna replied, smiling. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I’ll be safe.” She pulled away when Ohno took something from his pocket.

“Promise me that you’ll take care of yourself,” he said, putting on her wrist a silver bracelet with dangling crystals of blue color.

“I will,” she replied, hugging him again.

***

“You know very well, Mitsuhashi-san,” Johnny said, drinking his own hot chocolate.

“Hai,” she replied.

“I am not really against this but as I told you before, we have to do some measures for protection,” he explained. “Is it not offensive for you to wear disguise when you go out?”

“There’s no problem about that. But how about work?” she asked.

“Daijoubu. I have no projects yet to offer. Maybe when Arashi releases a new single,” he continued. “But may I suggest you to lessen your trips outside the house? And also, if you have your family name on your gate, can you please remove it for a while until the rumors subside?”

“Hai, wakatta,” she responded.

“And also, don’t reveal your identity,” he added. Johnny gave her some orientation and expectation on what could happen. “And because of that,” he said sadly, “you will not be able to dance with Ohno-kun in concerts. The mask incident was really scary.”

Anna remembered when Ohno accidentally knocked off the mask from her face. “It was a mistake, gomen.”

“We can’t afford more mistakes. Just give me a call if worse things happen,” he said, giving her a business card. “Even though you’re not one of my talents, you are one of my treasured choreographers. I would not do this much for you if you weren’t as talented as you are.”

Anna was drowned by his compliments. “Arigatou, Kitagawa-san. I don’t know how to thank you more.”

“Just make sure that you’ll take care of yourself,” he said. “Cookies?” he finally asked.

***

“Satoshi, tasukete!” Anna groaned on the phone and Ohno heard a crash, followed by the phone beeping.

“Anna!” Ohno shouted back. he tried redialing the number but it cannot be reached.

“Oh-chan, doushitano?” Nino said, waking up from his slumber.

“I think Anna got into trouble again,” he said worriedly. “I gotta find her.”

“I’ll come with you,” Nino said, standing up. The two of them went out of the door and started to look everywhere, this time, with the help of Nino’s phone tracker in his own cellphone.

They found her in a street corner, all wet. “Satoshi,” she gasped when he saw her.

“What did they do to you?” he asked, kneeling before her and helping her get up.

Nino was furious. “These are obsessed people!” he hissed angrily, looking for any clues on who might have done the unforgivable thing.

“I don’t like this… I don’t like this…” she muttered continuously on Ohno’s shoulder, hitting him gently. He felt that he deserved it. She should not just hit him like that. He was expecting her to inflict more pain on him.

“Ohno-kun, we have to go,” Nino said seriously, looking everywhere to make sure that no one would see them. He motioned the two to follow; Ohno was carrying Anna who was wearing his jacket over her wet clothes.

“What did they do to her?” Aiba asked as he watched her sleeping body, clearly exhausted.

“She did not say anything,” Nino replied. “Instead of saying anything, she kept on crying.”

Sho sat one leg up near the couch where she was lying down. He can’t help but stroke the stray hairs that rested on her eyes. The pain and the stress were etched all over her face. “She fought…” he said, turning to Ohno. He pointed to her wrist. It was dangerously dangling, threatening to come off.

“They were trying to take this away from her,” Ohno said, removing the bracelet and putting it in his pocket. “I’ll have someone repair this.”

Anna woke up an hour later and she saw that she’s in Arashi’s dressing room, alone with Ohno. She looked at herself and at Ohno. Satoshi!” she gasped before crying.

“Don’t cry, Anna,” he replied, stroking her hair. “What happened to you?”

“They tried to take it away… They threw water all over me…” she looked at her wrist. “It’s gone!” she gasped, crying again. “Gomenasai, Satoshi. I lost it.”

“You didn’t,” he replied, smiling to soothe her. He took the bracelet from his pocket. “I’ll just have someone repair it so that you can wear it again.”

“Gomen ne, I was not careful,” she said.

“That was not your fault. Where were you going earlier?” he asked.

“I was going to Rina,” she explained. “Then seven girls cornered me and tried to harass me.”

“Next time, inform me where you are going so that I’ll know,” Ohno said. “If you want, I’ll ask Johnny to have an escort for you…”

“No need,” she protested. “I’ll be fine. I have appointments next week.”

“Eh? Appointments?” he asked curiously.

“Johnny just offered me a project. I’ll choreograph Hey!Say!JUMP’s new single,” she said.

“Ah, sou ka. If you want, I’ll drop by your house and take you to the building,” he offered.

Iie. I’ll be fine. Your house is far from here. I will just bother you,” she said.

“I insist. I won’t let this happen again,” he promised, squeezing her hand.

***

She thought she was safe once she enters the building but she was furious and lonely when she entered. She was going on her way to the dance studio where the group was waiting. “Mitsuhashi-san!” they all said when she entered.

Despite the tortures she encountered for the past few days, the smiles of the group enlightened her. They were fun to be with and she also had fun teaching them. In the end, the whole group called her ‘nee-chan.’

“Nee-chan, is it true that you and Ohno-kun are together?” Yamada asked.

“Eh? Where did you get that news?” Anna replied. They were having their lunch break inside the studio.

“You’re with Ohno-kun?” Yabu asked, his mouth still full of food. “I didn’t know that!”

“Eh? Didn’t you see the concert? They danced together!” Yaotome said, waving his chopsticks.

“You were there?”

“They look good together!”

“But isn’t nee-chan taller?”

“Iie… they have the same height…”

“Sumimasen,” a voice form the door said, knocking. Nakajima stood up to answer the door.

“Nee-chan,” he said in a singsong voice, grinning widely. “You have a visitor.”

“Yo,” Ohno said, waving. He was carrying three camellia flowers, red, yellow and white. He offered it to Anna.

The ten giggled. “Doki doki!” they chorused playfully, poking Anna’s sides.

“Yameru!” she shouted, slapping their hands away. “Satoshi, what are you doing here?” she asked.

“Nee-chan called him Satoshi!” Morimoto giggled. Everyone followed the giggling.

“Uruseiyo! I’ll punish all of you if you won’t stop!” she said.

“Don’t be too rude,” Ohno said, pinching her cheeks.

“Satoshi, we’re having rehearsals here,” she said.

“No you’re not,” he replied. “You’re eating lunch. Chinen-kun invited me.” He winked at the boy, who gave two thumbs up. “I missed your cooking so I decided to join in.”

“Yay!” the others shouted, making Ohno sit down on the floor to eat with them.

“Why do I have to put up with eleven brats?” she mumbled miserably.

“Nani?”

“Betsuni. Just go and eat,” she told Ohno, messing up his hair.

***

“It’s really fun to work with young people,” Anna said as Ohno walked her home, carrying the bento with him. “What do you think?”

“Hm… so it’s fun working with Arashi,” he said, smiling smugly.

“Yes, it’s fun. But you’re not that young anymore,” she said teasingly, looking back at him.

“Oi! Are you saying I’m old?”

“Hai. We have seven year difference. It’s normal that you’re old!” Anna shouted in a safe distance. Ohno ran after her.

“Matte! Chotto matte! Take back your word!” he shouted after her.

“That is, if you catch me!” she shouted back. She continued to run, laughing as Ohno chased her through the empty streets. Her phone rang. She answered it.

“Gotcha!” Ohno said, wrapping his arms around her waist. But he saw shock written on her face. “What happened, Anna?”

“Satoshi,” she said in a serious tone. “I’m sorry I have to go home now.” She took the bento from him and walked home, leaving Ohno under the flickering streetlight.

omg... poor anna!

MYGOD I HATE PSYCHO-CRAZY-OBSESSED-FANGIRLS!!!




i wonder what the phone call was about...

cant wait till your next update!

those fans are so bad..

demo..
what happen?
it Anna's brother in a critical condition too?
harassing by Ohno's or Arashi's fans?

can't wait for the next chapter..

next chapter's up!

CHAPTER 15:

Anna called her grandmother again. “Lola (a term for grandmother), what do you mean?” she asked.

“The operation wasn’t successful, Anna,” she said sadly. “Your father’s gone.”

All the happiness she felt earlier slowly ebbed away. The color from her face also faded away. “Why did this happen?” she asked, choking on her words.

“He just died early this morning,” she said. “Your mother wants you to go home with Maki.”

“For the funeral?”

“No. She wants you to be home. She wants you to stay here,” her grandmother said in a serious tone.

“I’ll never… I’ll never return here?” she asked, horrified at the idea. She loved her mother but Japan has been her home.

“I’m sorry, hija. As much as she would like to have you stay there, your mother needs you here,” her grandmother said.

“I’ll… I’ll start preparing our papers,” Anna said, trembling. Her hands were shaking.

“Nee-chan…”

“Maki. Otou-san’s gone…”

“Iie…”

Anna shook her head. “We have to go back. We have to return there. Okaa-san needs us,” she said, embracing her brother.

“Nee-chan, will we return here?” he asked. Anna shook her head. Maki could feel her sadness. “How about your career? How about Ohno-kun?”

Anna’s tears fell as he mentioned the name. “We have no choice. This is for our family.”

***

“What is it this time, Mitsuhashi-san?” Johnny asked as once again, he received a resignation letter from her.

“It’s not anymore a work problem, Kitagawa-san,” she said. “We have to go to another country because my otou-san just died.”

“My condolences,” he said sadly. The tea was left there, untouched. “This time, I think I can’t do anything…”

“Arigatou for giving me a wonderful opportunity to work with your talents,” she said, bowing in front of him.

“And arigatou for offering us your great talent. When’s your departure? At least say goodbye to the people here, especially to Hey!Say!JUMP and Arashi,” he said.

“I’ll try to tell the kids that I’m going on our last rehearsals,” Anna said sadly, staring at the teacup. “And Arashi…”

***

“And that wraps it up,” she said along with the beat of her clapping hand. The ten fell on the floor exaggeratingly.

“We are really tired, Nee-chan,” Inoo complained, lying on his back on the floor.

“We can’t do anything about it,” Anna said, also panting. “You’re going to show that dance to the administration two days from now. We have to make everything perfect.”

“But the dance is wonderful, Nee-chan! We’re so sure that they’ll all applaud for us!”

“You’re so sure of yourself Morimoto-kun,” she said, pinching his cheek. “Okay, everyone. We can now go home.” She wanted to tell them that she was leaving but if she does, she knew that one of them would tell Arashi and one of them would certainly let Ohno know. She just erased that idea.

Everyone cheered and went to pack everything into their bags. Anna’s phone rang.

“Nee-chan has Ohno-kun’s song as her ringtone!” Chinen shouted teasingly and everyone followed.

“Uruseiyo!” she scolded before answering the phone. “Moshi moshi?”

“Anna, can we have dinner tonight?” Ohno asked.

Anna mused for a while. “This might be the last night we’ll have together,” she thought. “Hai. Where are you?”

“We’re still in a photoshoot. I’ll drop by in the building.”

“Iie. Go to our house,” she said. “I’ll prepare first.”

“For me?” he asked.

“For you,” she replied, smiling. I turned to the kids. “Minna, I have to go ahead. I have an appointment…”

“… With Ohno-kun!” they chorused, chuckling afterwards. Anna had no choice but to sigh as she went to each member to pat their backs.

“Make each of your performance the best,” she reminded them. “I may not be seen there nor given any credit but make me proud when you dance in front of them to make them happy.”

“Nee-chan…” they said, suddenly puzzled with her sudden speech.

“That performance is the last time I’ll see you dance. Ganbarre! Sayonara,” she said, waving goodbye and leaving.

All the ten boys looked at each other, puzzled.

Anna went back home and looked around her room. “I still have one day to say goodbye,” she thought as she looked around her room. The painting was taken down from its canvass and rolled so that it will fit her baggage. Her clothes were already packed and placed beside her bed. She wore a black turtleneck blouse and over it was a skirt jumper.

“Nee-chan, I’ve just finished packing,” Maki said, emerging from his room. “Going somewhere?”

“I have to say goodbye to him, Maki,” she said sadly.

He could read the sadness on her eyes. “Nee-chan…”

The doorbell rang. “Maki, take care of the house. I’ll be off the whole night, I think,” I said slowly.

Ohno was waiting in front of their house and this time, he was carrying red roses. “I have a special surprise for you,” he said in a serious tone