Chapter 19
FINAL
Aya remained silent as she peered over her glasses at me.
"Resigning?" she said in a confirming tone. I nodded once, keeping my eyes to the ground and wringing my hands in my lap. I was quitting my job. Being with Arashi almost everyday for the past five years had been the most amazing time of my life... but with the steps Sho and I were taking, it was best if I stepped back for awhile. And then there was the issue with Jun... nothing could solve that problem but me, and I think getting away from him was the best solution. Even then, I was certain there would be times when we would run into each other at parties and such...
"Hai... What you told me yesterday... about being indecisive. All of it was true." I said quietly. Being the only two in our staff room, the silence was heavy and thick. Aya leaned back in her chair and sighed.
"Minako... are you sure? I did tell you to be decisive but are you sure you're not going to leave anyone behind?" she asked quietly. I met her eyes and smiled, she wasn't prying for an answer of who I chose... for that I was thankful.
"Hai... I think... I
know, I've got every thing I could need." I said firmly. Aya-san studied me momentarily then rose from her chair and went over to her purse. I looked over to her curiously as she dug out a folded piece of paper. Returning to me, she held it out.
"My sister. She owns a local modeling studio not far from here... she needs a new Wardrobe Manager. I thought you'd be interested." Aya said as I unfolded it and read the address.
"Matsuda Ayeka-san..." I whispered to myself. I stood up and bowed deeply to Aya-san.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Aya-sensei." I thanked her gratefully. I had some tears in my eyes as I straightened up again and looked at Aya. She had her arms crossed and a smile on her face.
"Minako-chan, ganbatte." she said with a bow of her head. I thanked her once again before she dismissed me for the last time. I was eternally grateful to Aya-san. She had opened my eyes to the danger I unknowingly put my friends in and she had also found me another job. Placing the paper in my back pocket, I made my way to the costume room to say my good-byes to Sato-san and my two assistants. Well, they were Aya and Sato-san's assistants now. After a quick farewell, I dropped by Arashi's dressing room and found Nino and Ohno. Nino was playing his DS like usual and Ohno seemed to be taking a nap next to him.
"Nino-kun?" I said quietly as I walked in. Nino looked up and smiled, pressing pause on his game as I sat down next to him.
"Going home already?" he asked, tracing a line down his neck were my ID would usually be hanging. I smiled sadly and quietly cleared my throat.
"Actually... I resigned..." I said softly. Nino's eyebrows rose up and looked at me like I was joking.
"Eh? Seriously?" he asked in shock. I nodded my head once and Nino reached over and smacked Ohno's leg.
"Oi! Oh-chan!" Nino said loudly. Ohno opened his eyes slowly and grunted something about a "stupid video game". He turned over to sleep again, but Nino shook him harder.
"Minako is leaving!" he said loudly again. I laughed quietly with tears brimming my eyes, I would miss being with these guys. Ohno turned over and sat up, looking at me with his eyes half closed.
"What?" he asked sleepily. I told him the same thing as Nino and it seemed to wake him up a little more.
"Why?" he asked quietly. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile.
"Just a scenery change... Ohno-kun." I answered happily. Ohno nodded silently and Nino smiled.
"We'll see you around, ne? I doubt Aiba would let you go that easily." Nino said as he picked up his game again. We said good-bye and I exited from the room into the hall.
"Oh! Mina-chan!" I heard Aiba's voice call. I turned around and saw him running towards me cheerfully, leaving behind Sho and Jun. Aiba caught me in a hug and quietly congratulated me for my reunion with Sho.
"You're leaving?" Jun asked as he and Sho finally caught up. I looked at the three eager faces and wondered how I could break the news. Sho noticed my expression right away and he suddenly became uncomfortable.
"I've... I've actually... I quit." I stammered quietly.
"Eh!?" both Jun and Aiba exclaimed. Sho scowled at me as I looked at him.
"Minako! Why?" Aiba asked sadly. I narrowed my eyes at him and fortunately he seemed to understand.
"It's just... time to go. A change of scenery... and Aya-san has a job set for me already... I'll be okay. It's not like we won't ever see each other." I said quickly for Aiba's sake as he started to get teary eyed. It seemed silly to me for him to be crying, since I knew he'd be calling me tonight and visiting me like crazy. Sho's scowl had vanished at the mention of another job, my guess was that he was relieved I wouldn't be jobless. Jun, however, looked slightly distressed.
"We'll visit, right? We don't want to lose touch." Jun asked in a soft voice that wasn't his. I smiled and nodded.
"I'm sure they won't mind, Jun-san." I said happily. I rubbed Aiba's arm in comfort as he fought his sudden depression and Jun looked to the floor silently. While he was looking away, mine and Sho's eyes met, his expression melancholy but understanding. I'd tell him more details when he visited me tonight.
"I already saw Nino and Ohno... so... I think I should be going. I have to call Aya-san's sister." I announced to the three in front of me. They nodded slowly and mumbled good-byes. As I turned, Jun stepped towards me and caught my hand. I faced him, waiting for what he wanted to say.
Glancing over his shoulder, I saw the anxious face of Aiba and the slightly jealous face of Sho. Aiba whispered something to Sho eagerly, in fear he might get angry or something. But Sho just nodded quietly, crossed his arms and tried to ignore the fact that Jun
wasn't letting go of my hand.
"Minako-chan... please don't lose contact." Jun said almost pleadingly, his brows drawn together in worry. I smiled sadly at him.
"I promise." I said sincerely. Jun swallowed nervously and after a few more moments, finally let go of my hand with a slight nod. With one glance at a slightly eased Sho and a still nervous Aiba, I turned around and started walking to the doors.
"Je ne, Mina-san." Jun called after me. I held up my hand and waved slightly. My mind was buzzing with a sudden clash of emotion as I tried to ignore the lingering touch of Jun. I knew what my heart wanted, and that's all that mattered.
As much as I wanted to stay with my boys and laugh about the stupid things we've done, the memories we've shared, but in love situations like this... sometimes... it's better to just walk away.
"Even if we can't say it that doesn't matter
Aren't we no match for the power to love
If you turn your eyes to your heart
Yes, that's our shortcut
Exposing our honest selves
I won't give up on loving you
It continues to begin in those dreams
Little by little I want to get closer"
~ Arashi "Love Situation"
End
***Author's Notes!***
annnnnnnnd there we have it
hopefully the ending didn't disappoint anyone~
now for the real news!
i will be doing a sequel
actually i'm halfway through already lol
it's appropriately named "One Love" and i'll post the first chapter later this afternoon after i get home from work
i want to say thank you to everyone who read this and supported it, it really helps for motivation
arigatou!!!!
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