Title: Love Situation
Rating: R (just for safety)
Member/Pairing: slight Jun x OC, Sho x OC, OC x OC
Author: hippiefox

Notes: I have no idea if there is such a job as Assistant Costume Designer or how things are run backstage in an Arashi concert. Please bear with me as I make things up to the best of my judgement as well as for entertainment^^ This is my first Arashi fan fiction, I hope you enjoy reading!




Chapter 1


I've been with the band for nearly five years now... has it been that long? Wow... time really flies, huh? I guess that saying is true... Anyway, my name is Nakano Minako and I am about to tell you the story of my love situation.

Being assistant costume designer and an extra stage hand, I never thought I would get so attached to the boys. I guess it was kind of naive of me to think that, since I did travel with them most of the time, we were bound to have some run ins. Needless to say, we have grown close, the six of us... probably closer than necessary.
I would say it started one late evening after the opening night in Yokohama. I had earlier eaten a bento containing eel and now it came back for revenge. I was stuck in my hotel room a few streets across from the concert dome with a horrible upset stomach and a raging fever. Looking out from my window, I could hear the crowd of the fangirls as they filed from the concert like ants. Laying back on the too stiff bed, I closed my hazel eyes tightly as my stomach churned painfully. I wanted to throw everything up, but all that was left was dry heaves due to emptying my body earlier. My head pounded annoyingly and my fever raged on as I curled into a ball of pain. Glancing at the little digital clock on the night stand, it was blinking "9:15". I shut my eyes again as my mind wandered to what the boys would be doing now... most likely showering or eating.
I had stayed for the opening song, watching proudly from the back stage along side the staff. Aya wouldn't stop pestering me as I grew more pale and sickly, but I refused of course, I wanted to see my boys perform. Unfortunately halfway into the third song, I nearly fainted and had to have security and several staff members escort me to my room. I can't say I wasn't relived, because once I bid goodnight to my escorts an locked the door, I spent over an hour in the bathroom.

"Mina-chan? Minako?" I heard a distant voice calling. I guess I must've fallen asleep because the clock was now blinking "12:45". I sat up a little too quickly and groaned in absolute nausea.
"Minako, are you okay?" another familiar voice called through the door after a few soft knocks.
"Hai, hai... coming..." I groaned loudly as I slowly stood up. My wavy hair was a mess around my shoulders, but at this point, I couldn't care less. I stumbled down the short hall and pressed my burning face against the cool door, peeking out the peephole. Just who I thought it would be. Outside the door stood a very anxious looking Aiba and a slightly annoyed Jun. Slowly, I cracked open the door and put on a very weak smile. "Aiba-kun... Jun-kun... why are you here?" I asked weakly. A warm smile was on Aiba's adorable face and even Jun's annoyed expression had turned into concern.
"Aya-san told us you had gotten sick." Jun said casually. I nodded slightly and tried to ignore the wave of nausea.
"H- How was the concert?" I asked slowly.
"Awesome! They're always awesome, Mina-chan!" Aiba chirped happily as Jun nodded in agreement.
"Sakurai had a bit of a stumble back stage though, nothing serious." Jun added in. I tried to hide my sudden concern, but I felt my eyes widen too quickly.
"He's okay, right?" I asked, trying not to sound too eager. Aiba eyed me curiously but Jun just crossed his arms tightly across his chest.
"Good as ever, nothing bad. We're exhausted though..." Jun said scratching his head absentmindedly. I straightened up and looked at them worriedly.
"You should sleep! I appreciate you two checking up on me, really I do, but you've got another concert tomorrow and, and practice." I sputtered. Jun smirked slightly and bid me goodnight and Aiba followed shortly, trotting after Jun down the hall and turning around once to wave good-bye. I leaned against the door for a few moments, wondering why I suddenly felt... flustered. It wasn't because of Aiba, he had been my closest friend since day one and I knew he felt the same way. Jun... I had a history with Jun. About a month after being hired on by Aya-san, he and I had a very short relationship that couldn't be described as anything else but disaster. There once was passion between us, but now there was nothing but the feeling of colleagues. Ohno and Nino-kun... no, it wasn't them. They had been my support since I joined and had gained nothing but friendship. And then I knew, it was Sho. It was Sho again, and Aiba knew it. I ran my hand through my dark hair in frustration, closed and locked the door and stalked back to my bed, not bothering to get undressed or even snuggle under the covers.
Sho. Shortly after the relationship with Jun, I had immediately developed feelings towards Sho. No one but Aiba knew, of course, we usually talked on the phone for hours. He had advised me to not act on the feelings, seeing as Sho was in a relationship at the time and things between Jun and I were still rocky. So for four years I kept this to myself, even when Sho had become single again and things had been patched up with Jun. I laid on the bed, staring out at the city's lights and the moon hovering in the black sky. I felt my eyelids get heavy and soon I was once again, fast asleep. Sometime during the night I had broken my fever and woke up in a cold sweat around five in the morning. Luckily, I had fought off whatever that eel gave me and was feeling much better. I was sound asleep now until my alarm buzzed at 9:30, making me jolt straight up in bed. The sun was shining bright through the curtains and the city buzzed with activity. I pushed my messy hair from my face and staggered over to the bathroom, trying to push away the grogginess.

Yay! Another Arashi fan fic!
I really like this one!
I wanna know more!
Can't wait for the next chapter!

Ganbatte!

Am glad you posted here! ^_^

Hi, I was chatting with Mishi and found out that you also wrote a fic, I didn't realize it was you at first because of the different username. By the way, I added you to my friend-list coz I wanna be updated when you post this fic there, hope you don't mind...

And as for the fic, Yey!!!! I love that there's some history with her and Arashi... And the fact that MatsuJun-sama is her ex, well, this is definitely gonna prove interesting...

Ganbatte on the next chappie!!!

Chapter 2



"Aya-san, it's Minako, when you get this please call me back." I left a very short message on Aya's phone after I had gotten out of the shower. I wanted her to know that I was fully capable of working today and that I'd be at the dressing room at 12:30. Pulling my now manageable hair into a ponytail, I began to straighten out my bed and check my morning E-mails. Only one message from my mother, which was usual, asking how the tour was going. Instead of sending her an E-mail back, I decided to give her a call. But as if it was cued, there was a knock at the door. Forgetting about the phone call, I walked to the door and opened it to find a very welcomed surprise. He stood in the hallway with one hand in his track suit pants pocket and a coffee in his other hand. A beautiful smile crossed his face.
"Minako! Jun warned me that you might look horrible, but I guess he was wrong, ne?" he said teasingly. I bowed slightly in an attempt to hide my flushed cheeks.
"Sho-kun! Ohayo gozaimasu." I said breathlessly. Sho held out the coffee which I took with slightly trembling hands.
"Aiba picked up coffee... he said you might want one." he said as he put his hands in his pockets. I held the cup steadily and quietly said a thank you. There was an awkward silence between us for several long moments until finally Sho spoke again. "So are you feeling better?" I nodded slightly and was suddenly aware of how my stomach turned upside down.
"Yeah, yeah I'm feeling much better." I said with a smile as I met his eyes. Everything seemed to pause at that moment and I think even my heart stopped beating. His eyes... those lips...
"We'll see you... at rehearsal?" Sho suddenly asked curiously. I snapped back to life with a nervous smile and an awkward chuckle.
"Yeah! Actually, I think I should get ready... ano... thank you for the coffee, Sho-kun." I squeaked. Sho smiled again and bid me good-bye then walked down the hall and around the corner to the boys' conjoining rooms. I didn't become aware of myself until he was gone and then I noticed how fast my heart was pounding. I slipped back into my room, holding the coffee cup against my chest. I slowly sank to the floor with a stupid smile on my face. I knew I was in trouble.
The boys' afternoon rehearsal went perfectly, save for Jun tripping up Ohno during one of the songs. I didn't see the boys personally until ten minutes before their 2 o'clock concert when Aya-san and I went in to get them all dressed and ready. As I straightened out the costume rack, Aiba was the first to show up and very casually stand next to me.
"You still like Sho, Mina-chan." he said quietly so none of the other staff would hear. I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Aiba-kun, that is the last thing you should be worrying about. Nothing is going to happen between us." I said as I turned back to the costumes.
"Ah! So you admit it." he said rather loudly. I looked around startled to make sure no one had heard Aiba, then I turned to him.
"Not loudly! This isn't the time to be talking about this!" I whispered eagerly.
"Aiba-san? If you could come over here, we have your wardrobe ready." Aya-san called from the other side of the room. I gave Aiba a taunting smirk as he looked over surprised at Aya-san. He looked back to me with a look that said, "We're not finished yet." and then he went cheerfully over to Aya-san, who held out a classic hideous jacket.
"Ahh... Minako-chan, you're blushing there." someone said from behind me. I nearly jumped out of my skin from being so startled.
"Ohno-kun! You scared me..." I said as I tried to catch my breath. Ohno apologized and gave a nervous laugh.
"Gomen... is- is something going on between-" here he broke off and made an odd gesture towards Aiba and back to me with his eyebrows raised. I looked at his gestures for moment, trying to figure out what he meant. I nearly dropped the extra hangers I was holding.
"No! No, no, no. N- Nothing between Aiba-kun and me, no." I managed to stutter out. Ohno half smiled and nodded in understanding.
"Oh okay, okay. Actually, I came over here to get a piece for my costume, Aya-san said it was over on this rack." he said pointing to the rack behind me. I sighed in relief and turned to the costumes behind me, Ohno at my side, as we searched for the missing piece of costume. This as one of the reasons I liked Ohno, he never seemed to pry too far into people's business. And when he did, he was always so humble about it and didn't go running his mouth. Nino, on the other hand, had an insane ability to read me like a book. Not only did he get all the facts right away, but he also liked to put in his two cents too. Don't get me wrong, all of the boys didn't go around telling all my secrets... but being too easy to read made me paranoid.
I didn't get to talk to any of the other boys once the concert had started. I did get to talk with some of the Juniors though and all of them were as chipper as usual. One boy, Sakamoto Jiro, had taken a strong liking to me ever since we met back when he was only twelve. Now he was a grown boy of eighteen and the so called "heartthrob" of the Juniors, but luckily he managed to keep his innocent personality. I ran into him during the MC of the concert when I ran to grab some more water bottles.
He was sitting against a wall, his eyes closed and his damp, dark hair falling in his round face. He looked slightly different today to me, but I couldn't figure it out. I stopped in front of him and knelt down.
"Jiro-kun?" I asked him softly. He opened his eyes and seeing me, a smile came to his young face.
"Minako-san! How are you?" he asked cheerfully. I nodded a bit and handed him one of the water bottles I was carrying and he took it gratefully.
"I'm doing fine... rushing as usual." I looked quickly at my watch, cursed under my breath and grabbed the box of water. "Ah, sh**, sorry Jiro-kun, I've got to run. Um, I'll see you later, okay?" I said cheerfully as I picked up the box and began to trot down the hallway.
"Minako-san! Ano..." Jiro called after me. I turned around to see him standing in the middle of the hallway with a strange look on his face. But instead of talking, he just shook his head. "N... Never mind..." he said weakly. I knew something was bothering him but I hardly had time to sit around and talk. So, I gave him a quick smile and darted down the hall once again.



***Author's Note!***
chapter 3 will be up later tonight! until then, i hope you enjoy reading!

Yay! I'll be waiting tonight for chapter 3! I'm definitly enjoying reading this. =3 This is pretty good for only the second chapter. I can't wait for the rest of the chapters! (><)

OoO can't wait to read chapter 3! and hahaha Aiba-chan such the baka, his voice is always loud no matter what HAHAHA

Oh, you have another fan! This story is getting pretty good.
I wonder what's with Jiro-kun?! Can't wait for the update!!

weeeeeey,what a love situation!!!!this minako chan has to be something...2 from arashi and a junior....this will sure be very interesting...I'm waiting for chap 3,can't wait to read more...hayaku

Chapter 3



I don't know why, but I felt somewhat guilty for blowing off Jiro like I did. He had always looked up to me like a mentor and now I couldn't even spare five minutes to talk to him. But the end of the concert was near, and Aya-san and I had to collect the used costumes and I had to be in five different locations at the same time. As the screaming fans cheered for the band to do an encore, I was already in their dressing room with the other staff cleaning up. Aya-san, whose tension was record breaking, had gotten irritated at me and I was sent on a quest to pick up some bento boxes for the staff. I don't quite remember what I did to make her mad, but I think it was something to do with being too picky over where the costumes were placed. So, swallowing my own irritation, I ventured off to the lunch hall. I should have seen it coming but I was far too annoyed to pay attention. Turning the corner into the hall, I was faced with the Juniors once again. Several of them greeted me happily and helped fill my arms with bento boxes. As I was leaving, I nearly ran into none other than Jiro. He caught several of the boxes that slid off the top as I apologized profusely.
"Gomenasai, Jiro-kun." I said as I tried to regain my balance of the towering boxes.
"Why'd they send only you? You can't carry this many..." Jiro said as he grabbed half of the boxes. Stumbling over my words, I tried to politely refuse his help, but he just smiled at me with his bright eyes before setting off down the hall.
"Jiro-kun...? You don't need to help, you should be having lun-"
"Don't worry about it, Minako-san!"
"But, but..."
"Last room on the left?"
"Jiro-kun..." but before I could finish my complaint, Jiro pranced happily into the staff's room with a very nervous me behind him.

"I really appreciate your help, Jiro-kun... but if Aya-san or the director sees you doing my work, I'll get into trouble." I anxiously pleaded to Jiro after we had dropped off lunch to the staff.

"Minako-san... I need your advice on something." Jiro said abruptly. I looked at him in surprise, I had never heard him so serious before. We both stopped in the middle of the hall, Jiro looking around him to make sure no one was around, which was unusual but in this case, the hall was dead. Suddenly, Jiro grabbed my wrist and pulled me into an empty room next to us.
"Wha-!?" I yelped as I was yanked into the room. Jiro shushed me sharply as he silently closed the door behind us. The room was pitch dark and deserted, but I could tell that we were in the sound staff's room. As startled as I was, I couldn't keep from feeling the soothing warmth of Jiro as he stood inches from me.
"Sensei... I've always tried my best..."
"Sensei!?" I squeaked, feeling more and more uncomfortable by the minute. Jiro's presence was almost intoxicating, no wonder he was called the heartthrob...
"I... I have to ask about a... a girl..." Jiro whispered as he came steadily closer to me. I knew it was pitch black, but if it had been light, Jiro would have been blushed deep red.
"A... a girl?" I whispered back, trying to find his eyes.
"At school..." Jiro whispered. A wave of relief washed over me and suddenly I could breathe again. But the horrible thought of someone walking in on us was still lingering. "How do I tell her... you know..." Jiro asked quietly. I couldn't help but to smile at his innocence and how unbelievably adorable he was.
"Well... ask her if she wants to go to the zoo... or on a boat ride at night... or even more simple, join her at lunch and ask her if she'd like to eat on the roof." I said quietly, trying not to remember how Jun broke the question to me...
"Arigatou, Minako-san... I'll try that." Jiro said happily. I could tell even in the darkness that he was beaming with joy. Whoever this girl was would be stupid not to accept Jiro's question.
"Jiro-kun... I think we should go before someone walks in..." I said after a few moments of silence. Jiro laughed quietly and drew away from me, taking that soothing warmth with him. I followed to the door and slowly Jiro cracked it open, peering out cautiously. He looked back to me and winked, the hall was once again clear. "Jiro-kun, make sure to tell me how it went with that girl of yours, okay?" I said quietly before Jiro opened the door again. He nodded and smiled shyly, then opened the door once again to make his escape.
"I'll see you later, Minako-san. Try not to get on Aya-san's bad side again, okay?" Jiro said with a gorgeous smile before dashing out the door. I let the door slowly shut, leaving myself in the dark and quiet room. It would be better if we exited at different times, just in case someone had seen us. My mind went back to the advice I had given Jiro... those were the ways I had always thought about being asked out on a date. However, real life was rudely different. Shaking my mind of these random thoughts, I cracked open the door once again. Thinking I had wasted at least a few minutes, I quietly creeped out into the hall. But my luck, and timing, wasn't as good as Jiro's. As I opened the door and turned to close it, I found myself face to face with someone who knew me too well.
My jaw dropped and the door handle slipped from my hand causing the door to slam shut. I looked up the hall to see if Jiro had already disappeared and I would somehow be saved, but unfortunately Jiro was the only one up the hall and just turning into his rest room.
"Nino-kun..." I said as my mouth went dry and my face grew hot. There stood Nino, DS in hand, towel around his neck and the most confused look on his face. I didn't know where to begin to explain myself. As far as Nino knew, I was messing around with a Junior.




***Author's Note!***
To everyone who has posted or is reading, thank you so much for your positive feedback! I was extremely nervous putting this story up, but now that I know that you guys like it, it makes me much more confident!
Thank you!!! And as usual, chapter 4 will be up tomorrow!
hugs to all!