Fukatsu Live
Dec. 25th, 2017 06:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eiko_lotusTitle: Fukatsu Live
Author: eiko_lotus
Pairing: Juntoshi, others will revealed later
Length: One shot
Rating: pg-13 (for cursing and dark background)
Genre: angst, romance, friendship, bromance
Disclaimer: They belong to each other
Summary: Ohno Satoshi was a well-known graphic design, that together with his step brother, they made intellectual technology breakthrough until some evil come, make him forget how to feel until one mysterious man come and change all his view in life.
Note: un-betaed with limited knowledge of AI. This is suppose to be an exchange assignment, but it’s almost a month after this supposed to be exchange and it been waiting in my sleeves since then, so with no intention of blaming or breaking the rules, I just simply want to give this to my suppose to be recipient, berrybuttboy
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Ohno Satoshi shivered as he pulled down the rolling blind outside his bakery window. It was still August but the weather has got chiller each day here at the foot of the Shibutsu mountain. He checked the lock of each rolling blind making sure it can sustain the upcoming chilly wind that predicted to come tonight. Satisfied with his work, he circled the building to get inside through its background, checking on his firewood supply along the way.
It didn't take long for him to finally settled in front of the fireplace with hot chocolate in his hand. He looked at his surrounding, he was in the bakery kitchen. His small bakery is the only one in that secluded village by the mountain. The village only getting livelier during hiking season which almost over now, much to Ohno's relief.
Looking at the pictures above the fireplace, he smiled bitterly. He didn't know why he hasn't thrown out the pictures yet. Those pictures that reminded him his life 3 years ago before he settled into this silent village. The life where he was a well-known graphics designer that together with his stepbrother, Kazunari, who was a game developer, he managed to make the most reliable 3D AI with a human intelligence. He created dreams for the children, away from cruelty in the real world and he was somehow believed in that shiny colorful world that he forgot about the evil lurking in the real world until it had struck, almost costing his brother's life, not that the younger's state who still can't move from his comatose can be considered alive. No matter what his parents told him, he couldn't stop blaming himself, so Ohno left Tokyo.
When the attacker of his company arrested, he knew he should have just died so he won't face the cruelty in this pathetic world. It turned out the mastermind of that attack was his own boyfriend, someone he had spent his life for almost a year, the one who betrayed him only for some cash from his rival. That was when Ohno Satoshi had died whilst still breathing.
He sipped his hot chocolate, wondering when he will be free from all those nightmares that even when he had tried his best to forget, the memories still haunted him. He forgot when the last time he checks on his parents or his stepbrother, he just knew the old Ohno Satoshi has no longer existed in the world. The new Ohno in this village was just some stranger that bought an old mill and changed it into the small bakery where he lives above the hill. Nothing fancy about it but Ohno had hoped this life still help him get through the world.
A loud thud was heard from the outside, stopped all memories rush in his head. Ohno sat right up, put his cup down but he listened carefully again, thinking maybe it was just fallen snow or tree branch. But then the sounds of some writhing made him stood up right away and opted to get the gun he hid behind one of the kitchen stool. He walked slowly to the window, peeked over the curtain just to see a whole blackened night outside. Snow was fluttered outside, giving out eerie sound as he looked around as far as the window allowed him to. There was nothing can be seen suspicious actually, until his eyes caught a spark of light on the right bushes. He got full alarmed immediately.
Put on his jacket while still holding the gun, he tiptoed outside, hoping the bushes rattled was caused by animals and not anything else. His eyes tried to adjust with the darkness, figuring the slumped figure on the ground, but then he heard the slow whine of help. It was then he knew, he might face another trouble as he turned the figure. Laid on his arms was a very beautiful man that he believed was only existed in his dream.
With a lot of effort, he dragged the unconscious man inside, laid him on the only one bed his small apartment has. With the snow ragged like now, it was a miracle that man still survive, which bring another question inside his head. Why would someone go on top of a mountain in this kind of weather?
Ohno stripped the man from his wet clothes, carefully wiped the beautiful face and perfect body hidden underneath those thick layers. He didn’t find any injury, nor heartbeat although the man’s body was still warm. Being curious, he flipped the man slowly but before he managed to do so, the man’s eyes were shut open with instant fright.
“Wh...Who are you?! What do you want?!” the man questioned with hoarded voice. Ohno respectfully stayed away quickly.
“Calm down, I don’t mean to harm you. But you collapsed outside my bakery.” Ohno held both his hand, still with curiosity. Looking at the man rolled away, wrapping himself in the bed cover, one thing that Ohno regretted, he can no longer see that perfect body.
“You kidnapped me, don’t you? Bring me back to sensei!” the man now started to become hysterical as he eyed the gun that he put on the bedside table. It was too late for Ohno, when the man grabbed it, pointed it at him.
“Hey, put that down!” Ohno jumped up, trying to take away the gun. He dodged sideways and gripped the man’s wrist, squeezed it and tried to loosen the man’s grip on the gun. It was a bit surprising for Ohno when the grip was not loosened, but he was face to face with the gun directly.
“Hey! Okay! I get it, now keep that gun away will you!” Ohno raised both his hand, stepping out of the bed to stand as signaled by his ‘guest’.
“Who are you?! Why you bring me here?!” Ohno could see the hand was shaking but that man putting a brave mask even though he looked silly cocooned in the bed sheet.
“My name is Ohno Satoshi, I own this bakery and I found you outside,” Ohno said slowly, trying to get the man to understand his words, but maybe he did understand it. He cocked his head sideways as if trying to remember something important. So Ohno asked back. “And who are you?”
“Jun, I’m Jun, you can’t be Ohno Satoshi, Ohno Satoshi is…” The man’s hand shook even harder now so Ohno tried to distract him more. “I am Ohno Satoshi, do you know me?”
“I… I…” out of his expectation, the man’s voice was hoarded again, more electrical before that taller man fell down just like that onto the pile of the thick blanket before Ohno could react by kicking the gun away and caught the man before his head hit the floor.
“Shit! What is going on here.” Ohno looked at the angelic face of his guess in his arm. How could that man seem to know him?
***
Ohno frantically looked through dusted boxes inside the attic that he had forgotten. He needed to make sure one thing regarding his unexpected guest. He moved out the last boxes stacked at the back of the room, hidden by another wall of boxes which was the things he can’t throw out easily when he moved to the area, all covered by dust. He had intently left it there since he didn’t want anything that could bring him to his past, but now he had no other choice but dig up his painful memory. He tore the duct tape on that particular boxes, slowly took out papers by papers that were all his works before he came there and then on the bottom of the box he found a frame with a sketch of a man, the man that was asleep on his bed at that moment. That was the part where Ohno didn’t understand, because the sketch was his original creation based on some dreams years ago, the face that was supposed to be made into the most perfect AI that he worked out together with his brother, but also the face that was the reason of the attacks that lead to destroyer of their laboratory years ago, the comatose condition of his half-brother and the sole reason he shut himself in that small quiet village. Surely no one knew he was there, right?
***
Ohno awakened with startled when he heard someone knocked his door, the bakery door. He gingerly looking around and found himself asleep on the chair next to his occupied bed. He fell asleep, exhausted after he tried to check on the man’s body. Nothing weird was found there so the next mystery was why the man was in his backyard. The rap on his door continued, he peeked through his bedroom window and see the top of the head of a man. Hiding his gun on his belt, Ohno stepped down the stairs to his front door.
“Ah, Satoshi kun, glad you’re okay.” the head of the village face welcomed him once he opened the door. The head of the Katashina village, Sakurai Sho was the one who welcomed him when he was in search of a hiding place, he was also the one told him that this old barn was for sale. He had helped him settled down in that village, without even asking too much, as Ohno asked him not too.
“Sho kun, what’s wrong?” Ohno stepped aside, still alert. It was not unusual for Sho to come early morning, just for a cup of coffee before he went to city hall, but the greetings were a bit off as if Sho was expecting something happened to him.
“Nagase said he found a van coming to the village last night, but he didn’t catch the police number since the snowstorm was crazy last night,” Sho answered while taking off his jacket. Ohno mind wandered as he turned the coffee maker for them. Nagase is the head of village security team, he must be the one on patrol last night.
“Did you hear anything last night? He said the car went to the mountain direction.” Sho pulled two mugs from the shelf and sat beside him, waiting for the coffee to brew. So a van went to up to the mountain in the middle of a snowstorm, seemed too odd even for Ohno.
“Nah, the snowstorm was hideous, it was loud, that I didn’t hear anything, it was also so cold that I fell asleep once I settled under my blanket.” Ohno passed him some leftover bread from yesterday that he knew that glutton man won't refuse anyway.
“Yeah, you’re right, the snowstorm was crazy last night. Anyway, Nagase had Matsu-nii with him, they’ll track to the mountain today, looking for that van.” Sho passed the steaming mug to him as he continued. “since your house is the closest to the mountain, be careful and let me know if you find anything.”
“Hmmh” Ohno just hummed his answer as he sipped his hot coffee, looked like it was no longer a safe place for him. He better looks some other place, but what about the man in his room. As if on cue, that man appeared with a bewildered expression on the last stair, wearing nothing but the bed sheet, which may be the reason Sho spit out his coffee.
“Wha… who… why…” Sho was stuttered, looking back and forth between Ohno and that mysterious man. If it wasn’t too damn nerves wrecking for Ohno, he must have laughed seeing Sho’s panic face who added. “You should have told me that you’re ‘busy’”
It took some time for Ohno to understand the man’s word but by the time he got the meaning, Sho had worn his jacket and ready to left. He chased the man.
“Wait, Sho kun, it’s not what you think. I’ll explain to you, but please, could you not say anything about him to anyone?” Ohno added quickly. Sho was looking at that man’s face who looked scared at that moment before he turned his attention back to Ohno.
“I’ll keep my lips sealed, but I need you to remember what I told you before.” with that, and a nod to that scared man, Sho left the bakery.
Being alone with a stranger draped just in a bed sheet was not the ideal morning for Ohno. It was good that it was Monday morning when the bakery was closed, otherwise, he had been all late to bake some bread at that moment. He diverted his eyes after some staring contest with that man who maybe still thinking of who he was.
“Have a seat. We need to talk.” Ohno pointed the empty seat, waiting for the man to move before he pre-occupied his seat.
“Are you really Ohno Satoshi?” that man whispered hopefully as if that name only was enough for him to feel safe.
“And what do you know about me?” it was not the time to sneak around the bushes, so Ohno just shot his question. If his feeling was right, the man in front of him, Jun, was not there by accident. Someone must have brought him here, but for what reason was what Ohno tried to find out.
“I don’t know how, but I think I know you, I mean, I know Ohno Satoshi personality, but I don’t know his look. Have we met before?” Jun looked confused too, seemed like he thinks hard about the fact that he is Ohno Satoshi. Ohno tried to see for any sign of lie from the man, looking deeply into that warm orbs of his eyes. That man really was a perfect beauty that emerged from his imagination, but that was impossible, that imagination should have died a couple of years ago. Now though, Ohno don’t know how he should start the storytelling to that man.
“You said your name is Jun, what is your family name? Why are you here?” Ohno asked after sometimes in silent. It didn’t cross his mind to get some clothes for his guest and besides, the man himself looks comfortable cocooned in that thick warm blanket.
“I… I don’t know, I don’t know my family name,” Jun whispered, as hard as it was to believe, Ohno decided to stay quiet, looking until the man answered his second question. “I was on my way to konbini when it was suddenly dark and I don’t know anything more until last night.”
Ohno hummed finding it hard to believe like the story had been programmed before, but that was impossible, he had checked the man’s body when he was unconscious, he was partially expected to find power outlet, as he suspected that the perfect man in front of him is some best quality made artificial intelligent, that he had once dream to made, but no, nothing was found. Jun hide his face behind his hands, seemed like he was thinking so hard to remember and that put Ohno to another worry that man will be gone unconscious again.
“Okay, okay, we’ll see how we can get you back home. But for now, you better put on some clothes.” Ohno decided to end the conversation even when he was not really satisfied with the answers, he must find the answer on his own he thought. That, and also he didn’t know if he could tell anyone about the mysterious Jun in that small village when everyone seemed to know each other business.
***
It was later at lunch when Ohno stopped his car in front of the mayor’s building in the center of the village. Silently he opened his door and gestured his passenger to do the same. He had been thinking a lot whether letting Jun coming out with him to the mayor’s office or left him alone in his bakery. In the end, he couldn’t risk Jun snooping around his last frontier that he had no other option than bringing him along, of course with a baseball cap and thick shawl to hide the other’s face. He was about to knock the door with a plate named ‘Sakurai Sho’ when he noticed the door was slightly ajar and he could see the man was on phone, even he could hear the other’s voices.
“I beg you, Masaki, stop it… I knew you just mean to help but…” there was some short silent in every word Sakurai was saying, seemed like he was arguing with whoever on the other line. Ohno looked over at Jun, wondering if they should come in or return sometimes later before he heard Sakurai’s voice raising.
“Well, I’m sorry if I love you and that made me worry too much about you.” Ohno winced when he heard something was slammed on the desk.
It was the first time since they first met that he saw the others being so worked out like this. The Sakurai Sho he or the rest of the villagers knew was someone who was calm, collected and dependable, but maybe there was something that Sakurai hide from the other, just like him, Ohno thought. He counted to 10 before he finally knocked on the door.
“Come in.” it took another 5 seconds before they could finally hear the answer. Ohno guessed that Sakurai might need to prepare himself before meeting his guests after that heated argument over the phone. He opened the door for Jun to come in before he follows suit a step behind.
“Satoshi kun, it’s a surprise to see you here.” Sakurai stood up and greet them, gesturing Ohno to closed the door behind him, his eyes were not leaving Jun’s eyes since the first time they entered the room.
“I brought you a sandwich, and as promised, this is Jun, Jun this is Sakurai Sho, the mayor of this village.” Ohno started to introduce the two.
“Nice to see you Jun-san.” Sakurai was a little dubious to call the name.
“I need your help Sho-kun,” Ohno said directly, there was no need for them to do meaningless chit-chat, so he started telling the story of how he found Jun and Jun also told the same story as he told Ohno in the morning, all along, Sakurai just listened attentively, his hand supporting his head and eyes never leaving Jun’s face.
“So, you don’t know where your house is?” Sakurai asked a little bit doubtful, of course, he is, it’s not every day someone found lost and forgot anything but the name of Ohno Satoshi. Jun shook his head slowly, looking pitiful in front of both men. Ohno and Sakurai looked at each other for a while before Sakurai finally stood up, gesturing Ohno to follow him to the corner of the room.
“What you think? Do you think he’s telling the truth?” Sakurai whispered, they both turned their back on Jun, in hope Jun won’t get a hint of what they were talking about.
“I don’t know, but what’s the benefit for him to lie?” Ohno tried to reason, he didn’t understand himself why he had the urge to hide Jun from the world when it was the first time they met each other.
“You think it’ll be safe for you to let him stay?” Sho asked again, and this time, it was indeed surprising for Ohno, who asked back, “what do you mean?”
“Well, you know, you’re history was not so calm either, what if he was sent by someone who was looking for you?” Ohno didn’t bother to hide his surprise. He never once told about his past to anyone in this village, not even Sho. so it was a bit of surprise to hear him telling his knowledge of his pass.
“I always did a background check on anyone intending to live here Satoshi-kun, I’m sorry I didn’t inform you earlier because it looks like you don’t want it to be found.” Sakurai smiled assuringly.
“I see…” Ohno can’t blame the man though, he is the head of the village, of course, he must have check everyone’s background, only how far had he checked that Ohno needs to be sure.
“Hey, I didn’t mean any harm to you, I thought you’re just a mere scientist that needs a break, and not actually the Nobel nominee for technology in artificial intelligence,” Sakurai added, so that’s the farthest the man knew. Ohno stood there in silence, looking out the window with a great view of the mountain. Sakurai’s question ringing again, ‘will it be safe to let Jun stay?’ ‘could he trust him enough to let him into his life?’ ‘is it even still a safe place for him to be?’
“I don’t know…” Ohno whispered, looking back at Sakurai who hummed his answer, even if the man didn’t understand what running in his head at the moment, he didn’t show it. Ohno searched the shadow in the window, seeing Jun sat at his place, playing with his fingers, waiting for them to finish. “I think we need to see where it’s going to…”
***
With the conversation in their mind, it was over a week after Jun had arrived in the village. So far the villagers were not questioning anything and seemed to have same conclusion that Jun was Ohno’s secret lover that finally coming to live with him in that quiet village. The rumors that Sakurai created and he didn’t mind, when at least it would buy him sometimes and wait until anyone who drove Jun to his backyard would notice the man was missing.
So the man lived in the old barn with him, helping him in his bakery also his house, like it was the usual thing to do for him. Ohno was still busily kneading for re-stock his afternoon bread supply when Jun suddenly appear beside him, bringing up wooden spoon with brownish gooey in it.
“Here, try this, I made curry rice for lunch.” Jun spoon feeds him and it’s another surprise for Ohno to think the curry was what his mother used to make him, his family receipt that was his favorite. It sometimes surprised Ohno how Jun seemed to know everything he likes, not just food, but also clothes and how he likes to arrange things. It’s been so convenient to Ohno with Jun beside him, which frightened him to death since he didn’t know when the man would leave him like others had done to him.
The bell chimed made Ohno realized that he stared at the brownish orbs of Jun’s eyes for longer than he was supposed to do. He blinked for a while before nodded his agreement on that curry flavor and decided it was the best time for him to rest his kneaded dough. Getting out of the kitchen, Ohno wiped his hand on the apron he wore, attending anyone who chose the exact moment to enter his shop and save him from being foolish.
“How can I help you sir?” he asked the man who currently bowed in front of his showcase that he could only saw his back. It surprised him when the man stood straight and facing him. He had a feeling he had seen the face before, but he forgot where. The man definitely not the villager, he had seen all villagers but no one has that almond-shaped eyes and with red pouty lips, same as jun, this one is beautiful too, Ohno thought.
“Ah, yes, sorry for just barged in.” the stranger smile which made him do the same. “I smelled something really nice when I pass here. I was going to hike the mountain actually but the bread smell stopped me, are these freshly made here?”
“Yes, we bake using wood for the fire, maybe that’s why it smells all over,” Ohno explained, looking at the surprised face.
“Wooden fire? Nice! I never saw one. Can I? I mean, if you don’t mind, may I see your wooden oven?” that man looked overly excited over a wooden oven, something that Ohno couldn’t believe so soon, so he just stared at the man and shook his head.
“I’m sorry, our kitchen is restricted area sir.” Ohno tried to be polite though he still is very careful around him. He was opted on how to tell Jun to hide in case that chatty person in front of him was not as carefree as he seemed to be.
“I’m so sorry that was so rude of me, I’m Aiba Masaki by the way, I was just too excited to hear about the wood fire, sorry.” the man bowed in his apologies.
“We’re also sorry sir, but please feel free to chose our bread, these are freshly made.” Ohno pointed him the wooden tray so the man can choose freely from various bread he made that morning. He kept an eye on the man as he shuffling around the area, putting on a cinnamon roll on his tray before he seemed to tempt between berry croissant and anpanman bread. The man suddenly turned to him. “Do you happen to have melon bread?”
“Yes, we’re baking the second batch right now.” a dinged timer was heard once Ohno finished his sentence. “It seems they have done now.”
Ohno turned to the kitchen intending to bring out the bread and checked on Jun doing, but the door to his kitchen opened, revealing Jun carefully carried the steamed stainless tray to him. Ohno moved quickly, taking the tray from Jun’s hand, thanking him and ushered him back into the kitchen. Ohno could feel the stranger’s eyes were on Jun ever since the man showed up briefly.
“Please chose which one you like sire.” Ohno shoved the tray in front of that Aiba guy, less subtlety to get his attention off from Jun. it worked as the man surprisingly looking at the rows of melon bread in front of him, but this time Ohno sensed some nostalgic wave was running in the man’s eyes.
“It smells so nice.” Aiba sniffing, although Ohno could also see the glazy teary eyes he tried to hide behind his smile.
It was not long afterward that Aiba stood in front of the cashier, paying for all his purchase, still with a big smile on his face, handing him the money, “I hope you don’t mind I ate one of that melon bread before I pay for it, I can’t help it, it smells too nice.”
Ohno just smiled and shook his head as he prepared his change, it was indeed the man finished one melon pan just like that before he took another 2 with him, along with that cinnamon roll and anpanman bread he had chosen at the first time.
“It’s a surprise to find such fine bakery in such quiet village, you and your husband really lucky to live here.” Ohno's hands halt a little hearing the words, he smiled at the man, didn’t want to correct the words.
“Thank you for your purchase, hope you enjoy the bread.” Ohno gave him his change, still with a polite smile on his face, wishing the weird stranger would go away soon.
The man took his change in silent, but smile still on his face. He took his purchase before turning to the door he came in earlier. Ohno bowed and said his gratitude before the man was stopped with his hand on the doorknob. He didn’t turn around to see Ohno face when he said something then leave just like that. “I know someone who would be excited to eat that melon bread you made Ohno san.
It took several minutes and a roared of a car in the ignition that Ohno just realized, he had never mentioned his name earlier to that Aiba.
***
His growling stomach made Ohno turned to the kitchen, just after a flock of elderly left his bakery, each bringing his bread with a satisfied smile on their face, matching the one on Ohno’s face too. The smile vanished quickly when he found the kitchen was empty. Jun was nowhere to see while the man should still be making the beef stew he promise for today’s lunch. Thinking Jun was just going to the toilet, but the thought was erased when he didn’t found Jun’s slipper by the bathroom door.
“Jun, where are you?” Ohno steps up to the living quarter above his bakery, thinking that maybe got tired and decided to get a little nap, but the bed was as pristine as when Jun left it that morning. He got worried immediately as it was the day when people coming down from the hike, what if that weird guy from yesterday came and decided to take Jun, an unreasonable worry, he knew, but he can’t help it. He ran back down, calling Jun’s name over, looking for every possible place and all scenario that could ever happen to the man.
He grabbed his coat and car key, nothing he could think of but reporting Jun’s missing to Sho. he should have done that in the first place when that weird man, Aiba, came to his shop and showed interest to Jun. He should have never left Jun alone, whatever reason. He was about to run to the back door when it was opened and revealed shivering Jun who stepped in with a stack of wooden fire in his hand.
“Where the hell have you been?!” Ohno threw his coat and keys, striding forward to the man by the door.
“I was cutting the wood outside, why? What happened?” Jun questioned back, clearly, don’t understand why Ohno should be that upset.
“Did I forgot something?” the taller put his load quickly and was going to check on the stove, although he was so sure he had turned it off when he went out for woods. His steps were blocked instantly as Ohno pulled his arm harshly.
“You should have told me if you went outside. Don’t you know how worry I was?! I was about to go to the sheriff to look for you!” Ohno yelled out loud. He felt partially relieved and partially angry at how defenseless Jun. He looked up when he felt Jun’s cold arm and realized that man was just wearing his shirt to go outside, another thing that made him angry even more.
“Shit! You’re freezing to death! Come here!” Ohno pulled Jun to the front of the fireplace, throwing him the blankets around him.
“I’m sorry.” He halted his move when he heard the whisper, he found Jun was staring back at him. Confuse, scared and another glimpse that Ohno couldn’t describe was written in Jun’s clear eyes. Ohno then just realized his impulsiveness but he can't understand why he did that. Jun was no one for him, just a stranger who gets lost in his house and were just a freeloader that he should feel relieved if that man was leaving his house, no matter how.
“I don't mean to make you worry Satoshi-san, I'll never do that again.” Jun continued, pulling the blanket around him. Ohno sighed, throwing the towel around his neck to Jun's drenched hair. “Just, don't do that again.”
He feels weird, Ohno thought to himself. He didn't know what kind of feeling else Jun will bring into his life, but for now, he just hopes he could keep Jun inside his house for a longer time.
***
Ohno awakens with a startle hearing loud thud from downstairs, his first reaction was looking at his right, searching to where Jun was sleeping on his own futon. He was welcomed by the same worry eyes staring back at him, Jun's hand easily found his in the dim darkness of the room. Ohno scrunched his eyebrows when the sound downstairs was not stopping. He had locked all doors and windows before they went to bed so there should be anyone downstairs, shouldn't it?
Signaling Jun to keep quiet, he slowly arisen, blindly looking for the gun he kept on his bedside table which, ever since Jun came, it never moved elsewhere. He gripped the gun tight and stood up, intending to check his bakery downstairs but a hand stopped him.
“Wait, I'm coming with you.” Jun quickly stood beside him but Ohno quickly stopped him. “No, no, you stay here.”
“I'm coming with you, period.” Jun being stubborn, gripped his arms tighter and seemed like Ohno didn't have any other choice than to keep the man close, so he could watch over him too. He had a feeling, anyone downstairs has no good intentions.
So with a gun in his hand and Jun tailing behind him, the two of them tiptoed downstairs. Ohno swore his eyebrow could have been knitted together seeing the mass in his kitchen, he didn’t know who the trespasser yet, but he could almost guess what that person looking for. He peeked behind the wall he was standing at that moment, seeing the trespasser was searching something underneath his fireplace pipe, but that was not all, Ohno could see another man, a taller one, shadowing his window. So the man didn’t work alone, he thought.
“Wait here.” Ohno didn’t bother to wait for Jun’s answer and jumped right away behind that unwelcome guest.
“Hands up.” Ohno put his gun directly behind the man, he partially hoped it all will go well and that man would actually give up, but he had also partially expected that man to turn and kicked back, which he did. Ohno, however, could swiftly dodge the kick, he assessed his surrounding when that man pulled out a gun from his waist and aimed at him. He was about to jump behind a stack of flour on his right as that man started firing, but his vision was darkened and the last thing he saw was Jun’s face before him, shielding him from the bullet.
“Jun!” Ohno quickly tried to catch Jun’s fallen body after getting shot, only to find, the man was still standing tall, no paint reaction shown. Ohno found out why when the man turned to catch the intruder. There, behind Jun’s holed pajamas, he didn’t find any blood but he found broken skin and dented stainless.
His eyes were fixated on that, that he didn’t realize loud cursed from the man on the outside as he kicked the trespasser’s gun. Everything happened next was beyond his consciousness. He was just gotten his senses back when someone shook him quite hard.
“Are you okay Satoshi-kun?” Ohno turned when he heard the familiar voice. Sakurai was standing beside him with worry face. He slowly pulled his gun from his tight grip, which Ohno didn’t realize it was shaking badly. He barely nodded to Sakurai’s question, but refused to let the gun go, he just held it tighter.
“Who are you guys and what the fuck you doing in my house?!” Ohno raised his gun again. All his logic come in rush, as he saw that man, Aiba, dragging that trespassing with a ski mask inside with the help of Jun. Why was Aiba there? Why was Sakurai there? Jun was not bleeding after getting the shots. He pointed his gun at them, he really can’t trust anyone right now, can he?
“Wait, we can explain it Satoshi, please. Put your gun down.” Sakurai raised both his hand trying to coax him to give up his gun, but he refused to believe in anything or anyone in this matter.
“Start then? All truth, please.” Ohno know he started to get panic, his hand started to shake but he refused to let it shown. He looked at Jun and realized it was his biggest mistake that night. Jun’s face was wet with tears.
“I'm scared…” Jun whispered so softly and Ohno has that weird urge to get to him, protecting the man near him but he remembered the torn skin and dented steel, he shook his head immediately, he can't be fooled with such act.
“Jun, Jun, please, don't be scared. Ohno-san please, I will explain everything but put your gun down, you're scaring Jun, please.” This time Aiba said in a panic. Holding the trespasser tighter while he tried to calm Ohno.
“You, who are you? Who is he? How you know my name?” Ohno pointed his gun at the tall man.
Wait, let's tie this man first before he tries to escape.” Sakurai pulled out handcuffs from his pocket and together with Aiba, they tied the struggling man onto the permanent oven.
“You…” Ohno can't hold his surprised to see the man behind that ski mask, he knew him, Muro Tsuyoshi, one of his assistant in his previous lab. He didn't understand how he can come all the way and find him in that secluded village.
“Long time no see Ohno sensei, it's a surprise to find you here, baking bread instead of doing research. Or maybe I'm wrong, you had done some research so you have this beautiful Android here.” Ohno can't help hearing the cynical tone that was designated to him.
“You! How dare you showing your face here! After betraying me and Kaz!” Ohno really tempted to shoot the man right there. His face might show it but that weird man laughed as if it was the funniest thing he ever heard. But not so long because loud slap was heard, effectively shut the laughter. But Muro getting lunatic, kicking around.
“You piece of shit! What the hell you're doing here!” He started screaming.
“Cut the drama!” Ohno yelled back, trying his best not to look at Jun's streaming face.
“Hah! You should have visited your brother sensei, this one here is his brain doctor. But he himself is brainless, I just need to follow him and find you.” Another laughter was heard before it was shut immediately and that man’s head lolled to one side.
“What are you doing? You killed him!” Ohno started to get panic, his peaceful life will be ended shortly. He pointed his gun at Aiba who just raised his hand on air after touching Muro’s shoulder.
“Ohno San, calm down, I'm sure Masaki didn't do anything that will harm him.” Out of his expectations, Sakurai stood in front of Aiba, defending him.
“I just press some of his nerves to make him sleep Ohno San, Please allow me to explain.” Aiba stepped forward and held Sakurai hand before he started talking, not even shaken by the gun in Ohno's hand.
“My name is Aiba Masaki, or you maybe know me as Aibaka.” Aiba chuckled. The last name ringed some memory in Ohno's head, he slowly lowered his gun. “Kazu used to call me that.”
The memory returned to Ohno now. Yes, Kazu has childhood best friend that he was so close to. He always talked about the man to Ohno, but all Ohno know was that Aibaka nickname. They were separated though when his brother decided to get into the same university like Ohno while the other was taking the med class. The last thing he heard was his brother said he would lose his longest best friend as the man will get the latest education on brain cells surgery aboard. But that was not the case Ohno thought, he often caught his brother on a video call in the middle of their research, only the big smile on his face that stopped Ohno from scolded him. He always knew Aibaka was the only one that could put that smile on his face.
“I was late to find out about your lab. I should have come back earlier when Kazu didn't reply me. I should have taken him away when I was decided to go to London.” Aiba couldn't lift his face, but Ohno could see Sakurai squeeze their hands together.
“I met Masaki one-half year ago, we went to the same university in London, but different major. It was love at first sight for me, but I knew Masaki's heart belongs to someone in Japan. I refused to give up though, not even until now.” Sakurai continued the story.
“I...I returned as soon as I heard about your lab, but I was too late. I was in lost, I can't find Kazu, and your parents said he was killed during the fire. It took a couple of months but with Sho's help, I finally found Kazu.”
“It was just a coincidence that I found you wandering in the woods, and I recognized you immediately from police file I borrowed regarding the fire in your lab. I'm sorry to deceive you, but if what Masaki told me about Kazu was right, your brother won't want you to suicide Satoshi-san.”
Ohno slumped on the stack of flour. All of the information came rushed in his head. Aiba returned to find Kazu, Sakurai and Aiba have met before and Sakurai knew how he was tried to suicide when he first came here. They both were trying to save him only for the sake of his little brother. His tears stopped at one point though, didn't know since when, Jun kneeled in front of him, wiping his tears and Ohno let him. For once he feels again, he has his sense of feeling back.
“And Jun? What about Jun?” Ohno stroked Jun's torn skin, finding how he can fix it easily.
“Jun… Jun was actually a gift Kaz prepared for your birthday.” Aiba smiled.
“That's... impossible, Kazu was....” Ohno couldn't continue his words. Ohno never shows his drawing of Jun's face to anyone, including his brother because he knew Kazu would tease him endlessly, not to mention the state Kazu was in at the moment.
“It was actually possible…” Aiba whispered, “I tried my best ever since I found Kazu, I don't want to lose him again. I did some tests and brain surgery, I took his cells and analyze them, until I found Jun under 'Nii-san bday project’. I can't help but tried to make it as Kaz detailed instructions. Your brother was worry about you and he didn't like your previous boyfriend, so he had this based on your drawing of your dream boyfriend. It just that he wasn't able to put ‘feelings’ in his project.”
Sakurai sighing finally brought Ohno attention to the man who kept on silent since the start Aiba telling the story. Which made Ohno wondered “why?”
“Well, you can say I wasn't fully supporting his idea, I thought you had finally found some peace here.” Sakurai still smiling. That may be the reason for the phone call Ohno overheard when Jun first arrived in the village.
“Are you sure Jun has no feeling? He saved me just now.”
“I don't understand either, that was why I was so worried when he cries. He shouldn't feel anything but he seemed grew some feeling for you Ohno san.” Aiba looked confused too. It was not a common for Android to have a feeling, but if Jun was able to grow it on his own, Ohno won't deny it anyway.
Ohno looked directly into Jun's eyes in front of him. Looking into the eyes of his dreamt man and feeling lucky he was a coward who didn't dare to continue his suicide mission on the day he came into the village. It looks like he will have a lot he could expect in the future.
Epilogue:
'The new game sold for more than 1 million in their first week of the debut. the game had said to bring their AI to the next level. Not just it wasn't so easy to play, the story was also interesting that keeping player awake late up a night to finish it. however, the developer of the game was unknown as they sell it by online so no one could really clear on who had created this amazing phenomenon.'
"I'm home." Ohno held the door with his feet, struggling to get the trolley pas his kitchen door. He smiled when he saw Jun rushing to help him, still wearing the apron.
"you should have told me that the flour we ordered had arrived, I could have gone to post office with you." jun pouted cutely that Ohno couldn't help and peck the full lips, earning him full rosy blush on the handsome man's face.
"because I know you'd do that so I don't say anything. besides, you have your hand full, I won't want to bother." Ohno put the flour in its place. it was another Monday that he could relax a little.
"are we ready to go?" Ohno patted his jeans from any residual fluor, looking at Jun who busily packing anything he had finished cooking. he took the bag from jun's hand when they finally leave the barn, while his other hand gripped Jun's tightly as the cold wind breeze around them. Ohno swings their hand along their walk on the pavement, they stopped at the crossroad, waiting for the signal turned green. Ohno still amazed at the beautiful mountain that started covered by snow.
"Ah Ohno-san," Ohno turned as he heard the call. Nagase was running towards them. "glad I still catch you, you're going to mayor house, right? do you mind delivery this report to him?"
"Sure." Ohno reluctantly letting go of Jun's hand, but Jun beat him and took the envelope with his empty hand.
"thanks a lot, Ohno-san, Mrs. Ohno." Nagase winked and as fast as he came, he ran away faster to his patrol car, didn't even notice jun's agape mouth hearing how he was called.
"let's go Mrs. Ohno." Ohno couldn't help to tease the other, grab Jun's hand into his pocket, they continued their walk.
"sorry for intruding." they both said in unison when Sakurai opened his door.
"you know you never intrude anything. he's waiting for you Satoshi-san." Sakurai laughed heartedly, taking the bag from Ohno's hand. "Masaki still on his way."
Ohno didn't hear the last words, he ran through the house to its facing the lake backyard. his lips curled into a smile, seeing the wheelchair beside the garden table, a closed novel on it, Sakurai might have read it for the man.
"I'm here Kaz." Ohno kissed his stepbrother's forehead, glimpse a second to a small monitor attached to the wheelchair. small sized Kazu was jumping around, smiling happily welcoming him. it took sometimes and some more surgery for Aiba to finally can be sure it was saved to move Kazu around. It was out of their imaginations that Sho offering his own house for Kazu's further medication. Together, Sakurai and Aiba taking care of Kazu like the lovers they are.
it was Jun idea when Ohno made another AI in a screen, connected it to Aiba's brain cells microfiber, the AI has all Kazu's brain and tiny 3D image as if Kazu was re-living his life. Ohno, together with Jun, also Sho and Masaki, following Kazu's wishes, reading carefully through the microfiber and they sell their first game online. Ohno squeezed Kazu's hand a little, fully aware his brother won't be able to return it while reading him the newspaper article about their game. he was so immersed in his reading until he heard the front door open and Aiba's voice filling the house. he saw Jun was walking to him with a tray of burgers he made, looking as beautiful as ever. he returned his attention back to his brother, and it was there for the first time, Kazu smiles.
a.n.: My dear
berrybuttboy , hope you like this and please take this as a Christmas present from me. I'm not dropping my assignment, this is more about I refuse to upload my fic elsewhere, hope you understand.
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Date: 2017-12-26 03:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-12-26 09:27 am (UTC)But i like the story thank you
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Date: 2017-12-26 01:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-05-27 01:28 am (UTC)Jun is so adorable and as expected, they felt for each other.
Too bad that things were so rough for Nino...
Thank you for sharing!