Title: Decided
Based on Gintama live action movie theme song, 'Decided' by UVERworld.
"I'll love because I decided to love."
DISCLAIMER: All Gintama characters belong to Sorachi Hideaki.
Zummary: Wealth. Fame. Love. Gintoki ownz none. Hiz life only revolvez around hiz nine to five office work and hiz one room apartment. When he heard hiz eternal nemeziz getting married, he waz done with life until he met an accident involving a vermillion high zchool ztudent that turns hiz life around. Ginkagu with bromance GinHiji. Alternate Univerze.
Gin: Oi, Saitou! Who needs your summary?! They can read at the very top, Bakayaro!
Saitou: Zzzz...
Gin: Real nice, you sleeping log! Ignore Gin-san!
Kagura: Stop wasting time, Gin-chan! Mina-san wants to read about me-aru!
Hijikata: Ahhh, why am I dragged into this?
Gin: Uruse, mayora! As if I want to see you here! It's fine with just me and Kagura. This author is just some sick whacko trying to force you onto me!
Hijikata: Ha?! Don't joke with me! Why is this story about you and China?! Don't tell me...
Kagura: It's a lovey-dovey drama about me and Gin-chan! Get lost, mayora!
Hijikata: Some sick author we got here. Ma, not that anyone cares about you two.
Gin: Say that again and I'll stick your mayo bottle up into your a**!
Hijikata: Bring it on, Teme!
Kagura: Well, Mina-san! Enjoy Zzzzz...
Chapter One: Drunk driving is dangerous!
Ring! Ring! Ring!
"Quiet down..."
Ring! Ring! Ring!
"One more minute..."
Ring! Ring-
The red cylinder with a smiley eyes-popping face is tossed to the wall, breaking into two before dropping onto the floor. That happens to be the fifth clock he broke for the week. It is Friday anyway, so it is nothing surprising about a new alarm clock getting smashed every work day. Only the spending of the clocks comprises a quarter of his pay.
Groaning for about a long minute, the silverhead springs up and rubs his eyes and arse. He takes his time to be fully awake and shifts his gaze on the wall clock. A click of tongue is all he can muster. Sleepily, he drags his feet away from his bed, yawning as loud as he can. On his way to the bathroom, he stumbles over things on the floor, where much of it are stacks of Jump mangas, emptied beer cans, disposable ramen boxes and others that are basically trash.
After a quick bath, he makes his way to the kitchen, kicking things in the process. He pours himself a glass of strawberry milk and toasts a piece of bread. While waiting for his toast, he attempts to tie a knot on his black tie. Yawning is inevitable, stretching his jaw and cheeks like some routine exercise every morning. Not that he is one with many expressions, rendered his face muscles useless.
The bread pops out of the toaster and he takes it, sweeping some strawberry jam on it. In one chew, he finishes it and chugs his strawberry milk down his throat. Breakfast complete, he grabs his suitcase and moves to his shoes. He is ready to leave his apartment without bother to give a farewell look. In matter of fact, the lights are switched off, casting a dark gloomy vibe in the room.
With one hand carrying a suitcase and another his helmet, he opens the door and slams it behind him, descending the stairs.
Yawn, yawn, yawn.
"Ohayo, Gintoki."
In a metre away from his scooter, he heard his name being called behind him. He scrunches his face, knowing whose voice it belongs to.
"Greet me back, idiot!"
His head is smacked from behind and he turns in reflex. "What was that for, old hag?!"
"Who're you calling old hag?! You should know why I'm stopping you!"
"I know, I know!" Gintoki huffs. "I'll give the rent money next week!"
"Ahh?! You said the same thing last week!" his landlord fumes.
"I promise next week, baba! I'll get my pay next week!"
"You better pay, stupid Gintoki!" she threatens with her wrinkled bloodshot eyes. "And what's with this look? When was the last time you combed your hair? And that tie, are you trying to choke yourself?"
Gintoki scoffs, "Who cares? No one is going to look at me. Bye bye."
"Hold it! Seriously, how incapable can you be, idiot?!"
The old woman undoes the tie and works it into a firm triangular knot like it is supposed to be. She looks at his perms, which are practically pointing at all directions. Not even Vidal Sassoons shampoos can tame those deadly stubborn cow licks. She blows a sigh before folding her arms.
"Be safe on the road," Otose offers an advice. "Make it back alive to pay the rent."
Gintoki clicks his tongue and fastens his helmet on his head. Without another word, he straddles his scooter and drives off. Otose watches the lonely man on his way to work and only turns away when he is gone. At times, she wonders if her hospitality is ever enough to bring a smile om that man's face. She admits that their conversations only involves payment of rent. Even though she tries to get to know more of this patron, she cannot see there is any way to the man's heart.
Sakata Gintoki is like any other typical salaryman who works from nine to five on weekdays. He stays indoors during weekends, probably indulging himself in unhealthy snacks and burying his face in Jump mangas. He seldom bring friends over, telling much he does not socialise with people, be it in the neighbourhood or his workplace.
The loneliness Gintoki carries upon himself saddens Otose, to a point that asking for rent money is similar to robbing him and his dignity. She has been infamously known to be strict with every patron but she is helplessly lenient when it is Gintoki.
That man, if she pushes too far, he might just break.
"Sakata-san!"
"Yes I know I'm late. There is nothing you can do about it."
The silverhead is done punching his time card and he simply walks past his supervisor. The old man is so pissed his ears are glowing red. Just like Gintoki said, there is really nothing he can do. The latecomer in his grey uniform saunters to his cubicle, tossing his suitcase to the side and is about to grab his mug for coffee when a colleague calls him that he is summoned to the boss office.
Another yawn escapes him, as he steers away from the pantry to the office, barging in without knocking. Casually he goes to the boss' table and grabs the jug of coffee for himself.
"Oi, Gintoki! How many times must I tell you that we are strictly boss and worker within this premise?! Don't just walk in like that without manners! What will my staff say about me?!"
Deliberately making a loud sipping noise, Gintoki takes a gulp of coffee and yawns. "Relax, Zura."
"It's not Zura! Katsura! Katsura! Address me properly!" the long haired man in tux points his finger at the seat across him, signing to Gintoki to sit.
The silverhead moves in a slow pace, literally dropping himself to the seat. "So why do you call me, Boss?"
Katsura sits on his armchair and laces his fingers together. "Your performance appraisal is due soon."
Gintoki smirks. "Is that so? Is it passed with flying colours?"
"Be serious," Katsura warns him, not amused by his sarcasm. "You come late everyday. You don't meet the deadlines. You disturb your colleagues with your farts and snots. You even read mangas during working hours."
"Wow, I didn't know I have a babysitter," Gintoki takes another sip, ignoring the stress vein popping on Katsura's forehead. "Don't bother about me, Zura. Just do what you feel like. Cut my pay, sack me, anything. I'll take it."
The tensed shoulders of the boss drop instantly, a loud sigh follows. "Gintoki, you need to stop behaving like this. I give you this job so you can build a new life for yourself and forget the past."
"Correction," Gintoki cuts his speech. "I never asked for this help of yours. I was fine before you drag me into this shit."
"Fine, you say?!" Katsura yaps angrily. "You were homeless! Digging garbage for food! Sleeping at the streets! You totally gave up in life after that one unfortunate accident-"
"It was not an accident," Gintoki stands up suddenly and marches away from the table. "You know better."
Katsura lays a steady gaze on the leaving man. "And you still think it is better to just die for that?"
"Not really. I just don't see the point of continuing this life anymore."
"Gintoki."
The silverhead opens the door. "Do whatever you like with my performance appraisal. Anything's good to me."
"What an idiot," Katsura leans back on his chair as the door shuts tight. "Seriously, what can I do to whip some sense in him?"
Gintoki returns to his desk and switches on his computer. While he waits for his desktop to be ready, he fishes out his manga and reads. A hand grabs it from behind, replacing it with a stack of files.
"What the hell?" Gintoki cusses.
"Your share of data entry."
The dark green haired man chucks the manga into Gintoki's bag before taking his seat at his desk that happens to be right next to Gintoki. For the past whole year in this office, if there is anyone who can make Gintoki work, it is him. After all, he was the one who trained Gintoki to be equipped with skills needed for the job.
"Staring at me won't make me take back those reports, Baka."
"This is too many, Hijikata Teme!" Gintoki cusses, leafing through the pages.
"I did twice as much yesterday so don't complain," Hijikata grunts, still not looking at Gintoki but focusing on his computer. "I saved the easiest for you to do so don't mess up. Any intern can do it without a single mistake."
Gintoki moulds into his pissed off face. "Then just tell the intern to do it!"
"They are on their last week of their internship so they are preparing themselves for their college assessment. Wait, why am I explaining to you? You don't fucking give a damn," Hijikata scoffs.
Gintoki slams the stack of paper on the table. "You know that and yet you give me this shit! Seriously find a cliff and jump off!"
"If you have time to whine, you have time to work! Before I decide to squirt mayonnaise in your bag like last time, better do your job properly, Sakata-san."
"I'll pour strawberry milk all over these files, Mayora!"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Well look here," Gintoki raises a box of strawberry milk.
Apparently, his colleague is more concerned about his screen than Gintoki. The silverhead tries whistling and opening the box to threaten Hijikata, but the man refuses to even glance at Gintoki. Beyond irk, Gintoki puts away the box, mumbling furiously to no end.
"Screw you, Hijikata."
Gintoki opens the first file and works his computer. Despite his anger towards Hijikata, his hands automatically move and commence the data entry. A side smile creeps on Hijikata's face, which Gintoki cannot see. Hijikata is used to handle the interns who are basically kids that can be hard to deal with. Facing Gintoki is like facing ten interns at one time but it is not an impossible task for him.
Unlike Gintoki, Hijikata is very dedicated to his job. He is willing to find any means and make ends meet. He may look unfriendly and cold but he cares about whoever is around him. He just has a strict way of showing it.
Few minutes passed, Gintoki yawns loudly, tousling his perms. His bland reaction always earn stares around him. It is clear that no one in the office likes Gintoki. In matter of fact, they wish he just disappears and give them an environment where work can be bearable. His insufferable yawning always make it hard for them to focus on the job.
He starts drinking his strawberry milk loudly when he hears a conversation behind him.
"Hey, hey. Did you hear? There is a sports car at the carpark."
"Really? I don't know anyone who owns such a thing."
"We might have a guest coming."
"Oh my god! Do you think it's him?"
"You mean him? That him?!"
"Shut up, woman! Trying to work here!" Gintoki yells at the two women standing by the photocopy machine.
"It's that loser again. Who does he think he is?"
"Yeah, what a waste of resource. Katsura-san can hire someone more efficient than him."
"I heard he blackmailed Katsura-san to get a job here."
"Oi, women!" Gintoki stabs death glares. "Want me to send you a black mail, ha?"
The two women snort and shoot disgusted looks at Gintoki. When he grips his chair to stand, the women scurry away giggling.
Hijikata finally tears his gaze off the computer and ogles at Gintoki. "Hey. Stop dawdling, Carry on your work."
"I'm resigning as of now."
"Don't give me that bullshit," Hijikata drags him down to his seat and turns him to face his screen. "Work or you won't have food on the table."
Gintoki blinks away. "I can find a better job than here."
"Yeah, yeah. Good for you, but today you are here. So work," Hijikata instructs with a jab of finger towards the screen.
Gintoki remains unmoved. Hijikata cannot be bothered pampering a stubborn fool when he has alot of work in his own hands. Gintoki can never understand the seriousness Hijikata puts into his work. Gintoki does not actually care about work. He does not need to work. He does not mind living in the streets again.
At least no one can boss him around, telling him what to do. No one can sneer or talk ill about him. Not that he cares how he lives his life anymore.
What is the point of living anyway? Is there really any purpose for him to continue breathing?
No one needs him. No one really cares.
"Oh. Look who we have here."
Gintoki flinches and he looks over his shoulder. His red eyes capture the sight of Katsura's companion, having silky Ribena hair draping gorgeously around his face. The man wears designer clothes, a black satin dress shirt and pants, adorned with a maroon scarf seamed with gold butterflies.
Squeals and screams of girls blast in the air, all the women encircle the two.
"Takasugi-sama! I love your recent movie! You're fantastic!"
"Sign me! Sign my forehead!"
"I love you, Takasugi-sama! Take a picture with me!"
"TAKASUGI SAMA! YOU'RE SEXY! WE LOVE YOU!"
Something just died inside Gintoki. The last person he wants to see appears right before him. He has no idea that Katsura is still in contact with that spoiled brat. Just seeing his face, Gintoki feels nauseous and weak. He hides it well by not looking at him, pretending to busy himself with the files.
Takasugi, of all people, has to come. He must be the guy responsible for the sports car. Not only he is born in a rich family, he is a successful movie star right now. He is living the dreams of many, unlike Gintoki who is at the opposite extreme end.
Nobody, like not even aliens in Mars, will ever believe that the three of them are stepbrothers.
"Quiet down, everyone," Katsura tames the crowd around Takasugi. "He is here with an announcement."
"Yes," Takasugi smiles his white charming smile. "I'm here to invite everyone to my wedding."
The news come like a missile just drops on them. Gintoki has his eyes widened, shocked to hear the news. His fangirls tear up in cries and wishes of congrats to Takasugi. Their idol is going to tie the knot.
"Gintoki?" Katsura searches amidst the crowd until he reaches Gintoki's desk. "Where is he?"
"Toilet, Boss," drawls Hijikata with his eyes stuck on the screen. "Tummy ache, gotta be."
Katsura sighs. "I see. Well, when he returns, can you please tell him to come to my office? We will be waiting for him."
"Roger," Hijikata replies monotonously.
The boss is at first reluctant to move but he cannot let Takasugi be immersed in his circle of fangirls for too long. Eventually, he pats Hijikata on the shoulder as a last reminder and he leaves the table. Hijikata continues with his work until the noise dissipates and the center of attention is contained in the boss office.
"Coast clear," Hijikata announces.
Abruptly, the dark green haired man falls off his chair with a loud wail.
"What was that for?!" Gintoki scowls under Hijikata's table, crawling out from it.
Hijikata hisses. "Teme, you look like you're about to cry."
"Uruse! Don't stick your nose to my business! Hiding me away won't solve anything!"
"Sounds like Takasugi-san's wedding news is really that bad to you," Hijikata smirks, as Gintoki looks at him with astonishment.
Gintoki huffs miserably, tousling his perms. "Why am I even talking to you?"
"Let's get a drink after work."
"Huh?" Gintoki mars his disgusted face. "Who wants to drink with you?"
Hijikata crosses his legs. "My treat. Just so you know, I rarely give treats."
"That's because you don't have friends, Mayora."
"I don't want to hear that from you."
Gintoki stares at him for a moment before looking over to the glass walls of the boss office. His eyes burn watching Takasugi laugh and smile with the women.
"His future wife is a top model internationally. Tall legs, size C funbags. So way out of your league."
"Fine," Gintoki grunts. "I'll go."
At the bar, Hijikata and Gintoki drink away, clinking pints of beers and laughing to their hearts' content. They are too drunk to talk and listen, letting themselves be like other bachelors who are getting wasted for the night. Gintoki only visits the bar alone but this time he comes with a colleague who he knows nothing more than his name.
There is no denying that Gintoki hates Hijikata's guts when it comes to work. Despite his persistent comebacks, Hijikata will not leave him alone. At times, Gintoki wants to give in and befriend Hijikata but his tattered broken heart struggles to trust anyone. It is not only Hijikata whom he cannot try trusting again. He is also facing the same dilemma with Katsura.
Their father remarried thrice, meaning that Takasugi, Gintoki and Katsura each comes from a different mother. Takasugi and Gintoki never clicks from the beginning but Katsura is different. Gintoki finds it easy to talk to Katsura, even up until now. When it comes to trusting Katsura, things change.
It may look like Katsura cares about Gintoki that he is willing to offer Gintoki a job so that he is off the streets. Gintoki knows much that Katsura is only doing what he promised their father. That sense of responsibility and loyalty Katsura possesses is admirable to many but Gintoki refuses to be blinded by that. Gintoki swears there is always a catch when someone is decidedly being nice to him, even if he is his step brother.
Takasugi, Gintoki has no better words to say other than hating him to the core. Hearing how successful Takasugi has become in life just tears Gintoki apart. While he is somehow picking up small steps to start a new life, which Katsura deems that Gintoki is not even trying, Takasugi comes around and boasts about his upcoming matrimony.
If there is anything Gintoki always want to compete with Takasugi, it is about women. Gintoki believes him being taller in height outweighs his perms and therefore, he can get the most beautiful girl out there. He once swears at Takasugi he will get a lovely pretty wife, definitely putting Takasugi to shame since he can only get a girl as short as him.
Takasugi is obviously not giving in. Announcing his marriage to a model at Gintoki's face should have been enough to trample Gintoki's already broken pride but he went ahead by inviting Gintoki to the wedding as well.
Gintoki swears a thought of suicide crossed his mind.
If it is not for Hijikata dragging him for a drink, he might just have done that in the toilet.
"Ice-cream parfait, one please!" Gintoki orders sloppily.
"Kuso... Stop with the junk food, Teme! I'm gonna be broke like this," Hijikata grumbles, hiccupping and chugging his pint.
"Having fun, boys?" a slim woman in skimpy clothes approach Hijikata, already slipping a hand under his arm.
Gintoki looks at them, noticing the girl not bothered to glance at him. She starts giggling at every word Hijikata says, pulling the weakened man away from Gintoki. Envy boils in Gintoki's stare, loathing that easy going part of Hijikata. That girl surely picks Hijikata for looks.
Watching Hijikata in his own fun, Gintoki abandons the parfait and leaves the bar.
Gintoki cusses, only getting hurt even when he is drunk. At first, Hijikata shows a sincere side of him that he wants Gintoki to let down his hair for the night. The sight of a girl under his arm however pollutes Gintoki's perception of him. He starts to believe that Hijikata is only using him as a marker of being less handsome so girls will rather choose Hijikata instead of Gintoki.
This is basically why Gintoki does not trust anyone. It is either he is being used or being completely useless.
Deafening growls of his scooter is deliberate, kicking consciousness in Hijikata. The dark green haired lad looks around and realises Gintoki is gone. Messily finding his way to the door, Hijikata leaves too and only when he reaches the carpark, he gawks at the sight of drunk Gintoki riding his scooter back home.
"Yabe!" Hijikata slaps his forehead and waves for a taxi.
Morning light shines on Gintoki's face, warming up the sweat on his forehead.
A jolt of pain strikes right into his brain as he springs up, cupping his forehead. He stares at himself, still in yesterday's clothes. The stench of beer is still strong. He looks around him, realised that he made it back to his apartment. Instead of his bed, he is on the floor of his living room.
His stomach clenches abruptly, the rush of its contents reaching to his mouth. Without hesitation, he vomits at the side, gagging and sucking breaths.
"Kuso!" Gintoki wipes his lips with the back of his hand. "Drank too much."
Tears of pain cloud his vision and he rubs his eyes at his sleeves. Suddenly, the vomit on the floor moves.
Gintoki stiffens, as the gross pile literally rises. He blinks repeatedly and slowly takes the shape of a child coated in his vomit.
"Where am I?"
Ultramarine blue eyes of the vomit face look at him.
"Ahhhhh!"
To be continued...
Heyya! Hope you enjoy my new little story! Update on Fridays I guess. I hope so lol.
Leave a review and let me hear what you think. See ya next chapter!