Day-26 Secrets
Ah, one that fits Japan. Secrets. I had several ideas for it, but I ultimately decided on this one!
It was difficult. He would not pretend that it was easy to relinquish centuries of secrecy to try and be honest. It was not easiest thing to be honest with his friends- let alone himself.
He knows he owes a lot to his friends for understanding- because Japan left a lot of things unsaid, a lot of things unformed into word of mouth. He prefered keeping them to himself- keeping his secrets bound closely against his chest.
So he wasn't sure why he had joined the costume crew of the drama club- their prestigious drama club being full of performers. But he knew he enjoyed his work, sewing and designing.
His life was simple. He studied hard, got the best grades in the whole school, was in the drama club. He understood his daily routines, knew them inside-out.
The only thing he did not understand in his life was Korea. Im Yong-Soo was a soccer player- a good one, thus one of the kings that ruled their high school. He was popular, and seemingly good at anything he tried- so no one knew why he had suddenly joined the less-than-popular drama club.
Korea fascinated Japan- he was unpredictable, yet still loyal, two traits not often seen together in a person. He was a interesting object of study, and so Japan made sure to watch this strange Im boy.
-xix-xix-xix-
Korea knew a lot of things- and he was honest. But even he kept a few secrets to himself- ones he wouldn't share with even Alfred, his best friend and confidante.
He never told anyone why he joined the drama club- he laughed and told his friends that he was born to perform for an adoring audience. Twice- twice, he had lied to them. About the drama club, and when he said that there was no one he liked.
He had had a serious crush on Japan for awhile now- he could say the exact moment when he had fallen, too. A month ago, he had been taking a walk, and he had seen a little boy, crying in the park. About to go to him, he had seen a shorter boy walk over, shyly quieting the child, offering him a piece of candy.
And then... and then he had smiled. It was the final blow- he fell instantly for that kind boy with the devastating smile.
He hummed happily as he rushed into the auditorium- crashing into someone. "Whoa- are you okay, da ze?" He asks brightly before realizing who it is. "Sorry about that- oh. Uh, I..." Lost for words, he mumbles another 'sorry' before running past him into the auditorium.
He's gone. Before Japan can say a word in apology, Yong-Soo was gone. He blinks, feeling a little upset. Surely he wasn't that bad? But... it was rather odd for him to do this- usually he was nothing but sunshines and smiles.
So it's intriguing when he watches the scene replay with Latvia, only with a grin and 'Sorry, da ze! My bad!" So he wonders. Perhaps, could Korea have secrets, too?
-xix-xix-xix-
The play West Side Story had brought them closer together- enough to be friends, anyhow. Korea had broken his leg- and thus could not perform. So he had been assigned to help out the costume team, which was the one with the least members.
Kiku had to teach him how to sew- and this was when he discovered that Korea was not so perfect after all. But they would have conversations, and this led them to find that they got along fairly well with each other.
It was an unlikely friendship- an extroverted jock with an introverted costume designer. But they managed it- and enjoyed the company of the other.
Their friendship grew gradually from greeting each other when they passed in the hallways to eating lunch together on the roof. It grew from those few days a week lunchtimes to the point where they were just about inseperable.
And all the while, Korea nursed his hopeless liking for the other- though somewhere along the line the like had crossed the line over to love. And as they became closer and closer friends, he rejoiced and despaired at it- rejoiced at how much Japan trusted him, and despaired at how Kiku would only see him as a very close friend.
He becomes desperate- tired of acting and bottling up his feelings. Until he can't stand doing this anymore- he would ruin their friendship if he had to. And so he decides that well, he is bad with keeping secrets, and decides to release them in one fell swoop.
His plan is far from foolproof- but it is a plan. But little does he know that Japan, as well, has slowly started to fall for him.
Japan had been fond of the energetic boy from the beginning- and had let his guard down. Foolish! He reprimanded himself at times. He had let Korea charm him, and he had fallen. Now, what was he to do?
One by one, his precious secrets had fluttered away- and left few behind. And it was all because of this friendship. But he's indecisive. Should he act? Or abstain, transform this feeling into one of those secrets that made up his armor?
So he's surprised when he steps out on the roof, and Korea starts talking in a serious voice. "I've always been watching you."
He catches his breath, stares wide-eyed at the Korean facing away from him, looking at the sky. "Ever since I saw you help that little boy, you've always drawn my gaze. Shy, quiet, diplomatic and mature, you were well-liked- and the opposite of me. You reminded me of a flower- a cherry blossom yet to bloom. I..." He trails off a moment, swallows, and Kiku can tell that Yong-Soo is blushing.
"I always took... special care of you- I didn't let anyone bully you... and to tell the truth, I joined the drama club so your friends wouldn't get picked on. I just hope you'd never noticed. You amaze me with your quiet patience and fortitude, and so I'll continue to watch you." His voice shakes- his hands tremble. Japan is touched- Korea is being completely honest with him- and now it is his turn to return the favor.
"I've always been watching you." Korea whirls around, a look of shock on his face. Japan's voice is hesitant, but he pushes on. "Ever since I first met you, you are the... the only one that had drawn my eye. You were popular with both boys and girls- you reminded me of the sun. That sun was always joking, shining so brightly... and light charms and blinds by turns." It...was difficult. He couldn't help the fact that his words started to turn into riddles, and hopes that Korea will understand.
"Drama became more popular this year than ever before- and the sun protected us. It was warm, and kind." He draws himself up to be perfectly clear with the last part of his thoughts.
"You are amazing, Korea-san. With your easy-going attitude and kind smile, I... I was captivated. You are incredible, and so I'll continue to watch over you." He has only one secret left- one already implicit in the words he had just given.
Yong-Soo walks forward with a radiant smile to take Kiku's hands in his. "Hey, Kiku. I'll tell you a secret- my only one. I li-love you."
Kiku looks up, then looks away as he lets go of his last secret.
"I... Then I am the moon to your sun." Because the moon... it reflects the sun's light, doesn't it, Yong-Soo-san?
That last line. *head in hands* I couldn't think of anything better. O woe is me.
To my awesome reviewers!
Obsessed-Language-Freak: I... Fine, I give in. =P Really? Would you? ^_^ Oh, that's okay. I can look at the pictures. Thank yoooou. I strive (and fail) at making it it enjoyable! I mean, he takes baths in it. I'm serious. Ahahahaha... *does not know how to express that rather than continuity, she does just not know how to express lust* Well that part was intended- Japan must be kind of difficult to be in a romantic relationship with. Oh. Oh. *had completely forgotten* Uh, he paid for them before he sat down! ^_^UUU Again, I can not thank you enough for reviewing all chapters.
Kankoku-ssi: Sorry! I'm just really bad with love in the first place *hasn't even ever had a crush* so lust was a bit (a lot) out of my league. Aw, thank you! ^_^ Well, here it is! Hope you like! Thank you for reviewing so many of my chapters!
Inclinant: You're baaaaack! *is now full of smileys* Half my reviewers have been kidnapped or something. TT^TT Oh, thank you~~ , and that's okay, as long as you drop a word once in a while. Really? Thank you!