Sounds of stepping heels were heard from the room which Hey! Say! JUMP are in. They just done another photoshoot for next week's magazine. The door burst open, and a girl suddenly came in. "Hey! You can't go inside here-!" Yabu's complain seemed to be ignored by the rushed girl.
She ignored everyone else then ran to Yamada who's resting on a couch.
"Excuse me, What's the meaning of this!?"
She threw a piece of paper. Yamada widened his eyes, looking shocked at the girl who just woke him up. "Huh?" It's a bank receipt which consist infromation of recently transferred amount of money to her account. "How did you know my account number?" There;s a fair amount of money there. Sure is a lot for a girl who worked as a waitress.
"Are you trying to bribe me!? I told you I didn't ask you to mar-"
"Shees, calm down!" Yamada stood up, holding the girl's arm.
"Can't you at least, knock the door first. Arimura-san?"
It's been a week since Yamada met the girl named fuyumi. Who happened to confess that she had a child from Yamada. She didn't have proofs, but Yamada remembered meeting her at the bar last year. And he was drunk. He promised to help in any way he could even if he's still not sure of what's happening right now.
"Here" Takaki put a fresh canned juice on Fuyumi's opened palms.
"Ah, thank you" she bowed her head. Everybody is busy packing stuff. "I'm sorry to barge in again" she said, sighed while sitting on the couch. "Well, it's okay. You sure are something. Making your way into our room." Hikaru said laughing. "Twice" Keito added. Fuyumi blushed a little. It's embarassing, she felt like a crazy fangirl. "i'll catch up with you guys, okay" Yamada said to the others. "Okay, yama-chan don't forget. 15 minutes" Chinen said, tapping his watch and then left with the others. "We're going for another photoshoot" Yamada said, as the door closed.
"Answer my question first. Are you trying to bribe me? To make me shut up or something? I've never asked for that much! That's a lot of money, even for an idol like you"
"Man, you didn't get the idea of 'calming down' did you?"
Yamada sighed. "I'm not that sly." He fixed his light brown bangs. "It;s my saving. I just want to help" he said. "Well, are you crazy or just stupid enough to give that much money to a stranger?" that sounded like no question at all. "I'm just stupid" Yamada smiled a little. "I told everyone, I need time to found out what really happened to us that night. And I told them that I can't leave the poor child alone, so I promise to keep it a secret" He said. Now Fuyumi know, this boy is serious.
"But that money..."
"Well, you can just use it for Chou. Or anything you need. You don't have to use all of them. I used to save money to buy some things or to go on a trip with my family. But I don't need anything for now on. You can use it, really" Yamada stood up, walked to the table near them and folded his clothes then put them in his bag. "I don't know what to say-" Fuyumi sighed, she felt relieved and happy that Chou could get what he really needs. But, she felt sorry for this guy.
"That's your uniform?" Yamada said, without looking back at the girl.
"Yes. I'm a waitress. Just got back from work, I already asked my neighbour to take care of Chou until I got home" She explained. "hmmm" Yamada said, looking at the cute uniform that Fuyumi is wearing. She wore a cute black bowtie, that matched with her black frilly skirt.
"Ano, Yamada-kun"
"Hm?" Yamada smiled, carrying his bag. Then sat beside the older girl.
It's the first time she called his name.
"Um—i, I think I should tell you- that-"
"What?"
"Um—actually.."
The alarm from his watch beeped.
"Ah, sorry. But I have to go" Yamada hurriedly ran to the door. Fuyumi followed him. "Wait—" She frowned at the young boy. "don't worry. You don't have to feel bad for me, miss" He nodded. "Next time you're coming, don't forget to knock—or just call me, okay?" Before she can answer, Yamada already left, running away.
"Yah. You're just really stupid. That's definitely what it is"
Fuyumi sighed, touching her hot cheeks with her hands.
"Sorry, i'm late!" Yamada hurriedly get into the car. "Ah, what took you so long?" Ryutaro asked.
"It was that girl again. How much money did you gave her?" Yabu asked without looking at him. The car started moving. "Hey, i'm not trying to bribe her. I just wanted to help." Yamada said, with an angry tone. "Calm down" Chinen said tapping his shoulder. "But she seemed so concerned, and she looked really guilty—"
"Hai~ change the topic please~ I;m going to sleep for a while, okay?" Yamada laughed it off.
He think of Fuyumi's worried face. "Well, i'm actually a little sly" He thought. "
thought She'd be happy for just that much amount of money, and came back thanking me."
But he didn't really meant to make her stopped meeting him. Or did he? Did he tried to run away with giving her money?
"I'm such a bad person"
Yamada blocked the lights with his arms, and slowly fell asleep in the car.
The next three days, The desperate girl came to the office again. But this time, she knocked.
"Come in" It's Yabu who opened the door.
"E-excuse me. Is yamada-kun, here?" The lady bowed, her hair is still half-wet, she just took a shower, obviously. It's early in the morning. She brought Chou-kun with her as well. "It's weird that you didn't come shouting today" Yabu asked her to come in then closed the door.
"Hello" Yamada is lying on the couch again. "Um, where's everyone?" Fuyumi slowly walked towards him. "It's still early. Only me, Yabu-kun and Dai-chan were here." He said, sitting up. "So, what can I do for you?" He went straight unto the point. "You said your neighbour can't take care of him today, right?" Fuyumi nodded. "Please just take care of him—until I'm back from work" She bowed twice.
"Alright. We only have dance practise in our schedule today" Yamada said.
"Okay, here is his milk bottle, and diapers. If you don;t know how to change it, just wait for me or call somebody else. And this is his toy, he didn't like—"
"Fine, fine. I understand" Yamada quickly took the baby from her. "You're late, right?" Fuyumi nodded. "I'll be back soon, okay. Be a good boy, Chou-chan~" Fuyumi kissed the baby's cheek, and ran away. The 19 years old boy scratched his head. He used to take care of his sister, but not as a baby. He looked at Chou who seemed to be in shock, that her mother already left. And he's carried by an unfamiliar man.
HU...
HUWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!
"AAAA—Don't cry!" The baby cried loudly. "Ah, so loud" Yamada closed his left ear. The poor baby is shaking, he looked scared. "Yama-chan~" Chinen who just came was shocked at the view. "So you're now a delicate husband!? No way! Time goes by so fast" Yabu patted Chinen's head. "Dammit, guys. Don't joke around. Please help me"
"Ohayou~" Ryutaro greeted.
"Eeeh~! That baby, he;s here again!" He said cheerfuly. "He won't stop crying" Yamada said trying to make Chou stop crying by tapping his small back. "Daiki who just changed offered his help. "E? Dai-chan, are you good with these kind of things?"
In just 2 minutes, Chou was able to laugh.
"Eeee! Uso! That's amazing" Everyone cheered. Chou looked tired and a little sleepy, maybe Fuyumi woke him up to take him here. "Aaaaah, he's so cute" Takaki said, kneeling on the floor to look at the baby. "His name's Chou" Yamada said with a flat tone.
"Eeee~ cute name. Hello Chou. Konnichiwa" Ryutaro said patting the child's forehead. "Look at his big brown eyes" Chinen said. Strangely, he isn't jealous of someone who's as cute as him. He usually would be pouty. "Actually, he kinda looked like you Yama-chan. Look at his nose—"
"I'm going to change. Please hold him for me for a while."
Yamada ran towards the changing room. "Since when did everyone like childern" He murmured to himself. Deep in is heart, he still didn't want to do this. But he did said he'd take responsibility of what happened. But this is just, too much for him.
"Yama-chan"
"Hmm~"
Yamada looked back at Chinen who's in front of him. He was looking at Chou, who's busy with the others. Everyone didn't even got mad, the dance teacher even hold him once. And the staff offered help to take care of him while they're practicing.
"Here's your towel" Chinen gave Yamada a clean towel. They just ended the practice.
"Thanks Chinen" He said, sighing and then covered his sweaty face with a towel. "I know, it must be confusing" Chinen said, sitting beside him on the floor. "Of course. You wouldn't believe it. I still can't believe, that baby.. is.."
"Well.. can you imagine.. having a baby? So fast.. And, I mean, she could be.. with someone else..
I just, can't..."
"Um. Okay, I know you're still not sure about if Chou-chan is yama-chan's son or not. But, come on. He's innocent. I felt really bad for him to live like that. And Fuyumi too. Must be tough"
"Un... But, Chinen.. since when did you started lecturing me?"
"Ah-hah~ i'm not, yama-chan. Just an advice. Genki dasette!" Chinen tapped his shoulder twice, then ran off. Yamada just sighed again, and then stood up to take Chou from Inoo. "A- yama-chan~ here! I think he missed you! Yaa~ babies are so cute naa" He snuggled Chou once more. Yamada took him without saying anything. "I'll go ahead first, okay" He waved to everyone and went to the meeting room. Where Fuyumi usually came.
"Hey" Yamada talked to the latter while carrying him.
The baby, is indeed really cute, and chubby. A little fat maybe for 5 months old, that's what makes everyone wanted to hug him. And he got a tiny lips like his mother. "Ah~ well, are you really my son, Chou-kun?"
"Huuuuummmm?"
The little baby laughed, and hit his cheeks with his tiny hands.
"Ah—I'm asking a baby. You wouldn't understand. Maybe i'm turning mad"
"Eheheh~" Chou continue on laughing. "Hey what's so funny?" The older boy laughed back looking at Chou's happy face. "Good boy~ you're not crying hm? We're here!" Yamada opened the door to HSJ's room. "Your mama will be here soon, okay" He patted Chou, and put him on the couch. "A~ so heavy~ Chou-kun is a healthy baby, eh?"
"excuse me!" Suddenly there's a familiar voice, filling the room. "Ah, there you are" Fuyumi bowed and then rushed in. "Chouuuu~" She lifted the laughing baby and hugged him. "Just in time" Yamada said. "Ah, I was so worried, you'd left him here, alone in this room"
"What? I wouldn't do such a thing" Yamada said.
"Are you okay? You're a good boy! Mama's here to take you home, okay" Fuyumi ignored the boy beside him. "He's fine. Everyone take turns, playing with him". "Oh, really? Thank you so much! I'm sure he's having a good time" Fuyumi smiled at Yamada. She never smiled sincerely. "You're welcome." Yamada tried to smile back at her.
"I—i, will try to stop asking for so many help in the future" Fuyumi said, sliding her bag unto her shoulder. "No, that's fine" Yamada said, shooking his head. "Well, I know you're not comfortable with it. But thank you again" She bowed one more time.
Another week passed by. There's no email from Fuyumi. It almost felt like he was waiting for her email, or waiting for her, asking for help. It's weird that he wanted to meet the baby again. Yamada stepped on the train station, He just visited his house. It's kinda late, so he went back after dinner. Of course, wearing his glasses, and a thick scarf to hide his face a little from people.
He's taking the train. It's already late in the evening, so it might be okay.
The train isn't very crowded. Most of them are people from work. Yamada took a seat in the corner. He opened his cellphone. Should he email her? Just asking about how things are.
Hello, arimura-san
how is everything?
How is chou doing?
Yamada.
Sent.
Bip. Bip. Bip.
Yamada turned his head to his left. Could it be?!
"Hee!" A girl shouted. It;s Fuyumi, she's sitting on the rear seat on his left. Holding Chou, and some plastic bags. She's wearing a scarf and a beanie too, it's hard to recognize her. "Shhhh!" Yamada said putting his finger on his lip. He took a seat next to the girl. "You! What are you doing here?!" Fuyumi said, getting confused. "I'm taking the train of course, i'm a normal boy you know" Yamada said shooked his head.
"I just sent you an email. Didn't know we're in the same train."
"Ah, I see. I'm sorry I haven't been sending you any emails." She said. "Why didn't you?" Yamada asked. "You're so nice to us, so I felt bad whenever I started to type something. I'm afraid I might distrub you" Fuyumi said, looking down on her boots. "Excuses." Fuyumi sighed at his sentence.
"Is he asleep?" Yamada said, looking at the boy at Fuyumi's arms.
He kinda missed him.
"Hm-hm. He must be tired, I just took him to shop some of his stuff today. And we played at the park before. It's my day-off" She smiled looking at the sleeping child. "Hmm—" Yamada looked at the plastic bags, full of diapers, milks. And another stuff. She wasn;t lying, she really used the money for the baby. "It must be heavy. Can I help?" He asked.
"You don't have to. My apartement is really small. And it's embarassing"
Fuyumi said. She haven't been doing some cleanups at their place.
"It's okay, let me help. Please? You don't want to wake him up right?" Fuyumi frowned at the pleading guy. "Okay, but just until we reached my door" Yamada nodded. He carried the plastic bags, and followed Fuyumi, getting off at the nearest station to her apartement.
"You'll take the train again?"
"Hm. It;s not too far. I just got back from my mother's house" He said catching up with Fuyumi;s steps. "I see. You're just a normal guy, after all" She said. "Of course, did you think I was an exclusive artist who own a car or something, that I won't' take the train? I;m still trying for my driver's license though" He said. "hmm. Well, that's what I thought" Fuyumi said, stroking Chou's hair, who's still fast asleep on his mother's arms.
The streets are not empty, but there's still some people who's still walking around.
"Hm?"
"What?" Fuyumi asked.
"Come here, quick!" Yamada pulled the girl;s hand then ran to their right side. They were hiding behind a notice board. "He-hey! W-wh-fff" the younger man closed Fuyumi's mouth with his right hand. While the other held her hand. Thank God Chou didn't wake up.
"Aah! We lost him!" They heard a woman's voice.
"Ah, are you sure it was him? I didn't see clearly. It's so dark" Another voice replied.
"It was your fault~"
"Hey! It was your idea, I didn't think he could ran away so fast-"
The voices were fading away. Yamada peeked a little. "Wow" Fuyumi said. The boy hurriedly removed his hand and moved away. "S-sorry". "You're so experienced! I can't even hear them!" Yamada laughed wryly at that compliment. "That's amazing. I think they're gone already" She said. "Here" Yamada gave out his hand to Fuyumi. "W-what?" She asked nervously. "It's pretty dangerous, walking me with me. So in case—"
"Didn't you hate me?"
"Here you go again, with those self-pity stuff. Come on, quick—I'll walk you home"
"Okay" Fuyumi slowly give her hand, their fingers intertwined. Fuyumi was wearing a glove, but It felt so warmer than before. It's a little awkward but they managed to started walking. "I love the fans. But some of them, just a very few—they're not being nice to people I love. Like my sister, or my friend—so, i'd prefer hiding when it comes to regular days" Yamada explained. "Sou ka~"
They were both checking on the sleeping baby. He's still asleep.
"Chou is really cute, heh" Yamada smiled. "Hm, but he's a real crybaby you know~" fuyumi smiled as well, walking faster. "He used to woke me up at 3am everyday until he's 5 months old. He cried at everything! He even cried when he saw a cat" The girl laughed. It's kinda rare to see her laugh. "But he's a good boy. He didn't cry when he waited for me to come home from work."
"Hmm, I see—"
"Hai! We're here. Thank you for your help" Fuyumi stopped. And their hands parted. "Hee?" Yamada stopped, looking to his left to see a building nearby, it doesn't look that bad. "But we haven;t even reached your door." He said. "No, I don't want you to see my cheap room. And It's so messy. So thank you for your help!" She carefuly put Chou on her shoulder, with one arm, and took the plastic bags from Yamada's hands. "Oh, Okay then..." He said.
"Wait, wait—!"
Fuyumi hurriedly reached for something inside one of the bags before Yamada turned away. It was a little box of cake. "Here, for you" He gave him the box. "Eh? Cake?" Yamada looked at a piece of cake inside the box. It's a strawberry cake. "Take it. I've got two of them, don't worry. That's your reward."
"reward? Ahah~ you're treating me like a child"
"Well, you're indeed—three years younger. Right?"
"But that doesn't mean anything at all" Yamada frowned at the girl. "Just kidding. Thank you for your concern. I promise i'll inform you about things through emails." The girl smiled sincerely. "Okay. Don't forget, okay?" Yamada waved his hand. "Becareful on your way home" She said, bowing down.
Yamada sat on the last train to his apartement.
Looking at the box Fuyumi just gave him.
