Love Confusion: Chapter 8

[lilly0]

Title: Love Confusion Chapter 7
Pairing: Aimiya, Juntoshi, Sho/Masami
Rating: PG-13 (for now?)
Genre: romance, AU (college/work/coffeeshop), love-hexagon you could say^^
Plot: Nino, Masaki’s best friend and co-student, has a crush on Masaki’s older brother Satoshi since forever. Satoshi however, a young barista, loves Masaki’s university lecturer Matsumoto, who is a regular in his coffeeshop. But Jun has a friends with benefits thing with his former senpai Sho. Sho however, a young lawyer, has never believed in love, until he falls in love with Masami, a young pet shop owner. Masami however laid her eyes on the cute guy Masaki, who helps in her shop sometimes. And Masaki? He can’t see Nino the same anymore ever since that night two years ago…
Note: Happy birthday to my dear yukitsubute !!!!!!!!!! I hope you will like this story! (I tried to go for a different main pair this time - I have never written Aimiya for you after all!

 

 

“What what what… I don’t understand it!” Masaki paces around furiously, throwing his hands up in the air. His eyes meet the kind brown eyes of his listener. “Ken-chan, I don’t know what it means. I was with Kazu-kun, and then we hugged. Okay, okay, you are right, I hugged him, but I swear he hugged me back. And he didn’t let go! He didn’t push me away! There was a moment. I’m sure there was! But he still thinks of that one night and he thinks he made out with Satoshi. But it wasn’t Satoshi. It was me. How am I supposed to tell him!? He will think I lied to him, or worse he will feel disgusted.” He lets out a deep breath.

 

“Masaki-kun,” Masami’s voice basically cuts through the haze in his mind. “What are you doing?”

 

Masaki turns around, blushing. “I was talking to Ken-chan?” he offers.

 

Masami grins. “Right,” she says, picking up the little chubby bunny. “Ken-chan is such a good listener, isn’t he?” she croons, nuzzling her nose into his fur before putting him back on the floor again where he hops off towards his friends.

 

Masaki sits down on one of the visitor’s chairs. “It’s just…”

 

“Just?” she asks curiously. When he remains silent, she chuckles. “I’m probably better in giving advice than Ken-chan.”

 

“True,” he smiles. “There is someone I like” he admits, blushing.

 

“O~kay~.” She nods. “And?”

 

“I’m not sure… I don’t know if he likes me too or not. Maybe he will find me gross once he finds out. I mean we are friends. He will find it weird.”

 

“There is nothing gross about having feelings for someone!” she intervenes immediately, a cute frown on her face. “Do you think he might like you too?”

 

“He always liked my brother,” Masaki admits, feeling his chest tightening at the thought. “I… don’t know… Last week he said something weird though…”

 

“Hm,” she hums. “Nino-kun likes Satoshi-san? You sure? Never really got any vibes like that from him.”

 

“EH” Masaki squeals, his face reddening immediately. He didn’t even say Nino’s name! “How did you know it’s him!?”

 

“I would love to call it women’s intuition,” she grins. “But I have no intuition at all. It was just obvious, you know. During the party, when he got sick… Also when you two are here.”

 

“You think someone else noticed?” Masaki asks in horror.

 

“Nah, men are idiot in such cases,” she states.

 

“So it is women’s intuition,” he says with a smile.

 

“Maybe.” She chuckles. “So? What weird thing happened?”

 

Masaki scratches his head. “When Sho-kun and I took him home and I stayed with him… well… I asked him about Satoshi. And then he told me how he has this memory about making out with him once, drunk, and that Satoshi cared for him so much when he got sick from the alcohol, which is why… But he found out from Satoshi that he wasn’t even there that evening.” Masaki pauses, blushing. “And then he said, he isn’t sure what he feels for Satoshi anymore.”

 

“I told you already,” Masami states. “I never got the feeling from him that he likes Satoshi-san. Maybe it was a crush he once had, and then he got used to it. You know, we often fancy our friends’ older siblings. You don’t want to know how many of my school and later on college friends were secretly in love with Jun. And he told me that some of his friends had a crush on me.”

 

“I’m scared about ruining a friendship,” Masaki mumbles sadly. “If I confess to him and tell him how I feel… and he refuses me, we know what will happen. Or do you think Jun-san and Sho-kun will remain friends?”

 

“I’m not sure,” she admits. “But they are they, and you are you. If you don’t do anything about it, you’ll never be able to move on.”

 

That’s true too. Masaki sighs. “I will think about it.”

 

 

~~~

 

Jun lights his cigarette.

 

“You should really stop.”

 

Jun looks up at Sho, frowning. “Are you here to lecture me and tell me what to do?” Sho shakes his head violently, shifting around nervously. Jun blinks. “Are you not going to sit down?”

 

Sho seems to realize he is still standing, hurriedly sitting down. “I’m so sorry,” he blurts out while the waitress approaches them. “I never realized you had feelings for me!”

 

Jun buries his head in his palms before turning to the poor woman who looks at them nervously. “A whisky please.”

 

“It’s lunch,” Sho blinks.

 

“Right,” Jun nods. “Make it two.”

 

The waitress hides her grin before nodding politely and retreating.

 

Sho looks miserable. “I really didn’t know. I didn’t realize. Only when Masami-san voiced it out to me, twice, it kinda dawned on me.”

 

Jun sighs. “I should have told you. Not now, but years ago.”

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sho asks softly.

 

“Because I knew you didn’t love me,” Jun explains quietly. “I knew if I told you, you would have stopped our agreement, and we would have been just friends. For me it felt better to just have you like this than not having you at all. I’m weak like that unfortunately.”

 

Jun sighs slightly, putting his cigarette aside. He has clung to Sho for so long, all the time trying to convince himself that it’s enough what he has with Sho, that he doesn’t need a real relationship. He has been lying to himself. Because of course he wanted a relationship, someone he could stay with, who would hold him in his arms and comfort him, someone he could quarrel with, someone who he wasn’t just an appointment for, someone he could cook for and just cuddle with on the sofa. At least now after all is said – no matter how much it hurts – he can let it go and wake up from this nightmare. It’s officially over.

 

“I’m sorry for being so insensitive,” Sho mumbles. “I swear I never meant to hurt you. I mean, you were my favourite Junior, and pretty much the only person from High School I still like. It made me realize that I’m way too straight-forward in everything, and that instead of just walking blindly I need to look to my right and left sometimes.”

 

That’s pretty insightful, Jun thinks, but doesn’t say it out loud. He takes a sip from this drink, eyebrows furrowed. “Think this through well, because I don’t want you to disappoint her!”

 

“I’m not going to disappoint her,” Sho promises.

 

“You think I’m annoying when I’m too late? She will come even later! She has something called the non-schedule,” Jun says warningly, there is no way he is going to accept this whole relationship if Sho’s obsessions get in the way. “She doesn’t write dates or appointments down anywhere.”

 

“Well,” Sho tilts his head, thinking. “Then I guess I have to adapt my schedule to her so that I can expect the unexpected.”

 

“You would really do that?” Jun asks in surprise.

 

“It’s going to be hard for me, but I’ll work on it. She is more important than  my schedule,” Sho says with a smile.

 

Jun glares at him. “You will treat her kindly!”

 

Sho looks at him in surprise, flinching slightly at his glance but then he nods. “I promise.”

 

“If I ever see you flirting with someone, hitting on someone or cheat on her, I will-“ Jun pauses, wondering how to threaten Sho now. He isn’t the best at threating someone. Hence he settles for glaring Sho down. “Just don’t do it! Or I’m going to make sure you’ll regret it!”

 

Sho nods immediately. “I love her,” he says, and it sounds so sincere that it gives a little sting to Jun’s heart while at the same time make him feel at ease for his sister.

 

He sighs deeply. For once be honest, and then he can move on. “I like you, Sho-kun, since High School already, but I know you didn’t which is why I never told you. I guess it would have better if I did.” He pauses. “My sister is my most important person in the world. Please treat her kindly.”

 

He takes a deep breath. Good, so now that it’s out, he can finally proceed with his life and move on. “I can do better anyways,” he mumbles more to himself than to Sho. It’s not that Sho is bad or anything, but he figures for himself he might need someone who is more attentive, calmer maybe, someone who understands him better. “It doesn’t mean that…”

 

“I know what you are saying,” Sho says earnestly. He takes Jun’s hand. “Thank you for telling me. I feel truly honoured that you like me, because you are wonderful person and you would make an even better partner. I’m so sorry I can’t return your feelings. So sorry.”

 

Jun feels tears burning in his eyes. He takes a deep breath. This is it, he decides. The last time he will think of Sho in a romantic way. It’s officially over.

 

“Can we stay friends?” Sho asks quietly.

 

Jun rubs his temples. “You need to give me some time.”

 

When Jun steps out of the restaurant an hour later he takes a deep breath. The air feels fresh. To his surprise it feels like a heavy weight got lifted from his shoulder. He feels free.

 

 

~~~

 

 

Masaki spends the next week studying, barely leaving the house - that’s how gloomy he feels.  He is surprised though when on the first day of his holidays from university Satoshi throws an empty suitcase into his room. “Pack,” he says with grin.

 

“What for?”

 

“We are going on a trip,” Satoshi smiles. “I closed the coffee shop. Kazunari is coming too. I invited him.”

 

Masaki stares at his brother in disbelief. “Really?”

 

“Yeah, we are driving to the sea. Sho-san has a cottage there, and told me we can use it.”

 

“You are kidding?”

 

“No~”

 

“And Kazu can come too?”

 

A nod.

 

Masaki lets out a happy squeal, all his gloomy thoughts away for now. He can figure out what to do during this vacation.

 

YAY, vacation! What are you packing?

 

Masaki smiles when he reads Nino’s message. Only casual stuff! It’s warm, and we can go swimming. So cool that you are coming too!

 

Yes, I’m so happy too. Couldn’t believe it that Satoshi invited me too.

 

Masaki tilts his head. Now that Nino mentions it, he wonders too why Satoshi actually invited Nino to join them. I’m really happy he did! More fun with you. Guess he didn’t want me to chicken out?

 

Haha, I think he rather wants to have an excuse ;-)

 

Excuse? Masaki asks curiously.

 

I have a certain suspicion. Will tell you later about it. Should I come to your place or are you going to pick me up?

 

Masaki feels happy and giddy all of a sudden. More so than before. It’s almost like reality hit him and he realizes he indeed is going to go on a trip with Nino. Will pick you up! Really happy you are coming too. It’s been ages.

 

Yeah, too long since our last short trip.

 

Next time let’s go alone. Masaki types before he realizes what he just said. He blushes deeply. Before he can type something else though, Nino answers.

 

Definitely! It’s the best when it’s just the both of us.

 

Masaki’s heart skips a beat. This is almost too much to deal with, he thinks.

 

 

~~~

 

 

Satoshi has packed hours ago, and while Masaki packs his own stuff, he decides to take the risk.

 

Jun is dropping by shortly to bring him back a book he borrowed. During the last days Jun was a lot more quiet than usual, but not as desperate as when he broke down in the coffee shop. He is almost calm.

 

Satoshi’s heart warms instantly when he sees him. He wonders where these feelings are leading him too, he doesn’t even know if he even remotely faces a chance with Jun. But nevertheless he decides to invite him.

 

“With you and the two young guys?” Jun asks in surprise. He blushes. “But you are family, I can’t come with you!”

 

“Kazunari is coming too,” Satoshi explains, glad that he indeed invited Kazu.

 

Jun opens his mouth to say something, then closes it again. And then he looks at Satoshi, eyes clearer than ever before. Satoshi swallows. “Satoshi-san,” he stutters. “I’m not sure yet if-“

 

“Jun-san,” Satoshi interrupts him softly. He takes his hand, squeezing it. “Don’t say anything now that will embarrass us both,” he says firmly. “I’m not inviting you because I want to get in your pants. It just so happens that you have always inspired me, and I like to have you around.”

 

“Is that true?” Jun asks, voice sounding surprised but also a bit happy.

 

Satoshi nods. “So what do you say?”

 

“Fine,” Jun agrees. “I’ll come with the three of you.”

 

 
A/N: It feels like ages that I updated this. So sorry!! ><
I hope you all like this chapter! Jun is finally moving on, and Masaki and Nino are just getting closer and closer to their showdown :-)

 

Comments

[pluvie_27]

First, Masami is a good listener, i want to have a sister like her! And I'm really glad that Jun and Sho had solve their problem, even if maybe Jun still not over his feeling, but i'm sure it will ne faded away soon, when he found somebody else who love him. The one that still be a problem is Aimiya. Why they're so slow at this???? It make me want to push them

[lilly0]

You are right, although Jun feels hurt he and Sho were able to solve their problems. I think he will soon be able to move on :-)
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, dear! ♥

[ime_chan]

Thank you so much for updating this fic.
The fanfic is really quit down around this days.
I'm really glad still have you to entertain my day.

Love this fic finally they found their way to the right partner.

[lilly0]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment! ♥
I'm so happy you are following this story <3

[deelovesryo]

Nice chapter, specially Sho & Jun's talk!
Thanks for sharing^^

[lilly0]

Thanks so much for reading and commenting! ♥
I'm really glad you liked the Sho/Jun talk (I needed forever to write that one *lol*)

[learashi]

You handled the scene between Jun and Sho really well. I like that Jun made it at least a little bit hard for Sho. It is sad that Jun knew all along that Sho didn't love him, but was willing to take whatever Sho was willing to offer him.

Satoshi is smart to take things slowly, since Jun is still recovering. Starting with friendship seems like the best way to win Jun's affection and trust.

Thanks for the update dear 💜

[lilly0]

I'm so happy you like the scene between Sho and Jun. It was kinda difficult to write and took me forever ^^ But I wanted to give Jun the closure he deserves.
I think Satoshi will be able to give Jun exactly what he needs ♥
Thanks so much for your sweet comment! ♥

[yukitsubute]

Masaki talks with a bunny? 😂😂😂😂 I can sooo imagine that. Masami is right, women have special senses.
I hope those two stupid finally find together and I hope Masaki tells Nino that it was him back then 😩🙄

Jun moves forward that's good, and he talked with Sho, that's also good ❤

Thanks for the update, I need more Aimiya love, so update soon ❤

[lilly0]

There is no one better to talk to than a bunny :D I mean, sometimes animals are probably the better listeners ^^
Jun can finally move forward too now :D
Thanks so much for reading, dear! ♥

[wjktl1999]

Jun is going with them....yeah!!

[lilly0]

Yes!! Satoshi was able to convince him :D
Thanks so much for your comment, dear! ♥

[leiva21]

I know that Jun will eventually meet Sho for the final breakup but it still painful to read. I'm crying for Jun T-T It definitely is harder for him since he's in love with Sho for many years but he has to accept the reality (but Satoshi will heal him in no time XD)
Talking about Satoshi, he's so excited about the vacation. Will it be on a boat? XD
I'm so amuse that Masaki and Kazu still haven't figure out their feelings. Perhaps the vacation will be good for them and there'll be two couples emerge from the vacation ^^

[lilly0]

The whole situation and this talk with Sho was really difficult for Jun, but now he can finally find closure and move on. He is still feeling hurt, but Satoshi will be there for him ♥
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! ♥

[hanarashi25]

I'm really glad it was Masami who talked to him. Somehow, she's a great choice to deal with Masaki's issue since she was once in love with him, right? She probably knows him better than anybody else there and she was a calming presence for Masaki. Thank goodness that she hinted something about Nino's feelings towards him...at least Masaki's hopes are not crushed for nothing! Kyaaaaaaaa! Masaki talking to a bunny is just freaking cute! Hahahaha! Thanks for starting this chapter with such scene! Kawaiiiiiiiiii!!! <3

I love how everything fell into place among the characters here especially that thing between Jun and Sho. I really admire how Jun took the courage to face Sho and clear things between them. Facing rejection is extremely painful but at least he was finally able to accept where he really stands in Sho's life. That chipmunk was too cute for saying that he was totally clueless about Jun's feelings and for sure he wouldn't (definitely!) have chosen to hurt Jun even if he had known that Jun was in love with him. They're friends after all. <3

OMG the vacation!!! Kyaaaaaaa! I'm very excited on how things are going to develop between Aimiya... I hope Nino can also initiate and be honest with Masaki! As for Juntoshi...oh gosh,... I think I won't be able to sleep well until your next update because I'm just freaking excited on how Jun is going to welcome Satoshi in his life. Even if it takes a very long time, for sure Satoshi won't mind but he's adorable so Jun won't be able to resist him. LOL Hhahahahah!

Yaaaaay I'm so sorry I couldn't leave a comment for the previous chapter. I was chasing a deadline that I almost went crazy but it's alright now. Yeeey! <3 Thanks for the update dear! ^_^

[lilly0]

Yes, maybe that's why Masami knows so well what's going on - she probably watched Masaki for a while already, and maybe realized Nino's feelings during that time. :-)
I think Jun really wanted to find closure, and he knows his sister likes Sho, so he wanted to give him the chance to talk everything out. He is still feeling hurt, but now he can finally move on for real. And we all know that Satoshi is waiting for him and ready to heal his wounds :D

Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I'm so happy you are following this story <3

[nicefinalbeam]

I can totally believe that Sho would be oblivious and hurt Jun by mistake. But at the same time, Jun also admits that he entered into the arrangement willingly, and as an adult he could make his own choices and he chose to risk his heart. I'm glad they settled things fairly, and hope they can get a friendship back once they've had a chance to move on :)

I love Ohno's patience and warmth, it seems like a good contrast to Sho's passion and recklessness (I mean that lovingly, Sho!) and so I hope Jun slowly opens up to him :D

NINO AND AIBA ♥ They are my favorite couple (well, not yet!) in this so I am rooting them on!!

[lilly0]

You are right! Jun willingly agreed on meeting Sho randomly, although he knew Sho didn't like him that way. I think after some time they will be able to return to being friends again. :-)

Aimiya really need someone cheering for them so that they will finally get together :D

Thanks so much for your lovely comment! ♥