geri_chan | FIC: Press Conference, Part 1 of 3

Title: Press Conference, Part 1
Rating: PG
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka, Iwaki/Katou
Characters: Iwaki, Katou, Miyasaka, Kikuchi, Onozuka, Yoshizumi, Asano, Mochimune
Word count: ~3,735
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), and Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). The series also includes two side-stories that are outside of the main timeline: Valentine's Day Surprise and Strictly Business.
Summary: Iwaki, Katou, and Miyasaka watch the press conference for Kikuchi's and Onozuka's upcoming movie--as does Onozuka's family, unbeknownst to him.

***

"Hurry, Katou!" Iwaki called out. "It's going to start soon!"

"I'll be right there!" Katou called back.

"Did you get the VCR set up?" Iwaki asked Miyasaka, who was crouching in front of the television.

"Yes, I've set it to record," Miyasaka said, sitting next to Iwaki on the couch.

Katou emerged from the kitchen with a large bowl of popcorn and three bottles of beer. He set them down on the coffee table, then shoved Miyasaka aside, saying, "Move over."

"Hey, you don't have to push," Miyasaka grumbled.

"Katou, don't be rude," Iwaki scolded.

Katou settled himself on the couch between Iwaki and Miyasaka, then said unrepentantly, "I just thought it would be best to remove the possibility of temptation so that Miyasaka doesn't do anything he'll regret."

Miyasaka flushed and grumbled, "I apologized for what I did to Iwaki-san. I would never do anything like that again!"

"Yes, and I'd like to keep it that way," Katou said firmly, though a bit more sympathetically. "For the sake of our friendship, as well for Iwaki-san's sake." He opened a beer and handed it to Miyasaka as a peace token, and Miyasaka subsided and accepted it with a nod.

Katou handed a second bottle to Iwaki and asked, "Why are we taping this?" He snorted and added, "So that the Prince can watch himself on video later? I bet he has recordings of all his TV appearances, even the commercials and game show spots!"

"He does," Miyasaka replied matter-of-factly. "He says that it's not for vanity, but to examine his performance so that he can improve on it in the future. And to be fair, his manager agrees with him. I watch my drama episodes, too, although I don't always bother with the game show and talk show appearances." He smiled sheepishly and added, "But I did tape the episode of the talk show that Iwaki-san and I guest-starred on together."

"Just remember that Iwaki-san belongs to me!" Katou growled.

"How can I forget that, when Iwaki-san only has eyes for you?" Miyasaka protested. "It's just like the cell phone picture--are you saying that I can't even look at a photo or video of him?"

"No!" Katou said petulantly. "Iwaki-san is all mine!"

"Knock it off, you two!" Iwaki ordered. "The press conference is starting!"

Katou and Miyasaka stopped bickering and focused their attention on the television, which was currently displaying a perky young female announcer.

***

"Hello, this is Yamaguchi Miki reporting for Entertainment News," the girl said brightly. "We're bringing you live coverage of the press conference for the announcement of Kitamura Seiya's major studio debut, 'Love Reborn'! The director and the actors are taking the stage now, along with the screenwriter, bestselling author Mizutani Miwako."

Kitamura smiled, a bit nervously, and said, "I'm very honored to be filming Mizutani-sensei's first original screenplay. Sensei, will you explain the premise of the story?"

Mizutani summarized the story for the benefit of the reporters, then said that she was the one honored to have her script brought to life by such a talented director and cast. Kitamura then introduced the cast, and everyone gave the brief obligatory speech required for such conferences, about how excited they were about the project, and how honored they were to be working with each other.

***

"Blah blah blah, it's always the same old thing," Katou complained. "Can't they ever come up with something original?"

"The formalities have to be observed," Iwaki told him patiently. "Besides, you and I have made those same polite, boring speeches in the past."

Katou grinned and said, "Well, we did cause some excitement in our press conferences after our relationship got leaked to the media!"

"After you put on a performance for the cameras, you mean," Iwaki retorted, giving him a stern glare.

"But it wasn't a performance!" Katou protested. "I really did love you, and still do--I love you more with each passing day, Iwaki-san!"

"Please, can you cut it out with lovey-dovey talk?" Miyasaka groaned.

Iwaki smiled and said, "Yoshizumi-san would tell us that we're being nauseating again."

"But my love for Iwaki-san does grow stronger every day," Katou crooned, leaning over to kiss Iwaki on the cheek.

"Yes, I know," Iwaki replied, patting his hand placatingly. "But I'm trying to watch the press conference right now, so could you please be quiet?"

"Iwaki-san is so cold to me," Katou pouted, but he fell silent and turned his attention back to the television screen.

***

After the formal introduction was over, the question-and-answer session with the reporters began.

"Kitamura-kantoku," one reporter called out, "how do you answer claims that you're selling out your indie credibility by signing on with a major studio?"

"I did struggle with the decision over whether to remain independent or not," Kitamura replied. "There are things that I can accomplish with a larger budget that weren't possible on my previous films, but in the end, what really decided me was the studio's promise that they wouldn't interfere with my creative vision." He smiled wryly and added, "Well, not too much, anyway. But seriously, I've been given the freedom to work with the script, cast, and crew of my choosing. I don't really feel like I've sacrificed anything; instead, I have the opportunity to reach a wider audience with my movies. I would ask my detractors to wait until they see 'Love Reborn' before they cast judgment on it."

The director lowered his microphone, and Kikuchi leaned over and whispered, "Very diplomatic, Kantoku-san."

Kitamura grinned and whispered back, "I've learned from the best."

"Suzuki-san," a second reporter was asking, "you've appeared in every one of Kitamura-kantoku's films, and there are rumors that the two of you are a couple. Would you care to confirm or deny that?"

Asami smiled calmly and replied, "Seiya-san and I are very good friends, going back to the time that we met in college, when he was studying directing and I was studying acting--"

"You quit school to star in his first film, didn't you?" another reporter interrupted.

"Yes," Asami replied. "My parents were dismayed at the time, but obviously I don't regret my decision, and they're pleased now that I have a successful career thanks to Seiya-san. But to answer the original question, I care very deeply about Seiya-san, but we're more like brother and sister than boyfriend and girlfriend." She giggled and added, "The thought of dating him seems a little creepy, to be honest--it would be like dating my brother!"

"Gee, thanks a lot, Asami-chan; that's very flattering," Kitamura said dryly, but with an affectionate smile.

A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd of reporters, but they quickly returned to questioning the cast.

"Onozuka-san, you have only acted in TV dramas up until now. How do you feel about making your motion picture debut?"

Onozuka smiled sweetly and said, "I am very excited to be making my big screen debut, and honored to be working with people like Kitamura-kantoku and Kikuchi-san." He bowed and added, "I humbly ask for their patience and guidance."

"Are you worried about damaging your image as the Golden Prince by taking on a gay role?" the reporter persisted.

"No, I am not worried at all," Onozuka replied serenely. "Rather, I look forward to the challenge." Then he laughed and joked, "Besides, haven't I already ruined my princely image by playing a suspected murderer and rapist?"

The reporters laughed along with him, and then one said, "Well, you weren't actually the killer, as it turns out."

"But he was someone who received gratification from the attention he got as a murder suspect, and he wasted the police's time by diverting them from the real criminal, so I think he was a pretty twisted guy," Onozuka said with a grin. "But seriously, as an actor, I want to challenge myself by playing a variety of roles, both noble and villainous, and everything in-between."

***

Meanwhile, in Kanazawa, Takumi arrived at the Nakata house and was greeted with a smile by his possible future mother-in-law, Fumiko. Ever since the engagement to Shiori had been proposed, Takumi was treated as if he were already a member of the family, and the Master and Mistress insisted on him joining them for dinner every night. Although to be fair, he had always spent a great deal of time at the Nakata home since beginning his apprenticeship, to the point where he thought of Shiori and Yuu almost like his real sister and brother. Which, of course, was what made the idea of an engagement to his "little sister" so awkward.

Shiori didn't seem to find his presence uncomfortable, though, and treated him the same as she always had, with a sisterly sort of affection, which was a relief to Takumi.

"Welcome home," Fumiko said pleasantly, then glanced past him, as if expecting to see her husband.

"The Master stayed back at the shop to talk to a client about a special order," Takumi explained. "He told me to go on ahead without him."

"I hope he won't be too late," Fumiko sighed. "Dinner's almost ready. But I suppose it can't be helped, since it's business. Why don't you go join Shiori in the living room?"

He found Shiori sitting on the floor with her textbooks and papers spread across the coffee table. She appeared to be working on a report for school, and wasn't really paying attention to the entertainment news show that was playing on the TV. She often kept the television or radio on for background noise while she studied, saying that she found it relaxing--although personally, Takumi would have found it distracting. Still, her grades were excellent, so he supposed that it must work for her.

Then Takumi took a closer look at the TV screen and exclaimed, "It's Yuu-san!"

"What?" Shiori asked in a startled voice, glancing up to see her brother smiling in his usual charming manner as he answered the reporters' questions. She scowled and grabbed the remote, and was about to turn off the television when Takumi stopped her.

"No, I want to see this," he said, gently placing his hand on her wrist as she raised the remote. "Don't you?"

"Why should I want to see my selfish brother parading around in front of the cameras?" Shiori retorted.

"It's his motion picture debut," Takumi said quietly. "I'm proud of Yuu-san for working hard and achieving his dream. It may be rude of me to say this, but he never worked that hard at candy-making, so I'm glad that he was able to find something he was passionate enough about to try his best at. But I know that it must be hard for you, Shiori-san, to have to take over the role of heir. I wish that there was some way for both of you to follow your dreams."

Shiori flushed slightly and said, "If you're talking about how I wanted to be a teacher, it's not a big deal. I was only in grade school at the time, after all. It was a kid's dream." When Takumi gave her a doubtful look, Shiori continued, "I didn't especially want to succeed the business, but I don't hate the idea, either." She scowled again and said, "I'm just mad at Nii-san for the cowardly way he left home. If he'd talked about it with me and Mother and Father first, I wouldn't have minded so much. Anyway, turn that off before Mother sees--"

"Yuu," a voice whispered behind them, and they turned to see Fumiko staring at the TV screen with tears in her eyes.

"Too late," Shiori groaned, and Takumi gave her an apologetic smile.

***

"Kikuchi-san, there were rumors that Katou Youji had you blacklisted by all the major movie studios," a reporter said. "Does this mean that the feud between you is over?"

"I don't think that Katou-kun has that much power in the industry, although he certainly is a popular young star," Kikuchi replied. "And there is no feud between us." He smirked and added, "At least, not on my part."

"They why did you drop out of his film?" the reporter demanded. "No one really believes that excuse about 'creative differences'!"

"I can't help what people choose to believe," Kikuchi retorted. "I've already answered these questions before, at the time I dropped out of the film, and I won't answer them again. It's old news."

"Well then, let me ask you about your new co-star," a female reporter said with an impudent grin. "I've heard that there were sparks flying between the two of you at the audition. Any chance of life imitating art and a romance developing between you for real?"

Kikuchi burst into laughter, then grinned wickedly at Onozuka and said, "Well, it certainly won't be a burden to perform love scenes with such a handsome and talented young man! But perhaps your question would be better directed towards Onozuka-kun."

Onozuka blushed and laughed nervously, saying, "You flatter me too much, Kikuchi-san."

"You've been photographed with many beautiful young women that you've taken as dates to premieres and award shows," the reporter said to Onozuka. "But you've never had a serious relationship with any of them." She paused, then added, "That we know of."

"At this point in my life, I'm concentrating first and foremost on my career," Onozuka explained earnestly. "I work long hours filming and I'm rarely at home. If I fell in love with someone, it wouldn't be fair to put them second behind my career, so I've made the decision to avoid any serious relationships until I can devote more time to one."

"Many celebrities manage to find time to date and even marry," the reporter objected, smiling slyly. "Maybe you just haven't met the right person. Since none of the women you've dated have been able to capture your heart, would you be open to the possibility of a male lover?"

Onozuka blushed a deeper shade of red and said, "Well, but the main problem still remains, regardless of whether I date a man or a woman--I just have no time for a relationship right now. Maybe other people can manage, but I'm worried that both my work and my love life would suffer if I tried to divide my attention between them."

"You're friends with Iwaki-san and Katou-san, right?" another reporter asked. "They've remained a couple in spite of their heavy workload and various media scandals."

"Yes, and I'm amazed at the strength and depth of their love," Onozuka replied, with a look of wide-eyed awe. Then he smiled mischievously and said, "Katou is always talking about how cute Iwaki-san is, and how much he misses Iwaki-san when he's away." The reporters laughed, and Onozuka continued, "I hope someday that I can learn from their example, but for now, I believe that I'm too young and inexperienced to manage both a career and a relationship."

"Are you nervous about playing love scenes with an actor who's gay in real life?" a third reporter asked.

"Not at all," Onozuka replied calmly. "We're both professionals. In fact, I'm really excited about having the chance to work with Kikuchi-san." He smiled and ducked his head, as if in embarrassment. "You see...I'm a big fan of his," Onozuka said shyly. "I watched his movies while I was growing up, and I must have gone to see 'Tokyo Countdown' at least ten times! He's one of the reasons why I decided to become an actor myself."

"Onozuka-kun, you're making me feel old," Kikuchi joked.

"Oh no, that's not what I meant at all!" Onozuka protested hastily. "I mean--it wasn't really that long ago..."

"I'm just teasing you, Onozuka-kun," Kikuchi chuckled, and Onozuka's face turned red. "Aww, he's so cute when he blushes, isn't he?" Kikuchi told the reporters, and everyone laughed, including Onozuka.

***

"Those two are such big liars!" Katou said disgustedly.

"Especially Onozuka," Miyasaka agreed. "Acting all sweet and innocent, and talking about how he doesn't have time for a relationship, when in reality he's been seeing Kikuchi behind our backs!"

"Well, I suppose it just proves what a good actor he is," Iwaki chuckled. "And I can understand why they'd want to keep their relationship hidden from the press, considering everything that Katou and I have gone through, not to mention what happened to Kikuchi ten years ago."

"I would never hide my love for Iwaki-san, no matter what the consequences were," Katou declared. "I would never act as if our love was something to be ashamed of, even if it meant losing work!"

"It's not that simple, you idiot," Iwaki scolded him. "There's a difference between being ashamed and wanting to protect your privacy. I'm not ashamed of being with you, but I don't enjoy having reporters camping outside our home whenever they smell a potential scandal, either."

"Let them camp outside if they want!" Katou said dramatically. "I have nothing to hide--I don't mind if the entire world knows how much I love Iwaki-san!"

Iwaki and Miyasaka looked at each other and chorused in unison, "Idiot!"

***

"Look at him, flirting with that guy for the cameras," Shiori sneered. "How disgusting!"

"Yuu-san flirting, or just the fact that Kikuchi Katsuya is gay?" Takumi asked quietly.

Shiori flushed as she picked up on the faint hint of disapproval in Takumi's voice. "I don't mean that I think gay people are disgusting," she protested in a more subdued voice. "And I don't care whether Kikuchi sleeps with men or women. What disgusts me is seeing Nii-san pandering to the cameras, flirting with Kikuchi to get a bit of free publicity."

"He's not really flirting," Fumiko protested weakly. "He's always been a fan of Kikuchi's movies."

Shiori rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Oh, come on, Mother--he's totally playing to the cameras!"

"I guess he considers it part of the role, since he's playing Kikuchi's love interest," Takumi said.

"He's been playing a role his entire life," Shiori said bitterly. "Has anyone ever seen the real Nakata Yuu, or I guess I should say, the real Onozuka Yuu?"

Takumi wasn't sure at first, as he considered her question. He had figured out pretty early on that Yuu had only been playing the role of the dutiful young heir. All the Master's guests and clients had always praised Yuu's charm and maturity, but Takumi had noticed that Yuu's gracious smile never seemed to reach his eyes. While training under his father, Yuu would perform his work capably and obediently, but without any enthusiasm, and as he had grown older, he had snuck away more and more often--usually to the movies with Toshi-chan, until the day that he had slipped out in the middle of the night and never returned home again.

But there were a few times when Takumi thought he had seen glimpses of the real Yuu. For example, the time Yuu had played the lead in a school play during his first year of high school. As the cast had taken their bows at the end of the show, Yuu's face had been flushed with true pride and pleasure that Takumi had never seen him take in his work at the confectionery. It was a bit ironic that Yuu seemed most comfortable on the stage, playing someone else.

Takumi also remembered the little manju bunnies that Yuu used to make for Shiori. When she had been a little girl, Shiori had loved rabbits--she still had her collection of plush and porcelain bunnies sitting on the shelves in her bedroom. One day when she had come home crying after being bullied at school by some older girls, Yuu had made her some manju bunnies to cheer her up. The round, steamed white cakes were already the perfect shape and color for a bunny's body, and Yuu had painted on the eyes and ears with food coloring. (An iron was normally used to brand the ears on the cake, but since they didn't have one at home, Yuu had improvised.)

Shiori had squealed with delight over the cakes, her tears evaporating, and after that, Yuu would make her manju bunnies whenever she was feeling sick or depressed. Once, when she had been too sick with a cold to eat any sweets, he had made her apple bunnies instead, cutting an apple into wedges and peeling them, leaving just two little slivers of red peel on each wedge to form the bunnies' ears. Yuu would complain about what a spoiled brat his sister was and how much work making the bunnies was, but there had always been affection in his voice, and he had always smiled and ruffled Shiori's hair when she thanked him for the treats.

Those were the only times Takumi could think of that Yuu had made wagashi voluntarily, without being prodded by his father, and the only times that he had seemed to enjoy it. Although it probably wasn't the actual process that he enjoyed, but his sister's reaction to the bunnies. There was no doubt in Takumi's mind that Yuu had loved his little sister, and Shiori had adored him--which had made his abandonment of his family all the more painful for her. Takumi could sympathize with Yuu about not wanting to confront his father, who could be a very stubborn man, but sometimes he wanted to grab Yuu and shake him until his teeth rattled for the way he'd hurt Shiori.

After Yuu had run away, Takumi had tried making some manju bunnies to cheer Shiori up, but had quickly realized what a mistake that was when she had taken one look at them and burst into tears. As far as he knew, she had never touched one since, not even the ones that the shop made every year for moon-viewing season.

Takumi sighed as he glanced from the scowling Shiori to her mother, who was still quietly weeping at the sight of her estranged son, and he wondered if there was any way that the family could ever be made whole again.

Part 2, Part 3

***

Afterword: Manju is a Japanese sweet similar to mochi, although it's usually made with wheat flour, while mochi is made of rice pounded into a sticky, chewy paste, so it's more cake-like than mochi. Like mochi, it often has a filling of sweet bean paste. Onozuka's manju bunnies were inspired by an episode of the Japanese mystery drama Omiya-san, where the main character is investigating a case involving an estranged mother and daughter. The daughter claims to hate the mother and wants nothing to do with her, but the daughter works at a candy shop, and Omiya-san notices that she makes little bunny-shaped sweets that resemble the apple bunnies that her mother used to make for her.

For an adorable example of manju bunnies and a recipe to go along with it, you can check out this article.

And this article shows some other examples of different types of rabbit wagashi made from various ingredients: manju, bean paste, and molded sugar. This is the type of thing that I picture the Nakata confectionery selling. It's a traditional sweet for moon viewing, because instead of "the man in the moon" that we have in the West, the Japanese see a rabbit in the moon, pounding mochi. ^_^ The article explains a little about that legend.

And here are a couple of how-to articles on making apple bunnies. (In the TV show, I recall there being less peel left on the apple slices, but I suppose it varies depending on the person making them.)

On a side note, I decided that it was less confusing and awkward to use "Mother and Father" or "Mom and Dad" instead of the Japanese terms. For words that don't have a good English equivalent, such as "Oniisan" (older brother) or calling an author "sensei" out of respect, I'll stick with the Japanese honorifics.

Professional manga translators Alethea and Athena Nibley wrote a couple of interesting articles on the difficulty of what to translate into English and what to leave in Japanese, so it's comforting to know that even the pros struggle with this at times. ^_^

FIC: Press Conference, Part 1 of 3

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