Chapter 4: Public Love Affair

"Just stay there and wait for me, I'll find you.No matter what tommorow brings, please remember this: I will live only for you"Living for You by Phuwin Tangsakyuen

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Takuya and Sho had been figuring out their relationship's twists and turns for a while. But the big moment of going public was on the horizon. Going public about their relationship was huge for both Takuya and Sho. Dealing with the age gap, their different levels of fame, and the whole deal of being in a same-sex relationship, especially in the public eye, made it a tough call. Sho was playing it cautious, all to protect Takuya's career. Meanwhile, Takuya was itching to shout about their relationship from the rooftops, eager to live freely as a couple.

One day, as they left their shared apartment for their respective schedules, Takuya headed to the basement parking lot, and Sho waited in the lobby for his manager's car. Takuya waved to Sho, saying, "I'll be home when you come back," before they parted ways.

Standing alone in the lobby, Sho couldn't help but notice the presence of paparazzi nearby, a regular sight in their celebrity-filled neighborhood. As he pondered the paparazzi's unwelcome presence, Sho was taken by surprise as someone suddenly grabbed his shoulders, spun him around, and planted a passionate kiss on his lips.

Flashlights erupted around them, capturing the moment in a flurry of photographs. When the kiss ended, the person, now revealed as Takuya, grinned at Sho. Sho stood momentarily stunned as Takuya cheerfully quipped, "See you later!" before casually walking away.

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In the blink of an eye, the entire Japanese entertainment industry was ablaze with the news of their kiss. Headlines and reporters emerged from every corner, relentlessly chasing Sho and Takuya. The agencies representing the two stars had finally decided it was time to hold a joint press conference to address the situation and officially acknowledge their relationship.

In the backstage area, Sho couldn't help but feel nervous about what was to come. This moment had been long overdue.

Takuya, picking up on Sho's unease, expressed his regret. "I'm sorry for putting you in this position. I didn't think about whether you were ready for it."

Sho shook his head. "It's not about me being ready or not. I've been prepared for this. I'm concerned about how this might impact your career."

"Huh? 'My' career? Isn't it time for 'our' career, Sho?" Takuya's frustration surfaced. "We're connected in so many ways, but you're still keeping us apart."

Sho let out a soft chuckle, understanding Takuya's point. "Our country still has some catching up to do when it comes to relationships like ours, Takuya-kun. I'm all in and proud of us, but I worry about how things might turn out. Are you ready if things go south?"

Takuya let out a sigh, carrying the weight of the unknown road ahead. "Are you?" he tossed back, echoing Sho's question.

"I am," Sho assured him.

"Then, so am I," Takuya stated firmly. "Look, it's not just about me being all in. I get that you analyze stuff to bits, and trust me, I do too. But hey, I'm totally up to tackle whatever's coming our way, as long as we're doing it together. Are we cool with that?"

Sho's mind briefly drifted back to the moment he had come out to his parents about his relationship with Takuya. Their response had been simple yet profound: "If you're ready to face the world, together, no matter what happens, then we have no objection."

"Sho?" Takuya reaching out his hand. "Let's hit the stage together. Ready?"

Sho smiled warmly, accepting Takuya's hand as they ascended to the stage, prepared to reveal their love to the world.

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"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Kusakawa Takuya and Nishigaki Sho for their long-awaited press conference."

As the host introduced them, the stage lights brightened, illuminating Sho and Takuya as they stepped forward hand in hand. The room was filled with deafening commotion, with reporters and photographers eager to capture every moment of this highly anticipated event.

The host began by acknowledging the media's presence and welcomed questions from the reporters. "Thank you both for being here. I'm sure our esteemed members of the media have plenty of questions."

The first reporter asked, "Could you share when your relationship began, especially considering your separate paths after 'Minato Shouji Coin Laundry' Season 2?"

Takuya took the lead in answering. "Yes, it's true that we parted ways two years ago. After that, I found myself overwhelmed with work in the boygroup, trying to bury my feelings. But eventually, I realized I couldn't do that, and I took a chance to reconnect with Nishigaki Sho-kun."

Sho chimed in, "I was genuinely surprised when Kusakawa Takuya-kun reached out. I had assumed he'd never want to talk to me again, but he came back into my life. Now, we've been in a relationship for a few months."

Reporter 2 followed up, asking, "When did you both realize that there were feelings between you? Was it a sudden revelation or a gradual understanding over time?"

Sho, his cheeks tinged with a blush, confessed, "I believe the feelings began to develop during the filming of Season 2. During Season 1, my attention was primarily on my work rather than on my bond with Kusakawa-kun."

"For me, it began from the very moment we collaborated. Nishigaki-kun seemed young and innocent at first, but as I got to know him better, I discovered his ambition, brilliance, and kindness. That's when he started to hold a special place in my heart." Takuya answered from his perspective.

Reporter 3 raised another question, asking, "Nishigaki Sho-kun mentioned earlier that Kusakawa Takuya-kun had cut off contact. Could you elaborate on that?"

Takuya shared a warm smile as he looked back on their journey. "I felt hurt when Nishigaki-kun thought I was too sparkling even to be his friend. It took us a couple of years to sort things out and truly understand each other's perspectives."

Sho nodded in agreement and admitted, "It was my fault. I should have explained myself better."

Takuya immediately shook his head. "It's not right to blame yourself. You see, I lost control of my emotions back then. It got the best of me, and I stopped talking to you. And it got the best of me again when I wanted to see you. That's why I took bold steps to reach out."

The reporters were mesmerized by the shared moment between the two stars, lost in each other's gaze. Their heartfelt exchange was a testament to their deep connection, and their moment of understanding resonated with the reporters and audience.

Host cleared his throat, reminding Takuya and Sho to return their attention to the reporters. "Gentlemen, if you could return your attention to the audiences, please."

They refocused on the reporters, wearing sheepish smiles that caused the room to warm with laughter.

Reporter 4 posed the next question, "What's the current status of your relationship?"

Takuya, the more outspoken of the two, answered directly, "We're living together."

Sho added thoughtfully, "It's how we make the most of our free time. After losing two years being apart, we don't want that again. Now that we're living together, it's ironic that work keeps us apart more than it lets us be together. Sort of lonely, really."

The host signaled that it was time to wrap up the conference. "Thank you both for your openness. Any final words?"

Takuya glanced at Sho for a few seconds until Sho met his gaze. Sho nodded, indicating that Takuya should speak on their behalf. "We're truly grateful for all the support and acceptance we've received. We're looking forward to sharing our love freely with everyone."

Takuya's speech concluded the press conference, and they stepped down from the stage, greeted by applause and well-wishes from the crowd.

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