Chapter 24: Laid Bare

"Been misusing the word "love"Are we now aware of its true meaning?"Overflowing by Fujii Kaze

❥

The countdown to the wedding began! With only three days left until their wedding, Sho's filming schedule finally cleared, allowing him to reunite with Takuya. Two days before the big day, they would hold their rehearsal. They'd decided to follow a tradition where the couple spends the night before the wedding apart. This isn't a formal ritual, but a personal choice.

Sho planned to stay at Takuya's family house, while Takuya would be at the apartment with Sho's family. This tradition allows them to focus on spending quality time with their soon-to-be in-laws. They also agreed to avoid contact until the wedding ceremony, adding to the excitement and anticipation.

Before they parted ways after the rehearsal, Takuya noticed Sho's concerned expression. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry about me," he said gently. "I can definitely take care of your family for the night, you know?"

"It's not about taking care of them," Sho said, his voice calm and reassuring. "They're perfectly independent. Honestly, my main concern is making sure you're well-rested for the wedding. You deserve a good night's sleep."

Takuya placed a hand on Sho's shoulder, his voice gentle yet persuasive. "You," he began, stressing the word, "need some serious rest. You literally just arrived yesterday, and today's rehearsal must have been tiring. Let's be logical - tomorrow's your last chance to be a free man! Enjoy some 'me-time' before you're legally bound to me forever." His voice brimmed with playful sarcasm.

Sho's sigh turned into a contented breath, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Spending the rest of my life with you," he murmured, "is truly all I could ever ask for."

Takuya's heart swelled with warmth. "Absolutely," he replied, his gaze locked with Sho's. "That's all I want too - a lifetime with you by my side."

A comfortable silence settled between them, their eyes reflecting a depth of unspoken emotions. The warmth and understanding in their gaze transcended words. A wave of disbelief washed over them both - the dream they held so dear was finally within reach.

Several minutes silence passed before Sho finally spoke. "I'll see you again on our wedding day," he said with a smile.

Takuya snapped back to attention, feeling a slight blush creep up his cheeks. "Right, see you then!" he stammered. "Just try to avoid Naoya if you can, okay? I wouldn't want him interrupting your peace and quiet."

Sho chuckled. "Don't worry," he reassured Takuya. "By the way, since I'm crashing in your room tonight, I might as well use the time to write my wedding vows."

A lightbulb went off in Takuya's head. "Oh, that's right!" he exclaimed, remembering the task at hand. "Me too, I need to finish writing mine."

Takuya and Sho's wedding celebration would double as their official marriage ceremony. Due to scheduling constraints, the couple couldn't register their marriage at the civil office prior to the event. Therefore, they've secured the presence of civil officials to conduct the legal proceedings during the ceremony. This ensured that Takuya and Sho sign the marriage certificate in front of their families and friends, who will act as legal witnesses.

A sudden urge to express his feelings overwhelmed Sho. He called out, "Takuya-kun, wait!" just as Takuya was about to reach his car.

Takuya stopped and turned back, a questioning look on his face. "Yes?" he asked gently.

Sho simply shook his head, unable to find the words, and instead waved goodbye with a warm smile, "just... love you!"

Takuya smiled warmly at Sho. "Come on, Sho," he teased playfully, "missing me already? Just a temporary separation, you know." However, when he saw the sadness remain in Sho's eyes, his tone softened. "I love you too, you know that. Naoya's waiting in the car. Why don't you let him drive? Get some rest, and we'll see each other soon."

with a final look back, Sho turned and started walking away. Takuya watched him leave, a bittersweet feeling settling in his chest. He knew their time apart would be short, and he already looked forward to their reunion.

A soft laugh escaped Takuya's lips as he watched Sho walk away. There was a tenderness in his voice as he spoke. "Sho is just so adorable," he murmured to himself.

The excitement for their wedding day thrummed through his veins - this was the day he'd been dreaming of for so long, and it was almost here.

♡

Writing his wedding vows turned into a marathon effort for Sho. He poured his heart into his initial draft, only to realize it was far too long to fit on a single page. The process of shortening it was a challenge - there was so much he wanted to say, but he needed to be concise. Finally, a realization dawned on Sho - on their wedding day, lengthy explanations wouldn't be necessary. Takuya, with his deeper understanding of Sho, would grasp the depth of his feelings he left unsaid.

A series of knocks on the door startled Sho, pulling him back to the present moment. He looked around, realizing he was still in Takuya's bedroom at the Kusakawa house. The space was imbued with Takuya's presence - his scent lingered in the air, his belongings neatly arranged, and their shared memories seemed to hang heavy in the atmosphere. Time seemed to have flown by, yet the story of their journey together remained fresh in his mind.

A knock echoed from the door, followed by a voice. "Nishigaki-kun, it's time to eat! Mama just sent me up to remind you - lunch is ready! Do you want to join everyone downstairs, or should I bring a plate up here for you?"

The sound of Naoya's voice sent Sho scrambling to open the door. "Naoya-kun, I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with regret. "I didn't mean to keep you waiting this long."

"Ready for lunch?" Naoya asked immediately. "Mams said you shouldn't skip meals, especially with tomorrow being such a big day. You need your energy!"

Sho shut the door behind him. "I'll join everyone for lunch," he said. "I just finalized my wedding vows for tomorrow's ceremony."

Naoya's face lit up with curiosity. "No way! Can I see them? Like, before you show them to Taku-nii?" he asked eagerly.

Sho reached out and patted Naoya's shoulder playfully. "Not this time, Naoya-kun," he explained. "The vows are something special I want to share with Takuya-kun tomorrow."

Naoya's shoulders slumped slightly, but he quickly understood. "Right, of course," he said, nodding his head.

A warm welcome awaited Sho as he entered the dining room. He sat down in the chair that had specifically noted was Takuya's usual spot.Suddenly, the doorbell chimed, making Naoya flinch. He hurried over to the video monitor to check on the visitor. He stared intently at the screen, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

"Who is at the door?"

Naoya glanced at his mother for a brief moment, then rushed to open the door without responding to her question.

Sensing something unusual, Sho rose from his seat. He moved slowly towards the doorway, his eyes fixed on Naoya's interaction with the unexpected guest.

Naoya stood with the door partially open, creating a barrier between him and the young woman standing on the doorstep. She didn't seem to be invited in. "I'd like to see Taku-chan," the woman said directly. "Can I see him?"

Naoya shook his head. "Actually you can, but sorry," he said flatly, "but he's not home."

The young woman's voice faltered slightly. "Where is he...?" she began to ask, then stopped mid-sentence. Her gaze shifted, and her eyes met Sho's for the first time. "In that case," she continued, "may I speak to his partner instead?"

The young woman's words sent a wave of surprise through Sho. Naoya whipped his head around, his eyes widening in surprise as he spotted Sho standing nearby. He opened his mouth to say something, a complaint likely, but then seemed to change his mind. He let out a resigned sigh and addressed Sho. "This is Taku-nii's ex-girlfriend," Naoya informed Sho with a shrug. "someone he probably didn't mention. Up for a chat with her?"

Sho chuckled, understanding dawning on him. Yes, Takuya hadn't mentioned this young woman, but Naoya's casual tone and lighthearted explanation reassured him there was nothing to worry about. "Of course," he responded, offering a friendly smile. "I'd be happy to meet her."

Sho sensed a movement behind him and turned slightly. Takuya's mother stood there silently, making a subtle gesture with her hand. Naoya readily understood her message and nodded. "Let's go to the living room," Naoya said to the young woman. "My mother wants Nishigaki-kun to have his lunch before anything else."

Sho finished his meal and headed towards the living room to meet Takuya's ex-girlfriend. He planned to introduce himself, but the moment he entered the room, the young woman spoke before he could. "There's no need for introductions," she said. "I know all about you, and frankly, you don't need to know mine."

Sho, surprised by her directness, found himself speechless and simply nodded in response. They sat side-by-side in the living room, a heavy silence settling between them, broken only by the occasional nervous fidget.

The young woman's voice filled the silence with a question, but the intent behind it was clear. "It feels amazing, doesn't it?" she said, her eyes fixed on Sho. "Being welcomed by his family like this."

"Family acceptance often comes with time," Sho explained neutrally. "When a couple decides to get married, it's usually a sign that their families are already supportive of the relationship."

The young woman's curiosity piqued. "So, did they welcome you with open arms right from the start?"

Sho paused for a moment, recalling the events. "I met everyone here after we'd been together for about three months,"Sho said. "He didn't share any details about how things were before that."

The young woman's voice softened, laced with a hint of sadness. "It seems Taku-chan has gone to great lengths to gain his family's acceptance for you," she said in a subdued tone. "Unlike me, I was never introduced to them properly."

Sho felt unsure of how to respond. "I see," he said carefully, respecting her emotions. "But have you ever come here before?"

"Once," she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "However, the family wasn't here at the time."

Sho offered a gentle smile. While the young woman's revelation felt like more information than necessary, he understood her honesty. Perhaps there was another explanation for her limited interaction with Takuya's family, but her words also hinted at a more negative possibility. Perhaps she felt compelled to reveal everything, or maybe she simply wasn't used to sugarcoating things. Sho decided it wasn't his place to judge.

The young woman's tone softened as she spoke again. "Don't worry about the past,"she said gently. "Whatever happened between us back then, Taku-chan's feelings for you are true. He never truly reciprocated my affection in the same way. Please believe me, his heart has belonged to you the entire time, even during our relationship."

Sho's smile dimmed slightly. "You were with him because your feelings for him were real," he acknowledged. "There were moments in his life that I wasn't a part of. You shared experiences and memories that only the two of you know about. There's a part of me that wishes I could have been there too."

The young woman's sadness seemed to melt away from her eyes, replaced by a softer emotion. She fixed her gaze on Sho, who remained focused on a spot on the floor, his head bowed slightly.

"Perhaps you chose to end things, or maybe it was him," Sho began thoughtfully. "But what matters most is that you respected our relationship and never tried to intervene. That tells me you're a good person who wants him to be happy, and that's something I can appreciate. You were a part of his past, and I'm glad it was someone kind like you."

The young woman offered a small, bittersweet smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "He likely didn't see it that way because I was the one who ended things," she admitted softly. "But even though I was the one initiating the break-up, he surprisingly didn't try to defend himself even though I confronted him with some strong words. When I pressed him to be honest about his feelings, instead of denying it, he actually confessed everything."

Sho offered a thoughtful nod. "His honesty can be quite blunt at times," he acknowledged. "Takuya-kun has always been a very straightforward person, sometimes lead to difficult conversations. It sounds like your relationship wasn't always easy."

"You got that right," the young woman agreed. A soft laugh bubbled up from her lips, and Sho found himself joining in. They settled into a more casual flow of conversation.

Sho tilted his head slightly, spoke gently, wanting to understand her motives. "Is there anything you'd like to tell Takuya-kun while you're here?"

The young woman took a deep breath. "I watched a few of your press conferences online," she confessed. "But there was something I needed to see in person. I wanted to see him with my own eyes, for the last time. I wanted to witness the happy Taku-chan I never saw when we were together."

The young woman's sincerity resonated with Sho. He decided to share his perspective. "There have been times when I've unintentionally caused him to cry," he admitted. "Being together doesn't always guarantee constant happiness."

The young woman's smile grew wider. "That sounds wonderful," she said. "His emotions are clearly affected by you. The way he reacts to you, the way his feelings naturally gravitate towards you - that's all a sign of real love."

Sho listened intently, his smile growing genuine. "You're right," he said, feeling a warmth spread through him.

After a pleasant conversation that lasted for about 30 minutes, the young woman decided to leave. Sho walked her out to the entrance, and when he turned back, he was surprised to see Naoya standing there, a grin plastered on his face.

Naoya's smile faltered for a moment. He cleared his throat and spoke in a slightly apologetic tone. "We accidentally heard most of your conversation."

Sho simply nodded and began to walk by Naoya, heading for the stairs leading back to Takuya's room. However, Naoya kept talking, stopping Sho in his tracks.

Naoya spoke candidly. "We knew about my brother's past relationship,"he said. "But whenever we asked him to introduce her, he'd always say she wasn't someone he wanted us to meet. So, I think my family can understand how she might have felt a bit excluded."

Sho gave another nod, understanding Naoya's point.

"And about you," Naoya spoke in a neutral tone. "Those first three months of your relationship, Taku-nii did seem rather busy. He mentioned wanting to introduce you to us, but it seems he just couldn't find a convenient time."

Sho's expression turned serious. "Just to clarify," he said carefully, "is there anyone in the family who might not be supportive of our relationship?"

Naoya confirmed, "Yeah, it all started when my brother first said his girlfriend that time wasn't the one, Mama asked if he had someone else on his mind, he said yes, and that it was a man. That wasn't exactly what our father wanted to hear. Back then, Taku-nii wasn't confident in his chances with you, and you two drifted apart. He reassured our father that he probably wouldn't bring anyone home, so my father could relax. So, imagine everyone's surprise when Taku-nii finally said he wanted to introduce you! My father was actually really proud of him for going after what he wanted. That's basically what happened."

A frown creased Sho's brow. "That doesn't sound like Takuya-kun at all. He's always been so adventurous, and I wouldn't want him to feel like he's limited in any way. I wouldn't want to hold him back. He should absolutely be out there exploring-"

Naoya couldn't stand the glum look on Sho's face. He couldn't help but interrupt Sho's self-doubt. "Nishigaki-kun, Taku-nii finally found someone who appreciates him for who he truly is, even the things he might consider imperfections. You appreciate his idealistic view of love and how he sees the world. On top of that, you both communicate openly and honestly, which has built a strong foundation of trust and devotion in him."

Sho chuckled with a slight shrug. "There have been moments when I've done things that made Takuya-kun sad. I'm still learning."

Naoya gave Sho a friendly pat on the back as he passed."Yep, that's part of the deal, right?" he said playfully. Pausing for a moment before Sho went inside Takuya's bedroom, Naoya added, "Seriously though, we're so glad Taku-nii found someone like you. Make yourselves at home, Nishigaki-kun."

♡

"Why didn't you tell me she was coming?!"

The phone rang with Naoya on the other end. Takuya held it slightly away from his ear as Naoya yelled something frantically. He waited patiently until his brother finished, then spoke in a neutral tone. "Look, I don't know what all the fuss is about," he said. "She just wanted to see me, so I told her she could come over to our parents' place."

"She actually showed up!"

Takuya sighed, his mind flashing back to memories of his ex-girlfriend's persistence. "Her persistence...I should have known better," he said with concern. "Is Sho okay after meeting with her? Did everything go smoothly?"

"Nishigaki-kun must be a saint to put up with all this! Mama was worried sick about your ex talking to him. You know how much Mom cares about Nishigaki-kun, right? Get ready for an earful from her when she sees you tomorrow, she's been dying to meet you!" Naoya gave his brother a good-natured warning

"Alright, sounds good," Takuya agreed with a carefree shrug. Just as he was launching into another sentence...

Suddenly, Sho's mother appeared in the doorway. "Taku-chan," she said with a smile, "what would you like for dinner tonight? I'm happy to cook something for you."

Takuya finished his conversation with a quick, "Alright, gotta go, Nao. We'll talk later." He then turned to Sho's mother with a smile. "Let's see what we have in the fridge, and we can whip up something delicious together."

Takuya was impressed by how perceptive Sho's mother seemed to be, reminding him of Sho himself. She hadn't woken him up that morning, likely because Sho had mentioned his usual routine. However, when Takuya happened to wake up earlier than expected, she was quick to notice and check in on him, clearly concerned about him getting enough rest.

Sho's mother paused mid-stir and looked at Takuya with a playful smile. "Tell me, how do you like Shoichirou's cooking skills? Does he make tasty food?" She chuckled slightly. "It's wonderful to see him cooking for someone else. In the past, he rarely shared his homemade meals, even with us."

Takuya laughed lightly. "That wasn't the most thoughtful way to treat family, was it Okaasan?"

Sho's mother joined in the laughter. "You're right! He wasn't exactly known for spoiling us. It seems like he's been saving all that care for someone truly special. And that special someone is you, Taku-chan."

Takuya's smile faltered slightly, and he let out a soft sigh. "Do you ever think," he began hesitantly, "that maybe Sho deserves someone...better? I mean, I'm just a high school graduate, older than him by five years, and I'm a man." He trailed off.

Sho's mother gently bumped Takuya's arm with a smile. "With the wedding a day away, why the jitters?" she asked with a gentle voice. "Remember what Shoichirou's father said when you both asked for our blessing? He said if you're ready to face the world together, no matter what happens, then we have no objections. Of course, we had some worries initially about how society might react. But you know, the world is evolving, becoming more accepting. Look at you two, standing strong together after all this time!"

Takuya nodded slowly. "Okaasan," he said cautiously, "I know things are different, but have you ever considered the possibility of... grandchildren from us? It's something I've been thinking about."

Sho's father, who had been listening intently to the conversation, spoke up. "Well, on that note," he said kindly, "have you two given any thought to children? The most important thing is that you and Shoichirou decide what's right for your life together. We'd be thrilled with grandchildren, of course, but only if that's what you both want."

"I want to make sure you're happy with our decisions," Takuya admitted nervously.

Sho's mother's eyes crinkled with amusement. "You know, Taku-chan, you have a funny way of talking sometimes," she said fondly. "The only thing that could ever disappoint us is if you and Shoichirou aren't living your best life together. That's all we want for you both."

"The truth is," Takuya began hesitantly, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts. "Sometimes I get these emotional roller coaster rides because Sho seems to feel insecure in our relationship. He worries that I'm too sparkling for him. He often tries to make decisions for what he thinks is best for me, but it doesn't always consider what works for us as a couple. This has led to some arguments in the past. That's why I've been trying really hard to show him how much I love him, in ways I hope he understand, to let him know I can't imagine life without him. But part of me wonders if I'm being too much, like I'm suffocating him with my love. Even if that's true-"

Sho's father reached out and patted Takuya's shoulder gently. "We can see you're both putting in a lot of effort," he said sincerely. "You and Shoichirou are each trying your best to show your feelings, and that's what's important. A healthy relationship requires mutual effort, and you two clearly have that. You two deserve each other, and there's no need to worry."

Sho's mother giggled, "Now, now, Taku-chan. Shoichirou was the one who gathered his courage and asked you to marry him. We're all so happy you said yes!"

Takuya let out a relieved laugh. "Honestly," he admitted, "there were times when I wasn't sure if Sho would ever take that step."

Sho's father plopped back down on the couch with a smile. "Believe it or not, Shoichirou confided in us as soon as the law passed about wanting to marry you. We fully supported his decision, and we were just a little curious why he hadn't proposed yet."he said.

Takuya smiled warmly, his heart overflowing with happiness. "It was actually his schedule," he explained.

"Well, that might be true," Sho's father said. "We're all very excited to officially welcome you into the family. We're happy to have you, Taku-chan."

Takuya's breath hitched slightly. This was the first time Sho's father had used the affectionate nickname typically used by Sho's mother. It felt like a silent acceptance into the family. Blinking back tears of joy, Takuya managed a choked response, "Thank you, Otousan. This means a lot to me."

❥