Prologue: Summer Memories

"You seem to have noticed since you left that you are an idiot, even though you can't go back."空っぽ by れん

❥

The fateful encounter between Nishigaki Sho and Kusakawa Takuya held significant weight, serving as a turning point in their lives. It transpired during an audition for the highly anticipated boys love drama series, "Minato Shouji Coin Laundry," which boasted a 12-episode arc scheduled for release in 2022. This event not only introduced them but also set the stage for a significant journey in both their personal and professional spheres.

This marked a pivotal moment for Takuya, presenting his inaugural lead role after a lengthy trajectory in the acting realm since 2008. The producer personally extended the role to him, solidifying his position as the series' lead actor. In an unexpected turn of events, he found himself in the unique position of being a jury member for his on-screen counterpart, Sho. It was during this phase that Takuya crossed paths with Sho for the first time.

Meanwhile, Sho embarked on his acting journey as a novice in 2021, starting off with supporting roles across diverse drama series and movies. His audition for "Minato Shouji Coin Laundry" almost slipped through his fingers due to a misread of the train schedule,yet a stroke of luck landed him there right on time-a fortunate twist that would reshape his destiny. Sho's unwavering passion for acting was unmistakable, vividly displayed as he wholeheartedly engaged in a role-play scenario alongside Takuya during the audition. His immersion into the scene was so profound that it had Takuya spellbound, momentarily causing him to be caught off guard and almost losing track of his own lines.

After the audition, Takuya couldn't hold back his amusement, expressing concerns about Sho in a joking manner, labeling him "bad news" due to the impact Sho had on him. Sho's compelling intensity during the audition led Takuya to blush, lose focus, and even stumble over his own lines. Little did Takuya realize, these lighthearted complaints ended up convincing the jury team of Sho's impeccable suitability for the role.

Bagging roles in "Minato Shouji Coin Laundry" back in 2022, Sho and Takuya's on-screen chemistry effortlessly spilled over into a strong off-screen camaraderie. Their colleagues and the crew were genuinely taken aback by the authentic warmth and connection brewing between the two. This surprising bond even caught Sho and Takuya off guard, especially as they continued filming for "Minato Shouji Coin Laundry 2" in 2023. As days turned into months on set, their conversations expanded far beyond scripts and scenes, venturing into personal anecdotes, aspirations, and dreams, gradually nurturing and strengthening their evolving friendship.

Their connection continued to strengthen, yet neither found the bravery to openly acknowledge the growing sentiments they held for each other. They held their partnership dear, cherishing the closeness they'd cultivated, yet the unspoken love lingered, concealed beneath the surface.

Amidst a significant summer evening's break, the entire cast, joined by Inaba Yu and Oku Tomoya, gathered for dinner and naturally drifted towards discussing Sho and Takuya's extraordinary bond. Inaba recalled a moment during filming where they shared an intimate hugging scene, emphasizing how their undeniable chemistry had made a lasting impression, captivating even the crew members.

Oku, known for his playful nature within the group, couldn't resist joining the conversation, playfully suggesting that if Sho and Takuya had been the same age, they might have become an unbeatable duo during their school days.

Amidst his characteristic laughter and innocent charm, Sho skillfully deflected Oku's remark. Playfully, he insisted that Takuya wasn't exactly the type of person he'd typically befriend.

As Takuya absorbed those words, his heart skipped a beat, leaving his mind momentarily blank. He made a conscious decision to keep his burgeoning feelings locked deep within himself.

Few months later, during a collaborative Instagram Live session before the finale episode of "Minato Shouji Coin Laundry 2" was set to air, more than 30,000 viewers tuned in. Takuya, mustering a blend of courage and vulnerability, confided, "When you mentioned not being friends if we were in the same school, the same age, it saddened me."

Sho was caught off guard, realizing the misinterpretation of his words. Hurriedly, he clarified, revealing that his comment had stemmed from admiring Takuya's effervescent charm, which left him feeling unable to match that sparks.

Takuya, his voice quivering, retorted, "Huh? What are you talking about? You're sparkling, too!"

The viewers understood the depth of their connection, but Takuya was still in the dark about Sho's true feelings.

Their last Instagram Live, little did they know, turned out to be the end of their regular interactions. Even though they bumped into each other for photo shoots here and there over the year, life took them in different directions. Takuya got super involved with all Bullet Train stuffs-engaged in tours, recording sessions, and relentless practice. And on top of that, he hustled to fit in a couple of drama gigs, slotting them into an already jam-packed schedule, like he was trying to patch up the space Sho's absence left behind.

On the flip side, Sho focused on perfecting his acting chops-nailing those stage performances, carefully picking drama roles that really got him excited, doing some modeling gigs, and giving voice acting a shot. He kinda made sense of Takuya's distance by thinking Takuya's a real standout, and he himself was still finding his feet in the acting world. That mindset made it easier for Sho to just roll with it and let things go.

Their joint summer memories etched a bittersweet chapter in their lives, revealing a story steeped in unspoken love and untold yearning, a heartrending narrative of emotions left unsaid and desires left unexpressed.

❥