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1. #AdoptDontShop
It was a quiet Sunday afternoon. Sho was taking his break while gobbling his takeaway chahan. He was alone today. Suddenly, he heard his animal shelter’s door was opened. He abruptly closed his rice box and greeted the customer.
Sho stood up and said, “Welcome! May I help you?”
The customer’s attention shifted to a pack of cutie puppies near the entrance. All of them are the puppies from pregnant mama dogs in this shelter. Some people abandoned pregnant dogs, especially stray dogs, because they didn’t wanna bother to raise the offsprings. Sho put the puppies there so it could attract foster people, customers, and adopters. Sho wanted them to have a better life with a loving family.
“Sir?” Sho moved closer and patted the customer’s shoulder.
Nino turned to Sho abruptly, “Ah, I wanna adopt a pet. But I just wanna sightsee for now.”
Sho smiled, “It’s completely fine! May I know your name?”
“I’m Ninomiya. You can call me Nino.”
“Okay, Nino-san. I’m Sho. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. What do you want as a pet?”
“Sho-san then.” Nino smiled and nodded. “I want a dog.”
“Have you ever had a pet? Or are you having a pet at home now?”
“No, I don’t have any now, but I had a shiba dog when I was a child.”
“Hmmm, let’s go to the kennel then.”
-
They arrived to the dog kennels. The place was crowded with barks, maybe they were sensing a possible adopter? They’re noisy but sweet at the same time. Nino saw his surroundings, almost full of cute dogs.
“Aaah, so cute!” Nino beamed.
Sho nodded, “Indeed. Do you have any kid living in our home? Or allergy?”
“No, I live by myself but I’m working from home since last month. I don’t have any allergy.”
Sho led the way and Nino followed him. “So you’re okay with long-haired breeds? I have Kiki-chan, a golden retriever. She’s 2. Already vaccinated, potty trained, and spayed. Kiki-chan, say hi!” Kiki-chan barked and gave her paw behind the kennel’s bars to shake hand with Nino.
“Awww, so smart. Hi, Kiki-chan,” Nino crouched and shook Kiki-chan’s hand. Nino reached out her head to give a quick pat.
“Or Hugo-kun, a 3-year-old pitbull mix. He likes to play with his purple ball.” Sho introduced the dark brown dog beside Kiki-chan’s kennel. He was playing with his toy.
Nino shifted his attention to the next dog, “Oh, energetic!” Nino frowned a little and thought something. ”But I’m not an active person. Can you show me the calmer and smaller breeds?”
“Hmmm, Kiki-chan is rather calm tho.”
“But she’ll grow much bigger than this, right?”
Sho chuckled, “Yeah. Wait a minute,” Sho left Nino to check the doggo list in front of the kennel room. He came back shortly. ”I have two terriers and a chihuahua. Let’s go.”
“Okay.” They walked again to meet the mentioned dogs.
“Meet Castor and Pollux-kun, the black little twin cairn terrier. They’re 3 years old, neutered, and potty trained,” Sho said.
“Hello!” Nino waved to them and they wagged their tail happily. ”Should I adopt them as a pair?” Nino looked up to Sho.
“That’d be better as they were together since they came here,” Sho crouched to pat the twins.
“Hmmm, I think I can’t do that. Two is too much for now,” Nino pouted. ”I’m sorry, guys. But you’re so cute.”
Sho smiled reassuringly, “It’s okay. Let’s meet Maron-chan then.” Sho led Nino to Maron-chan’s kennel.
“Maron-chan, hi!” Nino greeted the dog. Maron-chan ambled closer to Nino and looked at him with her round eyes.
“She’s 5, a family dog and calm girl,” Sho explained Maron-chan’s trait.
“Classy lady,” Nino smiled and the cream colored dog wagged her tail slowly.
“Her previous owner was a wedding dress designer.”
“A model then, huh?” Maron-chan barked, like she answered his question.
“Yup. The previous owner should move out of town and couldn’t bring her along. He cried a river when he let go of her.”
“Awww, I’m sorry. But everyone is okay now, right?”
“Yes, he’s fine. He sometimes still contact to me and ask about Maron-chan. Maybe you can contact him if you adopt her.”
Nino nodded, “Okay, I’ll think about it.”
Sho stood up, “Have you decide your choice, Nino-san?”
Nino gave the last wave to Maron-chan and followed Sho, “I’m into Maron-chan to be honest, she’s calm and sweet.”
They walked back to the front office, “Really? You can take your time to decide or meet other dogs here next time.”
“I’ll ask my friend first to consider it then.”
“Great. I’ll wait for the good news.”
“Sure.” Nino nodded enthusiastically. “Sho-san, can I play with the puppies in the front office? They looked eager to play when I came here.”
“Yes, you can! They would be happy to play with you!”
-
“Hello, babies! Let’s play with me! Hi, little one!” Nino took his shoes off and entered the puppy land. The energetic puppies greeted him with high pitched barks and Nino couldn’t help squishing them, “Hahahaha, tickle tickle tickle!”
Nino played with them until he lost the track of time, “Okay, time’s up, babies! I should go home now.” Nino stood up and left them but... ”Awww, we’ll meet again soon! No, don’t follow me!”
The puppies chased him and climbed his legs. Nino tried to take them away from him but they were too many to handle, “Nononono- SHO-SAAAN, HELP ME- AH! NO- HAHAHAHAHA!”
Sho only chuckled, “They’ve attached to you.” Sho took a food bowl and knocked it on the floor, ”Come on guys, meal time!” The puppies ran to Sho while he prepared for the food.
“Sho-san is my hero!” Most of puppies went away but there were three puppies who still wouldn’t let go of Nino, “No- eat with your friends there!”
“He wanna share their meal with you.”
“So kind~” Nino carried the last puppies to their food bowl. They ate and forgot Nino quickly. ”Finally...” He sighed in relief.
“This is the best time to go home before they see and chase you again.”
Nino checked his watch and nodded quickly, “I should go home now! I’ll contact you ASAP.” Nino put back his shoes on and opened the shelter’s door, “Thank you so much, Sho-san. Have a nice day!”
“Anytime, Nino-san! I’ll wait for it!” Sho waved him goodbye. ”What a funny guy. I hope he adopts Maron-chan soon.”
2. Not My Taste
*sniff sniff*
“What smell is it?” Nino asked himself. He turned left and right, but the Shiyagare set was rather busy. Sho and Aiba were checking their script with AD. Jun and Ohno were talking about something, maybe Ohno’s solo corner for concert. The staff was preparing Death Match props while the audience sat across him. He sniffed his clothes, his armpits, nothing. He smelt handsome, as always.
But whose was that whiff? Staff? Audience? Members? It wasn’t an unpleasant smell, tho. It smelt good, like a mix of musk, citrus, and... vanilla? Was it possible to mix those scents? But somehow, he didn’t like it.
The whiff went away. He couldn’t smell it.
“Maybe just staff’s new perfume,” Nino shrugged.
-
*sniff sniff*
The same smell. Now the smell was stronger. There were members and managers in the green room.
“It’s not Staff-san’s then...” Nino muttered.
“What’s wrong with the staff?” Sho heard Nino and responded to him.
“Ah, nothing. I think I sniff something. An unfamiliar fragrance.”
Sho just hummed and fiddled with his phone again. Nino rubbed his nose and continued playing his game.
-
“Wanna pee, wanna pee~” Nino made a beeline for the toilet. He couldn’t hold his bladder again after sitting for almost 2 hours without moving. He opened the toilet door and...
*sniff sniff*
That smell again. So strong until he jolted backward. He fanned his arm in front of his nose to expel the smell. There was only one occupied WC room now. Was he the culprit? His urge to know the owner of the smell suddenly was bigger than his urge to pee. He emptied his bladder in the urinal while focusing his ears on the occupied WC room.
*click*
The culprit opened the door. Nino tried to keep down his curiosity and looked at his right side slowly. His eyes bulged.
“Sho-chan?”
The culprit—Sho—turned left, “Oh. Hi!”
Nino finished his business quickly and washed his hands in the sink. Nino then saw Sho spraying something on his hair. Nino even had to hold his breath. How much perfume did he spray to himself?!
“New perfume?”
Sho replied, “Sort of. I changed my shampoo last week. It comes with a hair fragrance, you know? I love the scent so far,” he showed the hair fragrance bottle and smiled.
Nino sighed and smiled back. He dried his hands and scooted closer to Sho’s ear. He made Sho confused and looked at Nino from the mirror. He pulled down Sho’s arm and whispered, “I don’t like your new shampoo. And that hair fragrance.”
Sho’s eyes bulged and quickly turned to Nino. Nino just pinched his nose and shook his head in disapproval.
“EH?! But it smells good!”
“Sorry, Sho-chan. It’s not my taste,” Nino bowed and walked out from the toilet, leaving Sho dumbfounded.
3. Five Episodes of Exhausted Sakurai Sho According to His Coworkers
- ‘He blurs his words together.’–Ninomiya Kazunari
“Nino, can you send me the Excel files filled with Macro formula from the last month’s report?” Sho asked from his cubicle while kept looking at his monitor.
“What?” Nino paused his typing to pay attention to his coworker.
“The Excel file from the last Macro formula with the last week report.”
“Ha?”
Sho sighed heavily and tilted his body a bit to meet Nino’s eyes, “Theformulamacrofromthefilesreportlastmonthexcelfile.”
Nino paused a bit, “Go home, Sho-chan, you’re drunk.”
- ‘He calls people by the wrong names.’–Ohno Satoshi
Sho was chasing someone on the corridor while holding a document, “Tomo-kun! Tomo-kun! Check my work!”
The man turned to Sho with a confused expression and pointed at himself, “Who are you calling? Me?”
Sho nodded, “Yeah, who else?”
“... But I’m not Tomo.”
Sho blinked twice, “Ah, sorry. What’s your name?” He tried hard to remember the man’s name in front of him, “Toshi? Satoru? Akira?*”
“Satoshi.” It was Ohno Satoshi. His manager.
“I’ll call a taxi for him, Riida. Don’t worry.” Nino, who was watching the funny encounter from afar, joined the conversation while holding his chuckle. “Just sit back and wait for it, okay?” Nino patted Sho’s shoulder.
Sho shook his head, “I don’t need to go home, Kazuya...”
*All names with 智 kanji in it. Sho only remembers Ohno’s kanji name but forgets how to read it.
- ‘He falls asleep at a table, desk, floor, someplace that isn’t a bed.’–Aiba Masaki
“Why doesn’t Sho-chan reply my email?” Aiba opened and refreshed his inbox mail but couldn’t find Sho’s mail.
Jun, who was scribbling something beside him, replied, “Try checking him on his desk.”
Aiba stood up, “Okay, I’ll make a coffee first. You too?”
Jun looked up and nodded, “Yes, please.”
Aiba went to pantry to brew two cups of coffee. “La la la, la la la~ Coffee~ Smell so heavenly~” He heard a loud thud came from the pantry. He hurried to open the door and found Sho sprawled on the pantry floor. He gasped and ran toward the fallen man, “Sho-chan??!!! Sho-chan, wake up! Help!” He took his phone and scrolled Nino’s number with shaking icy hands, then called his buddy, “Come on, come on- Nino! Help me!”
“What?”
“Sho-chan-“ he paused, ”Sho-chan fell off in the pantry and hit his head on the floor!”
“Check his breathing. Is he breathing normally?” How could be Nino so calm about it?
Aiba scooted down to check on Sho, “Hmm, I think yes.”
Nino sighed, “He’s just overheated and has a sudden sleep. Can you lift and sit him on the chair?”
“Ye- Yeah...” Aiba put his phone on the pantry table and did what Nino ordered.
“Okay, thank you, Aiba-shi.”
“Are you sure I can leave him like this?”
“Yeah, he’ll wake up later and go back here with a cup of strong coffee on his hand.”
- ‘Yawn mid sentence.’–Matsumoto Jun
Jun came to Sho’s cubicle to discuss something for their presentation next week, “Sho-kun, I think we should change this format to the latest one. It’s easier for other to read and interpret the data.”
Sho replied, “Hmmm, I think so, too. I can read it because I’m used to it-” he yawned quietly, “but, yeah, it’s less communicative for other.”
“Okay, I’ll change it then. Other correction from you?”
“We can use more-” Sho yawned again and closed his mouth with his palm, “vibrant color for the diagram and-” this time he let a big yawn, “this pic will enhance-” followed by a small yawn and tears on the corner of his eyes.
“Sho-kun…”
“Yes?” Sho blinked his eyes rapidly.
“How about you taking a nap for 30 minutes before we continue this?”
“I’m not-” Sho couldn’t hold his yawn, “I’m not sleepy, Jun-kun,” he shook his head to drive the sleepiness away but he yawned again.
Nino chuckled and stood up from his seat across them, “Um, sorry for interrupting your discussion, but J is right. You need a nap. You yawned six times just now.”
- ‘When I nudged, he immediately replies with “I’m awake, I’m fine”.’ –Ikuta Toma
“Sho-chan, tell me when you’re done with the photocopy machine,” Toma asked.
“Okay! I’ll let you know,” Sho replied with a smile.
-
30 minutes later…
Toma walked to Sho’s cubicle and found it empty. He asked Nino who was across Sho’s cubicle, “Nino, has Sho-chan come back from the photocopy machine?”
“Nope. Why?”
“He said that he’ll let me know if he’s done.”
“Hmmm, better check him out. I’m not surprised that he’s sleep-standing now.”
Toma frowned, “Huh? Okay then.”
Toma walked back to the machine and found Sho was standing there, his back was facing Toma. The machine was quiet and didn’t print any new copy. He peeked in Sho’s face… and Nino was right. Sho was sleep-standing with his hands propped his body from falling.
Toma nudged Sho’s side softly, “Sho-chan?”
Sho gasped aloud like his soul went back into his body and replied, “I’m awake! I’m fine, thanks for asking!” then blinked rapidly.
“Okay…” Toma held his laughter, “I can see that. Are you done with your photocopy?”
Sho checked his copies and took them groggily from the machine tray, “Ah… Yes… I’m done. You can use it,” Sho stepped back to let Toma operated the machine.
“Thank you,” Toma waved Sho goodbye as Sho trudged to his cubicle.
4. A Man and His Cat
Otsukaresama AU
2019
Sho sat on the couch with a crutch leaned beside him. He sprained his ankle last night and took a two-day off from today. He searched his mom’s number to call her. He informed her about his injury this morning. His mom said that she worried on chat, but they haven’t had a proper talk yet. His mom was usually free after dinner, so he called her now.
“Hello? Sho-chan? Sho-chan!” Sho’s mom answered the call.
“Hi, Mom,” Sho replied.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m okay.”
“Like okay?”
“Yeah, Mom...”
“You said that you sprained your ankle this morning! I’m worried about you all day.”
“Sorry. But don’t worry, Mom. I’ve gone to the doctor, and he said that I’m fine. My head still hurts tho.”
“Remember to give a cold compress regularly and do everything your doctor said!”
“Yeah, yeah...”
“Don’t ‘Yeah, yeah’ me! Do it. Do you need crutches?”
“I’ve bought it this morning with Kazu.”
“Okay. Speaking of Kazu, where is my lovely son-in-law?”
“He’s sleeping on my lap,” Sho said and chuckled, “like a lazy cat.”
“Awww, how is he? I miss you all.”
“He’s fine.” Sho stroke Nino’s bangs. “He misses you too. Wanna wake him up to talk?”
“No, thanks. He must be tired of taking care of my clumsy son.”
“Mooom!”
“Ssssshhhh, your cat will wake up!” Sho’s mom warned.
“Oops, sorry.” Sho checked on Nino. He frowned a little but still slept soundly.
“How could you slip in your room, Sho-chan? In your dry room.”
“I don’t know. It was too fast. Thanks to Nino that he immediately came in and rescued me. I only remembered he took me to the doctor with a serious face.”
“You...,” Sho’s mom paused, “you owe Kazu a lot, son.”
“Yeah...” Sho stroke Nino’s sleeping face and looked at him lovingly. “That’s why I treasure him every day.”
“You’d better.”
“I can change the bandage on my own. I guess I can help him with that.”
Sho’s mom hummed. “So, how about your ZERO?”
“I take a leave for two days for now. I guess I’ll bring my news while sitting until my ankle doesn’t swell.”
“Good, then. I’ll hang up now. Get well soon, Sho-chan. Send my love to Kazu.”
“Okay, Mom. Take care...” Sho ended the call. Nino’s half-lidded eyes greeted him.
“Mom called?” Nino blinked his bleary eyes and yawned.
“Yes. She missed you.” Sho reached for his crutch. “Wanna sleep in the room?”
Nino hummed and nodded, then sat beside Sho. “I had a dream. I was a cat, and I was laying down lazily on your lap.” Nino got up and helped Sho stood up. They walked to their room slowly.
“What kind of cat are you?”
“A ginger tabby.”
“Suits you.”
5. Sleepy
Otsukaresama AU
2017
“Tadaima!”
Sho was watching variety show when Nino entered their home, shivering and drenched in rain.
“Okaeri!” Sho tilted his head to check on Nino and gasped, “Kazu, you’re soaking wet!” Sho almost jumped off the couch and tried to take off Nino’s wet clothes quickly then put them on the floor.
“I know,” Nino chuckled with his chattering teeth while kicking his wet jeans.
“Come on, dry yourself first,” Sho took Nino’s towel from the laundry room and wrapped him with it. “Why didn’t you call me? I could pick you up on the station,” Sho rubbed Nino’s hair with another towel to draw the excess water.
“It’s getting late. I thought you were already sleeping.”
Sho sighed, “Now, take a shower and I’ll prepare the bathtub,” Sho put the pile of clothes into the washing machine and ran to the bathroom to fill the bathtub. Nino just stared at Sho tiredly.
“Thanks,” A wave of sleepiness hit him. Half-awakened, Nino walked to the bathroom only in his towels and ready to take a shower. But he didn’t have much energy left so... “Sho-chan, wash me...”
“Big baby...”
“Sorry...”
“Never mind. Always ready to be disturbed by you,” Sho smiled.
Sho washed Nino’s hair and body thoroughly under the shower. Nino almost tripped on his feet when he entered the bathtub, and Nino only giggled sleepily. Sho needed to make sure that Nino wouldn’t drown.
“Sho-chan, this is good. Wanna join me?”
Sho waited for Nino while sitting on the low stool beside the bathtub. “No, thanks. Don’t drown yourself.”
“You’re here... Won’t drown...” The warm water made Nino felt good. His taut muscles were relaxing and he couldn’t resist the urge to sleep there. He smelt fragrant, so warm and soft, he would dissolve in this floral-scented water...
“Time’s up. Wake up, big baby boy.”
“No...”
“You’ll catch a cold.”
“No, warm here...” That was the alarm when Nino couldn’t construct any basic sentence. Sho pulled Nino’s hands up a bit and Nino stood up, then stepped out of the bathtub. Sho dried up Nino’s hair and body with his towels, then wrapped him in a bathrobe.
They walked to their room and sat Nino on the edge of the bed. Sho then took random t-shirt and sweatpants from the wardrobe. Nino was almost fell backward sleepily when Sho caught him, “No wet hair on the bed.” Nino sulked but nodded. He dried Nino’s hair one more time with a towel. He chuckled at Nino’s half-awake state, forcing his eyes to open while his brain was playing a lullaby. Sho took off the bathrobe and Nino shivered.
“Sho-chan, cold...”
“Yeah, yeah. Baby boy, say ‘Banzai!’.”
“Banzai...” Nino lifted his arms and Sho put on the t-shirt. Sho then put his underwear and sweatpants until Nino’s thighs, “Stand up.” Nino gripped Sho's shoulders and stood up as Sho pulled it up. “Good boy. Kazu-chan is warm and comfy. Now, let’s dry your hair.”
“Mmm...” Sho sat on Nino’s previous place and made Nino sat on the floor, leaned on the bedside and between Sho’s legs. Sho switched on the hairdryer and it hummed quietly.
“How was your day?”
“Tiring,” Nino yawned.
“Otsukaresama,” Sho ruffled Nino’s hair and combed it with his fingers.
“I was on the train when it was raining. I forgot my umbrella. I went home by running.”
“You should've called me,” Nino shook his head slowly. Sho smiled and continued drying Nino’s hair. There was only hairdryer’s hum and Nino’s yawns accompanied them.
Nino’s head fell backward, holding back his sleepiness. “I’m sleepy. Are we done yet?”
“Wait...” Sho bent Nino’s head forward to dry the hair near the nape. “Why do you have such a thick hair? It takes longer to dry. And you need a haircut,” Sho brushed Nino’s hair.
“Don’t know, ask my parents. And yes for a haircut.” Nino yawned aloud and wide, “Sho-chan, I’m tired.”
“Yes, yes. Don’t want you to catch a cold. Tilt your head right.”
“Mmm...” Nino rested his head on Sho’s thigh while hugging Sho’s leg.
“We’re done~” Sho switched off the hairdryer. “Kazu?” Sho tapped Nino’s shoulder, “he fell asleep...” Sho let him slept on his thigh for a while before waking up him to tuck him in.