A piece of cheesecake for rollingday_s (4/4)

[futurepm_mod]

“No!” Sho said determined. “I want to go all the way tonight.”

Aiba looked at Sho, taking in the pouty lips that seemed to tell him that no backtalk would be accepted. Still, he wanted to make sure.

“Really?” he asked therefore, but Sho nodded immediately.

“Yes!” Then, he turned a bit pink around his cheeks. “But maybe we can switch positions?” he asked, his voice only an embarrassed whisper.

Aiba had to suppress another chuckle seeing Sho that shy but he didn't mind letting Sho be on top. He was actually quite excited by the idea to feel him inside soon.

“Sure,” he let Sho know who seemed to be really relieved. In any way, Aiba would have never forced himself into Sho today. It would be too much for someone who just opened up to the idea of sleeping with a man. He was already proud that Sho had managed to enjoy the intrusion of his fingers that much.

“I might make some mistakes though,” Sho warned Aiba but the other one just shook his head.

“There is no right or wrong way to do it, Sho-chan. Just go ahead with your feelings and if I don't like it, I'll let you know immediately,” Aiba assured him.

Hearing this, Sho seemed to relax and propped himself up on his elbow.

“Let's get you out of your remaining clothes then,” he announced and Aiba smiled upon Sho's enthusiasm.

A few minutes later, Aiba was finally naked. Sho had laid him onto the sheets and was towering him now. Their hips were meeting each other while Sho was busy stroking over Aiba's birthmark.

“You're really pretty,” Sho told him and Aiba blushed. His heart was dancing happily upon Sho's words though as he had never expected to hear them. Seriously, today had surprised him a lot. Although Aiba had realised that Sho was getting close to him, he hadn't thought that he would actually agree to sleep with him, Aiba was a man after all.

Sho shifted his weight a little and therefore added some pressure on Aiba's member who groaned upon the sensation. This reminded Sho of Aiba's waiting erection and he finally decided to take care of it.

He sat on his heels and after a last look on Aiba lying naked in his bed with his beautiful slender figure, Sho took Aiba into his hands carefully. It was his first time to touch a man's private part other than himself. However, it felt strangely familiar to him.

Slowly, he began to move his hand up and down, watching Aiba closely. His partner was biting his lips while his eyes were locked with Sho's.

The politician grinned sheepishly before he focussed his eyes on Aiba's member again. A tiny drop of pre-cum had formed on Aiba's tip and Sho began to wonder how it might taste.

When he bent down to catch the drop with his tongue, Aiba gave a strangled noise. He put his hands on Sho's (sloping, but sexy) shoulders to show him that it wasn't necessary to return the favour from before, but Sho's lips had already met his sensitive tip.

Sho had obviously learned from Aiba because he was licking and sucking like a pro, turning Aiba into a bundle of groans and moans quite quickly. When Sho let Aiba slip out of his warm mouth, the other one voiced his frustration but then he saw Sho taking the bottle of lube.

He pressed a quite generous amount onto his fingers that caused Aiba to grin, but he managed to keep quiet. He didn't want to irritate Sho with any remark and figured it would be better to let Sho go this way by himself.

With a glance at Aiba, who nodded confidently at him, Sho circled his finger around Aiba's twitching hole and pushed in. Aiba helped him by relaxing his muscles and so he slipped inside quite easily.

Surprised about how easy it had been, Sho stilled his hand and watched how his finger had disappeared. Aiba, not really in the mood for waiting any longer, urged his hips, pulling Sho out of his daze.

“Grab... my dick,” Aiba breathed and Sho followed the order quickly. He stroked the hard flesh, but his finger, moving in and out of his partner fascinated him way more than he had thought. Just when he began to wonder if he should add another finger, Aiba told him to do so.

Pushing slowly, his second finger found its way inside and Aiba moaned again before he instructed Sho to scissor his fingers.

Carefully, to not hurt him, Sho stretched Aiba. He decided that he should distract him from the, as he assumed, weird actions and so he added a twist to his hand that was still taking care of Aiba's hard length.

However, he was soon stopped by him.

“I'll come if you continue like this,” Aiba admitted. “But I want to come when you're inside me,” he added then and Sho blushed slightly. “I think you can add a third finger now.”

Sho did as he was told and let his hand just ghost over Aiba's member. He worked Aiba open until his fingers could enter smoothly.

Aiba handed him the condom and hissed when Sho retreated his fingers. He felt empty and he wanted to be filled by Sho again quickly, preferably by his impressive length, that didn't seem to mind waking up once more this evening.

While Sho coated his condom with another huge amount of lube, Aiba pushed a pillow under his hips. He wanted to make it as easy for Sho as possible to enter him. Also, although he usually preferred to ride his partner, he felt like lying under Sho this night. Somehow, he wanted to feel Sho all around and inside him.

“I'll be starting now,” Sho announced and positioned himself. Then, he leaned forward, his arms right and left to Aiba's head and kissed him. Aiba opened his mouth and let Sho inside. At the same moment, the politician pushed his hips forward and his member entered Aiba in a swift, but careful movement.

Sho continued the kiss while he tried to calm down. Aiba was clamping around his member, feeling all hot and tight and Sho had to take care not to come immediately. He had never imagined that being inside a man could feel that good.

After a few seconds of calming himself down, Sho broke the kiss, leaving Aiba breathless.

“Move!” his partner ordered him and Sho began to retreat his hips only to push them forwards the next second.

While keeping their eyes locked, they quickly found a rhythm that suited both and soon they were panting, their names on each other's lips.

Sho had set a quick pace, his hips snapping forward powerfully while he drowned in the sensation Aiba's tight ring of muscles was creating. The tightness caused him to come closer to his climax faster than he actually wanted, but soon, he felt his body starting to tingle, an unmistakeable sign that he was close to his orgasm.

Sho watched Aiba closely who was releasing loud moans. His eyes were closed and his breathing was heavy. He interpreted these signs as Aiba being close to his orgasm as well and decided to allow himself to come.

Putting his head into the crook of Aiba's neck and shoulder, Sho sped up once more. A second time this evening he felt the sensation capturing his body in a very strong wave. However, also Aiba seemed to be hit by an intense pleasure as he was arching his back, which caused him to tighten around Sho a bit more.

While Sho's moans were muffled by his partner's neck, Aiba's voice resounded in the room. The way he just moaned Sho's name caused the other one to finally release himself.

Aiba followed suit, shooting his load between their bodies but none of them minded as they were riding out their orgasm.

When Sho's vision became clear again, he let himself fall completely onto Aiba who winced under the weight but immediately wrapped his arms around Sho's broad back.

They stayed like that for some minutes until their heartbeat had regulated again.

Sho had slipped out of Aiba sometime between the soft kisses they had just shared to calm down and was slowly feeling awkward, having that wet condom sticking to his member.

Reluctantly, he got out of Aiba's embrace and cleaned himself first and then devoted himself fully to Aiba who simply enjoyed Sho's tender touches.

After Sho had gotten rid of the tissues, he crawled into his bed again, reaching for the blanket that he found next to the bed.

He pulled it over Aiba and himself and took the other man into his arms again.

“Thanks for showing me how good this can feel,” he whispered into Aiba's ear who smiled softly.

“Anytime again,” Aiba gave back and Sho chuckled. He might come back to this offer soon, he thought.

Then, he let Aiba snuggle against his chest and watched him trailing off into his dreamland. Holding his partner close, Sho felt his eyes flutter as well and soon, he had followed Aiba.

* ~ * ~ *

When Sho woke up, he was alone in his bed. The images of last evening came floating into his mind, the sight of naked Aiba moaning underneath him made Sho feel very satisfied that morning. However, where was his partner?

Sho climbed out of bed. Maybe Aiba was, as usual, making coffee in the kitchen.

Sho found a shirt and some underwear and put it on before he left the bedroom. However, Aiba was not in the kitchen as Sho had expected, but in the living room. He was sitting on the sofa, speaking to someone on the phone.

“Yeah, for his first time he was alright, but I don't know if I want to do it with him again,” Aiba said and Sho's blood froze in his veins.

“But if I stop working with him we won't get any money,” Aiba continued.

Sho couldn't believe what he had just heard. Aiba was only working together with him because of the money. Last night also had been only a job to Aiba and nothing else.

His whole body felt like ice and especially his chest hurt. To him it had felt as if Aiba had fun last night too. Especially afterwards when Aiba had snuggled against him instead of going back into his own room, Sho had been sure that Aiba liked to be with him.

However, now all of it made sense – that Aiba didn't mind being with him, hugging him, kissing him... he simply did it because he got money. The realization hit Sho so hard that he had troubles to breathe.

“Sho-chan?” he suddenly heard the familiar, breathy voice.

Aiba had finished his call and had gotten up from the sofa to start brewing some coffee but then he saw Sho standing in the doorway.

“Was is all because of the money?” Sho asked, clenching his fists.

Aiba looked at him with big eyes.

“What are you talking about?” he asked, confused.

“Did you sleep with me because of the money you get?” Sho wanted to know, nearly screaming the question at Aiba.

Suddenly, Aiba's confused expression turned into a sad one.

“I cannot believe you are thinking like that,” he said and grabbed his phone that he had put on the table. When he turned around to Sho again, he was seriously angry.

“I'm not a whore!” he shouted before he stormed out of the living room.

A few seconds later, Sho heard his front door being slammed, indicating that Aiba had left his flat.

* ~ * ~ *

Aiba didn't came back that day. It had been Sho's day off (yes, Jun had been generous enough to let him take some rest) and Sho had planned to spend the day with Aiba, maybe going for a walk in the park nearby or eating out in the evening.

Instead, Sho had spent the day sitting on his sofa, thinking about the past weeks with Aiba by his side. Now that he knew that it had only been a job to Aiba, the memories of evenings spend together hurt quite a lot. Sho had felt comfortable around Aiba and he had thought that Aiba liked to be with him as well.

Finding out the truth hurt Sho more than he had expected. He felt miserable, especially since he knew that Aiba had changed his thinking quite a lot. He hadn't been able to accept male couples before but living together with Aiba made him understand that the gender wasn't important if you feel good around someone else.

Sho had even crossed the border and slept with a man. It had been a very new experience to him and he had liked it at that moment. Now, it all had a bitter taste and Sho wasn't too keen on sleeping with a man again.

It seemed to him that all of this “getting involved with a man” had been a huge mistake. It had only brought him troubles and, even if he didn't really want to accept it, a broken heart.

Sho was putting all his trust in his work now, knowing that it would keep him busy for the next days so he didn't have to think about Aiba too much.

* ~ * ~ *

Not thinking about Aiba was incredibly hard, as Sho had to realise a week after said man had left his flat and never came back. Some of Aiba's stuff had been removed from his room in Sho's flat but it must have happened during a time when Sho was working.

Sho assumed that Jun had helped Aiba planning his visit as he knew Sho's working schedule by heart. All in all, however, Jun acted very neutral towards Sho. After all, Aiba was his friend too, but after Jun had asked Sho once what had happened and Sho had brushed him off quite harshly, he never touched the topic “Aiba” again.

Jun had re-organized Sho's schedule in a way that Aiba didn't need to appear in public any more. He said, that it wasn't necessary any more and Sho was more than grateful to him. He wouldn't have been able to act all happy in front of the camera with Aiba at his side after what happened. Furthermore, he didn't know if Aiba would actually come to help him out again, since Aiba had shown no interest in contacting Sho in any way.

Still, Sho thought that HE should be the one being angry. He had been deceived by Aiba and not the other way round. He couldn't understand why Aiba acted all sulky since for him it had only been work. Sho had just stated the fact and it was still a mystery to him why Aiba had gotten angry.

Suddenly, loud noises coming from the behind his office door, pulled Sho out of his thoughts.

“You cannot go in there,” Sho heard Jun screaming at someone, but that person didn't seem to mind as Sho's door opened a second later.

“Stop, NINO!” Jun could be heard but the man had already made it through the door, closed it behind him and locked it. Jun was banging on the door from outside but quickly realised that it was of no use. Nino wouldn't open the door any time soon.

“Hello, Sakurai Sho,” Nino said and his ice-like stare hit Sho right on.

“Um, hi,” Sho offered a greeting, wondering what the heck was going on.

Nino walked towards Sho and finally stopped in front of his desk. He put his hands on it and leaned forward so that he was on the same eye-level as Sho.

“You're the biggest blockhead I've ever came across,” Nino said, putting a lot of emphasize on the not so nice word.

Too shocked by Nino's words, Sho simply stared at him.

He had quickly figured out that Nino wasn't his biggest fan. Considering the fact that Sho had kind of stolen his flatmate and best friend, the politician didn't blame him. However, coming to his office and insulting him was a bit too much.

Just when Sho was about to ask what this all was about, Nino straightened himself again and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“I am here because I cannot see Aiba crying his eyes out anymore,” Nino began to explain. “I really don't approve of his choice but as a friend I cannot let him suffer any longer.”

Nino's words didn't make any sense to Sho, so he decided to simply listen.

“I've warned him. I told him to not mix up work and his private life but of course he ended up falling in love with you,” Nino went on, rolling his eyes.

Wait... Aiba fell in love with him? Sho wasn't quite able to follow Nino's pace.

“When he told me how you'd opened up to him, I decided to throw my doubts over board and tried to support Aiba in getting closer to you. Obviously, this was a mistake on my side. If I had known that you would hurt him that badly, I would have cancelled Aiba's contract with you on the spot, even if I had to take Jun's wrath upon me,” Nino said.

“Why did I hurt him badly?” Sho started to defend himself. “He told someone on the phone that he is only doing it for the money,” he explained and crossed his arms as well, mimicking a pouting child.

“Doing what?” Nino asked and his eyes flashed waspishly.

“Working with me, kissing me... sleeping with me,” Sho explained himself.

“No, you idiot, he was talking about some sponsoring for his theatre play,” Nino set things right – finally.

Sho remembered indeed that their special night had been the evening after Aiba's stage play premier. However, he had never heard about a sponsorship or anything.

“What sponsor?”, he therefore asked.

Nino sighed and finally sat down.

“To be able to present that stage play, the theatre needed a sponsor – to buy all the costumes and wigs and such,” Nino began to explain. “It was quite hard to find one but Aiba finally managed. However, the sponsor insisted that he'd get a role in the stage play as well, not just a minor role. Since they couldn't find any other sponsor, they had to let him join their play but it soon turned out that this man wasn't the best performer and Aiba as well as his co-workers had a hard time to cover up all the mistakes he was constantly making. Luckily, he did quite well on the premier. The sponsor had offered to also help them out for their next play, but Aiba is not sure if he wants to continue working with him or not. They need the money, but he is also a lot of trouble, so they are in a pinch,” Nino finally ended his explanation.

Sho was hit by several feelings at once. The first one was relief. Aiba hadn't thought that Sho was a terrible lover and according to Nino Aiba actually really liked him.

The second emotion though made him flinch. He felt terribly guilty. He never had given Aiba the chance to explain himself but had only thrown his harsh accusations at him. If someone had done this to Sho he was sure that he was never able to forgive him.

“As I can see on your face you finally realised what a big moron you are,” Nino said, looking at Sho with a unnerved expression.

Sho might have not expressed it that directly but Nino was right. Sho had been stupid and he quickly had to apologize to Aiba and maybe there was a chance to continue where they had been before this terrible misunderstanding.

“Can I go to him?” he asked Nino, who inhaled sharply.

“This is not even a question. Since Aiba does not listen to me when I tell him that you're a stupid man who doesn't deserve him, the only thing to pull him out of his depressive mood seems to be you, telling him that you don't think of him AS A WHORE!”

Again, Nino was shooting lightings from his eyes and Sho knew that he deserved them. He stood up quickly, grabbed the jacket that had been hanging over his chair and ran towards the door.

“Sho!” Nino suddenly called him and the politician turned around. “Aiba won't open the door for you, so take my keys.”

Sho caught the set of keys Nino threw at him and nodded towards the other man. He understood that this was some kind of a peace offer.

When he opened the door, he nearly crashed against Jun who seemed to have waited in front of it.

“Sho, where are you going?” he screamed. “They'll announce the election's results in the next hour!”

However, Sho didn't seem to hear him and he was just running down the hallway, already taking his phone out to call his driver.

Jun sighed and looked into Sho's office, his eyes meeting Nino's.

“Yeah, you're right. They should talk,” he finally gave in after a silent battle with his friend. Then, Jun marched into Sho's office, falling down on a chair next to Nino.

“But now you have to stay here with me until they announce the results. This waiting makes me go crazy...,” he instructed Nino who accepted his fate with a deep sigh.

* ~ * ~ *

Although Ohno had been given the day off, he picked Sho up from his office just a few minutes later. He must have been driving like crazy to be there that fast, but today, Sho didn't care at all. He told Ohno to bring him to Aiba's flat who took the order with a tiny nod.

When they arrived, Sho didn't wait for Ohno to open the door for him, but got out as soon as the car had stopped, running towards the door. Instead of waiting for the elevator, he took the stairs, two with one step.

He opened the door with Nino's keys and quickly entered. He opened the door to the living room but couldn't see Aiba. Did he go out?

“Welcome back, Nino. Where have you been?” he suddenly heard Aiba's voice, obviously coming from the kitchen, so he quickly walked to this room.

When he appeared in the doorway, Aiba let the plate he had been washing up just now fall into the sink again. His face showed several expressions, from shock over disbelieve and finally anger.

“Why are you here?” he asked, his voice unusually cold.

“To apologise,” Sho said and moved closer to Aiba who, to Sho's relief, didn't back away from him.

Since Aiba did not show any intention to speak, Sho continued.

“I assumed something that had been wrong,” he began and Aiba nodded. “I should have given you the chance to explain things though before I threw such harsh words at you. I am seriously sorry, Aiba,” Sho apologised and cursed himself that he, as a rhetorically gifted person, couldn't come up with anything better.

However, Aiba seemed to hear the honesty in his voice since his expression softened.

“You know, I didn't really mind you assuming something like this. After I thought about what I said I can understand that you took it the way you did. However, I was so shocked that you believe I am capable of sleeping with you just because of the money. I thought you'd gotten to know me over the past weeks. Your words hurt me so much,” Aiba said and his eyes turned sad.

Again, Sho didn't know what else to say than to apologise again.

“I am so sorry, Aiba, please believe me. You are right. I should have known by now that you are not the person to do something like that. However, I was hurt as well because I came to like you a lot and I felt rejected, something I couldn't cope with,” Sho told Aiba his true feelings.

“You... like me?” Aiba asked, forgetting about the real topic of their conversation.

“A lot,” Sho gave back and threw a shy smile at Aiba.

“Although I am a man?”, Aiba went on inquiring, but his eyes had begun to sparkle again.

“Although you're a man!” Sho stated and finally grinned widely at Aiba.

“You know, I like you too,” Aiba admitted. “Although you're an idiot,” he added then and this time Sho didn't mind at all being called like that.

“Would you mind if that idiot would take you into his arms?” the politician asked for permission.

“Not at all,” Aiba laughed and let himself be caught in Sho's strong embrace. He wrapped his arms around Sho's back as well and left two wet spots on his shirt as his hands were still covered in water from washing the dished.

Sho, however, didn't mind at all now that he finally could hold Aiba in his arms again. He had been missing him so much and he knew for sure that he would never let Aiba out of his life if he wanted to stay.

“What do you think about stopping to deceive the public and starting a real relationship with me?” he therefore asked, pressing Aiba closer to his body.

“Politicians are great liar as we all know, but let's show the people that you are none,” Aiba replied and giggled when Sho gave him a light slap on his head.

“I am not lying when I tell you that I want to repeat the things we did in bed last week,” the “honest” politician replied.

“I'm ready for it at any time,” Aiba laughed, reaching for Sho's butt.

Before things got out of hand, Sho's phone started ringing. He suddenly remembered that today was actually the biggest day in his career. Aiba had made him forget all about work, which could be counted as a sign for a very long-lasting relationship.

“Take it,” Aiba advised him, knowing about the importance of today as well.

Sho did as he was told. When he cut the call, Aiba was looking at him expectantly.

“It was Jun,” Sho said. “He told me that I lost by only a few votes.”

“Oh, Sho,” Aiba sighed and took him into his arms again. “I assure you that I voted for you!”

“You did?” Sho asked. “Although I behaved that terribly towards you?”

“Yeah, I did,” Aiba gave back and looked into Sho's eyes, smiling softly.

“Yours is the only vote that counts,” Sho assured him and finally pulled Aiba into a deep kiss.

* ~ * ~ *

It was the morning of the third day after the results of the election had been announced. Sho had taken his defeat better than he thought. The reason for that was in all probability Aiba who had moved into Sho's flat again – this time with all his belongings.

Nino had complained that living alone wasn't fun but when Aiba had offered to buy him a dog to keep him company, Nino had decided that he'd be fine by himself. A dog, as he had explained, required him to go out at least two times a day which was unreasonable.

Therefore, Aiba was planning on buying Nino a cat (without him knowing) and Sho had decided that he should not interfere in this matter.

Jun had been the one being the most depressed about Ikuta's victory. He simply hadn't been able to understand how his great plan of having Sho faking his relationship with a man did not get him the most votes.

Sho, knowing that Tokyo was going to be governed by Ikuta from now on, felt relieved. He was sure that there was no better mayor for this town than his former opponent (and maybe himself).

He would go back to his old work in the Jimintou with Jun still being his assistant. Maybe, in four years, there would be a new chance for him.

Suddenly, there was a knock on his door. When Sho looked up he saw Jun opening the door, carrying an unreadable expression.

“You have a visitor,” he announced and opened the door a bit wider.

“Good morning,” Ikuta beamed and walked into the room, Jun closing the door behind them again.

Sho was surprised but delighted to see him in his office. He liked the man after all.

“You don't look depressed or anything,” Ikuta remarked and Sho smiled.

“Since I know that it's you who'll be taking care of our city now, I didn't mind losing,” Sho gave back and felt utterly mature.

“Actually, I came to you to talk about my government,” Ikuta explained and Sho looked at him questioningly.

“I have always looked up to you and your ideas concerning this town. Since I still need a chief consultant, I wondered if you might be up for the job. Before you ask, of course, I will offer Jun a job too. I know you're inseparable,” Ikuta offered and Sho wasn't sure he heard correctly.

As the chief consultant you were pulling the strings in the background, being involved in all the important decisions that had to be made. This job was nearly as important as the mayor's and would offer Sho even more insight on the politics of the town and country. Furthermore, Jun could come with him. It would offer him many new opportunities as well.

Since Ikuta seemed not to be joking about it and was looking at Sho expectantly, he quickly started to speak.

“I'd be delighted to work as your chief consultant,” he assured Ikuta who seemed to be quite relived.

“Then it'll be your task starting tomorrow morning,” Tokyo's mayor smiled and Sho couldn't believe how lucky he was.

“I am sure together we can achieve a lot of things,” Ikuta said and Sho agreed. He and the new mayor would complement each other perfectly and both were driving by the same motives and beliefs.

“Also, I expect working with you will be very interesting. You're always in for a surprise,” Ikuta added.

“What do you mean?” Sho asked. He didn't consider himself as an interesting person.

“I thought that all of this “being in love with a man” had been an act to secure you votes from several political uninterested or disappointed groups,” Ikuta explained and Sho's blood froze. “However, when I saw you and Aiba-chan at the party yesterday, you were as cute as always, so you really seem to like him,” he went on and Sho relaxed.

He didn't need to tell Toma that he was closer to the truth than he had thought – at least not now...

* ~ * ~ * THE END * ~ * ~ *

Comments

[rollingday_s]

Dear author-san, I wanted to tell you that I've seen this beautiful piece of cheesecake waiting for me first thing after I woke up, and I will be reading and commenting this in a few hours when I go back home. Let me just say, I am already dying and I can't wait! Happy Valentine's!

[rollingday_s]

I'm back as promised, author-san! I'm sorry I made you wait, but I hope my long comment (maybe too long, I'm sorry, I have too many feelings about this) will be enough to make it up to you!

Let me start off by saying that fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and I'm glad you chose it. I really would have been fine with anything (I have preferences, but in the end I'm really not hard to please if it's not something from my not-want list) but this was just top-notch. I went into the fic already squealing (and I'm so glad I didn't read your notes before I could read this properly because it was already difficult to go through the morning knowing my fic was waiting for me even when I didn't know what it was about!)

The setting was awesome! I wasn't expecting it, and I didn't know I needed it until now!! Sho running for major and JUN AS HIS ASSISTANT AND FRIEND FROM KINDERGARDEN *cries* This was the first plus of so many more in the story. I love the relationship they have here, with Jun teasing him like he kinda did with Keiko, and with him basically telling Sho what to do and reprimanding him when he's not listening. That, let me tell you, was one of my favourite things. I imagined Sho spacing out while Jun was talking, and Jun's eyebrows furrowing xD I loved it.

Sho and BABIES!! Oh, I wasn't expecting that either, and I was so full of glee when you gave him a nephew who adores him!! (Shout out to Ren crying when he sees Jun's eyebrows xD that was the best) I also love that Ren is immediately taken with Aiba!! But I'm getting ahead of myself.

When Nana and Jun are talking about what women like and how to get them into politics and Jun is like "hey, women like homosexual relationships right?" I laughed SO HARD. And squealed. Because that is perfect, this is so perfect, and I already fell in love right then.

Oh but then we get to Aiba and Nino's apartment. Let me repeat that Aiba and Nino's apartment. I didn't remember if I wrote in my sign-up post that I absolutely ADORE Aimiya as bffs, but, author-san, you must know that I do. I do, I do, I do. I also love the way you portrayed their friendship, and that they live together even as adults. And Jun as their roommate in their uni days is priceless too! I always imagine Jun and Aiba would somehow always find each other <3 I could feel the friendship between the Kaze trio and that was just 💚💛💜

You made Aiba an actor!!! A good actor!!! And not a stupid, whiney two years old ;______; If I didn't already love you by this point, I think I would have loved you now. Let me say this now, so I'm clear: your characterisation of every character was spot-on for me. I loved them singularly and together. Thank you for that, really.

I'm so glad you made Sho react badly at the thought of having a gay relationship. I loved the introspective component and the way he tries to come to terms with the fact that he likes Aiba. It felt very natural, to me, and it made this fic stand out even more.

Aiba and Sho's first kiss was THE CUTEST!!! Fail!Sho is just about my favourite Sho, and Aiba taking charge is just A++++++!! I'm happy he slowly accepts his feelings without even realising. I'm thinking about that party scene, when he offers Aiba his salmon sandwich (SHO'S LOVE FOR FOOD IS THERE!! AND JEALOUSY!! ARE YOU AN ANGEL, AUTHOR-SAN??) I'm not even sure I would offer to share my salmon sandwich with my boyfriend to be honest. It must be love xD

[rollingday_s]

Ohno as a driver had me cracking up xD especially the part where you say that he's a calm driver but when needed he can run every red light xD I imagined him getting determined, maybe putting on leather gloves and spectacles while pressing on the pedals with all his might. (If you've watched Harry Potter 3, kind of like Ernie on the Knight Bus, you know?)

I said that before, I'm saying it again: I love that Aiba is an actor, and what's more A GOOD ACTOR!!! That whole part was awesome! Sho going to see his performance and admiring him and then back in the car Aiba getting sad when he hears that Sho liked him dressed up as a girl BUT THEN SHO SAYS THAT HE LIKES HIM THE WAY HE IS AND I SWEAR I GIGGLED LIKE A STUPID TEENAGE GIRL BECAUSE HE WOULDN'T LET GO OF HIS HAND. The fluffiness just about killed me at that moment. (And then Ohno telling Sho to try new things... as expected of Riida!!!)

Their first time together was... I have no words. Beautiful. Perfect. Wonderful. Amazing. Emotional. Hot (of course.) All of this, and more. You might think I'm crazy for loving you for this but thank you thank you thank you for making them realistic, mature adults. Did I already say this fic is perfect? Oh well, I'll say it again: it's perfect. Also, I believe you and I both share the appreciation of a specific body part of Sho's ;) so the mentions of Sho's beautiful, naked back, and sexy, sloping shoulders, and his lovely, firm bottom - and Aiba's, of course - were A++++.

God, I need a moment to recover, that whole scene was too beautiful. Sho progressed so much from that weird nightmarish dream with the penguin boxers xD

And then... the misunderstanding!!!! You gave me a beautiful rom-com, author-san. So beautiful. I understand that Sho would be upset to hear something like that and would be quick to jump to conclusions, but he's an idiot (and isn't that why we love him, really?) and Aiba was so right to feel insulted. That slightly angsty twist was the best, and you know why? Because Aiba realised how it might have sounded, so he didn't stay mad at Sho because he misunderstood, but because he thought he would know him enough to see he's not that kind of person. So you gave me a rom-com, but a beautifully intelligent rom-com. I seriously might cry. I want this made into a movie so I can actually enjoy rom-coms more.

Nino barging in Sho's office because he wants to set things right is just too much for my heart. Their friendship, again, is priceless. ;____;

And then finally Sho and Aiba clear things up and they decide to start dating for real, and my heart went <333333 And even if Sho didn't win, he still gets to occupy a great position ;___; ah what a beautiful ending to a beautiful fic ;___;

I'm sure there are many other things that I forgot to mention, but really, believe me when I say, I loved this so much!! Thank you for this beautiful piece of cheesecake <3

This was an amazing ride <3 Thank you so much for writing this piece for me, and I look forward to talking to you soon at reveals <3 I love you for this beautiful fic <3 Thank you again ❤️💚

[piggywhale.livejournal.com]

I LOVE THIS SOOOOO MUCH!!!

Sorry for all the capitals. I seriously want to convey my feeling toward this piece. That I really really really LOVE it. You are most likely single-handedly make my participation in this exchange totally worth it - and I am not even your recipient. :D This is an amazing piece of fanfiction and a breathtakingly wonderful, lengthy Sakuraiba, something that I have been longing for quite a while. And I am so happy and very grateful that you write this.

I have had such a fun time reading this. And I spent so muh time savoring every word you put in the fic, which is unusual. I normally don't take this long to read a fic of this length. It's because I enjoy reading this so much that I wouldn't mind being a slow reader for this one. What a great time I have!

I love Sho in this. He is mellower and not overly serious/ambitious about his work. Of course, it's still really important and he certainly aims for greatness. Yet, he doesn't come out too cold, or too rude like he could be. He is caring and sincere (well, despite this fake dating - but I want to blame Jun for that .. haha). The way he considers Aiba, what he thinks of him, are sweet and loving. Just the Sho I like in Sakuraiba.

You make this story about a straight guy accepting that homosexual is not such a repulsive thing, especially when you find the right one. I really appreciate this premise. The details and tge pace of this story make the transformation of Sho convincing and believable. We see that Sho changes slowly. There is no rush. It's not a falling in love at first sight. In stead, you show us why Sho would gradually fall for Aiba. You let us know how Sho feels when he is with Aiba. And I really love that. I appreciate the pace of the story. I love every scene you put here. I am so happy to be reading them, picturing them, and enjoying them. I am very grateful that you spend time and effort in showing us all Sakuraiba scenes here.

And Sho with food. Oh god, you certainly know how to hit the right spot witg me here. I LOVE Shoxfood. It's so adorable. And you use it to show how much Sho truly care for Aiba - because he is willing to share food with Aiba. Haa!! THAT is a sign of true love! I am really in awe for that. How perceptive of you! This is so clever.

And that sex sequence. Wow... just wowwww..... it's so detailed, and so well written. I feel it shows the love between these two instead of hotness and lust >_< and I think it fit well with the general feel of this story.

I love Aiba here. He's such a pure soul and a truly good guy. I cannot help thinking that Sho would certainly fall for a person like this. It's not about gender but more like who that person is and how that person changes you. It is very clear that Aiba makes Sho a better person. Sho is happier, nicer and calmer with Aiba around. Aiba also fills in the missing part in Sho's life. His positive nature brightens Sho's gloomier one and I think Sho looks at the world on a brighter side because of Aiba. This is truly wonderful.

[piggywhale.livejournal.com]

Sho's interaction with Jun is also amazing. Jun, despite working under Sho, seems to be an equal and Sho has respect toward him. Jun is also caring and loving toward Sho, which I really like. I generally prefer Sakumoto to be friends/colleagues who respect and care for one another - which is what you show us here.

Ohno here is amazing. He's so cool in a half driver half bodyguard- ish presence. I think his personality fit so well with the role he has here. And his few words are ever so important to Sho. I love it that it's Ohno who makes sure Sho has flowers for Aiba at the play. And he's the one that offers the push that Sho needs to be brave about what he truly wants.

I always love NinoAi. And your NinoAi is certainly wonderful. The friendship they share and the love they have for one another is a strong anchor for Aiba here. I cannot help thinking that Aiba can only be this nice and lovely and pure because he has Nino beside him. And of course, I know that Aiba can rely on Nino to protect him and help resolve the misunderstanding between him and Sho.

Thank you so much for this. You cannot possibly imagine how important and meaningful this story is to me. It is a reminder, a much needed one at this time, why I love Sakuraiba. Thank you so much. You really save me with this fic.

[yuuki-73.livejournal.com]

I had been reading so many fics where Nino is always bitchy, nagger, angry..... And I feel that is too caricature... I don't know.... I think that I am in a quest for Nino's truth soul.