yamapi and linda

“Akanishi! Where are you going?” Kamenashi asked him as Akanishi hurried to leave the dance studio.

“Something came up. I need to go now. I’ll see you guys later,” Akanishi replied, distracted.

Akanishi just received a message from Linda that she was running away from the house. Again. Akanishi sighed. This was not the first time she did this. This always happened when she had a fight with her parents but it were never serious. She would run to his house and stayed there till Akanishi persuaded her to go home and make up with her parents.

If not because Akanishi loved her like a sister, he would have long ago break off all ties with her. He knew that Linda did all these so that her parents would take notice of her. He wished that someday someone would truly love her and take care of her unlike her own parents because she was a very sweet girl beneath all those delinquency acts of hers.

Akanishi got home and did not find Linda in his house. Worried, he called her up. “Linda, where are you? It’s late at night, ” he asked.

“I’ve bothered you for so long now. I’m not going to trouble you any longer. Bye,” she answered and switched off the phone.

Akanishi stared at his phone in disbelief. What on earth had she done this time? He wondered as he took his jacket and went to search for her.

Meanwhile, Yuki was looking at Linda nervously. She had helped Linda escaped from her room by throwing a rope over to her window so that Linda who was grounded for her whole life by her parents could escape. Yuki watched as Linda climbed down from her window after throwing her bags down, guiltily, wondering what had she done.

“Yosh! I’m free!” Linda exclaimed and hugged her friend.

“Let’s go!” Linda grinned at her and pulled her hand.

“Where are we going?” Yuki asked.

“To my uncle’s company,” Linda replied.

Yuki kept quiet and followed Linda. Her thoughts now went back to what happened this morning.

That morning, Linda’s father’s company, Masaki Holdings which was specialized in the hotel industries was having a ceremony to mark the joint venture with the Sakurako Company which was specialized in the automobile industries. Linda who was bored with the party and no one to talk to as Akanishi was not around, started to wander away.
She wandered away and soon the emcee of the ceremony announced that there would be some entertainment arranged that night. An idea formed in her mind. She crept near to the stage and was looking around when she saw Yuki looking lost. She went up to her and whispered, “Let’s do a performance together. You can play the piano, right? Let’s play the song, Sekai ni hitotsu dake no hana, ok? Let’s go!” Linda pulled her hand without listening to the poor girl’s reply.

As soon as the curtain came up, everyone was expecting a famous classical violin player to perform but instead, Linda had bound and gagged the player backstage and appeared instead. “Konnichiwa! Masaki Linda desu. Ima, watashi to tomodachi ga utao utaimasu,” Linda smiled.

Her parents were shocked to see their only daughter make a fool of herself on stage and not only that, she had pulled the daughter of their partner along for the prank. They watched the performance in grim expression.

Yuki had never played in front of an audience. “Yuki-chan, hajimete yo!” Linda smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

Looking at Linda who was so confident of her and depended on her to perform, Yuki felt a burst of confidence running through her veins. She nodded and her slender fingers brushed across the keys, producing a melodious music. Linda beamed at her and started to sing. Yuki was absorbed in her playing and Linda’s singing that she was not aware of her surroundings. She only realized what happened when she heard a loud applause.

Linda pulled her to stand and bowed. Yuki smiled shyly and bowed. “You did great, Yuki-chan,” Linda praised her as they went backstage.

Yuki nodded. As soon as they stepped backstage, they were greeted by Linda’s bodyguards. “Haiz…fun performing with you. Now, those old people want to have a ‘nice’ talk with me. I see you around, ok?” Linda grinned at her as she was being led away.

Yuki went back to her parents who were smiling at her. “You were great just now,” her mom praised her.

“Arigato, kasan,” Yuki beamed happily but wondered what happened to Linda.

Linda trudged into the luxurious room sulkily. “Sit down, Linda,” her dad instructed her.

Linda make herself looked expressionless and knew that she would get an earful. “What did you think you are doing, young lady? Tying the poor violin player up and sing in front of so many people. Not only that, you also dragged the daughter of our new partner! Can you at least grow up for a moment and stop making all these childish acts?” her dad nagged at her.

“I do what I want. Anyway, everyone loves our performance. It’s much better than that classical violin player,” Linda remarked.

“You are grounded your whole life! Not only that, you are not allowed to meet your friends especially that Akanishi Jin till you reflect on your mistakes!” her dad barked at her.

“I hate you!” Linda retorted and earned a slap from her dad.
Linda glared at her parents and walked off angrily. That was when she decided to run away from her house forever. She hated her parents for trying to conform her into something that she was not when they were not even there for her

Yamapi's shock

Yamapi held Linda’s hand tightly as the ambulance drove madly into the streets. “Linda, talk to me,” he begged.

Linda who was almost unconscious responded when she heard Yamapi’s voice calling her. “Tomohisa,” Yampi heard an extremely soft whisper.

Yamapi leaned closer. “Linda, what is it?” he asked.

“Sumimasen,” he heard her apologized.

“Ne, why are you apologizing? Linda, don’t close your eyes. Look at me. Tell me that you are going to be ok. Say something. Linda,” he said, frightened out of his wits.

Linda slowly closed her eyes and gave him a soft smile and uttered an apology again before she went into unconsciousness. Yamapi stared at her in silence and just followed with the flow when the ambulance arrived at the hospital. Linda was wheeled into the operation theatre where he was not allowed to come in. Yamapi stared at the door, his whole body numbed with fear.

“No, I will not forgive you,” he heard himself saying.

By that time, everyone ha arrived. Yamapi had retreated into a corner, not realizing that he was clenching his fists tightly that they had turned white. “Yamapi, do you need a drink?” Koyama asked.

Yamapi did not answer. It was as though he had gone into another world. His eyes were blank and face expressionless. “Yamapi, get hold of yourself!” Ryo shook him.

Still, none of them could get through him. They gave up and decided to just wait for the result of the operation.

(In the operation theatre)

“Doctor! Her blood pressure is weakening!” the nurse exclaimed.

“Doctor, it seems that the baby’s heart is also weakening,” the assistant doctor replied.

“Let me see the scan,” he replied.

The doctor had expected this to happen. The mother was losing blood internally and the baby was suffocating because the umbilical cord that connect the mother and child and served as the baby’s lifeline had been severed. “Prepare for the operation,” the doctor announced.

“But doctor! Both of them will not be able to take the pressure,” the assistant exclaimed.

“We have to take the risk. We have to save both of them or not, even one,” the doctor replied, taking charge.

A few hours later, the doctor managed to get the baby out. He handed the baby over to the doctor who was specialized in children who was standing nearby waiting. The doctor received the baby and immediately shouted out instructions to revive the tiny baby. The baby had stopped breathing. Due to his small lungs, which were not fully developed, the doctor had to be careful of the amount of air that he pumped in to make the baby breath again.

After a few trials, the baby managed to take in air. “He is not crying, sensei,” the nurse helping him cried.

The doctor frowned. “He is still trying to breathe properly. We shall put him under observation,” the doctor replied and made arrangements for the tiny newborn to be put in a special cot.

At the same time, the doctor attending to Linda had finished stabilizing her and was also doing some last minute tidying up.

The doctor left the operation theatre and was faced with a lot of people. Yamapi immediately stood up and looked at the doctor. “How is she and the baby?” he asked quietly.

Everyone strained to listen to his voice. The doctor looked firm. “Both the mother and child are saved. Their conditions are stabilized now but I cannot guarantee how long it will be. We will try our best to save her but please do be prepared for the worst,” the doctor replied and told them what happened.

The doctor left and a few moments later, Linda and the baby were wheeled out. Yamapi refused to see them. He closed his eyes when they passed him. “Yamapi, go and see your wife,” someone said but the words fell on ea ears.

“No,” he said.

“What?” Yuki asked and everyone looked at him.

“I’m not going to see her. I’m not going to see the baby. Leave me alone,” he said, his voice hardened.

“Yamashita Tomohisa! What are you thinking of? She needs you now! Your baby needs you to live on! What are you talking about?” Massu grabbed Yamapi’s collar, practically about to hit him.

Ryo and Koyama pulled Massu away from Yamapi. “I will not forgive her,” he said after Massu was pulled away from him.

Everyone was stunned. Yuki got up and slapped Yamapi hard. “What are you talking about? Do not forgive her? What did she do? What did the baby do? I WILL be the one not forgiving you. I hate you. I cannot believe that you are this type of person. She’s better off with Akanishi than you!” Yuki shouted and lost her balance because she was agitated.

Shige caught her and held her close while Yuki cried into his chest. Yamapi walked away from there. He walked and walked, not realizing where he was going.

He was in the hospital’s park. He sat down in a corner, hugged his legs and started to sob. He recalled the scene in the ambulance. He recalled that scene where Linda apologized to him and close her eyes. He then recalled the scene when she was smiling at him that morning, teasing him about the way he slept. He recalled the scene when he last saw her full of energy. He recalled the scene when he last kissed her. Finally, the scene that came back to him was when she was closing her eyes and the loud crazy beep of the machine indicating that he was losing her in the ambulance.

“Linda, Don’t leave me,” he whispered in between the sobs.

Yamapi & Linda

(In the car)

Yamapi saw Linda sitting uncomfortably. “Linda-chan, are you really feeling okay?” he asked, glancing at her.

She nodded. “I’m fine. Really, I’m just nervous. That’s all,” she assured him.

Yamapi pursed his lips and decided not to pursue further. He knew that Linda was hiding her pain away from him just like before but he also knew that Linda would get upset and would have a cold war with him for a long time.

When they arrived at the studio, Linda’s face lit up. He could see her mischievous eyes again. “Don’t go running…” Yamapi started but Linda had already gone out of the car and running towards the entrance where Yuki and Shige was standing.

“Linda Masaki! How could she run off like that? What does she think? Still an 18 year-old? She’s 30 and carrying a baby, for goodness’ sake!” Yamapi grumbled as he made his way towards them.

When he approached them, Yamapi twisted Linda’s ear. “Oww! What did you do that for?” she asked, irritated.

“Serve you right! Do you ever listen to what I said about running and jumping and all those stuff? Do I have to remind you?” Yamapi asked, getting a bit angry over her careless attitude.

Linda looked down at the floor. Yuki and Shige were feeling a bit uncomfortable. “Ne, Yamapi-kun, don’t get angry. It’s not nice for people to see,” Shige remarked.

Linda walked away from them. “See, you hurt her feelings,” Yuki accused him and went after her.

Linda went inside the dressing room and saw News members streaming in. She grinned. “How are you?” she asked Massu.

Massu grinned at her. “I’m fine. How’s my godson?” he asked.

“Takahisa? He’s naughty by day. You should see him one day,” Linda replied.

“Haha..I will. Anyway, where’s Yamashita-kun?” he asked.

“He’s somewhere. He’ll be here in a few minutes’ time,” Linda answered.

“Linda!” Yamapi jogged towards her.

“Massu! How are you? Linda, I need to talk to you,” he said, pulling her to a corner.
Linda looked at him with no expression on her face. “I’m sorry,” he apologized.

Linda did not say anything. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.

She still did not answer him. He closed his eyes and knew that she was having a cold war with him. Just as he thought he was doomed for, he felt his hand being squeezed. He opened his eyes and saw her smiling softly at him. “Let’s just do our best later, ok?” she said.

He nodded and bent down to give her a kiss. “Ahem! We are on in 60 seconds’ time,” someone announced.

They pulled away and went to prepare to go on stage. Yamapi, Linda, Shige and Yuki would be the last couple to get interviewed since Yuki and Linda were from the same group and they too were once the most popular stars in the entertainment business.

Yuki and Shige went on first. They talked about what went on with their life and so forth. As they were announcing their son’s birthday that day, the emcee asked, “So, when will we be expecting a 2nd little one from the Kato family?”

Shige was blushing and looked at his wife. His wife too blushed and answered, “I’m expecting another one now.”

“Eh?” everyone including Shige was stunned.

Linda who was beside Yuki, jumped up and hugged her friend. Yamapi was surprised by his wife’s reaction that he almost had a heart attack. “Omedetou!” Linda wished her sincerely.

Yamapi held her hands tightly so that she would not create anymore heart attacks for him. The emcee and the couple talked further before it was Yamapi’s and Linda’s turn. “Hai, now let’s find out about the leader of the group-Yamashita-san!” the emcee announced.

Linda and Yamapi bowed. “So, before we start, I could see that Yamapi loves his wife so much that he did not want to let her hands go,” the emcee teased them.

“Ohh…yes, I do,” he nodded which made Linda blushed.

“So, Linda-san, you are currently expecting the fourth one?” the emcee asked again.

She nodded. “ Yes, I am. The other three are at home with Yamapi’s mother,” she answered.

“Before that, let’s see some of their pictures,” the emcee said.

The screen flashed the three boys and their happy family photos. Linda’s eyes started to blur.A shot of pain went through her tummy. “I heard that one of them is named after Massu-kun, is that right?” the emcee asked.

“Yeah, the third one. Massu’s had been very helpful towards me during the whole period when Yamapi was away for some filming in another country that time. That’s why we named the boy after him,” Linda explained, hiding her pain.

“Their ages are 3, 2 and 1. Whoa, one year one child. Yamapi, you really do love kids,” the emcee teased again.

With each question, and time went by, Yamapi could feel Linda squeezing his hand, harder and harder. He glanced at her but he found no trace of pain on her face except for her eyes. After a few more questions, the whole interview was over and News gathered to perform. When Linda let go of his hand, Yamapi felt uncomfortable. He looked at his wife again before going up the stage and felt a bit assured when he saw her smile. Yuki and Linda were at backstage watching them perform. Halfway in the performance, Linda tugged Yuki’s arm. “Yuki, can you help me to the dressing room?” she asked.

Yuki saw Linda’s face had turned to deathly white. “Ok, let’s go,” she said, helping her away.

Linda sat down on a chair and put her head down while clutching something tightly. “Linda, are you ok?” Yuki asked, worriedly.

“I’m just tired. Let me rest for awhile,” she whispered.

Yuki watched her, concerned. “Are you in pain?” she asked a few minutes later.

“No, I’m not. Don’t worry. It’s too early for me to be in labor,” Linda assured her.

Yuki kept quiet. She waited a while longer. She went over to Linda. She touched her forehead. It was cold. “Linda-chan?” she called.

Linda did not answer. Yuki patted her arm. Her hand who was clutching something dropped and the thing fell from her hand. “Linda-chan? Ne, Okite!” she shook her.

Linda’s face was white. Yuki, fearing something wrong was happening, put her finger under Linda’s nose. Her breathing was getting slower. “Linda-chan! Yamapi,” she said and rushed out of the door.

Before Going For Music Station *Yamapi & Linda

“Ah! My darlings are awake!” Linda grinned as she entered the boys’ room.

From far, she could hear the chattering of the boys’ laughter and baby talk. Yamapi and Linda did not buy any baby cots for the boys but just a huge futon. It was easier because they are naughty sleepers and so Yamapi and Linda would not be worried about them falling off their beds. She often wondered how they could understand each other but she was proud to see that three brothers were pretty close with each other.

Linda kissed each of their foreheads lovingly. “Let’s disturb your papa, ok?” she suggested, with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

Linda, carrying Takahisa while the other two ran ahead, crept into their room where Yamapi was sleeping peacefully on the futon. Takizawa and Akira had already jumped on him when Linda arrived. Yamapi was laughing and was rolling over, trying to get away from the boys. Takahisa, who was in Linda’s arms, began to squirm as he saw his brothers and dad were having fun without him. Linda put him down and he immediately crawled over. Linda just laughed.

Yamapi who saw Linda laughing alone, stood up and grabbed her. “Chotto matte! Tomohisa!” she exclaimed when Yamapi pulled her down.

She accidentally hit her stomach slightly when she fell down. Yamapi looked worried. “Linda! Daijoubu?” he asked, rushing to her side.

Linda shook her head. She smiled. “It’s ok. I’m fine. Don’t worry. Just a slight bump. Don’t do it next time,” she assured him.

Yamapi looked guilty. Linda squeezed his hand and before long their sons were all over them. His mom opened the door slightly and smiled when she saw the whole family teasing each other. “Please let them always be this way,” his mom prayed as she gently closed the door.

“Ok, ok. Fun’s over. The four of you needs a bath. Do you boys want mummy to bath for you or your papa?” Linda asked the kids.

“I want mummy!” Yamapi answered.

“I’m not talking to you,” Linda replied which made Yamapi pout.

The boys went to their father. “Ok then. Papa, please bathe them properly. Ja!” Linda smiled and left the room.

(in the kitchen)

“Where are they?” Naomi, Linda’s mother in law asked.

“Bathing. Those four really are hyper,” Linda remarked, rubbing her tummy.

“Is everything ok?” Naomi asked, worried about her gesture.

Linda smiled. “I’m fine. Let me help you. Oh ya, Yuki will be coming over later to drop her child for awhile,” Linda replied.

“Yes! That darling Shuichi. Those boys will be delighted to see him. I just hope that Takahisa will not get overboard because he is so excited to see Shuichi that he hit Shuichi or something. That boy got too much energy,” Naomi laughed.

“We are here!” Yamapi announced their arrival.

Akira and Takizawa climbed over their chair while Yamapi placed Takahisa into his baby chair. “Everyone smelled very nice!” Linda commented as Yamapi kissed her cheek when he slid into the chair next to her.

The boys ate their breakfast hungrily and soon left the table to watch their morning cartoons. Linda helped to wash the dishes while Yamapi watched over the kids.

Half an hour later, Yuki and Shige arrived. “Konnichiwa!” Shige greeted.

The boys rushed over and giggled when they saw Shuichi. Shuichi in turn was squirming in his seat to get out and play. Yuki finally took him out and let him free to join the boys. “So, we will see you later then,” Yuki smiled.

“Yeah, we will,” Linda nodded.

Yuki turned again before leaving. “You looked pale. Are you sure you are okay?” she asked quietly.

“I’m fine. Really. Don’t worry,” she replied, patting Yuki’s hand.

Yuki took another look at her and went off with Shige who was waiting for her outside the car. “Sa, Are you ready to go?” Yamapi asked.

“Yes, I am. Let me get my stuff,” she replied, running up the stairs.

“Linda! How many times do I have to tell you not to run!” Yamapi shouted after her but Linda kept a deaf ear.
Linda went to their room and took her handbag. She freshened herself up a bit and rubbed her back. It was hurting slightly but she just ignored the pain, thinking it was just one of the maternity cramps. She ran back down and earned another earful from Yamapi who was glaring at her for not heeding his words.