Replies: Chichay12: Lol yup, Atsuko to the rescue!
den_takacchan: You’re welcome! & yah, I hope those fans can realize their idols are just human.
cisda83: You’re absolutely right! & this chapter shall answer your questions
Elo: Haha Atsuko’s appearance is def important
Minami-chan: I guess some fans out there are just too hardcore and don’t take everything into consideration when they speak to the girls at handshake events sadly. Hopefully it never happens to this extent though!
WantingtoCuddle: Aw thanks! & you’re welcome! Glad you could read it at school lol. Here is the update, I hope it doesn’t disappoint!
Haruko: lol yuko is indeed a genius
abcari: Thank you! Here is the next chapter! ENJOY
FlameHazeKatsu: You guessed it before Yuko! Lol. Who else but Atsuko of course
Haha and it seems there’s some Atsumina anticipation so I added some Atsumina undertones and well...read to find out I guess lol
THANKS FOR READING! HERE IS THE FINAL PART AS PROMISED!
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Minami had just finished changing back into her clothes in her private hospital room. The doctor told her she was free to leave after some rest, but figured she’ll do the resting at home since it was already getting late, and she didn’t want to stay the night here. Just before she placed her hand on the door knob, the door flung open and hit her on the head.
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Atsuko heard the thud as she opened the door, and when she stepped in and looked down, she saw Minami crouching and holding her forehead. She couldn’t help but smile at how tiny Minami looked curled up like that while muttering incoherent words. “You shouldn’t stand behind the door like that, it’s dangerous”
“Well it’s not like I wanted to be hit by the door! And you should’ve knocked!” Minami finally looked up and was taken aback that Atsuko was the one standing above her. “Eh! Atsuko! What are you doing here?” Minami asked as she took the extended hand Atsuko offered to pull her back up.
“What do you mean? I can’t visit a friend who got admitted to the hospital,” Atsuko angrily pouted.
Minami sighed. “That’s not what I meant; don’t go twisting my words around. I’m glad you came to visit...Thanks. But there’s really no need to worry. Besides, you’re busy aren’t you? Shouldn’t you go home and rest for tomorrow?” Minami asked. She was glad to see Atsuko but she really didn’t want company at the moment and just wanted to go home. Besides, she didn’t want to burden the actress, and she knew if she couldn’t shake her off, she’d be stuck with her for awhile.
Ah! I bet Yuko and the others called her...Wait, does she know what happened then...Oh man she’s giving me that look that says I’m about to be lectured big time. “Um Atsuko, you’re kind of creeping me out with the silence...”
Atsuko closed the door and walked past Minami and sat on the bed. When Minami turned to make eye contact, Atsuko pointed beside her and said, “sit.”
What am I, a dog? Her tone and expression aren’t exactly leaving me much of a choice.
Plus she called me by my name, she’s serious. I let out sigh and sat down beside her. Refusing to talk first.
Atsuko broke the silence and looked to Minami while she spoke, even though the other girl still had her head down. “A co-worker of mine was caught sleeping with the director”
“Eh” Minami looked up to meet Atsuko’s eyes and wondered why she’d tell her that.
“She’s a good girl, and it’s not against the rules or anything, but its unprofessional don’t you think. The director is also well respected and experienced in his field, so I found it strange he’d do such a thing. Most people on set were really mad those two were keeping such a secret, since it affected everyone working on the drama. One day during filming, the director and actress apologized to us all, and agreed to put their relationship to a halt until the filming was over. Well, everyone was kind enough to forgive them, agreeing to keep things under wraps as long as the two maintained a professional relationship while working together... And that was the end of that.”
Minami was actually listening intently to Atsuko speaking. She was somewhat confused and shocked by what she heard. She figured that this kind of stuff happens everywhere, even on the sets for actors and actresses. However, she was still at a loss as to why Atsuko was telling her this.
The confused expression on Minami’s face gave away her thoughts and Atsuko lightly laughed, earning a pout from the other girl. “Sorry. I’m kind of bad at this, but I guess I just wanted you to know that everyone messes up sometimes. The director is in a position of power, he’s supposed to lead us all by example while we work under him, and yet he was caught doing such a thing. Strange right?”
Minami narrowed her eyebrows in thought, and then said, “That’s irresponsible of them. Especially the director. Hiding and doing something like that. If it went public it’d be bad for everyone working on the drama”
Atsuko gave a questioning look to Minami, “That’s true. It’s wrong to hide something like that. Especially considering the consequences. They were only thinking about themselves and thought “”maybe if we keep it a secret, no one will get hurt”” but they didn’t consider what’d happen if they were found out”
“And that’s why I said it’s irresponsible” Minami stated, more strongly this time.
“It’s human!” Atsuko retorted, realizing Minami was getting worked up. “People make mistakes. They make wrong decisions and completely neglect the possible consequences. They do what they want to do, regardless of restrictions. That director was the person in position of power, and the girl had a responsible manager, but that didn’t stop the two from doing what they wanted....Just like it is with the members. Why do you keep forgetting that?” Atsuko asked, her tone reaching slight frustration.
Minami was taken aback again, finally connecting all the dots between Atsuko’s story and AKB. “Wha...What does that have to do with me?” she asked, still trying to figure out where Atsuko was going with this.
“It doesn’t. That’s the point. Do you seriously think just by leading with a good example you can get 300 girls to become absolute angels and not do anything wrong? Cause if you do, you’re delirious. All you can do is guide them while in AKB, and hope they make the right decisions. But their mistakes are theirs to make. It has nothing to do with their respect for you or your ability as a leader” Atsuko said with confidence. She saw Minami was thinking about her words.
“But I!... I’m supposed to look out for them, I’m supposed to realize if things go wrong...I,” before Minami could finish, Atsuko interrupted her.
“Realize what? Members keep secrets to make sure no one realizes. Of course they won’t come to you and tell you they’re breaking the rules. It’s their lives; you have no obligation to them outside AKB” Atsuko saw Minami hang her head down, and she gently reached out with her hand to lift up Minami’s face. “Your only job is to be yourself. To do your best, to lead just like you have been. You don’t have to change anything. If a scandal arises, scold them as a leader and support them as a friend, but never blame yourself. You know I’m being honest with you Minami. I’d never sugar-coat something just to make you feel better. Everyone has their role in AKB, and mine ended. You still have to live with yours. You have to live with the hate, the responsibility, and fans that will shove all their problems down your throat...But you can’t let that get to you, otherwise...You’ll never move forward. You taught me that remember, when I was having trouble as the ACE. Prove to me you weren’t telling me lies”
Minami felt the tears trail down her face, and wasn’t sure when she started crying. The look Atsuko was giving her was enough to convince Minami that she meant and believed every word she said. “It... It’s just so hard and frustrating sometimes...” Minami chocked out through the tears.
Atsuko brought her friend close and hugged her, gently caressing her back. “I know...I know. But you know what, only you can do this right now. I’ve seen how everyone looks at you in the group. They all really do love and respect you. They have nothing but respect for you. When you tell them to work hard they will. They cry and laugh with, and for you. They’ll follow you. They’ll always follow you.” Atsuko drew herself back and kindly wiped the tears off the singers face, who’s crying was coming to a halt. A few moments of complete silence passed before Minami spoke up.
“...Thanks, and sorry for causing you trouble” Minami said as a light blush appeared on her face for causing a scene. For Atsuko, she always wanted to be strong, but as the years went by in AKB, she realized that she needed Atsuko as much as Atsuko needed her. They always supported and encouraged one another. It was Atsuko who originally comforted her when she received her Captain role for team A, and now this. All her problems wouldn’t go away, but Atsuko helped bring things to light, to take a bit of the weight from her troubles.
As though she read her mind, Atsuko lightly pushed Minami’s shoulder and patted her on the head. “Our relationship is not one where we hold back, remember. I’ll always be here to bring you back down to earth when you stray away.”
Minami smiled, “Thank you Atsuko”
“Oh right, that reminds me, before I forget” Atsuko said as she took out a couple of cue cards from her purse and began to scan and read. “Let’s see...here we go. Minami’s too stubborn; sometimes she won’t listen to what others have to say.”
Minami widened her eyes in shock. “What...Wait what are you doing?”
Atsuko continued by flipping to card after card. “She’s too serious sometimes. She’s gotta lighten up!”
“She’ll scold anyone who is doing something wrong, not holding back even if it’s the amazing ace Yuko, the beautiful NyanNyan or even Mariko sama.”
Wait...That sounds like something Yuko would say. “Hold on Atsuko! What the heck” Minami grabbed the cue cards and flipped through them. Most of them stated all her bad qualities and some were even teasing.
The heck! “She’s too short!” Seriously, who complained about that? Minami looked back up waiting for an explanation.
“Well, when I met with Yuko and the others we wanted to be sure you’d get the message that you’re human in the end, and that you are a great leader, but also a flawed one. So we all decided to write up a couple of things” Atsuko said innocently.
“A couple! There are over 50 cards here” Minami whined as she kept flipping through them and paused as one card read, “I still think you deserved the slap, but as an apology I told your favourite Ace (whose not me by the way) that you told me that you accepted her invitation to moving in with her! Don’t be mad! You know you were going to say “yes” anyway! You can thank me later. <3”
Ugh...That Yuko! Wait...So Atsuko believes I said yes...Not like I can take it back now...And this does make it easier than me having to have said yes to her face... “Earth to Minami. What are you looking at?’ Minami snapped out of her daze as Atsuko was about to reach for the card and quickly moved away, resulting in the scattering of the rest of the cards.
“It’s nothing!!” Minami said defensively. Her eyes widen as she sees the contents of a couple other cards reading:
“Oh, just heard from Yuko, you’re moving in with Atsuko. Congratulations!”
“This may be the only thing that could interfere with your leader work Miss general manager, be sure to focus on AKB even if you’re living together with you precious Atsuko!”
“Seems everyone is writing whatever they want on the cards now...what do I do...Ah, well now that you’ll be living with Atsuko she’ll look out for you, but don’t forget you have all of us too <3”
Minami panicked as Atsuko was about to scan the cards Minami was looking at. She quickly got off the bed and began to pick up as much of the fallen cards as possible. “I got it Atsuko don’t worry! Are the others still here by any chance?”
Atsuko looked quizzically at Minami’s frantic expression, but nonetheless smiled since the leader was being all energetic again. “They’re still downstairs in the lobby”
Minami moved to the door with the cards still gathered up in her hands and looked back to Atsuko one final time before leaving and said, “um...thanks again. Really...Even for the insults haha...For everything. I’ll um, see you later?” the last part came out as sort of a question, and Atsuko laughed.
“Of course. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other soon”
That earned a flustered look from Minami as she lightly bowed then exited the room.
Always the shy one she is...I’m glad I could help, even if it’s just a bit. I’m sorry we can’t do more than this for you Minami...but please remember you’re strongest when you’re by the ones who love you. -------------------------------
Atsuko stood and walked around a bit in the room, and she could’ve sworn she heard Yuko and the others shouting. She looked out the window of Minami’s room and saw her chasing Yuko, who was trying to hide behind the others. She laughed and noticed she was stepping on a cue card that Minami must’ve missed when collecting the others. Picking it up, she smiled. The card read:
Make sure you and Atsuko take care of one another!
“Always” Atsuko said as she continued to look out the window and watched the people she loved most.
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Well that’s the end! Hope you all enjoyed the story! My first non one-shot story! Please comment!
Since some of you mentioned Atsumina I thought as a treat, I’d throw in some small hints for the pairing in there so imagine what you will lol
Thanks for sticking through till the end and reading this!!!! I believe Minami can overcome the hardships of being a leader, as long as she continues to love AKB & the members.
Thanks again to all the readers!! Till next time
Topic: Leaders Responsibility to take Blame (AtsuMina) - COMPLETED (Read 23068 times)