9 1/2 Weeks - 04 - (Week 2: Thursday)
Dec. 27th, 2012 05:28 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Week 2: Thursday
Jin owns two suits. One is from before, for other people's weddings and graduations. It fits him again, after he stopped having money for beer, stopped going out. But he doesn't ever wear it when he applies to stack crates in the back of some supermarket. His second one is newer, cheap, and he doesn't like wearing it much either, but at least it was meant for this stuff. For going to see people to ask for things.
The building manager has a little office. It's gloomy like the rest of the house, but clean, orderly. There are files, and Jin's got a good idea what his says.
He bows in his seat, again. He has the envelope in both his hands.
It's eight at night on Thursday, a good time; a time Jin often has the lights off and doesn't exist. Yubawara-san checks on things like lightbulbs and locks and missing rent money when normal people come home from work.
"I am deeply sorry for falling behind, Yubawara-san," Jin says. He doesn't like Yubawara-san, and there's a whisper in his head about his greedy hands and all the things he knows about Jin, three and a half years he can chart Jin's jobs, Jin's lack of jobs, Jin selling his watch or his electric guitar, Jin's bows every time there's wheedling to be done for another grace period.
Yubawara-san looks slightly uncomfortable.
"The times are difficult," he says vaguely. Jin can tell he's trying not to zoom in on the envelope too much. He hates being so pleased that he actually has something to give the man, like a good dog bringing back a not-too-dead rabbit.
"This will take care of my arrears from February," he says, handing the envelope over, his head sinking deep. "Eleven days, I believe." He's passed the bulk on to Meisa, got his haircut, bought food. This is all the rest.
Yubawara takes it – both hands, always polite, polite like the supermarket owners and park managers who tell him sorry, Akanishi-san, your presence is too disrupting, you're too famous to be employed, we're sure you understand, and expect him to bow and be grateful for their politeness, oh shut the fuck up.
Jin focuses again. Yubawara doesn't count the cash. Delicate, but then, he knows where Jin lives. Okay, that's almost funny.
"I'll have more when I get paid again next week," Jin says.
"That's good, isn't it, Akanishi-san," Yubawara says heartily, but Jin recognizes the blank look in his eyes, the look that says well, we'll see when we get there.
Jin knows Yubawara is just doing his job. Like everybody else who can now lord it over Jin, just doing their jobs, just doing the best for their company. They just never had the misfortune to be an idol and think they could have a life, too, they never reached for much, and now here they are. Yubawara's got his bland job and his scuffed suit and a receding hairline, and he goes home to his wife and sees his kids every night.
"Thank you so much for your kind patience," Jin says. "It should not get this bad again. I am very sorry for the trouble." He's pretty sure the money's enough to convince them he's still a better bet than the cost and hassle of an eviction; he's pretty sure he hates how he's got a fucking strategy for this.
Whispers in his head, better a strategy than nothing, old bosses and cold strangers, his brother's voice, his mother-in-law.
Yubawara-san excuses him, and Jin bows on his way out the door, ignores the resistance from everywhere inside him. He puts on a grateful smile, and thinks for a moment he probably was better at smiling when he was younger.
It's not even a relief when he's alone outside, all the bowing and scraping makes his brain crawl with prickly heat and he wants to hit his head against a wall. Just to get some peace.
He takes the stairs up to his own gloomy room, and doesn't feel like turning on the light.
Week 2: Thursday
Jin owns two suits. One is from before, for other people's weddings and graduations. It fits him again, after he stopped having money for beer, stopped going out. But he doesn't ever wear it when he applies to stack crates in the back of some supermarket. His second one is newer, cheap, and he doesn't like wearing it much either, but at least it was meant for this stuff. For going to see people to ask for things.
The building manager has a little office. It's gloomy like the rest of the house, but clean, orderly. There are files, and Jin's got a good idea what his says.
He bows in his seat, again. He has the envelope in both his hands.
It's eight at night on Thursday, a good time; a time Jin often has the lights off and doesn't exist. Yubawara-san checks on things like lightbulbs and locks and missing rent money when normal people come home from work.
"I am deeply sorry for falling behind, Yubawara-san," Jin says. He doesn't like Yubawara-san, and there's a whisper in his head about his greedy hands and all the things he knows about Jin, three and a half years he can chart Jin's jobs, Jin's lack of jobs, Jin selling his watch or his electric guitar, Jin's bows every time there's wheedling to be done for another grace period.
Yubawara-san looks slightly uncomfortable.
"The times are difficult," he says vaguely. Jin can tell he's trying not to zoom in on the envelope too much. He hates being so pleased that he actually has something to give the man, like a good dog bringing back a not-too-dead rabbit.
"This will take care of my arrears from February," he says, handing the envelope over, his head sinking deep. "Eleven days, I believe." He's passed the bulk on to Meisa, got his haircut, bought food. This is all the rest.
Yubawara takes it – both hands, always polite, polite like the supermarket owners and park managers who tell him sorry, Akanishi-san, your presence is too disrupting, you're too famous to be employed, we're sure you understand, and expect him to bow and be grateful for their politeness, oh shut the fuck up.
Jin focuses again. Yubawara doesn't count the cash. Delicate, but then, he knows where Jin lives. Okay, that's almost funny.
"I'll have more when I get paid again next week," Jin says.
"That's good, isn't it, Akanishi-san," Yubawara says heartily, but Jin recognizes the blank look in his eyes, the look that says well, we'll see when we get there.
Jin knows Yubawara is just doing his job. Like everybody else who can now lord it over Jin, just doing their jobs, just doing the best for their company. They just never had the misfortune to be an idol and think they could have a life, too, they never reached for much, and now here they are. Yubawara's got his bland job and his scuffed suit and a receding hairline, and he goes home to his wife and sees his kids every night.
"Thank you so much for your kind patience," Jin says. "It should not get this bad again. I am very sorry for the trouble." He's pretty sure the money's enough to convince them he's still a better bet than the cost and hassle of an eviction; he's pretty sure he hates how he's got a fucking strategy for this.
Whispers in his head, better a strategy than nothing, old bosses and cold strangers, his brother's voice, his mother-in-law.
Yubawara-san excuses him, and Jin bows on his way out the door, ignores the resistance from everywhere inside him. He puts on a grateful smile, and thinks for a moment he probably was better at smiling when he was younger.
It's not even a relief when he's alone outside, all the bowing and scraping makes his brain crawl with prickly heat and he wants to hit his head against a wall. Just to get some peace.
He takes the stairs up to his own gloomy room, and doesn't feel like turning on the light.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 05:51 pm (UTC)is it better if i just read weekly ? XD
(i think there's a mistake in the title? it's supposed to be thursday ?)
anyways.
This is something I've often wondered. Once you're not a SUPER STAR but you're broke.... what kind of job can you actually get. How do you survive? Do you at all?
At least Jin got himself a rich turtle.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 06:17 pm (UTC)But thanks for the heads-up about the Thursday, that was a mistake in the post title!
We're numbering the real-time posts so it's possible to figure out which order they're in even if you miss one at some point (or to tell you've missed one...).
If you do read weekly, though, make sure you read at the website! Basically it should be easy to find all the parts on haikusoc by the '9 1/2 weeks' tag, or all the weeks by going to our website, but if you mix and match you might miss stuff. >_>
Yes, Jin doesn't exactly have the best resume if you take him out of the music business... and being recognized all the time wouldn't help, either. :/
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 06:32 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 09:06 pm (UTC)hsjdfhsdugjsrdhgsrdjjkl Jin ;;______________; I just want someoKAME to cuddle him and just be there for him ;;---;
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 05:05 pm (UTC)You should suggest the cuddling to Kame. Though possibly by phone, so you can still flee the country. >_>
Thank you for the comment! ♥
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 05:32 pm (UTC)I must be honest with you, Kame creeps me out. What? You already noticed? Oh.(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 09:18 pm (UTC)I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!! AND SO MANY FEELS AND I WILL WRITE EVERYTHING, WHEN I WILL BE NOT THAT SLEEPY!!! LOST OF HUGS AND LOVE :DDD
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 09:21 pm (UTC)I love this weird Kame who owns the whole world ( I wonder what is so strange is going on in his head >_>)
I'll be back
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 09:23 pm (UTC)Good night and so sorry for spamming your post. T___T
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 01:47 pm (UTC)Whispers in his head, better a strategy than nothing, old bosses and cold strangers, his brother's voice, his mother-in-law.
I like this part. it tells a lot.
They just never had the misfortune to be an idol and think they could have a life, too, they never reached for much, and now here they are. Yubawara's got his bland job and his scuffed suit and a receding hairline, and he goes home to his wife and sees his kids every night.
Here i want to write a lot about my thoughts and how I really like what you did here. I mean you the situation, everything that is around Jin is so belivable. Because Jin was stupid and the reality hit him very hard making fall on his butt and for some years he can't find any way to get up. Please don't think that I'm just a bad bad person who are writing about real Jin and his situation. I will put your disclaimer for this comment XD THIS IS FICTION AND THE COMMENT ABOUT THE FICTION.
I mean lots of years ago he acted against the rules that sociaty dictating, he just wanted to live the way he want, because this is his life after all. and in this scene after so many years, he is angry and he is bitter and he hates his life, but he is bowing and listening.
He takes the stairs up to his own gloomy room, and doesn't feel like turning on the light.
It seems like his life lately has little light and after appear Kame like lamp >_> very weird lamp.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 05:25 pm (UTC)Did we kill Taguchi... well... you'll find out. :)
I DON't feel sorry for Jin >_> like not at all and he has Kame now, who will touch his face, listen his voice, take care about his hair, his kids, being great and almighty and sooooo weird in his actions.
We guess that's one way of looking at it. :) What a lucky guy Jin is to have Kame come and fondle him creepily. YAY! :DDD
We're really happy that you like angry!Jin. Yeah, the anger is good for him, when he's been sitting on his feelings for so long. Also, it's fun for us to write. We don't think we've ever had them snarl at each other quite as much as in this story. (We kept wondering if we should say for a summary, This is a story where people call each other asshole a lot.)
Thank you for picking up the 'Whispers' sentence, that's an important one to us. :) #pleasednow
YES IT IS FICTION! We felt so guilty sometimes. We tried to make it believable, of course, but then sometimes it just got too believable and we were all OMG OMG WHAT ARE WE DOING...
Kame as a lamp! We like this image! :)))
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 05:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 09:43 pm (UTC)He hates being so pleased that he actually has something to give the man, like a good dog bringing back a not-too-dead rabbit.
I like how you write Jin's feelings, how he's angry at the world and bitter and angry at himself and still somehow resigned and quiet, and miserable. But how he's, at his heart, still Jin. He is very believable.
The supermarket owners telling him he'd cause trouble because of his famous face reminded me of Kyohei and his pretty face. Only where Kyohei had bosses sexually molesting him, Jin has Kame to confront. >.>
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 05:25 pm (UTC)Pleased we could pass some of our black, black shame on to you. :p
We're really glad the mix of anger and resignation/misery works, and that they are plausible. Both are important here. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 09:45 pm (UTC)LOL, this made me laugh. XD But I mean, well, Jin can't have really expected to be hired so easily. ^^;; Although, really, where did all his money go? Because, in America anyway, there are plenty of celebs who stop working to raise their families and it's fine because they have millions and it's enough to support them and their kids for the rest of their life. And in Jin's case, he lives pretty simply, so I wonder what on earth was he doing to waste all his millions of yen in what, eight years? O.o Idk, as much as I want to, I can't bring myself to feel sorry for him, because well, if you do manage to go and get yourself fired, the least you can do is use all the monies you have wisely so you don't end up like this. >.< Maybe I'm being harsh, but until I find out what exactly happened, that's how I feel about it. /shrug/
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:31 pm (UTC)We figured that his money went mostly on trying to make it independently somehow after the Johnny's thing ran dry. And, well, living expenses.
It's not actually like American celebs with JE guys, they make nowhere near as much. They have a salary system there, and they earn a decent amount, yes, but they don't get much for the records and concerts and all that stuff, and nothing (as far as we know) for promotional appearances for their own stuff (like Music Station etc). One way to earn extra cash is to do CM, dramas or reportage, so Kame is probably doing pretty well right now. If you don't have that, there's your salary, but that's it. And it's not as much as you might imagine.
There were calculations online a few times, about who was the highest earner in JE, going by the taxes they had to pay. It was Nakai, we think, and then the rest of the SMAP guys, and then some Arashi, but KAT-TUN didn't even figure, and even for SMAP it wasn't as high as you'd think when you look at American stars.
Actually, here it is:
http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/656398.html
Makes for interesting reading. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:54 pm (UTC)But anyway, thank you for this information, I had no idea they got paid so much less. O.e;; Makes a lot more sense about where Jin's monies went, since he hasn't been in much dramas or CMs. Not that I feel anymore sorry for him though, ahahah. |D
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-29 12:04 am (UTC)(I can dig that thing out if you're interested, I saved it for, uh, research purposes. :)
As for the money they bring in, well... it's a fact that JE invests a lot in these guys from when they're 13 and not really all that marketable, so to some extent I think they are just recouping their investment. But also, the guys get a basic salary All The Time, no matter how well they are or aren't doing, so maybe they are exchanging the American billions for some sort of security.
I wish they made more, too, because as hard as they work, I really think they deserve it. But it's a different culture... and yeah, while they can make a nice living and buy themselves nice Gucchi bags and Prada shoes, it's not all bad. Maybe there doesn't have to be such a gap between celebrity incomes and those of normal people.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-29 12:31 am (UTC)Sure why not, I have plenty of time ahaha. :3
Ahh, so that means, Jin is also getting paid rn even though he's on suspension? :O That's totally true!
Seriously, especially poor Kame who almost worked himself to death. >.<
Maybe there doesn't have to be such a gap between celebrity incomes and those of normal people.
That's true too! :) Personally, I don't really mind it if I think a person deserves it, like really talented actors/or singers, because not everyone has those skills and they spend so much time away from family to do their jobs and they deserve to enjoy a luxurious life when they do have free time. It bothers me when people with no talent at all or even education, earn money like that, like people on reality TV shows. >.<
My gosh, so then, I wonder, like with really big groups, like AK whatever that giant girl group is, they must make like, a normal salary, if even less because whatever they get has to be split among each of them right? X'D
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 01:50 am (UTC)and there it goes again.... the "just doing his job".... it feels sad that its like jin is compromising everything he has because it's his job...
this is really great.... :) can't want for more.... :)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:37 pm (UTC)Yeah, compromising can be tricky. Jin's had to learn... >_<
Thank you for the feedback!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 03:05 am (UTC)him having a famous face that he can't work in supermarkets made me remember of kyohei..that he had to work in supermarkets is sad..
thanks for the update!!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:38 pm (UTC)His former fame is really backfiring for him. :/ Worst of all worlds right now.
Thanks for the comment! ♥
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 04:29 am (UTC)"The times are difficult," he says vaguely. Jin can tell he's trying not to zoom in on the envelope too much. He hates being so pleased that he actually has something to give the man, like a good dog bringing back a not-too-dead rabbit.
Seriously! And I am wondering where his friends went. He had a troop of them didn't he? Will they be playing a role here? Just wondering... :(
I hope Kame makes it all better soon!~
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:42 pm (UTC)He tried too hard for too long, we guess... :/ And also, well, he has two children, that's not cheap. And no job.
And I am wondering where his friends went. He had a troop of them didn't he? Will they be playing a role here?
That's a very good question. You'll find out what happened there pretty soon. Stay tuned on this channel. :)
Kame... yes. Let's put our faith in Kame. :DDD
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 05:37 am (UTC)Kame must be trying to help him get out of his funk little by little. Because he knows that Jin has still too much pride left to accept direct help from him, right? Anyways, I hope Jin's life will improve real soon.^^
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:46 pm (UTC)Kame's presence is certainly helping him get out of his funk, whether Kame planned it that way or not. At least now he can snarl at somebody. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 06:09 am (UTC)looking forward to the next! ^_^
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:46 pm (UTC)Hope you enjoy the next part when it comes! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 02:47 pm (UTC)In your previous replies, I guess that Kame's life is hard too :'c
I hope that they can save each other, and be happy forever...
Ooooh what a sad heart-breaking chapter X'(
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:47 pm (UTC)Don't we all want that! AKAME4EVER! :)
Yes, Kame's life is no bed of roses. Jin will learn a bit more about that as time goes on.
Thank you for commenting. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:07 pm (UTC)Well, at least Jin seems to have been able to handle a few bills. Poor guy :< He's off to a decent start at putting his life in order... It's just a bit sad that for the moment everything is depending completely on Kame. Poor guy doesn't have too much control of his life.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 11:49 pm (UTC)But you're right, it depends on Kame. A lot of stuff is out of Jin's hands...
Thank you for commenting. :)
PS - cute Goldilocks icon!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-29 03:54 pm (UTC)Awesome update! I will always love this kind of well written Jin POV
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-29 05:43 pm (UTC)Yes, this is definitely a worst-case for Jin and his career in the agency. We don't think it's outside the realm of possibility (which is why we started feeling increasingly guilty the more real Jin's suspension felt), but they are also not always shitheads; as in, as long as you don't actively piss them off, the whole salary thing does provide some security. But, yeah. This Jin... T____T
Thank you for the feedback, it's great to hear from you! We're glad you're enjoying the story. :-)
PS: interesting, are you commenting via Twitter?
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-29 05:54 pm (UTC)Yes, it's really sad reading about Jin in that particular situation considering the current Jissue, but also very cleansing. It's on all our minds. Totally agree on the JE matter.
Thouroghly enjoying this story, just as I enjoyed SDW <3 And I really enjoy this updating method, makes it more real and possibly thrilling if the tension keeps rising.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 03:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 07:17 pm (UTC)We assume that even if things went pear-shaped for Jin IRL, there's still a chance someone will know someone who can give him some kind of job... but Jin never diversified, and he's not a strategic person so he'd be crap at purposeful networking, so... yeah.
We also hope this will never happen. >_>
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-20 08:46 am (UTC)It sucks that he doesn’t have a too good relationship with his landlord. But well, Jin must’ve pissed him of enough with being behind with his rent too much. And Jin maybe shouldn’t take it for granted that that guy hasn’t thrown him out yet. But still I get his point when he doesn’t want someone like Yubawara to know much about him and his current situation.
..polite like the supermarket owners and park managers who tell him sorry, Akanishi-san, your presence is too disrupting, you're too famous to be employed, we're sure you understand, and expect him to bow and be grateful for their politeness, oh shut the fuck up.
I feel reminded of Kyōhei here. Only that doesn’t mean Jin’s situation sucks less. Poor guy still.
All of this must be really hard for Jin. It’s always harder when you had everything at one point and then have to live with having less. Being poor even. I can imagine how he wasn’t really ready for this at some point. It’s maybe not yet easy, when you have in mind that there were times when things were easy and being in idol was your job and not a hindrance for getting jobs.
I like how the way Jin feels reflects a bit in whether the lights are on or off. It’s a bit like that children’s logic of ‘If I can’t see you, you can’t see me either’. Though also sad, but I think sometimes it’s easier for Jin to pretend not to be there. And that people are not able to look at him and judge him for whatever.
Oh and now that you mentioned his brother: How is their relationship now, btw?
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-20 07:57 pm (UTC)Yubawara is not happy with Jin. And that's justified. Throwing ppl out is a hassle, which is why Jin's still there on sufferance, but yeah.
Well, if the lights are off, people might think he's out. :) And yes, it's easier to pretend not to be there, and not to be seen. :(
Reio... more on that later, mkay?