Utapri Drabbles

Happy Birthday, Ren Jinguji

 February 14, Ren muttered while he was taking a bath. Aside from it being Valrntime's day it was also the strawberry blonde idol's birthday, no surprise about that. Being given a two day off from work had given him the chance to clean a few things that was in his room, he had just came out of the bathroom when he saw something on his bed. Bewildered as to why there was a small box on his bed, he checked what it was and found out that it was a gift from his brother. Raising an eyebrow he wondered as to why his brother even bothered to send him a gift, it wasn't like he was still a kid who would be happy in receiving material things on his birthday but nonetheless he shrugged and sat on his bed before opening the box.

His eyes widen when he saw that the contents of the box was a scrapbook made by his mother and a letter written by his father. He debated on whether he should open the letter from his father or take a look at the contents of the scrapbook, after all the harsh things he had said to him.

"You're nothing but a 3rd child that didn't need to be born in the first place."

"Beating Hijirikawa's son is the only thing you could do as the 3rd son of the Jinguji Financial Corporation!"

"Don't you dare remind me of her!"

"Where did you get those things from?! I told them to throw all of her things!"

All those words rang into his ear and haunted his whole being. He never told anyone nor showed how much he was pained by all those words. What was the use after all? It won't bring his mother back nor be able to fix his relationship with his father. Back then everything felt worthless for him. That was the reason why he even started to rebel against his family, why he ended up being close to dropping out of school before entering Saotome Gakuen, why he dated a girl named Seira Hoshikage and why he was now known as a flirt, a person who can only give fanservice, a person who was thought that can never love and marked as a Casanova Prince.

It felt like he has been sitting in his bed, staring at his gift for hours that he didn't realize that his phone was vibrating. Snapping back to reality he checked his phone and saw that Syo had messaged him, telling him to head to the practice room as they need to rehearse for their next concert. He sighed and placed the gift on his bed but a picture fell from the scrapbook. He was left dumbfounded at the picture.

It was a picture of his mother probably after giving birth to him. He felt tears build up in his blue eyes and he felt a pain in his heart. He never said it but he really did miss his mother so much, how he wanted to hear her voice in person, feel her touch and her love. How much he wanted her back but of course that is impossible. He was alone.

"Why did you have to leave me?" Was his childish remark but it was what he felt at the moment, that something took away his happiness. He took a deep breath to bring back his composure and picked up the picture, kept it inside on one of the drawers and went out.

Reaching the practice studio in Shining Agency he wondered as to why the lights were off. Looking around for the switch, the bright light that suddenly turned on blinded him for a split second, the next thing he knew was that a popping sound was heard and confetti were everywhere.

"Happy Birthday!" Everyone shouted, from his fellow Starish members, Senpai-tachi and even some of the staffs and fellow idols he has worked with where there. They were all greeting him and somehow he felt that he wasn't alone anymore. No. He was never alone; he had his brothers and now he had his friends. They were his family now and he was glad to have met them all. 'I was wrong, I'm not alone anymore. I have them.' He felt tears fall down his cheek as his fellow members approached him and started giving him their presents. But to him, they were his most special and treasured gifts. He didn't need to say it for he was sure that they knew even though he tends to act like a jerk.

Later that night, after the memorable birthday party they held for him he sat down on his bed, a picture in hand. He took out the box containing the scrapbook and letter. Opening the letter he read the content of the letter. But one paticular line strucked him.

"Happy birthday my son, I know that I was harsh and cold towards you because I couldn't handle the death of your mother but do know that I love you and I'm proud of you, and what you have accomplished."

Ren smiled genuinly as he re-read those lines. Maybe he didn't hated his father or his brothers, he was simply wanting their love but the pain he felt back then made him uncertain of his feelings for his family. Certainly now, he was sure that he could rebuild his relationship with his brothers.

Taking the picture of his mother from the drawer and the picture he was given after the party he opened the scrapbook and browsed through its pages with a contented smile on his face. He placed the old picture back in its place and at an empty page he placed the picture from his party and wrote something down before keeping the scrapbook. He felt relief and he was ready to face life in a new perspective.

His journey has just begun.