Disclaimer: Pfft If I owned UtaPri, lots of things…..would happen.
Ok, I really wanted to make an UtaPri fic. Currently I'm in a UtaPri Rp right here on FFnet and I was inspired by the developing relationship between Masato and an OC that was created by KitsHiwatari (She's just the best^^) Anyways I will be up front right here and now, the this chapter is a bit rocky, but I'll manage better with the other chapters I promise.^^
Sidenote: This is five years after season 2. So Ren and Natsuki are 24, Masato and Tokiya are 23, and Otoya and Syo are 22^^
After Years; We Meet
There was a large turn out to the gala fundraiser. Many people, ranging from high class status to lower class were milling about talking and laughing as they drank the champagne the waiters were serving. The lighting was low in the grand ballroom, though the round tables with white table clothes held lit candles. At the present moment, the stage was clear, of any people, though there was music equipment that was already set up. There was to be live entertainment when dinner is severed.
Through the open double doors, a lone man came in, wearing a clean and crisp black suit with a white-collar shirt and a blue tie. His blue hair was nicely trimmed and combed, falling perfectly around his well-defined features and slightly contrasting against his creamy pale skin. Over the past five years, Masato Hijirikawa didn't change much in the looks department.
With his usual graceful and determined steps, Masato made his way over to the long table that was against the far wall. The brunette woman sitting behind the table looked up and smiled.
"Hello, do you wish to donate?" She asked, motioning to the other people that were already at the table putting their donations in the box. "All donations go to Ittoki-sama's non-profit organization New Melody, which funds Orphanages and gives scholarships to kids seeking out to attend music school."
Masato already knew about the charity and was already pulling out a pre-made check from his coat pocket. He handed it to the woman, over looking her raised eyebrow, when she saw the large sum of money that Masato was donating. As she wrote out a donor receipt for Masato, said man scanned the crowd with his cool blue eyes. He was trying to keep a look out for any familiar faces, not really in the mood to interact. In fact he hand only came to put in his donation, then leave just as quietly as he came.
It's not that he didn't want to see his friends from his Saotome days; it's just that five years is a long time. Things have changed since graduation, especially Masato himself. Since he didn't go into anything music related, Masato created a bit of distance between himself and the others, though Ren only seemed to grow closer to Masato. Most likely it has to due with the fact that Ren also averted away from a music path and both males understood the reason why they each took a different career path.
"Mr. Hijirkawa," The professional woman, broke Masato out of his thoughts. He turned back to face her, taking the pen that she was holding out to him. "Just sign here," She motioned to the line on the receipt and he obliged. "Then please sign this donation card." She scooted a red star shaped paper over to him. He quickly signed that and handed the pen back to the woman. "Thank you Mr. Hijirikawa."
Masato nodded, folding up the receipt and tucking it into his jacket pocket. Straightening his tie, Masato turned around, heading towards the doors. There was nothing else he wanted to do here, Otoya will see his donation and know that he came, so there was no worries about that. Maybe that will get the still hyper red head of his case for a week or two.
Thinking that he fully safe and that no one noticed him, Masato had jumped when he his name was suddenly called.
"Masato-kun!"
Only a few people call him with that title and Masato had to close his eyes for a moment and breath in deeply before he turned around and faced a smiling Natsuki who was almost pushing people over just to get to Masato.
Shaking his head, Masato held out his hand. "Shinomiya-san, you can't run over people." He voiced, naturally going into his mother mode, even though he hasn't hand to use it in quite a while. Masato walked over to Natsuki, placing a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from bumping into an older man.
Natsuki smiled sheepishly and bowed in apology to the man, then turned to smile at Masato. "Masato-kun, I haven't seen you in a while." Natsuki tilted his head to the side, adjusting his glasses, which had changed from wireless round frames, to stylish square glasses with black frames. It made Natsuki look more mature, even though his personality highly contradicts. His curly blonde hair was neater and cut a bit shorter, ending above his ears with his bangs combed back. Back in Saotome, you wouldn't think that Natsuki has super strength from the way he looked, but now, Natsuki has more muscle actually hinting that he isn't some weakling.
"Yes it's been some time Shinomiya-san." Masato stated, as he nodded his head and closed his eyes. "I believe we haven't talked since Ichinose-san's opening of his agency, almost three years ago."
"Three years." Natsuki repeated, with a slight frown, studying the blue haired man before him. It's been three years since he has seen his old classmate, yet it seems like no time has passes at all. Masato is still being his cold self, which Natsuki knew for a fact wasn't true about Masato. Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts, Natsuki took hold of Masato's shoulder and began to steer him deeper into the crowd, heading towards a table where the occupants looked very familiar. "Come say hi to the others, there's some good news that Otoya has."
Masato frowned, trying to shake of Natsuki's grip, but it was no use. "Shinomiya-san I don't-"
"Hey guys I found Masato-kun!" Natsuki announced, cutting off Masato's excuse.
All four guys that were sitting at the table looked up, three of which looked a bit surprised at Masato, while the fourth only smirked knowingly as he sipped his champagne. "Hijirikawa, it's about time you showed up." Ren teased, leaning back in his chair. "I was beginning to worry that you lost your way." He patted the chair next to him, inviting him to sit down.
Eyebrow twitching at Ren's annoyance, Masato stiffly sat down in the offered chair, seeing that he was trapped for the rest of the evening. He nodded politely at the rest of his tablemates, and then cringed a bit when Otoya suddenly latched onto him.
"Masa! I was wondering if you were going to come." Otoya said, and then looked over at the cool looking Tokiya. "Tokiya was telling me that you wouldn't."
Tokiya merely shrugged, crossing his legs. "I said that it might be possibility that Hjirikawa-san has other business to attend to." He stated calmly. "I never said that he wouldn't come Otoya."
All his words were wasted for Otoya simply stared at him blankly, then returned his attention back to Masato. "Masa you must give me your opinion." Otoya begged. "I really want to do something, but I'm not sure if I should do it here or wait."
A bit skeptical on what was being asked; Masato glanced around the table for any insight. Otoya, who was now taller, with longer hair, but with the same lean build, was not making any sense to Masato right now.
Syo, who had grown over the years, was now about average height for his age, though still the shortest, reached over and hit Otoya up side his head. "He won't understand if you don't tell him what's going on." Syo pointed out.
"The Ochibi is right, Ikki." Ren added in.
"Fuck you Ren!" Syo yelled, still not liking the fact that the older blonde still called him that ridiculous title.
"That's not nice to say Syo-chan." Natsuki scolded gently, latching onto Syo like he used to. "It's not cute."
Syo failed and started to shove Natsuki away. "Natsuki! Get off of me! I'm not cute I'm handsome!"
"Be a cute Ochibi and take Shinomii's compliment."
"Ren I'm going to kill you!"
"Ren, Syo, Shinomiya-san," Tokiya intervened, pressing a hand to his temple. "Please control yourselves in public. Syo's shortness and cuteness can be discussed later."
Syo shoved Natsuki away and stood up, pointing his finger at Tokiya. "Go fuck yourself Tokiya!"
"Guys people are staring." Otoya wailed, growing red with all the probing looks their table was getting even though he was laughing just a moment ago.
"It's because an angry Ochibi is great entertainment." Ren chuckled, though his laugh was cut short when Syo jumped on him and started to choke him as a string of curses left his mouth.
"Syo-chan!" Natsuki panicked, trying to pull the smaller and angry blonde off of Ren.
Having not been around everyone for some time, Masato felt a bit overwhelmed. He had forgotten how, when together, all of them are like some non-stop hurricane. It's amazing that he never went crazy when he was around all of them twenty-four seven back in Saotome.
With the passing of five years, Masato had thought that his old friends would have had an adjustment in their habits. If anything it seems that they only got worse over the years. Clearly they weren't acting like they were in their twenties.
To Masato's great relief, the lights on stage dimmed and a spot light shone in the middle of the stage. This made his tablemates settle down and turn their attention to what was about to happen.
"Ah she's about to perform." Tokiya commented, turning in his seat to face the stage better.
"Who is-" Masato was cut off when a lone blonde woman stepped up on stage. She was about average height for age, which seemed to be twenty-two. Her petite frame was enhanced by the simple yet, elegant backless, black dress that ended just below her knees. The spotlight seemed to make her blue eyes sparkle and emphasized her blemish free skin.
The woman ran a hand through her short blonde hair and smiled at the crowd as she took the mic in her hand. "Hello, my name is Stella Hoshimura and I'm going to be tonight's performer." She glanced over her shoulder at the already positioned musicians, and then nodded.
The music was upbeat, with a strong piano lead that had Masato's fingers tapping to the beat. Then when Stella started to sing, it was like the song got a burst of light. Her voice wasn't something that made you fall down your knees one, but it was something that makes you do a double take. It was strong, yes also soft with a serene melody to it. Cleary the woman up on stage had great potential of making a music break.
Masato watched as she moved her body to the notes of the song, singing each word with her eyes closed. Stella seemed to be enjoying her music, not even acknowledging the fact that she had the whole crowd under a silent spell. To his left, Tokiya and Otoya were looking at the woman with a proud expression, giving off the feeling that they knew her on a personal level. Actually, now that he sees it, Masato noticed that Natsuki and Syo also seemed to know her. Only Ren was taking in the performance with a neutral expression as he twirled the ends of his hair with between his fingers.
Pushing his observation out his head, Masato paid attention to the last minute of Stella's song, closing his eyes. Her song and voice made Masato's fingers itch for a pencil and a score sheet. The urge to write a song hasn't bit him a quite a long time and he had to clench his hand in order to drive the urge away. Writing music is something he can't do anymore.
The wave of applause made Masato snap his eyes open, seeing the woman bow at the crowd and smile. She skipped down the stage and met up with a dark haired woman, whom she shared a quick hug with.
Otoya stood up and waved over the blonde haired woman. "Stella come over here."
Waving back, Stella spoke to her friend quickly then skipped over to them, falling into Otoya's waiting arms. "How was I Otoya?"
"You we're amazing," Otoya complimented, and then looked at Tokiya with bright eyes. "Right Tokiya?"
Tokiya smirked. "Yes quite the performance Stella-san." He nodded. "I believe all that training wasn't for nothing."
"Well it better not have been." Stella laughed, pinching Tokiya's cheek, an action that made Masato and Ren share a look. Tokiya doesn't take invasion of personal space lightly.
As if remembering them, Tokiya slapped Stella's hand away, making the blonde woman pout. "Ne, Toki-kun you can be so mean at times." She glanced around the table, waving at Natsuki and Syo, then giving Ren and Masato curious looks. "Ah you have more friends."
"Oh right." Otoya rushed over and placed a hand on Ren's shoulder. "This is Ren Jinguuji, you know the one who Tokiya sometimes complains about."
"Icchi complains about everything." Ren waved his hand in the air dismissively.
Stella laughed. "Right, well he complains about you and your playboy ways the most." She shot back with a suggestive wink. She looked at Masato and quirked her eyebrow, placing her hands on her hips. "And what about you?"
Masato's eyebrow twitched a bit. Having grown up with formalities and strict manners, Masato was a little off put with the way Stella was so blunt and open.
"This is Masato Hijirikawa." Otoya announced when Masato made no move to introduce himself.
Stella smirked. "Oh Hijirikawa," She repeated. Tapping her finger on her hip, in time to her steps, Stella slowly made her way over to Masato and placed a hand on the table, leaning in and making Masato lean back. "Another richboy I can play with." Stella cooed, looking Masato straight in the eye, then like a switch straightened up and clapped her hands together. "Well I'm better get back to my friend." She kissed Tokiya on the cheek, and then ruffled Otoya's hair before skipping off.
Masato frowned and watched Stella go. He finds Stella's music wonderful, but he finds her mannerism less than tasteful. Masato finds Stella Hoshimura very annoying.
A/N: The song I imaged that Stella sang was a song by Mai Hoshimura, called "Merry Go Round"
Also please R&R, for your good as well as mine^^