This story happens in an AU where they are now in the day's University. This is based on another fanfic with a similar AU idea, but this happens outside it… yeah, a bit confusing, sorry. I just wanted to let you know that the other one is still a WIP and I'll try to explain more than in this story. This fanfic is just for fun and… Heisuke, that's another reason too.

Anyway, I hope you like it!

XMAS ROCK! Great White Party!

CHAPTER 1

—WE CAN TOTALLY DO IT!

The singer of the Ultra Souls exclaimed as he leaned over a table, in the restaurant, with his hands in the air and, like usual, he was smiling and yelling brimming with energy. Despite his positive energy, his band members were grim and serious. Even Shinsaku looked a bit annoyed. Otose began to clap as she took Ryoma in her arms to give him a big and tight hug.

—I will be very grateful to you guys. —she winked to them. —I owe you one.

All of the Ultra Souls members knew that Otose was like that, but they felt a chill run down their spine. Three of them were smiling but the one who wasn't, quickly got up form his seat and confronted Ryoma.

—Stupid! We said we would have the same plans for tonight! We can't play and then go to party! —Shinsaku grunted —you should be glad I accepted that corny idea of yours to have a "Secret Santa".

Otose worried a bit. Before Ryoma agreed to her request, she asked them to play a little concert, for the people, during the Christmas party in her restaurant. She only wanted at least three songs to be played, but now that they were kind of a famous band in the city, she didn't have enough money to pay them. Ryoma, on the other hand, thought this wasn't a problem because, after all, she never asked him to pay up all of the overdue rent before he became famous. Even Yataro said it was a bad idea: if someone else, especially their friends, asked for a song or two for free, the Ultra Souls wouldn't be taken serious anymore. However, Ryoma still accepted Otose's request.

—But Shinsaku, —smiled Kogoro —that's another thing. You already accepted so don't make an excuse not to do it.

—You grumpy, —interrupted Soji. —Let's just do the favor to our good lady who still gives us free pizza.

—That's our pizza! —answered Shinsaku. —Kogoro, Ryoma and I all work very hard and then you two just come and eat our pizza.

—Well, it doesn't have your name on it, and neither Ryoma nor Kogoro yell at us, unlike you do.

—It does have my name.

—Where, Cindy? —asked Ryoma a bit curious. A pizza with his name was a good idea, maybe… then nobody would steal his pizza anymore.

Shinsaku, to prove his point, suddenly took the spicy chilies and added them on top of the pizza slice that was in Soji's dish. He smiled and he waited for the guy with blue hair to respond.

—Done? —Soji asked.

—Yes, there. It says "Shinsaku" everywhere. Now no one but me can eat that slice.

Soji then stood up to take a bite of the pizza in front of Shinsaku's face. Toshizo and Kogoro stood up anticipating Soji's reaction. They were worried he would get sick considering how much spices was on the tiny pizza slice. Soji tried to hold back his tears as he was chewing while Shinsaku smiled. The rich guy didn't want to swallow because it was very, very spicy. Toshizo took a glass of water and gave it to him.

—Soji, you are indeed crazy. —he said to his friend.

Soji didn't respond but his tears came falling instead.

—But guys, —interrupted Otose. —please. I promise that I will pay you what you normally ask but not now, maybe in January.

Kogoro and Ryoma both looked at each other, having the same thing on their mind: Otose was a great person but they needed the money. The University and their apartments weren't exactly free.

—I think we can accept. —smiled Kogoro.

—Yes, yes, we will do it. —his friend turned to see him but then turned in the other direction towards his friends, who were still waiting for Soji to swallow the spicy pizza. —We will be here to rock!

—Oh thank you! —Otose gleefully hugged Ryoma with a big smile. —I could kiss you right now.

—But it's okay, don't worry, I don't need it. —he answered nervously. Suddenly a scream was heard that saved him from Otose's kiss. —Eh? What was that?

Otose and Ryoma both turned to see the other band members. Soji was gulping the glass full of water, as Shinsaku guffawed at Soji's inability to handle the chili while Toshizo was trying to prevent his old friend from falling over. Toshizo glared at Shinsaku which made him snicker instead, covering a huge smile with his hand. When Soji finished the glass of water he hugged Toshizo, almost making him fall over, and complained that his mouth was burning as if it was really on fire instead of the spices that Shinsaku put on the pizza slice.

—But it's your fault you little fool. —retorted Shinsaku as Soji turned to look at him with his tongue sticking out. —I told you nobody but I could eat it.

His friends couldn't believe Shinsaku could handle the huge amount of spice the pizza had, as he took a bite out of the same pizza slice that Soji tried. Despite the burning sensation on his tongue, Shinsaku smiled saying how delicious it was, the "flaming hot goodness" of the pizza (or on any food really).

—Poor Sochin. —Ryoma came close between him and Toshizo. —You should help him Cindy. —he was a bit worried that his friend was still suffering from the chili.

—Why me? —asked Shinsaku, finishing the last bite. —Tssk, okay I will do it. Come with me Soji.

While holding onto the black jacket, with an imprint of a skeleton, of the guy whom Ryoma nicknames Cindy, Soji willingly stood up and followed Shinsaku to the kitchen. With his teary eyes, he couldn't see very well but he listened to the explanation on how to calm the burning in his mouth by using a bit of chocolate or milk. As the two of them walked out, the rest of the members took the time to discuss the "Secret Santa".

—Now that we have the time, —smiled Toshizo —we need at least one person, other than the band members to do this. Yataro? Are you going to do it with us?

—I'm sorry, guys, but I can't. —answered the young business man.

—Ah, no? —lamented Ryoma —But, man, we were counting on you.

—It's just that my parents already bought my ticket back home. They want to see me at least once in a while. But I bet you can find someone else, can't you?

—What about your friend, Toshizo? —asked Sensei —The one of you and Soji, the guy who was in our concert. Heisuke was his name, wasn't it?

—I REMEMBER HIM! —smiled Ryoma. —He was the one who was yelling our names and was very happy to see us in the concert, last time at school!

Toshizo thought for a moment and then nodded.

—It's not a bad idea. He will be very happy to be with you, guys.

—But I have a question. —said Yataro —How did you do it? I mean, how were you convince Soji and Shinsaku to participate in this?

—Soji isn't heartless you know? —continued Toshizo. —He was happy to accept and be a part of the "Secret Santa" that Ryoma wants to do. Now, Shinsaku… he is another thing.

Kogoro and Toshizo sighed at the same time, but Ryoma was still smiling and even laughed. Yataro and Otose were curious about it.

—We told him that if he did the Secret Santa, then he wouldn't have to participate in the San Valentine's Day gift exchange —Ryoma smiled. —He preferred this than be corny on that day.

Yataro found this all too funny. Of course Shinsaku would prefer to give something in Christmas rather than the day of love. He was the serious one in the band. Not even Toshizo was like him; at least Toshizo was the serious and friendly kind.

—I can help you guys. —said Otose as she put a pot in the middle of the table and took a piece of paper. —I will write your names here and put them inside the pot. You will then take one piece of a paper ball and see whom you will give the gift to.

—I WANT TO WRITE THEM! —Ryoma quickly took the paper and a pen from his backpack. —I like to write the names of my good friends.

—He wants to put our surnames, doesn't he? —whispered Toshizo to Kogoro.

—Yes, you know how Ryoma is. —answered Kogoro with the same expression that Toshizo has.

After he finished writing "Sensei", "Cindy", "Sochin", and "Hijizo", he wrote his own name and the name of Heisuke. He was very happy, doing everything fast with enough time for Toshizo and Kogoro to get their secret Santa before Soji and Shinsaku came back from the kitchen. Soji was now smiling again, eating a piece of chocolate, while Shinsaku was grumpy as usual.

—This guy is so sweet don't you think so? —asked Soji —He gave me chocolate even though it's not Valentine's Day.

—Just because you needed help, stupid —answered Shinsaku.

—Don't be grumpy. —smiled Soji before he took another bite.

Before they began to fight again, Kogoro decided to explain about the pot in the middle of the table. Soji quickly took a tiny paper ball; however, Shinsaku looked at his friends and even Otose with an eye.

—No gifts on Valentine's Day, right? —his friends responded "no" —You saw how this guy reacted, I can't imagine how he'll be if I give him something that day.

—Oh I'd be very happy. —winked Soji to Shinsaku, which made him blush —But c'mon grumpy, take your paper ball and shut up.

Shinsaku obeyed and, with an angry face, stuffed the paper into his pocket. They decided to wait for Heisuke before opening up the paper.

—THEN EVERYTHING IS OKAY! —yelled Ryoma, leaning over the table —we will have out gifts and the concert for Christmas.

—Did you accept? —asked Shinsaku —Tssk, I bet I can't say no, right? It's okay, just remember we have enough time to do both.

—We will. —smiled Kogoro —Don't worry.

After eating dinner, Toshizo offered to drive Kogoro and Shinsaku home. It was a bit far from the restaurant and school but, for Toshizo, it wasn't a problem. Ryoma's apartment was on the third floor in the same building as the restaurant is. As Soji was waiting for his driver, he decided to talk with Ryoma for a while, outside in the snow. They both enjoyed the weather and thought it would be better to stay outside, rather than inside with Otose and the dirty dishes.

—Ryoma? —asked Soji after talking a couple of minutes, about school and the concert, —I think I need your help.

—Hm? What happened Sochin?

—Nothing bad. It's just that… I opened my paper ball and I don't know what to give to this person. He doesn't seem to want a lot of things, I think.

—But I can't know who it is! That would be cheating, wouldn't it?

—Just don't tell him. Can you keep it a secret? —Soji was being serious.

—Okay, okay. I promise you Sochin, I will not say a word.

—Thank you Ryoma. Later I will chat with you on the Internet, so we can talk about it —he said as he saw his beautiful blue car driving in. —Talk to you later and study, my friend. Remember you have an exam tomorrow and tell to Shinsaku too.

—THANK YOU! I almost forgot. How did you know?

Soji smiled, opening the door and sitting inside.

—I like to read the notes of Shinsaku in his notebooks. It said tomorrow there is an exam.

—And how do you…? Forget it. I think I know. —Ryoma smiled remembering how Soji liked to bother Cindy by taking his backpack from time to time, and not give it back until the next class or at the end of the day. —REST WELL, SOCHIN!

After seeing the car leave, Ryoma decided to go to his room. After all, he really needed to study.