Where Is Your Song, Mr. Sakuma?
by Zaru
Rating: T (just to be safe)
Summary: Prequel to Because You Loved Me. Seven-year-old Sizaru wins a trip to see her favorite band, Nittle Grasper at their first concert alone. Meeting Ryuichi, first impressions are important, but Sizaru sees through that.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation. It was created by the shounen-ai goddess Maki Minekura. I only own Sizaru and a couple characters.
The smiles lighting up Sizaru's face could only mean one thing: something good happened or was going to happen. She happily let her mother's best friend know about her happy prize; two tickets to Nittle Grasper's first concert ever.
It all began when Sizaru was in the hospital because of her tonsilitis. She was a little scared about going into surgery to have her tonsils removed. Her mother bought several CDs from a local store that she could listen to and calm her nerves. Jessica, her mother, saw the brand-new releases and grabbed Nittle Grasper's debut album for herself since she heard their music on a preview earlier that day on TV. Setting the CDs on her daughter's bed, Sizaru rummaged through, listening to each one, but quickly had a dislike after hearing just one song. Sighing, she buried through the pile and pulled out Nittle Grasper. Setting it into her CD player, she pressed play and listened. The first song seemed okay to her so she decided to try another one and another. Finally, she smiled when hearing a rather good song. Looking at the back of the CD case, she saw it was a song called Sleepless Beauty. She was definitely a sleepless beauty as she barely slept since she went into the hospital and kept denying the surgery. His song. I can hear his song. It's beautiful. And she repeated the song once it was over.
As she continued to listen to the music, the doctor came in stating that it was time for her to go get her tonsils removed. And this time, they had to come out or she could become very sick. She just smiled.
"I'll go, but only if I can keep hearing my CD. I feel much better when I hear Nittle Grasper."
"Of course you may, Sizaru. And maybe after we get your tonsils out, you'll let me have a listen, hm?" The doctor smiled warmly.
She nodded her head and set her CD player on repeat and laid on the rolling bed, heading to the operating room.
It was a week later that Sizaru entered the contest and won by writing a short essay about how she felt about their debut album. Her mother had helped her with the bigger words of course. And now, Sizaru was much better and couldn't wait to go to the concert.
It was the night of the concert, the members of Nittle Grasper stoked and ready. Especially Ryuichi. He was doing the finishing touches on his hair and smirked. The ladies will love me. Winking at his reflection, he walked over to where Touhma and Noriko were sitting. The two were sitting together and smiling, tears welling up in Noriko's eyes as she read something.
"What's that you're reading, Noriko?" Ryuichi asked, plopping himself in the chair across from them.
"It's the winner's essay. It's so sweet, isn't it, Touhma?"
"Yes. I never thought our debut album would be like that for somebody."
"Ryu, you wanna read it?"
"No. I'm more busy with getting ready for the concert. I don't have time to read a little essay."
"But, Ryuichi, she's the winner. And we'll be meeting her after the concert." Touhma pointed out.
"Who cares?" I'm getting ready to go onstage. You guys have fun." He waved while walking out of the dressing room.
"What's happened to Ryuichi? He's more..." Noriko couldn't search for the right word.
"Serious? A jerk?"
"Those yeah, but I think asshole suits it better. But I wish he was the old Ryu again. Ever since we signed onto the label and made the million mark, he's been off."
"Maybe one day, he'll realize it. For now, we have a concert to do."
Noriko nodded. "You're right." And both stood up heading out of the dressing room.
The concert began. Sizaru was in the first row with her mother sitting next to her. Her eyes sparkled as she saw Ryuichi Sakuma stand in the spotlight singing away. Jessica looked next to her and saw her daughter's amazement at the wonder of it all. But then, Sizaru's eyes saddened as she watched Ryuichi. I wonder what's wrong? She wondered. Sleepless Beauty soon began and Sizaru still looked a little sad but continued dancing to the music. Mr. Sakuma, where is your song? But soon, the concert was ending, so Jessica took her daughter from the seats and headed to the backstage area showing security their passes and going through.
After the concert, Ryuichi ran into the dressing room laughing. Noriko and Touhma followed shortly behind.
"Did you see that? That crowd went crazy for us! It was a thrill!" Ryuichi laughed out.
"I know. All those people came to see us. It is definitely a warm feeling." Touhma agreed.
"Did you see all those men there? All of them kept staring at me! I'm so hot!" She giggled while giving a victory sign.
"Ah, Nittle Grasper!" The producer walked in in a silver suit and his black hair slicked back. "My favorite new group! Was it all pleasing for you?"
"Yes. It was. Thank you." Touhma bowed his head.
The producer nodded. "Well, as you know, we had that little contest to help promote the band even more. And our winner is here."
"So, where is she?" Noriko asked.
The producer moved to the side, Jessica and Sizaru walking in.
"Hello. I'm Jessica Kiys. This is the little winner here. My daughter." Sizaru's eyes went wide.
Noriko smiled warmly and bent down. "Hello. I'm Noriko. But you can call me Nori. What's your name?"
"I'm Sizaru. You're pretty." Sizaru reached out and touched Noriko's hair. "And your hair is cool."
She smiled and did the same to her. "So is yours. All green. That's neat."
"Hello, Sizaru. I'm Touhma Seguchi." Touhma held out a hand to her and she took it.
"It's really nice to meet you, Mr. Seguchi."
Touma smiled. "Your daughter is a very pleasant, Mrs. Kiys."
Jessica nodded. "Thank you."
"Ryuichi, why don't you say hello?" Noriko asked.
"I don't feel like it." He closed his eyes and turned away.
"He's a little rude, isn't he?" Jessica asked Touhma quietly.
"He's been like this since the debut album hit a million."
"I see. Full of pride. Too much of it. What an arrogant bastard." Jessica muttered quietly to herself.
Sizaru walked over to Ryuichi who opened his eyes when he felt a presence near.
"Go away, kid. I'm tired." He shooed her away.
"I like your music."
"Thanks. Now beat it."
"Sleepless Beauty is my favorite song." She said.
"That's nice. It's a real fave. Now, go."
"I like you."
Ryuichi ground his teeth together, growling. He stood up quickly. "Listen, kid, I know you like our music and I know you like me, but get out of here! I don't have time to spend with little brats like you!"
Jessica gasped. "How dare you speak to my daughter that way, you pig-headed, tempered jackass!"
"You should've kept her at home then!" He snapped back.
"Why I never! Sizaru, we're going!" Jessica growled.
"No, mommy. Not yet." She looked up at Ryuichi. "Where is your song?"
"What?" He was confused. "My song? What song?"
"Your song." She smiled. "I want to be a singer. And my mommy always told me, 'If you have your song, you'll be able to sing.'"
"I don't get it."
"Mommy says that your song is what makes you. Things, people, places. I heard your song when I listened to your music, but," Tears welled up, "tonight, I didn't hear your song. It's the feeling of you inside that made your music and singing. Where is your song, Mr. Sakuma?"
Ryuichi was speechless.
"Come on, Sizaru. Let's go." Jessica turned to Touhma and Noriko. "It's been a pleasure meeting you two."
"It was a pleasure as well." Touhma bowed.
"Hey, Sizaru. Do you think we could stay in touch?" Noriko asked. "I would really like to."
"Yes!" Sizaru smiled.
Jessica pulled out a card from her wallet. "This is my business card. I own a club. My email and cell number are on there. Call or email me and I'll give you Sizaru's email and cell phone number."
Noriko took it. "Okay. I really wish you would stay longer."
"Well, we need to go anyways. Sizaru has a doctor's appointment tomorrow."
Sizaru hugged Noriko and Touhma goodbye and head away with her mother. Ryuichi on the other hand was seemingly calm and deep in though.
"Ryu, are you okay?" Noriko asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine." He didn't look up.
Noriko looked over at Touhma who nodded. She set a piece of paper down on the vanity next to Ryuichi who barely noticed and left.
It was a long night. Ryuichi couldn't sleep at all. When he tried to sleep, Sizaru's words would come into his mind. 'Where is your song, Mr. Sakuma? Where is your song?' What exactly did that mean? What song could he possibly have? I never had a song except the lyrics I write for our music. Sighing, he grabbed the piece of paper Noriko had left on the vanity from his jacket pocket. Isn't this that girl's essay? He opened it up and began to read.
My Feeling
by Sizaru Kiys
Does it matter how I feel about Nittle Grasper and their album? I guess it does for me to write this essay and win the tickets. How do I feel? Is that what you are asking? I feel thankful. It is silly to say that. But I am thankful. Why am I thankful for a Nittle Grasper music? I was scared. I was in the hospital for my tonsells. Sorry. Tonsils. I didn't like the hospital. It was no fun. I had to say in bed and couldn't eat. I was sad. My mommy gave me new music to listen to. None of them made me happy. But when I heard Nittle Grasper, I was happy. My mommy said I had smiles on my face when I listen to their music. My favorite song is Sleepless Beauty I kept listening to music from the band Nittle Grasper in surgery with me. And I kept my music with me the whole time. I was happy that Nittle Grasper was there. It made m feel happy and safe. I guess without Nittle Grasper there, I wouldn't have went to surgery and I would be sicker. Thank you Nittle Grasper. You're my heroes.
Ryuichi set the paper down. "Heroes? Never been called that before." A small smile crept across his face. "What the hell is wrong with me? She's right. I don't have a song anymore. I can't remember my song. Will I ever get it back?" He sighed. Maybe she is part of my song. Maybe that's what I needed.
"Ryuichi?" Noriko walked into his room. "Are you okay?"
"I can't believe I forgot my song, Nori!" He stood up. "When I find my song, I'm gonna shine! Pika na no da!" He laughed wholeheartedly. She laughed with him.
"Then you need to get your song back!"
"I think I might have it back already." He smiled giving a victory sign.
"Well, this is a big change from last night, Ryu."
"Yeah. I'm sorry, Noriko." He embraced her deeply. "I guess I forgot about the fun of it all when our album hit over a million. I promise that it'll never happen again."
Noriko smiled. "So, what exactly brought this on?"
He smiled. "A part of my song that I was missing."
"Then go see her, Ryu. Apologize."
He nodded. "I owe her that." Kissing Noriko on the cheek, he grabbed his jacket. "But how do I find her?"
"I'll help.
Sizaru sat on the check-up table, her mother sitting in a chair across from her. They were waiting patiently for the doctor. Not even a couple minutes later, they heard screaming in the corridor of the hospital. Soon, the door to her room opened revealing a brown-haired man wearing sunglasses and a hat along with a jean jacket. He closed the door quickly and leaned against it in relief.
"Wow. What a run." He said out loud.
"Sizaru blinked. "Mr. Sakuma? What are you doing here?"
"Mr. Sakuma? Of Nittle Grasper?" Jessica stood up, arms crossed with anger on her face. "What do you want? Here to be mean to my daughter some more?"
Ryuichi removed his glasses and hat. "No. No more yelling. No more being mean. No more being a jerk." He stepped up to Sizaru. "I...I need to apologize to you. I mean, I want to apologize to you, Sizaru. I was such a jerk last night. I said harsh things that shouldn't have been said and I really am sorry for it. I don't know what happened to me." He smiled. "Could you forgive an idiot who put too much pride on the line?"
You should be ashamed of yourself. You were acting like a butthole." Sizaru stated.
Jessica's eyes widened. "Sizaru!"
"It's okay. She's right. So, forgive me?" He asked, a little pout on his face and puppy dog eyes showing.
Sizaru smiled. "It's okay, Mr. Sakuma. You're forgiven."
He cleared his throat. "So, uh, I never got a hug last night from you." He opened his arms. "Mind if I put in a late order?"
Sizaru jumped off the table and ran into his arms. He lifted her up while smiling. "Thank you." He whispered. "Thank you for helping me get back my song."
"You're welcome, Mr. Sakuma."
"Call me Ryuichi." He set her down. "All my friends do."
Her eyes held sparkles. "Really? I'm your friend?
"Yeah."
"Did you hear, mommy? I'm Ryuichi of Nittle Grasper's friend!"
"I heard, baby." Sizaru danced around the room while Jessica looked at Ryuichi. "Ryuichi?"
"Yes?"
"As I told Noriko, I own a club. And I would love if you, Touhma and Noriko would come as VIPs."
"I'll do even better than that. How about a performance at your club from Nittle Grasper?"
"Oh, that would be wonderful. And we would also love to help promote your band as well with a sponsorship on your up-and-coming tour."
He smiled. "That would be great. Thank you."
Ryuichi and Jessica shook hands. "You're welcome."
The next Saturday, Nittle Grasper performed at The Attic, one of the hottest clubs in Tokyo. The club was extremely packed to Jessica's delight. As Nittle Grasper ended one of their songs, Ryuichi went down bringing Sizaru onto the stage along with him. Grabbing the mic, he smiled.
"Now, the next song we're going to sing is Sizaru's favorite and our dedication to her for being a true fan and friend."
The background music started as Noriko and Touhma began playing the keyboards. Sizaru smiled as she felt Ryuichi's song reaching out to the crowd and danced along with him.
From then on, Nittle Grasper began keeping in touch with Sizaru many years down the road through phone, mail, email and scheduled lunches and dinners. And one day, when Nittle Grasper broke apart, Sizaru still kept tabs on each one of them and their deep friendship continued on.
THE END
A/n: Sweet, ne? Okay, now, if you haven't yet, read my already made sequel. I made it before I made this complete oneshot and I never planned on a prequel but I did so I hope you enjoyed it.
Ja Ne,
Zaru