Can't things just be good for everyone at the same time, for once? It was unreal how the odds of probability didn't apply to Bad Luck. When Hiro and Ayaka were good, Shu and Yuki were on the outs. And when Shu and Hiro both had it going on, Suguru had problems.

Figured. Just figured. Right now, everyone in the studio had it together, so Yuki had to throw Shuichi out. Again. Had to be it. What else could it be? Shuichi looked like he'd been run over by a garbage truck. Man, that sucked. As his best friend, Hiro was going to offer to let Shu crash in his apartment, but he secretly hoped Shuichi had other arrangements. Ayaka came over a lot now, and Hiro was even considering asking her to move in. Or maybe they could get a larger place together somewhere else. Hey, that was a plan. Shu could live in Hiro's old dump until the lease ran out, and Hiro would move to a new flat, and—

"Don't worry, it's all good."

"What, Shu? Did you say something?" That's just what he needed—Shuichi acquiring the ability to read his mind.

"Um...just that you shouldn't worry about me. I know I look like hell right now, but I promise I won't fall apart this time. I've let you guys down before, and I'm just saying that it won't happen this time. I'm going to pull my weight. Honest."

"Shuichi..."

Damn. Men didn't hug, but if it wouldn't look totally queer he'd grab Shuichi right now, and...oh, what the fuck. Sakano and the others got emo at times, too. Hiro embraced Shu and whispered some nonsense that things could only go up from here.

"I know, Hiro. You're an awesome friend, but really, you don't need to worry. I'll find someone new eventually. In the meantime, I plan to bury myself in work."

"Huh? Wait. You mean, this time it's for good? No more Yuki?"

"Yup. No more Yuki."

As simple as that. No emotion, no tears, no streamers of toilet paper filling the men's room. Although Hiro hadn't checked the men's room lately. Maybe it was full of toilet paper. Oh, I get it. This is the numb stage. "You know, Shuichi, you may feel that way now, but when Yuki calms down he'll probably let you back into the apartment."

"Let me back in? He'd probably let me in right now. But I left him, and I don't intend to go back. He's not what I thought he was when we first met. I thought he was kind, and...ha! Where did I ever get that idea? He's only kind to the cat."

Aww, Shu...

"Never mind. Let's just get back to work, okay? If we talk about Yuki I'll cry, and K will shoot me."

Shuichi grabbed some sheet music and pretended to organize the papers, but Hiro could tell he wasn't seeing what he was doing. I ought to kill Yuki for whatever he did to drive Shu from his home.

To his alarm, though, Tohma Seguchi suddenly entered the studio. Seguchi hadn't been in the rehearsal room since Ryuichi returned to L.A. and broke up Grasper a second time. Shit. You don't suppose he can read my mind too, do you? Maybe he heard me say I wanted to kill Yuki. Dayam... What was up with everyone reading his mind today? Eerie.

"Please excuse me, Shindo-san, but could you come to my office? I need to speak with you about something."

Just as quickly he disappeared—man, he's like a ninja—leaving everyone in the studio gaping, and Hiro with the impression that he'd never seen Tohma smile so wide before. Damn, he must be pissed. "Shu, you want me to come with you? I can always make up an excuse."

"Nah, it's fine. There's something I need to discuss with Tohma anyhow." Shuichi turned and headed for the door, stopping at the threshold. "But Hiro? Thanks. I mean it. Thanks for always being there for me." Then he left, and something about the image reminded Hiro of the Fukushima 50. Yeah, they were willing to risk their lives to stay on the job, too. Okay, now he was just getting maudlin. But man, the boss is probably going to cream him now for leaving Yuki. Hiro and Suguru could handle the composition, instruments and background vocals, but there was no way either of them could be the front man.

Maybe we should start looking for a new vocalist...