Disclaimer: don't own
Summary: Shuni and Shuichi choose their gifts for a certain special novelist.
a/n: sorry for the lame title.. I'm so sleepy.. and my ramen wasn't enough. by the way, sorry for portraying Shu's mom like that.. It's just part of my plot. I'm sure she's a good person though. thanks to those who reviewed! arigato gozaimasu!
Chapter 7: Gifts
Shuichi woke up from the terrible cold, and felt something beside him. It was Yuki, the weak and harmless ray of the sun touching his face. He smiled and remembered what happened last night, although he was not sure if Yuki knew who he was. Shuni already stopped his hairstyles, so it will be difficult for everybody to tell which is which.
"Good morning Yuki." He whispered and planted a kiss on the sleeping writer's forehead. "Thanks for everything." He stood up to gather his things to leave just as he promised.
"Where do you think you're going?" mumbled the blonde.
"Ah.. umm.. ohayou Yuki.. did I wake you up? Sorry. I'm leaving now just as I promised." Shuichi said nervously.
Yuki pulled back Shuichi by the hair, that the singer landed on the bed.
"Ouch.. what was that for?" Shuichi resisted.
"I forgot to ask you, why was your mouth bleeding last night?"
"Oh... that? Geez, I honestly do not remember." Shuichi lied.
"Baka, what kind of memory do you have?" Yuki sat at the edge of the bed. "Is that your phone ringing? Answer it, it's so noisy." He rubbed his ear and yawned.
"Ah.. hai." Shuichi searched for his new phone. "Hiro? It's so early, why did you call?"
"Shuichi? Where are you? Go to the hospital quick!"
"Why? Who's in the hospital?" he asked.
"Shuni! He was sent to the hospital last night. He was seen in front of your house, clutching his chest. Com'n! Shuichi! Shuichi?"
The singer dropped the phone.
Shuni is in the hospital? In the hospital? In front of.. our house.. he fainted.. oh no.. was it because of me? If I didn't run.. this wouldn't happen.. Shuichi! You really are useless and a burden!
"Bye Yuki! Thanks for everything, sorry I have to leave.. there was an emergency." He said quickly and stormed out of the confused writer's aprtment. He put on his shirt on the way, and he was greeted by Maiko and Hiro in front of the hospital room.
"H – Hiro... Shuni? Where.. where is Shuni?" he gasped for breath.
"Oh geez Shuichi, what happened to your face?" Maiko asked.
"Relax Shuichi, Shuni is alright now, but I think, you shouldn't show yourself to mom, he thinks that you were the reason for this."
"M – me?" he panted.
"Hai, Shuni was muttering your name when mom found him. What's wrong? Did you have a fight?" Maiko asked.
"F – fight. Yes, we had a fight, but I didn't know it'll end up like this. I'm so sorry."
"Now now Shu, it's not really your fault. So don't blame yourself." Hiro patted him on the back.
"No Hiro, it's really my fault. Where is he? I need to see him. I want to say sorry." he pushed Hiro and forced himself outside.
"Shuichi no!" Maiko warned but Shuichi already entered.
The room was colorful and bright. There, beside Shuni's bed was their mom, peeling fruits for his favorite son.
"Wow, you really don't have a conscience Shuichi!" he was greeted by their mom.
"M- mom.. I told you, it's not his fault.. I was just..
"See what you have done Shuichi. First your father and then Shuni!"
"Mom, I just wanted to apologize. I know it was my fault. I'm sorry."
"Shuichi! Don't say sorry! We know it's not your fault! I'm being forceful at that time, I'm the one to–
"Enough Shuni, we know it's my fault, you were just concerned,but I caused you that."
"You are really helpless Shuichi!" Shuni fumed. "Why not try defending yourself? You are so weak! Don't come crying here apologizing for a mistake you didn't do!" Shuni tried to shout, his heart and body was still weak.
"Shuni! the doctor advised you to rest! Calm down!" Maiko pushed Shuni gently back to bed." She turned to Shuichi. "Let's settle this some other time Shuichi, go home now."
"Who's going home?" their mother asked. "Gather all your things Shuichi, and don't plan on coming to our house again!"
"Mom?" her kids asked.
"You heard me. You're not going back there Shuichi."
"Hiro kun, where is he?" Maiko asked as the guitarist went back to the hospital.
Hiro just shook his head.
"I'm sorry, you have to hear something like that." Maiko apologized.
"It's ok, Shuichi told me everything so I wasn't really shocked." He said. "Well, a little bit I guess."
"Oh. I wonder where he will go?"
Hiro shrugged. "Maybe he'll go to my place later. He told me not to follow him. Honestly, I'm nervous for him."
"Hmmmm.. then how much?"
"About 10,500 yen per month sir." (a/n: sorry, I don't know anything about money convertions.)
"Ok, I'll take it."
"Thank you. Please enjoy your stay here."
Shuichi slumped on an uncomfortable futon and cried. After getting all his things from their house, he decided not to be a bother to both Hiro and Yuki, so he rented for an apartment. It was small and dusty, not to mention it'll not protect you from terrible cold. He sighed as he noticed that the snow was falling again.
"Well, what can I do, Christmas is just around the corner." He wiped his tears and ate his soba.
Ring.. Ring..
His cellpone was flashing madly at him, commanding to be answered. Shuichi chose not to, he wanted to be alone at times like this. Anyway, he was sure it was Hiro, demanding where he is, or what happened to him.
"Ah Yuki san, sorry to disturb, but is Shuichi here?" Hiro went to Yuki's aprtment after not hearing anything from his bestfriend.
"Why would he go here?"
"Um well, you see, he can't go to work because he's suspended, and he didn't come to my place either." Hiro said.
"Then go to his parent's place then."
"Oh.. you haven't heard?" Hiro asked.
"Heard what?" Yuki asked confused.
"Ah.. so he didn't tell you about it.. sorry, I need to go. Thanks and bye Yuki san!" Hiro mounted his motorcycle and left.
"Bastard." Yuki muttered. He walked back inside the living room.
"Eiri – san.. it's me.." the voice answering machine sounded. "Are you sleeping? It's cold isn't it?" Seguchi Tohma's voice was warm. "Tomorrow, be sure to go home ok? Everybody will be there, and will be expecting you. Don't stress yourself ok? Good night."
Yuki glared at the answering machine. He almost forgot that tomorrow's gonna be an important season. It became an Uesugi tradition to go back on their father's house to celebrate Christmas together, but of course, he won't do it.
Shuni returned home from the hospital before Christmas. Shuichi was nowhere to be found, and their mother didn't care. Shuni just slouched on his bed thinking over millions of things, specially Yuki.
"Argh, so what will I get him?" he buried his face on the pillow. "Definitely not strawberry shortcake, I want something that he'll cherish forever." He talked to himself. He finally admitted to himself that he liked Yuki, not just because of his cool looks, but also his intelligence, and his not seen kindness.
"Let's see.." he went out for a bit of Christmas shopping. There are a lot of people everywhere. He wore a cap and sunglasses for disguise because people might think he's Shuichi.
He lowered his sunglasses as he saw a shining thing by a glass window. He peered inside. It was a jewelry store. Only a few people were there.
"I guess, my wallet will be empty after going out here." He wandered inside the store.
"Excuse me sir, may I help you?" a saleslady attended.
"Uh.. hmmmm.. no. I mean yes.. what kind should I give to a writer?" he looked at the rings, bracelets and earrings.
"Oh.. a writer! You're lucky to be here sir. Why don't you give him this?" the lady handed a long and thin block velvet box. Shuni examined it's content and admired it's beauty.
"Wow, just what he'll need. I'll take this." He payed for the package and prepared to leave when another thing caught his eye.
"Uh.. excuse me miss, may I see this one?" Shuni pointed at a gold gleaming thick strand behind the glass cover.
"Here. It's so elegant but simple. I even wish my boyfriend will come here and buy it for me." The saleslady said dreamily.
"Really? Hehe.. sorry.. but I think, he'll not be able to give this to you. I'll take this too."
"Aw man, you are such a sweetie. I wish you were my boyfriend. I'm sure, the person that will receive that from you will be very happy."
"You think so?" Shuni smiled happily inside and paid for the 2nd package.
"Hai! As long as it comes from the heart, even a not so elegant jewelry will be admired.. and treasured." The saleslady said and received Shuni's cash.
"Oh geez.. I ran out of cash.." was all he said after he went out the store. "Just as I thought."
But I don't mind. I wish that lady is right. I hope he'll like this. Oh wait a minute. Now, how will I go home?
And Shuni started to walk a long mile..
Shuichi wore a blue bandana that matched his jacket. He put on his shades and faced the mirror.
"So cool!" Shuichi squealed admiring himself. The smile he had earlier faded as he stared at his awful scar, and bruised chin.
Baka Shuchi, this is not the time to think about useless things. He convinced himself. But the scar just reminded him of the terrible cold he encountered that day. Yuki's coldness, his suspension at work, their mother's scolding, and the most brutal of them all – Tachi's attack, which caused him that scar. All of those were clouding back in his mind, with the addition of being betrayed by a woman he loves dearly – their mother.
Ouch! My head and heart! it hurts too much! He clutched the left side of his chest and sobbed.
Stop thinking Shuichi.. stop looking at your scar.. stop..stop!
"STOP!"
He striked the mirror with his fist which caused some shards to wound his knuckles.
"Baka!" he blamed himself and applied medication to his poor hand.
"Wow.. that's it!" Shuichi ran at the corner of the mall, wearing his earlier disguise, with the addition of new bandage on his hand. He finished attending to his wounds, and proceeded to his planned agenda.
"Excuse me, may I take a look at this?" he pointed at a crystal with blue liquid inside.
"Here sir, this is the newest and most expensive product we have, exclusive for this season." A saleslady handed the crystal to Shuichi.
It's so beautiful.. it will match Yuki's georgousness.
"I like it." Shuichi whispered.
"Many shoppers admire and wish to buy that, even I!" the saleslay shrugged. "It's really hard to earn money this days."
"I see. Well, I'll take it." Shuichi said.
"Really sir? You'll take it?" the lady exclaimed and leaned closer to Shuichi. "No offense sir, but that's very expensive." She whispered and looked around to see that nobody is listening to them. "There are a lot of cheaper products here if you like."
"Hehe, sorry, but I'll take it, I bet you are angry on the owner of this stand huh?" Shuichi whispered back.
"Yeah, I mean, he's a grinch." The lady scratched her head and took the crystal from Shuichi to be wrapped. "We hate him, I don't even know why I'm working here, he won't give us a bonus."
"That caught my attention immediately so I have to buy it.. it's for someone special." Shuichi explained.
"Kyaa! I knew this was for a lover! I'm sure she'll like this!" the lady handed the wrapped package to Shuichi.
Hehe, but that special someone is a he.
"Um, thanks, miss." Shuichi smiled and skipped happily to find other gifts.
He stopped to eat first at his favorite fastfood, and then stepped inside a music store to buy a present for himself. He went outside hugging his new Nittle Grasper Christmas special, while munching on a strawberry pockey.
"Oh honey.. please buy this for me." He heard a high pitched tone on his way home.
"I'll buy anything for you, because I love you." A guy replied.
"Chu! Thanks honey! I love you too." The girl nuzzled on her lover.
"Wow, public display of affections." A man beside Shuichi muttered and then walked away, together with the other 'audiences'.
Shuichi decided to go inside that store to find other presents. The couple he saw earlier made him curious. He spotted nice and shining bracelets and rings, together with other pieces of jewelry.
"Hi sir, may I help you?" the saleslady interrupted Shuichi.
"Uh.. I want a closer look to that one." Shuichi pointed.
"Here sir, perfect for a lover." The lady said simply.
"Yes, it's simple and beautiful."
"Will you get it?" she asked.
"Hai," Shuichi said immediately. "But I still want to check on other stuff."
He spent an hour musing over the gleaming beauties, deciding on what to buy. Finally, he chose his top three.
"Ack! I never knew picking up jewelry will be this hard!" he said scratching his head.
"It's not that hard sir, just choose the one you think is best, after all, whatever you pick will be appreciated." The lady smiled at him.
"Geez." Shuichi sighed. "Fine, I'll buy those three."
"Eh! H – hey, are you sure sir?" the lady almost fell down.
"Yup, no problem, I'll just choose at home and give the remaining to others."
"Oh.. I see. Here sir, this is your change, and the packages. Thank you for coming!"
"Oh yeah, I'll buy that one too!" Shuichi pointed at the thing he chose earlier, then walked out after paying for it.
"Wow, that kid is sure rich!" the saleslady said.
A/n: yaha.. sorry to end the chap there. What do you think are Shuichi and Shuni's gift to their dear Yuki? Not hard to guess right?
Next chap: Yuki recieves a lot of meaningful gifts from the Shindou twins, and hears a lot of secret.. weeeee..
please review! mwuah! mwuahaha..
