I am so sorry for my disappearance, especially since we're so close to the end. Some life stuff came up, and I ended up losing my inspiration. But I've found myself again, for the most part, and while I'm not too pleased with the beginning to this chapter, I can't put it off any longer.

Please read! I need to hear your opinion on the matter. After hearing a couple of my reviewers' thoughts, I'd like to ask all of my readers how they feel about this pairing being called 'Techen'. Do you like it? Love it? Hate it? They need a name, and I'd really like to give them one.

Disclaimer: I don't own The World Ends with You.


#41: Valentine's Day

"Wow, how did you manage all this?"

With a smirk, 777 answered, "By paying the owner 10,000 yen and giving him two free tickets to my next show."

Chuckling, the Tech continued glancing around the dimly lit restaurant. "So you had to bribe the owner so we could get the place to ourselves? That's… quite devious."

"Well, I try. Now come on, let's sit down so we can eat."

Taking their seats, 777 waved over at the man who was standing in the corner. Straightening in attention, the man walked over to the couple, placing two bowls down in front of them, and then he briskly walked off.

"Ramen? But you never like to have ramen."

"True, I don't, but I know you do. Plus, I'm taking you out, so I get to order for you."

"Thanks, 777. Happy Valentine's Day."

"Yeah, Happy Valentine's Day Futoshi."

#42: Glare

With an extremely loud sigh, 777 entered Shadow Ramen. The ramen maker at the place where he and the Tech normally go was not there, so he had to settle with this place. Even though it was owned by him.

"H-hello!" Makoto Miki greeted pleasantly. Though, 777 did not know why he gave a relieved sounding sigh.

He obviously doesn't remember me. Futoshi better be glad that I'm nice when he's sick.

"How may I help you today?"

"What do you have?" He asked, not even bothering to sound nice.

"Well, we have Shadow Steak Ramen… and that's about it. I give Absolute Shadow Ramen to certain friends of mine but-"

"Yeah, we're definitely not friends, buddy. I'll just take two bowls of the first thing you said. How much?"

"10,000 yen," the man replied, now coming to the realization as to why the famous singer 777 was being so rude to him. "Are you still mad about-"

"It's seriously that much?! Are you trying to make people go broke?"

"N-no, it's not that!"

"Whatever," he growled, roughly placing the yen onto the counter. "Just hurry up, I have somewhere to be."

"Y-yes sir."

After a few minutes, Makoto returned with the ramen. He handed it over with a polite smile that did not falter, even when it was returned with a scowl. "There you are. Thank-you."

"Yeah, yeah," 777 sighed, giving the man a glare that made him cringe. Smirking victoriously, he began to turn around.

"He's back again?!" He heard Makoto mutter. Confused, he walked out, glancing curiously at the familiar headphone-wearing teenager.

What's that guy's problem with Phones? The singer could not help but think. I'd feel bad for the kid if Makoto was into him…

#43: Sex

While he may not seem it compared to his lover, 777 was quite observant. He noticed things, some of the times they were irrelevant, other times they were very important. One thing he often thought about was sex, and how it affected his and the Tech's relationship.

Sometimes, for example, after 777 had been gone to the UG for awhile to work, the sex he would have with the Tech would be slow, but passionate. That was, in all honestly, how he preferred it.

Sometimes, for example, after BJ had kissed 777 or the Tech had learned about his past, it would be fast and desperate. Neither liked it too much, but they were both impatient, and they needed to feel close to one another.

And sometimes—which could really be considered most of the time—they just did not have sex. To 777, it was just a physical display of the love that they felt. To the Tech, it was unnecessary to do most of the time because they were all ready so close... so why did they need to prove their love for each other physically? Why couldn't it just stay emotional?

For some couples, their relationship was purely based on sex. For these two, it was quite the opposite. And they were content with that.

#44: Fracture

Groaning, 777 stretched an arm out of the blankets to pick up his vibrating phone. Giving a quick yawn, he flipped the phone open and said tiredly, "Hello?"

"777, you're not just waking up, are you?"

Glancing at the clock, the singer noticed that it was a little past eleven. "'Course not, Futoshi. What're you doing? Setting up for the concert tonight, right?"

"Yeah… you might have to find someone else for that."

Now at more attention, 777 slid out of the bed and began looking for some clothes. "What do you mean? What's goin' on?"

"Well, I kinda… fell off the stage," the Tech replied, voice becoming gradually quieter.

"You what?!"

"Calm down 777, I'm okay. But I do need you to come get me."

"Huh? Where are you?"

"Uh… the hospital…"

Almost wanting to smack his forehead in frustration, 777 sighed, "What happened?"

"Fractured arm. Don't worry, it only needs to be in a cast for a couple of weeks," the Tech quickly reassured.

"… I'll be right there."


The singer arrived at the Shibuya Hospital ten minutes after the call. Walking into the entrance, he immediately noticed the Tech sitting in an uncomfortable looking chair. He was wearing a pasty white cast on his right arm, which unfortunately was the arm he wrote and did basically everything else with.

"You came faster than I thought you would," the Tech greeted.

"Why do you sound surprised?"

"'Cause you normally take forever to get up and moving after you just wake up. Don't lie, I could tell."

"So… how's the arm?"

Giving a small, sheepish smile, the Tech answered, "It did hurt a lot. I fell off the stage, by the way. Tripped over your mic's cord."

"Guess I shouldn't skip out on anymore set-ups, huh? I never knew you were so clumsy."

"Everyone has their off days," the younger man reminded.

"Well, can we go now?" 777 asked, feeling a little strange. He made a conscious effort to avoid hospitals and other placed doctors may be.

"Sure."

"Hey Futoshi," the singer began as they left the building.

"Hm?"

"You won't be able to eat ramen with that thing on your arm, will you?"

The young man gave a slightly disappointed look. "It'll be hard to, since I'm not left handed. But I can probably manage."

"Or… I could just feed you," 777 suggested. He really wanted that look to vanish from his lover's face.

"True. Maybe I should get hurt more often."

#45: Real

Why am I here? The Tech asked himself for the third time in the last ten minutes. I really don't think that I should be here.

Yet, he the man could not get himself to move. It seemed as though he was frozen in place, gazing at the stone that was his lover's grave. He did not know why he was here, maybe as a way to get the loneliness to east.

777 had been in the UG for the past few weeks. Usually, he tried to at least quickly stop by their apartment to let him know how long he would be gone, but he had not yet. It made the Tech a little fearful as to why.

He can't be dead. I'd know if he was, he reassured himself, which amazingly helped.

"Excuse me?"

Flinching in surprise, the Tech turned his head, coming face-to-face with a woman who looked to be about fifty, maybe a little older, though she looked like she was in shape. She was skinny, and her face was not covered in that many wrinkles. She had long, pale blonde hair that was draped down her back.

"Yes?" The Tech asked politely.

"I was just wondering if you had a reason for looking at my son's grave."

The Tech coughed to disguise his surprised gasp. This was… 777's mother?!

"Are you all right?" She asked in a concerned voice.

"I-I'm fine, thanks." Clearing his throat, he lied, "I was just sending a friend of mine a text message. I didn't realize I had stopped here. I'm sorry."

Giving a sincere smile, she replied, "Don't worry about it. I was just making sure you weren't disturbing it in any way."

"I wouldn't do that."

Glancing down at the woman's hand, the Tech noticed she was holding flowers. I didn't know he liked flowers… I wonder what kind they are.

"Something wrong?" She asked, noticing the Tech's stare.

"Oh sorry. I was just noticing that those were nice flowers. Maybe I should get my… aunt some next time I visit her." He was mentally praying his lie seemed convincing enough.

"So your aunt died? I'm sorry. These are irises, just so you know. I brought them for my son and daughter."

"I'm sorry to hear that," he said, looking back at 777's grave.

"It's hard, even now. To live past your children… it makes me feel like part of my heart's missing. I think about both of them everyday." After a moment of silence, she quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sure you didn't want to hear any of that. My husband always says that I'm too talkative with strangers."

With a small chuckle, he brushed it off. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure it must be hard. I wasn't really all that close with my aunt, but I do try and visit whenever I'm around."

"You look like you're about my son's age. How old are you?"

"Twenty." He had to stop himself for continuing about how 777 would be a few years older than him.

"A little younger, but close." With a sad sigh, she placed some of the flowers on both graves. "My husband has been sick lately, so he couldn't come with me. Even though he doesn't like talking about them, I think he misses the kids much more than I do."

That statement made the Tech recall the conversation he had with 777 just a month or so ago on the train, when the singer was talking about his family. It seemed almost surreal to be talking to his lover's mother. Talking to this kind woman, who was the mother of his lover, almost made him want to ask her more questions about the child 777, but he could not think of a way to casually bring up what he wanted to discuss.

"I guess I should be getting back," the aging woman muttered, looking at the two graves with a sad look on her face.

"It was nice meeting you," he replied honestly.

"And you too." Reaching out her hand, she continued, "It was nice talking to you. Maybe I'll see you again someday."

Talking her hand, the Tech was surprised at the firm handshake he received. She was definitely a strong woman. He could see a resemblance between his lover and woman in front of him.

"Yeah, I hope so too."


A week later, the Tech was sitting at the kitchen table, sipping his morning coffee while waiting for 777 to wake up. The singer had gotten back late last night. Now, he was mentally debating over whether or not to tell him about his meeting with his mother.

However, his internal struggle was stopped when he heard a groggy, "Mornin'."

"Hey. Want some coffee?"

"I need it. It's way too early to even be alive… well, figuratively for me, I guess."

Chuckling, the younger man placed a cup of warm coffee in front of 777. "So, why were you gone for so long?"

"Just got caught up on everything I've been putting off. Sorry about just crashing last night without even saying anything, I was exhausted."

"It's okay, I understand. Listen, I've got something to tell you…"

"Do you mind if I tell you something first?" The singer questioned.

"No, I don't care. What is it?"

"I just… I had this really weird dream last night," 777 said, pausing to drink his coffee.

"Really? What was it about?"

"Well, you were in it. You were at my grave…"

Is he serious?! The Tech could not help but think.

"… And then… my mom showed up. You guys talked for a bit, just small talk. I don't why, but that dream just seemed so real."

"Did she like me?" He could not help but ask.

"I really think she did. She smiled a lot. Then again, she seemed like she was always smiling, so maybe that's why."

"That could be. I think I'd like your mom, if I ever met her."

"So… what did you want to tell me?"

"Uh, well… just that I missed you, you know. You were gone for a long time. At least it felt like it."

"I missed you too. I'll try not to go away for that long again."

"Who knows, maybe next time you do, I'll go to your grave and see if I can find your mom."

"That would be so weird… too weird for morning conversation."

"Yeah, that's true."

I can't tell you… you shouldn't have to worry about it. Maybe I'll tell you someday that your dream was just as real as thought it was.


So, there's chapter nine. And sadly… there's only one more chapter left. I'm going to be so sad when I'm finished with this story. I'd like to give a giant thanks to my eight—eight!—reviews I got for the last chapter. That made me unbelievably happy, and I'm sorry that I made you all wait so long. I'll try not to do that again for the last five because you all are amazing and don't deserve it. So, please review. Think I can make it to forty reviews?

Remember, leave your thoughts about the pairing name for them above!