Sorry that this was so late. The holidays around here are not easy when you have a 5 year old niece, a three year old nephew and you're trying to secretly wrap presents. On top of it, you're cut off until a week before Christmas and you're email inbox is full of undated chapters to read. Like damn. Anyway, late Merry Christmas. Hope everyone had a great holiday! Enjoy!
It was done! Shuichi had done it! And not a moment to spare either because it was Wednesday and Shu wasn't sure whether Itou was going to do first: kill him or fall into a nervous breakdown. He could really blame Itou though. As of that moment they were both watching the members as they broke down the routine and practiced it in sections.
"They're doing really good. But are you sure a week will be enough time?" Shu asked.
"Of course. I've had these guys learn a new routine in three days before. A week will be heaven for them." Itou grinned while looking around the room while Shuichi just gave him an unimpressed look.
"No wonder everyone was happy to have me back."
"Oh, hush." Itou pouted. "It wasn't that bad. It only happened a few times."
"Really? Because word is that it happened a little more often than a few times." Shuichi gave Itou an all-knowing grin that made his old friend squirm.
"Ok, so it happened pretty often, but I do my best work when under pressure. And it keeps the team on their toes."
"It also frayed their nerves."
"… Oops?" Itou shrugged and Shuichi could only shake his head.
"Anyway, they seem to be doing good so far. I was afraid that the part the Keiichi would be too much for him, but he seems to be taking it well."
"Shinobu is doing good too."
"See, I told you he was perfect for front and center."
"Yeah, yeah. I guess you were right. He just needs to keep his head on straight for the fight."
"I'm sure he'll be fine. As long as he stays calm and focused next week will go off without a hitch." Shuichi grinned and continued to watch the practice.
"Well in that case we shouldn't tell him that his brother will be there to watch him."
"Yeah, I guess that wou-… Wait, what?" Shuichi looked back to Itou as the taller man grinned.
"You heard me."
"So, wait minute, are you saying the Green Diamond is going to be at the warehouse next week?" Shuichi asked astonished.
"Mm-hmm." Shuichi's eyes lit up.
"Dude that's awesome! How did you even find that out?"
"Hideki called me yesterday to check up on Shinobu. They don't really talk all that much, but he still worries about his little brother."
"That's pretty cool."
"Yeah, and he wants to meet you afterword's."
"…HUH?!" Shuichi voiced echo around the mirrored room and everyone faltered in what they were doing. Annie actually tripped. Shuichi grinned guiltily. "He-he, sorry. As you were." Everyone in the room simply shrugged and went back to what they were doing. "Itou, why would he want to meet me?"
"His exact words were that he wanted to meet the guy who decided to make his little brother front and center." Shuichi kind of shrank where he stood.
"And that's a good thing? He didn't seem mad?"
"No, he was just glad that Shinobu was finally being recognized for his talent and not just put in the background."
"What do you mean?"
"Shinobu has actually been to two other crews before coming here. They all pretty much threw him aside and ignored him."
"They didn't even give him a chance?"
"Nope, it's one the reasons that Hideki wants to talk to you. He wants to thank you for giving him the time of day and seeing what he can do."
"Well, in that case, I can't wait to meet him."
"I think the feeling's mutual. Anyway, you got any plans for this weekend?"
"Um, no. Not that I know of at least. I know that Bad Luck has a practice session on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday, I'm free. Why?"
"I was asking because I thought we could catch up properly this weekend. Ever since you came back it's been little snip-bits here and there about what we've been doing over the last year or so. And I know Mira has Saturday off. She'd love to see you again."
"God, I haven't seen Mira in ages. I'd love to. Let's meet up for lunch, you pick the place."
"Umm, what about that Yuki guy?"
"I'll come up with something. I could always say that Hiro and I are going out to lunch. He wouldn't blink an eye at it." Itou nodded before sighing and suddenly looking as if he wanted to give Shuichi a lecture. "What's with the look?"
"You know exactly what."
"Oh, come on. Not this again."
"Yes, this again. You need to tell him about all this. You can't keep doing this behind his back."
"I know that and you don't think it makes me fell guilty as hell?"
"Well if it makes you so guilty, why don't you just go ahead and tell him? Rip it off real quick like a Band-Aid."
"I-I just can't! I'm not mentally prepared yet."
"Oh really? And what are you going to do if he finds out before you can tell him? Will you be mentally prepared then?"
"He's not going to find out."
"Are you sure about that, because from what you've told me about him, he's not a stupid guy. He's going to figure it out if he hasn't already." Shuichi scoffed.
"Oh, please. If Yuki already knew, he wouldn't have kept quiet for very long. He would've pinned me to a wall and demanded answers from me already. He probably would've thrown in a few threats to skin me, too." Itou just shook his head.
"Alright, whatever. But don't come crying to me when he walks in on one of our practices and drags you out of here for answers."
"I won't because it's not going to happen. End of story." With that said, Shuichi walked off to help some of the crew members how to do a certain correctly as he had intended. Itou just rolled his eyes and felt pity for the poor fool that was Yuki.
In his office at home, a certain blonde felt a shiver run down his spine and sneezed. Grumbling about sudden cold fronts, Yuki turned up the heat from the hall.
Sorry Yuki... lol. Anyway review please! It really does make my day to read them in the morning. Have a good day everyone (or night where ever you live).