3 Days Later

November 3rd. The date rang in Shuichi's mind as he awoke and gazed at the neon light of his alarm clock. "YUUUUKI!" Shuichi yelled. "IT'S 5:30!"

Yuki groaned as Shuichi pounced on his semi-consciousness body. "Shuichi, it's SATURDAY for crying out loud!"

"WHEEE!" Shuichi sang as he bounced on the bed. "YUUUUKI! IT'S TODAY!" With that, Shuichi yanked the covers from Yuki's body. A resonating thud followed as Shuichi was kicked across the room.

"Little brat," Yuki muttered as he swung his body out of bed and searched for a suitable outfit for the day.

In the car, Shuichi was unbelievably cheerful for so early in the morning. Yuki directed his shiny black sports car though the morning traffic full of similar idiots who felt a calling to rise before it was decent. They were headed to Yuki's publishing company after three restful days that both Shuichi and Yuki had taken off from work to enjoy each others company. Of course, the real reason Yuki had taken time off from work was because he knew he had to find the results before he could write anything better than garbage.

The first destination had been chosen by a furious match of rock-paper-scissors the night before. The final score had been 363-45, Yuki's favor. So, he had decided they should view Shuichi's result first. That way, he would know how good his chances were.

As they turned into thee parking lot, Shuichi was bubbling with happiness. They made it to the office with many stares as Shuichi found it necessary to prove to Yuki that he COULD TOO cartwheel up stairs. As they reached the door, Yuki grabbed Shuichi and held him in place as he rang the bell.

Kana Tokijaki opened the door. She had dark circles under her eyes and her hair looked like it hadn't been brushed in a week. "Shindo-san, Eiri-san, how nice!" she exclaimed half-heartedly. "Yes, I know you're anxious to hear the results. Come, come."

Yuki followed Kana, keeping his hand clamped on Yuki's shoulder. "Be good!" Yuki muttered quietly. Shuichi continued to smile at the walls as if he hadn't heard, which he probably hadn't. Yuki sighed and dragged Shuichi along beside him.

As Shuichi and Yuki entered a small room with a TV and a computer, there was an exclamation of pleasure. Yuki's eye was drawn to a banner on the wall. He had seen many of these posters for his own works. Now, he stared at Shuichi's, openmouthed.

FROM A NEW AND REFRESHING VOICE IN LITERATURE COMES A NOVEL ABOUT SEARCHING AND FINDING ONES IDENTITY. POWERFUL AND MOVING, IT'S SHINY SPARKLES BY SHINDO SHUICHI!

There was a photograph of Shuichi waving at the camera and grinning like an idiot next to the words.

Shuichi pointed at the poster. "LOOK YUUUKI-IT'S MEEEE!" Shuichi ran to examine his picture up close wile Yuki crept closer to Kana.

"I hope he wasn't too much of a nuscience," Yuki whispered. "Here-compensation." Yuki passed a check into Kana's hands. Instead of protesting as Yuki had expected, Kana gratefully took the check.

"Well…it certainly was an interesting experience," Kana remarked. "He's quite a person."

Yuki nodded in agreement as he watched Shuichi dancing some form of Irish step dance on the table in front of them.

"Alright boys," Kana called. "Ratings should be in-let's see."

Yuki noticed Kana crossing her fingers as she walked over to the computer. Shuichi leaped onto Yuki's back to gain a better vantage point of the computer.

"And the number sold is…." Kana paused. "One."

Yuki watched as Shuichi jumped off his back. "Now Shuichi, remember, writing takes practice and you don't always…" Yuki's speech was cut off as Shuichi grabbed Yuki around the waist.

"YUUUUKI! SOMEONE BOUGHT MY BOOK!"

Yuki tried to suppress his laughter. "I think we'd all be a lot happier if we lived like him," Yuki whispered to Kana, pointing at Shuichi who was giggling with happiness. "Good job, Shuichi!" he exclaimed in a louder voice.

Kana kept typing into the computer. "Oh, look!' she exclaimed. "We have an email for you, Shindo-san!" She began reading:

Shindo-san

I immensely enjoyed your delightful novel. I have been inspired to search for beauty in my own life and I want to thank you. You are truly a demigod, Shindo-san. My favorite line had to be:

Ryuu watched as the flowers around him sparkled. Sparkles were good. Even love couldn't match the shiny sparkliness of the flowers.

I have since divorced by husband and devote all my waking

hours to rereading your artful prose.

Thank you for your wonderful work!

Yours truly,

R.T.

Shuichi's eyes bulged with awe and Yuki pleasantly ruffled his hair. Time enough to remind him that one was a very, very easy number to beat.

"Thanks for your time," Yuki called to Kana as he dragged Shuichi back out to the car. "We appreciate it."

"Thank you Eiri-san," Kana whispered as he passed. "Your check should cover the printing process along with a few of my missed meals."

As Yuki and Shuichi departed, Kana handed Shuichi the poster that had hung on the wall. "You can keep this. I don't think we'll be needing it anymore. Goodbye Shindo-san. It was……………nice."

Yuki had to help Shuichi with his seatbelt as he seemed to have gone limp with happiness.

"She liked my book," Shuichi drawled.

"She sure did," Yuki pleasantly agreed as he started the engine. Curiously, he wondered just what Shuichi had eaten for breakfast.

"YUUUUKI-I KNOW!" Shuichi hollered.

"Huh? Breakfast?" Yuki replied, startled out of his thoughts.

"No! I know where we're going! TO THE MUSIC STUDIO!!!"