"That was ages ago! Don't tell me you're still upset over that, are you?"

"He must have other things going on if that's the case!"

"Maybe you should go seek help..."

"Move on already!"

.

. . .

.

Ranmaru had more than enough. From the tabloids to all the letters he was now receiving as well as the pull for interviews... Ranmaru was sick of them all.

Over a week ago, a going-under magazine had dug up the dirt dating back to his days from his old band. It wasn't anything he hadn't already heard anyway, and it wasn't like he still lingered on those old feelings either. It was the way the article was written that got to him the most.

His persona brought on articles like this all the time back when Quartet Night had just started. Week after week, Shining had to resolve all those rumors and falsities each time a new one was released. It had gotten to the point where Ranmaru had started becoming flippant with reporters, so much so that Shining had to decline all those offers before Ranmaru even caught word of them from Ryuya.

It was of a different time. He didn't even feel like that used to be himself anymore.

With Quartet Night's evolutionary bond and passion for what they did, Ranmaru found himself working the hardest he ever had. Only now he felt like he was being thrown back there again as if all his hard work didn't matter. It shouldn't bother him as much as it did, but it was the article title that got him riled up the most.

"Quartet Night Singer Stuck in Mental Cages?!"

It was the most absurd thing he had ever read.

That was how he found himself at a bar that had become affiliated with Shining Agency in secret. He frequented the place back when things first started going awry, so Shining had tried to cut him off in the only grandiose way he knew how: buying out the business himself. Ranmaru, being the stubborn prick he was, never backed down and continued going despite all the talks it took.

Another time entirely.

"It couldn't have been that bad, Ran-Ran."

Regrettably, he also never ventured there alone anymore. Sitting beside him on one of the many plush bar stools was Reiji, spinning around his whisky just to make the ice clank against the side of the glass. He knew how annoying he could be and utilized it to his very advantage. Sometimes Ranmaru wondered how he was able to tolerate the oldest member as well as he did.

Ranmaru huffed as he knocked back his own glass of whiskey, settling it along the mahogany bar louder than he had meant to. Maybe it was easier to tolerate him only when there was enough alcohol in his system...

"'M not talkin' 'bout it."

"Ahh, but you saying you aren't is still you talking about it." Reiji wiggled his eyebrows as he leaned in closer, the glass all but clattering against Ranmaru's eardrums.

How he wished to smack the glass to the floor.

"I said 'm not!" Ranmaru stood up rapidly as he bashed his fist into the bar top, the world spinning around himself as he did so.

He may have been a bit drunk by that point. Maybe a bit too drunk...

Reiji threw his head back as he laughed like a child, the mirth too apparent on his face much like the red dusting his cheeks.

How many did they have already? He was surely going to find out tomorrow morning.

"But you are, Ran-Ran!" The words came out just as sloshed as Reiji clearly was, filtering in through his laughter like they were playing some kind of game.

Only Ranmaru wasn't.

"If I don't get t' hear 'bout your dead friend then 'm not talkin' 'bout this!"

And then the invisible line was crossed.

Ranmaru rarely ever crossed that line as he never should. It only ever happened when he let his emotions run too high. Paired with the alcohol and his urge to storm the reporter's headquarters, Ranmaru had done the unthinkable again. The guilt settled in quicker than the alcohol had, but his drunken pride had the better of him. He stood tall with narrowed eyes, the only sound being the soft jazz that filtered in through the speakers in the back of the room.

As if a switch had been flicked, Reiji's eyes darkened to a sadness Ranmaru could never quite reach or understand... not that he ever deserved to anyway. If looks could kill, Reiji would've had Ranmaru on the floor in a second with the expression he currently wore.

"I see."

With those parting words, Reiji slammed his glass back down on the bar top and left Ranmaru there to simmer in his own anger and guilt. Rightfully so, Ranmaru thought.

He waited until Reiji was completely gone before sinking back down into his own stool, his forehead thunking against the glossed wooden top.

He was an idiot.

He doesn't remember falling asleep there, but he must because the next thing he knew was someone shaking him awake. What time was it anyway?

"Ran-Raaaaan... you're going to have to wake up. We have rehearsal at noon."

Ranmaru grunted at the sudden disturbance, already feeling the working of an alcohol-induced migraine with his sudden shift in consciousness.

"'M not going..."

A sigh escaped Reiji's lips as he tried harder to jostle Ranmaru awake. His endless pestering didn't end either until Ranmaru finally sat himself upright with great resistance.

"Fine, fine... I'm up."

He reeked of alcohol and badly at that. Suddenly, he was reminded of the face Reiji gave him as they parted last night. He had not been sober in the least bit, but apparently even drunk he was scared of seeing it. Ranmaru's gaze shifted from Reiji to the bar top as he rubbed at the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Hey... 'm sorry. Didn't mean it... Really."

"Ran-Ran, please look up."

Ranmaru breathed outwardly as he hesitantly lifted his gaze upwards, only to be surprised with Reiji smiling at him.

"I'm sorry, too."

Huh? Ranmaru's confused thoughts must've been quite clear on his face because Reiji held up a hand to prevent him from speaking just yet.

"We both said stupid things. Let's let bygones be bygones, yeah?"

Ranmaru studied him once more, letting out another breathy sigh as he did so. "Yeah, I guess. 'Least 'm trying."

Reiji smiled brighter back down at him. "I know."