A/N: Hiroki is basically the one who gets teased by everybody he knows. Well, the ones who know him well enough to get away with it. Nowaki meeting Mama Kamijou was not something I planned at all. But I left it in the chapter since it fit into the flow. Thank you all for reading and tell me what you think!

-Lucicelo

Chapter 11: Meeting new people...

Hiroki stood in the foreground, his hand curled around a glass of wine while his other hand clutched his walking stick. He couldn't concentrate. The overwhelming sound of all of the people inside of the room made his head hurt. He took a long sip of his wine, his headache didn't subside in the slightest. It made it worse. He wished he was back home relaxing in his bed but he couldn't reject an invitation from his parents. Most of the time they ever spent together anymore came from his own performances and even then he had to leave the venue almost immediately. Phone calls didn't replace having them in person so he could sacrifice some hours for them.

Although, his parents had to leave to mingle with their guests ten minutes later, leaving Hiroki near the refreshment table. He waited for Miyagi to arrive to this small function just to keep him company. It was a strike of luck that Miyagi was near the area when he made the initial call. At least Miyagi's comments brought some amusement since he never censored himself when it came to the ridiculous people they encountered at these uptight events.

This simple party of rich entrepreneurs either wanted a contract with Soshi Kamijou or came to assess their competition for the year. From the tone and sound of their voices, many of them probably thought kissing up to Soshi earned them a ticket to conduct business with him. Their wives acted in the same matter toward Fuyumi, who indulged them but never had them enter the Kamijou manor. Which had them planning their business parties in hotels so there wouldn't be any misunderstandings.

Hiroki remembered watching his father as a child as he scrutinized these people until their true intentions appeared. He counted himself lucky that his father never tried introducing him to the business, his temper and lack of patience for anything that wasn't the piano didn't suit his father's world. At one point, he thought he remembered hearing his father wanting him to take his place when he retired but after his ailment it never progressed. Yet, Hiroki never tired of hearing his father speak of the people he dealt with at these parties.

He never thought about thanking his own blindness for these people avoided him for most of the party.

The introductions happened when he first arrived, his mother's hand on his arm, his father's strong presence beside him. Some polite voices, others barely hiding their pity when his blindness came up, a few blunt in their assessment of his 'poor' way of life. He restrained his comments, not when his father shut them up with a simple sentence. His mother lightly patted his arm in assurance but he knew she was just as annoyed as him.

His mother informed him that the Usami's rejected their invitation, citing their trip overseas as an excuse. She still held hope on gaining back the friendship he had with their youngest son. He knew it was beyond over. Hiroki didn't care about them, he stopped thinking about Akihiko before attending his new high school. He thought about his new practices. His teachers who gave slight leniency but expected his fair share of work. Students didn't treat him any different. A rival surfaced in a few students who saw him as competition. This made Hiroki's time at school somewhat interesting. In the end, he was alone in that school.

At least Kana's school was in the area so she came around when he got off. They walked home together and stopped at convenience stores for food. This routine started their afternoon walks. These walks continued on as they grew older. Even with Kana's fluctuating schedule as a nurse.

The Usami family didn't come into his mind often. Except Haruhiko, he tried keeping their slight interactions cordial. The man didn't hold back his words when they held a conversation. His honesty never bothered Hiroki at all. No questions about Akihiko and why they stopped speaking. Topics fell on his career and his everyday life. At no time did Haruhiko pass his boundaries. Haruhiko showed him more respect than his own younger brother.

At this point, he wasn't ashamed of his ailment. After so many years, he thought that people did research on his father to know everything about his family. The information on the Kamijou's wasn't hard to find on the internet. When his profession grew, some interviewers asked about his blindness. He answered them. He could count how many times he answered questions about his disability with one hand. Besides, most of the reporters focused on his daily regimen on how he managed to learn difficult pieces without missing a note at a performance.

He heard the awe in their voice. Wondering how he managed to keep himself focused. People whispered or moved out of their seats on their own business. He learned to tune them out. His high school had students make noise to see if the one performing missed notes. A method which made sure they played thinking about the music.

Miyagi leaned down next to his ear, he told him. "Why don't you ask someone to dance?"

Hiroki froze. For once, Miyagi caught him in his thoughts. Using his cane, he slammed it on Miyagi's foot. Well, where he thought Miyagi's foot was located. His cane slammed onto the wooden paneling of the floor. Gritting his teeth, he let Miyagi hook an arm over his shoulder. His face nuzzling his cheek in a cat like matter. It lasted a few seconds.

He thought he heard Miyagi celebrating his victory in his miss. Hiroki let him have it. This was one of the few things Miyagi ever won between the both of them.

Hiroki answered. "Right, like some of these people would accept a dance from me? They might just ask to make themselves look good in front of my father." Hiroki rolled his eyes, he took another swig of wine. "Besides, I came for the free food and all the wine I can drink before I pass out."

Miyagi chuckled as he took his arm off of Hiroki. "C'mon now, Hiroki, I can't carry you all the way home when you start stumbling on me for support." He wandered around Hiroki and grabbed his own glass of wine.

Hiroki scoffed. "I don't stumble and furthermore, won't your little boy toy get pissed that you would consider carrying me?"

"Nah," Miyagi grinned, he ruffled his neat hair. "Shinobu-chin is getting used to how I act around you and Kana. He knows how I act around my own students. I have to say, he is not used to sharing with other people. He was a tad spoiled growing up so I should have expected this to show up when I started dating him."

"A little?" Hiroki's lips quirked up.

"Okay, a lot, but he is learning to compromise."

"I will believe it when I see it," He cut off Miyagi. "And I meant that figuratively." Hiroki took another sip of wine. "Does your ex-father-in-law know you are fucking his son?"

Miyagi sputtered as he tried not to drop his own glass of wine. "Shhhh." He got close to Hiroki's ear, "His father will slaughter me at this point. He has been too protective of Shinobu's relationships that I am surprised he even let him stay with me."

Hiroki arched a brow. "Takatsuki is twenty. An adult. He can do whatever he wants. Wasn't he the one who spouted all that destiny junk?"

Miyagi sighed. "I know. Don't remind me of his whole destiny thing he did when he started coming after me. He wanted to go tell his father the next time he went to visit them." He took another swig of wine. "But...his father will argue his son is too young to know what he wants in his life. He might change his mind." He downed his wine, leaving it empty. Then, he placed it on the table. "And if I break up with Shinobu it'll be awkward with his father at work. I might get transferred."

Hiroki twirled his wine glass. "From my brief interactions with Dean Takatsuki, he seems understanding."

"He wants his son to be happy." Miyagi shifted his body to lean against Hiroki. "I get it. Though, the last time he talked to me." He groaned. "He asked me if I thought Shinobu was dating someone. I told him I had no idea but I lied to him. Once we tell him the truth he will be on my ass."

Hiroki poked Miyagi's face. "Just tell him you were afraid of him or something. He might pity you."

"No! I will look even less worthy in his eyes for his son."

Hiroki rolled his eyes. Nothing he said would go through Miyagi's brain, he gave up and remained silent. He pushed up his glasses and listened to Miyagi's spiel. When Miyagi finished, Hiroki's wine glass was empty. Miyagi fetched him another glass as Hiroki reflected. He listened to Kana and Miyagi's dating lives. Hearing their woes and distress. It was all he could do. He had no concrete experience. Not wanting to have a trick played on him, he avoided dating. Using his piano playing as an excuse.

There were plenty of people he had interest in but kept it to himself. Their sweet voices made his heart race, his mouth shut. No words expressing his feelings. He lacked trust to give his heart to anyone. Locking his heart away. It made life easier on the long run.

Nowaki let out a sigh of exhaustion. His shoulders ached and his lower back felt like someone pricked needles when he moved a certain way. Reaching up his arm, he rubbed his right side. Avoiding the left where he applied lotion before he left work. His new work shirt had aggravated the area to such a large extent. He wanted nothing more than to rip it off. His co-workers commented on his incessant amount of turtlenecks. This was a sign to change his style at least once. Big mistake. He had to take a long soak when he arrived home. Good thing he bought some bath products days ago.

He held the strap of his backpack and dragged his feet down the road. Next time, he made sure to remember to reject staying after hours. He didn't mind helping out his co-workers. It was no problem on his end. He had no one at home who waited up for him anyway. Although, he realized he wanted to sleep more than helping someone. Tsumori had missed a few days due to a trip on behalf of their boss. His paperwork piled up and couldn't finish it on his own. Nowaki almost made it out before Tsumori dragged him back inside.

He didn't think missing a day of work produced so much paperwork. This made him want to never miss work if he could help it.

Passing one of the fancy hotels, he turned his head to stare through the doors. He saw an older man slung over another man's body. Recognizing Hiroki, Nowaki took a few steps to the door but hesitated. Hiroki might not want him there. The older man had his arms tight around him, his face hidden in the crook of Hiroki's neck. Hiroki didn't seem uncomfortable with his presence.

Nowaki felt like crap. After his day at his job, all he wanted was a hot bath and snuggle under his blankets. This was the worst time for him to meet someone or even hold up a conversation. He would talk to Hiroki later.

"Excuse me?"

Nowaki blinked. Looking down, he saw a pair of midnight blue eyes staring up at him. His cheeks were flushed red and Nowaki smelled the wine on his breath. His arms still around Hiroki's body. Now that Hiroki was closer, he saw the frown on his face. He even wrinkled his nose when the man spoke.

"You are kind of blocking the way." The older man grinned. "You see, I am my friend's seeing eyes for the night."

Hiroki scoffed. "You can barely fucking walk without holding onto me. Let me call your brat to come get you dumb ass."

"Nooooo."

"Ugh..you are so annoying. And don't breathe on me."

Not hearing their conversation, Nowaki sputtered out. "Oh, I'm sorry. I kind of spaced out."

"Wait a second...Nowaki?"

Nowaki turned to Hiroki and saw his eyebrows furrowed. "Yes?"

"Good thing we bumped into each other. You can help me get this leech off of me. This way I can call Miyagi's lover to come fetch him before he falls in a gutter."

Before Nowaki responded, Miyagi interrupted. "Wait...is this the guy Kana told me about?" Miyagi covered his mouth in fake shock as he nudged Hiroki's arm. "Is he?"

Hiroki's flustered face told Miyagi the whole story. An impish grin formed on his face as he pinched Hiroki's cheeks. "Aw.. my little darling is growing up. Did you invite your man to come meet you without me knowing? I have to go get your parents so we can introduce him. They need to know the good news!"

Nowaki was silent as he watched Hiroki try to swing his cane at Miyagi. He had not seen this side of Hiroki in their previous encounters. Always calm and collected. This man in front of him lost his cool over a few sentences. In reality, he was entertained. For a while, he saw Hiroki in sort of a pedestal over his stage persona. His cool nature made Nowaki act a lot more careful. The person whose hands moved with such skill made him a tad intimidated.

He didn't want to lose his new formed friendship with him. Hiroki surprised him with this new side. Witnessing more sides to this man was his new mission. Not that he would annoy him on purpose for it to happen.

The older man caught the cane, holding it out of Hiroki's reach. "How cute. You still think you can hit me."

"You old man! Give me back my cane so I can hit you with it!" Hiroki hissed.

Placing the cane behind his back, Miyagi tutted. "Ah, ah, Hiroki-chan. How rude. Your mother taught you better than to hit your elders."

"So you admit you are old." Hiroki taunted. "Start being careful or else your brat will leave your wrinkled ass."

"Ouch." Miyagi placed a hand on his chest, sarcasm laced his tone. "So mean. I wonder how you are keeping this fine young man from leaving you. You're a pretty bad boyfriend, Hiroki-chan."

"He is not my lover!" Hiroki coughed into his hand. "Sorry you had to see that." Hiroki directed this at Nowaki. "Ignore him, Miyagi blabs bullshit when he is tipsy. In this case, he is drunk off his ass."

Nowaki laughed as he moved his backpack onto his other shoulder. "No problem," He watched Miyagi stumble back inside of the hotel. "Um..is it okay to let him go away like that? He almost fell through the doors." Miyagi walked around the corner and entered a reception hall without tripping on anything. He was doing alright on his own.

"Who cares." Hiroki took out his phone and pressed a few buttons. Each button said each contact until he landed on Shinobu's number. "Hey brat. Your idiot is falling on his ass here at the hotel. Yes, the one near the large shopping center downtown. Thanks," He hung up the phone and placed it back into his pocket. "Shit." He scowled. "Miyagi is going to hit people with my cane if we don't get it back." He heard the door open and more people walked around them. Walking closer to the direction of Nowaki's cologne, he was out of the way of the front doors.

Nowaki offered. "Kamijou-san, I can get your cane back. It's no problem with me."

"It's fine. His brat will get it back when he comes here." Hiroki pushed back his bangs and waved his face to cool himself down. "It was too hot in that place."

Nowaki grinned as he moved his hand in front of Hiroki's face. Getting close to Hiroki's face, he smelled some alcohol in his breath. Hiroki seemed to have more coherency than his friend. He probably didn't drink much just to retain his sense of mind when he went home. Hiroki drinking alcohol came as a surprise. Due to his profession, he must not drink often. Just so he wouldn't have a hangover disturbing his practices.

"Hiroki-chan!" A female voice exclaimed as Hiroki groaned. "Miyagi-san told me you had someone to introduce me to." The clicking from her sandals grew louder as she hurried on close to them.

"Shit, he actually got her."

"Who?" Nowaki inquired.

Hiroki stated. "My mother."

Hiroki stood beside his mother. Her rose scented perfume came to his attention. He could imagine what Miyagi told his mother to make her come outside to meet Nowaki. Plain lies. Nowaki was turning into a friend in his opinion. It might turn into something else. He wouldn't tell anyone his thoughts, the teasing would turn relentless. This was turning into one of those situations he got into with Kana. Their close friendship had many assuming she was his girlfriend. After a while, he forgot to correct these people. His attempts turned fruitless, he couldn't change their minds.

It didn't look bad to always have someone on his arm. She turned into his plus one whenever he had to attend an event. Her whispering jokes made him choke back a laugh when it was inappropriate. Most of the time, he took his mother with him. Most people thought he lied when he introduced her as his mother. Her youthful appearance fooled others who had not met her before. His last vision of her appearance was when he was fifteen. That image still stuck in his mind.

He was sure she didn't change much.

Hearing Nowaki fumble when he introduced himself amused him. The same thing almost happened when Miyagi got reintroduced to his mother. Although, he got over it pretty quick. They teamed up against him to make jokes at his expense. His reactions made them laugh. He couldn't help the way he reacted to Miyagi's awful jokes. Most of the time they were jump scares.

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Fuyumi tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Her green eyes vibrant under the street lights. "Hiroki spoke about you the last time he visited back home." Her red lips formed a gentle smile. "You are more handsome than I expected." She walked around him with her hand underneath her chin.

"Mother!" Hiroki exclaimed.

Nowaki bowed in haste. He peeked up, her eyes twinkled in amusement. "It's a pleasure as well. Kamijou-san told me a little bit about you. Not much." Having Hiroki's mother compliment him made him feel good. Despite the fact that he felt sweaty and fatigued. "Is your husband here as well?"

Fuyumi smoothed down her kimono. "He's still inside talking to businessmen. Miyagi came at the perfect time." She sighed. "I almost got roped into conversation about something I didn't care for. I couldn't just tell them this to their face."

Hiroki sighed. "You could of just excused yourself to the bathroom. I have heard you do this so many times."

"The other person was a wife of a business man who started chatting up your father. She would have followed me in the bathroom."

"Oh." Hiroki said. "You always avoid people anyway."

"Yes, but she was persistent. Both of them were persistent." Fuyumi turned to Nowaki and she saw his tired eyes. She kept it to herself when she saw his eager face. "So, how long have you known my son?"

"For a few months, not too long," Nowaki answered with fondness. "I met him at one of his concerts. We have gone out for coffee once a week since then,"

"We talk more on the phone I guess..." Hiroki added in. "He knew the pieces I played and tracked me down. Well, he said he enjoyed my playing so he's not a stalker. Not to my knowledge." Hiroki's lips quirked when he heard Nowaki's indignant squeak at the accusation.

Fuyumi chuckled as she curled her child around Hiroki's arm. "How sweet. It's similar to how my husband first met me. I was singing in a musical at my school. He said I captured his heart."

"Not this story again," Hiroki murmured and he thought of a quick escape for Nowaki. "You take forever retelling your romance with father. I can tell him myself. Nowaki probably has to go somewhere."

Nowaki nodded his head. "Yes, I forgot I have to go home and sleep. I had a long day at work and I was actually on my way home. I only stopped to say hello."

Fuyumi nodded her head in understanding. "Well, you do need your rest." She asked him. "Do you need a ride home?"

"It's alright, I live pretty close. I'm not going to drop to the ground in exhaustion if that's what you mean." Nowaki assured her as he turned to Hiroki. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, we have a lot of talk about."

"Don't forget I am not a morning person."

"Ten or eleven is not that early." Nowaki grinned, he excused him and said goodbye to the both of them. He hurried down the sidewalk. Peeking over his shoulder, he saw Fuyumi fixing up Hiroki's tuxedo. Hiroki's embarrassed expression clear on his face.

Maybe my mother is a lot like her. Nowaki smiled as he checked his phone for the time.

Ten minutes later, Fuyumi watched a young blond man trying to haul Miyagi out of the hotel. He struggled with Miyagi's frame. The guy was heavier than him and didn't try to keep himself on his feet.A taxi arrived in front of the hotel, waiting for the both of them. Hiroki assured her everything was fine. The kid knew Miyagi real well and wouldn't dump him after stealing his belongings.

He'd put Miyagi on the uncomfortable couch they owned.

TBC