Twilight settled over the busy streets of Tokyo City. The late afternoon sky was heavy with gray snow clouds. It would probably start snowing soon. Shuichi turned away from the window and smiled to himself. Today was December 20th and everybody would gather in about three hours at NG for the Christmas party. It would be an understatement to say Shuichi was exited. Since his unexpected meeting with Yuki yesterday he bristled with activity and happiness. He hardly slept that night all he could do was think about Yuki. Shuichi hoped that Yuki would show up tonight.
Of course he had questioned Tohma right after their encounter but the blonde only said that he indeed invited Yuki but he didn't know if the novelist would actually attend. That was of course very unsatisfying and left Shuichi very nervous. If it wouldn't be for Ryuichi who distracted him quite successfully he would have driven the NG staff and his band mates as well as K and Sakano insane. But now it was finally time to get ready.
Well, actually Shuichi had been ready since lunch time and up until now he had been looking out of his bedroom window waiting for the clock to announce the fifth hour.
Ryuichi had been taking a nap after lunch with Kumagoro of course and was probably getting ready right now. Shuichi hadn't told him of his and Yuki's encounter yesterday. He couldn't explain why but he felt slightly guilty for yearning to meet Yuki tonight. Shuichi had spilled his heart to Ryuichi before and his friend had reassured him that everything would be alright. But wasn't it himself who had said not so long ago that he would never see Yuki again or even say his name? Now mere three weeks later he was about to fall in this love trap again. He couldn't just go to Ryuichi and tell that he couldn't wait to see Yuki. And there was still the chance that Yuki just talked to him the day before because he had a bad conscience which was distracting him from writing his novels. What if Yuki would reject him again? Shuichi wasn't sure if he could endure it again.
'God, what am I thinking? He made my life miserable for long enough. He doesn't deserve my attention. Why is he always on my mind?'
Shuichi gritted his teeth and let himself fall backwards on his bed. 'But still it would be nice to be at least friends with Yuki.' Shuichi sighed. "I'm so hopeless." He said smashing his face into a pillow. 'But we'll see maybe today it would show where Yuki stands with me.'
Shuichi sighed and made his way towards his friends room to see if he needed any help with his evening clothes. Sure they were both rock stars but tonight they decided to wear something more (or less) formal.
"Hey Ryu-chan, do you need a hand?"
Shuichi poked his head inside the room where he could see Ryuichi fumble with the bottoms of his dress shirt.
"Nah, I'm almost done, no an da. Kumagoro was so nice to help me a bit."
He flashed a grin at Shuichi and finally pulled a dark long coat on.
"Do you think they let us in like that?"
Ryuichi swirled around.
"Aw common, we're their stars. Anyway do you have anything like a suit? I sure don't and I don't really wanna wear one."
Shuichi playfully replied. In his opinion suits where something Yuki fit perfectly. He groaned catching him again with those kind of thoughts.
"Something wrong, Shu-chan?"
Ryuichi stood in front of him smiling knowingly, swinging around in front of the mirror. Shuichi rolled his eyes.
"Nothing new. Come let's go. We have to hurry if we want to catch the tram."
Both raced each other to the tram station, Kumagoro safely tugged in Ryuichi's pocket.
******
The long bedroom mirror showed a mature woman dressed in an evening gown. At the moment she proceeded to put on her earrings. She seemed content and moved with fluid confident moves. Mika Seguchi was a well known woman being married to a living pop idol and related to Japan's most famous novelist. Attending high society parties to support her husband with his work and not used to work for her extravagant life style left her enough time to take care of her family.
Despite what others especially her about three years younger brother thought she cared a lot about her family and was concerned about her parents and two younger brothers well being. She often traveled to Kyoto to check up on her parents and Tatsuha who sometimes came to visit Tohma and her. She enjoyed having him around since he was so very different from his older brother Eiri. Where Tatsuha was open, friendly, sympathetic and enjoying his young life Eiri seemed to already finished with his life living secluded in his apartment avoiding the public and simply shutting everybody out of his life.
Mika often tried to get through to him but Eiri seemed to be more comfortable with her husband. If he decided to talk he mostly intrusted Tohma with his thoughts and as far as she knew most of them were centered around Japan's new shooting star Shuichi Shindou. Not that Tohma was actually filled in on Eiri's love life. She rolled her eyes.
It still amazed her how Shuichi could have ever Eiri get to agree with letting him stay at his apartment. She thought of her brother as a difficult person but Mika could only guess how deep the connection between Eiri and Shuichi really were. Tohma had told her that they broke off and Eiri hadn't mentioned anything towards her. Well, that was no surprise. Yuki rarely talked to her. But concerning their relationship she never really believed that it would survive since Eiri sooner or later destroyed the happiness if he actually had found any. He couldn't help himself.
It would be hard to solve this mess. Mika really regretted that she didn't prevent their relationship as she still had the chance - at the very beginning. But then it looked like Shuichi would be able to help Eiri out of his black hole. Now everything was lost and she was left to pick up the broken pieces like she always did. Maybe it was better to let Eiri and Shuichi go their own ways. It would be the best for their own good before they would drag each other down mentally.
Mika was now fumbling with her necklace. The clasp wouldn't work so she went on search for her husband who was getting ready in the bathroom.
"Tohma, could you please come over here for a second and put on my necklace for me?"
She still tried to get the necklace in place as cool hands gently took the necklace out of her grasp. Mika looked up into the mirror seeing Tohma standing behind her. A slight smile played on his lips.
"You look beautiful today, my love."
Mika smiled back into the mirror. Those tender moments were rare in their busy life's but she didn't complain just enjoyed those sweet moments the more when they happened. Tohma encircled her from behind and Mika leant back into his embrace. For a few moments neither of them uttered a word.
"I thought about Eiri."
Mika looked up already guessing his next words.
"He has to come with us when we leave for your parents house if he would stay here with Shindou-san matters will get worse. He's in a very unstable mood right now and he needs some time to think. Both Eiri and Shuichi are emotionally worn out. If something goes wrong in the next days it could be that Shuichi would suffer a nervous break down. As far as I know he's holding up pretty good now probably thanks to Ryuichi." Tohma sighed.
Mika caressed his hands. "Do you think Eiri will really go with us on free terms? If I remember correctly you mentioned yesterday that he seems determined to get Shuichi back. That itself is a big accomplishment. He never saw anything worthy enough to be chased after."
Mika frowned. Her brother indeed was acting strangely but since the pink haired singer was with him nothing was the same anymore anyway.
"I have an idea." She spoke up convinced to do the right thing. "Let Eiri try his luck to make up with Shuichi. If tonight should end in a disaster for both we take him with us. Ryuichi can take care of Shuichi. What do you think?"
Tohma squeezed his wife. He admired her for her wits. Tohma had found in her his match.
"Why not? They deserve a chance. Although it took Eiri long enough to decide what he wants. He is lucky that he didn't loose Shindou-san to someone else already."
"So he didn't give up on Shuichi?" Mika smiled. "Alright, it's settled then. Now we just have to make sure that everything runs smoothly and those two don't make a scene at the party. Too many important people are there. We can't make any mistakes but you do know that already."
Mika turned around to face Tohma. She took both loose ends of his tie and bound it to a neat knot.
"Well, looks like you're ready as well."
She flashed him a radiant smile and went out to the living room to grab her purse and coat. Tohma took a last glance into the mirror.
'I hope you use your chance Eiri because this one will be your last one.'
Then he followed his wife to leave for the party.
******
A single light illuminated the plain room. On the desk sat a half empty coffee cup beside an ash tray. Yuki Eiri's face glowed blue from the computer screen. Since hours he had been sitting in front of his laptop starring at the screen. He hadn't written a single word since his thoughts could only focus on one person.
Since he had met Shuichi the day before he couldn't get him out of his head. He had tried different things to distract himself. First he went to work at his laptop as usual. It took him a couple of minutes of blank starring at the screen to remember that writer's block was still on and instead of a suitable ending he could only found himself thinking of a way to approach Shuichi at the party.
Not having any considerable ideas he had tried to distract him with watching TV but he kind of only came across commercials for the Bad Luck Christmas concert. After several cans of beer and cigarettes he felt calmer but still bored. He had tried to sleep as well but since his sleep only brought him dreams of the pink haired baka it was out of the question as well. He only felt depressed afterwards.
Now it was already getting dark outside and once again he sat at his desk. It was more out of habit you can say because he still wasn't writing. Yuki let his head drop onto his hands. His head felt like it would explode any second. That's what he got from all this beer and starring at the computer screen. He just hoped that he would meet Shuichi tonight he would make it all up to him. He stifled a yawn and his eyes began to droop. Finally sleep claimed the exhausted novelist.
******
He really was good looking. Dark strands of hair fell into his face. An aura of glamour surrounded him. Glittering eyes looked approvingly into the full length mirror. He was wearing a dark suit and the dark shades matched it perfectly. That was all he needed to conquer his prey. The last time he led it go to easily. This time he'll keep it forever.
"Well looks like I'm ready to go. I can't wait to see you again, my beautiful lover. It's just as I promised. I'll come and get you and you'll be mine forever."
A sly grin crept up his face. A last look into the mirror and he was gone.
************************************************
Goodie, first part of three is done. Sorry that it took me so long to post this but with Christmas coming up and me moving back to my parent's house over the vacations I had to get things done quickly. But I wasn't lazy I wrote all remaining chapters. It'll be 11 at the end plus an author's note. The rest of the chapters will be posted today latest tomorrow. I just have to edit them. Thanks to all who reviewed!!! Love ya for it. ^_^