Kaede-Kun

Part 3

"No……no……no……no" Rukawa sighed as he stared at his cabinet. It was hard to decide what to wear for the night. He had never been in a nightclub, not to mention a high-classed one, thus he had no idea what he should wear. Besides, his wardrobe was composed only from very casual clothes. Rukawa shook his head and sighed. Nothing seemed to be a proper to wear for a nightclub.

//I really need Haruko's help right now// Rukawa groaned //where is she when you needed her?//

"Kaede, dear, are you ready?" Sendoh entered the room through the connected door.

Rukawa looked at his lover and shook his head "I don't know what to wear, Akira"

"Let me see" Sendoh looked inside the cabinet for a while and then took out a navy blue pants, shirt with the same blue color and white tank top.

"There" he handed the clothes to Rukawa "wear these"

"Are you sure, Akira?" Rukawa took the clothes, uncertainly "aren't they too casual for a nightclub?"

Sendoh chuckled "they are fine. Just wear them and your beauty will do the rest. Don't take so long, OK?" with a wink, Sendoh left the room.

"Ok" Rukawa replied, blushing.

After wearing his clothes, Rukawa ran to Sendoh's room.

"Akira what do you think?" He turned around like a model in front of his lover "How do I look?"

Sendoh smiled warmly "Beautiful, as ever"

Rukawa lowered his head shyly; his heart was beating faster and faster as he sensed Sendoh approaching him.

"Really?" he barely whispered.

"Not only beautiful, but adorable too" Sendoh whispered sexily, cupping Rukawa's chin, and meeting his rosy lips with his in a deep kiss. His hands took the younger boy's slender body into tight embrace. The two stayed like that for a while and were willing to continue, when…

"Ahemm…Ahemm"

The two broke up and looked at the entrance to see Koshino with a 'catch-you' look in his face. Rukawa felt his cheeks becoming hotter even more and he was damn sure that they were as red as a tomato.

"Hi, Kosh" Sendoh grinned, nervousness was filling his voice "didn't hear you come"

"How could you?" Koshino crossed his hands in front of his chest "you were sooo busy with your loving session to notice your surroundings, besides I found your apartment keys in my car this morning. That's how I got in without ringing the bell "

"My keys?!!!" Sendoh asked, puzzled.

"Yes, baka" Koshino waved a chain of keys in front of Sendoh's eyes "your keys that you had lost last week and turned your room and MY APARTMENT upside down looking for them"

"Oh, those. Thanks, Buddy. I owe you one"

"No, Sendoh Akira…you owe me a lot. And if you don't mind, we're gonna be late for tonight's show…so will you please hurry up and get over with your love session quickly"

Realizing that his hand was still embracing Rukawa's slender waist, Sendoh withdrew it quickly as if it had been touched by a fire. Rukawa, on the other hand, reddened in embarrassment. He lowered his gaze and left the room murmuring something about getting ready.

Koshino smiled at Rukawa's reaction and turned his gaze to his friend, "And you want to live alone together?" he chuckled at Sendoh's death glare "Now I knew why Anzai-san didn't agree on that…he's afraid that you would eat the poor boy alive"

"Shut up…Koshino" Sendoh said irritated "why can't I have some private time with Kaede? Every time I try to get some privacy with him, you disturb us with your unwelcomed presence"

"Think of me as Kaede-Kun's guardian angel. Can't leave him alone with the devil, can I?"

"Oh, yeah" Sendoh snorted, a vain popped out his forehead "well…I wonder how on earth a guardian angel would beg a devil and was about to kiss his hands and feet to get a photo of Anzai's granddaughter" Now it was the time for Koshino to redden from embarrassment, his cheeks were getting redder and redder as Sendoh continued his revenge "and come to think about it, how on earth would a so-called guardian angel fall in love with a beautiful and sweet girl like Haruko? *Sigh* I wonder what grandpa's reaction would be when he knows that the boy, whom he opened his house and heart to, had a crush on his granddaughter or how Takenori-san would kill you when he knows that you want to court his baby sister, or how…"

"SHUT UP, SENDOH AKIRA. YOU'RE DEAD" With that Koshino chased Sendoh to the living room, trying to get his hands on him, while Sendoh ran from him laughing merrily. Rukawa got of his room, and was shocked at the strange scenario in front of him.

"Kosh-san…err…Akira" he called the two struggling boys "what's going on?"

"Nothing dear" Sendoh managed to say, struggling to set his neck free from Koshino's strong grab "just settling a friendly argument"

"Friendly?!!!!" Rukawa raised eyebrow, and then turned to Koshino "Kosh-san, You're gonna kill Akira. Please, stop."

Koshino released Sendoh's neck upon hearing Rukawa's pleading voice.

"You were lucky this time, Sendoh" he said adjusting his clothes properly "but next time if you say one word about my love life, I'll kill you for sure"

Sendoh grinned devily "then next time, don't throw stones when you live in a glass house"

"Whatever" Koshino shrugged "now…we better get going or we'll miss the show" with that the trio left the apartment.

***

Koshino dropped Sendoh and Rukawa by the nightclub's big door and went to park his car. When he returned to them, he found Rukawa struggling to keep himself from bursting into laughter and Sendoh was trying to keep a straight face too.

"Now what?" Koshino sighed in defeat.

Rukawa pointed to the big banner, which was hanged above the door.

Following Rukawa's finger, Sendoh broke down into laughter, remembering a 'small' incident that took place yesterday, while, Koshino shook his head, sighing.

"That's impossible," he pouted, rolling his eyes //THIS. IS. NOT. HAPPENING. TO. ME. AGAIN.// "I can't see anything funny here"

"Kosh-san" Rukawa said, finally getting control of himself "haven't you read the name of this 'high-classed' nightclub? For God's sake!!! Its name is 'Tick…Tack…Boom' "

"What do you expect a nightclub's name would be? Besides I think that the name suites it"

"Yeah…sure" Sendoh snorted.

"You of all the others, Sendoh, must NOT talk" Koshino glared at his friend "not after what you did in front of Minami"

"Minami?!!! Wasn't that the manager's name, Akira?" Rukawa looked questionly at Sendoh "what did you do in front of him?"

"Well" Sendoh rubbed the back of his neck "when I first came here…I didn't notice the club's name. And while we were talking to Minami, he mentioned it and I burst into laughter in front of him"

"WOW" Rukawa exclaimed "good thing that he didn't kick you out, Akira"

"Believe me, Kaede-kun, he was at the edge of doing it" Koshino sighed "anyway we better get in. We're already late" and so the three youths entered the 'Tick…Tack…Boom' nightclub.

***

Rukawa looked around with amazed eyes. The high-classed air of the place, filled his heart with all kinds of wonders. The corridors and the dance ball were luxury decorated and the people who were there seemed to be only from the high classes.

The three boys were sitting on table at one corner and were watching the show, when the waiter brought them the menu. Rukawa's eyes widened slightly, as they surveyed the menu.

"Akira" he whispered softly "How we gonna pay for this place?"

"Don't worry, my Kaede. Kosh will pay the bill" Sendoh grinned evilly his friend.

"Don't get use to it, Sendoh" Koshino glared at him "I'm doing only for Kaede-kun's sake. And don't dare order anything expensive…the prices are very shocking"

"What kind of friend you are, Koshino" Sendoh mocked a frown.

A few minutes later, a presenter got on the stage and announced "ladies and gentlemen, and now with our special surprise. A collection of newly composed songs, made by new melodists from all over the country "

"Wow…all over the country?" Rukawa asked in surprised.

"Yes…Kaede-kun" Koshino nodded "Minami is known as a talent-discoverer. He gives the newly melodists a chance to show up their talents"

"I see" Rukawa nodded.

"And now with our first song 'Sun shine' made by 'Sendoh Akira' "

Rukawa clapped his hands very hard, as he heard his boyfriend's name. He looked at Sendoh smiling proudly.

The music started and the crowd hushed listening carefully as the singer started to sing.

Rukawa and Koshino turned their attention from the stage, as they felt a sudden movement coming from Sendoh. Their confusion rose as they saw the latter glaring angrily at the stage.

"Akira, what's wrong?" Rukawa asked in concern.

"That Minami" Sendoh clutched his fits "I swear I'm gonna kill him"

With that he left the two shocked boys, and went towards the manger's room.

Recovering from his shock, Koshino grabbed Rukawa's hand and dragged him after Sendoh.

***

Minami was sitting behind his desk, reading some files when a stormed Sendoh entered the room.

"You're a dead man, Minami" Sendoh grabbed the shocked man by his collar "How dare you do this"

"Sendoh, what happened?" Koshino, who had rushed to the room with Rukawa, tried to disentangle Minami from Sendoh's grab "You're going to kill him. For God's sake"

"He had changed some parts of the melody" Sendoh released the other man "He had destroyed the whole song"

"What? You changed in the melody, Minami?" Koshino turned his attention to Minami. "Why did you do such thing?"

"Well" Minami straightened his cloths "I did that to help your friend here. The song is so slow. No one would listen to it. So I added some fast parts in the entry"

Sendoh looked at Minami strangely; the man's words stabbed his heart with sharp knife.

"Let's go home Kosh" he whispered, and left the room, followed by very worried Rukawa.

"I can't believe what you had just said Minami" Koshino looked at Minami "You don't have a slight idea of what you have just done"

"What? Is it wrong to say the truth here?"

"Truth? What truth, Minami? I brought to you a great talent and you just destroy it like everyone else had done. And how do you know that people won't listen to it? Have you asked them? Have you let them listen to it? No you haven't. You just judged and made up your decision. Bye Minami and I'm sorry for wasting my time with you" with that Koshino left the room.

Minami just shrugged "Huh? What's wrong with these people?"

***

Sendoh and Rukawa were standing at the entrance silently, when Koshino appeared. He went to his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't let his words get to you, Sendoh" he said softy "you are the most talented musician I ever saw"

Sendoh didn't say anything, and kept staring at the ground silently, suddenly he heard Rukawa coughing softly.

"Kaede" Sendoh took off his jacket and put it on Rukawa's shoulder "It's getting cold, you better wear this" then he turned to Koshino saying, "Let's go home, Kosh. And enough with that crap."

***

Sendoh and Rukawa entered the empty apartment. Rukawa watched Sendoh silently as the latter locked the door and headed to his room, lost in deep thoughts.

"Akira" Rukawa almost whispered. Sendoh stooped in his spot but didn't turn his face "Don't worry. *Cough* One day you will have your chance and you'll become *Cough* the most famous singer not only in the country but also in the whole world"

Sendoh didn't replied. He stayed silent for a minute before he resumed his walking.

"Sleep well, Kaede and don't forget to close the window" he whispered before he entered his room.

Rukawa bit his lower lip, tears started to gather in the corner of his eyes. Slowly, he made his way to his room. His chest ached him even more and the coughing sessions became noisier and louder.

*POW…POW*

Loud sounds coming from Sendoh's room, started to echo through the apartment all of a sudden.

Rukawa rushed to Sendoh's room to find the latter smashing his guitar into pieces.

"AKIRA" Rukawa shouted in horror. He ran to the boy trying to stop him. But Sendoh pushed him away and started to throw anything within his reach into the air.

Rukawa shrank at the corner of the room covering his ears in fear. He had never saw his lover in this state. He had never thought he would see Sendoh acting that way.

"Akira…please stop" he pleaded.

Releasing his anger, Sendoh stood in the middle of the room panting heavily before he broke down into tears.

"Lie…everything was a lie" he collapsed on the ground, his sobs were getting harder "I'm nothing but a damn loser"

"No" Rukawa ran and hugged his lover tightly "you're not a loser, Akira. *Cough* you're an artist. A great artist. *Cough* and one day everyone will know what a great artiest you are"

But Sendoh wasn't listening to Rukawa at all, he was crying bitterly on his lover's shoulder.

//I'm nothing but a loser//

T.B.C.