Okay, this is the first real chapter of this story. As usual any comments that you may have are greatly appreciated. And the usual initial warning. This is a fic that contains yaoi. Yes, that means there are relationships of a sexual or romantic nature between two males. Yes, that's right. Homosexuality!! Can you deal with that?? If not, then I suggest you leave. If you can, then welcome!!! I'm always happy to have you!! Oh yeah, this is a sequel to my last fic, Papier-mâché Emotions. I suggest you read it first, but you don't HAVE to. Enjoy it!!
Disclaimer: I don't own these cuties… Isn't the world an unfair place?? I'll get over it.
A Masterpiece is ForeverBy: Meg-chan
Houjun Ri walked out of his office to the coffee room. He grabbed a bagel and some tea and returned to his office. The advertising firm where Houjun had spent the last three years working was one of the largest in the country and Houjun was one of their top creative minds. Things were sometimes lonely at the top, but Houjun had friends to sustain himself.
Houjun opened his laptop with the intention of checking his e-mail before the day really started but got side tracked. Houjun was a closet solitaire addict and whenever he turned on his computer he had to just play one game…and then just until he won, and god knows how long that would take. Eventually he realized that he had wasted almost forty-five minutes and closed the game. Upon checking his e-mail he noticed a note from Hikou. He and Hikou had gone to the same liberal arts college and still were in close contact. He clicked on the letter and proceeded to read.
To: Hri@adv.net
From: Hikou@UVM.edu
Hey Houjun,
How are you doing? Good as usual I hope. Well, the reason I really wrote you was to see if you were planning on attending the 10-year reunion for high school. Kouji and I were planning on going, and it'd be great to see you. Well, call me if you get a chance. Miss you,
Hikou
A High School reunion? Well, it made sense; it had been ten years since they had graduated now that he thought about it. He must not have gotten the letter yet. Wow, it seemed his past kept popping up lately. The ring on his finger was a constant reminder as it was. Houjun reminisced about his high school days. High school had not been the best time of his life, but it had provided him with some great memories of the few really good times. It would be good to see all those people he had lost touch with over the years. He had forbidden himself to think it until this point but he couldn't hold out any longer. Would he be there? Why wouldn't he? He went to school there and graduated at the same time, so it would be only natural that he'd be there, right? There was a small war going on in the head of Houjun Ri. On one side he wanted to see him more than anything, but on the other side he wasn't sure if he was ready to see him.
Looking at the clock that sat on his desk, Houjun picked up his phone and dialed Hikou's number. He would probably just be getting ready for work. After a few rings the other line picked up and Hikou's voice filtered through the receiver. "Hello?"
"Hey Hikou, it's me, Houjun."
"Oh, hey Houjun? How are you doing?"
"Pretty good, I just got your e-mail about the reunion."
"Oh really? Can you believe it's been ten years since we graduated? Time sure flies. Did you get the invitation yet?"
"No, I don't think so but I'm sure it will come soon enough."
"So, do you think you'll come?"
"I'm not sure… High School wasn't the high point of my life you know."
"Mh-hm, that's true. Listen, I've got to go, but let me know when you get your invitation and if you're going or not okay?"
"No problem, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye!"
Houjun smiled as he placed the phone down with a click. It would be nice to be able to see all his old friends. As soon as Houjun's mind began to wander back into the past, his office door flew open and his secretary flew in, hands full of things that needed to be done that day. Houjun sighed and began shuffling through the papers.
An hour later, and halfway through his first batch of paperwork, the mail arrived. It was sorted, which took another hour, and was then delivered about half an hour later. Houjun picked the mail that had just been dropped on his desk and looked through it. Most of it was junk but there were a few things he needed for work. The last envelope he came upon didn't have any business logos on it and the address was hand written. The return address was from California… "This must be it…"
With somewhat shaky hands, Houjun opened the letter and pulled out a few sheets of paper. He began reading out loud to himself. "Dear Mr. Ri, You are cordially invited to attend the 10th high school reunion of the class of 2002 of…" His voice faded away as he read the rest of the letter to himself. The reunion was going to be held at a very nice hotel near the town they had grown up in. That would be convenient. He had never sold his house there, but his grandparents had kept it in good condition. He used it every now and then when he had business in California.
Houjun paused, here he was making plans about where he was going to stay, and he wasn't sure if he even wanted to go, let alone could go. He opened up his schedule and looked at the date of the reunion. It was free. He wasn't sure what he thought about that. His mind full, he leaned back in his chair and did what he always did when trying to make a tough decision. He weighed each of the pros and cons of the situation in his head until he finally came to the conclusion that the pros outweighed the cons.
Opening his computer once again, he opened a new mail file and typed a note to Hikou, telling him that he would come and inviting Kouji and him to stay at his house while they were there.
When he had finished, he turned, facing the window and his gaze returned to the people on the street. There were more now, people walking alone, and people walking in pairs or groups, and Houjun felt himself longing for human contact. As he thought of these things his mind returned to his lat few years of High School and how they had been spent. With the best friend and person that he could ever know.
~*~
Genrou Kou made his way to his office after changing his clothes. He placed his bag in a closet that stood against the wall of his office. Sitting at his desk, Genrou began shifting through papers on his desk, looking for that days' schedule. After attending Boston College and majoring in psychology and social work, he became a guidance counselor at a high school he had interned at. He loved his job, and was motivated by it. Knowing these kids and their problems and being able to help on top of that was more than he could have ever hoped for.
Genrou had known that he wanted to do something like this and to help people. High school hadn't been the easiest part of Genrou's life, mainly because he was gay. He often thought that if he had had a trusted and friendly adult to listen to his problems. But no one had ever wanted to listen. The goal Genrou had set for himself before taking this job was to never let a kid feel like no one understood him. Understanding was the greatest thing you could offer a teenager.
Though he was comfortable with the fact that he was gay, and comfortable with other people knowing, Genrou was not completely out of the closet. Some of the faculty at the school knew and all of his close friends. He was worried about what some of the teachers would do if they knew. Many were older conservative types of teachers, with no desire or ability to cope with new ideas and concepts. They most certainly would not approve. Even some of the students that he talked to regularly knew. He had never had any problems with it here, a fact he was grateful for.
Students began filing into the building. A few minutes later, the first bell rang and students rushed off to their first classes. All up and down the halls "couples" were giving away their kisses and innocence. Genrou had a few meetings with some kids, and a parent conference about the couple's daughter who was failing just about every subject, apart from art and gym. During the lunch hour, Genrou had his first free period. He went from the cafeteria (to get his lunch), to the office (to get his mail), and then back to his own office (to do some paper work).
Genrou sat, sorting through his mail until he came upon it… NOTHING. Oh wait, this was for him, and it doesn't look like a rude salesman. He opened it up slowly, looking at the return address. He didn't recognize it at first, but then it dawned on him that the town was his old hometown from back in California. Curious, Genrou pulled out the letter and began to read. It was an invitation to his 10th high school reunion. The thought of this struck him as funny for some reason. He chuckled, and thought of how awkward the situation could get if he went. After what had happened so long ago… he put the thought out of his head, he wasn't in the mood for this.
He finished his lunch and returned the tray to the cafeteria. Next he had an appointment with one of his favorite students (okay, so technically he shouldn't have favorites, but who could help it?). Genrou returned to his office and sat down at a table and started doodling. A few minutes later a somewhat short effeminate looking boy of 17 ran in. He looked a bit disheveled as he flopped into his chair on the other side of the table. "Konnichiwa Kou-san!"
Genrou smiled at the young boy, whose name was Ryuuen (he's also Japanese). "Hey there Ryuuen. So, how are things going?"
"Well, you remember that cute guy I told you who was in my Geometry class? Saihitei? Wellllll… it turns out, he's bi! I mean, are the gods with me now or what?"
Genrou grinned; one of the things he loved about the boy was how open he was about himself, both with himself and others. It almost was enough to make him run out in the hall and tell everyone he was gay. He always seemed so happy. They chatted away for a while, and then somehow the subject turned to his reunion. "So, are you gonna go?"
"Ehem, uh, well… I'm not really sure. I wanna go, but ya see… there's this one guy. We went out in high school, and for a while after too, but then… Well, we had a parting of the ways to put it bluntly. I haven't seen him in over 7 years, but still… I can't ever forget him, hell; I have his picture in my wallet."
"Oooooh! Let me see, I wanna know if this guy is worthy of your obsession."
Genrou blushed, but reluctantly showed him the picture. "Holy shit! Excuse my language but that guy is fine. So, what happened?"
"Umm, I'd rather not talk about it now. Maybe some other time, okay? Plus, you have to get to Geometry…wouldn't want to miss that now would we?"
Ryuuen blushed and ran out of the room giggling. Genrou leaned back in the chair and sighed. He wasn't sure what he was doing, or what he would end up doing, but he vowed to forget about it for the rest of the day. It worked well until he arrived home and checked the messages on his machine.
BWHAHAHA! Cliff hanger!!! Was it? Well, for me it was… More out soon I hope, please review, it makes me happy and encourages me to write faster…so if you want more, review!!!! Please?? Love ya guys!
~meg