Hey all, Here is the second part of chapter ten, which is actually chapter
eleven. I know, I'm confused too. Lemme just update you all on what
happened in chapter ten. Sakano confessed his story to Yuriko, his sister
(who I made up all by myself, btw). K had a heart to heart with Yuki and
Tohma Seguchi and the rest of Nittle Grasper had a press conference to
explain to the rest of the world why Bad Luck was no longer part of their
record label. Oh yes, and Sakuma "played" with Tatsuha, Yuki's younger
brother. Anyway, here is the second part and I hope you all have fun read
it.
Chapter Eleven: Capitalism Is All About Self Interest
"Mmmmm," Yuriko said, rubbing her stomach, "I hadn't eaten anything that good in a long time. I never go out anymore. Ever since I moved away from the city, it's hard to find people to do stuff with. The people at work are all video game nerds who live their lives in front of their computers. Thanks for taking me out, Sakano."
He smiled, taking in the crisp country air, "You should treat yourself to the finer things in life more often. It's just money, right? You can't take it with you when you die."
She laughed and pushed him a little, making him stumble. She had always been the more aggressive of the two. Sakano didn't mind; she was a sweet girl. He knew that despite all of the terrible and embarrassing things that he told her a few days prior, she wouldn't judge him. Not for loving K, not for abandoning his job, not even for being innocent until the age of twenty nine. No, she still saw him as the same awkward person that he always had been. They continued their walk down the calm, city street. She lived about twenty minutes outside of the small town and she really never had the chance to look at it in its full spectrum. It was a beautiful day outside, the sun wasn't too bright and the sky couldn't get a clearer blue. Sakano wasn't used to days like this. He was used to the smog and pollution of the metropolitan city in which he lived.
"Such a statement coming from a money hungry producer like yourself," she closed her eyes and began to stretch, "Besides, money matters a lot in society today. It definitely isn't the most important thing, but money equals happiness. And with that happiness, you could make others happy. Don't you think that...Sakano?"
She turned back to see her brother staring into the window of a small music store. A television was playing in the window and the sound of applause was coming over the loud speaker. Sakano continued to stare at the T.V. with a look of utter shock and surprise on his face. There, on the screen, sat Sakuma, Noriko and his Seguchi-sama. It was a pre-taped press conference. They were talking about how they planned on releasing the new album earlier the next month. Sakano was jealous at how Seguchi could have things so together that he could release an album after only being back together for a few months.
"...and there will be twelve new songs on it, some written by the three of us and some written by aspiring song writers," Noriko said, finishing her statement. The reporters erupted in applause and then they began to shout out all of their questions at once. Many came, but one reporter was able to yell louder then all of the others.
"SEGUCHI-SAMA!!" he yelled, throwing his hands in the air, "IS IT TRUE THAT BAD LUCK HAS BEEN STRIPPED FROM THE NG RECORD LABEL?!"
Sakano felt his blood run cold, waiting for the answer to the question. It couldn't be possible. He AND Bad Luck had worked far too hard for Tohma to do something like that. It had to be a lurid rumor; it couldn't be true.
"Yes, that is indeed the truth," Sakano stopped breathing, "After a falling out and after the sudden departure of Bad Luck's producer, I decided that the three of them weren't ready for this industry and that they were costing me more money then they were making me and I had to make the tough decision to let them go."
"BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ACCUSATIONS THAT SHINDOU SHUICHI IS IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER A MALICIOUS BEATING?! DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, SEGUCHI-SAMA?"
Sakano backed away from the television, seeing the gleam and sneer in Tohma's eyes. Tohma had beaten Shuichi; it was obvious. Sakano brought his hands to his face as Tohma continued, "Shindou-kun was attacked and has been sent to the hospital. He is going to be fine, none of the injuries he sustained were fatal. As for me knowing anything about it, let me say it this way. I would never think of laying a finger on someone unless I had a very good reason too. And a falling out isn't a good reason."
But the loss of a potential lover was. Sakano began to get sick as the questions turned from Bad Luck's ironic bad luck and back to Nittle Grasper's new album. His sister had long since joined him in viewing the conference and she waited for him to speak, but all he did was stare blankly at the window. She rested a hand on his shoulder and sighed.
"Sakano, are you alright?" she said and he turned to her, grabbing both of her hands.
"I'm so sorry, Yuriko, but I need to leave. I need to leave right now and get back to the city and persuade Tohma Seguchi to give Bad Luck their jobs back. He did this because of me, Yuriko. He did this because Shuichi tried to get K and me back together and he interrupted an intimate moment between Seguchi-sama and myself. Seguchi-sama was so angry that night, but I didn't care. I didn't even notice. I just had to go and get closure with K. I didn't even think that he would do something like this. I just...I n-n-n-n- need to..."
She pulled him in for a hug and then straightened his tie and glasses. She gave him one last kiss on the cheek and waved, "Don't worry, Sakano. We both have lives we have to think about. I'll see you in September for sure! And I'll have the best birthday present for you, I promise!"
He gave her a wave and sprinted off toward his car. He needed to get back to NG Studios and beg Seguchi for Bad Luck's jobs back. He couldn't let Bad Luck suffer for his inability to work around K. It would take him a few hours to drive to the studio. Oh well, maybe he could think of something to say when he saw K for the first time in. The conference wasn't live. Maybe Shuichi had woken? He had no idea. He just needed to get there and he needed to get there fast.
* * *
Seguchi sat in his dark office, thinking. Things were slowly getting worse for not only him but for everyone. Nittle Grasper, no matter how popular, wasn't doing as good as he would have liked. Yes, they were selling records and yes, they were on the top of the charts, but each and every one of the members were miserable. Noriko was disgusted in Seguchi's actions and Seguchi was lonely without his pet and Sakuma wanted to see Tatsuha again, but couldn't due to all of the work and the fact that the man was a wuss and wouldn't answer his phone calls. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to chase after Sakano?
He had gotten the message earlier that Mr. K had a thirst for his blood and would be coming to see him after Shuichi woke. He wasn't afraid of him or his gun, even though he should be. He smiled a little, scribbling Sakano's name down on a notepad. He had been so close to having him. He had had him out of his clothes and in the bedroom, but the call from Shuichi ruined it all. Sakano had told him close after that that he wasn't going to K because he forgave him but that he was going to him in order to tell him good-bye. And with that, he left. Seguchi knew in his heart that Sakano would never come back. Why should he? What did he have here except for people fighting over him? He was better off at his sister's home.
Tohma's head shot up from his work as his door slammed open. For a split second, he thought it was Mr. K coming to kill him. He almost peed in his expensive pants at that thought. Maybe he was a bit more frightened of K then he let on? His fearful expression turned to furtive at the figure gasping for breath at his door.
"Sakano-kun," he said, standing from his desk, "Welcome back."
Sakano stood at his door, having run up two flights of stairs at a full sprint. He sucked in air in huge gulps before he shut the door behind him and bowed as deeply as he could to Seguchi. Tohma simply smiled and walked around his desk to meet this boy who he was so in love with. Sakano rendered no hard feelings toward Seguchi. He was one of the only people who didn't. He still looked upon the man in the highest respects, even though he destroyed so many lives. Sakano looked up and met his Seguchi-sama in the eyes. He had never noticed that they were close to the same height. Sakano always felt smaller then his boss.
"Seguchi-sama," he said, taking his hands in his own, shaking uncontrollably, "You cannot strike Bad Luck from the label! Please, I beg you. Those boys work so hard for you! They make you money; I know they do! Please, don't strip them of their dreams! I mean, Sugaru Fujisaki is your cousin! How could you do that to your own family!?"
Tohma looked at him, his trademark smile turning into a frown. He wasn't going to ever give Bad Luck back their jobs, but now there were more factors in the mix. He never expected Sakano to come back. This was perfect. Seguchi had already schemed up the perfect plan and Sakano had only been in the room for one minute and twenty two seconds.
"Sure, Sakano-san," he said, making Sakano startle with relief, "I will give them their jobs back and I will even go and apologize to Shindou-kun for being so rough with him." Sakano went to bow again and to thank his manager repeatedly, but Seguchi wasn't finished yet, "But, everything comes with a price, Sakano-san. I didn't get where I am today by giving things away. No, I took advantage of the ideal of capitalism which is people only do for them selves. Self-interest, Sakano. I am not doing this for you and I am not doing this for Bad Luck, I am doing it for me. So, You want Bad Luck back under the label, then you know what you have to do and who you have to give up."'
Sakano's eyes widened at the proposition. Seguchi grinned an evil grin crossed his arms. What was the boy going to do? Sakano looked at his manager and spoke in a voice that was dead, "How could I be so selfish...to keep those three boys from living their dreams? How you could take advantage of me like that is...disgusting and dirty."
"No, it is just a business deal. You devote yourself to me and I make your band huge. It is a simple business deal. Oh Sakano, if you only knew how long I have been chasing you, then you would think differently."
Sakano didn't say anything in return; he had already given Seguchi his answer. Tohma walked up to him and pressed his lips against Sakano's, feeling nothing but flesh. It was painful and frightening, but Sakano had already agreed. The phone began to ring and Tohma broke away from his newest purchase and smiled.
"I'm going home, and you are going to get to work. A lot of nothing has happened since you were away and if you want Bad Luck to thrive, then you have a full schedule in front of you," Tohma walked past him and head toward the door, leaving Sakano standing, facing the ringing phone, "Answer that would you?"
Sakano nodded and Tohma went to shut the door, "See you on Monday, Sakano."
He slammed the door behind him and Sakano fell to his knees, tears spilling down his cheeks. He couldn't help it. He was so weak. He had come back here only to save Shuichi's job and he ended up slave to his Seguchi-sama. The phone rang again and he reached up and pulled the receiver from the desk.
"M-m-moshi moshi," he said, trying to keep his sobs quiet.
"Tohma?" It was Sugaru, "Tohma, this is Sugaru and I just called to tell you that Shuichi has woken and he is doing fine and...are you okay? Are you crying?"
"N-n-no, Fujisaki, it's Sakano. Um, Seguchi-sama left a few minutes ago, but I'll be happy to take the message for him if-" he heard the boy gasp on the other line and he heard him alert everyone and their mother that Sakano was back in town. Within a second, Sugaru was back on the phone, "Sakano! Please stay on the line! We have someone out looking for K right now! Please stay on the line, he would LOVE to speak with you! When did you get back? We were wor-"
Sakano slammed the phone down, sobbing again. To talk to K now would degrade them both. He no longer had the right to talk to K. He and his body were property to no one else but Tohma Seguchi...
Ooooooo...creepy, ne? Okay, um...Chapter 12 isn't looking up for Sakano is it? Well, please don't let it get you down, because I am planning something GREAT for a near by chapter. Just bite your bottom lip and tough out all of the Tohma ickiness and the Sakano sadness because if you do (and if you review) I PROMISE that it'll be worth it! Okay, please review and I'll see ya later. Ciao.
Chapter Eleven: Capitalism Is All About Self Interest
"Mmmmm," Yuriko said, rubbing her stomach, "I hadn't eaten anything that good in a long time. I never go out anymore. Ever since I moved away from the city, it's hard to find people to do stuff with. The people at work are all video game nerds who live their lives in front of their computers. Thanks for taking me out, Sakano."
He smiled, taking in the crisp country air, "You should treat yourself to the finer things in life more often. It's just money, right? You can't take it with you when you die."
She laughed and pushed him a little, making him stumble. She had always been the more aggressive of the two. Sakano didn't mind; she was a sweet girl. He knew that despite all of the terrible and embarrassing things that he told her a few days prior, she wouldn't judge him. Not for loving K, not for abandoning his job, not even for being innocent until the age of twenty nine. No, she still saw him as the same awkward person that he always had been. They continued their walk down the calm, city street. She lived about twenty minutes outside of the small town and she really never had the chance to look at it in its full spectrum. It was a beautiful day outside, the sun wasn't too bright and the sky couldn't get a clearer blue. Sakano wasn't used to days like this. He was used to the smog and pollution of the metropolitan city in which he lived.
"Such a statement coming from a money hungry producer like yourself," she closed her eyes and began to stretch, "Besides, money matters a lot in society today. It definitely isn't the most important thing, but money equals happiness. And with that happiness, you could make others happy. Don't you think that...Sakano?"
She turned back to see her brother staring into the window of a small music store. A television was playing in the window and the sound of applause was coming over the loud speaker. Sakano continued to stare at the T.V. with a look of utter shock and surprise on his face. There, on the screen, sat Sakuma, Noriko and his Seguchi-sama. It was a pre-taped press conference. They were talking about how they planned on releasing the new album earlier the next month. Sakano was jealous at how Seguchi could have things so together that he could release an album after only being back together for a few months.
"...and there will be twelve new songs on it, some written by the three of us and some written by aspiring song writers," Noriko said, finishing her statement. The reporters erupted in applause and then they began to shout out all of their questions at once. Many came, but one reporter was able to yell louder then all of the others.
"SEGUCHI-SAMA!!" he yelled, throwing his hands in the air, "IS IT TRUE THAT BAD LUCK HAS BEEN STRIPPED FROM THE NG RECORD LABEL?!"
Sakano felt his blood run cold, waiting for the answer to the question. It couldn't be possible. He AND Bad Luck had worked far too hard for Tohma to do something like that. It had to be a lurid rumor; it couldn't be true.
"Yes, that is indeed the truth," Sakano stopped breathing, "After a falling out and after the sudden departure of Bad Luck's producer, I decided that the three of them weren't ready for this industry and that they were costing me more money then they were making me and I had to make the tough decision to let them go."
"BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ACCUSATIONS THAT SHINDOU SHUICHI IS IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER A MALICIOUS BEATING?! DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, SEGUCHI-SAMA?"
Sakano backed away from the television, seeing the gleam and sneer in Tohma's eyes. Tohma had beaten Shuichi; it was obvious. Sakano brought his hands to his face as Tohma continued, "Shindou-kun was attacked and has been sent to the hospital. He is going to be fine, none of the injuries he sustained were fatal. As for me knowing anything about it, let me say it this way. I would never think of laying a finger on someone unless I had a very good reason too. And a falling out isn't a good reason."
But the loss of a potential lover was. Sakano began to get sick as the questions turned from Bad Luck's ironic bad luck and back to Nittle Grasper's new album. His sister had long since joined him in viewing the conference and she waited for him to speak, but all he did was stare blankly at the window. She rested a hand on his shoulder and sighed.
"Sakano, are you alright?" she said and he turned to her, grabbing both of her hands.
"I'm so sorry, Yuriko, but I need to leave. I need to leave right now and get back to the city and persuade Tohma Seguchi to give Bad Luck their jobs back. He did this because of me, Yuriko. He did this because Shuichi tried to get K and me back together and he interrupted an intimate moment between Seguchi-sama and myself. Seguchi-sama was so angry that night, but I didn't care. I didn't even notice. I just had to go and get closure with K. I didn't even think that he would do something like this. I just...I n-n-n-n- need to..."
She pulled him in for a hug and then straightened his tie and glasses. She gave him one last kiss on the cheek and waved, "Don't worry, Sakano. We both have lives we have to think about. I'll see you in September for sure! And I'll have the best birthday present for you, I promise!"
He gave her a wave and sprinted off toward his car. He needed to get back to NG Studios and beg Seguchi for Bad Luck's jobs back. He couldn't let Bad Luck suffer for his inability to work around K. It would take him a few hours to drive to the studio. Oh well, maybe he could think of something to say when he saw K for the first time in. The conference wasn't live. Maybe Shuichi had woken? He had no idea. He just needed to get there and he needed to get there fast.
* * *
Seguchi sat in his dark office, thinking. Things were slowly getting worse for not only him but for everyone. Nittle Grasper, no matter how popular, wasn't doing as good as he would have liked. Yes, they were selling records and yes, they were on the top of the charts, but each and every one of the members were miserable. Noriko was disgusted in Seguchi's actions and Seguchi was lonely without his pet and Sakuma wanted to see Tatsuha again, but couldn't due to all of the work and the fact that the man was a wuss and wouldn't answer his phone calls. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to chase after Sakano?
He had gotten the message earlier that Mr. K had a thirst for his blood and would be coming to see him after Shuichi woke. He wasn't afraid of him or his gun, even though he should be. He smiled a little, scribbling Sakano's name down on a notepad. He had been so close to having him. He had had him out of his clothes and in the bedroom, but the call from Shuichi ruined it all. Sakano had told him close after that that he wasn't going to K because he forgave him but that he was going to him in order to tell him good-bye. And with that, he left. Seguchi knew in his heart that Sakano would never come back. Why should he? What did he have here except for people fighting over him? He was better off at his sister's home.
Tohma's head shot up from his work as his door slammed open. For a split second, he thought it was Mr. K coming to kill him. He almost peed in his expensive pants at that thought. Maybe he was a bit more frightened of K then he let on? His fearful expression turned to furtive at the figure gasping for breath at his door.
"Sakano-kun," he said, standing from his desk, "Welcome back."
Sakano stood at his door, having run up two flights of stairs at a full sprint. He sucked in air in huge gulps before he shut the door behind him and bowed as deeply as he could to Seguchi. Tohma simply smiled and walked around his desk to meet this boy who he was so in love with. Sakano rendered no hard feelings toward Seguchi. He was one of the only people who didn't. He still looked upon the man in the highest respects, even though he destroyed so many lives. Sakano looked up and met his Seguchi-sama in the eyes. He had never noticed that they were close to the same height. Sakano always felt smaller then his boss.
"Seguchi-sama," he said, taking his hands in his own, shaking uncontrollably, "You cannot strike Bad Luck from the label! Please, I beg you. Those boys work so hard for you! They make you money; I know they do! Please, don't strip them of their dreams! I mean, Sugaru Fujisaki is your cousin! How could you do that to your own family!?"
Tohma looked at him, his trademark smile turning into a frown. He wasn't going to ever give Bad Luck back their jobs, but now there were more factors in the mix. He never expected Sakano to come back. This was perfect. Seguchi had already schemed up the perfect plan and Sakano had only been in the room for one minute and twenty two seconds.
"Sure, Sakano-san," he said, making Sakano startle with relief, "I will give them their jobs back and I will even go and apologize to Shindou-kun for being so rough with him." Sakano went to bow again and to thank his manager repeatedly, but Seguchi wasn't finished yet, "But, everything comes with a price, Sakano-san. I didn't get where I am today by giving things away. No, I took advantage of the ideal of capitalism which is people only do for them selves. Self-interest, Sakano. I am not doing this for you and I am not doing this for Bad Luck, I am doing it for me. So, You want Bad Luck back under the label, then you know what you have to do and who you have to give up."'
Sakano's eyes widened at the proposition. Seguchi grinned an evil grin crossed his arms. What was the boy going to do? Sakano looked at his manager and spoke in a voice that was dead, "How could I be so selfish...to keep those three boys from living their dreams? How you could take advantage of me like that is...disgusting and dirty."
"No, it is just a business deal. You devote yourself to me and I make your band huge. It is a simple business deal. Oh Sakano, if you only knew how long I have been chasing you, then you would think differently."
Sakano didn't say anything in return; he had already given Seguchi his answer. Tohma walked up to him and pressed his lips against Sakano's, feeling nothing but flesh. It was painful and frightening, but Sakano had already agreed. The phone began to ring and Tohma broke away from his newest purchase and smiled.
"I'm going home, and you are going to get to work. A lot of nothing has happened since you were away and if you want Bad Luck to thrive, then you have a full schedule in front of you," Tohma walked past him and head toward the door, leaving Sakano standing, facing the ringing phone, "Answer that would you?"
Sakano nodded and Tohma went to shut the door, "See you on Monday, Sakano."
He slammed the door behind him and Sakano fell to his knees, tears spilling down his cheeks. He couldn't help it. He was so weak. He had come back here only to save Shuichi's job and he ended up slave to his Seguchi-sama. The phone rang again and he reached up and pulled the receiver from the desk.
"M-m-moshi moshi," he said, trying to keep his sobs quiet.
"Tohma?" It was Sugaru, "Tohma, this is Sugaru and I just called to tell you that Shuichi has woken and he is doing fine and...are you okay? Are you crying?"
"N-n-no, Fujisaki, it's Sakano. Um, Seguchi-sama left a few minutes ago, but I'll be happy to take the message for him if-" he heard the boy gasp on the other line and he heard him alert everyone and their mother that Sakano was back in town. Within a second, Sugaru was back on the phone, "Sakano! Please stay on the line! We have someone out looking for K right now! Please stay on the line, he would LOVE to speak with you! When did you get back? We were wor-"
Sakano slammed the phone down, sobbing again. To talk to K now would degrade them both. He no longer had the right to talk to K. He and his body were property to no one else but Tohma Seguchi...
Ooooooo...creepy, ne? Okay, um...Chapter 12 isn't looking up for Sakano is it? Well, please don't let it get you down, because I am planning something GREAT for a near by chapter. Just bite your bottom lip and tough out all of the Tohma ickiness and the Sakano sadness because if you do (and if you review) I PROMISE that it'll be worth it! Okay, please review and I'll see ya later. Ciao.