Gravitation is not mine. If you're looking for anyone to bow down to, Maki Murakami is there. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapters! You all make Che-chan so happy, na noda! o*^-^*o

This chapter kind of took a bit (a BIT!?) longer than usual. Partial blame goes to tdei-san =P You DID tell me to update my Hisoka x Illumi, ne? ^___^ Tada! Although writing THAT long a chapter in a span of a day kind of had my brain tired (ie, writer's block). Thus, the late update. *major sweatdrops* I'm so sorry! *bows*

LESSONS IN LIFE
(Chapter 4 - Hiroshi Nakano)

Being somebody's best friend has its own advantages. You get benefits and certain connections that would be difficult to attain if you're alone. Also, you get to know various things and secrets that you wouldn't pick up lying on public streets, and you can laugh all you want about them without worrying about anything. You would know about things that would make this person happy, and would get to share their greatest moments.

But likewise, being somebody's best friend also has its own disadvantages. You get twice the number of problems, twice the number of rivals, twice almost everything because being a true friend means that you have to share. Of course, the initial purpose of sharing is far from being negative. And besides, being a true friend means that you have to be willing to share even the nastiest things between each other, because somehow, even if you have nothing to do with something, you'll be somehow connected with it when you're best friend is.

And that is exactly what I'm going through right now as I sit quietly in one of the tables with Shuichi in NG's main lobby. And do take note of what was wrong in that last statement. "Quiet" was used in the same sentence with Shuichi's name. Unless he had lost his voice and a bit of his usually hyperactive limbs, I would've thought that that notion was impossible.

"Oi, Shuichi," I called in the midst of watching him fiddle with the straw in his drink. He's been like this ever since he appeared at my doorstep two days ago. He has a lot in his mind, I can tell, but apparently he still isn't quite ready to talk yet. I tried to ask, and though the problem obviously is connected with Yuki, Shuichi said that the blonde had done nothing, and that it was he who initiated the decision of leaving. He didn't explain any more.

He will speak eventually though. And whenever that times comes, I'm always the one sitting across from him to listen.

"Na, Hiro," he called, not looking as if he noticed that it was I who called him first. Something about that bendable straw seemed to fascinate him, for he's been playing with it ever since we sat down. "Anou...how are you and Ayaka-chan?"

His question didn't really make sense, but I chose to answer him. It's pretty hard denying Shuichi what he asks when he's like this. Actually, it's hard denying Shuichi anything - period - but still, the occasion still screams of a special mention. "We're fine I guess," I replied hesitantly, still wondering what the question's for. "I just talked to her last night," I added, grinning a bit, not exactly sure if I had the right to do so when my best friend's sitting across from me looking as if he's having the worst day in his life. Of course, Shuichi tries to make everyone believe that he was okay, but I pick up things from him even if I try not to.

There was a small smile that graced him, and I decided that it was casual conversation he's after. "You always say that you two go on for hours. What exactly do you two talk about?" he asked, and I stared at the widening smile that didn't exactly reach his eyes. But knowing Shuichi, this was his way of cheering himself up. And if it was what he needed, I'll let him go on with this illusion of cheerfulness.

"Nothing. Everything. I really can't point them out now that I think about it. They're all pretty random things, like how she saw a black and orange cat near the temple and how it reminded her of some poor jack-o-lantern that she carved when she was 13. We pretty much talked about pumpkins and Halloween for a good half hour."

We went on like that, Shuichi laughing somehow when I came to the part where Ayaka and I talked about mine and Shuichi's past Halloween stories. It really did seem to help, and I hoped against all hopes that this would comfort him in a way, or at least let him forget about the things he's currently thinking of. But I suppose that I have spoken too soon.

"I don't laugh with Yuki much." There was a silence between us all of a sudden, as if we weren't just laughing a few seconds ago. I looked at Shuichi, who now had his head rested on his folded arms on the table and now playing with a table napkin. "But I still have a pretty good number of happy memories with him."

He had laid himself open, so I figured that this was my opportunity to ask. I really did want to help Shuichi, and I feel like he really needed someone to talk to. Shuichi breaks so easily, and though I know that he's now stronger than he had been years ago, he still walks around and stumbles. It's hard to watch him do it all alone.

"Hey." I nudged his arm lightly to catch his attention. "Why did you decide leave him?"

Shuichi quickly sat up and shook his head. "I didn't leave him!" he exclaimed defensively, only to look down at his hands again as they continued playing with the napkin. "I just...wanted to know if I'm doing the right thing for him. I've been thinking a lot, and...I just wanted to see if Yuki would..."

Right then his words were cut off as K-san's voice rose to our ears. "Perk up! BIG NEWS!"

Shuichi and I turned our heads towards K-san's usual attention call. Behind him was Sakano-san. I looked around to see if Fujisaki's around yet, and caught a glimpse of him going through the main entrance and looking around. I raised a hand to catch his attention.

"This year, Bad Luck is invited to one of Japan's music world's biggest social events," said K after Fujisaki reached us. "Awards night will be in two weeks, and after that, there would be a small reunion party at Hotel Catalonia. It is highly advisable to take somebody with you, for formality's sake mostly."

I quickly stole a glance of Shuichi, quickly wondering about what he's going to do. Shuichi would usually take Yuki, or Tatsuha, when the other is convinced that social events are invented just to make his life miserable. Of course, Yuki's brother is always happy to take the writer's place. To him, Shuichi's parties always included a certain Nittle Grasper singer, and that's always good news.

Of course, it's different now. And this is fairly obvious, for not a minute after K's announcement did Shuichi's shoulders fall resignedly on each side of him. Nobody really took much notice. Either that, or they chose to ignore it. K-san told us to not fuss over Shuichi too much. He was obviously doing his best to remain passive, and yes, compared to the last times he would be upset over Yuki, he is doing pretty well in his singing right now. I think it's K-san's way of saying that Shuichi is strong enough, and that if he isn't looking for help, we really shouldn't push him. Shuichi doesn't want us to worry about him, so perhaps we shouldn't do so much.

But what the hell. I'm the guy's best friend. What choice do I have?

I watched, like I always have. I watched as we all went towards the recording room, watched as Shuichi went on through the day without as much as his usual enthusiastic chatter. Then again, all the words that ever came out of his mouth were Yuki, Yuki, and Yuki. Of course, there were stories about Sakuma Ryuichi from time to time, and others as well when Shuichi remembers that the universe does not revolve around Yuki.

I've been jealous of Yuki, I just try not to be noticed. I love Shuichi, and he's one of the most important people to ever grace my life. No, I'm not in love with Shuichi like I am with Ayaka, that's completely different. Love comes in different shapes, and you can love your friend as much as you love your girlfriend, and still both feelings vary from the other. But in a way they are still the same things. Love. And you'll fight your way even up until Hell just to make sure that they are satisfied and happy.

I've been supportive from the very start. After all, it's possible that it had been my suggestion that triggered Shuichi's interest in looking for someone to be with. I was surprised to find out that my best friend, whom I remembered to have dated his own share of females back in high school, took a sudden interest in a guy. But it hadn't been a huge issue, for I soon realized just how much impact Yuki Eiri had on Shuichi.

I've lived a big part of my life with Shuichi by my side. To see myself off the pedestal labeled, "Shuichi's Most Valuable Treasure" to be replaced by somebody else hadn't been easy, but I knew it was for the best. Yuki made Shuichi happy, and though he was also responsible for a lot of my friend's miserable times, never in my memory have I seen Shuichi as happy and content as he had been when he was with Yuki.

When I asked Shuichi about his sudden decision of living with the writer a few years back, Shuichi just told me that the night before he moved in, he couldn't sleep because he had to see Yuki. He declared that he wanted to always be by Yuki's side for as long as he could manage. That was the very instant when I realized just how precious Shuichi was - when I felt that I've lost him. Don't get me wrong, Shuichi still regarded me as his very best friend who would shove a telephone pole down the devil's throat just to make sure he's safe. But presented with a situation where Yuki and I are to die at the exact same moment, I'm not anymore sure if Shuichi would run to my body first.

The day passed without much happening, and I soon found myself bidding Fujisaki a warm goodbye when we reached the part of the street that would lead him home. We pretty much follow the same route from our houses to NG so sometimes, when I feel like walking, I walk with him. Today, I'm living with Shuichi, so he as well waved Fujisaki goodbye.

Our way home was quiet. His eyes were mostly glued to the ground, and his mouth never opened unless necessary. I kept my silence as well, content in just watching and waiting. We reached my house without even exchanging a single word. Shuichi didn't seem to notice this as he led the way towards the door.

It was while we stood still as I fumbled for the keys that Shuichi spoke. "Na, Hiro," he started, his eyes staring at the doorknob but looking as if he wasn't seeing it. "Do you think you can get someone to go with me to that party K-san was talking about? Sakuma-san might take Tatsuha with him."

For a moment, I simple stared, not exactly sure of what to make of things. But all that met me was Shuichi's blank expression. If anybody would pass us by, they would think that Shuichi had asked a very innocent and simple question, perhaps something like, "Hiro, should I get a haircut?"

Shuichi was looking at me, and I quickly woke myself up to answer him. "Uh, I'll...try to ask Ayaka-chan if she can bring a friend with her."

There was a fleeting expression that crossed him when I mentioned Ayaka. I almost felt like hitting myself. Sheer genius, Hiroshi Nakano, remind him of how much you and Ayaka are in love and make the most of his misery.

But before I could cover up my slip and change the subject, Shuichi spoke again. "Thanks, Hiro." He then stepped inside, dumping his jacket on the couch before diving in himself in a heavy slump.

Shuichi had girlfriends before, but he never dedicated himself to them as much as he had Yuki. So when I gave him up to the silent writer, it was because of the obvious difference around them that sets their relationship apart from the rest. Yuki's relatives, Mika, Tatsuha, have mentioned to us about how much Shuichi was different from the rest of Yuki's lovers. Yuki isn't the only one who met a different person in his life. Shuichi has his story, too. Over the years, Yuki had proven himself enough for Shuichi, and they did last this long.

It should not come to a surprise for me to say that I was shocked when Shuichi told me that he left Yuki's house. But he had looked determined to stay with me, or to stay away from Yuki. But even while he said that he'd better be away from Yuki for a while, and even back a while ago in NG when he tried to smile for everyone and to be as cheerful as he's supposed to be, I know that there was a certain disappointment in him that had somehow started to crawl inside me as well.

Shuichi left Yuki. The expected reaction was for Yuki to go and bring Shuichi back. Even just to at least try.

End of Chapter 4

Again, I'm very sorry for being so late. I just got a little mixed up with my other fanfics. But thank you for still reading this far! Special thanks to the following people:

Evil Tsubasa and Colleagues, Erithe, Megamie, Monki, Chibi_Kitty, PikaCheeka, Sayuki, Ksya-chan, Katsumi, TCW, and P.S. Speare for the generous and wonderful reviews, I get more energized to write faster whenever I get encouraging of reviews; yamatoforever for liking the crappy lyrics I pasted in chapter 2 ^0^; nanami for the genki feedbacks. It's so nice to hear from you, Nanami-san!!! *glomps* (Oh, and Nanami-san..."-sama"?? o.O) To tdei, thank you for reviewing Luminescence too! I'm sorry if I might disappoint you with this fanfic though. Just to warn you, I'm a Yuki x Shuichi shipper, so don't expect Yuki dying or anything ^^; As for the transition...ehe, sorry about that XP; then to Astralkitten. I never supported Tohma x Yuki, even if they say that Tohma seemed to have had a crush on Yuki in the manga. I only watched the anime and the OVAs, and Tohma seems to regard Yuki as a brother as far as I can see it. I'm a bit stubborn about it, plus the fact that I think Mika's not as appreciated as much as she's supposed to be. fallen, yes, I'll be writing in Yuki's POV, but don't expect it so soon =P; Setsuri, er, Shuichi end up with someone else? Lookie-lookie at this chappy! ^___^ I won't give over endings, and I'm giving neither a "yes" or a "no". Maybe we should all just wait =P panatlantic, aah see? Not even halfway through the story and we get a conflict. Some readers want Yuki and Shuichi living happily ever after, while some just want to kick Yuki's behind for being such an asshole (he IS, isn't he? ^^;). The ending is indefinite, and though I might not please everyone with it, I'll write what suits me best. I'M the writer! I'M the boss! Mwahahahaha!!! *insert mad cackle*

Now, drifting back to sanity, I thank you again for reading. Reviews and feedbacks will be very much appreciated, so please do drop a comment. I work my ass here and all but offering myself up to mosquitoes, you can at least drop me an appreciative token ^__________^