Maki Murakami is a goddess. I'm just a pathetic little girl who misses school and has nothing left to do but sit around wondering why it's still the month of March o.O
Major Ryuichi worship ahead. I have come to the conclusion that - no matter how much I love Tatsuha and is all but willing to marry him - he and I can never go in the same room lest we risk turning the entirety of Eastern Asia into a temple dedicated to Ryuichi Sakuma. 'Nuff said ^.~
LESSONS IN LIFE
(Chapter 5 - Tatsuha Uesugi)
Humans can be really stupid.
I hate to generalize, but really. Of course, there can be exceptions to this statement. Ryuichi Sakuma is definitely not stupid. But he doesn't count, because he isn't human, not really. Humans have faults. He does not. Ryuichi Sakuma is a god, and anyone who says otherwise is stupid, thus, does not prove to be a very reliable judge.
But let's go to the realm of the humans. My sister, Mika, is also far from being stupid. I think eldest children tend to be quite instinctive and wise. It comes with the fact that one has to endure so much stress, I think. After all, with dad being the nerve-wrecked prude that he is, and my overly sarcastic to-hell-with-the-world brother, it's actually a surprise that we're all still in touch. Mika has done a lot. No, wait a second, maybe Mika isn't human either. But she should be. She's my sister, is she not? And after all, no man is lucky enough to encounter two gods in a lifetime.
Anyway, with majority of eldest children and Ryuichi Sakuma aside, I go back to my initial statement.
Humans can be really stupid.
This is a revelation that came to me the very day I stepped inside Eiri's apartment. I came to Tokyo for a short vacation, plus, I've been invited by Ryuichi - the keeper of heart and soul, my angel, my god, my love, my destiny, my...ahem, where was I? - to come with him to the "little get-together" party after the annual awards night. Of course, since we're talking about the most famous personalities in the whole of Japan here, I don't know how "little" it could get.
Usually, I go with Shuichi, because my brother's just a bastard that way. But ever since Ryuichi and I had the chance to get to know each other better (and no, I may seem a bit perverted sometimes, but dare not underestimate the values of a boy who grew up in a temple), I've been with him more than I have been with Shuichi. Unfortunately, what I have with Ryuichi is far from what I've wanted. He considers me as a friend, and the furthest that I can go is to be a good friend. But that's fine with me. I don't know if he's really just perceptive or I'm overly obvious, but he somehow found out about my schoolboy obsession with him that somehow doesn't look like it's going to wane. But he took it rather well. I suppose he was used to it, being as famous as he is. But what really moved me was when he explained to me the difference between love and obsession. I fell in love with Ryuichi Sakuma the moment I saw him sing, but though it takes less than a second to have a revelation, it takes more than that to actually fall in love. He said that to me.
There is so much to understand about him, actually. He is a completely different person on-stage as he is when he isn't. I never really met him properly despite our connection. I mean, my sister is the wife of his band mate, isn't she? But it isn't quite easy. Before Ryuichi went to America, I had been really young, so I'm more of a delusional fan then than I am now. And most of the time, I'm in Kyoto while Mika and Eiri are way over here in Tokyo. Besides, it isn't easy to meet a celebrity just like that. And being exactly that, Ryuichi finds it difficult to trust most people, because he doesn't know what they want from him. He told me so a long time ago, during those rare, serious moments we have together. Perhaps that was also the reason why he had Kumagoro, but I didn't go as far as ask about the innocent bunny. Painful as it may sound, I suppose that perhaps the reason why he trusted me at all was because I was connected to Tohma and Shuichi. Thus, even if I would hurt him, I won't get away too easily.
Okay, so many would say that through this, I should as well say that Ryuichi is as human as he can get. But I beg to differ. This was the moment that convinced me that Ryuichi Sakuma is a god. It's rare to find somebody with so much mystery, and it's two times as rare to find somebody bathed in attention and still be able to keep their feet down on the ground. Ryuichi's fame never got to his head, and only a god would be that kind. He was afraid of Shuichi once, but later on, he said that he realized it isn't very much the fame that made him want to sing. Shuichi is a dear friend to him, so he wouldn't mind it if ever he does go past him. Singing for people is a passion for Ryuichi, and it isn't like he's grabbing random girls around so they'd be his fans. Behind the child in him lies the wisdom of his age, and even beyond.
Right. Now, back from the Ryuichi fan-philosopher hybrid to being the casual teenager. That's another miracle that convinced me of Ryuichi's divinity. He can change any given person presented to him. Supposedly, instead of this devoted slave to the very ground Ryuichi walks on, I should be a typical 18 year old guy on the prowl for sex. Not all guys are like this, of course, but I am related to Eiri Yuki, remember? It goes with the blood, no matter how my father would go against that. Bless his overly chastised soul.
Now, back to Eiri. The very second I opened his door and announced my arrival, I knew that something was wrong. Over the years, my arrival at Eiri's place is like a ritual. It isn't very solemn, but I consider it a ritual nonetheless. Supposedly, I'd ring the doorbell and yell out who I was. Not even a few seconds after that would the loud footsteps come around, with a distant yell that was so much of Eiri that says, "Stop being so noisy!". But that command would be promptly ignored, and the door would open and even before I could take a step, an impact that would be comparable to that of a fired cannon ball would hit me right across the chest. I would lose all rational thought, only to be woken up by the familiar cry of, "Tatsuha-san!" from a very hyperactive Shuichi.
Shuichi and I have been really close despite the fact that I'm not usually in Tokyo. But I guess that having to live with him and Eiri every time I do have to stay is almost considered like a fun sleep-over, no matter how frustrating it may be to those two to not have privacy. But excuse me, I'm not sadistic enough as to torture them too much. During the days I'd try to keep off the house as much as possible to give them their privacy.
But this time, when I rang the doorbell and no one answered, I was afraid that I just missed Shuichi and he was off to work. It only worsened when I stepped up to Eiri only to have him snap at me. Very welcoming, but I'm used to it. But "snap" would then be an understatement to describe Eiri's reaction when I finally asked about Shuichi. But knowing the story now, I guess that I couldn't really blame him for yelling and throwing me out of his apartment.
So here I am now. Three days have passed since I came here, and I waited patiently for my hopeless-case-for-a-brother to get off his stupid laptop to ask around about Shuichi. I'm lounging around his study and staring at the dull wall right across from where I sat as I listened uninterested at the sounds of his typing.
That was when I decided that I miss Shuichi. To hell with initiative and all those crappy things a romantic lover would do. Eiri needed to be kicked to get a move from him.
"Ne, aniki."
The sounds of typing didn't stop, but I thought I heard something muttered from where Eiri sat, so I took that as a sign of him listening.
"How come you're not looking for Shuichi?"
The typing stopped this time. I've discovered that the name "Shuichi" has a very interesting effect on Eiri's house lately. It's been the cause of 90% percent of breaking coffee mugs and dropping paper files and all other typical household accidents. The remaining 10% are caused by my clumsy tendencies, but enough of that. The point is, Shuichi can still distract my pathetic brother despite his absence, so I am quite sure that the case is not as hopeless as it looks.
"It's none of your business," was my prompt answer. Typical Eiri. Of course, I'm far from giving up.
"Actually, you can somehow say that it is. I mean, I'm your brother, and I'm Shuichi's friend, plus I'm close to Ryuichi who is also Shuichi's friend and--"
"I get the idea," muttered Eiri, cutting me off.
"Bottom line, I miss Shuichi and I'm just wondering why you two haven't made up yet."
Eiri gave me a moment's glare, but only for a few seconds. He immediately went back to his work and looked like he decided to ignore me.
But I'm taking none of it. And determined to get an answer from him, I stood up from my place and walked towards him. I reached his table, but before I spoke, I made a grab for the box of cigarettes beside the laptop and threw it over my shoulder. There were two reasons why I did that. One is because Eiri has this habit of smoking himself to oblivion, especially when he has to talk. He uses it to keep himself busy so he would have an excuse to ignore the person he's talking to. And as for the second reason, well, it's incoming, hehe...
"Hey! You idiot, what the hell did you do that for!" You see, Eiri has a deep attachment to his vices. And whomsoever harms them shall meet an untimely death. Of course, I'm family, so I'm an exception. So I get...tada! A patented Eiri Yuki glare.
"Do you know where Shuichi is staying?" I asked, ignoring his glare.
"No," he snapped, going around me to pick up the abused box.
"Did you even try to look?"
"No." Eiri came back to his desk and was just about to pull out one stick when I quickly grabbed the box from his hands. Eiri hasn't been himself lately, so it was fairly easy for me to do that stunt. The box was quickly flung over my shoulder again. And again, I was the object of my brother's hatred.
"Why not?" I asked, feeling slightly triumphant when he just sat down and started typing again, regardless of his cigarettes.
"That's none of your business."
"I think I already established--"
"Go to hell."
Conversation never really was in Eiri's vocabulary. Thankfully, I'm a very persistent person. "Do you still love him?" I asked again.
For a moment, the typing stopped, and Eiri paused to stare at the screen for a while. For a second, his face was completely blank, but it was quickly wiped off and replaced by his usual glare. He was glaring at the screen, poor thing. He didn't say anything.
"Okay, let me rephrase the question. Did you ever love him at all?" I asked.
No answer.
Of course, I knew Eiri loved Shuichi. And I'd kill myself now if he says that he doesn't love him still. I mean, as if the fact that "Shuichi" just replaced "Abracadabra" as the most effective magic word to cause damage in my brother's house isn't proof enough. He still thinks about him. But Eiri has a huge case of denial, and this is why I think he'll be needing help. He is my brother after all. Anyway, if he denies my help, I'd say I'm doing it for Shuichi then.
Convinced that Eiri really deserves to be kicked, I decided to at least do what I can. Feigning a resigned sigh, I stood up and turned my back to him. "I knew it," I said, trying not to be overly dramatic lest I blow my act. "But I can't really blame you. Shuichi is attractive, so I suppose it wasn't completely impossible."
"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked, and I could feel his glare even behind my back.
"Don't play innocent with me," I said, feigning a glare. It's working, I can tell. I should be an actor. "You're tired of him, so you could care less where he is right now. Perhaps he was special, after all you did last this long, but some things just won't change. I can fully understand, you know. It's in your nature to tire easily."
I know very well that that last blow was just as much of a blow to him as it is to Shuichi. I'm sorry, really, but hitting Shuichi would also be like hitting Eiri, so twice the impact on him. Thus, twice the effect.
And again, I'm proven right, for before I step out of the door for an equally dramatic exit, I found myself blocked by a very furious pair of golden eyes. Eiri lunged at me and caught me by my front shirt. "Don't you dare assume things about me, you little bastard," he hissed, and had I been someone else, I should've fainted by now. But I am Tatsuha Uesugi, and if I'm not used to my own brother's temper tantrums, no one is.
My game is far from over.
"Why so angry, aniki?" I asked innocently. "You're right. I guess that Shuichi just wasn't as fun as he used to be anymore. He's been very busy lately, hasn't he? But it's not your fault if you feel that way, it's fully understandable."
"You don't know what you're talking about," he threatened me with those eyes, and I decided that he's had enough. One more nasty remark and I'm in for a blow. Oh, he's not far from it, I can tell.
"Why are you being so defensive? I thought you don't love him anymore? Look, I'm on your side, okay? I can understand. Shuichi got boring so now you're letting him go."
God, aniki could punch! My cheek and nose burned from the impact, and I quickly stepped back to nurse my aching face. The things I do for some people. Both Eiri and Shuichi should thank me for this someday.
"You really are a child, Tatsuha. You know nothing." He was all but growling. "Say any more of that trash and I'm going to forget you're my brother."
I may be in pain, but lookie what I just did! Can a child provoke you so, aniki? I tried to hide my smirk, but this proved to be useless. I smirked at Eiri anyway.
"So, does that mean that you still love him then?" I asked. My hand was covering most of my mouth - damn that punch - but I knew my grin reached my eyes.
Eiri was looking at me. I can't read his initial expression, but right after that came understanding, and right after that came disbelief, and the next thing I knew, he was glaring at me again. "Go to hell." He's really smart. He can perceive things really quickly.
My grin widened despite my pain. "Is that a 'yes'?"
He sat down and started typing again, but not before he threw back his last retort. "Fuck you."
It wasn't a 'yes', but at least it wasn't a 'no' either. I hope that that was push enough for him, because any more of my meddling and I might win myself a free trip back to Kyoto through a long, rectangular box. I decided that Eiri had had enough for now.
That, and I'm also having a friggin' nose bleed. I badly need an ice pack. I won, but I also ended up being the one with the swollen nose. Eiri is an ass, and I'm just too nice. Had I not been injured, I would've laughed my way to the freezer.
End of Chapter 5
Yikes...much as I liked this chapter, I'm a bit afraid for Yuki here. Personally, I think he's in-character enough, but some people may not agree. Anyway, I still haven't made it clear why Yuki won't run after Shuichi, I know, and my bad. But rest assured that Yuki's hurting far more than Shuichi is, even if I haven't elaborated on it much *sheepish grin*. Oh, I like to torture Yuki. He's a complete jerk, but like Hiro said, he makes Shuichi happy. Don't get me wrong, Yuki's one of the favorite characters...actually, I like them all. From Mika to Hiro to Sakano to Fujisaki (I'll marry Fujisaki someday ^0^). Yuki just needs a quick shove in the mud every once in a while, won't you agree? ^___________^
Thanks you's and free mini Kumagoro plushies (with complete consent from Ryuichi-sama himself) to the very kind reviewers! Astralkitten, special thank you for the bug spray. I don't like to kill poor little creatures, but let's just say it's a matter of survival now, ne? *regretfully starts murdering all visible mosquitoes* Yoko-chan, I'm glad you liked the story. I like narrating stories through the eyes of the characters themselves, it gives more emotion that way ^_^ And Yuki and Shuichi...well, I'm angry with Yuki right now, but don't worry, he won't die or anything, hehe! =P Evil Tsubasa and Colleagues...waaaaahhh!!! People are being so nice to me! Two plushies for the extra nice words! *hands another Kumagoro plushy* Sayuki, this chapter is on the Yuki side of the story. I know it isn't Yuki, I'm sorry, but I have plans for him ^^; But at least he spoke in here, ehehe! I can't believe I let him punch Tatsuha-sama ;_; Anyway...yamatoforever, nice insights, but I won't be saying anything =P Hiro is a good friend though, isn't he? He's so selfless sometimes, I wonder if I can make him my role model? But Fujisaki is my role model already! . koko, thank you for the review! And thank you for liking my crappy lyrics ^_____^ I might write a crappy song along with this story, haha! Eowyn (love your name! LOTR? Eck, love you anyway! ^0^), thank you so much for liking the Mika chapter. I was afraid that I wasn't able to portray her and Tohma as well as I want to, so saying that it somehow stood out really means a lot. And like I said before, I like all characters, so I don't want them to lack the proper attention ^_^ And don't worry, I agree. OCs are eeeeevil! ^_____^
Juggling 4 fanfics at the same time is a complete torture! *bursts out crying* What kind of idiot am to think I can manage them all!?!?