Again, Maki Murakami = goddess. Me = really really pathetic human who has nothing better to do with life.
All hail Fujisaki Suguru! *throws rose petals around* Fujisaki's my ultimate favorite character in Gravitation. He reminds me so much of myself, (I'm really very quiet in real life, and really very moody ^^;). Oh, and if anybody would think about it, Fujisaki-sama would be 18 years old by now in this story, surely he does mild curses every once in a while. Anyway, that's it for initial ramblings!
LESSONS IN LIFE
(Chapter 7 - Suguru Fujisaki)
I have come to the decision that I will never get myself a girlfriend unless it's completely necessary. And by completely necessary, I mean around 30 or older where I'd look completely stupid if I'm not yet married kind of necessary. I think those things are just more trouble than they're worth. Let's just say that squealing girls who expect you to worship the ground they walk upon - or girls who would want to worship the ground you walk upon - are just not my cup of tea.
Of course, I have nothing against people who think otherwise, but personally speaking, I kind of think that giving somebody the opportunity to hurt you is kind of stupid. There are many other priorities in one's life, and centering it on Just. One. Person. really is a very bizarre bargain. Also, the whole sappy image is a bit off putting. I mean, Nakano-san is usually a charming guy, but utter the name "Ayaka" within his hearing and he'd turn into this gooey thing more unstable than a ton of jell-o atop a skyscraper.
Hm, not everybody seems to share the same opinion, though. I should know, almost everyone around me is somehow paired with somebody. I'm so sorry, I try to mind my own business, but I just don't see the point. I've always thought this way and I tried to tell myself to stop making other people's stupidity my problem, but this certain opinion of mine kind of rekindled itself especially now when I spend every single day with a really miserable Shuichi Shindou. Before, it didn't bother me as much because Shindou-san still does his work. Unlike before when he'd sulk for the whole day and do absolutely nothing, at least now he's doing his best to meet deadlines and such. Also, Nakano-san tends to treat us to a lot of places just to cheer Shindou-san up. But I don't know. I mean, spending years of my life with these people attached me to them somehow. Of course I get bothered by these things, too. I'm not that cold.
Oh, don't get me wrong. Shindou-san's doing a great job trying to not let his personal life get to him and his career, and Bad Luck's fans still know nothing about the whole Eiri Yuki thing. He still greets his fans with his usual smile, and he keeps his jumpy personality when faced with reporters. It's almost admirable really. You'd think he's just a simple-minded individual, but if you spend enough time watching - like I've done for so long if anybody bothered to notice - you'd see how his character truly plays.
And speaking of watching, that's exactly what I'm doing right now. Nakano-san's telling us about something about candies and such, not minding the fact that Shindou-san's not being as enthusiastic as he should be. He still wears the same interested look, but I don't know, maybe it's just me.
Meanwhile, I think Nakano-san's doing a pretty good job handling Shindou-san. After all, he was the one who first made him smile, but I suppose that that is just natural being that they're best friends. Oh, and if you're waiting for me to break down whining about being out of place, I'm sorry to say that you might be disappointed. I don't exactly have a best friend, but I do have my own connections. Shindou and Nakano-san do consider me as one of them now that we've been together for two years more or less. But I've always enjoyed my times alone, and as long as I know I've got people behind my back, you can say that I consider that enough for me. I'm not very comfortable around too many people. Nakano-san even asked me once to stop calling him and Shindou-san the way I do, but I don't know, old habits die hard, and they are older than I am. Respect is given where respect is worth, or so to say.
Anyway, while sitting here drinking my milk shake, I caught a glimpse of a few girls who just entered the restaurant. I met the eyes of one of them, and I think they recognized who we were. I knew we should've worn sunglasses, but my two band mates just won't have it. The two were oblivious to the girls though, so only I had to put up with having to smile at them. The one I was looking at turned away and giggled, and their tinkling voices drifted away as they took a seat somewhere in the near vicinity. I could still feel them looking even when they passed us by.
This brings me back to the whole girlfriend thing. I swear, it's rare to find anyone who won't giggle if you smile at them. I know that I'm less popular than my other band mates, but I do have my own fans. Don't expect me to be too humble about it, I'm not like that, and it's pretty obvious that some girls are pitiful enough to go for the quiet, workaholic type. I never really found myself especially good-looking either, but who am I to say what girls like anyway? Besides, the fact that I'm the only single Bad Luck member might've added to the appeal.
Wait a second. Why am I limiting my thoughts to girls? After all, Shindou-san's with Yuki-san, and even if Nakano-san all but declared himself straight and taken, there was a time when some guy put the moves on him (don't ask what happened to mentioned guy). Not that I think that'll ever happen to me. All I'm saying is that there's that possibility. But no, I think my opinion goes up for the guys as well.
Now that I think about it, I think I really can last long without having to have any significant other. Take Ryuichi Sakuma for one. He's single, but he seems all right, with his penchant for talking to inanimate objects set aside. He gained much respect to himself on his own. Then again, watching him talk to a banana can be kind of cute, especially during those times when said banana would turn out to be Shindou-san. I think he gets a lot of supporters being that way. But I don't know, I'm not like that. But maybe I still could go for the singles line. Sure, he seems to be with Yuki-san's brother most of the time, but it's the fact that he lasted 30 years without seeming to have a steady partner that appeals to me.
And...speak of the devil. I seem to have this uncanny ability to sense a lot of things lately. Unless I'm seeing things, there's Sakuma-san looking around by the door right now. He seemed to be looking for something. I kept my eyes on him, wondering if he's looking for us. And yes, he seemed to be looking for us, or at least one of us, for now he's walking towards our table.
"Shuichi?" he asked, catching Shindou-san's eyes. Shindou-san looked up at him and stared, eyebrows shot up curiously. Something doesn't seem right. For one thing, Ryuichi Sakuma greets Shuichi Shindou with an overly enthusiastic dive that would all but break all things breakable within five meters' radius. But now, he just stood there, his face betraying none of his usual childish expressions. And unless he's keeping the thing somewhere inside his jacket, his little pink bunny seems to be out of action as well.
Standing there staring at Bad Luck's lead singer is a disturbingly serious Ryuichi Sakuma.
Shindou-san seemed to notice as well, for he frowned up at Sakuma-san. "Uh, Sakuma-san, is anything wrong?" he asked hesitantly in his worried voice.
But no more words were spoken, and unless you cross out the respective gasps from me and Nakano-san, the whole table - no, the whole place itself - seemed to fall silent when Nittle Grasper's Ryuichi Sakuma grabbed Bad Luck's Shuichi Shindou And. Kissed. Him. Right. Then. And. There.
Everyone, myself included, seem to be at a loss for words. Shindou-san, and especially Shindou-san, was not an exception. Staring wide eyed now at one of his supposed best friends next to Nakano-san, he was somehow rendered speechless by the sudden act. And he should be. Not only was he kissed by somebody not Eiri Yuki, but he was just kissed in public. Almost the whole of Japan knows that the lead singer of Bad Luck is really close with the lead singer of Nittle Grasper. What would this make them think?
Somehow, I woke up from the daze faster than everyone else, and the quick flash of what seemed to be a camera registered in my head. Not knowing what else to think, only one thought crossed my mind.
Shit.
* * * * *
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?!?"
I sat quietly in one of the waiting rooms in NG, listening to Sakano-san rambling about the latest showbiz gossip shown on TV. Behind him stood K-san with a serious look on his face. What happened yesterday immediately went around like wildfire across the city. I doubt you'd find anybody who doesn't know about Shuichi Shindou's latest. Still shaken up about it all, I listen to the TV, trying not to be bothered by Sakano-san's cries.
"Ryuichi Sakuma? But how did that happen?"
"Well, apparently a good amount of witnesses have seen it. Bad Luck was eating in the Yamasaki House when Sakuma-san burst in and kissed Shuichi Shindou. Not many people saw Shindou-san's reaction though, so we can't really say anything about it."
"But isn't Shindou-san with the novelist, Eiri Yuki?"
"Well, yes, that's what we know. But through one of our sources, it seems as though Shindou-kun isn't living with Yuki-san anymore. He's staying at Bad Luck's guitarist, Nakano Hiroshi's house since the last two weeks. Many fans assumed that they broke up."
"Oh, I see. But that's just too bad. Eiri Yuki and Shindou Shuichi made such a cute couple. Remember that time when Shindou-san defended Yuki-san from our reporters? And Yuki-san doing the gesture back by declaring their relationship in public? I thought that it was all so sweet."
"Yes, but do also be reminded that it was Bad Luck has been rivaling Nittle Grasper for the past years, and Sakuma-san never seemed to mind. He's always the one who declared many of Bad Luck's achievements through the help of NG president and Nittle Grasper member, Tohma Seguchi."
"Yes, you're right! Could it be that Sakuma-san's been trying to rival Yuki-san all these years? Yuki and Shindou are good together, but Ryuichi Sakuma is not so bad either, and he is a just as great hit with the fans as Yuki-san."
"Anyway, awards night will come in a few weeks' time. Maybe Shindou-san would surprise us?"
"Oh, what have I done in my past life to deserve these things!?!?"
Sakano-san's voice blocked the sounds of the TV remarkably well, but I don't mind. I lost any remaining interest in the latest gossips, I've heard enough. What does Sakuma-san think he's playing at? I never thought he liked Shindou-san that way. Their relationship seemed pretty platonic over the past years, and now he just appears out of nowhere and does...this!? I wonder what Seguchi-san has to say about this. I wonder what Yuki-san would say!
Ugh, great. K-san just told us that Nakano-san called and said that Shindou-san's calling in sick for today. Had I been more emotional, I would stomp over there and demand what Sakuma-san wanted with Shindou-san. I mean, the guy's pretty okay, but I wonder if he even thought about what this could do to Bad Luck. To Nittle Grasper. To the name of Eiri Yuki.
Sighing, I stood up from my seat and walked towards the door. Looks like there won't be any scheduled practice today with things like this running amuck. Really, these things are causing too much trouble than they're worth. A kiss can damage a whole city as much as an machine gun could, even if the gun is in K-san's hands. And that's saying a lot.
I could almost feel a headache coming in. Oh hell. Isn't it funny that I find reading a cure for headaches instead of the other way around? But who could blame me? With my current life, it's like I'm living in pathetic boat in the middle of an ocean storm. You'd think that two years of working with these guys would help me cope, but I don't know. Either I'm much too introverted or people are just far too crazy for my own liking.
Or maybe it works both ways? Ah, who cares? I need an aspirin.
End of chapter 7
Aah yes...aren't gossip shows just annoying? ^.^
Wow. That was hard! I didn't know how Fujisaki-sama should narrate things, so I'm not sure if this chapter is as good as it can get, I'm so sorry! Fujisaki's character is a bit detached, so it's hard to make him all emotional unlike the other former characters. *hugs Fujisaki plushy* I wonder if any of you expected that kiss coming though ^.^' Neee...before you all decide to drown me in a fish bowl, do allow me to finish this story first and see what'll happen. But I just had this sudden revelation that Ryuichi-sama isn't so bad for Shuichi, kind of like me thinking of Kuroro as a potential pair for Illumi besides Hisoka...but that's another story ^____^ Hm...Tatsuha Tatsuha...wonder what I'll do with him now? *thinks real hard but stops because her head started to hurt* Aah...I hate it when I'm nearing endings . Anyway, 3 chapters to go and we're all done! ^__________^
Big Kumagoro holding heart-shaped pillows to: Astralkitten (Well? ^.^ This antic open and crazy enough for you? Ryuichi is a really complicated character. I don't even know if he'd actually do this or not, but what the hell XP), tsu (thanks for reviewing, every single one counts! ^.^), hopeanne (thanks for the nice words! *ooh! pocky!*), mad melma (Aaw, Ryuichi-sama isn't so bad. I mean, his head's really interesting. A found a pretty pink pansy on the west wing! *insane cackle* --so much for coming out sane. Oh, and right. I hope Ryuichi's "whack on the head" works for you! ^.^), coherentidiot (Hehe, I liked talking about Kumagoro. I think he can be a really good friend if I try hard enough! ^____^), yamatoforever (Yikes...the more I read into my reviews, the more I feel the omen of drowning in a fish bowl o.O But don't worry, Ryuichi-sama will get back to his usual self right around chapter 9. He still has a gift to give, remember? ^.~), Megamie (Of all my reviewers, your guess was the nearest description to Ryuichi's plan. Yep, it could be anything ^.^ Yes, poor Tatsuha...I should make a gift for him too! ^0^), Kamikakushi (Lots of you really like Ryuichi, don't you? ^.^ Wah, I love him too! Yep, Tohma will come eventually, so please wait!), MorganD (Hehe, lovely bastard Yuki being put into place ^.^ Thanks! I'm updating as much as I can ^____^), kurayami (Whoa! You're the second one I know here! Hyah, it IS a small world after all, ne? ^.^ Ehe, you liked chapter 3 too? o.O Hm...ironic seeing that that chapter's the one I'm most scared about ^^; Anyway, I'm glad you liked this one! Eherm...I should update my other fics soon, shouldn't I? *sheepish grin*), Sesshoumaru LUVER (Yeesh! Another one praising Ryuichi. I hope you don't mind the whole plan thing =P Thanks for the review!), Evacrostian (I'm glad you like this fanfic! As for mailing lists, no, I'm sorry to say that I'm not a part of any. I'm kind of new as far as Gravitation is concerned, this is just my first try on a fanfic [and hell am I glad it's well-liked ^0^]. Does anybody know a good Gravi mailing list I can join? ^.^)