Hey there! Srry it took me a while to go on with this... but you know... just 3 reviews... I got a bit sad... :: frowns :: Anyways, Know what? I dont' care about it. I like it so read it if you want ^^
I'd like to thank NT aka Aku-chan, cause she was the only not-friend of mine who reviewed this *lol* Dont' worry, Ryuichi and Shuichi are on their way ^^
Kat: thanks for beta reading this stupid fic of mine *lol* see? I'm making you love Gravitation now *lol*
Isilme: haha, you gotta like Tohma-chan here ^^
Anywaysm here it goes. Chapter two ^^ no title, you know. I couldn't think of any...
Oh and... just one last thing. The little chorus at the beginning is mine :p I wrote it.. it's pretty bad though. The other one if from Swollen Members and Nelly Furtado's "Breath".
_______________________________________
- That was one of the stupidest things you've ever done – Mika said.
- What?
- Managing those girls! Don't you have enough being a member and producer of Nittle Grasper, and the president of NG Productions?
Tohma sighed. He left the car without saying a word. Mika followed him, kind of angry.
- Don't you realize it? – She asked.
- Realize what, Mika? – Tohma asked back, tired.
- They're bad for you! You're not the same as before...
- People change.
- You're too old to change now...
- Listen, it was you who showed me that video. It was you who was interested in them. They dismissed their manager in front of me, what was I supposed to do? Tell me.
- Tohma... I... I'm sorry...
- I have a meeting – he said, coldly. – Better go somewhere.
FLASHBACK
- TOHMA!!!! – Cried Ryuichi – Look at this!
Ryuichi gave Tohma a piece of paper.
- Kumagoro-chan found it!!! – Ryuichi said, dancing around the room – He saw it and told me to bring it here and give it to you!! Isn't he cute? But Noriko doesn't like him! She's evil! If Noriko doesn't like Kumagoro, I don't like Noriko!! And...
- Stop it, Ryuichi – said Tohma, smiling. Ryuichi frowned and came closer. – Who wrote it?
- Kumagoro didn't tell me – Ryuichi said, shrugging. – He doesn't know.
- And does Ryu-chan know?
That did it. Ryuichi went all serious and read the paper.
- Looks like a girl's writing – he said.
- Thought so – Tohma admitted. – And she's very talented.
- Indeed. What about those girls you met yesterday?
- Serenade?
- Is that the name of the group?
- Yep.
- Why don't you ask them?
- Yeah...
- Can I come in?
There was a knock on the door. Shuichi came in without waiting for permission. He was wearing short black pants and a white shirt, with his usual bag on his back.
- I don't remember telling you to come in – Tohma said.
Shuichi looked at him. Tohma didn't seem very friendly at that moment. Then he noticed Ryuichi. His eyes were fixed on him. His hair covered part of his face, but he could feel it. And he could see he was smirking.
- Say, what brought you here? – Asked Tohma.
- Just... just... Sakano-san can't come today – Shuichi said, blushing – He asked me to let you know, Seguchi-san...
He was petrified. Shuichi could feel those eyes fixed on him, and that smile... It wasn't the Ryuichi he used to know... It was the Ryuichi he admired, the singer, the adult.
- Ok – sighed Tohma – Here, read this.
Shuichi looked up at Seguchi. He took the offered paper and glanced at Tohma again.
- Come on – Seguchi said – Read it.
"If it's true you don't need me
Baby, let me know
I don't wanna be wondering
If you'll leave me alone
Don't think you're a runaway
Will make me cry
I got the key of a new life
Where I can find what I want
Life will be much better
Once you're gone
So tell me what you're feeling
Cause I need to know."
- I think that's enough – Tohma said, taking the paper back. – Well?
Shuichi looked at him again, blinking. Then he turned to Ryuichi.
- That was good, wasn't it? – Ryuichi asked, smiling.
- Yeah... – Shuichi muttered.
- And that was just the chorus – Tohma added – You'll understand now why we don't let you work on the lyrics...
Shuichi swallowed hard. Why was Seguchi being so mean and cruel?
- I have to go and look for them, Ryuichi – Tohma said. – Close the door when you leave.
When he left, Shuichi knelt and hit the floor.
- Why is he that cruel? What have I done to him? – He cried.
- You made Yuki ill again – Ryuichi said. – He didn't feel like that until you came...
Shuichi looked up at him, and their eyes met. Ryuichi came closer and knelt in front of him.
- And he's so cruel, as you said, because he wants the best for you – he went on. – He knows you're talented, and he needs to find a way to awaken your talent...
Shuichi looked down again and started crying. Ryuichi held him tight.
- Now I've been cruel by telling you all this about Yuki, right? – He asked.
- Not really... – Shuichi whispered. – Everybody says so...
- I've heard he's back – Ryuichi said, sitting on the floor. Shuichi nodded.
- He just wants to torture me...
* * *
- Airi, have you seen...
Something caught Tohma's attention. He was in the lobby of NG Productions when the three girls from serenade came in.
- How come you've lost it, Nade? – asked Aki, taking her sunglasses off, revealing her big brown eyes. – Where is your mind?
- Stop it, Aki! – Ordered Suzumi – We'll find it.
- Aki-chan – said Nade – I'm sorry if I was inspired while I was washing my hands in the bathroom. I'm sorry if I wrote the song there and then forget it, but I have a life...
Tohma couldn't help looking at her. This time, she was wearing a long, purple skirt, a white top, and another black hat. But he didn't even notice that. It was something else...
- What were you thinking, Nade? – Insisted Aki.
- I said stop it! – Exclaimed Suzumi.
- I was thinking about... Seguchi-chan! – Nade said, realizing he was there. He smiled and approached them.
- Are you looking for this? – He asked, taking the paper out of his pocket. Nade smiled happily.
- Yeah! – She said – I...
- I heard – he interrupted. – You are very talented...
Far from blushing, Nade smiled, full of pride, while Suzumi and Aki giggled.
- Who found it? – Nade asked.
- Ry... Kumagoro – sighed Tohma, shaking his head.
- Kumagoro? – Asked Suzumi.
- Erm... – Seguchi doubted. – A friend of Ryuichi's...
- Oh... could you thank him then? – Asked Aki.
- I've already done it – said Tohma, smiling.
* * *
- Kumagoro is a teddy-bear?
Ryuichi raised his eyebrows, nodding. Nadeshiko smiled. She was confused and turned to Tohma, who was smiling, as usual.
- Why are you always like that? – She asked. – He thinks a pink bunny is a person!
Tohma shrugged.
- I'm used to him already...
- I see... – she sighed.
- I'm here! – Aki shouted as she came in.
- Good, where's Suzumi? – Asked Tohma.
- She's coming – answered Aki.
- Good. Why don't you start rehearsing then? She can join you later.
- At your command! – Said the girls.
Tohma saw them entering the study and sighed. There was something wrong, very wrong, but he didn't know what it was.
- Tohma? – Asked a childish voice. He realized then Ryuichi had his face too close to his and was frowning. He stepped back.
- What? – He asked.
- What's wrong with Kumagoro? – He asked – Why does everybody hate him?
Tohma doubted. He looked at the girls, then back at the begging Ryuichi and patted his head.
- They don't know Kumagoro yet – he said, smiling – I have to go outside for a moment, Ryuichi. Don't leave, ok? I want you to listen to them.
Seguchi left the room and closed the door behind him. Ryuichi turned back and hid Kumagoro. Nade looked at him. He had a sad look in his eyes. She frowned.
- Sakuma-san? – Nade called. – Why don't you join us?
- Are you mad? – Asked Airi.
- What's wrong? He's just a person. We don't even know him; therefore, we can't judge him...
- You're right.
- He must have a reason for having this split personality...
Slowly and shyly at the same time, Ryuichi entered the study. He didn't looked at them, until Nade came closer and placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling.
- Why are you blushing, Sakuma-san? – She asked. – I never expected you to be this way...
- I... I'm sorry... – babbled Ryuichi.
- Oh, come on! Cheer up! Where's Kumagoro?
Ryuichi opened his eyes. He wasn't sure about what he just heard. Just a minute ago they were complaining about Kumagoro...
- You don't like him, Sasaki-san... – he said in his usual childish tone, looking at her with teary eyes – so he's hidden...
- Oh, don't call me Sasaki-san! – She said – Everybody calls me Nade, ok? I want to be friends with you, Sakuma-san...
- I'm not Sakuma-san! – He shouted – I'm Kumagoro!!!!
Nade blinked, surprised. All of a sudden, Ryuichi had Kumagoro on his head and was pretending to be him. She could just smile.
- Nice to meet you, Kumagoro – she said – Do you think Sakuma-san would like to be friends with me?
Ryuichi rushed back and placed Kumagoro in front of him, as if they were talking. Nade looked at Aki and they both laughed.
- Isn't he cute? – She said.
- Yeah, - Aki agreed. – Adorable. I think I like him now.
- Don't be sarcastic – Nade said. – I'm serious.
- Me too – Aki admitted. – He had to have suffered a lot if he's trying to live his childhood now...
- Thought so...
They remained silent until Ryuichi approached them again.
- Sakuma-san says he wants to be friends with you, Nade-chan!! – He exclaimed.
- Cool!! – Nade said, smiling.
- And he says you can call him Ryu-chan!!! – He added. The he started to dance around, while arguing with Kumagoro.
- And will Ryu-chan have dinner with me tonight? – Nade asked.
Ryuchi stopped moving. He let Kumagoro fall off and was looking at Nade, feeling astonished.
- Did I say something wrong? – She asked a bit scared. – I'm sorry... I just...
- Did you asked me to go dinner with you? – The man asked. Nade nodded. – Why?
- I just want to be your friend – she answered. – Besides, I think you've been alone enough...
Ryuichi looked down and grabbed Kumagoro. Aki was watching the scene as if it was a movie.
- And let's be honest – Nade went on – You're the idol, Ryuichi Sakuma, who wouldn't like to have dinner with you?
Ryuichi blushed and smiled.
- So? – Nade inquired.
- Okay – he said. – But I want you to do something for me then...
- Do what?
- Sing a song with me.
* * *
"I'm alive
I can feel the blood brushing through my veins
And that's all I need to know
Cause I'm not looking for a change
Cause I got friends and enemies
But it just don't bother me
Cause as long as I believe
I can breath"
Tohma stopped the tape and leaned against his sofa. It was great, really great. And now, Ryuichi and Nadeshiko wanted to be together.
Together... Ryuichi and Nadeshiko. That was a golden chance... However...
"What's this?" He thought. "Why am I feeling this? ... I don't even know what this feeling is... but I don't want her to..."
- Seguchi-sama? – Called a voice. – You have a phone call from Mika-san, sir...
- Oh... ok – he muttered. – Thanks Airi...
There was a knock on the door.
- Yeah, come in – he said, and then answered the phone. – Mika? Yeah, what's wrong?
Sakano came in. He closed the door and tip-toed until he reached Tohma's desk.
- No, I told you I don't want that – he said while motioning Sakano to take a seat. – Mika listen to me... Ok, but I said no... I know what you mean, but I said no, and it means no... Mika... I said no, whatever you say...
The other man leaned back. He was feeling scared from the way Seguchi was speaking, and for those eyes... usually so nice... except when he didn't get what he wanted, or when somebody was getting on his nerves. It was well known that he always gets what he wants.
- Bloody hell, Mika! – Tohma shouted. – I said no, got it?
And he hung the phone. There was a silence. Sakano didn't even dare to move. He was extremely scared this time. Tohma's eyes were fixed on the phone.
- What did you come here for? – He asked suddenly. Sakano boggled.
- Erm... well... you'll see, Seguchi-san... – he babbled. Then he realized he was sweating like mad, because those eyes were fixed on his. – I... I... I wanted to know... the dates of... Bad Luck's tour...
- I see – Tohma said. – Well, Airi can give you the schedule. I have something to do now, Sakano-san. If you don't mind leaving...
But as if somebody was waiting for those words, the door opened again and Tohma saw a hand on his desk, and another one giving him a paper.
- Here ya go – she said. – The lyric.
- Sasaki-san... – Sakano muttered.
- Yup, that's me – she said.
The two men looked at her. She was wearing the top of a purple bikini and a mini skirt. Her long blond hair waved around her waist as she approached the door again.
- Read it, and tell me what you think – she said. – Just finished it ten minutes ago...
- Where... where are you going? – Tohma asked.
- Oh, the girls and I are going to the beach. And I think Noriko and her daughter are coming as well. Also Ryu-chan, I'd ask you to join us, but you're a very busy man, remember? – She added, winking. – Bye!
She left the room. Sakano looked at Tohma as he started reading some lines of the lyric.
- "Baby took you time to realize I'm not the kind to sacrifice the way I am. This is my games, my rules"... – he sighed. – Ok, Sasaki-san... – Tohma muttered. – But I have my own rules...
END FLASHBACK