I love you all so much! Your reviews are so nice and encouraging. So I've decided to reward you with a fairly long chapter (in my opinion). I hope you enjoy and the next chapter should be out soon (the deadlines' almost here, not to mention I'm almost finished).
Serenade Concerto
Mimi sighed miserably as she waited beside the exuberant Sora in the line for tickets to Yamato's latest gig. I'll bet she's more excited to be here to see Taichi and Yamato make up than she is to be with me. Mimi turned her head towards her friend and her shoulders drooped more. And I bought this outfit especially for her. I'll bet she doesn't even notice it. She probably only thinks of me as some ditzy airhead thinking about nothing bit clothes and shopping. Tears filed her eyes and she looked away. The only thing I ever really want and I can't have it. I guess all my selfishness from when I was younger is finally coming back to haunt me. A tear fell, not even disturbing her waterproof makeup. She wiped it away and regained her composure.
Seeing me cry will only lower her opinion.
Jyou looked over at his old sweetheart with worry. Why is she crying? He turned to ask Sora what could possibly be wrong but found the red-haired girl scanning the crowd for any sign of Taichi. He looked back at Mimi's pining expression and smiled in sad understanding. I guess she's in the same boat as I. Jyou looked over at his best friend (who's head was in a book rather than a laptop tonight). "Izzy, couldn't you have left your intellectual side behind tonight? This is meant to be fun."
"But improving my knowledge on the Marxist theories is fun. After all, the knowledge might be useful to me. And I was just getting to the good — Hey!" Koushiro protested angrily as Jyou grabbed his book and held it above his friend's reach. "Jyou! That's not fair!"
"Izzy, I'll only give it back if you promise to not open it again during the entire night. We're here to see Matt's band play, not to study."
Koushiro crossed his arms in a slightly humorous imitation of a petulant child. "You're not being very fair Jyou."
"I know."
"In that case, I won't be either." Koushiro grinned evilly in the split second that Jyou took notice of his face, because an instant later Koushiro was tickling him.
"Ah! Izzy! No, stop! Here take it!" Jyou held out the thick book for Koushiro to take back. Koushiro smiled and took it.
"Thank you very much," he said in a pleasant voice and continued reading from where he left off, ignoring how Jyou was panting and glaring at him.
"You are evil and I'm going to get you back."
"You keep telling yourself that Jyou." Koushiro smiled and engrossed himself completely in the book so that all conversations could be stopped. Jyou shook his head and turned away with a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You too, huh?"
Jyou looked over at Mimi. "Yeah. Me too."
She smiled and took his arm in her own. "I guess it's funny how things work out."
"Or don't." Jyou smiled wryly. "It's weird, but right now I'm thankful that we aren't still together. And I'm really grateful we didn't part on bad terms and can still be friends."
Mimi arched an elegant eyebrow. "You call me saying I never want to speak to you again until you forget all about whatever you thought we had as good terms?"
"You should have seen how all my other relationships ended."
Mimi laughed loudly, drawing the attention of their friends and a few other nearby people. "I would have loved to."
"Of course, who doesn't like seeing me humiliated." Jyou smiled. "At least I'm still optimistic. However I notice that you aren't as positive as I."
Mimi snuck a glance at Sora. "I guess not. I don't have your perseverance Jyou. I don't think she'll ever consider me like that." Mimi sighed then looked over at Koushiro. "You probably have a better chance of getting Izzy away from that book."
"Or to go out with me?" Mimi smiled at Jyou. "I still dream, but as you know I'm a realist. I know it won't be the end of the world if I don't get what I want." Jyou smiled. "Still, it's nice to imagine how —"
"Hey guys!' Daisuke startled all of them by appearing suddenly out of nowhere.
"Hey Davis." Sora looked around. "Where's your better half?"
"Ken said he had to go do some— Hey!" Daisuke only just realised exactly what she said. "Are you saying Ken's better than me?"
"I think she did," Koushiro pointed out from behind his book.
"That's not very nice. If you weren't a girl I'd —"
"Do what? Chuck a hissy fit?" Miyako sidled up beside Daisuke, startling him. "You couldn't take anyone one, not even Sora. You're so weak."
"Oh yeah? I'll show you." Daisuke stuck out his tongue.
Miyako rolled her eyes. "Oh very mature Davis." She turned her attention to everyone else. "Hey guys, good to see you. Mimi, that's a great dress, is it new?"
"Yeah, I bought it yesterday." Mimi twirled around, making the bottom of the long cocktail dress flare out gently. "Do you like?"
"It's perfect for you. You'd look good in anything Mimi."
"Thanks Miya." Mimi blushed modestly and started talking to Miyako about various girly things that they both adored.
"Hello Jyou, Koushiro, Sora."
Everyone looked at the last member of their group. "Hey there Iori," Jyou smiled. "How are you?'
"Fine, a bit breathless though. Miyako dragged me around talking about how we had to get going so she could see this great new guy she met the other day. Are all girls that bossy and irritating? Or is it just a trait Miyako has?"
"I'd say the second, but that doesn't rule out the first though." Jyou smiled as Iori shook his head, muttering how girls were harder to figure out than math problems.
They sure are, Jyou thought as he watched Sora turn her head slightly to watch Mimi out of the corner of her eye, a flicker of jealousy crossing her face. Maybe there's hope for some of them though.
* * *
Yamato was backstage tuning his guitar when Ken walked in. He looked around and noticed that the other band members were all occupied by something. He could talk with Ken without anyone overhearing.
"Hey Ken." He put his guitar down on top of the amp he was previously sitting on.
"Yamato."
"What brings you backstage?"
Ken smiled. "Nothing much. Just wanting to see the lead singer before he went on stage."
"Well, he's been wanting to talk to you also." Yamato smiled at the younger boy. "I wanted to thank you."
"There's no need. You're not stupid, you would have figured it out by yourself eventually."
"Sure. But I did need a good kick in the pants too." Yamato held out his hand. "Will you at least accept my eternal gratitude and friendship."
Ken smiled. "Coming from you that's quite an honour." He took Yamato's hand.
"Yeah, I know it is, but you've earned it." Ken laughed at Yamato's attitude.
"I'm just glad you don't seem so depressed."
"I wasn't depressed, I was more angry." Yamato picked up the guitar and resumed tuning it. Then he looked up at Ken quizzically. "There was one thing I wanted to ask you."
"Oh?"
"How did you know about me and Taichi? And how did you know how I felt?"
Ken smiled. "Sora blabbed about the bet. When Dai and I heard we decided to go and talk to you and Taichi. I remembered something from the cafe when you and Taichi revealed you were a couple."
"Actually Sora told everyone."
Ken shrugged. "Same thing. Anyway, I noticed a few things about you two. Taichi seemed to be a bit too enthusiastic about the whole thing, and you also looked like you were acting a bit. I realise now that you two were completely overacting for our benefit, but there was a certain gleam in both your eyes that gave away that this was something more to both of you than it outwardly appeared."
Yamato looked stunned. "But, I didn't even know how I felt back then. How could you?"
"I told you, I've been there before, I can recognise all the signs of obsession."
Yamato's eyes narrowed. "You said the two of us. That would imply that Taichi feels the same way."
Ken smiled mysteriously. "It does seem to imply that doesn't it."
Yamato was about to ask another question when Daisuke ran into the backstage area with a huge grin on his face. "Ken! You would not believe what Taichi found out!" He grabbed his boyfriend's hand and dragged him back out. "Come on, you're going to miss it."
"Wait!" Yamato called out to them pointlessly.
"See you after the show Yamato," Ken yelled back as Daisuke dragged him over to where the others were waiting.
Yamato sighed and shook his head. Then he looked out to see what Daisuke was so excited about. He grinned when he saw that Hikari and Takeru had finally arrived with Taichi grinning about something. I'll bet I know what he's going to blab to everyone tonight. Yamato watched as Taichi waited for the young couple to finally rejoin the group before talking with a grin on his face that Yamato could see from here.
Yamato simply watched the scene unfold, or to be more precise, he watched one member of the group as he talked and laughed and smiled so brilliantly.
"I hope that he really does feel the same," Yamato whispered before reentering backstage and continuing to prepare for the concert.
* * *
Hikari was still blushing as she walked through the entrance to the auditorium with Takeru. He held her hand protectively, and not even her brother's frequent jibes could displace it. How could Tai just blurt it out like that?! Keru and I wanted to surprise everyone and ease them into it, but no, my stupid loud-mouthed brother had to go and blab to everyone about what he saw in the park. What was he doing in the park that day anyway? Stupid Tai. She clutched Takeru's hand tightly.
"You know," Takeru whispered gently, "I could lose all circulation if you keep clutching my hand like that."
"Oh. Sorry." Hikari let it drop. Takeru smiled at her nervousness and put his arm around her shoulder instead.
"That doesn't mean to say I still don't want to hold you."
Hikari smiled and leaned in closer to him, her own arm sneaking around his waist. "I like you close to me. It makes things easier when I want to do this." She pulled his head down and gently kissed him.
They were interrupted by Taichi who grabbed them both and pulled them apart, turning as he did so to face Takeru. "You know that I'm very protective of my little sister, Takashi. So you know what could happen if you hurt her."
"Tai!" Hikari blushed again at the scene he was making.
Takeru merely raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm well aware of how dangerous you can be Taichi, but I'm fairly sure that Hikari should be safe with me."
"I'll bet," Taichi muttered. He looked at Takeru a bit strangely than let both of them go. He glanced once more at Takeru then walked away, leaving the couple to stare after him in worry.
"What did I say?" Takeru asked innocently.
"I don't know." Hikari watched her brother meld into the crowd. She offered Takeru a small smile. "But I'm sure it's nothing. Let's go find a seat."
* * *
Damn kid looks too much like his brother. Taichi went in search of his other friends, still a bit shaken about how he reacted to Takeru's gesture. He's almost Yama's twin! The way he looked at me, it was so much like Yama that I freaked. Damn, what must they think? Taichi almost turned back to go and talk to Hikari and Takeru again, but Sora hailed him.
"Taichi!" She ran up to him with Mimi walking gracefully behind her. What an odd couple they make. Mimi looks like she just stepped out of a magazine and Sora probably wore the same outfit to tennis practice one time. I guess opposites do attract.
"Hey Sora. Hi Mimi. I forgot to mention before what a great dress that is."
"Thanks Tai." Mimi blushed and Taichi could swear he saw a quick flash of jealousy race across Sora's face. "Did you want to come sit with us?" Her eyes seemed to be pleading for the opposite.
Taichi frowned slightly. Why on earth would she not want me to sit with them? Does she want to be alone … oh. Taichi smiled slightly. "Sorry Meems, I told Davis earlier that I would sit with him."
"Oh, what a shame." She looked relieved. Taichi winked at her discreetly as Sora looked away for a second to wave to someone. "Doesn't matter though. Maybe next time."
"Sure. See you Mimi, bye Sora."
"Later Tai." Taichi could have sworn that Sora looked pleased too, but it could have been a trick of the light.
Taichi managed to find Daisuke and Ken, but decided against sitting with them. They looked a bit to wrapped up in each other to pay much attention to anything else, even the band possibly.
Taichi spotted Koushiro and Jyou nearby in the room, but by the way Jyou was rolling his eyes and Koushiro still had his head in the book he brought, he decided that it would be best not to sit with those two.
Not to mention that Jyou probably has the same idea as Mimi, Taichi thought smiling as he remembered Yamato talking about Jyou and his love interest.
Taichi sighed. He could always sit with Miyako and Iori, but he didn't know them as well as the others. And besides, he thought looking over to where Miyako was standing, it appears that she's occupied with a few dozen boys already. Taichi smiled as he noticed Iori's sigh. Poor kid.
Taichi decided that he would just sit by himself. He could enjoy the concert by himself. Although, it's not the whole band I'm really all that interested in. Taichi sat in the middle somewhere, near a few people he knew from school. He called out a greeting to a couple of them and fell silent.
Gods, what am I going to do once this is over? Taichi had promised himself that he would talk seriously with Yamato once the concert finished, but now that he was actually here, the butterflies threatened to take over his whole body, instead of just his stomach, and fly him out of there.
No, he told himself defiantly as the lights dimmed and the stage lights flared on, I made a promise to myself and I do not break promises. He looked up slightly guiltily as he heard a huge roar from the crowd and spotted Yamato walking on stage, looking as dashing and dazzling as ever. Not even to myself.
* * *
Yamato scanned the crowd, looking for his friends. He smiled as he spotted Daisuke and Ken, who were only half-paying attention to the stage and grinned outright as he spotted his brother with an arm around Hikari. Takeru met his gaze and grinned back. Hikari waved slightly and gave Takeru a peck on the cheek. Yamato laughed softly. He walked up to the microphone and spotted Sora and Mimi, who waved, and Jyou sitting smugly with Koushiro, who looked a bit annoyed at something. Yamato smirked in their direction and Jyou had the decency to blush slightly as he noticed Yamato's gaze on him. He waved to Miyako and Iori when he spotted them too. The poor boy looked as though Miyako had dragged him to see everyone in the audience, Iori looked ready to drop dead from sheer exhaustion at any second.
Yamato continued scanning the crowd, still looking for one face he hadn't found yet. He did come didn't he? He did actually intend to come, not just to meet up with the others earlier, didn't he? Yamato's smile faltered slightly before he put it back in place and spoke to the audience. "Hey there. Thanks for coming to the gig. As you know, we're the Teenage Wolves and we're going to kick-start the concert off with a tune you all love: Turn Around." Yamato grinned as the crowd went wild at the opening bars of the song, but inside he was falling apart.
Where is he?
* * *
Yamato was getting more depressed as the concert wore on, but he never showed it. To most of the audience, he seemed as normal as ever. But to his friends, Yamato was clearly upset and they were all wondering why.
It came time for the last song and Yamato glanced behind him quickly to the rest of the band. They nodded, being forewarned of Yamato's last minute plan, and moved away to the wings. Yamato turned back to the audience and smiled.
"This last song is something I finished writing yesterday. It's never been performed yet and I wanted you guys to be the first to hear it." The crowd went ballistic over this. Yamato put aside his electric bass and took an acoustic guitar from one of the technicians on the wings. He did a quick check to see that everything was in tune and looked out into the audience again. As his eyes took one last sweep across the crowd, a single face stuck out and Yamato's heart froze. Oh gods, he's here. Yamato's eyes never wavered from the figure, but he broke into a huge smile and all the other digi-destined noticed a huge change in his mood. Yamato was ecstatic about something.
"This song was written as a momento," Yamato said softly, his eyes never leaving Taichi's face and his smile never faltering. "For someone special. I hope you all enjoy it." He strummed a short intro then captivated the audience with his soft voice.
I never thought I'd see you around.
I never thought I'd want to be near you.
Could you feel, just what I feel,
Could you say the same?
I never wanted this.
I never wanted you.
Could you see what I see,
Could you say the same?
I guess you never did know,
I guess I never did show.
I didn't want to fear,
Now I wish I did.
I never thought I'd hurt you.
I never thought you'd do the same.
Could you be what I am,
Could you say the same?
I guess you never did know,
I guess I never did show.
I didn't want to feel,
Now I now I know I do.
Cause if you could know what I am
If you could be what I am
You would know what I feel
And you would know I want you.
I never wanted pain.
I never wanted hurt.
But I would relive it over again
So I could be with you.
There was a huge silence trailing the fading notes of the last strum before a huge roar of wild applause sounded throughout the auditorium. Yamato grinned and blushed slightly, but his eyes never left the softly smiling figure before him, just as they hadn't throughout the whole performance.
Taichi grinned at his friend and gave him thumbs up, not giving away how much that song touched him. He knew exactly who it was for and why it was written.
And knowing that made his impending visit backstage in a few minutes a lot easier to bear than it had been before.
