AN/Warnings: Danke schön for the reviews, they never get old. :D
Redex: You are right (TokyoPop said the first of July), but did come out early, I got my copy of it back on the 26th or thereabouts. ::Twilight Zone music:: Tohma scared me in volume 6. ;-; Thanks for reviewing, it's always great to see you around. :3
Puffin: The anime's release (English dubbed and subtitled) was the 29th of June. I'm positive you can find the first volume, Fateful First Encounter online at Rightstuf, Amazon, and AnimeNation, with or without the artbox, or you could look for it at Best Buy, or any place like that. I ordered it off of Amazon, but I didn't go price hunting before hand. ::feels like a saleswoman:: You probably have by now, though. Er, anyway, hope my rambling helped. Thanks for reviewing, glad you liked it. :D
Firedraygon: Yah! This chapter is mostly Hiro, Suguru and Maiko, which is always fun. X3 Thanks for reviewing, I'm glad you like it. :3
Bloody-sunshine/Liss: You faved it! ::hugs:: Sleepless Beauty comes in as my second favorite Gravitation song, Shining Collection has to be my favorite. Break Through, No Style and Konetsu BLOOD are fun too. Eh, I'm rambling. Anyway, thanks for reviewing! Yaoi reminds me of the Remixes... I'm more of a shounen-ai fan myself, but we'll see, ne? :3
Kitty in the box: Domo! ::hugs:: Thanks so much for coming back to review again. :3
Clari chan: Heheh, you know I can't resist some good Yuki/Shuichi yumminess. :D Thanks for reviewing, glad you liked it.
ImpishyNymph: I'm so sorry! Once I type something up, I get all worried that people are going to think it sucks and I end up going over it so many times. ;-; Here's Act Seven for you! :)
Ruby Love: Kekeke, both Shuichi and Hiro go to cram school, there's a footnote about that the end of this chapter. Shuichi was working at a bar/restaurant, and he was failing at school then (very early manga, Vols. 1 and 2), so I assumed his mom was either very nice, or had just given up. XP Suguru is Bad Luck's synth/keyboard player, he pops up in volume 5. Yep, those three at the end of Act Three would be Taki, Ma-kun and Ken-chan. They make up ASK, another band who've signed with NG. Most people will tell you they're no good, but Taki just has priority problems. :3 ::closet ASK fan:: Eiri isn't in jail most likely because he would have been considered a juvenile (at the time), and because Tohma Puppet Master of Gravitation. Bwahah.
Info: Shuichi/Yuki (I would mess with the pairings, honest, but...), somewhat implied Hiro/Shuichi, ex-Shuichi/Hiro, etc. Mild language. This takes place around the same time as the last chapter, so it's happening somewhat simultaneously. Enjoy…?
Life Doesn't Rhyme
"Well, look who it is. Our second-favorite Shindou. What brings you here?" Suguru looked up at Hiro's comment to see Maiko walk into the bar, pocketbook slung over his shoulder.
"Bite me, Nakano." Maiko avoided the question with a roll of her eyes. She sat down, and slammed her fist onto the bar. "Or rather, hit me."
"You allowed?" Maiko stuck out her tongue, and Hiro laughed.
"Never mind. What 'cha want?" (1)
"Don't care. Something hard." Suguru whistled, a companion to Hiro's grin. "Don't say anything, Fujisaki." Suguru held his hands up in self-defense, and slid an empty glass down to Hiro. The brunet's fingers danced over bottles of alcohol, looking for just the right one. Grinning, he plucked one out and shook it, ignoring Suguru's glare.
"How did Fujisaki get a job here? He's only, what-" Hiro slapped his palm over Maiko's mouth, and cast a glance around.
"We lied. Said his birthday was earlier than it is." The brunet had lowered his voice, almost serious. Maiko only snorted, watching Suguru roll his eyes.
"Well, that works out then, doesn't it? My brother and best friend have to go to cram school, and then their other best friend works illegally? What a fine life you've all managed to lead, I'm so proud." She clasped her hands over her heart, and then rolled her eyes. Hiro had taken to shaking the bottle violently.
"I do hope this suits your tastes, Miss Shindou." Hiro's voice was smooth, but Maiko only eyed him suspiciously. As Hiro held the bottle by the neck, the shot glass was soon filled with a faintly green, opaque liquid.
"Better not be trying to poison me, Hiroshi." She paused, turning around to survey the bar, before picking up her drink and downing it in one go. "Another," She almost gasped. "Where's Shuichi?"
Suguru silently watched as Hiro predictably tensed up. Pouring Maiko another shot, the brunet sighed before speaking.
"He's cutting work like he cuts classes. With Yuki." Maiko barely even nodded, as if she had known the answer already. Resting her elbow on the bar and looking into Hiro's eyes, she smiled.
"You're worried about him, aren't you?" Her smile didn't fade as she downed another shot. Hiro shrugged, and another glass was filled without any pretense.
"That blonde's gonna make him cry, and you know Shuichi as well as me, Maiko. What'll he do a few days later?" Maiko smirked into the bottom of her glass, and continued the story.
"He'll go running back to him like the little puppy he is."
Maiko had her fair share of fights with Shuichi, and both had the scars to prove it. He had always been the first one to apologize, even if his sister had started the argument, even if she had yelled or slapped him first. It wasn't so much attention seeking as comfort seeking, since Shuichi always automatically assumed he was the guilty one.
Suguru couldn't help but wonder if the alcohol had somehow given Maiko more depth, even though she seemed to be getting quite drunk. Her eyes were already unfocused and glazed, her posture had been abandoned for resting her chin on the bar. Although probably considered an amateur to some of the bar's regulars, Maiko had been holding out quite well. Suguru couldn't name the drink Hiro had been pouring glass after glass, but he knew it was stronger than a good amount of the concoctions they offered. Especially since she was drinking it hard, Suguru gave her no more than four glasses to before becoming a rambling drunk or passing out.
"Get me another glass." Shaking his head, Suguru rinsed and dried the nearest abandoned glass, and slid it over to Hiro. "Thanks." Swirling the liquid around, Hiro then poured a glass for himself.
"Cheers." Maiko offered her glass to Hiro's, and the clinking sound was swiftly followed by both of them drinking, or more accurately, Suguru noted, inhaling the alcohol.
(Around five drinks later)
Suguru was completely baffled. Maiko had continued to chat to Hiro as he made drinks and Suguru passed them out. She was nearly coherent, the tell-tale signs of glazed eyes and sloppy movement were the only noticeable effects of her intoxication. Maiko played with a strand of her hair as she looked thoughtfully at Hiro. The older boy had stopped after three glasses, though he did hold alcohol considerably well. The job was the job.
"He used to have a crush on you, ya know." She swayed slightly, before shaking her head. Hiro stopped shoveling ice into a glass to take Maiko seriously.
"What? Who?" Suguru thought it seemed obvious. The way those two acted sometimes, they might as well have been married.
"Shuichi, silly. From, like, when he was fourteen to maybe sixteen or early seventeen." Her 'teens' were dramatic and dragged out, and both boys watched her reel slightly. Hiro paused, as if counting something.
"That was what, eighth through tenth? Heh, I was going out with some girl that entire time. What was her name…"
"The same one?" Maiko stared in unabashed wonder as Hiro nodded, still searching for a name. "Didn't know you had it in you, Nakano." She then stared at the bottom her glass once more. "Poor Shuichi. He really liked you, Hiro."
Hiro avoided Suguru's gaze, pouring a fourth drink for himself. The three of them had been lucky, the bar was relatively quiet tonight, or maybe they were just tuning everything else out. Whatever was happening, it gave them good time to think.
"Shuichi's…he…" Hiro lost whatever words he had, and finished off his drink. "If I had noticed then, this all wouldn't have happened?" Suguru was surprised that Hiro himself didn't have the answer. The brunet was looking at Maiko, who shrugged.
"Not saying that, Hiro. I know you like him, but I think both of you missed it." 'It' was mostly likely referring to whatever chance the two used to have. "This Yuki may be a bastard," Hiro nodded, and Maiko's laugh was short. "But he's the only one who doesn't look at Shuichi these days and see everything that's behind him."
This time, both Suguru and Hiro avoided Maiko's unashamed eyes.
"Usagi? No. Usami? Damn, I can't remember that girl's name." Hiro looked for an excuse to escape the silence that had settled between the three. Passing the finished drinks to Suguru, the boy quickly excused himself to go deliver them.
Maiko leaned closer to Hiro, and grinned.
"What 'cha think of Fuji…saki?" The idea of 'saki' and 'sake' seemed to mesh together for Maiko, causing an even more devilish grin. Hiro raised an eyebrow, making sure to word his next sentence carefully.
"Are you trying to imply…?" Maiko put on her best innocent face and shook her head. Hiro watched Suguru laugh at something another customer had said, and shrugged.
"He's a good friend, I guess. Puts up with Shuichi like no one else can. We met him back in eighth grade, we went on some weird orientation thing to another school, Shuichi practically mowed Suguru down in the hall. Of course, I had to help him up and stop Shuichi in the middle of his rampage." Neither had noticed Suguru's return, and the keyboardist took to quietly drying glasses.
"He's cute." Maiko suggested, and Suguru nearly dropped the glass in his hands. Hiro shook his head, a smile on his face.
"And you, my dear Ms. Shindou, are completely drunk." She grinned sheepishly, and shrugged.
"Can't help it, Hiro. That stuff is good." She motioned at the two empty bottles to her side, each drained to the last drop.
"Hiro, I need three warm sakes." Hiro jumped at Suguru's voice, but didn't bother to ask how long he had been there. Nodding quickly, he caught the three glasses his friend slid down to him and began to fill them up. When they were ready, Hiro packed them all onto a small tray and gave Suguru an uncomfortable smile, which Suguru returned with his own variation of it.
"Uchiha? No, that's not it." Hiro ran a hand through his hair and continued to think. Maiko chuckled, dipping a finger into her drink and sucking it off thoughtfully.
"Hiro? Suguru?" Maiko gave both a goofy smile, before her eyes rolled back and her head slammed against the bar.
"Ouch." Suguru winced, and Hiro rolled his eyes.
"I've guess we've got to close up, then." The idea of enraging Shuichi's parents didn't seem like a very inviting one. Especially since their daughter probably hadn't had more than one glass of anything alcoholic in her life at a given time. Shuddering at the thought of Mrs. Shindou, Hiro left Suguru to deal with the comatose Maiko.
"Alright, everyone out!" Hiro ordered, and various swears, curses and complaints were tossed back at him. "I mean it, you drunken bastards." The mutter was too low for most to hear, but the man sitting right next to him took offense, standing up and demanding Hiro repeat that to his face.
"Foo-jee-sakee?" Maiko slurred, only slightly conscious. Suguru watched the girl with a mix of apprehension and amusement. "Whazza goin' on?"
"Oh, it's closing time. Hiro's getting everyone out." Maiko nodded sagely, and tried to retrieve the few drops of alcohol left in her glass.
"How's he gonna do that?" Suguru raised an eyebrow, a small smirk on his face.
"Kick everybody's ass, like he always does." Maiko giggled at this answer, and then promptly fainted. Suguru shook his head, but couldn't help wincing again. If that first hit didn't bruise, that one certainly would.
---
"Jesus, Hiro, I didn't know you had such a good right hook." Hiro nodded proudly, cradling his hand and then cracking his knuckles, trying to relieve the pain.
"Let's get out of here, before anyone else comes back." Suguru agreed, and once Hiro had gotten Maiko out of the bar, he locked up behind the brunet. "Mind giving me a hand?"
The two were supporting Maiko as best they could, half carrying and half dragging her home. She stumbled lazily along with them, only occasionally aware of the world around her.
"What was that stuff you gave her, anyway?" Suguru's curiosity had gotten the better of him, and Hiro smirked and shrugged.
"I don't know, actually. There wasn't a name on the bottles. I remember someone telling me it was heavy stuff, though." Suguru sighed and shook his head. When he wanted to be, Hiro was impossible.
"Here I was, thinking Shuichi was the problem child…" Hiro laughed, and it quickly relieved what tension had managed to hover in the air.
"Ooh, Fujisaki, you cut me deep." The brunet's voice was raspy, as if he was in great pain. Clutching his heart, he stumbled. "Oh, shit!" Laughter betrayed his words, but the brunet had almost dropped Maiko. Suguru rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged his lips upward anyway.
---
(Yuki's Apartment - 8:00 am)
Mizuki almost jogged up the stairs that lead to the author's apartment. She didn't expect a full manuscript, but at the very least, a little progress. Yuki always did avoid deadlines like the plague.
Knocking on the door, Mizuki could pressed her ear against the door, but heard no movement inside. She could have sworn she had seen the blonde's car in the parking lot near the building, even if Eiri Yuki did pull escape stunts when he really wanted to avoid her.
Trying the door, Mizuki was surprised to find that it opened with little protest. Slipping off her high heels, she eventually found who she was looking for, but couldn't bring herself to wake him up.
Shaking her head at the sight of the pink haired boy who might as well have been cuddling the author, she noted that Yuki looked much more harmless when he was asleep. Sighing, she knew she wasn't even going to get a chapter today, and he had been working considerably well…
Yuki's eyes snapped open, but they lost their initial threat when he realized it was only Mizuki. The editor hastily bowed, embarrassed at getting caught staring.
"I'm very sorry! I had come by to see how you were doing on your novel." Yuki rolled his eyes, and Mizuki laughed. "I wasn't expecting a trilogy or anything, sir."
"Well, I didn't even write a chapter." Yuki scowled down at the younger man beside him, but only played with a few strands of hot pink hair. "Still expecting the next book to a phenomenon? Sorry, Mizuki." The blonde's voice was dry with sarcasm and sleep. Yawning, he shifted his position only slightly, and re-rested his head on top of the other's. A silent but very blatant 'get the hell out of here'.
"That's alright. I'll see you later, then." Bowing again, she quickly turned around, put her shoes back on and left the apartment. When she opened the door to the cold morning air, the man in the back of the taxi rolled down the window.
"You get it?" She shook her head, and her coworker let out an exasperated sigh. "He'll never make it like this."
Mizuki shrugged as she sat down in the taxi, and gave the driver directions back to the publishing building.
"Oh, I don't know. I think he may be starting to realize that he doesn't have to." Giving her companion an enigmatic smile, she began to shuffle through the files in her briefcase as the taxi jolted out into the street.
Eiri Yuki hadn't been unsuccessful because his books were given bad reviews, but because he had somehow managed to remained invisible for the years he had been writing. Mizuki thought they were well written herself, as did the critics who reviewed them. Eiri Yuki had talent, of that she was sure, but it was like people were ignoring his books, and no one at the publishing house could think of why. It had happened before, but nothing like the total disregard of a good book that Mizuki felt was happening now.
Perhaps it was just another case of bad luck.
---
Sorry, forgot the bad pun warning. ::alarm goes off late:: I like character development.
(1) Ooh, a footnote. The legal drinking age in Japan is twenty (thank you Google). Give or take the two or so years that Bad Luck have been trying to get a deal at NG, that would leave Maiko somewhere around eighteen or nineteen. Since she goes to the same high school as Shuichi in the manga (I can't seem to find her age), I wouldn't say she's younger than sixteen then. Hiro and Suguru won't tell if you won't. ;) After all, Maiko is the original Gravitation fangirl. :3
As for the issue Shuichi and Hiro, both of them should be in college/university by now. Since both seem to quit school when Bad Luck gets signed in the manga, we'll say they barely passed senior year and couldn't get into any decent schools, and are now both in the same cram/prep school (they turned into Hideki and Shimbo on their own, I swear). Suguru is either a junior or a senior, and hence the reason/excuse to why all of them are still around. I also made the trio go back further than they do in the manga. Bwahah. :3
See you when I see you, which will hopefully be soon…