Shining Collection

Author's Notes: Wow… I haven't updated for so long… Gomen! It's because I lost the notebook wherein I wrote the story… and now I found it again! I'm so happy! I bet you readers are happy too! Okay let's go!

Please review!

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Chapter 4: Do I Shine?

Tohma POV

I saw Ryuichi-san run out of Eiri-san's apartment but he didn't get in my car… instead he continued running towards his apartment.

"Ryuichi-san?" I said as I drove towards the running man. I opened the window and took a look at Ryuichi-san's face while I told him to stop. If I wasn't mistaken, there were tears flowing down his usually smiling g face.

I realized I wouldn't be able to get him this way so I resorted to chasing him on foot. I knew it looked awkward… two men running around the sidewalk who were actually members of Japan's most famous band, Nittle Grasper.

"Ryuichi-san!" I said as I stepped out of the car. "Chotto matte kudasai!!" But he didn't stop… he didn't even look back. He just went on running… so I had to chase him. "Ryuichi-san!!!"

It was difficult chasing him… he didn't even stop to catch his breath. I just have to know what was wrong. "Ryuichu-san, matte!"

Then I saw him trip over a crack on the sidewalk which gave me the chance to catch up with him. "Ryu… ichi… -san…" I panted and caught my breath for a few seconds. "What's wrong?"

He didn't answer. He just stayed down on the ground and I heard his sobs. Even though he was trying hard not to cry, he didn't seem to have any progress.

"Ryuichi-san… daijoubu desu ka?" I asked our vocalist as I helped him up. I worried more as I saw his tears on the ground. "Ryuichi-san…" I looked at him, his head was down and he seemed to be forcing himself to stop crying. "Let's go in the car… I'll bring you to your home and let's talk alright?"

Still no answer. I walked towards the car. Though I thought he wasn't going to follow me, strangely enough he did… I looked at him with a worried expression as he got on the back seat. "Will you tell me… what's wrong later?" He didn't even respond to my question… well… I didn't expect him to anyway.

It was not one of his usual crying sessions, wherein he would cry because someone stole his crayons or because he lost Kumagoro. It was different this time… I could tell.

We arrived at his apartment and he was still silent. He had stoped crying in the car just a little while ago… but the pain he received from whatever hurt him was still there. I unlocked the door to his apartment with the key he once gave me and let him in. He went in and sat on a sofa… his head in his arms.

"Ryuichi-san… what's wrong? Could you tell me, my friend?" I said as I sat next to him.

"Nothing… na no da…" He said in his usual childish tone… but his pain was poorly hidden.

"You're a bad liar, Ryuichi-san…" I told him as I patted his back.

He then stood up and said in a tone I've never heard before, 'There's nothing wrong, Tohma, dammit!" He then ran to his room and locked the door.

I was shocked at what he said… but I knew something was the matter so I ran towards the door to his room and leaned on it. "Ryuichi-san… I know something's the matter… please tell me… perhaps I could help you."

Maybe he gave up from hiding what was wrong to me because he responded, "Am… am… I not capable of being loved, Tohma?" He said in a tone, which revealed his sorrow and misery.

I sighed and said, "Of course you are capable! Everyone loves you, Ryuichi-san… I love you… Noriko-san loves you… Kumagoro loves…"

"That's not what I meant Tohma…" He paused for a moment to sob, which let me know he was crying again. "Like the love a man has for his wife… and the love a woman has for her husband…" He paused again and continued, "The true love…"

I felt sad about his statement as I thought about the people who cared for him… I wasn't able to think of someone who loved him just like how Shindo-kun loved Eiri-san. 'Shindo-kun?' I thought. Could he be the one Ryuichi-san was crying over? He couldn't possibly be inlove with Eiri-san… "Is it Shindo-kun?"

There was silence for a few seconds and then he said, "Maybe… maybe I shouldn't have helped him out during that concert…" Another sob… "Or maybe I shouldn't have consoled him when he was sad… or…"

"Enough, Ryuichi-san…" I was tired of hearing his regrets. "Ryuichi-san… loving… loving another person is not a mistake… It never is…"

It was then I heard him unlock the door. He opened the door, hugged me and spilled all his emotions to me. "Then… why? Why doesn't Shu-chan love me the way I love him?" He said through sobs.

I ruffled his hair with my hand and said, "Baka…"

"Huh?" He said and looked at me with his tear-streaked eyes.

"How could he love you back if he doesn't even know you love him? If you want to have a chance, you should go tell Shindo-kun how you really feel…"

He smiled. "Sou na no da!" How could I have been so stupid?! Arigatou, Tohma-kun!" He hugged me tighter until I had a hard time breathing.

"Ryuichi-san…"

He quickly released me and said, 'Gomen, na no da!" It was nice to have helped him and all… but we still had work to do. "Tohma-kun? Could I stay here at home?"

"Iie…"

"Hidoii no da!"

And we both just laughed and went back to the building. Noriko-san must be pretty mad now.

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 Well, that was it… for Chapter 4… Pretty short, huh? Don't worry Chapter 5's longer! Promise!

Please review!!! They motivate me you know! Thanks!