Chapter 7: Interlude of Ryuichi
Standard Disclaimer Applies
This is the moment all of us had been waiting for—or maybe not, who am I to say?—the joint concert with Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper, in which already, (in this story, anyway), all of the tickets for it are completely sold out. Both bands are pretty popular, as you may already know.
I can't say much else for the actual popularity levels, because truth be told, things like that aren't as important in this story as the relationships between the characters are. I just wanted everyone to realize that while many of these characters are very dedicated to their music, it's the people and their personal conflicts I'm focusing on in this story. I might have another Gravi fic that focuses more on music, but…that's another problem for another day. One baby step at a time, folks.
This chapter is in Ryuichi's point of view. I've never really done a lot of work with him before, so bear with me if it's not up to par with the way you perceive him to be. I still hope you guys like it anyway. I actually would like to title this part of the story, "I Wish," because that best describes this chapter on a whole.
Everyone, expect more frequent, faster updates on this story, some much-needed updating to Twilight and Red Hardcover Novels, (especially the latter), and for you lucky 39 58 fans, there MAY be some drabble ficcies coming your way. Ganbatte mashita ne, minna-san! I'll do my best, everyone!
Many people have once before called me a genius. Whether they were speaking of my music; the band I had brought to the spotlight; the lyrics that were made up of every single thing I wanted most to say without real words involved, it was always a compliment for my sake. Back then, Nittle Grasper topped everything; were the word on the tip of everyone's tongue that would almost always be shown off, as if we were a startlingly gold trophy every person in Japan wanted to share with the rest of the world.
Quite honestly, as much as I loved music and the business it involved itself in, I really don't prefer the spotlight. One may find that hard to believe; but lately, more than ever, I have been finding it to be even more of a definite fact. Perhaps it's selfish or foolish to say so, but I almost envy the, 'normal,' people, the ones who love to just sit back, watch the world unfold, and not really have a care or worry about their future.
Sometimes, I wished I were born that way. Sometimes, I wished I was never born. Would things have been different? Would my past have been different; my present? Sometimes, I like to think of things like that, even if it hurts a little. I've been concentrating on deep, analytical subjects like that less and less lately, though. And though you wouldn't think so, it's because of the people I've met and befriended lately that started this strange alteration of mind patterns.
Shuichi hasn't been himself today, and it's really frightening to know why. I mean, Hiroshi-san wouldn't have any reason to lie about anything--and certainly not something like this—but I feel so terrible…Shu-chan doesn't, or I should say, 'didn't,' deserve to be taken advantage of.
I wonder how Yuki-san will react. Hmm…although from what everyone tells me, he will probably be very angry inside; yet not show anyone on the outside. Sometimes, I wish I could be emotionless like that. Sometimes, I want to be someone else for a change, and not foolish Ryuichi, the dreamer with too much to think about.
Outside, it's begun to rain quite hard. It's a good thing that our concert will be indoors, I think to myself as I slowly get into the shower for a long soak in the tub. After all that running around today, I feel rather tired. I think Kuma-san is, too, no da. I put him on the left side of the bathroom counter, and I think he likes it better there. Kuma-san doesn't like getting wet. He told me once before—a few weeks ago, even.
While the cold raindrops pitter-pattered on the windowsill, I lay in the hot water, enjoying its feel. My mind drifts for a moment, forming song lyrics like it always does when at a loss of something to do. It's become almost a habit now. I should get a paper pad and write this down; the idea may come in handy one day. A song about hope, sloshing soap bubbles foaming up and falling onto the laminate flooring, while the inhabitant of the bathtub thinks of dark hair and velvet eyes…
RIIIING!
The telephone, na no da? Someone's actually calling here at seven-'o-clock at night? After musing this out loud for a moment, I slowly stand up to grab a towel from the nearby rack and dash to the living room to pick up the phone.
"Hello? Who is it?" I asked quickly into the receiver.
"Ah! Ryuichi-san…I hadn't realized you were going to pick up the phone so quickly, I'm sorry. Have I…disturbed you from anything?"
Immediately recognizing the voice, I grinned from behind the barrier of the telephone. "Tohma! No, I'm fine, no da! Whatcha doing?"
I could almost swear that Tohma was laughing quietly, but I couldn't be sure. Either way, his next words sounded serious enough. "Ah…well, you see, I'm taking a drive to Kyoto to see Mika-san…I wanted to be at the hospital before tomorrow, since Usuegi-san called to tell me she had checked in earlier this afternoon."
"The baby's finally coming, Tohma?! Oh, congratulations! Have you two decided on a name or anything? Is it a boy or a girl? C'mon, Tohma, you've gotta tell me, no da! We're supposed to be best friends!" I was a bit curious to find out about these things, but quite honestly, I was only making light conversation to keep my mind off the growing conflicts happening as of late. I don't like depressing thoughts very much, even though it's very hard sometimes to prevent them.
"It's a girl, Ryuichi-san…and we plan to call her Hitomi-chan." The polite blonde answered with a cheerful hint in his voice. "In about a week or so, I'll come back to Tokyo and let you see her, alright? Mika-san should be recovered by then."
I began twirling the phone cord around a damp index finger. "OK! That sounds great, na no da…! Um…I'm gonna get dressed now; the concert's in a little while, you…it stinks you're not gonna be there to play, but you've set up a substitute for us, right? It won't be the same without you, Tohma…"
Despite my blatant whining, Tohma was chuckling. "Ha-ha…yes, Ryuichi-san, I've already set up a replacement for the keyboard, but Noriko-san will be there. As for my position as N-G Records president, that too has been attended to. I am quite sorry I couldn't be there, but I'm afraid my family must come first..."
I really wished I had a family to relate things to right then. Or, at the very least, if not proper guardians or siblings, then at least a way to make my parents love me. The sad thought was too dark to dwell on at the moment, and I put back on the happy façade. "…Well, that's okay, Tohma; I understand, no da! Just do your thing, and we'll see you in a week! Bye-bye!"
And I hung up the phone without much else talk, not really wanting to. I really hate being so cowardly.
Kuma-san thinks I'm being silly, but I don't think even he has the mental capacity to understand the human need for love.
The spotlights up above were so shiny I almost had to shade my eyes, and I went squealing for the fifth time that night as Shuichi glomped me yet again. I was glad he was at least pretending to be in a better mood, but even a cheerful person like me has a limit. Please, stop jumping on me, Shu-chan? You're gonna rip my outfit, no da…
Out of all the costumes I've worn to my concert, not only is this my newest one, (I got it from the mall with Shu-chan just today, in fact), but the most lavish one I've ever attempted to show off. The olive-colored tank top with the words, 'STAR,' emblazed on the front of it was a bit tight, but I really liked the color on me. My jeans were barely hanging on by the too-small belt I had grabbed at random from my closet, and now I regretted not being more careful when choosing those kinds of things. I felt somewhat slutty, almost, having pants that were nearly falling off me. And it's not like they're hand-me-down clothes, either; they're my size, but the waist was so BIG! Na no da…I never liked belts, anyway. From now on, I'm getting pants that are a size smaller than what I usually wear, and that's that!
"Ne, Ryuichi!" Shuichi squeaked happily, leaping on me once again. "I didn't see Seguchi-san come behind the stage yet…is he coming tonight or what?"
"Well, Tohma said he's gonna be in Kyoto for a while…Mika-san is having a baby, no da!"
Shuichi, surprised, expressed the most prominent expression I had seen on his face all day. "Wow…really?! Is it a boy or a girl?"
"Tohma says they think it's a girl, no da! They wanna call her Hitomi-chan…isn't that soooo cool!?"
"Haaaaiii…sugoi deshou! I can't wait to see the little baby! I bet she's gonna look just like Mika-san!"
Grinning, I patted Shuichi's shoulder kindly. "Uh-huh! I guess that means Yuki-san's gonna have a niece soon, right, na no da?"
Oh, no…that was probably the WORST thing to be saying right now. Even mentioning Yuki around Shuichi was the most hurtful, mood-deteriorating thing to do. My jubilant mood faded quickly, upon seeing the saddened look in Shuichi's normally lively indigo spheres. "…Yeah…I guess so."
"Shu-chan…g-gomen nasai, na no da…" Awkwardly, I cast my gaze to where Kumagorou was: sitting beside my jacket on a small chair, vacuous black eyes staring back at me; taunting me, maybe? I'm not sure.
Hiro suddenly came up from behind Shuichi, nodding. "Shuichi; Ryuichi, we're on in a minute. Let's go!"
"You're a lifesaver," I murmured wordlessly to the complacent Hiro, but I don't think he was listening. Instead, he wrapped his arm comfortingly around the pink-haired teen and whispered something in his ear.
I watched, a bit enviously, as Shuichi said something back, and appeared considerably more cheerful as he leaned on the taller redhead's shoulder. It really was nice to watch people look out for one another; care about one another; love one another, but it made me feel a little sadder, as I wished that I had a person who would be important and special to me.
It felt like an hour later when the curtain finally opened, and while I swallowed the cry of sweet anticipation, I caught a glimpse of the swarming multitude of people waiting for us. There were blondes, brunettes, and redheads of every age and size; most of the audience in the concert hall was made up of females, but I could see quite a few males in the crowd, too.
Suddenly, a familiar pair of figures came into view: one tall blonde wearing dark shades to cover startling amber eyes, and a slightly smaller teen with dark eyes. Tatsuha-san…I didn't even think you would come, let alone bringing Yuki-san with you…
And then, I think he knew I saw him…because he smiled at me, so warmly…and his mouth was moving, too, as if he was trying to tell me something…
"Ryuichi…I'll be cheering for you."
The slow beat of the bass came as a shock to me, and I hastily snapped out of my dazed stupor to steady the microphone in my sweating palms. This was it: Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper were collaborating to perform the lesser known song on the Gravity album, In The Moonlight. Quite honestly, I loved this composition the best out of all of Shuichi's songs, even if this one didn't get as much attention. It was pure…romantic…real.
And it expressed exactly how my emotions were at that moment, standing on the stage with someone in the crowd watching me.
ORENJI iro tsuki yoru ga kuruto kimi no koto o omoi dasu
Kakko tsuketa ore no SERIFU wa
Hoka no dare kano SERIFU de…
When an orange-colored moonlit night comes, I think of you,
As though the chic affectations in my words
Were someone else's words…
Following these lines by Shuichi's light tenor voice, I leaned closer to the microphone, singing along with him for the next verse.
Fui ni miageru SHIRUETTO kimi no yokogao o terashita
Awai hikari wa…ima demo…
Even now, I can remember the pale light
That illuminated your silhouette
As you suddenly glanced up at that night's sky...
Hiro began his part as the background vocals for the chorus, and Shuichi and I sang
with all our hearts.
Nani o matteru?
Kimi wa inai heya?
Tokei dake ga ashi oto no youni
Nemurenai mune ni hibiku…
Ima mo matteru,
Hitori tomatteru
Futari mita anohi no tsuki o ima dokode kimi wa miteru?
What is it I'm waiting for?
In this room without you?
It's just the clock's ticking, but it resonates in my sleepless heart like
The sound of footsteps…
Even now I'm waiting;
I stop here alone.
From where do you see the moon now that we saw together on that day?
Faintly, from somewhere past the reaches of my deep conscious, I could hear the
audience cheering us on. But for the moment, I was too busy setting my mind's
eye—as well as my physical ones—on a smiling face illuminated by the windowpane's
reflected moonlight.
"Ryuichi…I'll be cheering for you."
"Hey. How long are you going to keep ignoring me? You damn brat."
"Y-Yuki…!"
Piercing golden eyes glared at the smaller boy before him. "Why didn't you come home last night? I thought you said you would never leave me. You intend to break off on that promise?"
"Gomen…I got sidetracked…some things happened, and I was staying at Hiro's house for the night."
Instead of actually taking the time to reply, the blonde sighed and leaned forward just enough to bring his lips against the teenager's own.
"Yuki…why…?"
"…Do you have any idea how much sleep I lost over you? You're such an idiot."
Sobbing suddenly, Shuichi collapsed from pure mental exhaustion in his lover's arms. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry, Yuki…it's my own fault all this happened…a-and now it's too late, so…"
Unlike past times, he didn't pull away. Instead, the bubblegum-haired vocalist was tightly embraced within careful arms. "…Just be quiet for right now. It's okay, so stop crying already…I'm not mad at you, alright?"
The night Yuki Eiri was most gentle, in the back courtyard of Tokyo's concert hall,his only live spectators to see it then were Tatsuha and I. And somehow, I think Yuki-san would be relieved to know that.
goku-the-saru: Maa, maa, there's no need to curse at me…I've fulfilled almost all my reader's wishes that Yuki would be reunited with Shuichi in this chapter, so I hope you're happy! :P Nah, I'm not that bitter; seriously, guys, enjoy it. I wanna see those two happy as much as you all do, so I enjoyed writing that part, too. Sankyuu for the review!
kanilla: Awww, sankyuu, Kanilla-san! :D I'm glad that you think I'm a, 'miracle worker,' although I hardly consider myself one. Ah, well, everyone's entitled to their own opinion, ne? Hai, they really are so cute. Hmm…Ryu-chan and Taa-san…I might have them get-together at the end…depends on how many people want it. I'm leaning towards, 'yes,' at the moment for now, though, since so many people have said they were cute in the last chapter! Anyway, hope to hear more from you, and sankyuu for the review!
deppfan1016: [Starts giggling hysterically] HAHAHA! OH MY GOSH, YUKI, A PEDOPHILE?! HAHA! I SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT, DEPP-SAN!! OH JEEZ, THAT GAVE ME A SERIOUS LAUGHING FIT WHEN I SAW THAT—HAHA!! [Calms down finally] Okay. Anyway, yes, I admit Shuichi is a little more...youthful looking in the anime version…maybe Studio Wowwow likes Shota? XD Ah, well. I still think Shuichi is sweet and one of the most awesome ukes around, especially with Seki-san doing his voice. Whenever he's whining, 'Yuuuukiii…,' it's just so adorable. Tomozaku-san was great as Kyou-kun of Fruruba, too, but that's just my opinion…I like Yuki a lot, too, and I really agree with your insight on him, by the way. I hope to hear from you in the next chapters, and sankyuu for the review!
KageKitsune16: A new reviewer, great! YAY! [Starts throwing confetti all around] Well, I'm glad you liked the TatRyu bit in the last chappie; here's some more in this part for you, sweetie, because you were nice enough to review. Well, actually, it's also because quite a lot of my other reviewers seem to be TatRyu fans…I like 'em, too, so this was enjoyable and absolutely wonderful for me to write. Stick around for the next installment, and sankyuu for the review! (And now you got your question about Shu and Yuki in this chapter, so I hope that clears things up for you.)
dede and I love athrun: Yes, I've updated; and quicker than ever! Sankyuu for the reviews, you two!
Kitty In The Box: Oh, you liked the contrast? [Blush] Sankyuu, dear. I hope you like what's happening so far with this fic…next chapter, I plan on having some more Shu x Yuki moments, but for now, everyone will just have to make do with this. Sankyuu for the review, Kitty-san, and see you next chapter!
Kitten Fang: You don't even have to ask me to review, friend. [Smiles] I'll do so of my own accord, so no worries! And I'm VERY flattered you think Paradise is good… [Is blushing] I wanted my fic to stand out amongst the other great stuff they have in the fandom, but I also wanted people to know what I thought personally and see that in my writing…ah, I'm such an idealist dreamer. Anyway, sankyuu for the review, and I'll hopefully see you next chapter!
Because of Hurricane Frances being warned to hit Florida, we didn't have school yesterday, today, and because it's Labor Day Weekend, that means we technically have a 5-day weekend! :D Well, 6-day for me, because I stayed home on Wednesday…I felt really sick, then, and I'm actually still sick now. Stupid cold that acts like allergies and gives me an annoying cough! RAWR.
You guys are so freaking awesome! [Cries] I have so many reviews for this fic now. Fifty, man, FIFTY! Holy crap, that's what I say! It's gonna get harder and harder to keep up with answering all this feedback at the way WE'RE going…sheesh. Don't worry, though; I honestly love communicating with you guys and letting you know I got your messages. I think that in the fan fiction world, feedback with other fans, next to the actual story, is the most important thing. That's just my opinion, of course; but I was just letting you know what I think.
See you next chapter, everyone!