A/N: I just got over my very sore throat. Whew...what a tiring week. Did you understand everything I explained in the last chapter at the end of my post? Please take time to review, pretty please. I needed your support, because of too many work during this winter vacation, and worse, in the opening of classes by 2004, I'm gonna get a hard time on writing this fic.

Externus78

Chapter 5: Into Alcohol

Ran, Miyu, Rei, Yuuhi and Naoki passed time by going to arcades and parks until they think it would be the time Aya would be brought to the club. But because of such fun, they forgot about the time.

Meanwhile, at the Shibuya Dance Club(SDC), 7 pm...

Aya looked so happy to see what the club looks like.

"W-wow...this is so great."

"Really?" Katase asked. Aya nodded, so he invited her, "Why don't we sit over there?" , pointing to the counter.

Aya nodded again. When they were on the counter, they set thereselves on the stools. Aya watched the dancing people. She didn't mind the darkness, and obviously she was attracted to the lights.

Katase didn't care to see who were the people amusing Aya. All he cared about was how happy she is. As Aya looked at the joyous crowd, Katase's eyes were glued to her.

Katase's so happy to see her like that. And besides, she looked better inside this club. How playful the lights bounced on and off her skin! Her eyes glittered gold, it reflected the beautiful image of the Roman goddess. His eyes didn't mean to do so, but it looked upon Aya's lips. The dancelights kept on rotating on the ceiling, giving her lips more of a shiny look once in a while. There goes himself again, longing to press his own lips to hers. Wanting her to be his until he dies. How much it hurt when she speaks of Rei in front of him, but he didn't care, as long as she's happy. But in return Rei dumped her. How could Rei not love a maiden like Aya? Katase shook his head to dismiss the thought of kissing Aya.

Aya noticed him out of the corner of her eye, and she turned her head to face him. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing. Want some drink?"

"Erm..." she paused. "What's available?"

Katase hit his forehead with his open palm. "Oops." He placed his hand down. "There's red and white wine. Light beer. Soda, but if you drink too much you might get drunk as well. Root beer. Don't—"

Aya giggled. "I know you don't want me getting drunk. But well, no one knew we're still minors."

"We won't be anymore in a year's time."

"I'd get a soda. But I won't drink much."

Katase nodded. "Be sure you won't." He turned to the bartender, who haven't heard anything from the two. He even thought they were a couple. "Two tall sodas please."

"Sure, bro." The young bartender answered.

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When the bartender went in the stock room to get two sodas, someone grabbed him by the collar.

The young man was frightened by the big one who gripped almost his whole neck.

"Did they order?" the big one asked.

"W-Who boss?"

The boss shook him and then let go. The boss's voice is too big and too deep, it's so scary that the young man's hair on the skin rose. "The couple by the counter, the female with blueblack hair!"

"Y-y-yes boss! Th-they did...."

"What did they order from you?"

"Two—two tall...sodas.."

"Then give it to them! But put some of this first in the female's drink before you serve them." He said, then laughed softly. "If I don't see any results, this is your last night on earth! You hear?"

"Y-y-yes, boss!!" then the boss handed the bartender a small pack containing some kind of powder.

The boss left immediately.

When the bartender opened the pack, he smelled what it was. It is no poison, but it can cause anyone who drinks the solution get real drunk. The bartender wondered why his boss wanted the beautiful girl by the counter to get drunk. But instead of losing his life and having no one to support his family, he did just what he is told to. He poured it in the soda, and stirred the solution with the spoon. He went back out to the counter with a smile.

"Here's your order!" he said, placing them on the counter, making sure the solution is given to the lady. Then he went back inside after he waved at them and said 'Enjoy!'

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"Enjoy!" The bartender waved at them and went inside.

Aya and Katase smiled at him. Katase began drinking his soda. But Aya didn't move her drink.

"Why don't you have a drink?" Katase offered, oblivious of what might happen.

Aya shook her head. "I'm not yet thirsty. I'll save it for later."

Katase nodded, then took a paper from the stocked ones beside him and a borrowed a ballpen from Aya. He wrote down something and then after it he placed it underneath his drink. He gave back Aya's pen.

"There, they'd know it's ours." He said. "Wanna dance?"

Aya nodded shyly. Then Katase took her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. The music is lively, and they were both shy to dance well, sooner Katase had adapted to the music, so he dances his natural self out.

--He dances well. I didn't know he is great in dancing.-- Aya thought, and blushed.

"Why don't you dance livelier?" Katase asked her. "Join us!"

Then the lively music ended and it turned to a slow music. They noticed everyone around them embrace each other, the female resting her head on the guy's chest.

Aya blushed. Only the two of them didn't do it. But Katase opened his arms, and Aya timidly walked to him. When she was 'hugging' distance away. Katase clasped his strong but gentle arms around her. Aya gradually rested her head on Katase, still blushing.

The music is so romantic and it was a bit long that Aya had the time to adapt to it. She felt comfortable with him. His protective aura enveloping her.

----------

The 'incomplete' gang laughed as they ceased running. "Whew! I never meant to make the boy cry!"

Yuuhi laughed. How cute the scene is when he sees her laugh! "You're not being careful!"

Miyu looked at her watch. "It's 7:30, do you think we shall check it out now?"

Ran shrugged. "I think they're not there yet, Naoki said tonight. Let's have more fun—"

"What if they're there already?"Rei interrupted, much to everyone's surprise.

Ran pulled Rei away from the gang.

When they are a distant view from them, Ran asked him. "Why are you like this?"

"Why am I like what?" Rei asked, confused.

"You seem to be worried with Aya!"

"I AM, Ran."

Ran gasped. "You are?"

Rei nodded calmly. Ran saw his eyes telling the truth. "Why do you care?"

Now is Rei's turn to answer why he cares. "Because...I love her."

Ran's fist tightened. She looked down a moment then raised her head up and slapped Rei on the face.

Rei seemed stunned. He looked at Ran and she was crying. He held the part Ran slapped. "Wh-wha.."

"I thought you don't! I thought you never cared!"

"But—"

"Did you know how many nights..days..you've hurt Aya? Well, to remind you, Aya's been trying to come to you for almost two years now! And what did you do all those times? Nothing! Nothing but embarrass her in front of everyone! Not only to her own friends but to the public when you dump her!"

"You knew? But ho—"

"Of course I do! I'm with her every single day you're hurting her! I know everything you say to her, the way you hurt her!! Sometimes she even spends the night in my house because she can't take the pain you're giving her and she wants me to be with her. Did you know it's so hard for me to see her like that for this long time? But the more I hurt, I know she experiences five times as much. All because of you! You are the motive of her crying! Now because of you she went back to her prostitution! We don't even know if the person with her is good or bad! And now you're saying you love her?"

"Let me explain, Ran—"

Ran stopped him by raising a hand up at him. "Stop. I'm sick of you. Did you know that her last confession is the last time she'll ever talk to you like that? Did you?"

Rei's eyes opened wide in shock and he shook his head.

"We talked about it and she said she's already tired of your attitude. We talked and came up to a decision that if you dump her again, that would be the last time she would come up to you to say how much she loved you. And you did dump her."

"I didn't know.."

"And what if you didn't know?! Would you change that? She had been her old self! Now!! Just imagine, Rei...two years!! Almost two years. I won't believe myself if I could do that. Aya had been so loyal, so in love, so willing. I can say she's caught between you and Katase, but she chose you. You didn't bother. You left her. Broke her heart. Go ahead, tell me now I'm like a broken record, I just can't help taking in the pain you caused her. You—"

"Ran!!" Rei shouted at her. Now it's Ran's turn to be stunned.

"Ran, I just realized this when I talked to my mom earlier this morning. It was the first time, the first time ever, that Aya had told me she loved me. I—I thought she only liked me, that her likeness is of the same level as my fans. But it was different, and I only understood it when my mom consoled me. Believe me, please."

There was silence between the two. Ran didn't look at Rei. Sooner, Ran spoke up. "Perhaps if you tell Aya that, she might be able to forgive you. Let's go."

----------

The music started to fade, and both Aya and Katase observed MOST of the couples ended their slow dance with a kiss. Katase blushed as Aya did, too. They looked at each other as if they were a couple (Aya seemed to forget she had loved a guy named Rei). Katase gradually lowered his head as his feelings were carried by the music, but Aya moved away. Katase felt a bit disappointed and he took Aya's hand as they went back to their seats by the counter.

"I'm just going to the restroom, okay?" he said, walking away.

"Sure. I'll be just right here."

When Katase was gone, Aya looked at her drink and blushed. She could see her image in Katase's arms and they almost kissed. She was on her right mind anyhow, but she saw how Katase loved her deeply. And she never saw that in Rei. She took a sip of her drink, and was delighted by its taste. It tasted gentle and sweet. She drank half of it, and placed down her glass.

"I'm glad I still have friends like Katase, Ran and Miyu. Huh?" She felt her mind seer with pain, then she closed her eyes. She held her head and moaned to herself. She opened her eyes and the world spinned around her. She felt dizzy. Her head felt heavy and it gave her so much pain. When she can't take the pressure, she gave up and rested her head on her arm. Then everything went black.

One thing's for sure.

She got drunk.

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"HAHAHAHA!! What a score! My master's gonna pay me real good money on this! I'll tell her my strategy...and no sooner I'll have double the price!" the club's boss laughed as he peeked through the hole and saw Aya give up on her drunkness.

----------

Katase smiled at the lady who winked at her when he just got out of the male restroom. When he walked about two steps forward, another lady held him back and Katase quickly said, "No, no. Please. I have my partner."

"Oh, mister. Is your partner the lady at the counter with blueblack hair?"

"Y-yes. Why?"

"She's asleep. Or maybe she seems so. The boss of this club doesn't want sleeping people inside. Maybe you could tell her to go home."

Katase nodded. "Thank you." He said, then went on. --What did she mean? Asleep?--

When Katase reached the counter, he saw Aya's head buried on her arms. He went to her and shook her to awaken her.

Aya woke up, but the world spinned around her again. She felt being in a carousel that never stopped revolving. Then she thought of something, and didn't notice who was shaking her. "Hey, whoever you are...let's...let's..drink! You want some?" she asked, voice hoarse.

--She's—She's drunk! But how could that be? I left for only 20 minutes!-- Katase thought morosely. "A-Aya...you're drunk. I'll drive you home."

"Home? I live here! And who are you anyway?"

Katase was a bit hurt by the comment, but he kept in mind that she's drunk. "Aya, I'll drive you home now okay? You need to get yourself a rest to remove that pain in your head."

"I SAID I LIVE HERE!" Aya shouted. No one noticed because of the loud sounds. Katase was slowly getting annoyed by her stubbornness so he placed his hands in Aya's waist and raised her up. He placed her right arm around his neck. He was about to carry her when she said, "Wait."

When he looked at her, he saw her eyes search his. She looked very drowned in trouble. Her eyes narrowed, and an unexpected name emerged from her mouth.

"Rei?" she asked Katase.

Katase still kept calm, but is so hurt. He bit his lip. Then blushed when Aya held his face. The next thing he knew Aya's kissing him.

It was gentle at first, then he felt Aya deepen it, and as she continued she pushed him to the wall.

Katase felt the need to kiss her back, the urge to respond to his love, but this is different. She is kissing him because she thought he is Rei. He tried to let go, but when he did, Aya put her left arm around his neck and both her hands pushed him closer. She rotated themselves, making Aya the one leaning on the wall. Aya's hands held Katase's and Aya placed them on her waist. Katase wanted to move back, but Aya's arms enveloped his neck again. --Aya, stop.--

----------

It just happened so that that was the time Rei, Ran and the others came in. They saw Katase kissing Aya. And their first impression was that Katase is taking advantage of her.

Rei led the group all along and so he was the first one to see them. First instinct was to run. But his rage aroused and he ran to the couple and he pushed Katase away.

"Whoa, thanks man." He said, gasping for air. But when he saw it was Rei, it had been too late. Rei punched him in the face, sending him down on the floor. Rei sat on top of him and punched him as many times he could. Yuuhi and Naoki ran to stop him, while Miyu and Ran helped Aya to stand up. The crowd went wild and panicked. Everyone went anywhere.

"My goodness, Aya, what happened?" said Miyu.

"What did Katase do to you?" asked Ran as first impulse.

Aya's eyes opened. "Who are you? Oh, I see now, you wanna drink with me, don't you?"

--Drink!!-- came te thought to both Ran and Miyu's mind. "You're drunk?!? Aya, I can't believe you! You never got into alcohol!!"

While the girls talk to Aya, Yuuhi and Naoki are trying to stop Rei.

"Bakero!!! Kuso!!!! Why did you touch her?!?! You freak!!!" Rei ran amok.

Naoki faced the wild crowd. "Go on with your work and enjoy, people! This is just our little friendship argument!"

Rei turned to Naoki and shouted, "Friendship?!?! You dumb, this is about my lovelife!!"

Everyone, including those crowd watchingthey know Rei Otohata, of course, he's popular, gasped when they heard him say the last word.

--Lovelife?-- Katase thought. Since when did he have a lovelife?

Rei turned to him again and was about to punch him when Yuuhi stopped him. "Aren't you going to see Aya? Look at her!"

Rei spun around and saw Ran and Miyu getting a hard time getting her up. Then the trio fell down.

"Aya, wake up!" he heard Miyu say.

He looked back at Katase, who can't just believe why Rei had gone wild that very moment, and said, "Why you! You didn't just touch her! You got her drunk before you kissed her so you could take major advantage of her!!"

"I didn't! I—"

Rei had been accidentally let go and he had the chance to punch Katase. He did so but now Yuuhi did the same to Rei.

Rei held his part of the face Yuuhi punched.

"Stop that, that's no use!"

Rei, somewhat seemed to automatically calm down, grinned. "Thanks, man." He said to Yuuhi. He stood up and as he walked to Aya, he gave a cold, don't-ever-show-youself-to-me glare to Katase.

Katase looked back at him with a flat, I-didn't-do-anything-and-I'm-not-afraid-of-you stare.

Rei carried the drowsy Aya. "Ran, Miyu, Naoki, Yuuhi, go home. Don't worry, I'll be driving her back to her home."

End of Chapter...5

a/n: Did Rei fall in love easily? Well, I'm gonna answer that. No.

Actually, he did love her very deep inside, it just showed up too late. I mean, his love for Aya was just awakened when he was confronted by his mom, whom he seldomly talked to.

And did Aya forget him easily?

It's obviously no. I mean—hellooooo, Katase's hurt because he thought since Aya gave up on Rei she'll never talk about Rei in front of him again.

But that night at the club...before Aya got drunk, she had been beginning to feel something for Katase. She had been trying to open her heart for someone who had loved her all the time.

Get it?

And, oh, wait...this is not that type of angst, but..well...this is drama. Oh, and for those who've read this note, uh..(you know I'm not that expert writer like Anne Rice or Terry Brooks or Harper Lee, okay? So you can't expect me to know everything) what's AU again?(I forgot it) and what do these words mean: bishounen, shounen ai, and those things like 1x2, 2x4?

Somehow I hope you could help me know these things..--sweatdrop-- hehe, so long!!!