Empyrean Rose
by Capella A. Morningside

V: Sakano: Elegy

When I awoke I already knew something was wrong. I wasn't in my own bed, my tie, belt, shoes and glasses were missing and the first few buttons on my shirt were mysteriously loose, but it ran deeper than that, the sinking feeling that is. The room was pitch black, but the glaring red numbers on the digital clock next to me told me it was early evening, just around sunset. Finding my glasses by chance on top of the clock, I put them on, trying to adjust to the poor lighting.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized what day it was. A Tuesday, and I wasn't at work? Instead, here I was in some stranger's bed, with no recollection of how I had gotten there... Shachou was going to fire me, I knew it. I gave several low discontent sounds, hands coming up to massage at my temples fitfully. Great, great, nothing like getting up in the evening and realizing you're dead for sure!

Not wanting to catch the attention of whoever owned the place, I sat up, noticing the curtained windows to my right. With a groan, I pushed out of bed, standing shakily. Still unsure of my surroundings, I put my hands out before me slightly, trying to ensure that I didn't violently collide with any furniture. There wasn't anything of consequence to my safety in my way, but I did feel the touch of clothing underneath my feet at almost every other step... whoever they were, they were in dire need of a laundry basket.

Pulling back the dark curtain, all my hopes of getting out the window were trashed. I had to be at least fifteen or twenty stories up! Damned high-rise apartment buildings, I thought, before remembering I lived in one myself.

Sighing in a defeated fashion and giving in to whatever lay before me, I traversed the other way around the bed and opened the bedroom door.

There wasn't much light in there either. The only illumination came from a muted TV set against one wall, and the light in the adjacent kitchen glowed brightly. Soft noises, like someone digging through a refrigerator, informed me that the owner of this strange, messy place was in there, and I gathered my courage, calling out in a meek voice while still standing in the bedroom doorframe, "H-hello?"

"Sakano-san?" was the reply, accompanied by a face, framed with long, tangled blonde hair peeking around the corner of the wall that separated the kitchen from the rest of the place. A good deal of my nervousness faded away then, at least it was someone I knew. "I see you're awake."

"K-...K-san?" I replied, stepping timidly into the room. "What's going on? Why am I in y-your apart-tment?"

He frowned, then disappeared into the kitchen. "You don't remember."

I sniffed a little, suddenly finding the floor very interesting to look at. "I-I don't. I'm sorry... wh-what am I supposed to remember?"

K emerged from the kitchen, two cups in hand, each filled with what looked to be steaming hot coffee. I perked up a bit at the mere sight of it, but something struck me as odd as to my co-worker's behavior, but I hadn't been able to place a finger on it until now... he simply wasn't being his loud, maniacal, American self. I watched as he flopped down on the couch, gesturing for me to join him, setting the second cup of coffee on the low table in front of it.

Holding my own sides, not out of fear but apprehension at the manager's unusual mannerisms, I approached, still with my head lowered, and seated myself on the couch as well. Only then was I at the proper angle to see that someone was seated in the large, ridiculously plush chair that I'd previously been behind: none other than Sakuma Ryuichi. And of course, in his arms, the ever-present Kumagouro. The superstar was unmoving, and I was unable to see his eyes underneath the tilted baseball cap, but I guessed he was sound asleep.

"What... w-was I supposed to remember, K-san?" I repeated, after a long sip of my coffee, setting the cup down shakily.

A sigh from the blonde. "You're not going to like this," he said, voice thick with dry humor. Lifting the remote control that had been resting on the arm of the chair, he aimed at the television, turning the sound back on but quickly softening it as to not wake Sakuma.

"...and several security officials in the building have already been questioned. However it is unclear as to how the intruder managed to slip in without being asked for any form of identification or to comply to a metal detector sweep..."

I cut in, interrupting the voice of the reporter. "K-san, I don't-t..."

"Shh," he urged firmly, and with a whimper of discomfort I sat back, still listening. The program had switched to the newsroom now, a stoic-faced anchorman continuing coverage, apparently of the same event.

"We have just received word here in the newsroom that Shindou Shuichi, lead singer of Bad Luck, is expected out of the hospital after a brief stay overnight. His injuries are classified as minor--"

I gave an audible gasp, only to be silenced again by the American. "Listen," he practically ordered.

"Our interviewers were able to meet with Shindou-san less than an hour ago and his outlook for his recovery is optimistic, however he and the other members of Bad Luck declined any comment pertaining to the terrible shock that took place just this morning. I'll hand it over to you, Nozawa-san."

"Thank you, Aonuma-san. Today, Japan lost an icon. Keyboardist and producer for the popular music group Nittle Grasper, President and CEO of the prestigious N-G Productions record label--"

I felt it. Cold, like my bones beginning to freeze. I couldn't react.

"--Seguchi Tohma was gunned down in his office this morning by the former lead singer for the disbanded group ASK, Aizawa Taki, at the age of thirty-three. He died on the scene--"

K's eyes were on me, I could feel them, as well as another set; perhaps Sakuma-san had awoken...

I still couldn't move.

"Family members as well as Ukai Noriko and Sakuma Ryuichi cannot be reached for comment at this time. But fervent Nittle Grasper fans are already speaking out, sending the family and friends their condolences in the form of cards, flowers, and all manner of trinkets left just outside the police line by the front doors of the N-G building."

Deciding perhaps that I'd had enough, K flipped off the television with the press of a button, focusing his full attention on me. "Sakano-san..." he paused. "Do you remember now?"

I felt myself crack. I remembered every moment, each little second I spent in that office, holding those cold hands, as if each had lasted a year. I remembered the melody to the song. I remembered the final breath...

What kind of cruel trick had it been that made me forget?

And I broke.

I pulled off my glasses, letting them tumble to the floor so carelessly, and I clung to the closest person to me, K, and understandingly, he held me like a child, letting me cry myself into hysterics in his arms.

(Two Weeks Later)

"Sakano-san."

I groaned and rolled over in my sleep.

"Sakano-san..."

The touch to my cheek was brushed away with my hand. I muttered something that was intended to come out as 'five more minutes', but even I couldn't distinguish my unintelligible words.

"Wake up, Sakano-san!"

Finally, I opened my eyes a bit, noticing first of all I had slept with my glasses on. Not just my glasses... my entire work suit, shoes and all! I must have been tired the night before. Rolling over onto my back, I saw a vision of light and beauty standing over me, smiling cheerfully. The light, flowery voice spoke again.

"You'd better hurry. Your bad sleeping habits have already made us both late. I even had to come and fetch you at home."

That woke me up. I was on my feet in an instant, trying to untangle the loose sheet from my foot as I bowed frantically, repeatedly, the empty pill bottle dropping from my hand and making a noisy sound on the floor. "I-I'm sorry, Shachou! I'm sorry! It won't h-happen again, you have my-y word!"

Laughter greeted my behavior. "Relax, relax. Don't worry about changing suits, that will do just fine."

I bowed once more. "Yes, of course, Seguchi-san."

The trademark smile again, and he opened the door of my simple one-room apartment, the light of the hallway shining into the darkness, seeming to penetrate everything it touched, even giving Seguchi a nearly divine aura as he stood with his back to it, waiting for me, left hand extended.

"Come, Sakano-san..." he called. "Let's go."

Finally loosing myself from the sheet, I approached quickly, hesitating only for a moment as I took his hand, and together we walked through the doorway.

"Sh-shachou... I'm glad you came." I smiled, feeling my cheeks flush embarrassingly, like a teenager on his first date. "I had the most terrifying dream last night..."

"Really?" he asked curiously, not for a moment lacking in sincerity. "Well, you can tell me all about it on the way." And with that, he kicked the door shut behind us.

Author's Notes: That... was... absolutely nothing like I planned it. Ah, creations. You make them, you nurture them, and then they become something you never expected. God, that was just... weird. I don't have anything else to say, except, thanks to my reviewers Anon64 and Guren, and I hope you enjoyed it!