Author's Note: Thanks for reviewing, mariklover12! Touma will probably be happier at the end. Hopefully, this chapter is better than the last. Any constructive critism is welcome!
Chapter II - Secret Feelings
Shuichi ran home: to Yuki's apartment. He was ecstatic. He had found the perfect gift for Yuki. Had he not been so consumed by his excitement, he might have thought to take the bus, or a cab.
Shuichi was running so quickly, he didn't notice Ryuichi step out of a toy store and onto the sidewalk. Ryuichi was playing with Kumagoro, and so he didn't notice Shuichi either; that is, until Shuichi barrelled into him.
'Shuichi! Kumagoro and I were just looking for someone to play with. Wanna play with us?'
'Um... I was just-'
Ryuichi was looking up at him with giant puppy dog eyes. That, coupled with the realization that Christmas wasn't for a week, was enough to make Shuichi hesitate.
'Yeah, you know what? Let's go!'
Shuichi smiled. Ryuichi's face lit up, he jumped around happily, and looked up at Shuichi excitedly.
'Wai wai! Na no da! What do you wanna do? Do you wanna check out a toy store? Wait, I was just there. We could go again!Or, we could go to the music store! Well, what do ya wanna do?
Ryuichi's sudden burst of energy had frightened Shuichi. Shuichi recovered in time to answer, however. Shuichi answered, 'Umm... You wanna go for a walk in the park? I could use some exercise, also, I haven't been there for a while. You wanna?' 'Okay, na no da,' Ryuichi accepted so readily because he had a secret that he needed to share. Also, he was lonely, Ryuichi liked being with people.
'All right,' Shuichi smiled, 'Let's go!'
As they were walking Ryuichi started to debate wether or not he should tell Shuichi his secret: that he liked Tatsuha-san. The only person -stuffed animal, rather- that he had told so far was Kumagoro. But Kumagoro was his bunny, so he agreed with him. However, Shuichi wasn't his bunny.
They were walking through the park, approaching a bench. 'Um.. Can we sit down, Shu-chan? Is it okay if I call you Shu-chan?' inquired Ryuichi. Shuichi was shocked that his idol, Ryuichi Sakuma, was asking to address him on a personal level. 'Erm.. Yeah, we can sit down. Of course you can call me Shu-chan!'
Ryuichi and Shuichi sat down.'Okay.. I wasn't sure. I mean, I thought we were friends.. But I wanted to make sure..' Ryuichi trailed off. With a nervous laugh, he continued, 'There's something I need to tell you.. I've only told Kumagoro-san so far.. Do you mind?'
Once again, Shuichi was shocked that his pop idol was asking his permission. 'Not at all. Um.. Go ahead,' replied Shuichi, also surprised that his idol wanted to confide in him.
'Well.. I.. I like Tatsuha-san,' stuttered Ryuichi, looking down at Kumagoro, who was on his lap, 'And I don't mean like a friend either! If, that's what you thought. 'Cause I probably would've. I mean, if you had said that to me,' Ryuichi looked back up at Shuichi, his eyes wide, 'I'm rambling, aren't' I? I'm sorry! But.. Please, tell me what you think.'
'Not for the first time today, Ryuichi had surprise -no- shocked him. His face contorted into an awkward position.
'Why are you telling this to me? ..Did you want me to ask Yuki to talk to Tatsuha-san for you? Or..?'
'Well.. I kinda wanted you to ask Yuki-san for Tatsuha-san's phone number,' Ryuichi blushed, 'Could you? Also, because you and Yuki-san have such a good relationship, and all. I thought maybe you guys could help me out.
'I wouldn't know who to tell him, so that he'd agree.. Can you help me?'
Shuichi was frozen for a moment. He hadn't thought that Ryuichi wasn't aware of Tatsuha's crush. But then again, this was Ryuichi he was thinking about. Shuichi laughed. Ryuichi's eyes widened and a hurt expression crossed his face.
'You're not laughing at me? Are you, Shu-chan? I thought we were friends!'
'I wasn't laughing at you, Ryuichi-san,' replied Shuichi, with a smile, 'Just.. Never mind. I'll get Tatsuha-san's number from Yuki, okay?' 'Thank you soo much, Shu-chan!' exclaimed Ryuichi, with a giant grin. 'I was just heading over to Yuki's when I bumped into you. Do you wanna come with me?' questioned Shuichi. Ryuichi's cheeks reddened, and he looked down in embarrassment and said, 'Umm.. If it's not too much trouble, could you go without me?' 'Of course!' responded Shuichi. Shuichi was anxious to see Yuki, and he'd rather not have any witnesses.
'Bye bye, Shu-chan!'
'I'll call you, Ryuichi-san.'
Shuichi started to head to Yuki's apartment. He began to feel the cold, and so he zippered his jacket. In his excitement, he started to skip and sing, merrily,
After a while of this (he had not yet mustered enough sense to call a cab), Shuichi finally reached Yuki's apartment. He skipped up the walkway, and reached for the doorknob.