Hey guys, sorry for the delay. Cough, cough. I've been so caught up with reading fanfiction instead of writing my own one! Hahaha! Oh, by the way, you guys should really read this fic at gurabiteshiyon. I really, really love it! It's an AU fic. Go to , under the angst section... title: Beautiful Stranger.
Ok, back to this story. Thank you for all the reviews! I'm so sorry to disappoint you guys as nothing happened between Yuki and Shu, but all I can say is "Not yet…". Come to think of it, this story is gonna be kinda long. But I'll speed up the events that are supposed to happen in the story. Most probably will add a lemon in somewhere. Maybe I'll find someone to help me with it.
Japanese notes: (1)itai: ouch (2)gomen: sorry (3)yokatta: thank goodness (4)hentai: pervert
DISCLAIMER: Gravitation does not belong to me.
MOU ICHI DO
Chapter 12 --- Three's Always a Crowd
"Are you alright?" Yuki asked casually as Shuichi came out of the bathroom, trying to hide his concern.
Shuichi nodded meekly.
"You're really an extremely lousy drinker."
Shuichi winced mentally. "Sorry…" He shifted his gaze around the room, trying to avoid eye contact with Yuki. "It's not raining that heavily anymore." Shuichi's voice was laced with surprise when he looked out of the window. "That means I can return to the hotel soon."
Yuki grunted in agreement, yet he was feeling a little… disappointed. Maybe it would continue raining. Would that keep him here longer? But why would I wish to keep him here longer! Ridiculous.
Outside, the phone rang suddenly.
Without saying another word, Yuki left the room to pick up the irritating device, followed by Shuichi. He grabbed the cordless phone and headed into his study room, while pushing the "Talk" button and snapping: "What do you want?"
On the other side of the line, an annoying but sweet voice replied: "Eiri-san. I just wanted to check if you're ok…"
"What? Did you think that I got blown away by the storm?" His voice was dripping with sarcasm.
Seguchi Tohma chuckled. "Seems like you're well enough to joke. I guess I was worried for nothing." There was a slight pause. "But I'm not just worried because of the storm… you didn't look well that night… at the exhibition. Did you… did you…"
Yuki rolled his eyes. Since when did the almighty boss of NG Productions also known as his fucking bothersome and irksome brother-in-law stuttered?
"Did I what? Talk to that brat?"
"…Well, yeah… You know, it may be better to keep a distance from him. After all, both of you have separate lives now. It's better not to complicate matters and-"
Yuki snorted. The one thing he hated most was for people to butt into his life and tell him what to do.
"Don't tell me what to do. And besides, it's kinda late for that. That stupid brat is IN my house RIGHT NOW. In fact, he has been here since YESTERDAY AFTERNOON."
As soon as those words left his mouth, Yuki regretted his action. Now he would never escape from Tohma's (and Mika's) constant nag and 'we're just worried about you' tactics.
There was a pause as those words sunk into Tohma's head. "WHAT!"
Yuki winced as Tohma's surprised exclamation exploded in his ear.
"Eiri-san, what happened? Why is Shindou-san there? What is he doing there? What did you guys do?"
"Nothing." Yuki retorted and then froze. If I'm talking the phone in here alone… that would leave Shuichi and Atsushi ALONE outside! Shit… I hope nothing happens…
(Outside the study room):
Shuichi was seating UNCOMFORTABLY at the dining table drinking the cup of coffee Yuki had gotten him earlier, watching Atsushi working in the kitchen at the same time. He watched intently as Atsushi breezed through the preparation for breakfast – slicing, cutting, frying etc. Shuichi can do nothing but to admit that Atsushi seems like a talented cook. This made him taste something sour at the tip of his tongue.
"Shindou-san?"
Shuichi jumped, almost spilling his coffee. "Wha-what!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just wondering if you could help me slice the cucumbers…" Atsushi gave a small amused smile.
Oh shit. I gave him something to laugh about! Argh…but he's asking me to handle a knife! Damn.
"Er… I…" Shuichi began stuttering in response, racking his brains to come up with a good excuse.
Atsushi raised his eyebrow. "Is something wrong? Don't worry, it's a really simple task."
Is he treating me as an idiot! Is he trying to insult me!
Shuichi bit his lip defiantly and retorted: "Sure! Why not!"
The next moment, he found himself staring down at a long green cucumber.
Oh great… why did I agree to do this! Yuki's going to kill me if I mess this up. Okay… relax… I'll just do this very slowly. Slow and careful. That way, nothing can go wrong… right?
He picked the knife up with his right hand, held down one end of the cucumber with his left hand, and lowered the knife into the cucumber s-l-o-w-l-y.
One… two…hey… I think I'm getting better at this…
"Shindou-san… Are you worried about cutting yourself?" Atsushi appeared beside Shuichi.
"Huh?"
"Well, you're doing it… really extremely slowly…"
Shuichi stiffened. So he's mocking me now…
"Oh! No! I was just warming up… you know, you need to warm up before you do perform any special task…" Shuichi groaned inwardly at his lame excuse.
"… Oh."
I bet his laughing at me in his heart! How dare he do that! How dare he! I'LL SHOW HIM WHAT I CAN DO!
Determined to prove himself, Shuichi started speeding up, trying to match the speed of a professional chef.
"See? Now that I've warmed up, I can do this real quick! Don't worry about me, I'm very good at this! I'm improving very quickly! I-"
"Shindou-san!"
Shuichi turned to grin at Atsushi as he continued to cut the cucumber. "What!"
"… You're bleeding…"
"Huh?" Shuichi turned back to look down. Ah… I've sliced the cucumber too unevenly. God… he must be laughing like a maniac in his heart. I didn't know some parts of a cucumber can be red… aren't they always green? But why is there a slice of cucumber with red dots on it? Hmm… interesting. Maybe I found a new species. Ouch! What's that all of a sudden! It hurts… my finger hurts… wait. This scene seems familiar. Me, a knife, chopping board, cucumbers and… pain…
"AHHHHHHHHHH! OUCH!" Shuichi dropped the knife and screamed in shock.
On the other side, Yuki jumped, as did Tohma.
"What was that, Eiri-san? Did something happen?"
"What the hell?" Yuki sprung up off his chair and strode out towards the source of the commotion.
The minute he entered the kitchen, he saw a brown haired boy squatting down on the floor, who had his right hand grasping his left hand for dear life, and with tears in his eyes. Instead of trying to stop the bleeding, the boy was just staring intently and disappointedly at it, as if willing it to stop on its own. And when it obviously refused to obey, he grasped his hand more tightly, almost breaking down again.
Does he actually think that staring at the cut will stop the bleeding? Baka…
"Shindou-san… Are you okay? It's just a tiny cut-" Atsushi stopped short as he watched someone pulled Shuichi up suddenly.
"Ouch! That hurts! What are you-" Shuichi felt his breath stopped as he realized that it was Yuki who had pulled him up.
Apparently, Yuki had grabbed Shuichi's injured hand and dragged him towards the sink, placing the injured finger under the running water which caused Shuichi to wince.
"Baka! I told you not to touch anything in the kitchen!" Yuki barked and tried reaching out for the first-aid kit with his other hand, effectively trapping Shuichi between his arms, causing him to blush uncomfortably again.
Realizing his mistake, Yuki grabbed the first-aid kit and dragged Shuichi out of the kitchen. He set the first-aid kit onto the dining table and took out a band-aid.
"What did you think you were doing? You should know fully well that you can't cook at all!" Yuki glared at the embarrassed Shuichi while pulling him close to wrap the band-aid around the boy's finger.
"I just need more practice with cooking! I'm not that bad!" Shuichi retorted hotly.
"Yeah, right. If you could cook, the sun would rise from the west."
"…Yuki! That's so mean! ...but doesn't the sun rise from the west…?"
"…"
"…"
"Baka."
"Hey! You…" Shuichi trailed off as Yuki raised his eyebrow at him, daring him to deny his lack of common knowledge. But he lost all words as he was locked unto that gorgeous pair of deep golden eyes.
"Shindou-san, are you ok now? I'm sorry, I didn't know you were prone to injuries…" Atsushi sent Shuichi and apologetic smile.
"Oh no, it's my fault for not telling you that I've never been good at cooking. I always end up cutting myself…"
Yuki snorted. "That's an understatement. You do not just cut yourself, you break all the plates and bowls, burnt all the food, and almost blew the kitchen up once. So please… the next time you consider entering a kitchen, consider the safety of all mankind first."
Shuichi opened his mouth to retort, but nothing came out. He frowned deeply and bit his lip in annoyance, trying his best to look mad. But he gave up the act a few seconds later, choosing to turn away and pout slightly instead.
Atsushi watched the scene before him quietly, his eyes softening. He closed his eyes for a moment before speaking up again. "Shindou-san, it seems like you're the careless type. You spent the night here, right? I hope you did let your friends know about your whereabouts…"
It took a moment before Shuichi widened his eyes as a horror stretched across his face. "OH MY GOD! I FORGOT!" He dashed for his coat and pulled out his mobile phone.
34 miss calls.
"Oh shit!" Shuichi practically screamed. "I left my phone on the silent mode!"
Right then, the mobile phone in his hands vibrated again.
"Moshi moshi?"
"SHUICHI!"
Shuichi jerked the phone away from his ear in fright as he was almost blown away by the blaring shriek. He sweatdropped, as did everyone else in Yuki's apartment.
"Uhm... Haruko-chan?"
"SHU-CHAN! Oh my god! It's really you! Thank goodness you're safe! We were all so worried! I called you so many times last night but you didn't pick up the phone! I thought something bad had happened to you… with the storm and all…" Haruko sniffled on the other side of the line.
"Ah... Sorry. I didn't know that my phone was on the silent mode. And I'm so sorry I forgot to call too. Don't worry, I'm fine." Shuichi smiled widely.
"Thank goodness... but where are you?"
"I'm at…" Shuichi froze. Oh no, do I tell her the truth? I guess she won't mind, but…
But before he could reply, he heard the sounds of a glass breaking over the phone.
"Haruko? Are you alright? What happened?" Shuichi frowned worriedly.
"It's okay. I guess I'm just too tired. I couldn't sleep well last night… oniichan's asking me to rest now… he'll send me back if I don't listen to his advice. So, Shu-kun, I'll see you when you get back? I'm so glad that you're fine. Come back soon?"
Shuichi smiled guiltily. She must have been too worried for me. Whereas I've been with Yuki all along…and I forgot about Haruko just because I've been so caught up with the fact that I'm with Yuki. This is so wrong…
"Right, I promise. Now, you should go have a good rest. I'll be back when you wake up."
"Okay. Love ya! Hold on just a second… I'll pass the phone to someone else."
Yuki watched as Shuichi fiddled with his coat while chatting happily with that girl, Haruko. He felt a wave of nausea washed over him as he recalled how Shuichi would only speak to him in that kind of loving way in the past. Now, everything has changed.
He continued watching his ex-lover when another voice screamed out over the phone so loudly that everyone could hear it.
"SHUICHIIIIIIIII!"
Shuichi jerked the phone away and cupped a hand over his ear again.
"SHUICHI! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH, MY LOVE!"
Once Shuichi recovered from his shock, he shook with anger, gripping the phone more tightly by each second.
"ARE YOU THERE! HONEY!"
That did it.
"WHO'S YOUR LOVE! WHO'S YOUR HONEY! STOP SPOUTING NONSENSE! ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT!" Shuichi's words exploded into the phone.
"BUT I LOVE YOU! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT TO ME! I MISSED YOUR WARM LOVELY BODY SO MUCH!"
Shuichi flushed with anger and embarrassment. He gripped the phone in a death grip and started slowly: "Akiha… I'm warning you. If you go on with all this ridiculous crap… I… I'M GOING TO SKIN YOU ALIVE!" He screamed that last part into the phone and started strangling the phone.
"Oh… so YOU CAN'T WAIT TO FEEL MY SKIN AGAINST YOURS? BUY YOU'LL HAVE TO PEEL MY CLOTHES OFF BEFORE THAT…"
"…PERVERT! Shuichi was about to hang up in frustration when Akiha laughed and apologized, getting rid of that teasing, whiny voice.
"Ok, ok… I'll stop here. Anyway, where in the world are you?"
"I'm at…" Shuichi paused for a moment. "… a friend's house…"
"Oh. Give me the address. I'll come get you."
"No, it's ok. I can go back on my own…" Shuichi tried refusing as he didn't want Akiha coming to Yuki's house.
"No. I'm coming to pick you up. The city may be in a mess. I don't want you getting harmed."
Shuichi sighed. I wonder how Akiha can be an idiotic brainless pervert one moment and switch to being a serious, responsible, conscientious 'big brother' the next moment. I wonder how I survived this pass year with this guy…
He turned around and realized that two pairs of eyes were watching him. Amusement flickered in Atsushi's eyes, while the other pair of eyes remained cold and hard… those golden orbs. He blushed and gulped.
"Er… Yuki? Is it ok if I give Akiha your address? He insists on picking me up…"
Yuki tore his eyes away from the blushing boy in irritation and snapped: "Whatever."
Shuichi gulped again, before speaking into the phone again, reporting Yuki's address. "Call me when you've reached and I'll meet you downstairs. I don't want you coming up bothering others…"
"You're so mean! Okay then… by the way, I LOVE YOU! HOPE YOU DIDN'T SLEEP WITH SOME OTHER GUY OVER THE NIGHT!"
Both Shuichi and Yuki stiffened.
Before Shuichi could retort back, the line went dead.
Technically, I think I did…No! No! No! Don't think of it that way… we didn't do anything at all! Shuichi slammed the phone onto the couch. "Stupid pervert!"
"Is that Sakurai Akiha? He sounded like as if he's your lover…" Atsushi chuckled.
"What!" Shuichi choked. "Definitely not! Who would like a pervert like him! I don't have such a bad taste in men!"
It was Yuki's turn to choke. Taste in MEN! And what did he mean by that? He had just accidentally implied that he has great taste in men… which is somehow obviously connected to...
Me.
Shuichi felt his face heating up to boiling point as he realized his mistake. "I mean women! WOMEN! GIRLS!"
Baka.
Atsushi laughed. "You're really a very interesting person, Shindou-san. But is Sakurai Akiha always that… crazy?"
"Well, not always. He's very serious when it comes to work. Somehow, I guess he can be relied on." Shuichi moved towards the dining table where plates of food have been laid down.
Yuki felt his heart dropped as Shuichi defended Akiha. He turned towards the food. Great… Now I'm getting jealous of his girlfriend and his boyfriend again. How pathetic.
"The food's ready… let's eat." Atsushi came out of the kitchen, smiling. "There's a share for everyone."
Shuichi just stood by the table, unmoving.
"Shindou-san? What's wrong?" Atsushi looked at Shuichi in concern. "Please take a seat."
"… Nn…" Shuichi answered hesitantly and took the seat nearest to him, which was right beside Yuki, while Atsushi sat opposite Yuki.
"Itadakimasu…"
This looks superb to me! He was able to put together all these delicious looking dishes in such a short while? I can never do that… Shuichi stared down at the food before him.
Shuichi continued staring at his food and frowned slightly.
"Shindou-san? Is the food not to your liking?" Atsushi asked again in concern.
"Eh?" Shuichi jumped and began shaking his head vigorously. "No! No! It's just that… it's just that…"
All of a sudden, his bowl of beef celery sukiyaki was lifted up and replaced by another bowl.
"Eh?" Shuichi blinked, puzzled.
"You can have that bowl. It has lesser celery in there." Yuki muttered and starting eating.
Shuichi's heart skipped a beat. He remembers that I hate celery.
"Thanks…" Now he can tuck into his meal safely, away from all the celery.
Atsushi watched in silence before tucking in as well. "So, are you busy with anything else besides the exhibition?"
"We're planning a photo shoot that would probably take place soon. I'm not really sure of the places we're using yet… it all depends on Akiha. I'll just go with his ideas." Shuichi shrugged. "Just as long as he doesn't suggest anything funny…"
Atsushi paused for a moment, looking as if he was pondering on something. "You know… I've heard you sing before… on the radio. You've got a great voice and your band was already on the way to the top. Why did you quit?"
Shuichi stiffened. Here it comes again. Everyone… EVERYONE asks me this question whenever they have a chance to. Even Yuki. Why? Why? It's not as if I understand it well too…
He chose to answer the question indirectly. "I like modeling now."
Before Atsushi can press on with this topic, Shuichi tried changing the subject – a technique he had learned over this past year. "What about you, Suzuki-san? What are you working as?"
"I was previously a normal working employee. But I landed myself with the job of a scriptwriter three months ago."
"Oh…"
A scriptwriter, huh? That's quite close to being a novelist. For one thing, they're both writers… only that the end-product of their works ended up in different places – one on TV and the other on the shelves of bookstores.
It means that their level of thinking is the same. They belong to the same world, and are able to click with each other. I bet Yuki doesn't scream at him or call him an idiot. Atsushi can even help Yuki with his work… unlike me. Yuki always complained that I was bothering him while he was working.
In other words, Atsushi's more suited for Yuki… not me.
It had never been me.
It will never be me.
"Shindou-san? Shindou-san?"
Shuichi snapped himself back to reality when he heard his name. He looked up to meet Atsushi's concerned violet eyes.
His eyes…
"I'm fine." Shuichi lied. "I just felt a little unwell again due to the hangover."
It must be my imagination…
He watched as Atsushi turned to Yuki, smiled gently, and then started chatting away again.
Something stirred inside him and he stood up abruptly.
Addressing the confused looks on the two writers, he offered a simple explanation, smiling weakly. "I'm sorry… I'm not feeling that well all of a sudden. I think I'll just rest in the room until Akiha arrives."
Without waiting for a reply or any form of an acknowledgement, he strode towards the 'guestroom' and disappeared inside, locking the door behind him.
He sat on the bed, leaning back on the bedpost, with his knees pulled up close to his chin.
I can't stand to see them behaving like that. I'm afraid I'll lose my composure. I can't stand being so close to Yuki. It stirs up too many painful memories. I'm afraid of breaking down in front of them.
I don't ever want them to see me in my pathetic state.
I don't think I'll be able to put up with Yuki's sarcasm and scorn.
xxXxXxXxx
Meanwhile, Yuki stared and fiddled with his food absentmindedly, resting his cheek on one hand that was propped up on the table.
I wonder if he's ok… He hardly ate…
His thoughts of Shuichi were interrupted by a warm presence over his other cheek.
"Eiri-san, are you ok? Aren't you eating?"
"I'm fine." Yuki slapped Atsushi's hand away. "I'm full…" He got up and entered the kitchen for a can of beer.
Did I do something wrong?
His eyes landed on Atsushi who was presently busy clearing the table.
Don't tell me…
"No more Suzuki!"
That was what the brat shouted last night, isn't it?
"Don't you have work to do? I'm not free to attend to you. So you should just leave." Yuki leaned against the refrigerator.
Atsushi continued washing the dishes. "…fine. I'll leave after tidying the apartment. You don't have to attend to me. Go focus on your work then." He finished the drying the last plate.
Yuki snorted. "Whatever. Just don't bother me." He made a move to leave the kitchen.
"Eiri-san?"
Yuki turned… and was met with Atsushi's lips on his.
Yuki stepped back in surprise. "What the hell!"
Atsushi smiled. "Yes?"
Yuki's eyes flickered to the door of the 'guest room'. Seeing that it was still safely closed, he breathed a mental sigh of relief.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get the door. You should get to work…" Atsushi brushed pass Yuki.
"Hiiiiiii! I'm here for my dearest Shu-chan!"
Yuki stiffened at that voice. He strode to the door. Who does he thinks he is? Coming to me and claiming Shuichi as his?
"Eh? You're not Yuki-san…"
"Ah… I'm a friend of Eiri-san's… Suzuki Atsushi. Nice to meet you. You must be Sakurai Akiha-san…"
"Right!" Just then, Akiha spotted Yuki. "Yuki-san! So have you considered accepting my offer?"
"I said no. Don't you understand Japanese? Or do you want me to repeat that in English?" Yuki snapped in irritation. Oh how he wanted to kick this guy away from his apartment, and from Shuichi.
Akiha stepped in pass Atsushi and stopped close in front of Yuki (their faces really close to each other). "I never give up that easily. I try hard to get what I want, and once mine, I'll never let it go easily too…"
Yuki gritted his teeth.
"Akiha!" Another voice cut in.
Akiha looked over Yuki's shoulders and grinned when he saw Shuichi.
"Ah! Shuichiiiiii!" He pushed past Yuki and strode towards Shuichi, and then swept the boy off his feet into a hug, forcing the Shuichi to wrap his hands around Akiha's neck for support. "I missed you!"
Yuki gritted his teeth more and turned to look away.
Recovering from his shock, Shuichi struggled and started protesting. "Put me down! You idiot! Put me down!"
"Ok, ok." Releasing the boy, Akiha surveyed the apartment. "This place is huge…"
"I told you to call… why didn't you!" Shuichi pointed a finger at the photographer who had begun touring the apartment on his own accord. "And don't enter theroom without permission!"
"Fine. Whatever you say…" Akiha pouted and ruffled Shuichi's hair, pissing Shuichi off further.
"Let me get you a drink." Atsushi offered politely and started for the kitchen.
"No, it's ok. We'll be leaving now. I'm under Haruko's orders to bring Shuichi back to the hotel as soon as possible. I don't want to incur her wrath… girls can be really scary sometimes." Akiha smiled politely and pick up Shuichi's coat that had been lying on the couch. "Come on, Shuichi…" He reached for Shuichi's hand and held it, heading for the door. "Thanks for taking care of Shuichi last night, Yuki-san."
Just as Akiha was about to pull Shuichi out pass Yuki, Shuichi held back.
Yuki's heart thumped. He looked down at the brown haired boy.
Is he going to stay?
But he was disappointed.
"Bye, Yuki. Thanks…" Shuichi hesitated before mumbling.
"Hn…"
And with that, Shuichi let Akiha pull him out and closed the door behind them.
xXx TBC xXx
Done! Finally! I'm getting quite busy with all my schoolwork, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm slow with updates. I really can't stand all the projects! They take up so much of my time… sigh…
Oh yeah! That beef celery sukiyaki that Atsushi prepared? I found the recipe on the Internet, so I guess there's such a dish. I've never eaten such a dish before though… usually I'll lung for my sushi, sashimi, ramen, bento… I had to search for a dish which had celery in it just for this part of the story! LOL…
And about eyes… maybe I'm focusing too much on eyes. But I really love violet eyes in anime. So pretty and alluring and special. Most of my favorite characters have purple eyes… I wonder if it's just a coincidence. Haha… The only pair of non-violet eyes that left a huge impression on me is Loki's (from Matantei Loki Ragnarok) mesmerizing deep green eyes. Kyaaaaa!
Anyway, next up… I'll try speeding things up. Next chapter should deal with Miyabi's executed plan to try to destroy Yuki. I'll see if I can squeeze in YukiShu :D
So see ya next time! Hee…