Time flies by and Shuichi and his friends find themselves busy getting ready for midterms. While Suguru, Hiro and Eiri don't need to study much to prepare, Shuichi, Ryu, and Tatsuya most certainly do.
So, the six of them are currently in a cozy corner of the library, going over one subject or another.
Shuichi and Eiri sit next to each other going over math equations. Shu has one leg resting on Eiri's and Eiri's hand covers some of the warm exposed skin.
They both still flirt with each other... A lot. They also bicker and tease to. They still feel the same about relationships but that's starting to change.
Shuichi has already admitted to himself that he's falling for the blond. A part of him wishes he weren't but he can't help it. They text all the time and hang out when they can. It was only a matter of time before those golden pools got to him.
Eiri has also admitted to himself that he feels something for Shuichi, but he always adds it up to a strong physical attraction. They flirt and bicker and to him that's enough. Though the one-to-many lonely nights he's spent with Shuichi's name on his lips says another thing. It's starting to be easier for him to picture the two of them in a relationship.
Though neither of them have brought up the topic since their first sleepover over a month ago. So, if Shuichi won't talk about it then he won't either. Things are fine the way they are.
"Okay so, this one is in standard form right, while this other one is in matrix form?"
Eiri chuckles, "no brat the first one is in intercept form, and the second one is Vertex form. There is no matrix form."
Shuichi huffs and erases.
"You've really gotta start paying attention in class Shu-chan."
"Ryu-chan you're one to talk, all you do is text Tatsuya the whole time and then ask other people at the end of class what the teacher was talking about."
Ryuichi pouts and the others laugh.
"Look on the bright side, once midterms are over, we get to go on our class trip."
"Shuichi's eyes light up, I heard we're having a fancy dinner on the last night, I wonder if they'd let us preform?"
Both Hiro and Suguru looks thoughtful. "It's a good idea I'll put in a good word with Tohma, I may be able to get him to favor the idea since he's family." Ru explains. Shuichi does a double take.
"Wait you're related to the principle?"
"Yeah, he's my cousin, he's also married to Eiri and Tatsuha's older sister."
"What? Why didn't I know this information?"
Ru shrugs, "it never really came up in conversation."
"And besides," Tatsuha adds in, "our sister is a she devil you wouldn't want to meet her anyway."
"I second that," says Eiri.
"I third it," pipes Ru.
Shuichi laughs, "well now I know who to avoid. Just let us know when you can Ru so we can start getting a song ready."
"Yes, I will, but first we have to survive mid-terms."
Shuichi groans, "okay so what's matrix form again?"
"Matrix isn't a form," the five of them say together then they all start laughing.
"Guys it isn't funny, how the heck am I gonna pass this test!?"
"Alright class make sure all your heavy bags are under the bus, it'll take us about 5 hours to get to Tokyo."
The students all begin to put their suitcases under the charter bus. Once that's done Shuichi enthusiastically steps on board.
"Finally, midterms are over! I've been waiting for this trip!"
Shuichi and Eiri take the very back seats on the right side, Hiro and Suguru across from them. Ryuichi and Tatsuha take the seats in front of Eiri and Shuichi.
A few hours into the ride and everything is moving smoothly. Shuichi has an earbud in one ear and a notebook in his hands. Eiri has a book he's been reading but sets it down for a second.
"You're working on a new song?"
Shuichi smiles at him. "Yep, when I've got time like this I like to write. I can be very distracted sometimes."
"More like all the time."
Shuichi sticks his tongue out at him.
Eiri pauses for a minute. He has a question he's been meaning to ask.
"Hey, do you really plan on making music your career?" Shuichi gives him a look.
"I'm not asking to sound mean just curious."
His look softens then he hums. "I am, I've already decided I'm going to double major in recording arts and dance."
Eiri raises his eyebrows. "When did you know that was what you wanted to do?"
"I haven't really told you much about my brother Kayan have I?"
Eiri turn in his seat to face Shuichi more. "You have a brother?"
Shuichi smiles fondly. "Not biologically, we grew up together. We lived in a small neighborhood and unfortunately everyone liked to be in everyone's business. Kayan knew his sexuality at a young age and got bullied for it a lot. Being so close to him I got bullied to."
"We were around 13 years old. To coup we started singing nursery rhymes to each other to help us sleep when we'd have sleep overs. Kayan likes to sing but I realized I loved it."
"It wasn't long before I started to write my own songs. It became my outlet. Kayan moved away but I didn't let up on my music. I couldn't preform in small shows because my parents didn't approve but that didn't stop me."
Shuichi and Eiri have locked eyes at this point and Eiri can't look away. Shuichi's eyes are this molten violet.
"There is nothing I want more than to perform with Hiro and Suguru all over the world. I want people to feel through our music. Feel my struggles, my triumphs, and my pain. To feel my spirit, my hurt, my fire, and my rage. I want people to know that it doesn't matter where you come from or who your parents are. Life, our lives are precious, and they matter. The way we treat each other needs to change."
"The world will know my voice. They will hear my message. And even though millions of people may take my music negatively, if I reach one person positively then I have succeeded."
"It only takes one person to cause a ripple and ripples cause change."
Eiri isn't sure if he's breathing properly at this point. Never did he think that Shuichi's devotion to music was so deep and profound. Shuichi Shindo is a bright ray of light that forced its way into Eiri's life. Captivating him from the start. It was easy to justify this raw attraction Eiri has for him, but this feeling is so much deeper so much warmer.
Staring into those eyes, Eiri knows it now. Knows that he can't deny it anymore. The racing of his heart, the warmth in his chest.
He's fallen for Shuichi Shindo.
-
Once the bus makes a stop everyone gets off, they're stopping for lunch and restroom breaks.
Eiri leaves quickly heading to the bathroom. He's had a lot on his mind since Shuichi told him about his passion for his music.
The warmth he felt was so strong. He's just... conflicted.
Eiri hears the door opening but ignores it.
"Eiri are you okay, you left out of the bus pretty fast."
"I'm fine Tatsuya, just needed to think."
Tatsuya raises an eyebrow. "Is this about Shuichi?"
Eiri doesn't answer, he just keeps looking at himself in the mirror.
"Look I really think you should talk to Shuichi about how you feel."
Eiri raises an eyebrow. "How would you know how I feel?"
"Eiri seriously, like I haven't been with you all my life? I don't know the extent of your feelings for Shu-chan, but I do know the signs of when you're about to recede into yourself."
"I just want you to be honest okay. I know it's scary to tell someone how you feel. Me and Ryu-chan may be affectionate with each other but I was still terrified to tell him how I felt. I'm so happy now and I just want you to be happy too and..."
Eiri cuts his brother off by holding him tight.
It's been a while since they've hugged and Eiri feels guilty for that. His brother can be annoying, they're pretty much complete opposites, but he loves him.
After Kitazawa, Tatsuha was the only one who encouraged him to keep up with his therapy and his writing.
His father thought both were a waste of time and his sister wasn't much help either. His brother was his rock, still is his rock and he doesn't know what he'd do without him.
He hugs him tighter before he lets go.
"Thank you Tatsuha, for always being there for me."
They both smile, "of course."
Shuichi is worried but he grins and is social like he usually is. They make it to the hotel and Shu's worry hasn't diminished.
Eiri is being distant, quieter. He asked Tatsuha and the twin assured Shuichi that Eiri is just thinking about things.
There have been many times where Shuichi has wanted time to himself. As much as he and Eiri have been attached at the hip, Shuichi gives Eiri space.
They head to there shared hotel room together after dinner.
The room is beautiful. Two full sized beds with a manilla nightstand in the center. Eiri doesn't stay for long, says he's going to get some fresh air. Shuichi tells him to be careful on his way out.
Shu showers and before he can get comfortable in bed his phone rings. It's late so he wonders who can be calling. Immediately he's alarmed when he sees it's Kayan.
"Kayan you never call this late what's..."
"Shu… Taki called me. He said that my dad has been missing for a couple of days. No one has heard from him or knows where he is. Shortly after a detective that was appointed to my dad's case confirmed everything Taki said."
"I'm scared… but me and K are coming back. We have to help find my dad."
Shuichi's mind is reeling. Kayan's dad… and Taki…
The though of going back home to all the heart ache and drama he left behind… He won't leave Kayan to face it alone. K will be a great help, but he doesn't know the town like they do.
"Kayan if you go back, I'll go back. We're on break from school for the next two weeks. Tell me when and I'll meet you at the airport." Kayan sounds like he's been crying when he answers.
"Okay, I... thank you, Shuichi."
They talk a little longer and hang up.
Shuichi sits in shock then puts his head in his hands. When he was home, he often found that he wasn't in control of anything. Even himself. When he was in therapy, he tried to finally put his thoughts and feelings into words and realized it was easier to express himself through songs.
He needs a song right now. But sometimes his throat burns a little too much to sing. So, he cries instead. They fall steadily and with a grace only sadness can have. He doesn't want to go back.
He hates that town with every once of his being. It breeds this toxicity that kept him buried for years.
That place is content in its stillness and Shuichi outgrew it a long time ago.
Regardless something terrible could have happened to Kayan's father... They'll get to the bottom of it.
Just as his determination grows strong enough to stop his tears the door opens and a weary Eiri walks inside. He's alarmed by Shuichi's tears.
He sits next to him hands immediately finding his cheeks, softly brushing away tears.
"What's wrong."
Shuichi gives a tiny smile that he's sure is more haunting than reassuring.
"I have to go back home."
Eiri mirrors his smile and gives a small laugh.
"If I had to go home, I'd be crying to."
They laugh and put their foreheads together. Both feel overwhelmed and unsure. Shuichi starts to cry again silently, while Eiri holds him.