Chapter Nine

A Date Together

Shuichi quickly tip-toed from his room to the front door. He opened the door but was suddenly interrupted by Yuki. "Where you going Shuichi?" Yuki walked over to him and in front of the door. "And in such a sneaky way?" Yuki crossed his arms and waited for Shuichi's explanation.

"Um...I'm just going out with Hiroshi and the gang. You know." Shuichi was shaking as he laughed. Yuki shook his head in silence and moved from the door.

"Don't come home late you hear!" Yuki headed back to his room to catch a couple of z's before he got to work. Shuichi excited left and headed down the street.

Chizuru popped out of a corner down the street. "Did he buy it Shue-chi!" Her face filled with excitement and waiting hyper.

Shuichi looked down, "I think he took it to well...it makes me think he doesn't care about me anymore." Chizuru stared at the sad expression on Shuichi's face and smiled.

"Cheer Shue-chi, you're with me now!" She grabbed his arm and held it tight.

"Calm down Chizuru, its only for today. I feel like I owe it to you for last weeks incident at Yuki's place." Shuichi followed Chizuru's lead. "Where are we going anyway?"

"This new place down town, my friend told me about it. And I wanted to see for myself how great it is." She cuddled along side Shuichi's chest and walked him to the place. Shuichi blushed. I hope no one sees us. Since I'm already famous there's got to be photographers. And what would Yuki say if I told him I accepted Chizuru's offer on a date to make up for me choosing you.

The was young...pounding beats and flashing lights surrounded the young, pink-haired boy who sat alone at the bar counter, nursing what would be his fourth and final strawberry daiquiri that evening. Shuichi sighed and took another sip of his drink. He had been there for already an hour, and all he could think about was Yuki's reaction to it all. Chizuru had been dancing alone for a while but came over to see Shuichi.

A gentle hand clapped him on the back, "hey Shue-chi, you're not dancing!" She yelled over the music, ignoring the fact that the surprise of being spoken to in this place had caused Shuichi's drink to become lodged in his throat and he was coughing heavily.

"I just don't feel like it Chizuru." e said after he could breathe once more.

"But you're a singer, which means you have to know how to dance, and I know you are not shy!" Chizuru yelled as the song changed again and they were alone at the bar.

Shuichi ran his hand through his hair for a moment, he wished Yuki was there, but Yuki didn't like dancing and mostly not in a public place, with all these girls. As he turned around, he found himself staring into Chizuru's deep blue eyes that were looking right back into his. He swallowed and looked at her, making this puppy face to make him dance. Shuichi sighed and was off the stool, following Chizuru into the crowd. Slowly he started to mimic the other motions of the dancers around him, feeling a little giddy. The two of them moved their bodies in a smooth, sensual rhythm that was seemingly unmatched by anyone else on the floor. When the song ended, neither of them said anything, but Shuichi had noticed the space between them had shrunk.

She leaned over and spoke softly into Shuichi's ear. "Want to leave now Shue-chi?" He nodded and followed after her to the exit.

They both walked hand in hand to the park talking about nothing in particular. Chizuru made sure to laugh at any joke Shuichi made, even if he wasn't that funny. Shuichi blushed once they had sat down at the park bench alone. It had gotten dark and everyone was going home except for them. Shuichi want to speak, but was normally to shy or start a topic that didn't lead to the impression he liked her. Then the very next thing that came to mind, ran off his lips.

"Chizuru...I knew what you meant that day!" He closed his eyes blushing more. Chizuru stared confused. "That presence that I felt the first time we met. I can't say I didn't feel it, but I can't say I love you either. I like you personally as a friend, but nothing else. I want you to understand Yuki is the one I love."

Chizuru smiled and shook her head. "I know...I've always known. Its just I wanted you to be the first boy I ever loved completely, and you are. But what's the point of finding love if that person doesn't feel the same."

Depressed and rather heart broken she stood up. Shuichi stood up to, but didn't let her leave. He raised her chin with his finger and kissed her on the lips. "I care about you Chizuru...and I think you should go home. Your real home with your parents." She nodded and hugged Shuichi.

"I actually believed I would receive your love tonight. I guess I'm wrong and right at the same time."