a/n: I've pondered why I'm not getting like, any reviews for this...what I came up with is that most Grav-fans pretty much hate anything that makes sense, so they don't read mine. Sorry, but I can't just write random OOC fluff. I guess reviews are my sacrifice for a good product.

thanks to my few reviews, though. you're the best.

Chapter 3

"U-Um, pardon me, Mr. Seguchi...please...Mr. Shindo didn't mean..."

How the heck did I end up in this mess! All was peaceful and normal in our studio just a moment ago...Suguru, the little complainer, was showing us some of his new arrangements, K was requesting (threatening) our way into some more TV appearances, and Sakano was, I don't know, pouring tea...

Then along came The Big Bad Tohma with some ass to kick and names to take. Namely, Shuichi's.

Now, the two idiots are practically at each other's throats, and Sakano, the poor sap, is trying to actually calm them down. Sometimes I think he really can't take a hint. Ay, the way Seguchi is glaring at him for that comment!

"Mr. Sakano, I don't believe I requested your input in this conversation." The blonde president dons a derisive smile and glances sharply at our producer. Sakano backs down, albeit reluctantly, and Tohma returns his attention to Shuichi.

"If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Shindo, we had an agreement on your discretion regarding the public and Mr. Yuki's name..."

"CRAPOLAA!" Shuichi cries, looking like he's just been possessed by some very happy demon. He strikes a bit of a pose. Jeez, Shuichi...you're just making it worse... "This is TOTALLY not your business! ...MAN!" He balls his hands into fists and grins maniacally. "I'm gonna tell the WORLD! Over and over again! What do you think of that, Seguchi?"

Suddenly, my head feels light, and I can't help a weak smile at Suguru's mortified expression. Shuichi absolutely and positively knows how to push Tohma Seguchi's buttons. What an ass.

"Shindo." Seguchi, as level as ever, approaches my friend with a meager frown. "I am simply looking out for Eiri's well being where you obviously have no desire to, yourself. If you wish to tromp about, foolishly tossing his name into the public eye, then I suggest you do it under fame you've earned without my company!"

"MAYBE I WILL!"

Seguchi sighs and looks, at the most, annoyed.

"I hope you are also considering how much of Bad Luck's future rests in my hand, Mr. Shindo," he speaks, unworried now. Of course, Shuichi is hardly fazed. This threat sounds familiar to all of us. I can't help but think about how this is all that damn Yuki's fault.

"Not caring," Shuichi returns, tone as fiery as Tohma's is cool. "We've got K; we can make it without you now."

I bite back a cough as the door bursts open for the second time this morning. K steps into the room, wearing a humorless, intense expression.

"SHUICHI SHINDO!" He bellows excitedly with a badly-hidden grin, and I can't help but wonder if he's getting some pleasure out of this chaos. Also take note of how Suguru, Sakano, and I are just kind of...here. "Don't think you can drag me down with you over a dim-witted argument!" He waves his flashy gun around. Of course, everyone's used to that.

"Uh, K?" Shuichi puts on a surprised look. "Wait, what? But...but you were on my side before! What now, you decided not to disagree with the GREAT Seguchi?" He demands an answer with that silly baby face.

"Bang!" K grins down even wider at Shuichi, kinda blowing him off (no pun intended) with that comment, and then looks at Seguchi. "Mr. Seguchi! The area is secure."

Everyone except Shuichi turns to look at K. That man has always been a bit bizarre, hasn't he? Seguchi clears his throat softly.

"Thank you." The president glances at Shuichi, who is just standing there, at a loss. "Mr. Shindo, I'll have no patience for this sort of trifling in the future. I trust that rules and agreements will all be followed without the inconvenience of policing."

K steps aside so Seguchi can leave the room.

There was a hint of steel in the blonde man's voice, the bit of hardened, edgy tone that immediately shows up any number of his sweet smiles. Hopefully that was the most hint Shuichi needed to understand that some things aren't worth arguing with your employer over.

He really loves Yuki that much.

Crud...

...(tormenta)...

"Hiro, I'm such a dummy sometimes!"

Oh? You think? I grin and fight the urge to ruffle Shuichi's hair. Hands to yourself, Hiroshi—hands to yourself!

"Yeah, you are," I say, leaning back against the wall and closing one eye, yawning kind of rudely. Shuichi is too absorbed in his own problems to be offended. Doubt he would be, anyway.

"Eiri is gonna be so mad!" He whines and fists his hands, all keyed up. "He hates it when I mention him on TV—but I didn't MEAN to...!" He suddenly looks forlorn, pouting as if this predicament is not his fault in any way.

I keep grinning, grudgingly resigned to the fact that Yuki will always mean more to him than I do.

"Don't mope around. What's done is done." True to form, he ignores me and continues his histrionics.

"What if he doesn't let me in the house again?" He groans and flops down on the floor. I don't bother to tell him that it's not sanitary to lie down on the company bathroom's floor, 'cause I don't think he cares either way.

I lean forward (damn it!) and quickly nudge his cheek with my knuckles. "He'll get over it," I say lightly, "He always does, doesn't he? He loves you, after all." What the hell possessed me to say that?

Shuichi wails and launches himself at me, clinging childishly to my waist.

"Hirooo! You really think so? Does Eiri really love me?" He keens. I sigh and rest my hand on the head he's shoved against my chest.

"Ask him yourself," I tell him shortly, feeling a bitter frown crawl unbidden onto my face. He doesn't seem to notice the change in my expression.

"Yeah! I think I will!" He relinquishes my waist, jumping up and racing out of the restroom with a loud slam of the flip-door against the outer wall. "Thanks, Hiro!" I hear him call back as the door flip, flip, flips shut.

"You're welcome," I mutter under my breath, closing my eyes and running a hand down my face. I crane my neck back and stare at the ceiling despondently, wondering what kind of cruddy friend I'm becoming. Shuichi has gone to ask Yuki if he loves him...

Do I deserve to go to hell for hoping the answer will be no?

a/n: don't worry, Hiro, we loooove you.