Switch Chapter 9
It was like déjà vu. Hiro stood in front of K's office door, and knocked.
"Come in!" sang a lovely woman's voice. Hiro smiled and opened the door. As he entered he noticed K was busily scribbling something down on paper. "So you got the job and convinced Mr. Seguchi that you are K's sister?" Hiro laughed at the hilarity of it.
K nodded as he put the pen down, "It was easier than I thought. And I'm stoked to be back here. I have all kinds of great ideas for you guys." Normally K wouldn't have told Hiro this but he was more than an acquaintance lately. "See, I followed my heart this far, now I just have to figure out the rest. Those gods haven't come to see me yet. Maybe I should involve Bad Luck?"
Hiro plopped into a chair across from K's small desk. "You know, I don't know if I like the sounds of that. Involve us how?" he wondered with a nervous laugh.
"I can't divulge company plans Hiro," K said seriously but his eyes spoke of mischief.
"Promise me it won't put us in the hospital, or better yet cause my mom to call me and freak out?" the guitarist urged.
"Can't make that kind of promise Hiro. Don't worry—if I have to follow my heart so does Bad Luck! I've been writing up an itinerary, things I've always wanted to do. Sounds like fun right?" K offered happily.
"I'm just happy you're happy again," Hiro said sincerely, even though he hoped K's ideas wouldn't be too bad. Yeah right, who was he kidding?
"Oh, I am. Things couldn't be better. It's great to have a company account again." K gave an evil chuckle.
Hiro sweatdropped. Oh gawd, whatever K was planning it couldn't be healthy. "So are you stuck here, or do you want a ride home maybe?" He looked over at K with love in his eyes but blinked it away when K brought his head up.
"Actually, I have a lot of work to do. Catching up and putting some plans into action. It's war Hiro, war!" K cried. "But thanks. I'll just take the train home. Hey, in a few weeks I'll be able to afford my own apartment again. Yeehaw, right? I won't be driving you crazy anymore."
You never were driving me crazy. Hiro tried to take the news with a smile, but it hurt his face to do so. His expression looked as if he'd smelled something rotten. "Yeah sure, good news," he mumbled. "Well I guess I'll see you later then."
K gave a small wave and dived back into his work, being as oblivious as ever.
On the second day of Bad Luck receiving their new manager, K's "sister" arrived at the studio wearing a flight suit. The door swung open and he stood there like America's leading space cadet. Bad Luck gawked at the woman in fear and confusion.
"Do I dare ask why you are dressed that way?" Suguru was the first to speak up.
"We're going on a field trip. Fun, fun, fun today," K claimed with a permanent smile on his face.
Hiro felt the blood drain from his face. "What kind of fun? Are we going on a flight?" he wondered eying K's costume, that somehow looked kind of hot on him. Hiro also wondered where K got these outfits.
"Bingo!" K chirped, un-wrapping a bar of chocolate. "I can't give out the details until we get there. All I can say is we're getting footage for an awesome music video!" He bit into the candy bar.
"Ooo, a music video," Shuichi said excitedly. This meant no real work. "I like the sound of this "fun". You know you're exactly like your brother. I guess it's entirely genetic," Shuichi pointed out with a happy grin, all ready to go, go, go.
"I'll take that as a compliment. Hurry, hurry to the all terrain vehicle. Which is, of course, the company van," K explained cheerily.
"Wait, the boss said nothing about filming for a music video. Why don't I have this in my notes?" Sakano wondered.
"Because, dear Sakano, I've re-written the entire Bad Luck schedule. We need fresh publicity and I'm going to get it with style!" K declared with gusto.
Begrudgingly Bad Luck followed. They drove out to an airfield, watching K stuff his face with more chocolate as they went.
"What is it with all the chocolate?" Shuichi asked, looking hopeful. He wanted some too.
What could K say? "I dunno I just can't get enough of it these days. I wonder why, I've been craving it for the last few days," K said with wonder. He had no explanation for his sudden need of the stuff, and visibly snarled when Shuichi tried to steal a piece. Everyone sweatdropped and muttered PMS to each other. K eyed them all wondering what they just said about him, but shrugged and finished his chocolate breakfast. Whatever.
When loud roaring planes blasted their ears as they flew close overhead, everyone gulped. K only gave them a thumbs up, the fun was just up ahead. And when Sakano parked near a hangar K ordered them all out. Some pilot spotted them and walked over. "This is an honour. Bad Luck, welcome to Kadena Air Base," the pilot said, also dressed in flight gear. "Come, follow me, I have outfits for you all."
Whimpering, Sakano followed behind the group.
K watched as everyone got into their flight suits. The looks on their faces were that of pending doom. Oh what fun! He watched everyone get equipped with cameras and sound recorders on their helmets. Afterwards they were all led onto an airplane. It taxied and sped down the runway.
Once airborne K asked, "Remember you mentioned you wanted cool footage for your song 'Falling' Shuichi?" He winked at him.
Shuichi gaped at his new female manager. "But how did you know that? I haven't brought that up since your brother was alive."
K ignored the question.
"Claudia, please tell me you didn't? We…aren't?" Hiro stumbled, gulping loudly.
"Didn't I say? We're going skydiving!" K beamed from his seat on a bench.
"What! You're crazier than K!" Sakano suddenly cried, looking sickly pale. "I can't jump out of planes. I'm just a simple man in a suit. I want to live long enough to retire." He began to fan for air that he was quickly beginning to lack.
"We can't jump out of an airplane!" Suguru hollered. "This is madness!"
The only one that didn't speak about jumping was Shuichi. Everyone looked at him.
"How cool would it look to your fans…the boyfriend?" K said earnestly.
"Ok, the last time I did this I crashed through a building! If I don't die Yuki will kill me," Shuichi whined.
"Won't happen," K assured. "Relax, you only live once. I've done this tons of times, it's a riot. You gotta follow you heart."
Hiro flashed his eyes at K at that remark and pursed his lips. So that's what this was about. K wanted to do things he found great, while finding excuses to bring them along. Oh gawd. "Fine, okay, let's do it." He'd do it for K's sake. "Shuichi you can too. It'll be…fun," Hiro squeaked, trying to be tough and failing miserably.
Shuichi looked at his best friend incredulously. "Wow Hiro, you can really do this?" Shuichi thought of this. "If he can do it, then I can do it!" he cried.
"Yay," K cheered. Tough shit for the others, they were going whether they liked it or not, K thought evilly. They'd thank him later.
They sat there and the co-pilot began to give instructions. He told them everything they had to do. It was easy. Reach a certain altitude and pull the rip cord. He showed them how to land on their feet, to run or bounce with the gravity behind them. There was also a cameraman on the plane, filming stuff while they flew. It would all make excellent clips for a video.
When they reached a jumping height, K hopped up and startled everyone. "Let's go!"
"This is only for your twisted entertainment, K!" Suguru clamoured and corrected himself, "I mean Claudia. I swear, were your parents on something when they named you guys?"
"I dunno, maybe they were…" K said contemplatively. "I swear you'll love it."
The door opened and the wind blasted them in the face. The noise was almost deafening and everyone clung to something to keep balance. The co-pilot switched on their recording devices. "All ready to go!" he shouted over the racket.
"You heard the man, let's move out!"
As Suguru and Sakano peeked out the door, K swatted them both out before they had a chance to change their minds. Their screams died away quickly. Grinning, K said, "After you ladies," to the singer and guitarist.
Shuichi and Hiro shot K a funny look at that remark. "Okay, Shuichi, on the count of three," Hiro suggested and they jumped out.
"Yeehaw!" K followed.
On the ground Sakano marched over to K and grabbed him by the scruff of his collar. "I never thought I'd want to hit a woman, but I'm very tempted to now!" he cried, tears streaming down his face.
Crescent eyed, K only grinned goofily. "It was fun and you know it."
Sakano's blood was indeed flowing with adrenaline. He'd just skydived and lived! "I did it, didn't I?" he murmured incredulously. He let go of K and ran off shouting "I'm sorry Tohma! I fail as a producer! I will hand in my resignation today!"
Everyone had re-grouped and they were now buzzing with extreme excitement. As much as the fear had taken hold before they jumped, it was now replaced with unadulterated joy and a strong sense of accomplishment. They stood watching Sakano running around madly, hands in his hair. They laughed.
"I thought I was going to die," Suguru breathed, but he shot a happy fist into the air, exclaiming, "That's the coolest thing I've ever done!" Even as he said it he flashed K an evil glare, "But don't you do that ever again!"
Hiro was beaming now too, and he patted Suguru on the back. Indeed, it was incredibly scary, but, wow, he'd skydived and was still alive to tell the tale! "It was an experience, that's for sure," he admitted and felt so good about himself at the moment.
"An experience!" Shuichi wailed, "We're going to make the coolest video from this! Our fans will know that nothing brings Bad Luck down!" he shouted elatedly, marching about proudly. "I think I soiled my pants, but yeah! Let's do it again!"
Ugh! Everyone made a face at Shuichi's remark.
"Come on. You guys did great. Let's get back to NG." K walked on ahead with a great big smile on his face. He took out a list and checked off 'skydiving'. One down and many more heart-following deeds to go.
A/N: Well of course K had to bring Bad Luck along on one of his crazy missions lol. I intend for them all to end this story on one of K's silly idea's. It'll be somewhere outside of Japan haha. I hope you all continue to enjoy this. Its a fun story to write!
Reviewers: Hahah yes I'm glad you guys can see how I saw that Ryuichi has that special something. I figured if anyone could see through K it would be him lol. By the end of this fic, most of the Gravi crew will be here and there. Thank you smilemtl78 and The-Anibee and yes Anibee, eventually K will smarten up but will it be too late -gasp- oh yes little twists and turns. I enjoy doing that, but it will all work out. Thank you so much catmum I'm so happy you are enjoying the pace and the writing. I swear when I have doubts you guys make it all better! --hugs and kisses to you all--
