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I do not own B-project kodou*ambitious, I wish I did, but sadly… it's, just not the case.
To Be Continued.
By Alimackatjac
Chapter 7 Odd behavior.
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Wrapped in a simple dark cotton dress a small emotionless girl huddles on the frigid floor, unable to shed another tear. A dark abandoned feeling is the little girl's relatively new companion. A vague sound causes her to lift her head to see the same ….Nothing.
Until a glimpse of something, far over her head catches her attention. She squints her emotionally dead eyes in the air, attempting to identify the drifting object. The brunette child notices as the object drifts further away, the distant sound fades.
She quickly lifts to her feet and begins to cautiously follow the floating object. As she follows the object, the distant sound develops in to a child crying. A warm comforting wind swirls against her skin, whipping through the cold darkness, causing the object to swiftly wander away from the girl.
Hearing the crying child fade, she begins to desperately run after the drifting item…until she finds herself out of the darkness, and into the light. Her adjusting eyes rapidly blink, to the all-encompassing light. Only to spot a faint outline as the small pink object slowly twirls to the ground, next to her polished black shoes.
The single cherry blossom lands on a grey paving stone. The pigtailed girl with crimson eyes notices a trail of grey stones dusted with fallen pink blossoms. As she follows the twisting trail, the child's cries become louder. Until she finds herself surrounded by clouds of swirling incense, and solemnly dressed people.
Overlooking the silent crowd a large polished stone is perched in a place of honor. As the little girl slowly walks further in the area, she feels all eyes burning in her direction. She walks closer to the grey stone until a small tearful boy, sitting next to a glaring vailed women catches the girl's attention.
The young girl timidly reaches out and rests a tiny hand on the young boy's knee, causing the boy, about her age to blink up at her in surprise. The scornful woman slaps her hand away from the emotional boy, before jerking the young boy away from the comforting girl.
Not a second later, the small girl is hastily escorted behind the other mourners, to endlessly wait until all that's left is her and the flat grey stone
….and the driver, that escorted her.
"Tsubasa."
"Tsubasa."
POV Tsubasa Sumisora
My blurred eyes blink up, immediately falling captive to pair of concerned crystal blue eyes, peering down at me. "Tsubasa, is everything all right?" A faded troubled voice emerges into clarity.
Caught in a pair of earnest eyes, a hand slowly reaches for my face. My cheeks quickly warms as I find my head once more resting on Tomo's broad comfortable shoulder, with a cozy plaid blanket, draped over my body. "Oh, Kitakado-san, I'm so sorry!" I hurriedly pull my head from his shoulder, causing the platinum to quickly jerk his hand away. "I must have fallen asleep and fell against your –"I drop my embarrassed head, lifting my hand to my heated face, feeling a wet trail from my eye.
.
"Its fine, Tsubasa, I uh, don't really mind. I mean you've only been out of hospital for a couple of days. It's my fault you're here, pushing yourself." I lift my crimson eyes to see the platinum blindly speaking, while staring at his open hand.
"Kitakado-san?"
"Oh sorry," He peels his bewildered crystal eyes from his hand, before offering a genuine friendly smile, "So you should take advantage of the extended flight, and allow your body more time to fully recover. I could always move to another seat, if that would be more comfortable, for you? " The handsome platinum wearing a stark white button up and pair of worn blue jeans begins to lift from his seat.
I wave my hands in front of my chest, "Please, don't move on my account, I'm fine. I guess the article I was reading wasn't as riveting as I once thought," I awkwardly pick up my folded over magazine, that slid off my lap.
"Very well, as the lady wishes." He nods his head, and gracefully falls back in his seat.
I'm about to ask where the blanket came from, when a low thoughtful hum calls my attention. Only to see, Ryūji, sitting on the other side of the empty lavish cabin. His impish eyes are peeking over a thick novel with a raised knowing eyebrow and his usual lollipop, in his smirking mouth. The vague sound cause the platinum to clumsily pick up a newspaper and riffle through the pages. Abruptly ending the conversation…
As the cabin submerges into awkward silence, between the three of us.
End of Tsubasa Sumisora POV.
Ryūji Korekuni's POV
A few hours later …
"What do you mean you're not coming? I thought the idea was to show Tsubasa around the Island? " A kaleidoscope of feathered color flies across the gleaming glass building as Tomo uncharacteristically raises his voice.
Unfazed by the disturbed tropical birds I just shrug my shoulders, while popping the lime sucker out of my mouth, "Well yeah, it was, but …..I'm just not feeling well, that's all."
My over protected friend face flashes to a concerned expression, while promptly slapping his hand on my forehead, "Oh, hey Ryuji are you sick? You don't feel like you have a fever."
"Tomo, will you knock it off!" I take a swipe at his hand, while jerking my head away. "Tomo, you're a singer, not a doctor," The moment I said it I immediately regretted my blunt words as a sharp pain strikes my chest, noticing my long time friend's face , " I mean ….it's not like that ."
"Its fine, Ryūji…I know what you mean." He waves a hand, "We can postpone the hike, until your feeing more up to it. Should I fetch you a doctor?"
"No, I'll be fine. It's just um... "I nervously advert my eyes from my concerned friend "...a small bout of air sickness. "I quickly nod my head, wrapping my hands around my stomach. "Yeah, air sickness, it happens. So you and Tsubasa-chan, should just go ahead, without me."
Tomo's expression turns suspicious, "Air sickness, really?" He lifts a hand to his chin, while asking in an incredulous tone.
My eyes flash around Tomo's tall body, noticing the brunet walking in the glass building, and heading for the exit. "Yes, now here she comes. Tomo, don't embarrass me, and let this go. ." My eyes sharply warn my friend. "If you keep going on like this, she'll postpone the hike… and I'll be stuck here even longer…. Quite frankly, I'm in no real hurry to relive that horrifying ordeal, once was enough me."
"But when I suggested it, you were all for it." The platinum glances over to our A&R slipping pass the polished glass doors, before letting out a heavy sigh, "Ryuji, I'm not sure, I can." He flops down on a tall stone wall.
Completely stunned by my friend words my wide eye blink back at my anxious friend. I cautiously sit next to Tomo. "Sure you can." I throw an arm over his shoulders, "Be the Prince, I know you can be" I comfortingly pat his back, "Be the same guy, who stood up and gracefully welcomed her, when she first entered our building." I blindly sneak a hand, and slip Tomo's phone from his front pocket. Once his phone is somewhat concealed in my closed palm I drop my arm. "Now, don't' make a big deal over this." I blindly slide Tomo's phone under a small tropical shrub, behind me.
.
We quickly stand, to greet her. "Hey Tsubasa, welcome back." Tomo gives out a genuine smile.
"Hey Kitakado-san, thanks." She awkwardly wiggles her fingers towards the Platinum. I rolled my eyes towards my friend, as he actually lifts his hand and wiggles his fingers, back to the girl.
"Here's your water, Korekuni-san." She hands me a rare blue pyramid shaped glass bottle. "I'm sorry, it had taken me so long, the cafeteria practically carries everything, and it was difficult to find your brand." Noticing the ultra-rare bottled water , I was somewhat surprised, seeing as I picked a brand that even my father had a hard time getting his hands on." Oh, well, at least you found it, I guess you're learning, I'll give you that much." Of course knowing Tomo's family, I really shouldn't be surprised…..there wasn't much they couldn't acquire.
.
"Really, thanks, Korekuni-san! ." Tsubasa beams from my complement.
I roll my eyes towards the brunet, "No need for you to suffer a big head, it's just bottled water." I shove my lime green lollipop in my mouth, crossing my arms.
She awkwardly looks away, "Oh, sorry."
"Ryuji." My friend gives me sharp warning look.
The recovering A&R blinks up, "Anyway, are you guys ready to go?"
I raise an expectant eyebrow towards my platinum friend, noticing his obscured pleading eyes. However, I just adamantly shake my head, causing him to nervously rub the back of his neck, turning to our awaiting A&R. "Well actually, Ryuji's not feeling too well, so I guess that leaves just me." His hand slides away from his neck, tucking them into his front pockets, "I mean, if that's okay with you?" All I can do is inwardly shake my head at my friend's usual behavior.
.
She peeks around Tomo with concerned eyes. "Um, shouldn't we wait till Ryuji is feeling better?"
"That's what I said." I here Tomo mutter to himself.
I roll my eyes before popping the lime sucker from my mouth, "No, I'd rather not hang out here for any longer, then need be." My words come out annoyed, "You two go ahead, I'm just going to lie down for a bit." I begin to politely, but firmly shove the two hikers away from the massive glass building, dropped in the middle of a tropical island.
"Well if you get hungry," Tomo gives me a suspicious look, over his shoulder, "I've heard the cafeteria here is exceptional, especially the desserts. Apparently, researchers love their gourmet sweets."
"Oh." I quickly stop in my tracks, Damn, Tomo, really does know me all too well. I shake my head and continue to steer the two, in front of me." Well, my stomach isn't its usual self, I'll probably just go to my room…and lie down."
"Ryuji are you sure?" The brunet looks over her shoulder, with a concerned look. "Maybe, I should just hang around, in case you need something?" Her genuine concerned eyes cause my chest to waver.
I stop pushing and throw my hands on my hips, "And leave Tomo alone, trouncing all over the jungle by himself!" Speaking in annoyed sharp tone. "Besides, the whole point was for you to see it .If you don't go, then why the heck are we here? What kind of A&R are you?"
The brunet frantically shakes her head, "I wasn't suggesting leaving Kitakado-san behind, I only-"
I quickly cut off the blathering brunet, "No, you should just look after Tomo." With a frustrated huff, I walk over to Tsubasa, and pull her to the side, whispering in her ear, "He won't say anything, but, I think the accident changed him. I really think this hike will help him." We both slide our eyes over to Tomo, who looking down at his watch. Doing his best, not notice us.
"But …Ryuji-"She glances back at me, with overly concerned eyes. Which almost causes me to rethink this entire thing.
I shake my head from the momentary thought, "Please Tsubasa? You have no Idea how much he needs this." My pleading eyes shine towards the A&R.
"Well –"
"Great! Thanks Tsubasa." I quickly cut Tsubasa off and begin to gently push her towards the awaiting Platinum.
"Oh, Tsubasa." Tomo looks up from his watch, swinging an arm to his side, "Uh shall we?" He forces a wide self-assured smile on his lips.
The brunet cautiously glances back at me, "Uh, yeah…let's go." She reluctantly walks towards the docks, with my nervous best friend. Once my two retreating friends shrink out of sight I swiftly turn around, and snatch up Tomo's phone, from under the bush. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, while I make my way to cafeteria and those delectable desserts.
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Ryūji Korekuni's POV
Flashback …
My exhausted body melted further in the white leathered upholstery of the flat's sectional. A frustrated sigh blows through my lips, causing a small eruption of sweet cherry flavor to coat the inside of my mouth. With my shaggy black and pink hair dangling off the top of the pristine couch, my tired magenta eyes are pinned to the beamed ceiling. A part from my own breath the flat was perfectly silent. A perfect end to a long and stressful day.
"Creek."
"BAM!"
Well it would be, if every now again, I wouldn't hear clatter emanating from the flat's kitchen, like the refrigerator door opening or plates being set out, a bit too hard. Another frustrated breath blows pass my lips ….in other words my annoyed roommate was keeping himself busy.
It had been like that ever since he burst through the front door, with his overstuffed arms juggling various bags. He briefly spoke of a need for an impromptu band meeting, before vanishing in the kitchen, where he's remained ever since.
.
Leaving me to text the rest of B-pro's members .Which normally, I wouldn't have a problem with….well there's Thrive, but then, when doesn't that trio cause trouble? I mean the anti-social Goushi locks himself away, while it's hard to pin down the overly social bluenette. The only reason that group functions in the slightest is because of my upbeat, good natured friend ...But lately, even he's been acting strange. And now, after what been said….well, let's just say, after leaving the hospital, all three groups opted to find their 'own' way back, to the 'same' building.
"Beep." I roll my eyes at the damn expected noise.
"Buzz!" My protesting body consciously sinks deeper in the smooth cushions, sliding my eyes shut, willfully ignoring the annoying sound.
"beep!"
"Ryūji, could you please get the door, I'm just about ready?" Tomo calls from the kitchen.
"Beep!"
"Buzzzzzzz! Buzz! Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!"
Damn, if I didn't know better I would say Hikaru is messing with the button again.
"Ryuji, please. I have my hands full," Tomo whirls out of the swinging kitchen door, with two large serving trays balanced in his arms, before gracefully organizing them at the table.
"Beep."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." I begrudgingly pull my body from the couch and head, for the door.
If I had known what was about to actually take place,
….. I never would have left the damn couch.
One hour later ….
All but one of the Moons are milling around the snack table. Mika leans over a sitting Momo, as he snatches up several pieces of crispy Karaage, placing them on his plate. Nome was sampling the skewers, while sitting next to his ginger bandmate. Their blonde leader was hovering nearby, nursing a can of peach chuhai, while his watchful green eyes cautiously scan the room. The group as a whole tried to put up a casual front, however you can feel the tense air around them.
.
It turned out Mika, was the joker pushing the buzzer. He felt the meeting needed a touch of their missing member, so why not drive us a little crazy with the repeated use of the damn button. As for Thrive, at the moment, you could barely call them a group. Kento gracefully sits at one end of the couch, entertaining himself with his phone, while Goushi grumbles at the other end, about having the unscheduled meeting, in a first place.
.
Minimal pleasantries were exchanged between the individual groups. In short, this meeting was crashing in a blazing ball of flames, and we haven't even stated yet.
"Where the heck is he? " Tomo discreetly spoke while he pulled his glass from his lips.
"I'm not really sure." I popped the melon flavored sucker out of my mouth, as I shrug my shoulders. "He finally answered his phone, but only said he was on his way."
"Hmm, have any idea, what the Pinket is up to?"
"Uh, no, the only thing I can think of, at this time of night, would be a late-night pudding run." I had my suspicions, but I wasn't going to add fuel to this impending forest fire set before me …No, it was better to feign blissful ignorance then throw out the first match. However, no sooner did I answer my longtime friend when the door buzzer suddenly went off.
"Well, it's looks like he's here."
My platinum friend begin to move towards the door, causing me to whip out my hand and grab his arm. 'Don't bother, I just told him, to come inside, when he arrived."
"Really Ryuji, could you be any less active?" Tomo nervously takes a quick drink, from his short glass, "Never mind…. If you told him to just walk in …. Then why the heck is he buzzing the door?"
I shrug my shoulders while watching the subject in question. "Over excited? He forgot? Who knows? He'll figure out…..eventually."
Just then, a panicked out of breath Pinket flew through the door, hurdled over the couch with his pink and grey high-tops. Until plopping down between Goushi and Kento, with his chest heaving. "Um….Sorry."
"Its fine Yuta, it was a last minute band meeting. I'm just glad you could make it. " Tomo waved a dismissive hand to the out breath Thrive member. With the pinket's abrupt appearance, the Moons started to gradually find their way around the white couch.
"Finally." His dark haired bandmate grumbled with his arms crossed as his chest. "What's the idea of keeping the rest of us waiting?"
"Hey Yuta, nice of you to join us." A smiling Mika offered Yuta a small drink, before plopping down on the overstuffed arm of the leather sectional, and adjusting his glasses. "Enough with suspense Tomo, what's this about?"
Tomo pulled the glass from his lips, "I just thought maybe curtain events should be discussed," He lifted his hand to the back of his neck, and momentarily adverted his eyes from the rest of us, "and perhaps decided, without Tsubasa's presence."
Yuta abruptly places his drink down on the glass coffee table, causing the bubbled concoction to slosh around. "Wait a minute, if you're talking about what was suggested earlier, I'm pretty sure Tsubasa-chan made it perfectly clear, how she feels." The pinket uncharacteristically glares sharply towards my roommate, "Tomo, I would think of all people, you would respect that."
With his glass in his hand, he holds them up in defense, "Wait Yuta, I do, this isn't about that."
The pinket raises a curious eyebrow over his eye. "Then what?"
"Now wait, just a damn minute!" The irritated Thrive member cuts between the two band mates. "Does this have anything to do with actual B-Pro business? An upcoming performance? Perhaps a new a song? No? Please tell me I haven't been wasting my time, just sitting here, waiting to talk about our hospitalized A&R!?"
Tomo nods his head, "Well actually-"
Goushi quickly stands from the couch, "Unless this meeting is about replacing her or discussing her work performance, I want no part of this pointless meeting! She works with us, plain and simple. To me, she's nothing more…..I have better things to occupy my time."
"Like hanging out in the basement." The bluenette blindly speaks with a teasing chuckle.
"Yes, if you mean working on my music, then yes." Goushi glares at his Thrive bandmate, "Didn't you have some kind of hot date planned?"
"Goushi, Ken-Ken." Yuta leans forward holding his hands out between his bandmates. "Let's just calm down, this isn't helping the discussion."
Kento's ocean blue eyes lift from his phone, "of course I did, two in fact…. But unlike your grumpy self," His teasing smirk melts to a serious expression, "I actually care for Tsubasa."
The pinket whips his head toward the confident bluenette, "Ah Ken-ken, what do you – "
Goushi interrupts the pinket while rolling his eyes at Kento, "Tsk, yeah I bet I know what 'part' of our A&R you care most about." Goushi adamantly points a finger towards the bluenette, "You damn, sex fein!"
"Hey!" Several members glared at grumpy Thrive singer, with overly tense postures. I'm pretty sure their sudden reaction had less to do with the bluenette, and more to do with our A&R.
"Fine fine." Goushi throws up his hands, shaking his head. "Geesh, you guys are ridiculous. Call me when you want to discuss 'actual' band business." Goushi blindly grumbles as he walk towards the door.
Once the door swings closed, behind the grumpy Thrive member, "Now that Goushi has made himself perfectly clear," Nome peels his eyes from the door.
"In his usual way." Kento blindly adds while texting on his phone, causing a few awkward chuckles to dance within the tense room.
"Tomo, what's this about?" Nome continues, ignoring the bluenette.
Mika breaks in, "Well, I have a question, why isn't Granada music providing moving serves?" Turning his attention towards my roommate, "Tomo, didn't you ask for them?"
"Yeah what's with that company? I mean she's in the hospital, talk about heartless." Kento blindly adds, as a mischievous smile emerges on his face. Obviously, a reaction from what he's being texted, on his phone.
With his elbows leaning against the back of the couch, a standing Momo pulls some long noodles from his mouth. "We all agreed, this was the 'one thing' we all wanted." The ginger spoke indifferently.
Kazu added, while standing next to the ginger. "Well most of us."
"Okay, besides Goushi," The pinket rolls his eyes, letting out an amused chuckle," We all agreed. After the two of you were almost taken out by a drunk driver, at the dome concert," The pinket's mood quickly changes, as he diverts his eyes to his glass, held in his lap. "That we would all demand Granada move Tsubasa-chan into our building."
"Yeah, Tomo, you were supposed to ask for us." Kazu nodded his head. "You said it would be better than having all of us, march in there."
"And I did. I told you, it's probably just miscommunication on the company's part. I'll take care of it." Tomo eyes and attention sharply turn towards the blond, "Anyway, I for one, would like to hear why the heck she was on that boat, in the first place." The uncharacteristically platinum walks around the couch to confront his B-pro bandmate. "Kazu, didn't we all agree, she was supposed to be on the same damn boat?" With his glass in his hand, Tomo motions around the couch.
An irritated Mika tries to step in between the two, so called princely types, "Wait, you can't hang this on Leader, He tried. She flat out refused."
Momo sharply nodded his head. "Yeah, she didn't want to give the Moons a bad rep, so she refused."
The irritated platinum ignores the rest, "When it comes to Tsubasa's safety, your 'Leader' should have been a little firmer." Tomo lets out a frustrated sigh, "Kazu, she nearly died!"
Mika, Momo, Nome begin to quickly move away from the couch and tensely stand behind their blonde leader.
"Ease guys, I can defend myself." Kazu abruptly swings out an arm, to the side, before stepping closer to my irritated roommate, while giving him the most earnest expression. "Tomo, I know better than anybody that she almost died." The blonde's depressed green eyes momentarily slide to floor, "I don't need 'you' to remind me…..I was there." Kazu stands inches away from Tomo, poking a finger at his chest. "By the way, where were you?"
Kento blindly interrupts, "I hate to say this, but it was probably a good thing you weren't all the same boat, can you imagine the outcome?" The bluenette shivers with the thought.
Tomo knocks Kazu's finger away, from his chest. "You know very well where I was ….That's why we all agreed 'before' your bus left."
"By the way, in regards to Kitakore's big import appearance," Kazu waves his hand out "I thought you were supposed to be on the other side of the country! You shouldn't even be here!"
Tomo's crystal blue eyes glanced over to me, before glaring at the blonde. "I uh…. told you, halfway there our flight was….um, delayed, for maintenance reasons." Tomo crosses his arms at his chest, shrugging his shoulders. "Ryuji and I had been stuck at the airport, waiting for a new flight. By the time, we were able to contact the venue, they had given our spot to another group, so we headed home. There's nothing unusual about it." Tomo shares a look with me, before anyone could notice. "Right, Ryuji?"
I pop the melon sucker from my mouth, crossing my arms at my chest. "Uh…. Yeah, it was something like that."
"But Tomo, why didn't you hire a private helicopter, to fly you the rest of the way, like, you've done countless times, for us?" Kento blindly asks, with his ocean blue eyes pinned to his phone.
"Uh, well," Tomo reaches up and rubs the back of his neck, "Kento, those occasions were for emergencies. I don't routinely use them for just anything."
"Missing a big job, seems important enough to me." Momo stands next to Kazu, indifferently adding to the conversation.
"Enough!" All of sudden the pinket appears between the two leaders, with both hands out at his sides.
"Yuta?" A surprised Tomo blinks at the pinket.
"This time, you're wrong, Tomo." The normally firm supporter of my platinum roommate, shakes his head. "I understand your worried about Tsubasa-chan, we all are. But this isn't the way." Yuta toss a comforting hand on Tomo's shoulder, "You can't just blame Kazu….it was an accident." He drops his hand away and, awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, as the pinket's' eyes fall to the floor, "Hell, if it wasn't for him. We'd all being wearing black now… Don't forget that."
The almost speechless blonde, swallows hard as he blinks up at his unexpected defender. "Uh, Yuta …um, thanks."
"What, I'm just saying the truth." The pinket happily shrugs his shoulder, before turning his attention back to my longtime friend. "Tomo, Kazu has beaten himself up enough, for what happened. He doesn't need you to remind him of that fact. He knows. We need to stop blaming each other and come together and support him, not tear at him. …Listen, we all agree she needs to slow down."
"Oh, not that again." Kento shakes his head.
"She won't chose a group, and I don't see how we could fairly choose for her." A serious Nome adds, while picking up his plate, and standing next to the couch.
I can tell Yuta is forcing a smile, as he throws both his arms around Kazu and Tomo, "No, I'm not talking about that, come on guys' between the ten of us, we should be able to come up with something." His words are overly cheery.
Mika plops back down on the couch's over stuffed arm, adjusting his glasses. "Short of all three groups taking time off, I don't see how."
"Yeah, and I'm pretty sure the agency won't go for that." Nome peeks up from his plate.
"Not with B-pro, and the three induvial groups popularity rising, the way it is. " Kento adds
"Hey, what about when she was on location, during that thing with Ryūji's father? Did she have any down time then?" The pinket singer thoughtfully rubs his chin.
"Oh, you mean when Mika lost his toy." Momo's eyes glance over to his friend.
The offended burnet snaps back at the ginger bandmate. "It's not a toy! It's a rare collectable keychain…That I happen bring for luck!"
"It was hectic during practice," Momo nods his head, "but yeah, there was some down time."
"And when we spent the night on that food tour shoot, If Hikaru hadn't forgotten his medicine we would have plenty of down time in the evening, after the shoot." Kento pulls his attention away from his phone.
"Yeah, we all know when you're on location your either crazy busy, or sitting around," I shrug my shoulders, while raising an eyebrow. "It's the nature of the beast …..What's your point?"
"Simple, one group takes her on location." The pinket nods his head. "I think Tsubasa-chan should travel with Thrive."
"Yuta, I like where you're headed with this, there's only one problem with your plan. Wasn't Tsubasa already on location, when she was hurt, in the first place?" Kento shakes his head at his bandmate.
"Yeah, that's true, I guess that won't work." Yuta lets out a humorless chuckle, as he awkwardly rubs the back of his head. "Well, that was my bright idea….anyone else?"
"Wait, I think I have one." With his arms folded at his chest, Tomo thoughtfully lifts a hand to his chin. His clear blue eyes shined as he discreetly shares a look with me. "One, that only Kitakore can help with."
End of Flashback…
Ryūji Korekuni's POV
Of course, nobody but Tomo liked his suggestion ….and after the intense conversation of the brunet choosing one group, the idea was less than palatable, for the other groups. The Moons or Thrive. But when nothing else could be considered, they begrudgingly agreed in the name of Tsubasa's safety …..Of course, Tomo only had her health and safety in mind, when he suggested his family's island….
….but I for one, had a far more devious idea in mind.
End of Ryūji Korekuni's POV
Tsubasa's POV
.
Seeing his sad forced smile, I cautiously place a hand on Yute's shaky hands, I guess I caught him off guard, as his stunned emotional eyes glace down, "Then, Ashū-san, can I …ask you a question?"
"Of course, Tsubasa-chan, fire away." Yute's depressed eyes peek through his happy go lucky mask.
"Well, lately, you've been acting differently…so, much so, I've been really worried about you." My eyes nervously glance down at our touching hands, "Please Ashū-san, the cherry blossoms…..Why does the sight of cherry blossoms, make you so sad?" My heart felt a painful twinge with the sudden appearance of a scared expression darkening Yūta's features. "Ashū-san."
.
"Ah damn," He pulls his hands away, and awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, "I was really hoping…. Ahgg! Never mind, Tsubasa-chan …..Now that you've already asked, It's sort of well, I don't know a relief …I mean, I'm pretty sure it's time. "
The pinket lifts his scared eyes to mine, allowing his forced smile to drop, finally revealing his true feelings. "No, I know, it's time, but for some reason, it has to be you." He awkwardly drops his eyes to his cautious fingers, inching them forward, timidly brushing against my fingertips. I watch as his broad chest underneath his hoodie, slowly expands, and contracts, with an extended pained breath. "Are you sure, I mean it's long and it's not exactly a fairytale."
"Please Ashū-san" I lace our fingers together, and lightly squeeze his hand, "I'd like to help, I mean, if I can?"
The singer stares down at our entwined fingers, before blindly nodding his head. The dimly lit hospital room sinks into a long silence as he carefully considers his next words. "Um… well - "
A bubbly tune suddenly echoes from somewhere on the pinket. "Ah, damn. Really now?" The pinket hisses to himself as he reaches in his pocket with his free hand, pulling out his phone. Without another word, he swipes his thumb across the glossy screen, ending the music. Without another look, Yuta carelessly tosses his phone on to the bed, causing it to land on the thin hospital blanket lying beneath him. "Anyway, Tsubasa-chan I –"
.
The bubbly music once more plays out. The depressed singer lets out a frustrated sigh, while dropping his head. He tenderly squeezes my hand before begrudgingly unlacing our fingers, and picking up the offending object. His pink eyes quickly glance over his screen causing his jaw to tense. "Of all the rotten timing, damn that platinum, anyway." He grumbles to himself, but quickly hops off my bed. His forced wide smile reappears on his face, almost covering his heartbreaking eyes, "I'm sorry Tsubasa-chan, It seems those around me, have other ideas." He lets out a humorless chuckle, as he swiftly swoops closer, until I feel his warm lips softly press against my cheek, for a brief moment. "So I guess my story will have to wait, for another time." He avoids my eyes, immediately turning towards the door.
.
My hand unconsciously lifts to the warm feeling left by his sweet kiss, as it slowly spreads across my face. "Yuta." A stunned whisper falls from my lips.
"See, I told you ….I told you I'd get you to say it." Yuta stands at the door with his back facing me. He lifts his black hoodie over his pink head. "Later, Tsubasa-chan." No sooner were his words said, then my stunned eyes are staring at an empty doorway.
Once more, his name slips from my lips, with the warm feeling invading my tightened chest.
(End of flashback.)
Tsubasa's POV
"Whoa, what?! "My mud covered feet suddenly slip out from under me, forcing my dazed head back to the here, and now. My stumbling body hurtles towards the slippery ground, when something, or rather, someone catches me.
My tightly squeezed eyes began to flutter open, noticing a genuine smile closely hover over me. In fact, it was a little too close, causing my cheeks to feel hot. "Oh, uh sorry. I…. ah, slipped." My eyes blink up to a pair of sparkling blue eyes.
"No worries, I've got you. " The topical green fades around us as our surprised eyes fall captive to each other. "Are you um …okay?"
Without even blinking, I nod my head. "Uh, yeah….thanks… Kitakado-san."
With the sudden realization of holding me close to his body the platinum singer uncomfortably clears his throat "Oh here, allow me, Tomo pulls my body upright " uh Tsubasa, I don't mean to pry, but you seem to be distracted. If you're not really interested, we can always head back?"
"Distracted? Oh no, I'm sorry, I guess I'm just lost in my growing 'to do list', once I get back to work." I awkwardly rub the back of my head, avoiding the singer's eyes as my vague excuse tumbled out of my mouth. I hated to lie to the Platinum but, I wanted to keep my meeting with Yuta, private ….Besides, I've got to quit obsessing over it… damn Tsubasa, just stop thinking about it. I jerked my hand from my cheek. "Sorry, Kitakado-san, let's keep going, I really do want to see everything." I begin to cautiously walk the treacherous trail.
Tomo pushes a large green leaf out of my way, allowing me to slip pass the overgrown jungle plant. "Well okay, if you're sure? This part of the island is kept pretty much in its natural state, and since it recently rained, the trail is rather slippery." He lets out a chuckle, "As you just found out."
Tomo points to a colorful native bird nesting over my head." "This place is so gorgeous," I marveled at the beautiful sight. "Did you come here as a child?"
The platinum's smile falls, "Uh no. Actually, I didn't know about this place. I uh, found out the same time everybody else did. It's used for research ….not really personal use. So I had no idea it even existed. "
"Oh, it must have been difficult for you guys. Thinking you were trapped in the middle of nowhere, on an uninhabited island." I nervously slide my hair behind my ear.
The platinum singer swings out another hand, holding back an out stretched limb. "At the time with no shelter, and little food, I'll admit, it felt somewhat daunting."
I ducted my head, carefully walking under Tomo's outstretched arm. "And you had no idea when you'd be rescued…I was freaked, just thinking about you guys being lost at sea… I had no idea what to do…it was overwhelming. "
"Yeah when we realized you weren't with us, some of the group began to think the worst….It was hard not to … but, once we were able to call you, and knew you were alright, things started coming together…. And I don't just mean our circumstances. Although those quickly improved, as we worked together. "
"Oh?"
Tomo nodded his head, "While being trapped here, we were able to work through some issues that had been plaguing the group, since we entered Bambi school…. .But what really brought B-project together, was you."
His words caused me to freeze in my tracks, "I didn't do anything special, getting off the island was all you guys."
"That's not true Tsubasa. You kept your head, and contacted that radio station…and they in turn played our music….Do you have any idea how amazing it felt to hear one of our songs, being played at that particular time? "
"Oh that, it was literally the only thing I could do, till morning. I was hoping it would be some kind of comfort, knowing so many people were praying for your safe return. "
"It was …..And that's why the group wants to use this place for our next video." The Platinum dramatically turns around throwing out his arms, around him. "The actual birth place where B-project came together." His clear blue eyes sparkle under a wide excited grin.
I couldn't help but giggle at the singer's excitement, "Well, again it's gorgeous, and I think if we did a press junket, before the actual release, we could possibly gain some international attention for the story, behind it."
"That's just what we were thinking." Tomo nods his head.
"I'll have to talk with Granada, and your agencies, but I think it's a really good idea. It would be foolish to ignore all that free press for B-project, just before a national release."
Tomo thoughtfully nods his head, "I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't use this location, for the title song, of the project."
"Will your family be okay with us, using this half of the island?"
Tomo nods his head. "Yeah, as long as we keep the location secret, and don't actually show the building they'd be fine with it. Are you okay, you're not tired are you?" He slowly steps closer, with a concerned look on his face.
"I'm fine," Waving a dismissive hand, "you don't need to worry about me."
He ignores my gesture and continues to walk closer, His concerned eyes silently study over my face, before speaking. "Tsubasa, it hasn't been long, since the hospital released you. I don't want you to get overly tired." He cautiously extends a hand, lifting my chin. The action causes a surprised jerk of my head. Although the platinum doesn't release my chin from my reaction. "You need to tell me, if you begin to feel the slightest bit tired. Okay?"
All I could do is silently nod my head, staring in his concerned eyes.
"Promise?"
"Uh, yeah….. I uh… promise. I'll… uh let you know the moment," trapped under those damn eyes of his, causes me to forcedly swallow, "I feel…anything."
"Good ….that's very good, to hear." His words come out soft but serious, He shakes his head, while his eyes flash to his hand, on my face, causing him to nervously chuckle, before dropping his hand. He immediately turned around without another word, and continued to make his way along the twisty trail.
I couldn't help but stare at the Platinum's broad back, It sort of felt like he didn't realize what he had been doing ,….that he even touched me . I shook my head with the odd thought, while following the Platinum.
A little bit later...
It wasn't long before we found ourselves staring into a pitched black cave. "So this is it?" I begin to cautiously step in the darkness.
Suddenly I feel a hand grab on to my arm, "Wait Tsubasa, it's really dark in there." With what little light shining from outside the cave I faintly see Tomo hold out a hand. "Here, take my hand."
Seeing his strong hand ,held out in front of me, caused my heart to rapidly beat in my chest, " You.. Uh want me to hold your hand?!" My wide eyes bounce from his held out hand to his genuine smile.
"Well yeah." He shrugs his shoulder, "It's dark for the first half, and I don't want you to trip." However, his smile quickly fades as he looks at his empty palm. "Unless you have a problem with holding it, I mean Ryūji isn't here- He sadly trails off, pulling back his offered hand.
"Oh no, I'm… uh fine," I frantically catch his retreating hand. "It makes sense."
He looks down at our joined fingers, "Uh good, then." He pulls on my arm, causing me to almost stumble into his side. "Tsubasa, stay close. It wouldn't be wise, if one of us ended up lost." As he said this, he reached into the pack, slung over his shoulder, before pulling out a flashlight. He flicked a switch causing a small beam of light to shine a path ahead. He must have known I was watching, because he shined the light on various buried rocks sticking out from the ground, effectively, proving his point.
.
My squinting eyes can barely see the small beam of light shining ahead of us, however I could sense the massive size of inside the cave….Tomo was right, you wouldn't want to lose your way in here. Once we entered the curtain of darkness, we were immediately submerged in an awkward silence. With only our steady breaths being heard …..At least, I was hoping that's all he could hear.
.
In the cover of darkness, my shaky hand consciously moves upward, covering the small patch of skin, barely containing my pounding chest. With every uncontrolled thump of my heart, I felt my face warm that much more. The searing heat radiating from my feverish face caused my head to spin. Feeling somewhat dizzy, I slowly slide my eyes close, in a vain attempt at willing my heart to slow down.
.
Even though were surrounded in darkness my eyes suddenly flash to our adjoined hands, as I feel Tomo's long fingers slip between mine, causing my heart to practically gallop out of my chest. I had to break this all-encompassing silence before the Platinum realizes the embarrassing reality, of what's actually happening right next to him. "Ah, Kitakado-san since were here, I wanted to talk to you about something, alone."
"O….oh?" His voice sounded strained.
"Ye…yeah, I wanted to um thank you, for…um, sending my things back …..I mean after that crazy night." I rolled my eyes at my stumbling words.
"Oh, that." He chuckles, "You're quite welcome, I was happy to be your, Prince Charming." He squeezes my hand. "I must thank you, too. You made my birthday rather memorable….I'll never forget it."
"Hey, don't tease me. I just panicked and dived for the floor."
He continues to laugh, "You didn't have to, it was um…perfectly innocent."
"Yeah, that's what I thought too, but when I heard them come in, I just freaked out .I'm so sorry Kitakado-san with all the stress I must have caused you."
"Relax Tsubasa, I was fine. Besides, um what if it wasn't ….I mean uh…innocent that is .It's not like were kids… Right?" He nervously laughs.
My feet immediately stopped. "Kitakado-san?"
"Uh never mind. I guess I was just rambling." He quickly tugs me into a blinding light, "Here it is, the place we stayed."
I lifted my hand, protecting my adjusting eyes. "I understand you would want to keep your distance from the entrance, for shelter reasons. But why did you guys walk so far into the cave?"
"Oh, that's sort of a long drawn out story. Let's just say, it had to do with ironing out some of B-pro's issues, and leave it at that." My blinking eyes catch sight of Tomo's sparkling blue eyes. "Tsubasa, you want to see something really cool?"
I nodded my head, "Yeah sure."
"Then look up." He pointed upward with a smile lengthening his lips.
"Wow, that's so gorgeous!" My astonished eyes lift to a kaleidoscope colored sky, framed by a lush tropical forest cascading over the rock edges, of the open ceiling.
"I thought you might like it." He happily nods, "Now just imagine a sky filled with countless stars." He tugged our laced hands towards the ground, "Here, just lie down, next to me." The singer pulled me down next to him, without another thought. "We all just laid here, marveling at the stars. Wondering in the back of our heads, when we would be found."
"It must have been difficult for you."
"Yeah, but then Mika managed to get the radio working." He raised our joined hands between us and gently squeezed them.
"You heard one of your songs."
He dropped our joined hands, but blindly nodded his head, "Yeah, that's right. In that precious moment we came together as a group…. with the same goal. No longer three separate groups." He lets out a chuckle, turning his head.
Catching his eyes caused me to whisper out my words. "The Dome."
"Yeah, performing at the Dome ….your dream, Tsubasa." His eyes intensely dance across my warming face. "became our dream."
"It did?" I whispered out, with his face blurring.
His sparkling eyes stared into mine, as his softly spoken words fell from his lips. "Yeah, it did."
My shocked eyes bounce to my out stretched fingers, just about to touch his face. "Oh, I'm sorry ah …maybe we should get going, before it gets dark!" I jerked my body away.
Although the platinum singer refused to budge, jerking our hands closer, causing my body to almost fall on his chest. "Actually, I thought you might like to stay a little longer." He shrugged his shoulders, "You know with the stars and all." He blindly points up again, "Besides you should rest, before we head back to the beach."
Feeling my frantic heart, seeing as were practically pressed together, I knew it would be any minute before the Platinum singer would feel my out of control chest. "But….uh Kitakado-san, wouldn't making our way back, in the dark be a bit dangerous?"
"What was I thinking, yeah, you're probably right?" He shakes his head, and sits up," Perhaps another time, then?" He reaches in his bag. "Well, before we make our way out of the cave, I should probably call for the boat." He unlaces our fingers and frantically searches his bag with both hands. "I don't understand, it should be here! He begins to pat around his body.
"What's wrong?"
"My phone. I must have misplaced it." He riffles through his bag, tipping it over.
"Oh. Well, you can use mine, then." I reach in my bag, pulling out my phone. "Here you go."
He quickly goes to use it, but then blinks up at me. "Tsubasa, it's dead."
"What!" I snatch the phone from his held out fingers, before continuously swiping across the solid black screen. "That's impossible, I made sure it was fully charged, before we left."
"Really? Damn it! …I should have known. Airsickness…. Yeah, right." Tomo hissed out.
"Kitakado-san, did you say something?
He awkwardly rubs the back of his neck,
"Ah no, but I guess I'll get that second look at the night sky, after all."
End of Tsubasa POV
.
.
Ryūji Korekuni's POV
Several hours later ….
"Ryuji, Where is it?" My mischievous fuchsia eyes slide over the top of a glossy paged fashion magazine. Noticing a familiar out stretched hand.
"Oh Tomo, you finally made it back. Its looks like you could use a shower." I blindly reply as I'm doing my best to keep my eyes glued to the magazine. "How was the sightseeing? "
"Sightseeing, it was more like an unplanned sleepover. Ryūji, don't make me ask again." Tomo stubbornly holds out his hand. "My phone. Now."
An impish giggle slipped from my obscured face, as I reach next to me, pulling out the item in question, safely tucked way, by my side. "Here, I guess you somehow dropped this." without even looking I slap the phone in Tomo's awaiting palm. My hands lace around the pages of my diversion, giving it a sharp tug, to straighten the pages. "I happen to find it, after the two of you had left."
"Yeah, I'm sure that was the case." He speaks in an incredulous tone, "I'm sure you had nothing to do with Tsubasa's phone, as well."
"You know, some people just don't check the setting on their phones. Can you imagine if she kept her Bluetooth on this entire time, what that might do to her battery?" I shrug my shoulders.
"What's going on with you?" Tomo lets out a frustrated sigh, tenderly rubbing the side of his sweaty head, "All of sudden you bailed because of ….'Air sicknesses. Really, air sickness? Ryuji, we've been friends for years, and not once do I recall you ever suffering from a case of airsickness." My friend abruptly plucks the magazine from my hands. "I'll repeat myself. What's going on with you?"
"Tomo, I should be asking you the same?" I quickly jump from seat and snatch the magazine back, sticking it under my arm.
"What?"
I reached in my short's pocket and pulled out a cherry sucker, "Listen, Tomo, as soon as you hung up with Mika, you called the venue, and canceled, our major gig. Tomo that award show was being broadcasted nationally, with the strong chance of the recording to be played in other markets." I pointed the wrapped sucker towards my irritated friend. "We didn't miss a flight, like you want everyone else to believe." I quickly unwrapped the red sucker. However, I kept it out of my mouth and allowed my hand to fall to my side. "Tomo, you didn't even ask me." My depressed fuchsia eyes slide to the floor.
.
Tomo reached out, and cautiously rests a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Ryūji, I'm sorry, I wasn't really thinking clearly, I just heard she was hurt then-"
I quickly cut my friend off while roughly shrugging my shoulder away from my friend's hand, "Yeah well, the next thing I know, I'm on an emergency flight headed 'away' from Kitakore's big break." I pop the sucker in my mouth, crossing my arms at my chest, "Don't even get me started in that 'so called' band meeting you called the other night. I've never seen you act like that, before. You usually brush off Kazu's reserved behavior. If it wasn't for Yuta, you could have caused a serious riff between the groups."
.
"Wait a minute, if you're talking about causing a riff, what about you bringing up Tsubasa dropping two groups? Talk about Marianas Trench. "
"Granted, it might not have been the best idea to bring up the fact in Tsubasa –chan's hospital room, but you can't deny the other groups weren't thinking about it." I shrugged my shoulders, "I just said what everybody was thinking."
"Yeah, causing trouble, as usual." My friend let's out a heavy, "Listen Ryuji, I can explain."
"Save it," I unfold an arm, swinging it up, in front of my friend, "I'm not even, close to being done," I let out a long breath, catching the platinum's confused clear blue eyes, "Tomo … I know about your birthday."
He nervously avoided looking me in the eye, "Ryuji, you know better than anyone, how I feel about my birthday. I'm not really a people person, when it comes to that particular day. " Tomo reaches up, and awkwardly rubs the back of his neck.
"That's what I thought too, with the sudden appearance of the 'so called' last minute tickets. You forget, I know you better than anyone does. Tomo, I'm not stupid! I know just what you had to go through to buy those tickets…. so you could have the flat, all to yourself." I let out a frustrated sigh, "Family Box seats, yeah right. Your parents wouldn't be caught dead in that type of venue."
"Ryūji, I just-"
"Don't bother to deny it, I already saw Tsubasa, crawling around our floor," Raising a knowing eyebrow, "behind the couch." Speaking in a suggestive tone.
"It's not what you think!" Tomo franticly holds up his hands, "Uh she just asked if she could stop by and well …she sort of dropped by an unexpected birthday gift. "I couldn't help notice a small smile momentary emerge on my roommate's lips, when talking about the brunet's gift. "And well we ended up talking, and I guess we fell asleep on the couch." Tomo shakes his head, "Nothing happened!"
"Oh, I'm sure of that, you would never-" I wave a dismissive hand, "but I can't let the simple fact go that you just happened to have the best sushi in Tokyo beautify laid out for two….You know the stuff Yuta kept popping his mouth. I saw the takeout box."
Tomo awkwardly slides his hands in his pants pocket. "Okay, okay enough …. that was kind of planned," My friend shrugs his shoulders, "on my part. But—"
"No, before you go off incoherently sputtering your lame excuses, perhaps you could explain this," I quickly pull a small folded piece of paper out of my pocket slapping it against my speechless roommate's chest .
"Uh, what." Tomo, blindly pulls the paper from his chest.
"Tomo, I went to Gandara. I wanted permission to paint Tsubasa's new flat, before she moved in. Except when I asked," I let out a sigh, "The Company denied the connection…, but they did direct me to who is actually responsible for Tsubasa's new flat." A knowing smirk builds on my lips, "And which family owned conglomerate do you think Gandara directed me to?"
"Ryūji, I can explain-"
"By your submission, you know exactly what I found. The sneaking around, the accusations, the odd behavior... Tomo, what the heck is going on with you, lately?" I let out a long sigh, while holding up a hand to my speechless friend. "Never mind, I've already figured it out…
…its Tsubasa ….you like her, don't you?"
End of Ryūji Korekuni's POV
End of chapter 7
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