Write date: 08-09; 08-11
Alright, if you were wondering why in the world did this disappeared to? Well, because I was embarrassed, by it, (still hate this fic though...) And because of the spam kind of... So yeah, thank you really much to Dlbn and Messy Bookshelf for encouraging me to get this thing posted again... I doubt I'll read this after a few months though..
(ch. 20) - means, a scene used, explained in that chapter...
So yeah, end of blabber, whoever's reading, hope you'll enjoy at least a smallest part of this...
-X-X-X-
- less than a week before the incident-
'What's wrong with me?...'
A thought slipped free, when Ritsu's shivering body bent over the bathroom's sink. he continued to feel the nasty taste still lingering in his mouth after he threw up.
'This never happened before... So why am I getting nauseous now?'
When he finally rose his head at the mirror, after washing up, he spotted a reflection of a shadowy figure. It brooded behind him. The anonymous person suddenly drew up a pale thin hand to Ritsu's throat. The uncut, dirty nails scratched at the man's neck, threatening to crush it. Ritsu could even see the the figure's hollow eye sockets through the mirror. However that didn't helped one bit, as Ritsu began to hyperventilate in fear.
'No...That's not real!' He took a hold of the sink, for steadiness, before turning around. The wall greeted him instead. The silver-haired man scrutinized the area behind him as if wanting to find proof of that being's whereabouts. Though nothing showed up anymore. The man waited for a moment, letting his breathing calm down, but his heart continued to strike immensely, the shivering persisted likewise.
He soon gave a glimpse back at the mirror, before abruptly whirling around to head out. He still wasn't used to the sallow face, that stared back at him. It was even harder to believe it was the man himself.
Ritsu's skin was pale. Dark circles went under his only healthy eye, while the other was bandaged.
And the fallen in cheeks were from poor nutrition. The male knew, he was suppose to eat better, but he just wasn't hungry all that much, maybe the headmaster was getting sick, then the fever would be explained also. But Ritsu couldn't let that gossip seep in to the open. Besides if this unexplained nausea will continue, he was sure it would be better to eat less, what's the point, if you'll just throw everything out... Like now.
'Goodbye breakfast.' Ritsu joked in his mind, limping out of the bathroom, while trying not to step with the injured fingers.
"Somebody got up with the wrong foot." Soubi remarked from a distance, making the silver-haired man turn to him with a blunt expression.
"If you need something important, say it now, Soubi-kun. If not, don't waste your breath."
"Straight to the point, huh?" Only a side of the blonde's lip curved upwards, when he walked closer, keeping his hands in his pockets. Ritsu's eyes narrowed in annoyance. He was eager to leave, especially, when his walking became slower than a snail's. The silver-haired man didn't had the time to converse rubbish. Another day of work was waiting for him.
"Listen, sensei, we're going out."
"A date? Soubi-kun, you never cease to amaze me." Ritsu shook his head, with a sneer, enjoying his student's reddened cheeks. He soon waved a hand." I'm too old for this foolishness, Soubi-kun. You could have done this game over and over with Ritsuka, while he was..." (ch. 2)
Ritsu nearly stopped himself from bringing out the obvious, leaving his mouth parted. Back then Soubi believed Ritsuka to be dead. He caressed his student's hair in a soothing manner as if that was suppose to be an apology.
"...Sensei... Come here. I promise you it's not a childish game like you say. We planned that a few people will carry out your job. It's your day off."
"Day off? Who told you I needed a day off?"
"Yune-chan and Nagisa-sensei, now come on. Like it or not, it's already arranged." He lead the weakened man out of the building, while mouthing out after a minute. "And trust me, I'm not happy with this either."
They soon saw Ritsu's car in the driveway opposite from the school. The headmaster heard Soubi whistle, as he took out the teacher's car keys with a glint in his eyes.
"Where did you get those?" Ritsu growled, narrowing his eyes at his personal property in someone else's hands.
"Found them on the counter." The blonde grinned, while reaching for the driver's side of the dark car. Just then the realization hit the teacher. Ritsu nearly fell forward, while catching the other's arm dramatically.
"Don't you dare, Soubi-kun, that's my car. I'm not letting you break it." He set a serious, commanding gaze, yet to Ritsu's misfortune Soubi absentmindedly opened the door, then smirked at his teacher.
"Have trust in me, okay? You won't be able to drive in your condition anyway. Besides, it's not like I will do anything bad to your twenty year old Mercedes. But I have to say, you maintained it well, looks like new." Soubi's grin continued to grace his lips, when he sat in the driver's seat, hovering his hands on the wheel as if worshiping the priceless object, that he'll have the privilege to touch. It was the young man's dream to sit here, when Soubi was a child, though he didn't thought he'd see the day.
" If something will happen to it, you're paying." Ritsu hissed, settling in the front passenger's seat, while crossing his arms in irritation. Soubi chuckled at that.
"Sorry, I'm afraid, I'm broke."
The headmaster only massaged his temples. His student was right. Damn. He released another unsatisfied grunt, before Nagisa came up and sat in the back. Ritsu whirled his head in disbelief, then back at Soubi with a disappointed look.
"What? You really thought there will be just the two of us? You said you weren't into dates anymore..." Soubi cocked an eyebrow at the frantic teacher. Ritsu wanted to take back those words, as he settled again, with a barely noticeable frown. But the blonde didn't minded his dull mood, instead Soubi gave the attention to the female in the back. Soubi's voice was still filled with excitement from his childish dream coming true.
"Good morning, Nagisa-sensei, welcome aboard."
"Hello, everyone!" A voice suddenly evoke through Ritsu's window, making him flinch away. The man's eyes went bloodshot, as he thought the apparition to be another one of his mind games. Until he spotted that it was Takehito, wearing a stupid looking black hat. The dark-haired man held to it, while keeping his foot prompted on the side of the front wheel, for a higher posture. His other hand stayed glued on his hip. And to Ritsu's shame the foolish event just began, when Takehito shouted fiercely, with determination. " Have no fear, Minami-san, the smile company is ready for business! We'll make you happy in no time, that is our primary goal!"
Ritsu gave a gloomy glance to his former student, shaking his head, yet unable to say anything. In the meantime Takehito sat next to Nagisa, throwing the ridiculous hat on Ritsu's eyes.
"Tokyo here we come!" Kunugi announced, while Ritsu worked with the abrupt gift and fixed his glasses. At that moment he heard his car engine roaring, as it came into life.
X X X
It took them approximately six hours to get to Tokyo. Then the group went sight-seeing in the city. Nagisa, Takehito and Ritsu remembered the places, where they used to hang out. And that caused the talk to often shift to the past, making Soubi feel out of place.
That's how the majority of the day was spent, until they reached an old club on the edge of the city. Soubi looked wary at the senile building, with a curved and rusted welcoming sign, that read 'The Red Fox'. Maybe they just got lost?
"Well, this hasn't changed one bit." Ritsu seemed displeased, partially answering Soubi's doubts. He glanced at the tired man next to him.
"You know this bar?"
"Mhm." Takehito came from the back, squeezing between the teacher and student." This was Hisho's favorite place, when our budget was low. He really liked to throw parties in here." He gave the headmaster a glance, that the other withstood." And that means, you loved this place as well, right Minami-san? You two always walked together."
Soubi listened in, as his mind recounted the theory about, Utura Hisho and Ritsu being a couple. He'd have to ask Ritsu himself about that affair.
A student receptionist stood by the wooden, scratched table in the corridor, that led to the main hall. The boy rapidly hid his headphones and frowned at the sight of new customers. Now that was a sign of a booming business.
"Four tickets." Nagisa announced, as they came closer, while Soubi inspected the angry teenager, eyeing Ritsu for some reason. The receptionist clicked his tongue after the brief observation.
"That'll be two thousand four hundred yen."
"Oh? That's cheep for sure. Is it a discount?" The twin-tailed female smiled kindly, while Takehito, looped his hands around her neck, hissing out.
"What are you doing? Don't ever ask the god of cheapness about his decision! What if this kid's just bad at counting, make use of it!"
Nagisa blushed at the other's ramblings. That was her colleague, always interested in some weird, unexplained stuff. But 'The god of cheapness?', who in the world got Takehito to believe in that? On the other hand, Nagisa was sure people could make the most sarcastic, logic questioning literature about carrots ruling the world, before you'll know it, Takehito will be up in the streets doing campaigns about the carrots glory...
The receptionist rolled his eyes at the commotion. Then the student finally blinked, with a tired voice.
"The discount's for the grandpa."
"Grandpa?" Soubi's eyes twitched. "What are you talking about?"
The young receptionist pointed to Ritsu, making the others turn to him. Soubi grimaced. 'Oh... He does look horrible...'
"Absurdity. I'm just over forty." Ritsu growled, while a vein popped up on his head. He felt his pride burning with anger and planning the biggest lash out of the ages. Good thing he was careful with picking words.
In the meantime Kunugi's eyes jumped from either sides of the argument, before he let go of Nagisa, clenching Ritsu's shoulders instead.
"You'd wish, gramps. Give us the discount, see the fellow is of a need to sit down, his ankles are cracking already!"
"Oh. Maybe you need this cane, someone left it here."
"Perfect, we'll take it!" Takehito beamed, grabbing the piece of wood from the receptionist. Soubi suppressed a snicker soon, quickly leaving Ritsu's side with Nagisa.
The blue-haired woman was filled with excitement, once she entered the main hall. She gazed nostalgically at the people dancing to an old well known beat. Takehito joined her then, as the colorful lights gleamed around them. In all this sparkling light, Nagisa had to cover her eyes, seeing the band of quite senile people perform on the stage, a few feet away. They were still, barely swaying their hips, not according to the rhythm. And the female scientist was absolutely sure the singer was lip syncing.
"Wov...I recall 'The Wild Roses' from twenty years ago. Can't this club afford any new blood?... Still never expected to see them on stage again!" The bluenette finally voiced her amusement, hoping, that Takehito will be able to hear through all the racket. And he agreed loudly, tapping his foot to the music.
"Me neither! Maybe their plastic, we should check!"
" Yeah." Nagisa giggled. But soon stopped, as the song changed with really little applauds coming from the crowd. They both turned to each other in surprise. Though Nagisa shouted out first, straight to Takehito's ear."Remember this song?! I was always like: na, na, na, at this part! Oh, god, the feels!"
Takehito laughed at the woman, as she tried to dance and clap at the band, like a biggest fangirl, who's dream would be to get a wink out of the lead guitarist. Well, he wondered, if she would still like to catch a loving eye out of those grandpas, sure they were popular back in the day, but now... They weren't at their best anymore.
"Ekhem." The dark-haired man cleared his throat, putting on the hat again. He clasped at Nagisa's arm, whirling her to face him. The woman blushed at their sudden closeness. So he took her by the hand, keeping the other behind his back like a gentleman." How about a dance, my lady?"
Nagisa giggled at him, Takehito turned to a real charmer, once he lost his weight. However her lips tensed, as the edges of her pupils spotted Ritsu limping in the crowd with Soubi. Nagisa bit her cheek to forbid the sadness from creeping in. If it would be possible, she'd like to dance with the man, that she had a crush on... Although that was impossible.
"Alright, Takehito, lead the way." She exhaled hardly, hoping that it masked her quivering voice from seeping out. The female placed a reassuring smile, when Takehito began spinning with her to their favorite song and indulging in the past. Sometimes that was an easier escape route from the harsh reality.
Soubi watched them both disappear into the middle of the dance floor, with currents of others. Honestly, that was something he didn't expected. Though they should seem like a beautiful couple to others, especially knowing Nagisa's taste in clothing. His observation was suddenly paused by Ritsu's snap.
"Are those 'The Wild Roses'? I was sure they kicked the bucket already."
Soubi faced his teacher, who held a fabricated grin again. He interrupted him, not wanting to listen what else his sensei had to say. Surely nothing pretty will come out of it.
"Where's the bar?"
Ritsu lazily motioned his fingers at Soubi, slowly walking out of the light's radiance. The blonde pushed through the current of people, following his trail. Soon the rather small round table at the corner of the club greeted his vision. For some odd reason it wasn't that crowded, compared to the people flooding the dance floor. perhaps the drinks were awful here, or 'The Wild Roses' swept the enthusiasts away with their music, what dedication. Well Soubi prayed for it to be the latter option.
"What will you order?" The bartender was fast to join them both, no wonder, as they took their seats.
"A Martini." Soubi motioned his head. And Ritsu added instantly after.
"Just water, thank you."
"So you really visited this club?" The former student broke the ice, after a minute, trying to strike a conversation, that would somehow lead to his relationship with Hisho. He turned to Ritsu, who was clenching his elbow and slightly leaning at the table. The blonde frowned, at his eerie silence. Was his teacher in pain again? Suddenly Soubi purposefully tugged at Ritsu's shoulder, hopping to get him out of the trance.
"Oh... Mh..." The silver-haired man muttered weakly, then looked around timidly. Soubi placed his chair closer to him at that moment. "Yes... Those were good times. To tell you the truth, this evening is nearly a complete replica of them."
"Really? So Nagisa dancing with Takehito had been a common event?"
"Ah." Ritsu nodded, shivering for a short instance, before turning to Soubi with a foreign smile. A truly warm and nostalgic curve decorated his lips." Just exchange you with Hisho. "
"So you used to drink water back then too?" Soubi's curiosity sparked, as his pupils tracked the water glass being put to Ritsu's side. The older man giggled lightly all of a sudden, beginning to gently trace the edges of his cup with his index finger.
"Oh. You don't even know the stuff I tasted back in my youth. Me and Hisho used to mix all kind of alcoholic drinks. But the catch was, that he played the scientist and I took the role of the lab rat. Soon one of our rounds went bad, as I got sick."
"Ou..." Soubi widened his eyes, bringing the Martini to his lips. The teacher sighed at him, rubbing his arm, as he murmured.
"Stupid children we were. Drowning our dead soulmates like that."
"What?"
"No... N-nothing." Ritsu shot his eyes open, a little anxious, that he let out his thoughts into the open. The blonde stared at his sensei, waiting for him to repeat. While Ritsu's hand's movements became fearful and unsteady.
"So..." As the quiet killed their discussion again, Soubi was eager to rise it back up. He still needed information on Hisho and this dwell in memories was helpful." What other interesting stuff do you remember about your youth?"
Ritsu sat silent for a moment, blinking dully at the wall. The blonde's eyes narrowed, damn it, was he seeing things again?
'...Those demons don't let me sleep, now they don't don't let me live...' (ch. 20)
"Ah... I remember I was a true rebellious idiot in my late teenage hood." The silver-haired man eventually smirked, lifting his glasses with a finger, to shift his concentration.
"Really? I always saw you, as the rule follower, emerged in books."
"You couldn't be more wrong. My youthful rage always gave me trouble. But I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for Hisho, I probably would have been a silent fool, who crushed his spirit..." Ritsu shivered, letting out a small wail in the end of his talk.
"So most of you were rebellious. That's why your group took down the previous Septimal Moon?"
The headmaster gave a nod to Soubi, slowly leaning to him just after. The blonde oversaw Ritsu's want, exhaling kindly and letting him put his head on the younger man's shoulder.
"Go on ... Do you recall anything interesting about Utura Hisho?"
"Hisho..." Ritsu breathed out, closing his eyes in longing, whilst he snuggled on Soubi's shoulder. He smiled, feeling the golden hair tickle his face." He was like a real brother to me. He sometimes held the rational mind and got me out of my antics. But when it came to parties, he was the one dragging me to insanity."
"So you viewed him as a brother?" Soubi seemed confused, reminiscing the photo he saw in Utura Hisho's drawer. There Ritsu obviously held his friend by the waist.
"Not really... It's actually really hard to conclude our relationship. It wasn't defined. We acted like friends, but we still had our private lives and kept secrets from one another." Ritsu fell silent, emitting a hum in recollection. While Soubi finished his shot, waiting for him to continue.
The blonde began to wonder, what did that bartender put in his sensei's drink. It seemed like Ritsu was the one getting drunk on water, because he never opened up his thoughts like this. Although, the blonde glanced at the nearly full glass, questioningly. That stuff, whatever it was must've been strong. Or this was just how his sensei's feeble, tortured brain sorted out things nowadays...
After a few silent minutes, when Soubi believed sensei to have fallen asleep, Ritsu started to mutter, albeit hesitantly.
"Then... We kissed. And I lost my ears to him." Soubi narrowed his eyes, though didn't cut off Ritsu's muttering speech." We didn't thought about it much, we just wanted to experiment."
"So it was... Accidental?" The blonde began to imagine, that his teacher was intoxicated in that sensual act. Although the silver-haired man just grinned at the memory, shaking his head.
"Not at all... All I know, is that Hisho loved me, maybe even deeply. He was so understanding, kind and gentle. It was hard to not listen to him... Besides I needed a relief after your mother's and my fighter's death. But I... I didn't understood. My feelings toward him. That's why our relationship was undefined... Ou."
Ritsu wailed out at the end and Soubi nodded. He had to get to the point of the inspection. Suddenly he turned his head at the stage, at that very moment spotting a fret fall off of the bearded guitarist hold. The musician whirled around, faking the playing of the instrument without it.
"Was he really that kind, as you say?" The blonde eventually snarled, not glancing at his teacher.
"Mh. Hisho couldn't even hurt a fly. He's still that way, always was, always will be a pure, protective soul."
"Will he?" Soubi spat out quietly, while he clenched his fists harder. Ritsu hadn't took notice of that, as his eyes preferred to stay closed, probably asking for the much needed sleep, that will barely come anyway." I-I mean, he has a family now, right? So does he really love you the same way? Could there be a chance of hatred? You played with his feelings after all."
"Doubtful. Hisho knows that whatever that had been between us wouldn't work out. That's why he got that engagement ring, it's because of my unresponsive attitude towards his love. I could say he got bored of the unmoving pace." He shrugged uncaringly. "Hisho still continued to treat me like a close friend after he got married."
"Oh..." Soubi couldn't help the gloominess, that struck him. His built theory of Utura Hisho being the culprit tumbled down. Actually, he still had the final trump card, but it will probably be useless. He swallowed, bringing his thoughts together.
"Tell me, sensei, was Utura ever violent, aggressive or irrational with no explanation?"
"No."
"Does he have any mental diseases, or uses drugs, that might cause a sudden burst of rage?"
"No. Hisho never took any medications of that sort." Ritsu rasped out, getting irritated by the endless questions. He palmed his face tiredly soon, before throwing an annoyed glance to his student." Would you please stop with this? Go ask Hisho himself, Soubi-kun."
That was a signal, that Soubi had to end. His luck of nostalgic Ritsu was cut short. The blonde didn't said anything to his teacher after that, he ordered another Martini from the fast-paced barkeeper instead.
Meanwhile the headmaster simply layed on Soubi's shoulder, with deeply closed eyes and calm breathing. The blonde believed, that his teacher was drowsing, until Ritsu's head shifted closer again, snuggling at the blonde's neck gently. It didn't seemed like a possessive act, more like an attempt to rest.
And Soubi couldn't fake or mask a wish, that scratched at his mind horridly all of a sudden. If only Ritsu would stay in this weakened state never recovering.
For some reason he was afraid if his sensei will get better, he'll begin acting his usual self; The blonde was anxious, that if Ritsu will heal, he won't be that depended on others anymore, won't open up about his past, won't consult or comfort Soubi without a hideous remark spilling out. If only someone, who was wounding him, would postpone this gruesome act a little, not to give enough time for Ritsu to actually recover, but would not kill him either. In so that would allow Soubi to take care of this doll further.
This was rather cruel of the blonde to use ones misfortunes and pain to his advantage. They were stuck in this toxic relationship, that was built on Ritsu's agony and despair. On the other hand, it was like a stolen cake handed right in front of Soubi, it would be ridiculous not to take a bite...
The blonde watched Ritsu shiver, then emit a tiny wince. A gentle smile graced Soubi's lips then, as he looped his arm on the other's back to caress his teacher's shoulder, as if trying to sooth the ache, for all that it was worth.
He soon saw Nagisa and Takehito make their way to them through the diminishing number of people, as they began to scatter away to their seats, along with the band, who said their farewells. The two members of Septimal Moon took slow steps, while laughing loudly with one another, blinded by the bright lights in the distance...