Just a Show
Chapter 7: Just a Show
Shuichi just stared at the door, hoping it would open, but it didn't. Heart-broken, he just slumped to the floor. He had been yelling for the last half hour, his voice was hoarse which he was sure K would not be pleased with. He let the sound of sobs fall from his lips. It didn't make sense to him. What did he do wrong? Why did the novelist kick him out?
"Yuki!" he whined, wrapping his arms around his legs, his back leaning against the door.
Yuki stared at his laptop, nothing was coming to mind. He didn't understand it, but he actually felt guilt swarming inside him. The brat will be fine, better than fine. It had been barely morning when he kicked Shuichi Shindo out.
The pink-haired man had awoken bright and early with a smile. Coming up to Yuki with a feeling of joy, however Yuki didn't share that 'joy' so when the brat came in to thank him, the novelist had thrown a pillow at him, which was dodged. Then the man promptly got on his knees and crawled over in a sneaky way to Yuki's bed.
He jumped up with excitement. "Thank you Yuki!" he'd exclaimed, and with that he hugged the blonde novelist, whom at first gave himself a moment to enjoy it. The comforting warmth of the younger man's body actually felt nice. After that moment the blonde-headed man shoved the brat away from his bed.
"Yuki, you are mean!" Shuichi whined, but there still was that bright smile on his face. Violet eyes looked up with a gleam of delight.
Grabbing a pack smokes first, Yuki then got up out of bed. The sun just seemed to shine only on him and Shuichi thought he was looking at an angel. The novelist however was annoyed by the glare in his eyes. Lighting up a cigarette, he turned his gazed at the man with pink hair whom was staring at him.
"So you are doing better I take it?" Shuichi nodded.
"Much better, must have just been a 24 hour bug! The good thing is I get a week to play hooky…" Suddenly there was a thoughtful expression and then a grin. "Maybe we should go out on a date!" He jumped with excitement.
The golden-eyed man inhaled his cigarette then blew out a puff of smoke before saying anything. "So, you don't feel the least bit sick." The man reached out a hand to touch Shuichi's forehead to to check if the brat was really fine.
"Nope, all better."
"Good," Yuki thought for a moment, "Now get the hell out of my house and don't come back."
"Yuki, what are you...?" A wave of confusion hit Shuichi.
"Get the hell out of my house, now," Yuki growled this time.
"But we still got two weeks left," he whined.
"I don't give a damn!" The blonde grabbed the other man by the collar then dragged him into the living room. "I'm tired of playing games."
"Yu…Yu…Yuki?" pain-filled eyes caused the novelist to feel something for a tiny second in time, something rather hurtful.
"Get the fuck out, before I call the police." The taller man pointed towards the door.
Shuichi looked completely confused and hurt. "Okay, I'll have someone get my stuff later," his voice sounded broken and Yuki felt a twinge of pain in his heart.
"You do that."
Mika sighed, gazing down with a slight frown at Shuichi Shindo. "This happened sooner than expected." She murmured. Lightly kicking him, she commanded, "Wake up brat!"
Slowly, wide violet eyes opened up, blinking a couple of times. Shuichi's sight revealed a beautiful woman with long brown hair, and dark eyes. The woman looked familiar, yet he couldn't remember meeting her. She did look like Yuki. "Hel…hello?"
"Hello, now you are coming with me." She waved, indicating that Shuichi should follow.
Slowly he pulled himself up and looked at her questionably. "Who are you?" he wondered yet following behind.
Not stopping she replied, "Mika Seguchi, now come." Shuichi sped up to be in the same pace as her.
"As in Tohma's wife and Yuki's sister?"
"Yes, moron, now follow!"
"Okay," he did as commanded walking in his boxer shorts and muscle shirt.
Kiyoshi Yusuo came out of the alley way where he had been hiding. So it looks like it is true, Yuki did kick Shuichi Shindo out. Now would Mika Seguchi be picking up the boy? I doubt she is having an affair, even if she was I'm not stupid enough to make that public. Tohma Seguchi is scary. "I guess I'll get these photos to the office and report what I've seen, Isumi will get the rest."
K hung up the phone and looked over to Sakano. "Ha, a big show is on its way!"
"I know, but I'm afraid of how this will affect Shindo's work." Sakano replied. "I know this is the publicity we want but…" A gun was pointed at the producer's head, he gulped.
"Don't worry! I got my babies!" K pulled out another gun and kissed it, giving Sakano a chance to walk away.
Mika waved down a waitress. "Yes, I would like this," she pointed to the menu, "and he'll have the lasagna." Then she handed the menu back over. "Now let me guess, he kicked you out." Shuichi nodded. "You're a vocalist so speak up."
"Yes and I…" the tears were about to come out. "I don't know why."
"Hmph, that's just Eiri. You will get used to it in time."
"Used to it?" Violet eyes gazed upon the woman with confusion.
"Yes, he'll do that a lot to you."
"But isn't it over?"
"Would you throw away your dreams like they are nothing?"
Shuichi shook his head. "No way, singing is my life!"
"Of course it is, then why would you give up him… but then again perhaps he isn't that important to you." Mika said nonchalantly, lightly moving her foot in a circular motion under the table to somewhat entertain herself. All of this situation was boring and predictable, but necessary.
The pink-headed man thought for a moment before slamming his fist against the table. "No, he is important, so I won't give up!" he exclaimed. His eyes seemed to brighten and held an expression of determination.
"Good, then after lunch go sing."
"What!"
"Don't try to win Yuki over, not yet anyway, he'll just kick you back out."
"So, what should I do."
"Just sing,"
"That's it?"
"Yes."
Saki Isumi was the most aggressive female reporter in the business as well as the sneakiest. So, of course when Yusuo gave her the tip about a possible break up, she became more than determined to find the facts, or not so much the facts, but the most believable and juicy story.
She made her way into Yuki's apartment building. All the press knew where the novelist lived, they all had stalked him once before, some of them even restraining orders on them. She pounded on the door.
Elle was left in tears, Skylar had just left her in the middle of nowhere. Her clothes were tattered, and it was raining. That wasn't the worst part though, the worst of all was that she had just confessed to her lover.
Meanwhile Skylar was counting the gold in his hands. He should have been happy, he had made quite an amount of money. The girl had fulfilled her purpose in the little charade they had pulled. Yet the gold just felt cold and that was all he could focus on: cold. It was cold and empty without Elle. Trying to deny it with all his might he shoved the money in his pocket and got on the train.
"Now what, I separated them. That's only a hundred pages, so what do I make the idiots do next?" Yuki took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead. He tried to think: maybe Skylar could get off the train? No, too cliché. I could have the girl come after him, but…no that won't work either. Why would someone go after a person that crushed their heart? Okay then perhaps…"
A loud obnoxious knocking interrupted his thoughts. He growled in frustration. Standing up, he put his glasses back on, then made his way over to the door. "Whoever the hell it is, it better be important." He opened the door to be met with unexpected surprise.
"Oh, angry as usual." Flash. Yuki stumbled backwards. "You really don't look that great, so you really did break up with Shuichi Shindo." Flash.
"If you want that camera in one piece, I suggest you stop flashing that thing!" he growled covering his eyes, the damn thing was starting to give him a headache.
"Oh but, how else am I supposed to get good pictures. Can I come in?" She asked but before Yuki could say anything she said, "Oh thanks!" Stepping in she examined the room. "Why's his stuff here if you kicked him out… hmm?" Isumi got right in his face, he pushed her aside. "You shouldn't be so rough with girls. You don't want your reputation ruined do you?"
Yuki sighed. This had to be the most stubborn reporter he had ever met. "He is sending someone to get his stuff later, so I don't have to look at his annoying pink head ever again."
"Oh honey, you'll see his face all over tomorrow. So you were the one dumped, huh?" she walked around taking pictures, not that she was going to use half them. She just liked getting on the novelist's nerves, it was amusing.
"No," Yuki growled. "It was mutual!"
"It is never mutual and seeing as you're the one that's bitter," her brown eyes examined him, "as well as exhausted, looks like you were the one who got dumped."
"No, we both agreed to end it because of my fiancé whom I am forced to be with."
Saki Isumi could feel her heartbreak and at the same time, this was the story of the lifetime, a tragic tale of two lovers separated by the ways of tradition. Oh, poor Shuichi Shindo to be thrown out like common trash over a woman such as Ayaka. "So that's why that woman slapped Shindo in front of the press." She growled. At the moment she said that, Yuki knew that she was a fangirl and no doubt Ayaka would be treated like dirt by the press if this girl kept being aggressive. Somehow he felt very happy about that fact.
Maiko didn't know how, but she was going to find out where Ayaka lived. How dare she? "My little brother was so happy! And Yuki Eiri, how could he let this happen?" She was currently pacing in circles, angry at the situation. She was planning creative ways to destroy Ayaka while being able to get away with it. Then she stopped. Does it really matter, I should focus my energy on getting the greatest couple back together, she thought."Yes! I will accomplish the greatest thing a fangirl can achieve!"
"Dear, what are you thinking?" her mother questioned, peeking in the doorway to see Maiko with one hand in the air and one foot on the bed, her victory pose.
"Mother! I'm going to get the hottest couple back together!"
"Oh!" her mother squealed, "Can I help? I can't let such a tragedy win against my beautiful baby boy!"
"Yes, I think so! I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but can you make some treats that I can take over to the studio?"
Shura clapped her hands, "Of course dear, I'll bake my famous cookies, your brother won't realize you're up to anything. And you can have the two back together in time to be here for dinner on Friday!"
"Yes," the two took the other's hand and held a victory sign out. Meanwhile Mr. Shindo pretended not to notice as he walked by with a paper in his hand.
"How dare that woman think he dumped me, Yuki Eiri. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" Yet the novelist couldn't help but wonder why he sounded so bitter. He should be happy that he was getting rid of the brat, right? However, no matter what he did the image of the heart broken boy wouldn't leave his mind. That brat making me feel guilty, he really is and was an annoyance. Why do I want that annoyance back?
"No, I don't!" he shouted.
"Talking to yourself is worrying me a little, Eiri." The blonde man saw a brunette standing in the doorway.
"Mika, what the hell are you doing here?"
"Wondering why you let the brat go so easy." She stood there with her arms crossed. "Yuki Eiri never lets anything go without a fight, and you didn't even care about Ayaka, never acknowledged it. Why let it factor in now?" his sister was intelligent. It was a Usueigi trait (well except for Tatsuha), he supposed, so he was equally smart.
"Why so concerned?" he smirked, but it slightly turned in to a frown when he saw her grin.
"I suppose I should be happy, but...," she made herself at home sitting on the couch. "You are my brother and Ayaka has never made you happy."
"Neither has the brat."
"Oh really, you must be putting on quite a show then. I've never seen you that fire about anyone before."
"What are you talking about?"
"Why did you argue with him so much on your first date, huh? I know you enjoyed it. I know for a fact you don't care what people say. So why him?"
"He is annoying."
"Why does he annoy you so much?" Mika walked closer to her brother. "If you didn't care, he wouldn't bother you. You don't even argue with me like that." Yuki was silent. "Besides that little fact, the press would never believe that you gave in without a fight, and neither do I."
"I don't chase brats."
"That's good. I was just making sure that you really were giving up on him. I think it is best you marry Ayaka."
"Don't be ridiculous, I won't do such thing."
"You have to do something, father will no doubt push your marriage now."
"Hnn, like I care."
"You will care if father finds out about the contract which I'm thinking about pointing him at dinner tonight."
"You wouldn't," he growled.
"Oh I would. You didn't think I knew, did you?"
"I'm not marrying that witch."
"You'll have no choice."
"If you put it that way, you want a fight. I'll marry Shuichi Shindo before I marry Ayaka."
"Don't be so stupid! You can't marry a guy, and don't you drag the family down like that!"
"I don't give a damn about the family Mika. I'll do whatever it takes to keep from marrying that woman."
"I see," tears began to pour. "You are in love, aren't you?"
"I'm not."
"Yes, you are, why do you want to marry him?"
"I'm not going to marry Ayaka."
"You don't care enough about her to do something this dramatic!" Yuki didn't have an answer.
"Get out of my house!"
"I'm right, you're in love with that boy!"
"No, I'm not!" trying to convince himself more so than her. He shoved her out the door and slammed it close.
Mika smirked as the door was closed. A brighter smile even graced her lips when she noticed that there was press taking pictures of her. They heard everything or enough. Yuki Eiri just trapped himself without knowing.
"I don't love him, I don't!" Yuki exclaimed. He wondered why he thought saying it louder would make it fact, because it didn't. How could I fall for the brat, and so quickly. Damn it, I just wanted to get rid of Ayaka. Damn, why did I get so defensive? "If I don't love him, why am I acting like the idiots in my romance novels? Ugh, I'm disgusting myself, damn brat. I'm not in love, you have to believe it to be in it. I'm not in love."
Shuichi stared at his lyrics, so did Suguru and Hiro.
"You just…" the words couldn't find there ways off the keyboardist lips.
"Wrote two songs," Hiro finished still astonished, "and they are the best ones you have written yet."
"I know," just as in shock, Shuichi couldn't take his eyes off of the two songs. "Two of them, in less than an hour," he then smiled. "Guess the bastard is really good for something." The two bandmates could only nod.
K came in with Sakano, he was ready to shoot Shuichi. "What are you gawking at?" K pointed the gun at the pink man's head.
Sakano took the two sheets of paper. "These are…these are…," the producer stared in amazement. He then jumped with joy. "I finally did something right as a producer!" he exclaimed almost jumping out the window. Suguru and Hiro pulled him back in time. Nobody had known that Sakano's highs would be just as disastrous as his lows.
K picked up the two songs with a scoff, not understanding why there was such behavior, until he read them. He sat them down and shot two bullets in the air to show his happiness. Everyone ducked. "Let's get moving on the music!" K exclaimed.
"I think Hiro and I already have something that will work." Suguru announced with a smile. They were actually going to make the deadline, it was a miracle, he supposed he should thank Yuki.
Shuichi followed his two bandmates to listen to the music they had pre-recorded, leaving the lyrics behind.
Tohma shut the T.V. off. He couldn't believe what he just heard. It couldn't be right. If it was, things were not working in Tohma's favor at all. The press suggested that not only was Yuki going to win Shuichi back, but ask his hand in marriage. He sat his head on clasped hands, thinking. "Why would Eiri pull such a stunt without consulting me first? Unless…no." Tohma couldn't believe it, could it be that Yuki Eiri was in love? No, this just couldn't happen, this wouldn't do at all, he had to do something. He pressed the button for his sectary, "Get me Ryuichi Sakuma's number please."
"Yes sir," she replied. Tohma then began to formulate a plan in his mind revolving around Ryuichi.
Yuki couldn't believe he was here. What was worse was the press watching his every move. Stepping outside his house was just stupid, but he had a bad craving for Strawberry cheesecake and so he had to appease it. Then, with that he was greeted with the press asking questions about his possible marriage with Shuichi. Who would take who's name? He had said they'd take his, and he wondered: Why the hell did he even care?
Now, he was outside the studio, waiting for the brat. He'd thought that perhaps, they both could come to some kind of new agreement, so he had told himself. In reality he was there because even one day without the brat was too long.
He walked inside the studio. He decided not to let know his brother-in-law know he was there, besides he was sure Tohma would find out eventually on his own. The security guards let him in without any problems, everyone knew who he was and who he was related to. He made his way to the elevator, opening it, he was surprised to see wide violet eyes.
"Yuki!" he exclaimed, he didn't hold back. He launched himself at the blonde he loved him and there was no denying. "You came back for me."
The novelist shoved the brat off. "Who said that? My brother-in-law works here, you know." The young man's smile faded.
"Oh," he slowly pulled himself up, and then tried to pick up the pieces of paper that had flew out of his hands. Yuki beat him to it.
"What crap did you write?" he gazed down and was shocked. It still wasn't anything amazing, but it was way better than the brat wrote before.
Golden Eyes
Wisp of smoke
I can see that I'm lost
I never thought I find you
And I didn't want you
Golden eyes are tearing me apart
They are making me fall
And they are part of my everything
Dust arose
Fire ablaze
I can see that I'm falling
I never want to hit the ground
But I'm going to
Golden eyes are tearing me apart
They are making me fall
And they are part of my everything
Lightning strikes
Thunder roars
I can see the ground
I never think I'll get up
But I will
"The last line is the worse, everyone uses storm metaphors for love," Yuki criticized. "I guess you need to stick with me just to see some real writing."
"Hey everyone like…what?"
"I lied. I came to take you back. Don't know why, but here I am." He pulled out a packet of cigarettes. "I think I'm going to need more of these if I'm going to survive one more day of you."
"Yuki! I love you!" Shuichi exclaimed, not caring if his words shock the blonde or not. Yuki just smiled a little as the brat wrapped his arms around him. Maybe I'm in love and maybe that's not so bad.
Author's Note:
Well thanks to those who stuck with this piece and my other works. If you haven't read any other my pieces for gravitation, just click on my name to check them out. Anyway, I think this is the best story I written so far. I thank my busy editor for taking time to edit this. I believe the next chapter will focus a little on Hiro and Suguru, perhaps maybe an apology from Ayaka to Shuichi.