Disclaimer: Last I checked, I didn't own Gravitation. -checks again- Nope, not mine. Sigh.
Shatter CH 2. Shuichi POV.
This club is very smoky. I'm really not fond of smoke at all. What's so great about something that does nothing for you but shorten your lifespan? I don't mind when Yuki smokes, of course, or Hiro either. Even if it is extremely bad for them.
But in this club, the smell of smoke is so strong it almost knocks me over. I know the smell of smoke will be clinging to my clothes even after I wash them. Then I'll make myself cough.
I'm coughing a lot already, and I want to leave. Yuki really hasn't been eating much at all lately, I really need to get some good food into him. I think he's been really stressed out lately, with his writing I guess. I really want to help him, but I'm stuck in this smoky, sweaty club.
But there's good music playing, poppy techno with an awesome thumping bass beat that really makes me want to get up and dance. But I have to wait for Producer-san, so I just close my eyes and bob my head along to the music.
I think about Yuki. He smelled really good today. And even though he's been quiet lately, and mopey too, I think he's been trying to be nicer. I feel myself smile. I love him so much.
"You must be Shindou Shuichi," I hear a girl say. At least I think it's a girl. The voice is pretty deep. I'm pretty sure it's a girl though.
I open my eyes. Girl. Smiling at her I say, "Yup, that's me! You can call me Shuichi. And who are you?"
She laughs, not kindly, but not unkindly. Somewhere in the middle, I guess. "I'm Higuchi Kaori, I work for 2-Thirtyfive Productions." She gives me a smile that reminds me of Seguchi-san. I try not to shudder.
OH! Wait a minute!
She's Producer-san! How cool! For some reason I really wasn't expecting Producer-san to be a girl, just because I've never met a girl producer. So this is really awesome!
"Nice to meet you, Higuchi-san. I've heard you have some great ideas for Bad Luck's new album!"
She takes the seat parallel to mine. The icy smile hasn't left her face. "Do I ever," she says. Her voice kind of reminds me of a cat purring. I smile, imagining her as a kitty. With fangs. "I've heard you'd really like to push the envelope with this new record."
Yes! She totally understands! What an awesome producer! She's really pretty too, with shiny, super-straight shoulder-length hair, with electric blue streaks. Her eyes are big and sparkly and violet, like mine I guess. Hers are kinda scary though. She's giving me the willies, a little.
"Exactly," I say, pretending I'm not totally creeped out by her. We are on the same page musically, so that makes me a little more confident in her. I mean, to be personally recommended by Seguchi-san, she's gotta be super-cool. Right?
"I really want this album to be unique," I explain, using the best words I can to make myself sound smarter. "Like nothing no one's ever heard before. I want listening to the CD to be like an adventure, a new experience, something different for everyone! Like a ride at Disneyland!"
Ooooh. Shuichi. That did not sound smart.
Higuchi-san is laughing again. "You're quite ambitious, Shuichi," she says, raising her eyebrows. "I like that."
Some smoke finds its way into my lungs and I cough. Ouch. My throat hurts now.
"Are you okay, Shuichi?" she asks, sounding almost worried. "Do you need a drink?"
"Oh no," I say, waving it off. Yuki says I should never buy drinks from people I don't know. Or trust. And I don't trust Higuchi-san, just yet. "I'll get my own."
"No, I'd love to buy you something, Shuichi. It's my treat." She smiles like a lion smiles at a big, juicy steak.
I'm the steak.
I wish I didn't let her call me Shuichi.
It's creeping me out even more.
-
After a few drinks, we're talking about music again. Higuchi-san is actually really smart, and funny too, and almost nice if you ignore the evil glint in her eyes.
She thinks my disco idea is really neat, and she's suggested giving some of the slower songs a more jazzy feel, which sounds really cool.
I like Higuchi-san. I trust her now.
"Shuichi," she purrs, tracing the rim of her glass with her finger, "have you ever considered going solo?"
Yuck. I hate this question. Hate hate hate it. "No, ma'am," I reply, completely honestly. "I only want to sing for Bad Luck."
"But Shuichi," she says, almost whining now, and definitely not purring, "you're so talented."
"So are Hiro and Fujisaki," I say, leaning further back as she leans in closer to me. Too close. I think she's had a bit too much to drink, and I'm a little scared. "I'd be nowhere without them, you know. They're amazing."
"So are you," she says, taking my hand, and like...stroking it. What is she doing?
"No, well, thank you, but really..." I try to wiggle my hand loose, but she's got a really strong grip.
Maybe she really is a guy.
"Shuichi," she says, taking my other hand now, and leaning in so close our noses touch. She breathes hot, sticky alcohol smell on my face. "I want you...to share your talent with me."
Oh – Oh my God! No! She's...she's kissing me! No, no, no, she can't do this! I belong to Yuki! I'm Yuki's! Not yours...I'm not yours!
I slap her, hard I hope, and run out of there as quickly as my legs will allow me. I can't see, I'm blinded by smoke and tears. I push pass people whose names and faces I'll never know, who I'd love to meet someday, but couldn't care less about right now because...because I need to get out.
As soon as I'm outside, I'm smacked with a cold wind and I fall flat on my butt in the middle of the freezing parking lot.
I can't see. I can't think. I can't even stand up.
All I can do is cry, and cry and cry, and hope that I don't get run over.
Or maybe that I do.
I'm sorry, Yuki.
-
A/N - And the angst begins! This is actually one of the weaker chapters but...it gets better, I promise! You know, today in the middle of one of my very boring classes (I think it was math) I realized that today is Shuichi's birthday!
...And look what I do to him. Sorry, Shu-chan.
Vindalootoo: Ohhhh my gosh. It's such an honor knowing you even -read- my story! And you...liked it too? Thank you so so much!!! -super ultimate glomp-
Hope you enjoyed! Review if you don't mind terribly much. -Shu :D