Okay, before we get started, I wanted to say to Vindalootoo (where did you come up with that? I love it), it's rather funny that you should ask why Eiri took up teaching because that is revealed in this chapter. Also, Em-chan15, you made a great update of "Love or Money." I'm anxiously awaiting what happens next!
-o-o-o-o-
"Here we are."
Shuichi looked at his surroundings, taking in the amazing home of Ueseugi Eiri with wide eyes. It was spotless, with a contemporary style; it looked as though he had just bought the place. His living room contained a rectangular couch with tightly drawn, navy cushioning. Next to that was a stainless steel coffee table with several magazines on top. The wood floor appeared flawless, and Shuichi trailed his eyes across it until his eyes met the sight of his kitchen: Once again, it looked spick-and-span, with a stainless steel refrigerator and black granite counter-top bar. The bar stools were a sleek black wood with red leather as the seat cushioning.
The only words he could muster were: "You rich bastard…" At this, Eiri laughed and took off his shoes. Shuichi did as well, taking off his coat too, which was covered in snow from the walk. Eiri pointed at the coat rack beside the door and headed towards the kitchen.
"You can just sit on the couch. Want a beer?" He asked
"Yeah, thanks." was the reply. Eiri grabbed two cans and headed out and sat down beside him, opening it and sighing. He looked over at Shuichi, who was still staring dumbfounded at his magnificent house. "How do you keep this place so…clean?" Shuichi asked.
"Well…I basically live in my study, and that room's a mess, so that might explain it." Eiri replied.
"Oh." Shuichi laughed, feeling slightly less unimpressive.
Eiri yawned and took another gulp of his beer. "Ugh…I'm tired. Teaching is tough."
"Yeah, it is." Shuichi agreed. There were a few minutes of silence, and both just took drink of their beers. However, the silence was broken by an inquiry from Shuichi. "Eiri, I've always wondered…why did you take up teaching? I mean, you obviously don't need the money, and it seems to impose on your sleeping schedule, so why?"
Eiri mulled over what had just been said; no—he didn't need the money, and yes—it did impose on his sleeping schedule, but his reason for teaching was far less superficial then these.
"I guess it would seem weird for someone like me to be teaching," he started, "but, a few months ago…all my inspiration just disappeared. I used to be able to sit down at my computer and the words would just flow from my fingertips, however now…I'm all dried up. I hate everything I write. So, after a couple of months of moping, I tried to think about what it was that inspired me in the first place.
Well, you see, when I was little I was picked on for my hair and eye colour, so my parents sent me to New York City. While I was there, I had a tutor named Kitazawa Yuki. He was the first real friend I ever had, and he inspired me to become a writer. So, I figured, if I could go back to the thing that inspired me in the first place—teaching—then I might be able to regain my stimulus."
Shuichi stared at him. "Wow. That was definitely an answer I didn't expect, but satisfying nonetheless. As for your lost inspiration…I'm sure you'll find it, Eiri, and you're going to write amazing books when you do."
'You're going to be an amazing writer, Eiri-kun.'
Eiri stared at him.
"…I hope you're right."
-o-o-o-o-
"You look horrible." Said a curious Shuichi, who had been waiting by Eiri's door for him. Grunting a 'thanks,' Eiri unlocked the door and sat down to his desk, taking a much needed sip of coffee. "No sleep?"
"Exactly; after you left, I sat in front of my computer all night, staring at a blank screen and hoping the something would pop into my head." He said, burying his head in his hands.
"And did it?"
"No."
"Well," said Shuichi, "I told you to give yourself a break. You'll wear yourself out if you continue to push inspiration. It comes on its own."
"Yes, yes, you're very smart. Now, to what do I owe this annoyance?" Eiri replied glaring
"Well, aren't you a bundle of joy, as is always the case when you're tired. Anyway, since we've gotten to know each other over the past month or so, I wanted you to meet some of my old friends. They've been out of town, but they're coming here this weekend, and they're meeting up with us on Friday, okay?" He stated more then asked.
"Are you on a mission to deprive me off sleep?" Eiri asked.
Shuichi chuckled. "I suppose I am," he said.
"Alright, I'll give up my precious time to meet your friends. But when my editor comes barging in my house asking 'where the fuck is the manuscript', I'm pointing my finger at you." Eiri said.
"Okay." Shuichi giggled his way out the door, laughing at Eiri's impersonation of his obviously sadistic editor.
As the younger man exited, the school bell rang, and Eiri heard a loud 'shit!' coming from the hallway. He smirked. 'It serves you right.'
-o-o-o-o-
"Eiri, this is Masato, Keita, and Ikito. Guys, this is Eiri Ueseugi, famous author and teacher of linguistics at Tokyo Arts." Shuichi offered the short introduction to the four other men standing next to the bar counter. They stared wide-eyed at Eiri. Oh, to have a celebrity in their presence! It took them several minutes to regain enough muscle power in their jaws to close their gaping mouths. They bowed and waited until Eiri took his seat to take theirs. Shuichi observed this display of inferiority with a quizzical expression, being as he never felt the need to act formal towards anyone.
"Sake, please." Eiri ordered, Shuichi taking the same. The others ordered what Eiri assumed to be their regulars, and then turned back to the subject of their amazement.
"So, Eiri……what's it like being famous?" the one known as Masato asked eagerly. His warm chocolate-brown eyes shone brightly with wonder, and he blew the blonde hair out of his face.
"Uh…" Eiri couldn't think of what to say to this. What kind of question was that? 'Let's see…People hassle me everyday, I spend my whole life trying to meet deadlines (which puts a serious dent in my sleeping schedule), and it makes it a hell of a lot easier to pick up chicks. How does that sound?' Luckily, he was spared of having to answer since the one with reddish-brown hair and dazzling green eyes –Keita– hit the inquirer upside the head.
"Think before you speak, idiot." He chuckled. Masato complained that it hurt, upon which Keita immediately gave him and apologetic look, patting his head in a comforting way.
Eiri, however, had his attention captured by another subject. Ikito, with pale grey eyes and hair as black as Shuichi's was staring at him. He had a classy look, wearing a white, button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up ¾ length and black tailored pants. He had his elbow poised elegantly on the bar counter, his chin supported by his arm. He ignored the drink that was placed in front of him and continued to stare at Eiri.
"Shuichi." Eiri said quietly. Shuichi, who had been laughing at the playful sight of Keita and Masato arguing, turned to him. Motioning slyly with his eyes towards Ikito, Eiri asked "Why is he staring at me?"
Shuichi looked back and, upon seeing his friend, smiled and turned back to Eiri. "Don't worry," Shuichi giggled, "He's always aloof and chic. He's a writer, you know, just like you! He writes lyrics mostly, but apparently he's a big fan of yours, though he's far too proud to grovel." Shuichi introduced the man without him even being aware of it. "I think…" Shuichi started, taking another quick glance at Ikito before continuing, "That he would really be happy if you started up a conversation with him."
Eiri ran his eyes over the suave young man before nodding. Shuichi turned to Masato and Keita. "Oh right, Eiri, did you know that Masato and Keita are musicians, too? Masato plays the drums, and Keita a vocalist. They're quite talented."
"Perhaps," said Keita, his green eyes smiling, "but Shuichi is the best of us all."
"Way to speak for everyone else, Keita." Shuichi pointed out. All the others nodded in agreement at Shuichi's position as "the best," however, and Shuichi just smiled humbly.
"Shuichi." Said Ikito, finally speaking up for the first time. His eyes were fixed in an intense gaze on his friend, but Shuichi seemed more or less unaffected by it. "Where is Kyo?" The question was posed as if to suggest something, but what Eiri didn't know.
'Kyo…?' The name rang no bell in Eiri's mind. Shuichi, however, smiled brightly at the reference.
"Oh! He said he'd be showing up late. They're working late at the studio. Don't worry, though, he'll be here." Shuichi exclaimed happily, yet oddly enough fixed Ikito with a stare that said 'back down,' and he did.
"Another?" a familiar voice rang his Eiri's ears. Seiichi was holding his empty sake glass, shaking it slightly. A nod was given, and the glass filled once again.
Shuichi signaled he wanted another as well, and Seiichi took his glass. He looked around and, upon seeing the empty sake bottle from which he poured the sweet liquor, sighed, looking playfully dejected. "You," he pointed an accusing finger at Eiri, "are drinking me dry. I'll be back." He left, and Eiri smirked, taking another gulp.
"So…Kyo, huh? Another musician friend of yours, I suppose." Eiri said.
"Boyfriend, actually."
It took several seconds for this information to sink in, but once it did, Eiri turned to Shuichi with wide-eyes. This was the most awkward moment of his life. Was Shuichi really…?
"Oh, so you're…" He started, searching for the right words. He had never felt so uncomfortable in his life. Why hadn't Shuichi mentioned this before?
"Gay? Yes, I am. And if you're wondering why I didn't tell you," Shuichi said, "it is because I wanted to give you the chance to know me before you judged me. Honestly, think about it. If I had told you before we became so close, wouldn't you had felt either too repulsed or awkward around me to be my friend? This is the only way I get a fair shot with people. But, luckily, I have a great group of friends who don't care." He smiled. He looked down at the floor before fixing Eiri with a strong gaze. "Does it bother you?"
Upon regaining his senses, Eiri contemplated this. And he found, in fact, that it did not. Shuichi was right to have given him the chance the get to know him before coming out, because the young man was a great friend Eiri planned on keeping, regardless of that friend's orientation.
Meeting Shuichi's eyes with his own hazel ones, he stated firmly, "No."
A certain relief seemed to wash over Shuichi's facial expressions, at which point Seiichi returned with a new bottle of sake. 'However…' Eiri thought 'friend or not, I'm still going to have to tease him for this.'
"So…" Eiri said, a mischievously smile playing on his lips, "as someone drawn to males, do you think I'm attractive?" Shuichi stared at him shocked, and blushing like a girl. It quite reminded him of his adoring female fans, and he could not help but chuckle. Shuichi caught on to the fact that he was teasing him, and hit Eiri upside the head. "Are you going to answer me or not?" Eiri asked, trying in vain to suppress his laughter.
Shuichi turned his face away and said, "Everyone is attracted to you. I'm no exception." Eiri smirked, satisfied with his win, and turned back to the matter at hand, or rather, in his hand: sake.
The lights began to dim. A woman with short black hair appeared onstage and sat on the piano which had been previously set up for him. Her music was soft, a perfect setting for the content feeling in the air. Shuichi stood up and went to talk with Masato and Keita, leaving Eiri and Ikito to sit in silence at the bar, each with a glass of liquor in his hand. 'Strike up a conversation…' Eiri said to himself.
"So…I hear you write?"
Ikito turned to him with a slightly surprised look, which did not at all fit the nonchalant attitude he had given off earlier in the evening. His expression softened as little as possible, and he said through tight lips:
"Yeah."
-o-o-o-o-
Sorry for not updating in such a long time. School work, you know? Anyway, I just want to clear up something for any who might have caught this vibe: Masato and Keita aren't dating, Keita just acts like an affectionate mother with everyone. Until next time!