Chapter 16

a/n: yey! I updated! Thanks to those who reviewed the previous chapter. Nothing much on this chapter, I just felt that I needed to update.

Hi and thanks to MAYUMI! you know who you are! thanks for always emailing me and telling me to update the next chapter! sorry this chapter is short!

The maids inside the Shindou mansion were babbling and whispering at one another. Shuichi was packing his things on his large suitcase, making sure that he had nothing to leave.

"Master Shu is leaving us?" one maid whispered.

"That's sad. I thought he has no interest in traveling."

"This mansion will be lonely again without him."

Shuichi ignored the whispers he could hear. He wasn't in the mood to argue or rather fire maids that were not doing their duty. He was focused on packing all of his belongings in one single suitcase. He had made a decision. After the interschool competition, he'll be leaving Japan and will be leaving with his sister in America.

Maiko was glad to hear the news but Shuichi wasn't sure of his decision. He wanted to forget his heartaches, but could he?

He picked up the phone that was pestering him for the past minute.

"Shuichi. I'm outside your house."

Shuichi ran to his window and waved at the caller, ordering the guards to open the gate. After a few minutes, Hiro was standing inside Shuichi's messy room.

"I heard from Maiko that you'll be living with her. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It just happened all of a sudden." He reasoned out while inserting a t shirt inside his case.

"Don't lie to me. This has something to do with Uesugi right?"

Shuichi stopped packing and sighed. He slumped on his bed which was covered with unused clothes. Hiro sat beside him and muttered.

"So, I'm right."

"I don't know what to do, Hiro. I want to forget him but he keeps on swarming in my mind. He tried to control his tears but when Hiro hugged him, it flowed like lonely waterfalls.

"Ah, buddy, I knew that Eiri is a cheater."

"I heard him, Hiro. He said I was just a toy and that he was just with me because he wants me in bed. And worse of all, he said that to Tachi. They made fun of me. I can't believe I'm so stupid."

"You're not stupid Shuichi. They are the ones who are stupid. They don't know that you're important. Don't worry, you can still find someone who's better than that Uesugi."

Shuichi nodded and cried on his best friend's shoulder.

The news that Shuichi was to leave Japan spread on the whole school. Eiri stopped by a corridor to eavesdrop on two students that were talking about his koi.

"When I passed by the faculty room, I heard the teachers debate on Shindou's absence. They said they were still mad about that Sleeping beauty play."

"What else? Did they mention anything on where Shindou will go?"

"I think he'll follow his sister in America. Lucky kid, I've never been to any country. The teachers also said that aside from the financial stuff, the Shindous removed our rights to use the gym."

"What the heck!"

"The Shindous are responsible for building that gym, but, I wish they would let us use it."

Eiri walked furiously towards their classroom and slammed his things on his table. Tachi's group looked at him and shrugged.

"I bet he already heard about the gym. Geez. I always thought our school is one of the most luxurious and advanced in technology." Ken sputtered.

"And I can't believe that we're not allowed inside that huge gym. Shit, what is that Shindou up to? I thought –

Tachi gave a silencing look at Ma kun. "Shh, I think Shindou's doing that because of Eiri."

"Eiri?" Ma kun whispered back. "They still have a relation!"

"Yeah." Tachi raised an eyebrow and looked at Eiri.

Eiri found himself in front of the Shindou mansion after dismissal. There was a luxurious car in front of the gate. As Eiri could see, it was packed with large suitcases and several musical instruments. He gulped.

So, it's true after all? He's really leaving.

He saw a familiar maid and made a greeting.

"Excuse me, where is Shuichi?"

"Oh, it's you." The maid said and closed the gate. "Master Shu is still at his room packing some clothes."

"What time will he leave?"

"I think its two hours from now." The maid said and excused herself.

Eiri breathed out and calmed himself.

What am I really doing in front of this mansion? Why is my heart beating like there's something wrong?

He rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply.

Alright, Eiri. Why are you here and why do you want to see Shuichi Shindou? He asked himself and then he was shocked by what he realized.

I want to see Shuichi? He shook his head. No, I just want an explanation. He shook his head again. An explanation for what?

He heard another voice inside his head.

You want an explanation because you don't want him to leave. You want an explanation because you can't understand why he wants to leave you without telling you the reason.

"No!" he said to himself then he heard another voice in his head.

If you have no reason to ask him, then go home now! You still have assignments to do; you're just wasting your time!

Eiri stepped backwards and prepared to leave. But then, a sudden force pulled him back and he was facing the large and tall gates again.

And behind the gate was a pink haired guy staring back at him.

His heart thumped wildly and he started to panic.

The 'Eiri Uesugi' panicked.

Shuichi opened the gate and slid his new set of suitcase inside the car. He ignored Eiri and continued arranging his things.

Why is he here? Shuichi asked himself and made a careful glance at the blonde. Eiri was standing beside the car, looking at the ground.

Shuichi prepared to walk back inside the mansion to get his other luggage but a firm hand stopped him. He looked at the hand that was wrapped furiously on his arm. He breathed in and closed his eyes before releasing himself from Eiri's grip.

Alright Shuichi, here it goes.

"What?" he asked coldly and Eiri faced him.

"I – I just want to – why are you leaving?"

"Why am I leaving!" Shuichi couldn't believe his ears. "Why am I leaving huh? In case you forgot Uesugi, you raped a Shindou the past night."

"I – I did?" Eiri stuttered then combed his hair with his cold hands. "I – I didn't know what I was doing Shuichi. If I hurt you in some way, I'll make up for it."

"Make up for it?" Shuichi spat. "Oh yeah, I ordered the school staff to ban students from using the gym."

"No, don't pour your anger on the school." Eiri said. "I was drunk Shuichi, believe me –

"Believe you?" Shuichi crossed his arms and tapped his foot. "I believed you – trusted you. You betrayed my trust! You are so –

"Why are you so angry about it! We already did 'it' a hundred times! I can't understand why you are so sensitive about –

Eiri didn't finish his sentence. A warm and hard slap met his face and he almost spat blood. He glared at Shuichi but he was surprised when the brat was glaring back at him.

"How could you Eiri." Shuichi whispered. "How could you." His arms were curled in a fist and he felt hot tears running down his cheeks.

"Shuichi, com'n, let's talk about this." Eiri rubbed his own aching cheek and gave him a pleading look.

"There's nothing to talk about Eiri." He glared and fumbled on his pocket. "Here." He threw a thousand dollars on the floor. "You want money from me don't you? Go ahead and take it." He said sarcastically and waited on what Eiri will do.

Eiri humbly grabbed the money from the floor and looked at Shuichi. Shuichi's heart on the other hand was breaking into pieces as he proven to himself that indeed, Eiri wants money from him.

Eiri smirked. "Thanks, but no thanks." He said and then ripped the paper money into pieces.

Shuichi watched as the pieces of paper money flew in front of him. Eiri was looking at him intently, as if disgusted with him. The brat smirked and crossed his arms again.

"So, one thousand dollars is not enough for you?" his voice was quivering while trying to control his tears. "Tell me, how much do you want? How much is Eiri Uesugi?"

Slap!

Shuichi placed his palm on his cheek. He was slapped by his Eiri and he couldn't believe it.

"How dare you!" he shouted and attempted to punch him, but Eiri was faster. He held Shuichi's wrist and gripped it that it was causing Shuichi pain. "Ouch! Stop it you pervert!"

"This is the last time you are calling me pervert. Whore!" he said angrily but regretted it as soon as he spoke the words. He saw Shuichi's tears falling faster than his heartbeat.

He loosened his grip on Shuichi and backed away. "Look – I – I didn't mean that Shu, trust me –

"You called me a whore."

"No, I didn't mean that – really Shu, I'm –

"Enough Eiri." Shuichi said and wiped his tears.

"Shuichi." Eiri walked forward and hugged the brat. Shuichi rested his head on Eiri's chest and sniffed his scent.

"You wanted to become close to me because of a dare." Shuichi started. Eiri winced and trembled. Shuichi pulled away and looked at him sadly. "I couldn't believe it at first." He cried again. "Then I heard you say that I was just a fuck toy – a freaking playmate in bed."

Eiri bit his lip and looked at a trembling Shuichi.

"Heh, then I started to daydream. Maybe you just said that to protect me. But I was wrong. Tachi paid you a thousand dollars to have sex with me right? Why Eiri? How could you tell those lies in front of my face? Telling me you like me every single day." He breathed in and laughed. "That's when I remembered. You only said you liked me. You never said you love me."

"No, Shuichi, I don't know how you knew about those –

"So it's true after all? I was hoping it was just some kind of nightmare." He sobbed and hugged Eiri. "I can't understand my self. Even though you hurt me so much, I don't know why I still love you." He whispered on Eiri's ear and let out a sad sigh. Then he entered the car and ordered the driver to drive him to the airport.

Eiri was glued on his place. When Shuichi hugged him, he couldn't move and he felt like he did a criminal thing like killing a person. When Shuichi told him that he still loves him, he wanted to hug the brat and say sorry but he couldn't open his mouth.

Why am I feeling these things! He covered his face with his hand and stood there for a while. He was trembling and he couldn't breathe. Some maids who saw him where whispering about him.

I can't believe it. When he told me that he loves me, I was happy but I was also guilty. He stared at the pieces of ripped money on the ground. It was slowly flying away from him and going towards Shuichi's direction. He managed to step forward, following the direction of the wind.

Shuichi, I'm really sorry. Please forgive me. He repeated on his mind. It's true, when Tachi made the dare, I was only interested with money and my plan was to dump you after I receive that dollar. But I couldn't stay away from you. I wanted to be with you.

He made another step and slowly, he was running to follow Shuichi's car.

Shuichi was sitting silently on his seat while the driver was driving slowly. The brat was too tired to move. He breathed in and he could sniff Eiri's scent on his own shirt. He smiled faintly and hugged himself, and then in an instant, he was crying again.

Goodbye, Eiri. Thanks for everything.

He wiped his tears and examined himself on the car mirror. As he looked up, he saw a running figure, chasing their car. He realized that the driver stopped driving and was smiling at him.

"Master, I believe the two of you have to talk? I'll be waiting here inside the car if you still decided on going to the airport.

Shuichi gave him a quizzical look, but later on he understood what the driver was telling him. He looked at the mirror again and saw clearly that the figure was indeed Eiri, who was panting behind their car. He gripped the car seat, trying to think of what to do. The driver gave a thumbs - up sign and gestured him to go outside.

He touched the handle of the car door, his knees were shaking and his eyes were close to crying again. Eiri on the other hand was looking at the back of the car, still panting after running almost a mile.

There was a minute of silent thinking. Shuichi rubbed his eyes and breathed in.

He removed his hand from the handle and sat comfortably on the back seat.

"What are you doing driver?" Shuichi said coldly and turned his back in order not to see Eiri. "And please drive faster. I'll be late for my flight"

The driver frowned and shrugged. "Alright, master. I'm sorry for stopping the car." What can he do? He's just a driver and he can't disobey the master's rules. He stepped on the pedal and drove away.

From Eiri's sense of hearing, there was a loud rumbling of a car engine. He looked up at the car in front of him and saw that it was disappearing from his sight fast.

He fell on his knees and continued panting. The car was gone. His eyes stung. He had difficulty breathing.

Most of all, he felt that his heart was hammered to pieces.

Oh my, I'm really sorry for the short update. It took me a while because I was busy with other things. Thanks to those who keep on reviewing my fic! It really means a lot to me. Thanks also to those who constantly email me! They give me inspiration and encouragement to continue my fic!

Any comments or suggestions are freely accepted – but I cannot promise I can use all suggestions.

Just email me or send me a personal message!

Next and last chapter: What will Eiri do? How about the final band competition? Will Shuichi be able to pick up the pieces of his broken heart? Will he need the help of his sister or the help of Eiri's brother?