Chapter # 4: Introducing ...

He fell to his knees.

The crowd had already begun clearly away and only a few people remained. Some he didn't know. The three performers. His best friend. His best friend's boyfriend...

Fujisaki, Suguru's brown eyes were placed on the blonde keyboardist as the green haired male approached him,

"Hey Seguchi-san." He said simply. His cousin acknowledged him,

"Hello Fujisaki-kun."

"Uhm, this is my boyfriend, Nakano, Hiroshi ... And his best friend ... Shindo, Shuichi." Suguru gestured to each of them when making the introductions. Ryuichi secretly watched.

Noriko approached them and had the introduction repeated. Ryuichi locked in one of the names.

"Hey, Ryu-chan! Come here and meet Tohma's cousin and his friends here!" Noriko called. Ryuichi pocketed his hands and approached the group.

"Hiro ..." Shuichi whispered,

"We have to go ..." His voice was sad.

"Shu-chan, can't it wait?"

"No ... Hiro, please ... I just want to go ..."

"But Shu ..."

Ryuichi stood beside Tohma.

"Hey everyone ... How 'bout we go and get ourselves some drinks? It's on me ..."

"Really?" Hiro questioned, nudging Shuichi lightly.

Shuichi sighed. He needed to be excused at least.

"Can you all excuse me for a moment please?"

Hiro looked at him,

"Go ahead Shu ..."

Shuichi walked off down the street, feeling his eyes water and the tears roll down his cheeks slowly. He sniffed. He wouldn't go back. He couldn't. Not after all that. He needed time, space. He needed to cry over his sister. He needed to let it all out.

( MEANWHILE )

"What's gotten into him?" Ryuichi questioned, gesturing his head in a nod towards Shuichi.

"His sister ... She, was shot ... And ... He and her were close ... Their parents died when they were kids, so they were all each other really had ..." Hiro stated quietly.

Ryuichi's eyes grew slightly at this. He took off down the street, following Shuichi.

( CATCHING UP )

"Hiro, not now, ok? I don't wanna talk about Maiko ..."

"Maiko's a nice name and I'm guessing that was your sister's name ..." Ryuichi's quiet voice broke through. Shuichi stopped walking.

"Yeah ... I'm sorry, I thought you were Hiro ..."

"It's ok. Sakuma, Ryuichi is my name. And I know you thought I was Hiro. You were probably expecting him more then me ..."

"Kind of, no offence."

"None taken."

"You're ... A brilliant Sakuma-san ... So, why are you only in a garage band?"

"All talent starts somewhere I guess ... And I like it. Oh, please though ... Don't call me 'Sakuma-san' I hate that. Ryuichi will do ... Or Ryu-chan."

"Ryuichi, is it? Hm ... Alright then. I'm Shuichi ..."

"Do you mind if I call you Shu-chan?"

He faced him,

"... Not at all."