Chapter 1.
"Huh?"
"I said have you finished the song. You know that's the third time I had to repeat something. Are you sure you're okay?" the red head questioned.
Glancing up at his friend Hiro, Shuichi could see the concern in his friend's eyes, "I just…"
"Ooooooooh," whimpered Sakano, "You haven't finished have you? We're doooomed!" he exclaimed, twisting like a tornado of worry until he ran into a wall, then sliding down it in resignation and despair.
"Of course he has Sakano-san," said Hiro turning back toward his friend, "It's in his hands, right Shuichi?" he pointed out while reaching out for the torn out notebook paper gripped in the younger man's hands but before he could tug it out from the other's grasp, Shuichi pulled away.
"No," he said.
Faltering, Hiro stammered "Huh?"
A muffled sob escaped from Sakano's spot on the floor, "Not finished…"
"Well, I have but…" the teen hesitated, "but…"
"But?" Hiro coerced as Sakano slowly lifted himself from the ground.
"I wanted to start over," he replied with more force.
"WHAT!" screeched Sakano and promptly fainted.
Ignoring the older man, Hiro stared at his friend in disbelief, "Huh?" he said once more, unable to comprehend the situation. They still needed to record the song before the quickly approaching deadline and Shuichi wanted to REWRITE THE LYRICS! Their DREAM was at stake here!
"But don't worry," Shuichi immediately interjected before Hiro could say anything, "I've already got my inspiration, I just need to write it down and work on it a bit. I'll see you later okay?" And with that, the pink-haired singer rapidly left the building.
With Sakano still unconscious on the floor, only one pair of eyes followed him in stunned silence.
"Harry, please."
"Stop! There's nothing you can do to convince me. Now leave me alone. Go home, Granger," he snapped. Stalking across his living room, the man dropped himself onto the leather couch, taking out a cigarette and lighter from his pocket but just as he lit it, the woman snatched it from his grasp, threw it on the ground before stamping it angrily. Her gaze showed none of her anger, only her weariness, "You shouldn't smoke. It's bad for you."
Answering her with a glare, his eyes told her one thing – Do I look like I care!
Sighing for what seemed like the millionth time in 5 years, she tried once more, wishing desperately that he would agree out of frustration, "They miss you, Harry."
However, his green eyes merely narrowed further, "Do I look like I'm concerned? They can all rot for all I care. NO, Granger," cutting off any remark from the woman as she opened her mouth, "And it's Evan, not Harry. You should have more respect for the dead," he added before turning his gaze away.
Catching the sob threatening to escape, she shakily replied, "Harry's not dead, Evan. He's just hurt and confused. But if you," pausing to take a deep breath, tears now falling freely, "if he ever needs someone to talk to, he knows where to find me." With one last glance at the younger man, she turned and left closing the door softly behind her.
"Whatever," he whispered, blinking back unshed tears, falling into silent contemplation, watching as one by one, the lights beyond his veranda blinked on throughout the night, the rain blanketing then is a hazy hue. When the moon rose and the sun set, he was gone, despite the rain, despite the wind, while the cigarette ash left forgotten on the floor, scattered by a soft breeze.
"A song… words into lyrics, I only have one night… can I do it?"
He made his way through the busy street, lost in thought, unmindful of the soft rain that chilled him to the bone.
"And what is it about that man? All I can think about is him… his eyes… What's wrong with me? I'd already finished the lyrics but I want to start all over… because of him… why?"
"Oh, what a cool car!"
"Huh?" Shuichi thought, the loud voice abruptly breaking his train of thought.
"Is it foreign?" questioned one woman, glancing in desire at the sleek vehicle. Shuichi twisted his head in her direction, looking for the car out of habit and watch the black car move its way through traffic.
"It's him!" thought Shuichi, unexpectedly recognising the driver through the misty windscreen. Without a second thought, he rushed forwards, thrusting himself over the railing and threw himself in front the car.
"Stop!" he screamed arms flung out as the car slid across the wet road, the people gasping, the car screeching to a halt right in front of him.
Panting from the adrenaline coursing through his body, he watched as the raven-haired man from the park got out of his, a disgruntled look on his features, "If you want to run in front of cars, you'll have to choose another one."
Shuichi shivered slightly as a breeze blew in from the open veranda door. Sitting on the lone couch in what he supposed was the living room, he glanced around, taking in his surroundings as if it would reveal its owners past, present and personality. It was actually quite bare. Apart from the couch, coffee table and the black box that was present in every household, only a single plant stood in the furthest corner. And apart from the phone, only one of the walls held anything at all. Spread across it was a singular painting of a landscape. No photos. A soft click brought him back from his musings as he watched the older man walk back into the room and throw something at him.
"Towel," he said without pause as he continued his journey to the kitchen.
"Thanks," Shuichi mumbled and started to dry his wet hair before draping it round his shoulders, shielding himself slightly from the cold.
Soft clinking echoes accompanied the pitter-patter of the rain this time, though what the other man was doing was unknown to him. However, soon the clinking stopped and the man stepped out of the kitchen holding two steaming mugs. Handing one of the mugs to Shuichi, "Hot cocoa," he sat himself on the other end of the couch, slumped into it and slowly sipped his cocoa, staring at nothing in particular, "Why did you jump in front of my car?" he asked.
"Thank you," Shuichi repeated once more.
"Hm?" came the faint reply, eyes jerking towards the other, wondering whether the younger man was trying to dodge his question and if he was, for what reason.
"For the towel and the cocoa," Shuichi amended, looking slightly to the left of the man's eyes lest he lost himself in them once again, "And for the park."
But instead of a look of recognition, the green-eyed man offered only a look of confusion before returning his gaze to his mug.
"The other night," Shuichi added, "we met… when a piece of paper of mine got blown away by the wind but… you caught it and gave it back to me. That's why I… stopped you. Thanks. For stopping as well," he finished, a light flush spread across his cheeks when it finally dawned on him how stupid that action had been.
"You're welcome," mumbled the other man after a moment's silence, missing the look of surprise on Shuichi's face.
"He didn't call me an idiot or scold me or anything…" Shuichi thought before he realised his lack of manners as well as brains. Placing his mug of cocoa on the coffee table before extending his hand out, he offered a handshake and his name, "Shuichi Shindou. Just call me Shuichi."
The emerald gaze met his once more, "Evan."
"It cannot be delayed any further, I'm afraid. We'll have to drop Bad Luck. With ASK, a second band in not a necessity anyway."
Paling, Sakano bowed in apology for the fifth time since entering the president's office, "I'm so sorry Malfoy-san, I've been nothing but a burden, but please, I'm sure Shindou will be finished soon," he rushed, sweating profusely, still bowing to the hip.
"Unfortunately I can't offer a further extension," interrupted the blonde, "To be delayed even before the contract has been signed is quite disappointing. If I allow this, how late will he be in the future? There is a schedule that needs to be followed and if he can't stick to it, there will be a lot of problems. The latest I can give you is this afternoon."
"Yes, of course Malfoy-san," Sakano hurried, but before he could try to convince the president for extra time once more, a soft rumbling could be heard.
And it got louder and louder until even the room started to shake slightly.
Then all of a sudden, a thunderous crash could be heard as dust filled the room. As the dust began to settle, a pink-haired figure came into focus, out of breath and panting loudly, a small trickle of blood dribbling down his forehead from where it came into contact with the door.
"Shindou!" Sakano exclaimed in surprise, watching as the young man lift his left hand slowly, revealing a small disc.
"I've finished," he merely said.
"That's wonderful," said Draco after a moment's stunned silence, "Good job Shindou-san, Sakano-san," watching as Sakano stood but a bit straighter, a proud smile on his face while Shuichi was still trying to catch his breath, "However," at this Sakano's face paled alarmingly once more but the blonde ignored him as he raised his hand to nonchalantly gesture at his door, "You'll have to pay for that broken door."
"Well, whatever made you finish your song is a good thing," concluded Sakano with immense relief as he slipped the disc into the sound system.
"Right," Hiro agreed, "Congratulations on completing the song. Hey, what's wrong?" he then questioned, seeing the forlorn look on his friend's face.
After relating what had happened in the park, with his lyrics and meeting that man, Shuichi watched as Hiro seemed to contemplate some deep and philosophical statement. They were waiting as Sakano fumbled with various electronics and the multitude of remote controls as he tried to play Shuichi's disc.
"Seems to me," Hiro finally mumbled, "you're attracted to this guy."
"What!"
"Just look at how worked up you got over not thanking him and then at the length you went to do so."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Shuichi stubbornly denied.
"You jumped in front of a car," Hiro replied dryly.
"But… he's male!"
"So? You can't help who you fall in love with," Hiro countered as Sakano accidentally turned on the TV rather than the sound system in the background, "Anyway, as long as you're happy, nothing else matters. I think you should go tell him how you feel," he continued, staring at his best friend intensely.
"Hiro," Shuichi murmured softly, touched by his friend's loyalty as Sakano flipped through various channels.
"After all, this guy may be the inspiration you need so you actually finish your lyrics on time for once," Hiro added thoughtfully. And with that, Shuichi fell out of his chair, twitching slightly while Sakano spun in frustration, about to tear his own hair out.
Getting off the ground, Shuichi mumbled, "some friend you are…" but before Hiro could respond with some witty, mock-hurt remark, a sound from the TV caught Shuichi's attention.
"…Japan has become a home to me rather than a second-home after living here for the last five years," spoke the man being interviewed.
"Wait I know that voice…" thought Shuichi.
"It's him!" he suddenly exclaimed aloud.
"…very diverse. And no, I don't think I will go back to England."
"Now your new book…" inquired the interviewer.
"Ah," announced Hiro knowingly, "So your mystery man is Evan J. Black. Not quite sure what the J stands for but he's a romance novelist from England," he said, eyes still fixed upon the black box, ignoring Sakano who thrashed around in exasperation in the background, "he's not only one of the wealthiest men in Tokyo but also one of the most pursued bachelors as well."
Suddenly the sound system flickered on and Shuichi's song filtered into the room.
With a terrified look in the eyes,
Spit those irritated feelings into the fickle wind
Crowing in triumph, "Finally! Sorry for taking such a long time," Sakano turned round to face the two band mates only to find half of Bad Luck missing, "What? Where's Shindou?"
"He went to confess," Hiro simply answered.
The door had been flung open and Shuichi was gone.
The signal that melted
Into the cracked roadway
Is leaving only a scar behind.
Weaving his way through the masses, he ran. He didn't know why.
Before the drowsy noise blurs away tomorrow,
Chase after those ambitiously resounding footsteps.
That unfulfillable emotion
That never settles down somewhere
Just decide to ignore it,
Then overtake it.
Aim for the loophole in this shy, trembling society,
For the place
We keep struggling towards.
I want new world.
But soon, that now familiar building rose in the horizon. Without pause, he fades his way up to door. Stopping abruptly, out of breath, he stared at the buzzer.
"Should I press it? Just so I can see him one more time? Was Hiro right? I want to see him…" hand slowly raising towards the button, he hesitated, "What excuse do I have to be here?"
"What are you doing?" said a new voice, startling Shuichi a few centimetres off the ground. Spinning around sharply, violet eyes fell once more on the raven-haired man.
"I wanted to see you," he answered without thinking, "Oh no! Tell me I didn't just say that…"
Yet the other man neither mocked nor insulted him, only stared at him in silent contemplation but before either of them could utter another word, a brunette marched through the door towards the author reaching out as if to stop him escaping, "…busy with what! And don't give me that crap about how you have to finish your book. I know for a fact, you've just released one. Why not take this opportunity for a break? Merlin knows you deserve one," she interrupted, ignoring the man's look of scepticism when she said 'break'.
Instead of answering her immediately however, he wenched himself from her grip, striding up to Shuichi before swinging his arm around the younger mans shoulders, "I am busy," he said gesturing at Shuichi with his other hand, leaving the brunette to make the conclusions on her own.
"Oh really, with what?" she challenged, her eyes not hiding how frustrated she was with the other man.
"He's helping me with my lyrics," Shuichi answered, paying no attention to twin looks of surprise as if they had both forgotten he was there and most definitely not mute.
"Well, that is kind of true…" he thought pensively.
"Right," Evan suddenly agreed turning back to the brown-haired woman, gaze unwavering even as she glared at them both. Shuichi on the other hand averted his eyes, content instead to stare at the dust particles on the ground while fighting the threatening blush resulting from the arm that had yet to release him.
"So this… this little boy," she finally spoked after a while, paying no heed to the bristling pink-haired teen, "is more important than I am?"
"Yes," he replied without pause.
"You…!" she gasped, anger reigning her emotions but seeing the unrelenting glare of the man she once called brother, grief and a chilling coldness seeped into her blood yet again. She had no right to tell him what's good for him, not anymore, and both knew that.
"Fine," she sighed. Giving Evan one last look of…
"Resignation? Sorrow? Longing?" Shuichi wondered.
…then one of…
"Annoyance? Anger? Jealousy?" he wondered once more.
…at Shuichi, she strode away to what he assumed to be her car. When she had finally disappeared from sight, lost in the throng of traffic, Evan released a huge sigh of relief. Removing the arm wrapped around the singer's shoulders, who pushed back a feeling of disappointment at the loss of contact, Evan moved into front of him before saying a grateful, "Thanks."
Shaking his head hastily is response, a light flush colouring his cheeks, Shuichi argued, "It's the least I could do to thank you for before."
Casting the young singer an amused look at the lame justification, Evan pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Blushing slightly, Shuichi glanced in the direction the woman had left, a light frown forming on his face, "Are you sure it's okay to let her go like that?"
"Yes," Evan answered once again without pause, placing the cigarette between his lips.
"But that's not right! You hurt her feelings…" Shuichi trailed off in uncertainty.
"You said you wanted to see me?"
"Yeh," Shuichi faltered, fully aware of the abrupt change in subject but, deciding to respect the man's unspoken wish for privacy, continued, "I was wondering if you could come to my concert…" trailing off for a second time, courage failing him at the look of incredulity.
"A… concert?"
"Yes. It's on the 17th Zepp Tokyo," Shuichi offered.
"I don't know…" Evan eventually answered, ending with a mumbled, "Don't want to suffocate to death."
"Please," urged Shuichi, "You agreed to help with my song! You have to come!"
"It was only a cover…" Evan said, grimacing at the thought of being sandwiched between hundreds of sweaty (and stinky!) women, but seeing the forlorn look on his companions face made him reconsider his options, "We'll see," he finally responded, before placing a chaste kiss on Shuichi's cheek, "Anyway, thanks again." And with that, the raven-haired man stepped back inside, shutting the door as he went leaving a stunned Shuichi, with a hand pressed against his swiftly burning cheek, behind him.