Shuichi stared out the window of Ryo's apartment, watching as snowflakes fell lightly towards the ground, and he exhaled softly and in contentedness. He loved New York City. The place possessed an atmosphere similar to that of Tokyo, but in New York, no one knew his name. Shuichi could walk the streets of New York without a disguise and not have dozens of screaming and drooling fans chasing him for blocks. He could not run that fast anymore anyway, especially with snow on the ground. Shuichi exhaled again, fogging the window a little, and he smiled.

New York was rather pretty as a winter wonderland, he decided. Granted, the snow never stayed pristine white for very long, but where it did not get trampled on, the snow created a rather magical effect. To Shuichi, people seemed to be in lighter, jovial moods, as if someone had come in and removed many of their cares when no one was looking.

Then there were the Christmas lights. Every building decorated with lights. Some of the bulbs were large, almost tacky looking in appearance, while others were small. Some lights flashed like blinker lights, and others seemed to hold races in whatever setting the owner had devised. Green garlands of ivy decorated doorways to some of the boutiques, adding to the mystical wonder of the season.

Shuichi, however, felt there was something missing from everything he was seeing, or rather, someone. As much as he griped and protested about celebrating Christmas, Eiri never truly seemed to mind, and he certainly never complained when Shuichi presented him with gifts. Chocolates, bottles of the finest sake, silk shirts . . . those were gifts Shuichi knew would never go wrong with Eiri. A pang of sadness stabbed at the former singer's heart, and he realized this Christmas would be his first one without Eiri. The truth of the matter was enough to make Shuichi want to cry.

In thinking of Eiri and of how much he missed the author, Shuichi's thoughts wandered to Ryo, and he wondered if the detective was missing his deceased partner and son like he was missing Eiri. Ryo was very much in a similar situation, celebrating Christmas for the first time without those he cared for the most.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Slowly, Shuichi tore his gaze from the view outside and turned it to Ryo. The detective stood behind him, two mugs in hand, and he appeared a little concerned. Shuichi offered him a faint smile.

"I was thinking of Eiri," he murmured. "It's weird not having him around."

Ryo nodded in sympathy, and he offered one of the mugs to Shuichi. The singer accepted gratefully, and the sandy-haired man sat next to him.

"I know what you mean," Ryo said. "Dee loved this time of year. So did Bikky, for that matter. The second Christmas Dee and I were together, he and Bikky fought over who had the most presents under the tree. Turns out, he had bought just as many gifts for Bikky as I had. That really surprised Bikky."

"Why would it?" Shuichi asked. "You both cared for him, right?"

"Bikky and Dee didn't always see eye to eye on things," Ryo replied, smiling. "It took Bikky several months before he accepted the fact that I was happy with Dee as more than just my partner at work. Even after that, though, he still did whatever he could to annoy Dee." He paused for a moment and tilted his head. "You and Eiri . . . did you two ever consider adopting a kid?"

"No." Shuichi shook his head. "I was on tour a lot, and he had his books to write. We never really had the time. The subject of kids never came up."

"Oh . . ."

Ryo fell silent, and the two men sat in silence, occasionally taking sips of their drinks. Eventually, Ryo set his mug down and reached over to Shuichi, his hand resting on the singer's knee. Shuichi glanced at him once again, curious as to what was on the detective's mind.

"Ryo?"

"I'm all right," the detective murmured. "I was just thinking about how much Dee and Bikky would have loved you . . . and that I still haven't given you that gift yet."

Reluctantly, Ryo pulled away from him and left the living room. A few moments later, he returned, his hands behind his back. The sandy-haired detective was smiling.

"Before I give you this," Ryo said, "there's something I have to say first."

Shuichi nodded, unable to speak. His eyes were on Ryo's face, and, for the first time, he noticed happiness, genuine happiness, shining in the older man's eyes.

"I want to thank you, Shuichi," Ryo continued. "If you hadn't entered my life, I don't know what I'd be doing right now. You've given me something I thought I'd never be able to find again, and I thank you for that. With all of my heart."

The singer felt the tears stinging at his eyes as Ryo spoke. He knew all too well how the sandy-haired detective felt, how the pain of losing someone so dear and so precious could be so intense, you felt like you were dying. Eiri's death had done to him what Dee and Bikky's deaths had done to Ryo. Shuichi had fled Japan, knowing his life would never be the same again, and feeling like he would die at any given moment. After Ryo had taken him in that rainy night, Shuichi found something he thought he had lost, something he believed had been buried with Eiri, and it was hope. His hope leant him the courage to continue living, and, as the time passed, Shuichi found himself falling for the detective. His heart ached with the love he felt for Ryo, much like his heart had ached with his love for Eiri. As a result, he wanted to reach over to Ryo and pull him into his arms. He wanted to tell the older man he loved him over and over again. There was nothing he would not do for Ryo.

"This . . . is for you. It isn't much, but I hope you like it."

Ryo brought his hands out from behind his back, a small box in them. He held it out to Shuichi, and the singer hesitantly reached for the gift.

The gift itself had been wrapped in a silver, holographic paper. Green ribbons met at the top, a gold bow bringing the strands together. For a moment, Shuichi was not sure he wanted to open the present. The paper itself was too pretty to tear apart, and he liked the way the silver came together with the gold and green.

However, he knew he had to open it. Ryo was watching him, and he did not want to disappoint the older man. Carefully, which was unusual for the singer, he pulled the bow from the top of the box then proceeded to do the same with the ribbon and the paper. A few moments later, a pair of tickets and a snow globe with a snowman and children playing were resting in his hands. Upon inspection, Shuichi saw the tickets were for an upcoming Nittle Grasper concert. He glanced at Ryo, puzzled. The detective shrugged.

"I remember you saying how much you loved Nittle Grasper," he said, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "When I found out about their holiday concert here in New York, I thought of you, and I bought the tickets as soon as I could. Seems kind of silly now, since you're an employee of N-G . . ."

Ryo did not get a chance to continue for Shuichi was on his feet, kissing the older man without the benefit of the mistletoe. His arms slid around Ryo's neck, and the gesture was soon returned. They remained that way for some time until the need for air made itself known, and the two men broke the kiss.

"Thank you," Shuichi murmured. "Thank you so much. I love them. I love you."

At his confession, Ryo tilted his head. His expression was one of shocked happiness and relief, like perhaps he had not heard Shuichi correctly.

"You . . . love me . . ."

Shuichi nodded, smiling.

"I love you," he repeated. "And I want to be with you."

"Won't that be difficult?" Ryo asked. "I'm sure your boss will want you back in Japan."

"I can record tracks here," Shuichi replied, his smile becoming larger and brighter. "Seguchi-san has a studio here in New York as well as one in Los Angeles and Tokyo."

"So . . . you'll be able to stay here . . . with me."

Shuichi nodded again.

"What about touring?"

"We'll figure something out," he said. "Eiri and I managed with our schedules. I know you and I can do the same thing. We'll figure something out. I promise. I just . . . I want to be here with you."

"I want you here, too," Ryo murmured. "More than anything in the world."

* * *

"K-san, are you sure this is such a good idea?" Sakano wrung his hands nervously as the blond-haired American prepared to knock on one Randy McLain's apartment door. Bad Luck's manager held a gun at the ready.

"Of course, I'm sure," K replied, grinning like the lunatic he was. "Seguchi-san said he wants to Shuichi. Today."

"What if that detective is home?" Sakano asked.

"Even better," the American said, his grin turning devilish. All of a sudden, the producer felt very light-headed and ready to pass out.

"This is not a good idea," he moaned.

"Too late now," K said. He knocked on the door, rather forcefully, and called out, "Shindou-san, it's time to go!"

* * *

Ryo could not help but stare wide-eyed as he walked through the doors of the New York N-G recording studio. Poster-sized photos of bands and soloists adorned the walls of the reception area, each one a testament to the success of one Tohma Seguchi, and the fact a few of those photos were of Shuichi and his band was not lost on the detective. The detective also noted the lobby area was decorated for Christmas. Green garlands hung over doorways and gold tinsel garlands framed the posters. The receptionist, an attractive woman in her mid-twenties, even wore a Santa hat and a Christmas tree pin. There were no doubts in Ryo's mind of just how generous Tohma Seguchi could be when the mood struck him. Ryo then glanced at the singer as they headed for the elevators, two other men behind them, and Hiro and another man waiting for them by the doors. Hiro smiled when he saw the two.

"Hiro! Suguru!"

The instant the singer saw Hiro, he was dashing forward, his arms outstretched. In a matter of three seconds, Shuichi had reached both men, his arms grabbing at them. The guitarist managed to catch Shuichi without falling backwards while the other, Suguru, looked slightly embarrassed by Shuichi's public display. Suguru also, in Ryo's mind, appeared a little relieved. Why that was, the detective could not say just yet, but he had a feeling it had to do with Shuichi's exuberant behaviour.

"Shindou-san, please . . ."

From behind, Ryo heard one of the men starting to fret. Apparently, Shuichi's behaviour was nothing unusual.

"Relax, Sakano-san," Hiro said. "It's all right."

"But Seguchi-san . . ."

"Is waiting for us, we know," the guitarist said. Shuichi turned around to face Ryo and the other two men, a bright smile on his face. "But he won't mind us being a little late. It's been a while since Suguru and Shuichi have seen each other."

"I understand that," Sakano began, "but Seguchi-san said it was imperative he see Shindou-san. Today. It's about the band."

"It's about whether or not we'll be able to continue on as a band or if he will have to release us from our contracts," Suguru said, finally breaking his silence. "Though I do not think it will be a problem at this point. I am sure Shuichi has found a reason to continue."

To this, Shuichi nodded his head rather vigourously, his eyes landing on Ryo. The sandy-haired detective imagined he saw something flickering in the singer's eyes, something very much like a creative streak or whatever it was a singer felt when the right mood hit and all he wanted to do was sing his heart out.

"Then Seguchi-san will be pleased to hear it!" K's voice boomed. "Now up we go!"

The blond-haired man then ushered Ryo and Sakano towards the group and the elevators. It was a bit of a tight squeeze with six people in the lift, but they somehow managed, even with the laughing and jostling Shuichi and his band mates did with each other. In moments, they were on the floor where Tohma Seguchi's office was located and the one place where Shuichi's career would either continue . . . or be terminated. Ryo only hoped his first impression of Tohma Seguchi was true, that he was a very generous and understanding man who would see the same things Hiro and Suguru were seeing in Shuichi.

'I guess I'll be finding out soon enough,' he mused as they reached the door to Tohma Seguchi's office. K knocked, and a deceptively smooth voice answered.

"Come in, K-san. I have been expecting you."