Disclaimer: I don't own Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, nor Phantom of the Opera!
Ritsu awoke to the blaring of his phone alarm, echoing throughout his apartment from its spot beside Takano's book. Fully awoken from his dream, he could hear his heart pounding in his ears over the constant beeping, and he gasped.
Shit. He was late.
Rolling off the couch, he grabbed blindly for his phone, shutting off the alarm only to see the warning of its low battery glaring at him. Muttering a curse, he swooped up the book as well as his bag sitting beside the door, settling with the thought of borrowing a charger, perhaps from Mino, and hurried out of his apartment. Would he still be able to make the train? Deciding not to waste time waiting for the elevator, he shot down the stairs, clutching his possessions to his chest as he dialed a familiar number.
They picked up on the third ring, and he allowed a smile to grace his lips before quickly wiping it off. It was too early to smile.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Kisa-kun! Do you know if I've missed the train yet?!"
Ritsu could basically hear the smirk play into the older man's voice. "Ricchan! You overslept?"
Ritsu had to admit, it was embarrassing- normally he made it at work with still a few minutes to waste, though whenever he managed to be late he never heard the end of it. "Ano... Yes, Kisa-kun."
The other line chuckled, "Ahh, well- Ricchan, I don't think-"
"Kisa! Who are you talking too? Is that Onodera?!"
Ritsu stopped in his tracks, gulping at the booming voice overwhelming Kisa's.
"Oh- Takano! No, it's not Ricchan!"
Crap. If he was there, that meant he'd missed the train already.
"Kisa!"
"I'm talking to an author, Takano!" Ritsu heard Takano ponder which one; Kisa however didn't respond to his editor-in-chief, grunting and muttering something along the lines of 'I'm-too-old-for-this.'
"Kisa! Get back here!"
"I'll be right back, Takano!" There were a few more yells on Takano's part, before Kisa began speaking again, "Ano... Well, he is right down the street from your apartment... and he doesn't work today..."
"Oh? What, Kisa-san?" Ritsu questioned when Kisa seemed to begin talking to himself; the man on the other line hesitated, before smiling.
"Oh- Ricchan! I'm going to send someone to pick you up, alright! He should be just a few blocks away, so it'll be fine!"
Ritsu blinked, before shaking his head to no one, "What, Kisa-san?! No, it's fine- I'll just walk-!"
Kisa laughed, "No, Ricchan, really, it's fine! I think he'd enjoy meeting you anyway."
"But, Kisa-san- I couldn't do that-"
"It's fine, I'll call him right now!"
"Oh, no, Kisa-"
"Goodbye, Ricchan!"
"Wait- at least tell me who it is?!"
Kisa gave another laugh, "Oh, don't worry about that. You'll know who it is."
"What- Kisa-san! What does that even mean!"
"I'm hanging up, now! Bye bye, Ricchan!"
"No- Kisa!"
Though before Ritsu could protest anymore, the line had gone dead- and so had his phone.
Kisa had been right; Ritsu was able to determine who it was when they barreled into the apartment complex, spouting 'Ricchan! Ricchan!' in the exact same way Kisa did. The man had honey colored hair, mussed in all the right places. When Ritsu stood, bookmarking the page he was on, the tall man beamed and bowed.
"Ahh- Ricchan! Kisa-san has said a lot about you!"
Ritsu hesitated as he bowed himself. Kisa talked about him?...
Good or bad? He pushed away the question.
"Ano- Please, don't call me that. Ritsu or Onodera is fine-"
"Alright then, Onodera-san!"
How was one so positively happy this early in the morning?
"My name is Yukina Kou, Onodera-san! You work with Kisa-san, Onodera-san?"
Ritsu's eyes blinked, slightly overwhelmed by the brightness of regal man's smile. "Ano- Yes, Yukina-san. I work with Kisa-kun. Um- and, how is it that you know Kisa-kun, if- If you don't mind me asking, that is!"
Yukina's smile suddenly grew, a glittering white that drew the attention of the apartments' cleaning ladies. "Oh, well- Onodera-san, don't tell Kisa-san I told you this, alright?"
Ritsu blinked once more, distracting himself from the man's blinding smile by examining the name on his sweatshirt. T University...
"Oh- um, yes. Of course, Yukina-san."
"Kisa-san and I are together, Onodera-san."
At those words, Ritsu hesitated and his eyes went back up to Yukina's, fighting the urge to shield his eyes. He tried not to appear too shocked, but-
"You're what?"
Well, they were known as the Maiden Department-
"Ah- Yes, but don't tell Kisa-san that I told you that, please, Onodera-san. I'm not sure if Kisa-san wants others to know but- from what he's said, I think I can trust you."
Ritsu hesitated, though at Yukina's smile he couldn't help but return it. Should he feel offended Kisa hadn't told him? He thought they were pretty good friends but- Well, work did tend to get in the way-
"Ondera-san, should we get going, aren't you already late?" Yukina asked, waiting for Ritsu at the doors.
Ritsu hesitated, before smiling and nodding, walking towards the waiting man. "Oh- thank you, Yukina-san. I didn't mean to disturb you."
Yukina smiled once more, walking towards the sleek black car parked in front of the apartment complex. "No, no, Ricch- Onedera-san!" he said, opening the passenger side door for Ritsu, "It's fine! Any friend of Kisa-san's is a friend of mine."
He smiled at him as Ritsu slid into the seat, and Ritsu bowed his head once more. "Regardless, Yukina-san. Thank you."
Once again Yukina beamed, closing the door before getting in himself. "Anytime, Onodera-san!"
The noise of the radio cut off Ritsu, who clutched his bag to his lap, absentmindedly running his thumb along Phantom of the Opera's binding.
The noises of the opera house overwhelmed the two boys as they scurried down the unsteady wooden stairs, squeezing past the others. The music rang out, loud noises of eight notes and crescendos, the boys running down, feet hitting the steps in the 4/4 time of the band. The older of the two, with shaggy black hair tripped over his own feet, only the be saved by the brunette behind him, who grabbed the collar of his shirt and hauled him back up to balance, making the older chuckle.
"Thanks, Ricchan!"
"Of course, Kisa-kun."
The two boys jumped off the staircase in unison, merging in with the stagehands until they were able to blend in with the other dancers, scooting in between them and grabbing hold of their pole; though they did not go unnoticed by the stoic man, weaving his way in-between the dancers, adjusting their posture when need be.
"Late again." he remarked in a monotone voice, pausing besides the stretching boys.
Kisa smiled up at him, bending to the side, head inches away from the man's chest. "But we're here, aren't we, Hatori?" taunted the shorter, only to get a snort in response.
Before Kisa could respond with yet another smart remark, the sound of singing drifted behind stage, the music rising. Kisa stuck out his tongue in disgust, grimacing.
"This trophy from our saviors, from the enslaving place of Rome!"
"There Yokozawa goes again. Scaring away the costumers." Kisa stretched once again, his spine cracking in response, initiating a moan.
Hatori blinked his eyes in the direction of the singing, before turning back to the two boys as they lined up, "You shouldn't speak bad of Yokozawa-sama." he said, not bothering to move out of the boys' way, "He's gotten farther than you with that voice."
Kisa responded by sticking his tongue out, the music coming to a halt as the other dancers marched out, leaving the other two boys mimic their actions, filing out onto the stage, into the spotlight with Yokozawa, who stood in the middle, chest heaving as he counted in his head for the music to begin once again.
When it did, the others began singing, Hatori winding through the crowd again, sharp eyes keeping watch for a mistake. Yokozawa himself moved offstage, excepting the black kitten when it was handed to him. Suddenly, however, the music came to another pause, Yukina Kou waving his baton around for his band to halt as three other figures crowded the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" called the elderly man, from his position in-between the other two, waiting for the eyes of the opera house to settle on him, "Perhaps some of you have already met Ryuichiro-sama, and Kaoru-san."
The two beside him bowed slightly, though one with a cheeky grin, but before either could speak Yukina's voice was heard.
"Lefevre-sama, please excuse me for interrupting, though we are rehearsing. If you wouldn't mind waiting a moment, monsieur?"
The old man, as if just now seeing the conductor, nodded his balding head. "Oh- yes. My apologies, Monsieur Yukina. Please, proceed."
The conductor bowed his honey colored head, before turning back to Yokozawa and his partner. "Thank you, Lefevre-sama. Yokozawa-sama, Kirishima-sama, 'Sad to return'?"
Lefevre turned back to the two men beside him, nodding his head to the conductor, who had already gone back to swaying his baton. "Monsieur Yukina, our head repetiteur. A very nice man, if I do say so myself. He's quite stubborn, though, and he distracts our dancers often."
The three men continued speaking, standing center stage as the dancers moved around them, swaying in time with the mixing voices of Kirishima and Yokozawa.
"Sad to return to find the land we love, threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp. Tomorrow we shall break the chains of Rome! Tonight, rejoice - your army has come home!"
Kirishima swayed side to side, Yokozawa's eyes following the man as if he were about to pounce, clutching the black cat still in his arms against his chest.
Lefevre watched the two leading roles as they moved, speaking to the men beside him, "Kirishima-sama, our principal tenor. He plays so differently to Yokozawa-sama."
The three men were unaware however of the glare they were receiving, until a foot banged angrily against the stage. "Gentlemen, please!" snapped Hatori, "Move off the stage!"
Lefevre hesitated, before quickly bowing his head. "My apologies, Monsieur Hatori." the man led the other two off to the side of the stage, before casting a look over his shoulder at the still glaring man. "Monsieur Hatori, our ballet mister." he shook his head, "I won't lie to you, Ryuichiro-sama, I'm happy to be rid of the whole damned business."
At this, Kaoru made himself heard, speaking behind Ryuichiro with his head bowed respectfully to the old man, "But why, Lefevre-sama?"
The man however ignored the two in front of him, turning to his dancers onstage. "We take pride in the excellence of our dancers, monsieur."
At this, the elegant-footed Kisa moved across stage, in perfect timing with Yukina, drawing the attention of Ryuichiro.
"Hmm... Lefevre, who is that?"
The old man hesitated, following Ryuichiro's finger, and Kaoru lowered his head again. "Ah... Him? Shouta Kisa, Monsieur Ryuichiro, he came here with Monsieur Hatori. Very promising,"
From beside Kisa, however, a stumble was caught by Hatori's eyes, and he snapped, "Onodera Ritsu! Boy, what are you doing!"
Kisa hesitated, with a mutter of concern under his breath.
"Huh... Onodera?" questioned Ryuichiro, and Kaoru raised his head, "Does he happened to be related to the playwright?"
"His son, if I am correct." Lefevre shook his head, "Shame such a name is wasted. Always daydreaming."
Ryuichiro clucked his tongue in thought, watching as the play continued, Yokozawa's voice once again rising.
"Once more to my welcoming arms, my love returns in splendor!"
Kirishima grinned, "Once more to those sweetest charms, my heart and soul surrender!"
All Yokozawa did was frown.
As the rehearsal came to a close, Lefevre stepped out onto the stage once more, clapping his hands together. "Monsieur Hatori - if you please - ?"
Hatori banged his foot down upon the stage, the chatter of the room dissipating.
"Thank you, Monsieur Hatori. Now, as some of you have heard, rumors of my retirement have been circling the house for some weeks now. As of now, I can confirm these rumors, and I am proud to announce the opera house's new owners - Monsieur Ryuichiro Isaka and Monsieur Kaoru Asahina."
A light applause broke through, Yokozawa stepping forward when his presence was called.
"Gentlemen, Monsieur Takafumi Yokozawa, our leading soprano for five seasons."
Ryuichiro grinned, bowing, "Yes, I have heard much of you, Wild Horse. I hope to see much more from you."
At Yokozawa's scowl, Kisa's snort was hard to miss.
Lefevre called forth another, who came to stand beside Yokozawa. "And Monsieur Zen Kirishima."
Kirishima gave a smile, bowing his head in return to Kaoru, "Charmed."
Ryuichiro gave a smile once Kirishima had straightened, "If I recall," he said aloud, "you have quite a lovely part in Act Three, Hannibal. Would you mind for a sneak peek, Yokozawa-sama?"
Yokozawa blinked at the sudden request, before turning stoic once more, "If my manager permits." he spoke, though he knew the final word was his, "Yukina?"
"If my diva permits." said Yukina, readying his baton once more. "Yokozawa-sama?"
"Maestro."
Yukina gave a bow of his chin, before taking a deep breath, pulling back his arm to command his orchestra.
"Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in awhile - please promise me you'll try. When you find that, once again, you long to take your heart-"
As the leading soprano sang along, a loud crash could be heard from up in the rafters, though before any could register the noise a background sprang down, crashing against the stage. A gasp was shared amongst the dancers, Kisa gripping Ritsu's arm as the band came to a sudden, ghostly stop.
Kirishima's anger lit up, glaring up at the rafters, "What're you doing?! Yoko! Yoko, where are you? Are you alright?!"
Lefevre appeared amongst the mess, calling upstage, "Yanase! Where is Yanase? Get him down here!"
The backdrop slowly began to rise, in its place a chocolate haired boy, standing upstage, cinnamon eyes wide.
"Yanase!" yelled Lefevre, "What is going on?!"
Yanase, as if just now realizing someone was talking to him, gave a hesitant glance down at the people below him, "I - ! Lefevre-sama, no one is up here! And if there is..." he trailed off, letting the murmurs of 'A ghost!' continue his sentence for him.
Kisa cried out, grip tightening on Ritsu, "He's there; The Phantom of the Opera!"
An uproar was brought up by the boy's cry, one that Hatori could not settle this time.
Ryuichiro laughed, grinning to himself, "Hahaha! Well, that was fun."
Kaoru hesitated, turning on Ryuichiro and muttering something to him that made his smile fall, before glancing back at the mumbling dancers. "Please!"
Yokozawa was already standing, glaring past the floating Kirishima at his side. "That was fun?" he repeated, baring his teeth at Ryuichiro, who cast him barely a glance.
"Well, Yokozawa-sama." he said, shrugging, tutting, "These things to happen."
The Wild Horse of the Opera House suddenly stood at his full height, glowering down at Ryuichiro, "These things happen?!" he repeated once again, "Huh! Well, until they seize, this will not happen!"
At that, he swiveled, the skittish dancers parting for him to walk off, Kirishima following closely, muttering worried whispers.
"Well," said Lefevre, turning towards the two men, "If you don't mind now, Monsieur, I shall take my leave. Good luck, I shall be in Frankfurt if you need me." And, with that, he was gone.
As the soprano and tenor disappeared behind the curtains, all turned back to the new managers.
Ryuichiro smiled, shrugging his shoulders once more. "The Wild Horse will be back." he announced, only to revcieve a stomp-of-the-foot from Hatori.
"Really, you believe so, Monsieur?" as he spoke, he began walking towards Ryuichiro. "The Ghost has left a message, sirs."
Ryuichiro laughed, listening as the dancers began mumbling once more.
"He wishes to welcome you into his house, and commands you to continue leaving Box Five empty for him."
Ryuichiro's brow rose, and he opened his mouth to speak though Hatori cut him off.
"He also wishes to remind you his salary is due."
Kaoru hesitated, speaking before his companion could give a smart remark. "His salary? Pardon, Monsieur?"
"Lefevre-sama paid twenty thousand francs a month." Hatori straightened, "Maybe, with the Vicomtesse de Chagny as your guest, you could afford more."
The mumbles amongst the dancers increased, and Ritsu blindly grabbed for Kisa.
Ryuichiro's eyes narrowed. "I wanted to make that announcement myself, Monsieur."
Hatori ignored the man, walking back to his dancers as he spoke. "Shall she be at the performance tonight, Monsieur?"
Kaoru jumped in before Ryuichiro could. "Yes, Monsieur. With us, in our box."
Ryuichiro shook his head, before speaking, "Monsieur Hatori, who is the understudy for Yokozawa-sama?"
Hatori blinked back at them, before glancing at Yukina, who answered for him. "Monsieur, there is no understudy - this production is fairly new."
Kisa hesitated, before stepping forth. "Messieurs - Ricchan could sing it!"
Ryuichiro glanced towards the small man, then blinked, realizing who he was speaking of as Ritsu stumbled forward, clutching Kisa's arm. "The Onodera boy?" to everyone's surprise, he sounded pleasant, a grin to his features.
Kisa turned towards Kaoru and Ryuichiro, brushing Ritsu off. "He's taken lessons, from such a wonderful tutor."
Kaoru hesitated, "Whom?"
Ritsu finally spoke, uneasily and quiet. "M-Monsieur, I am not sure..."
Kaoru turned to Ryuichiro, "Ryuichiro-sama... What're we going to do? A full house..."
Ryuichiro however stared straight ahead at the blushing brunette, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Please, Monsieur - let him sing for you." Kisa clasped his hands together, and he hesitated when he saw Yukina rise his baton, already speaking his agreement.
Ryuichiro suddenly smiled, beaming, glancing round the stage. "Please, Monsieur Ritsu. From the beginning of the aria!"
The young boy hesitated, gripping onto Kisa's arm once against as a life preserver.
"Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in awhile - please promise me you'll try. When you find that, once again, you long to take your heart."
Kaoru hesitated, "Ryuichiro-sama, this is not doing well for my nerves."
Ryuichiro simply smiled, glancing at his partner. "Ahh- don't worry so much, Kaoru."
"When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you
ever find
a moment,
spare a thought
for me."
And, as the spotlight turned to Ritsu, he was shaken awake.
"Ano - Ricchan! Oh... Um, Onodera-san. Wake up! We're here."
Ritsu was startled awake, hearing his pulse in his hears once more when he felt a large hand moving along his arm. Blinking his eyes, he glanced at the towering building of Marukawa they were parked in front of, before turning to look at the clock on the radio.
What a long dream for such a short time.
"Ahh - Yukina-san! Thank you for the ride!" called Ritsu, gathering his items before sprinting out of the car, almost loosing his grip on his bag.
Yukina hesitated, before grinning and waving, setting off a tornado of sparkles that attracted several women walking down the street.
NinjaSheik: Thanks for reviewing! :3 And the character list is a really good idea! I think I'll post it in my profile though, and update it when a new character shows up.
SaySaeri: Of course no tragedy! Umm, probably a mix, if that makes sense? xD Like, some will be humorous. (Or it might just be a fail where only I think it's funny, pfft.)
Review? :D