Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom of the Opera, or Sekaiichi Hatsukoi.
A week and a half later, Ritsu had managed to keep the promise he'd held with himself - The Phantom no longer haunted his dreams, though he'd been staying up later and later with each and every passing night, only falling asleep with his eyes could no longer stay open. He'd show up at work every day, tense, with bags under his eyes, and had once even managed to snap at Kisa, something he'd never done, though had quickly apologized. He found himself constantly wondering if Kisa's dreams had been the same as his, or if their parts were played differently, more accordingly to Kisa's persona, if Kisa was Christine Daae and if Yukina was Eric - but then who was Raoul? Or was Yukina the Victome? - and had wondered one day, when Kisa came in less chipper than usual, if Joseph Buquet's murder had been carried out. He held himself back from questioning, however, afraid that anything could trigger the dreams he'd managed to hide from.
He avoided the black bound book at all costs, not bothering with Takano's warning that he'd be 'unprepared' - he figured if need be he could remember the ending, or perhaps he'd watch the movie the night before departing for Chiaki's party (for that was Kisa's plan, as well). He'd even gone so far as to leave it at home during his work shift, not wanting to tempt himself to fall back into the opera house's depths, terrified at the thought of the relapse.
Ritsu heaved a sigh as he zipped up his suitcase atop his bed; he'd done laundry even to avoid the book, when he'd still had clean clothes, unlike himself, and had managed to tire himself out from his housework and packing. Hauling the suitcase off the bed, he let it drop to the floor beside him, not bothering with pushing it away, though he'd most likely trip on it tomorrow morning. He fell onto his bed face first, before rolling over onto his side to chance a look at his alarm clock.
Two o'clock. He'd have to wake for work in three hours. Three hours. Could one really manage on so little of sleep?
He gave another sigh, figuring he'd soon find out.
A cape flowed behind the opera house's manager as he stepped down velvet stairs, with movements so elegant it was hard to place exactly what manager it was, ebony mask hiding his face. His blue eyes were trained down to the back of who he hoped was his fellow manager - ever since the hanging of their chief stagehand, and the lower manager's outburst, the higher manager went out of his way for his brunette lover, making sure to always ask his opinion at the meetings of the house, as if the brunette would have an issue with voicing his opinion.
His heeled shoes clicked with the last step, drawing the attention of the man at the bottom of the stairs; he turned way from the girl in a feathered dress he was talking too, chocolate eyes looking up and down at the man in front of him from behind a ivory mask.
The one in the cape briefly hesitated, "M'sieur Kaoru?" he questioned after a moment.
A smile quirked at the corners of the other's mouth, "Ryuichiro-sama?"
Ryuichiro was the first to raise his mask, eyes raking over his lover with no shame; following after his fellow manager, Kaoru's tanned hand rose his mask.
"The party didn't turn out bad, Ryuichiro-sama."
Ryuichiro beamed, hand reaching down and clasping onto Kaoru's, "This is a great way to start off a new year!"
Kaoru smiled back, hand squeezing Ryuichiro's, "It is quite a night. I'm impressed, Ryuichiro-sama."
Ryuichiro squeezed back, gloved hand raising his champagne glass, "To us, Kaoru!" he exclaimed.
Kaoru gave a sigh, though was still smiling when he, too, rose his glass, "To us," he concurred, "and to the house."
Glasses clinked as Yukina's band began playing; though they all appeared annoyed, especially the blonde flute player who'd handed her conductor his baton back and a clarinetist, the girl in the peacock dress Kaoru had spoken too, when the percussion began playing, cymbals crashing, snare loud, bells and triangles twinkling. The percussionist Yukina had knocked over the night of the stagehand's death was no where to seen - it was rumored around the house he'd quit after a blow out with his conductor over dancer Kisa Shouta, though no one except for Kisa, Yukina, and a certain opera star knew that this was, in fact, true.
"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!"
Said opera star stepped forth, hand clasped tightly in the dancer's hand, the house's Wild Horse following after Kirishima to the managers; Hatori pulled away from the tall girl after a chaste kiss was placed to her head, and all rose their glasses to clink together with their managers'.
"What a night." remarked the house's ballet mister, returning his arm from the midst of others', though appeared to have no attention to actually drink its contents.
"What a crowd!" Kisa remarked in a much happier tone than Hatori's, cheeks already flushed, bringing the glass to his lips, turned a slightly pinker color from make up.
Ryuichiro laughed, wrapping his arm round Kaoru's waist, "Makes you glad, doesn't it!"
Kaoru smiled, "It makes us proud." he corrected.
Kisa grinned, returning his own multicolored mask to his face, its surface shining in the lights above. "With all our fears in the past!"
Kaoru's eyes blinked, and Ryuichiro's grip tightened. "It's been six months!"
Kirishima laughed, his own arm tight around Yokozawa, "Six months of relief!"
Yokozawa appeared to want no part in the masquerade addition to the party, the mask the opera's tenor had forced his to wear 'accidentally' forgotten some where, "Of delight!" he remarked, and Kirishima laughed from behind his mask.
Ryuichiro and Kaoru both smiled, remarking in unison, "Of peace!" though once finished turned and blinked at each other; Ryuichiro busted out laughing, while Kaoru smiled sheepishly at their mixing voices.
Hatori's eyes stared down at his drink, debating whether he should take a sip or not, "It seems we can breathe at last." he finally said.
Yokozawa's eyes flitted down to his drink at well, muttering in embarrassment, "No more notes, or croaks..."
Kirishima shook the Wild Horse at his hip, earning a quick glare that melted almost immediately, "No more ghost!"
Making his decision, Hatori rose his glass, "Here's to health!"
Kaoru smiled, eyes looking round at the people surrounding him, mimicking Hatori in raising his own glass, "A toast: To a prosperous year!"
Ryuichiro laughed, champagne glass following the others', "And to the new chandelier!"
Yokozawa and Kirishima's glasses rose, "May its splendor never fade!" They glanced at each other, Kirishima the first to laugh, similar to the way their managers did, while Yokozawa smiled at the tenor.
"Six months!" Ryuichiro remarked once again, emphasizing.
Hatori for once smiled, "What a joy!" he said, joining in the manager's enthusiasm.
Kisa joined in with them, squeezing Ritsu's hand as he too rose his glass, "It's such a change!"
"What a blessed relief!" Kaoru said.
Ryuichiro smiled, "And what a masquerade!"
Their glasses clinked, a few more words said before all separated; Kisa walked off, still grinning, hand still encasing Ritsu's as they moved to the side of the room, away from Yukina's band for their words to be heard as they spoke in hushed voices.
Kisa swayed round to look at Ritsu, a gold chain flying from the inside of his dress; a diamond glinted proudly, shining along with his mask and the noirette's glowing face. "Think of it, Ricchan!" he giggled, hand reaching up for the chain, "I'm a future bride, Ricchan, just imagine it!"
Ritsu smiled at his friend's glee, squeezing a hand in a silent congratulations; at that, Kisa's mouth pursed, pink lips going tight, and he reached for the opera star's neck.
"I don't understand why your engagement has to be secret though, Ricchan," Hands clasped round the silver chain the brunette wore, pulling it out, revealing a plain gold band attached.
Ritsu gave a sigh, taking the chain back from his intoxicated friend and tucking it back into his dress, "I've already told you, Kisa."
The older man gave a sigh, and Ritsu was unsure if he was mocking him or not, "I know, I know, Ricchan, but I still don't understand. You're free, Ricchan!"
Ritsu reached forward, hands delicate as he picked up the ring around Kisa's neck, gently dropping it down the jeweled neckline of Kisa's dress. "I just have to wait for the right time, Kisa. I promise, you'll understand soon."
Seeming settled enough with this answer, Kisa grabbed Ritsu's hand once more, pulling him out on the dance floor. Ritsu couldn't help but laugh along with Kisa, the two swaying in time with Yukina's band before a finger tapped on Kisa's shoulder.
"May I have this dance?"
Kisa hesitated, eyes glancing back to Ritsu, chocolate eyes shamed behind his mask. Ritsu smiled in encouragement, shaking his head, "Go ahead, Kisa-san. I won't mind." he said, and the noirette was pulled away, Ritsu still smiling. Turning, he was prepared to walk back off the dance floor, when he was caught be someone, who's hazel eyes glanced down at the opera star from behind an ivory mask.
"May I have this dance?"
Ritsu's breath caught in his throat, paralyzed the the similarity this man had to the Phantom; Ritsu readjusted the modest mask he more upon his face, plain and pale, before nodding, not wanting to appear rude.
Though, by the fifth Phantom look-alike he danced with, he was feeling queasy.
Green eyes glanced helplessly over the broad shoulder of the man he was dancing with, to Kisa and Yukina, who'd abandoned his conducting for a dance, though his band appeared more than happy to allow their leader to dance with his secret fiancee. Yukina wore a mask the color of the setting Sun, though still absolutely stunning, and able to point out in this crowd. As Ritsu broke away from his partner, he prepared to dart away, when a hand clasped round his wrist.
"No! Absolutely not! I refuse to dance again!"
He barked this out before he'd even turned to see An in front of him, smiling at him in understanding. "Ricchan, may I have this dance?"
As she spoke, she rose her hand to offer; he caught the glimpse of her own diamond upon her ring finger.
He smiled, accepting her hand. "Of course, An-chan."
They held onto each other, twirling back onto the dance floor, though Ritsu couldn't help but grimace from here and there; his feet were beginning to ache. The music crescendo-ed, raising to a climax, Ritsu glancing over An's shoulder to discover Yukina was back to conducting his band, Kisa at his side, and Ritsu smiled. Kisa loved the band almost as much as they adored him.
"Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you!"
As the band rose to its final crescendo, a clarinet squeaked; then a trumpet blared; a trombone dropped; then a drum was overturned, a cracking sound following suit as the band came to a confused halt, Yukina sitting his baton down and calling if they were okay.
Though at the figure dressed in crimson walking down the stairs, footsteps resounding with each step, all talk stopped and heads turned.
"Why so silent, good messieurs?"
Ritsu froze, hands going up to grip onto the chain round his neck, eyes going wide.
The laugh that followed was cold, hallow. "You really thought I'd left you, hadn't you? It's okay, I know you've missed me. After all, I've written you an opera!"
He pulled from his robe a bound manuscript - with a flick of his wrist, he threw it to his managers, and it landed at Kaoru's feet, Ryuichiro giving a defensive step forward though was pulled back by Kaoru.
"This is the finished score - 'Don Juan Triumphant'!"
He turned, ivory mask glinting in the lights, addressing all in his house, "Good evening to you all! Ahh, but a few instructions before we begin rehearsal." He drew from his hip a sword, gasps initiated in the crowd. His steps came down the stairs until he reached the house's very own Wild Horse, "Dear Yokozawa must be taught to act, not to strut around the stage as he does." Yokozawa gave an astounded gasp, and Kirishima stepped forwards at his defense, though backed back down as the tip of the Phantom's sword was placed below his chin.
"And our Don Juan here must learn not to drink so much, it's not healthy for someone of his age." The sword was swept to the side, and both Yokozawa and Kirishima gave a cry in protest, a breath of relief being held in their throats when all the man did was knock the glass from Kirishima's hands, it falling to the floor, breaking into pieces.
The Phantom chuckled, before continuing on down the stairs, "And as for the managers of my house," he snarled, looking over to the two, who held onto each other's hand still; Kaoru held the Phantom's glare, eyes narrowed, while Ryuichiro could only glare for so long, "they must learn that their place is at a desk, and not in the arts!"
The Phantom gave another chuckle, laughing at the managers' futile glares, turning his attention to the middle of the dance floor, where now only Ritsu stood; he had not noticed that An had left his side. "And our star, Sir Onodera Ritsu..."
He crossed the remaining stairs, though had to walk no further, Ritsu meeting him halfway. The Phantom reached forward, knocking the mask from Ritsu's face, "There's not doubt he'll do his best. His voice is amazing, though he still has much to learn." Another chuckle, "I wonder if he'll let me return as his teacher, or if pride will get the best of him."
He suddenly reached forward, hand closing round the chain he had not managed to hide well enough, "Your chains are mine, you belong to me!"
He tore the necklace from the boy's neck, snapping the chain, and a cry sounded from some where in the crowd.
"Ricchan!"
The Phantom wheeled round as Kisa ran up to the opera star's defense, gripping onto his arm. The Phantom gave a grunt, hand tightening on his sword, "I'd advise you," he began, and the dancer glanced up, eyes narrowed beside that mask, "to get away."
Kisa however didn't move, a glare that the Phantom did not laugh at.
"I believe my instructions were clear!"
Even though he snapped and the crowd shrank away, Kisa did not move.
The Phantom growled, "Need I remind you there are worst things than a shattered chandelier!"
His sword rose, and he swiped it to the side - though in stead of coming in contact with the dancer, it hit a metallic object; the Phantom shook from the shock of the impact, ringing up from the sword to his arm, and he staggered away.
In front of him stood Yukina Kou, those brown orbs holding such a violent shine that the Phantom took another step back, eyes going down to the sword held in the conductor's hands. Back by his band, the blonde flutist stood, in her arms clutching his baton as well as her flute, the whole entire band on the edge of their seats.
"I'd advise you," said the conductor, standing up straight, pulling the mask from his face and handing it back to a shell shocked Kisa, "to get away from them."
The Phantom hesitated, before glancing round at the crowd - after a moment, he returned his sword to its sheathe, Yukina looking slightly too smug for a second, before the Phantom disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Ritsu awoke when he rolled off his bed, his hip hitting his suitcase - Why the hell is this even here?!... Oh. - and he cried out in pain, throat cracking. He gave a groan as he stood, then hesitated, it was - why was it daylight? His eyes wandered to his alarm clock, and he blanched - 8:40. It was eight forty. He was two and a half hours late.
He grabbed for his phone and winced; seven missed calls from Kisa, and a voice mail he could only assume to be a mixture of anger and worry from Takano. Beginning to pull out clothes, he decided to ignore the voice mail, calling back Kisa.
He answered on the first ring.
"Ricchan!"
He hesitated, freezing in his spot, remembering the way the petite dancer had come to his defense at the sight of the Phantom, though shook the thought from his head. No, he objected, I didn't have a dream about the Phantom. I couldn't of, it's been a week.
"Yes, Kisa-san?"
"Ricchan, where are you?! Takano's freaking out!"
And, for the second time, he paused, then scoffed, taking a moment to respond as he pulled his shirt off and then a sweater over his head.
"Okay," was all he replied with; he didn't care if his boss was freaking out.
"'Okay'? 'Okay'?! Ricchan, we leave tomorrow, you have to get down here!"
Ritsu sighed, struggling to yank up his pants with only one hand; he held his phone to his ear with his shoulder, pulling them on, wiggling into them. "I know, Kisa-san. I'll be there in a few minutes."
Okay, so maybe a little bit longer than a few.
"Alright! Please hurry, Ricchan!"
"I will, Kisa-san."
No, I won't.
And, an hour later, Ritsu entered the Emerald department; only Kisa and Takano sat at the desks, and he could only figure Hatori was off to the printers, and that Mino was with him.
Kisa saw him first, and he bolted up, with an exclamation of, "Ricchan!"
Once again, the image of the dancer flashed through his mind's eye, though he shoved it away in favor of mentally cursing his headache.
Next was Takano, who stood up, pushing his chair back, and Ritsu was reminded of the Phantom, sword in hand, ripping the chain from his neck. "Where have you been?!" he snapped, and Ritsu sighed, not replying.
Takano crossed the room to stand in front of him, and Ritsu briefly wished Yukina would sense danger and come to his rescue. "I asked you where you had been!"
Ritsu however didn't even flinch, and Kisa hesitated, "Takano, come on, it's not that bad..."
"Quiet, Kisa, it is bad!"
Oh, he just snapped at Kisa. Where's Yukina?
"Now, I'll ask one more time. Where have you been?"
Ritsu mumbled under his breath, and both Takano and Kisa perked.
"What?" snapped Takano, and suddenly Ritsu's demeanor broke. He glared up at his editor-in-chief, hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"I said," he began, "that I did not come to work today to get yelled at! Now, if you'll excuse me, Takano-san, Kisa-san, I am going back home!"
The brunette turned on his heel before the two could recover from the newbie's outburst; Ritsu walked past Hatori and Mino, who had indeed both returned from the printer's, and, unlike in his dreams, Mino did not take on his role as security guard to turn him back around to return back to work.
Kisa was the first to recover, giving a sigh as he walked away from his desk, following after Ritsu.
"I'll go talk to him." he volunteered when no one else spoke up, walking past the starstruck members of Emerald, who stared after him this time in shock.
And here's the masquerade! :DI hope this makes up for how short the last chapter was!
SaySaeri: Woot! :D
loopyhutton: Thanks! :D
nekocandy4life: No, your reviews are fine, I like them! :D
NinjaSheik: I know, sorry! D: Hope this makes up for it! :D
Review? :D
Oh! And I've figured out what I'm going to do from here on out, I think! :D Don't worry too much about An and Ritsu's engagement.. I've got that covered! :D