Rage On

By Wowkitty

Chapter 3


"Free tickets?"

"You betcha."

"To my concert?"

"That's right."

"But...how?"

Another day at Iwatobi rolled in to find Haruka and Nagisa huddled up next to an old radio.

It had been almost two week since that first encounter yet here he was, obsession only growing stronger, sitting around to win tickets to a Free! Concert.

"Haru-chan, what kind of tickets do you think they'll be?" Nagisa fumbled with a hair clip to keep his bangs out of the way as he questioned the other. It was fun to have someone else as interested as he was in the up and coming group.

"Don't care. Once I go."

Nagisa nodded in agreement, both turning their attention to the radio once more. The announcer cut into another track from the band to address the masses.

"Alrighty guys and gals who's ready to win some tickets to have the ultimate Free! Experienceeee!"

The station played their own automated applause. Haruka could just imagine how crazy other real fans must be going right now.

The applause dies down to bring back the host.

"We've got ten tickets to give away but on one of these tickets is the ultimate experience with our very own Tachi Tempei! So if you wanna win some Free! free freeee tickets I need you call up our hotline riiiight nooowww!"

Nagisa dropped his spoonful of strawberry ice-cream screaming, "Now! Now Haru-chan!"

Both teens dialed frantically, (the stations number saved on speed-dial for Haru) and listened closely. With every busy tone they hung up and tired again and again. They could hear the announcer counting down how many tickets remained. Fear crept across their faces.

Would they even get the chance to go?

"And we've got three- nope just two more to go guys and gals that last one being the oh so special full access paaaasss! And there it goes people we have our final contestant! Can you tell us your name sir!"

Nanase threw a glance at Hazuki, eyes wide. Was it him?

Nagisa shook his head.

They missed it. They both missed the chance of a lifetime.

The rattling of tins brought Makoto back from his thoughts.

Bending, he reached into the vending machine and took out the three cans of iced tea, placing them into a bag already filled with pre-made lunches and other choice sweets.

The cafeteria wasn't as packed as he expected but he was grateful for the chance to get away from his studies.

But even with the welcome distraction of getting lunch how could his mind think of anything else...

Today was the day that 10 lucky fans would win tickets to gain backstage access to his concert in Tokyo this weekend. Nine of those ten tickets would be focused on the other members of the band; lead guitarist, drummer, sound specialist and the like, but one would give the winner a weekend experience with 'The Real Tachi Tempei'.

Makoto could feels his shoulders drop at the thought. For one, this person could be anybody. And sharing his space with a stranger was not as exciting as his manager made it out to be. Secondly he would have to entertain this person's every wish (within reason no doubt) for the entire weekend! Now who would want to do that?

Stopping at the bottom of the staircase he sighed.

He really shouldn't be complaining...After their last gig at The Split their popularity shot through the roof. Radio play was constant and even this concert in Tokyo was something he'd never thought would be possible.

He always loved to sing. Raw and uninhibited. For show or in his shower, none of it mattered. Behind the mic was where he would come alive. Not be tied down by any responsibilities or expectations. But who would believe him if he told them this passion lay in wait under his big brother exterior. With two little ones to watch over he had to become reliable onii-san. And that expectation ebbed into his personal life with friends, teachers and even strangers. It was easier to smile and apologize first than give them the finger and spitting a 'fuck you' in their direction. People liked him. They could depend on him. Expected great things from him. Trusted him. Who would want anything different?

His jaw clenched.

What if I don't want to be liked?

His parents took it the hardest when he told them about the tryouts he had secretly gone to attend.

Probably because of the 'bad rep' that rock bands carry with them.

Drugs, sex and anything in between.

And that wasn't the Makoto they knew.

He was tired of pretending to be a 'good little boy' when all he wanted to do was live. Live without the expectations burdening his every decision in life. He wanted to make the wrong choices knowing they were wrong. This band was his chance to claim this side of himself and finally be happy.

Happy...

The brunette laughed as he made it to the top of the stairs. His parents really were great.

So many rules had to be made for him to even be in the band but he would have agreed to anything at that point. Nothing below a B average, no drugs, no babies and no disrespect.

If that was all he needed to have this outlet then fine by him.

His manager was the one who recommended creating the persona. Everyone in town already knew who he was and good ol' Makoto didn't go well with the image they were selling. So with a quick hair dye and a touch of the mic, he became a whole new person ready to be heard.

Tachibana could hear the sound of a radio coming from their classroom. What could they be listening to?

As he slid open the door his eyes took in Haruka and Nagisa, phones glued to their ears as their glares burned into the radio. The announcer's voice suddenly blared out of the rickety box

"And there it goes people we have our final contestant! Can you tell us your name sir!"

His blood ran cold.

They weren't doing what he thought they were doing...were they?!

"R-Rei. Ryugazaki Rei sir!"

REI?

"REI-CHAN?!" Nagisa screamed at the top of his lungs, jumping up from his seat and flying past Makoto who stood silent at the door, still in shock at what he just witnessed. Were they trying to win tickets to his show?!

Makoto took the chance to look at Haruka more carefully. Did...did he win one too?

Tachibana made his way towards the other as if stepping on a wired minefield. He needed to be careful.

"Haru...what um...what are you guys doing?"

Haruka felt his world crumble around him. His emotions were already hard to read but he could feel the muscles in his lips twitch.

He lost.

Snapping his phone shut Haruka sighed, "Tickets for a concert. This weekend."

"Oh. Did you guys win...?" Makoto pressed, keeping his voice as steady as possible. He needed to know what they knew without seeming to curious.

Haruka turned his attention to the view out the window. This felt as bad as not swimming in the winter.

His body was just as cold.

"No."

The brunette tried to control the smile that broke out on his face.

They hadn't won.

Yes.

Choosing a round of coughs instead, Makoto took a seat next to his secret love.

"I wish I could carry you Haru, but you know I'm going out of town that weekend."

He felt a sight pang of guilt lying to him like this. More so now that Nanase was a fan of his music. But he knew it would be suspicious for him to suddenly announce his 'family trip' on the same day the concert was revealed to the public. He told both Nagisa and Haru about his trip a week earlier as to avoid any suspicions. The growing obsession had forced him to be more conscious of his explanations to why he was always busy.

Another burden to take...

Makoto cursed inwardly and looked up at Haruka.

Why was he doing this?

Hauka was his closest friend! He should be able to tell him his true identity. He shouldn't keep this secret.

Especially not from Haruka...

Makoto's fists clenched.

He would do it.

He would tell him...

Right now...

"Um...Haru-"

Right now.

"Haru-"

Right NOW!

"Haruka I-"

The classroom door bursts open.

Haruka's gaze met cool green at the call of his name.

Was Makoto trying to tell him something?

All he could hear was the the sound of the announcer's voice on repeat in his mind.

Haruka glared at the two teens fumbling into the classroom.

And it was all his fault.

"Rei-chan! Why did you even try to win those tickets?!"

"Ack! If you let go of me I can explain!"

Nagisa dragged Rei into the classroom via choke-hold on his knees to the others. This little runner had some explaining to do. Rei could feel the eyes of Nanase's gaze pierce through him and it hurt.

Finally at the joint tables, Nagisa let the taller teen drop to the floor gasping for air. It was his own fault for ruining their chances.

All eyes turned to the slumped figure on the ground awaiting a response.

Gasping, Ryugazaki choked out.

"I...I only did I for Nagisa!"

Said blond's brows creased.

"I never asked you to do that Rei-chan! Now look what happened!"

Haruka watched on with clenched fists thinking of all the areas of water nearby where he could drown this son of a bitch.

The group grew silent. Rei-chan was still on his hands and knees in front of the other three. Makoto could see the boy was in distress. His body was shaking. It was only when he caught sight of the tear that fell was when he spoke up.

"Rei, you wanted to win it as a gift for Nagisa didn't you."

The revelation made him stiff. A sharp nod the only response.

Oh.

Oh.

It was only then did the others catch on.

Nagisa's eyes went wide.

"Reei-chaaaaannn!" The blond dropped to the floor to take all of the athlete into his embrace, wiping away the tears that pricked the eyes behind those glasses.

Ryugazaki bit his lip in embarrassment. He really didn't mean to cry in front of them. It just wasn't beautiful!

Hazuki's stomach flip-flopped. When Ryugazaki got like this...he was just so -

Cute...

Without thinking, Hazuki took his hands to the other teen's face, turned it towards his own -

"Nagis-"

and kissed him.

The world around him seemed to grind to a halt and thought rolled out in slow bursts for the brunette.

For one, the classroom was no where near empty.

Makoto was the first to move and grabbed the blond by his collar and yanked him away from Rei now leaning on his heels upright. They can't be kissing in front of everyone like that!

The pair parted with a wet smack, a thin trail of saliva swiped off by Nagisa's quick tongue, leaving a stunned Ryugazaki on his knees with a blush that disappeared down his neck and ended who knows where. He blinked once, twice, and a last time for good measure behind crooked glasses to get rid of the haze that clouded his vision. But he refused to move. The blood rushing to his crotch made all the rules at this point.

Nagisa could kiss...

The blond stood up fully with a smirk dancing on his features.

"Gomen gomen Rei-chan. You were just too cute to resist."

Smirk now a full blown grin Nagisa rocked on his heels and watched the effect his lips had on the other. He knew topping from the bottom made Rei weak.

Makoto gave Hazuki another stern look before reaching out to help Ryugazaki off the floor. Students were starting to stare. Looking towards Haruka for some assistance, he was greeted with a glare and a well rehearsed turn of the head in another direction. The action was childish and uncalled for but it made him laugh none the less.

If this was as bad as it would get keeping his identity a secret then he would take it all with a smile.

The sound of an engine brought Makoto out of a deep sleep.

When did I even close my eyes?

His body ached from the constant rehearsals but it was a pain he welcomed. Gripping leather, Tachibana pushed himself off of the couch crammed against the wall of his tour bus and made his way to the door.

It was time for his concert. Well moreso it was time to pick up the winner of the competition who would spend the next few days with him. His body slumped at the thought. An entire weekend with Nagisa not knowing who he really was.

Yay.

Makoto slapped his cheeks. This was not the time to be pissy. He was Tachi Tempei dammit and he would do anything in his power for the fans. Just as he reached for the handle of the door the sight of his reflection brought pause to his exit.

The mirror hung crookedly by a plastic hook. It was old and spotty but did nothing to lessen his transformation. Hair as black as the leather that kissed his legs in its tight hold.

Tachi Tempei was here. And it was time to make some music.

Sighing, he gripped the handle and pushed the door outward; careful not to swing too hard and hit the lucky winner of the competition just waiting out there for him to greet.

Lucky...

But he would deal with this like everything else in his life.

I really hope you enjoy yourself Nagis-

The thought didn't even have the chance to complete formulation in his mind.

His eyes ran up the body standing in front of him, locking onto bright blue and a flush that was visible even in the dark parking lot.

Ha-HARUKA?

Chapter 3 END

(so I just wanna say that I am so sorry for this taking so long. I had it 80% finished about a week ago but I had to make sure I put some focus on my exams. I'm actually on a student exchange thingy so I have to keep my grades up to a certain level or it's bad news bears for me :( so I just got back my last set of grades for my midterms and Im in the clear! So now I can focus on chapter 4 (already started)! I know where I want to take this story. And its really far hahaha so I hope you guys stick around for the long haul! Till next time!)