"Damn he's good!"
"He's so cute!"
"Work it man, work it!"
Genjirou grinned as he danced to the music blaring from his iPod speakers. Ever since he had entered the dance class, the teacher had brought out some incredibly difficult choreography that had all of them on the floor by the end of class. However, Genjirou had used the dance classrooms at night and mastered all the moves by the next morning, impressing the teacher immensely.
"Settle down everyone!"
Yuki-sensei was a retired professional dancer from the US. She had been a backup dancer at first and then opened many dance studios. She was also a very famous choreographer for JPop and KPop companies. All of them seated themselves on the polished, wooden floor and looked up at her expectantly.
"Now as you all know, the winter showcase is coming up. Since you all are third years, everyone had a chance to participate. We will need two students from this class, one male and one female to perform and showcase their talents. All famous music producers will be there scouting out talent. This is a great opportunity for everyone"
Genjirou sat up a little straighter. He wanted to be chosen badly. It would mean a chance to show his talents and even be taken in as a trainee or better yet, a solo artist. Yuki glanced down at her clipboard and then smiled.
"So far, I have chosen four students to audition for the showcase. They are... Kinomoto Takeshi, Saitou Misaki, Suzuki Julie and Steel Genjirou"
Genjirou grinned and then high fived Julie who was seated beside him. Takeshi was seated near the corner near Misaki.
"All four students will compete against each other in a private audition with me. Genjirou and Takeshi, your audition is at three. Misaki and Julie will have their audition at noon. That is all. Class dismissed!"
Genjirou stood up and then smiled at Takeshi. Takeshi nodded to him and hightailed it out of the room. Genjirou glanced down at his watch and noted down the time of the audition. He shoved his dance bag in the boys locker room and then headed in to shower before his next class since he had time.
"You've been selected for the showcase? That is impressive" Oshitari commented.
"I feel so nervous" Genjirou said pushing his plate of fruits away.
"You need to eat. I don't want to you fainting on the dance floor" Oshitari said.
Genjirou took a slice of an apple and munched on it quietly.
"Yusuke asked me for your number" Oshitari commented, making Genjirou choke on the apple slice.
"What did you say to him?" Genjirou asked after he had coughed for about a minute.
"I said that if he wanted you that bad, he should ask you for your number" Oshitari replied.
"Genjirou-kun!"
Genjirou and Oshitari looked up at Misaki-chan who looked positively excited. Behind her, Genjirou saw Julie smiling a fake smile as she sat down with her friends for lunch. That could only mean one thing. Yuki sensei had selected Misaki as the female dancer for their class's showcase. Genjirou stood and hugged Misaki to congratulate her.
"I feel so happy. Genjirou-kun better pass the audition so we can dance together" Misaki said.
"I'll try my best, Misaki-chan" Genjirou said.
"Good luck. Text me on what the result is"
Misaki skipped away, her grin too infectious to ignore. Genjirou sat down, feeling more nervous than ever.
"I would like to see your freestyle first. Ready? 1, 2, 3" Yuki pressed a button on the stereo.
Genjirou began dancing along to the music and began doing some fancy footwork. He felt a sting in his feet but ignored it. Then he felt a searing pain in his foot and crumpled to the floor.
"Genjirou!" Yuki turned off the music and rushed over to her student.
She carefully untied his shoe and then pulled it off. Genjirou gasped when he saw his entire sock was soaked with blood. Yuki turned the shoe over and thumb tacks fell out. Genjirou's eyes widened. Someone had put thumb tacks in his shoes? Who? Why would they do that?
"In this condition, Genjirou, I'm afraid you won't be ready in time for the showcase. I'm giving the male dancer's position to Takeshi" Yuki said.
"I don't really mind. I should go to the infirmary" Genjirou said.
"I found Nakamoto in the other class. We'll carry you to the infirmary" Takeshi said.
"Genjirou, what the hell is happening to you?" Toru asked.
Genjirou let himself be lifted up by his strong classmates. They struggled with his weight and height but then got him to the infirmary safe and sound. The nurse cut open the sock and then began cleaning up the blood. Genjirou was thankful they were just cuts and there was no clear sign of the thumb tacks actually penetrating his feet.
"You will stay off your feet for the rest of the week. I will excuse you from dance class for the next two weeks" the nurse said.
"Genjirou!"
Genjirou glanced over at the door where Atobe was panting for breath. The rich heir looked like he had run all the way to the infirmary.
"I'm going to find whoever did this. How dare they ruin your feet" Atobe said, walking into the room.
"I'll be fine in a week but I won't be able to participate in the showcase" Genjirou said.
"You wanted this so badly but someone sabotaged your audition. Someone doesn't want you to dance in the showcase at all" Atobe said.
"Maybe. They succeeded anyway. I can't participate in the showcase. They won"
"Don't say that. If we find out who did this before the showcase, we can get the accused expelled or in the very least suspended" Atobe said.
"I need to get to music class. Our teacher said she had an important announcement" Genjirou sat up and then grabbed the crutches from Atobe.
He walked slowly, still unused to the crutches and then got to his music class with help from Atobe. Atobe left and Genjirou sat down on his seat.
"I have chosen one boy and girl to sing in the showcase. They are Genjirou-kun and Rika-chan"
Genjirou sat up and raised his hand.
"Sensei, I'm injured at the moment. I won't be able to even stand on the stage"
"Genjirou, I have already planned out the performance and don't worry, I have taken your injury under consideration"
"Okay, sensei" Genjirou sat back and then was handed the schedules of showcase rehearsals.
"What happened to you?"
Genichirou hurried forward and took the heavy duffel bags from his brother. Genjirou smiled in thanks and sat down in the entryway to take off his shoes.
"I got into an accident in dance practice. No big deal" Genjirou replied.
"Did you slip?"
"No, someone put thumb tacks in my shoes and I started bleeding because I didn't realise they were in there. It's no big deal. The school is carrying out an investigation" Genjirou pulled off his shoes and then placed them neatly on the side.
"Did you tell father about this?" Genichirou helped his brother up and took him into the kitchen.
"No. I'd rather he not know about this. He'll worry even more about and I don't want that. I trust you to keep quiet about this" Genjirou said sharply.
"He needs to know"
"No he doesn't"
Genichirou sighed and then sat down at the table by his brother. Genjirou could be a stubborn mule when he wanted to be.
"I'll keep this a secret but if something like this happens again, I'll tell father immediately"
"Thank you" Genjirou smiled.
"So how is school going?"
"I'm going be performing in the winter showcase. I'll be singing a duet with another girl. The teacher has it all planned out. I might even get recognised by some of the music producers there. It would give me a chance to be trained and to debut under a successful entertainment company"
"What song will you be singing?" Genichirou asked.
"I'll be singing Black by G Dragon feat. Jennie Kim. It's a Korean song and the teacher loved my suggestions of the sets and costumes too"
"You're doing well, Genjirou. I'm sure father and mother will love to see your performance"
"I'll be sure to get all of you tickets. I'm sure Fuji will also like to come to the show" Genjirou grinned.
"Can you get one for Yukimura as well?" Genichirou asked.
He winced when Genjirou sent him a questioning look. Genichirou knew that bringing Yukimura along would raise some questions but at least Yukimura would be able to see his crush sing onstage. Even if Yukimura didn't want to take any action in regards to his crush on Genjirou, Genichirou figured they needed a push in the right direction.
"I'll try to get one for him but I'm sure there will be extra seats" Genjirou said.
"He would appreciate it" Genichirou said.
After a few days, Genjirou was able to walk around without crutches since the cuts were almost healed. He had practiced the song over and over until Atobe said he could hear Genjirou sing in his sleep. On the day of the showcase, there was a flurry of activity backstage. Genjirou wasn't performing until nearly at the end as the closing act but he was still running around helping with costumes and makeup.
"Misaki-chan, you look beautiful" Genjirou said.
"Thank you, Genjirou-kun. I wish you were dancing with me today. Takeshi can hardly do the lifts the way you do"
"I've seen you guys practice. Those moves were difficult to learn. I tried to pick them up but since I couldn't dance, it was a problem" Genjirou said.
"I heard about the thumb tack incident. How could someone do that?" Misaki's green eyes were full of anger.
"The investigators concluded that someone broke into my locker and put them in my shoes. I didn't even notice until I started dancing. I can walk and run but I want to keep off dancing until my feet heal" Genjirou replied.
"Genjirou! You have to change into your costume!"
"I have to go. Good luck, Misaki-chan!" Genjirou gave her a quick hug and hurried off to change.
His costume was a dark black suit that highlighted his pale features and his high cheekbones. His platinum blond hair had been styled to perfection and despite his protests, Misaki and Yuki had applied makeup on his face. He was definitely surprised by the results. The eyeliner highlighted his dark eyes and made him look a little Japanese too. He was handed a mic and rushed off to the backstage area.
"Good luck" Atobe said with a smirk.
The set was a rather creative one. The art department had made a maze right on the stage with wooden rectangular shapes which were about mid calf length in height. It was coupled with the smoke effect and also rather eerie spotlights. Genjirou seated himself casually on the wooden blocks that made up the maze and put on what the teacher called 'his performance face'.
The music began and he began rapping smoothly. Normally he wasn't really a fan of rap but he was just about decent at it. The song that had been selected what G Dragon's 'Black' and he was ready to do full justice to it. He finished his first verse and let Rika take over for the chorus. He stood up from his position and began walking through the maze while singing just like the way they had rehearsed.
They finished the song to cheers and applause. Both of them bowed and then headed off the stage. Genjirou immediately dropped his cold face and grinned as wide as he could. His first ever live performance onstage was now over. This was so amazing. He refrained from jumping up and down in his outfit and hurriedly changed into blue jeans and a fluffy white sweater.
"That was amazing!" Toru barged into Genjirou's dressing room.
"I wasn't that good. I was sweating bullets" Genjirou said wiping his face down with a towel.
"I saw the looks on those producers faces. They looked like they had found Jesus or something" Toru said.
"Genjirou! They're calling for an encore!" One of the stagehands yelled.
"I've already taken off my outfit!" Genjirou said.
"It doesn't matter. What would Se7en have done in this situation?" Toru asked with a smile.
"He did perform one of his songs while wearing jeans and a sweatshirt" Genjirou admitted.
"Now go out there and wow them!"
Genjirou ran out and then quickly chose the song he wanted to perform. The stage lights dimmed and he ran out ready to perform. The familiar song 'Somebody Else' by Se7en began playing and he began singing along. He chanced a look out to the audience and spotted his family immediately. His father was holding hands with his stepmother while grinning proudly. Right behind them was Fuji who was standing up and cheering.
Right beside Fuji was Yukimura who looked like he was trying to fight past Fuji with the way he was applauding and cheering. Next to Yukimura was Genichirou who was nodding along to the music. However, next to Genichirou was a man Genjirou had never seen before. He was quite tall and his black hair was neatly styled. He was dressed in a professional business suit and he looked like he was frowning.
Genjirou threw the man out of his mind and began dancing along to the music naturally as breathing. When he finished his performance, he bowed to the crowd and then walked off the stage. He was beyond exhausted now. He took off his jacket and then wiped his face down with a towel.
"That was awesome!" Toru said excitedly as Genjirou collapsed onto a seat.
"I'm tired" Genjirou said,
"Genjirou"
Genjirou sat up when he spotted Fuji. Fuji smiled and then ran towards the blond. Genjirou was taken by surprise when Fuji threw his arms around the taller blond and hugged him tight. Genjirou's heart began beating fast as he carefully placed his arms around the shorter brunette. He could feel the warmth coming off of Fuji's body and the scent of his hair was intoxicating.
"You were amazing out there" Fuji murmured.
Genjirou chuckled. "Thank you for cheering for me".
Fuji looked up at the blond, eyes full of unshed tears. "I will always cheer for you, Genjirou".
Something stirred between them and Genjirou leaned his head down to kiss Fuji's forehead. Fuji's eyes fluttered shut and Genjirou heard a throat clearing. He immediately let go of Fuji and then faced his brother Genichirou and Yukimura who were both watching the embrace in rather undisguised shock.
"We'll talk later, Fuji" Genjirou said quietly and Fuji nodded.
"Father is waiting outside" Genichirou said.
"I'll be right out" Genjirou nodded.
Genichirou took Yukimura's wrist and dragged him out from the backstage area. Genjirou sighed and then turned to Fuji who was standing with his head bowed. His long bangs shielded his eyes from view and Genjirou placed a hand on his shoulder. Fuji looked up and Genjirou smiled.
"Fuji, will you go out with me on a date?"
Fuji smiled and nodded. Genjirou chuckled and then hurried off to change, leaving the brunette with a promise to call soon.
So it wasn't much of a debut for the eldest brother but there's a lot of drama coming up. Please review!
Onyxinlife.