"Seiichi?"
"Just go away, Sanada" Yukimura said quietly.
Genichirou paused and then slid the door shut behind him. Genjirou had long since left, unaware of what he had done by telling all of them about his new relationship with Fuji Syusuke. Yukimura had refused to come out of the room even to eat. Yanagi had given up since he wasn't so good in the emotional department and Genichirou had no choice but to be the unwilling comforter.
"Seiichi, just come and eat dinner. It's your favourite" Genichirou felt like slapping himself. He wasn't made for comforting someone.
"I'm not hungry" Yukimura said.
"I know you're hurt right now but you have to admit that you couldn't expect Genjirou to wait for you. You never really made a move towards him or even hinted that you had feelings for him" Genichirou said.
"That's what makes it even worse. I have regret that I didn't speak up when I had the chance to" Yukimura sniffled.
Genichrou sat down and then placed an arm around Yukimura. Yukimura leaned against him and closed his eyes. They sat together quietly as the room grew steadily darker around them. Yukimura fell fast asleep and Genichirou lifted him up bridal style to place him gently on the bed. He covered his friend with a blanket and then realised that this was really his own room. Yukimura must have forgotten that he was sharing a room with Yanagi. Genichirou shrugged and changed into his nightclothes. He crawled under the covers and let himself fall asleep.
Fuji smiled as he looked down at Genjirou's peaceful face. They were currently in the park trying to get the most of the sun before the snow came and snatched it away. Fuji had a rather interesting book that had been reading and Genjirou was listening to the music from his iPod. Fuji leaned back against the tree and then continued reading.
"Listen to this" Genjirou said from where his head was lying on Fuji's lap.
Fuji took the earphone and put it in his ear. He smiled at the song and then began nodding his head to the music.
"It's nice isn't it?" Genjirou grinned.
"I like it" Fuji replied and returned to his reading.
"Fuji, there's going to be auditions for music producers at school. I was going to audition but I still can't find the perfect song" Genjirou said.
"Why don't you perform a medley? You can sing in Japanese, Korean, English and Mandarin which is a rather handy skill. You would stand out from all the other people especially with your looks" Fuji replied.
"I was hoping to train with YG Entertainment. I love their style and their music as well" Genjirou said.
"YG is a Korean company. If you trained with them, you would have to move to South Korea" Fuji set down his book.
"I know that. It would mean moving away from my mother, my father, my family and most of all from you. I would love to stay in Japan but in order to grow as an artist, I need to take any chance I get. It won't be for long though. It will probably take a year of training and soon I'll be able to debut and start making my own money"
"I'll miss you, Genjirou" Fuji said with a slight frown.
"I'll be back as soon as possible. Just promise me that you'll work hard, graduate and go to college" Genjirou said, taking Fuji's hand.
"Of course" Fuji leaned down and kissed Genjirou's nose.
Genjirou pouted which prompted Fuji to peck his lips. Genjirou grinned and then closed his eyes, ready to lose himself into the music. Fuji picked up his book but this time his hand placed itself on Genjirou's platinum blond hair and began stroking the soft strands. Genijrou peeked through on eye and watched Fuji for a couple of minutes.
His phone began ringing, effectively ruining the moment. Genjirou groaned and checked the caller ID. It was an unknown number so he pressed the button and held the phone to his ear.
"Hello?"
"This is Sanada Genji speaking"
Genjirou immediately sat up, startling Fuji from his book.
"Genji-san, how have you been?" Genjirou despite having a strong dislike for the eldest brother, remembered his manners immediately.
"Come to the Apple Rose cafe in Morita Avenue in half an hour. I wish to speak with you" Genji hung up.
Genjirou looked down at his phone and then felt Fuji's hand on his shoulder.
"What did he want?" Fuji asked.
"He wants to meet me. In person" Genjirou replied.
"Is it safe for you to go on your own?"
"He won't kill me in broad daylight. He might be a bit crazy but he's not that crazy. I'll go and meet him. If I don't call in a couple of hours, call me, okay?" Genjirou kissed his boyfriend and hurried out of the park.
He took the bus and rode towards Central Tokyo. Morita Avenue was famous for its rich customers and impeccable service to rich patrons. Genjirou immediately felt out of place when he got off the bus. Everyone around him was either dressed in smart business attire or expensive designer outfits. He held his head high and entered the Apple Rose cafe.
"Sir, do you have a reservation?" A waitress asked with a sweet smile.
"Um... I think so. I'm here to meet someone under the name of-"
"He's with us" a deep voice made Genjirou turn around.
"Oh, it's you. Your usual table is ready for you" The waitress said, obviously flustered.
The mysterious man nodded to Genjirou and motioned for him to follow. Genjirou furrowed his eyebrows and followed the man into the very back of the restaurant where all the private booths were. The man motioned for Genjirou to be seated and then seated himself. Genjirou sat down and then looked at man as if trying to place where he had seen this man before.
"Would you like something to drink?" The man asked.
"No, I'm fine" Genjirou replied.
"My name is Hayama Takuto. I am President Sanada's personal secretary" the man said.
"Hayama? Are you related to Hayama-san, the wife of Sanada Gen'emon-san?" Genjirou asked.
"The President and I are cousins" Takuto replied.
Takuto's phone began ringing and he excused himself to answer the call. Genjirou's mind whirled with this new information. Takuto and Genji were cousins which meant that Takuto was also Genjirou's cousin. Genjirou looked around the cafe and sighed. What kind of cafe required you to have a reservation beforehand? Takuto returned and seated himself gracefully on the chair.
"I'm very curious to know why the President has taken such an interest in you, Steel-san. I understand that you live with the President's father after the death of your mother but it seems rather strange of the President to take so much of an interest in one person" Takuto said.
"How are you a simple secretary to the President? You are a member of the Hayama family. It isn't fair that you have been delegated to this task. You should have a higher standing" Genjirou said.
"I'm afraid it's not that easy. I have been given countless opportunities to gain a higher standing in the company but I simply refuse them. I do not wish to gather more attention to myself" Takuto said.
"I suppose we all have secrets to hide" Genjirou muttered.
"The President will be coming shortly. In the mean time, how about we get to know each other, Steel-san?"
"Just call me Steel. I feel a bit strange when my English surname is attached to the Japanese formal language"
"As you wish"
When Genji finally arrived, Takuto immediately left. Genjirou figured this was because Genji didn't want Takuto to hear anything they were going to discuss. Genjirou straightened up as Genji took a seat. While Genji was conversing with the waitress on drinks, Genjirou took the opportunity to observe his eldest brother.
Genji cut a very intimidating figure with his height and his broad shoulders, something that all three brothers had. Genichirou usually played sports which made him look even more muscular. Genjirou himself, danced as an exercise and that made his broad shoulders look less prominent but Genji looked like he took exercise very seriously. Genji was always dressed in smart business suits and his hair was always styled in a certain way, making him look very handsome.
"I understand that you wish to become a famous singer in the entertainment business" Genji spoke up.
"Yes, that has been my dream since I was young" Genjirou replied.
"I suppose that makes it all the more easier. This is for you" Genji handed over a large pack over to Genjirou.
Genjirou opened it up and his eyes widened when he saw the large amount of money inside. He looked up at Genji who was watching him with his arms folded.
"What is the meaning of this?" Genjirou asked.
"Use that and open up your own bank account in South Korea. I have acquired you a private audition with the President of YG Entertainment. He will be here in two weeks time. Pass the audition and leave for Korea as soon as possible. Do me and everyone else a favour and never return" Genji replied.
"What? Audition? With YG? Leave Japan? Forever?"
"That's exactly what I want. I will give you as much money as you want. You can go to Korea, train and debut there. Never show me or my family your face again, and I will leave you alone. I do not wish for you to be around the family any longer" Genji replied.
"And if I don't pass?"
"Then I'll make sure everyone that you care about is destroyed" Genji replied with even a flinch.
Genjirou froze when Genji produced photos of Yukimura, Fuji, Toru, Yuki, Kaoruko, Atobe, Yuushi and Jirou. He couldn't let anything happen to any of them.
"Genji-san, you really hate me, don't you? I shall do as you ask. You can ask Takuto-san to send me the details of the audition but I won't take the money from you. Thank you for your time and I'm happy you cared enough to set up an audition for me. I will find a way to repay you for your kindness" Genjirou stood and bowed.
He left the pack on the table and left the cafe. He caught another bus and returned to Atobe's mansion. Atobe wasn't home so Genjirou went into his own room and rang Fuji. Fuji picked up immediately as if waiting for Genjirou's call.
"What happened? What did he say?" Fuji asked.
Genjirou quickly explained the situation and Fuji sighed.
"This means that if you pass the audition, you'll be gone in the next few days. That shortens our time to two weeks" Fuji said.
"Fuji, he wants me gone. I'm sure by now that he's already planned out what he's going to do to you if I don't pass" Genjirou replied.
"Genjirou, I'm sure you will pass the audition" Fuji said.
"I don't want to leave you, Fuji"
"You have to" Fuji whispered.
Genjirou hung up and leaned back against his pillows. Fuji looked down at the phone until the screen turned off. The brunette sat down on his bed and then glanced at the picture on his nightstand. Genjirou's happy grinning face looked back at him as if teasing him. Genjirou was going to leave and he wasn't going to come back. Their relationship would soon be over. He could feel it.
Genjirou gulped as he walked through the hallways of the recording studio. Takuto-san had given him the address and time for the audition but Genjirou had never realised that he would be taken to a recording studio instead of an auditorium. Genjirou had dressed smart in jeans and a casual shirt but he had left all his piercings in and styled his hair. He had even requested Yumiko to put some makeup on him.
He knocked on the door and heard a voice telling him to enter. He pushed open the door and then bowed to YG President Yang Hyun Suk. He had immense respect for the man and Yang had also come all the way from Korea just to see him. President Yang stared him down without an expression while his personal assistant came forward.
"Are you Genjirou?" The assistant asked in fluent Japanese.
"Yes. It's nice to meet you" Genjirou replied.
"Please be seated"
Genjirou sat down and then stared at President Yang who sat up and began to speak to him.
"You can understand that I am a very busy man and so it is unusual for me to come all the way out here for one person. I was quite surprised when Sanada told me to let you audition since you were a good singer. I have already seen the tape of your showcase where you sung a song from one of my label's singers. You have a good voice but I would like to see it live. This is the reason I set up the audition in the recording studio"
"You want me to sing...in there?" Genjirou pointed to the room behind the glass.
"Yes, that is one of the many ways I can judge your singing ability" President Yang replied.
Genjirou stood and stepped into the studio. He wore the headphones and stepped up to the mic. President Yang gave him a thumbs up and the music began. Genjirou took a deep breath as he recognised the song. He began singing in a soft tone as the song required and then began building up his voice. When he reached the end, he let out a high note with all his strength. He was relieved when his voice didn't crack and got to the end of the song.
He snuck a peek at President Yang as he emerged from the recording area. There wasn't really an expression on the President's face and Genjirou shook his hand before leaving. As he walked out of the building, he turned around to look at the window of the recording area. He wanted to join YG so badly that he would do anything.
Even leave Fuji?
Genjirou stopped short as the thought occurred to him. If he passed the audition then that would mean leaving Fuji and his family.
A week later Genjirou got a call from President Yang. He picked it up with shaking fingers and then spoke.
"Hello?"
"Genjirou, this is Yoon Shi Hyuk, President Yang's secretary. I am very pleased to inform you that President Yang enjoyed your audition. He wishes to debut you as a solo artist as soon as possible. He has already made arrangements for you to move to Seoul to begin your training"
"Oh wow. This is great! Thank you!" Genjirou said with excitement.
"We will be in contact with your guardians shortly and you will soon be a star in this industry" Secretary Yoon said.
"Of course. Thank you so much. Bye" Genjirou hung up and then glanced at the picture of Fuji on his bedside cabinet with a sad expression.
He turned around before he stepped through the gate and spotted Fuji waving at him. Genichirou was right next to him with Yukimura and Yanagi. Genjirou waved to them one last time before entering the gate. He sat down in first class on the flight and then they took off. He watched Tokyo get smaller and smaller until it disappeared and all he could see were clouds.
Even though he was afraid and nervous, he was excited and ready for his future ahead. It was time to unfold a whole new chapter in his life.
There will be a time skip in the next chapter as Genjirou travels through his new life. Thank you so much for your kind and amazing reviews.
Onyxinlife