Chapter 4

Okay…we're now up to the fourth chapter! Yay! Well, folks, thanks for giving my latest work, Crush, a warm welcome! I'll do my best to maintain the vibe of the story, and of course, the characters' respective traits. Thank you for tuning in to this fic! Support Kazu-chan! Stuck in an Unfortunate Vacation's third installment will be up this weekend. Watch for it! You guys are so great!

"T-Toshiki!"

"Kazuki…"

Kazuki stared at his loyal and trusted friend, unable to comprehend the way of destiny; he should just meet Toshiki in that shop at that time. Why is it so? Kazuki does not know. It was too early; he was not prepared. He didn't know what to say to him, how to say it to him, let alone just face him after what happened the day before. He opened his mouth, hoping to at least utter a sensible word or two.

"Oh, it's Tsubaki-ojyousama's new bodyguard! Good morning, sir! What can I do for you?" the sales clerk interrupted. "You started working yesterday, right? Ms. Tsubaki seems to trust you already. I heard you saved her from being hit by a car a couple of weeks ago."

"Yes, I did. She called me up yesterday, and I thought I could use a job like this. She wants Style 6035A, size six." He sat Kazuki down to a chair and gave the clerk a piece of paper. "It's strange that she'd asked me to get it for her."

"Oh, you should get use to it. She's a busy woman. She'll frequently ask you to run some errands. I'll get it right away. Please wait for a moment," the clerk disappeared to the stock room.

"T-Toshiki," Kazuki started with a quiver in his voice. "I-I'm sorry."

"I've seen enough," Toshiki retorted silently. "You don't need to explain anything."

The clerk handed the pair of shoes to Toshiki. "I'll see you then."

"T-Toshiki-"

Florencias called the muscular blonde. "My model's got a sprain. You're her guardian aren't you? Carry her to my car."

"I'm not his guardian. It's Kakei Jubei."

"You can tag along to her practice pictorial. She'll be wearing fabulous dresses. We could use you, too. We're going to buy bikinis…"

Toshiki's ears went red as he imagined Kazuki in a bikini. He knew what lovely legs Kazuki had. His nose almost bled at the thought of it. Kazuki was so seducing. "W-what does it have to do with me?"

"Well, you see, I need an audience to judge her. If I'm the only one to see, then it's not enough. The people are going to play a big part on the search. Apart from that, I'm not a man. I need to see if she can turn you on."

Toshiki gulped, not knowing what to do. Kazuki smiled, secretly thanking Florencias. In the end, he did not have a choice but to carry Kazuki into the car and tag along. They dropped on to a couple of stores more to buy Kazuki dresses, jewelry, makeup, and bikinis. They arrived at the venue where the practice pictorial would be held.

"T-thanks for carrying me to the car, Toshiki," Kazuki smiled as Toshiki blushed. "I can walk by myself now."

Kazuki walked into the studio; Toshiki followed. Kazuki met the photographer.

"I thought you'd disappoint me again, Florencias, but you've got a stunning one here. She's lovely!"

"Thank you," Kazuki said with a smile.

"Pick your clothes now, dear, we'll start in a moment."

Florencias took a beautiful purple halter dress with a bare back. Kazuki hesitated on wearing it, but, not wanting to embarrass Florencias, wore it just the same. She gave him a pair of heels, a necklace with matching purple stone for a pendant, and amethyst earrings. She dabbed powder into his face and fixed his hair up. Kazuki looked every inch a goddess. "Don't forget your prosthetics, dear." Kazuki dreaded those prosthetics the most.

"Brava! She's gorgeous, Florencias! Glamorous! You've got a great find!"

Toshiki was speechless. Nobody ever looked lovelier than Kazuki. He looked just like a goddess, even the most beautiful woman cannot compare to him. Toshiki stared at Kazuki, mouth open. "Beautiful."

The pictorial started, and Kazuki enunciated everything so gracefully and beautifully. Toshiki could not help but fall in love with him much more than ever before. But he recalled what he saw the day before. He knew Kazuki had waited for that moment. He ran out of the studio, knowing that his love will always be left unrequited; wishing Kazuki would get the happiness he had longed for in Jubei's arms.

(--------------------------------The Next Day-----------------------------------)

"I feel so bad, Jubei," Kazuki said sadly. "Toshiki ran away from me."

The Kakei placed his arms around his love. "It's not your fault, Kazuki. Nobody did anything wrong. That Uryu is just too immature."

"I feel so guilty, Jubei. When I remember what happened, I just feel so bad. I feel so guilty."

"Aren't you happy that I'm beside you, that we're together?"

"I'm happy, Jubei, I really am. But I just can't help it. Toshiki is a good friend. You know it, too, don't you?"

"Don't blame yourself for anything that happened, Kazuki. One day, you're going to meet Toshiki again. And you're going to see that all the hurt had gone away, and all of us would live together in harmony like we did before."

"I wish it would happen. I really wish it would."

"He needs a little more time, Kazuki, to heal and to move on. But I still think it's so immature of him to run away like that, not bothering to tell you what he needs."

"Thank you for always staying beside me, Jubei. I love you so much."

"I want to stay with you. I love you more than anything."

The lovers stared at the skies, happy to be with each other. For a moment, everything felt so right. Everything fell into place. They love each other so much. Soon enough, Jubei felt Kazuki's head on his shoulder; sleeping silently. He gave his love a kiss and drew him closer. It was quiet and peaceful, until his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Mr. Kakei, this is Florencias."

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

"You are to leave for Germany next week. Mr. Chiba is to guide and accompany you. That's all. Good bye."

"Next week? Lady-"

Kazuki woke up at the sound of his lover's voice.

"What is it, Jubei? Is something the matter?"

"That Florencias woman called me."

"Really? What did she tell you?"

"She told me I'll be leaving for Germany next week."

Kazuki was silent. It was too soon. He still wanted to be with Jubei.

"Kazuki if-"

"Don't worry about me, Jubei. This will do you good. you're going to be able to see again. I'll help you pack your things."

"It's too soon-"

"I know, Jubei, I know. But we should just abide on this, right? She's doing us a favor. Don't worry, Jubei. I'll wait for you." Kazuki's eyes filled up with tears. Toshiki ran away, and now, Jubei will be going to Germany. He was alone again. He gave Jubei a big hug.

Behind a tall wire post, Mido Ban was looking at the lovers.