Chapter notes – Oh boy, it's been a long time since I pushed any content up to this site... It seems like people are still happily reading the chapters of this and marking it for update notification so I'll add another to the pile. Grab something to snack on, it's another long one!
Read and review - It'll make me clean the chapters for publishing faster! It also makes me super warm inside to know that you care enough to jot a paragraph in response to these many pages...
If you're still enjoying this story, be sure to check out the beginning of the story -- Remix, The Beginning of the New Ending -- that is being published separately.
A few days later Ayaka and Hiro were settled in to their new home and the media had been thoroughly excited about their new song by Manager K who was also calling Shuichi every hour to make sure he was still on track.
"I am asleep!" He yelled at K at 4 in the morning, disturbing Eiri, "Sorry…" He whispered an apology for waking him too.
"Give me that." He grumbled and took the cell phone, "K… Do not call here in the middle of the night again or I will make you regret it." He powered it off, closed it and threw it across the room, "Done."
"Thank you." He flopped back down and pulled up the blankets.
"He is far too persistent."
"There are a lot of people who are very excited about this release. I just want to sleep."
"Quit answering the phone every time he calls then… You're just encouraging him."
The song was done, arranged, cleaned and converted by Thursday that week. Things were very secure at the studio. Only a few people had actually heard it at all and the media was in a frenzy thanks to K's efforts... They had done several interviews about it already.
Shuichi had written a bit about the song to post on the web site with it, to explain his thoughts. Eiri had helped by translating what he had written into English so that both audiences could understand.
It had been a long week. Shuichi was exhausted. Not only were there obligations in the studio realm, he also had some family obligations to meet that week.
He had gone for the first time to meet with the new therapist that Eiri would be seeing, along with the therapist from New York who was apparently going to be joining in via phone for the first five sessions to make sure everything was on track. While it was confusing to be participating in something that was mostly being conducted in English, Shuichi was relaxed by how these two professionals seemed to be able to handle things, even if the American was a bit on the direct side. It made him think of what Manager K might be like as a psychiatrist and he mentioned that to Eiri on their way out of the hospital.
"K? That guy would be like a bulldozer instead of a therapist. Chh…I'd have to kill myself for sure." Eiri smirked as Shuichi danced around him franticly at the notion.
"Don't say that even as a joke! Not allowed!"
That part of things was going very well. He felt that he could relax about their relationship and focus on his work for a change.
Eiri's family had left them alone completely. There had been no contact except for the usual 'daily dirty thought' text message to Shuichi's phone from Tatsua, which he definitely could have lived without.
And then there was his own side of the family. When he had been out on tour his father had hinted to him a few times during phone calls about coming to the family home for dinner when he got back. His mother had just been upset by the entire relationship and so his father had pursued his hint with a firm date.
"… It's important that your mother start to get to know your partner… Not only that, but you've been away from home for far too long. So write down this date and make sure you both come for the evening."
Unfortunately it had been that week that he had promised to go home and so even though there was a frenzy about the new song being released Friday night, he had made a promise he couldn't break.
"YOU WHAT??" K nearly knocked Shuichi and Sakano off their feet with his eruption at the news, "What is wrong with you?? This dash to download was your idea!"
"K-san, please…" Sakano gasped, "Calm down."
"Calm down?? You have to be kidding!!"
"I really didn't even think about it until now! I promised my father when we were driving back to Tokyo…" He kept trying to hide behind Sakano who was trying to get away from Shuichi, not liking being his shield from K's loud verbal wrath, "I can't cancel now!"
"You can and you will!!"
Eiri showed up then to escort Shuichi home, raising an eyebrow at the scene. He shook his head and wandered over, grabbing Shuichi by the collar of his shirt to yank him away from his human shield then blocking the way when K tried to grab at him.
"Hey… What the hell do you think you're doing?" He scowled at K as Shuichi grabbed on to him for protection now.
"K's trying to kill me because I promised to go to my parents' house with you Friday." He explained rapidly.
"Ah…"
"Maybe I shouldn't be blaming short-stuff after all, huh? This was probably your bright idea." K accused Eiri.
"Not at all. He made the date, I just agreed to it. It's merely a coincidence that it happens to fall on the same evening as you've planned some media whoring."
"It was your idea to do this download, Shuichi… and now you're copping out of the publicity in the 11th hour??" K growled.
"But I thought that it would just be done Thursday and we'd put it up on the web site!" He squeaked.
"You know that we can't just do that! There have to be interviews! There has to be a climax to the frenzy!"
"It'll have to happen without Shuichi. He has a family obligation." Eiri stated.
"Impossible!"
"Not at all. Why not take this an opportunity to showcase Shuichi's family side?"
"You know… I'm getting pretty damn sick of you being involved, Uesugi." He snarled.
"You better get used to it because this is just the beginning." He smiled neatly.
"You little…" He pulled back to punch Eiri but Sakano grabbed onto his arm.
"K-san! Please no fighting!" He wailed, hanging off the tall American, "We can make this work! Uesugi-san's suggestion is a good one! We just have to explain to the audience that Shindou-kun has a family occasion that he cannot miss!"
"Oh, fine… Shit…" He huffed and his shoulders dropped, arm went down, Sakano stopped dangling.
"Thank the Gods…" He sighed, leaning against K.
"Why don't you go make some tea or something?" K patted his head.
"Hai hai…" He let go and wandered off, straightening his glasses.
"One of these days I'm going to kick your skinny ass." K threatened.
"Yeah yeah… Come on, Shu. You can let go now. Time to go home."
"Thank you!"
On Friday evening Eiri put Shuichi into the BMW to drive him to the suburbs for dinner with his family and to gather a few more things to bring to the apartment. Shuichi napped with the seat reclined, too worn out from the week to be worried about bringing Eiri home with him for the first family visit. He woke, feeling that they had stopped.
"Hey… Are you going to be all right?" Eiri inquired.
"Yeah… Are we--?" He sat up and looked at the neighborhood, "Here?… I slept the whole way?"
"Yes. Yes you did."
"I'm sorry."
"You've needed some rest." He leaned over and kissed Shuichi, "Ready?"
"I suppose. Are you?"
"As much as I can be."
"Thank you for coming home with me." He offered.
"It will be easier than our trip to Kyoto… I'm guessing your father won't try to attack me."
"I hope not!"
They went up to the door and before he could knock his sister answered the door.
"Shuichi is home!" She came and tackle-hugged him.
"Hi, Maiko!"
"You are so famous now! You are on TV this very minute!"
"Really? Not again!"
"I see you more on TV than in person, nerd." She kissed his cheek.
"Oh… Well… Sometimes I feel like I'm just on TV… Maiko, you remember Eiri."
"Yep. Just a little. Welcome back."
"Thank you."
"I was hoping you'd be cooking again but... mom is in the kitchen instead." She shrugged.
"Let me take your coat." Shuichi said and Eiri gave it up, leaving his shoes alongside Shuichi's in the front hall.
In the kitchen his mother was cooking nervously. She greeted Eiri very formally.
"Thank you for allowing me into your home." Eiri bowed slightly.
"Last time you were here, you took my son away with you…"
"I've brought him back." He said calmly, "He is never prevented from visiting. He has just been very busy lately and I know he misses his family."
"A lot!" Shuichi agreed and started to get together tea.
"At least I get to see you on TV… Shuichi… your hair is different again." She sighed and fussed with him a little.
"I thought I would dye it a bit darker." He smiled proudly, "Hiro helped."
"It doesn't look like it took all the way."
"No, that's intentional. I left little bits of the old color. See?"
"You did this on purpose… Shu… You are so strange."
"I know!" He laughed, "Tea?"
"Thank you." She took a cup from him.
"And for you…" He gave a cup to Eiri and his sister had soda.
"I am surprised… that you would allow him to look this way." She said to Eiri.
"It is not my place to tell him what to do with his hair."
"It's not?"
"No. He is my partner not my property. The clothing, the hair color… It is all a part of his… charm?"
Maiko laughed, "Shuichi doesn't have charm!"
"I do so!" He shoved her and they started into a wrestle down to the kitchen floor.
"How inappropriate in front of a guest." Their mother sighed.
"Your family is more relaxed than mine. I'm glad." Eiri smiled and finally pulled Shuichi off his sister.
"Hey, no fair!" He struggled.
"You are bigger than her. It's perfectly fair."
"Ha ha! Even your boyfriend won't side with you." Maiko stuck out her tongue.
"Nyah! Beat her up, Eiri!"
"I am not here to threaten your sister. Drink your tea instead of killing your sibling."
"Fine." He took up his cup and sipped, "When is dad coming home?"
"In a half hour."
"Did you fight with your brother and sister?" Maiko asked.
"Always. Still. But not quite like this currently."
"Well… You're older I guess…"
"How old are you?"
"16."
"You could date Fujisaki!" Shuichi grinned, "He is 16 too!"
"I don't want to date any of your doofie band-mates… But Fujisaki-san is cute."
"I need only one child dating a celebrity. Being a celebrity!" Their mother interjected.
"You really are all over the news today. Apparently there are so many people visiting the NRG Studios web site that it went down for a while. It was on the news just before you got here." Maiko mentioned.
"Really? Oh no… That's not good." Shuichi gulped.
"They did something to split it up some how so it's all okay now."
"That's a relief. It has to stay up so people can download the song tonight!" He winced as his cell phone rang.
"Not again…" Eiri sighed.
"Manager K." He nodded.
"Give me that." He took the phone, "K… You know this is family time. Do not call back. Shuichi is busy now… No, there will be no interview tonight, via phone or otherwise… I don't care… Well, if you do, I'll rip this phone in half and then you will have no way to contact him, period! Enough!" He closed the phone.
"Thank you." Shuichi bowed to him and took the phone back.
"You have him talk to your manager like that??" His mother was shocked.
"I need him to because I can't. K is scary! Eiri is scarier." He pocketed the phone, "They've known each other for a long time too so they can talk to each other that way. So while K is my band manager, Eiri is my life manager. He makes sure I get some sleep!"
"Excuse my rude tone. It is the only way for Shuichi to have a life of his own."
"I see… You have a bit of a temper, don't you?" His mother said.
"I suppose I do when pressed."
"You are not what I imagined a romance writer to be."
"Life often does not mirror art."
"You have been hard on my son too… Very cold though you don't break up with him."
"Mama… Please don't…" Shuichi hadn't expected this to start so quickly.
"It is your mother's right to question me. I don't mind." Eiri took another drink of his tea then set the cup down, "I have not been good to your son. This is true. He has been forgiving of my bad behavior far too much… and I appreciate that. Things are different now. This I promise you. I will not be cold to him again."
"Maiko… Please go to your room." Shuichi's mother said, obviously agitated.
"Why??" She whined, wanting to stick around to get the dirt.
"Because I have asked you to." She said, "Please go."
"Fine…" She huffed off.
"You have been more than cold to him. You have been cruel. You have made him fly half way around the world to chase after you!"
"I know… " Eiri nodded slightly.
"I don't want my son chasing you! He could have been killed in New York! And I don't think you would have cared a bit!"
"Not true… And I never expected him to follow me… but then I suppose I wasn't much thinking about that at the time…"
"Why?? Why are you in my son's life?? Why do you do these things to him??" She threw the paper at him from the prior weekend, "You have this image of you kissing my child everywhere in the news but you are so unkind to him! Your eyes are so cold… I do not know how you can write such sweet things. I think you are a demon!"
Shuichi was speechless, eyes wide, waiting for Eiri to say something. His look was so hollow…
"I am not. I am very much human… I was cold to your son because I was trying to put him off. I didn't want him in my life. I didn't want anyone in my life. Ever… But he would not stop. He saw something in me worth saving. No matter what I did, he kept steadfast in his belief that we should be together. He broke down every barrier that I had carefully constructed over years after surviving a very traumatic event, which made things worse... Then one day he took away the last bit of sanity that I had built for myself. One bright day in the park I realized that I had been a complete bastard to the only person who ever cared about me as a person instead of as a celebrity or other attraction. The only one to stand beside me honestly. I started to explain what had happened to me… and I suffered from a psychotic break. That is why I left… I wanted to be with him, and I couldn't until I regained what I had lost. Now it is done and I am doing the right thing for your son." He took up the paper that had been thrown at him and turned the image to her, "This picture… was taken near the family temple in Kyoto last weekend… I was just disowned by my parents for staying with your son instead of taking an arranged marriage. I do love him and I will spend the rest of my life proving that." He put the paper down, "Do you have any other questions for me?"
Her mouth was open slightly, surprised by what he had just said in such a calm tone, "Not at the moment…"
"Good. Then please excuse me." With that, he went out the back door into the garden.
"You don't know what he's been through…" Shuichi breathed, "He has been so good to me since he came home. He has done everything he can to make himself better, to keep me safe from his family, from the press, to bring me into his life… To help me with my career too... I love him so much."
"I'm sorry, Shu… It just frightens me to see you so attached to someone who can look that empty…"
"It's the only way he can protect himself some times, I think. Just to shut down…" He took a glass of water out back to where Eiri was sitting on the bench, "Do you want anything to drink?" He offered up the glass.
"No, thank you." He exhaled smoke.
"Are you okay?"
"Surprisingly, yes. I am." He smiled toward Shuichi who sighed from relief.
"I'm so sorry about that. I never thought…"
"You thought this would be a peaceful family meal?" He chuckled.
"I hoped it might be."
"You have such big hopes." He leaned over and kissed Shuichi's forehead, "I do love you."
"I know. I love you too."
"So far, this is going better than I hoped. I expect your father will have a few words for me too."
"Probably." He set aside the glass he had been clutching and snuggled up to Eiri, "Do you want to leave?"
"No… Well yes... I would like to be anywhere but here at the moment actually… But you went to Kyoto with me… In a suit, too! I owe you this family visit."
"I guess. I just wish it could be easy." He huffed.
"How could it be? Take away from the situation who we are, and we are still…"
"Two boys."
"Aaa, ding." He put a finger on Shuichi's nose, "You are the winner."
"What's my prize?" He smiled.
"I only have myself to offer. I'm sorry it is not a better reward."
"I'll settle for that."
"I have advice for you."
"Oh?"
"Yes… Given this… reaction from your mother… Do not even joke about the uchikake."
"Don't worry. It's the furthest thing from my mind right now!"
"I think it is also worse because I am older than you are."
"It's not as though I'm a kid."
"Only in the Americas."
"Right… Ne, Eiri… Will it ever get easier?"
"When the newness has worn off… We will become old news."
"You haven't become old news after loads of novels and years."
"I think mostly because I was single. I am a romance writer. There are fantasies out there of my dating my fans. Now I am taken. By a pop star!"
"I don't think it's going to make you old news, Eiri. It seems to be having the opposite effect."
"For a little while. We shall see."
"What's your new book about?"
"Nn? That's a surprising question all of the sudden."
"I'm just curious. I mean, people are asking if it's going to be about us."
"No, it's not. I wouldn't do that. Our lives are private… At least as much as possible… I started it before I met you… You have influenced the course of the writing though. I noticed that I was working through some of the deeper parts of my relationship with you through the lines. I've tried to clean that up, of course."
"Neat… So what's it about? Or aren't you allowed to tell me?" He sat up on his own now, looking up at Eiri's amused expression.
"Technically, I am not allowed to. It's part of the confidentiality agreement… but I will tell you if you promise not to turn me in."
"I super swear it."
"A relationship between a Japanese and an American. The associated difficulties. Cultural differences."
"Male and female though."
"Yes."
"Sounds interesting. I might actually read that one."
"Don't throw me a pity-read." He rolled his eyes and took his last drag from his cigarette.
"Awww… I wouldn't do that."
"Good… Shall we go back in?"
"Are you ready?"
"I just needed one smoke." He nodded and got up, offering a hand to Shuichi which he took and got a swift lift.
"Wow… Thanks!"
"Welcome."
Inside the house, his mother stopped working on dinner and bowed to Eiri.
"I am sorry… for being so rude to you."
"You were only voicing what you wondered. I am fine with it. I encourage you to ask me anything you want to. It is not very easy though… some things. I understand that this is not a welcome change in your son's life. You are more open to it than my family though. I appreciate that."
"I hope you will help him through this time. You have much more experience in dealing with celebrity… and it seems that it is coming for my son too."
"I do what I can to ensure that he can have a life aside from celebrity. That includes yelling at his Manager. I will not let anyone take advantage of him. Be assured."
"Thank you… Thank you."
"Mom… It's okay." Shuichi smiled, "It's just going to take a while for everyone to get used to things."
"I suppose it will… Please don't run off to New York ever again. I worry about you enough since you moved away."
"I know. Next time I go to New York it will be with Eiri, not chasing him."
"I just don't like the idea of you going there at all!"
"They have really good food." He shrugged.
"And muggers and murderers…"
"Everyplace has those."
"Not in such numbers! I read the paper, you know."
"I know." Shu pointed to the paper where it lay on the counter still.
"I'm sorry I threw that at you…" She apologized with a sigh.
"I'm not hurt." Eiri tried a smile with her.
"Can I give you anything else to drink?"
"I have water. Thank you." He held up the glass Shuichi had brought him.
"Is there… anything else I should know before we carry on?"
"Like what?" Shuichi asked and leaned on the counter beside Eiri.
"Well… The papers are saying that you might have gotten married while you were in Kyoto."
"We were just formally dressed to meet Eiri's family. There was no wedding. Just us getting disowned from his family, like he said. Eiri was expected to take over the temple as the oldest male child. That's why he's dressed up like that." He mused, looking at the picture of them.
"At least there in that picture you look… happy."
"Oh, I wasn't. I was very upset. Eiri was trying to calm me down. He's pretty good at that." He smiled up at Eiri, "Actually… we look happy a lot."
"When you are not breaking my things…" He smiled back at Shuichi.
"I haven't broken anything in a while." He made a face.
"That I know of."
"Believe me, I can't hide things from you. I've tried."
"You are too obvious. No poker face." He pressed a finger to the bridge of Shuichi's nose.
"Poka fesu…" He crossed his eyes.
"Iie… You should not end everything in a vowel." He dropped his hand.
"English isn't easy."
"You're learning English?" His mother inquired.
"I'm re-learning basics. Eiri is teaching me. I never paid much attention in school."
"D-student…"
"So what? What were your grades like?"
"All A's… Genius, na?"
"No. Jerk, desu yo."
"Very good. You didn't say 'jer-ku'. I am proud."
"You're such a great teacher." He rolled his eyes.
"Do not thank me so. I may get a big ego."
"Chh… Get a big ego? Already have…"
"Such bickering… Shame." Shuichi's mother said, smiling slightly, "Is this your usual way with each other?"
"Not always, no. It's fun though." He grinned.
"Can I come downstairs yet??" Maiko yelled.
"If you really want to!" Shuichi yelled back.
"Be quiet! My God… You don't have to yell at each other all of the time."
"Sure we do." He caught her in his arms as she ran into the room and they hugged, laughing.
"Shu-chan!"
"Maiko!"
"Is everyone happy again?"
"I think so."
"Maiko has your energy too." Eiri noted and winced as they fell onto the floor again.
"It runs in their veins… I think they are not our children. Neither my husband or I are like them."
"I am surprised they are still alive with this behavior."
"So are we."
They calmed down and set the table before Shuichi's father came home.
"Hi dad!" He greeted him in the hallway.
"Shuichi… Now I know why I have noticed you've been gone. It has been so quiet." He smiled and rubbed his son's newly colored head, "What… have you done to your hair now?"
"Changed the color to a darker one. It's Deep purple and magenta and a little black."
"I see… I suppose it's the life of a pop star. Nh?"
"It is the life of me, anyway. How was work?"
"Interesting. Everyone wants to know if I have heard this song you are releasing tonight on the internet. I feel famous too!" He took off his coat.
"I hope it's not getting in the way of your job."
He shrugged, "It is fun, Shuichi. I like to see you do well… Is that your roommate's BMW out there?"
"Yes, it is."
"Very nice. Have you driven it?"
"No. He won't let me."
"I can hardly blame him… Did you tell him what you did to our car?"
"No… Don't tell him. I might still have a chance."
"I will lie then. Perhaps you will one day take me for a drive in something that costs more than what I make in two years?" He smiled and lay a hand on Shuichi's shoulder, pushing him playfully.
"Promise." He smiled.
"How is he getting on with your mother?"
"Better now that she yelled at him and then apologized."
"I am glad she got it out of her system. She is worried about you."
"You're not?"
"Not so much. I think you know people well, Shuichi. You would not be with him if he were not a good person somewhere inside. Correct?"
"Yes." He nodded.
"There are bumps on the road of love. It will smooth out."
"Dad…" He stared at him, surprised.
"What?"
"I'm… so shocked you're saying this to me."
"Do not be."
"You're not upset?"
"That you are with a man? Well… it is not quite what I expected… I should tell you, my youngest brother is also with a man. For many, many years now they have lived together. He does not bring it up to the family…"
"Uncle Kentaro? Really? No wonder he never married…"
"Not legally, but he is certainly married. He sent me an email the other day. He is very proud of your musical skill and career! And says he is jealous of your handsome love. Apparently he has all of Yuki-sensei's books."
He laughed, "That's funny. Why didn't you tell us?"
"It is always something that we did not talk about. Your mother is more nervous about such things because she has never known them."
"I understand… Can you give me his email address?"
"I will." He smiled, "I just want you to be happy, Shu. That is all… And be careful because not everyone will be tolerant of your rather modern living siutation."
"I know. Thanks." He hugged his father tightly.
"Mushy!" Maiko came into the hall with them and joined them in their hug, "Hi dad!"
"Hello, Mai. How was school?"
"It was bad. I had a test. I am stupid like Shuichi!"
"Now… Neither of you are stupid." He broke them up before they could start into another wrestle, "Stop that… Let's go see your mother."
Eiri got up from his seat at the table when they came in.
"Dad… This is Uesugi Eiri. Eiri, my father, Shindou Takaharu."
"It is good to meet you, Shindou-san. Thank you for having me in to your home." He bowed.
"Thank you for parking your beautiful car in front of my ugly house." He offered a hand and Eiri met him in a handshake, "The neighbors will think we have moved up in the world."
"It is a reliable car…" He tried to be humble about it.
"I will bet that it is fast too."
"It is."
"When do I get to drive it?" Shuichi asked.
"Never." Eiri smiled at him, apparently relaxed by his father's calm disposition.
"No fair…"
"It is kind to the car though. Would you like to go for a drive, Shindou-san?"
"I thought you would never ask." He nodded graciously.
"After dinner. It is almost finished." Shuichi's mother interjected.
"Ahh… Too bad."
"What kind of car is it?" She wiped her hands on a towel.
"BMW. M5." Shindou-san smiled, "I can only dream. It costs more than this house!"
"You exaggerate, Shindou-san." He bowed his head.
"What's so special about the car?" Shuichi asked his father, "I know it's a BMW… So?"
"10 valve, 500 horsepower. It is one of the fastest BMW models on the road. Imported?"
"Yes, it was. From the USA."
"Lots of speeding tickets?"
"A few here and there. It is easy to get carried away."
"I would be in jail now!" His father chuckled and got a beer from the fridge.
"Shuichi tells me you are in the import business."
"I am… I am only a business manager though. I watch these beautiful things come off the boats and leave me behind with my paperwork." He sat down and gestured for them to join him, "It is good to know that some of them stay here in Japan, that our citizens are doing well for themselves. Maybe one day my son will be so famous that he can have his own expensive toys."
"He is well on his way."
"You think so?"
"I know it." Eiri smiled, "Tonight will be a turning event, na Shuichi?"
"I hope so. I hope people don't think it is bad at least."
"You have no confidence and yet your bright-colored head is all over the news." Shindou-san smiled at his son, "And I have requests from all departments for you to write your name on a piece of paper. Not for business reasons, like mine is requested."
"Sorry people are bugging you…"
"It breaks up the day." He shrugged, "How does it feel, Shu? Not to have an office job."
"Good… But it is still very hard work and does not have normal hours. I am up early in the morning and late at night and pulled around and photographed and get creativity blocks… But I get to sing. That is the best part. I get to make people happy for a while. People who work in offices with normal hours."
"You have your own office in a way. Your home. Both of you, yes?"
"Yes. Eiri has an office room. I have the extra bedroom. It has all my equipment stuffed inside."
"We should get the bed out of there. Replace it with a futon that can be folded into seating." Eiri mentioned, "You would have more room then."
"That would be perfect." Shuichi smiled, "Thank you!"
"You are starting to spill out into the other rooms with all you have been doing lately."
"Why don't you share the office?" Maiko asked.
"Because Eiri is quiet and I am not." He poked her in the arm, "We do not work well in the same space."
"Oooh… You mean you're spazzy and he's not."
"Correct." Eiri said.
"Hey hey… Be nice." Shuichi waved a finger at him, "Don't agree with my sister!"
"It is true though. You cannot sit still."
"I guess…"
Dinner was mostly peaceful from there on. They sat around the television afterward to see the announcement of the download. The music station was doing a special on it, explaining that they would be playing the song for the first time on television 20 minutes after it had become available for download. They talked about the website traffic difficulties and measures that had been taken to handle the extra load. K explained that Shuichi was not available that night, whereas Fujisaki and Hiro were both at the studio for the event.
"… There is a family occasion tonight." He explained, "And a certain very angry blond novelist will not let me talk to him, so we will have to go without an interview from Shindou-san tonight." He winked, "I am sure he is watching though!"
"Your days are numbered, K." Eiri grumbled.
"You must mean Eiri Yuki!" The hostess giggled.
"I will never tell." K laughed heartily.
Eiri clapped a hand to his forehead, "He is doing it anyway…"
"Oh wow…" Shuichi bit his lip, "He didn't exactly say your name…"
"He didn't have to."
"Hopefully he won't say anything else." He pulled Eiri's hand away from his face and held it instead, "Don't be too mad."
"I am simply angry that he is trying to promote you through me. That's not his job."
"Yeah… I know."
"It is your music. Hopefully we will all be able to enjoy it instead of his mouth soon."
"It is still amazing to see your face on television." His father remarked, "Tonight I can see you in two places! Our living room sofa and on the television."
The music program did profiles of the band next.
"Ooh… Fujisaki-san is so cute." Maiko laughed.
"He is still single…" Shuichi smiled at her.
"Probably not for long." She mused.
Shuichi's profile was last and followed on by his relationship with Eiri which made him blush… and then made him mad. They were showing press photos of Eiri at a movie opening from a year ago, some red-headed American model on his arm. Another event, another woman… talking about how he had been a notorious 'ladies man' before.
"You're turning red…" Eiri said.
"Rrrrghhh…" He glared at Eiri.
"Shuichi… That was before I knew you even existed. Are you going to hold my previous life against me?"
"Maybe…"
"It's going to be a long night, isn't it?"
"Yes… Tell me when I can look at the TV again without wanting to punch you."
"You can look now." He smiled.
Shuichi looked and there was the picture of them at the temple. His shoulders dropped.
"You have a jealous streak, Shu." His mother said.
"I suppose… It's hard not to when he's got women chasing him around all the time and drooling." He made a face.
"You might just be happy that your have a super-hot boyfriend." Maiko kicked his shin.
"Ow!"
"Shut up, the song is next!" She snarled.
They all listened, Shuichi holding Eiri's hand in a death-grip and holding his breath at the same time. When it was over his family applauded and he relaxed, listening to the discussion that came afterward. Seguchi-san was there now and giving the viewing audience a summary of how many times the new song had been downloaded already. It was approaching a million quickly. He offered his congratulations to the band.
"This is a dramatic change from the music that Bad Luck has been producing. Do you think that this is the pattern that you will be following?" The host inquired and Hiro replied.
"Shuichi has been rather inspired lately to stretch his creative mind in different directions. We still intend to do pop music, but also things that may interest a broader audience. I really enjoyed working on this song and I think that Fujisaki-san would agree."
"I do. It was a real challenge to my skills. I hope everyone enjoys listening to it as much as we enjoyed putting it together."
"I'm sure they will. It was amazing!" The host gushed.
"Thank you."
"I can't wait to see what people say… The reviews…" Shuichi smiled as Eiri hugged him.
"Well done." He kissed the top of Shuichi's head, "I'm amazed."
"Really?"
"It's even better than I thought it might be. It's no wonder I've seen so little of you."
"Yeah, it was a lot of mixing and I think Fujisaki has finger cramps from all the keyboard work."
"He's a talented kid. I guess it runs in the family."
"Will you read the American music news for me tomorrow? I want to know if anything gets said. If they even noticed."
"I will."
"I'm so amazed by you, Shuichi. You made that up all by yourself?" His mother smiled.
"Yes… I am totally relieved that it's over." He sighed and then his cell phone rang.
"K…" Eiri shook his head.
"No… It's Hiro." He smiled and answered, "Hi!"
"Shuichi! It's amazing! There are people in the USA and Canada and Australia and the UK, Germany, Italy… All over the world people are downloading the song! They can see it in their statistics! "
"You are so lying to me right now to make me feel better…"
"No! It's true! There are so many comments being posted to the website now. People love it!… This was a very good idea! How did you ever come up with it??" He laughed.
"I'm not sure… I think I'm going to faint though."
"Don't faint!" Hiro laughed, "How are your parents doing with Uesugi-san?"
"Okay. It's going better than I hoped. I think that my father wants a ride in the car… I better go."
"I will see you tomorrow then. Way to go, little man!"
"Bye." He closed the phone, "Maiko, can I use your computer?"
"I guess. Why?"
He was amazed by the postings, the comments that were flowing into the web site regarding their release.
"I am so happy!" He started to jump up and down until he knocked over some of the decorations on his sister's desk.
"Stop it! Be happy but don't jump!" She screeched at him.
Eiri grabbed him and tried to hold him still, laughing at his enthusiasm.
"Calm down." He said and kissed him until the motion stopped.
"That's better… Thanks." He gasped.
"Welcome."
One last kiss and then there was a flash, "How romantic…" Maiko cooed, looking at her digital camera's display, "I'm going to get sooo much cash for this picture at school!"
"Hey! Don't take pictures of us kissing! Pervert!" Shuichi yelled at her.
"Pervert?? Ha! This is all business, big brother. Kiss him again! This time with a little tongue…"
Eiri snatched the camera from her, "Not happening, freaky girl."
"Don't you dare delete that!!" She shrieked as her precious picture was wiped out.
"Better luck next time." He winked and tossed it back to her.
"That's so uncool, you jerk!"
"Come on. Let's go take your father for a ride… I bet your song is on the radio."
"Okay!"
They took Shuichi's father for a drive in the BMW, Shu happy simply to hear his music on the car radio. They parked back at the house and Shindou-san began to give Eiri his version of a talking to.
"…You are both young still. I know my wife is concerned at the age difference between you. Shuichi is only just out of school… and you have obviously been out in the world quite widely."
"My celebrity has opened many doors to me." He agreed, "I am thankful for the broad experience."
"Of course." He nodded, "I hope that things will become a little more smooth in your journey together, yet it seems that there is a while to go before that. There is so much attention being paid to your relationship. Not many have their partnership announced on the evening news. That is a lot of pressure."
"In some ways." Eiri took out his cigarettes, "Do you mind?"
"No. I will join you if you would be so kind as to share."
"You're not supposed to smoke." Shuichi said to his father from the back seat.
"Don't tell your mother." He smiled, "And don't start yourself."
"I may as well." He rolled his eyes.
"So… What are you thinking of for your future? Is this a temporary situation? Will you be returning your affections to women eventually?"
"It is my intention to live my life through with Shuichi." He said, "We are working through the issues that I have with things… It is a change for me to be in a relationship like this."
"I would imagine… From American models on your arm to my strange-haired son." He chuckled.
"I prefer him though." Eiri smiled, "That is the funny part about it… I am being honest with you in this. It has been difficult for me to face these changes in the public eye… and with Shuichi always running down the city streets after me screaming my name to get my attention… There is barely a private moment."
"Sorry…" Shuichi sighed, leaning forward and resting his chin on Eiri's seat back, watching them smoking.
"No you are not." He smirked, "He lives his life in a very open and honest way. I have lived my life in a very solitary and publicly mysterious way given the fame that has come with my work. We are different people… but I am learning that his way is not so bad… Shindou-san… I love your son and I will do my best to make a good life with him. I have accepted that this is how it will be after fighting it for a long while. Now that I've stopped fighting it… I am very happy. More so every day… I hope that your family will be supportive, at least of Shuichi. You do not have to support me. I have behaved very poorly with him. It won't happen again."
He nodded, "I appreciate your openness. I understand that there are difficulties in this type of relationship. Especially when one is surprised to find himself in one for the first time suddenly. My younger brother has been with his husband for 17 years, so I know that it is not so easy. Perhaps it is easier today, in these modern times."
"True. I think we are fortunate in that way. The public is embracing our relationship, strangely enough. However, I do not want to have my name so closely associated with the band. I don't want Shuichi to question his success or anyone else to question it, for that matter. So you see why it is irritating to me that his manager is constantly inserting me into their publicity." He tapped the ashes into the car's ashtray.
"I understand… You might think of it in this way though… Eventually the fascination with your relationship will die down. What will be left is your work and his work to stand the test of time. Perhaps then, when you see that it is your individual successes, you will feel comfortable in working together on something. I suspect that is what you would both like, nn?"
"I would." Shuichi said and stroked Eiri's hair.
"I would too." He nodded, "One day."
"Our family will continue to support both of you. My wife will be calmer about things as she sees your relationship settle out. Perhaps you can take a break and go visit Shuichi's uncle and his husband. They are both good and solid people. They have an inn with a hot spring up north. Quite beautiful."
"Yeah. I bet that after a few more weeks in the studio I'll want to go. I'll email uncle Kentaro tonight!"
"Good idea..." Eiri sighed, "This is a pleasant change from our visit to my family…"
"I will bet it is." He laughed.
"Tell me… How is it that calm people have such… excited children?" Eiri asked.
"I think it skips a generation." He smiled, "I'm sorry about your family. Maybe one day they will come around. Leave the door open a little so they may squeeze back in, ne?"
"At least my brother and sister are accepting things. It is not all bad."
"Good good." He put out the cigarette, "Come in for a moment and say good night. I think you've had enough of the suburbs for one day… But do not become strangers to our house. Either of you."
"We won't!" Shuichi cheered.
Shuichi was glad to be back in the car and driving home. He yawned widely.
"A big day… but a good day." Eiri said.
"Yeah… Thank you."
"Thank me?"
"For making this good day possible… For coming home, for trying hard to be with me, for putting up with me, for trying to help, for bringing me to counseling, for standing up to your family, for visiting mine… For lots of things… I love you."
"I love you too, Shu." Eiri's hand slid across his thigh, "Do you notice? Things are getting easier."
"Yeah. Not much harder than going to a temple in Kyoto…" He rolled his eyes.
"And now I know what you're going to look like when you get older. Not bad!"
"Hey!" He laughed, "That's why you really went today… To see what my dad looks like?"
"No… I will be interested to see what your uncle looks like. You will probably fall in between, I would imagine."
"Eiri… Shame… Come to think of it… Is your dad bald or just shaved for the priest thing?"
"Shaved head. Baldness does not run in the family."
"Good. I didn't notice much else because I was so freaked out." He sighed, "Can I ask a question and you promise not to get mad?"
"I will give you one free one." He nodded.
"I… Well… Before we left, while you were talking to my dad… Mom asked me if I needed any money. Usually when I go home it's because I'm dirt poor and need to do laundry." He shrugged, "This time… I didn't need anything. We've got our own washer in the kitchen and that's so cool… but I kind of wonder… I mean…"
"Say it. Stop beating around the bush."
"I should be paying you part of the rent… I didn't even think about it. Mom says I'm a kept man." He hung his head.
"I like it that way." He said.
"You… do?" He looked up again.
"Yes."
"But that makes me a freeloader. I'm like a squatter in your house!"
"No, that makes you my family. Your parents didn't charge you rent. Did they? Because you are family to them. If we are going to be a family, you need to get used to this."
"You don't want me to contribute to the household…"
"I do. Keep doing the dishes and cleaning. I hate doing that and you're not bad at it when you don't break things... And it's good that you mostly do the shopping… Just don't cook and we'll be fine."
"I'm going to take a class some day soon…"
"If your teacher says you're good enough, then I will believe it."
"I still feel bad about this."
"Don't. I usually pay for things well in advance so I don't have to be bothered with bills… I'm not poor, Shuichi."
"I know. I kinda am though." He shrugged, "I'm mostly just sorry I never thought of it. I've been so caught up in just living with you that I haven't thought of any of the more boring parts of that. Like paying bills."
"Save your money. I know you're not making much yet. One day you will… Maybe it's just the traditional man in me… but I feel like I should support my wife." He smirked.
"Very funny."
"It's true though." He shrugged, "You're still young, Shu. Just have fun for a while and don't worry about the details. It's not a big deal."
"I know how much little apartments in Tokyo cost so I know our place is not cheap."
"It's a good thing you're married to a famous writer who can afford to keep you so well."
"Yeah. It is." He smiled.
At home as soon as the door was shut Eiri pulled him out of his coat and took his shirt by the collar, kissing him deeply and towing him off to the bedroom.
"Imagine me, a simple boy from a temple, getting to sleep with a pop star." He smiled and Shuichi smiled back.
"Just keep remembering how lucky you are when I'm annoying you the rest of the time." He said before Eiri found a way to keep him quiet for the next long while. Once again they ended up watching the city lights, "Eiri?"
"Hmm?"
"What did you do before you were a famous novelist?"
"I was a not-at-all-famous editor and writer for a newspaper. I worked in world news, translating important stories from English sources. Eventually I worked in translating the other way too. My manager hated me because I was better at what we did than he was. I finished my first novel early into my career there and was fortunate enough to have it generate some revenue. It was noticed by my current publisher who offered me a contract and promoted it better… And suddenly here I am."
"It's funny that you had an office job. I can't imagine you as an office worker."
"I knew that was not what I wanted. It was awful, really. I enjoyed the work but not the office politics…"
"You know… I never looked at you and thought… Wow, he's famous! I'd love to date a famous person… I always just saw you. Most of the time when we're together, I don't even think about that until someone sticks a camera in our faces. I just think of you as Eiri."
"That's what is so good about the way that things happened. I was just a stone cold jerk who was stealing your video game as far as you were concerned."
"You still are a cold jerk some times." He smiled, "But… you are my cold jerk and I will appreciate you."
"Heh… Good enough."
"It's so amazing that you talk to me so much now. I always wanted to know you."
"Now you are starting to."
"Not so bad, is it? Letting someone know you."
"Actually…"
"Oh, shut up." He turned over and clapped a hand over Eiri's mouth, "Just agree with me for a change, would ya?"
Instead he got a nip on the hand and his wrists pinned to the bed after a brief wrestle, "I will agree with you when you are correct."
"Awww… Come on."
"It is painful to let someone get to know me. It is painful to force myself to talk all the time."
"Eiri…" He was surprised by the sudden cold look in his eyes, "Please don't be this way."
His look wavered then, "I'm sorry." He let go and sat up, looking down on Shuichi, "You need to know the truth. That is the truth. There is nothing simple about it." He reached down and stroked his face, "You… make it easier… to fight against the pain that is in me… But, I am still a cold jerk." He smiled at last, relieving Shuichi.
"Yeah you are… Don't do that." He sighed from relief.
"I am trying not to. It has been a stressful day." He fell down beside Shuichi then and bundled him close, "So far you are winning over the cold jerk. Perhaps I am becoming a warm jerk now."
"Maybe." He stroked Eiri's hair and kissed his forehead, "Feel better… I won't make you talk all the time any more. It's just so nice to know you and what you're thinking... I can't help it."
"Don't stop… Shuichi…" His voice was breaking.
"Eiri… I love you." He hugged him tightly and pulled up the covers so they could get some much needed sleep.