Chapter notes - This one's a lot lighter than the last in many respects... The boys are on their way home again to get back to the business of their careers and lives. The calm before the storm?? Next chapter perhaps we'll see some of Sakuma-sama :) I don't believe the published chapters have had any of him running around in them yet so perhaps it'll be a treat, something to look forward to? Only time will tell...
Read and review guilt - 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 and has been recently updated with Chapter 5!
Saying goodbye to his uncles was hard for Shuichi. Fortunately he looked forward to their arrival in a few days for a short visit before their trip to the USA so he didn't cry as much as he might have. Eiri seemed relieved about that, and other things. Along with Alan, Eiri had explained to Shuichi what happened in the rather odd therapy session he had recieved and some next steps they were working on together in order to keep things moving in the right direction for Eiri. Shuichi was impressed even more by his new uncle. As they packed up the car, Eiri handed Alan his personal contact card instead of his business card.
"Thanks, kid. I'll email you soon." Alan smiled.
"I look forward. Thank you again. For everything."
"You're very welcome." Kentaro came and hugged them both, "Safe trip! We'll see you again soon!"
As they drove away, Eiri sighed heavily.
"What's wrong?"
"Back to reality… I have a lot of work to do, not just on my looming deadline." He smiled slightly, "At least, I have a little more help with the personal part of that work… I'm very glad we had this time with your uncles."
"Yeah, no kidding! They're so easy to be around. I'm still so sad that I didn't get to spend more time with Uncle Kentaro before this."
"Indeed… You just have to be sure that you don't allow anyone to make you disappear from your family."
"I won't. I'm going to make a ton of noise so that no one gets to ignore me! Woo! I'm gonna rock the whole world!" He bounced in the passenger seat and Eiri laughed at him.
"Save some of that energy for the studio."
"I have tons now. No worries!" He unbuckled himself from the seat belt and squirmed around to reach his backpack in the back seat, pulling out his pad to start scratching away as they drove.
At home again, they had been gone for so long that the usual media encampment was gone.
"Wow… Did we suddenly get un-interesting??" Shuichi wasn't sure if he should be happy or worried.
"We couldn't be so lucky. They just got worn out and went to bother someone else." He pulled their suitcases out of the trunk, "Let's get inside before they get tipped off by someone that we're back. Maybe we can milk this peace and quiet for a little longer."
The weekend brought the reporters right back out, so Shuichi had to wade through a crowd of them in order to get to the store for food and cigarettes. Eiri didn't go out at all. He was hard at work, trying to catch up and meet a deadline. Shuichi felt pretty guilty about that. Eiri hadn't mentioned a thing about it, even given how their trip had cut into his schedule. Shu just tried to keep out of his hair except to bring him food and the other staples of his life while he was heads-down in his office, abusing his computer keyboard non-stop.
Monday, Shuichi was back in the studio, re-energized, filled with enthusiasm and ideas. Manager K was busy pawing through a pile of Shuichi's marker-scribbled inspiration while Sakano-san worked on heating water for tea as usual.
"Looks like you wrote this on a roller coaster. The handwriting's even worse than normal!" K turned the paper around a few times.
"I wrote it in the car on the way home, that's probably why. There was a lot of stop-and-go traffic, bumps…" He shrugged.
"Hey, what's this?" K pointed and Sakano peered at it over his shoulder.
"Not Invisible." He read the title.
"Ah. Now the rest of it makes more sense!"
Sakano brought K the electronic dictionary along with his tea, a subtle effort to help the American with his often shaky grasp of Japanese without bruising his ego.
"I was inspired so I couldn't wait to start writing." Shuichi shrugged.
"Looks like you're getting political… You trying to make a point here?" K raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah. I wrote it for my uncles! They're awesome. Started the music for it too." He accepted a cup from Sakano and sipped at it, "This is really good!"
"I'm glad you like it, Shindou-san." Sakano smiled, "Your journey was inspiring, was it?"
"You bet! I highly recommend going to their inn. Wanna see pictures?"
"Perhaps after we've gone over your schedule for the week." He took out his planner and sat down.
Hiro showed up then, "Hey! Sorry I'm late."
"Hiro! Hi! I'm back!" He jumped up and ran over to hug/tackle him.
Sakano sighed at the friendly mayhem, "Perhaps after the reunion?"
Fujisaki shook his head and decided just to enjoy the tea while taking turns with K at leafing through the pages, wincing as the wrestling pair fell off the sofa onto the floor with a thud.
"You two! Cut it out!" K barked, "Get over here!"
"Aww…"
"Hey, little man. I need your help." Hiro pushed Shuichi off him so they could get up.
"Sure. Anything!" He dusted off.
"I need you to help me go pick out a ring for Ayaka this week."
"You saved up enough already?? How'd you do that?"
"My folks. They really love Ayaka so they want to make sure she sticks around." He grinned, "They gave me the cash as a gift. Grandparents are gonna help with the wedding."
"Awesome!"
"And guess who's gonna me my best man??"
"Me!"
"Nah, you're the wedding singer." He gave Shu a friendly shove, "Just kidding!"
"Congratulations, Nakano-san." Sakano smiled.
"Thanks."
"Do you have a date picked?"
"Not yet." He wandered over to the group and got his own cup of tea, "I'll let you know when we do. I know you're dying to pencil it into your little black book of everything."
"It is important to know these things." Sakano nodded, resuming his seat after finishing his tea duty.
"Yeah, I have to publicize it adequately." K grinned, "It's gonna be tough keeping the girls interested going forward. Only Fujisaki's single, and he's jail-bait!"
Sakano finally managed to get things under control so he could go over the schedule for the week, moving a few things around so that Shuichi could greet his visiting relatives on Thursday.
He got home late on Monday night, finding Eiri on the phone talking to someone in English, sitting on the sofa. Shuichi cut off his loud homecoming announcement at seeing that and slunk off to his work room to wait until he was done. Eiri looked tired when he finally came to lean in the doorway.
"What's going on? Are you okay? You look pale. Did you eat your dinner? I hope you weren't waiting on me. I didn't know I was going to be so late and then it was just 8pm all of the sudden. I'm sorry!" He finally stopped, seeing a smile growing on Eiri's face at his torrent of questions and apologies.
"I ate my dinner. There's leftovers if you need something."
"They had pizza brought in but I can always eat more." Shuichi grinned, relieved that he wasn't angry, "Who were you talking to?" His eyes followed Eiri as he crossed the room to flop on the futon sofa.
"The doc in New York."
"So you took Uncle Alan's advice."
"Yep."
"Then…?"
"He's going to work on finding me someone else local. In the meantime, he's going to make himself available to me by phone. I did not think he would be that flexible… but apparently Alan-san is correct. He simply wishes to aid my recovery. It's just a shame that he's not in the same time zone." His tired smile was continuing on, "I've given him your uncle's phone number and email address in the case he would like to talk to Alan-san for some help in accessing the medical community here."
"Cool. I'm really glad this is working out so well. Do you feel happy about it?"
"I am feeling relieved." He nodded then yawned.
"You've been working too hard…" Shuichi frowned, "Did you get a lot done today?"
"Yeah. I'm getting ahead of the curve." He rearranged the throw pillows and put his feet up, taking out a cigarette as a reward to himself.
"Maybe you should just get some sleep."
"I'd like that… Just a nap though. You mind?"
"Help yourself. It's your futon too."
"Don't worry about making noise. Wake me up in an hour."
"Sure!"
After the smoke was done, Eiri fell asleep there while Shuichi worked with headphones on, only mouthing the lyrics to the track he was re-arranging based on a day of input from Fujisaki and Hiro. It was starting to sound real good. When the hour went by, Eiri was still out like a light. Shuichi watched him for a while. He hadn't moved at all. It was good to see him looking so peaceful so instead of waking him up right away, he went off to the kitchen and started the coffee machine up so he could offer a prize for being awake again. Eiri seemed to appreciate it and sat quietly on the futon, sipping and waking up.
"Augh…" He finally said and got up, stretching.
"Going back to it?"
"Yeah… Thanks for the kick-start."
"Anything for you, honey!" He grinned as Eiri went by, patting him on the head.
"Spaz…"
"Oh! Tomorrow I'm going wedding ring hunting with Hiro!"
"Huh?" He stopped in his tracks, turning back around in the doorway, "So soon?"
"Yeah. His family's helping out with money to move things along. They like her a lot."
"Mmh… She's a good person. I'm sure that they're just happy to be getting a proper and demure young woman as a daughter-in-law instead of some random band groupie."
"You want to change your mind about her before it's too late?"
He smirked, "I have never felt differently about her to be able to change my mind. This is what I want too. Hang on…" He departed briefly to return carrying a piece of paper with a few addresses, "There's your shopping list. They know me so if you show up with Hiro they'll treat you well. I'll warn this one that you're coming. He's pretty particular. Good with diamonds though. Probably your best bet."
"Ah… Your old shopping list for bimbo-jewelry…" He sneered.
"It'll serve you well right now. Want to make sure that Ayaka is blinded when Nakano opens the box for her. The faster the wedding is over the better."
"Aww… Don't think of it that way… It's sweet, don't you think? Hiro's so happy. He smiles non-stop!"
"Good for him. Tell him not to go cheap. I'll pay for half."
"Serious??"
"Yep."
"You already gave them an apartment!"
"What, you don't think I'll have enough money left over to buy you a ring?"
Shuichi felt a blush heating his cheeks, "I… Uh…"
"You can tone down the jealousy. This is all going the way you want, too. Don't worry."
"I guess I will a little until they're finally married…" He admitted with a sigh.
"Why do you think I want to hurry this up? There's always going to be a little lingering question until it's finally all said and done… even if we know better… So go have fun shopping tomorrow and be happy for your friend. They're always going to be part of our lives, right?"
"Right." He nodded, "Sorry…"
"Just look in on me before you go to bed. Make sure I'm not sleeping on my desk."
"I will. Work hard!"
Eiri grumbled and disappeared down the hallway. Shuichi turned back around in his chair, grabbing his phone to send a text to Hiro who went outside the building to call him back and talk without Ayaka overhearing.
"Hey… What the heck?" He laughed at the bizarre content of the text he had gotten.
"Eiri gave me a list of serious jewelers to visit tomorrow. Not the mall-type junk."
"Oh, cool. That's pretty decent of him. I don't know anything about this stuff and my permanently-poor brother is useless for advice. He just said it should be sparkly."
"Yeah, that's a big help!" He laughed.
"You sure they'll even let us in those shops without calling the police?"
"They will. Eiri said he's going to call and warn at least one of them that we're coming… and that they should recognize my association with him anyhow so…"
"I guess you get the 'rich boyfriend' bonus, huh? All that cash he dropped on hot chicks over the years is now paying off for you."
"You don't have to remind me… Jerk."
"Heh heh… Just messing with you… This is pretty exciting. I guess I better find something decent to wear for tomorrow, huh?"
"Yeah, me too."
"You can wear that suit jacket you wore to Kyoto."
"Good idea! Wow, this is going to be weird."
"Eh, it'll be fun too. Look at it that way. I'll see you tomorrow, little man!"
"Yep. Bye!"
By the time he went to bed, Eiri was still awake and working. It looked like Shuichi was going to go to bed alone again that night. He would have to make sure Eiri was awake before he left as he had an appointment with his editor in the morning.
At least when he woke up in the morning, Eiri was in bed beside him instead of slumped over his desk. Shuichi smiled at his sleeping face, half buried in a pillow and ignoring the buzzing alarm clock, "Awww… You're so cute and sleepy… I'll go make you coffee again." Smooch.
"Huh?"
"Time to wake up!"
"Uurgh…" He protested and rolled over.
He left the apartment that day with a head full of advice from Eiri on how to pick diamonds. He kept trying to run it through in his mind, so much so that he hardly properly said hello to Sachi Morimoto as she came into the lobby to meet Eiri for their meeting.
"You look very handsome today, Shindou-san." She complimented.
"Thanks. You think it's okay without the tie? I didn't want to be too formal."
"It's fine. You're formally casual enough for just about anything. Something special happening?"
"Going shopping for wedding rings with my best friend. He's getting married soon."
"How nice! Congratulations to him then. You approve of his choice?"
"Oh, yeah. She's a really nice person and he's nuts about her… I gotta run, but Eiri's upstairs waiting for you. Have a good day!"
"Thank you for waking him up!" She waved as he dashed out the front doors of the building.
"Uesugi-sama will see you now." The desk security informed her, handing her a card to go up.
"Thank you!"
Upstairs, Eiri let her into the apartment, "Morning."
"You're up early. How unusual! Things have been so much smoother in your life lately." She cheered.
"Yeah yeah…" He grumbled at her mocking, "You want coffee?"
"I would love some… What I would love even more is your next chapter!"
"You'll get it. Relax." He wandered back toward the kitchen with her hot on his heels.
"Oh, I don't usually relax when dealing with you, Sensei!"
"You can this time. It's coming along just fine."
"Is it?" She set her purse on the island countertop.
"It is." He served her coffee and pushed the sugar bowl across to her.
"How so? How can I be sure? Is it just a short chapter?"
"Don't be a smartass. It's not a simple task to write it in two languages and edit it twice."
"Of course not. I'm very proud of you that you haven't made any excuses. When you took off to go on a vacation with Shindou-san, I was sure I'd never see the next chapter."
"Hey, I've given you everything on time so far."
"I know! I hardly believe it's you!"
"Sachi…"
"Oh… Calm down. I'm just having fun…" She had a sip of coffee, "Yum! So… Your cute little boyfriend is off helping his best friend buy wedding rings."
"Yeah. I gave them some recommendations for shops to visit."
"Did you? Hmmm… Don't you think he might be feeling a little jealous?"
"You're certainly very curious about other people's business today, aren't you?"
"I just want to make sure that everything's going beautifully for my favorite couple. After all, you're much more responsible with your work now that you've settled down… So?"
"You think it's a coincidence that I had a list of jewelers ready to recommend?"
"Oooh…" She smiled, "How nice. Everyone's been speculating."
"What else is new?" He scoffed, "I can't do anything in private."
"Such is the life of a celebrity… He really is a sweet young man. Aiko-chan adores him. Are they really taking a cooking class together?"
"I've heard it's in the planning stages. Maybe she's more organized and will remember to actually find and schedule one."
"Now… You be nice to Shu-chan!"
"I have an idea… How about we talk business instead of letting your hidden fan-girl climb out into the sunlight any further?"
"Chh… So cold, Uesugi-sensei… I'm just trying to support you!"
"Of course you are…" He smirked.
"It's true!" She rifled through her purse for cigarettes, "Do you mind?"
"No… Then you can give me one and I can blame the smoke on you."
"Hm? You're quitting?"
He took out an ashtray, setting it on the counter between them, "I'm working on it… Slowly…"
"I would never have believed it… You?"
"Yeah… Shuichi's been doing our shopping while I've been heads-down, working… and he gives me the eyes with every pack he delivers to me." He accepted one from her, "So… I'm trying not to smoke so much and think about not smoking at all some day."
"Amazing. Good luck to you." She passed the lighter over.
"Thanks. What about you?"
"Oh… It's still a favorite hobby of mine… and I look so good doing it!" She winked.
"Planning on leaving a beautiful corpse to the world?"
"If at all possible." She nodded and next produced a CD from her purse, pushing it across the counter to him, "First edits from Aiko-chan. She really worked her fingers to the bone on this. I told her to be harsh with you before she got started."
"What is your opinion of her work?"
"Very good! She's positively terrified by what you'll think about all the markups." She giggled, "She was almost in tears when she turned this in for review. She just adores your work and finds it so hard to do what she feels is criticizing your work."
"Just tell her that I fall asleep at my desk so I need someone to be harsh."
"She couldn't imagine such a thing. I did tell her! But she must picture you being carried aloft by cherubs as you write. Something ethereal and elegant… instead of the grumpy, coffee gulping, chimney that you really are."
He chuckled, "She'll get over it… What else is new back at the 'big house'?"
"Oh! I'm glad you reminded me. I have a story for you."
"Do you?" He leaned on the island countertop.
"Umm hmm… About your favorite person in the world. Satoshi-san!"
"Now what…?"
"He's being upset by your increasing exposure with Shindou-san. Very upset."
"What the hell does it have to do with him anyway?"
"He's the one fielding all the requests for interviews and information about you. Apparently, recently there have been many requests for you to be interviewed by gay publications, or to write pieces for them, do a sitting for photos along with Shindou-san. That man is soooo uptight, he just turns bright red at the mention of it. I think he wishes you'd go back to being a womanizer. I just get a kick out of seeing him so worked up over nothing." She laughed prettily.
"I haven't heard of any such requests from him."
"Of course not! It's hard enough for him to field the calls, never mind trying to pass it on to you! Would you do it anyway?" She arched an eyebrow upward.
"I'm not eager to paste that label to myself, no. I doubt that NRG would want to have Shuichi become the poster-boy for the new gay Japanese revolution."
"Honey, I think you both already are, whether or not you're actually getting in line to march. You boys make such a pretty couple. Very easy on the eye, so photographs are always nice to see. Even I pick up the fan rags just to see what you two are up to."
"Why bother? You have to work with me."
"I know. It's just fun… You know, you don't have to keep my assistance. There are plenty of other editors at the house for you to choose from."
"But I'm used to you and your badgering. Are you trying to quit on me?"
"Not at all. It's been great, especially now that I have help! The paycheck isn't so bad either. Without knowing it, you've been indirectly supporting a lot of very handsome young hosts."
"Huh?"
"Umm hmm. Better looking ones as the years have gone by and the pay has increased along with your fame… Don't look at me like that… You know I'm single."
"Single, yes… Not a host club patron! Are you serious?"
"Very serious. You know me… I get so easily bored so I like variety in my life without the commitment. I never complained about your 'dating' habits, did I? How could I?"
"I had no idea. How long has this been going on?"
"Oh, years. My friends and I love going out. I'm going to get Aiko-chan to go with us, but I think she might be too shy. She might faint at the mention of love hotels."
"Love… hotels… You know, you've really just blown my entire image of you."
"Sorry." She giggled, "Maybe I could hook her up with Satoshi and they could blush a lot together."
"Don't even do that to her… You go to love hotels?" He still couldn't believe it.
"Don't pretend you've never been…"
"I just can't believe it, still… All right… Let's change the subject."
"Excellent idea. Let me see what you've been working on please!"
While Eiri was busy with Sachi, Shuichi was busy trying to steer the topic of conversation away from him and back toward Hiro and Suguru in their morning interview at the studio. K had brought in a couple of interviewers from music and fan magazines to interrogate them that day and had dropped more than a hint about Hiro's upcoming marriage. Instead they were asking Shuichi when there would be a ring on his finger. They were finally let go from the conference room, Suguru bright red and stomping down the hall in front of them.
"Hey! What's the rush?" Hiro mocked him.
"Shut up!" He made a sharp turn into the bathroom with a growl of frustration.
"I didn't think he'd be that shy." Shuichi said.
"He's only 16 going on 17 shortly. Give the kid a break." K chuckled.
"I was never that shy about sex." Hiro mused.
"Everyone's different. Poor kid. I think you two just took about 10 years off his life."
"I'm not sure if we should call that interview a success." Sakano looked up at K.
"Works for me! I'm all for any attention being good attention." He grinned, "You turned a little red yourself, Sakano. What the hell? You're not a teen."
"Just because I am older doesn't mean I have to be a pervert or accustomed to the mention of such... topics."
"I was just trying to get the focus off me and Eiri… Sorry." Shuichi shrugged.
"You certainly did." Hiro had another laugh, "I love you, little man… You're priceless."
"Yeah… So, let's go shopping! We're done, right? We can go?"
"Yep. Good job on the new tune, kiddo. You sure you want to do it as another internet freebie?" K asked.
"I think so. It's not like I'm running out of ideas for the new CD and it'll help promote our upcoming local shows."
"Very true. Good luck with the shopping." K clapped a hand on Hiro's shoulder, "Remember… Big and sparkly!"
"Chh… You must know my brother. He said the exact same thing."
They went off together to Ginza, looking into shop windows and being nervous about the whole ring shopping thing… not actually going into the stores.
"Man, we're losers…" Hiro huffed, rubbing the back of his neck as they stood off to the side in a food court, drinking bubble tea and trying to avoid any fans.
"We're just working up to it." Shuichi nodded confidently.
"What the heck am I so scared of anyway? This shouldn't be so hard… Marriage should be more difficult, and I'm freaked out by shopping for a metal loop? Chh… I'm gonna be a shitty husband, huh?" Slurrrrp.
"I think you'll be an awesome husband… It's just weird, is all. It's a lotta money to spend all at once on something so small."
"Maybe it's small… but it's gonna be around for a long time." He sighed, "I guess I better get one that I like too because I'm gonna be seeing it a lot."
"Every day… for the rest… of your… life…" His eyes bulged.
"Do you have to say it all creepy like that??" Hiro gave Shuichi a shove, "What's wrong with you?"
"Getting cold feet, super Hiro?" He made a face.
"No… I know I want to be with her forever. That's not the problem… And I don't see you leading the charge either. You're supposed to be helping me!"
"Sorry. I think it's weird too. Like if we walk into one of these places they'll instantly know how low class we both really are… and we'll fall through a trap door into a pit of poor-people-eating alligators!"
"I've got to get something today…"
Shuichi spied a small shop across the court just then, "Maybe we just need to start small and work our ways up… Come on!" He grabbed Hiro by the wrist and towed him across.
"What the… Hey, this is a shop for teen girl cutesy cheap crap. I'm not getting her something here!"
"I know, I know. I just remembered something though… I might not be getting a ring out of this, but I'm gonna get a hoop!"
"Huh?"
Shuichi pointed to a sign in the front, "Free piercing with purchase."
"You're going to get your ear pierced? You were always too chicken to do that." He tugged on his own pierced earlobe, reminding Shuichi about their failed bargain to split a pair of piercings during their early High School days.
"Well, I have a really good incentive now. Eiri said that if I did, I could have the little hoop he always wears. I want that hoop…" His face was set with determination.
"That's kinda gross… Used earring?"
"It is not! It's something he has always worn, kept close to him… and he's willing to give it up to me."
"I guess when I think about all the other gross stuff you two have shared, this doesn't sound quite so bad… Let's do it. No whining."
"Right!"
The girls in the shop argued amongst themselves and then did rounds of rock-paper-scissors to see who would have the privilege of piercing his semi-famous lobe. Shuichi sat trembling in the chair as the winner approached him.
"Dude… Hold still or she's gonna pierce your brain!" Hiro laughed.
"It's gonna hurt, isn't it?? Waaah!"
"Only for a half a second. Now hold still." He grabbed Shuichi's head, holding it steady for the girl, "Okay. Go for it!"
The whole area heard Shuichi's yelp of shock and momentary pain as he achieved his goal. People who had gathered to watch clapped for him and he blushed at all the attention.
"Your face is almost as red as your ear!" The girl giggled, "But it's in there good." She gave him a care guide before requesting an autograph along with the rest of the shop.
Finally they headed back out, "Okay so we got you a new hole in your head. What now?"
Shuichi took out the paper with the names and addresses, "Well… We might as well start at the top. This is the one that Eiri said he would call ahead of time. I bet it's the best place of all of them… Ow…"
"Well, at least he warned them. Let's go!"
They stood across from the shop for a while, both of them looking at the rather big, dangerous looking dude in a suit that was parked in front of the doorway. There was no shop window, displaying all the finery up for sale. Only some relatively small lettering on the exotic looking metal door let people know that there was anything to do with jewelry inside.
"Are you sure about this? Maybe your jerk boyfriend is messing with us..." Hiro nudged him.
"I don't know... but it's a jewelry place... so let's check it out."
Very carefully, they made their ways over to the big guy who was standing there and now looking down on them rather menacingly.
"Um... Uh... We came to look at some wedding bands for him and his fiancee..." Shuichi pointed to Hiro who smiled nervously.
"Name?" The big guy had a matching, deep, booming voice that made them cringe.
"Shindou... Nakano..." He gulped.
"This way."
Big-guy turned and used a pass card to tap against the door frame then pulled the thing open for them. They both peered inside. There was a nicely decorated hallway leading to an elevator with similar metal doors. Hiro nudged Shuichi in ahead of him. Big-guy used the card again by the elevator and pressed some numbers on a keypad, stepping back as the doors opened. He then bowed briefly and went to resume his post out front.
"Weird..."
"Get in before it closes!"
They stayed close together, wondering what was going to happen next. There were no buttons inside the elevator to push except for a number pad and an emergency button. Wherever they were going, they were going. No choice in the matter. Eventually it stopped and the back of the elevator opened up to let them into another well decorated hallway with a different big-guy at the end waiting for them. They spilled out of the elevator and walked over, the door being opened and held for them again. Inside, there were the display cases lining the walls and the floor, classical music filling the air around them from concealed speakers
"Holy crap... This place is over the top..." Hiro whispered to him.
"Uh huh..." He nodded, blinded by the surroundings.
"Ah, Shindou-sama. I've been expecting you." They turned toward the voice and looked at the man approaching them. American looking guy in a spectacular suit, "I'm Adam Sone. Welcome to my store." He bowed slightly.
"Th... Thank you." Shuichi managed to get out that much.
"This must be the lucky man. Nakano-san?"
"Hai..." He replied dryly.
"Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I hope I'll be able to assist you in selecting some lovely wedding bands. I've been told that you are rather new to the business of selecting diamonds?"
"Hai..."
"Perhaps you'd like something to drink." He chuckled, "Come with me, young men."
In the next few hours they went through loads of different metals, settings and diamonds, relaxing into the process as time went on. The owner really knew what he was doing, that was obvious. It was also obvious to both of them that they would not be looking any further for a set of rings. At last Hiro was sitting in front of a tray that had a set of bands lying on it while the shop owner was busy making the final arangements. Shuichi watched his best friend's expression. He was getting teary-eyed and it made him want to start crying like a baby.
"You really like 'em?" He asked.
"Oh yeah... Definitely... Heh heh." He wiped at his eyes, "Man, I'm turning into as much of a baby as you!"
"I think that's perfectly cool right now." He nodded, "I'm happy for you."
"Me too... Me too." He sighed, poking at the little metal circles a little, "It's funny. I can't wait to wear mine now that I've picked it!"
"It'll happen soon enough... This wasn't nearly as horrible as either of us thought, huh?"
"Nope. This dude knows his stuff. I feel totally good about this... Thanks for coming with me and for having a super-rich boyfriend who could recommend this place." He smiled and gave Shuichi a friendly shove.
"Don't mention it." He grinned.
The owner returned then, taking the bands and placing them carefully into pouches, "We're all set, Nakano-san. I'll give you a call in a few days so you can pick up the finished engagement ring to present to your lovely bride-to-be."
"Great. I can hardly wait to see her face when I give this to her." He smiled and shook the man's hand, "Thanks a lot for all your help."
"You're very welcome... Oh, and before you go…" The shop owner opened the ring-sizing box again, "Will you please hold out your left hand?" He smiled at Shuichi.
"Huh? I'm not shopping today. Just him."
"I know, but Uesugi-sama asked me to find out your ring size before you left."
"He did?"
Hiro laughed loudly at the blush that lit up his face, "Oh, man! Your face totally matches your ear now!"
"Shut up, Hiro!" He squeaked.
"Now then… Just as I showed your friend… Try these on in the same way and see which one feels most comfortable to you."
"Oh… Uh…" He gulped and despite his trembling managed to find the one that felt the most comfortable.
"Very good. Now we'll try on a few different bands so you can get a feel for different widths. See if you feel any differently about the size…"
Before he knew it they were back on the sidewalk, Shuichi in shock enough to forget about his throbbing ear.
"Snap out of it." Hiro nudged him a few times with escalating force until he finally shoved back, "Looks like you got more than just a crummy used earring today, huh?"
"But even just that is the most wonderful thing to me… I can't believe he's actually going to do it! He's not just messing with me!"
"I can believe it… No crying! Let's get some chow. I'm starved."
There would be plenty of pictures of them in the paper in the morning. Everywhere they went together people were snapping pictures with cell phones and such. Shuichi was glad to sit down at their favorite diner and have a milkshake.
"It's cool to hang out with you again… We should do it more often." Hiro mentioned.
"But without the suits. Yeah… It's so weird that people take pictures of us now, isn't it? We're not just like a couple random guys any more."
"True… but we really are anyhow. It's really amazing. We've gone farther than I ever thought we would."
"Yeah… Hey, are your parents still pissed that you didn't go to college?"
"I think maybe a little… but they see us being successful so they've gotten off my back about it. Especially with Ayaka around now. I think they're just happy I'm not marrying you." He made a face.
"You couldn't be so lucky." He held up a finger.
"Yeah, well… Mom kinda let that one drop by accident recently. I guess she always thought you might be a little on the giggly, boy-lovin' side so she was concerned about how close we always were."
"Oh, man… Even with all the girls you were dating??"
"Yep. Those coulda just been 'friends', you know? So she's glad you're dating some other guy and I'm gonna be 'normal'." He chuckled.
"Wow… So your mom had a couple reasons to hate me, huh?"
"You betcha. Don't worry, I told her I'll still snuggle with you, even if we are both getting married. Giggle!"
"Oh, man… You didn't say that..."
"Sure I did. If she's going to be ridiculous so am I. Keeps her young."
"Yeh, that and your unemployed older brother."
"I forgot to tell you. He actually got a gig! Can you believe it?"
"What? When?"
"Last week. It's a TV series. He's a minor character but he has lines! He said that when they found out he was my brother they got really eager about him."
"That's awesome!"
"So I guess mom has a reason to thank you aside from sorta finding me a wife. You got bro a job, indirectly."
"You too! It's your name that got him in the door."
"But without you, my name wouldn't be worth anything. It's the truth. So thanks, from my family to you." He clapped his hands together and bowed his head, "And from me to you, cuz this sure beats loads and loads more school to become a doctor."
"Stop that… Are you really happier this way?"
Hiro lifted his head again, resuming his casual arrangement in their usual booth, which now bore their names on a little brass plaque, "Loads. You know I love music. What better way to spend my life. It's all good, little man… So are you and jerk-wad gonna have some huge celebrity wedding or what? I don't want to miss that side-show."
"We haven't really talked about it other than to joke about me wearing ladies' wedding kimonos… and rings… and talking about our 'honeymoon' in New York City. That's mostly what's planned, and he's the one working on that. I know that's gonna be in the fall some time, but not much more than that. He knows the city so I don't have much to contribute other than to be glad to be going with him." He shrugged and sucked on the straw again until his head hurt, "Ow…"
"You should apply ice to the outside of your ear, dummy."
"I wonder if I should be planning a wedding ceremony for us. Maybe I'm slacking off and I don't even know it!"
"Calm down. I'm sure he'd tell you if he wanted your help."
"What about you? Is Ayaka planning it all?"
"We're talking it through together. It's fun." He sighed happily.
"Awww… Your face just went all squishy again! Cuuuuute!" He laughed.
"Shut up, you… I had to put up with your mush-face over a guy all the time, now it's your turn."
"I know. But it's only fair if I get to make fun of you now. Shoe's on the other foot."
"I can take it." He nodded.
"So… Bachelor party??" He squealed and clapped his hands.
Hiro chuckled, "Umm… Maybe not with strippers, but that'd be cool. My brother's into it. I don't know who else we'd ask. I mean, most of our random friends from school are out of town at universities or prep-schools. Doesn't mean the three of us can't go out and get stupid-drunk and have a laugh."
"I bet Eiri would go!"
"I bet you're wrong!"
"Aww… You know he's in your corner about marrying Ayaka."
"He's just not that kinda social. You know it's true."
"Can I invite him at least?"
"Fine with me, just don't be all pouty when he says 'NO' to you. Deal?"
"Deal." He nodded, "Ooh… I just thought… We could invite Sakuma-sama!"
"That'd be too weird. If we went out with him, it'd be a media circus. We wouldn't be able to move!"
"Maybe we could get in somewhere seriously, amazingly cool though! And he's a load of fun. Right?"
"Ask him, since you're buddies. I wouldn't say no. I could tell my grandchildren about my bachelor party with Ryuichi Sakuma… How cool would that be?"
"Definitely and totally." He nodded, "Consider the invitation given."
They yapped for a long time over their food then headed back toward Shuichi and Eiri's home. For some reason, Hiro wanted to talk to Eiri and wouldn't tell him why, even with plenty of begging and whining, which usually worked on him.
"You have to be quiet. He's probably working." Shuichi instructed.
"Sure." He nodded and they went inside.
"Eiri? I'm home." He called out experimentally, "Hiro's with me."
In a few moments he had come out into the hall, "Yeah?"
"Hiro wants to ask you something…"
"Then he's going to have to wait until I get more coffee." He went into the kitchen.
"Dude… Not even a hello, huh?" Hiro shook his head.
"Give him a break. He hasn't been sleeping much lately." Shuichi elbowed him, "Come on…"
They followed into the kitchen where Eiri was yawning and looking a bit grumpy while getting his latest cup of coffee.
"What, you're in a hurry to talk to me?"
Hiro suddenly bowed to him, "Thank you for helping us with the apartment and with the rings too. You have been very generous to us."
"You're welcome. I guess it went well today, huh?"
"Yes… But I have one other favor to ask of you."
"All right… Let's hear it." He leaned on the counter.
"Ayaka would like it if you would perform the ceremony. She wants a Buddhist wedding. Please will you do this for us?"
Shuichi was surprised by the request, "Wow…"
"Don't you think that would be a little strange? Put another nail in our families' coffins?"
"Ayaka wants you to do it. You've known each other since you were little. It makes perfect sense. It's part of both of your families' traditions and obviously her family won't help. I know you don't practice anymore, but…"
Shuichi was sure he'd refuse, but instead Eiri nodded and said, "All right. I'll make Tatsua come and help."
"Haah?" Shuichi tilted his head to the side, trying to figure out if he was dreaming.
Hiro stood up from his bow, surprised too, "You will?"
Eiri shrugged, "If that's what she wants and you agree to it, I'd be glad to."
"Th… Thank you."
"Try not to look so shocked." He frowned.
"Heh, sorry. I thought it'd take a lot more begging than that."
"It just means it'll be a small and private ceremony. No news media, right? I'm sure they'd be all over the place if it were an American-style wedding. Since I'm sure there's no way on this earth that Shuichi would let me miss it, I'd prefer the quieter option."
"Actually, I'm not sure that Manager K is going to let it be that peaceful. We're trying hard to not give him a lot of details."
"Good. Keep it up."
"He already made a side deal with Sakano-san to keep things quiet." Shuichi finally snapped out of his stupor to smile.
"All right… I'm out of here. See ya tomorrow, Shu." He gave his friend a fast hair-mussing before leaving the apartment.
"I can't believe it. You're really going to do it?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Uh… Do you want to come to the bachelor party?" He decided to go for broke and add another request on.
"You're throwing him a party?" His eyebrow went up with a snicker of amusement.
"Well, not really a party… but we're going to go out and drink. He said no strippers or anything. His brother's coming too. Maybe Sakuma-sama, if I can convince him."
"I guess I better go then."
Shuichi shook his head at Eiri's good mood, "Wow, your meeting musta gone super well today."
"It did, actually… What the hell happened to your ear?"
"Oh, umm…" He put his hand up to it self-consciously only to be stung by pain, "Ow!"
"I guess you got the guts up to get it pierced… I hope you didn't let Nakano do it with a dirty needle… Come here." He put aside his coffee and took Shuichi by the hand, towing him off to the bathroom to make sure it was clean enough while he whimpered the entire time, "What a baby…"
"It hurts! And it wasn't Hiro. I got it done at a regular piercing place. I'm sure there are pictures up all over the web by now… Hiro had to put me in a headlock to keep me from running away or moving too much. OW!" He yelped as Eiri reinserted the post after cleaning it.
"You're going to be fun for a while, huh? You have to turn this every day so it doesn't crust over. You need some ice on this. It's way too red and swollen."
"Do you think it's gonna drop off??"
"You'll be fine."
"When can I have your hoop?"
"Not until this heals up. The wire is too fine a gauge." He patted Shuichi's head, "Good job. I can hardly wait to see the pictures."
"Yeah, you'll have a good laugh at my expense. Enjoy it." He frowned.
"I will. Go change out of your suit and I'll go crush some ice."
"Thanks." He mumbled and followed his command, soon sitting on the sofa with a baggie of ice on his ear, freezing his head while he tried to stay warm by drinking coffee and listening to Eiri laugh over the pictures that were already posted.
Shuichi gave up on his pouting. Eiri was laughing. Even if it was laughing at him, it was still a good thing. He was happy, calm. Even though he had gotten a bit of a mocking over the piercing, Eiri had tended to him rather kindly. Shuichi smiled now, taking a look at the laptop over his shoulder. The pictures were pretty funny after all.