Chapter Notes - As I mentioned at the start of chapter 20, chapter 21 is one of my favorite chapters in the series. Mostly because of being able to write an annoyed Eiri. There's also a lot happening in this chapter, lots of players interacting, pulling things together. It's a mini climax :) I also enjoyed writing 22. There's a lot of Shuichi on a rollercoaster of excitement and freak-out.
Answering questions etc. from the last chapter's reviews and PMs:
Once again, I really enjoyed all the comments and notes. Thank you!
If you're going to send me a PM, please be sure that you have your PM's enabled so I can reply! A couple people have messaged be through this site and I haven't been able to reply because you've got your PM's disabled...Waah! Also, check your 'inbox' which is new on this site. Third tab over once you've logged in!
Yes, it is an ABJD in my profile. That's my Shu-chan doll :)
One question that I think answered itself - Yes, the way that Eiri and Shu met in this 'universe' was changed in another part of this story - Remix, The Beginning of the New Ending
I'm worried that someone thought that Alan was doing something... bad... to Eiri... That was Reiki which deals with energy manipulation. He was just trying to help him. Nothing bad was goin' on. Promise! :)
I love seeing where the characters are going to take themselves too. They tend to just write themselves without much help from me!
I don't think I can do fluff stories... I suspect that's a little more mushy than I am able to do. Maybe someone can explain to me what 'fluff' is?
Don't know how many chapters this will end up being. It's already fully written, just requires breaking apart and cleaning before publishing. I don't tend to write in chapter format. It's all one long ramble.
I don't think Alan & Kentaro will be moving anywhere away from their inn for the rest of their lives and I doubt that Eiri & Shuichi are cut out for 'country' living, so it doesn't seem likely that they'll ever live too close together... but that doesn't mean they can't visit :) In case anyone cares, I did actually spend a lot of time writing a story just about Kentaro & Alan, just to make sure that they really had a solid basis in my mind before throwing them into the mix as characters that don't exist in the regular story. Seems to be working out all right!
Enjoy chapter 21 and if you're reading the other end of this story, I'm going to be updating that soon, too!
A couple busy weeks later, they found themselves tired and for a change, in the same room for an unusual weekend meeting that effected the both of them. Eiri separated himself from the band members in the NRG main conference room, giving in and lighting a cigarette. He looked out the window at the city, listening in on the chatter of the rest of the group where they were huddled together at the table and engaging in nervous, excited conversation… K felt it necessary to come bother him, Sakano in his wake.
"Hey… You're going to behave yourself, aren't you?" He asked.
Eiri looked back over his shoulder at K briefly then returned his gaze to the skyline without a word.
"Answer me…" K insisted.
"I'll behave however I damn well please…"
"Oh, this isn't going well already…" Sakano was sweating, even before their American guests arrived to begin discussion about the TV show.
"Try not to be a bastard, huh? Do it for Shuichi." K continued.
"Mind your own business…. The band is your business. Not me."
"Exactly… and this is a fantastic opportunity for all of them. Don't fuck it up."
"Chh…"
"Don't you have a publicity manager that should be here with you? Someone to speak for you and your publishing house?"
"Of course I do, but the president agreed that I could handle this independently if I so chose... and I did."
"He must not know your attitude too well to agree to something like that…"
"Oh, if you think you don't like my attitude now, you just keep on talking…" He growled.
"Can I get you a cup of tea, Uesugi-san? Coffee maybe? Anything?" Sakano offered, hoping to break up a potential fight between them.
"Water… Bottled water."
"Of course! Right away!" He scurried off, relieved to be able to find something to do, some action to take to hopefully make the situation better.
"Hey… Just give it a chance. Put on a friendly face or something…" K pressed him.
"I… will do what is best for me and best for Shuichi. That is my responsibility. Get off my back."
"Super…" He frowned, "Do you have your bed pushed up against the wall?"
"What?" He looked back at K again with a scowl.
"Seems like you only get up on the wrong side of it, so I just wondered…" He smiled at his own humor.
"You're just hilarious…"
Then the doors of the conference room opened, an NRG admin escorting an American man and woman in. K left Eiri's side to go greet them and bring them over to the table to meet the band.
"You must be Shuichi Shindou." The woman cooed, setting down her big purse before taking a seat across the table from him.
"Hai… Nice to meet you." He managed to get out with a heavy accent, "Not so good English."
"That's okay. I'm sure your manager will translate." She spoke slowly.
"I'll do my best." K chuckled and proceeded to make the introductions of the band members.
"Then, that must be Eiri Yuki. I've seen the publicity shots… but wow!" The woman fanned her face with her hand.
"Sharon's the best scout. She's really outdone herself this time." The guy nodded, Shuichi struggling to keep up with the conversation, "He'll be perfect."
"He doesn't really look Japanese, but he does look damn good."
Eiri scowled as he listened in, still looking out the window, taking a drag on his cigarette. This day was not the one on which he could stand to be without a smoke, even if it was giving him a headache due to his cutting back recently.
"And he smokes too. That'll work out great." The guy said.
"I wonder if the rumors are true… That they're a publicity stunt." The woman mused.
"Um… I should probably mention—" K tried to interject but they just kept on babbling amongst themselves and then…
"Hi, Shuichi… Hey… So, are you really living with that guy?" The woman decided to interrogate him, using a rather sing-song voice with him.
"Nnn…Nani?" He didn't get it.
"You and him, honey. Living… to-ge-ther…?"
Eiri wandered over at that point. Shuichi was just blinking at the woman, trying to sort out what she was asking him.
"Looks like we're going to have a big language barrier with him." She clicked her tongue.
"I was trying to say that—" K began again, not used to not being able to get a sentence in.
"Hey… You…" Eiri arrived at the table, "Don't talk down to him. Understand?"
The two Americans looked at him in surprise, finally quiet enough for K to get out what he was starting to tell them.
"Heh… I was trying to say that Eiri speaks flawless English… so you should probably watch what you're saying." K finished in the uncomfortable pause.
"He's not an idiot. He just doesn't speak English. Be respectful." Eiri scowled.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to be rude…"
"Just because a person does not speak your language doesn't make them a child. This may come as a surprise to you… I don't suppose you can speak any Japanese besides 'sushi' or 'wasabi'…"
"Actually… not really." She blushed under his steady glare.
"Then try to be professional." He took another drag on his smoke, exhaling elegantly.
"Uh… What's going on?" Shuichi asked him.
"She's being a bitch to you, that's what." Eiri replied.
"What?"
"She's talking to you like you're a baby. I'm not going to put up with it."
"Oh… I guess I was too busy trying to figure out what she was saying to notice."
"She's not being a bitch, she's just being… ignorant?" K mused.
"That's not much better."
"So… Eiri Yuki… Famous Japanese novelist." The guy kicked back in then, trying to get things rolling, pulling out a profile on him from inside his briefcase.
"My name… is Eiri Uesugi. I no longer use my pen name of Eiri Yuki.
"All right… Did you have a chance to read the script you requested? We were hoping you'd find a translator, but it seems that you don't need one."
"I read it. It's garbage." Eiri nodded.
"Garbage…"
"It's the typical trite garbage that American TV puts on. I suppose it's in keeping with the style your particular show has adopted. It's transparent in a bad way. You have a guest star or stars… and they are always the responsible party for the crime that your cops are investigating. Why even bother?"
"Did I mention that Uesugi-san can be a little abrasive?" K chuckled uneasily, "I'm sure he doesn't mean it though. As a writer himself he can be a harsh critic of others… Right, Eiri…?" He glared at him.
"I'm going to be perfectly frank with you, Mr. Uesugi… The production company and our director wants you for the part and we're willing to give you any concessions you want in order to have your participation including financial considerations… You'll be put up at the best hotel in the city…"
"And the show can help you carry on with your relationship publicity stunt." The woman added.
"Publicity stunt??"
Eiri's forehead did that thing again and Shuichi scooted his chair away from where he was standing, along with the rest of them. Sakano was even afraid to get close to him and stood off to the side, clutching the bottle of water he had just returned with.
"Aww, shit…" K moaned, shaking his head.
"Well… we had heard that your relationship with Mr. Shindou was a publicity stunt. The story line has you two as an item…"
"I have no idea where you got that information… but it's false… You're getting on my nerves fast, lady. You may fill out that executive power-suit well, but looks only gets you so far with me these days. Why the hell did they send you two amateurs?"
"Ow…" K winced, amazed by how much worse this was going than he had even imagined.
"Ummm… I… Our boss Sharon's just late getting here from Narita Airport and she asked us to get started without her..."
"I thought as much." He scoffed, "I'm not interested in money, I stay at my usual hotel when I travel to New York, and the script is horrible. Why not use Nakano-san? He has a kid face but he might be able to do this part justice… for what it's worth."
"They want your face, your presence, your attitude." The guy said, "You're perfect for what they want. Both of you… So you're saying that you're in a serious relationship with Shuichi..?"
Their boss arrived as Eiri way laying into them again, "Do you honestly think that a man in my position, at the height of my career, goes out looking for a publicity stunt like dating a male high school student in a new band?? Idiot!"
"Eiri's maaaad…" Shuichi nudged Hiro.
"Yeah, no lie. I think he's going to burst a vein."
"This isn't going well at all…" Sakano was getting whiter as the seconds ticked by.
"Oh, dear… What happened?" Sharon had stopped in the doorway, appalled by what she was hearing. They all looked at her, "I'm sorry I'm late…"
"Thank God you're here, Shar. We're just torching the whole deal!"
"Well… Let's see if I can bring some marshmallows to the scorched table." She smiled at the group and came to the table, putting down her coat and case, "Hello everyone!"
Eiri took another drag on his cigarette before crushing it out, "Your staff… is an embarrassment."
"I'm sure they don't mean to be, Uesugi-sensei." She bowed to him slightly, "And there is a rumor floating around that you two are paper instead of fact. Bizarre, I know… but there it is. I hope you will give me the opportunity to be more polite to you, as I am sure you are accustomed to being treated."
"Do your best. It couldn't be worse."
"Introductions?" She smiled and K made them all again.
"Just so you know… he's not our responsibility here at NRG. He's a free agent." K clarified.
"Oh, I know. The offer was supposed to go out to both publicity managers, but for some reason the one to your publishing house got lost in translation. I apologize again, Uesugi-sensei. I very much realize you are not part of the band. I never meant for it to come across that way."
"Good."
"I think he's just being more mellow because she's smokin' hot." Hiro whispered to Shuichi.
"Probably… He's cheating on me in his brain…" His shoulders slumped but then went up again when Eiri placed his hand on his head, "Happy."
"I'll tell you what I have already told them… I'm not interested in money or a nice hotel and I think the script is crap."
"I could see if they would allow you an option to make suggestions for a re-write."
"Fine…"
"What else could we do for you, Uesugi-sensei? I have been given wide authority to compensate you for your participation…"
"Nothing… I'm only doing this for Shuichi. Whatever he decides to do, I will go along with. So if you want to impress someone, you better impress him instead of talking to him like a 4-year-old because his English is bad." He stared daggers through the young woman, "I won't tolerate it… And by the way… I don't listen to what Winchester-san has to say, so trying to sway him won't do you any good. Follow?"
"Hey…" K grumbled.
"Yes, completely."
"Good. That's all I have to say then." He removed his hand from Shuichi's head and took a seat beside him, lighting another cigarette as Sakano screwed up the nerve to get close enough to him to deliver the requested bottle of water.
"You really are perfect for the part though!" She winked at him.
"Mmh…"
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were being super nice to me." Shuichi made a face at Eiri, relieved when he smiled slightly.
"Good thing you don't know better, then."
"Don't let him fool you… He is." K smirked.
"Shut up, K. Just translate."
So he sat back and listened while they talked, satisfied that they were being respectful. In the end Shuichi said he'd like to talk it over further with his band mates and Eiri before making a decision.
"I can only hope we've made a better impression on Uesugi-sensei than we did initially." The casting director smiled.
"That's up to him to say." Shuichi smiled back.
"How about I take everyone out for lunch? Any takers?"
"Free food is always good." Hiro jumped right in.
"I'm starved." Suguru agreed.
"You are so completely cute, Fujisaki-san. The girls must be going wild for you at school."
"A little." He blushed.
Shuichi pointed at him, "Ha!"
"Quit it!"
They went out for lunch, including the assistants that had annoyed Eiri earlier. He kept to the far end of the table to avoid them.
"So…" Sharon joined him there as he was enjoying some peace and another smoke, "He's got it pretty bad for you."
"And?"
"Just pointing out the painfully obvious." She smiled slowly.
"It would be a shame if it were a one way street."
"You're seriously going to go along with what he chooses?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Unless you screw around with him in the process. Keep that in mind."
"I'm getting the impression that you're more his manager than Mr. Winchester."
"When Shuichi is happy, I am happy. It's in my best interest to make sure you keep things on the up and up."
"You really will be fantastic for this part." She sipped her tea, giving him a look, "Is there anything else I can do for you to sweeten your disposition a bit? I know you don't want money…"
"Yes… There's definitely something you can do for me…"
"Name it, handsome."
"You can lay off the come-on. I'm not available."
"Oooh… My God, you're fascinating." She laughed, "All right… So what is it about him that turned you into his dog instead of the notorious ladies man you used to be?"
"If I am any dog to him, it's a guard dog… and there are many things… One of them is that I hate bullshit. There's no bullshit with him… In contrast, you're really getting on my nerves."
"Sorry. I can't help it. I'd just love a little one-on-one with you and that's no bullshit."
"Keep it up and I'll veto his decision before he makes it… and if your hand gets any closer to me, I guarantee he'll come kick your ass in a heartbeat."
"Your devotion is overwhelming." She gave up with a huff.
"Thanks… If you can get me the script in an editable electronic format I'll be glad to take a pass at making it presentable. Send it back to you tracked so your 'writers' can see what I'm hacking to pieces."
"Super. You're gonna piss them all off."
"Not my problem… I have conditions too… and arrangements to make. We'll discuss scheduling."
"I trust your people will send us wire transfer information for the retainer fee once we've come to terms..."
"Winchester-san will take care of that. Whatever the decided fee, just send it to Shuichi's account… As I said, I'm not doing it for the money."
"Generous."
"Yeah… I'm a hell of a guy." He chuckled, glancing down to where Shu's gaze was fixed on them, a storm cloud brewing over his head at the sight of their interaction, "Yes, you're about an inch away from a tirade right now… I hope you know how lucky you are."
She looked his way too, "Ow… What a look." She waved at Shuichi, watching him turn redder in the face, "You think you'll be able to calm him down?"
"I will."
"Will he be able to learn the script's English dialogue?"
"Yes. I'll make sure of it."
"No problems with laying a big wet-one on him for all the world to see?"
"Already been done. It's nothing new." He took out his wallet and showed her the picture from the temple, "If you hadn't seen that before… it was front page news."
"Yow… And he looks amazingly cute in that suit."
"It's a good suit for him." He agreed and then Shuichi couldn't take it any more, getting up and heading down the table, plunking down beside Eiri and peering at him, "Hello…"
"She's hitting on you, isn't she?"
"Yes. I'm not biting, so calm down. She actually pisses me off in more ways than I can tell you."
"No lie?"
"No lie."
"Good." He smiled broadly, reaching up and rubbing the irritation-wrinkle on Eiri's forehead, "You are scaring me…"
"Hey, don't erase that. I want it there. It's not because I'm annoyed with you."
"It still makes me nervous… If she's going to hit on you the entire time I'm not doin' this."
"I told her that neither of us will. I think she gets it…" He took his wallet back from her, "Just relax. You're going to get all worked up and not be able to do the show tomorrow night."
"I'll be fine. I'm totally psyched for that so there's no stopping me!"
"Good." Eiri leaned over and kissed his forehead.
"Gahhh… Thanks."
"Looks like you two won't have any problem with the on-screen chemistry." She winked their way and Eiri's irritation crease deepened.
"Wow, she really does get under your skin in a bad way." Shuichi was surprised.
"Seems so." He turned toward her again, "Our chemistry is never an issue…"
"It's incredible to hear you go back and forth so seamlessly between Japanese and English. Do you speak any other languages, Uesugi-san?"
"Some Korean, Chinese, French…"
"Impressive… Could you help me talk to him a little?" She asked.
"Shu… She wants to talk to you a bit and have me translate… If you're sick of her I'll tell her to go to hell."
"I'll talk. I'm curious." He grinned.
"All right… He'll talk." Eiri told her.
"Super… So, Shuichi… You have a concert tomorrow night. Do you get nervous on stage?"
"Never. I love singing for people. It's what I live for."
"Maybe I can get some tickets… I guess I think of you as a bit shy so it's kind of strange for me to think of you up in front of a huge crowd."
"The more people the better! Hiro and I have been performing since second year in high school so we're used to it."
"I loved that song you guys just put out for download. Not Invisible, right? Is the new secret song you're going to do tomorrow night going to be like that one?"
"It's different but still upbeat... It'll be good. We've spent a lot of time on new material. If you want, I can get you comps from Manager K."
"That would be awesome. Thanks. I haven't been to a concert in Japan before."
"Then this will be the perfect first one." He nodded, "We rock!"
"Ha ha! It's funny having Uesugi-san translate for you. He's very serious and you're so excited about everything."
"Yeah! Well… We're different. It's good to have him to calm me down. I need it a lot."
Shuichi was glad to be walking home with Eiri after lunch. The annoyance wrinkle was gone and he was chewing on a mint stick instead of smoking.
"So… What pisses you off about her, huh?"
"Lots. Never met a more fake person in my life. I don't even think she knows who she is under all those layers of bullshit. She's perfect for her job." His hand found the back of Shuichi's neck and rubbed a little.
"I guess so. You think it's going to just piss you off to have to work with people like that?"
"I've worked with them all my life… I don't care. I will care if she pisses you off or fucks with you. Then she's done."
"She'll piss me off if she keeps giving you the eyes… I can just hear her dirty thoughts."
"Yeah… I had to fend them off with dirty thoughts about you." He smiled slightly.
"Really?? That's awesome!"
"Settle down, you… Save your energy for tomorrow night."
"I will. You're coming to the show, right??"
"Of course."
"Then it will be extra good."
"It better be… I want that chick to see you being you. She still thinks you're an amateur. A scared little kid."
"I'm still a teenager but not for long! Thanks for being so protective, Eiri!"
"Welcome."
He worked on another few songs that evening before turning in early. In the morning Eiri dropped him off at the studio on the way to yet another meeting with his editors. Shuichi made sure to get the best goodbye kiss he could because they wouldn't see each other until much later.
"Do your best, Shu… but have fun too."
"I will. I always do."
They practiced and worked, took a long break and then went off to the concert hall, sitting and watching the other opening acts. Shuichi was growing more and more excited as the moments passed so when it was their turn it was easy to thrill the crowd with all his pent-up energy. Especially when he saw Eiri off in the wings watching and smiling.
"I've never seen so much energy come out of someone…" The casting director commented to Eiri, "I guess he's not so shy after all. This could be a lot of fun… What a voice! The crowd loves him."
"Umm hmm. Maybe from now on you'll take him more seriously."
"Yeah… Wow. Do you feed him a lotta sugar or what?"
"No. I make sure he eats better than pocky and Big Macs."
"And to think I worried he'd freeze up on camera." She shook her head with a laugh.
Near the end Touma joined them, greeting the casting director and nodding to Eiri, "Hello… I heard you came by my office not too long ago." There came that angelic smile.
"Yes."
"Perhaps we could talk for a while?"
"Not now. I'm watching the show." He looked back toward the stage.
"Shuichi is even more 'on' than usual tonight."
Eiri found himself blushing at hearing the song Love Genius for the first time. Shuichi was singing about him, regardless of the disclaimer he had given at the introduction of their new song that everyone had their own out in the world somewhere… While he had expected it to happen at some point, having it happen was a different experience, not something he could have prepared for. Touma looked at him sidelong, watching the reactions move across his face. When the song ended Touma smiled, the crowd going wild all around.
"That kid's going to be the end of you, Eiri. How did you let him get so close to you?"
"Shut up."
"You're still the same even so…"
"Thank you everyone! We hope you liked our new song!" Shuichi belted out, hopping up and down as the screaming in the crowd increased, winding him up further, "Yeah you did!" He laughed, "I promised to do something special if we sold out this show… and we did! So I'm going to break the rules now! If you didn't know, Hiro and I went to High School at Tohoku and I bet there are some students here tonight! Let me hear you!"
More freaking out ensued.
"Yeah, I see you! You moved up a grade but you're still our nerds! Yeah! You remember what this is. It's not a Jam Session… It's a Cram Session!! From the best student in the class of last year, Hiroshi Nakano, and the second worst, me! You know how it goes! Same refrain and whatever comes out of my brain. Give Fujisaki a hand cause this is his first time today doing one of these so… Kick it, Suguru!"
"Oh my… They're not supposed to be doing this…" Touma was surprised.
"How unprofessional." Sakano moaned, "An improvised jam session, of all things."
"I don't see anyone bitching besides you two." Eiri smirked, "He knows what he's doing… and someone else agrees with me." He nodded toward where Ryuichi was enjoying himself farther off in the VIP seating area along with a couple bodyguards.
"I almost forgot to get him a T-shirt…" Sakano moaned again, dashing off to do just that.
The crowd responded extremely well to their messing around, everyone getting the idea and screaming back the chorus every time it came around again. They finally ended it, taking their bows and exiting the stage at last. The crowd wouldn't give up though, screaming for them to do an encore.
"Never saw Ask get that kinda reaction." Eiri shot them both a self-satisfied smile.
A half-hour later, the crowd was starting to disperse and Eiri was being moved along the service corridors to where the bands were gathering back stage. Shuichi was still wound up, talking to everyone, huge grin pasted on his face, celebrating.
"What an incredible performance. I made the pick of the century with you two." Sharon smiled.
"I would like to be able to read the script myself… To ensure that our young artist is being appropriately represented." Touma told her.
"I'll be glad to… once it's re-written… Apparently Uesugi-sensei has some issues with our script."
"Oh? And you are willing to allow him a re-write?"
"Absolutely."
"What exactly do you find so wrong with the script, Eiri?"
"It's too sanitary… Their writers have never met a real yakuza. They may as well have written in a wheelchair and knitting needles for the character."
"Try not to make Shuichi into a Takashi Miike character. It wouldn't be good for the band's image."
"I'm not an idiot, Touma…"
"I know, I know. I just thought I would put in my own opinion before it was too late..."
"EIRI!!!" Shuichi had spied him and flew across the room, jumping on him and knocking the wind out of him in the process.
"You could give a guy some warning…" He tried to right himself where he was pressed against the wall.
"I thought my screaming your name was enough warning for you to brace yourself." He smiled upward, "Did you like it? How'd we do? Huh??"
"You did great, spaz." He smiled, "So, I'm your 'Love Genius', huh?"
"You know it! Lucky guy. Heh…"
"Rest your voice a bit."
"Okay… I'm so glad you could make it!!"
"Shhh… Jeeze… Go hang out with your band. Have fun. I'll see you at home."
"Awww… Stay."
"I'll just get in the way right now. You impressed the casting chick, by the way."
"Whoopie. I just want to impress you."
"You always do… See you at home." He leaned in and got a kiss before going on his way.
Shuichi sighed as Eiri was tailed out the door by the casting chick and Touma just looked at him, making him cringe inside.
"You took a big risk tonight." Touma said to him at last.
"You mean the jam session… Sorry… It's our roots though… And everyone had a good time." He shrugged as Hiro and Suguru came to join him.
"Yes, they did." Touma smiled at last, "The risk was worth it. I am continually surprised by your ability to come out on top regardless of your reckless behavior. Well done… Ah, here is the press now. Put your best faces on and greet them, young stars."
Touma turned and made his exit, finding Eiri looking annoyed out on the sidewalk with the casting director and a small horde of his fans gathered about behind a security fence and swooning to be in his presence.
"… That was seriously amazing. I'm glad I came out! Here's my card. I'll be in touch." She handed it to Eiri, "And now I'll leave you to your fan-base. Good luck getting away!"
"Yeah… Thanks." He grumbled and pocketed the card, the fans now freaking out at Touma's approach, "What now? There's too many celebrities around these parts…"
"The media is busy with the band inside. There will be pictures in tomorrow's paper again, I suspect."
"That's nothing new."
"You should be happy. Your live-in affair is making a name for himself."
"Live-in affair… Interesting way to put it."
"I don't see it as being much more." He shrugged, "Eventually you'll get tired of it or he will break one of your 'rules' and it will be done. At least he will have his shining new career to comfort him, won't he?"
"Is that what you think?" His head went back, looking down on Touma with anger rising.
"I think I know you fairly well by now. You like your solitude, shall we say. Your freedom."
"I don't like my solitude… It's the only thing I could stand up until recently." He felt the need for a smoke but fought it, "You don't know who I am. Don't suppose you know how I feel."
"He's an interesting diversion for you. Someone light, someone easy. It's better for you to be on your own, Eiri…"
"Fuck you, Touma… Fuck you and your opinions. I'm sorry I bothered to come to see you."
"I'm not. I think we both know what is best for you. Familiar people that know you, who you were before everything happened... Perhaps it was wrong of me to support Bad Luck… "
"Look… You leave him alone. Don't fuck with his music or I'll make sure you regret it. If you don't want him in your studio I'll be sure to find him a new one. You can make your high and mighty decisions, but they have talent. No matter what you say or how you try and spin things, you can't take that from them."
Touma's smile never wavered, "How do you know it's them and not you? Perhaps people are responding more to your public affair with a lead singer than to any talent they might have in the whole of the band."
"I know… because I have eyes and ears. If you are so blind to what happened tonight… No… I don't believe you are. You just want to pull the strings. Mine, theirs… Everyone's. You're no friend of mine. Maybe you are better off on your own… Quit baiting me." He turned and walked away, past security and through the cooing throngs to catch a cab home rather than have anything more to do with NRG that night, including using their car service.
Shuichi came home at last, finding Eiri on the balcony having a smoke.
"I'm home!" He called and yawned.
"Welcome back."
"Hi…" He wandered out, glad when Eiri took him into his arms but surprised too, "You okay?"
"Yes… As time goes by, the truth of my life becomes more and more clear… How the hell did it all end up this way?"
"Huh…?" He looked up, "You're talking all weird… Did something happen? Hey, that chick didn't try and jump you, did she??"
"No." He laughed.
"You were talking to Touma… Are you friends again?"
"Ha! Hell, no. Far from it. In fact, I'll probably never speak to him again unless forced to."
"No… Really?"
"Really… I love you, Shuichi Shindou. Nothing, no one, will change that. I am grateful for you."
"Eiri… I love you, too… What did he say to you? I'll kick his ass…" He reached up and held Eiri's face in his hands.
"Don't worry about it. Just glad to be home with you."
"Me too." He sighed inwardly as Eiri kissed him.
"Gonna see your picture in the paper again tomorrow I bet."
"I guess. I hope my face doesn't wear out from all the pictures."
"Good thing it's a young face… It'll keep regenerating… Holy crap, you stink!"
"Hey! I've been out all day and jumping around under stage lights for an hour! I have a right to stink!"
"Yeah, you do… but take a damn shower, already! My eyes are watering…"
"Tears of joy at seeing me!" He protested.
"Right…" He smirked.
"I can't smell that bad." He took a whiff of himself, "Auugh!! I DO! I can't believe I was talking to reporters like this! I smell like I rolled in something dead!"
He ran off to the bath to wash, Eiri smiling in his wake. Finally he was in the shower, scrubbing away the stage-stench, feeling horrible for having subjected Eiri to that especially when he was in the midst of being so nice. While it was far more common, it wasn't ever something he wanted to discourage in any way… and he wondered what Touma had said to him. It was obvious that Eiri was upset and he was pretty sure Touma had a lot to do with it, even if Eiri was saying everything was all right… He still wanted to know what they talked about… That and what was up with the casting lady that was constantly undressing Eiri with her eyes.
When he was clean at last and in comfortable around-the-house clothes he found Eiri in the living room with the TV on.
"You're already on the news." He mentioned.
"No way…" He plunked down on the sofa.
"Yes, way. In all your stenchy glory."
"I'm clean now…"
"The world, and I, thank you for your generosity… No wonder you worked up such a sweat. Look at you… They can hardly keep the camera on you."
"I was totally happy with how the concert went. It was our best so far. People are really getting into the music, really enjoying it! But Touma said that he wasn't happy with us for doing the jam at the end…"
"Yeah, I know."
"Huh?"
"He was standing with me and the chick when you started that and said it was unprofessional."
"Oww…"
"I told him he and Sakano were the only ones out of the entire building who thought so. That you knew what you were doing. The crowd's reaction proved my point. You're good at reading your audience."
"Thanks!… Hey, what else did he say to you…"
He shrugged… silent.
"Come on… I want to know."
"It won't make you happy."
"It makes me less happy to know you're keeping something from me. Give it up. I don't care what he said as long as I know what it was."
Eiri sighed and sat back, resting on the back of the sofa and looking at Shuichi who waited.
"I'll put it to you this way… He believes that you are a temporary part of my life."
"What?"
"That our 'affair' will be over some time soon."
"No it won't!"
"Told you it wouldn't make you happy."
"And it's not an affair! I love you!"
"Calm down. It's all just talk. He's pushing buttons. He doesn't get the reactions he wants from me, so he's getting them from you. Every little string he pulls with me sends you into a frenzy. He's probably hoping that eventually I will shut you out when you cross the line… break one of my 'rules'."
"Rules…"
"All the boundaries I've set up over the years to keep people at a distance… He doesn't know it yet… but you've already broken every one. You're still here, though… You're the only one…"
"Eiri…" He gulped at seeing him getting upset, snuggled up with him, "I never meant to hurt you, you know. I just wanted to be close to you. To know you."
"I know. You are the only one that is allowed… I suppose that is hard for him to understand because we used to be good friends. He believes he should be the one who is allowed inside my walls."
"Why don't you let anyone else in?"
"They're all liars." He shrugged, "I thought you were too at first, but you don't have it in you to really lie… Touma is a manipulator. It's just his nature. It's how he survives."
"Maybe there are other people too that you'll feel okay with some day."
"Yes… But not like you… For example, I have enormous respect for your uncles. I think we are both fortunate to know them."
"No kidding. They're awesome."
"They're very honest… Very real… Shu…"
"Hmm?"
"I've been thinking…"
"What?"
Eiri sat up then, disengaging himself from Shuichi and pulling the laptop forward on the coffee table.
"We got email from Alan." He said, "Pictures."
"You're changing the subject…"
"No… I'm just leading into it so you get my meaning." He opened the email, Shuichi seeing it was addressed to both of them. There was a link to the pictures on the website for the inn. Alan had been uploading them as they were going along on their trip, "Alan's family…"
"Neat. They seem to like Uncle Kentaro too." He smiled as the images scrolled by.
"So he has other nieces and nephews now, from Alan's side of the family. That's his younger brother John and his wife and kids."
"Cool…"
"Shuichi… My family are all freaks." He smiled, still looking at the pictures.
"Umm…" He bit his lip, not sure how to react.
"Every one of us is messed up. My sister's married to Seguchi… That says a lot of things right there, even without her dragging you out of a class to a bar in the middle of the day to get you to con me into going to see my father… My brother is a perverted monk. Enough said… My Father, who thinks he's normal, not to mention high and godly, insults his own son and tells him to dye his hair a respectable black if he's not going to shave it off… My mother… Well… I suppose I am as much of an embarrassment to her as I am to my father. I've never wanted to be part of the family temple. It made me hate who I was… And then there's me… You already know how fucked up I am… The rest of the family is weird too in other ways… But you… Your family is normal."
"I dunno about normal… I mean, we're just a typical suburban family." He shrugged.
"Exactly. All honest people, not trying to scheme or be something they're not. They're just good, honest people. Your father is very peaceful and open, doesn't put on airs or play the power-suit businessman. Your mother is true to her feelings, doesn't play the good Japanese housewife who keeps opinions to herself at all costs. She yelled at me. Didn't give a damn who I was. Just wanted to keep you safe… Your sister is like you with boobs and an entrepreneurial flare at my expense..."
"Ha!" Shuichi smiled.
"And then there's you… There's no secret to how you feel, you never lie, and you're going after your dreams without hesitation… Your uncle Kentaro is as honest, genuine, and welcoming. Your uncle-in-law Alan is the same way with a protective streak toward his partner that knows no boundaries… It also seems like there is an extended family on Alan's side that is the same way. Look at them. Happy American family with your skinny little uncle having a good time." He flicked through a few more pictures.
"I think you're saying that our being normal is weird to you."
"It is. The Uesugi clan is supposed to be a pillar of the community… but we all wear masks of one kind or another."
"Maybe there's just less pressure on our family so it's easier to be normal."
"Perhaps… Look." He found another set of pictures. Kentaro and Alan hiking up a canyon with a creek flowing through.
"Wow… That's really beautiful."
"It is. I haven't spent any time in places like that. I think I might like to."
"Still looks like work…"
"But it would be worth it. Not everything is easy in life, lazy."
"Yeah, I am. At least I admit it!"
"With the amount of energy you spend in a concert a hike should be no big deal to you."
"That's different… but it's really great that you like my uncles." He watched the pictures going by. Amazing vistas captured as they were hiking along.
"For the first time, I have the opportunity to have a mentor… A role model with no conditions or schemes. I am hesitant about interacting with Alan… but I am growing to trust him quickly."
"So you've kinda male-bonded with him more than with Uncle Kentaro."
"Yes. Perhaps because he is American… Perhaps because he is the stronger of their pairing. I suppose I see myself in our relationship more like Alan is in his own… Although Kentaro-san is far less prone to emotional melt-downs than you are."
"Yeah, well…"
"It's true… Don't deny it."
"I don't. I think I have a lot to learn from Uncle Kentaro, just like you do from Alan."
"How to cook…"
"Jerk."
"Anyway… I talked to Alan about a lot of things, as you know… Trying to get perspective. They both told me that they spent a lot of time figuring out what they both wanted and needed from their relationship. That's why I asked you what you wanted… Alan said it was difficult for him because it was something that he had never given a thought to. He knew what was expected of him… To get married and have a family. He never saw your uncle coming along."
"You never saw me. I guess my family just sneaks up on people." He leaned on Eiri.
"Stalks them… Unrelentingly… Until they give in."
"That too. Worked like a charm!"
"Charm… Right…" He flicked past a few more vistas, "So he said to me that he had decided that he needed to be like a rock for Kentaro because he was a softer kind of person than Alan. Something that he could always be sure of, depend on. A stable foundation to make it so that the qualities of trust and forgiveness and kindness that he had within him always had a safe place to fall back on even in times of trouble. He wanted to offer an environment that would protect and nurture those qualities. Every day he has been that way, and he is very happy. Kentaro is happy."
"Yeah, he's crazy happy, actually. They're still in love even after all these years."
"Do you think that you might want that from me?"
"I know I do. You're way more stable and mature than I'll ever be, even with all the stuff from your past… and I think you've been trying to be that way for me a lot, recently."
"I have. I'm trying to get it right… because I want to be your safe place. I want to be your foundation so that you can grow and never lose your honesty, never be afraid to say what you feel, never be afraid to follow your dream of music."
"Wow… That's amazing of you to say… I mean, you always told me I suck at music."
"You don't. I didn't think you had anything going on in the beginning… Now I know differently. You know I changed my opinion. Maybe you just don't know how much." He leaned back into the cushions again, putting his foot up on the coffee table.
"Tell me." He peered at Eiri eagerly, "Praise me!"
"Shhhh… Okay… Promise not to freak out and scream or anything. I'm starting to get a headache."
"Promise. Commence praise!"
"I think you have something bordering on musical genius."
"Waaaa…??" His jaw dropped.
"Yeah. You were just a Jpop little punk before. Now, I don't know what the hell you are… but it's pretty amazing to watch. It's like you took all that music I brought home and absorbed it and mixed it all together and pulled out something completely new."
"I guess I've just been really, really inspired since everything's been so cool between us. It's the best that I make music you actually like now."
"I like it a lot. Surprised me tonight with Love Genius, though."
"I was hoping to."
"I spend more time praising your abilities now than I ever did telling people how hard you suck at lyrics and composition." He smirked.
"You must be talking your jaw off then." He made a face.
"In a manner of speaking, yes. I have been… It's getting late. You should be way tired…"
"I'm not tired. Keep going. You're not done. I know you."
"It'll wait… You have stuff to do tomorrow."
"Not until the afternoon. Keep going. Seriously. I'm not going to leave this sofa until you finish this big chain of thought you're going through… Go on."
"You're not very patient."
"Especially not with this stuff. Give it up. I won't quit bugging you until you give."
"Fine… Anyway, that's all part of what I'm getting at… Your family's normal, I am glad I have a mentor, you don't suck at music, you actually impress the hell out of me… and there's a lot of other stuff…"
"Lay it on me. Quit stalling."
"Pushy… I'm getting there. Hold on."
"I can't. Hurry!"
"Next subject… You don't have to worry about being a kept man any more. You're more than pulling your weight in our financial relationship at this point."
"How do you figure that? I still make scraps from royalties for our CD sales. NRG is trying to recover its initial investment with us."
"Yeah, but my pay days have become an event." He smiled more.
"Okay… So you've got more money to keep your other money company. Hooray…?"
"Yeah… Hooray."
"What's that got to do with me?"
"Everything. My entire archive of back work has been reprinted since we got hung out to the world… Because of demand. I've watched my income continue to grow well beyond the norm. That's not all me… It's you being in my life that's making the sales. As far as I'm concerned, that extra is yours. So let's put it this way… You've repaid all the eating out and take out we've had since you suck at cooking. I'm starting to feel like a high-end call girl must. The world is paying me to sleep with you."
"Lucky you…" He frowned.
"No shit. I opened my account statement while I was walking home a couple days ago and laughed myself to tears. I went directly to my financial advisor instead of coming back to the apartment."
"Yeah, yeah… You're richer. I get it already. Big deal." He rolled his eyes.
"Retard, did you miss the part where I said the extra is yours?"
"It's not mine."
"Yeah, it is… You know, you shouldn't leave your personal stuff laying all over your desk…"
"Huh?"
"I took your ID and opened an investment account for you the first time I got an extra bonus check. I figured it was only fair… So with this latest installment you're really not so bad off financially." He shrugged.
"Gaaaahhh! You did what??" His eyes were wide.
"You have to have a meeting with my financial advisor to go over the account. If you don't like her, you can go to a different one."
"Aaaaaa….???"
"Quit drooling on yourself."
"Why??"
"Because it's nasty."
"No! I mean, why did you do that??"
"Like I said, it was only fair. Now your lame ass has a retirement fund and a real savings account."
"But… But… I don't deserve that! It was your writing!"
"Calm down. It's not a big deal."
"It is to me!"
"I thought you would be happy."
"I just feel guilty!"
"Don't. I'm not going hungry. I still have all the money I usually get paid… and I don't really even need that." He shrugged, "You've been overdrawn for as long as I've known you."
"I feel like a kept man even more now!"
"Deal with it. Eventually you'll forget about it."
"No I won't!"
"Yeah you will. Guaranteed. Especially when you see what you'll get for the TV appearance. It'll be a non-issue… Then you will have more money to keep your money company too."
"Eeeeeee!"
"Interesting spaz noise… That's new… You said you wanted me to teach you about this stuff… So now I am… What did you think would happen? Did you think you'd pursue your dream of musical fame and not get money eventually?"
"I didn't think about getting money! I just thought about making music!"
Eiri blinked, realizing something new about Shuichi, "Really…"
"I just wanted everyone to hear our music!"
"How were you planning on feeding yourself?"
"I don't know. Just doing whatever I needed to."
"You are the weirdest person I've ever met… and that's saying something… Are you going to calm down? I've got more to say."
"I can't just calm down!"
"I love you." He tried.
"Eiri…" His body relaxed and his eyes went back into their sockets.
"That worked."
"Cheater."
"I just have to do what it takes to bring you down to earth again." He smiled.
"What else did you do today? Get a tattoo of my name?"
"No… I also started a vacation fund. So it's gonna be an extra special trip…"
"Oh?"
"We were thinking about doing a second trip to New York… I say we just do our work in New York, spend a little time there after and then take off to see some more of the USA."
"You think?"
"Yes. It's a huge country… You should see the Grand Canyon."
"Have you?"
"No. I always meant to… I'm going to make you go hiking."
"No way…"
"Don't be a chicken. You might like it."
"I guess…"
"Are you disappointed?"
"Not really… I'm just thinking about it… Where else do you want to go?"
"Wherever you do. Spend some time on the internet and pick a few places."
He sat still for a little while, thinking more, "Sounds like it'll be a long vacation."
"I hope so… Oh… And before we go anywhere else on our trip, we're going to Boston."
"We are?"
"Yeah… We are."
"Why Boston?"
"Because…" He sat up again, leaning in close, "they passed an interesting bit of law in Massachusetts…"
"Law?" His heart was pounding from Eiri's sudden closeness. Even after so long it was still a thrill.
"A law… that allows for two men to get married."
"Wow…" Gulp.
"You liked being on the apartment lease with me…"
He nodded weakly.
"How about being on a marriage license with me?"
"Yes." He squeaked.
"You sure?" He smiled slowly at the expression on Shuichi's face.
"Yes." It hardly came out of him that time.
"Marry me…"
"Yes." And as Eiri kissed him he fainted.
"Well… Looks like you're tired after all." He smiled down on Shuichi where he had fallen across his lap, combing his fingers through bright hair for a while before carrying his limp body off to bed.
End of chapter 21 - Want more? Give me some more feedback. Ask me some questions. I'll be glad to answer them :)