Chapter Notes - So... Here's where I think I may end up upsetting some fans of the original story. It's near the end of this chapter... so we'll just have to see if you A) Notice it at all, B) Have any comments about it to share in your reviews!
Oh, and there's some swearing... Be warned!
Answering questions etc. from the last chapter's reviews and PMs:
Yes! This story is actually completely written. As to why it's not all published at this very moment - it takes time to 'clean' the chapters before they're read-worthy. They need to flow well and be examined for grammar. Sometimes I'm more strict about the review process than others. Sometimes I'm trying to flesh out something that didn't have enough substance to it. Sometimes there are parts that need to be corrected, because this has grown and changed through the editing process, somewhat. Fear not, you will eventually know what will happen.
NRG = Energy. I took the name from another translation of the story, back somewhere years ago. I think it suits Ryuichi more than 'Nittle Grasper'... which to this day I'm still not too sure about. What does that mean? Anyone know?
Shuichi chooses his hair colours based upon his discussions with Mr. Plant, which is of course really his own creative imagination. He just wants to have bright hair.
I'm sorry -- to the people who are losing sleep upon discovering this story for the first time, and feel the need to stay up until dawn reading it... You can always take a break!
Enjoy chapter 24!
A couple short summer weeks after their extravagant tapas dinner date, Shuichi found himself smiling at the picture of the two of them on the subway that he had clipped out of the paper. It looked pretty good from where he sat at his brand new computer. The flat screen already had a good accumulation of dust, as it had arrived first… and it bore Eiri's dust-writing once again, chastising him for his housekeeping. 'Dirty brat'. This time the words were accompanied by a heart symbol.
"Gyaaaa… My life is sooo awesome." He nearly melted from his combined joys instead of the summer heat.
They were both done with their work ahead of schedule. The launch date for the band's CD had been moved up to match. Next week he would be knee-deep in press and the week after, he would be heading out with the band for a bunch of performances. Eiri's book was going to press at the same time, but wouldn't be on the shelves until Shuichi was already out on the road. He had beaten Eiri to the finish line fair and square even though Eiri had been trying to pull strings to get his book on the shelves a day before the CD so he could win their friendly race. Now he was basking in his little win and preparing to claim his prize of a special double date that night. They'd be going out with Hiro and Ayaka to a swanky restaurant that he'd have to dress up for, complete with limo ride.
Everything had come together so nicely. Shuichi's work was now just to go to practice, a few photo shoots, to work on a new song that Eiri had written for him as part of another friendly competition, and to learn his lines for the TV show. The lines were getting easier, especially since he enjoyed practicing the kissing scene so much.
"Nothing can ruin my day!!! Ahahahahaah!!" He laughed maniacally.
"Hey! Quiet down in there, I can't hear the TV!" Eiri had just turned it on to do his daily stock check.
"Too bad!!" He laughed.
Humming merrily, he logged in to his computer, reveling in the speed with which it all started up. It was mere moments before he was able to turn on Instant Messaging. Before he could even open his email his sister sent him a message in gigantic text.
"OMG! YOU HAVE TO TURN ON THE NEWS RIGHT NOW!!"
"Huh?" He typed back.
Then she sent a link through to a news article. He clicked it and was floored. The headline read "Eiri Yuki love child claimed". His jaw dropped, "Today in Tokyo, suit was filed against popular romance novelist Eiri Uesugi (AKA Eiri Yuki) claiming paternity of a 1 month old child. The name of the claimant is being withheld currently. No further details are available, but this news will leave the world wondering if Shuichi Shindou, of the popular band Bad Luck, will be willing to become co-parent with his long time paramour or if he will kick him to the curb for his free-loving ways."
"WHAT THE FUCK???" He was shaken out of his shock by Eiri's voice booming from the living room. And then Eiri's phone started to ring. And then Shuichi's phone joined in. Hiro's name showed up.
"EIRI!!" Shuichi shrieked and ran out into the living room.
"FUCKING HELL!!" His face was red and looking madder than Shuichi had ever seen.
"What's going on?? I just read the news--" He saw that it was on the TV too, "Oh, man!! Eiri! Is this true??"
"OF COURSE IT'S NOT!" He almost blew Shuichi over with his response, then showed remarkable restraint by backing down and gritting his teeth for a moment before apologizing, "Sorry…"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure." He picked up his phone at last, answering, "Yeah… I've seen it… Go ahead… Thanks." He closed the phone again, "Sonofabitch…"
"How… How can you be sure??"
"Because… I slept with you for the first time just over a year ago… and I haven't been with anyone else since… So either you slipped this chick into our bed while I wasn't looking… or it's a lie. Which choice do you think it is?"
"A lie…?" He gulped.
"Yes, it's a lie. Besides that, I never went without protection even before that. How the hell did I know where half these chicks had been? No sex is worth an STD or parenthood… although you are pretty good…" He mused, relieving Shuichi a little by showing a sense of humor after all the sudden anger.
"So… why are they doing it?"
"Money. We're both at a point where negative publicity will be unwelcome, so it's the perfect time and opportunity to do this… Look, my publishing house lawyers contacted me about two weeks ago and told me that there was someone who was looking to settle out of court for a paternity suit…"
"You didn't tell me!"
"Because it wasn't a big deal. It's not like this hasn't happened before. I'm a public figure and yeah, I had a reputation with the ladies. I was the perfect target. They always approach it in the same way… Contact the lawyers first to give me a chance to buy myself out of the bad press quietly. I've managed to avoid a lot of bad press by offering concessions to keep it out of the press while going through the process. This time, I told them hell no. There's no way I'm this kid's dad." He then glanced at Shuichi's stomach, "Nope… You're not looking like you were pregnant."
"This is awful…" He slumped, upset still but at least happy that it wasn't true.
"Yeah, it is… but not horrible. It's just a huge pain in the ass… In a way, it's almost funny."
"How the heck do you figure that?"
"Because it's just laughable… It really is. Going after a guy who's openly living with another man… Chh…"
"You… really didn't sleep with anyone else after me?" Shuichi was surprised.
"Really. Not a single person."
"No way…" He smiled slowly, "I was sure you were keeping some chicks on the side. At least for a little while."
"I wasn't. Jerk."
"I'm not a jerk… I just thought… Well, never mind."
"That I wasn't going to be satisfied with a high school boy when I'd had supermodels. I get ya." Eiri nodded.
"And you didn't exactly make a commitment to me or anything…"
"True." He shrugged, "Now you know."
"And you never used protection with me…"
"No babies… Plus I knew where you had been… Nowhere… Virgin." He smirked.
"I should probably have myself checked for cooties." He made a face at Eiri, "Slut."
"I'm fine. I've been tested. Repeatedly."
"You have? Why?"
"Blood work at the hospital associated with my medication. You're safe. We can continue to screw like horny teens with no worries."
"Oh… That's cool." He smiled again.
"You learned a lot today."
"Sure did… Thanks, Eiri."
"No problem. Can't wait until your first paternity suit hits. I'm going to laugh my ass off..."
"I haven't even been with a girl… That'll be a bit embarrassing to admit..." He sighed.
"I'm just so good that you didn't need one." Eiri patted his chest proudly.
"Yeah, something like that." He muttered and then Eiri came and hugged him.
"Hey, don't be embarrassed. At least you're getting some now."
"A lot!" He hugged back, "I'm sorry I doubted you."
"I don't blame you. Want to come with me when I have to take the DNA test? It's a laugh."
"Sure."
"You know what else? This time, I'm not just going to take it peacefully. Since they put it in the news, I'm going back after the money-grubbing bitch. She's gonna have a shitload of lawyers crawling up her before I'm done. I'm sick of this… Plus, she upset you. I'm the only one allowed to do that."
"Wonder whose kid it really is…"
"I don't give a damn whose kid it is unless it pops outta you, hot stuff."
"Good luck with that."
"I'll keep trying. Promised my old man a good effort, didn't I?"
"You've definitely given one." He nodded.
The phone rang again and Eiri answered it while Shuichi was still clinging to him, feeling traumatized even though everything was mostly okay.
"Moshi?... Yeah… I'll call him now… Start the harassment paperwork if you'd be so kind. Thanks." He closed the phone.
"Lawyers?"
"Yes… I have to call the President now so try not to whimper too much or you're going to have to go hug a pillow instead."
"I'll be quiet." He promised.
Eiri called his publishing house president, assuring him that it was all an effort at blackmail for financial gain and that there was no chance in the world that the child was his.
"Zero chance… Absolute zero… That's right… I don't mind saying it either. I think I'll have to in a few minutes when I go out to the store… I'm sure there's a mob of reporters out there already… Don't worry, Shacho… I guarantee this little problem will turn into some free publicity… Thank you for your attention… Have a good day." He closed the phone again.
"What are you going to do? Go out there and tell the world you've been giving it to me, and only me, for over a year?"
"Why not?" He shrugged, hugging Shuichi again, "Not like it needs to be a secret. Or are you embarrassed of me suddenly?"
"No, I'm not embarrassed… Just don't let slip the virgin thing, promise??"
"Don't worry. Your dirty little secret is safe with me." He laughed.
Shuichi calmed substantially, glad just to be holding Eiri. Glad that he was being so remarkably composed given the fact that he had been off his full dose of medication for a couple weeks and was under so much pressure now. He had come a long way under his own power and with help from stability in his life and some specialized therapy from their Uncle Alan's associates. He went to see his new therapist just once every other week now.
"I was right… Nothing could ruin this day." Shuichi squeezed.
"Mmmhh… I'm going out to the store. You coming?"
"Yeah. I'll try and protect you from the reporters."
"Not necessary. You can just be a member of the audience. I'm not going to need help with this one."
"If you say so."
"Yep. Let's go."
"Kiss first!"
"You had enough of that last night. Aren't your lips sore yet?"
"Nope. Chapstick, desu yo! I planned ahead for our intensive script reading session."
Kiss received, they headed out into the madness that was waiting for them beyond the security gates, despite the warnings of the building security staff.
"Don't worry. I'll get rid of them." Eiri winked and Shuichi went out the door beside him. The pair of them lead the horde away from the front gates, off into the parkette next door where Eiri climbed up on one of the benches and held up his hands just like Shuichi had done many times before, "Quiet, please… Quiet… I have a statement to make about the news this morning… I assure you that this suit is completely baseless. The only truth is that there is a suit filed against me for paternity. Shortly it will be disproved."
"Do you intend to take a DNA test, Uesugi-san??" One of the reporters called out.
"Of course. It is my legal obligation to meet these charges and I will as soon as the arrangements are made. Once the formalities are complete and the suit is disproved there will be a counter-suit for harassment. There is no way in which this suit is anything other than harassment, being done for financial gain at the expense of my reputation in the public eye. This is not the first time this has happened, but I assure you it will be the last."
"How can you be sure that this child is not yours, Uesugi-san? You did have a reputation with the ladies." Another reporter asked.
"I am sure it's not. Unless my accuser has been pregnant for well over a year, there is zero chance that this child has anything to do with me. I am very well acquainted with all of my partners for this past year… and given the fact that he doesn't have a womb, I think procreation is strictly out of the question."
"So you're saying that you've been in a monogamous relationship with Shindou-san for that long?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Someone's pretty desperate for money to be trying to blackmail me, of all the people in the world. I'm waiting for them to file suit against Shuichi next… I'm not putting up with this and that's why I told my lawyers not to bend to the hush-money request that came first. Thought it would die there, but no… So I have this to say to my accuser… I hope you had fun messing with us, because by the time I'm done with you, you'll be up to your eyes in lawyers. We've worked too long and too hard to have to put up with this kind of petty harassment. We may be public figures, but that doesn't give anyone the right to interrupt our lives for nonsense. My message is going to be completely clear. Time to live with what you've wrought… And now… I need a cigarette… Excuse us." He stepped down from the bench, took Shuichi by the wrist, and towed him away down the sidewalk toward the store, leaving the surprised pack of reporters behind.
"That went well." Shuichi said, trying to catch up with his long strides.
"Yeah. It's easy when you're right. With any luck, after hearing that, they'll withdraw the suit before this goes any further… We should be enjoying ourselves right now, not having to put up with this BS."
"You think they will?"
"I hope so… I have a date to take you on tonight. I don't want this getting in the way." He smiled back over his shoulder at Shuichi who smiled too.
"It better be a good one. I beat you fair and square."
"Yes, you did. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the presses moving any faster. Apparently there are other authors out there with other books to print."
"Nooo… Not possible!"
"I could hardly believe it myself, but it's true… Shuichi… If I find out that anyone over at NRG is doing this as some sort of stunt… I'm going to kick their asses… That goes for K, Touma, and that punk, Aizawa… So if you know anything, now's the time to fess up so I can start the beatings."
"I know nothing! Are you kidding??"
"Oh, well… I was hoping." He shrugged and pushed open the door of their corner store, bells chiming.
"There's my favorite little media whores!" Ami was behind the counter today, smiling at them as she turned away from the TV on the wall, "Couldn't even wait until noon to get on the tube, huh?"
"Yeah, it's a new world record… Pack of smokes..." Eiri put his money on the counter only to have it pushed back at him.
"You're cut off, smartass. No more smokes for you. Remember? You're quitting."
"Witch, now's not the day for it. Hand 'em over." He snarled.
"Screw you, pretty-boy. Shu-chan said you can't smoke anymore, so you're done as far as I'm concerned."
"Don't make me come back there and beat them out of you, cause I'm in the mood to do it, sister…" Eiri tried again to persuade her.
Shuichi grinned. This was still part of the reason he loved their neighborhood. Their corner store ruled as usual. Today Ami was taking on Eiri instead of her sister, Kiko. Either way, the game was the same.
"Bring it. I've got a bat back here, and I'm not afraid to use it." She picked it up to prove her point.
"You can't be serious… Give 'em."
"Nope!" She crossed her arms.
"Bitch…" He stormed off down the aisle to get a soda instead.
"Hi, Shu! Exciting morning, huh?" Ami smiled at him.
"Yeah… Way too exciting." He rolled his eyes.
"It's too bad you boys can't pop out some kids. They'd be super cute! But they'd probably all be pissy like him."
"He's just a bit mad right now. Completely understandable. I'm just mad they're messing with our happy week."
"He's happy ever? Wow. It should be illegal to break his rare happiness."
"Totally… I gotta get some stuff. 'Scuse me." He jogged off down the aisle in the direction Eiri had gone.
They ended up meeting lawyers in the afternoon down at the hospital where Eiri was scheduled to take a DNA test. They had been all over the news all day. Shuichi had been on the phone non-stop telling everyone that everything was cool. He had thought that K would be pissed at the negative publicity, but instead he was quite happy. Apparently having Shuichi's face plastered all over the news all day long was good for business, even if it was Eiri that was in the spotlight.
"They're withdrawing the claim, Uesugi-sama. We just met with their lawyers." The senior attorney told them after a greeting.
"Surprise." Eiri smirked, "Did you serve them the papers?"
"We did… but we think you should meet with them yourself before deciding to pursue this action."
"There's no decision to be made. Do it. We need to make an example of the money-grubbing bitch."
"With all due respect, Uesugi-sama… We think you might change your mind if you understand the circumstances."
"What circumstances? All I know is that when I woke up this morning I didn't expect to have a paternity suit filed against me. I didn't expect to be mobbed by reporters, have to call on attorneys, or be demanded upon to take time out of my life to take a DNA test. So here we are… I'm not letting this happen again."
"It most likely will not. Your message came through loud and clear, Uesugi-sama. Please excuse me, but I need to tell you… the claimant is a minor." The attorney straightened his tie with a nervous cough.
"You mean, a kid??" Shuichi yelped.
"Yes. She's only 16."
"Woah… Eiri… You might wanna find out a bit more."
"If that's what you want. I'm so mad right now, I can't see straight… I need a smoke."
"No you don't. You're doing so good!" He took hold of Eiri's arm, seeing the dreaded crease of annoyance deepening in his forehead, "Why not just talk? It won't hurt…"
"All right… Let me talk to the kid. I want to hear it from her mouth, why she decided to sic lawyers on me… Then I'll decide whether or not I'll drop the harassment suit..."
"Please give us a moment to confer with their attorneys." The senior attorney bowed to them.
"Sure." He shrugged and watched the group of suits leave the room.
Shortly they were following the same path. The accuser's attorneys had agreed to the meeting. Shuichi had just been silent while they waited, hardly able to imagine what might be running through his annoyed partner's mind. Inside the conference room they found two worried parents and one 16-year-old girl who looked like she had been crying for days. Shuichi instantly felt sympathy for her. When she saw them come in she started crying again.
"Our client would like to have a word with your daughter. Based on this discussion he will decide whether or not we will be continuing legal action against you for harassment. Will you allow this discussion?" The senior attorney inquired of her parents.
Her father just nodded and stood by the girl's chair, trying to calm her. Eiri walked over and pulled out a chair of his own, sitting down and glaring at her.
"Enough with the crying… Lay it on me and make it good, or I'm not going to stop until I own your entire family... Why'd you pick me to screw over, kid?"
"Please don't sue my parents! I'm sorry! I didn't mean for it to go like this!" She wailed.
"Quit crying and answer my question. Why?"
She shook her head, hiccuping. Shuichi bit his lip, wanting to interject but trying to keep out of what was essentially Eiri's business.
"Talk!" Eiri barked at her suddenly and she jumped.
"Hey, back off. She's upset enough already." Her father warned.
"Her and me both, guy. I don't give a shit about her being upset after all this crap today. She better answer me or I'm leaving." He glared at her, "The only reason I'm here is because Shuichi asked me to give you a break. Your break is just about up. Out with it."
"I just thought… that no one would blame me… if I said it was you." She whimpered.
"Explain yourself."
"Michiko, just tell him what you told us." Her mother encouraged.
"I… saw you at a book signing just before… before I got pregnant… and I just thought after it was all over that maybe if I just said it was you, that no one would blame me because everyone thinks you're so romantic and handsome and all… I thought it would make it okay. That my parents wouldn't be so ashamed of me… And my son is blond too so… I didn't think my parents would try and sue you! I thought it would just all end… But then they told me that your lawyers said you weren't going to settle and that it was going to court… and it was too late! I'm so sorry!"
"You can't just lie about something like this. You can't pick out someone to blame to take away from your own failings. Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused because you couldn't take responsibility?"
"I'm sorry…"
"Sorry doesn't cut it, kid."
"Please don't sue my parents. They can hardly even afford to feed me!"
"I will end the harassment suit on three conditions…"
"What conditions?" The senior attorney on the opposition side inquired.
"Hey, shut up, suit." Eiri snapped, "This is between me and the kid. I don't want to hear shit out of you or this deal is done. Get me?"
"It's my job, Uesugi-sama." He nodded.
"Right now you're about to do more harm than good, so keep your hole shut."
"Eiri… Please calm down…" Shuichi said softly and watched him… looking slightly back over his shoulder, his expression seeming to settle. Then he turned back to the girl.
"The first thing you need to do is apologize to the most important person in my life, who you have also made upset with your lies… For some reason he's willing to forgive you enough to call me off, no matter how pissed I am… Make it good."
She turned toward Shuichi and the look on her face nearly broke his heart, "I am so sorry, Shindou-san! I didn't mean to upset anyone. I didn't mean to… I promise I never ever did anything with your boyfriend! I didn't even manage to get my book signed that one time because I was too late! Please forgive me!" Her head bowed.
He nodded, "I forgive you. I'm sorry you're so upset. This must be so hard for you…"
"Uh huh." She sniffled.
"Next… You're going to issue a public apology for bringing this false action. I want this done today so it's over with."
"O…Okay."
"Lastly, you're going to tell your family who the real father is so that they can go after the correct person for child support. You owe it to your kid to make sure that his father not only knows he's a father but that he takes responsibility."
"Do I have to?"
"You absolutely have to. It's the most important condition of this deal… So spit it out."
Now she turned to her parents, "Please don't be mad at me… He's in the US army, was here on leave… and I slept with him."
"Name…" Eiri pressed.
"Aaron Marten."
"You… slept with a US soldier??" Her father was appalled by the news.
"I'm sorry… It wasn't supposed to turn out like this!"
"Does he know?" Shuichi asked.
"No… I didn't tell him." She shook her head.
"Why not?"
"I was scared of what he'd say…"
"More scared of that than having a baby? A baby's a pretty huge thing!" Shuichi blinked in surprise.
"I guess… I'm just screwed up."
"Now there's a revelation…" Eiri growled.
"Hey, harsh off." Shuichi went over and put his hands on Eiri's shoulders, "You got your three conditions… and in the end she's got a baby. So things are pretty easy for you and me at the end of the day… But I'm curious… How come you picked on Eiri? I mean, we've been living together and it's not like it's a secret."
"Mom and her friends kinda mentioned in the beginning that they didn't really think you were really… you know… gay together."
Shuichi couldn't help but laugh, and Eiri cringed slightly, "I guess together or apart… but it's better together!"
She smiled a little, "Thanks for being so nice, Shindou-san."
"Welcome… Eiri's just protective of our lives together… and you know we were having a pretty calm day and those are rare so… this kinda killed that… Plus he's trying to quit smoking so that makes him extra angry…"
"You don't have to make excuses for me." He got up from his chair, "Good luck, Michiko."
"Thank you… I really am sorry, Uesugi-san."
"Yeah… Just try not to lie any more. It doesn't effect just you."
"I understand."
"Come on, Shu." Eiri ushered him out, stopping with his attorneys, "Just make sure that apology gets out today to the media. I'd like as quiet a night as possible."
"Of course, Uesugi-sama."
They moved on, toward the exit where there were reporters waiting for them once again.
"Does this mean I still get my date?" He smiled up at Eiri.
"Yeah. You do." He smiled back, "How come you're so forgiving?"
"It's hard not to be… I mean… she's 16 and she's got a baby she never planned for. How hard is that? I'm 19 and I wouldn't know what the heck to do with a kid. Her life is pretty much done."
"She can make the most of it. Her life doesn't have to be over." He shrugged.
"Okay… Imagine your brother with a baby." He watched Eiri cringe.
"Never say that ever again."
"He's 17. Just a year older than her."
"I get your point. I'm going to have a crate of condoms shipped to him tonight."
"Maybe you should just have him kidnapped and neutered."
"That's an even better idea… I love you."
"I love you too. Ready to face the media?"
"Once again. Let's get this over with."
Eiri calmly told the media that had gathered about the paternity suit being dropped.
"Did you take the DNA test, Uesugi-san?"
"No. It wasn't necessary. The accuser admitted that we had not so much as even met."
"When will the harassment suit commence?"
"Possibly never, depending upon the second of three conditions being met. Before nightfall you will have a public apology to publish. Then this will be done."
"You were so determined to press charges earlier today, Uesugi-san."
"I was. Now I understand the circumstances, so I am willing to forgive."
"What circumstances?"
"You'll find out in the apology, I hope."
"Can we get a comment from Shindou-san?"
"If he has anything he wants to contribute, he's more than welcome." Eiri looked his way and Shuichi shrugged.
"I dunno what to say…"
"Would you have broken up with Uesugi-san if the child was really his?" One of the reporters asked.
"What? No way! You don't just dump people you love when times get tough. That's when they need you the most."
"Do you think this will hurt your upcoming CD and tour?" Another asked.
He shook his head, "This really isn't the right time to talk about things like that… I mean… We're just walking away to go home and do laundry. There's someone else whose life has been changed forever. So please don't talk about that stuff. It's really wrong right now."
"If you'll excuse us, we have a lot to catch up on at home." Eiri laid a hand on his shoulder and ushered him away. When they were on their own, Eiri spoke again, "Well said."
"I just feel so bad for Michiko… I wonder what'll happen to her." He frowned.
"Now that she has told the truth I think she will be fine."
"But her family's not well off and she's just a student… Who knows if this army guy will do his part? You know?"
"I know… Listen… If she keeps her end of the deal and fesses up to the media I'll make sure she gets her tuition paid. How's that sound?"
"That's really nice! You're so mad still though."
"I don't like it when people screw up, lie, and make everyone's lives more complicated as a result. I'm still not a real people-person… That's your job… Besides… she upset you in the process and I'm still feeling overly protective."
"I'm fine! Jeeze, it's like you don't care that it was all happening to you!"
"It doesn't matter, I suppose." He shrugged.
"You need to start caring about you, too!"
"I'm already caring enough to quit smoking. That's enough to ask for right now."
"Wow, I'm glad I never started. Is it really that hard to stop?"
"Yes. It really is. Even with the help of all the acupuncture needles."
"Is that why you're extra horny lately?"
"Something like that. I'm taking the withdrawal out on you. Sorry about that."
"I'm good with it." He smiled, "Maybe you need some vitamins."
"I already have some… I haven't taken many, though. I'm sick of taking loads of pills. I just finished taking loads of pills…"
"Vitamins are different. Take your vitamins!"
"Okay, okay. Chh…"
At the apartment the front desk gave Eiri their mail and a package.
"What'd ya get?" Shuichi decided to be nosey.
"A present for you."
"No way! This must be my half-lucky day." He grinned.
"It's been a half shitty day, that's for sure..."
"Gimmie!"
"Patience, grasshopper." He gave Shuichi a bonk on the head and pushed him into the elevator.
"Aww… Give me my present."
"You'll get it soon enough."
"When?"
"Before we leave for dinner tonight."
"I have to wait that long??"
"Yes you do. It's part of your winnings."
"I should probably call Hiro and tell him dinner's still on…"
Laundry done, Shuichi packed a couple bags for the start of his tour. It was going to suck extra hard to go away from home now that things were going so well. The final thing he tucked away in his bag was a picture of them together. Then he went out into the living room, kneeling down on the sofa next to Eiri.
"Hmm?" He looked away from the TV to the eyes that were staring at him intently.
"This… is a very important piece of paper." He said and presented it to Eiri.
"What?" He unfolded it.
"Instructions. A schedule for feeding and watering Mr. Plant."
"Oh…"
"It's very important! Don't lose it. I've set up reminders in your email calendar too, just in case you forget or you do lose the paper."
"Don't worry. Mr. Plant will be safe while you're gone." He put the paper aside.
"It's my first time away from the plant. Of course I'm worried." Shuichi pouted.
"You'll be away from it while we're in the USA." He reminded.
"But Ayaka will take care of him then. I think she'll be a good mother. I'm not so sure about you… You probably won't talk to him at all."
"I'm not talking to a plant."
"So mean to our child!" He gasped dramatically.
"Freak." Eiri smiled, "It's pathetic, but I'm going to miss you."
"I'm glad." He sighed, relieved.
"Don't worry about the plant. It won't get all dead and nitty while you're gone. I'll actually water it. The effort will be a better thing than having you freak out if the plant dies."
"Good."
"Ready for your present?"
"Yep. Give it!" He held out his eager hands.
Eiri reached over and took up a book from the sofa-side table, placing it in Shuichi's hands, "Given."
"What? Hey! This is your new book!"
"Test run. Limited edition hardback. It's in both languages. We decided it might be a nice gimmick to do it… So back to front is Japanese, front to back is English."
"That's so cool!"
"So you get number one of the limited run… Might not mean that much to you…"
"Yes it does! It's incredible! Thank you!"
"You might want to read the dedication… If you don't like it I can have it changed before it goes to full press."
He opened the book and checked it out, smiling more and more.
With thanks to Shuichi Shindou for showing me that there is so much more to words than just strokes of a pen or keyboard
"That's so nice… Thank you!" He hugged Eiri tightly.
"Welcome… Good enough to print?"
"Totally. One of the best things I've ever read!" He pounced on Eiri, kissing him in thanks, but shortly Eiri pushed him away.
"Slow down. You haven't even gotten your final present."
"No way! There's more?" His jaw dropped.
"Yeah, I'm going to spoil you." He smirked, "That way you won't forget me while you're on tour with groupies crawling all over you."
"Riiiight…"
"Anyway… What you said today to the media was pretty amazing. Especially the part about not dumping the people you love when times get tough."
"Well, it's true." He shrugged.
"It's not true for everyone… You have never given up on me, and I appreciate that. So it seems an appropriate time, on the day of our bet paying out, and with all of the stuff that went on this morning…" He started to do something with his hand and Shuichi realized he was pulling a ring off his finger. A ring that hadn't been there before.
"Wow…" He gaped as Eiri slipped it onto Shuichi's waiting finger, holding his hand.
"The rings came in a couple days ago. They've been burning a hole in my pocket… or rather on my finger while I was waiting to give yours to you. Good thing you aren't very observant or you would have noticed it, hiding in plain sight."
"Wow…" He repeated, gazing on the shiny new band that matched Eiri's. Even though he already knew what they looked like, it was still incredible to actually be wearing it and to see Eiri wearing his.
"So… We're now engaged symbolically. Try not to scratch it up too much while on tour."
"Maybe I shouldn't bring it with me!" Shuichi worried.
"I think it's a good idea. Get used to wearing it… Doesn't matter if it gets scratched, really. It'll just be worn in."
"What an amazing day." He sighed happily and then they fell into a long embrace until his cell phone rang, "Argh…"
"You smell like dryer sheets…" Eiri noticed.
"Been doing laundry all day, duh."
He almost fell over from trying to reach backward to grab the phone off the coffee table while Eiri sniffed at him.
"Hi Maiko!" He hung mostly upside down from the sofa.
"Hi, Shu-nerd! Your apology is on TV. Congrads on not being a baby-daddy!"
"Thanks. I'll turn it on now. Bye!"
He put up the phone and grabbed the remote, turning on the TV. The apology was read by the attorney for the family. It was succinct and more than adequate as far as Eiri was concerned. It was also complimentary of Shuichi's kindness and forgiveness. He smiled proudly.
"Things are all back on track again. Woo!"
"So it seems. On to new challenges." His fingers strayed across Shuichi's stomach, which was exposed from his strange backward and upside down stretch.
"Aaaahhh… Stop it. We won't make it to dinner!"
"True…" He bent and kissed him there.
"No fair!" He sat up and met Eiri in another long kiss as the news was talking more about them.
"… definitely reaffirming their position as Japan's hottest celebrity couple. We'll be seeing a lot more of them soon as Bad Luck's new CD hits the stores on Friday and the much anticipated dual-language novel from Eiri Uesugi will be on shelves starting the following week in Tokyo and New York. The week after in all release locations. There seems to be no stopping this dynamic duo."
"Amen to that." Eiri smiled against his lips.
"Yeah… Amen." He gasped, toes curling.
Somehow they managed to get dressed in time for Hiro and Ayaka to meet them in the lobby for their double date. They took a limo to the restaurant and then walked up for a block to get there as there was some sort of traffic backup. Hiro walked alongside Shuichi, giving him the eye.
"What's with your hair?" He inquired, ruffling it up more.
"Oh.. Ummm… It wouldn't stay flat in the back…" He blushed, trying to comb his fingers through it.
"Sex nest… Special. Thanks for taking time out from banging to have dinner with us, you perv."
"Jerk."
"You're an awesome friend." Hiro grinned at his embarrassment, "Relieved that you're not gonna be a dad so you decided to try and make a baby?"
"It wasn't like that."
"You're funny when you blush." He pinched Shuichi's cheek and got a swat, which turned into a sidewalk tussle.
"Hey, hey. Break it up!" Eiri told them off, pulling them apart, "Let's be adults."
"That's no fun." He took another swipe at Hiro which was dodged.
"Oh, let them have fun." Ayaka said, smiling at their play, "They miss each other."
"I just hope we get to the restaurant before they destroy any semblance of being well dressed."
"One can hope." She nodded.
Dinner was relaxing and Shuichi extracted a promise from Ayaka to go to their apartment and check on the plant once and a while, to make sure Eiri wasn't slacking off.
"I'll be sure to check in on both Eiri and Mr. Plant. I'm sure it will be a big change to be alone in the apartment after so long, won't it, Eiri?"
"It will be very quiet. I might just get a whole novel written this month." He smirked.
"You don't have to be a hard-ass all the time. You could just tell him you'll miss him." Hiro gave him a good glare across the table which was returned in kind.
"I already did. I don't need to say it in front of you."
"No fighting! We're all going to have a good time." Shuichi held up his hands, "Truce!"
-
Eiri watched Shuichi on television Friday morning, hyped up about their new CD.
"First stop on the tour is right here in Tokyo, of course. We're really looking forward to it. There's actually going to be an extra special surprise at this show."
"What would that be?" The interviewer asked.
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you! Just show up, everyone! You'll have a good time. Guaranteed!" He cheered, waving.
Eiri knew what the surprise was… The song he had written as a challenge to Shuichi to come up with music for it. Tokyo was the only show Eiri was going to be able to see, what with commitments for interviews and book signing appearances.
Shuichi was stoked to have this song heard for the first time by everyone, there at the concert. He wanted to make sure Eiri was able to hear it performed live on stage and Eiri wanted to hear the results the way only Shuichi could belt it out on stage.
Eiri wondered how Seguchi would take it. Probably not well… but then he really didn't give a damn. Touma wasn't going to out-shark him. The band's CD was selling out across Japan and it was only the first day. There was no way Touma Seguchi or anyone else could slow Bad Luck's rise at this point.
"Pretty soon, Shuichi Shindou is going to be able to buy and sell you and NRG. You better keep your mitts off him, Touma… No one messes with my boy." He smirked and picked up his cell phone, dialing, hearing an American accent answer on the other end, "Hey…"
"What the hell do you want? Don't you know I'm busy??" K switched to English, "You're ruining my managerial high, right now..."
"I just wanted to remind you… Don't take your eyes off that jealous little bitch Taki Aizawa for a minute at the Tokyo show. If you leave them alone together, I'll blame you for whatever happens."
"Yeah, yeah. Believe you-me, I'm going to keep my eyes on Shuichi, not on Taki. So you're covered, you can sleep at night."
"I hope so. Don't fuck it up."
"I won't. Your little sex-toy is safe with me."
"Try to be less crass… Oh, and have a good tour."
"Right… Don't call me again and I will." K hung up on him.
"I won't unless I have to." He smiled and went back to listening to the interview, chewing on another mint stick instead of the cigarette he really wanted. It was starting to dawn on him just how much he was going to miss Shuichi while he was away on tour, "I guess that's a good sign… isn't it?"
Eiri showed up to the concert in a limo provided by NRG, was ushered through the artist-only entrance by security and up to the executive overlook seating. There he found Ayaka and Touma along with his loyal dog Sakano and Ryuichi Sakuma, accompanied by a set of body guards. Seeing Ryu made him think of the after-dinner argument he'd had with Shuichi, if it could have really been called that…Shuichi had been watching old NRG videos, getting himself extra psyched up for the show.
"Man… I wish I was Sakuma-san…" He sighed.
"Hey… Don't let me ever hear you say that again."
"Huh?" Shuichi sat up from where he had been laying, drooling on the couch.
"I'm serious. Never again."
"Why not? He's totally a genius when it comes to music. The lyrics, the arrangement, the voice…"
"Whatever… Don't say it again. You have your own genius. Be happy with it."
"Well… I am… I just wish I were more like-"
"Shut up!"
"Ouch! Why are you harshing on my personal hero??"
"I'm not." He put the paper aside and gave Shuichi an intense stare for a while before speaking again, "Look… Ryuichi Sakuma can't successfully go to the corner store without a team of NRG's best handlers to escort him and keep him out of trouble. The guy's got some issues. The only thing between him and an institution is that musical spark he's got… Yeh, he has musical genius. Fine. But the rest of it ain't all good. I don't ever want to hear you saying you want to be like him. I want you the way you are… Able to take care of yourself without intervention. Able to carry on a conversation without losing your place. You follow?"
He nodded, surprised to be hearing this, "Ryuichi is really that bad off? I mean, I knew he was kinda unusual…"
"Yeah, he's that bad off… Be happy that you have the spark without the other parts. It's not worth it… Do you get why I don't want to hear you say that you want to be like him?"
"Yeah, I guess I do… Sorry."
"There's nothing wrong with you being inspired by his idiot-savant musical talent… It is substantial. He has a good heart, too… The best thing you can do for him is provide him a challenge to meet, so he can keep that spark in focus and not lose himself completely."
"Okay… I'll do that then." He smiled happily and went right back to drooling over the video, but with a new perspective on his hero.
Eiri sighed, wondering if he should have said anything as he just took a seat beside Ayaka to watch the show. He was starting to regret it, but it had really been getting on his nerves for some reason, hearing Shuichi saying he wanted to be that guy… At least Shuichi didn't freak out completely at the news and how he'd laid it out so plainly. Just like water off a duck's back, he had moved right on.
"This is so exciting, don't you think? Such VIP treatment." Ayaka smiled at him.
"I guess I'm just used to it."
"Hi, Eiri!" Ryuichi waved frantically to get his attention, even though he was only a few seats away, "This show is going to rock! Shuichi is the best!"
"Yeah. I know." He smiled a bit. He wasn't looking forward to sitting through the Ask opener, but at least it was going to be short.
"Hey, Eiri-kun. Your brother Tatsuha is really cool!" Ryu added.
He cringed, "Why do you say that?"
"We've been playing online video games together! I think he lets me win a lot tho…"
"Oh… Great." He made a mental note to talk to his brother later on.
"Are you okay?" Ayaka whispered, "You just went all white."
"Yeah, I'm fine." He hailed the waitress and ordered a beer, taking out his phone and text messaging Touma against his better judgment. "How the hell is my brother contacting, Ryu?"
""He's very clever. Already on it. Don't worry! "
Eiri was just baffled by how his kid brother kept getting the guy's contact info. Where there was a will there was a way, or so the saying went. Tatsuha definitely had the will… Another message buzzed through from Touma.
"Mika talked to him last week about this stuff… T told her to go to hell."
"Imagine that, huh?…" He sent back.
"Maybe you could have a word with him, brother to brother?"
"I already have. Several times. He told me to go to hell."
"Imagine that, huh?"
Eiri smiled involuntarily. Unfortunately, there were still things he liked about Touma.
"What are you doing, Touma? Playing a game on your phone?" Ryuichi was trying to lean over and look so Touma closed it.
"Just some work related messages. Nothing fun." He assured.
"Ah, bummer. Maybe you could race with us! It's such a cool game."
"Tatsuha is still a game fanatic." Ayaka smiled, "Monk-gamer. It's so funny..."
"You know Tatsuha-kun, too??" He leaned over toward Ayaka.
"Oh… Well, yes, of course."
"You race online??"
"No…"
"Where do you know him from?"
Ayaka started to look a little upset, realizing that Ryuichi had somehow forgotten who she was. They had known each other for years. Long before NRG was famous. She glanced toward Eiri with a worried look and he just shook his head.
"It's okay." He said to her quietly, "He forgets…"
"Oh?" She flustered, "But…"
"Just go with it."
She nodded and turned back toward Ryu, "I… I've known the Uesugi family for many years. My family runs a temple, too."
"Really? That's sooo cool. Do you get to wear kimono and stuff?"
"Yes. I used to all the time. Now I live here in Tokyo so I don't so much."
Touma eventually got him to quiet down and wait patiently for the show to start, but Ayaka was definitely shaken. She relaxed when Bad Luck finally hit the stage, obviously very proud of her new husband. Eiri was relieved. She really was very happy, even given her difficult family situation. Hiro was being a good husband, looking after her well enough that she felt secure to come out to a big concert—something she never would have been allowed to do before. Something she probably never would have thought about doing before.
A lot of things were steadily getting better. Eiri still wanted a smoke, though, so that meant he was just about due for another visit to get poked with needles. He'd have to fit it in somehow…
Even Touma seemed to have backed down a bit. When the rest of Shuichi's band went to sit on the sidelines at the end of the show while he prepared to reveal his special surprise, Touma didn't even flinch. Maybe he'd finally realized that Shuichi knew what he was doing. Maybe he had been briefed in advance and just thought that the opportunity to finally have the kid sing something that Eiri had written was too much of a money maker and publicity win to pass up. The fans had been begging for it, after all. Not just Bad Luck's. Even Sachi had been badgering him about fan demand for his writing to be sung by Shuichi.
"Okay, everyone! Now's the time for my special surprise, if you're still awake enough for it!" He grinned, waiting for the shrieking to die down a bit before speaking again, "This is going to be a little different… You see… no one has heard this song before. Not even my own band!"
"What is he doing?" Sakano was getting worried, "Why are the others sitting down?"
"Shhh." Touma held up a finger to his lips and Sakano obeyed.
"You see, we started this little game… Eiri decided he'd write some lyrics and give me a theme…" He was drown out by the escalation of screaming at the mention of Eiri and he laughed on the stage, having expected it, "Calm down! You're going to pass out before you hear it!" He encouraged, "This is very special, because it's the first time I get to sing something that he wrote for me. The game goes like this… He writes the lyrics, gives me a theme, and I make the music to go with it. Not even he has heard it yet, so it's new to him, too!" He waved toward Eiri who found himself smiling and waving back a little, "It was a lot of fun for me and I guess the lyrics are based on a short story he wrote not too long ago, so some of you might know it a little. The theme was 'fill the room with sound' and so I'm gonna do my best. Please enjoy. This is called… 'Stargazer'." He bowed and stepped back behind the keyboards to get situated while the place applauded for him.
Eiri sat back and let the sound wash over him, impressed again by Shuichi's abilities. He had definitely lost this little contest too, but he didn't mind at all. The music and the sound of his voice definitely won out over the lyrics, but the two together mixed perfectly. He relaxed, just enjoying it while he could, because he'd be missing that voice all too soon. In the end, the audience approved of the solo effort and they had to do a few encores before getting to go back stage at last.
Shuichi was a wreck when he finally got home very early in the pre-dawn morning. Worn out and stinky, he hurried to the bathroom to shower before devouring the cheeseburgers that Eiri had brought home for him. Once he was full he finally relaxed, flopping onto the sofa with his head on Eiri's leg, looking up at him.
"Hi…" Eiri smirked, looking down upon Shuichi's tired expression.
"Hi." He sighed, "I'm soooo tired. I can't believe we have to actually leave tomorrow!"
"Your public won't wait while you recover. Sorry. Good thing you're young."
"And full of burgers! Thank you so much for picking them up for me."
"Funny thing is, I bet you burned more calories than you just stuffed into yourself… and that's saying a lot."
"Yup. I always have room for more burgers!" He yawned widely.
"Wow, I think I can see them in your stomach. Close your mouth or cover it." He lay a hand over his mouth, getting a kiss on his palm which was pushed aside.
"Aww… I don't wanna go and leave you all lonely on your own."
"Sachi has promised to become my new best friend for the next little while, so don't worry about me being lonely."
"True. You'll have your fans to keep you company, too." His eyes sagged shut, "I don't wanna sleep…"
"Looks like you don't have much of a choice." Eiri started to stroke his hair.
"But I wanna… spend time… with… you…" Yawn.
"You are. Even if you're asleep. So, relax."
"Love you…"
"Yeah, you too. Good job tonight."
"Thanks." He sighed and was soundly asleep.
"Sweet dreams."
He watched Shuichi sleeping for a long while, enjoying the peaceful moment and the way that hot pink, slightly damp hair felt, sliding through his fingers. At some point, he fell asleep on the sofa beside Shuichi. They never made it to bed at all and before long it was morning and K was bellowing in their doorway, demanding Shuichi's presence in the van to head off on tour. Eiri watched the gang pull away from the apartment building, suddenly feeling that emptiness he had worried about.
"Well… It's not going to be the last time so I better get used to it." He sighed and went off to take a shower before Sachi came to drag him off to prep him for his own little tour of the Tokyo area media and bookstores.
End of chapter 24 - please review and ask questions, too!