-Chapter Two/Breaking Outta This Two-star town—
Saturday couldn't come quickly enough for Tatsuha. He was a little bummed that he and Ryuichi Sakuma were merely going to the zoo, but hell. He'd take what he could get; right about now, Tatsuha would go with his idol to the grocery store. So now, Tatsuha Uesugi was standing in front of Kyoto's small zoo, looking for the black van which Tohma promised held Ryuichi. The monk, while waiting, daydreamed.
After a long day of frolicking on their date, Ryuichi brought Tatsuha home. "Tatsuha-kun! Let's order some tempura!" Says Ryu, flipping through a phonebook. "Of course, Ryuichi. Whatever you'd like is fine with me." Nittle Grasper's singer looks away, a big blush on his pale cheeks. "Tatsuha… I've had a lot of fun today, and I was curious… would you like to stay the night? Here?" Tatsuha stares, and jumps up dramatically. "O-of course, Ryuichi! Thank you!" "Oh, Tatsuha-kun… 3"
–SCREEEEE~!- A squealing of tires jolted Tatsuha out of his reverie, and a black van pulled up, erratically pulling in to park in front of him. Tatsuha could only stare in shock as the backdoor slid open, and Ryuichi Sakuma stepped out… in half of a bunny costume. His chocolate eyes lit up at the sight of Tatsuha.
"Hey, Tatsuha-kun!3 What's up? You ready to rock?" "Uh… S-sure, Ryuichi…" Was all that Tatsuha could manage. 'What the hell is this…?' The monk noticed something in Ryuichi's arm, but the older man stalked forward, throwing his arms and h-er, paws, around Tatsuha. "I've been so excited, na noda! I couldn't even sleep! We should see the pandas first, Tatsuha-kun…" Nittle Grasper's singer pulled Tatsuha towards the entrance, flourishing a hat. With ears on the top. "Hey, Tatsuha-kun, look. I brought you a costume, too, so you wouldn't feel left out! Do you like bears, Tatsuha-kun?" "What? Oh, yeah! I love bears! You're so thoughtful, Ryuichi…" Once Tatsuha had slipped on the costume, the two were ready to boogie.
"Wow, Tatsuha-kun! Wasn't that cool? Baby pandas are so cute! Oh, and I like…" As Ryuichi rambled on, Tatsuha was lost in ecstasy. Neither noticed a group of young mothers staring as Ryuichi pulled his new friend behind him, towards an ice cream stand. The singer was never one to resist ice cream.
"So, Ryuichi? Which flavor?" Tatsuha dug in a back pocket for his wallet while Ryuichi gawked at the long list of ice cream flavors. "Strawberry!" Suddenly, the man looked guilty. "…Tatsuha-kun. You don't have to treat me." Tatsuha looked offended, and shook his head. "You pay? No way. You know, I almost feel like I'm on a date. And I always treat my dates." Tatsuha winked, and Ryuichi smile wide. He liked the younger man. Tatsuha was funny, good-looking, and, most importantly, he treated Ryuichi like a friend, like Tohma or Noriko.
The two sat at a small table, Ryuichi with his back to the crowd so that he could take off his bunny nose and hat. While Tatsuha licked away at his butter pecan ice cream, Ryu chattered about anything and everything. "…So, the girls, they knew it was me! I got chased! I was so scared, na noda! I thought I was gonna get run over. But K ran them away." Tatsuha grinned. "That's one hell of a story!" Ryuichi smiled. "I know! I've got a ton of 'em, na noda." "No… I mean, why would you chase someone you love? And, if you really loved someone, you'd want them to be happy. Some people are so selfish."
Ryuichi stared. This kid… "Oh, Ryuichi, where's Kumagoro-kun?" The singer's face fell. "…I was already in the van when I realized that I forgot him at my house." Ryuichi murmured, and Tatsuha smiled apologetically. "Well, when we're done eating, we can buy a camera, take some pictures. I'm sure he'd be excited if you showed him." Ryuichi bounced up and down excitedly. "You're so smart, Tatsuha-kun! Yeah, let's do that." Ryuichi watched as the monk winced. Tatsuha was staring beyond Ryuichi, so the vocalist turned around. Approaching them was a gorgeous girl, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a large chest, obviously dressed for anyone who'd look.
When she came close enough, she flipped her long hair, cherry-red lips forming a smile. "Hi." Tatsuha merely smiled in response, being polite. If he weren't with Ryuichi, Tatsuha would invite her to sit, and he'd flirt. But no one, especially just some dressed-up bimbo, could compare to his idol. Ryuichi hung his head a little, hoping she wouldn't recognize him. "I've been watching you, and you look so much like Eiri Yuki! I love his books, and I was curious if you two were related…"
Tatsuha shook his head with a smile. "Yuki? No, I'm afraid you're mistaken. I'm always told that I do, though." "Uh-huh!3 You look so much alike…" She leaned close to Tatsuha's face, making Ryuichi shift. Ryuichi knew it was none of his business, but when that woman brushed some of Tatsuha's bangs aside to 'look at his eyes,' something in him snapped.
Ryuichi looked up, chewing the last of his cone. "Tatsuha…" The monk's head snapped up; the older man hadn't used the '-kun,' and his voice… "…I'm ready." Tatsuha was confused. He'd never seen Ryuichi act like this. Was Grasper's vocalist… jealous? Tatsuha decided to see if he was. "Okay, hang on. So, sweetheart? What's your name?" –CRACK.- Ryuichi slipped on his hat and mask, wriggling in place. He didn't understand why he felt so… jealous. "Yukiko? That's a nice name. Maybe we can hang out…" Ryuichi stood up briskly, stalked over without a word, and draped his arms around Tatsuha's shoulders. He shot a fierce glare at Yukiko, and the girl flinched.
"Tatsuha, what about our pictures…?" He whispered, squeezing. Tatsuha almost smiled. He stood up, put on his mask, hat, and gloves, and tugged Ryuichi away from the table. Yukiko stared after them, and, obviously victorious, Ryuichi smirked at her. After they left, a realization struck her. "Wait… that guy looked like…"
"Oh… okay… I'll have him right there, Seguchi. I hear you! 'Kay; bye." As Tatsuha hung up, all kinds of loathing, mean things ran through his head. Ryuichi was looking at the capybara, and he was having so much fun that Tatsuha didn't want to disturb him. Nevertheless, Tohma had told him to hurry… "Ryuichi! Seguchi-san just called…" Tatsuha reluctantly called out, and Ryuichi skipped over. "Huh? Tohma? What'd he say, na noda?" "We have to get over to Hit Stage studios, like, right away." "You mean I get to sing? Yay~! But…" Ryuichi looked to Tatsuha, "…We have to leave right now?"
Tatsuha smiled, setting a hand on Ryu's head. "But… Tohma said-" "I know. He screwed up, I guess…" The monk led Ryuichi towards the parking lot. "I don't want to leave, either. But you want to sing, right? So I'll get you there." Ryuichi clapped. "Ohh~! You have a car, Tatsuha-kun?" The monk smirked. "A motorcycle." Ryuichi stared at the bike, surprised, and Tatsuha straddled it.
"Well? Let's roll!" Ryuichi looked uncertain. "But… what if I fall off?" "Just hold on to me. I wouldn't let you fall. I'll be really careful, okay? I promise." For a second, Tatsuha thought that Ryuichi would say no and call a chauffeur, but the vocalist nodded, slowly inching his way onto the bike, behind Tatsuha. The monk tossed away his animal costume, revving his engine. Ryuichi, out of reflex, latched onto Tatsuha's middle. As the engine roared and the two lurched forward, Ryuichi buried his face in Tatsuha's neck. He didn't want to look. "Please don't go very fast, Tatsuha-kun!" He pleaded, and Tatsuha, not believing that Ryuichi Sakuma was pressed up against him, could only nod.
The two were on the highway within minutes. It was about a thirty-minute ride to the studio, and Tatsuha was trying to hurry, but every time he changed lanes or sped up a little to pass someone, Ryuichi yelped, "Tatsuha-kuuun-! Slow down, na noda!" or, "Ohhh, I felt like I was gonna fall off! Careful, Tatsuha-kun!"
People scattered at Uni TV studios as a motorcycle ridden by a sixteen-year-old monk and a multi-platinum selling singer, and the bike drove down a hall to stage seven. "Okay!" The motorcycle crashed through a door, debris flying in all directions, and Ryuichi screamed like a Banshee. "We're here, Ryuichi! You ready?" The vehicle stopped, 'put-put-putting' at the top of the stairs down to the stage. Ryuichi clung like a baby koala would to its mother for a few seconds before noticing a voice. "But if you think I'm your burden, then I'll say 'so long' and flee…" "Huh? Ryuichi, looks like you're already on stage…" "Huuuuh? Oh… I am!" Ryuichi squinted. "Wait… that's Shuichi!"
The two got off the bike, leaning over the handrail for a better look. "Who's that…?" "It's not Sakuma." "Music Fan? Oh, that special, right?" "He doesn't sound anything like Ryuichi. He's pretty cute, though… and cooler." "He is…?" Ryuichi muttered, a fierce look crossing his face. "K-! That's shit! No one is cooler than me! Let me down there!" "Wha- Ryuichi-!" Just as K looked up, Ryuichi came jumping down. "R-Ryuichi!" Tatsuha tried to grab the singer, but was too slow, and only caught air. "Give me your leather and a mic! Hurry!" The staff looked shocked when they noticed Ryuichi, yelling, some in relief, some in disappointment, "It's Sakuma-san!"
After Ryuichi told Shuichi to "beat it," the show quickly picked back up. As Tatsuha watched the show in a daze, he suddenly collapsed weakly, falling to his knees.
"What a show! That was amazing!" "You were great, Sakuma-san!" "Aw, thanks guys! I couldn't do it without you guys." Ryuichi was making his way backstage, surrounded by news reporters and people seeking a magazine interview. Once they started to press in, K brandished his .45, and they scattered. Ryuichi, the adrenaline of the show leaving him, finally remembered Tatsuha. 'I hope he's not angry with me… I didn't even say goodbye…' Noticing the look on his star's face, K patted him on the head. "Ryuichi, what's with the face? That was a good show!" Ryuichi teared up.
"Tatsuha-kun. I didn't even say goodbye." K frowned. "Oh, that kid you were with? He's still here. Look, here he comes now!" Ryuichi's head snapped up to see Tatsuha making his way towards them. "Tatsuha-kun…" "You idiot!" Ryuichi blinked dumbly. It'd been quite awhile since he'd last been talked to like that. Still, Tatsuha continued. "Jumping off a balcony like that… you know you could have gotten hurt, right? What if you had? It would have been all my fault." Ryuichi's face hardened. 'I knew it. He's not my friend. He's just in it for himself.' "You know… if something happened to you on my account, Ryuichi… I couldn't forgive myself!"
-Click.- K was holding his gun to Tatsuha's head. "Speak up, kid! Why are you so friendly with Ryuichi, huh?" "K." The blonde turned to Ryuichi, who was hugging Kumagoro. The singer smiled. "It's okay. Tatsuha-kun is my friend." He quickly walked over to Tatsuha, taking the monk's hand. "You're Kumagoro's friend too, na noda!3 He likes you." Tatsuha smiled, but inside he was thinking, 'I don't care if the damn rabbit plushie likes me, as long as the guy holding hi- IT does.' K huffed, holstering his weapon. He looked disappointed that he wouldn't be running off some crazy fan. "Tatsuha-kun, let's go. I want to talk."
The two were now sitting in Ryuichi's dressing room, sipping coffee, peering at each other over a table. Tatsuha was the first to speak. "Hey, I'm sorry for blowing up on you. Do you forgive me?" Ryuichi smiled. "Of course! I'm actually really happy. In fact…" He looked away, "…I was worried you'd be angry at me for not saying goodbye. You were only worried if I got hurt, though." The singer beamed. "I'm happy, Tatsuha-kun!" Tatsuha smiled back. He had made his idol happy, and that made him happy.
They talked for hours. And K let them, since Ryuichi's schedule was now free for a few days. They talked about everything from chocolate to the biggest celebrities, and Tatsuha was on cloud nine. After Tatsuha told Ryuichi that his father was a monk (he conveniently forgot to mention his part in the clergy himself,) and about where he lived, the older man even told Tatsuha where he lived. Tatsuha made a mental note, just in case. By the time that Ryuichi said he was tired, and left for his house, it was eight-'o-clock. It'd take a little over an hour to get back to Kyoto, so Tatsuha figured he might as well get going. His father had a funeral for him to perform in the morning.
Tatsuha quietly crept into his house, trying desperately not to wake his family up. Mika, since Tohma was in New York, was staying a few days. He'd even cut the engine up the road, walking his motorcycle down the driveway. Even then, when he was about to slide open his bedroom door, his father barked out his name.
"Tatsuha! Where have you been?" The teen took a moment to recover before turning, a shining smile on his face. "Sorry. With a friend in Tokyo. It won't happen again, Dad." He tried to open his door again, but the older monk stopped him. He looked sternly serious. "…Tatsuha, I know you've been sneaking out. What have you been doing? You know of your resp-" "Who told you?" Tatsuha cut in sharply, glaring. His father looked away. "…Your sister cares about you, Tatsuha. Don't think-" "Mika? What the hell? She knew I was with-" "Don't interrupt me! You are a priest, Tatsuha. Never forget that. People look to you for advice, so stop this childish way of life." He straightened, while Tatsuha stared at his socks.
"Your brother… Eiri… he's a failure. I raised you differently, Tatsuha, because you are the only son that can bring honor to this family. When Eiri started going by the name 'Yuki,' I was appalled. But it all turned out for the best! I couldn't imagine if the public got wind that the son of a monk was a homosexual. That Shindo further corrupted my boy, you know. It all really makes me sick." Tatsuha's father shook his bald head, while Tatsuha scratched his nose. A small smile formed on his face. "So… that's what you think of Eiri, eh?"
The older monk looked up. "That's what you say about your own son, just because he's not what you want him to be? Eiri's finally happy. He's kind of… letting go, finally, and you're still unhappy. You're upset that you can't control him." "T-Tatsuha…?" The monk took a step back from his son, not fully understanding. "Well, I'm done! I won't be manipulated anymore, Father…" Tatsuha smirked. "I'll make my own way. I've found something better than my little world here." Tatsuha slid his door open, stepping inside. "Wait! I don't understand… What do you mean, 'something?'" Tatsuha glanced over his shoulder, smiling. "…Enlightenment."
