A/N: Sorry for the delay everyone. I meant to put this up on Saturday. However, Pittsburgh where I live, got slammed with a nasty blizzard. It's been a nightmare. I'm just happy to finally be home so I can enjoy my days off from work. So here you are! Hope you like this chapter!

Chapter Five

Umeda had stumbled down the stairs by himself that morning. Shizuki was just finishing up with his shower. He gotten out of the shower after they had jerked each other off again. He'd already washed everything by the time Shizuki had climbed into the shower with him. A handjob wasn't what Umeda really wanted, but it was good enough for the time being. All Umeda wanted now was his morning cup of coffee. He somehow made it to the dining room where Mrs. Ashiya and the girls were already eating breakfast. He glanced around the table for a second. Mr. Ashiya must have already gone into the veterinary office for the day. Umeda dropped into a chair with an ungraceful flop. The women smiled at him and bid him good morning, minus his little sister who just grunted at him. Mrs. Ashiya put some toast on his plate before handing up a cup of coffee.

"Oh thank Kami-sama, coffee," Umeda sighed as he reached for the cup.

Shizuki walked into the room with a bounce in his step. "C'mon," Shizuki grabbed Umeda's hand and tried to drag him away from the table.

"But I haven't even gotten my coffee yet," the doctor whined.

"We're getting coffee where we're going," the blond told him. "Now get up."

Umeda clung to the table and grumbled petulantly. "I don't wanna."

The girls giggled at his childishly stubborn face. Shizuki rolled his eyes and grabbed the back of his lover's chair. He began to pull backwards while Umeda hung on for dear life to the table.

"You can survive a 10 minute drive to get coffee!"

"Blasphemy, you heinous man!" the doctor exclaimed as the table began to get dragged with him.

The girls squealed as they jumped to grab their plates of food before it ended up on the floor.

"Let go!"

"Can't make me!"

"How old are you?"

"How dare you ask me that! I'm sensitive about my age."

Shizuki huffed in amusement and let go of the chair. "Don't make me resort to desperate measures."

Umeda scowled at him threateningly. Shizuki grinned evilly and made a grab for his boyfriend's sides. Umeda dived out the chair with a yelp. He hated being tickled!

"And I win!" Shizuki smirked as he straightened up.

"Cheating bastard," the doctor growled as he smoothed out his shirt. Soon as he looked more dignified, he smiled at Mrs. Ashiya and thanked her for breakfast, which he hadn't actually gotten to eaten. She blushed slightly, pleased by his polite attention.

"C'mon," Shizuki repeated, grabbing Umeda's hand and dragging him towards the door. "We'll be back before dinner, Mom!"

"Ok. Be careful!" She waved. She waited until the door shut before looking over at Mizuki with a smile. "Those two make a good couple."

Mizuki smiled back. "It's a little weird for me to see them together, but they do look happy."

"Yes. Shizuki never joked like that with his girlfriends."

"Or got into mud fights." Julia remarked.

" Kinda makes you wonder why we didn't notice sooner," Mizuki remarked.

"I knew," Mrs. Ashiya said gently.

"Dad was shocked."

"I think he had a sneaking suspicion, but didn't want to see it."

"I guess it is hard to accept."

"Yes, but he's starting to. And Umeda is a better guy than what he thought."

"Shizuki and I didn't really help give him a good impression of Umeda to begin with," Mizuki looked sheepish.

Rio laughed. "Oh well. If the boot fits."

"So when are we leaving for the mall?" Julia asked with a grin.

"So where are we going?" Umeda asked after buckling in.

Shizuki backed his car out of the driveway as he answered. "I am going to take you to a very special place in town. You can't have the whole Berkeley experience without going to this place. My friends and I used to meet here every Friday while we were in school. It was the only morning we all had off. We made sure of it. We all still gather there on Friday mornings. Well those of us who are in town."

"You're taking me to meet your friends?"

"Yes."

"Before I've had coffee." Umeda gave him a look that clearly said his boyfriend had lost his mind.

"I figured the orgasm in the shower could tide you over until you got some."

Umeda snorted. "You're pushing your luck."

"You'll like them. I promise."

"So what is this place?"

"Caffe Mediterraneum. Birthplace of the café latte in 1959. It's a bit of a tourist location, but the lattes are awesome." Shizuki explained proudly.

"I think I might be able to act nice with a good latte in my hands." Umeda conceded.

"I thought so too."

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"Oh my God! Guys, do you see this shit!" Crystal exclaimed, pointing wildly at the door. The other three people at the table turned to see Shizuki Ashiya walking through the door with an extremely attractive man by his side. They were walking far more closely than any two straight guys would dare. Shizuki was grinning at whatever the guy was saying.

"My gaydar's going off," Houston remarked with a smirk.

"Do you really think--?" Crystal gasped excitedly.

"He couldn't possibly--,"Chris muttered.

"That guy's way to hot to just be a friend," Houston pointed out.

"There's no way," Sarah remarked.

They all whispered fiercely as Shizuki headed their way after stopping by the counter to order drinks. They stopped chattering at once when Shizuki was within hearing range. Crystal jumped up and waved excitedly. Shizuki waved back with a grin.

"It's so good to see you, Shizu!" She pulled him into a hug as soon as he was close enough. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming!?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Shizuki laughed hugging her back.

"We missed you," Sarah smiled as she hugged him next.

"Same. Believe me," he flinched when the hot guy next to him kicked him in the shin.

"Thanks, Shizuki." The guy grumbled.

Shizuki smiled sheepishly. "What?" The blond shook hands and exchanged greetings with Houston and Chris before pulling up two more chairs. The others waited just long enough for the two guys to sit before the curiosity finally got the better of them.

"Soooo…," Crystal looked at Shizuki pointedly. "Who's your friend?"

They all looked at the blond expectantly.

"Everyone, this is Hokuto Umeda. He's my…," Shizuki hesitated half a second and glanced over at the other man. The guy arched an eyebrow but offered no support. Shizuki laughed a little. "He's my boyfriend."

Umeda nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."

They were all a little to stunned to answer for a few seconds. The waitress stopped by and dropped of the lattes Shizuki and Umeda ordered. Umeda snatched it up and gulped some down before anyone said anything. He didn't want to have to talk until he'd had some coffee. He was still a little to foggy to deal with strangers yet.

"I knew it!" Crystal burst out.

"I can't believe it!" Sarah gasped.

"It's about damn time," Houston chuckled.

Chris just shook his head. "He's cured."

"Hey!" Shizuki said indignantly, shocked by their responses. He hadn't really known what to expect, but it hadn't been this kind of reaction. They weren't upset in the least. "That's it? What do you mean I'm cured?"

Umeda glanced over at him, as if to gauge his reaction and then back at his friends. He was amazed to when Shizuki was suddenly being hugged and getting handshakes like he'd just announced he'd been married. That was definitely not a reaction he was used to seeing when someone in Japan told their friends they were gay. Were all the Americans this laid back about the gay issue? He doubted it. After a few minutes of excited introductions and greetings towards Umeda, they all settled down. They all ordered breakfast or more coffee before beginning the questions again.

"So you have to tell us the whole story!" Crystal grinned, clapping her hands.

"And all about yourself, Hokuto." Sarah said pointedly to the amber eyed man.

Umeda blinked at being addressed so personally. He forgot about that here. Of course, this was his first time out of the Ashiya house where the Japanese language as well as their traditions were still a firm part of the life there. He'd visited the U.S. before but he'd been alone. So the only name he'd given for anything had been his last name. It was going to be a bit of a culture shock for him.

"Oh, we didn't mean to be rude," Sarah seemed to realize what had thrown him off. She suddenly looked really worried. She looked over at Shizuki. "He can understand us right? I mean we're not exactly great at Japanese despite your help."

"My English is very good actually," Umeda replied calmly. He reached into his pocket to pull out his smokes. He was seriously beginning to need one just to mellow out a little. He sighed when he glanced up to see the no smoking sign. He'd never been great on interacting with others and being polite for to long. He was already beginning to feel the strain of keeping his manners in check.

Houston noticed the lighter sliding back inside Umeda's jacket pocket. "What do you like to smoke?" he asked casually, sensing the guy just needed a subject he was comfortable with to relax around them.

"Camels." Umeda replied with a bit of a smile. He was pleased by the guy's observance.

"I like you already. I like Camels too. I've been smoking since I was 16. You?"

"15. Had to sneak them into the school dorms."

"A rebel. Sure you're gay?" Houston grinned.

"Oh yeah," the doctor smirked. Shizuki smiled at him encouragingly. He got the feeling it was ok to be himself around these people. So he dropped the polite act. "I'm a school doctor by the way for the same high school I went to. I'm 28 years old. My birthday's October 31 and I'm a Scorpio. Good enough start?"

The girls laughed.

"Yes! You're a doctor too! That's great," Crystal grinned.

"So how'd you two meet?" Chris asked inquisitively.

Shizuki cringed in embarrassment. Umeda snickered a little at the look on his boyfriend's face.

"Now that's a long story," Shizuki sighed.

"We've got all morning," Sarah remarked. "Spill it."

So the story telling began. It was amusing and fun to take turns with Umeda telling the whole narrative. Hearing it aloud made it sound even more outrageous. His friends listened raptly like it was some kind of drama fiction. They watched Umeda as they learned more about him and what he went through to try to win Shizuki over. It was easy to believe the man could harass Shizuki into falling in love. Shizuki looked happier, calmer, and more at ease with himself than he had in a long time. He and Umeda seemed to click perfectly.

"I'm proud of you, Shizu," Sarah smiled. "You picked a good one. You're very good looking, Umeda. This silly guy better be grateful he got you."

"Thank you," Umeda replied with a pleased smile. He was a little taken aback by her.

Chris reached out and shook his hand. "I'm glad Shizuki finally found someone who truly cares about him."

Umeda shook his hand. He was beginning to get choked up by the responses. He'd never had anyone be happy he was with someone like these people were. They were genuinely happy for him and Shizuki. It was such an amazing thing.

"We're glad you finally got Shizuki out of his shell," Houston clapped Umeda on the shoulder.

"You're bi, aren't you?" Umeda asked bluntly without thinking about it. Shizuki shoved him. He looked over and shrugged. "What?"

Houston laughed, not bothered in the least. "Am I that obvious?"

"No, it's just the way you expression yourself. You hold your body a little more…forwardly than straight guys do," Umeda explained his observations. "And I've hung around enough gay clubs to know how to read people."

"You're pretty perceptive. You're right, I am bi." Houston answered his previous question.

"Are you serious?" Shizuki asked in shock.

Houston smirked. "Yeah. I just hid it from you. I didn't want to freak you out."

"Oh." Shizuki looked a bit ashamed.

"It's ok, Shizu." Sarah patted his arm.

"You mentioned clubbing," Crystal changed the subject before it could get awkward. "Do you like clubbing?"

A Cheshire cat smile started to creep across Umeda's face. It suddenly made him look incredibly predatory. They all stared in equal parts surprise, amusement, and smug delight about what they had started. "Oh yeah."

Shizuki's eyes widened in horror when he saw the look on his friends' face. "Oh no. Uh uh! No way guys!"

"He's visiting California. He's gotta go clubbing here," Chris said as though it were a complete given.

"He'd have so much fun," Crystal smiled brightly.

"What else are you supposed to do in this town?" Houston asked seriously.

Umeda smirked. "I agree with all of that."

"Umeda…"

"What? You can't dance?" The doctor asked innocently.

"You know I can! I've danced with you before!"

Umeda shrugged indifferently. "That didn't count. You were saving me from my creepy cousin."

"Shizuki, don't be a Debbie downer." Crystal scolded him.

"Yeah, we're taking him. You have to come too." Houston said.

"I dunno…," Shizuki wavered. He loved dancing, but he knew so many people around Berkeley that liked to go out clubbing too. It would be like making a mass announcement that he was gay to the entire town. He was still trying to get comfortable telling people. There was one person in particular that he knew might be out and he really didn't want to run into her.

Umeda grabbed his hand and caught his attention. "I can see you trying to freak out. Relax. It's just clubbing, Shizuki."

"I know," He replied quietly. "I just…I'm little worried."

"Let's go. At least for a little while," the doctor pressed. "If you see someone you don't want to run into we can go… or you can let me take care of them."

Shizuki laughed a little. "Alright." How did Umeda know what he'd been worrying about?

"Oh you are good," Sarah praised Umeda.

"Yay! I can't wait!" Crystal clapped her hands.

Houston rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, we know how you are about clubbing."

"So where are we gonna meet?" Chris asked.

"The usual," Houston said. "They don't mind gays and bis over there. It'll be fine."

"Alright then."

"We'll meet you guys over there at 10 pm," Shizuki smiled, still a little bit uneasy about it.

"Perfect."

"We'll see you both then." Houston stood up and shook Umeda's hand. "Good to meet you."

The group broke up then as they exchanged good byes and heading out to their jobs or school. Umeda followed Shizuki back to car.

"Hey, you really ok with going clubbing?" Umeda asked him carefully.

"Yeah," Shizuki glanced over and smiled. He would go out and have a good time. He didn't want to ruin Umeda's time here. Plus, he wanted his friends to get to know his boyfriend better. If he ran into anyone he didn't want to talk to he was sure they would all look out for him. "It'll be alright. Clubbing will be fun. Especially with all of them."

"As long as you're comfortable," the doctor said.

Shizuki took his boyfriend's hand and squeezed it. "I'm good. We're gonna party like crazy tonight."

"I'm looking forward to it." Umeda grinned.

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Be a responsible reader and review!

Thanks for the great reviews from the previous chapter everyone. I'm glad you all feel this has a very good realistic feel to it. That's what I'm going for the most. Hope you guys all liked my new OCs from this chapter. It's really hard working with so many characters, but its fun too. Next chapter is gonna so much fun. Hee hee! Boy, do I have good stuff planned. Stick around. Next chapter will be one week from now. :D