A/N: Sorry for the making you wait so long for this update, but here it is the next chapter of "Remember Me". I was working on a Takumi-kun story that was special request. If you haven't done so already, please check it out. The story is titled "Feel you way" and I uploaded it only three days ago. If you decide to read it, please leave me a review with your thoughts since the situation between our beloved couple is a little different from usual and I'm dying to know how you feel about that.
I also want to thank all the people who were so kind to leave a comment for the previous chapter of this story and/or added it to their Alert-, C2- and Favourites-lists! That means a great deal to me!
But now enjoy the new chapter of "Remember Me"!
Disclaimer: Me, owning Takumi and co.? Yes, at least in my dreams!
Chapter 1
At the entrance of the café Gii was chatting animatedly with Akaike and waved his hand as soon as he noticed his boyfriend approaching with Shingyouji in tow. "Sorry to have kept you waiting," Takumi said, smiling apologetically. "Have you been waiting long?" "No problem," Gii answered, returning the smile. "Did you have any trouble on your way here?" "We didn't get lost or anything," Shingyouji piped in before his friend and senpai could say anything. "But back at the dorm Hayama-san had a little run-in with Kurokawa." He shifted uncomfortably as he felt the other boy glaring at him. "Gomen Hayama-san, but I'm only worried about you," he stammered and cast his eyes. "You're my best friend after all."
"Shingyouji-kun," Takumi said quietly and squeezed the younger boy's arm amicably, his beautiful dark eyes softening immediately. "We'll definitely take care of that later," Akaike stated somewhat grimly. "Gii's admirers or not, the freshmen have to live by the rules we have at Shidou, just like everyone else. We can't allow them to think that they can do whatever they want and get away with everything, simply because of them being the sons of rich, influential or powerful families." The amber-haired boy nodded in agreement. "Well said Shouzo. But now let's go in and have lunch. I'm positively starving!" With that he placed a quick, but affectionate kiss on Takumi's cheek and squeezed his shoulder reassuringly before entering the café as if nothing had happened. The three boys followed suit, Takumi blushing, Akaike and Shingyouji grinning.
The group enjoyed their lunch on the café's terrace, without Shingyouji however. Knowing that Sagara, a Shidou graduate, and Misu, who had always harbored a deep admiration for his senpai, would be dining there as well, Gii had organized for his friends and himself to get a table close to them. In the end Misu had excused himself, realizing how sad and upset Shingyouji had been about him being with Sagara-senpai and had left with his pet to finally fulfill his promise of buying clothes for him.
After lunch the three boys decided to go for an afternoon walk and to take the opportunity to get some shopping done as well. Akaike soon excused himself, saying that he had some errands to run, thus allowing Takumi and Gii to spend some private time with each other. The two lovers walked hand in hand in comfortable silence until they reached the small park in the center of the town. They chose a bench in a more secluded area and set down, Takumi leaning his head comfortably against his boyfriend's broad shoulder. Gii's hand disappeared into the boy's dark, silky hair, stroking and caressing gently, causing him to sigh several times in contentment.
"Are you happy," the amber-haired boy asked, his voice soft and velvet-like. "Very," Takumi replied with a beautiful smile. "Everything is just perfect. I'm here with you and at last Shingyouji-kun got to go on a date with Misu-kun. Thank you so much for planning our 'coincidental' meeting with Sagara-senpai back at the café. You are really good at playing match maker." "You're quite welcome," Gii answered, smiling equally. "Let's hope for Shingyouji's sake that Misu has finally realized that he's in love with the guy and tells him so." "Yes," the ebony-haired boy replied with a sigh. "Shingyouji deserves happiness more than anyone else. He's kind, caring and a great friend, always thinking more about others than about himself."
Gii nodded in agreement. "I guess he is, considering that he told Akaike and me about the incident between you and Kurokawa, probably knowing that you would be angry if he did. Would you have told me yourself?" Takumi lifted his head to meet his lover's gaze and immediately noticed the worry reflecting in his hazel-colored orbs as well as the serious expression on his face. "To be honest, I hadn't planned on telling you about this," he began hesitantly and Gii narrowed his eyes momentarily, clearly a little upset. "I had intended to talk to Akaike-kun instead. You already have so many things on your mind and the current situation is difficult enough as it is. I didn't want you to worry." With that he fell silent for several moments and cast his eyes. "Besides, it has been the first time that Kurokawa got physical," he finally continued with a heavy sigh. "It was partly my fault, I guess because I unnecessarily provoked him by standing up to him and talking back. Please don't be too angry with me for keeping this from you."
"I'm not angry," Gii replied softly and gently placed a finger under Takumi's chin, forcing him to look back up. "But please promise me that you won't keep things like that from me in the future. I'll do everything I can to protect you, but that's only possible if you're open with me. First thing tomorrow I'll meet Shouzo to discuss with him what's best to be done about Kurokawa and his minions before things get worse. I couldn't take it and I could never forgive myself if anything would happen to you because of me." "Oh Gii," the ebony-haired boy whispered endearingly and couldn't help but blush under his lover's intense gaze. "I love you Takumi. You mean everything to me," the handsome upper-class man breathed lovingly and pulled his boyfriend onto his lap, sealing the boy's lips with a passionate kiss before he was given the chance to reply anything.
The moment Takumi felt Gii's mouth brush against his own, he closed his eyes, settled his hands at the nape of the other's neck and returned the kiss with equal passion, parting his lips slightly in invitation. The amber-haired boy deepened the kiss almost instantly, tightening his embrace as he began to sensually explore the warm, moist cavern of his beloved's mouth. A soft moan escaped Takumi when he felt Gii's tongue swirling around his own in playful, stimulating caresses and allowed himself to be swept away by the delicious feeling of pleasure that washed over him. "Unngh." They finally broke the kiss after what seemed to have been an eternity, both of them breathing heavily as their eyes met once more. "I love you too, Gii," Takumi whispered huskily and buried his face in the curve of his lover's neck, sighing contently, enjoying the feeling of being so close to him.
Unable to resist the temptation, Gii began to nuzzle Takumi's neck tenderly, his hands slowly traveling up and down the boy's back on their own accord. Ever since the beginning of their third year at Shidou the moments when they could be with each other jauntily had become rare because of the difficult circumstances with the freshmen and they were grateful for every occasion they got to meet in private. And so the two lovers kept sitting on the bench for a while in comfortable silence, holding each other tight, completely oblivious to the time and the world around them. It was only when a bell tolled in the far distance that Takumi lifted his head. "What time is it," he asked softly. "It's three o'clock," Gii answered with a sad smile on his lips and sighed in disappointment. "I'm sorry, but I think we should better go back. Shouzo is probably already waiting for us."
The ebony-haired boy nodded almost imperceptibly and the couple rose to their feet. "I take it that, even though we're going to meet up with Akaike-kun now, we're going to return to school separately?" "I'm afraid so," the handsome upper-class man replied dolefully and pulled his lover into his arms again. "I'm so sorry, my love, that we have to end our date like this," he said quietly. "But please meet me again tonight." "Don't worry about it Gii," Takumi answered and placed his hand gently onto the other boy's cheek, smiling reassuringly. "I know that it's for my own good. What time shall I come over tonight?" "Not my room," the amber-haired boy said mysteriously, returning his beloved's smile. "Please come and meet me at the gazebo near the greenhouse at, let's say eight o'clock?" Takumi nodded excitedly in agreement, secretly wondering why his boyfriend had chosen that place for their meeting. "Great," Gii exclaimed happily and claimed Takumi's lips once more to share another deep, ardent kiss with him, before heading back to meet up with their mutual friend.
oOo
Once the evening had fallen Takumi found himself getting more and more excited and restless. He was dying of curiosity, wondering what Gii could be up to, choosing the romantic and slightly secluded gazebo that had quickly become their favorite spot after the demolition of the concert hall, for their private meeting that night. "I'm dying to know what could be the meaning of this," the ebony-haired boy murmured to himself and smiled mildly. "Doing something like that is so like him. Well I better get ready." With that he walked over to the closet to change into an outfit suitable for a romantic evening date. After looking at his reflection in the large mirror for several moments and straightening out his choice of clothes he closed the closet door with a content smile. The T-shirt he had worn during the day had been replaced with a white, tight-fitting dress shirt that accented his slender body in all the right places and a pair of black slacks completed his attire. Glancing at his wrist watch he quickly picked up his phone and the room keys. It was almost eight o'clock.
By the time Takumi left his dorm the campus was already laying in calm, peaceful silence. As he walked down the deserted paths that led to the greenhouse, the boy stopped once in a while for a brief moment in order to take a deep breath of the fresh, fragrant night air. He had always loved to walk the campus in the early hours of the day or at night, especially in summer. The calmness and quiescence as well as the rich scent of flowers and grass, lingering in the air never failed to have a soothing and at the same time invigorating effect on him. After they had become roommates, he and Gii had often taken a quiet, romantic evening walk together, mostly in comfortable silence, holding hands and simply enjoying each other's company. "Gii," he whispered endearingly into the still of the night as he continued on his way and his heartbeat sped up at the thought of the one he had come to love more than anything in the world.
When Takumi finally reached his destination he instantly stopped dead in his tracks and his beautiful dark eyes went wide at the sight that was unfolding before them. The whole gazebo was beautifully illuminated by numerous candles that were interspaced throughout the wooden construction, bathing the place in a warm, flickering orange glow and hundreds of rose petals covered the floor. The ebony-haired boy slowly walked closer as he let his eyes wander over the beautiful scene until they came to rest on the person, standing on the bottom step of the set of stairs that let into the pavilion, smiling affectionately, and Takumi's breath got caught momentarily in his throat. Gii was dressed formally in a tailor-made, dark-grey suit, silky white dress shirt and bow tie. He looked breathtaking, beautifully elegant, and gave off an almost regal air as he stood there motionlessly, holding out his hand towards his lover in invitation.
"Welcome, my love," he said softly and took Takumi's hand to lead him into the gazebo where he pulled him into his arms. "Gii," Takumi stammered, blushing slightly as he met his lover's affectionate gaze and melted into his warm and comfortable embrace. In the glow of the candles the handsome upper-class man looked perfectly like a character right out of a fairytale, too handsome to be real, his hazel-colored eyes seeming to have prisms of green and gold reflect in them. "My sweet Takumi," he breathed endearingly and leaned in to take his beloved's mouth captive.
At the feeling of Gii's lips brushing sensually against his own Takumi's eyes drifted shut and he responded eagerly with equal passion, wrapping his arms tightly around the other's neck as he granted the boy's probing tongue full access to the moist, warm cavern of his mouth. Gii deepened the kiss hungrily and one of his hands disappeared into his lover's dark silky strands. The ebony-haired boy moaned in pleasure as their tongues began to swirl fervently around each other, Gii's taste slowly mixing with his own. Oh how he loved kissing Gii and being kissed by him, how he relished the handsome upper-class man's taste, that beguiling mix of coffee and sweetness which never failed to turn him on and to make him want more. He simply couldn't get enough of those kisses and he never would.
Before entering Shidou he had never thought someone could ever make him feel that way or that he would get to love somebody so much that it would be almost impossible for him to put his feelings into words. When the two lovers finally broke their heated kiss, their breaths were hot and ragged, their eyes glazed with passion and desire. "G-Gii…what's the meaning of this," Takumi gasped meeting his boyfriend's gaze again. "It's so incredibly romantic and beautiful." "Do you like it," the handsome upper-class man asked softly, his fingers trailing the other boy's delicate features in a tender, loving caress. The ebony-haired boy nodded, a warm, affectionate smile gracing his beautiful face. "This feels like a dream. What's the occasion?"
"You and my feelings for you," Gii whispered sincerely and placed a sweet, innocent kiss on his lover's lips. "Today is Tanabata, our second Tanabata as a couple," he explained hoarsely. "And I want to tell you face to face what I wish for on this special day because only you can make this wish come true." He fell silent for a moment and took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving those of his beloved. "I love you Takumi, more than I can say. You mean everything to me," he continued huskily, affection and sincerity evident in his deep, warm voice. "My only wish for Tanabata, the one thing I want more than anything in this world, is to be with you for the rest of my life, to start a family with you and to grow old together. I want to be your man, will you be mine?"
"G-Gii," Takumi stammered, his voice barely more than a whisper, when the amber-haired boy released him from his hold and got down on one knee. With a shaky smile he reached into the pocket of his jacket to produce a small, velvet box and opened it slowly, revealing a beautiful silver ring with intricate designs and a clear gem embedded in its center. "Hayama Takumi, will you make my wish come true," Gii asked hoarsely as he held out the box towards his lover. "Will you marry me?" For a moment the ebony-haired boy could only stare at the ring, completely overwhelmed and his eyes began to cloud with tears of joy. "Y-Yes," he finally managed to whisper. "A thousand times 'yes'!"
Smiling radiantly Gii rose to his feet again and pulled his fiancé close, losing no time to seal the boy's lips with his own. Takumi responded instantly and the couple shared a deep, ardent kiss that had them both moaning in pleasure as their tongues brushed repeatedly against each other in a heated dance and left them breathless once they had pulled away. They gazed lovingly at each other for a long moment before Gii finally took Takumi's left hand to gently slip the silver band onto his ring finger. "I love you," he whispered breathy and pressed his lips tenderly against his fiancé's soft palm. "I love you too," the ebony haired-haired boy sighed happily, smiling beautifully at his one and only.
The handsome upper-class man silently traced his thumb over the boy's mouth in a gentle caress, then leaned in to claim those sweet lips once more, this time for a deep, long and slow kiss that spoke of nothing but love and affection. With a soft sigh Takumi snuggled deeper into Gii's embrace, surrendering implicitly to his partner's sensual caresses. He was in heaven. "Stay over at my room tonight," Gii breathed velvet-like into Takumi's ear, after breaking the kiss. "Spend the night with me." "I can't think of anything I'd rather do," the ebony-haired boy replied huskily, desire evident in his voice. "Then just let me quickly clean up here and I'm all yours," the handsome upper-class man said hoarsely and ran his hand gingerly over his fiancé's cheek, his hazel-colored eyes holding the promise of a night that would be spend with passionate lovemaking.
"Why don't you go back first and ask Misu to think of something to cover for us. Since it's Saturday night there shouldn't be any surprise inspections of the dorm from one of the teachers, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I'll message you as soon as I'm back in my room." "Alright, but don't make me wait too long," Takumi breathed with a seductive smile and rising to his tiptoes he placed a sweet, loving kiss on his fiancé's lips before he turned to leave. Gii stared after the retreating figure of his beloved until he was out of sight, silently thanking fate and the heavens for blessing him with such a treasure.
oOo
Takumi walked the dark paths to the dorm grounds with a light bounce in his step, sighing now and then in happiness and contentment. He still couldn't believe that he had just gotten engaged to Gii and the mere thought of the night that was lying ahead of him made his skin crawl and his heart flutter with excitement. He had almost reached his destination, still thinking about his lover with a dreamy expression on his face, when several hands, that had practically come out of nowhere, grabbed his shoulders roughly, forcing him to halt in his steps. Six figures emerged silently from the shadows of the trees and bushes that surrounded the dorms and Takumi's head cleared instantly as soon as he came face to face with the leader of the group. "Kurokawa," he whispered inaudibly, struggling hard in the futile attempt to free himself from the powerful grip of the two boys who had taken him captive and panic began to rise in his throat.
"Konbanwa, Hayama," the freshman snickered, glaring menacingly. "Did you have a pleasant evening?" "What do you want," Takumi asked, his voice cold and firm, ignoring the boy's question and although he was trembling internally, fear curdling his stomach, he was determined to not let the sophomore see how afraid he really was. "I want to know what you've been doing for the past hour," Kurokawa growled, grabbing the older boy by the collar of his shirt. "I went for an evening walk, that's all," the ebony-haired third-year replied calmly, the expression on his face indifferent and unreadable. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
The words had barely left his mouth when he suddenly felt a sharp pain shooting through his head the moment Kurokawa's fist connected hard with his jaw. "I already told you this morning…Don't you dare mess with me and play dumb," the first-year student roared, his eyes blazing with hate and fury. "You met Gii-senpai, didn't you? Didn't you?" Takumi only stared at Kurokawa in silence, his mind still dazed from the heavy punch. He let his tongue gingerly brush against the corner of his mouth when he tasted copper and winced momentarily at the pain the touch had caused. "One of my friends saw Saki leaving in the direction of the greenhouse earlier tonight and not long after that you were seen walking into the exact same direction," the sophomore hissed angrily. "Only a mere coincidence? I don't think so!"
Takumi didn't reply and struggled violently again, trying to free himself only to be yanked back immediately, his arms being twisted painfully on his back as the boys' hold of him tightened. The third-year's breath quickened in growing fear. The hateful look, as well as the evil smirk on Kurokawa's face, told Takumi that the sophomore wouldn't let him get away this time and that he was far from being finished with him. The situation was getting dangerous and there wasn't anyone around who could have helped him. Gii was still at the greenhouse, the dorm grounds were deserted due to the late hour and he knew only all too well that there was no way he could take it up with a group of eight boys by himself.
The freshman slowly stepped closer, grinning evilly. "You really don't know your place Hayama, do you," he growled and roughly gripped Takumi's hair, brutally forcing his head back before he grabbed the boy's chin painfully tight, forcing big dark-brown eyes to meet his. "I told you to stay away from Gii-senpai, didn't I? But since you don't want to listen, I guess you have to learn the hard way where you really stand." With that Kurokawa released Takumi from his grip and the next moment the third-year student groaned in agony, all the air momentarily leaving his lungs, as the freshman's knee was rammed hard into his stomach. He doubled over in pain and the two boys, who had been holding him up to that point, suddenly let go with a lusty push causing him to collapse heavily onto the hard ground, gasping for breath, his beautiful eyes brimming with tears of pain, desperation and helplessness.
He wasn't given any chance to recover as Kurokawa's minions, who had swiftly surrounded him, started to kick him mercilessly, throwing insults at him and snickering evilly. Takumi couldn't even scream for the lack of oxygen and the pain shooting through his body. All he could do was to raise his arms above his head and to curl up into a ball, in the useless attempt to protect himself from the violent assault as best as he could. "Low-class people like yourself shouldn't even be admitted to a prestigious school like Shidou," Kurokawa hissed with disgust and dug the heel of his shoe painfully into Takumi's already bruised cheek, forcing the boy's face brutally onto the cold asphalt while the rest of the group continued their attacks.
"Scum like you isn't worth to eat off the ground we and Gii-senpai walk on. That's what you are Hayama, worthless scum and I won't ever allow you to come near Gii again! He's mine!" And with that the sophomore began to kick the defenseless boy furiously over and over again with all the power he could muster. Takumi found himself unable to move, his whole body was in excruciating pain and he couldn't breathe. The insulting voices of his attackers, whose owners never refrained from their brutal ministrations, soon grew distant and everything started to get blurry. "Gii," was the last word that escaped his bruised lips before his world went black.
oOo
"Thank you so much for spending the day with me, Arata-san," Shingyouji exclaimed and beamed happily at his senpai and, since that very afternoon, his boyfriend as they made their way back to the dorms. "I'm so happy! I can't wait to tell Hayama-san the news!" Those words made Misu halt in his tracks and he turned to face the younger boy. "Listen Shingyouji because I'll only say this once," he stated firmly, his handsome features serious. "We're an item now. So, don't get to friendly with Hayama. It annoys me. You belong to me and to me only. Do you understand?" "H-Hai," the second-year student answered shyly, his heart fluttering with happiness at Misu's obvious jealousy because it showed how much the older boy cared for him, even if he usually tried to hide it by showing him the cold shoulder and by acting all indifferent.
"But Arata-san, there's no need to worry," he continued blushing faintly as they resumed their walk, this time hand in hand. "I only have eyes for you. In my heart there's no one else but you. Hayama-san and I are…," his voice trailed off all of a sudden as his eyes wandered over to a far corner of the dorm grounds. "What is it Shingyouji," Misu asked in surprise and followed his boyfriend's gaze. "What's going on there," he murmured quietly when he perceived eight figures scurrying away from the grounds, hastily merging into the shadows of the night and leaving a motionless bundle behind on the dark, barely lit path. "Arata-san," the younger boy whispered and looked up at the other boy with questioning eyes. Without a word the third-year student began to walk closer towards the rather large object, pulling Shingyouji with him. Both boys' eyes went wide in shock and disbelief when they had come close enough to realize that the bundle lying on the ground before them was a boy, more over a boy they knew only all too well.
"Oh my God, Hayama! Hayama, can you hear me! Hayama," Misu shouted desperately and crouching down beside his unconscious roommate he shook the boy's shoulders gently but with determination, like he had learned in his first-aid class, but didn't get any reaction. "Damn it," he cursed and quickly cast a glance at Shingyouji who was staring down at the motionless body of his friend, his eyes brimming with tears. "Hayama-san…" "Shingyouji, don't just stand there! Get the nurse here at once," the third-year bellowed. "And tell her to call an ambulance. Since it's Saturday there's no doctor at the infirmary!" The younger boy nodded and darted off, running as fast as he could. While Misu gave Takumi first aid to the best of his abilities he came across the boy's cell phone. Without hesitation he yanked it from the other's pockets and began to frantically search its directory for a certain number.
"I'm almost finished over here, my love," Gii answered the phone, only to be cut off immediately by the harsh voice of his rival. "Saki, it's Misu! Where are you? Ugh, never mind…get yourself to the dorm grounds, now! Hayama has been attacked!" With that the connection was cut, leaving Gii staring at his phone in shock for a second, all color draining from his face and then he broke into a desperate run, Misu's words echoing in his ears. Soon the dorms came into view and he could see the boy attending Takumi, a worried expression on his prominent features.
"Takumi," Gii screamed frantically and dropped to his knees beside his fiancé, tears forming in his hazel-colored eyes as he saw in which dreadful state his beloved was, the bruises and scratches on his face and arms, the dirt and the footprints on his clothes. "Takumi, hang in there! Takumi!" All he wanted was to hold the boy tight, but he desperately fought his urge take the other into his arms, knowing that it could make things worse, depending on the seriousness of his injuries. Instead he reached out towards his fiancé and ran the back of his hand slowly over Takumi's cheek, tears of desperation and helplessness streaming down his own as sirens could be heard in the distance and Shingyouji came running, accompanied by the school's nurse.
A/N: I can't believe that I did that to my poor Takumi! Would you believe me when I say that I had actually tears in my eyes while writing that last part?
Do you want to know how things will turn out? You know what you have to do!
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