Chapter 10 - Busy day
The cafeteria had a large table with chairs on both sides, and in the center there was an island with only salads, cold cuts, cheeses and raw fish. On the side there was a self-service counter with all kinds of ramen, yakisoba and other dishes typical of that part of Tokyo on the shelves.
They enter the hall, heading straight for the self-service, Ruki and Reita are talking and arrive first, each taking an oval porcelain bowl plus a chopstick and rectangular bowl, arranging everything on the tray. He served himself and Reita their favorite ramen, and in the bowl he put boiled vegetables accompanied by shoyu sauce. Reita complained that he didn't want any vegetables or tomatoes, but Ruki didn't even hear him and put it on his plate, going to sit down at the table to wait for the others.
Yutaka was next, going straight to the yakisoba with the oval bowl, already holding his chopsticks in his other hand, quickly poking at the noodles, he also picked up some tomatoes, and went to the salad and cold cuts island, then went to sit next to Ruki and Reita.
Yuu enters last, hugging Kouyou, who looks better but is still a little pale. The two of them head for the self-service counter. Yuu picks up two oval porcelain bowls and two chopsticks, handing one to Kouyou who says he doesn't want to eat, but he reminds him that it's doctor's orders and that he has to eat at the right times, even though he frowns Kou accepts some yakisoba, which his boyfriend gently puts in his bowl. Yuu also serves himself some, along with some vegetables and some soy sauce.
They also order two soft drinks to accompany their meal. The two of them make their way to the table, sitting next to Kai facing Ruki and Reita.
- Uruha-san, feeling better? - Ruki asks, holding up his hashis.
- Yes, I am Ruki-san. I just have a twinge in my head and a pain behind my eye," replied Uruha, massaging his temple with two fingers.
- Something was going to happen after the shock and fainting. -lll - said Kai, still worried about his friend.
- Has anyone ever stopped to think, what happened at the rehearsal? - Reita asked, pushing the vegetables to the edge of her plate and they all looked at each other thoughtfully.
Until then they hadn't stopped to think about the events that took place during that disastrous rehearsal. First it was the production stopping the rehearsal, because they were scared, then Uruha got very strange, then the shock and the rush when the lights flickered and everything seemed to catch fire and Uruha was dragged away because he had fainted.
- I haven't had time to process everything yet. - Ruki starts talking - It was all very strange, the production stopped the rehearsal and everyone was scared, saying that our eyes had changed and turned black.
- And that we looked like horror movie demons - Reita adds. - Could it be that we're still...
- Possessed! - Uruha exclaimed coldly, munching on his untouched food. - Maybe? I don't see any other way to explain it.
- Shima! What do you remember? - Aoi asked, touching his hand as he continued to stir his yakisoba without eating anything - When I touched you, your shoulder burned and your tattoo almost burned my hand.
- I just remember Ruki talking about the production staff. - Uruha looks at Kai next to her - Kai says that the music is just a bit dark gothic and asks her to start again.
- Uruha, but before you said it was a spell now. - Kai refers to his friend's comment about the song - Do you know what that could mean?
- Did I really say that? - Uruha looks at Kai and the others nod in agreement - I don't know, we sang that song at the campfire, it could mean anything. A connection with my tattoo perhaps?
- Remember what you said after the shock, when I held you before you fainted? - Aoi tries to make Uruha remember - Who did you see in danger?
Uruha rolls up some noodles and takes them to his mouth, chewing for the first time, holding the hashis he pauses thoughtfully trying to remember what happened, when he raises his face he notices the members looking at him waiting for an answer.
- I'm sure you'll mock me, but... - Uruha sighs, sips his soda and continues - I saw a child who looked like me being chased by a man dressed in black.
Uruha was right, they can't help laughing, Ruki almost chokes on her ramen and Reita slaps her back to stop her coughing fit. Kai puts his hand in front of his mouth, trying to hide his low laugh. Only Yuu gives credit to her boyfriend.
- Yuu, it was a premonition, I felt that the child who was running away was my son. - Uruha makes a beak and picks up some noodles and continues chewing in annoyance.
- Kou, don't be like that! It's funny because it couldn't possibly be your son," explains Aoi, running a hand through Uruha's hair.
- Why not? - asked Uruha in a nervous voice.
- Think about it, Uruha, it's not even ten days since it happened," replied Kai, half-smiling.
- So what? What's it got to do with my vision? - Uruha is getting annoyed with them.
- His "son" is still in his mother's womb. He can't run yet," said Reita laughing, making Uruha ashamed that it was true.
- How can I be that slow? - Uruha is indignant at her own idea - Tell me, Yuu, was it the shock or the fainting that made me so clueless?
- Shima, I don't think so, you were slow before. - Aoi can't resist and ends up mocking him, who looks at him disapprovingly.
Uruha is indignant when his own boyfriend makes a comment mocking his feeling about his lost son, he wasn't crazy, his tattoo burned a lot and then he had a blurred vision that a part of him was represented in that child who was being persecuted, by those priests who were supposed to be the good guys in the story, would it be so absurd to believe him.
- Even you, Shiroyama? I thought you were going to defend me. - Uruha can't believe that even his boyfriend is mocking him - I came to believe that you cared about me.
- Uruha, don't take it so seriously, it was just a joke - said Ruki smiling, finishing his lunch. - We do care, otherwise we would have left you passed out in the studio.
- Ruki was the first to run when everything started exploding and catching fire, " said Kai with a disapproving look at Ruki. - You think I didn't see it?
- In my defense, I was clearing the way for you... - Ruki gets worked up by Kai's comment - Passing with Uruha, I didn't want to get in the way of the rescue.
- Did you know that you get very heavy while unconscious? - Reita asks, looking at her friend as she pushes her bowl to the middle of the table, having finished her meal. - It took Aoi and Kai to get you out.
- Ah! Gomenasai people! - Uruha lowers his head, tears streaming down his face - I didn't realize how much work I'd put you through.
- After all these years you still haven't realized that we're a family? - Kai expresses his feelings towards his long-time friend.
- That we take care of each other, in joy and in sorrow - Ruki completed Kai's sentence. - No matter how much trouble we're in, we'll work together to solve it.
- Go on, Kouyou, finish eating, " said Aoi affectionately. - You need to get some rest before the meeting.
- Are we still going to have this meeting? - Uruha grumbles because the meetings are boring and take forever to finish.
- We don't have another day to go over the tour locations," says Kai, who had also finished his meal and was drinking his soda. - Don't worry, it'll be quick this time, everything that's happened today has made me tired.
(...)
Once they had finished their meals, they left the cafeteria and headed for the elevator. Reita and Ruki were the first to get into the elevator, the little guy was still a bit angry with Kai who was following behind because he said he had run away from the studio room. Aoi and Uruha are the last to enter the elevator, he looks a little better and is less pale.
The elevator goes up to the third floor, where they get off and go to the living room where there is a large sofa, where Aoi asks Uruha to lie down and rest, as he is still unsure of his recovery. Uruha complains to Aoi that it's all right, that he doesn't need to be taken care of, that he's not a child anymore.
- Shiro, you don't need any of that! I'm fine, guys," exclaimed Uruha, sitting down on the sofa under everyone's gaze.
- We don't know for sure, so you'd better rest, " replied Aoi, beckoning him to lie down. - I've already asked the staff to bring you a pill for your headache.
- But Yuu, I don't like medicine, it's hard to swallow! - Uruha grumbles at Yuu, who crosses his arms and makes an angry face. How annoying you are when you want something.
- Annoying, me? I just want to remind you that I nearly had a heart attack in that room when you collapsed in my arms. - Aoi sighs heavily and continues - You can't imagine everything that went through my head, the fear of losing you or you waking up without remembering me, I went through moments that I wouldn't wish on anyone.
- Uruha, I was so scared that I'm still a bit shaken," said Reita, showing her hands, which were still trembling. - My friend, rest for a while, we only want you to be well.
- I don't want to have to carry anyone else, " said Kai, turning around and taking the glass of water with the pill from the staffs hands and placing it in his friend's hands. - Now drink up and lie down! That's an order. Respect me, I'm the leader of this band.
- Even you! Kai Leader-sama. - It's rare that I get Kai angry, he gets too bossy, it's not a very good look - Okay! The one who complained is no longer here.
Uruha took the pill and snuggled down on the sofa. Aoi had brought a cushion for the older man, who asked the brunette to stay there with him. Aoi sat down at the little table in front of the sofa and stroked his hair. In less than five minutes, the bigger man had fallen asleep, which relieved Aoi, who got up and went to smoke a cigarette.
Ruki and the band members decided to go over the agenda for the meeting, right there in the living room, the place had a table with about six chairs, so they could keep an eye on Uruha's sleep. The big man never really took part in meetings, he always slept in the middle or talked to his colleague next to him.
Kai looks for his briefcase in the living room with all the itineraries, including the list of equipment to be taken by the production staff to set up the stage at the concert, as well as the gods and band merchandise they will be selling, and also the gifts for the fans attending the meet and greet.
Ruki went to tell the other members of the production team that the meeting place would be in the break room, as they were worried about leaving Uruha alone, so that they would be close by if there were any changes to his state of health after the shock and fainting during that strange event in the recording studio.
As there were few chairs, a few people stood around the table, Kai warned them that it would be brief, as he was also tired and still a little scared, dragging Uruha out of that room wasn't easy, the bigger man was very big and heavy, he and Aoi almost dropped him on the way.
- Here's the thing guys, on the agenda we still have an interview scheduled for two days from now at 5pm on Radio Ameba Studio and then they're offering a cocktail party in honor of the launch of the new tour. - Kai is explaining the details of the schedule still in Japan.
- I remember that radio, the one with the glass in the street. - Reita says that the last time they went to the radio station, they were embarrassed that the fans were so close to them - It was a really nice experience.
- Yes, it was embarrassing when all those people started looking at us through the glass, " says Aoi. - But in the end I enjoyed the band's interaction.
- The questions were varied, some of them quite unusual about the images fans see of the band. - Ruki answered a lot of questions that day about Koron - They even asked if I used a baby voice to talk to Koron.
- Do you still talk to him like that Ruki-san? - Asks Kai with a laugh. - I remember you said that you don't live alone because you have Koron and you talk to him.
- No, he's grown up, even though he's a little boy, he's not a little boy anymore - Ruki answered Kai with an air of debauchery. - Kai-san is still "M" (masochist)?
- Nothing to say, Ruki-san. - Kai turns red, gathers up the sheets of paper and continues the meeting. He knows that he is the meanest of the members and is always bullied for making fun of others.
Kai hands them a sheet of paper with the dates and places they have to go with their tour.
Meeting agenda: Dates and places
First stop for South America:
Argentina 12th - Nov.
Chile 14th - Nov.
Brazil 17th - Nov.
Second stopover to Europe:
London day 20 - Nov.
Paris day 23 - Nov.
Munich 26th - Nov
Moscow day 29 - Nov.
Third stopover to Asia
Shanghai day 2 - Dec.
Taiwan day 5 - Dec.
Return to Japan
Dec. 7
The closing concert of the tour in Japan is on December 21st.
- So that's our itinerary for this world tour, any questions? - Asks Kai to the other members and production.
- Did it not say when we're traveling? - Reita asks, looking at the paper in her hand. - It's not written here.
- November 10th, it took us two days on the plane to get to South America, " replies Ruki.
- I hope I don't have a nightmare this time on the plane. - Reita says quietly, after the last flight she was a bit wary of traveling - I was scared.
- "Don't even mention it, Reita, it gives me the creeps just thinking about it," says Aoi, expressing her dislike of the last trip.
- Arigatou, everyone! I think that's all for now. - Kai ends the meeting, thanking the production staff for their understanding and commitment in this new phase.
A new staff member who picked them up at the airport a few days ago, and who in particular has a tattoo of the Ank cross on his wrist, points to Uruha on the sofa and asks if it's normal for the big man to be sleeping restlessly there. Being closer, he goes over to see what's going on. Before Aoi arrives, he's still putting together the meeting papers with Kai, and from a distance they ask if he's all right.
- I think so. Uruha-san must be having a nightmare, with everything that's happened today. - The staff answers them.
He crouches down in front of him, speaking quietly so that the others don't hear only Uruha.
- Master Seth, you can rest, everything is under control, your son is safe. - Still whispering, he recites the final verses of the dogma.
I will blacken out this world,
Darkness in the world,
Starts tonight.
At the same moment, Uruha calms down, his sleep returns to normal, the staff gets up to see Aoi coming to see what he was muttering about, he addresses the brunette saying that it was just a dream.
- What was he talking about? - Aoi asks the staff, he's worried because the meeting is over and he hasn't woken up from all the movement in the room.
- I couldn't quite make it out, only that he was running away or running with a child. You know how dreams are, everything is confusing. - He replies, stepping aside to allow Kai to approach, and I look at him very frightened.
- Kai-san, it's happening again! - Aoi warns him with wide eyes and draws Ruki and Reita's attention.
- Don't stress, Aoi! It's just a dream, it's not the end of the world," said Kai, trying to disguise his Nervousness that the joke they'd played on him at lunch might be true.
- Let's wake him up then! - Said Reita, trying to relax. - When is Uruha-san going to sleep?
- He has to wake up anyway, the meeting is over. - Ruki for the first time can't wait to leave - Wake him up Aoi-san!
- Shima, wake up! The meeting's over. - Aoi calls out to him, who starts yawning and rubbing his eyes - Let's go, Kou.
- What happened now? Why are you staring at me? - Uruha wakes up and pats his body to make sure nothing has been opened this time - What have I done?
- Calm down, Shima! You were just talking in your sleep! - Aoi tries to fix the scare she gave him.
- You've got to stop this! I'll scare myself to death. I said I'm fine. - Uruha isn't satisfied with the excessive attention - Go find something to do!
- You really are an ungrateful duck," complained Ruki, a little angry at his reaction. - Come on, Reita, he doesn't deserve our concern.
- It's not like that either, Ruki. Gomen! - Uruha tried to apologize, but he returned the provocation - I'm not a duck at all, you annoying dwarf.
- Both of you, stop it! - Kai scolds, trying to stop the teasing - You look like two kids, when are you going to grow up?
- I'm already tall, okay? - Uruha grimaces at Kai - Ruki, only if he puts on a 20cm heel to be as tall as Reita.
- Reita, why are you holding me? Let me get him. - Ruki is having a fit of rage.
- Takanori, that's enough, you started it! - Reita exclaimed in a strong, haughty voice. - Uruha-san, stop scaring us. Agreed?
- Gomenasai, Takashima! For not believing your vision. - Kai apologizes for the debauchery at lunch - You were talking in your sleep about that.
- Shima, I think the tattoo is the connection to your lost son. - Aoi reveals to him what the dream was about.
- Only now do you believe it. - Uruha looks at them and realizes that they do care about him - Thanks for the vote of confidence, even after the mockery.
(...)
While they and the production team were in the meeting, a technician and an electrician were called in to check what had happened to the equipment in the studio room, which had all those unexplained events so far.
At first they were both afraid to enter the room, as there was a lot of broken glass on the floor due to the light bulbs bursting, leaving the room dark. As soon as the maintenance guy changed them, they were able to analyze the equipment that was on at the time they were rehearsing.
The electrician tested the guitars and bass, because they said that even when they were switched off, they started to spark when the lights flickered. The technician analyzed the panels, the returns and the cables, nothing was broken or burnt, which is actually very strange because they had said that Uruha's guitar was shocking him and then he fainted.
Once the test results were in, they headed for the break room, where everyone was already getting ready to go home. The meeting had just ended, and the members were standing around Uruha.
- Sumimasen, Kai-san, can I speak to you for a moment? - The technician addresses the band leader, and the members stop their conversations to listen to what he has to say.
- Yes, go ahead. Please. - Kai is attentive to what he's about to say - If it's about the meeting we've just finished, what do you need to know?
- It's not. I'm the electrician that production called in to look at the studio equipment. - Kai looks at the others but directly at Uruha, who remains focused on the boy - I did all the tests on the guitars and the electrics. The technician came to see me because he didn't believe the reports of what had happened.
- Now I'm worried, " said Kai, already a little scared. - Did you damage the equipment?
- On the contrary, everything is intact, not a single wire has been broken or burnt out, the only damage was two burnt-out light bulbs. - I can only say that it wasn't the guitar that was giving them a shock. But since I couldn't pinpoint its origin, it's doubtful whether the electrical discharge came from Uruha-san himself. I know it may sound crazy, but I can't explain what happened in the studio room.
- Arigatou, for your information, we'll try to find out what happened after all - replies Kai and the boy bows his head in thanks.
Kai looks at his friends and the feeling of dread about the story of the spell doesn't seem to be just a joke, it was real and still unexplained.
- If even the coach can't say what happened? - Ruki looks incredulously at the bigger man he was teasing just now - What are we going to do, Kai-san?
- Ruki-san, I'm as lost as you are. - Kai goes closer to Uruha and asks - Has Uruha-san remembered what happened?
- All I know is that my body tingled. - Uruha recounts his vague memory - I remember Aoi holding me and that I couldn't speak, then I didn't see anything else.
- Shima, we'd better go to the hospital, make sure there's nothing wrong with you. - Aoi tries to convince him that it's better to see a specialist.
- I don't like hospitals, I told you I'm fine, " said Uruha, looking upset and discouraged. - I'd better go and find my helmet to leave.
- Uruha-san, you'd better leave the bike here in the building. C- Reita gave his friend a worried look - You don't look fit to ride.
- Really, are you going to pass out while you're driving? - Ruki appeals, making Uruha angry with them - The damage could be greater if we're not there to help.
- Aoi-san, I'll order a cab so you can come with me. - Kai offers them a way to leave without risk - I'll ask him to drop you both off at your apartment.
- Kouyou, is it okay to spend the night at my apartment? - Aoi, still worried, asks him for his consent.
- If I do that, you'll leave me alone! - Uruha accepts, but only so they stop treating him like a sick person - How many times do I have to tell them I'm fine?
- We only want you to be well, Uruha-san," replied Kai, starting to gather his things to go home. - It's late, let's get some rest, the day has been too tense.
- Don't even get me started, " said Reita, a little mockingly. - Taka-san, will you walk me home? I'm on my bike.
- That's fine, I came on foot anyway. - Ruki gathers up her belongings and says goodbye to the others - Come on, Akira-san, take care of ourselves.
- Uruha-san, let us know if anything strange happens to you, " said Reita, saying goodbye to her friend.
(...)
So Kai hails a cab, Aoi helps Uruha store his motorcycle in the parking lot of the PSC building, which is underground. The bigger man continues to complain to Aoi that he doesn't need all this excessive care. Back in front of the building, the cab has just arrived. Kai is already waiting for them, asking Uruha to get into the back seat, while he speaks quickly to Aoi without the bigger man listening.
- I asked the driver to take you to the hospital, I know Uruha-san doesn't like it, but I'm still worried. - Kai tells Aoi to get ready for her boyfriend's revolt.
- This is the only way to get him to go for some tests. - Aoi agrees with the leader's initiative - He's very stubborn.
- Will it take long for the two of you to get in? The meter is running - Uruha is already getting stressed out by the two of them gossiping - I want to leave soon!
Aoi and Kai laugh as they get into the vehicle, Uruha hardly knows what they've done to him on this cab ride, he'll certainly get angry and want to fight with them, they don't know what else to do after what the technician said about it not being the guitar that shocked, the atmosphere has become tense.
- What are you two gossiping about, may I ask? - Uruha looks suspiciously at what they might be up to.
- Nothing important, Shima. - I can't even talk to Kai and you get jealous.
- That's right, Aoi is my friend too, " said Kai, looking at Uruha with a dimpled smile. - We've arranged to go fishing when we get back from the tour.
- I don't know, you guys are very suspicious. - Uruha is looking at the route the cab is taking, it seems to be different from what he's used to when he goes to his boyfriend's apartment - I think the driver is lost, this isn't the way to Yuu's apartment.
The two accomplices don't answer anything, it's better to keep quiet and freak out when the cab stops at the hospital. A few more minutes pass and they see the hospital sign in front of them. Uruha seems distracted by his thoughts and only realizes where he is when the cab stops in front of the hospital's emergency room.
- What does that mean? - Uruha grumbles indignantly at the two of them for deceiving him - Really? I knew you two were playing tricks on me. I told you, I'm fine.
- Takashima Kouyou, as your friend, I want a second medical opinion, " said Aoi angrily. - You're very stubborn, that's the only way to get you in for a check-up.
- Uruha-san, as your friend and band leader, I won't accept "I'm fine" without a detailed examination. - Kai reinforces Aoi's request - My responsibility is to look after the health and well-being of my band's lead guitarist.
- I can see that it's impossible to convince them when the two of them get together - Uruha is getting out of the cab with Aoi, still complaining - Let's do this soon, Shiroyama!
- Let me know the results, Aoi-san. - Kai sits in the front of the cab, closes the door and waves to his friends, hoping that Uruha is right, there were no complications with him - Konbanwa! Uruha-san, Aoi-san, see you soon.
Aoi grabs the bigger man's arm and they both head for the hospital entrance, watching Kai walk away to say goodbye.
(...)