Haunted

Chapter 6: A Change of Fate

“So where are you staying?” Hiro asked while Shuichi walked with him towards the studio this morning.
“I’m planning to get an apartment, and I’m talking about as soon as possible…besides, I think I have enough money in my bank to provide for myself.” Shuichi answered and smiled confidently.

Last night, after the party, Shuichi went straight to Yuki’s condominium, got his belongings and bid farewell to the place.
For so long, Shuichi thought Yuki really loved him. For so long, he thought that what they had was something special and unique, unique in a sense that their relationship proves to the world that men can share love with each other, and not only with the opposite sex.

Their relationship was some sort of a model to those young lovers out there who were questioning and were doubtful about same sex relationships, and the way they lasted for one full year, it only proved to everybody that a relationship like what they had was truly possible.

But Shuichi got it all wrong.

For Yuki, this was just a sick, twisted game they’re playing.

After all, he did agree last night with his sister that Shuichi was only for pleasure.

No more, so less.

Unfortunately for Shuichi, Yuki wasn’t there last night when he got ‘home’. Shuichi guessed he just had to reserve that slap some other day.
Including that long speech Shuichi planned to recite in front of him, just to remind him how much he was hurt.

And so Shuichi decided to put everything in the simplest ways.
Just pack up everything, leave a note, and get out.
On the note were three words that he meant from the bottom of his heart:

Thank you, sorry, goodbye.

It was all he wanted to say…and then suddenly it hit him hard.

Yuki had never said ‘I love you’ to him before.

Maybe that’s one indication telling that Yuki never really loved him, nor did he ever care.
It was all about lust for him. Nothing more.
If Yuki just told him his true ‘feelings’ on the first place, things wouldn’t have gone this far.
He would have never had slept with him for one full fucking year.
He wouldn’t have had to suffer all those interrogations from several reporters, asking if their relationship were real.
He wouldn’t have had given his body and soul to him if he was only clear about their ‘affair’.

And most of all, Shuichi wouldn’t have fallen in love with him if he just told him that he wanted nothing more but his body.


Shuichi had to carry all his things that night and suddenly appearing at Hiro’s doorstep one o’clock in the morning, just to have a place to stay.

“So you’re saying you’re truly serious about moving out and starting a ‘new you’?” Shuichi’s best friend clarified, too flabbergasted upon hearing the news.

“Yes, absolutely. I want to move on. I want to forget about that bastard…isn’t he an ass?” he asked and waited for an approval.

“Well…judging and hearing from your version of story… ‘course he is.”

In truth, Hiro wanted to come over at Yuki’s place to give him a piece of his mind.

He was surprised when he saw Shuichi knocking on his door at the middle of the night, crying with an enormous backpack behind him.
He had to use a mop to drain all those tears away.

“Do you think he’ll come after you?” Hiro asked out of the blue and caught Shuichi’s attention.

“If he would…” Shuichi said and thought for a while, and then he added, “…I won’t come back to him.”

And that was one declaration Hiro would never forget.

“Hey, you know,” Shuichi started, bending his head at his side, “even though I almost died in that forsaken party last night, I met a really hot lady there and she was so damn pretty. Her name’s Serena Tokigawa.” he shared and gave a low whistle.

“And since when did you get attracted to the opposite sex?” Hiro teased and made him chuckle.

“Oh no, I’m not attracted to her, actually, I feel…different…when I’m around her.”

“What do you mean?” Hiro drawled out. He suddenly paused and deviously grinned at Shuichi, “how different?”

Shuichi let out a loud snort and slapped Hiro’s back,
“You hentai! Not that kind of different, I mean something else.” Shuichi watched Hiro laugh in effect.
It had been such a long while since the two of them bonded like this.

Come to think of it, the only times they got to see each other were either at the studio or if Yuki suddenly kicked him out of his condo.
Since they were so busy nowadays, especially with the concert drawing closer, it was hard to get together. After work, Shuichi would immediately go home (a.k.a Yuki’s pad) There was no time for mingling anymore.

And somehow, Shuichi’s break-up with Yuki Eiri was a relief to Hiro.

Not that…he still wants Shuichi…(he had Ayaka now)

“Last night…when we were talking…” Shuichi continued, talking about his encounter with Serena Tokigawa, “I felt totally warm around her…it was as if Serena was protecting me, trying to comfort me…” he softly reminisced the whole event and rubbed his forearms, trying to absorb the phenomenal warmth she gave him,
“She noticed that I was kind’a sober and she even figured out that Yuki and I were having problems.”

“Who wouldn’t? You’re too transparent when you’re sad.”

“I am not!”

“You are too.”

“Oh please…” Shuichi rolled his eyes heavenwards, feeling a bit guilty, “but you know what,” he changed the topic, going back to the previous one, “the only thing I can’t forget about her was her eyes…”

“Her eyes? What do you mean?”

Shuichi turned around to look at Hiro and leaned closer to him.

“There’s a secret I wanna share with you.” he said.

“What is it?” Hiro asked, intrigued.

“For the past few days…” he started, feeling hesitant for a second, but still continued, “since my accident…I’ve been dreaming a lot lately…”

“Dreaming?”

“Yes.”

“About what?” Hiro asked, starting to get interested.

Shuichi sighed and closed his eyes.

“I myself don’t understand it…it’s so weird…in my dreams, I was inside of a little girl’s body…and I feel like I’m watching a movie. It’s like I’m inside another person’s body, and I’m witnessing the things that are going on in the child’s family…”

“What?” Hiro thought of his dreams confusing, “I don’t understand.”

“I know I sound funny, but it’s true. I really am dreaming of a child who keeps on talking to her parents and her older sister…oh God…her sister…”

“What is it?” Hiro noticed the trouble in his friend’s tone and the sudden pause.

“I never told Serena because I thought maybe it was only a coincidence…but the little girl’s sister…I think it was Serena Tokigawa.”


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“Mr. Shindou Shuichi!” Serena shouted, “over here!” Shuichi heard her call and he immediately followed.

A few minutes ago, Shuichi thought he just came into the biggest mansion in the world.
A guy in a formal suit, with thick black shades and a hearing aid escorted Shuichi inside. He thought the man was some kind of deaf-macho person, but when he saw the other macho boys in suits, he figured he they were agents, protecting their employer.

The only annoying thing about them was that they kept looking at him as if he was some bug on the floor.

But when Shuichi got his attention away from those deaf agents, he realized he was stepping on fairyland.

Everything was so pretty.

Everything was grand.

Shuichi noticed that all the corners of house have live plants with huge paintings hanging on the walls every ten meters.

Everything in Serena Tokigawa’a house was expensive.

As in way over expensive.

The floor was completely marbled and the carpets were like furs in beige. The furniture was breathtaking and Shuichi thought that if he broke one figurine along the hallway, it would cost him more than his life.

He also noticed that the whole place was filled with cameras. Surveillance cameras, to be exact.

It was moving in different angles, and Shuichi noticed it was sort of zooming at him. Shuichi made a funny face in front of the camera by putting his tongue out and making all those ridiculous expressions when the guy in suit called his attention by coughing.


Shuichi had to hold his jaw to prevent it from falling out. The chandeliers in this house must have cost millions of bucks. They were like an inverted pyramid of diamonds. A table he passed by was about twelve feet long, and an-out-of-this-world antique candelabra was situated in the center.

Shuichi stared at his surroundings. The architecture of this house was splendid. It was like a Greek inspired design. Michaelangelo’s ‘David’ was the only missing furniture in this place, Shuichi thought.

Thin white chiffon curtains covered the windows, and it flowed angelically when the breeze gently blew against it.

This place was like a slice of heaven!

Serena Tokigawa must be an underground person.
Nobody could have so many priceless furniture without having an extreme huge amount of money.

Shuichi placed his thoughts aside and shook his head.

Maybe she’s just one of those hardworking people—which made her freaking rich! he thought.

And then they passed by a huge room with a shiny black grand piano inside.

Shuichi stopped.

His gaze fell to the piano and a certain song was being played in his head…

Like everything was in slow motion, something in his mind flashed back.


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“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad…”

The little girl sang sweetly while being accompanied by the piano played by a young beautiful woman.

The little girl bowed and four young ladies who sat on a long sofa across the room, together with a couple, who looked like the parents, clapped for the little girl.

The young woman who played the piano carried her little sister and kissed her on the cheek.

“You were great, my angel.” The young woman complemented and nuzzled her little sister’s nose.

“Thank you.” The tiny cherub said in her small voice and hugged her sister.

“Serena, Sakura, you both did well.” The woman wearing huge pearls around her neck, who seemed to be the mother, said and went to her children,

“I’m so proud of our little one.” The woman in pearls said and brushed her forehand against the tiny girl’s rosy cheeks.

The little cherub laughed in her cheerful voice and her little curls bounced as she tried to wiggle and suddenly sneezed when the wind blew.

“You should take your nap, my angel” the young woman spoke and brushed the little girl’s hair behind her ear, “so you’ll grow as tall as I am.” The young woman teased and the little girl clapped her hands.

“Tall like Serena! Tall like Serena!” the little girl sang repetitively and her sister chuckled.

“Definitely. Come along now, I’ll take you to bed.” She spoke and carried her sister away.


Tall like Serena…Tall like Serena…

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“Mr. Shuichi,” Serena Tokigawa spoke, taking off her Salvatore Ferregamo shades in a quip flip, “I’m glad you came.” She was standing in front of Shuichi which made him snap back to reality.

“Serena?”

“Well, thank God you still remembered my name!” she teased and took Shuichi’s hand and squeezed it hard,

“Come along, I’ll show you outside.”

Shuichi decided to push his hallucinations aside and pay attention to what was really happening presently.

When they got outside, Shuichi was amazed to see how gigantic and marvelous the garden was.

“You know, Ms. Serena, if you didn’t accompany me here outside your…” Shuichi stopped and stared at the enormous, heavenly garden around him, “glorious garden, I could’ve gotten myself lost in your mansion.”

Serena laughed at Shuichi’s idea towards the house and took his hand and guided him towards a green checkered picnic blanket, wide enough for ten people.

It had a huge pretty picnic basket at the corner, and a couple of breads were sticking out like some sort of design—or maybe just for easy picking.
Utensils, plates and glasses were already piled up on another corner and a basket of champagne was also present.

Serena on the other hand was looking fresh and alive with that broad smile around her face, wearing white slacks that that must have come from Vera Wang’s collection in United States which Shuichi saw at the cable yesterday.
She matched it with a plain white cotton turtleneck, pearl earring as an accessory and not to mention that Gucci leathered shoes that must have cost…what, several thousands of dollars?

Her hair was tied up in a bonnet and her auburn lipstick matched the whole outfit pretty much.

“You sure got a lot of security in here.” Shuichi mentioned when he remembered the ‘deaf agents’ and the surveillance cameras in each corner of the house.

“Oh, them. They’re our bodyguards. We need a lot of them here. We keep a tight security all the time.” Serena answered,

“I noticed.” Shuichi beamed.

“I want you to meet my sisters.” Serena took the lead and sat down on the blanket.

“I know.” Shuichi grinned, “You told me about them last night…where are they?” Shuichi asked wonderingly and somewhat excited.

“They’re coming. My little angles were playing a while ago, that’s why they lost track of time—and now they’re late for the picnic.”

Her little angels?

Angels…

“Serena,” Shuichi called, “can I use your bathroom?”

“Oh sure, get inside, go straight and turn left.” she directed.

“Okay, thanks.” Shuichi smiled back and rose up.

Shuichi didn’t know what came over him, but he felt that he heard Serena’s voice before.

It was familiar.

I know I heard that somewhere…was it when I was confined at the hospital? Shuichi thought and continued walking.

When he got inside, Shuichi followed Serena’s directions. He went straight and started to turn left, but when he was about to make that turn, someone bumped into him and sent him flying to the ground with a loud thud.

“Oh I’m so sorry! Are you okay? I was such in a hurry and I didn’t notice anyone coming.” a gentle lady spoke, with a trail of childishness in her tone, went closer to Shuichi and helped him up slowly off the ground.

“I-I’m okay.” Shuichi goaned and tuned his head up to see the girl.

The girl’s worried look washed away. Instead, she froze and her face went pale and her jaw dropped.

“Are you okay?” Shuichi tried to jest with the pretty blonde in front of him, but she was still not talking.

“Hey…is something wrong? I know I’m not that handsome, but you don’t have to look at me as if I look like Freddy Kreuger.” Shuichi drawled out and chuckled lightly, but the girl was still shocked.

Sakura…

“Do you want me to call someone?” Shuichi began worriedly, “I think you’re about to faint—”

Shuichi stopped short when the pretty lady held his face.

“Oh my God…it’s really you.” The lady spoke and then she suddenly embraced Shuichi.

“Uh, hehe… um, miss, I don’t know what you’re talking about…i-is something wrong?” Shuichi thought this moment was too weird.

Why was the girl acting towards him this way?

She touched his face—and to think he thought she was afraid of it!

“This is the happiest moment of my life…” the lady whispered and held Shuichi’s head on her shoulder.

“Miss, I just want you to know,” Shuichi started, “ that I really need to pee.”

The lady stopped hugging Shuichi and carefully pulled herself from him. Shuichi noticed that she was crying and her face was flushed and her nose turned slightly red.

“Here,” Shuichi said, “you can use my hankie.” He offered and pulled his blue hankie out of his pocket.

The gentle blonde pressed the hankie on the corners of her eyes demurely and smiled at him.

“Thank you.” The blonde said and handed over the hankie back to Shuichi.

“Um, look, I really want to get to know you right now, but I really need to go—”

“Oh it’s okay…um, I-I’ll wait for you here—”

“I gotta go!” Shuichi shouted, waved and ran with his thighs close to each other. Yeah, he looked absurd.

“Monette,” someone called out from the blonde Shuichi was talking to a few seconds ago, “what are you still doing here?” a brunette asked, meeting Monette along the lengthy hallway,

“I saw her!”

“Saw who?”

“Sakura!”
“Sakura?” Tokia gawked and turned her head everywhere, “Where?”

“She wanted to pee!” Monette laughed and held her sister’s hands, “I’m so happy, sister…I finally met her.” Monette said and gripped Tokia’s hands.

“Monette, you shouldn’t have done that, “Tokia said, “you should’ve waited for our other sisters. We were supposed to gather outside the garden, remember?” Tokia reminded her sister, lecturing her disappointedly and folded her arms across her chest.

“I’m so sorry, Tokia…but you must understand what I feel…it’s been such a long while, and seeing her all grown up—and beautiful—makes me so glad!” Monette exclaimed in a joyful tone.

“I understand, but you have to be patient. It’s only about a couple of minutes before we tell her the truth,” Tokia said, “hurry now, go outside and meet our other sisters. Serena wouldn’t like it if you get late five minutes more.” she brushed the back of her fingers on her Monette’s cheek and smiled wryly,

“Okay…” Monette obeyed, “I’ll see you outside.” she said and ran off.

“Monette, wait! Where’s Marlotte?” Tokia shouted.

“Oh, her sundress is missing and her stocking has a hole,” Monette suppressed a giggle at the thought of her pitiful sister, “she said she’ll catch up as fast as she could.”

“Good Lord, where is she now?” Tokia whispered to herself.

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“Bathroom! Bathroom! Where are you?!” Shuichi was running endlessly at the hall, looking for the bathroom.

“It’s been ten minutes! I’m running in a straight direction and I am about to pop!” Shuichi shouted, but then somebody came out of the corner from his right and bumped into him.

“I seem to have a pretty nice relationship with this floor…” Shuichi mumbled to himself when his face fell flat on the white marbled ground.

“Oh my dear God! I’m so sorry!”

Wait. I know this voice, Shuichi thought.

“I didn’t mean to! I was so much in a hurry and my sister left—”

When Shuichi finally got his butt off the ground with his face looking at the lady in front of him, they both seemed to be frozen.

“Wait…I thought you said you were gonna wait for me over there?” Shuichi pointed at the very, very far end of the hallway.

But then the pretty blonde he saw a while ago wasn’t still speaking.

In fact, she looked surprised like she did a while ago when they both bumped in to each other the first time.

“You know you really should stop popping out of nowhere—bumping people all of a sudden,” Shuichi lectured, “you can hurt someone—for instance, me.” He pointed,

Shuichi got irritated because the lady was still gawking at him and she was about to cry again.

“Okay! Can you please stop looking at me as if I’m so scary? It’s not funny you know, and it’s not like I’m Sadako!” Shuichi said in a lame way and folded his hands.

The blonde started to cry and embraced him tightly.

Shuichi sighed.

Here we go again, he thought.

“Cut the crying, lady. You’re really making me upset.” Shuichi comforted and complained at the same time as he took out his hankie and handed it to the blonde lady again.

“Here use this.” Shuichi said, but the lady was still hugging.

“Okay, you’re two minutes is over and I believe I already peed my pants.” Shuichi joked, trying to make the crying blonde laugh.

“Will you please stop the crying? What is wrong with you?!” Shuichi shouted, his nerves bulging out of his neck.

The blonde slowly pulled away and smiled at Shuichi.

“G-Gomenasai…I just can’t believe it’s really you…” she said and took the hankie from Shuichi’s hand.

Yeah, I know, you said the same ting a while ago…geez lady, why the tears? Shuichi thought to himself,
“Thank you.” The blonde said and gave the hankie back to Shuichi, “I know I should wait for our other…I mean, my other sisters before I talk like this, it’s just that,” the blonde paused, “I just can’t believe it’s really you.” She said and began to cry again.

“Please cut that out! We can talk later, I really need to go—don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be rude but this is an ‘emergency’. I don’t want to wet your shiny floor, now do I?” Shuichi added sarcastically.

“Gome…uh, the bathroom is right behind you…” the blonde pointed and smiled at him.

“Arigato!” Shuichi shouted and went immediately inside the bathroom.

“Marlotte,” Tokia called from behind, “what are you doing here?” she asked.

“It’s her.” Marlotte pointed at the door, where Shuichi was currently pissing.

“Who?”

“Sakura.”

“Oh…Monette just saw her a while ago, too.” Tokia beamed, “You lucky ducks! How come you get to see her personally first?” she teased, “Hey, you should get going, Serena is about to get irritated, she doesn’t want you to be late—well actually you are already late.” Tokia reminded.

“Oh I’m sorry, I guess I should go outside now.”

“Yeah, I guess you should.” Tokia bit at her sister exasperatingly that made Monette raise a brow.

“Just joking.” Tokia added and they both smiled, “I’ll come with you.”

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“Haaaa….” Shuichi exhaled and zipped up his pants and washed his hands. He looked at the mirror one last time and fixed his hair. He looked at his cell phone to see if he got any messages and then he suddenly froze.

He forgot to erase his mobile phone’s wallpaper…

Which was Yuki Eiri’s face.

He couldn’t really take a picture of him willingly, so it was taken while he was sleeping peacefully.

“Yuki…” the thought of Yuki was making him cry again.
Last night, he couldn’t sleep because all he did was cry and held the pillow he stole from Yuki. Even though he promised himself he was going to start a ‘new’ him, he still wanted to keep a part of Yuki.

And he chose a pillow.

Well it wasn’t really convenient, because he missed their hugging and kisses, but that didn’t matter anymore.

He was just a sexual object. Nothing more.

Shuichi shrugged his memories of Yuki aside and began to turn the knob when he dropped on the floor and began to shake vigorously.

“Oh God…not now…” and then Shuichi cried and moaned in pain.

It was happening again.

And of all places for ‘it’ to occur, why the hell here?

Shuichi’s body curled and he began to turn pale. His chest was hurting again and his manhood hurt like hell.

The pain was just getting worse.

It felt nastier than the first ones, and he was panting for air.
Shuichi was holding his chest and grabbing the knob for support, when he realized blood was beginning to fill his mouth.
He rushed towards the toilet bowl and spilled the blood in there.
And then in a matter of minutes, the pain was gone again.

It was like some sort of vertigo.

But it was eating him up slowly. Torturing him.

Was he going to die?

I really need to see a doctor… Shuichi thought to himself and slowly stood up. He flushed the toilet and went to the sink to wash his mouth.

Shuichi closed his eyes and tried to think of happy thoughts.

Happy thoughts? The only happy thought I know is…

Shuichi remembered all those memories he shared with Yuki. Memories like the first time they had a date, when Yuki went to the ASK members and kicked their asses to remind them how much they’ve hurt Shuichi,

And when Yuki was too scared to let Shuichi know about his agreement with Tohma when he made a song for NITTLE GRASPER (he didn’t want Shuichi’s sensitive feelings to get hurt)

And when Yuki would surprise him from behind and nuzzle his neck.

When Yuki would aggressively make love to him in hidden public areas.

And just those plain memories when they lie across the bed, after making love, panting and clinging to each other.

(So much for naked memories)

Shuichi sighed and smiled at the past he shared together with Yuki.

Even though Yuki just used him for pleasure…for Shuichi, whatever they had, whatever they shared, you can might as well call it love, but it’s more than just lust, Shuichi felt it wasn’t really lust.
Sure there’s lust, at first of course, it’ll always be about lust…but as the relationship goes on…some sort of chemistry builds up and lust evolves into something more meaningful, something wonderful and exquisite, something which you can already describe as…well…

Love?


At least that’s what Shuichi felt (take not: felt. As in past tense.) Shuichi shook his head and sighed again. He washed his face and gargled to get rid of the remaining blood stuck in his throat. It must’ve taken him a while inside the bathroom.

“I gotta go…” Shuichi whispered and began to turn the knob, but when he did, somebody opened it harshly and sent Shuichi flying across the bathroom floor with his forehead and his nose bleeding.

“What was that for?!” Shuichi bellowed at the lady in front of him, who on the other hand, was startled.

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t know someone was inside, and—”

When Shuichi got up from the floor and got a look from the lady in front of him, she stopped short and stared at him.

They looked alike.

Well not identical, just the color of the hair and the shape of the face and don’t forget the lips—oh yeah, and she was a few feet taller with an apple cut hairdo.

But they still looked alike!

“Oh my God…” they both spoke in unison.

And then Serena came from behind the lady and saw them both gawking at each other.

“Bianca,” Serena called, “I see you’ve met Mr. Shindou Shuichi.” She narrowed her eyes at Bianca, indicating to stop looking so obviously surprised.

“S-Sister…” Bianca whispered hoarsely, not knowing what to say next.

“Uh, Mr. Shuichi, this is one of my younger sisters, Bianca.” Serena introduced, “Bianca, this is—”

“I know,” Biance nodded, “It’s Sa—”

Serena pinched Bianca’s side and she yelped.

“Ouch! That hurts…”

“Later.” Serena whispered to her sister’s ear and turned her attention back to Shuichi.

“So, let’s start the picnic. My other sisters are already there.” Serena said while smiling brightly, holding out her hand for Shuichi.

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When Shuichi finally arrived at the their picnic area, he was surprised to see the blonde he met at the hallway a while ago.

“You!” Shuichi called and pointed, almost accusingly, “so you’re one of Serena’s sisters.” Shuichi said, “No wonder, you all look so pretty.” he teased and smiled at the pretty blonde who wore a blue sundress and some white stockings.
Her hair was braided beautifully and her white shoes must be a Prada.
She even had a pretty brooch, matched with a diamond bracelet.

When Shuichi sat down after being introduced, somebody called out from behind.
“Sisters!” the voice shouted, but the lady was still far away, and Shuichi couldn’t recognize her very well.
“Oh, we have another sibling.” Serena announced, looking at her other sisters, smiling deviously at them and winked, “She’s late,” Serena told Shuichi, “We’re so sorry for her tardiness, but here she comes.”

All of them carefully watched Shuichi’s reaction, anticipating it profusely.

What the…

Shuichi’s eyes narrowed while his jaw dropped, feeling like a dead weight.

“Wait!” Shuichi stood up and stared at the blonde who just came.

“But isn’t she?!” Shuichi was exclaiming and it seems to him that all the sisters were laughing at him, “but aren’t you?” Shuichi turned to look at Monette, who was introduced to him a while ago,

“Then who are you?!” Shuichi finally boomed pointing shakily at the exact replica of Monette who smiled at him in turn and went closer.

“I’m Monette’s identical sister, Marlotte.” Marlotte made a curtsy, a suppressed her laughter, “nice to meet you, Mr. Shindou Shuichi.” She added and shook his hand.

“Oh…” Shuichi uttered, too stunt to move.

“I forgot to tell you, Mr. Shindou Shuichi,” Serena spoke after laughing, “we have twins in the family.”

All of them laughed and Shuichi folded his arms.

“You could’ve at least told me—it’s not funny!” Shuichi complained and stomped his foot.

“Well then, since we’re all properly introduced maybe we should start conversing on other matters.” Serena suggested.

“Mr. Shindou Shuichi, can we call you, Shuichi-kun?” Tokia asked in a gentle voice.

“Mm!” Shuichi allowed approvingly and smiled at them as he lowered himself on he blanket beside the ladies.

Somehow, the whole place seemed so familiar to him.

A while ago, when he first entered the mansion, Shuichi felt as if he had seen and had been in that music room before.

And now here, outside this wonderful garden, he suddenly remembered something…
His other dream, the one when he was still confined inside the hospital…
He dreamt of this place…inside that little girl’s body…
The same little girl he dreams of all the time…
The same little girl who gets carried by her sister and her father…
And the other dream he saw at the hospital—that other dream was set in a place like this.
It was in a wide garden too, where clattering utensils could be heard, and gentle female voices all around him.

And now here he was…somewhat on the very same place…having the same exact setting…


“Shuichi,” Tokia spoke, her voice bringing him back to reality, ‘“are you okay?” she asked feeling superbly concerned.

“Oh, I’m sorry…I’m feeling very weak lately, to be honest…” he smiled widely at Tokia who on the other hand shot a worried look to Serena.

His condition…it might be getting worse…Serena understood and she shook her head in anxiety.

“Are you sure you’re feeling fine?” Marlotte began to ask, aware of the situation.

“Does something hurt or feel wrong in your body?” Monette added frankly.

Shuichi didn’t understand why, but all of the five sisters were looking worried sick about him.

“I’m fine! I’m fine!” Shuichi said and fanned his hand at them, “Don’t worry about me! I’m as strong as a horse!” Shuichi teased and tried to get rid of their sudden sober faces,

The sisters smiled weakly at him, but still, Shuichi could still see their concern.

“So…Shuichi,” Bianca started, “how’s the ‘love life’?” she asked all of a sudden and felt the a stinging pinch behind her back that must’ve came from Serena.

“Oh…” Shuichi said and smiled softly at them, hiding his pain inside, “I don’t… have one…right now.” He answered and stared at his lap.

“You mean you had one before?” Monette asked, thoroughly interrogating him.

Serena shook her head and began to worry.

“Did you love him?” Marlotte added.

“How did you know it was a guy?” Shuichi asked when he realized that Marlotte used the word ‘him’ on her sentence.

Marlotte saw Tokia’s eyes narrowing at her, who was behind Shuichi and slowly formed the words in her lips, ‘SHUT UP’.

Marlotte scratched her head and said instead,

“Lucky guess.” Marlotte simply replied and Shuichi understood,

“Oh…well, it’s true… my ex-lover is a guy…do you find that strange?” and then everybody said ‘no’ in different ways which made Shuichi smile at their reactions.

“It’s nice to know that some people are open-minded about this kind of relationship.” Shuichi sighed and grinned at them, “I’m very thankful for understanding people like you. I’m so glad you guys are not against homosexual relationships.” He mentioned and took a sip from the champagne in front of him that was handed to him while ago.

If only you knew… the sisters thought in unison and just smiled at Shuichi.

“Well, I think we should all start eating now,” Serena said, switching into a different subject, “I think Shuichi is very hungry. Marlotte, please pass the bread behind you.”


They all began feasting and Shuichi ate like a total pig and the others were just astonished to see how big Shuichi’s appetite was.

“You sure eat like a man.” Marlotte said and tried not to laugh.

“That’s because I am a man.” Shuichi rebutted humorously while gobbling a huge sandwich.

Everybody fell a little silent with Shuichi’s remark, but Serena changed that when she started to open a new topic.

“So Shuichi-san, tell us anything about yourself.” She said and slowly took a bite from her own sandwich.

“Hmmm…well, I was raised in a family of four, I have a stepsister and I have my stepparents,” he started, “so obviously I’m adopted, but that’s okay ‘cause I never felt like I was some sort of an outcast in my family.” he assured,

“They really treated me like I was their ‘biological’ son. Added to that, I have a great little sister who’s very pretty and very kind to me.” He proudly shared,

“My parents were always supportive about my dreams—cause I’m in a band—and they never complained about my love life—because I once lived with a Neanderthal that goes by the name of Yuki Eiri, who is also one of the world’s leading novelists by the way.” Shuichi finished and drank his champagne straight.

“Wow…” Bianca began, hiding her irritation, “he must be really great…” it was all she could say and grimaced at her own remark.

“Yeah…I know…he won an award in New York a few months ago.” He boasted, remembering Yuki’s past achievements.

Wait…why did I do that? Shuichi thought, thinking it was so absurd to boast about the achievements of an ex-lover.

“I guess that makes him incredibly good in writing.” Serena added and drank her champagne, feeling sick just hearing and talking about that God-awful man.

“I’d love to deny it but I have to agree…” Shuichi said and trailed off.

The ladies noticed the sad tone in his voice as well as the sad expression written all over his face, but then he added,

“Though in all honesty, he wasn’t really that good in bed.”

And then all the ladies around him started laughing hysterically.

“I pity him then,” Marlotte said,

“He must be very lucky to have you.” Monette added.

“Why, thank you.” Shuichi said and chuckled upon his won remarks.

“So what are you up to these days, Mr. Shuichi?” Serena asked, switching to a lighter subject,

“As I have said a while ago, I’m in a bad, but we’re still bunch of ‘freshies’—and we’re not that popular yet—

“BAD LUCK, eh?” Tokia asked, “isn’t that your band?” she took a bite from her bright red apple and munched on it delightfully.

“How did you know?” Shuichi asked, looking startled on how this elite and rich young ladies know about such a ‘middle to low-class’ kind of entertainment.

“Duh,” Bianca butted in, “as if people across the world don’t know.” She teased and smiled broadly at Shuichi,

“World-wide?” Shuichi asked dropping his fork, his eyes narrowing, and saw Bianca nodding at him,

“Yep,” she reassured, “believe it or not, you’re getting quite popular, Shuichi-kun. I don’t know why you don’t know about this, but people across the globe have heard your music and have greatly appreciated it.” She complimented and Shuichi blushed.

“Really? …cool…” Shuichi was amazed, but then he broke off,

I wonder why K and the others have never mentioned this kind of info to me…

“So,” Serena started, “who wants some desert?” she offered and took out a delicious, classic decadent chocolate cake filled with rich, sinful chocolate icing.

“ME! ME! ME!” Shuichi cheered gleefully and took out a huge slice from the cake before anyone else could.

Serena and her sisters watched Shuichi swallow up almost half of the cake and smiled at his amazing, big appetite.

“You know Shuichi-kun, you sure do have a slender body for a guy.” Bianca commented as she ate her salad slowly,

“You think so? My first boyfriend, Hiro, told the same thing to me. But Yuki never mentioned about that, but I know he notices it when we’re in bed.” Bianca almost choked the lettuce she was munching when she heard Shuichi speak so bluntly.

Serena rolled her eyes in disgust with Shuichi’s story, and the others remained silent with that sharing.

“When did you loose your virginity?” Monette asked all of a sudden, looking so intrigued.

Shuichi wasn’t surprised by her question. Since they were talking about his sex life, he guessed it didn’t matter to think if it’s still unethical to discuss such things,

“I think it was when I turned eighteen or nineteen. Mind you, my first was Hiro, our band’s guitarist as well, isn’t that cool?” he beamed and watched the bewilderment in everyone’s eyes.

“Amazing.” Serena muttered and poured herself another glass of champagne, thinking she couldn’t bear another minute talking about such an exploited topic,

“I know,” Shuichi agreed and took the remaining quarters of the cake, intentionally leaving a small portion behind for the ladies,
“It’s also amazing for me to think that my ex-boyfriend and I never had an argument about our past relationship because we’re both in the same band and we almost see each other everyday—come to think of it, he’s even my best friend.” He said and smiled brightly at his audience,
“Doesn’t Yuki Eiri get jealous when you’re around your ex?” Monette asked wonderingly.

“He does know that you two were intimately involved before, doesn’t he?” Marlotte added, looking extremely intrigued.

“Oh yes, of course he does…but that was also a question to me…Yuki was never jealous of anyone…I guess that’s because he never truly cared about me…”

The ladies knew he was great despair even as he forced a fake smile, and they made a great effort in refraining their selves from embracing him with pity. They didn’t know each other that well, after all. It would only blow-up their cover.

“Maybe he trusts you, that’s why he never got jealous of anyone.” Bianca suggested the thought and saw Serena glaring at her with that idea since she didn’t want Sakura to think of any other reasons to remain beside that bastard, Yuki Eiri.

“I thought of the same thing as well,” Shuichi said depressingly, “but that wasn’t the reason. Yuki never got jealous because he trusted me, he never got jealous because he doesn’t give a damn.” He said in a hard clipping voice, “it’s true.”

He suddenly noticed how outraged the ladies were,

“Last night, at his father’s party, I was humiliated by his sister and his father, and he didn’t do anything to save me. He didn’t protest, he even said the truth that he was only using me for pleasure.” Shuichi heard all of them gasped except for the eldest, Serena.

“What a bastard…” Bianca said hoarsely and Shuichi nodded his head in agreement.

“He doesn’t deserve you, honey.” Tokia added.

“He’s a pig, and you should know that.” Marlotte said and her twin nodded with that remark,

“You should break up with him—have you?” she asked horrifyingly.

“Of course I have,” Shuichi brought out loud and rolled his eyes heavenward, “if I didn’t, I would’ve killed myself…I even moved out…but I didn’t break up with him personally, I just left him a note…I couldn’t bear looking at him one last time.”
Shuichi tried to shared his departure as unfeelingly as he could, but he could feel was agony,

“It’s okay,” Serena spoke, holding Shuichi hand, “you’ll get over him.” She assured and Shuichi nodded with a sigh.

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The next few days were very challenging for Shuichi. He realized moving out wasn’t so easy. Even if he’s got a roof over his head, he had to work hard to provide for his own needs. He didn’t want to go back to his parent’s house, (though he thought about it) because he had to stand on his own two feet from this moment on.

Besides, this was an experience he shouldn’t let go. Before, he depended on Yuki like hell. Whenever he would go to the supermarket, he’d get money from Yuki’s wallet or from his bank account. Anything he shopped for came from Yuki’s money. He did it not because he was penniless, but because he wanted to feel like some sort of housewife who does all the cleaning, the cooking, the laundry in the house and who also expects to receive money from her husband to be able to buy their daily needs.

But he wasn’t a wife.

And he’s not living with Yuki Eiri anymore.

The press made an uproar when they found out that Shuichi was no longer in a relationship with the famous novelist, Yuki Eiri.
Shuichi took it quite easily when the questions started flying in. He answered them clearly and fully and remained calm all the time. He made it look as if the break-up didn’t affect him and that he considered the relationship no more than a fling, the way Yuki would probably feel.

The band members, including Kei, and Sakano were surprised and intrigued on why Shuichi wasn’t showing any sign of emotion at all.

Usually, Shuichi would throw a fit or a weird stature whenever he had a fight with Yuki.
He wouldn’t sing, he wouldn’t compose songs, nor would he pay attention to anyone unless he was at peace with Yuki.

In this case, it should’ve been worse.

But now that he and Yuki Eiri were over, everyone was surprised to see that Shuichi had no violent reaction towards it except for a gentle smile and a quick nod.

He was even doing well with the band.

Actually, he was doing extremely well.

Hiro on the other hand didn’t believe at first. He was determined to get all that pent-up anger out. He couldn’t just let his best friend and former lover to die emotionally inside.

But he was proved to be wrong when he seriously conversed with Shuichi one time.

Shuichi simply said that it became a lesson to him to choose wisely when looking for the right lover. He just said that he and Yuki weren’t really made for each other and that they were certainly poles apart. They didn’t share any common interests, and the chemistry building up between them was nothing else but lust.

Shuichi explained that he wanted more than just lust, he wanted love and care. But as Shuichi can observe, Yuki wasn’t going to love and trust anyone except his Godrforsaken laptop and his best friend Tohma.

He could’ve just lived with Tohma and forget about him, Shuichi thought haughtily to himself.

The guy loved his computer and his best friend more than anything else in the world. Shuichi would wish a thousand times that he could change into the most updated, convenient laptop, or maybe exchange places with Tohma, even for just one day and see what kind of deep conversations Yuki would have with him rather than the intimate ones.

Shuichi felt like crap, throwing himself like a complete wanton over a guy who never really cared.

Why did he let Yuki take control of his senses?

Why didn’t he realize before that Yuki was just playing around, using him as an intimate toy that he can easily dispose of whenever he wants?

Shuichi never felt more used in his entire life.

In truth, he didn’t feel calm when the reporters started dashing towards him, asking him what truly happened. He was trebling vigorously deep inside.
He hurt like hell.
He wanted to ask Yuki for the last time if he ever really loved him, if ever he showed any feelings besides lust.

Because lust doesn’t last forever.

And would Yuki still lust for him when he’s all wrinkly and old?

Definitely not.

Shuichi figured he might go for someone younger and more active.

Shuichi felt disgusted with himself with such horrible thoughts.
He trashed his thoughts about Yuki away, together with the memories they once shared (although those memories weren’t anything but completely intimate, nothing magnificently wonderful like love).

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Right after the early recording session, Shuichi geared himself up and took his MP3 player for a five kilometer run.

So he ran.

He ran as fast as he could that afternoon, with the breeze brushing against his pink locks, his long shapely legs extending every other second while his hands shoved alternately against the wind.

As he ran, he slowed down his pace, listening intently to the music they just recorded a few weeks ago that was about to be sold in a few days.
He closed his eyes as he heard himself singing the chorus which he thought was the ‘masterpiece’.

He picked up a small folded paper from his pocket, unfolded it, read it, and sang the lyrics, following the tune playing in his earphones.

He was already walking now, his sweat drops sliding all over his body, especially on his face. He brushed off the excessive water from his forehead using the back of his hand and bent down, his hands resting for support on his knees while he tried to catch his breath.

The wind was getting stronger, and the sun was about to set down. Shuichi looked at his left side, watching the sun disappear, with its auburn streak of lights playing with the glorious sky. He smiled in reaction and the wind must have noticed it for it blew hard against his soft pale skin and sent the paper he was holding on the ground.

Shuchi grumbled in complaint as he tried to catch the paper that he lost grasp of. He watched it roll on the ground and almost laughed at the way he looked.

At the far side of the road, a tall strong man stood there, watching the sun go down, his thoughts flying away with him, oblivious to his surroundings and completely unknown to the world.

He thought about his life, reflected on it and felt the strong pang of loneliness.

He closed his eyes, and felt the presence of the wind around him. It brushed against his silver mane, and danced on his pure white complexion. He started to meditate, but in a very odd position.

He had his hands inside his pockets and he stood there, motionless and unguarded.

He felt the vibration of the earth, and heard every single step, the gentle brushing of the leaves, and even the soft whistle of the breeze.

Suddenly, he heard something powerful.

A paper is on its way, tumbling all over, with a clumsy feet running behind it.

He opened his eyes and turned around to see the paper and this unknown but intriguing footsteps.

Shuichi stopped short when the paper he held a while ago entangled on a man’s foot. He felt embarrassed because of his stupidity and slowly went up a few paces in front of the stranger.

And then something happened.

Shuichi’s heart began to pound hardly against his chest.

He had felt this sensation before, and thought that he had been in the exact setting

That same feeling…

What happens now would probably be similar.

Shuichi felt his whole body weakened and as if every bone in his body just collapsed.

If he was correct, the man he loves so dearly is standing a few feet away from him.

And as if the vision in front of him would disappear, he decided to come closer. Shuichi walked fast towards the man in front of him. Slowly, the man in front became very clear, his face and his body were beginning to be more recognizable.

Shuichi was about to smile, but he stopped this movement when the blonde hair he thought became a white, silvery mane.

The man had brown hazel eyes, the purest Shuichi had ever seen. His lips were long and curvy and it didn’t look quite healthy.
He had high cheekbones but it was deathly pale.
His hair was messy because of the wind but Shuichi could see the way it framed his masculine face.

The man’s features were chiseled into perfection, Shuichi thought.

Shuichi felt speechless as he stood before this stranger who on the other hand was looking intently at him as well.

He froze with the sight of the boy. When he picked up the rolling paper that stumbled upon his base, he stopped moving when he took sight of this young man who must be the owner of such interesting footsteps.
He was innocent.
Like he was newly born to this world.
A surge of pure energy that perhaps would never waste.
He stood there, watching the boy watch him. He studied the lad’s face. Gazing at his violet orbs and red-violet hair that actually reminded him of the sunset he was just watching a while ago.

Shuichi didn’t know what to say. Was he supposed to say, ‘Hey, mister, can I have that paper back?’ or how about, ‘Nice eyes, dude.’

Shuichi then finally decided and began,

“Damn, it’s cold out here.” He muttered and rubbed his forearms.

The man still stood there. Watching him, which in turn made Shuichi feel very uncomfortable—and idiotic.

“You’re soaking wet, that’s why.” The stranger spoke in a smooth sophisticated manly voice.

The stranger reminded Shuichi of Yuki.

This man and Yuki have something in common, Shuichi thought.

Same seductive voice, same broad shoulders, same odd expressions, and most of all, same handsome faces.

“Yeah…right.” Shuichi whispered and stared at his feet.

And then the man chuckled.

Shuichi was surprised and looked up at the man who was laughing at him.

“You’re a strange one.” He teased and chuckled again,

“Look who’s talking.” Shuichi drawled out, making the man laugh in turn,

It was quite weird to have such a conversation with someone you barely know, and both men seem to act as if they’ve been old friends for a long time.

“Why are you jogging in the park at 4:30 in the afternoon?” the handsome stranger asked and folded his arms across his wide muscular chest,

“Because I wake up late all the time, that’s why I can’t jog in the morning.” Shuichi shot back lamely and imitated him by folding his arms as well.

“I see,” he continuously gazed at Shuichi, making Shuichi shiver, “well, we should both probably go on our separate ways,” sensing the trouble from the boy, he quickly decided to end his torment, “Here’s your paper.”
The stranger handed back the paper to its owner.
Shuichi took the paper and watched the man turn his back from him while he strode out of his sight forever.

But then he stopped, turned around, and said,

“By the way, that was a nice composition.” He winked at Shuichi and continued on his way.

Shuichi simply stood there, frozen and immobile.

He didn’t now if it were the hefty frigid wind that made him shiver or if it were the intense look that the man gave him a moment ago.
Shuichi decided to let go of this odd meeting with this very strange stranger.

He maybe cute, but he freaks me out, Shuichi thought to himself and narrowed his eyes in affirmation,

He then realized something peculiar.

When he met Yuki for the first time, it was a different thing.

There had been a resemblance, probably on the physical aspects, but the personality of
Yuki Eiri was the opposite of that cute old guy’s.

Yuki was cold and mean, while this guy was sweet and tender.

Yuki didn’t say his work was nice. He even said that Shuichi’s aptitude on writing was 0%.

So much for compliments, Shuichi thought tetchily.

But this guy was diverse. He said that Shuichi did a good work! He thinks it was a nice composition! He says so, and that means Shuichi has improved…

Or maybe he had always been good, but Yuki never appreciated that…never saw him that way…

He never thought Shuichi was special either.

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Yuki Eiri sat on his chair while he stared at his laptop for over an hour already.

It seemed like forever since he typed a new entry. He was already tapping his wide mahogany table with his long slender fingers and felt incredibly uncomfortable with this edgy feeling.

He only taps surfaces whenever he was hesitant or prickly over something.

Yuki’s forehead made a deep furrow when his mind suggested the person who was causing his anxiety.

Yuki shrugged off his shoulders, laid back on his chair, and stared upon the ceiling.

He took a quick look on his watch and found out it was already past one in the morning.
Yuki stood up and decided to get some snack from his fridge.

He stopped short when he remembered something a few weeks ago.

He remembered the note plastered on the fridge when he got home that evening.
He was expecting to see Shuichi raving mad with what had happened from his father’s party.

He didn’t invite him there on the first place, so why did he bother to come?

It was entirely his stupid brother’s fault.
If only that crazy ass didn’t bring that rascal along with him, he wouldn’t have responded that way.

But it was too late, Shuichi got there, and Yuki had finally done what he was pining to do for a couple of days.

He said he took Shuichi for granted.

Which what he really wanted to tell Shuichi sooner or later.
He had no choice. It’s not like he holds all the time in the world.

Time. Something he was gradually losing.

What the hell was he supposed to do with his life?

Now that Shuichi was gone, everything is back to normal. Yes, it was a hurricane with that kid, he thought. And there was never a peaceful day for him. But of course, he never regretted the days that he used the kid’s body. The kid didn’t mind either, for he thought they shared something deeper than intimacy.

Yuki himself was amazed that they endured each other under the same roof for over a year.

He never thought they’d last for a week, in all honesty.

But they did, and they spent three hundred and sixty-five days together.

For Yuki, that was a rare accomplishment. A relationship for him commonly lasts for three days—two weeks maximum.
Never in his dreams did he expect one year.
But he guessed it was worth the while.
Not only did he get the nights satisfied in bed, but also in times when his body craved for more.

Yuki reflected upon his relationship with Shuichi.
How could have he lasted with that crazy boy for a long period of time?
What happened?

Maybe time sure is fast nowadays, he thought.
He does have a hectic schedule
But how come in between work, he makes time for him and Shuichi?

How terribly revolting to even imagine of being solicitous of a young boy, he thought.

He might sound like a complete jerk, a pedophile, but it was the truth. The only reason why he wanted to spend ‘quality time’ with Shuichi was to get satisfaction. Physically, to be exact.

But was it all about intimacy? Was there something else?

No. There couldn’t be, he thought.

He couldn’t possibly feel anything auxiliary to lust over an attractive person.

Not totally acknowledging that Shuichi is attractive, but he was very tempting, he defended in his thoughts.
The boy may be quite dense and incongruous oftentimes, but he’s got guts.

And he sure is strong.

Maybe that’s why Yuki got fond of him.
Shuichi had that ‘special’ thing inside of him, some sort of inducement that lured Yuki closer. Possibly charisma, because obviously the boy has an alluring personality.
It could have been the looks, but Yuki would have preferred the supermodels over Shuichi if he were to choose between them.

Then why was he so engrossed with this boy?

It was his gallantry, he thought. He has never seen anyone fully recuperate from a harsh emotional impact before (considering the fact that Shuichi really got raped), and he’s never seen anyone who was so resolute.

The boy even ran into his place one day and pleaded to live with him.
If that wasn’t utter madness, then what is?
Sometimes, Yuki would lie awake at night whenever Shuichi wasn’t home yet and would think why he missed the boy so quickly.

He couldn’t pull a few ideas when his mind and body sets off to how were he supposed to spend the night with Shuichi.

If he was to depend satisfaction from Shuichi, then that means Shuichi gets the upper hand and he becomes the weakling.

He couldn’t let Shuichi have that much control over him.
If Shuichi knew how much he affected him (physically to be specific), he could have been a freaking sex slave by now.

Well damn, can’t he think of anything else than sex with the poor lil’ kid?

He did hurt the boy in front of his so called ‘family’ and mortified him scrupulously, so why was he incessantly thinking about sexual pleasures with Shindou Shuichi?

If sex is the only reason behind their relationship, it could have been over before it started.

Yuki knew he wouldn’t last with a person if it were only about intimacy. He would get entirely bored, and would undoubtedly move on to the next.

But with Shuichi, there was no next.
There was only him.
And for that one full year, Yuki never thought about leaving the boy, not even once.

And why was that?

Because he felt something more than intimacy.

Could it be…?

Yuki groaned in protest and walked back to his desk to continue typing his entries.

If this uncanny feeling won’t go away, then he’ll have to be patient about it.

The query is: how long was he going to suffer this way?