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I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...




Finally.
Finally, the back stage door opened.
Finally, he would at least be able to catch a glimpse of Naoko.
Only...Naoko didn't step out.
Instead, Hayato found himself looking across the way at Shou...and Narcissus?
That little smug s**t...Narcissus. Golden child grandson of the head of Ohayou.
That was how Hayato viewed him, at least. It made him hate the vocalist even more.
So..no Naoko. Damn.
But...
An idea struck Hayato, and he grinned darkly to himself as he slipped into the shadows.
Hurrying to his car, he started it up and followed behind Shou's limo, about three car lengths back.
The limo pulled into a nice Indian restaurant. The Blue Elephant.
Circling around a few times, Hayato parked his car on lot over, hiding amongst the "normal" people.
So many things he could do...so many, dirty, painful things.
After contemplating for a while, he chose to do the dirtiest, most painful thing of all to Narcissus.
He would become his friend.
Entering the restaurant, he spoke to the host and immediately had himself lead to the back corner of the restaurant, where it was quiet and dark, very private. He knew, after all, that that would be where Shou and Narcissus would be sitting.
Taking the booth directly behind theirs, he went about his business as though he weren't even there, though he was listening intently to every word that was said.
So...Narcissus would be doing some joint work with Shou...how very perfect.
Now...he just had to find a way to get his foot in the door with the narcissistic little b*****d...

"I think having Ryuukaze-san play such a piece would be interesting indeed... perhaps as an opener to our joint act. A summoning of the demon. We would, of course, need to find the perfect woman over which to fight with one another as well. Perhaps Naoko-san has some beautiful piano piece he can perform as a call to the angel?"

Naoko. Of course. That was a topic he was well versed in. So very well....in both business and pleasure.

"Perhaps..." Hayato interjected, peeking around the edge of the booth, "Naoko could be the beautiful maiden that you fight for. He dresses up very well. Makes a lovelier lady than most women, if I could be so bold as to say such." the soloist grinned, pulling the ribbon from his ponytail and letting it fall in long raven veils around his face.
"I'm Hayato, by the way. Former head of the group Hikari ya Yami. I used to work with Naoko. He was my keyboardist. I wasn't meaning to intrude, Shou-san. I just couldn't help but overhear you talking. I came hear for the Palak Paneer. Best in town." he smiled an oh-so-charming smile.
"Oh...and who are...oh, Narcissus-san! I almost didn't recognize you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I've always found you and your music to be rather...exciting...."

"Of course," the young Koyasu spoke, sipping his chai tea, "I'm not going to inquire about your tailor. I trust you'll have my measurements taken then deliver them." winking, the musician smiled. "We must all have our own little secrets, after all."

He understood how it was.
Shou was keeping his designer a secret... while Akihiko was keeping his massage therapist one.
Well, at least from everyone but Izzy.

"I'd say no to a fan... simply because there's the chance that they'd be overwhelmed. This xfantasyx girl sounds like a good match, especially if you've worked with her before." the musician smirked slightly, "Women tend to work with me once then... well, most of them get fired to be honest. Too many somehow get into the agency these days, just to be close to that special star... you wouldn't believe the girls who have been dropped because they were raiding my dressing room between takes."

He picked up his tea, about to take another sip, when a new voice interjected into their conversation. "Hayato-san? I seem to recall seeing you last night. With Matsumoto-san, if I'm not mistaken."
Though, if the man meant at the Charity pre-event or the bar later that evening (or earlier that morning, depending on how one looked at it)... one couldn't be sure.

"I'll have to agree with Shou-san." Nacrissus spoke, crossing one leg over the other at the knee, before bringing his tea to his lips and sipping the hot beverage. "While Naoko-san does make an adorable woman... he won't be able to play the keyboard or piano... if I'm fawning all over him."
Okay, so that was a semi challenge.
"You honestly don't expect myself nor Shou-san, to simply gaze at the lovely maiden while we sing, do you?" he asked seriously. "As for myself and my music... perhaps exciting isn't quite the right word? Though..." the man smirked slightly. "It's at least a word of better taste."
Setting the tea down, blue eyes focused on Hayato specifically. "SMASH recently resigned you, correct? If I'm not mistaken... Naoko-san was your former bandmate and... there was a bit of a controversy surrounding the young pianist. Your thoughts?"

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...



"Absolutely!" he answered to Shou, "I love this place. I have a bit of a soft spot for Indian Food. It's my favorite..." he turned his attention to the other star as he was addressed.

"Really? Last night? I don't remember..." Hayato blinked, looking rather confused at Narcissus.
"Please forgive me if I have been rude. I don't remember seeing you at all last night. Seems I partook a bit too heavily in drink over the course of the evening, and everything is just a blur. If I met you, well, then I guess it's good to see you again!" he smiled pleasantly this time, a happy, somewhat oblivious smile. It really seemed that he didn't remember seeing the young Koyasu at all.
Oh, but he remembered every word that was said as Narcissus pointed the gun at Matsumoto.


"Oh but really, I only tease about Naoko. He's the best when it comes to piano. It would break my heart to see him not doing what he does best. I discovered him as an artist, after all." Hayato picked up a glass of red wine that a waiter just sat down, taking a small sip.
"Ah...."hair of the dog", as they say. Should probably get some water to go with this..." he mused for a moment.
"Ah...but if you intend to be so...roguish with the young woman, why I might be tempted to ask for the role." he chuckled playfully.

Leaning in, he made eyes at Narcissus.

"No...it wouldn't be the optimal word, but I try to be one of good taste." he left it at that.
When asked about Naoko, though...he hadn't expected that. Still, he didn't let it phase him, didn't even blink or hesitate.
"Oh yes, I was just re-signed. It's a long story, really. Naoko though...I wish I knew what had happened...but, it's his private life, so I try not to discuss it. Please, don't think me rude...I only wish to be respectful."

The day was lovely as they drove along. Not too hot, not too cold, and very clear and bright. The sunshine was rather soothing to the violinist as he listened to Naoko speak.
"Well...why don't you give Sai a call? I mean, if you're concerned about him. If he doesn't answer, leave him a message or something. In all fairness, he probably is worried, but there's most likely a really good reason he hasn't called you yet."

Brothers...he had had a family once...but he tried not to think too much about it. Usually, when the thought came to him, he just pushed it out of his mind.

"Hey, you aren't kidnapped now. If you want to go, then go, by all means. You're completely free now, angelcakes. Free as a..." Ryu put the pedal to the metal, sending the car speeding down the highway, the wind whipping their hair hard, "bird!!!" he yelled, hooting as they whizzed past the trees and hills. Reaching over, he cranked the radio, laughing as he did so.
Fun...wild, crazy, youthful fun. That was the mood he was in today.

I embrace the torn rose to my chest
And fall into the crimson sea...




"Good heavens, I jest, Narcissus-san!" laughing, Hayato sipped at his wine again. "No, I do not believe a dress would suit me too terribly well. Though I am glad to hear you do not find me unattractive." he gave a sly wink.
propping his elbow on his knee, he rested his chin in his hand as he listened to Narcissus speak.
"Ah...well darling NAKO had nothing to do with the bad breaking up. In all fairness...I think it kind of broke his heart. I had to leave...due to some unexpected health issues. I don't care to talk about it, though. It was a very difficult time for me, though I am glad to be well again and back in the business of making music."
Indeed, it was the sort of answer one would give to the paparazzi, but it seemed so very honest. Well, it was the truth...halfway.
The waiter returned and placed a dish of palak paneer in front of Hayato and he thanked the waiter.
"Anyway, I'm sure I've taken up more than enough time of your lunch. Terribly sorry about that, but it was wonderful to meet the both of you in person. Shou-san...I look forward to seeing you again, since we are co-workers, in a sense. And Narcissus..." he pulled out a business card from his pocket, "By all means...please give me a call, any time you like."
He had wanted to say more to Shou, but Shou was obviously very engrossed in his work as well as his food. It wasn't really the time, and the last thing he wanted to do was upset someone who was working with his company. Music was important, and if the man was in a creative spell, he certainly didn't want to interfere.
Speaking of music...after he ate, he really needed to get some studio time in. There were so many little ideas just itching to get out. This return album was going to be something fierce.
Overhearing Shou's jest on the phone, Hayato couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Yare, yare! I said I was joking about the dress! You'd be better off with a dancing bear!" he teased in return for Shou's treatment of his poor assistant.
Turning around, Hayato focused on his food, picking at it rather slowly before taking a bite.
He had never had palak paneer before....
At least he knew he liked it now.

Somehow, Narcissus was far more interested in what Shou was saying to Yamada-san over the phone... then in what Hayato had to say.
So when the man skirted around Akihiko's questions... well... the musician didn't really mind it. In fact, it meant Hayato's involvement in their conversation might be coming to an end.

But then there was a card in his face... and politely, Narcissus pocketed it. "I'll think on it." he spoke with a slight smile, before Shou was suddenly going a mile a minute.

Of course, he couldn't really NOT snicker slightly at how merciless Shou was with teasing Hayato.
It was just too priceless.
But, Shou was technically Hayato's sempai and therefore... entitled to the right of tease.

But then... well... Shou said the magic words.
Well, maybe they were curse words at this point in time... but they certainly got the man's attention.
"Izzy Lucky is... indisposed currently. He hasn't been feeling well... I fear I worked him too hard. Soooo, for the time being, I'm handling all of my affairs just like I used to. I'll get in touch with my band and crew and let them know you want to meet up in Studio 5. It will, no doubt, need to be rather late however, seeing how they will take some time to contact."
Of course, he was just going to ask Hiroki if he would do him a quick favor and call in his team... mainly because Akihiko didn't have any of their damn phone numbers.

"If Naoko-san or Ryuukaze-san come up with anything that you think works, by all means, we can incorporate it. In all truth... I've been rehearsing with my band and crew in such a manner as to anticipate your agreement so..." Narcissus smiled slightly. "They are already very prepared for anything you can throw at them, Shou-san."

After all, he hadn't made that bet with Hiroki out of the blue.
No...
Ever since the young Koyasu began to work on this concert... he had it in his mind to battle it out with Shou on stage.
Luckily, he'd studied the other man's concerts enough to anticipate somewhat what Shou might want to do, thus preparing his band and crew for the inevitable partnership.

"Gomen nasai, Shou-san. I would have broached the subject with you earlier, but it always seemed something else came up. Luckily, I was able to get a hold of Yamada-san in time that we might just pull this off, ne?"

Flipping the phone open, Naoko was about to dial the phone... when Ryu suddenly gunned the car, sending the wind whipping around their heads.
Laughing, the blond made sure he didn't lose his cell. With the radio up so loud, now it was completely impossible to call his brother.
But...

Quickly, Naoko typed in a text message.

Sai,
I'm okay. Call me. I miss you.
-Naoko

Then the pianist had closed and pocketed the phone, laughing as Ryu was apparently having fun.
"Does that mean we can stay at my place?" Naoko teased, leaning over in the car and whispering, rather loudly over the wind and music and engine, into his akuma's ear.

Hayato's comment caught Akihiko off guard, and it was all the man could do to keep himself from decking the other right then and there.
If Shou looked hard enough, he would have seen the inner struggle behind those gorgeous blue eyes.
"Izzy is recovering from being ill. Yes, I was a guest in his apartment for a time and yes, I was using his robe." he smirked devilishly. "My things were at the cleaners and he neglected to tell me. The man has a wonderfully comfortable second bedroom... perfect for me to try and avoid the spotlight though..." he frowned, glancing to Shou. "I'll let him know you wish him well. His apartment burned down during the event party last night, so I think that was the tipping point and he simply couldn't hide how sick he was any longer. Shame really... he's been looking forward to the concert. I'm hoping he'll be able to make it." that frown turned into a soft smile.

An actual... genuine... smile...

Because Koyasu Akihiko DID want Izzy to come to the concert.
Perhaps... more than anything right now.

"I'll have them there by 5:00pm, that should give you a bit of downtime to grab a drink or bite if you want. But the catering sounds like a rather good idea." Akihiko put one finger to his lips, thinking. "I don't want to put you out, Shou-san... so we can do all of the work at SMASH studios if you want. Just let me know if you need anything and... well... I'll see what I can manage. My budget has no limits, so feel free to go all out for the costumes for my crew and band and myself. The same goes for the set designs of hell. I'm bringing in some backup dancers for my bit, already trained, and I'll show you the costume sketches as well, just to get your approval." he smiled again, pleasantly this time. "It's going to be simply fantastic, Shou-san. Between the two of us, we'll create something no one has ever seen before. The WORLD will be talking about this concert... nothing can hold either of us back."

In truth, Narcissus was very excited, which was actually evident in his gestures and posture.
Not to mention his blue gaze.
He wanted this to work... to be a beautiful masterpiece of the stage.
Most importantly... he wanted to show the world he was back... and that Ohayou was ready to back a star 100%.