Paradise Kiss Fan Fiction ❯ The Left Hand Dreams of Him ❯ Karaoke is Healing to the Soul [or] I Will Always Love You ( Chapter 9 )

Karaoke is Healing to the Soul [or] I Will Always Love You

 

While Kawamura and Miho were stuck at school, Wataru was with Asaka at the renovation circle's latest site. Now that the plans for the new building were being realized, Asaka had even less time to spend with Wataru. As a result, Asaka had invited Wataru to spend the day with him while he was working. At first Wataru had hesitated because of Kazuki's legendary jealousy, but after Asaka had insisted that everything would be “just fine,” he'd reconsidered.

Now Wataru was stuck in the front booth of the soon-to-be refurbished bowling alley, waiting for Masanobu to finish collecting all of the pins from the back room. So far he'd explained to just about everyone about why he was suddenly back in the circle's midst. At first he hadn't known whether to come right out and say that he was dating Asaka or to make up a lie. Luckily, Masanobu had come to his rescue and said, “This is a pseudo-date since our schedules are mostly full now.” He'd put his arm around Wataru protectively and the members had all smiled, saying that Asaka really did go for the cute ones.

There was only one real mood killer: Kazuki. Kazuki had spent the better part of the day sulking and glaring at Wataru. Finally Wataru had had enough.

“Kazuki,” he said, “I don't understand why you're being an ass. You've clearly moved on seeing as how you're dating my sister.”

“Wataru, you're so clueless. We're not really dating. We've been trying to make you jealous. Has it worked?” Kazuki asked stupidly, knowing that the answer was no.

Wataru didn't even bother dignifying the question with a response, instead choosing to point out the consequences of his stupid plan, “You're telling me that I've been in a fight with my sister because you want to get back together?!”

“Why are you fighting, then? If you don't care…”

“It's the principle of the whole thing! You're my ex; she's not supposed to date you.”

Kazuki nodded and lowered his voice, “Wataru, I'm sorry.” Kazuki was apologizing for every misunderstanding, jealous moment, as well as the fake relationship with Karin.

Wataru understood that the apology was meant to be more meaningful and nodded.

“Can we at least be friends, Wataru?”

Wataru laughed, “There was never a question of that! We were always going to be friends eventually…that is until you nearly ruined it when you started `dating' my sister.”

Kazuki held out his hand and asked, “Friends?”

Wataru grabbed it and the two shook on it, then instead of letting go, Kazuki pulled him into an embrace.

“Kazuki… stop.”

“Sorry. I'll just go; I have to get back to work.”

Kazuki retreated and went back to ripping old crusty wallpaper off of the walls in the main part of the bowling alley.

What a strange feeling…I almost miss being in Kazuki's arms. Weird, I thought I-

The phone rang. “`Lo?”

“It's Kawamura.”

“Hey. What's up?”

“Okay, so I introduced Miho to Yoshida in our class and they seemed to hit it off. So Miho asked if it would be okay if we all triple dated to take the pressure off of them. Anyway, Michiko and I are going to go, do you and Asaka want to come along as well?”

“Er… I don't know…”

“You have time, Yoshida hasn't actually asked her out yet.”

“Hahaha! Then why call me?”

“Eh. To give you a heads up.”

“Alright, I'll talk to Asaka and get back to you.”

 

After Masanobu had finished work for the day, he walked Wataru home. On the way, Wataru explained the idea of the triple date and asked if he was interested.

“Hmm… you didn't volunteer us, did you?”

“W-What? Of course not! I wanted to ask you first!”

When Masanobu saw Wataru's shocked face, he laughed and said, “I know, Wataru! I just wanted to see your reaction,” upon hearing this, Wataru started sulking. Asaka laughed again and said, “Tell, Kawamura we'd be more than happy to attend. That is…unless you don't want to.”

“I want to go,” Wataru replied, still sulking.

Asaka “accidentally” banged his hand against Wataru's while they were walking.

“Sorry.”

“It's okay.”

Asaka's hand banged against his again. “Sorry.”

Wataru looked at him curiously and said, “…It's okay.”

After one more “accidental” bang, Wataru asked, “Masanobu, are you doing that on purpose?”

Asaka grinned and nodded. He slipped his hand into Wataru's, intertwining his fingers and bringing up the other boy's hand to kiss it.

Wataru blushed and gazed longingly into Asaka's eyes, wanting so badly to kiss him and feel his soft lips again. Asaka understood and obliged, planting a peck on Wataru's lips, sating the boy, if only for a moment. Around them, people were hiding their gasps behind their hands. How strange: seeing a homosexual couple so open with their relationship!

Asaka mouthed, “later,” when he saw Wataru's sulky look. Wataru nodded and blushed, embarrassed and feeling as though he was the only one who wanted to be physical.

Wataru didn't need to speak, “Wataru, it's not that I don't want it, it's just that this isn't the place.” When Wataru remained quiet, Asaka continued, “Don't be like that…”

They turned the corner onto Wataru's street and walked the few blocks up to Wataru's house. Thankfully, it was still early, so Wataru's parents weren't home. Wataru was free to invite Asaka in to stay for a bit.

Once inside the door Asaka said, “I can't stay but…” he didn't finish his sentence as he lightly pushed Wataru against the wall next to him and closed the distance between them. Wataru wasn't fazed as he flung his arms around Masanobu's neck and pulled the other's face to his. Masanobu sighed as he pushed his lips onto Wataru's and kissed him passionately. Wataru unconsciously arched his back and pushed his hips against Asaka's. Asaka groaned and reached a hand behind Wataru and tentatively slid it down Wataru's jeans. When Wataru didn't object, Asaka squeezed, relishing the moan that spilled from Wataru's lips.

Wataru's lips began to wander, from Asaka's lips to his neck, nibbling in some places. Asaka groaned and ground his hips into Wataru's. Asaka-

“This is incredibly erotic.”

“Karin! get out of here!” Wataru cried. He wanted more, so much more but he had to drop his hands to his side.

“I should really be saying that to you… You're in our foyer,” she smirked.

As Wataru's pupils contracted (1) he said in a whining voice, “Bitch.”

Wataru noticed that Asaka hadn't removed his hand yet and whispered to him, “As much as I love the way that feels, my little sister is in the room…”

Asaka whispered back, “But if I lower my hand she'll notice my…”

“Think of something completely non erotic… Like architecture…Spanish tiles…the Renaissance…”

“What are you two whispering about?”

“Nothing,” Wataru said innocently. Wataru felt Asaka's hand slide toward the small of his back and a tug as Asaka pulled him even closer.

“I have to go,” Asaka whispered. He kissed Wataru, pulled away and walked to the door. “Hey Karin, thanks for ruining the moment,” he called out behind him cheerfully.

“Oh it's no problem! Byeeee,” she replied in a sickly sweet tone as Asaka shut the door behind him.

Wataru shook his head and turned to go up the stairs to his room and without saying a word to Karin, flicked her head as he passed.

“Ow!”

“…Serves you right…” he said in-between fits of laughter. She followed him up the stairs promising she'd get him back when he pulled her into an embrace. “Thanks, actually.”

“You're welcome. Asaka wasn't exactly happy about my clever intervention, though.”

“Neither was I. Sorry about calling you a bitch.”

“It's okay. I understand why…It's just…what if mom or dad had seen? When are you going to tell them you're gay?”

“No idea. Soon, though.”

 

 

A week later Yoshida finally asked Miho out. She accepted, making sure it was going to be a triple. He'd sighed in relief, glad that there would be other people to make things like conversation run more smoothly.

“One couple is gay, do you mind?”

Yoshida was shocked, “…No. It's just surprising that they're open about their relationship.”

“It's more that they're serious enough about each other to let their friends know what's going on.”

“Will they…kiss in front of us?”

Miho snorted in a very un-ladylike fashion, “No. They're gay, not rude.”

Yoshida breathed a sigh of relief and asked if Saturday night would be alright for her and the other two couples. She replied that it was and they decided that karaoke and dinner were the best way to keep things casual.

 

Asaka and Wataru got off of the train and walked (hand in hand, of course) towards the karaoke bar, wondering if Yoshida was the type to be offended when in the presence of a gay couple. Then Wataru started thinking about the actual activities that were going to take place.

“Masanobu, I'm kind of nervous about the singing.”

“If it helps you could just picture the audience their underwear.”

“Eew…Kawamura in his underwear… I really don't want that image in my head.”

“Okaaayyy…How about this: who cares how you sound? I love your voice.” Asaka winked and squeezed Wataru's hand.

“…Nrgk…”

Asaka laughed the whole three blocks to the karaoke bar.

I can't believe he's still laughing. It's not like I'm embarrassed by his comment, it's just that when I replied, `nrgk' was all that came out. Damn, I sounded stupid. How do I redeem myself?

Kawamura appeared around the corner and waved with the hand that was not holding Michiko's.

Michiko smiled and said, “Hey Asaka! I didn't know you were going to be here!”

Asaka smiled, shrugged, and said, “How could I say no to Wataru?”

“I know how you feel,” she replied and jerked her head in Kawamura's direction. Kawamura looked embarrassed and muttered that he hadn't forced her to come. She giggled and kissed his cheek.

Wow…He's different with her. He's so much more sarcastic when he's not with her…

A hand floated in and out of Wataru's vision, “Hellooo…. Wataru… you in there?” Kawamura asked.

“Yeah…sorry. What?”

“Nothing, you just looked like your brain was caving in…Not a very attractive look…”

Wataru directed his attention to Michiko and said, “You'd never guess he was my best friend, right?”

Michiko just looked a bit shocked at the boys' banter. She hadn't really gotten the full effect of his jokes and sarcasm and was wondering why he restrained himself when he was with her. Was he afraid of hurting her feelings?

“Nope, not at all. He's kind of an ass, isn't he?”

Asaka noticed the playful glint in Michiko's eyes and he wondered if Kawamura had experienced this side of her. He decided to leave Kawamura out of the loop and play along. “Michiko, you're so right. From what I've seen of Kawamura's behavior, he's totally abusive with Wataru.” He squeezed Wataru's hand quickly to let him know that he was just playing around. Wataru understood and tore him down a bit more.

During all of this, Kawamura was silent. He was shocked! His jokes were taken in a completely wrong way! “Wait! I'm not an ass! Wataru, you know that I'm just kidding! We've been talking to each other like that for years! Why are you taking it personally?”

“HAHAHAHAHAHA! Kawamura you should have seen your face! Relax man, we were just messing with you.”

“But…Michiko…you never…were you joking too?”

She kissed his cheek again and said, “Of course! I couldn't help myself.”

Wataru looked at his watch, “Where are they? It's been 15 minutes already…”

“Calm down anal retentive. We told you an earlier time so that you wouldn't be late.”

“I hate you all,” Wataru mumbled. Asaka snorted, let go of Wataru's hand, and put that arm around Wataru's shoulder. Wataru rested his head on Asaka's shoulder and sulked while Kawamura and Michiko finished giggling.

Fortunately, Miho and Yoshida arrived a few seconds later, talking animatedly. Well, at least she's smiling…She must really like him, she usually only smiles like that around me and Kawamura.

“Hey, Miho!” As they all made their introductions, Yoshida looked increasingly more surprised and shocked.

Finally Michiko indulged him and asked, “What's the matter?”

“F-Fujii? You're gay?!”

Everyone just kind of looked at each other in a strange way while Wataru replied, “Uh, yeah. I guess I am.”

“But…all the girls in our class want you! Why are you dating a guy?”

Group glare.

“Maybe…because I like him?” Wataru was getting uncomfortable with the way this conversation was going. He may not have meant to, but he had just insulted Asaka off-handedly.

Miho whispered something into his ear and the shocked and puzzled expression disappeared and remorse took its place. He apologized sincerely to both Wataru and Asaka after realizing exactly what he'd said. After some of the awkwardness had subsided Miho broke the silence and suggested they go inside and find a room together.

Wataru was still annoyed, despite the sincere apology that Yoshida gave him. Asaka noticed and in an effort to cheer him up, volunteered to sing first. He decided that making Wataru laugh at him was the best way to chase the bad mood that had already begun to ruin his night.

“Alright everyone…I'm going to sing `I'll Always Love You' by Whitney Houston!” he snorted. As he began, he tried not to laugh too hard, “If I should stay… (2)”

The group could not stop laughing, Kawamura was literally on the floor laughing, Michiko was laying down in the booth laughing, Miho and Yoshida were in a heap, and Wataru was the only one who was able to stay in his seat…although he had tears running down his face.

Finally the song ended and the laughing fits subsided. Kawamura decided to go next and sing something a bit more serious. He chose to sing: “Hey Mama” by the Black Eyed Peas.

Once again, people were on the floor laughing and Wataru was most definitely feeling better. At last, Wataru stood up after finishing his giggling as well as his dinner, and decided to dedicate a song to Asaka, “Asaka. You chose to sing an amazing song, and you have an amazing voice…But now it's my turn.” He sang “You Look Wonderful Tonight,” by Eric Clapton (3). By the end of the song, Asaka had tears in his eyes because even though the lyrics were about a woman, the feelings in the song certainly applied to the two.

When Wataru sat down, he got a standing ovation. To everyone's surprise, Wataru sang beautifully. They thought that perhaps in another life he'd been a singer. Asaka whispered, “And you were scared of singing… You're voice is amazing.” Asaka, being the proper gentleman that he was, restrained his need to touch Wataru. Instead he focused on finishing his pasta primavera. When he looked up he saw that the other two couples had been so moved by the song, that they had all started kissing their partners. Wataru followed suit and kissed Asaka.