"Jiro, I don't want our date to end yet. Could we go somewhere else to talk?" Hisashi looked around cautiously and reached out to take Jiro by the hand. "Please?" he pleaded, earning a smile and a nod from the blond.

"Of course. Where do you want to go?" Hisashi thought for a moment then answered, "Is the park ok? No one ever goes there at night."
Another bright smile. "The park sounds good. I'll follow you there."

Hisashi grinned and gave Jiro's hand a squeeze before running off to his own car and pulling out of the parking space. He checked his rearview mirror and saw Jiro's reflection waving at him from behind the wheel. He drove off for the park with Jiro following behind in his car.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Teru kicked the door closed with his foot and leaned against it, sucking in deep puffs of air into his lungs. //Man! Takuro is one heavy dude!// He placed his hands on his hips and looked down at the prone body of his friend laying in the plush carpet. The bag on Takuro's stomach was lifted off and placed on the kitchen countertop. He slowly peeled off the fake goatee and mustache from his face and threw them somewhere next to the bag. Teru stooped down and reached out once more to try to lightly slap Takuro awake. One slap, two slaps, three slaps...nothing seemed to be working. Well, maybe he needed a more...effective way to wake him up.

He grabbed onto the counter and pulled his tired body up and headed for the refrigerator. He took out a pitcher of ice cold water and slowly dragged himself back to the body that was sprawled out on the livingroom floor. Teru stood over Takuro with the pitcher dangerously tipped to the side. "Time to wake up, Takuro," and he poured the freezing water onto the guitarist. Takuro's eyes shot open as the water fell directly at his face and he sputtered for a few minutes, trying to get the water out of his mouth and nose. The pitcher neared empty and Teru stopped pouring momentarily to nudge at Takuro with his foot. "Hey, wake up, sleeping beauty," Teru joked and sat down beside his friend.

Takuro blinked and wiped the water from his face, all while glowering at the vocalist who sat there grinning at him. "Why the hell did you do that?!" he exploded, his hands reaching out to grab onto Teru's shirt collar and beginning to shake him back and forth. "Ah, let me go!" Teru slapped Takuro's hands away and scurried a few feet from him. Takuro rigidly sat up and pulled at his bow tie, unravelling the knot and throwing it at Teru. His glasses were next, and they too, also landed next to the singer. "Stupid disguises..." Takuro muttered and crawled over to the cowering Teru. "Ne, Teru...what happened? I don't remember a thing!"

Teru busily chewed on his lower lip and looked at Takuro. "Do you _really_ want to be reminded of what happened?" Takuro seemed perplexed, but he nodded cautiously.

"Ok...you asked for it."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After a few minutes, they arrived at the empty, quiet park, and Hisashi stepped out of his car, waiting for Jiro to do the same. The blond opened the car door then closed it and walked over to him. He smiled as he felt Hisashi take hold of his hand again and lead him down the lantern-lit walkway. They found a little bench by a small pond that was surrounded by dense underbrush and decided that it was the perfectly place to have a quiet chat.

"Jiro," Hisashi began, "I'm sorry for our ruined dinner. I wanted it to be absolutely perfect, but --" Jiro placed a finger over his lips. "It wasn't your fault and it _was_..._is_ perfect because I'm with you. Besides, you're being very charming to me tonight," he smiled, giggling as Hisashi lovingly kissed his finger and gently took hold of his extended hand.

The two leaned against each other and looked out at the pond in silence. They remained there, hand in hand with Jiro's blond head carefully nestled in the crook of Hisashi's shoulder, the moonlight brightly shining down on them. But soon, the peaceful silence was broken as Hisashi spoke.

"Jiro, we've been seeing each other for a long time, right?" Jiro nodded. "For many months now, correct?" Jiro nodded again, though, a slight line started to form between his brow.

"What are you trying to say, Hisashi?"

Hisashi took a deep breath and sighed. "What I'm trying to say is that I've been thinking a lot about us...our situation. Teru and Takuro eventually have to know what we're doing. I hate having to keep what's between us a secret...especially when I want to be able to express my feelings for you openly."

Jiro abruptly sat up and embraced Hisashi, whispering in his ear, "I feel the same way..." He kissed Hisashi's cheek and pulled back to look into his eyes. Without a warning, Hisashi leant forward, grasping onto Jiro's shoulders and capturing his parted lips with his own.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Takuro fainted for the third time that night. Teru cursed and smacked Takuro full in the face to try to revive him. "Takuro!! Dammit, get your ass up and off my floor!! Gah!!" He clawed at Takuro, hoping that this particular tactic would work...Well, it didn't. He'd just clipped his fingernails the other day.

//Oh, why did I tell him what happened when I knew he'd just pass out again? Stupid, stupid, stupid!// Teru smacked his forehead, berating himself. //Man, I give up!// He yawned and tried in vain to push himself off the floor, but his legs had fallen asleep. He tried again, but to no avail, they wouldn't budge.

Another yawn hit him and he blinked sleepily, wanting so badly to just rest his eyes. Forgetting about his immobile legs, he reached out and felt around for Takuro's warm body, pulling his own exhausted one toward his slumbering friend. Teru immediately snuggled up to him and sighed, resting his head on Takuro's chest. He promptly fell asleep, snoring the night away.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hisashi reluctantly broke off the kiss and gently began stroking Jiro's hair. His other hand still held on to Jiro's as he absently ran his thumb along the lines of the other's soft palm. "Jiro, I want to tell them now; I need to tell them about us and how much I care for you..."

Jiro smiled warmly and stood, pulling Hisashi up along with him. He wordlessly led Hisashi out of the clearing and back to their cars. He finally turned around again to face his lover with a look of fondness on his cherubic face. "Let's go, koibito. They need to know sooner or later, right?" He opened the door to the passenger seat and stepped inside then poked his head out the window.

"Are you going to get in?" Jiro grinned cheekily at Hisashi, who hurriedly skipped over to the driver's side and hopped in. "So...do you think they're at home?" Jiro asked and fastened his seat belt. "I don't think so. They told me about going out tonight. I'll just call Takuro on his cell phone." Hisashi picked up his car phone and pressed a few buttons then put the receiver to his ear. No answer. He tried Teru's cell next. No answer there, either.

He finally settled for dailing Teru's house number, figuring that his two friends probably spent the evening at home. The phone rang a few times, then the answering machine came on and Teru's cheerfully recorded voice could be heard.

"Hello, there! You've reached the home of Teruhiko Kobashi! Gomen ne, but I can't come to the phone at this moment so please leave a message at the tone of the beep and I'll get back to you as soon as possible! Thank you!" >beep<

"Hello? Teru? Hey, if you're there, please pick up. I have something important I have to talk about with you and Takuro...Anyways, I'm on my way to your house, all right? And I'm bringing Jiro along with me. See you in a few minutes." >click<

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Teru stirred awake as he heard the phone ring and the answering machine turning on. '-- as soon as possible, Thank you!' >beep<

'Hello? Teru?'

His eyes became wide as saucers. //Hisashi?!?!// 'Hey, if you're there, please pick up.' Teru tried to move his legs but they still wouldn't budge. "I'm coming, Hisashi..." he grunted out, "Just hold on..."

'I have something important I have to talk about with you and Takuro...' Teru crawled closer and closer to the phone. 'Anyways, I'm on my way to your house, all right?' Teru paled, then doubled his efforts to get to the phone before Hisashi could hang up. 'And I'm bringing Jiro along with me.'

"Noooo!!!" Teru screamed and dove for the phone. 'See you in a few minutes.' He finally reached out and grabbed the receiver, putting it up to his ear, "Moshi --" >click<

t was too late. Hisashi had hung up and was on his way with Jiro to his house...

"AAAAARRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The birds flew out of their trees as Teru's frustrated scream echoed through the neighborhood and deep into the night.

part 7