"WELCOME BACK!!!" was cheerfully painted across the streamer affixed on one wall of the practice studio. Jiro could hardly miss the sign along with the random cheers of the whole band when he flounced in alongside Takuro, his designated driver. Other than the wee bandage strip still covering the gash on his forehead, there was nothing on his face that told the story of the accident three days ago,

"Thanks, guys," Jiro said, smiling back at everyone. He looked at the entire place and noticed trays of delectable food on the table in one corner. "Wow…some treat you're giving me, ne? I should get into accidents more often!"

"Hey," Teru cried, a wide grin glued on his face, "the next accident's ought to be mine. We had a deal, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. Geez, I almost forgot."

Takuro looked stricken. "Okay, you two. Just hold it right there!" He sent both Teru and Jiro warning glares. "You're not gonna do something stupid for royal treatment, ya hear? Or else, I'd cut off your life support systems myself if you've managed to escape the accident."

Teru threw an arm around the tall man's shoulders. "Aw, c'mon, Takky! You're not gonna do something like that to me, are you? You love me too much to kill me."

"Love hurts, you dumbass," Takuro shot back with a smile.

"What would Glay do without me, anyway?" Teru asked with mock arrogance.

"Get a new vocalist, you moron."

Teru placed his palms to his chest in an overly melodramatic way. "Ouch. That hurts, Takuro. Thou hath wounded my vocal pride! Thou shalt suffer my wrath!"

The leader's eyes narrowed down on Teru who was now dancing around and hamming it up before he looked at the rest of the band. "Can I kill him now?"

"By all means," Jiro replied, shrugging. "He's all yours."

Takuro slapped the bassist's shoulder. "Thanks, man." And with that consent, Takuro lunged for Teru who managed to twist aside and escape Takuro's long arms. The leader equipped with his iron will reached out again and Teru ran this time, giving Takuro chase. It looked so comical, the two friends since middle school running around the studio in circles like something Jiro had seen in those hilarious Tom and Jerry cartoons he loved watching. Jiro couldn't resist laughing, especially after the two carried on their chase out the studio and onto the wide parking area. He would've loved to join everyone else go out to witness Takuro pounce Teru into a pulp--Jiro had never seen the usually reserved leader acting so childish before--but he felt rather tired so he opted to stay back at the studio and get himself a drink.

Hisashi was standing by the juice jug.

Jiro subtly pulled a deep intake of breath, his lips quirking into a small smile when he caught Hisashi's expectant gaze on him. He wanted that to be the last interaction between them for the rest of the day. Jiro still wasn't sure if he could carry on a conversation with Hisashi, friendly or otherwise.

"You want some juice?" Hisashi asked.

"Uh…yeah, I'd appreciate a glass. Thank you." Hisashi smiled sweetly at him before getting Jiro a serving. It seemed too nice, but Jiro knew better than to think Hisashi's congeniality meant anything, like picking up from where they've left off. The kindness was due to his accident. Everybody else treated him the same way.

"Here you go," Hisashi said, handing Jiro his drink.

"Thanks." He guzzled the drink down as an excuse not to talk.

"So…are you feeling any better?" A lift of a single brow was Jiro's affirmative response. "I'm glad. I mean, you had us all worried."

Jiro shrugged, his lips still glued to the brim of the styrofoam cup, his mouth sipping the liquid little by little.

"By the way, I finally bought a new car yesterday afternoon," Hisashi informed. "Actually, I'd wanted to call you up after you were discharged from the hospital to show it to you first but I thought you might have a phobia or something after the accident and all. Besides, I know you needed the rest. If it weren't for the situation, I would've asked you to help me pick it out but…" he shrugged, trailing off. "So I just chose one by my own judgment. It's not so fancy like my old one…but at least it runs. I realized it's about time anyway that I get something new. The old one's kinda hard to dunk into the trash bin though. I mean, I've had it for years. But I need something reliable…something that would be there when I need it."

Through all the words Hisashi uttered, Jiro could only manage to nod. But the Four Seasons in his cup was now gone, along with his reason to dawdle. "Well, that's good," he managed to say, placing the used cup on the table.

"Would you like another one?"

//Has Hisashi been taking lessons from Miss Manners?// Jiro shook his head. "Actually, I'd rather have a beer." He took a step forward towards the huge ice chest he knew contained the goodies but Hisashi jumped into his path with arms akimbo, the guitarist's lithe body blocking his way. "What?"

"Are you nuts? You've just been admitted to the hospital. Beer is the last thing you'll need."

"But I've checked out."

"It doesn't make any difference. You've still been confined. Besides, they're still checking if you've been intoxicated the night you crashed. I won't have you submitted for drunk driving."

"What are you now, the Secretary of the Ministry of Health?" Both of them blinked at the words. Déjà vu with a twist.

Hisashi wasn't as defensive as Jiro had been in the past. "No, I'm your lawyer." He grinned for a moment, not catching the irritation in Jiro's voice, before his face settled into one of sincerity. "Seriously, Yoshi, I can't let you have beer, at least not at this time. I feel it's my moral obligation to make sure it's out of your reach."

Jiro gave Hisashi one of his oddest looks. First Martha Stewart, then World Health Chief, then Ally McBeal and now Mother Teresa. //I must've banged my head harder than I thought.// Jiro's fingers combed through his blonde-brown locks. "Look, I'll only have one can."

Hisashi pouted stubbornly. "No."

"And you're going to stop me?" Jiro shot back flatly, his query not sounding like an inquiry at all.

"Why, of course!" To emphasize his point, Hisashi stretched his arms out to the sides. "You're gonna have to move me manually with all your might before you touch any beer can there is in here."

The bassist stared straight at Hisashi, seriously contemplating on scooping the featherweight man into his arms. It was something he'd never tried to do before and he certainly was curious as hell to give it a try. //But things are different now//, he thought ruefully. The four days were now archived as part of the past. How many times did he have to remind himself that?

"So? What's it gonna be, Yoshi?" was the question of dare.

"Never mind," he said with mock exasperation. "One way or the other I'd find a way and get me that Heineken." Jiro started to spin around to walk away but Hisashi's grip on his arm deterred any more movement.

"Wait."

"What?"

Hisashi's examining eyes were directed past above Jiro's eyes. "You have something…" His free hand extended up to Jiro's hair, the digits delicately brushing whatever it was in his tresses.

Jiro felt himself stunned to an immobile state. Hisashi had not brushed his hair that way ever--not even once--yet Jiro knew he'd felt that particular sensation before. But he refused to believe it was the one he'd felt that morning in the hospital, no matter how painfully familiar it was. His heart was melting while his head was chanting up all the warning signs. Hisashi was temptation personified and his willpower was taking a mighty road test. //I should not succumb…I'm stronger than what Hisashi gives me credit for…He's just playing me for a fool…He doesn't love me…//The last part of the mantra proved to work; this he ascertained when he was able to crinkle his forehead in an act of vexation. //Hisashi doesn't love me…//

An almost dreamy smile played on Hisashi's lips. "I'd never imagined your hair to be this soft…"

//But God, I love him so much!// Jiro opposed the desire to close his eyes and lounge in the debilitating power of Hisashi's touch. It was the hardest ordeal of his life and it proved not to stop there when Hisashi's hand roamed lower to cradle his cheek, the hand cold but his touch warm.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you have the smoothest cheek?"

"Yes," came Jiro's stern reply, matching his rigid gaze. "Reiko tells me that all the time."

It must've done the trick for Hisashi's fingers stopped their addictive caress, his words regressing into the guitarist. It was at this moment that a man huffing back into the studio broke the silence.

"Help meeeeee!!!" Teru shrieked like little Rei-chan being run after by his big brother on after a practical joke the little brat was known for.

Jiro stepped away from Hisashi to focus on the vocalist's dilemma, leaving Hisashi's hand suspended in their air where his face had been. "K'so, Teru…I've told you not to enrage Takuro like that."

Teru scrambled to hide behind Jiro, snagging the bassist forcibly from his place to move farther from the door as Takuro came rushing in, the rest of the band still lagging behind as spectators. "Stop preaching and just help me," Teru cried, using the bassist's lean body as a shield from the impending danger.

"Let me at that little twerp," Takuro yelled, still in feigned anger.

Jiro giggled. "Stop that, you two. You're starting to remind me too much of Hisashi and me." It was an utterance never expected to slip out and all of them, none more than Jiro and Hisashi, were surprised. Jiro timidly glanced at Hisashi as though afraid of the expression he might see on the guitarist's face. Relief flooded into him when Hisashi had his head bent, the fair face totally out of his view.

"He's right, Takuro," Teru piped from behind a startled Jiro who obviously had forgotten he was being used as an armor. "Besides, Jiro and Hisashi act way more mature and civil than we do right now. At least they're not out to kill each other."

Takuro suddenly burst out laughing. "God, Teru, you should've seen your face back there! You looked so scared. Did you honestly think I'd kill you?"

"Yes," Teru answered.

The leader laughed even harder. "C'mon, let's quit this. The food is getting cold. Besides, we still have a meeting after we eat, ne?" Teru groaned aloud and Takuro flashed at him. "Okay, now I'm gonna kill you." Teru grinned then put his fingers up in a peace sign.

"Let's dig in," Masahide announced before things go much wayward. Everyone got himself a plate to fill.

"Ne, I owe you one," Teru whispered to Jiro, patting the bassist's shoulder as an act of sincerity and heartfelt gratitude. "How ever can I repay you?"

"Get me a beer," Jiro replied without batting an eyelash.

Teru scratched his head. "Uhm…I can't. Ask me anything but that."

"Why not?"

"Hisashi gave me strict orders earlier not to let you have anything laced with a tad bit of alcohol. He said it would be best for you."

Jiro peered at Teru. "Why, pray tell, should I care what Hisashi thinks would be best for me?" Before Teru could let out a syllable, both men heard the unmistakable authoritative voice of Masahide.

"Jiro, could you come over here for a sec? I need to show you something."

"Sure thing," Jiro called out and started on his heels.

"Ne Jiro, we'll continue with this later," Teru said, likewise intent on leaving at Takuro's call.

"Yeah, whatever," Jiro threw over his shoulder while he sauntered towards Masahide. In truth, he hadn't really been that interested in what the producer might have to show him but he could commit himself to Sakuma slavery for the perfect timing. At least he was able to avoid Teru and another round of the vocalist's babbles on Hisashi without appearing too deliberate.

"Are you okay?"

Hisashi got out from his silent musings and looked up to meet Teru's eyes. "Oh, hello."

"I don't think that answered my question." Teru eased himself into the empty space on the couch beside the guitarist. "Tono, are you alright?"

"Yeah…somehow."

Teru crinkled his nose. "Nah…I don't buy it." He elbowed Hisashi kiddingly, just to make the petite man irked enough to tell the truth. Hisashi could never lie when he's irate. "Hey, you know you can tell me anything."

"Yeah, I know. And frankly I'm starting to wonder if that was such a good thing after all." Hisashi took a long swig of his beer and caught Teru giving him the funniest look. "What?"

"Nothing," Teru said in the most uninnocent way.

"What are you doing here anyway? Don't you have a Takuro or a Masahide to bug or something?"

"I just did, didn't I?" Teru retorted with a wide grin. "I'm here 'cause I thought you might use some company."

"Why? Do you have one to sell?"

"Why do you have to be so damn sarcastic sometimes?"

Hisashi smirked. "It comes with the company."

"I know you'd rather have somebody else sitting here with you instead of me at this point," Teru said, his eyes suddenly softening into a warm puddle of brown goo. "But given the moment that you're here and he's elsewhere in this same room, obviously as pathetic and confused as you are, I figured I should go plunk down here and try to talk some sense into you."

Hisashi offered a mock smile. "Thank you, Tekko, but it's not exactly something I'll look forward to right now."

"Then stop brooding so I wouldn't have to call your attention to it."

"I'm not brooding," Hisashi denied.

"Yeah, right, like your face didn't sag two feet long with that frown. Look, Tono, if it bothers you that much, why don't you just go over to that little corner where a cupid-faced bassist is looking half as miserable as you are and--"

"He didn't want me, Teru," the bluehead said with finality in a voice that almost cracked with emotion.

Teru looked at Hisashi like he'd never seen the guitarist before. Then he sputtered. "That's absurd. How could you say that? He would've been royally stupid not to want you."

"But he doesn't want me, okay, because if he did, he wouldn't hurt me by bringing to my attention that he has a girlfriend. I had the chance, Teru. I had his face in my hand and that blasted bassist of ours just had to inflate his ego by telling me he has Reiko--"

"Hisa--"

"--and that I--"

Teru pressed his middle and index fingers to Hisashi's lips to silence him down. "Hisashi…Jiro didn't exactly tell you he still has her, did he?"

Hisashi let out a slow sigh, his eyes closing shut dramatically. Then he shook his head until Teru freed him. "No, he didn't."

"And that only goes to show how much jumping into conclusions you do, and that's not good."

"Can you honestly blame me?" argued the guitarist. "I just want to be sure. I've always had."

"I know. But you can't blame me either for trying to rub the fact in that you're worrying over nothing. He loves you, Hisashi. He might not say it, you might not say it but it's there. You see, love is like an imaginary line that connects two people. You two may not have said anything, but you heard each other anyway."

//Such powerful words//, came into Hisashi's thoughts. He wondered if Teru had gone into one of them sensitivity seminars Ami constantly bugged him into attending, or if he had banged his head hard against a brick wall. He'd never thought of the vocalist to be so logical, but the change was a welcome respite. Everything Teru had been saying was laced with at least one bit of truth. "How do you know that?" he asked anyway, just to press for more.

Teru shrugged. "Simple. You just gotta look into his eyes. Your name's practically written all across it. And by jove, you should see how he looks at you!"

Hisashi smiled shyly despite himself. "Why? How does he look at me?"

"Like he's a kid of five seeing his first choo-choo train." Teru tipped Hisashi's chin lightly with his index finger. "Look, his feelings for you are visible anywhere. He broadcasts it everytime he sets those brown eyes of his on you. And when I brought to him up the fact that you probably still loved Izumi What's-her-face, he looked like he was going to single-handedly slaughter me!"

"But I'm not at all pretty compared to Reiko. What chance have I got?"

"How about the fact that Jiro loves you more than he loves her?"

"We'd never know that unless he tells me so."

"Then why don't you do something to try find it out for yourself? Jesus, Hisashi, you spend every single day in Jiro's eyes. He's just sane enough not to show you how much he's drooling over the beauty that you are. And believe me, you *are* beautiful."

Hisashi smiled coyly. "You really think so?"

Teru laughed, giving Hisashi a playful punch on the guitarist's frail arm. "You little brat, you know you're beautiful. You tell me so every single time."

As if to live up to the accusation, Hisashi flipped his chin-length hair back. "Yeah…I guess you're right."

"Of course I am!" Teru took five seconds to drain the contents of his beer can. He crushed the empty tin and tossed it over to the wastebasket--a cardboard box full of junk, actually. "So…you love him but he doesn't know it yet. He loves you but you're not sure of it yet. Pop quiz, hot shot: what're you gonna do about it?"

Hisashi's bottom lip puffed out into a pout. He shrugged. "I dunno."

Teru nodded. "Well, only you could provide the answer to it anyway. But you know, the true act of courage comes from the one who kisses first." Teru placed his palms on his lap and pushed himself up to his feet. "I gotta get another beer," he said in introduction to a new subject. " 'You want one?"

"Sure." But before the vocalist could walk away, Hisashi caught Teru's wrist. "Matte." Hisashi got up as well and faced Teru. "Thanks…for the words of encouragement, the pep talk…everything. Though I'd have to be honest; I still find it eerie hearing those things from you. I never thought you could be so sappy."

"Love does that to people. You'd be one, too, once you two realize it."

Hisashi smiled. "But really…thanks."

"No problem. When you told me you needed a brother and I said I was here for you, I meant it."

"I know." The guitarist stood on a tiptoe and wrapped his arms around the vocalist for a great thank-you bear hug. "Thanks." He mumbled into Teru's shoulder just as the vocalist's hand ruffled his hair. The hug was later replaced by teasing pokes at each man's side.

The whole scene would've looked cute. In fact, Jiro wanted to take a picture of that moment…then set the processed photo on fire later on, along with the feelings he'd still been harboring for the goddamnly gorgeous guitarist. It was perfectly clear that Teru and Hisashi belong together and that Jiro had no part in it, no matter what they tell him. He'd already checked out from the hospital anyway, and he was feeling much better physically. There was no reason to hide facts just for his benefit. Of this, Jiro was positive. The embrace Teru and Hisashi shared spelled everything out, including Jiro's own pathetic hopes, naivete and stupidity.

He set down his empty beer can on the floor, the sixth he'd downed in the past forty-five minutes. No one had noticed he'd been guzzling down the for-the-moment forbidden drink because no one had been paying attention to him: Masahide and Toshi were discussing on something, Takuro was--as ever--too involved in yet another music score to have a life, and Teru and Hisashi were…well, Teru and Hisashi. Added to the fact that everybody else was immersed in his own little business, Jiro had been rather inconspicuous from his little dark corner. He felt a bit like he was a ghost, the way he kept seeing everyone and no one else could see him in return.

Finally, he saw Takuro set the paper down on the table then clapped his hands as Masahide stood up. "Oi, oi…enough partying everyone. Time to get to work."

Teru groaned out loudly in response and the leader gave him an evil eye before his face broke out into a smile. Jiro often wondered why Teru and Takuro didn't end up together. Other than the thing that both men were painfully straight, as they themselves had ardently stressed over and over again, Jiro reckoned the two would make one great pair on and off stage, in and out of bed. For one, the two oldest of Glay had a longer history dating way back from middle school. That was definitely longer than the years of friendship between Teru and Hisashi. But then the bassist surmised it was because no one between Teru and Takuro would be the submissive one and agree to be the uke. //But then I wish they'd reconsider.//

"Oi, Jiro-chan!" Masahide-san yelled, flinging Jiro out of this cloud of thoughts. "Just because you got into an accident doesn't mean you're entitled to shirk your work. We need a bassist, damnit!"

Reluctantly, Jiro pulled himself off the seat in the nook he'd branded as his but smiled his usual sunny one at the serious man anyway. It all seemed too hypocritical, but it was the only way he could assure everyone that nothing was wrong with him both physically and emotionally. He might not be the best liar in the world, but he was a damn fine actor. How does one think he'd kept his feelings for Hisashi very well under wraps?

The last empty chair was right across the table from where Hisashi sat. It was Jiro's usual spot, too, and it used to give him cheap thrill just by sitting in front of the guitarist, daydreaming about playing footsie naughtily under the table with Hisashi. But under the given, the idea of a mere legged lumber separating him from the one person who sent him sinking into the murky pool of emotions didn't prove to be welcoming. To rub more salt into his already deep wound, Teru was comfortably positioned beside Hisashi and all the while was being chummy, touchy and flirty with the petite man. None of it was part of any play, and that hurt the most.

Jiro scrutinizingly eyed the two, whispering things into each other's ears, giggling at whatever it was each uttered…all in all looking like the perfect lovers. It started to gag Jiro and when everything had turned saccharinely syrupy sweet and romantically mushy enough to cause a diabetic's end, Jiro had to turn his head away and focused on Masahide. The bassist was just as ready to barf his guts out if he'd kept his eyes on the couple before him any longer.

Masahide scanned yet another piece of paper, this time checking for the meeting's agenda. "Okay," he signaled then looked at everyone, "we are gathered here today to--"

Jiro's deep bellow suddenly lorded over the room. All eyes turned puzzled on him, wondering that the matter was.

"Is something funny?" asked Masahide whose ears were already turning scarlet from both irritation and unjustified embarrassment.

"What you said," Jiro managed to start explaining between hearty chortles, "it was downright hilarious! 'We are gathered here today'…like you were officiating a wedding or something." His gaze, shiny eyes veiling his true feelings of disgust and jealousy, darted to the place across from him. "But then, that's not exactly far from happening anyway, is it?" And just as he had expected, the two silently accused looked shocked. Jiro was more than certain the look was either out of the manner of his utterance or the information he divulged itself. He placed his money on the former; the concept 'Teru and Hisashi' was a rather open secret.

"What do you--" Teru had begun to ask but Jiro cut him off with his own deep voice when he felt the question brewing.

"Ne, Masahide-san, please proceed," said the bassist, motioning his hand in a gesture of a royal grant.

The tall man shifted his glances from Jiro to Teru and back to the younger man's equally babyish face. "Okay," he said after a while. "So, we've gotten through all but two of the songs for the next album and right now, we'll need to discuss how we'll go about the promotional videos. I reckon 'One Night' would be your carrier single. Any suggestions how we'll go about the video?"

"How about we show a couple meeting in a party or something," Toshi offered, "then they see each other and just couldn't ignore the spark between them so they try to get it on?"

Takuro appeared appalled for a moment from his place at the other end of the table, but he let his rationale rule. "Are we going to suggest that one night stands are okay for the world?"

"That's what the song means, right?" Toshi argued. "You wrote it."

The leader's lips turned into a grim line of sincerity at having something slapped at him. But he couldn't blame anyone; Toshi was right.

"I think what Toshi's point is," Jiro put in, "when the moment calls for it, give in. You'd never know if it could lead to promising things in the end if you won't try. Surely, you might get hurt, but if you don't surrender to that one fleeing moment which just might promise you all the happiness in the world, you'd never find out how it was to be happy even for a while. That last line, 'Just for this night, make me complete, and then I can die,' it practically sums up everything." Jiro could feel everyone's eyes on him, their gazes drilling as though amazed at how he'd come up with such an idea. Jiro was never the type to go for one-night stands. He shrugged--one of his usual defense mechanisms. "Am I wrong?"

Takuro shook his head. "No. I was just--"

"Wondering," Jiro concluded. "What can I say? The accident must've opened my eyes and thoughts on things I'd never thought of before."

"Well, I like the concept," Masahide aired, in case anyone was interested. "Concede to the moment for it may never happen again…such a truth. Let's do that."

"Alright," Takuro agreed, knowing Masahide's words were almost always final. "So we will. We'll contact a talent agency first thing tomorrow morning for actors."

"What do we need that for?" Jiro queried, once again sending attention his way. "We've got the manpower. You, Takuro, could be the hotel manager. Toshi would be the bellboy. I'd be the proverbial fly on the goddamned wall. And then Teru and Hisashi," he said, slightly trailing off as he cast his eyes on the couple from across him, "would be the perfect lovers."

"Jiro!" everybody cried out of shock…everybody but Hisashi. It seemed as though the guitarist was too dumbfounded to even utter a squeak.

"What's wrong with that?" the bassist asked in defense of himself. "Teru and Hisashi almost got married in 'Soul Love', didn't they? How different could this bed scene be? Everybody's got a pretty good picture of Teru and Hisashi boinking themselves into kingdom come, anyway."

"I beg your pardon!" Teru interjected vehemently. "Jiro, I refuse to--"

Jiro held his hands up. "Okay, okay…settle down. We don't have to get nasty now, alright? I mean, after all…" His eyes, softer with emotion now as his voice, settled on Hisashi, "you're really not taking me seriously, are you, Hisashi?"

"No," Hisashi replied once he'd found his voice. "Of course not."

"I know." Jiro grinned widely. Just as quickly, he looked at Masahide. "I've got everything cleared out. What do you say we get back to the meeting?"

"By all means," Masahide said in exasperation, relieved that the meeting was going back on track.

Jiro leaned back in his seat as Masahide referred to his agenda paper. In a twisted sort of way, Hisashi's response settled him down to where he should've placed himself in the first place. It goddamned hurt, but he knew he got what he deserved.

A fat globe of moisture threatened to seep out of the corner of his eye. He clamped a hand over his mouth and let out a yawn.

The act freed the tear and sent it rolling down his cheek.

part 11