authors_paradise | Lucky Charm (Bring me Love) - Chapter 4: My Life with my best friend

Pairing: KinKi Kids
Other characters: Nagase Tomoya, MA, 4U, Uchi Hiroki, KAT-TUN mainly
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Don't own them, just love them ^^
Setting: AU
Warnings: Bit angsty. Itsi-bitsi-tiny bit.
Multi-Chapter

Notes: YAYS!!! For those who have been wondering, yes, I am working on this! Quite a lot, actually. Even so, this took forever and for htis one I have to say that I'm really not satisfiedwith it. It seems a bit "yadda yadda", buth then, I'm thinking it will lead to some nice new plot developmentrs. I hope you're gonna enjoy it anyway. ^^

Intro: Dimension dilemma. One Koichi has to face a world without drugs and agency comforts. The other Koichi is confronted with a partner, who, while he's not in a relationship with Koichi, does not seem uninterested at all. What's a man to do? Fortunately, Koichi still has a friend to take care of him.

Koichi blinked as he woke up. He recalled cleaning the floor after Tsuyoshi’s latest little disaster, but somehow he felt like he was missing something. As he shifted slightly, he was even more surprised. He’d been settled on the sofa neatly, covered with a sheet. The table had been cleared too. In place of the mess which had covered it the night before, there was standing a little plate with a sandwich on it, a small bottle of coke and – Koichi blinked again – a message. He picked up the small sheet of paper and smiled as he read it.

Sorry about the mess. I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble. I didn’t really know how to pay you back, but I tried my best on your favourite dish. For now I’ll be kidnapping your little girl for a walk. Please get some rest.
Tsuyoshi

Koichi got a bit nostalgic. He had feared that kind of thing might happen – that he would find similarities between Tsuyoshi and… well, Tsuyoshi. While he was an artist with words, when it was about his feelings the man tended to be very shy. Koichi had often received such letters, notes, or other unspoken treats as a sign of affection from his lover. He sighed. It was a mere two days and he already missed his partner. Tsuyoshi was being very sweet to him, though. He’d taken him in immediately, shown patience with his mad idea about parallel dimensions, cooked for him, helped him out. – and he was still so cute.

Okay, now don’t go there. Not only is this a very different man from your lover, just think what you might get rolling if you mess with Koichi’s life. Getting back to your own life is first priority and the less you do, the less you can fuck up.

Koichi stared in shock, as his gaze caught the clock on the wall.
“Past noon,” he muttered in disbelief.
The moment later his attention was caught by the sound of the door opening. Koichi grinned happily as only a moment later Pan came tripling in and immediately went for a good petting. Koichi was only too happy to oblige, placing her neatly on his lap and showering her with love.
“Like master, like dog,” Tsuyoshi commented from the door, a grin on his face.
Koichi blinked at him.

“In the end, she’s in love with a face, not the person beneath,” the younger man explained.
“She’s a dog,” Koichi stated, although a faint blush came to his face. “You pet her, she’s happy. And I’m not superficial.”
Tsuyoshi grinned at that. “Still applies. I bet you’re happy too when you get petted?”
Koichi considered the other man for a moment. Then he grinned back.
“Are you flirting?”
For a second Koichi thought he saw something like fear in the other’s eyes, but the second later the sensation was gone and Tsuyoshi retorted rather casually.

“Just teasing,” he stated. “As for being superficial, I can’t really tell for you,” he shrugged. “When it’s about Koichi, looking at his past lovers… he likes pretty.”
Koichi eyed the other warily. “So… he’s had… lovers?”
“Why, of course,” Tsuyoshi dragged out. “What do you think? He’s over 30.”
“Yes, of course,” Koichi sighed out. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, shaking his head, “it’s just that I can’t imagine… being with someone else.”
Tsuyoshi stared at him. “Don’t tell me you never had anyone else…?”
Koichi merely shrugged back.

“Oh my god,” Tsuyoshi gasped out. “Really?”
“So?” Koichi asked defensively. “What’s wrong with it? And just so you know, Tsuyoshi never wanted anybody but me either. And I’m pretty too, so that means that in my dimension you’re the one who’s being superficial.”
Tsuyoshi blinked at that, then he tilted his head. “He’s just keeping you for your looks? Is your personality really that rotten?”
Koichi bit his lip hard. “That… that was mean. Why are you so…?”

He jumped up, wanting to leave the room. Tsuyoshi grabbed his arm quickly, though, holding him back.
“No, wait,” he pleaded. “I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean it.”
“Well, you said it,” Koichi complained.
“Yes, I’m sorry, I… I don’t know,” Tsuyoshi tried to explain. “I guess all of this is very… aggravating.”
“It’s not my fault, though,” Koichi argued.
“No, it’s not,” Tsuyoshi agreed kindly. “And I was being stupid. Please, forgive me.”

Koichi bit his lip once more, then he shook his head with a sigh.
“I tend to be too touchy too,” he mused. “It’s just that… you know, Tsuyoshi, he’s always so sweet and sensitive and when you say such things when I look into your face…”
“I understand,” Tsuyoshi nodded. “Look at me here, giving you a hard time yet again – even though I haven’t even thanked you properly for taking care of me before.”
“It’s nothing,” Koichi waved him off.
“It’s definitely not nothing,” Tsuyoshi told him.
“Tsu and I, we watch out for each other,” Koichi explained, a smile coming to his face. “Always. We made that promise…”
“Promise?” Tsuyoshi asked, blinking.

The taller man nodded, his smile getting more sympathetic. He sat back down on the sofa, encouraging Pan to come closer again, who had quickly fled into the kitchen at the huge ramble.
“You know,” Koichi started to relate, “there was a time when Tsuyoshi and I… had some problems. We fought a lot, mainly over nothing. You know, the little things that will start to bother you after a while. Work was claiming most of our energy and at some point we thought whether we wanted to continue our relationship when it was only distressing us further.”
“Things like that happen,” Tsuyoshi commented, seating himself in his armchair, as he listened to Koichi’s story.

“They do,” the taller man agreed with a nod. “And we were close to breaking up. I still remember, everybody was so worried about our work. But then, we were so young, we didn’t think about stuff like that.”
“And then, what happened?” Tsuyoshi wanted to know.
“It was really strange, you know,” Koichi chuckled, shaking his head a bit. “Tsuyoshi was called to some work in Taiwan. I don’t even recall what it was anymore. He was going by himself and he stayed there for two months. And then, slowly, I began to realize that I started to miss Tsuyoshi. And not just his presence. All the little things that defined him, the ones we would fight about every so often, I started to miss them so much and suddenly I thought I couldn’t live without a single one of them anymore.”
“How is that?” Tsuyoshi asked, sounding confused.

“I really don’t know,” Koichi shrugged, “but somehow I developed that kind of feeling. And obviously he felt the same. While we didn’t really contact each other after he left, after two weeks we started a pattern. Writing and calling and with time we got more and more into it again. Sometimes we’d talk on the phone through the night, or if we fell asleep we hadn’t hung up and when I woke up I could hear him sleeping on the other end.”
“So that’s how you got back together,” Tsuyoshi mumbled.
“That was when we decided to stay together,” Koichi explained. “A few weeks later a trip was organized by the agency. A special trip for our 10 years anniversary of meeting each other.”

“Ah, we did something like that too,” Tsuyoshi nodded. “We went to Okinawa. It was nice.”
“Well, while we were on that trip we talked a lot and looking back I think that was the moment when I decided in my heart that he was the one for me. At the end of the trip we made a promise that we’d always look out for each other, no matter what. Maybe you think it’s stupid – to hold onto some childish little charm like that, but to me it’s the one promise I made to the one I love. It’s really important to me and I always live it and he does too, reminding me again and again how lucky I am to be treasured by him.”
Silence spread between them as Tsuyoshi merely kept looking at the man in front of him. Koichi let him take his time to take everything in and waited patiently for the other’s reaction.

“You really want me to quit?”
Koichi blinked, almost startled by Tsuyoshi’s voice suddenly ringing through the room.
“Sorry?”
“You really want me to quit those… drugs?”
Koichi’s eyes gleamed happily. “Absolutely,” he nodded.
Tsuyoshi sighed heavily. “Well… I can try. It’s gonna be tough, though.”
“I’ll be with you all along the way,” Koichi promised him.
“I just wonder what I’ll be doing once you’re gone again,” Tsuyoshi pondered.

“That will be for you to decide,” Koichi told him. “I can only offer my help, I can’t pull through for you.”
“True. Very well, then, it’s decided. Tomorrow I’ll talk to Shibuya-sensei and ask for helpers.”
“Helpers?” Koichi asked, confused.
“Yeah, you know, there are pills helping you to get down bit by bit,” Tsuyoshi explained. “It’s still tough… but I want to try,” he decided.
“You will definitely make it,” Koichi told him. “I don’t know a single person stronger than Tsuyoshi. You can totally do it.”

“And I’ll have you here to keep me occupied too,” Tsuyoshi grinned.
“Ah, now you’re flirting again,” Koichi teased.
“Well, gotta practice a little,” the younger man said casually. “We’ll have to show some fanservice again soon.”
“True,” Koichi agreed. “Our annual tour is getting closer, after all.”
“Wow, you guys tour together every year?” Tsuyoshi asked, sounding surprised.
Koichi blinked. “You don’t?”

The other merely shook his head. “This will be our first one in four years.”
“Four years?!” Koichi gasped out. “But… what else are you doing?”
“Solo stuff,” Tsuyoshi shrugged. “Same as y-… Koichi.”
“I see,” Koichi nodded thoughtfully. “Well, I do my solo stuff too during the year, but… I’m always happy to get… well, back home.”
“We’ll make this one a blast,” Tsuyoshi smiled at him.
“Absolutely.”

________________________________________________________________________________________

“Oh, shoot,” Koichi cursed. “Ah, Tsuyoshi?”
The other’s head popped in through the door.
“Yes?”
“Ano… I’m sorry, but… do you think you can help me out with meds? Rehearsals are killing me and I didn’t bring enough spares.”
“Oh, sure,” Tsuyoshi nodded, moving all the way into the room. “What do you need exactly?”
“Well, you know,” Koichi dragged out. “The special meds.” When the other merely blinked at him, he groaned in annoyance. “Pushers, dammit. I need something to get high.”
At that Tsuyoshi stared. “You… you’re on drugs?”

“Duh,” Koichi made, then he looked at the other more closely. “Wait… don’t tell me you aren’t doing. I couldn’t live without them. Doesn’t Koichi keep a little extra stuff?”
“We’re both clean,” Tsuyoshi told him. “And… I don’t even know what to say. So, you both take drugs? You and Tsuyoshi?”
“All along,” Koichi shrugged. “It’s not really a big deal. We just…”
“The hell it isn’t,” Tsuyoshi bit at him. “Oh, if that other me gets Koichi into trouble, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“Relax already,” Koichi waved him off. “It’s really well-balanced stuff. Nothing to worry about.”

“Koichi talked to me about getting those,” Tsuyoshi remembered. “We decided against it. It’ll do things to your body. He tried without and he manages alright.”
“Seriously?” Koichi blinked. “But really, he’s just tormenting himself unnecessarily. What good is there in suffering?”
“Koichi always keeps saying that the after-effects make him feel alive,” the taller man stated.
“Bullshit,” Koichi muttered. “Shit, so there are no drugs here?”
“No,” Tsuyoshi confirmed. “And I don’t think you should continue taking them. At any rate, I will not allow you to bring such stuff to my house.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Koichi stared. “You can’t be serious. I just can’t do without them. There’s so much… no, no way, I can’t.”
“You’re not half the man Koichi is, then,” the other told him.
And that hit. Koichi glared at him furiously, hands tightening into fists and loosening repeatedly. His lips were pressed together tightly as he tried to stay calm.
“Fine,” he finally spat. “Just so you’ll see me do it. I’m not getting anything while I’m here.”
“Good,” Tsuyoshi nodded, his face even.
“Just watch me,” the other continued. “Whatever your precious Koichi can do, I can do same.”

“Okay then,” Tsuyoshi stated with a nod. “I’m very relieved to hear that.”
“Yeah, good for you,” Koichi bit out. “I’ll go and prepare a can of coffee, because I’ll need something to get through the day.”
“I can do that,” Tsuyoshi offered. “You can take a shower.”
“Fine, whatever,” Koichi shrugged and with that left the room.
Tsuyoshi grinned to himself. For a second he wondered whether it was weird for Koichi to feel jealous of himself, but then it didn’t really matter. The strings of this Koichi were very similar to those of the man he loved. If Koichi ever learned how Tsuyoshi made him do things, or leave things, he’d be in huge trouble. As it was he didn’t have to fear something like that would happen any time soon. So he just moved on into the kitchen to prepare some much needed coffee.

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

"Hey, Tomo!"

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

“Hey, there. How’ve you been doing? You’ve been neglecting me.”
Koichi bit his lip. His friend sounded a bit hurt.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I… I’ve had a rough time as of late.”
“Well, I thought I should call in,” Nagase’s voice sounded, still seeming a bit tight. “Rehearsals have started by now, haven’t they? I thought you could do with some distraction.”
“Well, as a matter of fact I could,” Koichi mused.
“Cool,” Nagase cheered, sounding happy. “Our bar, 10 pm?”

“Our bar,” Koichi muttered helplessly, trying to think of a reason to force the other to tell him the address. “Yeah, I… I won’t have a car…”
There was a sigh on the other end. “Don’t tell me you got into another accident. For your love of cars, Koichi, you really can’t drive.”
Koichi felt slightly offended. He was more than just a decent driver. Even so, it seemed he had succeeded, so he decided to simply play along.
“I’m sorry to cause trouble,” he mumbled.
“Nah, it’s okay,” Nagase told him. “I’ll pick you up half past, then.”
“Cool, thank you.”
“Right, then. See you later.”

______________________________________________________________________________________

“Oh, hey Koichi,” Nagase’s voice sounded from the other end. “You… I didn’t expect… you know…”
“Yeah, I know,” Koichi dragged out. “I’ve been a shitty friend and I totally neglected you. Tomo, I’m really sorry. Let’s hang out?”
There was a longer silence on the other end, then, “Did you and Tsuyoshi have a fight?”
Koichi frowned. “What? No. It’s got nothing to do with me and Tsuyoshi. It’s about me and you. So, how about it?”
“Sorry,” Nagase chuckled lightly, “it’s just that you haven’t asked me to hang out together in ages – and when you do, it’s mainly because you guys have some sort of trouble.”

Koichi bit his lip. “Tomo… I don’t know what to say. I mean, I can say that I’m sorry and really, I mean it. I can’t believe I’ve been neglecting such a wonderful person as you. I promise I’ll try to make it up to you, okay? I’d really love to hang out more – if you still care, that is. I’ve been treating you like this for too long.”
“Koichi,” Nagase spoke up again and Koichi could hear the frown in his voice. “Are you okay?”
Koichi felt a blush spreading over his face. “I er… yeah.”
“Kou, listen, we’re friends, okay? I understand you’re very busy and it’s only natural you’ll spend your rare spare time with that most wonderful lover of yours. To this day I still marvel at the fact that he can live with you.”

Koichi laughed slightly at that. “Yeah, I guess I’m not an easy character, ne? And yes, of, course, there’s a lot going on in my life. But that doesn’t mean I can forget about people, who are important to me. And I really want to hang out more. I… miss you.”
“Oh dear, Koichi,” Nagase laughed. “You’re really… Aw, why can’t I fuzz up your hair right now? I love doing that.”
“Yeah, and I hate it,” Koichi grumbled back.
“But you look so cute…”
“Do you want to meet, now?” Koichi tried to finish the discussion.

“Well, sure,” Nagase answered. “How about you drop by my place?”
Koichi bit his lip at that. “Ah, yeah…
“Oh,” the other continued. “Almost forgot. I haven’t given you the new address yet, have I? I’ll send you a mail, okay?”
“Okay, sure,” Koichi chirped happily. “Then I’ll get to see your new place too.”
“Well, it’s not exactly new anymore,” Nagase mused. “But yeah, I’ll be happy to host you. I’ll buy your precious strawberry milk, so there’s no need to bring anything – unless you have a certain video game in mind.”

“I’ll think about that,” Koichi said with a smile. “Strawberry milk,” he mused. “Aren’t we a bit too old for that now?”
“You’re the guest, so it’s your choice.”
“Okay, then buy me strawberry milk,” Koichi stated with a grin.
“You know,” Nagase chuckled lightly, “I kind of miss you too. How about around 8pm?”
“Be there. See you later.”
“Yup, bye.”

____________________________________________________________________________________________

“Ka-booooooom, baby,” Koichi cheered, throwing his fist up in the air in triumph.
“I can’t believe you just made my bike slip,” Nagase complained. “We’re on the same team, for fucks sake.”
“Number one’s the winner,” Koichi shrugged. “You’re still third.”
“Maybe we should just race each other,” the other suggested.
“Nah, like this is more fun,” Koichi decided. He laid down his controller, then moved to lie down on the floor as well, wiggling a bit. “Mou, I’m hungry. Can’t we order something in?”
As Koichi looked at Nagase for a reaction he saw a mix between confusion and bewilderment.

“Koichi,” Nagase started, eyeing his friend warily, “are you really sure you’re okay?”
“Pretty much,” Koichi winked at him, “why are you asking?”
“It’s just… You’ve been acting very weird all night.”
Koichi stiffened at that. “Oh… really?”
“Yeah,” the taller man confirmed. “Listen, Kou, it’s okay. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
Koichi bit his lip, considering his friend. It would be so nice to confide in the other. But still, was it safe? He still thought he’d gotten very lucky that Tsuyoshi hadn’t had him taken to an asylum, when Koichi had come around with his wild theory.

“I guess we really haven’t seen each other for too long a time,” Koichi tried to sneak his way out of the situation.
“Koichi… I don’t know what Tsuyoshi told you,” Nagase said, looking at him sternly, “but he doesn’t know about every single time that we meet. It’s true we do not meet very regularly, but as it is now… Kou, we had lunch together last week. Your call was already totally weird. Seriously, what is going on?”
Koichi sighed deeply. “Fuck, couldn’t do it, after all.”
“Do what?” the taller man wanted to know.

“You’ll think I’m crazy,” Koichi told him.
“No, actually, right now I think you’re crazy,” Nagase retorted.
“Okay,” Koichi blurted out. “The other day I was getting home from work and suddenly I find that there’s a woman living in my apartment, that obviously I’m sleeping with Tsuyoshi and that I haven’t had a decent solo project this year. Things were changing right in front of my eyes and the only at least somewhat plausible explanation I found is that somehow I’ve changed dimensions and that I am stuck here, while the person that you know as Koichi is running around in my home.”
“So…” Nagase dragged out, eyes fixed on the other. “You, Domoto Koichi, live on your own, you’re not in a relationship with Tsuyoshi and you have active solo stuff going?”

“That would be right,” Koichi nodded, eyeing his friend and waiting for a reaction.
“Oh, fuck!” Nagase burst out, his eyes boring into Koichi.
“What?”
“You mean… Koichi is now in a reality where Tsuyoshi’s not with him, where he’ll have to cook for himself and arrange his own schedule?”
“Well… for the main part,” Koichi nodded. Then he frowned. “Wait – do you actually believe what I just told you?”
“Koichi, I was already thinking about alien abduction. Your story is way more believable, really.” He inspected Koichi closely. “Amazing, you look just like him.”

Koichi laughed slightly at that. “Yeah well, I guess many things are similar in both dimensions.”
“How did this happen?”
“It seems Koichi and I have passed the exact same spot at the exact same time and somehow… I’m not all the way sure, but yeah…”
“And… do you have a plan?” Nagase wanted to know.
“About getting back, you mean? Yes, I’ve been thinking that it would be best to get back to that exact spot on the 15th of February. The same date, the same day, the same time. That’s the all the things that I can match.”

“And you’re thinking that Koichi will come to the same conclusion,” Nagase mused.
“Let’s hope he does,” Koichi sighed. “I don’t know if our skills are similar… What were his main studies?”
At that Nagase blinked. “Sorry?”
“Well, what did he specialize on?” Koichi wanted to know.
“Er… dancing?” the taller man shrugged.
“I mean education-wise,” Koichi dragged out, rolling his eyes. “Come on…”
“Koichi, you… I mean, he…” Nagase bit his lip. “Koichi never went to university.”
At that the smaller man stared. “What?!”

“He never cared for it,” Nagase explained with a shrug. “He wanted to study art. And, naturally, Johnny-san provided everything for him and Tsuyoshi. The best artists our country has to offer – many of them have been working with you guys. He learned everything, starting from entertainment, over singing and dancing to composing.”
“I did all of that too,” Koichi stated. “But I did go to university. My IQ is 143, how could I not have studied anything?”
“Oh my god, seriously?” Nagase stared.
“Well, of course,” Koichi shrugged.

“Wow, I didn’t know he’s intelligent like that…”
“I don’t know if he is,” Koichi told the other. “Well, it’s possible, of course.”
“Something you have in common with Koichi is your confidence, that much is for sure.”
“Something I don’t share with him are his eating habits,” Koichi stated. “Obviously, he doesn’t eat much. You see, I eat all day long and right now…”
“Pizza?” Nagase asked, grabbing for his phone.
“Sure, that would be great,” Koichi beamed.
“Anything you don’t want on it?”
“Ah… no fish of any kind.”
“Gotcha.”

________________________________________________________________________________________

“I can’t believe you did it again,” Nagase sighed, as he and Koichi left the grounds of the rehearsal area.
“It’s nothing much, really,” Koichi assured him. “I’ll be able to drive again in a few days.”
“Maybe you should just leave it,” Nagase suggested. “No offence, and I know you love cars, but Koichi, let’s face it, you can’t drive.”
“Just wait and see,” Koichi grinned at his friend. “I’ve had some very good practice. I’ll take you out for a ride next week and then you’ll see how I can drive.”
“Whatever makes you happy,” the other man shrugged.
“So, where’s your car?” Koichi asked, looking at his friend expectantly. The look Nagase gave him told him that he had obviously just said something that sounded totally crazy. “Fuck,” he cursed. “Not even a minute?”

“Koichi, what on earth is going on?” Nagase wanted to know, frowning deeply. “Did you hit your head in your accident, or something? Are you under some kind of treatment?”
“How off was it?” Koichi wanted to know. “What I just asked you?”
“Where my car is?” Nagase laughed out. “That’s… really off. You know I don’t have a car.”
“But… you said you’re gonna pick me up,” Koichi muttered.
“Yeah,” Nagase confirmed. “With the only vehicle I own.”
For emphasis he stepped behind the huge motorcycle that was standing on the street, opening the seat and throwing Koichi a motorcycle helmet.

“Motorbike,” Koichi mumbled in disbelief. “Okay, that’s something I never would have thought of. Stupid Tsuyoshi, why doesn’t he tell me stuff like that?”
“Koichi?” Nagase asked, looking at him expectantly, but also with a hint of insecurity.
“Can we first get to your place?” Koichi requested. “I swear I’m not a lunatic who will slaughter you, or something.”
Yeah,” Nagase sneered at him. “And I’ll trust you because a lunatic would tell me beforehand what his plans are – right.”
“Fine, hold on,” Koichi sighed. He grabbed for his phone and worked it for a call. “Hey,” he said as someone picked up at the other end. “Listen, I fucked up. Nagase’s all… well, confused might say it best. Now he doesn’t want to talk to me in private…”

A moment later he held the phone out to Nagase, gesturing for the man to take it. After a second’s hesitation Nagase grabbed the item and held it to his ear.
“Yes?”
“Nagase…”
“Tsuyoshi?” Nagase asked, eyes growing wide.
“Yeah, listen… I don’t know what Koichi did or said, but… you can trust him, really. Just let him talk to you.”
“O-okay, fine,” Nagase stuttered.
“Good,” Tsuyoshi’s voice sounded from the other end. “Listen, tell Koichi to bring back some packages with instant noodles. We’re out.”

At that Nagase frowned. “What do you mean, you’re…?”
“Just pass on the message, Koichi will explain everything to you.”
“Okay,” Nagase sighed. “Bye, Tsuyoshi.”
“Bye-bye, baby…”
“Argh, stop calling me that!” Nagase roared into the phone, making Koichi chuckle.
He actually smiled as he accepted his phone back.
“So, are we going?”
“Yeah,” Nagase nodded. “I really want to know what on earth is going on here.”
And so they went back to Nagase’s place, sitting down in the living room and Koichi related his story to his friend and what his plans were. About twenty minutes into it, they were discussing the situation together.

“So, the plan is to go there again on Wednesday,” Koichi explained. “It’s my only hope to get back home.”
“On Wednesday,” Nagase mused.
“Yeah,” Koichi nodded. “The day it happened. Wednesday. At the same time and place that it happened. That’s all I can do to match circumstances. Day, time and place.”
“What about the date?” the other asked, looking at him innocently.
“What?” Koichi blinked.
“The date, you know. What was it on Wednesday… hold on… the fifteenth. So, wouldn’t a Wednesday 15th be better?”

Koichi’s eyes grew wide. “Oh my god, you’re right. Of course, how could I have forgotten about that?! But hold on – that means…” Koichi fumbled around with his cell phone for a while, then a desperate sigh could be heard. “Four months. Seriously? Oh dear…”
“Well, maybe your plan,” Nagase tried.
Koichi waved him off, though. “No, that’s it. Wednesday 15th. It has to be that. Damn, I didn’t think I’d be stuck here for such a long time.” He smiled apologetically at his friend. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I don’t like it here. But I miss… well, my own life. My friends. The KAT-TUN guys are nice enough, actually, but I miss my friends. My lover…”

“Your lover?” Nagase asked, blinking. “Like someone in particular?”
“Someone very particular,” Koichi smiled.
“So, who are you with? Do I know them?” the taller man wanted to know.
“Yes, you do,” Koichi nodded at him. “I live with Tsuyoshi. For a very long time I’ve been living with him already.”
“Wait, you… Tsuyoshi?” Nagase’s eyes grew wide. “You’re with Tsuyoshi? Oh my god! Does Tsuyoshi know? I mean… oh, you know what I mean.”
“Yes, I know,” the other man chuckled. “And yes, he knows. I all but barged into his apartment that I share with Tsuyoshi at home. You and him, you’re the only two persons who know that I’m not me – so to speak.”

“This is complicated,” Nagase frowned. “And now you’re living in the
apartment?”
Again, Koichi nodded. “Do you think it’s not a good idea?” he asked directly. “Because of Tsuyoshi?”
Nagase sighed. “He never says anything, you know. Never does anything either. I wonder if he’s even thought it through entirely. But…”
“He likes Koichi,” the other spoke the words.
“I think so,” Nagase nodded. “If you keep living there…”
“It’ll hurt him,” Koichi stated. “Ne, Tomo, do you think it’s absolutely impossible that Koichi might like him too?”

“Koichi’s totally not into Tsuyoshi,” Nagase told the other. “You should hear him going on about that stage stuff, rumours, and such. That kind of thing really gets to him. Ah, please don’t think he’s a homophobe. He’s really totally not, but he doesn’t want to be labelled as gay. He’s just not.”
“Being gay, or not, has only in part to do with whom you choose as a mate,” Koichi stated flatly.
“Really?” the taller man blinked. “I always though gay means you pick guys and straight means you pick girls.”

“And then there’s a million things in between,” Koichi explained. “Maybe Koichi is bothered by this. That no matter how he’d put it, people would think of him as gay…” He shook his head. “I’m being ridiculous. He’s just different from me. So what if he doesn’t suck dick? Strangely, it’s totally not my business. At any rate, I should get out of Tsuyoshi’s apartment.”
“That might be wise,” Nagase nodded.
“Tomo… What is his relationship with Tsuyoshi?”
“Well, they’re working colleagues,” the other shrugged. “Other than that they have no relationship.”
“Hm…” Koichi made. “Then, tell me about Tsuyoshi. What do you know about him?”

“Ah, I know that he is very devoted,” Nagase reported. “He’s also quite popular, with colleagues as with the fans. For him, though, there is only a handful of people he will trust. He’s a rather wary character and he doesn’t open up to others easily.”
“Tell me someone whom he trusts,” Koichi requested. “I want to get to the core of this guy.”
“Not an easy task,” Nagase mumbled. “Well, if I have to choose someone, he’s on really good terms with Mori. That would be someone he confides in.”
“Hold on,” Koichi frowned. “Mori? As in Mori Masayuki?”
Nagase nodded warily.

“Don’t tell me… he’s still in the agency?” Koichi gasped.
“Why ever would he not be?” the other asked, looking at Koichi as though he’d just suggested that maybe time could run backwards. “I mean, he’s like Johnny-san’s all-time favourite. I’m pretty sure that he’ll be taking over a big part of everything once Johnny retires.”
“Wow, really?” Koichi asked, eyes growing wide. “That’s… surprising…”
“Don’t you have somebody like that?” Nagase wanted to know.
“Well, I’m guessing that Higashi is going to be in there,” Koichi shrugged. “He knows a lot about the business. And while he’s definitely not Johnny-san’s favourite, Johnny knows and appreciates a bright mind when he sees one. Then there’s Takizawa too – although he’s still quite young.”

Nagase laughed lightly. “It’s really interesting… all those differences.”
“Indeed,” Koichi nodded. Then he inspected the other more closely. “Come to think of it… what about you?”
“What about me?” Nagase blinked.
“Well, there must be differences with you too,” Koichi explained. “I know you like video games, we talked about that. How about guitars? Do you play?”
“I’m part of a band, Kou, what do you think?”
“You’re the vocalist,” Koichi shrugged. “It’s not vitally needed that you play anything, so I’m curious.”

“We’re all musicians, Koichi.”
“Okay, so that answers my question,” Koichi mumbled. “How about… girls?”
“Girls?” Nagase blinked. “As in…?”
“Well, do you like them?” the smaller man shrugged.
“Of course I like girls,” the other stated. “What are you thinking?”
“Just that when Koichi’s into girls, it’s also possible that someone I know as straight might be gay here.”
“Well, I like girls,” Nagase pointed out.

“Fine,” Koichi nodded. “Maybe you’re just the same in every dimension,” he grinned.
“That sounds very boring, though,” Nagase mused. “Like I have no varieties.”
“I’m pretty sure there are some,” Koichi assured him.
“I don’t know,” Nagase objected. “Even Johnny-san keeps telling me I’m too straight a guy and that the more out of the ordinary things catch the fans.”
At that Koichi stared. “What – Johnny complained that you’re too… idol-ish?”
“Well, that’s my job, isn’t it,” Nagase shrugged.
“So… no wild rock style, no dirty talk on TV shows, no getting naked on stage?”

Nagase just blinked at him. “What are you even talking about?!”
“Well, I guess I can assure you now that you do have varieties, Tomo.”
“Why, that’s nice to hear,” Nagase smiled. “I’m just glad we’re friends, no matter what.”
“Yeah,” Koichi answered warily.
“What – we are friends, aren’t we?”
“I love you very dearly,” Koichi nodded. “Just… you know, with my life being so busy… and I have my partner… I guess I’ve kind of lost touch with you a bit.”
The other bit his lip, watching his friend. “Well, such things happen naturally,” he tried to assure the other.

“No,” Koichi opposed. “I stopped trying. It’s not like I don’t care, but I think at some point I lost grip of it… It’s sad, really, because I totally enjoy being here. Maybe once I get back home, I can rebuild the bond. I would really like that.”
“Sounds good,” Nagase smiled at him.
“But for now I have to get things to work with Tsuyoshi,” Koichi decided. “First, I’ll get out of that apartment”
“You can stay here, if you like,” Nagase offered.

“Thanks, that would be great, really,” Koichi nodded eagerly. “And then, I’ll find Mori and talk to him.”
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to mess with something you don’t know and which is obviously working?” Nagase asked sceptically.
“Well, obviously it’s not working, or else I wouldn’t have to leave the apartment,” Koichi pointed out. “There’s definitely something off between Tsuyoshi and Koichi and while I’m here, I’ll give it my best to solve the matter. So, are you in?”
“Sure, you can count on me,” Nagase nodded.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

“Ah, you’re back,” Tsuyoshi smiled as Koichi slid into the living room.
“Yeah,” Koichi smiled back. “Ah, Tsuyoshi, listen, I… there is something I have to talk to you about.”
“It’s okay,” Tsuyoshi assured him. “This must be so bothersome,” he analyzed. “That you can never know what compares to your dimension and what doesn’t.”
“Oh, that. Yeah… it’s distressful,” Koichi admitted. “Plus, I never know if anything I say will give away that I’m not… Koichi. It happens so easily. I almost fainted when I saw Nishikido joining the rehearsals the other day.”
“Eh?” Tsuyoshi blinked. “He’s not playing with you?”

“We had him in the production for one year,” Koichi explained. “But then he moved back to working on other stuff.”
“He’s been part of the show for a long time,” Tsuyoshi told him.
“Yeah, I’ve learned that too,” Koichi sighed. “But that’s exactly what I mean. How do I know what’s safe to talk about? Many things are similar. Others totally different. And I never know which is which.”
“Even so you met Tomo,” Tsuyoshi stated.
“Well, I can’t neglect him for months. If they really are that close, I’d ruin it for Koichi.”
“Might well be true,” the younger man admitted.

“It’s okay,” Koichi told him. “It’s not a problem. He understands now. And I’ve learned something today. Koichi can’t drive?”
“Well, he’s got a license,” Tsuyoshi explained. “And a garage full of cars. His skills are… well, debatable, I’d say.”
“I don’t believe it,” Koichi stated, shaking his head. “How does he move, then, if not by car?”
“Well, for the main part, when it’s about work Koichi gets drivers from the agency,” Tsuyoshi explained. “I keep telling him it’s no good… but well, Johnny-san spoils him like that. And he indulges in being a spoilt brat – much as yourself, actually, as far as I’ve seen.”
“Tsuyoshi likes to spoil me,” Koichi grinned.
“Well, he gets to fuck you too, doesn’t he?”

At that Koichi stiffened. “And that concerns you how?” he asked pointedly.
Tsuyoshi tensed up at that. “I’m just saying you shouldn’t expect me to be like your Tsuyoshi. Because I’m not.”
“Okay, okay, relax already,” Koichi grumbled. “Sounds like someone else needs to get laid.”
“I’m just trying to be clear. I mean, if you think of me like… like your partner, who knows, you might suggest we do the naughty together.”
“You know, for someone who claims to be not interested in me, you show an awful lot of interest in my sex life.”

“I didn’t say that I have no interest in you, did I?” Tsuyoshi demanded, his voice getting tight. “I said we’re not a couple. I said we’re not even friends. But I never said that I wasn’t interested. Well, even so, I’m not your oh-so-lovely partner, who will spoil you all day long. I’m not that kind of person. Does that mean I can’t…?” He sighed, shaking his head.
“Tsu…”
“It’s you… it’s him who keeps pushing me away,” Tsuyoshi explained. “Always worried about what people might say. You know, fans easily get worked up about stuff, they’ll invent rumours and… Somehow it really got to Koichi, people talking about the two of us as a couple. It aggravated him so much, it made me feel… I don’t know. Anyway, his first choice of tackling the issue was to have as little contact as possible. And well, I wanted him to feel better, so I agreed.”

Koichi looked at the other intensely. “So… do you like him?”
Tsuyoshi bit his lip. “I… I dare not even ask myself that.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I’m a complete mess. I never got to the bottom of it, okay? I figured I couldn’t talk to him about it anyway. It would only freak him out even more.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Koichi mused. “When people are already talking, there’s little more to lose.”
“He might well be different from you in this respect,” Tsuyoshi stated.
“Obviously,” Koichi sighed. “Listen, I’ve been talking with Tomo. About the current situation. He’s invited me to stay at his place for a while. And I’m thinking that it might actually be a good idea. So, I’m just grabbing a few things and then…”

“And then you’re gonna leave?” Tsuyoshi asked. “So, you’re blocking me too?”
“I’m sorry, Tsuyoshi,” Koichi said with a sad smile. “Please don’t think this is easy on me. But whatever’s amiss between you and Koichi, if I mess things up like that I might destroy what little connection you guys have and… and I just can’t let that happen… okay?”
Tsuyoshi bit his lip. He bit back the tears stinging his eyes.
“Okay,” he whispered out.
“I’m glad you understand,” Koichi said sympathetically. “A lot could be damaged, if we’re not careful.”
“I understand,” Tsuyoshi nodded. “If you need anything… call me.”
“I will,” Koichi smiled, patting the other’s shoulder before moving to grab his essentials.

______________________________________________________________________________________

An unexpected turn of events. I hadn't planned for Koichi to leave the apartment. But then, for now it's gonna be better this way. Tsuyoshi shows much of a fighting spirit and I think he will definitely move something in this story. It makes me happy to see that not only Koichi is changing directions, but that other characters are also involved in the changes. Seems like Tsuyoshi is getting out of his immobile position. And big yays for Nagase! I just love him. :D Thanks, everybody for reading. ^^

Chapter 3

Chapter 5