The Price for Loving You
Chapter Twenty-Two
A Gravitation Fanfic

The restaurant had been carefully chosen. Upscale enough that nobody could question its use in a formal show of appreciation; not so upscale that five minutes of Bad Luck antics would get them kicked out. Suguru had texted him all about it.

Bad Luck's keyboardist's involvement had started out small but grown in influence. He'd also texted that Yuuji was surprisingly competent for a slacker and Maiko surprisingly tolerant for Shuichi's sister. It was pretty high praise for Suguru.

Tatsuha had yet to enter the building when a voice caught him off guard. "Suguru texted that the Shindos are inside, but the Nakanos have yet to arrive."

"Suguru probably already texted him." Mika had Keiichi with her, and he was already waving his hands toward him.

"Ta! Ta!"

"Hey, kiddo." Tatsuha took reached out a finger, which Keiichi latched onto. "I didn't expect to see you two today."

"Hiroshi is responsible for saving Suguru's life as well." Tohma pointed out.

"Don't let him fool you one bit, he just wants to see this insanity in person." Nuriko leaned on Tohma's shoulder.

"Keiichi's too small still." Saki appeared at his elbow with the complaint. "He can't play big kid games."

Tatsuha patted her head. "He'll get there."

"How are you invited again?" Tohma asked his bandmate.

"Moral support." Nuriko told him.

"You were never good at that."

"That's cuz you needed a kick in the ass more often than moral support. Besides, I never said it was for you."

"Tatsuha-chan!"

He heard Ryuichi's shout only seconds before he was tackled to the ground. Somehow Mika found time to untangle Keiichi's hand from his and get out of the way. As the breath was knocked out of him, he decided he was going to have to learn her methods if this was going to become a regular occurrence.

"Tatsuha-chan! I'm so happy to see you! Shuichi said I could definitely come, so I asked Noriko to come and she brought Saki, who's super good at rhythm games, and won't this be fun?"

"Looking forward to it." Tatsuha managed to get out. "Ryuichi, do you think you could possibly get off my back now?"

Ryuichi favored him with a wicked grin. "I don't know. I'm kinda comfy."

Mika cleared her throat pointedly, glaring at Ryuichi where he was straddling her brother.

Ryuichi stood up, offering Tatsuha a hand. "Your siblings aren't any fun, Tatsuha-chan."

Tatsuha resisted the urge to groan. Egging on either of his siblings was never a good idea. And he had also wanted to keep Mika from getting involved with whatever was forming between he and Ryuichi. His sister's overprotective streak was not always a good thing.

"Your brand of fun has always been questionable." Mika stated.

"Mika's so mean sometimes..." Ryuichi's eyes got watery. "Aren't you going to defend me, Tatsuha?"

"Against Mika? I'm not that crazy." He shook his head.

"Aw!" Ryuichi latched onto his arm. "We can suffer together."

"Doesn't sound like fun."

Noriko hit Ryuichi over the head before picking up Saki. "Stop being a squid and let's get inside."

Ryuichi stuck his tongue out a Noriko, but tugged on Tatsuha's arm so he would stay with him as they headed into the restaurant. "Have you eaten here before?"

"No, but Suguru said the food was good." Tatsuha offered.

"Nakano party, please." Tohma took over talking to the staff.

"Some of your party is already here, please follow me." The host bowed, before picking up menus and leading the way.

Ryuichi let go of his arm to tackle Shuichi in a hug. Any disappointment was eased by the sight of his brother twitching over the act.

"He's hopeless." Noriko sighed, but a smile was tugging her lips at the sight.

"Yuuji texted. The Nakanos are five minutes out." Suguru came over.

"Ayaka is with Hiro but her parents are arriving separately." Tatsuha offered the information.

"This should prove interesting." Suguru smirked.

"You're taste in fun has not improved since joining Bad Luck."

"Like you aren't looking forward to the chaos."

"I'm looking forward to a couple things."

Suguru eyed him warily. "You know something."

"Maybe..." Tatsuha grinned. "Don't worry. It's nothing bad."

"Hmph. Anything unplanned can be bad. I do tend to trust your judgement, though. I'm not sure why exactly, but I do."

"You're awful sometimes, Cos."

"Just sometimes? I must be slipping."

"Tatsuha-chan! Sit by me!" Ryuichi shouted out.

"Someone's monopolizing your time." Suguru gave him a sideways glance.

"Don't start. Mika will probably give me an earful already." Tatsuha resisted the urge to sigh.

"Nonsense. She'll give him an earful, but don't worry - he doesn't seem likely to scare easy."

"Not sure if that was encouraging or not."

"You know I'm on your side, Cos." Suguru smirked. "Better get going before he starts whining." He shoved him in Ryuichi's direction.

Tatsuha didn't miss the fact that Eiri glowered at Ryuichi when he sat next to him and stifled the urge to groan.

"This looks nice." Ayaka commented as they entered the restaurant.

"It's alright I suppose." Mrs Nakano frowned. "Was this really the best option, Yuuji?"

"You should be shocked I actually got us reservations at all." Yuuji countered. His mother gave him a disapproving frown.

"Nakano." Mr Nakano told the host who approached them.

"Very good, sir. Right this way."

"What time are your parents joining us?" Hiro asked Ayaka.

"They should be here in the next ten minutes." Ayaka gripped his arm harder. "Was it a good idea to invite them?" She added in a whisper.

"Absolutely." Hiro gave her a grin, keeping his voice down to a whisper as well. "Don't worry."

"That's not possible."

Hiro brought her hand up to press to his lips before placing it back on his arm. "I've got this."

Ayaka opened her mouth to reply but was cut off.

"You?"

"Y-you!" Mrs Nakano and Mrs Shindo were pointing at each other. Mrs Shindo had stood from her seat and Mr Shindo followed suit.

"What is the meaning of this?" Mr Nakano demanded.

"Here we go." Yuuji whispered to Hiro and Ayaka before stepping forward. "Isn't it obvious? The Shindos and Seguchis wanted to show their appreciation to Hiroshi for his actions."

"You mean you invited them?"

"Actually, they invited us."

"We did not invite-" Mrs Shindo began.

"I did." Maiko stood up.

"M-Maiko?"

"It would be impolite to invite Hiroshi and not his family."

"When did you become such a rebel?" Mrs Shindo bemoaned, burying her face in her hands. "Taking such an action behind our backs."

"Your children have no discipline." Mr Nakano spoke up.

Mr Shindo bristled. "Your eldest didn't even take an entry exam, and your youngest failed it. If you want to speak of lack of discipline-"

"You dare malign-!"

"Maiko is in university and Shuichi has a successful career-"

"Your son not only talked our youngest into such an unstable and clearly dangerous job choice but is cavorting with a man!"

"He was cavorting with your son first." Ayaka took a seat at the table. Hiro gaped at her, and Yuuji burst out laughing.

"Usami-san!" Mrs Nakano gasped out.

"I object to that choice of phrases. My Shuichi never slept with anyone but me." Eiri countered.

"Yuki!" Shuichi screeched, blushing red.

"This is way too much information!" Suguru protested.

"Speak for yourself, this is better than a daytime talk show." Tatsuha grinned.

"You watch that crap?" Suguru gave him an exasperated look.

"Language!" Mika snapped.

"With this conversation, that's your complaint?" Tohma asked her.

"I have to watch something when the temple doesn't have visitors!" Tatsuha defended himself.

"I approve if it's any consolation." Noriko offered him.

"Possibly."

"I didn't say they slept with each other." Ayaka told Eiri.

"It's implied by that phraseology." He insisted.

"Only in romance novels."

"Which I write."

"True."

"Why don't we all sit down?" Hiro suggested.

"And talk about something besides Shuichi's and Hiro's sex lives. It just makes me feel like I'm on tour again." Suguru spoke up.

"Nakano better not have a sex life to talk about or he and I are having words." Tatsuha frowned.

"That's none of your business, Uesugi." Hiro shot him a look.

"It is until there's a ring on my best friend's finger."

"Tatsuha!" It was Ayaka's turn to blush.

"It's not like Hiroshi's a virgin." Yuuji spoke up.

"Yuuji!" Mrs Nakano's look was scandalized.

"Yah, but if Ayaka's not, her parents would freak out." Tatsuha volunteered.

"Oh."

"That's kinda hypocritical as her best friend considering you've probably had more partners than anyone at this table." Suguru joined back in the conversation.

Tatsuha choked on the water he'd been sipping on. "Cos!" He objected.

"I don't know if that's accurate since Eiri is at the table." Tohma offered.

Mika's eye twitched. "Darling, couldn't you have pointed someone else out?"

"Hm?" Tohma offered an innocent smile.

"My Yuki hasn't slept with anyone but me in three years!" Shuichi wrapped his arms and legs around Eiri possessively.

"Shuichi, don't act inappropriately in a public setting!" Mrs Shindo wailed.

"It's all a moot point because Ryuichi is at the table." Noriko nodded. "There's no way either of Mika's brothers have had as many partners as him."

"Kumagorou Beam!"

Noriko was knocked out of her chair by the force of the plushy bunny that bounced back straight to Ryuichi.

The elder Shindo and Nakanos took steps back from the loud scene as Noriko popped back up to her feet in a fury.

"Did you just Kumagarou Beam me? Me? As in your best friend?"

"Technically I'm his best friend." Tohma piped up.

"Stay out of it, Seguchi." Noriko growled at her bandmate.

"Noriko was being rude! Kumagorou agrees!" Ryuichi held up the plushy in defense. "Yes! Yes! Noriko was being indiscreet!" He added in Kumagorou's voice.

"Really..." Noriko twitched. "Well then..." Stalking around the table she plopped herself on Tatsuha's lap.

Ryuichi leaped to his feet. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Tatsuha's a monk, right? So if I behave inappropriately, I'm sure he'll tell me, right Tatsuha?"

Tatsuha opened and closed his mouth several times as he attempted to figure out a response that wouldn't get him into further trouble.

"Hey!" Saki looked up from the video game she was playing on her mother's phone. "Why do you get to sit on someone's lap, mama? You said nobody can at the dinner table."

"Yah, how come, Noriko?" Ryuichi glowered.

"Noriko, get off my brother, your scaring the guests." Mika spoke up.

"I think that's the fault of the crazy lady pointing a bazooka at Ryuichi." Noriko pointed behind them.

"Sakuma!" Rage shouted as she blew up the table next to the group. "How many times do I have to tell you that being spontaneous is only allowed when planned?"

Mrs Shindo and Mrs Nakano clung to each other as screams erupted around the restaurant and guests flung themselves under tables and out windows.

"I don't understand what's happening anymore!" Mrs Nakano exclaimed.

"Can't we just have a nice meal?" Mrs Shindo wailed at the same time.

"Well, that went pretty well." Yuuji commented as the group sat around a park with bento boxes.

"Our parents are talking to each other again. I consider it a success." Maiko nodded. "It was pretty smart of you to have this park picked out as a reserve option, Suguru."

"I had an option C just in case. In fact, given that K hasn't shown up we should probably not rule out it's necessity yet." Suguru took a sip of his drink.

"At least Ayaka's parents were late so they missed most of what happened." Yuuji looked thoughtful. "It might have been bad if they'd come early."

"You mean when Rage was wielding the bazooka?" Maiko asked.

"I was thinking more when their daughter was saying her boyfriend had previously cavorted with Shuichi. That probably would have upset them."

"But not the bazooka?"

"Oh, the bazooka would have upset them, but I think less than that."

"We have one weird circle of friends."

"I'll drink to that." Suguru put in.

"Cheers." Maiko held up her canned drink.

"Cheers." Yuuji and Suguru clinked their cans with hers.

"It's a lovely place to have a meal outside." Mrs Usami commented.

"It is very pretty." Mrs Shindo admitted.

"It is a shame their was an incident at the restaurant that made it close down."

"The table... exploded..." Mrs Nakano still seemed to be in shock.

"There, there." Mrs Shindo patted her hand.

"Such a strange incident. I've never heard the like." Mrs Usami scratched the side of her head in confusion. "I'm glad I don't come to the city a lot."

"They didn't have to confiscate it." Rage sniffled. "It was my favorite one."

"Er... Sorry?" Tatsuha offered. He wasn't sure how he'd ended up in charge of Ryuichi's young manager.

"They don't understand how hard Ryuichi is to manage. These are necessary tools!"

"Ah... Okay."

"He never wakes up in time. He runs off to do random things. He never picks up his phone. I have a reputation to uphold too. I have to use whatever means necessary!"

"Right..."

Rage's smile was dangerous. "I'm so very glad you approve, Uesugi Tatsuha. Seeing as Ryuichi has taken a shine to you, it makes things easier if we have the grounds for a good working relationship."

"What do you mean by working relationship?" Tatsuha eyed her warily.

"This is turning out much better than expected." Tohma commented.

"The sad thing is I rather agree with you." Mika sighed. She glanced over at where Noriko and Ryuichi were pointedly ignoring each other right next to them.

"They're still at it." Tohma told her.

"I usually am grateful for a silent fit from Ryuichi. Just not when it involves something suspiciously like jealousy and my kid brother."

"Tatsuha is not a child." Ryuichi's voice was serious, but his expression was hidden by the tilt of his head away from the group.

"He'll always be my kid brother, Sakuma." Mika's voice held a warning.

"He's also temple heir." Tohma spoke up.

"Do you know a fascinating fact about temples?" Ryuichi still didn't glance their direction. "They were once well known for taking in orphans. One of the only places in Japan someone with no family name could make something of themselves."

Tohma froze for a moment before continuing in a cautious tone, "Your suggesting Tatsuha could adopt an heir?"

"I see no reason that wouldn't be an option."

"You've contemplated his future that far?"

When silence met the question, it was Mika who spoke up. "I'll never approve of you."

"Because of our ages?" Before Mika could reply, Noriko brought her fist down on the top of his head. "Ouch! Noriko!" Ryuichi covered the injury with both hands, turning teary eyes on his bandmate.

Noriko gave a sigh at the look. "You do recall that she's one of my best friends, right?"

"Then what is the problem?"

"My brother has enough selfish people in his life. He doesn't need one more." Mika explained.

"She kinda has you there, Ryuichi." Tohma put in.

"Hm..." The rock idol looked thoughtful. "Well, the funny thing about selfish people. If they care enough, they'll guard that person's happiness as selfishly as their own."

"Then I'll hold you to that, Sakuma." Mika favored him with a cold stare as she stood to pick Keiichi up from the blanket where he'd been laying and was now waking up. "On your life."

As she walked away, Tohma glanced over at him. "Still interested?"

"Have you ever seen me back down from a challenge?" Ryuichi returned.

"So you're finally settling down?" Noriko grinned, reaching out a hand to ruffle his hair. "About time, old man!"

"Who are you calling old?" Ryuichi complained, but accepted the show of affection. "But don't congratulate me quite yet." He glanced over at where Tatsuha was talking to Rage. "After all, it takes two to make a commitment."

"Not confident of your success?" Tohma asked him.

"With anyone else I'd be certain. But with him... it's quite complicated."

"Don't worry. You've got us as back up." Noriko grinned. "Right, Tohma?"

Tohma sighed heavily. "I'm going to be sleeping on the couch for a month."

Ryuichi nudged his shoulder. "I promise to only involve you if absolutely necessary."

"This is the youngest member of the Uesugi family we're talking about. It will probably be necessary."

"This has been surprisingly disaster free for an evening involving Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper." Hiro mentioned to Ayaka from where they were seated with empty plates and canned drinks of their own.

"Maybe you should have your brother and Maiko plan more events for you." Ayaka teased.

Hiro chuckled. "If this continues going so well, Tohma might offer them jobs. But they would probably turn it down for their own sanity."

"What does that say about those of you who still work for him?"

"That's a very good question. You know, I think my mom is still in shock."

"I am glad my parents missed Rage's bazooka."

"I'm glad they missed the argument leading up to the bazooka."

"Are you still embarrassed about what I said?" Ayaka glanced over at him.

"I feel like I should chew Yuuji out for telling stories about me behind my back."

"Oh, that was Maiko - not Yuuji."

"I didn't know you even knew Maiko."

"We text and snapcam all the time."

"When did you meet?"

"Yuuji introduced us at a concert over a year ago."

"See? I knew Yuuji was involve somehow." Hiro latched onto the fact, and Ayaka laughed.

As if sensing the attention, Yuuji glanced over and grinned. "Hey, how come no speeches?"

"You put this shindig together! You tell me!" Hiro shouted back.

"You're the man of the hour! I say you make the speech!"

"Aren't the people who host the event supposed to make the speech?"

"The guest of honor always makes a speech!" Tatsuha broke in.

"Thanks for the support, Uesugi!"

"Anytime!"

"Speech! Speech! Speech!" Maiko started to chant, and was quickly joined by Yuuji, Tatsuha, and Shuichi. She nudged Suguru who reluctantly joined, followed by Noriko and Ryuichi.

"Doesn't look like your getting out of it now." Ayaka told him.

"It's okay. I came prepared." Hiro offered her a mysterious smile before standing up. The group cheered and Hiro gave a laugh, before raising his hand to silence them. "I'd like to thank everyone for coming. It means a lot to me. I think it's one of those things everyone thinks about now and again. What would happen if something happened to me? Would people care? I didn't mean to find out that answer... But here it is." He gestured to the group around him.

"I know I put you all through a lot. I apologize for that. I don't regret it though. Shuichi, Suguru... You are the best friends anyone could ask for. If anything happened to either of you, I don't know what I would do. I did what I did that day for the purely selfish reason that I didn't want to live without either of you. Forgive me?"

Shuichi was crying. "Hiro!" He sobbed out. Yuki was pointedly looking the opposite direction, despite the fact he was patting him on the back.

Suguru schooled his expression when Hiro's eyes fell on him. "One time special only. So don't do anything that stupid again." He got out, though his voice sounded rough.

"Done deal." Hiro offered him a smile before growing serious again. "There's one other person I can't imagine living without... Ayaka?" He turned to her.

Ayaka looked up at him in surprise. "Hiroshi?"

"I am so sorry for everything you go through for me. It's selfish of me to keep asking you to stay with me when I keep making you go through things that other people would run the opposite direction from. And yet somehow you are still here."

"Hiro, I told you-" Ayaka began.

"I love you."

Ayaka froze at those words, eyes wide.

"I, Nakano Hiroshi, love you, Usami Ayaka. I cannot imagine the rest of my life without you. Even though I am the one who causes you endless trouble, I want to be the one to take care of you during those times. I want to grow old with you. So..." Kneeling down in front of her, Hiro pulled out a ring box and opened it toward her. "Ayaka, will you marry me?"

Ayaka stared, mouth open in shock. "Marry... you?"

"Traditionally the answers are Yes or No." Hiro prompted.

Despite the teasing words, Ayaka could see the nervousness in his eyes. Tears welled in her own and she threw herself forward to wrap her arms around him. "Yes. Definitely: Yes!"

The group around them erupted into cheers, and she slowly drew back so he could place the ring on her finger.

Yuuji came forward to sling his arm around his brother. "You don't do things by halves, do you?" He teased.

Maiko threw her arms around Ayaka in an excited hug before doing the same to Hiro. Tatsuha came forward to nudge Ayaka's shoulder. "So this marriage ceremony you actually plan to show up for, right?"

Ayaka laughed and pulled him into a hug. "I'm sure you'll make sure of it. You're doing our blessing, right?"

"I better be or I'll never speak to you again." Tatsuha's grin said differently, but Ayaka gave his hand a squeeze before letting him go.

"I would never ask for anyone else." She swore.

Tatsuha's smile was gentle as he let her escape back to Hiro's side. He wasn't completely surprised to find Ryuichi stepping into the space beside him.

"They're brave." He opinioned. "Not everyone is willing to take a risk on forever."

"I take it you don't believe in fate?" Tatsuha asked him.

"Fate seems a fickle concept. Isn't it just a way to avoid responsibility? It isn't your fault, it's fate? Or luck? Or destiny?"

"I think it's comforting. Knowing things happen for a reason. That there's something greater at work than just you or me."

"If people think it isn't up to them, though, isn't there a chance it makes them unmotivated? If they think it's all up to fate or the gods or destiny?" Ryuichi's face was serious. "What makes you try then? What pushes you to make things happen?"

"Karma." Tatsuha didn't even hesitate a moment on his response. "Good for good. Evil for evil. Nothing for nothing. Believing in fate or destiny or a greater power doesn't mean you just sit on your laurels. It means that when things do happen, you understand why. Everything happens for a reason."

"Even the touching of sleeves in passing is because of a connection in a past life?" Ryuichi quoted.

Tatsuha felt a smile curve his lips. "Where did you hear that one?"

"...From someone I trust the opinions of." Ryuichi sidestepped the answer. "So you completely believe. What do you think, then, of people who don't believe? Or who aren't sure?"

"I think people who don't believe... they must get very lonely." When Ryuichi stared up at him with wide eyes, Tatsuha rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Well, it's just, that means they think it's all on their shoulders. So they're pushing through all the terrible things in life thinking it's all coincidence and there's no purpose. No meaning to any of it. That has to make them feel so very... alone."

Ryuichi reached out to take his hand, tugging on it to make him follow him as he started to back away from the group still congratulating Ayaka and Hiro. Tatsuha glanced at the group once, but followed willingly.

At the one side of the park was a bench by a small grove of trees that blocked the view in most directions. Ryuichi pressed on his shoulder to make him sit, and Tatsuha followed the silent request, looking up at him curiously.

Ryuichi paced for a moment in front of him, as if searching for what to say or do. Right when Tatsuha began to think he should say something, the older man surged forward to capture his lips with his own. The kiss was hungry and pleading; full of a longing for so many things that would take far too long to say. Tatsuha couldn't stop himself from responding, reaching up to grip his shoulders and pull him closer. When Ryuichi's tongue traced his lips, he opened his mouth without hesitation to tangle his tongue with his. As passionate as the kiss was, there was also a comfort to it. A feeling of coming home.

"You knew." Suguru accused Yuuji.

"Well, duh, he's been in the hospital. Who do you think brought him the ring?" Yuuji responded.

"A warning would have been appreciated."

"A warning?" Maiko repeated. "What are you worried about?"

A series of gunshots followed the question. "What are you publicly announcing without management approval?" K's voice boomed out a moment later as people began screaming and running from the park.

"Oh... That." Maiko winced as more gunshots followed.

"Are you blind? There are reporters everywhere!" K continued his rampage.

"Whoops. So where was this option C you mentioned earlier?" Yuuji asked Suguru.

"At N-G." Bad Luck's keyboardist supplied.

"Might want to call ahead and let them know we're coming."

"Yah..."

To Be Continued...

That kiss was not planned. K was just supposed to rampage right after the marriage proposal. But... I really like that scene between Tatsuha and Ryuichi.

Good news, rumors of my early demise have been greatly exaggerated and all that. Have a new chapter, and several leaps forward in the story.

Now we have a wedding to plan, a budding relationship to expand on and the final climax of the fic. Things will be getting serious again very soon. So enjoy this humor and fluff while you can. ;)

Salmon