All the reader reviews for 'Charm' are much appreciated. I had a comment or two that got me to thinking and eventually prompted me to write this side story.

'Longing' is set within the time line of 'Charm' and will basically cover what happened to Shou.

The story already has a pre-determined ending as evidenced in 'Charm' but one cannot help but cheer for the underdog. ^_^;;

Longing

"You want to release this song in a single for December 25th?" The President of Akatoki Agency steepled his fingers and peered at him from the top of his spectacles. "I don't see any point in this when we're already marketing one for the 13th."

Shou had anticipated this initial resistance. He was just about to explain the merits of their proposal, when the new guy from marketing preempted him. "The president's absolutely right! Besides, it's too soon to bring out a new one. Why not milk the ratings for all it's worth?"

'Ratings?' He ranted silently and found himself glaring at the rookie. 'How dare that ass-kissing dork reduce my creativity into mere statistical number-crunching.'

"He's already got two songs at FIRST place for two straight months." Shouko pointed out, "Unlike the first three, it's not included in next year's compilation due to the theme."

"We'll market it as a limited release that will run for 2 months, his fans will be queueing for it." Kaolin-san was practically rubbing his hands with glee. "I like it already!"

He looked at the man sitting across him with newfound respect. He never knew their promotional manager was capable of such deviousness - luckily, the guy was on their side.

"President, can't this one wait for few days more so we can launch it on January instead?" The ass-kissing dork even dared to flash a thumbs-up sign at him. "It's sure to be a chart-topper, Shou! No better way to ring in the New Year."

'Oh, there is.' Shou seethed, 'It involves the temple bell and your skull.'

"Gentlemen!" Shouko's next words crushed all arguments: "This single either gets released on the 25th or it doesn't gets released at all."

Everyone was rendered speechless. Shou realized just how far his manager would go with this. She did an amazing turnabout, considering that just an hour ago, she had been firing the very same questions at him.

"Why is it such a big deal to have this single out on December?" He was sprawled on the sofa, absently plucking at the guitar, when Shouko started on him.

"Why not? It's perfect for the season. You told me so when you first heard it."

"But we're already cutting it too close as it is!" she exclaimed in exasperation. "I just don't see the merit of releasing another song in the same month."

"This one's different. And it needs to be out on the 25th." He stopped playing and argued belligerently, "Look, I have no problem producing this myself, if that's what it takes to get it out there."

"Tell me, Shou." She asked in her no-nonsense tone: "How badly do you want this?"

"Bad enough to change agencies," he replied half-jokingly, placing the guitar on its stand. "And we both know I'm hot-commodity right now. The moment they hear I'm flying solo, record labels will be fighting over me!"

"I'm putting my neck out for you. The least you can do is to come clean with me here."

Shou sighed, "I made a promise." He might as well concede the battle to win the war. "She doesn't know it, but I owe her all this."

He need not elaborate - one look at her face told him that Shouko knew exactly who he meant.

Shouko smiled, "I'll see what I can do."

"Fine." The president merely huffed and finally conceded with a vague wave of his hand, "Call Asami-san and make an appointment for your PV."

"Thank you, sir!" Shouko beamed, her smile rivaling the lights adorning the Christmas tree in the lobby. "You won't be disappointed!"

"I'd better not be!" He muttered threateningly, then proceeded to end the morning's session with his usual closing remarks: "Ok, everyone, meeting's over. Grab yourselves some lunch and get back to work! You have a single to produce in less than a month's time."

People started shuffling out of the room, some started making arrangements for lunch outside, while others opted to hit the cafeteria downstairs for a quick bite.

"And Shou?" He stopped in his tracks and glanced back at the man sitting at the head of the long table.

"Yeah?"

"Consider this as your Christmas present."

~o|0|o|0|o|0|o~

"Since the release of his first single last October till the launch of his third song today, December 13th - Fuwa Shou has complete monopoly over the Oricon Top Singles chart!"

'Have you seen me lately?'

The man himself paused in front of a widescreen TV showing his songs' ratings for the past two months. A self-satisfied smirk flashed across his face as music critics and fans alike praised his latest achievement.

'I hope you're watching, Kyouko.'

Never mind that she does not know that he sings for her. His face on the screen and his voice on the radio would bring him to the forefront of her mind without fail. He finally understood that maniacal beagle's spiel about courting her hatred - it was not totally without merit after all.

Although her dislike for him was almost instinctive, compared to THAT guy, his existence still held monopoly over her heart.

He could work with that. It would have to be enough - for now.

'Look at me. Only me.'

~o|0|o|0|o|0|o~

It was her seventeenth birthday.

Surprisingly enough, the 25th had always been 'Kyouko's birthday' instead of 'Christmas' in his head.

He was halfway through his chestnut pudding before realizing that it was the first time that she would be celebrating it without him.

The spoon clattered against the plate, the pudding was suddenly cloyingly sweet against his tongue. Funny - for a moment there, he thought it had a bitter aftertaste.

He remembered her smiling beatifically at that gorge star when the bastard dropped her off at her place. The memory drove home a few salient points:

* He wanted her to continue smiling - the kind that lit her up features which never failed to coax a smile in response.

* His presence, however, was nothing for her to smile about (and was quite the opposite, in fact).

He had watched them from across the street, hand fisted over the gift inside his coat pocket.

'I want to protect her smile.'

The thought alone had defeated him and his purpose. A cab ride and a few minutes later, he was home again.

He decided to while the day away in front of the TV, lol-ing over sitcom reruns. He watched without seeing, laughed on cue and finished a pudding. He was halfway through his second cup, before realizing that he really missed her smile.

The first gift he had ever bought for her - a charm bracelet in its velvet-lined box - sat in silent mockery on his coffee table.

'Next time', he thought, promised, hoped, 'next time, she will smile for me again.'

~o|0|o|0|o|0|o~

He walked out of the store and into the cold.

The masses of humanity streamed past him, a few interested glances here and there, but the general public seemed to be oblivious to his presence in general.

Amazing what a cap and a pair of aviator glasses (his half-hearted attempt at anonymity) can do.

He noticed the couples walking by arm-in-arm, sharing more than body warmth, seemingly oblivious to the falling snow.

"Ne, 'Kane-chan. I want some kurigo pucchin purin!"

His hand tightened reflexively at the semi-transparent plastic bag that contained a week's supply of his favorite pudding.

"Sure, Ran-kun - we'll get one at that convenience store over there."

The light turned red. He stopped at the crossing, assailed by a decade-old memory of a girl who gave and gave and gave, a girl who never wanted anything for herself - not even a cup of chestnut pudding.

It was suddenly colder. He wound his scarf around his neck and inadvertently glanced at his watch. He was running late: better hurry or he would miss it. Otherwise, he seriously hoped that he managed to set the PVR to record before he fell into bed last night.

The light turned green. He started walking again, across the street and unto the crowded sidewalk. From the corner of his eye, he spied a vision of short reddish-blond hair, average height, slim build.

'Kyouko?'

He turned around and struggled against the on-coming crowd. He ran to her side, desperately reached out his hand and grabbed her sleeve.

"Kyouko!"

She turned around: wide-set eyes, straight nose and full lips - surprise painted across a pretty face.

But not hers.

"Oh," he jerked his hand back, as if burned. "Sorry, I mistook you for someone else."

"Hey, for you, handsome," she smiled, fake lashes aflutter, "I could be."

'No.' His heart whispered, 'No, you cannot.'