TSUYOI DESU
[PART 4]
Rain had started to fall as the bus began to move. Dark, metallic-grey clouds hung over the sea, the salty scent in the air had been replaced by the scent of rain and humidity, sheet lightning could be seen in the far distance.
Shinya tiredly closed his eyes. He felt like a complete wreck: a tremendous pain throbbed inside his head, his cheeks felt hot as fire while his delicate hands were icecold and there was still that damned nausea. But he just couldn't afford to get sick, not right before the tour final. A feeling of distress entangled his heart, he suddenly felt so alone, so lost, so hopeless.
He tried not to think of it and leaned his tormented head against the window, thankful for the comforting coolness. All he hoped for was that the drive back to the hotel wouldn't take more than one hour, so that he could go to bed right after they got there. He desperately needed sleep.
* * * * *
The whole afternoon had been terrible for the drummer. Standing under hot, blinding lights for about four hours with only a 15-minutes break to freshen up and drink something, then back to pose in front of the cameras, sometimes directed to look sinister, sometimes to make a hurt, pouting face, then to give a bright smile, up to pretending to make out with Die and Toshiya. Fanservice wasn't such a central aspect of their work anymore though and Shinya had to admit that he wasn't unhappy at all about that. Not that touching his band mates and coming close to them disgusted him. Every one of them was attractive in his own special way, and they all were his friends, so there was actually no reason to feel awkward or disgusted.
But that afternoon he just hadn't been in the mood to pretend to make out with any of his band mates - even though the tension between them had loosened with time, he had been relieved to realize that the photographer didn't want them to be all cuddly and flirtatious. The shaky drummer just couldn't bear being touched. It seemed that even the slightest touch caused him pain - he winced as Die held him close around his waist and he had to suppress a moan as Toshiya threw his arm around him.
By the end of the photoshoot, he almost collapsed right where he stood. Barely able to breathe in his tight corset, perspiring profusely under all the leather, PVC and lace, his legs and feet sore in the tight-high platforms. He drew a deep breath as they were finally allowed to leave the set and to go back to their wardrobe to change clothes and freshen up.
It had been 5 p.m. at that time and Shinya wished nothing but to drive back to the hotel already and relax. But unfortunately, the interview with FOOL's MATE had been scheduled for 6 p.m. and their management and record company had advised the band to fully attend this interview - without exceptions!
So the drummer had to face another two hours of torture, sitting listlessly in an uncomfortable wooden chair, listening to the interviewer's questions absentmindedly, sipping thirstily on his water, only giving taciturn answers and only when he was directly addressed. Die tried to play his usual game of teasing with him, but Shinya avoided to get into one of those famous battles that Die and he often had during interviews, merely ignoring the red-haired guitarist's comments. He just didn't have the strength for that kind of discussion, he only wanted that horrible day to end, he wanted peace, and sleep.
* * * * *
As the bus drove on through the gloomy night and the rain, the drummer tried to recollect if he had ever felt that bad before in his entire life. He was almost sure he hadn't. The rain came down in torrents now and the thunderstorm seemed to have come closer, thunder almost roaring immediately after a lightning had crashed down.
Shinya was startled and winced as he felt somebody touching his right upper arm. Turning his head to either side, he became aware of a bunch of blond, ruffled hair and a pair of dark, almond-shaped eyes, staring worriedly down on him. The drummer gave Kyo an amiable smile. He couldn't vent his bad mood on the petite singer, whose caring eyes looked at him so innocently. As if the little man had waited for a sign of approval, he sat down immediately after Shinya had given him the warm smile.
"Ne, Shinya, wanna drink something?"
The drummer thankfully accepted the bottle of water, which the singer offered him, and took some long gulps, enjoying the fresh, cold liquid.
"Arigatou gozaimasu", he said with a soft voice, moistening his dry lips with his tongue.
Kyo looked at him thoughtfully, making the drummer feel awkward and embarrassed. Shinya's eyes widened as he felt his band mate's cool hand softly touching his left cheek. He hastily cast his dark orbs down, just to let them shot up again as the singer gently stroked his thumb over his cheekbone and the delicate skin under his eye.
"Shinya, you're burning!".
Kyo's words sounded astonished, as if he couldn't believe that this time it wasn't *him* who was sick, but their drummer, who hardly ever showed any signs of weakness.
Shinya nodded faintly and looked at his friend with glassy eyes. There was no point in denying anymore that he was sick. It was a fact and he had to deal with it now, but without bothering his band mates too much or even causing them to worry about him. But from the look in Kyo's eyes he could tell, that the warumono *was* already worried...and insecure of what to do.
Just as the singer wanted to go and get some medication for his feverish band mate, the drummer started to choke. Kyo ran off to get hold of a plastic bag and came back, just in time - Shinya felt his insides turn upside down and the bile coming up his throat before he vomited violently. After he had emptied his stomach, he fell to the side - and knew nothing...
� ~eurydike~, August 2002
To Be ContinuedTo the next part