Summary chapter: Koyuki listens to a talented bassist, gets to know Ryusuke's sister more and sings to the moon. Ryusuke needs a vocalist. Koyuki takes swimming lessons from a weird, oldlady.

Genderbent:

Mr. Saito - Ms. Seo

~o~

Ryusuke just listened as Eiji got on a van and drove off to work, letting himself be drenched by the pouring rain.

He barely noticed when the rain stopped.

No, it was still raining. Ryusuke could see that much. It was more like, he was no longer getting wet. He looked up and saw a dark umbrella shading him. He looked to his side and saw Koyuki holding up the handle a little higher to shade both of them, which looked a little difficult for him since he was shorter than Ryusuke.

The guitarist smirked, taking the handle himself to hold it up for both of them. "Hey," he greeted. "what brings you here?"

"I, uh, was at the neighborhood. And... Uh, no, actually I was coming to look for you, I got something here... Wait, where..." Koyuki rambled, reaching into his pocket before pulling something out. "Ah. Here." He held out his open palm and Ryusuke saw his pick. "You dropped it after the show last Sunday. Thought you might need it back."

Ryusuke smiled in wonder, the kid actually going through the trouble to give him back a simple pick. He had others, of course he did. It was like a silent rule for guitarist to have spares. Still, he didn't want to disregard Koyuki's effort so he went on and took it back, placing it in his breast picker.

"Thanks man."

Koyuki beamed in response. He tried to think of something then to keep the conversation going, he didn't want to say good bye yet. He couldn't explain it, but he really liked being around Ryusuke. He was cool, but there was no pressure to act the same or put up pretenses.

"Ah, oh yeah. Um, I've been listening to Dying Breed... And I was hoping, maybe, I could borrow that demo you have of their first CD?"

Ryusuke didn't respond to that, instead he took Koyuki by a shoulder. The younger boy felt himself flush, and that spot the guitarist held felt like it was burning.

"Come on," Ryusuke said. "I want to show you something."

Moon On The Water

"Coming at you hard,

Like a bear

With a vice grip...!"

"Hey Ryusuke, the guitar's good!" Koyuki remarked, feeling the beat.

During Serial Mama's Live House,when they started playing after the technical difficulty, and even if the scout wasn't there to hear it, their music was still awesome. The band playing now wasn't as good but the way Koyuki heard it made him still think they were awesome anyway.

That's what Ryusuke wanted to work on.

He stopped drinking from his cup, looking at Ryusuke. "Just... Try and concentrate on the sound." He suggested.

"Huh?" Koyuki asked.

He's still not used to the loudness of Live Houses to hear both the music and someone talking to him. Even when they were speaking loud enough.

Ryusuke looked at him, and that helped him try to listen to him more carefully. "Close your eyes," he said. "listen to the music."

Koyuki was a little confused, wondering how that would help his listening. But he decided to try it, closing his eyes. With his eyes shut, his senses heightened and he could hear better. He was able to hear a deep sound that he didn't earlier. He could still hear the drums, guitar and singing, but somehow, this low, deep sound stood out more.

"You hear the bass?"

Oh... So that's called a bass, huh?

"He's on a whole different level from the rest of 'em."

Koyuki opened his eyes, smiling. He looked at Ryusuke and nodded in agreement. "Awesome."

Ryusuke smiled back, satisfied. He looked back up to the stage, right at the bassist. If he was going to create the Ultimate band, then he had to recruit this guy.

~o~

"Yeah, yeah. I'm on my way." Ryusuke spoke to his cellphone. Koyuki waited silently at his side, glancing towards him every now and then. "Hey, don't get pissed. Okay, I'll see you in a minute."

Koyuki spoke up immediately. "Ryusuke, what's up?" He asked. "Is something wrong?"

"Nah, not really." Ryusuke assured with a smirk. "A certain someone is just a little pissed off."

~o~

"Didn't you hear me?! I said no! I'm waiting here to meet my brother not to get hit on by a couple of fuckwads like you!"

Koyuki flinched at the angry female voice that attracted the attention of everyone at the vicinity. Unfortunately, that's where Ryusuke was nonchalantly walking towards to.

"Ugh!" The girl groaned. "what's your problem?! Do you think I'm a whore or something?!"

"Hey come on! That's not what I meant at all! I'm sorry!"

"BULL. SHIT! You fuckin' bastard! Go. Away!"

"Woah, woah. You're one scary chick..."

"You creepy asses think I'M scary?!

"Whoa, whoa. Chill out."

The girl huffed, looking to the side. She saw Ryusuke. She raised her arm and waved at him. "Heeey! Over here!" She called out.

"Fuck this."

"She's crazy man."

The two men grunted, going away from the angry, screaming girl.

Ryusuke chuckled, walking up to her. Koyuki didn't mind pretending he wasn't there, for once. "Hey, what's going on?" He asked. "who were they?"

"Just a couple of tools hitting on me." The girl scoffed. "They can go to hell."

Ryusuke didn't look concerned at all, merely amused. "Well, you scared the shit out of them."

"Yeah, thanks for being late."

"Yeah, sorry about that." Ryusuke didn't look apologetic at all.

The girl was about to make a comment about that, but then noticed the guy beside being familiar. "Hm?" She blinked.

They went off to a less crowded area to talk properly. "So Maho, this is Koyuki." Ryusuke introduced. "he's that kid I told you about."

Koyuki smiled politely back at the girl. "Yeah," he said. "we've met."

"Yeah, so he's fourteen, just like you."

"Alright, cool."

"So where do you wanna eat?"

"I don't know, whatever." Maho shrugged. "Food?"

"Cool, then I'll leave that up to you." Ryusuke smiled, suddenly patting Koyuki on the shoulder. The younger boy jolted. "Good luck."

Koyuki and Maho blinked. "Huh? But... Where are you going?" He asked.

"I'm going to talk to this bass player we just saw." Ryusuke told them. "His name's Taira Yoshiyuki. He's really good. Gotta move fast or someone else is gonna snake 'im." He gave them a wave and went off, muttering to himself. "A good bassist, that's the core of a band."

Koyuki frowned a bit, wondering if he was only brought along to get Ryusuke's sister some dinner. He sighed dejectedly. Of course even if Ryusuke had turn out gay, Koyuki supposed the guitarist would go for someone more his level, like Izuki or that bassist from earlier.

The guy had a hot body, Koyuki would go shirtless too if he had a body like that... And the confidence.

"Woah, you don't have to moan about it, man." Maho nudged him. "Ray leaves everyone hangin' every now and then, even people close to him. Don't take it personal."

Koyuki smiled a bit, looking at her. "So," he started. "does stir fry sound good?"

Suddenly, a phone rang. It was Maho's. She picked it up and talked on it for awhile. Koyuki waited.

"Great, see ya there." Maho hung up from her phone, turning to Koyuki. "I invited a couple of friends from school. That cool with you?"

Koyuki nodded, not like he had any reasons to say no after all. But when they got to the fast food joint and met up with her friends, he kinda wished he did. They were mostly talking about boys, and while the subject was of relative interest for him, it wasn't like he could just blurt out being gay and gush with them. Japan wasn't big on that, anyway. Takeba didn't mind it but she was fine with whatever as long as it didn't kill her, so it didn't count. So Koyuki just keep slurping on his milkshake as the girls gossiped.

"Oh hey, so the other day,"

"Hm?"

"I met this guy and he totally hit on me. He was such an asshole."

"Yeah?"

"Buuut... He was driving an BMV Convertible!"

"Really?!"

"Cool, that kicks ass! I love those cars."

"I know, I know. But he was totally creepy. His eye had this weird twitch, freaked me out!"

They laughed as Koyuki inwardly sighed.

"Jeez Risa, you always seem to get stuck with the weird guys!"

"I know right!"

"Why don't you just wait for one of Maho's rejects?"

"Ugh. Funny you should say that. These two jerks just tried to pick me up."

"No way! That sucks!"

"We never seem to get any cool guy. Like, maybe one driving a Porsche."

"You wish!"

"Nevermind that. Give mine a Ferrari!"

The girls laughed once more.

"Now you're talking! Hey! Let's go clubbing, we might find our dream guy!"

"Yeah. I'm down! Let's go!"

Maho smiled, but then she noticed Koyuki not enjoying himself. "Well, I'd like to go." She said. "but I'm kinda short on cash."

"Oh come on! Just get your dream guy to pay for you!"

"There you go!"

They laughed about that and Koyuki had enough. He stood up and made an excuse to leave, not bothering to wait for a response, knowing he wouldn't get any.

"Is that really the only things girls think about?" Koyuki asked aloud as he walked at the dark streets. "Really?"

To sum up, Koyuki's pretty glad he swings the other way.

~o~

"So we're going Dutch, huh?" Taira, the bleach blond bassist from earlier, remarked, placing a glass down. "I had no idea you were such a cheap date."

Ryusuke smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment." He said.

Taira smiled, twining his hands together and resting his chin on it. "Eiji and I jammed the other day," he admitted. Ryusuke carefully didn't react. "he's getting real good, real fast."

Taira stood up, taking his bass and Ryusuke watched as he made to leave.

"I finish school this year. I'm starting to seriously think about my future," Taira went on saying. "if you want me to be in your band, go find a good singer." He bargained before heading out.

Ryusuke looked back at the table thoughtfully. "A good singer, huh?"

~o~

Koyuki was at the station, getting off the train. But he didn't head home just yet. He was wondering if he shouldn't have left Maho back there. Ryusuke did trust him to look after her, after all. Well, they were the same age so maybe not exactly look after, but it's the principle.

He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice some sneak up behind him until he felt hands at his back.

"Boo!"

"Ah!" Koyuki yelped, looking back. He was relieved to see it was only Maho. "Hey, when did you get here?"

Maho shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I don't have a place to crash tonight so I'm heading over to Ryusuke's." She said.

"Hmm... Oh, so uh, the other day..." Koyuki started, wondering how to phrase it. "you... Wished me good luck... For what, exactly?"

Maho shrugged, before bluntly answering. "You like guys, right? As in... You're into them?" She said. "So good luck getting one."

Koyuki gawked, cheeks heating up. He stumbled back and almost fell over the platform. But Maho grabbed his arm in time, keeping him steady.

"Whoa, don't do anything stupid now." Maho chuckled. "Well, not like I can talk. I guess I should have worded that carefully. I mean, shoot, it's not the first time I said something without thinking."

Koyuki tried to will his blush away by staying at that topic. "What do you mean?"

"I was working at this diner, and I keep fucking up with my mouth. So they fired me. And..." Maho paused, becoming quite all of the sudden. "... When I told my dad... He hit me." She said quietly.

Koyuki frowned, walking up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" He asked gently.

Maho smiled softly, looking to him. "You're a nice guy, Koyuki." She said. "I think we'll really get along... Except, maybe not with my other friends around." She chuckled.

"Yeah, well..." Koyuki shrugged, politely not commenting further about that. "Just... How did you know, Maho-chan?"

Maho looked at him. "Know what? Oh, you mean that thing with liking guys?" She smirked playfully. "let's just say... You're not good at keeping secrets."

"Huh? That doesn't make any sense."

Maho laughed. "Didn't have to. Now come on, we're going to see Beck." She insisted.

"Huh? Beck?"

~o~

Koyuki had to text his mom that he'd be coming home a little late again. She didn't seem to mind at all. Koyuki was usually so introverted and cut off from kids his age, she was glad that her son was starting to open up more.

"Beck!"

Maho called out excitedly as the dog rushed up towards her. She laughed and crouched down. But just when she thought he was gonna pounce, he ran by her and towards Koyuki, pouncing him instead.

"Wah!" Koyuki cried out, stumbling on some crates. "Owww... Ack..." He winced as Beck licked him excitedly.

Maho huffed, hands at her hips. "How do you like that, haven't seen me in forever and he runs right by." She complained.

Koyuki sat up and patted Beck on the head momentarily until he finally went off to Maho. She seemed to let being passed by slide easily, petting him fondly.

"Hi, Beck. How's it going?" She cooed. "Is Ray taking good care of you, huh?"

Koyuki smiled as he watched her, sitting on a pile of crates. She then looked up at him... Or up passed him, to be exact.

"Wow, check out the moon." Maho commented, smiling.

Koyuki blinked, looking behind him before seeing it too. "Yeah," he agreed. "It's full..."

Suddenly, Maho started singing.

"Full Moon Sways

Gently in the night of one fine day..."

Koyuki smiled. "Wow. Maho-chan," he breathed. "that was beautiful.You've got a great voice, and you're cute." He admitted. He may be gay but truth was truth. "You'll totally make it as a singer."

"As if." Maho chuckled. He looked at her, blinking. "there's nothing special about my singing at all. What I really want to do is get back to New York and try to get into film school."

Koyuki smiled at that, remembering how Izuki told him it was good to find something to be passionate about. And when Maho sang that song, Koyuki felt as if he was close to finding it.

Koyuki stood up on a crate, turning and looking up to the moon.

Maho gasped, looking up as Koyuki started singing.

"Full Moon Sways...

Gently in the night of one fine day

On my way,

Looking for a moment with my dear..."

Maho stood up, staring at him in amazement. Beck was watching intently too, but didn't really know what was the big deal.

"I love Dying Breed. That's my favorite song of theirs." Koyuki admitted fondly before smiling at her.

Maho kept staring at him. "Holy shit."

Beck Mongolian Slash Squad

The following Monday, Koyuki was reading some manga behind the school away from any teachers eye. He was just getting to a particularly funny scene when he heard a stern voice.

"Tanaka-san!"

Koyuki jolted, standing up stiffly. But he saw no one... Until Izuki stepped out from a pillar, smiling mischievously.

"What are you looking at?"

Koyuki sighed a little. "Oh Izuki-nii, it's you." His shoulders slumped. "Don't scare me like that."

"So," Izuki smirked. "You up for it?"

"Huh?"

"Today, six o'clock. Meet me by the municipal swimming pool."

"What're you talking about?"

"You'll find out when you get there," Izuki said playfully, before turning around. "Don't be late."

Koyuki cocked his head to the side as he left. "Swimming pool?"

~o~

Koyuki felt his lungs beginning to burst and his leg muscles throbbing from over exertion that he wasn't used to. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and he bursts to the surface, water coming out his nose. He coughed and gagged, breathing heavily.

"Hey, you, kid." The life guard called out to him with a megaphone. "don't grab on the lane ropes. And stay on your line."

Koyuki continued panting. "Easy... For... You to say..." He breathed.

"This pool is for fifty-meter training." The life guard continued. "don't stop until you made it from one end to the other, got it?"

Splash!

A guy dove into the pool, doing the butterfly stroke. Little did he know someone was following him until they suddenly grabbed his by the ankle for underwater.

He struggled to resurface before screaming. "Hwaah!"

"Ugh. Guess she's back..."

"Uh... Let's just go home..."

Koyuki blinked, seeing a lady a little on the round side, that made her in the tight swimsuit she wore hard to look at, grin as she resurfaced and coached the swimmer.

"You have a nice kick," she told the guy she practically scared half to death. "but you're pulling back from your elbows. Use your full arms on your stroke. You'll cut through the water faster."

"Huh? Uh..." The guy stared blankly, but avoiding to look at her chest. "Yes, ma'am..."

The woman held out a feet floatie. "Take this." She said. "hold it between your legs and focus on your arms."

"Mm... hm," The swimmer nodded awkwardly. "Okay?"

"Who is that lady?" Koyuki asked in wonder.

The life guard shrugged. "That's the most famous woman to ever swim at this pool," he said. "her name's Seo-san, forty years old."

"Famous?"

"A long time ago, she was an Olympic Swimmer." The life guard explained further. "when she sees someone in bad form, she feels it's her duty to help them fix it."

"She was in the Olympics?"

The life guard sighed, resting his cheek on one palm. "Yeah, she's a nice lady once you get to know her." He concedes. "Just... A little passionate, I guess."

Koyuki looked thoughtful. "Hmm... Passionate, huh?"

~o~

Izuki looked around. He was pretty sure Koyuki was already at the pool by now, he did hear him talking to the Life Guard, too.

"That's weird..."

"Hey, Ishiguro-kun!"

Izuki looked over to his captain. "Hm?"

"Your pal's over there at the twenty-five meter pool."

Izuki took a look, and as his Captain said, there was Koyuki, doing some stretches with the former Olympic swimmer.

Izuki chuckled. "Looks like everything's going according to plan," he smiled to himself. The Captain gave him a confused look. "Koyuki, you've fallen right into my trap."

"Okay kiddo," Seo said as she stretched. "you ready for this?"

Koyuki nodded. "You're giving me a fifteen meter handicap, right?" He asked.

"Yeap. But don't think I'd go easy on ya, this will be a serious race honey."

Koyuki shrugged. "Yeah, fine." He said. "and if I win?"

"I will honor our deal," Seo promised. "and be your official swim trainer."

"Okay."

"But if you lose..."

Koyuki swallowed. "If I lose?" He asked.

"I'll slap your butt cheeks... bare!"

Koyuki gawked. "Huh?!" He demanded, staring at her.

"Hmph." Seo stood proud, hands on her hips. "And... I won't be holding back!"

"Why'd you have to be like that?"

"Cause we live in hard, cruel world kiddo." Seo snapped, thinking about bills she has to pay and loans she needed to pay them. "once you've grown up a bit, you'll understand."

Koyuki grimaced. What did I get myself into now? He wondered.

"Now, ready!"

Koyuki yelped, getting to diving position. Izuki chuckled in amusement from where he was watching.

"Set!"

"Wah!" Koyuki bent quickly, almost losing balance and falling in.

"Go!"

Koyuki dove in. He didn't know what kind of stroke he was doing, and he didn't really care. He was gonna make most of the handicap and try to win this.

Because damn it, he wasn't exposing his ass to a random female if he could help it.

"Five meters... Ten fifteen meters..." Seo marked as Koyuki pathetically swam further. He even left his mouth open every time his face submerges in water. "FIFTEEN METERS! GYAA!" She took a leap and dove right in.

Seo swam professionally, cutting through the water quickly, closing the gap and it was obvious that she was gonna surpass Koyuki eventually.

Piece of cake! She smirked.

But then, just when she was about to pass by Koyuki, she caught sight of a lean muscled male submerged and cutting through the water over at another lane just beside hers. The strokes and form was flawless, it reminded her of her youth.

That distraction gave Koyuki opportunity to widen the gap once more and obtain victory. Seo got back to her senses and continued her course, but it was too late.

A whistle blew.

"I... Won..." Koyuki grinned shakily, relieved.

Seo pouted a bit. Then, she heard a familiar voice.

"Seo-san," The male swimmer smiled, lifting up his goggles. "long time no see."

Koyuki blinked. "Izuki-nii?"

"Hm? Oh hey, I remember you!" Seo smiled delightfully. "You're at the swim team back in my Alma Mater, Higashi Middle School! How's Suzuki-sensei's Lumbago doing, any better?"

"It's coming along great, thanks for asking."

"Good, good to hear. So, I take it this is your younger brother?"

"Oh no, no." Izuki waved a hand across his face. "Koyuki's a good childhood friend of mine." He smiled at the younger boy, who returned it with a shy one. "Anyway, would you mind coming back to coach us some more?"

"Not at all!" Seo beamed. "Always nice to have someone appreciate the works..."

Koyuki smiled to himself as he watched them conversed. Maybe there was more to the lady than he originally thought.

~o~

"So you just challenged the lady," Izuki asked with a smirk. "You serious?"

Koyuki nodded. "Yeah."

"Figures."

Izuki laughed. The two of them were sitting on the stairs just outside the building of the Indoor Municipal pool. Izuki's swim club captain was behind them at the vending machines. It was getting late, but they weren't leaving just yet.

"Well, first I asked her for some pointers on my swimming... But then,"

"But then what?"

"Well, we somehow end up agreeing on that crazy race."

Izuki laughed. Koyuki smiled, getting back to his soda. But as he was going to drink from it, there was a juice box offered from beside him.

"Tanaka-kun?"

All three of them blinked, looking up to see a familiar yet unfamiliar face.

"Care for some juice, sweetheart?"

Koyuki flustered at the endearment. "N-no, thank you." He rejected politely.

"Sure? Okay, well, let's practice again sometime, ne? See you then." Seo smiled maternally, bowing slightly before leaving.

Koyuki blinked. "Is that even the same woman?"

"Yeah, I know." Seo chuckled. "once you get her out of the water, she's just a kind, ol' lady."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. She hasn't married yet, apparently wanting a man as eager, if not more, to have and raise kids as she does. So at times, she can go all mother hen at the most random moments," Izuki went on, oblivious to his Captain's restlessness. "For now, she spends her time listening to Classic Rock Music from the U.K... If you can imagine that."

"The U.K.?"

"You know, like from England. The Beetles, The Who, that kind of stuff."

"The Stones are from England too, right?"

"Yeah, and so is The Zeppelin."

Koyuki and Izuki exchanged smiles, and the younger boy felt glad that he can finally have a conversation that they can both enjoy talking about.

"What am I, the third wheel?" Koyuki and Izuki blinked, looking up at the same time. "Listen man, I'm hungry like hell so I'll go right ahead. Let's just do Karaoke some other time, cool? See ya." The Captain gave a wave and went off.

Izuki felt a little chagrined. He forgot about that plan.

"By the way, Izuki-nii." Koyuki said, and the older boy looked at him. "Swimming's kinda fun, I see why you do it."

Izuki smiled, "Glad you think so, man." He said. "You think you'll keep doing it?"

"... Yeah, I guess."

"That's good to hear."

Koyuki smiled suddenly. "I was, uh, thinking of stopping by Ryusuke's on the way home." He admitted. He caught the look Izuki gave him. "Stop it, Izuki-nii. It's not like that."

Izuki laughed, shaking his head. "Well, since it's not, I guess I'll go join you." He said.

~o~

When Koyuki and Izuki got to Ryusuke's place, they found him with a bat in hand and practicing his swinging.

"Hah! Hah! Huh!"

Koyuki watched him worriedly.

Izuki didn't seem bothered at all.

"So, you got a game on Sunday?"

"Sure do, Mit-tan asked me to play."

"Uhmm... Your grip..."

"Well, I guess it's more like I'm filling in. Wish I could say I was as good at hitting as I am at strumming..."

"Ryusuke, the way you're gripping that thing is, uh..."

"What?" Ryusuke blinked, "I'm sorry, did you say something Koyuki?"

Izuki walked up to him. "Ryusuke-kun," he said with a smirk. "Koyuki's got a present for you."

"A present?"

Koyuki brought out a leash from his bag. Ryusuke got the message. They went over to Beck, letting Koyuki pet him to distract him as Ryusuke went about leashing him.

"If he's out on the street, I was afraid he'd be picked up by the pound." Koyuki admitted.

Beck was not pleased with being leashed. He kept nuzzling Koyuki's chest and whining, begging to be free. Koyuki's resolve was wavering a little.

"Sometimes he takes off and doesn't come back for hours," Ryusuke agreed. "I do get worried about it."

Izuki shrugged. "Well, this will definitely help. Keep him from biting strangers, too." He said.

Beck barked at him. Izuki flinched. Koyuki chuckled wearily.

"Hey Koyuki," Ryusuke stood up and went into the house. "come here for a sec."

Koyuki blinked, following after him with Izuki close behind. When Ryusuke came back, he dropped a guitar case on the ground.

"Damn, it's a little dusty." Ryusuke remarked before opening the case, revealing an old looking guitar. "I want to give this to you."

"Wha-no way," Koyuki stared at the guitarist. "I couldn't possibly-"

Ryusuke cut him off, "Seems like you've been listening to a lot of music lately," he pointed out. "I just thought maybe you'd like to start playing some, too."

Izuki whistled. "Wow... Looks like a real old one." He mused.

Ryusuke picked it up and sat down on a bench as he started to tune it. "Eh, it's not much, but it sounds pretty good." He remarked. "There we go." He smiled and started playing some chords on it.

Koyuki and Izuki watched him, the former of the two captivated by the playing. Ryusuke kept on playing into the night, until one of the strings came off.

"Ah shit, string broke."

"What song was that you were playing?"

"Heh, I don't know. I was just making it up."

Koyuki was now even more impressed.

"It sounded blue-sy to me." Izuki commented.

"Yeah."

"The way you play is amazing, man."

Koyuki suddenly got pumped. "That tears it!" He said. "I'm gonna practice every waking moment, I'll play and play and play until I'm that good!"

"Yeah," Ryusuke smiled at that. "Cool. I'll be holding on to that, can't wait to see it happen."

Koyuki beamed, promising himself not to let Ryusuke down.

~o~

"Minami! Finally!" Kiyo grunted, wearing a batter's uniform. "where have you been? Mit-tan's pissed."

"Doesn't it start at four thirty?"

"No, it was at three!" Kiyo complained. "we're in the last inning!"

"Thought she said four thirty."

Koyuki surveyed the field. Ryusuke followed the course of direction he was looking at, the person standing on the mound, some blond guy.

"Who's the pitcher?"

"Manabu Miyazawa," Ryusuke shrugged. "He sings for this band called The Crowd."

"Never heard of him."

"They had this huge following around here, everyone thought it was just a matter of time before they got signed." Ryusuke told him. "But then, the drummer quit and the band broke up. The whole thing was kinda pathetic."

Manabu smirked, arm outstretched with the ball in hand. He took a swing and almost hit the batter on the face, who had to dodge to avoid getting hit. But it was a strike.

"Hey, watch where you're throwing that thing!"

"That's strange," Manabu said cockily. "I can't seem to make the ball hit the bat."

The batter went berserk, frustrated with the pitcher's attitude.

"Hey batter, try not to move around so much." Manabu said mockingly, before tossing the ball once again close to the batter's face.

The batter swang this time but still missed.

"Strike!"

Koyuki frowned, peeved by guys like those. "Doesn't seem all that great to me." He admitted.

"If I can get him to be in my band," Ryusuke suddenly said. "then Taira's in, too."

"Hey guys," Kiyo spoke up. "Take a look at their bench."

At the opponents battery, Ryusuke spotted Eiji mingling among them.

"Eiji..."

"I heard he's been trying to get Manabu to join up with him ever since Serial Mama broke up."

Ryusuke frowned.

"Ryusuke-kun!" Mit-tan came by in her coach uniform. "so nice of you to stop by. What's the matter, can't you read a watch?" She grounded irritably.

Ryusuke rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry. I guess there was a miscommunication." He admitted.

"I told you we were short on players, kid!"

"Sorry."

"Sorry don't cut it, mister! Because of you, I had to call the one person I did not want to call!" She jerked a thumb behind her.

Ryusuke looked over and cursed, spotting a guy with an afro-like hairdo. "Oh god." He muttered, moving over to Koyuki. "not Chiba." Koyuki blinked, looking behind him where Ryusuke was trying to hide himself.

"Uh, Ryusuke?"

Ryusuke whispered to him, "I owe him thirty thousand yen..."

"Hey!"

Both Koyuki and Ryusuke had flinched.

"Ryusuke! Where's my money?!"

Ryusuke stayed behind Koyuki, not even facing Mr. Angry Afro. Koyuki was stoned in place, something between fear of the stranger and determination to defend Ryusuke keeping him at place... Even if Ryusuke was the one at the wrong.

Izuki found that amusing.

"You said I can pay you back as soon as I have the cash," Ryusuke said lamely. "I haven't had the..."

"Don't you give me that crap!" Chiba cut him off angrily. "You free-loading son of a-!"

"CHIIIBA!"

Chiba stopped his rants.

"We only got the field until five!" Mit-tan snapped. "Let's go!"

Chiba scoffed, turning towards the plate. "Stupid cheap ass," he muttered. "Just you wait..."

Manabu smirked, winding up for the pitch. Chiba just got in place when he released, and the ball only missed him since his head for already ducked.

"To be honest, I don't think he's that great of a singer." Ryusuke admitted. "but if I want Taira... I don't have a lot of options."

Kiyo shrugged. "What about Chiba?" He suggested.

"What, he can sing?" Ryusuke snorted. "Bullshit."

Kiyo chuckled. "He's got a hella lot of presence. Way more than that ass Manabu has." He pointed out.

Thwack!

All of them flinched at the sound of the impact, wide eyed. "Ouch, I felt that one." Izuki winced.

"Owww! Fuck!"

Manabu smirked cockily. "Aww," he feigned sympathy. "you're suppose to duck when I throw it at ya."

"Grrr..." Chiba growled, dumping his gear to the ground. "I'll kill you... Bitch!"

Manabu made a mocking placating gesture. "Oh come on, don't get so uptight." he cooed. "It's not like you guys have a shot in winning this one."

"Easy fella," Manabu's team mate smirked, placing a hand on Chiba's shoulder

Chiba smirks back for second... Before giving the man an high kick to the face. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!"

"Whoa, check out that kick!"

"No way. Did he really just do that?"

"Looks painful..."

Kiyo smirked. "Well, if you can't beat 'em," he slapped his cheeks with both hands before every player went against each other in an all-out brawl.

Even Ryusuke got in it, but only because someone accidentally threw a hit at him.

Manabu just looked bored and simply lit a cigarette stick.

"Oh you've gotta be kidding me... Men!" Mit-tan complained loudly. "Stupid Chiba..."

Koyuki frowned as he watched, painful memories resurfacing. "No, stop..." He mumbled, clenching his fists.

"Uh?" Izuki took noticed, watching him worriedly.

Koyuki took a deep breath before screaming at the top of his lungs. "Everybody... STOOOOOOOOP!"

Ryusuke widened his eyes as he stared at Koyuki, all while punching a guy in the face.

Eiji raised a brow.

Manabu rolled his eyes, looking away, when someone came up to him and punched him right at the face. "Jerk!"

The fighting went on.

Koyuki glared, ready to scream again. But stopped, realizing these were grown men. There was no way they'd listen to a pathetic kid like him. He looked down.

"Koyuki..." Izuki held his shoulder. "let it go..."

Koyuki sighed. It wasn't like he had a choice.

A/N: Please review.