Never Trust Americans

Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation, or any of its characters. I am not profiting from this story. In fact, if time is money, I'm losing on the deal.

Author's Notes: This story is my guilty pleasure. The opening chapter is set before K becomes Bad Luck's manager.

--------------------------

Karaoke bars were always fun to attend. So many different types of people would show up, all packed into one spot. Some were good singers, yet a fair share were downright bad. Usually there was a direct correlation to the number of drinks they'd downed before taking stage, and the awfulness of their performance. Hiro listened as the young woman now on stage slurred over the words to a downbeat Japanese pop song. Before she'd even begun singing, he could tell it was going to be horrible. Anything beginning with, "This song is dedicated to my ex-boyfriend" was subject to question.

Hiro leaned back into his chair. The thought that he might not always be able to go out like this brought him mixed emotions. "Bad Luck" was gaining popularity, and that was great, but he'd never been the type to accomplish anything for the purpose of money or praise. The explanation was simple; Hiro played guitar because he liked the sound. He took one more drag from his cigarette, before crushing it into a clean ashtray. Shuichi had opted to stay in with Yuki, as he did most nights. It didn't matter that the famous writer was working on yet another deadline and would barely pay Shuichi any mind. Hiro supposed that such faithful actions from Shuichi had to be love. Why else would Shuichi bother sitting beside his lover in silence, only to be spoken to once or twice in reprimand?

Hiro sighed, running his fingers through his long hair, brushing the stray strands from his face. All best friends were pushed aside to make time for lovers. There was absolutely no difference between him and the rest of the world. Yet, everything felt less personal these days, even their music. Sakano was doing a great job as their manager. There was a lot more to the music industry then simply the dedication of its musicians. That was why Hiro Nakano found himself here, of all places. A karaoke bar. A bunch of amateurs, just singing because they liked to.

He took his guitar with him, the next performer to entertain the light atmosphere. Inevitably, he would darken the mood, if only a little. Hiro's own singing voice was much deeper then Shuichi's, a perfect match to the way he loved to play guitar. Nittle Grasper was a great band, but they were Shuichi's inspiration, not his own. How much inspiration could a guitar player find in a band using synthesized guitar? Hiro smirked at the thought. Most of his influences came from American music, from people such as Hendrix and Santana. Playing with "Bad Luck", music molded to Shuichi's style, could sometimes be stifling, but it was nothing he couldn't handle for his best friend.

Hiro began to sing into the microphone, not bothering to look at the screen. He knew this song. He could adlib his guitar to the melody, without much thought, embellishing where he felt necessary. His only regret was that the song would have been more fun with Shuichi, or even Yuji. Yuji, though not the best singer, had a unique gift for working the crowd. Everyone was enjoying themselves now, but it had more to do with his guitar playing then any kind of stunt, like Yuji notoriously pulled. This wasn't fun. Hiro decided it at that moment. Maybe his real intention in coming to the bar was simply to get wasted. An act of the subconscious mind. Hiro finished up the song, letting the notes die on his lips. Applause inevitably followed.

As the guitarist navigated his way back of his seat, the microphone was already overtaken by the next singer. Hiro looked confusedly back into the crowd he'd come from. With so many people crammed into the place, sometimes it was hard to find your seat. It was like coming back into a darkened theater, yet this time, Hiro could have sworn his table had been exactly where a tall, blond haired man now sat, dark sunglasses covering the shade of his eyes. The man must have caught the look on his face, because he suddenly smiled, standing up, as if in greeting. Hiro walked up, more assured in his actions then before. Westerners were uncommon here, unless they were business men. This guy also had to be a particularly eccentric businessman to be wearing those dark sunglasses inside a karaoke bar.

"Mr. K! Pleased to meet you!" He took Hiro's hand, pumping it in a firm handshake.

Hiro's face faulted. K. Judging from the way he spoke, this guy had to be an American. He wracked his brain, trying to decide whether or not "K" was a normal last name. Mr. T ... Hiro smiled, without meaning to. "K" was probably short for some longer name. He took a seat, taking his neglected drink in hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. K." Hiro decided that if he could get Mr. K to go away quickly, that would be good. He had no intention of introducing himself. The only reason a business man would hang around here was if he was in the music business.

"I ordered you another drink while you were up there!" K explained, smiling, as he pointed to the stage. "From what I've seen, you have a lot of potential."

"Wow! Really! ... You think so?" Hiro choked back laughter. K looked a bit taken aback by his quick enthusiasm. Hiro couldn't screw with this guy's head unless he could keep a straight face. What was it with these music assholes? He could tell this guy's deal already, just from the way he was dressed. He had to be making a fortune off other peoples' talents, selling them along with their souls.

"Yes. Of course I think so, or else I wouldn't waste my time," K answered, in response. Much to Hiro's dismay, K clapped him on the back, joining in with a loud laugh of his own. "Your singing is a bit weak, but your guitar playing could nearly pass for professional." K picked up the second glass he'd ordered for Hiro, sampling it himself.

Nearly? Hiro twitched, though it was doubtful K noticed. This K guy was enjoying that alcohol way too much. Hiro sighed. Time to try again. "Well, I really hate the guitar. Singing is my real passion in life, you know?"

K looked over at him in surprise. "That kind of guitar playing takes a lot of practice. It's hard to believe you don't even like the instrument." Hard to believe, and K didn't believe it. This kid had been totally laid back on stage, and even before he went on stage when K first noticed him. The look on his face while performing was unmistakable. Without a doubt, the nameless guitar player had a passion for music, even if K had only seen it through karaoke. A musician who didn't want to become famous? K smirked. How novel. Strangely endearing.

Hiro frowned, narrowing his eyes at the smirking American. He had to be an American. No one but an American would be this arrogant. This guy wasn't dumb, and he looked determined. Why even bother? Sakano would have just slinked away by now. "Listen, I may have talent with the guitar, but I want to sing. If you can't make that happen, then forget it."

"But you're no good at singing," K said, mock disappointment tainting his voice.

Hiro smiled, in triumph. "Then I guess I'm no good for you. I guess I'll see you around, K-san."

K took off his sunglasses, clipping them to the front of his shirt. "I suppose you will. By the way, I never caught your name."

"Hiro." Hiro sounded so cheerful now, a far cry from the soulful performance he'd given on stage. Just from the musician's bright smile, K could tell he wasn't going to get any more information from him. All the same, K sensed lies behind that carefully placed grin. This kid had talent. It would be a shame to pass him up.

"And what do you do now Hiro? ..You look young," K asked, as he slipped on his brown suede jacket.

"Me?" Hiro could have kicked himself for sounding so off guard. "...I'm still a student."

Why the hesitation? "Oh really?" That smirk appeared again. It was so easy to tell 'Hiro' was hiding something, but it only made the conversation much more interesting."They pay guitarists a lot of money at NG." K took out his wallet, removing one of his business cards. He handed it to Hiro. It didn't seem likely that this kid was interested in money, but it couldn't hurt. Yes, it was definitely worth it, K thought, as he watched the Hiro's face grow red. "When you change your mind, give me a call." K took the unfinished glass with him, all smiles on the way out of the bar.

Hiro hadn't looked up from the card.

--------------------

to be continued...