All about Tonight

Disclaimer: The author respects the rights of Tachibana Higuchi, creator of Gakuen Alice

Author's Note: This is the fifth in a series counting Yearbook Day, Forever and a Day, Aviator Shades and Confections of a Chocoholic. To fully appreciate the setting of this story, I would recommend that you read all the others in the given order. Ü

Dedication: To Schadenfreude. This fic was inspired by the group's tone— comic, slightly ironic and often irreverent— with a nod to romance, bromance and the occasional inclination to take over the world.

Chapter 1: Daybreak

All the shades were drawn so the room was plunged into complete darkness. A cheerless song played in the background and deepened the gloomy atmosphere. Despite the undeniable opulence of the living area, the air seemed musty and suffocating. It was a clear indication that Life and Movement were seldom visitors there.

Suddenly, the front door was thrown open and Mochiage entered the room. His gaze swept over the one-bedroom rental unit, taking in the disconsolate manner in which it had been maintained. He spotted his friend on the couch, an unmoving lump buried beneath the sheets. There was an open bag of potato chips on the coffee table and a bottle of wine on the floor— last night's dinner no doubt. Thankfully, it was a single bottle this time.

Mochu's eyes narrowed in distaste but also pity. This was no way for a grown man to live, especially someone as estimable as his friend. However, he also knew that the part he could play in pulling him out of his misery was minimal. That was the problem with heartache. You never really know what to do until you get there yourself. No matter how much advice you receive and how many romantic comedies you watch, you don't know what it's like until it's actually you. Mochu learned that the hard way and it looked like his friend was also being taken through the grinder.

Squelching the impulse to show any more than mild sympathy, he crossed the living room and headed for the blinds. He pulled it open in one, merciless motion and overwhelmed the place in mid-morning light.

Ruka Nogi flipped over and groaned. "Fuck."

"Get up."

"It's too early in the morning."

"It's past ten," Mochu countered. He walked around the flat to pick up discarded items on the floor. "We have to go."

Ruka leaned up and supported himself with one arm. "Where?"

"Where? What do you mean where?" He shook his head. "God, this place is rank. When was the last time you let air in?"

Ruka collapsed on the couch and shut his eyes. "Go away, Mochu."

Mochu dumped the items he had collected on the kitchen counter then walked up to Ruka. He stopped next to the sofa and stared him down. Ruka could feel his friend staring daggers at him and so he slowly drew back the arm that covered his face to reveal sad, bleary eyes.

"Move," Mochu hissed.

"Where?"

"On."

Ruka exhaled. "It's not easy."

"I know," he said softly. "But I did it. If you'd stop thinking about Hotaru and yourself for one second, you'd see it's not that hard either."

Point for point. Ruka sniffed then slowly rose. He felt sore from sleeping on the couch but he forced his limbs to move until he was in a respectable sitting position.

Mochu grinned, "Atta boy."

"Don't patronize me." Ruka raked a hand through his hair. "Where are we going?"

"Damn, you really forgot?" he snorted. "Today's Usami's big day."

"No shit." Ruka wiped a hand over his face then he looked at Mochu curiously. "I thought you didn't want anything to do with that."

"I don't," he shrugged. "But Natsume couldn't get anyone else."

"Or wouldn't," Ruka said wryly. "How long do we have?"

Mochu checked his watch. "T-minus seven hours. Go get a bath. I'll put on some coffee while you're gone."

"Thanks."