Room 304, Diety Hall

Author: Yukimi2 yukimi2@yahoo.com

Dedication: ‘Mrs.K’ (~even though you won’t really be reading this on the ML ;)

Comment: *^-^* Gyah~! I know the title’s long, but it’s appropriate. It’s an excerpt from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and it’s one of the most famous lines of the play. (totally OT, but I just had to mention it). Um, anyone who doesn’t know the story to Macbeth can email me, it’s not relevant to the plot, but I happen to like the play (amazingly enough) a lot. Comments pls ^0^

Episode 22: "Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff! //Beware the Thane of Fife! Dismiss me. Enough."

Toshiya spent pretty much the entire day by the mirror fixing his hair and applying loads of make-up. He changed it several times already, but always felt a twinge of disappointment and unsatisfaction on his application. Finally, he settled on browner shades of eyeshadow and a lighter tone of lipstick. He also spent half the day by the closet, looking and having difficulty deciding on an outfit.

"C’mon, Totchi. It’s not that hard to pick an outfit."

Toshiya stuck his tongue out at his roommate, then crinkled his nose. "don’t tell me you’re going like *that*!!"

Kaoru adjusted his tie. "Hey, what’s wrong with this?"

Toshiya rolled his eyes and tore Kaoru’s tie away. "Have you no fashion sense? That tie doesn’t match!"

"Mou! You’re always dressing me up and picking my clothes! I’m a college student! I’m supposed to look grubby and scrubby!"

Toshiya wasn’t listening. He picked out one of his Armani ties and began tying it on Kaoru. "See? Doesn’t this look better on you?"

"All ties are the same."

"Isn’t it funny how you’re coming to the play with us anyway?"

"Yeah, yeah, and you know it’s not because of you."

"Mou~! Stay still! I can’t tie this right if you keep moving!"

"But you’re putting it on too tight." Kaoru protested.

"This is how it’s supposed to be. Stay still!"

"I’m choking!"

"I’ll choke you if you don’t stop moving."

"Aww..and lose you’re favorite roommate? I don’t think so."

Toshiya pouted. "Who said you are my favorite roommate?"

"You did. I’m just too loveable."

"Whatever, kao-kao."

"Hey, babe. Let’s get going." Hakuei suddenly materialized leaning on the door.

Kaoru flushed. "Er, Totchi. I can tie it myself."

"Demo, Kao-kao!"

"I think Hakuei and you need to go now."

"Fine." Toshiya pouted and turned to Hakuei. "I gotta change real quick, alright?"

Hakuei nodded. After Toshiya closed the closet door, he started, "SO, you’re coming to the play after all."

"Yeah."

Hakuei fished out a cigar and lighted it, even though he knew they weren’t allowed smoking in the dorms. He let out a big puff of smoke. "How long have you and Toshiya known each other?" he suddenly asked.

"Um…about 2 quarters now…." Kaoru blinked.

"You two become real close, huh?"

"Well, we live together, so we have to get along somehow."

"How well do you and Toshiya get along?"

"Pretty well, I think….."

Hakuei took a long drag. "What’s ‘pretty well’ mean?"

"What are you trying to imply?" Kaoru furrowed his eyebrows menacingly. "Toshiya flirts with all those other guys and you say nothing. He and I aren’t serious either, but you seem to act like I’m going after him and taking him away from you!"

Hakuei laughed humorlessly, then dropped the cigar and stomped it out. He walked toward Kaoru until he was towering over the purple head. In a low, but intimidating voice, the blonde guy spoke, "And you’d better not be because if you are, I’d beat that whiskering face of yours into a bloody pulp, you understand?"

Kaoru nodded, but kept his glare strong and unfaltering. "I don’t know where you get that impression from. I’m not after him, Hakuei."

Hakuei sneered. "Good." He backed off just as the bluehead got out the closet with a seductive grin on his face. Of course, he wore another ass-tight outfit with a huge slit on the side.

"I’m ready, Hakuei-chan." He purred.

"Alright, babe. Let’s go."

"Bye-bye, kao-kao." Toshiya blew a playful kiss toward him before the couple left.

*****

Kaoru and Shinya entered the auditorium after walking though a short cut from Diety Hall. Shinya looked beautiful, like always, except he had to wear a hat, which covered his bandages and covered his beautiful hair. Not that that mattered to Kaoru. Shinya’s heart may not be his, but at least he can savor the bishounen’s company for one night.

The ushers led Kaoru and Shinya to their seats and they settled down. The auditorium rows, unfortunately, were too close together and Kaoru didn’t have much room to move. What’s worse is that Hakuei sat in front of him. ~Great!~ the purple head thought ~We get to see those two get all lovey-dovey and make out!~

"Hey, Kaoru!" a voice called out.

"Die! Wassup?"

Die gave a tired smile. Behind him was Ayumi, looking around for Toshiya. Die sat on Shinya’s left and Ayumi sat on his left.

~I can’t believe he really came with her.~ Kaoru thought in amazement.

Shinya looked sadly at his hand clutched on his lap. ~So he did come with her…~

Die cleared his throat. "Konbanwa, Shinya."

"K-konbanwa, Die," he stammered. "so, are you two enjoying the night?"

"It’s alright…" Die replied. He looked at the guy beside him. No matter what Shinya did, he was always like a beautiful angel. Die was tempted to take the hat off and watch the beautiful auburn hair shine under the dim auditorium lights.

Toshiya turned and saw Ayumi. "What the hell are YOU doing here?" he demanded.

Ayumi crossed her arms over her chest. "Your friend invited me to go."

Toshiya gawked. "DIE!?!?!?"

Die felt embarrassed and looked at his feet. "I had no choice. Gomen, Toshiya."

Shinya and Kaoru blinked. ~What did he mean by ‘no choice?’~

Toshiya glared at Ayumi, but turned back around after the lights dimmed and the curtain rose.

After a few minutes into the play, Toshiya grew irritated at the protagonist even though the acting was perfect. Maybe it was because Miyabi was playing the part and he wanted to kill the look-alike/wannabe. Whatever it was, he wasn’t exactly enjoying the fact that Hakuei was actually listening to the play. Hakuei never liked Shakespeare.

Toshiya started noticing things. If Hakuei never liked plays, why did he decide to invite him and his friends? And if Hakuei insisted on hating Miyabi’s guys, how come he accepted the ticket offers? The questions swirled around his head for a while until Ryuichi showed up. He couldn’t help but giggle at Ryuichi wearing tights, and, as usual, overacting his part. He couldn’t wait for Ryuichi to sabotage Miyabi’s act. It was imminent; the prima donna always did that whenever he never got lead characters.

~Oh, well~ Toshiya thought. ~At least I’m here to enjoy my Hakuei-chan’s company.~ He leaned his head lovingly on his koi’s shoulder.

Kaoru blew a strand of hair away from his face. He never was into Shakespeare, or plays for that matter. Their seats were not the best either; all Kaoru could see was a blur of Macbeth on the stage. He turned to his left. Shinya was sitting prim and quiet as usual, but Die looked awfully disturbed. It seemed like he wanted to say something to the bishounen, but couldn’t say it. Ayumi sat back on her seat watching Macbeth, then watched Toshiya and Hakuei.

He started watching the couple too. Toshiya had his head on hakuei’s shoulder. Hakuei lifted his arm and wrapped it around the blue head.

Kaoru rolled his eyes. ~Don’t tell me their gonna start making out…~

And that they did. The purple head thought he was going to puke; he couldn’t stand it whenever they did that, so he stood up and excused himself to the restroom. Unfortunately, in the process of walking across the row, he accidentally kicked Hakuei’s seat in front of him.

Hakuei jerked up and glared at Kaoru, but was detained from running after the purple head by Toshiya, who pulled him closer for another hot kiss.

Die saw Kaoru leave and followed him to the restroom.

Kaoru finally got there and immediately took out a pack of cigars.

"Kaoru." Die said.

"Oh, hi, die. Can’t stand the stuffiness either?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

Kaoru offered his best friend a cigar.

"Thanks, pal. I can’t believe I forgot mine at home."

Kaoru laughed. "you probably didn’t want to bring it because you knew Shinya was coming."

Die blushed. "I was surprised Shinya asked you to go with him."

Kaoru waved his cigar around. "And I agreed to go with him. I was hoping you’d start talking to him today."

"Kaoru it’s not that easy to talk to him. I feel like every time I open my mouth, I say something wrong."

"You ought to at least tell him there’s nothing between you and Ayumi."

"I tried. He wouldn’t listen."

"That’s Shinya. Die if you want to get the point across, you have to force him to listen. Make him stay in the room or something."

"Kaoru, you really don’t understand how physically strong that boy is."

"Oh, believe me. I was the one knocked against the wall by him."

Die squatted on the floor and held his head in frustration. "Arhg! Why is this so difficult? If that Ayumi wasn’t there…."

"Hey, why did you take Ayumi here?"

"She’s blackmailing me. I don’t’ know what she wants, but if I didn’t take her to the play, she wasn’t going to tutor me in English."

Kaoru shook his head. "That’s low. Why did she want to come so badly?"

"As I said before, I don’t know. She mentioned something about a cast member from Macbeth, but I’m not sure who."

Kaoru wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Oh, gross! I hope she doesn’t have a crush on Ryuichi; I’d feel so bad for him."

Die shook his head. "I don’t think that’s the case. It’s something else. I dunno why, but I could see vengeance in her eyes."

"Vengeance?"

"yup. Like she wanted to get back at someone because of something."

Kaoru thought about it, then remembered Ayumi staring at Macbeth, then staring at Hakuei and Toshiya. Kaoru snapped his fingers. "It has something to do with Totchi!"

"You sure about that?"

"No, but it’s a possibility."

Die sighed. "Whatever it is, she’s ruining my chances with Shinya."

"Die, don’t’ say that." Kaoru squatted beside his best friend. "Never lose hope until that boy sits there and says, to your face, that he’s not interested in you. Ignore all these circumstance, because they have nothing to do with you and Shinya. Who gives a shit if Ayumi’s your date tonight? Your heart is with Shinya, and the only things that matter is that and how Shinya feels about you."

"But what if Shinya doesn’t feel the same way? What if---?"

"—he DOES love you back?" Kaoru smiled. "Remember, Die. Think positive. You have to convert those negative feelings to a lighter, brighter tone. If he rejects you, then no matter what, it wasn’t meant to happen. If he accepts you, then it was meant to be. Make the best of either circumstance, ne?"

Die smiled and hugged his friend firmly. "God, Kaoru! I never would have thought you are a new student this year. I’ve probably learned much from you compared to what you’ve probably learned from me."

"Nah, you taught me how to party, Die, and that was a lesson well taught." Kaoru broke the embrace. "I think we ought to go back before they start wondering what’s going on."

*****

When Die and Kaoru returned, it was intermission already and audience members were milling around and about. Suddenly, Kaoru felt someone pull his ear.

"OW~!"

"Sneak off, why don’t you!"

Kaoru whirled around and saw an angry Toshiya. Die sneaked off into a safe distance and Kaoru cursed internally at the red head. "Totchi! I needed to go."

Toshiya crossed his arms over his chest. "Whatever. I told you to go before coming to the play. You stayed in the restroom for half the play!"

"Die did it, too."

"I know that! What were you two doing in there?"

Kaoru grinned mischievously. "Fucking."

"Mou~! Take me seriously! It’s rude to just get up in the middle of the play and not come back."

"Totchi! You didn’t look very happy either. In fact, you didn’t smile all night until you guys started making out." Toshiya’s cheeks flamed. "Gyah~! You were watching us! Hentai!" He playfully hit Kaoru.

"Hentai? Look at you wearing that tight ass dress!"

Toshiya stuck his tongue out. "See? You were watching. Besides, anyone with enough fashion sense can see this dress is an Armani piece of art."

Kaoru suddenly noticed Ayumi watching them both from her seat. "Er… why’s Ayumi staring at us?"

"Eh?" Toshiya turned around and smirked. "Maybe she’s jealous?"

"Puhleeze, Totchi. Don’t make me puke on your dress."

"Hnn..? Come to think of it, she’s been staring at me all night."

"Maybe she likes you, Totchi."

"*cough* cough* Impossible. She hates my guts."

"That’s most likely why she’s staring at you. Ne, Totchi. I don’t know what’s up with her, but I know it’s not good. Stay away from her, alright?"

"Hai, Otou-san."

"Hey, I’m not that old."

"Dirty old man!" Toshiya giggled as he ran back to his seat beside Hakuei, who stiffened his jaw and glared.

*****

The final act of the play finally came, to Kaoru’s delight. He couldn’t wait for the whole thing to be done so he could leave then study for Biology, which he desperately needed to do because he has a quiz the next week. The final battle of Macbeth and Macduff was near. Ryuichi went on overacting and Kaoru couldn’t help snickering, which sent Toshiya turning around to glare at him. Kaoru stopped and pouted. The play was quite uneventful. Ryuichi didn’t upstage Macbeth throughout the previous acts; and now they were nearing the end of the play, so Kaoru gave up his expectations and slumped on his seat.

Miyabi spoke his last few lines before the final fight in a loud and clear voice. "Before my body//I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff,//And dammed be him that first cries ‘Hold! Enough!’//"

Macbeth and Macduff drew their swords simultaneously. Ryuichi lifted his sword high in the air and was supposed to strike Miyabi, but instead, he struck his sword down halfway, then skillfully pushed Miyabi off the stage with a hard shove.

Miyabi let out a cry of surprise; and the next thing he knew, he landed sorely on his butt.

The audience couldn’t help but laugh, except for Shinya and Die, whom were too preoccupied in their own thoughts to notice. It was mean, but it was one of those things that are not supposed to happen, and you wish for it not to happen to anyone, but you laugh at that moment, then feel terrible the next {you understand what I mean? ~Yk2} Ayumi giggled uncontrollably, but kept her eye on Toshiya, Hakuei, and Miyabi.

Miyabi sat on the bottom of the stage in shock as the play went on.

Malcolm (a Macbeth character who ends the play): "We will perform measure, time, and place//So thanks to all at once and to each one,// Whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.//"

Curtain down.

Immediately, Miyabi pulled himself to his feet and bolted out the exit doors without looking back at the stage or the audience. To Toshiya’s surprise, Hakuei hastily jumped up and ran after his childhood friend. Toshiya stood up and called out. "Hakuei!"

Hakuei turned around. "I’ll be back." Without another word, he ran after him.

Toshiya could do nothing but stare and sit down quietly. Hakuei just left him alone for that look-alike boy. How could he?

Ayumi noticed what happened, then smirked out a giggle. Kaoru noticed too, but glared at Ayumi before sliding over to the blue head. "Totchi?"

Toshiya stared into space. "Hakuei-chan left me." He said dully. "He left me for that…..that….."

"Totchi," Kaoru said, "That doesn’t mean anything."

"I knew he felt something for that boy." Toshiya felt his eyes water. "I knew that something was there…."

"But that doesn’t prove it’s romantic." Kaoru pointed out. "You said it yourself. Miyabi is Hakuei’s childhood friend. If I saw my childhood friend in that situation, I would do the same thing. I’m sure Hakuei knows Miyabi needs him right now. You can’t have Hakuei all to yourself, ne?"

Toshiya nodded quietly.

The curtain rose again and the cast members came out one by one to take their bows. When Miyabi’s name was announced, no one came out. The announcer said his name again, and this time, the exit door opened and Hakuei came in dragging Miyabi behind him. Quickly, the spotlight was drawn toward Miyabi, who was stunned at the standing ovation and cheers audience members gave him. He couldn’t help but let a tear drop when he saw the audience support him. He could hear someone saying: "That was the best Macbeth I’ve ever seen."

Miyabi smiled and bowed shyly as tears of joy streamed down his pretty face.

Toshiya felt like a selfish bitch. He ought to feel happy that Miyabi’s embarrassment is appeased, but couldn’t help feel a twinge of jealousy in his heart. Hakuei walked up the aisle and plopped himself beside his lover. "Hey, luv," he bent over and kissed the blue head on his cheek, "told you I’d be back."

Toshiya forced a smile, but leaned his head on the blonde’s shoulder uncertainly.

~CONTD @ Episode 23: Telegram for Terachi Shinya

Yk2: Comments, pls. ^______^

to be continued~