Title: Jealousy Author: infinitysanti/ silveryxdark Theme: 001 - 28: Jealousy Genre: Romance, angst, a bit of humour Rating: PG-13 Pairing: TomoxRui, hinted UmixYuh Band[s]: vistlip Disclaimer: I don't own vistlip or anything else, except for a copy of THEATER and the story~ Summary: Rui knows perfectly well that Tomo is simply being friendly and affectionate, and means nothing romantic by them. He also knows that Umi is only playing, and Umi once confided to him that he liked Yuh. But he still cannot help the tide of jealousy in him, the one that screams that Tomo is his boyfriend. Comments: My first story for 50stories ! I claimed TomoxRui >D
"Rui?"
The bassist looks up from his seat, pulling the cigarette away from pale pink lips at the familiar voice of his lover. But right now he's not happy at all, and says nothing as Tomo walks slowly up to him, concern and uncertainty written all over the youthful face.
Rui forces out a smile as Tomo finally stands right in front of him, biting his lip. "Yeah?"
"Ruisu... are you okay? You... you look angry. I don't like to see you like this," Tomo responds softly, reaching out with a hand to touch Rui's face gently.
Rui turns away sharply, conscious of his fellow band members' presence in the room. No one is looking at them - Tohya and Yuh are chatting animatedly, while Umi is talking to the director, checking the video a final time. The rest of the crew, meanwhile, are packing up, having just finished the shooting of their latest video. But Rui still worries that someone will catch them.
Tomo drops his hand, and Rui notices that he looks hurt. A pang of guilt hits him, but it dissipates the moment Tomo asks, "Did I do something?"
The bassist feels even unhappier that Tomo has no idea at all what it was he did that made him feel so angry. He cannot help but hiss, "What do you think?"
"I -"
"It's fine."
Rui stands up and begins to walk away, knowing that this will only make Tomo ask more questions later. Tomo never stops until he gets what he wants, and the thought brings a bitter smile to Rui's lips. However, Tomo now wants to know the reason for Rui's behaviour.
How can he tell his lover that he is jealous for the stupidest reasons? He knows that Tomo is affectionate and likes touch, and he likes to hug and kiss people as he will. Rui is jealous, because just a few hours back, Tomo was kissing everyone in the band, and barely five minutes ago, Umi and Tomo were closer than he liked.
No one in the band knows of his relationship with Tomo, both of them fearing that it might cause problems. The rest write off their closeness as one borne of being best friends for several years, but it isn't anything like that. Lovers they might be - but that also means that Rui can't freely express the way he feels towards Tomo.
It was the kissing today that did it.
Tomo pecked Umi on the cheek. Kissed Yuh's hand. All but made out with Tohya (and hell if it was mere acting). Sure, he had gotten a little kiss on the lips, and that had made him undeniably happy, but it had been much less than he wanted. Not that they could really show anything, not when they were in front of the camera.
Not to mention that Umi and Tomo were practically cuddling in front of the screen, and Tomo looked like he was enjoying more than he should have.
Rui knows perfectly well that Tomo is simply being friendly and affectionate, and means nothing romantic by them. He also knows that Umi is only playing, and Umi once confided to him that he liked Yuh. But he still cannot help the tide of jealousy in him, the one that screams that Tomo is his boyfriend.
He just wants Tomo to himself.
"Rui!"
And there he is.
Rui turns around, biting his lip angrily, trying not to let the tears fall. He is grateful, at least, for no one else is there. No cameras, no band members, nothing. Only Tomo and him, and if anything happens, only the two of them will know it.
"I said I was fine, didn't I?" Rui mumbles, trying not to cry.
"The hell you are," Tomo says, and Rui can hear the beginnings of anger in his tone. "You would never have run off like that if you were really fine. Rui, I know you too well. You'd crack a joke and really smile at me. You don't lie, Rui." Sadness creeps into his voice as he murmurs, "You never lie to me."
Rui looks away, feeling guilty for hurting Tomo. "I'm sorry. I... I just wish you'd stop kissing other people," he blurts out.
Tomo simply stares at him, blinking. "What?"
Rui's face flushes red with embarrassment, and he shakes his head. "Just forget that I said anything, Tomo."
"Rui."
The bassist looks up at the amusement in Tomo's voice. Tomo looks as though Rui said something vaguely funny, and Rui fidgets, trying to look anywhere but at Tomo.
"You're jealous, aren't you?"
Well, fuck, Tomo knows.
Rui blushes even more, feeling vulnerable. He is taken aback, though, by the tight hug Tomo gives him. Rui wraps his arms around Tomo's waist, breathing in his scent. It calms him, and makes him feel happier.
Tomo is his boyfriend, after all.
"You silly boy. You know I love you the most. I'll stop kissing them if it bothers you so much, I promise," Tomo laughs softly.
"Or at least, give me the first kiss, won't you?" Rui says.
"Of course," Tomo grins, pecking Rui's cheek.
"Kiss me now?" Rui whispers shyly.
His request is immediately granted, as Tomo presses his lips to his, and it is not long before their lips are meshing together and their tongues are in a slow, sensual dance. Rui moans into the kiss, while Tomo fists Rui's hair, the couple locked in their own little world.
"My virgin eyes!"
They break away then, at the familiar voice of their drummer. They turn around to see Umi, Yuh and Tohya walking towards them, all grinning at them.
They are caught, and neither of them are sure that it's going to be all right.
"Oh hell, guys. Why didn't you tell us?" Umi says.
"It's not like we would have forced you apart or anything - you two are happy together, after all. But anyway, we knew a long time ago. You do realise that occasionally, you can be a bit too loud? We were waiting for you to tell us," Yuh adds with a laugh.
"Why didn't you tell us that you knew?" Tomo says, while Rui buries his head in Tomo's neck, feeling embarrassed.
"We were waiting, like we said. Would do you good to be more discreet next time, though," Tohya replies. "And guys, this is not fair!"
"What isn't?" Tomo asks, blinking.
"This!" Tohya wails dramatically, as he points to Umi and Yuh's linked hands. "I'm the only one alone!"
"Well, you could join us -"
"No!" Rui snaps, glaring at Tomo and Tohya in turn.
Tomo grins as the others laugh, and he continues, "I meant for dinner some day."
Title: Leech Chapter: 25 Author: infinitysanti (silveryxdark) Rating: PG-13-NC-17 (overall) Pairings: AoixUruhaxAoi [main], AoixOC, ReitaxRuki, UruhaxKai, UruhaxOC, mild MikuxKanon, Kaix? Genre: Romance, Angst, Drama Warning: Malexmale pairing, sex, emotional abuse, self-harm, past rape, swears Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except the plot and OCs popping up in here. All mine~ Summary: AU. Shiroyama Yuu leads a good enough life - he owns a guitar store passed down to him by his late parents, is a skilled guitarist in a promising underground band, and has the best friends he could ever have imagined of having. But deep down he is lonely and hides a bitter secret, craving true love. When Kouyou comes along, beautiful and seductive with secrets of his own, Yuu falls for the one man he shouldn't fall for. A/N: At the end.
It was the fastest month that had ever passed by in Yuu's life.
It had been a busy month, leading up to his band's debut and Kouyou's departure for London. A very big part of him did not want to let Kouyou go. Yet there was a bigger part that said it was all for the best. He knew it was, for Kouyou's career. He had lots of talent that should not go to waste because of him. Yuu knew that if Kouyou went, he would be a much more fulfilled person for it.
However, it had been an amazing month, as well. Quite possibly the best of his life, beyond a doubt. Kouyou had finally given him his complete trust and that night was one of the best of Yuu's life. Busy as they both were in the daytime, nights were always filled with pleasure. It wasn't just the sex, of course - they were as happy cuddling up in bed together, simply listening to the rhythm of their breaths, of their matching hearts, and falling asleep together.
Kouyou had really changed from the person Yuu knew little more than half a year ago. The cold, indifferent mask had crumbled to reveal the vain, tardy, beautiful, sweet and caring person Yuu so loved. Every fault made Kouyou all the more lovely, all the more human to Yuu. Painful as a past he might have, he had learned to let go of his fears.
Yuu knew he was the same. Being with Kouyou had changed him more than he thought was possible. He had been lonely and battered before - but it had changed. He was much happier, and far more trusting and loving of people than he had been before. There was no longer a need to hide himself.
He had Kouyou by his side.
Even though Kouyou would leave in a matter of mere hours, he knew that Kouyou was always going to be there for him, no matter what. Kouyou would call when he could, making sure that it was a suitable time for Yuu, and they would e-mail one another regularly. Yuu could fly to London to see Kouyou when he could, with enough money and time in between band sessions. If Kouyou was free, he would come back to Japan some days, too, when he had enough money too.
They would be distant only physically - not in heart and soul, that was for sure.
Yuu had absolutely no doubt that the separation would strengthen their relationship. They had gone through several obstacles, pasts included, to be together like this. Physical separation was but a test Yuu was sure they would pass.
Throughout the month they had together, Yuu had been busy recording with his band, and they were also filming a video for their first single. It was a new, exciting life that Yuu was starting, and Kouyou, when he could, stayed with Yuu. He watched Yuu when he was recording, and stayed by the sidelines while they were filming.
During breaks, Kouyou would be there with refreshments, not just for him but for the whole band too. Yet he would always shower affection on Yuu, and they would spend time together.
"You look different with make-up on," Kouyou remarked once, lightly stroking Yuu's cheek.
"Is that good or bad?"
"Well, good. I love you all the same, Yuu."
The band was genuinely happy for them both - at first a little wary, but they soon warmed up to Kouyou. They joked and teased them about their closeness. Neither of them minded - it was just another affirmation of how others accepted them.
The guitar store had not closed down. Instead, Yuu had Shinya and Akiharu manage it together, along with one of his friends - Genji, Masaru's brother, who loved music and majored in business as well. Genji had been more than happy to be asked to help to manage the shop, and Yuu was grateful to see it doing so well under their management.
Akira and Takanori had celebrated their ninth anniversary together as well, just a week ago. They were closer than ever, and Yuu was beyond glad to see his cousin and near-brother being so incredibly happy with one another. While others' relationships could have turned rocky despite years of being together, their relationship matured and strengthened with time.
The couple had also talked of possibly adopting a child when they were older, and looking at them, all knew that they would surely be good parents. Takanori had a temper, but he was kind and loving with children, while Akira could be stern yet caring. They complemented one another, and both loved children.
Yutaka was happy with Naoyuki as well. Naoyuki was wickedly funny, thoughtful and caring. Occasionally a little tactless, sometimes overly protective and many times, he worried a little too much about others. But he was overall a good person and good for Yutaka. Sometimes they were like a married couple, caring for those around them, with Yutaka being the 'mother' and Naoyuki coming across as fatherly.
Both of them complemented the other, too. Even if there were times when they would have silly little lovers' tiffs and the like, they would quickly make up. Their relationship might be new, but it was strong. Busy as they were, especially Naoyuki, they could find time with one another and hardly neglected each other.
Life seemed perfect enough for them.
Even if it was not fully so for Yuu and Kouyou, they would be okay. Six to eight months without each other would be hard, but nothing that they could not overcome.
Yuu was one for believing in destiny, and he was sure that destiny had brought them together.
He was sure, too, that it would not truly divide them.
He would have Kouyou with him, despite everything else.
With that thought in mind, Yuu roused himself from his thoughts. It was just then that Kouyou stepped out from the shower. A soft yet sad smile graced Kouyou's face, casting a shadow over his features. He was already dressed, his shirt and pants sharply creased, giving the image of an indifferent businessman.
Yuu stood from the bed and walked over to his lover, holding him tightly. Kouyou wrapped his arms around Yuu's waist tightly as well, resting his head on Yuu's shoulder. Yuu breathed in the scent of Kouyou's skin - fresh soap, and underneath that, Kouyou's own scent. His skin was soft to the touch, always.
A sudden pang of loneliness hit Yuu. He clung on to Kouyou, for however long they could. They both did. The seconds - minutes - passed. They did not care.
Yuu would miss this all. He was going to miss feeling the strands of Kouyou's smooth blond hair beneath his fingertips; miss looking into those dark eyes that sparkled with intelligence and love and trust; miss feeling those soft, full lips, faintly sweet and tangy, upon his own.
He would miss the reassuring touches Kouyou would give him when he was having a bad day; miss the quick kisses he would steal at random moments, brightening his days; miss the long, loving looks that spoke volumes to him when they had no words, looks that he understood immediately.
He would miss Kouyou's body on his, Kouyou in him, and vice versa; miss them holding each other, basking in the afterglow together, while Kouyou smiled against his neck; miss falling asleep and waking up to Kouyou's arm thrown loosely around his waist, front pressed to his back, every night.
Yuu would miss all of that, and so much more.
He knew Kouyou felt the same, and that made his heart ache a little more.
Yuu released Kouyou just enough to kiss him, and Kouyou kissed him back fervently. Yuu deepened it, trying to drink in his lover's taste for one of the last times in a fairly long while. Lips moved against each other, tongues in a fierce yet loving dance, fingers tangling in each other's hair.
Mentally cursing the need to breathe, Yuu pulled away, and looked at Kouyou. Kouyou yet smiled sadly, and said, "I should go. I guess I shouldn't be late."
"No, you don't," Yuu agreed softly.
"I love you, Yuu."
"I love you too, Kouyou."
Smiles, and then nothing more was said.
The ride to the airport was tranquil and comfortable, and fast enough. There were fewer cards on the road at this time of the morning - three-thirty - and it made it all the quieter. It was a peaceful silence they shared. They enjoyed simply being with one another - they needed no words to break the silence.
When they finally reached the airport, they saw Yutaka and Takanori both asleep on the chairs, while Akira was looking around, phone in his hand and Naoyuki reading. Akira saw them, then, and waved. Naoyuki looked up, grinning, and nudged Takanori and Yutaka awake.
They walked over, and Takanori leapt up, saying loudly, "Where were you? We thought you weren't going to show up!"
"Well, just Taka-chan. There's still some time left. Go check in and we'll talk," Akira said, grinning, as Takanori hit his shoulder lightly.
Yuu chatted with his friends as Kouyou did so, and it was not long before he was back. Takanori threw his arms around Kouyou's neck and mumbled, "Fuck, I'm going to miss you. Come back soon, niichan. I'll see you soon, right?"
That was the start of the goodbyes. Yuu watched from his seat as Takanori mumbled words tearfully, and Kouyou hugged him tightly, comforting him. Yutaka got a brief, brotherly, hug, and they exchanged quiet words, both smiling at the end. Naoyuki bid him goodbye with a bright smile, wishing him a safe flight, trusting in him to return soon, and he got a quick hug from Kouyou, too. Akira's turn was last of the four, long and emotional, with tears in both their eyes and a tight hug was exchanged in the end.
And then it was Yuu's turn.
Kouyou held Yuu's waist tightly, meeting Yuu's gaze steadily. Yuu studied those soft, lovely features again, and everything else he so loved about Kouyou. He would miss Kouyou so much.
"Be safe. Don't get into trouble, you hear? Make sure you're alive and well when you come back," Yuu said softly, brushing a stray blond lock of hair away from Kouyou's face. "Remember us. Me."
"I will. They all said that," Kouyou murmured, and dipped his head to kiss Yuu.
Yuu could practically taste Kouyou's yearning to stay with him, and the one to expand his horizons. The conflicting tumult of emotions that he, too, felt. The bitersweet desire that they both felt strongly.
He tasetd Kouyou as Kouyou's tongue delved into his mouth, licking slowly, making Yuu moan softly into the kiss. He heard Kouyou's own muffled groan, and his longing only increased.
It was a long while later when they finally pulled apart from one another. Yuu looked into Kouyou's eyes, breathing heavily through kiss-swollen lips.
They both smiled.
They were going to be okay and they knew it. They were going to survive this and they would be all the stronger eventually, when the time came.
"I love you," Kouyou said. "Always."
"I love you, too," Yuu responded. "Forever."
He let Kouyou go. Kouyou smiled and stepped back, luggage in hand. He smiled, too, to the rest, who beamed tearily back at him, watching them. Kouyou then walked to the gates, and looked back at Yuu a final time.
No matter how long it took, Kouyou would return for Yuu. Yuu would wait for Kouyou, for however long he had to. They would be together.
Always, and forever.
The end.
The end of my first multi chaptered Jrock fanfiction, which took me far longer than I anticipated (six months! o_O) to finish. Without all of your support, I would never be able to finish this. Thank you to everybody who read this story - from the beginning to the end, starting halfway, whatever. Thank you to everybody who has ever enjoyed reading this and gave me your support and continued motivating me.
I was never sure how Leech would turn out. I first titled it Leech because of the line "Can you hear the counting song of pain, baby?" in the song, and the original story was much, much darker, and a lot less happier. Certain themes remained the same, but well, Leech turned out a lot happier (and probably better) than the original.
There are countless people to thank, and I don't think I could list all of you. But thank you, again.
And... for a last parting shot, I would really appreciate it if everyone who has read this comments on this chapter. It's nice to know who has supported me (: It doesn't matter if you've never commented before or you have only commented once or twice. (; Like I said - it's really nice to know and would make me very happy.
There will be new fics coming up in time. There are plenty other things I will have to finish, but I will keep on writing.
Title: Leech Chapter: 24 Author: infinitysanti (silveryxdark) Rating: PG-13-NC-17 (overall) NC-17 for this chapter. Pairings: AoixUruhaxAoi [main], AoixOC, ReitaxRuki, UruhaxKai, UruhaxOC, mild MikuxKanon, Kaix? Genre: Romance, Angst, Drama Warning: Malexmale pairing, sex, emotional abuse, self-harm, past rape, swears Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except the plot and OCs popping up in here. All mine~ Summary: AU. Shiroyama Yuu leads a good enough life - he owns a guitar store passed down to him by his late parents, is a skilled guitarist in a promising underground band, and has the best friends he could ever have imagined of having. But deep down he is lonely and hides a bitter secret, craving true love. When Kouyou comes along, beautiful and seductive with secrets of his own, Yuu falls for the one man he shouldn't fall for. A/N: At the end.
Kouyou's fingers lightly tapped the dashboard, in time with the music that Yuu was playing in the car. Something slow and sweet - much like their relationship. Kouyou liked this.
The night with their friends had gone surprisingly well, and they had also gotten to know Naoyuki better. Previously, Yutaka had only referred to Naoyuki as his good friend - but they could all see the affection they had for each other then, and now, it was clear that they both liked each other a lot.
Kouyou was genuinely happy that Yutaka had found someone. Naoyuki was a polite, cheerful person, full of good humour. He just about radiated happiness, rather like the way Takanori and Yutaka did at times. He fit in very well with the whole group, and Kouyou was happy about that.
So was Yuu, he knew.
Kouyou looked at his raven-haired lover, humming the tune softly, just loud enough for Kouyou to hear. He could not help but smile wider at the look of contentment on Yuu's face. If anything, he felt the same way, at peace with everything in his life.
They met a red light then, and Yuu stopped and smiled at Kouyou. "Tonight was a good night," Yuu said.
Kouyou nodded, and leaned forward to catch Yuu's lips in a gentle kiss. Yuu was grinning as he pulled away after a while, the light turning green a few moments later. Kouyou knew he was doing the same as Yuu began driving again.
There were numerous things that Kouyou loved about Yuu. Physically, he loved Yuu's smile, his sparkling eyes, his graceful movements - and his glorious body was something Kouyou loved as well. Yuu was shorter than Kouyou, but with lean muscles and smooth, pale skin.
The scars that decorated Yuu's inner thighs did not mar him, in Kouyou's eyes. He found him just as beautiful with them. Each scar represented a past pain, and these pains made up Yuu, shaping him. That pain might have made Yuu a bitter, lonely person, but Kouyou knew that his love tempered it, softened the sharp edges of Yuu's heart and brought them all the closer.
Kouyou trusted Yuu. He knew Yuu would never hurt him and would always love and respect him. He waited for Kouyou to be able to trust him completely, and did not pressurise him one bit. Kouyou loved him even more for that.
He felt ready, to give himself over fully to Yuu. Of course, there was always fear - it was inevitable - yet knowing that Yuu loved him lessened it considerably.
He was going to be okay. After all, it was Yuu - the person he loved the most in the world.
***
It started slowly.
They had taken a shower together, and when they came out of it, Kouyou told Yuu that he wanted to let Yuu top him this night. Yuu was stunned, blinking at Kouyou's words. "Are you sure?" "Yes. Completely sure. I need this, Yuu. I know I'm ready to trust you completely. I know you won't hurt me. I can trust you with.... everything. My body, my heart, my entire life," Kouyou replied, drawing Yuu into a kiss on their bed.
"I'm afraid I'll hurt you though... I want to make you happy," Yuu said uncertainly.
"Yuu, I know you won't. I love you," Kouyou whispered, and then Yuu smiled.
Yuu began to press gentle kisses over Kouyou's body, fingers caressing his skin. His lips and tongue proved just as skilful on his skin as they usually did upon Kouyou's lips. It felt good to Kouyou. No, better than good. Yuu was so gentle, and Kouyou loved it. While giving himself up to Yuu had been terrifying, there was a certain thrill to it. It was Yuu, after all.
When Kouyou felt Yuu's fingers at his entrance, he tensed up, feeling old fear. Yuu looked up at him, eyes full of concern and love. "Kouyou... are you okay? Are you sure about all this?"
"Yes. I'm fine. Go on, please," Kouyou breathed, trying to relax his body.
Yuu's other hand was gently stroking his thighs, distracting him somewhat from the pain. The burn was not as bad as he feared it would be, and increased only slightly as Yuu added a second finger. Yuu seemed to be trying his hardest not to make it hurt, and Kouyou appreciated it. And then, he let out a cry as pleasure hit his body.
Kouyou looked at Yuu, eyes wide, and Yuu smiled up at him.
"It'll get better. Promise," Yuu said softly. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Kouyou said breathily, and another moan escaped his lips at Yuu's skilful touches.
Yuu drew out his fingers then, and in moments Yuu was above Kouyou, facing him. Kouyou wrapped his long legs around Yuu's waist. "Ready? Totally sure?" Yuu asked.
"Yeah," Kouyou said, and pulled Yuu down into another kiss.
Slowly, Yuu began to push into Kouyou.
It hurt.
It hurt badly enough that Kouyou was struggling to take deep breaths, trying not to let tears escape his tightly shut eyelids. He tried not to think of being raped when he was just a child.
"Baby, it's me, Yuu. Shh, it's me," Yuu said, stilling his movements. He kissed Kouyou's cheek, fingers stroking his stomach. "Do you want me to stop?"
Kouyou opened his eyes, keeping eye contact with Yuu. There was so much love there that Kouyou could have cried anew. No, this was something completely different. "No, don't stop. Go on - I want to do this with you," Kouyou breathed.
Yuu then continued to be slow and gentle, careful not to hurt Kouyou as much as he could. Kouyou could really trust him, no matter what. He kissed Yuu then, and the kiss helped to distract him from the pain.
When Yuu was fully sheathed in Kouyou, he stopped moving, simply lying atop Kouyou, breathing heavily. Kouyou did the same underneath him, slowly getting used to the burning sensation, along with the one of being so filled with Yuu. Yes, this was different. Yuu loved him and every movement spoke of it.
"Yuu... move," Kouyou said raggedly.
Yuu's thrusts began slowly, and he kissed Kouyou deeply. That helped to distract Kouyou from the pain, too, and Yuu established a steady, comfortable rhythm, making sure that Kouyou was feeling all right.
Before long, it was starting to feel good. Much better than the pain, in any case. Kouyou let small moans fall from his lips, starting to feel the pleasure that Yuu said he would enjoy.
Yuu then angled his hips a little differently, before thrusting into Kouyou's body again, and a jolt of pleasure, much stronger than the first, coursed through his body. He let out a loud moan, back arching gracefully into Yuu's. He felt Yuu grin against his neck, and Kouyou heard himself urging Yuu on. He quickened his pace just a little, hitting Kouyou's sweet spot repeatedly.
Kouyou cried out louder, unable to believe that he could feel this good with Yuu topping. He knew it could, since he experienced Yuu coming undone underneath him most nights, but to actually feel it was different. And god, was it perfectly, wonderfully different.
He could feel himself getting closer to the edge, and Yuu's thrusts became slightly more erratic. Yuu groaned softly into Kouyou's shoulder, and Kouyou could feel both their hearts beating rapidly together. Yuu wrapped a hand around Kouyou's length, pumping him slowly as he thrust.
Kouyou moaned, throwing his head back, and caught Yuu's lips in a deep kiss, seeking his lover's bittersweet taste that he so loved. And then he was over the edge, crying out Yuu's name as he came, the exact same time that Yuu called out for him, releasing in him.
Kouyou felt nothing but intense bliss, saw nothing but white flashing across his eyes. His body writhed underneath Yuu's. Kouyou felt like he was in heaven with Yuu.
As he came down from his high, Kouyou noticed Yuu panting and his body trembling, as it always did. Kouyou was the same, legs falling from Yuu's waist to rest on the bed. Always, he wanted to lose himself in Yuu. Just like that. It was perfect.
When Yuu drew out of Kouyou, he realised how sore his ass was. But there was a certain sweetness to the pain, and this was one he enjoyed. He kissed Yuu again, savouring his taste, and this time, it was deeper and gentler and all the rest.
"I love you," Kouyou whispered as Yuu pulled away, fingers caressing Yuu's silky black hair.
"I know," Yuu said with a smile, voice breathy. "I love you, too."
...well there. My first sex scene. It's significant though, that's why I wrote it.
Fuck, it was probably shitty as hell ;_; Please don't be too harsh on me? I'm kind of all nervous about posting this, but you know... Yeah. Well, I'm about halfway through the final chapter. It'll be up soon. I hope you liked this chapter anyway.
Vistlip is one of the younger bands in the J-rock scene, being all of two years old and with members all in their early to mid-twenties. And in these few years, they have accomplished much. It would hardly be an exaggeration, then, to call them one of the best indie bands in recent years.
After the disbandment of the bands Jessica (which Tomo, Rui and Yuh were in) and Replia (which Umi and Tohya were in), they had a studio session on the 6th July 2007, and discussed forming a band together. It was at 1am when they left the studio on 7th July, and Umi agreed to do the band - and thus vistlip was born. Vistlip is a combination of "visual" (their aesthetic style) and "lip" (as they spread their music with words), and the "t" in their name is a plus sign which combines the two themes.
Unlike most bands, they decided to release a mini-album, Revolver, first. It was released on 23rd April 2008 and a PV (promotional video) was released for the song EDY as well. The mini-album did well for a debut release, and was received well by audiences. They then released three singles within a month of each other, from September to November, titled Sara (3rd September), alo[n]e (8th October) and drop note. (5th November). They were also well-liked, a sure sign that vistlip's star was beginning to shine.
In 2009, they released the mini-album PATRIOT on 4th April. They filmed a PV for the song EVE, off PATRIOT. This mini-album also did very well and the same can be said for the single -OZONE-, released on 5th August. They had their first oneman tour, VRGNL RIOT on 7th July. Most recently, they released their first album, THEATER, on 9th December, which includes all previously released singles and a PV for the song THEATER OF ENVY was also filmed. They also have another oneman tour, titled GATHER TO THE THEATER lined up for March 2010.
Vistlip's music is best described as alternative rock. One notable feature about their music is that Rui's basslines are very strong and clear and can be easily heard in many songs, which is unlike the music of many other bands where the bass is masked by other elements. Of course, Umi's and Yuh's guitar riffs stand out as well, and Tohya's steady drumming provides a strong backing for the music. Tomo's smooth, strong voice with its wide range completes every song. Each song has a catchy intro that never fails to draw the listener in.
The boys of the band don't look bad either, and while their clothes are usually very dark (though for PATRIOT, they wore matching all-white costumes), there are splashes of bright colours and prints that also make them a sight for sore eyes. Their videos are coordinated by guitarist and leader Umi, and they are always great to watch and listen to. The five of them are also very loving to their fans - not only do they blog multiple times a day, but every week, a webisode called Rough The Vistlip (or RTV as it is known to fans) is released and we can see their dorky, fun-loving side, and it brings them all the closer to the fans.
Anyone interested in good rock music, even if of a different language, or anyone interested in Japan's music scene should definitely check vistlip out - they are bound not to disappoint!
I JUST GOT ASH-JIE'S LETTER~! OMG IT IS GORGEOUUUUUUS <333
So what happened was that I had just woken up (I take evening naps, lol) and I was having dinner when my dad walked into my room with an envelope in his hand. At first I thought he wanted me to do some paperwork for him and those were the documents UNTIL I SAW THE FRONT AND SQUEALED SO LOUUUUUUUUUUUUUD AND OPENED IT WHILE MY DAD WAS TALKING TO ME <333 XD It's so cute right? ^_^ [and I guess you can see my address... EY DON'T STALK]
And then I opened it...
CHIBI KANON THAT STAAAANDS~ <3 KANOOOOOOOOOOOON <3 Don't worry, he looks like Nonchan! ^.^ I ran around the house with this, going, "IT'S PRETTY, RIGHT? RIGHT?!" Same for chibi Non-chan~ Except that I went around going, "IT'S CUTE RIGHT? RIGHT?!" instead XD
Also~ Cass-jie made me this wallie <3 SANKYUU JIEJIE~! Aaaah LAY BESIDE ME KANON 8DDD <3
XD I think we forgot to blog about this, but I went over to her place for a sleepover on Sunday night ^_^ She got off at 9.30, so I stayed in the shop until then~ And then we talked and stuff while going to her place~
Afterwards, after more talking and showering and whatnot~ we watched plenty of videos on YT~ YES JIE JIE~ You still love Gackt :P Even if, y'know, Tomo is cute as hell. XD
We then watched vistlip videos until... 3am. XD GUISE I SEE AROWANAS EVERYWHEEERE. *points to Sara PV*
And then I went to sleep XD Though, I kind of woke up every couple of hours (I do that all the time, meh) and at 6 I was like, "What time is it?" and Cass said six so I was like, O_O and then went to sleep again.
I woke up at around 9~ we then cooked breakfast and all. Cass-jie cooks well~ AND I COOKED SCRAMBLED EGGS. OMG <3 It was an awesome but VERY filling breakfast. Very, VERY filling breakfast :O We couldn't finish some. XD And ate it up later. XD
More computer tiemz~ and then CARD TIME! Cass-jie made a LOVELY card for Gackt~ even nicer than the one for Tomo xD while I made... 2 half cards xD I still have finishing touches to put on for them~ And then Cass-jie madesome GORGEOUS Shou wallies~ the ones for Ash~ THEY WERE GORGEOUS. Like honestly. So very pretty~ XD
And before long it was 5 (how did the time pass so fast? XD) and I had to go home~ after which I crashed on the couch 'cause my real sis was sick and asleep in our bed. I slept for about 1 and a half hours. Wish I slept longer though... I sleep too little xD
Title: Leech Chapter: 23 Author: infinitysanti (silveryxdark) Rating: PG-13-R (overall) Pairings: AoixUruhaxAoi [main], AoixOC, ReitaxRuki, UruhaxKai, UruhaxOC, mild MikuxKanon, Kaix? Genre: Romance, Angst, Drama Warning: Malexmale pairing, sex, emotional abuse, self-harm, past rape, swears Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except the plot and OCs popping up in here. All mine~ Summary: AU. Shiroyama Yuu leads a good enough life - he owns a guitar store passed down to him by his late parents, is a skilled guitarist in a promising underground band, and has the best friends he could ever have imagined of having. But deep down he is lonely and hides a bitter secret, craving true love. When Kouyou comes along, beautiful and seductive with secrets of his own, Yuu falls for the one man he shouldn't fall for. A/N: At the end.
Yutaka looked up from his work, shifting his glasses up. "Welcome back, Naoyuki!" he said cheerfully.
His landlord grinned and looked at the still-steaming food on the dinner table. "I thought I asked you to eat first, since I had to work a little later," he said.
"It gets lonely eating all by myself," Yutaka replied, taking off his glasses. "I cooked later than normal for you, and I'm starving. Shut up and let's eat. Oh, and, Kouyou called to ask if we wanted to go out for drinks with him and the rest."
"Sure thing," Naoyuki said. "I've only seen them a couple of times."
"Yeah. You know, Nao... they are kind of suspecting us," Yutaka said softly, with a hint of a smile on his face.
Naoyuki gave a smile and kissed Yutaka's cheek. "About time we told them, don't you think? Since we have been dating for two months. I've never seen you this happy before, to tell the truth. Come on, let's eat."
Yutaka smiled as he sat down. He had a lot of things to be happy about. Over the past three months, give or take a week, he had been significantly happier - and so had the rest. Yuu and Kouyou were indescribably happy, he knew that. It was easy to see how much they loved one another, and the pure joy radiating from them when they were together was palpable.
He knew, too, that they were both seeing a therapist, the same one, to help them with their respective past traumas. They all understood that the therapist had gone through several problems of her own before, and was in a good position to understand them better than many others did. Yuu did not cut anymore, too, and that made all of them happy.
Career-wise, Akira had been promoted through his own hard work and merit and Takanori had passed his exam with flying colours. Meanwhile, Yuu's band was in talks with a record company and they had a very high chance of getting signed, while Kouyou was doing very well at his job. Naoyuki had recently been promoted himself at the hospital he worked at, and Yutaka had taken up a job as a teacher, following his passion.
He was sure that he had never seen any of them as happy before in their entire lives, and Takanori had confided the same thing to him. He and Akira would be celebrating their ninth anniversary together in a matter of weeks, too. Even though they had not met up in quite a while, they still called each other often.
And Yutaka had Naoyuki. The cheerful brunette had been the one who had taken him in when he had run away months back, not asking any questions and simply letting Yutaka sort himself out. When Yutaka had received the call about Yuu, Naoyuki had offered to accompany him, yet had not been offended when Yutaka told him that he needed to be there alone.
After that day, Yutaka's mind had been cleared and he decided to live somewhere away from the rest. Naoyuki had offered to rent him a room, and Yutaka gladly accepted. Since then, they had become close friends, and just three weeks later, Naoyuki had asked Yutaka out.
Yutaka had agreed to go out with Naoyuki, since he had, admittedly, been slowly developing feelings for him as well. It came as a pleasant surprise when Naoyuki asked him shyly over dinner if he wanted to go out on a date. Yutaka had been stunned, but then he accepted, and since then things had been going better than ever.
Yutaka liked Naoyuki a lot.
"Yukkun, something on your mind? I'm guessing it's happy though, since you have this dazed smile on your face. It's cute though," Naoyuki remarked, and Yutaka looked up.
He smiled and responded, "Yeah. I was thinking about... everything, really. Akira and Takanori - Kouyou and Yuu have something special planned for their ninth anniversary. And they are really happy themselves, being together... letting go of their pasts. And you and me. Thank you for everything, Nao-chan... It's hard to find someone like you."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Good, of course! You know that."
"Yeah, I do. Just wanted to tease you a bit."
Naoyuki reached over and caught Yutaka's lips in a soft, sweet kiss, and Yutaka smiled against it, kissing his boyfriend back. It was gentle, and felt so right to him. Naoyuki had already earned himself a place in his heart, and Yutaka was happy about that.
He pulled back, then, and Naoyuki pouted. Laughing, Yutaka said, "Come on, let's finish dinner and we can go meet the rest. We don't want to keep them waiting."
***
The club that they were meeting in was not like many that Yutaka had been in. Where others tended to be sleazy with blinding, flashing lights and terrible music, this one was warm and cosy and a group could meet up and chat comfortably. The drinks were mixed well and tasted good, and they had pretty decent food as well.
Yutaka smiled as he and Naoyuki were let into the club, and he saw his four friends sitting down, drinking and chatting animatedly among themselves. Takanori was the first to spot them, and waved them over. Yutaka grinned, holding Naoyuki's hand and leading him to the group.
"Spill it, Yutaka, how long have you two been dating?" Kouyou asked with a laugh.
"Two months," Yutaka answered proudly as he sat down.
"Yep, Yutaka's mine," Naoyuki said. "You should see him when he comes home chatting all excitedly about some cute little kids and their pranks or some student's brilliant essay or something."
"You've certainly kept it well-hidden," Yuu remarked. "Anyway... you aren't the only one with big news. Though it isn't very big, considering how long we've suspected."
Everyone laughed as Yutaka and Naoyuki exchanged shy smiles, and then Akira said, "Well, so what's your big news, you two?"
Yuu responded, "Well, me first. My band's gotten signed. It's an indie label, but it's a start! We're going to release our first single in a month, and we're going to play a couple of lives to promote them later with a couple of labelmates!"
They all laughed and applauded, clapping Yuu on the back as Kouyou watched lovingly, kissing Yuu's cheek. "Whoa, Yuu, you're going to be a star! I can tell all my friends my cousin's a big star now," Takanori joked.
"Well, that's my Yuu. The best in the world," Kouyou said proudly. "And well... my turn. Yuu and I have talked a lot about this, over the past week, and we've decided that it's the best thing for me. In a month, I'm going to London for a job attachment. My company picked me to go, considering my overseas education, and it's going to be a fantastic opportunity."
"How long?" Takanori asked.
"Well... for six to eight months," Kouyou replied, looking a little uncertain. "I can come back during the holidays though. Not for long, but... I can come back here then. And I'll be permanently back after that period."
"That's a pretty long time," Yutaka remarked quietly.
Yuu spoke up then. "Yeah, it is. We know. But it's the best for Kouyou's career. He's talented and this is a huge opportunity for him, which I think should not go to waste. Kouyou's worked really long and hard for something like this, and I support him no matter what. Of course, if I could go with him, I would... but the band, you know. We're both doing what we love best."
"We're going to miss each other, a lot," Kouyou added softly. "We know. But everything's going to be okay, because we love each other. We might be away from each other a lot, but I'm going to come back home to the person I love more than any other. Our relationship's survived the worst, and this is just something we'll go through together."
Akira looked at them thoughtfully, as the rest did, and then said, "It does seem to be the best thing for you. You know... if this happened earlier, I would, honestly, be really worried. I would not trust you to go, but... now I know that you won't hurt each other or whatever, so it's going to be okay."
Yutaka agreed with all that they said. Kouyou and Yuu had gone through just about everything - separation would be a smaller hurdle. He knew, as all of them did, that though they might be away from one another, they would never hurt each other. They loved each other too much for that, and Yuu would wait for Kouyou as long as he needed to.
Even if Kouyou had to leave for longer than that - a year, two, or more - he knew they would probably make the same decision, and they would still come out all the better at the end of it. Their relationship could weather anything, no matter what. Every one of them, even Naoyuki, new as he might be to the group, understood that.
"Yeah, everything's going to be all right," Naoyuki said, with a grin. "I might be new to you, but I can see that Kouyou-kun and Yuu-kun love each other a lot. Anyone can see that you mean the world to each other."
Exactly what Yutaka had been thinking.
"Well, I think all of you just said everything that needed to be said. So come on - let's order drinks and spend the night. It's been, what, five weeks since we were all together like this, right?" Takanori said, with a bright smile.
Yutaka nodded, and caught Naoyuki's eye. He smiled - as Akira and Takanori were soulmates, as Kouyou and Yuu matched one another perfectly, maybe he and Naoyuki were destined for each other, too.
I apologise for not having updated for so long. I've had too much free time, too little motivation, too many cases of the missing muses (I think Aoi- and Uruha-muses got scared and ran away) and well... now it's up. This chapter is completely different from what I had planned originally, too, but I like it much better.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was like a closure for Yutaka. See, he gets his happy ending too. :3 I couldn't bear to leave him alone, haha~ Well, Naoyuki is also Alice Nine!Nao, for anyone who might not know. (:
Something very significant will happen in the next chapter. Look out for it :3 It MAY be up tonight if I can, though I'm going over to Cass-jie's house for a sleepover and IDK if I can get to use the comp to update, but we'll see. ^_^ Thank you very much for reading thus far. It's gonna end so soon... wow.
Two whole years since I've signed up on the best site ever, EVER, and honestly, it's quite a surprise to me. I don't stay on SNSes for long, usually - I left FB after 4 months, then I check it only sporadically, I kept a Myspace for all of 3 days, same goes for Blogger, keep Ameba for the sole purpose of keeping up with Jrockers' blogs... you get what I mean.
Buzznet has my eternal love. :3
This year, I'll admit, I haven't been on as insanely much as I used to. There are friends who've left, and new friends I've made. Many have left though, and... well, it makes Buzznet less... lively for me.
But there are numerous people who have continued to make Buzznet an amazing year for me.
Also, this year, Buzznet has had DMD, which has allowed me to expose Jrock to the Buzznet community (and the Gackt writeup was, surprisingly, featured on his myspace, too). There's IkkyG's The Hunt For The Worst Musical Act which is insanely awesome. Mark Reads Twilight, which is a source of constant lulz (though yes, I feel his pain, too). And lots of other content, which always makes me happy. :D
I have started to drift away from the main Decaydance fandom, and fallen for the Jrock one. I've written fewer fanfics, and my reader base is generally pretty small now... maybe 3 people? Aha. In any case, I don't regret it. Maybe I was disappointed at first, but now, honestly, it's what I love, and it's fine if only 3 people read.
There are countless friends I want to thank for making Buzznet amazing for me.
If I have left anybody out, I'm sorry. Maybe we simply haven't talked a lot at all... or we've only just known each other. S'okay though - let's be better friends. ^_^
Well. After weeks of no updating, feeling crappy, tired and unmotivated in general, I reckon my muses are coming back. I started writing a little something today. I think I may update tonight if this mood keeps up. I plan to finish Leech by either Sunday or Monday, and finish the rest of TLOL next week.
After that, I plan to write the oneshots that I promised my friends to write for them (lots of A9 requests, haha!) and my other WIPs (2 TomoxRuis and a NaoxShin, the latter which I have been working on and off for ages and which I promised to write for my dearest Micchie <3). And if all goes well, maybe I can finally start my next multi-chapter~ It's something I've been wanting to write for a really long time.
Details will be released then, but expect Reituki and drama... that you might not expect ;) All else I can say is that no one dies/gets abused etc. I'm done abusing my poor muses... for now. *insert evil laughter here*
Writing tiemz nao~
P.S.: My Cobra love's returning. GABEYBABY~ <3 FANGS UP!
There are numerous young bands in every scene, and especially in Japan's visual kei movement. Enter SuG - full of passion, with their energy and plenty of potential (along with admittedly cute outfits and faces), can surely win anyone's heart.
Formed in October 2006 with Takeru, Masato, Yuji and Shouta, who were in the same band previously, Mitsuru joined a month later. In February 2007, Shouta left the band and was replaced by current bassist Chiyu. They first released the song 7th Breeze on a compilation album, before getting signed to Indie PSC, a subdivision of PS Company (which also handles several famous J-rock bands) and releasing their first single, Scheat, in August.
Scheat was the first of a string of releases in late 2007, with Yumegiwa Downer and Alterna being released in the next month and their first EP, Love Scream Party, in December. On 27 December, they also performed at the J-Rock Invasion event in Germany, alongside fellow PS Company bands.
Four months later in April 2008, their first full-length album, n0iz stAr was released, an album full of mostly upbeat, electro-rock dance tracks. They released another EP in September titled Punkitsch, and the Tricolor Color single in December. Tricolor Color had three different versions, and all contained the song Umblical, also one of their heavier songs to date, and three other songs, one per version.
In 2009, the single 39GalaxyZ was released on 15 April. However, a day later, it was announced that their drummer Mitsuru would be leaving the band due to musical differences. He played a final live with them on 9 May 2009. Shinpei became their support drummer, and he soon joined SuG as an official member. Their first single with shinpei, Life♥2Die was released in October and recently, on 18 November, the single P!NK masquerade was released.
They performed in Thailand on 31st October, the live titled "1st Attack in Bangkok". They also peformed on the first day of the V-Rock Festival in Japan, where many visual rock musicians such as Marilyn Manson and Alice Nine performed as well. SuG will be having their first major debut single, gr8 story, on 27 January 2010 with Pony Canyon Records, but will still be managed by PS Company.
Brightly coloured accessories and clothes in myriad hues make up SuG's image, and their members are rather typically adorable, especially with the tiny but hyperactive Takeru. Their music ranges from soft pop-rock ballads to high-energy tracks infused with synthesizer sounds that will make anyone want to get up and dance.
Lives are highly energetic and it is not uncommon to see Takeru jumping around madly as he performs, while the other members smile and laugh as they, too, bounce around, encouraging the crowd to do so at the same time. Although their lives might not be the best, they are constantly improving and always striving to be a good band. They are also known for reaching out to fans and it is hard to hate them once you get into them.
To sum it up, SuG is young and passionate with plenty of talent, and for anyone interested in the Japanese visual/oshare kei scene, SuG is a band to look out for.
I may not go for Green Day after all. Financial state is at an alll time low (ha. ha.). I love Green Day, but I'm not mega hardcore over them the way I am over, say FOB and An Cafe. And IDK if Lakeisha is DEFINITELY going, so... yeah. And just... my dad, and stuff. Might not go. Probably won't... I've been doing a lot of thinking.
I miss Perpetua already. She flew off to Japan about 45 minutes ago. It'll be weird... not texting her like 10 times a day or something, haha. And just... talking to her. I won't see her till school reopens.
I miss all my friends.
I lost my writing mood again.
I need something new to read.
About half my knee's swollen due to mosquito bites. Fucking insects.
In the world of visual kei, where rock and metal music usually dominate, it can be noticeably hard to stand out. Kaya, however, with his own brand of aesthetics and darkwave music, has made a name for himself.
Originally in the now-defunct darkwave duo, Schwarz Stein, with Hora (previously of Velvet Eden), and also in Meties and ISOLA under the name Hime, he went on a hiatus for two years before coming back in the session unit, another cell. His solo project officially began on 23 June 2006, with a sold-out oneman show. He released the singles Kaleidoscope and Masquerade in June and September of that year, before releasing his debut album Glitter in December.
In 2007, he collaborated with Versailles, D and Juka to form the unit Node of Scherzo, as a sort of play with Kaya, Juka and Versailles's vocalist Kamijo playing the main roles and the rest as support members. One song from this unit was released (also titled Node of Scherzo), although an album containing select tracks from each of the three singers was released as well. He was also a guest for Versailles and Juka several times. That year, he also released the singles Ouka Ryouran and Carmilla, and the EP Hyakki Yagyou.
He went major in spring 2008, releasing his first major single, Chocolat and a oneman concert, Salon du Chocolat, the DVD for which was released in August. His album Glitter was re-released as well, every song re-recorded and re-mastered as the first print sold out completely, and the reissue was sold out as well. He released Last Snow on Christmas Eve of that year, showing a more experimental sound.
2009 began with the release of an EP, Bonjour! Chanson, where he covered five famous chansons, including La Vie en Rose and Padam, Padam by Edith Piaf. He celebrated his first anniversary as a major label artist with the Rose Kingdom lie, debuting a new song of the same name then. He returned to his darkwave/trance roots then, as shown in the release of his latest single, Ophelia, in July 2008, which also featured Rose Kingdom.
Kaya's image is often characterised by elegant dresses, heavy makeup, and the like. He promotes a sense of aesthetic beauty and often crossdresses to show this - in fact, he has been known to appear in male clothing only a few times. His voice is also extremely clear and strong, a perfect complement to his music, and during his live performances, he usually sings alone, with backup dancers, drag queens and guest musicians sharing the stage. His lyrics range from deep and emotional to dark and morbid, and are always lovely and fascinating. KALM and Hora of Velvet Eden have also contributed to his music, along with several other musicians.
Those looking for someone new and unique to listen to should definitely check out Kaya. Love him or hate him - one cannot deny that he is beautiful and outstanding, different from everyone else in one of the best possible ways.
Today... I found out that I MAY be able to go watch Green Day. 8D My parents aren't allowing me to go because I don't have money of my own to. BUT I realised that I have a cheque that I'm yet to deposit (and will do so tomorrow) for $50. And the ticket is $91, plus booking fee. So $41 left, yes? My friend says that he'll help me with the remainder. :') I MAY just be able to persuade my dad to lend me a little bit more ^^ When he comes back from Malaysia tomorrow night, anyway~ XD
I have awesome friends. XD I haven't seen him in... 5 months? (Well, okay, almost three to be exact, BUT that time we didn't talk at all so it doesn't count) And he was offering to help me out and I was like, "O_O Seriously?" <3 Though I didn't go all "OMG DUDE ILY" because... well, he might take it the wrong way since I used to like him back when I was 11, lol. Not anymore though. He's cute, but I don't know him well enough any more. XD
Can you believe that he's the sole guy friend I have? XD Fighting with the boys in primary school ALL THE TIME + studying in a girls' school now + lack of interaction with neighbours = knowing just about no boys at all now. XD
And I went to see Cass-jie today :DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD It was awesome ^^ We were pretty bored for a while but we still talked a lot and the two of us insane perverts came up with certain... plotlines. XD NC-17 ;) She'll be the one writing though, wahaha~ It shall be fun to read them. XD
I feel a bit like writing other things. I don't know. I'll see what goes down tonight~
We took a VERY LONG train ride to Singapore Expo for Sitex. It's this tech fair and my pa wanted me to go to look for some netbooks 'cause he wanted to get one. It was pretty crowded but not as bad as the other time... Comtex or something, idk. Then it was so bad I could barely BREATHE~ but this was much better, even if all the promoters scared me a bit, haha! And we sat outside pathetically eating BK while talking about Tokio Hotel, hooker boots and Jrockers' levels of Engrish fail. (Y)
Later on we bought ice cream and sat INSIDE eating and chatting again. :D It was awesome. xDD And then we headed off to Changi Airport XD We went to The Cocoa Trees and bought Reese's Peanut Butter Cups WHICH ARE SOLD ONLY IN COCOA TREES OR SOMETHING D8< but I got them anyway. Along with Ritter Sport chocolate 'cause chocolate is awesome. And then we saw a couple taking wedding photos and dgdfjfgh it was so pretty and Lakeisha was all envious XD
It was home tiemz~ then, and we went hooome~ XD Except that I went to Cold Storage to find this brand of cheese ball snacks for Cass since they are all out of stock where she works XD And they were fully stocked! :O I'mma go see her tomorrow~ YEY~ And I plan to borrow more Anne Rice books tomorrow too. 8D I love reading The Vampire Chronicles, yessu~
So today was my cousin Edwin's wedding day! ^^ Expect a loooong story. XD
I woke up at around... 5.40 this morning (thanks Jin! (I have Gather Roses as my alarm tone~)) and kind of just stayed in bed till 6am, and then when I got up I realised no one was up yet. So I was like... meh, and went back to bed for the next 10 minutes. XD Afterwards, I washed up etc. and changed. I didn't wear my dress YET~ That's for the dinner. XD
So at around... 7, my family went to get some breakfast at a nearby eatery. We didn't eat much 'cause there would be a buffet later, so we took a taxi to Edwin's condominium (well, his family's, but you know what I mean) and soon we were there~ My sister and I went to meet up with my other two cousins, Olivia and Shi Ayn (they are sisters. And... I have 25 cousins, so it might get confusing, sorry XD), but before we did, the bridal car arrived~ And out stepped Edwin and Eunice (his wife! ^^), looking absolutely radiant~
After watching, we helped to decorate the function room by blowing up balloons. I think... 3 or 4 burst, however. XD Mingyue (Edwin's younger sister) and her boyfriend were helping out too~
And then we went up to the unit and kinda just stood around and stuff while waiting for my other relatives to arrive. And then it was the tea ceremony (Chinese custom ^^). Edwin and Eunice first offered tea to my third aunt and uncle (Edwin's parents), and then to the rest of the elders. And then us... kids, for lack of a better word, went to get red packets from them~ XD It's these little red envelopes with money inside to symbolise good luck. (:
We went down for the buffet then, and I sat with Shi Ayn and Olivia~ We talked and ate together, and then because Shi Ayn's shoes were... well, rather literally falling apart at the seams, we went to AMK Hub (shopping mall) to buy shoes for her. It was only 10:20 then, and most shops open at 10:30 or 11, so we spent some time just walking around. And buying drinks/chocolate/yogurt 'cause we can. After a few rounds of checking out shops, we finally found a suitable pair for her. ^^
Shi Ayn and I went to the games arcade then~ We played this Taiko drumming game (full of Jpop and Cpop), which I rather sucked at, and this music game called Jubeats where we have to tap the buttons on the machine in time to chosen (Jpop) songs. We also played a round of Time Crisis 3 which I pwned her at, but I've been out of practice for too long. XD
We went back home afterwards, and I logged on for a while but fell asleep for an hour instead >.> And then I had to dress. I wore... a white cocktail dress with a pearl bracelet and beige flats... Idk, I think I looked weird, but then again the only time I EVER wear dresses are for weddings (about once a year) so I might be far too self-deprecating for my own good. :/ I had my hair pulled back too. My sister was far prettier than me. Actually, everyone looked so... glamorous. Imagine how that made me feel... Agh.
Anyway. We went to the dinner then, held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, but before that was the solemnisation ceremony. It was so very sweet and just... aaw, I don't know how else to describe it. It was a beautiful moment. You could really see how much they loved one another. But what annoyed me was that during it, two people's mobiles went off while two others sitting next to me were talking. Come on, have some respect for the couple! D8
So after that, we pretty much stood around and stuff, while waiting for the ballroom to be open. Kuan Wee (cousin), Yuhan (cousin, Kuan's older sister), Olivia, Shi Ayn, my sister and I were together and talking and everything~ XD The six of us have always been a very close group of cousins, so it was really fun to be able to do so. It's really been a long time since the six of us were together like that, since Olivia and Yuhan are especially busy with their university studies.
At around 7.40, we could go in. Unfortunately, Shi Ayn and Olivia were at another table, but at least Kuan, Yuhan, my sister and I could sit together ^^ We were very near the stage, so we could see everything. Seeing Edwin and Eunice so happy was really touching. (: Even if the emcees were really kind of bad, the atmosphere more than made up for it.
There was an animation of how Edwin and Eunice met~ It was at a karaoke session with mutual friends, but they lost contact. 4 years on in 2004, they met again at a friend's birthday party and Edwin was playing guitar. Eunice thought it was really nice and everything and she took guitar lessons from him! XD (readers of Leech: Doesn't that sound familiar? XD Even though I only found this out today. XD) And then in 2007, he proposed to her at the beach and of course, she accepted. 2 years on, they are happily married as of today. :D
We also watched a video of how Edwin went to fetch Eunice (IDK if it's done elsewhere as well, but for us, the groom has to go through a series of 'challenges' to get to the bride). It was so funny! XD The challenges involved eating some kind of biscuit with wasabi on top, singing a song loudly, guessing games about the bridesmaids and saying "I love you" in 5 languages! I remember only 3 - "ti amor", "aishiteru" (EXPECTED RIGHT?) and "wo ai le" (I love you in the Hokkien dialect, I think XD).
And then... DINNER TIEM. XD There were... prawn platter with honeydew salad, shark's fin soup, roast chicken with garlic, scallops, and then a talk by the couple, the friend who introduced them, and a toast. (: And then after that was... abalone with sea cucumber, steamed garoupa, glutinous rice wrapped in beancurd skin and as dessert, yam paste with gingko nuts and pumpkin. It was all really good, even if it was a tad typical.
Dinner ended at about... 11... plus.... Idk, somewhere around there. Our group of six took a few photos together, and then it was time to go. I only just reached home about an hour ago... at around 12:10 AM. And I'm still hyper~ XD On the way home, I watched a few videos like 69-II, OZONE, Utakata and P!NK Masquerade 8D I also listened to Alice Human Sacrifice, wtf xD I think that all of that might have contributed to my current hyperness. But uggggh my shoulder aches from my sister resting on my shoulder in the taxi >.>
I shall update fics tomorrow. I have to read through my friends' entries and Buzznet favourites and everything. XD See ya <3
P.S.: I have no pics atm, but my cousins will update them on facebook (lol I don't use it) and when they do I'll post them~ ^^
Title: Leech Chapter: 22b Author: infinitysanti (silveryxdark) Rating: PG-13-R (overall) Pairings: AoixUruhaxAoi [main], AoixOC, ReitaxRuki, UruhaxKai, UruhaxOC, mild MikuxKanon Genre: Romance, Angst, Drama Warning: Malexmale pairing, sex, emotional abuse, self-harm, past rape, swears Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except the plot and OCs popping up in here. All mine~ Summary: AU. Shiroyama Yuu leads a good enough life - he owns a guitar store passed down to him by his late parents, is a skilled guitarist in a promising underground band, and has the best friends he could ever have imagined of having. But deep down he is lonely and hides a bitter secret, craving true love. When Kouyou comes along, beautiful and seductive with secrets of his own, Yuu falls for the one man he shouldn't fall for. A/N: At the end.
It was early afternoon when Yuu next woke up. Instead of Kouyou being asleep next to him, he was reading a book that was nestled in his lap, one hand turning the pages while the other clutched Yuu's hand. Yuu smiled to see Kouyou so engrossed in the book. It looked truly adorable.
"Hey. I'm up," Yuu said softly.
Kouyou looked up from the book and smiled at him. He closed the book and put it away, asking, "Are you feeling better Do you want me to get you the doctor or anything?"
Yuu let out a soft laugh, and saw a faint blush touch Kouyou's cheeks. "I think I'd just like some water, thanks."
"Okay," Kouyou said, and got up to pour Yuu a cup of water.
Yuu sipped the water gratefully, feeling it soothe his dry throat. Kouyou took his hand again as he did so. It felt right to have his hand in Kouyou's. The analogy of them as puzzle pieces - like he had thought so often - seemed to fit better than ever now. Without one another, they were lost, but together... things felt completely right once more.
"You know, the doctor said you can be discharged tonight, if you feel up to it. You can probably go home by... seven," Kouyou said lightly as he stroked Yuu's hand gently, and the brunette could detect a hint of hope in Kouyou's voice in that simple statement.
"We'll go back home tonight," Yuu said with a smile. "Our home."
Kouyou smiled then, looking utterly delighted. Yuu grinned wider at the obvious joy Kouyou was feeling. Home. He had not been back in a week. Even if his apartment with Takanori and Akira had once been home, ever since he had gotten together with Kouyou, home had become the apartment with Kouyou.
"Kouyou... I think it's about time I told you everything. Every single thing... from the very beginning. What made me cut in the first place... what hurt me beyond full repair... what made me like this... everything," Yuu said, voice breaking slightly.
Yuu felt Kouyou rub small circles on the back of his palm reassuringly. "It's okay, Yuu. I'm here. I promise."
Kouyou's words and actions did reassure Yuu. It was enough to give him the courage to remember the past. Everything that had wounded him, destroyed him just about completely in the past. Broken him beyond full repair.
He let the memories come flooding back.
"Hello, Shiroyama-kun. Could you help me find a guitar?" a deep voice asked gently.
Yuu looked up from the counter to see his senior at school, Matsuki Okito, at the counter. His heart sped up as he looked at his handsome senior - Matsuki-sempai to him. He was popular, good-looking, set to graduate very soon and dated anyone, male or female, he thought pretty. He paid attention only to those he liked, that much Yuu knew.
"H-hai, Matsuki-sempai! What kind of guitar are you looking for?" Yuu said nervously, ignoring the chuckle of his aunt at his side.
Okito flashed him a charming smile that made Yuu blush, and started talking to him.
"I was just sixteen then. I was lonely, and only had Yutaka and Takanori with me Taka was twelve and Yutaka was thirteen. My parents had died the year before. My only relatives were the Matsumotos... Taka's mother was my father's sister. They took me in, since I was still underage. My uncle hated me because I happened to be gay while my aunt still cared enough to take care of me too.
"But I was lonely anyway. I had a huge crush on... on Okito." Yuu found the name hard to say, but continued bravely, "Everyone admired him... and when he started talking to me... I was thrilled. He asked me out and everything, and... god, I was so happy. The person I liked was interested in me, and I didn't care about anyone else.
"We were really happy together then... At least, that was what I thought. I thought he loved me. He would graduate soon... but he liked me. Me. A freshman at the high school that people knew only because I was the kid whose late parents ran the only music store in the neighbourhood. He would come over some days just to talk to me and things.
"And... a few months later... we went to a party that his friend held. And there... he seemed to change a little. He stopped paying so much attention to me and he was basking in all the attention people were giving him. God! You should have seen all those kids clamouring just to speak to him... And he was flirting left, right and centre. I got afraid... because I was really insecure about my looks... and everyone seemed so much more attractive than I was.
"That was the start of it. I knew that he knew I was afraid of him leaving me. He would flirt with people and see how I reacted... and I would attempt to win him back. I eventually gave him my virginity, too. Just to keep him with him. It hardly worked, and he continued playing with me... And I was so fucking blind. I thought he still loved me, at that time. He just saw me as a pretty toy who would do anything for him, and that was it. But I didn't know."
Yuu paused then, realising that tears were slowly trickling down his face. Kouyou looked heartbroken, and he leaned over, kissing away Yuu's tears lovingly. Yuu took a deep breath. He had to tell Kouyou every single thing, here and now. And he would.
In a moment, he continued, "It was not long before Okito started convincing me that I was useless and worthless... Nothing that nobody but him would love and keep. He would bring me to parties and leave me alone, and nobody wanted to talk to me. I started to believe that no one would like me at all. And he was the only one who seemed to show me concern and love.
"Matsumoto-san - my uncle - started keeping Taka away from me, too. He thought I was influencing him, and I started spending more time away at Okito's place than at mine. Yutaka... well, his parents were keeping him away from us both. Somewhere along the way... I believed that I had lost them, too. That was how much I had lost my self-confidence... Okito just made me believe that I was not worthy of care and concern. If anything, it was only pity. My aunt was trying to help me, not understanding why I had become so depressed, but I pushed her away."
Yuu took another deep breath. He looked at his legs, remembering the scars that he had. "The next year, I turned seventeen. It was also the year I began cutting."
Why? Why did no one love him? Why had he lost Takanori and Yutaka? Did they not love each other? What happened to the bond that he had thought they shared? It was only a lie, was it not?
Only Okito cared for him. That was what he said... only him. Yuu loved him so much. He never wanted him to leave... but he could, any time he wanted. If Okito did not love him enough...
Yuu looked at the pen knife in his hand. Sharp, gleaming steel. So terribly beautiful. His blurry reflection on the blade seemed to be beckoning to him, "Come on. Do it. It won't hurt you. Not much. Not more than everything else. Come on."
"I did it, then. I began cutting my thighs when I was alone, and feeling especially hurt... But with how I was all but living with Okito - his parents were busy all the time with business trips, you see, and his older sister was studying overseas - he soon noticed. And he liked it, Kouyou... Okito liked seeing me in pain. He... he got some sick satisfaction out of watching me so hurt... watching me bleed. I would do it just for him.
"And sometimes... sometimes, I cut at night, and when he came home... he would fuck me while my thighs were still raw. I would cry, but he didn't care. And... he would make me feel good, even if I was sore and crying... and bleeding anew. No matter what. I felt... I felt so dirty. For letting him do all this to me.... and for liking it. I did... I liked it. I was obsessed with him... I would do anything just so he wouldn't leave me. Anything, to that extent."
Yuu let out a sob, the memories flooding back to him. They still hurt as sharply as any blade that had once touched his skin. Still stung as painfully. Still made him feel as horribly dirty as they did back then. How could mere memories hurt him so much? He had never healed, had he? Not even a little.
"Yuu... Yuu, look at me. Yuu," Kouyou said gently, and Yuu looked up through his tears.
Kouyou leaned forward and kissed him gently. Yuu clung on to the kiss like it was oxygen, oxygen he needed so badly it hurt. The kiss suddenly became so much more urgent, so much deeper, and Yuu clung on to it. It had been far too long since he had Kouyou kiss him, and god he missed it so much.
When he finally pulled away, he felt strengthened, and he gave Kouyou a weak smile. Kouyou smiled back, though he could see the sheen of tears in his dark gaze. He began again, "But... after he did it a few times... I started to wonder if it was worth it. If suffering like this was worth his love. I hardly saw Takanori and Yutaka any more. I realised that... even though I was happy with him for a while, at first... things started to go downhill from there.
"I realised too, that before I met him, I was content enough with my life. I had Takanori and Yutaka by my side. I had people who loved me... but I did not see that. I had made Okito the primary focus of my life. I thought... I thought about leaving him. I did consider it... but the thought frightened me. I still believed, somehow, that he still loved me - that he was the only one who did. I thought about what a terrible person I was, and how my friends would not care for me any longer.
"It continued for months. I was always sticking with Okito... believing that he was the only one who would still love me, even if he made me feel completely worthless. He abused me, he abused my love for him. I was being controlled by him and I didn't know. I didn't know what was going on with Takanori and everything. Yutaka... I didn't know either. We were in different schools by then, even if we were affiliated. If I saw them, I would hide out of guilt. I didn't go home for a long time.
"Eventually though... that year, I met Akira. I was alone in the soccer field one day, waiting for Okito, when he just came up to me and talked to me. And then he took me to Takanori and Yutaka. I found out everything, then... Takanori had met Akira and had a crush on him, and they were starting to go out. Yutaka had to go to the States when the school year ended, which was... in weeks. Thing like that, things I would not have missed if I had not been with Okito. They hugged me, crying, Taka and Yukkun. And I realised that they had never given up on me. I was the one who had.
"I came to a realisation, that Okito had never really loved me. He saw me as nothing more than someone to play with as he liked. That day... I broke up with him. I went back to the apartment alone, took everything of mine and when he came back, I told him I was leaving. He tried to taunt me to stay, things like that... But I thought I was level-headed then. I left him... and he didn't come back. Then. I thought I was finally free of Okito. I was happy for a while... But Yutaka had to leave at the end of the year. And I had to go see a therapist."
Yuu stepped out of the therapist's office, feeling mildly angry. The therapist didn't know shit. He had not been made to feel completely worthless and terrible by someone he thought he loved. He had never lost people he loved the way Yuu had. It had been three months and his eighteenth birthday was just a week ago. He had been free for three months - physically.
He still thought about Okito with fear, and every time he thought about him, he would have the urge to cut. The memories hurt terribly, and the cutting seemed so much less painful compared to the anguish he felt over Okito. Sometimes he gave in to the urge. More often than not, he did.
He knew he shouldn't. He knew he worried people who loved him - Takanori and his aunt, at least, and Akira - but sometimes he simply could not resist the kiss of the blade.
He stopped in his tracks as his eyes registered a frighteningly familar figure in front of him. Okito. He was there, looking just as handsome and cool as he did three months ago.
"Yuu. Can we talk?"
"I talked to him. Against my better judgement... I talked to him. I don't know... maybe I was trying to believe that... That he had changed. I think I really wanted to believe it then, because I felt lonely. And I was depressed, and he looked so sincere and everything that... that I did believe he had changed. He was smiling at me and telling me how sorry he was for the way he had treated me in the past. But I didn't believe that he could have changed in three months.
"And then... his best friend showed up. Kazuya. I had seen him plenty of times before. He was telling Okito to get the fuck away from me, and... I don't know. I felt suspicious - why would his best friend come and help me? They got into a fight then... over me. I was confused and hurt and I was afraid that everything was a lie. I ran away, but then Kazuya came after me and apologised. He said that he had watched me getting hurt constantly by Okito, and he didn't like it, but he couldn't do anything to stop Okito. Okito had... a lot of connections.
"But this time, Kazuya said, he was here with Okito to get counselling for his behaviour and then when he saw me talking to Okito, he said that he got angry... that he was just lying to me again. Okito hadn't changed. He wanted me back because I had been so submissive to him, I had been the perfect toy. And he had wanted me back for that. I was hurt even more, because I had wanted to believe that he really changed, that he wanted me back because he really loved me.
"Kazuya... Kazuya was nice. He was genuinely nice, at that time. He said that he sympathised with me, and that he wanted to help me get better. He said that he had liked me from the time Okito started bringing me into his circle of friends, but had never had the chance to get to know me. Now that they were all in university, and I had changed my number and everything, he could not contact me. So then... I was wondering if I should trust him.
"I eventually did. I thought that he simply had to be different. Surely not everyone was like Okito, right? There had to be someone who would really love me for who I was. So... I started to trust him. Kazuya was nice and popular, and everyone liked him, even back in high school. I began to fall for him then. He was there for me, and he did not treat me the way that Okito did. He did not make me feel worthless and unloved, and I was happy. I did feel loved, at last."
Yuu smiled bitterly, and looked at Kouyou. Tears were in both their eyes. Kouyou simply sat there, holding his hand tightly, thumb caressing his own. The blonde kissed his cheek, tears trickling out of his eyes. Yuu wondered if he should continue. But... if he did not, Kouyou would not understand anything fully. And he wanted to tell him everything.
So he continued, "I felt loved... until I saw how possessive he was. He wanted to protect me from everything, especially Okito. That... I did not mind. He stopped him from harassing me, and I liked him more for that. But he would really try and protect me from everything. Even the smallest bump against someone would make him angry, and I feared that anger. I feared that his jealousy and everything would manifest as violence towards me or others.
"Eventually, he got jealous of everything, everyone. There were days when he stopped me from seeing Takanori and Akira, even. He thought that there was the chance of me falling in love with them and he did not want me to. I told him that Takanori was just my cousin and Akira was just a friend, but he didn't fucking believe me. He would check up on me every day in the shop, and the helpers were always afraid of him, he got so intimidating. If I so much as smiled at someone else, he would get angry.
"He said he loved me, which was why he wanted to protect me. But... I didn't need the protection, I was simply stuck with someone trying to control me all over again. I stopped loving him, but I was afraid to break up with him. I was so terrified that he might do something to me... he looked like he could be violent. I didn't want to get hurt again, and all I could do was... stay with Kazuya. I would secretly contact Takanori though, and he never found out. I was too scared to let him.
"It seemed like I was constantly getting myself into these abusive relationships. Okito... And Okito showed up again. He told me that he knew all along Kazuya would be like this, but he had no way to stop him. I was so confused, and he was the only one who could offer me comfort... So I went to him again... and back to Kazuya. I was... torn between the two of them. Kazuya found out, and he called me... all sorts of horrible names. He said I was a slut who didn't deserve anyone's love, and I believed those words. He left me, then, and all the while he was saying I never deserved anyone.
"I didn't return to Okito. In fact, I never saw them again after that. What I did do... was I returned to see Takanori and Yutaka. I told them everything that had happened, and I was so terrified. What if they didn't want me, too? They still accepted me... But it wasn't enough. I still felt so... so dirty. I was even more depressed and I became suicidal. I was still cutting, I hadn't stopped. And this one time... I really wanted to commit suicide, and I was cutting myself deep. I wanted to die. It was almost exactly like last night... only I didn't mean to hurt myself so badly.
"I was hurting everyone around me who cared about me, and I knew it. Even if those people were few - Takanori and Akira - I was still hurting them by doing all of this. Cutting... and getting myself into destructive relationships. I continued though... especially the relationships. I craved love and affection and god I wanted someone to love, someone who loved me back. I just wanted a happy, healthy relationship. Was that really so much to ask for?
"I... I resolved to stop hurting myself. I never did... except when I was with you, Kouyou. You were the only one whom I loved enough to stop cutting myself. I was scared, so scared that night at the bar. I thought I was surely losing you forever... That you were like them all. I was terrified, Kouyou... I love you so much," Yuu whispered, suddenly feeling tired.
So very, very tired.
Reliving his past had not been easy at all. Revisiting everything that had fucked him up so badly had been so terribly painful. They still hurt, and he never wanted to do it again. It had taken him every ounce of trust he had in Kouyou to tell it all to him. He trusted Kouyou with his life, and he was fucking scared.
Kouyou caught him in his arms, holding him tightly. Yuu clung on, breathing in Kouyou's scent. Kouyou stroked his hair and whispered, "It's going to be okay, Yuu. I promise you. I won't hurt you, ever again. I swear I'll never be like them, I will love you and treasure you the way you should. I love you, more than you could ever know."
And now it was Yuu's turn to ask Kouyou if he meant it all. if Kouyou could promise it to him, the way he had promised to give him his trust. He knew the answer in his heart, even without speaking. But still he asked.
"Promise?"
Yuu got the answer he needed - the answer he knew to be true.
"Promise."
...finally. Chapter 22b is finally done. I apologise that it took so long... it was a hard chapter to write, to tell the truth. It was hard for me to, well, abuse Yuu like that, but it had to be done. And here it is. I hope that it wasn't too... dramatic or something. I just hope that it was realistic enough for this.
clockwise from bottom left: Hiroto (gt), Nao (dr.), Saga (ba.), Shou (vo.), Tora (gt.)
Few bands have achieved the success in the always competitive world of J-rock that Alice Nine have. One look at their polished style will give you a hint of why they are so popular. But behind all the fashionable clothes and pretty faces are five best friends with plenty of talent and passion.
They formed in August 2004 after the disbandment of Givuss, named alice nine. at the time. Shou and Tora recruited Saga and Nao, who were also looking for members to form a band with, and eventually recruited Hiroto as well, after seeing him with his band at that time. Their first concert was held on May 11 2004, and soon after they were touring with their fellow PS Company band, BIS, and released their first single. November saw the release of their first EP and their first nation-wide tour with the band Karen.
In 2005, they released three singles consecutively in the space of three months, and these three, Gin no Tsuki Kuroi Hoshi, Yami ni Chiru Sakura and Yuri wa Aoku Saite were also featured on their first major EP, Kasou Musou Shi. Throughout 2005, they also went on several tours with Ayabie and their fellow PS Company bands, Kra and Kagrra,. They had their first solo tour in August, the Alice in Wonder Tour.
Within the first few months of 2006, they released the maxi singles Kowloon -Nine Heads Rodeo Show-, Fantasy and the double A-side release, Akatsuki/Ikuoku no Chandelier, the latter two songs being used as opening and ending theme songs for an anime series. Their first full-length album, Zekkeishoku, was also released that year, debuting on the Oricon charts at number #4, and they also had a supporting tour for the album. The rest of the year saw a string of solo tours, a live DVD and their first DVD single that also contained a short film.
Mainstream success followed not long after in 2007. Their single Jewels landed them their first magazine cover and feature article, and they also had their first overseas performance at the JRock Revolution Festival in Los Angeles. The single Tsubasa peaked at number six on the Oricon charts and is one of their most successful singles. Nobember 28 was the date for the release of their second album, Alpha.
In 2008, they released a single, Mirror Ball, the title song of which was used in the live-action film adaptation of the manga Aquarian Age. In July 2008, two video compilations, Alice in Pictures I and Alice in Pictures II were released, with a new video, Gekkouyoku. Gekkouyoku was an exclusive song included with their photobook, Dive Into The Sun. August 6 saw the release of the single Rainbows, peaking at #3 on the Oricon charts, and started a month-long tour. In December, they released their fourteenth maxi-single, Cross Game. The year ended with the tour final at NHK Hall, titled Crossing the Supernova.
2009 saw the release of their third full-length album, VANDALIZE, which included the title songs from their previous three singles. They started their tour in support of the album, Untitled Vandal(ism). The tour was played in two halves - the first from February to April, and the second from July to August. Footage from the tour finale, Graced The Beautiful Day, along with live studio performance footage, was included in their live DVD, released on the live DVD. They also changed their name from alice nine. to Alice Nine in June, and in August, the single Hana and their photobook Piece of 5ive Elements 'The Book' ~Alice Nine 5th~ were released.
Aesthetically, they had a heavier visual kei style in their early years, that included rather flamboyant costumes, brightly dyed hair, piercings and somewhat heavy makeup. It faded out as the years went by, and they mostly wear 'street fashion' and 'high fashion', with hoodies, leather and the like in their stage costumes now, showing a much more casual look. They also have less makeup, showing off a more natural look.
Musically, their style is best described as rock. Earlier songs, however, tended to be heavier - think instances of screaming and touches of metal, and heavier distortions in guitar sounds. Their newer music is more diversified, with plenty of experimentation yet never straying from their rock roots - dance and electronic elements are notable in several new songs, and there are midtempo and ballads as well.
Live shows are known to be wild and energetic. Fanservice abounds in numerous lives - Shou kissing and touching other members of the band, and Saga is famous for his very literal bass licks during bass solos. It is easy to see why the crowd goes crazy during these moments. Of course, they also manage to put on brilliant shows, every song played to perfection.
They have certainly improved throughout the years (Shou was known not to have a very good live voice in the early days) and will only continue to improve, given more time. If you're looking for a polished yet honest rock band to listen to, or perhaps revisit - Alice Nine will not disappoint.
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