Bokutachi wa Akuma: Chapter Thirty-Three

On this mid November day, it was cold; frost had covered the green of the healthy grass and the vibrant leaves of the trees. Despite the cold yet beautiful weather, certain darkness held in the air. There was a press conference today, many guests were invited, yet everyone was excited to see H2O together as a whole again.

Akira wore a perfect, pitch-black suit and bowtie. Kyoukei wore a slimming black suit, which had a violet shimmer. Fans from all over gathered outside to see them together again, due to the fact that Akira nor Yuki have been seen with the rest group in over a year. The stage was quiet, everyone lined up behind the long white table waiting to sit down. In the middle sat Akira with Kyoukei sitting on his left. On Kyoukei's left sat ‘the couple’ Yutaro and Raike. On Akira’s right sat Yuki, being intimidating and wearing all black. On Yuki’s right sat Katori; thought he was no friend of Yuki’s, he was perfectly comfortable having to sit next to him for a few minutes. Kyoukei on the other hand could not stand the man; this Akira which is why he kept both of them close, yet apart from each other at all times.

This public meeting was nothing important, it was to explain how they all felt great remorse for all the lives that were lost recently; and as for the idol three groups, they would all do what they could to support the families that were effected to help them all keep their spirits up.

The so-called conference lasted only twenty minutes; now backstage that twenty minutes seemed like eternity for Akira and Kyoukei.

“Akira, why did you have to announce that?” Kyoukei slumped back in a chair, crossing one leg over the other. “But did you see?” that got Akira laughing, bringing himself into a comfortable lounge chair next to Kyoukei.

“That one girl, she looked absolutely delicious.” Akira nodded slightly, yet whole-heartedly, they obviously had their eye on the same girl.

The other four very well dressed gentlemen stood with their arms crossed, staring deeply at the two. Did they mean it how they were all thinking it? They were all grown men, they had needs as well, it was not a strange thing to hear, but it was from those two. The members and former members of H2O had no idea the nature of their leader and former leader.

“Gentlemen, can we focus please?” Yuki looked to the ‘leaders’ sitting in the lounge chairs.  “We aren’t finished yet.” It was happening again, Yuki was trying to take control from the two leaders again.

Akira and Kyoukei lifted their gazes to Yuki slowly, unimpressed that he was taking the spotlight again. Katori stepped forward, ready to chew off Yuki’s ear for trying to over power Kyoukei again.

“What makes you think that Yuki?” Akira leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees loosely. Kyoukei slowly uncrossed his legs, resting his arms on the sides of the chair. “It’s over when we say it’s over.”

Akira looked over his shoulder to Kyoukei before he stood up, right into Yuki’s face.

“We told them when we got here that we were only doing the first half of the conference.” He tilted his head, narrowing his dark eyes. “Why, you ask? To give the next group more time.”

Next group? Yuki had not even heard news about another group going up today. Yuki looked off to the side, defeated in an argument that his word was not even allowed in.
“Do your research before you speak again, okei Yuki?” Yuki nodded at him, walking back off into the line with his former group mates.

There was a ten minute gap between each group, the other group was still getting ready in the make up room, and from how Akira was acting, he already knew who the other group was.

Five minutes to open the next conference and they were still not there yet. Had the company stuck with the original schedule?

Three minutes?

Two minutes, the door opened and the group had come to the entrance to backstage from the hallway. Walking in a long line the group had been laughing and talking to each other comfortably. In seeing them walk by, Yutaro and Raike recognized two of them right away.

In looking in curiosity, Maruki looked over his shoulder, he had to double take after seeing the elegant man. Maruki stopped in his tracks, creating a chain reaction of members bumping into him. All four members behind him knew of his newborn nature and knew that there were more of them.

“What is it Maa?” The six men were all looking at all of them as they were passing by, making Maruki feel uncomfortable. He continued walking, having all four of the members behind him follow. “Maruki?” Mikiya hopped ahead and leaned his over his shoulder, wanting to hear what he was thinking.

Maruki looked over his shoulder, whispering into Mikiya's ear.

“H2O. Some of them are like me.” He whispered quietly, loud enough for only Mikiya to hear, he didn't want the other members to overhear.

Still walking, Mikiya stiffened up, walking on his toes.

“What?” He wanted to look back to them, but quickly stopped himself to not seem suspicious. “H2O, really? Which ones?” Mikiya had been doing his homework about other idols in the same genre as them.

Maruki shook his head. This was not the time or place to talk about it.

Yutaro and Raike slowly turned from the stage entrance to Akira, their faces dropped in shock.

“So this is why you wanted to come today wasn't it?” Raike spoke distantly, he was thinking about the motive Akira might have had. They had figured out why Akira decided to come to the conference out of the blue.

Akira nodded, leaning inwards to Kyoukei, whispering to him softly.

“There is another one in the group.” Kyoukei looked to him slowly, sensing the aura at the same time that he did. “He is you, very young.” It was obviously Daichi that they spoke of, it was not fair that he was unaware of his own nature and these aristocrats had found out before him.

The second half of the unnecessary press conference was over, Hey! GO Hei had exited the stage and returned to the green room to drop off their microphones. After giving the stagehands the microphones they all departed to the makeup room to change back into their regular street clothes. In the room, there had already been someone waiting for them.

“Oh, I'm so-“ Mikiya stopped in seeing who it was. “We could go elsewhere.” H2O had been scattered around the room, arms folded across their chests.

Although it was their dressing room, they could pick up their belongings and move to another room. When the rest of the crew made their way into the dressing room, they all stared at the men who where scattered around the room. Most were surprised to see senior celebrities in their dressing room, Maruki on the other hand had become very suspicious of them.

“Mikiya.” He looked to him, waiting for him to say something.

Mikiya turned and shooed his group away, Rin and ‘Lucky’ were the ones that needed to leave; it was everyone that did not know about Maruki.

“Come on guys. We need you to leave.” Mama Mikiya spoke softly, gently pushing his group out of the door. “We need to talk to them alone.”

Just as Mikiya did, Akira forced the others to leave; leaving Akira and Kyoukei with Mikiya and the other three together.

Looking over their shoulders having watched their group leave prior, their gazes shifted from one senior to the other.

“What are you doing here?” Maruki was the first to speak, knowing he was the one that they were there for. “This has nothing to do with industry does it?” from one idol group to the other, it would normally be tips on how to do things or change things.

Akira and Kyoukei stood silently, making their way to Maruki who stood at the back, closest to the door. Mikiya and Maika watched the two seniors closely just in case they would make any sudden move on Maruki. Aiya inched his way closer to Maruki, feeling he needed to protect him

Kyoukei, who towered over everyone but Mikiya leaned forward, becoming eye level with Maruki. He scanned over his face before giving his lips a gently lick.

“You by far, are a perfect specimen.” He rose again, slipping his hands into his pants pockets. “But do tell me young one. Why did you allow the other one to leave?” a sly grin grew on his red lips.

Uh-oh!

Maruki's eyes widened slightly, before narrowing back at the man angrily. He needed to keep his composure and not let the others know.

Aiya's rosebud lips parted, ready to say something; though he could not speak, he wanted to, he needed to keep quiet for Maruki's safety. He took a half step forward to the man before retreating to Maika's side silently.

Mikiya and Maika's gaze darted from Kyoukei to Maruki over and over, waiting for someone to explain.

Maruki bit his bottom lip lightly he needed to respond quickly. With his brows knitted in the middle, his coffee gaze fell to the floor at his feet.

“I don't know what you're talking about senpai.” His voice was shaking in anger from him having said that in front of Mikiya, he did it on purpose.

Kyoukei looked over his shoulder to Mikiya, chuckling slightly.

“So you haven’t told them?” Kyoukei looked back to Maruki, still chuckling lightly. “Embarrassed?”

Maruki growled lightly at the man, his sweet, innocent aura darkened quickly.

Narrowing his dark coffee eyes, Maruki stared at Kyoukei darkly. His small hands gripped tightly into small fists.

“Senpai. Get out of our dressing room.” His sweet, bubbly voice was replaced by a grounded, deeper voice, filled with an arising rage. “Now!” Maruki glared at the acquainted senpai, furthermore telling them to leave.

Kyoukei had met his match, Akira as well; Maruki would soon grow into a great nemesis for these two immortal aristocrats. Not aware as to what he could do just as much as Maruki did not know, these two were unaware what he was capable of; feeling was a huge advantage for him compared to the aristocrats. The two aristocrats looked to each other, departing the new idols makeup room.

“See you around Kaore.” Kyoukei pat Maruki's shoulder as he walked by, closing the door behind them.

Before anyone would walk into the change room again, Mikiya and Maika slowly looked over to Maruki, ready to ask him what H2O was talking about. Maruki looked from his door to his friends, surprised to see them all looking at him.

“W-what?” his almond shaped eyes looked from one person to the other. His fingers twined together nervously, he felt like he was being interrogated.

Throwing his arms up in confusion, Mikiya narrowed his already narrow eyes, trying to figure out what was going on with his friend and group mate.

“What is he talking about?” he folded his arms across his chest, shifting all his weight to one leg. “What did he mean about the other one?” Mikiya knew about Maruki and he promised himself that no one else would find out about him or Ruka.

It was like talking to his parents, lying was a gnawing guilt that would only get worse over time.

“I, I have no idea Miki.” He shrugged convincingly. “I think he was just trying to psych us out.” Just as they had discussed before the conference, Maruki had told Mikiya about them being the same as he was; he knew they were talking about another vampire.

Aiya stayed quiet. Siding with either of them could end up getting himself in trouble with the other.

The other members of the group walked in, looking over their shoulders seeing the two walked away to join the rest of their group. The four members in the makeup room scattered and spread out to their own table. Having seen their friends standing there staring blankly at each other, the six members were smart enough to not ask any questions. At this point, Maruki and Aiya kept their secret quiet from  Mikiya and Maika; all four of them kept Maruki's secret from the rest of the group; without Mikiya and Maika's knowledge, Maruki, Aiya and Ryota kept Daichi's secret away from everyone, including himself. As it was, they were all a group of good friends who had a web of secrets and lies from each other.

Mizuki being the child he was, was the first to say anything, being completely oblivious to the situation. Mizuki may have thought he knew a secret but since that night Mikiya had talked to him, he was convinced it was just a normal fight between Maruki and Daichi.

“Were those H2O members?” before anyone could answer, he continued on with his envy. “They are so great. I hope we can be as good as them someday.” He slipped his blazer off his shoulders, placing it over the chair at his makeup station.

Mikiya and Maruki looked to him silently, their dress shirts half off of their bare chests. Telling him anything could make things everything worse. Simultaneously, the two of them shook their heads and continued with getting their street clothes on again.

Mikiya and Maruki knew at some point all of these secrets would have to be unveiled, and there would definitely be consequences to suffer, within the group as well as in the public eye; just when this would occur, neither of them would know what to do.