Bokutachi wa Akuma: Chapter Forty-Four

Maruki had tucked away the costume from the event they had to endure a few days prior. The costume was placed back in the bag that it had come in and thrown into the walk-in closet next to the kitchen. Since that day, two days before; Mikiya had not talked to Maruki at all or even replied to his mails. He knew Mikiya was around his phone for the mails that Maruki sent were marked as read; Aiya would mail him once in a while as well and he would always get replies from Mikiya.

It was quite hateful to not reply to Maruki just because he was mad, but he did understand why he was mad.

Day three; Maruki couldn't take it anymore, while Aiya was out walking Satsuki, he left him a note on the kitchen counter and left the apartment. He had to go talk to Mikiya; this angry silence between them was getting too painful for him.

Aiya, sorry I left. I didn't want to mail you while you were out. I just left to go talk to Mikiya. My phone is going to be off, I’ll mail you when I turn it back on.

                             Maa ♥

Maruki grabbed his keys and wallet, darting out of the door and down the road before Aiya would be returning home. Two buses and a short walk later, Maruki was in front of Mikiya's house; seeing the car there was a good sign. He sighed and headed for the door. Taking yet another deep breath, Maruki knocked on the door quietly, nervous as to who would be answering it.

A few moments had past, Maruki was about to knock again and the door swung open. Standing in the doorway was a half dressed Mizuki; he looked to be watering the lawn, or just getting out of a shower.
“Mizuki, what are you doing here?” He looked to Mizuki with curiosity. “Didn't Mikiya say?”

Before Maruki could continue, Mizuki cut him off.
“Kaa san and Dou san are in Sendai right now. He said they would be back in a couple of weeks.” He tilted his head at Maruki as well. “What are you doing here?” Mizuki pulled the door open further, offering Maruki to enter their home. Mizuki was just as much of a guest as anyone else, only he lived there.

Maruki dropped his gaze hesitantly, not positive as to why he had come over to Mikiya's; he didn't know how he was going to talk to him at all yet. Maruki stepped in the house and bowed to Mizuki.
“I need to talk to Mikiya.” He wasn't sure if Mikiya had said anything to Mizuki or anything, knowing him he would not tell anything to him. “Is he home?”

“Oi, Mizuki? Who is…” Mikiya came running around the corner to the door to see who it was. In seeing that it was Maruki, he stopped in his tracks and turned to go back to his room in silence.

“Mikiya!” Maruki rushed in, taking off his shoes and pushing passed Mizuki.

“I don't want to talk to you Maruki.” He slammed his door shut, scaring Maika who was in his own room, practicing guitar.

“You're acting like a kid Mikiya.” Maruki flew around the corner, his socks slipping on the hardwood floor.

“You didn't tell me a very important piece of information Maruki!”

“Doesn't mean you have to act like a kid!” He stood in Mikiya's doorframe, knocking on his door.

“Go away Maruki!”

Maika peeked his head out of his room, completely oblivious to all the shouting, he just decided to throw his word in.
“These door don't lock Maa.”

“Eh?”

“Just go in.”

Maruki looked from Maika to the door, not sure as to what he should do. Silently, he grabbed the door handle and crept in quietly.
“Mikiya please. We need to talk..”

“Get out!” he threw his pillow at Maruki, which lost momentum enough for Maruki to catch it gently.

“You have no idea how much I have been worrying about him since he went missing Miki.”

“Why didn't you tell me?” Mikiya took a breath, it looked to be that he had been crying and that he needed to again.

Maruki stepped in his room, closing the door behind him quietly.
“Because Mikiya. You are already stressed and have so much on your plate. And…”

“And what?”

“Dream Prison.”

“Our single?”

“Yeah.”

Mikiya dropped his head; he had been worrying so much about Daichi for the past few nights that he had completely forgotten about their job.
Filming and recording was done before Christmas, they were just waiting for the manager to give them the okay to continue. Mikiya rolled over in his bed and curled up in a small ball.
“I forgot about that.” He reached down and pulled his blanket over him again. “Maruki. Where did he go?” He grumbled quietly into the bundle of blankets at his mouth, pouting quietly.

“I don't know Mikiya, but I intend to try and find him.”

“What if we cant find him Maa?”

“I will Miki. I’ll find him.” One way or another, since Maruki had a second pair of eyes outside of the group, it widened his range and doubled his chances of finding him.

“How are you so positive you’ll find him?”

“Because Miki.” He paused trying to hold back an obvious smile. “I’m a vampire.”

There was an awkward silence in the room. Mikiya then threw the blanket over his head and burst out into hysterical laughter.
“You said that so confidently!”

“I tried to say it seriously but I couldn't do it.” He walked around the bed and looked down at Mikiya with a soft smile. “I got you to smile though.”

He had been crying for days, which was obvious and laughing was good for him. “He uncovered his eyes and looked up to Maruki.
“I guess so.” He looked up to the ceiling quietly. “Should I tell the manager?”

“I don't know Mikiya. It’s not like he's actually gone. We just cant fine him.”

“Until we know when he is coming back and when the single is going to be released, we will not mention anything to the manager.”
Just as he had finished his thought, his phone rang. Mikiya rolled under his blanket and grabbed his phone.
“Hello?”

“Hirota san?”

“Manager san!” Mikiya shot up on his bed as he came into full focus.

“Good you are available. I had just gotten off of the phone with the producers in a conference call.”

“Oh? And what is the news?”

“They want to meet with all ten of you to set up a schedule as to when you could promote your single.”

“Eh? When did they want to meet?”

“They said they had an hour opening at 2:30.”

“Today.”

“Yes Hirota san, today. Is that not good for your schedule?”

“It’s just, um.”

“What is it Hirota san?”

“Can I come in and talk to you in person?”

“Better make it quick Hirota san. I'm booked all afternoon.”

“Well be there ASAP.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Mikiya hung up the phone and threw it on his pillow, throwing his head into his palms.

“What’d he say Miki?”

“He wants to have a meeting with the producers and all ten of us at 2:30 today. I told him we will go in to talk to him.”

“Wait. Who's we?”

“You, me and whoever else knows about Daichi's disappearance?”

“Eh! But Miki!”

“You didn't tell me, so you'll be helping me tell the manager as to why we cant do it.”

“Mou, fine. I’ll go call Ai and Ryo.”

“Ryo kun knew?”

“Of course he knew, he does live with him you know.”

Mikiya was about to protest, then he shrugged; it should have been obvious that Ryota knew, they were roommates after all.
“Okei, well go call them and I’ll go get ready.” Mikiya had been lounging around the house for three days in the same clothes and no shower. Standing up he went to kick Maruki out so he could find some clothes and shower.

Maruki dragged his feet to the living room, Mikiya made this too difficult. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out his cell phone, calling the house phone first.
“Oh, Ai you’re home? I was expecting that you would be out with Satsuki.”

“No, just got back. Ryo and I were going to cook lunch. When are you going to be home? Or you don't know yet?”

“Oh, about that. Could you two wait there for Miki and i?”

“Oh, why?”

“We need to talk to the manager about Daichi.”

“Um, Maa.”

“He wants to meet all ten of us later. We obviously cant do that.”

“Oh, okei. Yeah that's a problem.” Aiya's voice quivered, he became worried for Daichi quickly. Feeling like it was his fault again.

“So we’ll come get you two?”

“I guess so. We don't have much of a choice.”

“Okei, we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

“Okei Maa. Jaa.”

“Jaa Ai.”

Maruki hung up the phone and plopped himself down on the couch waiting for Mikiya to finish getting ready. Maika peeked around the corner looking at Maruki lounging on the couch. He tiptoed over and sat in the long chair staring at him.
“So what are you and Miki doing?” He slouched over his knees, fiddling his fingers together.

Maruki looked up at him from his lap, not sure if Mikiya had told him anything. Running his hands through his hair, Maruki let out a long sigh.
“Did Mikiya tell you anything about Daichi?” He leaned forward as well, looking into Maika's eyes.

Maika zipped forward and sat on the couch next to Maruki. It was gossip time.
“No! What’d he do? Did he do something?” Maika was like a man-child at times. One would wonder if he was like a pet or not; if one would shine a light on the floor, he would most likely follow it.

“Eh?” Maruki shifted away from the man-child and looked to him hesitantly. It was obvious that Mikiya had told him nothing of Daichi. And Maruki would not either. “No nothing. He didn't do anything.” He looked away, looking for Mikiya or any possible way to get out of this conversation with Maika before he would say something that he wasn't supposed to.

Maika had a great smile bearing on his teeth, he shimmied over towards Maruki again, leaning in close to him.
“I think you’re lying.” He leaned over Maruki eerily, just toying with him. “Are you lying to me Maa?”

Looking back up at his eerie friend, Maruki was hesitant, mumbling sounds that could not be translated into words. As soon as he was about to speak up, Mikiya came from down the hall, doing up his belt. Maruki relaxed when Maika's attention diverted over to him; his sweet coffee eyes closed tightly in relief.
“Ne, Mai. Maa and I are gonna go get Ryota and Ai and go talk to the manager about Daichi. Remember don't tell Mizuki anything. I know you.” He fixed his shirt and went on a hunt for his keys.

Maruki shot Maika a look of disbelief; he knew and he was just messing with him. Maruki scrunched his face in anger at Maika, his brows knit in the middle, angrily yet cutely.
Maika looked over his shoulder at Maruki, sending him a cute wink before standing. Maruki followed him quickly.
“You knew?” He pushed Maika lightly, almost playfully. “You’re mean!” Maruki's scrunched face soon turned into a full on, pursed pout.

Maika stumbled forward, hopping around playfully afterwards.
“Of course I knew.” He leaned in as if he were telling Maruki a secret. “The group is my responsibility too you know. It is something I need to know.” Though he knew of Daichi's disappearance from Mikiya, Maika took it much easier than Mikiya did. He was more carefree and confident that it was just something Daichi had to deal with on his own. Mikiya was the level headed one out of the two, but he sure let things get to him easily and take over his emotions.

Taking a deep breath, Maruki grumbled at him once before he joined Mikiya in his search for his keys.

“Okei, we’re going now Mai, we’ll be back later.” He rattled his keys as he found them and headed for the door.
Maruki scuttled over to the door behind Mikiya, dragging his feet across the hardwood.
Mikiya waved over his shoulder at Maika who stood in the living room with his arms crossed.
“Hope to be home soon.” He waved off and ran out the door. “Jaa ne.” Maruki waved to Maika as well, closing the door behind him.

Getting in the car, Mikiya did not wait for Maruki to get his seatbelt on before he pulled out of the driveway. The manager said that he would be booked all afternoon; they didn't have much time to go see him and talk to him thoroughly. Mikiya was responsible for the group, and that included Daichi; he had to tell the manager himself, with the help of Maruki, Aiya and Ryota to fill in the missing pieces.

The tall skyscraper was in view that rose from the heart of Shibuya. It was a large building that was a mixed office of many different areas of record labels, the managers office was on the 38^th floor and was very difficult to get to one was just a citizen or a member of the press.

The two of them arrived at Maruki's apartment quickly, the other two were standing outside waiting; this matter was urgent and needed to be dealt with quickly. Getting in, Mikiya drove off before they could get their seatbelts on much like he did with Maruki. With traffic, it took longer to get to the building than expected, leaving hardly anytime to talk to the manager.

Zipping into the parking garage, Mikiya quickly found his reserved parking stall and shooed everyone out of the car. The four of them had rushed into the nearest elevator and waited impatiently as they rose to the 38^th floor. With access keycards, they had quickly bypassed all of the security checkpoints easily to reach the managers office.

By the time that they got to his office, he was already arriving with his first meeting of the afternoon. The four of the boys stopped and staring at the manager as he approached one of the conference rooms for his meeting. Mikiya stood in the front, being the most urgent to see the manager and speak with him.
“Sir.” Mikiya was urgent, yet shy as he spoke up. “Sorry we are late.”

The manager looked to his watch on his wrist and whispered to his clients and guided the to the conference room to wait for him.
“You said you would be here as soon as you can, Hirota san.” He lazily dropped his arms to his sides “As you can see this is a bad time right now Hirota san. I am just about to start a meeting.”

Mikiya stepped forward, right in front of their manager, almost begging.
“Please sir, this will only take a few moments of your time. You just have to let us explain our situation, please.”

The manager looked to his clients and rose a finger, telling them to give him a minute.
“Make it fast.”

Mikiya stiffened up, not really sure as to how to tell him without making him worry.
“Um sir. Daichi.” He looked to the floor. “Daichi is missing.”

The manager closed the conference room door and looked to the four members in front of him, employees if one would consider them that.
“Sasaki san is missing? What do you mean missing?”

“We don't know where he is.”

“This is serious Hirota san. Have you told the authorities?”

“With all due respect sir, it would be worse if a missing member of the group was to get out to the media don't you think?”

“The manager paused, letting out a low sigh.
“You are right Hirota san. Can you, Kaore san, Hitomi san, and Nakada san promise you will find him before this gets out?”

Mikiya didn't know if he had an answer for that.
“Yes sir, we can find him.” He spoke with confidence, yet deep inside he was entirely unsure of himself.

“You guys have a week, the manager looked to each of his employees and held the door handle tightly. “I will hold off the announcement for a week.” He entered the conference room, leaving his employees standing in the hallway.

“Well.” Maruki looked ahead at Mikiya with a tilted head. “That went well. “ Sarcasm at its finest.

“How are we going to find him in a week Miki san?” Ryota shimmied over to Mikiya's side, fiddling his fingers nervously. “That's not enough time. We don't even know where he is.” Ryota slowly stuck the tip of his finger in his mouth, sucking on it nervously.

Aiya scuttled over next to Ryota with a calming smile, glaring at him as soon as he stuck his finger in his mouth.
“Stop that.” He smacked his hand away from his mouth and smiled to him warmly again. “We’ll find him Ryota kun.” He was trying to reassure Ryota, but he was just as unsure as he was.

Mikiya turned, facing his three friends with a stern look in his eye. Looking over their worried faces, his features dropped; he felt disappointed in himself that he did not even notice and didn’t know of one of his friend’s disappearances.
“I don't know how, but we will find him.” Mikiya looked to Maruki questioning his abilities like he was some kind of superhero. “Would you be able to find him Maa?” Mikiya was the first one to find out about Maruki, and he was overall the most curious as to what he could do.

“Eh!” Mikiya shot a wide-eyed gaze over to Mikiya. He dropped his shoulders and slouched over. “I've told you before Mikiya. I can’t do anything special. “Maruki was just as normal as he was before; hyper and energetic that liked to make everyone around him happy.

“But you've never tired.” Mikiya pouted and hopped up and down, running in place.

“That's because I can’t do anything!”

Aiya leaned onto Ryota's shoulder, whispering in his ear.
“They have fought like this over the phone a few times.” Ryota looked to him quizzically. “Neither of them ever win the argument.” He chuckled lightly at that.

“Mou Maa! Can't you just try.”

Maruki spun around on his heels, folding his arms over his chest, huffing at Mikiya with his eyes closed.
“Its not like learning how to whistle Mikiya. Wanna know why?”

Mikiya hopped up and around Maruki, leaning in closer to him.
“Why!”

Maruki opened his eyes slowly, dropping his hands heavily on Mikiya's shoulders.
“Because I can’t do anything!”

Both of Ryota and Aiya took small steps to the side, keeping their backs towards the wall. Keeping their eyes on Mikiya and Maruki, they snuck away, leaving those two to argue in the hallway of the record label building.