Track 01 - BathRoom

WARNINGS: Confrontations

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The time between meeting the manager and the press conference had passed quickly and the girls were becoming increasingly scared. Seeing they had gathered around the seats near the doors, they couldn't see what was happening but they could hear it all. First there had been the sounds of staff setting up the area for the press. Then the obvious sound of screaming fans as the front doors were opened to allow the press to entry. Finally the gossiping media and their annoying chatter as they tried to squeeze info from the poor staff. Megumi could help but smile as Kai spied on the foyer. The guys were really worried about them, but the girls were worried for themselves mostly. Ai kept looking around as she waited for the meeting to begin, finding comfort in Aoi's hand on her shoulder. Kikyo kept staring at Uruha's hand that held hers - he really did have nice hands. Kira loved the fact that Reita was trying to keep her occupied by telling her bad jokes. She thought it was very cute. Mika was still holding Ruki's hand, and she was watching the floor.

"It's only just after noon, they should be starting soon, yes. And I agree, the sooner this is over then hopefully things will go back to normal for you guys", Megumi said in reply to Kai's comment, smiling to him as he rubbed her back, "But I have every belief that they will understand. We've all agreed that if we were in their position we'd be just as shocked but we'd accept it anyway".

The other girls nodded in agreement. The image of the fans outside and the fact they weren't actually 'rioting' gave them the impression there was nothing to worry about. Mika suddenly found herself softly resting her head on Ruki's shoulder and not realising she was doing it. Kikyo, Ai, Kira and Megumi noticed and discretely smiled to each other. When Uruha spoke, Kikyo was the first one to reply.

"Wow that's really nice of you, Uruha-san. We'd love to be able to see you guys again; if anything we're more worried this situation has turned you off", Kikyo said with a laugh and she patted his hand that held hers before smiling at Reita, "And yes, we should have that party. After all you were really looking forward to it, Reita-san. But maybe after your next tour when you're not so busy ..."

Suddenly the girls jumped when their manager poked his head through the door and told them everything was ready. Kikyo smiled at Uruha and let his hand go as he approached the door. Mika sheepishly let Ruki's hand go and straightened up while Megumi nudged her before waving to Kai. Ai gave a thumbs up to Aoi and Kira gave him a peace sign out of randomness.

"Good luck guys! Oh I don't think killing yourself is really necessary, Aoi-san ... we'd miss all of you too much and your fans will hold us responsible", Ai said as a joke to all of the guys but she kept her gaze on Aoi mainly, then laughing at the comment about Reita, "Oh leave poor Reita-san alone. He's very brave to be doing this without his noseband. It's like a part of him now".

Once the guys had left and the door closed tightly, the girls suddenly lost their composure. Each one of them scampered over to the door, and pressed their ears against the door. Mika was sitting on the ground with Ai next to her. Megumi was leaning over them, as Kikyo pushed her over, and leaned in. Kira was next to Megumi, a little above her.

"Wow I can hear a lot of questions being shouted at them. My gosh, they're really nice to be doing this for us. Just imagine having to do this all the time ..." Kira said, thinking about her own part-time modelling job and wondered if she'd ever be subject to this kind of torment, "I'm not sure I'd want to be a celebrity if it means having to explain yourself when you pop up in photos with un-familiar people"

Mika 'shh'ed Kira because she was trying to listen. Kira stuck her tongue out as she went back to listening. They knew they couldn't open the door because people would see them, and that wouldn't help this situation, even though every single one of them had the urge to open the door and watch. But they knew the press would see them and fans as well ... they didn't want to make the situation worse.

"Hey do you hear that? The fans outside are chanting Gazette's name. I don't know about you guys but they don't sound that upset to me ..." Mika said thoughtfully and then covered her mouth when the others 'shh'ed her before she continued to whisper, "Maybe they just wanted another glimpse of the guys and came back to the Dome, using the photos from the paper as an excuse?"

Megumi, Ai, Kira and Kikyo all swatted Mika at the same time - that wasn't a very nice thing to say about the fans. The girls were sure the fans would be as equally curious about the outcome of the whole ordeal as they were. Finally they just went back to listening carefully through the door, marvelling at how loud the press were. Throwing questions right left and centre to each one of the guys. Kira couldn't help but giggle when she heard one ask about Reita's noseband - completely off the subject of the photos but they had noticed he wasn't wearing it. How they wished they could see what was going on but they knew that in a couple of days there would be some kind of article printed in a magazine.

* * *
The cameras and shouting didn't stop as they guys sat down at their table, a microphone set in front of each of them. From left to right it was Reita, Uruha, Ruki, Aoi and Kai. They had only just sat down and already there were questions like "Are any of you dating one of the girls?" and "Can you give us their names?" and "How long have you known them?" Just one after the other as each reporter tried to shout over the others and over the screaming of the fans outside. None of the guys spoke yet but just made themselves as comfortable as possible, with exception to Reita who just stared at the table - he was attempting to hide his face. Finally Kai was the first to speak into his microphone, raising an arm to quiet down the press - he had to speak very carefully.

"First of all ... we are sure that everyone, including our fans ... are very surprised at the latest news report contained in this weeks paper", Kai said, having to raise his arm again when more questions were thrown at him, "The photos taken, were indeed from last weeks gig after-party held here ... they weren't taken by our official photographer so therefore an un-known photographer somehow managed to take them, un-noticed".

While Kai spoke, the press remained quiet and a couple recorded his speech on tape recorders for future reference in their articles. The fans outside could hear and see what was being said from a large screen outside in the Dome courtyard - so their manager hadn't meant to televise it, just broadcast it from the Dome TV. Once Kai stopped, the press again started shouting their questions while the fans stayed quiet and watched the screen. Uruha spoke next.

"And yes, we did happen to invite the girls to the after-party - it was Ruki who specifically asked for them. All five of them were actually in the very front row near the stage", Uruha continued, explaining how the girls came to be at the party, "However, no we did not know them before that gig. It is actually the first time we have allowed any fans to come back-stage to meet us after a Live".

Outside the fans had their eyes glued to the screen, hanging on every word the guys said about the girls. Most of them stayed quiet and listened. However, there were a couple of girls who started calling to them and demanding that they not see the girls anymore. The press were quiet enough that the guys could actually hear those girls shouting - it was inevitable that some would be jealous. Ruki spoke up next.

"Ladies and gentleman of the press ... our fans outside ... I want you to listen to me for a moment. I can hear you shouting for us to not see them again. It's very clear from inside here, and it breaks my heart to hear you say it. How you could think that seeing those photos meant we would leave our fans. Let me ask you something - if any of you were celebrities, and you happen to meet someone you care about or just want to make that person happy, would you let your fans get in the way?"

The other guys sharply turned and looked at Ruki, not believing what he just said. Aoi leaned over and whispered to him 'Are you crazy? Your questioning the fans!' Ruki turned to Aoi and said he knew what he was doing. Aoi just rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, feeling like Ruki had just ruined everything. Ruki continued.

"I don't want any of you out there to judge these girls because we have decided to let them into our lives ... I am sure a lot of you would agree, that you wouldn't let anyone get in the way of your happiness. But for the sake of Gazette, don't let something like this cloud your love for our music", Ruki added, giving a little nod specifically to the Live camera so the fans could see.

There was not another word out of the press or the fans for what seemed like forever. The press were busily taking notes and a couple of photos. The guys could see some fans outside looking at each other with blank expressions - the kind of expression you have when you've realised a very good point was made. Even the shouting girls had quieted down, even though they were still rather upset. Aoi took his turn to speak.

"What Ruki means to say is just because we've made friends with the girls doesn't mean we're leaving. We're just becoming stronger because of them", Aoi said honestly as he looked at his band mates and received smiles from them before turning back to continue, "Reita even said during the last week ... meeting them now may be just the thing we need. That it's probably a sign to take things easy ..."

The foyer came alive with light chattering among the reporters as they discussed this new statement from Aoi - so maybe their theories that the guys were dating the girls were true? A couple of the reporters asked that question but Aoi made no more comment as he sat back in his chair. Kai smiled when he noticed some fans closest to the foyer windows were clapping and whistling - he knew they understood. Finally Reita was last to speak.

"Yeah uh ... I did kind of say that during the week, didn't I? Well I guess when you think about it, all of us a just really busy the last few months with CD releases and tour planning", Reita said as he fumbled his hands absentmindedly on the table in front of him, "Maybe it's just really good timing that we've meet the girls, and spending some time with them has really made us loosen up ... least that's what I think".

The press actually laughed at his statement, which made Reita blush a little - his tough-guy reputation really was suffering. The fans outside again clapped and cheered, where as the jealous ones just stood there quietly, a little taken aback from how calm the other fans were about this. The guys felt they had explained themselves sufficiently and they stood up. They didn't leave yet as a few more photos were taken and they basked in the applause of the understanding fans outside. Aoi, Ruki, Uruha and Reita tried to keep their stoic character but Kai just felt so happy and light-hearted he couldn't help but smile triumphantly. The conference hadn't been as bad as they thought it was going to be - and with the support of the cheering outside, it really made the difference. They couldn't wait to get back into the main hall and hear what the girls thought of their speeches.

* * *
Mika pressed her ear against the door, as Kikyo leaned on her to listen. Kira was leaning on Ai, since Ai was sitting next to Mika. Megumi was standing straight and was listening through the crack of the door. They just hear the muffled voices as the guy's spoke, but the press shouted their questions so they were very clearly heard. They strained to listen as they heard Kai speaking first. Megumi was really listening to him; she noticed how slowly he was speaking. Only so it gave him time to think quickly before he said anything. She admired how calm and collected he was to able to handle the task of being bandleader. Even when the press were asking questions like if any of them were dating one of the girls. Mika giggled at the question, though she didn't deny wanting to 'date' Ruki. Megumi swatted the back of her head to keep her quiet.

"Shh, be quiet. You don't want to accidentally be discovered, do you? Not when they're right out there trying to say our butts from possible jealous mods", Megumi whispered as the other girls snickered softly while Mika pouted and rubbed her head; Megumi put her ear back to the door, "I can't believe this leech photographer wanted to deliberately sabotage Gazette's reputation and image. It's just wrong ..."

Megumi made a saddened face and listened through the door. Kikyo and Kira nodded while their ears were pressed to the door as well. Ai and Mika made soft 'hmm' sounds in understanding. Kikyo perked up a little when Uruha spoke next - he was just clarifying that they hadn't know each other before the party. She'd remembered at the start of the party he and the other guys, except Ruki, had been kind of reserved. Probably because they were anxious about inviting fans backstage for the first time.

"Wow, so when you think about it, it is Ruki's little crush on Mika that got us into their after-party in the first place. Nice going Mika, he totally has it in for you", Kikyo teased Mika by poking her cheek softly and receiving a little embarrassed growl from her, "Ah don't be embarrassed Mika, you're really lucky. We can all tell that he's curious about you; he won't stop looking at you".

Ai poked Mika's side as well, which made her squeak a little and then quickly cover her mouth. She swapped Ai before pressing her ear to the door again. Almost simultaneously the girls mouths dropped as they heard what Ruki was saying, during the first part of the speech, where he questioned the fans. Kira was pretty much thinking he was insane at the moment. She glanced around at everyone else.

"Is he completely off his rocker?! What does he think he's doing, questioning the fans on their jealousy? They're probably gonna shoot him now!" Kira said, exasperated as she looked bug-eyed at the other girls and then stood up straight as she gestured at the door, "Geez he might as well just tell them all to grow up and go home. What's it going to be like for us now?"

Megumi 'shh'ed to Kira softly and patted her back to calm her down. The girls were in shock at what he was saying but they did get it. They wouldn't let anyone get in the way of her happiness, even their parents, who all of them did love very much. But then Ruki continued and suddenly his speech made more sense - he was actually making them see how they felt for the girls. And he'd also made sure they knew Gazette were still around.

"Wow ... I have to say he really fixed that up nicely. I was really worried at first when he started asking them what they would do for their loved ones", Ai said with a nervous laugh as she sat up straight and looked around to the others, "But I can't help but feel sorry for the fans. When Ruki said he heard some girls outside saying they didn't want the guys to see us anymore ..."

They knew what Ai meant. There were just those few fans out there who just wish they could keep Gazette all to themselves. But the band was like a brightly coloured bird - they are not meant to be caged. Each of the girls knew that very well ... and if anything should happen that relationships were formed, that was something they would have to accept. They'd have to share the guys with the world no matter what, but at least they would be there to support each other. Next Aoi spoke and Mika just made a soft 'aww' sound.

"That's the sweetest thing I could ever expect to hear from anyone. To me it sounds like he's saying that we're like a good-luck charm to them. How cool!" Mika said excitedly but softly before giggling at the comment about Reita, "Ah so Reita isn't really as tough as we think he is. I find that oddly attractive in a guy - he's strong and mature but with a little bit of softness on the side".

Mika made kissy faces to Kira as Megumi, Ai and Kikyo giggled when Kira puffed her cheeks out and scratched the back of her head sheepishly. Kira agreed with Mika but she didn't have to say what she was thinking! The girls quieted down when they faintly heard the fans cheering from outside. So they seemed to understand what Aoi was saying? Well that was a relief at least, but the conference wasn't over yet. All of the guys had spoken by now which just left Reita to say something ... it sounded funny coming from him that they couldn't agree more. Maybe it was just their fan-crushes on the guys but they too felt happier since meeting the band in person. They'd seen whole new sides to each of them and it really felt like a very intimate thing. They were really finding things in common - Megumi and Kai liked cooking, Kikyo and Uruha played guitar, Kira and Reita were funny when drunk, Ai and Aoi were both the eldest of each group but still acted childish, and Mika and Ruki were practically bound by his lyrics of 'BathRoom'. It all just felt like a dream ...

* * *
While the guys just stood there for that little bit longer, their manager stood off to the side watching them. He felt like tears were filling up in his eyes - he was so proud of them at that moment; it reminded him all over again why he had become their manager. He too started clapping, a big grin across his aging face. He noticed the fans outside were smiling, clapping and hugging each other - it surprised him how well they had taken the news and how much they still loved Gazette. Just goes to show that the fans still believed in their favourite band. However, those fans that expressed their dislike of the band knowing the girls may not forgive and forget so easily. There would still be the select few who took matters into their own hands. Their manager wasn't going to admit it openly but he was worried for the girl's safety - especially when they'd brought much happiness to his boys. But before the band could think about retiring back to the main hall, the reporters suddenly spoke up again.

"Oh before you go, could you all please just answer a couple more questions about these mystery girls?" one man asked as he stood up and held out a voice recorder, "Could you tell us their names or how old they are? They all seem to be relatively close to your ages, so does that seem convenient?"

If this were an Anime, Ruki would have had massive veins popping out of his head at that moment. Okay the reporters were only doing their job by asking questions but to call the girls 'convenient' was just not something he wanted to hear. Reita didn't like the sound of it either but he didn't move and neither did Kai. Aoi and Uruha however froze and looked side-ways at Ruki.

"Excuse me but I thank-you not to refer to them as 'convenient'. To say that is nothing short of low, but being reporters, why should we expect anything better", Ruki said so roughly in the back of his throat that it sounded more like a growl.

But before Ruki could say anything else or ruin the good-mood of the fans outside, Aoi gestured for Reita and Uruha to move out before he pushed Ruki in the direction of the main-hall doors. Kai would have slumped into his seat and sighed in frustration at what could have just happened but he kept calm and leaned down to his microphone.

"Um, please excuse Ruki he hasn't been feeling very well over the last week. And I'm sorry but we can't comment on the girls anymore today, thank-you", Kai said as he felt a single drop of sweat slide down his cheek and he too began to follow the others will waving to the press and fans, "We appreciate your time and for giving us the opportunity to speak. Safe trip home ..."

Kai really had no idea how to address the press and fans as he followed the others out - not since Ruki almost started a fight with the reporters. In the five seconds that Ruki took to speak, it actually rattled Kai a bit. It had all gone so well and then the singer almost lost it over the word 'convenient'. He was really going to have to have a talk with the troublesome vocalist. As the guys made their way to the main hall, their manager reached for the handle and opened it carefully - he knew full well that the girls would be standing there because he could hear them chattering quietly. He peered in and discreetly told them to move out of the way a bit to make way for the guys. One by one the guys appeared through the door - Reita with Uruha close behind, Ruki being pushed by Aoi and finally Kai who was sweating like it was raining. As soon as their manager had shut the door again, Reita spun around and placed his hands so he was holding his head.

"What the hell was THAT~?! Are you mad, you were this close to pouncing over that table and pounding that reporter over a single word~!" Reita grumbled, now holding his thumb and index finger about two centimetres apart to show how close Ruki was to doing just that, "And right when we'd managed to persuade the fans we weren't breaking up the band! Urgh ... okay I'm calm now ..."

Uruha, Aoi, Ruki and Kai just stared at how exasperated Reita was as he took a few deep breathes, motioning his arms in circles as he breathed. Aoi let Ruki's shoulders go and patted them softly before glancing back at Kai. Ruki then glanced over his shoulder and sheepishly mouthed a 'sorry' to Kai. He just smiled and waved a hand much as to say 'don't worry I'm all right'.

"Well anyway, with that aside ... what was that little speech about, that you made? It was something like - 'no-one will get in the way of my happiness'? Oh boo-hoo", Aoi teased as he unexpectedly grabbed Ruki in a headlock and turned him around to face Mika, "That speech was all about you and Mika-chan, wasn't it? And you can't get out of it because I just busted you".

"Ah I'd be careful Aoi, he's been pretty temperamental the last week, remember? And just then he almost jumped that reporter, so you'd better let him go", Uruha said with a little laugh and then he glanced around at the girls while pointing sheepishly at Ruki, "I'm sure you could hear everything from in here so you would have heard Ruki having a go at the press just now ..."

"Ah shut-up, I just didn't like the way he said it. These girls aren't convenient, he couldn't have been more rude", Ruki said as he wriggled out of Aoi's grasped and looked embarrassed at Mika before clearing his throat and adjusting his jacket again, "And anyway, that speech wasn't about Mika and I, it was about all of us. I'm not that selfish that I'd take all the attention".

Kai laughed quietly to himself, which made the others laugh as well, except Ruki who was too embarrassed. Well maybe secretly he'd meant it all for Mika but he did actually say it on behalf of the others. He really wanted to show Mika she could be normal around him - he even recalled her resting her head on his shoulder before the conference, which was a good sign. He was also hoping to discretely push the other guys in the same direction with the other girls. At the current point in time Aoi, Uruha and Kai were hard to read about their interest but Reita was definitely clicking with Kira. Just the fact they could get drunk together and joke around was a good start, aside from being just a little uncivilised and loud. But something was bound to happen sooner or later; it was already happening.

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NOTES:
1) Ruki's outburst: From watching video's of him, he doesn't look like the type to start a fight with the press. Just clarifying

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