[Un]Spoken Ch. 3
Footsteps stomped down the hallway. Ryutaro looked at his watch - 4:25. If he didn't make it to the dance-room in five minutes or less, he'd be late for the 10th time in two weeks. Not a flattering record, he had to admit.
The door opened with the loudest Bang! A headache formed itself quickly, pounding hard. He had to blink - were the lights in the dance-room always this bright? Wow did they hurt.
“Ryutaro, you okay there?” Yuto asked.
He opened his eyes - squinting, still - and nodded. “I...I fell asleep during class. Sorry. I'm not late, am I?”
“You got lucky - 4:29.” Yamada stood from his stretching and pulled the youngest into the room. “You're lucky Sensei didn't catch you running or you would've been - ”
“'Would've been...' what, Yamada-kun?” The ten of them sucked in a breath together. Fear chilled their bones and sent a tingle up their spines.
“Uh...uh, nothing. I was just telling Ryutaro how lucky he was that he wasn't late. Ne, let's get started. Come on, Come in.” He tugged on Ryutaro more and more, trying to save his own skin.
Turn, step-step, cross shuffle to the right, kick....Ryutaro's mind went blank and his body lax. What was the next - “Morimoto!” He jumped as the music took a sharp turn 'Off' “What is wrong with you? You've done this dance a hundred times before - why can't you get it now?!” Sensei snapped.
“I'm sorry.” He nodded his head. “I'll try harder to pay attention.”
Sensei sighed. “Once again, from the top everybody.” Ryutaro nodded, sending apologetic looks to everyone.
Hand up, down, side, turn, turn-back, cross...cross...when was the mirror in front of the door? “Morimoto! It's cross-shuffle, than kick, shuffle, and punch. What is so hard about that!?”
“I'm sorry.” He blinked - the mirror was in the right spot, as was the door. “I...I'm just...I'm sorry.”
“God, Morimoto. Your venue is coming up in two days. If you can't get this dance right right now, how are you going to get it right then?” Sensei groaned. “Fine, once again boys.”
“Ne, Ryutaro-chan, are you okay?” Inoo whispered as the music was starting up.
Ryutaro nodded slowly, so as to not agitate the headache pounding in his head. “I'm just tired. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night.” He smiled a little and then began the dance.
He got farther this time. He got to the last kick and his body gave out - he relaxed too early. “Mo-ri-mo-to! Just when will you get it right?!” Sensei pinched his nose. “Alright, everyone take a 30 minute break. Morimoto, you'll stay behind. Maybe you'll be able to get it without the distraction of your friends.” He shuffled everybody out of the room, sending an intense glare to Ryutaro.
Ryutaro caught Yabu's eyes - those sad eyes. He tried to send him an apology, but Yabu had quickly looked away. He sighed and decided it would be better to begin the practice he had so perfectly screwed up.
Turn, kick, shuffle....something, something, something. No that wasn't right. Ryutaro sighed. Again. Hand up, hand down, kick, turn, cross-shuffle, something, kick, kick....he was missing something. What came after the cross-shuffle? Was it a point? Again. Hand up, hand down, spin around...when was the ground so close? Well...it looked inviting nonetheless.
The thirty minutes passed quickly and yet, not quick enough for Yabu. He wanted to talk to Ryutaro alone, wanted to make sure he was okay. Ryutaro wasn't one to make so many mistakes in his beloved dancing.
“Yabu-kun, we're going back to the room. Break's up.” Daiki shook his shoulder, pulling him from his stupor.
“Oh. Okay.” He smiled and followed the shortest BEST member.
Opening the door, 7 giggled at Ryutaro, huddled up in the corner. “Jeeezus, what's up with him? Falling asleep during work. It's not like him.” Inoo scolded.
Yamada walked and leaned down beside him. “Ne, Ryutaro, it's time to wake up.” He shook his shoulder. There was no response.
Chinen smiled and mirrored Yamada. “Ryu-chan~ it's no fair if you get to sleep. It's time to wake up.” Ryutaro still wouldn't wake. “Huh? You're ignoring me?” Apparently, he was. “Ne, Daiki-kun! Ryu-chan is ignoring me!” He pouted.
Daiki sighed and took Chinen's spot. “Ryutaro! You can't just fall asleep wherever. This is work - you have to work or else.” He still wouldn't wake.
“Ryutaro! What the heck is wrong with you? You've been acting weird, and now you're ignoring all of us?” Hikaru glared.
“Guys, shut up.” Yamada suddenly snapped. Their new glares at the young dancer turned to Yamada. He brought his ear to Ryutaro's mouth....where he felt nothing. “Oh my god...oh my god...” He turned to Yabu with wide eyes. “He's not breathing. Yabu-kun, he's not breathing!”