Full Moon wo Sagashite 2

Chapter 12: "Takuto and the Doctor!"

Wakaoji could only stare at his young old companion for a time, shock creeping through his body like the ripples of an earthquake. It had taken some time for him to become accustomed the idea of his former friend's death, and now he would have to become accustomed to his return to life. Wakaoji carefully treaded around the subject of Takuto's time as a Shinigami, forcing himself not to ask Takuto if he were really here. Mitsuki had warned that Takuto had become quite angry with her at the mention of being a Shinigami.

"T-Takuto! Takuto, you're really here," he finally said, "I've been searching for you."

"So I'd heard, and I've been avoiding you," came the abrupt reply.

This is Takuto all right, thought Wakaoji to himself. For Mitsuki's sake... and for his, I need to be careful.

"Hey, could you come with me, Takuto, there are some things I'd like to talk about with you."

"Meh, talk right here, old man."

Leery of the club in front of which they were still standing, Wakaoji knew that this might be his only chance to regain the trust of the revived boy, and continued amidst several worried glances at the club's door.

"Long time no see, bro. I am a doctor now, Takuto, did you know that?"

"Yep... I'd heard the rumors, so you really did give up on music, huh. Pathetic."

"Takuto, I performed surgery on someone with throat cancer, a singer like yourself. And she kept her voice. She asked me to... and I want to help you, Takuto, will you consider letting me do the procedure to cure you?"

"Eh?" Takuto said, bristling slightly at mention of his ailment.

Wakaoji only stood silently, forcing himself not to press the issue and give Takuto some room to decide.

"First tell me why you quit," Takuto said after a time, "I thought you loved music, yet as soon as you could, you went and became a doctor."

Immensely relieved, Wakaoji quickly replied, "Gladly! Would you like to come with me, first? I need to go back inside, Mr. Yakamura invited us to speak with him."

"Hah, that guy? Meh, I only came here because..." Takuto trailed off.

"You really want to play again, don't you?"

Takuto remained silent for a time, his distress evident.

"Nobody wants to even listen to me play the guitar, you know, they only think of me as Takuto Kira, the singer for Route L."

"That is the way of music, Takuto. Well, you're welcome to come with me if you'd like," Wakaoji offered, then added, almost as an afterthought, "And, I became a producer not too long ago," partially thanks to you, Takuto. Wakaoji kept the thought to himself.

"Fine, let's go," Takuto said, and followed Wakaoji inside. "A legit cure, huh?"

Mitsuki's heart pounded wildly in her chest.

"... and he's staying above a florist's shop, not far from here, but I don't think he's ready to see you yet, Mitsuki. He doesn't remember anything from that time, though I have tried mentioning things here and there."

"But he will go through the surgery? Can you heal him, Wakaoji-sensei? Can he sing again, too?"

"He has not let me run the tests yet, I think he is simply afraid, Mitsuki. Besides that, he has a hard time seeing me as a doctor. It may be a while before he allows me to even look at his throat."

"Wakaoji-sensei! You have to, and soon! I remember you told me that it had to be done within a limited amount of time. Please, Wakaoji-senai, please."

"As you'll note, poor Ooshige-san has been left out of this until now."

"Where has she been, anyway?"

"Yes, sensei, I'll be sure to have her here soon. Yes, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I'm very sorry, I mean, It'll be great working with you, let's do our best!"

Ooshige let out a tired sigh as the tone indicated that the call was over. Not that she didn't appreciate all the work, but handling three up and coming idols was become extremely hectic, not to mention that she had been fending off questions about Full Moon ever since L-I-V-E. Her new talents were surprisingly ... talented, at least. A young actor by the name of Henzo Toyo, a singress to be named Maika Mabogu, and the best and brightest of those under her care, someone who Ooshige thought would do well as an actor and a singer, a boy of only seven who had already been asked to almost fifteen commercial spots.

And still there were the constant phone calls regarding Full Moon, "So, Ooshige, where is she hiding?" "Ooshige-san, you really don't know where she went?" "Do you know how many people are asking about Full Moon-san, and you, her manager don't know? It's impossible!" "We're prepared to offer you ..." "Get me Full Moon and I'll get you ..." "Full Moon.." "Full Moon...!" "FULL MOON...!"