Groove Adventure Rave: 1 + 1

Rave is copyright of Hiro Mashima, Kodansha and Tokyopop. No infringement is intended.

Haru and Musica: Lads Night Out

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Haru was taken by surprise as he opened the door, as Musica was standing right on his door step. The older man smiled brightly at his friend.

“Yo Haru! How ya doing?”

“Er.. fine Musica. Nice to see you.” Haru replied warily, a little perturbed at the enthusiasm in Musica’s voice.

“You look good. Elie and Levin okay?”

Haru shrugged. “Yep. Levin’s at school now, Elie’s taking a nap, and I’m just going out to do some shopping.” He indicated the shopping bag he was holding. “Did you need something?”

Musica’s grin remained fixed. “Well, I got nothing going on today, so I was hoping you and I could hang out together.”

“Hang out?”

“Sure, you and me. We haven’t gone out and had some fun in ages. I think there’s a basketball game on in Hip Hop City this afternoon, if you’re interested.

Haru felt unsure. “Well… sounds great, but I’ve got a ton of stuff around the house to do…”

“Oh come on! You’re blowing me off for chores!” Musica exclaimed, as if Haru had just told him to go to hell. “Stuff like that can wait. This is the first bit of free time I’ve had in a while, and I wanted to spend it with my best friend. Come on Haru, please?”

Haru studied his friend, who was now beginning to resemble a puppy begging for scraps. True, it had been a while since he’d spent some decent time with Musica. Both had been busy with their lives, Musica running his silver forge and Haru caring for his family. And he supposed the shopping could wait until after he picked up Levin from school.

Besides, it didn’t look like Musica was going to get off his doorstep until he said yes.

“Well… I guess I could come.”

“Sweet!” Musica cheered, giving Haru’s shoulder a friendly thump. “Thanks man! And hey, don’t worry about cash, this is all on me.”

“Thanks..” Haru smiled. “Say, I should wake Elie and see if she wants to come..”

Musica suddenly looked fearful. “No no! You shouldn’t!”

Haru blinked. “Eh, why not?”

“Well, you know… she’s asleep. We shouldn’t just disturb her. Besides, in her condition, she needs all the rest she can get, right?”

“True…”

“Look, just leave her a note and we’ll call her later. No problem.”

Haru agreed, and a few seconds later, note written and left by the kitchen, he was off with Musica, heading for the ferry off the island.

“This day is going to rule!” Musica shouted, pumping his fists in the air. Haru could only stare, wondering what was prompting this sudden burst of enthusiasm.

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“And the Experiment Eagles land a scorching dunk and take the lead!” The announcer bellowed over the stadium.

Musica jumped to his feet and cheered along with the rest of the crowd, yelling and waving. Haru watched him, a little frightened by his friend’s enthusiasm.

“Man, calm down Musica. He just scored, that’s all.”

“But that shot! It was incredible! Did you see it!” Musica pointed excitedly.

“Well, yeah, it was a great shot.” Haru shrugged. “But you don’t have to scream like a loon.”

“Sure I do, how else can they hear me!” Musica smiled, taking a big swig from his huge cup of beer.

The game continued, and the two settled back to watch the final minutes. Haru was relieved Musica was finally being quiet, having screamed and jumped on his seat throughout the entire game, resulting in annoyed stares from everyone around them. While Haru could understand Musica enjoying the game a little too much, the shouting fanboy next to him felt like a different person from his usually cool and witty friend.

“Thanks for taking me.” Haru smiled. “You were right, this was fun.”

“See? I’m always right.” Musica laughed. “And to think you were practically begging me not to take you.”

Haru shook his head at his friend’s exaggeration. “Well, in fairness, I don’t really follow basketball that much. I didn’t know you did though.”

Musica suddenly looked worried. “Uh… course I do! All the time!”

“Really?” Haru was suspicious now. “So… what team do you follow? The Experiment Eagles or the Blue City Bombers?”

“Ehh…” Musica seemed stuck. “You know… I really don’t follow the teams. I just in it for the love of the game and all that..”

Haru found this odd. “So, you just took us to this game because it was there?”

“Hey! Game’s over! Woo!” Musica jumped to his feet to give a standing ovation to the winning team. Haru just felt more confused though. If Musica wasn’t really following the game, why spend all that money on tickets? It seemed an odd way to spend a day.

“So, pretty good game, huh?” He heard Musica ask.

“Yeah, I had fun.” Haru checked his watch. “It went on for a while though. I’d better get back and check on Elie…”

“What? Oh come on!” Musica suddenly broke into a whine. “We’ve still got some time to kill!”

“What did you want to do now?” Haru exclaimed, now starting to worry about his friend’s odd behavior.

“I figured we could hit a bar for a while, you know, have a drink and chill out.”

“Oh..” Haru relaxed slightly. A quick drink before heading home didn’t sound bad…

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“This isn’t a freaking bar!” Haru yelled.

The place Musica had dragged him to was a large, dark basement with a small, manky looking mini-bar situated in the corner. The rest of the floor was occupied by a massive crowd of people dancing to the incredibly loud trance music blaring through some massive speakers on the walls. The room was packed wall to wall, with no clear way to the bar. Not exactly how Haru envisioned ‘chilling out.”

“Hebi told me about this place!” Musica bellowed.

“WHAT!” Haru could hardly hear him.

“I said Hebi told me… hey, I see the bar! Let’s go!”

Musica charged headlong into the crowd, easily pushing or easing through the throng of party-people. Haru watched in amazement as his friend cut a path through the crowd as easily as butter. When he reached the bar, Musica raised his hand to wave Haru over.

Haru didn’t want to be here, but wasn’t about to leave Musica unattended in a place like this. He stepped forward, and pushed himself into the crowd, hoping they would allow him through as easily as Musica had been.

Instead, they all suddenly seemed out to get him.

He’d only gone a few steps when someone barged into him from behind, shoving him forward and into the direct line of another person’s flailing arm, which struck his chin. As he staggered forward in pain, an errant elbow caught him in the gut. Winded, he stumbled sideways, only to fall to the floor and get stamped on by an enthusiastic dancer.

“The day is not so great now.” He thought grimly.

Then he felt something wet and sticky spill onto his head.

Musica just grinned as Haru finally made it to the bar, his hair and clothes coated in some sort of pink substance. The bartender kindly threw Haru a cloth to wipe himself off with.

“Looks like you took a spill back there.” Musica quipped.

“Something like that..” Haru scowled. “What the hell are we doing here anyway?”

“Chill out man..” Musica drawled. “We’re here to unwind, have a bit of fun, remember?”

“And how are we meant to do that here!” Haru shouted. “I can hardly hear myself think!”

“Ah, you’ll get used to it!” Musica yelled back. Then his eyes lit up as he heard a new song start up.

“Oh snap, this song! I haven’t heard it in ages!” He pulled out some money and gave it to Haru. “Buy me a beer!”

“Wait, wha..” Haru blinked in shock as Musica ran to the edge of the crowd, and started dancing.

Well, he guessed he was dancing. It looked more like Musica was having a small seizure, his arms furiously punching the air and hips swiveling in directions that were not natural. Dancing carefree among a crowd made up of mainly teenagers.. Haru could think of many words to describe his friend’s performance, and the kindest remark he could make was “Does he think he’s twelve? Idiot.”

“Your friend’s quite a dancer.” A female voice spoke next to him. Haru turned to see a young woman, dressed in very tarty clothes and holding a cigarette, look him over with a hungry gaze in her eye.

“Yeah right..” He replied, trying to be friendly. But he could tell his woman had no intention of just being friends.

“Aw, he’s not bad.” She giggled. “I think it’s cute. You’re both cute..” She focused on Haru’s chest.

“You know, me and my girlfriends are having a small get-together. Would you and your friend like to…”

“I’m married.” Haru showed his hand and the ring he wore. “And so is he.”

The girl smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. “So? What’s wrong with having a little fun? You and I, we could both..”

Haru gripped her hand and pulled it away. “I’m not interested, get it!”

“Hey!” Haru felt himself be grabbed from behind and spun around, and found himself facing a very large, very bald, very angry looking man.

“What the hell you doing feelin’ up my girl, pal!” The man boomed.

“Your girl!” Haru gasped. “She was coming onto me!”

“You callin’ my girl a tramp now! The man raised a huge fist in preparation to strike. “You picked the wrong guy to..”

Before he could finish, the thug was sent flying backwards, courtesy of a well-placed kick to the face. A kick delivered by none other than…

“MUSICA!” Haru wailed, much to the confusion of Musica, who was now lowering his foot and watching the KOed thug warily.

“What? I just saved your ass. Some thanks would be nice.”

Haru noticed nearly everyone in the club was staring at them, some looking eager for a fight.

“Let’s just get out of here, please.” He pleaded to Musica. His friend surveyed the scene, and shrugged.

“Sure thing.” He grabbed Haru’s arm. “I know a better place just down the road.”

“WHAT!” Haru could only stumble futilely as Musica dragged him out of the room. As they made their exit, Haru wondered what was worse: Suffering inside another cramped bar, or going home and leaving Musica to his own, seemingly insane devices..

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Three different bars later…

Haru leaned against a nearby tree, huffing for breath. He hadn’t been this exhausted since Levin had begun to walk, and he’d had to chase his baby son around. Right now, though, trying to corral a small child sounded easier than dealing with Musica.

He looked ahead to see Musica sprawled out on a pack bench, also catching his breath. After accidentally staring another fight in the previous bar, the two had run all the way to the city park to escape the owner’s wrath.

Haru hobbled over to the bench and leaned over Musica. “Can we please go home now?” He gasped. “I gotta pick up Levin from school.”

“Sure thing man…” Musica managed to speak between gasps of air. “Hey, can I meet you afterwards?”

“What for?”

Musica rubbed his eyes, looking tired himself, but trying not to show it. “Well, I guessed we could still go bowling or hit another club if you felt like it.”

“WHAT!” Haru stood fully alert and glared at Musica, the last strand of his patience about to break.

“I know this place with some hot dancing girls….”

“NO!” Haru outright screamed. “I’ve been dragged through three bars, gotten into two fights, had beer poured over me, been felt up by a bunch of tarts, and I’ve had to watch you dance like a complete idiot! I have had enough! I just want to go home, make sure Elie and Levin are okay, crawl into bed, and sleep until I die! Is that so hard for you to understand!”

Musica just glared at Haru, a look of contempt on his face. “Huh, some friend you are. I take you out to get some R and R, and this is the thanks I get. You are no fun anymore, you know that?”

“Well excuse me!” Haru yelled. “In case you didn’t notice, we’re not exactly kids anymore! I have a wife, a son, and another kid on the way! And might I remind you, so do you.”

He pointed a finger at Musica accusingly. “Melodia’s due to give birth this month, right? You should be spending time looking after her, not running around town getting drunk. Where are your priorities man!

“Hey, you left Elie alone today too.” Musica retorted.

“Because you told me we were only going to a basketball game! You never said anything about hitting every bar in town all afternoon!”

“So I acted on the spur of the moment, sue me.”

“I’ll do more than that…” Haru seethed.

Musica held up his hands in surrender. “Alright, I’m sorry. Sorry I messed you around..”

He looked at his friend forlornly. “I just… I just wanted a day like the old days, you know. When we’d hang out, have some laughs, go to cool places… I miss those days..”

Haru felt his temper cool down, understanding what Musica was getting at. “We’re still friends Musica, we can still have fun together.”

“No we can’t.” Musica said bitterly. “You’ve got Elie, Levin and the baby, I got Melodia and my kid… we’re gonna spend all our time with our families and hardly see each other.” He sighed. “I want to be a dad and all Haru, I really do… but not if it means losing you as a friend.”

Haru sat down and placed a arm across his friend’s shoulder. “Musica, I promise, we are always gonna be friends.”

“Yeah, you say that, but..”

“No buts!” Haru smiled. “Sure, maybe we can’t do the stuff we used to do, but I think we’re more mature than that. We’ll just find something else more our speed.”

“Like what, buying antiques? You make us sound like a couple of old fogeys.” Musica huffed.

“Well, I’d rather age gracefully that what you were doing.” Haru chuckled.

Musica joined in. “Yeah, I did look like a spaz out there, didn’t I?”

The two shared a good long laugh at the memory.

“Ha ha.. man, what was I thinking?” Musica laughed, a huge smile on his face.

“He he…” Haru managed to calm down. Both men were feeling a lot more relaxed, happy with each other’s company again.

“I missed this…” Musica murmured.

“Hey Musica.” Haru spoke up. “Let’s make a promise.”

“Promise?”

“No matter how busy we get with our lives, let’s promise to see each other as often as we can and hang out, you and me.”

“Really?” Musica blinked.

“Yeah, we could even bring the kids with us, spend some time with them as well. Plus, I just know you’re gonna need help looking after your baby.” Haru flashed a mocking smirk.

“You’re the one who needs help man.” Musica shot back. He then extended an arm. “Alright, shake on it.”

Haru gladly accepted.

Musica then pulled a mobile phone from his pocket and switched it on. “Guess I’d better tell Melodia I’m heading home. By the way, think we can keep this day to ourselves.”

“I think our lives may depend on it.” Haru smirked.

Immediately after the phone powered up, it began ringing. Musica pressed answer.

“Hello…” He held the phone away from his ear, and Haru could just hear angry shouting blaring from the phone’s speaker.

“Yeah.. we just went to see a basketball game… he forgot his phone… wait, what!” Musica’s eyes grew wide. “WHAT! Are you kidding me! No way!”

The shouting continued. “Okay okay, stop screaming at me! We’re on our way back, we’ll meet you there. Tell her I love her, and I’m on my way.” He hung up.

“What the hell was that?” Haru demanded.

Musica looked pale. “Melodia came over to your place to help Elie fix up a crib or something… and she’s just gone into labour.”

Haru’s jaw dropped. “Really!”

“Yes!” Musica yelled. “I’m gonna be a dad!”

“Well come on!” Haru leapt to his feet. “Let’s pick up Levin and get over there!”

The two were soon running for the nearest bus stop.

“Hey!” Musica spoke up. “You’re gonna come with me to the hospital, right. I think I might need a friend there, just in case.

Haru smiled. “For you my friend, anything. Provided Elie doesn’t kill me first.”

Musica laughed. “Thanks pal.”

As they reached the bus stop, Musica glanced at a building across the street.

“Damn.. who’d have thought Melodia would give birth a week early?” He grinned. “We should have checked out the casino while we were here, made a few bets.”

“No more crazy venues, please Musica.” Haru pleaded.

Musica thumped his friend’s shoulder. “Ah come on. Today’s a lucky day.”

“For you maybe…” Haru sighed. It had been one of those days, one he’d always remember whether he liked it or not.

But then, such was the perils of being Hamlio Musica’s best friend.