[ video ]

[ There's a flash of pink and some muttering and then the camera is fully on. What stands before is clearly Ryuichi, but he doesn't look like his usual self. HE managed to clean up and was wearing make-up, his hair styled in a tousled manner to make it look like he just got out of bed. But what was really interesting was what he was wearing - outside of the bright pink rabbit on top of his head.

That's right boys and girls, Ryuichi is dressed like a school girl. And not just any type of school girl, but one that had taken a trip to punk land and came back with a few baubles and torn clothing. He has a short skirt on, and biker shorts with holes on under that, and fishnet stockings with holes under that. There is the white dress shirt and a tie, but the tie was half undone and the shirt totally undone. There's a torn tank top under the dress shirt and yes, it looks like he is wearing a padded bra. And let's not forget the clunky unlaced boots and the torn knee high stockings, or the ripped-up gloves and fuzzy arm warmers.

At seeing the video is working properly, he puts his hands on his hips and poses. ]

So, what do you think? Should I hit the stage in this next?

[ voice | Japanese ]

In the end, does it really matter? Love, hope, dreams, wants, needs, fears, lies, happiness, sadness, and death? Does it matter?

Should I care?

Do I care?

I don't know any more.

[ video ]

[ Ryuichi loves the video function of his communicator a lot, doesn't he? This time around, he is sitting on the edge of the stage at the High School auditorium, strumming his guitar. He's got a fuzzy pink jacket on over a worn shirt and his hair has been combed back into a sloppy ponytail. A few strands have escaped free and they curl against his cheeks. The communicator is pointed up at him, although the body of a guitar covers half of the view. After a few moments of strumming a few chords, he launches into an acoustic version of this song. That song morphs into another song before Ryuichi gets tired of that and sets the guitar down. Unfortunately for the viewing world, he sets it down on top of the communicator, but at least he didn't turn it off. ]

So another year older, huh? That makes it what? Same age as him? Older? No... younger. But still...

Winter marches on.

[ voice | Japanese ]

HEY! Doctors! I need a hand here!

[ Why yes, there is a Ryuichi in the hospital -AGAIN- but this time he does not look like he is doing any bunny tosses. Instead, he looks a bit worried and mad. ]

It's important!

[ He repeats himself in English and then goes to make sure Mika and Tohma are doing alright for now. ]

\end transmission

[ His voice sounds hoarse and raspy and lacking his usual cheer. ]

I'm... not in the mood any more. I don't care.