Secret Whispers ~ chapter one | part 1

[fighter_of_moon]

Title: Secret Whispers
Authors: aroruae &  
Pairings: Akame, Ryokame & others along the way
Genre: AU, angst, fluff, drama, smut
Disclaimer: No one belongs to us ;o;
Summary: For those who don't give a damn on things like destiny, let me tell you one thing. They are real. And that's what Akanishi Jin was going to find out.
A/N: This is one fic we've been working up secretly (after all, one needs to keep a clear mind after writing AO lol) and we have a few chaps written in advance, so there'll be 1chap per 2 weeks ^^; aroruae  is a lazy beta lol XD As for AO, after chapter 11 we'll postpone posting any other chapter untill October XDD Sorry for this ;( But we hope you'll forgive us with this story :S tho it's very different from AO XP


Chapter One

First Song ~ Without notice

“Nice to meet you”

At that moment, something echoed somewhere inside of me…

Who can say what destiny is? Maybe it’s just an empty word. Maybe it’s more than that and it’s what governs our entire life. Or maybe it’s just something invented by people so that they could have someone to blame when nothing goes as they want. Oh, it isn’t my fault, destiny wanted it to be this way. These are simple words which can lift a heavy burden from our chests and make us feel lighter, like we have no worry in the world. And maybe it’s true, maybe it isn’t. Who can really say? Who can put the point and say exactly where does fantasy end and reality begins?

Because destiny is not just that. It’s much more than each of us can imagine. It’s something that can’t be described with words, but we must believe in it because it exists. For those who don’t give a damn on things like destiny, let me tell one thing. They are real.

And that’s what Akanishi Jin was going to find out.

The plane finally lands and he stretches his body a little, trying to chase away the soreness from his limbs, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He takes his time in preparing for the exit, slowly arranging all of his documents that he had spread during the long flight, carefully tucking them inside a briefcase. It isn’t his style and usually he would have tossed them inside and not spared them another glance. He felt the need to do so even more now that those files were making him mad and furious because they were the reason for which he was coming back to Japan. He sighed and closed the briefcase, again taking his time in raising himself from his seat and searching for his glasses.

“I’m sorry, Sir, but you must leave the plane…” a young employee approaches him, but she stops when he raises his gaze and locks his eyes with the girl. He smiles and the girl smiles back, even if it’s a little shy and nervous, totally different from the confident and arrogant one that he displays. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know who you are.” She bows next and the man feels his lips curling up even more.

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m just a little sleepy after the long flight.” He answers, flirting shamelessly with the blushing girl who now doesn’t even dare to meet his eyes. He studies her for a moment and hums appreciatively, liking what he finds and enjoying her stuttering. He’s used to things like this, but it’s been a long time since he had seen a Japanese girl blushing because of him. The time spent in America has separated him completely from the world of Japan and beside his parents and a few friends, he didn’t keep in contact with anyone from this side of the world.

“Please take your time, I’m sure there won’t be any problems.” She bows again and it makes Jin roll his eyes. He knows that it’s just a polite gesture but he can’t help being annoyed by it. He had been forced to do it too many times in the past, before his career had advanced this much and long before he became a big star in America, after topping all of Japan’s charts even when he wasn’t living in his country anymore. Now he hates to bow his head in front of someone, no matter who that is. It’s a sign of weakness and he isn’t weak at all. He doesn’t want to be seen as a weak and vulnerable person, he doesn’t want even to think at the time when he was like that and people made fun of him, saying that he won’t be able to accomplish his dreams.

But he had done it. And now they were the ones crying and begging for help.

“Thank you very much.” His answer is more robotic than he would have liked, but he can’t help it. He feels a tinge of annoyance crawling up his spine and he fears that it would destroy the good mood he already doesn’t have. He grabs his glasses and his briefcase and with a court nod, he turns his back on her, heading to the door and stepping out to face the strong sunlight. His hand automatically heads for his forehead, covering his eyes and trying to protect his sensitive skin. He doesn’t even have time to put his glasses on when he suddenly hears squeals and screams and his good mood is already returning and his lips curl up again, a smile tugging on them. He takes a deep breath and finally puts on his aviators, showing his idol smile while he descends the stairs and heads for the airport. The screams grow stronger with every step he takes and he can already see the press crowding to get just a little closer to him, in hope that they’ll get an interview. He chuckles and flashes a gorgeous smile at his fans, earning more screams and some proposal of marriage from some girls and even some guys.

“What’s your opinion about your new movie?”

“We heard that the director asked specifically for you, is that correct?”

“Have you already met your colleagues, are you already good friends?”

“Why did you make the decision to come back to Japan only to shoot this movie?”

Questions were flowing from his right and left, but he ignored them all, trying his best to keep a happy face and smile at the cameras. Luckily, the bodyguards were covering him almost completely from the others and only some glimpses could be seen from the big star as he continued his road to the car prepared to take him to the studio. That would be his first destination, he didn’t want to see anything else until he deals with this problem even if he hasn’t set foot in Japan since a few years ago.

He shakes his head and tries to concentrate on his fans and their happy faces. He lives for them. Everything that he did was only for the fans because they were the source to his success. They always managed to give power to him, even in the moments when he felt like he can’t take it anymore. They were everything to him.

So he continues to smile and wave his hand for a few times, bathing in the glow of their screaming, content and overly pleased because it’s been too long since he last heard his name chanted in his native language.

Because Jin Akanishi was back.

*

They all tensed as Jin exited the limousine and headed for the entrance of the studio where the movie was going to be shot. It had started to rain hard on this beautiful day of Sunday, but they all bowed and greeted him respectfully, only to have Jin ignore them as he continued his way, his eyes searching for the director. He had had this discussion for a million times with his manager, but he still couldn’t accept that easily to do this. It wasn’t like he wanted to refuse the role because it was a Japanese movie and now he was a stupid arrogant star in America - even if he kind of was - but because he had planned a tour for this summer, not to lose his time shooting a film with a good plot, he had to admit, but which lacked in a lot of other things. Among others, the chance to be seen worldwide.

“You need this, your fame is slowly descending in Japan because you don’t accept any job there. You have to do this to keep your Japanese fans.”

Even if his manager had told him this for a thousand times, Jin still couldn’t bring himself to accept the movie. What the hell, he had fans from Africa and Jin surely didn’t set a foot on that continent! Why were the Japanese fans leaving him now, Jin didn’t know but he was planning on getting to the bottom of this problem.

“Matsumoto!!” he yelled as soon as the director’s figure appeared in front of his eyes.

The man flinched but he quickly recovered when he saw Jin approaching him, even if his eyes didn’t predict anything good. “Jin, how are you?” he asked with a wide smile, getting up from his chair and making his way to Jin to meet him halfway.

“Don’t you dare act like nothing happened! You know what this is all about.” Jin countered, not willing to back away from his decision to get rid of the part in the movie.

“Oh, come on, don’t complain that much.” Matsumoto instead rolled his eyes and went back to his seat, Jin closely following him. “I was doing you a favor, if you must know. At least, that’s how it sounded when your manager called.” He added, picking up the script and starting to read it again, as he was doing before Jin’s arrival.

“It’s not a favor, it’s a curse!” Jin whined, ready to throw a fit if it was necessary. “You know I need this time off to compose more songs and that I was planning to have a tour this summer, not to act in another movie.” He crossed his arms and pouted, looking at Matsumoto with puppy eyes, hoping that he’ll convince him. “Please, you just need to say that you don’t want me anymore. Do it for your old friend, Jun-chan~.” Jin added, now looking cutely at the director.

“Jin.” Matsumoto called his name and Jin bounced a little, looking like he’d wag his tail if he had one, obviously expecting a favorable answer. “The contract is already signed, your manager tricked you to do it. You can’t back out from this.” He said with a calm voice, turning his back at Jin and waiting for the exaggerated reaction.

And sure enough, it soon came.

“Whaaaaaaat?!”

*

The room was dark and the curtains were pulled over the windows, not allowing to even one ray of sunshine to enter the room. A loud noise was disturbing the silence that had fallen over the quiet atmosphere and an annoyed growl accompanied it immediately. He started to toss in bed, hoping that the ringing of his alarm clock would cease soon and that he’ll be able to continue his sleep. He groaned once more and got off bed when the alarm got even louder, going to his table to set it off and falling onto a chair next to it, hands on the table and his head placed on top of them, closing his eyes and sighing happily.

He hated waking up in the morning and he had always had problems with it, even when he was in America. But somehow that was different because there he would wake up to do something that he liked and enjoyed, something that he wanted or requested to do, not that had been forced down his throat. This time he had to wake up at five in the morning to go to film a movie that he didn’t want to be a part of. Why was God so cruel with him? Jin asked no one in particular, but after having received no answer, he sighed once more - this time in defeat - and got up to go to the bathroom and take a shower to completely wake up and not walk like a zombie the whole day.

He finished his morning routine in half an hour and when he emerged from his bedroom, the sweet and alluring smell of coffee had him trapped in front of the door for a few seconds, before his brain starting to work again and told him to follow the smell to the kitchen.

“Morning, sleepyhead!” Yamapi greeted him with a wide smile, circling the table to pour a cup of coffee for Jin. He placed it in front of the actor and started to laugh when he saw his friend almost attacking the coffee, gulping down eagerly from the cup and yelling after because he forgot that it’s too hot.

“You’re too early.” Jin commented, raising an eyebrow at Yamapi and trying to cool down his coffee, cursing under his breath for his burned tongue - he hated to burn his tongue even more than waking up early. He sat down at the table, his hands entwined around the cup even if it was already the end of spring and the warmth was becoming a little unbearable. Jin always felt cold in the mornings.

“I had a gig and I just finished it.” The other explained, pouring coffee in another mug for him too. “I heard that you were back in the country so I stopped by, figuring that it’s okay if I still have the key to your apartment.” He added, shrugging and sitting down on the other side of the table.

“Sorry.” Jin replied, sensing the accusation behind Yamapi’s words. “I was planning to come here and just refuse that stupid movie and then go back to America.” He added with a guilty expression. “I was supposed to be already on my way home, that’s why I didn’t tell anyone.” He sighed and let his head fall on the table, hitting it loudly and whining after.

“And you couldn’t?” his friend asked, a little concerned, a little relieved by the fact that Jin will be forced to stay in Japan for a little longer.

“No.” Jin sighed again, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. “That douchebag Matsumoto told me that the contract is already signed and that there’s nothing I can do about it. I can only stay here and finish the movie…” he lingered on his words, feeling again a little sleepy so he straightened himself and took another sip from his coffee.

“Well, I’m glad for it if that means I can spend some time with my best friend.” Yamapi replied with a slightly cold voice, sending shivers and arrows of guilt through Jin’s heart. “You haven’t been home for five years, Jin.” He then added, the worry and desolation hidden in his voice.

“I know.” Jin shortly replied. “And I’m sorry, but…” he stopped for a few moments, not knowing what to say or how to explain himself, but before he could continue, Yamapi interrupted him.

“No buts, I don’t want to hear them. You’d better go get ready, I presume you have to be on set soon, right?” he asked, knowing that it’s no use having this conversation at five in the morning. They would talk, they needed to, but that could wait. They had some spare time now that Jin was back home.

“Thanks.” Was the only thing that Jin said before raising from the chair and heading out to the door. “You’re the best friend ever.” He added with a smile when he saw Yamapi following him, making the other laugh. “I promise I’ll make it up to you. Tonight, at ten o’clock.” Jin suggested and Yamapi laughed again.

“Go, Bakanishi.” He answered with a wide smile, even brighter that he had when Jin saw him this morning. The promise was tingling in his voice and his eyes were sparkling with hope. Jin didn’t need anything more to know that he had been forgiven.

*

“Sorry I’m late!” was the first thing Jin said when he got on set, everyone’s eyes concentrated on him. “The traffic was horrible?” he added with an innocent expression, glancing around the room to find Matsumoto. When he did, he didn’t waste any more time and dashed towards him, already prepared with a thousand of complaints, including the one where he didn’t even had enough time to memorize his script, considering the fact that he had been determined yesterday to ditch his part - even if it was the main role - so he was at the point where he only had a clue what’s the movie about.

It seemed that Jun anticipated his outburst because when the director saw him, he didn’t let Jin even open his mouth before he shut it up. “I don’t wanna hear you.”

Jin pouted and crossed his arms, puffing his cheeks like a child. “But you do know that I’m useless today because I don’t know my lines, right?” he felt the need to punctuate this fact, not wanting to lose in front of Jun.

“I want you to get along with your cast because they already started filming a few days ago. That’s why you’re here.” Matsumoto replied calmly, not once raising his gaze from his files to look at Jin.

“At six in the morning?” Jin cocked an eyebrow, feeling grumpy because he didn’t get his sleep and now annoyed because he had lost it in favor of something like this.

Matsumoto ignored him again. “I want you to meet someone. He’s Kamenashi Kazuya, my assistant and he’ll help you for now with everything you need.” He said, pointing to a young man standing behind him.

Only now Jin became aware of the third person witnessing their conversation. His eyes flickered with something unknown when they met the younger’s and Jin felt something rushing into his soul, something that was burning him and making him feel uncomfortable. He didn’t move, he didn’t breathe, he just concentrated on observing the young man, every detail of his face being engraved in his memory. He had brown eyes and they seemed to watch Jin with curiosity and something that resembled annoyance. His thin eyebrows were slightly raised and Jin wondered if that’s because he wants something or if he’s waiting for something to happen. The curves of his mouth were forming a thin line and Jin couldn’t help wondering how he’d look smiling, laughing or pouting. The boy had brown hair and it seemed to be matching perfectly with the twinkles from his eyes that Jin found himself being so hypnotized, making him lose himself in his thoughts and not realize that he was staring at Kazuya in a very rude way.

The younger shifted under Jin’s gaze, feeling a little uncomfortable, but his manners obliged him to say something although he didn’t exactly want to.

“Nice to meet you, Akanishi-san. My name is Kamenashi Kazuya, assistant of Matsumoto-san here. Please take care of me.” He gave a slight bow and resumed his position.

Jin flinched and only when he heard Kazuya’s voice, he seemed to wake up from his daydream. He cleared his throat and looked at the younger with a scrutinizing gaze. “I already heard your name, you don’t have to repeat it.” He said coldly, the arrogance visible in his voice.

Kazuya stared a few moments and pursed his lips as if he bit back what he truly had in mind. He wasn’t going to make a scene in front of his boss, but he was going to teach the arrogant star here a lesson. “I’m glad you heard from the first time.” He simply replied and before suppressing a smile, he added: “It was just the policy of etiquette, Sir. No offense intended.”

“And the policy of etiquette includes you taking me as an idiot who can’t remember a name or hear it?” Jin asked, slightly irritated while Matsumoto watched them amused.

“I never meant that way, but if it bothered you, then something must be true after all.” Kazuya snapped, his voice all milk and honey.

“So you really are implying that I’m an idiot.” Jin continued to interrogate even if it was more of a statement, still not aware of all the looks they were receiving. “Now that’s one fine etiquette you have, Kamenashi.” He snorted, taking his eyes off Kazuya and preferring to observe a faraway and uninteresting object.

The other stood firm and didn’t even flinch when he was accused by poor manners. Instead he smiled and with a slight bow, apologized. “I am truly sorry if I made such implying which I care to assure that I did not.” Kazuya said, his eyes surveying the floor while his mind was viciously cursing the famous and arrogant star in front of him. Then he lifted his head, turned to Jun and gave another bow. “Director, I’m sorry for being impolite to our star. I didn’t mean to cause a scene.” The sincere apology was present in his voice and eyes.

“Don’t worry, Kamenashi-kun, it’s not your fault that Jin is an idiot.” Matsumoto replied and Jin yelped with an offended ‘hey!’. “Please help him even if he’ll give you a hard time.” He then smiled, glancing at Jin who was pouting, his arms crossed again. “And you’d better act like an adult, not like a five years old baby.” Jun then scolded his star, at which the other one responded with a roll of his eyes.

“It was his fault.” Jin mumbled under his breath, annoyed and upset that his friend was on that kid’s side and not his. He had wanted to smirk at first when he heard Kazuya apologizing but he couldn’t do it and instead he got even more annoyed by the younger’s antics.

“I’ll do my best!” the younger said on a firm voice, all happy and eager to please and veneration in his eyes for the director. He chose to ignore Jin’s accusations.

“I’ll do my best.” Jin imitated the younger with a weird voice and a funny face. Now he knew what he despised at Kazuya. It was exactly this fact, this obedience of his which made him bow his head in front of strangers and people who didn’t matter and even jerks like him - because Jin was aware that he had been slightly rude at some point. He felt a sudden urge to hit the younger and make him wake up and face the reality.

“Jin, shut up.” Matsumoto said with a tired voice, covering his eyes and massaging them. “Kamenashi-kun, please show him his dressing room and then take him to meet his colleagues. I bet you have no idea who they are, right?” Jun asked, now looking at Jin and sighing again when he saw him shrug. “Inform him a little about their activities too, this idiot has no idea who’s in the entertainment industry in Japan.” He added, his gaze resting once again on Kazuya.

The younger bowed to Jun and with a smile said: “Understood. I’ll take care of everything!” The eagerness was written all over his face and when he turned to Jin, he was totally professional like he had always been. “If you’d like to follow me…” Kazuya looked at the star with a humble expression.

“Yeah, whatever.” Jin replied and followed Kazuya in silence for a few seconds. But he couldn’t help it and soon he found himself talking again, wanting to know more about the younger and discover why he was doing this kind of job which meant bowing your head to a lot of people. “Are you sick?” Okay, maybe it wasn’t exactly the right question and Jin wanted to hide immediately, but he kept his poker face like nothing happened and it wasn’t strange at all to ask something like that out of nowhere. Sometimes, being an actor had its benefits.

Kazuya stopped a little and looked at Jin with a blank expression. Was the guy now trying to suck up to him? Too bad, he had wasted his chance already. “No.” he replied curtly and kept going forward down an almost silent hall.

“Then why are you doing this?” Jin insisted, hurrying up his pace and falling into steps next to Kazuya.

“I’m doing what?” Kazuya asked, not sparing one glance at the man beside him.

“This.” Jin simply replied. “Your job, sucking up to people, everything.” He tried to explain, not sure if he’ll manage to convert his feelings into words. After all, he kind of sucked at it and most people misunderstood him because of this. “Bowing in front of others even if you didn’t do anything wrong.” He added, referring to the earlier incident.

Now Kazuya stopped completely and turned to face Jin with a peculiar but most polite expression. “Thought you said I lack manners.” He raised an eyebrow, showing merely curiosity about this. “And what I do and how I do, I think it’s none of your concern.” He then added and resumed his walk quickly stopping in front of a door on which was written Akanishi Jin. He pushed the door open and waited for the other to enter before him. His expression now was completely blank, void of any emotions, just mere politeness.

“I say a lot of things.” Jin said, walking into the room. “It’s not like I mean them all.” he then smirked, sitting on a couch and making himself comfortable.

Kazuya ignored what the star just said and took out some papers, briefly looking through them. “I’m going to make you a short summary about the movie you’re about to do.” He raised his eyes from the papers and looked at Jin momentarily. “Or perhaps you know what you’re going to film?” he asked with a meek tone, though a tinge of irony was present it.

Jin pursed his lips, annoyed that he had been ignored. Well, two can play this game. “Bring me a cup of coffee.” Instead he replied, the smirk back on his lips, his eyes watching Kazuya intensively.

“Go get yourself.” Kazuya replied calmly, shifting the papers and apparently looking for something.

“I can’t, I don’t know where it is and I might get lost.” Jin whined like a child, looking at Kazuya with his puppy eyes. “Besides, Jun said that you’re here to help me with everything I need, if I remember correctly.” He added, pretending to be thinking even if he knew already that it’s true.

“Are you a child?” Kazuya asked with a slight annoyed tone. “And if I remember correctly too, Director didn’t say anything about being your servant.” He then added with a little shrug. “Oh, and the kitchen is two doors away from here. Even a toddler would know how to get there.” Kazuya’s eyes glinted with maliciousness.

“But he did say that you’ll help me with everything I need.” Jin repeated, this time emphasizing the word ‘everything’. “And right now, I need coffee very badly. Oh, God, I think I can’t even move from here without a cup of coffee.” He complained exaggeratedly, stretching his body on the couch and straddling it. “You don’t want to disappoint your boss, right?” he then asked, only glancing at Kazuya as if he wasn’t interested in his answer.

A loud thud was heard and Kazuya left the room only to return a few moments later with a cup of coffee in his hand. “Here.” He stretched out the drink to Jin with a sour expression. “Now can we continue?”

Jin calmly took the coffee from Kazuya and took his time observing it and took a sip only after a few moments. “Yack, it’s too sour!” he complained, giving it back to Kazuya with an expression that clearly said he wanted another one.

Kazuya smirked and took out some sugar packets, handing them to Jin. “Now, sugar-coated please, can we resume our work?” the younger asked, his expression calm but the eyes giving him out. Anger was slowly building inside of him. But he had dealt with worse.

“I want milk too.” Jin replied, not even looking at Kazuya and staring at the ceiling.

Kazuya simply stared and through gritted teeth he asked: “Do you have a death wish?” his eyes were sparkling with fury and indignation. He had never dealt with such a spoilt brat of a star.

“Not really.” Jin replied, still not bothering to look at the younger, his hand now resting on his eyes. “But I do wish for some milk.” He added, tease in his voice and enjoying Kazuya’s reactions.

“Okay. If this is the way you want it…” Kazuya breathed and took again his papers. “The movie you’re going to play it’s about a lovers’ tragedy. You’re playing the main character and your co-star is Yamada Yu-san. She’ll play the female main character and both of you share a tragic destiny. She’s your lover whom now is in a coma without chances of recovery. You clearly love her and try every method to bring her back.” Kazuya’s voice faltered a little, the story seemed to affect him in a way. “You will stay by her side daily, remembering all the moments shared with her, all those beautiful times that won’t come back. You pray for her, but she won’t come back and although you know it… you can’t seem to realize it.” The younger paused a little, took a little breath and resumed his discourse. He wasn’t even paying attention to see if Jin was listening or not. “Beside you and Yamada-san, there are other three important characters played by Kuroki Meisa-san, Kichise Michiko-san and Kimura Takuya-san. The character played by Meisa-san is in love with your character, while the other two are yours and Yamada-san’s character best friends and they two have a complicated relationship.” He stopped to draw some breath and that’s when he allowed himself to focus on Jin only to find him with his eyes closed and snoring a little. Kazuya narrowed his eyes dangerously and slowly made his way to Jin. With a malicious grin, he grabbed the base of Jin’s nose, stopping the air from getting to his lungs.

Jin stayed like that for a few seconds, trying to resist and not give up in front of Kazuya. He wasn’t really sleeping, even if the story was boring and kind of made him roll his eyes, but he had already read all of this in the plane, when he didn’t find anything better to do and checked out the script. He knew who are his co-stars - even if he had no idea who they are or how they look like, considering that he had left Japan more than five years ago and didn’t bother to watch the news in his home country. So he refused to open his eyes but when the air from his lungs finally ended, Jin was forced to open them, hitting Kazuya’s hand to breathe some fresh air and almost chocking when he was able to breathe again.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” he yelled, annoyed at Kazuya. Furious, to be more exact. “Do you want to kill me?!” he demanded, now sitting up and facing the younger, his eyes boiling with anger.

“Ah. So you’re finally awake.” Kazuya replied coolly, seeming extraordinarily pleased with himself. “Did you enjoy your short nap?” he added with a snicker.

“You know, I wonder if you really can afford to lose your job, seeing as you’re acting like this.” Jin replied through gritted teeth, staring down at Kazuya.

“And I wonder how bad rumors will affect your career in Japan.” Kazuya retorted with a little shrug.

“Rumors because of what?” Jin cocked an eyebrow, puffing his chest and straightening up to look even more arrogant. “Because I had fired an insolent brat who makes me mad?” he asked with an ironic tone. “Do you know that I could send you to jail just because you touched me?” It wasn’t like he hadn’t done it for less than what Kazuya did. And besides, he had had worse than this because the press in America wasn’t as merciless as the one in Japan - even if in some ways, Japanese people were more frightening. He had been accused of having sexual relations with a teenager girl, of leaving one pregnant, of being caught with drugs and sent to police when he never even touched them - not in public, of course. “Do you worry about my image?” he laughed. “You should worry about yours because with only one word of mine, I could make you lose everything. I could make sure that you’ll never get any job in this industry. Do you really want that? Do you want me to do that or you’ll start to behave and get me that coffee exactly as I want it?!” Jin demanded, closing the distance between the two of them until there was only one inch separating them.

Kazuya looked back, not impressed with all Jin said. He didn’t back down, neither he said anything while Jin vented his anger and frustrations. “Should I apologize then, Akanishi-san?” he asked pleasantly. “For if acting this way, threatening me makes you feel superior, then I apologize for making you feel for even one mere second inferior to me.” Kazuya didn’t bat an eyelash as he said all this, his voice calm and polite, his expression coolly composed and his eyes criticizing what he saw in front of him - a brat who forgot his place just because he tasted America. He was sick of such wannabe stars.

Jin was boiling with anger. “If you want to apologize this much, then do it on your knees.” He asked, regaining his composure. He had only wanted Kazuya to leave and bring him that coffee - just because he was obsessed by it, not because he really wanted it - but if the younger wanted to show how sorry he is… then who is Jin to refuse him such pleasure?

“Then I prefer to bring your so wanted milk.” Kazuya smiled and turned away to go for Jin’s milk. He wasn’t crazy to kneel in front of the stupid star, he wasn’t going to beg for an apology which he only gave out of politeness. He returned after a few moments with the milk which he held out to Jin. Something had him feel nasty about what was about to come.

“Do you see me holding the cup in my hands?” Jin asked from where he was, sitting back on the couch, hinting at the fact that he had never accepted the coffee from Kazuya.

“Then do you want me to pour it down your neck?” Kazuya asked with a raised eyebrow. “Or do you have a fetish where you want me to drink it first and then give it to you from my mouth?”

“Why? You’re so desperate to kiss me that you’d even do that?” Jin replied with a fake sigh, ignoring the tinge from his heart and the fact that he was suddenly feeling a little hotter. “Just put the milk into the coffee and give it to me, I can drink by myself, thank you.” He added with a polite, slightly taunting, smile.

“I’ll have kissing a snake than you. It sure would taste better.” Kazuya replied and turned to pour the milk into the coffee before handing it once more to Jin.

The actor took it and chose to ignore once more Kazuya’s words, thinking that he had to be the adult for this time. He took a sip from the drink and quickly made a wry mouth. “And now it’s too cold.” He simply said, giving the coffee back to Kazuya.

“Are you going to fucking screw my workday just because of a coffee?” the younger asked incredulously, forgetting his manners. But he didn’t give Jin any chance to reply back because he stormed out of the room and returned back with a steaming and full of coffee mug. “Here’s the damn coffee!” he did all but forced it into Jin’s hands.

“I didn’t say I wanted another one.” Jin said, looking somehow amused. He got off the couch and headed to the table to set the cup on it, turning then to look at Kazuya, leaning against the table, the smirk still on his lips. “I remembered that I already had one this morning.” He added as an explanation and then he quickly followed with a “What were you saying about my co-starts?” question.

Kazuya took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. It was no use to let himself be angered by such an insolent brat and it was for the best if he resumed to his work and stick to it that way. But something told him that it wasn’t going to be that easy. “I’m glad your memory recovered this quickly.” Kazuya replied and took his papers again. “Your co-stars are Yamada Yu-san, Kuroki Meisa-san, Kichise Michiko-san and Kimura Takuya-san. Kichise-san and Kimura-san are top stars at the moment, they have a great acting history on their back. They are excellent actors and can’t easily be outshone. They will be your partners in this movie, but also your enemies. You have to make yourself shine the most.” Kazuya looked at Jin and seemed to chew on something. “That’s what Director Matsumoto wants from you.” He said with a slight nod. “The other two actresses, Yamada-san and Kuroki-san are younger talents and therefore they will also be your enemies, though on a smaller scale. In this case, you have the upper hand by having more experience.” Kazuya allowed himself a brief smile.

“Okay.” Jin nodded, finally seeming to be concentrating to his job. “This means that I have to shut up in front of Kichise and Kimura, but I can tease Yamada and Kuroki.” He translated Kazuya’s words into his language, ignoring the fact that he had to pay them respect even if they weren’t there to hear him addressing without formalities. He wasn’t that worried that the others will be better than him, in fact he would have been glad to find it so, because that meant that there was a challenge for him in Japan too and then he would have reasons to stay. “So when can I meet them?” Jin asked, suddenly seeming excited to see them.

The assistant frowned a little at Jin’s response to all he’d said, but dismissed it quickly. “They will be arriving at 10 o’clock. You’ll meet with them then.” Kazuya answered checking on the schedule in front of him.

“Then what the hell am I supposed to do until then?” he whined loudly and complained that it was only seven o’clock and he still had three hours to spare.

“You’re to memorize your lines from scene 13, act 2. At 9 o’clock we’re going to the acting site to get familiarized with the place and also, you’ll need to have your make up done.” Kazuya answered promptly and threw a furtive glance at Jin, almost smirking to himself. “These are Director’s orders.” The assistant couldn’t suppress a happy tinge in his voice.

“Great.” Jin mumbled annoyed. “And this was supposed to be a day when I should be resting.” He sighed, thinking at his home in America. “Let’s get it over with then.” He sighed again and started walking to the door.

“And where are we supposed to be going now?” Kazuya asked slightly curious. Usually, most of the actors were to spend their time memorizing in their room where they could have privacy and silence.

“I forgot my script at my car.” Jin stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Kazuya, a small smile on his lips and his eyes carefully observing the younger, like he wanted to go deep into his soul. When he spoke again, now standing even closer to Kazuya, Jin’s voice seemed a little bit husky and low, different from the cheerful or teasing one that he had used until now. “You know, actors are pretentious like this and they demand a lot.” He said, without having a goal in mind. He took one more step. “If you want to stay in this industry and do your job, you have two ways: or you’ll bow your head for the rest of your life, or you’ll face your guts and shut up whoever wants to annoy you. Sometimes…” he stopped, lingering on his words, his eyes fixed on Kazuya’s brown orbs. “Sometimes, you’ll be surprised of what you’ll find.” He said and turned to leave, trying to stop the beating of his heart. He knew he was acting strange, but he couldn’t help it. There was something about Kazuya which made him mad and in the same time, challenged him in a weird way.

He had to get to the bottom of this and he knew the person who could help him.

Kazuya shrugged off the shivers Jin just gave him and followed the man silently. He had lots on his mind than to pay attention to some lunatic star like the one he had been assigned to. When they got back on the set, with a slight bow, Kazuya left Jin to go and do his work, while Jin headed once again towards Matsumoto.

“Juuuuuun!” the actor already started complaining on a whiny voice.

“What?” the other replied, rolling his eyes and trying to shrug off Jin who seemed to think that his shoulders are the best pillow for him.

“I need a favor.” He mumbled, his head on Jun’s shoulder while his hands were hanging in front of the director’s chest who was now grumbling annoyed because Jin was resting all of his weight on him.

“What?” he repeated, now on a more forceful tone.

“I want Kazuya.” Jin answered immediately, with a calm voice like it was normal for him to ask such a thing.

Jun flinched and threw an elbow into Jin’s stomach to make him release his poor body and gaining a pained yelp. He turned to look at his main actor, cocking an eyebrow and silently asking for a reason, but Jin seemed to be keen on fretting by himself and not saying a thing to explain his sudden wish. “Jin.” Matsumoto said his name with a voice that demanded an explanation, but Jin simply grinned at him.

“Oh, come on!” the actor finally decided to talk. “It’s not like you don’t have other assistants, you won’t even miss him!” Jin countered, even if his plea hadn’t been rejected yet. “And I need someone to help me, to tell me my schedule , to…”

“To be there when you want to tease someone and make fun of.” Jun helped him, knowing what was going through his friend’s mind because it wasn’t the first time Jin made demands like this. The other only smirked. “Jin, you know that this movie is important for your career in Japan.” The director began, with a slightly tired voice, but firm enough to have Jin listening and nod to his every sentence. “And you know that you don’t afford any bad rumors so it’s best to behave, not involve yourself into a relationship and not take advantage of any woman.” He added and Jin nodded again. “So why do you want to do this?” he asked, curiosity in his voice.

“I don’t know.” Jin admitted, sitting on a chair next to Jun and smiling contently when he saw Jun listening to him carefully. “I just want to annoy him, he’s too arrogant for his own good.”

“Kazuya?” Jun asked with a surprised voice. “He’s such a sweet and obedient boy, why would you think that he’s arrogant?”

“Well, he’s not like that with me.” Jin pouted upset. “Please, Jun, I promise I won’t do anything bad, I won’t ruin your movie. I’ll even get here on time if you do this for me!!” he begged, using his puppy eyes attack on the director.

He didn’t need anything more to get what he wanted.
PART II