Seasoning Part 3
Sexy.
That was a word Nino never really associated with Inoue Mao-chan.
Lovely. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Cute. Blindingly and dazzlingly adorable. Those were words were quintessential Mao.
But sexy?
The gods may strike him down for such inappropriate thoughts. Really inappropriate thoughts.
“Otoussan...” she called out to him. Nino grinned wildly. He loved it when she called him that. Nino liked to think it meant that shooting “Tengoku” meant as much to her as it did to him, even if they did only shoot for 2 days. Nino turned to find her peeking through the door to the green room.
He was playing on his DS, waiting around for shooting to begin, and...well, waiting to talk to her. His palms were doing that nervous sweaty thing that they usually did when he was stressed. Asking Mao out was becoming a very stressful thing. She had arrived much earlier than he this morning and had been in wardrobe when Nino arrived. So he tried to take the opportunity to get his sweaty palm thing under control.
“Otoussan...” she called again.
“Hmm? Nani?” he replied.
“Anoo...” Why was she still trying to speak to him peeking through the door? Was it...?
“Ne, Okaasan... do you happen to have your costume on?” Souka. In their new drama, Mao was playing the reluctant lead singer for a new visual kei band, while he was playing a famous performer who falls for her. His job was too easy.
Today they were filming the first concert scene. Mao was pretty excited about the chance to wear something completely different from any other character she portrayed.
Though at the moment, she seemed...shy...
“Stop being a chicken, Inoue,” he barked at her. “Let’s see the transformation.”
“Promise not to laugh?” She was going to kill him with her cuteness.
“I promise nothing.”
“Meanie.”
“Scaredy cat.”
“Fine. If you laugh, I’m going to put loads of wasabi in your water bottle.”
“Sounds delicious. Now quit stalling.”
“Yosshi...Ok. Jyan!” She quickly stepped through the door.
Remember the salt thing? Bad for his heart? Well...Nino was pretty sure he was in the midst of a heart attack.
The moment Mao stepped out of the door and into his line of vision, he felt his body go numb. Was he even breathing?
Mao misunderstood his silence and tucked her hair behind her ear self-consciously, “I look ridiculous, ne?”
No. Not ridiculous at all.
Mao’s dark hair now had shots of cobalt blue and magenta running though it. Loosely curled and tousled, it was pulled into a riotous pile at the back of her head. Her usually sweet, clean and fresh face was an artist’s pallet. Her bright eyes kohled out, darkened and smoky, her pink lips a dark, pouting purple. And her outfit. Yattaman save him.
Usually clad in loose blouses and shirts, nothing could have prepared him for the sight of Mao’s small and curvy frame laced up in a body hugging black and purple corset, her modesty barely concealed by the lacy black shirt thingy she wore underneath. And whose idea was it to dress innocent Mao up in tight, tight black pants and stiletto lace up boots. How did she get into those things in the first place?
How would she get out of them?
Bad. Bad. Bad.... Thou shalt not think hentai pervy thoughts about Inoue Mao.
Too late, Nino’s inner voice reasoned.
How could he help it? With black fingerless gloves and bright purple, pink and blue ruffled scarves floating from her waist, Mao looked like funky, dark, dangerous, sexy pirate/dominatrix come to life.
It was almost too much for Nino.
“Hehe...Nino-kun... could you say something please?”
“...” He hoped he wasn’t drooling.
“Ninomiya-san...you’re staring...” Mao cheeks turned a rosy pink as she crossed one arm around her, her other hand brushing back some of her hair. Mao-chan was feeling shy. Nino felt himself fall a little bit more in love with her.
He approached her slowly, unable to speak, just able to stare. Nino was afraid of what would come out of his mouth if he attempted to say anything. He just felt hot and restless and incredibly stupid at the sight of her.
Mao was nervously avoided his gaze and stumbled, her back hitting the door. She opened her mouth to speak, but when her eyes met his, nothing but a squeak came out. She appeared transfixed by something she must have seen in his intent stare.
Nino’s breathing became ragged with each step he took towards her. One step, two step, three step... his slow and deliberate footsteps belied the furious beating of his heart.
He stopped with just a breath of space between them. Wanting to touch her, but afraid at the same time, he placed his hand on the door behind her and leaned in close, just content to look her.
Mao smiled and laughed nervously, her breathing hitched.
“I must look terrible if you of all people are rendered dumbstruck and silent.”
Nino didn’t feel like laughing. Not in this perfect moment when he felt fortune was on his side.
“You are lovely.”
Nino could see Mao’s pulse flutter as she gulped loudly. Leaning in a little closer happiness exploded inside of him as Mao’s eyes closed and she tilted her chin up towards him.
THIS IS IT!! inner Nino cried in ecstasy. Just a little closer.
Until a knock on the door absolutely killed the moment, sending inner Nino into the depths of despair.
“Ninomiya-san? Inoue-san?” Nino recognized the voice of the assistant director. “We’ll be starting soon.”
Mao recovered first. “H-Hai! We’ll be right there!” She cast one bright eyed glace at him, blinked rapidly for a few seconds, then bolted as fast her her stiletto boots could carry her.
Nino banged his head against the door. It was going to take a moment to recover.
It was going to take a lot of moments to recover.
***
“Mao-chan, I was wondering, if you’d maybe like to, you know, get together sometime... maybe...” No, that doesn’t sound right.
“Mao, I’m head over heels in love in love with you. Please put me out of my misery...” No, definitely not.
“Mao, you’re mine. So let’s kiss...” Bwhahaha...somebody shoot him.
Nino ran his hand through his hair in frustration. What the Gundam was the matter with him? He was an Idol! He never had trouble asking girls out before. So why in the world was he currently pacing up and down Fuji Television hallways trying to come up with none-lame pickups lines while waiting for Mao to get out of those tight...er... out of her costume. And into normal clothes. Because she would definitely be wearing clothing when she came out.
Ignoring the strange looks from random passerbys, Nino started banging his head against the wall. He really needed to stop being such a pervert. Old Man Hentai...that was him.
He’d been like this all day. Ever since this morning in the green room. Nino was still cursing the assistant director for interrupting what very well would have been a fire inducing kiss. But as it was, he and Mao had a hard time meeting each other’s eyes whenever the camera stopped rolling.
Baka baka baka...what was he thinking this morning? Letting a pair of tight pants get to him like that? She probably thought he was the biggest creep on the planet coming after like that out of the blue.
Nino continued to bang his head on the wall. Baka baka baka...
“Anoo...” Nino stopped banging his head. “”Ninomiya-kun... daijoubou...?” Mao asked him in a quiet voice.
Nino didn’t look up at her, instead leaving his forehead resting on the wall.
“Etoo...er... that is....I... forgot something. But I forgot what I forgot so I was just trying to jog my memory...”
“Oh...souka...” Mao didn’t look like she believed him. Nino didn’t blame her.
They both kinda looked at each other and blushed, unsure of what to say, but wanting to say something.
“Uh... I guess I’ll just say good night now. I’ll see you tomorrow, Nino-kun.” Mao turned to walk away.
“Wait!” Nino lunged forward and grasped Mao’s wrist. Maybe it was from hitting it on the wall too hard, but Nino’s brain had stopped working. Instincts had taken over.
Mao was surprised...but not angry. Or offended. Nino took that a positive sign.
“I was wondering... are you free sometime this weekend?” Nino felt his throat go dry, watching Mao blink and her perfect mouth form the shape of an “o”. “I was thinking that git would be fun if we could get together. To hang out. Or something.” That’s good. Sound cool. Sound calm. Be casual.
And then she smiled.
Did he mention that he loved it when Mao smiled? There was magic in her smile, lighting her face and making her eyes glow.
But as quickly as her smile came, it went. She pursed her lips, like she often did when she was thinking.
“I think I should be available. Depends on when.” Oh, Nino thought disappointedly. He really should have better prepared his heart for rejectio... chotto...what did she say?
“What did you say?”
Mao glared at him for making her repeat it, but she opened her mouth to speak anyway. But before she could say anything, her cell rang.
“Ah...sumimasen...”
“Iie,” he needed to calm the beating of his heart and control his breathing anyway.
“Moshi mosh. Oh, Jun-kun!” Nino felt his spirits drop. “No... Hmm...” Mao snuck a glance at Nino before turning around. “Hmm... are you sure? But I thought... Really?” She started speaking in a low voice, obviously not wanting him to overhear. Nino strained his ears trying anyway. “It’s ok... I can...Do you want me...”
At that point Nino stopped trying to listen. How quickly can feelings of elation disappear, he thought bitterly. All’s fair in love and war, right? Just because Jun didn’t stake a claim didn’t mean that he’d stop trying. But really, enough was enough.
Nino’s temper flared up.
“Gomen ne, Nino-kun. Jun was just...well, never mind, you were saying before?”
“You know,” Nino said sullenly, “the way you and Jun are kind of pathetic, don’t you think?” Hurt flashed in Mao’s eyes at the unexpected insult.
“Eh?”
“Really, the two of you dance around hiding from the rest of the world, oblivious to everyone else around you. It’s kind of selfish.” Nino knew he was being a jerk, but everyone had their limits.
“I don’t understand...” Mao whispered.
“You! You and Jun! You drive me crazy! If you two are so crazy about each other, just come out and say it! Give the rest of us some peace of mind. It’s just sad and pathetic. Stringing along other people. Why the big secret anyway? Is there something your ashamed of? Don’t want to be seen with a boyband member? Or maybe there’s something wrong with you!” Inner Nino started beating the inside of his head with a mallet. Shut up, stupid! You’re not making any sense. But he couldn’t help it. Jealousy really was a bad thing. And he was really, really jealous.
“You...I...You don’t...” Mao was so angry that she couldn’t even speak. “You sound jealous!”
“Jealous?! Huh? Over you? Ha! Who’d be jealous over a skinny, flat-chested, tomboy with no sex appeal!” He didn’t just say that, did he?
“You just don’t understand,” Mao said quietly. “NINOMIYA NO BAKA!!!”
And she hit him. Hard. With a fist. Right across the cheek. Looks like Mao-chan still had some of the Makino weed power inside her.
Without waiting to see if he was all right, Mao stormed off.
Nino felt comfort in the stinging in his cheek. He really was a lovesick fool.