[KinKi AU] Tangent -- Chapter 3
A decidedly gloomy chapter, so please have mental preparation...? =P
Disclaimer: This writing is fictional and has no commercial purpose. Characters are real persons belonging to themselves.
Pairing: KinKi Kids
Genre: AU, drama
Rating: G
Summary: Tsuyoshi the hairstylist was contracted to Kouichi the solo artist. Chapter 3: A rude awakening, a gentle falling.
Previous chapters: 1st Tangent | 2nd Tangent
---
Tangent
3: Collision Course
"We need to simplify this," Kouichi said, a hand on his chin.
"But this is for the opening number," Tsuyoshi said. "Shouldn't it be elaborate?"
"The on-stage costume changing is right at the end of it, so both costumes can't have too many parts."
"That's already taken into consideration. You just need to pull off this sash..."
"It's still too bulky to move freely. The effect will be lost."
"On the contrary, this extension is meant to move along with your body, and it will in fact accentuate the dance movement..."
Kouichi took a breath. "I think something compact will be better."
Tsuyoshi didn't reply right away.
"It's fine as long as we remove the extension, isn't it?" Manager-san tried to offer a compromise. "And maybe make the movements more prominent."
Kouichi glanced at Tsuyoshi, at the same time that the latter took a look at him, and both averted their gaze quickly.
"...We have fixed the routines with the back-dancers yesterday," Kouichi spoke up first. "I don't want to change anything from there."
"We still need your outfit to be more distinguished than the rest," Tsuyoshi said. "You have complex lighting effects for the stage, too."
"Just this, without the extension and the feathers, is distinguishable enough, no?"
"But it's incomplete."
"You see it that way since you designed the original, but it looks just fine to me..."
"We can add accessories in their place," Manager-san tried again.
"It will be fine just like this," Tsuyoshi insisted. "I can make it a tight fit in the inside."
"But then it will be more error-prone to change on-stage," Kouichi said. "It's better not to."
"It'll work." Tsuyoshi struggled to maintain a polite tone.
Kouichi looked uncomfortable, but he tightened his lips. "I don't think we should take that risk. Please make the change."
Tsuyoshi stared at the table for a while before breathing out a reluctant agreement.
"So it's settled," Manager-san confirmed with a careful tone. "Then, Kouichi-kun, if you want to have another round of rehearsals... We have to leave the hall by six."
"Right," Kouichi murmured. He avoided looking at Tsuyoshi as he turned to leave.
Tsuyoshi gathered the costume back into the paper bag, and gave a curt nod before taking off, too.
Manager-san followed the sight of his back until he was out of the door, then breathed out. He'd seen this coming from the day Tsuyoshi signed the amended contract, suspecting that the stylist, like what few idealist designers they'd hired before him, probably hadn't seen Kouichi's stubborn side.
Of all the arguments he had had to mediate, though, this had got to be the most awkward one yet.
--
Tsuyoshi had only unpleasant memories associated with Miyake Ken, though none of them had been the man's fault.
Their encounters had been limited to award ceremonies and invited fashion shows, which meant swarms of photographers, multiple-angle cameras, high-tension audience, ruthless hounding journalists.
"Of course we have to be," Taichi had said, half-worried and half-amused at his wide-eyed complaint after his first public appearance, many years ago. "With so many others packed around the subject, it's a fight to get a question in. It's different from a one-to-one interview."
"Those are okay," Tsuyoshi had replied, calming down from Taichi's arm on his shoulders. "The reporters were all very nice when they came over."
Taichi had had to suppress a knowing snort. Their very own reporter assigned to cover the rising designer had returned with a half-empty questionnaire sheet just a week ago.
"I couldn't find a good timing to ask these questions," Inohara had said sheepishly. "But see, I have three separate sheets on the story behind each design, so isn't this okay? He was very enthusiastic and even offered to continue our conversa--"
"That's what other magazines have been doing," the editor had replied fiercely. "I wanted something darker, any possible reason for that unconventional style... which was why I prepared the list for you."
"But it was really hard to ruin the atmosphere we had back then!" Inohara had defended himself. "We've seen those grumpy photos others have been taking of him, but when you actually talk to him in person... well... he is kinda... adorable."
After an incredulous pause, the editor had finally sighed. "Never mind... my fault for assigning *you* to this. I thought those big smiles of yours would take the harshness off these questions, but... I really should've sent someone not as easy."
Taichi had been excluded from any related discussion due to conflict of interest, and had only heard the story later. It had been Inohara himself who'd repeated it to him ("Honestly speaking, you don't think I'm *easy*, do you?") and asked to be invited over for dinner sometimes.
He had been worried about his brother entering the ruthless celebrity world, but apparently the pampering instinct had not been limited to blood-related siblings. Solitude-loving Tsuyoshi was not good with the public, but he was, somehow, good with people.
"If private interviews are okay," Taichi had advised, "how about practising the same focus for public ones? Choose a camera, or one of the hosts, or whoever is asking the question... just look at him, and ignore the rest. Take your time to respond, and move on to the next person only when you're done."
Tsuyoshi had found that advice quite effective, and once he started talking he could well forget all other distractions; but still the moments before the event were the worst for him. He would be so nervous that his hands shook and his stomach hurt, and he had to remember to breathe normally.
It was no different now, as he stood hiding in one of the quiet corridors of the hotel, waiting for the symposium to begin. The pack of preserved plums tucked in his bag was almost empty as his anxious fingers reached for piece after piece non-stop. He should have brought more of that comfort food.
Or rather, he shouldn't have come this early. Tsuyoshi's expression turned dark as he remembered the morning's incident that had cut the session short.
It wasn't like he couldn't see the other's point of view --after all, he had thought of the same problems, too-- but if a choice had to be made, why did people always go for the most practical one, without trying for the ideal? Why couldn't they trust him that it could be done?
Though, he might indeed have been too headstrong when putting it across... He didn't like apologizing when he didn't quite mean it thoroughly, but he still had to work tomorrow, and staying in the current awkward situation wouldn't do anyone any good...
"Tsuyoshi-san," a voice startled him.
Tsuyoshi looked up, his face expression still a mess.
"Miyake-san?" Upon recognition, Tsuyoshi tried his best to appear normal. Having competed for the top feature spots for years with, so far, no reason for collaboration, their relationship was a rather sensitive one. He didn't want to be perceived as offending.
"It's been a while... end of last year, was it?"
"Ah... the Winter Collection..."
"Yes," Miyake smiled amiably. He took a drink from the bottle of mineral water in his hand. "Ah, there are refreshments provided at the other end, would you like to--?"
"Oh, I don't really need--" Tsuyoshi remembered the plums he was consuming and pulled it out, then stared with dismay at the single surviving piece. "I'm sorry, I would have offered but..."
Miyake laughed a little. "It's all right. I've had some snacks just now."
"By the way... congratulations on making the team for the Japan-Korea forum."
"Oh, that... thank you." Miyake didn't look as enthused as Tsuyoshi thought he ought to be.
"The trip is in ten days, is it?" Tsuyoshi asked. Given company, his nervousness had retreated to the back of his mind.
"Yeah," Miyake answered. He hesitated a little, then added, "I thought we would finally have a chance to work together, but you didn't apply for the forum, it seems?"
"I sort of have my hands full at the moment," Tsuyoshi replied apologetically.
"...Can't be helped, I guess." Miyake's smile looked slightly forced.
Neither continued the conversation for some time, and Tsuyoshi's thoughts began drifting back to the argument that morning. They were in a critical time right now as the concert was drawing near. It would be better to compromise and get things done...
"I apologize for the rudeness, but if I may suggest," Miyake spoke up suddenly. "Maybe it's time to start delegating some of your jobs to your juniors?"
"Uh?" Tsuyoshi looked up.
"I think it's important to have time for yourself... I myself felt ideas were much easier to come after I asked the agency to reduce my workload."
Tsuyoshi frowned slightly. "Thank you, but... I think I'm fine."
"Well, but... the featured designs in the last few editions have been uninspired, haven't they?"
Tsuyoshi stared.
Miyake quickly assumed a pacifying tone. "It's just my opinion. I know everyone have their off days, but I notice it's been going on for a while..."
Tsuyoshi couldn't help but consider it seriously. Miyake was not known to be spiteful. He tried to think, but there hadn't been anything out of the ordinary, none that he noticed.
"Art is an elusive concept," Miyake continued. "Once you've made a name, people may sometimes overlook the finer details of what you put out."
Tsuyoshi's fists tightened unconsciously. "You're saying the quality of my creations has fallen below the standard?"
Miyake chose to stay silent and look away, but he didn't apologize.
Tsuyoshi's breathing started to hurt his chest, and he closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw Miyake's hesitant, concerned expression.
"Your designs have always been inspiring, even for the stylists in our company," Miyake said, genuinely apologetic. "I really hope to see those again."
Anger dissipated from Tsuyoshi's gaze, but he still couldn't find anything --nice or otherwise-- to say.
Miyake nodded slightly, and took his leave.
Tsuyoshi barely remembered following the staff to the symposium hall afterward, his mind too filled with indiscernible static to register the normally intimidating cameras, the audible murmurs from the seasoned press as he spent the whole of his turn reading stoically from the script, something he was known to never stick to once he got into the topic.
If they had been curious, none of them had a chance to ask, as Tsuyoshi had disappeared by the time the event was over.
--
"Yosh!" Nagase's distinctive voice, along with a hard slap at Kouichi's back, announced his arrival at the bar.
"Yosh," Kouichi responded.
"Low-tension as usual, Kou-chan." Nagase settled down at the chair beside Kouichi, who just smiled lazily. "So, what do you think about the song I sent you last night?"
"It's good," Kouichi said. "But the chord sequence sounds similar to what you did for my last coupling track, somehow?"
"Ah, you caught it," Nagase grinned, pleased. "As I was finalizing it, I was thinking it could be a collaboration song."
"You and me?" Kouichi asked, surprised.
"Rock and pop-dance. Not bad, right?"
Kouichi brightened up slightly. "I'll talk to my agency."
"Anytime, then," Nagase answered. "My side won't be a problem." It was one of the advantages to have an independent label.
"Mine shouldn't, either," Kouichi said. "Back when you accompanied my acoustic performance on Music Station you had an even wilder image, and they didn't say anything."
Nagase chortled. "Those days! Six, ah, seven years ago? I'm feeling old."
"How rare," Kouichi laughed. "Now you know how I feel!"
"Can't help it. I was just on this variety show to promote my album, and all the other participants were practically kids."
"Same here. The debuted idols are getting younger every year."
"It's probably good, though?" Nagase's order arrived, and he took a sip. "Some of these new artists have very refreshing styles. There's this young R&B singer, Aoyama Thelma-chan, who was on that same show I mentioned..."
"Ah, her," Kouichi nodded. "She is an interesting singer."
Nagase looked at him, surprised. "You know her? This is unexpected. I don't think she has gone on your program yet..."
"I checked out her single," Kouichi said. "Tsuyoshi-san did an impression of her once, and I thought the tune was catchy."
"Tsuyoshi, the stylist you told me about?"
"Uh-huh." Kouichi couldn't help but recall the argument, and his mood dipped again.
Nagase leaned forward slightly, palms on his thighs. "I want to meet this person. For him to finally drag you out of your cave is an impressive feat!"
"It's not that extreme." Kouichi pouted. "He likes to do impressions of the popular artists, or hum the songs while he's doing my hair, and after a while they sort of stuck."
Nagase raised an eyebrow. "He trained you well."
"You, don't talk as if I were his pet dog," Kouichi protested.
"Nonsense. You're decidedly feline."
Kouichi smacked him on the head.
Nagase laughed. "But seriously, I'm glad you have more friends like that, Kou-chan."
Kouichi paused. "Friends? ...Hm, probably..."
"Aren't you? From what you tell me, you seem to be getting along well."
Kouichi downed the remaining liquor in his glass, then put it down with a sigh. "We just had an argument this morning."
Nagase tilted his head. "Was it very bad?"
"Not the worst I've had... but with Tsuyoshi-san, things have been going smoothly since we started working together. This is a first."
"...And?"
"It has suddenly become awkward, that's all," Kouichi said. He was also hard-pressed to put his finger on what was wrong.
"Why are you taking it so personally?" Nagase didn't quite comprehend. "This can't be the first time you disagree with your staff."
"The atmosphere is kinda different when it's him," Kouichi said contemplatively. "He is really passionate about styling, so it doesn't feel like work."
"That's not good," Nagase said, concerned. "You need to be clear about personal and professional boundaries."
"But how is it between you and Matsuoka-san?" Kouichi asked back. Matsuoka had been Nagase's co-writer and occasional accompaniment musician before he moved on to direct Nagase's music videos and plan his concerts, and had practically become Nagase's producer since. "You guys are totally buddies now. Do you have fights over stage settings, sound systems and all that?"
"With Mabo? We fight all the time," Nagase answered. "There were times in my teens when they were physical, even."
Kouichi was surprised. "Who was stronger?"
"That's not the point," Nagase grunted. "The thing is, we're grown-ups now, and know how to separate our friendship from the issues at work."
"So it's Matsuoka-san?" Kouichi concluded.
Nagase knocked Kouichi's forehead. "Are we discussing your problem or mine?"
"I don't really want to discuss it," Kouichi said. "Let's just have a good drink."
Nagase patted his back. "Okay. I also think it's best that you don't think too much about it. Don't let it get in the way of your work."
"Being professional, huh," Kouichi said. He didn't like the idea somehow. Tsuyoshi's quirky ways that he had come to enjoy felt like they would suffocate within those rigid borders.
"I can somehow understand..." Nagase pondered. "It's easier to be 'professional' with a friend when you are frank with each other. Mabo and I have no problem letting everything out, no matter how ugly it is. Since you are the reserved type, it gets tricky."
"I did make my stand. But knowing how enthusiastic he is about the work, I felt guilty."
"Ah, classic conflict of interest."
"I shouldn't have gotten too familiar?" Kouichi seemed to have forgotten that he hadn't wanted to discuss this.
"Well, it does take some familiarity to get into a fight," Nagase said. "And then some more, to be able to tolerate each other. But you still cannot avoid clashes."
Kouichi draped himself over the counter gloomily.
Nagase ruffled his hair. "Cheer up! Relationships only get sweeter after fights! ...Er, minor ones, at least."
Kouichi sighed. "I do hope things get back to normal tomorrow."
"He's a pro in his field too, isn't he? Don't worry about it."
"He is childlike in many ways though..."
Nagase frowned. "Then I'm surprised that this only happens now."
"It's fine when we are each stubborn about different things."
"...Should I start worrying about our collaboration song, then?"
Kouichi's round eyes turned quickly.
"Just kidding. I won't let us get to that," Nagase laughed.
Kouichi sighed again. "I wish I had known him as long as I've known you."
That was a strange thing to say, Nagase thought. "Introduce him to me some time," he said.
"I wonder if I should?" Kouichi said. "You might switch to his side when I come to you in situations like this in the future."
Nagase raised an eyebrow. "Is he that charming?"
"Probably." Fondness crossed Kouichi's expression. "All the staff pamper him like nobody's business, considering he's only been in this project for a little over a month. Manager-san acts like he is his charge, too, buying him candies and all... Shinohara has always been a fan, but the others--"
"Whoa, whoa," Nagase stopped him, an apprehensive smile on his face. "What's with this giddiness?"
Kouichi paused. "What are you talking about?"
Nagase wondered if Kouichi was aware of the color of his face, which, knowing how much it'd take to get his friend drunk, couldn't be due to the liquor.
--
Joushima had just locked his office door and was about to go home when he heard a rustling somewhere in the back of the salon. Cautious, he picked up the nearest weapon-like object --which happened to be a hairdryer-- and went to check.
It was the room where they kept the spare equipments. The door was ajar. Joushima peeked.
A shadow of a man was standing in the middle of the room, unmoving.
Joushima flicked the lights on. The man turned to him, startled.
"Tsuyoshi," Joushima said. He had recognized the silhouette. "What are you doing? You almost gave me a fright."
"Sorry," Tsuyoshi murmured.
Joushima put the hairdryer down and approached him. "It's been some time since you've been coming here. You're not busy with anything else?"
Tsuyoshi's eyes looked rather blank still. "...Yeah." His head slowly turned back.
Joushima followed Tsuyoshi's line of vision to the object he had apparently been staring at in the dark. "What's with the mannequin?"
A few seconds passed before Tsuyoshi answered. "Every night after work, for more than eight years," he said slowly, "I've been experimenting with new hairstyles on this."
Joushima nodded. Tsuyoshi had been doing that even before earning regular columns on the magazines, and he had admired that dedication.
Tsuyoshi touched a finger to the non-living face. "...But look at this layer of dust."
"Well, no one else in this salon uses this one..."
"I haven't touched it for months now," Tsuyoshi said.
"You've been insanely busy," Joushima said soothingly, but it was as if Tsuyoshi couldn't hear him.
"...Not since Doumoto Kouichi."
Joushima startled. He did notice the change, but he hadn't thought it would come to this.
"It's not his fault, and I went into this willingly, but..." Tsuyoshi looked agonized. "It's destroying my art."
"Take a vacation."
Tsuyoshi turned at the sudden order. "Uh, what?"
"Distance yourself completely," Joushima said. "Until you can let go of your attachment."
"But the assignments..."
"I'll send a temporary substitute. You can resume whenever you're ready."
Tsuyoshi stared at him. "Why are you suddenly being so lenient? You said it yourself, we can't go on without the customers."
Joushima put a hand on Tsuyoshi's shoulder. "You can't go on without the customers," he agreed, "but you're done for when you lose your touch for doing the work at all."
Tsuyoshi looked down.
"Why don't you go home for a few weeks?" Joushima said. "You said the rivers were great for fishing."
"Will it really be okay?" Tsuyoshi whispered.
"It's necessary to let it go now, so that you can get it back," Joushima said. His expression turned strict. "And I do expect you to be back."
"...Thank you," Tsuyoshi said.
Joushima patted him sympathetically. He couldn't say he wasn't worried about the backlash, but he had after all chosen to take the risk when he took Tsuyoshi in, fully cognizant of the fierce talent and the callused fingers that shook his.
As they said, with this extent of obsession, these geniuses would either fly to the very top, or sink to the very bottom.
---
Author Notes:
[*] I came to my own conclusion about preserved plums being Tsuyoshi's comfort food from his appearance on MentoreG. It's too heavy for me to address his panic disorder medication, so...
[**] Matsuoka directed some of TOKIO's PVs (Ding-Dong, Ambitious Japan) as I learned from an SC clip subbed by tomalicious_frm.
Struggled so much with this angsty chapter (and kept jumping to happier scenes in the next chapters) so some parts are a bit rushed; will probably come to polish later.
Disclaimer: This writing is fictional and has no commercial purpose. Characters are real persons belonging to themselves.
Pairing: KinKi Kids
Genre: AU, drama
Rating: G
Summary: Tsuyoshi the hairstylist was contracted to Kouichi the solo artist. Chapter 3: A rude awakening, a gentle falling.
Previous chapters: 1st Tangent | 2nd Tangent
---
Tangent
3: Collision Course
"We need to simplify this," Kouichi said, a hand on his chin.
"But this is for the opening number," Tsuyoshi said. "Shouldn't it be elaborate?"
"The on-stage costume changing is right at the end of it, so both costumes can't have too many parts."
"That's already taken into consideration. You just need to pull off this sash..."
"It's still too bulky to move freely. The effect will be lost."
"On the contrary, this extension is meant to move along with your body, and it will in fact accentuate the dance movement..."
Kouichi took a breath. "I think something compact will be better."
Tsuyoshi didn't reply right away.
"It's fine as long as we remove the extension, isn't it?" Manager-san tried to offer a compromise. "And maybe make the movements more prominent."
Kouichi glanced at Tsuyoshi, at the same time that the latter took a look at him, and both averted their gaze quickly.
"...We have fixed the routines with the back-dancers yesterday," Kouichi spoke up first. "I don't want to change anything from there."
"We still need your outfit to be more distinguished than the rest," Tsuyoshi said. "You have complex lighting effects for the stage, too."
"Just this, without the extension and the feathers, is distinguishable enough, no?"
"But it's incomplete."
"You see it that way since you designed the original, but it looks just fine to me..."
"We can add accessories in their place," Manager-san tried again.
"It will be fine just like this," Tsuyoshi insisted. "I can make it a tight fit in the inside."
"But then it will be more error-prone to change on-stage," Kouichi said. "It's better not to."
"It'll work." Tsuyoshi struggled to maintain a polite tone.
Kouichi looked uncomfortable, but he tightened his lips. "I don't think we should take that risk. Please make the change."
Tsuyoshi stared at the table for a while before breathing out a reluctant agreement.
"So it's settled," Manager-san confirmed with a careful tone. "Then, Kouichi-kun, if you want to have another round of rehearsals... We have to leave the hall by six."
"Right," Kouichi murmured. He avoided looking at Tsuyoshi as he turned to leave.
Tsuyoshi gathered the costume back into the paper bag, and gave a curt nod before taking off, too.
Manager-san followed the sight of his back until he was out of the door, then breathed out. He'd seen this coming from the day Tsuyoshi signed the amended contract, suspecting that the stylist, like what few idealist designers they'd hired before him, probably hadn't seen Kouichi's stubborn side.
Of all the arguments he had had to mediate, though, this had got to be the most awkward one yet.
--
Tsuyoshi had only unpleasant memories associated with Miyake Ken, though none of them had been the man's fault.
Their encounters had been limited to award ceremonies and invited fashion shows, which meant swarms of photographers, multiple-angle cameras, high-tension audience, ruthless hounding journalists.
"Of course we have to be," Taichi had said, half-worried and half-amused at his wide-eyed complaint after his first public appearance, many years ago. "With so many others packed around the subject, it's a fight to get a question in. It's different from a one-to-one interview."
"Those are okay," Tsuyoshi had replied, calming down from Taichi's arm on his shoulders. "The reporters were all very nice when they came over."
Taichi had had to suppress a knowing snort. Their very own reporter assigned to cover the rising designer had returned with a half-empty questionnaire sheet just a week ago.
"I couldn't find a good timing to ask these questions," Inohara had said sheepishly. "But see, I have three separate sheets on the story behind each design, so isn't this okay? He was very enthusiastic and even offered to continue our conversa--"
"That's what other magazines have been doing," the editor had replied fiercely. "I wanted something darker, any possible reason for that unconventional style... which was why I prepared the list for you."
"But it was really hard to ruin the atmosphere we had back then!" Inohara had defended himself. "We've seen those grumpy photos others have been taking of him, but when you actually talk to him in person... well... he is kinda... adorable."
After an incredulous pause, the editor had finally sighed. "Never mind... my fault for assigning *you* to this. I thought those big smiles of yours would take the harshness off these questions, but... I really should've sent someone not as easy."
Taichi had been excluded from any related discussion due to conflict of interest, and had only heard the story later. It had been Inohara himself who'd repeated it to him ("Honestly speaking, you don't think I'm *easy*, do you?") and asked to be invited over for dinner sometimes.
He had been worried about his brother entering the ruthless celebrity world, but apparently the pampering instinct had not been limited to blood-related siblings. Solitude-loving Tsuyoshi was not good with the public, but he was, somehow, good with people.
"If private interviews are okay," Taichi had advised, "how about practising the same focus for public ones? Choose a camera, or one of the hosts, or whoever is asking the question... just look at him, and ignore the rest. Take your time to respond, and move on to the next person only when you're done."
Tsuyoshi had found that advice quite effective, and once he started talking he could well forget all other distractions; but still the moments before the event were the worst for him. He would be so nervous that his hands shook and his stomach hurt, and he had to remember to breathe normally.
It was no different now, as he stood hiding in one of the quiet corridors of the hotel, waiting for the symposium to begin. The pack of preserved plums tucked in his bag was almost empty as his anxious fingers reached for piece after piece non-stop. He should have brought more of that comfort food.
Or rather, he shouldn't have come this early. Tsuyoshi's expression turned dark as he remembered the morning's incident that had cut the session short.
It wasn't like he couldn't see the other's point of view --after all, he had thought of the same problems, too-- but if a choice had to be made, why did people always go for the most practical one, without trying for the ideal? Why couldn't they trust him that it could be done?
Though, he might indeed have been too headstrong when putting it across... He didn't like apologizing when he didn't quite mean it thoroughly, but he still had to work tomorrow, and staying in the current awkward situation wouldn't do anyone any good...
"Tsuyoshi-san," a voice startled him.
Tsuyoshi looked up, his face expression still a mess.
"Miyake-san?" Upon recognition, Tsuyoshi tried his best to appear normal. Having competed for the top feature spots for years with, so far, no reason for collaboration, their relationship was a rather sensitive one. He didn't want to be perceived as offending.
"It's been a while... end of last year, was it?"
"Ah... the Winter Collection..."
"Yes," Miyake smiled amiably. He took a drink from the bottle of mineral water in his hand. "Ah, there are refreshments provided at the other end, would you like to--?"
"Oh, I don't really need--" Tsuyoshi remembered the plums he was consuming and pulled it out, then stared with dismay at the single surviving piece. "I'm sorry, I would have offered but..."
Miyake laughed a little. "It's all right. I've had some snacks just now."
"By the way... congratulations on making the team for the Japan-Korea forum."
"Oh, that... thank you." Miyake didn't look as enthused as Tsuyoshi thought he ought to be.
"The trip is in ten days, is it?" Tsuyoshi asked. Given company, his nervousness had retreated to the back of his mind.
"Yeah," Miyake answered. He hesitated a little, then added, "I thought we would finally have a chance to work together, but you didn't apply for the forum, it seems?"
"I sort of have my hands full at the moment," Tsuyoshi replied apologetically.
"...Can't be helped, I guess." Miyake's smile looked slightly forced.
Neither continued the conversation for some time, and Tsuyoshi's thoughts began drifting back to the argument that morning. They were in a critical time right now as the concert was drawing near. It would be better to compromise and get things done...
"I apologize for the rudeness, but if I may suggest," Miyake spoke up suddenly. "Maybe it's time to start delegating some of your jobs to your juniors?"
"Uh?" Tsuyoshi looked up.
"I think it's important to have time for yourself... I myself felt ideas were much easier to come after I asked the agency to reduce my workload."
Tsuyoshi frowned slightly. "Thank you, but... I think I'm fine."
"Well, but... the featured designs in the last few editions have been uninspired, haven't they?"
Tsuyoshi stared.
Miyake quickly assumed a pacifying tone. "It's just my opinion. I know everyone have their off days, but I notice it's been going on for a while..."
Tsuyoshi couldn't help but consider it seriously. Miyake was not known to be spiteful. He tried to think, but there hadn't been anything out of the ordinary, none that he noticed.
"Art is an elusive concept," Miyake continued. "Once you've made a name, people may sometimes overlook the finer details of what you put out."
Tsuyoshi's fists tightened unconsciously. "You're saying the quality of my creations has fallen below the standard?"
Miyake chose to stay silent and look away, but he didn't apologize.
Tsuyoshi's breathing started to hurt his chest, and he closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw Miyake's hesitant, concerned expression.
"Your designs have always been inspiring, even for the stylists in our company," Miyake said, genuinely apologetic. "I really hope to see those again."
Anger dissipated from Tsuyoshi's gaze, but he still couldn't find anything --nice or otherwise-- to say.
Miyake nodded slightly, and took his leave.
Tsuyoshi barely remembered following the staff to the symposium hall afterward, his mind too filled with indiscernible static to register the normally intimidating cameras, the audible murmurs from the seasoned press as he spent the whole of his turn reading stoically from the script, something he was known to never stick to once he got into the topic.
If they had been curious, none of them had a chance to ask, as Tsuyoshi had disappeared by the time the event was over.
--
"Yosh!" Nagase's distinctive voice, along with a hard slap at Kouichi's back, announced his arrival at the bar.
"Yosh," Kouichi responded.
"Low-tension as usual, Kou-chan." Nagase settled down at the chair beside Kouichi, who just smiled lazily. "So, what do you think about the song I sent you last night?"
"It's good," Kouichi said. "But the chord sequence sounds similar to what you did for my last coupling track, somehow?"
"Ah, you caught it," Nagase grinned, pleased. "As I was finalizing it, I was thinking it could be a collaboration song."
"You and me?" Kouichi asked, surprised.
"Rock and pop-dance. Not bad, right?"
Kouichi brightened up slightly. "I'll talk to my agency."
"Anytime, then," Nagase answered. "My side won't be a problem." It was one of the advantages to have an independent label.
"Mine shouldn't, either," Kouichi said. "Back when you accompanied my acoustic performance on Music Station you had an even wilder image, and they didn't say anything."
Nagase chortled. "Those days! Six, ah, seven years ago? I'm feeling old."
"How rare," Kouichi laughed. "Now you know how I feel!"
"Can't help it. I was just on this variety show to promote my album, and all the other participants were practically kids."
"Same here. The debuted idols are getting younger every year."
"It's probably good, though?" Nagase's order arrived, and he took a sip. "Some of these new artists have very refreshing styles. There's this young R&B singer, Aoyama Thelma-chan, who was on that same show I mentioned..."
"Ah, her," Kouichi nodded. "She is an interesting singer."
Nagase looked at him, surprised. "You know her? This is unexpected. I don't think she has gone on your program yet..."
"I checked out her single," Kouichi said. "Tsuyoshi-san did an impression of her once, and I thought the tune was catchy."
"Tsuyoshi, the stylist you told me about?"
"Uh-huh." Kouichi couldn't help but recall the argument, and his mood dipped again.
Nagase leaned forward slightly, palms on his thighs. "I want to meet this person. For him to finally drag you out of your cave is an impressive feat!"
"It's not that extreme." Kouichi pouted. "He likes to do impressions of the popular artists, or hum the songs while he's doing my hair, and after a while they sort of stuck."
Nagase raised an eyebrow. "He trained you well."
"You, don't talk as if I were his pet dog," Kouichi protested.
"Nonsense. You're decidedly feline."
Kouichi smacked him on the head.
Nagase laughed. "But seriously, I'm glad you have more friends like that, Kou-chan."
Kouichi paused. "Friends? ...Hm, probably..."
"Aren't you? From what you tell me, you seem to be getting along well."
Kouichi downed the remaining liquor in his glass, then put it down with a sigh. "We just had an argument this morning."
Nagase tilted his head. "Was it very bad?"
"Not the worst I've had... but with Tsuyoshi-san, things have been going smoothly since we started working together. This is a first."
"...And?"
"It has suddenly become awkward, that's all," Kouichi said. He was also hard-pressed to put his finger on what was wrong.
"Why are you taking it so personally?" Nagase didn't quite comprehend. "This can't be the first time you disagree with your staff."
"The atmosphere is kinda different when it's him," Kouichi said contemplatively. "He is really passionate about styling, so it doesn't feel like work."
"That's not good," Nagase said, concerned. "You need to be clear about personal and professional boundaries."
"But how is it between you and Matsuoka-san?" Kouichi asked back. Matsuoka had been Nagase's co-writer and occasional accompaniment musician before he moved on to direct Nagase's music videos and plan his concerts, and had practically become Nagase's producer since. "You guys are totally buddies now. Do you have fights over stage settings, sound systems and all that?"
"With Mabo? We fight all the time," Nagase answered. "There were times in my teens when they were physical, even."
Kouichi was surprised. "Who was stronger?"
"That's not the point," Nagase grunted. "The thing is, we're grown-ups now, and know how to separate our friendship from the issues at work."
"So it's Matsuoka-san?" Kouichi concluded.
Nagase knocked Kouichi's forehead. "Are we discussing your problem or mine?"
"I don't really want to discuss it," Kouichi said. "Let's just have a good drink."
Nagase patted his back. "Okay. I also think it's best that you don't think too much about it. Don't let it get in the way of your work."
"Being professional, huh," Kouichi said. He didn't like the idea somehow. Tsuyoshi's quirky ways that he had come to enjoy felt like they would suffocate within those rigid borders.
"I can somehow understand..." Nagase pondered. "It's easier to be 'professional' with a friend when you are frank with each other. Mabo and I have no problem letting everything out, no matter how ugly it is. Since you are the reserved type, it gets tricky."
"I did make my stand. But knowing how enthusiastic he is about the work, I felt guilty."
"Ah, classic conflict of interest."
"I shouldn't have gotten too familiar?" Kouichi seemed to have forgotten that he hadn't wanted to discuss this.
"Well, it does take some familiarity to get into a fight," Nagase said. "And then some more, to be able to tolerate each other. But you still cannot avoid clashes."
Kouichi draped himself over the counter gloomily.
Nagase ruffled his hair. "Cheer up! Relationships only get sweeter after fights! ...Er, minor ones, at least."
Kouichi sighed. "I do hope things get back to normal tomorrow."
"He's a pro in his field too, isn't he? Don't worry about it."
"He is childlike in many ways though..."
Nagase frowned. "Then I'm surprised that this only happens now."
"It's fine when we are each stubborn about different things."
"...Should I start worrying about our collaboration song, then?"
Kouichi's round eyes turned quickly.
"Just kidding. I won't let us get to that," Nagase laughed.
Kouichi sighed again. "I wish I had known him as long as I've known you."
That was a strange thing to say, Nagase thought. "Introduce him to me some time," he said.
"I wonder if I should?" Kouichi said. "You might switch to his side when I come to you in situations like this in the future."
Nagase raised an eyebrow. "Is he that charming?"
"Probably." Fondness crossed Kouichi's expression. "All the staff pamper him like nobody's business, considering he's only been in this project for a little over a month. Manager-san acts like he is his charge, too, buying him candies and all... Shinohara has always been a fan, but the others--"
"Whoa, whoa," Nagase stopped him, an apprehensive smile on his face. "What's with this giddiness?"
Kouichi paused. "What are you talking about?"
Nagase wondered if Kouichi was aware of the color of his face, which, knowing how much it'd take to get his friend drunk, couldn't be due to the liquor.
--
Joushima had just locked his office door and was about to go home when he heard a rustling somewhere in the back of the salon. Cautious, he picked up the nearest weapon-like object --which happened to be a hairdryer-- and went to check.
It was the room where they kept the spare equipments. The door was ajar. Joushima peeked.
A shadow of a man was standing in the middle of the room, unmoving.
Joushima flicked the lights on. The man turned to him, startled.
"Tsuyoshi," Joushima said. He had recognized the silhouette. "What are you doing? You almost gave me a fright."
"Sorry," Tsuyoshi murmured.
Joushima put the hairdryer down and approached him. "It's been some time since you've been coming here. You're not busy with anything else?"
Tsuyoshi's eyes looked rather blank still. "...Yeah." His head slowly turned back.
Joushima followed Tsuyoshi's line of vision to the object he had apparently been staring at in the dark. "What's with the mannequin?"
A few seconds passed before Tsuyoshi answered. "Every night after work, for more than eight years," he said slowly, "I've been experimenting with new hairstyles on this."
Joushima nodded. Tsuyoshi had been doing that even before earning regular columns on the magazines, and he had admired that dedication.
Tsuyoshi touched a finger to the non-living face. "...But look at this layer of dust."
"Well, no one else in this salon uses this one..."
"I haven't touched it for months now," Tsuyoshi said.
"You've been insanely busy," Joushima said soothingly, but it was as if Tsuyoshi couldn't hear him.
"...Not since Doumoto Kouichi."
Joushima startled. He did notice the change, but he hadn't thought it would come to this.
"It's not his fault, and I went into this willingly, but..." Tsuyoshi looked agonized. "It's destroying my art."
"Take a vacation."
Tsuyoshi turned at the sudden order. "Uh, what?"
"Distance yourself completely," Joushima said. "Until you can let go of your attachment."
"But the assignments..."
"I'll send a temporary substitute. You can resume whenever you're ready."
Tsuyoshi stared at him. "Why are you suddenly being so lenient? You said it yourself, we can't go on without the customers."
Joushima put a hand on Tsuyoshi's shoulder. "You can't go on without the customers," he agreed, "but you're done for when you lose your touch for doing the work at all."
Tsuyoshi looked down.
"Why don't you go home for a few weeks?" Joushima said. "You said the rivers were great for fishing."
"Will it really be okay?" Tsuyoshi whispered.
"It's necessary to let it go now, so that you can get it back," Joushima said. His expression turned strict. "And I do expect you to be back."
"...Thank you," Tsuyoshi said.
Joushima patted him sympathetically. He couldn't say he wasn't worried about the backlash, but he had after all chosen to take the risk when he took Tsuyoshi in, fully cognizant of the fierce talent and the callused fingers that shook his.
As they said, with this extent of obsession, these geniuses would either fly to the very top, or sink to the very bottom.
---
Author Notes:
[*] I came to my own conclusion about preserved plums being Tsuyoshi's comfort food from his appearance on MentoreG. It's too heavy for me to address his panic disorder medication, so...
[**] Matsuoka directed some of TOKIO's PVs (Ding-Dong, Ambitious Japan) as I learned from an SC clip subbed by tomalicious_frm.
Struggled so much with this angsty chapter (and kept jumping to happier scenes in the next chapters) so some parts are a bit rushed; will probably come to polish later.