[fic] Best Worst Advice
Title: Best Worst Advice
Author: fencer_x
Pairing: Tsujimoto Yuuki/Takasaki Shouta, hints of Tuti/Nagayan
Rating: PG
Summary: Just a ficlet touching on whatever Shouta and Nagayan may or may not have spoken about when Shouta went to see his play, with a little bit of T2 fun at the end :D
"Oh--Takasaki-kun! You made it!" Takashi was already fiddling with the buttons to his shirt, preparing to strip it off in favor of a more comfortable t-shirt, barely five minutes after curtain. He glanced around, seemingly searching for any others Shouta had brought along with him. "Where's whatshisface--Oishi-kun?"
"Ah--Tsuji-kun had to pass tonight. We all got back from Sendai earlier today, I guess he was tired. I'm headed back with another friend I met up with here instead."
Takashi slipped into his chair at his station, haphazardly tossing his shirt into a corner. "They just say that to annoy us with their anti-social behaviors, you know."
Shouta's brows furrowed. "'They'?"
Takashi ignored him, though, smiling into the mirror, reaching for his makeup remover. "So--what'd you think?"
Shouta flushed with excitement, stepping further into the room and feeling his pulse start to race. "It was amazing. I laughed, I cried--I think it was probably a good idea I wasn't with anyone; they'd definitely have made fun of me."
"Well that's the idea!" Takashi crowed proudly, then hastily corrected, "--to make people experience a range of emotions, I mean. Not to embarrass you."
Giggling, Shouta added, "I really really enjoyed it, though. Thanks. For inviting me."
Takashi's smile widened in the mirror as he wiped his face down with a wet pad, the heavy stage makeup peeling away under his ministrations. "It was hectic at Rock'n Jam; we didn't get to talk much."
Bemusement obvious in his expression, Shouta frowned quizzically. "Did you...want to talk more?"
Takashi shrugged. "Sure, why not? Tuti gets to hang around with--Tsuji-kun, was it?" Shouta nodded in the affirmative, not bothering to correct his senpai. "I like hearing how the new casts take to each other and their roles." He tossed the used pad into a bag filled with other burnables. "You've been at it a year now, yeah?"
A nod. "Close to a year and a half--auditions were April of last year."
Takashi smiled and shook his head. "Man, auditions. I remember my audition. It was your first role, right?" Another nod. "Mine, too. But you clicked right away, huh?"
Shouta grinned broadly. "Yeah--our numbers were really close, so we got to sit by each other in the waiting room; it's always better passing the time talking with someone than to let the nerves get to you during the waiting, right?"
"Definitely right--lucky for you the roles you landed definitely call for..." He glanced up in the mirror, wiggling his eyebrows up and down, "--well, you know."
Shouta colored a bit at this, laughing nervously and uncrossing his legs. "Yeah but...I dunno, it's fun I guess. We don't have to try too hard, at least."
If Takashi noticed that the conversation was making Shouta uncomfortable, he ignored it like a pro, refocusing on his post-curtain ministrations. "Sounds like you've got a good relationship then! I'm hoping you at least don't have to drag your Oishi home after he gets too drunk to figure out the right ticket fare at the station."
"Sounds like first cast had some wild parties."
Takashi locked eyes with him in the mirror, smiling secretly. "We still have wild parties. Just 'cause we're not in TeniMyu anymore doesn't mean we aren't just as close, if not closer." He shrugged. "It's almost easier, being able to hang out because you want to, and not because you feel obligated to try and be closer."
Shouta flushed, embarrassed. "Oh--geez, sorry. I didn't mean to imply you weren't--"
"Oh--no no! I meant--" There was a knock at the door, and both men whirled around. Shouta recognized Moriyama-san--another TeniMyu alumni--from his and Tsuji-kun's countless viewings of their senpai's material. "Gimme ten minutes--if everyone's ready, you can go on ahead. Tamacchi will give me a lift, I'm sure." The man nodded and moved to duck back into the corridor, when Takashi stopped him. "Hey--did Tuti say--?"
Moriyama-san rolled his eyes, lounging against the doorjamb and ignoring Shouta (if he'd even realized he was there). "You talk to him more than I do--if he shows up, he shows up. Dunno why you want him making an ass of himself at an uchiage for a show he hasn't even come to see yet."
"It's opening night. He's still got time," Takashi sniffed, turning back to straightening his station. "Daiki-chan promised he'd get on his case."
"Yeah well, some things even Leader can't handle." He gestured towards Takashi. "I'd think you would be the one to have more pull over that guy anyways."
"Well you've known him longer."
"Well you're the one who's sleeping--" He caught Shouta's eye in the mirror, and cleared his throat. "I'll let you know if he calls." And with that, he slipped back into the hallway, leaving the two alone again.
Takashi coughed into his hand, giving a sniff, and pushed himself up, busying himself with his bag. "Still got more shows left?"
Shouta snapped back to the conversation. "Yeah...we have Fukuoka in a few days, and then back to Tokyo for the Return shows. Another couple of weeks, then we get a break."
"Mmm, maybe I'll catch one of the Tokyo shows then--Ueshima-sensei was bugging me and Kime about it back during Rock'n Jam, after all..." He glanced over at Shouta. "That is, if it's okay...?"
"Eh--wow, definitely! Sure!"
"I've got rehearsals for my next show then, but it's still another month until that show opens--I'll drag along Tuti and Eiji-san, too, and maybe Kime if I can catch him. We'll have a big first cast reunion."
Shouta flushed with excitement. "That's--wow, everyone would be psyched if you all came! I'd definitely love to hear--oh yeah! We do some of your songs!" Shouta was all over the place, and hoped Takashi could keep up.
"'Our songs'?"
"Umm yeah from--" He paused in thought, wracking his brain for a moment and feeling like he was taking an oral exam he hadn't studied for. "One of the ones from St. Rudolph--" He hummed a few bars, and Takashi clapped in recognition. "It'd probably be ten times the pressure doing it knowing you and Tsuchiya-san were in the audience, but...it'd totally be worth it."
Takashi leaned forward to sling his bag over his shoulder, grinning widely. "Then we're as good as there." He jerked his head towards the door. I've gotta go, or my manager will be on my case about taking too long--not to mention you just heard Eiji-san mention the uchiage--" He paused and gestured towards the absent cast members. "You don't wanna come, do you? It'll be loud and smoky, I'm sure, but--"
"Oh--oh no, I couldn't!" He waved his hands like a chicken, frantic to turn down the offer as politely as possible. "I mean--I'd love to talk to you more, but I couldn't possible--and I've got, I'm supposed to--plans. I'm meeting up with a friend after this, and he's probably waiting for me, so--"
"Geez, calm down, calm down," Takashi laughed, jerking his head for Shouta to follow. "I get it--but if we go see your show, I'm warning you now, we're inviting ourselves along to your uchiage."
Shouta smiled, unsure of whether or not this was a promise or a threat. "I'll...be sure to warn everyone." Takashi's grin widened at this response, assuring Shouta that this had been the perfect reply.
The silver bell over the shop's front door tinkled softly, and Tsujimoto looked up from his cellphone, catching sight of Shouta surveying the dining area looking for him. He held up a hand, beckoning him closer, and was greeted with an excited smile in return. Clapping the screen shut again on his phone, Tsujimoto straightened up in his chair as Shouta grabbed the seat across from him, an apology already on his lips for being late.
"Sorry--I got a little distracted cleaning up. Thought I had more time before I needed to head out than I did."
Tsujimoto's brows lifted in amusement. "Oh? I thought maybe you were still hanging out with Nagayama-san and just forgot about me~"
Shouta just rolled his eyes and jutted out his bottom lip. "Idiot, that was yesterday. And anyways, it was a good show, you should've come."
Lifting his cup of tea to take a sip, Tsujimoto calmly responded, "Some of us wanted to rest after spending a week in Sendai, you know."
Crossing his arms and leaning forward, Shouta shrugged. "Well, your loss, then. I got to talk to Nagayama-san and you didn't."
"Mmm, you've been spending quite a bit of time chatting up Nagayama-san lately. Should I be jealous?"
Lips curling upwards, Shouta giggled in a manner most normal boys his age would have found highly embarrassing. "Gimme a break. It's just advice from a senpai." His cheeks were a bit flushed, and he looked away, ostensibly focusing on the display case by the register, stocked with sandwiches and slices of cakes. "I'm hungry..."
"Well that's what we came here for, isn't it?" Tsujimoto jerked his head towards the case. "Go get something--and ooh, here--" He reached into his bag at his side, fishing out his wallet. "Get me some pound cake, with the frosting on it."
Shouta dutifully snatched up the thousand-yen note and made his way over to the case, pointing out his order to the employee behind the counter.
Watching him from their table, Tsujimoto had to admit it was a little mind-boggling how well Shouta and Nagayama-san had taken to each other. After only a few minutes' chatting at Dai-chan's show the previous week, and then what couldn't have been very long backstage at the show the previous evening, it was surprising to say the least.
He knew enough of Tsuchiya-san's demeanor to guess the sort of people the man associated with--in all manners of speaking--and he supposed if Nagayama-san was someone Tsuchiya-san respected, then his influence couldn't be all that bad, right? Then again, he had heard rumors that the man was a kind of trickster demon backstage, pulling pranks like he was half the age he actually was, and at this remembrance, Tsujimoto's heart skipped a beat. He definitely didn't want that sort of influence tainting their Seigaku experience.
Shouta jogged back over, tray balanced precariously with one hand, while with the other he held out Tsujimoto's change, jangling it to get his attention. "Change."
Jerked back to reality, Tsujimoto forced a smile and reached out to pocket the cash. "Thanks." Shouta set the two plates down before them--he'd gotten what looked like cheesecake with some red fruit topping, probably raspberry--then passed off the empty tray to a passing waitress before sitting himself back down again, fork in hand. Catching sight of Tsujimoto's expression, he frowned. "Tsuji-kun? Something wrong?" He glanced down nervously at the poundcake. "Did I get the wrong cake?"
"Ah--no, no." He waved off his friend's concern easily, pulling the plate towards himself and readying his own fork. "Perfect." He took a bite of the cake for show, and this appeared to placate Shouta. "It's been a while since we've gotten to hang out like this, just the two of us."
Shouta smiled, close-mouthed as he chewed a piece of his dessert, swallowing hard. "I felt bad not inviting Baba-chan at first, but..."
"Yeah--better this way, huh?"
"Yup!" He sucked on his spoon thoughtfully, before speaking around it with some difficulty. "You're not...really jealous...right?"
"Wha--no, no way, geez. Give me some credit." Tsujimoto reached forward to thunk the other boy soundly in the middle of the forehead. "Just trying to figure out whether or not to be frightened you're spending all this time around someone even Tsuchiya-san bends over backwards for..."
Shouta snorted, then shrugged. "It's a few minutes backstage is all, Tsuji-kun. I'm not about to start...I dunno, hiding your makeup kit in the bathroom ten minutes before curtain."
"I would hope not!"
"Or moving your change of clothes under the stage with a mysterious note saying I've taken them for ransom."
"...He never did that...did he?"
"And I'd definitely never ever replace your hair gel with liquid soap." He pursed his lips thoughtfully, taking a sip from his orange juice. "So no need to worry."
"...You definitely need to not spend any more time around Nagayama-san."
Shouta smiled innocently. "Nagayama-san says if you really want to solidify your partnership, you have to go through trials and tribulations together. And if there aren't any of those to go through, you have to...improvise."
"I don't think we're in any danger of our partnership falling apart."
Shouta shook one finger, bringing another piece of cheesecake to his mouth with his free hand. "Can't think like that, Tsuji-kun. Just think about how much better our partnership will be after I've, say, had Lati leave you a 'present' in your shoe next time you spend the night at my place."
"I'm really skeptical that that'll do anything to strengthen our friendship."
"You're just not looking at the big picture," Shouta sniffed superiorly, finishing off his cheesecake with a satisfied smacking of his lips.
Tsujimoto just smiled and shook his head, seeing his chances of winning this argument flying out the window. "So, our one free day in Tokyo before we head down to Fukuoka...got anything planned?"
Shouta waxed thoughtful, sipping on his juice. "Weeellll, since it was my birthday the other day...I kinda wanna test out my present."
"...What, you wanna christen your Kikumaru mug or something?"
Shouta rolled his eyes, not appreciating Tsujimoto's brand of humor at the moment. "Darts, idiot. There's a darts bar in Takadanobaba a friend mentioned the other day. Sounds pretty hole-in-the-wall, so...should be pretty private, I think."
"Mmm, yeah," Tsujimoto nodded, sipping his drink. "Perfect for you embarrassing yourself in front of me with your horrible throwing skills."
"Oi, I'm not that bad. And like you have room to talk!"
"I'm better than you. That's good enough for me."
Shouta pouted and slipped down a little further in his seat, bringing his fork to his lips to suck off the remnants of the fruity sauce still on his plate. "I'm definitely considering Nagayama-san's advice now."
The superior smile fell from Tsujimoto's face, replaced by a flash of panic. "O--okay, geez. I hope he didn't teach you that acting like a brat will get you what you want."
Shouta sat back up, crossing his arms. "Nope, learned that one on my own!"
Tsujimoto just rolled his eyes and pushed himself up, pulling on is jacket. "Well I'm done--you?" A nod. "It'd probably be quickest to catch the Tozai a few blocks down. You okay walking?"
"Sure--feels good outside." Shouta gave his fork a final cursory lick, then stacked his plate on top of Tsujimoto's, carrying them over to the garbage area. When he turned back, Tsujimoto was holding out his bag for him, which he quickly slipped on over his pullover. "Thanks~" Tsujimoto just smiled and shook his head, then headed for the door. Shouta trailed after him, bemused. "What?"
"Nothing."
They passed under the tinkling bell again and out into the surprisingly empty streets of late evening Tokyo. "What?" Shouta pressed, reaching forward to grab at the fabric of Tsujimoto's jacket and yanking him backwards until they were pressed against one another and nearly tripping over each other's feet. "I'm gonna keep bugging you until you talk to me."
Tsujimoto just shrugged. "Really it's nothing. I just...thought Shouta was cute back there."
Shouta blinked, then snorted. "Eeh?"
Tsujimoto kept his head held high, plodding forward. "Seriously."
"...Tsuji-kun's weird," Shouta grumbled good-naturedly, but tightened his grip on Tsujimoto's jacket, stealthily slipping his arm underneath Tsujimoto's to link them and pursing his lips to keep from smiling. "But you're cute when you're weird, so it's okay."
Author: fencer_x
Pairing: Tsujimoto Yuuki/Takasaki Shouta, hints of Tuti/Nagayan
Rating: PG
Summary: Just a ficlet touching on whatever Shouta and Nagayan may or may not have spoken about when Shouta went to see his play, with a little bit of T2 fun at the end :D
"Oh--Takasaki-kun! You made it!" Takashi was already fiddling with the buttons to his shirt, preparing to strip it off in favor of a more comfortable t-shirt, barely five minutes after curtain. He glanced around, seemingly searching for any others Shouta had brought along with him. "Where's whatshisface--Oishi-kun?"
"Ah--Tsuji-kun had to pass tonight. We all got back from Sendai earlier today, I guess he was tired. I'm headed back with another friend I met up with here instead."
Takashi slipped into his chair at his station, haphazardly tossing his shirt into a corner. "They just say that to annoy us with their anti-social behaviors, you know."
Shouta's brows furrowed. "'They'?"
Takashi ignored him, though, smiling into the mirror, reaching for his makeup remover. "So--what'd you think?"
Shouta flushed with excitement, stepping further into the room and feeling his pulse start to race. "It was amazing. I laughed, I cried--I think it was probably a good idea I wasn't with anyone; they'd definitely have made fun of me."
"Well that's the idea!" Takashi crowed proudly, then hastily corrected, "--to make people experience a range of emotions, I mean. Not to embarrass you."
Giggling, Shouta added, "I really really enjoyed it, though. Thanks. For inviting me."
Takashi's smile widened in the mirror as he wiped his face down with a wet pad, the heavy stage makeup peeling away under his ministrations. "It was hectic at Rock'n Jam; we didn't get to talk much."
Bemusement obvious in his expression, Shouta frowned quizzically. "Did you...want to talk more?"
Takashi shrugged. "Sure, why not? Tuti gets to hang around with--Tsuji-kun, was it?" Shouta nodded in the affirmative, not bothering to correct his senpai. "I like hearing how the new casts take to each other and their roles." He tossed the used pad into a bag filled with other burnables. "You've been at it a year now, yeah?"
A nod. "Close to a year and a half--auditions were April of last year."
Takashi smiled and shook his head. "Man, auditions. I remember my audition. It was your first role, right?" Another nod. "Mine, too. But you clicked right away, huh?"
Shouta grinned broadly. "Yeah--our numbers were really close, so we got to sit by each other in the waiting room; it's always better passing the time talking with someone than to let the nerves get to you during the waiting, right?"
"Definitely right--lucky for you the roles you landed definitely call for..." He glanced up in the mirror, wiggling his eyebrows up and down, "--well, you know."
Shouta colored a bit at this, laughing nervously and uncrossing his legs. "Yeah but...I dunno, it's fun I guess. We don't have to try too hard, at least."
If Takashi noticed that the conversation was making Shouta uncomfortable, he ignored it like a pro, refocusing on his post-curtain ministrations. "Sounds like you've got a good relationship then! I'm hoping you at least don't have to drag your Oishi home after he gets too drunk to figure out the right ticket fare at the station."
"Sounds like first cast had some wild parties."
Takashi locked eyes with him in the mirror, smiling secretly. "We still have wild parties. Just 'cause we're not in TeniMyu anymore doesn't mean we aren't just as close, if not closer." He shrugged. "It's almost easier, being able to hang out because you want to, and not because you feel obligated to try and be closer."
Shouta flushed, embarrassed. "Oh--geez, sorry. I didn't mean to imply you weren't--"
"Oh--no no! I meant--" There was a knock at the door, and both men whirled around. Shouta recognized Moriyama-san--another TeniMyu alumni--from his and Tsuji-kun's countless viewings of their senpai's material. "Gimme ten minutes--if everyone's ready, you can go on ahead. Tamacchi will give me a lift, I'm sure." The man nodded and moved to duck back into the corridor, when Takashi stopped him. "Hey--did Tuti say--?"
Moriyama-san rolled his eyes, lounging against the doorjamb and ignoring Shouta (if he'd even realized he was there). "You talk to him more than I do--if he shows up, he shows up. Dunno why you want him making an ass of himself at an uchiage for a show he hasn't even come to see yet."
"It's opening night. He's still got time," Takashi sniffed, turning back to straightening his station. "Daiki-chan promised he'd get on his case."
"Yeah well, some things even Leader can't handle." He gestured towards Takashi. "I'd think you would be the one to have more pull over that guy anyways."
"Well you've known him longer."
"Well you're the one who's sleeping--" He caught Shouta's eye in the mirror, and cleared his throat. "I'll let you know if he calls." And with that, he slipped back into the hallway, leaving the two alone again.
Takashi coughed into his hand, giving a sniff, and pushed himself up, busying himself with his bag. "Still got more shows left?"
Shouta snapped back to the conversation. "Yeah...we have Fukuoka in a few days, and then back to Tokyo for the Return shows. Another couple of weeks, then we get a break."
"Mmm, maybe I'll catch one of the Tokyo shows then--Ueshima-sensei was bugging me and Kime about it back during Rock'n Jam, after all..." He glanced over at Shouta. "That is, if it's okay...?"
"Eh--wow, definitely! Sure!"
"I've got rehearsals for my next show then, but it's still another month until that show opens--I'll drag along Tuti and Eiji-san, too, and maybe Kime if I can catch him. We'll have a big first cast reunion."
Shouta flushed with excitement. "That's--wow, everyone would be psyched if you all came! I'd definitely love to hear--oh yeah! We do some of your songs!" Shouta was all over the place, and hoped Takashi could keep up.
"'Our songs'?"
"Umm yeah from--" He paused in thought, wracking his brain for a moment and feeling like he was taking an oral exam he hadn't studied for. "One of the ones from St. Rudolph--" He hummed a few bars, and Takashi clapped in recognition. "It'd probably be ten times the pressure doing it knowing you and Tsuchiya-san were in the audience, but...it'd totally be worth it."
Takashi leaned forward to sling his bag over his shoulder, grinning widely. "Then we're as good as there." He jerked his head towards the door. I've gotta go, or my manager will be on my case about taking too long--not to mention you just heard Eiji-san mention the uchiage--" He paused and gestured towards the absent cast members. "You don't wanna come, do you? It'll be loud and smoky, I'm sure, but--"
"Oh--oh no, I couldn't!" He waved his hands like a chicken, frantic to turn down the offer as politely as possible. "I mean--I'd love to talk to you more, but I couldn't possible--and I've got, I'm supposed to--plans. I'm meeting up with a friend after this, and he's probably waiting for me, so--"
"Geez, calm down, calm down," Takashi laughed, jerking his head for Shouta to follow. "I get it--but if we go see your show, I'm warning you now, we're inviting ourselves along to your uchiage."
Shouta smiled, unsure of whether or not this was a promise or a threat. "I'll...be sure to warn everyone." Takashi's grin widened at this response, assuring Shouta that this had been the perfect reply.
The silver bell over the shop's front door tinkled softly, and Tsujimoto looked up from his cellphone, catching sight of Shouta surveying the dining area looking for him. He held up a hand, beckoning him closer, and was greeted with an excited smile in return. Clapping the screen shut again on his phone, Tsujimoto straightened up in his chair as Shouta grabbed the seat across from him, an apology already on his lips for being late.
"Sorry--I got a little distracted cleaning up. Thought I had more time before I needed to head out than I did."
Tsujimoto's brows lifted in amusement. "Oh? I thought maybe you were still hanging out with Nagayama-san and just forgot about me~"
Shouta just rolled his eyes and jutted out his bottom lip. "Idiot, that was yesterday. And anyways, it was a good show, you should've come."
Lifting his cup of tea to take a sip, Tsujimoto calmly responded, "Some of us wanted to rest after spending a week in Sendai, you know."
Crossing his arms and leaning forward, Shouta shrugged. "Well, your loss, then. I got to talk to Nagayama-san and you didn't."
"Mmm, you've been spending quite a bit of time chatting up Nagayama-san lately. Should I be jealous?"
Lips curling upwards, Shouta giggled in a manner most normal boys his age would have found highly embarrassing. "Gimme a break. It's just advice from a senpai." His cheeks were a bit flushed, and he looked away, ostensibly focusing on the display case by the register, stocked with sandwiches and slices of cakes. "I'm hungry..."
"Well that's what we came here for, isn't it?" Tsujimoto jerked his head towards the case. "Go get something--and ooh, here--" He reached into his bag at his side, fishing out his wallet. "Get me some pound cake, with the frosting on it."
Shouta dutifully snatched up the thousand-yen note and made his way over to the case, pointing out his order to the employee behind the counter.
Watching him from their table, Tsujimoto had to admit it was a little mind-boggling how well Shouta and Nagayama-san had taken to each other. After only a few minutes' chatting at Dai-chan's show the previous week, and then what couldn't have been very long backstage at the show the previous evening, it was surprising to say the least.
He knew enough of Tsuchiya-san's demeanor to guess the sort of people the man associated with--in all manners of speaking--and he supposed if Nagayama-san was someone Tsuchiya-san respected, then his influence couldn't be all that bad, right? Then again, he had heard rumors that the man was a kind of trickster demon backstage, pulling pranks like he was half the age he actually was, and at this remembrance, Tsujimoto's heart skipped a beat. He definitely didn't want that sort of influence tainting their Seigaku experience.
Shouta jogged back over, tray balanced precariously with one hand, while with the other he held out Tsujimoto's change, jangling it to get his attention. "Change."
Jerked back to reality, Tsujimoto forced a smile and reached out to pocket the cash. "Thanks." Shouta set the two plates down before them--he'd gotten what looked like cheesecake with some red fruit topping, probably raspberry--then passed off the empty tray to a passing waitress before sitting himself back down again, fork in hand. Catching sight of Tsujimoto's expression, he frowned. "Tsuji-kun? Something wrong?" He glanced down nervously at the poundcake. "Did I get the wrong cake?"
"Ah--no, no." He waved off his friend's concern easily, pulling the plate towards himself and readying his own fork. "Perfect." He took a bite of the cake for show, and this appeared to placate Shouta. "It's been a while since we've gotten to hang out like this, just the two of us."
Shouta smiled, close-mouthed as he chewed a piece of his dessert, swallowing hard. "I felt bad not inviting Baba-chan at first, but..."
"Yeah--better this way, huh?"
"Yup!" He sucked on his spoon thoughtfully, before speaking around it with some difficulty. "You're not...really jealous...right?"
"Wha--no, no way, geez. Give me some credit." Tsujimoto reached forward to thunk the other boy soundly in the middle of the forehead. "Just trying to figure out whether or not to be frightened you're spending all this time around someone even Tsuchiya-san bends over backwards for..."
Shouta snorted, then shrugged. "It's a few minutes backstage is all, Tsuji-kun. I'm not about to start...I dunno, hiding your makeup kit in the bathroom ten minutes before curtain."
"I would hope not!"
"Or moving your change of clothes under the stage with a mysterious note saying I've taken them for ransom."
"...He never did that...did he?"
"And I'd definitely never ever replace your hair gel with liquid soap." He pursed his lips thoughtfully, taking a sip from his orange juice. "So no need to worry."
"...You definitely need to not spend any more time around Nagayama-san."
Shouta smiled innocently. "Nagayama-san says if you really want to solidify your partnership, you have to go through trials and tribulations together. And if there aren't any of those to go through, you have to...improvise."
"I don't think we're in any danger of our partnership falling apart."
Shouta shook one finger, bringing another piece of cheesecake to his mouth with his free hand. "Can't think like that, Tsuji-kun. Just think about how much better our partnership will be after I've, say, had Lati leave you a 'present' in your shoe next time you spend the night at my place."
"I'm really skeptical that that'll do anything to strengthen our friendship."
"You're just not looking at the big picture," Shouta sniffed superiorly, finishing off his cheesecake with a satisfied smacking of his lips.
Tsujimoto just smiled and shook his head, seeing his chances of winning this argument flying out the window. "So, our one free day in Tokyo before we head down to Fukuoka...got anything planned?"
Shouta waxed thoughtful, sipping on his juice. "Weeellll, since it was my birthday the other day...I kinda wanna test out my present."
"...What, you wanna christen your Kikumaru mug or something?"
Shouta rolled his eyes, not appreciating Tsujimoto's brand of humor at the moment. "Darts, idiot. There's a darts bar in Takadanobaba a friend mentioned the other day. Sounds pretty hole-in-the-wall, so...should be pretty private, I think."
"Mmm, yeah," Tsujimoto nodded, sipping his drink. "Perfect for you embarrassing yourself in front of me with your horrible throwing skills."
"Oi, I'm not that bad. And like you have room to talk!"
"I'm better than you. That's good enough for me."
Shouta pouted and slipped down a little further in his seat, bringing his fork to his lips to suck off the remnants of the fruity sauce still on his plate. "I'm definitely considering Nagayama-san's advice now."
The superior smile fell from Tsujimoto's face, replaced by a flash of panic. "O--okay, geez. I hope he didn't teach you that acting like a brat will get you what you want."
Shouta sat back up, crossing his arms. "Nope, learned that one on my own!"
Tsujimoto just rolled his eyes and pushed himself up, pulling on is jacket. "Well I'm done--you?" A nod. "It'd probably be quickest to catch the Tozai a few blocks down. You okay walking?"
"Sure--feels good outside." Shouta gave his fork a final cursory lick, then stacked his plate on top of Tsujimoto's, carrying them over to the garbage area. When he turned back, Tsujimoto was holding out his bag for him, which he quickly slipped on over his pullover. "Thanks~" Tsujimoto just smiled and shook his head, then headed for the door. Shouta trailed after him, bemused. "What?"
"Nothing."
They passed under the tinkling bell again and out into the surprisingly empty streets of late evening Tokyo. "What?" Shouta pressed, reaching forward to grab at the fabric of Tsujimoto's jacket and yanking him backwards until they were pressed against one another and nearly tripping over each other's feet. "I'm gonna keep bugging you until you talk to me."
Tsujimoto just shrugged. "Really it's nothing. I just...thought Shouta was cute back there."
Shouta blinked, then snorted. "Eeh?"
Tsujimoto kept his head held high, plodding forward. "Seriously."
"...Tsuji-kun's weird," Shouta grumbled good-naturedly, but tightened his grip on Tsujimoto's jacket, stealthily slipping his arm underneath Tsujimoto's to link them and pursing his lips to keep from smiling. "But you're cute when you're weird, so it's okay."