In Another World - Part Three
Title: In Another World
Author: shatteredtenshi and kira_shadow
Rating: PG-13
Genre: AU, General for now (?), slight Romance maybe
Fandom: JE
Pairing: Kitayama Hiromitsu x Fujigaya Taisuke
Warnings: Unbeta-ed...RP-style collab...hopefully it's not really chessy?
Notes: Yet another collaboration!!! AU this time...so it might be interesting? Multi-chaptered!
Summary: In a world where Fujigaya Taisuke and Kitayama Hiromitsu didn't meet through being in Johnny's Jimusho together...
Part One | Part Two
In Another World
By Shattered Tenshi and Kira Shadow
Part Three
Hiro walked down to the door after he'd gotten his stuff and changed into street clothes. He felt really happy about the fact that Taisuke wanted to come with him.
"E-eh?" Taisuke blinked and watched Nikaido walk away. What...did the other mean? He stood there and stared off to somewhere, trying to decipher what the other meant, before he suddenly remembered what he was supposed to be doing.
Letting out a small yelp, Taisuke quickly finished packing his things and ran towards to the door, looking for Kitayama.
Coming from the opposite direction, Hiro almost bumped into the other. "The car is already here...I thought I could introduce you to our manager but she isn't here...I guess she'll be over at the studio already~"
Taisuke just tilted his head and smiled. "Un, I guess I'll meet her later then ne?" He shifted the bag on his shoulder and motioned at Kitayama to lead the way.
"Yeah. She's really nice. I think you'll get along well. Her name is Eri...or well, Ellie...she's a half~" Hiro told the other while he led the way over to the waiting car. He told the driver that he'd be bringing Taisuke and then they got in.
"This is our usual driver, Yanagi-san."
"Doumo..." Taisuke bowed his head and gave the man a small smile as he settled in his seat, pulling the seatbelt across. "And a half?" He cocked his head to one side in interest. "I only know one half person who's part of our dance school..."
"Half American...as...well, 'usual' you could say..." Hiro replied and took the seat next to the other. "She's a good manager."
Nodding his head, Taisuke smiled. "Sou ka...well, I look forward to meeting her then~" She might become his manager as well someday, and the thought of that made him happy. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to work with the group.
More out of habit and because he hadn't gotten too much sleep the previous night, Hiro started to nod off, his head dropping onto Taisuke's shoulder as he did.
Taisuke blushed lightly when he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. He glanced over at Kitayama and subconsciously shifted slightly so the other could lean against him more comfortably. He studied the other's sleeping face and felt flustered when his mind started to ramble on about how good-looking Kitayama was.
Hiro unconsciously snuggled a little closer, sighing happily while he was sleeping. It took them about 40 minutes to get to the studio so he had taken a pretty good nap. When he woke up again and realized what he'd done he blushed a bit. "Ah, I'm sorry..."
Taisuke's face pretty much remained red, or at least pink the whole trip, especially when Kitayama shifted closer towards him. When the other woke up, he stuttered, "O-oh...it's...f-fine..." He lowered his gaze and fumbled with his seat belt. "Let's go in then..." he mumbled.
"Hai..." Thanking the driver, Hiro got out and then led the way for Taisuke to the studio. He got a visitor's pass for Taisuke and then continued in. "It's the final rehearsal for a segment for a variety show that's going to be filmed tomorrow...we're doing a little parody of the drama I'm in at the moment..." he explained to the other as they walked down the corridor.
"Mh...sou desu ka..." Taisuke nodded his head and hung the visitor's pass around his neck so that it was visible. "That sounds interesting..." he said with a small grin. "I've watched that drama ne..."
"Eh? You did?" Hiro blinked. "How are you liking it so far? I watch it too...since...well, I don't appear that much so it's fun to see what else happened~"
Nodding his head, Taisuke smiled brightly. "It's an interesting drama ne~ I enjoy watching it..." Though he must admit, even though Kitayama doesn't appear much, whenever he does, his attention always gets taken away by the other.
"Arigatou~ You can give the rest of the cast your regards, too, ne~" Hiro smiled and then pushed another door open.
"Kitayama-kun! There you are~! Oh you brought a friend?" a woman in her late twenties walked over to them.
Hiro nodded and introduced Taisuke, "Ellie, this is a friend of mine, Fujigaya Taisuke. Morizane-sensei says he will be our eighth man~ and the rest of us agrees. Taisuke, this is Ellie, our manager..."
"Hajimemashite..." Taisuke smiled at the woman and bowed. He felt a bit flustered when the woman sent a really bright smile his way.
"Your eighth man? Really?" Ellie beamed. "That's great to know. You here to visit then? Watch Kitayama-kun during his rehearsal?"
Taisuke turned a shade of red and nodded his head shyly. "Hai..."
"That's excellent! One of the extras is missing...could you replace him maybe? Do you have time tomorrow afternoon for the recording?" Ellie asked Taisuke, while Hiro was ushered over to the make-up chair.
"E-eh?" Taisuke blinked his eyes in surprise. "I...me? Extra? R-recording?" That was certainly not what he had expected when he told Kitayama he could come as well.
Ellie patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. It's not a big role at all. So, do you have time then?"
"I..." Taisuke thought about his plans for tomorrow. He had planned to practice for the Enbujou, but that was more on his own, so technically he did have time. "Y-yes..."
"Awesome! You know about the drama right? Well if you're a friend of Kitamitsu-chan you probably do...so you'll just be a visitor in the café where his character works. It's just sitting around so nothing big...you just get some screen-time because it's the table where Hiro leaves from right before walking over to the protagonist..." Ellie explained while she pushed Taisuke towards the other make-up chair. "Nice...I think you have the same height as the missing boy, too...how old are you, Fujigaya-kun?"
Hiro blinked, not having heard all of the conversation. He couldn't talk though since he was still in the middle of getting his make-up done.
Taisuke could only blink as Ellie kept on explaining and he was suddenly pushed down on to a chair. "T-twenty..." he blinked again and replied. Then suddenly, someone was starting to put make up on him and he could only sit there, trying his best not to move. Things sure happened quickly.
After Hiro had 'transformed' into his character - Funabiki Hidemasa - he walked into the studio and greeted his fellow actors and the show hosts. His eyes stayed on the door leading to the studio, waiting for Taisuke to enter.
He was now wearing a casual pullover and jeans with a half-apron tied around his waist with the fictional logo of the café printed on it.
Soon, Taisuke was walking into the studio as well, dressed in damage jeans and a hoodie, a cap pulled over his head. It was sort of part of his closet style as well, so at least he wasn't wearing something he wasn't comfortable in. He felt a bit flustered once again the moment he was actually in the studio. After all, these were people that he would see on the television screen, not face to face.
"There you are~" Hiro smiled and walked over to Taisuke to pull him forward to meet the other actors. He introduced everyone again and then the call for rehearsal to start came from the director.
Winking at Taisuke, Hiro whispered, "Calm down, ne, Okyaku-sama~"
Greeting all the people Kitayama introduced him too, Taisuke turned a light red at Kitayama's wink. "I...I'm calmed down," he protested lightly. "I'm fine..." He pouted slightly.
He took his seat and just played around with whatever was on the table as part of the set. There really wasn't much for him to do, and once the camera moves away from him, he can just watch Kitayama. He blushed at the thought.
"Yoi...START!"
Hiro walked over to Taisuke's table with his tablet. "Hai, omattaseshimashita. Milk Tea and Strawberry Shortcake. Please enjoy!" he smiled at Taisuke and put the items and recipe onto the table. Then he walked over to the table adjacent to Taisuke's and the skit continued.
"Okyaku-sam- ah~ Reika-chan! It's you again~ and with such an unhappy face, too..."
The story unfolded for a bit, mirroring the scene in the drama. Then it turned into a comedy skit, with the main actors, while Hiro was away. They were to play some sort of game but that would be a surprise during the actual show so the actors didn't know yet. Hiro did though since he'd be coming back out with the 'punishment game', the health drinks.
Then they went over the rest of the show, interviews and such how they would be done...and finally Hiro had a short stage-test for the song he'd be singing at the end when the credits were going to roll.
"Hai, otsukare! See you tomorrow for the actual recording!" the director ended the session and everyone bowed and clapped.
Hiro jogged back over to where Taisuke and Ellie were standing and waiting.
"Otsukare~" Taisuke said as Kitayama jogged back towards them. He wasn't sure what else to say since it was kind of weird to tell the other he looked cool on stage, right? He pulled the cap that was still on his head a little further down.
"Arigatou~" Hiro smiled and stretched. "Aah~ tsukareta..."
Ellie smiled, "Well, lucky you then that the photoshoot got moved before the recording tomorrow..."
"Eh? Ack...that means I have to run right out of uni to the photostudio?"
"Nah, bus is going to pick you up. Since it's not your fault the shoot got moved."
HIro sighed with relief, "Yokatta..." Then he turned to Taisuke. "That means we can go home now~"
"Un~" Taisuke nodded his head and smiled.
Ellie waved at them. "Well, won't bother you guys changing and all that then. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Fujigaya-kun, don't forget to come to the studio on time then~"
"Hai~" Taisuke waved back and bowed his head slightly. He turned back to Kitayama. "Mh...now we can go change and get the make-up off~"
"Hai~" Hiro nodded and they walked back. "Ne, want to go out for dinner together? Or do you have to go home?" There was nobody over at his place since his mother was working. They got money from his father as well - silence money...to avoid the scandals - but she still worked. And he also worked...so they rarely ever saw each other except maybe on weekends.
"Dinner?" Taisuke tilted his head as he took of the cap and ran his fingers through his hair. "That sounds good~ I'm free today~" Not to mention he felt just a bit of excitement when Kitayama proposed dinner to him. Certainly, he doesn't feel for the other that way, right? It was still a strange thought to him, somewhat.
"My treat then. Since you got stuck with me all day," Hiro grinned and changed out of the clothes, careful not to get any make up on them. When he looked over at Taisuke, he grinned. "Nice piercing~"
In the middle of pulling off his hoodie, Taisuke blinked when he heard Kitayama's voice. "Mh?" He pulled the hoodie off his head, though his arms were still in the sleeves. He tilted his head at Kitayama. "Pie- oh!" He blushed lightly. "Thank you..." He slipped out of the hoodie and grabbed his own clothes, feeling a bit flustered.
Hiro went about getting changed again, wondering how it would feel to let his tongue play with that pier-
Where the heck did -that- thought come from??
Once he was finished changing his clothes, Taisuke then wiped off all the make-up on his face. Even though he was used to having that on his face, he didn't like the feeling.
Soon, he was checking that he didn't forget anything. "I'm ready~" he sang.
Hiro threw the last cleaning pad into the rubbish bin as well. "Me too. Now...what do we feel like eating?"
"Mh..." Taisuke tilted his head in thought. "Nan deshou..." He pursed his lips. "How does...eto...ramen sound?" He grinned sheepishly. "I'm up for something simple today..."
"Simple is best?" Hiro smiled. "Okay, ramen it is then. I actually know a good restaurant that's right between our two train stops...so we can both get home comfortable after we've had dinner?"
Taisuke smiled and nodded his head. "Un, that sounds good~" Throwing his bag over his shoulder, he said, "Anytime then~"
Grabbing his own bag Hiro left the changing room with the other. After a few more 'Otsukare~'s they reached the nearby subway station. "Mh...I wonder if it'll be crowded at this time of the day...?" he looked at the time. "I'll call ahead and ask...if they're full I'll tell them to deliver it to my place and we can eat there, alright?"
Taisuke blinked for a second before nodding his head. "Un, ii yo~" It was just eating at the other's place! What was he thinking? He shook his head inwardly. He didn't have to feel nervous about that at all.
Hiro then did what he had suggested and called the ramen place. Just as he had thought the restaurant was full but the delivery would be there when they got to his apartment. "Alright...dinner at my place then. There's nobody home anyway...just the two of us."
Just...the two of them? Taisuke hit himself inwardly. There was no reason to feel nervous! They were friends. They were just friends, right? Even though Kitayama can make him feel flustered and speechless easily, it still doesn't mean anything.
"Alright~" Taisuke smiled at Kitayama.
The evening rushhour train was packed and Hiro shifted uncomfortably, trying to hide himself behind Taisuke.
He let out a sigh of relief when they arrived at their stop and he led the way to his apartment, unlocking the door and bidding Taisuke in. "Douzo. The kitchen and living room are right down the hall. My mother's room is on the left, the bathroom is on the right...My room is the door in the living room."
"Ojamashimasu..." Taisuke said as he slipped off his shoes and padded down towards the living room. The apartment was quiet, which just made the fact that they were alone in there even more obviously. He tried to calm himself once more and sat down on the couch slowly, leaving his bag on the floor beside the seat.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Hiro threw his bag into his room and put down his 'disguise' before padding back into the kitchen. "I can offer you water, tea or orange juice..." he opened the fridge. "Or kaa-chan's vegetable juice which is not really my favorite but that might just be because I hate the taste of celery in it..."
"Orange juice sounds good~" Taisuke called out. "That vegetable juice sounds kind of dangerous..." He didn't know what ingredients are included in it after all. He had some vegetables that he disliked a lot too. Feeling that he was acting too much like a girl, he tried to relax himself a bit more as he waited for Kitayama.
Seeing that it was still reasonably warm - the late summer and early autumn still brought mild temperatures with them after all - Hiro put some ice-cubes into their glasses before pouring the drinks. After that he went to get rid of his jacket as well, leaving him clad in a tank top. Opening the living room window a bit to let some fresh air into the apartment, he set the glasses down onto the living room table.
"Douzo~" he was about to settle down himself when the doorbell rang. "Oh~ look like dinner's already here~! Perfect timing~" he went to get the door.
A minute later the delivery boy set the steaming bowls of ramen and a small plate of gyoza onto the table and wished them a nice dinner. Leaving the recipe, Hiro told him to come back in about an hour to pick up the dishes and get the money.
"Well then..." he finally settled down on the other zabuton. "Help yourself~ Ittadakimasu!"
"T-thank you..." Taisuke tried his best not to stutter - though he failed - as Kitayama placed down the glasses, wearing a tank top. What was he thinking? It wasn't like he has never seen guys wearing tank tops before! He was being way too sensitive to things. Or maybe just to Kitayama. But still. Luckily, the doorbell rang then, so he was able to calm himself down once more. He quickly took a sip of the orange juice and sighed softly.
"Ahh...oishisou~" Taisuke sniffed the air slightly and smiled brightly. "Itadakimasu~" He settled down comfortably before starting to eat. "Un, umai~"
"Saa~" Hiro started a conversation sometime into their dinner. "What kind of dancing have you been doing? Any acrobatics and stuff...?" It wasn't just because he was curious for himself...but also because...he wanted to know for the group. Ellie and Sensei had asked him. Whether this was all just based on a first impression or if it was really serious business. Though their instructor had given his okay after the skating practice...
"And do you already know which role you are going to be taking in Enbujo? From what I saw you're the oldest member from your dance school...and there's mostly just girls coming from there...and the little ones are just to fill up the rows since some of the Juniors have to backdance for the senpai during the show period..."
"What kind of dancing?" Taisuke swallowed the mouthful of ramen before tilting his head in thought. "Mh...hip hop, and some sort of dancing that my instructor teaches that I can never put a proper name on...I wanted to try break-dancing, but I never got around to it...as for acrobatics...I can only do cartwheels and handsprings...nothing special there..."
He wrinkled his nose. "Role? I'm not too sure...the stuff we started to learn seem to be for either show time or just some random dance sequence that we need to know...I'm not sure how everything fits and all that, so I don't know if I actually have a role or anything..."
"Heeh~ well that sounds good enough~ And if you want to learn breakdancing I can teach you a little...Tsuka-chan might, too...he's the number 1 dance expert among the Juniors. And Senga-chan is actually pretty decent as well..." Hiro told the other and then wrinkled his nose a bit.
"Well okay...I've been in Enbujo last year, already so I just ask for roles...oh well, we'll see~" he smiled and then asked, "Practice starts next week, ne? The main rehearsal will be at the end of the month already...which leaves us with two weeks and a few days...it's...custom for Johnny-san to be there during the last rehearsal and the first show or last show...so you better show off~"
"Eh? Really? You can break-dance?" Taisuke's eyes brightened. "That's cool~ Mh...but I guess I should concentrate on other things for now. I'll ask for help about break-dancing later..."
Taisuke nodded his head and slurped up another mouthful of ramen. "Un...we'll see." He grinned at Kitayama. "I'll do my best~"
Scratching the back of his head Hiro laughed, "Well...not really that good but...a little? And...should you need anything, advice, help, anything...feel free to ask. The others won't mind either. I know they like you, too. Especially Nika-chan is usually a little picky about people, believe me."
He sipped up some of the soup. "I know you will~"
Taisuke blushed lightly. "I'll keep that in mind~"
Focusing on finishing their food, they were soon finished with their dinner as Taisuke chewed on his last gyouza. "Gochisousamadeshita~" he called out as he swallowed the food. "That was really good~"
"That really felt good...especially after the light lunch..." Hiro agreed and stood to take the bowls into the kitchen until they were picked up. When he came back, he asked, "Wanna watch some TV or talk or...?" Flopping down on the sofa, he looked at the other, inviting him over to sit.
Taisuke blinked for a second. He had half-expected to go home after dinner, but he supposed since he was already at Kitayama's apartment, just leaving after dinner would sound weird or something. He nodded his head and joined the other at the sofa. "Mh...well, it depends on what's on TV? If there's something interesting..." He stretched out his limbs and relaxed himself.
"I don't know...let's just zap?" Hiro switched the TV on. "I just need to let the food settle in my stomach before coming up with anything else?"
Giggling, Taisuke nodded his head. "Alright~ That sounds good..." He leaned back into the sofa as he watched the various shows that was showing on TV as Kitayama changed the channels. "Mh...nothing -too- interesting..."
"Nhh..." Hiro was already falling asleep again. A lack of sleep was definitely nothing good. Especially with him...
And well...Taisuke's shoulder looked so tempting and comfortable...so he let his head drop. "Chrr~"
Taisuke jumped slightly when a sudden weight was on his shoulder again. He glanced over slowly and found Kitayama falling asleep once again. He blinked a few times before letting himself relax and hoped that Kitayama felt comfortable. He found himself not really minding to be the other's pillow. His cheeks felt a bit warm when he managed to catch a whiff of a certain smell, most likely the other's scent.
This time without seatbelts holding restraining him, Hiro unconsciously snuggled a little closer to the other, getting more comfortable.
He was definitely getting warmer. Whether it was from Kitayama moving closer, or from his own blush, Taisuke wasn't sure. It really was getting comfortable though. His own eyes starting to droop, he wondered if the other would mind... His head fell on top of Kitayama's as he started to drift off as well, the sounds from the television starting to fade out.
Both boys were jerked out of their slumber by the sound of the doorbell half an hour later. "Ah, gomen! This is the second time today that I fell asleep on you..." Hiro apologized embarrassedly.
Blushing, Taisuke shook his head. "I-it's alright...I...I fell asleep on you too..." He looked down embarrassedly, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
"Sou..." Hiro wanted to continue but remembered the doorbell. Letting the delivery boy in, he went to fetch his wallet and paid the boy before returning to the living room. "...I should still make it up to you...it's rude to just...fall asleep on your guest?"
"Make up to me?" Taisuke tilted his head and blinked up at Kitayama, as he was still sitting on the sofa while the other was standing. "How?"
"Uhm...that depends on you...? How can I make it up to you~?" Hiro smiled and sat back down.
"Eh? Me?" Taisuke furrowed his eyebrows together. "I don't know..." he mumbled, as he tried to think of something. Not that he thought Kitayama sleeping on him was something that needed to be made up for.
"Anything...?" Hiro looked at the other. Then he grinned teasingly, "Maybe a kiss~?"
His eyes widening, Taisuke yelped and blinked at Kitayama as his cheeks started to turn a dark red. He remembered the kiss the other had left on his cheek some time ago and realized he didn't mind a repeat of that, though preferably somewhere else other than his cheek...
Taisuke tried to say something, but only managed to open and close his mouth a few times.
Giggling, Hiro waved his hand. "Gomen...I couldn't resist teasing you...you have such cute reactions..."
"O-oh..." Taisuke couldn't help but feel a slight sense of disappointment. Kitayama was just teasing him after all. And cute reactions? He blushed again and turned his head away.
"You're so cute...I really feel like kissing you after all~" Hiro laughed.
Taisuke was pretty sure his cheeks and ears were burning by now. "I don't mind..." he mumbled before his mind processed what he had said and could stop himself.
Hiro blinked.
Interesting...
He crawled over the other and looked into Taisuke's eyes. "Well then..." he whispered and then put his lips over the other's in a soft and very gentle kiss.
It was only when Kitayama crawled over and looked at him in the eyes that Taisuke realized what he had said. His eyes widened slightly and he was almost sure his blush couldn't get anymore darker. "I..." Before he could get any more words out, he felt lips pressing against his own.
Whimpering softly, Taisuke instinctively fluttered his eyes closed and hesitantly pressed back into the kiss.
Not having expected a reaction, Hiro just closed his eyes as well and went along, kissing Taisuke and...enjoying every second of doing it.
What was he doing? Taisuke wasn't quite sure. He was...kissing Kitayama...and enjoying it? At least, that's certainly what his racing heart was telling him. Does that mean...? Whimpering softly once again, he pulled back slightly and stared at Kitayama through his lashes. What was he doing?
Looking back, Hiro didn't know what to say. He'd really just meant that jokingly and now it had turned into this. It wasn't like he could deny the fact that he'd liked it either. Quite the contrary...it had felt really good....somehow...different than...with other people. Why?
Taisuke opened his mouth in an attempt to say something again, but found himself speechless once more. It wasn't like he could confess...wait, confess? Does that mean...he really did like Kitayama then? But Kitayama doesn't like him, right? It would be really awkward to say anything, knowing that they'll be working with each other for the next few weeks, or even longer. Would it be more awkward if he didn't say anything though?
Hiro didn't really know what to say either. The silence continued to spread between them. Inwardly, he beat himself up for not thinking about the consequences...
In the end, Taisuke decided that perhaps he shouldn't say anything. "I..." He pulled back even further and lowered his gaze, the blush finally fading from his face. "I...I guess I should go back home now..." he mumbled, getting up from the sofa.
"...gomen..." Hiro somehow thought that an apology would be appropriate here and then walked Taisuke to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow...?"
Seeing that he was still pretty tired Hiro took a bath and went straight to bed, groaning inwardly that he'd have to get up early for uni the next day. Luckily he had already finished everything he needed to do for that.
After uni the next day, he went to the photoshoot for a few drama promotion pages in the magazines again and then met up with the other 6 for their group shots. When he was done with that the driver dropped him off in front of the studio, where he already saw a familiar figure walking in. "Taisuke~"
Author's Note: Please don't mind the horribly awkward cut there. X3;; It's different from actually writing a fic, so sometimes the parts cut off in kind of a weird spot, though I try my best to make it sounds like a chapter ended or something like that. I fail at responding to comments as usual, but happy to know that everyone is enjoying the story. And look~ We have made some progress with the plot. X)
And and Taisuke's bellybutton ring. asfjhalsfasfalsa How could we not include that? XD ♥♥♥
The next two parts is definitely worth looking forward to...because I like them. X) Hehehe. X3 I believe they'll be interesting to read~
Anyways, consider this part a Christmas present na? ♥
Minna, MeriKuri~ ♥♥♥
Comments are love~
Part Four
Author: shatteredtenshi and kira_shadow
Rating: PG-13
Genre: AU, General for now (?), slight Romance maybe
Fandom: JE
Pairing: Kitayama Hiromitsu x Fujigaya Taisuke
Warnings: Unbeta-ed...RP-style collab...hopefully it's not really chessy?
Notes: Yet another collaboration!!! AU this time...so it might be interesting? Multi-chaptered!
Summary: In a world where Fujigaya Taisuke and Kitayama Hiromitsu didn't meet through being in Johnny's Jimusho together...
Part One | Part Two
In Another World
By Shattered Tenshi and Kira Shadow
Part Three
Hiro walked down to the door after he'd gotten his stuff and changed into street clothes. He felt really happy about the fact that Taisuke wanted to come with him.
"E-eh?" Taisuke blinked and watched Nikaido walk away. What...did the other mean? He stood there and stared off to somewhere, trying to decipher what the other meant, before he suddenly remembered what he was supposed to be doing.
Letting out a small yelp, Taisuke quickly finished packing his things and ran towards to the door, looking for Kitayama.
Coming from the opposite direction, Hiro almost bumped into the other. "The car is already here...I thought I could introduce you to our manager but she isn't here...I guess she'll be over at the studio already~"
Taisuke just tilted his head and smiled. "Un, I guess I'll meet her later then ne?" He shifted the bag on his shoulder and motioned at Kitayama to lead the way.
"Yeah. She's really nice. I think you'll get along well. Her name is Eri...or well, Ellie...she's a half~" Hiro told the other while he led the way over to the waiting car. He told the driver that he'd be bringing Taisuke and then they got in.
"This is our usual driver, Yanagi-san."
"Doumo..." Taisuke bowed his head and gave the man a small smile as he settled in his seat, pulling the seatbelt across. "And a half?" He cocked his head to one side in interest. "I only know one half person who's part of our dance school..."
"Half American...as...well, 'usual' you could say..." Hiro replied and took the seat next to the other. "She's a good manager."
Nodding his head, Taisuke smiled. "Sou ka...well, I look forward to meeting her then~" She might become his manager as well someday, and the thought of that made him happy. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to work with the group.
More out of habit and because he hadn't gotten too much sleep the previous night, Hiro started to nod off, his head dropping onto Taisuke's shoulder as he did.
Taisuke blushed lightly when he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. He glanced over at Kitayama and subconsciously shifted slightly so the other could lean against him more comfortably. He studied the other's sleeping face and felt flustered when his mind started to ramble on about how good-looking Kitayama was.
Hiro unconsciously snuggled a little closer, sighing happily while he was sleeping. It took them about 40 minutes to get to the studio so he had taken a pretty good nap. When he woke up again and realized what he'd done he blushed a bit. "Ah, I'm sorry..."
Taisuke's face pretty much remained red, or at least pink the whole trip, especially when Kitayama shifted closer towards him. When the other woke up, he stuttered, "O-oh...it's...f-fine..." He lowered his gaze and fumbled with his seat belt. "Let's go in then..." he mumbled.
"Hai..." Thanking the driver, Hiro got out and then led the way for Taisuke to the studio. He got a visitor's pass for Taisuke and then continued in. "It's the final rehearsal for a segment for a variety show that's going to be filmed tomorrow...we're doing a little parody of the drama I'm in at the moment..." he explained to the other as they walked down the corridor.
"Mh...sou desu ka..." Taisuke nodded his head and hung the visitor's pass around his neck so that it was visible. "That sounds interesting..." he said with a small grin. "I've watched that drama ne..."
"Eh? You did?" Hiro blinked. "How are you liking it so far? I watch it too...since...well, I don't appear that much so it's fun to see what else happened~"
Nodding his head, Taisuke smiled brightly. "It's an interesting drama ne~ I enjoy watching it..." Though he must admit, even though Kitayama doesn't appear much, whenever he does, his attention always gets taken away by the other.
"Arigatou~ You can give the rest of the cast your regards, too, ne~" Hiro smiled and then pushed another door open.
"Kitayama-kun! There you are~! Oh you brought a friend?" a woman in her late twenties walked over to them.
Hiro nodded and introduced Taisuke, "Ellie, this is a friend of mine, Fujigaya Taisuke. Morizane-sensei says he will be our eighth man~ and the rest of us agrees. Taisuke, this is Ellie, our manager..."
"Hajimemashite..." Taisuke smiled at the woman and bowed. He felt a bit flustered when the woman sent a really bright smile his way.
"Your eighth man? Really?" Ellie beamed. "That's great to know. You here to visit then? Watch Kitayama-kun during his rehearsal?"
Taisuke turned a shade of red and nodded his head shyly. "Hai..."
"That's excellent! One of the extras is missing...could you replace him maybe? Do you have time tomorrow afternoon for the recording?" Ellie asked Taisuke, while Hiro was ushered over to the make-up chair.
"E-eh?" Taisuke blinked his eyes in surprise. "I...me? Extra? R-recording?" That was certainly not what he had expected when he told Kitayama he could come as well.
Ellie patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. It's not a big role at all. So, do you have time then?"
"I..." Taisuke thought about his plans for tomorrow. He had planned to practice for the Enbujou, but that was more on his own, so technically he did have time. "Y-yes..."
"Awesome! You know about the drama right? Well if you're a friend of Kitamitsu-chan you probably do...so you'll just be a visitor in the café where his character works. It's just sitting around so nothing big...you just get some screen-time because it's the table where Hiro leaves from right before walking over to the protagonist..." Ellie explained while she pushed Taisuke towards the other make-up chair. "Nice...I think you have the same height as the missing boy, too...how old are you, Fujigaya-kun?"
Hiro blinked, not having heard all of the conversation. He couldn't talk though since he was still in the middle of getting his make-up done.
Taisuke could only blink as Ellie kept on explaining and he was suddenly pushed down on to a chair. "T-twenty..." he blinked again and replied. Then suddenly, someone was starting to put make up on him and he could only sit there, trying his best not to move. Things sure happened quickly.
After Hiro had 'transformed' into his character - Funabiki Hidemasa - he walked into the studio and greeted his fellow actors and the show hosts. His eyes stayed on the door leading to the studio, waiting for Taisuke to enter.
He was now wearing a casual pullover and jeans with a half-apron tied around his waist with the fictional logo of the café printed on it.
Soon, Taisuke was walking into the studio as well, dressed in damage jeans and a hoodie, a cap pulled over his head. It was sort of part of his closet style as well, so at least he wasn't wearing something he wasn't comfortable in. He felt a bit flustered once again the moment he was actually in the studio. After all, these were people that he would see on the television screen, not face to face.
"There you are~" Hiro smiled and walked over to Taisuke to pull him forward to meet the other actors. He introduced everyone again and then the call for rehearsal to start came from the director.
Winking at Taisuke, Hiro whispered, "Calm down, ne, Okyaku-sama~"
Greeting all the people Kitayama introduced him too, Taisuke turned a light red at Kitayama's wink. "I...I'm calmed down," he protested lightly. "I'm fine..." He pouted slightly.
He took his seat and just played around with whatever was on the table as part of the set. There really wasn't much for him to do, and once the camera moves away from him, he can just watch Kitayama. He blushed at the thought.
"Yoi...START!"
Hiro walked over to Taisuke's table with his tablet. "Hai, omattaseshimashita. Milk Tea and Strawberry Shortcake. Please enjoy!" he smiled at Taisuke and put the items and recipe onto the table. Then he walked over to the table adjacent to Taisuke's and the skit continued.
"Okyaku-sam- ah~ Reika-chan! It's you again~ and with such an unhappy face, too..."
The story unfolded for a bit, mirroring the scene in the drama. Then it turned into a comedy skit, with the main actors, while Hiro was away. They were to play some sort of game but that would be a surprise during the actual show so the actors didn't know yet. Hiro did though since he'd be coming back out with the 'punishment game', the health drinks.
Then they went over the rest of the show, interviews and such how they would be done...and finally Hiro had a short stage-test for the song he'd be singing at the end when the credits were going to roll.
"Hai, otsukare! See you tomorrow for the actual recording!" the director ended the session and everyone bowed and clapped.
Hiro jogged back over to where Taisuke and Ellie were standing and waiting.
"Otsukare~" Taisuke said as Kitayama jogged back towards them. He wasn't sure what else to say since it was kind of weird to tell the other he looked cool on stage, right? He pulled the cap that was still on his head a little further down.
"Arigatou~" Hiro smiled and stretched. "Aah~ tsukareta..."
Ellie smiled, "Well, lucky you then that the photoshoot got moved before the recording tomorrow..."
"Eh? Ack...that means I have to run right out of uni to the photostudio?"
"Nah, bus is going to pick you up. Since it's not your fault the shoot got moved."
HIro sighed with relief, "Yokatta..." Then he turned to Taisuke. "That means we can go home now~"
"Un~" Taisuke nodded his head and smiled.
Ellie waved at them. "Well, won't bother you guys changing and all that then. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Fujigaya-kun, don't forget to come to the studio on time then~"
"Hai~" Taisuke waved back and bowed his head slightly. He turned back to Kitayama. "Mh...now we can go change and get the make-up off~"
"Hai~" Hiro nodded and they walked back. "Ne, want to go out for dinner together? Or do you have to go home?" There was nobody over at his place since his mother was working. They got money from his father as well - silence money...to avoid the scandals - but she still worked. And he also worked...so they rarely ever saw each other except maybe on weekends.
"Dinner?" Taisuke tilted his head as he took of the cap and ran his fingers through his hair. "That sounds good~ I'm free today~" Not to mention he felt just a bit of excitement when Kitayama proposed dinner to him. Certainly, he doesn't feel for the other that way, right? It was still a strange thought to him, somewhat.
"My treat then. Since you got stuck with me all day," Hiro grinned and changed out of the clothes, careful not to get any make up on them. When he looked over at Taisuke, he grinned. "Nice piercing~"
In the middle of pulling off his hoodie, Taisuke blinked when he heard Kitayama's voice. "Mh?" He pulled the hoodie off his head, though his arms were still in the sleeves. He tilted his head at Kitayama. "Pie- oh!" He blushed lightly. "Thank you..." He slipped out of the hoodie and grabbed his own clothes, feeling a bit flustered.
Hiro went about getting changed again, wondering how it would feel to let his tongue play with that pier-
Where the heck did -that- thought come from??
Once he was finished changing his clothes, Taisuke then wiped off all the make-up on his face. Even though he was used to having that on his face, he didn't like the feeling.
Soon, he was checking that he didn't forget anything. "I'm ready~" he sang.
Hiro threw the last cleaning pad into the rubbish bin as well. "Me too. Now...what do we feel like eating?"
"Mh..." Taisuke tilted his head in thought. "Nan deshou..." He pursed his lips. "How does...eto...ramen sound?" He grinned sheepishly. "I'm up for something simple today..."
"Simple is best?" Hiro smiled. "Okay, ramen it is then. I actually know a good restaurant that's right between our two train stops...so we can both get home comfortable after we've had dinner?"
Taisuke smiled and nodded his head. "Un, that sounds good~" Throwing his bag over his shoulder, he said, "Anytime then~"
Grabbing his own bag Hiro left the changing room with the other. After a few more 'Otsukare~'s they reached the nearby subway station. "Mh...I wonder if it'll be crowded at this time of the day...?" he looked at the time. "I'll call ahead and ask...if they're full I'll tell them to deliver it to my place and we can eat there, alright?"
Taisuke blinked for a second before nodding his head. "Un, ii yo~" It was just eating at the other's place! What was he thinking? He shook his head inwardly. He didn't have to feel nervous about that at all.
Hiro then did what he had suggested and called the ramen place. Just as he had thought the restaurant was full but the delivery would be there when they got to his apartment. "Alright...dinner at my place then. There's nobody home anyway...just the two of us."
Just...the two of them? Taisuke hit himself inwardly. There was no reason to feel nervous! They were friends. They were just friends, right? Even though Kitayama can make him feel flustered and speechless easily, it still doesn't mean anything.
"Alright~" Taisuke smiled at Kitayama.
The evening rushhour train was packed and Hiro shifted uncomfortably, trying to hide himself behind Taisuke.
He let out a sigh of relief when they arrived at their stop and he led the way to his apartment, unlocking the door and bidding Taisuke in. "Douzo. The kitchen and living room are right down the hall. My mother's room is on the left, the bathroom is on the right...My room is the door in the living room."
"Ojamashimasu..." Taisuke said as he slipped off his shoes and padded down towards the living room. The apartment was quiet, which just made the fact that they were alone in there even more obviously. He tried to calm himself once more and sat down on the couch slowly, leaving his bag on the floor beside the seat.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Hiro threw his bag into his room and put down his 'disguise' before padding back into the kitchen. "I can offer you water, tea or orange juice..." he opened the fridge. "Or kaa-chan's vegetable juice which is not really my favorite but that might just be because I hate the taste of celery in it..."
"Orange juice sounds good~" Taisuke called out. "That vegetable juice sounds kind of dangerous..." He didn't know what ingredients are included in it after all. He had some vegetables that he disliked a lot too. Feeling that he was acting too much like a girl, he tried to relax himself a bit more as he waited for Kitayama.
Seeing that it was still reasonably warm - the late summer and early autumn still brought mild temperatures with them after all - Hiro put some ice-cubes into their glasses before pouring the drinks. After that he went to get rid of his jacket as well, leaving him clad in a tank top. Opening the living room window a bit to let some fresh air into the apartment, he set the glasses down onto the living room table.
"Douzo~" he was about to settle down himself when the doorbell rang. "Oh~ look like dinner's already here~! Perfect timing~" he went to get the door.
A minute later the delivery boy set the steaming bowls of ramen and a small plate of gyoza onto the table and wished them a nice dinner. Leaving the recipe, Hiro told him to come back in about an hour to pick up the dishes and get the money.
"Well then..." he finally settled down on the other zabuton. "Help yourself~ Ittadakimasu!"
"T-thank you..." Taisuke tried his best not to stutter - though he failed - as Kitayama placed down the glasses, wearing a tank top. What was he thinking? It wasn't like he has never seen guys wearing tank tops before! He was being way too sensitive to things. Or maybe just to Kitayama. But still. Luckily, the doorbell rang then, so he was able to calm himself down once more. He quickly took a sip of the orange juice and sighed softly.
"Ahh...oishisou~" Taisuke sniffed the air slightly and smiled brightly. "Itadakimasu~" He settled down comfortably before starting to eat. "Un, umai~"
"Saa~" Hiro started a conversation sometime into their dinner. "What kind of dancing have you been doing? Any acrobatics and stuff...?" It wasn't just because he was curious for himself...but also because...he wanted to know for the group. Ellie and Sensei had asked him. Whether this was all just based on a first impression or if it was really serious business. Though their instructor had given his okay after the skating practice...
"And do you already know which role you are going to be taking in Enbujo? From what I saw you're the oldest member from your dance school...and there's mostly just girls coming from there...and the little ones are just to fill up the rows since some of the Juniors have to backdance for the senpai during the show period..."
"What kind of dancing?" Taisuke swallowed the mouthful of ramen before tilting his head in thought. "Mh...hip hop, and some sort of dancing that my instructor teaches that I can never put a proper name on...I wanted to try break-dancing, but I never got around to it...as for acrobatics...I can only do cartwheels and handsprings...nothing special there..."
He wrinkled his nose. "Role? I'm not too sure...the stuff we started to learn seem to be for either show time or just some random dance sequence that we need to know...I'm not sure how everything fits and all that, so I don't know if I actually have a role or anything..."
"Heeh~ well that sounds good enough~ And if you want to learn breakdancing I can teach you a little...Tsuka-chan might, too...he's the number 1 dance expert among the Juniors. And Senga-chan is actually pretty decent as well..." Hiro told the other and then wrinkled his nose a bit.
"Well okay...I've been in Enbujo last year, already so I just ask for roles...oh well, we'll see~" he smiled and then asked, "Practice starts next week, ne? The main rehearsal will be at the end of the month already...which leaves us with two weeks and a few days...it's...custom for Johnny-san to be there during the last rehearsal and the first show or last show...so you better show off~"
"Eh? Really? You can break-dance?" Taisuke's eyes brightened. "That's cool~ Mh...but I guess I should concentrate on other things for now. I'll ask for help about break-dancing later..."
Taisuke nodded his head and slurped up another mouthful of ramen. "Un...we'll see." He grinned at Kitayama. "I'll do my best~"
Scratching the back of his head Hiro laughed, "Well...not really that good but...a little? And...should you need anything, advice, help, anything...feel free to ask. The others won't mind either. I know they like you, too. Especially Nika-chan is usually a little picky about people, believe me."
He sipped up some of the soup. "I know you will~"
Taisuke blushed lightly. "I'll keep that in mind~"
Focusing on finishing their food, they were soon finished with their dinner as Taisuke chewed on his last gyouza. "Gochisousamadeshita~" he called out as he swallowed the food. "That was really good~"
"That really felt good...especially after the light lunch..." Hiro agreed and stood to take the bowls into the kitchen until they were picked up. When he came back, he asked, "Wanna watch some TV or talk or...?" Flopping down on the sofa, he looked at the other, inviting him over to sit.
Taisuke blinked for a second. He had half-expected to go home after dinner, but he supposed since he was already at Kitayama's apartment, just leaving after dinner would sound weird or something. He nodded his head and joined the other at the sofa. "Mh...well, it depends on what's on TV? If there's something interesting..." He stretched out his limbs and relaxed himself.
"I don't know...let's just zap?" Hiro switched the TV on. "I just need to let the food settle in my stomach before coming up with anything else?"
Giggling, Taisuke nodded his head. "Alright~ That sounds good..." He leaned back into the sofa as he watched the various shows that was showing on TV as Kitayama changed the channels. "Mh...nothing -too- interesting..."
"Nhh..." Hiro was already falling asleep again. A lack of sleep was definitely nothing good. Especially with him...
And well...Taisuke's shoulder looked so tempting and comfortable...so he let his head drop. "Chrr~"
Taisuke jumped slightly when a sudden weight was on his shoulder again. He glanced over slowly and found Kitayama falling asleep once again. He blinked a few times before letting himself relax and hoped that Kitayama felt comfortable. He found himself not really minding to be the other's pillow. His cheeks felt a bit warm when he managed to catch a whiff of a certain smell, most likely the other's scent.
This time without seatbelts holding restraining him, Hiro unconsciously snuggled a little closer to the other, getting more comfortable.
He was definitely getting warmer. Whether it was from Kitayama moving closer, or from his own blush, Taisuke wasn't sure. It really was getting comfortable though. His own eyes starting to droop, he wondered if the other would mind... His head fell on top of Kitayama's as he started to drift off as well, the sounds from the television starting to fade out.
Both boys were jerked out of their slumber by the sound of the doorbell half an hour later. "Ah, gomen! This is the second time today that I fell asleep on you..." Hiro apologized embarrassedly.
Blushing, Taisuke shook his head. "I-it's alright...I...I fell asleep on you too..." He looked down embarrassedly, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
"Sou..." Hiro wanted to continue but remembered the doorbell. Letting the delivery boy in, he went to fetch his wallet and paid the boy before returning to the living room. "...I should still make it up to you...it's rude to just...fall asleep on your guest?"
"Make up to me?" Taisuke tilted his head and blinked up at Kitayama, as he was still sitting on the sofa while the other was standing. "How?"
"Uhm...that depends on you...? How can I make it up to you~?" Hiro smiled and sat back down.
"Eh? Me?" Taisuke furrowed his eyebrows together. "I don't know..." he mumbled, as he tried to think of something. Not that he thought Kitayama sleeping on him was something that needed to be made up for.
"Anything...?" Hiro looked at the other. Then he grinned teasingly, "Maybe a kiss~?"
His eyes widening, Taisuke yelped and blinked at Kitayama as his cheeks started to turn a dark red. He remembered the kiss the other had left on his cheek some time ago and realized he didn't mind a repeat of that, though preferably somewhere else other than his cheek...
Taisuke tried to say something, but only managed to open and close his mouth a few times.
Giggling, Hiro waved his hand. "Gomen...I couldn't resist teasing you...you have such cute reactions..."
"O-oh..." Taisuke couldn't help but feel a slight sense of disappointment. Kitayama was just teasing him after all. And cute reactions? He blushed again and turned his head away.
"You're so cute...I really feel like kissing you after all~" Hiro laughed.
Taisuke was pretty sure his cheeks and ears were burning by now. "I don't mind..." he mumbled before his mind processed what he had said and could stop himself.
Hiro blinked.
Interesting...
He crawled over the other and looked into Taisuke's eyes. "Well then..." he whispered and then put his lips over the other's in a soft and very gentle kiss.
It was only when Kitayama crawled over and looked at him in the eyes that Taisuke realized what he had said. His eyes widened slightly and he was almost sure his blush couldn't get anymore darker. "I..." Before he could get any more words out, he felt lips pressing against his own.
Whimpering softly, Taisuke instinctively fluttered his eyes closed and hesitantly pressed back into the kiss.
Not having expected a reaction, Hiro just closed his eyes as well and went along, kissing Taisuke and...enjoying every second of doing it.
What was he doing? Taisuke wasn't quite sure. He was...kissing Kitayama...and enjoying it? At least, that's certainly what his racing heart was telling him. Does that mean...? Whimpering softly once again, he pulled back slightly and stared at Kitayama through his lashes. What was he doing?
Looking back, Hiro didn't know what to say. He'd really just meant that jokingly and now it had turned into this. It wasn't like he could deny the fact that he'd liked it either. Quite the contrary...it had felt really good....somehow...different than...with other people. Why?
Taisuke opened his mouth in an attempt to say something again, but found himself speechless once more. It wasn't like he could confess...wait, confess? Does that mean...he really did like Kitayama then? But Kitayama doesn't like him, right? It would be really awkward to say anything, knowing that they'll be working with each other for the next few weeks, or even longer. Would it be more awkward if he didn't say anything though?
Hiro didn't really know what to say either. The silence continued to spread between them. Inwardly, he beat himself up for not thinking about the consequences...
In the end, Taisuke decided that perhaps he shouldn't say anything. "I..." He pulled back even further and lowered his gaze, the blush finally fading from his face. "I...I guess I should go back home now..." he mumbled, getting up from the sofa.
"...gomen..." Hiro somehow thought that an apology would be appropriate here and then walked Taisuke to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow...?"
Seeing that he was still pretty tired Hiro took a bath and went straight to bed, groaning inwardly that he'd have to get up early for uni the next day. Luckily he had already finished everything he needed to do for that.
After uni the next day, he went to the photoshoot for a few drama promotion pages in the magazines again and then met up with the other 6 for their group shots. When he was done with that the driver dropped him off in front of the studio, where he already saw a familiar figure walking in. "Taisuke~"
Author's Note: Please don't mind the horribly awkward cut there. X3;; It's different from actually writing a fic, so sometimes the parts cut off in kind of a weird spot, though I try my best to make it sounds like a chapter ended or something like that. I fail at responding to comments as usual, but happy to know that everyone is enjoying the story. And look~ We have made some progress with the plot. X)
And and Taisuke's bellybutton ring. asfjhalsfasfalsa How could we not include that? XD ♥♥♥
The next two parts is definitely worth looking forward to...because I like them. X) Hehehe. X3 I believe they'll be interesting to read~
Anyways, consider this part a Christmas present na? ♥
Minna, MeriKuri~ ♥♥♥
Comments are love~
Part Four