#for all that the story has done great with tamaki and sougo's family situations

[squidpro-quo]

Dakaretai Otoko No. 1

AN: Forgot I could post on tumblr too for a bit, whoops! Couldn't sleep because of this fic, enjoy

Ryuu had never thought to ask, but then it would never have occurred to him that it could be a possibility. Even knowing his experience with the President over the years, and with apologizing to Sougo-kun about his thoughtless comments on family before, he’d never expected to miss something else so glaringly close to him. If they hadn’t all moved in together, how long would it have taken him to notice? To realize and put the pieces together, to see the pattern that had been repeating beside him all this time? 

They’d settled into something of a routine once they moved into his place, with regards to navigating each other’s things and laundry, all the mundanity of everyday life lived together. There had been a few surprises, Tenn’s collection of houseplants being one, and a few arguments about the air conditioning and the heater and methods for loading the dishwasher, but he knew those squabbles between the other two were simply the equivalent of play-fighting amongst lion cubs. He’d heard the same gripes from his brothers a dozen times if ever and they were all growing so much closer in the process that the noise was worth it all. 

The washing machine was yet another point of contention, the fact that they could not combine their loads quickly became apparent. Ryuu’s own sweaty sports club clothes required a certain setting, Tenn followed a rigid regimen towards keeping his colors vibrant, and Gaku…That Gaku had so many clothes that required handwashing perhaps shouldn’t have surprised Ryuu by this point, but the world of designer brands and their upkeep was still newer to him than to the other two. He was no stranger to the chore of it, had helped his mother out back home with their festival wear, and he knew their costumes usually necessitated the same class of care, but for his own leisure and personal choice, the option wasn’t one he would’ve picked. And considering the stray garment that had wound up in his basket, he didn’t know if Gaku had picked it either.

It was sheer silk, smooth and so diaphanous that Ryuu felt as if he were holding a wisp of mist, billowing even in the stagnant air of the bathroom. Turning it over, he finally understood that it was a top, the sleeves slitted and the neckline so wide that he’d almost mistaken it for a skirt. Unbidden, the image of Gaku wearing it rose in his mind’s eye, the silk brushing his fingers just like now, but already warm from its wearer. His imagination provided plenty of detail, despite the fact that he’d never seen Gaku wear it before—

He’d never seen Gaku wear it, though it was clearly expensive and well-made… Ryuu blushed, realizing the truth, folding it on the counter as carefully as a gift deserved. With all that had happened, the last he’d heard was that Tsumugi accepted and understood the strictures on them both now and they’d kept their distance, but this might be a reunion present of some sort. Going indie had its perks, certainly. 

Turning back to his own laundry, Ryuu ignored the tightness in his chest and buried the image under a list of what else they needed to fit into their meager budget and just how they were going to make ends meet. 

~*~

Amidst chasing missed chances and fading opportunities across the city, Ryuu forgot about tidying up at home for a few days. With the crushing weight of every closed door and refusal they’d faced, he fell back on doing something that he could control and would leave him in a better place by the end, regardless of the rest of their predicament. Cleaning was a way to wipe his mind free of worry for a while, to find the joy in a spotless surface and the ache after a thorough scrubbing, creating a small corner of order in an otherwise uncaring city. 

Vacuuming was the last order of business, the satisfying sound of all the grit and little irritants being removed lulling him into a trance, until a glitter in the carpet behind the entry table caught his eye. He’d moved the vacuum over it before the sight of it had fully sunk in: the gem-bright shine of jewelry. Fumbling to turn the vacuum off before it was sucked in, he heard the rattle and winced. He crouched, hoping to salvage whatever might be left, and found it still lodged in the carpet, an earring. 

Despite the attack by the vacuum, it looked undamaged, sparkling as he twisted it free of the rug. It was a waterfall of pearls, cascading delicately over his palm, their various sizes creating an illusion of foam amidst the silver wires. It belonged at a gala, paired with a dress and necklace to match. He recognized the present for what it was this time, no distractions or delusions getting in the way. 

Knowing that Gaku had headed in to shower as soon as he’d returned, Ryuu tried the door to his room, earring in hand ready to slip onto the dresser discreetly. Ryuu was aware of Gaku’s predilection towards big gestures, ever the dramatic romantic at heart, and how openly he wore that heart on his sleeve; if he had decided to keep this courtship a secret then Ryuu wouldn’t pry. He knew what it was to yearn, to feel the spark and yet be kept from fanning it into a flame, to hope for something that might be within reach and still be scared to grasp. It was a vulnerability he didn’t know how Gaku could bear so often, as freely falling into love as if it were a soft bed and not the terrifying uncertainty of sky-diving, but that courage was just another reason why he—

Gaku looked up from his bed, out of the shower and already dressed, brows rising at Ryuu’s sudden entrance. Laid out across the covers were several outfits, some revealing while others left a little more to the imagination but all as provoking as the next. A jumble of jewels was spread beside him, necklaces dripping with diamonds, crystal aigrettes, and rings of all styles, a treasure trove in the making. 

Ryuu’s mind ground to a halt, taking in the array of finery on display, and the pieces on Gaku himself. He’d been in the middle of pinning back a strand of hair, evidently almost ready to leave. 

“Where’d you find it? I thought I’d looked everywhere,” Gaku said, spying the earring in his open hand and crossing the room with a wide grin. “Trust you to be the savior of the hour, Ryuu!” 

Taking it, Gaku quickly scooped up its pair and put them in, already turning back to the bed when Ryuu found his voice. 

“They’re yours?” 

“Yeah?” Gaku didn’t look up from where he was sorting through the rest of the jewelry. “It’s certainly not Tenn’s.”

“But…not Tsumugi’s?” He’d thought he knew the full picture, but the pieces he’d assumed immovable were falling apart. 

“Why would it be hers?” 

“It’s so nice, an expensive gift like that is…”

“Ryuu, these are all fake,” Gaku said, finally finding what he’d been searching for and straightening up again. The confusion on Ryuu’s face seemed to reach him through the rush of getting ready and he stopped in place, looking Ryuu steadily in the eye. “Sure, they glitter and shine, but none of them is worth what they would have you believe. But the clients like them, so I wear them.” 

“At the soba shop?” Ryuu feels leagues behind, trying to connect this to what he knows of Gaku. 

“No, not at the soba shop!” The laugh that breaks through Gaku pulls Ryuu from his thoughts, roots him in the moment. He admires the way the shirt is cinched tight at Gaku’s waist, a desire to feel with his hands surfacing before Gaku’s next words slam him back into reality. “My escort clients.” 

Ryuu’s been in the city long enough to know what that means, what that entails. The only word that leaves him is, “Why?”

“We need the money. Other people may turn their noses up at us, but that kind of snobbery doesn’t bother the ones who pay me. It’s mostly the same ones from before Trigger anyway, so they’re actually happy that I have the time again.” He scowls at the last, irritated at the schadenfreude.

“Before Trigger?” Ryuu knows he’s just repeating, but Gaku doesn’t seem to notice the echo, words spilling out of him as easily as ever. 

“Longer than we’ve been Trigger actually, now that I count back.” 

“When did it start?” He can do the comparative math, but he naively hopes Gaku will have an answer that doesn’t make his heart squeeze with grief. 

“When my father got custody. There was a whole court battle over it, my mom went down fighting, and the legal fees were hefty on both sides. I didn’t have anyone to debut with and a solo career would’ve been too big of a gamble for the company, so being an escort was how my father got back his ‘investment’. Technically, I was paying off both sides since I just gave my mom my cut, but they didn’t need to know that.” Gaku shrugs, the story old news of an era past, tracing the last piece he’d picked up from the bed. It’s a thick band, studded so densely with gems—like their capes from Treasure!, comes the unbidden comparison—that he can barely see the black velvet of the backing, and when Gaku raises it to his neck, Ryuu breaks his restraint and reaches out, catching hold of Gaku’s hand. 

“You’re not alone anymore,”—his voice breaks—”you don’t answer to him anymore. You don’t have to…” He’s never been the best with words, when the silence falls all he can do is run a thumb along the back of Gaku’s fingers in a slow circle, avoiding the jeweled collar’s edge. He’s been witness to the President’s disregard for years, has had the words ‘it doesn’t matter if you’re my son’ resonate in his head until he saw red and snapped, and known how Gaku, who could never stand silent in the face of others’ injustice, had silently endured his own. In someone who encouraged self-confidence, in Ryuu and Mitsuki and others, to still be chained to the search for any hint of approval, the smallest crumb of blatant pride, or acknowledgement of his efforts from his father had broken Ryuu’s heart more thoroughly than any rejection could. Gaku deserved all the praise that could ever be spoken, but Ryuu knew all his words would pale in comparison to just one from President Yaotome. 

“I’m not doing it for him.” Gaku’s voice is soft, as if concerned he’ll spook Ryuu with anything louder. The velvet is crushed against Ryuu’s skin as he takes Ryuu’s hand in both of his own, the softness at odds with the sharp edges of the jewels. “I’m doing it for us. I want us to rise back up to the top, and if this is a way I can help jumpstart that, then I’ll do it gladly. I’m not the Dakaretai Otoko No. 1 for nothing, am I?” 

Gaku’s smile has always been one that Ryuu can’t resist mirroring, even if his is fainter and smaller this time. 

“But I’m No. 2, then I should—”

“Ryuu, leave it to me. It’ll just be a little longer, just until we get our foot in the door again. We’re close, that’s the direction you should focus on.” Gaku lets go, fiddling with the clasps of the collar. “Help me with this, will you?”

Ryuu hesitates, staring at the gems and knowing that the question is twofold. He might wish he could barge back into the President’s office and give him a big enough piece of his mind that the man will choke on it, but right here, right now, he knows what will do the most good is being a support where needed, when asked. 

He steps behind Gaku, pulling the collar flush with pale skin, and clips it into place. It truly is the last piece, the crown jewels of the whole look, and as Gaku hurries to slip on his coat while hissing at the time, Ryuu bites his lip and lets it slip out, “You look stunning.” 

Gaku pauses on the threshold, looking back from the cusp of the night, a dangerous glint in his eye. He smiles, sharp, and instead of saying goodbye, he says, “When I get back, help me take it all off, will you?” 

Ryuu swallows and nods, a shiver climbing up his spine. He’ll find his voice and speak the words until Gaku forgets he ever wanted to hear them from someone else.

[yotsutama]

2nd Anniversary Special Story 4

Idolish7 2nd Anniversary Special Story

Chapter 4 - Abnormal Situation

Riku: Hyuuga Akihito!?

Sougo: By Hyuuga Akihito, you mean the music producer who stole our song before!?

Iori: Then, is the Phantom who locked us here Hyuuga Akihito!?

Gaku: …… How could it!? Phantom!

Phantom: What you should be guessing is not my identity, answer my question.

Yaotome Sousuke: Hyuuga! Don’t think you can get away after doing this! I will make sure you can never walk outside this time……

Anesagi Kaoru: President! Don’t provoke him! We don’t know what he might do to us!

Yaotome Sousuke: ……………

Gaku: You’re always like that. Always disapproving of people.

Yaotome Sousuke: What did you say?

Gaku: What Hyuuga did was unforgivable. But, you were the one who cornered him to the point where he couldn’t help but to do that. You should’ve taken responsibility for this.

Yaotome Sousuke: How can you say it was my fault!?

Gaku: That’s because you don’t have any affection towards your coworkers!

Ryuunosuke: Stop it, Gaku! President too! We should cooperate and think about how to get out of here!

Gaku: Tsk……

Yaotome Sousuke: …… Hmph.

Riku: He said if we can answer what love is and satisfy him, he will let us go, right!?

Tenn: …… Why love?

Iori: Probably because he’s broken-hearted?

Sougo: Iori-kun has answered, so next is Yamato-san. Yamato-san, it’s your turn!

Yamato: Aah… Okay.

Sougo: Yamato-san is cool and he understands how women feel, so he must know how to answer it correctly!

Yamato: Sou… You’re just putting more pressure on me…

Yuki: So you understand a maiden’s heart?

Ryuunosuke: You’re so cool, Yamato-kun!

Yamato: Don’t expect too much, please! Aah, geez……

Gaku: Nikaido, say it already! Love is…?

Yamato: Love is……

Yamato: Love is like beer’s froth… If you pour a beer vigorously it will have a lot of froth, but if you pour it carefully the froth won’t appear.

*boo boo!*

Phantom: I don’t get it.

Yamato: … Damn… This is so embarrassing I wanna die……

Mitsuki: So, rabbit and beer are no good… Okay! I will say it as simply as I can so he gets it!

Mitsuki: Love is, having your heart throbbing!

*boo boo!*

Mitsuki: ... So, it’s no good either……

Yamato: That’s too vague. You should have said it more specifically.

Mitsuki: But love makes our heart throb, right!? I can’t describe it as a philosophical speech like you did, old man!

Yamato: Don’t say speech! It’s embarrassing!

Sougo: Next is you, Tamaki-kun. Do your best.

Tamaki: …………. I don’t wanna……

Ryuunosuke: Why?

Tamaki: I meant…… Isn’t it embarrassing…? …… Being serious and all, in front of everyone…… Like, saying what love is……

Momo: You’re so cute! Tamaki!

Gaku: He’s still a high schooler after all.

Iori: I’m the same age as you and I did my best, so Yotsuba-san should do it too! It’s not fair if you are the only one who doesn’t answer!

Tamaki: Eeeh? Uhhh…… Then…… Um……

Tamaki: I heard it…… tastes… bittersweet…… 

Sougo: Isn’t that what they say a kiss tastes like?  (1)

Tamaki: Don’t say kiss!!!

Yamato: Tama has many NG words today, huh?

*boo boo!*

Tamaki: Sigh… It’s finally over… Aaah, I’m sweating now……

Momo: Hyuu~! So cute~, Tamaki~!

Tamaki: ……gh, Momorin, don’t tease me!

Sougo: Next is me… My answer decides the fate of Japan’s peace… I must answer it properly.

Gaku: Osaka is serious even in this situation. I wonder what he will say.

Sougo: Love is……

Sougo: An intense feeling of deep affection towards a specific person, being devoted to and strongly desiring that person with all of one’s might.

Yamato: A model answer……

Tenn: If I were a language teacher, I would give him a perfect score though.

*boo boo!*

Sougo: I-It wasn’t good? Please wait. Can I try again just once? It’s a reference from the lyrics of my favorite song.

Iori: It’s rare to see Osaka-san being so persistent.

Riku: He looks confident, doesn’t he!?

Sougo: Okay, here’s my answer.

Sougo: ……………

Sougo: Love is crazy.

*boo boo!*

Sougo: Uum, it was no good either. They were such good lyrics though……

Tamaki: I feel like Sou-chan’s, “Love is crazy,” is scarier than a bomb or a murder scene……

Sougo: Is that so?

Nagi: It’s my turn now! Alright, this question fits me perfectly.

Anesagi Kaoru: Oh no… What should I do… My heart is beating so fast……

Yaotome Sousuke: Why are you nervous.

Anesagi Kaoru: I am not! Hah! He probably can’t give a good answer anyway. Well, he can try doing his best, but it’ll all be in vain!

Nagi: OH… A lady is insulting me, I’m shocked……

Ogami Banri: Well, she is from another agency after all. I’m rooting for you, do your best!

Anesagi Kaoru: Aah…! I am so sorry, Nagi-kun!! Our fate is just like Romeo and Juliet…!!

Nagi: Ladies & Gentlemen! I shall tell you!

Nagi: Love is a romantic play in the theater. A story of how you, my heroine, meeting me leads to confessing our love to each other……

*boo boo!*

Nagi: Jesus…!!

Anesagi Kaoru: Why!? Hey! Wasn’t it good!? It touches my heart so deeply!! Phantom…!!?

Ogami Banri: A-Anesagi-san?

Nagi: Oh My God… To think he stopped me before I finished… I can’t understand Phantom.

Riku: Okay! Next, it’s my turn!

Yamato: It’s Riku’s turn already! Riku’s innocence will definitely change that crazy culprit’s heart!

Tenn: …………….

Gaku: Are you interested?

Tenn: Not really.

Riku: I will answer it! Uuumm… Love is…!

Riku: Love is like a song! If you sing together, and sing it well, you will be excited, laugh together, and be happy together!

Riku: Ehehe… I don’t really get it myself though!

*boo boo!*

Riku: Hyaa… It was no good… Waaa, it’s so embarrassing! My face is burning now!

Iori: So cute……

Tenn: Riku, you’ve grown……

Okazaki Rinto: …… Hearing his answer makes me feel old.

Ogami Banri: We can’t go back to those fresh feelings, right?……

Gaku: It’s my turn now… Alright!

Momo: Wait! Phantom’s main target is TRIGGER, so TRIGGER should be the last!

Ryuunosuke: Last!? That means, going in order, I’d be last!? The pressure is too high!

Momo: Heyy! Phantom! I’ll do it first!

Yuki: Do your best. Momo.

Momo: Love is! Seeing fireworks on a work day!

*boo boo!*

Momo: Aah, was it not good!?

Gaku: What does that mean?

Yuki: I bet it’s like going on a filming trip to a firework festival and feeling Happy~!, right?

Momo: No, no! We idols are afraid of scandals, so even if we want to, we can’t have romantic relationship that easily, right?

Momo: But, I like talking about love, so being in love feels like seeing fireworks we usually can’t see because of our jobs. It’s unfortunate we can’t have any romance, but it’s still beautiful to us.

Yuki: Heeh……

Gaki: You know you look like you don’t really get it.

Yuki: That’s not true. Next is me? I can only answer what I know about it, is that okay?

Momo: Yuki, do your best! Grab his heart with your ikemen answer!

Yuki: Leave it to me. Love is like the free tissues you receive from people on the streets. You don’t have to do anything to get it, but nothing is scarier than free things.

*boo boo!*

Yuki: Ah, it’s bad?

Momo: Normally, anyone wouldn’t fall for us if we didn’t do anything, Yuki……

Anesagi Kaoru: It’s a good-for-nothing answer, huh…… (2)

Ogami Banri: I don’t want to let my cute idols hear that……

Yuki: I think Ban’s answer would be similar to me though.

Ogami Banri: There’s no way I’m like that!!

Momo: Ehem… As you can see, we Re:vale have fought with all our might, but we were regrettably defeated.

Yuki: We leave the rest to TRIGGER. Good luck, TRIGGER……

Gaku: Damn… They passed the baton so easily.

Ryuunosuke: What should we do? Should we start with Gaku?

Gaku: …… Sure. Ah… Wait a bit.

Tenn: What?

Gaku: I don’t wanna say it in front of my old man.

Yaotome Sousuke: Why are you holding back now of all times. I’ve always been reading your interviews about romance.

Gaku: Shut up! It’s hard for anyone to talk about love or romance in front of their dad, right!? Go over there!

Yaotome Sousuke: Is that your attitude towards your parent!?

Gaku: How can you say you’re my parent!? You just use that word to protect yourself……

Anesagi Kaoru: President! Gaku! … Their family feud never seems to end! *sigh*… Let’s answer it first!

Tsumugi: But… I don’t really know what to answer……

Anesagi Kaoru: Oh my! You really are still a kid! Well, you’re at that age, so it can’t be helped… Okazaki and Ogami-san can answer, right?

Okazaki Rinto: I-I understand!

Okazaki Rinto: Love is like rushing to get on a train! In the past, I just rushed in without hesitating, but now I start to consider my physical strength before rushing in!

*boo boo!*

Ogami Banri: Love is like a hot spring! It’s satisfying if we go in when we’re tired, but if we stay too long it can make us dizzy!

*boo boo!*

Anesagi Kaoru: It’s my turn! Listen, Phantom! Adult women shine the most when they are in love! And they……

*boo boo!*

Anesagi Kaoru: Wait…! I am not done yet!!

Tenn: …… I get it now. The word ‘adult women’ is NG to them.

Riku: Tenn-nii…?

Tenn: … It’s nothing. Are you ready? Gaku.

Ryuunosuke: …… Aah! Then, I will cover President’s ears like this!

Yaotome Sousuke: ……gh, let me go! Ryuunosuke!

Ryuunosuke: Gaku! Say it now!

Mitsuki: Do your best! Yaotome!

Yamato: We can expect great things from the most Desired Embrace no. 1 man!

Momo: Yo! Lady-killer! We’ve been waiting for you!

Gaku: Alright……

Gaku: I will let you hear my answer, Phantom. Love is……

Gaku: Over the rainbow.

Tenn: …… What, in English?

Ryuunosuke: So cool!

Yamato: Is it cool…?

Gaku: …… It’s like surpassing the bright rainbow in the sky. That exciting, thrilling feeling is how I feel about love. (3)

Gaku: It’s scary to fly in the sky, right? But, with that person, you can go hand in hand together. When you’re able to feel those feelings, you’re in love……

*boo boo!*

Gaku: Why!!?

Phantom: But, it’s kind of good.

Gaku: Ah, really?

Ryuunosuke: I’ll go next! The last person has a big responsibility, so I’ll leave it to Tenn.

Tenn: You are 5 years older than me, don’t make me talk about love last, please. Well, I’m fine with it though.

Ryuunosuke: S-Sorry! Alright, here’s my answer, Phantom!

Phantom: Go ahead.

Ryuunosuke: Love is like the sea! The restless waves, sunrises and sunsets, it changes its form continuously……

Ryuunosuke: But the sea will always be there, it will never change. That’s what love is to me.

Gaku: Ryuu… Good answer, almost as good as mine.

Riku: Phantom isn’t ringing the buzzer… Is it the right answer!?

*boo boo!*

Ryuunosuke: Ah, it’s no good……

*boo boo!*

Ryuunosuke: Two times!?

*boo boo!*

Ryuunosuke: Three times!? It’s that bad!?

Nagi: OH… their reaction just now was different than how they reacted before.

Iori: I wonder what bothered them. The sea…?

Phantom: This is your last chance. Kujou Tenn.

To be continued……

T/N

Proofread by Sophia @ousama-pudding as always! Thank you!!

(1) actually, Tamaki said 甘酸っぱい which means sweet-and-sour as taste, but as love it usually translates to bittersweet… I used bittersweet just because I like how it sounds but both are correct!

(2) I just want to say that Anesagi said “bastard” here to Yuki’s answer. *part 3/re:member spoilers* YUKI’S ONLY EXPERIENCE WITH WOMEN IS HE PLAYED WITH THEM AND UNCONCIOUSLY MADE ONE OF THEM JEALOUS OF BANRI BC THEY THOUGH BANRI WAS A WOMAN’S NAME

(3) FYI in story 1.18.2/anime ep.16 when Tsumugi was talking with Gaku near Zero Arena she said:

Tsumugi: …… Everyone in TRIGGER was cool, and perfect, and gave off an overwhelming aura. I thought I was seeing something amazing, and felt genuine respect and was deeply moved… Like when you look up to see a rainbow. My dream…, is for my idols, for IDOLiSH7… To surpass that rainbow.

Gaku’s answer was most likely influenced by Tsumugi :’)

Last chapter next! Thanks for reading!!