#personally i want mika and naru to make out already

[jayorsaiic]

How modern stories are starting to feel with either Valkyrie member + pretty 5 mention bc I'm biased

[taiyaki-translations]

A Gift to Spring Breeze - 5

Season: Winter Characters: Mika, Arashi, Tori, Subaru, Mao, Eichi Translator: taiyaki-translations

Mika: Nnah~ It’s been busy all afternoon, but I can finally take a break~♪

To be honest, because I had’ Naru-chan by my side as an assistant, I was able t’ feel a little less nervous… 

Arashi: Oh my, I think Mika-chan did a great job today. When you were teaching everyone how to make those handicrafts, you were the gentle and patient “Mika-nii.” 

Although the snack making area run by “2wink” was very lively, there were still a lot of people who chose to learn how to sew plushies and make other simple handicrafts from Mika-chan. 

This shows that you are more popular than you think you are. So please show a little more confidence ♪

Mika: Ehehe, thank ya kindly Naru-chan…♪

……

Arashi: …Mika-chan. You look like you’ve had something you’ve wanted to say for a while now?

Mika: Hm… Well, I wanna apologize to Pretty 5 for lyin’ before… 

I didn’t want my personal affairs to affect everyone’s mood while shoppin’, but instead I made you worry about me for so long. ’m really sorry!

Arashi: Don’t worry about it ♪ As long as Mika-chan realizes, it’s fine. For us, it’s more troubling if an important friend is going through something but doesn’t say anything to us.

Tori: Uh huh! When my sister had that marriage meeting that time, didn’t my seniors actively share my worries with me? So, I also worked hard to help organize and oversee the charity fair this time!

And with this opportunity, I also bought a set of Eichi-sama’s treasured teacups! I’ll be sure to care for them as if I were Eichi-sama himself, they’re priceless!

Arashi: Haha, I feel like Tori-chan is somewhat similar to Aira-chan in this way. 

Mao: Hello~ Kagehira, nothing unusual happened during the handicrafts activity, right?

Mika: There were no problems~♪ Or rather, everyone’s enthusiasm to participate gave me a shock, and the materials I ended up bringin’ were not enough. 

The kids in my hometown are definitely gonna be happy receivin’ so many thoughtful New Years gifts… This was definitely somethin’ I couldn’t have done by myself. 

Ikkun, thank ya kindly fer yer help in comin’ up with such a good idea ♪

Mao: Haha, no need to be so formal with me~

You also worked hard, Kagehira. The producer and Tenshouin-senpai just bought everyone a lot of snacks from the stalls, and Yuzuru also helped prepare drinks. You can try them in the rest area.

Tori: Ehehe, then I’m going to go and treat myself to some sweets~♪

Arashi: Oh my, Tori-chan, wait for me~ I’ll go to the producer with you ♪

Mika: Speakin’ of which, why is Tenshouin—...senpai here!? Didn’t that guy already graduate?

Eichi: My my, no matter what you say, I can be regarded as an alumni of Yumenosaki. Kagehira-kun, it’s sad hearing you say that. 

Mao: Ahaha… Actually, some of the things for this charity were provided for by the Tenshouin Conglomerate… 

Eichi: Ahem. I just heard that a charity flea market was going to be held here. I thought it sounded interesting, so I decided to participate. 

After all, I’ve spent a considerable part of my life in the hospital. It’s regrettable that I haven’t had a lot of chances to experience a normal youth as a student. So I’m seizing every opportunity I can now to make up for it ♪

Mika: Seein’ as Tenshouin-senpai also made gifts fer the kids, I’ll let it go… Anyway, the charity fair will be endin’ soon.

Eichi: Wrong. The most exciting part of the event has just begun ♪

Mika: ……?

(Wait a minute, I’m hearin’ some familiar voices from afar, callin’ out “Mika-nii”...)

(But there’s no way. The kids should be waitin’ fer me back home?)

—Huh!? Is this just my imagination? Is that really everyone runnin’ and jumpin’ towards me? 

No no, of course I’m happy t’ see ya all… But you couldn’t have used yer pocket money t’ take the shinkansen to sneak over and see me again, right? 

Hmm…Ya received free tickets in the mail back at home, ‘n when ya got off the shinkansen, they also took ya onto a chartered bus to get here? 

But who would have taken the initiative t’ invite ya over? Could it be… (looks over at Mao)

Mao: It’s um, it’s… (looks at Eichi silently)

Mika: (...What? How is it possible? This person is suddenly actin’ all kind-hearted, what on earth is he up to!?)

Eichi: Haha, Kagehira-kun, your thoughts are displayed clearly on your face. 

It was indeed me who arranged to have the children sent to the academy, but the people who made the suggestion were Mao and the producer.

Mao: …Actually, after listening to Kagehira talk about the orphanage the other day, the producer and I both felt that the kid’s biggest wish was to see you. 

So, this would be the best New Year’s gift for them, right~?

Mika: Um, um… I, I don’t even know how to begin t’ thank ya fer this… 

Subaru: Hey, Mikki~ Now’s not the time to be crying!

“Hello kids! New Year’s is coming soon. We will celebrate with you in advance here with singing and dancing ☆”

Mika: Eh!? When did Akehoshi-kun suddenly appear? Please don’t hug me so tightly~? And when did music start playin’?

Subaru: Ahaha, let’s not worry about that for now! Look, the kids are clapping their hands happily and looking at us expectantly! 

♪~♪~♪

Mika: (...That’s right. Seeing the kids like this, I immediately remembered.) 

(When Oshi-san was about t’ graduate, I finally found my dream ‘n what I wanted t’ express in this world as an idol—) 

(I wanted t’ be the light in the hearts of these kids. I want them t’ know that the stars in the night sky can be caught…!) 

♪~♪♪

Mao: ~......♪

(As expected of Subaru, he brought everyone into his rhythm in the blink of an eye.)

(Of course, all of this is what we arranged in advance. It seems that Tenshouin-senpai deliberately kept Kagehira in the dark.) 

(In name, Yumenosaki’s student council were the ones solely responsible for hosting and organizing this charity event.)

(Many things that needed financial support, such as picking up the children from the orphanages, supervising and transporting the donations, and other such tasks were done under Tenshouin-senpai’s instruction.)

(In exchange, the agency arranged for professional videographers to focus on filming ES’s performance, especially those of idols under StarPro, at this charity event.) 

(Including the scenes of the idols happily getting along with the kids, it will be included in news reports that will be broadcast in the near future.)

(After discussing it with the producer, we figured that this would not have any negative impact on Yumenosaki and the orphanage in Kagehira’s hometown, so we accepted this condition.) 

(In this way, they can create a positive and caring image of the agency, increasing its influence in the idol industry— this is probably what Tenshouin-senpai was planning on, right?) 

Eichi: (Mm. You’re right, Mao.)

(But that’s just the basics of what you can achieve by organizing a charity event. You’re missing out on a very important point.) 

(“Valkyrie” once made a splash at the Antique Fair a while back and won over a lot of new fans.)

(Therefore, using the orphanage that Kagehira-kun used to live at as a starting point is sure to add a lot of excitement to the story.) 

(Although it is taking advantage of Kagehira-kun’s popularity, it’s fundamentally a win-win. After all, he is the main protagonist of this event.) 

(“Valkyrie” is a unit that gives the world an impression of “noble art”, and has an inaccessible aura. However, the warmth that Kagehira-kun naturally shows in front of the children will show a so-called contrasting charm.)

(In any case, if you only consider the immediate benefits, you can’t be considered a shrewd businessman. Actually, I am investing in the future of the idol industry.)

(Kagehira-kun is like a hero to the children at the orphanage. There are many children who will aim to be like him and aspire to become idols.)

(Just like when I stayed in that dark hospital ward all day long and the figures of those idols on TV were like the dazzling sunshine outside the window, it brought me new hope at the time—)

(These children who have come all this way, their eyes full of longing and hope, are trying their best to absorb the heat and light released by the idols right in front of them.)

(Although technology in this era is developing rapidly, no matter what other methods are available, none of them can replace the real experience of seeing a live in person.) 

(I believe that today’s scene will be like the warm spring breeze that will melt the winter snow, gently pouring rain onto those young hearts, so that the seeds nurtured within them can take root and sprout—) 

(And then one day, more idols will emerge in this world who can bring happiness and smiles to people.)

♪~♪~♪

Directory | Previous

[mephinomaly]

[TL] Open the Door - Mayoi Ayase

Mayoi Ayase 3*

Character(s): Mayoi Ayase, Arashi Narukami, Mika Kagehira

Directory

Your skin is pretty as well, hm? ♪ Do you perhaps take good care of your appearance?

Mayoi: (Ahh… I’ve finally arrived to class)

(During the MDM, everyone in ALKALOID was in the middle of returning to school, and Aira-san was concerned that I wouldn’t attend lessons)

(I felt awful that I made Aira-san worry about someone like me, so that’s why I’ve come in today…)

(After all, there is no place for me in a classroom overflowing with sparkling idols……)

…………?

(It feels as if someone is looking at me…)

(Who would want to be in the same place as me…?)

Arashi: ………

Mayoi: (Narukami-san…? No. Someone who is at the centre of many shining people shouldn’t lay eyes on me. You’re being excessively self-conscious, Mayoi!)

(Ah~... I want to disappear completely. I should at least hide myself under this desk)

(After all, for a person like me I am more suited to being in the ceiling. Though, I shouldn’t create any more stress for Aira-san…)

…………

(Let’s actually go to class. Hnng, my body won’t stop trembling… though I’m sure it's from excitement)

Time: Lunchtime

(Haa…The long morning lessons are finally over. Now that it’s lunch, I want to at least escape from sight)

Arashi: Wait, Mayoi-chan

Mayoi: Hygah…!? I’m sorry I’m sorry, I’m sorry for being alive!

Arashi: Oh my, did I give you a fright? I’m sorry

Mayoi: N-no, it's fine…

Arashi: If you’ve not got any work to be doing, do you think I could speak with you for a sec?

Mayoi: Eeh!? M-me? Are you sure you’ve not got the wrong person…….?

Arashi: Fufu, I’m sure. It’s just a quick question

Mayoi: Aah, I’m sorry that someone like me has entered your field of vision!

Arashi: Uhh… all this apologising is unexpected. Do I really seem that scary?

I just wanted to ask you something about your hair

Mayoi: Hair..? My hair?

Arashi: Yup. It’s long and really pretty- I couldn’t help but be fascinated with it. That’s why I’d like to know how you look after it

Mayoi: But it’s not— m-my hair being long is nothing special…

Arashi: Don’t be so modest. If your hair is long, you must have a routine since it’s so lovely

Mayoi: T-that’s terrifying…

Arashi: …? Oh my, Mayoi-chan

Mayoi: Hygah!?

Arashi: Your skin is pretty as well, hm? ♪ Do you perhaps take good care of your appearance?

Mayoi: Aahwaaa…

Arashi: …Oh, I’m sorry. I should be more mindful when looking…

Hmm, TV cameras these days are pretty good, don’t you think?

Because of that, I’ve been more concerned about my hair and skin. I’ve gotten into the habit of tuning in straight away to check…

Mayoi: Ah, i-is that why? In that case, if I stand here, please observe me to your heart's content…

Arashi: Thanks ♪ Mayoi-chan is kind

I’m sorry, I feel like I’m taking advantage of your kindness… but you’re quite fair-skinned. What do you do to keep it like that?

Mayoi: It’s only because I’m a shut in…

Arashi: Hehe, is that so? Didn’t you give us a wonderful performance at the MDM?

Mayoi: Urk. I believe you may be talking about something different…

???: Heyyy, Naru-chan

Mayoi: ….Eek!

Arashi: Oh, Mika-chan ♪ Come on over

Mika: Oh, you're talkin’ to someone in our class

Arashi: Mhmm. Have you perhaps come to invite me out for lunch?

Mika: Yeah I was. Sorry for botherin’ ya though

Arashi: You shouldn’t think of yourself as a bother to me

Mika: But you’ve been speakin’ to this person from ALKALOID. Before ya knew it, you’re already friends

Mayoi: Hya, Narukami-san and I are friends…

Arashi: That makes me feel lonely if you say it like that, y’know? So, since we’re here, do you think you would like to come get lunch with us?

Mayoi: Eeeak!? With s-someone like me…?!

Mika: Let’s get lunch as a trio today. Nice t’meet ya, ALKALOID’s… uhh, Ayase-kun?

…Speakin’ of which. A while ago, Naru-chan invited just me out for lunch. How nostalgic~

‘m sorry I can’t hold a conversation as well as Naru-chan can… I feel bad

Arashi: Somehow, I get the feeling that Mika-chan and Mayoi-chan are going to get along just fine

Mayoi: Urk. I respect that you have volunteered to try to get me to join such a good circle of friends…!

Arashi: That’s quite the exaggeration. I just wanted to talk to Mayoi-chan for a bit longer

Though, I am being selfish. Of course, if Mayoi-chan would rather not, it’s okay to say no as well

I’ll invite you again, ‘kay? Do you want to come get lunch with us today? We might not end up getting on well, but you never know until you try, right?

Mika-chan and I are really good friends now, but we didn’t know that we would be at the beginning

Mayoi: Narukami-san…

Mika: It’s just like what Naru-chan’s sayin’

I’m not very good at talkin’ t’ people I don’t really know. If Naru-chan hadn’ta asked, maybe we wouldn’t be as good of friends as we are now

Ayase-kun, if you wanna, let’s be friends

Mayoi: (Let’s be.. friends…? Is that even possible…?)

(I don’t have a place in this class, or this school, or even this world. I don’t think I fit in amongst these people…)

(Aah, but still. If someone can reach out their hand like this—)

U-uh, it’s a pleasure to meet you…!

Arashi: I’m glad. Well then, from today, we’re friends ♪

Mayoi: O-okay…

Arashi: It’s decided then

Now then, let’s head over to the Garden Terrace. Lunch is almost over

Mika: Yer right, it’s gone real fast

Mayoi: Fufu, let’s hurry up then…!

[guobasbutt-blog]

Meow. Can I get a scenario where the Arashi-neesan helps shy!reader and Mika to get together? They have been pining for each other for a very long time and it's so obvious.

"I want to grow as a decent human, not as a doll.”

Today was your date with Mika and your big sister/best friend, Arashi, wanted to doll you up for your first date.

“(Y/N)-chan are you ready?” You are quite hesitant to leave the dressing room since you find it unusual for you to wear cute clothes.

“Please be honest. How do I look?” Holding your skirt on both sides, you twirl around so that she can judge your appearance.

Arashi was gasping for air, covering her mouth with both of her hands. You were afraid that you look awful wearing cute clothes on you. That’s why you close both of your eyes in fear of rejection.

But Arashi was squealing with joy at her masterpiece. “Kyaaa~ look at you (Y/N)-chan, all dolled up. Mika would fall over heels with you.” You were feeling bashful from the compliments Arashi was blurting as you were unused to this.

“Now let me do your hair and make-up. Let’s make this date a success. Okay?”

Arms linked with your best friend. The both of you arrived at your destination. The black-haired young man with tousled hair was waving for the two of you. Arashi waved back and seeing your crush made you hide behind your best friend’s back.

“Arara~, Come on out and don't be shy (Y/N)-chan. Mika-chan’s waiting for you.” She was gesturing you it’s okay to come out. But you were stubborn with being too nervous about your first date.

Arashi, being your supportive best friend, she knows you too much that she can force you out of your cave.

“Mika-chan, those clothes look good on you. Perhaps you were also excited you couldn’t sleep last night? C’mon, don’t just ignore me, your face is glowing. You know?” You peeped from Arashi’s back to confirm if what she said was true.

True enough, Mika has been always dashing for you. But today was a little different. It’s as if he’s been glowing a lot more compared to the previous days you saw him.

Gathering enough resolve, you move away from Arashi’s back. Surprisingly, the two of you greet each other in unison, which made Arashi delighted. “Good afternoon, Mika-kun/ (Y/N)-chan.”

“C’mon, are the both of you satisfied with this? You two should probably go ahead now before the day ends.” She was obviously rooting for the two of you. But you and Mika were timid enough to admit it straight, despite being obvious.

“But what about you, Naru-chan? Weren’t you supposed to come along?” Mika questioned since it was the norm that whenever the two of you hang out, Arashi will always be present. It’s like the three of you were always together.

Arashi knew the both of you were taking little steps in getting to know each other. That’s why she had decided that she’ll leave the two of you alone today. She wanted to see the two of you, hand in hand or arm in arms already, or maybe something greater. Plus, it’s your date, and she wants some enormous progress already.

“Jeez. It’s high time the both of you should take your date seriously. And that means no more third wheeling for me. So bye-bye, send me a text or call later and tell me exactly what happened today, okay?” Without further ado, Arashi vanished into thin air. Leaving the both of you at cold feet.

“Umm, would you like to go to the movies first or to the cafe?” From your suggestion, it would seem that Mika was delighted with it as his face started glowing.

“Speaking of movies, there’s a film that uses oshi-san’s recent work. Would you like to see it?” As you watch the film, Mika was rambling about how he immensely admired Shu’s works. Since you also liked this side of him, it did not occur to you that you were watching a film. In the end, you didn’t even know the gist of the film. Yet you were still happy since Mika was with you.

As you were walking towards the cafe, Mika couldn’t help but feel guilty. “You know (Y/N)-chan, I’m really a terrible person since all I talk about is oshi-san. I’m not used to talking to others who aren’t oshi-san or Naru-chan. So I don’t really get why you’d rather spend your time with me than someone else.”

Truth is, you’re always mindful of yourself since like Mika, you also have low self-esteem. But today was a bit different. You could feel Arashi pushing your back. Helping you come up with words to bring Mika back on his feet.

“Mika-kun, that’s not entirely true.” You were hesitating if you should hold his hands or not, but you feel the need to. Looking straight at his eyes, you confessed why you preferred him over someone else.

You liked his pretty eyes that seem to glimmer in the dark. You like how he’s an extremely hard worker, though you wish he doesn’t overwork himself. You also like the way he dances like a doll. He dances with intricate movement appealing to its beauty and such. Significantly, you could never deny how you find him comforting. His voice soothes you enough that it dispels all your worries in a blink. You also can’t help it, you just prefer his company over any boy or male. And for that, you would always seek him. Realizing that you've fallen for him.

In the end, Mika was blushing from every word you detailed. You tried moving your hands to give him space, but he wasn’t letting you go easily.

“Ummm, aren’t my hands sticky?” Now it was your time to feel embarrassed. He squeezed your hand to show that it was fine. “Seriously, (Y/N)-chan. Everything you’ve said.. it feels like my heart is going to explode.”

“Say, would you tell me more about yourself? I want to grow as a decent human, not as a doll. It doesn’t have to be immediate and we could take small steps.”

If Arashi were here, she would be proud of you guys. Because this time, the two of you were taking initiative. But for now, you just enjoy your time with each other while intertwining your hands.

“I’d be glad to.” You declared. “But let’s not forget to buy Big sis a souvenir, okay? Or else she’ll pout for the entire week.”

maow's notes: Lowkey I want a bestie like neesan I swear, the number of scenarios I write becomes lengthier

[ixqritsu]

Do you still take requests? How about headcanons of Midori, Ristu and Mika with an unequired crush on their older in age manager?

tysm for sending in a request !! i use gender neutral pronouns if the ask doesn’t specify any ALSO i almost forgot to mention sorry if it takes a bit to get to your request i'm working on a bunch of things at once and school is also taking up a bunch of my time :’)

midori

poor baby midori !! he probably wouldn’t even know what to do with himself after realizing his crush on his producer

i feel like midori is the type to overthink every interaction he has with you

he would feel awkward about just going up and talking to them, even if it’s about idol work. 

when you check in during ryuseitai rehearsals, he gets even quieter than usual

he’d stand against the wall awkwardly or just excuses himself from the room

he feels really guilty about having a crush on his producer

relationships between idols and their producers are supposed to be strictly for work

he feels so bad about having these feelings for you because he knows it’s unprofessional for him to feel this way about you 

to make matters worse, you were a grade above him. 

he’d be far too embarrassed to tell anyone, especially any of his unitmates

confessing was out of the question— he already knew you didn’t return these feelings for him

it didn’t hurt too bad to know you didn’t like him the way he liked you— it just put him on edge around you

he knew his feelings were pointless and wouldn’t get him anywhere

so why was it that he felt butterflies in his stomach when you were in the room?

why did he put on his biggest smile on stage when he knew you were watching him?

why did you make him feel so… good?

he wasn’t the jealous type, but watching you interact with his classmates/unitmates always made put him in a sour mood

at times he didn’t mind just watching from afar

his crush on you came from a place of admiration, after all

the way you could seemingly talk to anyone about anything at all captivated him

every now and then he let his feelings slip and he watches you with despair in his eyes

you were so incredible to midori

far too kind— far too good for someone like him.

ritsu

ritsu wouldn’t be as shy— he’d actually want to get closer with you

he would just get the slightest bit flustered talking to you

you make him trip on his words and make his brain all fuzzy

he can’t help the warm feelings he gets by you just existing

no matter which way he tried to spin the story, he liked you. a lot. 

he’s never really felt this kind of attraction for someone this quick

having even the smallest interactions with you would make his day

a simple conversation would have him over the moon 

he would cherish the moments you had alone, since there were so few and far between

he’d be good at hiding the fact that he had the biggest crush on you ever and would talk to you normally around his unitmates

he seemed less like his usual lethargic, quiet self when he was around you

talking to you seemed to give him a short energy boost.

you made his heart leap in ways he didn’t think it could

the worst part of all of this was that he could never tell you how he felt

he tried to not be too bothered by the professionalism between an idol and their producer but he still knew he could never tell you how much he liked you

it bothered him knowing that he would have to carry these feelings with him until they disappeared on their own

he wanted to tell you that he cared and admired you but he had to keep his distance

mika

MIKA WOULD BE SO BAD AT HIDING HIS CRUSH ON YOU IT’S SO EMBARRASSING 

it’s kind of blatantly obvious that he likes you a little more than he would like to admit

basically everyone knows about his crush on you— except for you 

he’d go to arashi for advice on how to let you know he likes you

mika gushes about his crush to naru all the time and she thinks its the cutest thing in the world

mika loves talking about you to anyone who’ll listen 

he tries to avoid giving away your name but he does tend to ramble and your name slips out a few times by accident

his face flushes and he can’t seem to make eye contact with anything while talking about you

he gets so embarrassed and feels the need to bury his head in something

shu would tease him relentlessly about it 

he would specifically ask for mika to go find you for him just to embarrass him

“but— oshi-san, i cant— you know i cant-”

“what is it, kagehira?? too shy to talk to your own producer??”

i don’t think it would be physically possible for him to talk to you without going red

even the smallest interactions with him will make him all jittery for hours

he acknowledges that his feelings of affection are generally wrong, since he is an idol

that doesn’t do much to stop his emotions, though

he does get mildly upset when he’s reminded that you don’t return his feelings 

he feels like he’s done something wrong, or hasn’t been working hard enough for you to notice his efforts 

mika’s really hard on himself about a lot of things, and very insecure about people think of him

you are no exception to this 

what if he wasn’t good enough of an idol— what if he wasn’t good enough of a person to you

did you really only see him as another idol-in-training underclassman?

what could have he done differently— how could he have been better for you 

send in anything you’d like me to write here <3

[dievvalkure]

{ @jewelstoneknight​ liked for a starter }

      Even if he had to be a little late to Arashi’s birthday party at the New Dimension office due to work he had in the afternoon, Mika still went out of his way to make time to stop by, going straight from the studio to the office as soon as he finished. Though a bit fatigued after the photoshoot, the boy instantly felt rejuvenated upon being greeted by the lovely visage of his best friend, whose smile seemed even more radiant today. Of course, it goes without saying, it is his special day, after all. 

      The two exchanged their usual greetings and shared a biii~g hug through all of the excited chatter, everyone fondly welcoming another guest to the party. By then, they had already cut the cake to Mika’s disappointment, since he missed the opportunity to sing Happy Birthday to Arashi... but the enormous slice of cake reserved for him, along with some of Ritsu’s baked goods, more than made up for it. 

     " Ah, I’m so happy I can celebrate yer birthday with ya again this year, Naru-chan~ The office is so lively, ‘cause everyone’s celebratin’ yer special day~ ” Mika laughed while reaching into his bag to pull out a small present box and held it out to Arashi. “ ...A’ight, I think now’s a good a time as any to give ya yer gift. I sure hope ya like it Naru-chan~ ” 

      With a little ‘ ta-daaa~ ’, Mika opened the box to reveal a hand-made corsage within, delicate white flowers, silk ribbons and pearl beads elegantly arranged in a lovely little package.

      “ ...To be honest, I was really wrappin’ my head ‘round what I wanted to make fer ya. I mean, there’s just a whole lotta things I’d love to make for ya! Gettin’ to make yer personalized outfit was like a dream come true... but I couldn’t jus’ stop there, yanno? What I have fer ya today ain’t somethin’ on that scale but... when I thought ‘bout everythin’ ya liked, and how I see ya as a person, that’s when I knew exactly what I wanted to make. ”

    That he didn’t let Arashi open the present himself might’ve seemed strange at first... but then Mika gently took one of Arashi’s hands into his own, corsage in the other, and gave his best friend a bit of a shy, but expectant look before making a humble request. 

      “ ...I probably don’t hafta ask, but wouldja mind if I put it on fer ya, Naru-chan~? ”

[mikarashis]

Cheval Live - Chapter Nine

Summer Sky ＊ Galloping Cheval Live - Chapter Nine

Season: Summer

Location: Horse-riding club

Mika: (ahh...!  I can’t think at all!  ‘s no good, I’m totally drawin’ a blank!  It was s’posed t’ be my responsibility, but ‘ve got no answers fer this...! Hm~mm, if we’re at the ridin’ club, does the live hafta center around the horseys?  

na~... this is s’posed t’ be a promotional live, right?  Is it promotion enough just t’ ride horses around?  The stage ‘n the costumes, too... I jes’ have no idea how t’ do it... t’ be honest, I’m not good at usin’ my head at all.  Oshi-san’s always the one who figures out this kinda stuff fer Valkyrie, and I jes’ move the way I’m told.

But ‘m not gonna complain!  I can’t jes’ focus on what I’m not good at!  If I can’t even do this, I really am a total blockhead!)

...naa?  Anzu-chan, why’re you still here?  I thought you’d wanna leave.  Aa...y’ thought I’d be thirsty so y’ got me a drink?  Thank ya muchly, Anzu-chan.  I’ll drink it after so y’ can jes’ leave it on the desk.  

Naa~, is there somethin’ else?  ...eh, I seem troubled, so y’ wanna ask if we can brainstorm t’gether?  Anzu-chan is the one who found this job, yer sayin’...

That’s diff’rent, though.  The one y’ found was the ‘Summer Fes’ live, but I accidentally applied fer a promotional live fer this ridin’ club instead.  So don’t worry about me...y’ can go hang out with the others.  

...yeah.  This is somethin’ I’ve gotta solve on my own.

(Anzu-chan...I know she’s worried.  She jes’ wanted t’ help but I turned ‘er down...she prob’ly thinks I’m real disagreeable)

N-not that I care even if she hates me!  ‘s a good feelin’ since she’s the enemy!

Ritsu: nn~...who’s talking so loud, it’s disturbing my sleep~?

Mika: naaaa?!

Ritsu: wait...it’s because you’re speaking so close.  I was sleeping so comfortably; I got really surprised.

Good morning, Mikarin.

Mika: y-yeah.  Good mornin’, Ritsu-kun.

Tho, after sayin’ that... ‘s not really time fer ‘good mornin’,’ anymore, is it?  If it’s after lunch, it should be more like, ‘good afternoon’.

Ritsu: it’s fine, don’t sweat the details.  More importantly, the last thing I remember was sleeping at home, but now I woke up in a strange place so I’m a little confused.

Mika: eh?  You’re tryin’ t’ figure it out?

Ritsu: n~ ah, hold on a sec, I’m trying to think.  Maa-kun and one more person...Nacchan, maybe?  Yeah, yeah, Nacchan was the one who brought me here.

Mika: ahaha, y’ remembered!  And fer the record, ‘here’ is a horse ridin’ club. T’ be more specific, it’s the club we’re doin’ a promotional live for.

Ritsu: fuun, that’s news to me.  Wasn’t the thing Mikarin signed us up for supposed to be a ‘Summer Fes’?  Was there a mistake?

Mika: ...uh, yeeeah, so now ‘m thinkin’ of what we c’n do fer this.

Ritsu: ahh...so Mikarin, that’s why you look so stressed.  You know, Mikarin isn’t doing this live by yourself, right?  So you’ve got all of us to consult as well.

Mika: ‘s no good, I can’t think of anythin’!

Ritsu: ua, you’re yelling again.  I bet Mikarin feels responsible and is trying to do everything alone.  But really, isn’t that sort of thing more of an inconvenience~?

Mika: eh...an inconvenience?

Ritsu: yep...this might be hard to hear, but can you really put on a live like this?  Coming up with costumes and staging by yourself is already too much, and it’ll only lead to a half-finished project in the end.

Thinking about your own capabilities is a big part of it, too.  More than that, it’s a joint live, so I want you to realize that this isn’t just Mikarin’s problem - it’s all of ours.

Mika: ugh...guh...!  It’s really as Ritsu-kun says...

‘m sorry...I wanted t’ make a plan that would give Naru-chan some nice summer memories, but I failed.  And now I’m jes’ causin’ trouble fer everyone...

In that way, it’s really become an inconvenience, huh?

Uu...uuu~n

Ritsu: for the time being, isn’t Anzu offering to help?  I kind of overheard you earlier.  But it’s not strange to ask a producer for help with this sort of thing, right?  I bet it would make her really happy...

Mika: ‘s true, I guess askin’ a producer is okay, right...?  I...I got it!  I’ll go apologize fer pushin’ Anzu-chan away b’fore!

Ritsu: yep, yep.  See you later~... ♪

(Well, I usually leave solving trouble to other people, but I couldn’t just stay quiet this time.  Aah~ ...I did it ♪)

[tsundere-model]

[Day 10 + Mika] Blind Date

Setting: Simple college AU. Izumi and Mika have never met before.

No, he wasn’t interested in a blind date. He insisted once and twice and thrice, from several days prior to the date in question and with a whole dissertation on the many reasons why it was destined to fail.

Naru was, however, as stubborn as expected; easily ignore his many complains and laughing off his arguments.

“It’s a good boy Izu-chan, you’re gonna love him. I can guarantee” she would say with that adorable little smile that made it impossible to say no.

Still he tried. He knew he was destined to fail, and that as long as she had decided on it, he would end up in that blind date whether he wanted it or not. But he tried.

He wouldn’t find love in a blind date of all places, he insisted. It would be a big failure, he argued. He didn’t wanted to waste his time like this on his birthday of all days, he protested.

And yet, when the day came, he was right on time to the agreed place, dressed up and with just the slightest bit of makeup -as suggested by beauty guru herself, Arashi Narukami-.

Indeed, while he was certain the date would be a complete miss, he refused to look anything less than perfect for it. Both for his pride and to correspond to Arashi’s kindness - because yes, he was aware her intentions were nothing but good, and she probably truly believed he’d love the guy.

A quiet sigh, he sat down in one of the tables to wait, already counting the lateness as a minus point for the guy.

“Awa! Yer Sena-san, aintcha?” It had been maybe a couple of minutes when he heard the loud voice from over the crowd, addressing him in a strong accent “Did I madya wait too long?”

Looking up from his book, Izumi peered into the stranger he had been set up with, apologetic blue and golden eyes meeting up with him right away.

The guy in question was rather tall, with tousled black hair tied in a small ponytail and clothes that seemed a bit too big for his frame, his turtleneck swallowing all the way to his chin with ease.

Though the fashion sense of the guy made him crook and eyebrow, he had to admit his face was very beautiful even if a bit childish -though it was probably because of his nervous wide eyes and pursed lips-, with those heterochromic completing the painting. If anything, Naru had a good eye for what Izumi considered ‘attractive’.

“Yeah, that’s me. I hope you have a good reason for making me wait” he started, making a small gesture for the other to sit down in front of him.

“Ah… no… it ain’t somethin’ that can justify my gettin’ late…” he looked up expecting for the explanation to follow and the guy perked up slightly, quickly restarting the engine of his words “I ain’t much of a fan of bein’ outside, yanno? Crowds make me feel uneasy… i tried to avoid bein’ stared at and ended up goin’ in the wrong direction… so then i had to run here.”

… for real? For real. He didn’t seemed to be lying -and why would someone lie in such an outrageous way in the first place?

“Hmmn, was it really okay to pick a cafe for this then?” he questioned back, quickly scanning their surroundings. It was one of the currently more popular cafes, with reservations needed one week in advance -which also meant all the tables were occupied.

“It’s fine! Don’t mind me! Naru-chan said ya’d like a fashionable place so I tried to pick one… Is it maybe… not to yer likin’?” the cheery tone from the start seemed to die out into a much lower and shaky tone by the end. What a curious guy.

“So you picked it… I thought it might have been Naru-chan, since she has done nothing but talk about this place for the past month” Izumi finally replied, fingers reaching forward to lift the menu and give it a look “That’s to say I don’t mind it. I was curious about it anyway”

Sneaking a glance from the menu to the guy, he noticed the other’s expression seemed to have returned to normal

“So… I actually don’t know much about you. Except that you are Naru-chan’s friend from college… Mind telling me a bit more about yourself? Maybe starting by your name?” he asked gently, worrying just a bit that this wild-animal would run in fear if he pressed too hard.

“Ah! R-right…My name is Kagehira Mika. I’m a fashion designer…” he explained, still timid and fidgety. Maybe he was feeling intimidated? Or simply didn’t liked Izumi (or the date) all that much? “Naru-chan talks a lot ‘bout ya so it kinda feels like I already know ya... sorry ‘bout that”

“Hmnn” another look down, Izumi finally settled for a seafood salad and a green smoothie, putting a finger on top of the order as if to not forget until the waitress arrived to their table “Fashion designer, you say… What kind of things do you design? LIke… the kind of thing Naru-chan wears?”

The heterochromic eyes that until then had been having a hard time picking where to look at, finally looked directly at him, sparkles appearing right on them. It seemed like asking about his job had been a good choice.

“I… I like frills and lace the most… so I often do lady outfits” he explained, a hand going to the bag on his side, fishing around it for a few moments before pulling out a sketchbook of yellow pages and flipping it a couple of times to show some of the designs.

He felt compelled to tell him to stop, as he wasn’t really asking for a whole explanation, but his words disappeared in his mouth right away.

It was amazing. The lines seemed to have life and the colors made it easy to guess the fabrics that had been planned for it, little cuts of said fabric also taped to the paper along with little comments in black marker.

“I like the blue one” he found himself saying, and the guy grinned from side to side cheerfully.

“That one is my current fave… it’ll be my final project this semester! Ya can see all these layers here?” he pointed with a long and pretty nail “It all has to be cut and sewn in a circular progression and connected to the corset on this side...”

Completely absorbed in his own world, the timid guy continued to talk about all the details in the dress he wanted to made. How he had picked some of the fabric and even dyed part of it himself to get the exact color, and how he had been working in the details first because he lacked a model that could really pull it off.

When the waitress finally arrived, the guy asked for a simple sandwich and a dark coffee with plenty of sugar before continuing his animated talk.

And he hated to admit it. He really did. But it was kind of fun to hear him talk like this. His love for his own work just soaking every word he said, and making it all sound so very interesting.

He only stopped when the food had arrived and suddenly, he realized his date had been in absolute silence for the past many minutes. To which he apologized profusely and sincerely -like everything he did apparently.

“It’s fine. It was surprisingly entertaining to hear you talk” He admitted. Simple and direct, the straw now caught in between his lips as he took a long sip of the smoothie. Tasty. As expected.

On the other side of the table, Mika was now blushing hard, not even daring to reach out to his own coffee or sandwich. Which was amusing in its own right, but almost a bit cruel.

“You want me to talk now so we’re even?” he asked, finding the other’s nervousness was decidedly good at bringing his kind side to the forefront. With a nod from the other, he tried to think of something he could talk about himself.

So he decided to talk about work too. It was most of what he did anyway, so he had plenty to talk about when it came to that. About the latest photoshoots he had, and about how the make-up artist hadn’t arrived on time, and about how he felt limited by the ‘cool and princely’ style when he’d like to try different things.

Much to his surprise, Mika’s expression was the same now as it was when he talked brightly and charmingly about his own projects. As if Izumi’s words were truly the most interesting thing he had ever heard, and he just couldn’t wait to hear more about it.

So he giggled.

The treatment was such a shock -half flattering, half embarrassing- that he didn’t knew what else to do but giggle. Which only worked to make Mika feel confused, not asking why Izumi was laughing then wondering if he was okay when he couldn’t stop. Then just being worried about him.

And what could he do to such earnest yet misdirected worry but to giggle even more -uncontrollably so. So much, in fact, he started to feel hot on the face and unable to breath properly. Something that rarely happened.

It was so silly.

“I’m… fine… you’re just too funny” he finally got calm enough to talk, even if it was in between chuckles and wiping the tears from his eyes -careful not to mess with his own mascara.

“D-did I say somethin’ weird?”

Controlling himself not to start laughing again, Izumi simply nodded twice in a row, lips still marked in a long curved smile. What did this boy said that wasn’t weird?

“... Izumi-san… yer so pretty”

Now he wasn’t laughing anymore, even the smile turned into a flat line. Silence overpowering as the words settled in his head, lips parting softly and then closing up again.

“E-excuse me?”

“I… I’m sorry! Don’t be mad... I just… when ya smile like that, yer like… the prettiest person I’ve ever seen” the boy visibly panicked, hands waving all over the place.

He was being sincere, that much was easy to tell, a light blush showing on his cheeks as he tried to explain himself.

Thump.

Izumi’s cheeks started to get redder… and redder… and redder… until his whole face, all the way to his ears, was beetle red. Noticing the heat, he rushed to cover his face with both hands, a rushed movement that most certainly didn’t fit the most elegant movements he had done until then… prompting a worried question from Mika’s part.

“N-no… I’m not mad.” he half explained, face still covered with both hands “I’m… not. But you should, think before talking...”

“I’ve been told that plenty” the raven-haired male replied in a tone all too cheerful, an apologetic look in double colored eyes remaining in place “But it’s the truth, so it ain’t nothin’ bad about sayin’ it, right?”

Ah… the earnest tone on the other’s voice was doing everything to make him dizzy and confused. His heart was thumping hard in his chest, and he couldn’t control the blush on his face either.

“Say… ya were talkin’ ‘bout how ya don’t like bein’ confined to just one role, right? That ya wanna try new stuff” Mika continued, as if prompted by Izumi’s blushy awkwardness “W-would ya model for me? I just… when I see ya… I feel like I’ve found myself a muse, yanno?”

He couldn’t even think anymore. He was seriously starting to melt down at the sincere compliments. And just like that he found himself nodding in agreement, just like that accepting to meet again.

God, he could already see Naru’s smug ‘i told you so’ grin.

He guessed having a nice date, and maybe probably a future boyfriend for his birthday wasn’t half-bad.

[kiribakus]

love let

hi im projecting onto mika even though he’s not my kin

“Oshi-san,” Mika whines. “Maintenance.”

Shu doesn’t look up from the magazine he’s reading. He looks over the capes the models are wearing. They’ve got some kind of stitching at the edges he can’t quite make out. He chews on his thumbnail. It’d be tough to replicate the kind of intricacy of the stitching, but he thinks he has the gist of it. A lighter red might work, maybe some shiny gold, if he didn’t go overboard. Valkyrie weren’t like the pompous dogs who called themselves kings of Yumenosaki Academy. They achieved a kind of subtle elegance those fed with silver spoons could never replicate. They were--

“Oshi-san,” Mika whines again, louder this time. “Maintenance.”

“Oh, for god’s sake,” Shu says, dropping the magazine and shooting Mika a frosty glare. “Have you no patience? This is an important task, you good-for-nothing. Unless you think you’re fit for designing new outfits for Valkyrie?”

Mika peeks over the edge of the couch, only his eyes and the bridge of his nose visible. His hands curl over the edge. Shu is reminded of a dog with its paws on the counter, begging for dinner scraps. He’s got the look down perfectly--shaggy hair falling in his face and stray hairs sticking up every which way. He’d clearly just woken up.

“Oshi-san doesn’t like my ideas, though,” Mika says. “Innit better if the smarter of the two of us takes the lead?”

“See,” Shu says, picking up the magazine. “You can say intelligent things, once in a blue moon.”

“But--”

“I’m busy, Kagehira,” Shu says. “Any tears in your uniform can wait.”

“Not that,” Mika says.

Shu scowls. “I’ve already weighed you today. You’re putting on  weight again, so stop worrying about it.”

“Not that, either...”

“What? Snacks? Make-up? If it’s something you want, either help yourself or wait for me to finish reading.”

“Nnn,” Mika says. “Maintenance.”

“Are you stupid, or deaf?” Shu snaps, dropping the magazine again. “What are you--”

Mika’s condition catches him off guard. Mika has moved to the end of the couch now, leaning into the armrest, slumped against it, really. Even through his bangs, Shu can see how bright Mika’s eyes are. He’s chewing his bottom lip--a dreadful habit Shu needed to break him of; he’d ruin the soft texture of his lips--and not looking at Shu, exactly, but kind of around him, up and down his body and at the couch and at his chest and Shu understands.

Oh. It was that kind of maintenance.

Shu sighs. “Your timing, as usual, is no less than impeccably unfortunate.”

Mika fidgets, twirling a hair around is finger. “Then Oshi-san won’t...”

“Are you a child?” Shu says. “Ask properly when you need something.”

“I tried,” Mika huffs, unusually rebellious for him, and Shu considers that they haven’t really had time for this kind of maintenance with preparations for the DreamFes against Akatsuki. And Kiryuu wouldn’t be helping with the costumes, either.

He’d been stressed by the upcoming project, and when he got stressed it was all he could do to feed and bathe himself while trying to tackle the project and as such, Mika hadn’t been at the front of his mind. But of course, Mika fed off of his emotions and mental state like a self-destructive leech and of course, he would be stressed, too. It was more surprising that he hadn’t asked sooner.

“You’re almost an adult,” Shu says, sighing. “You’ve got to take care of yourself. You can’t be depending on me forever, you know.”

“I know,” Mika says, puffing his cheeks. “I spent more time with Naru-chan an’ I even splurged on some cheap sweets. I’ve been doin’ all I can to calm down but...”

But it wasn’t the same. Right.

“Can’t be helped,” Shu grunts. “Come.”

He puts his magazine off to the side and wiggles as far into the couch cushions as he can from where he’s been splayed across the couch. There’s no point though--Mika pays no mind to the offering of personal space. The couch dips on either side of Shu and Mika hovers over him, one hand braced against the back of the couch. His eyes fall to Shu’s, that same, hungry, half-lidded that makes the hairs on the back of Shu’s neck stand up as he falls into Mika’s shadow.

(It’s not quite like being consumed, but rather the threat that he might be: that one day, Mika will realize that close is not close enough and Shu will be devoured alive. Mika’s devotion to him is nothing laughable; he would fall on a blade for Shu, even if Shu finds the idea preposterous. As a puppet, obedient and pliant, Mika remains a known, controllable quantity.

But if he were to become self-aware. If he were to understand what this closeness meant, and decide he wanted it.

Shu would burn.)

The moment is over in a heartbeat, and Mika lowers himself onto Shu’s chest. He wriggles back and forth, settling his body against as much of Shu’s skin as he can. Their legs intertwine and their feet hook each other. One of Mika’s hands curls around Shu’s side and the other presses over his heart. Mika’s head follows, pressed against Shu’s chest, a few tendrils of hair tickling Shu’s chin.

“Oshi-san’s heart is beatin’ so fast,” Mika murmurs. “Do ya really hate this?”

“Don’t say stupid things,” Shu says. “Do you know how stressful this event is?”

“Mmm, I feel like I’m just usin’ ya then,” Mika says. “Since yer heartbeat is the most calming sound in th’ world to me.” Shu feels Mika’s body tighten in a stretch and then feels all the tension leave Mika’s body as he relaxes against Shu.

He’s warm. Shu has problems with the cold--wears enough scarves that Kiryuu laughed at him for it and the kind of parkas that wouldn’t let him rest his arms flat at his sides. His ears and cheeks are permanently ruddy in winter, flushed with cold.

But Mika--Mika takes all that coldness away. Unflinchingly. He rests his head against cold skin, tucks warm fingers around freezing sides, and he accepts the ice-encrusted edges to Shu. Even when they’re sharp. Even when they cut. Surely, he’d say something like ‘I don’ feel much pain anyway, ain’t a big deal!’ with a big, dumb smile on his face.

“Using me?” Shu says. “You’re not nearly clever enough to come up with something like that on your own. Nor would I allow you to take advantage of me. If you stress over it, I’ll have to discipline you.”

“Okay, okay,” Mika says, half-laughing against Shu’s collarbone and making his heart throb. “I’ll just enjoy it then.”

Mika is warm, and soft to the touch, and light, only a blanket across Shu’s body. If Shu presses against his sides he’ll feel the ridges of ribs. If he presses against his back, the bumps of vertebrae. Against his hips, the cut of his pelvis. Mika takes Shu as he is, but he is just a boy. He’s not fit to take on all that Shu is, with so fragile a frame, as breakable as Mademoiselle.

Shu holds Mika with one arm and strokes his hair with his free hand. He tangles his fingers in the knots of his hair, the kind that snag at his fingers and make Mika look scruffier than he is. Make him look less beautiful than he is. Bit by bit, Shu picks apart the tangles in his hair, smoothing it down to the regular, too-long mess that it was. Mika snuffles.

“Nnnn,” he says. “I love this maintenance the most.”

Mika was using him? How laughable. Shu needed this, probably more than Mika did. Mika was his rock, his affirmation. Valkyrie lived because of Mika, and Shu lived because of Valkyrie. It was Mika who had taken the weight of Shu’s fall and caught him with that fragile, too-slender frame and held him up, even at the expense of his own health. Shu lived because of Mika. And he would live for Mika, until the day Mika’s eyes were no longer on his.

“Ne, Oshi-san,” Mika says. “Your heartbeat calmed down.”

“Obviously,” Shu says. “This maintenance is for me as much as it is for you.”