#tatsuya has the personality of a paper cup

[rexcaliburechoes]

Reblog if you want this guy

To get Actual Character Development despite being a side character because he's not like the MC, who has the personality of a paper cup

[writerofthecourt]

the secretary

pairing: kuroo tetsurou x reader

summary: you arrive at your husband’s workplace to deliver the papers he needs for a very important presentation. unfortunately, the only thing standing between you and this goal is his secretary

warning: slight time skip spoilers

a/n: this is such a cliché, but it doesn’t mean that i love it any less. is kuroo actually so high up there in position that he gets his own secretary? who knows, but i hope you guys enjoy

EDIT: reupload (tumblr, please stop deleting me from the tags)

The building in front of you stood tall and menacingly, its shining windows indicative of the building’s well-kept and professional status. Men and women dressed in suits could be seen walking around the lobby, with some hurrying to and from various cramped elevators, all in an effort to make it to their next meetings. You were beginning to think that you were a bit underdressed with your large hoodie and sweatpants…

Your attention was soon redirected when you felt the baby strapped against your chest wiggle in excitement at all the new and foreign sights around him. Tatsuya was only fourteen months old, but he was smart enough to recognize that the setting around him was not the usual park or grocery store that you would take him to, so all of this could only mean one thing: a new adventure!

“Tatsuya,” you giggled at your son’s endless wiggling, “please behave, all right? We just need to deliver papa’s papers, and then we can go home and watch your cartoons.”

“Papa?” your son asked, his eyes lighting up at the very mention of his father.

You nodded and smiled at your son’s enthusiasm. On some days, you would playfully complain to your husband that Tatsuya loved him more than he loved you. Your son was already a carbon copy of Kuroo, with their similarly dark ebony hair and golden eyes. Even dressed in his current red onesie, Tatsuya looked reminiscent of your husband in his old volleyball jersey. The only trait that Tatsuya didn’t inherit from his scheming father was the latter’s wild bedhead. You just hoped that your next child would look more like you.

“Yeah, we get to see papa today,” you gestured to your purse, which held the folder containing the papers Kuroo needed for his presentation that afternoon, “your papa forgot his papers, so we’re going to go deliver them to him.”

You nearly had a heart attack earlier in the morning when you saw the inconspicuous folder sitting on the dining room table as you were cleaning the house. Kuroo had been so busy working on this presentation for the past few weeks that he’d often skip food and sleep in order to have it finished. When he didn’t answer your phone call after the fifth time, you took it upon yourself to deliver his papers to him in person.

“Papa!” Tatsuya exclaimed in further excitement at the prospect of seeing his father.

You just chuckled as you made your way to the front doors of the Japan Volleyball Association. The security guard stationed at the front desk shot you a raised eyebrow, but said nothing as he gave you a nod in greeting. You bowed back before heading towards the busy elevators, workers staring at you in bewilderment, as you were clearly not meant to be there.

You nervously sent them all a polite smile as you got into the cramped elevator when it arrived with the rest of the employees. Tatsuya simply babbled away as his eyes stared transfixed on the glowing numbers that indicated to the elevator’s ascension. At least someone was having a fun time.

Once you arrived at the twenty-third floor, the Sports Promotion Division, you mused at how all of the decoration remained virtually unchanged since the last time you had visited, which was near the beginning of Kuroo’s career when he had first landed the job and wanted to show you around his workplace and office.

Oh, he got a new secretary, you thought as you saw a pretty, young woman sitting at the desk located just outside of your husband’s office.

She looked around your age, maybe a year or two younger, with pretty brown eyes and matching chestnut brown hair tied into a loose bun. Her blue suit flattered her slender body to no end, and her makeup was precise and flawless. You had no doubt that she could have pursued a career in modelling if she really wanted to.

Sensing your approach, she looked up from her monitor and sent you a bored look. “Hello, how can I help you today?”

“Oh, um,” you stuttered, suddenly intimidated by her beauty up close. “Is Kuroo Tetsurou in right now? I have something important to give him.”

At the mention of your husband’s name, her attention was now solely focused on you as she gave you a not-so-subtle scan up and down. “And what business do you have with Kuroo-san?”

Not sensing her shifting attitude, you removed the folder from your purse and showed it to her. “He left these papers at home and needs them for an important presentation today. I’m just here to deliver them to him.”

“Hmm,” the secretary mused before gesturing for you to take a seat on the sofa located on the wall opposite of her desk. “Please take a seat while I see if he’s in.”

Nodding in gratitude, you made your way to the sofa and took a seat while the secretary typed away on her computer. Tatsuya, who had been quiet up until this point, took the silence as a sign that the adults were done talking and that it was now his turn to speak.

“Mama,” Tatsuya began, pointing to one of the many dull paintings that decorated the office walls. “Birb!”

You nodded. “Good job, Tatsu-chan. What about that one?”

Your son followed the direction of your finger, his eyes landing on a large flowery landscape before he furrowed his eyebrows in concentration to decipher what the painting was trying to depict. “Fwower?”

“You’re so smart, Tatsuya. Good job!”

You proceeded to boop your son’s nose and shower his face with little kisses. His joyous laughter filled your heart with warmth as he looked up at you with mirth in his golden eyes. A clearing of the throat soon interrupted the moment, and the secretary gave you a strained smile. “Ma’am, can you please try to keep it down over there? We still have people working on this floor.”

“Oh, sorry!” you apologized before turning to Tatsuya. “Tatsu-chan, let’s play the quiet game for a bit, okay? We wouldn’t want to disturb other people while they’re working, right?”

Your son cutely nodded as he began to occupy his time by playing with the strings of your hoodie. After a few more minutes, the secretary called you up to her desk. “Kuroo-san is in a meeting right now, but I can deliver his papers to him if you want?”

“Oh, um,” you hesitated, clutching the folder. “These papers are really important to him, so I’d be a lot more comfortable with delivering them to him in person.”

You didn’t notice how her right eye slightly twitched as she tried to convince you to hand over the folder. “Ma’am, by denying my offer, you are the one that will be impeding on Kuroo-san’s presentation if those papers are as important as you say they are.”

“W-well, when you put it that way-”

“What’s going on here?” a familiar voice called out.

“Tetsu!”

From the end of the hallway, Kuroo, dressed in his well-fitted black suit, sent you a charming smile as he approached you and Tatsuya.

“Hey, Tatsu,” Kuroo greeted with adoration as he affectionately ruffled Tatsuya’s hair, getting a delighted giggle from the baby. Kuroo then turned to you with the same look of softness and adoration shining in his eyes. “Hey, [Y/N].”

“Hey, Tetsu,” you greeted back before curiously tilting your head. “Aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting right now?”

“We just finished. So, what’s the problem here?” Kuroo asked, glancing at his secretary.

“Oh, Kuroo-san,” the secretary beamed with a sort of newly awakened enthusiasm. “This lady over here says that she has something important to give you. Is she a friend of yours?”

Kuroo hummed. “Something like that. What’s she talking about, [Y/N]?”

Pushing the folder into your husband’s chest, you revelled in amusement at the pure look of shock that overtook Kuroo’s face once he had recognized the folder in your hand. He quickly snatched it from you and hurriedly flipped through it to make sure all of his papers were there. Once he was sure that everything was indeed in the folder, Kuroo cupped your face and gave you an unabashed kiss.

“What would I do without you?” he asked once the two of you separated.

“Probably working for Kenma to make ends meet,” you joked with a shy grin. Although you were a little embarrassed about Kuroo kissing you so publicly like that, you weren’t one to complain…

“Papa!” Tatsuya exclaimed with his arms stretched out. He began to make grabbing motions with his hands, signalling that he wanted to be held by his father.

Always quick on the uptake, Kuroo unfastened Tatsuya from his baby carrier and lifted him up to place a kiss on his forehead. Your son then proceeded to happily squeal and marvel at his new found height.

“I-I didn’t know you were married, Kuroo-san,” the secretary stuttered out as she fell prey to witnessing the undeniably cute family right in front of her. She felt her chest boiling with jealousy.

“Hm? I didn’t know you were privy to that information. Besides,” Kuroo lifted up both of your left hands to show off your matching wedding bands, “I never tried to hide it or anything.”

As an awkward tension soon began to envelop the air, Kuroo cleared his throat to quickly dissipate it. Turning to you with a smile, Kuroo returned Tatsuya back into your arms. “Well, my presentation’s in an hour. Tatsuya, wish your old man good luck!”

“Luck-luck, papa!” Tatsuya said as you buckled him back into his baby carrier.

“Tetsu, you’re not even twenty-seven, let alone thirty,” you chuckled as you planted a quick peck on his cheek. “Good luck with your presentation. I’ll be cooking salted mackerel pike for dinner tonight.”

Kuroo looked at you with stars in his eyes as you turned to his secretary, bowing and thanking her for all of her help.

“You are the love of my life, Kuroo [Y/N],” Kuroo proclaimed as you gave him an embarrassed pout. Your pout quickly transformed into a radiant smile as you and Tatsuya waved him goodbye and left for the elevators.

Once you were gone, Kuroo dramatically sighed and leaned against his secretary’s desk with a happy grin on his face. “Isn’t [Y/N] the best? And Tatsuya’s just the cutest baby to ever grace this Earth. How did I ever get so lucky?”

“T-they seem great, Kuroo-san,” his secretary answered with a tight-lipped smile.

“Yeah, they are,” Kuroo sincerely agreed. “Well then, I really should go get ready for this presentation. Good work, Amazaki.”

“I-it’s Hayashi, sir…”

“Oh, is it?” Kuroo feigned, glancing at the nameplate that proudly sat on top of his secretary’s desk, clearly in his field of sight and not hard to miss. “Sorry. Despite what [Y/N] says, I’m really getting up there in age. Ah, to be young again.”

As Kuroo walked off with his folder now securely tucked underneath his arm, he couldn’t help but let the smirk that he had been suppressing take over his face.

That’s what you get for being such a bitch to my wife and son.

[charredbrie]

Kurobas Valentine’s Day Event 2020 Day 4: NijiAka

Oh gosh, I’ve finally finished this after a looooong time. And because it’s Valentines, various pairings (MuraHimu, MidoTaka, AoKise, and KagaKuro) appear on this. And it’s time for this pair to make a debut at least for me because the guy who plays Nijimura on the stageplay is my Kubota Hidetoshi. :P Once again, special thanks to @vanilla-daydreams​ and @theuglycrybaby​ for this wonderful event.

Day 4 Prompt: Love Song/I wish you were here.

Title: Valentines’ Surprise

Summary: Akashi has finally realized that greater things come to those who wait.

Rating: T

Words: 4, 009

Also on Ao3

Akashi Seijurou is currently overlooking his team’s practice. Because of their loss, he and the coach have decided to pump up their training regime to get back what’s rightfully theirs for the next Winter Cup.

It has been two weeks since he has woken up from his own body and since Seirin has beaten them. For the excruciating weeks following his comeback, the Akashi Seijurou has been longing. Since he emerges, his first thought after losing is to badly talk to Nijimura-san. He has been longing to see or even talk to his previous captain. He wants to apologize for everything as well as to tell him something important. Something that he couldn’t say or even show before because his other self has gotten so obsessed with winning and being absolute to the point that he has pushed everyone away.

He has been lucky that his previous team, his first real friends, are able to accept him again after all his wrongdoings in the past when they all meet up for Kuroko’s birthday. No words have been said, just a welcoming feeling that he still belongs with them. He feels that he doesn’t deserve it but nonetheless reaches out their hands again because he seriously doesn’t want to lose them again this time. And now, looking at his current teammates, he promises himself that he won’t do the same mistake again.

-x-

Practice ends in an uneventful way and Seijurou just wants to retire to his room for the night.  Although he has been thinking a lot after he comes back but today, he is feeling so pensive and he doesn’t know why. He creases his forehead as he feels an incoming headache. Thinking that he has enough practice for today, he shouts some more last-minute orders for the other first years before he makes his way to the locker room. However, when he arrives there, he is greeted by the usual occurrence with the three second years starting with Nebuya flexing his muscles and he feels like Hayama is a walking bungee jumper with a megaphone attached. Although it is a bit different from Mibuchi. These past few days, Mibuchi finds a fascination for Western slow rock love songs ranging from the 70s-90s. Almost every day, he will give him his most recommended song, he’ll listen to it then he’ll give his input the next day. He actually indulges his teammates with their quirks and whims to get closer and to get to know them better like what he has done with the Kisekis before to deepen the bond and trust among themselves.

“Sei-chan~,” Mibuchi greets him as well as the other two. He nods at them as he goes in front of his locker to change.

“Hey, Akashi, Reo-nee says he wants to go to the convenience store and Ei-chan and I are gonna tag along. Come with us!” Hayama asks him excitedly. He thinks for a bit; he doesn’t have much homework today and he has been meaning to get the Basketball Monthly for this month.

“Okay, I’ll come.”

“Ara, Sei-chan you make me happy~” He sees Mibuchi and Hayama from the corner of his eye do a high five.

A small smile tug on his lips thinking that it’s okay to have fun with these guys.

Their trip to the convenience store somewhat reminds him of what they used to do back in middle school. It is a refreshing feeling. Hayama strongly reminds him of Kise as a ball of energy. Mibuchi is like Midorima who is engaging him in a sensible conversation. With Nebuya, he’s like Kuroko in a way that he will just input on the conversation from time to time less the gross burping. He must admit that he misses Murasakibara’s constant munching with crumbs leaving a trail from point a to point b as well as Aomine’s contagious smile and sometimes, stupidity. He is thinking that maybe, he should hang out with them more after school. They also end up eating dinner at a nearby restaurant near the convenience store because Nebuya wants to eat more meat.

And thus, when they reach their boarding, Mibuchi stops him and gives him his song for the day. He accepts it with a small smile and promises him that he’ll give him his review tomorrow. They bid their goodbyes as he retires to his room. He does his routine: bath, do his homework while listening to classical music, do some stretching before going to bed and the newly added one, check out Mibuchi’s recommended song for the day. He unfolds the paper and looks at the title with Mibuchi’s neat handwriting.

First Time by Robin Beck

Seijurou then opens his laptop and starts searching the song and the lyrics. As he is listening, he thinks that so far this is the best one yet. Mibuchi is giving him songs varying from I Love You Always Forever by Donna Lewis, Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne to Morning Train by Sheena Easton. He thinks that all of them are good songs but the first one is too cliché, the second one is too painful while the last one is for adulting...kind of.

But this song, First Time by Robin Beck triggers something in him. The fine use of metaphor when you experience your first love is so beautiful as well as the feelings and hesitations that comes with it when you finally have the love you desire. The melody is something upbeat as slow rock music is meant to be and the exquisite timing fits the lyrics properly.

Probably because he’s on a pensive move all day and him, Akashi Seijurou is never really a fan of love songs. Not at all, thank you very much. It’s just so out of his character but it’s quite alright for him because he is actually learning something from it as well as having some bonding moment with Mibuchi. He especially likes these lines:

So mysterious yet so incredibly real

It's an uncharted sea, it's an unopened door

But you gotta reach out and you gotta explore

Even though you're not sure till the moment arrives

There he is and you know you're in love

And it reminds him of Nijimura-san. The guy that he never has a chance to express how he really feels. He is a little bit too late. Nijimura-san has already left when he realized everything. Also, it is one of the reasons why his split personality has gotten worst to the point of emerging so soon. He lost his support system and he got pressured for leading the team to victory after victory. He has realized it too late that it was and it still is Nijimura-san who can keep him in line after all this time.

He repeats the song again as he digs deeper into the metaphors when his phone continuously vibrates, signaling that he has an incoming call. He pauses the music as he reaches for his phone and looks at the caller before answering. His eyes widen for a brief moment because the one calling him is Murasakibara and he is definitely not expecting a call from him by this time just because the big baby is usually asleep as early as 1930 and it’s already past 2300 now.

Curiously, he answers his phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Aka-chin. Can you come to Tokyo this weekend? I want to see you. Also, Mido-chin, Mine-chin, Kuro-chin, Kise-chin and Sa-chin are coming too.” Seijurou smiles as he heard the usual childish voice of Murasakibara. After all, even though he is the youngest of the team, he and Nijimura-san always baby him just so he would listen to them when they tell him to do something. He will always have a soft spot for their team’s big baby, after all.

“What is coming this weekend? It’s not like you to actually exert an effort to come to Tokyo from Akita.”

He hears some speaking noise from the other line and he can make up that Murasakibara is talking to Himuro based on a Muro-chin call and Atsushi coming from the pretty boy. “Eh? I don’t know what you’re talking about Aka-chin but come. Everyone is coming so you should too.”

It’s funny that almost everyone he knows is mostly inviting him to something today. He just doesn’t expect one from Murasakibara though.

“Okay, I will come. Where are we meeting up?”

“Do you still remember that court that we always play at near Teiko?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah, there. See you, Aka-chin. Bye.”

He sets down his phone on the desk as he wonders what has Murasakibara has eaten for him to organize this meet-up. It’s normal if it’s Momoi who calls him tonight because she usually arranges the meet up for everyone. He just continues the song and makes up his mind that dwelling with Murasakibara’s peculiar behavior is not worth it for he trusts the gentle baby giant.

-x-

Saturday comes and he is anticipating this day. When Mibuchi caught wind of his plan, he insists that he comes with him because he wants to see the Kisekis too especially Kise. He asks Murasakibara if he can tag Mibuchi along and replies okay since he’s bringing Himuro Tatsuya with him too. And now, they are currently taking a bus going to Teiko. It’s not that he feels nostalgic  but because of the fact that being near Teiko gives him a bittersweet memory. He tries to whisk away all the pessimistic thoughts that he is having. After all, he is meeting his friends and it’s supposed to be a joyful event for him.

When they finally arrive at the street courts, he is greeted by his friends warmly. After he says his greetings to them as well as Mibuchi, he sits down by the bench as he endearingly watches his friends interact with each other.

Midorima is holding delicately an airplane model for his lucky item for the day as Kise wants to play with it because it is his dream to be a pilot much to the chagrin of the bespectacled boy. Aomine has challenged Mibuchi to a one on one which the latter gladly accepts and says “Ikemen Target No. 1: Lock on~”. He chuckles at his teammates but said nothing when he sees Aomine cringing. Momoi is affectionately talking to Kuroko. However, the guy who has organized this meeting is still missing.

“Has anyone heard from Murasakibara?” It is Midorima who asks, obviously irritated.

“Murasakibara-kun is going to come, he just needs to do something first.” Kuroko supplies.

“I wonder why Mukkun called us here. Do you happen to know the reason, Tetsu-kun?”

“Yes, I would like to know that too.” By this time, all heads turn to him when he has spoken. “Do you know anything Kuroko?”

Kuroko looks at him with his usually impassive face as he takes out his phone and calls someone.

“Hello, Kagami-kun?...yeah...they’re coming now? Okay...you’re still with Takao-kun? Right...you can come here with Takao-kun...All right...vanilla milkshake please..thanks!”

After the conversation, Kuroko faces them again and says, “They’re coming now. Probably they have just gotten lost knowing Murasakibara-kun as well as Himuro-san. Even I don’t know why Murasakibara-kun called us.”

This time, it is Midorima who comments, “You’re awfully close with Himuro-san, Kuroko.”

“Yeah. We always hang out at Kagami-kun’s house whenever he and Murasakibara-kun will come to Tokyo.”

“Eh? Really, Kurokochi? Why is Murasakibarachi not saying anything whenever he comes to Tokyo?”

Kuroko mysteriously smiles, “I think you’ll just have to ask him when he comes.”

Aomine then comes and he one arm hugs Kise, “Cmon, Kise. Isn’t it too obvious? They’re always together. Also, they’re in the same room.”

“Eh? EEEEHHHHH???!!!!”

“Too loud, Kise. Aomine, I’m surprised by your perspective thinking only for today, in fact.” Midorima says as he pushes his glasses up with his taped fingers.

“Shut up, megane. Can’t you even say something nice? And yeah, Kise, so stop whining.”

Seijurou, for the lack of a better word, is in fact, shocked. Just because this is Murasakibara that we are talking about. He more or less gets what they are implying. It is as clear as the sky for Aomine and Kise because they’ve been at it since middle school. For Midorima with Takao, they make it painfully obvious during the Rakuzan vs. Shutoku match last Winter Cup. He knows about Kuroko and Kagami because Kuroko has admitted it to him during his birthday. He knows that Himuro is treating Murasakibara like his baby chick and he has thought that it’s platonic. He has decided now that he should learn more about human interactions. He will have to buy a book before going back to Kyoto.

As he is contemplating different books about human interactions and where to get them, Kagami and Takao arrive, with the tiger carrying two big paper bags from Maji Burger with Takao trailing after him who is holding the drinks. He sees Mibuchi joyfully approaches Takao as Midorima shots the boy a glare.

“Yo, everyone!” Kagami and Takao greet them. He nods at the two as they settle the paper bags and drinks on the bench. Takao goes behind Midorima just because Mibuchi has locked on his second target in the form of one Takao Kazunari much to the entertainment of Momoi. Kagami, on the other hand, is greeted by Kuroko with a small smile of his as he hands him his vanilla milkshake. Kise and Aomine are cuddling together much to the sourness of Midorima because he says it’s too vulgar. He, on the other hand, just accepts the food as Kagami is handing out for everyone. But still, Murasakibara sure is taking his sweet time. He is itching to call the tall purple head because although he is with every one of his friends and their other half, it feels like they are still incomplete.

And as everyone starts digging in with their food, they heard footsteps coming in their way. When he looks up, he sees Murasakibara, Himuro and a third person that is awfully familiar. He just can’t tell because the third person is wearing dark sunglasses as well as a baseball cap.

“Hi, everyone~!” Murasakibara waves at then with his usual lazy tone and three sticks of pocky hanging on his mouth.

“The hell you called us early in here and you arrived late?! I should be sleeping.........” Aomine yells indignantly follows by Midorima’s, “You have some nerve to let us wait in here, in fact.” They can see that something like a green smoke oozing out of Midorima’s body as Takao tries to pacify his boyfriend.

“Murasakibarachi, what’s up with the sudden meetup? Why are you late? Did something happen? You know we are worried that you might be lost as always..........”

“Hello, Mukkun, Himuro-san.”

“Hello, Murasakibara-kun, Himuro-san.”

“Hey, Murasakibara, Himuro-san.”

Murasakibara snaps for the constant nagging coming from Kise and Aomine as well as the sharp glare coming from Midorima. The next thing they know, his right hand is already moving to clamp a head as he just tells them.

“Shut up, guys. I’ll crush each and every one of you.”

Seijurou just sighs as he looks at his friends. His crazy friends. By then, he noticed that the mysterious guy behind Himuro is laughing at their display. It seems like he isn’t the only one who has noticed it as the rest of them has stopped talking and look at the mysterious newcomer.

Himuro chuckles at their expressions before saying, “Hey, Shuu. I think they’ve had enough of your disguise.”

It is actually Kuroko who snaps out of their first, “Nijimura-senpai?”

As soon as Kuroko calls that name, he snaps his head to look at the mysterious guy as he removes his sunglasses and cap.

“What’s up brats?” He lightly greets them with a grin.

Seijurou holds a deep breath as he properly looks at him. Nijimura-san is here in flesh and blood. He is snapped out when everyone has started to call out and surround Nijimura-san excitedly.

“Nijimura-senpai. It has been a while, in fact.”

“Nijimuraccchiiiiii!!!”

“Yo, Nijimura-senpai.”

“Hey brats, calm down!” He says as he greets every person there. The guys outside Teiko seems to be confused by the newcomer.

And hesitantly, he slowly moves forward to him and bravely faces his old captain. He lets out the breath that he has been holding as he genuinely smiles.

“Nijimura-san, it’s been a while.” The older boy just grins at him as he pats his head affectionately. “Yo, Akashi. You’ve grown huh?”

“Of course. I am a boy who is hitting puberty. I am supposed to grow.”

Nijimura-san just smirks at him. “You still don’t have any funny bone in you.”

Akashi gives him a small smile as the group settles by the benches, gives him food and from there, a series of conversations have started mostly from Kise asking a ton of questions to Nijimura-san as well as they introduce him to the others.

“Takao, Mibuchi and Kagami, this is Nijimura Shuuzo. Our old captain from Teiko.”

“Ara, what an ikemen, Sei-chan.”

“Heh, he’s the one that Shin-chan is talking about.”

“Ne, ne, Nijimurachi, how come Murasakibarachi knows you’re arriving?”

They all look at him and waits for an answer because everyone is as curious as he is.

Nijimura-san sips his soda before he answers, “Well, I’m friends with Tatsuya. We met in LA. And because he is a sly fox, he finds it entertaining to call me at Skype when it’s really late in America. Turns out he’s roommates with Murasakibara so I’ve been keeping tabs on you guys. They also picked me up at the airport earlier but they were late. I also asked him to set this meet up.”

Himuro chuckles as he retorts, “You know, I’m not quite good with directions and Atsushi usually gets lost so put us two together, of course, we’re bound to get lost.”

Everyone laughs at that but they now know the reason why Murasakibara has set this meet up. It is coming from Nijimura-san after all.

“How come you just visit us just now, Nijimurachi? How is your dad?”

Nijimura-san actually spares a glance on him before looking back at the rest and answers, “My Dad is all better now, thanks. He is actually the one who says that I can have a vacation for a bit because between school, part-time job and taking care of my Dad, I barely have time to spare for myself. Also, I need to see how far my sons have come.” He smirks at them but Seijurou kind of feels offended that Nijimura-san also sees him as his son. Out of nowhere, he abruptly stands up and excuses himself from the rest as he goes on his way to the restroom. He can hear the others calling for him but he doesn’t really want them to see him being so out of character - being fragile and offended. He needs time to compose himself, for goodness’ sake, he is Akashi Seijuro and Akashis don’t show any weaknesses.

Once he is done composing himself, he goes out of the restroom but is surprised to see Nijimura-san standing outside as if he is waiting for him. Seijuro snorts inwardly at the thought. By now, he has learned the hard way not to expect anything from other people or else he might push them more away from him.

“Yo, Akashi, why did you suddenly bailout?”

“And you, Nijimura-san, why are you here?”

“It’s suffocating there, everyone is doing a public display of attention even Midorima and his little bird and otou-san can’t handle it.” He says with a straight face which is amusing if he must say. He can’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Ah yes, I am surprised as well with everyone dating someone especially Murasakibara. I mean he’s our big baby.”

Nijimura-san just chuckles. “Yeah, I’ll kill Tatsuya if he makes our big baby cry, ne, okaa-san?”

Seijurou does something out of his character for he actually widens his eyes and gapes at him for a few seconds. Thinking that he must have heard his statement wrong, he inquires again.

“Sorry I missed what you said. Can you repeat it again?”

He can see that his face has a tint of red showing as he faces him and moves closer to him until they are only a foot away. He actually has to look up at him because he has gotten taller as he remembers him to be. But he couldn’t deny the fact that Nijimura-san has gotten more....dashing.

“W-Well, Akashi, other than seeing our sons, my priority is to talk to you about two things.”

“About what?”

“Well, first, you know Murasakibara told me everything and I want to see if you’re okay now.”

“Yes, better than I’ll ever be.”

“Good, then for the second one.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you this before but I’ve seen you getting harder to approach and getting more aloof by that time so I thought that it’s not yet time. But now....” he inhales a deep breath as he looks straight into his red-maroon eyes and continues softly, “...would you be the mother to our rainbow sons again?”

For the first time in his life, Akashi Seijurou is getting a really lame confession and he can’t help but chuckle. Nijimura-san has said it with such a straight face that he really doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry out of happiness.

“That’s a lame confession, Nijimura-san.”

“Shut up. It took me three whole years to say that.” As soon as the older boy says that, he can’t help but blush just because for three years, he has this lingering feeling of love for one Nijimura Shuuzo. The moment is already here and he remembers the lyrics of the song.

So mysterious yet so incredibly real

It's an uncharted sea, it's an unopened door

But you gotta reach out and you gotta explore

Even though you're not sure till the moment arrives

There he is and you know you're in love

He is already here and he just needs to reach out and explore.

“Yes, I’ll be the okaa-san for our rainbow sons again, otou-san.”

Omake

It has been a precious week of happiness that will forever be engraved in Seijurou’s heart once he and Shuuzo are together. The others have teased them to no end once they have learned that finally, their parents are together after three long years. Everyone gives their congratulations and some threats to their otou-san that they will fly to America if he makes their okaa-san cry. Seijurou finds it funny how Shuuzo gets rooted in his place as he listens to every threat that their sons throw on him.

However, Shuuzo is only staying for a week so when he flies back, it is a bittersweet moment for both of them. They hug each other tightly with a promise that they will be in touch at all times with each other.

And now, Valentine’s day has come and he is actually feeling a little bit lonely because his other half is on the other side of the world. He is currently on the rooftop where he has met Mayuzumi-san before, feeling the wind touching on his skin. His phone suddenly vibrates signaling a message and smiles as he sees Shuuzo’s name.

From: Nijimura Shuuzo

To: Mama Sei

Subject: Good morning

Message: Happy Valentines’ Day, okaa-san. I miss you. Don’t let our sons run wild today! I’ll call you later during my lunch break at school.

He smiles as he is typing a reply because he never knew that the Nijimura Shuuzo who always beat up Haizaki into the brink of death could be this sweet.

From: Mama Sei

To: Nijimura Shuuzo

Re: Subject: Good morning

Message: Happy Valentines’ Day too, otou-san. Wish you were here. I’ll be waiting for your call later.

Suddenly, he doesn’t feel lonely anymore.

NOTE: Hello, I'm back again with the fourth installment. This one, I've tried to grasp Akashi's and Nijimura's character as much as possible. Please excuse the long narration from Akashi because after all, he is a man who constantly thinks and Nijimura being the cheeky adorable bastard that he is. Hope you guys like this as I have really fun writing this. That song from Robin Beck is a personal favorite of mine and I feel that it just fits Akashi’s baby feeling for Nijimura. Thanks much for reading and Happy Valentines from my sons and me <3

[pamy92]

KnB Stage Play 3: IGNITE-ZONE (Fan Report)

I attended the evening show on April 7th held at Sunshine Theatre Hall, Ikebukuro (Tokyo). Personal & official stage pictures and my report under the cut! And yes, that is my personalised KagaKuro Itabag!

FRONT OF HOUSE 

I applied for the pre-sale lottery a few months back and scored a seat on Row 12 at the theatre. The hall itself is pretty small and cosy (about 850-ish seats in total) so I had a very good and close view of the cast on the stage! 

At the lobby, we had the usual ticket checks and up ahead was a present box table for fans to leave letters and gifts to the cast.

I am a fan of Ono Kensho so I did write a fan letter to him! This is my 2nd letter to him since I have attended two of his live appearances - MBS Anime Fes 2017 and of course this stage play. He visited Singapore a few years back, so I decided to use one of my several Singapore postcards to write him an encouraging message! #singaporerepresent . 

On the right was a pretty long queue for merch and the DVD/Blu-Ray preorders booth. I bought a t-shirt for myself since that is usually the only merch I buy at live shows/events! 

STAGE SETTING & ZONE LIGHTING EFFECTS 

Onwards into the hall and taking my seat, we can immediately see an outdoor basketball court setting with fences and four 3-metre high warped walls at all four corners of the stage. 

Alas no rotating stage floor this time, but I promise you this set is probably one of the nicest sets out of the 3 stage plays! 

The back half of the stage also has a slight incline to create the illusion of height. There are white lines running from the floor (basketball court markings), streaking across the warped walls and curving up towards the ceiling. And yes, they light up to create the effect of the ZONE!

(You can see all the white stripes lighting up and flashing around in red as Kagami entered the ZONE. It’s super cool!The same lights flash around as Kagami executed his Meteor Jam shot too!)

THE CAST 

The cast was perfect and everybody really did their best to deliver their character roles in this super strenuous 2-hour play. I swear they have perfected the squat and have thighs & calves of steel from all that semi-squat poses they have to do! 

In the first two plays, we had the stage-hands/back-up cast in those tacky black raincoats. In the 3rd play, these backup cast (called Igniters) were dressed in black pants and a black hoodie. I guess they have to be in athletic wear because they help the main cast with their stunts (lifting Kagami and Murasakibara, as well as using their bodies as launch-pad for Kuroko to jump off from). 

I want to do a special shout-out to Riko (Asami Tano)! She has the BEST facial expression during the dance number, and she was super energetic! She really really shined on stage! 

Other special mentions go to the three main boys - Ono Kensho (Kuroko), Asato Yuya (Kagami), Onuma Shouta (Aomine), they really breathed life into their characters. 

If you watch each actor close enough, you can see the boys doing something special before every match.

Ono Kensho - He likes to wipe the palm of his hands on the soles of both shoes (i guess to wipe off any sweat from the ground), before a match.

Asato Yuya - He taps the front of his shoes (the toes) with two fingers to ready his feet (or maybe to check his shoelaces).

Kawai Ryunosuke (Kiyoshi) - He likes to hit the sides of his thighs with his fists to relief his thigh muscles before each match.

I am not sure if these are their personal stage rituals or something the real character does in the anime/manga, but it was pretty cool to notice!

THE PLAY 

I won’t be going through the play scene by scene because I honestly cannot remember every single thing. Midori has written a very detailed review so you can check hers out. But I will pick out my favourite scenes from the entire play! 

And yes, we had Tsuchida (Kajimoto Daiki) warn us not to throw the ball back on stage, a staff or himself will come and get it. This announcement did come pretty late because Himuro’s ball rebounded against the curved ceiling structures and flew towards the left of the audience before the warning. Thankfully no one was hurt! 

~  KAGAMI MEETS HIMURO SCENE ~

The play opens with a KagaKuro scene where Kuroko (Ono Kensho) asks about Kagami’s (Asato Yuya) ring necklace, and  Kiyoshi Teppei (Kawai Ryunosuke) interrupts the two lovers boys’ alone time. The three of them decided to play street basketball together. 

Himuro enters the scene as the trio made their way to the ‘basketball court’, which then led to Kagami and Himuro’s beautiful English-only exchange!!!! Saito Hidenori (Himuro’s actor) pronunciation was super spot on! Asato/Kagami, you did your best too! Still a lovely treat to hear them speak English! 

Himuro: Yo, Taiga.

Kagami: Tatsuya! It’s been a while...

Himuro: Why the poker face? Aren’t you glad to see me? 

And of course Kiyoshi Teppei (Kawai Ryunosuke) interrupts their tense exchange, which led to this hilarious moment in that scene:

Kiyoshi: Er...Hello, my name is Kiyoshi Teppei. Nice to meet you. Kiyoshi means Iron..er..flat. Teppei means err, good!

Himuro: 日本語でいいよ。(You can use Japanese.)

Kagami then explained how he met Himuro in America and how they were like brothers. We also had Murasakibara enter the stage from the audience seats and eating a bag of chips (Ayukawa Taiyo really had actual chips that he was eating on stage!! And he is suuuuuuper tall gosh). 

Kuroko and Murasakibara had a tense exchange, with Kuroko smacking off Murasakibara’s hand each time the giant tried to grab his head. 

Kiyoshi went up to reintroduce himself to Murasakibara but the tall giant could not remember him. 

Himuro then demonstrates his Mirage shot with Murasakibara (omiously) looking forward to seeing them at the Winter Cup as they left. 

~  OPENING DANCE ~

The whole cast (save for Akashi because he is too cool to dance) danced to  The Other Self by Granrodeo. Each school ( Seirin High, Touou Gakuen, Shuutoku High, Yosen High) had a few minutes of team dance in the song.

As the song enters the last chorus, the entire cast came back on stage to finish the dance. 

Unfortunately, during my evening show, the huge cloth banner with the play title/logo did not fall properly, one end was still caught in the ceiling. It was left hanging there awkwardly for a few seconds before they blackout the stage, and the Igniters came rushing over, jumping and yanking the banner off from the ceiling. 

The audience was super gracious and applauded really loudly to give the cast huge encouragement for the early mishap. I am a dancer and regularly perform on stage multiple times a year, and I know small things like these can really affect the cast. I was super touched that the audience was understanding and super encouraging with their loud applause. 

~  ONSEN SCENE ~

Ahhh, the infamous onsen scene. IT WAS HILARIOUS!

So while the Igniters were jumping to tear the stuck banner off from the ceiling, the Seirin boys shuffled onto the stage and jokingly rambled...

“Ahhh, our bad　(悪いな）! Got stuck, hahaha, our bad” 

... with only the blue cloth (onsen water) covering their lower half towards the middle of the stage. But the audience was understanding and applauded, and laughed even harder at their entrance and ad-libbed lines. 

The scene began with them relaxing in the water ( we could hear the girls laughing and splashing water from a distance), and suddenly Kuroko pops up from under the cloth, all woozy from the heat. The senpais then told Kagami to take him out from the water to rest outside. And Kagami and Kuroko dived underwater (lmao) to exit the scene. 

Izuki Shun  (Matsui Yuuho) did a super lame pun which made everyone giggle in the audience.

Izuki: Ofuro, all for you.

There was one point in this scene where some boys purposely dropped the cloth which made the audience laugh so hard (we could see them wearing towels around their waist, don’t worry)

Hyuuga: OI! Misdirection up here, not down there!

Then the Touou rival team suddenly popped up like daisies from beneath the water (making the bath really crowded but super funny because everyone is all naked). And Sakurai pulled out the official match sheet from beneath the water. Seirin team was like wtf magic paper while Hyuuga teasingly reached over to touch the magic paper which did not disintegrate under the water (LMAO). 

Everyone then ‘rolled’ their way inside, omg this is so hard to describe but you know how you roll a burrito? The boys rolled themselves inwards so all of them can peer at the match assignments. IT WAS SUPER FUNNY. 

The onsen scene ends with us seeing Kagami slinging Kuroko over his shoulders, and helping him onto a bench to get a sports drink for his bae. Aomine then enters the scene, offering a Pocari Sweat to him. This scene is exactly like the anime/manga!

~  AKASHI SCISSORS SCENE ~

Kuroko goes off to meet Akashi and the GoM outside the stadium, and we had 5 banners fall from the ceiling with Midorima holding a pair of scissors, Kise holding his mobile phone, Aomine with his sneer and Murasakibara with a bar of chocolate. Of course the 4 GoM started arguing through voice-over playback and the middle banner suddenly lit up with Akashi’s silhouette.

Akashi: Sorry to keep you waiting. 

And the banner dramatically falls to show Akashi standing behind it. 

Kuroko and Akashi had some words of exchange, and of course, Kagami had to come barging in to rescue Kuroko. 

Akashi borrowed Midorima’s lucky scissors to attack Kagami, and poor baby fell to the ground in shock. Akashi then started dramatically snipping his hair which was super cool but pretty scary to watch (he had an evil/maniac air to the way he delivered his lines and cut his hair).

It was a really good scene, pretty artistically done too! 

~  TOUOU vs SEIRIN SCENE ~

O.M.G What a match! It was exhilarating to watch! SO much energy and sprinting around! It was really well choreographed! 

Aomine & Kagami went into the ZONE and the white lines running through the floor to the warped walls and ceilings lit up in red and blue flowing lights! It was so beautiful to watch! 

Of course, Touou lost the match and Aomine disappeared to sulk by himself while Momoi ran off to find him. We had the Touou captain Imayoshi (Hayashi Akihiro) make an encouraging speech to his team while many girls in the audience started sobbing. 

The scene with Momoi and Aomine was pretty sad too because Aomine was really depressed after losing the match. 

~ AOKURO TEIKOU FLASHBACK ~

I really love this scene of Aomine’s happier days in Teikou, when he genuinely still loved basketball. He (Onuma Shouta) was smiling so much!

 Momoi said there is a ghost playing in the gym and this innocent baby went to check it out, not minding a match with the unseen entity. 

Of course, when he opened the sliding doors to the gym, it was pitch black and there was no one there. The stage lighting effects was super good for this scene! OnoK/Kuroko then entered the stage and stood close behind Aomine, greeting him. Aomine freaked out and started praying on the ground. It was super cute!

Kuroko then demonstrated his shooting skills (because Aomine didn’t believe he was on the team) - missing entirely (the Igniter purposely shifted the hoop/board so the ball misses) 

But when it came to Aomine’s turn, Onuma really missed the hoop and everyone started laughing so hard.

Kuroko: Aomine-kun is really good.  Audience: *laughs harder* Aomine: *tries not to break character but he did and was biting back his laughter so hard*

We then had had the scene shift to Aomine and Kuroko being all happy practising basketball together until one day Kuroko confided that he wanted to quit and Aomine talked him out of it with some jokes:

Aomine: There is nothing bad about basketball....and (about) myself too.

The GoM and Akashi finally met Kuroko, saying that Kuroko is an interesting character to watch out for. 

~ INTERMISSION BREAK ~

FAN-SERVICE TIME!! I read on Twitter that other people experienced different versions of the intermission ad-lib, but I am so glad mine is the best!!

Kagami: I want a break.

Kuroko: ...120minutes! *runs and falls flat on his face, continues lying on the ground^

Kagami: 20 minutes! *runs over and smacks Kuroko’s ass^ Oi, get up!

(Both runs off)

~  CROSS-DRESSING SCENE ~

So Midorima and Takao cross-dressed at Midorin and Takako joshikoseis lmao (High School girls). OMG IT WAS SO FUNNY I CANNOT!!!! The spoke in falsetto voices, which was super funny! AND THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL OKAY!!!

Midorin: Himuro-san? I am a big fan, can we take a picture together>

Himuro: Sure.

Midorin: Taka-chan~ Hurry~ 

Takako: Mi-chan, wait! (all 3 pose for photos together LMAO)

~  KAGAMI & HIMURO’S RING SCENE ~ 

The sound effect that plays each time they hold up their ring necklaces was super cool. A lot of Kagami x Himuro angst and pining in this play, but it was beautifully executed each time! 

Kagami did give his ring necklace and told Kuroko to throw it away, but Kuroko kept it and returned it to him at the end of the match! It was beautiful to watch! 

~  YOSEN vs SEIRIN SCENE ~

Again, another super intense match! I am so glad the boys managed to catch some rest during the 20-minute intermission because the 2nd match was the toughest (choreographically-speaking) with all the stunts. It was so intense that Izuki (Matsui Yuuho)’s shoe flew off his foot when the team surrounded Murasakibara to mark him. Poor boy had to run and grab his shoe, put it on and deliver his lines immediately without skipping a beat. 

There were tons of jumps, sprinting up the warped walls, dashing from stage left to right! The boys were really sweating hard by then (ooo sparkly skin). This match was also emotionally hard with many intense scenes and all the actors delivered it very well. 

Also...HELLO GORGEOUS BLACK SEIRIN UNIFORMS!!! <3 

Kiyoshi and Murasakibara’s scene was very true to the manga/anime. Murasakibara did hold Kiyoshi up by one hand, and it was heartbreaking to watch! Kudos to both actors! 

A couple of girls also started sobbing at Teppei’s speech - when he had to sit out of the game after injuring himself. 

When Murasakibara entered the zone, he had purple lights swirling around him and the Igniters did a breakdance around him to create this swirling energy effect, it was really cool! 

Asato/Kagami and Ayukawa/ Murasakibara were lifted by the Igniters to make it look like they have jumped really high in the air! The effect looked really good, and it made Murasakibara’s jumps and landing look even more monstrous! 

OnoK/Kuroko also debuted his Misdirection Overflow with the help of the ZONE lights! But poor Kensho had to keep sprinting from stage left to right with the blue lights trailing after him to show his ‘powers’. I think he did it a couple of times, and each time I was praying he doesn’t trip and fall with that inhumanly-fast sprinting.   

Murasakibara’s crying scene (with the towel over his head) was also really sad and many people in the audience cried. I was close enough to the stage to really see the actor crying! It was heartbreaking to watch!

This match was more intense than the Touou match in my opinion, and I found myself holding my breath in anticipation! It was so GOOD!  

~ CURTAIN CALL ~

At the end of the play, the cast did the same opening dance but this time with Akashi finally joining in to dance! 

During curtain call, the cast took their bows to Ono Kensho’s song ‘My Story’, and all of us in the audience clapped along to the beat! 

Ono Kensho then made a speech on behalf of the cast/crew, thanking us for attending the play. He also apologised to the side of the audience where the ball was sent flying. 

He told us that while the cast will do their best in the matches on the stage, he was glad that the audience did their best defence from the seats too (LOL). 

So during their final bow, I decided to wave wildly at Ono Kensho (while everyone else was clapping to the beat of the song). He spotted my waving and actually locked eyes with me and nodded his head in acknowledgement with a smile, as he moved off the stage with the cast. OMG! I was fangirling so hard!!!

~ FINAL THOUGHTS ~  

All in all, I have to say that the play really improved this year as compared to the previous two plays! 

The choreography, stunts, costumes...everything was so beautiful! I really applaud the director for pushing the actors really hard in the 3rd play. It was like seeing the characters come to life on stage! 

 All the boys worked really hard during rehearsals and I read that they do have (very) minor accidents on stage on Twitter in every show.

If you do not know, the supporting cast and the crew in 2.5D stages DO NOT GET PAID during rehearsals.In fact, the entire cast and crew earn their income from ticket and DVD/Blu-Ray sales. 

If you want to support them, please please PLEASE buy a copy of the DVD/Blu-Ray.  Please stop pirating online. The boys really worked their butts off and they go home almost fainting from exhaustion at the end of each performance day. Asato mentioned he was so tired he fell asleep immediately when he got home. 

I believe you can also watch the live-streams and/or download the play through DMM. They should be releasing information on the Grand Finale live-viewing soon! There are tons of ways to support the industry and the boys, so there is no excuse to pirate. 

I will be watching their last third show in May again to support my boys since I will be in Tokyo that weekend. 

I can’t wait to get my hands on the DVD as well. It will be released on September 26th. 

Thanks for reading all the way to the end, I am happy to take any questions! 

——-

Official pictures courtesy of Stage Natalie and Smart Boys

[clarey64-blog]

Star Struck (Working Title) Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Yuko woke up. Soft sunbeams flooded through her eyelids from the window in her small room and her hair peeled off the sides of her face as she rolled over to look at her digital alarm clock. 4:28 am. It would be two minutes before her alarm would go off.  Yuko blew her bangs out of her face and groaned. She could have used those extra two minutes.

              She thought about lying there for a while claiming back some time to rest. Her morning shift at McDonald’s didn’t start until 7am after all. “A little effort now will mean less work for tomorrow,” her father’s voice said in her head. She knew that the saying mostly pertained to the health of her skin. She let out the greatest sigh in the world like she had every morning this week. She needed to get ready.

              “Good Morning my darling!” is what her father said in person down the hall in the kitchen. “Breakfast is on its way! Now go take a shower and wash all that stink off of you!”

              “I’m up. I’m going!” Yuko called back. She sat up from her mat on the floor. A couple blankets lay scattered all around her and a wooden three drawer dresser sat to her right. “Come on Yuko. Today could be the day!” she said as she hoisted herself up with her hand on the top of the dresser. It creaked in protest as it supported her ascent.  “You and me both,” Yuko said half-coherently. Hunch-backed and droopy-eyed Yuko dragged herself to the bathroom.

              She grabbed a towel from the hall closet and hung it up on the rung beside the bathtub. She sighed because mornings like this require more than one protest, adjusting the water temperature before she stepped in. The lukewarm water hit her face and allowed her mind to go blank for a blissful few seconds. She felt the water seep into her pores and was careful not to breathe in the stream. The mechanics of surviving a shower had taken over Yuko’s consciousness. It was the effort she put in to not think, but Yuko’s thoughts were never empty for long.

              Today was the last day of training the new girl, Miku. Yuko knew that she was exhausted because she had been pulling double shifts for the past four days, but she wasn’t bitter at all about it. Well, maybe a little during those two minutes she could have been sleeping.  Miku was one of those people that were a joy to teach or train just because they could pick a new skill up so fast, that or she could keep going until she got it. She took direction really well and never gave up after the first, second, or tenth sign of failure. Yuko felt so competent as a teacher with the new employee.  She giggled to herself as she thought about Miku flipping burgers for the first time. At the same though, Miku’s capability also intimidated Yuko.

Would it be too much longer before Tatsuya recognized Miku’s potential? Would he put Miku on as a manager or even higher? Yuko had worked so hard up until this point to earn her place. Yuko put some strawberry scented shampoo in her hair. Even if he did promote Miku so fast, would Yuko really care?

They wouldn’t be able to work the same shift if that were the case.  Yuko had to admit she really liked working with Miku. She was so smart and conversations were so stimulating with her. Yuko had never thought about how the relationship between Japanese and American governments might affect her. But after talking about it with Miku, the reason to pay attention burned in her mind and even ignited more curiosities inside her. She rinsed the shampoo out of her hair. After today those conversations would end. Yuko’s shoulders slumped. Was there a way to maybe get together after work? She sharply inhaled. As if Miku would waste time on silly activities like movies or just spending time with friends. She was going to be someone really important. What could Yuko give her?

She turned off the water and grabbed her towel. I’m sure there is a way, she thought. I could find some reason to keep in contact with Miku. She looked down at her hands that had been holding her towel up by cupping her breasts. She blinked fast and rapidly dried herself. She would have to talk to her hands about being more ladylike from then on. What would her mother think? She wrapped her hair in her towel and slipped on a purple cotton robe over her shoulders.

“Sugarpie, your eggs are going to get cold. You had better get in here!” Her father called in his sweet but insistent tone. The door in the way muffled the sound. Yuko put on a smile for herself in the yellow-lit mirror and said, “Remember today could be the day!”

She walked to the kitchen where her father stood in front of the burners cooking another egg. He was only slightly taller than Yuko and wore a pink robe made of thin cotton and a shower cap. He looked up at Yuko as she walked in and she saw that his eyes were bloodshot red. He usually cooked breakfast for Yuko after he got home from work and of course washing his face. He grinned and then pointed to the plate on the island behind him with his spatula. There were two sunny-side cooked eggs with a couple pieces of bacon on it.  

“Thank you, Dad.” Yuko said. She settled down into the stool across from her father and he plated his egg on another plate that looked very similar to Yuko’s.  Yuko waited for a few seconds until her father could grab a stool and sit himself down across from her.  A few silent mornings had taught her to be polite and wait for her company to be ready before starting to dine. Her father wouldn’t stand for an impolite daughter. What would her mother think?

Her father put an elbow on the tabletop, which was half covered with fashion magazines, and a few make-up samples, it was only every once in a while a daily paper made it there. Then he rested his chin on his wrist and asked, “So how did you sleep?” A pair of chopsticks levitated lazily in his other hand.

“I slept really well. I think these double shifts are getting a little difficult for me.” Yuko said. She took a bite of bacon. The saltiness was wonderful.

“Well when are you going to stop? I miss seeing you before I go in for work.” He lifted his chopsticks into the air “Better yet, why don’t you ask for the evening shift again? Then we could have free time together like we used to. Remember those good times we had?”

“I only have one more day of double shifts, Dad. Then you’ll be able to see me more. And…” Yuko straightened up in her seat. “Day shifts are really nice. I like changing from breakfast to lunch. Its also the fastest shift for me.”

“Alright, alright. I understand.” Her father waved a hand in dismissal.

              They ate in silence for a little bit. Yuko finished off her eggs and her father was still busy with his.

              “How was work dad?” Yuko asked. He finished chewing and swallowed while rolling his eyes.

              “They are making me stay later and later every night. I hardly had enough time to come home, get cleaned up, and start breakfast for you.” He held up a hand. “Now don’t you worry I enjoy doing this for you. Besides, once these double shifts are over its back to boiled eggs and chicken in the morning. I won’t have to do so much.” He leaned in and asked, “How is that new girl anyway?”

              “Oh she’s doing fine.” Yuko said dodging her father’s real question. No, Miku wouldn’t be a new friend that would jeopardize father-daughter time in the evenings before you go to work. Miku wouldn’t waste her time like that. Yuko had to repress an eye-roll of her own. “She has learned everything really fast. Tomorrow all will be back to normal though.” Yuko put on a smile. Her father blinked. She saw the bright red rings around his eyes and a wave of guilt hit her in her chest. This was her father. He was the one who loved her. He worked later and later at nights to help support her. How could she mock him in her head?

              “Well, my darling its time to finish getting ready.  I’ll take your plate.” His arm easily traveled the table and picked up her plate and then in one backwards motion he found his plate and placed both dishes lightly into the sink. There was only the sound of a slight clink. No horrible clashes like Yuko has heard other dishwashers commit. She admired the way her father moved and tried to emulate that herself at work. He truly was a beautiful being and Yuko felt lucky to be raised by him. So while she sometimes felt the urge to break out and be free, she stayed because she loved her father for everything that he was.

              Thoughts like these filled her head as she walked to her mirror table, no her vanity as her father told her, in her room. There were at least ten different bottles of product for skin care sitting in front of the round bulb-neck laced mirror. The whole set up was a gift for her 18th birthday a few years ago and subsequent years had refilled any products that ran out. Yuko began her routine with a hydrating lotion and thought back to that monumental birthday.

Her father was giddy with excitement as he brought it in after a night’s work. She remembered waking up to the sounds of thumping and skids on the wooden floor and running into the living room to see what was happening. Her father jumped all around and presented it with a show of his hands. She felt so happy at having her own mirror. Little did her father know that this vanity was one of her first steps toward independence. Since she didn’t have to share a mirror with her dad anymore, she could think her own thoughts and do everything the way she wanted. Her father would come and visit once in a while of course, but for Yuko this mirror meant a little bit of freedom.

Oh there it was again independence, freedom. Yuko fanned her face to air dry it before the next skin product. Her yearning for freedom always came tinged with a little regret.  When she got the job at McDonald’s her father wanted to know why she would need such a thing. She was just out of high school. Didn’t she want more time to herself? She had to explain that the occupation wasn’t going to take that much time away, because she would work in the evenings like him. Yuko would admit later that it wasn’t a necessity for her to switch to the day shifts because of her promotion. This admission was met with a teary “I understand” from her father. Yuko fanned the water collecting near the corners of her eyes. She knew at the bottom of her heart that her father was raising her the best way he knew how.

              It took the McDonald’s manager another half an hour to finish her skin routine and get ready for work. Straight hair, perfect bangs, white teeth, a wrinkle free uniform, thanks to dad, and a spritz of linen perfume all came together to make Yuko the perfect McDonald’s employee. Before she left, she walked up to her father and asked with her arms outstretched,  “How do I look this morning?”

              Her father still in his robe, because he was going to go to sleep soon, sat on the arm of an easy chair. He looked her up and down and turned her around like a dancer would twirl his partner. “You look beautiful,” he said. Then he squeezed her shoulders and smiled. Yuko felt the pride he had for her from the gloss over his eyes and his not so secret tiny sigh that only escaped through his nose. A moment later his expression changed to a stern set mouth, but his eyes still held a hint of merriment. Yuko knew this change well. “But remember you not only have to be beautiful on the outside but also…”

              “On the inside.” Yuko finished the sentence with a smile. Her father pulled her in for a hug.

              “Yes,” he said as they let go and he once again held her shoulders. “Because remember today could be the day-”

              “Yes, dad.” Yuko said quickly. She didn’t want to finish this sentence aloud, but involuntarily her mind filled it in as she left the house. She had to be on her best behavior because somehow someone might know something. She needed to be the best person she could possibly be. Someone anyone would be proud of.  She had to be perfect. And if not perfect at least the closest person to it.

              Because today could be the day that Mom comes back. The mix of largely hope and a small degree of despair filled Yuko’s chest so that it was liable to tear in two. She walked hard to the bus stop while putting in her earphones to distract her and help her focus on the day ahead.

I hope that you have grown to love Yuko even more knowing a little about her daily life. I love her the best because I am her creator and a little known fact or maybe just something that everyone knows is no one can love characters or enjoy them as much as their author. What do you think?

Enjoy listening!

Wait- White Lion

[kitcatkandy]

the devil you know 4

Rating: Explicit (nothing much here)

Title: the devil you know

Chapter: 4: a taste of a poison paradise

Relationship(s): Aomine Daiki/Kagami Taiga, Kise Ryouta/Kuroko Tetsuya

Summary:

“Kagami wants to tell him no, tell him to fuck off, because there is no way in hell he’s jumping back into bed with the man who broke his heart, but suddenly, he stops, and thinks. He feels Aomine’s hot breath against his neck, feels the undeniable attraction that exists between them, and suddenly he’s tired of holding back, of trying to stop himself and repress his sexual desires just so - just so what?”

Kagami hasn't seen Aomine for a long while, not since he walked in on Aomine cheating on him with a girl, and he has no desire to renew their acquaintance any time soon. But when he's forced into going for a reunion with the GoM by Akashi, sparks fly again, and he does something he very much regrets.

Notes: First published on AO3.

Find more works here

Index

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It’s part of Kagami’s daily routine to drop by Murasakibara’s patisserie every day before work. It’s always marvelled him how the big man’s large hands could craft such intricate, delicate, absolutely delicious pastries and sweet treats, but he’s not going to complain. Not when Tatsuya gives him fifty-percent-off discounts on the cheeseburger-themed galettes.

After graduating high school, Murasakibara had quit competitive basketball and university altogether, and gone off to culinary school. Tatsuya had continued on with his professional career, and after a few years in LA, he’d come back to Tokyo to play for the Japan team. Kagami’s truly happy for him, yes he is, but he can’t help suppressing a twinge of bitterness at Tatsuya’s success, not when he could have had it all as well.

His knee still hurts sometimes, hurts like a bitch. But it doesn’t stop him from dropping by Atsushi’s Buns and Bakes every day before his shift to pick up a quick breakfast. It lets him see Tatsuya too, after all, since his brother usually helps out at the patisserie in the morning before the paid help arrives.

Two days after the fire, he drops by again at his usual time, slipping a thousand-yen bill across the counter and waiting for Tatsuya to wrap up the galettes for him. Tatsuya complains good-naturedly about the amount Kagami consumes, and reminds him to watch his waistline now he doesn’t exercise as frequently anymore. Kagami banters cheerfully with him, defending his belly with fierce pride at how many sit-ups he gets done in a day, and reminds Tatsuya, as he always does, that firefighting isn’t exactly a physically-relaxing job.

The huge pile of galettes is eventually crammed into a small paper bag, which Kagami takes and places between his palms to warm himself up. He shivers, and although the central heating is on in the patisserie, his breath comes out as a fluffy whorl of mist that curls upwards towards the air vents. It’s autumn now, and the days are getting shorter and colder.

Murasakibara comes out the kitchen, absent-mindedly wiping his flour-covered hands on his bright pink apron, a joke gift from Kagami a few Christmases ago. The large words on the front read “Mr Good-Lookin’ is Cookin’”, and Tatsuya had blushed a bright red when the gift had been opened, but Murasakibara had been as stoic as ever, thanking “Kaga-chin” for the lovely present and promptly proceeding to pull it over his head.

According to Tatsuya, he and the grossly pink apron have been inseparable ever since, and what has Kagami done, he ought to be ashamed of himself, etcetera, etcetera. Kagami mostly just laughs it off, because Murasakibara can pull off pink pretty well, all things considered.

The pastry chef nods at Kagami as he goes to the glass display cases and starts arranging the cakes in order of colour. Kagami shoots him a quick smile and a “What’s up, Murasakibara” before picking up his change from the counter and walking towards the door. He waves goodbye to Tatsuya as he goes.

The next day, Kagami comes back as usual, only this time Tatsuya is frowning as he wraps up his galettes.

“I swear I’ve seen Aomine fucking Daiki around the patisserie recently,” he says, and Kagami drops his wallet on the floor.

He slowly picks up all the coins before he straightens up, thinking about what to say. In the end, he decides to go with ‘complete ignorance’, and cocks an eyebrow.

“Eh, ah, so?” he asks, taking out the thousand-yen bill and putting it on the counter.

Tatsuya shrugs, but his eyes are shrewd, and fixed on Kagami’s face. “I haven’t seen him around much these past few years, that’s all,” he murmurs, his eyes dropping to the money as he puts it in the cashier and presses the keys. “Word was he’d moved to Kyoto. Atsushi’s been seeing him around too, actually, but he hasn’t tried to contact any of us. Kise seems to know something, although every time I tried to ask him about it he fobbed me off. You happen to know anything about Aomine coming back, Taiga?”

“Why ask me?” Kagami asks in reply, promptly taking out one of the galettes and stuffing it into his mouth whole to excuse him from saying anything else. He chokes a little on the ham, but otherwise, the crust is soft and chewy as ever and it goes down well.

Tatsuya does that casual little shrug again, the one that seems way more innocent than it actually is. “You guys were close back then, weren’t you?” he asks shamelessly, automatically filling a cup of water from the dispenser and handing it to Kagami. “Or at least, it seemed that way for a while. Was I wrong?”

No, Kagami thinks bitterly, you weren’t wrong. I wish you were wrong.

“He’s dangerous, Taiga,” Tatsuya says, leaning forward. The amusement in his eyes is now completely gone, and he looks perfectly serious.

“He’s a policeman, not a crook,” Kagami laughs, but both of them can tell it’s forced.

Tatsuya shakes his head. “You know what I’m talking about. Watch yourself, Taiga.”

Kagami tells him he can look after himself, and not to worry about Aomine because the whole matter doesn’t concern him one jot, and leaves. He’s in a bad temper the rest of the day.

Bad things always come in threes, so they say, and Kagami now knows this to be true. Strike one had been the fire. Strike two had been Tatsuya’s little brotherly ‘talk’. And strike three…

He doesn’t watch his back, and that’s how he gets jumped, one day after the talk with Tatsuya, caught just outside the patisserie with one hand full of pastries and the other reaching for his bus pass.

“Heeeeeeey…” A hand slides round his waist and he jerks instinctively. One elbow goes back into the other man’s stomach and his left foot stomps backwards, hard. Aomine utters an alarmed bark of discomfort as the heel of Kagami’s boot digs into his toes.

“Shit, Kagami,” Aomine coughs, the elbow having caught him in his abdomen. “It’s just me.”

Kagami doesn’t dignify him with a response, and continues walking on as if he doesn’t exist. Aomine straightens up behind him and hurries after him, clapping one hand on his shoulder as he massages his stomach.

“You really don’t soften your blows, do you, huh?” he says, a lilt of amusement to his voice. Kagami shakes him off irritably and continues walking on, but Aomine is as dogged as ever, catching up quickly and proceeding to engage him in one of the most inane conversations he has ever had the misfortune of experiencing.

Finally, Kagami sighs, and turns around. His face is a masterpiece of pissed-off, fuming, raging annoyance, and he stuffs his hands forcibly into his pockets so he won’t try and punch Aomine in his smug, smiling face. He growls out an irritable “What do you want?” and waits for Aomine to reply.

Aomine gives a short chuckle and runs his hands through his dark hair. He’s looking extremely good today, in a plain white shirt that clings to his chest and a jacket slung over his shoulder. The blue skinny jeans he’s wearing accentuate the slim line of his hips, and both the men and women walking past stop to goggle at his body. Kagami hates them all.

“Just wanted to talk to my favourite person in the world, that’s all,” he says, spreading his hands apologetically. “Nothing wrong with that, is there?”

Kagami hisses out a vehement breath and spins around, urging his legs to walk faster, to carry him away from this walking ball of disaster. Aomine catches up to him again and grabs his shoulder, this time forcibly enough to stop him in his tracks.

“Okay, okay,” he mutters, and it’s the combination of serious and sulky in his voice that makes Kagami relent. He turns around again and directs a very eloquent glare in Aomine’s direction. Aomine is very pointedly not looking at his face, but down at the floor.

He takes a deep breath, as if to rally himself, and exhales.

“Ineedtotalktoyou,” he mumbles, and Kagami blinks. The words had been jumbled together and fast, and so he hadn’t really made them out properly, but he could guess what Aomine wanted, and that was certainly unexpected.

“You want… to talk?” he says slowly. Then he laughs. It’s a bitter laugh. “Come on, Aomine. This isn’t like you. Don’t you mean, you want to fuck?”

The word sounds cruel and angry, and he snaps it out with biting force. Aomine flinches backwards as if he were slapped, and he peeks upwards quickly before flicking his lashes down.

“I… wanted to talk to you,” he says softly. “Come on, Kagami.”

And it’s the way he says Kagami’s name, soft and sweet and wounded almost, that makes Kagami give in. Contrary to his exterior, and sometimes to his great chagrin, Kagami has always been kind.

He gestures for Aomine to follow him, and stomps forward towards the park. Today is Saturday, thankfully, and he picks a secluded area of the park where they can sit down on one of the benches and not be overheard by the weekend crowds. Not that there are many at this time of day.

He sits down before Aomine and pulls one of the tarts out of the bag. Aomine plonks himself down next to him and watches him eat for a while. This does not make him uncomfortable, of course, not in the least. Not at all.

“Stop watching me eat, bloody hell,” Kagami growls, after a minute or two of silence plus his loud angsty chomping. “Say what you wanted to say and get lost.”

Aomine offers him a small lopsided smile, and it hurts Kagami that it still makes his heart twinge. He opens his mouth to speak, Kagami takes a deep breath, and the suspense almost kills him.

“I don’t really know what to say,” Aomine says, rather anticlimactically. Kagami’s nails dig deep crescents into the flesh of his thigh, and he almost bites his tongue.

He shoots to his feet, ready to leave, because really this is all ridiculous and he should never have given Aomine a chance anyway. He’d cheated on him, never apologised, never spoken to him again, and now he had the gall to drag him off into the woods and have nothing to say. Kagami had spent days, weeks, months waiting for his phone to ring with the familiar ringtone he’d set for Aomine only, and the phone had never rung. Not even once, and the fact still hurts him deep down.

But Aomine catches on to his sleeve as he stands, and he automatically looks down at the other man. The look in Aomine’s eyes is fragile, tired, and unfamiliar. It takes Kagami a moment to realise that it’s fear.

“Kagami,” Aomine whispers, and his voice breaks on the last syllable. Kagami sits back down.

Aomine swallows. He seems to be making some sort of large decision, the rusty cogs in his head whirring to life, and Kagami waits. Kagami has never been a patient man, not by far, but he’s willing to wait for Aomine.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. The world is quiet around them, save for the rustling of the autumn leaves falling to the ground, and the gentle murmur of faraway people. A soft breeze blows through the short curls at the base of Aomine’s skull. Kagami hears a pigeon coo in the distance, and the rustling of a squirrel above their heads, and he can smell the fresh, sour tang of mustard in the air.

Aomine pulls a familiar-looking paper bag out of his jacket pocket and plops it down in Kagami’s lap. “I thought I’d be able to catch you before you went in, but I was working a case last night, and I woke up late, so.” He clears his throat and looks away from Kagami’s startled eyes. “I don’t think the guy at the counter likes me much.”

Kagami finds his voice, and utters a little bark of surprised laughter. “Yeah, I would think so,” he replies, opening the paper bag and finding the familiar burger-flavoured galettes, a little soft but still edible. “He’s Himuro Tatsuya, from Yosen. I think he’d be offended that you didn’t remember him.”

Aomine brushes Tatsuya aside impatiently and speaks again, his eyes fixed on Kagami’s mouth as he hungrily devours the galettes.

“So… I’m sorry,” he repeats, this time looking straight into Kagami’s eyes. “I’m sorry I was a jerk to you last time.”

Kagami almost spits out the food in his mouth, managing to choke it down with difficulty. He coughs a few times before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, then he turns his eyes up towards Aomine. The glare in his eyes, he’s sure, is hot enough to melt metal.

“You’re sorry you were a jerk?!” he spits, derisively. “Come on, Aomine, you weren’t just a jerk. You were a cheating, lying son of a bitch, and you had the nerve to tell the girl you weren’t bloody finished when I was standing there right in front of you! I’d say apologising for being a fucking jerk is a bit of an understatement, wouldn’t you say, compared to your other long list of sins.”

Aomine winces visibly with every word that’s shot at him, but still he bites his lip and bows his head. He takes the verbal beating without protest, and when Kagami is done and turns to go, he catches hold of Kagami’s sleeve again. The touch is gentle and hesitant, painfully familiar, and Kagami catches his breath sharply.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” Aomine says simply, and the emotion in his voice is raw.

Kagami lets out the breath he is holding. His temper has always been wildly explosive, stormy and impetuous, but when it comes down to it he can never stay angry for long. Especially not at Aomine.

“You were… you were awful to me,” he manages. “I loved you.”

“I know,” Aomine murmurs. He doesn’t repeat the words back to Kagami, and Kagami’s grateful for that, because he doesn’t need to hear empty words right now. He needs calm, and quiet, and peace, now that Aomine has once more come into his life.

He remembers the incidents of the past few days, and seats himself slowly back down onto the bench. “What do you want from me, Aomine?” he asks, point-blank, because the way the other had been acting around him had certainly not been normal behaviour.

“I want you again,” Aomine says, his voice tight. “I didn’t mean to sleep with you at the reunion, I didn’t mean it, but you were… you were… I don’t have any excuses, but seeing you again was unbearable.” He looks into Kagami’s eyes, and his own are rife with pain. “I wanted you so badly. I never realised how badly I wanted you until that night. I never realised how badly I needed you in my life until you left – until I made you leave. I’m sorry, Kagami. I can’t say that enough times, but I’m truly sorry for what I did.”

“Why?” Kagami asks simply, and the hurt he had buried for so long suddenly rises to the surface and colours the tone of his voice. When he repeats his question, his voice is hoarse with emotion. “Why?”

“Because I was an idiot!” Aomine shouts, and the sudden change in volume startles the both of them. “Because I didn’t know how good I had it until we weren’t together anymore. Because I’d never fallen that fast, and I’d never fallen that hard, and it scared me, Kagami. It scared me to know I’d lose control of myself because of how badly I needed you. It was my first time... My first time being attracted to a man, and I didn't know... I didn't know what to do.”

“It scared me too, Aomine, but I didn’t cheat on you with a girl,” hisses Kagami. “You can’t ever understand how badly you hurt me.”

“Believe me, Kagami, I’ve tried,” Aomine rasps. The usual seductive lilt to his voice is missing, and all that is left is pure, volatile emotion. “I’ve imagined, so many times, what it would have been like if you’d cheated on me, and the pain I feel is… it’s indescribable. I know you can’t forgive me so soon, but I still lo – I still like you, and I want to mend the relationship between us. Is that too impossible a task?”

Kagami tosses his head and stares at the ground. 

“Friends,” he finds himself saying, and somehow he keeps his voice steady. “That’s all we’ll be for the time being. I can’t guarantee you that even, not at the moment, and definitely not more, but I - I'll try.” His fists open and clench several times, and he closes his eyes, unable to bear the weight of Aomine’s gaze any longer.

“Whatever love I had for you died a long time ago,” Kagami manages. “But I'm willing to give being friends a chance.” 

When he opens his eyes and looks back into Aomine’s, the pain in them is almost too much for him to bear, but he steels his heart against it and holds firm. He's barely clinging onto his self-control as it is, and it would be so easy to give in - to touch - to hold - 

Somehow he holds to his resolve, and thrusts his phone out to Aomine. 

"Give me your number," Kagami says, simply. "I'll call you when I'm ready. And no more following me around or trying to talk to me unless I talk to you first. If you can't do that, then I don't think we'll stand a chance, even as friends." He's almost sure Aomine will turn him down - after all, is Kagami really worth the trouble? Not when Aomine could fuck practically anyone he laid his eyes on. Hell, Kagami's not even sure if he'll have the strength to turn Aomine down, if he asks a second time.

There's a moment in which he can't breathe. Then Aomine takes the phone, and Kagami watches numbly as he presses the numbers on the keypad and passes the phone back soundlessly. Kagami looks down and is somehow relieved that Aomine's saved himself simply as aomine - no fuss, no frills, and he's honestly surprised Aomine hadn't tried anything funny.

(like adding banana and cherry emojis after his name, the first time they'd slumped down next to each other, arms and legs aching from the most intense one-on-one they'd had so far, Aomine's hands fumbling in Kagami's pockets for his phone, and the tendrils of his hair brushing against Kagami's bare neck as he leaned over to type his number in - the way he had pressed his chest unconsciously against Kagami's back, the heat of his body emanating like a furnace against Kagami's skin, the unbreakable strength in his fingers curved around Kagami's - )

"Thanks, Kagami," Aomine says, in a subdued voice. He looks at Kagami, and Kagami stands up, because in the end, he's only a man - and the pain in Aomine's eyes is too heartbreaking to bear. 

"I can't forgive you," Kagami says, and the iron in his voice surprises him. "I can't forgive you, yet. It was an awful thing you did to me, Aomine."

Aomine sighs, and leans back against the bench, running his fingers through his hair. "I know," he murmurs, and his voice is husky. "I've regretted it ever since."

Kagami turns away, because he regrets it too. Regrets the tears he'd spent, regrets the hours he'd lost thinking, if only - but he's older, and wiser, and stronger, and his regrets now leave him cold. There's no point thinking what could have been, what should have been, and they have to make the most of the pieces of their relationship they've got to pick up now.

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hello no i'm not dead but life has been painful and college is a burden and this chapter was just a pain to write... a little on the short side but charged with emotion (if i did it right lmao) i know developments might be a little controversial atm... i'd just like to put it out there that i welcome constructive feedback so hit me up with it man ᕙ( * •̀ ᗜ •́ * )ᕗ aokaga is life and i would never abandon this beautiful fandom;;; so even though i may not update frequently be rest assured that i will update!!

[baesketballers]

iii. i need you darling

come on set the tone

ft. Himuro Tatsuya

I’m sad about the fact that Ed Sheeran’s two new singles dropped after I announced Cantabile—could’ve used one of those songs.

Semi-NSFW; sexy, basically.

“Photoshoots tomorrow. 10 a.m. for Metropolis and 3 p.m. for Junon.”

“Cool,” Himuro replies, sipping from his cup of latte.

“Need me to drive you around tomorrow?” You ask.

He seems to contemplate your offer for a few seconds before nodding a yes and saying a quiet “thanks”. You nod back, acknowledging his words as you walk down the hallway with him. Some of the recording studio staff are walking around hastily despite the time saying it’s a little bit past 8 in the evening—such is the life of an employee of the entertainment industry. 

“I really hope I’m not bothering you or anything,” he replies, “I think Alex is still using my car.”

“Oh,” the fact that his old basketball mentor is in town seems to slip out your mind in the midst of your hectic day, “right. You want me to clear up some space in your schedule so you can spend time with her?”

Himuro shrugs offhandedly. “Nah,” he answers. “I don’t think that’s necessary. Alex has her own thing to do anyway.” He looks at you from behind aviator sunglasses. “Thanks for offering, anyway.”

“Don’t mention it, it’s my job.” The two of you walk down some set of stairs.

“Oh, _________.”

“Yeah?”

“Wanna grab a bite or something?” Himuro says, his gaze unreadable through the black lenses of his eyewear, “you haven’t eaten dinner, have you?”

“Sure.”

“Burger?”

You smile. “I’m on.”

Being Himuro Tatsuya’s personal assistant and manager requires great patience and precision. He’s no ordinary man, despite how humble he carries himself around people—he’s a national star and has his face plastered all around big cityscapes on screens and papers. You’re willing to bet at least a thousand teenage girls in Japan has a poster of him in their bedrooms. The man is the face of a band, the engineer behind hit songs, and he’s notably the most humble among his fellow celebrities.

Thankfully, Himuro is not difficult, unlike the people you’ve worked for before being his manager. He’s aware of basic courtesy, like saying ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ (yes, your previous employers were probably unacquainted with the concept of greeting other people). He also treats you like you’re his equal, and somehow, after being stuck with each other for work purposes, the two of you became friends.

That’s how you end up eating McDonald’s with him as you walk down to your car. He’s munching on a McChicken, and you get to tease him about how he’s going to ruin his diet. He chuckles in return, and even though his steel gray eyes are blocked by a pair of Raybans, you know that he’s not upset about that comment. 

“It’ll be worth the weight,” he jokes back, and you can’t help but laugh quietly, covering your mouth. 

He makes it very easy for you to fall in love with him, and if there’s a reason to condemn Himuro Tatsuya, it’s how his charm makes you (and many other people) unintentionally fall for him.

Himuro sighs as he closes the door to his apartment, locking it before venturing further in. Today’s recording session wasn’t as tiring—he’s had worse—so what is this unease and why is his heart heavy?

That’s right, it’s your fault, he ponders as he walks to the kitchen, inspecting the refrigerator for a cold drink. Himuro realizes that he actually misses you, even though you literally dropped him off less than five minutes ago with your car. The can of lemon tea opens with a distinct sound, but it’s not enough to wake him up from his train of thoughts.

Really, though… when did he start feeling this way?

“You want me to clear up some space in your schedule so you can spend time with her?”

Your voice echoes in his head. Since day one, you’ve been the kindest manager he’s ever had. Sure, you made sure that he’s actively participating in all sorts of work, be it photoshoots or promotional events, but there’s not one single time where you neglect asking his consent. “Are you okay with this”, “is this time alright with you”… 

You’re never unkind to him. Or anybody else in particular. Sure, you sometimes have those bad days where you seem like you don’t want to be involved in anything, but instead of being rude, you’re just tired. Himuro makes sure that it’s not some kind of farce you’re putting up because you want to impress him (he’s met people like that, which isn’t a pleasant experience), and he appreciates that. Then, he began to feel refreshed around you, as if he weren’t some worshiped idol. He was just him, completely comfortable and carefree. After that, he starts to pay more attention to how attractive you are—he tried not to dwell on that thought when he first met you—and how you smell so nice whenever you lean in closer to whisper some pointers into his ear.

Himuro grabs his phone, fingers hovering with uncertainty over the touch screen before typing his text nimbly.

Sent 20:57 [Thanks again for sending me home. Good night, see you tomorrow.]

A minute later his phone buzzes, startling him out of his stupor. The can of lemon tea, now half-empty, is loosely held in his hand, and Himuro’s lucky his surprised jolt didn’t spill the drink all over the countertop.

Received 20:58 [No prob. I’ll pick you up at 9 tomorrow, sleep tight! xo]

He smiles. He’s usually not a fan of internet slang, which is why he doesn’t really use much of them, but seeing the two letters at the end of your message and thinking about their meanings of affection… It’s harder because anyone can interpret the “xo” differently, and his lovesick mind just likes to play with him—he’s secretly hoping that you mean those two letters are more than just a friendly gesture.

A VIP room in a high-end nightclub and a tall glass of champagne isn’t part of Himuro’s schedule, you’re quite sure of that. If it were, you’d notice your own words scribbled in your trusty notebook or your mobile. It happened so suddenly—several models invited him to join their nightly activities after the photoshoot, and you noticed their lust-glazed eyes and sultry smiles, men and women alike. Himuro wanted to decline, as he isn’t one to be usually found in clubs or bars at night, but they were so insistent to the point where he agreed just to shut them up.

“I gotta bring _________ along,” he said as a requirement to the models, standing tall in front of him like a flock of cranes. You only agreed because you’re responsible for bringing him back home safely—the designated driver, or so you said, but the fire at the pit of your stomach tell you your real intentions: you’re jealous of how those people are looking at him.

So here you are, in a purple-lit room on the second floor of the club, standing against a wall with a non-alcoholic drink in your hand. Himuro’s surrounded by a few of the models on the sofa across the room, while the rest of them are busying themselves by making out at another secluded corner or dancing downstairs.

Unbeknownst to you, Himuro has been trying to get closer to you the whole night, but these people whose company he doesn’t really enjoy keeps getting in his way. They think you’re just a manager. They don’t know that Himuro sees you as a friend (and secretly more than that). They keep sending him flirtatious lines, asking risque questions, and acting to seduce him—alcohol is probably going to be their excuse, but he knows their true intentions.

[If you love me, come on get involved]

The only one that is allowed to do all that to him, even without the influence of alcohol, would be you.

You, sipping your drink while you endlessly scroll down your mobile phone as you lean against the wall. You, skin highlighted by the sultry mauve, the light creating a silhouette of your body. You, the object of his affection, obsession, desire, worship. He wants to do things to and with you. He wants to go on cute dates, buy you gifts, love you, maybe in bed too if you’ll allow him.

Call it intuition, but when he sees you glancing his way with a look on your face that is bitterness and pining, a zing runs down his spine, lighting a spark of hope inside him. You widen your eyes in surprise as your eyes meet his and, to cover up your true feelings, look back at the screen of your mobile. If you don’t let him see what’s in your gaze for too long, he’ll probably forget about it, right?

[Feel it rushing through you from your head to toe]   

The pulsing song from the rowdier setting downstairs and the chatter of people surrounding him are nothing but background noise in his ears. Himuro downs his fourth glass of alcohol, and although his tolerance for intoxication is considerably stronger than that, the drink gives him liquid courage to stand up from his seat and approach you.

His steps are slow and almost sensual, but also calculative. Some eyebrows are raised at how he looks like he’s predator stalking prey, and his… companions are not less than appalled when he stands extremely close in front of you, successfully switching your attention from the mobile phone to himself. 

You’re as surprised as those models with crane-like legs when he cups a jaw with his hand, leaning his face to yours, your lips dangerously close to each other. 

[Can you feel it?]

The sudden increase of your heartbeat. The way your lungs stop yourself from breathing.

“Can you tell me something, _________?” He asks, breath caressing the skin of your face and you shiver.

He has to be drunk, and this event shall not be remembered in the following morning. You will try your best to act like nothing has happened between the two of you in this particular nightclub, in this particular room, in this particular situation where you’re practically sandwiched by his body and the wall. And your efforts will fail, because you can never forget such a thing. He, however, will continue on with his life as per usual, with you as his manager.

Your eyes search his steel gray ones, only to surprise yourself once again by discovering uncoated want in his eyes, along with insecurity—one thing that he’ll only allow his loved ones to witness. 

“What?” You whisper.

Himuro swallows the urge to kiss you senseless down his throat. He needs to hear you say it.

“Tell me how you feel about me.”

[Found you hiding here so won’t you take my hand, darling]

“Tatsuya,” you respond, voice more hoarse-sounding that it usually is, “are you drunk…?”

“I’ve never been more sober,” he answers, “now tell me.”

What are you supposed to say to that? You’re not ready to tell him that you’ve actually liked him for a long time, that you’ve admired him from afar, and you’ve dreamed of having his affections for your own. He’ll retract himself and say that it’s creepy, that you’re supposed to maintain a professional relationship with him instead of fantasizing about him. He’ll say it’s disgusting.

—but when his lips touches yours, ghosting over your slightly chapped lips ever-so-slightly and moving slowly to cover everything he can get, you think that the chances of that scenario happening is very low, especially when his hand dips under your shirt like that…

[Before the beat kicks in again]  

“You’re drunk, aren’t you?” 

Instead of answering the question, his lips press against yours fervently, capturing your bottom lip in between his as he nibbles and sucks. You moan at the contact into his mouth, which somehow spurs Himuro to be more intense in the kiss. The hand that was touching the skin below your shirt now pulls you closer by the waist, while the other that was cupping your jaw snakes to the back of your head, deepening the kiss. 

You can hear the sound of glass breaking, angry footsteps, and the bang of the door: one of the models is pissed, threw the glass of drink on the floor and exited dramatically. Neither you nor Himuro cares—this is something you’ve undeniably thought of before you went to bed, and drunk or not, this is still Himuro. Is he going to remember this in the morning? That’s the least important thing that is on your mind. Right now it’s the way his tongue begs for entrance to your mouth, the way he tilts his head, the way he tugs at your hair, the way his body is pressed against yours.

The remaining models, women and men alike, realizes that Himuro is not going to be available any time soon—especially not when he has his hand on your chest like that. So they leave in silence, the only sounds they make are produced by heels, articles of clothing, and the occasional clearing of throats. You’re now alone with the celebrity you’re managing, pressed against the wall of a VIP room in a nightclub, and you’re making out with him.

“Fuck,” he says in between kisses and grunts of your name, “there’s no way in hell I’m going to forget this tomorrow.” 

He’s abandoned your mouth in favor of your ear, sucking at your earlobe and breathing against your ear before leaving a trail of kisses down your jaw and your exposed neck. 

“You’re coming to my place tonight,” he purrs, and a surge of arousal immediately shoots to your core. He’s never sounded so dominant before. 

“We have a lot of talking to do.”

[norihisahyuga-archived]

I Was King.

Eventual Matsumoto Jun/Ikuta Toma. Eventual Nagase Tomoya/Matsuoka Masahiro. Eventual Joshima Shigeru/Yamaguchi Tatsuya. Janizu/Death Note Crossover. 2500~ words.

When Jun Matsumoto is gifted a Death Note from the shinigami realm, he seeks to use it for nothing but what he views as true justice: punishing the criminals that the world fails to punish properly. This begins a worldwide slaughter, thousands of people succumbing to heart attacks until the NPA is forced to call in the mysterious L, a genius crime detective who has never failed to solve a case. But L has demons of his own to fight, and Jun has already decided he will stop at nothing to carry out his plan.

Chapter Four

“I did as you asked, L,” Inohara says as he closes the door behind him. “Are you in need of anything?”

“No, I’m quite fine at the moment.” Tomoya Nagase removes his gaze from the screen in front of him, a piece of German chocolate cake halfway to his mouth. “I’ll let you know if I need anything, Watari, but otherwise you’re free to do as you please.”

Inohara sends him a knowing smile before retiring to the room reserved for him in the suite they are currently staying in. As Tomo wants no interruptions in his research, all of the curtains are currently pulled, casting the room into shadowy darkness despite the fact it’s well into the afternoon. A glance at the clock in the corner of the laptop is confirmation enough of that.

He shrugs and pops the cake into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully as he makes notes on a pad of paper poised by his elbow. They’ll be leaving this hotel suite soon, as they change rather often to make sure they don’t leave a lingering presence on any of the staff. It’s all about safety, Tomo knows. His mind is too precious, his intellect too valuable to be risked, so he keeps a system in place so that he’s never in one place long enough for anyone to do anything about it.

When news of the Kira case had reached him, he made quick efforts to wrap up his last case so that he would be free to travel and begin his own investigation of these events. It was clear to him early on that he would need assistance from the police, would need access to their information and their manpower to accomplish what he needs to, but he hadn’t bothered contacting them until he was absolutely certain that he knew where Kira was located. A few quick looks into public cases had solidified his belief that Kira was in Japan, and so he made the journey.

The fact the first criminal had died so publicly had probably been what allowed him to slip through the cracks as far as the police were concerned. They likely began associating the pattern with the one that cropped up just a week later, when people began dying every single day. Tomo can understand this, of course. Kira had chosen someone to practice on, likely just to see if he was capable of killing people to begin with, and when it became clear that it was possible, he laid in wait, preparing to set his plan into action. He’s clever, Tomo can see that much. No evidence, very few clues, no clear linear pattern to provide anyone with any important details.

At least the case hadn’t been a national one. Prefectures streaming live news about notable cases in each area allowed him to narrow it down, and though Tokyo-Yokohama is one of the largest cities in the world with a population around thirty-eight million, Tomo is confident that Kira is here. The metropolis is the perfect place for a killer to hide, with so many faces going about their daily business, so much travel… It makes sense, too. Statistically, if Kira was going to be somewhere in Japan, it makes sense he would have cropped up in the largest city in the world. Japan is just a bit more surprising, considering its comparatively low crime rate. Is it easier to start with Japan, because you have less to stop here? Do larger areas with higher crime rate put you off?

It could just be coincidence, of course. Or national loyalty, he supposes. Plenty of people have pride in their country and its values. When he figures out how Kira kills people, he might be able to answer the question as to why Kira showed up here, and not somewhere else, but for now his major goal is to figure out how Kira kills and use that to lure him out of the shadows.

Tomo forks another mouthful of cake off of his plate and ruminates on his options as he chews. There are safer options than the one he is considering, and he knows the Japanese police in particular will not enjoy his choice— in fact, it might very well turn them against him, and he needs their manpower and their resources if he is to continue. Remaining hidden away as he does breeds mistrust from the very beginning, but if his hunch is correct, then he may be able to play his system as an advantage. He just needs to click another piece into place in this puzzle, and he’ll have the necessary answer he needs to move forward. Until then…

“Did I tell you what I heard at Interpol?” Inohara asks, and Tomo rolls his eyes; he’s learned the man can be silent in his entry and departure of rooms. “They think the CIA may be involved.”

“Of course they do. The CIA operates outside of the laws of the United States and that frightens people. Power like that is something they cannot imagine.” Tomo clicks through another set of documents, analyzing the data before him as quickly as his brain can process. “Of course, the CIA is not responsible for this. This, I believe, is even beyond their capabilities.”

“Interesting.” Inohara takes a seat next to him and smirks. “Do you have any theories presently?”

“I’ve read the theories this is some kind of invisible pathogen or biological warfare, but there has been no trace of that in any of the medical reports.” Tomo finishes his cake and leans back so Inohara can retrieve the empty dish. “And besides, I do not believe science can support that.”

“I didn’t ask you what you thought of the theories of others, L,” Inohara reminds him.

Tomo narrows his eyes at him. “At present, I am not sure how Kira is going about his murders.”

“That’s what I thought. That seems to be one of the most pressing questions at the moment.” Inohara bows his head and heads for the kitchenette, and Tomo returns to his work.

Though, he does pause enough to say, “I’ll need information on the members of the NPA.”

“Then you really are certain that Kira is in Japan. How ironic. You haven’t hunted someone on home soil before.” Inohara’s voice is light, musing, but Tomo just clenches his jaw.

“I am very well aware of that.” Despite his rising annoyance, his voice remains smooth and even as it must. “It should make for a very interesting hunt.”

Inohara chuckles. “You make this sound like a game, did you know that?”

“In a way, it is a game.” Tomo closes the medical reports and leans back, closing his eyes as he analyzes the most recent round of data. “One of us will win, and one of us will lose.”

“Games are supposed to be fun for everyone involved,” Inohara reminds him.

Tomo could say I’m aware of that but in all honesty, he can’t. He understands the concept is supposed to be fun for people, of course, but by the time he was allowed to be around other children his age, they had already marked him as “too different” and so most of his childhood was spent in solitude. He told himself he hadn’t minded all that much— he had freedom to do whatever he wanted since he had no one to disagree with him or demand to do something different— but the children playing together were always mere feet away. He’d wondered what it was like to be them, to have friends like them. The only friend he’s had in his life is Inohara.

And, to be fair, while Inohara has been loyal and at his side since he stepped out of the orphanage years ago, he was chosen for this task specifically. For all Tomo knows, he merely follows protocol because it’s his job and it gives him a way to spend his time.

Tomo chuckles at himself, retrieving coffee that is more sugar than liquid at this point as he pulls up another file of medical records, these from Russia. His self-loathing has done nothing but increase as the years have gone by, and though he should be concerned about how much of him it will erode over time, all he cares about is that his mental sharpness is not touched. As long as he can continue to solve cases and bring people to justice, as long as he can find enough puzzles to soothe himself with, he doesn’t really care about anything else.

He’ll definitely need every ounce of it for his case. Sighing, he sets his empty cup aside, pleased when Inohara returns to fetch it, setting another piece of cake in front of him.

With the heart attacks leaving no real clues no matter the area they occur in, he’ll have to go with his gut.

And considering his gut has never been wrong before, he has that going for him.

A few quick searches through the Japanese criminal records gives him exactly what he needs to pull this off, and he makes a few short notes on the pad next to his elbow before forcing himself to stand, wincing at the way his back cracks when he stretches. He feels like hell some days.

Stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he shuffles over to the blinds keeping the sunlight out and uses a finger to tug a couple of the slats down so he can look at the city. Bustling with activity no matter the time of day, hundreds of people visible on the streets below… One of them could be Kira. Any of them could be. He needs this plan to work so he can narrow it down.

Inohara appears at his shoulder and Tomo takes a step back, his personal space invaded too much for his liking. The slight apologetic smile he waves off, watching Inohara mimic him, parting the blinds to look outside while Tomo returns to his computer and the various files stacked haphazardly on the floor, the coffee table, and the cushions of the couch he isn’t currently occupying. A fresh cup of coffee has been set by his cake and he methodically adds sugar cubes, stirring them until they dissolve, watching the black liquid lighten steadily to a smooth creamy brown before he even thinks about picking up the cup to drink from it.

“I looked over your notepad while you were musing,” Inohara says as he turns away from the window, taking an empty chair and stretching his long, long legs out. “That’s a risk, L, but if you think it’s the right thing to do, I’ll make the calls necessary to see it through.”

“Entering the same country as Kira is a risk. Putting my life in the balance is a risk. There is no reward if there is no risk involved.” He’s believed this ever since he was a child.

Inohara sighs softly, the sound odd enough coming from him that Tomo glances up from his screen momentarily. “I understand that. I do. You know I do, we’ve worked alongside each other for so long now. Will you be able to justify this to the NPA when they learn what you’ve done?”

“I do not condone murder, Watari. You know that as well as anyone. However…” Tomo retrieves another bite of cake, chewing and swallowing before continuing his thought, “Kira must be stopped, and to stop him, we will do what must be done. The man is already on death row, and nothing will change that. He will die one way or another. This merely speeds up the process.”

“As you wish. I’ll go ahead and make the necessary calls, and I’m certain we can have this set up for the evening news.” Inohara stands, but hesitates, fixing his eyes on Tomo so firmly that Tomo has to hold his gaze. “I assume you’ll want me to be with the NPA when this goes public, so I will make sure to be prepared to leave in time to inform them to watch it.”

Tomo nods and returns to his work, no longer interested in attempting to make conversation now that his plans are explicitly clear. Once he has pinned down Kira’s whereabouts, he can go about the next phase in his plan. He already knows what he has to say when the time is right, of course, so he pauses to draft out a quick message for the news. It takes him a few attempts, a few rewrites to make sure this will be able to burrow beneath Kira’s skin in just the right fashion, but by the time Inohara has shrugged his trench coat back on, Tomo has the speech prepared.

“This is very confrontational,” Inohara informs him, holding the paper in gloved hands, eyes scanning the words before he smirks. “If you’re intent on egging Kira on in this way, you might find yourself in peril very quickly. I doubt a person like this will want to hear these words.”

“I don’t believe Kira is a threat to me yet.” Tomo can smile about this, because if this goes down correctly, then he’ll have a few answers he needs to move forward with the investigation.

Inohara pauses. “You sound very confident in that assertion. May I ask why?”

“If this goes as planned, you’ll be able to see why.” Tomo pauses, then shrugs his shoulders. “And if I die, you know who to contact to replace me. Now, go before you end up being late.”

Inohara bids him farewell before leaving, and Tomo heaves a sigh, stretching a hand out to flip on the TV, changing it to the evening news. The hours since he had begun researching have passed far too quickly, and he’ll have to rest soon if he hopes to retain his mental strength, but he has to do this now. Kira has already killed far too many people, and he will only continue on his brutal quest as long as there is no one with the capability to stop him.

He knows this plan will not fail. Profiling Kira has been an easy enough task, and this confrontation should contain all of the buzzwords necessary to make him reveal himself. Only time will tell, but Tomo can be patient for this one thing. He just needs to make it so.

And if he does die in the process, if Kira proves that his reach can extend past all of the careful and intricately laid barriers that Tomo has placed between himself and the world, then there is backup ready to be dispatched to take this case in his place. He had walked into this life knowing that his life would remain in permanent danger, and it’s never been a deterrent.

When the face he saw on his screen hours ago appears on the television, Tomo unmutes the television, reaches for his cup of coffee, and sits back to wait. After all, he has a few minutes to spare, and it’s been awhile since he’s been able to just sit back and watch the news.