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Well, that's a hell of a way to start a new job.
Looking after idols was supposed to be a step down on the difficulty scale. They're not supposed to have enemies or risky connections, especially not relatively new ones like this. The only real obstacle is supposed to be personality quirks and the one Akihiro had been assigned to seemed pretty easy to manage. At least he hadn't ended up shadowing the loud blond one or the sickly redhead. Both of them seem like a pain for very different reasons.
But somehow this guy already has a stalker, the sort of stalker that corners him when he's supposedly alone with a roll of duct tape in her bag, a pair of scissors slipped up her sleeve, and fuse that's already lit and burning down fast. The scuffle had only taken a few seconds to resolve but it had clearly left quite the impact on his charge. That's the only reason he can figure that the two of them are all the way out in Hinohara now, laying low in some rental house or another until Mitsuki feels up for heading back.
Well, Akihiro won't complain. It's basically a vacation for him, too, considering that watching after someone in tiny little village is much easier than doing the same thing in Shinjuku or Shibuya or anywhere else idols tend to preform. It's quiet and he has booze and the guy he's watching is easy enough to get along with. He's set to have a pretty good week, and that means it's hard for him to maintain any veneer of professionalism. So when they're settled in after dinner and the sun is most of the way below the horizon, it only feels natural to offer Mitsuki a cocktail with a casual, "Here."
... Wait, is this kid old enough to drink? Well... whatever.
Looking after idols was supposed to be a step down on the difficulty scale. They're not supposed to have enemies or risky connections, especially not relatively new ones like this. The only real obstacle is supposed to be personality quirks and the one Akihiro had been assigned to seemed pretty easy to manage. At least he hadn't ended up shadowing the loud blond one or the sickly redhead. Both of them seem like a pain for very different reasons.
But somehow this guy already has a stalker, the sort of stalker that corners him when he's supposedly alone with a roll of duct tape in her bag, a pair of scissors slipped up her sleeve, and fuse that's already lit and burning down fast. The scuffle had only taken a few seconds to resolve but it had clearly left quite the impact on his charge. That's the only reason he can figure that the two of them are all the way out in Hinohara now, laying low in some rental house or another until Mitsuki feels up for heading back.
Well, Akihiro won't complain. It's basically a vacation for him, too, considering that watching after someone in tiny little village is much easier than doing the same thing in Shinjuku or Shibuya or anywhere else idols tend to preform. It's quiet and he has booze and the guy he's watching is easy enough to get along with. He's set to have a pretty good week, and that means it's hard for him to maintain any veneer of professionalism. So when they're settled in after dinner and the sun is most of the way below the horizon, it only feels natural to offer Mitsuki a cocktail with a casual, "Here."
... Wait, is this kid old enough to drink? Well... whatever.
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He makes his way to the kitchen, starting to investigate the cabinets both out of curiosity in general but also to find the gin. "I'm better at ordering than mixing but I still know what gin tastes like." His answering grin up at Akihiro gives the lie to his slightly huffy tone; it's all in jest, right?
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"More reason to change it up then, right?" Maybe he shouldn't be encouraging his charge to switch from one hard liquor to another, but to hell with it. If it makes him happy then it makes him happy, and even if he won't let himself think about it too long he's noticed that Mitsuke's got a cute smile. It'll be nice to see more of it.
America, though. Akihiro can talk about that plenty.
"I mostly just saw California, but we went to New York a couple times. Americans are..." Huh, how does he say this without sounding like an asshole. "... really chatty. They'd strike up conversations on the elevator, or talk on their phones on the trains, but everyone was really friendly, too, like they'd known me for a few months even though we just met. So I guess they weren't really rude. Just loud." Privately, he's kind of glad he had the excuse of not understanding much English. He's aware of his own tendency to withdraw in group settings. "It's huge, too. North to south it's about the same distance from Sapporo to Okinawa, but a flight from Los Angeles to New York was almost twice as long."
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He moves closer, looking up as he listens, fascinated by the description of America. It says a lot about what Akihiro values, too, because some parts of that don't sound so bad to Mitsuki. Only some, though. "That'd take some getting used to. I like talking to people, even strangers, but you have to be respectful too. Nobody wants to hear your private conversation while they're on the train. Don't they get embarrassed?" At least, he would, but his job requires him to be different in public and in private.
"Movies make Los Angeles and New York look like completely different countries sometimes, so it's not surprising, but it's hard to imagine travelling for that long. Then again, even just the flight to get to America is something like ten hours long, right?"
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"They felt like different countries. Los Angeles is warm and humid like Tokyo, but New York was a lot more mild. The people weren't as relaxed, either. Kinda like going to Minato versus going to Ikebukuro." Except half a day's flight apart, instead of half an hour train ride apart. He nods at the question on the flight distance, though he doesn't elaborate any further. He hasn't missed Mitsuki's obvious interest in the country, however, so he skips on elaborating further for the moment. "You seem pretty interested. Hoping to go one day?"
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Maybe it's just the circumstances of the job, but Mitsuki's not sure he's ever seen him smile this much. It's nice and keeps Mitsuki smiling, too.
"Hmm, yeah, eventually! We'd have to get really, really famous to tour all the way over there, but just a vacation would be fun too. Maybe even moreso, since if it was work I wouldn't be able to have very much downtime. You probably didn't get to either, huh?" He laughs and tilts his head. "Or do you always get to hang out drinking with your clients?"
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"Well... one guy went a whole month before he realized my name was Akihiro, not Akihito." That had been pretty awkward, really, but he doesn't mind bringing it up now as an example. "But whoever works for you after me probably won't do this. It's not exactly against the rules, but most guys in my line of business think it's better if we keep our distance a little." Obviously he doesn't, though he also doesn't elaborate on why. "It's not like I'll get fired unless I really screw up or you say you want me gone, but... uh, well. Maybe don't tell my boss about this." At 'this' he gestures with his glass. Shooting the shit with Mitsuki is fine, but sharing a drink is going to get him yelled at.
Oh well. Won't be the first time.
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The name thing just has him making a face--clearly the client wasn't Japanese--but it turns into a proper frown when Akihiro starts talking about whoever comes after or Mitsuki wanting him gone. "What if that's not what the client wants, though? Sure, you work for your own company and my management more than for me, but they're not the ones here right now. You might've saved my life! You deserve a chance to work through that just as much as I do, or at least to unwind with a drink and somebody to talk to." Sure, he's probably projecting a little trying to imagine how he'd deal with laying low like this if he couldn't be casual with Akihiro, but he feels pretty strongly about it regardless. They're safe here. Why can't they both be off the clock?
Actually... "What if I said you were fired until tomorrow morning? Then the rules wouldn't apply."
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"Even if you don't mind and your managers don't mind, my boss still has to think about all of her employees, now and in the future. A lot of prospective clients won't want to work through our agency if they hear we've got a habit of getting too friendly with the people we guard." He pauses for a moment as something occurs to him. "'Course, some people like a bodyguard so much they'll pay a little more just to hire him directly instead of going through us. I had a few coworkers quit for that exact reason."
... Fired until tomorrow, huh? It doesn't actually work that way, of course, but Akihiro gets what Mitsuki means all the same. So he laughs and gives him another nod. Sure. Sounds fun.
"Alright then, Mitsuki." Using his name at all - and never mind without any sort of honorific - feels a little weird, but what the hell? He holds out his glass for a toast. "Here's to throwing out professional boundaries for the evening."
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"In that case, if for some reason you stop working for us, I'll have to make sure we exchange numbers! Hopefully it won't come to that, though." Mitsuki certainly has no complaints, anyway.
He knows the contract that has Akihiro protecting him isn't that easily set aside but he's extremely pleased that Akihiro's willing to play along. It feels like the balance between them shifts a bit and he likes that. He lifts his glass and taps it against Akihiro's. "That's more like it! And what happens in the safe house stays in the safe house. Your reputation's safe with me." And then it's bottoms up.
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"Ah, and I'll make sure no one hears anything that contradicts your cute persona." Is it weird to call him cute? Maybe a little, but Akihiro doesn't think it'll make too much a of a difference. Mitsuki is pretty short, especially compared to the rest of the members of his unit. He probably got typecast as the cute one from the very first day.
He also is actually cute, but it's probably better to not say that flat out. Akihiro isn't going to be the one to cross that line. That other line, though...
"No reason we can't exchange numbers now." He pats his jacket, but he's left his phone on the table. Oh well. "Or-- well, before that, then."
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That doesn't mean Mitsuki's not going to react to a comment like that, though. "Good, good, as long as you remember it's just a persona. Not that I can't be cute but it's not all I am, you know? I hope some day I can show the fans more of my other sides, but it's too soon now." And that's his cue to push off the counter, intent on making another drink because if he's going to shed the cute persona for the night, he's going to do it properly.
He stops when Akihiro says he doesn't have his phone, though, setting his glass down and getting his own out of his pocket. "Here! You can put your number in mine, then I'll message you. Problem solved." He should probably have it anyway but there hasn't really been a need of it before now, and now it feels more like a social request than a professional one.
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He takes the phone, adds his number (under Akihiro S., rather than his full name), and then offers his own empty glass over with a joking demand that it's Mitsuki turn to pour. He retreats to the living room just long enough to retrieve his phone, since he should probably have it with him anyway, but when he returns to the kitchen he only lingers in the doorway. They'll probably want to sit down again soon, so there's no sense in getting too comfortable before they return to the living room in earnest.
"Seems like it gets kinda tiring to be acting all the time." Hopefully this subject isn't too heavy, but he hadn't seemed to mind when Akihiro got a little heavy a few moments ago. "It sounds like the bigger you get, the more you have to worry about breaking character in public."
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He glances at the entry before tucking his phone away and taking Akihiro's glass. It seems safe to assume he'll want the same again so Mitsuki retrieves another can of Coke and makes another pair of drinks. The whiskey's right there, why not keep drinking that? Once they're done he offers Akihiro back his glass. It's no stronger than the one he made them earlier; Mitsuki's a quick study. As an afterthought he grabs the bottle before leaving the kitchen. If they're willing to forego the mixer, this will save them both a trip later on.
"It's worth it for the fans. If they're happy, I'm happy. The reverse is true, too, it's hard when people don't like you, but I just want to reach as many people as I can." He's not going to think about the ones who dislike him, not tonight. Instead he nods as he follows Akihiro back toward the living room. "It's hard to find a balance between who you really are and who they want you to be, even if that person is still a part of the real you. The cute one shouldn't be drinking whiskey with a good-looking older guy in a remote cabin, but the real me is doing exactly that, so the cover story is probably that I'm at some onsen or resting at home."
And that is certainly too much talking because it's only when he's done that Mitsuki realizes everything he's just said. It's all true, of course, Akihiro is older than him and he is good-looking, but if he'd been thinking a little more he might have at least tried to find a more sophisticated way to express that. Instead he moves right on without waiting for a reaction, leaning in close to Akihiro's shoulder when he sits down.
"Smile!" There's a phone right there suddenly, waiting for a smile so Mitsuki can get a picture of the two of them together. "For a contact photo."
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"You get away with it cause you called me good looking, but older guy?" His tone is despairing, but clearly not actually serious. "I'm only 29, you know. You're still supposed to call me more experienced." With a faint grin, he adds: "Unless you want me to call you the 'cute idol kid' all the time, instead."
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"Oi! I can accept cute but I'm no kid! I may be younger than you but I'm still a man." He's no more serious than Akihiro but with one hand on his hip, he's doing his best to look tough even while grinning (and turning just a little pink, not entirely from the liquor). "Experience is just a matter of opportunity, but you can have the opportunity to experience me kicking your ass if you say that again."
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So maybe he should back down, but he won't. Worrying too much about this sort of thing has never been his style, and he's not going to suddenly start now. So instead he sprawls back against the couch, giving Mitsuki another cocky grin.
"Ahh, really? They teach ass-kicking in idol school now?" He's pretty sure there's no much thing as 'idol school' - though truthfully, he wouldn't be surprised if Mitsuki could regardless. He's short, but that doesn't mean anything. Akihiro's boss isn't any taller and he'd put money on her over himself any day of the week.
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"Haha, nope! This is all from the mean streets of Ginza! Hiya!" He steps back and throws a straight punch forward into the air, cradling his glass in his other hand. He's got a strong base when he does it, and chances are it'd actually hurt pretty bad if it connected with anyone, but there's a roughness to it that belies his complete lack of training. Sure, the punch would hurt the target, but with the way Mitsuki locks his elbow means there's a pretty good chance he'd be hurting too.
That's what he gets for trying to show off. Mitsuki's not sure what kind of training, if any, Akihiro's had, but he wants to prove he's more than just a cute face.
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Huh.
"Not bad, actually." Without giving his own actions any thought, Akihiro sets down his glass and gets to his feet. "You'd hurt yourself, too, but the other guy wouldn't be any happier." He circles around behind Mitsuki as he speaks and, if allowed, slides one hand on his shoulder and the other down his extended arm. His movements are maybe overly casual, like this isn't the first time he's corrected someone's form. "You're gonna hyperextend your elbow if you lock it like that, and you lose power and speed to boot." Sure, he just told Mitsuki he wouldn't have to worry about getting into fights and risking his reputation, but he may as well make sure he can do something to protect himself.
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The careful praise, which is how he takes Akihiro's reaction, isn't unexpected, but the movement is. The fact that Akihiro moves behind him tells him he's not looking to spar and Mitsuki almost releases the pose, but then there's a hand on his shoulder and another on his arm, sliding down to his elbow. Mitsuki relaxes his arm just the little bit it takes to unlock the joint as Akihiro speaks. His touch and tone carry the easy confidence of someone who's said this before, and the thought that's been skirting the edges of Mitsuki's thoughts for a while now is suddenly front and center: Akihiro's not just good-looking, he's really attractive.
Of course, what he's doing right now is probably just a professional courtesy, or at best the kind of advice he'd offer a friend since he's 'off the clock.' Doesn't change the way Mitsuki suddenly feels warmer than he did a moment ago, though, or the awareness he has that Akihiro's arms are basically around him. He turns into that a little, just enough that when he lifts his head he can see Akihiro from the corner of his eye.
"Better like that? I'll tell Yamato to thank you the next time I punch his lights out." That's not exactly self-defense but it really is the most likely use of this information, for better or for worse.
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... Though if there's a 'next time' that Mitsuki's gonna be punching Yamato, maybe not? Akihiro gives him a warily amused look, then lets out a soft laugh right next to Mitsuki's ear.
"I'm surprised. He doesn't look like the sort to inspire a lot of punching." He considers asking something kinda snarky, like Can you even reach that high? but at the last second he decides to go for more practical advice. "You might have better luck if you kick him, first. Get him more on your level."
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"That's him. He's a great guy most of the time but he likes to call me a kid, too. Sometimes even a girl. He thinks it's funny to make me mad because he's really hard to rile." The fact that it's often mutual antagonism doesn't seem all that important, but Mitsuki also doesn't want to come off as whiny. Besides, there might be something to be learned here.
"I've tried kicks but he's faster than me. He's got really long legs so he moves and I end up falling on my ass. With a punch, even if he dodges I still have some control." He makes small motions as he speaks, leaning forward with his torso and moving his arm back and forward a little, a kind of mini-punch, before settling back into his center of gravity again. He tries not to move far enough to dislodge Akihiro's hands but even if he does, he doesn't step any further away.
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Still, the... admission, he supposes, that the two of them apparently pick on each other a lot is an amusing one, and certainly enough to get a soft laugh out of Akihiro.
"So, he's... what, some kind of sadist?" He sounds a little amused. Is that something idol fans would be in to...? Probably. Idol fans seems pretty strange, given that one of the first ones he met tried to stab the object of her affection. "... Or maybe a masochist, if he knows he's gonna get hit for teasing too much." Idly, he shifts his foot to slide it alongside Mitsuki's and give it a gentle nudge. It's not really enough to upset someone's balance in a proper training setting, but when they're both tipsy and this is impromptu at best, he really should be more careful.
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"Mmm, neither really, he only does it to me. He sees himself as an older brother so I think to him it's that kind of thing. He gets even angrier than I do if anybody else says something but with him it's all words." It's not the kind of older brother to younger brother relationship Mitsuki's used to, but Yamato's an only child so of course he'd have no idea how to be a proper sibling.
"Akihiro, d'you ha--" His question is cut short when he feels Akihiro's leg and foot alongside his. It makes him jump a little and move his own leg in response but Mitsuki overcompensates, ending up crossing his legs and upsetting his balance. If Akihiro doesn't let go, he's either going to end up Mitsuki's savior or they're both going down; he's not sure which is the more embarrassing outcome.
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And, apparently, people he knocks over without meaning to. Akihiro gives a start when Mitsuki jumps, tangles his legs, and loses his balance, and it's only by a small miracle that he manages to keep his. And even then that's only because he decides to play it safe and drag Mitsuki backwards, dumping himself onto the couch and Mitsuki halfway between his lap and the floor - though he he manages to slip his arms under Mitsuki's on the way down and keep him from actually falling. All and all, the two of them slightly tangled but, hopefully, not actually injured. There's a brief moment of tense silence before Akihiro lets out a soft, slightly strained laugh.
"Guess we're both a little tipsy, huh?" Oh well. It's their night off, right? "Do I what, now?"
lmk if I messed up how they landed, I can edit
It seems Akihiro decided to go with savior and Mitsuki's grateful. He braces his feet on the floor again as soon as he's able, testing his stability while he still has the support of Akihiro's hands. He's not injured, far from it, but he is embarrassed and extremely self-conscious now. It recedes a little when Akihiro laughs even though Mitsuki can't see his face but he's still aware of the fact that he's nearly sitting on Akihiro and that it's his fault they fell. He's not in a huge rush to move, though.
At least, not until he realizes that he's... wet? Mitsuki looks down to see that he's now wearing most of his drink. That's enough to get him to start to stand up, being much more careful with the glass this time. "Ahhh... sorry! Did I get any on you?"
He's tugging the wet fabric away from his skin when Akihiro follows up to the question Mitsuki was about to ask before they fell and he decided to bathe in cola and whiskey. "Do you have any siblings?
nope, looks like you got it!
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i thought i tagged this orz orz orz
it's cool, it happens!
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