tfy | Open Post

[ Elan's been continuing his own quiet journey through life. And it is much quieter than before. He's no longer pretending to be someone, with all the good and bad that comes with it. He spends another month or two wandering and then finally decides to settle down. At first he works oddjobs and does part-time gig work, but he also works on some photography - he sells photos and publishes some of them online. Not quite enough to let him live off of it, but it's something. And it means he doesn't have to work retail all day, every day.

And he stays in touch.

Hiyori gets updates and even some of the photos he takes and complaints about customers (he at least has a good customer service voice and face) and life is... surprisingly average. Which isn't a bad thing. He's just being himself and that's just fine. He's heading into part of his weekend, reviewing some of the photos he's taken when he gets the text.

Hey, wait. ]

You're in town now?

Why didn't you warn me?

[ Sigh. Elan glances around the apartment - it's relatively neat, but it's definitely not spick and span. He frowns and then starts tapping a reply out. ]

You can make your way over whenever you want, but don't expect it to be picture perfect.

I guess you need the address right?

Why, because I wanted it to be a surprise, of course! 😳 The good kind of surprise! 🥰🎉

[More like the inconsiderate kind of surprise. He does have a rough idea of Elan's work schedule from their previous texts, and he did keep that in mind. But there was nothing to say Elan couldn't have had other plans today, in which case he should've just gone back to ES yesterday. He won't expect the other boy to drop everything for him.

But it looks like he doesn't need to, because the other boy's hesitancy turns out mainly to be about the state of his apartment. In other words, today does work! Hiyori smiles in triumph.]

Not to worry! As long as it's not a pigsty, that's perfectly alright.

And yes, I will need that!

Well, it's definitely a surprise. I suppose I'll have to feed you, too.

[ He might be playing his grumpiness up a little intentionally. He's already trying to figure out what he can do for food - maybe the corner store will have something? Or they can just do takeout. He'll figure it out. ]

Any preferences?

Here's the address.

And are you going to want to spend the night?

[ There's the address. And a question to go with it. ]

Well if that's what you want, I'll be sure to say "ah~" 💕

[That is not what Elan meant and he knows it. He's just being a tease.]

I guess it depends on what's around. I'd be interested in trying whatever Elan-kun considers the best place in town. Ah, and I don't require anything fancy, but I *would* prefer something other than cup noodles!

[He takes the address, plugging it into his phone's GPS before going back to the message. Thank goodness for technology or he'd be helpless in this unfamiliar area.]

And I guess that also depends. I don't mind staying at a hotel again. But do you have a spare futon? Or am I cordially invited to sleep in Elan-kun's bed?

As a friend, of course. I don't mean to imply any funny business.

[He's an idol and his phone could always be hacked or something, so. Gotta tack that disclaimer on there!]

[ The temptation to be That Guy and just drop something explicit on him is incredibly strong. Fortunately for all involved, Elan reigns in that part of him with a wistful sigh. He'll have time for that when they're not worrying about phones getting potentially hacked or misplaced.

Besides, he knows what it's like to live with the pressure of not giving anything away. ]

I can try and make something simple. It'll give me an excuse to use the kitchen.

[ There's a pause before he continues. ]

I've got a spare futon I can roll out. I'm living like a respectable member of society now and everything. Just let me know your ETA.

Your home cooking? Why, that sounds even better! Alright, now I'm really pumped up! I simply can't wait to eat Elan-kun's home-cooked meal and sleep in his spare futon 😊

[You know. In a strictly platonic capacity. As for the ETA, he tabs back to his maps app and looks at what that says.]

It says it's a 25-minute walk, which isn't too bad. Gives me a chance to stretch my legs a bit. So I guess I'll be seeing you in half an hour, assuming you're okay with the short notice. I can always browse some stores for a while first if you need more time to prepare your heart ❤️

Though I did already buy your housewarming gift. I have that with me right here!

Half hour should be fine. I can start something and pick up a little.

I can't promise it will be fancy, but hopefully it'll be tasty.

[ Well, that solves that problem. Or at least gives him some time. ]

I'm not starving or anything, so don't feel like you have to rush. But that sounds good to me! I'll see you in 25 minutes 👍🤗💖✨️

[Annnd he's off to try to find his way to Elan's place. Will he succeed??

Surprisingly, yes! Unlike on that mountain where there was no cell reception outside the inn, his GPS is able to guide him there. There are still some confused moments, of the "why is my dot on the map getting further away? ... Wait, I was supposed to go the other way? It should've been clearer!" variety. But he arrives at the apartment complex only a few minutes later than estimated!

Now, let's see here. Which of the many identical doors is Elan's...?

By the time he pulls himself up the stairs and finds the apartment number Elan gave him, his legs are tired! But his arm isn't too tired to reach for the buzzer, nor is he too tired to great Elan with plenty of enthusiasm once he does open the door, beaming twice as bright as usual to make up for all those months where he wasn't there to light up Elan's life.]

Elan-kun~! ♪ Look, it's really me, I made it! ♪

[ Elan uses his time well. He straightens up a little and starts some rice going and also starts some prep. It's nothing super complicated - eggs and veggies and rice. But it'll do for a house-warming meal. When he answers the door he's got an apron on, because he's not a barbarian. ]

Your sense of direction didn't fail, huh? Come on in, Hiyori - don't just sit on the doorstep.

[ It's a small apartment. Cozy, even. But it is certainly his and it's enough space to live. So he's not about to complain. ]

Sit down make yourself at home. Should have food ready in a little bit.

[It's Elan-kun!

And he's wearing an apron, which gets a big smile out of Hiyori. It looks cozy, and it's cute!]

You've slipped completely into "host" mode, huh? That's pretty cute! ♪

[He steps inside, leaving his shoes at the genkan and shutting the door behind him. He'll also remove the hat he's wearing, though he didn't bother with fake glasses this time; he's already filming in this area, so his fans know he's around. There wasn't much point. And in any case, it's not like he's doing something illicit that he can't afford to be caught doing. No love hotel visits today!

Though Elan's place isn't too much larger than a hotel suite. (At least it's larger than the spaceship room.)

He looks around as he walks in a bit further, taking stock of how Elan has decorated the place, looking closely at any photos he sees hanging on the walls (if indeed there are any). But eventually he steps into the kitchen area, eyeing Elan's apron-clad figure cooking at the stovetop]

Fried rice, huh? There's a bachelor meal if I've ever heard of one.

[He'll keep a respectful distance from the chef, but he's not keeping his mouth shut.]

[ To be fair, if someone caught wind of him waiting a mysterious apartment there would still be a lot of rumors swirling around. But he's not going to think about that right now - he's much more focused on playing host. He makes a little scoffing sound as Hiyori starts to poke around. ]

Well, I'm a bachelor. What do you expect?

[ There's some pictures of landscapes up, but it's fairly Spartan. He is, after all, living the bachelor love. There's some camera equipment, a PC, some other odds.and ends - definitely a place where someone restarting their life is going to live! ]

I've never been a chef.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with it, did I?

[He was teasing, in other words. Though Elan surely knows that by now. Just to soften it further he adds,]

It smells good, at least.

[And then he goes back to looking around. The landscape pictures are no surprise, really. Nor is the camera equipment, which he also notices. It's good to have hobbies!]

Your place looks clean, too, which I'm sure is more than you can say for some "bachelor pads." Five points for that! ♪

[How exactly does the point scale work? Who knows. But since the apartment isn't too big and there's not a whole lot of decor or clutter to poke through, he will eventually sit down at the table, as Elan originally directed him to.]

If I get enough points do I get a prize?

[ He snorts and gives the vegetables a quick stir. ]

If you'd given me more warning I would've done something a little more fancy, you know.

[ Aw, he does like him. ]

[He crosses his legs beneath the table and rests his chin in his hand, smirking to himself.]

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," hmm? That's some cute reasoning.

[Is this the second time he's called Elan cute in about two minutes? You bet!]

But to answer your first question, sure! We'll even say the prize can be a~nything you want. Within reason, of course.

Well, I better start thinking about what I want then.

[ He snorts. ]

Do you want anything to drink? What brings you all the way down here, anywya? I figured you'd be out doing... idol stuff.

[ Whatever it is idols do. You know. ]

Sure! I'll take iced tea if you have it.

[And if not, he'll take whatever Elan does have.

As for the second question:]

As a matter of fact, I am here to do idol stuff! Though not for a live show. I would've made sure you got a ticket if we were having one of those near your place. Instead, I'm filming a travel program! The impromptu one that aired during SS was such a success that I got commissioned to do other ones.

Usually I film with Jun-kun, but he had another job this week, so it's just me this time. Which is sad for our fans who want to see him, but excellent news for you. Not that you wouldn't get along with him, but it means you get to spend quality alone time with me! Aren't you lucky? ♪

The luckiest person alive, apparently.

[ He responds a touch dryly, but there's some fondness there. He rummages in the fridge and emerges with a large container of iced tea, which he sets on the table, along with a glass - then he's back to the stove to make sure it finishes cooking properly. ]

Sounds like it might be worth watching. I tend to travel a bit when I have time. And more money.

[ He's living the bachelor life. Which means that life isn't always fabulous because money is a thing that exists and demands that he pay it to people for things like an apartment. ]

[He's always telling people how lucky they are to meet him. And listen to him. And breathe near him.

And serve him beverages. He's used to having the drink poured for him, but he'll let Elan off the hook since he's busy cooking their meal. For once, the noble-born Hiyori Tomoe will pour his own tea!]

Yep, already knew that! It's thanks to Elan-kun's travels that we met again, after all. I've sent you some pictures from the travelogue before. Though I'm not sure if I said what those were for or not...

[He probably didn't. It's very likely he just sent a picture of a farm or a lake or something that he thought Elan might like and didn't bother to mention what he was doing at that location, or even where it was. But instead of reflecting on his poor texting habits, he simply sips his tea.

And then continues yapping, of course.]

You should definitely tune in when you have time. It'll combine two different things you like: seeing new sights, and also, seeing me! ♪

[ Elan also had people pouring drinks for him. At least in public. But he's since been living the life of a commoner and isn't particularly in the mode of serving people! Well, at least when he's not at work, anyway. He gives the veggies another stir.

Almost there, he thinks. ]

They were decent pictures. Thanks for sending them along.

[ He was thought of. That feels kinda nice, doesn't it? ]

Pfft. Maybe I will, if it's not during my working hours. It might help me forget about my part-timer life...

[ He teases. It's not a bad place to be, honestly. ]

No problem ♪ Hopefully you appreciated the ones with me in them, too, though. And the ones with Mary!

[He's definitely sent a backstage selfie or two. Plus a few pictures of his and Jun's dog.]

It's hard out there for a wage slave, huh? But that's exactly what the program is for. And what us idols are for! We're there to help people like you forget about the gloomy things in life. Plus it might give you some travel ideas.

The dog was cute, at least.

[ He teases in response. ]

I've got some ideas already, but it does make me think about places in Japan I haven't seen yet.

[ Honestly he could probably spend most of his life poking around the country and still only see a tiny fragment of it. ]

I usually go in for nature, but I guess some of the old cities would be nice.

Huh? Does that mean I'm not cute?

[With Elan focused on his cooking, he misses the stupefied look Hiyori gives him. Though he is just kidding, and he audibly perks up as he talks about travel.]

If it's old you want, you should go to Kyoto! Jun-kun and Nagisa-kun went there recently for a job. I've been there too, of course, on field trips and family trips. There are lots of pretty sights to see, though I'm sure you're already aware of it.

[He sips his iced tea again and continues,]

Then there's Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Nara... The last one might be a really good fit. You could feed deer at the deer park! Or see the giant bronze statue of Buddha. I really hope there's a giant bronze statue of me someday ♪

[Yes, he really just said that.]

I've never been to Kyoto, honestly.

[ So maybe he will go, when he has some time and a little more money. He gets the stiry fry off the stove and starts to put together a couple plates, glancing over his shoulder as he does. ]

...don't you have enough money to commission one or something?

Then you should! I'm sure you'll find lots of lovely views. Especially during spring or autumn. Though those times of year tend to be the most crowded...

[When Elan throws a glance over his shoulder, Hiyori beams innocently back. As though that last comment wasn't totally absurd.]

I do! But, hmm, how should I put this... I'd sort of prefer if there was a reason for it, I guess. Like if someone decided to build one because of some great accomplishment I made. Or because they were just that moved by my beauty!

[ Elan slides a plate over to Hiyori and then sits with his own, taking a quick bite before he replies. ]

Well, maybe you'll become the most renowned idol of all time. There's still time for that, isn't there?

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