tfy | Open Post

[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?

That's the goal. Or becoming one of the most successful, anyway. I'm willing to share the glory with Nagisa-kun and the others ♪

[How generous of him.

And how generous of Elan to provide him with food. His expression brightens, and he happily picks up his fork (or chopsticks or whatever Elan has on-hand). There's no "itadakimasu," and certainly no prayer before the meal like Tatsumi would give. But, after taking his first bite, he delivers a verdict.]

... not bad!

Well, I'll take "not bad" as high praise.

[ He digs in himself. It really isn't bad, is it? Tasty enough and it keeps him going. ]

I'm getting better at it. Maybe I'll even get a "perfect" from you sometime.

[He takes another bite. Then another. And then he decides,]

Yep, it's pretty good!

[Even higher praise than "not bad." Gasp! But of course he does add on,]

And yep, you should keep trying. Work even harder to win my love, and one day, you might just be rewarded ♪

Oh? Aren't you already rewarding me by visiting?

[ He quirks a brow. Ha. ]

[He beams back.]

That I am! But my love knows no limits just like the sun, so there are always other visits, other rewards, and other prizes in store ♪

[He takes another bite or two of rice, then adds:]

Speaking of prizes, I might've got you a thing or two. Remember those housewarming gifts we talked about?

[He gestures at his carry-on bag, which he hooked over the back of the chair he's sitting on.]

I have two of those right in here.

...huh? Gifts? You didn't have to.

[ But he does remember and he leans forward a little, looking curious. ]

What did you bring along?

Yes, gifts! ♪ I said I'd brought some earlier, and I said I'd bring one last time, so I did!

[He's a man of his word. Plus it also seemed fair to bring something for Elan to make up for the potential inconvenience brought on by his surprise visit. Also, well...

He likes him! And he definitely enjoys buying the people he likes some gifts. It's something he's more than able to afford, what with all the money he has. So, he sets down his fork, shifts in his seat, and reaches behind himself for the bag he brought. That gets set on the table and then he withdraws a small, rectangular red box, passing it over to Elan.]

This one seemed like just the perfect gift for you ♪

[For reasons he'd be all too happy to explain. But first, he'll wait to see Elan's reaction when he pops the lid off!]

Huh...?

[ Elan takes the small box curiously, not quite sure what to make of it. He turns it around for a moment and then sets it down and carefully pops the lid off of it - and stares for a long moment. Then he finally laughs as he puts two and two together. ]

You really like talking about my hair, don't you?

[His grin spreads wider as Elan catches on.]

Yep, you got it! ♪ The duck tail reminded me of you! At first the idea was just to get you some fancy chopsticks, so you could feel classy even while you ate cup ramen. But I thought something like gold chopsticks might be overkill, so I was looking for something sophisticated but not quite that fancy.

[Elan can take a moment to process the fact that gold chopsticks were ever in the realm of possibility.]

So then I found some in a department store with a "landscape painting" sort of design. I thought to myself, "These seem perfect, since Elan-kun loves looking at landscapes!" So I was going to get you a regular pair with a landscape view, but then I saw these ones that had a landscape and a holder that looked like a duck! And I knew right away that I had to get those ones.

[ Elan listens to the explanation with an expression of amusement. It's very funny to listen to all of that. He's even more surprised to find himself rather endeared. Then again, he shouldn't be that surprised by himself when it comes to Hiyori at this point, should he? ]

You're lucky I appreciate your sense of humor.

[ His response is dry, but fond. ]

I'll hold onto these for special occasions. My first real fancy set of utensils!

Fufufu ♪

["Who wouldn't appreciate my sense of humor?" ... is what he'd say if he possessed zero self-awareness. He knows plenty of people wouldn't like it. That's why he doesn't spend too much time teasing and clowning around during interviews. But he is glad Elan likes the humor and the utensils.]

Glad you like them! Even us nobles don't eat from gold-plated chopsticks and fine silver all the time, so I'd say we're pretty well-matched now. Then I guess there's one other thing...

[He reaches into his bag again and draws out the second and final housewarming gift. It's another box, this one bigger, but similarly thin. As he passes it over to Elan, he remarks:]

Let's see if you can guess what's inside this one.

[The packaging doesn't offer any clues. But it has the same weight and feel as a box containing two picture frames.

Because it is, in fact, a box containing two picture frames.]

You're really spoiling me, aren't you?

[ He sounds more amused than anything else. He gives him a nod and regards him curiously as he reaches into his bag and then - oh. Hmm. What's this? He takes the new box and turns it over in his hands, weighing it as if he's trying to make sure he understands what's going on with this thing. ]

Huh.

[ He purses his lips. Unfortunately, he is not too experienced with picture frame weights. So it could be anything as far as he's concerned. ]

Some kind of decoration?

Yep, and you can thank me all you want for it ♪

[Modest.

He waits for Elan's guess. Which turns out not to be wrong, but also isn't very precise. Hiyori rests a hand under his chin and replies back:]

You could say that! I'll give you one more hint: it's related to one of Elan-kun's hobbies.

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