tfy | Open Post

Yep, thanks for noticing ♪

[But now here comes the part he needs to warn about. Without beating around the bush first:]

The rest of my unit is also there! Jun-kun, Nagisa-kun, and Ibara! Which should be an exciting opportunity for you to see them in-person, but it also might cut into our alone time.

[Which must surely be heartbreaking.]

Also, I can't tell them how we really know each other, so we'll need a cover story! Which could be anything from "he's an old family friend" to "he's a friendly hiker who showed me the way back!"

Ah, but Ibara's sort of skeptic, so let's not go with anything too outlandish.

...oh?

[ He arches a brow. He's not sure he really wants to meet them, but they're important to Hiyori, so...

He hums. ]

Why not something like the truth? We're acquaintances who just so happened to meet. That is what we are, right?

That's true, that is what we are. It just might help if we said something more specific, that's all. Like, "This is Elan-kun, who I might when I was out shopping. He reached for a pair of earrings, I reached for a necklace, and our hands brushed on the jewelry rack! It felt almost like fate."

[He rattles all this off while stroking his chin, very much enjoying coming up with these scenarios.]

Or, "This is Elan-kun, who I met at an amusement park," or "This is Elan-kun, who I went out for ice cream with." Those would have the benefit of also being true!

You realize how fake that first bit sounds?

[ He rolls his eyes with a laugh. ]

We can just say we met at an amusement park, sure. Not exactly the truth, but close enough. That's all we need to say, too. No need to make up a bunch of stuff that doesn't pass the smell test.

[ Such as it is, anyway. ]

Definitely not going to tell them we fucked in a love hotel.

[He wrinkles his nose at the bad language.]

No, no, we can't! Even though their reactions would be funny, we still can't do it! I don't want to spend my whole hot springs trip being lectured by some snake!

[Aka Ibara. Who would feel compelled to give him quite the talking-to about his indiscretions, no doubt.]

Fine, we'll say we met at an amusement park! I wanted a day of fun, and Elan-kun also wanted to have fun, so we met in line for one of the rollercoasters! After, we bought matching headbands and took pictures together... I can actually prove that if I need to.

[By opening his camera roll. Having laid out the plan, Hiyori smiles and nods to himself.]

Yep, seems like we've got our story all straightened out ♪

...do we have to show them the matching headbands?

[ Elan complains, although it's not that much of a complaint, all things considered. ]

But I guess it'll work. Although I get the feeling some of them might wanna ask more questions than that.

[Showing off the matching headbands will help sell their story, so in Hiyori's opinion, yes :)]

Ah, like "Where are you from" and "What do you do for a living"? You can answer those however you want. I don't think they'll be too nosy.

But if you're stuck, you could always tell them, "I'm a wanderer" or "I'm going on a journey of self-discovery." Nagisa-kun might like to hearing about your travels—he likes to go places, too. So much that it became a problem! I know Eichi-kun and Tsumugi-kun—two people from my last unit—were always frustrated, because they'd try to get in touch with him, and it'd turn out he'd wandered off to some other country again!

That's not really a lie. I am a wanderer.

[ And he is doing some self-discovery. ]

But I'm not that bad, I htink. I at least tell people when I'm going to leave.

Ah, so you do talk to people. I wasn't sure if you ever interacted with anyone or if it was all just looking at scenery! Meet anyone interesting lately?

[Or hooked up with anyone interesting?]

Mmm. A few people. There was an old man who ran a ramen stand - he had some interesting stories.

[ So he does talk to people. Amazing. ]

[Hmm.]

Talking to locals is always fun, but I'm starting to worry Elan-kun really does live on ramen! So let's find something higher class at the hotel later, alright? A local delicacy, perhaps!

Local delicacy...? Sure, but you're paying for it.

[ He's kinda broke. Still. ]

Yep, that's fine. I already said I don't mind treating you. Elan-kun can simply pay me back with his presence, and with stories of his travels!

Though, actually, there might be another way you could repay me.

[And here he grins like he's plotting something.]

Really?

[ His eyes narrow a little in suspicion. ]

And what would that be?

[Without missing a beat:]

Your voice! Apparently the inn has a karaoke room, or at least that's what it said on the website. And I never got the chance to hear Elan-kun's singing voice last time, so now seems like the perfect opportunity ♪ I'd say that's more than a fair trade, wouldn't you?

...if I have to.

[ Well, he's a little stuck, isn't he? ]

I can't promise you it'll be anything special.

That's quite alright. The point is to have fun! Though I have a feeling you'll sound good—I'm usually right about these things! That's how I discovered my partner, Jun-kun: I heard him singing in a practice room, I told him "That's a pretty good voice you have," and just like that, the rest is history...♪

[Or at least that's the abridged version.]

Though it'll have to wait until evening, since we have the shoot to do before that. I guess that gives Elan-kun some time to explore and relax in the baths? I'm not sure what you came out here to do, other than see the view, that is.

Mostly see the view.

[ He allows with a little sigh. ]

And to walk. And see how far I could get on my own. I suppose it's a bit of a self-challenge more than anything else. A way to get my head sorted out.

[ Which is a bit of an admission he wouldn't make to most other people. ]

Running into you is apparently a happy accident, so I better take advantage. Even if I end up having to sing for my bed.

[That little sigh doesn't escape his notice, Hiyori throwing his travel partner a glance. It doesn't take much reading between the lines to deduce that Elan-kun is still as lost as ever. Well, all this wandering around might be his attempt to find himself.]

Elan-kun still has some thinking to do, huh? Maybe you can do some in the bath again, while looking at the stars! I'm sure the view will be much lovelier this time around...

[Compared to last time.

... It's not like Hiyori can't understand. Nagisa also did a lot of wandering. That was also an attempt to find himself, wasn't it?

He, on the other hand, prefers not to do so much ruminating. If there's a problem or something he regrets, he'd rather distract himself with something fun. Elan-kun's approach might be different, but he could surely also use a little fun in his life.

Which is why his last statement makes Hiyori smile.]

I don't think they'll accept that as payment no matter how pretty your voice is. But I'll gladly accept it, and that's what matters! You're right that this is a happy accident, or rather, a wonderful coincidence, so we might as well make the most of it! ♪

[Which includes karaoke and food in his mind. Anything else, well... that might be difficult to accomplish with his unit hanging around. But one thing at a time!]

I'm sure real stars will look a hundred times better than that hotel.

[ He knows exactly what he's talking about and he's not afraid to be direct about it. He clasps his hands behind his head as he keeps on walking. ]

It's a good thing you're the only one I'm worried about paying off, then. Otherwise I'd have to start thinking of something else.

[ He glances at him with a little grin. ]

There's probably more I could talk about, though.

So Elan-kun's living a debt-free existence, huh? Congratulations ♪

[If he had a celebratory noisemaker, he'd blow it.

It isn't clear what that "something else" is that Elan is referring to. Something that can't be mentioned in polite company, perhaps...? Thank goodness it's only the winter wind and the trees out here to hear him reference that hotel, though Hiyori sort-of chides him anyway.]

Remember, we met at the amusement park! There wasn't any sort of hotel involved... But anyway, what more did you want to talk about?

Mmm. Maybe about how you told me all about your idol life and how glamorous it is.

[ He's teasing a little. ]

Wouldn't that be enough? Maybe they'd like to hear how you talk about them.

[Blink.]

Are you trying to blackmail me?

[His eyes widen in exaggerated shock and offense.]

How awful! What terrible betrayal...! But I'm afraid you're out of luck, since I haven't said anything the slightest bit incriminating. All I did was show you videos and share basic facts, such as Nagisa-kun's love of traveling! I'm always one step ahead of everyone, so you'll have to work harder than that to catch me saying something I shouldn't have.

[In reality, he loves running his mouth so much that it wouldn't be impossible. And this is of course ignoring the elephant in the room: that if Elan wanted to blackmail him, all he'd have to do is spread the word about that fling they had. Not everyone would believe him without proof, of course, but even mere rumors can sew doubt...

But there's no point in entertaining that "betrayal." Not when Elan-kun seems content with his peripatetic existence. He wouldn't go to a tabloid seeking fifteen minutes of fame; he seems to want to be left alone, really, which Hiyori thinks is sort of sad. But he won't be alone, since Hiyori and his unit will be at the inn with him! And he'll be on his best behavior around them.

... right?]

Blackmail? Never. What kind of person do you take me for?

[ Except he really is the kind of person to blackmail someone, oops. He's just teasing this time, though. He laughs at the response and then shakes his head. ]

Just want to see what their opinions of you are and how much of what you've told me holds true to life. That's all. I don't think you'd lie, but you are a little... larger than life. And some of your friends don't seem like the types.

Why, you're Elan-kun, of course!

[Then after a pause,]

Though I'm not sure what sort of business you got up to before we met... You weren't involved in some shady organization, were you?

[Imagine that.

Setting aside the issue of whether or not Elan-kun is a blackmailer by trade... Hiyori isn't an open book to everyone in his unit. He's never had a heart-to-heart with Ibara, for instance. And as for his own partner, well... there are things he won't tell him. Mostly because they're too sappy and it's embarrassing! But he doesn't think he revealed anything like that to Elan-kun. As for his exaggerations...]

Don't seem like what types?

[He arches one eyebrow, glancing at Elan sideways, before quickly moving on.]

This might be hard for you to accept, but I'm actually quite ordinary compared to those three. Not in terms of ability, social status, or looks, of course. But my life's been more ordinary than theirs—I won't go into detail since it's not my place to, but I'm the one who had the most normal childhood...

[He shrugs his shoulders.]

Anyway, they're much better at socializing these days. Except for Ibara, he just stays inside doing work all day, but hopefully you'll get along with Jun-kun and Nagisa-kun. And then we can all have a lovely evening together ♪

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