[Yumenosaki Academy: a prestigious school with a large performing arts department, a lovely campus overlooking the ocean, and a rather high tuition rate. The school rose to fame thanks to its idol program, which has produced countless big-name talents. Thanks to the success of those glittering idols, the "Yumenosaki" name carries great renown. Why, practically anyone is guaranteed a successful career in show biz, just so long as their diploma has "Yumenosaki" stamped somewhere. A place where dreams come true—that's the kind of school Yumenosaki is.
Or used to be.
In reality, things aren't like that at all anymore. He's not sure how the current situation came to pass, but somewhere along the line, it seems that everyone decided, "as long as we can say we attended Yumenosaki, we don't need to do any work," and things deteriorated from there. Most of the student body isn't doing any idol work, and the whole school is overrun with delinquents. As a result, the Yumenosaki name has depreciated in value, and those few motivated students are finding it harder and harder to get jobs. Both teachers and student council members are powerless to help; you'd need something like a revolution to whip this student body into shape.
Which is exactly where fine comes in.
"Putting an end to the old era and creating a new world"—that's the purpose of fine, at least according to their magazine interview. (When was the last time a Yumenosaki unit gave a magazine interview? Not recently, since Valkyrie's stoic leader seems to hate talking about his craft.) Although it might be unclear what was meant by this ambiguous statement, in private, Eichi made his intentions quite clear: their purpose is to reform the school. They're going to restore Yumenosaki's former glory, changing it from a wasteland into a place where dreams can flourish again. And they're going to do this fair and square: by working hard, singing their hearts out onstage, and winning battles through the new DreamFes system.
And destroying those problem children who Eichi deemed the "villains" of this story.
The reception to fine's debut was lukewarm, which only makes sense, because it was rather rushed. But they still came off looking good in comparison to the "Eccentrics," who couldn't even be bothered to show up. They've been practicing and practicing since then, putting on other small Lives, and steadily gaining more influence. And now, with the Venus Cup approaching in two weeks, it's almost time to strike against their toughest opponent of all: Itsuki Shu from Valkyrie himself. They're going to take his work, his dreams, and his hard-earned reputation, and throw it all in the incinerator.
But Hiyori isn't preparing for that right now. As a matter of fact, he's not even at practice.
Instead, Hiyori is strolling through the downtown, browsing shops a few blocks away from their school. It's been a few weeks since he's done this—things really have been busy—but as far as he's concerned, too much work and no play isn't good for anyone, least of all him. He doesn't answer to anyone's orders, especially not Eichi's or Tsumugi's, so when one of his fans told him that she and the other girls had been feeling awfully lonely, he went ahead and ditched practice to take them out on a date. Something like this is far more enjoyable, after all, even if there's a lingering feeling of emptiness left behind once everything's said and done.
They start at a store that sells lotions and bath products, before hitting up a sweets shop, and then a trendy boutique. All the money is courtesy of Eichi Tenshouin: it's supposed to be used for "unit activities," or something like that, but Hiyori doesn't really care. Eichi has plenty more money where that came from, so he shouldn't cry if some of it disappears into cash registers at luxury stores.
His willingness to spend money makes him even more popular with the girls, of course, who giggle and fawn and hang off his arm. It's not a very large group today—he started out with four, but two of them had to leave due to some commitment, so now there's only two left. Since he's not surrounded on all sides, he's more aware of his environment than usual. Perhaps that's why he notices the onlooker.
When he was at the sweets shop, he noticed someone else from Yumenosaki sitting alone at a nearby table. They were a first-year, judging from their tie, and he'd never spoken to them before in his life, so he didn't think they were worth noticing. Now, however, as he moves through the boutique, looking at clothes and accessories with the girls, he gets this feeling creeping up his neck, like he's being watched. He glances over his shoulder, and sure enough, it's the same student from the sweets café: same uniform, same shaggy blond haircut, same small frame.
A coincidence? Or is he being followed? Does this person want an autograph, or what?
He turns back to the girls.]
Hmm, this is a really good brand, so a 20% off sale is not something we want to miss out on. Why don't you both select something you like and let me foot the bill? In the meantime, I'll be checking out that display case back there.
[Both girls seem perfectly happy with this proposal, so Hiyori leaves them and heads to the back of the store, where that student seemed to be standing behind some clothes racks. He steps right up to them—or rather, to him, since it is a boy's uniform the student is wearing, although the boy does have a cute and androgynous look about him—and cuts right to the chase, armed with a lovely smile.]
Can I help you? It seemed like you were staring, for some reason.
[ it started off as a councidence-- honestly it did. Aira, well... as opposed to a starling number of first years, he's noticed, Aira actually has been working exceptionally hard at his idol work and related studies, but in spite of that he was... not very popular. He was cute but he lacked the raw talent so many of the more lax students had so he often fell through the cracks.
Surely way too much of a nobody for Hiyori to notice-- or anyone from the units he's come to adore. Even the ones with several members likely wouldn't give him a sideways glance, and that... stung. It was after an abysmal time at an idol activity that he'd gone to the sweets café- just for a pick-me-up before facing school again, it wasn't supposed to take very long...
But then he caught sight of wavy green-blond hair and sparkling amethyst eyes and his whole plan for today instantly derailed itself. With Hiyori upperclassman Aira's only really gotten fleeting glances at him before, but he knew fron articles and recordings that the other boy was beautiful and confident. (Perhaps too confident, but when you're that talented it made sense) Aira has been following his rise as an idol for a while, and while he was careful not to show his nigh obsessive collection of merch at school, his bag had all manner of idol decoration on it now-- a pin window, little dangling keychains, stickers, whatever he could get his hands on. This included very prominent merch of Hiyori specifically.
Even so, Aira isn't dumb. He's very aware of the rumors. Many people online have claimed to have gone on dates with Hiyori before, and sometimes more than that. He doubted their validity at the time, but seeing him with a girl on each arm at the café lent at least some credence to their words...
It had just been curiosity at first. He watched them at the café intermittantly between typing on his phone, but when they started to leave, he found himself packing up too. Maybe... maybe if he waited for Hiyori to be done they could walk back to school together? Or he supposed walk home would be more appropriate at this rate. He didn't know if Hiyori had more business at school if he was out on a date...
He just really wanted to talk to him...
So there he stood, awkwardly carding through clothes he barely held any interest in (some were pretty but most were too expensive for him) as he snuck glances across the store at Hiyori's little group. He really thought he'd been doing a good job of being discreet, so when Hiyori addressed him suddenly, he about jumped out of his skin, yelping softly as he wheeled around to look at him.
Aira's looks were certaily befitting an idol if nothing else, silky-soft looking hair, brilliant green eyes framed with long lashes, a slight build and a delicate air... it may be his biggest asset but at least he seemed aware of that. ]
I-I... um...
[ the baffled, shell shocked expression is probably one he saw on fans quite often when meeting them. Aira seems to be having a little difficulty ordering his thoughts. ]
I didn't... mean to stare. I was just curious wh-what you were doing and wondered if you wanted to head b.. back to school together, but I wasn't sure-- I can leave if you want.
[The boy's starstruck expression is, indeed, a familiar sight to Hiyori. It's the same face his fangirls wear, the face he's starting to see in the audience at fine's lives. Even before he became an idol, he'd receive that sort of response. He's been dazzling people all his life—or at least his family money has. There's always someone trying to kiss up to him.
But this doesn't seem like an attempt to kiss up. (If it is, it's not a very good one.) The boy goes tongue-tied the moment Hiyori addresses him, staring like a lamb caught in headlights. Hiyori listens while he tries to defend himself, but his story just doesn't add up. He wasn't staring, but he was curious? Doesn't that mean he was staring, then? And then there's the whole matter where the boy followed him from one location to another; surely, he wouldn't do that if he just wanted to walk back to school.
Speaking of which...]
School?
[Hiyori's nose wrinkles at the thought.]
Goodness, no. I don't have any plans to go back there. It's getting late, the weather's nice, and there are all these sales happening—might as well take advantage, right? That's how I see it.
[And God knows most teachers at their rotten school gave up on punishing students for cutting class years ago.
He continues to survey his little date-crasher, those sparkling amethyst eyes holding Aira's timid gaze. This boy looks less like a boy and more like a frightened rabbit—or a shy girl, Hiyori supposes. There have been a couple like that, who preferred to hang back and watch from afar rather than join the entourage. He'll blow them a kiss and give them a wave, but usually nothing beyond that; he doesn't have the time—or the interest, quite frankly—to coax them out of their shells when he has so many other fans lining up to spend time with him.
Still, for this person to follow him, and then ask to walk together after that... perhaps he's bolder than he looks.]
But which part were you curious about? I think what we're doing is pretty straightforward. First we went to that café, now we're out shopping... it's no different from what you were doing, right?
[This is all said with a pleasant smile. Yes, he knows Aira was also at the sweets shop.]
Mm, I guess someone talented like you doesn't need the lessons as much.
[ Though the phrasing could be taken as derisive, his tone expressed nothing but admiration... and not meaning to stare was different than denying he was doing it... because he very much had been staring. Now that the shock was wearing off from getting snuck up on, some of his hesitance was disipating- especially since he wasn't immediately dismissed or disregarded. Not all of it of course, since he was still careful of upsetting his senior, but his eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement more now. ]
I suppose I was just curious as to why? Popular as you are, I would think you'd be more selective about who you spend time with. You have your pick of anyone you want.
[ Not that he seems remotely put off or judgemental. Just curious. Learning more about those he admires is fascinating. And useful for his fanfiction. But mostly just fascinating. ]
Plus I heard things like this were lowkey tabboo for idols so I was surprised to see you on a date so openly, you know?
[ the note of there being a difference seems obvious to him-- he wasn't on a date, and he certainly wasn't invited to this one-- though he does have the grace to look embarrassed about getting caught following them.
He still tilts his head, though. Maybe what Hiyori was thinking was different than what he was thinking? ]
Because I'm not on a date, right..? I was just heading back from idol work and was heading back when I stopped at the café...
[Hiyori blinks, smile visibly slipping from his face.
This is not at all what he expected. He thought the boy would either clam up or continue to stammer out excuses—after all, Hiyori just made it clear that he noticed the boy followed him. But instead, Hiyori's bright and cheerful demeanor seems to rub off on him, and the boy becomes bolder and bolder. First, he implies that Hiyori's taste in companions isn't "selective" enough—a statement which seems to insult Hiyori and the girls, even if his tone is innocently curious rather than judgemental. And second, he brings up the "taboo" against dating, calling Hiyori out on his rule-breaking.
By the end of it, his brows are raised. All he can do, for a moment, is stand there and stare stupidly, feeling more than a little put off. Just who does this no-name first-year think he is, questioning his decisions? ... Or so he could ask. But when he sees those innocent eyes peering up at him, the boy's head tilted cutely to the side, he loses most of his anger.
Right. This boy isn't judging him. He wants to learn more about him. Because he is, from all appearances, Hiyori's fan.]
... you're right, that's just what I was getting at!
[He responds in affirmative at last, his earlier smile returning in full force.]
But I don't see any need to bring "taboos" into this. There's nothing vulgar about going shopping with someone. Besides, it's an idol's job to spread love to all their fans.
[A lie on top of another lie. There might be nothing scandalous about shopping, but there is something scandalous about going to a hotel afterwards, which is how some of these dates have ended. And there isn't any real "love" involved at all; this is just pretend romance, made of nothing but fake love. It's all just a temporary diversion and a means of killing time.
It doesn't matter how it looks—that's what he always figured. Eichi couldn't kick him out of fine even if he wanted to, given how much they're relying on his and Nagisa's star power. If Hiyori left, the quality of fine's performances would decrease drastically, and where Hiyori goes, Nagisa usually follows like a loyal puppy, so they'd be losing him, too, most likely. As long as fine's power doesn't weaken, and they accomplish their goal, that's all that matters.
Still, he should make an effort to look good. Right? This boy seems to be his fan, and as an idol, it's his duty to meet fans' expectations. If this boy wants to see him as a pure prince, why, then that's the image he should give off.
But is that what he wants? Does the boy even know?
Perhaps it's time they both find out.]
Anyway—you've got some nerve, interrupting what you knew to be a date. But that's more interesting than being a shy wallflower, so I'll accept it. Why not try joining us, if you're feeling curious? That's got to be more fun than hiding back here on your own.
[ He's not going to point out what he knows about these dates... that would just invite more questions and probably put Hiyori off. He's not wrong, of course but they both knew this wasn't really the intended way of doing that... oh well. He can keep his pretty little mouth shut.
He would be content to leave it at that-- a questionably pleasant chat before heading back to school for whatever remained of his lessons, but Hiyori's offer had the surprised look returning. Aira really hadn't been intending to crash the date- his intent was to wait until after... but more importantly, he hadn't been sure Hiyori swung that way despite the rumors- his fanfics were one thing but he tried not to actively assume stuff like that. Even this could technically just be him extending courtesy to a fan.
He's really going to try not reading into this. He's probably going to fail. ]
I mean-- only if that's alright with you. I've... never been on one before, though.
[ With him or anyone else. He's not going to know how it works. The only reason he identified that as a date was because the girls had been hanging off him. ]
[If there are rumors circulating on the Internet about his indiscretions with girls, or his tendency to hold hands publicly with another boy, well, Hiyori hasn't paid enough attention to know. He's never had boys tag along on one of these dates, though. There are boys at school who send him heavy stares full of admiration and envy, and plenty who try to kiss up to him. There are also those who hope to use him for their own gain—like Tsumugi, for instance. But none of them have asked to come along on dates, and he wouldn't know what to say to one who did. He'd probably give a cheerful nope! before he could even consider it; having another man around might spoil the mood and upset the girls.
This, however, should be fine. The first-year boy is too non-threatening and cute to bother those girls. They'll probably see him as an adorable little brother, a cute girlfriend, or something else along those lines. Yep, nothing to worry about.]
Yep, I could tell just from looking at you!
[It's... more a reference to how shy and awkward Aira was acting; not a knock on his looks, which are cute enough. As usual, though, Hiyori doesn't clarify.]
Not to worry. All we were doing is shopping, so your inexperience shouldn't pose any problems. We'll rejoin the girls in a minute. But first, have you seen anything you like? Don't worry about the price—I have plenty of funds to treat everyone with. Ah, but I haven't looked for myself yet, so maybe I'll browse here too?
[And here he turns his attention from Aira to the nearest clothes rack.]
[ Aira ended up taking the comment as more of a jab at his popularity than anything else. Aira has never been a popular person- not among his classmates, and not as a potential idol. His looks are really all he has, which is an upsetting thing for him to consider, but true all the same. He's painfully average at everything else...
He flinches lightly from the words, but doesn't otherwise comment on it. Perhaps he deserved that for his unintentional date crashing.
Hiyori looked away and began to sift through the clothing on the racks, leaving Aira to grapple with if he should accept the offer or not. He's hesitant to go along with it in this case since he wasn't a planned addition, but on the other hand it would be extremely rude to refuse given the circumstances... so after a moment of internal moral flailing he starts to quietly browse the clothes again, slowly beginning to gravitate towards a nice green jacket on one of the sales racks.
He's never been on a date, but Aira is... quite the romantic at heart. Hiyori buying him a jacket like that would make it feel like he was wearing Hiyori's jacket all the time... Ah, but that's just his inner fanboy going wild. He really did like the jacket, and despite all of the teasing he got over his looks, he was pretty fond of the color green... ]
Oh, um.
[ He glanced back over at Hiyori with a slightly bashful smile, ]
I almost forgot to introduce myself, I'm Shiratori Aira.
[Meanwhile, Hiyori goes through the different clothes, not searching for anything in particular. Part of the fun of shopping is never knowing what he'll find. But they are coming up on autumn, which means it'll be getting colder out soon, so maybe he could buy a sweater or two (or even three)? Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.
He doesn't notice the boy speak up at first, so bashful is his tone, but he does turn his head when he hears that introduction. Ah, yes—it would be helpful to have a name, wouldn't it?]
Aira-kun, hmm? That's a cute name.
[Said with a smile as usual.]
Ah, and it looks like you've already found something that matches your eyes. Good choice ♪
[He turns back the clothing rack, figuring he should probably pick something fast. Though he continues to run his mouth while browsing the selection of sweaters.]
I won't bother introducing myself, since I'm sure you already know my name. After all, you're a fan, aren't you?
[ Aira's never really thought much about his name until he started getting interested in idols. Sometimes he wishes the kanji were different, but he's pretty happy with it otherwise.
The mention of being a fan makes him pause briefly, but honestly, he doesn't see the point in denying it. Not when the evidence is plastered all over his bag and phone. ]
Yeah, I have been for a while. President of the fan club.
[ He says this with a mild hint of embarrassment, but seems equally proud of it. The girls in the club tend to call him Ai-chan so it's completely possible that Hiyori's heard chatter about him without realizing it.
He looks at the sweaters Hiyori is browsing, holding the jacket he picked out close. ]
Mm, do you have a favorite color?
[ He looks great in everything, it's hard to really tell what his preferences are. It's a pretty standard question, but he is pretty curious. ]
[At first, Hiyori doesn't bother to look up from the clothes. Yep, this kid's been his fan for a while. Right, of course he has. And he's also president of the fan club. Right, of course he i—]
... eh?
[Hiyori jerks his head around, dropping what he's doing (though thankfully not literally) to fix Aira with a confused stare.]
Hold on—isn't the fanclub president a girl? Not that I've met her, since I don't run that thing, but the others have mentioned her before. Supposedly, her name is "Ai-chan"—
[Fortunately he recovers, smiling brightly and speaking in his usual cheerful tone. (Speaking so loudly, in fact, that the girls can probably hear him from where they're still browsing that other display.) He doesn't seem put off by the news. On the contrary, he's acting like everything just fell into place.]
Guess that's one mystery solved! Though now I wonder, should I keep calling you "Aira-kun"? Or would you prefer "Ai-chan"? ... Oh, and to answer your question, I like sunset orange! But green suits me rather nicely, and so does lilac purple! And I look wonderful in cream colors, too, of course... Honestly, if we're talking about clothes, I can pull off just about any color.
Y-You can call me whatever you want to, Tomoe-senpai. I'm not that picky about what others call me.
[ As long as they're not actively making fun of him, of course. It's hard to take people being overly familiar too quickly, too, but in this case he can handle it. After all, getting called a nickname by his favorite idol is something he never thought he'd experience. His face actually flushes at the misunderstanding Hiyori evidently had-- the nickname did probably sound feminine without context. ]
Oh- I was curious what your favorite was because you look nice in pretty much anything.
[ Because clearly that needed to be specified. Usually he can hazard a guess from what someone commonly wears, but Hiyori's pretty colorful in more ways than one. ]
So I meant more what you prefer.
[ Sunset orange... Now he's going to be wondering if Hiyori actually likes watching the sun set or if that was just a description of the shade. ]
[A flush, and a bit of a stammer: these reactions aren't lost on him. He can't tell if Aira is pleased at the prospect of being called by a nickname, or if he's simply embarrassed at being confused for a girl. But either way,]
Well, if you have no preference, I might as well call you that around the girls, since that's how they already know you.
[And they'll meet up with those girls in just a minute.
He listens while Aira talks. Of course, he does look good in everything. But it seems Aira wants to know more about him: his likes, his dislikes, the kind of information that's not readily apparent. Like he's trying to get closer to his heart, perhaps. Nothing strange about that. That's every fan's desire: to learn more and more about their favorite idol. Through attending Lives, going to meet-and-greets, following them online, and worshipping them, every fan can get close to their idol's heart. And this person is the ultimate fan, judging from his bag and his status as President.
Hiyori just wonders what it was that inspired such devotion. Or rather, how far that devotion goes. Most of the girls aren't that dedicated. Being his fan is just some hobby to kill time. Is it also like that for "Ai-chan"? Or is he more serious?
Well, whatever the case may be, there's no harm in talking about favorite colors. Surely, for the sake of his fan, who wants to learn more about him, Hiyori can manage to answer honestly.]
A bright, sunny color just puts me in high spirits, you know? It drives out some of the gloom. Not that darker shades of orange and yellow aren't good too, of course...
[He's thinking of Nagisa's eyes, now.]
I guess "sunset" might not be the right word, since when the sun sets, it's about to go dark. Maybe more like "sunlit"? Kind of like...
[He goes through the rack again, trying to find an example of what he means, before stopping at a certain item.]
Like that! That's about what I was thinking of. Though, I don't know if it's my favorite shade to wear... but I don't think I have a sweater like this, so maybe I'll get it for that reason? Yep, it's good to have variety, so let's go with that ♪
[And he proceeds to take it off the rack. The pricetag is steep, but that hardly matters.]
Anything else you wanted to look for back here, or are we all set?
[ he can see why it wouldn't be his favorite to wear- without another color as buffer it would look odd with his hair and skin tone- not that Aira would ever say as much to his face. He imagined Hiyori was more than aware of that. ]
It's sort of like... gold when light's shining on it.
[ just orange enough to not be yellow. Fitting for someone like Hiyori, he supposes. The boy smiles and nods in response to the question. He's happy with just the jacket ]
I think we're set here.
[ There's a moment where he considers reaching out to him- like the girls had done, clinging to his arms, but he doesn't. It's different for a boy to do that and it might attract unwanted attention. ]
Ah, that should get everyone's attention, right? Sounds nice ♪
[If that particular shade of yellow is too blindingly bright, no matter. Everyone else will just have to wear sunglasses.
There's a brief moment in which it seems like Aira might want something—like he's staring expectantly—but nothing comes of it, so Hiyori moves on. He leaves the back of the store to find the girls in the same area where he left them. One of them now has a beret, while the other girl has a scarf; yep, looks like everyone's gearing up for a drop in temperatures. He approaches them with a smile, speaking in his usual too-loud voice to get their attention.]
Hello again~ I hope you didn't miss me too much ♪ But you'll never guess who I just ran into!
[And here, the girls turn their gaze on Aira. "Eh? Ai-chan, you're here too?"
Both of them look surprised to see him. They do not, however, seem bothered, as Hiyori suspected they wouldn't be. As far as males are concerned, you can't get much more non-threatening than Aira. Yep, they probably see him as a girl friend, or something along those lines. And it's not a problem even if he interrupts their date, since after all, he isn't trying to steal Hiyori. A boy like him won't be competition for a man's affection. If Hiyori chooses to continue things after this little date, he'd shoo Aira away and choose one of them.
That's what they assume. Isn't it?
He speaks up again once Aira and the girls finish exchanging greetings, laughing softly to himself.]
What a heartwarming reunion...♪ I really wasn't expecting to meet the elusive Ai-chan here, but I'm glad I got the opportunity! Since I have plenty of funds, I'll be buying something for him too, of course. I'm sure he'll look lovely in it. Now, have you found everything you want?
[The girls confirm they have, content with only one item each. If there's any surprise that Hiyori is now buying clothes for a boy, or that he's accepted Aira into the group, it's fairly small. Such things can be rationalized away as Hiyori's generosity. He's willing to do things for this boy because he's magnanimous, treating all his fans equally. Truly the ideal idol.]
Wonderful! Then let's cash out now.
[And off they go to the register, where Hiyori will proceed to pay for everyone's stuff, his own sweater included. One of the girls assures him he'll look great in it, kissing up to him as usual, to which he says "Of course I will." Naturally.]
[ Aira's response to meeting the girls is a bashful, slightly awkward one. He's a lot more reserved outside of meetings versus when he's leading the fan club, and even inside of the club he has a certain level of distance that he maintains with everyone. He's friendly and sweet, excitable and prone to ranting, but he doesn't tend to hang out with the girls outside of the club meetings- likely adding to their confusion as to running into him.
He's not going to open himself up to be hurt like that. He's maintained this kind of distance with most people anymore. There's a reason he's always alone.
Regardless, he tries to play it off as nothing out of the ordinary while he's greeting them- he went to the same school as Hiyori, after all, so maybe him being found in one of the places he likes would make sense? Imitation is the greatest form of flattery or whatever. ]
Ah- Elusive? [ Evidently he hadn't realized he'd been someone Hiyori was interested in on any level, even being the president of his fan club. He tilts his head at that, eyebrows raised. He bites his tongue on pointing out that he simply assumed Hiyori wouldn't be that interested in a no-name first year, managing a sheepish smile instead. ] I didn't mean to be, but I'm glad to properly meet you, too.
[ He follows along, silent as they're led over to the register and their items are rung up. Aira for one is happy to carry his new jacket holding it close and barely paying attention to the girl's attempt at endearing herself to Hiyori-- why should he really care about that when he knows how these sometimes end. It's not really terribly surprising to him that the girls would try to earn favor.
That didn't mean he gave any less attention, though. He was staying out of the way of the girls, but he was still observing, giving little smiles when Hiyori would look over and the like. He's reigning a lot in for the sake of appearances- It's not like he hasn't entertained the thought himself before, but he's not one to assume Hiyori's the same. It's only once they stepped out of the shop that he piped back up, ]
What did you have in mind next, Tomoe-senpai?
[ It serves a dual purpose, seeing if he was expected to follow along or if Hiyori wanted to shoo him off now- And if he is allowed to tag along still, it would give him an idea of what to expect. ]
[In all honesty, Hiyori wasn't super interested in meeting the fanclub president. He was a little curious, just because he'd met the other girls from the club but not the president herself. And for her to be president, she had to be a major fan of him, right?
But some people are shy. They get overwhelmed by his brightness, preferring to stay away and dream from a safe distance. And while Hiyori likes having fans, it's not like any one of them is super important to him. He's just killing time when he hangs out with them. And as for them, well, they're just killing time too, right? Until the next sparkly thing comes along. Until they find someone else to idolize. Until they get a real boyfriend. These girls may adore him, but it's not "love."
So if his fanclub president wants to be elusive, well, that's her business. (Or "his" business, as it turns out). Hiyori didn't mean that comment as a jab. He just has an unfortunate tendency where everything he says sounds glib at best or insulting at worse; one of the problems with his personality. But he can forget all about how flawed he is when he's having fun with his fans, and he gives Aira a smile and a wink before paying for everyone's stuff. Once that's done, it's time to leave the shop, stepping out into the sun again.
So, let's recap: it's late afternoon. School is finishing up for the day, not that he planned on going back there, anyway. He's already hit up a couple of stores and treated the girls at a sweets café. Two of the girls left early, while two of them remain. And then there's "Ai-chan," his unexpected guest.
Here's how things usually go from here.
Once the date starts to wind down, either one or two things happen: everyone goes their separate ways and the "date" is simply over, or he chooses to go somewhere alone with one of the girls. More often than not, that place is a hotel.
It's not a nasty surprise to anyone. They're all on the same page. And while picking one girl over another might seem like it would lead to hurt feelings, most of the time it doesn't. The girls who don't get picked know they still have a chance with him later. And anyway, they weren't that invested. They probably have other guys who they can call for a good time. No one's puer and innocent here; they're all dirty, unclean human beings at the end of the day. But being dirty and flawed is no reason not to enjoy life.
Which girl he "picks" depends on his mood. Usually, it's just whoever cuddles up to him the most or seems like she's been trying hard to get his attention. Might as well reward her, is what he figures. Life is hard enough without being rewarded for your efforts. His fans are all cute, so it's never about their looks. And in terms of looks or personality, it's rare that one stands out to him above the others.
Which makes today a little different.
Shiratori Aira—"Ai-chan"—hasn't been working too hard to get his attention. He's not the one who told him he'd look great in that sweater minutes ago. He seems a bit shy, really. But he does stand out. Out of all the people who went on this "group date", Aira is the only one he'd never spoken to before. He had the nerve to follow him from the sweets café into the boutique. He's also the elusive fanclub president, and he's the only boy.
And Hiyori's never been with a boy before, despite a certain someone who follows him around like a loyal dog.
So when Aira asks what he has in mind, Hiyori turns and looks at him and really considers it. Considers him.
He hums to himself, before casually voicing his thoughts.]
Hmm, well, that depends. I didn't have a list of stores I wanted to get to or anything, so it really just depends on what you all want. I know you joined us kind of late, so I'd be happy to look around some more if you'd like. Actually...
[And here his eyes narrow, vision tunneling on Aira, even as his tone remains light and casual,]
I'm rather interested in you, since today was our first time ever meeting! So, I'd really like to spend some more time together and get to know you a bit more ♪ Ah, not that I mean to put you on the spot, or anything. I just think it'd be fun to play around some more, you know?
[And here's where the music would stop if this was a scene in a drama.
The girls' smiles have all faded. Not that they look sad or scandalized, but they do look rather surprised. Why? Well, because they've heard similar spiels from Hiyori before, and they know this is usually what he says when he wants to go off alone with one of his fans. But he's saying it to boy this time, and that's certainly new. New enough to make their eyes widen, their minds aflutter with possibilities. Are they reading too much into it, or is that what he really means?
But if Hiyori notices their reactions, he doesn't show it. Right now, he has eyes only for Aira, a pleasant smile on his lips as he asks him directly,]
What about you? Does that sound good? I want to know about what you want.
[ Aira is a huge otaku for as much as he tries to come off as normal. It allows him to focus more on observing and learning about his favs if nothing else, and he didn't want them thinking he's some kind of freak...
But he's heard enough talk about these dates to know where this was going when Hiyori implies wanting to continue the date with just the two of them. He spares the other two girls a glance, perhaps to gauge if he heard that right.
Something tells him he's going to be pestered for details at the next fanclub meeting... but he's not passing this chance up. So despite the surprise and the faint blush thats come to his cheeks, he responds. ]
Of course! I'd love to spend more time with you, Tomoe-senpai.
[ Now if only that wasn't completely genuine. That was his only goal in all of this. He's never dated anyone and certainly never gone further than hand holding. The idea of actually doing more is daunting (because fantasizing about it and it happening are two wildly different things), but if he lets this pass him by he probably won't get another shot. ]
I'm sure whatever you had in mind is ra~bui ♡. I just want to spend time with you~
[ Some part of him isn't sure if he's reading this right or if it is just an innocent case of a senpai wanting to get to know a kouhai, but Aira would be content with either one- he wasn't about to voice what he thought Hiyori was getting at when they'd already touched on it earlier. It meant Hiyori was paying attention to him either way. Seeing and being seen by the people he admires, getting to know them is all he could ask for.
[The girls, at this point, are a little discombobulated. Aira agreed to the proposition just like that? Is Hiyori really about to take him off to the usual place? Goodness, two boys together! They're getting hot under the collar just thinking about it. (Maybe Hiyori does this sort of thing regularly with that other boy he holds hands with, and that's why he's being so blasé about this??) They also have some conflicted feelings, though, since a male underclassman being picked over them feels like a bit of a snub...
Hiyori, for his part, isn't nearly so conflicted. What's there to hesitate about, when Aira's smile is so bright and unfaltering, and his response clearly conveys his enthusiasm? He even throws in some sort of cutesy-talk, causing Hiyori to blink. What was that, a catchphrase? It's almost sickeningly cute!
But he shakes off his surprise and beams brightly at his new date.]
Wonderful! That means our hearts are the same ♪
[That's how this goes. That's how things always go. He wants to forget about unpleasant stuff. The other person wants to see a pleasant dream, too. Everyone's on the same page and everyone leaves happy. Ah, but he should say something to the girls, so they don't feel jilted, shouldn't he? Finally turning his gaze away from Aira, he flashes them a bright smile, too.]
Sorry to cut things short here. Let's have fun again another day, alright? You both have my number, so don't be afraid to reach out whenever you might feel lonely...♪
[The girls still look a little stunned. "R-Right," one of them says, gazing pointedly between him and Aira. But if Hiyori notices anything "off" about her behavior, he doesn't say so. With a carefree wave, he starts to walk.]
Adios~♪
[And then he's off, throwing a look at Aira over his shoulder as if to say Let's go. He doesn't say where they're going, but he seems to know the route, and he trusts the other boy will follow. He seemed quite enthusiastic, after all.]
So, Ai-chan...
[He waits until the girls are out of earshot to strike up conversation. Or... mostly out of earshot. He doesn't actually care if they hear.]
You've got no preference for where we go next, huh? You're fine with whatever, it sounds like?
[ Aira falls into step with Hiyori, though he shoots the girls an apologetic look before they leave. He really hadn't expected this turn of events, but far be it from him to turn down his favorite idol asking to spend time with him, even if it is a thinly veiled excuse for other things. He can't help a happy little flutter at the whole "our hearts are the same!" Bit.
Oh, if only. ]
Yeah, I've been around this area a lot before so I know most of the shops and stuff. I like finding out things you're into anyway.
[ Granted they were heading out of the more familiar area into the seedier parts. Aira shifts a little closer to Hiyori. He agreed to this and he was pretty excited to see how it would go but... that didn't mean he wasn't nervous. Unlike Hiyori's assessment of the girls, Aira didn't sleep around. This would be his first time, and it likely showed. ]
[Settles what...? But he doesn't elaborate, just keeps walking.
To enter a "sketchy" part of town while wearing school uniforms is perhaps not the wisest idea. It's even worse in Hiyori's case, given that he and the rest of fine are supposed to be setting examples for the student body. Thankfully, with school still (barely) in session, it's unlikely anyone they know will see them here. And with Yumenosaki being Yumenosaki, they're unlikely to be punished for misbehavior anyway. He lets Aira walk as close to him as he wants, staying one half-step ahead: it's fine, he'll protect him.]
I like shopping for all sorts of things. Clothes, souvenirs, fragrances, you name it. I also like drinking tea, trying new foods, and looking at pretty, elegant things. It's a shame our school doesn't offer any clubs like tea ceremony or flower arranging...
[Whether he'd show up to the meetings with any regularity is a different story.]
Oh, and I like cute things, too! For example, that thing you said a minute ago—"ra~bui"? That sounded pretty cute. That sort of speech really suits you.
[He chats casually while guiding Aira past the different buildings.]
[ The blond listens, paying close attention to the information Hiyori was giving him. He could gather that Hiyori liked shopping from how often he did so on these dates, though sometimes he wondered if that wasn't a form of retail therapy and something was bothering him under it all.
He of course, kept his mouth shut about it either way, nodding along. ]
Tea ceremony... well I'm sure if you wanted to be in a club like that, there would be others interested in it that would start it with you. I've never done either one myself, but I do like flowers. I always think it's interesting how each one has a meaning and the color can change the meaning...
[ He's rambling a bit, but it makes the walk go faster. He can't help but blush when his catchphrase is called out. ]
Ah, that's... one of my catchphrases. When I decided to become an idol I decided my theme would be love, since I love all idols and as a fellow idol fan, I'd aim to give love back to my fans.
[ He's a no-name first year with little to no shot, but he can dream. It occurs to him a little belatedly that mentioning that he's a fan of all idols might be a little offputting given the situation, so he's quick to ammend: ]
But even though I love all idols, you're my favorite~ ♡
[Retail therapy, having more money than common sense... both could be contributing factors.]
You're right, people do tend to flock towards me. But I'm afraid there'd be too much overlap with the recently-formed "Tea Club" to start a club for tea ceremonies. A shame, because there's someone in the Tea Club I simply can't stand at all, so it'd be nice to form a similar club far away from his clutches.
[Eichi. He's talking about Eichi. He sees quite enough of him at practices and meetings, thanks! Whether Aira knows about their constant feuding might depend on his sleuthing skills; the two of them are never afraid to spit venom at each other in private, but they do carry on a friendly façade while working together in fine.
Never mind that unpleasant person, though. He'd much rather talk about things like pretty flowers and cute catchphrases, so as Aira starts delving into such topic, Hiyori pays close attention, glancing at the other boy from the corner of his eye. Aira appears somewhat bashful, pink blush dusting his cheeks, but there's an earnest quality to his words that catch Hiyori's attention. Or rather...
This boy is abnormal for Yumenosaki, isn't he?
He's not like most of the study body. Most students are content to cut class, goof off and act like delinquents, rather than do any idol work. There's been more interest in idol activities since fine got started, but it still feels, at times, like trying to fight a tidal wave. Yumenosaki just isn't a school for hard-working kids to achieve their dreams, and hasn't been one in years. Still, there are some holdouts: people who still harbor dreams in their heart, and refuse to relinquish them. People like Eichi, and Itsuki Shu. People like that guy in his class with the glasses whose name he always forgets.
People like Aira.
But Aira's career hasn't taken off yet. Right? There aren't many opportunities for work at Yumenosaki, so it's safe to say he's gotten nowhere. He's still in the position of "fan" rather than idol. And he makes sure to let Hiyori know just who it is he's devoted to.
So, he smiles. What else can he do but smile? It's a smile that's meant to be encouraging. A smile that says "thank you for your support." If something squirms in the pit of his stomach when faced with Aira's innocent, trusting eyes, he's careful not to let it show too much on his face.]
Why, I think that's wonderful.
[The praise rolls naturally off his tongue. It's sweet talk, but not just sweet talk.]
What a lovely way of looking at things ♪ And one that suits you perfectly, I'd say. Since you were born "Ai-chan," you could say you were born to love. Just like I was born to bring sunshine into people's lives ♪ Ah, but you don't love everyone equally, hmm? I get the biggest share of Ai-chan's love~
[A cheerful boast. And then he stops walking.
He throws a look over his shoulder, meeting innocent green eyes. Still smiling, still casual, but there's something different about his gaze. Something expectant. Heated.]
I have nothing but gratitude for my fans. I want to give love to them, too. That's why I'm hoping we can share some love just for today ♪ I'll cover the room fee, of course, so don't worry about that.
[ He may not know details but Aira has certainly heard whispers that Hiyori and Eichi don't get along very well. It's a shame, of course, that Hiyori couldn't enjoy the club due to Eichi's presence, but Aira worried about fine's future if the two of them really hated each other that much.
The topic shifted from there, and Aira almost winced at Hiyori just assuming his name used the character for love. He doesn't really mind the misconception so much as it is embarrassing to explain later on. He'd based his image on love, so it's a natural assumption to make. It's just a funny coincidence that Ai could also mean love.
What he said isn't any less true, he was born to love, in a sense. He has a lot of love to give. This is not how he anticipated it going, though.
The look he's given makes him suppress a shudder. He's not stupid. He knew what was going to happen. And if it was, he was going to have to bridge this gap- push down his hesitancy to touch Hiyori. ]
Okay...
[ He's nervous, but he holds out a hand so that he could take Hiyori's. It's a sign that he understood what he was getting at and was okay with it. ]
Mm, I don't mind if it's you, Tomoe-senpai. Let's go.
[ He'd said he'd never dated before. He's never done this either. Hiyori might as well know that in advance so he's not too disappointed by his inexperience. Aira is making an exception for him. ]
[fine has no future. That much was decided the moment the contract was drawn. But Aira and their other fans don't need to know that.
Aira does need to know where they're going next, though. Hiyori doesn't want any unpleasant surprises. Still, he's not too concerned. Those girls like to gossip—it's why Tsumugi scolded him for going off with them. And if Aira is the fanclub president, then there's a high chance he's heard it all before. Aira knows everything there is to know about "the idol Hiyori Tomoe," right? He's his number one fan, and he's got a bag covered in badges to prove it. He can't be innocent.
That's his theory anyway, and Aira's reaction seems to prove it. There's no shock, no scandalized expression. He agrees pretty much right away. Maybe the handholding is a bit of a surprise, but Hiyori can live with it. He can hold Aira's hand in return, creating an illusion called "love." Yep, they're doing this. It's no big deal.
So why did a knot just form in his stomach?
Something about that "I don't mind if it's you" hits strangely. It causes him to blink, standing stationary on the sidewalk. He doesn't know what's so strange about it. Aira probably just said it to be coy. He's heard similar things from girls before. So why does it feel different coming from this boy?
Maybe it's because he assumes they never really mean it. "I don't mind if it's you," they say. But if it wasn't him, it'd be some other guy, right? He's just a convenient fantasy. It's probably like that for this boy, too.
But Aira says it earnestly, looking shy, and Hiyori is forcibly reminded that he said he'd never been on a date before. Which would make this his "first." Well, he is only a first-year.
That's fine, though. Isn't it? He probably dreams about this. Hiyori is doing him a favor, really. Getting to have your first time with the idol you admire—what could be better? Though, a true "idol worth admiring" wouldn't take a fan to a place like this...
For a moment, he hesitates. But then—]
... Great! ♪
[A smile blooms across his face, and he's back to his cheerful self.
He tugs Aira down the road, joined hands swinging lightly between them. The knot in his stomach has lessened, though the uncomfortable feeling hasn't fully disappeared. Which is silly, of course. Aira wants to do this, so there's no problem! He just needs to loosen up a little bit. So, on towards their destination they go...
The hotel is nondescript. There's no gaudy pink nor tacky decorations; without the sign out front or the surrounding area, there'd be no reason to assume it's that sort of establishment. Hiyori wouldn't pick somewhere disgusting. It's still a far cry from the sort of luxury accommodations he's used to, but it suits their purposes just fine.]
Here we are! The entrance is this way.
[Aka through the parking lot. Hiyori guides Aira there, releasing his hand once they get to the door. Upon entering, it soon becomes clear that while this isn't a second home to him, Hiyori knows where to find stuff, or at least the selection screen. And since privacy and discretion are the name of the game here, they should be able to obtain a room key without directly encountering another person.]
Hmm... I'm thinking this one ♪
[The selection isn't exciting. Bigger rooms and smaller rooms, rooms with fancier baths, rooms with karaoke. The fancy bath is a must, of course, and with his budget, he can afford to opt for a bigger room, but he'll pass on karaoke. Singing in a place like this wouldn't feel right to him.
The process of getting a room key and paying isn't exciting. There are no adults standing around the corner, ready to scold them for careless behavior. Just like Yumenosaki, it's all hands-off. Ah, but speaking of hands...
Once everything's taken care of, Hiyori casually reaches for Aira's hand again, flashing a smile as he leads him in the direction of the elevators. This is what Aira wants: to hold hands with the idol he admires. Right? Right.]
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Or used to be.
In reality, things aren't like that at all anymore. He's not sure how the current situation came to pass, but somewhere along the line, it seems that everyone decided, "as long as we can say we attended Yumenosaki, we don't need to do any work," and things deteriorated from there. Most of the student body isn't doing any idol work, and the whole school is overrun with delinquents. As a result, the Yumenosaki name has depreciated in value, and those few motivated students are finding it harder and harder to get jobs. Both teachers and student council members are powerless to help; you'd need something like a revolution to whip this student body into shape.
Which is exactly where fine comes in.
"Putting an end to the old era and creating a new world"—that's the purpose of fine, at least according to their magazine interview. (When was the last time a Yumenosaki unit gave a magazine interview? Not recently, since Valkyrie's stoic leader seems to hate talking about his craft.) Although it might be unclear what was meant by this ambiguous statement, in private, Eichi made his intentions quite clear: their purpose is to reform the school. They're going to restore Yumenosaki's former glory, changing it from a wasteland into a place where dreams can flourish again. And they're going to do this fair and square: by working hard, singing their hearts out onstage, and winning battles through the new DreamFes system.
And destroying those problem children who Eichi deemed the "villains" of this story.
The reception to fine's debut was lukewarm, which only makes sense, because it was rather rushed. But they still came off looking good in comparison to the "Eccentrics," who couldn't even be bothered to show up. They've been practicing and practicing since then, putting on other small Lives, and steadily gaining more influence. And now, with the Venus Cup approaching in two weeks, it's almost time to strike against their toughest opponent of all: Itsuki Shu from Valkyrie himself. They're going to take his work, his dreams, and his hard-earned reputation, and throw it all in the incinerator.
But Hiyori isn't preparing for that right now. As a matter of fact, he's not even at practice.
Instead, Hiyori is strolling through the downtown, browsing shops a few blocks away from their school. It's been a few weeks since he's done this—things really have been busy—but as far as he's concerned, too much work and no play isn't good for anyone, least of all him. He doesn't answer to anyone's orders, especially not Eichi's or Tsumugi's, so when one of his fans told him that she and the other girls had been feeling awfully lonely, he went ahead and ditched practice to take them out on a date. Something like this is far more enjoyable, after all, even if there's a lingering feeling of emptiness left behind once everything's said and done.
They start at a store that sells lotions and bath products, before hitting up a sweets shop, and then a trendy boutique. All the money is courtesy of Eichi Tenshouin: it's supposed to be used for "unit activities," or something like that, but Hiyori doesn't really care. Eichi has plenty more money where that came from, so he shouldn't cry if some of it disappears into cash registers at luxury stores.
His willingness to spend money makes him even more popular with the girls, of course, who giggle and fawn and hang off his arm. It's not a very large group today—he started out with four, but two of them had to leave due to some commitment, so now there's only two left. Since he's not surrounded on all sides, he's more aware of his environment than usual. Perhaps that's why he notices the onlooker.
When he was at the sweets shop, he noticed someone else from Yumenosaki sitting alone at a nearby table. They were a first-year, judging from their tie, and he'd never spoken to them before in his life, so he didn't think they were worth noticing. Now, however, as he moves through the boutique, looking at clothes and accessories with the girls, he gets this feeling creeping up his neck, like he's being watched. He glances over his shoulder, and sure enough, it's the same student from the sweets café: same uniform, same shaggy blond haircut, same small frame.
A coincidence? Or is he being followed? Does this person want an autograph, or what?
He turns back to the girls.]
Hmm, this is a really good brand, so a 20% off sale is not something we want to miss out on. Why don't you both select something you like and let me foot the bill? In the meantime, I'll be checking out that display case back there.
[Both girls seem perfectly happy with this proposal, so Hiyori leaves them and heads to the back of the store, where that student seemed to be standing behind some clothes racks. He steps right up to them—or rather, to him, since it is a boy's uniform the student is wearing, although the boy does have a cute and androgynous look about him—and cuts right to the chase, armed with a lovely smile.]
Can I help you? It seemed like you were staring, for some reason.
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Surely way too much of a nobody for Hiyori to notice-- or anyone from the units he's come to adore. Even the ones with several members likely wouldn't give him a sideways glance, and that... stung. It was after an abysmal time at an idol activity that he'd gone to the sweets café- just for a pick-me-up before facing school again, it wasn't supposed to take very long...
But then he caught sight of wavy green-blond hair and sparkling amethyst eyes and his whole plan for today instantly derailed itself. With Hiyori upperclassman Aira's only really gotten fleeting glances at him before, but he knew fron articles and recordings that the other boy was beautiful and confident. (Perhaps too confident, but when you're that talented it made sense) Aira has been following his rise as an idol for a while, and while he was careful not to show his nigh obsessive collection of merch at school, his bag had all manner of idol decoration on it now-- a pin window, little dangling keychains, stickers, whatever he could get his hands on. This included very prominent merch of Hiyori specifically.
Even so, Aira isn't dumb. He's very aware of the rumors. Many people online have claimed to have gone on dates with Hiyori before, and sometimes more than that. He doubted their validity at the time, but seeing him with a girl on each arm at the café lent at least some credence to their words...
It had just been curiosity at first. He watched them at the café intermittantly between typing on his phone, but when they started to leave, he found himself packing up too. Maybe... maybe if he waited for Hiyori to be done they could walk back to school together? Or he supposed walk home would be more appropriate at this rate. He didn't know if Hiyori had more business at school if he was out on a date...
He just really wanted to talk to him...
So there he stood, awkwardly carding through clothes he barely held any interest in (some were pretty but most were too expensive for him) as he snuck glances across the store at Hiyori's little group. He really thought he'd been doing a good job of being discreet, so when Hiyori addressed him suddenly, he about jumped out of his skin, yelping softly as he wheeled around to look at him.
Aira's looks were certaily befitting an idol if nothing else, silky-soft looking hair, brilliant green eyes framed with long lashes, a slight build and a delicate air... it may be his biggest asset but at least he seemed aware of that. ]
I-I... um...
[ the baffled, shell shocked expression is probably one he saw on fans quite often when meeting them. Aira seems to be having a little difficulty ordering his thoughts. ]
I didn't... mean to stare. I was just curious wh-what you were doing and wondered if you wanted to head b.. back to school together, but I wasn't sure-- I can leave if you want.
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But this doesn't seem like an attempt to kiss up. (If it is, it's not a very good one.) The boy goes tongue-tied the moment Hiyori addresses him, staring like a lamb caught in headlights. Hiyori listens while he tries to defend himself, but his story just doesn't add up. He wasn't staring, but he was curious? Doesn't that mean he was staring, then? And then there's the whole matter where the boy followed him from one location to another; surely, he wouldn't do that if he just wanted to walk back to school.
Speaking of which...]
School?
[Hiyori's nose wrinkles at the thought.]
Goodness, no. I don't have any plans to go back there. It's getting late, the weather's nice, and there are all these sales happening—might as well take advantage, right? That's how I see it.
[And God knows most teachers at their rotten school gave up on punishing students for cutting class years ago.
He continues to survey his little date-crasher, those sparkling amethyst eyes holding Aira's timid gaze. This boy looks less like a boy and more like a frightened rabbit—or a shy girl, Hiyori supposes. There have been a couple like that, who preferred to hang back and watch from afar rather than join the entourage. He'll blow them a kiss and give them a wave, but usually nothing beyond that; he doesn't have the time—or the interest, quite frankly—to coax them out of their shells when he has so many other fans lining up to spend time with him.
Still, for this person to follow him, and then ask to walk together after that... perhaps he's bolder than he looks.]
But which part were you curious about? I think what we're doing is pretty straightforward. First we went to that café, now we're out shopping... it's no different from what you were doing, right?
[This is all said with a pleasant smile. Yes, he knows Aira was also at the sweets shop.]
Though I suppose there is one difference.
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[ Though the phrasing could be taken as derisive, his tone expressed nothing but admiration... and not meaning to stare was different than denying he was doing it... because he very much had been staring. Now that the shock was wearing off from getting snuck up on, some of his hesitance was disipating- especially since he wasn't immediately dismissed or disregarded. Not all of it of course, since he was still careful of upsetting his senior, but his eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement more now. ]
I suppose I was just curious as to why? Popular as you are, I would think you'd be more selective about who you spend time with. You have your pick of anyone you want.
[ Not that he seems remotely put off or judgemental. Just curious. Learning more about those he admires is fascinating. And useful for his fanfiction. But mostly just fascinating. ]
Plus I heard things like this were lowkey tabboo for idols so I was surprised to see you on a date so openly, you know?
[ the note of there being a difference seems obvious to him-- he wasn't on a date, and he certainly wasn't invited to this one-- though he does have the grace to look embarrassed about getting caught following them.
He still tilts his head, though. Maybe what Hiyori was thinking was different than what he was thinking? ]
Because I'm not on a date, right..? I was just heading back from idol work and was heading back when I stopped at the café...
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This is not at all what he expected. He thought the boy would either clam up or continue to stammer out excuses—after all, Hiyori just made it clear that he noticed the boy followed him. But instead, Hiyori's bright and cheerful demeanor seems to rub off on him, and the boy becomes bolder and bolder. First, he implies that Hiyori's taste in companions isn't "selective" enough—a statement which seems to insult Hiyori and the girls, even if his tone is innocently curious rather than judgemental. And second, he brings up the "taboo" against dating, calling Hiyori out on his rule-breaking.
By the end of it, his brows are raised. All he can do, for a moment, is stand there and stare stupidly, feeling more than a little put off. Just who does this no-name first-year think he is, questioning his decisions? ... Or so he could ask. But when he sees those innocent eyes peering up at him, the boy's head tilted cutely to the side, he loses most of his anger.
Right. This boy isn't judging him. He wants to learn more about him. Because he is, from all appearances, Hiyori's fan.]
... you're right, that's just what I was getting at!
[He responds in affirmative at last, his earlier smile returning in full force.]
But I don't see any need to bring "taboos" into this. There's nothing vulgar about going shopping with someone. Besides, it's an idol's job to spread love to all their fans.
[A lie on top of another lie. There might be nothing scandalous about shopping, but there is something scandalous about going to a hotel afterwards, which is how some of these dates have ended. And there isn't any real "love" involved at all; this is just pretend romance, made of nothing but fake love. It's all just a temporary diversion and a means of killing time.
It doesn't matter how it looks—that's what he always figured. Eichi couldn't kick him out of fine even if he wanted to, given how much they're relying on his and Nagisa's star power. If Hiyori left, the quality of fine's performances would decrease drastically, and where Hiyori goes, Nagisa usually follows like a loyal puppy, so they'd be losing him, too, most likely. As long as fine's power doesn't weaken, and they accomplish their goal, that's all that matters.
Still, he should make an effort to look good. Right? This boy seems to be his fan, and as an idol, it's his duty to meet fans' expectations. If this boy wants to see him as a pure prince, why, then that's the image he should give off.
But is that what he wants? Does the boy even know?
Perhaps it's time they both find out.]
Anyway—you've got some nerve, interrupting what you knew to be a date. But that's more interesting than being a shy wallflower, so I'll accept it. Why not try joining us, if you're feeling curious? That's got to be more fun than hiding back here on your own.
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He would be content to leave it at that-- a questionably pleasant chat before heading back to school for whatever remained of his lessons, but Hiyori's offer had the surprised look returning. Aira really hadn't been intending to crash the date- his intent was to wait until after... but more importantly, he hadn't been sure Hiyori swung that way despite the rumors- his fanfics were one thing but he tried not to actively assume stuff like that. Even this could technically just be him extending courtesy to a fan.
He's really going to try not reading into this. He's probably going to fail. ]
I mean-- only if that's alright with you. I've... never been on one before, though.
[ With him or anyone else. He's not going to know how it works. The only reason he identified that as a date was because the girls had been hanging off him. ]
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This, however, should be fine. The first-year boy is too non-threatening and cute to bother those girls. They'll probably see him as an adorable little brother, a cute girlfriend, or something else along those lines. Yep, nothing to worry about.]
Yep, I could tell just from looking at you!
[It's... more a reference to how shy and awkward Aira was acting; not a knock on his looks, which are cute enough. As usual, though, Hiyori doesn't clarify.]
Not to worry. All we were doing is shopping, so your inexperience shouldn't pose any problems. We'll rejoin the girls in a minute. But first, have you seen anything you like? Don't worry about the price—I have plenty of funds to treat everyone with. Ah, but I haven't looked for myself yet, so maybe I'll browse here too?
[And here he turns his attention from Aira to the nearest clothes rack.]
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He flinches lightly from the words, but doesn't otherwise comment on it. Perhaps he deserved that for his unintentional date crashing.
Hiyori looked away and began to sift through the clothing on the racks, leaving Aira to grapple with if he should accept the offer or not. He's hesitant to go along with it in this case since he wasn't a planned addition, but on the other hand it would be extremely rude to refuse given the circumstances... so after a moment of internal moral flailing he starts to quietly browse the clothes again, slowly beginning to gravitate towards a nice green jacket on one of the sales racks.
He's never been on a date, but Aira is... quite the romantic at heart. Hiyori buying him a jacket like that would make it feel like he was wearing Hiyori's jacket all the time... Ah, but that's just his inner fanboy going wild. He really did like the jacket, and despite all of the teasing he got over his looks, he was pretty fond of the color green... ]
Oh, um.
[ He glanced back over at Hiyori with a slightly bashful smile, ]
I almost forgot to introduce myself, I'm Shiratori Aira.
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He doesn't notice the boy speak up at first, so bashful is his tone, but he does turn his head when he hears that introduction. Ah, yes—it would be helpful to have a name, wouldn't it?]
Aira-kun, hmm? That's a cute name.
[Said with a smile as usual.]
Ah, and it looks like you've already found something that matches your eyes. Good choice ♪
[He turns back the clothing rack, figuring he should probably pick something fast. Though he continues to run his mouth while browsing the selection of sweaters.]
I won't bother introducing myself, since I'm sure you already know my name. After all, you're a fan, aren't you?
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[ Aira's never really thought much about his name until he started getting interested in idols. Sometimes he wishes the kanji were different, but he's pretty happy with it otherwise.
The mention of being a fan makes him pause briefly, but honestly, he doesn't see the point in denying it. Not when the evidence is plastered all over his bag and phone. ]
Yeah, I have been for a while. President of the fan club.
[ He says this with a mild hint of embarrassment, but seems equally proud of it. The girls in the club tend to call him Ai-chan so it's completely possible that Hiyori's heard chatter about him without realizing it.
He looks at the sweaters Hiyori is browsing, holding the jacket he picked out close. ]
Mm, do you have a favorite color?
[ He looks great in everything, it's hard to really tell what his preferences are. It's a pretty standard question, but he is pretty curious. ]
1/3...
... eh?
[Hiyori jerks his head around, dropping what he's doing (though thankfully not literally) to fix Aira with a confused stare.]
Hold on—isn't the fanclub president a girl? Not that I've met her, since I don't run that thing, but the others have mentioned her before. Supposedly, her name is "Ai-chan"—
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Surprise flashes across his features. He blinks his widened eyes, taking a moment to grapple with this surprising realization.
"Ai-chan." "Shiratori Aira." Two different people?
Nope. They're one in the same.]
done
[Fortunately he recovers, smiling brightly and speaking in his usual cheerful tone. (Speaking so loudly, in fact, that the girls can probably hear him from where they're still browsing that other display.) He doesn't seem put off by the news. On the contrary, he's acting like everything just fell into place.]
Guess that's one mystery solved! Though now I wonder, should I keep calling you "Aira-kun"? Or would you prefer "Ai-chan"? ... Oh, and to answer your question, I like sunset orange! But green suits me rather nicely, and so does lilac purple! And I look wonderful in cream colors, too, of course... Honestly, if we're talking about clothes, I can pull off just about any color.
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[ As long as they're not actively making fun of him, of course. It's hard to take people being overly familiar too quickly, too, but in this case he can handle it. After all, getting called a nickname by his favorite idol is something he never thought he'd experience. His face actually flushes at the misunderstanding Hiyori evidently had-- the nickname did probably sound feminine without context. ]
Oh- I was curious what your favorite was because you look nice in pretty much anything.
[ Because clearly that needed to be specified. Usually he can hazard a guess from what someone commonly wears, but Hiyori's pretty colorful in more ways than one. ]
So I meant more what you prefer.
[ Sunset orange... Now he's going to be wondering if Hiyori actually likes watching the sun set or if that was just a description of the shade. ]
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Well, if you have no preference, I might as well call you that around the girls, since that's how they already know you.
[And they'll meet up with those girls in just a minute.
He listens while Aira talks. Of course, he does look good in everything. But it seems Aira wants to know more about him: his likes, his dislikes, the kind of information that's not readily apparent. Like he's trying to get closer to his heart, perhaps. Nothing strange about that. That's every fan's desire: to learn more and more about their favorite idol. Through attending Lives, going to meet-and-greets, following them online, and worshipping them, every fan can get close to their idol's heart. And this person is the ultimate fan, judging from his bag and his status as President.
Hiyori just wonders what it was that inspired such devotion. Or rather, how far that devotion goes. Most of the girls aren't that dedicated. Being his fan is just some hobby to kill time. Is it also like that for "Ai-chan"? Or is he more serious?
Well, whatever the case may be, there's no harm in talking about favorite colors. Surely, for the sake of his fan, who wants to learn more about him, Hiyori can manage to answer honestly.]
A bright, sunny color just puts me in high spirits, you know? It drives out some of the gloom. Not that darker shades of orange and yellow aren't good too, of course...
[He's thinking of Nagisa's eyes, now.]
I guess "sunset" might not be the right word, since when the sun sets, it's about to go dark. Maybe more like "sunlit"? Kind of like...
[He goes through the rack again, trying to find an example of what he means, before stopping at a certain item.]
Like that! That's about what I was thinking of. Though, I don't know if it's my favorite shade to wear... but I don't think I have a sweater like this, so maybe I'll get it for that reason? Yep, it's good to have variety, so let's go with that ♪
[And he proceeds to take it off the rack. The pricetag is steep, but that hardly matters.]
Anything else you wanted to look for back here, or are we all set?
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It's sort of like... gold when light's shining on it.
[ just orange enough to not be yellow. Fitting for someone like Hiyori, he supposes. The boy smiles and nods in response to the question. He's happy with just the jacket ]
I think we're set here.
[ There's a moment where he considers reaching out to him- like the girls had done, clinging to his arms, but he doesn't. It's different for a boy to do that and it might attract unwanted attention. ]
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[If that particular shade of yellow is too blindingly bright, no matter. Everyone else will just have to wear sunglasses.
There's a brief moment in which it seems like Aira might want something—like he's staring expectantly—but nothing comes of it, so Hiyori moves on. He leaves the back of the store to find the girls in the same area where he left them. One of them now has a beret, while the other girl has a scarf; yep, looks like everyone's gearing up for a drop in temperatures. He approaches them with a smile, speaking in his usual too-loud voice to get their attention.]
Hello again~ I hope you didn't miss me too much ♪ But you'll never guess who I just ran into!
[And here, the girls turn their gaze on Aira. "Eh? Ai-chan, you're here too?"
Both of them look surprised to see him. They do not, however, seem bothered, as Hiyori suspected they wouldn't be. As far as males are concerned, you can't get much more non-threatening than Aira. Yep, they probably see him as a girl friend, or something along those lines. And it's not a problem even if he interrupts their date, since after all, he isn't trying to steal Hiyori. A boy like him won't be competition for a man's affection. If Hiyori chooses to continue things after this little date, he'd shoo Aira away and choose one of them.
That's what they assume. Isn't it?
He speaks up again once Aira and the girls finish exchanging greetings, laughing softly to himself.]
What a heartwarming reunion...♪ I really wasn't expecting to meet the elusive Ai-chan here, but I'm glad I got the opportunity! Since I have plenty of funds, I'll be buying something for him too, of course. I'm sure he'll look lovely in it. Now, have you found everything you want?
[The girls confirm they have, content with only one item each. If there's any surprise that Hiyori is now buying clothes for a boy, or that he's accepted Aira into the group, it's fairly small. Such things can be rationalized away as Hiyori's generosity. He's willing to do things for this boy because he's magnanimous, treating all his fans equally. Truly the ideal idol.]
Wonderful! Then let's cash out now.
[And off they go to the register, where Hiyori will proceed to pay for everyone's stuff, his own sweater included. One of the girls assures him he'll look great in it, kissing up to him as usual, to which he says "Of course I will." Naturally.]
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He's not going to open himself up to be hurt like that. He's maintained this kind of distance with most people anymore. There's a reason he's always alone.
Regardless, he tries to play it off as nothing out of the ordinary while he's greeting them- he went to the same school as Hiyori, after all, so maybe him being found in one of the places he likes would make sense? Imitation is the greatest form of flattery or whatever. ]
Ah- Elusive? [ Evidently he hadn't realized he'd been someone Hiyori was interested in on any level, even being the president of his fan club. He tilts his head at that, eyebrows raised. He bites his tongue on pointing out that he simply assumed Hiyori wouldn't be that interested in a no-name first year, managing a sheepish smile instead. ] I didn't mean to be, but I'm glad to properly meet you, too.
[ He follows along, silent as they're led over to the register and their items are rung up. Aira for one is happy to carry his new jacket holding it close and barely paying attention to the girl's attempt at endearing herself to Hiyori-- why should he really care about that when he knows how these sometimes end. It's not really terribly surprising to him that the girls would try to earn favor.
That didn't mean he gave any less attention, though. He was staying out of the way of the girls, but he was still observing, giving little smiles when Hiyori would look over and the like. He's reigning a lot in for the sake of appearances- It's not like he hasn't entertained the thought himself before, but he's not one to assume Hiyori's the same. It's only once they stepped out of the shop that he piped back up, ]
What did you have in mind next, Tomoe-senpai?
[ It serves a dual purpose, seeing if he was expected to follow along or if Hiyori wanted to shoo him off now- And if he is allowed to tag along still, it would give him an idea of what to expect. ]
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But some people are shy. They get overwhelmed by his brightness, preferring to stay away and dream from a safe distance. And while Hiyori likes having fans, it's not like any one of them is super important to him. He's just killing time when he hangs out with them. And as for them, well, they're just killing time too, right? Until the next sparkly thing comes along. Until they find someone else to idolize. Until they get a real boyfriend. These girls may adore him, but it's not "love."
So if his fanclub president wants to be elusive, well, that's her business. (Or "his" business, as it turns out). Hiyori didn't mean that comment as a jab. He just has an unfortunate tendency where everything he says sounds glib at best or insulting at worse; one of the problems with his personality. But he can forget all about how flawed he is when he's having fun with his fans, and he gives Aira a smile and a wink before paying for everyone's stuff. Once that's done, it's time to leave the shop, stepping out into the sun again.
So, let's recap: it's late afternoon. School is finishing up for the day, not that he planned on going back there, anyway. He's already hit up a couple of stores and treated the girls at a sweets café. Two of the girls left early, while two of them remain. And then there's "Ai-chan," his unexpected guest.
Here's how things usually go from here.
Once the date starts to wind down, either one or two things happen: everyone goes their separate ways and the "date" is simply over, or he chooses to go somewhere alone with one of the girls. More often than not, that place is a hotel.
It's not a nasty surprise to anyone. They're all on the same page. And while picking one girl over another might seem like it would lead to hurt feelings, most of the time it doesn't. The girls who don't get picked know they still have a chance with him later. And anyway, they weren't that invested. They probably have other guys who they can call for a good time. No one's puer and innocent here; they're all dirty, unclean human beings at the end of the day. But being dirty and flawed is no reason not to enjoy life.
Which girl he "picks" depends on his mood. Usually, it's just whoever cuddles up to him the most or seems like she's been trying hard to get his attention. Might as well reward her, is what he figures. Life is hard enough without being rewarded for your efforts. His fans are all cute, so it's never about their looks. And in terms of looks or personality, it's rare that one stands out to him above the others.
Which makes today a little different.
Shiratori Aira—"Ai-chan"—hasn't been working too hard to get his attention. He's not the one who told him he'd look great in that sweater minutes ago. He seems a bit shy, really. But he does stand out. Out of all the people who went on this "group date", Aira is the only one he'd never spoken to before. He had the nerve to follow him from the sweets café into the boutique. He's also the elusive fanclub president, and he's the only boy.
And Hiyori's never been with a boy before, despite a certain someone who follows him around like a loyal dog.
So when Aira asks what he has in mind, Hiyori turns and looks at him and really considers it. Considers him.
He hums to himself, before casually voicing his thoughts.]
Hmm, well, that depends. I didn't have a list of stores I wanted to get to or anything, so it really just depends on what you all want. I know you joined us kind of late, so I'd be happy to look around some more if you'd like. Actually...
[And here his eyes narrow, vision tunneling on Aira, even as his tone remains light and casual,]
I'm rather interested in you, since today was our first time ever meeting! So, I'd really like to spend some more time together and get to know you a bit more ♪ Ah, not that I mean to put you on the spot, or anything. I just think it'd be fun to play around some more, you know?
[And here's where the music would stop if this was a scene in a drama.
The girls' smiles have all faded. Not that they look sad or scandalized, but they do look rather surprised. Why? Well, because they've heard similar spiels from Hiyori before, and they know this is usually what he says when he wants to go off alone with one of his fans. But he's saying it to boy this time, and that's certainly new. New enough to make their eyes widen, their minds aflutter with possibilities. Are they reading too much into it, or is that what he really means?
But if Hiyori notices their reactions, he doesn't show it. Right now, he has eyes only for Aira, a pleasant smile on his lips as he asks him directly,]
What about you? Does that sound good? I want to know about what you want.
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But he's heard enough talk about these dates to know where this was going when Hiyori implies wanting to continue the date with just the two of them. He spares the other two girls a glance, perhaps to gauge if he heard that right.
Something tells him he's going to be pestered for details at the next fanclub meeting... but he's not passing this chance up. So despite the surprise and the faint blush thats come to his cheeks, he responds. ]
Of course! I'd love to spend more time with you, Tomoe-senpai.
[ Now if only that wasn't completely genuine. That was his only goal in all of this. He's never dated anyone and certainly never gone further than hand holding. The idea of actually doing more is daunting (because fantasizing about it and it happening are two wildly different things), but if he lets this pass him by he probably won't get another shot. ]
I'm sure whatever you had in mind is ra~bui ♡. I just want to spend time with you~
[ Some part of him isn't sure if he's reading this right or if it is just an innocent case of a senpai wanting to get to know a kouhai, but Aira would be content with either one- he wasn't about to voice what he thought Hiyori was getting at when they'd already touched on it earlier. It meant Hiyori was paying attention to him either way. Seeing and being seen by the people he admires, getting to know them is all he could ask for.
This will... be something! ]
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Hiyori, for his part, isn't nearly so conflicted. What's there to hesitate about, when Aira's smile is so bright and unfaltering, and his response clearly conveys his enthusiasm? He even throws in some sort of cutesy-talk, causing Hiyori to blink. What was that, a catchphrase? It's almost sickeningly cute!
But he shakes off his surprise and beams brightly at his new date.]
Wonderful! That means our hearts are the same ♪
[That's how this goes. That's how things always go. He wants to forget about unpleasant stuff. The other person wants to see a pleasant dream, too. Everyone's on the same page and everyone leaves happy. Ah, but he should say something to the girls, so they don't feel jilted, shouldn't he? Finally turning his gaze away from Aira, he flashes them a bright smile, too.]
Sorry to cut things short here. Let's have fun again another day, alright? You both have my number, so don't be afraid to reach out whenever you might feel lonely...♪
[The girls still look a little stunned. "R-Right," one of them says, gazing pointedly between him and Aira. But if Hiyori notices anything "off" about her behavior, he doesn't say so. With a carefree wave, he starts to walk.]
Adios~♪
[And then he's off, throwing a look at Aira over his shoulder as if to say Let's go. He doesn't say where they're going, but he seems to know the route, and he trusts the other boy will follow. He seemed quite enthusiastic, after all.]
So, Ai-chan...
[He waits until the girls are out of earshot to strike up conversation. Or... mostly out of earshot. He doesn't actually care if they hear.]
You've got no preference for where we go next, huh? You're fine with whatever, it sounds like?
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Oh, if only. ]
Yeah, I've been around this area a lot before so I know most of the shops and stuff. I like finding out things you're into anyway.
[ Granted they were heading out of the more familiar area into the seedier parts. Aira shifts a little closer to Hiyori. He agreed to this and he was pretty excited to see how it would go but... that didn't mean he wasn't nervous. Unlike Hiyori's assessment of the girls, Aira didn't sleep around. This would be his first time, and it likely showed. ]
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Then that settles it!
[Settles what...? But he doesn't elaborate, just keeps walking.
To enter a "sketchy" part of town while wearing school uniforms is perhaps not the wisest idea. It's even worse in Hiyori's case, given that he and the rest of fine are supposed to be setting examples for the student body. Thankfully, with school still (barely) in session, it's unlikely anyone they know will see them here. And with Yumenosaki being Yumenosaki, they're unlikely to be punished for misbehavior anyway. He lets Aira walk as close to him as he wants, staying one half-step ahead: it's fine, he'll protect him.]
I like shopping for all sorts of things. Clothes, souvenirs, fragrances, you name it. I also like drinking tea, trying new foods, and looking at pretty, elegant things. It's a shame our school doesn't offer any clubs like tea ceremony or flower arranging...
[Whether he'd show up to the meetings with any regularity is a different story.]
Oh, and I like cute things, too! For example, that thing you said a minute ago—"ra~bui"? That sounded pretty cute. That sort of speech really suits you.
[He chats casually while guiding Aira past the different buildings.]
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He of course, kept his mouth shut about it either way, nodding along. ]
Tea ceremony... well I'm sure if you wanted to be in a club like that, there would be others interested in it that would start it with you. I've never done either one myself, but I do like flowers. I always think it's interesting how each one has a meaning and the color can change the meaning...
[ He's rambling a bit, but it makes the walk go faster. He can't help but blush when his catchphrase is called out. ]
Ah, that's... one of my catchphrases. When I decided to become an idol I decided my theme would be love, since I love all idols and as a fellow idol fan, I'd aim to give love back to my fans.
[ He's a no-name first year with little to no shot, but he can dream. It occurs to him a little belatedly that mentioning that he's a fan of all idols might be a little offputting given the situation, so he's quick to ammend: ]
But even though I love all idols, you're my favorite~ ♡
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You're right, people do tend to flock towards me. But I'm afraid there'd be too much overlap with the recently-formed "Tea Club" to start a club for tea ceremonies. A shame, because there's someone in the Tea Club I simply can't stand at all, so it'd be nice to form a similar club far away from his clutches.
[Eichi. He's talking about Eichi. He sees quite enough of him at practices and meetings, thanks! Whether Aira knows about their constant feuding might depend on his sleuthing skills; the two of them are never afraid to spit venom at each other in private, but they do carry on a friendly façade while working together in fine.
Never mind that unpleasant person, though. He'd much rather talk about things like pretty flowers and cute catchphrases, so as Aira starts delving into such topic, Hiyori pays close attention, glancing at the other boy from the corner of his eye. Aira appears somewhat bashful, pink blush dusting his cheeks, but there's an earnest quality to his words that catch Hiyori's attention. Or rather...
This boy is abnormal for Yumenosaki, isn't he?
He's not like most of the study body. Most students are content to cut class, goof off and act like delinquents, rather than do any idol work. There's been more interest in idol activities since fine got started, but it still feels, at times, like trying to fight a tidal wave. Yumenosaki just isn't a school for hard-working kids to achieve their dreams, and hasn't been one in years. Still, there are some holdouts: people who still harbor dreams in their heart, and refuse to relinquish them. People like Eichi, and Itsuki Shu. People like that guy in his class with the glasses whose name he always forgets.
People like Aira.
But Aira's career hasn't taken off yet. Right? There aren't many opportunities for work at Yumenosaki, so it's safe to say he's gotten nowhere. He's still in the position of "fan" rather than idol. And he makes sure to let Hiyori know just who it is he's devoted to.
So, he smiles. What else can he do but smile? It's a smile that's meant to be encouraging. A smile that says "thank you for your support." If something squirms in the pit of his stomach when faced with Aira's innocent, trusting eyes, he's careful not to let it show too much on his face.]
Why, I think that's wonderful.
[The praise rolls naturally off his tongue. It's sweet talk, but not just sweet talk.]
What a lovely way of looking at things ♪ And one that suits you perfectly, I'd say. Since you were born "Ai-chan," you could say you were born to love. Just like I was born to bring sunshine into people's lives ♪ Ah, but you don't love everyone equally, hmm? I get the biggest share of Ai-chan's love~
[A cheerful boast. And then he stops walking.
He throws a look over his shoulder, meeting innocent green eyes. Still smiling, still casual, but there's something different about his gaze. Something expectant. Heated.]
I have nothing but gratitude for my fans. I want to give love to them, too. That's why I'm hoping we can share some love just for today ♪ I'll cover the room fee, of course, so don't worry about that.
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The topic shifted from there, and Aira almost winced at Hiyori just assuming his name used the character for love. He doesn't really mind the misconception so much as it is embarrassing to explain later on. He'd based his image on love, so it's a natural assumption to make. It's just a funny coincidence that Ai could also mean love.
What he said isn't any less true, he was born to love, in a sense. He has a lot of love to give. This is not how he anticipated it going, though.
The look he's given makes him suppress a shudder. He's not stupid. He knew what was going to happen. And if it was, he was going to have to bridge this gap- push down his hesitancy to touch Hiyori. ]
Okay...
[ He's nervous, but he holds out a hand so that he could take Hiyori's. It's a sign that he understood what he was getting at and was okay with it. ]
Mm, I don't mind if it's you, Tomoe-senpai. Let's go.
[ He'd said he'd never dated before. He's never done this either. Hiyori might as well know that in advance so he's not too disappointed by his inexperience. Aira is making an exception for him. ]
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Aira does need to know where they're going next, though. Hiyori doesn't want any unpleasant surprises. Still, he's not too concerned. Those girls like to gossip—it's why Tsumugi scolded him for going off with them. And if Aira is the fanclub president, then there's a high chance he's heard it all before. Aira knows everything there is to know about "the idol Hiyori Tomoe," right? He's his number one fan, and he's got a bag covered in badges to prove it. He can't be innocent.
That's his theory anyway, and Aira's reaction seems to prove it. There's no shock, no scandalized expression. He agrees pretty much right away. Maybe the handholding is a bit of a surprise, but Hiyori can live with it. He can hold Aira's hand in return, creating an illusion called "love." Yep, they're doing this. It's no big deal.
So why did a knot just form in his stomach?
Something about that "I don't mind if it's you" hits strangely. It causes him to blink, standing stationary on the sidewalk. He doesn't know what's so strange about it. Aira probably just said it to be coy. He's heard similar things from girls before. So why does it feel different coming from this boy?
Maybe it's because he assumes they never really mean it. "I don't mind if it's you," they say. But if it wasn't him, it'd be some other guy, right? He's just a convenient fantasy. It's probably like that for this boy, too.
But Aira says it earnestly, looking shy, and Hiyori is forcibly reminded that he said he'd never been on a date before. Which would make this his "first." Well, he is only a first-year.
That's fine, though. Isn't it? He probably dreams about this. Hiyori is doing him a favor, really. Getting to have your first time with the idol you admire—what could be better? Though, a true "idol worth admiring" wouldn't take a fan to a place like this...
For a moment, he hesitates. But then—]
... Great! ♪
[A smile blooms across his face, and he's back to his cheerful self.
He tugs Aira down the road, joined hands swinging lightly between them. The knot in his stomach has lessened, though the uncomfortable feeling hasn't fully disappeared. Which is silly, of course. Aira wants to do this, so there's no problem! He just needs to loosen up a little bit. So, on towards their destination they go...
The hotel is nondescript. There's no gaudy pink nor tacky decorations; without the sign out front or the surrounding area, there'd be no reason to assume it's that sort of establishment. Hiyori wouldn't pick somewhere disgusting. It's still a far cry from the sort of luxury accommodations he's used to, but it suits their purposes just fine.]
Here we are! The entrance is this way.
[Aka through the parking lot. Hiyori guides Aira there, releasing his hand once they get to the door. Upon entering, it soon becomes clear that while this isn't a second home to him, Hiyori knows where to find stuff, or at least the selection screen. And since privacy and discretion are the name of the game here, they should be able to obtain a room key without directly encountering another person.]
Hmm... I'm thinking this one ♪
[The selection isn't exciting. Bigger rooms and smaller rooms, rooms with fancier baths, rooms with karaoke. The fancy bath is a must, of course, and with his budget, he can afford to opt for a bigger room, but he'll pass on karaoke. Singing in a place like this wouldn't feel right to him.
The process of getting a room key and paying isn't exciting. There are no adults standing around the corner, ready to scold them for careless behavior. Just like Yumenosaki, it's all hands-off. Ah, but speaking of hands...
Once everything's taken care of, Hiyori casually reaches for Aira's hand again, flashing a smile as he leads him in the direction of the elevators. This is what Aira wants: to hold hands with the idol he admires. Right? Right.]