[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.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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.]