We are so ridiculous

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ idols are supposed to be smiling, inspirational people. They're not supposed to be sitting in their dressing room, sifting listlessly through a script, head lowered and eyes dark.

She'd known. She'd known, the first time he'd run off with her hand in his, that the smartest thing was to enjoy that one day out with him and get back to work. She shouldn't have asked to see more of him. She shouldn't have let herself get swept away, knowing the agency didn't approve of the influence of one special effects artist. They'd banned him from the building, threatening worse if he persisted.

And it was back to dreary days. Not that Kohei hadn't occasionally made his way in, regardless, but it was getting riskier, the schedules were getting more packed, and Rise was getting more and more worried. ]

How'd it get like this...?

Comments

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ and LO- one idol with the chicken pox! ]

There you go! Now it's all up to you.

Do you know where your manager is?

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Yep-- he should be checking on the lights.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

Time for your performance, then.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

... Where will you be?

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

I'll meet you outside.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Got it. [ and she gazes at him thoughtfully, before she slips out of the room.

... Kohei may hear the startled gasps. ]

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ He just chuckles to himself and slips out in all of the confusion ]

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ Rise'll take a few minutes to horrify her poor manager, so that when she slowly stumbles outside - unaccompanied, she's contagious - she even looks as though she's got a fever, flushed and glassy eyes and all. ]

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ He's sitting in a car, still in disguise ]

My dear, I believe you called for a ride?

[restardom.livejournal.com]

... I could totally kiss you right now.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

R-right here?

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Yep! [ straight-faced ] But I'm kinda gross like this...

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

... Just get in the car, Rise.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Yes, sir! [ and with a laugh, she gets in and settles down in the passenger seat. ]

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ AND THEY'RE OFF. He doesn't shuck his disguise until they're quite a ways away ]

So, where to?

[restardom.livejournal.com]

I don't know, you're the kidnapper!

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ He's got to be the biggest idiot ever. All this time, and he never saw what was right in front of him. It took Mone and Takumi of all people to make him realize that Rise had feeling for him.

And he had feelings for her.

Their last parting hadn't been a good one- he couldn't figure out at the time why she'd been so upset, but now he knew, and he had to set things right. Consequences be damned.

So here he is, bursting into her manager's office after practically having to fight his way past security. ]

Rise!

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ Rise and her manager are in the middle of what looks to be a terse discussion, but he may catch the tail end of the man's last words, "-- leave next Tuesday" before both of them turn to stare at him. Inoue with surprise and no small amount of dismay, and Rise with equal surprise and some amount of chagrin. ]

Kohei, what--

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ Leave? Leave? Did he seriously just hear that word? God, he really was an idiot.

He moves across the room in a few quick steps- he'll shove her manager aside if he has to- and scoops her into his arms ]

I'm so sorry.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ Rise's face heats up instantly, even as she flails to try and regain some kind of balance that isn't being in his arms-- which means, yes, it's a failed attempt. She quiets for a second, though, hearing that apology but still so flustered that she's not sure how to feel right now. ]

H-hey, put me down!

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ He does put her down, but doesn't totally let go ]

I had this realization, and it took me forever to figure it out, but I had to come see you as soon as possible. I had to apologize.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

It's not like I haven't heard boob talk before...

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

... That's not what I meant.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ she's silent this time, staring at him warily.

While her manager's making indignant sputters and calling for security. ]

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ He notices that. It's clear he's overstayed his welcome. He takes Rise's hands in his, discreetly giving her a little note with a time and place to meet him later if "she doesn't hate him after all this".

He leans in, and whispers: ] I mean I love you.

[ With that, he backs away, salutes, aaaand jumps out the window. ]