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

[restardom.livejournal.com]

... I'm not worried about me right now, Kohei.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

... I've been through worse, Rise. Honest. All that matters right now is you.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ she starts to say something then stops, slowly lowering her gaze to her feet. ]

Do you think that makes me feel any better?

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

Hey. Look at me. [ he cups her chin in his hand, trying to raise her gaze ]

[restardom.livejournal.com]

... [ up it comes, albeit reluctantly. For just a few seconds, her eyes lock onto his, before she has to glance away again. ]

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

I know. I know you don't want to give up, but there's a difference between giving up and knowing where to draw the line.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Kohei... [ she's struggling, and she'd shake her head if he wasn't holding her chin. ] I-I don't...

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

C'mon, Rise. Trust me.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

... [ finally, she sighs and musters a weak smile. ] That's easy.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

Then let's go.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

You sort of have to let go of my chin first--

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

... Yeah, that would probably look suspicious, wouldn't it?

[ He lets go, then. ] Have you ever had chicken pox?

[restardom.livejournal.com]

...? Uh, if I did, I was too young to remember...

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ BRANDISHES HIS SPATULA ] You're about to have them now.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

E-eh-- hold on a minute--!

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

What?

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Are you sure that'll work?

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

Only if you can sell it.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

...

Oh, I can sell it.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

That's my girl. Just gimme a minute.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

... Yeah. [ and she smiles up at him, taking a deep breath. ]

I trust you, Kohei.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna do your arms first, then your face, okay?

[ without further ado, he sets to work ]

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ she's holding still to let him do this, but damn this is a little strange, being given chicken pox in just a minute. ]

[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.