pullmeoutalive | I disturb my town;

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I disturb my town;

[ with Makoto letting her know that he'd be close by her venue of work for the day, she'd thrown herself into the job with even more energy than her usual; the Producer had been awed and exhausted just watching her by the time it had ended.

She's just heading back to the car, pulling out her phone to call--

And that's when she hears a small, familiar voice. Ren...?

When she speeds up her steps, it's to find not just Makoto and his siblings, but some very disgruntled-looking high-school boys crowding them. ]

Hey--! What's going on?!

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[...oh whoops. and Makoto just chuckles at that, tilting his head.]

Well, regardless of the likelihood, I'm certainly a fan.

[ which just earns him a smile, and then him turning around in his seat to share some kind of Intimate We're Having A Moment Stare with Makoto-- who actually colors and shakes her head, almost defiantly.

Another laugh, and then, "Well, I'm glad she has you. Please continue to support her." ]

You're starting to sound like a dad...

[And he doesn't miss the silent exchange, but well...he doesn't know exactly what it means, so he just chuckles at their vocal exchange instead.]

It's good that you have someone looking out for you like that. But I definitely will, I promise.

[...because he's a very big fan, yes.]

I'll support you too! I'll be the loudest one at your swimming competitions, I promise!

[ Makoto. ]

[...Makoto.

But he just laughs sheepishly.]

I'll look forward to that, then. Though I don't know if I can cheer with as much energy as you have.

You don't have to. Remember, I could feel your support just fine from onstage!

[...mm. She's so cute. So he just nods, sighing a bit and relaxing.]

Then I hope I'll always be able to support you.

[...when you're onstage.

...but he can't bring himself to add that, because he wants to support her offstage too.]

[ and because he doesn't clarify, he's rewarded with that flush reappearing on Makoto's face, and a surprisingly shy nod.

... While the producer is just continuing to chuckle as he drives. ]

T-thanks.

[it's the combined blush plus chuckling from their driver that does Makoto in; he blinks, looking startled, and then blushes too and looks down, rubbing the back of his neck.

A-ahem.]

Right...It's no problem.

[eheh....heh. whoops.]

[ the rest of the ride is likely spent in awkward camaraderie, but Makoto's still smiles and cheer once they're out of the car and she's leading the way up the stairs. ]

It's not very big, so I hope I didn't give you the wrong idea...

[ but there's Kotori, calling out a greeting from her desk, and there's the board with all of the crammed schedules, and the couches, and a certain ribbon-wearing bear.

Makoto crouches down to say hello to this one, adjusting the ribbon with a fond smile. ]

I'm back!

[A ribbon-wearing bear...adorable. He is somehow not surprised--it could very well be hers, since she can't take it home with her father as he is. So Makoto is just amused. But he does look around appraisingly, finally offering her a smile.]

It seems like a very welcoming place.

[and he pauses to admire those crammed schedules too.]

Ah...how popular...

[ there's some knot of tension that lightens when he approves, though she hadn't known it was there in the first place. But then she's looking at the schedules, grinning. ]

Once we managed to pull off our first live, the work really came piling in. It's why I can't visit you as much as I'd like to.

Looking at this...

[He just shakes his head at the schedule, and then offers her an honestly touched smile.]

I appreciate the time you spend with me even more.

[She obviously doesn't get much free time, so...]

That's... [ she starts, but she doesn't get to finish, because that's about the time Kotori makes an innocent, concerned comment about the scraped state of her cheekbone.

Which is when the producer turns to look at her, and Mami and Chihaya both look up from the couch, and Makoto instinctively claps a hand over the scrape-- and winces. ]

I-it's fine! It shouldn't show up if I put makeup on it, and I'll take care of it, it was just kind of an unavoidable fight--!

[...ah. Right, that.

Makoto just sighs a little, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.]

My siblings and I ran into some trouble, and it was lucky for us that Makoto-chan found us so quickly, honestly.

[She was the heroic princess swooping in, clearly.]

[ it's then that the room explodes with a whole lot of noise after that explanation. Mami's bouncing over to coo at the twins and to scold Makoto for not having told them about having a boyfriend and Chihaya's frowning with some concern while Kotori's fluttering about for a first-aid kit and the producer is rubbing his forehead and muttering about his life looking after a bunch of girls.

Makoto is just kind of inching behind him. ]

[...whoops. He...can't say he's ever been in a room full of girls quite like this and really it's a bit overwhelming.

So Makoto just smiles sheepishly at her, if a bit weakly.

He can't really be heard very well over the chatter, but he does try--]

Sorry.

[ maybe she can't hear it, but she mouths it in return-- because poor Makoto of the not-idol-division is going to be bombarded by a bunch of curious ladies. Even more when Haruka, Hibiki and Yayoi get back.

Hang in there, Makoto, they'll stop harassing you and wondering about your relationship eventually. ]

[...ah.

Is he dating Makoto-chan?

That question makes him blush and stammer and react over the top but--]

A-ah, that is...! I can't--

[The truth is, he doesn't want to say no. And that's like being hit in the face with a splash of very cold water, but...

It's true, isn't it? What all of those emotions before meant? It hadn't been concern, it'd been jealousy, and now...

Ah what a mess.]

[ she misses the question, but from the panicked look on his face, it's about time to intervene--

Which is why she grabs his hand and tows him towards the door, calling over her shoulder ]

We'll be right back, but I think he needs some air!

[ and the roof happens to have plenty of that. ]

Look after the twins for just a few minutes, okay?

[ she'll apologize for dragging him out later. ]

[It's such a relief to be out of there and no longer being interrogated that it takes Makoto a moment to realize that Makoto-chan has him by the hand and now that he's realized just how hard he's fallen that's...

Well, it's hard to not blush a little.

Thankfully, by the time they do make it to the roof, he's calmed himself down quite a bit, though he still looks a little frazzled.

That's a lot for a guy to realize, okay.]

[ he's redder than usual, and he still doesn't look as though he's his usual gently composed self. She releases his hand, only to continue staring up at him with a whole lot of concern darkening her eyes. ]

I'm sorry... they can get a little overwhelming, especially if you're still not feeling well. Is your cold still sticking around?

Ah, no, I'm fine.

[He rubs the back of his head, and he thinks he's probably never been so sheepish in his life, but well...]

They certainly are a lively bunch.

They're always like that, especially around someone new. But you're a great guy, so I'm sure they'll all love you!

[ even Yukiho. ]

...You really think so...?

[...she certainly isn't making this easy on him, is she...

But ultimately, he thinks...it'd probably be best for him to be honest. At least so she understands--because he just can't be duplicitous, especially not to her.]

...They asked me if I was your boyfriend. And I...really didn't want to say 'no', honestly, but I'm aware that could make some trouble for you, so I'll go clear things up with them right away if you want me to.

[Makoto that's the worst semi-confession in the history of confessions. I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE TROUBLE FOR YOU BUT I LIKE YOU.]

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