Yohei: The Spotlight Grows Sharper

"Okay, Ryo-san. We’re finalizing the holiday campaign for your fan club. You’re performing the duet with Reyna, but I was thinking we can do a little something with just you for your fans.” His manager gives him a thoughtful look. “Perhaps an acoustic version of a classic holiday song? Just you and a piano, and lots of candles…"

“That sounds nice. I’d like that, and I’m sure the fans would love something more toned down and intimate as well.” Yohei nods, “Especially since there are so many other things happening this winter. Did you hear from…”

“Not yet. Expecting the call any day now.” His fingers drum impatiently at the edge of his desk as he gives his silent phone the death stare.

"I wonder what’s taking them so long?” Yohei asks, not expecting an answer. “Anyway, the song for our New Year’s performance is all done, and I guess we’ll start studio recording soon. Perhaps you should give her manager a little nudge?"

A flicker of irritation passes Tanaka’s face, and he scribbles a note on the bright green notepad on his desk. “Will do.”

“Are we planning joint photoshoots?”

“We are, it doesn’t matter if SAIKA TOKYO comes through or not.” He beckons Yohei closer and nods to his screen. "We’ve got some new Christmas-themed merch lined up. A few limited-edition holiday items, including a collaboration with Reina." He clicks through a few designs on his screen. "T-shirts, special edition photobooks, and we’re thinking of releasing a Christmas card set with some special photos from the two of you working together."

"Right... so, we’re really pushing the romantic Christmas angle?" He glances at the screen with an unexpected sense of unease.

“Of course. It’s already going very well, your ratings are spiking.”

“That’s good. Echo Lights has been solidly in the top three since it was released.”

“Yes.” Tanaka gives him a big grin. “So, we’ll also focus on some things with just you, for the fans who are not into the romance. We’ll make you look available as well, and think ‘an evening with RYO and a piano' might be just the thing. I’ll take it up at the next meeting.”

“Be convincing,” Yohei smiles. Not that Tanaka-san ever is anything but convincing.

To his surprise, his manager’s face darkens, and he’s serious as he pulls out a large envelope.

“Speaking of fans who don’t care for the romance angle…” The contents of the envelope spill over the desk, and Yohei stares at perhaps a dozen letters and postcards. “I think it’s time you see these.”

“What…?”

He picks one up, a postcard with a big smiling sun on the front. On the back, neatly written lines state, ‘RYO-kun, you are the sun and light in my life. You saved me from the dark.’ It’s signed light_in_my_heart, and there are several drawn hearts around the text.

Eyes widening, he quickly looks through the pile, a cold, sinking feeling in his chest.

“Is it…?”

“We think so. We keep deleting messages online, and we’ve blocked several user handles… but as you know, she – we assume it’s a she – keeps making new ones.”

“So she started sending these too…” Yohei can’t believe it. Separately, the messages are normal, sweet even, but this… this makes his skin prickle.

“Yeah, we’re handling it, but she clearly believes this illusion she’s creating.” He selects one letter and hands it to Yohei. “Here she’s analysed the entire lyrics of Echo Lights into a personal message from you to her. It’s… troublesome.”

“That’s… an understatement.” He knows he’s selling an image, a fantasy… but to have someone twist it like this. The cold feeling in his chest spreads until it’s hard to breathe. “Creepy.”

“Definitely. As you know, we’re handling it, but for now, there’s only so much we can do. We don’t think she poses any danger to you, but you should know – and be a little extra careful. Don’t go out on your own.”

“Of course.” Does Tanaka-san know that he’s been doing exactly that lately? Probably not. He suppresses a smile as he thinks at the cafe.

After that first visit, he kept finding reasons to return. It’s a nice place to relax and get some work done. The food is great. The cats are cute and fun. But, whenever he’s honest with himself, he knows that while all those reasons are true, they’re not the main reason he keeps coming back. He knows why his thoughts so often drift to this little cafe that manages to feel more like a home than his real home. And he knows the answer.

It’s her.

Neko-chan. No… Aoi-chan.

Every time he pushes open the café door and is met by that cheerful ‘Welcome home, goshujin-sama,’ something in his chest softens. There’s a warmth in her eyes that makes him melt from the inside.

The way she keeps his table ‘reserved’ by little tricks such as removing the chairs, using it for cleaning the menus, or storing trays with sauce bottles or clean glasses… it means something. Perhaps it’s just a part of her playful maid persona, but he wants to believe she’s truly happy to see him.

“Are you listening? I said I’ll make sure Sato-san is at your disposal 24/7.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” To his surprise, he finds that he’s not.

Sato definitely suspects something: the knowing smirks and winks and hints about how the cats aren’t the only cute things there made it perfectly clear. That’s why he started going alone from time to time. Sato-san is great, professional to the teeth when he needs to be, but he occasionally slips into a big brother mode that Yohei has come to appreciate. Not exactly friendship, but close.

“Speaking of going out, there’s an art exhibition opening this Saturday that I’d like to check out.”

“Art exhibition?”

“Yes, it’s at a renowned gallery in Daikanyama, themed around ‘light and shadow’. I thought it could be a good place for a future social media event, especially since many fans have responded so well to my own attempts at art. Considering the big and flashy events coming up, it could be nice to have something relaxed and grounded. Lean back into my ‘idol next door’ vibe, as a contrast.” Is he speaking too fast? He feels out of breath as soon as he’s listed the official reasons for going.

“Good thinking. The fans would appreciate something like that.” Tanaka seems to buy it, even looking pleased as he taps the keyboard, then nods to the screen. “This one?”

Yohei nods, mouth suddenly too dry to speak.

“It seems respectable. I’ll reschedule your appointments on Saturday and make sure Sato-san picks you up. If you think the gallery is a good match for us, I’ll contact the owner next week and set something up. Sounds good?”

“Perfect.”

It worked! He’s going to see her outside the cafe. He can still recall every moment of the ride in the taxi, how she shifted between enthusiastic outbursts and shy silence. How her rain-soaked hair framed her face… her smile…

He still can’t believe that she didn’t recognize him with his hood down, all masks off, but he’s glad she didn’t. How will she react when he shows up there? Happy? Or will she think he’s stalking her? He glances at the pile of letters and swallows down the cold knot forming in his throat. If she doesn’t want to talk to him, he’ll leave, but the flutter in his stomach is hopeful.

“Then it’s settled. As for your other appointments this week…” Tanaka pulls up the schedule, and they get down to work. Everything from facials, manicures, and clothes fittings, to rehearsals and gym sessions with his personal trainer soon fills the squares. Yohei’s eyes, however, keep drifting to the one saying ‘exhibition ME Gallery’.

They’re almost done when Tanaka’s phone buzzes. He looks annoyed at the interruption, though his tone is as polite as ever. Soon, however, his face takes on an excited look, and he gets on his feet, pacing back and forth as he speaks quickly. Yohei’s always impressed with the way Tanaka-san fires his words rapidly, seemingly with no need to draw breath, without ever being hard to understand. Then there’s a long pause where both words and pacing stop.

Tanaka gives Yohei a thumbs-up and a triumphant grin before speaking again.

“Please send the contract as soon as you can. Our legal staff will have a look at it, but we are very excited and honored to be working with you.”

As soon as the phone call ends, Yohei meets his manager's eyes. The professional poker face is gone, and he’s as close to beaming as Yohei has ever seen him. Does this mean…

“You got it! We got it!” Tanaka takes a deep breath and nods. “The Saika Tokyo deal.”

“We did?” Yohei almost can’t believe it. “The full collab with Rosélune too? And REYNA?”

“Yes. We’re on for all of it. They’ve already contracted the girls to keep them with stage and event clothes this season – and they want you as the face for their new men’s collection.”

“That’s great.” Yohei’s heart is racing. This is a big deal. A really big deal, even if it’s going to swallow almost all of what little free time he has. “Wait, when you say ‘all of it’...”

“Billboards, fashion shows, magazines,” he laughs and pokes Yohei's shoulder. “You even get to walk the runway during the biggest event of the year.”

“Runway? Me?”

“Of course, together with REYNA, I expect. Given the rumors that already flourish, we decided to play into it, so there’ll be many hints of the two of you being a couple. Without, of course, admitting anything.”

“Not that there’s anything to admit.”

“I need to contact REYNA’s manager right away to start the planning. Interviews, TV appearances, clothes fittings.” Tanaka, who had just sat back down, jumps to his feet and starts pacing again. “We have so much to do.”

He pauses and looks Yohei up and down, then back at the schedule. “Let’s book you for a few more gym sessions. There’s bound to be some short sleeves and open shirts in your future shoots, so let’s make sure you look your best. And I’ll talk to the assistant doing your grocery shopping to focus on extra healthy, low-calorie meals.”

Premade low-calorie meals? Yohei rolls his eyes, but not even that can dampen his high spirits. His eyes drift back to the Saturday note.

Only three days until then.