1- The Starting Point

'World famous idol in secret relationship with Bodyguard!'

That was the tabloid headline that greeted Yuri when he woke up at the ass crack of dawn. He blinked down at his phone, mouth slightly agape, as if he had just met a brain-eating alien and was still deciding if it was real life or a particularly realistic dream. He rubbed his eyes. Once. Twice.

“AAAAAA!” Yuri screamed as he shot upright in bed, the wood creaking beneath him. His super-duper-crazy-fun-surprise six month in the making!! Completely ruined!! Reduced to mere rubble. Gone. Disintegrated.

His hand flew to his chest, clutching his shirt as his breath came fast beneath the soft silk fabric.

“No, no, no.” He kicked the covers off and scrambled out of bed, pacing as he continued reading the full article.

What in the world was this? How did they know he had a reservation at The Lobster Claw? That he’d paid a man to put on a dancing monkey show? He’d been so careful. He kept everything under wraps -so much so that even his oh-so-great manager, LuLu, didn’t know. And Lulu knew everything.

Speaking of which, he had to contact her immediately. Someone needed to get sued or fired or something. This was unacceptable!!

His fingers flew over the keyboard, fueled by exasperation as he began typing out a frankly rude message along the lines of: Throw however much money you can at this and keep it under wraps. If Yami finds out, I’ll skin you.

He sighed heavily as he dropped into a plush armchair. Damn his fame and the need for everyone to pry into his life.

Damn everything.

Except Yami.

Yami...He still remembered when he first fell in love with her.

It had been one of those days where it felt the everyone and everything was conspiring against him.

First, he'd tripped over a rock which wasn't there the day before and spilled his freshly brewed coffee. Lulu- saying something about 'photo-shoot' and 'professionalism' wouldn't go grab another for him. Then when meeting a fan, his voice had cracked. And straight after, he'd found out his favorite show had been cancelled.

And for the best joke of all, he'd choked on a macron he had sneaked past Lulu's hawk-like eyes ("you're meant to be on a diet!").

As he was slowly and quietly dying, accepting this ending as fate, Yami had noticed his little predicament. Like a hero, she'd rushed over and wrapped her arms around him. That Heimlich had saved his life.

Though with the stern telling off he'd gotten from his manager, maybe he was better of dead. He shook his head. No no, if he was dead, he wouldn't be able to see Yami's beautiful face every day. Or her short black hair that framed it perfectly. Or those muscly arms he'd found strange at first but now secretly admired. Or... well anything about her.

Anyhow- he had been researching her interests and likes for the past half a year- which was not an easy feat, seeing as they had ranged from 'ways of asphyxiating someone' to 'cute muffin decorations'.

And now... all his handwork had been poured down the drain.

If Yami saw the article (which she absolutely would, considering it was literally her job to know everything about him), he’d have to come up with a new plan. And that could take months. Possibly years. Possibly forever.

For now, all he could do was hope Lulu worked her terrifying managerial magic.

With one final, long-suffering sigh, Yuri dragged himself up and began his morning routine.

He already knew.

Today was going to suck.

****

As Yuri stumbled out of his penthouse apartment, he was greeted by a familiar face. Any other day and he would be (internally) jumping with joy at being able to see her so early into the morning. But today... today was maybe not the best.

He manged a low, strangled "Hello" as Yami fell into step behind him. She simply gave a curt nod.

Well she sure wasn't acting any differently- still the same nonchalant air around her.

They stepped into the elevator. Silence.

Yuri glanced to the left. Well, even if his surprise was ruined, at least he could still see her everyday.

He sighed in relief.

****

A day later, his relief had morphed into nearly pulling at his hair- not that he would. It took time to style it so beautifully. 

"What do you mean shes quitting?" He screeched, not caring about the strain he just put on his delicately perfect vocal cords.

"No! Stop her." He began pacing the small office. "Do something. I don't know, double her salary. Anything to make her stay.."

Lulu turned her piercing eyes to him and stared him down.

"Absolutely not." She huffed. "This was Yami’s decision. Attempting to interfere would be an abuse of power.”

"But-"

"No 'buts'". She steepled her fingers in front of her, her narrow glasses sliding low on the bridge of her nose. "You wouldn't want to make her uncomfortable, would you?"

"Why would she be uncomfortable staying by my side? People would kill for that privilege" Yuri scoffed.

At that, Lulu gave an exasperated sigh. "Still such a child I see. This is exactly why she's leaving."

Yuri pickled. Who was she to speak to him- the greatest idol in modern history who was constantly on the top 10 charts- in such a condescending tone. If she weren't frighteningly talented, he would have replaced her for the numerous transgressions against him over the years.

Damn her efficiency!

"You're wrong." He snapped, "I bet she's leaving cause of that article."

Lulu raised an eyebrow "The one that came out today? You do know she gave her notice in two weeks ago, right?"

He flushed. Yeah, of course he'd know. He was extremely aware of that pretty obvious fact. And he said as such.

“Then pray tell,” she said, voice silk-smooth, “why you think an article I personally buried before breakfast has anything to do with her decision.”

"I-" wait a minute... she gave in her notice two weeks ago. And nobody told him!!?

Not even waving goodbye, Yuri bolted out the manager office. He had to find Yami.

Maybe Lulu was right, and she was leaving cause of him- but he'd fix this. He'd make it right