Debut

Shinya took a good look around the room, which was filling up with so many people he had never seen before. They were making polite conversation, greeting each other as they filtered in. He looked down at the table in front of him, letting his hands glide over the clothes displayed on it. Various outfits were laid out next to each other—uniforms, dresses, even pyjamas. Anything they could need today. He looked at the maid costume the longest, swallowing nervously.

As the voices around him grew louder, he was taken out of his stupor, looking up to see the source of the commotion. A woman had entered the room, followed by her manager. She greeted everyone energetically and went right for Shinya when she spotted him. Shinya stood up straighter in anticipation.

“It’s an honour to meet you! I’m Kobayashi Saya, playing the female lead.”

She held out her hand, and Shinya felt compelled to take it. It was surreal, even being there. Still, he smiled in response.

“Ueno Shinya,” he managed. “It’s good to finally meet you.”

“I was so happy to learn that you’d be here today!! I’ve been such a fan of the story and couldn’t wait to meet the author!!”

Saya took both of Shinya’s hands and shook them enthusiastically. She was cute. So cute. Even before the auditions, Shinya had loved her photos. Saya only had smaller roles before, and never a leading one, but in the end, Shinya felt like there was no one else better suited to play the role of the heroine of Shinya’s debut novel.

On the other side of the room, the door opened and closed.

“Ah, there he is. Now we can start,” someone said and Shinya turned around.

There he was. Arai Minato. He was actually… there. Right there. His heart started racing and his hands flexed uselessly at his sides. He knew he was staring, but he couldn’t help it. Seeing him like this, moving, breathing, the light falling across his face as he turned to greet the others… He was handsome. Beautiful, even. So much, it physically hurt. Nothing could ever compare. Nothing…

“Now that we’re all here, I’d like to say a few words,” the director said and everyone gathered round. “As you know, filming only starts in two weeks, but we have finally signed the last remaining actor and secured everything for a smooth project. The kickoff will be then… today we’re taking the promotion pictures with the main couple. Thank you all for coming to this informal gathering around the photoshoot. Please stay for drinks afterwards.”

Everyone clapped, including Arai Minato. And then… he looked directly at him. Shinya froze.

“Today we have a special guest,” the director continued. “Ueno-san, would you please come forward?”

Shinya didn’t hear him. He could only see Minato’s eyes as they—

“Ueno-san?” Saya tapped her shoulder and Shinya snapped out of it.

“Please, Ueno-san,” the director said again and gestured to his side.

Shinya took a deep breath and walked to the front of the room. He wasn’t good with these kinds of situations, even though he had lived through a number of events due to his book promotion tour.

“Hello everyone. I’m very honoured to be here. My name is Ueno Shinya and I’m the author of ‘Pink Secret’.”

The polite applause made Shinya blush. He glanced at Minato, who watched him intently.

“As opposed to most of you veterans, this process of filming is all new to me, so I will likely be in the way quite often and ask many stupid questions with obvious answers. Please forgive me for my curiosity. I am simply… overjoyed to be here, to see this dream project happen, and to meet all of you, who will bring it to life. Thank you so much for trusting my story! I’ll be in your care.”

He took a deep bow to applause and cheers. When he looked up, everyone was smiling at him. For the first time it really hit Shinya properly. This was happening—really happening. His debut novel was going to be a TV drama. Ten episodes. Wow. And…

There was Minato. Arai Minato.

He was really here. His idol. His oshi. His… Shinya swallowed nervously.

“Thank you, Ueno-san! And now we’d love to hear a word from the two lead actors!”

Shinya stood to the side and watched the two take centre stage. Kobayashi Saya and Arai Minato. Both absolutely perfect for their roles.

“My name is Kobayashi Saya. I have been a fan of the novel even before the casting. Thank you for trusting a newcomer with a leading role. I swear I won’t let you down. I’ll be in your care!”

She bowed deeply, brimming with the same infectious energy Shinya’s had imbued his main character Hina with. Yes. She was perfect. He clapped alongside the others, but his eyes were already focused on Minato, who stepped forward.

“I read the novel for the first time when I saw the casting call and was immediately attracted to Kazu’s character. I am so grateful to have been chosen and will give it my all. I’ll be in your care from now on.”

There were smiles and encouraging words all around. In Shinya’s head they all blended into one. Before his debut he had never been the most outgoing, but not awkward in social situations. This was on another level, though. So many professionals. So many important people. And him?

“Ueno-san?” Saya asked.

“Ah, sorry. Not used to these situations yet, I suppose.”

“I completely understand. I’m also nervous, even though I don’t show it,” she said with a reassuring smile. “Just lean back and enjoy the shoot.”

“Kobayashi-san is right. Just relax,” Minato said.

“Eh? Kobayashi-san? Call me Saya,” she said immediately.

“If you call me Minato.”

“Deal.”

They shook hands and Shinya had to smile.

“You really are perfect for the roles and together,” he said, thoughts directly from his mind to his mouth. “Oh. Sorry.”

Minato shook his head. “Don’t apologise. I appreciate the compliment.”

“Really! Thank you so much! That means a lot hearing it from the original author!” Saya added.

“The shoot is starting!” someone yelled from the other side of the room and the two actors excused themselves to change clothes.

Shinya stumbled over to a chair and gave his weak legs a break. As soon as Minato had left the room, it felt like his heart could finally take a break. How would he ever live through this shoot? Would he get used to Minato’s presence? He wasn’t sure if he wanted to get used to it.

After a while, the two emerged once more, clad in the school uniform of their characters Suzuki Hina and Himekawa Kazu. Immediately they looked like they had jumped right out of the novel’s cover. And then Minato looked directly at Shinya and smiled his most brilliant smile.

It was like a stab right through his heart. He felt like a manga character being physically knocked out by Minato’s sunshine smile. It was lucky no one was looking into Shinya’s direction as he was almost falling from the chair, clutching his chest.

And Minato? Minato just laughed and turned towards the camera. They started their couple photos, posing instructed by the photographer. Shinya stared at the whole set, until it was time for Saya’s solo shoot and Minato left for a moment.

That was the sign for Shinya to excuse himself from the room, closing the door behind him. He could finally breathe easier out here. Why… He walked a few steps away from the door, around the corner of the hallway and leaned back against the cool wall. Even with his eyes closed, he could see it.

See them.

Minato’s eyes.

They had followed him around the room, not with interest, nor with curiosity, but with an inscrutable expression. It had made him feel… hot. Confused. Ugh.

“Ueno-san?”

He was fixed again, staring into deep brown eyes, so dark they were almost completely black in the low light. Only this time they were closer.

So much closer.

Shinya shrank into himself in surprise, and was steadied by a hand on his upper arm. Minato smiled at him, all sugar.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to startle you. I saw you leave and you seemed unwell. Is everything alright?”

The concern bleeding from him made Shinya feel fuzzy. This couldn’t be real, could it? This was a dream. A daydream. Not that he had ever imagined meeting Minato, no. Of course not. Who’d do such a thing?

“Uh,” he said eloquently.

Minato put the back of his hand to Shinya’s forehead. “You seem warm. You’re not getting sick, are you?”

“It’s hot in there,” he deflected.

“Mhm. They were nice enough to turn on the heating since we have to change costumes. And it always gets hot with this many lights. You get used to it.”

“Okay.”

Shinya didn’t know what to say. Here he was, finally right in front of her. Arai Minato. Alone. Worried. And he… couldn’t think of a single word to say other than Okay.

And Minato… chuckled.

“It can be a bit much if you’re not used to it. I heard you’re going to be accompanying the shoot as executive producer?”

“I’m not going to do much. I just wanted to be there…” he whispered.

Shinya!! What was that??? His head grew hot. Cheeks red.

“You’re going to have to get used to the heat, then,” Minato said and winked. Actually winked. At him.

“Minato! You’re needed in here!” Minato’s manager shouted into the hallway.

“Yes!” Minato responded promptly, then looked back at Shinya. “Get some fresh air and come back in. The next costume is the maid uniform. You don’t want to miss that, do you?”

Shinya nodded. And Minato leaned in, mouth next to his ear. “I thought so. The way you wrote those scenes with the uniform was very… sensual to read.”

The whisper of his voice stayed with Shinya long after Minato was gone.

“The fuck?” he said out loud, only for himself to hear.