Selfie

Shinya stared at his phone, which had just gone off as he got out of the taxi. By pure chance, his home was only twenty minutes away from the shooting location that day, and traffic had been light. He walked into the elevator while checking his messages.

Arai Minato’s words. In his phone. Only for him.

A kiss so Shinya wouldn’t misunderstand his intentions? What were they? It couldn’t possibly be romantic. Arai Minato wasn’t gay, was he? There had never been any signs, and Shinya had watched pretty much any and all media he had appeared in, down to every award show, interview and other random appearances.

But what else could it be?

Shinya entered his apartment, where he was welcomed by blissful silence. He sat down to take off his shoes and looked at his phone again. No, it couldn’t be romantic. Minato was just nice to everyone. He had exchanged numbers with Saya too.

[Shinya] [Just arrived. Looking forward to working together.]

There. Nice and safe.

[Minato] [I meant it.]

“Meant what?” Shinya yelled at his phone.

[Minato] [What I said about you. I’m happy to have met you.]

“Can you read my thoughts?? Ugh!”

Shinya put his phone on the shelf in his entry and resolved to take a nice, long, relaxing bath to wash the day away. Unfortunately, sitting in the hot water gave him time to think. Too much time.

Why was he so annoyed all of a sudden? Why this uneasy feeling when he had looked forward to this day for months? Maybe because of it? Yeah. It was all… too good to be true. Shinya had just hoped to get along with Minato as co-workers. But whatever Minato had in mind was completely throwing him off.

Shinya exited the bathroom to find a selfie waiting for him—of Minato in the maid uniform, evidently taken during the time he had his make-up done.

Not being able to resist, he immediately set it as his lock screen.

——

Two days later, Minato sent another selfie—this time from what looked like his living room. If the last picture had been beautiful, this one took Shinya’s breath away. Seeing Minato without make-up, tousled hair, sitting in a soft sweater on his couch… it was every fanboys’ dream, and he had it just for himself. Minato must’ve known that when he sent the picture.

[Shinya] [Are you flirting with me?]

[Minato] [What? No comment on the photo?]

[Shinya] [Why would I tell you what you already know?]

[Minato] [It’s nice to hear.]

[Shinya] [Just read any comment section under your posts.]

[Minato] [But I want to hear it from you.]

“Bastard,” Shinya said out loud.

It was easier like this to sort his thoughts and give better responses. Easier when Minato’s handsome face wasn’t in front of him.

[Shinya] [So you are flirting.]

[Minato] [Yes. Should I stop?]

Shinya’s heart jumped.

[Shinya] [I feel flattered. It’s a bit sudden… but not unwelcome.]

——

Minato had to shake himself out of it. He had to. It was too much fun teasing Shinya. Not unwelcome. He had achieved his goal for the day, but he wanted to interact with the other a bit longer. The man had made an impression on him, that part hadn’t been a lie.

[Minato] [So?]

[Shinya] [It’s the best photo of you I’ve ever seen.]

Minato smiled at the message. He had already realised Shinya wasn’t overly emotionally expressive. A comment like that felt like a win.

[Minato] [Want another?]

[Shinya] [I’m not sure my heart could take it.]

[Minato] [Wouldn’t want to be responsible for that.]

And yet he sent another. A close-up of his head resting on a pillow, glancing up at the camera. Minato wasn’t an actor and model for nothing. He knew which of his angles were flattering.

[Shinya] [😩]

Minato didn’t respond to that. The reaction was enough in and of itself.

——

During the next few days, Minato ignored most of his manager’s questions about Shinya. He had a week off before the shot started and spent most of it lounging around in his home, sleeping in as often as he could. This was a luxury he couldn’t often indulge in. The shooting was supposed to go on for about two months. Two months. Mhm.

It wasn’t like he was lacking work, but ‘Pink Secret’ was a little more high profile than his recent dramas, with a bigger studio attached and a larger marketing machine. Not to mention he was higher billing than his eternal rival Kimura Kazuya. With about the same age and similar looks, they were often cast for the same roles, having to beat each other to it. To appear in the same drama was unusual, and if it happened, Kazuya usually played the first male lead. Not this time.

Minato scrolled mindlessly through Shinya’s social feed. The man didn’t post pictures of himself. Food, landscapes, streets—even the praying mantis he kept as a pet. Unusual, but the photos did make it look cute. With full knowledge of his act, Minato liked a bunch of pictures that were rather far down the timeline. Usually a cardinal sin. In this case, it would send a message.

——

The first day of shooting both came too fast and not fast enough. After being messaged by Minato almost every day, Shinya didn’t know how to face him. Especially since he had made his interest known. Especially, especially since Shinya was also interested. Had always been interested. That was more than half the reason he was there in the first place.

As he turned the corner into the street where the school buildings were they had rented out for the shoot, he was deep in thought.

What did you do when your dreams actually come true? Just accept them and move on? Shinya had never been a person who trusted easily. Even though everything in him screamed to do it.

When he reached the gate, he noticed the group of people surrounding it. Mostly women… and… ah.. The fans. They were likely waiting for Minato and Kazuya to show up. When a member of the production team spotted Shinya approaching, they waved him through a small gate at the side, bypassing the sizable mob. It was then when he spotted Minato behind the school gate, talking with the fans through the bars. He was smiling, accepting letters, and posing for photos. Until he saw Shinya.

“Sorry, I have to go now. Thank you for your support for me and the drama!!” he said and bowed low.

The crowd was unhappy to see him go, but the noise turned confused when Minato approached Shinya and put an arm around his shoulders as they walked towards the building together.

“You know those pictures are already on social media,” Shinya said.

“Can’t I be friends with the producer?”

Shinya made a face at him and Minato laughed. Apparently those two weeks had done something after all. Shinya’s heart still raced and his nervousness was at peak, but he no longer felt like hyperventilating in Minato’s presence. Their talks via LINE had made the other man… human.

Still, pressed to his side like that, Shinya felt like he was going to heaven.

“The light and weather is good for some of the roof scenes today. The director said we’re starting with the ones from episode 1 and 2 back to back,” Fukuhara said as he welcomed them at the school entrance. “Get changed, Minato.”

“Alright, see you in a bit.”

He squeezed Shinya’s arm and then he was gone, down the corridor. His absence felt colder than the autumn air.

“I’m sorry, he can be a bit much,” Fukuhara said. “He’s always been handsy. I can tell him to keep his distance if this bothers you.”

Shinya stared at the manager. Bothered him? On the contrary. He shook his head.

“No, no. It’s fine. He’s… he’s good.”

“Alright. But you can always tell me in the future if that changes.”

“Thank you, Fukuhara-san.”

Fukuhara nodded his acknowledgement, then held up his phone with an apologetic look and disappeared into the building as well, leaving Shinya alone with his thoughts.