Yohei: A Softer Glow

“It went well today,” Yohei says, resting a hand on one of his show-suits, an anime-inspired thing with a collar higher than his head. The smell of starch strong in the small dressing room.

“It did.” Reina pauses, hair still up in an elaborate knot. “If you don’t mind… I’ve been meaning to ask how you met her… I still can’t believe you had a secret girlfriend all along.”

”She works part-time as a maid at a café I went to. We started talking… I came back… often…” He shrugs, reaching for his own jacket, frowning as she chuckles.

“A maid?! Seriously, Ryo-kun. Isn’t that just a little cliché?”

“Huh? I recall you wearing maids’ dresses on several occasions. Both for videos and concerts…”

“Touché. They do have some allure, don’t they?” She laughs again, putting her coat on, draping a scarf over her hair.

“They do. Perhaps you can ask Seika Tokyo for one,” he suggests, giving her an exaggerated wink, and she groans.

“No more. You know I love clothes, but after this morning, trying on all of these,” she waves a hand to the racks holding the outfits they’ll wear at the fashion show, the  shelves full of shoes and accessories, “not even I would willingly add more. No matter how cute.”

“You have a point there.” He takes a deep breath. “So, can you believe this is really happening. In just a few weeks?”

“It is hard to believe. But it’ll be great. A big step for both of our careers.”

“And our ‘relationship’,” he sighs. Them walking the runway together, singing together, would certainly boost the rumors again.

“You know… when the time is right, after this contract is fulfilled. I’ll be happy to promote our peaceful, mutually agreed, and very official breakup. Our true loves being the music and our fans...”

“Thank you. I really appreciate that. You’re a good friend, Reina-chan.”

“Friend zoned?” She sighs theatrically, placing a hand on her forehead. “I guess I’ll take that.”

“I mean that in a good way. I don’t have many friends, people I can trust in private – but you’re one of them.”

“I know, and I’m glad. It’s been great seeing you this happy. I know how rare it is to find something real in all of this…”

“You ready soon?” Sato-san pokes his head through the door, tapping his wristwatch. “I know you theoretically have the afternoon off, but you’re meeting that Pop Beat Magazine reporter first.”

“I’m ready.” Yohei bows goodbye to Reina and the stylists before following Sato-san outside.

“Where do you want to go after?” Sato asks as he starts the car. “Lunch?”

“Yeah. You know what? It’s been too long since we’ve been to MofuMofu. Let’s go there. Aoi-chan is working today.”

“Are you sure? Meeting Aoi-chan outside like this…”

“I miss it,” Yohei says simply. “Also, now that I’m officially connected to the shelter, it’s natural for me to check it out. Right?”

“You make a good point.” Sato agrees. “I admit I like the place too. Let’s make a quick stop on the way. If we’re staying as long as usual, I’ll need a fresh Sudoku.”

*

“Welcome home, goshujin-sama!”

For a moment, Aoi looks stunned, eyes wide, and Yohei smiles smugly behind the mask. Surprise accomplished. She quickly recovers and continues on script.

“Neko-chan is happy to see you today, nya~!”

“You have no idea how happy,” she says quietly once they reach ‘his’ table. He nods. It's so good to be back, like coming home.

With a contented sigh, he takes his seat and places the bag next to him on the sofa. Looks over at Sato-san at his usual place close to the door, the new Sudoku already on the table as one of the maids takes his order.

“Me too,” he says as he removes the mask and takes the menu she hands him. “I think things will be back to normal soon.”

“And here I was almost getting used to living as a secret spy, with all the disguises and sneaking around.”

He knows she means it as a joke, but it still hits hard. While she had been able to visit him lately, arriving with her hood up and a mask on, this is the first time they’re together outside his apartment since the paparazzi incident. It's a step in the right direction. The first of many…

“So, what can I get you today, goshujin-sama?” Her smile almost stops his heart.

Show-off, he thinks affectionately. He loves this playful side of her. It really has been too long…

A high-pitched meow makes them both look down. Snowy is under the table, eyes dark and huge against the white fluffy fur. A moment later, he’s on Yohei’s lap, rubbing furry cheeks against his chest, purring like an old engine.

“It seems I’m not the only one who’s happy that you’re back.”

“I know,” Yohei grins, petting the cat whose nose is now curiously poking inside his hoodie. “Hey, there, buddy, that tickles…”

Aoi is watching them silently, cat ears swaying each time she moves her head, a mysterious little smile playing on her lips.

“Oh, right… food. Um… just bring me something warm. You know what I like. And tea.”

“Coming right up.” She takes the menu and skips toward the kitchen, the little bell on her collar chiming merrily.

When she returns, Snowy is snoozing comfortably, curled up next to Yohei’s leg.

“That smells delicious,” he says, stomach giving an approving growl as she sets the plate of steaming hot Chicken & Veggie Purry Rice in front of him.

Smiling, she pours tea in his cup, then grabs two squeeze bottles – one ketchup, one mayo – to decorate his plate. A sleeping white cat, and several hearts.

“Thank you.” He picks up the chopsticks. “Very cute. But,” he lowers his voice, “not as cute as you. Especially in those ears.”

She giggles and leans closer to add another ketchup heart, whispering:

“The two of you are really cute too.” She picks up the empty tray and raises her voice to normal. “Enjoy your meal,  goshujin-sama.”

The food is as good as ever – the cute magic doing its trick – and it’s with a sigh of regret he pushes the plate aside and places his tablet and phone in front of him instead. Time to work.

Fortunately, the tone in the feeds is back to normal, or as normal as it can be. The focus is mostly on the upcoming fashion show and speculations about the release of his next song. He has just finished posting a series of photos from the clothes fitting he and Reina did in the morning when texts from Tanaka-san buzz in. Then he calls.

“Hold on,” Yohei says, trying to get up without disturbing Snowy. “Can’t talk here, give me a minute…”

After a few steps, Aoi comes up to him, a questioning look on her face.

“I’ll just go outside for a bit,” he says, showing the phone.

“Tanaka-san?” she guesses correctly, and he nods while she rolls her eyes.

Heading to the door, he sees Sato-san starting to get up, but he shakes his head, points to the phone, mouthing ‘Tanaka-san’. Sato nods and sits back down, looking out the window to make sure everything is quiet before picking up his pen again.

“Okay,” Yohei says as soon as he’s outside and away from the door. “What’s the emergency?”

Fortunately, it’s only a logistical emergency regarding tomorrow's photoshoot. All he has to do is agree to the changed schedule, and that’s it. For now.

Phone back in his pocket, he takes a deep breath, lifting his face to the afternoon sun. It’s pleasantly warm, hinting at the incoming spring. Just as he turns to go back inside, someone approaches.

“Ryo-kun…? It’s really you…”

Yohei turns to the fan, putting on a polite smile. The girl is beaming at him; she’s young, still in her school uniform, with a large shoulder bag at her side. A bag that’s covered in RYO pins and stickers.

“Hi there. Nice to meet you,” he says, widening his smile.

There are plenty of people around, none of them looking his way. Yet. He doesn’t want to draw a crowd. Some small talk, perhaps letting her take a selfie with him… that should be the quickest and quietest solution.

Just inside the window, Sato-san is scribbling in his Sudoku book, bound to look outside soon.

“I almost can’t believe it,” she breathes, moving closer. “I waited so long, never gave up… and now you’re finally here.”

What…?

“Yes,” he says after an awkwardly long pause. “After helping the shelter, I decided to check out this place. Have you been inside? The food is really good, and the cats are cute.”

“No… but ever since I found the connection between you and this café – I’ve been coming here as often as I could, because I knew I’d meet you here. That you feel the pull of our connection too.”

Her eyes are boring into his. A chill prickles the skin on his neck. He’s used to fans her age. They’re usually giggling, blushing, and talking too much, too fast in a sweet, overenthusiastic way. They’re not staring at him intently, talking about strange connections. He needs to finish this fast.

“So, would you like me to sign something? Perhaps your bag, if you have a pen? Or, we could take a picture together…”

“Can we? Can I see your hair too? It’s so beautiful.” Suddenly, she stiffens. “Not like that Rayna-girl’s ugly pink…. Wait…” She stares through the window, “... you’re not here with her, are you? You know she’s not right for you.”

While he does know that, it’s not a topic he’s about to discuss, but before he can say anything, the girl steps even closer, words bubbling out.

“She doesn’t understand you. Not like I do. We are destined to be together, you know that.”

Destined? 

This is bad. He takes a step back, only to almost fall backward over the car parked there. His hood slips back, not all the way, but enough to reveal his face and hair. Further up the street, a couple of teens hold their phones up. Damn it, this is going to be all over the internet soon… He takes another deep breath and looks at her.

“I’m sorry. I think you have misunderstood…”

“No! You’ve been the light in my life for years. It’s fate.” She desperately grabs his sleeve, her voice getting shriller. “We’re soulmates, Ryo-kun. You’ve been sending me all those messages in your songs. Only for me.”

The light in her life? The phrase slams into his mind. It’s her. Images of the pictures where Reina and Aoi’s faces had been cut out rise in his mind.

Come on, Sato-san, look out the window.

“I’m sorry, but…” Keeping the smile in place, Yohei tries to walk past her, back to the café.

“No, you can’t leave me. Fate has tied us together!” Her fingers tighten their grip. He could pull away easily, but the filming teenagers are now closer, watching the scene in front of them with big eyes.

He can’t afford making a scene.

All attempts to reason with her fail. Her eyes are getting brighter, her words more incoherent, and her grip on his arm tightens.

The Aoi is there. Eyes flashing, ears and skirt swaying with each angry step.

“Yohei! You okay?” He nods, and she steps closer.

“Let go of him,” she says, calmly, but there’s a hint of steel in her voice he’s never heard before.

“Y-Yohei?” the girl asks, momentarily confused, then her jaw sets. “You’re wrong. This is Ryo-kun. My soulmate.”

“Oh no. I’m fed up with people treating him like he’s a thing. He’s not yours in any way. He’s a person like everybody else.” She looks closer at the girl, eyes widening in recognition. “Hey, I know you… You were at the auction.”

“Of course I was.” Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to recognize Aoi in her maid outfit, a small relief. “He and I are meant to be together.”

Aoi snorts, but thankfully, Sato-san has finally noticed and is hurrying toward them, face alert as he takes in the situation.

“This has gone far enough,” he states in his most authoritative voice. “You’re making everyone, including him, uncomfortable.”

“But I…” The girl’s hand lets go of Yohei’s sleeve, falling limp to her side even as she looks pleadingly at him. “Ryo-kun… please… tell him…”

"Hey,” Sato’s voice is low, but the tone clearly says he won’t tolerate any nonsense. “Let’s take a step back and talk for a second. We don’t want any problems here."

She keeps arguing even as Sato-san smoothly places himself between her and Yohei.

“You two go back inside. Call Tanaka-san, he needs to know about this new video.” Sato waves to the filming teens, who seem to realize that the show is over and leave.

“Come on,” Yohei says, resisting the urge to place a hand on Aoi’s back as they head back. As the door closes behind them, Yohei hears Sato-san begin a lecture about boundaries and appropriateness.

He doubts that’ll be enough.