Yohei: Where We Belong

“So, what’ll happen to her?” Aoi asks as they’re waiting for Tanaka to finish a call. His office is brightly lit by the sun and Yohei hopes the beautiful weather is a good sign.

“Happen? Not much. We’re hoping the telling off Sato-san gave her will make her stop; he threatened to tell her parents if she continues. We’ll see. If not, we now have her face and name besides her IP address.”

“Oh, okay…” Aoi looks a little surprised at that, but the girl hasn’t actually broken any laws. Yet.

“Hopefully that’s the last of it. This time.” He leans a little closer to her, lowers his voice. “I wish I could promise you nothing like that will ever happen again.”

“But you can’t, I know. It’s not your fault.”

They had a long talk about it last night, and while she was still shaken, she’d joked about him being so cute that it was no wonder some girls lost their minds. As he’d feared, the video had gone viral in a matter of hours, and the internet was buzzing.

“So, is that why we’re here?” Aoi looks at Tanaka, who is casually leaning against his desk, impeccably dressed in his usual suit and tie. “To talk about that girl?”

“In a way. The popularity of that video is providing us with a new option, and we should discuss it.”

“Okay...”

“Your ‘heroic rescue’ - their words, not mine – has made at least part of the fans warm up to you. Many are arguing that you clearly care about him, and are horrified by how that fan, one of them, acted.”

“They should be,” she scoffs.

“There’s even been debates about whether you are cuter than Rayna-chan.” He pauses thoughtfully. “I believe those ears and dress might give you an advantage.”

Yohei looks at her. She is beautiful. Perhaps more ‘pretty’ than a ‘classic beauty’, like Reina, but he knows which he prefers.

“Really? That’s… weird.” She used stronger words than that last night, after they’d checked in with his fanbase. Not that he can blame her. “Won’t they just change their minds again in a day or two?”

Tanaka chuckles and nods. “They will. But right now we have a small window of opportunity we can use -- if you want to.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Ryo-san and I were discussing making your relationship public. If you wish to do so.”

“It’ll mostly affect your life, so you should have the biggest say in this,” Yohei says. “You’ve already seen some of the backsides to living in the spotlight, but there are good things too.”

“We don’t have to hide anymore?” She looks up, excited, but her face falls when he shakes his head.

“You know what it’s like for me when we’re out in public. It’ll be the same for you. But,” he smiles. “There’ll be no more ‘mystery woman’ headlines. We can go to restaurants, art shows, concerts… together. As a couple.”

“But remember,” Tanaka steps forward. "There will be negative reactions. Some fans will feel betrayed. Besides hate comments and attacks on social media, people will try to get... awkward photos. I know you already had a taste of that.”

Her face falls even more, shoulders slumping, and somehow, he feels bad for forcing this choice on her.

“As for the benefits, many of his fans will take an interest in your art. You’ll have access to contacts that can arrange exhibitions, get your picture in magazines…”

“You’re saying that being his girlfriend will... speed boost my career?” Her voice falters slightly, and she looks down at her feet instead of them. “I don’t know… that feels… like I’d be taking advantage of him.”

“It’s the way the industry works. You can also create promotional artwork for his songs, merchandise, etc. It can be very lucrative.”

“I see…” She looks between him and Tanaka, chewing her lower lip, fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. “Um, this is a lot to take in, but thank you for telling me all this.”

“It’s important that you know the options,” Yohei says. They’d dropped a lot on her, and the old guilt of having pulled her into this turbulent world settles cold in his chest. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but we’ll be a couple officially too.”

“But... what about the fashion show? Don’t you and Reina have to appear as a couple for that?”

“Yes, you’re right.” Tanaka nods. “The contract with Seika Tokyo is a serious problem. A public reveal will almost certainly cost Ryo-san career opportunities, as well as fans. But, it’s a risk he’s willing to take.”

“Some fans won’t forgive this, but some – most, I hope – will focus on the music. Not us.”

So far, his actions have forced her to live in the shadow of the spotlight. He must give her a chance to choose whether she wants to stay there or join him in the public eye. No matter the cost.

“You two should take the evening to talk it over. We’ll make an official announcement tomorrow, so by then I need to know if we’ll be thanking the ‘courageous cafe maid’ or start revealing Ryo’s ‘secret, but brave girlfriend’. We have strategies for both.”

***

Once they’re back in his apartment, he places their take-out food on the small kitchen counter, then joins her on the sofa.

“I’m sorry for dumping all of that on you.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m glad you did. That you’re letting me have some control.” She laughs, shakes her head slowly. “What little there is in this world.”

“It’s not just about fans and the media though. It’s about you. The spotlight can be draining as well as rewarding. I’ve been living in it for so long, I sometimes forget how much.”

“You make it seem so effortless. I can see how much you love it, despite everything.”

He thinks about it for a moment before answering. “I do love it, yes. Not all of it, obviously, but being allowed to create music and share it with the world, with so many people… I don’t even have any words to describe it.”

“I understand, I really do.” She smiles and leans closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Before you decide, there’s something I want to ask you…” he says, glancing at the envelope on the table.

“Okay… shoot.”

“I’ve decided to adopt Snowy. I thought about it a lot, and it feels like the right thing to do.”

“Yes! I knew it!” She sits up straight, beaming at him, before pressing a quick kiss to his lips. “He deserves a real home, and it’s clear you have fallen for each other.”

“I’m glad you approve, because… as you know, he’s not the only one I’ve fallen for, so I was hoping…” Butterflies invade his stomach and chest as he hands her the thin envelope with fumbling fingers.

“I was hoping Snowy wouldn’t be the only one moving in here. With me.”

There. He did it. He said it. Out loud.

“You…” She doesn’t know what to say, eyes wide and slightly stunned. He winces inside… perhaps he shouldn’t have surprised her like this. They’d never even talked about it.

“No pressure. Even if you say no, I thought it was time for you to have this.” He taps the envelope, and with slightly shaky fingers, she opens it. The custom keycard he ordered falls into her palm, and she gasps, eyes widening and getting suspiciously shiny as she looks closer at it.

“Yohei… this is really… Wow. You made this yourself?” Her eyes move from the card to his face, then back again.

“Well, I might not be very artistic, but I do have some basic picture editing skills.”

It had actually taken him a lot longer than he’d care to admit, but he’s happy with the result. And glad that he hadn’t given up and asked one of the crew to help, but finished it by himself. A solid black background, a photo of him and Aoi with Snowy sitting in front, fluffy tail blending with his hair… Aoi was right. He and the cat do match.

“This is so cute. And sweet. And…I mean both the gesture and the actual card…” She grows quiet, eyes dropping to the floor.

“But…?” His heart sinks a little. But…?

“What about…”

“Your place? Keep it. You know I love your apartment as much as you do. And, sooner or later, you’ll need a proper work studio… I vote for sooner.”

Her eyes light up, and a smile spreads across her face, turning his insides soft and warm, full of hope.

“You’re right, I will need a workshop…”

“And you can keep paying the rent for it, while I do it for this one.” He winks, trying to keep a straight face. Waiting for her reaction.

She scoffs. “You haven’t actually paid a bill in your life, have you?”

“No… my life is pretty much prepaid, the label handles most of the money. But I was hoping you’ll teach me. And that you can show me how we can turn this place into a real home, not just a place to stay.”

She grows quiet again, spinning the key card between her fingers. Indecisive? Or – his stomach turns into a knot – not wanting to hurt his feelings?

“I understand if you think it’s too fast. It’s just…” he pauses to take her hands in his, looking her in the eyes. “Even if not even a year has passed since we met, I feel like every moment with you makes up for that. Every second we’re together makes me feel that we are right where we’re supposed to be. Every time we kiss, or just touch, laugh… It makes me feel as if we’ve been together forever, and always will be.”

“I know… I feel the same. After everything we’ve been through together, time doesn’t matter…”

“So… that’s a yes?” He holds his breath as she purses her lips, then laughs.

“Yes!” She throws her arms around his neck, and their lips meet in a kiss that makes his knees soft as butter. “Yes, I’ll move in with you,” she repeats breathlessly once they draw apart.

“You will?” He doesn’t mean to sound so surprised, and she laughs warmly. “I’m so happy. We have so much to do… You’ll need a desk… and I was thinking maybe a proper dining table… We could have guests… your parents… could come for dinner…”

Great, now he’s babbling incoherently… but he can’t recall ever having been this happy and excited about something.

“I don’t think there’s space for both a desk and a table…” She gives the room a critical look. “Maybe we can get something that’ll work as both. And some foldable chairs. Because you’re right, my parents still want to meet you, and they’ll love to see your,” she stops, smiles, “our apartment.”

“Our apartment. I like the sound of that. Our home.”

“Just so you know.” She sighs, “They were upset when I told them everything, but they get it.”

“I don’t blame them, but I’m glad they understand.”

“Don’t worry. They’ll love you. You’re a pretty great guy, and they’ve seen how happy you make me.”

“Okay, as much as I want to go internet shopping with you right now – we’ll need some things for Snowy too, I guess…” He gives her a questioning look, and she nods.

“Some stuff, yes… we can make a list.”

“Anyway, I don’t want to stress your decision, but we need to give Tanaka-san our answer soon. About our official status. He keeps texting.”

“It’s okay. I already decided. I won’t deny that the idea of letting your fame boost my career was tempting at first, but,...” She straightens herself, face full of that determination he loves.

“If... when my art gets famous, I want it to be because of my hard work – not because of who I love. And,” she reaches up, small hand caressing his cheek. “I don’t want to be the one who ends your career, your dream. I know how much it means to you.”

“You’re sure?”

She nods. “Very sure. Tell him that I want no part in the spotlight. To the world, we simply arranged a fundraiser together. But to us… We’ll be everything.”

“I’ll text him right away. And just so you know, this won’t last forever. The secrecy, I mean.” He smiles wistfully, “The spotlight will fade eventually, and I’ll move on to another part of the industry, writing songs… training young idols…”

“I can see you chasing the next NEX.T kids around, trying to make them behave,” she laughs, and he makes a face.

“Don’t even joke about it,” he groans. “But then we can be together openly. The former idol and the new super hot artist.”

“I like the sound of that..” She stands up and claps her hands together. “We have lots to do. You tell Tanaka-san. I bring the food, and we can order the things for Snowy after we eat.”

“Sure.”

“But first of all… something more important.” She curls up in his lap, arms around his neck, fingers combing through his hair. His arms go around her back, pulling her closer, and it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her eyes sparkle with warmth before they close as their lips meet. His arms tighten around her as the kiss deepens and the world fades away.

The spotlight just became a lot warmer, because now, now he’s not alone.