Promotion Event

Shinya couldn’t believe his life. During the day, he had the privilege of seeing the drama he wrote come to life, and at night he got to spend time with his idol, who seemed to actually like him. He treated him sweetly in public—as much as he could without looking like a couple—and even sweeter when they were alone. They hadn’t gone much further than that first night yet, but both of them were happy to let it burn slowly. Well, as slowly as you can call it considering they had known each other for just a few weeks.

And then the weekend came. His publisher had organised a promotion event that would take place in central Tokyo, which took him away from the shoot for three days. With the scenes at the school building wrapping up, the crew would have to travel around a bit for the upcoming two weeks. Saya told Shinya not to hurry back, since she wanted to have some pictures taken with Minato for a change. And Kazuya… he had taken a completely passive role since Shinya and Minato had started their relationship in earnest, not commenting on it at all.

Shinya arrived at the first venue in a large bookshop to find piles upon piles of his novel already waiting for him. They now carried a sticker with a promotion picture for the drama, showing both Saya and Minato in their student uniforms, looking very in character. It was hard to concentrate when his mind flashed with the various ways Minato had kissed him up against every possible wall those last few days, often wearing that exact uniform. It was a luxurious problem to have. Not that he hadn’t thought about this before, but daydreams replaced by memories were so much sweeter.

“Ueno-sensei! You’re early! I would’ve sent someone to pick you up!”

Shinya looked up to see a man walk towards him, all dressed up handsomely in a dove-grey three-piece suit. His hair was slightly curled in a way that looked natural and he wore a pair of silver glasses.

Ah, shit. Exactly my type.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Ueno Shinya,” he said and bowed. “I’m used to taking public transport around here, it’s alright.”

“My name is Urasawa Keito! I’m the manager on duty today. So happy to have you here. I’m a big fan!”

Shinya shook the offered hand. He had done a few publicity events before the drama had been announced, but he hadn’t been known back then. Even with the backing of his publisher, these events had been lowkey. This, however… a fan right out of the gate? It was slightly overwhelming.

“I’ll show you the staff room, where you can leave your things.”

They settled in, Shinya gratefully receiving the offer of tea. They talked about the event schedule for the day and then about his novel. Shinya ended up signing a copy for Urasawa and several of his colleagues, who were dropping in one after the other. He’d be signing again after the Q&A session, and then once more to provide the store with some signed stock.

“The first episode premieres tonight, right?” Urasawa asked.

“Yes. We got a pretty late slot at 11pm but that means I have time to watch it after the event.”

“I’m sure there will be a high demand for your novel after the drama starts airing. I’m honoured to have you here today to sign these copies.”

“The honour is all mine,” Shinya assured him. “I’m very new to all of this, so I’ll rely on your guidance.”

Urasawa laughed. “No need to be so formal.”

Then, the door opened once more.

“Hi, is Ueno-san here?”

A head poked into the room, wearing a mask, shades and a bucket hat. There was no earthly way Shinya wouldn’t recognise the man beneath.

“Minato?” he said and jumped up from the chair in surprise.

“Correct.”

Minato closed the door behind him and took off his shades and mask. He grinned like the cat who got the cream. Shinya couldn’t believe it.

“Arai Minato?”

Urasawa stood up too, both confused and elated at once. He walked in front of Shinya to welcome the surprise guest.

“In the flesh. Sorry for barging in like this.”

“What are you doing here?” Shinya asked.

“This is a big event for you, isn’t it? I want to be there.”

“Minato…”

“Oh, oh,” Urasawa panicked slightly. “We didn’t plan for this. We don’t have security—”

“I’m not planning on appearing in public. I’ll sit somewhere out of sight.”

“Ah, yes. That can certainly be arranged. Excuse me for a moment.”

And so they were left alone in the staff room, and Minato found himself embraced. He wrapped his arms around Shinya in turn.

“Hey,” he said.

“How could I miss you so, if I saw you two days ago,” Shinya said, laughing.

“Because I missed you too.”

“Sappy. But why are you here?”

“I told you. I didn’t want to miss your appearance.”

Shinya drew back and observed Minato’s face. He actually looked like he meant it. It made him feel so warm he couldn’t stand it.

“Besides, there’s a storm warning today and we were planning to do the seaside shots. Bringing everyone to another location would have been a waste of time and money, so we got a day off.”

“And you’re here.”

“Mhm. Just for you, love.”

Shinya’s heart was full to bursting.

“I must be dreaming.”

The sound of the door made them separate. Urasawa appeared again, explaining the setup they had come up with. He looked back and forth between the two, like he was trying to figure out a puzzle, but then it was time for the event to start.

Shinya didn’t feel nervous until he laid eyes on the people sitting in the audience, waiting for him. It was a large bookshop, and there were easily a hundred people—not even counting the ones standing in the back.

Alright, here goes nothing. Minato had pulled him aside for a secret good luck kiss earlier, after all.

The audience applauded as he took a seat in front, next to Urasawa. He took a shy bow, reigning in the urge to wave. Urasawa introduced him and he explained the inspiration behind ‘Pink Secret’ once more—only less emotional and frank than he had for Minato. He then read one of his favourite passages and received roaring applause.

“So, sensei, are you going to watch the drama premiere tonight?”

“Of course. Unfortunately I can’t be with the production team, who are doing their own watch party, but I will be joining them online.”

“Fantastic. We wish the drama all possible success! Now we’ll open the Q&A. If you have a question for Ueno-sensei, please raise your hand.”

Arms shot up all over the place. Shinya made a show of looking over the crowd and took that moment to glance upwards, into the gallery of the second floor, where a man with a very inconspicuous mask and sunglasses was sitting, watching him.

“Yes. The lady with the blue sweater in front,” Urasawa called the first person.

“Thank you for this panel so far, Ueno-sensei. I wanted to know… ‘Pink Secret’ is a very gentle and warm story. There are many places I expected more drama, but it never came. Was that on purpose?”

Ah. They did actually read the story carefully.

“Thank you for your question. Yes, it was on purpose. So often, these kinds of issues leave bad memories and can even scar a person mentally. My version isn’t a Fantasy story, but a reality in which we’re all a little kinder to each other. It’s my wish for the world.”

A murmur went through the crowd, and he saw many people smile. It had reached them, at least. His wish was already coming true. The feeling gripped his heart.

“Ueno-sensei, why did you decide to join the drama production?”

“Because I wanted to be a little bit selfish,” Shinya said and the crowd laughed. “I’ve long been interested in the logistics of such a production and they were kind enough to let me observe the process. I’ve been learning a lot.”

“Will your next book be about a romance on a drama production, then?”

This time Shinya had to laugh. Wasn’t his life a romance on a drama production right now?

“I already planned my next book before ‘Pink Secret’ was even published. But I am not opposed to such a plot in the future.”

The people asked a number of questions about the characters in the novel next. They were especially interested in Shinji, who Kazuya played. It didn’t come as a surprise. While Hina and Kazu were laying most of their thoughts bare, Shinji was a bit of a mystery in his motivations. Then, finally, it was time for the last question.

“Ueno-sensei, are you satisfied with the casting of the drama?”

Immediately, Shinya looked up to the second floor. Confused, a few people followed his gaze, but Minato had already moved back from the railing, so there was no one to see. He cleared his throat.

“I’m very satisfied. Everyone fits their role so well and puts in so much effort to make the story come to life, I can’t be anything but grateful. Not only the actors, but also the production crew deserve all of my respect.”

Shinya bowed low to express it, accompanied by applause. Urasawa thanked him again and told everyone the signing session would be open to people with tickets in ten minutes. Shinya excused himself to take a break in the staff room.

He didn’t get far. As he rounded the corner into the deserted back section of the store, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him behind a shelf. For a moment he was scared, but then he felt lips against his and breathed in Minato’s scent. Shinya melted in his arms and returned the kiss with everything in him.

“You were amazing,” Minato whispered, their foreheads pressed together after the kiss. “So good. So calm and gentle. Everyone loved you.”

“And you?” Shinya asked in a moment of daring.

“Yeah. Yes. I think I do too. I’m falling in love with you. No, I’ve already fallen.”

Shinya sucked in a shaky breath, eyes filling with tears. He had never felt as happy as in that moment, in Minato’s arms, right where he had dreamed of being for so long.

“I love you too. I’ve loved you for years and years.”

Minato just kissed him again, warm and reassuring.

“Come to my place tonight.”