Tengu - a model?

Makio glanced at his phone. The "work" of Kōga was at a park. He wondered what kind of job a yokai like him would do in a place like that. The park wasn’t close by, and teleporting in broad daylight wasn’t an option, so he decided to take the subway. He didn't mind. Since it was only midday and he would have to wait for the guy to finish his job, he did not hurry, leisurely walking towards the metro. Once inside, he popped in his headphones, letting the aggressive K-pop beats drown out his rising excitement about the day’s strange turn.

When he exited the subway and walked toward the park, thoughts of Kōga crept back into his mind. What could Kōga have done to provoke such a strong reaction from his father? It was pointless to speculate, though, and Makio quickly dismissed the thought.

The park was unfamiliar but nice. As he approached the marked spot on the map Nami had given him, he noticed a full crew with cameras, lighting equipment, and all sorts of gear. He stood still for a moment, confused, until he spotted Kōga standing on the opposite side, holding several hangers, talking to someone.

That damn fox, it had to be you?

Makio's face grimaced, but only for a brief moment when nobody could see it. He took off his glasses and approached. Kōga’s conversation with the assistant reached his ears. The girl’s voice was dripping with desperation.

"Kōga, what should we do? We've spent so much money already. We can't just shut everything down. Can’t you substitute for the model, just this once? Please?"

Kōga smiled, as if anticipating something, in comparison to other people around him he was exceptionally calm.

"Keep it together, Ora-chan, there will be a substitution soon and a good-looking one too, I promise. I’m in no mood to play model today—see this face? Not perfect enough!" He struck a coquettish pose, and Makio rolled his eyes.

Kōga turned toward Makio, as if he had expected him all along, and pointed. "See, I told you! Here he is."

The assistant lit up, her eyes quickly assessing Makio. "Kōga-kun, you’re a genius! He’s perfect!"

Makio blinked, dumbstruck for the second time that day. He glared at Kōga, who laughed and winked at him. The assistant darted toward him, grabbing his sleeve.

"What's your name? Never mind, you look amazing! We’re an hour behind, so hurry—let's get you changed. Kōga will help with the first look. I’ll inform the crew!" She practically dragged him toward Kōga, who handed over a dark suit with a self-satisfied grin.

Makio stood there, fuming. He squinted at Kōga. "What is this, fox?"

Kōga remained casual. "Ten people are working here today. The male model bailed, and if you say no, none of us get paid. You were destined to come. I was waiting for you." His tone was manipulative, but calm.

Makio knew he was being played, but he couldn’t bring himself to decline. He had too much compassion to let others suffer, and besides, he needed to keep Kōga in sight. He sighed, resigned, and followed Kōga into the tent to change.

"Well, young bird, something tells me you are here not to substitute, but to see me..." seeing how Makio shot him a deadly glare, he smiled charmingly, "I am flattered, after all, our last encounter was too fast! I told you I could be of use, well, people, yokai...Nobody ever listens to me!"

He made a face of pity, then held out the suit, and turned around, all while talking.

"I am so useful, though, full of it!" He turned back after a moment, "You look good, damn! Young bird, please, sit, I need to put some makeup for shooting. Not that your face is not perfect, it's just for the camera..."

Makio could not stand it, he was so annoyed by these talks of his. He rolled his eyes again only saying quietly: " I am definitely older than you, fox!"

Kōga laughed at that, too loudly, his smiling expression never-changing. "Sure, handsome bird, as you wish. Did not think that would be of importance to you.." Kōga pushed him into a chair, leaning in with that infuriating smile, so Makio unconsciously turned away.

"Wait, handsome, if you look away, I won't be able to put on the makeup!" Kōga wanted to pull his chin, but his hand was stopped midair, Makio's angry face looking back at him.

"Then do it fast! I do not want to see your fake smile so close..." Makio was irritated and done, and the shoot had not even begun.

"Sure, sure. Lightning fast, I promise. No need to be so serious! I did nothing wrong... yet, ha-ha. Stop with this face, so serious, I am only joking, okay?"Kōga started applying the makeup, his touch surprisingly gentle

Makio felt a brush on his cheek, it felt nice, he closed his eyes, not willing to engage in close-up conversations with the fox. Somehow it worked, and Kōga did shut up. With Makio no longer glaring at him, Kōga's own expression softened. His fake smile faded, replaced by a quiet, almost sad look. Something nobody would ever see. He took his time, carefully brushing along Makio’s cheek, occasionally stepping back to admire his work. It all looked good, and not much needed to be done to begin with, but he wanted to see this handsome, now calm face more. It looked captivating, he was not lying when he said he had never met anyone so good-looking in his life. Thus, he took his time with it. This peaceful moment was interrupted by the assistant storming into the tent to see the progress.

"The peaceful moment was interrupted by the assistant poking her head into the tent. "Kōga, are you done? We’re running out of time."

Kōga flashed his fake grin again. "Ready to go!"

Makio opened his eyes, stood up, and came up to the assistant.

"Miss, I am sorry, but I am no model. I have never done this in my life, barely several pictures of me exist!"

She looked at him, assessing the overall look, satisfied, she ignored his plea, saying "You'll be fine, just be cool, do not smile for the camera, make a serious face sometimes, and present the clothes. There are not many tricks to it, you are handsome enough, so it will work out anyway. Let's go." She led him out.

Makio cast one last glance at Kōga, who stood by the tent, staring off into the distance as if he wasn’t involved in any of this.

Bastard, talked so much, and now he's ignoring me? Why is he so unbearable?

Makio was then placed in a specific spot and tried to look "cool" for the pictures. Surprisingly, after several minutes he relaxed completely and did not hesitate to pose a bit. They changed his clothes several times, Kōga was still not very talkative, and behaving professionally with him. On the seventh outfit, the sun started to set, and the crew decided to stop there.

As Makio took off his last suit, and changed back to his clothes, tassistant approached him. "You did great! Can we call you again? We’ll need your phone number for payment too."

Makio stared at the form she handed him. Mostly for money he relied on Yoshio or magic. Still, he filled in the details, thinking that maybe this independence could be useful. As he handed the form back, Kōga sidled up to him.

"You should come again, bird. It will be beneficial to you. Also, you can see me this way, if you want." The last part was said in a quieter, more sincere tone, Makio raised his head, observing Koga's flirtations. He absolutely did not want to see him again. But maybe he was right that working could be beneficial for him. It was nice to be independent more. As checked that point a "yes", he looked at Koga's smug face.

"It was not because I want to see you, fox. I want to be more independent that's all!", he clarified.

Kōga turned to him, "So full of yourself. I was not asking, honey, you did not have to explain yourself to me. We are practically strangers, remember?" He winked.

Makio's anger boiled over, and he became red all over. He never faced this type of person before. He made him so mad, and so frustrated, that he wanted to kill him on the spot. But Makio had his real job to finish today.

"I came here today, " he said as calmly as he could, " to talk to you."

"I know, birdy, shall we at least go to a nice place, for our first date?" Kōga, touched Makio's chin, looking all sly and alluring. Makio almost lost it, shaking his head furiously, screaming.

"It is not a date, you dumb fox!!"

The assistant's head appeared from outside of the tent.

"Oh, you are done with this, I will take it, thank you, "she looked at the form, "Maki-kun, "she smiled, "I am Ora, just call me that. We are all using the names here, no formalities, please. You both can leave, I will take care of it." She winked at Kōga with an understanding. Makio missed this detail, blinded by fury, walking angrily out of the tent, and further in the park.

Kōga winked back at Ora, and followed Makio. He was not in a hurry, observing the other with a satisfied smile. It always worked with these types of "proper" guys. He was already planning how he would seduce him further. He thought that Makio looked cute as hell, with his bun and his clothes. He was nice and definitely a good type of guy.

Kōga, on the other hand, looked a badie today (as he always does). Full of golden jewellery, wearing a silk, dark green suit, with a white linen blouse, the last button situated slightly lower than his upper chest. Thus, some parts of it could be seen, making him so much more of a hear-breaker type. In this attire, he looked luxurious and villain-like. His ginger hair was up in a short ponytail for work, but now all down, it framed his face, with longer parts falling onto his shoulders. Kōga knew he looked good.

"Hey, fox, what's with the name, obvious much?" Makio was already calm, a bit further away, looking at him with a mocking smile. Kōga was surprised at the other's sudden change of behavior. He tilted his head to the left, his shorter hair falling in front of his eye.

"Well, bird, it is the case indeed. On social media, I use it everywhere, so anyone can find me easily if they so desire." His tone was flirty, but slower now.

"I see, " Makio started walking further, "you big there?"

"Oh, you know, average..." Kōga's voice dripped with innuendo.

Makio went beet-red, realizing too late the double meaning. He shot Kōga an angry look.

"Oh, you meant on social media?" Kōga smiled, clearly enjoying the moment, he was not in a hurry to catch up, walking deliberately slower. "I guess, I am a fashion person, to your knowledge."

"Sure." Makio stopped, looking back at him with an evaluative gaze. Sizing him up and down. Kōga could not get this guy's behavior now, which he liked. It was rare to find the unpredictable ones. He hurried over, brushing his hair back.

"So, bird, want to talk about why you came here today? I mean I know you did not come to substitute."

"To talk."

Kōga clapped his hands in mock excitement. "Ooh, mysterious. So, what’s it about? Are all tengu like you?" Wanting to touch Makio he raised his hand, which Makio did not allow by manoeuvring away like a pro. He could play the game too. Koga's interest was rising more and more.

Makio shot him a meaningful look. "You’d know if you’d stop interrupting me."

Kōga only smiled, replying full of sarcasm, "Oh, you are so wrong, I am only contributing to this magnificent conversation, honey."

"You are a piece of work, you know. It is hard to communicate with you. I start to doubt what she told me about you..." Makio felt as if he were to shift the weight of the conversation towards himself finally, seeing how interested Kōga was.

"Who?"

"Oh, you did not even try to hide it, fox, it does interest you that somebody told me something about you, while you, on the other hand, have no idea who I am, right?"

Kōga only smiled at him, calm. "Oh, you are so wrong, my friend. I do know something about you. Maybe not as much, as you do know about me, though..." He lowered his eyes, as if smitten. Obviously fake expression. It made Makio feel a pinch of anger again.

"You know, fox, it was your sister who told me about you. " He was observing Kōga closely.

Kōga’s smirk faded instantly. "My sister? How do you—"

Makio held up a hand, cutting him off. "Let’s just say we have some history." He deliberately paused. Kōga made a 'ah" noise, so he continued, "Nothing inappropriate though, don't worry."

"Why are you telling me this?" He was legit confused now, if he had something with his sister, then what was about all of this now... Did he hate him for real? Kōga looked at Makio suspiciously, trying to figure it out.

"I only am saying this to be transparent, since you asked. I have nothing to hide, to be perfectly honest. You seem to be the type who likes playing with people. I am not like that. I like the sincerity. You can keep it up after we are finished talking, but there is no need to pretend in front of me. I am well aware of your history, and who you are in reality."

For the first time, Kōga’s playful demeanor cracked. His eyes darted away, a hint of fear creeping into his expression. Looking at this guy in a different light now he was thinking he should probably disappear before that guy beats the shit out of him. He had the muscles to do it. Nowadays it was not that many people who attacked him openly, but seeing how he mentioned his "history" he might be like his father... Makio, though did not see the sudden change and did not realize that his words were so ambiguous that the other person might misinterpret them. As he was about to continue, he turned his head only to see that the fox had disappeared.

"What?!" he almost screamed out of surprise. Several people turning their heads towards him. He bowed in apologetic manner, his head spinning.

Wait, what!!? Did I say something wrong? What was up with this day today?

He sighed, staring out into the park, lost in thought.