Losing Makoto

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

It was a typical lazy Iwatobi day that Makoto was spending window shopping along Iwatobi's main shopping street. He wasn't looking for anything particular but Makoto knew some birthdays were coming-up, as were his parents anniversary and he wasn't the type of guy to leave things last minute. For one thing, he didn't have a lot of money as his allowance wasn't large and because being a swimmer wasn't cheap. Even with Makoto supplementing his allowance doing odd jobs from time to time, usually down at the fishing port and sometimes at the beachfront stores, he still had to budget carefully for presents. So when Makoto had a chance, like he had today, he made a point of looking for bargains, sales etc on nice things that his friends and family would love.

Makoto came across a sweet store and stopped to decide if there was something he would like to bring back for Ren and Ran, maybe something for Haru too. Caught-up trying to remember how much money he had with him, since he wasn't really comfortable pulling out his wallet and counting how much had on him, as well as trying to decide what he should get - Makoto didn't notice that a strange looking man was inching closer and closer to him. Not until the man had invaded his personal space enough that Makoto felt the man's breath on the side of his neck.

"Ah!" exclaimed Makoto as he jumped back and faced the man with a look of confusion mingled with fear on his face, "What…"

"You are gorgeous!" the man declared, as he took steps to bridge the gap Makoto had just created between them, "Absolutely, stunningly gorgeous! I bet you have a lovely body! Yes, I can tell, its all muscular and sexy as hell. I want to see it! Every inch of it!"

"Ehhhhhh," exclaimed Makoto as he slowly started to back away.

Makoto was about ready to turn and run when the man actually grabbed him in a surprisingly strong grasp, "Don't run! And don't be afraid! I am not going to hurt you! I just want your body!"

"Huh!" Makoto exclaimed as he desperately looked around for Haru, only to remember Haru wasn't here.

But then, "Oi," came a low dangerous voice.

The man holding Makoto turned towards the street side and then was met with a solid fist to his guts that left him winded but otherwise unhurt. "Rin!" cried Makoto in patently relief as he jumped behind Rin, thus placing the shark between himself and the strange aggressive man.

Rin sighed, "Honestly Makoto, you are a freaking giant that's made of muscles but still the biggest potential rape victim I know!"

"Huh?" started Makoto, "Do potential rape victims have a specific type or something?"

"Sort of," said Rin, before sighing again, "You are too gentle for your own good. Anyway, let's get out of here."

"Wai….wait," wheezed the man, "Don't go! Please don't go! I can't let such a find like you go without tests shots!" Rin cracked his knuckles, the man got the hint and started to explain, "I am sorry if I came across a little weird, but I just couldn't help myself. You are so gorgeous!" he once again said to Makoto, "But," he added quickly, eyeing Rin carefully, "I wasn't thinking any perverted thoughts. I am actually not into that kind of thing. I just liking looking, which is why I am so good at what I do! Scouting out models!"

"Huh!" both Rin and Makoto exclaimed.

The man by this time had recovered enough to stand properly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his card, "I am Tanaka Lory! I work for a Kyo-Kon talent agency's modelling section and I want to explore the potential of putting that gorgeous body of yours to work for my agencies clients!"

Rin and Makoto both gave blank stares before Rin exclaimed, "This is like an intro to a porno!"

"No I swear I am legitimate!" said Tanaka, "You can do searches on my company and call them up to verify my credentials. In fact," he looked at Rin, "You can come as a bodyguard to make sure I don't do anything to your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend," both Rin and Makoto exclaimed in unison, before Rin added, "Speaking of boyfriends, where is Haru? Shouldn't he be here making sure you don't get in trouble?"

"Haru's not my boyfriend either!" exclaimed Makoto, slightly irritated.

"Could have fooled me," said Rin evenly, "The way you too act, you might as well be married."

Makoto's eyes twitched, "Are you making fun of me?"

"No just stating facts," said Rin with a grin, "Anyway, let's go."

"No wait please," Tanaka blocked Makoto's path, "Just take my card and think about it! There could be good money in it for you. Just some test shots! And you can bring whoever you like to the session! Just… just come and let us take some pictures that we can add to our portfolio. We can't pay you for the session but we will happily provide you with digital copies of the photos. These will be professional shots, so they are worth something!" Tanaka proceeded to press his card into Makoto's hands, saying, "Just think about it! And if you are at all interested, give me a call and we can work out a suitable time. But mind you, I am always travelling so the sooner you call the better!"

"Just throw away the card and forget it," Rin had advised Makoto before they had parted but Makoto's curiosity had gotten the better of him. Instead he had come home and researched the talent agency and dug around the web for information on Tanaka Lory.

Tanaka Lory was a legitimate talent scout as well as a legitimate weirdo who did like ogling both men and women. But he had a good eye and so the company tolerated his eccentricities. As for the company, they had a good reputation and had a helpful "what to expect when starting to model" section on their website that laid bear the uncertainties, low pay and costs the model had to pay from their own pocket etc. Makoto is left with no delusion and he can respect a company that doesn't try to sugarcoat reality. Yet…

Makoto thinks about all the things he wants to give his friends and family. He would love to be able to join a gym with an indoor pool with Haru and watch Haru swim all year long. He wants to give Ren and Ran more toys, more sweets, more books and more of everything. He would love, absolutely love to be able to send his parents on a long vacation for their anniversary that's coming-up. Plus there is the future to think about. He could do with some money.

Not that Makoto thought he was going to land any jobs. But was it really okay not to try? The test shot sessions were not going to cost him anything but some time. Maybe he should go… but he didn't really want to go alone… at the sametime he didn't want to tell any of his friends because the whole thing was making his a bit self-conscious. But Rin already knew so…

Makoto texted Rin, "Rin, I think I want to do the test shot session thing. But I really don't want to go alone and I don't want to tell Haru and the others if I don't have to. Could you come with me?" As Makoto hit send he wondered if Rin would agree. If he didn't… should Makoto ask Haru? Would Haru come with him? Makoto was certain Nagisa would come and would probably drag Rei, Gou and even Haru long because this is the kind of thing that would make Nagisa excited. Which is exactly why he didn't want the whole gang there.

Makoto sighed, if Rin said no, he would ask Haru and if Haru said no, Makoto would forget it. With that resolution, Makoto headed to bed but just then his phone rang, "Hello Rin," he said, having noticed the caller ID.

"Why are you doing this?" Rin demanded, getting straight to the point.

"I could use the money," said Makoto frankly, "Well, assuming I get anywhere that is and this is not just a dead end. But its likely to be more fun than helping unload fish and a lot less smelly."

"I don't know, models wear a lot of perfume," Rin offered dryly. Makoto laughed. Rin sighed, "I'll go with you but I still think this is a bad idea."

"Don't worry," said Makoto gently, "I doubt I'll get anywhere. I mean, would you buy a product my face was peddling?"

"Makoto, you really have no idea do you, how many men would turn gay for you and how many women would go to the ends of the earth to have you all to themselves," wondered Rin.

"Zero?" offered Makoto.

Rin laughed, "Don't change," he told him, "Text me the details when you have them," and with that they hung-up. Afterwards Makoto went happily to bed, but Rin stayed-up with an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Author's Note: So this is an idea that came to me about Makoto being discovered by a talent agency and becoming busy modelling and later releasing and promoting a debut single (Rage On of course because Makoto's VA sings that). Suddenly Haru and the gang, plus Rin, are looking at losing Makoto to the idol-dom and well… cue the angst?