Background Noise

by Starshone

Ryo's late for his fake paparazzi baiting date with Ruki, and she wants to know why. A double drabble set near the end of Fiberglass Slipper: Part 3. Established onesided RyoRuki, hints at established JenryaRyo.

"Hey, Ruri."

"Ryo, where are you?"

There's a lot of background noise. "Um, Osaka?"

"Instead of Shinjuku?"

"Clearly. HOLD THAT DOOR!" She hears...running? "Thanks!"

"Do I want to know why you missed the train?"

"No, probably not..."

"You sound embarrassed. I'm curious!"

"...personal problem!"

"What, doing your taxes?"

"Hilarious. If you must know, I'm having a bad skin day."

Ruki's always known Ryo to have obnoxiously clear skin, something he likes to irrelevantly attribute to his part-European heritage. Which idea is more laughable: Ryo having bad skin, or Ryo running late because of it? "Seriously?"

"Yes! If we're baiting paparazzi, I can't go out with bad skin! Think of the photos! I had to get the face wash, the benzoyl peroxide, the concealer..."

"Were you ever this late for Jenrya?"

"What? You were laughing too hard."

"Sorry. Were you ever this late for Jenrya?"

"When I'm out with Jen we're usually trying to avoid the paparazzi, not attract them. 'sides, Jen likes me pimples and all."

Ruki notes the use of 'like' instead of 'love' with interest. "So how late do you think you'll be?"

"Three hours? Go shopping or something. Gotta go, there's a tunnel coming u—"