Author's note: I'm so excited with this alternate universe plot I've cooked up for you. As usual, I don't know how things will turn out... but I have a general idea. Anyway, as in my profile I work in the advertising industry and I thought it would be cool to let you peak inside what goes inside the creation of commercials, billboards and websites, and mixing them with our favorite gang!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, not even the house I live in *sigh*

"This is the ugliest piece of shit I've ever seen," the client said to Shuichi. Shuichi closed his eyes and counted to three.

"Mr. Sing, let me explain the insight behind that execution," Shuichi went on describing that since Moms treated babies like an extension of their own self, matching kid diapers and mom skirts would be cute and a hit.

"I understand, I'm not dumb," Mr. Sing reprimanded Shuichi. "But I don't get why the pattern has to be plaid. Let's stick to polka dots and stripes."

Like in the 80s, Shuichi thought.

"I understand Mr. Sing, we'll explore that execution, but we'll provide you with options. Now are there any other things you want changed on this billboard?"

"The background is too dark. I think light blue will be a better choice..."

Shuichi gritted his teeth as he jotted down the comments. This was going to be a loooong meeting.

"What do you mean, he hadn't signed the Cost Estimate yet?" Botan screamed at a redhead sitting across her desk in the corner room.

"He still had some revisions on the design."

Botan pounded on the table and sighed. She was pretty hot-headed for a Managing Director of an advertising agency, but somehow Shuichi always knew how to keep her calm. Which was, essentially, to keep calm even on her tantrums. He has been working as an Account Manager under Botan for a couple of years already, and he's already gotten the ins and outs of what his boss and the client wants and needs.

"Then we better get those designs revised now so Mr. Sing can sign the invoices - I need to bill him immediately. We're running late for our revenue forecasts for the year."

Shuichi sighed. Talking to Botan was the easiest of coming back with revisions from the client. Getting the creatives to execute them was the worst.

"I'll get right on it."

Hiei stared at Shuichi and blinked at him.

Afraid that he wasn't understood, Shuichi repeated himself.

"The client feels that polka dot and stripes would be better diaper designs, and that we should make the background lighter."

"I heard you the first time, Minamino," Hiei muttered. Shuichi was annoyed that this Art Director stilled call him by his last name, even if he has told him time and again to call him Shuichi. They were inside the art director's room where Shuichi was explaining to Hiei what he needed changed. The room was stark and white, very bare. Only the white mac and the art director's illustrations on scraps of paper were on the desk. Shuichi felt uneasy with the coldness of the room. It reminded him of a hospital.

"I need it tomorrow," Shuichi said hesitantly. Hiei threw him a look that was more like a dagger.

"That's impossible."

Shuichi gulped. How come this simple revision was turning into such a big conflict?

"I have tons of things to do. I have a story board for that soap commercial, and I need to revise that toothpaste booth design," Hiei said indignantly, turning his back on the redhead and resuming work on his Mac.

Shuichi sighed. Usually with the other creatives, he could get away with having his account prioritized by promising to buy the girls a few drinks afterwards. Although, of course, there was one time where one thing led to another and he and Shizuru the copywriter found themselves inside Shizuru's condo, Schuichi's hand up her panties and mouth on her delicate breasts. And, of course, there was this one time with Keiko the copy editor, when they were so hot during a movie their hands went to each other's genitals by the first scene.

Shuichi blinked the thoughts away. With Hiei, he could never use his charms - it seemed like the grumpy art director wouldn't appreciate a single wink. But he had to try. He had no other cards up his sleeve.

"It wouldn't take so long. An hour to revise the billboard should do."

Hiei remained silent and continued his work. Shuchi peeked at the screen - Hiei was removing the blemishes from a girl's skin using Adobe Photoshop.

"I can take you for drinks afterwards?"

He hadn't meant it as a question but his hesitation made the offer turn out to be so weak-hearted, he cursed himself for sounding pathetic.

Hiei stopped his working and turned his swivel chair to face Shuichi again, eyeing him with disgust and a statement of You're the Stupidest Account Manager I've Ever Seen.

"You know I can see through you, right?" Hiei asked deadpanly. "Like glass," he followed up, for emphasis.

Shuichi held up his hands. "Okay, okay." he sighed. He grabbed the flash drive containing the file and started to walk out from the room, his head hanging. He would have to ask the other creatives to change it, but he hated the thought of having to face Shizuru or Keiko again. Knowing they'll expect the same favor as the last time.

"Stupid. How can I change it if you're bringing the file?"

Huh?

"Put the flash drive on the desk. I'll email you the revised design tomorrow morning."

Shuichi couldn't believe his luck.

He left the flash drive on the desk and got out of the room hurriedly before the grumpy art director changed his mind.

They were having lunch in the pantry, Yusuke and Shuichi. It was mid-afternoon but the morning's rush of work gave them only this time to eat.

They were watching tv while eating from their bento boxes. A familiar commercial suddenly came on.

True love can only come from the heart, but I get dates from Pond's Facial Cream, an extremely thin girl proclaimed from the screen as she proceeded to rub her face with a cotton ball.

"Hey, that's Hiei's work, right?" Yusuke asked Shuichi, clearly stiffling a laugh.

"Hai. He chooses the cheesiest lines though," Shuichi described.

Yusuke looked at him strangely with wide eyes.

Shuichi, thinking it was a sign of confusion, gave further details to clarify. "I mean, I know he doesn't write the copy but the pink lines from the girl's face? Classic."

Yusuke's eyes seemed to widen even more. Out of the corner of his eye, Shuichi saw what it was Yusuke had meant. He spotted Hiei plop down on the chair beside him, putting his own packed lunch on the table.

Fuck!

He desperately tried to salvage himself. He continued to talk to Yusuke, acting as if he didn't notice Hiei. "But it works though. That's why it's a classic."

Yusuke nodded and gulped the remainder of his lunch. He started packing his things up.

"Ano, Shuichi, I'll go on ahead, I have to file your paperwork and reimbursements," Yusuke stood up and left Shuichi and the grumpy art director alone in the pantry. Shuichi made a mental note to not approve Yusuke's request for a leave on Friday.

Shuichi ate his lunch in silence along with Hiei. It was awkward, eating in hush with someone whom you didn't know if he was mad or offended, or both. He decided to break the ice, and with nothing else to talk about, Shuichi decided to bring up more of Hiei's work.

"Hey, I see the billboard everyday I go to work. Nice job."

Hiei continued to chomp on his food. Shuichi noted that it was boiled vegetables with rice.

"Are you vegetarian?" he asked, hoping this will spur the art director to reply

Silence. More vegetable munching is heard.

"Did you hear that Sensui from the PR department just resigned? He said he wanted to be a full time soccer player," Shuichi tried again.

He was doomed to fail.

His phone suddenly rang, and he excused himself (Was it even necessary? Technically they weren't really talking).

"Moshi-moshi!" he greeted.

"Minamino-san! We have a new project coming up - can you come for a meeting tomorrow for a briefing?"

"Hai, glad to hear that Mr. Kazuma. Yusuke, my assistant, and I will be there tomorrow."

"Great! See you."

Shuichi hung up and put his phone back in his pocket. He packed his lunch and stood up, feeling awkward if he should at least say goodbye to the art director or just leave.

"Well, I guess I'll go ahead then," he said, taking the former option.

Hiei, for lack of a better description on the action he did, shrugged at Shuichi.

For the second time in a month, Shuichi found himself hurrying out of a room, leaving Hiei behind.

Next episode: Kazuma becomes a client that's hard to manage, Hiei reminds Shuichi of the drinks he owed the art director, and Botan begins making advances on Yusuke in promise of a promotion. Will Yusuke file for sexual harassment? The mayhem continues.