Chapter 2: Best morning, and not so wonderful night.
Summary: AU Setting. Akihito just graduated and is having trouble finding a job. Out of desperation and impatient, he agrees to work for a modeling company when he got interview. Little did he know, after a few months of working, his company declared bankruptcy. Soon Akihito and his company faces difficulties and are at the mercy of Asami Ryuichi.
"QUOTE"
TEXT MESSAGE:
'Thoughts'
FLASHBACK and thoughts
Disclaimer: The Original series is owned by Yamane Ayano-sensei3
Warning: Unbeta'd, horrible grammar.
…
Previous Chapter: And with that Akihito ran to his bathroom disregarding a small memo beside his table. As soon he was in the showers, he busied himself scrubbing all the dirt and smell of alcohol away. He came out swiftly, drying his hair. He stood still in front of his five feet mirror fully dressed (with the suit again) and hair combed neatly away from his face. From the reflection, Akihito could see the dress shirt he stripped off before he entered his bathroom, crumbled up into a pile. 'Is that shirt mine?' Akihito question himself; picking it up, he took a quick whiff at it. It smelled of cigar and a hit of a musky yet sweet cologne. He then put the shirt to the side and disregarded it lightly thinking that the smell of his shirt is caused by someone he sat close to at the Fixer.
Confirming that he had a little less than an hour before noon, Akihito head out the door. Keying his engine to life, he drove down the pavement turning left, towards his destination. 'Oh yeah, how did I get home yesterday?'
Akihito reached his destination, looking at his phone he had 11 minutes before the promised time. He entered the building, feeling both excited and nervous. Right from the first step he entered, he noticed how most people were dressed semi-formal to branded clothes. Even the lady in the front desk was flaunting a baby pink suit skirt with a beige fluffy blouse. It was not something he'd see in regular companies but since it's an entertainment company their dress code is not as strict maybe? Akihito was now hoping he'd get hire here (thinking about their dress code), it's been his dream to dress however he wanted for work. And if he did, he thank all the gods around the world. Walking towards the front desk, he voiced his information to the lady in pink. The lady eyed him head to toe for a moment in approval (for why he don't know) and was asked to wait until he is called by another staff for the interview.
He waited over 15 minutes, Akihito was slowly panicking by the time each minute pass by. And with every second passing, Akihito was losing hope. 'Is it aドッキリ(Dokkiri-surprise prank)? Where is the camera?' Akihito thought, 'If it is,get it over with so I can go home…'
"….hito!"a voice said. "Takaba Akihito!" the voice said again, bringing him out of his deep thought state.
"はいhai." Akihito answered in reflex.
"Answer right away when I call. Get in." The man said waving his hand signaling Akihito to follow him. And in he followed the man, they went into an elevator, to step out in the second floor. They were both silent for the short ride. The man looked as if he hadn't slept in days and haven't showered in days, because once Akihito step too close to the guy there was a stench. The guy sported a black frame glasses while hunching his back a little, yawning time to time. The clothes and shoe he wore were also branded, Akihito noticed. Must be rich, he thought, despite the man messy head and unkempt face like he hadn't shaved for years. But then again many people he saw in the building did so too (minus the messy hair and beard).
The elevator dinged' when they reached their floor. The man walked out swiftly and Akihito followed suit but not too closely. They walk towards a hall and entered a room. The room was a waiting room. There were three other individuals in the room.
"Wait here until we call you in individually." They all nodded and sat on foldable chairs. Everyone was dressed casually, more like stylishly. He was so only one in a suit. The other three guys stared at him with curiosity for a moment but didn't voice out their concerns or opinion.
"Ouma Kennosuke." the same voice called out, a tan man with a ponytail wearing a navy tracksuit walked up front, entering the room. The ponytail guy came out looking tad bit different after 20 minutes. Where the slight change was done, he couldn't put a word to it but for all he knows, there was definitely a slight change. Kennosuke was bowing his head in appreciation and thanking the man in old Japanese before he left.
The next person was called in, and then came out in roughly the same time when the first person went in. And again Akihito notice some slight changes. It repeatedly happen to the next person too. It was his turn next, feeling nervous while his heart ran fast, Akihito took deep breathes to calm himself.
"Takaba Akihito." His breathe was caught in the middle and almost choked. He stood to see the person before him leave the room smiling happily and thanking the guy again.
He went in the room, what he expected to see were supposed to be interviewers behind a desk and a single chair in the center. But it was not, the room was set up like it's for a photoshoot.
Akihito looked at the set up then at the guy in confusion.
The guy noticed Akihito's confused face and pulled up his resume.
'Ahh, his resume stated that he is here for technical support/ photographer or Editing.' The mane looked at his face and body slowly, using his hand to turn him around, measuring his body from head to toe. 'He's got the looks and the height…it be such a waste if we don't use him.' The man concluded.
"This is how we conduct most of our interview. We want our people to relax and be themselves; and by using this method at the same time we get to learn a little about you" the man lied smoothly. Although technically he is not lying, he was also not telling him the whole truth. True, most interviewees get tested while they are behind the camera, but that only applies to models, not normal camera man or editors.
Akihito relaxed upon hearing the man's words. 'Leading Entertainment Companies sure do things differently. This is why they are so successful, it must because they are so creative and innovative' Akihito concluded. He was finding that he was liking KYJ more and more.
Before he was led to the white back drop for the actual 'interview', some ladies came forward to fix his appearance quickly. They combed out his eye brows, finding it to be unkempt, they plucked some sparse baby hairs and waxed it. Next was his face. Numerous of things were going around, where he couldn't take control of. They then make up his face, then powdered it. They rearranged the away he dressed, first by taking of his tie, then unbuttoned his shirt for a more casual look, and lastly they changed his belt.
"Hurry it up, we don't have all day!" shouted the guy from across the room. Then it finally hit him that was the voice who called him this morning.
"We'll be finished in moment." Said a lady flatly while fixing his hair.
"You been saying that the past 7 minutes!" the same grumpy tired voice fired back.
"Well it was your fault for not telling him," pointing her fingers directly at Akihito, "to not come in a suit! T.P.O! T.P.O! It's what you always said and reminded us, but look at you now, when it comes to limited time scenarios you make mistakes just like anyone of us! "
Everyone was on edge like they hadn't had sleep or rest in a while. Feeling awkward and guilty for dressing 'inappropriate' for the occasion, Akihito said, "I'm sorry for not coming prepared."
The Lady who was yelling then noticed Akihito. Feeling a bit guilty and pity for the boy, "It's not your fault because you were not briefed about it, I bet all he said was to come here didn't he?" she said this time with a gentler tone.
Akihito didn't know what to say but nod.
Noticing Akihito was silent and stiff, Satou Yumiko, the hair stylist and make-up artist said; "Is this your first photoshoot?"
"Yeah. I mean yes."
Yumi chuckled lightly at his stiffness, "What were you doing before, if you never modeled?"
'Ahh,'Akihito thought, 'she thinks I am a model.'
To clear her misunderstanding he hesitantly said, "Umm I am not a model." For a second, almost everyone in the room froze upon hearing Akihito's words. Pausing a moment before he continued, "I was told to come here for an interview," handing her his other copy of resume. "Oh, so you just graduated from university?" she said, running her eyes on Akihito's resume.
"Yes." Akihito replied shortly.
"Hnm…cool you major in computer design."
"Yeah, haha" he replied sly.
At this point, everyone directed his hateful gaze to the grumpy glasses man. All thinking in unison, 'THE NEWBIS HERE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MODELING! IT'S YOUR FUCKING FAULT! SON OF A #$%'
Their anger soon subsided, while they did their job. Yumi and her team were finished with Akihito and led him to the glasses guy. The glasses guy turned out to be a photographer.
The glasses man was happy with Yumi's work with Akihito. "Let's get to work, we waited 15 minutes already!' he shouted across the room. Once again for a split moment the room darkened with murderous intent.
The glasses guy briefed how he wanted Akihito to look. Akihito nodded enthusiastically thinking that this was a test. (A/N: Aki is so gullible.) He jumped right in to character behind the ring of lights (I don't know what it's really called). After a short moment, while listening to the glasses guy directing him, Akihito began to relax and have fun. From time the time, he was asked question about his hobbies, favorite food or shows. But mostly small useless personal information. Time passed by really quickly, it felt like a split second, like the photoshoot was just seconds ago. The glasses guy came forward with his camera, smiling giddily patting Akihito in the back roughly.
"Haha- Great work. You were great!" everyone behind the scene was applauding. "You are hired!" the glasses guy said, grabbing his shoulders to lead Akihito to his staff. Akihito mentally literally flew across the universe 10 times, hearing that he was well liked and HIRED! "Come back next week Monday to sign a contract with us and you are good." Akihito still feeling the euphoria said nothing but nod and bowed 90 degrees to show his appreciation and thankfulness. He soon left the building feeling giddy and with a wide smile on his face.
He reached home, looking through his phone to message Kou and Takato, he saw that he had 10 missed calls and 37 unread messages. They were mainly sent from his best friends, he checked; asking if he was ok, or did he get home alright and apologies for leaving him first.
His smiled at his friend's messages, thinking that he was blessed to have them as his friends. His phone buzzed, Takato is calling him.
"Hey-"
"Why didn't you pick up?!" Kou screamed. It was too late to pull his phone from his ear. He is now partially deaf on one ear, he exaggerated. Still leaving the phone a distance from his ear, he replied "I just got back from an interview."
Shouts of congrats rang in his small apartment. From the background, Akihito could barely hear Takato.
"What did they say? Which company? Are the ladies pretty there?" Questions after questions were shouted from Kou's never-know-when-to-shut-up-mouth.
"KYJ."
Another scream came from Kou, "HOLY MOTHER FUCKING! #$%&* KIYOJOU! Dude damn you're lucky!" Quickly switching the topic, "So, are girls hot there? Introduce me!"
Akihito haven't answered Kou's previous question, yet he is already asking the next. But then knowing Kou, it was always him to ask about hot girls. Shaking his head in laughter, he said "I don't know."
"LIAR! You know so! Tell me! TELL. ME"
Before Kou go on a frenzy, Takato dropped the bomb asking, "Are they gonna reply to you in a few day? What did they say?"
Kou got quiet suddenly remembering Aki was only there for an interview, he is not officially hired.
"Oh," Akihito said normally, "I'm hired."
"Oh I see you are hire-"Takato respond not really understanding what Aki said.
"You are hired?" Kou and Takato questioned.
"Yeah, I'm hired. I just need to go sign a contract with the on Monday."
More incoherent screams of yes and woots came from both Kou and Takato. To celebrate, Kou and Takato insists they come over for a home celebration. They arrived at apartment later that night; bringing snacks, some food and beer along. Akihito prepared some homemade snacks and used his left over veggies to make gratin. The three ate, drank and chat the whole night. By the end of their party, Takato was carrying Kou to the bathroom because he wasn't feeling good, while Aki stayed behind to clean up.
"Sorry, I think its gonna spill," Kou said covering his mouth in attempt to prevent bile stuff from coming out his mouth. But it was too late. Kou puke all over Akihito's room.
"Aw man, Kou this why we tell you to stop." Takato said, gently patting his back in comfort while scrunching up his face in disgust.
"Sorr-ry," Kou apologized weakly.
Akihito came in to see a small puddle of bile on his floor. He looked at Kou and Takato then back to the bile. "Man. Kou thats why we say stop."
"Sorry Ak-ki-chann" Takato apologized again while wheezing.
"Its fine, we did tell him to stop. But this retard he just won't listen."
Suddenly Kou jerked in Takato's arm pushing Takato away, he ran to Aki's bathroom. Reaching the toilet bowl, he let all hell and glittering rainbows dispensed.
'uhh' both Takato and Akihito thought in repulsion.
Their after party/party cleanup consists of cleaning after Kou and his spew was not fun. It was supposed to be a great night where they could enjoy each other's' company. Instead, Kou made their after party cleanup feeling more sober than ever. As of today, Akihito swore he will never hold any drink parties with Kou in his apartment ever again.
….
Okay this is where I will stop. What do you think Ok or too short? I need food. I'm trying to upload a chapter every week. If it gets too stressing you'll know once I update slower.
Haha! Ouma Kennosuke, thumbs up to those who know who I am referring to. As always please review.
For those who don't know Dokkiri is, please research yourself with google. Sorry, I'm too lazy to input info.
Next chapter will be about that fluorescent note.