Living Arrangements


Though there was no actual work the following day, Fuuto and Ai were told to meet at the same building as the previous day. There were a couple of conference rooms to the side, one of which Kato and the CEOs had met in previously. He entered the rightmost one, having been lead toward it by one of the building's suit-clad employees. If he had though more about it, Fuuto would have realized that he probably should have felt odd. After all, he was being greeted by someone so formally dressed when he himself was dressed in ripped up jeans and a t-shirt.

Entering the conference room, Fuuto found that, though he was fifteen minutes early, he was the last to arrive. He gave a slight bow toward Kato, but barely spared a glance at Ai. She smirked in annoyance. He could've sworn he heard her mumble, "Brat."

Fuuto slumped down in one of the cushioned chairs, before casually smirking in Ai's direction. Kato, having watched their exchanges since Fuuto had entered the room, sighed loudly, not hiding his exasperation.

"I don't especially care if you make this whole thing into a challenge, but at least go through with it. I really do believe it will benefit you two, so be professional about it," Kato told them, sending a glare in Fuuto's direction.

"I'm so terribly sorry," Ai apologized. "I fear Fuu-kun is being difficult!" She stood up and gave an exaggerated bow in Kato's direction. Grinning at Fuuto, she finished, "Please forgive my boyfriend!"

Fuuto grimaced at her sickeningly sweet tone, before slumping down further in his seat and whistling. "Wow, Ai-chan, already taking advantage of the privilege of addressing me as your lover?"

"Children, please," moaned Kato. "You came here for a meeting, not a round of pointless bickering."

"I am not a child," Fuuto mumbled in irritation, leading Ai to smirk.

"Comparatively, you sure are." She leaned over to pat his head. "So respect your elders, 'kay?"

Perhaps Fuuto would've considered biting her hand off, had Kato not shouted, "We are in a meeting!"

Flinching, Ai took her seat again, and Fuuto's desire to bite off her hand dimmed. Then, Fuuto yawned slightly, before asking, "What exactly are we meeting about?"

Kato took a deep breath. "You can't just simply say you are in a relationship. You need to get to know each other. Predict each other. Since you are not actually dating, you need to understand how the other will act in certain situations. There should be some way you guys can sort some sort of dynamic that will work for you. You're actors, after all."

"So are we just going to have these meetings daily for the next few weeks?" Ai asked, running her hands through her hair in apparent distaste.

Kato put his fingers to his temple as though he had a headache. Closing his eyes, he stated, "That was going to be the plan. However, you two would not be prepared in just a few weeks. I had a feeling this might happen, going from what I've learned about you two. Thus, I have a backup plan."

After a brief silence in which nothing was said, Fuuto raised an eyebrow. Voice sarcastic, Fuuto asked, "And this brilliant plan is…?"

"Room 113 in the Murasaki Apartment Complex. It's just a couple blocks from here," Kato told them, meeting their gazes. "The room is fully furnished, and I expect you two to be moved in by the end of the day." It took a moment for this to be processed. Then, Ai suddenly looked like she very much needed to throw up, and Fuuto looked very amused.

"You are telling me to move in with some high school pervert?" Ai asked, her voice low but appalled. Fuuto gave a light hum. Ai glared over at him. "Excuse you! Why are you okay with this? You want to live with someone you can't stand?!"

Fuuto chuckled softly. "Hey, it's you or my thirteen siblings," he responded.

Suddenly distracted, Ai asked, "Thirteen?" Regaining focus, she turned back to Kato. "Do you honestly trust this kid to be able to behave himself in an apartment alone with an older woman?"

"Girl, more like," Fuuto stated.

Kato shot him a look before turning back to Ai. "If there's one thing you should keep in mind about Fuuto, it's that he won't do anything that'll risk a job. That's what everyone tells me. Even the bickering. He would've stopped before it became too much of an issue. There's your first tip in handling Fuuto: he takes work surprisingly seriously." Kato turned to Fuuto. "Tip one in handling Ai: she's studied many forms of martial arts. Try something, and she may very well break your wrist."

Fuuto glanced over Ai again, focusing in on her thin and fragile-looking form. "Really?"

Ai shrugged. "Muscles don't really work for the whole model and actress thing. I have more muscle than you, though, and I've got the techniques down. Mostly defense. So, yeah, I can snap your wrist if you don't behave." Fuuto nodded as though in approval. "And what about you?" she asked. "You're honestly serious about your career?"

Fuuto gave a half-smile. "I'm not one to smother my image when I'm not even out of high school. Furthermore, I chose this career, and I selfishly want to keep it."

"Well, then," Kato spoke up again. "Let's cut this thing short so you two can start moving in."

"Wait," Ai stopped him. "Two bedrooms, right?"

Kato raised his eyebrows. "Of course. I don't think your neighbors would be able to stand you two attempting to get along throughout an entire night."


Waiting outside for Fuuto was Hisakawa. Surprised to find him out so early, the older man quickly ended his call. "Asakura-san, did something go wrong?"

Fuuto shrugged. "I suppose? Anyway, I need you to drive me to my house and then to the Murasaki Apartment Complex. I've been told to move there."

Hisakawa gave him a questioning look, but didn't ask for further information. "Of course."

Opening the backseat door, Fuuto asked, "So who were you on the phone with?"

"Ah, my girlfriend."

"Is that so?" Fuuto asked, slight interest entering his voice. After all, who doesn't like a bit of gossip? "I didn't know you were dating anyone."

"Yeah. It's interesting. She actually lives in that Murasaki Complex. Lives in Room 114," Hisakawa informed him as he started the car.

"Oh, really? We're going to be in Room 113," Fuuto responded.

"We?"

Fuuto laughed as though someone had just told him a very amusing story. "Oh, yes. It seems that Ai-chan and I are going to share an apartment. Won't that be interesting."

"Is that even… okay?" Hisakawa asked, confusion slipping into his tone.

"Apparently," Fuuto replied. "Two separate bedrooms, though, if that's your concern."

"Still…" Hisakawa murmured. "And you don't mind? I thought you didn't get along with her well?"

"Hey, it's her or my brothers," Fuuto answered simply.

"You're brothers are one thing, but I was under the impression that you were rather fond of your step-sister," Hisakawa said thoughtfully. "You used to mention her from time to time… Ema, I believe her name was?"

Fuuto ran his fingers through his hair. "She's… amusing, I suppose." Fuuto didn't exactly feel like mentioning how she had clearly rejected any and all romantic feelings he had ever had for her. Instead, he noted, "One good sister doesn't make up for twelve annoying brothers."

"Fair enough."


When Fuuto left Sunshine Residence, Hisakawa questioned the short time it took. The sun was only midway through the sky. Fuuto simply shrugged and told him, "I left a paper note. Most of them are at school or work right now, and I didn't feel like talking to Tsubaki-nii."

The Murasaki Apartment Complex was very nice. The lobby had several different seating arrangements, each including a television. The floors were covered in smooth, red carpet, and the walls were grey brick. Upon entering the building, Fuuto and Hisakawa had been readily greeted, before being offered assistance with the move.

"So what does this girlfriend of yours do?" Fuuto asked, his tone teasing as he took in the expensive-looking decorations.

Hisakawa laughed lightly. "She's a photographer, actually."

"Fuu-kun!" Fuuto looked up to find Ai rushing up to him through the double doors. Taking him by surprise, she threw her arm around his neck. Wondering why her arms were so heavy, Fuuto realized that she was carrying a few of her bags. Smiling kindly, she looked up at him, before whispering, "It'll look weird if you don't offer to take my bags."

"I can totally tell that you're a martial artist. So much strength, handing bags to me," Fuuto mumbled, sarcastic. "There are employees here who will take your stuff. Why do you think I'm not carrying anything?"

She immediately let go of him. "Oh, well that's boring," she stated, just as one of the aforementioned employees approached. "This is a nice place," she commented. Fuuto simply nodded.

"Hisakawa-san?" A girl who looked to be in her late twenties approached. Her chocolate hair was drawn up to the side, revealing a clear face with eyes a brilliant emerald.

Fuuto smiled playfully. "Are you the girlfriend?" he asked casually, offering his hand in a very informal western greeting.

The woman smiled and shook his hand. "You're Asakura Fuuto, aren't you?" Then Ai caught her eye. "Oh, and you're Koizumi Ai! Sorry to disappoint, but I'm Hisakawa's girlfriend's sister, Ichinose Saya. We live together."

Ai smiled. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Fuu-kun and I are going to be moving in today."

Fuuto smirked. "Actually, we're in a room right by yours. Room 113, if I recall correctly."

"Oh, that's wonderful! I didn't know you two were dating, actually," Saya commented.

"We haven't announced it yet," Ai replied, bringing her pointer finger up to her lips. "So please keep quiet about it for a few weeks."

Saya laughed. "Will do. Wow, Akira is lucky to have a boyfriend who knows so many celebrities."

Hisakawa, apparently embarrassed, rubbed the back of his head. "She's the one who's always out and about taking pictures."

Saya raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you say… Anyway, I must be going now." She turned back to Fuuto and Ai. "I trust I'll bump into you two again soon. Until then, good luck!" Then she walked hurriedly away.

Once Saya was through the double-doors, Fuuto turned to Ai. "Did you actually just ask her to keep quiet in such a sickeningly cute manner?"

Ai sent him a look. "Hey, you've done that in posters and interviews and such."

"Yeah, but my doing it has more of a seductive touch to it."

"And that makes it okay…?" Ai asked.

"Excuse me," Hisawaka interrupted. "We are, however, in the middle of the lobby. Let's go up to the room right away, shall we?"

"Sure. Coming, Ai-chan?" Fuuto asked, looked back at her as he patted his pants leg in beckoning.

"What am I, a dog?" Ai questioned. "Of course I'm coming, Hisakawa-san," she addressed the manager pleasantly.

Fuuto shrugged, following Hisakawa up to Room 113.