Chapter 3 Photo Shoot and Book Signing

Kasai woke up late, which wasn't especially unusual. Really, whether she was going to wake up on time was a bit of a hit or miss with her. Sometimes she woke up right at her alarm and other times...well, let's just say that Kasai took off in a mad dash after her morning routine.

Still, even though she went straight towards the stairs, she managed to catch Eimi coming out of the elevator. The short teen was about as red in the face as her hair and took off towards her room so quickly that Kasai couldn't get a word out. Kasai stopped for a moment to blink confusedly.

Then, she shrugged it off and proceeded to run up the stairs to get breakfast. Normally, she would laze around and not bother to rush through anything no matter how late she woke up, but today was different. Today she had a book signing and, since she woke up so extremely late, only an hour left to eat and make her way there.

When she entered the kitchen, she went straight for the fridge, popping a piece of toast in the toaster as she grabbed her other ingredients. She didn't bother concerning herself with the astounded looks pointed at the perverted monk brother, Kaname.

"Kasai," Eizaki drawled suspiciously, "where are you going?"

"Nowhere special." Kasai answered casually and Eizaki just gave a long-suffering sigh in return, knowing that she would tell all her new brothers about everything eventually.

Kasai picked the toast out of the toaster the second it popped, throwing on a slice of cheese and then taking off back down the stairs as quickly as she possibly could without dropping her minimal breakfast.

All of the brothers were left staring after her in confusion, one surprising event taking up space in their minds traded for another. Their new step-siblings were proving to be each their own brands of baffling.

Kasai ran down the street but started walking at a casual pace when she turned the corner. It was really just to piss her manager, Dillon, off. He thought she was such an immature slacker. While she wouldn't deny the truth in that, it wasn't entirely right, either. Still, it was fun to perpetuate that opinion and Kasai was never one to make it easy to deal with her. Finally, she made it to the car waiting for her. Her manager sat in the passenger seat and the chauffeur was making sure there were no reporters anywhere following them.

"You're scheduled for," Dillon informed her, shoving down the annoyance she was sure he felt, "a book signing and then a dancer job at a concert. One of their dancers cancelled last minute and they heard you were a fast learner." He didn't bother listening to hear if Kasai had anything to say- or complain- about regarding the schedule. He knew she loved dancing, and the book signing...he shrugged. Kasai would just have to deal, with certain fame came certain obligations. The chauffeur started driving.

Sakura was honestly a bit stunned. When it came time for her to see Tsubaki all dressed up for the photoshoot, she wasn't sure what she'd expected. She spent a good portion of her life modeling and seeing equally successful and attractive male models on her jobs. Yet, she was honestly astonished. Perhaps it had been because she just wasn't expecting it or because just moments ago he had been mercilessly teasing her, but Sakura didn't expect Tsubaki to be this attractive.

Sure, she'd admit, he was good-looking. Miwa and her belated husband had obviously had great genetics (or sold their souls, whatever), but the makeup artists had really done their job well. Not only did Tsubaki look much less immature, but he looked like the kind of guy Sakura would actually go on a date with.

His silver hair was as messy as ever, but there were a couple of pink clips keeping it out of his eyes, revealing both captivating violet orbs. He had on a button-down t-shirt that was striped pink and dark grey. He was wearing light grey khakis with his hands tucked inside the pockets. His shoes were black dress shoes with grey laces that made the whole outfit have a serious, but still semi-casual look. Those designers were geniuses. Sakura had absolutely no idea how they'd managed to do it when Tsubaki had literally only showed up to take the place of the male model in the shoot right before, but they'd effortlessly captured his style.

More than that, if Sakura was being completely and totally honest with herself, the thought of going on a date with the Tsubaki who stood in front of her now made her heart speed up for a second. Sakura only had to give one shake of her head and the feeling left. Still, this was going to be difficult. Six words Sakura never thought she'd say about work.

Tsubaki almost immediately caught sight of a now breathtakingly beautiful Sakura. He had actually forgotten to breath for a second, though his eyes immediately went to take in every inch of her. Of course, he didn't just notice that she was attractive right then, Tsubaki wasn't blind. She was a natural beauty but seeing her dressed like that made even Tsubaki speechless for a moment.

Her midnight blue hair was braided to the side with her bangs still covering her left eye and some longer pieces of fringe framing her face. Her naturally petal colored lips were painted red and her eye makeup was subtle. She was wearing navy blue, mid-thigh length dress. The skirt had pretty ruffles going out from her waist. Her belt was black and plain accenting the curves of her waist. The dress had long lace sleeves a sweetheart neckline that dipped just low enough to reveal the top of her chest and make Tsubaki have a hard time tearing his eyes away. She had on black sandal wedges that were only an inch high and ivory, rose patterned tights.

It didn't make Sakura look any less intimidating, maybe more so, but it somehow got Tsubaki thinking.

It was odd, because Tsubaki had long obsessed over women with little sister-like attributes, it was one of the main reasons he'd so quickly fallen for Ema, but Sakura was nothing like that. She was cautious, and mature in looks and personality, but he somehow felt his interest being sparked by her.

Tsubaki tried to shake those odd thoughts off. Sakura had warned him against messing up and he would need to focus to keep up. Still, at least Tsubaki was confident in his ability to act charming and Sakura made him want to charm her. A thought that only made him all the more confused. What was he thinking? What about Ema?

Kasai got out of the car and tried to hold back a grimace as she was bombarded by fans. There was a chorus of excited and adoring speech, the volume of which could have rivaled a football stadium. Still, Kasai was grateful that her books even had such devoted fans, so holding back at displeasure wasn't too difficult.

Still, she had to admit that not all of it was something she appreciated. Specifically, some borderline stalkerish comments shouted out at her and some people who were getting too close for Kasai. She valued her personal space and didn't approve of it being violated.

Thankfully, Dillon had it all back under control with a shout of, "She's here only to sign books and that will wait until she's inside!" Dillon may have looked like a college freshman without his glasses, but he knew how to handle overzealous fans.

There was disappointed and irritated clamor, but after a moment they reluctantly cleared a path for Kasai to walk through. Although, some glares were shot at Dillon.

"One of my fans is going to kill you someday." Kasai deadpanned just loud enough so Dillon and only Dillion could hear her.

"I'll be killed sooner if I let one of our agency's most promising writers be harassed without challenge." Dillon replied.

"Aw, thanks, teen manager!" Kasai mockingly thanked, and Dillon twitched at the nickname. Kasai snickered behind her hand at his sensitivity.

Admittedly, maybe it was mean of her to pick on his insecurity about his young looks. Kasai would have felt bad, but Dillon only even put up with her because she helped his career. He used her to become more successful and she used him as an outlet for her stress.

When Kasai finally made it inside she began signing books. A few inappropriate comments were given, to which her manager responded by calling security. Two hours later her hand was majorly cramped, but she was at least done signing.

"Kasai." Her manager called out while she was distracted with stretching her hand.

"Yes?" Kasai looked over to him, surprised he was talking to her at all.

Dillon tended to talk to her as little as possible and there usually wasn't much to say after she was done signing. It honestly made her a bit envious of Sakura's relationship with her manager. Arina was more of a friend to her sister than a colleague. Sometimes Kasai felt that her and Dillon were barely even that. He seemed to see her as an annoying kid most often. No, Kasai wasn't jealous because she wanted to be friends with her manager. Absolutely not.

"There's someone who would like to meet you, he's also an author. Crime novels, actually." Dillon explained.

"Really?" Kasai perked up.

Kasai would admit that she was excited. She loved conversing with other writers. There was just something other authors understood that people who weren't writers just didn't understand. It was like they spoke an exclusive language that only other writers could speak. She was literally skipping with excitement.

"And stop skipping like that," Her manager scolded, "you already look like a kid, skipping doesn't help."

"But I am a kid; I'm only fifteen." Kasai spoke dryly.

"Yes, but you don't have to make it obvious. Act with some dignity." Dillon advised, or maybe it was supposed to be an order, but Kasai considered it just a suggestion. Which was why she merely rolled her eyes at him and continued skipping.

"Here he is." Dillon spoke and Kasi stopped. She hadn't even been paying attention enough to see the new presence. Which was why, when Kasai looked up, she completely froze. "This is Hikaru Asakawa."

Even in male clothes and using a pen name, she recognized him. Hikaru Asahina. The long red hair and sharp olive eyes were a dead giveaway. She mostly remembered him because when she introduced herself, he seemed to recognize her. Now she knew why, she supposed. Kasai would have screeched if not for the total loss of oxygen in her lungs due to shock.

"Nice to meet you, I'm a big fan of your books." Hikaru smiled, Kasai nearly flinched.

'Not good.'

Kasai blanched and Hikaru only continued to smile.

Tsubaki and Sakura were sitting in the cafe. Cafe Fleur, the location of the shoot, was one she had been to a few times before. Though, that was only because the owner frequently rented it out to her agency for photo shoots, filming, and events. At this point, the owner even knew Sakura personally.

Sakura conceded that she was surprised by Tsubaki's professionalism. It made sense, she supposed, considering his voice acting career. She was sure he'd have to act his best for certain events and promotions. It actually made her feel a bit guilty for dismissing the notion that he could be serious earlier.

Tsubaki was likewise impressed with Sakura. Her 'I never make mistakes' comment that was confirmed by the makeup artist made sense to him now. Sakura seemed very serious about her work. He felt remorseful that he'd at one point thought she only became a model for her looks.

There was lots of smiling, until Sakura casually stated, "Flirt with me."

She hadn't even dropped her smile as she suggested it. Tsubaki didn't question her, since she obviously knew what she was doing. Besides, he could see the merit in the idea. If they were pretending to be on an actual date, it could help to act normal, and what was more normal for a couple than some light flirting?

"You know, those deep purple eyes or yours really draw me in. I think I might get lost in them." Tsubaki flirted, a mischievous grin coming to his face as he did. He noticed Sakura frown a little at the mention of her eyes, but it was barely a second until her smile returned to her face.

"Likewise, your eyes are equally beautiful if not more." Sakura leaned in a bit over the table, her smile morphing into something sexier.

"That's nice of you to say, Sakura-chan." Tsubaki thanked before he also leaned in a bit over the Table and said in a voice that was a bit deeper, "But I don't think I could ever be quite so sexy." This had become a challenge, they both knew it, but they kept their smiles.

"Really, because it wouldn't be flattery to say that you left me stunned." Sakura flirted back. It wasn't even a lie, but she wouldn't tell him that.

"And it wouldn't be a joke to saw that you take my breath away." Tsubaki said with a wink. He would consider telling her later that she didmomentarily when he saw her earlier.

"Your hair is silver, like starlight." Sakura complemented, reached out and ran her fingers lightly through Tsubaki's hair.

"You're hair's like the night sky. I guess that means we're compatible." Then, Tsubaki leaned forward and twirled his finger around one of the longer strands of her hair left down, deciding not to push his luck by brushing her bangs out of her face.

Sakura forced herself not to lose her composure and pull away, but her eyes swept over to his hand, so close to her bangs and it made her nervous. That was why she didn't notice him moving closer until his lips connected with hers. Sakura froze and so did the Photographer.

"Idiot, don't stop! Take the photo!" Arina ordered.

For a moment, Sakura even kissed him back.

And Tsubaki makes a move!

I assure you, Tsubaki isn't moving from Ema to Sakura without any time or reason, he's just drawn in by her and did something rash because of it- as is his nature...and as an authoress I'm totally milking it.

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