"So what did they say?" Akihito asked once they were seated at a table on the deck.
"They said," Ren-san began, "that your photos were extraordinary and captured the many spirits of Hokkaido with energy, emotion, and grace," he said as if reciting from memory. Asami watched quietly as blush crept up Takaba's neck and into his face.
"They really said that?" the young photographer asked uncertainly.
"They really did. Furthermore, I'm supposed to tell you that they want to get you under contract to finish the rest of the guidebook."
"Whoa." Takaba looked even more red and incredulous.
"The rest of the guidebook?" Asami asked, concerned with the details as always.
"It will cover all of Japan." He turned back to Akihito, "they'll make sure you have transportation and a company guide, like me, at every location."
"How long will I have?" Akihito asked in bewilderment.
"Here's a tentative travel schedule," he passed a packet to Takaba across the table (Asami had deliberately taken the seat between them). "It's arranged to have minimum time spent on travel and maximum time spent at each location. Some places require longer stays than others. It's about a month, as you can see, for the initial run through."
"Initial run through?" Asami asked.
"They want most of the shots to be from the summer, but he might be asked to take smaller trips for seasonal events, like when the cherry trees blossom in the spring, or certain festivals, things like that."
"Do they just want digital photos like before?" Akihito asked, determined to stop Asami from high-jacking one of his future gigs.
Ren-san shrugged. "Probably the same. Now the pay rate sounded negotiable to me," he hinted, "since they've never hired a single photographer to do their shots before, so I think you oughta try and squeeze as much as you can out of those fat corporate bas—er—cats," he corrected quickly before grinning at his wife who had already covered their daughter's ears. Akihito's eyes widened apprehensively. He had no idea what he should expect to be paid for this. "Anyway," Ren-san continued, "they'll probably contact you directly to work out the details, but if you need me to fight them for you, just let me know."
"Okay, thanks, Ren-san." Akihito brightened with relief.
"I'll look over your contract to make sure you aren't getting swindled, brat." Asami said, not to be out-done by some furry-faced hiker. Takaba glared at him for the "brat" comment. "The question remains, Akihito," Asami continued amusedly, "are you going to take it?"
"I . . . yes," he said firmly. "It sounds awesome!"
"Of course it does!" Ren-san agreed enthusiastically. "I would do it in a heartbeat if I could take pictures."
"And what would we do?" Mrs. Shino teased.
"Come with me, of course!" He leaned down and kissed the petite woman on the lips.
"Ewww!" Their little daughter Mei grimaced adorably as her parents' affectionate display. Akihito laughed with relief, glad the attention was finally off him.
"Wouldn't you like to ride on a train all over Japan, Mei?" Takaba teased.
She shook her head very seriously. "On a pony."
"Ah, ponies really are the best," Akihito said with a manic grin and sly glance at Asami. He wasn't sure, but it seemed the golden eyes glinted mirthfully back.
"Aki, I wanna feed the duckies."
"Huh?" The little girl pointed at the lake between the slats in the railing. Ducks paddled just below. "Oh, I see." Impulsively, he stuck a breadstick in his mouth, lifted a squealing Mei onto his shoulders, and walked over to the railing a several meters away.
Asami watched as Takaba repeatedly tore small bits off the bread stick and handed them up to the little girl who then threw them down to the quacking ducks and squawking swans.
"He's a great kid," Ren-san said, bringing Asami's attention back to the table. Asami nodded in agreement.
"He was so surprised when you came to get him," Mrs. Shino giggled. "I'll bet it made his day." Asami wondered.
"He was quite exhausted from work," he said.
"That's not surprising. Ren always runs the tourists ragged."
"He kept up with me though, and we covered this area about twice as fast as we normally would. That kind of energy is wasted in a job like he has now. I've been trying to talk him into something safer, but I could tell he wasn't so sure about it."
"You really should quit interfering with other people, Ren," Mrs. Shino said. "Takaba-kun is a grown-up and doesn't seem any worse for the wear."
"Takaba's resilience does make him suited to that line of work," Asami agreed even though had a better idea than anybody how it wore on the younger man.
"I think his talent is lost trying to take down a bunch of damned yakuza," Ren-san huffed. "That's the job of the police."
"True. Akihito is just the kind of brat to get into serious trouble, too."
"What do you mean?"
"He's relentlessly reckless, haven't you noticed?"
"It sounds like you know him very well," Mrs. Shino said. She shot him a sly, knowing grin. Asami straightened a little, surprised; maybe his opinion of housewives could use some work.
"How do you two know each other anyway?" Ren-san asked curiously.
"Through work. I deal with the paper." By "deal" he meant "threaten," which amused him.
"Ah, so you're in a good position to keep him from getting into too much trouble." Ren-san seemed relieved.
"That's the goal." His gaze drifted back to Takaba, who had lifted his camera up to Mei's hands and pointed to the button she should press to take a picture. Asami noticed it was the camera he had given Takaba during their recovery on the island. Mei scrunched up her face as she peered through the viewfinder and mashed the button down with her fingers. Asami glanced over to see the Shinos fondly watching as well. After a few shots, Mei handed the camera down to Takaba proudly. Asami could hear him making a big deal over the little girl's pictures. Takaba turned the camera around and took a picture of himself and Mei.
After showing Mei the picture, Akihito noticed the others were watching. He grinned sheepishly and carried Mei back to the table. He supposed it was time to sit with the grown-ups again. While the Shinos were gushing over their little girl, Asami wordlessly handed Takaba a menu. What's his problem? Akihito wondered.
When the meal was over, Asami picked up the tab.
"Hey, now, I should be doing that since I invited you," Ren-san objected.
"It's a thank you for taking care of Akihito this whole time, and I insist," Asami said smoothly. He knew the much poorer man wouldn't object further.
By the time they exchanged goodbyes with the Shinos in the parking lot, it was dark. Takaba dropped into the passenger seat with a happy sigh.
"Did you have a good time?" Asami asked as they pulled onto the main road.
"Yep. Did you?" he asked before he could catch himself. Asami merely nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. Takaba had fallen asleep by the time they reached the resort.
"Such a kid," Asami murmured as he leaned over and kissed Takaba awake. The other was suspiciously slow at pushing him away. "Congratulations, by the way, my cute Akihito," he murmured, still hovering.
"Thanks." Takaba squirmed a little and blushed.
"Think about how you want to celebrate later," Asami purred.