Takao POV

I gave my name to the guard, and he consulted a listing, scrutinizing my identification. My hair was longer after weeks of abstaining from cutting it as a silent prayer for Shin-chan's safety so far away from me, and I was twenty pounds leaner thanks to Aida-sama's training, but the photo looked more like me than not.

Finally, he gave me a pass, and some very detailed instructions. After an elevator ride with two giggling girls who were tittering back and forth and whispering to each other, wondering if I was a model, I had another long wait at yet another security check point where I was assigned an escort. She was Kise's manager's assistance.

"Please keep conversation to a minimum while the photographer is working," she told me. "There is absolutely no use of cell phone, in fact it would be better if you turn your's off now." I did so, and she smiled, surprised that I didn't argue.

"Kise-sama's shoot is running long," she continues. "There was a problem with one of the lights and it has pushed us back at least an hour. I'm sure he would apologize for the tardiness personally, but allow me to extend our deepest apologies."

"No, no, not a problem. Kise-kun told me not to expect him at any certain time. He thought I might find this interesting, or I wouldn't be here."

We came around a corner to a large open room, flooded with lights. Kise was stretched out on a curved couch, dressed in a silk yukata. One pale leg was crocked and his feet were bare. The doctors had done amazing work; the pins holding the knee together weren't visible. An industrial-sized fan, the kind more suited for a basketball court, blew a steady stream of air that lifted his feathered hair.

"More pout, Kise-sama," the photographer implored.

Kise sunk down into the chair, and moved his lips in a configuration so pouting it looked artificial.

"Perfect!" The man applauded, and snapped away from different angles. "Alright, let's reset and go onto the next."

Kise-kun's face relaxed into a lion-like yawn, as he threw his feet down. The lights dimmed and the fan quieted. My guide, the assistant, appeared in front of Kise-kun with a soda and a straw. He took delicate sips while three strangers stripped him ,and attacked his hair and make-up. Kise didn't seem bothered by his nakedness ,or even aware of it. I found myself comparing him to Shin-chan, and although he was undeniably beautiful… he was lacking. I continued standing there, watching this crazy world, and wondering why I'd agreed to have lunch with him.

"Takaocchi!" he squealed when he saw me. He waved me over.

"You're looking… naked," I smirked.

"Why thank you for noticing." He curtsied. His dressers swept in between us, and he stepped into a pair of slacks while leaning on the arm of the man to his left. Shirt and vest came next as the scenery behind changed from white canvas to black. A different cover was placed over the couch.,

He chatted away as they scrubbed his make-up off, and applied an almost identical layer of it again. His hair was spritzed down and restyled ,and then the technicians disappeared again like some anime Ninja misting into the shadows.

"Wow," I laughed. "How much more of this?"

"I don't know, time is kinda relative when you're this good looking," he grinned.

"I thought Shin-chan's ego on court was enormous, but you're in a totally different league."

"Just like Midorimacchi, I have my game face and yeah, that comes with ego. They'd eat me alive if I didn't," he smiled, all shark-like and fake. It sent shiver down my spine; no, being a partner to one Generation of Miracle member really hadn't prepared me to deal solo with any of the others.

"Who are you?" a voice purred in my ear as I watched Kise contort into a new position. The speaker was an androgynous being in a black turtle neck, jeans, and thigh-high boots.

"A friend of Kise-kun's," I said.

"Who represents you?" it asked.

"Huh?"

"Who is your agent?" It tried again.

"Oh, I'm not a model."

"You could be. You interested in making some quick money? The model that was supposed to be in the next shoot with Kise-sama came down with food poisoning. We are in a tight position here, in fact, if we don't finish today, Kise-sama may lose this contract."

"Don't threaten him, Hiroki." Kise-kun's playful voice hit an uncharacteristically menacing tone from where he lounged on set.

"I have no experience; what kind of money are we talking?" I felt maybe if Kise was watching out for me, I could get out of this alive.

"Hold out for at least ¥500,000," Kise shouted. "They're playing me three times that, but I'm an established Idol."

"That's fine as long as Kise-sama says you are worth it," the figure said.

As I agreed – ¥500,000 would go a long way, maybe even buy us that first used car that Shin-chan and I'd discussed – the dressers descended on me like piranha, stripping me of clothing before I could think. They herded me along. A hand reached for my necklace and I panicked, but Kise stepped in and pushed them back.

"He's a virgin boys and girls, you can't just snatch him naked and expect him to be ok with it. Now," he turned back to me. "I'll have my manager hold onto that for you to keep it safe."

He held out his hand, and I shook as I removed the necklace for the first time since Shin-chan had put it on me. He smiled, then handed it over with care to his manager.

"Midorimacchi will understand, I promise you. But maybe you shouldn't mention being buck naked in front of a room full of strangers."

I covered my groin as I felt my entire body blush.

"Kawaii," he said, very restrained, and pulled on my arm. "I can't believe you tattooed his name over your heart; you're a real romantic, Takaoicchi! What does tsundere Shin-chan think of that?"

"He has a matching one, so I'd say he likes it."

"And you say I have ego! Only Shin-chan would tattoo his own name on his chest."

"Hah, hah. You know that's not what I meant."

"I do, I do, but I love teasing."

I chuckled and noticed clothing had already begun to appear on my body.

"You're good, Kise-kun, thanks."

"My pleasure, now prepare yourself for the ordeal of hair and make-up."

"Takao-kun, try to relax," the photographer coaxed. "Pretend you're at home with your lover; he's looking at you with those – what color are his eyes?"

"Green," I whispered.

"He's looking at you with those green eyes ,and you can tell he's in the mood – you know those sexy bedroom eyes?"

"Oh, yeah," I said, and it had been too long since I'd seen those eyes in person.

"Interesting," the photographer said.

"Lean forward," Kise suggested. We sat facing each other across a chess board. I had no clue why two bare-chested men would play chess, or what that would have to do with the watches we were showing off on our wrists, but if I was going to get that big fat check at the end of it, I didn't really care.

"I'd like to try the entire thing from the other direction too, Kise-sama's other side is particularly nice today."

"That will show off Takao-kun's tattoo. We don't want Kise's fan girls thinking he's gay again. Should we cover it with make-up?" Kise's manager asked.

I sat up to protest, but the photographer was quicker.

"Waste of time, we can touch it up with Photoshop later."

We were moved around, much like pieces on a board, until we were facing each other again. I resumed the position, leaning one elbow on my front knee ,with the watch facing outward. The other hand, I held out as if I was about to move a piece.

"You've got great abs, Takaoicchi," Kise said.

"Um, thanks," I replied.

The flash bulbs sparked, and then the photographer was shooting over Kise's shoulder. My arm began to quake, so I shook it out, and pushed the hair that has fallen across my face back before returning to the original position.

"Do that again, that thing with you hair, but do it slowly," I was instructed, and I did so.

"Stop there," I was told as my thumb and index finger spread into my hair just past the hairline. "Turn your elbow out." I did as I was told.

"Kise-sama, tell him a dirty joke." I chuckled in anticipation of what he might say. "Never mind that's perfect. Hold that smile Takao-kun. Kise-sama, seduce him."

I felt more relief once my necklace was returned and hanging down my chest, than I did when they handed me the check. Kise laughed at me as I told the dressers I could put my own clothing back on without help. I never did find one of my socks.

"You won't let anyone spoil you, will you, Takaoicchi?"

"Only Shin-chan."

"You are a strange and frightening man, but I'm glad we got to spend this time together today. I was hoping to get to know you better; frankly I was worried I'd have to give you the 'if you hurt my friend' speech, but I know that's not necessary now. Thanks for putting my mind at ease."

"I gotta ask though, why now? Shin-chan and I have been together for years."

"But I only realized it lately... and a mutual friend said I should 'give you a chance.' He said, that you and I might actual be friends if we tried."

"So, um, lunch then?" I asked, not sure if I should be annoyed at Kasamatsu or grateful.