AN: Thank you so much to H-Nala for their review on the last chapter

Chapter Four

4.1

Kuon took a deep breath in as he looked over the newest web articles about him. There were people talking about the tightness of his shirts, the perceived loss in his chiseled physique, the way that he was caught snacking on camera a few times. He knew that people were becoming aware of his situation. Because of his insecurity over it, Matsushima had stepped in a couple of times to change the topic but it was something more and more people were commenting on.

Kuon felt his phone against his cheek. "I don't know, Boss, what would be the best way in handling this? Quick post on social media?" he joked and Lory hummed.

"I think a press statement might be good for your condition," he said turning over the various ideas that were manifesting in his mind. However, as he was doing this, he stopped. "Kuon," he said slowly. "I am proud of you for choosing to go through with this. I know it wasn't easy."

"It's what I have to do," Kuon sighed, "the benefits are worth it. Being around my friends and family for much longer is worth it."

He wrapped an arm around himself, spreading his fingers over the fat on his arm and how foreign it really felt. He didn't know that his stomach was like a dam, otherwise he would have taken better care of it. He had stopped food getting in there so much and now the floodgates were open and he had to nourish his body. Nothing done in moderation existed inside the world of acting it seemed.

"So, we'll go with a magazine release article, if that's okay with you, a publication that doesn't mind going into exactly the type of health concerns and procedures that you're facing. I want to make sure that the public feels that you are responsible for gaining weight and that you still care about your future within the entertainment industry. If it's not fattening yourself up for a foolish reason, people will be more sensitive to it."

Lory hummed as he tried to figure out the specifics and Kuon sighed. He really needed to trust that Lory knew what he was doing and so could take care of it. He had been dong that the majority of his life, relying on and trusting other people who had formed better opinions about the world than himself. The only thing that he had said he knew how to take care of was his body. He had said that he never got sick and he didn't have to eat. Those were two things that the world was trying to challenge him on now.

"I want to remind you," Lory said as he broke the silence and Kuon found himself brought back to the reality of the situation. "We have that meeting with R. Mandy today about the modification of your contract," he said and Kuon took slow breaths. He had been modeling for R, Mandy for who knew how many years, but like nearly all clothing companies they only catered up to a certain size. It just felt like another way that he was being pushed out of the career field he loved so dearly.

The call only lasted a few more short moments before Kuon put the phone down and a little later heard a tap on the door. Julie peaked her head inside and Kuon smiled to her. "Hey, Mom."

"Hi, baby," Julie said as she approached him with a large clothing bag and Kuon felt a wash of mixed emotions flowing through him. Due to the nature of his health, he kept outgrowing clothes and even though he had lots of money to spend on them, he hated the feeling that he would feel good in a pair of pants or a shirt and then a week later it would feel tight on him. Plus, these bags his mother had were designer or at least looked that way although he didn't recognize the name on them.

"A.D.U.A?" Kuon asked as he read the bag and Julie sat down opposite him.

"It's an Italian company. I think you should wear these clothes when you go and speak to the kid- to the president," she said as she bit back the teasing name she gave for him as the kidnapper referring to his past with the family. "Abbigliamento Da Uomo Amabile" she said as Kuon tried to follow along with that.

"Loving Men's Clothing?" he asked and Julie smiled back.

"Close. Lovable Men's Clothing," she said. Kuon raised an eyebrow before pulling out several items that were his style but in a much more forgiving fabric. They were still high quality and elegant but had more girth and would perform as more breathable fabrics. He smiled as he put his hand over an emerald shirt that matched his eyes. "Very few people have heard of the company. Since you never imagined having to wear plus sized before, I don't know why you would have heard of them but I think you should wear these at your meeting. ADUA is 's new sister company."

Kuon smiled as he looked over the clothing again. He knew that they probably carried sizes far larger than these but maybe he wouldn't feel so alien to himself were he to dress in these clothes. He looked up as Kyoko approached the room and then grinned as she saw the clothing that Julie had selected.

"Oh my god, Corn, you're going to look so amazing in these," she grinned to her husband. "I always love you in emerald," she whispered before picking up a small pocket square to accent the outfit. "Burnt sienna!" she gasped as she placed it on top of the shirt. She giggled happily. "Just like you."

Kuon smiled softly to her. Even thought all of this, she still stood by his side, her love and loyalty unwavering.

4.2

Kuon awkwardly made his way into Lory's office wearing the clothes that Julie had bought for him. He had to admit that it was very comfortably and very thoughtfully designed. It still felt as if it would be somewhat expensive but maybe having something luxury would encourage others to add plus sixed pieces into their own design lines. He took a deeper breath as he saw a man and woman from R Mandy he had worked with a number of times.

"Wow, you're right," the man said with a smile. "He does look perfect."

"I wouldn't say thar," Kuon said as he bowed deeply to them and continued to grin. "But these clothes are helping me feel better than I have in weeks," he admitted and the R Mandy people looked at one another knowingly. He saw Lory invite them to sit down and then took his seat after. "I think it's actually making me feel a level of protection that I was missing," he attempted to explain and the woman leaned forwards.

"Hizuri-san, we wanted to talk about your transfer to model our ADUA line from the R. Mandy line. We know that your health is not something you are directly responsible for, however, you are going to reach a size that our R. Mandy products don't cater to," she said and Kuon nodded. "I think that you'd look perfect for ADUA. Well, you do look perfect in our clothing."

"I can't help but to think that you wore these to prove a point," the man grinned with a chuckle. "As sympathetic as we can be for your health concerns, there are certain things in the industry that cannot be altered and I'm just -"

"I'd like to continue modeling the clothes," Kuon told them. "Fashion shows, photo shoots, but I do have to warn you that this is only a step on the stage of my weight gain," he said as he gestured to himself. "I might gain more weight. I'm not sure of how much."

"And we've modified the contract to be able to accommodate that," the man said as Lory brought a cup of tea to his lips finding the conversation very interesting to him. "We're excited to be exploring this new avenue with someone as beloved as you are, Hizuri-san."

"Kuon is fine," Kuon told them with a smile. "Hizuri-san could be my dad," he attempted to joke. "But likewise. Could I have some time with the contract and then I'll return it via either my manager or the president?" he asked and the R Mandy people nodded.

"We wanted to ask if we could come out with an accessory to show solidarity and support with the profits going to charity," the woman said, "Something to be included in ADUA. Is there a special symbol or image that you would want?"

"Anything?" Kuon asked and the woman nodded, "Fairy wings," he told her as the two R Mandy people stared at him before nodding. Lory looked to Kuon with a grin as he knew that that symbol was important to Kyoko as well. He was just very happy that people could see how amazing Kuon still was but more importantly, Kuon would know just how much support he had from the public in return.

4.3

Nothing made Kyoko happier than to see the man she loves come back with a smile on his face. Kyoko grinned as she threw her arm around Kuon. "I take it things went well," she said to him and he nodded. "That's amazing. People are definitely going to see that you're still lovable and admirable and the same Kuon," she squealed a little.

Kuon sighed before holding her close, he looked away a little wrestling with a decision and Kyoko took a step back, taking his cheek in her hand and turning his face to look at her.

"Spill," she said in a no nonsense tone knowing how much Kuon would keep quiet about things until they were all he could think of, each thought chasing after one another until they all crashed. She raised an eyebrow seeing the guilty expression.

"I've had a couple of campaign offers for after the operation and I…I don't know how you'd…." he looked down weakly and Kyoko tilted her head to the side. "They're for desserts," he told her and Kyoko smiled with a slight relief. "Boss…Lory said that they're not going to make fun of me or mock me but they're for desserts and they sound interesting and…and there's one that might have a lot of exposure. I'm not sure if I should go for it or not."

"What is it?" Kyoko asked wanting to be sensitive to his emotional wellbeing.

"It's a national campaign for this one type of chestnut pudding," Kuon said almost sheepishly and he was surprised to see the grin on Kyoko's face and the flash of fire in her eyes.

"Do it," she told him with a nod. "I want you to do it so I can show everyone how amazing my husband is. I'd be happy if you turned out to really enjoy sweet food," she tried to encourage him before leaning up and kissing him. She looked away. Let's see you get those pictures out of my head, you pretend pudding-hater.

End of Chapter Four

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