The Blonde famous director and the Idol .

Chapter 4.

So… After the commotion of the event of AI carrying Junsei across the streets of Tokyo, treating his wound, and hiding him away from her bosses, Junsei finally wakes up and feels awful for letting her do that for him, so AI casts a favor on him.

I do not own any work of Aka Akasaka, or oshi no ko. But I'm pretty sure, it's free use for people, kind of like making fanart of characters.

-.

"Y-You… Want to- What?"

"Hang out. You know, like a rendezvous. So we can become better accustomed to each other, or something like that?" AI reasoned.

"(What, This doesn't make sense.)" Time froze for Junsei at that moment.

"(What? How? Why? What is she thinking, we just met? I don't get it? What is her goal? She can't just out of the blue propose something like to a stranger? I don't… Wait.)" as Junsei started thinking of every possibility under the sun and on earth. Reasons came to him, like, why? How? It didn't make sense to him. But then another thought came to Junsei: something that could benefit him. Yes, that's exactly what he wanted. This could work.

"Um… I guess so? I'm not really busy with anything." Junsei answered as a normal person would, in this situation.

"(Perfect, I can even just get some info on the entertainment industry in Japan, who knows what happened to it when I wasn't around. Maybe get some info on the Idol industry too.") Junsei's true plans for this little rendezvous were now set in stone for him; first he would start a conversation, then get information on everything he would need about the current state of the entertainment industry. Deep down, Junsei was now smiling to himself. This was a favor that she is casting, so it's fine if he just takes a little advantage with the situation.

"That's nice, we can figure out the plan in a while." AI smiled back at Junsei. But deep down a more devious smile was formed.

"(And then I ask even more questions, for upping my game in the entertainment industry. Well, that depends on whether he is who he says. And if it is true that he is a famous director, But saying that might make me seem selfish. So I'm going to lean into the topic. Yeah, that's the better plan. Because I think when I didn't recognize him for the first time, he kind of seemed upset; I don't wanna do that again now.")

That was AI's own plan for the hangout. Was it perfect in her mind? Probably not, but her interest seemed to peak, and if she could get some tips from Junsei, she could get her game on. And hey, he'll get to hang with a cute girl like herself.

Now, with both of the genius liars forming their plans and laughing to themselves for their ingenious plans, they were ready to gain even more experience. Well, there was a plan until a noise was reverberated across the apartment.

*Rumble* The noise of Junsei's stomach was heard for all to hear in the apartment.

Junsei was left in the noise, not trying to notice what just happened but only staring back at AI. But there was truly no way to get out of this for him, so he was left in this situation. and the best way we could deal with this was now. But for now, nothing came, so there were the two looking at each other.

AI stared back blankly at Junsei.

Junsei stared back at AI blankly.

Junsei left one index finger in the air to make a point. "It looks like I'm hungry." Stated bluntly.

Wow, really? By the looks of it, Junsei's best plan for his awkward moment was just to play off. Did it work? He was 50/50 on it. But AI spoke up.

"Um... Im... I'm going to get some food."

"Yeah... That, ah, yeah. Um, that would be good." He tried his best to say it, hoping not to make the situation worse for himself.

So with that, AI went to the kitchen to make something. However, as she left, AI didn't say anything because, deep down, she really didn't want to make the boy feel ashamed about the situation; it needed to be for him. Well, she did want to make a good impression on him. And that was what she thought, if not for her smile when she turned around, but never or less, she held back her laughter for the sake of seeming professional.

Now that Junsei was left on the couch by himself and had his own thoughts about the day, he started thinking about hunger. He knew he ate... But

"(Wait... When did I eat the last time?)" Junsei thought, but couldn't remember when he actually ate something. Now slightly panicking.

"(Crist, when did I actually eat something?!)" Food for thought, Junsei could not remember. So with that, Junsei went into a deep state of thinking, grasping his head and squeezing every last brain cell to remember the last time he ate something. And a couple of seconds later, he remembered the day.

It was approximately 1 week, 3 days, 4 hours, 27 minutes, and 57 seconds, and counting. Junsei sat in his office by himself, working away at his laptop, looking like a robot, and completely in the zone. So once his robotic self noticed his discomfort in his stomach, he got a nearby apple and ate it without thinking much of it. But now, knowing better, that was actually the last known meal that Junsei had.

But more importantly now Junsei was now starving after putting the event together in his head. So the stomach ache went from simply being discomforting to complete pain, enough for Junsei to weep at himself.

It was close to a person not smoking for weeks and then seeing a pack of cigarettes. And then getting the insatiable urge to smoke a pack after a long time. But in Junsei's case, it was that he was neglecting his hunger for around a week, and it all came back to him. and then some.

"Sometimes… I think I'm not that smart." Junsei stated to himself, but not getting the attention of AI in the kitchen. But still with his stomach pain, Junsei decided to head to the bathroom, so he asked AI.

"AI, do you mind if I use your bathroom?" Asked Junsei. He hoped he could compose himself in the bathroom. Honestly in his opinion, asking to use a person's bathroom after just meeting them a day prior isn't the greatest. But this was all before his crisis.

"Ah? Oh, that's fine." Ai said calmly, seeming like it didn't bother her that much.

With that authorization, given by AI, Junsei goes to the bathroom to check on himself and his condition.

With a little walk and some limping from the stomach pain plaguing Junsei, he was able to enter the bathroom, and the first thing he noticed was something shocking.

"OH Crist!" Junsei shouted in English. But the reasoning for his actions was very justified. Because just for one second, Junsei thought it was someone else in the mirror.

"Is that... ME?" Junsei asked the man in the mirror. But to his shock, it was him. But more: "Refined."

Yes, that was the word for it. But first, there weren't any noticeable scars left over from his injury. Hontely, he didn't think AI would be able to actually treat something like this so well after his mummy costume on his face, but with that, she was able to do it, with great effect and results.

But then comes the more important thing. That was how his face was now looking less fatigued and more gleaming with life, and his dead, baggy eyes were completely gone to boot. Then, at some point, Junsei started touching, squeezing, and poking his face over, just in case he wasn't hallucinating. But it was his face.

Junsei was first questioning why this was so. But then the answer came pretty quickly.

"(When did I sleep properly?)" That was another one on his bucket list of self-neglect.

From what Junsei knew, despite his occasional power nap of 30 minutes or less, he never actually got good sleep. and after getting a good sleep, his face doesn't look like he wants to die.

But usually he would actually just put makeup on to cover that up. A good layer of foundation, moisturizer, and a light cream eyeshadow shade under the eyes would fix it. But right now he isn't wearing any makeup at the moment; it must have been cleaned by my AI. So in this case, he doesn't look like a corpse. And he looks like a decent person, with unkempt blonde hair, some of it forming bangs across his hair. But then he quickly runs his hands through his hair and puts the bangs back on, giving him a slicker look. But then he quickly falls back to the front of his face again.

"T_T" Junsei was annoyed by his loose, strained hair.

"(I guess that's going to stick.") Junsei decided to accept this new leave the bathroom, after the inspection check.

Exiting the bathroom and going back to the living room, Junsei saw AI prepare a decent-looking meal. Well, it is a decent meal compared to what Junsei usually eats. Which isn't much. So Junsei goes and takes a seat, looking more refined than he did prior.

The food that Junsei saw was just some convenient store-bought bentos that you would usually get for a cheap price. They were always practical and convenient. Honestly, Junsei taught that they should exist in America too. But to the dismay of Americans, they don't have any bento's anywhere in America to find them. Aside from probably specialized Japanese stores, when it comes to the majority of stores, they would not exist for the majority of the public stores.

But then after, Junsei decided that he would now get to enjoy this, but first was a thanks.

"I appreciate the food AI."

"Oh, don't mention it." AI really didn't mind it. This was her plan, after all. So one bento wasn't going to hurt.

"(Well, I tried cooking, but nothing worked out, so I heated up the food. But I did add extra on top, so hopefully he likes it.)"

Junsei opened the box, seeing a side of rice on the left side with a pickled plum on top. Then he saw vegetables on the top corner, some tomatoes, and a shiso leaf. But the main entree of the meal was the pork katsu in the middle. The katsu was steaming, obviously warmed up, but still crispy, so it was probably cooked in an oven of some sort.

"(Jezz... She didn't have to go out of her way to do this much. And not only that, she added extra toppings to the bento. and a tamagoyaki to boot. Well, it isn't the prettiest egg omelet. But still, the care is admirable. I honestly should just enjoy this already. I'm just overthinking this)" Junsei took his first bite of the katsu.

Then the world exploded. Or Junsei's mouth did.

"(This is the greatest piece of the food i've ever eating.") That wasn't a lie.

Compared to any other foods Junsei has ever eaten, this piece of katsu was really the best thing he had ever eaten.

"mmmm..." At this point, Junsei's face was completely concentrated on the food. Now even having a flushed face and closing his eyes, he was completely infatuated with the meal, even forgetting something important was going on in the background of his moment.

"You there? Hello. Hello."

"Huh?" Junsei snapped back into the real world. And noticing AI calling him.

"You just ate everything, so quick." AI was completely amazed at the speed of it all.

"(Wait. I ate it all?)" Junsei looked back at the bento, noticing that everything was indeed gone. He ate everything in the box.

"Um... Thank you for the food." Junsei gave a grateful, bashful smile.

"Was it that good?" AI was shocked that something she made in the moment could make someone like this. It was like looking at a child eating a cake in delight. She really didn't think something like that would make him look that joyful.

"Yup, greatest meal I've eaten in a long time."

"(Well, besides the hunger, I have never actually eaten a meal like this from what I can remember. So, I'm thankful for it.)" Deep down, Junsei wasn't sure if he was, but his stomach was, so thanks to this meal, he was actually feeling better than ever. And all thanks to AI.

"Hmmm... Thanks for that; it wasn't much; it was just some overnight bento I just heated up in an oven and some extra toppings on the side. I didn't think something like that would make you look so joyous." AI tried downplaying her act.

"Nope, AI. You saved me. Literally, I would have died if you didn't give me this food." Junsei seriously would have died. "So thank you."

AI turned away, slightly embarrassed but more shocked than anything. "Thank you." AI was being genuine.

"Well, in either case, the food was great for me. But are you going to eat that rice? It looks like you're avoiding it." Junsei pointed at the leftover rice in AI's bento box. Not a single grain of it was eaten.

"(Does she not like rice? Isn't it like the most consumed food in Japan or something? Maybe the flavor? No. That doesn't make sense. Rice is tasteless. Or maybe the texture of it. But why?... I'm overthinking, ain't I?)" Junsei looked at AI. With his questioning face.

"Oh. The rice. Yeah, I'm not a fan. They always have a grain of rice that sometimes would feel like sand in my mouth. So I kind of avoid it most of the time, but I'll be fine. I can eat it." AI said, with a smile. However, something deep down was being repressed—a darker face in AI. Something AI doesn't want to talk about.

"(That was a half-white lie. She doesn't like rice; sure, I can take that. But she is hiding something else. My instincts are telling me that. Is something like eating one grain of sandy rice enough to traumatize someone into not liking it? No. It's probably something worse. Something so deep-rooted that it's enough to make something such as rice disgusting for AI. But what? I should—no. That's something too personal to bring up. Something like that might create a gap in what I'm trying to do. So I'll try something to lighten the mood. That'll be the best option.") Junsei decided that bringing up more about the topic wasn't the best course of action. But relieving AI's worries was the better plan.

"That's alright. So, can I have it? I'm still starving for some food." Junsei gave a gentle smile but was playful in a manner like a child could ask for some extra servings of food from his parents.

AI nearly went wide-eyed. She didn't like rice. That was basically what she said. But now he's offering to eat it for her.

"(I thought I hid my discomfort well? Did he notice? If he did, he's going out of his way to eat it for me. That-That's. Very sweet of him.") AI turned her chin down, almost like trying to hide a nearly approaching blush. Something kind like this wasn't new to her. But for the first time, maybe in her life. Someone noticed a hidden feeling in her. And in a kind way, someone returned it.

She truly didn't know what to think of it. This was a first for her. Someone just saw right through her. And he did something kind for her true feelings. It was nice.

"Thank you." She let it slip. The air in the room was filled with gratitude. It was almost like she was being saved from something deeper than Junsei could ever know. Something deep-rooted in AI's mind.

Junsei looked deep into AI's eyes and only thought. "(It's just rice.)" Junsei almost said it bluntly. But he kept it in his mind.

"(Well, in either case. I'll respond in kind then.)" Junsei picked up AI's portion of rice. And put it into his bento. Then, right after stuffing it all into his mouth in an instant, it wasn't the most elegant moment. But Junsei really was still hungry, so the extra rice really didn't affect him much.

AI just stared back. Amazed, grateful, or maybe something else. AI didn't know the emotion at this moment. It just felt good for her. Truly, a moment like this was a first for her. And she liked it.

A couple of minutes have passed by. And now both bentos were empty, sitting on the table, both of them eaten by them. But then AI spoke up.

"I'm glad you liked the food. But actually, I have to go to my lesson." AI said, almost hesitantly. But they were important to her, never less.

"That's alright." Junsei started to clean up both of the bento's in a kind gesture. He thought it was something he would at least do after what she did—after cooking something for him and basically saving him from near death.

"Sorry. Even though I said we'd hang out, Just a little forgetful. " AI added an air-headed voice to her last few words.

"(Oh, she's trying to lighten the mood a bit. Is she trying to make me not feel bad for missing out on a hangout with her? Thats nice of her, or maybe its something else? Or does she actually feel bad for not keeping her promise? Well, it wasn't really a promise to begin with. Still sweet trough.)"

"You know. How bout we do our little rendezvous after I'm done? I'm still sorry about leaving you hanging. So I'll make it up for you. I promise." AI winked, almost like she was planning something.

"That's good; I actually have to pick up my stuff from the hotel I'm staying in. So after that, we can have our meet up, after your lessons." Junsei reasoned, changing the day plan.

AI immediately closed the distance between her and Junsei. Then spoke.

"Yeah, you can even pick me up from the studio." AI implied her plan.

"Me. Picking you up?" Junsei was confused but a little taken aback by how AI closed the distance between them. She was way too close—to close for comfort.

But either way, Junsei was able to compose himself.

"Um, that sounds dangerous, in my opinion. I could get noticed outside your studio. And I can even be seen as a stalker who follows idols from their workplace and then stalks them back home!" Junsei reasoned, then proceeded to bring worry into his words.

"Mmmmm... You're probably right. But! A boy should pick up the girl from the pickup spot." AI reasoned almost in a princess-like manner.

Junsei almost fell over in a stupor. "( That is such a dumb reason. Jesus, what is he even playing at at this point.)" Junsei put his hand over his forehead but was actually smiling at AI's plan.

"Dont worry. The amazing director, Junsei Bijutsu, wouldn't let something like getting caught stalking idols stop him? Or is it?" AI looked back at Junsei, almost with a devilish smile. It was almost like she was challenging him. Playfully. She was looking like she was trying to test Junsei and his abilities.

"Is that a challenge?" Junsei looked back with a very confident smile. "(I'll play along.)" Junsei decided to follow whatever AI was trying to do.

"Is it?" AI looked back, questioning his own words.

"Then yes." Junsei accepted the challenge. And the favor she set in stone beforehand. And with the food she gave, Junsei owns more than extra.

AI smiled back excitedly. Then she backed away, making distance.

"No going back on your word, okay." AI looked at Junsei playfully. But in reality, it was completely serious.

"Oh, I'll see you, and then some." Junsei said. Kind of confusing.

"Then some?" Ai tilted her head to the side, curious what Junsei meant by that.

"Don't worry about it. How about it? Let's shake on it." Junsei alleviates AI's worries quickly. Then, right after presenting his hand to AI, Ready to strike on the deal that they were about to make.

AI looked at the hand and smiled. then shook it. affirming and making the deal into effect.

"I'll see you sometime soon, then?" AI wanted to know if this was really it.

"Yup, as it will be." AI reassured her.

AI smiled at Junsei.

And Junsei too.

Their meticulously crafted plans were now set in motion, seamlessly falling into place. With everything already ready, they found themselves in a position where they could accomplish something for themselves. It was probably selfish at that point. But with the person next to them, they can get something they want.

And both are ready to get what they want from each other. Both couldn't wait for it. Something so new, so fascinating. They both wanted more of it. This feeling. Was it real for them?

They needed to know. Was This A Lie?

Pfff... Well, this chapter was more slice of life than anything else. But it had some deeper character moments for both of them. I think?

But in either case, Bro It's just rice. It's not that deep. Or is it? Well, if you read that chapter in the manga or the 45510 title, you'll now know it is deep. How so? Um... Go read it. I'm not going to spoil it. But at the same time, why are you reading an Oshi no Ko fic if you have not caught up with the manga or anime? Well, the anime didn't cover the rice. So, not the anime.

Still trying to figure out Junsei as a character.

So, I'm currently trying to figure out how to set up the next arc and other things. So stay tuned in. And give some criticism my way. Because any criticism will be taken into my eye. And properly read after, and over taught then need be.

Monday, December 18, 2023.