A/N: Okay here is chapter 3. Once again I hope no one thinks that I am copying someone else. This idea is all mine. I do apologize if I make either Dai-chan or Mao-kun seem unlike themselves but keep in mind I am borrowing them per se for my idea.
Disclaimer: the idea itself is mine that's it. The boys to each their own as well as each other!
Chapter 3: Studying Propositions and Promises
Daisuke looked over at the young university student with a feeling of awe. When Mao has told him he planned to study the boy hadn't been joking. He watched as the younger man poured over his books and notes with a look of concentration so deep the actor wondered if Mao even remembered he wasn't alone.
The tea Mao had made earlier had been finished a quite a while ago and Daisuke hadn't moved from his spot on the love seat. He did take another look around in the apartment taking in his surroundings. It wasn't that big of a place perfect size for a student. It held the bare essentials, small couch or loveseat, coffee table, empty space for a futon in the corner, bathroom off to the side, and a small closet.
Opposite corner of the futon area was what looked like 'Roku's corner' complete with a few toys a litter box food and water bowl and a scratch post and bed then the kitchen area on the other end of the room with a small table with two chairs. It had a small window that let in a decent amount of light, he guessed in the daytime and the only other source of light was a bare bulb hanging from the ceiling and what looked like a small lamp on the edge of the coffee table. From what he could tell the most expensive thing in the place was a rundown laptop, which Mao had worked on for a brief time before shutting it down claiming he couldn't let it get overheated.
Roku had moved from playing with a small collection of toys to hopping up onto Daisuke's lap with an impatient meow. He chuckled and ran his fingers through the feline's fur, "Hard to believe you were almost a lost cause. I bet you're glad your owner here didn't give up on you."
Mao chuckled faintly, "As soon as I saw him I knew I wanted to keep him. It's actually thanks to my brother though. He helped me out. In fact Roku was my birthday present a few years back."
"You have a brother?" Daisuke asked raising an eyebrow in interest.
"Yes, he's a few years older than me. He helps me out sometimes but since I'm pretty independent, we've drifted apart a little." Mao said as he kept his eyes focused on his books and notes.
The two fell into another wave of silence as Daisuke continued to watch the other boy study. A small yawn forced itself from his lips and he hoped it hadn't been noticed.
It had been.
"Gomen, if you're tired you may borrow my futon. " Mao offered.
"What about you?" Daisuke asked as he stretched.
"I already mentioned before. I'm not going to sleep. Not until I feel I'm ready for my exam." Mao said with a hint of stubbornness in his tone.
"If you're sure." Daisuke said. "When is your exam anyway?"
"It's tomorrow afternoon. My boss said he would give me today and tomorrow morning off but after I'm finished with my classes I have to go straight to work." Mao explained as his eyes continued to read the contents.
"And do you plan to sleep any time before that?" Daisuke asked.
"I'll get a nap in but otherwise I have to focus on my studies. I have to keep my grades up or else I'll-" Mao trailed off.
"You'll lose your right to go to the school correct?"
Mao for the first time since he had picked it up set his pen down and nodded, "Yes, I got into the school due to my good grades and the scholarship. But if I get anything less than perfect I fear they will kick me out."
"Oh surely one wrong answer won't make that much difference. It will prove to them that you don't believe you are perfect and will be willing to learn from mistakes." Daisuke said quietly.
"No, I have to have perfect grades or I 'm not good enough." Mao said in the same stubborn tone as before. He rotated his wrist and held back a small yawn.
"You should try to get in a little sleep. If you stay awake you may not be able to concentrate much longer." Daisuke pointed out. "As I mentioned I have the whole day off so I can help you study if you'd like." He looked over to see Mao was now slumped over himself sound asleep. A faint chuckle escaped the actor's lips and he moved the other boy so he was resting his head on Daisuke's lap. A short nap seemed to be what the hardworking student needed and he set his alarm on his phone for a few hours from now before drifting off himself.
The few precious hours that Mao found he had slept through had gone by rather quickly and the ebony haired youth snapped awake angry with himself for losing precious studying time. He moved to get off his futon but found himself falling off his love seat only to feel a pair of arms wrapping around him before he it the ground. Wait what? Not again!
"Not exactly a welcoming wake up call." Daisuke said as he pulled Mao back up onto the loveseat. "Are you okay?"
Mao only nodded feeling his face flush red for the second time in the last several hours. "How long have I been asleep?"
Daisuke checked his phone to see it was only five minutes prior to what he had set his alarm for. "No need to worry you haven't slept that long. Only 3 hours. You needed it I could tell." He half expected Mao to return to his books immediately but was surprised when the other boy set his pen down and headed towards a small cupboard next to the sink.
"Roku, come here." Mao called to his best friend and to Daisuke's surprise the cat came bounding past him no doubt from his corner and into his master's arms. No, no master wouldn't be the right word, no friend, yes friend's arms. Mao reached into a small bag from within the cupboard and pulled out what looked like a cat treat and held it out towards the feline. He set Roku down and held out the treat, "Roku itadakimasu!"
To Daisuke's utter amazement Roku started balancing himself on his hind legs reaching out his paws as if in prayer. He then chuckled as Mao gave the cat the treat. "That was interesting. You are quite a pair."
Mao smiled. "Well he thinks it's a treat but it's a healthy substance to keep him, well healthy. If I'm going to learn animal care I might as well start with the basics with my own pet."
"Yes that is true." Daisuke said smiling only to hold back a blush of his own when he felt his stomach emptiness make it's presence known.
"Oh, gomen, are you hungry?" Mao asked.
"Yes, actually. I don't think I've eaten since the dinner meeting yesterday." Daisuke replied with honesty. "What about you, when was the last time you ate?"
Mao looked away, "Um, well I think it was yesterday morning."
Daisuke quirked an eyebrow, "And what exactly did you eat if you don't mind me asking?"
"It was just some ramen. It's all I can afford right now." Mao said reaching into one of his cupboards and pulling out what looked to be the last of his pre-packaged ramen. "Oh no." He walked over to Roku's corner moved some of his toys and the litter box before moving a small part of the wall away and reached in to pull out a small gray metal box. After a few moments he fell back and slumped his shoulders as if admitting defeat.
"Mao, are you okay?" Daisuke asked resisting the urge to go over and pull the other boy close to him.
"I'll have to get a second job. It's the only possible-"
"A second job, what do you mean?"
Mao turned and held up the metal box with a faint tear lingering in his eyes. "This is the only money I have for myself and I only use it on food and Roku. All I have left is enough for one more bag of cat food and maybe a few packages of ramen."
"But if you get a second job-"
"I'll make it work. I have to make it work!" Mao said with a large portion of stubbornness to his voice followed by a choked back sob and he was on his knees trying to hold back the tears that were evidently winning the already lost battle from Mao's side.
Daisuke took four steps knelt down and pulled the sobbing boy into his arms keeping his grip tight and as reassuring as he could make it to be. To his surprise and at the same time relief Mao didn't push him away only sobbed hard into his shirt apparently needing to release this tension, this stress. It had no doubt been building up over several weeks, perhaps even months.
After several moments Mao sniffled then slowly pulled away from Daisuke with an apology already in his throat but was stopped when the actor reached up and wiped away a lingering droplet from his eye.
"Do you feel any better?" Daisuke asked quietly. He smiled when he was answered with a nod, "Good, now before you jump to conclusions I want to run a proposition by you."
"I'm listening." Mao said quietly his voice slightly hoarse from crying.
"As I mentioned earlier I may be receiving the main role for the upcoming drama 'Blade of Shadows'. If I do receive the role I'll need to practice my lines and believe me I'm one to practice even at home and it's not exactly easy nor helpful practicing alone." Daisuke began, "I can see how much you a struggling and I don't know why but it pains me to witness it. Now you can say 'no' I won't blame you, but if are willing to accept my help I will gladly take yours in return."
Mao's throat by this time had cleared up and he looked u at the other man confused, "I don't understand."
"I am offering to help you a little on your expenses and in return-" Daisuke added quickly when he saw Mao about to protest, "in return I am asking you to help me with my lines and maybe a few small odds and ends."
"Odds and ends?"
"Like allowing me to come visit you or you coming to see me." Daisuke said truthfully, " I don't know why but I've grown a bit fond of you and-" he chuckled when he felt Roku rub up against his leg again, "I've grown quite attached to this ball of fur."
Mao lightly chuckled himself. "So it wouldn't be charity?"
"Nope, you would pay me back with the 'currency' I mentioned." Daisuke confirmed, "Besides, I kind of know what it's like to struggle a little to get by. I wasn't exactly a hit when I first started as an actor. I had to build up my popularity."
Mao only nodded feeling a flush of red reach his cheeks when he felt his stomach began grumbling.
Daisuke looked at his cellphone and stood up. "Come on, I am taking you out for breakfast."
"But I don't-"
"It's on me. We are both hungry and you need to take a small break from studying." Daisuke said.
"But are you sure it's a good idea? I mean you're well-" Mao bit his lips, "And I'm-"
It took him a moment but Daisuke understood, "It's pretty early still and if we don't make eye contact no one should bother us. I'll take care of everything. Just because I'm a bit famous doesn't mean I can't go out in public. You just have to know how to not draw attention to yourself."
Mao sighed in defeat as he nodded, "Okay but only because I find it harder to study when I'm hungry."
Daisuke laughed outwardly at that and smiled warmly at the other boy.
Mao walked over to the corner and put the small metal box back before securing the piece of the wall and placing everything back the way it was. He then walked over to the kitchen and pulled out a small bag of cat food. "If we're going to go and eat there's no reason why Roku shouldn't either."
"I couldn't agree more." Daisuke said the smile still in place. The same smile widened when he saw Roku look at his dish and looked up at Mao who gave the same instruction as before and once again Roku balanced on his hind legs for a brief moment before going to eat the food provided.
"Okay now I just need another minute and I'll be ready." Mao said as he went over to his closet pulled out an outfit then went into the bathroom to change. Once he emerged he looked down, "Is this okay?"
Daisuke looked at the other boy to see him dressed in a pair of dark khakis a white undershirt and a sky blue button up shirt. "You look really nice. " that earned a blush from the younger boy and Daisuke found he actually liked it when Mao blushed yet he wasn't sure why. He pushed the thought from his head, "Now come on I'm still hungry."
Mao smiled and grabbed his key and pocketed it after saying goodbye to Roku. He turned to look at Daisuke, "So where are we going to go?"
Daisuke thought for a moment for an idea came to him and he took the other boy's hand into his own, "It's a surprise."
A/N: I know the chapter's aren't that long and I apologize for that. In the future they will be longer. I hope all who read this will like it! 3 reviews = chapter 4! Also there's a pattern I'm putting in the chapters. If anyone can guess what it is I made add you as a character!