"Why did you get into archery?"
Akira paused. It was not an unexpected question from Takumi. He took another sip of coffee.
They were at the bar/café again. It had developed into a strange weekly routine. Takumi joined him at the library when he was free and they inevitably moved onto this place before both went back to their respective jobs.
Today, they wolfed down pastries. Takumi didn't seem to adhere to a strict diet and he consumed the sugary offerings happily.
"It focuses me," Akira answered finally. He liked the calmness that it provided. The solitary moment when it was only him, the bow, the arrow and the target.
He found archery during a chaotic moment in his life. He didn't leave even after everything had settled down.
A refuge which turned into a comforting habit.
"Is it very calm, when you're standing there?" Takumi inquired.
"Most of the time," Akira acknowledged.
Takumi looked thoughtful. "That must feel good."
"It does."
Takumi's lips quirked. "I saw you once. At the archery club. One of my acquaintances wanted to check out the team captain."
Akira was amused. "Lots of people come by the club to do that."
"It suits you," Takumi commented. "You have a quiet way about you."
"Thank you, I think," Akira said, unsure of how to respond.
"When is your next competition? I may just come to watch," Takumi mused.
That would cause chaos and carnage which would likely disrupt the competition. But Akira told him anyway. "Next term. We are hosting."
"Even better." Takumi's smile broadened.
"Let me know in advance. I'll give the captain a warning," Akira said dryly.
Takumi arched an eyebrow. "Are you implying that my visit will be disruptive?"
"I am implying that you attract a disproportionate amount of attention."
Akira didn't think that he was being humorous but Takumi burst out laughing. His bafflement must have been evident on his face because Takumi started waving his hands.
"It's not you. Really. It's just that no one has ever told me that is bad thing."
"I didn't mean-" Akira didn't want to be rude.
"No, no," Takumi interrupted him. "I'll definitely let you know in advance."
Then he widened his smile. It brightened Takumi's features spectacularly. In a way which was different from his commercials. It seemed real.
Akira lifted the corners of his lips.
xxxxxxxxx
Ogita sped away and Takumi turned around to see Akira entering the plain building.
When he settled back into his seat, his agent commented, "You're spending a lot of time with him."
"Compared to you and the beautiful people? Hardly," Takumi noted airily.
He could see Ogita frown in the rear view mirror. "You know what I mean."
"Oh?"
"Has he asked for any favors?"
Takumi was slightly annoyed, even if he understood where Ogita was coming from.
"He hasn't," he replied. "He is not easily impressed."
"Early days," Ogita muttered.
Takumi couldn't disagree. Almost everyone tried to get close to him because of his status. They didn't care who he was beneath the stardom. It suited him perfectly because in that sense, it was not complicated.
Akira was, however, complicated. He was reserved but more transparent than anyone Takumi knew. He was straightforward but not brutally so. He spoke to Takumi as if he was a person, and not just a lovely picture on a screen.
He shrugged. "We'll see."
Ogita frowned but kept quiet.
xxxxxxxx
Takumi sent him a message late that morning. An article from one of the online entertainment websites.
Headline: Matsumoto Takumi's College Life Revealed!
Photo: Takumi at the square outside the library, speaking with Akira.
Caption: Is he actually hanging out with normal students?
The actual article: Complete trash.
Takumi added in another message, 'Sorry. I'll make it up to you.'
He sighed, resigned to what awaited him, and replied, 'Nevermind.'
Akira was accosted by his classmates the moment he stepped into the lecture hall.
"Hasegawa! You never told us!"
"Oh my god, you KNOW Matsumoto Takumi?"
"How is he like?"
"Do you think you can get an autograph for me? Please?"
He replied politely. No, he didn't know the model that well. They crossed paths a few times. He doubted that he would be granted an autograph.
He was very close to lying but it was for the greater good and to preserve both of their sanities.
When he sat down besides Inaba, his friend glared. Akira supposed he deserved that since he had been ignoring his messages.
"Spill."
"What about?" Akira asked.
"What else, you moron. What were you doing with him?"
Segihara appeared then and took the other seat beside him. Both of them flanking him like a pair of inquisitors.
Akira stuck to the same story. "We bumped into each other. We spoke. That was it."
"No offense but why would he be interested in speaking to you?" Segihara demanded.
Akira flipped open his laptop. "He asked about archery."
Which was true, in any case. Takumi did quiz him about that.
Inaba shook his head in disbelief. "No way."
"He did?" Segihara exclaimed. "Does he want to join the club? Maybe we should tell captain."
"Probably not. No time for practice."
Inaba studied him and shook his head. "You're like, so cool about it."
Akira glanced at him with a frown.
"You do realize he is like..famous?" Segihara said slowly.
"Yes."
"And probably above us mere mortals?" Inaba added.
Akira didn't think that Takumi was a deity or a divine being. "He's human, as far as I can tell."
His friends stared at him.
"Come on!"
"You're weird, man."
"Didn't you see the photos he took with Tomoe? Shit, we'll never be like that."
"Hasegawa, gotta hand it to you."
Akira didn't need to provide a response because the lecturer entered the hall and called for everyone's attention.
The conversation was probably not over. He also had to survive any questions at the cram school.
Perhaps he should take up on Takumi's offer.