It was all a lie. A well fabricated front. An obvious trap which Akira had inadvertently walked into.
Willingly. Damn it.
"You promised!"
"I did not," Akira said tersely.
Which was completely lost on the recipient.
"Yes, you did. We're going shopping!"
"Don't you have…what do you call them?" Akira tried.
"Personal assistants? Not anymore. But that's not the point," Takumi pouted.
He still couldn't understand how the model with a reputation for aloofness had morphed into this strange version of a man-child. When did they become friends again? Did he agree to this stupid exercise in a moment of weakness?
"You. Promised," Takumi enunciated each syllable. "ANYTHING I want."
Akira gritted his teeth. "Fine."
Takumi grinned and hugged him tightly. Then he laid out the plans for them. "Great! I'll pick you up at eleven. We can go grab a bite and then hit the shops. I need a new coat and sneakers. Something vintage."
"How are we going to avoid the press? Or your fans?" Akira questioned.
"Oh, I'm on a break so they won't care. I'll wear a cap and glasses. If someone spots us, we'll just run," Takumi shrugged. "You look normal enough so that helps."
"Thanks," Akira remarked wryly.
Before they could continue their conversation, a couple of girls walked past them and gawked at Takumi openly.
He threw them a distant, cool smile which Akira could see was enough to send them close to squealing but also to warn them not to approach.
When they scurried away, the smile dropped and Takumi was back in his excitement.
"I checked the weather. It's going to be sunny so we'll have the whole day."
"Weather forecasts are inaccurate," Akira couldn't help but hope.
Takumi gave him an evil eye. "It. Will. Be. Sunny."
"Let's see."
xxxxxxxx
Akira was surprised when Takumi dragged them into an independent store selling formal menswear.
"Welcome back," an older, dignified looking woman greeted him. "Should I call for the master tailor?"
"Ready to wear today. No need to bother him. I'll take a look around," Takumi replied.
"Of course," she agreed amicably and gave a polite smile to Akira.
"You need a new suit?" Akira followed Takumi to one of the racks. The store was empty except for them and he suspected that it was appointment only except for selected customers.
"It's for you," Takumi replied and began flicking through the jackets. "Something more conservative, I think."
"What?" Akira was astounded.
"Your job right? You need to look the role," Takumi said gruffly.
"I can buy my own," Akira said.
"You'll just get some ill-fitting crap like every other student," Takumi retorted. "Appearances matter. Take it from me."
"I'm a new trainee. That's expected," Akira told him coolly.
Takumi ignored his tone. "Says who?"
Akira's next words were going to signal his irritation but Takumi beat him to it.
"I never get to do anything for you. So just let me do this, okay?" Takumi gave him a glance which was both defiant and vulnerable. "I could've asked for custom tailoring, you know."
"Is this supposed to make me feel better?" Akira challenged.
"You can buy me a meal with your first paycheck."
Akira watched as Takumi went back to flipping through the choices on the rack. He didn't like the arrangement but what did his pride matter? When Takumi looked as if he could cry if Akira refused.
"It's not going to be much of a meal," Akira said.
Those stunning eyes looked up at him and a happy smile formed on Takumi's face.
"You're cooking," he announced. "I'll think about what I want."
"My repertoire is limited," Akira reminded him.
Takumi gave him an impish grin. "You can learn a dish for me?"
He would but Akira didn't wish to acknowledge that. "It depends."
Takumi only smiled but didn't respond. He pulled out a suit and pressed it against Akira's shoulders. "Try this. Right size too. We need to get you a shirt as well."
Akira drew in a breath and followed as Takumi called for the sales assistant.
xxxxxxxx
"Well?" Akira asked him expectantly.
Well, you look so damn good and hot and I want to do all sorts of bad things to you, Takumi thought.
He said instead, "Not bad. Like a responsible citizen and worker."
"Good."
"Try the other one," Takumi suggested.
"Why? This works," Akira was perplexed.
"To compare," Takumi pretended to be exasperated.
The second outfit was even better and Takumi yearned to reach out and pull Akira closer.
"Which one?" Akira questioned, looking at the mirror with a frown. "I don't see any difference."
"You have zero fashion sense," Takumi muttered and went to stand beside him. "Actually, they both look good. Let's get them."
"Takumi," Akira warned.
"A meal on your second paycheck too," Takumi countered, almost afraid if Akira could see how desperately he wanted to spend time with him. "And you can buy me a drink later."
Akira studied him for the briefest moment before capitulating. "Just this once."
Never again, went the unsaid warning.