Nishioka and Ogita were elated.
"Did you see the ratings?" Nishioka said with glee. "I knew you had it in you!"
Even grumpy Ogita cracked a smile. "Good work."
"I'm shocked," Takumi admitted.
He truly was. Never did he expect to host a show focused on fashion and be recognized for it.
After his time away, Takumi's strategy had been to build his brand. He stuck to his own style and did not give a damn about what was currently popular. He picked endorsements for niche labels. Nishioka, Ogita and him worked together to get editorials which were more sartorial than trendy.
It paid off when he began to receive press about his fashion style and his refusal to be on social media. They clouded him in an aura which was thoroughly undeserved.
Takumi was hesitant when the network station offered a show. The formula was remarkably simple. It called for Takumi to dish out opinions of what he thought was trendy, give tips on fashion and speak with guests from the industry.
Nishioka convinced him to give it a try. Akira listened to his tirade before pronouncing calmly that it appeared to be a good business proposal.
So Takumi went for it.
Now, he looked at the report proclaiming positive reception from audiences and critics alike. Even accounting for the promotion which the station and his agency did, the spectacular ratings exceeded expectations.
"Lets go celebrate tonight!" Nishioka announced.
"Tomorrow? I've plans," Takumi said. He was supposed to meet Akira for dinner. Ever since Akira's grandmother passed away, he displayed admirable resilience but also threw himself even more into his work. Takumi needed to make sure that he didn't turn into a corporate robot.
"Just don't get into the tabloid pages," Ogita warned.
Takumi huffed as he stood up to leave. "Please. I'm hardly a naïve newbie."
He received skeptical looks from both men. Bastards.
As he sauntered to his car, in a good mood, his phone rang.
"Akira?"
A regretful voice came through. "Sorry, Takumi. I need to cancel dinner tonight. The client wants to meet."
Takumi sighed. "Fine. You're buying next time."
"Of course."
"Is it that client you're so impressed with?"
"He is sharp. Quite refreshing," Akira chuckled.
"Stuck in your office again?"
"No. I'm meeting him at his suite," Akira replied, entirely impassioned.
"At his hotel?" Takumi tried to keep an edge out of his voice.
"Yes," Akira's tone had a frown to it. "Unusual request. But he wants to discuss sensitive information."
It wasn't often that Akira took a liking to his clients. He also knew that Akira was zealously professional when it came to his work.
But no amount of logic could tame a jealous medusa rearing its heads.
He replied cheerfully, "See you another time!"
"Thank you," Akira sounded relieved and sincere. "I'll make it up to you."
Takumi bit back a retort.
xxxxxxxx
A million possibilities of what Akira was up to this evening created a storm of rage which he couldn't contain. Which was so foolish because Takumi knew that he had no right to claim any part of Akira.
In a pathetic attempt to distract himself, he went to a party at a bar hosted by one of his fellow models.
It was Akira's loss. Why couldn't he want Takumi? Enough people did.
Even in a room full of gorgeous beings, he attracted attention. Maybe he could finally have a fling. No strings attached. Take up on an offer which he was so prone to receiving.
Such as the man accosting him at the bar.
An actor. Well-regarded. They filmed a commercial together once.
He didn't bother engaging in any unnecessary conversation. Straight to the point.
He also had an understated handsomeness which reminded Takumi of a certain someone.
That fueled his anger further. He didn't hesitate when the actor suggested to retreat to a dark corner behind the bar.
He miraculously didn't panic when he found himself backed against a wall.
"You know this place well," Takumi commented mildly.
The actor chuckled. "I own this place."
And he kissed Takumi. Their bodies pressed tightly against each other.
Takumi kissed him back. Not that he was a well-versed kisser. Not that the other man even noticed because he was making all sorts of noises which indicated pleasure.
When a hand reached under his shirt, he felt the familiar signs of fear and anxiety inching up his throat.
He kissed the man harder, eliciting a surprised groan.
Takumi desperately did not want to give in. Simply because of a stupid, childish jealousy that if Akira could do this with anyone, he would too.
Inside, he was miserable.
He had known for a long time that there was only one person who could touch him.
It wouldn't change tonight.
There was nothing he could do to prevent the onslaught of terror which consumed him.
Takumi broke off and pushed the actor away.
"Hey!"
"Stop," Takumi said raggedly, trying to hold his demeanor together.
"Ah, I see," the actor misunderstood. "Let's move somewhere else?"
Takumi started to move away but a hand grabbed his arm.
"This way."
He almost reached out to the nearest object and used it on the unsuspecting man. Almost lost all sense of control except to run away.
If not for the phone which rang.
They both jumped. Startled.
A unique ring tone. Takumi knew at once who it was.
He didn't want to pick it up. The idiot could wait while he was close to causing bodily harm.
"I need to get this."
"Seriously?"
"It's Nishioka," he lied.
The actor backed away. No one wanted to offend the powerful agency head.
Takumi found his phone in his pocket.
"Hello?"
"Sorry for the last minute," Akira's voice came through. "Do you still want to meet up?"
No, why should he run after him like a lapdog? He was done with that.
"Are you out? We can meet another time," Akira offered.
"No," Takumi said quickly.
"The usual place?"
"Yeah. See you."
He hung up and found the actor looking at him curiously.
Takumi had a convenient excuse. "One of your waiting staff. The one with blond hair. He's on a tabloid's payroll."
He knew that coming here. Knew that and yet he risked this stupid encounter which he hated.
The depth of his stupidity. Bottomless.
The actor's eyes widened in shock. He said angrily, "I'll deal with it."
"I have to go," Takumi told him.
"Yes, of course. Maybe..we can meet up again?"
It was hopeful. Probably because he didn't know how close to danger he was in before being saved by Akira's call.
Takumi merely smiled and edged past him.
He realized as he got out of the bar that the awful panic was gone.
xxxxxxxx
Their eyes met across the street. An instant understanding.
Akira sauntered over.
"You look like you had fun," Takumi teased.
"So do you," Akira returned.
"How was it?" Takumi couldn't resist asking.
"It was...educational," Akira remarked.
"Wasn't he your type?"
"He's my client," Akira clarified. Then he frowned. "Did you think that I was interested?"
"You did go to his hotel suite," Takumi commented lightly.
It didn't cross Akira's mind. It was a complicated case, tangled with information which would land headlines in the financial pages if any word got out.
The client did insinuate that they could continue to meet after business was completed. Akira had deflected that by focusing on the matter at hand.
He was not interested. He also knew the precise reason.
"I was engrossed in papers," he told Takumi drily.
Takumi's lips quirked. "Should have known."
"Let's go," Akira gestured towards the direction of their usual bar. "Did I drag you away from a party?"
"You saved me from a party," Takumi was amused.
"Strong choice of words," Akira teased.
Takumi burst into laughter.
"You have no idea!"