Picking one out doesn't take long already having an idea on what he's looking for. Making the purchase Kahaku heads toward the entrance they came in at. He passes by the bathrooms on his way back. He does need to go and took less time at the store than planned. It would probably be awhile before Natsume starts to worry. "I better hurry then."
Inside the restroom is nearly empty-as expected given the time. After doing his business he washes his hands letting his thoughts wonder off. Completely unaware of the three men eyeing him towards the exit. One of them walks over leaning against the free sink towards the left of him. "That's a nice case you have there."
His address snaps him back to reality. It takes him a minute to let sink in what he just said. Once it does however he immediately goes on defensive mode taking a step away. These guys already come off shady with their large hoodies and overly torn jeans. This time of night makes the situation even worse. "I could use a new phone case. Come to think of it I could use a new phone also. Why don't you hand them both over to me?"
So he wants to steal his cell also. He glances down at the strap to see it dangling from his right pocket. He never would had known about it if it wasn't out in the open like this. First mistake he can't change now.
Kahaku strategies his situation. There are three of them in total. The other two are standing-well more blocking the entrance way. He'd be lucky winning in a fight against just one of them, so taking on all three definitely isn't an option.
"I'm waiting."
I'm not just going to hand this over to them. And with fighting out of the question there is only one thing I really can do.
"Times up." Just as he inches closer to Kahaku he draws back his left leg. At the right moment kicking him hard in the groin. A dirty trick, yes, but it is the only way he can think of to get him down quickly. He stops in his tracks falling to his knees, then dropping to the floor hollering in pain. He takes this opportunity to try and push past the last two, and make a run for it. As he tries to shove through he hits them unevenly, running into the tall dark haired man on the left harder than the one on his right. The tall guy surprised by the sudden turn of events loses his balance stumbling forward. Unfortunately Kahaku isn't as lucky with the other one, only knocked back a little bit. Quickly recovering he grabs Kahaku's arm as he passes him. Pulling and yanking the young male so hard he falls back on the floor. The first guy slowly stands to his feet.
"I'll be taking this." He snatches the cell phone along with case out from his pocket. "I don't think we can let slide what you just tried to pull, kid. Can we guys?" The other guys snicker in agreement, and the first man attitude completely changes as his glare pierces at him. "Hold him down."
The deep chilling tone of his voice sends a shiver down his back. The two friends obey without delay and each pin him down on both sides. What are they going to do? Let him have a beatdown while they prevent his escape? He tries to remain calm thinking of how he can get out this mess. "Just what do you plan on doing to me?"
A sly smile spreads across the blonde's face and he drops over him. He runs a hand up Kahaku shirt causing his body to tense up. Then he slowly runs it to his pants and begins to undue is buttons. Realization hitting him and anxiety kicks in as he struggles to get free. "Please stop! Anything but this!"
"We gave you an option when I asked you to hand it over the first time. Now you'll have to pay for your mistakes." The last part he whisphers in his ear. Kahaku resisting all the more but they only hold him down even tighter.
"HELP! SOMEONE! ANYONE!"
"You're wasting your time boy. No one is going to hear you from in here. The mall is practically empty at this hour." The shorter man to the left of him sneers. He's absolutely right about no one being around to help. Nobody but Natsume still waiting in the car for him, who isn't aware of what predicament he's in. Still he is his only hope.
I need your help, Natsume. Natsume!
(Natsume POV)
Natsume is standing outside the electronic store only to find it closed up. "They're closed. I didn't see him on the way here. Where is he?" he mumbles aloud to himself, heading back the way he came. He passes the bathrooms without a glance. Until he hears the fate sound of his name being shout.
"Natsume! Natsume!"
He stops in his tracks rushing back towards the men's room. The man has pulled down his own pants to his ankles, and is in the process of pulling down Kahaku's. All of them turn to meet the man that walks in.
(Kahaku POV)
"Natsume!" A wave of relief rushes over him as the three guys exchange looks.
"Who is he? Your boyfriend?"
Natsume who at first seems dumbfounded by shock has been replaced with anger. "Get away from him."
The dark haired male snorts seeming completely unconcerned with Natsume's fierce tone. "I don't care who you are. Get lost if you know what's good for you."
Natsume slowly reaches towards his disguise. Throwing off his shades and the hat to reveal his cold gaze. The minute he lays eyes on them the three freeze in terror. A deep rage burns in his eyes that Kahaku has never seen before, but he's still composed at the same time. "I'm not going to tell you again to release him."
"That's N-Natsume Reiji!" The shorter male exclaims.
"It really is him..." The blonde slowly stands to his feet scurrying away from Kahaku.
The third wheel of the group that has hardly said two words speaks. "W-We're so sorry! You'll never see our faces again!" The others nodding eagerly at the apology.
"Here!" He throws Kahaku his cell along with its case. "You can have this back too!" Before either of them can reply the men take off running out the bathroom. Nearly pushing the others out of the way as they do so. Natsume rushes over to his side.
"Are you okay? They didn't do anything to you, did they?" He can only manage to shake his head in response, as Natsume helps him on his feet. Fastening his jeans back and brushing the dust off his clothes.
It's silence as the two of them head back to the entrance. Getting in the vehicle Nastume goes to start the car up but pauses. "I'm...sorry I took so long. I should of realized something was up sooner."
"No! It's not your fault." Kahaku's only quiet because he's shaken up a bit. He doesn't want Natsume thinking he's upset with him. If it wasn't for him coming when he did, much more terrible things would have taken place.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'll be okay. Today has just been a long day."
"You can say that again. Sorry I dragged you out to all these places, and I didn't even find anything for Akira."
He seems a little stressed out and Kahaku feels he has to say something. "I don't think it really matters. You said Akira is upset because you don't spend much time with her. I think the best gift you could have is giving her your undivided attention tomorrow."
He looks shocked by his reply at first but a small smile starts to form on his face. "Yeah, I suppose that's true. Well I'll get you home, it's late."
🎤 🎤🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤
At midday Kahaku's talking to Megumi on the phone while searching through his closet for something to wear. "I can't believe all of that happen to you at the mall yesterday. Are you sure you're doing okay?"
"I'm better now. A good night's rest helped clear my head a bit." Most would assume after those events sleep wouldn't come easy. But he was so exhausted from all that happened he was knocked out the moment his head hit the pillow.
"Well it's good Natsume came when he did."
"Yeah, it really is. It was nice of you to take Sho behind the scenes of the show. It's all he has been talking about."
"I figured it would be cool since he's such a huge fan."
Finally finding something he sets it aside putting the other clothes back in the closet. "He needs to get out more. I can't help but worry about him sometimes. Spending so much time just sitting here under the TV by himself."
"I'm sure he'll make friends eventually, but you can't rush it. He just needs a chance to open up. Look at how long it took you."
Kahaku was practically alone if it hadn't been for Natsume, then Megumi. He now has some other people he has learned to talk with, but they're really just associates. Still at least he has someone. He doesn't want for Sho to experience the loneliness he felt back then.
"Well I have a gig to get ready for, so I'll talk to you later."
...
Giving it his all on stage he finishes the rest of the song and applauds fills the room. Fangirls shouts amongst themselves from audience. "Kahaku is just too cute! I heard he is going out with Natsume Reiji!"
"I didn't even know who Kahaku was until now! They're even suppose to be performing together!"
"Right, it's really exciting! I think they'd be a good duo!"
He waves running backstage with a small sigh. "It's fun performing but exhausting at the same time."
"Good show today."
He quickly spins around to be faced with Natsume, this time out of any disguises. "N-Natsume! What are you doing here?"
"I heard you would be performing tonight." He answers sighing dramatically while shaking his head in sorrow. "And here I thought you would be happy to see me."
"It's not like that. I'm just surprised you're not with Akira..."
"I was, I just dropped her off back at home before coming here. You were right though. I planned a special day for just the two of us, and she was really happy with."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves." Of course he is happy that everything all worked out, but another tiny part of him is a little upset.
Natsume peeps from behind the curtain at the raging crowd. "So you got a gig here. Where's your manager?"
"Tatsuya couldn't make it. This is my first time getting a gig at a venue like this. It is a step up from where I was performing before." The release of their relationship hasn't been out long, yet already seems to be working its magic.
"Natsume, we didn't know you'd be here."
They both turn to face three boys that walk up to them. A smirk across Natsume's face as Kahaku stares blankly for a second. The boys are practically identical in appearance having on matching white and purple costumes he knows he's seen before. Naturally they're taller than him but still shorter than Natsume, and all are around the same height. They also have the same red scarlet eyes and short turquoise blue hair with their bangs each parted different directions. One towards the left, the other towards the right, and the middle comed straight down. Actually that's the only way to tell them all apart, and definitely recognizes who they are now.
"Triplets it's been a long time."
"You know them?" Kahaku asks the blonde next to him.
"We met by chance a while back and started talking from there on."
The three go by the unit name as the Shi triplets. They're pretty well known idols performing for a few years now. He's listened to a couple of their songs before for inspiration when starting out. The trio definitely have some talent. He's sure they got the group name from the ends of their real ones; Yoshi, Toshi, and Makashi. They're obviously triplet brothers and only a year older than himself.
"Hear how crazy the crowd is going? That's because they know we'll be singing next. We have been practicing and growing more in popularity since we've been out of high school. We might even surpass you." The one with his bangs to the right says with a smirk.
"Ha, I wouldn't go that far quite yet." He turns and gestures toward the male besides him. "This is Kahaku a friend of mine. He just started performing recently."
The one standing to the left eyes buck, as if realization of something has kicked in. He jumps in front of Kahaku getting a closer look. "You're the one who is seeing and debuting with Natsume!"
"T-That's right."
"I've been waiting to see what you're like. Heh, wow you have a girlfriend and a boyfriend now. How popular you are." Yoshi nudging the blonde in the side having Natsume's expression turn annoyed.
"He isn't really my boyfriend and besides like you're one to talk with the acts you three pull for attention."
"Eh, that's a low blow, Natsume."
"Leave him be, Yoshi. You know the relationship is only temporary to up their fame." The middle one pulling his brother back before turning to face Kahaku with a smile. "I guess we should properly introduce ourselves. I'm Toshi Narukami and these are my brothers Makashi and Yoshi." He replies while gesturing first to his right then left.
"Nice to meet you!" Yoshi giving a small wave, however Makashi simply looks away. The middle triplet lets out a small chuckle.
"He's always like this at first when meeting someone new. He's happy meet you too."
"Um, I've heard a few of your songs. You're really talented."
"Thanks, we started our idol career a little over three years ago. Though lately we've had more time to dedicate to practice since we're out of school now." Toshi explains and a stage hand waves them over.
"Hey, you three are up in five."
"Well that's our cue."Yoshi gives another small wave while heading further backstage. "Hope we get the chance to talk again, Kahaku."
"It's nice meeting all of you," Kahaku replies, as the two watch stage hands set them up for their show. "I never use to be able to tell them apart, but that's why they keep their bangs parted, isn't it?"
Natsume nods at his correct guess. "Yoshi always keeps his parted to the left, Makashi's to the right, and Toshi has his as is. You wouldn't be able to tell who is who otherwise. Well as far as appearance goes, though it's different when you get to know them first."
"Get to know them?"
"They may be triplets but their personalities are way different. Toshi is the oldest, more level headed one, who's really polite. Makashi is cold initially and also has a little bit of a temper. Still he isn't such a bad guy when you get to know him. Yoshi is the youngest triplet who's the clown out of three. He's always friendly and upbeat. Have you ever saw them perform before?"
"No actually, this would be my first. I've only listened to a couple songs online."
Natsume looks as if he's about to say something else, but is interrupted by the crowd screams as the brothers walk out on stage. Toshi is the first to speak when they quiet down. "Hello everyone! We hope you're all hyped for today's performance." As proof more cheers ring their ears.
"Toshi has been putting everything he has into practicing lately. Honestly I really hope you're not overworking yourself. After all if you're not on stage..." Yoshi leans in closer to him a light blush spreading across Toshi's face. "Who would I have fun to tease?"
Makashi leaning towards him as well. "Don't hog him all to yourself. You know you have more fun with me, right Toshi?"
His eyes squeeze tightly shut as the blush deepens. "M-Makashi! We should be focusing on the show."
"You are the show," Yoshi replies in a cheerful tone.
Natsume smiles wryly and Kahaku watches silently from backstage as his face darkened. Just with these few lines alone it's becoming clear to him how these three gain their popularity. However with the small act over their performance is better than expected. Not just their singing but even the dancing is in sync.
"Looks like they're improving," Natsume mumbles. Then placing his hand on Kahaku's shoulder, snapping him out of his trance from their show. "I didn't forget about our little date. We still need to since me dragging you around town yesterday doesn't count. We can reschedule when we both have the free time." With that remark he takes off on his way.