It's safe to say he literally got zero sleep over the course of the night. Since the late chat with Toshi yesterday has him considering to do something he's been trying to ignore. Several possibilities continue running through his mind on just how this can turn out. Groaning he throws in the towel on getting any rest and rolls out of bed. He doesn't have to meet with Natsume until evening so there's still some time for himself.
Firstly deciding to pull out what he's going to wear early, so he doesn't have to worry about taking all day when it's time. Fumbling inside drawers a sudden sharp pain causes a hand to shoot up to his head. The headache is probably from lack of sleep, and makes a mental note to take some pain reliever after breakfast.
When evening rolls around Kahaku finishes getting ready. Wearing a long sleeve black decorated shirt with a gray tank thrown underneath it. A matching and red leggings with a necklace. Heading out his room he crossing paths with Sho in the hallway. "I'm going to be leaving in a few minutes. You can just order something for dinner if you want."
"Oh, are you going with Natsume?"
"Yeah I am, but what makes you say that?"
"You always put in more effort in what you're wearing when going to see him." Sho points out having a light blush cross his face. Even his little brother has picked up on things, and it's only a matter of time before Natsume does too.
That's why I need to be the one to tell him first, before he figures it out on his own. Making things more complicated than they already are.
"Exams are coming up so make sure you're studying. I'll see you when I get back."
...
With the destination fairly close by he figures it's better to walk than waste gas. Even if he doesn't excatly have the energy with everything on his mind. Compared to how much he gotten lost when first moving to the city, he finds the plaza easily enough. Natsume is already there waiting by the time he arrives. The blonde wearing a white star covered shirt with a black over the shoulder jacket. Brown fitted pants and usual pair of sunshades to hide his eyes. "Hey, right on time. Don't you look cute," he adds with a smirk.
"R-Really? I just threw on whatever I could find..." Such an obvious lie. What's the purpose in fibbing when he's supposed to confess his true feelings tonight anyway?
"The restaurant is just down this way." The taller male starting off with him quickly following after. Glancing around at the crowded streets, Natsume takes another look at him. "You know, you'll probably have to start wearing a disguise of your own soon. I'm sure seeing us like this won't take long for people to put two and two together. Plus your popularity has really been on the rise lately."
"That's true. I hope no one recognizes us tonight..." He can't afford to have fans interrupt this like at the rink. There's already enough pressure on him as it is.
"As long as we lie low I'm sure we'll be just fine," he insists.
There is a peaceful silence between them as they walk for a minute. Kahaku's thoughts are so wrapped up he can't seem to think of any conversation starters. A sudden tickle in the back of his sinuses causes his walking to slow. The soft sound having Natsume raise an eyebrow. "Are you chilly? It has been more colder than usual this year."
"N-No, I'm fine." Though he waves it off only just realizing how heavy his body feels. Along with sneezing and the headache that hasn't left since this morning, makes him believe he may be coming down with something. He doesn't even have an appetite despite not eating much for breakfast at all. Though if he tries to reschedule now he'll never go through with telling him. It'll always be another excuse. Sighing softly as he tries to push himself to get through the evening.
...
(Toshi POV)
In a shooting room at Shimmer agency the triplet brothers stand posed as more flashing lights go off. A young woman scrolls through the cameras photos and nods. "That should do it. Good work today you three."
"Gah, that shoot took forever," Yoshi groans plopping down in a seat to rest.
"Honestly I'm ready to head back home and relax," Makashi seconds.
However Toshi stays quiet lost in thoughts of last night. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to give him that push. He's sure the feelings are mutual but there's things about Natsume's complicated relationship that Kahaku isn't aware of. It really wasn't his place to intervene.
Checking his phone for the millionth time there's still no reply from Kahaku, so maybe he hasn't told him yet. Taking a drink he's startled from his prodding with Makashi trying to get his attention. "Oi, Toshi that's my water bottle."
"Huh?" Sure enough he picked up the wrong one by mistake. Mumbling an apology and handling his back to him. The pair gazes doesn't leave him as he starts to pack up.
"You seem a little distracted today."
"Yeah, what's going on?" Yoshi chimes in follow and the oldest eyes remained glued to his bag.
"Nothing really..."
"You're a terrible liar. Worse than me." The youngest says with a small chuckle. It's no harm telling them at least a little to get this off his chest.
"I just think I may have gave Kahaku poor advice yesterday, and I'm not sure what to do about it."
"You gave Kahaku advice on what?" Makashi asks.
"I can't really say. It's something more personal..."
"Oh come on, Toshi! Aren't we a special exception?" Yoshi whines giving pouty eyes, but simply shakes his head at the pleading.
"No, that's not how it works. I'm sure this is something he doesn't want everyone to know."
"You know, we can't help you if you won't say what the problem is. Isn't that right, Maka?" The younger glancing at Makashi to help back him up.
"He does have a point."
Toshi doesn't flinch in the least crossing his arms. Now that he brought it up these two will keep bugging him about it. No matter how much they try to wear him down, they aren't getting anything out of him. "Just forget I ever mentioned it because I'm not telling either of you anymore."
They exchange looks a sly smile creeping across their faces. "You're always so stubborn, Toshi. Seems like we're going to have to get him to talk another way then," Yoshi says with a snicker.
"Yeah, we'll make you fess up to us." Makashi and Yoshi slowly closing in on their brother as his back hits the hall behind him.
"W-Wait, just what do you plan on doing to me?"
Toshi rolls around on the carpet floor hysterically with each one at his side. He tries pushing their hands away from his torso, but removing one pair of hands only causes the other to take over. They've been going at this for a good minute now, but he still refuses to speak. "Pft stop...please stop!"
"This could of all been avoided if you just told us what advice you gave," Yoshi replies in a cheeky tone.
"Tell us what happened and we'll stop." Makashi bargains and after lasting a few more seconds he finally starts to crack.
"O-Okay I give in! I told him he should confess to Natsume!" Finally getting him to spill they immediately withdraw from their tickle torture. Toshi tries to catch his breath as the other two let sink in what he just said.
"Woah, you told Kahaku to tell Natsume how he feels?!"
"Yeah, though I regret suggesting that now..." he mumbles, sitting up straight. Maybe if he was to hurry and call he can get ahold of him before it's too late.
"That's crazy. Makashi, how can you not be suprised by this at all?!" Both turning to the middle triplet looking dumbfounded by the whole conversation.
"Wait you mean to tell me that Kahaku is actually in love with Natsume? Not just for the cameras?" he asks and both males eyes widden.
"You really didn't know?"
"Well Makashi was always more oblivious when it comes to love matters." Toshi teases having him make a face.
"S-Shut up! With the role they're playing it's hard to tell what's real and what isn't...Still, I assumed it was just issues with One Star again. I wasn't expecting anything like this."
"Kahaku really does value their friendship, so if he's content with the way things are then-"
"I think you did the right thing." Suprised that Yoshi cuts him off as he stands on his feet. "I mean it's going to come out sooner or later, so best to deal with it now right?"
"Actually I agree. Regardless time isn't going to change Natsume's decision. Akira isn't going anywhere so he might as well get this off his chest."
He's a little shocked by their support but they have a point. The longer things drag out the more difficult it'll become. Since Natsume won't listen to them the only option left is for Kahaku to make the first move. "I guess you're both right in that aspect. Kahaku said he might tonight since they're supposed to be meeting up, though he hasn't replied anything yet."
"It's still early so we'll just have to wait until he clues you in. Let's hurry and get moving. Sojuro's going to be pissed if we keep dragging our feet." Makashi grabbing his stuff and heading out ahead of them.
Yoshi as he passes gives him a sympathetic pat on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Toshi. When Kahaku tells us we'll totally acted suprised, then he won't know you spilled the beans."
"Who's the two who pressured me into doing that in the first place? Yoshi!" He exclaims running to catch up with them.
...
(Soma POV)
In the conference room at the Rising Up agency four men sit around the table as their leader is on his cellphone. "You're telling me you really aren't going through with this? Don't you want justice for what Natsume put you through? Now will be you're only chance."
"I've made my decision. All of that is in the past and I only plan to look ahead towards the future. If you wanna try and sabotage their career it'll have to be by some other method, but not through me." The call ending Soma hisses slamming the phone down on the table. His brother glances up from the schedule he's going over.
"I'll take that as you couldn't convince her."
"What do we do now?" Hachiro asks, and the younger twin pulls out a copy of the letter.
"We still have this and we don't necessarily need her testimony to expose Reiji." Once the idea leaves Ryuga's lips though Kenshin is quick to protest.
"We can't do that! We shouldn't involve Ran if she doesn't want to do this. There'll be other ways and besides, what if the letter isn't enough proof? People could believe it's just another lie."
"This isn't a fib but the truth. The same goes for that relationship of theirs. It's obvious they aren't really together," Soma argues but he shakes his head.
"Even if it's true no one else knows that. If fans think we lied not once but twice about Treasure it'll only make us look bad."
Soma let's out a frustrated sigh them right back at square one. They only have a limited amount of time to prove their worth to this agency. He cannot let this last chance go to waste. "Well we need to think of something quick. The president isn't going to be happy about this..." The men fall silent pondering what course of action to take next.
Suddenly the door swings wide open by a certain red head that startles them all. "Yes, I'm first today!...Huh? I thought for sure with how early I got here I'd be the first one. How long have you guys been here?"
"N-Not for too long! We all so happeningly arrived around the same time," Kenshin insists, the other giving a sceptical look.
Soma grabs his cell ruffling Itsuki's hair as he walks past him out the door. "Come on, let's go ahead and get started with practice then."
"I'm all fired up!" Itsuki skipping behind him as the others follow after.
...
(Kahaku POV)
Street lights turn on throughout the area as it's gotten dark out. The pair stroll out the restaurant together that was way more exhausting than he anticipated. Natsume giving the younger a slightly worried look as they head down the sidewalk. "Hey, are you feeling okay? You didn't eat much back at the restaurant. Did you not like the food?"
"Huh? No, the food was really good. I guess I just wasn't that hungry. Anyway, what was the surprise you spoke about before?" Trying to get his crush to forget the first question he asked. Honestly the restaurant Natsume chose was a really nice one. It had to be costly paying for them both, that making him a bit guilty for wasting so much. Kahaku could have actually enjoyed the food if he didn't feel so crappy. Still he survived this long and he can hold out for one more stop. He promised himself to go through with this no matter what.
Natsume insists that they'll reach the place soon enough. His effort to change the subject being a success.
(Akira POV)
Akira exits a small antique shop a little futher down the road. Just finished with a little window browsing to get some fresh air. Feeling her phone buzz she checks to see who's calling. When reading her parents name shoves the device back inside her purse. She assumed they would of grown tired of this by now and months have passed. There's no way she's going back home to them, because nothing will ever change. Actually she's perfectly happy with the way things turned out. Natsume gets to keep his promise to her this way.
Going to take off for home she stops dead in her tracks when catching a glimpse of the familiar blond walking. "Isn't that Natsume..." Right across the street her boyfriend strolls soon to get swallowed up by the crowd. Akira's about to give chase when realizing he isn't alone. None other than Kahaku tailing behind him. Natsume did say he plans this evening, but never mentioned that boy was apart of the equation.
"Where are they going? That's the direction towards..." Mind made up she quickly maneuvers her way through people before losing full sight of them completely.
(Kahaku POV)
Natsume leads him down a few back alleyways and he can't begin to guess where he's taking him. "Come on, this way." Climbing the long ladder on the side of an abandoned looking building. The shorter male slowly follows him up. Natsume offering him a hand as Kahaku reaches the top.
Just traveling that little wase already has him pooped. He sure hopes there's a good explanation for all of this. "What was the purpose of you dragging me up here?"
"Look." He follows Natsume's gaze to the beautiful sight of the town down below. The white snow falls covering the rooftops as people go about their night. "It's a nice view, isn't it?"
"Yeah...just above the city lights down below the stars."
"I found out about this place a little while after moving here. When failing to keep my promise to you I didn't know what to do. So much time had passed by then and I wanted to call, but lacked the courage. When I discovered this place it reminded me of our special spot by the lake. So anytime I needed to clear my head this is where I came. Maybe this could be our new base."
He didn't just remember me when we got reunited. Natsume has been thinking about me all this time, and the same goes for myself too. Ever since back then and even till this day my love only grows stronger...
He glances over at him still admiring the sight. Natsume truly does look even more handsome under the moonlight. If he tries to explain his emotions it might not get through to him. Kahaku was never good with words so rather decides to take a different approach. His feet moving on their own closing the little distance between them. "What wrong, Kahaku?"
Without answering the question he pulls the taller male closer to his level. Standing on his toes and kisses him on the lips. Natsume's eyes widen at the touch and the only presence surrounding them is the gentle winter air blowing. This reverse from how things were back on television. He wants to express all his love by this one simple action. The younger finally pulls away opening his violet eyes, to see an unreadable expression written on Natsume's face. "...Kahaku, I-"
"I can't believe this." A certain female's voice cutting him off as they both spin around to spot Akira peeping from the ladder. Natsume isn't the only one speechless now as Kahaku wonders just how long she's been spying there. "I can't believe you took him here of all places. The one we found out together. Plan on having paparazzi catch your secret makeout session from the skies, huh? I always had a strong feeling but I just didn't want to face reality..."
"Akira, wait this isn't-!" Not giving any time for him to explain she's already moving downwards. Natsume goes to give chase as the dark haired male reaches on instinct. Digging his nails tightly unto his arm once more. He can't just leave after all of this!
"Natsume, please wait! I'm sorry things happen this way, but I can't keep going along with this act anymore! I-I only want to...know-" Kahaku's train of thought vanishes as an overwhelming dizzy spell makes him lose his balance. The grip on his arm suddenly loosening as his body limply falls foward.
"Kahaku!" Is the last thing he hears before everything around him goes black.
A/N Quite the cliffhanger this time! Sorry there's so many POV changes this chapter. What happened to Kahaku and is Natsume's relationship with Akira really over? Please vote and comment if you like!