12 All that is ordinary

"Yeah, so we broke up," Inaba said glumly.

Segihara pounded his back with sympathy. "Don't be so upset, man. You only got together over summer."

Akira signaled for another round of beer to the waiter.

Inaba sighed. "It's not like I cheated on her or anything."

"What DID she say?" Segihara asked curiously.

"Distance or some shit like that."

"Sounds like an excuse."

"Probably. Guess I got my summer fling."

"Cheer up. At least you had one. I got nothing."

The beer arrived and Akira pushed a pint in Inaba's direction.

"Not worth the trouble," Inaba muttered and downed half of the mug. He turned to Akira and demanded, "How do you do it?"

Akira was puzzled. "Do what?"

His friend expounded with exasperation, "You get asked out ALL THE TIME but you never seem to be tied up with any of them. How do you stay so cool about things?"

Akira shrugged.

"Don't you feel anything special for anyone?"

"Not really," Akira said truthfully.

Inaba shook his head in exasperation.

"He's a stone," Segihara remarked wisely.

"Heartless," Inaba agreed.

Akira said, "I'm not looking for anything serious."

The outings he had could hardly be called dates. Most times, he simply parted ways when morning came and that was the end to it.

There were a few persistent ones who tried to ask for more. Akira always made it clear that a relationship, in any form, was not on the table.

"I can't figure you out!" Inaba whined. "You don't even look like a player!"

Segihara snorted. "He's discreet about his liaisons."

"It's always the quiet ones."

"You got that right. Hey, come on, who have you gone out with? Spill something."

Akira was not about to lay out his fucking history.

"We should focus on the final year and the bar exams after," he reminded them.

Segihara and Inaba both groaned.

"You're boring, man."

"Seriously, and I say this as a friend, what do girls see in you?"

"I don't know," Akira replied. He didn't even know why they were discussing him.

Segihara laughed. "You're gonna be one of those poor bastards who fall hard one day."

"And we are going to watch you pine," Inaba grinned.

"And drown yourself in alcohol."

"We'll carry your ass home. Don't worry."

Akira had the capacity to care for someone. He wondered if he had the capacity to fall in love. It certainly wasn't his priority.

Nevertheless, he played along. "I'll hold you to that."

That seemed to appease them since they turned the conversation to the latest gossip on campus. As Akira listened, a pop-up on his phone caught his eye.

He picked it up and read the message.

'Just got back. Let's hang out soon.' – Takumi

'Sure. How was the assignment?' – Akira

'The usual. Photographer was a diva.' – Takumi

'More so than you?' – Akira

'You idiot. Anyway, I'm gonna crash.' – Takumi

'Rest well.' – Akira

'Zzzz.' - Takumi

"Say, have you spoken to Matsumoto recently?" Inaba asked. "Anything juicy to share?"

There was the fact that Takumi now knew almost everything there was to know about Akira. Or that they were becoming closer to one another despite their vast differences. But his friends were not interested in that.

Also, it was a message. Technically, they didn't speak to each other.

Akira shook his head. "He's busy."

It was a sidestep but somehow that diverted their attention.

"He lives in another world!"

"You saw the picture with that influencer?"

"Kirishima? Yeah, wonder if there's something going on there."

Akira raised his mug to his lips.

xxxxxxxx

"I'm so bored these days!"

"Aren't your studies keeping you busy?"

"Come on, are you taking that seriously?"

"Don't remind me. Can't get my dad off my back. Damn it."

"Are you going to stay in college, Matsumoto?"

Takumi lifted a shoulder. "For now."

A laugh. "It's just good publicity for him."

"Your latest photos in the magazine are so good!"

"Thank you." He flashed a smile and raised his glass of wine.

Takumi was bored out of his wits. The acquaintances standing around him at the mansion were names without personalities. Sometimes Takumi wondered if they were carbon copies of each other, just bearing different names and voices.

The only one among them who had a personality (or too much of it) was abroad. Wada Keigo's presence would have at least made it somewhat entertaining.

Takumi nearly laughed at himself. He was very much part of the production line too and with a defect at that.

He didn't have a right to complain.

He played a little game in his mind and gave them alternative names.

Miss Bubbles. Always a glass of alcohol, preferably champagne, in hand. Her brain cells must be popping like the bubbles she so lovingly drank.

Mr Paper. Heir to a paper company. Thin as a wafer. Blank as a piece of paper.

Miss Obvious. Daughter of a banker to the rich who aspired to be an actress. She didn't have the talent nor the beauty to compensate but no one was going to tell it to her face.

Mr Mirror. Fellow popular model. Takumi knew that it was their jobs to keep maintain appearances but damn, there was a limit to how much one could stare at one's face in a mirror.

He hid a smirk and texted a friend on his phone.

'Hey, I actually found someone who loves himself more than you do.'

A few minutes later, a reply.

'Surely not. Ah, I see. Do you miss me already?' – Keigo.

'Unbelievably, yes. At least you have a brain.' – Takumi

'I'm flattered. Where are you anyway? What sorry company are you keeping?' – Keigo

Takumi named the brand's party and who he was with.

Keigo's reply was immediate.

'Go find someone better to play with.'

Sound advice. The chatter around him continued ceaselessly. Something about where to head to next to cap the night off.

Takumi glanced at his watch surreptitiously. Fifteen more minutes and his duty was done. He promised Nishioka that he would only turn up at the event for two hours.

When the needle on his watch struck the hour, he finished the last of his wine and announced, "I need to go."

"But why?"

"It's so early!"

"Stay for the fun, man!"

"My beauty sleep," he told them airily.

Before they could protest further, Takumi left and fought the urge to run. He was careful to exit the party without attracting too much attention. His driver was already waiting at the entrance, instructed to drive the least conspicuous car in his family's garage.

Takumi called a number the moment he got in.

"Hello?"

"Just done with work," Takumi said with relief. "I'll come over now?"

"Sure. Have you eaten?" Akira asked.

"….No," Takumi admitted.

A sigh. "I've leftover fried rice. I'll heat it up for you."

"Thanks, mom!" Takumi cheered.

"Nevermind. See you."

There was a change of clothes in the backseat. Takumi took off his elegant coat and suit. He pulled a hoodie over and a much more casual jacket on top.

He was dropped off near Akira's apartment building. He put on a mask and a cap. At least he didn't look too out of place given the weather was cold.

He passed by an old lady in the corridor who ignored him.

Akira answered the door at the first ring.

"Hi!" Takumi greeted and went inside.

"I've beer," Akira said. "But eat up first."

Takumi took off his shoes and jacket. He saw a bowl of rice on the table and sat on the floor.

"Thanks for the food." Without further ado, he started munching happily. It was basic and a little salty but he couldn't care less.

Akira sat opposite him and opened a can of beer. "Busy?"

"Yeah," Takumi replied. "Seasonal campaigns and all. But I should get a breather for the next month."

Then he added with a mischievous grin. "Are you worried about me?"

Akira gave him a stern look.

Takumi chuckled. "Don't worry! The agency is not going to let one of its assets go to waste, you know."

Akira didn't seem convinced but he stayed silent.

"Anyway, what about you?"

Not that Akira needed his worrying. The man looked to be in vigorous health. He reached out for a can but a hand rested onto his wrist lightly.

"Finish the food first," Akira ordered.

"You're kidding me," Takumi protested.

"I don't want you passed out of hunger on my floor."

"That's how we met, remember? Me passing out."

"True," Akira acquiesced. "But now that we HAVE met, there is no need to repeat it."

Takumi grumbled, "Fine. Be an adult."

In truth, he was stupidly touched and he was determined not to let it show. That would be embarrassing.

Akira smiled slightly and moved onto another topic.

There was nothing particularly memorable about their conversation. There was also none of the boredom or constant watchfulness which Takumi was used too.

Classes. Plans for the next year. News headlines. The best beer.

Everything which flowed naturally.

All things that were ordinary.