Running after him

Asakura was gazing down at him, concern etched in every line of his face. But even when he looked beside himself with worry, the man's handsomeness was still undeniable. His pair of deep, black eyes were glued to Sato's face.

The intensity of that stare ultimately caused the young man to become breathless and muddleheaded.

"Sato-kun, what happened to you? You look like you're sick." Producer Fukuoka intervened.

Seeing how Sato was keeping silent, his curiosity was suddenly aroused.

Director Mayama, on the other hand, added in an almost melancholic tone.

"And you even spilled the coffee. Such a waste."

With other people suddenly addressing him, Sato was finally startled awake from his stupor. He blinked quickly a few times, regaining some of his usual composure. With great effort, he even managed to show Asakura a hesitant smile.

"I... I am fine. I just tripped and... I am sorry about the coffee. I will go and bring another one."

With that, he turned on his heels and left the room in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Asakura remained still for a moment. As he watched Sato's fleeing back, his expression gradually turned grave.

"I'll go after him." he declared hastily.

He stepped closer towards the door but, barely a second later, he stopped in his tracks. He looked as if he had just remembered something.

"Please keep me posted on that Kishi Touma matter. If he really agrees to work with us, I must be informed immediately." Asakura threw over his shoulder.

After that, he walked through the door like a gust of wind, not sparing the befuddled pair of producer and director a single glance.

"What was that all about?" Producer Fukuoka asked, sounding both confused and a bit annoyed.

"I guess Imamura-kun isn't feeling very well. To have that coffee spilled... Ah, such a waste." Director Mayama sighed again.

"Would you knock it off with the coffee! Why do you keep bringing it up like this?!" the other man snapped at him.

"But I really feel like drinking coffee now. And to see it being thrown away like this..."

"Gah! Just stop it already! I'll go get you one if that will make you shut up." Producer Fukuoka finally couldn't hold back from crying out in frustration. He even threw his hands in the air before turning to leave.

In the meantime, Asakura was still chasing after Sato.

"Sato-kun, wait!" Asakura yelled after him.

Several moments later, he finally caught up to the young man. Just to make sure the other party won't run away anymore, he grabbed him tightly by the arm.

Panting slightly, Asakura turned Sato to look him in the eye.

"Why are you running away?"

"I... I'm not." Sato replied, feigning calmness. But the slight tremble of his lips immediately gave away his nervousness.

"Then what are you doing?"

"Didn't I say it before? Getting another coffee. The one I had bought for you is now gone, therefore..."

"I don't feel like drinking coffee right now." Asakura interrupted, frowning deeply.

Without realizing, his fingers tightened around Sato's arm, making the young man flinch.

"I want to know what's wrong with you. Why are you looking like this?" Asakura continued his questioning.

"L-Like what? D-Do I have something on my face or... M-Morning bed hair perhaps?"

Sato raised his free hand and tried to brush his hair, but Asakura suddenly yanked him harshly.

The unexpected movement caused Sato to stumble on his feet. He was forcefully brought forward until his face was almost lined with Asakura's. From this position it was easier for the latter to see his expression.

The pair of eyes met and Sato felt a sudden jolt of surprise.

Asakura's eyes were boring into his own with intensity, making it difficult for him to look away. A dark and swirling depth appeared in those black pupils, giving Sato the impression of two black holes ready to suck his soul in an instant.

The two of them stared at each other like this for a few seconds, until Asakura finally blinked and the pressure was thus lifted. Sato immediately felt like he could breathe again.

However, the interrogation wasn't over just yet.

"What happened back there? You had the look of someone who received a huge shock." Asakura asked calmly.

"I wonder..." Sato whispered to himself.

He lowered his head and stared at his feet, ignoring Asakura's tight hold on his arm.

"Was it because they mentioned Touma's name? Is it the same person? This Kishi Touma they talked about… Is it 'him'?"

"I… You think too much, Asakura-san." Sato suddenly panicked.

He didn't want to talk about Touma or admit that it was indeed the same person.

"I was just taken by surprise and it is true that I tripped. Asakura-san, please don't make me seem weaker than I really am."

As he said those last few words, Sato's voice sounded low and soft. When he finally looked up at Asakura's face, he was displaying a weak and pleading smile.

Seeing him like this made Asakura's fingers twitch. For a moment, he felt the impulse of holding this person. It was such a strong desire that it took a full minute before reason finally subdued that urge.

When he spoke next, Asakura's voice was slightly hoarse, but his tone sounded very serious.

"Do you want me to intervene? I can make it so that he won't receive the part no matter how many recommendations he gets."

"No! I wouldn't want that." Sato hurried to say. His pure, trembling eyes stared back at Asakura pleadingly. "Besides, Asakura-san, you said so yourself… That you wouldn't involve yourself like this."

"I know what I said, but seeing your earlier reaction made me reconsider it."

"Then, I apologize for causing you to doubt your previous decision. It's my fault for making you have these thoughts. Asakura-san, I understand your good intentions, I really do. However, using your influence to stop a talented actor from receiving a part isn't right. I wouldn't want you to do such a thing for my sake."

As he spoke, Sato kept staring Asakura in the eye.

Despite his obvious inner turmoil, his steady gaze was showing a rare trace of steel-like determination.