Chapter Text
The walk back to the studio was an awkward one for Hiyoshi. The minute Gakuto was done eating, he reverted back into a surly little brat. Hiyoshi figured he must just do that to people. He didn’t mind, as long as Gakuto behaved while being surly. As they approached the building, Hiyoshi spotted a man waiting at the entrance. His senses went on alert for a split second before Gakuto let out a small gasp and ran ahead.
Hiyoshi was following him, annoyed that the pop star would just break out into a run. Suddenly, Gakuto practically launched himself at the other man. “Yuushi! You’re back!”
The other man, Yuushi, apparently, laughed and caught Gakuto as if this was a normal thing.
And there was a smile even more unguarded than the last as Gakuto laughed. “You didn’t tell me you would be back!”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.” Yuushi said. Hiyoshi took note of his Osakan drawl. He also took note that Gakuto seemed thrilled to see this man. The act of surliness and haughtiness was completely gone as Gakuto clung to Yuushi.
“I still have practice for another couple of hours. Wanna come watch?” Gakuto asked excitedly, as if he didn’t want to leave Yuushi’s sight.
“It would be my pleasure.” Yuushi smiled. Then he looked over at Hiyoshi, looking him up and down.
“Is this your bodyguard, Gakuto? You aren’t making him work hard, are you?”
Hiyoshi sighed, ready for the insults to come.
“I’ve been behaving!” Gakuto insisted. “They’re making him stay in my apartment. It sucks.”
“You really haven’t been giving them a choice, from what I’ve heard.” Yuushi chuckled. He addressed Hiyoshi. “I’ll apologize on Gakkun’s behalf. He really doesn’t mean to cause trouble.”
Hiyoshi shook his head. “He hasn’t been too much trouble.” He said politely.
“I’m Oshitari Yuushi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Yuushi bowed.
“Hiyoshi Wakashi. The pleasure is mine.” Hiyoshi bowed in return.
Yuushi raised an eyebrow, giving Hiyoshi a look before turning his attention back to Gakuto. “We should get you back to practice.”
Gakuto nodded, dragging Yuushi back to the studio, with Hiyoshi following behind. In the studio, Jirou grinned when he saw Yuushi.
“Whoa! You’re back!” Jirou exclaimed. “You’ve been in the States forever!”
Yuushi chuckled. “I’m done with my study abroad. I will start my clinicals soon.”
Hiyoshi took note of that. So this Oshitari was a med student.
Shishido whistled. “Life’s not easy for a med student, huh?”
Oshitari waved it off. “The hardest part is the time it takes. I’ve been studying medicine since the day I was born.”
Gakuto laughed. “Yeah, I bet Yuushi’s dad read medical journals to him as a baby!”
Hiyoshi settled into his post, watching Gakuto as Gakuto interacted with Yuushi. It was disorienting. Gakuto was so unguarded. So open and playful. Yuushi was someone Gakuto could be himself with. Most of the time, Gakuto puts on an act when dealing with people. With Yuushi, that act was gone. Hiyoshi filed that away in his mental Gakuto folder.
As SANBA got seriously into their practice, Yuushi wandered over to stand next to Hiyoshi.
“You certainly take your job seriously.” He drawled. “Your eyes haven’t left Gakuto once.”
Hiyoshi nodded, staring straight ahead. “It’s my job to make sure he’s safe.”
Yuushi nodded. “Your name sounds familiar…did you attend Hyotei Gakuen?”
Hiyoshi nodded. “I did. I kept mostly to myself. I was busy with my martial arts.”
Yuushi hummed in acknowledgement. “So that’s why you feel familiar. You singlehandedly earned Hyotei many accolades in martial arts.”
Hiyoshi shrugged. “I just did what was expected of me.”
Yuushi chuckled. “A rule follower. No wonder Gakkun seems irritated by you.”
Hiyoshi let out a soft sigh as his eyes still followed Gakuto. “Yeah, he hasn’t been too pleased with this arrangement for the most part…” And it bothered him. The few moments he thought he was making progress with Gakuto, something would pull Gakuto back.
Yuushi hummed, looking at Hiyoshi.
“Gakuto takes a bit to warm up to people. Please don’t take it too personally.”
Hiyoshi frowned. It certainly felt personal most of the time.
Yuushi stepped closer to Hiyoshi. “Do you know exactly why Gakuto needs a bodyguard?” He said in a hushed voice.
Hiyoshi looked at him. “...Because he’s reckless?”
Yuushi shook his head. “Can you step out into the hallway with me?”
Hiyoshi squinted at Yuushi, but motioned at Muromachi to guard the door as they stepped outside. “...It’s not just because he’s reckless, is it?”
Yuushi shook his head. “Don’t tell Gakkun I told you this…he doesn’t quite know the depths of it himself, but I’m surprised Atobe didn’t tell you…”
Hiyoshi felt uneasy. “I won’t tell him. What is it?”
Yuushi sighed softly. “Gakkun’s father is not too happy about Gakuto severing ties with the family. Gakuto’s never had a good relationship with his father…and his father isn’t above sending people to make Gakuto suffer…”
Hiyoshi’s brow furrowed. “His own father…”
Yuushi nodded. “Gakuto would often run away from home when things blew up at home. He would try to come to my place, but I don’t know where he would hide when I wasn’t home…”
Hiyoshi’s chest felt like it was knotting up as a memory hit him. That small voice up in the trees, sniffling softly.
Hiyoshi remembers asking him why he couldn’t go home.
”It’s not safe yet. Dad’s really mad…”
So Gakuto had a similar situation at home as Alien-san. That set off alarm bells in Hiyoshi’s head, but he shook it off.
“I see. So Mukahi-san is in danger if he’s alone.” Hiyoshi nodded. “I’ll make sure he’s safe.”
He couldn’t keep Alien-san safe. Maybe he could keep Gakuto safe.
Yuushi smiled softly. “I appreciate that. Gakkun has been through enough.” He tapped his lip in thought for a moment. “Can I give you a word of advice?”
Hiyoshi nodded. He wasn’t too prideful to take advice.
“Stop calling him Mukahi. He hates being referred to by his surname.” Yuushi said. “It might help him get used to you if you just call him Gakuto.”
Such a small thing, but maybe it wasn’t to Gakuto. “I see. I’ll try that.”
Yuushi seemed satisfied with that. “We should head back inside before Gakkun worries.”
Hiyoshi nodded and headed back. Gakuto squinted at him, which Yuushi immediately laughed at.
“Gakkun, be nice. I just had a question for Hiyoshi-kun.”
Gakuto huffed, but then smiled. “Okay, but only because you asked, Yuushi!”
Hiyoshi stood at his post, folding his arms as he let the weight of their conversation settle. This was no longer just babysitting a bratty pop star. This was guarding someone who suffered at the hands of his father, and would suffer even more if Hiyoshi slacked off. Suddenly, this was much more serious.
He had to make sure he did for Gakuto what he couldn’t do for Alien-san.
Hiyoshi leaned against the doorframe, watching Gakuto dance. He was smiling as he looked at Yuushi, laughing and joking as he practiced. Hiyoshi wanted to make sure to protect that smile…even if it was never for him.