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“Isn’t today exciting?” Koichi asked eagerly. He looked like he was going to explode with excitement. “We’re going to meet the famous Jotaro Kujo himself!”
“Yeah, I guess,” Rohan said. “I don’t really see the big deal.”
The three of them: Rohan, Koichi, and Reimi got into a limousine. Reimi showed an address to the driver on her phone and they departed for Jotaro’s house.
“The big deal, Rohan, is that this is the one of the biggest models ever! And we’re getting a deal with him!” Reimi said. “You should be grateful. People are gonna go crazy for this collab!”
“People already go crazy for my works,” Rohan snarked. An arrogant smirk formed on his face, “This is just another client. Just like everyone else.” The car was suddenly silent, and Rohan looked at the two beside him, their faces could read of ‘Really?’. “What? I’m just saying. Plus, we’re only going for an interview process. It’s not like we’re doing anything spectacular.”
“Ugh, you’re so hardheaded.” Reimi flicked her fingers against Rohan’s headband “When you get to meet him, you’ll understand.”
“Isn’t he just a hippy obsessed with the ocean?” Rohan chuckles. He watched as Reimi’s face turned pouty and frustrated. He really enjoyed teasing her, it was like the big sister he never had.
The limo came to a stop and Koichi rushed over to the right side to look out the window. There it was— wait this isn’t a mansion. It’s just a blue house with an obviously enclosed back area. Koichi looked confused and a little disappointed.
“This is the place?” Koichi asked, looking at Reimi.
“Sure is! Isn’t it quaint?” She replied. She and Rohan got out; Koichi came reluctantly. “You seem really disappointed, Koichi.”
“I’m not. Why would someone like him own some big fancy pants place?” Rohan interrupted “I mean the guy puts all his money into goody two shoes stuff like charities.” He strode forward and stepped onto the porch.
“Well, at least he’s humble,” Reimi grumbled. She led Koichi up the small steps and behind Rohan. The green haired man rang the doorbell. The trio waited for what seemed like forever, Rohan observed the eagerness in Koichi’s look.
He really looks up to this guy. Maybe he’s not so bad. Is what Rohan thought. Finally, the door opened, to his surprise a tall, tan, fluffy haired man answered. He wore a black turtleneck and baggy white pants. Rohan gulped as he looked up slowly and saw those piercing blue eyes staring down at him.
“Can I help you?” The man asked in his deep voice. For the first time ever, Rohan found himself frozen. He couldn’t come up with a response. Where had all his confidence from the car ride over went?
“I- “Rohan began.
“We’re, well, mostly he is the fashion designer you’re collaborating with Mr. Kujo,” Reimi explained. “This is Rohan Kishibe, currently the most successful fashion designer in Japan.” Jotaro’s eyes shifted from Reimi back to Rohan. For the first time ever, Rohan felt intimidated. “Aren’t you gonna say something, Rohan?” Reimi nudged him.
Rohan shook his head and posed confidently with his hand on his chest. “Why, yes, as she said it is I, the great fashion designer, Rohan Kishibe.” He then flipped his hair. Silence fell and Rohan could feel— what was this? — anxiety? Rohan Kishibe doesn’t get anxiety! He looked up at the taller man who just stared blankly. Suddenly he held out a hand.
“Nice to meet you Mr. Kishibe,” Jotaro said. The two shook hands. Rohan felt the warmth of his large hand against his small one. It was soft, yet firm. “Um, you can let go,” Jotaro said.
“Huh?” Rohan snapped back into reality and saw he was still holding Jotaro’s hand. “Oh, sorry.” Sorry? Since when did Rohan ever say sorry?
“Well, we should get started. I’m sure you’re a busy guy,” Jotaro said. “Come in.”
Jotaro held the door open as the three filtered into the house. Rohan looked around at the nicely painted white walls with ocean blue furniture to match. Aquatic rugs lay on the floor while ocean-themed collectibles and decorations were neatly placed on shelves. He could see the glass backdoors leading to the enclosed area. An oddly shaped pool sat in it, he wondered what its shape was supposed to be. He also noticed pictures of a small girl in some frames. “Just have a seat wherever you please.” Jotaro closes the door and gestures to the couch and loveseat.
“I mean is there any other choi—” Rohan began to say but Reimi covered his mouth aggressively.
“Thank you for letting us in, Mr. Kujo! Rohan will happily sit down, show you his portfolio and answer your questions!” She leaned into Rohan’s ear smiling and whispered, “Do NOT mess this up.” She removed her hand and Rohan scoffed. Koichi and Jotaro exchanged looks of discomfort. Rohan and Jotaro took a seat on the couch while Koichi and Reimi shared the love seat. Rohan put his bag on his lap and took out a binder.
“Although all my works are amazing, I put my favorites in here,” Rohan explained. He handed the binder to Jotaro who proceeded to flip through it.
“This is really big and heavy,” Jotaro said as he scanned.
“Well, all my pieces are my favorites.” Rohan saw as Jotaro looked up at him from under his strand of hair, his stoic face didn’t even flinch then he went back to scanning. ‘Tough crowd I guess,’ Rohan thought. It grew silent again. Only the sound of plastic covers being flipped. Rohan could feel butterflies starting to form in his stomach as he watched his client slowly scan the pages. The way his eyes move and how they stand out against his tan skin. The light came through the window and lit his face like a renaissance painting, making him look almost divine. He observed his chest and how it moved when he breathed. Rohan wasn't sure what this feeling was, but he was definitely starting to understand the hype around this ‘Mr. Kujo’. Before he knew it Jotaro was done flipping through the pictures, he still hadn’t said anything. Rohan tapped his foot impatiently.
“Well, what did you think?” Reimi asked.
Jotaro sighed, still leaning forward like he was still skimming. “It’s all very creative, but not my style. There wasn't a single ocean inspired piece, there wasn't even a bathing suit.” Jotaro looked at Rohan. “Have you ever done a summer line?”
Rohan felt his heart rate jump when Jotaro looked at him. “Um. . . Well you see,” he started “I’m more of an... upper-class designer. I don’t really deal with common things like bathing suits. Most of my clients want long, flowy, over-the-top dresses or suits. Some even want them as minimal as possible.”
“So, what you’re saying is that you've never done something like this?”
Rohan’s foot immediately stopped tapping. It was like he got caught in a trap. He glanced at Reimi, but she just shrugged with a nervous look on her face. “Y-yes.”
“Hm.”
That’s it? A ‘hm’? What was that supposed to mean? Rohan thought. Suddenly Jotaro leaned towards him, getting dangerously close to his face. The fashion designer tried to keep his nervousness in check, at this range he could be read like a book. The two shared a long gazing moment, Rohan took in all of Jotaro’s beautiful, almost perfect features. After what seemed like forever Jotaro leaned back to his side of the couch.
“I’ll give you a chance, you seem like a good guy,” Jotaro said.
Reimi looked surprised “Him!? A good guy!? Rohan!?”
Jotaro looked at Reimi then back at Rohan. “Yes.”
Even Rohan was surprised, only Koichi and Reimi ever said that to him. And even then, Reimi’s was rare, they do have a dynamic to keep up after all. But for some reason, hearing it come from Jotaro, the Jotaro Kujo, made it sound deeper. Made it sound like there was more meaning behind a simple ‘yes’. He couldn’t put his finger on why.
The three took their leave, got back in the limousine they began their trip back to the studio. Rohan sat at on the outside window seat this time. He stared out the window as Reimi sat in the middle. She finally broke the silence.
“Soooooo,” she started. Rohan let out a frustrated sigh. “What did you think?”
“Wasn’t he so cool, Rohan? I mean a little weird but man it was so cool to see his house and everything!” Koichi cheered.
“He was alright,” Rohan said. He made sure to keep looking out the window so he wouldn't face them.
“Alright?” Reimi said slyly. Rohan could hear the devious smile forming on her face. “Oh yeah he was ‘alright’. That’s exactly what your googly eyes said, right?”
Silence.
“Rohan~ I know you can hear me.”
More silence.
“C’mon at least talk a little~.”
“I said he was alright,” Rohan said curtly. He felt Reimi dramatically lay herself over his shoulders.
“He was alright,” she mocked “That’s why I was staring him down the whole time and even biting my lip a little bit. But he was just alright.”
Rohan shook her off and she giggled playfully. “Quit it, you’re acting like a child. Aren’t you my manager?”
“And friend!” Reimi added.
“Yeah and friend, I suppose,” Rohan repeated. The rest of the car ride home Rohan couldn’t help but remember the images of the small child. She really resembled him. It seemed Jota— er, Mr. Kujo — had a daughter, but maybe he had a wife as well? Adoption did not seem like an option; the resemblance was too much. Why did this bother Rohan so much? It wasn't his business. Jotaro Kujo is just another client after all.