Work Text:
"Aaand done!"
The photographer lowers her camera, smiling at her model before looking to her director. The director in turn looks over the photos on the computer, nodding their head in approval. "Yeah, these are good," they say. "I can already see some of these in the spread now." They stand up and call to the crew, "That's a wrap, everyone! Start packing up!"
The photographer shyly moves to the man she'd been taking pictures of, smiling up at him. "Thank you so much for this opportunity, Dr. Jinguji," she says. "Not to be biased or anything, but Matenrou is my favorite division…"
Jakurai smiles at her. "Oh? Are you sure you don't just say that to every division leader you've photographed?"
"N-No! I promise! The second I heard your first album, I was hooked! You three all sound so nice together and everything…"
He laughs, deciding to spare this poor girl any more teasing. "Don't worry, I'm only kidding. It's my pleasure." He says this, but in truth this has become something of a normal occurrence. With these Division Battles being treated as spectator sports and their competitors as idols, the Party doubles down on merchandising deals, eager to push the idea that these battles are far less sinister than they truly are. Interviews, meet-and-greets, commercials, photoshoots...it's all so flashy, and not anything Jakurai had expected for his own life. He's never wanted to be a celebrity, and he isn't exactly a fan of having his personal life broadcasted so much. But for people like this photographer, innocent to the truth and just trying to live a peaceful life after half a decade of war...well. He can make the most of his situation for them.
"Um...if you don't mind, Doctor--"
"You can call me Jakurai, if you'd like."
Steam practically comes out of her ears at that, and Jakurai has to keep himself from laughing. "Ah! O-Okay, J-J-Jakurai...um, c-can I take one more picture? Just us...i-if that's okay, of course!"
"A selfie, correct?" Jakurai nods. "That's perfectly fine." As she takes her place beside him, Jakurai bends down enough so that there won't be any issue with the shot. It's taken, and she's pleased with it. "Yay! Thank you so much! Now I have all the division leaders from these shoots. My brothers are gonna be SO jealous…"
"I'm happy to help." Though, as the photographer looks through the camera roll, he frowns. "I beg your pardon, but...are Osaka and Nagoya not going to be a part of this collection?"
"Not yet, sadly." The director joins the two now, shaking their head. "This fashion line was created before either division existed. I think this is a way to sell all these off before they make new ones with all six?"
"...I see." Jakurai frowns at that, looking down at what he's wearing. It's a hoodie with all of the four original divisions represented. MC names, division colors, logos...it's certainly a nice garment, and will no doubt sell quickly. But he's started to become far more aware of merchandise that lacks representation of all six divisions...and the lack of one name in particular.
But he doesn't bring it up further with these people, they have nothing to do with this past their work on the photos. He talks with them some, the crew packs up, and he's free to go for the day. Such a shame all of these Division promotions cut into his usual line of work, but today it isn't all that bad. As it turns out, schedules aligned perfectly. Hitoya has a case in Aoyama, which means an extended stay, unless he's able to settle the case. And if he isn't, well, he has enough things at Jakurai's home so that he can stay awhile. It's quite pleasant when he's able to do so, as it's the closest thing to living together that they'll get for a while. Yet another negative to these battles…
It's a short walk to the designated meeting place, a fountain in front of a large office building, and Jakurai sits down on a nearby bench. It feels...odd, wearing these clothes, but it's not as if he has time to go and change. Besides, they're not bad, just nothing like his usual style. The hoodie, a pair of gray jeans, and sneakers are all so, so... casual, far more than he's used to outside of what he wears at home. He wonders with a quiet laugh to himself if Hitoya will even recognize him at first...until he remembers that his height and his hair would give him away anyways.
"Jakurai!" That familiar voice calling his name brings a smile to his face, and he turns his head to see his boyfriend walking towards him. At least Hitoya is staying true to himself, dressed in his usual monochrome colors in his usual brand. The lawyer is a stickler for routine in his everyday life, and yet even so can be impulsive to the point of recklessness. He's such a unique, bizarre man, and Jakurai can't help but think that's why he fell for him in the first place.
"Good evening, Hitoya!" Jakurai gets up, deciding to meet him halfway. Though as he comes forward, he notices a slight change in Hitoya's demeanor. Having been in a relaxed, almost happy state, the lawyer is a bit rigid now, as if something has suddenly popped into his mind to cause some shift. He even stops walking, the smile on his face becoming a bit forced. Jakurai tries to not let his own demeanor shift, but he is a bit concerned. Hitoya may put up a cool and collected front, but he is a man ruled by emotions. He certainly doesn't want his boyfriend to be in a bad mood…
Just to ensure that he isn't, once he reaches him Jakurai takes Hitoya's face in his hands and gives him a small kiss in greeting. That seems to do the trick, as Hitoya softens instantly. Small displays of affection in public aren't a problem for either of them, as they keep them short and sweet, and on top of that Hitoya's reputation is well-known all throughout the country. Jakurai has noticed the two of them have been virtually nonexistent in tabloids since they started dating, no doubt the paparazzi fear whatever loopholes Hitoya can find to sue them for it. "The trip wasn't too much of a problem?"
Hitoya shakes his head, hands settling on Jakurai's waist. "Took a plane from Nagoya to get here," he replies. "Faster than going by train, but I'm gonna miss my bike while I'm here."
"How unfortunate you couldn't bring it with you...hopefully you can settle this case soon and get back to it."
"And miss out on staying here? There are two things I like, Jakurai. First, my bike, and second, you. But if I had to choose one over the other? Justine would be on a one-way ticket to the scrapyard." That earns him a second kiss, a prize reserved for only when something he says or does truly touches Jakurai. Though they do break away from each other after. They're adults after all, not high school sweethearts.
"Should we go get something to eat?" Jakurai is getting a bit hungry, and it's been a while since they've gone out to dinner with just the two of them.
"You got a place in mind?"
The doctor nods. "There's a bistro that just opened a few blocks down. They sell french onion soup, and some other things you may like." Taking Hitoya to a new place is always a challenge, but this place seems like one he'd enjoy.
Hitoya frowns, but nods after a moment. "...okay. I'll trust you." They start down the street, and after a brief period of silence, Hitoya asks, "So...what's with the outfit?"
"You mean the hoodie?" Jakurai looks down at his clothes. "This is what they had me wear for that photoshoot this afternoon."
"Oh, right, that was today, wasn't it." Hitoya chuckles. "There's a lot I envy about you, angel, but all that celebrity crap ain't on the list. There's two things I can't stand. First, rain in the middle of a sunny day. And second, disrupting my routine for public appearances."
"I can assure you, I feel the same way," Jakurai says with a sigh. "I do wish these Division Battles weren't such a media circus. It's troublesome enough I had to join them in the first place."
"What, the Prime Minister didn't let you choose?" It's a rhetorical question, and a sarcastic one at that. "Sometimes it feels like I really didn't, either. Offering a VIP viewing of the first one...letting Kuko arrange our fight in the second...almost like they were using you as bait."
"Bait you took, though," Jakurai says, smiling in a way to let Hitoya know he's just teasing.
Hitoya returns the smile with one of his own, taking Jakurai's hand in his. "Bait I'm never letting go of, either. Not in a million years."
Jakurai squeezes Hitoya's hand, and the rest of their walk is nice and sweet, filled with small talk about each other's day. They arrive at the bistro in no time at all, getting a seat outdoors on the patio. Hitoya pulls out Jakurai's seat for him, which he sits in, tossing his hair out over the back of the chair. As he does so, he notices in the corner of his eye that Hitoya focuses on the hoodie once more, getting rigid again. What could he possibly--
Wait. Jakurai knows. Of course! The back of the hoodie has the design on it, with all twelve of the original participants. It's been hidden until now by Jakurai's hair, meaning Hitoya hadn't seen it yet. Is that what upsets him? Being excluded from merchandise? Jakurai understands completely. Both Osaka and Nagoya work so hard, they deserve recognition. It may be a bit of bias, considering their relationship, but Jakurai still thinks it only fair that all eighteen get the attention they deserve. He doesn't bring it up at the moment, though, wanting dinner to at least be a happy time between the two. And, by keeping conversation light and on subjects Hitoya likes, he does just that, and their dinner date stays cheery.
"Goddamn!" Hitoya wipes his mouth with his napkin, leaning back in his seat. "You were right about this place, Jakurai. Their french onion soup was perfect!"
"I'm glad you liked it. Should we add this place to our rotation?"
"Sounds like a plan. Here, I'll pay for dinner tonight."
Jakurai laughs. "It was that good?"
"Better than good." Hitoya gets his wallet out, placing his card on the check. "I wanna try that club sandwich next time. Looks like it doesn't come with avocado."
That was something he'd said he couldn't stand before, along with intersections without turn lanes in all four directions. What a strange, ridiculous, eccentric, darling man he's with! In fact…
"Do you mind if I make a quick phone call?"
"Nah, go right ahead. I'll get the check all sorted out, and then we can head to your place."
Jakurai excuses himself, walking a bit away from the bistro as he gets his phone out. He wonders if he'll regret doing what he's about to, but you make sacrifices for the people you love, don't you? Everything he's done for Yotsutsuji has come from a place of love. Two years ago before his own hand in it, he'd have done anything for The Dirty Dawg. His own teammates he loves, too, and he'd do anything for Hifumi or Doppo if either needed it. And now...that same feeling reserved for a very, very select few in this world belongs to Hitoya. So that's why he can dial this number and…
"Hello? This is Jakurai Jinguji...I was wondering if you could help me with something…"
It's not as uncomfortable a phone call as he'd hoped, and he hangs up just as Hitoya arrives. Jakurai smiles at him, but frown almost immediately after as his boyfriend goes rigid once more. It's even worse now. Hitoya can't even look at him. He'd avoided eye contact at certain points during dinner, too...Does not being included upset him that much? He knows Hitoya has an inferiority complex, but still… "Hitoya…" Jakurai approaches him, placing his hands on his shoulders. "You know how deeply I care for you."
"Uh...yeah?" Hitoya coughs weakly, as if to gain a bit of composure. "And I feel the same."
"I know, darling." Jakurai smiles softly at him. "You're a unique, passionate, caring man, an amazing lawyer, a hard worker, a good influence on your team, a powerful rapper, and--"
"...shit…" Hitoya looks away once more. "Jack, can we do this at home maybe? When you're not wearing that damn hoodie anymore?"
There it is. "This hoodie is exactly why I'm telling you all these things, darling."
"Are you…" Hitoya turns his head back to look at him, an indignant glare on his face. "That's just pure evil, Jakurai!"
"Evil?" Jakurai frowns. "How is this evil? I just want you to know that your worth isn't defined by whether or not Bad Ass Temple gets the recognition it deserves. I know it's not…" Jakurai trails off, noticing the way Hitoya's eyes widen and his mouth forms a little "o" shape. "...Hitoya?"
"You thought I…" He clears his throat. "Er, thanks. That means a lot." The lawyer pulls away, starting to quickly walk towards home. "C'mon, before it gets too dark."
"Hitoya!" This is no good. If he's going to try to repress all of this, then who is to say they won't have a repeat of that bar incident? Jakurai strides up to him, turning him around by the shoulder. "If that isn't the reason for what's going on, then please, I--" He stops then, as it's his turn to be surprised. Hitoya averts his eyes, sulking a bit, but he can't hide how bright red his face and ears are. "...Hitoya?"
"Damn it...I was hoping I could get away with it."
"Get away with what?"
"I don't know! Telling you that you...uh…" His voice falters, and what he says next comes out as indecipherable grumbling.
"Is everything alright?" Jakurai isn't usually so confused, but he's having difficulty grasping the situation. Is he the reason Hitoya is acting this way? But what could possibly cause it? He's acting the same he always does…
"Ugh! Just...look. You don't usually…" Hitoya makes vague gestures at Jakurai's outfit. "Look like that. So the fact that you do, it…" His hand now moves to rub the back of his neck. "...makes me feel all...soft."
Jakurai cocks his head to the side. "Soft…?"
It seems Hitoya finally reaches the breaking point at that. "Damn it, Jakurai, you look cute, okay?! When you dress like this, you look so damn adorable that I feel all…" He takes a few seconds to figure out what he wants to say, but settles on, "... yeurgh inside."
Well, now it all finally makes sense. Jakurai can feel a bit of heat in his own face. "So, all this time I assumed it was the hoodie itself, but really it was...me."
"Believe me, nothing strokes my ego more than seeing Heaven & Hell plastered on shit. I'll give you that. But damn it, Jakurai...do you have any idea the way you make me feel?"
"I'm starting to get a very good idea." Jakurai is quite aware of the effect he has on others, but this in particular, the feeling of love and affection in a romantic sense...he's still learning the ways he affects Hitoya. But at least it seems to be a learning experience for them both, something neither has to go alone. "You make me feel certain ways, too, you know."
"Oh yeah?" Hitoya takes his hand again, and they start walking home. "Good to know."
"And I'll be sure to let you know," Jakurai says, squeezing his hand. As they walk, he remembers the phone call he made, wondering briefly if that was really such a good idea. But he shrugs it off. Either way, it is for a good cause.
---
"Psst! Hey, Rosho! Check this out!"
The teacher looks up from the stove and frowns. "That's funny," he says. "I've never seen someone set the table by sitting at a laptop."
Sasara scoffs. "If you want me to set the table up, I can open Excel!" The joke doesn't land, but he doesn't care, motioning for Rosho to join him. "Come on! Before the big guy wakes up!"
Rolling his eyes, Rosho takes the few seconds needed to finish cooking before taking his place on the couch beside Sasara. Fortunately Rei is sleeping on his side, so there's enough space for them both to sit by his legs. "Should you really be snooping around on Rei's computer?"
"Eh, he'd be proud of me for it," the comedian replies. "'Sides, it's his phone he doesn't let us touch. I've used his laptop plenty of times!"
"If you say so…" Rosho's worries vanish the second he sees what's on the screen. "...what am I looking at?"
It's a photo of Stonehenge, which would be otherwise picturesque had it not been for one glaring detail. "Rei photoshops himself into all kinds of pictures!" Sasara has to cover his mouth so he doesn't laugh out loud. "I was just trying to get footage from my last show, and I found all these! There's a whole folder!!" He minimizes the window to reveal the entire gallery.
Rosho leans in, stunned. "Is he...swimming in a volcano in that one?"
"Haha, yeah! And here's one where he has a whole army of zombies…one where he's sitting on some clouds...this is the best thing I've ever seen!"
"It's certainly the last thing I'd expect from Rei." Rosho looks over at the sleeping swindler. "...but then again, I've learned to expect the unexpected with him." He turns his attention back to Rei's photos, but something on screen catches his eye. "Hey, Sasara. What's that window?"
"Which?"
"That one, over there." Rosho points to a minimized window at the bottom. "The text keeps changing…"
"Let's see…" Sasara opens the window up, revealing all sorts of code changing rapidly. "Woah! What's all this?"
"Knowing him, probably some new hustle. Here, let me see…" Rosho takes the computer, inspecting the page. "...huh. He's...spamming a website?"
"Ooh! What kind?" A few clicks answers the question. "...the official Division Rap Battle merch site? The heck is he doin' there?"
Rosho looks over the code. "He...huh. It looks like he's trying to spam the feedback page to get more stuff for our Division?"
"Woah, really?"
"Yeah. For us and Nagoya."
"Aww, that big ol' softie! Maybe he's actually doin' a good deed out of his own...oh, wait. This tab has an email open sayin' he received money from someone." There's a silent pause, as the two quietly ask, Are we really going to do this? But ultimately they answer with what the Hell, and click on the tab. The name there shocks them both. "Jakurai Jinguji?! What's a guy like him hirin' Rei for?!"
"I'm...sure he has his reasons," Rosho says, though he doesn't believe it himself. "But to spam a whole website for something like that?"
"Eh, he's a nice guy. Maybe he just wants to look out for us!" A pause. "Or it's just cuz he's datin' that lawyer."
"That's my guess." Rosho goes back to the website. "Aaand the site's crashed."
"Oh, man! I wanna look away, but I can't!" Rosho gives him a look, and he chuckles. "Y'know, like a car--"
"Just go set the table, Sasara."