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Whoever said that university is fun and the best time of life could just die for all Yuki cares. It's the just end of his second semester in the Fashion course of Veludo Arts University and he already feels like dying. The amount of pieces he had to sew for his classes plus all the costumes for the autumn troupe's next performance was too much. He couldn't even ask for Taichi, Omi or even Banri's help since all of them were also busy with practice, classes, work or whatever, so here he was, without more than 2 hours of sleep per day for the last few weeks.
- At least that hack isn't here to disturb me - He muttered to himself.
Tenma has been away for almost 2 weeks filming something, Yuki wasn't really sure if it was filming a movie or a series, he wasn't awake enough to pay attention when the other explained. And even though he should be taking care of Summer troup while their leader was away, this time he left the job for Kazunari and missed almost all practices.
- Yuki-kun? - He heard Muku's voice outside the door.
- It's open.
He didn't look up from the sewing machine, but from all the noise when the door opened it was clear that more than one person was walking in.
- Hey, Yukki! Are you alive in here?
- Barely.
- We got you curry and onigiri! - Misumi appeared on his side almost shoving a plate on his face.
- Just put it over there, I'll eat it later.
- Yuki-kun, shouldn't you pause for a bit? You haven't really left the room besides going to your classes…
- I need to finish these this week and then work on the costumes, I don't have time for pauses - He noticed the silence and decided to complement - I know you guys are worried, but I can handle it.
- Okay… Just make sure you eat dinner and sleep for a bit.
- Sure, thanks for the food, really.
- No probs Yukki!
It took him another hour to finish the piece he was making and maybe he should eat now, but by that time the food was already cold and not that appealing anymore so he just shoved it to the side. Turning back to look at the pieces he had made it all started to look wrong. The stitches on that shirt weren't seamless. Did he really use that fabric for a skirt? What was that ugly piece meant to be?
- Why is this happening? - He asked.
No one was there to respond, to stop him from tearing those up or to catch him when he fell on his knees and the tears started to run.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Tenma went home the moment filming ended, it was already way past 2am, so when he finally got to the dorms he wasn't really expecting anything, the plan was going to sleep and surprising everyone in the morning. It was pretty shocking to find the lights in his room on and Yuki crying on the floor. He froze for a second, the younger boy didn't seem to have noticed him yet, maybe he should call the director? Then he looked around, there wasn't a piece of the floor that wasn't covered by fabrics or other sewing material, in his feet was a skirt obviously torn, it seemed like a crisis. He dropped his bags and got closer to his roommate.
- Hey, Yuki.
The boy was startled after hearing the voice and faced him immediately before looking away and wiping away his tears.
- What are you doing here?
- I finished the filming early.
- As expected of the hack - He scoffed.
Tenma almost snapped as usual, but the other's still tearful voice stopped him. As a leader and friend he needed to understand what was wrong first, not that he was going to admit seeing Yuki as a friend.
- What happened?
- Nothing.
- You are crying on the floor at 3am, clearly there is something.
The boy went silent and for a moment Tenma thought that he would need to force him a bit more, but then he finally moved to look at him. It was worse than expected, the bags under his eyes were so dark and he was so pale that he looked like a ghost.
- Is it the costumes or your university projects?
- Both. It's just too much - He whispered.
- Why haven't you asked the others for help? I thought you were okay doing that after what happened in our second show.
- I wanted to. But everyone is also too busy.
- Have you talked to the director? I'm sure we can ask other companies for help or hire someone.
- That's my job and the money grubbing Yakuza wouldn't let us spend money on this.
- Of course he would, he's not that unreasonable.
- Are you hearing yourself?
- Are you? Yuki, you are exhausted. There's just no way you can keep up this time.
They both stared at each other, it was clear that they aren't willing to accept the other's opinion. Tenma sighted, they were both tired and needed some sleep. So he just started to collect the clothes and fabrics scattered on the floor.
- We can talk about this with Izumi and Sakyo-san later. Let's sleep for now.
Yuki joined him, putting all the things together on the table. They finished up cleaning and getting ready for bed in complete silence. Only after a few moments in the dark he decided to ask.
- Why didn't you call me? I would have tried to help you.
- …
- Yuki?
- You needed to focus on your work.
- As a leader I also need to focus on your health. You are more important than a movie - He murmured the last part, but knew that the other had understood - So call me next time.
- ...Sorry.
Tenma wanted to point out that Yuki never says "sorry", but stayed silent and waited until he heard the other's paced breathing to finally close his eyes. The next morning he woke up first and made sure to leave the room quietly, Yuki deserved a few more hours of sleep.
- Tenten! When did you get here? - Kazunari greeted the moment he stepped into the living room.
- I guess it was 3am or something.
He got lots of "Welcome Home"s from everyone before getting to eat breakfast and no matter how much he complained, he had missed all the mess and noise.
- Ah, right. Director, Sakyo-san, can we talk after this?
They stared at each other confused before agreeing, the rest of the summer troupe seemed to know what it meant so they didn't question, but looked kinda relieved. They finished eating before going to the terrace.
- Did something happen, Tenma-kun? - Izumi asked worriedly.
- Not with me. But Yuki needs help and is stubborn enough to not ask for it.
- Help with the costumes?
- Yes, he got his university's projects already and with the autumn troupe costumes he's overworking himself.
- And everyone that knows how to sew is busy - Sakyo adds, understanding the situation.
- What do you think we can do?
- I think we should try hiring someone to assist him with the costumes, maybe from another company or something - Tenma proposed.
They both looked at the Yakuza who sighed.
- We'll have to work on our budget, but I guess we can do it.
- Okay! So I'll talk with a few friends and see if we can find someone soon - Izumi said.
- At a reasonable price - Sakyo pointed.
- Of course. Then Tenma-kun, make sure that Yuki-kun is fine, I haven't seen him eating these last few days.
He thanked the two adults and stopped at the kitchen to get some food before going back to his room. The easy part was done, now he just had to convince his roommate to accept the decision.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Yuki had just woken up when he heard the door opening. At the same time that he felt that he had slept a whole day he was still exhausted.
- What time is it?
- 10:40.
- Ugh. Why didn't you wake me up, hack?
He didn't look around to see Tenma rolling his eyes, which is a good thing, it would probably end up in a fight.
- Let's talk - The other boy said giving him a plate of food, before sitting on the couch.
He didn't expect to have this discussion first thing in the morning, but they really need to sort this up, so he just agreed.
- So? - The younger one asked, sitting along.
- I talked with the director and Sakyo-san after breakfast. They both agreed to hire someone. And this isn't contestable - Tenma said everything so the other couldn't argue, but this in Yuki, obviously he will argue anyway.
- You can't decide this without my consent!
- If you can't see your own limits then, as a leader, I can!
- I won't let just anyone come and do my job!
- They will not do that! They will help you. You still make the decisions. And it won't be just anyone, you can talk to Izumi and choose someone with her.
The boy wanted to contest, to prove his point, but it was clear that the discussion had ended and Tenma was right.
- Eat your breakfast, then go talk to Izumi. You will be able to finish your projects after that.
Yuki was too tired to actually try to convince the director that he didn't need help, so they quickly found someone that met their criteria and could work with the deadline. In the end, it was a lot easier working with the person, he could concentrate more on his university's projects and get some sleep.
- Yuki-kun! How are the things going? - Muku asked later that week.
- Better than expected. The costumes are almost ready and I've just finished the last piece for my project.
- That's good! We were worried that you would faint anytime last week, but we didn't know how to help. So it was a relief that Tenma-kun came back earlier.
- What does he have to do with that?
- Well, he was the one that helped you, right? The first thing he did when he came back was to talk with the director and Sakyo-san. We figured out that he was talking about you. Wasn't he?
- I think so.
- I knew it! It's just like that manga "My Stubborn Best Friend", where both of the main characters act kinda cold, but are always caring about each other and everyone can see this, but they keep the act because…
- Muku - He called trying to stop the ramble.
- Ah, sorry. I did it again. Anyway, is just that you both know each other the best.
- I guess…
He couldn't really argue with that, they were both roommates and spent a lot of time together after all, even with the rest of Summer Troup they were probably the only ones that could be as stubborn as needed to deal with each other.
When the week finally ended, all the costumes and projects were ready and Yuki could probably sleep for a week, but it was refreshing to see that everything worked out. And if that night he whispered a "thank you" to Tenma no one besides them needs to know.