Chapter Text
Mao wondered when did Trickstar get so popular. It felt like it was just yesterday when they were a newly-formed unit. Now, anywhere he goes, he sees their faces plastered everywhere. While he’s glad that Trickstar has sky-rocketed to success and the unit has become widely known among the public, popularity does come with difficulties.
One of those many complications is having to deal with your parents’ colleagues whenever the family is invited to attend a specific event. Mao has lost count of the number of times that these people have brought over their kids just so they could introduce them to him.
Honestly, what were they expecting? For me to be interested? Mao shook his head at the thought. He has no time for relationships when his career as an idol has been rising throughout the years. Also, it wasn’t like they were doing this before. Prior to becoming a well-known idol, no adult or peer paid attention to Isara Mao.
So, it was only natural for him to be annoyed that these same people are now trying to get themselves involved in his life. They even have the audacity to talk about him as if he was their own son. What makes matters worse is that whenever Mao would complain about it, his parents would supply him with the same response which is to be patient and to indulge their colleagues a little just so he wouldn’t come off as impolite.
Of course, not wanting to upset the two people who brought him into this world, Mao had no choice but to endure, endure, and endure every single time. It also seems like he would have to go through it again since his parents were asking for his presence during the schedule of Trickstar’s short break.
For sure they’re going to bring me along on one of those outings.
Mao doesn’t know how long he has been ranting to his friends about his pathetic situation, and he really appreciated that they continued to listen and remained attentive until the very end.
After carefully assessing the predicament Mao was trapped in, Hokuto was the first to speak up. “Forgive me, but the method of your parents is ineffective. I suggest that you tell their colleagues that you’re not interested and ask if they could leave you alone.”
“Isn’t that way too straightforward?” Mao could already picture the disappointed look on his parents’ faces when he says it and laughed nervously. “That would come off as rude, and I might end up getting hated.”
Hokuto quirked a brow, confused. “So? What’s wrong with that? It’s not like you did anything wrong,” he stated. “You’re clearly uncomfortable, Isara.”
“If you’re worried about coming off as rude, perhaps you can just phrase it in a nicer way or subtly hint that you aren’t interested,” Makoto suggested. “Maybe tell them that you’re focusing on your career and you’re not looking for a romantic partner at the moment.”
“Believe me,” Mao sighed. “I tried that before, but it still didn’t get the message across.”
“Oh! I know!” Subaru snapped his fingers. “What if you ask someone to stand in as your lover during the outing, Sari? That way, you can tell them to buzz off and not get hated at the same time! Those people might get disappointed, but it’s still better than being disliked!”
“That idea is ridiculous,” Hokuto objected.
Makoto hummed. “That could work.”
“Wait, what?” Hokuto was surprised. He didn’t think Makoto would be on-board with the idea.
“It’s not like it’s real,” the blonde-haired male pointed out. “Isara-kun just needs to bring this person along as his fake lover, right? Also, in a future meeting, he can just tell his parents that they broke up and he’s healing from heartbreak.”
“That’s brilliant!” Mao grinned. “Then I’d have an excuse to not attend the next outing!”
Subaru huffed. “Aren’t I a genius?”
Hokuto couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Even the person who was the most rational and sensible in their group was agreeing. “This could go wrong in so many ways. What if a word gets out? Even if it’s supposed to be fake, did you guys forget how vicious media outlets are? This might result in unwanted attacks directed at Isara.”
Mao draped an arm around their leader’s shoulder. “Hokuto, chill,” he chuckled. “You’re starting to sound like me.”
Hokuto looked at his friend unimpressed. “This could affect your career, Isara. You know there are certain fans who don’t take dating news well even if they’re just mere speculations. I’m surprised that you’re so calm about this.”
“I appreciate your concern, but it is a small outing and would probably only last for three days just like before,” Mao reassured. He would do anything to get those individuals to stop bugging him. “The people who will be around are just my family and three or four of my parents’ close friends. I doubt they’d spread any news.” Mao knew that there was just no way they would say anything. If they sabotage his career then they wouldn’t have someone to boast about. “Besides, I already have a person to ask in mind.”
“Really? Who?”
-
If there was anyone else who Mao knew that would have his back apart from his unit mates, that would be Sakuma Ritsu. The moment Subaru brought up the idea, his childhood friend was the first person to come into his mind.
Surely, Ritsu would understand and agree, right?
Mao has watched several concert clips of Knights, and even performed with their members on stages before. The group was amazing when it came to fanservice, and it’s just expected that Ritsu would be ridiculously good at it too.
There was no doubt that his childhood friend would make the perfect fake boyfriend. So, here Mao was – on the floor of Ritsu’s dorm room, on his knees in front of the Knights member’s bed, begging for him to comply with his request.
Mao grew anxious with every second that passes. He wished that Ritsu would say something instead of just looking at him intensely with those red eyes.
After what seemed like a minute or two, Mao finally got a reaction. Ritsu snickered and smirked. “You have to beg more cutely, Maa-kun. Look at me when you beg, tell me that you love me, and then ask me to be your boyfriend,” he sing-songed. “Also, don’t forget to include please, Ricchan, okay?”
“Ritsu, that’s too much!” Mao protested. “What if Kagehira suddenly comes in?”
Ritsu yawned. “Mikarin is out with Nacchan. He won’t arrive until two hours later. Do you want me to be your boyfriend or not?”
Really, didn’t he look pathetic enough for Ritsu yet? Mao suppressed a groan. “Augh, fine. What I am asking is a lot. Pay attention because I’m only doing it once,” his cheeks burned as he made eye contact with the Knights member. Well, here goes nothing. “Please, R-Ricchan?” Mao cursed at himself for stuttering. “Be my boyfriend in this outing? You know that I l-love y – this is just impossible!”
“Boo,” Ritsu made a noise of disappointment at Mao’s performance. “That was awful. Maa-kun is so unromantic.”
The shade of red on Mao’s face turned darker. “You were the one who instructed me to say it like that! Also, saying I-I love you in that manner is just embarrassing.”
“Maa-kun couldn’t even tell me that he loves me properly. Well, since I’m feeling nice, that would have to do,” Ritsu sighed.
“Ritsu, do you mean — ?”
“Mhm,” the Knights member nodded. “I’ll be Maa-kun’s fake boyfriend for as long as he wants me to if it will stop those stupid colleagues from bothering you during the outing.”
Mao couldn’t contain his happiness and immediately got up from the floor to pull Ritsu into a hug. “You’re the best! I’m counting on you then! Thanks, Ritsu! I’m in your debt.”
Ritsu returned the hug, resting his chin on Mao’s shoulder. “It seems like I’m forever weak to Maa-kun,” he mumbled. “Well, it’s hard to refuse you when you beg adorably like that.”
Mao pulled away and settled himself on the empty spot beside his childhood friend on the bed. “I must have looked really pitiful then if you had no choice but to agree. Again, thanks for agreeing to this, Ricchan. Sorry for dragging you into this mess,” he rubbed the back of his neck. A huge part of him did feel ashamed for roping Ritsu into his troubles. “It’s just — you’re the only one I know who can pull off this sort of thing with me. If there’s a specific way that I should behave during the outing in order to make this completely believable, please let me know.”
Ritsu maneuvered his body so he could rest his head on Mao’s lap. He closed his eyes when he felt fingers playing with his hair. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m happy that Maa-kun thought of relying on me,” he said. “As for how you should act, I don’t think there’s anything that you should do. Maa-kun should just keep on being Maa-kun, and I’ll play my part. Leave it to me.”
“Are you sure?” Mao asked. The last thing he wanted to do was to screw things up just because he doesn’t know how to act like a proper lover.
“Of course,” Ritsu answered, opening his eyes to stare at Mao’s nervous face. He lifted an arm and caressed the Trickstar member’s cheek. “You should have more faith in your boyfriend.”
Mao felt himself blush for the third time when the word boyfriend escaped Ritsu’s mouth. He knew that this would be all fake, but for some reason, when Ritsu addressed himself as his boyfriend it felt real and right.
Was this how it felt to be on the receiving end of the fanservice brought by Knights? No wonder their fans would go crazy.
He and Ritsu might be able to pull off this fake boyfriend thing after all.