Chapter Text
It was April 1st when Ritsu was asked to meet with the producer. Naturally, his instinct told him to doubt everything he was told, as that day was infamous for lies and pranks.
Even if he were unaware of the date, he still would have assumed their proposal to be a complete joke.
"A photoshoot... with my brother...?" He asked, smothering his laughter.
It was a very good joke.
Unfortunately, the producer did not laugh with him. In fact, they appeared somewhat worried. Hurt, even.
After sufficient explanation, Ritsu came to understand that the proposal was legitimate. The idea was to take one idol from each of the four ES agencies, and holding a collaborative photoshoot, to promote a new fashion brand.
Ritsu was selected for New Dimension, and Rei for Rhythm Link.
"Me and Anija, huh... In that case, who are the other two...?" Ritsu asked, hoping the others would be capable of distracting from the tension between him and his brother.
The producer answered that they would also be working with StarPro's Amagi Hiiro, and CosPro's Amagi Rinne.
Sakuma Ritsu, Sakuma Rei, Amagi Hiiro, Amagi Rinne...
There was a concerning trend in the names of the participants.
"You said this is for a fashion brand... what's the theme?" He asked, growing more and more worried.
The producer clarified that the theme would be loosely based on 'different types of love,' such as philia, eros, storge, and agape. The photoshoots would take place over the course of three days, with each day having vastly different outfits for them to model in.
They would begin the photoshoots in roughly a week, in order to be finished by the deadline, April 18th. The owner of the brand aimed for the promotion to be done in time for global love day, on May 1st.
The project's name was...
"Project : Brotherly Love!!"
Hearing this made Ritsu want to throw up.
He immediately stood from his chair, walking towards the door.
"No thank you, Producer-san... I respectfully decline to take part in this."
Even as the producer begged him to reconsider, he dismissively waved his hand goodbye, exiting the meeting room.
He sharply exhaled as he set foot in the break room. Maybe if he took a nice, long nap, he would awake to find that the previous conversation never took place. It could have just been a nightmare.
Just find a place to nap, wake up, and everything will be fine again...
"Ooh, Ritsu-senpai!" A voice called out to him. It was a voice he knew, but not that well. It wasn't someone he had spent much time with, but he did indeed know who it was.
He sluggishly turned to face the male who called out to him.
Standing before him was Amagi Hiiro, wearing a look of pure joy.
"Hiiro, was it...?" Ritsu yawned, rubbing his eyes. "Did you need something from me?"
"Yes! Actually, no-" He scratched his cheek nervously. It wasn't that he 'needed' something, he simply wanted to speak with him for a moment. "I just wanted to say, I'm very much looking forward to working with you!"
"Working with...?" Ritsu's head tilted. "I don't recall having any plans to work with you..." He didn't say this to be rude. It was the truth. He hadn't agreed to the producer's request. At least not yet. So he truly had no work lined up that involved Hiiro.
"Is that so? I thought you would be taking part in the photoshoot thing that Producer-san just told me about..." Hiiro frowned.
"To be honest... I don't want to." Ritsu's feet carried him towards the table, where he retrieved a carbonated beverage.
"Why not?" Hiiro followed right behind, sitting next to him on the sofa.
"Because..." The bottle made a loud 'psshhh' sound as he twisted the cap off. "I don't want to work with Anija."
"I see..." Hiiro defeatedly slumped into the cushion. "I suppose no one can force you. I'm sorry for being so excited about it."
"That's..." Seeing Hiiro so depressed, Ritsu felt a bit guilty. "You don't need to be sorry. It's not your fault."
"Umu, you're right. But... that's the thing. Nii-san won't properly meet me unless it's for work. So, I was thinking, this could be my chance to spend time with him..."
"Ahh..." Hiiro watched as Ritsu took a sip from the bottle. "You must really love your nii-san, then."
"I do! My brother is the most important person in the world to me." His smile returned upon stating this. "I thought the same would be true for you, Ritsu-senpai."
Hearing that made Ritsu stop and think. He acted like it, but he didn't genuinely hate Rei. He just didn't want to be around him. How bad could a three day photoshoot really be, though?
"Oh, I didn't say that to pressure you!" Hiiro added. "I respect your decision. If you're resolved to sit this out, I understand."
Ritsu had no response, as he remained deep in thought.
"I just hope Producer-san doesn't have too difficult of a time finding a replacement for you. I'd hate for the project to be canceled entirely, but there's no helping that, either..." Hiiro continued, unintentionally making Ritsu feel guilty.
He didn't want the producer to suffer just because of his unwillingness. Hiiro, too. He didn't know him that well, but he felt bad to ruin his opportunity to spend time with his brother.
The bottle was raised above Ritsu's head, the last of its contents travelling down his throat.
"You know what?" He wiped his lips with the back of his hand. "Maybe I'll reconsider." Maybe, he said. It was April Fool's day, after all. Not that Hiiro was likely to know.
"Really?!" Hiiro's eyes widened with excitement.
"Yeah... no promises, though. I'll let Producer-san know my final decision, after I take a nap..." With that, he stood, taking his empty bottle to the trash can.
"Thank you so much, Ritsu-senpai! Here, please shake hands with me!" He enthusiastically offered his hand.
"...?" Although confused, Ritsu did as the younger wished, gently shaking his hand.
"Well then, my friend, I'll leave you to nap in peace! Have a good rest!" Hiiro left the room with a satisfied grin.
Now feeling obligated, Ritsu wandered off to find a decent nap spot, where he would contemplate the pros and cons of this "Project : Brotherly Love!!"