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"And just where do you think you're going?" The proud captain of Mortkranken points an accusatory finger at one of the many calmly retreating figures. "This rotation isn't over yet!"
A third-year, far more accustomed to these sorts of outbursts sends the confused young man on his way. "It's just for today. It wasn't exactly mandated by the chancellor, but if it's free time, I'm going to take it." She looks him over, then over to his perpetually tired-looking assistant. "Honestly, you guys should, too."
The young woman has little faith that they'll heed her advice, but it was worth a shot.
Seeing the general students file out of the lab, Yuri turns to Jiro with a huff. "I don't know how they expect to keep up on their work if they're just going to take breaks whenever they damn well please."
"She was right. There's something going on today." A shame he can't remember for the life of him what the Honor Student told him this morning. "If attendance isn't mandatory, then it's a good opportunity to rest." Jiro closes the distance between them, bringing Yuri's back flush against his broad chest. "I'm certain classes were cancelled as well."
Some of that indignant flame is doused by the doting touch of his partner. "Well, I suppose we could at least see what merits this 'non-mandated attendance,' whatever this oh-so-important thing is."
Jiro's head comes to rest on Yuri's as he offers his insight.
"I'm fairly certain this is just for leisure."
The Captain turns to meet the gaze of his Vice, his inability to grasp certain turns of phrase continuing to take him by surprise. He opens his mouth to speak, but the genuine confusion on his face was a bit endearing. Instead, he brings a hand up to reach the taller man's cheek.
"Never mind. Let's go."
There was a sizable group in the common room. Chairs had been arranged around the television to accommodate the many Mortkranken students in attendance. It seems that the program had already started from what they could tell.
"A watch party?"
Yuri's question jogs Jiro's memory.
Just this morning, he was approached by the Honor Student. She had told him about something called a 'watch party' that was happening today for the show they were on. The Chancellor wanted to show the more human side of the ghouls and apparently the producers couldn't back out of airing the pilot episode at least.
Darkwick was at least able to give a decent cover story for the cancellation of the show.
From the what they could catch if the many conversations happening in the room, it seemed many were eager to see how their stoic and near-robotic Vice-Captain would fare.
Yuri couldn't even be mad. He was curious to see for himself - especially knowing he was given a character to play.
"A doctor by day and model at night? With those scars?
"Maybe they're appealing to the disabled community?"
"Or maybe making him look like a reformed bad boy?"
"Either way, he does clean up pretty well"
"That was clearly edited. No way the delivery was that clean."
Jiro pipes in, "It probably was. I didn't really understand what they wanted me to do at first, but it wasn't so bad I needed to re-do any of it."
They turn around, clearly having no idea they were watching as well. "Don't hold back on my account. I'll answer any of your questions - well, as much as I'm allowed to."
As his condition's improved, he's been able to show a little more emotion. At least enough to put others at ease - save for those haunted by the rumors.
"A model at night, huh," Yuri quietly comments to his partner. "I can't say much for their minds, but at least their eyes work."
As the episode plays on, Yuri can only wonder how they managed to survive with the group Darkwick has selected (not to mention how dangerous it was to put in a vampire and someone with the reaper's curse). It also became apparent just how little the others knew of Jiro's condition.
("Of course he's not using recreational drugs you imbecile! They're nothing more than vitamins and nutrients.")
But as much as he knew it was staged, there was nothing worse than watching the love of his life fight for the affections of another.
What he was offering her was basically what he was doing already, but putting that together with the show's objective...
Is he actively fighting for her attention? Yes.
Is he doing what he's told? Yes.
But he's actively fighting for her attention.
What else did they have him do?
Yuri's mind was spiraling in places he didn't imagine - not with Jiro.
Since he seemed preoccupied with the other students, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to slip away. He needed to think. He needed to distance himself from this drivel. Yes! That's what it was! He can't be wasting his time with this mindless trash when there's work to be done! That must be why he feels so agitated. There's no other reason.
None at all.
But this little escape does nothing to fix his mood.
The relative quiet of his office and the inability to focus on anything else just has Yuri going further down this train of thought. First he was angry for Jiro. What sort of stupid and depraved things did they make him do in the name of ratings? Just how much sex appeal did they want out of their contestants and how much of that kind of interaction did they require?
But one little nagging voice keeps asking, "how was he able to do any of that?"
The door to his office opens
Speak of the devil...
Some of that vitriol dies out when he sees the younger man's face. He can tell from a glance he's had a recent fit, but he seems to be steady on his feet. Perhaps there was a memory trigger in the show itself or in a commercial.
"Yuri?" As his vision clears, Jiro is certain this is where he disappeared to. "I don't quite recall what happened, but I think I'm okay now."
Regardless, the doctor gets up to examine his patient more closely. But even as he works, that little voice keeps whispering away.
"Is something wrong?"
The warm baritone voice is both reassuring and agitating. Why did they have to pick Jiro for this kind of mission. His Jiro. He shouldn't be offered to anyone else, even if it is just an act.
"Yuri?"
No. He can't do this.
Those stupid little thoughts aren't going to win this time.
There has to be more to this.
Jiro wouldn't betray him.
Right?
"Jiro. I have questions for you. I need you to answer them - and I'm trusting that you will do so honestly. They may sound ridiculous to you, but this is something I need right now." He feels like he's going mad, but he knows if he doesn't lay all of this out, Jiro may dismiss it all with logic and nothing but.
"I want you to be aware of one thing - I can't apply logic to my reasoning. Instead, I need to hear the answers from you."
While he doesn't understand, he remains attentive. Yuri has expressed before that emotions often defy logic and sometimes doing what feels like a waste of time is actually productive in these cases.
Jiro understands this exercise though. They've done this before. By having Jiro confirm the truth with his own words, it helps overwrite Yuri's cognition.
"Did you sign up for this mission?"
A beat of silence, then a sincere, apologetic look. "I don't remember," but then a bit more confidence, "I think this team was made up of ghouls that needed to make up credits for one reason or another."
That makes sense. So that was more like an offer accepted.
He probably didn't know what he was getting in to.
"Did you have any interest in the premise of the competition?"
"The premise was an interesting thought. I never would've considered this as a way to date someone, though probably not the best way to go right into a marriage."
Maybe he worded that wrong. Just because he thought the theme was interesting doesn't mean...
Jiro's capable of romance after all, even if he has his own way of showing it.
"Did you want to win the competition?"
Jiro didn't hesitate in his reply.
"Yes."
The next question came spilling out of Yuri's mouth before he could process it "So you're interested in her in that way?"
Jiro remained calm, albeit confused with his answer. "No."
Yuri could feel his blood begin to boil as he got in Jiro's face, standing on tip-toes to do so. "But you wanted her to choose you?"
Jiro doesn't flinch. He doesn't move. "In order to complete my objectives, yes: To bring the subject back safely and to return home to you in one piece." The mad doctor visibly deflates, slowly lowering himself back flat on his feet. "We managed to find another solution, but I was willing to do whatever I needed to."
While he's glad that nagging little voice has been silenced, he accused Jiro of such awful things. "What do you mean? Jiro, what happened out there?"
Then it all starts to make sense. The ever-busy doctor has claimed he hadn't had the time to read over the full mission report yet, but this outburst was enlightening to say the least.
Was this the real reason why?
"We were trapped by the anomaly. The only way we could escape was to complete the show she tried to create."
"I know that Jiro. I need more specific details."
And there's the confirmation. Jealousy is a strange thing.
Jiro made a mental note to see if there's any way to alleviate such a thing in a romantic partner.
"We would be released if we completed the show, but the only people that would be released were the Honor Student and the one she chose. I couldn't abandon you, so I had to do everything I could to return home - even if it looked unfaithful."
All Yuri could see was guilt. Even just the thought of going so far for survival weighed on his conscience.
"Although, we had to somehow convince her we were truly in love."
That was quite the idea. Get the most unexpressive man on campus to try and convince someone that he's in love with someone through conventional means. Yuri gives a knowing smirk. "And you mean to tell me you thought you could make a convincing performance?"
Jiro shrugs with indifference. "I was hoping my condition would play in my favor." Pulling his dearest close, he continues, "besides, I figured if I needed to, I could try to trick myself into thinking she was you somehow - At least long enough to get to safety."
The once-blustering doctor was at a loss for words. The diligent assistant always knows how to diffuse the situation and so much more.
"Now that I have the chance, let me tell you what the others don't get to know."
Jiro leans in close, his lips capturing Yuri's in a gentle embrace. Watching that program only reminded him of how much he missed this.
"It was hard not having you there - especially given the show. I don't want to be with anyone else.
It felt wrong trying to gain the affection of someone other than you. Even if it was just all pretend."
Yuri hums as he traces one of the large scars running down Jiro's sternum. "Then let's remedy that."
Jiro quirks an eyebrow as one of his hands comes to rest on the small of Yuri's back. "And what do you propose?"
"Well, we'll just have to go on a proper resort vacation." Yuri lets his hand rest over his patient's heart, delighting in the steady, but quickening pulse. "You've mentioned things you've wanted to experience and God knows I need to get away from this institution."
Jiro's not about to argue when Yuri suggested it.
What better way to find out what that show was really supposed to simulate?