Work Text:
Yamato Nikaido was a strange one.
It’s what Tenn thought as he observed him from afar.
He was doting but distant. He heard countless stories from his brother about how he took care of everyone—as the leader, and as the eldest, it made sense. It was a role he fell naturally into, and he knew the joys of taking care of other people.
But— what was it? Despite being the beloved leader of IDOLiSH7, despite being older— the same age as Gaku, in fact, there was something missing.
He wasn’t sure what it was, yet.
“Tenn-nii?”
He’s brought back into orbit by the inquisitive gaze of his younger brother.
Riku looks at him with those bright eyes, peering at him quizzically.
“Is something off about Yamato?” he asks, all innocence and no malice.
“No, I was simply making some observations,” he answers simply. It was probably better if he didn’t ponder and space out here in the open, where others could catch onto his wandering thoughts. Riku gives him a look which Tenn can practically see the question marks forming above his head, but he doesn’t elaborate any further.
It wasn’t really any of his business, after all.
———
“Oi, Kujo! Good work today.”
It’s a rainy day— Tenn was waiting at the entrance of a convenience store, out-weathered by the sky. He hadn’t brought his umbrella today, which was an unwise decision on his part. He couldn’t risk getting sick from the rain, and thus here he was, waiting for a taxi.
Yamato looks at Tenn with an easygoing smile. He’s got a few grocery bags— upon quick glance he can see beer, some vegetables, a package of pudding…
“Nikaido Yamato. Good work today,” Tenn greets with a nod.
“What are you doing out here? I don’t take you for the type to misjudge the weather,” he says with a small laugh. Which, was true. Stupidly enough, all of this was a result of his thoughts spinning too rapidly throughout the day.
“I’m not normally this careless, but I overslept today,” Tenn replies. A half-truth, said nice and smoothly.
“Haha! Even the modern-day angel sleeps in. That’s reassuring.” His expression looks a little too fond, like he’s looking at his sunny red-headed brother instead of him.
“You should be more on top of your routine, Nikaido Yamato. Have some respect for yourself as an idol.” Despite the words that come out of his mouth, it doesn’t seem to affect the older man who only grins at him.
“I know, I know,” he replies nonchalantly. “Ichi and Mitsu are always on my ass about it. I don’t need the center of a rival group worrying about me too.”
“It’s not—” and then Tenn stops himself, wondering what he was doing.
Was he worrying about him?
He’s not sure he’d go that far…
His train of thought is interrupted by Yamato’s laughter.
“You’re always thinking so hard, Kujo. You should relax a little bit. Onii-san won’t out you if you act a bit like a younger brother around him, you know?” He opens his arms, gesturing widely. “Seriously, do I give the impression of someone who would want to make his juniors worry about him?”
Tenn gives him a sharp look.
“I’m technically your senior.”
Laughter, again.
“Yes, yes, senpai.”
What an annoying guy.
And yet, his words have no malice.
(What kind of gesture is that, anyways? Was he asking for a hug?)
“Well, anyways. It is a bit unfortunate, but I’ll be fine. You should be on your way.”
“What are your plans from here, Kujo? Is Anesagi-san coming to pick you up?”
Tenn looks at Yamato and raises a brow.
That wasn’t the plan at all. Ryuu was shooting a commercial and Gaku was at a recording. Their beloved manager had explained the itinerary in great lengths the night prior. Bothering any of them was out of the question.
“… I have other arrangements.”
“Yeah? Like waiting in the rain by yourself without an umbrella?”
Tenn furrows his brows and Yamato can only grin at his reaction.
“Well if that’s the case— why don’t you come with me? We can grab something to eat and then I’ll bring you home. I’ve got the company car today. I promise I don’t drive like the villain I portray in my latest drama…”
Tenn rolls his eyes. Realistically, it would’ve been easy to swat away the older man’s request for company and find his own way home.
But a part of him was intrigued by the proposal— just to see where it lead. So perhaps this was a good thing.
“…If you are certain.”
“You have my word! Plus, Riku would not let me hear the end of it if he heard I left his beloved brother out in the rain by himself… So you’re doing me a favor, really. ”
That curious feeling tugged at him again, and Tenn wondered what it was. Why was Yamato so slippery? He’d say a kind thing, but he’d always play it off nonchalantly like he wasn’t responsible for it.
“Alright, I accept. I appreciate your time and help, Nikaido Yamato.”
“Seriously, it’s nothing. Are you craving anything in particular? There’s a great omurice place nearby here…”
———
Ah. He realized what it was.
Yamato put himself before others.
That was a thing that they had in common— Tenn was familiar with the act of extracting joy from helping other people. Even if it meant putting yourself second, or third, or last.
Putting in the work to treat someone kindly and flourish from it was always worth it.
And yet, Tenn knew very well how lonely that could be…
Case and point. They were eating at an omurice place and Yamato was studying his reaction carefully.
“A bit weird,” Tenn says, catching Yamato’s gaze. Yamato, not taking the comment seriously, just waves his hand.
“C’mon, humor me a bit. You wouldn’t believe the smile on Riku’s face when we first tried this place. I want to know if the twins share the same taste for omurice.”
Tenn rolls his eyes.
“We’re different people, you know?”
“Mmm, that’s true, isn’t it? Then it should be fine if I observe.”
“Staring is rude.”
“Sorry~”
The smile Yamato offers is anything but. Tenn huffs.
Still, once the dish is placed in front of him by a cheerful waiter, he stops to take a few pictures of it, admiring the presentation of it and the cat-shaped ketchup topping that adorns it. After that, he eats the omurice with practiced calmness, delight spreading throughout his system as he takes the first bite. The texture was perfect— egg split perfectly when cut, and the contents of it spilled onto the flavorful bed of rice below. It was a feast before he even he put it in his mouth, and—
It was delicious!
It vaguely reminded him of the omurice his parents used to cook for him. The softness of the egg was a little different, but the flavor of the rice rang familiar. It was a dish that was connected to little victories when he and Riku were young, and memories of them singing about having omurice for lunch rang loudly in his head.
He really should be practicing his usual stoicism here, but he realizes he’s lost once he glances up and finds Yamato grinning fondly at him.
“I was right!”
“…Focus on your own meal.”
Tenn made a mental note to find out what Yamato’s favourite food was. Two could play at this game.