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Christian didn’t have much to do with photography, despite Jordan’s best efforts to have trained him on her equipment. Aside from taking pretty photos, he wasn’t very knowledgeable. He knew music stuff, not the wizardry behind visual art. However, whenever the opportunity presented itself, he travelled with Jordan to help her with whatever she needed and it was a win-win scenario. The flights and stays were covered, for the most part, he got to see new cities and meet new people, and all of that with one of his closest friends.
So that was how Christian ended up in Tokyo during the most fawned over time of year: cherry blossom season. Jordan was contracted to shoot for an upcoming artist’s album promo — one of her acquaintances, he wasn’t familiar with them but figured that if she liked them, he would, too — and got him to act as her plus one. Best thing he could do now was act helpful.
The first night was as uneventful as visiting a foreign country could be; they met up with the artist, which Christian discovered was actually a band of really cool people, discussed their artistic vision for the shoot a little then ate. At Jordan’s insistence, they visited the Sensoji temple in Asakusa, which she read online was a nice sightseeing spot.
To her credit, the whole place was organised in such a nice way, it looked animated. Jordan had brought her polaroid, as always, and took (and made Christian take) a few photos before they went back to their hotel because you can only have so much energy after an eleven-hour flight.
Despite the bright lights pouring in through his hotel room’s large window, the man slept like a baby the entire night, and thank God for that because the next day they were up bright and early.
For the most part of the shoot, they had rented out a studio that had them walking in circles for a little while, which gave the opportunity for a certain street to catch Christian's eye. He really wanted to walk around there and see if he could find any cool spots. Before that, though, they had to settle in.
His job was basically an assistant’s. Christian helped with setting up, moving things, adjusting lighting, and fetching whatever the others asked him to. Everything went smoothly, and he was happy he could make Jordan's job even a little easier. It was a fair trade, he reckoned, and half the time he was simply existing and offering emotional support for the job.
They changed location just before it got dark outside to get some cinematic nighttime shots, and Christian found himself sitting around and his mind kept going back to that lively street with cherry blossoms planted in the middle of the wide pedestrian road. It surely wouldn't hurt anyone if he left for a little while, right?
“Hey, Smiley,” he called out at some point, making Jordan turn around; she flicked her head up as a way to sign that she was paying attention. “Do you mind if I go on a walk, see if there's a cool place to eat or something we could visit later?” I haven't been doing anything for the past ten minutes and I don't want to just take up space here, went unsaid.
“Oh, sure,” she replied easily, double-checking that everything was in its place, then smiled. “I think we'll manage without you. Do me a favor, though — could you get me some more Polaroid film? I'm running low.”
“‘f course,” Christian shoved his phone in his jeans’ front pocket. He vaguely remembered he'd been sent on this mission before and Jordan had messaged him the model of her camera, so it would be easy enough. “Call me if you need anything, good luck with the rest of the shoot!”
★
Christian was completely enamoured by the place. The bright LED signs fought with the warm light of street lamps to illuminate everything, including the night sky. He'd looked up a shop that would surely have the film Jordan asked for, and found out it thankfully was in the same area he wanted to explore.
So he took his sweet time, raiding a convenience store for snacks and maybe spending a bit too much money at gacha machines that offered miniatures. Aside from irresponsible spending, though, he did lay eyes on an interesting-looking restaurant he sent a photo of to his friend.
After probably half an hour of wandering, Christian finally decided it was time to head back — although Jordan hadn't given him any sign of life other than a heart reaction to the image — so he stopped by the photography shop to get film. He'd been right about the model being lost somewhere in their private messages, and thank God for the search option; it didn't take long for him to find what he needed.
Walking out, Christian texted Jordan that he was coming back and if she was sure they didn't need anything else. Finally, when he looked up to (hopefully) be able to navigate without Maps, he noticed a man who stuck out like a sore thumb from the crowd. His style was unique but undeniably western-looking — streetwear was the term Christian was looking for — and he had long hair, styled into braids, one of which, hanging in front of his face, he played with while typing something on his phone.
But maybe the most comical part was the gigantic Pikachu plush he'd tucked between his torso and his arm; I mean, the thing must've been a half of him. It was really cute. Christian decided the worst thing that could happen would be the stranger reacting weirdly to his compliment; but it was a big city and he wouldn't be here for long, so it wouldn't even matter if that were the case.
“Hey, sorry, I just wanted to say I really like your style,” he smiled sincerely — his wide, charming smile. Then, Christian pointed to the plush, “And that guy is really cute.”
To his relief, he'd been right in assuming the man wasn't from around, either, as he smiled and replied easily. “Oh, thank you!” He shifted the stuffed animal in his arms so he'd be holding it in front of himself and could show it off. “I probably spent too much money on it but…” The stranger laughed lightly as he trailed off.
If Christian didn't have something on his Tokyo bucket list, it must have been “fall in love with a stranger”. Life works in mysterious ways, it seemed, because he found himself completely enamoured by the man's soft, green eyes and nice voice — it sounded like his words were stumbling one into another even though he spoke clearly enough, and with a familiar accent (though Christian was aware his was heavier).
“Oh, out of curiosity, are you Australian by chance? Your accent…” Christian mentioned, though slightly uncertain if he should.
Something in the man's eyes lit up and he tilted his head to the side slightly. “Yeah, actually- I feel like I've lost it over time though,” he confessed with a shrug, moving the plush back under his arm.
“You live abroad?”
The man hummed an approving sound. “LA. Moved a while back, got a bunch more opportunities than back home.”
“Really? Me too, what a coincidence,” Christian's smile could not be wider. The conversation progressed so easily, it was like they already knew each other.
“Oh, fuck yeah. LA is cool, but it's such a big city-”
“It can get overwhelming, yeah,” the blond finished his thought for him. “But like you said, more opportunities.”
In the middle of his sentence, the man's phone buzzed alive with a notification and he checked it quickly as to not come off as rude. Then, he looked up at Christian with an apologetic gaze. “Do you mind if we walk? My Uber’s around here.”
“Sure, no problem.”
The two started walking side by side. “So, what do you do? How come you're in Japan?” Christian asked.
“Music. Me and my brother work together, I'm a producer mostly- he does mastering and stuff like that. We had a deal with a Japanese artist and figured we might as well visit the place,” he shrugged. “I mean, I'm a huge anime fan so…”
“Music- me too, I mean, I have a guitar shop but I've always thought producing is so cool. I’m here with a friend- it’s also for work, but I’m just visiting, honestly.”
Soon enough the two reached the main road’s sidewalk, and the man spotted his Uber parked nearby. “That’s my ride,” he told Christian, nodding towards it. “It was nice meeting you, though.”
“Likewise… Hey, uh, before you go though, do you have Instagram, or something? Or we could swap numbers- I’d love to get to know you better?”
A small chuckle. “Sure, gimme your phone real quick.” Christian did as he was asked and watched as the man typed something in, then handed it back closed.
★
“Jordan! Jordan?” Christian called out, the second time a bit more uncertain, as he arrived at the makeshift set. They were starting to pack up, he’d made it right on time. “I think I just met my soulmate.”
It wasn’t the shouting that made her turn around, it was the last sentence that left his mouth. “You what?”
He did have a habit of overdramaticising and maybe being a bit too much of a hopeless romantic and Jordan certainly knew that, it was probably why she was so skeptical. But still. In less than an hour? That must be a new record, even for him.
“This time I’m so serious, dude, he was so cute and he’s also really into music and he had the prettiest green eyes and-” Christian bit the inside of his lip to stop himself from rambling further. “I sound like an idiot right now. But I’m serious!”
“Sure, okay, tell me about this mystery man over dinner or something. Help me take down the lights?”
“...Right, yeah.”
★
mitchelcave sent a message
hey
are u still gonna be in the city
tomorrow or do I take u out
when we’re both back in LA? ;)
As long as you take me to
the love song bar, I’m your man