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Fuyumi has always been aware of her father’s numerous connections within the entertainment industry. Given his decades-long career in music production, it’s safe to assume he’s no more than two degrees of separation away from all of Japan’s most popular artists. However, Fuyumi has not often witnessed this firsthand, on account of her father pouring his attention into training Touya’s voice rather than hers. She’s attended events with some of the artists and bands he works with directly, but she’s never really had to reckon with the fact that her father is in the same circles as some of her favorite idols.
At least, not until she shows up at his office to drop off lunch for him and Shouto, and finds herself face-to-face with MIDN!GHT in the lobby.
She’s dressed down from the attire she typically wears for public appearances, hair tied up and glasses resting on her nose, but Fuyumi recognizes her nonetheless. She might be a bit of a superfan, in all honesty—she heard about the controversy with Midnight’s former producer in passing from her father, and when she looked into it on her own, she found herself hooked on her music while also in awe of her determination to stand up for herself. And, in turn, she paved the way for many other female idols to fight back against their oppressive work environments. She even started her own music agency with a friend, rather than simply transferring to a new already-existing one, at the suggestion of one of Fuyumi’s other favorite idols, Miruko.
So. To say she’s utterly shellshocked would be an understatement.
“Good afternoon, Fuyumi-san!” the secretary greets. It snaps Fuyumi from her surprise, though Midnight’s presence in the room weighs heavy on her conscious even as she shifts her attention. “Are you here to see your father?”
She holds up the bag in her hand. “I have lunch for him and Shouto, yes.”
The secretary nods. “I’ll let him know.”
Fuyumi steps back as she calls up to her father’s office. If it were only Shouto expecting her, she would be allowed to just go find him, but her father’s precedents don’t break for anyone. He says it helps him maintain a professional image, but Fuyumi has her doubts.
“Kamiji-san told me Todoroki-san had a daughter,” a voice muses, “but she failed to mention just how pretty you are.”
Fuyumi’s eyes widen as she looks around the lobby to locate the source of the words. But the only person here apart from the usual office staff, who are all familiar with her, is. Midnight. Who Fuyumi has been pointedly attempting to not look at head-on, lest she make an absolute fool of herself.
When she meets Midnight’s gaze, the other woman is already staring at her, a smirk playing at her bold red lips. “Fuyumi-chan, was it?”
“Y-yes!” Fuyumi bows, folding herself in half. Vaguely, she remembers her father mentioning that Burnin would be collaborating with another idol on a new song, but he hadn’t given specifics. And Fuyumi never imagined it would be Midnight of all people! But that must be why she’s here, right? She can’t think of any other reason Midnight would be interested in working with her father.
She straightens up, hoping her face isn’t nearly as flushed as it feels. “Midnight-san, I–I’m a big fan!”
Midnight giggles. “You flatter me, dear. But please, call me Kayama when I’m out of costume.”
“Kayama-san,” Fuyumi repeats, reveling in the feel of it on her tongue. It’s not as if her real name is a close-kept a secret, but to be given permission to refer to her in a more familiar way is a privilege beyond what Fuyumi ever could have imagined receiving. “It’s— Wow.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, ducking her head. “It’s really cool to meet you. I love your work!”
“Now that is a compliment,” Kayama purrs. She leans forward, and as if pulled by some invisible force, Fuyumi takes a step closer. “I know your father doesn’t particularly like me.”
“Well…” Fuyumi shrugs sheepishly. “I first heard about you when he was complaining about you, actually. I got curious about the whole Commission Records controversy, but I figured he wouldn’t want to waste his time explaining everything to me, so I looked into it myself. And then I realized you’re, like, really cool! And your music is incredible! I’m sure you don’t have particular kind feelings for my father—which is fine!—so I figured I’d never get to meet you or anything. He doesn’t involve me much in his work anyway.”
Kayama frowns. “I can’t imagine why. You look every bit the part of a sensational idol.”
“He was more interested in my older brother,” Fuyumi explains. “He thought training a boy would be easier because of…something about vocal ranges?” She shakes her head. “Anyway, by the time he, uh, discovered things with my older brother wouldn’t work out, it was too late to start training me. So he fixated on my younger brother instead.”
As soon as Fuyumi has finished speaking, she realizes she probably overshared. Kayama didn’t ask for an entire tragic backstory, and she doesn’t deserve the burden of Fuyumi’s either. “Sorry! I—”
“And this is why I’m not a fan of your father,” Kayama grumbles. “I nearly turned down Kamiji-san’s request to collaborate due to that alone. Though, after meeting you, I must say I’m glad I agreed.”
A very undignified squeak escapes Fuyumi’s lips despite her best attempts to stop it. She knows flirting with fans is just one of Midnight’s things—it’s part of the persona she’s crafted for herself as an idol. But she very clearly told Fuyumi to use her real name while out of costume, meaning there must be a distinction between Midnight and Kayama. But whether that extends to her flirtatious nature, Fuyumi isn’t sure.
Is she reading too much into things? Is she letting her fangirl adoration get in the way of logical thought? What is she supposed to do in this situation!!!
“I find it hard to believe a chance meeting could change your mind so easily,” Fuyumi replies carefully.
Kayama raises an eyebrow. She’s gazing at Fuyumi with something akin to hunger in her eyes, and it makes Fuyumi’s skin crawl. The sensation isn’t entirely unpleasant, though. She really wouldn’t mind having Kayama’s eyes on her forever. “Would you be interested in letting me convince you otherwise?”
Fuyumi’s mind blanks.
“Um,” she says eloquently. “What?”
Kayama stands. She struts towards Fuyumi, closing the distance between them. Fuyumi’s mouth goes dry as she watches, stunned and frozen in place. When Kayama comes to a stop before her, she has to tilt her head up slightly to meet her gaze.
She reaches out, twirling a strand of Fuyumi’s hair around her finger. “I’m asking you on a date,” she clarifies. “It’s not often someone can capture my attention as quickly as you did, Fuyumi-chan. And while I typically adhere to a strict ‘no dating fans’ policy, I believe you are well acquainted with the fact that idols are more than just the masks they wear in public. So, if you’re interested, I would very much like to get coffee or dinner sometime.”
Fuyumi swears her heart is about to beat out of her chest. It’s too much to take in—too much to even believe. She knows her connection to Todoroki Enji can garner her attention, especially when it comes to idols who want an in with him, but MIDN!GHT is already here, in his agency building, for a collaboration with one of his top selling artists, despite a clash of ideals between herself and Fuyumi’s father. She has no reason to attempt to use Fuyumi for her own gain.
“Why?” Fuyumi croaks out anyway. She can’t imagine what she may have done to catch Kayama’s attention. There’s no reason she should be interested in Fuyumi at all.
Kayama’s fingers trace the curve of Fuyumi’s jaw, coming to rest beneath her chin. She tilts Fuyumi’s head up just that tiny bit more, forcing eye contact, and Fuyumi finds herself momentarily lost in the swirling blue of her eyes. Tumultuous as the ocean, but warm and inviting. It may be a false siren song, but she believes this would be a soft place to land.
“I think you’re adorable, for one,” Kayama says. “But also, you said you’re a fan of my ‘work’ before going on to explain your research into the Commission controversy. So I get the feeling you admire me as a person just as much as you enjoy my music. It’s not often I meet people like that, let alone people like that who are also aware of the difference between persona and person.” Her hand drops away from Fuyumi’s face, and she finds herself mourning the loss even before it’s fully gone. “I meet many people who adore MIDN!GHT, but few who like Kayama Nemuri as well.”
“Okay,” Fuyumi breathes. Her mind is buzzing, still not quite convinced this is truly happening, but she would be a fool to turn Kayama down even if this is nothing but a dream. “I— Do you want my phone number, or…?”
Kayama grins, pulling her phone from her pocket. “If you’re offering~”
With hot cheeks and shaky hands, Fuyumi sets down the bag containing lunch for her father and brother so she can take Kayama’s phone. She creates a new contact, inputting her name and number, and hopes Kayama doesn’t notice her fumbling over such a simple task. Once she’s finished, she returns the phone and tries not to have any physical reaction when her fingers brush against Kayama’s.
Before Fuyumi can say anything else (and likely make a complete fool of herself), Kayama nods in the direction of something behind her. “I think you’re being summoned,” she teases.
Fuyumi turns to find Shouto standing back, observing with a blank expression on his face.
“Oh!” She exclaims, grabbing the bag from the floor. “Right! I should— It was really nice to meet you, Kayama-san!” She bows clumsily, and Kayama lets out a laugh tinged with affection which Fuyumi will probably be replaying in her mind for the next week straight. “I wish I could talk longer, but—”
“Duty calls,” Kayama interrupts. She sighs melodramatically. “I understand. I hope to see you again soon, Fuyumi-chan.”
Fuyumi ducks her head, face flaming. “I hope so too,” she replies. It comes out scarcely louder than a whisper, but Kayama’s smile widens, so she must have heard the reply just fine.
Fuyumi scurries away after that, off to Shouto, who will escort her up to their father’s office. She swears she can feel Kayama’s gaze burning holes into her back, but she forces herself not to look back. No matter how desperately she wants to.
“Did you give Midnight-san your number?” Shouto asks, before they’re even out of earshot.
“Be quiet!” Fuyumi hisses. “And don’t tell Dad. Please.”
Shouto hums. “I didn’t see anything,” he says vaguely. “But if I did, I would tell you that I’m happy for you and I hope you have fun.”
They step into the elevator then, at which point Fuyumi does have to turn around. She finds Kayama’s eyes are, in fact, still on her, and a smile is playing at her lips.
Fuyumi grins back, holding her gaze until the doors slide shut.