“The moon can never breathe, but it can take our breath away with the beauty of its cold, arid orb.”
— Munia Khan
. . .
Hiro tried to vocalize his still-existing concerns, but it was difficult to speak when any movement felt like asking for a fight and Hiro was instantly felt pressured to say yes, just for her to stop looking at him. But…
“No,” he managed to let out.
Those eyes seemed to glitter like distant stars as Lunamor regarded him. “No? You’re saying no to a perfectly reasonable, mutually beneficial agreement? Why is that?”
Lunamor suddenly started to lean towards him and Hiro, for a moment, actually panicked at the very thought that she might actually try to kiss him, especially with his limbs feeling like Jell-O. Fortunately, she just inclined her head towards him.
Hiro tried not to deflate in disappointment.
“I’ll think about it if you explain the rest of the terms because I’m sure that’s just not it.” Hiro subtly tried to step around her, their shoulders brushing as he did so.
Hiro had never wanted more than to walk out of his office there and now, but figured that would be really rude, not to mention, undignified and he really, really wanted some space from her. For goodness’s sake, of course Lunamor wasn't about to kiss him (why the hell does he keep thinking that?), the thought that she might so much as even try was so absurd, but Hiro wasn’t taking chances no matter how much Lunamor made it pointedly clear that she wasn’t interested in him.
And yet…
He still felt like she was too close for Hiro to think properly. Well, that, and Hiro wasn’t just used to having anyone this physically close to him.
Lunamor regarded him as he smoothly sidestepped her, gaze tracking his every movement as he did so, before she folded her hands behind her back, turning as she did so to keep him on her sight.
“Very well,” she conceded, “One of the main reasons why I want you to be seen with me in public is due to the fact that there are too many people who forced themselves on my space during such events. It would be… beneficial for me to appear to be involved with someone else. As I have explained to you back then.”
Well, yeah. She had kind of mentioned something along the lines. But still… “Oh, wow,” Hiro’s stare flattens at that, “I can’t believe you. Antisocial much–”
She ignores the quip, “With you by my side, I’ll have plenty of excuses not to entertain them. And the press will see it as the two of us being official even without having to make statements. Win-win.”
Hiro’s stare flattens even further.
“…who take things to the next level?”
She only shrugs at that.
“Look, you sure it’s okay if you suddenly start going out with me around the same time that you stop taking regular classes? Wouldn’t that be kind of… scandalous?”
Hiro didn't like it.
People might assume Lunamor got kicked out from the AST academy because of their… relationship, or worst-case scenario, Hiro will actually get fired.
“Then, they’ll have something to talk about.”
“Oh sure,” Hiro drawls, sarcastically, “Good for them.”
Lunamor waves a dismissive hand at him, “Stop worrying. Give yourself some credit, you’re intelligent. I know you won't say anything stupid to embarrass ourselves.”
“Uh… thanks?”
Half-baked, or outright vague explanations aside, it just didn't seem like a good enough reason to actually want him (of all freaking people) as a date, but maybe, in Lunamor’s standards–no matter how highly unlikely–it was…?
Hiro didn't actually know anything about the sort of people Lunamor normally went out with. Maybe Lunamor’s standards are pretty low. Or maybe Hiro really was just a convenient option.
Considering why she might want Hiro to be her date reminded Hiro of the most pressing issue. Megan was threatening to have Hiro fired over some stupid rumors (that are sort of… going to be true) and just thinking about that immediately brought back Hiro’s desire to get even. Come to think of it, other than sacrificing some of his time and getting a lot of headaches in the process, being in a false relationship with Lunamor wouldn't be such a high price to pay. She wasn’t even asking much of him. She’ll even help him.
…although, if he were to stop to really think about it, Hiro was a hundred percent sure Lunamor was getting the better end of the bargain.
“Fine,” Hiro finally spat, “As long as me or my sister will not be hounded by the press… but you have to help me get back on Megan and to not get fired during and even after we split up. I’m all for it.”
Jokes on her, though. It is going to be Lunamor’s problem once she finds out Hiro is a horrible date, not his. So there.
She stared at Hiro for a moment.
Hiro almost thought that she was surprised or relieved that he had officially agreed to this insanity… or that she somehow read his thoughts, but he had to hand it to her, Lunamor has an excellent poker face.
“So, we have a deal.”
“Yup. Wanna shake on it, kid?”
She threw him an irritated look, “No. And stop calling me that.” she turned away from Hiro and went back to his desk to pick up her messenger bag before pulling out a tablet computer, “For now, we should discuss the official terms of agreement and boundaries so that we can have that contract ready.”
Hiro’s eyebrow raised, “Now?”
“Why, is this room bugged?”
Okay, that was scary. And quite a bit of a paranoid mindset. Hiro didn't like that thought. “I’m not against on signing anything but is this really necessary?”
“…Yes.” She began typing, not bothering to glance at him. And Hiro cannot help but marvel at how quick she is as she carried on tapping on the screen, her gloves didn’t seem to bother her as she did so. Huh, Lunamor’s WPM must have been over 60 or 70… “It prevents misunderstandings from both parties and keeps our agreement officially classified. Now, when do you want me to handle that woman?”
She sounds so mature and incredibly professional about the matter, making it hard for Hiro to take the situation rather lightly.
He sighs, “As soon as possible.”
Lunamor nodded. “Tomorrow, then.”
Hiro nodded.
“While this contract is in effect, both of us are forbidden from going out or seeing other people. Even in a friendly setting. Anything that looks like a date will break our deal automatically. Do you have any objections?”
Well, Hiro was currently involved with anyone anyway, although it would be a shame since Hiro still wanted to be able to go out on dates if he did find someone interesting but… oh well.
“…None.”
This time, Lunamor glanced up at him. “I mean it. No third party involved. It will look bad if I’m seen with other men and the same goes for you while we are together.”
Hiro waved a dismissive hand at her.
“Is that all? What are the rest of the terms?”
Lunamor handed out the tablet to him.
As Hiro took his time reading and scrolling through the contents, he found himself nodding along on some of the statements. The rest of her requests were reasonable…
She wanted the right to judge what Hiro would wear whenever they went out on events before they will be seen in public. Hiro has no problems with that; Lunamor probably knows better about fashion than he does. And at least he has a second opinion.
Both parties are not allowed to leave the city (most especially the country) without the other’s say-so. This, Hiro immediately pointed out that family emergencies should be counted as an exception to that rule and in Lunamor’s case–since she was the one who was more probable to it–she had to give him a warning or… or something should she decide to disappear for a week straight just like she did back then.
Lunamor inclined her head at his argument and amended that part without further complaints. Hiro let out a sigh of relief.
Good.
He is not in a mood for further debates.
…Lunamor didn’t want Hiro talking to the press or making official statements, at least not without consulting her. Hiro rolled his eyes at that. He had no interest in talking to them and wouldn't have even bothered.
Hm, so far, everything’s straightforward.
Once Hiro agreed and made his e-sign, Lunamor began packing her things. “This Saturday, I’ll be meeting with some of my brother’s school mates. I want you to be there. We’ll discuss more about this tomorrow.”
He crossed his arms, drumming his fingers on his elbow as he did so. “And may I ask, what you intend to do that would stop me from getting fired? Mind you, Megan was planning to kick me out because our relationship is supposedly indecent.”
“I’m going to fire her.” Lunamor said as she carried on fixing her things, as though it was the most sensible thing to do in the world and she said it so casually, without missing a beat that Hiro didn’t process it for a second. Followed by: “Or… I’m going to have to give you my family’s hold on the academy.”
Hiro blinked, “Wait… what…”
“If you are the shareholder instead of my brother, then she–or anyone–could not fire you so easily without consequences since you basically own a good part of the academy,” Lunamor carried on, squinting at the screen. “I’ll be relinquishing my family’s share to you, then.”
Hiro took a deep breath, “Lunamor what the f–?!”
“Consider it as a gift,” she rolled her eyes at him.
A very expensive gift.
“Hell no,” he snapped, “This is too much–!”
“Do you want to get fired or not?” Lunamor retorted, picking up her messenger bag, “I gave you a solution that will last without you having to do or spend anything even after this arrangement is done and over, Akihiro. I’m honoring my word. And this is the best, legal solution that I could come up with. What more do you want?”
He winced, “It’s just…”
Her eyes softened a fraction, “Just consider it as payment for everything that you’ll be going through, Akihiro. I was at fault too, after all.”
That… eased him off, a bit.
“Wouldn’t you get in trouble for what you just did?” Hiro asked, rubbing tiredly the bridge of his nose, “I don’t think giving out shares is something that you ought to be doing.”
She huffs, “I’ve done worse.”
And Hiro… Hiro has absolutely no idea what to do with that response. Seriously, what the hell? “…Fine, fine. But can you give me a copy of the contract too?” Hiro asked as he opened the door for her.
“Of course, I–” Lunamor suddenly paused by the doorway, glancing back at him as if she expected Hiro to give her a hug or something.
He raised an eyebrow, “Anything else?”
She raised a hand, pausing, seeming to watch him as if weighing how he will react. And Hiro tried not to tense or hold his breath when her gloved hand gently landed on his cheek.
The leather feels sort of warm on his face.
Hiro wasn’t really expecting her to do that, and he swore his mind just automatically shut down as her hand brushed against his cheek, fingers ghosting gently underneath his eyes, the scent of leather–a sort of woody smell–made him blink as he stared back at her, trying not to inhale sharply because screw it, he had automatically held his breath.
“…I like you with black hair better,” Lunamor suddenly says, nodding at his still-brown hair, “It goes well with your eyes.”
Error.
Does not reboot.
Hiro.exe has stopped working.
…Please send help.
Lunamor must have noticed him panicking at that because she took a step back and marched off without another word.
And Hiro…
Hiro was sure as hell he was not able to breath properly again, not until Lunamor turned a corner from the far end of the hall and disappeared on sight.
What the hell just happened?