nebulancer

Summary – On a certain day off, Kai is trimming Shun’s nails, something which he has become completely accustomed to doing, ever since their debut. The two of them were having a peaceful time together while sharing their old memories. But as thanks for the care, Shun invites Kai to go on a shopping date with him......

“Let’s go on a date during our next day off!”

“Come again?”

1. Drama – “Do you wanna hang out with me?”

[Kai is trimming Shun’s nails.]

Shun: *yawns* Fwuhaahuh...

Kai: Hey, man. That was one huge yawn just now, Shun.

Shun: Ufufu. I couldn’t help it. It’s been so long since I’ve had a day off with you.

The dazzling early summer light shines through the window. Atop the desk lies the tea that you poured for me. Upon my lap sits the mirthful Princess, who has just awoken from her afternoon nap.

I believe that it would instead be harder to not feel sleepy in this situation.

Kai: Yeah, yeah. Even without those things, our lazy Demon Lord Shun-sama seems ready to nod off throughout the whole year. Heh.

I’m done. Gimme your other hand now.

Shun: All~ right~

Kai: A very fine response, sir.

I know I’m just trimming your nails, but technically, I’m putting a bladed object to your body. I think it’d be better, to... you know, act a little more tense?

Shun: It’s because you’re the one using it. I trust you more than anyone else~

And since I have peace of mind around you, I can’t help but get shleepy~ You know~ *yawns*

Kai: Which happened right as you said it!

Shun: What else could I do? It feels so comfortable here, after all. Isn’t that right, Princess?

[Shiroda sniffs.]

Shun: See? Even Princess is saying, “Hear, hear~”

Kai: Aw, jeez! She’s just so cute~

Shun: Kai, you’re absolutely head over heels for her.

Kai: Yeah, I’m head-over-heels, completely lovestruck. It’s been the case for ten years.

Shun: I can feel you getting on in years, the way you say that so proudly.

Kai: Don’t feel my years, feel my love instead.

Here. I’m done trimming. I’m going to file your nails, so gimme this hand again.

Shun: All right~

[Shun sips his tea.]

Shun: Hmm. Delicious.

Kai: *humming* ~♪

Shun: You seem to be having fun, Kai.

Kai: Of course. This process is fun as can be to me. Look, they’re getting shinier by the second.

See, Shun-kun, you’re a handsome guy who’s seriously unrivaled in looks. Looks alone, mind you.

Shun: Why, yes, I am.

Kai: The way you nonchalantly acknowledge it yourself is real Shun-sama quality~

Shun: I cannot lie, after all. An absolute truth in the world is that I am beautiful.

Kai: When you say stuff is an absolute truth, it actually sounds sorta severe.

Shun: You must accept this severely harsh reality with all you have to offer.

Kai: Yeah, you’re right! I’ll treasure it preciously... and deal with it by smashing it to smithereens.

Shun: Why must you do such a thing~?

Kai: Heheh! All right, let’s get back on track. You bear an extremely gorgeous external appearance... yet you find that stuff to be a huge pain, and you’re rather indifferent when it comes to taking care of yourself?

Shun: Let’s see. How do I put it...?

I treasure the natural self more. I prefer when people are themselves.

Kai: Oh, sure. Anyway, that’s what I wanted to bring up.

It’s like how I want to cook the best dishes from the hand-grown, hand-watered ingredients that I prepared myself. I’d compare the sense of accomplishment to that.

Shun: In short, you’re cooking me into a meal to give to the fans, which they heartily dig into! Thank you, chef~

Kai: *laughing* The ingredient thanked me. Haha! It’s an honor to receive your praise, dishy.

All right, done. That hand over there this time.

Shun: Okay~

Kai: There we go.

Shun: I’m happy as long as you look after me, regardless of what shape I take. And if you seem to be having fun as well, I’ll enjoy that in return!

Kai: Ooh, yeah. That’s what people call a win-win situation, eh?

Back when we started, people thought you were forcing me to do this sorta stuff. When someone came home in the middle of these situations, they’d tell us off and complain about whatever it was... But that’s completely gone at this point.

Shun: I know, right? To name names, I found it quite amusing how You’s reactions transitioned into what they are today~

Kai: Same.

Back then, he’d go, “What are you, his mom!?” while on the verge of snapping. And then, he’d become totally grossed out, saying stuff like, “Eurgh.”

Following that, he stopped saying anything, with only his expression looking at us like he wanted to give us a piece of his mind... And now, he’s completely accepted this is going on, and he ignores us entirely.

Shun: Ufufu! Humans live off of routines and customs, after all.

One could also say that’s one of the ways we’ve become part of each other’s daily lives.

Kai: Each other’s daily lives, huh? That sounds nice.

‘Kay. I’m done buffing.

Shun: Thank you, Kai. Then I’ll...

Kai: Tsk, tsk, tsk. We’re not done yet~

Shun: Kai?

Kai: I have a special weapon today. Ta-dah~!

*puts something on the table*

A makeup artist gave me cuticle oil at the workplace the other day. It’s one of those super-expensive ones, from a foreign brand. Is it okay if I test it out on you?

Shun: Ooh...? Fufu! Of course.

Allow me to become your test subject.

Kai: The way you said that... Heh! But aw, yeah!

Let’s get the experiment started. Hehe.

Shun: Yes, sir.

Kai: Okay, slather on the oil at the base, taking care not to use too much.

And then, massage, starting from the base and spreading out to the fingertips.

Shun: Mm~! This feels good.

Kai: Oh, really? That’s good to hear.

Then I’m gonna go and do the other fingers, too.

Hmm... Hm, hm. Hmm, hum~ Hum, hum~♪

Shun: Gosh, you really do seem like you’re having fun, Kai!

Kai: Yeah, I sure am having fun!

Man, the world of cosmetics is so profound! I find it fun to hear all sorts of topics, too.

Shun: Wouldn’t you typically devote that attention and knowledge to yourself, and not someone else?

Kai: Well, yeah, I do allocate some of that attention to myself. You know, what with looks being important for idols.

But you’re way more worth polishing. You’re on an entirely different level.

This is, like... You know how there are people who clean their cars every weekend, even though their cars aren’t even dirty? It’s like that.

Shun: ...I get it?

Kai: Don’t look at me with a face that openly screams, “I don’t get it.”

...Heh. There are people out there who do that. Maybe it was a bad comparison, since I’m talking with someone who loathes the idea of cleaning. It’s like wanting to frequently tinker with your favorite things. It’s the mentality of wanting to perform maintenance on what you like.

Shun: Ahh! I understand now! It’s like my altar of Hajime merch!

Mm, maybe Hajime’s preciousness could be better expressed if I set them up this way? With Hajime’s expressions growing gentler recently, I do think he looks lovely that way. However! One cannot forget how, in the early days right after his debut, he was still unaccustomed to relying on others, and he didn’t have the ‘sweet’ side to his ‘sweet and sour’ just yet. The expressions he made when he was that unsophisticated are just so beloved, and it’s difficult to deny those! Oh, I’ve got it. Today, I’ll put them together in chronological order, and by chasing after Hajime’s growth, I will also chase after the path my love has gone! Let’s try making it a memorial of sorts! Anyway, those are the thoughts running through my mind as I perform upkeep on my altar late into the night.

Is it similar to that sort of thing?

Kai: Ahh. Too long. Too long. Way too long.

Shun: I’m sorry, my love reflexively spilled out...

Kai: What do you mean, “spilled out”? Your love’s spewing out like an uncontained leak, every single day.

Shun: Aah, Hajime...! ♡ I love you. ✨

Kai: Too intense. Too intense. Way too intense. Sure, let’s treat this as the average Hajime LOVE. But yeah, I think that’s pretty much it.

It’s basically how I want to perform maintenance on you.

Shun: I see. So that means you love me as well.

Kai: Ahh. Uh, yeah. Sure~ I love you~

Shun: That was so lackadaisical!

Kai: Heheh! Also, you know how I’m attached to looking after people? You could also consider this a way for me to vent my urge to take care of someone.

‘Cuz, well, my little brothers and sisters back home are all adults now. The little brother-position guys in our unit don’t need my meddling anymore, so... It makes me feel happy and proud, but that means I’m really freed up now.

Shun: Ufufu! That’s true~

Our kids, as well as your younger sisters and brothers, have grown remarkably, haven’t they?

Kai: They sure have. They’re all doing their best in their workplaces while we seniors have the chance to take it easy and relax, just as we’re doing right now.

Shun: Personally, I wouldn’t mind the chance to relax so much more.

Kai: Put in some work, leader.

Shun: Okay~

Kai: They’ve... sure become reliable, haven’t they? The time You got in trouble with a costar feels like a huge lie now.

Shun: Ufufu! It was no lie. It was because he was like that back then, and he faced every one of those troubles head-on, that You is the person he is today.

Failures. Successes. Challenges. Setbacks. Learning from all sorts of experiences and managing to improve is one of the virtues a human can have.

Kai: No doubt about that. ...But still~!

Shun: Oho?

Kai: My hands are sorta free anyway~! Like, lemme take care of you guys~!

Shun: Ugh, yikes. Kai, you’re acting annoying.

Kai: And Shun-kun is being rude!

Shun: You’re acting like a father who’s seeing off his daughter or son when they leave the house and start to live on their own!

Kai: Ahh! I get it! That’s what it is! That’s what it feels like!

I bet this is how parents feel when they adopt dogs or cats against their better judgment, because their kids have left them.

Which is why... I’ve been faithfully taking care of a Demon Lord who comes with a pedigree document and a very high-class lineage. Though it’s dubious as to whether he’s from Kyoto or the Demon World.

Shun: Fufu. I don’t have any objections to you refining me to your heart’s content.

Kai: Aw, nice~. Your consideration is appreciated!

...Okay, here. And now, we’re done with the cuticle oil experiment.

How is it?

Shun: Hmm. Mm, yes!

Your massage itself felt extraordinarily pleasant, and it seems to me that my nails are shining twice as much as they were before! What do you think, Kai?

Kai: Ooh! They look real pretty. That’s incredible. That was a job well done, if I do say so myself.

Shun: Ufufu ♪ Thank you~

......Ah...

Kai: ? Shun?

Shun: Hey, Kai? As thanks for making me very pretty, could I occasionally have the chance to polish you up as well?

Kai: Come again?

Shun: [In English] Do you wanna hang out with me?

Let’s go on a date during our next day off!

Kai: Come again!?

-

(part 2)