VAZZROCK Takaaki + SQ + Tsukiuta SS - 12/9/23

[nebulancer]

🍕Where did your Tsukiuta start?🍕

 

As I was walking down a hallway of lesson rooms, he called out to me.

 

“Good timing.”

 

“Huh? Shiki? That’s rare of...”

 

I was about to say “That’s rare of you,” and when I noticed several rather young boys by his side, I completed my sentence.

 

“That’s rare of you. Shii-kun’s got some juniors in tow.”

“I’m not towing them around.”

 

He clarified that they had just coincidentally met, with them having greeted him.

The youths politely listening to our relaxed conversation bowed their heads in order.

 

“Pleased to make your acquaintance! I’m Shiwasu Kakeru, who’ll be debuting as a member of Six Gravity!”

“Also from Six Gravity, I’m Kisaragi Koi! Y-you’re Mamiya-san, right? I-I-I look forward to being in your care!”

“I’m Uduki Arata. I’ll be in your care.”

 

(“Six Gravity”...... Aah, yes. The chairman’s...)

 

For an instant.

 

It really was just an instant.

Unbearably complex feelings rushed through my head, which were too difficult to put to words.

While my group was petering to a stop, those around us were steadily working.

Though our juniors’ debuts probably had nothing to do with our own circumstances, I couldn’t help but think that things were retaining their balance. It was inexcusable of me.

I didn’t slip up by letting it all show on my face, but I’m pretty sure Shiki saw me through completely.

 

(I know you felt the exact same way, too.)

 

I dragged out my specialty poker face and smiled.

Smiling would call back my usual feelings.

Smiling was my armor. My weapon.

 

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Mamiya Takaaki. I’m a bit of a senior talent ♪

I greeted the leaders Hajime and Shun a while back.

I think I’ll be getting to know you all better from now on, so let’s get along, shall we?”

 

“””Yes!”””

 

What a great response.

They responded with a bit of nerves mixed in, which were directly conveyed to me. That aspect of them felt refreshing, as it really felt as if they weren’t accustomed to showbiz.

They must be very honest boys.

 

I’d heard that they all weren’t trainees, but rather, scouted.

Well, true. Inexperienced as they were, they gave off the nagging feeling that it wouldn’t end just there. It didn’t feel uncomfortable, but it felt like a premonition... Something exciting, something thrilling, something in that lineup of boys that felt dramatic.

 

(Just the type of thing that the chairman would like.)

 

That person was truly skilled at discovering raw gems like them.

He would leave the scouting division to nab people who were clearly meant for showbiz. In the meanwhile, the chairman himself would bring in peculiarly unique talents whose idiosyncrasies would become apparent the more time you spent with them.

 

That familiar face lined up next to the three of them was a perfect example.

 

He, too, was a man who oddly lingered in your memories and oddly left a mark despite never asserting himself.

I assumed he wasn’t doing it purposely, but he was a man who lived in a way that swept others into things and would injure them.

If I were to phrase it positively, he was a “dramatic man.” Put bluntly, he was a man with a nasty disposition.

 

And now, I questioned that man, who was wearing an especially harmless-looking suit, camouflaged as a businessman.

 

“So, Shiki?

What did you mean by, ‘Good timing’?”

“Come along with me. I’ll treat you.”

 

“...What?”

 

＊＊＊＊

 

Dragged along by Mr. Wallet, my three adorable juniors and I arrived at a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant about ten minutes away from the headquarters, which enjoyed a popularity among agency workers.

 

It had calm lighting, with a perfect amount of inorganization.

The shop spread out in a comfortable space that didn’t put on airs too strongly. The owner was an acquaintance of the chairman’s or something, so when a group with popular faces arrived, they would nonchalantly guide the group to a corner that lay deeper inside the restaurant.

 

Their kiln-grilled pizza was a masterpiece. Back when we weren’t as busy, Roa and I would almost definitely drop by this place on our way back from showing up at headquarters.

Meanwhile, Shiki didn’t seem to visit this place very often, not even when he was in the same unit as us......

 

(I bet the first place that popped into his mind when he considered bringing his juniors somewhere to eat... Was this place, huh...?)

 

When I thought about that, it made me smile.

Shiki and pizza.

I couldn’t get enough of how mismatched both were.

In my heart, I decided to send a picture to the groupchat after this, no matter what.

 

“Well, let’s see here~ What should I get?

Shiki’s treating us, right? Let’s get something expensive~!”

 

Before the youngsters shrunk away out of politeness, I took the initiative to order the most expensive pizza they had.

I think that made me the prime model of what a senior’s supposed to look like.

 

“C’mon, guys! Choose whatever you’d like.”

“All right! Thank you so much!!!

Hmmm, all of them look so tasty...!

Margherita? Marinara? Pescatore? Parma Pizza...

ARE WE IN ITALY RIGHT NOW!!?”

“Kakeru-san, calm down.”

“I want this pizza with a soft-boiled egg on top...”

“It’s called a Bismark pizza???”

 

The three heads passionately reading the menu were at perfect levels to look like three rungs of stairs. It really was incredibly cute.

Feeling somewhat fuzzy inside wondering if we looked that way from others’ perspectives when we were younger, I asked the man tightening his necktie.

 

“What about you, Shiki? Have you decided?”

 

“......Now that I think about it.”

“Hm?”

“You’re clearly making more money than I am.

After all, you’re a national idol unit member enjoying his stardom.

Wouldn’t it be more reasonable for you to treat us?”

“Well, sheesh~ I’ve got nothing on a proper, full-time employee like Shiki-san.”

“Don’t you think it’s plain weird to put a meager businessman and an entertainer on the same playing field when referring to how much money they make?”

“Which is why you should start raking in the dough with all the royalties you make!”

 

Isn’t that why you went down your path alone?

 

My grudge was on the tip of my tongue and nearly spilled out alongside my flippant, casual words. I swallowed my words before it was too late.

I guess I was a little too giddy at getting to converse with him for the first time in a long while.

Looks like I’d taken my foot off the brakes ever so slightly.

 

(This isn’t proper of me...)

 

Unlike certain people, I wasn’t hurt as badly, but still... ...Yeah.

 

My beloved big brother left home and started living alone.

Even now, I still struggle with that loneliness, Shiki.

 

“I suppose so.”

 

I felt like being a little brat to the face that smoothly responded to me.

 

“Shiwasu Kakeru-kun.”

“Yes!”

“Kisaragi Koi-kun.”

“Yes!”

“Uduki Arata-kun.”

“Yes.”

 

“Just order whatever you want!!!”

“All right!!!!!”

 

“Hey, wait.”

 

The three of them really went and ordered without hesitation.

That was when I was certain that they’d become some real big deals.

 

# Where did your Tsukiuta start?