Anime: Idolish7

(Y/n)'s POV

"What the hell were you thinking?! I asked you to do a simple job and you managed to break some of my equipment?!"

"I'm terribly sorry!"

"You- if this happens again, you're fired. No exceptions."

Despair and shame became my shelter, sticking to my mind like glue. Overcome with anger and fear, I willed myself to walk outside and shut the door, hearing the quiet click of the lock.

Much to my surprise, Yaotome-san's son was standing outside. His stoic expression gave nothing away yet I couldn't help but look down. The aura in which he surrounded himself with presented an air of importance and indifference compared with someone like myself.

"What did that old man say to you? Did you actually break his equipment?" he asked.

"It was an accident. I was told to collect coffee but on my way back, I bumped into someone and spilt it onto some of his tech equipment..."

"(Y/n), are you still out there?! I believe you have work to do!" my boss yelled from the other side of the door.

"I'm sorry, I have to go."

"Why...would you work for someone like him?"

"Huh?"

"He treats you like a tool. If it were me, I'd have already handed in my letter of resignation."

"It's more complicated than that, I'm afraid."

"I-"

"(Y/n)- Gaku, what are you doing here?"

"I'm taking this girl home."

"Eh?!"

"What are you going on about? She hasn't finished for the day!"

"Well then, just give me a pay cut. She's done."

"Gaku-"

I was left with no time to protest or even interfere with their argument as I was dragged away by my boss's son, unsure of whether I should stay silent and comply or return to work as if none of this ever happened.

His grip on my arm didn't loosen even as we travelled a considerable distance away from Yaotome-san. He took me all the way to the carpark, where his black ferrari was parked, and told me to 'get in'.

"But-"

"Where do you want to go? Home?"

"Um Yaotome-san-"

"Gaku."

"Well G-Gaku, you can't just do that! I have a job-"

"Yeah, a trash one."

"Even if he may be a little strict, he's still your dad."

"Like I care. Where do you want to go?"

"...why are you doing this? Do you really want to defy him that much?..."

"I hate the way he treats his employees."

"But everyone has to make a living, you know."

"...I guess."

~At home~

My two younger sisters ran out giggling as soon as I stepped out from Gaku's car. I leaned down to ruffle their maroon-coloured hair as they hugged my legs. Well...they were my stepsisters but I wouldn't give them up for anything.

"(Y/n), who's that?" asked Mari.

"Yeah, is he- omg! It's Yaotome Gaku!" exclaimed Nio.

"Girls, stop crowding them," said mum.

"(Y/n), who is this?" dad asked.

"Daddy, it's Yaotome Gaku! He's the leader of Trigger!" Nio replied excitedly.

"Hmm? I like Idolish7 better," Mari commented.

"What's he doing bringing you home? Don't you have to be at work?" dad asked, trying to get in between his two daughters.

"Well, the situation's a little complicated-"

"She's taking the day off," Gaku exclaimed.

"Taking the day off?! (Y/n), you have a debt to repay! Do you know much-"

"(F/n), shhh. Don't talk about that here," mum scolded while casting a nervous glance towards Gaku.

"Onii-chan, come play with us," Mari said as the two girls stubbornly dragged him away despite his obvious refusal to play.

"(Y/n), go clean the dishes. We'll talk about this later," mum ordered.

~Nighttime~

Spreading a warm blanket over the grass in the backyard, I laid down and stared at the starry night sky. A content sigh escaped my lips as I took in the beautiful view.

Gaku sat down, with his arm over his leg. I had almost forgotten that he had stayed over for dinner. He flashed a small grin my way, making my heart flutter at the sight despite my trying to suppress these emotions.

"Do you not need to go home?"

"Tenn and Ryuu don't care. We don't spend much time together on our days off," he replied.

"I see."

"Do your parents usually make you do all the work around the house? Why don't your sisters help out?"

"...they're my stepparents. I was adopted...but mum and dad always had their favourites. To them, I'm probably just an addition to their perfect family."

"Tch, biased much?"

"I don't mind. At least they don't abuse me or anything..."

"Do you go to work everyday?"

"Yeah, I'm your dad's secretary so of course. I am new but I have a debt to repay."

"I heard your parents mention that earlier. What debt are you talking about?"

"Apparently my biological dad borrowed a lot of your dad's money. I'm working for him but without much pay. My stepparents are working-"

"That's just going too far! Why on earth would you willingly do that?!"

"I don't have a choice."

"How much?"

"Huh?"

"How much does your dad owe him?"

"...I can't say."

"I'll see if I can talk my dad out of it."

"You really don't have to..."

"That debt isn't yours. I don't see why you have to repay it. It's unfair."

I tried to stifle a laugh but it was too late.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"Your behaviour. I don't see why you're so concerned with my business but it's cute in its own way."

"W-what the hell are you on about?..."

"Nothing. Anyway, I'm sorry if my sisters were a bit of a handful."

"It must be nice to have a family..."

This time, I couldn't help but look his way. He was staring off into the distance but a distinct feeling in my heart kept bugging me. It was definitely understandable why he would think that but...*sigh* His life must be rough...

As I turned back to keep my eyes on the view above me, Gaku turned and laid down beside me with his hands behind his head. A warm blush immediately crept onto my cheeks, knowing the close proximity of his body.

"Hey Gaku."

"Mmm?"

"Thanks for today. It's been a while since I've last had someone to talk to without having to worry about anything."

"Anytime, (Y/n)."

"When are you going to go home?"

"I don't know."

I sneezed involuntarily before pulling my jacket on.

"I think we should go back inside," he exclaimed.

"I want to stay out here a while longer. You're welcome to leave if you want."

"Do you stay out here every night?"

"Yeah, whenever I get the chance to. I love looking at the night sky."

"...I'm gonna go back now."

"Okay, see you next time."

"Tomorrow."

"Eh?"

"I'll come pick you up tomorrow."

"But-"

"Well then, bye."

He stood up before I had a chance to answer. To my surprise, he left after leaving his coat beside me, which undoubtedly warmed my heart despite the cold wind blowing softly against my body.