CHAPTER 17: Obsession? We're just friends!

Erika stepped into Kise's house and looked around in amazement. 'You're living nicely,' she commented.

Kise exhaled sharply as he sat on the leathered sofa. 'So? Why are you here?'

The girl had wavy brown hair that reached her shoulders, fringe covering her forehead and an irresistibly cute smile. She noticed Kise being cold so she sat down adjacent to Kise.

'Not even a drink to offer?' she asked.

'No.'

She sighed then smiled. 'Acting all high and mighty, Kise Ryouta?'

'I'm not,' Kise frowned then stood. 'Look, if you don't have anything to say, get out.'

'Sit down!' said Erika harshly.

Kise sat down as instructed but the frown on his face remained.

She rolled her eyes. 'Director Nakamura offered you an acting position, didn't he?'

'How did you know?' he queried back.

'Your current manager can't manage you if you take up this offer, right?'

Kise glared at her. 'That's not decided yet.'

'Director said so,' Erika shrugged. 'Said he knows how her life goes so he knows she can't possibly drop her studies and job just to pamper you.'

Kise was confused. What she was spouting didn't make any sense to him.

'I am a substitute for the female lead, and if I do stay as a sub, I'm to be your manager.'

'Stop,' Kise raised a hand. 'It's my decision to choose my manager. Why are you butting in?'

'You don't have a choice, do you? It'd be too late to find a new manager at this time so Director offered me the position.'

'I do have a choice. Nobody can dictate me like this,' Kise muttered ferociously.

Erika winced. She didn't like it whenever Kise's eyes glow with irritation. 'But you know it's wise to choose me. I know your antics and your likes and dislikes. I've been with you for some time back then so I'm the perfect match.'

Kise smirked. 'You think so highly of yourself.'

Erika sighed. 'Whatever you say, Kise-kun. In the end, I know you'll pick me.'

Kise shook his head. 'You don't know me,' he tilted his head, as if challenging her.

Erika averted her gaze away then tried to change the topic. 'Anyway, do you have any idea who the female lead is?' she asked.

The blonde shrugged. 'No idea.'

'Weird,' Erika murmured to herself. 'Director is the type to boast his choices.'

Kise stood. 'I'll call you a taxi, it's getting late.'

'Thanks,' Erika smiled. 'I like this side of you.'

'Shut up.'

-

Sorano cleared her throat and smiled. 'I'm all better.'

Kiyoko leaned against the doorframe and chuckled. 'I'm glad.'

'Thank you so much for taking care of Kise while I was sick!' Sorano grinned at her friend.

Kiyoko waved her hand dismissively. 'It was simple. He wasn't as annoying as you described when working with me so it was fine.'

Sorano rolled her eyes. 'Why can't he behave when he's with me...' she muttered.

Kiyoko patted her shoulder. 'Good luck, I heard he has a request for you.'

'Ugh, thanks.'

-

Kise halted his steps before entering the vehicle. He squinted at the driver and grinned widely before entering.

'SORA-CCHI YOU'RE BACK!' he yelled.

'KISE!' Sorano yelled back. 'My ears! Have mercy for my ears!'

He giggled. 'Sorry, I'm just excited that my favorite manager is back.'

'I am your only manager,' said Sorano.

He fastened his seatbelt. 'I'm going to listen to everything you say,' he said.

'Stop that, you're being scary,' Sorano replied, pressing the gas pedal. 'You're not sick, right?'

'Oh right,' Kise gasped in realization, dismissing Sorano's question. 'You've recovered!'

'Yes I—'

'Let's celebrate!'

'No we h—'

'Starbucks!'

'What? No! That's lame.'

'Okay, then where?'

Sorano thought for a while. 'Umm, how about the popular dessert place you mentioned a few weeks ago?'

'Sure!'

'Wait, I didn't agree to this.'

Kise whined. 'You did! We're going!'

'No, we're not.'

'I'm driving.'

'NO!' Sorano said quickly. 'Okay then, we're going. Just don't drive.'

Kise laughed.

-

'And, cut!' the director's voice echoed throughout the set. 'That was perfect!'

Kise smiled at the director.

'I like it like this,' said the director. 'It's easy to work with you, Kise-kun.'

'Thank you,' Kise laughed and went to shake his hand. They exchanged a few more words before Kise practically ran to Sorano.

It was a shoot for the latest commercial movie for Ghana chocolates owned by Lotte and to be praised for it really made Sorano proud.

'Wow, when did you become so excellent, yellow prawn?' Sorano queried, straightening his shirt.

'I've always been excellent,' Kise said. 'I'm going to change.'

Sorano nodded and he went to the changing room.

'Hi, are you Kise-kun's manager?' a voice approached. Sorano turned to see.

It was the director!

'Hi, yes!' Sorano grinned. 'Nice to meet you, thank you for taking care of Kise.'

'Ah, no worries! He's a magnificent actor and model; I would love to cast him again,' the director laughed. 'Did he not receive any acting offer yet? I mean, with that talent...'

Sorano smiled nervously. 'Actually, he did.'

'Really? That's great!'

'Yes, he's been improving with every shoots so I'm looking forward to it,' Sorano lied effortlessly. Truth is, she was still sad about the offer and she wasn't looking forward to it at all.

The director nodded. 'I'll invite you two for some drinks when he finishes recording later, wait for it.'

'Of course, thank you so much, director.'

'I'll be leaving first,' said the director and they nodded to each other.

Kise, at that time, had just finished changing. He saw the director leave so he approached Sorano. 'We're going to your volleyball practice first, right?' he questioned.

Sorano checked the time on her phone. 'Yes, we'll go celebrate tomorrow. Is that okay?' she smiled at Kise, hoping he wouldn't whine.

Kise nodded obediently. 'I don't mind,' he said then muttered under his breath, 'As long as I get to be with you.'

'What?' Sorano raised an eyebrow. 'As long as what?'

Kise began blushing madly, embarrassed that she heard him.

Sorano sighed. 'I know, Kise. I know.'

'K-know what?' his question came out as a whisper.

'It's so obvious.'

'What's obvious?' Kise asked. Then there was a complete silence and they were looking into each other's eyes.

'I'm not saying that I li—' he quickly said but Sorano interrupted him.

'It's my celebration, but you want me to pay, right?' she said and shook his head. 'That's fine, I expected this so don't worry and let's go.'

The blonde blinked in confusion while Sorano walked away. 'That's not what I meant,' he thought. 'But...'

'I'm sorry! I'll pay, I promise!' Kise ran after her.

Sorano glanced his way. 'Really?'

'Yes! I-it's your celebration after all.'

She smiled. 'That's good to hear then.'

Kise grinned. 'She doesn't need to know.'

-

'Ah—'

Sorano and Oikawa laughed. 'It's our second game, Kise,' said Sorano. 'You do not need to hold the ball! Or even dribble it!'

Kise scratched his head. 'Sorry, when I get excited I forget all about it. It's already a habit.'

Oikawa waved his hand. 'Don't mind. Besides, you've been doing basketball since young so it's no surprise.'

As agreed, Sorano brought Kise to Oikawa's house for the volleyball practice. Kise joined the game as well, in Sorano's team, but every time the ball was directed to him, he would catch the ball with his hands and try to dribble it, which is not how volleyball is played.

Kise threw the ball upwards and served it. He learned how to serve in one lesson (as expected, the copy-cat Kise) and he did it "better than the chibi" (quoted from Oikawa).

Oikawa effortlessly received it and sent it to the other side.

'Let me!' Sorano exclaimed and ran after the ball and managed to send it back to Oikawa, although it was a bit short, making Oikawa run to the net to receive it.

'I'll take it!' both Sorano and Kise chorused.

'Wait!' Oikawa tried to warn but it was too late. The blonde had already collided with his manager and they fell to one side, which was Sorano's side since she was lighter than the blonde.

'Oww...' Kise groaned, rubbing his head.

Sorano sat up. 'Sorry, I didn't hear you,' she said.

'Me too,' Kise sighed.

Oikawa approached the two, ducking under the net as he passed it. 'You two okay?' he asked.

Sorano nodded. 'Perfect.'

'Sorry I keep halting the game,' Kise said apologetically.

'No worries about that, we halt the game more than this when it's just me and Sorano-chan,' Oikawa laughed.

'Hey!' Sorano frowned. 'The ball didn't fly out that much!'

'It gives me comfort knowing Sora-cchi is worse than me,' Kise said with a satisfied smile.

'Are you really going to say that, Kise?' Sorano squinted her eyes threateningly.

'That was a joke!' he quickly retorted.

Oikawa sat down opposite us. 'That reminds me,' he began and the two shifted their attention to him. 'Did you accept the acting offer yet?' he asked Kise.

Kise gulped nervously and looked away.

Sorano turned to Kise, awaiting his response.

'I haven't decided yet,' Kise quickly smiled, feigning cheerfulness. 'Well, I still have time to think so...'

Oikawa looked at Sorano who had averted her eyes elsewhere. Though, her face was clearly seen to be demotivated. He knew he had asked a question he shouldn't have but he was itching to know and it was one way to make the two communicate about it.

'I see,' Oikawa tilted his head. 'But if you were to accept it, you're going to have a new manager, right?'

Kise shook his head. 'I won't get myself a new manager,' he muttered.

'Don't be ridiculous,' Sorano interjected all of a sudden. 'How are you going to manage yourself?'

'If it's impossible then I will reject the offer,' Kise said.

Sorano turned to him, angry. 'Don't you dare reject it!'

'Whoa whoa, guys, wait,' Oikawa put up his hands trying to fix what he had triggered. 'Don't start fighting.'

'If he rejects the offer because I don't want to be his manager, what would that make me feel?' Sorano whined, looking straight into Oikawa's eyes.

Kise clicked his tongue. 'I'm not going to reject it because of that!' he said.

'Then what?' Sorano questioned.

Kise stiffened. Then what...? Why am I being so sensitive over this?

'Sorano-chan,' Oikawa called and she turned to look. 'Imagine if Kanzaki-san is replaced by someone else. It'd be uncomfortable, right? You'd need to get accustomed to a new boss and it'd take time.'

Sorano fell silent. Oikawa had a point. Then she gazed at Kise. 'Can you ask for a draft of their schedule?' she asked.

Kise's eyes widened. 'You can't do this, it's going to tire you out!' he protested.

'It doesn't hurt to try,' Sorano shrugged.

Oikawa frowned. 'Are you sure? They could be shooting in America for all you know.'

Sorano smiled. 'Just give me the draft and I'll see.'

-

Iwaizumi realized his friend was staring at the table for more than 10 minutes. She had her elbow propped up and her chin against her palm. Her hair wasn't tied, which Iwaizumi would usually scold but seeing her so distant, he contemplated.

Shino Izumi, who was sitting beside him and also watching her, nudged his arm. They exchanged glances then Iwaizumi nodded.

'Akayuki,' Iwaizumi called out.

Sorano sighed loudly then turned to her caller. 'Yes?'

'The hell's wrong with you?' he asked.

She sighed again then buried her face in her palms. She replied but it was muffled so they couldn't hear a thing.

'Is something bothering you?' Izumi spoke. 'Are you feeling sick again?'

Sorano turned to the two of them. 'Do you think I can do it?' she queried in a serious tone.

Iwaizumi frowned. 'Do what?'

Izumi nodded. 'Of course you can!'

'Hey, what if it's about drug dealing,' Iwaizumi whispered harshly to Izumi. 'We can't let her do something like that.'

'She can't be thinking of that!' Izumi retorted, matching his whispering volume.

'You said she can do anything, we can't rule out that possibility,' Iwaizumi said.

'You have a point,' said Izumi then looked at Sorano. 'You can do anything except drug dealing or human trafficking. Or even slavery. Please don't do those things.'

Sorano chuckled. 'What? No. It's about Kise.'

'Oh.' Izumi and Iwaizumi chorused.

'What about him?' Izumi quickly asked.

'He's got an acting offer—'

'That's great news!' she interrupted; eyes wide in surprise.

Sorano pursed her lips into a thin line and sighed slowly.

Iwaizumi saw her reaction and quickly asked, 'You don't like it?'

She didn't reply.

Izumi stopped smiling and realized the source of her sorrow. 'You won't be able to follow him around...' she said.

Sorano nodded vigorously then sighed loudly (again). 'I have no idea what to do,' she whined. 'And he refused to agree to it unless I stay as his manager!'

'Wow talk about clingy,' Izumi muttered.

Iwaizumi frowned. 'But why?'

Sorano rested her chin on her palm with elbow propped up. 'He hired and fired almost 7 managers before he met me. He believes that I'm the perfect role for this and he said no one could ever compare.'

Izumi and Iwaizumi glanced at each other suspiciously, earning a confused look from Sorano.

'Why do you guys have that look on your face?' she asked.

'Oh, I don't know,' said Izumi, shrugging and then proceeded to grab a glass behind her before pouring herself a drink. 'Because that model seems questionable.'

'What do you mean?'

Izumi gulped down the liquid quickly. 'To me, that sounds like an obsession, like, weird. Like he likes you or some sort.'

Sorano snorted. 'No way in hell that will happen, he's an annoying yellow prawn and he knows it. He thinks I'm the most vicious manager on earth but keeps on disobeying my words. He's a brat. And our relationship is strictly manager-model.'

'You guys aren't friends?' Iwaizumi interrupted.

Sorano thought for a moment, then, 'Of course we're friends.'

He raised his hand in a questioning gesture. 'Then that's not strictly manager-model relationship stuff,' he said.

'That makes sense,' Sorano nodded then shook her head. 'But anyway, it's not like that. He likes me, I know, but as his favorite manager.'

Izumi shrugged. 'Okay, girl, whatever you say.'

'So?' Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow. 'What are you planning to do?'

'About the acting offer?' said Sorano defeatedly. 'I honestly have no idea but I'm trying to think of something. It's not easy.'

'Sure, it's not,' said Izumi. 'But I can assure you it's tough. I've known people who did this kind of jobs, following actors or actresses everywhere and all the time and it's exhausting.'

'When's your final exam?' Iwaizumi asked.

'I can't remember exactly but it's close,' Sorano replied. She had her head in her hands. 'Ugh, I forgot about the exams.'

'It's your last semester, don't screw it up,' Iwaizumi advised.

The door clinked and the three of them sat or stood up straight and turned to the door to see.

'Oh,' Sorano relaxed her posture. 'It's just you guys.'

Team Delta entered one by one with Kuroo leading.

'Don't "oh" me,' said Kuroo. 'You know Kanzaki's trailing behind if we are all gathered.'

Izumi and Sorano groaned simultaneously.

'Another event?' Sorano muttered. 'I've got a lot on my mind already.'

Kuroo took a seat beside Sorano with Akaashi on his side and Bokuto sat by Sorano's other side. The other two members sat beside Akaashi.

'Hi everybody!' a familiar voice greeted their ears.

They all knew who it was but turned to face the person, nevertheless. Kanzaki walked in with a wide smile on his face.

He went to behind the counter while Iwaizumi and Izumi sat properly on the other side, letting Kanzaki be the presenter.

'Good evening, Kanzaki-san,' said Sorano. 'Another event?'

Kanzaki turned to her, smiling, 'Hello, Akayuki-chan, are you healthy already? And yes, it's a new event I just got offered.'

'Yes, I'm fine now, thanks,' she chortled.

Kanzaki glanced at everybody by the counter. 'Good evening, everyone. It's been a long time since we met. And I always bring good news so—the reason I stand here is because we just got offered to participate in the Fukuoka Annual Marathon!'

Kuroo was suspicious. 'We were offered?' he queried.

Kanzaki's smile never faded but he was frozen.

Akaashi sighed, 'We weren't.'

Sorano looked at him. 'Then?' she asked.

'He volunteered for it,' said Iwaizumi. All eyes were fixed on him, and then to Kanzaki, who was standing and smiling guiltily.

'Um...' Kanzaki scratched his head. 'Kinda...'

Sorano rolled her eyes.

'B-But we're going to Fukuoka! Isn't that amazing?' Kanzaki exclaimed.

Izumi folded her arms across her chest. 'So basically, you just want to travel,' she said firmly.

'Noooo—' he began to deny but everyone was looking at him intensely and he knew he wouldn't be able to lie to his employees. '...Well. Fukuoka's fun. I saw it in a pamphlet.'

'KANZAKI-SAN!' Izumi yelled exasperatedly.

'I'M SORRY!' he yelled back. 'But I've applied for it and they approved it! You can even participate in the marathon!'

'That's not the point!' Sorano chided.

'Okay guys, calm down,' Bokuto said all of a sudden. 'We can always make the best of it. I'm sure it'll be fun!'

'Bokuto-san, that's unlike you,' Sorano frowned.

'He's excited to go as well,' said Akaashi.

Sorano mentally face-palmed. 'Alright, I'm fine with it. As long as you provide us with a proper accommodation,' she said to Kanzaki.

Her boss beamed eagerly. 'I will.'

-

'So why...'

Iwaizumi clenched his fists.

Oikawa stood behind Sorano as a defense, his smile not leaving his pretty face.

'WHY THE HECK ARE YOU HERE IN FUKUOKA, TRASHYKAWA!?'

-

A/N: Hehe, hello! I am not ded yet. Thanks to some people who motivated me to write more than usual, this is for you :D 

I am still writing guys, I just have less time to fully dedicate myself to it TvT

This story has a special place in my heart, I really like it so that's why I take time to complete each chapter, to make it as wholesome as possible. I don't want it to be sloppy, to be done on a whim, making it unorganised. So please bear with me :)

See you in the next chapter! Maybe in a week or two? Who knows hahaha

Stay safe and take care of your health!

By my leave, then.