Curious and Kind

Ogita, red-faced and furious, pounded on the door. Once he was let in, he glared at Hasegawa, gathered Takumi's belongings and handed him a mask.

A curt thanks to Hasegawa. A warning not to breathe a word of this incident.

Takumi gave him a wry smile before putting the mask on.

Hasegawa only agreed. He didn't even flinch.

Ogita shuffled Takumi quickly out of the tiny flat, down a couple of flights of stairs and into a discreet gray car. Windows tinted.

Takumi got an earful. He explained the facts but did not offer his own thoughts. Ogita sounded as if he was going to expire.

Ogita didn't give a damn about what happened at the party or that someone might have drugged Takumi.

The only important detail was if anyone saw the state which Takumi was in.

Takumi wouldn't know. Apparently the photos circulating on the internet so far showed him at the club with no unbecoming conduct sighted. But the agency was nervous about anyone who might have gotten lucky with an incriminating shot.

His mind drifted to the claustrophobic flat. The old building in a nondescript neighborhood. Hasegawa's neat and functional space.

The way he looked at Takumi which bordered on disinterest. The bread and water. He would have probably done the same for any fellow student in need. There was no sign that Takumi was special.

A general kindness. Unbelievable.

Takumi knew that he had gotten away with idiocy this time via sheer dumb luck.

Once they were inside his own spacious and overpriced apartment, Ogita continued with his tirade.

"I'll have the agency check out this kid. If he tries to blackmail you, let me know. Should have confiscated his phone. Maybe I'll get someone to-"

Takumi turned around and said coolly, "Don't touch him."

His tone shut Ogita up, who drew a breath and ordered, "Stay home the next few days. We'll keep an eye on the news. I'll get rid of the clothes."

Takumi watched as Ogita stormed off and slammed the door for good measure.

His third agent in two years. He wondered how long it would last. Nishioka didn't care and was happy to churn as long as Takumi did not defect.

He went over to the couch and laid on it, facing the ceiling. The structural centerpiece lighting stared back.

Takumi took out his phone. He typed a message.

'I'm home. Thanks for everything again.'

A reply within minutes.

'Good. Be safe.'

Takumi's lips broke into a rare, genuine smile.

xxxxxxxx

He had a couple of scripts to read, a course assignment which he ignored and an appointment with his hairdresser which he postponed.

The press, both paper and digital, remained benign. Perversely, there were even positive comments. It was almost shocking.

Takumi decided to put the internet to good use and spent the next few days stalking Hasegawa.

Sparse online presence but enough for Takumi to gather bits and pieces of information.

From a smaller city. Law student on a scholarship. A prolific member of the archery club. Champion at a recent inter-university debate competition.

Quite popular with many online friends. No mention of family though. Tagged in numerous photos but his own postings were few and far in between.

The few, Takumi savored.

A witty quote. A thoughtful online article. A picture of an adorable stray cat.

He turned to the photos next.

Takumi grew up listening to industry players commenting on features, profiles and postures.

He stared at the laptop and applied the hitherto useless secondhand knowledge on Hasegawa.

The face was rather symmetrical, with a straight and high-bridged nose. Saved from prettiness by a stern jawline and cheekbones which were slightly harsh.

But nothing could compare to those eyes. Long and narrow. Almost feline. So serious and direct. Takumi recalled his gaze with a knot unraveling within.

In all of the photos, Hasegawa was never the center of attention but held his own. His smiles were restrained, and his posture relaxed.

One could almost miss how handsome he was. In an understated sort of way.

Takumi was fascinated, even as the voices in his mind screamed for him to be careful and not to lower his guard.

He checked his schedule for the week after. It was so packed with work that he barely had time to attend any classes. His family's donations over the years and the publicity he brought kept the university's administrators looking the other way.

There it was. Wednesday afternoon. A brief and clear slot.

He cross referenced to the class schedules for the law faculty. A compulsory lecture was due to be held.

Hasegawa didn't seem to be the type to miss classes.