A beginning

"Hints of what you will be doing during this time away from the limelight?"

"I've not decided."

"But will you continue your studies?"

"Yes."

"Any words for your fans? Everyone has been very anxious about your decision."

"Thank you for your support and understanding."

Takumi stood up and bowed. He smiled, enigmatic and promising, and began to leave the press conference table.

"Wait! Please tell us more!"

"Will you have updates for us?"

"One more question!"

Akira couldn't help but notice Takumi's press conference playing on the phone. Two female students in the line in front of him at the sandwich shop were watching it mournfully and lamenting.

"I can't believe it!"

"Why would he do this?"

"Maybe there's a surprise?"

"I hope he won't be gone for too long..."

They were so engrossed that they didn't move up the line.

Akira coughed slightly. "Excuse me."

They looked up at him, at first offended by the interruption before staring at him with saucer eyes.

"The line," Akira said.

"Oh, so sorry!"

"Sorry!"

They went ahead in hurriedly and continued to whisper to each other with excitement. Probably about Takumi and that amused Akira considerably.

The announcement from Takumi's agency had caused an uproar in the entertainment industry. Speculation abound about his decision to take a break. He would meet the last of his commercial obligations and declined to renew any.

A desire to focus on his private life. That led the way to questions about any love interests and reports about how long he has been in the public eye. Photos from his childhood and on campus splashed across the internet.

There were hordes of reporters camping outside the agency and the university campus. Takumi skipped a week of classes as a result.

The reality was that Takumi simply wanted a hiatus to rest. A burn out which was threatening to consume him was accelerated by the recent events.

Akira still shuddered slightly when he recalled the scene he found at Takumi's apartment. The door which wasn't closed. The lifeless stance and expression as Takumi held the knife to himself.

He had to dampen his fury at the thought of the bastard brother.

If he ever came within a meter of Takumi, Akira wouldn't hesitate to break a few bones or more.

He was sitting on a counter by the window and working his way through his sandwich when Takumi called.

"What's the status?" Akira asked.

"Nishioka wants to shoot me. Ogita was relieved. Mother threatened disinheritance. Father couldn't care less. Daisuke probably doesn't even know," Takumi reported.

"You terminated your contract with the agency?"

Takumi snorted. "No. Nishioka is already planning a comeback."

"Forward planning," Akira remarked.

"Yeah. He has some ideas. But things may change. People forget you in a very short time," Takumi said.

"You're not worried," Akira stated.

"Maybe I will be? But I don't want to think about that right now."

"What are you thinking about then?"

"Oh, I have plans."

"Plans?" Akira was perplexed at the mischief in Takumi's tone.

"Definitely. Your participation is required," Takumi informed him cheerfully.

Akira was half in anticipation, half in dread. "Must I?"

"Of course!" Takumi exclaimed. "You need to steer me through life as an ordinary college student. My lack of experience, you know."

"It's not my duty," Akira informed him.

"Call it community service," Takumi countered.

"Hardly," Akira said sardonically.

Takumi laughed. He sounded so happy. It was the first time that Akira heard such a carefree laugh from him.

It was a wonderful sound. He wanted Takumi to be able to always laugh like that.

"It will be fun!" Takumi exclaimed.

Akira chuckled. "I have no doubt."

xxxxxxxx

Takumi groaned when they exited the library.

"I'm so behind in my assignments."

"There's still time for you to catch up," Akira said.

Takumi eyed him accusingly, "You're one of those freaks who always hand in homework on time, aren't you?"

Akira shrugged. "It's good to be prepared."

Takumi was certain that Akira was not representative of the normal student body. With no work and no excuse in sight, he finally took a hard look at his studies. That was when Takumi realized that the mountain of missed classes, sloppily handed or missed coursework or general inattentiveness were threatening make his academic career a short-lived one.

"You won't let me flunk out, right?" he asked Akira. It was childish. Akira's major was nowhere near his.

Those serious eyes didn't even blink at his outrageous question. "I won't."

Takumi adored him. He grinned. "You're the best."

Akira just asked, "Want to grab a bite?"

"Sure. Where?"

"I'm meeting Segihara," Akira replied. "The cafetaria."

"I've never been. Let's go!"

Takumi followed Akira to one of the university's cafeteria, piqued by curiosity.

The dining hall was as plain. Lines of tables placed next to each other neatly. It wasn't packed given it was past lunch hour.

They picked their meals at the vending machine and queued for the food at the counter. As usual, there were more than a few stares thrown at Takumi.

"He's over there." Akira inclined his head towards the right end of the hall.

When they reached the table with their trays of food, Akira greeted, "Hey."

Segihara looked up from his phone and stared.

"Hi!" Takumi said, accompanied by what he hoped was his best smile.

"Hi," Segihara returned grudgingly and turned his attention to Akira the moment they sat down. "Hasegawa, have you finished the essay?"

"Almost," Akira replied.

"Can I borrow? I'm kinda stuck."

"You haven't started."

"Uh...yeah, well, it's been kind of busy lately."

Akira continued eating but commented casually, "Dating does take up time."

"Unlike you, I have a life!"

"Hn."

"Come on, man. Please?"

"I'll email you later."

"You're the best!"

Takumi watched the exchange with a warped fascination.

Akira suddenly noticed his tray and said, "I'll get us a drink. What do you want?"

"What are you having?" Takumi asked.

"Water."

"I'll just have that too."

"Alright."

When Akira left, there was an uneasy pause at the table. Takumi was convinced that Segihara viewed him with a suspicion reserved for an unwanted visitor at best and a wanted criminal at worst.

Not exactly how he wanted to be viewed as a fellow student. Takumi was not accustomed to being greeted with hostility.

He was also not used to giving a damn about anyone else's opinion but this was Akira's friend so creating a good impression was probably a smart strategy.

He cleared his throat and settled on their singular common ground, "Does he always hand in his assignments on time? Like, really?"

Segihara gave him a guarded mumble, "Yeah. He's always been like that."

Takumi murmured under his breath, "I knew it."

Surprise crossed the other man's face.

"That's not normal, right? Please tell me it isn't," Takumi pleaded.

Segihara blinked at him before letting out a chuckle, "No, man. Definitely not."

"Thank god." Takumi felt validated.

"Trouble finishing your assignments?" Segihara asked, still guarded but now tinged with humor.

"You have no idea," Takumi admitted. Then he smiled, "But thanks, at least I know I'm the norm, not him."

"He's like…a unicorn," Segihara volunteered.

"An alien," Takumi suggested.

"An extinct species."

"Oh, good one. Or-"

"What are you guys talking about?" Akira sat down and handed Takumi a bottle of water.

Takumi and Segihara accused simultaneously.

"You're a unicorn!"

"You're an alien!"

The three of them halted.

"I see," Akira said slowly. Then he just went back to his rice set.

Takumi wouldn't have it. He declared, "That's it? Aren't you going to ask us why?"

"I'm not even going to try to understand," Akira stated evenly.

Takumi shook his head. "You're so weird sometimes."

Segihara chuckled. "You know what, Matsumoto. You're pretty cool."

"Nah, I'm just a pretty face," Takumi deadpanned.

Akira and Segihara gave him an odd look.

Then the three of them burst into laughter.