Heated Tempers (December 1996)

It had been a week. Not a day or two but a full seven days. This was beyond ridiculous. Hikaru was more than fed up with Erik Go. Even worse through all this time she couldn't even see him. He had somehow turned into the master of hide and seek. Even if he was around, it was around all the members of the band and they couldn't talk there so he won again. It was getting old and it was getting old. Everytime she managed to catch tail of him he would slip away or flat out ignore her until someone else was around and he could latch onto them. She didn't understand how he could be so different from that night. The Erik she was seeing now was completely different and she hated it. It not only made her mad but it made her sad. Hikaru didn't like being sad at all. It was the worst feeling.

After once again searching the dorms under another pretense, she gave up there. The studio. That's where she was standing right now. It seemed the most appropriate place for him to be. Checking the rooms, she had accidentally walked in on the wrong room but the others were empty. There was one she had been avoiding, it was the room where they had had those moments she couldn't forget. Those moments that made her blush just thinking of it. They had made her giddy with excitement and made her want to see Erik something she had never been fond of doing.

Knowing that if he was going to be in the studio at all it would be this room, she didn't bother being gentle. Hikaru barged into the room and slammed the door behind her. She was hoping that he wouldn't be under the headphones and not actually hear what she had just done. She stood there for a few moments just glaring at Erik. She was not a happy camper in the least and how could anyone expect her to be. There was a pain in her heart she wasn't used to and couldn't cure. He had to fix this one way or another. Today there wouldn't be any more avoidance, she would get her answers whether she liked them or not. That didn't matter, she needed him. How could he do that to her? Such a question that she couldn't rid herself from hearing over and over again in her head.

[Erik Go]

Quite honestly, Erik had been busy. It was down time after promoting for so many months but that only meant preparing for the next big thing to come up. It was why he had dragged himself to this room that he loved so much. The new track they had recorded just three days ago was close to being finished and was his special project. He was getting to co-produce this one and if he did it right it may end up on their next mini album. Placing the headphones on, he turned everything on the right settings and played the track to begin his work.

Bobbing his head every now and then when he found the right mix of beats or shaking it when something didn’t mesh right, he kept this up for about an hour before getting tired. Waking up at four to do a radio broadcast then film some variety shows was getting to him. While the other members were in the dance studio or sleeping, Erik was here. Working. He would always be here. No matter the time. On a few occasions he would fall asleep here only to be awakened by their manager to get ready for their schedules of the day. Letting his head fall on the program board in front of him, he sighed and looked at the tuning knobs in front of him. He had completely missed anyone joining him and couldn’t very well think of any quick reasons to escape if he did notice them. Instead, he picked his head back up and tried to tune Shin’s part to be electronic than the most.

The longer she stood there the more annoyed she got. Not with Erik this time, okay part of it was due to him but right at this very moment, the reason why she was getting annoyed had to do with her. Why was it that while she was looking at him she still saw that damned glow that had been surrounding him lately, especially when he was on stage. It shouldn't be here right now. It didn't belong neither did any smiles in her expression which one was trying to sneak its way out simply because she was looking at such a hard worker. Ignoring all of that craziness, Hikaru began to move coming out of her statuesque pose she had been in.

Walking quietly over to Erik, she stopped right behind him and decided to be nice. Rubbing her hand along his back in a circular, soothing motion is exactly what she did. It would get his attention, surprise him and amuse her. Obviously this soothing gesture was not what she wanted to be giving him right now, but it'd be worth seeing the expression on her face. Maybe that would clear away her earlier annoyance. Not to mention it showed the type of intimacy that was befitting of what had happened in this very room a week ago. Befitting for the man who was ignoring her and not just because of his busy schedule. If she had to hear that excuse she might just scream. Hikaru was a busy woman too. It wasn't as if she spent all her time hanging around the dorms. She only came in between breaks or after work was over for her. Either way it was enough to know that Erik was simply avoiding her, ignoring her, it was more than just being busy.

[Erik Go]

Concentrating rather hard should have been reason enough to alert him but the small rubbing gesture went unnoticed for a few seconds. It wasn’t until his shoulders started to relax instinctively and he leaned back into the object of the stress reliever that he became alert. Snapping his half lidded eyes open - when had that start to close?! - he sat upright and turned around quickly while chocking himself with the chord to the headphones. Coughing, he took the headphones off finally and put them down rubbing his throat.

“Hi-Hikaru.” Was all he said as he strained to get his voice back to normal from his near death experience. Blinking at her, it slowly dawned on him that they were alone. All alone. Uh-oh. Turning back around, he looked to the program board as if it would tell him what to do. When it didn’t, he started to shut everything off. Popping the newly remixed and added effects track out, he pocketed and stood. How awkward. Erik gave Hikaru a quick glance before making a bee-line towards the door. Hopefully he would make it before she started to say anything.

When his attention was finally aroused it wasn't quite in the way she had been expecting. How he managed to choke himself in the process was beyond her. She couldn't even say anything for a moment as she watched in concern. "Erik, are you o-" that was cut off as he beelined for the door. How did he go from leaning into her touch, which she had indeed noticed and liked to running away from her. This peeved her but it hurt her more. Hikaru was quick though and went after him.

Grabbing his hand in hers, she maneuvered herself between him and the door and didn't let go of his hand. Why? Honestly, she hadn't really paid that much attention to grabbing it in the first place let alone remembering it was in her hand. Her eyes were searching his for answers. She needed answers. "What's wrong with you?" So, that probably wasn't the best way to start a conversation but it was what slipped out. "Stop avoiding me and don't giving me any of that crap that you're busy it's more than that and you know it." That also probably wasn't the best thing to say but it was all the truth.

[Erik Go]

He should have know it was too good to be true. Even with his one moment of hesitation when his hand was grabbed gave her enough time to stop him. In the blink of an eye, she was in front of him almost touching and leaving no space. Jumping back, he swallowed his yelp as he stared at Hikaru with shock. When she started questioning him, he looked towards the floor and off to the side. So she had noticed. He wasn’t sure if she did or not but he felt that he didn’t make it that obvious. Apparently that wasn’t the case.

“No-nothing’s wrong. Why would something be wrong? I’ve just been…” He let that trail off as he knew he couldn’t get his brain to function fast enough for a proper lie. Blinking hard, he used the hard side of his palm to rub his eyes while taking his hand back. He was too tired to deal with this right now. “I need to get back to the dorm Hikaru.” He said focusing on the chair he had just left. It was against his rules to use magic so he couldn’t really apparate. But he really, really, really wanted to at the moment. “Move… please?”

Everytime he jumped back like that, as if she had some type of disease brought about another pang in her heart. She hated feelings those but Erik was so good at giving them to her. He did it so easily and didn't seem to care. A terrible liar was what he was. She was insulted that he even tried to lie and worse when he just stopped abruptly because he knew it was a lie. "At least if you're going to lie to my face do it properly." She said softly, that would be better than anything else.

Standing there she crossed her arms and her eyes flashed showing her determination. "No. Not until you tell me what's going on." Hikaru wasn't about to move. Not in the slightest. She needed her answers and she was going to get them even though they were lies. "You remember the places we're in right now? Right before you kissed me. We're here. Think about it, Erik. Were you lying to me then about liking it, playing with me so you did it again. Lied to me about not hating me. I'm not a rag toy but if you thought of me as one then say it and I'll go." More words she didn't mean to say but that was how she they came out. "Why did you kiss me again if you were just going to ignore and avoid me?" The last question was the one she really wanted to know and she knew that she couldn't hide the tinge of sadness underneath her frustration that time. She cared too much and that made it hurt her all the more.

[Erik Go]

It was something about those words or the tone that was use that made his eyes snap back in search of Hikaru’s. He hand’t lied. Not fully. Nothing was wrong. How could it be when he wasn’t even sure what it was? It had been a mistake to look though because now he couldn’t even look away if he wanted to. Though one prominent thought that popped up was how annoying she is. While he did hear her out, he tuned it out because of some weird spirit that had suddenly come over him. It certainly wasn’t his doing that moved in closer and it most definitely wasn’t his fault that he had pinned her to the wall and was kissing her. No, no. It wasn’t Erik at all.

Pulling away, he became more aware of their wild kiss but he couldn’t deny. He felt way more alert and awake now than he did just a minute ago. “I don’t hate you Hikaru.” Rubbing his thumb across her cheek gently. Peeling himself off of her, he went back over to the chair as a sort of restraint for himself. “All I needed was some time. To… sort out things. Thoughts really. I’m sorry if that hurt you.” Leaning with his elbow on the programing board, he stretched himself out looking to it. Still no answers were written on it for him. But he didn’t know what else to say. Hm, not true. The knew what he wanted to say but it was the finer details that were a little fuzzy which he was sure those were the ones she wanted to know.

The look in Erik's eye made her cautious. Taking a step back when he moved forward, and another and another until she felt her back hit the wall and so did her head. It wasn't without pain but that pain was quickly washed away by something completely different. A wave of emotion crashed over her. The way Erik made her feel when he kissed her was too much. It wasn't anything she understood as until recently she'd never felt that way before. Getting lost in that world was beyond easy to do because Erik was just sucking her further and further in with what seemed like the tiniest lift of his finger.

Despite the annoyed and frustrated side of Hikaru she couldn't stop herself from giving in to Erik. Luckily for her he pulled away in a timely manner. What he said to her now was actually sincere and it made her feel like rays of sunshine were dancing on her skin. That was progress. Took long enough. His next words made her grumble, "Then you should have let me know." It wasn't as if she wouldn't have given Erik some time to think about his actions. They were impulsive she knew and of course Shin was her older brother, as much as she didn't want that to play a role in her love life it did and it always would.

His apology made her feel a slight twinge of guilt but she quickly pushed that away. "It's not that it hurt me...try seeing it from my perspective. I kissed you back and then right after I ignore you, avoid you make sure to absolutely never be in a room alone with you if it was a must that we had to be in a room, without knowing the reason why? It's not a very good feeling." She hoped that he would understand her. She wanted him to know that she wasn't being some clingy person. "Di-Did you have enough time to sort things out?" Asking this question made her hold her breath. His answer would determine so many things. Big things too. It was nervewracking and her heart rate was increasing

[Erik Go]

Nodding seemed like the best option for him at the moment. It wasn’t like he could argue against her. Well, no. He could but that was if he wanted to be a prat. Luckily, Erik was no such thing so all she got was the nod instead. Though to be honest, if he was seeing all of this from her perspective then he would have been hurt. How confusing. Why it really her job to just turn things into complicated matters like that? If not, maybe it should be since she was very good at it.

Instead, he just sat there turning his nods into slow ones to show he was listening and not grumbling in his head. The stutter of the last question caught his attention and turned off his A.D.D mind for the time being. Had he had enough time to sort out things? Truthfully? Not really. There were some deeper things he needed to think more on. Sort of like a fine tune to an idea type of thinking session. But for the time being…

Looking over towards Hikaru, he eyed her until he made up his mind. Adverting his gaze back to other random objects, he finally spoke. “I have…” Hm, looks like he was going to be a prat about this after all. Shifting his eyes towards her, he took in his bottom lips between his teeth as he tried to force his smile to go away. “Should I just explain more or show you instead?”

Erik will probably never understand just how much of a brat he really could be.

Talking to Erik had to be the most drawn out process. He was taking forever to reply to her and when he did reply it was always with these vague answers. One that made her want to shake him and shake him hard. Couldn't guys just say things straight out? No, Hikaru didn't think they could. Surely, they enjoyed making the other person antsy and nervous with what seemed no end in sight for that type of behavior. It was terrible but she just stood there against the wall waiting. Waiting for something more than he was giving her. If he was going to give it.

And he did, sort of. Hikaru stared into his eyes confused. What answer should she give him. Did she really want him to show her? What if it was something she didn't want to see...It was strange having these thoughts running through her mind because she never really paused to think about things. Especially not what had just been going on inside her head. Finally, she settled on an answer, it came out a little more breathy than she had anticipated but it was all Erik's fault that she was like this. "..Both?" It sounded more like a question than a statement, but it was a statement that she wasn't one hundred percent sure on. For once she was a little scared to find out the true answer. She like this feeling of anxiety she was having waiting for Erik's true answers to be revealed.

[Erik Go]

Both? Did he really have to do that? He didn’t feel like it. But why did he feel like he was going to anyway just to make her happy? Why did he even want her happy? Looking in her eyes, he felt a very odd mix of his breath catching and a small twist around his belly button. Oh… that was why. Going against everything his rational mind had said not to do early, he stood up and walked towards Hikaru.

“I’ve come to the conclusion, a really long conclusion,” Erik began slowly just because it would always feel odd for him to speak of this type of stuff. Feelings. They just couldn’t be ignored any longer. “-That while I should care and respect what others think, I can’t do that if it involves never seeing you again.” As cheesy as it sounded, it was true. He was very close to Hikaru by now so when his hands reached for both of hers, he held them with a strange shyness that just took over him. “May I start seeing you like this more after today?” Oh so this was what it felt like to be all anxious and embarrassed. Huh… it felt weird to him. Almost like he was on stage again or something for the first time trying very hard to not miss a beat or forget a lyric. It was just very new to him to know that he could feel this way even when there weren’t big, bright shiny lights and a cheering crowd around. Interesting.

Just standing there not doing anything but looking at Erik was making her much too nervous. She didn't really experience being nervous all too often, at least not to this degree. It was odd. What was worse was the fact that she couldn't do anything but be frozen to her spot against the wall. Something about the way Erik was looking at her held her rooted to her place. She knew just how rude, obnoxious and an ass Erik could be even if she had noticed for quite awhile now all the changes, or maybe not changes but another part of Erik. Even though she had seen those, a part of her wouldn't put it past him to be the first Erik that she knew, the one she always got into arguments with.

Each step that he took towards her, increased her beating heart just a little bit faster. Hikaru took a deep breath as unnoticeable as she could make it. When he finally stopped moving and stared speaking her breath caught in her throat, and she wasn't sure she would be able to breathe until he finished speaking. And that he did. She blinked, lips slightly apart. Her gaze dropped to their hands. When had that occurred? He was holding them? Raising her eyes back up to him. In her surprise her eyes searched for any signs of anything other than sincerity but they didn't find anything else. "Huh.." Oh, Hikaru was a smooth one today. Forcing herself to look away from Erik she looked off to the side, wanting to take a deep breath but not being able to. "Y-you can.." She said softly, slowly moving her gaze back to Erik's. She couldn't deny that she loved seeing that expression on his face, even though it made her feel shy and a flush come to her cheeks that were eternally pink as it was. A condition she disliked but now loved, knowing that Erik wouldn't be able to tell what he did to her just now. "Really?" Somehow the question slipped out even though she believed his words. Hikaru had been preparing for the worst but at least it would be the truth but the worst wasn't what she had been given. It would take a little time to get used to.

[Erik Go]

There was something exciting about hearing those words. It made the small corner of his mouth twitch up into a smirk. It was also interesting to see this slightly taken aback look that came over her. It was endearing for some reason and it gave him another view of her to look forward to. Nodding at her really only made his smirk more prominent. When his eyes twitched towards her lips, he swallowed before being more kind and adverting his eyes to her’s.

“That is, if it’s what you want… ?” Why was he whispering now? Maybe because he had gotten so much more closer to her while being so absorbed by her lips. Oops. But if she said otherwise, then he’d be very surprised. Frankly, it would be something Erik wasn’t ready for and being so close to already was danger enough for him. He wanted do other things with her than just talk right now but he needed permission first. This was more important to get now more than ever. It was strange though because after this moment, he wouldn’t be asking for her permission again.

Did he move closer? Hm, maybe Hikaru was seeing things. This really wasn't good, not being able to look at him properly only to find him even closer to her. It made her want to fidget but she resisted that urge and kept her eyes on his. Hearing his question only reconfirmed everything that he had said moments ago. It made her heart swell with happiness. Somehow she wasn't just Shin's little sister anymore. Even with just that being the case it would brighten her whole day.

Hikaru didn't bother saying anything to him but just gazed at him for a moment longer. In her mind she was still telling herself this was real and her mind wasn't just making up a happy ending or something foolish like that. She threw her arms around him and kissed him. Waiting would take too long and surely this was more than enough of an answer for him. Of course she would say yes, otherwise she wouldn't have even bothered to find him after he began ignoring her. In fact she would have ignored him first. Erik's lips on hers was exactly what she wanted and she didn't want them to leave anytime soon so she closed the space between their bodies as a way to hint at that. Hopefully, he would understand.

[Mina Lazuli]

Mina was working as normal. That's what she was always doing even on her days off if she could get away with it. Work wasn't just something to do but something she enjoyed as well. Tonight she had needed to stop by the studio to pick up a file she had left in one of the rooms. It didn't take long but while she was here she decided to pop into the studio rooms instead of the meeting room she was just in to see if one of the guys were there or maybe all three. It was always nice to say hi.

Walking along at her leisurely pace, she didn't mind that all was quiet and most people would have left or been leaving the building by now. It was peaceful. Finding the door she wanted, seeing as how she almost always found the guys in the same studio room even though there were multiple ones in this building, she opened the door without any hesitation. What she found was not the scene she had been expecting. At first she frowned because she didn't see anyone but then her eyes swept to the right as well as her ears picking up on a few muffled noises. What she saw was beyond surprising. Not because the guys of he bands couldn't have their women, fan girls, groupies, whatever you wanted to call them but because it was Erik. Funny how he was doing something similar to what he had done to her once but with another girl.

"I didn't realize this was your spot." She said emphasizing the location in her sentence as his spot for hooking up with girls or trying to. "Sorry for interrupting. I'll just be on my merry way." A grin was spreading across her face, "Do continue." Mina added with a slight bow of her head before closing the door behind her. Once it was shut she leaned against the door for support and started to giggle. Oh how much fun it would be to tease him about this now. Even better that it was Hikaru on the receiving in. Shin would have a field day if he knew. Interesting. Very interesting. She was glad she had decided to make a little trip to the studios tonight.

[Erik Go]

While it wasn’t an answer he got in the end, he did like this one much better. It didn’t take too long for him to respond back because well, that’s what he’d always do if it was Hikaru. He hated to admit it out loud but her kisses could be so addicting. Like this one. It was almost like they had cast their own spell and she was doing with him whatever she might like but deep down, he had a feeling it wasn’t all her doing. Later on, he’d hope this meant a yes.

Maybe it wasn’t the safest of times to be letting out all of his aggressions but this mind set he was in, Erik could really care less. The one thing that mattered, he already in his arms so why should those other things be relevant? He was quite certain he could do this for a long while but nature seemed to have a funny way of putting things to an end.

The voice only half registered in Erik’s mind but it was enough to tear him away. He didn’t completely jump back from Hikaru but slowly turned his head towards the direction. Pushing with all his might through the haze that had formed in front of his eyes, he made out a shape. An outline. An annoying outline. Oh crap. Now it was his turn to untangle himself from Hikaru. In the past, he would have started yelling at Mina and even accused her of stalking or something along those lines but the now Erik just felt his cheeks grow hot as he tried to fix his hair and wipe away evidence. With her last comment, he did look to her sharply and glared. How dare she give him permission! She had no right to do such a thing! And-

Turning his gaze to Hikaru, he stopped his rant and his anger turned back down to normal. Raising his right hand, he rubbed the back of his neck after feeling it become hot as well. “Uh, maybe we should find another spot to do this in.” Why was he being so shy? One minute angry, the next a shy little school boy? What was his problem? This wasn’t very fun to figure out either. Looking away, he tried to hide the blush he just knew was still there painted on his cheeks from Hikaru. He was already teased once - which he’d get that certain someone back for - but he didn’t need nor think he could stand Hikaru doing it to him too. Just… no.

The interruption wasn't welcome but Hikaru kept her mouth shut. Normally, she'd be one to say something right out at the annoyance. This time there were a lot more things at stake. Mina knew her, it wasn't as if she as some unidentified girl that a bandmate was playing around with. This could become rather difficult, so when Erik pulled away she didn't protest. Letting her arms drop down to her sides, she looked at the woman who had interrupted and just watched as she continued on with whatever she was saying before leaving. It would do her no good to try and hide her face or to act embarrassed. If anything, if she acted as if this interruption meant nothing surely Mina would think that too and find no reason to go blabbing her mouth.

While, Hikaru would like everyone to know she knew that wasn't an option right now. Not only from Shin and Taka but from the public too. They would need to be much more careful, next time it could be a chatty staff and that wouldn't be good at all. Once Mina left, Hikaru's gaze returned to Erik's and she was quite amused to see a blush on that arrogant face of his. So, there was one thing she might thank Mina for. She knew it wasn't going to be easy to see Erik blush. A soft smile was brought to her lips though she didn't say a word about it. It was her image to burn into her mind and treasure. "Mm, that's probably a good idea." Somewhere in the midst of all this her hand had traveled to the hem of his shirt and she gave it a tug. That would be a good idea but she couldn't help but indulge herself one more time, though with something more innocent. Moving closer she wrapped her arms around him in a hug, placing her head against his chest. "It's almost odd to think that right now I'm hugging you instead of with the arguing with annoying arrogant Erik." It was a thought that flitted across her mind but held a lot of truth. Things had changed rather quickly after all.

[Erik Go]

Being in his own world for now, he didn't mind the whole tugging. As much as he wanted to continue, it just felt odd for him too. Plus, there was that whole project he had been working on before any of this even started. His mind had been so easily distracted that Erik didn't even notice Hikaru moving around until she was hugging him. He returned it but frowned over her head. He didn't like her words. "You better believe it." He said letting the hug linger for a moment longer before separating. Holding her at arms length now, he slightly glared in an almost playful way. "I am not arrogant or annoying." Just setting the record straight was all he had to do.

Now that all of that was out of the way, he let his hand fall down to hers and held it. It did seem odd to be so gentle with Hikaru instead of yell at her but he was slowly getting over it. "I'm going to finish mixing this track... you can stay if you like...?" Coming out as a mixture of a question and a statement, he looked back at Hikaru not sure which she would do. Erik knew which one he wanted her to do but strangely enough, he would accept either one.

The glare that Hikaru received was almost like the ones she had been used to. Key word, almost. Things had changed and she couldn't deny that this change was for the better. His words only made her laugh though. He could say all he wanted about but being those two qualities but they made him up perfectly. It didn't bother her though, not anymore. Well, at least for the most part they didn't. She would have to wait and see just how much it might in the future. She couldn't imagine that it would bother her too much though.

It was a nice feeling to have someone holding your hands and looking at you the way Erik was. She was tired of being Shin's little sister and getting the, oh i'm sorry but your Shin's little sister and that makes you my little sister too speech. It had happened before even though she hadn't really been too interested in anyone but an unreachable person and the one that was standing in front of her right now. What he said was tempting but she wasn't sure if she should. Tomorrow she had a booked schedule and she was sure that he had the same. "Um..Maybe for a little bit. I don't want to distract you and I do need to wake up early tomorrow for a new lingerie line photoshoot." She said as if she was thinking out loud to herself.

[Erik Go]

With the thoughts running through his mind, Erik had slowly turned towards the programing board that held so much meaning to him. Both pleasant and frustrating ones. His mind was going over what to do next and as he slowly took a few steps that way bringing Hikaru along due to their attached hands. It wasn’t his fault that he mostly tuned her out but that quickly changed as his hearing turned up at the oddest of times. Only hearing the last four words, he stopped abruptly and turned not fully aware he probably made her run into him by accident.

There were tons of intelligent things he could have said but what came out was mostly due to his blank mind only viewing one thing. “You’re… wha-wha-what did you just…. What? You…” So coherent sentences weren’t his forte right now but he had to be sure. Why? Well he couldn’t answer that. All he could do was stare at Hikaru in this weird new light that would probably threaten his sanity if he didn’t get an answer soon.

Following along, Hikaru could see the end of their destination. She hadn't anticipated that it would be cut so short and she'd run smack dab into Erik. She rubbed her nose since that had seemed to take the brunt of the damage. Hikaru took a step back and looked at Erik. His expression wasn't one she had ever seen on him before nor had she ever head him like that. Her expression sadly didn't reflect amusement or anything in between. She was looking at him like he was stupid. Surely he already knew this. Shin knew a long time ago and it didn't make any sense that the rest of the bandmates didn't know. It wasn't as if she hadn't mentioned it before or anything.

"You heard me correctly. My lingerie photoshoot is tomorrow morning." She said the words slowly so that way Erik wouldn't be able to miss the words again. Though she knew he had heard them the first time. She couldn't understand how this was so shocking. It's normal every day work especially to someone who had just made their debut in the world of entertainment and by debut she means official debut, none of those we just got our first gig at a grimy bar downtown or something of that sort.

[Erik Go]

He was glad she was speaking so slowly. It helped his mind wrap around this idea a lot better than if she had rushed into it. But frankly, Erik didn't know how he felt about it. Happy? Angry? Sad? Excited? Hm, it was too soon to tell. Maybe if she asked in another ten minutes he could give her a solid answer on that. Nodding once, he turned back around and sat down in the chair. Taking the track out of his pocket, he set things up as normally as possible. Perhaps it was a little bit too normal but the thoughts in his head had a record of being said without their permission. Especially if he was to concentrate later, he would have to ask this.

Turning abruptly and stopping everything he was doing, he looked to Hikaru curiously. "Will I get copies of those... uh, photos?" Since when did she start this line of work anyway? Wasn't it basically soft-core porn? But it was Hikaru... Ugh, he didn't need to think about that right now. Roughly running a hand through his hair, he made sure to wipe all those thoughts away with it. He needed to work. Work was good. Work wasn't images of lingerie. Ugh, this was going to be far more difficult to concentrate on then he had originally thought.

Taking a seat next to Erik, she tried not to think that he was too much of an idiot. He was making that rather difficult though as he was taking so long to respond to her. Generally, she'd give him a break saying that he was busy so multitasking like that might not quite be on his mind but it didn't seem like that was the case at all. The longer he took to reply the more Hikaru wondered what the issue was. Surely, he already knew of her profession so why was it so shocking? Hm, maybe he didn't believe Shin but that didn't make sense either. Her brother never lied and of all things why would he lie about that when it came to his sister. According to him it wasn't something to be proud of her for. At first she was really insulted when hearing that but then upon thinking of it. Who wanted to look at their little sister in lingerie. It'd be weird if he did.

Hikaru looked over at Erik with wide eyes when he finally did speak. Her arm reached out and her hand made contact with the back of his head. "Hey! I can't believe you just asked that. So bold." She was shaking her head as she crossed her arms and her left leg over her right. "Do you get a copy?" She muttered to herself. "Of course you don't. Pervert." She couldn't believe that right after he admitted that he liked her he was asking for pictures from her photoshoot. "Even if I was thinking about it, you definitely won't now. Ugh, really?!" Hikaru settled with her head turned in the opposite direction, ready to ignore any of Erik's poor excuses for what he had just said.

[Erik Go]

Truly Erik was so odd. He couldn’t even be hit and become angry. Instead, he let out a shocked noised then looked to Hikaru with his expression turning into amusement. He wasn’t a pervert. Just… curious? Hm, there wasn’t a good way out of this was there? Smiling to himself, he leaned in to Hikaru despite her turning away from him. He nuzzled her cheek before turning to her ear and placed a small kiss there. “You’re still beautiful even when get annoyed at me.”

Snickering in his head, he turned his attention back to his work. It still boggled his mind that this was the kind of work Hikaru did. If he had known this was why Shin avoided questions about certain related topics, he would have gone easier on his hyung. Oops. Noted for next time. Oh… next time. Now Erik was feeling bad for thinking the things he did. Shaking his head before he could let those thoughts get more warped than they already were, he set back to his task. At least if Hikaru was going to be mad at him, he could have less of a distraction from those thoughts he just pushed away. Yes, this was a very good turn of events.