Work Text:
Kagero is leaning on the couch and stares at her manager who seems crawling under all the paperwork, forgetting to even blink, as she reads something and takes notes. Kurusu adjusts her glasses, crosses her legs, her eyes staring constantly at her work.
Kagero sees the eyebags Kurusu's makeup can’t hide, how she nibbles her bottom lip as her right hand doesn’t stop to write. She wonders if she even saw Kurusu put her pen down once…
Her gaze lingers on her, noticing every little detail that shows her manager’s exhaustion. Kagero frowns as she sees her gulping her own saliva.
Seems the idol isn’t the only one who neglects her well-being for the sake of work. Kagero smiles. All her previous managers weren't that dedicated to Kagero's career like Kurusu is. Kurusu is maybe still a novice, Kagero being the first idol she handles, Kurusu takes her work very seriously and Kagero appreciates it.
She's grateful to have a beautiful professional woman by her side rather than a drunk pervert like before. It's only been a few months but she has drastically changed Kagero's image for the better.
Maybe it's time for Kagero to show her gratitude towards her. And they clearly need a break. Kagero is unable to remember any lyrics from her sheet music. And Akira neglects her own health, obsessed with her work and it'll be a miracle if what she's currently doing won't need a second read.
They never spend a lot of time together outside of work, it’s time to change this. Something outside of work, where they put it aside for just some moments and dives into trivialities.
Kagero puts down the sheet music and gets up. Her heels click on the floor, trying to attract Kurusu’s attention but she doesn’t even blink. She clicks her tongue, annoyed to be ignored, stopping behind her. The manager sighs, mumbling something incomprehensible as she puts away a paper and takes another one, her hand grabbing her phone ready to call another number.
Putting her hands on her shoulders, Kagero stops her. Kurusu freezes at the sudden contact. Kagero leans on a little until her lips brush her right earlobe, she puts pressure on her shoulders, massaging her a little.
“You’re aware that normally, it’s supposed to be the opposite, Kurusu-san.” She laughs softly, before moving away, but keeping her hands on her shoulders.
Kurusu doesn’t react immediately before chuckling. “I’m a manager, not a masseuse.”
“And I’m an idol and shouldn’t pay attention to my manager who seems to overwork," she retorts.
Kurusu frowns but leans on her hands, Kagero giggles as she sees Kurusu giving up and melting under her touch. Kagero admires her, all her gorgeous traits despite the exhaustion on her perfect porcelain face, her gaze lingers down and she notices Kurusu's cleavage. The idol looks away, flustered. She's a competent manager but also too sexy for Kagero's sake.
Kagero wonders why she didn’t become a model or an idol too. She clearly has potential.
"Can you afford to scold me when you're not better?" Kurusu shakes her hand, amused. She puts one of her hands on Kagero's. "I'm merely doing my job, there's no need for such concern."
Kagero clicks her tongue. "There is. You don't see yourself, Kurusu-san." She turns her hand to hold it tightly. "We both need a break."
Kurusu blinks. She puts her documents away, raising an eyebrow at Kagero's proposition. "We? Did you plan something?"
Kagero shrugs. "No. But it doesn't mean I won't find a nice place where we can finally breathe and stop for a moment."
"But I'm-"
Kagero puts her finger on her lips, stopping her before she can protest. Kurusu’s wide-open eyes stare at her in shock, Kagero smiles. "Will you indulge me in a mere dinner?"
Is she flirting too much? Maybe, but Kagero is tired enough to pretend it's because of the exhaustion she acts as such, and not because she's attracted to her manager.
Kurusu looks away, blushing a little. She pushes Kagero's hand away. "...Is it a good idea when we're in a rush for your near comeback?"
Kagero sighs. "Even I know only working brings issues and not solutions." She straight up again, and crosses her arms. "We'll be back for the night soon enough."
Kurusu stares at all the paperwork, still waiting to be done, she opens her mouth then closes it again and frowns. Kagero finds it endearing the way she pouts a little when thinking too much.
"Kurusu-san~" Kagero uses her more high-pitched voice, her idol voice, to gain back her attention. "I think we should hang out a little. You're my manager. Shouldn't we build a stronger bond?"
Kurusu closes her eyes. "Is it a good idea to indulge in friendliness when I'm the one who manages your whole career? It could influence it in a bad way."
"Or good," Kagero purrs. "It's merely a dinner. Consider it as a professional meal if it eases your mind." She grabs her hand and pulls. Kurusu yelps, surprised. "I don't give you the choice anyway."
"Were you like that with every manager, Akechi-san?!"
No, Kagero always tried to be distant, to stay as far as she could from those men who were staring at her body like their next meal. Each called her "Kage-chan" as if she was close to them. But Kurusu was different, as distant as Kagero is. Talk about work with her only and not some frivolous trivialities. Intriguing.
Kagero, for once, is the one initiating, is the one curious. Quite surprising when she's the idol here, the one who should attract attention, who everyone should be curious about, love or hate her.
Kurusu should be in the penumbra when Kagero is in the spotlight, and she wants to know more about her shadow and craft it as perfect as the idol Kagero is.
She chuckles, she brushes Kurusu's cheek with her gloved hand, watching her shiver with satisfaction. "No. I never did such things with my previous managers." She scoffs. "Those pieces of shit only wanted me bending over for their small dicks." As if Kagero will get on her knees for anyone."But you… You're different. So you deserve a different treatment, don't you?"
Kurusu doesn't comment on Kagero's vulgarity, she simply nods slowly, embarrassed. "...I...If you say so, Akechi-san." She looks away.
Cute.
Kagero slowly takes a step back, not letting her hand go, tucking it a little. "Let's go then. I have a nice place in mind."
Kurusu tries to let go of her grasp, trying to reach out for her phone, or something on the table, but Kagero doesn't let her, not wanting for her to have any opportunity to work more.
She closes the door behind them, despite Kurusu's struggle.
Just a dinner outside of work, nothing really that outstanding and impossible.
Right?
_ _ _
Kagero, of course, had to just use her sweet smile to have access to the VIP floor. She can feel Kurusu's disapproving stare behind her, but she doesn't comment on it. Kagero exploits her charms for their own comfort, Kurusu should be grateful they'll get a private nice table instead of mingling with the plebe.
Kurusu pulls her chair, letting Kagero sit elegantly on it. She smiles at the waiter who blushes a little, giving them the menu and runs away.
Kurusu sighs, sitting at the opposite side. "Couldn't you reserve a table, instead?"
"I don't see why." Kagero puts her elbow on the table and leans on her palm, grinning a little. "Losing time when I can just get the exact same thing by merely smiling."
"One day, someone will be immune to your charms."
"I know. I'm talking to that person right now." Kagero chuckles. Kurusu never fell for any of her empty praises, sweet smiles or cute behavior. Instead, she rebuilt every scrap Kagero had and changed her adorable reputation to something that suits her more. An elegant, mature, seductive woman. And even that image never made Kurusu fold to her.
Kurusu smiles. "I won't say I'm immune, more like I'm admiring your talent as an idol, Akechi-san," she says, amused.
Kagero huffs. "That's basically the same." She crosses her arms. "And we're taking a break. Don't talk about work."
Kurusu sighs. "My work is my life. But I can try for you, Akechi-san." She smiles gently, staring at her just above her glasses, her beautiful onyx eyes exposed, long eyelashes enhancing them. She's, as always, a hypnotizing sight.
Kagero blushes, looking away. Kurusu is maybe immune to Kagero's charisma but Kagero isn't indifferent to Kurusu. It's quite unfair that she can't influence her like Kurusu does.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" Kagero hisses, frowning, trying to hide her embarrassment behind a fit of fake anger. She refuses to look at her manager, wanting to be composed again before staring at her.
"I'm dedicated to you, Akechi-san." She puts her hand on her chest, as if she swore fidelity to her forever. Kurusu says that seriously, a kind smile on her lips, declaring it as if it was a fact.
God, does she even process her own words sometimes? Kagero flirts, certainly, but not to that degree. What is she asking for? To be by her side forever?
Kagero hides behind her menu, ears red, preferring to read than look at her manager who doesn't seem to understand the implications behind what she's saying.
She huffs. "Be dedicated to your own wellbeing then." She hisses. "Can't you lay back and put work on the background for once..." She breathes in, taking back the control that belongs to her. She lowers the menu and smirks, ready to retort back. "Wouldn't that date be boring if the main subject is business?"
Kagero grins, satisfied when she sees Kurusu blushing. "D-date!?" Her manager exclaims, flustered, her beautiful onyx eyes stuck on Kagero.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I meant "outing", of course." Kagero teases, knowing very well what she's doing. Kurusu isn't completely indifferent, certainly harder to tease and provoke a reaction, but still possible.
Kurusu frowns. She's the one hiding behind her menu this time. "Is it one of your hobbies, Akechi-san? Teasing? You seem particularly fond of it."
Kagero chuckles at her accusatory tone. "Can you blame me for being so curious about you, Kurusu-san? Your reactions are priceless, fascinating." Kurusu hides even more behind her menu. "Watching the usual composed, distant mask you put, crumbling under my words…" Kagero licks her lips, staring intensely at the menu that Kurusu uses to hide. "I'm not fond of teasing, I'm fond of seeing the human behind my manager."
Kurusu sighs, looking away. She's biting her lips as she lowers the menu. Conflicted, she hesitates to talk before opening her lips. "I don't mean to look distant. I'm just being professional… I'm your manager before anything else and..."
"And I want more than that, Kurusu-san," she purrs. "I want to know more about that woman who changed me and my career."
Kurusu's eyes widen, her mouth makes a perfect 'O', speechless. It's an adorable look on her face. Kagero would love to surprise her more until she can't take back the pieces of her mask, having to reveal her true face every time to Kagero.
She shuts her menu. "I'm." Kurusu gulps before continuing. "I'm honored."
Kagero puts her hand on her own cheek, tilting her head subtly as she smiles. "Well? How do you devote your time out of work, Kurusu-san?"
Kurusu plays with the edge of the elegant tablecloth. She seems so out of space, surrounded by that display of wealth, that useless fancy setting. Kagero comes to those places sometimes but she never really took someone with her before.
Especially for just a simple thing as 'getting to know'.
Kurusu sighs, giving up. She hesitantly opens her mouth, closing it again, her tongue licking her bottom lip. Her hand plays with her bangs, hiding her eyes slightly. "I'm… I don't think I do anything interesting. I hang out with friends, I read, I play some games casually…" She avoids Kagero's wine gaze. "...Sorry. If you were expecting more from me, Akechi-san."
Kagero shakes her head, her earrings moving with her head. "Don't apologize for my own expectations. I told you I wanted to know you, not see you fit the image I have of you."
Kurusu nods slowly, putting her hands on her hips, lowering her head. Kagero opens her menu, carelessly. She reads lazily, not looking at Kurusu who's still trying to understand how to act in such a place and with Kagero. When will she understand the meaning of relax?
"...Do you remember what you told me when we met?" Kurusu looks up, tilting her head, asking silently. "Do you, Kurusu-san?"
"...I told you to stop pretending around me because I'm not your fan, I'm here to work with you in your career and I need your honest opinions."
"Do you think it applies only to me?" Kagero asks, finally looking up.
"... I'm not…"
"You put on that tough strong independent woman mask constantly to deal with all those assholes who think women are tools to use." She sighs. "That industry… is not kind. And I'm sure you fought as much as I did to be where you are today. However…" She gets closer. "You can put that mask aside too. It wouldn't be fair for me to reveal my true face when you still hide yours, right?" She smiles kindly, leaning in her palm. "Show me your true colors, Akira-san."
Kurusu blinks, surprised to be called by her first name. "My…"
"Good evening, ladies. May I have your order?" Kagero immediately relaxes her face, letting her eyes dilate to be more expressive, her smile more kind and gentle, but forced, her posture more straight and elegant.
"Good evening…" She reads the name tag and smiles, looking straight into the eyes of the waiter. "...Tanaka-san." He blushes immediately, crossing her gaze.
"Kage-chan…" She rolls her eyes internally. "I'm… uh… I'm your waiter for tonight."
"That's a pleasure to hear, Tanaka-san!" She beams, clapping her hands one time, tilting her head. "We'll rely on you then!"
He nods, still too shy, his whole behavior screaming excitement but nervousness. Kagero finds it cute sometimes when she meets her fans. And she honestly prefers that than those who devour her body as if she was nothing more than a sexual fantasy for them.
"Would you mind giving us some recommendations?" Kagero looks at her manager, who also took back her own mask. Her hard tone, which leaves no space for discussion, her intense gaze behind her glasses, the professional aura she gives charms Kagero, even more, when she knows the doubtful look she could see beforehand.
Immediately, the waiter gets even more nervous but for a whole new reason. He gulps, fidgets with his hands as he tries to recommend some plates but each time Kurusu rejects it. Too many calories, not enough nutrients, not healthy, too big, too small. The waiter gets each second more nervous, stuttering.
"Will you leave that poor boy out of your grasp, Kurusu-san?"
Kurusu frowns, stopping. "Your health is my priority, Akechi-san. I refuse to get sloppy over something as important as your meals." She looks at the waiter again. "That salad? Proteins are as important as vegetables. And it's not diversified enough."
Kagero sighs. "You could cook for me next time instead of annoying them for so long. A "not healthy enough" meal won't hurt me."
"But…"
"Are there any issues, ladies?" A male voice interrupts Akira, stepping in, getting close to the table. The waiter immediately takes a step back. Kagero analyzes the newcomer. He's dressed differently… the manager?
She smiles politely. "No worries. My manager is simply too careful for me."
"Akechi-san…"
The man hums, as if he understands perfectly the situation. Kagero can see his smug smile, his confident aura. She hates it. He steps behind Akira and Kagero looks at him in shock as he puts his hand on her shoulder, pretending to look at the menu.
"I heard about your presence, Kage-chan. But I wasn't aware you were bringing…" He presses on her shoulder harder, bending over to get closer to her face. "...your manager with you." He chuckles darkly. "I heard about it. A tough woman who no one could tame properly…" His finger traces her chin slowly. "Sounds like a challenge."
Kagero can see Kurusu's fists trembling, but she doesn't move, gulping and bearing the man who touches her as if he had any rights to do so. The waiter looks down, as if he was never here.
Pathetic trash.
"If you wouldn't mind, sir, we were going to take our orders."
He hums, not acknowledging her words. "I can offer you anything you desire. It can be a…" He doesn't stop touching Kurusu, but looks at Kagero with the same lascivious hunger. "...favor."
Disgusting. It reminds her of her ex-manager who's still in the hospital.
"I'm afraid I'll refuse it," she responds calmly, her smile falling down to something more neutral despite her rage burning below. "I can pay for our meals, thank you." Kagero's hand slides on her shining knife, delicately taking it.
"Oh but I'm offering, Kage-chan!" He laughs. "You shouldn't refuse such an offer. After all, wouldn't that favor be beneficial to both of you too…?"
"Sir." Kurusu's hand catches him. "Neither I nor Akechi-san are interested in your sexual proposition." She turns her head slowly, glaring. "I'll ask you politely to leave and not disturb us anymore."
But the man grins even more when he sees it. "Exactly like the rumors said. I can't wait to see how submissive you can-!"
Kagero grabs his collar then throws him on the nearest wall, hidden from prying eyes. Before he can react, Kurusu aims at the camera with her fork, throwing it right in the middle of the camera, piercing the glass. Kagero gets up, putting the knife under his throat. The only witness is the waiter who stares at them in shock. It's fast, calculated, precise movements as if it was instinctual for both of them.
Kagero knew Kurusu was the best partner she could have asked for.
Silence settled in the room, the only soft romantic jazz song in the background.
"Y-You-!"
"Listen here, piece of shit." She doesn't keep her act anymore, breaking her image as she breaks his smug confidence. His eyes widen. "The last man who tried to touch me finished in the hospital. And I give the same treatment to those who touch her with the same intent." He shivers. She smirks. "When someone says no it's no, fucking trash. Throw your money for some pussy if you want to stick your pathetic cock in it." He looks at Kagero with fear as she gets the knife closer.
"S-Stop-!! Someone-" He looks at the waiter. "Help me!" He shouts, angrily.
"Exactly what we said. "Leave, stop, no" however… You don't seem to get the message. Why should I?" She looks at the waiter. "Do you find that normal, Tanaka-san ?"
He shakes his head. She chuckles. "Good boy. See? It's not that hard to admire a woman and be respectful ."
"Y-You… I'll tell-!"
"Oh, darling…" She pities him. Does he think she's not used to those who try to put her down from her throne? Does he think he's the only one full of sins here? "You didn't stand a chance." She puts down her knife. "Go. Try to say it, to repeat it, how "Kage-chan" was threatening you. Leave. You're free to try." She smirks. "Everyone failed."
He immediately runs away in fear. The waiter is stuck here, obviously as terrified as he was. Kagero sighs. She sits on her chair, putting down her knife delicately as she crosses her legs, adjusting her gloves. She closes her eyes. "That's a lesson for you too. You should intervene. Not ignoring those situations." Tanaka immediately nods. "Now… bring us another fork and a nice bottle of wine. I'll pay more for that camera. And for our orders… I'll trust your judgment." She gives him the menu, smiling.
"Am… I…"
"You're as free to tell as he is. Just know there are consequences when you try to cross me." She smiles kindly, completely contradicting her words.
Kurusu sighs as she watches Tanaka leaving quickly. "I should contact Alibaba soon then."
"After dinner. It's our break."
"We don't know what they could…"
" Don't focus on peasants, Kurusu-san." She sighs, looking at the broken camera. "Not the first, not the last. I didn't even wound him. He should be grateful."
Kurusu closes her eyes, exasperated. "Please… refrain yourself when there's a witness at least."
Tanaka comes back quickly, sweating. He doesn't dare to cross her gaze as he fills both of their glasses with the dark red liquor but Kagero doesn't really care. The idol prefers to continue to admire her manager. She plays with one of her locks of hair as she crosses her legs again, smirking.
She takes her glass, filled with wine, looking at the alcohol with amusement. "No promise."
And she takes a sip.