Ueda had been working at Nishikido’s apartment for 3 weeks. 1 more week and he would be able to complete the challenge, and the role in the drama would be his. But with each passing week, he began to feel uncomfortable every time he encountered Ryo, be it in his apartment or at work.

“Tatsuko!” Ryo called out from his bedroom. Ryo had finished his bath and dinner for that night. And now, just like any other night, he was calling his maid to give him a massage. This was the part Ueda hated the most. He hated giving massages to Ryo, he hated having to touch his bare skin, and he hated having to listen to Ryo’s satisfied moans. But what he hated the most was the desire to not want to let go of Ryo’s skin even when Ryo had already fallen asleep.

“Hai! I’m coming” Ueda answered his master’s summon, faking a feminine voice. He entered the room and saw a half naked Ryo, on the bed, with only his boxers on, lying on his stomach. “Can you give me a massage? I’m really tired.” Ryo requested, half whining.

Like you’ve never asked that before! You ask me every night you jerk!

Ueda stepped closer and sat on the edge of the bed. He began to touch Ryo’s back, putting light pressure on the tense muscle. Ryo began to moan; Ueda closed his eyes and sighed under his breath.

“Ne, Tatsuko...” Ryo started.

“Yes, Nishikido-sama.”

“Do you like working here? Do you like working for me?” Ryo asked.

Ueda was a bit surprised by that question; He didn’t know why Ryo would ask such thing. “Yes I do. I like working for Nishikido-sama” He answered

“Why?” Ryo continued.

Because I have to! Who would in his right mind working for a selfish brat like you! If I don’t do this Kame wouldn’t give me his role.

“Because Nishikido-sama is a nice person, Nishikido-sama is always nice to Tatsuko.”

Ryo turned around to lie on his back, causing Ueda to stop his massage. There was a moment of silence there, Ueda couldn’t quite understand before Ryo began to curve a smirk and sat up by him on the bed.

“You know, we’ve never discussed your payment. How much should I pay you for all your marvelous work that you’ve done?” The question was simple and normal, but that was not the one that made Ueda’s heart start pounding faster than it should be. It was the extremely close distance between his face and Ryo’s.

“It is all up to Nishikido-sama.” Ueda answered nervously.

“Well for all your amazing work, I think you should be highly paid. In fact, you even deserve to get a bonus.” Ryo stated, looking at Ueda dangerously. Ueda’s eyes widened as Ryo slowly began to close the hair’s-breadth distance between them.

What is he umfthbh

---

Kame, being the morning person he was, cheerfully greeted Ueda as he found him to be the first one he met in their dressing room that morning. “Ohayou!”

Unfortunately there was no reply from the older man but a look of daggers from Ueda’s eyes.

“Woo..did you get up from the wrong side of the bed or something?” Kame asked innocently.

“You…! You and your stupid challenge!” Ueda got up from the couch to step closer to Kame who was horrified by the look in Ueda’s eyes, and had stepped back until his back was against the wall.

“I’m done with it!” Ueda continued.

“W-what happened?” Kame stammered, his friend could be really scary when he was furious.

Ueda would really like to answer Kame’s question. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t possibly tell Kame that Ryo just kissed him now could he? 

Ueda withdrew, leaving Kame who was still standing pressed against the wall, confused. He walked back to the couch and flopped down with a heavy sigh. “I just couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t work with that arrogant bastard.” He tried to be as reasonable as possible.

Kame’s frightened look had turned into a satisfied expression. “You give up?” he tried to suppress his victory laugh. “So I win then. The role is still mine. Good because we plan to start filming next week”

Ueda was brought back to the reason he did this whole charade in the first place. He couldn’t give up now. He only had few more days left. He mustn’t give up now.

“Wait…” He began. “I never said I was quitting….I’m merely complaining. But I’m definitely not giving up.” he looked up to face Kame, his eyes filled with determination.

“Ok then, you should go on with it in that case.” Kame was still unsure of what could have possibly happened to Ueda, but he just shrugged that thought away. “I’m getting some coffee, would you like some?” He offered to the seated older man who still looked frustrated. Ueda just shook his head.

---

If Ueda had started the morning with some temper, Ryo on the other hand was as lively as a bean.

“Ohayou minna!’he greeted every single member of NEWS who was puzzled as to why the most sharp-tongued member they had was surprisingly in a good mood that morning.

“What’s wrong with you?” Pi asked in concern, as if it were impossible for Ryo to have such a mood.

“Wrong? Everything is perfect with my life! How could anything go wrong?” Ryo stated.

He picked up a magazine and opened it as he sat on the couch and flung his leg cross it.

“If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you’re falling in love.” Pi said.

Ryo lowered his magazine and rolled his eyes at Pi. “In love?” He tilted his head in confusion only a few seconds before grinning widely. “Well maybe I am.”

Pi wanted to question his best friend further, but the sound of their manager calling stopped his effort. “We’ve got to practice soon, but you have to tell me about this little love you have later. In detail!” Pi demanded.

Ryo jumped from the couch still with the wide grin.

The two friends headed to the practice room, followed by the rest of their band members.

As he and his band mates passed the hall, Ryo caught sight of Kame getting some drinks from the vending machine.

“Yo Kame!” Ryo greeted cheerfully. Kame was confused. This guy must be on crack.

“Watch out Kame, he’s in love.” Pi said smilingly. Kame was dumbfounded as he looked at the sight of Ryo greeting everyone, even the juniors he always picked on, in an overfriendly tone.

It didn’t take a while for Kame to put two and two together. If Ueda was as irritated as a bear and if Ryo was as hyper as a person on crack, then there must be something going on with them. “What the hell happened in Nishikido’s house?” Kame was definitely going to find out the answer, he hurried back to the dressing room, forgetting his coffee.

“What happened between you and Ryo?” Kame asked in a straight tone as he opened the door.

“W-what? What do you mean? How did...how did you know?” Ueda stammered, eyes wide.

“I don’t! But now I’m definitely sure! Something is going on isn’t it?”  Kame asked as he sat next to Ueda

“N-Nothing happened…I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ueda failed to cover his nervousness.

“You’re a bad liar Tat-chan.”  Kame said. “Now tell me! What the hell happened between you two that made Nishikido Ryo grin?”

“He what?”

“He smiled and greeted everyone he met at the hall.” Kame explained “And Pi said something about love.”

“A what?” Ueda was definitely surprised but he couldn’t help but flush a bit.

“You’re flushing.”  Kame said as a-matter-of-factly. “Something did happen didn’t it? Tell me Tat-chan!”

Ueda sighed. “Alright…alright…I’ll tell you but you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone. Or I’ll have your throat cut.” Ueda threatened.

Kame crossed his fingers “Promise!”

W-we…we kinda...kissed.” Ueda mumbled and the last word was barely above a whisper, but it was enough for Kame to hear.

“You what?!”