Two Weeks Later...
As I sat in the garden of the Minase household, I enjoyed some fresh air after a long day of school. With the way things have been lately, I've been stuck in a slow paced daily life, spending a while gathering inspiration or painting a couple hours a day, but mostly just stuck in a normal rhythm. I got a call from my dad congratulating me for having my work put in an art show, and suggesting I catch my breath after how hard I must have worked. Of course I love painting but I'm not against having some extra free time, and besides, judging by Iori trying to lecture about overworking, I guess I had started to worry her at the end there.
As I got up, I saw Iori was headed my way, slightly flush. I smiled and said "Well hello there."
"Y/n, since you've been taking a break, do you have any plans today?" Iori asked
"I mean I gotta get up early tomorrow to meet up with Shouko at 8:30, but no I don't have anything going on." I said, silently dreading the way I know the conversation with Shouko will go. I'm not airheaded enough to not pick up that Shouko has feelings for me, and while I'm glad to have her as a friend, I don't have feelings for anyone besides Iori.
Iori's cheeks puffed up slightly and she grabbed my wrist and said "Mother and Father will be out tonight, so let's go out and do something together."
I gave her a smile and said "Oh you mean you wanna go on a date? Sure, I'd be game, just let me change out of my school uniform since I imagine you'd prefer I'd look good for this."
Blushing, Iori let go of my hand and I quickly went and changed out of my uniform into some jeans and a polo, my equivalent of dressing up. I then grabbed my jacket and headed outside to join her.
"So do you have anything in mind?" I asked
Having seemingly regained her composure somewhat, she said with a small blush "I was thinking we could go do some shopping or something and then we can come back and have dinner like a couple."
I walked up to her and took a hold of her free hand before I said "Sounds good to me. Er wait, I almost forgot we're keeping our relationship a secret, sorry.
"It's fine Y/n." Iori said, a smile on her face "Let's go."
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We ended up heading to a shopping district that apparently Iori likes to check out the clothes from one of the more high end shops. I'm not big on clothes shopping, but if this is what she wants to do, I'm not gonna argue.
"Hey, which do you think would look better on me?" Iori asked, holding up two outfits towards me
I tried to picture Iori in each one in my mind but I couldn't really get a solid image going in my mind. "I don't know too much about this stuff, but maybe the one on the right?" I said uncertainly. I mean I've always just worn what's comfortable and I like the look so I haven't really paid too much attention to fashion or whatever.
Iori went to try on the outfit I picked out, and I was left to just look around at the area in front of us. Hopefully to anyone around we seem more like friends than lovers since I really don't want to end up messing things up for her. It doesn't look like anyone is paying any real attention to us at the very least so that's good.
After a moment, Iori came out and said "So what do you think?"
I looked at her for a moment before I gave her a large smile and said "It looks just as good on you as I expected."
Iori smiled and said "Of course it does, it is me after all." She then went back and changed to her normal outfit before she said "There's a men's section, maybe we can find an outfit for you."
I shrugged and said "You're the star between us, I'm fine just the way I am." Besides, I doubt I have the money for this stuff and I'd just feel guilty if Iori paid.
"I am, but that doesn't mean that I don't want my partner to look good." Iori said
Seeing an opportunity to be the one doing the teasing for once, I tried to act depressed and said "I see, I thought I was succeeding in looking good for you, but I guess I was wrong..."
Iori faltered for a second before she started to say "That isn't what I meant, I just thought you might want to look even better."
"I know, I just thought I'd mess with you a little." I said, giving her a sly smile
Iori pouted and lightly jabbed my shoulder as she said "Jerk"
We spent a while longer in the store before we headed out, and after spending a while longer outside we started heading back. However, as we were heading back, a lady and a man holding a camera headed our way and said to Iori "Excuse me, Minase, I'm Kashiwagi from Japan News Network, may I ask what exactly is your relationship with this boy and what you're doing together?"
Iori was about to say something when I cut in "Oh I'm just staying with her family since her father is my father's friend. We're out today because I lost a bet and so I said I'd act as her servant today and help her out."
I then looked at Iori and hoped she picked up where I was going with this and I guess she picked up on it as she said "That's right. Now me and L/n are going to get going if you don't mind."
Before the reporter could hound us anymore we left, and as we got to the entrance to her home, she said "So you lost a bet, huh?"
"After that last mess with reporters I thought it might not be the worst thing to have something planned in case they hound us when we're together. As for the servant part, I came up with that on the fly. Bet I could rock a butler's outfit though." I said, trying to add a joke at the end
Iori went silent for a second, blushing a little before she said in an embarrassed tone "You wouldn't be the worst in one."
"Got it, I'll get one and spend the day with you some time." I said, teasingly
Iori looked away and said "Dummy" but I had seen a smile forming on her lips as she turned away. Man do I love this little tsundere cutie.
As we entered her home, I took a hold of her hand and we headed to the evening in each other's company until dinner.
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The next day, as I stood in the park waiting for Shouko to arrive, I rehearsed in my head what I'd say to her if she tried to confess. Her attempts at flirting haven't been the most subtle so I'm not oblivious to her feelings but I don't want to hurt her.
As I stood out by the lake I heard her approach behind me. I looked at her and she had a smile on her face. "What's up Shouko? How come you wanted me to meet you?"
"Y/n, I just want to tell you that I love you, and I have since I first met you. You're funny and passionate, not to mention you've always been so kind to everybody." Shouko said
I tried to give her a sympathetic expression as I put my hand on her shoulder and said "Shouko, I'm sorry but I'm really not looking for romance in my time here. I hope we can still be friends though."
Shouko's eyes widened and she jerked away from my arm as she said "Don't lie to me! I have this." She then pulled out her phone and showed me a picture of me and Iori kissing at what looked like the art show.
"Wait, how did you-?" I said before she cut me off
"Break up with her and choose me, or else I'll make this public." Shouko threatened "I'll give you until school on Monday for you to break up with her, and if you don't I'll do it."
The world around me fell silent as it sank in what she was saying. I made a mistake that night, and now I don't have any way out of this situation that won't cause me to hate myself again.
YOU ARE READING
The IdolM@ster: Love Dramatic (Iori Minase x Male Reader)
RomanceY/n L/n was raised alone by his successful father in America, having spent a large chunk of his life improving his art in hopes of becoming a painter. But when Y/n ends up in a stump with no sign of coming out, he's sent to stay with the family of h...
