Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

It Is Personal!

When it comes to the definition of a brat, there was no one Izumi knew any better than Ann themselves. This little shit felt entitled to everything. Even the smallest thing. They dared to talk back, they dared to raise their voice, they dared to not listen to him. Then again, these would usually just be inconveniences at most and he wouldn't pay much attention to it. They are just a brat who'd need to be disciplined, yet he didn't have the energy to do that. It was not his job to set them straight. And usually, it would stay just there. An inconvenience, an annoyance... But that's about it. However, Izumi had taken note of everything happening to him whenever just around Ann. He knew the rage building up had slowly become personal.

At first he just saw them as a nuisance: A mess of a person who cannot do anything right. And he was ready to call them out on that. The way they dress is a mess, they may work a lot yet manage to mess up the fundamental basics (either by accident or on purpose, with him Izumi felt like it was completely on purpose at points) and them trying to speak was a slog to get through. Stuff which shouldn't be anything personal to him, especially since Ann seems to try for the most part.

He had noticed that they were indeed trying their best. But trying was not enough sometimes. For this type of job it was anything but enough. How could they handle the burden backstage by then if they are not cut out for it? They had to do a flawless job, even in their underused position. This industry is hard on anyone, with results like these they may as well jump off a cliff or never show their face around ever again. Can't even talk. But he should commend them for trying probably, he was always ready to give them that much credit.

However, that was where it all had ended. Because, oddly enough, this mere annoyance became personal. And he had no idea why. No matter how hard he thought about it, there was something about Ann which managed to get under Izumi's skin. And it was not (just) their bratty attitude. He has dealt with many shitty brats in his lifetime, they were nothing special in that regard. Of course not, and why would they be special to him? Hmph, bold assumption!

He would love to say but sadly, there was something about them yet he could not put it into words. He tried but it was just not possible to do so. All he knew was that he hated them. He didn't like seeing them, he really didn't like it. At all. But could he point out why? No. It irked him. He was... Oddly envious. In many ways.

Was it their connection to Nyeli, how close they are? Well, he would lie if he said there had not been envy in that regard and there had been slight jealousy creeping up with Kuma–Kun as well, but that didn't automatically mean hatred. Them having something he couldn't have... Yeah, but it was not necessarily related to Nyeli. Envy was a tiny issue, something he did not concern himself with. However, he didn't hate Kuma–Kun. So the root must be somewhere else.

That was as much as Izumi knew. Envy. Ann must have something he hasn't, he was never allowed to have. Something else... And it was eating him up. What could they possibly have he couldn't? Ugh, it made no sense if he thought about it. He was superior in every way, or should

be. They should envy him if anything! If they chose to do so that is. If they loved their life as it is, none of his business. He was fine with that and could care less!

But no, it was the other way around. For no good reason whatsoever. At least none he could think of. Why? Because outside of the arguments he knew little about them and it was supposed to stay that way. If they had never shown up, they would have never met! He was certain! If they didn't choose to go to Japan and accept whatever job offer they were given, their paths would have never crossed! But due to their decision the two met and had business with one another, much to both's dismay. 'If you don't like her that much, then don't talk to her.' Naru–Chan's wisdom rang true, she was correct. Even Izumi knew deep down. Don't start fights and don't waste your energy. But he did, for some reason he went out of his way to do just that. He shouldn't but something drew him to do just that. And he wished he knew he so wished that he did.

Is it possible to hate people for absolutely no reason? Because if he were to look at it without a bias for one moment, Ann had never done anything to him directly prior to meeting. All they did was pick him up... And ever since then he is just throwing insult after insult at them. Oh he hated that he was more than aware of this, he knew he was being idiotic. This wasn't necessary. But something drew him to do these things, as if he had unfinished business with them. Something bugged him about Ann. If he were delusional he may as well make the wild claim that they reminded him of someone he knew, but that has been over a decade ago. Ah, probably his imagination in the long run. There was no way in hell for stuff like this to be the case. He was usually at home anyway, his parents keeping a close eye on him if he wasn't out following his career path as a model from an early age.

And even then, it sounded just so surreal.. And he didn't dwell on it as it didn't answer his question. Why did he hate Ann so much? Not on a professional level, but on a personal level? Why them? Why!? He didn't get it! This 'woman' was driving him crazy, literally! He won't get his answer! He just won't! No matter how hard he tries, it's a mystery. It puzzles him as much as anyone else seeing them probably. They had a massive tension whenever in the same room, people surrounding them weren't that stupid! Actually, they were not stupid at all!

But only he wonders why... What did Ann ever do to him? Ugh, the thought is giving him a massive headache... If it were up to him, he would avoid them. However, one fateful day they decided to involve themselves in his life without asking him first... He didn't know back then that this would be the last decision out of his control... And the decision which would perhaps turn his life around, a least a little bit.