Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Moving Out

It had taken a bit of convincing and even more conferencing but Izumi could consider himself lucky that it went smoother than he and anyone in Knights had been expecting. It was a bit of a fight but in the end he had been granted permission to take some time off. Usually it could be crushing for an idol to go on a hiatus yet one or two months should be manageable. It was not too outrageous. As long as he will get back to work right after. To say that he was grateful is an understatement. Things worked in his favor here and he was allowed the space. It was only the first step however, he knew that much. Now he was facing another problem and needed help once more... Somewhat.

Honestly, he did not seek Ann out this time. It was a mere coincidence, to say the least. Patch just so happened to be under their care this afternoon because Kuma–Kun had to head out for one of his jobs. In fact, all of Knights except Izumi were headed out somewhere. He was supposed to stay back so the details of the hiatus announcement could be discussed properly. After all, the reason had to sound plausible to the public as to why he would disappear from the public eye as an idol, temporarily that is. So he decided to use his spare time to catch up on some things with Patch, or so he had intended. Before knowing it he was just wrapped up in a conversation with Ann after all, them seeming to have heard. Looks like Kuma–Kun was their source for information, one way or another. Hah, he honestly just rolled with it at that point. Patch looked busy scribbling some pictures on a piece of paper anyways, his 'homework' until next art class or something.

"Congratulations getting there!" Was one of the first things coming out of their mouth, a light smile on their face. It was a sight Izumi was still not too used to if he was being completely honest here. But he had to get used to it now, the two arguing seems to be no longer an option... Who knew they would ever get to this point to begin with.

"Now what? Heading to Florenz?" They continued asking, somewhat curious and interested. He didn't understand why, it was still somewhat irritating. But he didn't hate it. Not anymore

"It's an option." Izumi admitted with a sigh, though it didn't sit completely right with him, oddly enough. "But the chance of me drowning myself in work there is high. And that's not exactly the plan, is it?"

"Haha, yeah. Get it. I drown in work too." They said, stating the absolute obvious. It only made his eyes roll.

"Oh no, I thought the papers on your desk were just for show." He added with obvious sarcasm, making them nearly glare at him.

"Hey, not funny!"

"I wasn't being funny."

"Right right." They sighed, shaking their head before finally calming down, then continuing to speak. "So not Florenz?"

"What other option do I have?" He brought up however, one way or another. "If I stay here, someone might ask annoying questions. Plus I already have a place to stay there. It would save me the trouble of searching for another place."

They looked at him in surprise. "New place? Not at the dorm?"

"I'd prefer not to." He responded, plain and simple. "At least for the moment, I'd prefer to get as far away from idol work as possible. It might be for the best if I want to clear my head. So hearing about it everyday would be counterproductive."

"Huh... Good thinking." Ann said, as if this was something completely known to them. Maybe they did not expect something like that from Izumi of all people. And given how low the two thought of each other, this may not come exactly as a surprise. He wouldn't expect them to put thought into anything either, especially not back then. This was all just a big learning experience in one way or another, wasn't it? However, that didn't mean he understood their next few words as they thought out loud.

" Eine Bleibe, die dazu da ist, um sich zurückzuziehen. Kaum bis keine Arbeit als Idol und kein Risiko, sich in Arbeit reinsteigern... "

"What?" Izumi couldn't hold that one in however, him just being confused at their words. They noticed, turning red for a moment before coughing into their fist, a slight redness on their face showing.

"Thinking out loud, sorry." They quickly responded before turning back to him, then adding: "And a job?"

"Hah, you think I'm just gonna laze around? I still have some modeling to do!" He responded, first sounding as proudly as ever but then it came crashing down on him. Or rather, he was forced to be reminded of something, the exact words shooting out of his mouth. "However, those jobs are few and far between. I already have a hard time getting around in Europe and with the hiatus announcement... Ugh, I will probably have to take whatever small gig I can get for the time being..."

"The case of too much freetime." They sighed, chuckling almost. "I'm envious~"

"Hah? Are you seriously making fun of me now?"

"Ah— No! Just wishing for more free time." They quickly explained, waving their hands in front of their face while trying to justify their words. "Anyway, a place, right?"

"Pretty much, yeah. It's a lot but—"

"Then mine could do!" They suddenly suggested, sounding almost a little too eager for his liking. But he couldn't comment on it, more surprised if anything to hear that of all things. He even looked at them, not hiding this thought whatsoever.

"Come again?"

"My place!" Ann repeated, sounding as if they just had a genius idea here. "Not minding at all!"

"Your... Place? That mess? You really expect me to—"

"You don't have to!" They suddenly huffed with a pout. "Just trying to help. But search or the streets. Hmph!"

Were they serious!? Honestly, he had seen how much of a mess this place was. They could use the help for a serious clean up... But barging in? He already bothered them enough. Was he actually considering Ann here? Well, yes. As much as Izumi hated to say it out loud, let alone think about it, they had done enough for him. And he had to let them know most likely.

"Listen, I... Appreciate the thought. But I think I crawled to you enough times. You can stop it you know." It came out of him very slowly, stuttering slightly even. He really didn't want to say it but—

"It's fine, really! Heard roommates are fun!" Ann suddenly brought up, resulting in him staring at them yet again, almost unamused.

"Roommates?"

They nodded. "Yes! If helping, see it as my selfish request~"

"Wh... What?"

"It's a win–win though. No searching, I get the taste of a roommate. Right?"

They even smiled at him so... Innocently? In a way that it was hard to resist at least... Damn it, what were they pulling now? Was it just that to them? They wanted a roommate and now they just took the chance? With him of all people? Now this... He didn't get it... Not really at least.

"You won't shut up about it, will you?" He had learnt his lesson the first time they were being a stubborn idiot.

"Haha, not really~"

"Hah... Ok, fine. I accept your offer. You'll need the help around anyway..." He couldn't believe himself here either though...

"Haha, great~"

"The first thing we will do though is clean this mess of yours up. I refuse to sleep in this pigpen of yours!"

"Y... You're still complaining?"

"Listen, I will try dealing with you in a small space. But I won't tolerate that mess of yours! At all!"

"Guh... Yes Mom..."

"Quit that tone with me, will you?"

Well, even if Izumi was saying something like that... A part of him was looking forward to it... But just a little! Yeah, just a little bit! Nothing more, nothing less!