The Tempo Life Brings

Meetings

Early in the morning, Kirishima walks through the studio's foyer, preparing for another day of recording vocals. First and foremost, before he gets the chance, he needs to talk to the record executives about Louise's proposal for him the night before, despite not wanting to do it. He cannot shake this feeling that something will not end well for him if he does it, but he has no idea what that would be. He wouldn't say he doesn't trust the platinum blonde-haired woman, but sometimes her proposals are too ambitious.

He makes his way to the elevator, selects the floor he has to go on, and steps inside while his anxiety overflows more by the moment. However, as the door closes, a hand reaches in to stop it---a hand he recognizes too well.

Bakugo's.

The elevator doors open, revealing the ash-blond male, wearing a black t-shirt and light-washed jeans, with a bit of a shocked expression on his face similar to the redhead's own. Silently, Bakugo looks to his left and the right, seeing the other elevators currently in use, so he has no choice but to walk into the same one his ex is on. He walks into the elevator, a wave of tension engulfing his stature.

"Which floor?" Kirishima asks. "I'm heading to the 15th."

"Uhm," Bakugo blanks a moment, "14th if you don't mind."

Kirishima selects that floor as the elevator ascends to its destination. The awkward tension is thick between them, both figuring out what to say as the elevator feels like it is taking a century to reach their destinations.

"So," Kirishima begins, "how are you?"

"Hm," Bakugo hums, "oh... not bad. How about you?"

"Not too bad," Kirishima answered.

Silence once more until the ash-blond male gets something off his chest.

"Sorry about," Bakugo sighs, "that night."

"It's cool," Kirishima stoically reassures. "It's you. I shouldn't be surprised."

Bakugo grimaces at the statement, wishing his temper that night did not get the best of him the way it did. However, he cannot change what he did, though the ash-blond male wishes he could.

"Are you," Bakugo takes a deep breath, choosing his words wisely what he says next, "happy with her?"

"I am," Kirishima answers without giving it any thought. "I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for her."

However, to Bakugo, that statement felt rehearsed---forced would be a better term---for the redhead to say that. It hurts him, but Kirishima is not his anymore, or would they even consider each other as friends at this point? He refuses to meddle in that, understanding how psychotic Louise is.

"How's the upcoming album with the gang?" Kirishima asks. "Any progress?"

"I'm not with them right now," Bakugo answers, "hiatus, remember? I told you that night, too."

"Wait–"

The elevator doors ding and open up, letting both men know one has to get off. Bakugo gives a curt wave to Kirishima and leaves without saying a word, leaving a shocked redhead in his wake. He remains like that until he reaches his floor, forcing himself out of that trance yet repeating that revelation until he reaches the record executive's office door.

The redhead takes a deep breath before opening the door and walking in while Mr. Kauscher, the record executive, talks on the phone, signaling the redhead to come in and sit down while concluding the call. He is a man in his mid-forties who has dark hair and wears silk button-down shirts, though they are slightly tacky, and beige-colored slacks and shoes.