DiMENSIONS [IDOLiSH7]

15: The Connection

-Silica-

Tenn knew that forcing Yuki to be his manager was not the smartest choice. First of all, he hardly knew anything about Yuki personality-wise. It turned out the guy was not the easiest person to deal with. He had been working as Tenn's manager for two weeks, and already Yuki's unfriendly attitude had managed to make some people at work click their tongue in frustration.

"He's one of those guys with a pretty face and no talent. No wonder why he isn't an idol anymore."

Those kinds of words really set Yuki off because they insulted not just him but his former partner, Banri, too.

Nevertheless, Tenn managed to convince Anesagi to put up with the guy. Why? Yuki had a good sense of duty. He did the work he was supposed to do. Plus, Tenn knew Yuki could easily advise and criticise his abilities without holding back because he was brutally honest. The boy wanted to improve and drew all the attention to himself.

Also, Tenn wanted to help Yuki as the guy had given him some guidance when they first met. The most selfish reason he had was probably to show Iori that people were allowed to grieve. At the same time, people had to keep holding on and moving forward.

Not everything was going in the negative direction. At work today, Tenn was told that his first live concert was officially scheduled. The magic user was so excited that he took Iori out on a sudden 'date' that very same evening. "Our cafe meeting was rudely interrupted. We have not had a proper meal out since then. " He said when actually, he just wanted to spend more time with Iori. The student had been helping out at Yamato's lab almost every day until nightfall lately. It seemed they were close to discovering something major.

Okay, 'a meal' part was not a lie. They did take a detour, though. While they were following a hologram navigator AI projected from Iori's smartphone to the recommended restaurant the two picked, Iori came to a sudden stop due to being distracted by an arcade game centre along the way. Sure, Iori was not the type to be absorbed by such things. However, that specific game centre was full of crane game machines featuring Usamimi Friends limited edition plush collections. Yes, Iori wanted them badly.

Tenn stopped walking when he noticed Iori was no longer walking by his side. He took a few steps back and got his answer. "Ah... the pastel-coloured rabbits you like." He spoke with a straight face.

Iori seemed irritated by the word 'rabbit'. "It's called Usamimi Friends." He muttered just loud enough for Tenn to hear. Tenn only reacted by smiling and taking the lead as usual...

...into the game centre, of course.

"Wait, Nanase-san?? Aren't we going to dinner?" Iori was surprised, though his mind was on its way to the moon.

"Oh we are." Tenn turned around to face the student. "After you get your favourite plush."

"I d-didn't say I wanted them!" Red-faced Iori tried to deny the truth, so Tenn teased the boy a little more. "Then we leave." Tenn began to storm out. Iori panicked. His inner instinct made him reach his hand out to grab Tenn's slender arm. "Wait! Okay, I want them." Iori squeezed his eyelids shut in total embarrassment.

"Heeeh? You do?" Tenn teased the student one last time.

"YES!" Iori blurted out. Satisfied, Tenn walked in and approached the counter staff to exchange play coins. It was his first time in an arcade, so he too could not wait to try things out.

The two went to the specific pink and purple crane game machine with cute music playing in the background. Several fluffy Usamimi Friends plush with special patterns such as stars or music notes were lying inside, waiting for their loving owners. In an attempt to remain calm, Iori inserted the coins and began to explain (in great detail) how crane machines work. Tenn nodded along.