Heartstrings [Kirishima Ikuya x Reader]

2: •There's No Way•

"Please, Ikuya, I'm begging you!" Kisumi pleads on the other end of the line, and Ikuya sighs, running a hand through his hair.

Finally, his shoulders slump and he exhales slowly. "Alright. I'll head over now, but you owe me a slice of pistachio cream cake," he informs his friend and receives a rush of thanks before Kisumi hangs up and Ikuya is left with an errand to run.

He doesn't really mind. His last lecture for the day just ended and they have a day off from practice. Usually, he would head over for extra practice of his own, but he tells himself he'll do that after he carries out this little favor to Kisumi.

All Ikuya has to do is head over to Asahi's sister's cafe, pick up the notebook that actually belongs to (Y/n) but had been left with Kisumi, and then deliver it to the girl because she needs it urgently for her work.

Which is all fine until he's standing outside of Shining Agency with the black leather-bound notebook in hand, wondering if they'll even let him into the building that seems to literally be shining while he very much looks like the disgruntled college kid he is.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Ikuya pictures the cake he'll be eating soon enough and talks himself into entering the building, shuffling towards the reception with all the uncertainty he's ever felt lingering around him because he so obviously doesn't belong among the fancy suits or branded clothing.

"How may I help you?" the receptionist asks with a blinding smile, but she looks like she's trying to remember if he's someone important or not.

Maybe idols sometimes dress like students?

Ikuya holds up the notebook. "I'm here to return this to (L/n) (Y/n)," he says, but it almost sounds like a question and Ikuya clears his throat in hopes to physically dislodge his awkwardness like it's a lump in his throat.

The lady nods, smiling politely. "Why don't you have a seat while I ask (L/n)-san to come see you?" she suggests, and he nods and makes a beeline for the nearest chair, wishing he could literally melt into it when some of the fancy adults around him look at him judgmentally.

It's a long wait and Ikuya comes dangerously close to running towards his savior when she steps out of the elevator and immediately finds his desperate gaze, offering a pleasant smile that puts some part of him at ease.

"Thank you so much, Kirishima-kun," (Y/n) says in a rush of thankfulness, taking her notebook from him and holding it close to her. "You've basically just saved my life."

He chuckles, playing with his earlobe to give himself something to do. "It's no big deal," he assures her. "I should, uh, go now. You're probably busy, and I'd hate to keep you from something important."

(Y/n) shifts. "Are you busy right now?" she asks instead and when he shakes his head, she smiles. "I'd like to treat you to lunch then. As a compensation, if you want to think of it as such. I mean, I do have a recording scheduled right now for guide vocals, but if you don't mind waiting for that to wrap up, then we can head out right after."

He can feel the heat rising to his face, and Ikuya can only pray that his face doesn't start turning pink. He clears his throat again. "I wouldn't want to get in your way or be a bother."

"You wouldn't be doing any of that," she assures gently. "That's why I offered. Come on," she adds, grabbing the edge of the sleeve of his cardigan and tugging on it to lead him back to the elevators. "Shining Agency can be strict with its idols, but for those of us who primarily work behind the scenes, it's a pretty relaxed workplace," she tells him. "The kind where it's acceptable to work in pajamas as long as you're producing results."