YNoMH? (BL)

Off Air 3

Off Air – Story 3

Story 3: This Little Light of Mine

Author's Note: The title is taken from the name of a beautiful gospel song. This story is about a rare date Ushio has outside with Kunieda-san. I feel like Ushio knows a lot of people who have all sorts of restrictions that limit what they can do in public.

Translator Note: This story takes place in the aftermath of Volume 1

Ushio called to say that he'd be back Saturday night.

"My plane arrives at Haneda after 10:30, so I'll probably be home a little before midnight."

"You have terrible timing," Kei complained. "Why does it have to be this Saturday of all days?"

"What?"

"That's the night we have our year-end party for the show."

From the on-air presenters, the staff members, the network executives, the production company people whom they normally never saw, to even the representatives who managed their taxi contracts, in any case, it was a huge party for everyone who had a hand in making the show a success. His attendance was absolutely required.

"Isn't it a bit early for that?"

"There are New Year's parties in January, and we have to work around all the old men in upper management. Their schedules are already full with drinking parties, and we have to make adjustments to accommodate everyone."

December was always jam packed with end of year and new year specials, making it a very busy time of the year for people, and so an executive decision was made to set the year-end party farther out when schedules were less hectic.

"Anyway, why do we need year-end parties anyway? Are they really that necessary? Why do we need to get together as a group to drink and go through all this hassle to do it?"

Not only did Kei have to pay his share of the party expenses, he had to find a gift to bring for the raffle and prepare himself to spend at least 4 hours at the main venue, wasting his precious Saturday putting on his outside face to mingle with work colleagues. It was pure agony. If only he could order a life-size cutout of himself and make it attend the party for him instead.

"Don't ask me. So where will it be?"

"Remember the hotpot place we went to with Minagawa? It's the same building on the first floor."

"Well, you'll have people drinking with you, so at least you won't feel lonely."

"...Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'Huh?'"

"What do you mean by lonely?"

"Just that with people around, you'll be too distracted to feel lonely while waiting for me."

"I don't feel lonely!"

Crap, this is starting to sound like last time. He'll probably pretend again and give me that "I feel lonely" bit. I should just snort and say "Oh really" back at him. Piece of cake. I can do this.

"Oh, okay then. As long as you're good."

I'm ready with my guard up, but what's with this weak response!?

"Follow the damn script!"

The one in my head.

"What script?"

"...Nevermind."

"Anyway, I'm being serious here. I'm crashing at someone's house so it's always pretty lively with people around, but it's not the same for you. I feel a little bad at how unbalanced it is for you."