[KaoMika] Successful Mission

[anakiddwrites]

 Kaoru just intended to do a small favor for Rei, but ends up talking to Mika and finding out they have more in common than they imagined.

[ #ficwip's Tiny Ship Fleet Fest 2023]
 

“Waaah…. and I just wanted to order some food and watch a silly reality show…” 

Yawning loudly and stretching his arms, Kaoru walked down the ES empty hallways in lazy steps. He had planned to enjoy a quiet, uneventful night for once, but had found himself involved in a sudden mission from Rei-kun that he couldn’t really deny. In situations like that, he knew the only option was to tag along until the end.

“Seriously, why can’t you do it yourself… I mean, I kinda get it, but…” He sighed, looking at the heavy book in his hand. 

Even though he was more than used to his leader’s edgy aesthetics, he felt a liiiiiittle intimidated by that pitch black leather cover and title written in a silver font so eccentric that it was hard to read the actual words. But the scariest thing about the book was its original owner, the reason for Kaoru to be carrying something so clashing with his image and preferences to begin with.

“I’d rather read Moby Dick if I want something intense, haha… but to each their own. It suits those brothers, I have to admit.”

He shrugged, standing in front of Ritsu’s dorm room and taking a deep breath before knocking three times. Casually flipping through the pages while waiting for an answer, Kaoru also noticed the extra small gothic letters and yellowish pages, handling it with particular care.

“I wonder if Aoba-kun would like this… like, this is old, like old for real… ah?”

A fancy handwritten note on the very first page made Kaoru blink twice and read it with a soft smile. 

“To my dearest little brother, my genuine happy birthday wishes. I hope this book will charm you the same way it charmed me in my youth.

With love, your humble big brother ♥”

“... you were always this sappy, Rei-kun?~ haha… I still think you could return this book yourself, but…”

Kaoru stared at the closed door, musing to himself before knocking again.

“...I get it’s not that simple and all. Well, it’s not a big deal to do you a favor, too.”

But Kaoru started to feel a little impatient after almost a minute waiting and pressed his ear against the door to seek any sign of presence on the other side. A faint sound of TV could be heard so the room shouldn’t be empty, unless someone had forgotten it running.

“Heeey… sorry to bother, buuuut… is someone theeeere…?” Kaoru raised his voice a bit and knocked again, not really keen on postponing the mission and having to deal with Rei’s sad face over it.

But just hoping for a reaction wasn’t working, so he caved in and tested his luck with the doorknob, finding the room unlocked. Breaking in wasn’t the most polite approach and maybe he could run into something he didn’t want to see, but the standards of politeness inside Ensemble Square were already… unique to say the least, so it was worth a try.

Hopefully he wouldn’t become the witness of a crime or something along those lines.

“Excuse meeeee…. sorry for intruding… ~ ♪” He hummed with his most friendly tone, carefully looking around before stepping into the quiet room. 

He could see the TV playing a Valkyrie music video, but there was no one at sight to watch it. The awkwardness was starting to set in and Kaoru was considering his options when another noise in the air caught his attention. 

“... Maybe I’ll just… leave the book here… hm? What is this sound…?” 

Standing still and quiet to make sure it wasn’t his imagination, he heard again something like the whine of a kitten coming from the other side of the couch. He could only see the back of it from the door, meaning his vision to the middle of the room was blocked, so the only option to check was getting closer in furtive steps. 

“... Does Ritsu-kun have a pet…? Or…? Ah…”

Moved by curiosity, Kaoru peeked over the couch to find not a cat, but a barefoot Mika Kagehira snoring and mumbling like one, curled over a small wooden table, surrounded by sketches, pencils and smashed papers. 

In all honesty the sight wasn’t so far from a cat… an artistic cat, at least.

“Ah, right… Kagehira-kun and Ritsu-kun are roommates and friends…” Kaoru whispered to himself after the initial surprise. No wonder the boy didn’t hear the door, obviously passed out in the middle of work.

“The artsy life isn’t easy, I guess…” Carefully tiptoeing around the objects scattered on the floor, Kaoru walked around the couch to get closer to Mika, glancing at his sketches too. A smile came to his features naturally, driven to the messy but expressive doodles and particularly looking at a mermaid one.

“Hggg… oshishan… the… concept…. nnwwa…”

Kaoru probably would end up immersed in the art for a while if Mika’s mumblings hadn't brought back his attention to the real world. Slowly placing the book on the table for now, he poked the junior’s shoulder and called him in a gentle whisper.

“Kagehira-kun… hey, Kagehira-kun… sorry, but it’s time to wake up… hey… ~” 

Kaoru usually wasn’t one to meddle, but Mika’s spine was at risk, not to mention the very likely cramps for sleeping in that weird position. None of those are any good for idols, no matter how flexible the Valkyrie boy could be, and Kaoru wasn’t uncaring to the point of just ignoring it. They had talked a couple times before, so it wouldn’t be too awkward, right?

“Hhhggg… shut’uuuup… dun interrupt… art... uncultured… swine…” 

Maybe it would be a bit awkward.

“HUH? A-ah?!?! S-sorry I guess?!”  Taken aback by the harsh words, Kaoru instantly withdrew his hands and stepped back.

“Hhhhggg…???” 

But at least his raised voice helped Mika to wake up faster, rubbing his two-toned eyes and slurring more whining noises while disconnecting from whatever he could be dreaming about.

“Waaah… where’s…. the stage… eh?!” Blinking fast and coming back to his senses, he finally noticed someone next to him… and it wasn’t Ritsu. “E-eh?!! Ha-Hakaze-senpai?!?!! H-here? Wahh??! W-where am I?!?!”

The surprise and confusion paling Mika’s face while he looked around with wide eyes was more than enough to make Kaoru get over the shock from the sleepy insult, recognizing the usual Kagehira-kun in front of him again. It should have been just a really intense dream.

“Haha, hey there…” Kaoru waved at him, offering a soft smile and trying to keep the mood light. “Sorry for intruding and waking you up… you were sleeping soundly, but that can’t be good for your muscles, you know? Are you okay?"

“Hmhm.. y-ye, I’m… I’m oke… hhhgggwaaa ?!” Mika tried to stand up quickly, realizing too late a sharp pain in his leg ruining his balance and pushing him back to the floor after a couple steps… But for good or bad, Kaoru’s body was within his reach and instinctively Mika leaned against him. 

“OUCH!!!”

Kaoru had no time to even think of protesting or dodging the boy falling on his arms like a potato sack, absolutely not romantic or ethereal like a kdrama cliche, more like the skit of a tacky comedy show that still uses laugh tracks.

“... r-really… not good for your muscles… oof…” 

Good thing they landed on the couch behind them, Kaoru’s reflexes good enough to hold Mika in his arms and avoid any worse accident. He was ready to complain about staging such a scene with another guy, but… Mika’s teared up eyes and whiny noises distracted him from any unimportant remark. 

“Hhhggaaah… s-sorry for that… embarrassin’....” 

There was no way Kaoru could just scold him and maybe it wasn’t the best moment too, but he couldn’t help but relate his junior to a kitten again. At least the association motivated him to offer his kindest smile to the boy crying on his chest.

“Ahaha… do… don’t mind it! Actually, are you ok? The cramps really g-got you, huh? Uhhh, let’s take care of it first, hm?” Kaoru ignored his own cheeks growing red, telling himself it was sure because of the jumpscare and embarrassment, nothing else. 

“H-hmm..” Mika nodded obediently, sniffling and sitting on the other side of the couch under his senior’s guidance. 

“´key, so… stretch your leg and… uuuh….” After a moment of hesitation, Kaoru took a deep breath and rubbed his hands together, feeling the weight of awkwardness on his shoulders again. “Haha, I’m sure you don’t want a random guy massaging your leg, so…”

“Hmhgg… H-Hakaze-senpai isn’t a random guy… and i-if it was Oshi-san would be no biggie… jus’ maintenance…” Mika casually answered, touching his own leg despite the uncomfortable pain. “J-jus’ don’t worry too much bout’a me..! I was d-dumb for sleepin’ like that in da first place…!”

“R-right, Valkyrie’s… maintenance…” Kaoru scratched his hair, not sure what maintenance was and at this point too afraid to ask. Each unit has their own business, right? 

“A-anyway, you can pull your feet back to stretch your leg, that's gonna help! And warming it up with a blanket or pillow too… Ah, your bed is that one, right?” It wasn’t hard to guess the bed, knowing the boy’s aesthetics and love for plushies.

Before Mika could protest, Kaoru quickly reached the bed to grab a pillow and ended up staring at the plushie next to it for a moment. The brown bear with purple eyes looked familiar, but he couldn’t pinpoint why and had more urgent matters at hand, returning to the couch and pressing the pillow on Mika’s leg.

“If you slept in that position for a long time, it’s kinda unavoidable… but it should go away soon ~ ♪ though it’s something to really watch out for, you know? We’re idols, so taking care of our bodies is essential ~” Kaoru tried to keep things light-hearted and soothing, he wouldn’t want to embarrass the junior even more or come across as condescending. 

“Hmhm… t-that’s what Oshi-san says too…” Mika mumbled, looking away and fiddling with his long sleeves. A frustrated sigh came out as well, reflecting part of his inner conflicts. “I was careless again…”

“A-ah, well, it happens, hm? Don’t beat yourself up too much ~ there, there.” Kaoru rushed to comfort him with words and light pats over the pillow, vaguely aware Mika could overthink and self-deprecate a bit too much. At least he could observe it on the sparse occasions they worked together.

“You were just too concentrated on your art but probably your body needed rest, so it can’t be helped. The artistic life really isn’t easy… but I can’t blame you.” Kaoru looked at the sketches on the table again, pointing at the mermaid’s drawing. “You know, I like that one in particular!”

“D-do ya?!?!” Mika blinked, surprised that Kaoru had paid attention to his doodles and even chose a favorite. Fortunately the cramps were fading and he could move more freely to spread an arm and carefully grab that paper.  

“T-those are jus’ sketches… I jus’ been trainin’... do ya real like it?”

“Well, that’s what I said ~ I really like ocean themes and your style is quite… strong and unique, but something drives me to it… I guess it gives out a feeling of freedom that I like, you know? You’re very expressive.”

“... freedom, ya say…?” Mika stared at the sketch in contemplative silence, as if it was his first time seeing it instead of creating it. 

“Ehe… I wasn’t really thinkin’ bout it when I doodled it, but art is like that, right? Everyone’s gonna feel about it differently… and that’s what’s amazin’, right? That’s somethin’ Oshi-san says too…” 

Mika slowly sat properly on the couch while musing, closing the distance between him and Kaoru and throwing a bright smile at him.

“I’m glad my silly art had somethin’ ta say ta ya, Hakaze-senpai! I was feelin’ restless before crashin’, but yer always find a way ta lift my mood when yer around… ~ ♪ thank ya kindly…”

“W-wah?” It was Kaoru’s turn to blink and feel surprised at those shining two-toned eyes gazing at him, totally different from the sulky boy from moments ago. But after a second he smiled back, ignoring his cheeks warming up out of nowhere again.

“W-well, you’re more than welcome! I don’t think I did anything notable, but I’m happy to be a reliable senpai ~ I’m really getting better at it, hm?”  

It wasn’t the first time Mika’s mood would change so fast after a little encouragement, so he would simply assume the Valkyrie boy operated like that. In a way, he could be so simple and complex at the same time…. Well, artsy guys, right? As usual, Kaoru would just follow the flow and adapt, his secret of success in life until now that had been working just fine.

“Ehe… yer sure reliable, Hakaze-senpai! And thank ya kindly fer helpin’ with the cramps too, it’s totally gone now…” Mika hummed happily with a relieved sigh, stretching his leg without any pain. But with that out of the way he was able to realize another important detail, tilting his head and staring at Kaoru again.

“W-wait, why yer here in my dorm room?!” His tone wasn’t accusatory, only naturally confused.

“A-ah…! Right, right, I appeared out of nowhere while you were sleeping, right? It’s nothing suspicious, I promise!” Even though speaking like this with a shy smile would come across even more suspicious for most people. “But I had a delivery to Ritsu-kun and I didn’t want to postpone it, and the door wasn’t locked… uuuuh but that’s still rude, so I apologize.”

“Waah, so that’s how it is! It’s oke, no biggie! I ended up causin’ ya some trouble too, so don’t sweat it… I think Ritsu-kun is trainin’ with Knights and gonna take a while ta come back… is there a way I can help ya though?” Mika answered casually, taking a moment to pick up the remote control and turn off the TV since no one else was watching it.

“Ah… really? But I wouldn’t want to bother you even more!” Kaoru didn’t know if he was thankful for Mika accepting the explanation so fast or if he should be worried about his well-being and common sense. But making the junior upset or anxious wouldn’t do any good either, so he just refrained from commenting on that detail.

“Nah, I wanna thank ya fer the support and Ritsu-kun’s a good friend, so everythin’ works out… ~ ♪ Leave it ta me!” 

“Haha ~ you’re really a good kid, Kagehira-kun, I’m lucky ~ ♪ Well, if you don’t mind…” Kaoru grabbed the book on the table, bringing it to Mika’s attention for the first time. He had been too busy with the cramps and embarrassment to notice it until now. 

“Rei-kun asked me to return this book to Ritsu-kun. Apparently it’s an old book from their childhood that Rei thought was lost… but he was afraid that giving it back in person could cause drama between them… etc, etc. So here I am like a messenger, because Ritsu-kun kinda likes me too. But you two seem to be closer, so I guess it’s even better…! If you are comfortable with it, of course… don’t feel obligated to do it, really?”

“Waah… I get it, kinda…” Mika hopped closer to Kaoru on the couch, curious eyes more interested in the book than any sibling drama. “This book looks real old, there’s no author… and the name’s also real old English, huh?”

“Hm? Yeah, t-that’s right, there’s no author… and can you read this, Kagehira-kun?! Do you recognize the name?” Even if Kaoru felt a bit shy about the sudden proximity, he was more surprised with Mika’s attention to such details. 

“Kind of… jus’ some few words though! This looks fancy but it’s jus’ an old word fer ‘siblings tale’... ehe, it’s kinda mysterious but it really suits Ritsu-kun ~ ♪”

“Is it?! It’s impressive that you can read even a few words, Kagehira-kun! You’re really full of surprises, huh…” Kaoru slipped his thoughts out loud, but became self-conscious after Mika looked up to him with wide eyes. “I m-mean, in a good way! Haha… then… are you sure it won’t be a problem?”

“N-not at all! I'd be happy ta help! Please tell Sakuma-senpai it’s gonna be oke… and if Ritsu-kun feels under da weather fer any reason, I’ll talk’ ta him too ~ ♪”

“Right, right… you’re a good boy, Kagehira-kun, but still I owe you one ~ ♪ So if you need a favor, don’t hesitate in telling me ~” Kaoru hummed, following a sudden urge of patting Mika’s head and watching the boy’s cheeks growing warm and red as well.

“N-nnha… n-no problem fer real…! Hakaze-senpai helped me with the cramps, so it’s all good… y-yer too kind……”  Mika froze in place, surprised with the gesture but not scared enough to withdraw or push him away. 

Kaoru quickly noticed the shift in the atmosphere and realized he was ruffling the raven hair like it was the most natural thing in the world, immediately feeling not only embarrassment, but also the sheer fear of Itsuki Shu taking over his heart. He could almost see those sharp violet eyes burning him all the way from France for daring to touch his unit partner.

“Ah… s-so… here, here is the book! Thanks for your help again, K-Kagehira-kun!” Considering that making a big deal would be more uncomfortable for both, Kaoru graciously retreated his hand to pick up the book instead and give it to Mika with a friendly smile, hoping the timing and transition would be smooth and polite.

And hopefully Mika wouldn’t feel the need to mention it to his Oshi-san and risk putting his life on the line!

“.... a-ah! O-okie! S-sure thin’!!!” After a second, Mika snapped back and held the book with both hands. He wasn’t expecting to get a sudden headpat, but asking about it when Kaoru had changed the topic didn’t feel right and maybe it was for the best. Ultimately he smiled in return, trying to follow the casual flow too.

 “S-so… I’m gonna leave it where I won’t forget, ‘cause I’m an airhead and all…!” After taking a deep breath, Mika stood up bouncing toward his bed, slipping the book under a plushie among the pillows, the same that Kaoru had stared at some minutes ago.

“Lilo-tan, please take care of this book while we wait fer Ritsu-kun, okie?” Mika smiled at the bear and patted its head like a real pet, but spurted a funny noise when he turned back, suddenly feeling self-conscious about Kaoru watching the scene with a fond smile.

“Wah… I-it just… if I keep it with Lilo-tan, I’ll see it again and remember for sure... S-since he’s always on my bed and all… s-so I’ll be sure to give it back ta Ritsu-kun! ” He tried to explain, not sure how the senior would take his habits and dynamics, something already so natural to him he didn’t think of hiding it, especially in his own room.

“It’s okay, Kagehira-kun! I believe you ~ and Lilo-tan is adorable, I’m sure he’ll take care of it ~ thanks for your service, Lilo-tan ♪” Kaoru simply waved at the bunny, after all Valkyrie’s relationship with dolls and plushies wasn’t exactly a secret. It could be quirky, but… still far from the worst thing going on among Ensemble Square idols.

“Ah… t-thank ya… ~ ♪ yer real kind, Hakaze-senpai!” Mika’s shoulders relaxed naturally, pleasantly surprised with Kaoru’s soothing response.

“Haha ~ I mean, Mademoiselle-chan would be really sad if I mistreated a friend of hers, right? Friend, cousin, uuuh… n-not sure how the genealogical tree goes for dolls and plushies, but better safe than sorry, hm?”

“Wah…?” Mika blinked, voice shifting to a soft tone and curious wide eyes. “Do… do yanno Madonee…?” 

Silence suddenly fell between them for the next moments and Kaoru had a feeling that question was particularly important to Mika, willing to answer accordingly.  

“Ah, you know, Itsuki-kun was my classmate last year, so we talked a few times… she used to call me a friend, even ~ I didn’t care about classes too much, but she was very kind to me. Itsuki-kun could be grumpier, but… it wasn’t bad to talk to him either!”

A nostalgic feeling warmed Kaoru’s heart, recalling those wild times at Yumenosaki. Despite some regrets, Mademoiselle was part of the good memories and there was no reason to hide it, rather the opposite… But Mika listening in silence with an unreadable expression caused him to second guess himself in confusion.

“Ah… d-did I say something weird?! Am I in trouble?”

“A-ah no, not at all, Hakaze-senpai…! I jus’.... I didn’t expect ya ta mention Madonee at all…” Mika confessed timidly, sighing softly and walking back to the couch with eyes still kind of lost in memories as well. Not fully pleasant ones though.

“S-sorry I spaced out… but ye… I remember Madonee mentionin’ Oshi-san’s classmates sometimes… like the arcade day...”

“Oh, yes, yes! True, we went together to the arcade and Itsuki-kun helped me with crane games ~ ♪ he was a bit distressed… ah, even I was a bit shaken, but… he managed to have some fun, I hope?” Kaoru was happy to remember that day but chose his words carefully, the last thing he wanted was to upset his junior with careless remarks. But Mika just nodded softly, his gaze turning on Lilo-tan again.

“I remember that night. ‘cause it was a good night… those were rare at the time.” 

Mika’s sudden more serious tone surprised Kaoru, and he didn’t need to ask more details to get the hint there was a weight behind those words. It was hard to know the right thing to say, but Mika continued talking and he thankfully could focus on just listening. At least a light smile showed up on the junior’s face as he pointed at Lilo-tan, pretty much for Kaoru’s relief.

“The plushie Oshi-san brought me that day… it’s Lilo-tan. So of course I couldn’t forget it too! It made me real happy… ‘cause it was Oshi-san’s gift… and it had been a while since Oshi-san had done… somethin’... anythin’. And… a-ah, sorry, I’m ramblin’.... that’s in the past and ain't Hakaze-senpai problem…” 

Mika wiped some stubborn tears threatening to blurry his vision, embarrassed with the emotions taking over without warning. But Kaoru was far from minding it, paying attention to every word and feeling a blossoming sympathy for the boy. Not to mention thanks to that confession he also understood why Lilo-tan caused him a familiar feeling.

It was endearing to know it was the plushie he and Shu plus Mademoiselle had caught together at the arcade, but Mika was still dealing with a sudden outburst, so Kaoru would rather focus on offering a helping hand through it. Some details of the story could wait for another time.

“It’s ok, Kagehira-kun! I don’t have the full picture, but… I’m glad Itsuki-kun is doing better now and it’s good to know that day helped you guys even just a bit, I had no idea. Aaaand Lilo-tan has a happy family now with you, so it’s a truly happy ending, right? ~ ♪”

Kaoru chuckled, carefully patting Mika’s head again and watching his shoulders tensing up for a moment before relaxing. He just hoped that would be a good timing for a comforting gesture, and thankfully the calm expression coming to Mika’s face along with adorable small noises seemed to validate his intuition. 

And once again he had the feeling that the boy was really cat-like, even if in a different way from Ritsu. 

“Hmhm… I guess, ye… Lilo-tan is sure family. Hmhm…....” Mika turned to Kaoru again once the gentle hand let go of his hair, looking at him with an earnest smile and slightly blushed cheeks. 

“Thank ya kindly, Hakaze-senpai. I can see why Madonee liked ya.”

“U-uhhhh…” Oh, there it was, that bright two-toned eyes again flicking a switch inside Kaoru’s mind before he could process the intense aura Mika irradiated at times. Still, he tried to play it casually and avoid saying anything too awkward.

“Haha~ you’re welcome, you’re welcome! I don’t think I did anything special, and Mademoiselle-chan was just too kind. I would always treat a lady with the utmost care, of course ~ A-ah, please send a hi from me when you talk to her again, hm?!” 

“... I can try. She hasn't been showin’ up lots, but… I think she’ll be happy fer real ya remember her.” Mika just tilted his head, wondering when Mademoiselle would manifest again and noticing Kaoru’s confused stare to his answer.  “Waaah, sorry sorry, things have changed lots since ya and Oshi-san were classmates… it jus’… huh?”

Mika would take his time to explain Mademoiselle and Shu's current situation, but the sudden loud rumbling of his stomach hit him with pure embarrassment, looking down right away and covering it with a cushion.

“Nnhhhgaaa… s-sorry… what’s that for…” 

“... Right, you were working and slept for a while, I bet you didn’t have dinner yet, hm? So… what if we continue our conversation in the kitchen? I’m sure we can prepare something quick in peace at this hour.” Kaoru just giggled softly and patted his shoulder, offering a supportive smile while getting ready to stand up.

“Hhhhgggg… b-but Hakaze-senpai already did lots fer me, I d-dun wanna bother ya even more?! Even cookin’ and all, it’s a hassle!!”

“Nah, don’t worry, I still need to eat too. It’s been a loooong day!” 

A small change of plans, but not a full lie, right? A food order would take longer to arrive and the reality shows wouldn’t go anywhere, so it wasn’t a bad turn of events.

“And it’s better to have company to cook and eat, so you would do me a favor to defeat my laziness. Lilo-tan will keep the book safe and Ritsu-kun will take a while to return, like you said. It’s all settled, so… shall we?” 

Kaoru clasped his hands together and winked playfully, watching Mika bouncing left and right and making some unintelligible noises before nodding timidly and standing up again.

“... I-if Hakaze-senpai is oke… I know I shouldn’t sleep without eatin’ somethin’… t-thank ya kindly again… yer real a nice senior ta me ~” Mika managed to look at him again, still a bit embarrassed and scratching the back of his head. But Kaoru’s soothing aura was doing wonders to help his mood as well, and he could only be thankful for the patience and understanding.

“Fufu, if you keep saying that I’ll feel spoiled, but I won’t tell you to stop ~” Kaoru wished Koga and Adonis could see him now, collecting praises from juniors like candy!

Hopefully Itsuki wouldn’t get on his case for getting close to Mika, but they were just hanging out casually, right? It wasn’t a date or anything. But …

Talking to Kagehira-kun was easier than expected every time, so Kaoru wouldn’t mind if the boy got comfortable around him as well.

“Take care of stuff while I’m out, Lilo-tan ~ ♪” Glancing kindly at the plushie without fear of judgments anymore, Mika closed the room’s door and they headed together to the kitchen in a calm stroll, chatting in a low voice to not bother the empty halls at that late hour.

“Ah, and you can tell me more about Mademoiselle-chan and the sketches you were working on, if you wanna? Those were really cool concepts…!”

“Waah, fer real? It was really jus’ doodlin’, but I’m tryin’ ta think about Valkyrie’s next concept ta show Oshi-san when he’s back…”

Meanwhile, Mika’s phone was left behind on the bed with the plushie and the book, along with a peculiar unseen message from Itsuki Shu waiting for him.

 

[ Kagehira. Just a quick question. Don’t mind me.]

[Did you do something different to your hair today?]