(Stand My Heroes) 1st Anniversary, Short Story

[nhp]

1st Anniversary Book: Original Short Story by Haruka Yumi

 

Presenting you with the behind-the-scenes of the photoshoot for the front cover! Just who comes to mind for these five men when they’re clad in a tuxedo…?

(Here's the official tweet with a preview of the cover so you have an idea of what they're wearing: LINK)

 

* * *

 

Early December 2017.

At a certain location in the Tokyo metropolis, the photoshoot for the cover of “Stand My Heroes 1st Anniversary Book” was taking place. The ones cladding themselves in an all-white tuxedo and being flooded with the light from the flashing camera were: Aoyama Itsuki, Arakida Sosei, Tsuduki Kyosuke, Maki Keita, and Yamazaki Kaname.

This is a story about members who normally would not have encountered each other in the same building; a story of how they were entrusted with the grave duty of being in charge of the fan book's front cover. Their expressions are the definition of seriousness itself. 

 

 

Kyosuke: Okay…… That was the last shot so we’ll call it a wrap? Roger that~

 

 

…… It appears as if they’ve just finished with the entire photoshoot. 

——And upon stealthily peeping from the shadows at the state of that studio still teeming with energy…… 

 

 

Maki: …… Is it finally okay to get up now?

 

Kyosuke: Yep. They said that they’ve perfectly captured all the shots that they needed.

 

Aoyama: Despite being told that it was going to be an authentic photoshoot in a studio, it wasn’t actually all that difficult.

 

Maki: I was struggling quite a bit though…… You’re pretty amazing.

 

Kyosuke: Actually, I was thinking of hearing a bit more on that matter from everyone later, but first things first…… Thanks for all your hard work everyone.

 

Aoyama: Yeah, good work.

 

Arakida: …… Good job.

 

Kaname: …… Are we done……? Yaaawwn…...oh—

 

Maki: Hey, are you okay? Your legs are wobbling.

 

Kaname: Hmm…… Don’t you think the heating in this room is working too effectively? I’ve been laying down the whole time too so it’s more unreasonable to tell me not to get sleepy…… 

 

Kyosuke: That bed was pretty comfortable after all. Everyone here had a scene where they closed their eyes, right? I thought for sure that I would fall dead asleep sinking into those sheets as it was.

 

Aoyama: I was also able to feel really relaxed during that scene. 

 

Arakida: …… (Being able to fall asleep or feel relaxed during a photoshoot, and in those conditions…… I don’t get the feeling that I’ll be able to understand these people for the rest of my life……)

 

 

For the time being, the photoshoot was wrapped up with no casualties and the five of them began to show their usual natural face. It seems that whatever awkward atmosphere present at first had also slightly started to mellow out. 

 

 

Kyosuke: Hey, so how was today’s photoshoot? This was a rare opportunity after all, so I wanted to ask you all about your thoughts.

 

Maki: Our thoughts, huh…… In any case, you really gave off the feeling of being in your zone, Kyosuke. You even finely covered for us when we didn’t know what to do in front of the camera.

 

Arakida: …… You really saved us there. 

 

Kyosuke: I’m glad to be of help. Since this type of setting is more in line with my regular work, I have to at least show off some of my strong points.

 

Kaname: Isn’t it somewhat unfair to have the match in only your line of work?

 

Aoyama: It’s not like we’re competing or anything.

 

Kyosuke: Hmmm, well the photoshoot was something like an extension of my usual work so…… But weren’t you acting pretty natural yourself when the camera was focused on you, Kaname-kun? Even the photographer praised you.

 

Kaname: I was only making an effort so that it would seem that way. To be honest, I’m still not used to wearing this sort of outfit at all.

 

Maki: There aren’t really many opportunities for a high school student to wear a tuxedo after all.

 

Kaname: And an all-white one too. Even at the parties that Kujo-san took me along with him to, I’ve honestly never come across anyone wearing this sort of thing before. 

 

Aoyama: Having said all that though, aren’t you dressed up perfectly well?

 

Kaname: Obviously, that’s a given.

 

Maki: I did think that it was a difficult outfit to wear, but…… it’s pretty amazing that it looks good on everyone. 

 

Arakida: …… (I was nervous and didn’t think on it that much so it didn’t cross my mind, but…… Could this outfit be…… for that sort of occasion?)

 

Kyosuke: I think there were a number of people saying that the original design was handsome, but this style of outfit is also extremely quite attractive——

 

Arakida: …… (If the relationship takes that turn then that must mean that a certain level of stuff and other various things will happen…… right? No, but surely the important thing is each other’s intentions, so how……)

 

Kyosuke: ——eyy, Sosei-saaan? Are you listening?

 

Arakida: !? ………… Of course I was listening.

 

Kaname: No, you were definitely in your own world just now.

 

Kyosuke: Yeah, your face is bright red.

 

Arakida: Wha—no, you’re wrong—this is!!

 

Kyosuke: Ahaha. I want to know what you’ve been fantasizing about, Sosei-san~

 

Arakida: …… There’s no such thing. More importantly, you know, er…… I want to talk about Aoyama-san.

 

Aoyama: What? Why me?

 

Arakida: That’s because…… you were too perfect during the photoshoot, Aoyama-san.

 

Maki: Oh, I was surprised by that too.

 

Aoyama: Is that so? I was just acting how I normally would though. 

 

Kyosuke: In your case, you weren’t purposely posing or anything right? Yet, you were completely on point just by being there. I also thought that you were plenty amazing after seeing that. Nothing less to expect from Matori’s Ace!

 

Aoyama: Well, of course. If we’re stating the obvious, then that’s a given.

 

Kaname: …… What an extremely smug face.

 

Aoyama: Is that a problem?

 

Maki: …… (Speaking of that, he had quite the smug face throughout the photoshoot too……)

 

Arakida: …… (In some other ways, this person is pretty amazing……)

 

Maki: But I’m jealous that you can naturally start looking good for the camera without feeling self-conscious. It took all I had to just pose and put on a face as instructed…… And I struggled quite a bit with it too.

 

Arakida: …… It was difficult to move because I was conscious of the camera.

 

Kaname: Really? It was fine as long as you moved like you were told to. It was really easy for me though. 

 

Maki: …… (The way he said that just now…… I feel the same vibes from Aoyama-san coming off of him……)

 

Arakida: …… (An Aoyama Replacement Army……)

 

Aoyama: Oi. Arakida and Maki—why are you looking back and forth at me and Kaname?

 

Maki & Arakida: It’s nothing.

 

Aoyama: ……? Well, okay, I guess. By the way, you’ve been bombarding us with questions up until now, but how was the photoshoot for you as well, younger Tsuduki?

 

Maki: That’s right. Some of us here were able to pull it off well, but it still came down to being a photoshoot with amateurs. Wasn’t it harder to work with since it was different from the usual people? 

 

Kyosuke: Nope, it was actually refreshing so it was super fun. It was enough to make me think that I’d want to have another photoshoot with the members here. 

 

Arakida: No, that’s just your——

 

Kaname: I wouldn’t mind.

 

Aoyama: Haha. Count me in any time.

 

Maki: If you’re asking it as a favor, Kyosuke, then…… Well, I’ll join in next time too……

 

Kyosuke: Great. Then, of course, that includes you too right, Sosei-san?

 

Arakida: …… Hah? No, like I said, I’m—

 

Kyosuke: Ahaha, with the way things are headed, you’re not actually going to refuse or anything, right?

 

Arakida: ………… 

 

Kyosuke: Right?

 

Arakida: …… I’m in.

 

Maki: …… (He was walked all over……) 

 

 

Whatever the case, it seems that after overcoming today’s photoshoot, they were all able to truly open up to one another. And now, the conversation picks up a little bit more momentum... 

 

 

Kaname: By the way, I had a question. In the end, why did we have a photoshoot in this outfit again? 

 

Kyosuke: Well of course, isn’t that because they want to fantasize about that? Right, Sosei-san?

 

Arakida: Wha—! …… Don’t ask me.

 

Aoyama: Well, I did have an inkling that was the intention…… But it’s certainly not a bad idea either to make her fantasize about that every now and then.

 

Kaname: Her, you say…… Heh, so you have someone like that?

 

Aoyama: Of course. Unlike you kids, I’m an adult.

 

Kaname: Hmmm. High school students nowadays aren’t all that different from adults, you know.  

 

Kyosuke: That’s quite the big talk there, Kana-kun.

 

Kaname: How about you, Kyosuke-kun?

 

Kyosuke: Well now, who knows? More importantly, don’t you want to try asking Sosei-san about his relationships with women?

 

Aoyama: We might as well get into it while we’re at it. 

 

Arakida: ……!? I don’t really have anything like that!!

 

Maki: ………… 

 

Kyosuke: …… Huh? What’s wrong, Kei-chan? You’ve suddenly gone silent.

 

Maki: Oh, yeah, how should I put it…… I was just thinking about when would be the next time I’d be wearing this tuxedo.

 

Kyosuke: The next time? Oh…… 

 

Aoyama: Isn’t that obvious?

 

Kaname: …… Pretty much, huh.

 

Arakida: ………… 

 

Maki: ………… 

 

 

Those words that were unexpectedly brought up, silently ignited a heat within their chests. 

For these five men clad in an all-white tuxedo, the one who came to mind in each of their hearts was……  

 

 

Arakida: (Walking down that path together with someone…… I still can’t imagine myself doing something like that at all. But……)

 

Aoyama: (She would definitely look beautiful and adorable in something like a wedding dress. I’d want to show her off, but how should I put it…… I don’t want anyone else looking at her……) 

 

Kaname: (...... Surprisingly, that sort of wear seems like it would suit that person. But they would definitely feel shy and look embarrassed.)

 

Maki: (If I think about that sort of stuff now…… Then there’s only one person for me.)

 

Kyosuke: (...... If that day comes, then the one standing beside me and laughing will be……)

 

 

“——That’s right.”

 

“The next time I’ll be wearing this all-white tuxedo will be when——”

“——I swear I’ll make you happy.”

 

 

What was secretly imprinted within their hearts was the image of that someone they yearned for. 

And where “he” stood, intently wishing upon your future together, the gentle ringing of the bells could be heard echoing from somewhere...... 

 

Fin.