It was so quiet inside the Director’s office that one could hear a needle if it fell on the floor.

Kyota and Sato both waited for the information to sink into Kyosuke's brain, while the man himself resembled a stone statue rather than a living human.  

However, as soon as Sato’s reply clicked inside his brain, the young man sprang to his feet like a bowstring.

"What and what?! You want me to photoshoot for an underwear brand?!" He shouted in disbelief.

"What's wrong? Aren't you a model as well as an actor?" Kyota asked, looking unperturbed by this sudden outburst.

"I am, but when I signed the contract we made a deal. We agreed that I will never have to take my clothes off!"

"You are a professional, so you should be able to adapt." Kyota retorted, his words sounding harsh and cutting like the edge of a blade.

"That's a breach of contract!" Kyosuke gritted out raucously.

"Actually, it's not. What we had was only a verbal agreement. We never signed on it."

Kyota continued to deal blows at Kyosuke with each sentence.

This caused Kyosuke's complexion to become even more altered. The color on his face was now a peculiar combination between bright red and ghostly white.

"Even so, we agreed! You gave me YOUR WORD!" Kyosuke strongly emphasized on the last part of his sentence.

"I did the same for my client and they are the ones paying. Therefore, you will have to do it, whether you like it or not." Kyota concluded mercilessly.

"But... But..."

"If you don't, then I'll have Sato do it instead."

"WHAT?!" Both Kyosuke and Sato cried out at the same time.

'Wait a minute. What does your childish squabble have to do with me? Please keep your silly stubbornness away from me, thank you very much.' Sato grumbled silently.

With that last sentence Kyota finally dealt the maximum possible damage. He knew very well just how much Kyosuke cared for his cousin, and he was counting on that affection and friendship to force Kyosuke into submission. The man was as sly as a fox trying to fool a silly cat.

Just as expected, as soon as those words fell he could see the puffed up Kyosuke gradually deflating. He looked like a balloon without air. Even though his teeth were still gritted with terrible frustration, Kyota was almost certain that the young man wouldn't refuse now.

"You're truly despicable, Kyota-san." Kyosuke struggled to breathe out. His fists were so tightly clenched that his knuckles had begun to turn white.

"Yes, yes, I'm all that. But you'll thank me later." Kyota waved a hand dismissively. "Now, since it's a full body photoshoot, make sure to eat lightly these next few days. No grease or junk food. After all, you want to look your best and show me how a ‘really popular’ man handles things, isn’t that right?"

Kyota smirked, pushing his glasses up with his index finger.

"I'll remember this. I'll definitely remember it, you know!" Kyosuke threatened. His entire body was now trembling due to suppressed frustration.

"I sure hope you will. It was such a pain to get you this job that I'd feel cheated if you were to forget about it so easily." Kyota drawled. 

Thus, all of Kyosuke's hissing and claw bearing did nothing to affect his boss. At least not in the way he wanted. 

Instead, it provided Director Kyota Rikatsu with a source of amusement which eventually lasted for the entire work day.

 ~~~

After that short incident, the tense atmosphere gradually subsided and Kyosuke slumped back onto the couch. Nevertheless, he remained silent throughout the entire time they stayed in Kyota's office.

Meanwhile, the latter asked Sato a few questions about himself, gently probing to see how he was doing. Then, they decided to head out for lunch. 

Just as they got to the parking lot, Kyosuke suddenly stopped walking.

"I'm not going. I'm heading home." 

Saying that, he crossed his arms and spread his legs. Both his posture and expression made him look just as stubborn and bristled like a wild cat.

"Suit yourself." Kyota shrugged impassively. "But just so you know, I'm cutting your food expenses until the photoshoot is done."

"I dislike you profoundly!" Kyosuke bit out, feeling on the brink of desperation.

First, he was blackmailed into accepting that dreadful job and now, he was threatened with hunger. Who on earth had seen such an awful Director?!

"Pfft!"

This time, Kyota couldn't hold back his laughter. He chuckled until his entire body was shaking.

The man was finally able to speak only after a short while.

"Now that's a very elegant way of saying you hate me. Alright, I understand. Then go home and be a good boy. Since the restaurant reservation has already been made, and it would be a pity to lose it, Sato will stay to have lunch with me."

"But... Sato!" Kyosuke whined like a wounded puppy.

"Go." Sato shot him a calming smile. "Kyota-san will drive me home afterwards, right?" Sato turned to look at the director, but the man was already walking towards his car.

Sato sighed and shook his head. He had a feeling that Kyota had planned this all along just to make Kyosuke angry. But he could never be too sure when it came to that person’s train of thought.

When he got inside the car, Sato couldn’t help but chide softly. 

"You might have gone a little bit too far this time." 

"Hmm, you think so?” Kyota hummed. “And here I was, thinking I went too soft on him."

"Why do you always pick on Kyosuke? You know, if you don’t go easier on him, one of these days he'll really start hating you."

"I don't care as long as he does his job perfectly." Kyota retorted firmly, his forehead creasing slightly. "Sato, I want him to shine. I want all of you to shine. But neither one of you will be able to do that if you keep running away from the things you don't like.”