Disclaimer: I don't own KuroBasu

Warnings: This is crossdressing, meaning that even if one of the characters are seen as the opposite sex, they're still...well, the same. This is a yaoi and it'll be rated M in future chapters. Sorry for mistakes too!

Classified

She was a newbie in the industry.

By no means did her popularity override the big shots but she was doing abnormally well for a fresh face. And what a face it was, young, sharp, unfairly attractive and most definitely beautiful.

Kise pushed his chin further into the cusp of his hands, pressing his lips into a firm line as his forehead worried into non-existent wrinkles.

Too well.

For the past few weeks, he remembered how the manger constantly bugged him whilst holding up a weekly edition of 'Love love' magazine. The producers had requested (begged) for permission to feature one of his summer themed shots. Now Kise was an expensive case; the moment he debuted was the moment of a stardom rise for the company that hired him.

You could imagine his horror as he flipped through the latest magazine edition only to find his shoot on the thirdpage. The third page! (The audacity.) Of course it was a 'necessity' to have the front cover reserved for a new female star with the stage name 'Sei Akai'.

Kise pouted as he watched the girl being prepped up for a shoot from afar. The makeup artists and appearance-educated individuals fussed over her while she politely nodded at the feedback and criticism.

The girl was a natural-born redhead. Perhaps if she were born with common coloured hair, she wouldn't have been so popular. Then again, Kise also used his unique hair hue to his advantage. But that gives no right for Sei Akai to boost up her popularity using that method as well. Hmph.

And what kind of name was Sei Akai anyway? I doubt that's her real name.

"And her shoulders are way too broad! What is she, a man? I can't believe she scored over 40% in the viewer's choice votes." A girl frustratingly grumbled behind him, her jaw resting irritably on her hand. Beside her, a friend was making noises of agreement, nodding like the true follower she was.

"…"

Kise's lower lip jutted out as a result of his conscience. He was no better than those girls when on the particular subject. Well, if his conscience was the one causing him unease, he had better fix it.

"Should you really be saying that?" Kise propped forward, walking towards the girls but keeping his distance, his hands shoved in his school pants pockets. The girls inwardly gasped as his profile came into view. "Akai-san started from the bottom and now she is successfully battling for a spot in the top 50's.

Technically, doesn't she outrank you?" Kise turned his head, keeping his stunning bright eyes on the fearful, shaky ones of the female duo.

"K-Kise-sempai! W-we didn't-"

"But you did, didn't you?" Kise smiled good-naturedly, darting out his pointer finger and stroking his own chin while the girls quaked in their boots. What most didn't know was that good looks equalled a certain kind of intimidation, and Kise wasn't lacking in any of those two.

"All she's doing is trying to build up a career and yet she receives hate from even her work companions. It's quite a downer seeing such petty jabs come out of pretty lips." Kise took one last look at them before sighing and turning away, hands coolly shoved in his pockets.

At least they had the decency to look ashamed. They were probably going to apologize to Sei Akai now. Honestly, that's how girls are right? Kise thought fondly, slightly amused.

He too had been judging the rising model on her successful performance. Attacking the two newbies had dampened his antagonistic stance but perhaps it would ease his conscience if he were on good terms with Sei Akai. He had a feeling that the moment of their meeting was inevitable anyway. Maybe he could sweep her off her feet. She definitely wouldn't be the first girl to fall victim to a personal suave approach.

"Yes, like that!"

Flash.

"Brilliant, Kise!"

Flash flash.

"Oh, that's a nice one. You're a natural!"

Flash flash flash.

"Alright, we'll be taking more oblivious shots for the requests section. You know what to do, right?"

"Yes~" Kise replied, holding his hand up in acknowledgement, his eyes leaving he hollow barrel of the camera and the screens. "I just have to look somewhere else and present myself in a way that makes it seem like an accidental shot."

"Good boy." Tachibana cooed, directing the camera man to move further to angle Kise's face. "It's best if you keep talking to me so we'll have shots of you engaging in conversation. Expressions look the most natural if they're genuine. Unless the person is super talented like Kise-sama~"

Kise smiled.

The middle-aged women lowered her camera lens and passed it to another employee, inspecting Kise's positions and nodding. She scribbled something down on her clipboard, eyes only leaving when her star model's voice resounded.

"By the way, Tachibana-san, what do you think of the new girl?"

"New girl? You'll have to be specific, dear; we've done plenty of debuts this year."

"Sei Akai, I mean." Kise turned his face to the side, arching his eyebrows as if he were incredulous. "Obviously I would be talking about her-ssu! She's very impressive."

From the corner of his eye, the corner of Tachibana's lips quirked up in something like amusement before it disappeared.

"Ah, you're interested in learning more about her? I see, I see. Turn your head this way. Sei Akai, right? She is by no means a legend at this point but I see potential. Kise, have you seen her in action yet? She knows her surroundings and demonstrates finesse and skill with the movements of her body. Although she is far from a professional, she has skills that are quite close, if not, on par with one."

"Is she really a newbie?" Kise murmured in admiration, "that's pretty amazing."

"I'm not particularly interested. We've had many outstanding naturals who only needed to bloom. They have the ability to do exactly that as they grow splendidly through the contracts of our company. She will be no different. And on that matter, you were as popular in your grasshopper days as well but I am most drawn to your talent instead, Kise~"

Kise chuckled. "Forever loyal to me, Tachibana-san. I'm grateful."

Tachibana returned the laugh with her own, waving her hand dismissively. "If only you were a bit older, hm? I'd be all over you. Oh, now I forgot to mention. Sei Akai is too fierce for my liking. Even though she's half my age, her presence is very intimidating."

"Fierce?" Kise laughed, hearing a few flashes as his expression changed into an amused one. "Tachibana-san is scared of her?" In a matter of seconds, his eyebrows knitted and the expression of pure amusement turned into one of concern. "Has she done anything to you?"

"Good heavens, no!" The woman cleared up. "If that were to happen, Kise, she would be booted out of the company and her reputation would shatter to pieces once the fans grab onto an info leak. It's just the way she looks at you...her eyes..." She sighed. "You wouldn't know. I just get this feeling of fear, like I need to run away."

"Isn't that a bit…"

Tachibana shudders. "Oi, don't mock me. Sure she looks like an angel but up close, it's probably the opposite. You try talking to her." She muttered through a defensive tone. "She scares the living hell out of me. I suppose that's another reason why she's popular amongst the crowd. Sei Akai has huge, huge presence."

"I see." Kise hummed.

"Alright, that was a nice one. Now, straighten your back a little and bend your knee…"

xXx

"Kise, I know you've upgraded from an errand boy like you were in your early days…"

"What is it, sir?"

"Here." The big boss grabbed both of Kise's newly manicured hands and placed an envelope inside. "Keep this safe, my successful star. I know I'll have no problems entrusting this task with you."

"Sir?" The model blinked with surprise, eyes travelling down to the paper and then back to the old man's face. "Sir, you know you can just pass this on to my manager?" Kise said with a small chuckle, raising the envelope to scratch the side of his head with a corner. "I'm sure she won't bite."

"Oh, no no no, dear boy."

Kise watched in bemusement as the man twenty years his senior grabbed his wrist and huffed, patting his hand in light warning. When he released his hold on Kise's wrist, the teenager stared up, expression demanding an explanation.

"This isn't for you. I want you to deliver this."

"Oh. Certainly, sir~" Kise said with a grin. "To whom?"

"To Sei Akai."

The smile dropped from Kise's face to which the boss chuckled.

"People seem to forget that she's a new face, see. I want you to show her the ropes especially since she's quite stubborn. She needs to know that she can rely on at least one senpai."

"But sir…" Kise laughed but it sounded like one of defeat, no humour surrounding the charming lilts at all. "Me?"

"Yes, you of course!" He chortled as he outstretched his arm. At the end, his hand flapped, creating a 'shoo' gesture. "There's no one else who can do it. Now go."

xXx

Why does it have to be me… Kise sighed as his shoulders slumped. When he was just starting to bloom, this was the one habit that was polished the moment he became a candidate. No one was around now, though. The hallways of the industry were possibly endless and it was nearing 6pm. In just a few minutes, each model's room will be emptied out.

"Ah, here." He mumbled quietly, reaching the last room down a familiar, narrow corridor. Beforehand, he received intelligence that drawing room no. 76 was Sei Akai's personal room. He didn't have one himself for he didn't need one. He distinctly remembered how stressed employees labelled them their sanctuaries and used them for breathers. It wasn't unusual to request rooms however.

He raised his hand and knocked.

"Who is it?"

The voice was soft, low but the subtle lilt created an image of a young girl.

"Hello Akai-san, I'm Kise Ryouta." He greeted as cheerfully as he could manage. He opened his mouth to elaborate but the muffled voice from the other side of the room interrupted his charge.

"Wait a minute." Sei Akai ordered and Kise was reduced to waiting, staring at the door as he heard shuffling sounds from inside the room. He guessed that the newbie was getting dressed. The blond jumped, his thoughts shattered as surprise marred them when the door creaked open, revealing a slit and one big, round, shiny and red orb.

"What business do you have with me, sempai?"

"Er-" He fumbled with his words for a moment, staring into the unblinking eye of the girl. "I have this." He helplessly finished, raising an envelope into sight. "The Boss told me to give it to you. Also, it'd be great if we could sit down and talk. It's always good to build up connections and create friendships at work." He delivered his best smile. "And since you're new in the industry, I thought you would like a helping hand. I...could show you the ropes if Akai-san would like it."

Sei Akai opened the door wider with brisk movement, only to snatch the envelope from Kise's hand. The blond's jaw dropped a fraction as the door was closed shut in front of him.

What the...? Unprofessional! She didn't even slam the door too, she just closed it gently! Man, this is really killing my mood. Who does this girl think she is? Geez!

"Thank you for delivering this but I don't require help and more importantly, I do not want to trouble you nor obtain the burden of a social fix. You can go."

Oh no you don't.

"Wait a second!" Kise snapped in reply, grabbing the door knob and trying to turn it, to no avail. His voice just registered through a thick, exasperated pout. "Akai-san, you could at least show your face and greet a sempai." He chided, or at least attempted to. All his authority vanished from his sulky tone.

Suddenly, the knob twisted the opposite way from under his fingertips and Kise found himself stumbling back, startled when the door swung open. His eyes widened in surprise, hands rising defensively.

"Erk! Don't misunderstand, Akai-san, I wasn't looking for trouble-"

Akai raised her head and her eyes met his. Kise's eyebrows rose in accompaniment to his eyes widening to the size of saucers. The girl's aura was killer, her presence was overwhelming. Kise felt like he was a deer staring into a pair of quickly-approaching headlights.

Under large fluffy bangs of red revealed two round pupils of an identical colour to the strands of hair atop her head. With her hair nicely shaping her flawless face and curling inwards to create an fashionable but adorable bob-cut, the model should have made the impression of pure fragility. The fair skin, straight but small nose, dusted pink lips and perfectly levelled cheeks didn't seem to help. So why was this porcelain doll brimming with control and confidence? The way she held herself upright cancelled all thoughts of frailty and porcelain.

If he didn't understand earlier how she became so popular in so little time, now he could.

"..." Piercing eyes studied him like a predator. Then her head tilted to the side and a small smile graced her lips, each line of her face mellowing towards a friendlier vibe, her soft-looking cheeks pushing her eyes closed.

The small action made Kise flinch violently.

Then Akai opened her eyes and the smile turned glacial.

"Salutations."

The door closed in front of Kise in the manner that seemed redundant in Sei Akai's door closing.

Kise was left quivering in his shoes.

M...monster!

Yet still, Kise regained his composure quite quickly and gradually smirked.

I'm a bit intrigued.

Thanks for reading. Reviews are very appreciated XD (Hopefully) the next chapter will be out in a couple of days. Thanks again!