[Jun doesn't deny it or bluster something like "not that often." He really does watch him sleep, presumably with a loving look on his face! And, well, that makes him feel giddy.]
Then maybe you should stay sometimes. I know you have your morning routine, but it seems like it wouldn't hurt to sleep in every now and then. Especially since we don't have jobs here!
[Too bad there isn't any sleeping through this next conversation.
He's unable to maintain eye contact as he explains the "loophole." Only once he's finished does he look at Jun's face. He's sort of afraid of what he'll see there. An incredulous look would be the most logical assumption. He can only hope Jun isn't disturbed that he even suggested this. He can already hear the "Uh, is this some kinda joke?"
But Jun doesn't ask if it's a joke. Instead, with a confused frown on his face, he says he "doesn't really get it." Which just causes Hiyori's brow to furrow back in response. What's there to get?? But well, getting it and agreeing to it are two different things. ]
I meant... well... if someone, er... if they watched us together...
[His face grows even more red. Goodness this is hard.]
Or if we had an audience member or two, then... then we might be able to get cards without having to cheat on each other. I don't know why they'd allow that loophole. But if the goal is just to "share something intimate" with someone, then I guess I can see where that would still count.
[Or, less charitably, if the goal is to humiliate them and gather blackmail, then encouraging them to do "that" sort of performance together would suit the House's purposes just fine.
His stomach squirms, and he stumbles over his own words. Hua Cheng planted the seed about that "loophole" at the beginning of the month, so he's actually been thinking about this for a couple of weeks at this point. But it's one thing to think about something and another to voice the words out loud in front of Jun, who looks plainly baffled by what he's saying. It's not like he wants this. He hates the thought of capitulating to the resort's demands. And even as a performer, this goes far beyond "fanservice" and into the realm of the taboo. Something far more intimate. Something career-ending, if they were ever caught at home. They'd be dragging their sparkling clean images through the mud.
Still, when it comes to what he wants to protect, he has his priorities. And protecting his image—despite the fact that he spent years perfecting it, and despite the fact that he really, truly loves "the idol called Hiyori Tomoe" from the bottom of his heart—has simply less important to him than protecting their lives and their hearts. Than protecting Jun's life and Jun's heart.
But it's still a lot. The thought of doing that stuff in front of someone else, when he and Jun have been dating for only a few months. They've collected each other's "card" over and over, but there are still things they haven't tried on their own yet. Taking audience members at such an early point, when their relationship is still blossoming and they're still discovering what they like, does feel wrong. It's too much, too soon, this place always demanding more and more from them. Sometimes it seems like it won't be satisfied until it's drained them of everything. That, too, would line up with what Jin Mingming said.
But he still has something left in him. He squeezes Jun's hands tighter, looking straight into his eyes this time.]
I'm not saying we should do it. I know it sounds absurd. I just thought I'd mention it, since it's the only loophole I've heard of. And because I want to make sure we both have the same information. Jun-kun's my partner, so I shouldn't be keeping anything from him.
no subject
Then maybe you should stay sometimes. I know you have your morning routine, but it seems like it wouldn't hurt to sleep in every now and then. Especially since we don't have jobs here!
[Too bad there isn't any sleeping through this next conversation.
He's unable to maintain eye contact as he explains the "loophole." Only once he's finished does he look at Jun's face. He's sort of afraid of what he'll see there. An incredulous look would be the most logical assumption. He can only hope Jun isn't disturbed that he even suggested this. He can already hear the "Uh, is this some kinda joke?"
But Jun doesn't ask if it's a joke. Instead, with a confused frown on his face, he says he "doesn't really get it." Which just causes Hiyori's brow to furrow back in response. What's there to get?? But well, getting it and agreeing to it are two different things. ]
I meant... well... if someone, er... if they watched us together...
[His face grows even more red. Goodness this is hard.]
Or if we had an audience member or two, then... then we might be able to get cards without having to cheat on each other. I don't know why they'd allow that loophole. But if the goal is just to "share something intimate" with someone, then I guess I can see where that would still count.
[Or, less charitably, if the goal is to humiliate them and gather blackmail, then encouraging them to do "that" sort of performance together would suit the House's purposes just fine.
His stomach squirms, and he stumbles over his own words. Hua Cheng planted the seed about that "loophole" at the beginning of the month, so he's actually been thinking about this for a couple of weeks at this point. But it's one thing to think about something and another to voice the words out loud in front of Jun, who looks plainly baffled by what he's saying. It's not like he wants this. He hates the thought of capitulating to the resort's demands. And even as a performer, this goes far beyond "fanservice" and into the realm of the taboo. Something far more intimate. Something career-ending, if they were ever caught at home. They'd be dragging their sparkling clean images through the mud.
Still, when it comes to what he wants to protect, he has his priorities. And protecting his image—despite the fact that he spent years perfecting it, and despite the fact that he really, truly loves "the idol called Hiyori Tomoe" from the bottom of his heart—has simply less important to him than protecting their lives and their hearts. Than protecting Jun's life and Jun's heart.
But it's still a lot. The thought of doing that stuff in front of someone else, when he and Jun have been dating for only a few months. They've collected each other's "card" over and over, but there are still things they haven't tried on their own yet. Taking audience members at such an early point, when their relationship is still blossoming and they're still discovering what they like, does feel wrong. It's too much, too soon, this place always demanding more and more from them. Sometimes it seems like it won't be satisfied until it's drained them of everything. That, too, would line up with what Jin Mingming said.
But he still has something left in him. He squeezes Jun's hands tighter, looking straight into his eyes this time.]
I'm not saying we should do it. I know it sounds absurd. I just thought I'd mention it, since it's the only loophole I've heard of. And because I want to make sure we both have the same information. Jun-kun's my partner, so I shouldn't be keeping anything from him.