au yeah autumn challenge

[sunrises]

Soulmates - Riku / Namine (Kingdom Hearts)
College - Lloyd Irving / Colette Brunel
Single parent - Tyler Lockwood / Caroline Forbes
Enemy - Ochaco Uraraka / Izuku Midoriya
Laundromat - Peyton Leverett / Maxine Hunkel
Hogwarts - Stefan Salvatore / Misty Day
Famous - Tom Bronson / Sharpay Evans
Kwami swap (Power Swap) - Yato / Hiyori Iki
Summer Camp - Evan Tildrum / Tani (Ni No Kuni II)
Secret agent - Izuku Midoriya + Bakugou Katsuki
Mermaid - Senel Coolidge / Shirley Fennes
Royalty - Stefan Salvatore / Jesse Wells
Fake dating - Stefan Salvatore / Freya Mikaelson
Reincarnation - Jason Grace / Piper McLean
Life Swap - Stefan Salvatore + Eugene Woods
Neighbors - Roxas / Olette (Kingdom Hearts)
Sidekick - Iris West + Ashley Williams
Circus - Shizuku Mizutani / Haru Yoshida
Reverse Crush - Katsuki Bakugou (MHA) / Leila (Riordan-verse)
Coffee shop - Ryuji Sakamato / Makoto Niijima
Childhood Friends - Stefan Salvatore / Elena Gilbert
Crime - Tenko Midoriya + Hana Midoriya + Izuku Midoriya
Historical - Barry Allen / Iris West
Office / workplace - Sebastian Debeste / Kay Faraday
Friends with Benefits - Goro Akechi / Haru Okumura
bff swap - Sean Diaz / Ally Parker
Internet - Masayuki Hori / Yuu Kashima
Gym - Eijiro Kirishima / Katsuki Bakugou
Time travel - Max Carson / Lester Papadopoulos
Roommates - Jeremy Gilbert / Kol Mikaelson
"Dealer's Choice" - Roland Crane + Evan Tildrum

PROGRESS: 31/31

Comments

Internet - Masayuki Hori / Yuu Kashima | wordcount: 2,660

[sunrises]

Kashima had found a new and honestly, kind of dangerous hobby. Hori should've seen it coming when she had skipped drama practice again, only to re-emerge with a new Instagram account and a bright smile that could've blinded a lesser man.

“Look, senpai!” Kashima was glowing as she held up her screen, scrolling down her feed and pointing to the numbers besides the hearts. “I don't exactly get it, but I've gotten a ton of likes already!”

At the time, all he could do was blink back surprise and go, “Well, of course you did.”

Her expression - bright, warm, comforting - had been worth it. Even if he had to drag her back on stage by the collar, grumbling all the while about hobbies and free time and her terrible time management. Most social media was a passing flight of fancy, especially at their age; how was he supposed to know or think those likes would exponentially grow every week beyond any of their wildest imaginations?

Hori was used to girls fawning over Kashima at school. He was used to guys giving Kashima the stink-eye, just as he was used to pulling her away from whatever stupid shenanigans she deemed worthier than drama practice. He wasn't used to random people on the street, or the train, or even in pop-up cafes stopping by, interrupting a peaceful afternoon out, and grabbing a selfie with Kashima.

They barged in their booth with little fanfare, giggling as they whispered and tried to confirm Kashima's identity, like she was - like she was actually someone famous.

(Was this a sneak peek at what their lives may look like in five or ten years??)

“Mikoshiba said I 'went viral' the other week?” Kashima explained, scratching her cheek between awkward selfies. Those girls had no eye for composition; at the same time, they seemed to be enjoying themselves. “That's why I got an extra ten thousand followers.”

Hori almost choked on his drink, “T-ten thousand?”

“I think it's twelve thousand now? I really don't get it.”

“Says the girl with twelve thousand people liking her photos.” Hori groaned, running his hands through his hair.

Of all people in the universe, Kashima had to be standing in its epicenter. She had to have everyone peering at her and fawning over her for - for what, existing? They hadn't even seen her at her best, let alone in motion. Boy, were people fickle, grasping onto beauty without understanding just what made said beauty sparkle brighter than every diamond in the universe.

“Well…" Kashima laughed, with that nervous tone that always precluded something incredibly stupid, “I might've posted a couple of videos too. For challenges they're doing like Pizza and Mannequin.”

She decided to look like a fool in front of the whole internet. Great. Just great. Right before the Cultural Festival, too! For a diamond, she sure was a rough-cut one, running headfirst into danger without a second thought!

Hori grimaced, raising his head to berate her in front of her young and adoring fans -

“Oh, senpai!” One of the girls beamed, clasping her hands together. “You're going to do the Boyfriend Does My Make-Up Challenge, right? With that redhead guy we've seen you a lot with? It would look so cute!”

Kashima blinked back surprise, laughing it off with a wave, “That's a sweet thought. Maybe someday, Princess.”

As usual, the girl melted in Kashima's palm, grabbing a selfie before returning to her gaggle of enthralled friends.

Yet Kashima's face remained neutral - too neutral. Hori paused, taking note of her furrowed brow and the minute creases on her forehead. Something about that last sentence had bothered her (was it because she didn't have said boyfriend for said stupid challenge)? Anyone would think Mikoshiba-san was her boyfriend, sure, given how often those two lived for photos and slacking off, but he suspected that wasn't the thing gnawing at her.

“You really want to do that stupid challenge, don't you?”

Kashima laughed, sitting up straighter and taking one long gulp of her milkshake. "What? No, of course not! Who would even want to be on camera with me for something like that –"

I would, Hori realized, as he leaned forward, resting both elbows on the table. He would, and he would do his damnedest to ensure she looked like the sparkling prince everyone knew, rather than whatever passed for casual photos online. He wasn't sure what such a challenge entailed, but he could look that up when he got home.

Nozaki, Mikoshiba, and Sakura could handle a night without him, probably. Maybe. Hopefully.

“Really?” Kashima's gaze softened - really, truly softened. “In that case, let's do it tomorrow, in the drama club room!”

“Before everyone gets in.” Hori narrowed his eyes, folding his hands and reminding them both of the inevitable truth. “So you're coming early, right when the bell rings.”

“Okay." Kashima never agreed, not without a fight, but her expression had melted into pure relief. “I'll be there.”






During the last class, Hori acquired permission to leave early and to head straight for the club room. He wasn't sure how much make-up the club had on hand (not without consulting the vice-president), and frankly, this felt too personal to drag anyone else in. One, Kashima's Instagram - and accompanying Youtube - account wasn't technically a club matter. Two, the less people witnessing them, the better.

Three, he wanted to film this stupid challenge on a decent camera rather than what passed for a camera on Kashima’s cell phone. He had scrolled through her videos last night; most were blurry, with Mikoshiba’s laughter front and center. None of them were polished, let alone clear enough to showcase her true ability.

Hori knelt down, finagling with the loaner webcam from the library and adjusting the lens for the best angle. If he placed it there, beside the desktop rather than on it, maybe it would capture them both just fine...

The club maintained the three-tier box with care, too; Hori would have to mentally note which items would run low and re-pay them later (using his own funds, of course). As he opened the box, he inspected the brushes, the eyeshadows, the blush, foundations, whatever would make the most sense for the look they would go for today.

Youtube hadn't given him much hope or inspiration. Most boyfriends were illiterate, let alone coordinated - their lines were shaky; their colors clashed; and the best of them couldn't pull a look together if they tried. The humor seemed to draw from their lack of knowledge.

As the last bell rang, the door slid open.

“Hi, senpai–” Kashima drew in a breath, sliding towards him and surveying the scene. “You did all this for me?”

“Not just for you,” Hori retorted, almost amused as he grabbed a swivel chair. “The cultural festival’s in a couple of weeks. We can’t have all of Japan thinking anything ill of our star prince.”

Her expression deflated - for a split second - before that calm, unassuming grin returned.

“Yeah, of course,” she echoed, sliding into the chair he had provided. “So what look are we doing today?”

“Leave it to me.” Hori stepped to the side, turning his gaze towards the camera. “Well, leave it to me after you get the camera rolling.”

Kashima nodded, scooting closer to the webcam and drawing in a breath before turning it on. As she spoke to her viewers and followers, she lit up - not like on stage, where she inhabited the role of a prince with fervor but as if she had welcomed the idea of her niche fame and ushered it in.

Her voice was almost intoxicating, and he almost missed her saying –

“… isn’t my boyfriend, but he really wanted to help me with this so please welcome Hori-senpai to the ‘My Not-Boyfriend Does My Make-Up Challenge!’”

She tugged on his arm, pulling him closer to the camera.

Hori waved, “Hey, everyone.”

“You excited, Senpai?” Kashima was balling her fists together, like she did before every big play premiere - the difference being that this time, she wasn’t the one standing before the camera.

This time, he would take center stage, turning Kashima and letting his skills speak for themselves.

“As excited as I’ll ever be,” he said with a slight laugh, rolling up his sleeves for dramatic effect and swiveling her around. “Now hold still.”

Kashima closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair and clutching the armrests for support. When she was this vulnerable, she almost looked cute. Almost, because Hori could feel the blush rushing to his cheeks - and he wasn’t getting flustered over Kashima. That must’ve been the adrenaline talking!

He reached for concealer first, applying it under her eyes and smoothing it in her skin with his fingertips. Then came the foundation, matched with her wrist before applying it on her face.

Kashima’s lips twitched in a smile, and honestly, Hori couldn’t help matching such an expression. This wasn’t the green room, an hour before their first performance when everyone and their mom was in a rush. This was an internet challenge - Mikoshiba would edit it later for clarity. These moments would be sped up, when really…

All Hori wanted was to slow it all down, rather than map out her face for slight contours. Strong stage make-up would drown her face out in normal, every day circumstances, and he didn’t need a full-face look with thick maps. Instead, he highlighted her cheekbones with a lighter, glittery powder, ignoring the sparkles sticking to his fingertips. He traced her water line with a thin black eyeliner, just as he traced the edges of her lips with a reddish-pink lip liner. He filled in those lip lines with a proper, similar lipstick color; he covered her eyelids with shimmery skin-tinted eye cream, and to top it off - he brightened her eyes by applying a lighter shade in the inner corners of her eyelids.

He filled in her brow, opting to keep a polished look - all this time, Kashima hadn’t said a word. Her entire body had felt limp (a little too limp, really) yet comforting. She trusted him, really trusted him, with every inch of her being.

If only she would be this cooperative during actual play practice…

“Kashima?” He nudged her, in case she’d fallen asleep (hey, it wouldn’t be the first or the last time). “Open your eyes for me, okay?”

“Okay.” She followed his order, opening her eyes and peering back at him with a sleepy smile. “How’s it going?”

“You’ll see in a second,” he promised, kneeling down to apply her mascara. “Aaand we’re done. What do you think?”

He swiveled her chair around, turning her back towards the camera - and in turn, towards the mirror the computer screen provided.

Kashima stared at her reflection, tugging on the ends of her hair and peering at the level of detail Hori had included.

“Wow.” She drew in a delighted, speechless breath. “Senpai! It’s so light. Like I’m not wearing any make-up at all!”

“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “It’s my favorite way of doing make-up.”

Magazines called it the ‘no make-up’ make-up look, but even that felt like a falsehood - if he had named it, he would’ve called it the sunshine. Her slight shimmers, from her highlighter to her eye cream and blush, brightened the screen with little effort. She could tie her hair back or leave it as-is and it would remain as bright and pure as - As she looked right now.

“Thank you.” She turned back to face him, curling her hair between her fingers. “It’s a really pretty look.”

“Um.” Hori swallowed, feeling his ears burning a bright red. “Anytime, Kashima.”

“There you have it!” Kashima beamed into the camera, holding onto Hori’s wrist with unnatural force. She flashed a victory sign into the camera, twisting his hand so he did the same with awkward, flinched movements, “Hori-senpai has mastered the Not-My-Boyfriend Challenge!! If you like what you saw, don’t forget to like or subscribe!”

She pressed the ‘stop’ button, saving and closing the window with an ungraceful sigh.

“Whew!” She leaned back, stretching her arms. “That was really fun!”

“Yeah.” Hori re-stocked the tiers, careful to leave everything (brushes included) the way he found it.

In a few short minutes, the rest of the drama club would join them, and practice would begin. Business would be as usual - albeit, with Kashima looking more like a princess than a prince. Part of Hori knew he would have to wipe the look off. Part of him also wished she would remain that way, at least for the rest of the afternoon…

“You’re staring,” Kashima murmured, leaning into him and resting her head on his shoulder. “Is everything okay?”

“Never been better,” Hori sputtered out, flinching at her touch. He kept his gaze on the boxes as he returned everything to their proper place, focusing on the movement of his hands, not the warmth Kashima provided, not the comfort of her touch, not - Not anything else about this (self-inflicted) situation.

He had asked her to let him do her make-up. He had rented out the space before anyone else arrived, and he had been the one noting her inner beauty and polishing it up like the diamond she was.

Of all people, he didn’t get to see her shine and then decide he felt different. He was Hori. She was Kashima.

Life wasn’t going to change just because his heart twisted at her glow, let alone at how she held him like he was the weak, vulnerable one. Honestly, he hated it most of the time. He wasn’t weak. He wasn’t into Kashima. He wasn’t, he wasn’t, he wasn’t, he…

He was into her, and he was a fool for not seeing it that much earlier. Hori swallowed, ignoring the sudden twisting of his gut.

“You don’t feel fine,” Kashima pointed out, tightening her hold. “Is it being-on-camera? Because you love that.”

“No, not that.” Hori could admit that much with honesty, allowing himself a laugh. “It’s…”

He glanced over at her. If he told her the truth, things would change between them. Things would really, truly change - and he wasn’t sure if either of them were ready.

“I’ve got something between my teeth?” She offered, pointing to her mouth and giving him a wide smile.

Under normal circumstances, he would’ve elbowed her.

In this light, Hori conceded to his feelings, “No. You’re - you look great.”

“Oh!” Kashima’s eyes lit up, brighter than any glitter he could’ve thrown on her face, as she melted into his shoulder. “You should’ve said so earlier.”

“And miss the rare, once-in-a-lifetime chance of you showing up early?” He was playing with fire, and he knew it, as he swerved to face her and hopefully taunt her by pulling on her tie and -

His lips were pressing up against hers - His lips were! Kissing hers!!

Kashima stared back at him, eyes wide. “Senpai, I,” her voice was breathless.

“It’s okay.” Hori sighed, with all the fondness in the universe at all his rotten luck.

It wasn’t, because an accidental kiss wasn’t really how he planned to start the afternoon off, much less an actual stupid relationship but if it was going to happen -

He might as well cup her face in his hands, stand up on his tip-toes, and return the favor. If she was going to play with fire, in this dumb, dangerous hobby of hers, he might as well make this as obvious as possible.

As he pulled away, he confessed, “Next time, if you’re ever going to do one of these stupid challenge-things…. you’re going to call me your boyfriend.”

Re: Internet - Masayuki Hori / Yuu Kashima | wordcount: 2,660

[inamerata]

yesssss

this is so good!! thank u for writing and sharing this, what a cute story ;;

[sunrises]

aaah thank you for suggesting this prompt!! it was super fun :>