Chapter 10: The Agency Meeting from Hell (And Why Am I Suddenly His Official Boyfriend?!)
I always thought Mondays were the worst day of the week.Turns out, Monday PLUS a trending scandal PLUS being dragged to the headquarters of the biggest entertainment agency in Japan is… worse.
Way worse.
"Riku, explain to me why I'm here," I whispered for the 87th time as we walked through the sleek, terrifyingly expensive lobby.
He didn't answer. He was too busy looking like a damn fashion ad—hair tied up, sunglasses on, wearing a black coat that probably cost more than my rent for a year.
Meanwhile, I looked like… well, like a college student who rolled out of bed and forgot his soul at home.
"Relax," he said smoothly, adjusting his cuffs. "Just follow my lead."
"FOLLOW YOUR LEAD?! Your lead is the reason we're trending under #VampireIdolAndBoyfriend!" I hissed.
He smirked. "Cute hashtag, though."
"RIKU—!"
The elevator opened to a floor that looked like something out of a corporate dystopia. White walls, black glass, zero warmth.
And sitting at the end of the hallway like a final boss:The President.
Her name was Mizuki Shiranami, and she was scarier than every vampire movie I've ever seen. Immaculate suit, sharp red nails, eyes that could strip the flesh off your soul.
"Sit," she said, voice colder than the Arctic.
I sat. Immediately.
The next thirty minutes were a blur of words I didn't understand:"Brand risk.""Damage control.""Public perception."And my personal favorite:"WHO authorized this man to sleep in your apartment, Kurosawa?!"
I wanted to sink into the carpet and die.
Riku, of course, looked completely unbothered. "He's my friend," he said calmly.
Friend?! FRIEND?! After you BIT me last night, we're "friends"?!
Mizuki's eyes narrowed. "Friendship doesn't trend worldwide. Half the internet thinks you're dating. The other half is demanding a livestream wedding."
My brain short-circuited. "WHAT?!"
She steepled her hands, lips curling into something like a smile—but not the nice kind. "We can't kill the rumor. Too many eyes. So… we spin it."
"…Spin it?" I repeated weakly.
She leaned forward, voice smooth and deadly:"You're going to be his boyfriend."
Time. Stopped.
"I'm sorry, WHAT?!" I screeched, nearly falling out of my chair.
"Publicly," she continued. "We frame this as a controlled narrative. A romantic, scandal-free relationship to boost his image."
"SCANDAL-FREE?!" I flailed my arms like a drowning man. "I'm a nobody! A broke college student! How is this—"
"Exactly." Her eyes glittered like knives. "You're harmless. Relatable. Fans will eat it up. We'll paint you as a sweet, supportive partner who keeps Riku grounded. The perfect fantasy."
"This is INSANE! I never agreed to—"
"You will," she said simply, sliding a thick contract across the table. "Unless you want your face on every tabloid, your address leaked, and your life destroyed within 24 hours."
I froze. My stomach dropped into my shoes.She wasn't bluffing.
"…You can't do this," I croaked.
"I can," she said, smiling like a shark. "And I will. So, Haruto-kun… sign."
My hands shook as I stared at the paper.Official Public Partner Contract. Duration: 6 months. Conditions: Complete confidentiality, compliance with agency instructions, no exposure of Riku's… unique condition.
My eyes flicked to the line that said "Penalty for breach: ¥10,000,000."
I nearly passed out.
"…You don't have to," Riku murmured suddenly, his voice low and soft beside me.
I looked up. He was watching me with an expression I'd never seen before—serious. Almost… protective.
"…If you want out," he said quietly, "I'll handle it."
My chest tightened. For half a second, I almost said no. Almost walked away.But then I remembered the mob of fans online. The cameras outside my apartment. The fact that I have ¥3,000 in my bank account and a death wish if this blows up.
So I grabbed the pen.And signed.
"Excellent," Mizuki said, snatching the papers like a demon sealing a soul. "The press release goes out in one hour. Congratulations, boys—you're officially Japan's hottest couple."
"Wait, ONE HOUR?!" I yelped.
She ignored me. "Riku, take your boyfriend home before someone leaks another photo."
"Understood," he said smoothly, standing up like this was all completely normal.
I stumbled after him, my brain screaming one word on loop:WHAT. THE. HELL.
As the elevator doors closed, I turned to him, my voice breaking:"…What did I just do?!"
He smiled. A slow, wicked, infuriatingly gorgeous smile."You just became my boyfriend," he said softly, crimson eyes glinting. "Congratulations, Haruto."
My heart exploded. My life officially ended.
TO BE CONTINUED…