discomposer | golden peacock inbox

[ He absolutely does not recognize the phone but he can make the connection given the circumstances - as usual, though, Leo is way more interested in the music than he is anything else. ]

Of course! Lemme hear it from the top!

[ He won't interrupt, since it's music. ]

[In keeping with the season, Leo looks like a child waiting to meet Santa. It's cute, and Hiyori appreciates it! This song is a little more "Valentine's Day" than "Christmas," but no matter. He'll deliver the gift of music, and the gift of love!]

Very well! Then let my words sink deep into your heart, and let my smile become your smile! ♪

[He puts on the music. As the instrumental comes on, he takes a breath, preparing to sing his heart out and perform his most dazzling self. And then, he sings!]

♪~♪~♪

[The song reveals itself to be a seductive number one could tango to. He doesn't tango, but he does dance, swaying with the music and keeping his eyes locked on his lone audience member. As for those lyrics he tweaked?

They're heavy. How ironic, after the conversation they had about crushing someone with the weight of their emotions. The lyrics don't speak of a gentle sort of love, one that kindly asks to be returned. There are no nascent fluttery feelings, just all-consuming need. The very first line demands the listener not take their eyes off him, and the refrain about accepting is love is both a plea and a demand. There's no room for rejection. He won't allow it, and why should he? His love is more limitless than the sun, promising to cure all loneliness and grief. The answer to fans' prayers—literally, he sings. Let your lonely heart overflow, and he'll fill the emptiness with love.

As he told Leo, he really did sing the song once already to someone. That boy was ungrateful and unappreciative. A poor audience member, though the way he blushed furiously was sort of cute. He doesn't expect Leo to react that way, nor does he want him to.

And yet he holds nothing back.

If anything, he ups the fanservice compared to when he sang for Fuuta, especially towards the end. During that earlier performance, he divided his attention between Fuuta and their crowd of onlookers. This one, however, is all for Leo. The one he's promising to love is Leo, not just with his words, but with his body. He dances towards the couch, an arm outstretched as though seeking to grasp Leo's hand or cheek. It's not the only thing his hands do. He slides them down his body, places one over his heart, brings fingers up to his lips and blows kisses. There's plenty of hip-wiggling. If you asked him about all this, he'd say it's just the sort of fanservice the song calls for!

In reality, he might be testing him, or perhaps even taking his frustrations out. In his heart he can't help but wonder, Why is this okay? Why is it okay for him to slip into his idol persona now, but not use that other persona he mentioned in their text convo? Leo said it had to do with closeness, that he understands people by listening to their songs. But doesn't he get it? When he sings, it's almost always as the idol, Hiyori Tomoe. When he performs, he's in "that" persona.

Being an idol isn't about being your unvarnished self and forcing other people to love it. Being an idol is about becoming someone lovable.

Maybe Leo doesn't understand just how scarce a resource love can be. It can be snatched and taken away, blown away by the wind just like he sings about in his solo. Of course Leo wouldn't understand. He loves everyone! In that sense, he effortlessly does what Hiyori's trying to do with this song. And isn't that the difference between those so-called geniuses that Eichi admired, and everyone else on Earth?

He dances during the interlude, his heavy (and frankly pretty unsexy) Christmas sweater causing him to sweat from the exertion. But it doesn't matter. His voice is absolutely booming during the final chorus, as he sings with all of his passion, all of his frustration, and yes, all of his love. He places one knee on the couch so he can lean over Leo, bowing his head until his springy hair brushes Leo's forehead, right in time for him to sing that "Entrust yourself to me" line. And then...]

Tatatara tatatatara tatatarata! ♪

[It's over.

There's a sheen of sweat covering his forehead and a faint flush to his cheeks as he draws back. He hops off the couch and turns off the music before it can go to the next song. And then he straightens up, hands on his hips as he smiles innocently and says:]

And that's my new solo! ♪

[ Leo absolutely is not getting flustered like Fuuta did, but then this was kind of set up as "hearing Hiyori's new solo". He assumes, automatically and perhaps incorrectly (?) that when he was asked to hear it he's being asked as the composer, the one who writes everything Knights does and who has penned songs for other units when asked or needed. So he's listening critically - though not unkindly or anything here, he does like the song and Leo's incapable of sitting still to anything, so his fingers tap out the beat on his knee. The music is probably set in stone, but Leo likes to think about how he'd do things anyway - it's fun to work things through in his head as he hears a new song, to pick it apart and then put it back together in different arrangements in his mind even if it goes nowhere at all.

The choreography, too, he's looking at as a fellow idol. There's his semi-usual bright smile and at the very least his gaze is focused because if there's one thing Leo can always give his full attention, it's music.

...Although it's sort of split and not entirely on Hiyori when he's also thinking about the moving parts of the performance, playing the sounding board more than the audience in his own thought here. Hiyori gets close and Leo beams up at him and claps at the end, laughing a little. ]

Tatatatara~! I like that part. ♪ I think I can hear the influence of this place on it, though I never heard any other version, so that could just be me reading it toooootally wrong here? I feel like it's a marked step up in the choreography, too, in terms of what you're willing to put into it. ♪ Has Nami been working on his solo, too? If he has, I'll have to hunt him down later and shake it outta him.

[ Leo really does apparently feel it is illegal that they could have been hiding music from him, go figure. He doesn't mind any other kind of secret, as he said - he hadn't much cared about Rinne keeping them, either, and he sometimes keeps things to himself, but... ]

Thank you, thank you~♪

[He smiles warmly while Leo claps for him. What else can he do except be satisfied with that response? He was taking out his frustrations, but he didn't expect that to come through. It'd be a problem if it did, rather. And he definitely didn't expect to fluster Leo, so he's not disappointed about that. He sits back down on the couch.

Though he does say, in response to the "I think I can hear the influence" part:]

Oh, no, this and that are completely separate.

[Whatever that means.

The sweat under his collar is a bit uncomfortable, but that's his fault and he'll endure it. In response to the question about Jun, he replies:]

Yep, he should've been! I've heard him practice it before. Neither one of us wants to get rusty, so we try not to skip practice even now that our shuffle unit's on hold. And Jun-kun always keeps up his exercise regimen, too.

[Jun is so diligent about practice, in fact, that he once turned down Monika's offer of sex because he had to get to practice (unbeknownst to Hiyori). That's his hard-working junior!]

Edited 2024-12-19 20:12 (UTC)

So what was it, then?

[ Leo's curious enough to ask but doesn't bother to specify, figuring it's enough for Hiyori to go on as he pulls his legs up to sit cross-legged instead. Leo doesn't practice a ton himself but he is notoriously difficult to herd into practices back home as well. ]

What was what? You'll have to be more specific.

[He's not trying to be difficult. Leo said he heard an influence, but what exactly did that sound like?]

I figured that you'd worked the lyrics over some since coming here. Was I wrong, or was it just like that back home, too?

[ It was more the vibe, the heavy vibe - but then, he wonders how this solo contrasts against the others in Eden. It's not like Leo has any way to know what those were about, which now that he thinks of it he's kind of annoyed by. Back home he'd have gotten to hear hundreds of thousands of new songs by now. ]

Oh, that?

[Suddenly he looks like he gets it.]

I thought you were talking about the more fanservicey parts, like I needed this place's help to sing or dance that way, so I got a bit testy! Everyone treats me like some huge prude, just because I don't want to share Jun-kun with fifty other people who may or may not be diseased, but that sort of fanservice has been part of our unit since the very beginning.

[(This is not the only reason people treat him like a prude here.)]

As for the lyrics, I already had a draft of those back at home. But I guess you could say I was influenced by what this place isn't like.

[That is, a place where love can bloom.]

And I won't pretend being in love hasn't changed my delivery, too. But it was also influenced by some other things. And most importantly, it's a song for my fans! And I always keep them in my hearts, no matter how long it's been.

No, when I said "influence" I meant the lyrics, the tone, the delivery. Every new experience gives you a better basis on which to connect with other people, and a new depth to any form of art. It was a compliment and an acknowledgement! For the choreography, yeah, Eve is like that - but there's like...

[ He waves his hands around vaguely. ]

It's the same thing. I feel like there's something more comfortable about how you move. It's nothing to do with being a prude or not - I don't really care about that sort of classification, and I don't think I ever said anything about it anyway? It's not like I'm talking about being more comfortable with sex appeal, either. Or that it was this place that got you that extra little bit so much as the time and space with Nami, probably?

[ This sounds like a weird art debate better had with Shu, who would absolutely not wanna have it given the context. ]

It kind of makes me happy to see.

[Ah, yes. This is one of those times where he remembers Leo is someone who Thinks Deeply about stuff, after all. (Sometimes, anyway!)]

That does sound like what the Red Cardinal lady said. By meeting new people and having intimate experiences with them, we change our fate.

[He's not going to argue that the people he's met here (or even his experiences with the people from home) haven't changed his life or his outlook. But have they changed the way he sings? That, he was less sure of. It seems like something that could become a problem, if he does get to go home and if he's diverged too much from how he was singing there. But it's also very low on his list of concerns.

What he says about him and Jun is even more surprising, though. Hiyori tilts his head a little.]

Even when we're not performing together, you can tell something like that, huh?

[That they've gotten more intimate, or that he's become "more comfortable" as a result of that intimacy. It's an observation he hadn't expected, but Leo says he's happy, so he smiles.]

I might've been influenced by Jun-kun, but I'm sure Jun-kun's been even more influenced by me! So we should test his performance next. Last I heard, he was out shopping for ingredients. But it's been a little while since he left, so maybe he's also doing some Christmas shopping?

[ He thinks deeply about important things!! Like music! And people he loves! And The War (TM) but we try not to think about that one too deeply. Hiyori's been spending more time with Leo here than back home so he's gotten to see more of the serious moments just by means of talking a lot.

...however, he has also had to talk to Leo about things like evil sex clones, if I recall correctly, and phallus shaped pastries. So like, it evens out in there somewhere? Probably? ]

It's not something you have to perform together for, though I wanna see that, too! Are there any new Eve songs I don't know?

[ Are they waiting for Jun? Leo is immediately wondering about ingredients for what and remembering he hasn't eaten in a while. If he waits around, will he get fed. Is that something he can bank on... ]

Or gotten caught up in something, I guess~? I feel like he's the kind of guy who stops to talk to friends pretty easily. At least, whenever I see him he's pretty cool just stopping to talk to me about whatever until whenever! [ Admittedly normally during these times Jun has historically gotten sidetracked with questions like "when is the last time you ate something". Rinne, Hiyori, and Jun have all asked that question many times here.

MAYBE LEO SHOULD START EATING THINGS ON A SCHEDULE, and yet this still hasn't even occurred to him in canon and only through the miracle of Knights deciding he needed an assigned babysitter (Sena) to force feed him among other things has gotten him anywhere near to that. ]

[After the Spades event, Hiyori can confidently say that he would not have sex with his clone. Certainly not that clone!]

We were going to do a new song for Valentine's Day, but then we got kidnapped. So nope, not really! At this rate, we might just have to record our next song here! I'm sure you could help with that, right?

[Composing a song for them probably beats succumbing to suit-induced depression!

Hiyori's still worried about that, and he can't help but feel another pang of worry when Leo suggests Jun might've gotten "caught up" in something. He tries not to vocalize these things too often; he's aware of how clingy he's gotten here, and he doesn't want to suffocate Jun with that heavy love they talked about. Between the two of them, he's also a lot more prone to getting in trouble than Jun is. But he can't help but fret anyway.

If Jun doesn't come back before too long, he'll just text him. He'll certainly be willing to share whatever he planned on cooking with Leo. For now, Hiyori elects to focus on something else—like the other thing Leo came here for!]

By the way, I still need to take your picture. Did you want to try on something cute, like a cozy sweater? Or should I just go for a close-up of your face?

[ Wow, can't believe Hiyori didn't update Leo on his clone feelings, clearly that was a highly important topic of conversation (it was not and Leo has since forgotten about so Hiyori can rest easy on that). ]

Can I keep the sweater if you dress me up in one? [ Leo is mostly kidding. Probably. ] Anyway, recording something new would be fun! When I wrote the new solos for the other Knights members we just had a bunch of chats so I had stuff to work with. It'd go like that, or if you guys had lyrics, I can always put them to music. It depends what you like better - having music to put lyrics to or the other way around.

[ He's so much more helpful with the music part. ]

[The clone tracked paint all over his carpet and slept with three people behind his back, leaving him with three additional cards in his deck and no clue who any of them came from. He feels slimy whenever he thinks about it. No more sex for that guy!

In response to the sweater question:]

Nope! ♪ You'll just have to wait until Christmas! Though if you want one before that, we could always go shopping together sometime. There are lots of stores selling Christmas sweaters. I'm sure Jun-kun can carry both our bags. He's carried bags for all of Pretty 5 before!

[Hiyori's passionate about his idol work (even if he can't truly do any here), but he's also passionate about shopping! And he's also passionate about getting Leo laid now, apparently, because someone has to be. But he does appreciate the offer to help them make music.]

I guess either one could work. First we'd need some sort of theme or motif, though. But I'll definitely consult with Jun-kun later. Why, if we manage to get a song produced, just think of how Ibara would react. I'd love to see the look on his face when we send him the file! I'll say to him, "This is a song me and Jun-kun! We're songwriters now! And the composer was none other than our dear friend Leo-kun~♪"

[ Amazing that Hiyori's clone made a mess with paint over his things before Leo somehow did, all things considered. As to passion, Leo absolutely never minds working on idol things so he's happy to be contracted to write music for as many songs as Eve wants, here.

It's not like he's writing anything for anyone else from home besides Knights at this point? And Hiyori's passion for getting Leo laid (help) is probably not that hard to work since he's easy and has already made things incredibly weird with the first person he's been introduced to, which is about what could be expected. Hiyori does not need to know about this future event. ]

I can work as an independent contractor whenever I like when it comes to music, so ya don't gotta worry about NewDi or anything, either. ♪ And okay, I'll just have you crop it then! I would be way too tempted to steal a soft sweater otherwise.

Edited 2024-12-20 06:45 (UTC)

[You know what they say. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. And the fact he set Leo up with a sadist when he was specifically trying to prevent him from getting hurt is one of those things it's probably safest to remain ignorant about. :')

And speaking of setting Leo up with people: his brows raise when Leo brings up the subject of posing for a photo all on his own. And here he thought Leo would be thoroughly distracted by thoughts of music and ~inspiration~, forcing him to be the one who had to get them back on track. But Leo did remember, so they can get right to business! He beams.]

Great!

[And then sets his phone down, rolling back the sleeve of his sweater to reveal his wristwatch.]

I'll take one with the watch. My phone would take better-quality photos, but then I'd have to transfer them and that's a pain. Plus I'm not sure if it'll create one of those "time paradox" things if I go home with pictures from the resort on my phone.

[Though he wonders if it might be worthwhile to try.

..... Someone here suggested that they might lose their memories upon going home. It's one more thing that haunts him, even though he's more concerned about actually getting home in the first place. He also knows it's a toss-up whether someone who's disappeared comes back with memories from their first stay here, or whether they just forget everything that happened the first time. If he went home without his memories, but then he saw photos from the resort on his phone, would that help him remember again...?

It's a thought he shelves for later. For now: matchmaking! He moves his wrist so that the watch screen is level with Leo's face, looking at him critically.]

Is now good, or did you want to freshen up first? You don't look photoshoot-ready, but you don't look unkempt or anything, either. I know some people like to leave their best impression, though!

[ A comedy of errors, Hiyori presumably didn't select an entire list of sadists though so maybe the next attempt will be less cursed??

The only reason he stays on topic is because a sweater was related to it. He apparently really wants a nice sweater? Why doesn't he just go buy one... ]

As I am now is fine! It'd just be false advertising otherwise. ♪ [ If it's a pose, he chooses his favorite one because of course. ] Uchuu~ ☆

[He did not, no!! Esikko-kun plz don't fucking kill his castmate.

Leo does his signature pose, which looks cheeky and cute. No doubt about it, this photo will pass muster! He goes ahead and snaps one, then another for good measure, before drawing his wrist back to look down at the screen. As he thought,]

Perfect!

[He appears satisfied.]

This should do the job just fine~♪

[ Leo comes over to peer over Hiyori's shoulder at his wrist. Or, well, since Hiyori's notably taller he's more peering AROUND his shoulder, hand hooking on said shoulder so Leo can lean in precariously. ]

Hey, how do you and Naru always get pictures so clear anyway?

[ It's the actually taking their time and not getting distracted mid shoot part. ]

[Leo is welcome to look at his own photo. Hiyori doesn't do anything with it just yet, but he'll send it along to potential matches later. (So many potential matches!)]

You just wait for it to focus and hold your hand steady! Then there are settings you can adjust, though the smartwatches don't have as many of those. But that should just make it easier for someone like you to master. To practice, you could try taking an ultra-clear photo of me! ♪

[But then he realizes:]

I guess I look a bit sweaty at the moment, though, so now probably isn't the best time. Although I do look awfully cute in this Christmas sweater...

If we send it to Nami, he won't care about that though?

[ Leo is Assuming. He has no idea what else he'd do with a picture of Hiyori, minus keeping it in the same way anyone does photos of their friends. If he can take a good photo, though, it should go to the person who will like it most?

...it will take him way more than one try to get something good. Leo is not a photography genius. ]

So do a cute pose!

[Print it out, frame it, make hundreds of copies, build a shrine with them... Some of his fans probably do that stuff with his photos.]

Well, I guess that's true...

[It's not like he hasn't sent Jun plenty of pictures of him. They're just usually not sweaty ones! But this seems like it could be good for Leo's education, so...]

Fine, but hold on a moment!

[He gets off the couch and disappears into the main bedroom again. When he returns, he's holding a stuffed animal—not the white bear belonging to that child he posed with at home, but a stuffed toy won from the arcade machines at Chickadees!

He sits back down, hugging the stuffed animal to his chest. This kind of cute photo, with him wearing a cute sweater, called for a cute prop! And a cute smile, but that goes without saying.]

There, all set! ♪

[ Leo will not be making a shrine, Hiyori. What he WILL be doing is probably worse by Hiyori's standards? Because, well. He takes the first photo and doesn't focus it long enough, and he's too zoomed in on another, and so on and so forth...

After each one he goes "whoops" and then, like, sends the mistake to Jun in its own message.

By the time he gets a clear photograph and grins he has sent Jun like, seven cryptid level photographs of Hiyori weirdly framed and focused and getting somewhat better each time until his successful shot.

Then he sends that one, too! ]

I did it~!

[As an idol, Hiyori has no problem holding a pose for a long time. He's used to photographers wanting to take multiple shots, and he's always happy to let people bask in his beauty! Still, watching Leo fiddle with the watch haphazardly is... something. He continues to smile beautifully, despite the repeated "Whoops" not inspiring much confidence. But surely at least one of those photos will come out right. He's taking so many, after all.

Hiyori takes Leo's grin as a sign of success and sets the stuffed animal aside, scooching over so he can look at Leo's phone screen.]

I told you to wait for it to focus, didn't I?

[Still, seeing the final photo displayed on the screen and not any of the cryptids, he smiles again.]

But I guess it all worked out. Now we wait for Jun-kun to acknowledge how cute I am...♪

[He doesn't realize Leo sent all the mistakes, too...]

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1/2 :')

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*a song me and Jun-kun wrote

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