The young man walked slowly towards the entrance, pouting slightly. Wait. Nah…that’s a natural pout. He moved his right hand, reaching out for the door and opened it. The young man sighed tiredly, though it was early in the morning. He was probably sleepy. The young man walked across the lobby, still pouting slightly. But then it was a natural pout…he had it ever since he was born.

His eyes rolled to the right as somebody greeted him.

The young man stopped and nodded.

So polite…somebody whispered. He thought he heard it…but maybe it was just a Monday morning imagination. So it was better to ignore. Then he reached near the elevator and a woman called his name. He turned back and pouted. No…no…that’s a natural one he got ne? The young man looked at her weirdly as she handed him a piece of paper and a pen.

Autograph please…for my cousin…she loves you!

The young man nodded, trying not to look weird or tired or proud. He took the paper and signed on it. She sighed, staring at those slender yet strong fingers. He tried not to react. When he was done, the woman took it, placed it near her chest, then beamed. He raised an eyebrow.

Arigato gozaimasu…we think you’re the best! Keep it up!

He nodded and turned around, getting into the elevator. He pressed certain button and leaned back on the mirror. When he casted his eyes around lightly, people stared but some quickly turned away. The young man averted his eyes to an empty corner. He didn’t feel comfortable. It was so uneasy when people stared even when they knew you didn’t want them to! He was used to it anyway…he had to…so what he did was just trying to ignore those stares.

The most important thing was, he had to kick away that thought in his mind. The one that told him he should be proud people staring at him that way.

The lift made a sound ding. He looked up and couldn’t help feeling relief when it was time to get out of there. As he stepped out, he heard some sighs of loss and some voices muttering kawaii and pretty. He even heard kirei then hansamu and something sounded like beautiful…

Ignore it…it’s not for you.

Yeah…

Not for me…

I’m not pretty…I’m just who I am…I’m just a young man…who I am…

Yeah…the pretty one right?

No…no! as long as I’m healthy I’m happy, and I’m not pretty!

Whatever…

The young man blinked as he heard some familiar voice called out his name, sexily.

Sexily? To him? No…but some people might call it sexy. He didn’t…that wasn’t his type.

Not sexy? Then what? Pretty?

I’m not pretty.

The young man turned and suppressed a sigh as he realized who it was. No! he knew who it was gonna be. He was around the producer’s office so that voice should belong to that woman…why was she so good in being two-faced? When the big boss wasn’t around, like now…look at her! All flirty and smiley. But when she had to face him, she would change to that sweet innocent diligent secretary! She’s just so…good!

Thank God I’m not her favourite one!

The young man suddenly felt that old sleepiness attacked him as she began to talk. Usual stuff…telling him how good he looked but in the end, as usual…she would throw hints about him not being the prettiest. Some certain blue haired bassist would be the best for her…

Yeah…whatever…

He tried not to yawn. It was too impolite and that word wasn’t him at all!

Yeah…you’re just unhappy she’s not your fan…

No! I don’t care how many fans I got out there! I only care about my health my body and…

Your face ne?

No!!! and I’m just trying to be polite and respectful! I know she’s older than me and I’ve spent my life sacrificing, giving respect! And I just want some certain four people to respect me coz I respect them and…

Really? How? By admiring your pretty pretty face?

The young man bit his lip, explained that he should go and meet the others and excused himself to the rehearsal room. The woman merely shrugged and smiled sweetly.

It’s okay, she said.

See? Here we go…you’re angry.

No! I’m not!

Well, she doesn’t really care about you…

The young man pouted, no…that’s natural…okay. He pouted more this time, which looked sexier. But then sexy wasn’t the word for him. The young man walked towards the room, a little hurriedly. But when he reached the door, he stopped abruptly.

The young man took a deep breath. Inhaled then exhaled calmly. Then inhaled again.

He could smell that stench…

Ignore that…

He opened the door and blessed this world, where the heck did those smokes come from? Where do you think? From that bunch of smokers settling themselves in one of the corners of course! He fumed slightly. Coughed a little and entered. The door was left wide opened. Some guy, hearing that cough, turned around with a smirk only to find a young man waving his hands around irritably.

Good morning…

Ohayoo…

Hey pretty! How are you?

The young man didn’t reply. Maybe it wasn’t him being called.

Yeah! The pretty one…how are you this morning?

I’m not pretty!

Ya…whatever…

Silence filled the room for a while. He took a look around. Somebody was missing, but that was even better! He didn’t want to see that man…the one he hated! That irritable annoying man…some certain red haired guitarist. It was so cool and he didn’t even want a chance to get to see him anymore!

The young man took another look around, holding his chin. That small guy was sitting next to him, but not that close to him. The other two were making fun of themselves, in his sense. They looked like as if they were enjoying themselves. Of course, flirting, as usual. Never got enough in concerts…

The small guy was reading a magazine. He looked at him, then at the two. He bit his lip.

Can I ask you something? He was surprised finding himself asking the small guy. The other guy turned his head around, grinning.

Yeah…

The young man hesitated for while, but seeing the other man getting a bit impatient, he decided to ask.

Do you think I’m pretty?

There was silence and he began to think maybe that was a really stupid question because there was no reaction but then the smaller man broke into laughter, holding his stomach. The young man joined his eyebrows. Why? why did he laugh so heartily?! What did he just ask? It wasn’t that stupid, was it?

Gosh! I thought what it was like something serious…

Hey…what’s going on here? Those two approached and looked curious. That huge burst of laugh must had drawn their attention! They actually stopped flirting!

N…Nothing! The young man felt himself turning crimson. He waved his fingers around to backed up his statement but somehow failed. He glanced at the smaller man, the one who laughed.

Hey guys…do you think he’s pretty?

The young man gasped not believing his ears. But he was more shocked when those two started to laugh too!

Gosh! No wonder you laughed so hard! A certain pretty face wiped his eyes. The young man glanced at the pink head who also held his stomach. Then he pouted. They were all making fun of him! As usual! Hate!!!

He glared at the smaller one, who realized it soon.

Na…you’re pretty! Trust me! I think you’re the most- itai!!! He yelped before finishing the sentence. The singer pouted, rubbing his head.

So he’s the prettiest eh?

Ano…no…you’re prettier…you’re the most beautiful among all of us! Aren’t bassists the pretty ones? The smaller man spoke quickly not giving that pretty bassist another chance to hit his head. Then he turned to the young man, Sorry. he whispered. I live with him…and sometimes he needs to be flattered but I know he’s only joking. You’re pretty ne…the small man winked.

Nah…he’s only teasing.

What do you think honey? Do you think he’s the prettiest? That question drew everyone’s attention to a pink head. The oldest gulped, looking around. The young man looked at him with big innocent eyes. The small man winced and the blue head was narrowing his eyes at him.

Ano…I mean…he –is- pretty…the guitarist began but then realising the danger he might had put himself into, he quickly added, BUT! Aren’t bassists the pretty ones? Don’t worry…I think you’ll always be the pretty one. He ended. Some certain blue head seemed happy. The young man pouted and turned away.

*

The young man walked down the silent corridor slowly, drown in his own thoughts. He had decided to get some fresh air. Those crude guys would never stop killing him by smoking so much!

See? You’re not pretty…they prefer him than you!

I didn’t say I’m pretty! I know I’m just an ugly duck!

Yeah…that little ugly duckling who turns into a beautiful white swan ne? that’s you? the comparison right? You’re still thinking you’re pretty!

Iie!!! Why can’t you understand me? You are me but you just don’t get my thoughts!

I do! That’s why I said you’re upset right now! Why don’t you just admit that you think you’re pretty?! Is it that hard? As you said, I’m you! So you actually won’t sound like a big high headed if you say ‘yes! I think I’m pretty! In fact, I’m beautiful!!!

But I don’t think I am!!!

Yes you do! Come on!!!

The young man growled, sighed tiredly then stopped his feet. He jerked his head up only to find himself standing next to the control room. Yeah, that room with a large window looked like mirror. And the young man was standing right in front of it!

Take a look at yourself.

The young man pouted, no. That’s a natural pout, he didn’t do anything about it. Okay, let’s stop talking about that pout! Back to the man. He was staring at his own reflection carefully. He looked at his hair, soft and looked kind of silky. The color was quite bright and he did it for the sake of the band. He glanced at his eyes. Big and slightly pointy in the end. And somehow, the word innocent quickly appeared in his mind. Then his nose, straight and nice. His lips, pouty and sexy.

No, sexy isn’t the word for you…

Then what?

Pretty…pretty hair, pretty eyes, pretty nose, pretty lips…

But I’m not pretty!!!

The young man moved his arm, reaching out to touch his own reflection. He made a trail down from his nose to his lips, then his other hand did the same to his own face, feeling his nose then to his lips. He stared at his reflection even more, seeing his hand stroking his nose and lips from the mirror.

You think you’re pretty don’t you?

No, I don’t!

Can’t you admit it?

I’m not pretty! I think the other one is pretty! I’m not pretty! You heard them said he’s the pretty one! I’m not unhappy about that! In fact, I’m happy coz that’s exactly what I had in mind! He’s the pretty one! I vote him for the prettiest not for myself!!!

Yeah…prettiest! But you’re pretty right?

Suddenly the door of that control room burst opened and the young man gasped in surprise. He glanced towards the door and somebody walked out the room. Some certain red head. The older man pouted as soon as he saw him. And soon the guitarist realized that young man was staring at his own reflection.

Sighing, he approached the younger man.

"Hai, Shin-chan! You’re the most beautiful! In fact, you are what beauty is! Come here…let me give you a kiss. I can’t stand your prettiness!"

There were few seconds of struggle and hesitation and pushing. But then the older man succeed in planting a quick kiss on that smooth forehead and the young man whimpered as protest. When he was finally let free, the young man felt a palm brushing his back gently, caringly. He pouted more as the older man winked, and lightly walked away.

Leaving him alone in the silent corridor.

The young man looked at his own reflection in the window. He was still pouting. He touched his chin, his forehead that had just been kissed and pouted more. He looked as if he was going to cry. But then there was no more inner voices…where’d it gone? It’s gone right after the pout changed into a sweet shy smile and when the cheeks slightly turned crimson.

The young man turned away, walking towards the rest area, for some fresh air, feeling content in his heart.

Pretty Shinya…

Shin-chan

*

owari