20 Minutes
For @itasakumiamor (sorry for the delay!) This turned out a little more smutty than I meant... hope that's okay.😇
42 - Distracting kisses from someone that are meant to stop the other person from finishing their work, and give them kisses instead.
🌸🍡
"Have you been drinking?" Sakura asks Itachi, amused as he runs his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. His breath is warm on her neck and smells of sweet wine.
"A little," He admits, and Sakura feels his nose making light circles against her neck. It feels nice, and she tilts her head to give him more room to explore. "Shisui made us go out after the clan meeting."
"Hmm, of course. Blame Shisui," She's teasing him, and his laugh is a huff of air across her skin. He's not drunk but definitely buzzed.
"He does make it easy," He props his chin on her shoulder, looking across the kitchen table which is covered in books, reports, papers, and a few half-full mugs of tea. "What are you working on?"
Sakura sighs, "A funding proposal for a new program for the Hospital. The children's psychiatric program was such as success, I'd really like to expand to the special ops team and Anbu too."
"Sounds interesting." He says genuinely, but his hands now tracing featherlight trails up and down her sides tell her he's not fully paying attention.
"It's extremely boring actually. Lots of bureaucratic nonsense." She leans back to meet his gaze, regretfully, "And it's due Monday."
"So you have two days to finish it." He leans forward and brushes his lips against her cheek, then back to her neck. It's not much, but it sends warm tingles across Sakura's skin with each brush. Itachi tempts her further, "Plenty of time to take a break."
It's quite uncharacteristic of him to be tempting her away from work like this.
She hums, half in thought, half in contentment. They've both been busy, and it's been a long time since she'd had the luxury of his touch. She has missed it more than she realized. The way it stoked warmth from the inside out. The way it melted away the tension of several stressful weeks in a matter of moments. Weeks laying the groundwork for this very, very important report that would make or break her new program.
"As wonderful as that sounds," she starts, already disappointing herself, "But I really need to finish this next section."
It doesn't deter him. "A wise woman once told me that the mind needs at least 20 minutes of recovery for every 90 minutes of intense focus."
Her face heats with embarrassment. Of course even tipsy, Itachi Uchiha could remember something she'd nagged him about years ago. Well, even so, Sakura was nothing but stubborn when she set her mind on something.
She tries to ignore the way his hand has made its way to her knee and his thumb sweeping suggestive circles across her skin. "I can do a lot to help you recover in 20 minutes." Itachi's words are hot now on her neck, and she does her best to ignore the tingling running from where he's stroking her up the inside of her thigh.
"Itachi, this is really important. I need to keep working on it." She says, her breathing faster than she'd like, and pulls back from him again.
"I see," He's actually pouting and Sakura can't hold back the tug at her lips. "Can I watch?"
Her eyebrows shoot up.
"You...want to watch me work?"
"Mmhm," He straightens, coming to her side, and holds out a hand for her to take. Sakura looks at it, confused, but slowly puts her hand in his. He tugs her to her feet, which she again allows. Maybe he just wants one kiss to tide him over?
But instead, he takes her seat.
"That's my-" Sakura's cut off with a squeak as he tugs her back down on his lap, pulling her back flush to his front. He apparently isn't concerned with hiding his arousal from her. She can feel him against her hip and kami help her if it didn't send a throb of heat through her core.
He props his chin back on her shoulder, "Ready, Dr. Haruno."
Her eyes narrow at the nickname, but she just clears her throat. Dr. Haruno indeed and she was going to get this proposal done even with her annoying boyfriend's muscly thighs shifting to a more comfortable position under her.
She turns back to the report she'd been referencing from her last program.
75% of patients who participated in support groups weekly reported -
Itachi shifts and his chest drags up and down once across her back. She could feel the lines of his pecs through her thin tank top, remembers how good his skin feels dragging across hers.
She breathes in a long breath through her nose and out her mouth. Focus.
75% of patients who participated in support groups weekly reported a decrease in PTSD symptoms -
Soft lips press into the curve of her shoulder, lingering for one second, then another. They move inward a fraction, pressing smoothly against her skin. She can feel his chest move behind her as he inhales cool air scented of her and then exhales warm wine flavored air across her skin, the contrast sending shivers down her spine.
"You said watching." She reminds him. Her heartbeat is quick in her rips, he can probably feel it too.
"Oh, I am." It's heavy with suggestion, and Sakura squirms a little on his lap. Turning back to ignore him.
75% of patients who participated in support groups weekly reported a decrease in PTSD symptoms. More interesting is that 50% of patients who -
Hands have made their way under he tank top, laying hot against her hips. They are innocently still, so Sakura continues reading.
- More interesting is that 50% -
His nose is again tracing up and down her neck, and she's tilting her head to give him more room automatically. A flair of annoyance at her reaction has her straightening. The movement presses her hip more firmly against his arousal. He lets out a low sound in her ear. The same sound he makes when she reaches for him under the covers.
- More interesting is that -
Her eyes close as he finds a delicious spot just behind her jaw to kiss then suck lightly between his teeth.
"Itachi," It's more of a gasp than she intended. But he does release his mouth from her for a few moments. She starts back at the beginning of her reading, forgetting where she was.
75% of patients who participated in support groups -
His innocent hands are now tracing her hip bone.
- weekly reported a decrease -
His nose is nuzzling at the underside of her jaw, and her eyes slip closed for only a moment.
- in PTSD symptoms. More interesting-
He's kissing her jaw again, his hand dragging up her stomach, palm wide to take in as much of her softness as possible.
- More interesting -
Her hand finds his knee - she suddenly feels unsteady.
-More -
Her head rolls under his touch as he kisses her cheek, her temple, her forehead, her nose. She's turned her face to him, or maybe he's turned her. Her chin is in his grasp, thumb brushing over her bottom lip, fingers trailing up her cheek, and tangling in the hair at the base of her neck.
He kisses her cheekbone, trailing back to her hairline. Anticipation is rising in her, and all she wants is his lips crashing on hers after weeks of being apart.
Then she is. She's kissing him fully and it's better than she remembered - alone in her bed the past few days, missing him. His moist, warm lips move perfectly in sync with hers, his hands still exploring her curves with a neediness that matches her own. She forgets to breathe until he breaks away for a moment, chest rising and falling in rapid bursts. The ache in her chest was for air, not just for him.
There's less than a moment, then she turns in his lap, pressing her body flush to his. It fits with ease like it was made to nestle into his larger frame. His eyes are glazed from lust or the alcohol - both - but a hunger lurks beneath. Shades of crimson swirling in his dark eyes.
Just like that, she's tasting him again, sweet wine dancing across her tongue. His hand strokes down her back, gripping her hip and rolling her against him. Her moan is sweet on his lips too.
"20 minutes," She manages to say, grasping to hold on to something - his shoulder his hair - as he moves against her again. Her head is swimming and empty of anything but the sensations where his body is meeting hers. His answering chuckle, even just a rumble through his chest, has the tinge of victory to it.
She anchors it to his shoulder as he stands, lifting her up with him. Then he carries her to the bedroom where they spend much more than just 20 minutes making up for lost time.
(I felt like the obvious way would be to have Sakura distracting Itachi, so I decided to turn it around. Hope you liked it!)
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[CN] Kiro's Phantom Date
🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸
[Note: This date was translated with the help of google translate :>]
[PROLOGUE]
[Part 1 - Video Call]
I put the washed up dinner plate back on the shelf, cleaned up the water stains on the dining table, and glanced at the phone.
MC: Ten minutes have passed since the agreed time... Should I make a phone call?
MC: But if he’s filming right now, It wouldn't be good to disturb him...
Just as I was thinking that, the phone rang a familiar ringtone.
I immediately grabbed the phone, plopped down on the sofa, and picked up the video call.
Kiro: Miss Chips~
MC: Kiro~
The moment our faces appeared on the screen, we greeted each other at the same time, and at the same time, laughed out loud together.
Since Kiro set off for the filming, the video calls after he returned to the hotel every night was our happiest moment.
He appeared to have just come out of the bathroom. His bright eyelashes were still stained with a few drops of water, and the warm light of the hotel fell on his half-dried blond hair, looking neat and refreshing.
MC: Did today's shooting go well?
Kiro: Everything's going well. I'll be back in about a week!
Kiro: How about you? How is the interview column doing?
Unfortunately, when he mentioned the ongoing child star interview column, I couldn't help sighing and puffed up my cheeks.
MC: It's still not going well.
-
[Part 2: Difficult Interview]
The subject of my recent interview was a child star named Tong Le who has been very popular in the past two years and has made many children's commercials and TV series.
MC: Tong Le, that kid... He isn't quite like a ten-year-old child star.
MC: He would only answer for topics that could be seen in the public bulletin...
MC: As soon as I want to ask more questions, his face would immediately become cold and he would say--
MC: "For this matter, please communicate with my agent first and then come back."
I imitated Tong Le's old-fashioned tone and made Kiro on the other side laugh.
MC: Taking out such a superficial interview program would definitely destroy my "Gold Medal Producer" sign!
MC: I've been fighting with their team for these past few days, and I've lost 30 more hairs than usual, you know!
I furiously picked up a strand of hair on the sofa and showed it to Kiro, so he laughed louder while holding a pillow.
When the eyebrows on my face deepened, the corner of his mouth also lifted with a touch of sly interest.
Kiro: Then...In order to save the hair of the "Gold Medal Producer", I have a suggestion.
MC: What suggestion?
Kiro: How about going to the shooting of Tong Le and becoming a surprise detective on the set?
MC: You mean the set of "Star Explorer"?
-
[Part 3: Set Visit Invitation]
When Kiro said that, I was a little moved, but also a little hesitant.
"Star Explorer" wad a popular children's literature around the world. Since the first novel was released twenty years ago, it had become a must-read book for teenagers.
Derivative products such as toys, games, animations, etc. were also being released endlessly. When I was young, I was also a big fan of this series.
Tong Le would play the protagonist of this series of Lunar New Year movies this year— Explorer A Xing.
MC: But I heard that the director has a bad temper and was very strict when filming. Would he allow me to visit the set?
Kiro: Did you forget? I was the protagonist of the prequel movie of the previous generation "Star Explorer"!
MC: Yeah, I almost forgot! You played A Xing in the prequel after you finished filming the young Sun Ce...
This is a reference made to his R&S: Stunning Young Idol. Kiro played the role of Sun Ce in a movie that was shot in Japan.
Kiro: With this old favor of mine and the signature of producer MC, I think the director would definitely agree!
MC: But...
Kiro: No buts. The opportunity to explore the New Year film is not always available.
Kiro: Come on, come on~
Kiro dragged his words in order to persuade me to agree to his plan. I couldn’t help but become suspicious.
MC: Kiro, why do you care so much about me going to visit Tong Le's set?
Kiro's throat became constricted, and he immediately blinked innocently.
Kiro: Because... well, because I also debuted as a child star, so I do feel a little empathetic.
Kiro: I think you'll be able to see not only the child actors in working condition, but also the real condition of the child actors in the studio.
Kiro: If you want to make the most comprehensive and detailed report, close observation is essential.
Kiro: What do you think?
MC: Hm... You're right. Then, please do the needful!
Kiro: No problem, Miss Chips. Just wait for my good news!
[END OF PROLOGUE]
[PART 1]
With Kiro's help, we quickly got the permission to visit the set and came to the shooting location of "Star Explorer."
Because today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, in addition to the bouquets, I also brought homemade moon cakes which I planned to distribute to everyone on the set.
As it was a children's New Year movie, apart from the staff, the studio was basically filled with many child actors.
It was break time, and the children were playing around on the set, making them a lot more lively and rambunctious than the average crew.
MC: Why don’t I see Tong Le..? Don't the children play together?
I looked around, but I didn't find Tong Le.
Instead, my attention was quickly attracted by the huge green screen in front of me. The green screen was several stories high, with scaffolding scattered in front of it.
MC: What scene are they going to shoot with such a huge green screen?
Staff member: Sorry, please do me a favor!
Staff member: Move carefully. Amplifiers are expensive instruments and can't stand up to bumps!
I quickly stepped away, and the staff member hurried past me and moved a white instrument to the other end of the studio.
Looking at this chaotic scene, I couldn't help but sigh.
MC: As expected of a big production. There are so many places to do special effects...
MC: By then, there would probably be several teams in the later stages, right?
??: You're wrong. Only one person is required.
A familiar voice rang from behind and I turned my head to face that familiar smiling face.
MC: Kiro!
Kiro, wearing the iconic costume of the "Star Explorer", blinked at me. I looked at the makeup on his face that hadn't been removed, and was stunned and taken aback.
No wonder Kiro was so confident that he could convince the director to let me visit the set...
MC: It turns out... your filming set is also here?
Kiro: Bingo! Surprised?
He spread his hands towards me triumphantly, and I threw myself into his arms happily.
MC: What a pleasant surprise!
Kiro: Originally, I planned to hide it until it was released, and wanted to surprise you when we watched the New Year film together...
His bright blue eyes stared at me, filled with longing.
Kiro: Today was supposed to be the day we were to be reunited. And I really missed you so much...
Kiro: When I thought of the editing, publishing, and arranging of the film after the shooting was completed... There was still so much time left, and I couldn't wait that long.
Kiro: I wanted to see your face right now.
MC: My face now? What is it like?
Kiro: Mm.... like the face of a star explorer who suddenly saw their favorite treasure!
MC: [smiling softly] Mhm...
I circled him excitedly by myself, and curiously pointed at his equipment.
MC: But isn't the protagonist of this movie Tong Le? Why are you wearing the clothes of "A Xing"?
Kiro: Because I'm a special appearance in this movie!
Kiro: In the movie, as an explorer of the previous generation of stars, I left many traces of adventure, and the protagonist followed those traces to the gorge where the treasure was hidden.
He pointed to the tall steel scaffolding in front of the green screen.
Kiro: When they were trapped in the cave between the cliffs by the monster, my phantom appeared in front of them, giving the little explorers the courage to continue climbing!
As he said that, he also showed me the signature pose of the star explorer.
MC: Wow... then I have to look forward to your "special appearance"!
While we were chatting, the staff on the side came and said that there was a scene that Kiro needed to make up for.
After hearing the demand, Kiro nodded, smiled and took my hand.
Kiro: Come on, Miss Chips. I invite you to enjoy the first stop on the set exploration - "The Previous Star Explorers vs. The Rock Monsters"!
[PART 2]
Kiro took me to the shooting location on the other side of the set.
There was also a large green screen spread over here. The white instrument I saw before was also moved here. I leaned over and looked at the text on it.
MC: Visual imaging amplifier... what is it used for?
Kiro: This is the second surprise you will get when you come to visit the set. You will find out soon.
He winked at me, pretending to be mysterious and walked to the camera.
At the same time, a gentle-looking young man also came to the instrument and put on the glasses connected to the instrument.
The moment the instrument's lights turned on, I suddenly felt the atmosphere of the studio change.
Everything in front of me began to be distorted and became blurred, like a curtain of water.
MC: What is...
I saw the surrounding environment within five meters turn into a cave. The strange rocks in the cave were rugged, and I could even feel the cool breeze blowing from the cave.
The director, camera, lighting... including myself, all seemed to be "traversing" into a fantasy world. It was very abrupt.
At some point in front of Kiro, a rock also appeared and shook twice. Five senses and limbs suddenly emerged from it, and they rushed towards him with a roar!
Director: Action!
The boulder monster roared, and even the ground trembled.
The heavy fist of the rock monster was thrown out, and the rock fell from the cave. A few pieces of rubble even rolled to my feet, making a light click.
MC: This is too real...
Kiro in front of the camera had already twisted his waist and flashed past the monster's attack, moving around flexibly in the narrow space.
He strode forward. With a turn of his ankle, he leapt up and stepped on top of the rock monster at an incredible speed.
The jewel on the glove burst into bright light, enveloping his right fist.
Kiro: I will defeat the power contaminated by evil!
With a bang, the light penetrated the stone monster!
Director: Okay, cut!
The machine made a light hum, and as it stopped running, the surrounding scenes slowly changed back to that of the original studio.
The director signaled everyone to take a break and was busy discussing the effects of the shooting. Kiro took the opportunity to come to my side.
His hair had become a little messy because of the movement. His breathing was still slightly heavy, but his entire being was jumping for joy like a big dog.
Kiro: How was it? I, the star explorer, didn't let MC down, right?
MC: Not at all. Just like the star explorer in my mind!
MC: For several on-set visits I hadn't been able to see your heroic appearance in the play. This time, I finally feasted my eyes!
I looked around and found that Savin and the assistants who often followed Kiro around were absent today.
MC: Speaking of which, why don't I see Savin and the others?
Kiro: Today's the festival and the set was far away, so I gave them half a day off. And you came to visit the set, so Savin gave one hundred and twenty hearts!
MC: Hahaha! So I have to work part-time as Mr. Kiro's agent and assistant today?
Kiro: Well, with MC as my agent and assistant, I will also give one hundred and twenty hearts!
MC: Then I ask Mr. Kiro to sit down, have a drink and take a break.
I smiled and passed the mineral water in my hand to him, and decently helped Kiro by massaging his shoulders.
I touched his tight muscles through the layer of clothing, and the slight warmth was transferred to my palm.
Seeing Kiro's eyes half-lidded due to relaxation, a warm feeling came from the bottom of my heart, and I enjoyed the leisure time on set with him.
MC: By the way, the instrument just now... is it a new technology product?
Kiro: Huh? Do you mean the booster?
Kiro: That's right, but the person is more important than the instrument.
Kiro motioned to me to come closer, and he lowered his voice.
Kiro: The staff member who manipulates the instrument is called Alin, and he is an Evolver.
MC: Eh?!
Kiro: Alin owns the "Phantom Imaging" Evol. After he wears the visual imaging amplifier, he can make the projected pictures more concrete.
Kiro: The director has been helping Evolvers secretly over the years, and when he had the opportunity, he wanted to use the combination of the two to try and incorporate this into the Lunar New Year film.
Kiro: You must keep this a secret!
MC: Mm! I got it.
When I was about to say a few more words to Kiro, there was a sudden commotion from a corner of the set.
??: Why are you messing around? If you hit our Lele, what will you pay for it?!
[PART 3]
Hearing the angry shout, Kiro and I looked at each other and rushed to the source of the sound very tacitly.
When we arrived, we saw a middle-aged man glaring at the child actors.
I recognized him. He was Tong Le's father and manager, and he was also the person who had been obstructing my interviews with Tong Le.
My interviewee Tong Le was guarded by his father. The boy's delicate face was expressionless, as if everything had nothing to do with him.
Child Actor A: We didn't hit him!
Child Actor B: He stood there himself!
Tong Fu: Nonsense, I clearly watched you guys deliberately throw the ball to Lele's side!
Child Actor A: We didn't!
The little actors were all teenagers, and when the adult accused them of this, their little faces flushed, and they almost cried out of anger.
Seeing that the situation was not good, I was about to step forward to persuade him, but Kiro had already walked over a step faster than me and guarded the child actors behind him.
When the children saw Kiro, it was like seeing a savior, and they quickly explained by pulling the corners of his clothes.
Child Actor A: Brother Kiro, we really didn't mean it!
Child Actor B: He obviously wasn't standing there when we played ball!
Kiro: Mm. I understand.
Kiro: Dad Tong, I don't think they are the kind of kids who deliberately bully people.
Kiro: And the place where they play ball is also monitored. If you are not at ease, I can accompany you to watch the surveillance video, how about it?
When the father saw Kiro coming, his face had already turned very embarrassed. After listening to his words, a smile stretched across the man's cheeks.
Tong Fu: Hahaha monitoring is unnecessary. Since there is Mr. Kiro as the testimony, I am willing to believe it! Haha...
I looked at Tong Fu flattering with narrowed eyes, and I couldn't help but frown.
Tong Fu: By the way, Mr. Kiro, our Lele has just entered the circle, and we still need your guidance and support!
Kiro: No problem. It’s just that, while I can teach the children acting skills, there are some things that require parents to be role models.
Kiro's indifferent tone made Tong Fu's expression stiff. He tugged at the corners of his mouth a little, and pulled Tong Le away quickly.
Kiro turned around and squatted down, holding the hands of the child actors.
Kiro: Are you alright?
The children shook their heads with their mouths pursed. One of the children wiped away the tears in a grieved manner and spoke angrily.
Child Actor A: I hate Tong Le! He is not worthy of being a star explorer!
Tong Le: .....
Tong Le, who was not far away, seemed to have heard those words. His footsteps paused, and then he was forcibly dragged away by his father.
-
There was still a highlight today, which was the part where Kiro's Phantom appeared when the Star Expedition was trapped on a cliff.
The child actors were already standing on the high platform on the top of the scaffold, which would become a small cave in the cliff after the instrument was activated.
Looking at their calm expressions, I think they were already very accustomed to the new technology.
Kiro was on the high platform on the other side, dangling by a rope, on standby at any time.
When Alin put on his glasses and simulated the scene of the towering cliff abyss, the director gave an order and the camera started to film.
Director: Ka, the mood is not good enough, start over again.
Director: The interaction is not natural enough, start over.
Director: There's no feeling, start over.
Even after repeating it seven times in a row, the director's brows kept frowning. Finally, a ten-minute break was announced, and the actors continued to stand by.
Tong Fu took the opportunity to get in front of the director and asked with a smile.
Tong Fu: Director, why are you dissatisfied? I thought our Lele's performance was very good!
The director turned around and looked at Tong Fu with a serious expression.
Director: This scene is the sublimation point of the whole movie. Only the feeling of bondage between the performance partners can move the audience.
Director: But now, when Tong Le said "trust me", the other children were not moved at all.
Tong Fu: But...but it's not my son's problem. It's because they didn't perform well! If it really doesn't work, stop shooting supporting roles and give my son more close-ups!
Other Parents: What do you mean? Do you want to rob the show?
Tong Fu: How is this called a robbery? Isn't it right for someone who plays well to get a lot of shots?!
When the other parents heard this, they became more and more angry, and they stepped forward to argue with Tong Fu. One of them hit the amplifier in the room and made a loud noise.
The sound interrupted the dispute, and the staff hurriedly pulled the group of parents outside the set to mediate.
The director looked at the group of parents and sighed. He shook his head and ordered the camera to re-point at the scaffolding above.
Director: Turn on the instrument and let's do another one.
Two minutes before the shooting started, I suddenly heard two beeps in my ears, as if the machine issued a harsh warning.
In the next second, my feet were suddenly weightless—
The original flat land suddenly became a bottomless abyss!
The instrument seemed to be out of control!
[PART 4]
The world was overturned, the equipment swayed and tipped, and the image that was originally fixed in that small area rapidly expanded, and everyone fell down together--
Distorted hallucinations invaded everyone's brain and interfered with our cognitive nerves. Even if we closed our eyes, it wouldn't help.
Screams from all directions hit me along with a sense of weightlessness.
While waving my hands wildly, I accidentally grabbed a rock wall, and at the same time, a familiar voice came from above me.
Kiro: MC!
I raised my head and saw a golden light flash across my eyes.
Kiro, who had been on standby at the highest point, jumped down, and when he was about to get close to me, he pulled out his dagger and stuck it into the crevice of the mountain.
Kiro: Hold on to me!
Amidst the cluster of cracked rocks, he stretched out his hand to me. I gritted my teeth and tried to get closer to him.
The moment our fingertips touched, his hand yanked up forcefully and he hugged me in his arms.
MC: Kiro...
Kiro: MC, don't look at anything besides me. Look into my eyes.
Kiro: Trust me. I'm real.
Kiro's hand was tightly clasped around my waist, and his hot breath was on the tip of my nose.
His embrace had the opposite temperature to that of the abyss, holding me firmly. There was a trace of anxiety in his bright blue eyes, but more of it was his trust in me.
All that was reflected in his clear pupils was me, and behind me... was the green curtain.
There was a buzz in my head and a solid sensation under my feet. The effect of hallucinations on me receded like a tide.
The booster also reached the energy threshold by then. It made a long screeching sound and then went out.
Although it was just a runaway illusion of just tens of seconds, everyone was thrilled, as if they have actually experienced a crisis.
The surrounding shooting equipment was lying upside down, and everyone fell to the ground one after another, staring at each other.
Staff Member: What happened just now was that the amplifier crashed, right?
Staff Member: My goodness, that was so much more exciting than VR...
Child Actor: Help!
A scream cut through the air. The horrified group looked up, and suddenly took in a breath.
In the turmoil just now, a child actor unexpectedly fell out of the high platform unsteadily!
And the person who caught her and kept her from falling was Tong Le!
Parents of Child Actors: Little girl!!
Tong Fu: Lele!
Staff Member: Go and lay the inflatable cushion!!
Everyone rushed to the rescue. Kiro's expression also changed.
He nodded at me knowingly, turned around and sprinted in long strides. He ran towards the scaffold faster than anyone else.
At this time, the other children on the high platform were frightened and frozen in place, and the girl who was in danger was crying.
Girl: I...I'm afraid...Help...
Tong Le gritted his teeth and desperately clenched his partner's hand.
Tong Le: You are my partner. I will save you!
Tong Le: You have to trust me!
Thin blue veins stretched out on Tong Le's forehead, and his hands were so tight that his knuckles turned white.
Despite his efforts to pull up, the strength of a child was still too little after all.
Seeing Tong Le being dragged down more and more, suddenly, a strong hand supported the suspended girl.
Kiro hugged the girl, pushed her onto the platform, and then turned up.
Child Actor: It's Brother Kiro!
The child actors' eyes widened in surprise, but Kiro put on an inexplicable expression.
Kiro: Who is Brother Kiro?
Kiro: I am the explorer of the previous generation of stars, A Xing!
Kiro: I felt the call of the star badge. Now, I'll give you the strength and courage of the explorer team!
While talking, Kiro showed Tong Le a badge.
Tong Le: .....
Tong Le bit his lower lip, staring blankly at the blond young man in front of him, as if he had really seen the guiding light.
The boy hesitated, finally took out his badge and touched Kiro's.
-
After Kiro rescued the girl, the filming was announced to be suspended.
Because of this accident, the crew was busy rechecking security and discussing follow-up measures. The people who accompanied Tong Le turned out to be me and Kiro.
The boy curled up on the seat in a blanket, looking fragile and tired.
MC: Little Tong Le, do you remember me? I'm MC. We met for an interview last week.
Tong Le: ...Mm.
MC: You did a good job just now. It was the bravest behavior.
Tong Le: ....But I was scolded by my dad, and he told me not to be nosy...
Kiro: So he is not a star explorer, but you are.
Tong Le raised his head suddenly when he heard these words.
Kiro looked at him directly, his eyes kept true. The way the two wore almost the same costumes, it was as if they were having a conversation across time and space.
Kiro: I think the director will choose you to be the star of this generation, not only because of your appearance or your acting skills.
Kiro: But because someone sees your heart and knows that you have the potential of a "star explorer".
Kiro: That is a free and brave heart.
Kiro held Tong Le's hand and asked him softly.
Kiro: Do you want to open that heart?
After a long silence, Tong Le nodded and then shook his head again.
Tong Le: But my father...
Kiro: Since you are a star explorer, focus on adventure.
Kiro: Those obstructing people and things will be handled by adults like Sister MC and I, don't worry!
Kiro finished off with A Xing's signature move, and Tong Le finally laughed.
He nodded vigorously to Kiro and me, then dropped the blanket and ran towards the group of child actors not far away.
When the children saw him coming, their little faces were a little embarrassed. Everyone looked at each other for a while, and finally pushed a boy out.
Child Actor A: Tong, Tong Le, that...
Child Actor A: I'm sorry that I said I hated you before! I'm sorry that I said you weren't worthy of being a star explorer!
Tong Le: It's okay. Even if you hate me, it doesn't matter if I don't deserve it. I will prove it to you!
Tong Le straightened his chest when he said this, and was no longer as timid as before.
The children blushed and looked at each other again.
Child Actor A: Then... our game team is still one person short, do you want to come?
Tong Le: Okay!
Looking at the children who were not far away, Kiro and I looked at each other with relief.
I took Kiro's hand and rubbed the red marks that were left from when he had just climbed, feeling a little distressed.
MC: When you were a child star, were you as stressed as Tong Le?
Kiro: Yes, but it wasn't the same as Tong Le’s pressure.
Kiro held my hand instead, and his knuckles were tightly closed with mine.
Kiro: Although I was under pressure, I had been protected by love and courage from the little flame in my heart since I was little.
Kiro: KEY, Mrs. Seidel... and you, MC.
Kiro: When I feel the pressure of darkness come, I will think of you and everyone.
Kiro: Then rekindle a flame for myself.
Kiro: So I also want to protect the flames of other people, and don't want them to go out.
He blinked at me. There was a look of triumph in his eyes.
Kiro: After all, this is what the Star Explorer should do!
MC: It is also what a superhero should do!
I took his words and we once again laughed with each other tacitly.
Accompanying moments and texts: here
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