[ Fortunately for Jim, he's not the bluffing type. He pulls his phone out, opens the first text, and then holds it in Sakurai's direction without facing the man himself.
True to his word, there're two short sentences on screen: Jim, take Sho with you to your meeting today. He needs to see how our business deals are made himself. ]
Pretty sure Yamanaka read all the kanji right for me when I asked her what the hard ones were, so.
[Sho's lips draw into a thin line and he tries not to let his anger show, but it's pretty clear that he is furious. To think that his own father would trust this bumbling American over his own son - it's enough to drive him mad.]
Doesn't she have that certificate in Japanese literature? [ Not that Sakurai would know, Jim imagines, but with a brief shift of his gaze to note the other man's displeased expression, he bites his lip lightly before walking through the opening elevator doors. ]
It's not that bad, you know. Sales calls. They don't ever take more than an hour, or at least mine don't.
[Yeah, it's not as though Sho knows - or particularly even cares. His expression sours further, partly from being caught in a lie, partly from Jim's comment about how long the call is likely to take.]
...an hour?
[He apparently doesn't do them very often, if at all.]
[ Unlocking his car, Jim heads straight to the driver's seat, shaking his head as he slips in and waiting for Sakurai to follow. Only then does he follow up with, ] You can go one day without fancy food.
A customer? [ He glances at Sakurai out of the corner of his eye, then backs out of the parking space and goes on. ] That's someone who receives service in exchange for money.
[ He does pass by the new place Sakurai mentioned, though, as they drive along. It says something about a special first lunch, but Jim doesn't really understand the importance of it. ]
[There's a look from Sho at Jim's smart-ass comment, but he decides not to give the man the pleasure of a response. Instead he just stares at the restaurant as they pass and gives an indignant snort of irritation.]
[ Jim is pretty sure restaurants don't just stay open for one meal, but he doesn't tell Sakurai this and tries not to laugh about it instead.
His need to keep up pretences is beyond Jim's realm of comprehension, but he supposes that's what happens when you're the spoiled heir to a giant business.
They get caught in traffic a little past the halfway point to their destination, and Jim lets out a little sigh as he leans back in his seat and absently taps at the steering wheel. ]
jim don't give a shit but his player might 8D IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER OKAY
[Sho's arms are folded across his chest again and he lets out a sigh of his own, wishing he'd just got a taxi instead of having to be stuck in a car with a man he can't stand. He feels no need to start up a conversation, but he does lean over and turn on the radio, hoping for something to ease his boredom.]
ONE DAY JIM WILL ENJOY SHO'S FACE LIKE THE REST OF US (i do give many shits)
[ Having predicted such an action the moment he knew he'd be riding a car with the boss' son, Jim easily programmed the radio to play nothing but channels dedicated to niche, ambient music, and one news channel for Arabian speakers.
Of course, he shows no sign of it being a pre-meditated thing. He just starts to drive once the traffic starts moving again, enjoying whatever sound Sakurai decides to settle on. ]
[But he can't settle on anything, and that's the problem. None of the music is to his taste, and not speaking Arabic he can't understand a word of the news channel, so he cycles through every single one once, twice, three times...]
Is this thing broken?
[And he starts to fiddle with the dials and buttons]
the day jim says "you look cute today sakurai" sho's going to think he's high
[ The corner of his mouth twitches a little, but Jim masks that with a fake yawn, one hand off the wheel to cover it before he drives with both hands again. ]
And the channel switches when you press the button. Are you sure you've used a radio before?
[That comment definitely earns Jim a look of utter distaste, Sho actually bothering to turn and glare before delivering a response in the most patronising of tones.]
Are you sure you've ever used a brain cell before? What kind of radio stations do you think we have in Tokyo? This sounds like somebody slowly drowning a cat.
[Another few moments of pointless dial-twiddling.]
...I wish you came with a 'mute' button.
ah, drunk jim... saying something life-changing before passing the hell out because of low tolerance
[ Somehow things are falling into some plan Jim didn't know he had until Sakurai opened his damn mouth. Jim makes some gesture towards the off button of the radio, turning his head for a brief moment to offer Sakurai a smile. ]
Shuts me up right on through. Give it a try.
and drunk sho, probably making even more of an ass of himself, and/or hugging everyone
[...is Jim hitting on him? It's arrogance which makes him think that, of course; in his head, Sho gets hit on by a lot of people, although in reality they're probably just being nice so he'll go away. The thing which bothers Sho the most right now though is that Jim may have found out his appetite for men as well as women, and if that gets back to his father there might really be trouble.]
[ That... is so out of nowhere Jim literally almost laughs right then and there. Unlike Sakurai, Jim's perfectly fine with some ambiguous, fluid sexuality, and what gets him isn't Sakurai's sex as much as it is the fact that the guy in his passenger's seat is the last person Jim would ever want to do anything with.
Well, so far, anyway. ]
No? [ He puts on his best disappointed tone, mouth turning into a frown as he gives a little cock of his head. Jim was planning on shutting up if Sakurai did flick the radio off, and then staying shut up all throughout their business meeting, but this seems an interesting enough topic that he's glad he doesn't have to. ] Huh. What is your type, then?
Edited (EDITS REPEATEDLY LIKE A MANIAC) 2017-04-02 15:35 (UTC)
[ That Sakurai has to specify 'women' says so many things. Of course, Japan isn't quite as liberal about these things as America is, so Jim shouldn't be surprised.
But it doesn't make Sakurai's insistence any less fascinating. ]
No better way to figure out chemistry than by total silence, right?
[He sounds irritated that he should even say it; but nonetheless he manages to pronounce it with such finality; Jim isn't a girl, therefore he isn't interested whatsoever. Which may be the case, although it's more likely to do with the fact that Jim irritates the shit out of him.]
And you're no different from any of the other annoying interns I've been landed with. I want a PA, not a babysitter. I've no idea where my father keeps finding you.
I don't know about everyone else, but I'm the top salesman in one of your company's biggest assets. [ Giving one last turn, Jim checks the street sign--they're close to the company they've got dealings with, thank God. ] And after your dad asked for my transfer, now I'm the top salesman in your main building.
[ That is to say: Jim's main focus isn't keeping Sakurai happy, but to sell products belonging to the zaibatsu's territories. He's really just taking him along on today's call to build experience, even though the man beside him is older than him a good couple of years. ]
I don't do babysitting, kiddo. [ Jim adds the pleasantry on purpose. ] But I do listen to my boss, and that isn't you.
[The thing which pisses Sho off the most is that Jim is right. Sho knows full well that the man answers to his father, not him. Okay, do maybe he doesn't know as much about Jim's credentials as he should, but it's obvious that his father wouldn't have picked him if he werejust some entry-level graduate. Not that Sho will ever admit that, and he gets a cruel kick of his own from belittling the man.]
Don't call me kiddo.
[So he seizes on the only thing he can, the insulting and informal way in which Jim addresses him.]
It's 'Sakurai-san'.
*slams fist on desk rhythmically* I! WANT! SOFT! SHO
Sakurai-san is your father. [ Or so Jim says as he parks the car, kills the engine, and steps out.
He doesn't go to open Sho's door, instead fixing the collar of his coat and shirt and straightening his tie. Jim grabs his briefcase from the back and stretches his arms up over his head. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
can u imagine how cute tomo would be just blowing his nose into a tissue...wtf
True to his word, there're two short sentences on screen: Jim, take Sho with you to your meeting today. He needs to see how our business deals are made himself. ]
Pretty sure Yamanaka read all the kanji right for me when I asked her what the hard ones were, so.
dammit tomo even ur snot is cute
Maybe her kanji skills need some work.
[He's bluffing. Badly.]
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It's not that bad, you know. Sales calls. They don't ever take more than an hour, or at least mine don't.
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[Yeah, it's not as though Sho knows - or particularly even cares. His expression sours further, partly from being caught in a lie, partly from Jim's comment about how long the call is likely to take.]
...an hour?
[He apparently doesn't do them very often, if at all.]
But I've already got a table booked for lunch!
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[ Unlocking his car, Jim heads straight to the driver's seat, shaking his head as he slips in and waiting for Sakurai to follow. Only then does he follow up with, ] You can go one day without fancy food.
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[Still, he climbs into the passenger seat and buckles up his belt.]
You probably don't even know what that is.
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[ He does pass by the new place Sakurai mentioned, though, as they drive along. It says something about a special first lunch, but Jim doesn't really understand the importance of it. ]
have some lame-ass icons, woo~
Huh. Maybe they'll still be open on the way back.
y...you're giving the wrong guy eye candy
His need to keep up pretences is beyond Jim's realm of comprehension, but he supposes that's what happens when you're the spoiled heir to a giant business.
They get caught in traffic a little past the halfway point to their destination, and Jim lets out a little sigh as he leans back in his seat and absently taps at the steering wheel. ]
jim don't give a shit but his player might 8D IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER OKAY
ONE DAY JIM WILL ENJOY SHO'S FACE LIKE THE REST OF US (i do give many shits)
Of course, he shows no sign of it being a pre-meditated thing. He just starts to drive once the traffic starts moving again, enjoying whatever sound Sakurai decides to settle on. ]
THE POOR FOOL
Is this thing broken?
[And he starts to fiddle with the dials and buttons]
the day jim says "you look cute today sakurai" sho's going to think he's high
[ The corner of his mouth twitches a little, but Jim masks that with a fake yawn, one hand off the wheel to cover it before he drives with both hands again. ]
And the channel switches when you press the button. Are you sure you've used a radio before?
do it when he's drunk for maximum lols
Are you sure you've ever used a brain cell before? What kind of radio stations do you think we have in Tokyo? This sounds like somebody slowly drowning a cat.
[Another few moments of pointless dial-twiddling.]
...I wish you came with a 'mute' button.
ah, drunk jim... saying something life-changing before passing the hell out because of low tolerance
[ Somehow things are falling into some plan Jim didn't know he had until Sakurai opened his damn mouth. Jim makes some gesture towards the off button of the radio, turning his head for a brief moment to offer Sakurai a smile. ]
Shuts me up right on through. Give it a try.
and drunk sho, probably making even more of an ass of himself, and/or hugging everyone
You're not my type.
[He snaps back quickly. Probably too quickly.]
SOFT SHO
Well, so far, anyway. ]
No? [ He puts on his best disappointed tone, mouth turning into a frown as he gives a little cock of his head. Jim was planning on shutting up if Sakurai did flick the radio off, and then staying shut up all throughout their business meeting, but this seems an interesting enough topic that he's glad he doesn't have to. ] Huh. What is your type, then?
LIKE A POUTY MARSHMALLOW~
[He frowns and corrects himself]
Women. I like women who know when to shut up and stay quiet. So you're right out of the equation.
(EDITS? I SAW NOTHING, CARRY ON~)
i imagined drunk!sho being called a marshmallow and then giggling
[ That Sakurai has to specify 'women' says so many things. Of course, Japan isn't quite as liberal about these things as America is, so Jim shouldn't be surprised.
But it doesn't make Sakurai's insistence any less fascinating. ]
No better way to figure out chemistry than by total silence, right?
...he'd love it :|
[He drums his own fingers impatiently on the dashboard, and then adds - totally unneccessarily]
...unlike you.
CRIES I WANT HIM IN JIMS LIFE
[ Jim's fingers fidget over the wheel. ]
It's like you're saying I'm different from all the other girls...
IT'S OKAY HE'S HERE
[He sounds irritated that he should even say it; but nonetheless he manages to pronounce it with such finality; Jim isn't a girl, therefore he isn't interested whatsoever. Which may be the case, although it's more likely to do with the fact that Jim irritates the shit out of him.]
And you're no different from any of the other annoying interns I've been landed with. I want a PA, not a babysitter. I've no idea where my father keeps finding you.
no this is dickbag sho i want soft sho :'(
[ That is to say: Jim's main focus isn't keeping Sakurai happy, but to sell products belonging to the zaibatsu's territories. He's really just taking him along on today's call to build experience, even though the man beside him is older than him a good couple of years. ]
I don't do babysitting, kiddo. [ Jim adds the pleasantry on purpose. ] But I do listen to my boss, and that isn't you.
hey, who says that's never gonna happen :')
Don't call me kiddo.
[So he seizes on the only thing he can, the insulting and informal way in which Jim addresses him.]
It's 'Sakurai-san'.
*slams fist on desk rhythmically* I! WANT! SOFT! SHO
He doesn't go to open Sho's door, instead fixing the collar of his coat and shirt and straightening his tie. Jim grabs his briefcase from the back and stretches his arms up over his head. ]
...sure you don't want hard Sho? 8D
wine and dine jim first 8(
well okay but they're splitting the bill, he's a colleague, not a sugar-daddy
...they should just pay for their own stuff because jim doesn't trust paying half of what sho wants
half of what sho wants is probably twice what jim would pay
... yeah, let's just eat crappy fried eggs
we're having wagyu beef or we're having nothing
you're the most pretentious little--
do i look like a burger-and-fries kind of guy?
yes, actually :)
how rude
coming from you? :D
respect your superiors, jimbob >:|
he will once sakurai EARNS IT
EARN *THIS*, YOU ASSHAT /middle finger
...do you think i want it up my ass
you wish, yankee boy
you wish that i wish
like i'd want to get any part of me dirty by getting it near that stupid face
awww... you look at my face?
it's not like i can avoid it
you could always close your eyes, but... ♡
i wouldn't need to close them if you were behind me---
........ ;)
dammit
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