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After a moment, Nezumi cleared his throat and brought the smile back to his face as he lifted his cupcake.

"You might not be a Narcissus or Shou, but you never know what heights you can reach unless you try. I have high hopes for you, and I can promise you'll be well accepted in both markets. And yes, you know I'm speaking of your music, but music can be one of the best forms of therapy..." he drifted off in thought for a moment, taking a little lick of the cupcake icing before speaking again, "...heh, I wish I had any musical talent to speak of..."

With that thought, he took a big bite of the cupcake, chewed, and swallowed.

"So they've got you posing on cars, huh? Not exactly the marketing strategy we would have started with back home, but if it works, it works, right?"

"Anything worth doing is never easy, Tanaka-san." Nezumi chuckled, taking a sip of his tea.
"However, if I didn't think you could make it, I would have never recommended you for Ohayou in the first place. But...as far as having talents, the only thing I can really do well is cook, and apparently I can't even do that well enough, so I'll just stick to management until I'm old enough to retire."

The mouse listened to the rest of what Michi had to say and nodded his head in understanding, nibbling at his food the whole time until he was questioned about his plans for the holidays. It was really all he could do not to sigh and hang his head in front of the man.

"I haven't got any plans for the holidays, Tanaka-san. I usually celebrate them alone, and...when I have had plans...they just seem to fall through." Nezumi smiled, trying to make it sound perfectly normal and as though it weren't a big deal at all. It was...just the way things were. Nothing wrong with that.

Pausing with a mouthful of cupcake, Nezumi blinked.

"To...your Mother's for Christmas? Iie, I'm afraid I couldn't impose like that. Besides, I'm rather used to being alone over the holidays. And..." but the mousy man didn't get to finish because his star's wink caught him off guard. Such a cute gesture...and obviously flirtatious.
Nezumi turned his eyes down and to the right, gazing at the corner of the table as he chewed and blushed.

Swallowing his food, the manager cleared his throat and tried to think of a way to change the subject. He didn't feel like dwelling on emotional subjects when he was supposed to be fully focused on work.

"Well...I'll consider your invitation, Tanaka-san. How about we leave it at that for now?" the manager replied as politely as he could, though his smile was weak.
Of course, he couldn't explain to his star that he was rather heartbroken at the moment, and had expected to spend the holiday with someone he had gone absolutely gaga over, and who he had thought had similar feelings. Sharing such intimate things wasn't...appropriate.
Besides, every time he ever tried to open up to someone, it always seemed to come crashing right back into his face in the most painful way possible.

Work, however, was a subject he was far more pleased to be brought back to.

"Well, once we return to Japan, we'll be on holiday, of course. After that, I think having you see the voice coach would be advisable, just to train you a bit more, though I like the gritty...ah....sensuality your voice already possesses. As far as touring with Narcissus, I agree that your style and his might not exactly be complimentary, however...what Narcissus-san wants, he typically gets. I'll leave the final word on that up to Ishi-san. It would certainly gain you publicity, if nothing else." the mouse explained, finishing his dessert and beginning his actual meal.

"Indeed....Narcissus can be...something else, to say the least." Nezumi couldn't help but chuckle as he took a quick sip of his tea, pondering over the things his star was saying.

"Nevertheless, if you're associated with him, you're going to be put in the spotlight, probably more than you like. As far as after lunch today, though...that depends. Do you prefer to be left to your own devices, or would you like my company? I don't want to be overbearing, but I also don't want you feeling abandoned. You tell me what you want or need. I don't have any other work to attend to at the moment, so it's up to you. As far as going to the gym...well, perhaps I could walk the treadmill for a while. I'm sure you can tell by looking at me I'm not exactly an athletic champion." the mouse laughed, crinkling the trash from his meal up into a small ball, then batting it gently between his hands as though it were a nervous habit of sorts.

"The media does like to sensationalize any and every thing they possibly can. It's their job, though I am aware that it doesn't make your job any easier. It simply is what it is. If I had to give you any advice, I'd say just try to avoid them when you can, and when you can't, just be polite, smile, and never answer any questions you don't feel comfortable with." the manager said matter-of-factly.

"Ok, ok, I'll come along...but a quarter? Honestly?!" Nezumi laughed and blushed at the thought.
"Perhaps I'm a bit out of shape, but that sounds a little too in shape for my liking. If you're still hungry, though, go ahead and order yourself something else. I'll cover the cost for you. Certainly no need for you to go hungry. Eat your fill and then we can head out."

As Michi returned with his macaroni, Nezumi licked his lips. The dish both looked and smelled delicious.

"I don't believe you're eating too much, given the amount of energy you've been expending lately. Besides, a little extra here and there is good for the soul. As a matter of fact...I think I might just have to go and place an order for one of those myself. If there's one thing I do love, it's cheese!" the mouse beamed, pushing his chair back from the table and heading to the counter, ordering himself a bowl of the delectable mac and cheese.

A few minutes later, the manager returned with his prize, sitting down with a far too pleased smile over something as simple as noodles in cheese sauce, immediately digging in like a child given candy.