32 Calming a bristled wild cat

At the sound of that name, Kyosuke became speechless, silent as a stone statue.

Just like Sato had previously been, Kyosuke also looked thoroughly dumbfounded by this news. His eyes went wide in an instant and his mouth opened, but without being able to speak.

However, this is where the similarities between them ended.

While Sato had run away in a flurry of emotions, Kyosuke clenched his hands into fists and banged them against the table. The impact caused the several small objects on the surface to rattle violently. Some even fell down, rolling on the floor until they disappeared from view.

"Kyosuke… Please calm down." Sato entreated, trying to sound calmer than he actually was.

He knew that mentioning Touma's name would bring about this reaction.

Ever since the day Sato came back from the hospital, that person's name had been like a trigger able to flip Kyosuke's anger button in a split second. Whenever he heard it, the young man would burst into flames and burn everything to the ground.

All Sato could hope for was that Kyosuke would be understanding this time and not make too big of a fuss.

"C-calm down?"

Kyosuke spoke through gritted teeth, looking like a wild beast ready to pounce and kill. He was seething with so much fury that, for a second, Sato was afraid he would combust.

"You're actually telling me to c-calm down?"

"Or else what?" Sato countered.

"I'll go and break that bastard's legs, that's what! How dare he… to you… he…" Kyosuke choked on his words, his eyes almost bulging out in rage. He looked like a puffer fish ready to explode.

"Don't be unreasonable."

"How am I unreasonable?!" Kyosuke shouted incredulously. "Don't you want to see that bastard lying on a hospital bed, looking like a wrapped-up mummy?" he bit out, his tone dripping with a hot desire for vengeance.

"No."

"Well, even if you don't, I do!"

"Not if it means having to bail you out from prison." Sato retorted reasonably.

"It would be worth it! Damn it! If I can make that guy suffer, it would all be worth it."

"Stop being silly. Don't you remember he's always been stronger than you? There is no way you could win in a fight against him."

"Humph! Then I'll find someone stronger who can kick his ass for me."

"What are you, a gangster?" Sato sighed wearily. "Now stop talking nonsense and let's eat dinner. It's already late, and today I will have to go to bed early."

"I'll go with you tomorrow." Kyosuke blurted out.

In truth, he was not listening to a single word Sato just said. He was currently too focused on his own emotions to care about anything else.

Seeing that, Sato's eyes narrowed slightly.

"What are you coming with me for? Kyosuke, do I look like I need a babysitter? Or perhaps are you bored to death with your own work and plan on stealing mine?"

After saying this much, Sato fell silent, folding his arms against his chest. An eyebrow shot up and he gazed at Kyosuke as if the young man in front of him had transformed into a two-year-old, who was making a fuss about wanting to go to the amusement park with his parents.

It was quite a funny image, but Sato felt like he could have done without it at that moment.

"I'm coming to keep an eye on things. There's just no way I can feel calm knowing you'll be in the same place as a bastard like him." Kyosuke bit out in response.

Thinking about the situation, Sato couldn't help but smile. Despite looking so dangerous and riled up, he knew Kyosuke wouldn't really go as far as to beat someone up.

Nevertheless, it was still safer to avoid any unnecessary contact between those two.

Therefore, he once again tried to reason with his hot-tempered friend and cousin.

"We won't be the only people there, you know. So, there is no reason for you to be on guard. Besides, don't you have your own schedule to follow? What would happen if you miss your shooting just because of something like this?"

"But I..."

"Kyota-san will be very angry if you skip your work. He'll scold you again. Maybe even go as far as to cut your food expenses even further. Do you really want that to happen?"

Kyosuke flinched and gulped loudly. He suddenly found himself in a difficult predicament.

"N-no... I don't want that. But I'm worried about you. Perhaps Kyota-san will understand my reasons this time."

"There is nothing to worry about and your reasons are weak. It's just a table reading this time. The rest of the cast will be there, as well as other people from the production company. Ah! Now that I think about it, Asakura-san said he'll be there as well."

This last bit was more of a speculation on his part. Asakura never said anything, not explicitly at least, about taking part in the table readings. But from how much he could gather regarding the man's position in the production team, Sato believed there was a high chance of Asakura being there.

While thinking about this matter, Sato didn't even realize just how much he was anticipating seeing the other man again. If he had understood his own heart better at that point, perhaps he would have felt slightly worried.

As things stood, though, Sato was more focused on convincing Kyosuke to give up his bloodthirsty rampage for now, than to ponder on his feelings.

"Oh? Asakura-san will be there too?" Kyosuke asked, gradually calming down.

He was now like a bull who had suddenly stopped seeing red.

Sato quickly struck the iron while still hot.

"En. Since he's invested a lot of money into this movie, I heard they treat him like a big boss around there. And apparently he is even good friends with the author of the book. I wonder if Masato-sensei will be able to come as well. I would really love to meet him."

"Well, if Asakura-san is going to be there, then my mind is settled. You'll be in safe hands."

"Ha? What's this all about?" Sato became flustered at once.

"Nothing." Kyosuke dismissed him, without noticing Sato's strange reaction, nor the slight blush covering his friend's face. "You just focus on reading your script. With your top notch acting, you're bound to impress everybody."

"Now you're just making me feel nervous."

"Nonsense."

Kyosuke grinned and shot Sato a playful wink.

"Just be confident and show them what Imamura Sato can do. They will all be sure to fall in love with you."