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Title<\/b>: Closer [Senga, Kis-My-Ft2]
\nRating\/Warnings<\/b>: R for scariness. See warning below.
\nSummary<\/b>: After they get the new studio, strange things start to happen. And then Senga finds the song.
\nAN<\/b>: Loosely based on the Korean horror movie “White” which I watched for the first time last week and loved, and said that I could see Kisumai cast in so easily. Tlist demanded scary Halloween fic and as a consequence, here we are. I spent my whole weekend and two hurricane days doing nothing but writing this. It’s 14k D: and I’ve never tried to write something scary before, so I hope you guys like it. The few of you that can bear to read scary things. <\/p>\n
REAL WARNING<\/b>: Think Asian horror ghost movie like Ring or Shutter or White. Scary stuff happens to people you enjoy! Character death possible! I don’t want to spoil all the spoils, given the nature of it, but ghosts are involved and they are pissed. <\/p>\n
It’s not gory or anything, though, not like crazy serial murder fic or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about. It’s plotty. So…good luck?<\/p>\n
Closer<\/b><\/p>\n
The new dance studio is a hell of a lot nicer than the old one, spacious and in a decent location this time, beautiful floors that look new and state-of-the-art tracklighting. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nice enough that Fujigaya and Kitayama both give their manager skeptical looks as the group is ushered in for the first time, the younger four brushing past them to claim the best corners for their junk and check out the changing room. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you fucking with us?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya wants to know, then grunts when Yokoo socks him in the arm for language. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Watta! We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve sat through three meetings this week alone about budget cuts, and suddenly we end up here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He waves his hands dramatically, encompassing the floor and lights and everything. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a bit suspicious,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama puts in casually, like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not trying to back up Fujigaya or anything, just thinking it. <\/p>\n
Their manager shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153President got it at a good price. It seems there was a fire some years ago, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all refurbished now, very modern.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She gives them a steely glance. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not worry about any of that and work hard to use his gift wisely, hm?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, Manager-san,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya and Kitayama chorus dutifully. <\/p>\n
Senga doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hear any of that, his attention entirely captured by the mirrors as soon as he spots them. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re huge, floor-to-ceiling practically, polished to such a shine that his reflection is crystal clear when he dashes over to them. He lifts a hand but doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite touch his own reflection, such a perfect likeness that it looks like his hand might pass right through and press up against the other Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you doing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido demands right in Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ear, making him jump and his heart skip. Senga glares and Nikaido grins at him before turning back to the mirror. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just a mirror, Kenpi, see?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He puts his own palm square against the glass, squishing it flat. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll mark it all up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says, batting Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand back down. He tugs his sleeve down over his hand to wipe away the mark, but he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s barely got it off before Nikaido squishes two more on either side of it, snickering as Senga whines his name at him. <\/p>\n
It starts a struggle that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s more than half girly slap fight, Senga trying to get between Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hands and the glass, shoving at his arms, Nikaido sneaking under and around Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s guard to put as many marks on the glass as he can. It only takes a minute for them to get too worked up, and Nikaido shoves Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulders with enough force to knock his back hard into the mirror. <\/p>\n
Senga yelps when he feels the mirror give behind him, and then Nikaido is yanking him forward by the wrists, eyes wide. It takes a second for Senga to calm enough to realize that the mirror wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t falling, just pivoting. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nika!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga accuses, snappish from adrenaline, then tugs his hands free because Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s grip is tight enough to leave red marks on his wrists. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ow!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought it was going to fall on your stupid head!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido blusters back, expression still panicky. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What the hell are you two doing over here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo demands, popping up behind them and making both of them squeak. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Be careful about the mirrors, idiots! We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been here five minutes and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re already breaking–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not broken,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga interrupts, looking more closely at the dislodged mirror. He grips the edge of it and moves it back and forth a little. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s on a hinge. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s kind of a cabinet back here. Empty though.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pulls his head out of the gap and pushes the mirror back to it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s original position, hearing the soft snikt<\/i> of the latch. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wonder if there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s anything in the others?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Try looking for Nika-chan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dignity,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama says as he strolls by to fetch Tamamori and Miyata from exploring the changing room; Nikaido tosses a glare over his shoulder. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look carefully, there never was much of it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll let you know if I find a box you can stand on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s retort, making Senga giggle as he pushes on the next mirror down the line. <\/p>\n
Most of them contain nothing but a few cobwebs, but the second one in from the right on the far end is more stubborn than the rest. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t open?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido suggests, already on edge after an encounter with a spider who was not happy to be disturbed. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, I can feel it swing just a little, but feels like something is stuck.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga tries to get a better grip on the edge, but the glass is slick and the angle awkward. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here, help, can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
With both of them tugging, the mirror pops open suddenly with a screech of rusty hinges, and a stack of dusty cassette tapes spills out on the ground with a clatter. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido raises an eyebrow, but Senga kneels down and examines them with interest. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re probably dance music, right? For the stereo.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga picks up a couple and blows the dust off. Their labels are faded and some of them water-splotched, most well-worn and half illegible. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be interesting to see what was popular back then, though. Manager-san, when did you say people danced here last?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hm?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Their manager barely looks up from the schedule she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rifling through. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153About fifteen years ago.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe Yara-senpai will know some of it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says hopefully. Nikaido nudges one of the tapes that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s too close away with the toe of his sneaker, and Yokoo wrinkles his nose at the dust all over Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fingers and pants, the palm prints on the mirror. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Quit fooling around over there and let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s get on with it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya calls over, in a rush as usual to just get all the physical labor over with. His hair is already in its usual palm tree, though, so he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hardly that threatening. <\/p>\n
Senga scoops the cassette tapes into his bag, intending to give them a listen later and see if there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s anything interesting. If any of it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s worth dancing to, maybe he can rip them to his laptop or even sample some of the tracks. <\/p>\n
He pauses with the last cassette in his hand, the yellowed label entirely blank except for the word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Closer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in block print. Kitayama calls for him to move it, and Senga drops the last tape into his bag before standing and trotting over to the others to stretch. <\/p>\n
That night he uses the line-in on his mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s old stereo to rip the cassettes to his computer. Most of them are decent dance mixes, nothing special. He saves the tape with the strange label for last, flipping the tape over to look at both sides before sliding it into the cassette player, but there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing else written on it, only the label on the case. <\/p>\n
There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s some crackling and popping at first, but the sound is remarkably clear for the age of the tape. The chorus is catchy, enough to make Senga tap his feet a little, even if the verses need a little bit of work. And whoever this group was, they could have hired a better lyricist from the sounds of it. Still, once he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s named and saved the file on his computer, Senga plays it back, humming along this time. Then he plays it again, and again. <\/p>\n
By the time his mother comes in to ask what on earth he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doing at this hour, Senga snaps out of it and realizes it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gotten late without him noticing. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And what on earth is your window open for?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she chides, crossing the room and shoving it shut with a screech. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s freezing in here, do you want another cold?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga drags his eyes away from the computer, having a hard time concentrating on what his mother is saying. Exhaustion, he supposes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But I feel so warm…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
He brings his laptop to work the next day, and during a break plays it for Nikaido to get his opinion. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a little dated,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga admits when Nikaido frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But I can tweak that, make it a bit more modern, maybe speed it up a little…it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be a good duet, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you think?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153A duet?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nika\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyebrows raise. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You mean for us? That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s somebody else\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s song though, right? We can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t use that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, I checked it out online.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga shakes his head, dragging the slider on his player to replay a chunk he likes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s never been a single or on an album anywhere in Japan. It must have been unreleased. Manager-san said there was a fire, right? Maybe their schedule got interrupted, or the band broke up, or…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
He realizes as Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s expression tenses that there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s another pretty obvious reason why a band wouldn’t release a single after a fire in their studio. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a good song, why not use it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga blunders on. Nikaido doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t share his enthusiasm, body language starting to lean in the opposite direction from Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s laptop. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Nikaido squirms a little, then just admits, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It gives me the creeps.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nika,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga rolls his eyes, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just a song.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153An unreleased song from a band that probably died tragically that you found in some creepy mirror closet!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido protests. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not what I mean, I mean the song itself. It makes me feel…I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He shivers a little. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga is opening his mouth to say that he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s being ridiculous when their manager pops up behind the two of them, nearly giving Nikaido a heart attack, and demands to know what they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re listening to. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I found some tapes in the new studio,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga explains about the cabinets behind the mirror, the tape with the song on it, and how it seemed to belong to no one, at the moment. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I see.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Their manager tapped her chin, looking thoughtful. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The chorus is catchy, isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it? We haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t heard anything I like yet for your next single, and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re already behind with the schedule…that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an mp3? Put it on my thumb drive,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she orders, pulling it out of her pocket and uncapping it before sticking it into the side of Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s computer. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have some people look at it, maybe update it a little.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga feels strangely resistant, unwilling to hand the song over. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was thinking–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Take it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido interrupts, reaching over to copy the file himself, not meeting Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can have it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga swallows his protests (not like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d get anywhere arguing with their manager anyway), and after she leaves his sudden panic dies back down again, as suddenly as it had come over him in the first place.<\/p>\n
It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just a song, he reminds himself. He can write the two of them a million more, just that one is no big deal. <\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What have I told you about putting your hands all over the mirrors?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo scolds, making Nikaido whine that Yokoo blames him for everything as he uses his shirtsleeve to try and buff the smudged handprint off the glass. Senga frowns because Nikaido has been on the floor stretching with him since they came into the room, but before he says anything, their manager breezes in and calls for their attention. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good news,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she announces, looking pleased. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your next release has finally been decided. Thanks to Senga-kun.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She beams at Senga and the others look at him curiously, but Senga squirms under the attention, the uncomfortable possessive feeling twisting his stomach again. <\/p>\n
Quit being stupid<\/i>, he scolds himself, forcing a smile. It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even your song in the first place!<\/i><\/p>\n
That song was for him,<\/i> another voice hisses, different than his usual internal voice, uglier, and he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not sure at all where that came from. Shut up<\/i>, he thinks, hard enough to drown those feelings out, the group is most important. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The song is a bit of an unusual choice since there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a single vocal lead,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager is explaining when Senga drags his attention back to her voice. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We could split the lines, but I was thinking this time maybe a change wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be so bad.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s main then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya wants to know immediately. Kitayama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s expression is over-casual like he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care less if he was main or not, which Senga can see right through. Tamamori shuffles his feet a little, clearly hoping nobody looks at him. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The range may be a problem, so we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll probably try out all three of you out during practices, and then make a decision.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Their manager claps her hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll leave you to it then. The choreographer will be in to start working with you tomorrow. Senga-kun, since this is thanks to you, if you have any idea for him?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll do some work for tomorrow and talk with him about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga assures, and their manager nods. Her phone rings, drawing her attention away, and she waves at them as she leaves to take the call, half \u00e2\u20ac\u0153goodbye\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and half \u00e2\u20ac\u0153get back to work.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Fujigaya and Kitayama barely notice, argument already restarted about vocal main. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think we both know who has a range problem,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya says, about as subtle as the big blue T-chan, as always. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your mom?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is Kitayama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s response. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ease up, we haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even heard the song yet and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re already trying to vibrato all over it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d vibrato all over your ass if I could reach down that low,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya growls. He turns to Tamamori, an easier target. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153At least I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to worry about you being vocal main.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gaya,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata says, voice reproachful, and Fujigaya jams his hands in his pocket and scowls. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need you to stand up for me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori informs Miyata, squaring his shoulders and glaring at Fujigaya, direct challenge making him forget that ten seconds ago he wanted nothing better than to be last on the list. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you can sing it, I can sing it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Something about the argument makes Senga feel uneasy, and he turns away, towards the mirror. He tries to ignore their voices and think about what sort of dance he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like for the song instead. His eyes fall on the handprint from before, frowning at it as he tries to think of what moves would express the lyrics and finds no inspiration. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido says, sidling between Senga and the mirror, his transparent ploy to get Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attention and distract himself from the group conflict cute enough that it makes Senga smile a little. <\/p>\n
At least until he realizes that Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand against the mirror is entirely the wrong height to have made that handprint. <\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in a poor mood by the time he gives up and goes home, still at a loss for inspiration no matter how many times he listens the song through, no matter how long he stood in front of the mirror, long after the others had left. His eyes kept being drawn back to that handprint, until he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d gotten mad enough to go find a spray bottle and a squeegee from the closet of cleaning supplies and took care of it himself. <\/p>\n
He keeps replaying the song on his iPod the whole way home, staring idly out the window. Halfway through the trip he gets the feeling that someone is watching him, the back of his neck prickling, but the train just has the normal mix of salarymen and shoppers on it. Senga shrugs it off; maybe he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been dancing without realizing again, drawing attention to himself. <\/p>\n
His mother has to practically force-feed him dinner before she gets fed up enough with his crankiness to send him off to bed. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not fifteen anymore, geez,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga grouses, but when Senga-san narrows her eyes dangerously, Senga gets moving without any more sass. He doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even bother with the bath, just strips off his clothes and crawls into bed, only wishing uselessly that Nikaido was sleeping over tonight so his room wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem so quiet and empty. But once he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s snuggled in bed, he drops off quickly enough, tired from the long day. <\/p>\n
His dreams are confused, muddled, but he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sure they involved the dance studio, a practice full of people he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know, Senga nervous and messing up the steps over and over, everyone glaring at him. It takes him ages to realize what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really weird is that everyone around him is a girl, and when Senga whirls to look properly in the mirror, he cries out at his reflection, long hair tied back in a ponytail, hot pink t-shirt knotted just above his curved hips. <\/p>\n
Senga wakes up covered in sweat, sitting bolt upright in his bed, and he knows exactly how the dance to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Closer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is supposed to go. <\/p>\n
It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s early, but Senga knows he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll never get back to sleep. He goes to take a shower, to wash the sweat and uneasy dreams off, the hot water easing some of the tension out of his muscles. He finds himself humming the song under his breath, and chuckles because he listened to that stupid thing so many times yesterday that he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll probably never get it out of his head. <\/p>\n
The laughter dies on his lips when he pushes the shower curtain open and sees the writing on his bathroom mirror, as if someone had just written with their finger a moment ago. <\/p>\n
Mine<\/i>, it says. <\/p>\n
He shakes it off after a second, rolling his eyes at his own nerves. Nikaido probably wrote it on his mirror to be cute the other night when he was over, or else his brother was being a dick last time he stayed over in Tokyo. Idiot<\/i> he writes underneath it with his own finger, and then swipes his hand through both words, obliterating them. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re spending too much time with Nika,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he informs his reflection, glad to see his reflection is properly masculine like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s supposed to be, and then he pushes the bathroom door open so that the mirror will dry off faster. <\/p>\n
When the choreographer arrives at the studio, Senga waves him over right away and shows him the dance from start to finish. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not his usual style, more abrupt, all hips and sharp arm movements, full stops that make the slow head roll at the chorus more eye-catching by contrast. Senga closes his eyes and gets into it, not even watching himself in the mirror, as if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s something he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s practiced a hundred times instead of something he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only done in his dreams overnight. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the power of visualization, he supposes. <\/p>\n
At the end, when he opens his eyes, he catches a flash of someone watching in the mirror that makes his breath catch, but when he turns, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only his groupmates watching him, plus the choreographer. He could have sworn he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d seen a ponytail and a hot pink T-shirt, just like in his dream last night. <\/p>\n
Well, Fujigaya does look like a girl after all, Senga tells himself, wiping the sweat out of his eyes until he can see clearly again. He reaches for a towel, dripping all over just from that, and wonders if faulty aircon is part of the reason for the building\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cheapness. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The choreographer looks impressed, drawing Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attention back to him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d had some things to show you, but yours is so polished already. And it matches the song quite well, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you think?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He looks at the other members, but none of them are really showing the same excitement. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153When did you come up with that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya asks, brow scrunched. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Last night?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How late did you stay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata asks, exchanging a glance with Yokoo. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says, scrunching the ends of his hair with the towel. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, yes, I did stay late, but I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t getting anywhere. Then I had this dream…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153A dream?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori asks skeptically. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Our great new dance is some shit you just dreamed up overnight?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga frowns. When Tamamori says it like that, it sounds so… \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know, when I woke up this morning, I knew it already. You explain it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The dance is a little…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata hesitates on the edge of whatever his real opinion is. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not our usual style, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s for sure.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s weird!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido blurts, and when Senga turns to look, Nikaido is holding his elbow nervously, expression tense. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like it at all. What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s with those movements? And that neck roll, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s creepy!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not our image,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya joins in, shaking his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe if we made it smoother, not so jerky–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the way the dance goes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga cuts him off brusquely, and Fujigaya shuts his mouth like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been slapped. Usually Senga takes criticism from the others well, but something about Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tone, Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face, Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s open dislike especially, they all get under Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s skin and only make him dig his heels in harder, determined to keep the dance exactly the way he knows it should be.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you doing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori asks, and Senga twists to follow Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gaze back over his shoulder. Kitayama is in front of the mirror, doing the slow neck roll, head lolling back, hands sliding up his chest to wrap around his neck. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thats the important part.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama lifts his head to look at Senga, using the reflection of the mirror to make their eyes meet. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga nods; trust Kitayama, another real dancer, to get it. Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s self-satisfaction sours when Kitayama turns to face the group and announces, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like it either. Can you imagine us doing this on Music Station? At a concert? Sorry, Ken-chan, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcFirebeat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 gone all wrong.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga narrows his eyes is opening his mouth to fire back an extremely ill-advised retort when the noise of the door swinging open interrupts him, followed by the distinctive clicking of their manager\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heels. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you plan to keep doing \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcFirebeat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 over and over, maybe you should just retire now, Kitayama-kun,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she says with a touch of frost, coming to stand in front of them with her hands on her hips. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s old enough to,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido says in an undertone. Their manager eyes him, and his gaze drops to the ground. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s value in trying something new,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager says, eyes sharp as she runs them over each of them in turn. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Senga-kun, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re dripping on the hardwood.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga looks down and sees she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right. He drops his already wet towel on the floor and mops up his sweat by pushing it around with his sneaker. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s up with you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido hisses, handing over his towel. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hot in here!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga insists, then looks down at Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s long-sleeved T-shirt, over at Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hoodie. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Manager-san shushes them with another pointed look. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The sound tech will have the song ready enough for us to try out vocals this afternoon, so we can decide on vocal main. Vocal main will also be center for the PV, and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re scheduled for first studio runs the end of the week, so it has to be decided right away.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That fast?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori blurts, everyone else exchanging worried looks. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve told you we used up all the time we could spare finding a song,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager reminds. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everyone learn the dance from Senga this morning, and then we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just accent it differently when main is decided.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido tries one last protest, but their Manager cuts him off before he gets another word out, telling them the van will be here in two hours to get them and they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have to eat lunch while they meet with the sound staff. She marches off, ordering them to get to work, leaving an uncomfortable silence in her wake. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whatever, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just a dance,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya says, breaking the silence and shouldering past Kitayama and Miyata to take his place in front of them mirrors. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Get on with it, Ken-chan, maybe if we hurry up we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll actually get a chance to eat something decent for lunch.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga hands Nikaido back his towel and digs a spare out of his bag, then grabs his iPod to plug into the stereo so they can use the music. The others find their spots behind him, spacing themselves out as if Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s center for now, ready to go by the time he straightens. <\/p>\n
During the whole practice, Senga keeps catching strange things out of the corners of his eyes as he uses the mirrors to keep an eye on what the others are doing behind him, flicks of motion that don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t match, one member strangely off-beat, but when he turns to see himself, everyone is perfectly in sync (or as much as they ever are). When the take a break, he goes to Yokoo, who was standing farthest to back, and quietly asks him if everyone really was in rhythm. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It looked all right to me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo confirms, between gulps from his water bottle. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why, did it look bad from the front?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says quickly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Forget it. Maybe the mirrors are a bit warped, or something?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They have been through a fire,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo reminds, making Senga shiver. Yokoo peers at him more closely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a fever or something, do you? You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sweating like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a thousand degrees in here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is kind of hot,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga comments, pre-occupied, pulling at the front of his T-shirt to fan himself. He realizes Yokoo is staring at him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ken-chan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, eyes concerned, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s freezing in here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Yokoo digs up some cold pills from his bag and forces them into Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hands, then shoves him towards the bathroom with the order to splash his face with cold water. When Senga looks up, blinking water out of his eyes, this time there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a second where he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sure the person looking back at him isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t him. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s his face, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not him at all. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who are you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he whispers, heart in his throat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you want?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Yokoo examines him when he emerges and says with approval that he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look so flushed. Senga doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bother trying to explain it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not the cold pills that made all the blood drain from his face. <\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
Their manager is late to the meeting with the sound staff, but she bustles in just as the main tech is about to play them the updated version of their song. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got a dusty, moisture-stained box in her hands that looks like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been taped up about seventeen times. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh good, you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t started yet,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she says, dropping the box on the counter in a poof of dust that makes the sound tech whine about his equipment. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya asks, nose wrinkled, and behind him Yokoo is wearing the same horrified expression as the sound tech. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was checking up on the copyrights to your song,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she explains, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153just being thorough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you have done that first?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga asks, but she shuts him up with a look. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The agency went bankrupt years ago, small wonder after the scandal of the fire and losing several of their headlining acts–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153People totally did die in there!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido exclaims, looking half vindicated and half sick, edging closer to Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s side. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But the company president still owns the office building the agency used, and when I called to ask to buy the rights formally, he not only said we could have it, he told me they still had some of the promotional materials in storage and that I was welcome to it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She pauses, hand resting on top of the box. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They seemed glad to be rid of it, honestly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The back of Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s neck prickles, and he feels himself start to sweat again. He wants to tell her not to look in the box, just throw the whole thing away, but she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s already pulling open the flaps before he gets any of the words unstuck from his throat. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Most of it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s junk, old posters and some prototype goods, but…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She reaches into the box and pulls out a VHS tape, grinning triumphantly. The label is plain white except for the word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Closer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and Senga recognizes the handwriting. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There is this. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got something to play this, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asks the tech. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ruined it with mold spores,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the tech grumbles, lifting up the box by two corners with as few fingers as he can manage. He sets it on the floor, as far away from himself as he can. Miyata leans down to poke through the rest of the contents, Tamamori watching him with a faint air of disgust as he holds up mildewed posters. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the test footage from their PV filming,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she explains, looking excited as the tech locates the rarely used VHS equipment and checks the connections. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There was a serious NG and they had to postpone filming, and then the fire happened so they never finished the video.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The others are starting to look interested now, curious to see what it would have been like to do idol work back then, if nothing else. They are all professionals, after all, interested in the changes in their industry after such a length of time. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u015390\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama murmurs, leaning in, over the tech\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulder as he fiddles with dials. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Big hair? Ah, too bad you missed it, Fujigaya.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Surprised you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t remember it personally,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya snaps back. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shoulder pads,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I could have put someone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eye out with my shoulder pads.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, look!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata calls, and when they turn he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s holding up an uchiwa that looks somewhat the worse for wear from its time in the box. They can still see the faces of the girls, though, five bright smiles underneath long, natural black hair. At the bottom, the group name is printed in swirly, hot pink script. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cherry Sweet? That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a little on the nose for a girl group name,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he chuckles. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori tsukkomis him, while Fujigaya comments they should ask leader about that. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Put that gross thing away and get up here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The fantasy they were marketing was innocence, back then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager explains, giving Fujigaya a pointed glance that says he wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have made the cut, so much. The sound tech finally gets the feed from the VHS player onto the screen at the top of his soundboard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah, here we go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait, I want to rip this to my hard drive while we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re watching,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the sound tech says, muttering to himself and hitting a few more switches. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, start.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s snow for a second, and some hissing, and all of them press closer with a sense of anticipation. A few frames later the girls appear, all of them in white shift dresses that fall straight to mid-thigh, their dark hair hanging in their faces. All except the center girl, that is, whose hair is bleached a shocking blonde. The colors on the tape are a bit warped from age, making the contrast even more stark. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya says after ten or fifteen seconds of watching, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My dance,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga agrees, and a ripple of unease runs through the group. Some other voice, the low mean one again, is insisting I told you that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s how it went<\/i>, but he presses his lips together, refusing to let it out. <\/p>\n
It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all one long shot, obviously meant to be cut up with solo shots and close-ups that were never taken, the dance uninterrupted. Aside from the center girl, the swing of the other girls\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hair obscures their faces, their features only visible in fleeting glances. It makes them seem personality-less, faceless copies, pretty dolls controlled by the throb of the beat. Senga feels like if the music stopped suddenly, they would fall still like their strings had been cut, lacking the will to move on their own. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You were dead on.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager whistles. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Senga-kun is amazing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the word for it, so much,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori says under his breath, and the longer it goes on, exactly the dance that Senga taught them that morning, the more Senga agrees with him. Whatever this is, Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not the one at the root of it. <\/p>\n
The room feels oppressively warm to Senga, the nearness of his groupmates huddled around the small screen making it worse. When Nikaido clutches at his hand, Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fingers slip right through his on the first try, before Nikaido tightens his grip. <\/p>\n
The tape ends, cutting back into snow, and the tech clicks it off and checks the recording. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a long silence that no one seems willing to break. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you say there was a NG?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama asks, the suddenness of his voice making most of them jump. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t finished certainly, but I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see anything that would make them cancel the whole shoot.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It must have happened off-camera,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager shrugs. She claps her hands, and heedless of their tense faces, she looks pleased. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re definitely on the right track if we came up with the same concept as them on our own. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hear what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve done with the song.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She taps the sound tech on the shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I sped it up a bit and added some syncopation,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he explains, changing the settings of some of his knobs and slides before clicking play. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I lowered the pitch a little to compensate for a male vocalist, but I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change it much or you lose the hook of the chorus.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ugh, high,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori says; beside him Kitayama frowns and Fujigaya smirks. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not so bad,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata encourages. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I could hit those.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard enough, you get the idea, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager asks, and they nod. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good, then lets try a run-through with one of you as main. Tamamori-kun?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153M-me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori demands, and Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s smirk sours. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why not? I think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d make a striking blond,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she says, eyeing him in a way that gives Senga more of a chill than the freaky PV. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not get ahead of ourselves before we hear you manage it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He never could,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya scoffs, and Senga feels Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fingers tighten around his. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been years and years since Fujigaya grew out of his need to bully them openly like that, and even back then he knew better than to do it in front of staff. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shut up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori growls at him, because he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s grown up too, and wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take half the shit from Fujigaya now that he used to. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I bet I can do it better than you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
They try a couple run-throughs, and then their manager shoos Senga, Nikaido, Yokoo, and Miyata out to the room next door to practice the backing vocals while she tries various combinations of the other three. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s plain to Senga, though, that she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s seriously considering Tamamori for main this time. <\/p>\n
Eventually Kitayama comes over to join their practice, and Fujigaya slinks in not long after, his thundercloud expression telling the whole story. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really, Taisuke,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo says reproachfully. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gotten into you? Is it so hard for you let someone else get the attention just this one time?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The look Fujigaya gives Yokoo would strip the feathers off a junior at a hundred paces. The atmosphere for the whole rest of the practice is tense and uncomfortable, and Senga doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t resist when Nikaido drags him out as soon as they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re allowed to go home. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not talk about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido pleads when Senga tries to bring up Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bad mood and childish behavior. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sitting close enough to Senga on the train that the trio of three girls on the seats across from them are giggling at them. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all they need right now, some fan taking pictures of Nikaido practically in his lap and posting or selling them god knows where. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nika, back off a little,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga tries to shoulder him back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Those three girls are watching us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What girls?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido asks, not budging a centimeter. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The ones right across from us, obviously,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga clarifies. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Seriously–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only two though,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido interrupts. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Across from us. You said three.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga looks back up and realizes Nikaido is right. Suddenly it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem like Nikaido is too close to him at all. <\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
Everyone seems out of sorts the next day, making morning practice long and tedious. Senga wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sleeping well even before Nikaido deserted the futon and crawled into Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bed, claiming nightmares. Fujigaya is still sulking from the day before, and even Kitayama is more brusque than usual. Yokoo stops trying to mediate after Fujigaya tells him to fuck off for the third time, and even Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s unflagging group ai starts to thin a little from too many friction-filled days in a row. <\/p>\n
Tamamori is a bundle of nerves about his recording session that afternoon, making it impossible for him to focus even as much as he usually does. He trips over his own feet and miscounts, and the reach of his long arms is almost as much a danger zone as it had been right after his first growth spurt. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How do you expect to be center when you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even do the backing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama finally demands, completely out of patience with Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flail. Tamamori turns to give him a look over his shoulder, cheeks pink and eyes narrow.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says quickly, before Tamamori manages to say any of the things he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s obviously thinking. He puts a hand on Kitayama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arm; they both know that yelling at Tamamori will only make the situation worse. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tama-chan, let me help you out a bit, okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He looks to the others, willing them to just please do what he says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Take a break?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leave us alone for a while<\/i>, is what he actually means. <\/p>\n
Whether they get it or are just sick of practice, everybody else goes, either into the changing room or outside to get some air. Miyata squeezes Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulder before dragging Nikaido out with him. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Drink this,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says to Tamamori, pushing a water bottle into his hands, eyeing the way Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shirt is stuck to his skin with nervous sweat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to get dehydrated, if you aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t already.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori mumbles, taking deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to be working. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t focus on it. Even if I could sing it, I shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be center, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shut up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gentle. It makes him think of debut tour, Tamamori strung out from drama filming and missing all the choreography practices, the way he used to look desperately at Senga like he was drowning. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can fix it. Trust me, okay? Relax.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori heaves another heavy sigh, and his shoulders loosen a little. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your dance, I guess.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He swallows a few gulps of water. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And ugh, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so hot in here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga makes a non-committal noise, and keeps his eyes away from the mirror. <\/p>\n
When their manager comes to collect them for the afternoon, the dance needs more practice but is workable. Tamamori grits his teeth, eyes narrow with concentration as they show her their progress, and he makes it through with only some small mistakes. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good work,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager nods in approval. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153More than good enough to film with, and we can cover the awkward bits with solo shots. Hurry and get cleaned up, I have the feeling we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll need as much time in the recording booth as possible.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She gives Tamamori a wry look, and Tamamori scuttles off first like she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d snapped him with a towel. <\/p>\n
At the recording studio, they divy up the lines while Tamamori works with the sound tech to get the bulk of the main lines recorded. Tamamori still looks like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about to throw up on his shoes and is drinking like a fish, but in spite of that his voice holds up well for all but the highest lines. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve almost got it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager assures, and then she shuts him in the recording booth with a case of water. Tamamori looks at the rest of them plaintively through the glass as their manager shoos them out to work on their own parts. Miyata blows him a showy farewell kiss before Kitayama and Nikaido shove him out the door. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ne,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata sidles over to Senga during the break that they eventually take to rest their voices, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thanks for earlier. Since Tama-chan didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do it properly himself, I bet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga assures, glad to see Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s smile is back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be the last time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata chuckles with Senga. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He sounded pretty good, though, right? I was relieved, it seems like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll work out.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga leans in a little closer to whisper, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153want to sneak over and see how he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes light up, and they sneak out of the room before the others notice what they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re doing, down the hall and into the other recording room. The sound tech is absorbed in his controls and monitors and Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s back is to them in the booth, neither of them noticing Senga and Miyata sneaking in and closing the door quietly behind them. Senga frowns at the sweat-dark patches of Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s back and under his arms, and the half-empty case of water bottles on the ledge. Beside him, Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s brows knit with concern. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Try that line again,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the tech is saying, cuing up the music. Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulders shift as he draws a breath, one hand coming up to press nervously against his headphones. Tamamori does the lead-in line all right, but his voice turns shrill at the high note, making both Miyata and Senga cringe. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Would it help if I fed the original vocals back into your headphones?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t on now, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice sounds confused and breathy, like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not getting quite enough air. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It sounds like someone else was singing, though…there isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t anyone else there, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The tech glances over his shoulder, starting a little when he says Senga and Miyata. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Senga-kun and Miyata-kun have come back in just now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Senga-kun? Oh.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice gets even softer, pausing in strange places, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s making Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arms prickle. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry I caused you trouble earlier…hey…it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really warm in here…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just a few more tries,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the tech soothes, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve almost got what I need.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s next breath is more like a shudder, but when he hits the high note this time, it makes all three of their jaws drop. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excellent work, Tamamori-kun!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the tech praises, and Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulders slump, his water bottle slipping out of his fingers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you want to do a few more, or are you satisfied with that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Tamamori doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t answer, only gives a sort of wheeze. The way he won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t turn and look at them is giving Senga the creeps. Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s next breath is more of a rattle, and Miyata shoulders the tech aside to press down on the call button himself. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tama-chan, are you okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he demands, panicky. When Tamamori does start to turn their way, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the crunch of plastic, and Senga wonders just how many water bottles are on the floor in there, before he gets a good look at Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face. <\/p>\n
Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bangs are plastered to his forehead and sweat is beading at his temples. Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face is so pale he looks almost green, his eyes fever-bright and bulging a little, darting from side to side. His mouth is moving but he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s barely getting any sound out, only some high-pitched wheezes. <\/p>\n
Suddenly he shrieks so loudly it makes Miyata and Senga both jump six inches, like the noise is being squeezed out of him, the pitch a grating, prolonged parody of the high note he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d hit moments before. He chokes, sound cutting off just as abruptly, then vomits a flood of shockingly pink fluid against the glass of the booth before his eyes roll back in his head and he collapses. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153TAMA!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata screams, but Senga beats both him and the tech to the door handle of the booth. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an awful few seconds where it refuses to open no matter how hard he twists it and he bangs on the door with his other fist, all of them yelling Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name. <\/p>\n
At last the door gives and practically flies open on them, as if someone on the other side had let go suddenly. Senga and Miyata drop to their knees next to Tamamori and shake him without success, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth, while the tech stands above them and yells into his phone for an ambulance. <\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just torn up his throat a little,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager reports when she comes out into the hospital\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s waiting room. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s projecting as much calm as she can, but Senga can read the tightness at the corner of her mouth and eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He just needs a few days of rest, and then he can come back to work. He should make a full recovery if he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t strain his voice for a few weeks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga heaves a sigh of relief, and Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s deathgrip on his hand loosens enough that Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fingertips tingle with returned bloodflow. Across from them, sandwiched between Kitayama and Yokoo, Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face is still pale and his expression pinched with worry. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fortunately we already have everything we need recorded for the single; he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just have to sync during performances,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their manager assures. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sedated for now, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s too late for visitors, so let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all go home and get some rest.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Kitayama stays behind to talk about the schedule, and Miyata refuses to budge until he can talk to Tamamori\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mother. Yokoo offers to drive Fujigaya and Senga home, since it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not so far out of his way. Fujigaya hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really said anything since they arrived at the hospital and out in the car he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even bother to fight Senga for the front seat, merely climbs in the back and closes his eyes, arms folded across his chest. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, Watta?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says after a few minutes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can I ask you something?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo says, eyes on the road. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s raining, the streets slick, and Yokoo is as careful in driving as with everything else. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you think something weird is going on?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga asks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ever since we got the new studio…and I found the song? We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve all been fighting a lot, and now Tama…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just pressure because our schedule\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so tight,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo soothes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I feel a little freaked out too, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re worried for Tama-chan. He just put too much pressure on himself and he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take care of himself properly, it could have happened to any of us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He was drinking all that water, though.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And he said some strange things too, right before it happened. He said it felt like someone was in there, singing with him, and he was too warm, like I–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because Tama is a headcase,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya snaps from the backseat, cutting Senga off. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s twenty-three years old, and maybe if we didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t baby him so much, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d learn and things like this wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happen!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taisuke, stop it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo tells him, and Fujigaya falls silent with a huff. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ken-chan, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let it get inside your head too much, okay? Everything will be back to normal in a few days, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga tries to take Yokoo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s words to heart after Yokoo drops him off, to take a warm bath and relax and get a good night\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sleep, but it only lasts until he gets a mail from Nikaido.<\/p>\n
Did you write on my mirror when you stayed over? My sister is giving me all kinds of shit about it.<\/i><\/p>\n
He feels like a five-year-old, but he goes to his mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room and crawls into bed with her. Fortunately she assumes he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s upset about Tamamori and sets her book aside without asking any questions, just strokes his hair until he falls into an uneasy sleep beside her. <\/p>\n
In the morning, his mother says their schedule is definitely too much and to tell their manager that even idols need breaks. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You were singing that song of yours over and over in your sleep,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she says, and Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s breakfast has zero appeal after that. She elbows him on the way by, wiggling her eyebrows. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Miko-chan?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
He whips out his phone as soon as she turns back to the sink and does a search for Cherry Sweet, heart trying to crawl into his throat as he thumbs down to the member list. He frowns when there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no Miko on the list, no idea what that means. <\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, Miyacchi,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says, as soon as he comes in the door at work. Miyata looks up, eyes dark-ringed and miserable, and he looks like he spent the whole night at the hospital. Senga feels bad for him but has more pressing concerns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153When you were looking in the box, did anything have the girls\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 names on it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What? The…oh, that box.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata thinks for a second. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, a few of the posters did.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Was there a Miko?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga asks, his intensity making Miyata lean back a little. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Did you see that name?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata jumps when Senga grabs his arm. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you sure?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he demands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nowhere at all?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ow, geez, Ken-chan, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata shakes Senga off and rubs at his arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s up with you? Who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Miko?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nevermind,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga sighs, not up to explaining. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s being silly, like Yokoo said. Maybe he was just talking in his sleep after all. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ken-chan, can I ask you something awful?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice is low, and he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s staring at the floor when Senga looks back at him. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga agrees. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata keeps pausing, like he can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bring himself to say it. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s weird, right? The doctor said he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d overused his throat, but Tama was drinking all that water…he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do that in just one afternoon? Until he was bleeding? Tama knows better than that…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s possible,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says, but it sounds doubtful even to him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What other reason could there be?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think somebody did something, to the water?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Miyacchi!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga protests. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who would do that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe it was supposed to be a prank,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata hastens to add, but his voice falls back to that anxious, unhappy pitch right away. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Or else someone who really wanted to be main…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d His eyes dart to the side, where Fujigaya is carrying on with far too much forced cheer in front of Nikaido and Yokoo. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do that!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga insists, most of all horrified by Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lack of faith in the members. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s scarier than Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s recent meanness by far. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153None of us would do that. It was just an accident, things will be back to normal in a few days.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
He hugs Miyata, maybe a bit desperately, but Miyata seems to need it, and clings to him tightly. Maybe they both need it, really. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata says, although the way he repeats it a few more times, like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a calming mantra, say that he isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t entirely convinced. <\/p>\n
Senga would feel a lot more convinced himself if Fujigaya doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bring up exactly the same topic that afternoon. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s something that never happens?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asks. Senga looks up from the row of costumes he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rifling through and glances over his shoulder. Fujigaya is sitting at the makeup counter, examining his skin in the mirror as he unscrews the cap off whatever miracle moisturizer he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s using this week. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taipi…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cute little Ken-chan, so innocent.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya sighs like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tragic. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Although I guess you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t had to fight so hard for your spot, have you? You think those girls we took this song from didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t kick and scratch at each other to be center? There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s plenty of juniors who would do a lot worse than spike a water bottle to take my spot.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stop it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga cuts him off. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do anything to Tamamori, so why are you saying shit like that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Fujigaya shrugs as he rubs the cream into his skin. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just the truth. Aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you sick of being back four? Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you do something about it if you could?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga is so sickened by Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s suggestion that he can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even answer. Fujigaya tsks at him after a second. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess you<\/i> wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t–AAAH!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shriek makes Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hair stand on end. He whirls around, but there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only Fujigaya staring at the mirror, face pale under the cream, the jar dropped to the counter with a clatter. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga demands.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nothing, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya shakes himself. He picks up the jar of cream and screws the cap back on with shaking hands. Sweat is beading on his forehead. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And why\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s it so warm in here? I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stand it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
During filming run-through that afternoon they put Fujigaya in center, in case Tamamori won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be back in time, and Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even bother hiding his pleased expression. He keeps fussing with his makeup, even, until the touch-up girl scolds him. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get comfortable there,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama tells him when he starts to get insufferable about it.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t I?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya looks over his shoulder, and Senga, behind Kitayama in formation, shivers at the cold look in Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eye. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lead vocal should be center, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not lead vocal,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata pipes up from the other side. For once he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quail when Fujigaya turns his glare Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s way, the hard expression looking entirely out of place on Miyata\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And anyway, why isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t center lead dance?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama demands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sure as hell not you. Isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it more important that the PV looks good?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s expression turns thunderous, cheeks going blotchy pink, but before he can say anything, the director calls for their attention and says they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to try a test run with the cameras, to see about angles and so they can get used to the lighting, which is supposed to be a strobing effect. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see who ends up main,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fujigaya growls under his breath as he turns back around. He reaches up to itch at his make-up again. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stop touching your eyes!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the touch-up girl snaps. <\/p>\n
Senga finds himself watching Fujigaya over and over, as if his eyes keep being drawn towards him. He tries to tell himself that it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just because Fujigaya is positioned at center, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s where his eyes are naturally drawn, but by the fifth or sixth try he can see there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s definitely something off. <\/p>\n
Fujigaya seems to know it too, getting more and more agitated every time the director calls stop. The director isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even yelling at Fujigaya, just keeps frowning as he checks his monitors and calls for lenses to be cleaned and focused. Fujigaya keeps scratching at his face and neck, muttering something about his moisturizer. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153One more try,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the director encourages. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s when it all goes wrong. <\/p>\n
Just as the vocals start, Senga can see the hitch in Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s step, going just out of time with the rest of them. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s subtle, Fujigaya gets himself back on track for a few seconds, and then breaks down again as Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head keeps darting, like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s looking at something off to one side, then the other. Nobody else seems to notice, the strobing of the lights probably hiding most of it, the others concentrating on themselves and the director on his monitor. <\/p>\n
Fujigaya freezes, spine straight like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been shocked, and when he turns around the wild panic in his eyes makes Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s blood run cold. Fujigaya seems to be staring at something over Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulder, and even though Senga knows there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no one behind him, suddenly he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s convinced there is, can practically feel their breath on the back of his neck. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stop!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga yells, but nobody can hear him over the throb of the music. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153STOP!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
They sure hear Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s scream, pitched high enough to crack glass, and then his foot slips off the edge of the stage and he goes down with a sickening crash that seems to last forever in Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ears. <\/p>\n
The lights come back up, everyone shouting, and the five of them scramble to the edge of the stage, panic etched on all their features. Fujigaya is unconscious, blood already pooling underneath a nasty gash to his head. Where he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sweated his makeup off, underneath Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s skin looks red and broken. <\/p>\n
But what makes Senga cry out are the angry marks around Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s throat, livid enough that Senga can still see them when Kitayama pulls him away and presses Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face against his shoulder. <\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
Their manager doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have any spare moments to reassure them this time, spending their whole visit to the hospital in the corner on the phone, telling people, or sometimes shouting at them, that it was just a small accident, Fujigaya-kun will be fine, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no need to cancel anything, until the nursing staff kicks her out to use her phone outside for disturbing others. Fujigaya hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t regained consciousness, although the doctor insists that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s normal for someone getting such a shock, and that all the medication for the allergic reaction are probably helping to keep him asleep. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You saw those marks, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says in an undertone to Yokoo. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d tried talking to Kitayama first, but Kitayama looks lost inside his own head, arms crossed and jaw set. Nikaido had to be given something to calm him down and is out cold on Yokoo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s other side across the uncomfortable hospital chairs, head in Yokoo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lap. Miyata has already gone to visit Tamamori, sweet-talking the nurse into taking him despite the late hour. The whole staff here seems to know him already. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was an allergic reaction,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo repeats the doctor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s words stoically. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He was trying that new cream, you said. Allergic reactions can affect the skin rapidly, you heard the doctor. He said it closed up Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s whole throat.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The marks on his neck!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga insists. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Watta, you had to see! He looks like somebody choked him!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He must have done it to himself, scratching at his throat when it closed up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo says stubbornly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ken-chan, stop, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re giving me the creeps.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
Senga subsides, seeing he won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get anywhere, but knows what he saw. Those marks weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t scratches, they were bruises, and there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no way Fujigaya could have positioned his hands to give them to himself. <\/p>\n
The only way they make sense if somebody, or something, choked Fujigaya from behind. Senga excuses himself to use the bathroom, and when he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in there, stares intently into the mirror. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s you doing this,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, waiting for his reflection to change into that other Senga again, or maybe the girl he keeps seeing. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why are you doing this? Are you Miko? I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the one who took your song, why don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you do something to me! Leave them alone!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no answer, still him in the mirror, close enough that his breath is making it fog. Shaking, he draws back and wipes at the clammy sweat breaking out on his forehead. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he whispers, and he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not even surprised when the word starts appearing on the fogged mirror, drawn by an invisible finger. <\/p>\n
Mine<\/i>.<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the point of practicing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata demands at the studio the next afternoon. They had a late start, and even so Yokoo just called to say that he and Nikaido will be late because he couldn’t get Nikaido to wake up until just a few minutes ago. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seriously still be going forward with this?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you expect them to do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama crosses his arms and eyes Miyata down. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If we cancel the single, do you know how much money they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll lose on us? The sound\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s already done, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got some footage of Fujigaya. We can just use body doubles for some of the group shots, and put in their solo shots in post-production.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata starts angrily. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The fans will never know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama cuts him off. Miyata drops his eyes to the floor. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Be a professional, can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you? Your cute little Tama-chan will be back in a day or two, until then we can practice with me as center.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think anybody should be center!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga blurts out. Kitayama gives him an exasperated look, but Senga steels himself to go on. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153First Tama, and now Taipi? As soon as they get made main, something terrible happens!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re just accidents,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama says. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga pleads. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Miyacchi and Taipi both said things about somebody drugging Tama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s water.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata glares at Senga for dragging him into this, but Senga ignores him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They could have done something to Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s makeup too!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ken-chan!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Miyata scolds, looking even more uncomfortable with the idea than when he brought it up himself. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one of us!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga holds up his hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s plenty of staff, maybe even a crazy fan! Something about this single is just wrong, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you feel it? Ever since we came here, ever since we got that song, it can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t all be a coincidence.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Kitayama at least seems to think about that. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You think someone is doing this to us?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
No<\/i>, Senga thinks, but if that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what it takes to make you stop<\/i>. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Kitayama sighs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll try and talk to Manager-san, but you know it won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change her mind. She already called this morning to say I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d take over main until Tama-chan comes back.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He checks his watch. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s picking me up in an hour for an appearance, though, so I guess today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a waste anyway. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d rather…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Miyata has his bag over his shoulder and is dialing Tamamori on his phone before Kitayama is even finished talking, barely sparing them a wave goodbye on his way out. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll stay until Watta and Nika come,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga offers, setting his bag down. He doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel like dancing really, but he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to be alone either. Kitayama nods and turns towards the mirrors while Senga starts stretching. <\/p>\n
He doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bother to turn on any music, the only sounds Kitayama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sneakers squeaking on the polish floor and his breath. Senga gives up the pretense of stretching and just watches as Kitayama closes his eyes and gets really into it, rolling and twisting to some beat he can only hear in his head. The bank of mirrors in front of him reflect back half a dozen other Kitayama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, perfectly in rhythm and just as breathtaking to watch. <\/p>\n
Until one of them starts doing something different. <\/p>\n
At first it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just a split-second behind, a body roll that goes on a beat too long, but then the image starts doing moves that the Kitayama in front of him isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t doing at all, in counterpoint, and all the hair on the back of Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s neck rises. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mitsu?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he calls softly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stop dancing, but open your eyes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
He knows that Kitayama obeys, because all the reflections do, and then Kitayama skids to a stop. His shoulders are heaving, and his face is pale. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You saw that, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga asks, desperate to not be the only one who is going crazy here. Kitayama nods, stepping closer to the mirror that was causing the trouble. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the one he found the tapes in, he realizes as Kitayama taps at the glass. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shhh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama says, distracted. He tap harder, mirror Kitayama exactly in sync with him now, waves his hand in front of it, pulls a few faces. <\/p>\n
Then mirror Kitayama grins all by himself, sharp and mean, and Kitayama stumbles backwards, falling onto his ass with a thud<\/i>. <\/p>\n
Kitayama turns himself around to face Senga without standing up, his face pale and serious. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you know what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga starts to shake his head, then stops. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sort of.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d better start at the beginning, then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama says. It takes Senga a few false starts to try and explain about the mirror and the girl, but once it seems like Kitayama is actually listening to him, it all comes tumbling out. Most of the way through, Kitayama motions for Senga to keep going as he reaches for his bag and tugs out his laptop. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I already tried that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There was no Miko in the group. And the girls on the uchiwa Miyata found, none of them were her.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Did you look up the fire? Properly, in the newspaper report?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama asks, and Senga shakes his head. Kitayama clicks around a little, then makes a noise of triumph. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah, got it. It says five girls died in the fire. Three of them were trapped in the changing room, and one of them…out here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Both and and Senga look at the mirrors with a shudder, and then back down at the computer. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The fifth girl was near the entrance, so they found her in time. She suffered burns and smoke inhalation, but she survived. Her name was Honda Kaoru.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait, you said five girls died?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga frowns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But one survived? So that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only four.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Four in the group,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama clarifies. He scrolls down a little more. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The fifth girl was a backdancer who worked in the agency. It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t list her name, but that could be your Miko.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga looks around. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If they were out here…why couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t they escape? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an open room. Why stay by the mirrors? And why would a backdancer care about a song for a group she wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t in?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re still missing something,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama agrees. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The last girl still lives in Tokyo.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He looks up at Senga, expression tense with interest. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Should we go ask her?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
The apartment is on the ten floor of a high rise in a stylish neighborhood, and Kitayama remarks idly in the elevator that the girl\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s family must have been well taken care of after the accident to keep quiet. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been in the car and halfway there before Senga remembered that Yokoo and Nikaido were still coming to the studio. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d mailed Nikaido to say that they wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be gone long, and to stall their manager if she arrived before they got back. <\/p>\n
The girl\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mother is reluctant to let them in when she answers the door, but Senga puts on his most guileless face and Kitayama says they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re fans and only want a few moments. They know about the accident, he says, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be sensitive. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Honda-san sighs, stepping back to let them in, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153maybe it will make Kaoru-chan smile if someone besides me tells her she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still pretty.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
She seats them at the low table in the living room, and a few moments later ushers her daughter in to sit on the other side, then leaves to make tea. Kaoru is thin and nervous-looking, and doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem that much older than Kitayama, except for the dark circles under her eyes. She still is very pretty, aside from the burn scars down the left side of her face. Senga glances down and sees there are scars on her left hand too, before Kaoru tugs her sleeves lower over them. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Honda-san,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama says when Senga doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say anything, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153we told your mother we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re fans, but that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not exactly true. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in an idol group ourselves, you see, and our agency bought your dance studio a few weeks ago. Since then some strange things have been happening. I know it might be upsetting, but could we please ask you about the accident?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was a fire,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kaoru says, her voice soft, her gaze not exactly fixed on either of them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They all died. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the only one left.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You were in the middle of filming your PV, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama prompts. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We heard there was a NG that postponed filming.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ami-chan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ankle was hurt.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kaoru heaves a little sigh. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She was center for the dance, and she should have been resting, but she wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t give up her spot…her ankle gave out and she fell off the stage and hit her head. Just a concussion, but we had to stop.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Were you fighting about who would be center?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga asks, sitting forward a little. Kaoru bites her lower lip, looking ashamed. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was so competitive, you have to understand,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Risa said center should be the lead vocal, and Shiori said it should be cutest. Ami-chan knew they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d take it away from her! She said they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d done things to her…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Put something in her water?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama asks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In her makeup?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Kaoru\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes turn glossy, and she tips her head forward so her hair hangs in her face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She tried to tell me, but I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe her. She was paranoid sometimes…she kept saying she knew they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d replace her because she wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t popular enough. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why she needed to be main this single, why she took Natsumi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s song.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcCloser?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama asks, and Kaoru nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was a solo for Natsumi?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t for her, she wrote it for…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kaoru cuts off, biting down even harder on her lip. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153For Miko?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga wants to know, making Kaoru\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head jerk back up, expression panicked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The backdancer who died in the fire, it was her, wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it? Who was she? Please, Honda-san, you have to tell us, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s very important.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kaoru\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice is almost a whisper, so that Kitayama and Senga have to lean forward to catch the words. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She was our backer, and sometimes a body double if one of us was busy or hurt. There were rumors she might replace one of us in Cherry Sweet because she always worked so hard, always stayed late hours and hours, and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d all been scolded for not practicing hard enough after we debuted.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Natsumi wrote the song to show off Miko?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama guesses. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They were best friends.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kaoru nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Before debut they did everything together. Natsumi was the one pressuring our manager to let Miko try out…when Ami-chan found out, she went crazy. She stole the song from Natsumi and said it was hers, a new single for the group.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga murmurs, a cold chill working down his spine. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Something happened to Miko before, didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama asks, and Senga starts. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t die in the fire, did she?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Kaoru\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face crumples as she begins to cry in earnest, and Senga hisses, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How did you know that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because why would they just stand there, in front of the mirrors?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe the girls in the other room didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know there was a fire, but out in front they would have known right away. Why wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t they run? Why wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t they try to save the others?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Senga swallows hard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But if Miko was already dead…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was an accident!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kaoru sobs, hiding her face in her hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A stupid prank, to make her look bad! She had a latex allergy, so we took a glove and rubbed the powder on her towel, on the clothes in her bag. She was sweating, she must have breathed some of it in when she rubbed the towel on her face and she choked…Natsumi went crazy…they ran into the changing room to hide from her, but I hid behind one of the mirrors. It got stuck and trapped me, it was so dark, and there was all this smoke…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Natsumi started the fire,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga guesses, Kaoru too hysterical to answer, but he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sure he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She wanted to die with her best friend.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He feels sick, thinking of life without Nikaido, and shoves those feelings aside. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Miko was so stupid, she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t understand!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kaoru is barely intelligible between sobs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She thought all she had to do was practice harder, just dance. She didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t understand how things really worked! We tried to tell her, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stand out! She wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t listen! She wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Honda-san rushes in that moment, and takes one look at her hysterical daughter before ordering Kitayama and Senga out. Kitayama offers an embarrassed apology as they stand, but Senga is still thinking hard. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t find you behind the mirror,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says, and Kaoru goes still, rigid in her mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arms. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It popped open,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she whispers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I tried to run to the door, but the smoke, I fell. She was just sitting there, in the middle of the flames, stroking Miko\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hair. Just stroking it over and over, talking to her, she kept saying–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Out!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Honda-san orders when Kaoru dissolves back into sobs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153OUT!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
On the way down in the elevator, Kitayama tries to get Senga to talk to him, but Senga is wrapped up in his own thoughts. Something about Kaoru\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s story is nagging at him, something serious, something he missed. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She kept saying,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he murmurs, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153over and over, what was she saying?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why does it matter?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama shakes his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We know the truth now, how they both died, maybe that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s breath catches as he realizes, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what she keeps saying, keeps writing, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcmine.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, her song,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We stole it, just like those girls did, or you did, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been after you even though you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care at all about being main. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what started this whole–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga insists, heart starting to race with panic. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care about the song! She cared about Miko! She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not saying \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcit\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mine,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s saying \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcyou\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re mine!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 They took her best friend and…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
Suddenly it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like Senga can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t breathe, throat closing up as he chokes on fear. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nika,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he gasps, fumbling for his phone, nearly dropping it from numb fingers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s coming for Nika, she can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have her best friend back so she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s coming for mine. Pick up!!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he hollers at the phone, while Kitayama starts pressing the ground floor button over and over, like that will help. <\/p>\n
They break at least a dozen traffic laws on the way back to the studio, Kitayama weaving around cars with single-minded intensity while Senga dials Nikaido and Yokoo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s numbers over and over, getting progressively more and more panicked as he gets no answer from either of them.<\/p>\n
Senga sprints from the car before it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stopped moving, hollering Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name as he throws the door to the studio open and runs inside. The air inside is so much colder than outside that it slaps Senga in the face, the mirrors all fogged over, and Senga barely registers the handprints all over them, the word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153MINE\u00e2\u20ac\u009d scrawled dozens of time, even the faint noise of Yokoo yelling and pounding on the door from the changing room. <\/p>\n
All he sees is Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s form crumpled in front of the mirror. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153NIKA!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he screams, dashing over and dropping beside him, screaming his name over and over as he shakes him. <\/p>\n
As soon as his hands touch Nikaido, cold is replaced with heat, and when he looks up the mirror in front of them shows a girl with her hands on Nikaido, instead of him. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s crying, as she looks up at Senga, clearly yelling even though Senga can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hear a sound. Before Senga can say anything, she disappears and the mirror shows an entirely different scene, all the lights on, the studio as it was fifteen years ago, a group of girls practicing the dance Senga is so familiar with. When he looks over his shoulder, he sees nothing, a dark room, but when he looks back, the whole story plays out in front of him, soundless but still horrifying. <\/p>\n
He sees Miko at center, right in front of the mirror, the girl in the ponytail with her hot pink T-shirt knotted at her hip. He sees her skin going splotchy and her reaching for her towel, obviously struggling to breathe. He sees Natsumi run in from the back, late to practice, just in time to see Miko collapse, clutching at her throat. Natsumi falls to her knees beside Miko, shaking her and yelling, sees her beg the others for help and the others just standing there watching, no one even going for their phone. <\/p>\n
When Natsumi stands, her face is twisted with rage and terrifying. The other girls scatter, three of them running to the changing room, and Kaoru slipping behind the mirror, just like she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d said. Natsumi grabs a broom leaning against the wall and marches over to a spot on the floor, then pounds the butt of the broom against it, over and over. Senga gets it after a second; that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the spot where the floor pulls up to reveal the connections to the sound system. The song must still be playing from practice, and Natsumi is trying to make it stop, trying to destroy it. <\/p>\n
When the floor starts sparking and smoking, Natsumi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face relaxes, almost calm as she watches the flames start to lick the edges of the floor. She drops the broom and goes back to kneel beside Miko, pulling her into her lap, stroking her hair, just like Kaoru had said. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rocking back and forth a little, and even though Senga hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t heard anything else, he can hear the word she keeps repeating, over and over. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mine, mine, mine…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The scene in the mirror disappears, leaving only Senga kneeling next to Nikaido in the dark room. He realizes tears are pouring down his cheeks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he whispers, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Natsumi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice whispers, behind him. <\/p>\n
When he drags his eyes up to the mirror, Natsumi is standing right behind him, her clothes scorched and burnt, and the smell of burnt hair stings Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nose. She looks like herself in the mirrors reflection, but when fingers walk themselves from Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulders, down his arms, her skin is mottled and dead, burnt black in places and livid red in others. The smell is choking, stinging Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nose and throat and lungs like smoke. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Natsumi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice whispers, right in his ear, her dead, blackened fingers clutching at Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shirt, right next to Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, please,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga sobs, clutching Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shirt so tightly that his knuckles turn white. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please, I know what they did to you, I know they killed your best friend, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry, but Nika\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mine! Taking him won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bring her back! Please don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take him away from me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He squeezes his eyes shut and hangs on for dear life as hands seize his shoulders and shake him roughly \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t! Please!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153KENTO,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice snaps Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes open, and he realizes the hands on him are pink and healthy and alive, Kitayama shaking him. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mitsu?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asks, vision blurry from tears even when he tries to look up. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let go, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s breathing!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama says, pushing Nikaido flat to the floor and dropping to his knees beside Senga. He leans down to listen for a heartbeat, and behind them Senga hears the slam of a door as Yokoo finally frees himself from the changing room. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s already got the phone to his ear by the time he reaches them, yelling into it for an ambulance, and hurry up for fuck\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sake!<\/p>\n
Senga just sits there, helpless, tears streaming down his face and clutching Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand in his as Kitayama thumps on Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chest. When Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes snap open and he drags in a ragged breath, Senga collapses on top of him, burying his face in Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shirt and squeezing him as tightly as he can. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She tried to take you!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he wails, hardly making any sense even to himself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nika, I thought you left me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stupid,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido answers, voice rough, and he hugs Senga back just as tightly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I never would. Just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga promises. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t, I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
With nearly half their members hospitalized, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no choice but to push the single back. Senga sighs in relief when Kitayama brings the news to Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room, where Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been telling the whole story to Nikaido, Tamamori, and Miyata. Fujigaya woke up about the same time as they brought Nikaido in, but he isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mobile enough to visit yet, so Yokoo is keeping him entertained as best he can. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a relief,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido sighs, flopping back down on his pillow. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No kidding,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Tamamori agrees. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is that really good enough?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama asks, looking at Senga. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What difference is a couple weeks going to make? We should get them to cancel the whole release.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga says slowly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think it should be okay. We found out what happened, how Miko died. I think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what Natsumi wanted. Like I said, she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care about the song. It should be just a song, now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Kitayama eyes him for a moment, then shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you say so.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Quit talking about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido says, slipping his hand into Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s and squeezing it tight. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s giving me the creeps.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Their few weeks of vacation go by quickly, and before they know it they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re on their way to their first live performance of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Closer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to promote the new single. They all look rested, for once, and their manager says they ought to take advantage of that while they can. <\/p>\n
Senga is feeling excited, ready to go, when in the make-up chair beside him Yokoo goes tense while he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s checking the news headlines on his phone like a proper adult. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ken-chan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asks, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153what was the name of that girl you and Hiromitsu went to see?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hm?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga looks up from his DS. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Honda Kaoru. Why?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dead.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo looks up to meet Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes, expression grim. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She jumped from her apartment balcony, a suicide.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga feels light-headed suddenly, his skin turning clammy. No no no,<\/i> he thinks, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s over, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s over!<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It seems she left a note, confessing to killing another girl at their agency.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yokoo shakes his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so sad. After all this time, too. I wonder why?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why are you sweating so much?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the make-up girl asks Senga, tutting as she dusts him with more powder. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you think its…a little warm in here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga asks. <\/p>\n
He feels like he can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t catch his breath, can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think straight or focus on what the host is asking them during their interview. His gaze keeps darting from side to side, until Kitayama demands to know what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong with him. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I feel like someone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s watching me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he admits, resisting the urge to wipe at his face and mess up his makeup. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re on television, millions of people are watching you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kitayama points out. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sent to standby just then, interrupting their conversation. Senga tries to keep his eyes on Nikaido as they move to the stage, but Nikaido seems entirely normal, chattering away with Miyata. <\/p>\n
He takes a deep, slow breath and tells himself to calm the fuck down, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll all be over in four minutes and twenty-three seconds. When the music starts and his body knows what to do, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll feel better, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sure of it. <\/p>\n
For twenty or thirty seconds, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s true, Senga forcing a smile and letting his body do what it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s supposed to, before he notices Tamamori in front is not exactly in rhythm. His head darts this way and that, like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s looking for something, his feet stumbling through the familiar steps on his own. Tamamori freezes, spine straight like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been shocked, and when he whirls around, eyes wild with panic, Senga already knows what he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see when he turns his head. <\/p>\n
Natsumi is standing right in the middle of their formation, hair hanging over her face so that all Senga can see is her cruel smile. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153NO!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga yells, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lost in the sudden BOOM<\/i> of one of the lights above exploding in a shower of sparks, the screams of the audience. It all seems like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s happening in slow motion, Tamamori stumbling back, slipping off the edge of the stage, grabbing at Fujigaya\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sleeve and dragging him down as well, Miyata running towards Tama and the slow arc of the light that swings down and smacks into the side of his head. Senga turns away as Yokoo and Kitayama jump down and make for the emergency exit, swallowed by the crowd. <\/p>\n
He only cares where Nikaido is, still across in his symmetry position from Senga, collapsed to his knees, eyes wide with fear as he stares out at the panicking crowd. Senga stumbles towards him as quickly as he can, stepping over debris and ignoring the showers of sparks raining down from the lights that are still suspended. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Kenpi!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido yells as soon as Senga gets close enough to grab. Senga tries to pull him to his feet but Nikaido yanks him down instead, hands digging painfully into Senga\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arm. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m here, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m right here!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga assures, leaning in close so that he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sure Nikaido can hear. He wraps arms tight around Nikaido, feels Nikaido shaking against him. He tries again to heave them to their feet, but Nikaido is useless, dead weight.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t leave me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nikaido pleads. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a dangerous creak and the sound of support cables snapping. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t, ever,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Senga promises, pressing Nikaido\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face into his shoulder so that he won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see the scaffolded lighting tipping over, right on top of them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re mine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n