Chapter Text
It’s not weird to stare at your friend’s body while he elegantly goes across the room, Tsumugi says to himself, as he does exactly that, completely fixated on the movement of his arms.
Definitely not weird.
He shakes his head to shake out the thought of Tasuku being attractive immediately, before getting up and stretching.
“Done staring and ready to practice again?” Tasuku stops to look over his shoulder, making Tsumugi blush a little.
He walks towards Tasuku, nudging Tasuku’s arm. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get all cocky because I appreciate a good performance when I see one, Taa-chan.” He chuckles a bit at the end before going over to his area to practice his part specifically.
“So you’re admitting I’m good?”
Tsumugi sighs. “Yes, yes… I am…” He laughs again.
Tsumugi watches the practice video again, sitting down to look at the dance break. It’s complicated and fast while still requiring the correct amount of sexiness and elegance. He buries his face in his hands, taking a big sigh, stretching his hands over his head, groaning a bit and getting up.
Tsumugi walks over to the rest of them, each practicing their own parts.
“Can we do another group practice one last time?”
“Again?” Tasuku asks.
“I want to practice the dance break. It’s… a challenge.”
“You’ll be fine. Just a little more practice. Your moves need to be more impactful, of course.” Omi looks at him, getting Misumi and Hisoka, one still moving, the other in the corner almost sleeping to nod at him in agreement.
“Well… before we start, need anything? I’m in the mood for a little energy boost.” He starts shuffling through his bag on the right side of the practice room to take out his wallet. “I’m heading to the vending machines outside.”
“Ah… no. “ Azuma is sitting on the floor, stretching his body out. “Hurry back, okay? We don’t know when Utsuki-san will be here.”
“Utsuki-san?”
“The green haired guy on the panel. He was evaluating your dance, no?”
“I don’t really… remember?”
“Well, this is your chance to remember because whatever he says will stick to you like gum to a shoe.” Azuma gets up, stretching more. “He’s… intimidating, I’ll say that. Get back quick, okay?”
Tsumugi nods at him, heading to the door before being stopped by a tall green haired man, who fits the exact description Azuma said. He backs up quickly, getting out of his way.
“Hi there, everyone.” His voice is almost cold and steely. He turns to Tsumugi, looking down on him. “Where were you going?”
“I was going to get umm…. Uhh…. A drink from the vending machines downstairs.” He stares back at him, with less and less confidence.
“I see. Tsumugi-san, hm?” Tsumugi nods quickly at him. “Stay for a bit. I’m here to evaluate.”
“Yes, sir.” Everyone else in the room rushes to clean up the things on the floor.
The green haired man grabs a chair leaning on the side of the room, placing it in front of the mirror, taking out a clipboard with paper. ”Line up.” They get into line in front of the back wall quickly. “Well… I expect a lot from this group.” He pushes up his glasses, glaring at Tsumugi and Tasuku who are standing relaxedly before he glares at them. “Especially Tsukioka and Takato, as top ranking trainees.” He looks down at his clipboard, realizing what he forgot to do. “I’m Utsuki Chikage. I’ll be observing you today. Like I’ve said— I expect a lot.” He picks up the remote and starts the music.
Tsumugi is nervous. Reasonably so, as he begins to dance with the others, a bit embarrassed, but pushing through— until the dance break.
He takes a deep breath, moving to the beat until— he trips, and everything is over, everything feeling like it’s spinning out of his control. Omi picks him up quickly, continuing their routine. He moves out of the way quickly to make room for the actual main dancers, Misumi, Tasuku, and Hisoka hurrying their dance steps before the bridge comes in, Tsumugi coming back into the center, and doing his part.
Before he knows it, it’s over.
Tsumugi and the others get side to side quickly before mentally preparing themselves. Well, more of Tsumugi doing it. He jumps a bit when Utsuki starts speaking.
“...So… Tsukioka-san, hm?”
He nods his head in respect, with a meek, “yes”.
“I’m disappointed in your performance today, looking at the others. Where’s your mind been?” He pinches the bridge of his nose in stabbing disappointment. He mumbles under his breath. “Talk about unprepared.” He gets up, finishing the last of his notes. “Well… keep practicing, especially you, Tsukioka-san. As someone who’s performed for a long time, you should not be on the same caliber as everyone else. Excluding Takato.”
Tsumugi feels like his heart stops when he says that he should be better than how he is now, especially when he says Tasuku’s name.
“Everyone else is fine, Misumi, you did amazing.” Misumi smiles and nods quickly, and Chikage nods back at him with a small smirk of satisfaction.
“Keep up the good work. Furuichi-san will come back to you with your MV filming date. And finally, your group name has been officialized. Work hard, Impact. See you till next time.” He leaves the practice room, a cold air leaving with him.
“Tsumugi, are you okay?” Azuma rushes over to him, while the other members stand idly, a bit stunned.
“No, I’m fine. I know I need to practice more anyways.” He gets his bag, taking out his wallet. “Do you guys need water now?”
Tasuku looks at him like he has something to say, which he eventually gets out once Omi nudges his back. “...Don’t quit this time. You can do this.”
“Yeah.”
—
“Misumi!” Tasuku calls for him from the kitchen as he puts on his shoes to go out.
“Tasuku! Do you want anything?” He’s ready to go already, already grabbing the door handle.
“Can you check on Tsumu? He’s been away for a while.” He looks down at his cup of water.
“Ooo~ is someone worried?” Azuma chimes in from the living room.
“No way. Tsumu always used to practice late, it’s just… thoughts.” He sounds unsure, like something bad might happen. “...So what if I’m a little worried. It’s only natural! It could be dangerous!”
“Hmm… I see.” Azuma mischievously smiles at him. “Misumi! Go do it! For me and Tasuku.” He turns away quickly, muttering just loud enough to allow Tasuku to hear. “Mainly Tasuku…”
“Hey!”
“I’ll be going now! Bye, Tasuku and Azuma-san!”
“Stay safe! It’s late and I don’t want another Hisoka on the streets!”
He runs out after putting on his shoes, quickly running, and grabbing whatever triangle resembling thing he can find.
—
Misumi peers into the practice room slowly, Tsumugi still there, closely studying the video, practicing the movements. The hallway is dark because no one’s traveled through it for a while, and when the lights turn on in the hallway, Tsumugi suddenly stops to stare into the door.
He walks to the door, opening it, looking to the left first. “Is someone there?”
Misumi peers over his back. “Tsumugi!”
He pounces on him like a dog. “Oh, hey Misumi.”
“You’re really practicing late!”
“Yeah… I don’t wanna mess up everything, right?” Tsumugi walks back into the practice room, Misumi just waiting outside the door. “Come in already! It’s not like it’s only my practice room, right?”
He steps in looking at Tsumugi, almost fixated on him while he sits down watching the video.
“Misumi?”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve been staring at me for a long time.”
“Hmm… I just think you’re very nice!” He kneels down to Tsumugi’s level. “Aren’t you tired?”
Tsumugi is silent for a bit before speaking to him. “Huh? Oh, sorry. I’m… good. I just wanna get this down, okay? Did Taa-chan send you?”
“No! I was just going triangle hunting. And then he asked me to check on you!” He pulls out a triangle plush from his hoodie pocket. “Here!” He pushes it towards Tsumugi, who’s wide eyed. “This is Sankaku-kun. For motivation!”
Tsumugi takes it from his hands and looks at it. “Thank you, Misumi! I really appreciate it.”
“And as a bonus, I’ll stop hunting to help you practice!”
Tsumugi already starts denying it, stuttering before Misumi shoots up and starts yelling. “I won’t leave! I will help you, and there’s no getting out of it!” He looks at Tsumugi, pulling him, already starting.
“You’ve already got a lot of it down too! Just a couple parts need some work.”
Tsumugi doesn’t know what to say. ”Thanks, Misumi.”
“C’mon! I really wanna start!”
“Haha, okay, Misumi.” He looks at Misumi, who’s already gotten up and stretching out his hand. “Let’s start.
—
“Better.” Utsuki looks at the line of boys glancing across them. “Tsukioka-san?”
“Yes?”
“...Nice job. I’m glad you’re doing better.” He closes up his binder, and holds it in his armpit. “Now, just a reminder— the music video is being filmed tomorrow, okay? Get rest. Leave the practice room. Especially you, Hisoka.” He looks at Hisoka, who sticks his tongue out a bit in response, making Chikage smirk a bit as he leaves the practice room.
Everyone is frozen for a bit, until Tsumugi and Misumi look at each other.
“Tsumugi!” He pounces on him like a dog, exactly like last night. “Did you hear him?!”
Tsumugi smiles and laughs awkwardly, patting him on the back like a dog. “Yeah, yeah, I did. I couldn’t have done it without you, Misumi.”
“Ah… so that’s why you spent so much time outside together.” Azuma looks at them.
“Yeah. Misumi was a big help, especially with polishing my moves.”
Omi goes by Azuma’s side. “He’s always a big help, not only in the kitchen or grocery shopping.” Misumi’s eyes light up a bit, as he latches onto Omi instead of Tsumugi, who’s finally freed from his clutches.
“I’m glad you’re better now.” Tasuku chimes in, looking away, sulking almost like a child.
“Taa-chan… are you mad I didn’t come to you?”
“W-what? No!” He almost looks like he’s curling into himself. “I’m proud of you… just don’t forget you can ask me for help.”
Tsumugi goes over to him. “I could never! You’ll always be the number one person to go to in my mind.” He pats him on the back.
“Well… as long as you think that…”
“Haha, okay, Taa-chan.” He smiles at him behind his back endearingly, before turning around.
—