Chapter Text
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At his wits end, Tenn finally calls Riku.
And surprise surprise !
Riku doesn’t answer.
One. Two. Three rings.
His brother seems to be so keen on ignoring him that he slams his phone on the desk.
“That’s the final straw!” He declares to himself, rushing to leave the shared apartment with an annoyed expression.
He can’t believe it but for the first time, he’s heading straight to the i7 dorm of his own volition.
Gaku and Ryu, hearing the force in his footsteps, look up from their respective seats on the living room couch to see Tenn preparing to leave in a huff.
Upon seeing their center’s distress and sensing his urgency, they share a knowing look and decide to follow him.
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It started a few days ago.
It was little things.
Riku not sending him spam length messages.
Riku not actively searching for him between shoots.
And finally Riku flat out ignoring him.
Thinking back, Tenn figures it is his fault as well. He has been avoiding his brother for so long, watching him from afar that he misses the obvious. Really, this ?
Of all the things that Riku attempts to hide from him , his older twin , this can’t be it.
And if it weren’t for Momo-san’s extensive network and observation skills he wouldn’t even have known.
But seriously , his forehead creases, disappointment etched on his face,
Riku, why didn’t you tell me?
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Reaching the dormitory, his furious knocks resonated throughout the sleeping residents. And Yamato, who previously had a drinking session with the adults, is the first to be awakened by the noise.
As the group’s appointed yet hands-off leader, he ends up as the sacrificial lamb subjected to TRG center’s anger which also happens to be their own center’s twin.
It isn’t hard to guess, the rest of the residents thought, completely awakened by now at the commotion greeting their morning. The fury behind those knocks and impeccable timing makes who the visitor is obvious.
Thankfully, last night’s drinking session wasn’t just a mere drinking session but also served as an emergency meeting for what could possibly transpire after last week’s revelations and how they, as a group, would face it together.
To say that they were terrified was an understatement.
But alas—they are
ready.
Or as ready as they can be
So they try to hold down their own fears and brace for it.
As Yamato gingerly stands up from his spot on the couch, he looks up to Mitsuki who was already by the kitchen counter, prepping for breakfast. He almost praised him for looking so unfazed by the war that’s about to come, only to notice the slight tremble of his hands.
But who wouldn’t fear Kujo right?
The possible lecture and sharp words towards his brother and them. Those menacing eyes that could give Superman a run for his money with how hard they can cut through you. He, himself can’t help but be slightly scared and be worried for allof their sakes.
Mitsuki frantically eyes the leader asking what to do.
In turn, Yamato puts on a brave face and gestures to Mitsuki to check on the two boys just in case—
in case they’re found in compromising positions that is .
A spark of hope lights Mitsuki’s eyes, sensing Yamato’s determination. He leaves his kitchen counter along with a slightly buzzed Sougo.
‘Luckily Sou didn’t drink as much last night. They’d need him after all to make sure Tamaki doesn’t say something that equally buries everyone to a possible Kujo Tenn lecture.’ Yamato thinks.
Shuddering at the thought from the last hour long lecture they had over at the Okinawan hotel a few years back, they’d need everyone to brace themselves from the incoming Storm named Kujo readying itself to sweep their dorm.
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“What is taking them so long?” Tenn grumbles impatiently as he continuously knocks and rings their doorbell.
“Oi! Brat! They might still be sleeping, you know?” Gaku answers as he tries to distract their furious center while simultaneously texting his fellow leader.
“Yeah Tenn! They might still be asleep.” Ryuu adds, hoping to calm down their agitated member.
“What is it even that caused you to march to their dorm early this morning?”
Subtly hiding his phone, Gaku keeps Tenn preoccupied with distraction as he waits and grills Yamato for some information to figure out their confusing center.
And unsurprisingly, the i7 leader is very much tight lipped about whatever the hell that could possibly set him off.
The only text he gets is—“Try to stall him!”—and nothing more.
Despite what others perceive of him, Gaku knows when things get too obvious and as much as Tenn might avoid showing his concerns about Riku, he truly does, however it’s done in his own Kujou Tenn ways.
He can safely infer that whatever that happened to set him off must have been something involving Idolish7’s center as well.
Heaven knows for all that Tenn can dismiss his brother, he cares deep down inside. And as weird as it may be, they’re still connected and maybe that connection is what is triggering Tenn this early in the morning too.
Before he can even add more to his possible musings, the i7 dorm opens.
“Ohayo Kujo—ah! And Trigger!” Yamato greets them lazily, emerging from the door and seemingly just awoken from whatever sleep he had been in minutes earlier.
Gaku tries his best to hide his mirth and amazement of Yamato.
Knowing full well that the man’s been awake at least about thirty minutes earlier, his prowess as an actor truly does have some uses in real life after all.
The Trigger boys enter the dorm calmly or as calm as an agitated Kujo Tenn could be.
Gaku still wonders what the hell is going on.
Ryuu is apologetic for the sudden visit and intrusion.
And Tenn is simply enraged.
His anger quietly simmers from around him.
Reaching the open living room area, Tenn abruptly stops and glares at Yamato.
“Quit the acting Nikaido Yamato! Where is my brother?” He demands sharply.
All of them are shocked .
“And stop pretending to be half awake!” His gaze narrows. “I know you’ve been awake for an hour at least. I’ve seen you text Gaku.” He gives Yaotome a side-eye.
“Tenn…” Gaku attempts to diffuse the angered center however—
“And Gaku you’re as subtle as a rock. It’s a miracle Takanashi Tsumugi doesn’t know who you are.” Tenn tells him off effectively shushing him up.
“OI! Don’t bring Tsumugi into this” Gaku retaliates.
“Mah! Mah! Mah! Tenn no need to be hostile. Can’t you see—“ Ryuu once again attempts to calm the situation but is cut off.
“WHERE. IS. MY. BROTHER?” He demands once more, looking Yamato straight in the eye.
Prepared for this possible hostility, Yamato figures it is off with the kid gloves.
Tenn might be Riku’s twin but he is this team’s leader, their Onii-san .
And there is no way in hell they’re letting this ... person ... mess with their members’ happiness .
“Wow!” Yamato exclaims, clapping his hands condescendingly, then eyes Trigger’s center.
All his previous drowsiness is gone and in front of them is someone unshakable.
“Pretty bold statement coming from you Kujo!” He adds, punctuating each word by pressing a finger towards Tenn.
To his delight, the smaller boy is silenced, probably stunned that someone would actually be unafraid of him. And without missing a beat, Yamato continues on.
“Why is it that suddenly you come to our dorm this early, and look for your brother? ” He asks, circling around the unsuspecting twin. “Your brother, may I add, you’ve been vehemently trying to avoid for the past two years?”
When he receives no response and only a furious glare, Yamato says. “Oh I know! Maybe it’s because you finally found out?”
“Found out what?” Gaku remarks without thinking.
“Shhh!” Ryuu says, trying to hide his fear for both their center and the I7 leader.
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Meanwhile, Mitsuki and Sougo begin to take turns checking in on their children who may or may not be cowering in fear. No thanks to their expected aggressive visitor. The pair paused in front of the respective rooms of the other members. Upon glancing toward each other, the two elder members decided to split their assignment. Mitsuki towards his younger brother & his boyfriend while Sougo went to Nagi & his own unit partner, Tamaki.
The once Osaka heir reached their blond otaku member first. Even before he could knock, Nagi immediately snuck out his head to check whether Kujo is within the vicinity. When he sees it empty, he breathes a sigh of relief. He assures the shocked silver-haired boy that he is safely tucked in Magical Cocona’s hands; however if the group needs backup, he is more than ready to strut in the frontlines. He promptly closes his door.
Sougo then knocks on Tamaki’s door next but, just as he suspected, is met with silence.
Trust Tamaki to be the only one who can sleep through the commotion while everyone else is fearing for their lives. He enters the dimly-lit room and attempts to wake his partner only to be pulled to the bed beside him.
“Tamaki-kun —”
“No Sou-chan,” he murmurs, snuggling closer to him, “Rest with me.”
He’s about to protest however when Tamaki makes signs of not letting him go, he decides that maybe avoiding The Kujo Storm is the appropriate idea. So for once, he follows through with Tamaki’s idea, and snuggles in as well.
On the other hand, Mitsuki decides to check on Iori first knowing he’s shaken up the most after that heavy pounding on their door. However, when no one seems to answer, he fears the worst and prays hard that it isn’t what he’s thinking that’s happening.
“Iori, I’m coming in!” He announces, still hopeful that his little brother will prove him wrong but unfortunately, god bless Iori’s soul from this point on, his room is empty.
Mitsuki feels a shudder run down his spine as he walks towards Riku’s room. This is a secret he’d like to keep in his grave.
Two curt knocks later, he finds himself inside their center’s room looking at both his brother and Riku. Surprisingly, ( and fortunately thank the Heavens) both fully clothed. Unsurprisingly, all cuddled together while unfortunately, Yamato takes on the full wrath of one Kujo Tenn alone.
Of course, Iori is flustered as heck. But seeing Mitsuki smiling a little too charmingly as he calmly tells them that TRG has paid them a visit sends shivers to his spine.
Riku instantly beams at the news, leaving the bed excitedly while Iori, who pales at the mention of Trigger, feels like staying in bed all day. Shuddering at the idea of Kujo Tenn being in the vicinity.
However, when his adorable partner tugs him along to come meet his twin, despite his mind screaming at him to say ‘No’, Iori relents and follows his beloved partner.
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“Tenn-nii! You’re here?!?!” Riku excitedly exclaims as he runs towards his brother.
He goes up to Tenn In a burst of excitement, oblivious to the growing tension or the presence of others in the room.
Tenn warmly welcomes the embrace with a gentle smile gracing his face. Grinning brightly towards Riku, as if a fight isn’t about to break just a moment ago.
“Hello Riku,” he pats his head. “Is there something you haven’t been telling me?” He asks softly, releasing him from the embrace.
Riku smiles sheepishly, trying his best to avoid his twin’s piercing pink gaze. However, Tenn being used to tough situations holds his ground. And in the end, Riku caves in and makes a shy confession.
“Tenn-nii…” He mumbles, gaze on the ground. “Ano... I-Iori’s my boyfriend… I didn’t tell you… I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to get mad.” Riku stutters as he tries to hide the tears pooling behind his amber orbs.
“It’s okay, Riku.” He says comfortingly with a smile. “Don’t worry yourself, understand?” He adds, brushing a lock of his brother’s hair. And when he looks up at him, Tenn gives him a soft boop on his nose.
“So… Tenn-nii isnt mad?” Riku asks, wiping away the stray tears from his eyes.
Tenn shakes his head. “Riku, I’m not mad but can you get me a glass of water?”
“Ok! Tenn-nii!” Riku answers happily.
He cheerfully walks to the kitchen, leaving everyone behind. Iori, who’s been frozen in place ever since they reached the living room, follows him out of instinct but is stopped when he hears Tenn call out for him.
“ Izumi Iori .” Tenn says evenly to him as he eyes his twin’s figure disappearing.
“Yes, Kujou-san?” Iori responds with an equal tone.
“I see... you have chosen the lesser twin.”
“Kujou san, I care—Wait, what? What do you mean?”
“Tenn-nii!” Riku suddenly greets, returning with a glass of water.
However, Tenn remains oblivious.
“I mean why would someone like you , the perfect high schooler, pick someone like him ?” He stares briefly at his brother. “He’s weak, annoying and sickly. It doesn’t match. You don’t match.”
”T-tenn-nii ?” Riku staggers back upon hearing Tenn’s harsh words.
“Why have him when you can have someone else?”
Riku feels tears brimming his eyes, but his brother continues.
“When you can, in fact, have someone better?” Tenn challenges.
“Stop! Kujou san! Stop! Don’t you dare!” Iori interrupts him.
He marches towards the silver-haired center and levels his gaze with him.
“Nanase-san is a lot of things.” He begins. “He can be weak but he becomes strong to overcome his weakness. He may be annoying at times but that is him full of life and I won’t have him any other way. And yes he may be sickly but I promise to always be by his side to make sure he would be okay.”
“Oh Iori…” Riku mumbles, a small smile on his face as he hugs Iori from behind.
Upon seeing this, the pair hears a huff, then finds Kujo Tenn wearing a satisfied smile.
“Tenn-nii?”
“Huh?”
Arms crossed over his chest, he looks at the two, who are still in each other’s embrace and then at Iori.
“Don’t make me regret this Izumi Iori but... I approve.”
Riku smiles brightly towards his older twin.
“Thank you Tenn-nii!!!” Rike says as he hugs Tenn with the same ferocity as his hug earlier to his twin.
Everyone else was simply dumbfounded by the whole exchange.
“Wait, what ?” Ryuu exclaims.
“OI! Tenn! What the hell?” Gaku adds.
“Wow Who knew ? Well I guess that’s his way of protecting his twin” Yamato chuckles as he downs another can of beer watching the exchange.
And finally the whole dorm can breathe a sigh of relief.
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*Omake*
As everything was finally settling down, the idols in the living area were surprised to hear Tamaki’s voice echoing from the hallway.
“Ten Tenn is here?” his voice resounding in the halls as he rushed to reach the group’s open area.
Upon reaching it, Sougo was the first to speak.
“Ohayo! Trigger san! Ohayo Minna!” He greetes everyone softly as he followed Tamaki’s stride.
“Oh! It’s TenTenn!!!” Tamaki says enthusiastically having just awoken and missing the whole debacle earlier.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Tenn pulls out a bag of King Pudding and gives it to the high schooler.
“King pudding!!! Thank you TenTenn!” Tamaki happily proclaims as he sets the bag down on the kitchen counter.
Unperturbed by everyone stare, He picks one pudding up and joyfully eats it. Content in tasting his beloved pudding, obvious to everyone else.
“Oi! Nikaido? Is he really Like that” Gaku asks.
“Yup! At this point, this Oniisan doesn't ask what happens in this dorm anymore” Yamato replies nonchalantly.
He offers his spare beer to the other Idol Leader in a roundabout way of saying cheers and congratulations for surviving the Kujo Tenn Storm.
This time around.
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