Chapter Text
It was darkness. It was always darkness when he couldn’t write music as he wanted. No ideas came into his mind, as if something was blocking it. He knew why. He wasn’t stupid. He looked around. It’s not today I’ll be able to do something, huh. What a pity. He closed his eyes and put his head between his arms. I don’t know what to do. My muse disappeared. Usually, he’s here, cooking or cleaning the dormitory, but today, he’s absent. Why did he need Koki closed to him to have ideas, these last days…? Ah yes, maybe because he was his savior.
He opened his eyes and slapped the table. Wake up, Mamoru. It’s not by complaining that I’ll be able to do something, anyway. He looked around. Maybe he could help with the cleaning. He didn’t know when Koki would come back, and Ryota and Ken were somewhere he didn’t want to know - he discovered a few days ago that they were closer than he thought, and really, he didn’t want to witness that ever again - so he could give a help, right? He wasn’t good at that, but if it could let Koki take a rest, then…
Suddenly feeling better, and deciding that forgetting his music problem for a while would be good for his mental, he hurried up and took a broom. Okay, let’s do it. Whistling, he started to clean the ground with all his power. He hoped nobody would come back at this very moment, because really, he didn’t want to start from the beginning once again. Not that he was doing great anyway. He was bad with cleaning duty. Even at the orphanage… Ah, it’s been a while I didn’t see them… I should maybe go soon. Happy to have taken this decision, he stepped away. But he didn’t care of where he was going, and the handle of the broom hit something, that fell on the ground, and broke.
Mamoru froze, and turned slowly towards the victim of the accident. When he saw Koki’s favorite teacup, he panicked. Oh no, Ko is going to kill me... ! Maybe if I hide the body…? No no, he will notice. He isn’t stupid. Crap, what should I do!? Write an apologizing song. It would be called “The Death of the Teacup”. Koki would disliked it. He rubbed his temples. Maybe sending a text to the owner of the victim would be the best. Like that, he would prepare him, and he would be ready to die.
So, he took his phone, and slowly wrote a text to his friend, ready to get a call from Koki and to be scolded. The answer came soon, as if Koki had been connected to him and knew he was going to receive a text from him.
From Koki:
Didn’t I tell you not to clean the dishes?
To Koki:
I didn’t clean the dishes… I was cleaning the house. With the broom.
From Koki:
…
…
…
To Koki:
Did you just send me 3 texts with “...” only?
I’m sorry, don’t kill me!
From Koki:
I’m just wondering how you could break my teacup with a broom, actually.
Anyway, it’s fine, don’t worry. It wasn’t the one I prefered.
To Koki :
But it was the one with the flowers? The one you often use.
From Koki:
It’s not because I use it often that it’s my favorite.
I don’t use my favorite. Too precious.
To Koki:
Oh, so I’m safe. Good. I was really worried, you know.
From Koki:
It doesn’t mean you can break something else. Don’t clean, I’ll do it myself. Or ask Ryo or Ken.
To Koki:
I really don’t want to go to their room…
From Koki:
???
To Koki:
Nevermind.
See you later~
“Phew, I’m safe. But maybe I should stop cleaning. I will let it to Ryo and Ken, then.”
Koki was already doing all the house working, so, for once, a little rest wouldn’t kill him, right? What could I do, now? He looked around.
Then, a new idea came in mind. He thought about the orphanage, earlier, and it was still early, so he could go there. But first, he wanted to bring them something. He would cook cookies for them! They liked that, and it wasn’t something too difficult, so he would put the dormitory in fire, for once.
Still whistling - Corona this time - he gathered the ingredient and blessed Koki who made cookies not so long ago. Sometimes, he wondered where the man learned all of these, and suddenly thought that he would be a good housewife. He laughed. That was a stupid thought. He followed the recipe he found on the internet - he didn’t know at all where Koki put his recipes books - and was proud, by the end of it, not to have burning them. Well, at least, they weren’t totally black, it was the principal, right?
He hurried up cleaning the dishes - and broke a glass this time - and left the dormitory with a happy big smile on his lips. I’m so proud! I should tell Ko about that!
To Koki:
I cooked cookies! I didn’t burn anything!
From Koki:
A miracle?
To Koki:
It’s a little burned but not too serious.
Also, I broke a glass by cleaning the dishes.
From Koki:
…
To Koki:
Don’t judge me. It was only a glass. I’m omw to the orphanage, so I’ll repay it when coming back home. Promise~
He didn’t get any answer this time, but he didn’t mind it. Koki was surely busy, and it was a miracle for the man to answer him to begin with.
It was strange to take the way to the orphanage. He wasn’t accustomed anymore to it, and it brought back memories of the time he lived here. It also reminded him how he met Koki, and it made him laugh. If he hadn’t come to listen me, I would be dead. He was his savior and protector. Maybe I should write about that… But the last time I tried, it ended as a love song, and I didn’t dare to show him. It was still hidden somewhere in his room. He couldn’t throw it, because all his feelings were written on it. One day, he would show him. Not now, though. He didn’t want to bother Koki more, especially with his feelings. At least, two of Growth don’t mind us for their feelings. Urgh, can’t believe I heard them. That was gross. Yet, he was happy for them.
He finally arrived in front of the orphanage, and his eyes were full of stars. He couldn’t wait to see their surprised expression, and their happy one, eating cookies. He just hoped he had done enough for everyone. If not, he would go to pastry as fast as possible.
He passed through the doorway, and walked towards the door. He took a look at the front garden, and smiled when he understood nothing at changed. He wondered if the garden, behind the orphanage, was still the same too.Maybe he would play with the children.
Mamoru took a deep breath and rang at the bell. While he was waiting for an answer, he received a text from Koki, that surprised him. He answered him, surprised a little bit that he asked him the orphanage’s address, and then forgot it when the door got opened and a woman appeared.
“Mamoru, is that you!?”
“Hello Miss Yamada, nice to see you again.”
“Oh my, come in, come in, don’t stay at the door!”
The woman seemed pretty excited. Miss Yamada was the director of the orphanage, and was a strict but soft woman. How many time did she scold him when he was but a mere child? Too many for him to count, but he had never regretted the problems he caused. After all, it was just glasses and plates, and even if they weren’t rich, they always found a way to get new ones.
“I can’t believe you came.”
“I thought it would be nice to come. I hope I’m not bothering.”
“Not at all,” the answer was, “the children are always talking about you, you know? We’re so proud of you.”
Mamoru smiled and blushed slightly under the compliment.
“I’m proud that the little demon became an angel~”
“I wasn’t a demon.”
“You were the demon of the kitchen.”
“Urgh, that’s mean.” He pouted.
The woman laughed, and they arrived in the living room, where the children were the children were watching the TV. It was an emission Growth had recorded a month ago, and that was only going on TV right now.
At first, the children didn’t notice him, but when one of them turned his face towards him, he screamed, and all the other followed.
“Mamoru, you came!”
“How are you?”
“How can you be in the TV and here at the same time?”
“Are you a magician?”
Mamoru laughed at all the questions, and after a nod to the director, he sat on the sofa, and was soon surrounded by children.
“I am a magician~ I am Growth’s magician!”
“Liar.”
“It’s Koki the magician!”
“What? How can you tell? You don’t even know him!”
“He transformed you into an idol.”
Oh, they had a point. He pulled a face, and said:
“You’re right, Ko is the magician.”
“What did you bring?”
“Children, could you not ask indiscreet questions like that?” The director warned, jaded.
“Ahaha, don’t worry, I was about to show them, anyway.”
He opened the box where the cookies were, and gave one to each of the children. He was even able to give one to Miss Yamada, who looked at it suspiciously.
“It’s burned, Mamoru.”
“Urgh, I did my best, you know.”
She squinted and ate a piece of it, and the children did too. At first, he got no reaction, and he thought that, once again, he had failed it, but then, a children said it was good, better than the last time, and he felt relieved.
“For once, you did well.”
“I’m always doing well, Miss Yamada.”
“Hm, should I remind you the day you tried to make us a curry?”
“... No, thank you.”
The woman laughed, and the doorbell rang. She apologized and left, letting Mamoru alone with the children.
“Mamoru, Mamoru, will you bring the other Growth members here one day?”
“I’m not sure I can, I’m sorry. We’re all busy, you know.”
“Yes, yes, we understand, but one day, you can bring all of them here.”
“You’re really stubborn, all of you.”
The children laughed, and so did Mamoru, who couldn’t help. It was so good to be back here once a while. He had forgotten how simple everyone was, even if their life was harsh. Mamoru would never complain how being an Idol was harsh too, because he loved his job, and also because for him, the children knew worse.
“Well, at least, I know why you are stubborn too.” Someone said.
Mamoru started, surprised, and turned so fast towards the newcomer that he hurt his neck.
“Koki!?”
“Aaah, it’s the magician!”
“The magician?” Koki repeated, blinking a little bit.
Mamoru stayed sat on the sofa, frozen. Why was Koki there? It was so strange to see him here. Compared to the old place, smelling the poverty, Koki was like an angel, in a beautiful rich clothes. Well, rich was maybe too strong, as he was dressed casually, but compared to the place, it was rich. Also, there was a certain aura around his friend, as if he was bringing warmth. Like he did for him, that day, on the street. Like he also did that day when he told him he loved the songs he created for Growth. Like he always did when he was around.
Mamoru finally stood up, giving up his surprised state, and came near Koki, who didn’t have any expression. Or rather, he seemed a little bit overwhelmed by the children.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I wanted to face the murderer of my teacup.”
“Urgh, I’m so sorry~”
“Mamoru, you still broke something?” The directed asked, jaded.
“Mamoru is an objects murderer~” The children sang.
“Urgh, I told you I was sorry!”
The children laughed, Mamoru pouted, the director smirked, and Koki said nothing. He couldn’t believe he told them his crimes without any regret!
*
The garden hadn’t changed at all. There still was a swing, and Mamoru sat on it. Koki stayed by his side, and together, they watched the children played hide-and-seek.
“I still can’t believe you’re here.”
“It’s the second time you tell me.”
“It’s a surprise!”
“I wanted to see where you lived in the past.”
Mamoru pulled a face, and sighed.
“It’s not really great, huh?”
“Well…”
“It’s not as rich as your house, and not as beautiful too, but I love this place. It’s really important to me. Every month, I donate a little just to be sure they will have something.”
Koki didn’t answer straight away, and Mamoru didn’t really wait for it. He could understand that his friend wasn’t able to comment about it. Their worlds were so different. He probably was surprised by it, but would forget it by the end of the day.
“It’s a great place, I think.” Koki finally stated. “It’s not poor as you said.”
“Huh? Did you look correctly around you?”
The garden was bad maintained, and the flowers were already dying. He didn’t even want to think about the holes there and here and where he often fell when he was a child.
“Yes, I did.” Koki answered slowly. “Materially, it is poor, but humanly, it isn’t.”
“Eh?”
“It’s full of love, and courage, and beautiful feelings. Now I understand you better. I understand why you’re like that. I love this place.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. How can I dislike the place where my beloved… where you came from, huh?”
“Where my beloved”...? Ko… No, it wasn’t surely what he wanted to say. But hearing that made him happy. He always thought that Koki would dislike that place, just because of his appearance, but of course, he wasn’t like that. He should have known. He chuckled, and finally said:
“You know, it’s not my favorite place…” He stood up, and put his hands in his back, then turned towards Koki. “My favorite place is where you are, Ko. No matter where, I’ll follow you, you know~ ?”
Koki smiled softly, and Mamoru answered it. He said the truth. The best place was where Koki was.
“Thank you, Ko.”
“Why?”
Mamoru didn’t answer. Thanks to him, he found inspiration for a new song.