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It's been three days into the week-long tour collaboration involving ALKALOID and Crazy:B. The event was decided by their respective agencies due to an overwhelming surge of fan suggestions. After gathering up all the members of both units (Crazy:B taking the most time and effort to assemble), no further convincing was needed since both parties were eager to participate and make it happen.
It’s also been three days since HiMERU last slept, however. Aside from the fact that he has a hard time sleeping in unfamiliar places, the level of comfort for him was even greatly reduced when it was announced that he would be rooming with Kazehaya Tatsumi for the entirety of the tour. HiMERU shouldn’t have any problems with the arrangement... he shouldn’t. Him and the saint are supposed to be good friends in everyone’s eyes after all. He has already coerced himself to do what he needs to in order to become the most accurate version of HiMERU, but letting his guard down in front of that Kazehaya Tatsumi is just impossible.
HiMERU looks around the dressing room, there is nothing left for him to do but wait as his fellow unit-mates get their outfits together. He sighs inaudibly and looks at his expression on the mirror.
“Good, my tiredness does not show.” he thinks to himself while he observes his face for a few more seconds, now he just needs to act the part. He forces himself not to rub his eyes of sleep because it would ruin his makeup, and instead he focuses his thoughts on the first two days of this tour event.
The first day of the tour went smoothly, everyone brought out such an explosive energy that the audience can’t help but return their gestures in the same manner. As the hours went on through the second day however, HiMERU could already feel his energy deplete. It’s not something that bothered him, makeup can just fix the small inconsistencies of his face and he is used to the lack of sleep anyway. He tried his best to avoid bumping into his roommate outside of lives and would only return to their room once he was sure that the mint-haired man was already asleep. Still, all that effort didn’t help him get a wink of sleep though.
“Oi Merumeru~” HiMERU’s train of thought is quickly broken when he feels their leader’s arms swing around his shoulders, mouth formed into that signature smirk of his “What ‘ya doing spacing around by yourself for?”
“HiMERU-han, you feeling alright? You’ve been quiet for quite a while now.” this time it is Kohaku who waltzes to their position, a worried look painted on his face. He has always been good at picking up on the subtle change in peoples’ disposition.
“If you’re not feeling well then you can take some of my snacks to eat, HiMERU-kun.” Niki says after swallowing the food he’s been eating since they arrived, skipping next to the other three simultaneously with an armful of bread and snack packets.
“Niki you bastard--” Rinne says as he lets go of HiMERU to place Niki in a headlock “food being a solution only works for you though~”
The pink-haired boy places his palm on his face as the food lover wrestles the gigantic menace locked to him, at the same time mourning the food packets he dropped on the floor. Such situations are a common occurrence in the Crazy:B dressing room.
HiMERU chuckles lightly at the sight then gives them a reassuring smile “HiMERU appreciates the concern, but he is feeling alright.”
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HiMERU is not feeling alright. He should be able to hold out for a few days but the strenuous choreography is taking a huge toll on him. Keeping himself busy with the live was able to help him forget the exhaustion but now that it’s over, the gravity of the situation hits him all at once. His sight dims and sways as he tries to keep himself upright during the ride back to their hotel. The moment they arrived, he quickly excuses himself from the group to seek out a place for him to get even just a little bit of respite.
He stumbles his way up the open rooftop garden, the smell of flowers immediately wafts through his nose as he takes a good look at the scenery in front of him. The vertical parallel sides of the area are lined with planters, full of colorful flowers arranged in a way that looks pleasing to the eye. The center space is furnished with a few tables, chairs and benches for people wanting a quick rest. It is then enclosed in tall fences, which are placed not only to protect from the danger of falling, but also to help get a good view of the city from above.
HiMERU maneuvers through the furniture and makes his way to the edge of the building. Dark, ink-like colors have already started to slowly seep in the beautifully blended dance of yellow, orange, pink and purple as the sky transitions from dusk to night. The tranquil atmosphere and gentle winds give him all the reason to use the place to bask in his vulnerability. He didn’t hope to fall asleep in this place even though he badly needs it, but at the very least no one is around to witness him with his guard down.
Peace was never an option though, because after a few minutes a loud noise was heard on the other side of the door. It doesn’t take a genius to know the identity of the intruder, especially in HiMERU’s case since he’s known this person for quite a long time now. Heck, they are even in the same group together. The door immediately opens with a loud bang and Amagi Rinne rushes out while making as much noise as possible. So much for seeking for a place of respite.
“Merumeru~” Rinne calls out as he looks around the place. As soon as he spotted the light blue hair he was looking for, he immediately dashes to this person’s side “There you are! You left so suddenly, what are you doing here on your own?”
“Amagi...” HiMERU trails off, not even sparing the noisy man a peek “How did you even find HiMERU here?”
“Ah? Mayoi-chan told me~” Rinne answers “He said he saw you go up here.”
“There’s no need to check on HiMERU, Amagi.” HiMERU states and steals a glance at Rinne, who takes a seat on the ground next to him “He wants to be left alon—!!”
HiMERU’s next lines were cut off when the redhead grips his right arm and pulls him down to the floor. Just as he tries to get up and steady himself, Rinne grabs his head and pushes it on the left side of his leg.
“Amagi! What are you doing?!” he exclaims as he struggles to get up under Rinne’s grasp. He is too tired for this.
“Sleep.” the redhead replies in a casual tone “It’s not food that you need but sleep, right?”
HiMERU is stunned. He praised Kohaku’s observational skills before but to think their leader also noticed something wrong, he must really be worn out to slip like this. When Rinne saw little resistance from the man, his push lightens. He silently watches his exhausted unit-mate lie down on the floor and rest his light blue locks on his leg.
“HiMERU does not know what you’re talking about.” he says quietly as he felt the other’s hand run through his hair in irregular intervals. The cold breeze coupled with the gentle touch expelled all the built-up fatigue he had and he felt himself relax.
“Kyahaha~ Sure you don’t, princess.” Rinne stays silent for a few seconds “Just sleep. It would be bad if it affects your performance tomorrow, right? I’ll stay with you until you wake up.”
“Fine, now shut it.” HiMERU can feel the leader’s smile even though he is facing away from him. He ignores the ‘princess’ comment and decides to take him up on his offer. He has no energy left to resist and even if he did, the menace will never let up anyway. He closes his eyes, slowly succumbing to the slumber.
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Rinne sets his gaze at the sleeping beauty on his leg that finally got to relax, chest rising and falling in tune to each breath. He already had his suspicions but they were all instantly confirmed when Tatsumi approached him earlier, stating his worries on his roommate’s condition. As their unit’s tyrant, he is more than willing to "help" in any way he can.
A few hours pass when he heard ruckus coming from the door. It opens with Niki barging in, followed by Kohaku “Rinne-kun! Where are you? Dinner’s ready, have you found HiMERU-ku--”
Niki stops in his tracks when he sees the situation. Rinne smiles at the both of them and places his index finger to his lips. Niki, getting the hint, continues his speech in a more hushed tone “I’ll set aside your portions and you can just eat them together when he wakes up.”
Seeing the redhead’s nod as a sign of understanding, Niki then makes his way to the door with Kohaku. They gently closed the door after getting inside, leaving the other two outside bathed under the faint glow of the moonlight.