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After long, long hours of work to perfect to its most minute details his exhibition that was held the next day, Shu picked up his phone for a quick break.
It wouldn't last more than five minutes, but five little minutes were all Shu needed to make sure Mika was doing fine and to read the dozens of texts his partner had probably sent him. A look at the notifications piled up informed him that indeed, Kagehira had to have seen something interesting today, since he had sent Shu a dozen pictures.
However, right when Shu was about to open the Valkyrie conversation on Hold-Hands, a new notification popped up on his phone.
A new Shuffle unit had just released a song and MV?
Frankly, Shu didn't care about that. He was about to simply sweep that notification away and into the delightful peace of nothingness when he saw who was on the front cover.
Natsume.
Alright, if it was a project the boy was in, Shu ought to check it out.
But what was this horrendous outfit? It didn't suit Natsume's usual aesthetic at all!
Well, Shu supposed that was what Shuffle units were supposed to be for but still. What the heck was this ignominy?
Shu took a deep breath. No, he had decided to be more open-minded when it came to art.
He still looked around to make sure that Mademoiselle wasn’t near him before pressing play. Fortunately, she wasn’t. Shu had left her in another room, so whatever this MV might be, she wouldn’t be sullied by it. That was reassuring.
So that MV started with the sound of an old phone ringing and by displaying the name of the song and of the Shuffle unit? Shu huffed. Basic, but such things always sold well. The choice of colors irked him a bit; they were definitely a bit too close to Valkyrie’s main outfits to please him. Red and gold were colors that Shu loved, of course. But since he had seen that unit outfits beforehand… he was a bit skeptical.
Seeing Hidaka appear first in that elevator, Shu almost relaxed. As long as he was put in the center… perhaps this would not be so bad. However, as soon as the video moved to the next shot, he frowned. Those poses and expressions were slightly too…sensual, for him.
And Natsume was barely in the frame yet, only part of his arm showing. The composition of the shot wasn’t bad, Shu was forced to acknowledge that. He might even have praised it as artistic, if not for the faces these innocent people were making at that phone, for those horrendous outfits and especially not for how seductively Rei’s little brother was stroking that phone. A horrible shudder shook Shu, and he played the video five seconds back.
Shino’s expression made him want to scream. It suited him, that was for sure. But what had happened to Nito’s cute, innocent child?!
Shu didn’t let the video play for long before slamming the pause icon on his phone screen.
Natsume dabbled in enchantment. Magic. Seduction, too, sometimes. But what was that smile?! And one of the wonderful Aoi twins had been pulled into that awful project as well?! Oh, damned be the world and the ones that pulled its strings! Truly, Shu had not even watched the full first thirty seconds of this MV that he was already holding it as a harbinger of society’s decay.
Again, Shu almost relaxed during the next shot, thinking that perhaps there was something to be saved in those outfits. They were creative, and that green glitter on the black fabric was beautiful, and it suited Natsume and Ritsu perfectly…
And then, Shu shivered with disgust when each of the five members of that cursed project lasciviously dragged their leg across the black and white tiles.
Worse yet, Natsume’s delightful voice filled the silence of Shu’s atelier, with a small “Hello?” to which Shu replied with a curt “Non!”
Oh, terrible. This was terrible! Worthy of the hottest stakes humanity could create!
Non, Shu forced himself to think. He might hate every last bit of this project but the instrumental arrangement wasn’t bad. It was catchy even. And the set was interesting as well, perfectly balanced, though he might have changed a few things personally. However, that Shu didn’t like it didn’t mean it was worthless. Defacing art through fire, now, that was the real crime. The choreography wasn’t that bad either. Whoever had created it hadn’t done a bad job. And each idol’s vocal performance was good. Natsume’s singing, especially, was as good as usual.
Resting his back in his chair, Shu sighed. Alright, he was simply being prejudiced by his own tastes. It was simply a ghost of his younger egocentric self that was catching up to him. That was all. He still noted the next transition as cheap and horribly fanservicey. Really, was there any need for Ritsu to extend a hand towards the camera and for the camera to move up, down and then forward, as if to suggest that the viewer was there with the idols? Shu sighed in condescension.
Valkyrie would never resort to such cheap tricks, that was for sure. It was in tune with the lyrics, though, so it wasn’t fully unjustifiable, since the MV had a clear theme… but still. This was plainly unnecessary. Shu sighed again when he saw how Hinata was leaning against that door, but chose to ignore it. Shu liked the Aoi twins, but eventually, what mattered to him was Natsume’s place in this.
Alright, that close-up on Natsume’s face was plainly gratuitous as well. That it was followed by close ups on everyone’s faces didn’t make it any better. In fact; it made it worse. Not only was it tacky, but it didn’t do any justice to the beauty of any of the people involved in that video.
Ultimately, it was only a detail that Shu was all too glad to brush off his mind. Tackiness and artistic faux-pas were disgusting, but they weren’t the worst offenses committed by man. Despite Shu’s efforts to elevate his own performances to the greatest works of art, he knew well that such preoccupations were not on the mind of everyone, and the main goal of Shuffle units was commercial, not artistic.
So… he forced himself to stomach it, even if with each new second of that MV he discovered, he was more and more bothered by the outfits. Were they even wearing any undergarments under their corsets? It didn’t look like they did, since part of the torso was exposed. Of course, a sewing expert could arrange that, but would the P-Association even care about the comfort of their idols? Considering that it might hurt their skin, maybe. But still, it didn’t look like there was any layer of protective fabric beneath the corsets, and that irked Shu.
Natsume had to have been in pain all along. Rage flared up within Shu, and he cursed under his breath. Oh, whoever had designed these outfits deserved a severe chiding. And lessons about how to design outfits that were appropriate both in looks and comfort. And artistry, of course.
Captivated and horrified by those outfits, Shu was jumpscared by a short shot which he barely registered. Had he just seen Natsume leaning towards Hidaka, and whispering in his ear???
Shu played back the video by ten seconds. And when he saw that shot again, hands shaking in fury, he had all the troubles in the world to settle down again. It took him fifteen good seconds, during which he was mortified. What had happened to his cute Natsume?
What monster had pushed him to take on such a cheap, vulgar, undignified role?! Was it the ills of financial hurdles? Was Switch going through troubles that Natsume had tried to keep secret from him?
… Did the other three Eccentrics know about that project? No, they couldn’t know. They’d never let Natsume be harmed that way, if they knew. So… Natsume had to have kept everything to himself.
But wasn’t Switch doing well thanks to the SSVRS system they had created? Perhaps there had been issues Shu had not been told about. He hadn’t talked to Natsume for more than trivial matters for a few weeks now, but how could things have taken such a sharp turn to hell? … Had Shu failed him, as his older brother?
He had. And that mistake was unforgivable. Shu could picture it very well, Natsume had probably been destroyed by such a project. What if he was crying all alone in a corner, soiled and with no one to comfort him?
Shu was about to dial up his number but he stopped. No, if he wanted to offer proper comfort, he had to watch that monstrosity until the end.
About one minute and forty seconds were left. One minute and forty seconds of the worst MV he had ever seen. Heck, Shu didn’t even hate fine’s MV that much, even if he purposefully avoided them.
Watching them wasn’t any good for his blood pressure, but at least, they didn’t desacralize Wataru’s work so blatantly, no matter the contempt and resentment Shu felt for anything that was fine-related.
Shu took a deep breath, tried to glance at Mademoiselle to see her everlasting peaceful demeanor but remembered with a grimace that she wasn't by his side right now. Well, he could survive that horrible video without her. Most likely. He still took a second deep breath before pressing play again.
A shot showed him Natsume, stroking the phone with his fingertips. Shu’s stomach turned. It turned a second time when he saw Hinata caress that door, and Shu closed his eyes in revulsion when Hidaka kissed that phone.
Thank God, Natsume wasn’t the one who had been forced to do that. There still was some mercy in this wretched world. Breathing heavily, Shu paused the video again. Was it about to get worse, or was this the worst offender?
At the next Natsume shot, Shu almost threw his phone by the window.
Just who had corrupted Natsume with such moves and expressions?
Was it Aoba?
No, for all the hatred Shu had for him, Aoba didn’t have that in him. Then who? Oh, Shu knew he should have shielded Natsume from the ills of the world, but how could this have happened in the few weeks he had taken his eyes off him to focus on his upcoming exhibition?
A new shot of Nasume whispering into Hidaka’s ear worsened Shu’s scowl. This was turning into an obsession! Just which producer was behind this? Oh, without fail, Shu was about to make them regret being born. The first thing he’d do was obtain their contact and make sure they knew very well what Shu thought of this.
Lost in thoughts, Shu was brought back to earth by Shino’s delightful voice. Truly, that boy had an incredible voice, Shu could only praise Nito for the masterful guidance he had given him. Over the years, Shino’s cuteness truly had been honed into a most powerful asset and-
Wait, why did he have his hand slightly raised to his face, as if he was about to blow a kiss or suck his own finger tentatively? And was that Rei’s little brother, standing behind him?
As the shot unfolded, Shu paled.
Horror. Curses. Damnation on earth. Shino had been soiled as well?! That precious angel had been pulled from the safe and pure haven of light Nito had built for his children and dragged into the mire of depravity too?!
Natsume’s face appeared on the screen and that godawful look on his face made Shu jolt in his chair so violently he almost dropped his phone on the ground. Who had decided that this was a good choice? The previous shot was skin-crawling, but at least, there was continuity in it! This came plainly out of nowhere!
But alright, this should soon be over considering that the five idols were back together in the main room, wrapping up their dance and song. Shu sighed. Alright. This would soon be over, and he’d simply call Natsume to check how he was faring. He’d even make a bank transfer to pay for a cup of tea or pastry for him, and urge Rei, Kanata or Wataru to check up on him. That might be enough. Heck, Shu was even willing to call Aoba for a few minutes to make sure Natsume was fine.
That should be enough, and Shu would finish preparing for his exhibition in time. He might have a few nightmares of Natsume dressed like that and behaving in a dreadful manner, but it would be alright.
And then, as Hidaka spinned backwards, joining back the other members of the Shuffle unit, the shot changed.
And dread froze Shu’s heart.
Natsume was lying on the ground, shadowy hands touching him. Trying to reach for him, and stroke him. And Natsume’s face… it was so blank. So painful to watch. So desperate.
That cry for help, Shu couldn’t ignore it.
He closed the video, and immediately selected Natsume's contact and pressed called.
And Shu was sent straight to voicemail. He tried to call him again. Voicemail. Tried again. Voicemail. Voicemail. Voicemail again.
Trembling, Shu’s fear overtook him. Why wasn’t Natsume’s phone on?! It was always on! Shu left him a message this time, telling Natsume to call him as soon as he could. The next contact Shu selected was that of Aoba, even if it irked him. Oh, he absolutely despised talking to him. But this was about Natsume’s well-being, not Shu’s comfort. If it was to make sure that Natsume was alright, he would have called anyone.
Shu waited for the full duration of the ringing tone, and was eventually sent to Aoba’s pathetic corporate-perfect voicemail. He didn’t leave any message.
He called back again, though.
Reached the voicemail again.
Five times.
Grumbling, Shu left a message, urging Aoba to call him back as soon as possible.
Shu returned to his list of contacts, and hesitated to call Sora. Ultimately, he decided against it. Surely, if Natsume had kept such a project secret from him, he wouldn’t have soiled the pureness of his own child by telling him about it. As such, the next person he was to call was evident.
And this time, the person he called did pick up.
“Itsuki-kun? It is unprecedented for you to call without warning. Is everything alright in Paris?”
“Rei,” Shu replied shortly. “Have you seen the last project the boy was in?”
“Do you mean the Evil Num+ Shuffle Unit? I have, I even followed its development. Is that what is putting you in such a frantic state?”
“Wait a minute, you knew about it?!”
“My dear Ritsu participates in it, how could I have not known about it beforehand?”
“And you’ve let your brother and the boy be defiled in such a way?!”
“Both Ritsu and Sakasaki-kun are adults able to make their own choices.”
“Not when that entails getting involved in such a vile project! It’s our responsibility as their seniors to shield them!”
“Don’t you see how Sakasaki-kun’s growth is showing in this performance?”
“If what you are implying is that this project is fine because he has gotten slightly older, then, you are plainly wrong, Rei! There’s nothing good about this!”
“That’s not what I meant, how can you not see that this new project shows how much his skills as an idol have improved and–”
Shu cut him off, “How can you even think that?! Don’t you see the horrors the boy has been exposed to?! He has been dragged to the deepest pits of lust, why didn’t you stop that from happening?!”
“Itsuki-kun,” Rei sighed. “I doubt you are calling the right person to voice complaints of that type.”
“What?!”
“Don’t you think that out of the five of us, I’m the most likely one to agree with such a project? Undead’s aesthetic is the closest one to that of that temporary unit. I was even delighted to see Ritsu try new themes and concepts.”
“So you’re excusing it simply because of your fondness for your brother?!”
“I’m not, if there was an issue to begin with I would have–”
“Forget I’ve called. Stay happy in your inconsiderate complaisance!”
Furious, Shu hung up.
Alright, Kanata would not agree with such a project. Shu wasn’t quite sure that he’d understand just how wrong it was, but at least, Shu should be able to convince him to visit Natsume, to see if he was well.
Shu called him, and reached his voicemail instantly. He pinched the bridge of his nose and massaged his temple. Well, that was to be expected, he guessed. Kanata often forgot to charge up his phone after all. But this should be fixed in a few hours at most, so in the meantime, sending a simple text should be enough-
An automatic message replied to Shu when he tried to press “send.”
“My ‘phone’ has joined the ‘spirits’ of the fountain. ‘Call’ Chiaki if what you wish to tell me is ‘important.’ This is an automated reply programmed by Starmaker Production. Do not reply.”
So Kanata couldn’t be reached as well?!
Head in hands, cursing everything and everyone, Shu decided to call his last resort in this situation.
Grimacing, Shu pressed ‘call’ under the picture of a blue-haired man.
“Hibiki Wataru, at your service! What may I do for you, Shu?”
Already feeling the beginning of a migraine, Shu replied, “Have you seen the latest project the boy participated in?”
“Do you mean the Evil Num+ unit? Of course! Natsume-kun has done very well! His acting has tremendously impro–"
Shu hung up in the middle of Wataru's sentence.
Alright, so he was the only one who cared for Natsume's well being and dignity, apparently.
Very well.
He'd settle that matter himself. He only had to go to Japan himself, since no one wished to step in.
His phone rang, displaying Wataru's picture and name on the screen.
Shu hung up.
Wataru called again.
Shu hung up again.
A handful of seconds later, a text arrived in his inbox.
"Shu? Are you hanging up on purpose or are you having connection issues?"
Shu put his phone on silent mode, and placed it back in his pocket.
Whoever had done this to Natsume was going to face his wrath. It didn't matter if even his fellow Eccentrics didn't agree. Shu would find out who had done that, and Shu would not stop until they regretted dearly what they had done to the youngest Eccentric. And to the adorable Shino as well.
How could Rei not even care about what happened to his brother, the apple of his eyes?! He didn't even care about what happened to one of the wonderful Aoi twins, when he always claimed them as his children!
Oh, truly, this society was hopeless and rotten to the bone. It devoured its younglings whole, without a care for their precious innocence. Rather than doing its rightful duty of protection, that despicable society sacrificed all of them on the altar of money and depravity, exposing all those precious children to libidinous gazes.
Rushing back to his flat, Shu grabbed his computer. He didn’t think twice before buying a one-way plane ticket to Japan, departing in only two hours. The cost escaped his mind, his exhibition the next day did as well.
From the train to the plane, with only Mademoiselle and a few essentials in a small suitcase, Shu didn't stop cursing the entire world even once.
The only thing that he did which wasn't cursing everything was sending a short text to Mika:
"Jumping in a plane now. I will arrive in Japan at XX:XX. Get a hold of the boy for me. Urgent. Make sure my clothes at the dorm are clean."
Shu turned his phone to airplane mode before he could see Mika's answer, though.
Or, more accurately, answers.
"????????"
"Oshi-san?????!"
"What do you mean you're coming to Japan, don't you have an exhibition in less than 24 hours??!"
"Also, why do I need to grab Nakkun for you???"
"Oshi-san???!"
"?????!!!!!!"
Truly, back in Japan, Mika had just been sent into a confused mess.
Shu didn’t stop fuming even once over the 12 hours of flight. Mademoiselle tried to help him settle down, but ultimately, even she didn’t manage to do so, and the other passengers shot all kinds of looks at Shu for the full 12 hours.
Suspicious gazes, looking at that young man alternating between Japanese and French while speaking furiously to a doll while changing his voice frequently to a more feminine one.
Tired gazes, when he kept his row awake when they wished to sleep by watching the Ringing Evil Phone MV again and again, grumbling a plethora of curses and scribbling everything that was wrong about it on a notepad.
Angered gazes when he erupted into a deafening “Non!” for the umpteenth time upon seeing that nasty shot of Natsume lying on the ground, hands trying to reach him and steal his purity.
Flight attendants tried to intervene, but Shu didn’t listen one bit to them.
When the plane reached Japan, both passengers and flight crew were all too happy to let that young man in fury leave the plane first.
In the taxi leading him to ES, Shu turned off the airplane mode of his phone.
Still no reply from Natsume or Aoba.
However, a flurry of messages from Mika made his phone ring repeatedly.
More than twenty texts had piled up in their conversation.
"????????"
"Oshi-san?????!"
"What do you mean you're coming to Japan, don't you have an exhibition in less than 24 hours??!"
The exhibition. It suddenly dawned upon Shu that he had completely thrown it away, all caught up that he was in his indignation on Natsume’s behalf.
He had about one hour before arriving at Ensemble Square… that left him enough time to take care of the apologetic calls and mails he owed. His reputation would take a serious hit, but if he argued that it was due to an urgency related to his idol work, most professionals would understand.
And it wouldn't even be that much of a lie.
As soon as that was done, though, he opened back his text messages and read the next ones.
"Also, why do I need to grab Nakkun for you???"
"Oshi-san???!"
"?????!!!!!!”
“Oshi-san, what's going on?”
“Please, reply as soon as you’re out of the plane. I’ll be at work all day when you arrive I have an interview and photoshoot for a magazine. I won't be free until a few hours after your arrival. I’ll try to wrap up things as soon as possible, but I don't want to botch that work either!”
Shu huffed seeing that. He couldn't deny that he’d get offended if Mika did a poor job because of him.
“Alright, got your clothes all nice and clean! They’re folded on your bed”
“Kiryuu-senpai has asked about you though? You haven't warned your roommates that you’ll be back?”
“Am I the only one who knows????”
“Wait”
“Oshi-san, have you warned the agency?”
Curses! No, Shu hadn't. It shouldn't be an issue, in theory but… he glanced at the next text, and was relieved by its contents.
“I’ve just called the Deputy Director. He told me not to worry about it. He wasn't happy about you drawing right from Valkyrie’s bank account for that though.”
Shu cursed. He had to have misclicked when selecting the bank account to pay with. Well, he did suppose that he made more purchases for Valkyrie than for himself, so his muscle memory might have faulted him but still… Saegusa would be right to scold him, indeed.
“Please, eat something when you arrive! I’ve bought a few croissants for you, they’re left by your bed!”
Reading that brought a smile to his face. Oh, croissants were most welcome right now. Truly, his partner’s little gestures of care were a delight.
“Oshi-san, is all this shtick about the newest Shuffle unit?”
“Should I ask Ritsu about it for you?”
“I haven't seen Nakkun all day, I tried to contact him but I get sent straight to the voicemail and I haven't seen him at the dorm”
“Really, I tried, so don’t be too angry please ;-;! I’m doing my best!"
"Promised!”
“You’re taking Mado-nee with you, right? Tell her I said hello! Are we eating all three together tonight?”
“If we eat together, I'm fine with your cooking or take out! You’ll be tired after all, right? If you want to eat somewhere, tell me, I’ll get us a table somewhere nice!"
"I’ll try to pick up some groceries if you prefer cooking though”
“Just send me the list!”
“Ah, I forgot to tell you but I made your bed, too”
“I can't wait to see you! But please, reply as soon as you can. I’ll be switching off my phone now, because I’m heading to that interview, but please, reply all the same!”
“Bye bye, Oshi-san ♥ see you soon"
Shu rolled his eyes at the heart, but he was smiling all the same.
Eating nice food with Mika should prove to make all of this far more bearable.
Shu sighed and thinking back on Mika, he almost settled down into peace. Oh, he hadn't thought about seeing him when he jumped in that plane on a whim. However, Shu couldn't deny that spending some time face-to-face with Mika would be pleasant. Once everything would be settled, he’d give him maintenance, they’d catch up on each other's lives –not that there was much to catch up on, they called each other almost every day and Mika was a chatterbox– and Shu would be able to contemplate that bright smile as much as he wanted to.
Blushing, Shu even lost himself in some dreamy recollection about their first kiss, all their embraces, that opera they had created a few months ago…
His phone bipped, snuffing out that happy cloud of memories. Shu glanced at it and scowled upon seeing the text Rei had just sent him.
“You should be in Japan by now. I insist: do not act rashly. Things are fine, Itsuki-kun. I wasn't able to get a hold of Sakasaki-kun or Aoba-kun but…”
That was all that Shu was able to read in the notification.
Needless to say, he didn't open Rei’s text, and certainly didn't read it in its entirety.
He didn't heed his wise words either.
As soon as the taxi arrived at the Seisoukan, Shu rushed to his own room to drop his suitcase and Mademoiselle. For the safety of his beloved doll, he couldn't bring her with him.
“Shu-kun, you should read Rei-kun’s message.”
“Hpmf. There’s no need to waste time reading the words of someone that won't do his one duty towards the boy!”
“But are you sure he hasn't done it?”
“Had he done it, we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with, and I’d still be in France, displaying my art!”
“Shu-kun, you are being overbearing.”
“Then so be it. I’ll be overbearing, patronizing, and every such moniker that you might wish to assign to me, Mademoiselle. What I won't be, however, is someone who doesn't care about Natsume.”
“I still think it's unwise of you to leave me here.”
“We discussed that on the plane already. For your own sake, I cannot take you with me, Mademoiselle.”
“You’re talking as if you were heading to a battlefield.”
“I am.”
Mademoiselle chuckled and stared at him mockingly, “You are the only one to make this into a battlefield.”
“Because we have failed the boy! It is necessary!”
“It’s not.”
Shu sighed and put Mademoiselle on his bed, her back resting on pillows. “You won't convince me on that, Mademoiselle. I'll be back in the evening. Take care.”
“You are making a mistake.”
“I’m not, I’m merely correcting one.”
“You should at least eat the croissants Mika-chan bought for you, Shu-kun. Mika-chan will worry about you if you don’t eat.”
“I’ll eat them later. For now, I have somewhere to be urgently.”
On those (un)wise words, Shu left his room, locked the door and headed to ES. He checked his phone one last time, and saw that he still hadn’t received any reply from Natsume or Aoba.
He didn't cross paths with anyone that might be useful in his quest for answers either. Frankly, he had hesitated to knock at the door of Natsume’s dorm room, but since he was rooming with Nito, Shu had decided against it.
If he also learnt that Nito was fine with how his child had been treated, Shu didn't think he could bear it. His whole world would crumble down.
Shu’s phone bipped again. The text was from Mika this time.
“I’m on a break right now, you’re in Japan, right? Why haven't you replied to any of my texts?”
“I’m busy, I’ll reply later,” Shu texted back.
“Oshi-san!!!!! Finally!!! Where are you?”
Shu sighed, and typed, teeth gritted: “I’m heading to New Di’s office. I have to talk to the boy.”
“I’m coming as soon as I’m over with the photoshoot.”
“Don’t. It’s unnecessary.”
“No, I’m coming. Where are you going precisely?”
“I told you, do not come. Take care of dinner instead, I trust whatever your choices will be.”
“What???” A few seconds went by. “Seriously? Oshi-san, are you sick?”
“You’re going to make me take it back,” Shu wrote, slamming the button of the elevator to order it to rise to the right floor.
“Nah, don't! ♥ I’ll take care of it! Trust me!”
“Good.”
“Thank you,” Shu added. He put his phone back in his pocket and when the gates of the elevator opened, Shu bursted out of it, striding forth like a soldier ready to take on wave upon wave of enemies for the glory of his beloved country.
Except that Shu had nothing on him save for his phone. He wouldn't have refused a spear to smite the devil with, though.
Due to the late hour, the office was empty. Shu didn't cross paths with anyone, not even an employee working overtime.
One thing he knew for sure, though, was that this didn't mean that Aoba wasn't in his office. Knowing that damned incompetent, he should be working on administrative matters despite the hour, or worse, working on whatever new evil projects he'd submit to Natsume, or to Switch as a whole.
When Shu pictured the cute Chibisuke partaking in a similar project, he turned very pale. Oh, no. That would be nothing else than hell on earth.
What would be next, corrupting all four members of Rab*its, Nito included?!
When he reached Aoba's office, Shu practically kicked its door open.
Aoba was indeed here, nose in his papers. He did a double take at Shu, eyes made blurry by his dirty glasses and the dark circles beneath his eyes.
"Shu-kun?"
"Aoba!" Shu roared, slamming the door behind himself. "Where is Natsume?! What have you done with him?! Can't you pick up a phone, for God’s sake?!”
“A phone…?” Looking lost, Aoba reached for his phone, and let out a pathetic ‘Ah’! when his screen flashes the dozens of notifications piled up in his homepage. “It looks like I accidentally left it on Do Not Disturb… well, I suppose it’s no use listening to your messages when you’re in front of me. What is it, Shu-kun?”
“Where is Natsume.”
“I don't know. Natsume-kun has been very busy these past few days, and he broke his phone during practice. Someone sat on it so wehaven't been keeping in close contact."
“... That's why he hasn't been picking up my calls?”
“Probably? He planned to buy another one tomorrow.”
Shu was about to relax, thinking that this meant that Natsume had to be alright when he suddenly remembered the other thing he had come for.
When he did, he sent a pile of paper flying, “None of this answers my main question! How is he?! How could you let him participate in that project?!”
Aoba recoiled in his chair, but didn't comment on Shu’s action. “Natsume-kun chose to participate in it, you know? If he wanted to, he could have refused.”
“Don't lie to me! Even if he did want to participate in it, you’re his senior! His partner! You’re supposed to stop him if he wants to accept projects that will be nothing but pain to him!”
“It hasn't been only pain, though? He had fun working on it.”
“How can you say that and not realize that this is even worse!” Shu slammed his hand on the desk, shaking it and all of the mess that was on it.
This time, though, Aoba raised his voice, “Shu-kun, I’m very sorry, but if you keep acting that way, I will have to call security.”
“Security?! Hah! Fine, that none of you care about the boy is not lost on me. I thought that you had turned over a new leaf, Aoba, but apparently, I was very mistaken. That won't be forgotten, believe me. Give me the contact of the producer who worked on that vile project, and I’ll leave you alone with that useless work you prefer to tend to!”
The door of the office opened.
“Shu-nii-san? I thought I had heard your voice. But what are–”
Before Natsume could even end his sentence, Shu was already by his side, one hand on his shoulder and the other going from his cheek, to his hand, to his waist, to everywhere, really, trying to check that Natsume wasn't physically hurt anywhere.
Natsume instantly backed off and was stopped by the door. “Shu-nii-san, what are you doin– Why are you crying?!”
“Boy, I'm so sorry not to have been here for you in your hour of need!” Shu took him by the hand, and this time, Natsume didn't manage to free himself when Shu led him out of Aoba’s office.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Shu pulled him into a tight hug, apologizing again, tears spilling out from his eyes in a river of desolation.
“Boy, you have my deepest apologies. I will avenge you, give me the names of those who did this to you, and you shall never be bothered by them again!”
Meanwhile, Natsume was doing his best to push Shu away, to no avail.
“Shu-nii-san, I have no idea what you’re talking about! I’m perfectly fine! Is this about the Shuffle project?”
“Of course it is! That depraved project has sullied you to your core!”
“What? Nii-san, you…” Natsume stopped gesticulating and started grumbling in Shu’s shoulder instead. “I’m fine.”
“But you can't be! Natsume, why didn't you contact me, if you needed money that much? I would have helped! You didn't have to sell yourself like that!”
“This wasn't done out of desperation for money.”
“Then, has Switch been in such a tight position when it comes to exposure?! We could have done a collaborative Live or photoshoot, those have always worked well–”
“Listen to me for two seconds, will you?”
“Not until you’ve explained why I’m apparently the only one who didn't know about all of this!”
“This reaction is precisely why I didn't tell you!”
“What?!”
“Shu-nii-san, can't you see just how over-the-top you’re being?! You… did you just fly in from France?”
“I did but–”
“Didn't you even think once during the twelve hours of the flight that I might have participated willingly in this?!”
“I haven't, because that's inconceivable!”
“And yet, that's what happened! No one coerced me into this!”
“But then… why?”
“Because I wanted to! This is a good opportunity, and expanding my array of skills is a good thing!”
Shu’s hands moved to Natsume’s cheeks, not even caring for the tears that kept rolling on his cheeks. “You can't mean that.”
“I do,” Natsume replied firmly, his unwavering eyes locked in Shu’s.
This time, Shu stepped away.
Cursed be that world! Cursed be the entire P-Association, and Ensemble Square! They had corrupted Natsume so much that he said such things without realizing their meaning!
Oh truly, there was no hope left for this world. God truly was dead, killed and forsaken by his own creations! Not even one soul was left to save, since even Natsume had been corrupted this time!
“Shu-nii-san?”
“Oshi-san!” Mika yelled from the other side of the hallway.
“Kagehira?” Oh, things might be fine if Mika was here as well. Perhaps there was hope in this world–
Mika tripped on a carpet. Hit the ground head first in a loud thud.
Shu passed out.