Chapter Text
Going up on the stage during concerts is always exciting and even a bit scary, no matter how many times one does it. And it's not like they have done it even nearly enough not to fret before performances. Some of them just can't hide it as well as others, Hokuto thinks as he watches Jesse through the mirror in their dressing room.
The very first Crea show of the year is about to start in less than an hour, and the nervousness in the room is tangible. Jesse keeps walking around aimlessly, sitting down every now and then, fiddling with his phone or music player or a magazine and then standing up again, completely restless, not being able to stay still for too long. The nervousness is also clearly visible on his face.
Once, Jesse glances at Hokuto and meets his eyes through the mirror, instantly giving him a small grin and making a face but Hokuto can still see through his façade and wishes he could somehow ease the other's anxiety. He's pretty useless alone though, being nervous himself as well, and watching Jesse doesn’t actually make it any better. It's so quiet, Hokuto thinks a bit sadly, so quiet and empty with just the two of them.
When the clock is half past, Hokuto finally puts away his hair iron and firmly stands up. He suggests they go out to the wings of the stage. The other juniors must be there too, and he can't stay inside this room any longer. Jesse willingly agrees and they navigate their way along the narrow corridors to the back of the stage, and before they realize they are surrounded by busy looking staff members, costume racks and fellow juniors in a noisy but somehow comforting flurry.
Hokuto stops to talk a few words with Yuma and when he looks around after that, Jesse is nowhere to be seen. Hokuto zigzags among the people, looking around and feeling his nervousness growing again, especially when a staff member passing by tells him he'd like to have a few words with him and Jesse before they go on the stage.
Hokuto walks past the last costume racks and can suddenly hear a roar of laughter from behind them. There, on the farthest corner of the wing, half hidden behind a huge piece of prop, Hokuto finds Jesse.
With a couple of other people.
Jesse sits there with Juri, Shintaro, Taiga and Kochi, all of them laughing loudly at something. Hokuto watches how Juri stands up and starts imitating someone, putting up a little show like always, how Taiga whispers something to Jesse that makes them both snicker, how Shintaro pokes Jesse in the rib and almost ends up in a tickle fight with him, how Kochi kindly shares his energy drink with Jesse.
He watches and sees none of the earlier nervousness now. It makes him remember their previous concerts together, the shared fretting and worries, as well as joy and accomplishment after them. That's why they are there now. Things have changed on the way but there is still something that remains, and that something seems to be just what Jesse needs right now.
Slowly, Hokuto takes a step closer and Kochi is the first one to notice him, immediately getting up and pulling him along. The others smile widely at him, and Juri wraps an arm over his shoulder.
"Now we have everyone here."
"The staff guys want to talk with us before the start," Hokuto says to Jesse before he forgets.
Jesse nods and then glances at the guys around them. "Let's not go just yet? I want to... be here for a moment."
"It’ll go well," Juri says to Jesse.
"Just do it like always," Shintaro nods.
"We'll all be there together anyway," Kouchi assures. (For now, is what no one says.)
Jesse smiles at them and at Hokuto, who thinks that they do have a couple of minutes to spare and sits down with them. Because, after all, this is the best comfort and power they both can get before a show. Hokuto can feel the rest of his anxiety washing away when the other five answer his smile, and he hopes the time would slow down a little.