Chapter Text
Ten years.
It had been ten long years.
Ten years that they were smiling, dancing and singing for their fans.
Yuki looked at his partner on stage, being full of life and energy as usual…but he couldn't help but notice a missing light.
The light that was once ablaze in Momo’s eyes was dimming and Yuki could only see why.
He was weary. Both of them actually.
They both deeply loved performing on stage and offering unique experiences to their fans, repaying their love with their earnest efforts and gratitude.
But ten years was a long long time for top idols to protect their position and stature.
It was time to leave the stage for the next generations…and to help these youngsters develop themselves.
Yuki has often thought recently how he wouldn’t mind just composing his music and letting other idols perform his songs.
He and Momo were soon approaching their forties…it was time to leave the stage.
He first broached the subject to Momo one evening when they were both eating at their place.
It has been a couple of years now that they decided to move back together.
Living separately had been nice for a time, but both Momo and Yuki felt the need to deeply reconnect with each other, and this had been the best idea they ever had.
They had both grown and were more in tune with each other, they were of one mind in their approach to their lives, and more than once did Yuki think about…tying the knot.
For ten years, Momo had been way more than simply a stage partner…he has been his life partner and Yuki was determined to spend the rest of his life with him.
“Momo.” Yuki started, looking straight in the bright pink eyes he adored.
“Hmm? What is it, darling?” Momo shot him with one of his dazzling smiles, the ones Yuki had repeatedly fallen for over the last decade.
“It has been ten years since our Re:vale started…don’t you think it’s enough?”
Momo widened his eyes, mouth left hanging, processing the words Yuki had just said. He let a nervous laugh out, disbelieved. “W-what? What are you saying, Yuki?”
Yuki lowered his gaze and took a breath. “Akari-chan has won a big award recently. Michi-kun and Katsumi-kun’s first album has been in the top five in the latest chart. Ren-kun is improving his skills and is already preparing for his debut.” He looked back at Momo. “Our juniors are ready to take over from us. Not only IDOLiSH7, TRIGGER and ZOOL, but the rookies from our own agency too. We are still at the top, but it’s only a matter of time before they surpass us… Don’t you think we should make our exit and leave the stage now before we are outdone? Before we break our fans’ hearts? I don’t want our fans experiencing what Zero’s fans did.”
“Yuki…” Momo’s hands were shaking. “What will we be doing then if we stop Re:vale?” He stood up, pacing around the living area. “You can carry on producing songs, but Yuki, Re:vale is all I have!” He cried, his expression scrunched in one of anguish. “You’re telling me to give up my life purpose!”
Yuki shook his head. “I’m not. Momo, you are more than just Re:vale’s half.” He stood up as well, facing his long-life partner. “You need to realize your worth.”
Momo didn’t reply. He just stood there, looking confused and lost for a moment. Then, he turned around and exited their apartment, leaving Yuki alone with their cooled down and untouched meals and his thoughts.
Weeks had passed and neither Yuki nor Momo had spoken about this conversation. They carried on with their lives and duties as if the reality of their end was not floating right above their heads.
One day, Momo came to him, his expression unreadable before a soft smile appeared on his face. “Yuki, let’s go on a date.”
Yuki followed him and let him drive them away until they reached the sea. They didn't speak during the ride, Momo had just driven ahead and Yuki was just staring out of the window, his eyes following the various landscapes unfolding before him.
Eventually, Momo stopped the car and got out, Yuki followed shortly. He walked a few paces before reaching a bench facing the sea and sat down, a silent invitation to Yuki to do the same.
Yuki took a seat beside him, and looked ahead. The sun was setting down, giving the horizon a lovely orange hue. The wind was blowing gently, bringing the salty fragrances of the sea to them. Beyond the waves that were hitting the shores, he could see the shape of an island in the horizon and as he realized where they were, Momo spoke.
“Do you remember this island? Okarin abandoned us there for a month and we almost fought each other.” He laughed. Yuki smiled as well. “Re:vale has been my entire purpose and existence. I met so many people who are now so precious to me thanks to it, I’m not sure what to do if I let it go.” Momo smiled sadly. “But you were right. All of our juniors are growing so fast and I'm…so tired.”
Yuki noticed the mist in Momo’s eyes and wrapped his arm around his shoulders as the tears were flowing down the black-haired’s cheeks. “Momo..”
“Yuki, I’m so tired. I love performing, I love singing, I love being an idol, so why do I feel like that?! Why do I feel like I’m betraying everyone who supported us and loved us for being Re:vale?!”
“I’m tired too, Momo. Like it or not, we are aging. It’s only a matter of time before our bodies fail us on stage. We are not betraying our fans. An idol is not eternal. But we can give them an eternal memory of us, to thank them for everything. Our fans have grown alongside us, they will understand.”
Momo sniffled and finally looked at him. “So you’re saying…”
“A farewell concert. Something grand which will leave a lasting impression.”
Momo laid his head on Yuki’s shoulder and whispered. “And what shall I do after that? Will I go back to my meaningless and lonely life as Sunohara Momose?” He chuckled bitterly.
Yuki took Momo’s hand in his and intertwined their fingers. “Whatever you decide to do, it won’t be meaningless. And you won’t be alone. I will never let you out of my life, Momo.”
Momo squeezed his hand, warmth spreading over him as he took in Yuki’s words. “So husband-material, Yuki-darling! Will you care for this old Momo-chan even if I become all wrinkly?”
“Anything for you, Momo.”
Momo laughed softly. He gazed at the large sea, worried thoughts leaving him one at a time until only one answer was left clear in his mind. “Let’s do it then. I still don’t know what I will be doing without Re:vale but…we’ll figure it out, right darling?”
“Yes. We will figure it out together.”
***
Broaching the subject to their Okarin was more difficult than expected. Seeing their dear manager who was their closest ally during an entire decade realizing that his treasured idols will be leaving him was quite heart wrenching. But after many tears and promises shared, Rinto nodded.
“Yuki, Momo. Just leave it to me. I will make the biggest farewell live for you. One that would go down in History for the legendary idols you have become.”
Both Momo and Yuki shared a smile and grabbed their manager into a tight hug. “Thank you Okarin, for everything. You were the best thing that happened to us.”
Rinto let his tears flow. He had cared for Re:vale as their manager and close friend for ten years…It was his responsibility to see their career end in a successful way.
***
The news made the entire nation erupt.
BREAKING: LEGENDARY IDOLS RETIRE! Re:vale are bidding their farewell in a grand live at Zero Arena.
“WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN RE:VALE ARE RETIRING?”
“Apparently they are getting too old to be idols…”
“PFT nonsense. They can still last many years!”
“Perhaps it’s for the best, I went to see one of their lives a few months ago… Yuki-kun was out of breath half-way through and Momo-kun’s voice was raspy at the end. Their age is catching up to them.”
“So they will abandon us like that? After Zero, it’s them? I can’t believe it…”
“But unlike Zero, they informed us…and they are doing a farewell live. The least we can do is let them go with a smile on our face.”
“And thanking them for their ten years of making us dream…Oh we should send a big bouquet!”
“Good idea! Or something bigger that assembles all of their fans!”
“YES! Let’s discuss it with the others!”
***
Eventually, the day of the concert arrived. Thousands of people from all over the nation came to attend, resolved to let their legends go with a heart full of love and gratitude.
Various gifts and flowers in all sizes and shapes have flooded the private room where Re:vale were staying. Both Momo and Yuki were quite accustomed to this custom, however they were not ready for the actual amount of presents waiting for them.
“Yuki… I can’t remember receiving this many presents before…” Momo said, astonished.
“Me neither…” Even Yuki was staring at the pile of gifts in disbelief, but with a thankful smile over his face. “I don’t know if our fans are trying to bribe us to stay but it might be working.”
Momo chuckled. “Right! They are so sweet… I’ll miss them the most, I think.” A wistful look passed over Momo’s face, but quickly replaced with the same expression Yuki was harboring. Gratitude.
“Momo. It’s time.” Yuki gently wrapped his arm around Momo’s shoulders, pulling him slightly in his embrace. “Thank you for being my partner on this stage for the last ten years. Nothing would have ever been possible if you weren’t there.”
Momo sniffled. “Yukiii! Don’t make me cry right after my makeup is done!” Taking a moment to recompose himself, Momo locked his eyes in Yuki’s. “Yuki, thank you for creating Re:vale and for allowing me to join you on stage. Meeting you is the greatest treasure in my entire life.”
Both men stayed in each other’s embrace for a moment, before softly locking their lips together, a token of their love and gratitude for each other, a token of their bond beyond Re:vale. A promise to stay together.
***
“ZERO ARENA, GOOD EVENING! WE ARE…
“RE:VALE!”
“Thank you to everyone for making the trip here! Yuki and I saw the amount of gifts you gave us, the pile almost toppled over us haha! Isn’t that right, darling?”
“Yes. We are very grateful for all the love and support you gave us during these last ten years. Consider tonight to be a gift for you and for everything you did for us.”
“And remember! Even if this is the last time Re:vale will ever perform, Re:vale will never stop existing in both our and your hearts! So let’s not be sad and let’s have fun until the very end!”
“Let’s part with a smile on our face.”
“So, Yuki? Do you know the plan for tonight?”
“I do not. But the staff gave me this envelope right before we got on stage. Let’s open it, shall we?”
“Ooohh so mysterious!”
“Let’s see…
Re:vale and everyone,
This concert has been prepared by the artists at Okazaki Agency. Relax and enjoy all the performances. Please sing along as well and let’s bid farewell to each other in joy and music.”
“Everyone at the agency??”
“Oh. Look Momo. Some chairs have appeared. Is that for us? Are we part of the audience this time?”
“It seems so! Our sweet juniors have prepared a surprise for us, let’s encourage them!”
***
One after the other, artists and groups who have been helped or mentored by Re:vale came one after the other to sing a Re:vale song as a tribute. Sometimes Re:vale would join them, sometimes they would just clap along the audience with their customized penlights. Sometimes the artists would engage them and the fans in various games and trivias and challenges.
Even IDOLiSH7, TRIGGER and ZOOL came and stayed for most of the event, shuffling into various duos to sing songs from their seniors’ repertoire.
Rinto had left Yuki and Momo in the absolute dark regarding most of his plans for the concert, so everyone could just see and enjoy their most natural reactions to each surprise. They were also given the freedom to interact with the artists and the fans as they wished, going through the rows of fans, chatting them up and singing with them.
Years later, people still remembered this unique night as the bond they shared with their idols never faded.
Eventually, as the night drew to its conclusion, a QR code appeared on all the screens of the arena, inviting the audience to a general survey where they would get the chance to choose the last song of the night, performed by Re:vale themselves. As people were making their choice, the arena suddenly went pitch black. Not a light or a penlight could be seen, giving a very eerie atmosphere to the place.
Momo and Yuki were both a bit disturbed, thinking for a split second that an incident happened…until they saw light.
Flickering across the audience, a message appeared, illuminating the dark space of its content.
THANK YOU REVALE, WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!
Both Momo and Yuki couldn’t believe their eyes. Their own fans had coordinated together and prepared for them a message with the light of their phones, expressing their united feeling for them.
Momo bursted in tears, gasping. “Oh my god…Everyone…I can’t believe…that you prepared something like that for us…”
Yuki also had two lines of tears streaking down his face with a serene smile as he bowed. “There are no words to express what I feel…Thank you. Truly. You were the lights illuminating our path and we will never forget this sight.”
“You guys are…truly the best fans we could have asked for! You spoiled us so much!”
“And it is now our turn to gift you one last song…the song you all chose to conclude our journey together… YOUR RHAPSODY!”
As they sang for one last time the song that connected them to the future, Re:vale remembered their past and everything that had led them to their current place. All the people, all the moments, all the joy and all the tears. All the fights they had. All the kisses they shared.
Everything had shaped them into Re:vale and it was time to return it to their fans. To return their love.
This is my prayer, that when this melody reaches the far distant future
All that softly echoes in your heart is a gentle love
Applause and cheers erupted all around them. From their fans, from the artists, from the staff, from their Okarin who was clapping, crying and laughing at the same time.
Momo and Yuki shared a look, a smile, and with tears flowing down their cheeks, embraced each other tightly, basking in their final moments of glory.
***
“One…Two…CHEERS!”
“Congratulations Re:vale!”
“Haha thanks everyone!” Momo smiled, eyes misty as he looked around the room at his closest friends.
IDOLiSH7, TRIGGER, ZOOL, Banri, the Okazaki brothers, Maneko-chan, Anesagi, Shirou, his sister Ruri, all his juniors at the agency, Shimooka, and various people he grew close to throughout his years navigating this twisted industry.
He glanced at his side. Yuki was standing next to him, looking the most peaceful and relaxed that he had ever been. He was also smiling and enjoying the cheers brought upon them by all the people who have gathered together for this short afterparty.
The concert had just finished and they had all gone together to the Okazaki agency which was hosting a farewell party to Re:vale with their close circle.
Both Momo and Yuki felt extremely grateful to everyone present, not only for their presence here, but especially for everything they have brought them during their moments together. Each person in the room held an important place in Re:vale’s history and heart, they were a part of their legend just as much as Yuki and Momo were.
They each made a point of exchanging a few words with every single person there, committing their shared moments together to his memory.
As the night progressed, Momo, who always kept an eye on his partner, noted that he was getting gradually more fidgety, which was uncanny of Yuki.
Yuki who was always so composed was currently showing signs of nervousness, and this started to worry Momo. He knew no one else but him had noticed. Yuki still had his serene mask on, showing an aura of ease and nonchalance. But Momo saw his hands pocketing something, he saw his feet balancing from one side to another. Those were minor signs and probably just of tiredness, but Momo still couldn’t help but, marching towards Yuki, decided to get him to admit what was wrong.
Yuki was currently talking to TRIGGER when Momo approached him.
“Darling!” He slipped a hand around Yuki’s arm and gently pulled at him. “I was looking for you!”
He saw Yuki’s eyes softening for a moment. “Did you need me, Momo?” He asked with the gentleness he often reserved for him in their private sphere.
“Just checking on you!” Momo said, before dropping into a whisper, speaking for Yuki’s ears only. “Are you alright? If you’re tired, you can leave earlier, I’ll handle the guests.”
Yuki blinked at him, eyes widening a moment, before looking at him in a thoughtful manner and smiling.
Momo could have never expected the actions that followed this smile.
Dropping on a knee in front of him, Yuki finally let out the hand he was hiding in his pocket for the entire evening.
A small velvet box was sitting in his palm. He opened it, revealing a gorgeous silver ring adorned by a big emerald stone and several pink diamonds and presenting it to Momo.
Momo gasped, letting Yuki get a hold of one of his hands.
Locking his eyes in his, Yuki spoke. “Momo, I spent the entire evening searching for the perfect timing to do this…But the perfect timing doesn’t exist. It has to be created. Just like we idols have to create marvelous moments for our fans, here I am creating a beautiful moment for us. I know that we are saying goodbye to a whole decade of Re:vale, but I’m asking you to share many more decades with me… Sunohara Momose, will you marry me?”
Momo couldn’t believe it.
As tears rolled down his cheeks, he remembered everything they had shared together…up until their conversation on that bench.
“I will never let you out of my life, Momo.” Yuki had said back then.
And he was saying it again.
Momo’s main fear of being abandoned by Yuki if Re:vale ceased to exist had been extinguished by the man himself proposing to be by his side for the rest of their lives.
“Yes!” Momo choked an answer. “Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes! A million yes, Yuki!” He was sobbing, laughing, and sniffling.
Never had he been such a mess in front of people.
But never also had he been so happy.
He felt familiar arms embracing him and unconsciously, he buried his face in the chest in front of him.
Yuki was rubbing his back gently, letting him compose himself.
He heard claps and cheers around them, all their close ones congratulating them. He could also swear that he heard Rinto crying somewhere too.
Still buried in Yuki’s embrace, he heard steps coming to them with a familiar laugh.
Banri.
Stepping out of Yuki’s arms and wiping his tears, Momo stood by Yuki’s side as they both faced the man who created Re:vale. The man who gave both of them a meaning to life and to whom they owed everything. Their happiness happened mainly thanks to Banri giving them the opportunity to blossom it fully, and both of them would eternally be grateful to him.
“I can’t believe I saw the day of Yuki proposing. I’m proud of you, my friend.” He said, clapping Yuki’s shoulders, a sincere smile on his face.
“Thank you, Ban. None of this could have been possible if you hadn’t decided to talk to me back in high-school.” Yuki chuckled.
Banri sighed. “Don’t remind me… I can’t believe this insufferable kid became you… Momo, you truly did a great job with him. Years ago, he would have never confessed any feelings to anyone, but here he is, proposing in front of thirty people. I’m sure that when you got together, it was a memorable confession, right?” Banri smirked.
“Haha…actually…” Momo laughed, glancing at Yuki. “We never really confessed, right darling?”
Yuki nodded. “That’s true.”
“What?” Banri was shocked. Everyone within earshot too. “What do you mean you never confessed?? Shouldn’t that be the first step???”
Yuki and Momo exchanged a glance, before Momo replied. “We didn’t really need to. Everything just happened after we moved together again. I can’t even remember how we got together, we just naturally did.”
“Yes.” Yuki agreed. “Plus, my feelings for Momo can be understood in my songs ever since we debuted. What’s the point of saying them again?”
This time, Momo blinked at him. “Eh? EH??? YOU WERE WRITING YOUR LOVE SONGS FOR ME SINCE WE DEBUTED???”
Yuki shot him a confused look. “Who else?”
A loud silence could be heard in the room. Banri just facepalmed himself mentally, pretty confident that everyone else did too. Yuki’s bluntness and Momo’s obliviousness were definitely a match.
Well, their married life will be pretty interesting.
But they’ll work it out, I’m sure.
After all, they are Re:vale.