Work Text:
“I’m home!”
Silence greeted Riku as he opened the front door of IDOLiSH7’s shared flat. He waited a couple beats, before announcing himself a bit louder. “I’M HOME!”
Still nothing. Only the sound of his own voice reverberating upon the walls around him.
With a frown, Riku took off his shoes and slipped into his slippers, making his way to the living area and the open kitchen.
It seems that everyone is out… He mused, opening the fridge to find a plate of curry and rice, with a note from Mitsuki.
“2 minutes max in the micro-wave!” It said, making Riku chuckled.
As he waited for his food to heat, he looked around the flat. Chills went through his bones as he realised how cold and lonely this place was without the warmth brought by the others.
It’s the same cold as when Tenn-nii left the house… He remembered sourly, before shaking his head, trying to dispel his negative feelings. He had long made his peace with Tenn’s past decisions, there was no point rummaging over them again.
However, he couldn’t help the loneliness he felt. He missed his bandmates.
Checking his phone and their group chat, he frowned at the fact that no one bothered explaining where they were. He messaged Iori and Tamaki at least to know when they’d be home, but to no avail.
Sighing loudly, he took his plate and went to his room to eat, putting an old TRIGGER album in the background. As he ate leisurely while checking his socials, he started to worry at the lack of news from any of his groupmates.
He decided to call their Manager.
*RING*... “Hello Riku-san?”
“Ah! Good evening Manager! Am I bothering you?”
“Not at all! Is everything all right? Are you at the apartment?”
“Yes, yes. I arrived fifteen minutes ago! But I’m all alone. Is everyone busy?”
“Oh… Oh, yes, I’m so sorry Riku-san! I should have checked! Yes, everyone has something scheduled. I’m afraid they’ll arrive late, or will spend the night at their current location… Will you be alright by yourself?”
“Oh that’s why… Yes, I’ll be ok! Thanks Manager and have a good night! Don’t work too hard, ok?”
“Fufu and you, Riku-san. Rest well.”
Riku let out a sigh after hanging up. He immediately went back to the living area, and especially to the schedule displayed on one of the walls.
He looked up today’s date and…indeed. He could see that it was one of these days where their timing didn’t match up.
Iori had a drama shooting in Kyoto. Yamato was already out of the country for a couple days because of his new movie. Mitsuki was co-hosting with Mr. Shimooka. Tamaki went to the orphanage. Sougo was at the studio, working on their next album. Nagi was at a MagiKona concert.
Riku himself was at an ad shooting in the afternoon and was the first to come home. He figured that Sougo, Mitsuki and Nagi would be the next ones to arrive.
Iori and Yamato would most likely stay overnight, and Tamaki definitely will.
It was not the first time that Tamaki was volunteering at the orphanage. Ever since IDOLiSH7 did their visit at one of them years ago, Tamaki regularly started to go and entertain the children there.
If he wasn’t busy with his responsibilities, or working on their choreographies, or hanging out with Haruka, he would go there.
Riku glanced at the other days of the calendar, noticing how each day was filled with more individual work than group work. He searched for the last time that they had an evening where all seven were present.
93 days ago.
3 months.
They hadn’t had an evening together in three entire months.
Sure they had group work with various shootings, promotions and concerts. But just a moment where all seven were together and enjoying their time…was becoming rarer and rarer.
Returning to his room, Riku pondered when it started. When had they started to diverge from one another, all embarking in paths that others couldn’t join.
He was of course happy for all his friends to have found a place where they thrived and their talents flourished.
But sometimes, he just missed the simpler times.
When he would play games with Tamaki. When he would watch animes with Nagi. When he would cook with Iori and Mitsuki. When he would sit and enjoy Sougo playing his guitar. When they would all gather to watch Yamato’s latest movie.
It was as if…things were slowly but surely…started to end.
***
It had taken weeks for Riku to finally find a moment to share his idea.
He had brainstormed various schemes to gather all the members of IDOLiSH7 and enjoy a day together, and finally his plan had come to fruition.
It was on a rare morning when everyone was having breakfast together that Riku stood up and spoke.
“H-Hum everyone!” All eyes converged on him, confused. “I want to have a fun day together! We can go to a park or…or to the beach! Just a holiday for the seven of us! It’s been a while since we did something together.” He smiled brightly at them, hoping to convey his sincere wish.
The rest of them blinked and exchanged looks between each other.
“That’d be great Riku but…” Mitsuki started, looking at others to ask for support.
“Yeah…” Yamato said, scratching the back of his head. “It’s true that we haven’t got a day for us in ages…but…” He looked at Iori and Sougo for help.
Sougo averted his eyes and Iori sighed. These grown ups…
“Nanase-san.” He started gently. “When did Re:vale disbanded?”
Riku blinked at the change of topic. “Two years ago…?” He said, unsure.
Iori nodded. “Correct. And when was the last time the seven of us had the chance to go on a holiday?”
“...Two years ago…” Riku remembered, understanding where Iori was getting at.
Indeed, their last holiday was a few weeks before Re:vale’s disbandment announcement. They had gone to Okinawa to shoot their MV for their summer song and decided to spend a few days at the hotel of Ryuu’s stepfather.
After that…
“With Re:vale gone, we are the top stars. Alongside TRIGGER and ZOOL. Because we sacrificed this time.” Iori cut straight to the point.
“But even Re:vale found the time to be together!” Riku started, trying to find an argument to refute the upcoming rejection he would receive.
“Because they were two. Nanase-san, we are seven. We can’t ask our Manager to sync us all just to have some leisure.”
“... You’re right…” Riku said dejectedly. “I just miss you all so much…” He admitted, slouching on his chair. “It hit me some weeks ago that we don’t spend time together anymore as a group…”
“Rikkun is right…” Tamaki spoke up, looking at the calendar and chuckling. “Look at this schedule, it’s a whole mess.”
Each day was marked with the colour of each of their duties, leaving less and less blank spaces for their free time.
“Sorry, if I could only speed up this album…” Sougo looked down in regret.
Yamato flicked his forehead. “Stop it, Sou. It’s not your fault. If we start reproaching people, I should be the first one taking the blame because of how often I’m away for my shootings.”
“Old man…” Mitsuki started.
Yamato shook his head. “I’m not though. I’m not blaming myself. And neither should any of you. It’s true that we have spent less time together, but as Ichi said… We are evolving. We have to evolve to survive in this industry. To protect IDOLiSH7 and our fans.” Everyone nodded at the words of their leader. “However, that doesn’t mean that Riku is wrong either.”
Riku looked up. “You mean…?”
“Let me give a call to Manager. I think that after our next album releases and we are done with all the promotion, we should go somewhere. For a few days. It’ll do us some good. We didn’t have a break in two years, jeez… We are heading for a burnout!” He snickered as he stood up and reached for his phone.
They all chuckled and nodded. Yamato was right. They all were desperate for a break.
And so it was decided.
In a month, they would all head to an unknown destination, and rekindle the bonds they have started to lose sight of.
***
“So…Hakodate?” Tenn asked, while sipping his coffee.
Riku nodded excitedly. “Hakodate! I never saw the Goryokaku!”
Tenn smiled. “It is a beautiful sight. And you’re right. You need to have a break. The amount of content that IDOLiSH7 has produced these past two years is beyond madness. Are you truly alright?” He asked with concern.
Riku nodded. “Yes. Manager makes sure that I have enough rest. It’s true, though… Ever since Re:vale left, I think we felt the need to fill their gaps. And we are seven, each of us with very different wishes and interests…” His tone fell a bit and Tenn noticed it.
“Riku. Is anything bothering you?”
The red-haired looked at his twin brother. It had been more than a decade now that they had reunited and resolved all their differences. They were now simply brothers and rivals, but always there to support and help each other. Which was why Riku felt comfortable sharing his worries.
“The reason for this trip is because… I feel like we are losing the group. Everyone is so busy right now and they are having fun with their respective careers… And I’m happy for them! It’s great to see Yamato-san acting, Mitsuki-san hosting or Sougo-san composing! They are way happier than when they debuted so I’m also happy for them…!”
“But?” Tenn nudged him, sensing where he was getting at.
“But I feel so lonely… It has been two years since we had some time together! Isn’t it important for the group that we also strengthen our bonds?”
Tenn pondered on this question. Whether it was TRIGGER, ZOOL or Re:vale, they each had a relatively small number of members so they were able to have some time together. Heck, Tenn even lived with Gaku and Ryuu for years before deciding to have his own place.
But IDOLiSH7’s case was indeed peculiar. Seven members, all branching out and developing individually in different areas. This could indeed lead to some internal frictions. Especially if some members were more invested in their side-careers than the group itself.
Tenn knew that IDOLiSH7’s bond was strong. They were a family. The idol group only served as a framework for them to strengthen their own bonds by themselves. But now, the roots that were forming the core of their relationship were expanding outside the canvas, fading it away.
He could see where their path would lead to… Disbandment. And each member pursuing their respective careers independently.
All except…Riku.
His sole purpose, his sole career, was related to IDOLiSH7. He was their center, their lead vocals, their figurehead, their appeal. Their monster. Their everything.
Without IDOLiSH7, what would he do? Where would he go?
Tenn suspected that all other IDOLiSH7 members had contemplated the idea of disbanding, but out of consideration for Riku, they have never broached the subject.
He inwardly sighed. He wondered what he should say. Should he speak as Riku’s brother…or as IDOLiSH7’s friend and rival?
“Riku,” He eventually said, his tone gentle. “You’re not wrong to feel lonely. IDOLiSH7 has changed. And will continue to change as you all grow as artists. But that’s not something to fear. Trust in your bonds. No matter what paths your friends take, they will always come back to you. Just like I did.” He hesitated, but pressed on, his voice soft but firm. “Don’t forget that your worth is not only IDOLiSH7. You are still Nanase Riku. My brother. A brilliant singer who moves people just by being himself. Always remember that, alright?”
Riku felt a lump in his throat, listening to his brother’s words. He knew the underlying meaning to it. He had known it for weeks, months now. He had tried to ignore it, to tell himself that it would never come to this.
Gripping his sweater, he dropped his gaze. “Tenn-nii…” His voice trembled. “I… I don’t know if I can stand without them. IDOLiSH7 is everything to me… If I lose it…” He trailed off, scared of the end of his sentence.
Tenn reached out and placed a steady hand on his arm. “You won’t lose them. And even if that day comes, you will be able to stand. I believe in you, more than anyone else.”
Years ago, these words would have meant everything to Riku. They would have soothed all his doubts.
Now, they were simply a sharp, but necessary stab to reality.
“Thank you Tenn-nii… I’ll hold on to that.” He said with a small smile.
Deep down, he knew the truth.
The shadow of IDOLiSH7’s disbandment was no longer a distant fear. It was slowly, quietly, becoming real.
***
“I can’t believe we never did a concert here! Imagine performing Sakura Message right here, in the middle of the Goryokaku!” Riku excitedly said, running around the park of the famous Hakodate landmark.
“Nanase-san, don’t run!” Iori called him, before sighing.
“Let him have fun, Iori!” Mitsuki chided his brother, before brandishing his phone. “Here, let’s take a selfie that we can send to Mom and Dad!”
“Ah!” Sougo suddenly said. “Tamaki-kun! Stop! You’re going too fast!”
“WEEEEEEEEE!” Tamaki laughed as he maneuvered the electric scooter he rented through the pathways of the park.
“ AH Beautiful! How I would have loved to bring Haruki here…” Nagi said, with emotions as he gazed upon the iconic shape of the Goryokaku.
“It’s really the perfect moment to have a beer and just enjoy the scenery…” Yamato said too, eyeing the bar behind them.
After weeks of planning, IDOLiSH7 finally managed to allow themselves this one day of pure fun and relaxation. They had arrived early in the morning and had begun touring the city and were now at the Goryokaku tower, enjoying the last few hours of their short trip with a few snacks and beers.
Despite planning to stay longer, they only managed to secure one day. In a few hours, they would be in the bullet train, back at Tokyo, and back at their respective responsibilities.
Riku was happy, of course, that they had all indulged him in this whim of his. Throughout the day, though, he had one question in mind.
When will we ever do this again?
Riku was perceptive.
Despite seeing the rest of his friends clearly having fun and relaxing, expressing how much they needed to have such a day, he didn’t miss the details.
Sougo yawning constantly, his eye bags more prominent than usual.
Iori checking his phone, typing emails or sending messages.
Yamato zoning out.
Tamaki looking at all the families enjoying their day at the park.
Nagi’s misty eyes as he gazed upon the cherry blossoms.
Mitsuki’s gaze on a screen broadcasting a host show, watching it intently as he was trying to analyse the mannerisms of the host.
Yes, Riku didn’t miss any of these cues.
And he knew the answer to his question.
This will be our last trip together.
“ Tatta futamoji dake de ii kamo~” Riku started to sing quietly.
“... Dakedo kotoba mayoi Sagashita yo~” Iori joined him, a curious gleam in his eyes.
Tamaki grinned. “ Isshukan go ni mata sono saki no oto Kaki tashite… ”
He elbowed Sougo who nodded with a smile. “ Sotto hokorobu sakura tachi~”
“Hidamari no yasashisa shitta youni~” Mitsuki joined them, eyes full of nostalgia.
“Deaeta no nara hanarete mo~” Yamato closed his eyes, body slightly swinging at the rhythm.
“Kienai mono wo shitta yo~” Nagi finished, tears welling up.
A comfortable silence landed among them, as they reminisced their past moments together, when they were still a young group full of ideals, full of dreams and sparkles.
But now…
Riku sighed. “I wanted to do this trip because I felt that we were all drifting apart…” He admitted, eyes cast downwards. “And it scared me…Because without IDOLiSH7, I don’t know what to do…” Silence reigned as their cherished center looked up, and with a broken smile, said. “I’m scared of the day IDOLiSH7 will end…but it’s already happening, isn’t it?”
“Nanase-san…”
Everyone exchanged a look, hesitant to voice their own heart, and so Yamato stepped up.
Chugging a gulp, their leader nodded. “I didn’t want to say it…but I’ve been thinking the same. We can’t keep pretending that this is not happening.”
“Yama-san…”
“But look, ending it on our own terms means we can protect what we built. And not just letting it fall apart.” Yamato smiled reassuringly. It’s not the end of the day.
Mitsuki let tears fall. “Damn it…”
Sougo and Tamaki were abnormally silent…until Tamaki spoke up. “I want to open an orphanage.”
Everyone widened their eyes at that. “You…what?” Mitsuki said, forgetting all his previous woes.
Their youngest member nodded. “I’ve been thinking for a while… It’s not that I don’t like IDOLiSH7 anymore, I love you guys a lot! But… I’ve been wanting to do something else…”
Sougo nodded. “I get that… Music composition is something that I want to pursue…”
“Same with hosting shows for me…” Mitsuki said, before looking at Yamato. “And for you, it is acting…right?”
Yamato nodded. “Yes. I’ve felt more fulfilled, I guess… Like this is where my true calling was.”
“A story does not lose its meaning because it has an ending. In fact, it shines brighter.” Nagi said, and everyone nodded, sharing the sentiment.
Once we had met, we knew we could part, because we found something that'll never disappear.
“Nagicchi, Iorin, Rikkun.” Tamaki addressed them. “I don’t want to let IDOLiSH7 end without knowing that all of us have a place to go, so don’t worry and take your time!”
He tried to reassure them as they were the only ones not voicing their plans for the future, but Nagi shook his head. “I have a place to go. Northmeir.”
“You mean…?”
He nodded. “I believe it is time for me to return to my country and assist my brother.”
Iori, rather than addressing his personal plans, said. “Let’s think about this carefully. This is not a decision we can take without consulting Manager and the President.”
They all agreed to resume this conversation another time, but still happy that they managed to have discussed this topic. They continued basking in the slightly cold but refreshing wind slapping their faces, petals of cherry blossoms twirling around them.
Yamato raised his can of beer, and everyone joined him, toasting silently to the end of an era…and the beginning of another.
Riku, as he clinked his can with the others, smiled, ignoring the pang in his chest.
***
“Nanase-san…you’re drooling.”
Riku blinked and suddenly sat up straight, wiping his chin. Looking on his left, he saw the sullen look of Iori eyeing his elbow where a stain appeared.
He laughed sheepishly. “Hehe sorry Iori…”
The train rocked gently beneath them and the morning announcements started to echo through the car.
They were all on the bullet train from Hakodate to Tokyo. It was five in the morning and they were about to arrive soon. Riku saw beyond Iori that the rest of the group was still sleeping soundly and so he yawned and looked at the window.
“Nanase-san…” He heard Iori whisper. Turning towards him, he was surprised to see Iori’s gaze flickering.
“Are you ok, Iori?”
“Did you really mean it…? Back then?”
“I’m scared of the day IDOLiSH7 ends…”
Riku froze as he remembered these words, but he nodded, nonetheless. “I did. What about you, Iori?” He eyed him. “You didn’t say anything.”
Silent stretched, before Iori eventually spoke. “Do you recall the promise I made to you…when IDOLiSH7 started?”
Riku raised an eyebrow. “That you were gonna make me a superstar?”
Iori nodded. “I still intend to hold it. Even if IDOLiSH7 ends, I still want to support you in this regard… But,” His voice lowered. “Is that what you want now, Nanase-san?”
The red-haired was surprised. He didn’t expect that Iori would still be attached to that old promise of theirs. Technically, with the way IDOLiSH7 had thrived and how much involved he was in its management, Iori did indeed fulfill his part of the deal.
But what about Riku? What did he want?
“Iori…” He said, his throat tightening. “You’d do that…? You’d stick with me, no matter what?”
Iori smiled at him. “Of course.” He said, a rare softness in his voice.
“Hehe… Thank you, Iori. Just knowing that erased half of my fears!” Riku grinned back, making Iori blush slightly and avert his eyes.
“...Anything for you…Riku.”
***
It had been a long while since they had all reunited like that, in the President’s office.
All of them, including Manager and Banri. Despite how big the agency grew with the arrival of new employees, these two were present at the birth of IDOLiSH7…and so, had the right to be there for its end.
“So there you go…” Yamato said, after explaining the reason for their presence. Explaining how they all felt and how they wish to move forward.
Riku saw their Manager, their dear Manager who supported them since Day 1, widening her eyes in surprise…before nodding in understanding. Banri smiled at them, a small smile reflecting his sadness but also his pride. And their President simply closed his eyes for a moment…before saying.
“Are you all entirely sure?” He asked, staring at each of them pointedly, before landing his gaze on Riku.
They knew that this question was addressed to him specifically.
Riku took a moment before answering. “I thought for a long time that without IDOLiSH7, I wouldn’t survive… I would fade away. And that scared me. But…” He remembered his brother’s words. He remembered Iori’s words. “I am Nanase Riku. I’m not the same as before. I can still stand on stage and give my fans an eternal dream.” He shared a look with Iori before adding. “And I won’t be alone.”
Everyone widened their eyes and looked at Iori who sighed but nodded seriously. “I will manage him. So do not worry about us, we’ll be fine.”
The President smiled warmly at them. “The hardest thing for an idol is knowing when to bow gracefully. You’ve chosen the right moment.”
Yamato chuckled. “That’s our IoriP for you.”
Mitsuki put a hand on his brother’s arm. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
Iori nodded. “Yes Brother. Nanase-san is my sole purpose in this industry.”
Riku slightly blushed at that, but remained silent. He looked at Tsumugi.
Their Manager was shedding tears, the emotions getting to her as she was seeing the group that she had nurtured for more than a decade breaking away from her.
The red-haired approached her, and gently enveloped his hands around hers. “Manager.” His voice was soft, soothing. “Thank you for everything. We love you, you know. We’ll always love you.”
One by one, they came and surrounded her, giving her their love and gratitude for all the efforts she made for them.
Tsumugi laughed softly. “And I’ll always love you too. My IDOLiSH7.”
***
“So, we had an idea.”
“A bit like how Re:vale made a farewell concert.”
“But a farewell tour!”
“A tour??”
“Yes! One starting from Hakodate, going through all the main regions of Japan…and finishing at Tokyo for a big final concert!”
“So that our fans can properly send us off. It’s just right that we offer them this.”
“I will do my best to give you the greatest stage direction possible!”
“Haha! We count on you, Manager!”
***
BREAKING NEWS: LEGENDARY IDOL GROUP DISBANDS. AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE, IT IS THE END OF AN ERA.
***
“OH MY GOD. DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS???”
“YEAH I DID. I’M GOING TO CRY!!!”
“NOT IDOLiSH7!!!”
“Two years ago, we lost Re:vale, and now i7… Guys, I can’t do this.”
“At least TRIGGER and ZOOL are still around, right?”
“Yeah but for how long…”
“At least, they warned us…And let’s be honest, guys. We all saw it coming. Don’t lie to yourself.”
“It’s true that Mitsuki-kun was hosting a lot of shows, and Yamato-san was playing in a lot of movies…”
“I guess Sougo-kun will make more music, just like Yuki-kun.”
“But what about Riku-kun??? You do realise that we are losing him forever???”
“Perhaps he’ll become a solo artist!!”
“Oh this is driving me insane… Iori-kun, Tamaki-kun, Nagi-kun…”
“Hey! Do you guys remember what Re:vale fans did at their farewell concert?? I think we should do something similar!”
“Oh great idea!!”
***
After six concerts throughout the country where fans were all able to bid their farewells to their favourite idols, IDOLiSH7 finally found themselves standing on this stage.
Zero Arena was filled to the brim. Fans from all around Japan came to see them off, just one last time.
Even their dear friends, TRIGGER, Re:vale and ZOOL spoke to them right before the concert and were right now among the crowd, witnessing the end of an era.
“Haaaah…” Yamato sighed loudly. “So there we are huh… It’s our last.”
“It’s so hard… I know we’re all ready for this…but it’s so hard to think that this will be the last time we’ll all stand together on one stage.” Mitsuki wiped the tears forming in the corner of his eyes.
“Everyone here must feel the same… Not only us, but also the fans, the staff… Everyone who helped us reached this point…” Sougo mused, looking at the sea of pen lights waving for them.
“And this is why we have to honor them. We have to repay all their love with the best of ourselves.” Iori said.
“Guys! You’re ruining the mood! Let’s cheer ourselves up or the fans will see that we are sad!” Tamaki scolded them.
“Tamaki is right.” Nagi nodded. “We are here to make our fans dream, let’s give them a final and unforgettable memory of ourselves!”
“Riku.” Yamato said. “This time, I think you should be the one to make the call.”
“Yamato-san…” The red-haired widened his eyes slightly before nodding. “This is for our fans who believed in us, for the bonds we’ll never lose and for the dreams we shared together! IDOLiSH7…!”
“FIGHT!”
And for the last time, as the curtain began to rise…
“ZERO ARENA! Good evening!”
***
“One, two…CHEERS!”
“CONGRATULATIONS IDOLiSH7!”
Later that night, after three hours of intense emotions, the idols were finally able to rest. Raising the glass to receive the toast in gratitude, they all broke down in front of their closest friends who threw them an afterparty.
“I can’t believe they did this…” Mitsuki sobbed on the floor.
“OUR FANS ARE THE GREATEST!” Tamaki shouted, earning his shushing sounds.
Momo chuckled. “It does have its little effect… I still remember when they did it to us… It was everything.” He remembered with nostalgia.
They all took a moment to relive this last moment, forever engraved in their hearts.
As they were drawing closer and closer to the end, the entire hall had turned pitch black…with only thousands of lightsticks showing a message from the fans to their idols…
We will never forget you! We love you IDOLiSH7!
This had rendered Riku and everyone else absolutely speechless. After pouring their whole hearts in each and every song to thank their fans for their love and loyalty…here they were, coordinating themselves to shower them with even more love.
It was only thanks to willpower and deep professionalism that all the idols managed to not cry on stage, and instead shared one last and unforgettable memory with the fans that have supported them since Day 1.
And now, the curtain had dropped, and they were back to reality.
IDOLiSH7 has ended.
“Man, I really didn’t see it coming…” Haruka said. “For me, you guys were going to be there forever…”
Gaku nodded. “He’s right. Re:vale might have been our seniors, but it’s only after you guys debuted that a true change happened in the industry. You’ll forever be legends, for us and for the future generations.”
“Yaotome-san…”
Yamato chuckled. “It’s really flattering guys… But you know it’s not the end. Not for any of us. Just a new chapter in our lives.”
Yuki tilted his head. “So it’s my understanding that Yamato-kun will pursue acting and Sougo-kun composing,” They both nodded with a smile. “But what about the rest of you?”
Momo added. “I’m sure Mitsuki will have his own hosting show, right?” He grinned at the orange-haired who blushed slightly.
“It’s my new dream, yes. I always thought that I wanted to be like Zero, that I would be fulfilled by being an idol…but it turns out, you never know where your true calling is.” He laughed sheepishly.
“Oi, Yotsuba,” Haruka called. “Don’t you want to be a choreographer?”
Tamaki shook his head. “Nop. I wanna open an orphanage!” He announced proudly, making everyone who didn’t know widen their eyes.
“Eh?? So you’re quitting the industry completely??”
He gave a sharp nod. “Yep. I’ve had fun, but it’s enough. I want to be there for the kids now.”
Ryuu smiled. “That’s very earnest of you. Do let us know when you will be starting, I’d be more than happy to contribute.”
Tamaki grinned. “Thanks Ryuu-aniki.”
Minami glanced at Nagi. “Will you be going back to Northmeir?”
The blonde-haired nodded. “Indeed, I will. I have come here to deliver Haruki’s songs and honour his memory. Now it is time to leave Japan and return to my home country.”
“But you’ll come back to visit, right?” Mitsuki said with a pout. “I’m not letting you vanish on us like that!”
Nagi chuckled. “Of course, my dear Mitsuki. You are all part of my family and I wish to see you again in the future!”
Finally, Tenn addressed the last members of IDOLiSH7. “And you two, Riku, Izumi Iori. You haven’t shared your future plans.”
Riku shared a look with Iori who nodded at him with a smile. “I will launch my solo career. I love the stage and our fans so much to leave them… And Iori will accompany me!”
Tenn raised an eyebrow. “As?”
“A producer.” Iori answered. “I will produce Nanase-san and make him shine over the country.”
Tenn stayed silent for a moment, reminiscing about his foster father, before smiling. This man will not fail my little brother. “Then I leave Riku in your safe hands.”
***
“Hey Iori…”
“Hm? What is it, Nanase-san?”
“Why are you dedicating yourself to me? Why is your dream to make me a superstar?”
“Because you are my everything…Riku.”
Iori placed a hand on top of Riku’s, conveying silently all the feelings he could never put into words. Riku’s eyes softened as his chest tightened with gratitude. He leaned his head against Iori’s shoulder.
“...Then I’ll shine for you too. So that you’ll never regret choosing me.”
Iori’s lips curved into the faintest smile as he squeezed Riku’s hand. For the two of them, the curtain may have fallen on IDOLiSH7—but their story was only beginning.