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“This guy just shows up and starts acting all high and mighty! That condescending attitude’s seriously annoying,” Haruka grumbled, leaning back in his chair and tilting his head back. The phone in his hands was a riot of bright colors, and in the center of the screen was a blond-haired young man dressed in European clothing from centuries past. “He called me ‘interesting’ right after we met… All I said was that I didn’t know him; he’s the weirdo!”
Haruka frowned as he stared at the white ceiling of the coffee shop, trying to process what he had just encountered.
He loved gaming — mostly rhythm games, but he enjoyed almost all genres, from shooters to visual novels. The story Haruka was currently playing was one of the latter. And he didn’t mind that it was aimed at a female audience or that it involved developing romantic relationships with guys, but some of the love interests’ behaviors raised questions.
“That’s a common line in romance games. Don’t let every little thing he says throw you off,” Izumi replied, sitting across from him. Yeah, he wasn’t expected to engage in a lively dialogue — just stern, monotone recommendations. At times, Haruka felt like he wasn’t talking to a classmate but a living instruction manual. Still, given their history, such interactions were better than none at all.
If someone had told Haruka a couple of years ago that he’d be sitting at a cafe table with an IDOLISH7 member and playing a dating simulator for girls, he would have laughed in their face and perhaps given the rude gesture Minami and Torao had taught him. But now, hanging out with Izumi or Yotsuba had become almost a habit. He’d even stopped noticing how he had started returning from school in their company or following them into the arcade to spend more time together.
“More importantly, don’t raise any flags with that prince. You won’t be able to go down the knight route,” Izumi warned, turning another page of his book. He’d only just started reading it, and he’d already read more than a third of it. They didn’t call him a perfect high school student for nothing.
However, the book Izumi was studying today was probably much easier than what he usually pored over. After all, this wasn’t another scientific study but a simple story about a knight and a princess.
“Wait, that dude’s a prince?! Do princes just randomly spawn when you’re walking around town?” Haruka was belatedly surprised, looking at the haughtily smiling guy on the phone.
And, as if in response to his thoughts, a familiar soft voice sounded behind him:
“Hiiiii!”
Rokuya Nagi appeared so suddenly that Haruka yelped, nearly dropping his phone. What the hell? The moment he mentioned royalty, one of them literally showed up in person.
“You scared me!” he exclaimed indignantly, looking back at Rokuya standing next to him. “Oh wait, I just bumped into a prince. So I guess that does happen, huh,” Haruka suddenly realized. Perhaps this game was much more realistic than it seemed at first glance...
Rokuya wasn’t alone. Momo-san and Tsunashi approached the table after him. What a motley bunch. Not surprising, though. Unlike ŹOOĻ, who proudly called themselves loners, the other idol groups were quite friendly and interacted frequently. Perhaps it was precisely this positive attitude that allowed them to accept ŹOOĻ even after everything they had done.
Haruka glanced warily at the smiling Tsunashi, then slumped. TRIGGER had suffered the most from ŹOOĻ’s actions. He should have been angry to this day, but there wasn’t a hint of resentment on his face. At one point, Haruka’s group had managed to arrange their kidnapping, and these guys managed not only to forgive them but also demanded — instead of honest retribution — a mere trifle: that they not disappoint their fans. They sometimes seemed so cool, as if they came from a completely different world. Perhaps that’s why Haruka still couldn’t figure out how to communicate with them.
“You two have the afternoon off? I heard you’d been busy lately,” Momo-san said in surprise.
Well, it was a stretch to call it the afternoon off. After all, both Haruka and Izumi would have preferred to spend their time with more familiar games and books. However, today they had a special mission: to understand what chivalry really is. The reason was that not long ago, both Izumi brothers, Haruka and Yaotome, were invited to participate in a special joint project. They were to become the main characters in the acclaimed stage play “~Chivalry: Honor and Pride~,” which was celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Fortunately, after numerous projects in which ŹOOĻ, IDOLISH7, Re:Vale, and TRIGGER had all participated together, Haruka had gotten used to the members of other groups a little. And this time, he hardly even felt lonely without Minami, Toma, or Torao. He and Izumi Iori studied at the same school and were already well acquainted. His brother quickly endeared himself to him with his friendly nature and the homemade sweets he sometimes brought to rehearsals. As for Yaotome from TRIGGER… whether it was his perpetual scowl or his self-assured tone, Haruka was still a little wary of him, though he knew he wasn’t a bad person. They weren’t particularly close, but Haruka respected him.
Simply put, he was quite happy with his current team. At least this time, he wasn’t assigned to work with Kujo Tenn, which meant he was spared awkward conversations, sudden teasing, and the chill of a piercing gaze on his back. The others insisted he was mistaken, but Haruka wasn’t blind and was well aware that he and TRIGGER’s vocalist had a strained relationship. Tenn clearly treated him colder than the other members of ŹOOĻ. Perhaps it was because of their shared unpleasant past, or perhaps he was still angry that it was Haruka’s call that had gotten him into trouble with the kidnapping and made him late for his own concert. Considering his love for fans, this must have been a huge blow for Kujo.
And Haruka had repeatedly rationalized himself, claiming that if it hadn’t been him, someone else would have made the call: Minami, for example, or Ryo-san. With his silver tongue, he would surely have found a creepy and, most importantly, effective way to lure Tenn out of his house. But the truth was, despite all his arguments, Haruka still felt guilty and understood that Kujo had reason to be angry. The fact that he didn’t give him a disdainful look every time they met was perhaps already an achievement. And...
Wait a minute, Kujo Tenn wasn’t even involved in their current project, so why the hell was he even bringing it up now?! Even though Haruka no longer desired revenge, he still couldn’t completely get him out of his head, and it made him incredibly angry. And he wasn’t even angry at Tenn, but at himself.
Enough about that! At that moment, his goal was to establish a love route with the knight in the game to inspire himself for his new role. He needed to think about that, not their complicated relationship.
Luckily, Haruka was a master of games, so he wasn’t too worried. Soon he’d get to the knight’s appearance, and then he could fully focus on the matter at hand.
***
Isumi Haruka
[Are you sure this game isn’t broken?]
Haruka’s fingers raced across the phone’s keyboard, typing a message. He felt a deep sense of indignation and hoped Izumi could solve his problem. After all, he was the one who advised Haruka to play that damn game, so he must know something about it.
A few seconds later, a bell rang, notifying him of a new message on RabbitChat. That was fast.
Izumi Iori
[Hello to you too.]
Izumi Iori
[All the members of IDOLISH7
have played it. I don’t remember
anyone complaining. What’s
the problem?]
Isumi Haruka
[My prince is broken]
Isumi Haruka
[I can’t get off his route. I’m practically
ignoring him outright, but he still won’t
leave me alone]
Izumi Iori
[You didn’t use guides?]
Isumi Haruka
[It’s a dating sim for girls. Why would
it need guides?]
Izumi Iori
[I see.]
Izumi Iori
[What stage are you at now?]
Isumi Haruka
[He tells the MC that she’s not like
everyone else. This is probably the
fifth time already]
Isumi Haruka
[Wait, he got down on one knee for
some reason…]
Isumi Haruka
[WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG
WITH HIM?!]
Izumi Iori
[Isumi-san, calm down.]
But Haruka couldn’t calm down. He stared in bewilderment at the scene of the main character kissing the prince against the backdrop of the setting sun.
The credits rolled, and the camera slowly panned upward, revealing the first stars that formed the words “Good Ending.” He’d spent the whole day on this game and ended up with a completely different ending. What the hell?!
Izumi Iori
[Isumi-san?]
Izumi Iori
[Are you still here?]
Izumi Iori
[Let’s figure out where it all
went wrong.]
Izumi Iori
[Can you give me a list of the
answers you gave during
the game?]
Isumi Haruka
[ A list? I didn’t write them down]
Izumi Iori
[Then list the ones you remember.]
After some thought, Haruka described to Izumi how, in the scene where the prince revealed his true identity to the heroine, instead of bowing cordially, he snorted indignantly and turned away. When the prince approached to apologize with an insolent grin, Haruka scolded him, calling him a spoiled rich man. And at a special Ball Event, he refused an invitation to dance, declaring that he did not want to be one of His Highness’s many passions.
Simply put, Haruka did everything he could to appear rude and unpleasant, but for some reason, it didn’t work. In one scene, after a brief argument, the prince even gave the heroine a new dress as an apology. And this was the only time Haruka softened and decided to thank him. Was it really because of gratitude for the dress? Was this game so cruel that it didn’t forgive a single mistake? Although it’s unlikely that a simple thank you was the reason, since the prince had been constantly pushing himself on him even before this. But why?
Izumi Iori
[The fact that you genuinely don’t
understand the reason is
kind of cute.]
The sudden message left Haruka frozen for a moment. Did Izumi hit his head? Since when does he say such things so openly?
Isumi Haruka
[???!!!]
Isumi Haruka
[Imagining you writing this with your
perpetually indifferent expression is creepy]
Izumi Iori
[Oh.]
Izumi Iori
[I didn’t think it would send. How
do I delete the message?]
Izumi Iori
[It wasn’t meant for you, I mean.]
Is he serious right now? Haruka also struggled to express his feelings and thoughts, but it seemed that Izumi had a particularly severe case of it.
Isumi Haruka
[Save those excuses for Yotsuba.
Maybe he’ll believe them]
Isumi Haruka
[And thanks for the compliment, but save
words like “cute” for someone like
Nanase. They don’t suit me]
After sending his last message, Haruka noticed movement outside the window. It looked like Grandma had returned home and... Damn, where did all these bags come from? If she was going to buy so many groceries, she should have invited him along. Damn it!
Throwing his phone onto the bed, he ran to meet her and help with the bags. When he returned, Haruka’s RabbitChat was exploding with messages — all from the same person.
Izumi Iori
[???]
Izumi Iori
[What does this have to do with
Nanase-san?]
Izumi Iori
[I don’t know what you heard or
from whom, but I don’t find him
cute at all.]
Izumi Iori
[You should trust questionable
sources less.]
Izumi Iori
[By the way, who told you
about this?]
Izumi Iori
[Nikaido-san?]
Izumi Iori
[Re:vale?]
Izumi Iori
[Isumi-san, why are you silent?]
Izumi Iori
[Did they ask you not to tell?]
Izumi Iori
[Perhaps you heard something
from Nii-san?]
Izumi Iori
[In that case, I’ll explain. If he
said that I liked everything cute
when I was a kid, then that’s true,
but those days are long gone.]
Izumi Iori
[Do you understand, Isumi-san?]
Haruka had only been gone for five minutes, and Izumi already seemed to be going crazy. It seemed like he’d never sent so many messages at once.
Isumi Haruka
[I only thought of Nanase because, out of all
of IDOLISH7, he’s the first that comes to
mind when you hear the word “cute,” right?]
Isumi Haruka
[Doesn’t everyone think so?]
Isumi Haruka
[Momo-san even recently mentioned that
Re:vale should adopt him]
Isumi Haruka
[By the way, at first, I thought it was a joke,
but it seems they’re really preparing
some documents, so...]
Izumi Iori
[THEY WHAT?!]
Izumi Iori
[I can’t believe it...]
Izumi Iori
[I’ll talk to them about this later.]
Izumi Iori
[Just keep in mind that I wouldn’t
call Nanase-san “cute” or anything
like that. After all, saying that to
another guy is a bit weird.]
Isumi Haruka
[?]
Forwarded message
Izumi Iori
[The fact that you genuinely don’t
understand the reason is
kind of cute.]
Izumi Iori
[I told you, it wasn’t meant
for you.]
Izumi Iori
[Okay, I’m still worried about
this whole Re:vale and adoption
thing, so I’ll go talk to Momo-san.]
Izumi Iori
[Actually, no, I’d better text
Okazaki-san. He’ll definitely be
able to talk some sense into them.]
Izumi Iori
[Anyway, I’ll get going.]
Isumi Haruka
[Wait, you still haven’t explained what’s
wrong with the prince]
Isumi Haruka
[Izumi, I can see you’re online — don’t
be silent]
Isumi Haruka
[I’ll teach you how to delete messages. Just
reply to me]
Isumi Haruka
[Izumi?]
Isumi Haruka
[Are you offended?]
Isumi Haruka
[Izumi-san?]
Isumi Haruka
[Are you serious?]
Isumi Haruka
[You’ll pay for this!]
After sending a sticker of an angry King Pudding, Haruka locked his phone and put it aside. What a terrible day! Evening was approaching; he hadn’t accomplished anything useful. All his efforts to prepare for the role had gone down the drain. Maybe he should have given up on the game, followed Izumi’s example, and read a book. But who knew that reaching the desired ending would be so difficult? Maybe he really should have looked up a guide?
Sprawled out on the bed, Haruka lazily turned to look out the window. The sun was setting. Apparently, starting the game over was pointless. It would be easier to come back to it in the morning and take a break today.
But if he left things as they were, he’d be up half the night pondering the plot. He needed to clear his mind and distract himself a little. So, sluggishly getting out of bed, Haruka headed toward the hallway.
“I’m going for a walk,” he said briefly, slipping on his shoes as he went.
“It’s late, Haru-chan, don’t stay out too long,” Grandma’s voice came from the kitchen.
“Oka-ay.”
Haruka didn’t plan to go far from home. Putting on a medical mask and sunglasses, he headed to the nearby park. There weren’t many people around at this hour, and the long shadows of the trees did a good job of concealing his face. It was the perfect time for an idol to take a stroll.
Haruka walked leisurely along the road, occasionally kicking at the stones that fell under his feet. It’s a good way to relieve stress — especially when you’re not entirely sure who’s causing it. Was it the prince’s illogical actions that drove him to the point of an unbearable urge to scream into his pillow? Or was it Izumi’s actions? He, unlike his “simple-minded” classmate, certainly understood the reason for this behavior but didn’t bother to explain it.
Another stone flew forward with a well-aimed kick. Damn it! If Izumi really wants to behave like a grown-up, he should at least react accordingly to awkward situations. What grown-up in their right mind would write a weird message and then stop responding because of it? It’s not that Haruka would have acted better in such a situation, but unlike Izumi, he didn’t claim to be a perfect high school student.
Deep in the park, Haruka found a small, empty bench. It was in the shade, so there weren’t many people around. Most visitors at that hour preferred places to watch the sunset, and only the occasional passerby wandered here. It was a good spot to avoid attracting attention.
Plopping down on a wooden bench, Haruka threw his head back, admiring the darkening sky through the tree branches. Beautiful — a bit reminiscent of the sky from the game’s ending... Damn, he’d gone out for a walk to clear his head, but he ended up thinking about his failure again. And how he had ever had the confidence to tell Izumi that he could finish the game faster than all the IDOLISH7 members?
Technically, Haruka did get it done quickly, but the result wasn’t quite what he expected. And now he’ll have to swallow his pride and find a guide to get the right ending this time.
But if Izumi had told him right away what he’d done wrong, he wouldn’t have felt so hurt. But no, for the first time in their relationship, he decided to give some kind of stupidity instead of a direct answer and ended up running away because of it. Does Izumi really think Haruka cares how he feels about Nanase? Or does he really think he’s doing a good job of hiding his excessive love for all things cute? If so, he should probably stop carrying around the rare Usami Friends keychain everywhere. His image of a perfect high school student crumbles right before your eyes when you notice him discreetly admiring the three multicolored plush rabbits hidden in his pocket.
“Izumi’s an idiot,” Haruka muttered with disappointment.
“Hard to argue with that.” A familiar face leaning over him blocked his view of the sky. Which was funny, considering its owner’s name was directly related to the sky. Haruka even wanted to chuckle at the thought but then froze. Wait a minute, this isn’t a hallucination, is it?
He yelped, jumping back to the other end of the bench. His heart was pounding. Haruka pointed a trembling finger at the guy standing across from him, holding a bag.
“K-KU...” He wanted to shout his name, but seeing the other guy gesturing for him to be quieter, he restrained himself and switched to a very loud whisper. “Kujo... san, what are you doing here?!”
“It’s my turn to go to the store today,” Tenn nodded at the bag in his hand. Unlike Haruka, he was completely calm and even seemed amused by their sudden encounter. “I was already on my way home when I heard Izumi’s name from a stranger sitting on a bench. Then I realized it was you. I thought it was an attempt to start a conversation, but apparently I was mistaken.”
“Ah, th-that was just me thinking out loud.”
“Thinking out loud?” Tenn said, tilting his head thoughtfully. “Isumi Haruka, you should be more careful about what you say on the street, even if it seems like no one is around. Such words could lead to misunderstandings. You don’t want rumors to spread that there’s tension between ŹOOĻ and IDOLISH7, do you?”
A chill ran down Haruka’s spine at the thought that a casual remark could have caused so many problems.
“I don’t want to,” he muttered, looking down.
“Then be careful,” Tenn continued. Now he resembled an experienced elder, guiding a newcomer on the right path. And although Haruka was no longer a newcomer, he understood that Kujo’s words had merit.
“Yeah, I’ll take that into account. I apologize for the inconvenience,” he replied quietly, bowing his head — a basic act of politeness, but it still came with difficulty.
Tenn let out a surprised sigh and then chuckled.
“You can be surprisingly obedient.”
What?!
Haruka bristled like a stray cat upon hearing this. He was about to launch into an indignant tirade at Kujo but ultimately held back. He shouldn’t fall for his provocations, or the conversation would drag on forever. Better to pretend he hadn’t noticed. Maybe then Tenn would finally lose interest and leave?
However, even after a prolonged, awkward pause, he, for some reason, was in no hurry to return home.
“So, what exactly did Izumi Iori do? We’re talking about him, right? If you two have a conflict, maybe you should inform the IDOLISH7 manager?” he suggested, pulling his medical mask down to his chin and sitting down on the bench.
“What? No, no, I’m not in conflict with anyone!” Haruka exclaimed, pressing himself against the opposite end of the bench. He couldn’t say he’d called his classmate an idiot because of his secret love of cute things. Haruka had promised revenge, of course, but he had no intention of ruining his reputation. “The thing is, Izumi Iori didn’t want to answer my question. He just laughed and ended the conversation. That’s why I got angry.”
“Laughed and didn’t answer? That’s not like him.”
“Well, that’s more or less how it happened,” Haruka replied vaguely. He preferred not to go into details, but Tenn had other plans.
“So, what was the question? If Izumi Iori hasn’t answered, maybe I can suggest something. Or, if I can’t, I’ll ask Gaku and Ryu.”
Why was he so talkative today? Tenn was being friendly, but that only made Haruka more nervous. Was it worth telling everything? On the one hand, he really could suggest something. After all, Kujo Tenn’s perfect stage persona was somewhat reminiscent of a dating sim hero himself. Maybe he truly understood the logic of characters like that strange prince better. On the other hand, he was Kujo Tenn! Why should he tell Kujo Tenn about his failures?! What if he laughed at Haruka, called him a loser, said he’d failed not only as an idol but also as a gamer, and then asked him to never talk to him again? Sure, the likelihood of that was slim, but it’s still not zero, right?
“Isumi Haruka?”
“Huh?”
“I asked: what was the question?” Tenn repeated, frowning. Oh no, he was starting to suspect something! He needed an answer immediately!
“Well, it’s... It’s all about one game...”
Finally, unable to withstand even five seconds of intense staring, Haruka blurted out everything that had happened today.
After listening to him attentively, Kujo nodded understandingly.
“So, Izumi Iori called you cute?”
And why, out of the whole story, did he focus on this particular moment?! Haruka regretted opening his mouth ten times over.
“That’s not the point. Besides, he just got into the wrong chat.”
“Oh, yeah, of course,” Tenn replied skeptically. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Why do you think the prince shouldn’t have fallen in love with the heroine?”
“Ah, well... I was rude to him all this time, wasn’t I?” Haruka shrugged. It seemed obvious to him.
“Rude? That’s how you see it,” Tenn chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand. Then, more quietly, he added, “I think I’m starting to understand Izumi Iori’s feelings.”
For a moment, Haruka felt his cheeks flush. Why was he doing this again?!
“Hey, are you trying to make fun of me too?”
“Not at all. I just sometimes forget that you’re exactly that kind of person.”
What’s that supposed to mean? Is that a compliment? An insult? It’s hard to tell from Kujo’s expression, especially when he’s smiling like that.
As if not noticing his interlocutor’s confusion, Tenn continued matter-of-factly:
“Back to the point, didn’t the heroine’s relationship with the prince improve over time? You even said you thanked him. So what’s so strange about them eventually falling in love?”
“Yes, they did, but I was rude to him at first, you see? Could you fall in love with someone who said nasty things to you when you first met them?”
Haruka blurted it out without thinking and immediately regretted it. Too provocative a question for an idol. He had already assumed that Tenn would begin to scold him again, but he remained silent and simply looked at him. It seemed like the first time Haruka had seen that expression on Tenn’s face. It combined surprise, confusion, and, it seems, embarrassment? No, it’s unlikely; rather, Kujo was angry. He should have been angry because Haruka was definitely not the type of person Tenn would discuss a relationship with. Maybe he should apologize and ask Tenn to forget about it before it was too late? And then go home, lock himself in his room, and never see people again? That sounded like a good plan.
“Yes,” Tenn finally answered with a smile. He no longer looked at Haruka; his gaze wandered among the park trees. “If our relationship improves later, what difference does it make what they said before? It just means that person didn’t know me well enough and formed the wrong opinion. Doesn’t it?”
Haruka’s heart skipped a beat. Wow. That answer felt straight out of a romance game. TRIGGER was frighteningly good at this kind of thing, after all.
And yet, something about it all felt wrong.
“No, wait, you don’t understand. It sounds great in theory, sure, but in real life, continuing to communicate with such a person would be difficult,” he insisted. “For example, remember our first meeting. I waited for over an hour at the gate of your house to say nasty things to you. I told you your life is pointless and that you will be forgotten. After that, could you...”
“You waited for me for an hour?”
Haruka winced. Why had Kujo been picking out these exact details throughout their entire conversation?
“It’s just... I knew where you lived, but I didn’t know what time you were getting back, so I decided to come early to make sure I didn’t miss the moment,” he admitted, scratching the back of his head. And why does he have to talk about this now? It was a long time ago. He was naive and foolish then.
“And while you were waiting, you must have been rehearsing your villainous speech, written down on a piece of paper,” Tenn suggested.
“Y-you saw it?!” Haruka exclaimed, feeling himself blush. He had prepared this speech in advance, knowing he would never forgive himself if he messed up his first meeting with Kujo Tenn. He even tried practicing his facial expression in front of the mirror to make the right impression. But, of course, Haruka would never admit it.
“No, I just assumed. Thank you for confirming my theory,” Tenn said politely, but his trembling voice betrayed a hint of barely suppressed laughter.
This is unbearable!
“I have to go home!” Haruka announced, jumping up from the bench. If he stays here even a minute longer, he will definitely die of shame.
“Oh, right, it’s already late. Children shouldn’t be out alone at this hour.”
“Hey, don’t act like an adult. You’re only a year older!”
“That’s right,” Tenn didn’t argue, giving his interlocutor a fox-like grin. “Which is why I should hurry too. Unless you’re afraid to go alone. In that case, I can walk you there.”
“I’ll manage somehow,” Haruka snorted, turning toward the road home.
“Oh, I almost forgot, the answer is yes,” Tenn called after him in a suspiciously gentle voice.
Haruka felt he shouldn’t ask. There was definitely a catch. But curiosity still got the better of him, so he turned around and asked suspiciously, “Yes, what?”
“Yes, even after all the rudeness, I could still fall in love with you,” Tenn replied with a smile. Then, without waiting for Haruka’s reaction, he added, “See you later, Isumi Haruka,” and headed home.
Because of this, he didn’t see Haruka’s flushed face in the streetlights or hear his quiet cry into his palms.
How could he say something like that and just leave?! Haruka came to this park thinking it would take his mind off things and help him sleep well at night, but now all plans for sleep over the next month were postponed — and all because of that damned Kujo Tenn! He answered his question so distortedly on purpose, didn’t he? Just to tease him again! And this is the perfect idol? A modern-day angel? He’s the devil incarnate! And why didn’t others notice this?!
Haruka barely resisted the urge to bang his head against the nearest tree. The tempting thought of trying to erase what he’d just heard from his mind kept nagging at him. But the truth was, he’d already been lingering in this park for too long. It was time to go home so as not to worry his grandma. She’d definitely be alarmed if Haruka returned late, especially with a bruised forehead.
And so, with a red face and a bunch of thoughts swirling in his mind, he slowly wandered home.
***
“What did you mean?” — that was the phrase Haruka had been staring at for the past ten minutes. He wondered if he’d conveyed his meaning clearly enough. If he sent this message, Kujo would understand, right?
On the other hand, even if he understood, there was no guarantee he’d answer. After all, this was Kujo Tenn. He probably engineered this misunderstanding to embarrass Haruka, so when he saw a question like that, he’d simply pretend nothing had happened. Or, worse, he’d start grilling Haruka about what exactly in their “innocent” dialogue had bothered him so much. Damn you, Tenn!
Haruka erased the message he’d typed and began scanning their chat. It was short — just a couple of mutual thanks for their work together. Purely business communication. It made sense; they weren’t friends to chat all night long. But this formality made starting a personal conversation even harder.
“Kujo-san, it appears that you may have misinterpreted my question today.” No, that’s too formal.
“Are you fucking nuts to say that?!” Too informal.
“Hi.” That’s too far off-topic.
“So you like me?” No comment.
“Just so you know, I wasn’t talking about our hypothetical relationship back then, okay?” Sounds like an excuse.
“I hate you, Kujo Tenn!” Honest, but too much.
With a heavy sigh, Haruka deleted the latest version of his message. He knew that starting a conversation was difficult, but he didn’t expect it to cause so many problems.
Maybe it wasn’t worth it. Perhaps it would’ve been better to just accept that Tenn had managed to provoke his emotions once again.
Kujo Tenn
[Isumi Haruka]
The sudden message made Haruka yelp and drop his phone on the floor. He wasn’t imagining it, was he?
“Haru-chan, is something wrong?” asked the worried Grandma from behind the door.
“N-nothing. A bee flew into the room. I’ve already chased it away,” Haruka replied, trying to control his breathing.
Why did Kujo Tenn suddenly decide to text him? They hadn’t really been texting each other before. Oh damn, because Haruka had the chat open, his message probably immediately got marked as read. Tenn didn’t notice, did he? No, it’s simply impossible not to notice something like this. What if Kujo decided Haruka had been staring at their chat the whole time — like an obsessive fan or a stalker?!
The phone rang with a new message, making Haruka jump. He reached for it cautiously, as if afraid any sudden movement would cause his fingers to be bitten. Finally, when the phone was in his hand, Haruka slowly unlocked it and glanced at the messages.
Kujo Tenn
[Isumi Haruka]
Kujo Tenn
[You’ve been trying to message me
for over half an hour. Did
something happen?]
Oh no, he saw everything… Haruka wanted to curl up in a ball on the bed and die. Nevertheless, he tried to pull himself together and replied.
Isumi Haruka
[I was just trying to formulate a thought]
Isumi Haruka
[I wanted to thank you for your help today]
Kujo Tenn
[I see]
Kujo Tenn
[You’re welcome]
Kujo Tenn
[If our conversation gave you any
ideas, I’m glad]
Oh, it really gave Haruka a lot of ideas. Too bad, not the right ones.
Kujo Tenn
[It’s quite late. Gaku says you
have a lot of work to do, so don’t
stay up too late]
Kujo Tenn
[Good night]
At the end, Kujo sent a sticker of a sleeping Kinako.
Isumi Haruka
[Night]
Haruka typed his last message almost automatically. He stared at the chat for a while, not believing his eyes. Kujo Tenn wished him good night. And sent a cute sticker. It all seemed unreal.
Haruka swallowed hard. The phone in his hand clicked, notifying him that the screenshot had been saved to the gallery. He’d probably regret taking it tomorrow. But right now, it was vital. After all, this was the first time they’d communicated so much via text. And it almost seemed like a conversation between two normal people. It was simply impossible not to capture something like this.
Kujo was right about one thing: he really shouldn’t stay up too late. Tomorrow morning, he had to go to school, then straight to rehearsal, and during the breaks, he still needed to get the good ending of the knight. He had a lot to do, so he needed to go to bed early. Maybe if he went to sleep right now, he could still get at least a couple of hours of rest.
***
Haruka had been struggling with insomnia for three days now. But apart from that, his work was progressing well. He finally completed the game’s happy ending with the knight and slowly began to realize what he was missing for the role. Step by step, Haruka was getting closer to embodying the character he wanted to portray.
That evening, they stayed at rehearsal especially late, so Yaotome volunteered to drive Haruka home, and as a thank you, his grandma invited him in for tea. The thought of one of the TRIGGER members visiting their home made Haruka a little nervous. But despite his menacing appearance, Yaotome turned out to be a very polite guest.
During tea, Grandma couldn’t sit still. She kept running back and forth, bringing more and more sweets, and saying how glad she was that her grandson had such caring elders.
And so, when she once again left to bring youkan for tea, Yaotome suddenly spoke up:
“You’ve been feeling a bit tired lately. If studying and rehearsals are too much for you, don’t keep quiet — tell your manager.”
“What? No, I...” Haruka faltered. He knew there was no point in denying the obvious. The dark circles under his eyes were becoming more noticeable, and his lethargy was being noticed by both his classmates and the staff at work. And even though he tried to give it his all during rehearsals, the change in his condition couldn’t go unnoticed. “I really haven’t been sleeping lately, but it’s not because of rehearsals.”
“Then what is it?” Yaotome immediately asked. His directness cut deeper than a bullet and left no room for maneuver.
“Well... It’s about Kujo-san,” Haruka admitted, embarrassed. Lately, that name was constantly associated with awkward and embarrassing situations. Perhaps that was why he felt his face flush again. Covering his mouth with his hand, Haruka continued in a trembling voice, “We met recently, and he said something... strange. I can’t tell if he was trying to make fun of me or...”
“Here comes the yokan!” Grandma announced, throwing open the kitchen door.
Haruka immediately fell silent. He’d never once complained about work or colleagues in front of her. Even when Kujo Takamasa had shown him the door, telling him to forget about his idol career, Haruka hadn’t mentioned it to Grandma. And he especially wasn’t about to do so now, because of some minor misunderstanding with Tenn.
“Isumi?” Yaotome asked, waiting for the conversation to continue.
“Ugh, never mind, forget it. We’ll discuss it next time.”
Yaotome merely sighed, puzzled.
The rest of the tea gathering proceeded calmly, though Haruka sensed their guest was uneasy about something. Even as they walked him to the car, Yaotome seemed lost in thought, and instead of saying goodbye, he simply said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything” — whatever that meant.
About twenty minutes had passed since his departure when a message arrived on Haruka’s phone. He assumed it was Yaotome, informing him he’d returned home safely. But upon seeing the sender’s name, Haruka gasped in surprise.
Kujo Tenn
[Isumi Haruka]
Kujo Tenn
[Why did Gaku just yell at me,
telling me to stop bullying you?]
Kujo Tenn
[I don’t quite understand]
Kujo Tenn
[But he says I said something so
rude to you that you covered
your mouth in horror and barely
held back tears while telling him
about it]
Kujo Tenn
[I really don’t remember that]
Kujo Tenn
[But if I did something to offend
you, let’s talk]
Haruka reread his messages over and over, trying to make sense of them. Yaotome had yelled at Kujo and accused him of bullying? But what made him think that? Could it be...?
Their recent conversation flashed through his mind. It seemed like Haruka had mentioned bullying earlier. So Yaotome misunderstood and thought Tenn was treating him badly? But that’s not the point at all!
“It’s a misunderstanding,” Haruka typed. But he wasn’t in a hurry to send the message.
Saying something like that would be tantamount to admitting his involvement. Kujo would surely demand details, and Haruka wasn’t ready to recount their conversation yet.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
No, that’s also wrong. If he pretends to have nothing to do with what happened, Yaotome might think Haruka is simply afraid to directly message Kujo about his grievances. And then their conflict will drag on even longer.
“Maybe we can discuss this tomo...”
But he never finished the message.
Kujo Tenn
[I see you’re having trouble
communicating via text]
Kujo Tenn
[Then it would be easier to talk
in person]
Kujo Tenn
[Gaku told me your address. I’ll
be there in 10 minutes]
Haruka pinched his cheek to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Kujo Tenn was going to come to him? Now?
No, no, no, he wasn’t ready to talk to him in person! Better by text. Exactly. Haruka could probably find the strength to explain everything through text if he tried, but definitely not face to face! Absolutely not! He had to stop this!
Isumi Haruka
[WAIT!]
Isumi Haruka
[No need to go anywhere!!!]
Isumi Haruka
[I’ll explain everything]
Isumi Haruka
[This is just a huge misunderstanding]
But there was no answer.
Isumi Haruka
[ Kujo-san?]
Isumi Haruka
[Why aren’t you answering?]
Isumi Haruka
[You haven’t gotten into the car
yet, have you?!]
The feeling of panic was growing, and Haruka didn’t even notice that he had dialed Tenn’s number. They talked on the phone even less often than they texted. In any other situation, he would have been nervous, but right now, only one thought occupied his mind: stopping Kujo.
The other end rang several times before Haruka heard a familiar voice.
“Yes?”
“Kujo-san, why don’t you read my messages?” he blurted out in despair.
“Ah, Isumi Haruka.” Something about the way Tenn said his name always gave Haruka a pleasant thrill. And he hated himself for it. “I saw you texting me after I got in the car, so I didn’t have time to reply.”
“Since you saw it, then come back. It’s late, so let’s talk in RabbitChat. I promise I’ll type quickly this time.”
“That’s not necessary. I’m already on my way anyway.”
Haruka cursed silently. Why was he so stubborn? Tenn clearly inherited Takamasa’s worst traits.
“But that’s just a waste of time. I thought you wanted to talk as quickly as possible.”
“True. But I’ve noticed something recently. Isumi-san, did you know that you’re much more honest when we talk face to face?” Haruka didn’t see, but he felt how Tenn was smiling with the same fox-like grin. “I don’t want any misunderstandings between us, so I think talking in person would be best. Unless, of course, you’re so angry with me that you don’t want to see me. Then I’ll turn the car around. So what?”
Kujo Tenn was definitely no angel — more like a cunning kitsune in human form. He knew perfectly well what Haruka would say, but he asked the question anyway, intending to tease him.
“I told you, it’s just a misunderstanding. I’m not angry at all.”
“Great. See you then?”
“Yeah. Be careful on the roads,” Haruka muttered. Soon, intermittent beeps came from the phone — Kujo hung up.
This was a complete failure. Devoid of any strength (or will to live), Haruka slowly sank into a chair. Kujo Tenn was on his way to him right now. He was getting closer to his home with each passing minute, and Haruka could do nothing to stop it.
He stared blankly ahead, trying to figure out how to proceed, and suddenly realized something terrifying: the place he was looking at was covered in dust. And not just there. His busy schedule hadn’t allowed him time to clean, and he didn’t want to bother his grandma, so the room had been a mess for the last couple of days.
If Kujo came to visit, they wouldn’t be able to talk in the kitchen, would they? Such things are best discussed in private, so Haruka would probably have to take him to his room. But…
The more he looked around, the more cluttered it seemed. Writing utensils were scattered all over the desk, a stack of textbooks lay on the floor, and headphones from his MP3 player rested right at Haruka’s feet. A perfectionist like Kujo would surely notice this the moment he stepped inside. This wouldn’t do!
Jumping up, Haruka began tidying up. However, it was definitely not quite proper cleaning. He merely tossed all the unnecessary things into the closet, wiped dust off the visible shelves, and swept the trash under the bed. He even had the crazy idea of ripping off the dinosaur stickers he’d stuck on the table and cabinet as a child. But they were too dear to his heart.
Haruka spent the rest of the time anxiously scanning the room, wondering what else Kujo’s discerning gaze might catch. That’s right — CDs! Among his small music collection, several album covers with the inscription “TRIGGER” caught his eye. He absolutely mustn’t let Kujo see those!
Haruka bought them a long time ago, even before he joined ŹOOĻ. After Kujo Takamasa told him that Tenn was superior to him in everything, he wanted to prove otherwise at any cost. With this in mind, Haruka listened to one of TRIGGER’s albums dozens of times, hoping to catch even one moment where their lead vocalist missed a note. To his disappointment, he found nothing. The same went for other albums as well. But even after that, Haruka didn’t give up. He began searching for live recordings, believing they’d be more likely to reveal mistakes. He rewatched every scene featuring Kujo several times, hoping to catch the moment when he’d lose his rhythm or forget his lyrics. The results were disappointing. Was it TRIGGER’s vaunted professionalism? Or was it the camera work, skillfully concealing any shortcomings in the performance? Haruka wanted to believe it was the latter. Perhaps that’s why, out of idle curiosity, he once bought a ticket to their concert, put on a mask and glasses — even though he was unknown at the time — and spent several hours surrounded by adoring fans, analyzing the performance.
Everything irritated him: the band, the fans shouting Kujo’s name, the music, and that whole place. And yet, Haruka stayed until the end. Not because he was having fun, but because he’d spent all his pocket money on the ticket and didn’t want to waste it.
Haruka shook his head. It was a thing of the past, anyway. He no longer hated Kujo or his band, nor looked for shortcomings in them or relistened to the CDs. Now, they sat on his shelf solely because they were worth money, and Haruka wasn’t in the habit throwing his money away. Perhaps he should have resold them, but he never found the chance. Maybe some other time.
When the stack of CDs disappeared under the pillow, Haruka felt a long-awaited satisfaction. Now everything was definitely in order. He was content right up until the moment the doorbell rang. Never before had the cheerful chime of the bell seemed so menacing. It was as if the angel of death himself had come for his soul.
“I-it’s for me. I’ll open the door,” Haruka shouted, running into the hallway.
Minami once taught him a proper breathing technique: inhale through your nose and breathe into your belly to calm down quickly. He said he had used this technique in the past when he was nervous before filming. This seemed like a good moment to try it out.
Haruka took a few deep breaths, clearing his mind of his troubling thoughts, then resolutely grabbed the handle and opened the door.
“Welcome back,” he blurted out the usual phrase he used to greet his grandma.
Kujo stood before him in casual clothes. He had pulled his medical mask down to his chin and was holding black-rimmed glasses in his hands, as if about to put them in his bag, but for some reason, he was in no hurry to do so, staring at Haruka with a surprised look. What was wrong? Did he think someone else would open the door for him? Well, there were only two people living in this house, so there weren’t many options. Or did Haruka have something on his face? It didn’t seem like he could have gotten anything dirty...
No, wait a minute. How did he just greet him?
“Wait, let’s do it again!” Haruka immediately exclaimed, slamming the door in the guest’s face.
“Welcome back”?! What “welcome back”? Kujo doesn’t even live here! He’s not family to be greeted like that. God, Haruka, you’re such an idiot! Even a bigger idiot than Izumi!
Unable to bear his own stupidity, he banged his head on the doorframe several times. And why did this happen in Kujo’s presence? If it had been ŹOOĻ, Utsugi-san, or even Ryo-san, he wouldn’t have felt so ashamed. From now on, Haruka would recall this shameful moment every night for the next ten years before sleeping and hate himself for it.
“Maybe I shouldn’t open the door at all — everything went wrong anyway,” he thought. But he couldn’t ignore Tenn Kujo, who came to him in the middle of the night to talk. Especially since Haruka’s actions were the reason for the visit.
Taking another deep breath — and realizing it wasn’t helping at all — he opened the door again.
“Welcome,” Haruka said dryly.
Tenn no longer looked surprised; judging by the way his lips were pressed together and his shoulders shook, he was probably holding back a laugh.
“I’m home,” he greeted playfully, stepping inside and taking off his shoes, then pretending to cover his mouth with his hand. “Oh, I mean, I apologize for the intrusion.”
Of course, Kujo didn’t even think about pretending that nothing had happened.
“Haru-chan, would you introduce your guest?” Grandma asked, peeking around the corner.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kujo Tenn, Isumi-san’s colleague,” he said, bowing.
He was polite and used his most charming smile. Of course, this couldn’t help but impress Grandma, who, judging by her admiring look, had already mentally declared Kujo a very pleasant and well-mannered young man. What a sycophant!
“Oh, what a familiar name,” she sighed thoughtfully. “Haru-chan, isn’t that the one from the cover…”
“Ba-chan, Kujo-san came to discuss something, so we’ll go to my room, okay?” Haruka smiled nervously, interrupting her. “And don’t worry, he’s only here for a couple of minutes, so we don’t need anything. You better go get some rest.”
Haruka braced his hands on Tenn’s back and began to nudge him toward his room. Fortunately, Tenn didn’t resist, and soon they were finally alone.
Only after slamming the door behind him was Haruka able to catch his breath and process everything that had happened. He just forcefully dragged Kujo Tenn into his room. And Tenn looked so stunned by this that he didn’t say a word the entire time. He wouldn’t think this was another kidnapping attempt, would he?
“Um. I thought it would be better to talk about the situation with Yaotome-san here,” Haruka belatedly explained the reason for his actions. Kujo gave him a skeptical glance over his shoulder in response. He doesn’t suspect anything, right?
“Isumi-san, your hands...”
Haruka sighed in surprise and followed his gaze, only then realizing he was still braced against Tenn’s back.
“S-sorry!” He immediately jumped back two steps, raising his hands as if Kujo’s gaze could put a bullet in him. “Um, you can sit wherever you’re comfortable... Ah, but not on the bed!”
Oh yes, well said, Haruka. You forgot to add “and don’t look under the pillow!” — to avoid raising suspicion.
Fortunately, despite all his strange behavior, Tenn didn’t seem inclined to interrogate him. He merely shrugged indifferently and took the swivel chair. Haruka settled onto the bed himself, deciding to pretend it was his favorite spot, one he was loath to give up.
“So, what were you talking about with Gaku?” Tenn finally spoke, tilting his head questioningly. A long lock of his hair swayed amusingly.
“Ah, right,” Haruka cleared his throat before continuing. “As I said, there was a misunderstanding. I didn’t say you were rude to me. And I didn’t cry! Yaotome-san simply misinterpreted everything.”
“If so, why did he even think I was bullying you?” Tenn wondered.
“Well...” Haruka hesitated. He’d offered his first explanation with great confidence but hadn’t thought through the rest of the dialogue at all. And, as luck would have it, now came the hardest part of his confession. “Perhaps, during our conversation, I did say that you were making fun of me...”
“Huh?”
“But I was talking about you teasing me sometimes. I wasn’t talking about humiliation or insults,” Haruka immediately explained, waving his arms in panic.
“So, you were going to complain to Gaku that I was teasing you,” Tenn concluded. He acted calmly, but it seemed to have hurt him a little.
“N-no, actually... it was just a pretext to ask Yaotome-san why you treat me like that. You’re close, so I thought he might know.”
It’s so awkward to talk about this face to face.
“Do I treat you any differently than I treat others?”
“Oh, don’t pretend you don’t understand. One moment you’re cold, the next you’re suddenly friendly and teasing — I always have to guess what mood you’ll be in today. But it’s difficult because sometimes it changes completely during the conversation. And yes, that’s only with me. You’ve been spoiling Nanase lately, you’re grumpy with Yaotome and Tsunashi but still nice, and you’re even friendly with Toma. We’re in the same group, but the difference in attitude is obvious!” Haruka blurted out. Actually, he didn’t mean to raise his voice. And he didn’t want his words to sound like a complaint, since Kujo owed him nothing. But in that moment, all the accumulated grievances inside him came to a head, and the words flew out faster than he could think.
“I’m polite to Inumaru Toma because I’m grateful that he’s looking after Riku,” Tenn explained almost matter-of-factly.
“So, if I want to improve our relationship, I should start taking care of your brother too?” Haruka asked, surprised. Was the solution really so obvious all this time? He didn’t really have anything against Nanase. He was a bit frivolous but also very friendly and kind — pure charm (unlike his older brother). Starting a relationship with him wouldn’t be difficult. But... “Well, at least I could write to him more often and check on his health. But I wouldn’t want to be in touch with Nanase just to get along with you. That wouldn’t be fair to him, would it?”
Haruka muttered the last words under his breath and wasn’t sure Tenn had even heard them. However, when he looked up, he saw a familiar playful glint in Kujo’s eyes. He covered his mouth with his hand, but even that didn’t help, and soon he burst into hearty laughter. It seemed like the first time Haruka had ever heard him laugh out loud.
“D-do you seriously think I’d make you be friends with Riku just so I’d let you hang out with me?” Tenn asked, wiping away the tears that were welling up in his eyes. He seemed to find this very amusing. But Haruka, on the contrary, felt gloomier than a cloud.
“What was I supposed to think? Everyone knows how attached you are to Nanase. Doesn’t it make sense that you’d want your friends to get along with him, too?”
“Friends?” Tenn repeated with a sly smile. There he goes again, clinging to words.
“Or acquaintances,” Haruka immediately corrected himself.
“Acquaintances,” Kujo said slowly, as if tasting the word. He stared at Haruka, and the intensity of his gaze made Haruka want to curl up and hide under the blanket. “Well, if you’re going to such lengths to be my acquaintance, it’s only fair that I reciprocate, right?”
This sudden friendliness again. This was far from the first time Haruka had encountered it, but he still didn’t know how to react.
“I guess so...” he replied, confused.
“Then let me start by answering the question you wanted to ask Gaku. Hearing an explanation from me would be better than from someone else, wouldn’t it?”
Haruka nodded hesitantly. This wasn’t a joke? Was Tenn really going to tell him everything? He was both happy and worried. On the one hand, Kujo didn’t seem like the type to lie about such things, so he finally had a chance to find out the truth. On the other hand, what if this truth doesn’t make him happy? In that case, maybe it would have been better not to know it at all?
“Well, where should I start? Come to think of it, you’re right. I really am more demanding of you than of others. When you make mistakes, for some reason, it upsets me.” His voice was distant and indifferent, which made Haruka even more nervous. “I suppose it’s because we both studied under Kujo-san. Because of that, I keep inadvertently comparing us. I see you as a rival, and so I think you shouldn’t lag behind me in anything.”
“A rival?” Haruka was surprised. He didn’t expect Tenn to say something like that without irony. “Kujo kicked me out, telling me I’d never amount to anything and could never compare to you. What’s the point of competing if you’ve already won?”
“Won, really? It’s true that Kujo-san chose me, but I’m not sure that counts as a victory. After all, even though we took different paths, look where we both ended up.”
“In my room?” Haruka raised an eyebrow skeptically.
“On stage,” Tenn explained wearily. His tone seemed to suggest, ‘Focus, Isumi.’ “You were rejected and told to stop trying, but look at yourself. You’re an idol now, performing with your own group, participating in numerous projects, and competing with other performers for the title of the best. Just like me, you took part in the last ‘Black or White’ and were one step away from winning. You might not have been good enough in Kujo-san’s opinion, but I disagree.”
Haruka’s eyes widened, and a pleasant warmth spread through his chest. So this isn’t a joke? Kujo Tenn truly saw him as an equal and considered him a rival. There was no better answer to his question. It was hard to sit still after hearing this. With a satisfied smile, he began to fidget on the bed, unable to contain his emotions.
“I see you’re happy,” Tenn noted the change in his demeanor.
“Just a little, maybe. I already know I’m good, actually,” Haruka replied proudly.
“I see,” Kujo said thoughtfully. “Then I’ll have to try harder to surprise you. Oh, right, maybe I should tell you about this…”
“About what?”
“But on the other hand, it’s so awkward. I’m not even sure...” Tenn continued to prevaricate.
“About what, Kujo-san?”
“So you want to know? But if I tell this to a member of another group, won’t it tarnish my reputation?” The corners of his lips curled up slightly, but Haruka didn’t care anymore. Even if it all boiled down to another embarrassing joke, the opportunity to learn Kujo Tenn’s secrets didn’t come every day. He simply couldn’t pass it up.
“I promise not to tell anyone!”
“Really? But I’m still nervous,” he sighed, feigning concern. “Oh, right! Maybe we can arrange a trade? I’ll tell you what I wanted to say, and in return, you answer my question.”
“I won’t reveal Torao, Toma, and Minami’s secrets to you,” Haruka warned. Kujo merely chuckled.
“Fine, I won’t ask about them.”
Haruka impatiently moved closer, settled cross-legged on the bed, and prepared to hang on every word. He was in great anticipation and even held his breath when Tenn spoke again.
“I still haven’t explained why I keep teasing you. The thing is, over so many years of training, Kujo-san instilled in me his perfectionism. Because of this, I strive to be perfect in everything and don’t allow myself to go overboard if I know it might upset the fans. But you, Isumi Haruka, are completely different. Even studying under him, you managed to maintain your individuality, and therefore, unlike me, you allow yourself to be much more emotional. Looking at you, I see someone I once forbade myself to be. And, every time you react amusingly to my teasing, I feel like some part of my past self comes to life. It makes me both happy and sad. I think I even envy you.
Haruka tilted his head to the side. This wasn’t auditory hallucinations, a dream, or a prank, was it? Did he really just say he envied him? The guy Haruka always compared himself to, the guy he felt so worthless against — did he actually look at Haruka like that?
He just couldn’t help but smile.
Kujo Tenn envied him!
Haruka was ready to take back everything he’d said: this was the best day of his life! Even the end of the world couldn’t spoil this moment. He felt like no concert had ever made his heart pound with such delight.
“Does your silence mean I managed to surprise you?” Tenn asked.
“Yes. I’m very happy,” Haruka admitted with a satisfied smile. He was brimming with energy again. And if it hadn’t been Kujo himself standing in front of him, he would have hung onto his neck with joy.
“How honest,” Tenn chuckled. He stood up from his chair and covered the distance between them in a few steps, bending over Haruka. “Well, now it’s my turn to ask.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, and a small smile still played on his lips. Kujo’s gaze seemed simultaneously soft and insistent.
It seemed that the moment of reckoning for revealing his secrets had finally arrived.
“Oh, yes, of course.”
Tenn chuckled with satisfaction and sank onto the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed opposite the pillow, so the dirty secret hidden beneath it was still out of reach. And yet, Haruka still felt nervous, realizing how close Kujo was to him. So close that he could see his reflection in those fuchsia eyes. And that was so… exciting?
“I think it would be fair to ask the same question I answered. Isumi Haruka, how do you feel about me?”
How necessary was it to ask that, sitting so close together? If Kujo wanted to embarrass him, he didn’t need to try so hard; Haruka would have panicked anyway, but this only made the situation more of a stalemate.
They were all alone in his room, sitting on the bed, and — he wasn’t exactly sure — but it seemed like their fingertips were touching. Tenn probably didn’t even notice. Haruka, however, noticed right away, but he didn’t rush to check, afraid that Kujo would remove his hand. After all, there was nothing wrong with them sitting like that for a while, right?
“I used to think I hated you,” he began hesitantly, sensing the growing tension in the room. “But now I realize that’s not entirely true. It was more like hatred for the image of Kujo Tenn I created myself. Now, things are different. I know you work hard and always give your all to please your fans. And I kind of admire that. Almost always.”
“Almost always?” Tenn asked, hurt. It seemed this slip of the tongue had hurt his professional pride.
“Well, to be honest, sometimes you go a bit overboard with your perfect stage persona. You shine so brightly it’s almost blinding. And it’s so irritating, I almost want to punch you,” Haruka muttered. He was sure he wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Kujo sometimes got carried away and delved too deeply into his character, making it difficult to tell where the illusion for the audience ended and the real person began. This was another reason Haruka didn’t know how to get along with him. It was hard to tell when Tenn was being kind for the sake of a good picture and when he was being sincere.
“Punch me? Isumi Haruka, I didn’t know you could be so cruel,” Kujo smiled provocatively.
And why did he keep twisting Haruka’s words?!
“I wouldn’t punch you! It’s just a figure of speech!” Haruka protested. “And what normal person would ask such a question with a smile? Kujo Tenn, are you a masochist?”
Tenn paused suspiciously long before answering, even making Haruka feel like he’d touched a sore spot. But soon Kujo returned to his previous demeanor.
“Considering how long I’ve been torturing myself with anticipation, perhaps that’s true.”
“Anticipation?”
“Yeah, I’m still waiting for a certain someone to finally notice my sympathy,” Tenn admitted with a chuckle.
Haruka winced at what he heard. He hadn’t misheard, had he? Sympathy? How was that possible? Of course, Kujo is also human, and there’s nothing strange in the fact that he could like someone, but... oh.
The sudden realization that their fingers were still touching caused a palpable pang of guilt. Perhaps he should have stopped it to avoid misunderstandings.
The blanket they were sitting on rustled softly as Haruka tried to move his hand, but the other’s grip on his wrist prevented him from doing so.
“I didn’t finish,” Tenn warned in a casual voice, as if he was about to talk about the weather. “The problem is, this person doesn’t take hints at all. And they also seem to have no idea how flirting works. Can you imagine? They recently accidentally got a happy ending with the wrong character in a game because they were sure that a few harsh words would scare him off.” Haruka’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t dare look at Kujo, but he could feel his skin being stared at. Was this some kind of prank? “By the way, did you know that there are people who become even more charming when they’re angry or trying to argue with you? They didn’t seem to know that. That’s why they didn’t realize their actions were only further provoking this character’s affection. Isn’t that sweet? They’re completely unaware of their own charm. I was so touched by it that I indirectly confessed my feelings to them, but I don’t think they understood. That’s why I have a question for you.” Tenn moved closer and leaned towards his ear to whisper softly. “Have I hinted clearly enough now, Isumi Haruka?”
He definitely wasn’t ready for such revelations. With a desperate groan, Haruka drew up his legs and buried his flushed face in his knees. If this was a dream, it was time to wake up and not give him false hope.
“Apparently that’s enough,” Kujo concluded. He seemed annoyingly calm for the man who had just dropped the bombshell of a sudden confession on Haruka. “Should I leave you alone?”
“No need,” he muttered dully, squeezing his knees tighter.
Haruka hadn’t intended to throw him out. Sure, he was embarrassed, but he didn’t run away or even try to hide under the bed from Tenn’s piercing gaze. It was a very mature and restrained reaction. So everything was fine. He just needed a little time to get himself together — a few minutes... or hours. Not much, considering the situation.
“And yet I’m worried. Are you that embarrassed by my confession?” Kujo purred, clearly pleased with his work. What a person! Surely he knew he was only making things worse. Why couldn’t he just sit there patiently and remain silent while Haruka sorted out his feelings?!
“It was too unexpected!” Haruka protested. Of course, even with advance warning, he probably wouldn’t have been able to react calmly. He’d probably only have panicked more. But that didn’t excuse Tenn!
“I’ve been hinting at you for a whole year,” Kujo retorted. Sure, go ahead, end Haruka with unexpected facts so he’ll spend the next several nights trying to figure out all the hints he might have overlooked. “You’re not planning on sitting like this all night, are you?”
Haruka merely shrugged meaningfully. In fact, the position was quite comfortable. Tenn’s smug expression was hidden from view, and he, in turn, couldn’t see Haruka’s face. Perfect.
“Come on, Isumi Haruka, look at me,” Kujo called out more affectionately.
Easier said than done. Tenn himself might not have realized it, but for Haruka, this was his first confession. Sure, fans had shouted their love for him many times during his performances, but it was nothing like a famous idol whispering in your ear in private that he likes you! So he wasn’t sure how to react or what to say. What if he blurted out something inappropriate or looked at Kujo the wrong way and hurt his feelings? On the other hand, remaining silent and ignoring Tenn was also rude. How confusing it all was! Maybe he should have been more accommodating to Tenn and done what he was asking — just so Tenn wouldn’t get the wrong idea that Haruka didn’t want to communicate.
With great effort, he finally pulled himself up from his knees and looked at Kujo. Okay, it wasn’t that bad. After all, no matter what he did, Haruka wouldn’t turn any redder.
“Still as obedient,” Tenn smiled, clearly pleased with his success, then frowned in puzzlement. “Wait, your bangs are sticking out.”
He reached forward, lightly brushing his fingers against Haruka’s mint-colored hair. Haruka held his breath but still bowed his head obediently, allowing him to fix it. He felt almost no awkwardness; it even felt a little pleasant — as if his head were being stroked.
Maybe it was time to do it now, right? This moment of calm seemed more appropriate for what he was about to say than all the previous awkward scenes, so…
“I… like you too,” Haruka said, barely audible. Oh god, he actually said it! And he didn’t even run away right after confessing. Perhaps Torao’s unsolicited love tips had paid off after all.
The hand that had been trying to tidy his hair suddenly froze. Raising his head, Haruka met Tenn’s surprised gaze and asked, puzzled, “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s just... why so suddenly? You were embarrassed a minute ago, and now...” Tenn covered his mouth in surprise and looked away. What was wrong with him?
“Kujo-san, are you blushing?” Haruka asked in surprise. His cheeks had indeed changed color. What a rare sight!
“Really? Maybe because it’s a bit hot here,” Tenn replied vaguely. Wow, he’s even worse at making excuses than Haruka.
“Oh, really?”
An unexpected, insidious thought entered his mind: what if this is a chance to get even? He could finally pay Kujo back in kind. This was definitely an opportunity he shouldn’t miss.
Moving closer, Haruka asked with a sly smile, “The sudden confession is embarrassing, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s...” Tenn tried to explain but couldn’t find the words. So he, too, was capable of being confused — how many unexpected and pleasant discoveries in one day.
“Should I leave you alone now?” Haruka continued to press, closing the distance between them. He was pleased to see Tenn lean back under his pressure.
“Isumi...”
“What’s the matter?” he asked, narrowing his eyes slyly. “Not so cool anym— mpf.”
At that moment, Haruka’s smile vanished, and his mind went blank. He seemed to have forgotten everything, including his own name. In an instant, Tenn closed the gap between them and pressed his lips to Haruka’s.
Haruka’s eyes widened in surprise, and his arms hung limply at his sides. He hesitated to take another breath, as if afraid to disturb the moment. Kujo Tenn had just shut him up with a kiss. It felt like a scene from a silly romance movie — or a game. Except it was all happening for real. To him.
His cheeks flushed with renewed intensity, and his heart pounded wildly. Haruka felt Tenn’s thumb gently tracing his face. It seemed that if he’d reacted so violently to a simple confession, this kiss should have finished him. However, instead of the expected panic, Haruka felt a strange calm — as if he’d received long-awaited confirmation that this wasn’t a dream or a figment of his own delusion. Tenn truly liked him, and that gave him confidence.
Maybe he could finally allow himself to relax. Just this once.
Haruka closed his eyes and leaned forward, deepening the kiss. His arms wrapped around Tenn’s neck, fingers tangling in his hair. It was just as soft as he’d imagined — like angel feathers.
He didn’t notice his head sinking back onto the pillow. The image of Tenn looming over him blurred, along with his consciousness. Memories from the TRIGGER concert flashed before his eyes. Haruka remembered the crowd of fans with pink light sticks, shouting Kujo’s name. At that moment, it seemed they would do anything to get a modicum of his attention: a single gesture, a fleeting glance. Now, Tenn Kujo’s attention belonged entirely to him, and it felt damn good.
If a moralist like Toma had been nearby, he’d probably have said that competing with Tenn’s fans like this was childish and stupid. And Haruka might even have agreed with him. However, he was sure that if any of the fans were in his place, they would act exactly the same. But despite all Kujo’s love for his fans, they weren’t here right now. But he was. 1:0 in his favor.
Moreover, like everyone else in ŹOOĻ, Haruka was an egoist whose main rule was to do what he wanted. He always strived to be important to someone — Kujo Takamasa, Grandma, his group members, Utsugi-san, Ryo-san, and his fans. Haruka craved to hear the crowd chant his name, strove to receive praise for his achievements, and really, really wanted to be special to someone. And next to Tenn, he truly did feel that way. Not because he was a TRIGGER center or a modern-day angel, but because he was Kujo Tenn. A person with similar experiences but a completely different worldview. Someone he had hated and admired for a long time. Haruka was drawn to Tenn, despite all their differences and quarrels, and Tenn reciprocated. It made him truly happy.
Soon, Kujo broke the kiss, giving Haruka a chance to catch his breath. He was in no hurry to move away and continued to stare at him with a captivated gaze, as if playing a staring contest. Haruka knew there was no way he could emerge victorious, so he decided to act preemptively.
“Um, can I get up?” he asked.
“Oh, sure,” Tenn replied, as if waking from a dream. He quickly moved away, giving Haruka space, and Haruka felt both regret and gratitude for his promptness.
Leaning against the mattress, he tried to sit up when he suddenly heard a dull thud somewhere nearby. Haruka’s bleary gaze shifted to the source of the sound, and his heart sank: the CD case was lying on the floor next to the bed.
Never before had he acted so decisively. Instantly coming to his senses, Haruka bent down and shoved it under the bed with one confident movement, then sat up straight and smiled, pretending nothing had happened. It all happened so quickly that an untrained eye would hardly have noticed anything. At least, that’s what he hoped.
“Was that a TRIGGER CD?” Tenn asked, surprised.
Well, it seemed Haruka overestimated the speed of his reactions.
“W-what makes you think that?” He made a feeble attempt at justification. Somewhere in his heart, he still hoped that Kujo hadn’t noticed anything and was just guessing blindly.
“Our faces were on the case.”
Damn it!
“Really? I wonder where it came from?”
Tenn raised his eyebrows questioningly and nodded toward the pillow, from under which several more plastic cases protruded. This is pure mockery! Haruka couldn’t understand which god he’d angered enough to be punished like this. Hasn’t he suffered enough today?
“Isumi Haruka, are you my fan?” Tenn asked, squinting slyly. He seemed even more self-assured than before.
“Why do you jump to such conclusions? You’re not the only one in your group,” Haruka reminded him, unwilling to back down.
Kujo merely smiled, reaching out to touch his face again.
“Whose, then? Ryu’s?” He clarified, slowly tucking a strand of Haruka’s hair behind his ear. “He has a sexy stage persona, but in real life, he’s naive and kind. I guess there really is something appealing about that.” His fingers traced the contours of Haruka’s jaw, stopping at his chin.
“I don’t think of Tsunashi-san that way!” he protested, trying to ignore the obvious provocations.
“Then Gaku?” Tenn continued guessing, raising Haruka’s face higher and urging him to look into his eyes. “You like the straightforward and shameless type?”
“I never said that!”
“Really?” Tenn was surprised. “But then it’s just me,” he concluded smugly. He let go of Haruka’s chin, and Haruka groaned wearily, covering his face with his hands. Whatever, let him think what he wants. Haruka won’t make excuses anymore; it’s pointless anyway. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m flattered. You know, Isumi Haruka, I’m a big fan of yours too.”
“Oh, really?” Haruka asked incredulously, peeking through his fingers.
“Of course. You have a wonderful voice. I even bought several ŹOOĻ CDs so I could listen to your songs again.”
Just recently, Haruka would have thought this was another attempt to make fun of him, but now he had his doubts. Tenn had no real reason to deceive him. And given his recent declaration of feelings, it was even logical that he would buy something like this.
Now, knowing this, Haruka would hardly be able to remain calm during the next studio recording. He’d be constantly thinking about how this song might fall into Kujo’s hands at any moment, and he’d listen to it. After that, Haruka would definitely rehearse until he was blue in the face before recording. Great — now he, too, had become infected with perfectionism.
“Speaking of CDs, how many more are there? Three?” Tenn asked. His hand reached unobtrusively toward the pillow, testing his guess.
Haruka’s whole life flashed before his eyes at that moment. No, Kujo definitely didn’t need to know that. He had to protect the smoldering remnants of his pride at all costs!
Like a superhero from Torao’s favorite movie, Haruka dashed forward, shielding the innocent pillow from the villain. When Tenn looked at him in bewilderment, Haruka muttered through clenched teeth, “None of your business.”
“You mean five?” Kujo persisted. He tried to approach from the other side, but Haruka stopped him again, collapsing onto the pillow with all his weight. He prayed that the cases would hold up and protect the fragile CDs from damage. Even though Haruka hadn’t listened to them for a long time, he still didn’t want to break them.
“I won’t say!”
Realizing that Haruka would definitely not give in to him on this issue, Tenn sighed in disappointment. That’s right — sometimes it’s worth learning to admit defeat. It’s an indispensable skill for an idol.
“Then I’ll think it’s twenty,” he concluded with an innocent smile.
What?!
“I couldn’t hide that many CDs under my pillow!” Haruka rightly remarked. He knew he’d hardly be able to reach Tenn’s common sense, but he kept trying anyway.
“You must have talent,” Tenn shrugged.
“You’re simply...” Haruka clenched his fists, unable to find the words. Insufferable? Terrible? All of it seemed to align perfectly, yet it still didn’t quite convey what he truly wanted to say. Finally, giving in, Haruka let out an irritated sigh and changed the subject. “Kujo Tenn, shouldn’t you be going home?”
Kujo gasped in surprise, as if he’d completely forgotten about it. He immediately reached for his phone to check the time.
“It’s really quite late,” Tenn confirmed, swiping his finger across the screen. His playful demeanor vanished, and his expression turned serious. “Oh, Gaku texted. He’s asking what we’re doing and if we’ve gotten into a fight. What should I say?”
Haruka frowned. Why did Kujo even ask him about this? They are friends with Yaotome, so let him write whatever he wants.
“How should I know? Think of something yourself. I’ll call you a taxi in the meantime,” he replied, seizing the opportunity to finally get Tenn out of his house.
Taking out his phone, Haruka quickly opened the taxi app he’d downloaded at Izumi’s insistence. Izumi argued that they couldn’t rely on managers to take them anywhere at any time, so he suggested that Haruka and Yotsuba install the app just in case. However, Haruka never got a chance to use it. Even when Utsugi-san got a flat tire right on the way to an important shoot, the manager didn’t let him call a taxi, assuring him that there was nothing to worry about and that they would arrive on time. Haruka had never seen anyone change a tire so quickly. It took no more than ten minutes, and they were on their way. At times, he forgot that behind their manager’s relaxed smile lurked a true professional. How could he demonstrate independence with someone like that?
Haruka began to feel angry at the unpleasant memories but quickly recovered. Now was not the time to be upset with Utsugi-san for a job well done. Having chosen the nearest car, he checked the arrival time and placed an order. Just as Izumi had claimed, it was quite simple. Haruka even felt a little proud of himself.
And only when the car was finally ordered a belated question arise in his mind: how exactly would Tenn explain to Yaotome what they were doing?
“J-just don’t even think about telling the truth!” He warned, noticing Kujo already typing a message. If Yaotome found out everything that had happened today, Haruka wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye anymore. That would be a huge problem, considering they were working together on the play.
“Which one?” Tenn clarified mockingly.
“You know what I mean,” Haruka insisted. Kujo saw him as an idiot if he thought Haruka would explain something like that. No way! Never in a million years!
“You mean the kiss?” he suggested.
That single word was enough for Haruka to feel his cheeks flush again. Just how? How could he be so straightforward? Studying abroad clearly did not do Tenn any good; all the modesty and sense of shame inherent in the Japanese had evaporated from him. It was simply awful!
“Y-you didn’t have to say it out loud,” Haruka remarked, hiding his face in his hands. What an unbearably long and exhausting day.
“You turn out to be so innocent.” He couldn’t see Tenn’s face, but he assumed he was smiling. His voice was far too pleased. “I’m even ashamed now. Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility for everything I’ve done.”
“Kujo Tenn!”
“Keep quiet, or if you shout, your grandma will think we’re arguing,” Tenn warned. How timely he’d remembered there was another person in the house — just when it had become advantageous for him.
“You’re simply insufferable!” Haruka concluded, irritated. He clearly didn’t want to continue this conversation any longer, so he tried to change the subject again. “The car will be here in a couple of minutes. I’ll see you out.”
Haruka sluggishly walked to the door and opened it. He was relieved to see Tenn not resisting and obediently stepping out into the hallway. Apparently, Kujo had finally decided to take pity or had simply run out of provocations for the day. Either way, there was no reason to complain.
Reaching the front door, Tenn quickly put on his shoes, crossed his arms, and leaned against one of the walls while waiting for a taxi. Even without cameras, he always struck a pose that was perfect for photographs. What a show-off!
And yet, there was something else about this pose that felt new and unusual. Perhaps it was his casual clothes, the calm, soft gaze directed out the window, or his hair, which, thanks to Haruka, now looked a little unkempt, but Kujo no longer seemed so distant and unattainable as before. And Haruka liked that persona of his much more. He even found himself inadvertently admiring it.
“Something wrong?” Tenn asked, noticing his gaze.
“Oh, no, nothing,” Haruka said quickly, trying to look anywhere but at Tenn. He lowered his head sheepishly, pretending to check the taxi app. On the screen, an animated black car was slowly approaching his house.
Way too fast...
“The car’s already here,” Haruka warned.
“Then I’ll be heading out,” Tenn nodded, taking his glasses and mask out of his bag. But before he put them on, he turned to Haruka with a suspicious smile. It didn’t bode well. “Oh, I almost forgot. Isumi-san, you know, I once told Riku that I’m in love with my fans. And now, after everything that happened, I want to say... I’m glad you’re one of them.” He closed his eyes and, not giving Haruka time to maneuver, quickly kissed him again.
“KU...!” Haruka wanted to protest, no longer caring what his grandma would think of their relationship. But before he could get a word in, Kujo pressed his finger to his lips with a quiet “shhh”, and, while a confused Haruka was processing the information that had suddenly fallen on him, he quickly put on his mask and glasses, opened the door, and ran down the steps to the approaching car.
Haruka watched as the taxi turned the corner in the light of the streetlights and disappeared into the darkness. It was chilly outside, but even the night breeze couldn’t cool his cheeks, flushed with embarrassment. For some time, he looked at the lonely street and still could not decide whether this had been the best day of his life or the worst.