Chapter Text
For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, her lungs burning from exertion. Her arms remained raised high in her ending pose, freezing in her spot to truly create a moment with the audience. Right here, right now, she will be leaving to start something that other idols like her barely ever get to do.
Traveling overseas, for a music tour no less, as a pop idol is still uncommon, even with the rise of Japanese music in recent years. Even among the bigger hits, companies and agencies are still tentative on letting their stars sing for a new audience. Her own company was speculative over it; hell, they still might be. She’s currently a rising star with a wide fanbase; a single idol who’s only growing more in popularity. She’s been invited to variety shows, has had countless photoshoots with big brands, and now is able to be picky with those who ask to interview her. Even with all these qualifications, she was still debated over whether or not she should leave Japan for a tour. But when she entered the picture, only then did her company seem to sway.
“Heh... I think there’s more pink light sticks in the crowd than brown ones.” A cheeky voice whispers to her, covering her mic piece. Just the sound of her breathy voice puts her on edge. “Looks like you have to step up your game, Enanan~”
At that, time seemed to resume. The sound of roaring applause rushes back to her. as colored glowsticks wave around back and forth. Coming down from her high is almost dizzying.
Ena has to bite her tongue hard to hold back the scowl and retort that sits in her throat. This is who she has to deal with for the next supposed year. This... this stupid, cocky, pink-headed ditzy idiot that never fails to snark and tease her at every moment. Even under the harsh spotlights where anyone could clearly see them – whether on camera or on stage – doesn’t deter Mizuki from attempting to tease her.
One year of Akiyama Mizuki doesn’t sound so bad on paper, right? The two of them are only mandated to meet for rehearsals, concerts, and other planned events like meet-and-greets and such. Following that schedule, the two of them shouldn’t even glance at each other outside of that. But when you start digging deeper into what just those two things entail, you’ll realize that you’re only at the very tip of the iceberg. Just their dance and singing rehearsals are typically a six hour minimum, and that’s on a good day. Their dance rehearsals are going to be daily, save for the dress rehearsals that are embedded in between them. Dress and stage rehearsals, too, always take the longest time as everyone sets up the stage for the two of them. It's easily 18 hours just to get everything ready.
In just one year, she would have seen this idiot more times than the family she’s lived with for 18 years. It’s ridiculous.
When Mizuki finally relaxes from their previously held pose, she gives the crowd a charming smile and waves to them all. “Everyone!! Thank you for coming out tonight! Me and Ena-chan really appreciate the support for going overseas!” The way she moves can only be described as a child who’s full of sugar; bouncing on the balls of her feet and swaying from side to side constantly. It’s a wonder where she even gets so much energy. Even Ena who’s a trained idol herself is taking a few moments to catch her breath.
“It’s because of your support that we’re even able to go so far and sing to so many people!! We’re so thankful to you all!” Ena cheers, putting on a wide grin for the crowd. The applause returns, almost doubling in volume compared to before. The sharp clapping that echoes throughout the hall is exhilarating; a sound Ena can’t ever get enough of. It’s a reminder that people paid to see them; paid to see Ena. She’s currently too far in her career to ever even think of putting on the brakes, not with so many people wanting her to keep going. The thought that she could reach even more people with her tour makes her exhilarated for what will come.
At the thought of the long traveling she will soon be doing, her mind starts to wander. Specifically about the bright-eyed girl next to her.
Just a few months ago, the closest she had come to the girl was on a poster hung in the street. She wasn’t exactly interested in coming any closer back then. It would be a lie to say that she is any more interested in being this close to her now.
~~~
“Listen to me. Two bright stars, their faces shining on every second screen in the big cities all around the world. Hear that? Not just Japan. Everywhere.” Ena’s manager was dramatically throwing hands all over the place, giving depth to his words, making them sink under the young idol’s skin.
She just continued to sit on her couch, bored. It was eating her alive, the fact that oh so suddenly it wasn’t a problem to put her on the big stage.
‘What does she have that I don’t?’ The thought kept running around her head, no matter how much she tried to shush it down.
“Come on. You wanted this, right? We’re giving you the chance. Once-in-a-lifetime sort of chance! If you don’t sign this, someone else surely will. And then, it won’t be your face on those posters and screens.”
He didn’t say it, but she understood anyway: If she doesn’t accept to tour with Akiyama Mizuki, her chances of leaving Japan are back to zero. This was her only chance, and as much as she wanted to argue, she just grabbed a pen.
‘One year. I can manage that.’
.
.
.
‘Good lord. I don’t know how I’m going to manage this.’ That was her first thought at the sight of said pink haired girl. A few weeks after the paperwork was sealed, they met for a teambuilding training, as Ena’s manager had called it.
Mizuki was sitting next to her, in a reserved private room, sipping from her cup of hot chocolate. “Why so grumpy, miss Enanananana-“
“I’m not grumpy!” She shut the girl up before she could turn her name into a 3-minute long song.
“You don’t look nearly as happy as any of my fans who had the chance to meet me.”
“Maybe because I’m not a fan?”
The younger idol glared at her, her eyes bearing both teasing and investigating looks. “Well you had asked me to join you on this tour so I think it’s safe to assume you’re a fan of mine!”
Ena almost choked on her cheesecake. “I certainly did not invite you. The offer came from your side, so from my point of view it’s more like you wanted to get on a stage with me. But that’s okay, maybe you will learn to be a better idol after a year spent with me.”
Although Mizuki had started her idol career later than Ena, she rose in popularity very fast. Faster than the brunette. They were rivals on the billboard charts, constantly fighting over the #1 spot, and as it was starting to become very obvious, they would be rivals even when standing on the same stage.
“Wow, learning from the elderly.” With one sentence, she took the power back to her side. That much to Ena’s effort of asserting dominance. Just how annoying and cheeky is this girl?!
The door opened and a dance coach walked into the room. Clapping her hands, she forced the girls to turn their attention to her. “So, who’s ready for a party?”
The grin on Mizuki’s face upon hearing those words could be described in many ways. To Ena, the most fitting adjectives would be annoying, stupid and dangerous.
As they put away their coats, the pink haired girl winked at her, her lips whispering words that were too silent for anyone to catch.
“Try to keep up, Enanan~”
Annoying, stupid, and dangerous. Those three words floated around in her head as Mizuki bounced ahead, eager to learn from their choreographer. She’s not going to take this lying down. She can’t let herself slow down, not even for a second. While her and Mizuki are close in popularity and appeal to their own demographics, at the end of the day, it’s that idiot who always manages to stomp her right out of #1.
As insufferable as this girl might be, Ena is willing to put all of that aside – even her own pride – if that means absorbing everything Mizuki has to offer. Her skill, her charm, even the way she poses for the camera; Ena is going to take it all and do it better. Every missed opportunity designed for Mizuki will be hers. That is why she’ll take Mizuki’s little remarks for now. She’ll dig her nails into her palms and swallow her retorts. She’ll lose a few battles if it means winning a war.
Mizuki might be ahead now but it won’t stay that way for long. Not if she could help it.
~~~
Ena blinked and got pulled back into reality. Blinding waves of lights, the crowd illuminated in pink and brown. Loud applause and screams of her fans. Of their fans. With one more bow they ended the show and walked off to the backstage.
“Jokes aside, thank you for the show.” Said Mizuki once they were sure all of their sound equipment was turned off. The girl’s face was bright and gave off the feeling that her jokes are never put aside, but there was a weird edge to her voice. An edge that Ena had never in the past few months heard in anything spoken by the idol.
For some reason, a weird feeling settled in Ena’s gut. Something feels off. She didn’t want to pick on that, but couldn’t shake off that feeling as they entered the dressing rooms.
“Thank you as well.” She responded before the other girl could read into her thoughts.
Mizuki grinned and winked at her. “May you be even better next time.”
Ena frowned at the back-handed ‘compliment’, but before she could defend herself, the pink idol was gone behind the curtains.
Nevermind, I was making things up. Shaking her head, she walked into the other cabin.