Chapter Text
After an intensive, multi-day concert tour, Tamon is finally released from the clutches of his idol obligations. Free from sustaining his facial muscles and demeanor in his sexy and wild persona while wearing tight revealing lustful clothing. It probably was a new record for how long he was in idol mode, and he can at least say he only had two meltdowns that day, because he did not want to admit it, but there were more in the earlier days of the tour. That were a challenge to handle because of the lack of housekeeper and uchiwa fans to pull him from the gloom - shroom and doom.
The recent meltdowns he had today were very minor, nothing major.. The normal, throwing himself away as if he were scum to the earth. This was due to falling into complete despair upon realizing the concealer had faded to expose dark bags under his eyes mid performance. He chose the nearest garbage can available as soon as he was out of view of fans and staff. What if one of the E/yes saw him like this?? He needed to find the nearest trash heap and dive in because who would recycle toxic waste like himself? The second time, of course, was crying due to intense criticism from their producer, Shiraishi, after a slight vocal hitch observed during the second half of their afternoon concert on live television. After she had left the room, Tamon's facade had greatly cracked at its foundation - sensing this, Fujita ushered staff unaware of this side of Tamon on break - bribed with the promise of free drinks and lunch. Once the door lock clicked a flood of tears spurted from Tamon's eyes and gloomshrooms began to sprout through the changing room. This continued until the humidity in the changing room was so high it became a literal sauna. Natsuki brandished him due to all of F/ACE then having to all have make-up touch ups and hair restyled before going out for their last performance.
Least to say, Tamon Fukuhara was at his absolute limit—physically and emotionally. They just had to finish up their post show/tour meeting at the multi story building F/ACE uses as base for meetings, vocal practice, and choreography - and he would be home free. Teams high fived and sounds of relief were palpable, upper management could be seen congratulating staff and the idols on the immense success in sales, social influence online, and future prospects for international performance and collaborations. It was exciting, don't get him wrong, but he was ready to put his A-side on the proverbial hanger and in the deep depths of his closet. Things finally calmed down after the final debriefing, staff began to disburse, and that meant the stars of the production could also leave. Unfortunately, blocking the exit were a gaggle of stragglers, people who were still discussing how the tour was a hit and they couldn't wait to see where F/ACE took them next and had been dying to speak to him.
After conversing for what felt like decades, Tamon was finally able to excuse himself politely from a group of sound engineers who were fawning over how they hardly had to use pitch shifting during his performance because he was as Kinoshita-san would say, a god. Finally free from conversation, as he made his way to exit, he found himself looking around, and he couldn't see any of his band mates in the room.
"Huh, they must have slipped out earlier, I gotta catch up so I can get a ride home." He said to himself as he closed the door to the meeting room and headed for the showers.
After showering in the locker room, he changed into his normal slightly faded black jogger and hoodie combo with some slip-on outdoor slippers, topping it off with his paper bag disguise.
Totally iconic.
Tamon then made his way through the corridors and down the maze-like floors of the building and exits at the lobby double doors. Expecting to see Fujita-san, F/ACEs tattered but overall reliable manager, his bandmates and the car he uses to tote around the boys. He momentarily drops his bags, eyes wide, because to his dismay.... he sees no one. Tamon then picks up his things and decides to take a few laps around the building expecting and hoping to find him. Where is Fujita-san?! He internally screams. Tamon begins to sweat and visibly tremble, hands going to grasp his hoodie strings to attempt to self soothe his nerves - unsuccessfully.
After what feels like the 10th lap around the building and climbing the multi level parking garage - he pulls out his phone to check the time. He gawks at the screen, seeing not only was it 11:30pm, but he then sees the 5 missed calls, and 20 text messages unread - and proceeds to add a third meltdown to today's total.
Ten minutes of negative self talk later and wallowing over how he could be so stupid to not turn his phone off of silent mode. He actually checks the messages and sees Fujita-san had called multiple times, leaving voicemails telling him to hurry. Tamon had been the last one to change, shower and put up his training and travel gear. On the way to the locker room, he bumped into a few other staff members who sang his praises and asked for autographs. He of course obliged, not realizing the other band mates were well ahead of him and ready to leave.
Tamon could hear in the voicemail the other boys - how Ouri was throwing a fit and wanted to pick up sushi and boba tea but the place he likes closed soon, Keito has to be dropped off across town to take care of his mother and brothers, Rintaro had an exam to prep for and Natsuki just wanted to be dropped by the nearest gambling parlor. Normal B-Side behavior. Fujita-san's second to last text message read that since he never showed up they had to leave without him.
"I knew it, they really don't need me. They left me to be stabbed in the streets. I should just leave the country to become a mushroom farmer."
His eyes then scanned the last text message and a glimmer of hopeful light illuminated Tamon's face as he began to read the final text message.
TO: Tamon Fukuhara
I don't want to leave you, Tamon-kun, so please call me back so I can go over how you can get another ride from company staff. ASAP.
FROM: Wataru Fujita, F/ACE manager
Tamon had a small relieved smile.
"Oh great! I'll just call him back and figure things out. Yeah! It's fine. I'll be fine! Yes, of course!" He waveringly states with growing wobbling confidence.
Just as Tamon was about to press call, the dead battery icon flashed across the screen, and just like that... His small confidence disintegrated, turning to ash. Tears began to flow and a crest fallen Tamon walked towards the edge of the rail on top of the parking garage he was perched upon. Eyes glassy, face stained with fresh tears he let out a small sniffle. His dark side creeping over his mind, he stares out at the city landscape. Reflecting in his eyes - Twinkling lights, couples hand in hand walking down the street, and a large F/ACE billboard advertising F/ACE school along with their newest single Fly. Tamon closes his eyes, taking a shuddering breath - Who would truly care if I disappeared? He thought disparagingly.
~Tamon is a God!~ A short hair brunette can be seen shouting proudly with a sign reading 'Church of Tamon' in black text. A gentle pink aura surrounding her, sparkling and shimmering. Her smile wide and glittering, chocolate eyes gleaming at him with wonder.
Eyes flashing open he thinks of her. His wonderful housekeeper, fan, and recently his friend - Miss Utage Kinoshita-san.
Warmth spreads through his body, he clutches where his heart is and a small knot forms in his throat. Her. He could never do that to her. His family was of course included in this revelation, but the idea of Kinoshita-san's tear stained face and what she would sound like while in despair twisted something inside of him that truly scared him. Tamon slaps both hands to his face. Reddening his cheeks and renewing his plans. He backs away from the rail and makes his way down the stairs of the parking garage. Once reaching the bottom, taking off towards home with only the prayer that his feet would make it before collapsing.
He's 15 minutes into his journey and he begins pinching himself to stay awake. With his few remaining awake brain cells, all he can think of other than trying his best to navigate the streets is how badly he wants to pass out in his favorite corner then eventually crawl into bed, in that specific order.
"What time is it? " He muses, head lulling side to side, eyelids drooping.
Pulling out his phone to again be reminded of its current status. Tamon can feel himself slipping into the exhaustion, sleep beckoning ever stronger.
"Could I take a train? No. The last one has surely left by now. A taxi? God, no! What if I fall asleep and they kidnap and then sell my body and organs?! Just throw me away and start over!" He rants to himself.
Tamon stops and lets out a huge sigh and slumps forward hand supporting him at his knees - paper bag wistfully falling from his pink locks.
"....So tired…. " He heaves, slowly falling forward but catching himself.
"Just want to … sleep please." He mutters incoherently.
Willing the last remainders of his strength, he straightens himself, slapping his hands to his face for a second time that evening then places his paper bag back over his head, and continues his journey until…
- Sidewalk rock meet slipper -
!!!! CRASH !!!
Tamon falls face first into the concrete path, paper bag drifting away in a comedic and poorly timed gust of wind. He finds himself unable to get up due to the exhaustion. He counts the seconds, soon they turn into minutes.. five minutes pass, and slowly but surely a patch of gloomshrooms have made themselves comfortable dotted across his frame. He decides this is his new home, the pavement in a dimly lit residential area. How depressing.
Suits him perfectly.
As Tamon sleepily shifts his head to the side, he then flinches and abruptly awakens and takes a deep breath in and lets out a loud Uuaaaaaaahh noise, rolling onto his back and crying out in pain as he reached his hands up to his face. Touching his now sensitive, scratched, and reddened nose.
"Keito is going to be so mad I damaged F/ACE property", he weeps slowly.
"Tamon-kun?!"
Tamon's head whipped up at break neck speed, chin now grazing the pavement, but neck intact to Keito’s pleasure. Arms haphazardly and shakily finding their place to assist with raising him off his recently established residence. He knew that sweet and boisterous voice anywhere. Able to locate its lovely sing-song quality even amongst thousands of E/yes. He quips his head left and right seeing no one in sight. Not a soul. He hold his head in his hands-
"I must be truly crazy, it's late, how seriously stupid can I be, miss Kinoshita-san wouldn't - "
"Hey! Up here Gloomyhara-san!~"
Hands staying in place, he tilts his head up and to the right and like a shining beacon in the night, a lighthouse sending out rays of hope - there she is. Standing while leaning on an outdoor second story patio rail looking as beautiful as a field of flowers. She leans over the edge of the rail, her face a mix of confusion and shock, then she says ... something...? - And in a blink of an eye is gone - like she was never there to begin with. Tears again trickle down Tamon's face as he stands still in a stupor, still staring at where he previously saw an angel, eyes glued on the patio.
Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? Was he in heaven? Was she in her pajamas?
"Tamon-kun?!" She whisper-yelled.
He flinched as he hadn't heard her get so close and in his bubble. She then grabbed onto the sleeves of his hoodie, and brought herself ever more into his field of vision. Her eyes finally observing how red and swollen his cheeks were from the previous abuse and the fresh scrapes on his nose and chin from the pavement. She raised a hand, inching closer - Tamon's heart began to race, eyes slightly widening, blush rising over his features. She paused centimeters from brushing her hand across his skin, her eyes glassy and a small fown visible on her delicate face. Tamon releases a heavy sigh he didn't realize he had been holding in, releasing the tension he'd been sustaining.
She looked so sad, and this was his fault. As he was about to speak, he felt her arm wrap around his frame to support him - his skin aflame from the contact, he noticed a faint blush on her supple cheeks. As she tugs him along into her home. Her home. He couldn't find the words or willpower to stop her..this is wrong...but his brain and body finally gave in. As she guided him in, he felt the blush on his own cheeks and that same familiar warmth in his chest.
Tripping slightly upon entering the corridor, she catches him with her hand placed over his heart. His eyes bugged slightly in worry that she felt his heart race. She pulls away saying something but in his current exhausted state of mind does not catch it again. He's now sat on her living room couch. The comfort seeped into his very soul. Until his consciousness slowly starts to slip away from him.
As he is further pulled into dreamland by the comfiness of the couch, Tamon feels the grip of someone's hands on his hands, pulling, squeezing, shaking ..
"Please, let me just sleep for five more minutes..." He groans. Until he finally hears her voice loud and clear -
"Hey, Tamon-kun.... won't you stay the night?"
To be continued ...