Chapter Text
Rui had never understood how one person could command the attention of an entire stadium.
Lights flashed across the arena, soaking the audience in a colourful array as the cheers rose.
Lightsticks dotted the crowd like stars in a night sky, shining a vibrant yet recognisable shade of yellow.
The air was warm, carrying the scent of thousands of people waiting in anticipation.
It was overstimulating for anyone, with all the noise and crammed seats.
Average concert experience, huh?
"Hey hey Rui! How you holding up?" said a pink-haired girl, bouncing on her heels excitedly as she leaned over the railing.
"It's rather stuffy. Not the worst concert I've been to though" Rui chuckled, taking Mizuki's bottle for a quick sip.
"Tch, not the worst? Are you saying MORE MORE JUMP's concert was worse?!" Mizuki gasped, offended as she nudged his foot.
"Don't put words in my mouth" he replied with a soft laugh, playfully hitting her head with the bottle as she laughed.
"Owchie!" Mizuki rubbed her head, shooting a half-hearted glare.
"Heh~ But this time, I assure you it'll be worth it!"
"Worth my legs being sore for the next few days?"
"W-well yes! It's THE Tsukasa Tenma!" Mizuki said, as if it was a common fact.
Rui had seen him here and there— on social media, on the big billboards and advertisements.
"Oh, you gotta hear the songs! I've listened to a few"
Mizuki added, thrilled as she gestured to the stage with her lightstick.
Either that was a lie, or a few songs meant his whole discography.
"We'll see about that~" Rui rested an elbow on the railing, feeling indifferent.
His eyes followed Mizuki's gaze.
The sudden change in lighting caught Rui's attention, anticipation rippling through the stadium.
Then, as if on cue, a familiar figure stepped on stage—
"GOOD EVENING EVERYONEE!!! HIII! HELLOO!"
The blonde man quickly regained his composure after stumbling onto the stage, clearing his throat before speaking again.
"How's everyone doingg?" he spoke again, his already loud voice booming through the stadium as he received a chorus of positive responses.
"Good? Me too me too!" he giggled, his energy contagious as he waved to a few people in the front rows.
Rui raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
A single song hadn't played and he could feel the exhaustion creeping up on him just by listening to this guy talk...
But his presence was almost, captivating in a sense...
"That's...Tenma?" Rui asked, an amused expression on his face as Mizuki snickered.
"Pfft, he'll grow on you, trust me" She lightly punched Rui's arm.
Rui seemed to be more interested in the stage mechanisms than anything —Classic Rui.
However, tonight?
His focus was divided.
"What!? No, I did NOT- I DID NOT FORGET THE CHOREO! I IMPROVISED. Guh...My fans are so mean to me" Tsukasa fake-cried, running across the stage to the guitarist— who was patiently waiting for the backing track to start.
“Ah! Iruna-san! Tell them, it was IMPROV. You saw it, didn’t you!?” Tsukasa pleaded desperately, shaking the guitarist's shoulders for an answer.
Iruna gave him a confused look, adjusting his strap with an air of calmness.
“Hm. No comment. But improv this, superstar—”
His fingers slammed down on the strings, unleashing a vicious guitar riff that ripped through the stadium.
The sound immediately caught the audience off guard.
The crowd exploded, half in awe, half in disbelief, while Tsukasa froze mid-panic like he’d just been personally smited by the heavens.
The cheers only grew louder as the riff continued, thousands of lightsticks waving above the crowd, many immediately recognizing the song.
Tsukasa paused for a second.
Listening to the guitar for a moment before his brain immediately caught on.
His mouth moved on pure reflex, the lyrics spilling out effortlessly as the band snapped into place around him, riding the momentum like they’d rehearsed it a hundred times.
Because it was no doubt they had.
Mizuki cheered, jumping along with the beat.
Rui smiled— as long as Mizuki was happy, he was alright with having to endure these hour-long concerts.
Rui let himself sink against the railing, watching the lights sweep across the audience.
Music blasted through the speakers, vocals cutting cleanly through the instrumental.
His mind wandered, always landing on centre stage.
He had to admit, that recovery was quite impressive, the way he regained his confidence with double force.
He definitely had the talent for an idol, that much was certain.
He'd been to quite a few concerts, being dragged along by Mizuki to accompany her. He didn't mind though, it was a nice break from the unbearable workload at his uni.
He had seen idols, bands, soloists, more performers than he could reasonably remember.
So why was he still watching?
Something about this...Tsukasa guy's stage presence was so different.
The way he almost forced everyone to look at him, in a way that tearing your eyes away would be at your own loss.
Lightsticks swung in perfect unison, their glow gathering around him until he stood rimmed in molten gold—an unspoken declaration that the crowd had already decided who owned the stage.
Rui had never understood how one person could command the attention of an entire stadium.
Until tonight.