My Crown [IDOLiSH7]

16: Mixed Emotions

"Of course, now, we have a rather unusual situation" Sousuke stood up and went closer to Otoharu. When Otoharu asked what it was about, Sousuke explained. "That agency wants to work with us as well" Obviously, he was talking about the agency Kujou Riku works for. "It will be beneficial for us for sure but..."

"You don't think they have an ulterior motive, do you?" Otoharu opened his red eyes and questioned.

In the end, both agencies decided to accept the collaboration request, and so Kujou Riku, IDOLiSH6 and TRIGGER were scheduled to practise together for their next big event: Friends Day!

TRIGGER was called to their president's office later that day. When the three entered the room, Sousuke, who was sitting in his large luxury chair, turned around to face his idols. "You three. You have a big event coming up."

"What is it?" Gaku asked without leaving another second for Sousuke to breathe after a sentence. Sousuke glared at his son before continuing.

"Listen to the end before you ask, idiot son. You three are to have a collaboration with IDOLiSH6 once again. This live event, 'Friends Day' will last for 24 hours straight, consisting of music and talk shows. Some other artists may fill in here and there but you and the other two will be the hosts and the highlights." Sousuke spoke while keeping his usual stern face.

Tenn picked up a small detail in Sousuke words and questioned. "The other two? You said we are working with I6. Who is another one?"

Sousuke stared at the three, pausing for a bit before answering. "Kujou Riku"

TRIGGER's faces were full of surprise. They knew Riku's agency was against Riku associating with other idols, so why are they letting him join in now? Tenn was also worried. There was no way Riku could last that long doing the event with his health condition.

When the three were dismissed, Ryuu touched Tenn's shoulder and asked, "Aren't you happy to work with your little brother, Tenn?" Tenn then turned to face both Ryuu and Gaku. "I would be if it wasn't a 24-hour long live event! And what is going on? Why is he allowed to work with us now?!?" Tenn blurted out the worry he had on his mind to the two.

Ryuu tried to look at the brighter side. "Tenn, maybe his agency is going easier on him now"

Tenn was definitely not convinced, but there was nothing much he could do so he decided to focus on the fact that he would get to see Riku more from now on.

~~

"Riku!"

As soon as Yamato guided the redhead inside TakanashiPro practice room, Tenn dashed to Riku to give him a hug. Iori felt a little jealous watching from behind. He also wanted to hug Riku or more accurately, he wanted Riku to hug him.

"Long time no see, Tenn-nii." Riku smiled a little. Tenn refused to let Riku go. Soon, he heard little sobs from the young TRIGGER centre.

"Oi, brat, why get so emotional?" Gaku shouted from the back. As soon as Tenn heard that, he let Riku go and walked to Gaku. The centre pulled the leader's shirt and threatened him with his sharp glare. "How dare you interrupt our precious moment of reunion, Gaku!?" Ryuu had to jump in and do his usual everyday job.

Riku then walked straight towards Iori and pulled the high school student into an intimate hug. "K-Kujou-san!?!" Iori went as red as a beet. Sure, he wished for a hug but EVERYONE was watching them. Mitsuki, Yamato and Gaku smirked. Tenn and Sougo were in shock. Iori pushed Riku away in total embarrassment, making Riku tilt his head in confusion. "Iori didn't want a hug?"

"B-b-baka! We are not alone here!" Iori was so flustered that he did not process his words properly.

"So you did want a hug."

~~

The Friends Day practice started off really well. Because Tsumugi and Anesagi knew about Riku's condition, they carefully planned out the practice and event schedule so that it would not be too hard on Riku. Riku's manager went with whatever the two planned. As long as Riku got his exposure, she did not care about anything else, which was why Riku was here at Takanashi Productions to practise on his own.

Sure, I6 and TRIGGER had seen Riku on stage or on TV many times but none of them had seen Riku singing his own song during practice. His movements were incredible. Despite being clumsy normally, he never made a single mistake during his song. They were in awe watching his performance. Well, until he finished, went to his corner, and stumbled to his bag to get an oxygen bottle. This is why Kujou Riku's concert always leaves around 2 minutes between 1-2 songs for Riku to get backstage and use the medications he needs.

Riku looked like he was fighting for air even with an oxygen mask covering his mouth and nose. "Oi, Riku are you okay?!?" Mitsuki shouted in a panic. "I-I'm fine. This is *huff* normal." Riku explained. He really did end up like this every time after a song or two. Tenn eyed him with a sad look. Riku...

In the evening, when they finished their practice, Riku went downstairs to get some fresh air. Tenn saw a chance to speak privately to Riku so he went to find the redhead sitting on the steps. "Riku."

"Tenn-nii, what is it?" Riku smiled a little when he saw his twin brother but he still had those classic blank eyes.

Tenn went to sit right beside Riku. He took a hold of Riku's arm and played with Riku's fingers. He did not say anything, hoping Riku would start, but Riku was terrible at thinking of a conversation since his emotions were still largely suppressed. Tenn thought What happened to my talkative, lovely younger brother...?

"Riku, you should quit being an idol."

Even Riku was stunned for a few seconds. "Why, Tenn-nii?" He turned to look at his brother.

"If you keep doing this, your lungs will..." Tenn looked like he was about to cry. "I don't want you to be in pain every time you sing." Tenn looked back at Riku with watery eyes. "I can easily support you and-"

Riku cut him off. Tenn swore he could hear the hurt in Riku's voice even though the boy kept his straight face. "I've already been through a lot of pain, Tenn-nii. I'm used to it." Riku then stood up, still looking at his twin brother in the eye. "I want to sing. Please don't take away one of the things that keeps me alive."

Tenn gasped loudly as Riku went back inside. Perhaps Riku could have worded it so much better. Tenn buried his face in his hands and wept.

I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm sorry. I never know how you feel.

I wish I could be there for you, Riku.

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13:00 Thursday! So I'm back with an update. I hope you enjoyed this chapter of some fluff and angst teehee~

Sorry, Tenn T^T I need to stop making you suffer.

Next chapter will be....less angsty? Ehehe~ Kujou Riku has something on his mind, so...?