The special night has arrived and Kahaku with Natsume plus both of their managers are gathered in a waiting room. The duo just finished going through once more what they'll answer during the interview. Natsume relaxes on the couch as Kahaku can't stop his nervous pacing. The rowdy crowd can be heard from all the way back there. Tatsuya clears his throat getting their attention.
"Remember to make this as believable to the fans as possible. All you have worked for so far is resting on it."
"Y-Yeah, right."
The woman in charge walks over to join them with a smile. She has on a short black dress with long blond hair flowing down her back. "We've already been over all I'm going to ask you both. Thanks again for agreeing to do this. We'll be on in just a minute."
Kahaku takes a deep breath trying to calm himself but absolutely nothing seems to be working.
I feel so nervous. This is my first interview and it's on live television. Plus playing the act on stage with Natsume...will people believe us or not?
A sudden pat on the back snaps him out of his worrisome thoughts. None other than from the blonde next to him. "Leave all the convincing to me. You have nothing to worry about, just try to enjoy the interview."
"Natsume."
After a few minutes a stagehand leads the two towards the set as their managers stay behind. Cameras start rolling again as people cheer with the female already taken her usual spot on stage. She patiently waits for the applause to quiet down before speaking. "Welcome back to Late Night Gossip! I'm your host Chidori and we have two special guest here I spoke of earlier in the show. A pop sensation and a new comer idol please welcome Treasure!"
As two make their way out on stage the crowd goes wild. Kahaku's seen the stage plenty of times from his television screen, but never pictured the day he'd be on it. Big blue seats that are placed for Chidori and her guests with a small table sat in front of them. Plants decorate the place and a wide view of the city can been seen from the large glass window behind. Several rows of people are lined up perfectly, and doesn't look like a seat is empty.
Both exchanging quick hugs with Chidori then having a seat side by side opposite of her. "Welcome both of you. Thanks so much for coming here tonight."
"We're happy to be here," Natsume says.
"Everyone has been thrilled over the song you just released. And I think I speak for everyone when I say we're so excited to hear more from the two of you."
"The song came out better than we could've imagined. There is definitely a lot more in store where that came from," Natsume replies, and Kahaku's so absorbed by the packed room he hasn't spoke a word since they came out on stage. "We have a lot of fun singing together. I'm glad everyone likes watching us perform just as much as we do."
"I gotta ask how did the two of you become this duo in the first place?" She questions them leaning forward.
"We were actually childhood friends."
"You were?" She repeats a bit surprised as whispers go throughout the room. Natsume nodding as he continues on.
"It had been sometime since we last saw each other, but the wonders of fate worked its magic and now we're singing together. Also we have blossomed into a little something more than just partnership."
"I-I'm so happy we get the chance to sing together like this! I couldn't of asked for anything better." Kahaku finally manages to blurt out.
More cheering comes from the crowd at their answers and Chidori does a small laugh. "The people agree and so do I. We can't wait to see you perform later on. Kahaku, you have been progressing tremendously since you've became unit. How do you think that is?"
"Well, Natsume has been a great teacher. I wouldn't of grown this much so quickly on my own." Which actually is the truth. With Natsume's help he has only been getting better. He couldn't made it this far without his support.
"He's a fast learner though singing and dancing aren't the only things I've been teaching you." Natsume purrs and Kahaku's face flushes red. They already discussed what type of things they would say and do to win fans over, but it doesn't stop it from being any less embarrassing.
"On that topic, I'm sure all the girls want to hear about your relationship together." Everything has been going well to this point. Now is the time Kahaku has been dreading since they first got here. Shooting him a nervous look and Natsume starts off.
"I'm shocked myself over all of this. I've always had feeling for Kahaku but I never would of thought he felt the same way."
Something about this statement upsets him, but he pushes that aside going along with his response. "It was a special spark between the two of us. It took me awhile to realize what that had developed into, but soon it was clear I had fallen for him. I was overjoyed upon learning it wasn't just one sided." Every sentence is making Kahaku's stomach turn even further, but tries his best in keeping a smile on his face.
"The two of you look so nice together. You're my new favorite star couple, but remember play friendly with him Natsume."
"C-Chidori!" The younger male sqeaks as a deep laughter roars through the taller man.
"I always do Chidori. Now what kind of man do you take me for?"
"I'm joking, mostly." A few more giggles surround the room and Kahaku can hear girls talking in the front row next to him.
"I love them together!"
"I know right! This makes me like Natsume even more and Kahaku is so cute."
The chatter causes him to let out an inner sigh of relief. Seems the girls are believing their story so it's been accomplished what they came here to do. Since there isn't anymore questions to be asked Chidori is suppose to cut for a commercial break. This will give them time to set up for the performance. However the woman remains silent thinking for a moment until finally looking up to face them. "Before we go to commercial for you to get ready and sing your little hearts out, there is something I want to clarify."
There's nothing to clarify because they've covered all the questions of her interview. Anxiety kicks in again as him and Natsume exchange glances.
"Well, recently I've heard a rumor saying you're only in this for the publicity. But something like that can't possibly be true, right?" She asks innocently tilting her head to the side. The crowd has gone silent and Kahaku can hardly process what she just said.
From backstage both managers are fuming with rage. "What the hell! That isn't what we agreed they would speak on!" Tatsuya snaps.
Kahaku isn't sure how to answer. The sudden question having his mind fall blank. As for Chidori her gaze seems to have completely changed. She wears the same smile but it looks devious and cold somehow. His mouth opens and closes struggling to form any words of denial.
Natsume snorting breaks the silence as he sits back in his chair. "I myself have heard this very rumor. I don't know who would be so desperate enough to spread lies, but our relationship is very much real. I have no reason to call fibs."
Chidori simply humming at his explanation thinking for a moment more. "But One Star has been rising in popularity lately. Is there a small chance you could be jealous of that? That would be a possible reason to feel the need to pull something like this."
Not only is she asking questions she isn't supposed to, but also countering Natsume's comebacks making people question their liability even futher. Kahaku wants to say something to help back them up. Well aware the longer he stays quiet the worse it'll look, but he just can't seem to get anything out. He peeps over at Natsume who has a wry smile plastered on his face. He can tell he's indignant but trying to remain professional. It's up to Kahaku to speak up. "Natsume and me really-"
"Haha, this interview has taken an unexpected turn. What do you want, proof? I say those One Star guys are just jealous of our relationship. Unfortunately for them he is mine."
Natsume turns to Kahaku gazing directly into his eyes. "Natsu-?!" Without warning leans in and it all happens so fast it's hard for him to realize what's going on. He feels lips pressed against his own and a heavy hand placed on his shoulder. Kahaku eyes slowly widening in shock and he can hear the girls gasps echoing from around the room. His lips are soft and there is no forcefulness in the kiss whatsoever. Though part of him wants to die out of humiliation of kissing on live television, the other half doesn't want him to pull away.
From home the triplets as promised are watching the show in their living room just as shocked as everyone else.
Even Sho who is playing a hand game while tuning in freezes at the sight of what's being displayed on the screen. "Kahaku...?!"
After a minute he pulls back though to Kahaku it doesn't feel nearly long enough. His cheeks turn red and his heart is still racing. His mind can hardly process it all futher yet react!
Girls begin chattering amongst themselves once more. "They really kissed!"
"I can hardly believe it!"
Natsume turns to face Chidori who is now the one looking upset. A small grin tugging at his lips as if he is daring her to try and utter anything else. "Is that what you wanted to see? It doesn't matter if you believe us or not, but no one is going to steal him away from me," he says, pulling the shorter male close who is still mute in shock.
"He's so protective over him."
"I don't care what people think I believe their love is real!"
"Katsume! Katsume!"
Chidori freezes up as fans start chanting their ship name proudly. Whatever she was trying to accomplish has failed. "I'm so sorry if I offended you two in any way. Now we'll be right back after this quick commercial break."
Of course they need to confront her on all this, but now they have a show to prepare for. Stage hands set up thier mics and fix to the proper lighting. Kahaku's head remains far off in the clouds.
Natsume kissed me. He really kissed me...
"You ready?"
"Ah! Y-Yes!"
The cameras rolling again the duo stands in position. "Everyone please give it up for Treasure performing their hit single, My Special Treasure!"
Kahaku tries to calm his mind of the earlier events so he can focus on the show. Natsume is the one to start them off.
N: I'm captived by, her strong pericing gaze. I feel she can see right-into-my-heart.
K: And she seemed to be, just misunderstood, but I know there's more to her.
N: Just like a shining gem.
K: A girl like her is rare.
Both: So I planned to make her mine...She's my special treasure that I hold dear. No one in the world could begin to compare. With the beauty and grace that she lets out. Most overlooked and then never found.
As they continue to sing the crowd screams and shouts definitely getting into the performance. After they've finished Chidori ends the show and they all head backstage. Not as soon as she does Tatsuya storms up to her followed by Ginko.
"Just what was the meaning of all of that out there?!"
"You stepped completely out of line!"
"I keep up with latest gossip. I was only asking what everyone wanted to hear. They appeared to be telling the truth, so I don't see what the problem is."
"You completely called us out on live TV and you don't understand what the problem is?! You'll be lucky if a bad rumor or two doesn't come out about you after this." Natsume growls as she takes a few steps backwards.
"I'm sorry that upset you but I really have to go." With no time for protest she leaves faster than Kahaku has seen anyone wearing heels.
(Soma POV)
Under the building four men stand waiting in the parking lot. He's already getting impatient debating to even stick around and listen to her sorry excuse. Just when the thought crosses his mind to leave, she jogs up to them and immediately bows. "Please forgive me! I wanted to help but I only made things worse for all of you."
"It seems like they'll be more popular now than before," Ryuga mumbles, pushing up his frames and Kenshin's face falls.
"I knew this was a bad idea..."
Soma lets out a frustrated sigh running his fingers through his white hair. "The damage has already been done. There's nothing left for us to discuss. You have proved you're not to be counted on in the future."
"That's not true! I can still be of some use to you, Soma!"
Ryuga nudges his brother gesturing at the time. "We should leave before someone finds out we were here."
"Goodnight Chidori," Soma says coldly as they all turn to leave. No matter how much she pleads he doesn't turn back.
(Kahaku POV)
Outside the four of them are still talking over everything that's happened. "I never thought Chidori would pull a stunt like this, but what was all of that on stage Natsume? I wasn't expecting you to take actions like that," Ginko asks.
"I just felt I had to do something quick to win them over. That was the first thing that came to mind. Luckily Akira is working tonight though I'm sure word of this will hit her eventually." He turns to Kahaku with a apologetic look on his face. "I'm really sorry about putting you in that position. Definitely wasn't apart of the plan but if I didn't do it with all the crap she was spitting they wouldn't believed us."
"No, don't apologise. I understand why you did what you did," he answers, eyes glued down at his feet. After everything that's happened tonight forces him to shed light on something he's been trying to avoid since they've been united. The feeling that rushed through him when they kissed is proof enough. He is in love with Natsume Reiji. The same Natsume that's his childhood friend, who has a girlfriend in shadows, and he's in a fake relationship with. From this day forward he knows things are only going to grow more complicated from here.