Since One Star had went first Suzume decides to start with their scoring. Considering the earlier reaction they're bound to get a decent score. Still Kahaku believes they did enough to top them. "For the first rating give your applause if you feel One Star should win this sing off!" The people cheering loudly the meter fills up quickly going from green to orange and then in the red. Reaching to the nineth level prior time running out. "What a great scoring to receive a nine! Good job guys."
Though Soma appears less tense his hard expression still remains. Kahaku crossing his fingers tight as Natsume puts an arm around his waist pulling him close. No words needed his touch alone being enough to help settle him down.
"In order for Treasure to win they'll have to get the bar at maximum, which has rarely ever been done. However if they at least still score a nine they'll be eligible for a rematch. Let's get this started." As the meter resets the crowd quiets down once more. "If you feel Treasure deserves this victory shout with all you've got!"
Enormous amounts of screaming rings his ears to the point he may of covered them in different circumstances. The bar shooting fast past each level though slowing down as it nears the end. Everyone waits in anticipation as time is running out.
It's at an eight...a nine...will it make it to a ten in time?
Nearly as the clock hits to its last second the bar reaches the opposite end. Kahaku stops breathing for a moment hoping this isn't all a dream. Thankfully the people shouting their names behind proves otherwise. "Congratulations Treasure, you've not only received a perfect scoring but also won the sing off challenge!"
The revelation has too many emotions to describe overtaking him all at once.
"We really won!" Kahaku beams and the blonde picks him up giving him a spin around. The group of friends doing the same in celebration of their victory.
"I'm glad Katsume won! My heart couldn't take it if they were to ever split apart!"
"I know right? With that performance they totally earned it!" Her friend squeals in agreement, though not all fans are happy as they are. Many expressions turning quite sour by the outcome.
"That's ridiculous! One Star had that in the bag!"
"I was rooting for them too! Does this mean they actually have to separate now?" The ginger questions worried.
Kahaku glances over at the five who are still in a mixture of disbelief and sorrow. It's time he reveal the offer to them that he's been planning from the beginning. "There is something I need to discuss with you all."
"What's left you could possibly want? To rub the shame in our faces more than it already is?" Soma's voice sounds so weak, not even looking up to face him.
Kahaku slowly shakes his head though aware he can't see an such action. "No, you're wrong. I wanted to add a new change to our conditions. Since Treasure is the one who gained victory, we get to decide your fate. And our ruling is that we don't want you to disband. In fact, I want you to switch agencies over to Magicz."
The surprise is clearly written over every last one of their faces. A flicker of anger now crossing Soma's eyes. "That was never apart of the deal you agreed to. We don't need your pity."
"But you aren't really happy there, are you? I know everything that's happened is because the president ordered you. Kenshin told me that himself."
The leader shooting the blonde a glare as he gives him a sheepish smile. Sighing softly Soma makes no effort to deny that statement.
"It doesn't have to be this way. You don't need Junbei to accomplish your dreams. You can do that under Mr. Sato. I personally asked him myself."
"Hmm what's wrong, Kahaku?" The president questioned and all eyes turned to him. He didn't really plan this out and struggles to form the right wording together.
"Well, um, if we win the sing off is it possible that One Star could transfer here rather than disbanding?"
Surprise gasps came from the managers and Natsume was the first to object. "You can't be serious! After all the crap they pulled?"
"But didn't you say the president put that on you? I'm sure it's same situation for them too. That's why I believe they could change if they had the opportunity..."
Tatsuya closed his eyes thinking for a moment before facing the president. "You did give Natsume a chance when he left there, and One Star has good potential."
"That's true. I didn't think about it that way," Natsume mumbled.
"...When you put it like that I very well can't refuse, could I? I'll give them a chance to start anew here, if you can convince them to leave their past behind."
"That's why I'm offering this to you guys. You don't have to do his dirty work anymore."
The anger has left Soma's face looking more conflicted than anything. The crowd has gone silent by the exchange and shockingly the red head steps foward. "We should go, Soma! I don't want us to split up and I'm aware of everything that's been happening since we formed a unit...You tried to keep it a secret to protect me, right?"
Is that why Itsuki always seemed so oblivious to everything that was going on? It's true when they stopped at his house before he wasn't with them. With their secret out Ryuga adjusts his frames eyes glued to the floor. "We just didn't want you of all people to get your hands dirty."
"I thought so but even now I'm still responsible too. I was aware of everything you were doing, yet I didn't protest nor try to help. Instead I let you carry that heavy burden by yourselves, while I played the naive innocent role. Honestly, I'm the worse." Itsuki voice strains out, with his green eyes brimmed with tears.
Kahaku feels a stag in his heart hearing how complicated of a situation they've been trapped in all this time. Kenshin quickly shakes his head setting his hands on the shorter male's shoulders. "That's not true! We're all at fault here! I knew the acts were terrible but I did whatever he told us anyway. Scared about my own future I was only thinking about myself. Still that's why I want to start over too, and Magicz is the perfect place to do so."
Though the twins still seem hesitant the oldest who is usually mute also joins in. "I never cared much about being an idol, but a lot changed when I started singing with you guys..."
I grew up in an orphanage having never knew my parents. When turning of age I got a starting position at a small business office. I didn't excatly possess any ambitions and only worked to support myself. Two years ago that place fell through and I was left jobless. That's when I pursued this career as an idol, because people told me I had a talent for singing. When starting out it was a different story. Despite my suppose gift other agencies turned me down again and again.
Hachiro sat in front of the president as he answered her long list of questions. The woman sighed softly as she folded her hands facing him with a serious expression. "Look, you're a really talented singer. Even to had taken no singing lessons your skills is astonishing. However there's something...lacking in your performance. I think you'd sound much better alongside others, or even a partner. Alone it's just not making the mark. I'm sorry, but if you had a team I definitely consider giving you another shot."
"I understand. Thanks for your time."
With the interview ended like every other as he headed back to his apartment. He knew this wouldn't be an easy task but felt it could be worth it in the long run. Perhaps he just been better off getting back into the business line of work.
I was ready to throw in the towel. It's not like I had any dreams of becoming an idol anyway. But that same night I got an unexpected call that changed my life forever.
Just hoping out the shower he strolled inside his bedroom when his cellphone went off. Flopping on the bed it was from an unknown caller, and though originally ignoring it the buzzing continued. "Hello?"
"I was afraid you had turned in early. This is Hachiro Aoi I'm speaking to correct?"
"Who are you and what do you want?"
"Straightforward to the point I see. I'm the same way. Forgive my rudeness but I am Junbei Takashima. Head of the Rising Up agency. I asked for your number when a friend of mine mentioned a talented solo artist was looking for someone to sign him. I never miss an opening for new idols to flourish, so I'm offering you the chance to come work for me."
"Rising Up is a really popular agency. Why go through such lengths for a novice such as myself?"
The older man chuckled a bit before responding. "Well your singing proves otherwise and talent is the main thing I focus on. Now is the only time I'll invite you like this."
Pondering the sudden offer he walked over to the window and gazed up at night sky. "...I don't really care about becoming rich or famous. I just want a steady job to make ends meet."
"And that I assure you will have. Come to my agency Monday at noon. There are some others I'd like you to meet."
Arriving there is when I met the four he spoke of and we formed a unit. At first I was simply content having a growing career. But when I started singing as a team it made me realize how much fun this job can actually be. I look forward to getting on stage and I have no interest in going back solo. Without this unit I wouldn't be the same.
Never did Kahaku imagine a time when Hachiro would speak so much about himself. Every inspiring speech each member vocalized how important this unit is to them. Lastly Soma gazes at his brother silently who gives a small nod of approval. "...We might as well share our pasts then. Ryuga and me didn't come from a supporting household. We struggled and fought to get to where we are today..."
Inside a small kitchen their mother prepared dinner as two kids ran up by her side. "What is it? I had a long day at work and there's still much to do."
"We just found out that the place down the street is taking students for singing lessons. We thought maybe me and Ryuga could go..."
"Do you think money grows on trees? We don't have any to throw away on useless garbage like that!" She spat causing the silver haired boy to flinch.
"Mother please, we were only asking. We wouldn't want anything else, but we could never become an idol one day without the proper training."
"I'm entitled to care for your basic needs and nothing more. It's because of you two that I'm stuck in this dump to begin with. If you'd never been born I could've been a star! I lost my own singing career because of you damn it! You both should be thankful you have life, but for such ungrateful children it's never enough!" She slammed down the tray of vegetables and the twins quickly scurried out from the room.
"Is it really-is this our fault?" The younger asks, and Soma shook his head.
"We didn't ask to be born or for her to keep us. We should've never tried talking to her to begin with."
Our mother aimed to be a famous singer in her prime, but after sleeping with the president of an agency to get on his good side she got pregnant. Twins ran in the family and she unfortunately was the next to have a pair. Once word got out about her pregnancy she was let go immediately. Never getting her foot in the door after that she eventually quit. Simply keeping us because her parents begged her not to dispose of their only grandchildren. Unlike her they were very supportive of our goals. Seeing them was always a nice escape up until they passed away...All hope wasn't lost when our mother's cousin offered to pay for the lessons instead. After a while of attending them we even went for a small audition to sing on a commercial.
Many young teens have gathered at the set as the twins had just finished their audition. The two searched around for their aunt who was nowhere in sight.
"You can get are stuff ready. I'll look around outside real quick." Soma sprinted to the building front doors. Peeping outside the woman was on the phone and doesn't notice his presence.
"Yup, after all that crap I dished him about them two they'll never get the role now...I told you I only agreed to this to crush their hopes up early. Like I could live with them stealing my cousin's ultimate dream because they have some twins appeal. Honestly I know their your sons but they make me sick."
Her bitter words caused his eyes to widen and heart to sink. Not even she was on their side in the end.
Yakumo was bitter that she never had the talent for singing, and held it against us out of jealousy. We stopped working with her shortly after that, and didn't pursue singing again until after graduation. We took singing and dance lessons perfecting our skills the best we could, then started looking for work. However she had put out so many bad rumors about us that stuck. Those made it hard to find any agency that would take us in.
Leaving another failed interview the two walked out the building to be greeted by the pouring rain. Ryuga's tired eyes gazed absentmindedly toward the sky. "Maybe it's time we quit, Soma. It's clear we're never going to succeed. Let us move on with our lives."
"But we can't just..." But he cut off his own protest fist bawling up tight. Deep down he knew his brother's advice was true.
Suddenly an umbrella loomed over their heads blocking the cold water droplets. Soma looked up to see an older man standing in front of them. "I was hoping I'd run into you twins. Why don't you try coming to my agency, since no others seem to want you? If you're both willing to do the work, I can lead you down the path to stardom."
"When I shook his hand that day we never looked back. Junbei gave harsh orders to destroy idols careers, but insisted it was the only way to rise to the top. If we couldn't handle it then we were never met to famous. I started to ponder if what he spoke was true. Looking at the example of my own family we witnessed first hand how cruel people can be. Perhaps I just trying to deceive myself and ignore the guilt." Soma finishes with a bitter smile.
The twins story causing whispers to be exchanges throughout the audience. Though the rest of his friends seem to already know their past, Natsume appears to be just as shocked as himself. Kahaku had no idea they went through so much, and he said that awful remark to them during the triplets incident. "I'm sorry, I said things back then I shouldn't of. I don't know Junbei personally but that man seems to be filled with nothing but poison. Staying there will affect all of your images too."
Even if the original terms states the five are to disband as they were before forming this unit, it was never agreed on for anyone to quit singing. Though staying at Rising Up will accomplish absolutely nothing for them. Not under Junbei's guidance that is.
"It's not as if we have such an option on the table. Mr. Takishima made it perfectly clear in the outcome we lost the sing off. That none of us are welcomed through his doors anymore...If it wasn't for him giving us a chance we couldn't made it. No agency was going to sign us and we were at our limits. With all that's conspired now, I wonder is their still a future for our star at this point..." Ryuga mumbles.
"Right, I so was motivated to start over again, but it doesn't erase what we've already done." Kenshin sounding a little bit unsure himself now.
Kahaku struggles to find the right comeback in persuading them all. The five know they can't go back there, but also feel apart from Junbei they'll never succeed. It's hard for him to encourage them as one only looking at this from the outside. Luckily to his surprise Natsume volunteers to take over instead.
"Don't let that old geezer guilt trip you into feeling like you owe him a dime. Prying on the naive and lost hoping he can use that to his advantage. Getting them to do whatever he pleases. In reality all Junbei cares about is the paychecks and publicity he gets from you. You're not the only ones carrying regret from the despicable things that he ordered. I was also afraid of leaving and starting anew, but now I'm glad that I did. I felt sick with all the crap I was doing for the sake of his name. It's different at Magicz and Kahaku is giving you the opportunity to walk away."
Natsume opening up further yet giving encouragement wasn't something he was expecting to hear tonight. Kahaku smilingly softly and offering a hand once more. "So, what do you say?"
"We don't have to let fear stop us anymore, because we aren't alone like back then." Ryuga putting a hand on his twin's shoulder, and the others nod in agreement.
"...I want a new future the five of us can accomplish together. No longer sinking so low as to commit the same crimes our family did to us towards other people. That's why, we'll take you up on your proposal." Soma slowly grasping his hand before giving it a firm shake.
Bright smiles covering the other males faces as the audience claps and cheers. Gossip traveling through the crowd like wildlife with all the recent events. "I guess that rumor One Star spread was all their president's doing. Though thinking about The Two Sided Love lyrics was it really a fib? At least at that time."
"I know right! There's so many unanswered questions about their song's meaning."
"After hearing what all they did I'd assume to lose all my respect for One Star, but actually I feel pretty sorry for them."
"I'm so happy Kahaku gave them the choice to switch agencies than disband. They all deserve a second chance."
Managing to win the sing off and convince One Star there is but only a single task left on his list left. Placing a hand over his chest he turns to the male standing beside him. "Today wasn't important just for One Star's sake but ours too. I always have fun singing with you and I never want this to end. That's because..."
Kahaku taking a step to close the small gap between them. Standing on his tip toes to level himself right by Natsume's ear. Even if it's obvious how they both feel now he wants to finally say this aloud. Covering the mic his next sentence causes Natsume's green eyes to sparkle. "I'm in love with you."
I hope you enjoyed the chapter^^ His story will be coming to an end soon. Stay tuned for next update.