#and then to go and record demos professionally at a studio? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nicksbestie · 1 year

Note

Ash teaching Y/N to drum or seeing them drumming and feeling proud

Loved this request <3

Enjoy!!!

Drummer Boy

Pairing - Ashton Irwin x reader

Warnings - none

Word Count - 3583(!!!)

You couldn’t believe your life had ended up like this. An incredibly fortunate twist of fate brought you into what you had only dreamt of as a child. A pop star's partner. You had run into Ashton Irwin at a coffee shop while he and the rest of 5 Seconds Of Summer were on tour. It had been purely coincidence, and honestly an embarrassing experience that he loves to remind you of. You’d turned around too quickly, rushing, looking down at your phone, and collided with him. Luckily he’d found the fluster amusing, and continued to come in.

That coffee shop had always been one of your routine trips in the morning, and after conversation after conversation, he’d finally weaseled his way into getting your number, and things had spiraled from there and here you were, waking up, albeit alone, in his bed, all of your stuff covering half of the walls and dressers.

And he was a drummer, no less. You’d always had a thing for drummers. Maybe it was the easy workout they get, or maybe it was just the fact that you’d always had a thing for members of the rhythm section. You know what they say.

You’d slid out of bed and had walked down to make coffee in the kitchen, not feeling like going out today. Wandering into the home studio that Ashton had created while working on Superbloom, you sat down at the small stool behind the piano. You knew a few of their songs off the top of your head, playing a slow rendition of Lover Of Mine when an idea popped into your head.

You decided to create a cover of Lover Of Mine just for Ashton. Valentine’s Day was quickly approaching and you thought it would be super sweet to do. Although, you didn’t quite know how to play Ashton’s drum part. So, you would leave that for last. You knew how to play guitar, piano, and bass, so you’d record those first. Ashton had shown you enough on mics to know how to professionally create a demo, instead of just recording and doing overlays on your music app on your phone.

Picking through specific tabs, you decided to start with the bass ones to record because they’d be the most suspicious to be caught recording. Ashton already knew you knew how to play Lover Of Mine on the piano, so that wouldn’t be a surprise, and the chords for the song aren’t the only song using them, so guitar could be played off easily. However, the bass tabs were unique so that would have to be the first one that was recorded.

You’d always had a love for the bass guitar. The other half of the rhythm section had always called your name. It wasn’t too difficult to quickly get used to the movement of tabs and the adjustment of holding the instrument, and it wasn’t hard to quickly record the beat of it. Listening over the track many ,many times until you decided that it was good enough for you to move on, you quickly made sure it was saved so you wouldn’t lose all of your work. Not like it would take a while to redo it, but still. More hassle with not enough time in the day.

Moving on to the guitar part, you remembered the main reason you liked bass better. It was easier. The guitar chords hurt your fingers as the thin strings dug into them, and the chords made annoying buzzy sounds, but eventually you got the hang of it. You’d been playing guitar for years, but you still weren’t a huge fan of it, or amazing at it. It just wasn’t your best instrument. That’s okay though, you mastered the few simple chords fairly quickly, almost finishing the guitar part just as quickly as the bass tabs.

This left the piano and drum parts left. Knowing the piano version by heart, you moved back over to work on it quickly. You got caught up in it, enjoying the way that the keys pressed down under your fingers and the pedal amplified the gentle sound. Piano has always been a way to relax and let stress roll off of you. It was like Ashton’s drumming. He used it as stress relief as well. But piano felt different, in a way. There was gentle piano, like Lover Of Mine, and then there was your angry songs, like Take Me To Church, with the trauma-filled lyrics and the pounding beat to it. You sat, recording the piano parts, letting yourself get lost in the melody, and the lyrics rolling through your head.

Drums. The drumming part was gonna be hard. You didn’t know drums. But you were going to try your best to get it done. It might take a few days, and you might have to ask Ashton for help, which you would have to try really hard to not raise his suspicion about it. He had a creepy way of always knowing what was going through your head, and while this may help most of the time, right now it definitely wouldn’t.

Luckily, he took a lot of interest and fun into showing other people how to play his favorite instrument, so you knew a little bit. But not nearly enough to learn a full song, so you spent hours googling and tinkering with it trying to figure out how it would all come together. You relistened to the studio track and the live versions of Lover Of Mine, trying to figure out just how important the drumming was to the song. (Obviously, it’s very important, but you were weighing your options of seeing if it would sound remotely similar or close enough without the drumming in it. That way you could just leave the drums out and you’d be more likely to get away with keeping this secret until Valentine’s Day, and you wouldn’t have to ask Ashton for his help.)

You slipped headphones on to listen to the track while trying to match the sounds on the instrument in front of you. Time was quickly passing by, as you kept the song on loop, slowly working part by part to make progress through the song. You’d gotten about halfway through, completely oblivious to your audience.

Ashton was standing there, leaning against the doorway. He’d decided to not make you aware of his existence yet. He’d been standing there for quite some time, watching your frustration and your moments of elation when you finally matched them and got some of the notes and beat right. He knew he’d taught you most of what you were using, but it also made him super proud that you were even attempting on your own. It shot fondness straight to his heart, knowing that you were trying to figure out and enjoy the instrument he built his entire life on, the one thing that he loved the most, second only to you.

He didn’t yet recognize the beat you were attempting to play, but that was fine. He didn’t need to know everything. There was enough he could figure out with just watching that he didn’t want to disturb you. He did wonder why you didn’t just wait and ask him for help when he got back, but shrugged it off. You didn’t have to tell him everything, and he’d always admired your strong sense of independence. It was only when your forehead lines started to crease in frustration and your mouth turned into a thin line in anger, that he decided to step in. Your back was to him, the door being behind the drum kit. He didn’t want to scare you, so he walked up and gently placed a hand on your shoulder.

“Do you need some help with that?”

Despite the gentle touch, you were still a bit startled, not expecting him to be there. You quickly pulled off the headphones and switched off of the tab showing the Lover Of Mine tutorial, hoping desperately he hadn’t seen it. You weren’t quite so lucky. He didn’t say anything about it, but he had a small smile on his face that clearly showed he’d seen it. You were happy he didn’t ask questions. Instead, he just reached for the drumsticks in your hands.

“May I?”

You nodded, and let go of them, letting him take them from your grip. You stood up and let him take the stool. He sat down and started to play the song. You had taken a seat on the couch across the room, listening and watching the way he easily hit all the correct notes, all the right rhythms. You were slightly jealous of his ability to easily pick up any single instrument that he tried. You’d never been able to do that. But at the same time it was a talent that you admired in him. Among other things, of course. But it was definitely at the top of the list. He finished the song, smiling.

“That the one you were going for?”

You nodded.

“Yea.”

“Any specific reason?”

“Nope.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

“You sure? You shook your head oddly fast for it to be a coincidence.”

“I’m sure.”

He smiled. You knew he could tell you were lying about it, but he didn’t seem to be too hurt. He was many things, but a fool did not happen to be one of them. He knew there was some secret you were holding, but he wasn’t offended by you not wanting to tell him. He’d always respected your privacy when it came to things you didn’t want to tell him, as long as you weren’t holding back hurtful things. However, he did want to help, if you’d let him.

“Alright then. Come over here, I’ll teach you to play it.”

About an hour later, you’d pretty much mastered the song. Thank god. You knew full well that you wouldn’t have been able to do it without him, but you were also incredibly relieved that you didn’t completely spill your secret and surprise for the upcoming week when he walked in. Thank god he never asked any questions, and didn’t push you to answer anything you didn’t want to.

“I think you’ve got it!”

You smiled. Finally.

“I think so too. Only took forever.”

He laughed, a real laugh, not one of the chuckles he forces out in interviews when he’s uncomfortable. That made you so much more relieved.

“It actually didn’t take that long. I expected more time, to be completely honest. Not like I mind. I love spending time with my two favorite things to do.”

You gave a playful glare.

“You really chose that wording?”

He laughed again.

“Sorry babe. Couldn’t resist.”

“You definitely could.”

It was just banter, there was no legitimate anger behind your words.

Now, you just had to wait until the next day when he wasn’t around so you could record the drum part without him being suspicious over what you were up to. Which turns out, wouldn’t take that long. Just the next day, he walked into your doorway and gently knocked on the frame.

“Hey love?”

You looked up from scrolling on your phone.

“Yea, what’s up?”

He gave a soft, yet sad smile.

“I have to go to the studio for a few hours. I know that we were supposed to spend today together, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright! I know you guys have a lot to do, with the album release coming up and all the promo. No worries!! Just text me when you’re on your way back okay? We can take a rain check for now.”

He walked over and hugged you.

“I don’t deserve you.”

You rolled your eyes.

“You deserve me and more. Go get your work done. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

You were really happy actually, that he finally got out of the house. Not because you didn’t want to spend time with him, but Valentine’s Day was tomorrow, and you had to be able to finish the cover before that morning. Now you would have the opportunity to finish the drum part and the singing part in your short time alone. And that was exactly what you got done. Still remembering the way and rhythm of the drumming, you knocked that out first. You barely made any mistakes and got it done in just a few takes, quickly overlaying it with all of the guitar, bass, and piano cover parts, making sure that it sounded satisfactory to gift. It did.

You were incredibly happy with the way it was sounding so far, and moved on to start recording the lyrics. You truly enjoyed singing, and had almost gone into it as a career. It was still a heavy secondary part of you. Because of that, you were heavily critical of your own voice. You couldn’t stand listening to it back, which was going to make the recording of it so much more difficult. You recorded triple the takes of every single instrument you’d recorded already put together. You hated the way they all sounded, and you knew in the back of your mind that it was really just your anxiety speaking and that they all sounded fine. However, that didn’t stop the perfectionism in you, so you continued to do take after take until you were satisfied with the results given.

Finally, you were happy with it, and you moved on to making sure that everything sounded good when it was overlaid and mixed together. It was fairly easy to make sure that all the instruments sounded good, and you decided to just leave it there. You thought the acoustic idea gave it more authenticity and you wanted to keep it that way. It felt more real, more loving. You liked the feeling of it and you hoped Ashton would too. Your phone dinged, right as you were thinking about him, with a message from the devil himself.

“Hi love, be home in 10. Got everything done, tomorrow is ours!”

“Sounds great. See you soon! <;3”

You quickly finished up everything you were working on, and made sure the demo was saved, but hid it under a folder of other recordings, hoping he wouldn’t look into that specific one later that night. Right as you finished closing everything off and making sure that the drums didn’t look touched, you heard the door open. You slipped behind the piano, pulling up some of the current songs you’d been working on in your free time, gently beginning to play them and waiting for Ash to walk in on his own. It didn’t take him long at all. He came and sat in the room with you, seating himself on the couch and simply listening. The longer the song went, the more a smile grew across his face. As the song drew to a close, you met eyes and smiled back at him.

“I love listening to you play.”

The smile remained on your face.

“I could say the same.”

A ton of songs were covered that night, singing, playing, mostly soft loving ones for the upcoming holiday.

Waking and sitting up the next morning you let out a small sigh of relief. You’d kept the secret until Valentine’s Day. Admittedly one of your favorite smaller holidays. You liked the special days, the ones filled with love and care, even if you both received and shared that same amount of love and care every day. You wouldn’t have settled for less, but you’d never felt like you settled for anything with Ashton. He was truly above and beyond anything you’d ever asked for. You couldn’t wait to show him the gift you’d made him, but you were going to have to wait a bit, for two reasons. The first being that he wasn’t even awake, and the second one being that you had another thing for him. It wasn’t as huge as the cover, but you’d gotten him sunflower seeds to plant in the backyard, knowing he’d been wanting to for a while, along with a card.

He shifted next to you, rising. His arm reached out, grabbing yours and pulling you back down to lay next to him.

“C’mere. It’s too early.”

You laughed.

“It’s 10:00, goofball. Get up.”

He shifted, making eye contact.

“Still too early. Not moving yet.”

“Happy Valentine's Day to you too, lovely.”

He lifted himself up to press a soft kiss to your lips.

“Happy Valentine’s Day. Give me another hour and I promise to woo you.”

You laughed.

“Fine. I’m getting up though.”

He pouted. You relented.

“Okay, I’ll stay for a bit.”

Watching as his breath evened out, you waited until you were completely sure that he was asleep. Once you were positive, you slipped out of bed to go set out his stuff on the counter, minus the demo. Doing this, you realized it would make more sense to do it in your home studio room, so that’s where you decided to do it. You moved everything into there, and smiled when you realized Ashton had had the same idea.

Walking in, there was a vase of flowers sitting on the piano bench, a note taped to them, and a card with your name written in cursive on the front. Deciding to open the card later, you read the small note.

“I set this up last night after you went to bed. If you’re reading this alone, I probably begged you to let me sleep a bit longer because I hate waking up early. I love you!!! Don’t open the card without me please. <;3”

“I see you found my note.”

You turned around to see Ash standing in the doorway, hair all ruffled and clearly having just gotten up.

“I did. It’s been less than an hour though, I’m shocked to see you awake.”

“The bed got cold without you. Happy Valentine’s Day. Wanna open cards? I got you flowers, obviously.”

You smiled.

“Absolutely.”

Cards were opened, and Ashton had the biggest smile opening the small packets of sunflower seeds.

“I can’t wait to plant these.”

You laughed.

“I was hoping you’d be excited. I know you love sunflowers.”

“You’re my sunflower.”

“Don’t be cheesy.”

He rolled his eyes. You gave him a side hug to placate him.

“I have one more thing for you.”

His eyebrows raised in questioning.

“Okay. Should I be scared?”

You gave a playful glare.

“No. You should be excited.”

Grabbing the headphones, you handed them to him.

“You have to put these on.”

He gave a skeptical look.

“I’m scared.”

You gave him a hit to the arm.

“Shut up and put the headphones on before I revoke my gift.”

He laughed.

“Fine, fine. Don’t play some creepy sounds.”

You didn’t dignify it with a reply, you just reached over and clicked play on your cover. It didn’t take him very long to realize what was playing in his ears, and his eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

“Babe-”

“Listen now, talk later, yeah?”

It didn’t take very long for the song to finish up, and his face was adorned in such a huge smile.

“You like it?”

“I loved it.”

“Thank you.”

“Wait a minute- that’s what you were learning the drums for?!”

You laughed.

“Yes. I had it all planned, I already had the guitar and bass and piano recorded before you got home. You came home earlier than I expected, and I had to accept your help and hope you wouldn’t ask too many questions. Luckily, you didn’t, although I could tell you had quite a few spinning around in your brain. You made my job amazingly easy when you had to disappear for a few hours to the studio for the next day, giving me all the time I needed. You almost caught me recording the vocals though, I had just finished saving, overlaying, and mixing it with all the instrument tracks when you walked in. I was terrified you’d see the nervousness on my face when I quickly moved over to play the piano right as you entered the room.”

He shook his head, shock and amusement on his face. He couldn’t believe you’d pulled this off right under his nose. Well, maybe that was a lie. You definitely had the guts and the persistence to pull it off, and you definitely contain the ability to create the element of surprise. The thing he was mostly shocked about was the fact that you didn’t have the ability to keep a secret for the life of you, so he was floored that you were able to keep this quiet and continue to work on it for two days. Although, I suppose it is easier when he wasn’t even there.

“I can’t decide whether to laugh, cry, or kiss you.”

You took a few steps closer to him.

“I’m good with all three, but I’m especially down for the last one.”

“I figured you would be.”

He smiled, pulling you a few steps closer for a long kiss.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you more.”

155 notes · View notes

notafraidofredyellowandblue · 5 months

Note

Do we know what songs Rammstein recorded when they won the contest?

Well, i looked it up 😊 and i'm going with Rammwiki on this

"The band heard about the Metrobeat competition, to which a tape of demos had to be sent in. They recorded four songs, one of them being an early and English version of Weißes Fleisch, called White Flesh back then,[5] and sent in the tape under the name Tempelprayers.[6] They ended up performing four songs at the contest festival and immediately won the competition. The prize was a week in a professional recording studio."

The note [5] refers to Flake's book 'Heute hat die Welt Geburtstag' page 193, where Flake mentions the songs that existed before he joined the band (which was after the contest):

"Vier Lieder gab es schon, bevor ich in die Band kam. Das waren 'Rammstein', 'Der Seemann' und 'Weißes Fleisch', das damals noch auf English war, und 'White Flesh' hieß, wobei ich 'White Flash' verstand und dachte, es würde um den Atomschlag gehen. Dann gab es noch den 'Tiefer Gelegten', ein Lied, das so hieß, weil die Gitarristen für dieses Lied ihre tiefe E-Saite auf D gestimmt hatten, und somit einen Ton tiefer spielten, als es normalerweise mit den Gitarren möglich war."

translated

"There were four songs before I joined the band. They were 'Rammstein', 'Der Seemann' and 'Weißes Fleisch', which was still in English at the time and was called 'White Flesh', which i understood as 'White Flash' and thought it was about a nuclear blast. Then there was 'Tiefer Gelegenten', a song that was called that way because the guitarists for this song tuned their low E string to D and thus played a tone lower, than was normally possible with the guitars."

and more from Rammwiki on the demo with those four songs, which was recorded somewhere between the end of 1993 and february 1994

"It is unknown if they also actually performed at the Metrobeat Contest, but it's possible that they sent in the demo tape, which resulted in them winning a chance to play there, as well as winning them a recording session in a studio at the same time."

🌺

#rammstein #rammstein lore #tempelprayers demo tape

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waywardrose-archive · 1 year

Text

THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY | 13

stranger things

eddie munson x reader

rated e

5.4k

spotify playlist

for @punk-in-docs

fem/witchy/goth!reader, magic, slow burn (for me), friends to lovers, no y/n only pet names, series-typical horror, period-typical sexism and homophobia, historical inaccuracies and anachronisms, drug dealing and use, smoking, alcohol use, masturbation, mutual masturbation, fantasizing, one-bed trope, making out, fingering, dirty talk, consensual pursuit and capture, oral sex, handjobs, condoms, piv sex, reader’s father is a dirtbag, mild spanking, magical violation, mental torture, body horror, aftercare, nightmares, strict parenting, panic attack, past child abuse and abandonment, semi-public sex, tags will be updated as needed

Eddie would have to wait until his lunch break to see this new, hot, weird chick. He wondered which flavor of weird she was. Art weird? Theater weird? Band weird?

Weird weird?

He shrugged. He liked weird.

In other words, you’re the new girl in town, and Eddie is intrigued.

note: More music description in this chapter (with some 🍆 thrown in at the end)! Whee! 😜

They paused their conversation as Gareth hurtled down the stairs to Jeff’s basement. At the top, Jeff’s mother closed the door after him. He whipped a folded sheet of copy paper from his back pocket and popped it open.

“Guys, check out this shit,” he said, and slapped the paper on the coffee table next to the open bag of potato chips.

Eddie leaned in from his gargoyled position in the corner armchair while Jeff and Dougie bent to read the paper from the couch.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS headed the flyer. An angled Flying V guitar silhouette underlined it.

Dougie said, “We’ve done that before.”

“Before I joined,” said Gareth.

“In Gary,” Jeff said as he reclined. “That was an expensive weekend, and—” He threw a hand up. “We lost.”

Eddie continued reading. The competition was set for mid-April in Indianapolis. Rock and metal bands preferred. At least two band members had to be eighteen or older. That was no issue, since he was nineteen and Jeff turned eighteen next month. Grand prize was $3000 cash and professional studio time to record a demo.

Just reading about the grand prize made him want to leap out of the armchair and do laps around the basement. They could give the judges horror, blood, obsession, and sex. God, so much sex now. The original songs he was writing were full of that dark, heady cadence.

He tuned into the conversation to hear Gareth proclaim his drum prowess. He was good, that was true. He was better than their previous drummer, Rich, who’d ditched them for Purdue. Rich had kept a steady beat, but had no pizzazz.

Despite wanting to, he couldn’t blame everything on Rich.

They’d had no stage presence in Gary, nothing to call their own. They’d worn other bands’ t-shirts and dirty sneakers. The only original song they’d had was a complete ripoff of Dio’s “Evil Eyes.”

Looking back, it was no surprise they’d lost.

“Dude,” Jeff said. “We need to practice more if we’re doing this.”

Eddie said, “And I need to finish some songs.”

Dougie groaned around a potato chip. “Those songs about your girlfriend?”

Jeff rummaged in the potato-chip bag as Eddie asked:

“What’s wrong with that?”

“We all agree your girl is hot,” said Gareth. “But come on, your new stuff sounds nothing like us.”

“And what, pray tell, do we sound like?” he asked.

“Like...” Gareth waved his arms around. “Like metal, man!”

He squinted at Gareth.

“That’s what I’m writing.”

“No, you’re writing something else. It’s all... moody.”

“It’s still dark,” Jeff said.

Dougie added, “But it’s not thrashing.”

Eddie sighed and said, “Not every song we put out should go like a bat out of hell.”

“But they shouldn’t all be about witches in the night,” Gareth said.

“Fine, but ‘Ride the Night’ can’t change.”

“I like that one,” said Jeff.

Gareth said, “‘Sabbath Smoke’ needs major rewrites.”

Eddie glowered around the room. He liked where that one was going. It was dark in a different way than “Ride the Night.” It was still about you, but not so overtly sexual. He hadn’t thought the rest of the band noticed his latest attempts centered around you.

“Alright, fine, ‘Sabbath Smoke’ can be about...” He shook his head as he thought. “A sacrifice to the devil, instead, with, like, all the hot blood and ropes of guts you want.”

“What about ‘Black Market, Midnight Track’?” Dougie asked.

Eddie stood and shoved his fingers into his hair.

“Jesus fuck—” His rings caught in his hair. Of course. “I don’t know. It’s a story.” He snarled as he freed them one by one. “I can get rid of the magic part, okay?”

He knew better than to comb through his hair while wearing his rings. Just like he should’ve known the band wouldn’t like the spooky — okay, maybe goth-inspired — turn he’d taken. Corroded Coffin had always been on the thrash side of heavy metal. Their original stuff had to stay in that vein if he wanted to keep the band together.

In that case, he should take the mixtape you’d made him out of rotation. There were songs about dark stuff on it, of course. The riffs were heavy and deep. Sure, most of it wasn’t “heavy metal,” but it was good shit. However, it was too much of an influence.

Maybe you were too much of an influence.

He’d been neglecting band practice since before Halloween. The four of them had only been meeting twice a month to play, excluding gigs at The Hideout, and once a month to write. He knew the guys practiced on their own. They talked on the phone about ideas, but that wasn’t the same as a jam session.

“Hey, dude,” Gareth said to him. “It’s not like we hate what you’ve written.”

“Something is better than nothing,” said Jeff, inadvertently reminding Eddie of the summer.

Summer had been a dry spell. Shit, it had been a fucking desert. The Sahara.

They’d played cover after cover during gigs. Eddie had burned through his stash, hoping to flow enough that original melodies and lyrics would come, but no dice. It felt like a dead end, like maybe covers were all he was good at. When school started in August, he stared at his future with this leaden feeling in his chest.

“No, it’s cool,” he said with a shake of his head. “You’re right. Let’s do some reworking.”

“I like that devil’s sacrifice idea for ‘Sabbath Smoke,’” Dougie said, since he did enjoy horror.

Jeff nodded and said, “Let’s work on that one now.”

“Sure, absolutely,” Eddie said as he popped open the guitar case for his acoustic.

He didn’t want to follow his father’s footsteps by knocking up his first serious girlfriend right out of the service and scrambling to find decent work. Only to settle as a mechanic in, what Eddie realized way later, was a chop shop. As the years went on, he understood his mother. Ditching everything and everyone had its appeal.

That would make him just as bad as them, though. He wouldn’t respect himself if he did that kind of thing to Wayne, you, the band, or even Hellfire. He wanted to do right by his family and friends — and, most importantly, you.

Eddie brought out the composition book they worked in, flicked to the “Sabbath Smoke” page, and set it on the coffee table. Dougie rubbed his greasy fingertips on his jeans while scooting to the edge of the couch. Jeff found a pen on the side-table as Gareth sat on the floor opposite him.

Maybe the guys were right about you transforming his composing. Maybe he was thinking too much with his dick. He didn’t think love would stifle creativity. Wasn’t love supposed to inspire the artist?

With a mental snort, he thought of course he’d be the exception. That would be his luck, wouldn’t it?

Shit, he really did love you, didn’t he?

The new lyrics and melodies and chords and all the effort was for you.

He laid his guitar next to Jeff on the couch, saying he had to take a leak. Once in the upstairs bathroom, he leaned his rear on the vanity and stared at the ceiling. He needed the guys at his side. He wanted to lead Corroded Coffin out of Hawkins, confident they would triumph. It didn’t matter if they started small in Indianapolis or Chicago. They could build a following, open for a bigger band, find a manager, work the local concert circuit, get a contract with a record label, and move to Los Angeles or New York.

He could do it. They could do it, but only if they could write an album worth of songs.

This battle of the bands in April would throw them right into the fray. He smirked at the unintended pun. Still, the timing was perfect. He would prove himself to you, and to himself, and to Wayne, that every sacrifice had been worth it.

He couldn’t do any of that if he was distracted. He wouldn’t be good enough. He’d be like his old man. Without that small win, he wouldn’t be able to provide for you. Or keep up with you. He’d lose you.

He didn’t want to lose you.

The lower half of his vision went watery with a deluge of tears. He blinked the tears away and wiped at his lower lashes. Allowing himself to be shaken by that idea would help no one. There was a solution. He cracked his neck and took a deep breath. He had to keep his eye on the prize: $3000 and free studio time.

You’d understand when he explained it.

He used the facilities and rinsed his hands before heading downstairs. Jeff’s mother stopped him in the kitchen to insist he take cans of pop to the guys. With a wink, he thanked her for the fuel. She shooed him away, looking pleasantly exasperated.

As he descended the basement stairs, he said, “Gentlemen, I have procured refreshments!”

Your breath fogged in the chilly night air. Your thighs were nearly numb. Ignoring the weather, you’d chosen to wear a short skirt and fishnets. You’d heard the saying ‘a hoe never gets cold,’ but that also applied to goths. And you had every intention of being eye-candy tonight.

You dodged mounds of half-frozen slush in The Hideout’s parking lot. It had snowed earlier in the week. Not enough to close school, but enough to make the drive a hair-raising event. Eddie said he’d almost plowed into a few mailboxes, which meant he’d knocked over a couple of trashcans instead.

The Hideout was warm and dingy. Behind the sticky bar, the muted TV played a basketball game. Its light flickered through neglected liquor bottles. A few patrons entertained themselves at the billiard table. The jukebox played some country song.

Just like your previous visit, the bartender didn’t ask for ID when you ordered a vodka tonic. You tipped him well before claiming a barstool that faced the stage. You crossed your legs, letting the skirt ride up the outside of your top thigh.

Five minutes before showtime, Eddie parted the split in the stage curtain, guitar slung around his torso. His gaze found yours as he stepped onto the stage. Then he noticed what you wore — and stopped midway around the drum-set. He looked like he’d been slapped in the face. Jeff almost ran into him. Complaints came from behind the curtain. Jeff followed Eddie’s attention and gave you an appreciative once-over.

You smirked, taking a sip of your drink via the mini straw.

Eddie’s face flushed as he put a hand on his chest. You winked just as he was prodded into moving. He stumbled around a cymbal’s tripod legs. You noticed then he wore boots instead of his usual Reeboks. His jeans hugged his thighs and hips. He’d rolled the sleeves of his black t-shirt to show off his tattoos.

The other band members had dressed similarly: Jeff wore a simple Fender t-shirt, Dougie had a navy button-up tucked into black jeans, and Gareth wore a tight undershirt under a sleeveless plaid shirt. They looked good, like a professional band instead of a barrel of fanboys.

They joked with each other as they went through a quick sound-check.

With Eddie turned away from the bar, you could admire the lean lines of him and his round ass. In the morning after you’d gotten some magic back, you’d grabbed that ass as he’d pounded you into the mattress. He’d growled profanities and oaths into your neck with his hands hooked under your shoulders. You’d moved with him, grinding your pelvis against his.

You’d bitten his shoulder to keep from moaning too loud when you came. He’d only encouraged you by pushing into the pain and gasping, “That’s it, baby, that’s it, oh fuck.”

Your cheeks and neck grew hot. The bar was suddenly stuffy. You wiggled out of your leather jacket and pressed cool fingers against your neck. Maybe a quick jaunt around the parking lot would help. Or maybe Eddie not wearing such goddamn tight clothes.

You took another sip of your drink, then popped a thin ice cube in your mouth to take the edge off the heat.

Leaning around Eddie’s side, Gareth gave you a roguish smile. You grinned back. When Eddie glanced over his shoulder, you showed him the ice cube on your tongue. He faced you and waggled his eyebrows, making you snicker.

The jukebox music cut off before the stage lights brightened. Eddie greeted the meager crowd and introduced his bandmates. You set down your drink to clap. A few people slapped the bar in lieu of applause.

The band started their set with Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” Gareth used cymbals and the bass drum’s reverb to mimic the bell that starts the song. It was a cool technique and a difficult transition when the other three began the driving beat. Eddie and Jeff stuck their tongues out to each other before head-banging. Dougie added a few flourishes as Eddie approached the mic. You rocked with the rhythm and mouthed the lyrics.

When the song came to a thunderous end, you hooted and clapped. Eddie smiled at you, face already glowing with sweat. He looked so carefree, like nothing could bring him down.

The band played a few more covers until Eddie introduced an original song, “Sabbath Smoke.” You couldn’t believe what you heard. He hadn’t spoken about an original song in weeks. Naturally, you hadn’t wanted to pester him. It wasn’t your place to say what he wrote or what Corroded Coffin played.

The song had a dangerous edge to it. The lyrics Eddie purred were from a demon’s point of view. Jeff and Dougie howled after the chorus, piercing and ravenous. Goosebumps shivered down your arms, yet you couldn’t look away. The center of the song — the heartbeat of the sacrifice — sped with each repeat of the chorus. The song lashed on until the heartbeat abruptly stopped; the sacrifice slaughtered.

The bar was quiet for a moment.

You erupted from your barstool with a cheer. The rest of the patrons applauded or whooped. Eddie thanked everyone before announcing they’d continue in a minute. You rushed to the stage. He stepped around the mic stand and bent. You caught his dewy face and kissed him, unconcerned about smudging your makeup. His eyes went wide, then closed.

After breaking the kiss, you thumbed the lipstick off his lips. They were still stained and puffy. You pushed away the damp curtain of his bangs and smiled.

“Holy shit.”

“You like it?”

“Love it.”

He grinned, catching his lower lip between his teeth and averting his gaze.

“We got one more tonight,” he said and met your eyes.

“Another original?”

He nodded.

You kissed him again. Your lipstick fainter this time, but you still wiped it off for him.

“I can’t wait,” you said as you moved back.

He straightened, appearing on the smug side of pleased. The rest of the band murmured amongst themselves while hydrating. Eddie drank from the lone beer left on the stool behind Gareth.

You perched on your barstool, sipped at your drink, and then discretely neatened your lipstick. It wasn’t as polished as when you first stepped inside, but it didn’t matter. None of the other patrons noticed you.

Especially not when Corroded Coffin returned to their places on stage.

Eddie asked if everyone was ready for more and received a few ‘woo’s and applause in reply.

The band played some covers; one or two you’d heard previously. They were still good, but you awaited the second original song. Your stomach fluttered and your grip trembled, like you were the one who had to play.

You were debating on ordering another drink when the current song ended.

Eddie looked at you as he said, “Last one of the night, folks. We hope you like it.”

You smiled and gripped the sides of the barstool.

Gareth counted down and began playing a deep, primal rhythm you recognized. After a few bars, Eddie added a sultry metallic shred. Dougie added to the rhythm, making it a dark thrum. Jeff complemented Gareth’s rhythm while Eddie built to a grinding reverb. They went through a cycle of that until Eddie put his mouth to the mic to sing about drowning in magic, about fire licking down your spine, about riding the night.

His voice oscillated between crooning and growling, just like you imagined. He used his breath in the chorus, just like he’d panted into your ear. Your stomach swooped and cunt clenched. You wanted to run your hands all over him, cup his erection, and stare into his eyes as they went hazy. You wanted to lick the sweat off his neck and drag your teeth over his jaw and kiss his full lips.

The bar patrons disappeared. The clack of billiard balls and murmuring voices muted. It was you and him; a private pleasure turned public. There was something thrilling and honest about that. Anyone who heard the song would know you and him.

When the song ended, you inhaled a lungful of smoky air. Eddie stared at you — and you at him — as the other patrons applauded. Jeff signed off when Eddie said nothing. The stage lights dimmed. The jukebox kicked on. Someone behind you laughed, hacked, and resumed laughing.

Dougie and Jeff unplugged their guitars while Gareth stood to fold his low stool. Jeff bopped Eddie on the elbow to knock him from his daze and mumbled something close to his ear. Eddie nodded and unplugged his guitar.

With eye-contact broken, you slipped into your jacket and stood. You approached the stage, hands in your jacket pockets. Eddie wound the audio cable around his palm.

“What was the title of that one?”

“‘Ride the Night,’” said Eddie with hardly an upward glance.

“Makes sense.”

Dougie wound his own cable and said, “He wouldn’t compromise on that one at all.”

“Well, it’s his song from start to finish,” Jeff said, shrugging.

Eddie’s cheeks reddened when you focused on him.

“It’s my favorite,” you said.

“Mine too,” Gareth interjected.

Dougie snorted with a roll of his eyes. “No shock there.”

Jeff leveled them a look before turning to you.

“Thanks for coming out.”

“We missed you the last time,” Eddie said.

You smiled as something in your chest fluttered.

“I’m sure there’ll come a time when you won’t be able to pick me out in the crowd.”

Eddie ceased neatening his cable and looked at you.

“Never.”

Warmth creeped up your chest to your face.

Eddie passed his loop of cable to Dougie, who sputtered.

“C’mon,” Eddie said to you, wiped his hand on his jeans, and held it out. “I want to show you something.”

“Um, okay?”

You took his hand and put a foot on the stage, keeping one hand on the hem of your skirt. He pulled you up the short distance to lead you behind the curtain. Backstage was red-lit and littered with open guitar cases and containers for Gareth’s drum-set. Eddie switched off the audio mixer, secured his guitar in its case, and took your hand again.

From the slit in the curtain, Gareth asked, “Is it safe to come back here?”

He held a snare drum, his eyes shut.

Eddie snorted and threw you a grin. “No, Gare-bear, it’s a bit dangerous in here.”

You said, “Especially with your eyes closed.”

Gareth opened one eye to glare.

“Oh, screw you both.”

Eddie sing-songed, “You wi-ish,” though he stepped closer to you.

Gareth grumbled to himself as he unlatched the drum from its tripod stand. Eddie directed you to the coat-pegs by the backdoor and put on his jacket with vest. In the meantime, Jeff and Dougie entered with coils of cable and their guitars. Eddie told them he’d be back soon and tugged you through the backdoor before they could protest.

The chilly air hit your exposed skin and slithered up your skirt to ice your rear. You folded your jacket around your middle, holding it closed with your free arm.

“Jesus, it’s cold,” he said and shook the sweat-soaked hair away from his face.

The door clunked shut.

Only the green-tinted light above the backdoor lit the gravel service road beside the bar.

“Your hair’s going to freeze.”

“Nah, too salty.”

He dug around in his inner-jacket pocket one-handed.

“What did you want to show me?”

He huffed, released your hand, and patted his jacket down. You crossed your arms as you stepped around to watch.

“Shit.”

“What?”

“Cigs are gone.” He glanced at his van parked a few yards away. “They’re probably in the van.” He patted his jacket along with his jeans pockets — though, how anything could hide in them you’d never know — and breathed a curse. “Keys are inside.”

“Is that what you wanted to show me? Cigarettes?” you asked with a laugh.

He met your gaze, eyes dark and full lips parted.

Your smile faded as you examined his beautiful, flushed face. Forget whatever he wanted to show you and hanging with the rest of the band and getting home before curfew. Eddie Munson had written you a song. All you wanted to do was kiss him.

“Fuck it,” he said before taking your hand again.

He walked you away from The Hideout’s backdoor and his van. The toe of your boot knocked some rocks loose from the compacted snow as you jogged to catch up. He remained quiet and marched around the corner. You had no choice but to follow him behind the building, your eyes adjusting to the unlit space.

You clutched his hand in both of yours.

“Eddie?”

He swung you around and stalked you against the cold concrete wall. You fisted the lapel of his vest to pull him close. He pressed his front to yours, hands on your hips.

“Is this what you wanted to show me?” you asked, holding his warm cheek.

“Not exactly.”

He swooped in to kiss you, devouring and needy. Your waxy lipstick smeared between you. His hands trailed down to grip your ass. You pushed your fingers into his thick hair and slanted his head to kiss him harder.

He pulled away far enough to say, “Do you know how good you look tonight?”

You wiped your lipstick off with the sleeve of your jacket. He mirrored you.

“Why don’t you show me.”

You yanked him forward to kiss once more. He groaned and ground his hips against yours. Taking the opportunity, you licked into his mouth to tease his tongue. He tasted like beer, but you didn’t mind.

In reply, he pulled at your ass and sucked on your bottom lip. You mewled, feeling the ridge of his erection. You reached between your bodies to cup his fever-hot groin. His balls were high and tight in your palm, and you gently massaged them.

Eddie tilted his head up with a soft sound as he rocked into your touch. You kissed his jaw, tasted the salt on his neck, and stroked him through the denim. His erection pulsed in your hand. You bet his boxers were wet with precome—

And you wanted to see that.

You dragged his t-shirt from his waistband to snaked your hands over his firm sides. His warm skin was flawless. You had to stop yourself from stooping to worship him all the way down.

Instead, you said, “You’re gorgeous.”

“Look who's talking.”

You hummed a laugh and unbuttoned his jeans.

“Oh shit,” he said.

“Can I?”

“Baby, whatever you want.”

You unzipped his jeans and spread the fly. He shuffled the fabric down his hips enough to expose the thin thatch of his pubic hair.

Softly, you said, “Show me.”

He bit his bottom lip as he dragged his flushed cock from his boxers. It filled out further and bobbed in the air. Your mouth watered at the sight. He really was gorgeous like this.

A thick bead of precome rolled down his frenulum. You caught it with your thumb before wrapping a hand around the heft of his cock and spreading the slick precome over the tip.

Eddie cursed again, watching your hand. “I...” He swallowed and braced his hands on either side of you. “I need you.”

“What do you need?”

His hips jutted forward.

You met his eyes.

“God, I need to be inside you.”

“Yeah? Wanna come in me?”

With a groan, his head flopped forward and cock jerked.

You continued, “Haven’t felt that in so long.”

He kissed you hard. You felt his desperation, his longing. It reflected your own. He wasn’t in your bed enough. You wanted him there every day, every night.

You swept your hands around his waist. He pinned you to the wall with his body. His cock dug into your belly. The contrast of cold wall at your back and hot body at your front had you writhing. You grabbed his round ass as one of your thighs reflexively hitched onto his hip.

His palm followed your raised leg under your skirt. His lips slackened before he broke the kiss.

“You’re not wearing underwear.”

“Nope.”

He plunged his other hand between your legs, making you gasp. His chilled, callused fingers rasped over the fishnet covering your pussy and pushed against it. The texture and tease set your nerves alight. You rolled your hips into his warming touch and leaned your head on the wall.

He trailed kisses over your neck, using his teeth, and nosed under your jacket collar.

“So wet, baby,” he said against your skin. “But I can’t get to you.”

He hooked fingers into the fishnet and gave it a forceful tug. Your hips were jerked forward as the fabric tore with a sharp crackle. You gasped louder this time and slapped a hand over your mouth.

The thought of anyone seeing you both like this — your skirt rucked up and his dick out — thrilled yet unnerved you. You had to keep quiet, lest a bar patron or the other members of Corroded Coffin find you.

However, it felt like a monumental task when he circled your clit just right. You hauled him up by the hair for a kiss. He groaned and tilted his head. His puffy lips slid along yours until it was all madness and heat.

You raised yourself on tip-toe to cant your hips. Knuckles brushed your slit. Then the sleek tip of his cock slid between your folds. The heat and silky skin of his cock had your cunt pulsing in a prelude to orgasm. You rocked with him, breathed with him. It made you weak, made you want everything you couldn’t have just yet.

His tip glanced off your hole. You stiffened. He paused to look deep into your eyes.

“I’ll pull out before.”

“No, I—” You shook your head. You didn’t trust yourself to let him. “Condom.”

“I don’t...”

You’d slipped a condom packet into a jacket pocket before leaving the house. Just in case. It was your last one. You searched the pocket now, praying the condom hadn’t fallen out earlier. Your fingers brushed its plastic packet.

You grinned, held it up between two fingers, and said, “I do.”

“Thank Christ.”

He kissed you hard — once, twice. You held onto his vest and groaned. You were so close to getting him deep inside you. You needed it now, needed him, needed that fullness.

You clutched at his nape and said, “Fuck me.”

His expression went tight as he grit his teeth. He took the condom packet, made space between your bodies, and fumbled the condom on. You nodded and adjusted your leg on his hip. His cock slipped into your wet folds again, brushing your clit.

You tilted your pelvis while balancing with a hand on the wall. Together, you found the perfect angle and his cock pushed right inside. His knuckles bumped your mound as you panted. The stretch of him was nearly too much. The flared crown of his cock ground against nerves you could never reach.

“So fuckin’ tight.”

It was him, you wanted to argue, all him, but you couldn’t form a sentence. You could only hang on and take it. His cock pushed the air from your lungs as he slid to the hilt.

You swallowed a moan at the intensity.

He shushed you and kissed your cheek.

“Feel so good,” you whispered.

Eddie held you still with one hand cradling your ass with the other holding the underside of your hooked leg. You rested your forehead on his shoulder and tried to catch your breath. Your dripping cunt fluttered. He shivered and gulped in air and kissed the rim of your ear.

His voice was strained as he said, “Can’t wait.”

“Then don’t.”

“Yeah?”

“Uh-huh.”

His grip tightened as he started with small lurches of his hips. His cock rocked deep inside. You rubbed your lips on his neck, tasted the new sweat on his skin. Then he began to move faster, deeper, plunging hard with every thrust.

You clung to him with shaking limbs as his cock hit you just right. His chest was tight to yours. You threw yourself into it and moved counter to him. He groaned a broken encouragement. You made each of his thrusts bigger, ratcheting you closer and closer to climax.

“Oh fuck, you’re gonna make me come.” He stilled and crushed you to the wall. “Shit, shit, shit.”

You clawed at his shoulders as your cunt clenched. His cock throbbed, but not enough. You covered your mouth to stifle a groan, because you were already on the edge of orgasm.

“Eddie...”

You stretched to catch his kiss-swollen lips. He met you halfway to give biting kisses and push his tongue against yours. His shoulders tensed as both hands held your ass. With no warning, he hoisted you off the ground. You squeaked, hung on, and wrapped your other leg around his waist.

“Jesus fuck...”

“Yeah, c’mon, fuck me.”

He dug his boots into the hard-packed gravel and slammed up into you. That was what you needed from him. You bit the meat at the base of your thumb, muffling your cries that punctuated every thrust of his strong hips.

He took you mercilessly, completely focused on getting as deep as he could. His breath stuttered in your ear. He forced you to the wall and controlled your body. He hammered his cock inside you until you couldn’t take it anymore. You twisted in his bruising hold a second before your body locked. Then everything came crashing through you — enough that you couldn’t see or hear.

You could only feel.

Each fierce surge of orgasm washed away your strength. You stared into the dark, trying to breathe. But you couldn’t. The pleasure kept going as Eddie fucked you through it.

He gasped the beginning of your name, suddenly, his cock throbbing and filling the condom. You wished you could feel him flooding you with each pump of his hips instead. He’d make a mess of you both.

You hugged him with arms and legs as he stilled. He panted and mouthed at the hinge of your jaw.

After a moment, he lowered one of your legs and eased you down to stand. It was enough movement to displace his softening cock. You whined at losing the feel of him inside you.

“I know, sweetheart. Me too.”

He kissed over your jaw to your lips. He brushed his lips against yours, easy and wanton. You let him support your weight as you lowered your other leg. He swept his hands around your waist until he wrapped you in his arms.

You hummed against his lips and grinned, breaking the kiss. He rested his forehead on yours. You hadn’t expected any of that — the songs, the heated looks, the sex — when you’d arrived tonight.

“Wow,” you said.

“Yeah.”

As you were starting to learn, surprises with Eddie could be really, really fun.

He straightened your skirt, then patted your ass.

“I forgot what I was going to show you.”

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson #eddie munson smut #stranger things #em tagd #waywardrose writes

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sugirandom · 14 days

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Demo Recording update

Only under the read more because it's long, I don't think there's any trigger warning.

Since it was requested here's a small update about the demo recording I did on Wednesday. I was pretty nervous when we first arrived because the guy I was working with has the home studio in his house and well I've never been to someone else's home studio.

Once I walked in though I began to feel more comfortable as this voice coach is very friendly. He lead me to his basement (which normally sounds like the start of a horror story lol) which is basically a super hero man cave. This guy has provided voices for both Marvel and D.C. characters so the basement was decked out in both, with even the restroom having mural on the wall of Spiderman and the Hulk.

Anyway, I thought we were going to be re-recording the demos I made back in 2019 but as it turns out my coach printed out completely new scripts for me to work with. (I'm calling him my coach or voice coach because I usually am iffy with name-dropping for these things for whatever reason. The guy is well known for the most part I think).

It was so nice to work in a professional studio again. It has been years! He was very patient and worked with me on breaking down each script to analyze the best right and gave me great directions so I clearly knew what I had to work on improving but he also let me know what I was doing well. He took about three takes of everything and that's why it took about 3 and a half hours. Unlike the company I worked with five years ago he's not just going to cut my loose once the demos are done.

The package I paid for includes two zoom sessions to help with my home studio and give me a direction for marketing myself. I produced a commercial and a narration demo (which are industry standard when you're starting out) and I'm thinking once i make some more money I may ask him about helping me with a character demo further on down the road. I'm also going to see how much it would cost to get continued mentoring/coaching from him because I really would like to get my voice acting career going.

I feel bad that the previous company basically screwed me out of money by not giving me demos that were competitive enough and then when I struggled with getting anywhere using their marketing suggestions they wouldn't even answer one question of mine for free. I sincerely hope I'm connected with the right person this time and that with his help I can connect to right people that will get me sme work.

#Sugi updates #voice acting updates

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enam3l · 1 year

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love, lola chapter nine preview!

university has been super busy and these will be two big chapters that’ll drop simultaneously so i’m sorry about the delay. but here’s the opening for the next chapter -

Eddie has just arrived in California with Kraven and his rockstar journey is just beginning but he can’t stop thinking about how you said goodbye.

California is too fucking hot. That is what Eddie Munson has learnt since moving. Far too hot for hair like his and definitely far too hot to stay hidden behind the safety of his leather jacket.

After years of the mind numbing mundanity of Hawkins, Eddie was propelled into the fast pace L.A. mindset. Each morning for a moment his heart hammered, wondering where he was until the palm trees outside the window reminded him it definitely wasn't Indiana. The apartment the record label had set him and rest of Kraven up in was definitely not the trailer - maybe the size of every single one in the park combined.

So far, everyone had been nice; a niceness you're not usually privy to when you're known as 'The Freak'. Kraven were excited he accepted the offer and their label and manager had heralded him the hero of the hour. But a nagging part of Eddie couldn't ignore the feeling that this wasn't really his band, he was a replacement. There was a brotherhood between the band mates long before his arrival and it's hard to ever truly assimilate with a bond like that. Regardless, he was there, escaped the confines of his small town and now living the dream of becoming a rockstar. This was always the fantasy, wasn't it?

September 2nd 1986

For the first time in his life, Eddie is sat in a real life, high tech, actual recording studio. A far cry from Gareth’s egg box insulated garage. An egg shaped chair swallows him whole which feels tediously symbolic of his time so far in California. Everything is much bigger than him. As the band and producers play him the demos they have already, with hopeful looks on their faces, he resorts to anxiously twisting the rings on his fingers. They're a tangible reminder of home. He thumbs them in order. Skull. Pig. Cross and bones. Mom's. But now there's a new edition - yours.

It made its way onto his finger as you said your final goodbyes in the airport terminal and it hasn't left since. Between runny noses and weepy eyes, Eddie frowned as you withdrew from a hug that had already lasted several minutes (which was still not long enough).

'I have something for you, Teddy,' you confess as you sift through your bag.

'You already threw the party, sweetheart. Whatcha wasting money on me for?' He sighs.

The protests were not what you wanted clearly as he's met with a silencing finger until you finally found what you were looking for. Now you chew your lip anxiously, fumbling with a little velvet pouch.

'It's not for going away... it's - well, I gathered, this will be the first time since we met that we've not spent our birthdays together...'

Eddie's stomach drops, he had not gathered that. 'Oh...' he murmurs.

'So, I thought I'd give you your present now. I guess. If that's okay?'

Totally thrown, he only blinked and nodded. Taking his hand, you lay his palm out flat and shake the pouch until Eddie hears a little clinking, then feels cool metal on the skin.

'It's the big 2-1, y'know. I wanted us to have something special. I couldn't think of anything to buy. But, I - uhhh - I could think of something to make.'

Finally, he moves and inspects your gift closer. Two silver rings, perfectly imperfect. Carefully, he spins them round until he can finally see what the feature of them is. It causes him to gasp and you to resort to nervously stumbling over your words.

'I was taking a silversmithing class at college and I was thinking about your rings and then I thought I could make you one. Then I thought I could make us some. Matching ones. For our birthdays. It's silly. They're not professional or anything. Y'know a little wonky. Just thought it'd be nice...'

Eddie balls his fist up, clutching the precious contents and closes his eyes to swallow up a sniffle. One ring has E for Eddie on, the other identical except for your initial.

'Wonky? Y/N... they're perfect. This is, holy shit, this is the most amazing thing anyone has ever given me...'

The compliment makes your insides fizz.

'Are you sure? I mean, I was gonna tidy them up more but when you were in hospital. When I went back to New York... I brought them back with me. Just incase... y'know...'

Just incase Eddie never made it to his 21st is the unspoken ending to that sentence that you both understand. Eddie takes your hands in his and squeezes. The rings shielded by your conjoined palms.

'Thank you, sweetheart. Thank you... put it on me! Go on! Make me your little hand model m!'

As usual, Eddie's theatrics ease the tension and force you into giggles.

Carefully, you slide the E ring over Eddie's finger. He prompts you to place it on the bare one next to where his Mom's old ring resides. Then, he takes your hand and delicately places your own ring onto the matching finger. To the rest of the people in the airport, it must've looked like the exchanging of vows before to lovers were forced apart. Really, they wouldn't have been entirely incorrect.

‘So what do you think man?’

Eddie breaks his daze to be met with a room of hopeful eyes.

‘Huh?’ He murmurs.

‘The demos!’ The manager Chris encourages, ‘for the album! These are what the guys have put down so far. Love em?’

tag list: @tlclick73 @probablyin-bed @fangirling-4-ever @booksarekindaneat @azydrateanatomy-deactivated2023y @sadbitchfangirl@fluffybunnyu@big-ope-vibes @beam86 @midnightsgetawaycar @stevieharringtonswife

#enam3l love lola #eddie munson #eddie munson × reader #eddie munson × fem!reader #eddie munson fic #eddie munson fanfiction #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson oneshot #eddie munson scenario #stranger things × reader #stranger things fic

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soulkeeper801 · 2 years

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Stuck with U - Chou Tzuyu pt 4 (final)

(A/N: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3)

Twice’s Tzuyu x f!reader

IV You never thought a work meeting would end up having so many results for the project.

Your laptop was now filled with new ideas to complement the original concept and achieve something bigger.

Ten heads definitely are better than one.

“All of these are going to make a huge impact in the next meeting,” you said, a proud smile on your face.

The girls returned the feeling.

“I think this is the first time we have involved ourselves so much in the development of a project,” Dahyun replied, gaining nods from the others.

“You’re really professionals,” you complimented, closing your laptop and reaching for your bag to put it in. “I have a good feeling about this”.

You didn’t notice, but Tzuyu quickly looked for Jihyo’s gaze when she realized you were getting ready to leave.

“Aren’t you girls hungry?” Jihyo asked, taking a look at the time on her phone.

You checked, too. 3:15:pm.

“Oh,” you said. “I didn’t realize we took so much time. Sorry for keeping you busy,” you zipped up your bag.

“Stay for lunch,” Jihyo immediately said, “it’s the least we can do for our project leader”.

You blushed a bit at the title and nodded in agreement. “Sure, thank you”.

She took out her phone and called their usual delivery place.

Since you were now not focused on work, you took the chance to relax for a bit.

“You’ve worked hard,” the girl sitting next to you complimented.

It pulled a smile out of you. “Thank you. You, too”.

After exchanging the usual smile, you realized this was the chance you were waiting for. Never before had you had her this close and available to make at least a little of small talk.

“Did this session meet your expectations regarding the production team?”, you asked, remembering she once told you about her goals.

“Yes,” she quickly replied. “All of this process seems like a lot of work, but the result will be so rewarding”.

“It will be. Especially when we finally get to take it to the recording studio”.

“Wow,” she smiled, almost daydreaming, “taking your own creation to the recording booth seems like a dream,” she said, her face lighting up at the thought.

You found her endearing.

And then the idea hit you.

“Would you…” you started, not sure if it was a bold move, but going for it anyway, “like to go to the studio tomorrow?”

She looked at you with curiosity in her eyes.

You could faint.

“I will have to record the demo again, adding the changes we’ve talked about today. I’m not the best singer, so I can’t think of anyone better than you”.

Her cheeks tinted pink. “I would love to,” she replied as you held her gaze, a smile growing on both your faces.

Maybe being bold was the way. Maybe she felt the same as you.

“Tzuyu has a date!”, Nayeon screamed after you had left their place.

The nine girls were still in their living room, teasing their youngest about what happened.

“It’s not a date, unnie,” she said, pretending she didn’t like it. “It’s a work meeting”.

Laughter exploded.

“We’re not naive,” Sana replied. “You girls were shamelessly flirting in front of all of us!”.

Tzuyu chuckled, letting her head fall against the couch. Her mind still going around the fact that she would be able to be with you alone.

“Oh my god,” she sat up straight out of realization. “I’m going to be alone with her,” she said, nervousness now creeping inside of her, “what am I gonna do?!”

“Exactly what you were doing here,” Jihyo answered immediately, “making her fall for your charm”.

“And kiss her the first chance you get,” Naeyon continued, nudging her from the side.

“Should I?” Tzuyu asked cautiously.

“I can’t believe you’re actually considering it,” Chaeyoung replied.

“Of course you should!” Nayeon encouraged one more time. “If you don’t do it, Ms. Lee will do it,” she remarked.

Tzuyu frowned. She didn’t want to hear that name again.

---

“Hi,” she said, finally stepping into the studio.

You tried to keep it cool, even if she made you weak everytime she smiled at you.

“Hey,” you replied, looking at her, “I was going over the notes from yesterday”.

She nodded and took a seat next to you.

“I’ve made new drafts with the ideas, even wrote a little rap,” you continued, pulling a little chuckle out of her. “Ready to make the dream come true?”

As you turned to the side waiting for a reply, you realized how close your faces were. Your breath hitched in your throat.

You stood up immediately.

“Ready,” she simply answered, her cheeks now tinted pink and avoiding eye contact.

You took position at the controls as she went into the live room.

“Can you hear me?” you asked over the microphone, looking at her through a small screen.

Inside the live room, she looked at the camera at the corner and smiled widely while adjusting her headphones. “Loud and clear”.

You smiled. How glad you were she couldn’t see you blushing.

“Alright, I’m going to let you hear the song a couple of times and I want you to go over it with the changes. Take it slow, we’re just warming up”.

She nodded cutely and took a look at the new lyrics. She seemed so invested, her head bopping to the rhythm, you could feel a warm feeling surrounding you.

Who allowed her to be this pretty?

“I think I got it,” she said, after the second listen. “Can we try it?”

“Let’s go,” you replied.

She went over it flawlessly. The first attempt was good enough for a demo.

“You know this could go directly to the EP, right?” you teased.

She laughed out loud, covering her face with the papers.

“Come out to check the next parts,” you told her.

She took the papers and left the headphones on the stand.

“That was so good,” you complimented, getting up to take a chair next to you for her.

“Thank you,” she replied shyly, “you look so professional behind the mixing desk”.

You blushed a bit. “Thank you, your voice sounds a thousand times better directly into my headphones”.

Once again your gazes met each other. Shy smiles growing in your faces.

“Let’s go over the next part,” you said, getting out of trance. “Have you ever attempted to rap?”

She tilted her head. “I have, but I’m not comfortable enough yet”.

“No worries,” you said. “We can skip that”.

“Uhm,” she thought out loud. “What if you record the rap and I stay here in the controls?” she asked with a big grin.

You knew how much she wanted to learn about mixing and maybe she wouldn’t have a chance when the real project were in progress.

“Sure,” you said, putting your headphones on her, “tell me if you need anything, alright?”

She nodded and smiled at you.

You went into the live room and put the headphones on, took a glance at the lyrics and smiled at the camera.

“You can hear me, right?” she asked, just as you had done before.

“Yes,” you simply replied.

“Okay,” she answered cautiously. “Let’s start now”.

As the music played on your headphones, you went over the lyrics you had written the night before. It all was inspired by the same girl on the mixing desk looking at you through a screen. You hoped she felt every word was meant for her.

“Was that okay?” you asked, as the music stopped when the part was over.

No answer.

“Tzuyu?”

“Uhm…”

“What's wrong?” you asked again, looking directly at the camera, a little worried now.

You attempted to take the headphones off to go out of the live room but she quickly stopped you.

“No, wait,” she groaned. You didn’t know what was happening. “I…”

“What is it, Tzuyu? You’re worrying me…”

She sighed. “I don’t know how to say this,” she began, “but I think I’m feeling brave from this place”.

You furrowed your eyebrows.

“I don’t want this to sound weird, but I’ve been meaning to tell you something for a while now”.

You nodded as a sign for her to continue. Your heart now beating faster at the seriousness of her voice. Her once shy and cute personality now seemed stern.

She sighed again, deeply.

“Y/N, I…” you heard her gulp, “I…”

You took the headphone and headed outside. You felt a void in your stomach but your heart kept beating fast.

What did she want to say?

As you arrived at the control room, she lifted her gaze and stood up. Worry printed on her face as she opened her mouth but no words would come out.

Was she thinking the same thing as you? Were you both on the same page?

Instinctively, you offered your hand to her, waiting for any sign that you would be okay after this episode.

She contemplated you for a couple of seconds.

Until she finally took your hand, intertwining her fingers with yours.

You felt a huge weight off your shoulders as a smile grew on your face, your eyes never leaving hers.

She took a small step towards you, matching your smile. Her features softening at the warmth of your hand on hers.

“So what did you want to say?” you asked once again, teasing her.

Her cheeks tinted pink one more time as she fixed her gaze on the ground, her body balancing from side to side out of nervousness.

You pulled her towards you and embraced her in a tight hug. A soft pair of lips left a shy kiss on your cheek before she giggled on the crook of your neck.

Wrapping her arms around your waist, she pulled out just a bit to look directly at your eyes.

No words were needed, you felt the same as her.

-----

(this ended up being longer than expected, thank you for your patience!)

#tzuyu x reader #twice x reader #tzuyu x f!reader #twice x f!reader #soulkeeper801

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femme-malewife · 1 year

Text

Fantasia LOVE&KISS Novel Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I’m not a professional translator. Also, fair warning, the chapters are quite long.

Masterlist here

🎤

There was a time when Aizou couldn’t sing anymore. There was a time when he couldn't hear the sounds that made his heart pound. There was a time when he closed off the world to escape the noise.

Today was the day for recording their newest song. And for the first time, it seemed to actually be going well. He practiced the song many times ever since he got the demo sheet music, and he tried singing it in many different ways, but today, he was able to sing the song the best way he could have imagined it.

It could be because he didn’t have a lot of tension in his shoulders, or because he felt like he was in good condition, but either way, he felt impressed with how his own voice sounded steady. His voice was clear and his tone was consistent.

He sang with his hands clenched at his sides.

Aizou shifted his speakers as a voice came from the speakers. “Okay. We’re done for the day”

Aizou glanced at the control room, which was separated by a window. “Eh? Are you sure?” Normally, he had to do it a second time and sometimes more.

“It’s fine. It was good. What’s the matter? You did great.”

“Why’s that? Do you think it’s because it’s sunny today?” Aizou asked. The weather forecast said there was a zero percent chance of precipitation, and it had been sunny when he’d left in the morning. From the speakers, he heard the director laughing.

“Does that really have anything to do with it? But if you’re really worried, then let’s do it one more time. Sing just like how you just did, with a smile!”

“Yes sir!” Aizou said with a big smile on his face. There were times when he had to re-record a song several times because he couldn’t sing it the way he wanted to, so on days like today, getting the okay on his first try was uncommon. But Aizou was more than happy to be able to sing comfortably.

The recording ended quickly, and the sun was setting when he left the studio after a quick exchange.

People were crossing the crosswalk at the intersection and walking toward the station one after another.

(This is the end of my work for today, right? I don't even have a lesson today.)

Aizou took his phone out to check the schedule and saw that the recording session was the last thing for the day.

The first time Aizo passed an idol audition and joined an entertainment agency called "Moebius" was when he was in his third year of middle school. He applied for it because he was told that the successful applicant would get to debut, but somehow there was another successful applicant besides himself, and the two of them ended up forming a unit.

The unit was now known as “LIPxLIP”, and they debuted with their song “Romeo”. They immediately grew popular as high school idols.

Aizou stopped at the intersection just as the traffic light turned red. He was wearing a hat and glasses, but two high school girls who were also waiting at the light noticed him.

"Eh, isn't that Aizou?"

He could hear them whispering.

"Crap! Really?”

Aizou felt embarrassed when he saw them looking at him with excitement, so he quickly pulled down the brim of my hat. On the large screen at the end of the signal, he could see myself and his partner in glittering princely outfits.

It is a commercial for a live concert that was going to be held in the summer. In preparation, he was busy recording new songs, producing CDs, taking dance lessons, and taking vocal lessons.

Before their debut, Aizou didn't know what to do or where to find his place in the world, so he spent all of the time he had studying and practicing guitar. He couldn't bring himself to do anything except stare off distantly, and he didn’t feel like getting involved with anyone, and he wasn’t very social. Sure, he talked with his school friends, but he didn’t care about club activities or going out with them all.

He wasn’t comfortable staying at home either, so he rented a room at a music store that he often visited and spent a lot of his days there. He was a shy person, but the reason why he applied for the idol audition was because he wanted to sing.

That was the only reason.

Aizou didn't think he had the personality for being an idol. He didn't even like to talk with girls. Before his debut, he never would have thought of acting like a prince for anyone. When his friends from middle school heard that Aizou had become an idol, they said, "What, seriously? You?” They were surprised to hear that Aizou had become an idol.

He supposed it was only natural.

Back then, he rarely ever spoke to the girls. He was pretty sure that they ignored him because he didn’t socialize very often. It was embarrassing to be shown him blowing a kiss on a large screen.

He wasn’t an ideal idol, but he couldn't think of any other way to make someone listen to him sing.

He loved to sing, and was the kind of child who would always jump up and down on the couch while loudly singing. Seeing Aizou like that, his mother entered him in a singing contest on a whim. It was also the first time he ever got up on stage and sang in front of people. Aizou himself was praised as a good singer, and he was even admired at school, so he went around saying, "I'm going to be a musician in the future!”

He was embarrassed to think about it now, but he’d always been a happy child.

But as soon as he’d entered the large hall, he felt so sick with nerves that he had almost thrown up and sat down in the foyer. He’d been so scared. He’d felt small, like an inflated balloon that was deflating quickly.

The only reason he’d managed to get on stage was because his brother pushed him to. He could still remember the thunderous applause when he finished singing and the proud smiles of his family, who were listening to him in the audience.

His mother was crying from emotion, but she was still smiling. He wanted to sing more in front of everyone. He wanted them to praise him. If he were to stand on stage, everyone would see him.

Everyone would see him and need him.

Even his parents, who always fought with each other, would smile.

In fact, that was probably the first time that he dreamed of standing on stage and singing. It was not a whimsical, spur of the moment fantasy, either. It was a dream that he really wanted to pursue.

Aizou had given up on that dream once when he could no longer sing, and in the midst of the dark and bleak days ahead, he wished to see it again. He’d felt that he had nothing left, so it’d been his only “hope”.

If he stood on the stage, if he sang again, then someone would need him.

He wanted to be able to make someone smile. He wanted to regain what he’d lost.

He felt like there was no place for him anywhere in the world, so I wanted to create a place where he could feel safe and accepted.

(I never expected that it would be in the world of idols, but…)

He was content, though.

Aizou smiled slightly as he looked at the large vision screen.

His partner was incomprehensible and disagreeable, and they kept clashing with each other. It was as if he had encountered an unknown alien and was fighting him every day. Although they now understand each other to the point where they can communicate, they still disagreed and resented each other, and bickering was still an everyday occurrence.

There were times when they would have a heart-to-heart talk about their disagreements. Still, he was the only partner in the world for him, and he supposed that he really had no choice but to be patient with him.

(Come to think of it, wasn’t that guy doing a photoshoot for a magazine today?)

Since they’d been working more and more separately these days, he didn’t know all of his partner's schedule. He recalled talking about that with his manager at the office.

It was for a fashion magazine, he was pretty sure, but he didn't bother to check with the manager and was about to put his phone away when he suddenly received a message.

(Oh, it's from Yui…)

He was a member of the idol unit “Full Throttle4”, or also known as “FT4”. There was Yui and Rio, the vocalists, Dai and Megu the dancers, and Iv the manager and producer.

They were also judges for the audition that Aizou participated in, and after he passed the audition, they coached Aizou and his partner in dance and vocal lessons. They still see them sometimes when they have free time.

Even though they worked for different offices, they weren’t actually idols, and yet, they were people that Aizou genuinely respected and didn’t want to lose to.

“Aizou, I found an insanely good ramen place~! Let’s meet up at the station in 30 minutes~!”

The message was more of a demand than an invitation, so Aizou quickly typed out his reply with a wry smile on his face.

“Which station?”

Yui’s “insanely good ramen place” most likely meant “insanely spicy ramen place”. No one loved spicy things more than him.

He remembered one time, Yui got him some spicy ramen and it was so spicy that Aizou had lost consciousness for a solid three seconds. He was pretty sure he hallucinated being in a flower garden.

If it was possible, he would really like to have some actual good ramen, but he couldn’t complain if he was being treated to a drink as well.

“It really can’t be helped, I may as well go…” Aizou sighed in resignation to himself.

Besides, there's something he wanted to talk about. He was supposed to have the manager pick him up after work, but that would no longer be necessary.

He quickly reported that the recording had gone without any issues and hurried across the crosswalk after the light turned green.

Yui was waiting for him at a nearby train station. They headed toward the plaza in front of the station, the building lit up the darkened streets. Near the entrance of the station, there were many people waiting to meet someone.

The people around the area were looking at their phones or gathered around, enjoying themselves and making a lot of noise. Yui’s appearance was immediately noticeable.

He was sitting on the edge of the fountain, and a group of women were gathered around him. They were probably university students or working people. Yui, who was chatting and laughing happily with them, waved his hand in the air and called out to him. "Aizou~ this way! Aizou!" and waved his hand.

The women around him suddenly gasped. "What, Aizou?”

Suddenly they were all looking at him. Aizou looked down in a panic and tried to hide his face with his hat, but it was too late. High school girls who were walking nearby turned their heads and began to excitedly speak.

“It’s really him!”

“Oh my god, he’s so hot!”

“Ehhh! Hey, hey! Yui, why are you meeting up with Aizou?”

Aizou could hear the women around Yui. And to think Aizou had gone through the trouble to wear a disguise. He didn't want to stand out at all, unless he was at work.

But Yui didn't seem to mind at all, and even now he wasn't wearing a disguise. He was the vocalist of FT4 and popular not only among women but also among men, so it was impossible for him not to stand out wherever he goes. He was surrounded by women and seemed to take it for granted that he would be the center of attention.

Aizou was envious of his composure.

“I’m going somewhere with Aizou~! Sorry, ladies~!” Yui got up and walked over to Aizou.

“So where are we going?”

“Somewhere nice?” Yui lifted his index finger to his lips and winked at the girls, as if he were trying to say “I don’t want you to disclose my secret!” He winked at them. “We’ll see you at our next live concert! We’ll be sure to put on a great show~!”

The girls around started screaming in excitement and joy.

“Yui! You’re so cool! I’ll definitely go!”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

Yui waved his hand to the excited girls and walked away shoulder to shoulder with Aizou. FT4 was a dance vocal unit. That's what they are all about. However, they seem much more idol-like than he, who was actually an idol, was.

💮

Yui took him to a small restaurant in a narrow alley lined with multi-tenant buildings.

“Experience the spiciness beyond your limits!”

“We have the spiciest fainting level hot homemade noodles!”

Aizou felt fear when he read the signs that read off about their spicy noodles. He was about to escape, but Yui, who was in a good mood, spoke up. “The noodles here are super good, come on!”

He really couldn’t escape thanks to Yui’s grasp.

As he was pulled into the restaurant, he was guided to a seat by the counter. It was almost time to go home, the restaurant was practically empty, and the waiters seemed bored. There were only one other pair of customrs.

Aizou doubted that people didn’t come here to eat peacefully, but rather becaue the noodles would be too spicy. Sweat began to bead on his forehead before he even had any food in front of him.

(If it’s possible, please don’t make it too spicy...)

"Hey, super spicy ramen noodles for two with triple the spiciness!" Before looking at the menu, Yui raised his hand to order.

“Super spicy ramen noodles, triple the spiciness for two! Understood. Your order has been placed.” The waitress said.

(What do you mean, triple the spiciness?! Is this a secret menu item or something?!)

“It’s okay. The noodles in this restaurant are not that spicy!” Yui laughed as he patted Aizou’s back. Aizou stared at him, suddenly uneasy.

“Yui’s version of not spicy is the same thing as normal people’s super spicy!”

“Aizou...I have some good advice for you. If you eat spicy food, your singing level will go up! Just follow my example and you'll be fine!" With a look of pride on his face, Yui jabbed his thumb at himself with a flick of the wrist.

(No way that that’s true!)

Aizou could feel his throat tingling already.

(What kind of throat does this guy have..?!)

“So eating spicy food is actually very beneficial for you!”

“Aghh! I don’t get it! I don’t get it at all!” Aizou slumped down and groaned in anguish.

“You don’t know how to train yourself! Here I am, your softhearted senior, offering to train you to become a full-fledged professional!”

What in the world was he being trained for? Aizou wrinkled his brow and sat up quickly.

“I’d like you to train me in singing, if you don't mind!”

There were so many things he wanted to learn from Yui, a vocalist of FT4. His powerful voice could easily move people's hearts.

“You know, I heard that if you eat spicy food, you'll get good at it. Today's homemade noodles are the first step!” Yui was playing with a pair of disposable chopsticks, pulling them in and out of the little bag as he spoke.

Aizou had never taken vocal lessons from Yui before, but he’d taken dance lessons from Dai and Megu before.

(The instructions from those two were so easy to understand...)

Though they are rumored to be the ones who have been involved in forty different crazy rumors, they taught them well from the basics.

Iv is indeed the true leader of FT4, and although he was calm and smiling from beginning to end, the way he taught was very difficult. He was calm and composed throughout the lesson, but his teaching style was very hard. Even his partner had to correct him many times.

“You know what? No matter what happens, don't ever, ever make Iv angry!”

Dai and Megu had told Aizou that on the day that he was going to be taught by him.

"Yes, yes, or else you will experience hell on earth!”

Fortunately, Aizou didn’t piss Iv off and did not experience the hell, but he understood why the other members were so scare of him.

Behind his smile, there was a sense of intimidation that makes it impossible to say whether or not, and a strong aura that was hard to resist.

After all, he was the unconventional leader of a group with many problems. Aizou also took a lesson from Rio, the other vocalist.

Sometimes they said stuff like, “you were made by FT4!”, Aizou would always get embarrassed, but he didn’t want them to think that they were still amateurs. He wanted them to think “We can’t be overtaken by these guys so easily!”

He wanted to show them how good they were.

And, although Yui is good at singing, he also heard that he was good with sports and skateboarding.

He mentioned that he also snowboards during the snow season.

Yui asked him, "so have you ever done it before?"

“I had practiced with my brother for a while on a skateboard he had bought me. This was when they were both still in elementary school.”

“Oh yeah, Aizou has an older brother, right?”

“We don't get along very well now. We hardly talk to each other at...home.” Aizou replied with a wry smile.

Even this was not the case in the past. He used to spend more time playing with his older brother than with his friends. At the time, he thought that his older brother was "amazing" because he could do so many things better than he could. It was the same with skateboarding. The day his brother got his board, he had already mastered it and was able to do simple turns and jumps without anyone teaching him.

Aizo had tried to imitate him, but it did not go well, and he kept falling and landing on his ass.

It was not that he was not good at exercising. In fact, he was better at physical education than his classmates. It was just that myhisbrother was more dexterous than he was.

(I remember he was always like that...)

He was the best in his class on the bars, in soccer and basketball, and in the sprint. He was chosen to be the anchor at the athletic meet relay, and it was always his older brother who cut the goal tape.

His test scores were probably quite good, but he did not boast about it and always seemed uninterested. He could have been better if he wanted to be, but he was always reluctant to try, even though he could do anything.

This must have been frustrating for the adults around him. When he returned home after a bilateral meeting with his homeroom teacher, Aizou had once heard their mother lecturing his brother. She told him that his grades were good but that he lacked enthusiasm, and his brother listened to their mother's words with a bored look on his face.

People around him might think it was a waste, but his brother himself didn't seem to see much value in what he had. He was dexterous and to the point, so he could do more than anyone else, but he also got bored very quickly.

Once he improved to a certain level, he just gave it up. It was the same with skateboarding.

After a few months, he stopped playing and left the board he had bought for himself. Aizou had stopped too, simply because his brother stopped doing it. Practicing by himself was boring, and without someone to watch him, he had no motivation to do it, and eventually he lost his enthusiasm.

He was doing just fine. He didn't seem to be involved in any club activities. For better or worse, he was not attached to anything. So, if he didn't need something, he could let it go. Surprisingly, easily and effortlessly. No matter what it was.

And once he abandoned something, he never looked back.

“I wonder what he really thinks...” Aizou muttered to himself.

His brother was always making a lot of noise in his room nowadays, or grinning while looking at his phone, and it's all extremely freakin’ weird, but he seemed to be enjoying himself from start to finish.

Aizou didn't see the fake laughter that he used to see in the past. That was probably a good thing. Aizou sincerely hoped that if he has found someone he truly cares about, he won't let go of her hand this time.

Yui, who was listening with his hand on his cheek, unexpectedly reached for him and patted his head.

“Ah-!” Aizou looked at him in surprise and saw him laughing with both elbows on the counter.

"Next time, why don't you go buy a board with me? If we're going to start, we'll need it, won't we?"

“Yes, I’ll go with you!” Aizou immediately replied with a smile.

“If you really wanna do it, then I’m not going to go easy on you! So be prepared!”

“Ah, wait, no...I’m a beginner, just a beginner...”

“You’ll catch on pretty quickly, it’s not like you have a lack in skill. Man, it’s like you don’t think you can do it yourself.”

Yui placed the bowl of ramen brought to the counter in front of him and Aizou.

It was just like how Aizou thought of his brother. He looked over at Yui, a little surprised that someone else would see it that way.

“I've never thought of myself as skillful. But...I know I have to get over it to move on, don’t I?"

Yui grinned at Aizou as he handed the chopsticks to him. Aizou looked down at the bowl of ramen in front of him.

(Ugh...I knew it would be spicy..!!)

The surface of the ramen was completely red, and just by looking at it, it looked like it would set his mouth on fire.

Aizou cracked the disposable chopsticks with a wariness as he wondered what level was safe to put in the mouth.

“Yui...you know...”

“Hm?”

“Can I order some sweet apricot bean curd after my...meal?" Unlike his partner, he usually didn’t eat much sweet food, but today he would definitely need it.

Yui rolled his eyes and looked at Aizou in amusement.

"Ahahahaha! Fine, but only if you finish all of your ramen!”

💮

“That was so good! Super spicy ramen is the best!" Yui cheered as they left after he paid the bill. "Thanks for the food!”

Aizou felt a tingling sensation not only in his mouth, but in his stomach as well. He wondered if it was better that he did not pass out like he did with the extremely spicy ramen from before.

Today's bowl of ramen noodles was at a level where Aizou could manage to finish it. However, his taste buds seemed to have gone completely haywire, and he could not taste the apricot custard that Yui ordered at the end of the meal, so it was not a pleasant experience for his mouth.

“Yui...I want regular ramen next time...”

“I guess it can’t be helped that you’re a hopeless customer. I get it. I'll take you out for regular ramen next time! I know lots of good places!” Yui laughed as he faced Aizou. He clasped his hands behind his head as he walked. “Though, speaking of which, where's your partner?"

“Uh...probably at a photoshoot for a magazine?”

“You should definitely bring him along next time!”

“I’ll keep that in mind, as long as you don’t forget your promise!”

“I’ll send you my schedule later so you know when I’m off next,” Yui said with a wave of his hand. He took his phone out and made a phone call. “Rio~ what are you making for dinner tonight~? ....Beef stroganoff! Sounds delicious~ I’m on my way now so leave some for me~”

The members of FT4 always seemed to be getting along.

(Ah, come to think...the photoshoot should be over by now...)

Looking at the watch he wore on his wrist, he noticed that it was almost 10 at night. They would have gone home by now. His body, which had been warmed by the hot ramen, began to cool down, and Aizou turned around and started walking away.

As he turned onto the main street and headed toward the station, he was suddenly tackled from behind by something.

“Uwah!" When he turned around in surprise, he saw a familiar dog clinging to his leg.

“Oi, Hotaru!” The guy who held the leash tugged at his hat, and Aizou immediately realized who it was. He was wearing the same hat and glasses he always wore for a disguise. He was breathing heavily, likely thanks to his dog suddenly pulling him away and running so fast.

“You...hey, what are you doing out here at this time of night?”

“You can obviously see what I’m doing, I’m walking my dog!” Yujiro, the other member of LIPxLIP, replied in an annoyed tone as he tugged at the leash. He was trying to pull his dog away for some reason.

(Ah...he has walked his dog here before too...)

The two of them left the station, and Aizou sat down on the stairs. He rolled his canned coffee that he bought from a vending machine in his hand as Yujiro stood with him, with his dog next to him.

The moon reflected on the surface of the river, which swayed quietly with each gust of wind.

“So how was today's shoot?"

“...It went fine...it was just a normal shoot.”

“I see.” Aizou had no idea what else to say, so he shook his can to pass time.

“...What about you? You had a recording today.”

“Ah- it went great. I was in great shape.”

“Is that it?” Yujiro, who had been staring at the river, suddenly turned to him. “Is there anything else that you wanted to ask me?”

“...Nothing big, I just...do you always walk your dog at this time of night?”

“Well...today...”

Aizou glanced at Yujiro's face as he sat down next to him and stopped speaking.

“Well..?”

“Koichiro and father were arguing again. It was....bothering me. So I left.”

“Aren’t they close? Your father and brother, I mean.”

“...I’m wondering if he’s in his rebellious phase?” Yujiro's hair and clothes fluttered gently in the wind.

Aizou choked on a laugh and put his hand over his mouth. Even though he didn’t think it's a laughing matter, he still couldn’t help the chuckle. The way Yujiro said it was strange. “I don’t think you of all people can say that.”

“I know that we don’t talk much, but...he seems to be in a bad mood lately...maybe he’s in a slump. He’s starting to miss a lot of practice and it sets father off.”

Yujiro's younger brother, Koichiro, was still in middle school. He was chosen as the successor to his father, a famous kabuki actor, and has been performing on stage since he was a child.

This was in sharp contrast to Yujiro, who was not allowed to stand on stage even if he wanted to, and was confined to a behind-the-scenes position. Although he was always in the limelight, his younger brother must have had his share of hardships.

“Well, I don’t know about any of that, but...your place seems pretty strict.”

There seem to be a lot of connections. Yujiro also had a lot of trouble convincing his father when he passed the audition and to sign a consent form to work with the office. It was different from his own home, where there was a more go-with-the-flow attitude.

“...I wonder what they’re thinking. They have a performance coming up...”

“Isn’t it good to let him try to be more free?” Aizou asked thoughtfully.

Yujiro looked at him in surprise. “Why?”

“Why...I mean, what if seeing you do all of your activities freely made him envious?” Aizou raised his eyebrows. “Don’t ask me.”

There were many things about Yujiro's house that he didn’t understand. However, he thought that he could understand a little bit, since he was also a little brother.

(I mean, even I used to stick with my brother and do nothing but imitate him when I was little...)

The same went for skateboarding. Anything his brother did seemed like a good thing, and he wanted to try it himself. He supposed that was just how brothers were. His older brother was the target of his admiration.

“You’re the older brother, so of course you don’t get it.” Aizou said when Yujiro frowned at him, looking confused.

Even though they were not related by blood, an older brother is still an older brother, and a younger brother is still a younger brother.

Surprisingly, Aizou was a little relieved to see that this partner seemed to be playing the older brother at home.

(Well, he’s probably feeling suffocated too...)

When he thought back to his middle school days, he remembered that he was constantly lost, and he hated everything about it. Everything he heard seemed like a bunch of senseless noise, and he desperately struggled to get out of it.

(Ah, but I had old man Morita helping me before...)

Morita-san was the owner of his favorite music store. He met him when he wandered around town with nowhere to go, and he was also the one who let Aizou rent out a practice room for a few days.

Whenever he didn't want to go home, he spent his time playing his guitar in that practice room. It was the only place he could keep his mind at peace at the time.

He was so pissed off about that, that he even complained about it once. At that time, Morita only laughed while patting Aizou's head and said, "That's just the way young people are.”

For those who are at the mercy of stormy emotions, it is a matter of life and death, and such simple words are not enough to convince them. However, when that storm passes, you end up wondering what was so rough about the world.

(Yujiro...never seems to have rebelled at his home...)

Though the decision to become an idol was probably his biggest act of rebellion, in Aizou’s opinion. Since he’d been forbidden from being able to stand on the stage, and that was the one thing he’d really wanted.

But for his family, it must have been a surprise. For his younger brother, too, the "betrayal" may have come out of the blue.

In any case, his partner was unique in what he thought and what he did. Compared to him, the younger brother seemed more standard in his rebellion, as he is the one who was confronting his father head-on

“By the way...Yujiro.”

“...What?”

“Your uh, dog has been biting my hair for a while now...” Aizou bent forward a bit, internally pleading for him to do something about it. Yujiro’s dog was leaning against his back and had been biting and licking at his short ponytail.

“Hotaru, it won’t taste good if you eat that,” Yujiro said, but didn’t move to stop him.

Aizou let out a sigh, resting his face in his hand.

(Is there something I missed?)

Yujiro's dog clung to him and wouldn't leave. It was better since it didn't bark at him, but he would have preferred that if it meant his hair wasn’t being licked.

He was still an idol, after all, and he had no idea when he was being watched. It would be awful if people saw him with such ruined hair.

Yujiro chuckled when he saw Hotaru wagging his tail happily. “You think you’re friends, don’t you? He’s got a tail too.”

“My hair isn’t a tail, dammit...” Aizou grumbled, yanking his hair tie out of his hair and standing up.

Yujiro stood up as well and lifted Hotaru up in his arms before the dog would start playing with his legs.

“The manager said that there’s a meeting at the office tomorrow. She said to call later.”

“Hm. I’ll check it out, then.”

“Why? I thought you were off tomorrow.”

“I don't know. We've been working a lot lately. But the fact that he suddenly called me up must mean that she has something very important to do.”

(I wonder what it is...)

He thought about calling later to find out, but he supposed he’d just find out when he dropped by at the office tomorrow.

🎤

When Aizou and Yujiro went to the office in the early afternoon the next day, they found the president and manager waiting for them in the conference room. The other staff members seemed to be on vacation. This was probably why the office was so quiet.

Aizou sat down in one of the chairs.

“Actually!” President Tamura clapped her hands together as she told them the news.

“A play?!” Both Aizou and Yujiro shouted simultaneously.

“Yes! I know this is sudden, but this stage will be a great challenge for both of us, and if we succeed, it will lead to new job offers," the president said with a smile as she put both hands on the table in front of her.

“But...um...I've never done any acting or anything like that..?" Aizou had taken acting lessons before their debut, and he had played the role of a prince in an MV shoot, but he had never been on a theater stage.

He honestly thought it would be a long time before he would be offered such a job, so he wasn't prepared for it.

(Is it normal for this kind of thing to be sprung up on us?)

Aizou glanced over at his partner, suddenly feeling anxious.

Yujiro would have practiced and studied acting at home. During a previous acting lesson, he memorized the lines immediately, and even his teacher was amazed at his acting ability. If asked to do it, he would do it in a heartbeat.

Though he was obviously surprised, he didn’t seem nervous.

“Yes, I guessed as much. I've already told them that you have no experience on stage, and they've still agreed to do it. I know it's a lot of work for you because it's your first time on stage, but I'm sure you guys can handle it. Besides, this is a musical. Singing and dancing is what you are best at!”

“A musical?! We’re doing a musical?!” Aizou leaned forward in shock. Since he had no prior stage experience, being thrust into doing a musical seemed even more reckless.

(But...if it’s singing and dancing, is it really okay since we always do it?)

When it was put that way, he could probably give it a go... “No, no no!” He stopped and shook his head quickly.

(This isn’t possible! It's not like a live performance. This is something where you sing, dance, and act. That is going to be really difficult, right?)

He had a feeling that he would be a laughingstock if he, as an amateur performer, suddenly took the stage.

(Yujiro...looks like he may do it...)

His partner was silently listening to the president speak. Aizou put his hand to his head.

(And if only I can’t do it, it’ll make us look bad...)

“Aizou, you don't need to worry. You'll get proper instruction in acting, singing, and dancing. It's true, we don't have a lot of time. But I really want you to do this play. It's the perfect role for both of you. But the decision is yours.”

The President and Manager both looked at Aizou and Yujiro, before Uchida placed some papers in front of them.

“I’ll give you the script and sheet music to look over.”

“I want you to go look at it and think about it. We don't have much time, so I'd like an answer right away if possible. We need to talk about it together. It's a stage you’re both going to perform on!" The president, who had come around behind them, put her hands on Aizo and Yujiro's heads. She was smiling widely, as if she was convinced that the two would accept the offer.

The two left the office and headed for an old coffee shop off the main street.

Today was a holiday and fast food restaurants near the office were going to be crowded. Not wanting to be recognized, Aizou preferred a quieter place to relax and read the script.

He peeked inside the shop through the window and saw a counter with seats for four and a few seats for two. There seemed to be no customers.

When he opened the door and entered, he heard a voice calling out a, "welcome.”

Surprised by the familiar voice, Aizou looked at the counter and saw that standing there, wearing an apron, was Yamamoto Koudai, a fellow Sakuragaoka high school student. He was a member of the newspaper club and had interviewed them at school before.

“Ah, hey Yamamoto-senpai.”

“Oh. Hey. Are you guys off today?” Koudai’s eyes widened in surprise.

“No, we just got back from work...Yamamoto-senpai, you work part-time here?” Yujiro was the one to ask.

“Yes, I was asked to. There’s plenty of available seats. You can sit anywhere,” Koudai began to prepare a tray with water and napkins.

Aizou and Yujiro went to a four-seater seat in the corner, put down their bags, and sat down. They did not expect to meet a senior student from school at the coffee shop that they happened to enter.

(Well, it's nice to be able to relax...)

It's not likely that they would run into other fans of theirs. And since there were no other customers, he knew that he could stay a little longer.

The shop seemed comfortable, and he secretly thought that if Koudai was working there part-time, he would be happy to come there more often.

When Koudai put a glass and napkins on the table, Yujiro seemed to have already looked at the menu and made a decision.

“I would like a chocolate parfait and a cup of hot cocoa, please. With lots of cream,” Yujiro ordered.

“Is there even an option for lots of cream?” Aizou grumbled, opening the menu. Sure enough, there was no such thing as lots of cream on the menu.

Koudai put his pen by his mouth and laughed. “It’s alright. My junior came all this way, so I can give him that. What about you, Shibasaki-kun?”

“Ah...I’m fine with just a hot coffee. No milk or sugar, please.” After he finished ordering, Koudai wrote down their order.

“Alright. Please wait a moment and it’ll be ready.” He went back to the counter to prepare their orders.

Looking around, he didn’t see anyone who looked like they could be the owner of the shop, so it was becoming clear that Koudai was the one in charge. He was preparing the drinks and the parfait himself.

(I wonder how long he’s worked here...)

Aizou, who was not in the mood for idly watching, took the script and sheet music out of his bag and put them on the table.

Yujiro, who was sitting across from him, crossed his legs and flipped through the script. At the beginning of the script, there was a synopsis of the story and the characters.

Basically, the story is about two young men who visit a town, slay a dragon, and save the princess of the land. The character images played by the two men are clear and the dialogue is well paced. Aizou felt that he could understand why the president said the roles were perfect for them when he read the script. The way they fight and cooperate with each other was easy to relate to.

(This is...actually interesting...)

It was a script that really made Aizou want to try it.

As he turned the pages, Koudai came over with a tray in his hands. "Here you go.” He placed a cup of coffee in front of Aizou and a glass of cream-filled hot cocoa and the chocolate parfait in front of Yujiro.

Yujiro was reading his script intently with the hand holding the pen on his chin. He was concentrating. He seemed to be unaware that the parfait he had ordered had arrived.

"Take your time," Koudai said simply, realizing that they shouldn’t be disturbed. He went back to the counter. He must have known that what they were reading was a script, but he didn't ask any unnecessary questions.

Aizou reached for his cup and took a sip of coffee.

(Ugh, I knew this was going to happen...)

Aizou sipped his coffee with this thought in mind. All he could hear was the occasional sound of a car driving by, Koudai washing dishes, and the second hand of the clock on the wall. The cream from the chocolate parfait on the table started melting and slowly trickling down the surface of the glass.

By the time Aizou had finished reading the script, his desire to do it had grown. He should have guessed that President Tamura would have known.

Aizou closed the script and looked at his partner. Yujiro had finished reading the script first and was now quickly eating the chocolate parfait ice cream. It seemed to have already melted, though.

“...So what are you going to do?” Aizou asked.

“What about you?” Yujiro countered.

“I want to do it, but...I don’t know if I can...you’ll do it too, right?”

Yujiro stopped moving his hand and turned his gaze to Aizou. Looking into his eyes, Aizou could see that he was completely motivated.

“I don’t think you can’t do it,” Yujiro said softly without an ounce of hesitation.

“Maybe you're right," Aizou muttered. For Yujiro, who could perform, there was no reason to hesitate. This is a unique opportunity for them. They knew that, but once he said that they are going to do it, there was no backing out.

It was only natural that when one accepted a job as theirs, it came with responsibility. If he accepted the job even though he could not do it, he would cause trouble not only for the president but also for everyone else involved.

“What are you so unusually timid for?” Yujiro laughed quietly.

Aizou’s brows furrowed. “It’s just...how can you seriously say that I can do it so easily, just because I want to do it?”

“How? I mean, I’ve been doing everything I do because I want to. It’s not like I was an idol with experience before. Everyone starts off somewhere...even idols.”

The recording of their songs, the album production, the photography, the TV work, the radio, and the live performance were all a first for them. They had no confidence or experience. Yet, they still managed to build their skills.

They managed to make it this far. This was not to say that there had been no failures. There were many things Aizou could have done better. But he had always done his best, and he always accomplished what he set out to do. In order to move forward, he had to overcome this hurdle.

He knew that.

But...

Aizou brushes his bangs back with one hand and sighed in resignation.

“I understand...and I admit. For once, I'm not so sure! I may be the laughingstock during the acting lessons, so keep that in mind..! I know I’m a terrible actor and a daikon, so I can't say yes with as much confidence as I usually do!"

"...I don’t think you have to play the character.”

“Eh...why’s that?”

“Because this is what you always do!” Yujiro’s shoulders shook as he laughed. Aizou’s eyes narrowed. It didn’t sound like he was praising him.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the simplicity and lack of thought.”

“Ah, that’s just like you! You’re really not cute or honest at all! You have a twisted personality!”

“Huh?! Who has a twisted personality?! Say that again, I dare you!”

“I’m not doing it! I can’t do a nice musical with you!”

“That’s my line! If you can’t do it, then go cry in a corner by yourself!” Both annoyed now, they stood up without realizing it, reaching out to grab each other to start fighting. Knees banged against the table, the glasses clattered, and the parfait cup moved like it was about to fall.

“Okay. No more, you two!” Koudai grabbed them by their shirt collars and yanked them apart.

It was then that they remembered that they were not alone and they were in a coffee shop. Both of them looked embarrassed.

“I’m sorry.” They both apologized quietly, before quickly gathering their things and hurrying back to the office.

When they got back, Manager Uchida caught sight of their grim faces and rolled her eyes. “Were you two fighting again?!” She must have seen their wrinkled clothes and messy hair. She put a hand to her forehead in clear distress. “Honestly. When are you two going to start getting along?”

Aizou and Yujiro glanced at each other, then looked away in a huff.

The president laughed at them. “Well, you two have you decided what you’re going to do?”

“Of course we’ll do it!” Both of them said, before Aizou glanced sharply at his partner.

“Don’t copy me!” Yujiro scowled. “You said you won’t do it, so what are you yelling for?!”

“I can’t be the one to let you look good!” Aizou retorted. The two had only just started to push each other, when the president suddenly ran over and hugged them tightly, indirectly forcing them to hug each other.

“I knew you two would do it! It’s just as I predicted! This show’s going to be a success!”

“President, I'll get back to you as soon as I can! Also, I need to adjust the work schedule!" Manager Uchida pushed up her glasses with a quick finger. Both the president and the manager seemed motivated.

Aizou and Yujiro were still in the president's arms, and both of them had sour expressions on their faces.

(I wonder how long we’re going to keep doing this...)

The members of FT4 always seem to be happy and relaxed whenever he saw them. Hibiki Kazuma and Soda Mifuyu, two members of the dance-vocal unit who had been in the same group before their debut, seemed to be in perfect harmony with their partners as well.

They were probably the only unit that fought so much. It's been over a year since their debut, and they must have grown up in their own way. Aizou thought it was time to put an end to the pointless fighting.

“This is uncomfortable. Stop it,” Yujiro hissed to him.

“Tell that to the president..! Ow! Don’t step on my foot!” Aizou whispered back.

Seriously, things never went well with them.

⚔️🏹

The two faced each other in the middle of the darkened alley, their hats and capes heavy with rain. They both have the same goal. What they were looking for was the legendary stone that would grant their wish.

“Do you know something that I don’t?”

“...And what if it were true?” Yujiro asked warily.

“Then I want you to tell me. I don’t expect it to be free, of course. I’ll give you a fair reward in exchange.”

“As if I would be honest with you. If we’re after the same thing, don’t you think I’d lie about the information I gave you?” Yujiro frowned.

“Maybe. I won't trust all of what you say. I don't even know who you are...but if we have the same goal, it would be easier to cooperate with each other, right? And...if you knew where the gems were, you wouldn't be going around town asking people. That means you don't know that much yet.” He smirked at him. “Is that right?”

(It’s...easier to cooperate with each other?)

But it would be no fun to go along with the conversation. As he stood there, pondering how to respond, they suddenly heard a scream that seemed to break the silence of the night. After looking at each other, they both ran in the direction of the voice.

“H-help me!” It was the drunken man that was on the ground earlier. He was staggering about now. His legs got tangled and he fell over. Yujiro gasped as a crowd of demons swarmed the man.

They had large eyes, which were as red as scarlet flames, shone with several eerie glints in the darkness of the night. They weren’t very large. They were about half the size of a human being. The bodies were translucent blue.

(Even in a town like this..!)

In the mountains and fields of the northern country, demons rarely appeared in a city surrounded by walls. Even if they do occasionally appear, it was only one or two at most. He had never heard of a group of demons appearing in the city.

People had been acting strange in this town.

Everyone returned to their houses by sunset, and he rarely saw anyone walking down the street. It was not normal for people not to turn on their lights even after dark.

The drunken man was dragged away by the demons that surrounded him, screaming, his face pale with fear.

Yujiro put his hand on the bow he carried on his shoulder. His hand hesitated because there were too many demons. There was no end to what he could do with one of them.

The other guy pulled his rapier out of his sheath and ran forward.

“Hey!” Yujiro shouted to stop him.

“Cover me!”

“What?!”

It was too reckless to rush into a crowd of demons. The man was a drunk, and the sharp claws of the demons that attacked him were repelled by his thin rapier. He turned around and pierced the eye of another demon that tried to jump at him from behind. Normally, he would not trust someone he had just met. And yet, he asked for backup as if it were a matter of course.

It was as if the idea of him not grabbing the drunk and running away hadn’t even crossed his mind.

The drunk man was crawling away now that the demons’ attention was on the other guy, sobbing as he went.

Left behind by the drunk man he’d just saved, he was surrounded by demons who were closing in on him with absolutely nowhere to run.

(I can’t believe this guy.)

With a loud sigh, Yujiro tore the cloth off of his bow.

“I really hate soft-hearted guys who don’t use their head!” He spat out, aiming his bow and arrow.

The arrow he released hit the red eye of the demon that was going to attack him. With a deafening scream, the demon's body shattered into pieces, and the fragments, which had turned to mist, were swept away by the wind.

After stabbing at another twenty demons, the guy leaped over the swarming demons, facing him.

He was not going to deal with all the demons, as expected. There was no reason for him to stay there and struggle. Seeing him rushing toward Yujiro with a swarm of demons in tow, he grabbed his bow and immediately spun around. He quickly caught up with him and lined up next to him.

“That was horrible aiming! You seriously almost hit me!”

“That’s what you say after I just saved your ass?!”

“Yes, you’re a terrible shot!”

“Agghh! You suck! I’m never covering for you again!”

“Good, because I won’t ask you to!”

As thy turned down the street while arguing, they saw a canal ahead of them. When they crossed the stone bridge to the middle of the street, they stopped because a crowd of demons was also in the street ahead.

Their red eyes turned toward them in unison.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me...this is all your fault,” Yujiro muttered angrily.

“Really?” The guy said dismissively.

Demons came at them one after another from the front and back of the stone bridge. As Yujiro stepped back to the edge of the bridge's railing, he was suddenly grabbed by the collar of my cape.

“Eh?!” He was promptly pulled over the railing.

“Let’s go, already!”

“Haaaa?!” Yujiro shrieked as the guy threw them off the railing, causing them to fall into the canal.

⚔️🏹

“T...terrible...” Yujiro muttered, trying to dry his hair with a cloth. He made no attempt to hide his displeasure.

The guy, “Aizou”, sat on a bed nearby and dried off with a disgusted frown on his face as he had to take off his shirt.

“At least we were saved!”

“Ha? Nothing about this is fine. We should have gotten out of there from the start!”

What's more, Yujiro found out after they jumped into the channel that Aizou can't swim. He was lucky that it was shallow, but what was he going to do if it wasn't? He was so thoughtless when he charged into the crowd of demons to save the man.

How he managed to live this long was honestly beyond him.

“I couldn’t just leave that old man there!”

“It had nothing to do with us. It’s none of our business.”

“Well, thanks to me, we managed to find a place to stay, so what’s the problem?”

“That’s a problem- why are we even sharing a room? And this place is a shitty place to stay...”

Yujiro looked at the dusty table. They were in a room of a small inn. When they finally climbed out of the canal and were walking around soaked to the bone, that drunken man came running over with a wild look on his face.

The drunken man must have sobered up completely after being attacked by the demon. He had run away in fear, but he was worried about the two he had left behind and was looking for them.

The man was an innkeeper, and when he realized that they had nowhere to stay, he said, "No charge, just stay at our place!"

He enthusiastically recommended it to them. He was apologizing and thanking them for helping him. They were just in need of a place to stay. Many of the other inns were closed and had been turned into stores. According to him, the inns in this town used to be crowded with people, but since demons began to appear, the merchants and travelers visiting the inns have disappeared, and the inns seem to have completely fallen thanks to not being in use.

The man who was working at the inn had lost his job, and the inn was as good as closed. He became desperate and often went out to drink alcohol, refusing to listen to his family's warning that demons would appear.

Although they were kind enough to let them stay as long as they needed to, the other rooms were unusable due to leaks, and they had to share this room, the only one available, between the two of them. That was the worst part. It was impossible to relax in this room.

“It's better than staying in the field with demons. You complain too much, we don’t need to stay in an extravagent place!"

Yujiro's brow wrinkled more and more as Aizou told him off.

“The room next door is empty, so just stay there. It has a bath, right?” Aizou said, sitting up from his bed.

A knock at the door interrupted their argument.

When the door opened, there was a startled yell. A petite girl with braids in her hair stood there. She looked to be about 14 or 15 years old.

“Um...my dad told me to bring you some food?” The girl’s voice was hoarse from fear. In her hands, she held a tray with two bowls of soup and buns.

“Ah, thanks. We were getting hungry,” Aizou said with a smile as he accepted the tray. The girl smiled, the tension releasing from her shoulders.

“Thanks for helping my father, by the way.”

“We were just in the right place at the right time! But it’s not safe to be out at night.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him that, but I’m sure he’s learned his lesson.”

“Do demons come out like that every night? It’s troubling, isn’t it?”

“Ehh...yeah...when the previous king became the ruler, the guards would exterminate all of the demons, and thanks to them, the demons never came into the city. But when the princess went into power, she had them shut in the castle...”

“Does that mean she's not doing anything for you anymore?" Aizou asked, and the girl lowered her gaze and shook her head.

“The people of the town had been complaining to the castle about their plight, but they were not being listened to,” she said, her face clouded.

It seems that the harm caused by demons has become so bad over the years that most of the craftsmen and merchants have abandoned the city and left. Since demons frequently appear on the streets and attack wagons, food and other supplies must have become hard to come by.

“So that’s why the market was deserted,” Yujiro commented, walking up behind Aizou. The girl took a surprised step back, and he continued. “Is there no one who can say anything against the incompetent princess?” It was a small country, but surely there were nobles or ministers.

“The princess is not incompetent! She was intelligent, kind-hearted, and thought of the people first." The girl’s face flushed as she spoke angrily.

“Then why doesn't that intelligent and kind-hearted princess do something about the people who are suffering from the evil of demons and things to the extent that they abandon the city and flee?”

“T-that's...!" She choked on her words and looked down dejectedly. "I...I don't know...but the princess has changed since the death of her father, His Majesty the King..." She said in a small voice, "I'm sorry," she turned back down the hallway, bowing her head.

The residents always seemed to clam up when talking about the princess. Yujiro looked away as Aizou slammed the door shut.

“You can stand to be a bit more tactful when you speak,” Aizou scolded.

Ignoring his light glare, Yujiro turned to the table. A draft had entered the room and the window was rattling. He pulled out a rocking chair and sat down with a small thud.

Aizuo came over and put a tray with soup and bread for two on it on the table.

“But it’s true. There’s nothing wrong with being honest,” Yujiro said blandly. “Besides, it’s not like anyone’s going to do anything about it.”

If all you do is lament and complain to someone about your plight, nothing will change. If you want to change things, you have to take action yourself.

“Not everyone is brave..." Aizou said, sitting down in a chair and sipping his bowl of soup. The soup was made up of only vegetable scraps and a little dried meat. But even this soup is probably the best hospitality the people of this town could offer.

(Still, it’s none of my business...)

It was up to the residents of the city to think about it. As Aizou said, not everyone is brave. It was one of the options to give up and say, "There is nothing we can do about it. We are just travelers staying in this city for a while. As long as we get what we are looking for, that is all that matters. When we have no more use for it, we will leave for somewhere else and will not visit this city again.”

Yujiro took a bite of the bun and frowned. “Ew.”

“Shut up and eat it. It was prepared for you.”

Yujiro put the bread back on the plate and leaned against the table. Aizou was probably concerned about the girl and didn’t want to leave any food behind.

“...You’re too soft-hearted.”

“What?” Aizou set his spoon down.

“I just think if you don’t keep your hero-complex to a minimum, you’ll end up regretting it when you run into trouble.”

There were many people who try to live their lives in a way that was easy and to the point. The most important thing to remember is that you can't just take a chance on a new product or service. One has to remember is that you can't just take a look at the pictures and say, "I’m one of those people, I’m not a good person.”

“I don't have any noble ideas about doing things for other people. Leave me alone...and besides that...I'm not soft-hearted."

“So you’re just naive?” Yujiro teased, but to his surprise, Aizou’s frown only tugged down more.

“Ahh, you say way too many unnecessary things!”

(That’s probably true.)

He laughed a bit and glanced at the candle on the table.

The candlelight flickered in his eyes. It was probably an unnecessary meddling. After all, it was someone else's business. For selfish people, a partner like him seemed convenient.

That was why they often take advantage of him. He felt a bit uneasy about that.

It would be hard to live that way.

🎤

After it was officially decided to stage the play, and after meeting with the people involved and the costars, the readings began immediately the following week.

In a large conference room with long desks and chairs, all the performers and the director, Okido Mitsuo, were seated.

Aizou took his seat with his prepared script and pen case, and casually looked around. The actors were all looking over their scripts in silence.

(Okido-sensei is a famous director, isn’t he?)

He was not familiar with the stage and did not know its name. But when he saw the stage, which was directed by Okido Mitsuo, as it was being distributed, he saw that it was indeed an amazing production that he got absorbed in watching from beginning to end.

Okido, sitting at the desk in front of him, was a man in his fifties, wearing a jacket. He had a somber air about him, and the fan he held in his hand opened a little as if restless and then snapped shut immediately. Sitting next to him was Ikezaki Anri, a dance and singing instructor. She was in her early thirties and was chatting happily with the scriptwriter sitting next to her.

When the time came and everyone was present, the reading began. The other actors sat in their chairs and read their lines at a brisk speed. Yujiro, who sat next to him, had his script open but was barely looking at it. He probably already had the lines in his head.

(Isn’t that...kind of reckless?)

Aizou felt impatient as he followed the lines written in the script with his eyes. His hand was cramping from how tightly he held the pen in his hand. Yujiro and the other actors had already created their roles, but he was mostly just reading the lines.

(I didn’t hear anything about that, though..?)

It’d only been a week since they got their script, and today they were just reading their lines.

That's what he had heard, so he even went through the script a few times and drew lines on his lines. Naturally, he had no idea how to prepare for a role. He didn't even know how to do it, and he hadn’t been taught how to do it.

It was totally different from what he had heard. Aizou kept his eyes down on the script and put his hand over his lips, which were getting dry.

Yujiro, who was sitting next to Aizou, glanced at him. But he didn't say anything.

(Crap, I’m the only one who hasn’t really done anything...)

The voice that read the dialogue became quieter as he lost his confidence. He couldn’t follow the dialogue from halfway through, like everyone else was.

He couldn't even tell where he was reading anymore. Suddenly, the voices cut off and the room fell silent. As Aizou stared blankly at the script in his hand, he felt a small kick on his leg. Yujiro was still holding the pen and staring ahead with a cool expression on his face.

“Ouch...uh, what?” Aizou blurted out, glancing at his script.

(Oh no! It’s my turn, it’s my turn!)

That's why everyone was staring at them. Aizou frantically turned the page and then honestly confessed, "I lost track of where I was at with that...”

The actors began to giggle, and Aizou, caught up in the relaxed atmosphere, almost laughed too.

“Enough!” A yell echoed through the meeting room, and the laughter instantly disappeared. Aizou was also startled and looked ahead. Okido folded his arms in irritation, glaring at them.

He continued. "I don't know if it’s because they’re high school idols or what, but are they all such amateurs? They didn't learn their lines, and on top of that, they read their lines in a deadpan manner. We're not doing a cultural festival show!" His anger echoed throughout the meeting room, the others remained silent with stiff expressions.

It was not an atmosphere where Aizou could say anything. Even a young staff member, tray of drinks in hand, was frozen at the entrance.

“You come in here in a lighthearted mood, and you’re laughing that you lost where you are?! Your role is not a standing mob! No, no! You’re the lead!” Okido tapped on the script, raising his voice. “You can't even do a good job, but being loved and praised makes you feel good about yourself, doesn't it? How can you accept a role when you can't even do it? Do you honestly think you can take my stage?”

“...I’m sorry, sir,” Aizou barely managed to choke out. He stood up and bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry sir,” the director mocked, “can the audience even hear your lines with that kind of voice? You say I’m sorry, sir!”

“I’m sorry, sir!” Aizou repeated loudly, his head lowered.

“Hey, someone get me a better actor than this guy! I can’t stand to have such a worthless shit standing on my stage!”

(Did I...really deserve to be told off that badly?)

He stared down, the script crumpling in his grasp.

It was his own fault that he hadn't been able to prepare for the role and that he hadn't learned the lines yet. However, he was told that since today was the first day of rehearsals, they would only be reading the script to each other. Besides, he had already told them during the selection process that he had no acting experience. And he thought we were told that they would be given guidance on that basis. That's what Manager Uchida said.

(But this...is another story altogether..!)

However, Yujiro and the other actors had prepared for their roles. They knew what they had to do without being told. He could only say that he was not aware of this. As he remained silent, biting his lower lip roughly, he heard a sudden slam.

Aizou’s head snapped up at the noise, surprised to see his partner standing up.

(Eh, Yujiro..?)

Aizou, as well as the other actors looked at Yujiro as in shock. It is obvious at a glance that he was pissed off. His eyes are completely fixed ahead.

When Yujiro was really angry, he was breathtakingly powerful. It was like he has a different kind of power in his eyes.

Even Okido, who had been yelling at him loudly, fell silent for a moment, as if he had been overwhelmed.

“No one was instructed to memorize the entire script today. There were others who didn't remember, right? I don't think it is only Aizou who is not ready for the role." His voice was lower in tone than usual.

Aizou tried to interrupt him. “H-hey-”

He reached out to gently grab Yujiro’s wrist, but he yanked away from him, as if he were in the way.

“I believe you were told ahead of time that we had no experience on the stage. They knew that, and that's why we were chosen for the job. We can work out our lack of acting ability in rehearsals. Isn't it your job to guide us and make the most of our performance?”

“Just who do you think you’re talking to like that?!” Okido snapped, red faced and his hands clenched into fists.

“You.” Yujiro replied.

“So this is LIPxLIP. One is a total amateur and the other is a cocky little brat!”

“You’ve been yelling for a while now. If you’re really a director, you’d use your title and give us better guidance.”

“You wanna say that again, boy?!” Okido stood up, snarling in a way that stunned everyone in the room.

(This is getting really bad...if we make him any more angry, it’ll cause a lot of problems!)

“It was my fault for not being prepared, next time I’ll do better!”

“You two, just get out of here! You don’t need to come back!” As if to enunciate his point, Okido slammed his fan on the desk. “I can’t have people like you on my stage!”

Yujiro glared at Okido and grabbed his bag.

“Excuse me then.” He said curtly, and left.

“Wha- hey!” Aizou ran after his partner.

No one else was in the hallway when Aizou left the room. The fluorescent lights were on, and Yujiro stormed down the hall, his pace quicker than usual. Aizou rushed to catch up with him.

“Wait!” Aizou grabbed his arm.

Yujiro stopped but didn’t look at him. His head was tilted in another direction, eyebrows furrowed in clear anger.

Aizou let out a sigh and slowly removed his hand. “...I’m...sorry,” he said, his voice lowered.

Yujiro finally looked at him, but he didn’t meet his eyes. “...Why are you apologizing?”

“If I had done it properly, then I wouldn’t have pissed off the director like that...and it looked like I made you uncomfortable too.”

“It’s their fault. Why are you putting up with something that doesn’t deserve to be said?”

“Yeah, but...it can’t be helped if I make him angry. It troubles the president too.”

“If that’s what you think, then go back by yourself.” Yujiro said firmly, and walked to the side entrance of the building.

“Yujiro!” Aizou called out to him, but he didn’t look back. “Dammit...what am I going to do..?" Aizou sighed as he puts his hand to his forehead.

Now that this happened, he’d have to go back to the office and report it to the president and manager.

Thinking about it, he started feeling nauseous.

💮

When Aizou called Manager Uchida, he quickly explained what happened and asked her to pick him up by car immediately. They also picked up Yujiro, who was about to walk home on the way back.

When he was called into the president’s office, he explained what happened again. He felt responsible for the whole ordeal, so he did all of the talking.

“I’m sorry...” Aizou bowed to the president.

“It’s not your fault, Aizou. He’s always a bit problematic at first. I should have known this was going to happen, it’s my fault for not warning you.”

“...What do you mean?”

“Let’s sit down and talk,” she sighed. They moved to the couch in the office and sat down. Manager Uchida put some cups on the table- coffee for the president and Aizou, and chocolate milk for Yujiro.

After taking sips of their drinks, they began to calm down a bit.

“So...” The president began, “the two leading actors for this play are the only ones who we han't been able to decide on for a long time..."

Aizou, who was about to bring a cup of coffee to his mouth, let out a soft "eh".

The president put a few fingers on her forehead. “You see, Okido-san is a strict man, and it seems that he couldn't find any actors who fit his image in the audition. Besides, this time it's a musical, so we'll need some experience in singing and dancing. That's why they came to us on such short notice. I guess I should have told you about that beforehand...I’m really sorry.” She bowed her head.

(What, so that’s...)

He had thought the offer was a bit sudden. Because Okido is a very particular man, there was no way that he would be able to find an actor who can meet his requirements so easily. Besides, not many people can keep up with his guidance. The attitude of Okido, a hard-headed man, can be described as unmannered. If he had continued to tell him what to do, Aizou would have lost his patience as well.

The only reason he hadn’t was because his even more ill-tempered partner had snapped first. He was the type of person who refused to tolerate anything unreasonable, which was why he snapped. Even now, Yujiro stared ahead, lips pressed together.

“You two can dance and sing, but you don’t have the stage experience. That’s why I recommended you two, because they said they could help you. We knew it would be a challenge, but we believed you’d overcome it...that being said...was today your first official reading?”

“It was for us...”

He was sure the others had received their scripts earlier and had had time to read them and prepare for their roles. Out of the two, it was just his partner who had prepared properly for his role.

“I think he must have been in a big hurry because he couldn't decide who would play the leading role in the play. It's not your fault, so don't worry about it. Because I confirmed it with the director in advance, and he has given his consent.“

(Does that mean...that I was scolded for nothing?)

In that case, there was no need to believe he was the one in the wrong. He leaned forward, putting a hand to his head. If he had known that he was in such a situation, he wouldn’t have put up with it in silence.

Beside him, Yujiro only pouted, as if he’d known all along.

(Well, if this ever happens again, I’ll lose my temper before Yujiro does!)

Unlike his partner, who boiled over as quickly as an electric kettle, Aizou’s anger often subsided with a bit of time to think.

“President, let’s drop this job! There’s no need for you to apologize! They can’t expect you to just take that in silence! There’s no need to bring them into this, just say the word, if you say fight, then we’ll fight!” There was flames of anger in Manager Uchida’s eyes.

Aizou almost fell back.

(Manager, your face is terrifying!)

“Calm down, I understand how you feel...” The president then glanced at the two boys on the couch. “It’s up to you two whether or not you want to continue this or not.”

“But...I don’t think the director wants us...”

“I don't think you need to worry about that. If you want to continue, he will agree, even if reluctantly. We have the theater and the performance dates are already set. It's their problem if you leave. You can dance and sing, you are well known and popular, and you are the talk of the town! Do you think it will be easy to find two people like that?"

Popular idols and famous actors naturally have full schedules. When it comes to stage productions, they spend two months or more in rehearsals.

There is no way they could be able to find the time to do so anytime soon. Although they were not free and have other jobs, they manage to make time for them because they were still in high school and their manager and president have reduced our workload so that it was not too much of a burden.

They also have a national tour coming up in the spring, and they have to prepare for that. At this rate, they would probably miss some school days.

"We don't have time to recruit and audition now. We have to make posters, and the ticket sales are coming up. If we had to find someone else, we won't make it in time. So, if you guys don't come back, we'll be in a lot of trouble,” Tamura said with a smile.

“He’s just gonna yell at our boys again! That arrogant director..!” Manager Uchida groaned.

“True, but Okido-san is a talented and capable person. And he's trained several top-notch stage actors. I think it would be a step up for us if we could get proper guidance.”

“I disagree! Even if you want to do a stage production, there are better directors out there! I'll go out and find as many as I can!”

“It’s true, this won’t be the last opportunity we have, and if they don’t bow down, then we won’t ask them to let us do it again. I won’t object if they say yes, but I’ll make sure they can’t say no either.” The president smiled at the boys. “So what are you going to do?”

(Well, the script was interesting...)

It was a role Aizou wanted to do. He may have some lingering regrets, but he supposed it can't be helped after all this time. Okido’s impression of him must have been terrible. Even if he asked him to let him try it again, he didn't think he could give a performance that he would like.

He would just end up cursing him again. Manager Uchida was right, this would not be the only chance. It would be better for me to study the basics of acting and be prepared by then.

Just as Aizou was about to give up, Yujiro, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up.

“I’m not going to stop.”

Manager Uchida and Tamura looked surprised. They, as well as Aizou, thought that he was going to reject it.

Seeing their stares, Yujiro elaborated. “We haven’t shown the director what we can do yet.”

(Eh...are you...serious..?)

💮

“I’m really sorry!” Aizou bowed his head to Okido, who was sitting in his seat.

In the room they were in yesterday, Okido and some staff members were the only ones in there- some actors too, it sounded like, since there were vocal lessons going on inside.

Okido glared at Yujiro, crossing his arms. “Aren’t you going to apologize too?”

Yujiro scowled but didn’t utter a word. Aizou gave his wrist a small, impatient tug, but Yujiro turned his head away, as if he had no intention of apologizing.

The president stepped forward with a small smile on her face, with Manager Uchida following close behind her.

“Okido-san, I am terribly sorry for the trouble I have caused you. I sincerely apologize for any discomfort I may have caused you. The two of them are deeply sorry and would love to be on the stage with Okido-san, who we all respect and admire very much. Please, we hope that you will understand our enthusiasm and give them another opportunity to perform on your stage.”

“Tamura-san, I trusted you two when you recommended them to me. But we can’t have them coming in here unmotivated. The stage is not for fun,” Okido said calmly. Even he seemed to have a thing for Tamura.

“Yes, I think you are right about that. They fully understand that, but since it is their first time on stage, their motivation and enthusiasm have been a bit lacking...they may still be inexperienced in some areas, but with your guidance, I am confident that they will make a success of the performance. I am sure that with your guidance, we will succeed on stage. Therefore, I would like to ask you to guide them patiently.”

“If that’s what you believe, Tamura-san, I’ll trust you...and you guys will do it too, won’t you?”

“Yes. Yujiro and I will do our best!” Aizou bowed his head again and put his hand on the back of Yujiro’s head, forcing him to bow too.

Yujiro stumbled slightly and sulked.

“They both agree.” Tamura said.

💮

(As expected, the president is amazing...)

Thanks to Tamura, they were able to avoid being dropped from the play, and they were supposed to go to rehearsals tomorrow.

They were also given the opportunity to work with the actors in the production of the film. Today, they only observed the other actors rehearsing.

Yujiro did not say a word during the rehearsal. He was unmotivated only in front of Okido, and his expression became serious when he was observing the rehearsal. Once he returned to the office and finished his meeting, the day's work was already over. Since there were no lessons today, all Aizou had to do after this was to go home.

As he left the building, the sky was dusk.

Yujiro walked past Aizou, who was standing in front of the automatic door.

“Bye.” Was all he said, though there was no sign of a car that was going to pick him up. He must be walking home alone- or stopping somewhere first.

Aizou sighed and brushed his bangs back.

(Really, I never know what goes on in his mind...)

On his way home, Aizou stopped by the coffee shop where Koudai worked part-time. He took a seat in the back and opened a magazine he had bought at a bookstore while waiting for the coffee he ordered to be brought to him.

The headline read, “The Alien Next to You!”. It caught his attention, and he flipped through the pages.

He heard the small clink of his coffee cup being set down and glanced up.

“Thanks, Yamamoto-senpai,” he said as he grabbed his cup.

“That magazine. It’s really interesting, isn’t it?” Koudai said, peeking at the magazine from the side.

“Yamamoto-senpai, have you ever encountered an alien?” Aizou asked seriously.

Koudai blinked and pushed his glasses up, making them glint in the light. “I haven’t, but I’ve taken pictures of UFOs.”

“Eh! Seriously, where?!” Aizou asked, shocked. Koudai only smiled at him.

"This is a miraculous picture taken on the rooftop of the school. It's in the newspaper club room, so I'll show it to you if you drop by next time.”

Aizou chuckled as he sipped his coffee.

Akechi Saku was Yujiro and Aizou’s class teacher and taught literature. For some reason, he always wore a white coat and has candy in his pocket. He was an eccentric teacher who, despite being a teacher, seems to walk around with a lollipop in his mouth. He was also the club advisor for the newspaper club.

“So Shibasaki-kun, why are you researching aliens? Is it for work?”

“No, no. I just thought it would be useful for...something.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“Yamamoto-senpai, what time do you get off?” Aizou suddenly asked. Koudai looked at the clock on the wall.

“I have about two hours until closing time, and I’ll be here until then. Please take your time, there’s not many people out now.”

“Thank you. This place is a good place to relax without worrying about other people watching you.”

“And you stop by when you wanna see those pictures.”

“I will...ah, but it’ll have to be after I finish a job. I won’t be at school much, but I look forward to seeing them after.”

Koudai nodded and went back to the counter.

Aizou put the magazine away and took out his script.

(For now, I have to do what I can for tomorow...)

He took a pen out of his pen case and began reading the script.

About an hour later, the door to the store opens with a lively "Koudai~!”

The door of the store opened with a bright and cheerful voice.

Aizou, who had been concentrating on his work, suddenly looked up as if he had been snapped back to reality. Before he knew it, it was raining outside the store.

The high school boy shook his umbrella and Aizou frowned. That was just great, he’d run into the last person he wanted to see.

“Shibaken, I thought you were going to the shrine today?” Koudai said.

“It started raining on the way home, so I’m just taking shelter. I want a drink too. Coffee’s fine- no milk or sugar.”

For some reason, he walked over to where Aizou was. He threw his bag down on the seat and sat across from him.

“Go away...” Aizou grumbled.

This guy is the same age as Koudai and a good friend of his, so it's no surprise he's been hanging out at the store. It was an accident that he didn't notice it.

“Oh?” Ken glanced at the script that was sprawled out in front of Aizou, and then the magazine with the alien on it. “Are you going to be playing as an alien?”

“Ha?! Of course not!” Aizou had initially decided to ignore him, but he ended up reacting to his stupid question anyway.

“Ehh, really? It would suit you, wouldn’t it?”

(This guy..!!)

Aizou angrily chugged the rest of his cold coffee down and slammed it down. He paid the bill and quickly left, calling out a “thanks for the drink!” as he stepped out into the heavy rain.

Within seconds, he was already as soaked as if he’d jumped into a pool.

(I...didn’t bring an umbrella...)

Aizou hung his head, dejected. The weather forecast didn’t say anything about such a downpour.

The store door opened and something poked through. When he turned, he saw it was an umbrella. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His brother slammed the door shut behind him.

“Koudai~ I’m sorry but I lost my umbrella, so please drop me off at the station on the way home~”

“We have spare ones here, if you’re fine with floral pattern.”

“Well, that’ fine~ I’ll just return it next time.”

Aizou could faintly hear the conversation from outside the shop. He squeezed the handle of the umbrella tightly.

(...What’s with that...)

#shibasaki aizou #someya yuujirou #lipxlip #tamura rei #uchida mayu #yamamoto koudai #shibasaki ken #honeyworks #confession executive committee #heroine tarumono/heroines run the show #lisians translations

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