Chapter 24

"Miss Minase, I'm sorry for everything you're going through," Daichi said as they drove off in their van.

"Um, Misaki or Misa is fine," Misaki said.

Daichi cleared his throat, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Please excuse me if I'm ever too blunt, but I'm used to dealing with my two boys, so it's a bit different. And you will be my assistant in name only; I don't expect you to run errands or do any gofer work. We've secured you a seat in the audience off to the side near the cameraman to watch the show. Should you feel unsafe, feel free to come to me, or go into the back using the badge." He handed it back to her.

"T-thank you." She slipped her head through the lanyard and looked at the badge. Glad it doesn't have my picture on it, but I doubt it's super safe. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her anxious heart. At least I'm in the audience, not on stage.

Ren lightly touched the back of her free hand from beside her, hoping to grab her attention. "You okay?" he whispered.

"For the most part. I'm a bit anxious, though. I haven't been to one of these things in years, even if I'm just in the audience this time."

Ren glanced at his brother, busy reading a novel, and turned his hand under hers, lacing their fingers together. "We'll be nearby, right in front of you, so hopefully you can enjoy yourself," he whispered to her.

Misaki nodded and gripped his hand in return, glad for his warm, comforting presence. Just focus on them, and it should be fine.

After they arrived at the studio and the boys were whisked away to get ready for the show, Daichi led Misaki over to the audience and handed her a purple glow stick.

"They don't really want the audience cheering until after, so we have these to wave around to the music," Daichi explained.

"I know. Mine used to be pink." I still have one of them at home.

"Oh, right." Daichi chuckled. "I should've known that. I guess since you were a part of this world, I don't need to explain anything, other than pointing out your seat over there." Daichi pointed at the third row in the tiered, theatre-style seats, right next to one of the cameramen.

At least I'm not in the first row. Her eyes trailed along the audience, mostly full of women wearing Hayase shirts, each with their own glow stick. My mask might stick out, but it's safer with it on.

"I will be right over here if you need anything." Daichi pointed to his spot right beside a backstage entrance. "Well, I need to check on them first, but I'll be back in a few minutes. Are you okay waiting in your seat, or would you like to come with me?"

Misaki glanced at the audience, all of whom were eager for the show and whispering to each other. "I think I'll be fine."

"Okay, good." Daichi nodded. "I'll be back in a few."

Misaki headed to her seat and waited patiently with her hands tucked together on her lap, holding the glow stick. The stage up front had a large desk with Hayase merchandise, along with blue couches for their guests.

The lights over the audience dimmed, with the sign above lit up, asking for silence.

"Please welcome your host, Nagase Hako," the announcer said.

Music played as the host made her entrance in a purple dress with a black suit coat, and the audience clapped.

"Thank you." She bowed to them. "As I'm sure you're all aware, we have two special guests today."

The crowd cheered, yelling 'Hayase'.

"And they've agreed to honour us with a live performance. Please welcome Hayase to the stage."

The curtain slowly pulled back to reveal Hayase in the custom military costumes they're known for, standing back to back.

Upbeat, energetic music played, and the boys danced in sync as they sang their song 'Spark of Hope'.

The audience waved their purple glow sticks around as they bobbed to their catchy pop music.

Misaki followed along, waving the glow stick. Her eyes trained on the boys, and before she knew it, her body started to mimic their movements.

Oops. "Sorry," she whispered, having nudged the person next to her as her arm extended, but they didn't seem to notice.

Don't break out into dance, Misa, no matter how fun it looks. She reined it in, her head bobbing and shoulders bouncing as she mouthed the lyrics.

They sound amazing.

As the song ended, Ren kissed his hand and sent it off towards Misaki, their eyes meeting.

Oh! Her heart pounded hard, and she froze, a hint of red tinting her hidden cheeks as her grip on the glow stick tightened.

He looked away, bowing to their cheers alongside Shun, and she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Geez. She glanced at the people near her, worried, but they were too busy cheering for Hayase, hoping for another performance.

Only the cameraman was to her other side.

The camera! So... was that to me or not? Or did he put me here, knowing he could get away with it? Ren... Forget it, Misa; it must've been for the camera... It has to have been.

She took a deep breath and composed herself.

The cheers died down, and Hayase took their seats on the couch beside the host's desk.

"Thank you, Hayase, for that amazing performance, and the loudest cheers we've ever had in this studio." Nagase chuckled, still waiting for the audience to calm down.

"Thank you for having us, Nagase," Shun said, sporting his classic, charming smile.

"Oh." Nagase cleared her throat and glanced at her papers as she adjusted herself in her desk chair. "Now, let's talk about the upcoming album we've been hearing about."

"We've started working on several new songs already." Ren's eyes swept across the audience, lingering on Misaki before he turned back to the host. "We'll be taking everyone on our journey as pop stars with these songs, starting with our dreams."

"Oh, that sounds interesting! Any chance you have a song we can get a sneak peek at?"

"Hmm... Maybe. How about we see at the end of the show?" Ren winked at her.

Nagase giggled, covering her mouth. "Let's hope you'll grace our ears with another masterpiece, then."

A chill ran up Misaki's spine, and she immediately scanned the room.

No one in the audience near her was looking her way, too enamoured with the boys as they talked about their next album.

Maybe it's in my head.

Her stomach churned.

She glanced over at the cameraman and caught sight of a shadowy figure moving in the background before checking to make sure Daichi was still standing where he said he'd be.

What was that? Could be someone who works here. Were they looking at me? She glanced behind the cameraman again, but no one was there. Maybe I should go to Daichi... but I don't want to freak them out over nothing. Ren would definitely notice if I left my seat.

Ren's eyes flicked over to hers for a brief moment, barely enough to notice.

She took a steadying breath and tried to refocus on the show.

"You two are known for keeping your private lives off camera, which only makes us all the more curious," Nagase said, her smile widening as she leaned towards them.

I don't like where this is going...

"And we've all seen about the recent photo of you going around." Nagase hit a button on her desk and the photo from the cafe showed up.

Oh, no, no, no! Misaki stared at the blurry picture of herself beside Ren.

Ren laughed awkwardly and gritted his teeth, wishing they had stuck to their list topics. "Yes, it keeps coming up, but at least I hear that cafe is enjoying a boost in popularity."

"Well, when everyone's curious about you two, but you don't open up about things, we cling to what we get. Now, is there anything you'd like to share with us? Who is the mystery woman?"

It's a different colour, but people here might be able to tell it's me. I have to get out of here.

Making sure not to get in the way of the camera, Misaki kept her head down and approached Daichi, her hands shaking as she stuffed the glow stick in her pocket. "Can I go in the back?" she asked.

"Of course, go, go." Daichi ushered her to the back, hoping no one was paying attention to them as Nagase prodded them about the picture, not that she had mentioned it beforehand. "Wait, here's the keycard for their dressing room. You can wait in there."

"Thank you." She took the key, pulled the tip of her hat down, and rushed into the back, down the empty hall.

It should be down this way...

"Misa," a deep voice called out to her from behind.

She froze, goosebumps crawling over her body as she struggled to breathe.

That voice... No... It can't be. What's he doing here? How is he here? Misaki glanced over her shoulder to spot the hooded figure from the other day. It was him this whole time?

"You've got the wrong person," Misaki said, deepening her voice as she shuffled away.

"I know it's you." He started towards her.

Card in hand, she ran towards their dressing room and swiped the key card.

"Ah!"

He grabbed her from behind and forced her into the room with him. "Did you really think you could fool me? I'd know you anywhere, Misa."

She took a deep breath to scream.

He covered her mouth with his hand. "Don't even try it unless you want to make things worse for yourself."

Tears formed in her eyes as she shook. Why? Why are you back?