A sudden wave of cheers erupted from the crowd, drowning out anything else. People were holding up signs—a sea of stars and moons, hearts and words of praise.
Backstage, Subaru clutched his heart once more. "They're actually going to make me cry. Can someone get me a tissue, or—"
Mao, without looking away from the stage, tossed him a mini tissue packet.
Subaru caught it mid-toss, and burst into *actual tears.*
Koga and Adonis watched, both visibly impressed. Adonis took another sip from his coffee—almost like a silent nod of approval.
Koga's usual dramatic flair softened just a touch as he watched the duo's performance. "They… complement each other perfectly.." he murmured, voice carrying a note of uncharacteristic awe.
The chorus rang out a final time—stronger, fuller—like a promise sealed in melody.
*"Forever I'm here for you, you're here for me…*
*Oh woah… two voices, one song!"*
Raito threw his arms wide as the last chord crashed through the speakers. Tsukki stood beside him—one hand still on his mic, eyes half-lidded like he was savoring the echo.
And then—
The crowd **exploded.**
Screams. Cheers. People standing on chairs. Signs waving like flags in a storm of love and glitter.
Backstage:
- Koga collapsed to his knees dramatically: "**THEY'VE ASCENDED!! THE SUN AND MOON HAVE BECOME LEGENDARY!**"
- Adonis gave one rare nod: "...Worth the wait."
- UNDEAD's Rei adjusted his glove and muttered: "…Hmph. Not bad."
- Hokuto grinned at Subaru: "We're gonna have to step up our game."
And Mao?
He quietly crushed another soda can—with one hand—and whispered:
"…Tsuki Kuroi just smiled."
Gasps from nearby idols.
"*No way.*"
"Yes." Mao nodded toward the stage. "Right when Raito jumped off that speaker platform and caught him by accident."
They replayed it in slow-mo on screen—a blur of gold and indigo—but there it was:
Just for a split second…
As Raito stumbled into him…
Tsukki didn't scowl.
Didn't shove.
He *caught* him…
…and there it was—
The tiniest upward curve at the corner of his lips.
A real smile.
Hidden.
Fleeting.
But *real.*
Raito blinked at him mid-hug like he'd witnessed something sacred:
"…Did you just *laugh?!*"
"I did no such thing," Tsukki snapped—looking away fast—but not fast enough to hide that faint blush creeping up under moonlight makeup.
And as confetti rained down around them—gold stars swirling with silver sparks—it wasn't just their debut anymore…
It was their beginning.
🎵 *(Later, backstage — unnoticed — someone slips two new tapes into matching jewel cases labeled:*
*"Polar Opposites - Live Debut - Side A: Two Voices"*
*"Side B: One Heart."*)
The festival ended with a bang. The air was electric as Polar Opposites made their way backstage.
Raito was bouncing with excitement, cheeks flushed from adrenaline. "That was *amazing*!" he exhaled, practically bursting.
Tsukki was more subdued, but there was still a quiet joy in his eyes, like an unspoken pride. "We sounded good."
"Good? We were *fantastic*!" Raito beamed so wide it looked like he might split his face.
"Now, I have more money to pay for my brother's hospital bills..."
Raito's smile faded slightly at that.
He knew Tsukki's family situation was tough. Money was always tight for the Kuroi family, with Tsukki working extra jobs to help pay for his brother's medical care.
"Hey," he said quietly. "You know I'd help out… if you'd let me."
Tsukki looked down as they walked, the weight of everything pressing in.
"...It was *you*," he muttered. "You're the one who dragged me into this mess… who said we should form an idol unit… who convinced me to transfer here…"
Raito blinked at him. "So? I thought it was a good idea!"
Tsukki stopped walking. Turned slightly toward him—moonlight from the hall window catching his eyes.
"…And I hate that you were right."
A beat.
Then, softer:
"...If we keep performing like tonight… I can pay for my brother's next treatment." His voice wavered—not much, but enough. "I don't have to choose between giving up and letting go anymore."
Raito stared at him—then suddenly grabbed both of Tsukki's shoulders and shook him playfully (but gently).
"Of *course* you don't!" he said brightly, voice full of conviction. "Because guess what? You've got *me!* And as long as we're Polar Opposites—I'm not letting you carry anything alone!"
Tsukki tried to scowl. Really did.
But then—
a quiet breath escaped him.
Almost like a laugh.
Almost like relief.
He turned away quickly before Raito could see too much—but not before muttering under his breath:
"...Idiot."
And then, so softly no one else would've heard:
"...Thanks."
Raito and Tsukki entered the hospital room quietly.
The room was pale. Sterile. Silent except for the soft beeping of a heart monitor. Under the soft glow of fluorescents, Tsukki's older brother laid asleep in a hospital bed.
He looked so young and fragile for someone who'd worked himself into a coma so his little brother could live.
Tsukki's shoulders were hunched. Strained from carrying so much.
Raito knew the truth.
The truth about how hard Tsukki's older brother had worked.
How he hadn't had time to get proper rest.
How he'd pushed himself too hard just so his little brother could have a chance at a better life.
It was hard to look at him lying in that hospital bed… silent… still… not moving…
Raito placed a sympathetic hand on Tsukki's shoulder. A quiet gesture of support.
The silence in the room was heavy—the weight of all the words left unsaid.
Raito glanced at the heart monitor—the steady pulse on the screen—and then at the way Tsukki was gripping the edge of his older brother's hospital blanket. Hands shaking slightly.
The sight felt like a knife twisting.
"Hey," he finally whispered softly. "He'll pull through."
Raito had pieced together the story from little things Tsukki had told him over time.
How Tsukki's parents had passed away when he was just starting middle school.
How his older brother had taken on extra jobs just to make sure he got through.
How he'd pushed himself so hard he'd ended up in a coma.
It was a burden no one should have to bear… but here they were.
And the room felt unbearably quiet…
Raito stood by silently as Tsukki replaced the flowers by the bedside.
Each time he went to visit, he brought fresh blooms. A small show of love and concern for his older brother. Trying to make the sterile hospital room a little more homey.
This time, he'd chosen daisies. Bright and lively—like him.
Raito knew it wouldn't wake him… but still, he hoped the colors might linger in a dream.
Word spread like wildfire. Rumors whispered in the practice rooms. Excitement buzzing through the hallways.
"Did you hear?"
"They're making a movie and want *Tsukki* in it?!"
Raito was sitting on a bench, fiddling with his phone, when someone plopped down next to him.
It was Subaru, out of breath like he'd just run here.
"Dude, is it true?" he gasped. "Tsukki got an offer to act in a movie?!"
Raito looked up from his phone, eyebrow raised. He'd heard the rumors already. Half the school was talking about it.
"Yeah," he affirmed. "I heard he got offered a role in some indie film. Big stuff for a high schooler."
Raito's eyes widened with a mix of excitement and nerves. "Wait... wait, *what*?" he said, standing up suddenly. "Tsukki's acting with **Rei Sakuma**? And Ritsu? Aira *and* Mayoi too?"
Subaru nodded rapidly. "Yeah! The whole cast is basically idols from Yumenosaki! It's like a drama-meets-movie hybrid—supposed to be about the struggles of fame and brotherhood… or something deep like that."
Raito blinked, processing.
Then he grinned—slowly at first, then full-on dazzling.
"Brotherhood… huh?"
He looked down the hall toward the practice room where Tsukki was rehearsing alone again—guitar in hand, face unreadable as always.
"...He's gonna have to act alongside someone who actually *knows* what it means to carry a brother's dream," Raito murmured softly—not bitter, but awed. "...Guess fate really does have a script."
And just maybe?
This movie wasn't just an opportunity for Tsukki…
It was a message.
From the world:
*"Your story matters."*
But when Raito found him later and excitedly told him about all this?
Tsukki just adjusted his collar and muttered:
"...I only accepted because they said I could donate part of my fee to my brother's hospital fund."
Raito smiled gently.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "*Sure.* That's why you took it."
And then added with a wink:
"But don't lie—you totally wanted to work with Rei 'Midnight Vampire King' Sakuma too."
Tsukki gave him *that look*—the one that said everything without a single word.
Eyebrow slightly raised.
Lips pressed thin.
Eyes cold as moonlight… but with just the tiniest glint of amusement hiding beneath.
"Only a fan boy," he said flatly, adjusting his sleeve like it was an official statement, "would care about working with someone just because they're *Rei Sakuma.*"
Raito gasped—hand over heart like he'd been stabbed. "*Excuse me?!* I'll have you know Rei-san is a legendary performer! His aura! His presence! That voice—it's like midnight wrapped in velvet!"
Tsukki deadpanned: "You brought fan art to school last week."
"I—" Raito sputtered. "That was—I was sketching for *art class!*"
"It had hearts around his name."
"...Artistic emphasis!"
They stared at each other.
Then Tsukki finally broke—just slightly—muttering under his breath:
"…At least I'm not the one who tried to sneak into UNDEAD's practice room 'for research.'"
Raito turned bright red. "*I got lost!* That hallway has no signs!"
"Right." Tsukki turned away, hiding it well—but Raito definitely saw it:
That smirk.
Small.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
And absolutely smug.
"Anyway," Tsukki added coolly, walking off, "I don't care if he's the king of shadows or whatever fans call him. He's just another actor now."
Raito jogged after him, grinning ear to ear.
"Yeah yeah~ But when you two do that dramatic scene together and your eyes lock in silence…" He fanned himself dramatically: "*Tension overload.* The fans are gonna lose their minds!"
Tsuki didn't answer—
But Raito noticed…
He didn't say *no*, either.
🎵 *(Later that night — in the quiet of his room — Tsuki opened a script titled: "Fragments of Light.")*
Page one read:
> **Scene 1 – Hospital Room (Night)**
> Two brothers sit in silence—one strong, one fragile. One carrying dreams for both...
Tsuki paused.
Stared at those words.
Then quietly whispered into the dark:
"...I know this story."
Tsukki sat quietly for a moment, reading over the script.
The storyline—it was familiar.
"…*Detective brothers*," Tsukki murmured, staring down at the first scene.
"…*One is brave.*
*The* other's *a total wimp,*" he continued, eyes scanning the words as if seeing them for the first time. "…But the weak one…"
His voice wavered.
"…*The weak one*," Tsukki whispered—soft, almost so quiet it could've been mistaken for a breath.
A pause.
Then—
He swallowed hard and continued reading.
There was still so much to learn about this movie. Who was playing the role of the weak brother? What would the music be like? How would his acting turn out?
But in the quiet of his room, as the clock ticked, one thought was clear:
This movie wasn't just a role.
*It was a message.*
The meeting place was lively that day. Staff members were bustling around, carrying equipment, discussing lighting—the usual chaos of anything behind the scenes.
Tsukki arrived early, guitar case over one shoulder, a small backpack on the other.
He took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air, steeling himself…
And stepped into the melee.
All around him, people rushed about doing a million things at once—a flurry of movement that was almost dizzying.
Tsukki weaved through the noise, scanning the room for something—or someone.
And then—finally—he spotted him.
Leaning against a wall, arms crossed, head tilted back against the wall…
*Rei Sakuma.*
Tsukki blinked, then quickly looked down at his script—pretending to read.
But he wasn't fooling anyone. Not even himself.
He took a slow breath and started walking toward him.
Halfway there…
Rei opened one eye. Just one.
And looked right at him—like he'd been waiting all along.
Their eyes met.
The world seemed to slow.
Tsukki tried to maintain his usual cool expression…
But something about those piercing red irises made him freeze mid-step.
Rei smiled faintly.
"You're early," he observed, voice smooth like the night sky.
One by one, more idols arrived—Ritsu yawning dramatically, Mayoi quietly greeting staff in passing, Aira practically bouncing off the walls with excitement.
They all had that same energy—electric, almost *excited* for this movie.
But in the midst of it all… Tsukki stood with Rei—their eyes still locked.
Mayoi stopped suddenly, noticing them standing there. He nudged Aira, who immediately stopped chattering, followed by Ritsu.
Ritsu raised an eyebrow. A smirk curved at the corners of his lips.
"Oho… what do we have here?" he drawled, crossing his arms like a detective inspecting a crime scene.
Mayoi leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Ooooh. *Romance*."
Mayoi recoiled comically, as if shot. Aira hid a grin behind one hand. Ritsu chuckled.
"Ouch," he said, mock-wincing. "Heartbreak with a single look. You're *cold,* dude."
Tsukki's eyes flicked to him, voice like ice: "I prefer *calm.*"
The director arrived, clipboard in hand as usual. He took one look at the gathering group and clapped his hands for attention.
"Good. You're all here," he said, voice sharp. "We've got a lot to go over."
All around them, the usual chaos quieted. Everyone turned to give the director their full attention.
"Alright," the director said, glancing down at his notes. "We'll start with the main roles, first."
The group stood silently, waiting.
The director looked up.
"The detective brothers will be played by…"
A pause.
A breath.
Everyone was completely still.
"Rei Sakuma playing… *the older brother.*
And Tsukki Kuroi acting as… *the younger brother.*"
The silence was deafening.
Ritsu blinked—once, twice—as if the words hadn't fully processed.
"Wait… *WHAT?!*"
He turned sharply toward Rei. "You're… playing someone's *older brother?* But you're—"
He stopped himself, then pointed dramatically at Tsukki. "*He's even colder than you!* How am I supposed to be your little brother in real life and YOU'RE playing someone else's?! This is an outrage!"
Mayoi giggled into his hand while Aira patted Ritsu on the back like he'd suffered a tragic loss.
But Tsukki?
He didn't react—just gave a slow blink, expression blank as moonless night.
One corner of his mouth twitched.
"...Whatever," he muttered. "It's just acting."
Rei finally spoke, voice smooth but with a faint edge of amusement: "Relax, Ritsu. It's not like we're getting married."
Ritsu gasped as if struck: "**WORSE! YOU'RE BECOMING HIS BROTHER!**"
Meanwhile—unseen by most—the director smirked behind his clipboard.
Because somewhere deep in the script…
he knew what this casting truly meant:
A boy who lost his family…
paired with one who hides behind shadows…
to play brothers?
No accident there.
And across the room—
watching through a small crack in the door—
was *Raito.*
Arms crossed.
Eyes sharp.
Smirking just slightly as he whispered to himself:
"Perfect."
The director finally put down his clipboard, a satisfied look in his eyes like this was exactly what he'd hoped for.
"Any objections?"
He glanced around the group.
Ritsu was still sputtering about something—Mayoi was trying to console him—Aira just seemed to be watching it all like a tennis match.
Rei crossed his arms, looking unfazed as always. But there was a small, faint glint in his eyes.
And Tsukki simply gave a slow nod.
"None."
The director glanced down at the clipboard.
"Now for the supporting roles..."
Ritsu stopped in the middle of his angry rant, suddenly perking upright.
Mayoi stopped patting him on the back, also listening intently.
Aira's head snapped up.
The rest fell silent… waiting.
The director adjusted his glasses, then read off the list.
"As for the supporting roles… Mayoi Ayase, you'll be playing… the haunted hospital attendant."
Mayoi's eyes widened.
"…The one who *knows* too much," the director added, voice dropping slightly. "Always there... always watching. But never saying enough."
Mayoi blinked—then slowly, a mischievous smile curled on his lips.
"Ooooooh~ So I'm the *mysterious informant*?" He twirled in place with dramatic flair. "The ghostly guide between worlds? The whisper behind the curtain?"
"Yes," he whispered to himself, already in character. "*I know secrets that even time forgets.*"
Nearby, Aira groaned dramatically:
"Ughhh not *this* again—here we go with the spooky act!"
But before he could tease further…
"The next role…" The director continued calmly.
"Aira Shiratori—you'll be playing *Lena*, the skeptical journalist investigating the hospital's past."
Aira gasped like he'd been struck by inspiration.
"Ooooh! So I'm digging through dark truths! Uncovering lies! With a trench coat and emotional baggage?! YES." He punched one fist into her palm. "Time to find justice—and maybe a tragic romance along the way?"
Ritsu made an exaggerated gagging noise.
Finally—the director turned to Ritsu Sakuma.
"You'll be playing… Dr. Ren Amamiya—the only doctor still working at night in that decaying hospital."
Ritsu blinked once.
Then again.
And then—
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M THE ONLY ONE STILL WORKING?!"
His voice echoed through rehearsal hall like lightning strike.
"I'm responsible?! Sane?! MORALLY STRUGGLING WITH ETHICS AND GUILT OVER PATIENTS WHO VANISHED WITHOUT A TRACE??"
He paused dramatically—and then grinned wide as realization hit him:
"Wait... does this mean I get sad flashbacks and wear glasses while staring tragically out of rainy windows?"
Director nodded once: "**Yes."**
Ritsu immediately collapsed to his knees, arms raised skyward:
"FINALLY!!! MY TIME TO SHINE AS THE BROKEN HEALER HAS COME!"
Tsukki stared blankly at all of them… especially Rei beside him—who remained eerily calm throughout it all…
Then quietly muttered under his breath:
"...Why do I feel like we're just extras in their drama?"
Mayoi twirled around some more, humming some kind of haunting tune. Ritsu was still on the floor—now making sobbing noises while the director tried to drag him up. Aira was already practicing his serious journalist face in the nearest mirror he could find, complete with finger guns:
"Justice *will* be found… if it's the last thing I do."
Rei just crossed arms, watching the chaos from where he leaned against the wall.
And Tsukki just stood there, expression still blank.
Until Raito suddenly grabbed him by the shoulder.
"What are you doing here?"
Raito grinned, unfazed by the icy tone. "What? Can't I check up on my favorite brooding moon child?"
He stepped forward, hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Besides—"
He nodded toward Rei.
"You've got *big* scenes coming with *him.* I had to make sure you weren't freezing up."
Tsukki shot him a sharp, sideways glare—cold and piercing, like moonlight through glass.
"...If I catch you fanboying over Rei *during* our scenes," he muttered low, "I'm disowning you as my partner. Publicly."
Raito gasped dramatically—hand on heart. "Me? Fanboy? *Never!*"
He paused.
Then whispered:
"Unless... he does that thing with his coat flip… or says something deep in that voice…"
His eyes glazed over slightly. "*Mmm… poetic darkness...*"
Tsukki narrowed his eyes.
Before Raito could spiral further—he grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and yanked him down to eye level.
"...You breathe a word during rehearsal," Tsukki warned, voice low and dead serious, "*one squeak,* one fangirl sigh..."
He leaned in closer.
"I will throw your entire collection of Rei Sakuma UNDEAD merch into the ocean."
Raito's smile vanished instantly.
"...You wouldn't dare."
Tsukki's expression didn't change.
"I have no mercy."
A beat of silence passed…
Then Raito raised both hands in surrender.
"Fine! No fanboying! I swear!" He made an X over his heart. "But if he does *that slow head-turn move,* I can't promise my soul won't leave my body."
Tsukki rolled his eyes—and turned away before anyone could see the faint twitch at the corner of his lips:
An almost-smile.
And from across the room?
Rei Sakuma—having heard every word—gave just one quiet smirk into the shadows:
"...Entertaining as always."
Raito grinned, watching as Tsukki turned away.
"You know... you're *almost* fun to hang around."
Tsukki didn't look back.
But the silence?
It wasn't cold anymore.