Back in the main hall, rehearsal was officially beginning.
Ritsu and Aira were in character almost immediately, bantering on stage with perfect comedic timing. Mayoi lingered in the wings, still practicing his own lines in whispers. Meanwhile backstage, the director paced. He shot quick glances at his watch then at the stage… as if waiting for something.
And meanwhile…
Rei and Tsukki stood beside one another, quiet but alert. Ready for whatever came next.
The rehearsal began under soft lighting—a simulated hospital corridor, dim and eerie, with flickering fluorescent lights and peeling walls.
Rei stood tall at one end, in character already—his presence like a shadow given form. Tsukki stood opposite him as the younger brother, script in hand but eyes sharp.
Director called: **"Scene 3—Brothers at the Threshold. Action."**
---
**Rei (as older brother):**
*"You don't have to come in… I can handle this alone."*
His voice was deep. Calm. But underneath—concern.
Tsukki hesitated just a second too long.
Then—
**Tsukki (as younger brother):**
*"Yeah… I know you *can.*"*
He took a slow step forward into the dim light.
*"But that doesn't mean you *should.*"*
A beat passed.
No one moved.
Even Ritsu stopped fidgeting with his fake doctor's glasses. Mayoi stopped humming his ghostly tune. Aira lowered her reporter notepad slightly…
The chemistry was... unexpected?
It wasn't rivalry.
Not tension.
Not friendship—
It was *familiarity.*
As if they'd lived these words before.
And then—
Rei turned toward him slowly—the classic Sakuma head-tilt move Raito had practiced daily for weeks—and said:
***"You're stubborn… just like him."***
Something inside Tsukki flickered—not pain, not anger—but recognition.
His next line came softer than expected:
***"I guess some things don't change… even when everything else does."***
Cut!
The director lowered his clipboard slowly... then nodded once:
"...That's it."
A murmur spread among crew members:
"That felt real."
"I swear I saw something break there."
Mayoi dabbed fake tears from real eyes: "I'm not crying—you're crying!"
But across the room…
Raito just smiled quietly to himself—and slipped out unnoticed,
leaving only a small folded note on an equipment crate:
> *"P.S.: I didn't fanboy.*
>
> *(Mostly.)"*
And somewhere deep down?
Even Tsuki knew—he wasn't acting anymore…
he was remembering.
The hospital set was dim, shadows crawling over its peeling walls.
A perfect atmosphere for this scene.
Tsukki—in-character as the 'wimpy brother'—clung to Rei's arm as if his life depended on it.
"I'm *nervous,*" he muttered, eyes wide with mock-fear. "Hospitals are *scary*."
"Really."
Rei—in his role as the older brother—raised an eyebrow.
"You're shaking."
"I-I'm *not!*"
Tsukki protested, voice cracking slightly. He clung tighter to Rei's arm, refusing to look down the long corridor.
Rei sighed—a faint smile on his lips.
"We're here for a check up, not to chase the undead. Stop holding onto me."
"No way!" Tsukki squeaked, pressing closer. "What if the *lights go out?!* What if *something* crawls out of that old elevator?!"
Rei turned slightly—his expression deadpan, but a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
"...You're really leaning into this wimpy act."
Tsukki whispered dramatically: "*Because I am the fear itself!*"
And then—
A creak echoed from down the hall.
The lights flickered.
Someone had timed it perfectly—a stagehand flipping a switch.
Tsukki let out a full-on yelp and practically *launched* himself behind Rei, using him as a human shield.
"SEE?! SEE?! THAT'S NOT NORMAL!"
Rei didn't move. Just stood there—calm, collected… while Tsuki peeked over his shoulder like he expected death itself to emerge from Room B-13.
Ritsu burst into laughter from the sidelines: "Okay! I believe him! He's officially more scared than I've ever been!"
Mayoi clapped excitedly: "Ooooh~ The shy little brother trope is thriving!"
Aira fanned herself: "Brotherly protection arc… I'm emotionally compromised."
And Raito?
He'd quietly sneaked back in—with phone out—filming every second:
"I need this forever," he whispered to himself through tears of joy.
Back on set…
Rei finally glanced over his shoulder at Tsuki still latched onto him like a frightened cat—and said flatly:
"...We haven't even reached Patient Zero yet."
Pause.
Then:
"You might want to start praying."
Tsukki's eyes went impossibly wider.
"**DON'T SAY THAT!!**"
Tsukki, still fully in character, tugged desperately on Rei's sleeve—eyes wide and glistening with exaggerated fear.
"Onii-chan… please don't leave me behind…" he whimpered. "What if something *grabs* me? What if I get *possessed?!*"
He clung tighter.
"Onii-chan… Onii-chan… Onii-*chan!**"
Each plea was so earnest—so absurdly adorable—that even the crew started cooing like they were watching a scared kitten find shelter under a thunderstorm.
Rei remained perfectly stoic.
But deep down?
Even he was fighting back the faintest twitch of amusement at his lips.
Because no one called him that.
Not ever.
Not in years…
And yet here was this cold moonlit idol—who never bowed to anyone—
...whining like a lost puppy just for acting practice.
Back at the monitor—
Ritsu sat frozen.
A crumpled tomato juice box dripping red liquid onto his fingers like bloodstained evidence of betrayal.
He stared at the screen with wide, disbelieving eyes:
"*...He's using my special honorific.*"
Mayoi leaned over:
"Ohhh~ You're jealous Ritsu?"
"**I'M NOT JEALOUS,**" Ritsu shrieked dramatically. "I'm traumatized! That title is sacred! It represents our pure brotherly bond—I cry every time he says it!"
Aira patted his shoulder gently:
"Let go, Ritsu. Rei needed love too."
"I DIDN'T CONSENT TO SHARING!"
Meanwhile—
Raito wiped happy tears from his eyes while zooming in for close-up footage:
"This," he whispered reverently, "is gold."
And somewhere deep in Tsukki's soul?
The real reason flooded back:
Because right now—he wasn't just pretending to need an older brother…
For once...
Someone else got to be strong for *him.*
Even if it wasn't real...
For these few moments?
He could rest.
🎵 *(Later — when everyone had gone — Tsuki slipped a small note into Rei's script folder:*
> *"Thanks… Onii-chan."*
"Cut! That's a wrap for today!"
The director lowered his clipboard, grinning.
"Perfect. Spooky *and* heartfelt. We're golden."
Everyone began to pack up—jokes flying, voices loud again.
But Tsukki slipped away quietly—heading toward the equipment table where he'd left his bag.
And there…
Raito suddenly appeared beside him like a sunbeam in human form.
"Hey."
Tsukki didn't look at him. Just kept zipping his bag shut.
Raito smiled softly.
"You called him that… *on purpose,* didn't you?"
Silence stretched between them—one heartbeat… two…
Then—
Tsukki muttered under his breath:
"...It felt right."
A pause.
And then:
"...I'll never say it again."
Raito's eyes shimmered—not with sadness, but warmth.
He reached over and flicked Tsukki lightly on the forehead—*boop!*
"Didn't say you had to," he said brightly. "One moment's enough... when it means everything."
Tsuki blinked once... then turned away fast—but not before muttering:
"...You're annoying."
But this time?
He didn't mean it at all.
🎵 *(Later that night — in Rei's empty dressing room — he opened the script folder.*
Found the note.*
Read it once...
Then tucked it into his pocket without a word.*
Just... kept walking.
🌙
The morning light streamed through the studio windows as cast and crew gathered for the next shoot.
Ritsu, still moping slightly from yesterday's *Onii-chan* betrayal, wandered near his brother's chair—where Rei had just stood up to head to makeup.
Something fluttered from Rei's coat pocket…
A small folded note.
Ritsu blinked.
Then—curiosity getting the better of him—he snatched it before it hit the ground.
Unfolded it slowly… quietly…
And then—
His eyes widened so fast he nearly dropped it again.
Ritsu blinked, and blinked... read the note over again... and then stared at nothing.
A few seconds passed in silent shock…
...Then he spun on one heel and *bolted* across the room toward Tsukki like he was suddenly on fire.
Tsukki was standing near a prop wall, staring into a mirror—perfecting an expressionless stare for the next scene.
Ritsu barreled forward, shoved the note in his face—
--and exploded:
"EXPLAIN!"
Tsukki's eyes flicked to the note.
Then—just for a fraction of a second—
his breath caught.
Not shock. Not panic.
But something deeper: *recognition.*
Because there it was—his own handwriting, folded gently, now exposed in broad daylight:
> *"Thanks… Onii-chan."*
He remembered slipping it into Rei's script.
He remembered hoping no one would find it.
*Especially Ritsu.*
And yet—here he stood. Glaring like a betrayed puppy with dramatic flair.
Tsukki stayed silent for three long beats.
Then slowly lifted his gaze to Ritsu's wide, accusing eyes…
and said—with the calmest deadpan imaginable:
"...I wrote him a thank-you note."
Ritsu gasped as if shot. "That's not just *a thank-you note!* That's—" He flailed dramatically. "*Emotional theft! Identity violation! SACRED TITLES BEING REUSED WITHOUT LICENSE!*"
Mayoi popped up from behind a camera crate, eyes gleaming:
"Ohhh~ This is *so* good..."
Aira clapped once: "Sibling drama arc activated!"
Tsukki didn't flinch. Just folded the note neatly again and plucked it from Ritsu's hands like taking candy from an overemotional child.
"I used your word," he admitted flatly. "Didn't steal your bond."
A pause.
Then softer:
"I just... borrowed its warmth."
Ritsu froze mid-gesture—fingers still splayed in outrage…
But then...
His shoulders sagged slightly.
"...Fine," he muttered under his breath—but not coldly this time. "But only because you looked really sad when you wrote that."
Tsuki blinked at him, surprised Tsuki looked away fast but quietly said:
"..."
And somewhere down the hall—
Rei paused outside the makeup room door…
One hand in his coat pocket—the same spot where the note had fallen from...
And without turning back,
he smiled—
small,
rare,
real—
like sunlight breaking through clouds no one knew were even there.
🌙 💬 *(Later — during lunch break — someone found two tomato juice boxes crushed side-by-side on a bench.*
No words needed.)
Later, the shooting continued—and in one quiet lull, Mayoi found himself sitting alone.
He leaned against a prop wall, staring at nothing—until the familiar weight of self-criticism settled around him like a familiar cloak, cold and mocking:
*You don't belong.*
Mayoi slumped forward.
"I mess up lines," he muttered miserably to the air.
"Miss cues. Can't act as well as everyone else…"
While Mayoi sulked in the corner, Tsukki leaned toward Aira and quietly spoke his thoughts:
"Is he always this self-critical?"
Aira leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. He watched Mayoi with a slight frown.
"Unfortunately, yes," he replied quietly. "Mayoi always downplays his talents and overthinks everything. He's his own worst critic."
Aira sighed quietly, eyes narrowed in thought.
"I've tried to help him, but it's like there's a part of him that can't help criticizing himself."
Tsukki followed Aira's gaze to Mayoi sitting alone, muttering to himself.
"He doesn't seem to see his own worth," he noticed quietly, almost to himself. "It's like he believes the negative more than the positive."
Ritsu and Rei stood nearby, listening subtly to Aira and Tsukki's conversation. Ritsu crossed his arms, frowning.
"It's frustrating," Ritsu muttered quietly. "Mayoi has so much potential, but his doubt holds him back."
Rei stood silently beside him, watching Mayoi with a thoughtful expression.
"It's fear," he murmured. "He's afraid of failure."
Tsukki walked over slowly—hands in his pockets, face as blank as ever.
Mayoi didn't even look up. Just kept muttering to himself:
"...I tripped on the cue line… and my ghost voice cracked… I'm a failure…"
Then—
"Mayoi-san."
Tsukki's voice cut through like a knife.
Mayoi blinked—finally looking up.
And there he was: cold, unimpressed, *annoyed.*
"You're doing it again."
A beat passed.
Then Tsuki leaned down slightly—eyes sharp, voice flat:
"Stop with the self-criticism. It's seriously annoying."
Mayoi stared at him, speechless. It was rare for anyone to call him out so directly.
"...B-But I *am* a failure," he mumbled after a moment, looking down again.
Tsukki rolled his eyes.
"You make one stumble, and you think you're useless?" he huffed. "That's the dumbest logic I've ever heard."
"But—"
"No buts," Tsuki interrupted bluntly.
He crossed his arms, looking down at Mayoi disapprovingly. "You're an IDOL, not a machine. Even professionals make mistakes."
Mayoi just slumped further into himself.
But Tsukki wasn't finished.
"Plus," he added pointedly, "stop focusing on your flaws. You have talents too. But you're so determined to see only the negatives that you ignore your strengths."
"If you can't let go of that complex, then you're unfit to be an Idol"
Tsukki stated matter-of-factly
Mayoi flinched visibly, eyes widening. Tsukki's words were harsh, but they were also honest.
"...I-I can't help it," he murmured after a pause. "Doubts just... they keep coming back even when I try to ignore them..."
Tsuki just crossed his arms again.
"You're letting those doubts control you," he said simply. "And every time you say you'll 'never be good enough,' you reinforce that negativity instead of finding ways to improve."
Tsukki's voice cut like frost through the air—cold, sharp, unrelenting.
*"That makes you a coward."*
Mayoi froze.
"And cowards don't belong in the idol world."
Silence swallowed the space between them.
Not cruel.
Not angry.
Just… true.
Like a mirror being shoved in his face and left there until he stopped looking away.
Ritsu took an unconscious step back—eyes wide. "Tsukki... that was brutal."
But Rei didn't move.
Just watched.
Because he knew something no one else did—
Sometimes, kindness isn't soft words and warm hugs.
Sometimes…
It's being told you're weak—so you'll *fight* to prove it wrong.
Mayoi stood there, stunned silent.
Then—
"I-I'm *not*—"
"You are," Tsukki cut across him flatly. "You're afraid. Of judgment, of failure, of criticism. You doubt yourself. So you focus on every wrong thing you do because it's easier than facing the possibility that you could be better if you just *tried.*"
Mayoi flinched again—as if each word hit harder than the last.
And just as Mayoi thought the barrage was over—
A sudden, sharp *flick* hit his forehead.
He blinked, raising a hand to the pain—more startled than hurt.
"What was that—"
"A wake-up call," Tsukki said dryly. "Stop wallowing in self-pity. You're an Idols. Act like one."
"Wimp,"
Tsukki muttered—cold, final—before turning on his heel and walking away without a glance back.
The word hung in the air like frost settling over silence.
Mayoi stood frozen, hand still on his forehead, eyes wide.
Not with anger.
With *shock.*
Because no one had ever… just *called* him that. So bluntly. So openly.
And yet—
He knew it was true.
He *was* running.
From mistakes.
From confidence.
From himself.
Ritsu winced dramatically—half-pitying, half-impressed:
"That was… cold-blooded."
Aira shook his head slowly: "Tsukki doesn't play."
Rei just gave a faint nod of approval—
While deep in the quiet corner of Mayoi's heart?
Something cracked open…
Not broken—
But finally awake.
🎵 *(Later that night — alone in the practice room — Mayoi stared at himself in the mirror.*
Then whispered:
"I'm... not weak."*
And for once…
he didn't instantly correct himself to say otherwise.)
🌙
That night.
The practice room was mostly dark, lit by a single light from above and cast shadows that danced along the walls.
Mayoi stood alone in the silence, staring into the mirror—and the reflection staring back was the same one it had always been.
A boy with messy hair. Pale skin. A heart trying to convince his mind that it was wrong.
But—
"...I'm not weak." he said again—quietly, like a promise to himself.
"I'm an *idol."*
The next morning, the set buzzed with quiet energy.
Light poured through the studio windows, glinting off fresh props and costumes laid out for the day's shoot—another intense chapter of *Detective Brothers: Shadows at Midnight.*
One by one, they arrived:
Ritsu bounced in late—as usual—tossing a new juice box into his bag dramatically.
"I've made peace with my brother's emotional development," he announced. "Now we move forward."
Aira waved cheerfully from behind a script copy covered in neon highlights:
"Justice research complete! Lena is ready to expose corruption!"
Mayoi stepped in quietly—different this time.
Not hunched.
Not muttering to himself.
No self-deprecation under his breath.
Just calm.
He met Tsukki's eyes across the room…
And instead of looking away?
He nodded once.
Tsuki gave no smile. No words.
But he *didn't* look away either—
And that was enough.
Rei entered last—coat swaying slightly behind him—as always carrying silence like armor.
His gaze swept over them… then paused on Tsukki for just a second longer than necessary—
Before saying simply:
"Ready?"
Tsukki nodded once back:
"Yeah."
The director clapped his hands together as lights dimmed down hallways and cameras rolled into position:
"Alright, team!"
"Today—we go deeper."
"And *nobody* comes out unchanged." 🎬
🖤 *(Cut to black...)*
🎶 *(Sound of distant footsteps echoing through an abandoned hospital corridor...)*
The first scene began:
*A dark corridor. Flickering lights. A faint, eerie dripping echoing from the shadows.*
Tsukki stumbled into the light, dressed as the frightened younger brother in a classic *yandare* outfit.
He clutched onto Rei, calling desperately:
"Onii-chan—!"
Ritsu stiffened from behind, staring intently as he forced on a calm expression.
"Onii-chan, *please!* I don't want to go in there!" Tsukki whimpered—pitch-perfect, trembling voice like cracked glass.
He clung tightly to Rei's arm, eyes wide with feigned terror. "W-What if something's watching us?!"
And then—
The word slipped out again:
"*Onii-chaaan…*"
Ritsu visibly twitched.
His eye flickered. His fingers curled around his script just a little too tight. A tomato juice box nearby suddenly made a soft *crunch* noise—crushed by unseen pressure.
But he held himself together.
"Just… stick to the lines," Ritsu muttered under his breath through a strained smile. "It's acting. It's fine."
Mayoi leaned over: "You're doing great! Emotional maturity level: impressive!"
"I'm not struggling at all," Ritsu said loudly—too loudly—"I'm perfectly okay with this familial bond redistribution! I fully support it!"
Aira nodded solemnly: "Denial is the first stage."
Back on set—
Rei didn't flinch at the name. Didn't pull away from Tsukki's grip.
Instead—he gave one small sigh, looked down at him…
And said quietly:
"...Fine."
"*Stay close.*"
Tsukki peeked up through messy bangs—and for just half a second?
His real voice almost bled through:
"...Thanks... Onii-chan."
Not acting anymore.
Not pretending.
Just… momentary truth hidden as performance.
And from across the shadows—
Raito stood quietly beside the monitor,
eyes soft,
smile warm,
watching like he already knew:
some roles weren't played.
They were healed into.
🎥 *(Cue sound of distant hospital door creaking open…)*
"Cut!" shouted the director—with pure delight in his voice.
"**That was magic."**
The director clapped his hands together, grinning: "Perfect! Good job! Let's take a break, then get set for Mayoi-kun's next scene."
Tsukki straightened up instantly, dropping the younger-brother act with relief—then glanced over to Ritsu—
Whose eyes were still a bit narrowed, but he forced them back into polite focus when he noticed Tsuki looking.
"What," he said flatly. "I'm *fine.*"
At the sound of his name, Mayoi blinked, refocusing.
"Oh. Uh..."
He cleared his throat, straightening up. "...It's my turn, right?"
The director nodded.
"You're up!"
Mayoi gave a small nod and walked past Tsukki to the set—keeping his head up, eyes sharp with newfound confidence.
Ritsu watched as he passed by, and—
"Good luck," he said quietly.
Mayoi looked right at him.
Then—
gave a small, genuine smile.
"Thanks, Ritsu."
And walked into the light.
The set shifted to the abandoned hospital ward—dim lamps flickering above a rusted gurney. Mayoi stood at center stage now—not hiding behind props or castmates.
He took a slow breath… then closed his eyes.
When they opened again?
His expression changed completely.
Blank.
Distant.
Hauntingly calm—
The ghostly attendant had arrived.
Director raised his hand:
"Quiet on set! Mayoi Ayase—Scene 17: Confession in the Morgue. *Action.*"
The camera rolled.
Silence stretched—broken only by the sound of distant dripping water.
Mayoi slowly turned his head toward the empty morgue drawer. His voice came soft, layered with quiet sorrow:
> "...You weren't supposed to die here."
A pause.
Then a flicker in his eyes—like something old remembered.
> "I told you not to come back… but you always listened *too late.*"
His hand brushed over the cold metal drawer. Fingers trembling—not from fear this time… but grief.
> "They think ghosts are loud… screaming through the dark…"
>
> *(A slow breath out.)*
>
> "…But yours was silent. You didn't even fight back."
Behind the camera monitors—
Ritsu forgot to be mad.
Tsukki stood still.
Rei's usual stoic gaze softened just slightly.
Even Aira and Raito stopped whispering.
Because this wasn't acting anymore.
It *felt* real—like pain long buried had finally found its voice through words meant for someone else...
And then—
Mayoi looked straight into the lens—the ghost of a smile on his lips:
> "…So I became your echo."
>
> *"So someone would remember."*
"CUT!"
The director sat frozen for a beat…
Then whispered:
"...Holy hell."
Ritsu exhaled shakily: "He's not just playing a role…"
"He's *healing*."
And Tsukki?
He just nodded once—
eyes fixed on Mayoi, who now stood alone under that pale light…
finally letting go,
without breaking down,
for once…
not apologizing for existing at all.
🖤💫
The scene shifted.
The morgue doors creaked open—cold air hissing into the hall as Tsukki, still in character as the trembling younger brother, crept forward with shaky steps.
"O-Onii-chan…?" he whispered, voice thin. "I-I don't like this place… it *feels* wrong…"
Rei—calm and collected as ever—kept walking forward.
"Stay close. And stop making noise."
Tsukki whimpered softly… until—
***CREEEEAKK!***
The metal drawer behind them slid open on its own.
A sudden gust blew out one of the lanterns.
And there—
In a flash of flickering light…
***Mayoi appeared.***
Pale.
Still.
Eyes hollow and glowing faintly in the dark.
His uniform tattered at the edges, long hair drifting like smoke in unmoving air.
And then—he spoke:
> *"You shouldn't be here…"*
His voice echoed—not from one place, but from everywhere at once…
Like memory itself had turned to sound.
Tsukki let out a blood-curdling scream:
**"AAAAAAHHH!!"**
And collapsed backward—limp as paper—fainting dead on cue with theatrical perfection!
Rei snapped around instantly—
Stepping between Mayoi's ghostly presence and his "younger brother" without hesitation—and stood firm like an unshakable wall of shadow:
**"Enough games."**
His voice cut through silence like steel:
*"Who are you really protecting?"*
A beat passed.
Then another whisper from Mayoi:
> *"...The ones who were never found."*
CUT!
Applause erupted behind cameras—even stagehands clapped spontaneously!
"That was *chilling!*"
"The timing! The scream! That FAINT?!"
Ritsu jumped up dramatically: "HE STOLE MY SIGNATURE DRAMATIC COLLAPSE!"
But then he paused… leaned toward Aira:
"...I admit though... it was kinda hot."
Aira nodded sagely: "Fearless older bro + unconscious little brother trope is top-tier drama fuel."
Across set—
Tsuki slowly sat up rubbing his shoulder where he fell ("Faking fainting hurts more than expected"), while Rei reached down wordlessly to pull him back to his feet by one arm—not roughly—but not gently either. Like they'd done this before in silence many times over.
"No flinching," Rei said quietly—as if giving quiet praise wrapped in a command.*
"I know," Tsuki replied flatly—but didn't pull away.*
Meanwhile…
Raito sneaked up beside Mayoi—who was stepping out of character now—with phone already recording again:
"One sec—one sec—I need proof that you actually terrified someone for once!"
Mayoi blinked innocently:
"I'm just doing my job…"
But deep down?
He smiled just slightly beneath shadows no longer heavy on his shoulders...
because for once—he wasn't weak.
He was **felt**.
🎥 🌫️ *(Next scene loading...)*
To continued...