It was well after the Sun slid down the sky and the moon rose up in all its white glory. But it didn't matter in Shibuya, which rivaled New York for the city that never sleeps. Enter Itsuki Aoi, a normal teen who only worked for Fortuna Entertainment because he wanted to support his childhood friend Tsubasa Oribe. His life after that drastic encounter with that rogue mirage had been crawling in dungeons, pretending to work at a talent agency, repeat. It was one of these few exceptions when he and his friends would sing at concerts.
After the encore was played and the autographs were signed, Itsuki was standing out in the rain, until a message on his phone popped up "Want to go to the Love Hotel & relax?" Said Kiria Kurono, Itsuki's longtime colleague. Itsuki pondered this text, "Maybe it won't be that bad." He thought. "Alright." he texted back. "Going to be at 12 o'clock, hope you arrive ^_^," replied Kiria. After the Cab ride that took almost what felt like forever due to traffic, Itsuki arrived when the front desk told him that someone was waiting. He went upstairs and unlocked the door with the keys the staff gave him.
Kiria was in pink bathrobes lying on the couch watching the nightly news when she whispered "Wanna Start?" She was older than he and knew more about the idol industry and how grueling it was. Sometimes, just to escape the daily stress, Idols needed to get some excitement. Now it was the right time when everyone was either Night-Shifting or sleeping.
Itsuki said, "I guess." Then the barriers were lowered, the embracing began. They were two Game Boys linked together, both playing the same game of Euphoria.
For the first time, Itsuki felt- different, before he was just another Luke Skywalker, a boring stock character. Now, as he dug deeper towards his own conscience and Kiria's heart. All this mirage business, the people disappearing. It all felt like a bad dream fading away.
For Kiria, it also finding who she was, either the cold and intense or her soft side. As she remembered the strain of working long hours producing her new song and getting lost in the dungeons all while maintaining her public image. "Harder HARDER!" She yelled as she just wanted to forget the pain. The passion of her performance still fresh in her mind.
It felt rewarding for the both of them giggling, tumbling and having the fun when they had when they were kids they could barely afford with their crammed schedules. All while suspended in the puffy white cloud that was the mattress.
Alas, all good things must come to an end. After the energy faded away, all there was left was a memory, both of them were tired. They let go . "That felt good didn't it?" Said Kiria, "Yes" Itsuki replied.