Ai Mikaze is 15 when he meets those who would soon become his bandmates.

It all feels like a bit of a rush when he thinks back on it- and a total mess if he's honest, which he tries to be.

If it had been left up to him, Ai thinks he would have never put Camus and Ranmaru in the same group at first; they butted heads like nobody Ai had ever seen, constantly arguing like there was nothing better to do but disagree. Reiji was always just this side of too positive, so Ai's sure that any group with Reiji would be enjoyable, although a more bubbly pop group would likely fit him best.

Ai fits in just about anywhere, as far as he's concerned. An everyman.

They're all gathered together in Shining Saotome's office, Doctor Kisaragi standing between Ai and Shining Saotome's desk. Reiji is sitting casually in the seat furthest from Ai- ex student, Ai's mind supplies quickly, he looks used to Shining's shenanigans. Camus is in the other seat, just on Ai's right, sitting straight-backed and regal and glaring fiercely at Shining. Ranmaru stands closest to the door, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and his eyes slit.

Aggressive, Ai thinks, glancing from the corner of his eye.

Ai stays still as Shining begins an elaborate explanation that inexplicably includes pyrotechnics and wires and pirouettes. Doctor Kisaragi unconsciously moves his arm across Ai's chest, ready to push him back the moment a firework gets too close.

Ai's sure he can dodge in time if it comes down to it, and he's sure the doctor knows it as well. Ai says nothing of it; he had long since gotten used to the doctor's more protective habits.

Shining finishes with a flourish, glitter raining down from somewhere above him as he poses. Reiji is trying not to laugh, Camus has barely reacted, and Ranmaru looks ready to leave at any moment.

"You want us to form an idol group." Ai says finally into the silence, straight forward, and the doctor lowers his arm to glance at Ai. "I do not think such an elaborate presentation was necessary."

Reiji shifts towards Shining Saotome, still in his seat.

(Away from Ai, but Ai doesn't quite catch that.)

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Reiji says with a smile. "Although I'm a little rough, since I haven't sung in a while."

"You're a natural Kotobuki!" Shining Saotome declares, sliding over towards Reiji and raining some glitter onto him with a wide swing of his arms. "You'll be back in the game in no time!"

"No thanks." Ranmaru says suddenly from the back, door creaking as he opens it.

"Kurosaki!"

And suddenly Shining is right there, next to Ranmaru, and Ai feels himself startle. Doctor Kisaragi is frowning as he turns to watch Shining. Ai is very familiar with that look; a lot of discussion came with those frowns usually.

Ai did not want discussions. He wanted-

Camus stands smoothly and turns too, watching Shining and Ranmaru argue at the door. Ai glances at him, thought interrupted, and Camus glares back down. Ai stays unmoved by the expression, simply tilting his head to get a better look at Camus. Camus seems satisfied by Ai's neutral expression, because he tilts his head in acknowledgement before turning his attention to Shining and Ranmaru.

"It's an offer you can't refuse, Kurosaki Ranmaru!" Shining Saotome finally crows out, and that seems to finally break Ranmaru's resolve as he slowly shuts the door behind him. There's a glare as intense as Camus's on his face,

Ai feels his face heat up- only a faint trace of color rises up Ai's neck in response- as he begins to over analyze. Ranmaru has on an odd expression, one Ai can't fully decipher, not yet, and Ai feels the incessant need to figure it out.

Human emotions were complicated, and when Ai couldn't get a clear explanation, the desire to know felt overwhelming and hot in his head; it felt like he had to force every part of himself to figure it out, to know and be more human from it. The doctor thought that it was one of Ai's bad habits. Ai did not share the sentiment at all.

The doctor puts a hand on Ai's shoulder and that center's him for a moment, slows his search as he instead looks up at the doctor. The frown is pulling into concerned territory now.

"And you, Camus?" Shining asks with a confident grin.

Camus's rumbling voice simply replies with an, "I agree" that holds nothing but professionalism.

"Doctor-" Ai begins, low and smooth. "Doctor, I want to do this. I've never been in an idol group. I'm curious."

"I know." is the doctor's response, a small smile pulling at his lips. "I'm just worried."

"Now now Doctor!" Shining roars- Ai wonders if he has no inside voice- and suddenly he's sprinkling glitter all over Ai instead, hovering a little by the wires tied to his suit. "I assure you, there's nothing to worry about! It's going to be a wonderful experience for young Ai to learn and enjoy his time as an idol!"

Reiji grinds his teeth, stills for a moment before getting up and slapping on a smile.

"I'm sure it'll be fun!" Reiji says, smiling brightly as he waves his hands at the doctor. "If you're so worried, I promise I'll help Ai as much as possible."

There's an emotion that flickers across the doctor's face- just for a moment, and the glare of the glasses makes it hard to really tell- and Ai feels himself heat up all over again as he tries to decipher that look.

"Of course," the doctor says and he smiles a bit, the hand on Ai's shoulder squeezing lightly and pulling him close. "I trust Ai, but I can't help but worry about him as well. It's a very automatic reaction."

"I will be fine." Ai says, glancing at the doctor and then at Reiji. "I would tell you if anything were wrong."

"That's the spirit!" Reiji cheers, smiling wider. "It'll be a good experience for you!"

"I look forward to working with you all, then." Ai replies honestly, eyes darting between all three of his now-bandmates.

Camus grunts, and Ai decides that's probably as good as it's getting from him for now. Ranmaru murmurs something indistinct and looks away, still cross from his conversation with Shining. Reiji cheers and returns the sentiment wholeheartedly, reaching around Camus to put a hand on Ai's free shoulder excitedly.

I want this, Ai thinks, and it feels genuine.