Tokiya kept to his brisk pace as he walked towards one of the many hallways leading off towards the practice rooms.
He had just concluded a joint rehearsal for STARISH and Quartet Night in regards to an upcoming concert set for the two bands plus their rivals HEAVENS. It had gone relatively well, but Tokiya was dissatisfied with his own performance. There was something missing - something left to be desired - throughout the entire show in his steps. They weren't sharp enough... or maybe his singing was off?
He was about to run his own rehearsal to figure it out. He had already been singing for the past four and a half hours, so he would have to be careful. As long as he kept that in mind he would be fine. There was also the twinge in his ankle from having moved it incorrectly at one point, but it could very well be handled at a later point in time.
This was important and needed to be worked on immediately. After all, the concert was only two weeks away. There was no time left to kill.
Tokiya pushed open the doors to the private practice room he often found himself in and set right to work.
It didn't take long for a knock to appear on the door.
Settled in the door frame stiffer than he had seen him recently was Ren with arms crossed along his chest.
"And just what do you think you're doing?"
Tokiya faltered in his steps, landing incorrectly on the ankle he had already twisted. He grimaced with the sudden pain but straightened himself out despite the stinging that was becoming more apparent by the second.
"I don't see the need to explain myself to you."
Ren quirked an eyebrow at him in retaliation. "Oh really? Your own bandmate?"
Tokiya narrowed his eyes, wanting nothing more than to get back to rehearsing. There was too much ground to cover in the short period of time they had left. Couldn't Ren see that?
"I'm only quickly practicing. Now if you'll-"
Ren sighed as dramatically as possible, breaking into the space further as he curtly cut him off. "Sorry. I'm not about to let my bandmate and friend break themselves over their already flawless performance."
Tokiya could feel his fingers ball into a fist at his sides. "We don't have time for joking around, Ren. Please leave."
Ren matched Tokiya's own drawn expression, furrowing his brows and narrowing his eyes as he walked up to the other without hesitation. Tokiya kept himself locked in place, chin tilted upwards to meet his gaze with defiance. Ren kept his own stance as well, only choosing to shove his hands in his pockets as he leaned forward leaving only a hair's breadth away from him now.
"You're done for the day. Call it quits."
Tokiya's pride was going to be his downfall one day. He had learned time and time again how wrong it was to be so defiant, but it wasn't as if he fully realized how wrong his decisions regarding this position were. He knew what his limitations were, so who was anyone to try to tell him otherwise? He had rehearsed much longer days before, so what was another hour or two on top of the four and a half he already had?
"Do you care to share why you're so stubborn on this? Can't you see the strain you're causing yourself?"
Tokiya clenched his teeth now. "I'll be fine. I don't recall asking for your opinion on the matter."
"I already told you I'm not leaving."
And so Tokiya took matters into his own hands. What point was there in reasoning now?
"Then I guess I will." And so Tokiya stormed out of the practice room, leaving Ren behind as he did so.
How come he was the only one he felt the urgency of their rehearsals? Two weeks away from an event that required a year's worth of rehearsal meant everything had to be perfect by now. Finding any faults like the growing list of problems that were arising in their joint rehearsals meant something was wrong. How had they dropped the bar as low as it had?
"If none of you can see how important this is then I guess I'll just have to pick up everyone's slack." Tokiya let his words hang in the air behind him, knowing how biting his words were but not finding it in himself to regret them just yet.
Tokiya found himself heading towards a restaurant nearby the agency, not wanting to go any further. He just needed to cool down for a moment before going back there.
He didn't drink as he didn't really believe in indulging in the past time. A few of the others did, but from what he knew it was only the older crowd. On occasion he would join them at the local bar, but he hardly ever ordered for himself. It was counterproductive towards his physical health, but one or two every now and then helped them all unwind.
It didn't take too long before he finally calmed down, eating an easy meal... with a short glass of whiskey. He had gotten curious looking at the late-night menu and had ordered one, but he couldn't find it in himself to actually enjoy it. His conversation with Ren had already left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"You're alone, Ichinose?"
Tokiya glanced up from his meal to find Camus standing a distance away. "I had chosen to be. You may join me if you'd like." He gestured towards the empty seat.
Camus nodded his head as he sat down, picking up the menu Tokiya had set aside.
They rarely talked to each other, save for any projects that required both of their attention. Usually they only did what they had to do and parted ways. It was as if they were strangers.
Tokiya was surprised when Camus had ordered a real meal, not a sweet to be found on the plate. Not only that but a single glass of whiskey was placed beside his plate. Camus never joined their outings. He had never seen him drink before either.
"You seem uneasy. May I lessen your burden?"
And so Camus did. Tokiya wasn't sure why he told Camus about his worries as they had barely spoken more than a sentence, but he found himself relieving his worries to the other.
And neither of them touched their whiskey.
"This is... me trying, I suppose."
"In your own way."