A/N: Thanks to all who faved, followed and reviewd!
Songs used ―Infinite (BTD [Before the Dawn], although it was just one line, Last Romeo,)
For Last Romeo full dance: h) t) t) p)s : / / www. youtube watch?v =Keux-aGfoM4 (remove spaces and brackets).
Enjoy!
Chapter 11
Perfect 5th
"Takao-kun!"
The raven-haired boy turned around as he heard a voice calling him. He was currently on his way to the Aihara Complex from school, so he was somewhat surprised that someone called him. He knew that his teammates were still in training.
However, as he saw who the voice belonged to, a smile appeared on his face. Internally, he was glad that it wasn't Miyaji.
"Hattori-chan, what's up?" he asked.
"Nothing much," she replied. "Say, are you 'Taka' from Catal Rhythm?" Takao halted. But Aika continued, "I know everyone who's débuting, so I found it strange that I never met 'Catal Rhythm' before. But then, I remembered that you and your friends were under Kuroko-san's demonic tutelage."
"Oh, that makes sense." Takao nodded in agreement. "And yes, I am."
"You've got the entire school in a frenzy, though." She said with a chuckle. "Almost everyone wants to know who 'Taka' is. I'm surprised that no one has started to suspect you yet."
Takao looked smug. "When you've built up a certain reputation, people will tend to overlook you because of it."
"Makes sense." Aika then stole a glance at Takao. "Why is it that you want to hide your faces? And your birth names?"
"Simple. Fangirls are dangerous. When Ryou-chan recalls his daily struggles, we all realized that we aren't completely ready for that yet."
"Then why did you post your school on your profiles?"
"Because we didn't want to be completely anonymous. I mean, prospective fans aren't able to see our faces; we can't withhold too much information from them. It's the least we could do."
"Ah." Aika said in understanding.
The two then walked to the training while continuing their chatter, however, their topics spanned different areas. And before they knew it, they had arrived in Kanagawa. These days, since everyone knew where the complex is, it didn't matter that they should wait on each other. Still, since Aika was a dancer there (both back-up and lead/follow in dancesport) the two would often head there together.
After heading their separate ways, Takao headed for the designated room and found that everyone was present. Greeting them, he headed towards Kasamatsu and didn't hold back,
"Man, Yu-chan already has the hearts of many girls weak!" He guffawed.
"Pfrrt!" Kasamatsu, who was drinking from a bottle of water, involuntarily did a spit-take and proceeded to hack afterwards. "Me? What did I do?" he asked after he recovered.
"You just 'look so sophisticated' that the girls at my school want to 'grab' you!"
"Really?" Kagami said in shock. "Way to go, Senpai. You might give Kise some good competition."
"It's not funny." Kasamatsu argued. "But Kise is in a worse state than me though."
"And why's that?" the others asked simultaneously.
"My fangirls are starting to speculate that I'm Sunn." Kise groaned in agony. "I have to be constantly countering their questions with witty clapbacks and other questions. It's exhausting."
"Holy shit." Takao and Kagami said, covering their mouths in disbelief.
"Fangirls. They really are dangerous." Kuroko joined in with a sip of his milkshake. At the moment, all five boys were sitting in the music room, awaiting the arrival of Akamine. This time, they were going to be learning song composition, as is standard for every trainee.
"I know right?!" Kise whined. "But luckily, there's no concrete evidence or else I would probably have to be home-schooled!"
"Home-schooled?!" Takao couldn't contain his laughter. Nor did he try to. He pats Kise's back as he laughed, and the blond ace was definitely, not amused.
"But guys, there's an issue here." Kasamatsu then spoke up. "How long will we keep our identities from the public? Can't be forever."
"I know," Kuroko said while nodding. "Probably until we get the hang of things. Hirose-kun says that he may end up becoming a Sprinter due to him always having to be running from fervent fans."
"We won't get the hang of things if people don't know what we look like." Takao said with a chuckle. "Unless when we're performing and have to leave through the crowd."
"Hmm? How about when we're third years?" Kagami said. "Like at the ending of our third year, that way we'd go through high school normally and won't suffer like Kise did. In University, we're free to wear whatever we want. There shouldn't be problem there."
"Kurokocchi, is there some drug you're secretly giving Kagamicchi?" Kise asked. "He seems a lot smarter these days."
"What was that?!" the redhead roared.
"You heard me." Kise said with an equal tone.
"Alright boys! Rip each other to shreds when you decide to retire from being idols!" Kenji said as he grabbed the two by their hairs. "Be nice now." The young man's eyes darkened.
"Yes Sir!" they both came out with.
"Anyway, I have something to tell you." Kenji grinned. He then dug inside his jacket's pocket and pulled out five tickets. Confused, the five boys stared at the man. "These are concert tickets. I'm going to bring you to a concert so you can know what an idol performance is like."
"And who we'll go see?" Kasamatsu asked before he looked at the ticket.
Kenji smirked. "Perfect 5th."
The moment Kenji said so, both Kise and Takao screamed in joy, hugging each other in the process.
"This is a learning experience. No fanboying allowed." Kenji warned. "The venue is the Tokyo Dome. And don't worry; I'll be carrying you there."
Immediately, Kise and Takao deflated and pouted at their manager. At this time, Akamine arrived, oblivious to what happened prior. He saw that Kise and Takao seemed a bit down, while Kuroko, Kasamatsu and Kagami looked somewhat shocked. When he caught the look on Kenji's face, Akamine knew that he must've been the cause of the boys' current disposition.
When Kenji left, Akamine began.
xxxx
The air outside of the Tokyo Dome was filled with noise.
Chatter, laughter, squeals and shrieks rang out incessantly as fans were eagerly waiting to enter the venue. It is here that a Perfect 5th concert was going to be held, and everyone wanted good seats.
Kenji drove into the packed parking lot, and managed to get a space. Apparently, most of the crowd travelled here on foot or by train, not by their personal vehicles.
"Wow, that's a lot of people." Takao said as he exited the car. "Will we even get good seats?"
Kenji chuckled. "I said this is a learning experience, right? Take the time-out to know how dangerous your manager can be."
With his five boys following, Kenji walked towards the side entrance of the Tokyo Dome. While fans were queuing at the main gate and other designated gates, they had slipped through the smaller gates that staff and performers and teams used.
Soon, they entered a hallway which had staff walking around, seeming to be getting everything in order. No one paid any attention to them and Catal Rhythm wondered about the security of this place.
But as they continued on, they noticed that the staffs were greeting Kenji and vice-versa. Then, they reached Perfect 5th's dressing room, but as tempted as Takao and Kise were to enter, Kenji walked past without even a glance.
"And we are here." Kenji said with a hand on his hip. They had entered the seating area and were looking down at the stage that was set-up. Inside was dimly lit, and the only lights were on the stage where the stage crew were and also, Perfect 5th. They were rehearsing and it seems as though they already had microphone checks.
"Well, boys take your seats." Kenji then urged.
"Eh? Here?!" Takao and Kise screeched in horror. They were in the middle section of the Dome, but in essence, they were pretty far from the stage. It was almost as though they were at the back.
"Yes."
"But it's so far from the stage! How could you do this to us Kenji-san?!" Kise cried, clinging onto his shirt. The look on the blond's face seemed like he was in pain.
"I already told you, this is a learning experience. There's a reason why I chose these seats. When the concert starts you'll see what I mean."
Kasamatsu, Kagami and Kuroko had already taken their seats, and were ignoring the screaming boys. Kuroko wore a white baseball cap so that the others could see him at all times.
Sometime later, Fans were now streaming in carrying the noise from the outside with them. Within minutes the entire dome was full, the noise level rose to deafening levels. Kise and Takao were used to this, since the former has been to many concerts while the latter has been to a few.
Suddenly, the lights completely turned off, leaving the fans in darkness. But that was the cue and as such, they turned on their glow sticks. Neon green seemed to be floating on a sea of black, and even Catal Rhythm had gotten glow sticks from Kenji but only Takao and Kise used them. Kuroko, Kasamatsu and Kagami weren't fans of Perfect 5th, not that they didn't like them, but they didn't know of them before their trainee days.
The stage was well lit, with beautiful inter-changing lights donning the edges. From the main stage was a long runway that eventually forked into five smaller walkways.
"I'm so excited!" Kise squealed with glee as he gripped his glow stick. His entire body was shaking with excitement.
"Me too, Ryou-chan!" Takao chirped.
"This is a learning experience!" Kenji roared.
"But Kenji-san, my inner fangirl is raging." Kise pouted. "She wants to come out."
"You better keep her under control." He said, however, it fell on deaf ears. In that instant, a song rang out:
Because I listen to my heart beat one by one.
Hearing just that one line, the crowd erupted (including Kise and Takao) into a frenzy. Fans were screaming and shouting hysterically with great fever. It was the first time for Kuroko and Kagami who've never been to a concert to see such terrifying excitement. Add to that, the concert hasn't even fully started. Perfect 5th had only sung one line from one of their songs. They were deeply shocked. This far exceeded the excitement at a basketball match which sometimes could get crazy.
Then, the lights focused on the stage, and the five members of Perfect 5th walked majestically down the runway, smiling and waving to their fans.
Starting from the left was Adachi Daigo, the Main Rapper. His stage name is "D.G."
His short black hair was styled in the dandy medium fringe-up to reveal piercing green eyes. But although he was serious, there was warmth and joy sparkling within. He wore a gold and black suit like the rest of his bandmates ―he was in a gold pants with a black v-neck sleeveless shirt tucked into the pants to reveal an elaborate belt beneath.
Next to him was Kirishima Akio, the Vocalist and Lead Rapper. His stage name is "Aki". He was dressed in a black pants and a gold t-shirt. He too had short black hair but with amber highlights. His bright brown eyes sparkled with fun.
In the middle was Reizaki Reiya, the Leader of the group and the Lead Vocalist. His stage name is "Rei", with fans and his bandmates often time calling him "Rei-Rei". His hair was white with streaks of red and black, his eyes were maroon. His outfit was similar to Daigo's.
Beside him was Yaze Jun, the Main Dancer. He uses his Christian name as his stage name.
He was the only one who wore an extra piece of clothing ―a blazer. He has short curly brown hair which gives him a cute look and playful blue eyes.
Lastly, but not least was Yashiro Tobio, the Main Vocalist. His stage name is simple, "T". He has blond hair with long bangs worn slightly to the left. His blue eyes glowed with happiness.
"What's up, guys?!" Akio greeted. In that instant, the reply he received was a loud roar coming from the thousands of fans that were gathered. Further in the crowd, Kuroko and Kagami felt as though they were being deafened. When they looked to the others, they noticed that they seemed unperturbed by the noise. Kenji was normal, Kasamatsu looked as though he was used to this, Kise and Takao were out of the question.
"Kasamatsu-senpai, you've been to a concert before?" Kuroko couldn't help but ask.
"Yes I have." The captain replied. "But I haven't gone to a pop concert. I've been to rock concerts instead."
Kuroko's eyebrows rose in shock. "You like rock music?"
"Yeah, I do. I play the guitar so I got interested in rock music because of it."
"I see."
Their conversation was stopped due to the crowd screaming even louder. The music then played and the five boys of Perfect 5th assumed their positions quickly. As soon as Akio started to sing, Kuroko, Kagami and Kasamatsu saw something amazing. Even though they were this far back in the crowd, they could feel every drop of Perfect 5th's energy. It felt as though some invisible force slapped them squarely in the face. At this moment, Kagami looked around their area and saw the reactions of the people, Kise and Takao (who were too much into this).
It was like they were possessed.
They moved with too much energy and sang everything word for word that Kagami had to chuckle to himself. As the song continued, the crowd sang louder and louder, Perfect 5th sometimes pointed their mics to the crowd and urged them to sing on.
By the time the idols reached into their third song, Kasamatsu was tapping his foot rhythmically, Kuroko danced every now and then, Kagami rapped at the right moments. Kise and Takao had already gone insane from the offset, and Kenji could only look on with a little tinge of regret. Still, he was glad that he hadn't bought the VIP tickets; he wouldn't know what he'd do with the blond and the hawk-eyed boy.
As such, the concert carried on, the crowd fired up and not easing down for a second, Perfect 5th sang and danced with everything they've got, riling up the crowd even further.
At the intermission, Perfect 5th had something planned.
"Alright guys, we have a special segment for you~!" Tobio chirped. At this, the crowd once more let out a thunderous roar. A member of the stage crew came up and handed him what looked like an envelope, after which all five boys gathered around as Tobio opened it.
"We will be giving ten lucky persons a chance to come up on stage and either sing, dance, or take pictures with us."
In the crowd, Takao and Kise broke out in tears. Usually, in these cases, only those in the front would have a chance. Kenji heaved a sigh of relief, as knowing these boys' luck, anything could happen.
"Calm down, boys," Kenji tried to soothe. "You'll meet Perfect 5th sooner or later anytime you want."
"But…" the two boys whined.
"―this time we'll be picking those from the back!" Akio said. In that moment, Kenji's head turned so fast to the stage that he could have gotten whiplash. Of all the days to choose people who are in the back, the idols choose today…what rotten luck. However, even though Kenji was worrying his ass off, Kise and Takao were screaming with hope.
"So, we'll start with the first five. They are…"
Catal Rhythm waited with bated breaths, waiting to see who the persons were. Kise and Takao, however, were hoping that their ticket numbers may end up being called.
"…ticket numbers 23434, 23500, 23678, 23849, 23970." Daigo read out. "Come on up!"
Kise and Takao went into hysterics. Kasamatsu, Kuroko and Kagami were just too shocked to move, Kenji felt like fainting from the incredulity. The other reason he never purchased the other type of tickets was because of this very same thing. To think that they would do this now. What absurd luck Catal Rhythm had…
Seeing how excited the two boys were, Kenji whispered to them to have fun and to not give away any sensitive information. With a nod, Kise and Takao grabbed who they could and made a mad dash to the stage.
When they were almost there, they had to show the security their tickets as proof. Getting past that obstacle, they bounced up on the stage and immediately froze when they saw the crowd.
It was like looking at the ocean at night, there was an endless sea of black with neon lights seeming to be floating around. All excitement was gone from Catal Rhythm and what left was nothing but stage fright.
"Hey, hey, are you alright?" Reiya said as he tapped Kise's shoulder since he was the closest.
Jerking out of his trance, he replied, "Yeah, just a little stage fright."
The others came back to as well, and nodded in agreement. Perfect 5th erupted with laughter and surrounded them.
"We know how it feels." Tobio said with a grin. "But need not fear, all you have to do is attribute familiar faces to the people in the crowd. I used to think that fans were my sister and mother." He then chuckled. "How else do you think I'm able to sing with such grins sometimes?"
"But of course, after you meet your fans and see their faces, it becomes much better and need not to do that." Akio piped in. "So relax, loosen up and enjoy this possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
After hearing those words of encouragement, Catal Rhythm felt much better, but their legs were still shaking.
"So, what do you want to do? Sing? Dance? Take a selfie with us?"
Before anyone could say anything, Kagami gave out, "Can we sing and dance?"
"Eh?!"
"Come on, it's perfect." The redhead responded with an all too conspicuous wink at his teammates. Catching what Kagami meant, the others agreed, but deep down they hoped to God that they don't end up embarrassing themselves up there. Smartphones were videoing after all.
"Well, if you can handle it," Jun said. He had kept quiet all this time, standing beside Kuroko. "Which song would you like to sing and dance to?"
Catal Rhythm huddled up together and after a minute, Takao smiled and said, "Last Romeo,"
"Alrighty~!" Tobio said as he turned towards the wings. "Let's get Last Romeo!"
"So you hear that folks?" Daigo said to the crowd. "These lucky fellas will both sing and dance to Last Romeo! Do you think they can do it?!"
A loud incoherent sound came from the audience, but from the ones up close, Perfect 5th and Catal Rhythm heard more negative response than positives. Still, the rookies were totally unperturbed about this. Being in basketball, they're used to moments when people thought they couldn't do anything. This was nothing new.
"Don't be like that guys, come on~" Tobio pouted. Kasamatsu twitched. Tobio reminded him of Kise too much. But his thoughts were disrupted when Reiya indicated that they should begin. Catal Rhythm were handed the mics and the boys took them with shaking hands.
"Remember, visualize faces. Keep calm. Have fun." Akio smiled as he gave them a push forwards. In the audience, Kenji nearly fainted. But he recognized that this may be a good chance to get them acquainted with performing in front of a crowd as they'll be doing this quite soon, quite often.
Catal Rhythm had gotten into their formation and music began to play. Kuroko was in the middle while the others stood around him in a circle. Then, when the drum began to sound, the other four bent while Kuroko danced.
The light-blue haired teen used intricate hand movements, and by the time he slid back a little, he got in line with Kagami and Kasamatsu. The three continued to dance, bringing their hands to their chest and made an 'X' after which they brought their hands to their sides. At this moment, Kise and Takao came up and stood.
However, less than a second later, everyone bent back down leaving Kise, Kuroko and Kagami. The three formed a diagonal from Kise in the front to Kagami in the back. Their arms held up above their heads. Bringing their hands down, they turned their bodies slightly facing the audience.
Kagami and Takao faced back-to-back at the front, while Kuroko and Kasamatsu were behind but further outwards. They faced each other. However, Kise was behind but he was blocked by the Kagami and Takao pair.
At the sound of the music, they dispersed outwards to reveal Kise, who had started singing.
I don't care if it's poison,
I'll gladly take it,
While facing outwards, after they kicked out with a leg and went into a fluid body roll, then slid into a new formation. At the front were Takao and Kuroko, with Kagami and Kasamatsu further outwards on their flanks. Kise was in the middle at the back. Dancing to the beat, Kise then moved up towards the front, and started singing.
Kise didn't join their dancing until a couple seconds after. While using one hand to hold the mic, he had one hand at his neck before he extended it upwards and out. That same hand, he then brought down towards his thighs and up to his chest in one swift move. Following this, he stretched out his hand towards the audience as though beckoning them, then he slid smoothly over to where Kuroko was and ended up switching places with him.
No other temptation
Can be sweeter or stronger than you
Kuroko sang this part as he entered the middle, Takao and Kise had turned to face him. Stretching out both hands in their directions, Kuroko seemed as though he had pushed the two boys back. But when he retracted his arms, they came towards him as though pulled. Due to this action, they were slightly bent down, and next, Kuroko was grabbing both their shirts and hauling them upwards. In the back, Kasamatsu and Kagami had also done this.
With a swift cross of his feet, Kuroko had released them but used that cross to turn his back; Takao and Kise were still bent so that the focus could be on Kuroko.
The light-blue haired teen then slid outwards to his left, Kise going to the right so that the focus could now be on Takao.
The dazzling you swallows all the darkness of the world
And that light blinds me
Takao sung this part but whilst he did so, the others who were hunched down due to the cross, overlapped their hands forming an 'X' for a brief moment, before rising upwards in a smooth fluid motion. Completely in an upright position, the other four then danced a few steps backward, getting closer to Takao.
Any kind of darkness loses its strength in front of you
I only need you
It was Kasamatsu's time to shine and as such, when Takao slid to his right to end up further outwards, Kasamatsu walked in between Kise and Kuroko to end up at the front. Moving his hand to the right in a sort of wiping motion, he brought his hand down stylishly while he sang and made his way a little bit further to the back. He turned sideways to the audience while pointing towards them.
While Kasamatsu was doing his dance, the others had done the same wiping move however, they were slightly bent down. Upon getting up, they glided both of their feet in an arc backwards after which Kuroko and Kise made their way to the front yet again, but only to the sides. They couldn't block Kasamatsu.
Shine on my path,
Whether I want it or not,
The decision has been made
I will put everything at risk,
I will protect you no matter what hardships come,
I can't see anything else but you
They all sang this part, in perfect harmony and melody. Flowing in from their previous move, they were bent over with their arms spread outwards like wings; one leg crossed over the next. Making just a step to their right, they did a series of hand movements which entailed bringing their arms up and over their heads and outward stretches and such.
Getting into a tighter formation, with their free hand they made whip like movements while swinging their hips along with it, looking extremely sassy. They were inwardly embarrassed but due to them being so engrossed in the song, it didn't show on their faces.
Continuing on that, their hands went upwards and out like what Kasamatsu had did earlier on. They then brought their hands down to their heads and wrapped them around. At every beat of the drum, they brought their knees upwards almost to their stomachs which were followed by three graceful leg sweeps.
They walked forwards while pointing directly at the audience before bringing a hand up to their face for a brief moment and looked in Kagami's direction. This was the "point dance".
I push myself into the broken music
In the bleakness of a tragedy
A creaking prelude of love
I'm gonna lose myself
Kagami rapped this part with finesse, rolling his shoulders as he did so. While he was rapping and dancing, Takao had slid his way up to front, while they repeated the dance that they just did.
I can't see anything else but you
This was sung by Takao before Kagami came in once again.
That Was Sweet Start,
I don't know how to stop,
However, at this point, Daigo came in and stood beside Kagami and rapped along with the boy and followed the dance. Strangely, Kagami was not at all perturbed, as he, like the rest of them, were actually dancing their hearts out.
The audience had long been enraptured with Catal Rhythm, and with the addition of Daigo, stirred them up even more. Furthermore, Perfect 5th, who were standing close to the wings couldn't hold in their excitement any longer which was why Daigo ended up joining in. Soon the others followed suit as well, and now there were ten males dancing and singing on the stage.
…an illusion that I'm sure of, you and I
Got The Top of The Emotion
The two rappers were frighteningly in sync, which stunned everyone. Even Kenji in the crowd had tears flowing down his face. The moment his boys were called up on stage, he had whipped out his phone and was videoing.
But even though the audience was roaring with excitement, Catal Rhythm were on the stage struggling. The moment Perfect 5th stepped in and started dancing with them, they felt as though they were in a tornado, threatened to be swallowed up. The professionals were definitely in a league of their own, and not even in the match against Touou or Rakuzan had Kagami and Kuroko felt like this.
It was thanks to those experiences that saved their hides on this stage.
As the song progressed further, while their voices had mixed and melded with each other beautifully, the crowd could only see Perfect 5th. Kenji noticed it as well, the idols seemed like towering giants (as they had more presence) compared to Catal Rhythm, but that was to be expected. But just as he was about to write them off as needing more practice, both he and the audience noticed something.
Kasamatsu was there.
It wasn't that he was unnoticeable, they've been watching him (and the others ever since they started). But currently, he was matching up to Perfect 5th's Reiya, whom he was dancing with. And Kenji knew that the others were coming. And so it was.
Kuroko and Kise, with their ingrained habit from Teikou, didn't back down. Kuroko danced with precision and perfect synchronization with Jun, leaving the older male a bit stunned. Kise's vocals shook Tobio and almost force the guy to try and harmonize with Kise instead of the other way around.
Not liking how everyone was leaving them in their dust, Takao upped his game, so too did Kagami who wore a malicious grin. His red eyes were blazing, reminiscent of when he was playing Aomine in Winter Cup.
So, instead of feeling like they were in a tornado, Catal Rhythm now felt like they were moving a mountain out of their way. This competitive and 'need to conquer' nature of Catal Rhythm was astounding.
Perfect 5th was shocked at this as well, and for the rest of the song, felt as though they were locked in a battle of dominance. Seeing this unfolding before their eyes, the crowd was nearly in hysterics.
"Show them who's sassy, Kise-kun!"
"Go Jun-sama!"
"Rei-Rei-chan!"
"Serenade me, Kise-kun, T-chan!"
I'll be the last man
To fight against the world over one love
Kasamatsu and Reiya sung this part, and they sounded beautiful. Here, the music had softened to a piano, which allowed the audience to hear their voices better and perhaps clearer. The two boys walked up to the front from the back, while the others were frozen in their positions ―Kise and Tobio was in the middle facing their right, Kuroko and Jun were further to the sides and faced their right as well, Takao and Akio, Kagami and Daigo were facing forward at the far left and right.
I can face any kind of threat for you
I only need you
Both Kuroko and Jun sang this part as everyone changed their positions. With fluid hand movements and gracious footwork the ten boys danced and when the chorus came in once again, instead of like previously where they were bent over and spread out their arms, the ten boys made a 'V' formation, and continued dancing with flair.
By the time the song finished, everyone was in shock. Catal Rhythm desperately panted for air, while Perfect 5th only seemed to be breathing a little bit more rapidly.
"You guys, you know, Aihara Productions has their first out of four auditions in the second week of January. You guys should really try it out." Reiya said convincingly.
"You lot can move!" Tobio chimed in. "And you…!" he said while pointing to Kise. "…got some great vocals! I can tell that if you become an idol, you'll definitely be a main vocalist!"
"Thanks," was all Kise could utter. He was a main vocalist after all.
They continued to chat for a minute or two more, until Perfect 5th decided that it was time for the other lucky set of fans to come up on stage. But after that performance, the other five that came up only took selfies with the group.
And so, the concert continued for another two and a half hours, Perfect 5th driving their fans crazy.
xxxx
"I can't believe I got to perform with Perfect 5th!" Takao squealed in delight.
"Kyaa! Me neither!" Kise agreed with an even louder screech. The other three wondered where they got their energy from as they were still a bit beat.
They had returned to Kenji's office not too long ago, and their manager was actually in great spirits. He had intended for them watch and learn and feel what an idol performance was like, but things actually took a turn for the better. Having them perform with actual idols in front of a huge crowd such as that is a fantastic learning experience.
"So, what have you learnt today?" Kenji asked.
"That if we're going to take over the world, we need to revisit our modus operandi." Takao said in seriousness. "If we can't outclass a pro, we can't achieve world domination."
"That's right," the others nodded in agreement.
Kenji was stumped. World Domination? What are his boys talking about? He knew they wanted to be the best in Japan, but this world domination was creeping him out. Especially with those sinister facial expressions of theirs.
"I-I see." He said.
"Also, I learnt that Perfect 5th is so awesome that fans behave possessed." Kagami said.
"Idols don't just sing, they project their emotions and connect with the audience. That's why were able to "feel" them even though we were so far back." Kasamatsu said.
"Correct, Kasamatsu-kun. That was the very reason why I chose those seats. If Idols only sang to those at the front, then there's no way concerts held at places like the Tokyo Dome will be sold out." Kenji said. "So, you know what that means come February…"
"Oh yes! We're going to bring the house down!" Kise and Kagami said.
"Good boys. And make sure to blow the roof upwards." Kenji said with a grin. Hearing this statement, Catal Rhythm got even more fired up.
Just then Kise let out a groan. "I just realized that a video of our performance with Perfect 5th is going to be uploaded by a couple people. I'm so dead."
"Oh shit." The others said and proceeded to groan in agony when realization struck them.
"Look on the bright side, school closes in a week. We just have to survive until then, right?" Kuroko said.
"I'm won't be going. I'll fake an illness." Kasamatsu said. "I don't want to be attacked."
As if coming to a consensus, the others agreed that that strategy is what they'll use to escape the oncoming questions from their schoolmates.
Thank you for reading! Don't forget to review!