"Curtain falls in ten mintutes!" Tenjin informed over the radio, "I repeat, the curtain falls in ten minutes!" He spoke quietly since Les Miserables was still going on, but everyone heard it nonetheless. Backstage, Yato was already changed from his final outfit to his first so he sat in front of one of the vanities to fix his hair and makeup. Really there was no reason to be here, since his character died eleven pages ago, he could be in his room. But Yukine was having his first soliloquy on stage and the kid got grumpy when Yato wasn't there for his exit. Yato noticed someone come up behind him but still flinched when his shoulder was tapped. Thankfully, it wasn't a certain blonde-bimbo, but the acting trope's newest actress.

"Hey Hiyori," Yato grinned at the young woman, "or should I say, Cosette?" The joke never failed to flatter her and she smiled. Hiyori was still in her most extravagant dress, large ruffles and puffed shoulders, makeup a bit smeared.

"You heard Tenjin's announcement?"

"Yeah, the kid's still talking right?"

"You mean Marious and the other Marchers?" Hiyori put a finger to her chin and looked off. Yato chuckled.

"Yes he is," she smiled, "though if you don't go watch him he might get upset." She was already turning away and Yato quickly got up to follow her. They neared the side of the curtain, far enough away where the audience in the front row couldn't see them but where they had a perfect view of the stage.

"Do you hear the people sing? Say, do you hear the distant drums?" Yukine and some of the other side characters were saying, "It is the future that they bring, when tomorrow comes!" It was hard for the audience to notice, but from the front Yukine's eyes flickered to stage left every once and awhile. Finally he caught onto Yato, who made a funny face and the flickering stopped. The kid carried on with confidence.

"Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?" The stage echoed over Yato's silly face. Another actress stepped from her padded chair and whacked the back of his head. Yato had to stifle his yelp when he bit his tongue.

"Stop distracting him! This is why he can never face forward!" Bishamon hissed at her co-worker. Yato glared at her, eye seething with annoyance.

"Look who's distracting! Besides, that's not why the kid looks around and you know it," Yato whispered back. From the woman's right, Kazuma came up to nod in greeting.

"Right, I forgot you had some ridiculous notion that he thinks of you as some sort of parent, or that he likes you, or something equally ludicrous," Bishamon scoffed. She grinned when Yato had to quietly sputter out arguments only for Hiyori to poke her head in the conversation. At this rate, Tenjin would come to yell at them.

"I think it's cute he looks for you to watch him. It really is like a little kid and their dad." Hiyori said. Kazuma stated his agreement only for Bishamon to glare at him, Yato egotistically claiming his win over this argument. Both the bickers heads' were whacked and the group looked over their shoulders to see a very angry manager. Everyone quickly straightened out to face the stage.

"It is the future that they bring, when tomorrow comes... Tomorrow comes!" Yukine and the others spoke the final line and waited in their positions for the curtain to close. The group shared the audience's loud applause as the rest of their acting family walked off stage. Yato was the most excited, whistling louder than anyone on the other side of the curtain.

"You did amazing!" Yato dragged Yukine into a hug, "I'm so proud of you, you remembered all your lines and said them so loud!" He beamed as the kid angrily squirmed in his arms and pushed back.

"Yeah, it's a wonder since you keep making faces at me while I perform!" Yukine huffed and fixed his costume.

"You really did great, Yukine," Hiyori said.

"Thanks Hiyori, you did great too!" Yukine smiled, breathless and full of performance-adreneline.

"Alright, alright! On stage! Now! Just like we practice!" From behind, Tenjin shoved the first line of actors onto the stage. Yukine gave a nervous look but Yato winked and dragged him with them. The clapping on the other side of the massive velvet cloth was starting to die down until Daikoku raised it. Hiyori could already see Tenjin steam as everyone quickly shuffled the line so Yato could hold hands with her and Yukine instead of Bishamon. She sent a silent apology to the man, knowing they would get chewed out later but the standing ovation was enough to wipe away any negative feelings. Roses and other flowers were thrown at their feet as the line raised their hands and gave a deep bow. More cheers roared as they took another bow then walked off stage with large smiles splitting their faces.

The next couple rows of people, side characters and dancers, went to get their praise. Yato tried to tug his friends towards the dressing room, if not to hide from Tenjin, only for the man to catch him and hold him by shoulders. He whipped his head around to glare at the two younger actors only for them to smile nervously and put their hands up in surrender. Tenjin leaned down so that his mouth was by Yato's ear. The young man stiffened up.

"I hope you didn't forget that you have to meet and talk to your beloved fans who paid for backstage passes?" Tejin felt Yato pale.

"No," Yato said like he died inside, "no, of course not." Tenjin gave a couple hard pats on Yato's shoulder.

"Good, good," he faced the other two with a softer expression, "please make sure he does." He smiled when they agreed and went off to talk to Kazuma about final wrap ups. Yato sighed and gestured towards the vanity.

"I don't see why you don't like meeting the audience, their 'love and affection' is all you ever talk about," Yukine said as he sat down. Yato shrugged and got to work on the kid's hair, Hiyori somewhere behind him.

"He's right Yato, you always talk about how much you love their praise. But when we go meet them you try to escape." Hiyori's eyebrows pinched with worry. She didn't like when he went off to sulk, especially when he does such a good job on stage.

"Ngg that's the thing," Yato grunted, "some of the idiots can't tell the difference between acting and the real thing. They actually don't like me because of my role as the villain. On the other hand, people who do understand are always like 'oh my god you were so evil!' or 'you did such a good job, I was terrified!' or the like. Always these backhanded compliments." Yato pouted a little, he always played the villain no matter what the play was; Les Miserables was no different.

It's true he was good at it, and each antagonist was different in their own right, but it was like he could never be anything else. Whenever the group decided on a new play, everyone practically assumed Yato would play whatever morally skewed character was there. Even when he tried out for other main characters. At first- when he left his past behind and just showed up last minute to an audition only to blow away the competition- he didn't care. He loved it, in fact. It was the opportunity to put all his skills to work and actually get praised for it. Playing a main character meant being at the center of attention almost as much as the protagonist. On top of that, he always seemed to understand where his characters came from, their complexities were so simple and he could slip on their shoes like they were his own.

Yato sighed and got the makeup out, when he looked back at Yukine he blinked a couple times. The blonde was looking at him with sympathy, mouth tugged in a frown, doe-eyes all round and sad. That's when Yato realised neither of them responded and he just drifted off into his darker thoughts. He was supposed to be the more seasoned performer yet here he was letting his internal emotions show in front of the newbies. Honestly, what kind of actor was he?

"Ngahhh!" Yato cried out, "I want to be the loveable protagonist!" His outcry was met with groans from the surrounding actors. They were used to this sort of declaration, and they were tired of hearing his whining when it never came true. His friends flinched at his sudden outburst but still huffed out a laugh at his antics.

"Just give it up already!" Bishamon said as she approached, Kazuma in tow.

"Vinna," he warned. His childhood friend was starting to become sensitive to his role as the villain and he didn't need his college crush pushing him further.

"What? Afraid I'll out-shine you? I think your rich family just pays Tenjin off so they can make their little girl happy." Yato sticks his tongue out at her. With a quick tap, Yukine was off the chair and Hiyori took his place. Yato got to work as he bickered.

"Oh please, you would like a convenient excuse like that. Rather than the fact that I'm just a better hero than you," Bishamon flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder. Yato turned to face her and the woman spread her stance only for Kazuma to step between them.

"We all know neither of those are true. Tenjin picks the roles based on voices and capability. Bishamon just has that strong, righteous air about her that translates to most of the main characters. Enough to give goosebumps," Kazuma turned to Yato, "and your cleverness and raw emotions make the audience really feel you. I know you never fail to make me shiver from your acting." Kazuma smiled at his friend.

"You don't have to struggle to compliment him," Bishamon said.

"I'm not, I truly believe it, and I know you do too." Kazuma stated simply. He pushed his glasses up on his nose with a smirk when Bishamon clammed up, blushing. Yato's wide eyes were on her.

"Really?" He asked, disbelievingly. Bishamon peaked at him and huffed.

"Not to inflate your ego anymore than it already is, or make you think you can take my top spot," she took a breath, "I just said if people really think you're a villain then you've done your job perfectly." Sticking her nose up, Bishamon stalked off the stage. Kazuma followed after her, giving Yato a thumbs up as he passed.

"Perfectly?" Yato parroted loudly. Yukine and Hiyori face-palmed as he ran a couple steps after her.

"Did you say perfectly?" He hollered after her. Of course he was ignored, but Hiyori and Yukine pushed him after her.

"It's time for our meet and greet," Yukine said. Yato groaned and tried to dig his heels in, but Hiyori was stronger than she looked. Soon the trio was at the door to the lobby, filled with only VIP ticket owners. Tenjin was at the door, making sure only people he managed walked through it. Daikoku was also there, the muscle.

"You're late," Tenjin querked. Hiyori and Yukine gave their apologies and their excuses only for Yato to duck behind them.

"I was doing their makeup!" Yato's words were met with an eye roll before Daikoku opened the door. Hiyori was the first to step out, in an effort to divide most of the crowd away from Yato. Cheers erupted again as cameras flashed through her eyes. She was quickly swarmed by wealthy men who gave her flowers and young girls who wanted a photo. Yukine was next to step out, his fans a mixed variety who complimented his talent based on his young age. Yato was next and the door shut behind him.

Being the last one out, Yato held onto the belief that the majority of people were too distracted by the rest of the cast to pay much attention to him. This thought held true, for a few seconds. The door shutting was enough of an attraction for some people to turn their heads, and when they did there was that tell-tale gasp of recognition. That noise, different than the gasp of surprise or simple cheer, was enough to get the surrounding fans to turn their heads.

"Javert!" Someone announced, "it's Javert!" The information would spread and there went Yato's next two hours. The first people to talk to him were who Yato looked forward to the most. They were the people who wanted to congratulate him in their honest- backwards- way and he understood. He shook their hands, sighed their merchandise, and took pictures. Once they cleared, came the more standoffish people, or the ones that wanted to reprimand him for his actions on stage. Yato handled these types too, making sure to smile the way Kofuku and Hiyori taught him. Police were standing around the room but Tenjin had informed them which actors could handle themselves and which couldn't.

Speaking of, Yato looked at the clock and released they were an hour in. Yukine was doing much better at this sort of thing but he still got uncomfortable when he was alone. It wasn't that he couldn't handle conversation, but strange adults were funny with a child star. Besides, both Yato and Yukine felt better when they faced crowds of strangers together, for their own reasons. Before, Yato would sneak off or simply not show up at all. He held up his finger to the next person in line and rose to his tip toes, looking through the crowd for a head of blonde hair.

"Excuse me, do you know where Marious is?" He asked the next girl in line. She looked around Yukine's age, makeup saying she was one of those girls that always had a crush on the villain of a story.

"Oh, um," she pointed off the right and Yato looked to see a condensed group of people. He looked down at her and saw she had a poster of him and a pen. He grabbed the pen, signed it, and pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you," Yato dashed off just as the teen shrieked her head off. As he got close he noticed the group was rather close to Yukine, surrounding him against the wall. The closest was an older man in a long coat, leaning down to talk to Yukine. The kid was starting to look around again, his internal clock telling him he stuck it out for an hour. Yato politely but swiftly forced his way towards him.

"Marious!" Yato shouted over the crowd. The rest parted, leaving only Yukine and the man. When they looked over, it was clear Yukine was relieved, the man looked rather spooked.

"You're too close," Yato glared at the guy. Flinching, he stepped back.

"Sorry," he mumbled, "J-Javert." He ducked his head and was already shuffling back into the crowd. He was one of those, good. Yato put on his not-villian face to look at Yukine.

"You're so popular! A little star!" Yato beamed. Out of all the praise, Yukine's face flushed the most at Yato's and the teen huffed out a thank you. They spent the rest of the hour tackling the crowd together. Tenjin's annoyance was sound in that their combined fans took up most of the lobby in a large group. But Yato would deal with him later.

That later would be long after the group was packed up and on one of the many tour busses. The night had been long and everyone was tired. Voices were sore, ankles were raw, and eyes were getting heavy. Tenjin ushered everyone on the tour bus with the strict order to rest. Even though they would be driving most of the day tomorrow, they supposedly had an important meeting after breakfast. Bishamon and Kazuma were already in their bunks with the curtains closed, Yato crept by them with Hiyori in tow. Tenjin may have given the order, but it's not like Yato ever listened. Besides, he always went to bed after a bowl of cereal and as it turned out, Hiyori needed tea before sleep too. Yukine was already in bed, taking the top bunk even though Yato had already claimed it. The bunk under Hiyori's was empty, so the three of them tossed their bags on it before crawling into their own beds.

"Hey, Hiyori?" Yato said quietly.

"Yeah, Yato?" Hiyori whispered back. She looked down at him from halfway up the ladder. He waited for her to roll into bed and look down at him from her stomach

"You did a really amazing job out there today," Yato congratulated, "I don't think I ever got the chance to tell you." He spoke softly. Sitting on the bottom bunk, Yato smiled up at her warmly. Hiyori's face bloomed a beautiful pink color and her mouth opened a couple times.

"O-oh, uh," Hiyori ducked her head, "thank you." With the bottom of her face buried in her pillow, her squeak was muffled. Hands behind his head, Yato laid down and chuckled at her knitted eyebrows. With a quick nod, Hiyori pulled her curtain close and Yato was left to stare at another sheet of fabric and know there was wonderment on the other side.

By the time Yato got out of bed, Hiyori's curtain was already thrown aside. One look at the clock said they would be getting the bareminium of breakfast. He yawned and winced when he realized just how sore his throat was. Yato rubbed it before turning to slide open Yukine's curtain. A ragged mess of blonde hair stuck out from under the blanket as Yato was met with Yukine's back. He gave the younger actor a couple pokes in the side, the teen wiggled and groaned, moving away from the onslaught.

"Wakey wakey, my little shining star," Yato sang. The action burned his throat and he had to clear it. He continued to prod Yukine's sides until the kid rolled over and glared at him through blurry eyes.

"It's past breakfast time. Come on kiddo, let's go." Yato moved back to grin at Yukine as he groaned and slithered out of bed. The main part of the bus had all the tables unfolded from the wall with the smell of breakfast lingering in the air. From his spot in the mini kitchen, Daikoku turned and scowled. The pans in his hands were half way suddy.

"Now you wake up," he growled. Yato rubbed his throat as Yukine yawned next to him.

"Don't worry, we still got cereal left," Yato said with a sheepish smile. He nudged Yukine to where Hiyori sat and popped open one of the cabinets. Tenjin sat at the front of the bus, facing the rest with his clipboard.

"Get your breakfast quickly, Yato. I would like to begin the meeting." Tenjin said. Yato grunted in acknowledgement as he peaked in the box of his favorite sugary cereal only to frown. Those late night cereal bowls really put a dent in the amount of morning cereal bowls. He dumped the rest in one bowl, then poured another bowl of Kazuma's gross brain-stimulating cereal. He then poured one cup of milk for Yukine and orange juice for himself before setting them both at Hiyori's table. The colorful cereal was slid in front of Yukine and Yato squished the kid further in the booth. Daikoku finished with the rest of the dishes and took a seat on the couch next to one of the actresses, Kofuku. Tenjin cleared his throat as Yato and Yukine slurped down their food. At the table across from them, Bishamon looked up from a script and Kazuma from his reading material.

"Now then it's time to go over the plan for the rest of the year. We have two more cities to hit, each will have us play Les Miserables for six months more or less," Tenjin looked around the room, "After, we will decide on what play to do next." He closed his eyes as excited talking overlapped and the bus vibrated with excitement. As manager, Tenjin tries to keep the shows to a two year maximum so that the actors are able to grow as other characters. But considering the people he was working with, this came with it's own struggles.

"Wicked! We have to do Wicked!" Bishamon jumped up and shouted over the group.

"No way! As much as I would love to see you painted green like the monster you are, you just want me to play some haggard principal!" Yato shouted back.

"Viina would look great in any color!" Kazuma slammed his fist on the table.

"I want to be Glinda!" Kofuku squealed.

"A principal would be out of your paygrade, you dead beat!" Bishamon insulted Yato.

"We get paid the same!" Yato fumed.

"Shouldn't we ask what the other busses want to do?" Daikoku butted in.

"Shut-it you're just the stage crew!" Yato and Bishamon fired back.

"Oh yeah? I'll garentee I'll make lighting fuck up your complection during opening night!" Daikoku hollered back. The actors recoiled, both Bishamon and Yato being victims of getting blinded during a performance.

"Not my beautiful face! How is the audience supposed to adore me properly?" Yato held his cheeks in horror.

"They don't adore you at all!" Bishamon criticized.

"Shut-it greeny!" Yato retorted.

"What if we did Hamilton?" Kazuma suggested.

"Alright enough!" Tenjin finally boomed. He stood and his glower scanned the now silent bus.

"I would like to hear your suggestions- one at a time- then everyone will get dressed. I will get the opinions of the other actors after we stop for lunch." He said and everyone nodded.

"I already said Wicked," Bishamon waved a hand and next to her Kazuma shrugged.

"I want Mean Girls!" Kofuku bounced in her seat. Everyone hummed and nodded in approval. The room turned to Yukine, who was slurping down the milk of his bowl. Hiyori gave him a polite nudge and his wide eyes looked around.

"It's your turn, Yukine," Tenjin prompted. This caused a blush to spread and the bowl to slam down.

"M-me?" He sputtered.

"Of course, Yuki! You're part of the acting troupe after all!" Kofuku grinned at him. Embarrassed by all the eyes on him, Yukine ducked his head and hunched his shoulders.

"Uh, I don't know, uh, The Phantom of the Opera?" Yukine offered. Yato was the first to snort only for the rest of the bus to chuckle. Thoroughly embarrassed, Yukine glared at Yato with steam out his head.

"What the hell is so funny, bastard?" Yukine snarled. Now Yato was full-on laughing, clutching his stomach and rubbing Yukine's head. Hiyori looked around, confused as well.

"That's the play we just did, Yuki!" Kofuku giggled, "The one we were doing when you joined us!" She clapped her hands together and stifled the rest of her laughs.

"I'm not surprised you forgot, since all you did was bum around the lobby," Yato pulled Yukine in by his shoulders, "but it's a good thing you did, since I was able to recruit such talent!"

"More like 'people with daddy issues make the best artists' and you could tell we had the same upbringing," Yukine muttered.

"I saw promise!" Yato insisted with a mighty clenched fist, "So don't worry kid, we can do that play again when you're older and maybe you'll get to be the phantom! Just like I was!" Yato beamed at Yukine who stared back with pink cheeks, eyes wide at the thought. The kid let Yato nuggie his head one more time before pushing him off. Tenjin cleared his throat and caught Yato's attention. His blue eyes quickly grew round and the room practically rolled their eyes.

"I've thought long and hard about this and I got a great one!" Yato rubbed his hands together and licked his lips. Despite being a theater group, Yato's theatrics could be a bit much this early in the morning.

"Bububububuuu," Yato did a fake drum roll, "Beetlejuice!" He made a show with jazz hands and he got a round of 'oh's from the bus.

"That's a new suggestion," Kazuma mused, "It seems like something you would like but what brought this on? I thought you wanted to star in Kinky Boots?"

"Oh I do," Yato nodded, "but Beetlejuice is good too and here's why! See Beetlejuice is a demon with sneaky motives, but in the end he's one of the main heroes! It's perfect for me to dip my foot in the water!"

"Oh please," Bishamon scoffed.

"He has a point," Kofuku smiled.

"Not only that but the protagonist is an angsty teen, which means," Yato turned dramatically and pointed at the blonde, "Yukine would play the main character!" Yato's declaration was met with stunned silence. Yukine's blush was backed by pale skin as his mouth opened and closed like a fish.

"Oh congratulations Yuki!" Kofuku praised.

"It's not a terrible idea," Hiyori laughed slightly, trying to help.

"I agree on some points," Kazuma hummed, "it's definitely different than others." He looked to Bishamon who had a hand on her chin.

"It is a way to show our true capabilities," Bishamon thought out loud. Yato's mouth- that dropped open from his idea not being immediately shot down- clicked close.

"U-uh, yeah duh!" Yato cackled. Finally, Yukine found himself and he tugged Yato back to the seat.

"Wait hold on," he looked pleadingly up at Yato, "You really think I can be the main character?" Yukine's big eyes met Yato's and for a moment dead seriousness passed through the blue irises. Then Yato's grin was back in full force.

"Of course!" Yato said, "you're a real talent, you can do it! My little protege is fully capable," He spoke with confidence, the kid was left speechless and blushing again. The rest of the group cooed and Hiyori reached to rub Yukine's shoulders.

"It might be a bit too soon for Yukine but we certainly have others to fill the role if need be," Tenjin said, "I'm more worried about you, Yato."

"What? Me?" Yato faltered. The bus fell to a hush again as Tenjin stared at Yato in a passive way. Hiyori and Yukine looked worriedly up at Yato as his bangs covered his face.

"Do you seriously want me to play the villain that badly?" Yato spoke slowly. His calm tone a thin layer over top of steadily amounting rage. The occupants shivered, it was a tone that came from somewhere deep within the actor, used for his characters but still very much him. Hiyori swallowed and looked over to see Tenjin with an eyebrow up.

"It's nothing like that I assure you. I pick parts based on who best embodies the character and who can handle their voice and lines," Tenjin said, "and I worry for your voice."

"Tenjin I have the greatest range here," Yato argued.

"You do. But your voice is also fluid and Beetlejuice is a character with a distinctly rough and scratchy voice. I worry how that will affect your vocal cords." Tenjin looked to Kazuma for his opinion. Kazuma's lips were pressed together in thought.

"It would require practice, but we would have to do it after Les Miserables just in case it puts a strain on you," Kazuma said, "Not only that but forcing yourself to have that voice for all the shows could cause permanent damage."

"What?" Yukine turned to Yato, "Why would you want to damage your one and only talent? You idiot."

"I can do it," Yato insisted, "I can at least practice and show you what I can do. Once Les Mis is over I'll put in the extra work! I'll even get a tutor if I have too!" His pleas were met with gasps and whistles.

"I never thought I'd see the day," Daikoku drawled.

"I'm almost impressed his pride would bend," Bishamon agreed.

"Yeah cause yours never could!" Yato jabbed at her. The woman immediately sucked in a breath to retaliate but Tenjin quickly put his hand up.

"That's an excellent idea Yato. Thank you I'll consider it. Please sit down," Tenjin said. With a curt nod, Yato sat down and switched his attention to Hiyori.

"Your turn!" Yato grinned. Hiyori huffed out a laugh, fully forgetting she would have to give a suggestion.

"Oh, uh," Hiyori took a quick glance at Yato then looked at the table, "I always wanted to do Hadestown. I've always liked, uh, Eurydice." Hiyori trailed off with an embarrassed laugh and her eyes flickered to Bishamon. The blonde woman gave her a supporting smile and Hiyori sighed in relief. Even if it was a pipe dream- trying to outshine Bishamon was like trying to outshine the lights of a football field- it's a good goal to have.

"That's always a possibility Hiyori, you've shown us all that you truly thrive on stage." Tenjin smiled.

"Thank you, Tenjin," Hiyori said.

"I want to be Orpheus!" Yato and Bishaon shouted at the same time, "Jinx!"

"Sit!" Tenjin barked. The two complied.

"I will get the other busses' opinion and we will have a group discussion at the hotel," Tenjin tapped his clipboard, "if there aren't any more questions you are all dismissed." Tenjin stood and went to take Bishamon's spot, since she called the bathroom first, and discussed notes with Kazuma. Daikoku and Kofuku went back to their beds, leaving room for Yukine to clean up his and Yato's breakfast. Hiyori already had Yukine's textbooks on hand so she started to prepare his morning lesson. She felt Yato's eyes on her as she moved and a self conscious heat flared throughout her body.

"What is it?" Hiyori asked.

"You'd make a great Eurydice and I'd be your Orpheus!" his smile dulled a bit, "though I don't know how I'd handle you getting trapped in the underworld." Yato watched Hiyori's blushing face gasp and her expression shift to one of thought.

"You'll handle it the way Orpheus handles it, dummy," Yukine plopped back down, "at least that character matches your voice and hopeless romance vibe."

"It's 'hopeless romantic,'" Yato corrected.

"Not with you it isn't," Yukine scoffed. Blowing a raspberry, Hiyori busted out in a fit of giggles, Yukine quickly following as Yato put on a grand theatrical argument in the background.