AN: I couldn't help myself. I wrote this right after chapter 3. Anyway, please enjoy this while you can because its probably the only time I post two chapters in one day.

Disclaimer: You already know the drill.


Chapter 4: Pairing

Everyone in the room was now looking at the girl, who was Red. The girl looks unfazed and walks to the desk in the room.

"Now that we are all gather here today, I would like to go over what the plans for the festival," Red says.

"Wait, Aka," Otoya says.

"Yes?"

"Aren't you going to tell us what is going on here?"

"And what we should call you," Tokiya adds.

"My name is Kokoro Aka. You may call me Aka. I am the one who design the Red brand and the one in charge of the Stardust Festival's performances. Any more questions," Aka asks.

"I thought your name was Te-chan," Tamaki says.

Aka looks confused for a moment before realizing what the teen means. But before she can answer, one of the large doors opens. Another girl walks into the room.

The girl looks like Aka, but she didn't have red highlights and her eyes were dark brown with thick black glasses covering them. She was wearing a white dress shirt with a black blazer and a red tie. She also has on a short black skirt, calf-high white sock and black shoes.

"Hey, Aka. Did you see," the girl starts but slowly stop talking as she sees the two groups in the room.

"Hey. Did you come back from school," Aka asks.

"Yes," she answers.

The way she answers sounds more like a question. The girl carefully walks around the room and towards Aka. Without warning, she turns the other girl's chair and starts whispering.

"Why didn't you tell me they'll be here," the girl whispers harshly.

"I forgot," Aka answers.

Someone clears their throat, catching the two girls' attention.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have a meeting right now," Tsumugi says.

"Yes, sorry. Teresa, can you make me coffee," Aka asks.

"You probably haven't eaten anything either, I'm guessing," Teresa states. "Okay. I'll be right back."

Teresa bows to the group before walking quickly out of the room.

This meeting was not what the group was expecting. Aka turns back around and pulls out a notebook.

"The first thing I want to do is the pairing. Shining Saotome already told you that you will be doing a duet project and I'll be the one choosing. Please listen to your name and your partner," Aka says. "The first two will be Izumi Iori and Ichinose Tokiya. The next is Nikadou Yamato and Aijima Cecil. Izumi Mitsuki and Kurusu Syo. Yotsuba Tamaki and Shinominya Natsuki. Osaka Sogo and Hijirikawa Masato. Rokuya Nagi and Jinguji Ren. And finally, Nanase Riku and Ittoki Otoya. Are there any questions about the pairing?"

"Is there any reason why you choose the pairing," Iori asks.

"I try to pair you up by your personality or what you have in common."

"So, you pair us up because we're short," Syo asks, looking angry.

"Yes. But I also pair you two because you're manly and cute. Not a lot of people can have both. You should be lucky," Aka says. "And since you been in the idol industry longer, I thought that you can help guide Mitsuki. He's good at MC, but his dancing needs to improve."

Mitsuki looks down in guilt as he hears the word coming from the girl.

"I think Ni-san is fine just the way he is," Iori defends his brother.

"I'm not trying to diss you, Mitsuki. I just think that this could help you learn even more. And who better to teach you than someone who can understand what you are going through. Or at least feel the same way as you do," Aka explains.

"That's right. I think you're great just the way you are and learning more will make you the greatest," Riku says.

"If it's dancing, I can teach you some tricks on how to keep up with the group," Syo says. "It's hard to be on beat when you are short."

Hearing the two encourage him, Mitsuki slaps his cheeks.

"You're right. This is a good chance for me to learn more. I'll be in your care, Kurusu Syo," Mitsuki says as he bows.

"Likewise."

"Are there any more questions," Aka asks.

"I think we understand," Tokiya says.

"Good. Next will be modeling."

Right after she says that, Teresa walks back in with a cup of coffee and a to-go box.

"I got you your coffee. And food," Teresa says.

"I'll eat later," Aka says.

"No. I don't care if you are in a meeting right now. You are going to eat. The last time you did this, you collapsed. I'm not taking any chances," Teresa states as she shoves the food towards Aka. "And I'm sorry for being rude earlier. I didn't realize you were having a meeting."

"That's fine," Tsumugi says. "I guess we can have a little break."

"Oh. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Kokoro Teresa, but please call me Teresa. With Aka and I together, it gets confusing when we are both call 'Kokoro'."

Before Nagi and Ren can move in, Aka stops them.

"I'll warn you now. If you try to flirt with Teresa, I'll make sure that you will not see the light of day again," Aka warns.

"Aka," Teresa says.

"Still protective as ever, I see," Otoya states.

"Oh, that's right. You never explain how you know each other," Natsuki says.

"Kokoro-san is actually our classmate," Iori states.

"What? You in the same school with Iori and Tamaki," Riku asks.

"Yes, but we don't interact with each other that much," Teresa explains.

"For me, we used to live together in an orphanage," Otoya says. "They live there before I was sent there."

"Really? You're an orphan, too," Tamaki asks.

"That's right. On your profile, it says you were put in a facility at a young age," Tokiya states.

"You research them, Icchi," Ren asks. "That's so like you."

"It's better to be prepare, since we are going to be together for a while," Iori says.

"So, you call Ichinose-san 'Icchi'," Yamato asks.

"Yeah. Why do you asks, Nika," Ren asks.

"It's just that I call him 'Ichi', too," the leader of Idolish7 points to Iori.

"Oh. I'll try to avoid calling him 'Ichi' then."

"Why do you have to nickname people you barely know, Jinguji," Masa asks.

"Because we're friends and it's only natural to give your friends special names. Are you jealous? Should I give you one as well, Hijiri-chan" Ren teases.

Masato feels a chill going down his spine as he hears Ren call him that.

"Stop. It's disgusting."

"No wonder people call you the old married couple," Aka mumbles to herself.

The only one who heard her was Teresa.

"RenRen gets me, So-chan," Tamaki says, not realizing he interrupted the two scions' argument.

"Tamaki-kun, you can't just nickname people without permission," Sogo lectures.

"It's alright. I feel special being called that."

"What I don't get is why you keep calling me 'Ochibi-chan'. I'm not short," Syo says.

"Now I'm grateful that you have name me that," Mitsuki says to Yamato and Tamaki.

"Hey, look on the bright side, you're not the shortest one in here," Yamato says.

Syo and Mitsuki look at the leader before looking at each other. Since they were next to each other, you can see that Syo is slightly, slightly, shorter than Mitsuki.

"Yes," Mitsuki shouts as he pumps his fist in the air. "I'm finally taller than someone!"

"Damn it!"


AN: If you are just as confused reading this as I was when I was writing this, then um, sorry? I have no clue where this even came from. The moment I was typing, I just let my fingers run on their own. Also, the reason I wrote 'Ichi/Icchi' differently is because it'll be less confusing on who is who. Ichi is Iori and Icchi is Tokiya obviously. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Next will be chapter 5, so stay tune. Bye.