SUPERSTAR
sOrbetes

| O N E |

Yoh Asakura stared at his older twin brother (by five seco—freakin—seconds) in disbelief.

"What did you do again, Hao?"

Hao lift his head. "He pissed me off," he reasoned, smiling sweetly at his furious twin.

Yoh sniffed. If only he hadn't gotten this cold, none of this would have happened. Hao caused quite a stir in the Entertainment world but rather than care, he was instead having the time of his life lying on the sofa playing with his Physics toy.

Yoh stood in front of his brother, arms tugged beside his waists, hoping to get some of his wandering attention and to make him see the severity of the problem he had caused (meaning, he is angry).

But Hao, like what he has always been, remained unfazed.

Yoh asked himself once again why he still isn't used to this setting: Hao makes trouble, he gets into the trouble, he scolds him for getting him into trouble, but he laughs it off like there's nothing to worry about.

ALL. THE. TIME.

He cleared his throat in exaggeration as if to announce his presence (which was being ignored).

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

He sighed in total surrender.

"Hao," he began. "You know why I asked you to stand in for me for an awards night?"

The older stopped throwing the toy. "Because you have a cold, weakling!" he said, a matter-of-factly.

Yoh closed his eyes trying to control his temper. "Yes, because I had a cold."

"You had a cold because you couldn't stand naked outside for five minutes!" Hao laughed at himself. "Wimp!"

Yoh mentally called out all the gods he knew existed. He must have been someone really bad during his past life. He must have killed millions of innocent people before and this is his punishment. That should be it. Because if it weren't, Kami-sama forbid, who knows what he can do to his pain in the ass of a brother.

Patience, Yoh. Pretend you're talking to a schizophrenic. He's just some crazy man... a lunatic!

He breathed deeply and finally produced a wavering smile. "I asked you to receive an award for me," he said as he turned on the flatscreen. "And not to make me look likesome conceited jerk throwing senseless comments like that!" He emphasized by pointing the remote control to the TV and increasing the volume.

'I THINK THEY'RE CHEAP VERSIONS OF US.'

Hearing the phrase seemed like a death sentence for Yoh. This is it: the end of his career...sayonara! Adieu! Goodbye! Farewell!

Hao only shrugged. "So what do you want me to do? Say sorry?" He looked at Yoh who was obviously in the verge of either strangling him or strangling himself. He silently chuckled. "Look, Yoh. The damage has been done. Besides, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Nothing to be afraid of?

"Yeah, nothing to be afraid of. People still love you. Your fangirls still love you. You haven't lost anything yet," he assured.

Well, that's true. His manager, Amidamaru, said fans are still supporting him and some even agreed about his (which was really Hao's) comment. Their group activities are still continuing, there are still a lot of offers and no company has backed-out from having them as endorsers. Everything is still good.

It may not have been a big problem after all.

He must have just over reacted.

Yeah.

Sure.

Yet.

'What can you say about Yoh Asakura's controversial comment about your group, Miss Kyoyama?'

'Well, let's just say it's time we give what the public wants: something, or if I may say, someone NEW.'

:::

[WORD WAR: FUNbari G leader announces war with the Shaman Kings]

[Newbies fight phenomenonal group!]

[Idol Battle! Who will become Japan's number one?]

"You made it into three headlines, Anna! Congratulations!" Pirika greeted as she sipped through her non-fat drink.

Anna massaged her temples. "You're noisy."

Pirika blinked. "I always am." She smiled nervously.

"What are you so happy about? It's too early..." Anna looked at her, eyebrows furrowed. "...and we're in a war."

"I'm not happy." She took another sip. "I'm scared, actually."

Who isn't?

"Where're the others?"

"Tamao wanted to cook so she went to the grocery. Don't worry, the manager is with her."

"Well, I have to go too. You stay here and guard the dorm."

Pirika's eyes followed her as she went for the door.

:::

The last time he was here, he was two years younger; he was a little lot more laid back and carefree, a bit scared but at the same time anxious as any other trainee that is about to debut.

Yoh thought he'd never find his way into this place again.

"To be honest, I never thought you'd be back here."

That's what I thought.

"It's nice to see you again, buddy!"

Yoh chuckled. "You too, Manta!"

Both exchanged cheerful smiles. It was such a long time since the two friends saw each other. After he debuted, Yoh had been busy with his career while Manta, the Oyamada Company's soon-to-be chairman, had been occupied with studying and training how to handle the business. This was their first meeting in two years.

"But," the smiles suddenly fell into frowns. "I guess you know why you're here, Yoh."

He cleared his throat, "Yes." Yoh looked at his sides, somehow embarrassed to look at his old friend in the face. This friend was the one who helped him into becoming who he is today—the Yoh Asakura, the Superstar.

:::

Anna left swiftly as soon as she said Pirika to stay in their dorm. She was all set to go when she came in, it's just that, well how should she put it? She was (nervous) perturbed.

No, she refuses to use the word 'nervous' simply because she never gets nervous.

Nope, not her.

She wouldn't be called the industry's Ice Queen for nothing, right?

"Anna..."

So no, she IS NOT nervous.

"Anna!"

Don't you ever dare think that she is.

"ANNA!"

"W-what?" The Ice Queen barked.

"Your shoes!" Pirika giggled to herself, "They're different!"

Different? How can they be—Anna looked down at her shoes: one was red while the other was blue—different?

They are different.

"What are you even nervous about?"

And she is (nervous).

:::

"So it's Hao's fault again." Manta concluded after hearing the story.

Yoh nodded, "As usual."

"Why don't we just tell the truth? It's not unusual for artists to have twins, you know."

"You know I can't do that." Yoh scratched his head. "Besides, what's the point of going around telling people to blame my twin not me?"

Manta looked at him in confusion. "It's been two years, Yoh. I think that's enough for your parents to forgive him." He doesn't really understand why Yoh still covers for Hao despite the troubles he had always brought him in.

Yoh understood the look on his best friend so he explained once again, "I am in debt to him. You know that." He smiled.

Manta could only sigh. He knows Yoh could never be swayed when it comes to his 'debt' to Hao because if there is another man his friend should be thankful for helping him become the Superstar that he his, it would be no other than Hao Asakura.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in!" Manta called.

Yoh looked confused, "Were you expecting someone?"

:::

The last time she was here, she was two years younger; she was a little lot more aggressive and persistent, a bit scared but at the same time anxious as any other applicant who wants to become a trainee.

Anna thought she'd never find her way into this place again.

She knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

A/N: I'm sorry for the delay in posting. This was already finished last week but I just had my exams.