"President, finally get the holiday for all of you for 1 month. So you guys can go travel or do anything you want to do." Takanashi Tsumugi said with a smile.
"I think I just go meet my parents at the shop with Iori. We will leave by tomorrow." Mitsuki said.
"I will stay here because my brother is busy with other things." Nagi said.
"I see. I will visit my father at Salon and will be back very late at night." Yamato said.
"My father called me to take care of something, so I will bring Tamaki-kun too." Sougo said.
"I see, everyone has their own plan. So Nagi-san and Yamato-san will stay at the dorm, right?" Tsumgi ask.
"Maybe I just stay at my parent's house for a few days." Mitsuki said.
"Okay, I see. If you need anything, I will be at the office. So enjoy your holiday!" Tsumugi said. All the members nod and wave at their manager. Yamato suddenly throws an idea at everyone.
"Guys, let's have a party together with Revale and Trigger if they are not busy tonight." Yamato said.
"I heard trigger in holiday too for 1 week if I'm not wrong," Mitsuki said .
"That sounds like a great idea! I'll give them a call and see if they're available," Nagi responded enthusiastically. The group of idols smiled at each other, excited for the possibility of spending time together with their friends from other units. Yamato already sent a text to Gaku.
-=-===-==-=-=-=
At Yaotome's Production, I got a message from Nikkaido; he asked us if we were available tonight for the party because they just started their holiday." Gaku said to Ryunosuke.
"Sound good... I'm fine with it since we're still on holiday." Ryunosuke said.
Gaku and Ryunosuke quickly made plans to attend the party with Idolish7 later that night. They were looking forward to catching up with their friends and enjoying the holiday festivities together.
-==-==-=-=
That night, Tenn was busy looking at his phone and saw their party post. Tenn smile alone and hope Riku will join their party. Riku just fell asleep after taking his medicine. At the same time, Tenn feels guilty for keeping this secret from everyone, but in order to ensure Riku's safety, he can't do anything. Tenn slowly caressing Riku's hand gently.
"Riku..." Tenn whispered softly, feeling a pang of worry for his younger brother. He knew he had to stay strong and protect Riku, no matter what.
"Tenn-chan," Kou called, who just entered the room. "Sorry, I forgot to take the tray." Kou quickly realized the intimate moment between Tenn and Riku but decided to quietly leave the room to give them some privacy. Tenn gave Kou a grateful smile before turning his attention back to his brother, determined to be there for him no matter what challenges they faced. "Tenn-chan sacrifices himself to stay with Riku-chan... I don't know if he's okay with the offer between Kujou-san. Kou said in her mind because she accidentally heard his conversation with Kujou Takamasa.
-=—=-=-=-=-=
Flashback scene,
As Tenn stayed by Riku's side, he thought back to the difficult conversation he'd had with Kujou Takamasa. He remembered the way his heart raced as he confronted Kujou Takamasa, the words still echoing in his mind:
"Kujou-san, I already know the truth... You used Riku's condition to pressure my parents and forced me into joining you. And now, after all these years of Riku suffering alone, I don't want this life if it means being without him. I'll give up everything, even if it means paying back every cent spent on Riku's treatment. Please, just let me stay with him."
Kujou Takamasa had remained calm, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and resignation. "I understand your attachment, Tenn, but you're missing your chance at something legendary. The fans, your career—leaving that behind won't just affect you."
Tenn's voice had cracked as he responded, desperation seeping through his words. "I don't want to be an idol if it means losing Riku again. He's already been through so much, and I won't keep putting him second. I can't."
Kujou Takamasa's expression had softened, but he still looked unconvinced. "Tenn, I don't want you to make a choice you'll regret. But if this is truly what you want... "
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Back in the present, Tenn gently brushed his hand over Riku's as his brother drifted off to sleep. Kou quietly entered the room, carrying a tray she'd forgotten earlier, her gaze lingering on the brothers. She'd overheard Tenn's conversation with Kujou Takamasa that night, and though she didn't say anything, she now felt the weight of Tenn's decision more than ever.
When Tenn looked up, he met Kou's sympathetic gaze. She nodded, understanding his unspoken resolve to protect Riku at any cost. For now, they'd all keep this secret close, hoping that Riku would be able to find the peace he needed to heal.
-=-=-==-=-
Later that evening, Tenn sat across from Kichiro in a dimly lit room, shadows casting over his tense expression. Kichiro cleared his throat, hesitating as he organized the files in front of him. The air felt heavy, and Tenn's heart pounded, already sensing the depth of what he was about to hear.
"Tenn," Kichiro began, his voice uncharacteristically soft but laced with a dark undertone, "Riku's condition is... more complicated than I anticipated."
Tenn's hands clenched into fists as he listened. "Tell me everything. I need to know."
Kichiro sighed deeply and opened the file, pulling out X-rays, medical notes, and images that Tenn could barely bring himself to look at. "Riku's body has suffered greatly. His back shows evidence of fractures—he's had a broken spine at one point, which didn't heal properly. His left hand... Kichiro's voice faltered, his hand hovering over the scarred image of Riku's arm. "It's severely damaged. It appears he was hurt repeatedly, the bones showing signs of improperly healed fractures."
The words seemed to echo endlessly in Tenn's mind, each revelation like a knife cutting deeper into his chest. He struggled to comprehend it all, his breathing growing shallow as Kichiro continued.
"And the scars, Tenn." Kichiro swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the image of Riku's thin, fragile form covered in scars. "These aren't accidents. They're the marks of something harsh... something deliberate. I'd guess he was struck with a blunt object repeatedly. Riku's body is fragile now, damaged almost beyond repair. His immune system, his nerves... everything is under strain."
Tenn's heart twisted painfully. Every memory of his younger brother, every smile, every laugh, felt tainted with a darkness he couldn't shake. He imagined Riku alone and suffering, and the thought tore him apart. "Why didn't he... why didn't he tell anyone?" Tenn whispered, his voice thick with a mixture of anguish and rage. The very idea of Riku enduring such torment in silence felt like an unforgivable betrayal by the world that should have protected him.
Kichiro placed a hand on Tenn's shoulder. "The trauma he's endured... it goes beyond the physical, Tenn. His mind is fragile. He's buried in so much pain that any reminder could push him over the edge. That's why he can't be around others yet. It's not just his body that needs healing—it's his heart, his mind."
Tenn sat in silence, his entire being enveloped in a darkness he hadn't known he could feel. He realized now just how deeply Riku had been hurt and how far his own pain paled in comparison to the suffering his brother had borne alone. Every scar, every broken bone, was a testament to the cruelty Riku had endured.
"Riku has suffered too much, and I failed him," Tenn whispered, his voice barely audible, choked with guilt. "I wasn't there when he needed me most."
Kichiro tightened his grip on Tenn's shoulder, his gaze steady. "But you're here now, Tenn. Riku needs you now more than ever. And this time, you can be there for him."
Tenn nodded slowly, feeling the weight of Kichiro's words. He swore in that moment to protect Riku, to shield him from any further harm. He would do whatever it took to help Riku heal, even if it meant leaving behind everything he'd ever known.
As Kichiro spoke, Tenn noticed him hesitating again, as if he were holding back something even more painful. Tenn's eyes narrowed, bracing himself for what he feared would be another unbearable truth.
"His throat..." Kichiro's voice grew somber, and he exhaled a shaky breath. "It's as though his throat has been burned. The damage is extensive. Speaking alone could be a struggle for him, painful and exhausting. Even with the right care, he may never fully recover his voice. This scarring... it suggests he was forced to endure something almost unimaginable, something that burned him from within."
Tenn's hands began to tremble, and his heart felt as if it were being crushed. The thought of his brother's voice—his soft, gentle voice, the one that used to call out to him with warmth and innocence—now silenced by pain weighed on him like a lead weight.
"So... he can barely speak," Tenn whispered, his voice barely containing the anger and despair building inside him. "All this time... his silence wasn't by choice."
Kichiro nodded, his expression painful. "He's endured so much that his body is nearly broken, Tenn. But his mind—that's even more fragile. Any reminder of what happened might overwhelm him."
Tenn's mind spiraled through countless memories, each filled with Riku's smiles, his laughter, and his voice calling "Tenn-nii" with warmth and love. Now, every one of those memories felt hollow, like shadows of something lost, tainted by the reality of what Riku had endured alone.
"Kichiro-san..." Tenn's voice shook, his face dark with anguish and fury. "I should have protected him. I should have been there. He needed me, and I wasn't there."
Kichiro put a hand on his shoulder, looking at him firmly. "But you're here now, Tenn. He needs you to be his strength now more than ever. Riku's been forced to be silent for too long. He needs someone who will listen, someone who will protect him."
Tenn took a deep, shuddering breath, nodding slowly. "I'll be there for him. I'll stay by his side, no matter what. He's been through enough... and I'll make sure he never has to face anything like that again. Riku will never be alone. I promise."
-=-=-=-==-=-=
Tenn sat alone in the quiet room, Kichiro's words echoing in his mind like a haunting melody he couldn't escape.
"His throat... burned."
The reality was sinking in, clawing at him with every heartbeat. The voice he had cherished—Riku's voice that had once filled rooms with warmth, laughter, and gentle music—was now lost, trapped beneath layers of agony. The sheer cruelty of it twisted inside him like a knife.
"He may never recover."
Tenn's hands clenched at his sides, his nails biting into his palms. How could he face his own dream now, knowing that Riku's voice—his very ability to sing and speak without pain—had been stolen from him in such a brutal way? How could Tenn possibly stand on stage and sing for a crowd, pouring out his own heart, when his brother's heart was shattered beyond repair?
An unbearable heaviness filled his chest as he imagined performing with IDOLiSH7 again. Every lyric he would sing, every note he would hold, every cheer from the fans—it would only feel hollow, a reminder of the dream he could chase but Riku could no longer even reach for. And the fans—they would never know. They would cheer for Tenn and his beautiful voice, unaware of the silent, broken soul that had been left behind.
"If I go on stage, I leave him behind," Tenn whispered bitterly to himself, his voice barely audible, like a confession to the shadows. "But if I stay... I lose everything I've worked for."
Riku's suffering seemed to stretch between them like an impenetrable chasm. Every moment he spent focusing on his career, every practice, and every late night would mean leaving Riku alone again—abandoned in silence, unable to even call out for help if he needed it.
"Is that what I deserve? For pursuing my dreams while my own brother...
Tenn's fists trembled, his knuckles white. He knew he couldn't bring himself to walk away from Riku, not after everything. But how could he continue with IDOLiSH7, carrying this weight, this shame, and this agonizing knowledge that he had once left Riku to endure this nightmare alone?
A dark, suffocating guilt took root in his heart, casting shadows over every memory he held dear. He had dreamed of making music that could reach people and touch their hearts. But what good was his voice now, when his own brother had lost his? Every song would only deepen the wounds he already felt, every performance a painful reminder of Riku's silence.
Tenn bowed his head, letting his tears fall.
"I'm sorry, Riku," he whispered to the empty room, his voice choked and broken. "I'm sorry I wasn't there... when you needed me the most."
In that moment, Tenn felt as though he was standing at a crossroads. One path would lead him back to IDOLiSH7, to the bright lights, the music, the fans. But it would mean abandoning his little brother once again. The other would mean a quiet, uncertain future, one filled with sacrifice and unspoken words. But it would mean being by Riku's side, giving him the comfort he deserved.
Tenn's heart twisted as he faced the impossible choice.
Either way, he would lose something precious. And no matter what he chose, the pain would remain.
Tenn closed his eyes, memories of Riku's bright, unguarded smile flashing in his mind like a soothing balm and a painful wound at once. He remembered the way Riku would light up when he was with IDOLiSH7, how his energy and warmth filled the room. Riku had always been the heart of their team, a quiet strength binding them all together. For Riku, IDOLiSH7 was more than a group—it was his family, his safe place. It was where he could be himself, where he could shine without fear.
Tenn remembered moments backstage, watching from the shadows as Riku interacted with his team. They surrounded him with a protective aura, each of them taking care of him in small but meaningful ways. Mitsuki's playful encouragement, Iori's quiet yet unwavering support, Nagi's way of making Riku laugh, and Sougo's gentle words of wisdom—every one of them had become an anchor in Riku's life.
It was more than just friendship; Riku was their center, the reason they pushed forward even on their hardest days. Fans adored him for his sincerity and kindness, drawn to the light he radiated. Tenn had seen that countless times—how the cheers grew louder when Riku took center stage, how his gentle voice reached the deepest parts of their fans' hearts. Without Riku, IDOLiSH7 wouldn't be the same. They needed him, and Riku needed them, too.
But now, Riku's voice, his body, even his ability to stand without pain—it was all fragile. How could he return to that stage, the very place that had once brought him so much joy? How could Tenn watch his little brother struggle under the weight of expectations he might no longer be able to meet? The thought of Riku trying to return only to falter or suffer more tore at Tenn's heart.
Yet Tenn couldn't ignore how happy Riku had been with IDOLiSH7. How every performance and every fan interaction had lifted him up. If he took Riku away from that, he would be stripping him of one of the few joys he had left.
"But if he can't sing... if his body can't handle it..." Tenn's thoughts swirled, tangled in worry and doubt. He wanted to protect Riku, to shield him from any more pain. But he couldn't bring himself to take away what made Riku's heart beat.
"He deserves to be happy."
Tenn's fists tightened as he made up his mind. If Riku could one day return to IDOLiSH7, Tenn would be by his side every step of the way, supporting him and helping him heal, no matter how long it took. If Riku could only watch from the sidelines, then Tenn would give him that joy, too, and bring him into the world he loved in any way he could.
"If you still want to stand on that stage, Riku... I'll make sure you can."
Tenn's resolve hardened, but a deep sadness lingered within him. He would carry his own guilt and pain, and he would sacrifice his own dreams if it meant protecting his brother's happiness. If Riku's dream could still come true, Tenn would do whatever it took to make that happen.
Tenn's mind was a whirlwind of guilt and despair, tangled with memories that only deepened his conflict. Today's Life Don't Have Tomorrow—that harsh reality, always in the back of his mind, that each day could be their last. Tenn knew how fragile life was, especially for Riku. He had already almost lost him so many times before, and each time, he'd clung to the hope that things would turn around. But what if they didn't? What if today was all they truly had?
Kichiro's words echoed in his mind, reminding him of every scar and injury that covered Riku's body. The burn in Riku's throat, the weakness in his limbs, the constant pain—it wasn't something that could be wished away.
"His body is fragile, Tenn," Kichiro had said, his tone solemn. "These injuries are more than physical... Riku's scars run deep. His voice may never fully heal."
That last line haunted Tenn the most. Singing had been everything to Riku—his connection to IDOLiSH7, his way of reaching out to the world. How could Riku live without that? And how could Tenn live with himself, knowing he had helped push Riku to this state? Had it been worth it? For the fame, the fans, the dream of being a star? Tenn's heart twisted with regret, wishing he could trade all of it just to see his brother healthy and smiling without pain again.
Yet he also knew that taking away IDOLiSH7 from Riku would be like taking away a part of his soul. Even if Riku could no longer sing as he once did, those moments with his team and the joy they brought him were irreplaceable. Tenn remembered how happy Riku had been, how his laughter would fill the room during practice sessions, and how he'd draw strength from the support of his friends. Without IDOLiSH7, Riku would be left with a hollow emptiness.
But now, how could he continue? The thought clawed at Tenn's mind, ripping away his own dreams and ambitions. If he continued as an idol, achieving his own success while Riku was left in the shadows, what kind of brother would that make him? How could he bear to stand on stage knowing that his success was built on his brother's suffering?
The world of IDOLiSH7 had once been Tenn's dream, too. He had sacrificed so much for it, and it had given him a sense of purpose and belonging. But in the harsh light of Riku's pain, those dreams seemed shallow, almost selfish.
The pull of IDOLiSH7 was strong, but Tenn's heart was breaking under the weight of the decision he felt he needed to make. He felt trapped, torn between his dreams and his loyalty to Riku, feeling as if each choice would hurt his brother in some way. Could he really give up everything they had worked so hard for? Or was it a betrayal to even consider it?
Tenn stared at the floor, his fists clenched, barely holding back tears as he resolved within himself. If Riku can't be on that stage, neither will I. I will protect him, even if it means leaving this life behind.
The dorm was buzzing with energy as IDOLiSH7 and TRIGGER gathered for a rare night off. Mitsuki had strung up colorful lights, and Yamato had set out a selection of snacks and drinks. For the first time in a long while, the two groups could just relax, share laughs, and unwind without the pressure of a looming schedule.
Ryunosuke leaned back, his easy smile widening as he looked around the room. "It's been a while since we all had time to kick back like this. We should do this more often."
"Agreed," Gaku replied, clinking his drink with Mitsuki's. "These moments are rare. We should appreciate them when we can."
As the night wore on, they began swapping stories—funny moments from rehearsals, fan encounters, and mishaps on stage. The conversation flowed naturally, but at one point, a noticeable lull fell over the room as each member's mind drifted to something unresolved, someone missing.
Nagi broke the silence, his usual exuberance softening as he glanced at the others. "We've been together a long time now," he began thoughtfully, "but... even with all of us here, I feel like something's missing. Or rather... someone."
Mitsuki looked down, sighing softly. "Yeah. It's hard to forget that, no matter how many smiles we put on. Riku's absence has left a hole, and no matter how long it's been... I still think about him every day."
TRIGGER exchanged glances, their expressions just as somber. Tenn's younger brother had been a light in IDOLiSH7, a force that drove them all forward. His sudden disappearance had hit the group hard, especially with the lack of answers. Even after two years, they knew little about what had truly happened to him.
"I just can't believe he'd leave without saying goodbye to us," Sogo murmured, his brow furrowing as he replayed those last few days before Riku vanished. "I always wonder if he was going through something that we missed... or if something happened that we didn't see coming."
Gaku nodded, his voice unusually subdued. "We tried reaching out to Tenn too. But he never spoke much about it."
"He just shut down completely," Ryunosuke added. "It was like... losing Riku caused something to snap in him. And who could blame him? They were inseparable."
The group fell into a somber silence, each lost in their own thoughts about Riku. Tamaki, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "I remember how Riku would always light up the room, you know? Even if something was wrong, he'd still try to make us laugh or cheer us on. I just wish... we could have done more for him."
Yamato nodded. "It's like he put us first, even when he might have needed us to be there for him. We didn't even realize how much he was hiding."
Nagi's eyes glistened, but his tone remained steady. "I believe that if we had known what was really going on with Riku, we could have helped him and saved him from whatever pain he was enduring. But he disappeared so suddenly, and now it's as if he's become a memory we can't reach."
The room went quiet again, everyone feeling the weight of the unresolved mystery of Riku's disappearance. A part of them clung to hope, believing that one day Riku might return, explain everything, and step back into the role he had always loved. But another part of them feared the worst—that something had happened to him beyond their control.
Mitsuki glanced down at his phone, an old photo of Riku smiling up at him from the lock screen. "I don't know where you are, buddy," he whispered, "but wherever you are, I hope you're okay. And if you ever come back... we'll be here, waiting."
In the corner, Tenn's absence was also noted. Kichiro had told TRIGGER and IDOLiSH7 that Tenn was working on "something personal" tonight, and both groups respected that it might be Tenn's way of dealing with his own grief over Riku's absence.
But unknown to them, Tenn was closer to Riku than they knew, watching over him as he fought his way back to recovery. Kichiro had been strict about keeping Riku's condition a secret, even from Tenn's closest friends and colleagues.