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They are thirteen years old and the family business is going to shit. Money is tight and the turnover rate is higher than ever. Riku’s checkups go from once a fortnight to once a month. Tenn worries and worries, but Riku isn’t too bothered. He hasn’t had an attack in so long and he’s healthy enough to go to school now! What’s the fuss about?
Well, maybe it’s true that Tenn doesn’t need to be as concerned over Riku’s condition anymore, but there’s still other things to worry over. Such as the Nanase family’s debt. The club, once a flourishing hubbub of laughter and music, is now empty and gloomy. No one wants to point fingers, but they all know it’s because of that new club a street away. With its bigger building and flashier signs, it’s no wonder their older, cosier niterie is being ignored now.
Riku suggests getting part-time jobs. It’s a simple solution, really, and it’s strange how long it takes them to come up with the idea. While it is true that the twins are below the working age, it wouldn’t be hard to find a small place that doesn’t mind. Soon enough, the boys find themselves after school and weekend jobs at a karaoke place near their school. Riku’s loveable personality earns him a job as a customer service assistant while Tenn’s grace and attentiveness lands him a position as a waiter.
The pay isn’t the best as the twins work under the table, but the manager is kind to them in other ways. Such as, letting them eat leftovers at the end of the day, particularly when they work late on weekend nights, and allowing them to use the karaoke rooms for free when they’re not working. Throughout the years, Tenn and Riku spend their days honing their skills as workers and singers.
It’s on one such day, on the cusp of their eighteenth birthdays, that it happens.
Riku chooses a sad jpop song and sings with a sombre tone, his theatrically mournful face melting into a smile when Tenn begins his part. As they reach the second verse, a middle-aged man walks into their room. The twins pause for a second before Tenn moves to stand in front of Riku protectively. The music plays on in the background.
“Excuse me, sir,” Tenn says, tone polite as his expression shifts into an icy smile, “This is our room.”
“Please, don’t let me stop your fun! I heard your voices from outside and wanted to hear you two up close,” the man says.
It’s Riku that lifts his microphone up and starts singing again, making Tenn follow his lead. The older twin’s glare does not move away from the man, who simply smiles back. When the song ends, Tenn opens his mouth to say something, but the man speaks first.
“Are you boys interested in becoming idols? I’m Takanashi Otoharu, president of Takanashi Production, and I’m looking to create our agency’s first idol group,” he introduces himself, passing them a business card.
“That would be so coo-!”
“We’ll think about it,” Tenn interrupts Riku, taking the business card and tucking it into his pocket.
“Thank you for your time today, boys. Get home safe!,” Otoharu says as he finally steps out of their booth.
The twins stand in silence for a second as they process what just happened.
“He didn’t even ask for our names…,” Riku murmurs.
Of course, a fight starts as soon as they get home.
“Tenn-nii, wouldn’t it be cool? Let’s call him and ask when the auditions are!”
“Riku,” Tenn says sternly, “That’s not happening. The life of an idol is too strenuous for you.”
“But Tenn-nii! You know I’ve been way healthier these last few years!”
“That’s different! Going to school and working a part time job and singing karaoke is nothing compared to being an idol!”
“Maybe it isn’t, but can’t I at least try?! I’m almost 18, Tenn-nii, can you please stop treating me like a kid?!”
Like many of their arguments, it fizzles out almost as soon as it starts.
“Riku, I…”
“Please, Tenn-nii. I… I want to do this with you! I was so happy when you finally let me sing with you when we started working at the karaoke place, this would be like a real dream come true!”
“Fine,” Tenn whispers after a second. Riku whoops in celebration, but Tenn continues. “ But ! We will be leaving immediately if it turns out it’s putting too much strain on you, okay?”
“Yeah! I promise!,” Riku pulls Tenn into a hug, feeling how his brother loses all his tenseness in his embrace. Tenn raises his arms and reciprocates easily. When they finally pull apart, Tenn pulls out his phone.
“Looks like we’re auditioning to become idols.”