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The ear shattering sound of crowds cheering, florescent rainbow lights illuminating the stage, glow sticks in the crowd lighting up the dark building even more.
Shuichi was used to such a scene by now, but it still sent his heart racing every time. Nothing could compare to the feeling of being an idol. While it had started out as a seemingly pointless dream of his as a kid, it turned out he was rather talented in the industry he set his sights on.
Sure, the voice training and choreography was no joke. It took a lot of will just to get past square one, but something in his heart tugged him forward the whole time. He was the newbie idol 'Sai' with great promise, and had accumulated a massive fan base already. These were good incentives for any idol, and especially one who'd started out as unsure as Shuichi did. He'd come to love his fans and commit to being an idol for the sake of seeing smiling faces everytime he performed.
There was one more thing that kept him on his toes in this industry besides the already brutal standards. Beyond getting used to fan interactions and appearing as confident as possible in the limelight. And, okay, it wasn't a thing, he was a fellow idol.
Going by the stage name 'Oma', the purple-haired idol rivaled him not only in personality, but in performances as well. Scheduling concerts the same day as his, provoking him on social media, and popping in on Shuichi's sets whenever he pleased, simply because they knew each other.
Everything about the other idol was aggravating. He made his head spin effortlessly.
And god, how Shuichi was in love with him.
It felt silly to get a crush as an adult. Especially on an idol he hardly knew much about. To be fair though, Oma would always disappear before he could initiate anything- before he could ask anything or truly get to know the other without both of their personas up.
Still, he had to focus on his own performances. He would not be outdone by Oma. Shuichi relied on the energy of his fans. He responded to them in tandem and often was able to play into his natural anxious self to keep up his personality of a "good-natured and cute idol". His friend, Kaede, teased him about it sometimes. Keeping up this balance is why he practiced lyrics and choreography well ahead of time, and didn't slack off in his physical training.
His trainer was a friend he went to school with name Kaito, who often reminded how frail the man used to be, only to turn into this.
"Can't be outshone by Oma," Shuichi responded, wiping the sweat from his brow, "Competition gets tough."
"Oma...Oma...that name sounds familiar," Kaito said, crossing his arms with a grunt.
"New idol. You've probably just heard the name get thrown around," Shuichi shrugged it off.
"No, it's something else! I'm sure of it!" Kaito insisted.
"I'll leave you to figure that out then," The idol chuckled. Kaito could be strange at times, but his intentions were never of worry to Shuichi.
As per usual, Shuichi was backstage just an hour before his newly scheduled concert. It was his first one in a building of this capacity, and even though tickets had sold, Shuichi knew his fans would be expecting something grander. He only hoped he could deliver.
"Sai, you have a visitor," Kirumi, his manager, opened his door to tell him.
Shuichi- who'd already received congratulations and (way too many) flowers from his friends earlier on- wondered who would be visiting now. But if they got by Kirumi, he trusted them.
"Okay, who is it?"
"It's-" She was cut off, expression turning into polite annoyance, as another shoved by her and into the room.
"Surprised to see me, Sai?"
And there he was, in the flesh. The embodiment of irritation and the object of Shuichi's desires, for some reason he could not piece together. Kirumi left the room with a nod.
Oma was grinning, a mischief in his eyes. Shuichi had seen how he sparkled on stage. He brought energy to the room himself, electrifying the audience.
"Very. Not every day a rival comes to congratulate me," Shuichi said with a hum.
"Oh come on, we're more than simple 'rivals'! We're sworn enemies, are we not?" Oma asked with a giggle, inviting himself to sit next to Shuichi on the couch.
"You're just teasing now. Who just invites themself in like you?" Shuichi asked, not able to hide the amusement in his tone.
"Ah, well you see! I knew a certain grumpy idol would want to see me!" Oma said in a matter-of-fact tone, completely forgetting about personal space as he leaned against Shuichi.
"Is that a lie?"
"I don't know. You tell me." A coy smile was plastered on his face. Shuichi could kiss him right now.
"I'll give you a hint, Saihara."
What?
"How did you-?" Shuichi asked but trailed off.
Kaito had mentioned the name Oma sounded familiar. What if he was right? Finally, a lightbulb went off in Shuichi's head. He could've sworn Oma's eyes lit up in response.
But it couldn't be the same kid who transferred from their school in first year, just because he had the same name? That'd be too much of a coincidence.
"I knew Saihara for such a fleeting time, and now he barely talks to me even though we're in the same business!" Oma whined loudly.
"You're the one who disappears so quickly!" Shuichi retorted quickly.
"My, my. Pushing the blame on poor little old me! As expected of my rival."
And Shuichi couldn't help it. He burst out into laughter- a knot in his stomach undoing itself, despite him having not known of it. His stomach hurt with how hard he was laughing, tears welling at the corners of his eyes.
Was it this easy to talk to Oma? To Kokichi? Rivalry was one thing, but he must've been blind to think it couldn't be anything more.
He felt lighter on his feet during the concert. Even Kirumi gave him a compliment on his performance, which was rather rare for his strict work-then-play manager to do. The lights felt less distracting, and the fans felt closer to his heart than ever. This was everything he was working towards as an idol, and it felt amazing. Somewhere in that crowd, hidden in plain sight like the irritation he is, Shuichi knew that Kokichi was also watching him at his brightest.
After the fans had left with autographs signed and pictures taken, and the crew had been thanked and everything cleaned, Shuichi was exhausted. Yet strangely, an energy like a fire he couldn't put out resisted inside of him. He was still in his dressing room relaxing, his eyes closed, when his door opened.
"Knock first, Kokichi."
"Saihara recognized me just by that! How tricky," He said with a snicker, nevertheless, sat next to him without invitation.
Shuichi turned his head to meet the other's, though he was simply smiling at the mirror.
"When you can't get someone out of your head, it's instinct." The blue-haired man recognized his slip only after it was said.
"What's that? Am I on your mind, Saihara?" Kokichi asked playfully, turning the chair he was in, to face him directly.
Having not felt this flustered since his crush on Kaede, Shuichi didn't know how to deal with the blush spreading on his face. So much for being an idol who could think on his feet. Would Kokichi rival him in that as well?
"Am I on yours?" Shuichi dared to ask.
"Why don't you find out?"
It took barely a moment before their lips were on one another's. The rush of adrenaline sent Shuichi yearning for more, and Kokichi met his passion in tandem, ending up in his lap.
The other man tasted like citrus, but not overpowering enough to distract him. In fact, it seemed to go well with his already electrifying personality.
Shuichi wanted to become an idol no one could doubt the relevance of. And perhaps it was because he wanted the same thing as Kokichi, that kissing him felt exhilarating. He was in love with Kokichi and in love with his job as an idol. Put the two together, and Shuichi was a mess under the other's touch.
Parting with the other was difficult, but the two had to breathe eventually. With promises to meet up soon(no lies, Kokichi had promised), the two went their own ways.
Shuichi had barely walked into his training room the next day, when Kaito ran up to him, a book open in his hands. Upon closer inspection, it was their yearbook from first year.
"Figured it out! That Oma kid was in our class once, remember?" His eyes shone as he proudly presented his findings.
"Yeah, I figured that out," Shuichi admitted with an amused sigh.
"Wha- Wait, is that a hickey on your neck? Shuichi?"