The air in the Jintai Entertainment building usually was filled with busy energy, but today, the heavy pressure of the upcoming third round had been temporarily lifted. The staff had dubbed it "Rest and Recovery Day"—a mandatory twenty-four hours of no rehearsals, no vocal drills, and no cameras.
Haru took the service elevator to the top floor, his heart doing a small, rhythmic skip against his ribs. He had found a keycard for the rooftop garden tucked into his locker that morning with a handwritten note that simply said: "It's quiet here." He didn't need a signature to know who it was from.
When Haru peaked through the door, the sounds of the city were muffled by a dense perimeter of manicured hedges and flowering shrubs. The garden was a hidden oasis, a luxury usually reserved for the company's top-tier executives and established stars.
Aoki was standing by the glass railing, his back to the door. He wasn't wearing his usual crisp mentor attire; instead, he wore an oversized black hoodie and joggers, looking more like the idol he used to be than the teacher he was now.
"You came," Aoki said, turning slightly. The morning sun caught the dark line of his jaw, and for a moment, the usual "Ice Prince" mask was nowhere to be found.
"I got your note." Haru admitted, getting closer. The rooftop was completely private, shielded by high walls and the vast expanse of the sky.
Once he got closer Haru's fingers were twitching at the hem of his shirt a little nervous.
"There are no cameras here, Haru," Aoki said softly and proceeded to pat Haru's head "And no humans, just be yourself with me okay?"
Haru blushed red with nervousness, with a soft pop and a rush, his long, black-furred ears sprang free, His fluffy tail, usually tucked painfully into his trousers, uncurled with a happy flick.
Aoki watched him, his gaze not surprised but surprisingly tender. "I wondered what spirit you were." he murmured, stepping closer. "A cute small black rabbit."
Haru felt his cheeks heat up. He reached up to scratch the base of one ear. "....Its not that small." Haru mumbled under his breath.
They sat together on a stone bench, predator and the prey, side by side. The contrast was striking. Aoki sat with a stillness, his presence heavy and commanding even when he was relaxed. Haru, even in repose, was a creature of constant, tiny movements.
Haru couldnt sit still for long before he had to make conversation
Haru asked quietly. "How does it feel... being what you are?"
Aoki leaned back, his eyes tracing the clouds. "...People feel a chill when I walk into a room. They don't know why, but their instincts tell them to stay away. They see the 'Ice Prince' because it's easier to label me as cold than to admit they are instinctively afraid."
He looked at his hands, where the faint shimmer of scales threatened to break through the skin. "In this industry, If I show even a hint of frustration, people think I'm going to snap. It caused a lot of tension back when I was in the spotlight."
Haru nodded, his ears drooping slightly. "It's the opposite for me. Because of my aura people assume I'm a pushover. They think they can touch me, or mock me, or push me around because I don't look like I'll fight back. In the countryside, with other rabbits it was fine but here... it's like an invitation for people to be cruel.."
He looked at Aoki, his amethyst eyes shimmering. "Ah.. But ive met some really good people here too, all my team mates have looked out for me and I know you have too."
Aoki reached out, his hand hovering near Haru's head before he gently stroked his long fingers on harus ear. "It takes more courage for a rabbit to stand on a stage in front of people than it does for a dragon."
Haru shivered slightly at Aokis touch, his ears were more sensitive then he thought. But he didn't feel any aversion to Aoki.
They sat in that shared understanding for a long time, the silence no longer a barrier but a bridge. Eventually, Aoki stood up, checking the watch on his wrist.
"Go spend time with your team, its almost dinner" Aoki said, his voice returning to its professional lilt, though his eyes remained warm. "Meet me back here once it gets dark. I have something to show you that doesn't involve the stage."
***
The rest of the afternoon was a whirlwind of "normalcy." Haru found Ren and the others in the dorm lounge, where they had successfully turned the coffee table into a battlefield of board games and empty chip bags.
"Haru! You're back!" Ren shouted, waving a card in the air. "Daiki is cheating. Tell him he can't move his piece like that!"
"I'm not cheating! I'm using strategy!" Daiki protested, leaning back on the sofa with a grin.
Haru came in sliding into the spot between Ren and Shiro. Shiro was quietly reading a book, seemingly ignoring the chaos.
"How was your 'quiet time'?" Shiro asked, not looking up from his page.
"It was good," Haru said, grabbing a handful of popcorn. "Just... went for a walk."
"Hmm.." Shiro murmured, finally glancing at him and raising an eyebrow "You look excited and happy about something"
Haru touched his face, the sides of his mouth had unconsciously risen and his face was a bit hot.
"It's the relaxation day, of course he is happy" Ren chimed in, leaning his head on Haru's shoulder. "We all needed it. If I had to hear the 'Echoes of Me' backing track one more time today, I think my soul would have left my body."
They spent the time talking about things that didn't matter—favorite movies, the best ramen shops in the city, and what they missed most about their hometowns. For a few hours, they weren't ranked. They were just friends. It was the kind of connection that Haru had hoped for.