The applause was deafening, a roaring wave that shook the very ground. From the stage, Raito and Tsuki looked out onto a sea of glowing penlights—gold and silver stars swirling together like a galaxy.
"Forever I'm here for you, you're here for me... Oh woah... two voices, one song!"
The final chord rang out clear and strong. Raito spread his arms wide, drinking in the light, while Tsuki stood beside him, holding his microphone close, his eyes half-closed as if savoring the lingering echo of the melody.
And then—
The crowd erupted.
Screams, cheers, and cries of joy filled the air. It was a storm of love and glitter.
Backstage:
Subaru Akehoshi clutched his chest, looking visibly moved. "They're actually going to make me cry... Someone, quick—give me a tissue!"
Without even turning his head, Mao Isara tossed a packet from his pocket. Subaru caught it effortlessly and immediately burst into genuine tears.
Koga Oogami and Adonis Otogari watched the screen in silence. Koga's usual feral grin had softened into a look of pure awe.
"They... truly complete one another," Koga murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Like the sun and moon ruling the sky together..."
Adonis took a slow sip of his coffee, then gave a single, firm nod. "...Beautiful."
As the performance ended, Rei Sakuma adjusted his glove and gave a small, satisfied huff. "...Hmph. Not bad for newcomers."
"We're going to have to work harder if we want to stay on top," Hokuto Hidaka said, though he was smiling proudly.
And Mao?
Mao crushed another empty soda can with one hand, his eyes wide as he stared at the stage monitor.
"...Did you guys see that?" he whispered. "Tsuki Kuroi... just smiled."
A collective gasp spread through the nearby idols.
"No way."
"Yes way." Mao pointed at the screen. "Right there. When Raito jumped off the speaker platform and stumbled into him."
They replayed the moment in their minds: A flash of gold and indigo. Raito had lost his balance, falling forward, and Tsuki had caught him effortlessly.
And in that split second—hidden from most eyes but captured by the cameras—his expression had softened.
Just for a heartbeat.
There was no scowl, no annoyance. Just the faint, fleeting curve of a genuine smile.
"...Did you just laugh?!" Raito asked, still clinging to him in surprise.
"I did no such thing!" Tsuki snapped, turning his head away quickly, though the faint blush beneath his stage makeup gave him away.
As confetti rained down around them—gold stars mixing with silver sparks—it was clear: This wasn't just a successful debut. It was the beginning of their legend.
🎵 (Later, backstage in the quiet darkness, a shadowy figure placed two cassette tapes into labeled cases.
"Polar Opposites - Live Debut - Side A: Two Voices"
"Side B: One Heart.")
The Reality
"That was amazing!" Raito exclaimed as they walked down the hallway, his energy still buzzing.
"We sounded good," Tsuki replied, his voice calm but carrying a quiet pride.
"Good? We were fantastic!" Raito beamed. "And you know what that means? More work, more lives, more—" He stopped suddenly, seeing Tsuki's expression shift.
"...More money for the hospital bills," Tsuki finished quietly.
Raito's smile softened. He knew the weight Tsuki carried. Every step, every performance, was for the sake of the brother lying asleep in the hospital bed.
"Hey," Raito said gently. "You know I'm here too. We share everything, right? The stage, the dreams... and the burden."
Tsuki stopped walking. He looked at Raito, the moonlight from the window illuminating his face.
"...It was you," Tsuki muttered. "You dragged me into this. You said we should form a unit. You convinced me to come here..."
"So?" Raito tilted his head.
"...And I hate that you were right." Tsuki looked down, his voice barely audible. "If we keep going like tonight... I can pay for the next treatment. I don't have to choose anymore."
Raito grabbed Tsuki's shoulders and shook him lightly, but firmly.
"Of course you don't! Because you've got me! As long as we are Polar Opposites, you never have to carry anything alone!"
Tsuki tried to glare, but the tension broke. A quiet breath escaped him, almost like a laugh, almost like relief.
"...Idiot," he whispered, turning away.
And then, so softly only the wind could hear:
"...Thanks."
The Hospital Visit
The room was quiet, filled only with the steady, rhythmic beep... beep... of the heart monitor. Tsuki's older brother lay asleep on the bed, looking peaceful yet fragile.
Tsuki sat by the bedside, carefully arranging fresh daisies in a vase. Bright, lively flowers to bring some color into the sterile room.
Raito stood quietly in the background, giving them space. He knew the story. He knew how Tsuki's parents had passed, and how his brother had worked himself to exhaustion just to protect Tsuki.
"He'll wake up," Raito whispered. "I know he will."
Tsuki didn't answer immediately. He just looked at his brother's face, his hand gripping the bedsheet tightly.
"...I'll make sure of it," Tsuki vowed silently.
The Offer
Rumors spread through Yumenosaki Academy like wildfire.
"Did you hear? Tsuki got scouted for a movie?!"
Raito was sitting on a bench when Subaru ran up to him, out of breath.
"Dude! Is it true?! Tsuki is going to be in a film?!"
"Yeah, I heard," Raito said, standing up. "An indie drama, apparently. Big opportunity."
"Apparently the cast is insane!" Subaru whispered excitedly. "Rei Sakuma is in it! And Ritsu! Even Aira and Mayoi!"
Raito's eyes widened. "Rei-san is...?"
"Yeah! It's about brotherhood and the struggles of life... something deep like that!"
Raito looked down the hall towards the practice room. He could see Tsuki inside, playing his guitar alone, his silhouette sharp against the light.
"Brotherhood..." Raito murmured. "He doesn't just have to act it. He lives it."
This movie... it felt like fate was handing them exactly what they needed.
Rehearsal
When Raito told Tsuki about the cast list, Tsuki just adjusted his collar and acted indifferent.
"I accepted because the pay is good. Part of it goes directly to the hospital fund."
"Sure, sure," Raito grinned, winking. "And definitely not because you wanted to work alongside the 'Midnight Vampire King' Rei Sakuma?"
Tsuki gave him a flat look. "Only fanboys care about that sort of thing."
"Excuse me?!" Raito clutched his chest in mock hurt. "Rei-san is a legend! His voice is like midnight velvet!"
"You brought fan art to school last week," Tsuki pointed out dryly.
"It was for art class!"
"It had hearts drawn around his name."
"...Artistic emphasis!"
Tsuki finally broke, a small smirk appearing on his face. "...At least I'm not the one who got lost trying to sneak into the UNDEAD practice room."
"That hallway has bad signage!" Raito defended himself, turning red.
"Whatever." Tsuki turned to leave. "He's just another actor to me."
"Sure~ But when you two have that dramatic staring contest in the script... the fans are going to go crazy!"
Tsuki didn't reply, but he didn't deny it either.
🎵 (That night, Tsuki opened the script titled "Fragments of Light."
Scene 1 – Hospital Room
Two brothers. One carries the weight of the world. The other carries his dreams...
Tsuki stared at the words. His fingers traced the lines of the text.
"...I know this story," he whispered into the dark.)
The Casting
The set was bustling with activity. Staff members rushed around, adjusting lights and checking equipment. Tsuki arrived early, guitar case in hand, and immediately spotted him.
Leaning against the wall, looking effortlessly cool and mysterious, was Rei Sakuma.
Tsuki took a breath and walked over. Rei opened one eye, as if he had been waiting.
"You're early," Rei said, his voice smooth and deep.
"So are you, senpai," Tsuki replied, trying to keep his composure despite his heart beating slightly faster.
One by one, the others arrived. Ritsu was yawning dramatically, Mayoi was being his usual shy but spooky self, and Aira was buzzing with excitement.
"Oho?" Ritsu drawled, seeing Tsuki and Rei standing together. "What's this atmosphere? Is it a confrontation... or a family reunion?"
"Romance..." Mayoi whispered mysteriously.
"Shut up," Tsuki glared.
"I prefer to call it... professional tension," Tsuki corrected coldly.
The clapping of hands brought everyone to attention. The Director stood before them, clipboard in hand.
"Alright, let's begin with the role assignments."
The room went silent.
"For the lead roles of the detective brothers..." The Director paused for effect.
"Rei Sakuma will play the older brother. And Tsuki Kuroi will play the younger brother."
Silence.
Then—
"WAIT—WHAT?!"
Ritsu Sakuma practically exploded. He pointed between them, looking outraged.
"You're playing brothers?! But he's colder than you are! How am I supposed to be your real little brother and watch you be someone else's?! This is betrayal!"
"Relax, Ritsu," Rei said calmly. "It is merely acting."
"WORSE THAN MARRIAGE!!" Ritsu wailed.
Mayoi and Aira giggled in the background. Watching Tsuki—who had lost his own family—and Rei—who embodied the shadow of an older brother—being cast together felt too perfect to be a coincidence.
And watching from behind the door, Raito smiled knowingly.
"Perfect casting," he whispered.
Supporting Roles
"Now for the supporting cast," the Director continued.
"Mayoi Ayase, you will play the Hospital Attendant. The one who knows all the secrets but never speaks."
Mayoi's eyes sparkled. "Ooooooh~ The ghost who wanders the halls... I accept! I shall become the shadow itself~"
"Aira Shiratori, you are Hans, the investigative journalist."
"YES!" Aira struck a pose. "Digging up the truth! Seeking justice! I was born for this role!"
"And finally," the Director turned to Ritsu. "Ritsu Sakuma, you will play Dr. Ren Amamiya. The doctor burdened by guilt and secrets."
Ritsu blinked. Then his jaw dropped.
"ME?! RESPONSIBLE?! GUILT-RIDDEN?! DO I GET TO WEAR GLASSES AND LOOK SAD IN THE RAIN?!"
"Yes."
"FINALLY!! MY TIME HAS COME!!" Ritsu fell to his knees, raising his hands to the ceiling. "I SHALL PERFORM SUCH A TRAGEDY THAT THE HEAVENS THEMSELVES SHALL WEEP!"
Tsuki stared at the chaotic group, then looked at Rei who remained perfectly calm.
"...Why do I feel like we are the only normal people here?" Tsuki muttered.
Warnings
As the chaos died down, Raito suddenly appeared, slinging an arm around Tsuki's neck.
"Hey hey~ How's my favorite moon child doing?"
"If you value your life," Tsuki said lowly, "do not 'fanboy' during our scenes. Not one sigh. Not one sparkle. If you do... I will throw your entire collection of UNDEAD merch into the sea."
Raito paled. "You wouldn't."
"Try me."
"F-Fine! I'll behave!" Raito raised his hands in surrender. "But if he does that coat flip thing... I can't be held responsible for my soul leaving my body!"
Tsuki rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
From across the room, Rei watched their banter and smiled faintly into the darkness.
"...Entertaining children," he murmured.
"You're not so bad yourself," Raito grinned at Tsuki.
Tsuki walked forward, not looking back.
But the air between them? It was warm.
To be continued...