We're On In 3, 2, -! NANA X READER

Ren Isn't Dead, But He's Suffering

TW: Drug Abuse / Addiction, implied ephebo/pedophilia (Reira & Shin's relationship), Toxic Relationships, victim blaming

    Instead of dying in a car crash, Ren Honjo continues to focus on his music career. Standing by his stance on rehabilitation, he never tries to get help because he doesn't want to ruin the band's name. Especially when everyone worked hard to get this big. Even as he refuses to go to rehab Ren isn't delusional, he's well aware that the drugs are killing him and could be the death of him one day. But until the right time, he can't find a stopping point or another vice that won't have such a hold on him.

    Drinking and smoking don't take away his pain the way cocaine does. Believe me, he's tried having a cigarette or picking up a bottle when he started feeling empty or stressed about his music or relationship! But it never helps him the way he needs it to, compared to the high he could've gotten from the white substance. So he continues to use the cocaine Mitsuru gives him. Despite Takumi's harsh words and the possibility of being killed or hospitalized, he just wants to feel better.

    Somehow the paparazzi was able to get a few pictures of him using the drugs. Ren didn't even realize he was caught until it was too late. Getting a call from Takumi, shouting that he's irresponsible and has caused a huge mess for him to clean up.

    No matter what channel he flipped to, they all said the same thing. It's only been an hour since the paparazzi leaked the information but it didn't take long for it to consume every news station. At this point, all of Japan was aware that Ren Honjo struggled with addiction. His career was over. It didn't help that every reporter was demonizing him, not once suggesting that the addiction could be a result of abuse, trauma, etc. just writing him off as a lost cause that'd rather do drugs than make music.

     "This Just In! Popular Trapnest Guitarist, Ren Honjo, Is A Drug Addict! Will This Be The End Of The Band's Career?!"

     "Cookie Music Has Yet To Release A Statement Concerning Ren Honjo's Drug Addiction"

     "What's To Come For Trapnest After This Shocking Discovery, Will They Go On Hiatus or Disband, Tune In At Twelve For The Full Story"

    Instead of adding fuel to the fire, Takumi decides it's best to let the press have their fun instead of trying to defend or settle the issue. He figured the more they tried to make the situation better the longer it'll last. Besides, had Ren not been so reckless with his little habit this wouldn't be happening, unless Ren is walking into rehab Takumi doesn't see the point of saying that to stop the noise. So Trapnest is going to take a break until they're no longer the trending topic.

    Reira isn't happy that her friend is being torn apart for something he doesn't want either. So she tries to shed light on the situation by explaining that addiction isn't black and white, that it should be treated as a medical condition rather than a choice. "Nobody wants to put drugs before their friends, family, or themselves; Ren only wanted to find momentary relief but became addicted, that doesn't mean he's an idiot or that he deserves to be dragged! He just needs professional help". So of course the media gives her more lashings, happy to twist her words and ruin her image as well.

     "Trapnest Singer Reira Serizawa Covering For Drug Addict Guitarist Ren Honjo!"

     "Reira Supports Ren Honjo's Addiction, Has She Been Aiding Him?!"

     "This Just In! Trapnest Singer Reira Serizawa Is Okay With Drugs!"

    As Nana's career was flourishing, it came to an abrupt halt once Ren's addiction was exposed. Although she had no idea her fiancé was suffering from drug addiction the media was quick to spin lies and rumors of her enabling his drug abuse, for the sake of outselling his band. These accusations are obviously an attempt to bash and blame the female artist but soon more news outlets air their heinous theories as to what Nana had to do with Ren's addiction. Some even suggest she introduced him to drugs and may be using them as well.

    While Ren was prepared to deal with the onslaught of hate and abuse he honestly didn't expect the media to start attacking Nana or Blast for that matter. Yeah, she's his fiancé but what did his addiction have to do with her? She wasn't even around when he first started using drugs to cope. When Shinichi was caught with marijuana Trapnest wasn't affected in the slightest, yet the news outlets are having a ball dragging Nana into it.

    Don't get her wrong, Nana is fully aware of how people twist things but she's also aware that everything Trapnest does, somehow bites her in the ass. Never the other way around. Ren left suddenly to join Trapnest, She had to put her music career on hold: Takumi wanted full control over Nana K., She was without her friend and was never able to reach her for a while: Reira decides to pay Shinichi for sex fully aware that he's a minor and their relationship gets exposed, Nana has to put her career on hold for a third time.

    When will she ever be able to sing to her heart's content without Trapnest being the cause of her problems? It's not fair and she'll never get used to it. As much as Nana wants to voice her frustrations to Ren, she opts to be there for him through these troubling times. He can get an earful when he isn't being hounded by the media, she doesn't want to become another problem right now.