Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Upcoming Hiatus

"Huh!? You want to take a break, Sena!?" It was the first voice ringing through his goddamn ears once Izumi made such an outrageous request, Leo staring at him as if he was some kind of bad clone or something. Surprisingly enough no one asked the young model if he was kidding around or if he was celebrating April Fool's Day a little too late. However, given that he had texted them on Hold Hands before and had mentioned that he wants to talk with them, it may not even have crossed the mind of the other unit members. And once sitting at a table in the lounge of the dorms he was staring at them with his 'I am not joking around' face... A face he used pretty often though so it was not all too uncommon.

But what had gotten him to change his mind like this all of a sudden? Honestly, it took a few days of debating with himself after having heard the words of a certain someone...

"I think you are confusing."

Excuse me!? I am confusing!? "

"Ah, falsches Wort! Confused, meant confused!"

"Right... Of course. Sorry."

Honestly, it had slipped his mind somewhat that Ann was still mistaking words sometimes. Ugh, maybe it's all of this stress recently that makes him snap like that for no reason... Wait no, he was known for stuff like that.

"It's fine." They didn't hold it against him though, not this time at least. "Anyway... Yeah, confused. What... Uhm... Would you like doing? Warte, das hört sich ni—"

"I don't know." He interrupted them quickly, before another German tangent could occur. It silenced them right away, just looking at him from what he could see in the corner of his view. He had not been facing them, staring rather into whatever space he could at that point. "I never had to think about it."

"Not think?"

"Yeah. I mean, Mama and Papa told me to pick up modeling from a very young age. No, more than that. They always knew what I wanted to do... I think, but..."

"So you do that because parents?"

"I already said that I never had a reason to think about something like that!" He responded as he turned back to face Ann. "But... Ugh, I hate to admit it."

"Then try things! You know! Stuff!"

"Like what? I don't even know anymore... Maybe this is what I want to do. Then trying things is just a waste of time. But what if it's not?"

Another moment of silence kicked in before he spoke while having a hand on his forehead. "Ugh, my head hurts just thinking about it. What am I supposed to do?"

"Maybe you need a break."

"A break!? I can't just–"

"You're confused, right? So just to clear your head for a bit." They interrupted, though sounding almost insistent. "Maybe you and Knights figure out a solution! You guys have to!"

With that conversation in mind Izumi had thought this through. They had a point. He needed to think about this in peace. The work of an idol could get in the way, somewhat. But even then, he couldn't just dip for a month or two...

"Yeah, if possible." He responded, still awfully calm.

"Oh my, how unexpected of you Izumi–Chan." Naru–Chan commented. So even she had been slightly caught off guard by this. "What happened? And why didn't you tell the big sister of the group?"

"Firstly, I don't have to tell you everything, do I?" Izumi argued, yet she made a fair point. He should've trusted Naru–Chan more. And yet, he didn't. But what's done is done. He can't really change it anymore."Secondly, it's... A lot more than you can imagine. "

"Oh my. Can you define 'more than you can imagine'?"

"Sorry but... I'd rather not. Besides, I need some clarity."

"Izumi–Chan..."

Naru–Chan's face looked troubled suddenly. Of course it did. But he couldn't put that burden on her. Or any of them really. Besides, he wanted to handle this himself. Yet the next move made everyone gasp in unison... Because it would be something Izumi had never done. Though in truth it was just to hide his face from them. He just couldn't look at them right now.

While sitting he suddenly bowed his head, him coming face–to–face with the table's surface. He then added with a slight desperation in his voice: "I'm begging you here! Allow me to go on a break for a while! Help me convince the higher ups! It doesn't have to be a long one! I just need some time to sort some things out! Please!"

He didn't really want to face any of the others right now. They must be in shock, somewhat, almost speechless. At least that was what he liked to believe. No, it would only make sense actually.

"Sena–Senpai..." Kasa–Kun finally spoke up which made Izumi finally move his head up, solely to face the current unit leader. "I appreciate that you're so honest with us right now, but–"

"Hey Suou, can I say something here!?" Leo interrupted. And despite the tension he seemed to be as cheerful as usual yet also... Awfully calm? At a time like this!? But that didn't really stop the former leader from speaking his mind at this moment. "If Sena needs his break, I think we should give it to him! he said that a lot has happened, right!? So take your time! We'll keep up with the workload!"

"Tsukinaga–Senpai!"

"Hehe, sorry, sorry." It's your call in the end as our King. But think about it. Sena doesn't seem to be in the mood recently, he messes up more than usual. " More than usual!? The nerve... "If he asks us– No, begs us for a break, it's gotta be very serious."

"Yeah, I agree. Tsukip makes a good point." Even Kuma–Kun agreed, nodding. "It's not like Secchan to beg."

"I get your point but–" Kasa–Kun would try to argue but no one seemed to let him finish.

"We understand your concern Tsukasa–Chan, we really do. " Arashi first reassured him, but then she added: "However, Izumi–Chan had the courage to bring it up. I think we should at least try to help him. After all, aren't we friends?"

"Besides, a King should always look after his own subjects!" Leo argued with a wide grin.

All of that seemed impossible some time ago. And honestly Izumi was afraid to even bring it up, fearing that he would be shot down. But it was nothing like that. They were actually considering it, much to his own surprise.

"Secchan is changing... We should give him some space." Kuma–Kun said, looking at Izumi with a light smile on his face all of a sudden. "At least that's what a little cat likes to meow~"

"A little cat? You mean–" Though he didn't even need to finish that as Ritsu just nodded, leaving Izumi close to speechless yet then couldn't help but chuckle, merely out of relief.

"Keep it up Secchan, alright?"

"Hah, no need to tell me twice."

"Uh... Alright, fine. I guess you're right..." It was reluctant yet Kasa–Kun seemed to give into the others' demands. "Since Sena–Senpai begged... Let's see what we can do for him."

"Really!? You will!?" Izumi couldn't hold it in, his eyes wide as he felt some sort of grin plastering on his face. "Thank you everyone, really! I'll use this time to reflect, promise!"

" Good. But we can only try, alright? No promises that it will lead to anything Sena–Senpai."

"Yes, yes. Don't think I'm not aware of that. I'm your senior for a reason~"

However, even if it had resulted in nothing, Izumi was grateful for them regardless.