"Overworked" Kujo Tenn

XII

Everything happened very quickly as the four managers entered the studio after noticing Riku's condition on his AI wrist watch. Without any prior warning, the crimson center suddenly collapsed to the ground while they were rehearsing for the music video shoot. They had even monitored his health in regards of any possible attacks.

The boys all stood still in horror as Iori volunteered to help Tsumugi put the oxygen mask. "The medics are on their way!" Banri urges everyone to step back while checking the pulse of I7's center. Sougo got a little anxious with no signs of response as he stepped a little farther from the rest. Did he possibly caught my flu? Was the only thought that replays on his head. The pale anemic vocalist made sure that he is the most distant member from the boy, wore his mask at all cost and even take his vitamins and medicines frequently.

Why did I, of all people, naively think that Riku wouldn't catch it?!

Seeing how all healthy and rare his attacks have gotten, they expected that he was at least improving. He was startled by another "beep" from their AI watch. Mitsuki was the source this time. After Nagi examined the short orange idol's forehead, the idol assured him that everything was still well, but Sougo wasn't persuaded simply because he recalled Riku's lack of attention. Tamaki noticing his partner frequent bitting on his thumb nail while the managers do the first aid check up as they wait, he went to his side. Riku was soon lifted on somewhere more comfortable and warm compare to the cold floor.

"You do know that it's not your fault, right Sou-chan?..." His partner had read him. Again. Sougo thinks that it's just a fluke, but he knows better that Tamaki isn't gaslighting him. At the moment, he couldn't help, but doubt his own innocence. "...Sorry, I couldn't help it since... I'm the only one who h-has the flu..." he insisted, yet the youngest held onto his shoulders, firmly.

"So? You're getting better..."

"But I-I could've—"

"No buts! I've been with you the entire time! I saw how you drink those craps, I saw how you keep your distance, how you rarely both interact AND maintain limited activities individually! I saw it! So it isn't your fault, you hear me?!" He scolded as an attempt of reasoning his unreasonable conclusion. He then later lower down his volume to a more concerned manner to calm the older members down. "You did your best, so don't blame yourself, okay?"

"O-Okay..." Sougo whispered, a little bit convince this time, but his gaze remains upset.

Seeing no other signs besides medics barging inside the studio, Gaku didn't waste his time when his call with Tenn was cut short and made a run to search for him, immediately. "G-Gaku-san, where are you going?!" Tsumugi asked in frantic while clutching into into his hand to stop him, but he surprisingly pull away and return no answer. The blonde manager never felt more startled than now on his sudden persistent to leave. "I'll go after him. Spare me the details about any improvements, manekko-chan. As for the rest, stay inside the hotel" Momo persisted and trailed behind the albino leader's figure.

"Don't do anything stupid, darling!"

"I won't!"

The moment Tenn spoke up from the phone, the TRG leader could sense the unidentifiable anxiety still hanging in his voice. Never once did he allow his feelings to override the youngest's icy, authoritative tone when speaking, and it truly alarmed Gaku. When the leader's AI wrist watch and phone go straight to voicemail, he makes no effort to find out why and keeps calling his center's number repeatedly.

He swore aloud and headed in the place Rinto-san last spotted him on CCTV, saying, "Come on, Tenn... Pick up!" Despite the furious speed, Momo managed to keep up and then gestured to the direction where they last detected his junior's presence.