Two for Tragedy

2. Rivals on the Road

Present Time, Finland

The room buzzed with low conversation as Jo and her bandmates sat around the large table, the weight of their latest success heavy in the air. Their managers were flipping through reports, beaming with pride. The new Requiem of the Fallen album had shattered expectations, climbing to the top of the charts across Europe.

"Number one in Germany, France, Finland... even breaking into the top five in the U.S. and Latin America," one of the managers said with a satisfied grin. "It's been an incredible run so far."

Aaro, leaning back casually, smirked. "We're killing it. No one's doing what we do."

Mikael nodded, glancing at the others. "Except Tokio Hotel , they are creeping up behind us."

The mention of Tokio Hotel shifted the mood slightly, a flicker of rivalry running through the group. Niko scoffed. "They might be close on the charts, but there's no way they can touch us live. Their shows are all about the lights and effects. We're the ones pulling in real crowds."

The others nodded in agreement, but their manager raised a hand to interject. "Actually, that's the next thing we need to discuss. You won't just be competing with Tokio Hotel—you'll be touring with them."

A tense silence filled the room.

"What?" Aaro was the first to speak, the disbelief clear in his voice.

Mikael rolled his eyes. "What do you mean we're going to tour with Tokio Hotel?"

Niko leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow. "Remember the last time we met them? Jo mistook their guitarist for a fan! That guy still probably hasn't gotten over it." The band burst into laughter at the memory.

Aaro smirked, shaking his head. "Yeah, Tom Kaulitz, the ladies' man. The look on his face when she handed back his phone... priceless."

Even Aleksander smiled slightly at the memory. "He didn't see that one coming."

The laughter died down, though the tension remained. Touring with Tokio Hotel—the band constantly being compared to them—felt like a step backward, not forward.

"You're joking, right?" Aaro added, still incredulous.

The manager leaned forward, his tone calm but serious. "No joke. This is big. You two are the biggest bands in Europe right now, and putting you together? The press will eat it up. Tokio Hotel draws in a massive female fanbase, and you guys pull in the males. Together, it's the perfect storm."

Jo, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke. "Girls listen to us too."

The manager nodded eagerly. "Exactly! That's even better. It means fans will come to both concerts."

Jo narrowed her eyes slightly. "Both concerts?"

The manager smiled, anticipating the next question. "Yes. When we hit a city, Tokio Hotel will perform first, and then you guys the following day. Or the other way around. We're still figuring out what makes the most sense."

The room fell silent again as the band absorbed this new information. Niko broke the silence, leaning forward with a frown. "So, what's the plan? We alternate nights? One band performs, then the next? I don't see how that helps us."

"Or," Aleksander added thoughtfully, "do we play back-to-back in the same night?"

The manager held up his hand. "We're open to either option. That's why we're discussing it now. Alternating nights could help both fanbases overlap, give more time to prep the stage, and draw larger crowds over multiple days. But same-night performances could create more buzz and competition."

Aaro crossed his arms. "Back-to-back sounds chaotic. The stage setup would be insane."

Mikael shrugged. "I think alternating nights makes sense. Gives us space and doesn't feel like we're just a sideshow."

Jo listened, her eyes moving between her bandmates as they debated. Niko glanced at her, sensing her quiet consideration. "What do you think, Jo?"

Jo tapped her fingers lightly on the table, weighing the options. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but firm. "If we alternate nights, we'll have more time to make sure everything is perfect for our performance. It'll also give each band the attention they deserve. We're not competing for the same stage on the same night."

The others seemed to mull over her words, nodding slowly. Even Aaro, who was the most resistant, grunted in agreement. "Yeah. Let them have their night. We'll have ours."

The manager smiled, clearly relieved. "Perfect. That's what we were leaning towards, too. And trust me, this will be good for everyone. By the end of this tour, you'll have doubled your fanbase, and the press will be all over this."

The room settled into agreement, though the tension still lingered. Touring with Tokio Hotel might be good for business, but Jo couldn't shake the feeling that it would complicate things in ways they couldn't yet see.