「Angel's Voice」Nanase Riku [DISCONTINUED]

3 - Performance Stolen

Breathe.

Deep, calm, slow.

With the inhaler between his lips, he pressed down and allowed the air to get into his lungs. His breathing began to steady. The stinging in his chest didn't ease immediately, that wasn't an effect of the asthma. But he endured it. The fresh flow of air in his lungs seemed to have calm him. 

Riku brought down the inhaler and looked up at his friends who were all intently staring at him in concern. Some were biting their lip, many let out a sigh of relief to see Riku back in his normal state. He grinned shyly, "Sorry, everyone. I swear, I'm fine now."

"Thank goodness!" Tsumugi nearly fell to her knees. The shake in her voice was clearly definable. The TV behind her played a livestream of the KingProducer show. Currently, another smaller group was starting the show off. IDOLiSH7 was due to be on in 5 more performances. 

Iori shook his head from the side. "Riku, was this attack sudden? You need to let us know when you're not feeling well." His tone was heavy with concern. Typical of him.

"Don't worry about it!" Riku replied with an innocent smile, "I promise, it wasn't serious." That was a lie. He didn't even think it was an asthma attack. More of breathing troubles from the panic of the sudden pain in his chest. He thought about the angel's suspicions. That maybe, Tenn was dangerous. But he didn't want to believe it. He couldn't.

Mitsuki darted into the room, he had a mountain of water bottles piled up in his arms. He dropped them all onto the floor upon seeing his friend. "Riku!" He shouted, "Goddamnit, I would hug you but my arms are literally frozen!"

The rest of the group giggled at the shorter male. Tsumugi gathered the water bottles from the floor and started handing them out to the members, she thanked Mitsuki for his service.

Riku took the bottle as she held out one to him. "Thank you." He then took in a gulp. Staying hydrated would be the best way to keep him in his well-state before the show.

The idol group on the stage bowed to the audience and headed off. The commentators then stepped on and talked about unique aspects of their show. They then introduced the next performance. IDOLiSH7 was due to be on in 4 shows. They had to hurry backstage if they wanted to be fully prepared. They were already late. And Riku knew it was his fault. 

Upon arriving backstage, the venue staff safely clipped the microphones onto their ears and had them gather in a certain area where they could be escorted out onto the stage smoothly without any traffic. By the end of this procedure, they were up in 2 shows. 

Tamaki made his way up to the front where he could take a peek out onto the stage. His eyes seemed to be searching for something. Riku didn't ask, Sogo was already on the move to bring him back. 

Riku felt skin brush against his arm. He brought his eyes up to meet up with Iori's who shifted awkwardly. He rose a brow and grinned a bit. Iori's face was half lit up by the light from the stage but also from the darkness behind.

"Don't worry about it," Riku whispered. The mics were disabled for the time being while they were still backstage so talking was on the clear. He didn't need Iori to be anxious for him. He felt perfectly fine, after all. No troubles were in sight.

Iori's eyes showed concern. He bit his lip. "I can't help it."

Riku nudged him gently. He took Iori's hand into his own and squeezed it, giving reassurance.

Once the group before IDOLiSH7's had finished their song. Tsumugi clapped her hands together and shut her eyes as if she were begging for a success. "Good luck you guys! I know you can do it!" Yamato gave her a thumbs up. Mitsuki took in one last gulp of water. The commentators stepped onto the stage. After a brief talk of how well the group had done, they then welcomed IDOLiSH7 to the stage.

"And next up, is the rookie group well known for their energetic performances! Soon to make it up onto the charts! IDOLiSH7!!"

That was their cue. The group of seven ran onto stage, waving their hands at the vast audience. Yamato took center. "Hello! Everyone!" He shouted, his voice boomed through the speakers. The crowd cheered in response. Riku wondered how much of the audience were actual fans, he knew 90% of the sea must be here for TRIGGER. Yamato continued his greeting. "I hope you're all having an entertaining night. And as IDOLiSH7, we're here to only make it better. So please, we hope you enjoy our performance! Here is our debut song, MONSTER GENERATION!"

They then got into their positions, Riku taking the center. The lights dimmed. The audience cheered, blocking out the silence.

With a sudden beat, the music started, their voices synchronizing with it with the first line. Their hands thrusted into the air, they pointed upwards.

Riku was prepared. He delivered the first solo line with ease, adding the spirit into his voice. This was the first chance he had to release the angel's power to a wide-spread audience.

As the members switched roles on the stage, Riku felt his throat tightening. He lessened the energy required in the dance, preserving it to last through the rest of the song. 

This can't be happening already. I felt perfectly fine just seconds ago...

The stinging in his chest crept back. He took in deep, slow breathes whilst following the choreography. His eyes glanced around at the rest of the group. Tamaki was moving slower than usual, his head turned from side to side. 

What is he looking at?

It's just one song, we can do this!

He delivered another solo line, pointing his finger at the audience, and pulling in a deep breath of air after. The heat of the lights burned down on his face. Riku then shifted his glance to Iori who was also eyeing him. He felt his legs get heavy, the dance moves were starting to burden him.

Don't look at me. Focus on the song, Iori.

But his internal message didn't reach. And through the constant movement, he wouldn't be able to. He couldn't control the minds of other people. He wasn't Tenn. Iori's worried face took over as Riku attempted to maintain his breaths steady. It was like his body was forcing him to fall. But he fought back. 

He couldn't fail his manager. He couldn't fail his friends. He couldn't fail their fans.

Only 30 seconds left of the song remained. He could pull through. Riku kicked his feet into the air and did a spin. But it was slow and lacking. He kept a smile on his face to cover for the deficiency of energy. But even a simple smile while forcing his voice hurt.

What is happening to me?

The seven then delivered the final line together and struck their poses to finish off the song. The audience cheered as the music shut off. Riku's chest rose up and down as he dragged the air into his lungs, sweat poured down his neck. The pain in his chest burned with each breath. The hot air attacked his face, inviting black particles into his vision.

He wanted to fall. He wanted to reach for Iori or Yamato, the two next to him, and release his weight. He wanted his inhaler. He needed it. He wanted to call for help.

But instead, he forced his hand into the air and shouted with one last push of air, 'thank you!'

And with that, Iori shot to his side and walked him off of the stage along with the rest of IDOLiSH7. Riku's eyes kept in front of him as he passed through the curtain and disappeared backstage.

Tsumugi rushed to his side. She had his inhaler in her hands. He took it without hesitation and pressed down, pressuring the air through. But it didn't stop the pain surging through his chest which spread up to his throat. A staff member wiped the sweat off of his face and neck, but it didn't remove the heat that was building up beneath his skin. He brought a hand up to his chest. The oxygen was cut off. He felt hands grab him aggressively as he lost feeling in his legs.

The blackness reached out for him. Then, there was nothing.

「note」

words : 1450

If this chapter is poorly written, my excuse is because I'm sick and was watching The Good Doctor at the same time while writing.