The Fog of Fame (Len x Oliver)

Chapter 10 - Back in the Spotlight

I felt weak.

Powerless—

No, I don't want to do this!

...

The spotlights appeared... I heard the crowd burst into a cheer—and once again, the fangirls were shouting, squealing out my name.

—They were happy; in fact, they were thrilled of my return...

Standing beside me was Rin, holding her microphone close to her lips, announcing with her oh-so-sweet voice the well-scripted speech of my woe.

"Good morning, everyone! We are here today to make a really important announcement."

And to make things worse, Miku made it clear I had to say the worst part...

"Me and Rin are officially dating now!" I smiled, waved, did what they told me.

Then I felt a tug on my right arm, I looked to her and suddenly, our chests met. Then she looked into me with her hateful eyes, glistening under the gaudy spot-light —then our lips met...

The crowd in the background cheered; squealed, screamed, screeched. And I could still remember to this day, the loud, annoying sound of a high-pitched girl shouting, chanting our dreadful ship canon.

It was only after the crowd had sufficiently calmed down – mind you, most of them were crazed fangirls – that we finally parted. I saw Rin smile as she turned back to the crowd and waved, "Thank you for your attention!" Then we walked back, with her right hand tightly gripping mine, backstage.

I could have sworn that before I had turned back that day, I had caught a glimpse. A glimpse of a blonde figure, on the seventh row, holding his lone yellow glow-stick down, where it was drowned in the vastness of the cheering crowd...

As we walked, I saw Miku pass in her white dress, neared me as she whispered by my ear demeaningly, "Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

It took most of my willpower to not flame, burst at that very moment. But I knew I had to contain myself, for if I didn't, I knew she would make my life complete and utter hell... as if it wasn't already.

When I had reached backstage, I took a glance at the exit. I saw there three burly men, on-guard. They were standing there, arms crossed, still; all in a most fashionable formal suit. Then I looked the other way, Kaito greeted me from across the room—with a smile—sitting lazily on the L-shaped sofa. He had probably been the only one to ever show sympathy in my situation.

And yet he hasn't ever voiced – let alone acted – to help me.

He is just that. Like the 'friend' who would only talk to you when nobody else is there.

I sighed and allowed my eyes to rest on the telly screen above, waiting for this to end.

But it had only just started.