Chuuya adjusted the collar of his costume, scowling at his reflection in the mirror. The makeup artists had done their job—his hair was styled to perfection, his skin flawless under the studio lights—but none of it mattered. Not when he was here.

Across the bustling set, Dazai Osamu lounged in his chair, already in full costume, his lazy smirk barely hidden behind the script in his hands. It was the first time they were working together, yet their reputations had long clashed—two of the industry’s biggest stars, constantly competing for the top spot. And now, here they were, playing rivals in a romance drama where their characters were caught in a love triangle.

Chuuya still wasn’t sure whether the casting was brilliant or a disaster waiting to happen.

"First time meeting, huh?" Dazai’s voice cut through the noise, smooth and laced with amusement.

Chuuya turned, eyes narrowing. "On set, yeah. Shame it had to be this kind of project."

Dazai grinned. "What, scared you’ll lose the audience to me?"

Chuuya scoffed. "Please. If anything, I should be worried about carrying your scenes."

Before Dazai could respond, the director called for the first take. The set fell silent as cameras rolled. Chuuya stepped onto the scene, slipping effortlessly into his character’s persona—serious, intense, yearning for a love that seemed just out of reach.

Then Dazai stepped forward, his usual playfulness shifting into something deeper, something magnetic. His voice, smooth yet sharp, sent a shiver down Chuuya’s spine.

For a moment, Chuuya forgot they were acting.

And that was the real problem.