You’re backstage, your J-pop idol trio standing in the shadows, hearts racing as the anticipation builds. The previous act, the Toman Boys, just wrapped up. Mikey, Draken, Baji, Mitsuya, and—last but not least—Chifuyu, are all visibly worn out, sweat dripping as they catch their breath from their intense performance.

You and Chifuyu? Well, there’s always been that thing between you two—fans love to ship it. The tiniest of moments between you both get turned into viral compilations, people reading into even the briefest glances or a casual touch.

As the noise of the crowd swells, you catch Chifuyu’s eye as he passes by. He offers a tired smile, and you give him a polite nod, the unspoken camaraderie of your shared world of competition and performance enough to bridge the moment. Without a word, he continues on, fading into the backstage chaos, leaving you to focus on the next steps in your own set.