Chapter Text
Tsukasa had only debuted a few months ago, but somehow he was already one of the most loved idols in the country. It was actually kind of insane when he thought about it. He had dreamed of this for years, and now it was real — the lights, the stages, the cheering fans, all of it.
But… it also came with a lot of work.
Ever since he debuted, he never really had a break. Every week there was something: fan meetings, interviews, small tours, recording new songs, practicing dances, planning albums… it just never stopped. Tsukasa tried his best to smile through everything, because that’s what he wanted — to make people happy. But even he didn’t notice how tired he was becoming.
Kaito, his manager, noticed it first.
Kaito wasn’t just doing his job. He actually cared about Tsukasa a lot. He admired how Tsukasa always smiled no matter how stressful the idol life got. And somewhere during those busy months, Tsukasa started to feel like… well, like family. Almost like a son he wanted to protect.
Kaito could see it clearly: If this continued, Tsukasa would burn out. Maybe even collapse. And Kaito refused to let that happen.
So one afternoon, he made up his mind.
“Tsukasa,” Kaito said, standing in front of him with that serious-but-soft look, “I’ve been thinking about this a lot. And I’ve decided that you’re going to take a break from idol work this month.”
Tsukasa instantly choked on the water he was drinking.
“HUH!?! A break??”
“You’ve been working nonstop for months. It’s unhealthy,” Kaito said. “It’s time you rest.”
“But Kaito, what am I supposed to do for a whole MONTH?”
“You can try… understanding yourself better,” Kaito said. “Maybe make some friends too.”
Tsukasa went silent.
Friends…
He always had fans, coworkers, and staff around him — but never someone he could actually call a friend. Someone normal. Someone his age. Someone who didn’t see him as an idol.
Being a solo idol was amazing, but it also felt … lonely.
So maybe Kaito was right.
“…Fineeee,” Tsukasa said, dragging out the word with a dramatic sigh.
Kaito smiled, almost proudly, like a father who finally convinced his stubborn kid. “Good. I already picked a disguise for you. I’ll tell you the details later.”
Then he left the room, probably to go prepare things.
Tsukasa stayed sitting on the couch, staring at the floor. A break… A whole month… No stages, no cameras, no pressure.
It sounded scary. But also… a little exciting.
Maybe this was exactly what he needed.
· · ─ · ᯓ★ˎˊ˗· ─ · ·
Now Tsukasa was standing at the bus station with Kaito next to him…
Honestly, sometimes Tsukasa felt like Kaito acted more like his mom than his manager. Actually… maybe Kaito cared about him more than his real mom ever did.
His “disguise” was just a black wig. That was it. Kaito suggested colored contacts too, but wearing those for a whole month sounded like torture, so the wig had to be enough.
Tsukasa was headed to some random city Kaito recommended. He would be staying with one of Kaito’s friends — someone Tsukasa had met once by accident. A girl named Miku.
“Sooo… Kaito, why aren’t you coming with me?” Tsukasa asked as they sat waiting for the subway.
Kaito sighed, looking a bit sad. “I still have some work to do. But don’t worry! I’ll join you next week.”
Tsukasa nodded, but inside he was panicking. What if this Miku girl hated him? What if she was weird? What if she turned out to be Cinderella’s stepmother 2.0?! Or even worse… what if she sold him on the black market?!
“Tsukasa, whatever you’re thinking, stop,” Kaito said without even looking at him.
“Oh— um, sorry.”
Apparently Kaito could read his mind. Again.
A moment later, the bus arrived.
Tsukasa didn’t bring much — just a backpack of clothes. He said he would buy the rest once he got there. (Perks of being rich.)
He hugged Kaito quickly before boarding. And he could swear Kaito was tearing up, which made Tsukasa laugh as he stepped inside.
The bus ride felt… strange. Nobody stopped him for a photo. Nobody whispered about him. Nobody stared.
It was the first time in a long while he could listen to music on a bus in peace. And honestly? It had been forever since he even used public transportation.
Maybe this break wouldn’t be so bad after all.