Chapter Text
Nightcord at 25:00 is a popular idol group consisting of four members:
Kanade Yoisaki, known as Kanade, the leader, composer and main vocalist of the group.
Mafuyu Asahina, known as Yuki, the main rapper and lyricist.
Ena Shinonome, known as Ena, the main dancer and artistic director.
Mizuki Akiyama, known as Amia, the all-rounder and choreographer.
The group was formed by Kanade, an idol trainee since childhood. She had met Mizuki, who was the daughter - or, at that point, son - of one of the stylists from the company back when they were still children, and they quickly became friends. When they were teenagers, Kanade found out about Ena through an art contest and followed her on social media, occasionally leaving a supportive comment. Their friendship was slow in its development, but full of mutual encouragement and understanding.
Finally, Kanade met the last member. They were eighteen when it happened. She found a girl who had dreamed of becoming an idol in a moment of hopelessness, almost giving up on her dreams, and felt the desperation to help her. That girl, Mafuyu, was what inspired Kanade to form her own group.
After the group forming, Kanade tried her best to get as much freedom for all the members as possible, but the industry is strict. The company they are signed under may be one of the better ones, but it’s very far from perfect.
Mizuki can’t be open about her transgender identity, due to it being hugely stigmatized. Ena can’t post any potentially controversial art, in case it damages her image. Mafuyu can’t speak about her complicated relationship with her mother in case she is seen as a bad influence. Kanade can’t talk about the mistreatment and borderline abuse she has faced for years from the company.
And, of course, they must do things to attract people to their group, whether they want to or not. Things targeted at their male and queer audiences.
And what could it be, other than queerbaiting?
It’s a subtle way to sexualize the girls to make them appeal to heterosexual men without facing backlash for putting them in overly revealing clothes or strange positions. It is also a good way to make them appeal to queer teenagers desperately looking for representation.
But what happens when one of the girls develops actual feelings?
———
Kanade’s situation is… complicated to say the least. She is on one hand meant to pretend to be in love with Mafuyu to attract fans, but on the other she has to hide the fact her feelings for Mafuyu are genuine. It might seem easy: just pretend she’s incredibly good at seeming in love, play it off as just an act. And she does that exactly, but the problem starts when the cameras are off.
”Kanade. Have you eaten?”
She knows it’s pathetic, but she can’t help but feel butterflies anytime Mafuyu shows any concern for her wellbeing. She suspects her therapist would say something about this reaction being linked to the neglect she experienced ever since her parents passed away.
”Yes, Mafuyu. Thanks for worrying about me.” She smiles, but makes sure to not smile too sincerely. Mafuyu is incredibly perceptive after all. She might notice the affection in Kanade’s expression.
Tha rapper nods. “That’s good.”
She settles down next to Kanade on her bed, and rests her head on the composer’s lap. Kanade’s heart stutters.
”Mafuyu? What… What are you doing?” Oh god… Her voice is coming out incredibly high pitched. This is so humiliating. She glances at Mafuyu to check her reaction, and sees the rapper looking… fond?
”I’m resting.”
”Ah- I can see that, but why are you resting on me?”
”You’re warm.”
This has Kanade a bit confused. From all the things people say about her, “warm” was never on the list. Her blood circulation was bad, and she was anemic, causing her to be a bit cold all the time.
”Um, okay.” She doesn’t know what else to say. She is still a bit stunned by the close contact with Mafuyu. Usually neither of them initiate skinship, since they are both very reserved. The only times they touch for long amounts of time is on stage or during various challenges.
Of course, a lot of these challenges force the girls to do suggestive things with each other, which is frankly very bad for Kanade’s heart. And something Ena very verbally hates.
Speaking of Ena, she’s also in the room, which makes sense considering that she is Kanade’s roommate. And she is looking at Mafuyu then to Kanade pointedly while making weird faces, as if having a silent conversation with the rapper.
“Ena?”
“Yes, Kanade?” Ena’s face immediately turns from a pissed off look to a gentle smile.
“Is everything okay? Why are you making faces?” She is genuinely a bit concerned, since this isn’t usual behavior for Ena.
“Oh, uh, yep! I’m fine, it’s just…” She trails off and makes another face at Mafuyu.
“Alright… I’ll actually go take a shower now, bye.” She wasn’t about to shower, but she feels like he other two want some privacy. She ignores the pain of jealousy and this thought causes.
———
When Kanade leaves the room, Ena immediately pounces on Mafuyu.
“Are you fucking with me? You said you wouldn’t make a move on her, and now you do THAT?!”
“Is there anything wrong with what I did?”
“Is there- no, it’s good! But you said you wouldn’t flirt with her, and now you do! What happened?”
Ena is, quite frankly, losing patience for Mafuyu. The purplenette has been confiding in Ena about her feelings for Kanade for well over two years now, and Ena has been telling her to make a move on Kanade, but she wouldn’t do it. And now she does THAT?
“I saw this.” Says Mafuyu while pulling her phone out and shoving it right under Ena’s nose.
On the screen, she sees a tweet saying something about Kanade being in a relationship with a dude named Tsukasa from her brother’s group, Fantasista. She raises one brow in judgement.
“A dating rumor made you flirt with Kanade? She gets them all the time, what’s different now?”
“Look closer.” Mafuyu clicks on the attached photos.
Ena looks carefully. There are photos of Kanade in a cafe laughing with a blond guy, photos of her walking down the street with him, and most damningly: a photo of her seemingly kissing him on the cheek. She must admit, it looks like they are on a date. But… she was convinced Kanade liked Mafuyu. Could she have been wrong?
“Were they on a date?”
“I hope not, but it looks like it. Even if not, it made me want to be in a relationship with Kanade.”
“So what you’re saying is, you saw pictures of Kanade on a date with some guy. You got jealous and want to go on a date with Kanade instead of him. Am I right or am I right?”
“Yes. So how do I get into a relationship with Kanade?”
“Uh, who said I was going to help you out?”
“I’ll help you with Mizuki if you help me.”
“…deal.”