CREDITS TO: UTA NO PRINCE SAMA

CHAPTER 3

"I will leave first. See you guys later.." Tokiya stood up.

All STARISH members, Haruka and Tomochika knew where he would head to. With 30 minutes left, Tokiya would rather spend his time by revising notes or brushing up his singing by himself.

"Okay, see you in class," Syo remarked as his mouth still chewed yakisoba.

And as expected, the fact that he left the cafeteria so damn early when the others still messed around has gained him countless gazes, both from male and female students. Just like how you see in Ore Monogatari anime, (where the male students looked up to Takeo because he is strong), that was what we could describe about how those boys perceived Tokiya. They saw him as someone that they wish to be if they go through an incarnation. Tokiya is smart, handsome, physically alluring, a prodigy and possesses a dashing aura. Who doesn't want to be him? Heck, even those alumni of Saotome Academy aka prolific idols also felt intimidated with him and perceived Tokiya as their rival even the said person had not even debuted yet.

"As always, Ichinose-san looks so handsome!"

"His voice, his blue eyes, his smile... he is so flawless from head to toe!"

"I bet he will spend his break in training room. He is so diligent for a genius!"

"Otoya, can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Syo?" Otoya widened his crimson eyes as he took a few sips of tea.

"Is your brother a genius? No, I mean.. Don't get me wrong. Studying in the same class with him everyday makes me wonder if he is my friend or superstar.. Even the teachers and principal acknowledge his talent. Is he that talented since he was small?"

Otoya put down his cup as he smiled proudly.

And Masato knows what did that smile mean and what would happen after this.

The genki boy would talk excitedly about his beloved brother who in fact, never treated him in the same way.

"You could say that. When he was a kid, mummy used to tell me that Tokiya was scouted by our principal when he attended daddy's birthday party. At first, the principal was attracted by his cuteness but once Tokiya performed a song to daddy, the principal offered him to be a celebrity under his talent agency but Tokiya rejected the offer."

"Ehh? Why? What a waste.." Except Masato, all of them asked in unison.

"It's because Tokiya did not want to live separately with mummy," Otoya chuckled, gaining himself the same response. "Tokiya is so close with mummy so he didn't want to leave mummy by herself. Daddy is always busy with his work, though."

"What song did he sing in the birthday party, Otoya-kun?" Haruka pointed out.

"Obviously the international 'Happy Birthday' song," Otoya answered innocently and excitedly but much to his confusion, the others comically fell down from their chairs out of shock (again, except Masato because he was one of the guests of the birthday party and Ren because his character is basically too cool to do a slapstick like that.).

"Mattaku.." Syo struggled to take a seat back.

"Did you really mean THAT happy birthday song, Otoya-kun?" Tomochika who was the first to calm down tried to confirm.

"Yes, that 'happy birthday to you'.." Otoya suddenly sang, giving Haruka, who sat next to him a 'your turn'look.

"Eh? Ha..Happy birthday to you.." Haruka sang sheepishly while eyeing Tomochika.

"Happy birthday to 'insert name'.." Tomochika added, averting her gaze towards the confused Syo.

"Happy birthday to.. Oi, what the heck are you guys doing!?" Syo snapped while cursing himself for joining the random choir.

"That's what I want to ask you guy," Masato deadpanned.

"What a lucky bastard.. to be scouted for singing 'Happy Birthday' song.." Syo remarked. "And yesterday, everybody swooned over him when he sang 'All of Me' in class."

"His singing is sexy, though. But I bet he doesn't even realize that too many girls besotted with him. You know what, Ikki? Your brother doesn't even remember all his female classmates' names because he said 'they all looked the same to me'," Ren commented while mimicking Tokiya's deep voice.

"It does make sense, though.. How can he remember their names when all they did was screaming every time they saw him without properly introducing themselves to him?" Masato retorted. Tokiya is not that aloof but he finds himself not amused when his fans turned into a bunch of wild animals everytime they saw him. Why don't they just calm the hell down at least for ten seconds?

"Yeah, Masa is right. I am actually looking forward to the day when Tokiya will fall in love with a girl. The girl must be lucky, right? Tokiya has a very good personality and always strives for his goal. I bet once she becomes someone so important in his life, he will do anything just for her sake."

As Otoya continued to ramble on about Tokiya, Masato just let out a heavy sigh as he was in a deep thought about the siblings.

Which part of the idiot's personality is good, though? Well, it's not that he is soooo evil but he is still annoying and hard to deal with. Obviously Otoya always looks up to Tokiya no matter how mean he is. Poor Otoya. If he knows why on earth his brother hates him... Maybe I should do something to him. Or rather something for these two so that their relationship will be better...

"As expected from a guy who you want this academy to switch your life with, right?" Ren remarked while his orbs wandered around, searching for any girl that would possibly catch his interest.

Or at least someone that could replace Haruka in his heart because to make her his is like an impossible mission when your close friends also had their eyes for her.

"Hm? What's wrong with this academy?" Cecil asked.

"Oh.. Cecil doesn't know about that rumour, right?" Otoya commented.

"Well, long story short, this academy has a strange rumour. It has the ability to grant your wish no matter how evil or angelic can it be. As long it comes from your heart, it will be granted. But like I said just now, it's just a rumour so it is possible that those older generation just spiced it up. Moreover, logically speaking, how on earth this idol school can grant you something like that? It's so random right?" Ren explained.

"Yeah, sure it is," Otoya smiled. "But let's say that the rumour is true, of course I will make a wish for mummy. I want her to be alive again so that she can come to see our debut performance," Otoya's childish reaction sent the other chuckled as they ensured that their sympathy would not be seen through.

Poor Otoya. It must be hard for him to live in orphanage and then, losing his adopted mother as well.

"But if I am not mistaken, the academy cannot grant a reincarnation, right?" Natsuki asked.

"Yeah, Shinomi is right. This academy only grants your wish when there is still a hope. I am sorry but someone's death is considered as something that you can't change. It's their destiny apparently," Ren curved in a bitter smile to the red head.

"Oh, is that so?" Otoya sighed. Even it was a random rumour, he could not help but being frustrated. He really misses his mummy, though. "Well, if that's the case, I guess I will wish for my family's well-being, especially Tokiya. He easily gets angry whenever I pull a prank so I am afraid if that makes him growing wrinkles.."

"Excuse me?" they could feel the whole cafeteria turned into a chill as Tokiya, who was supposed to sing in his favourite training room was now standing right behind Otoya.

"Bikkurishitaaa..." Syo stroked his chest as he was still shocked with Tokiya's magical appearance.

"Tokiya, what are you doing here? Since when you are here?" Otoya swallowed his saliva as he was panic-stricken.

"Does it matter?" Tokiya answered coldly as he took something from his seat just now.

"Since you guys talked about the Happy Birthday song," Masato answered, sending the others gasped in horror.

"That's the beginning! Are you saying that this guy eavesdropped on us? Why didn't you tell us anything?" Syo complained.

"I don't feel the obligation to do so," Masato deadpanned.

Or to be more precise, I want that idiot to hear what Otoya thinks about him by himself.

"Why are you coming back, Tokiya-kun?" Natsuki asked.

"I left my wallet by accident," the blue head replied before he finally and truly left them.

"Ichinose-san looks angry. Is there something wrong?" Haruka asked but gaining herself shrugs from the others except Masato.

He is angry because Otoya just prayed for him, Masato mentally answered.

In the evening, when Cecil, Masato, Ren and Tokiya gathered in their usual training room just to practice together for their graduation audition (even it was a solo debut). Tokiya was reading his notes, trying to gain himself a focus after it was shattered by Masato's irritating advice, a few minutes before the practice started.

Speaking about Masato, he was currently debating with Cecil and Ren about being provocative with their dancing.

"Being sexy doesn't mean you should sway your butt around, you know? Just cut it out already!" Masato retorted while crossing his arms.

"But you and Tokiya did it last year and everybody said it was sexy! We want to do something like that too!" Cecil reasoned out. He was referring to their performance during Saotome's birthday party last year. Everybody said that Masato and Tokiya did a very awesome job yet God knows how after the performance...

They both cried together because of embarrassment. The blue-headed duo suddenly activated their telenovela mode, talking rubbish together while drinking orange juice.

"At least your are wearing a tailcoat, Masa! You still look decent if you danced like that. Unlike me... what's with this open back style? I am cold!!" Tokiya cried out while wrapping the soft cloth which is sewed on his shoulder around his body.

"But, Toki.. that dance suits you, though. You have a sexy image. But me.. someone who spends his entire life with traditional way of life... otosan will spank me for sure!"

They even rambled on how they would offer themselves to any kind of entity who were willing to take them away as a sacrifice rather than continuing their life as a provocative dancer. They almost dramatically committed a suicide by intending to jump into the academy lake before Otoya and the others rescued them. It took all for them to convince the best friends to calm the hell down, though.

"We did it because you and Jinguji suggested it but at the end, the principal chose us to do it! Now, don't be ridiculous and stop thinking about showing off your disgusting butts around!" Masato practically shouted at the top of his lungs now but his emotional outburst just made them pulling a long face.

"Mou, you are such a party pooper, Masato!" Cecil pouted.

"Yeah, Cesshi is right. I didn't train my body for nothing you know? I also have muscles that I want to show off to those Little Lambs," Ren also reasoned out.

"You guys are supposed to be an idol. Stop being indecent, will you!? Oi, Tokiya! Are you just going to sit there? Please give a good scold to these morons!" Masato desperately needed some support from the guy who certainly shared the same opinion with him aka Tokiya.

"Nah, it's a pain.. Let them be, okachan. Let them suffer from a swaying-their-butts-on-the-stage post-traumatic stress disorder," Tokiya answered, being lackadaisical as always.

"So, are you saying that we should let them perform indecently like that? Come on, Tokiya! Are you still sulking because of what I said just now? Oi, Tokiya!"

"I cannot focus, Masato! Just shut up already!" Tokiya shifted his position so that he would not be bothered by Masato's desperate pleading.

Speaking of still being sulking..

"Otoya totally looks up to you, Tokiya. Whenever somebody asks him about you, he always sugar-coats things.. No, don't give me that look. For me, he stills sugar-coated because he praised you way too much when in fact, all this time, you are always mean to him. Please,Tokiya.. don't make your relationship with him becomes worse. Just forgive him, okay?"

That was what Masato referred to.

Easier for you to say, Tokiya chuckled sarcastically. No matter how sweet Otoya was with him, it would not change the fact that...

His mother, Ichinose Suzuna died because of him.

Tokiya recalled the day when Otoya was brought to his house from the orphanage. Believe it or not, Tokiya was the happiest person who welcomed him, saying that from the day on, they both are siblings. The fact that he used to grow up alone in the luxurious house, getting himself whatever he wished did not change the fact that he was a gold-hearted boy. He promised to himself that he would be the best brother to Otoya. He would ensure that Otoya would forget the feeling of being an orphan. He knew that Otoya blamed himself for being the reason of his parents' death but Tokiya just brushed it off with..

"Hey, don't think like that. There is no way one can be a reason for someone's death. If the heaven calls your parents, there is nothing we can do. Instead, you should be happy here with me so that your parents in heaven also will be happy."

That was what he said when he was ten years old.

Yet, everything totally changed when one day, both of them and Suzuna went to do some shopping. Suzuna was driving when Otoya suddenly got curious with how the car worked.

"Mummy, can I drive? I want to drive a car like mummy too!"

"Not yet, dear. You are just nine years old. You cannot drive yet."

"But mummy, I really want to drive. Please mummy!" as he got more desperate, Otoya suddenly spun the steering...

Which unexpectedly became a catastrophe to the family. The car lost control and got crashed by a lorry. The siblings had a minor injury except from the fact that Otoya lost his memory of the accident while Suzuna flatlined after four days in coma.

Being the sole witness of the tragedy, Tokiya could not help but being haunted by too many thoughts.

If only Otoya did not become a sudden daredevil...

If only Otoya did not follow them for the shopping...

If only Otoya was not even in their house...

Suzuna would still be alive. Suzuna would still be here.

But because of the adopted child who appeared out of nowhere, his life was destroyed. Undoubtedly, Otoya was not supposed to be here.

Undoubtedly, he was the curse who would kill whoever around him including his parents.

So, he should not be Ichinose's member anymore. He should get rid of Otoya before Tokiya ended up losing his father afterwards.

But everyone said to Tokiya..

"It's not his fault."

"Otoya is just a child. He doesn't know anything."

"I believe your mother also doesn't blame him."

Including Masato, everyone.. Just everyone was on Otoya's side.

Which led Tokiya to despise the red head more..

"Tokiyaaaa... Toookiyaaaa? TOKIYA!"

The ear-splitting scream managed to send Tokiya to the floor out of surprise. For the first time in their life, the Ichinose Tokiya who never kissed the floor just for the sake of performing slapstick did so.

"Otoya..!" Tokiya clenched his teeth while struggling to not curse the red head, at least not in front of others.

Just like what Shining Saotome said, he must be a perfect idol-to-be.

And that perfection including the way he puts his words. He should talk courteously even in fact, according to Masato, his mouth would naturally let out all those 'beautiful' profanities once someone gets on his last nerve.

"Hahahhahaa.. I am sorry. I never thought that you can do a slapstick comedy, Tokiya. Come on, take my hand," Otoya obviously meant it as a joke but Tokiya never took it as one. Instead, whatever came out of the mouth seemed like the worst insult ever.

"No way! Can you just please shut up and get the hell out of here!?" Tokiya blurted out an off-the-cuff scream while smacking the smaller hand away before quickly regretting it while Masato resisted himself to gasp dramatically.

Because according to the principal, he should be perfectly polite and chummy even with his own brother. No single soul should know that their relationship was terrible.

He looked around hesitantly. Apart from Masato who already knows his true personality, everybody could not contain their surprise after the sudden outburst.

'I can't believe Tokiya could be that harsh, though. Let alone with Otoya, his own brother'. That was what everybody tried to say, enough from their stares.

He could not stand with the stares. It seemed like everybody judged him. Everybody was blaming him.

So, he ended up excusing himself from the practice room, startling the others.

"Tokiya!" Otoya tried to chase him.

"Otoya, just let him be," Masato restrained the red head because he knew Tokiya too well to predict what would happen next if Otoya pursued the blue head. It would encourage more expletives from him of course. "Just let him calm down first."

"It seems like you guys don't get along, huh?" Syo who just arrived with Otoya and Natsuki guessed.

"Maybe they are just teasing each other? You know, siblings' quarrel is quite normal and cute to watch," Natsuki commented.

"There is no way a great guy like Tokiya will treat his brother so harsh like that. Obviously, it's just a joke," Cecil reasoned out, trying to deny the drama that he viewed just now.

Obviously, they don't get along. Why are you guys trying so hard to deny the truth? Gosh, this so-called 'Mr.Perfect' image looks so tiring to handle. Tokiya must be stressed out as well, Masato sighed heavily.

"Hijirikawa.." Ren initiated.

"What?"

"Is Icchi stressed out about something? I mean.. The way he shouted just now.. It didn't look like him."

No, you are wrong. That's his true personality. In fact, that's how he behaves when Otoya is around but of course I cannot say something like that when Otoya is here, Masato mentally answered.

"Yeah, it didn't look like him, right? Tokiya isn't always like that you know. I am sure he is depressed about something right, Masa?" Otoya smiled cheerfully, trying hard to not show that he was a bit hurt and humiliated from what happened just now.

Yeah, you are one to talk, Masato sighed before his brain coming up with someone who most probably could cheer Tokiya.

Tokiya probably let out his stress in somewhere else. I just have to call her and ask her to go there instead, Masato thought as he took out his cell phone.

"Excuse me for a while," Masato headed to outside before dialling that person's number.

"Hello. Are you free now? Well, you see. Tokiya is having a mental breakdown about his singing. Yes, yes. Can you help him?"

Tokiya's well-trained chest gasped for oxygen after singing for 30 minutes straight. He picked all the hard songs so that he would totally focus on the song and not on certain red head that blew his so-called perfect idol image just now. He did not even bother to wipe his sweaty forehead. He just wanted to sing again until he completely forgot about his stress. Masato most probably would cover him, explaining to the others that he was not being himself just now but Tokiya did not care.

It was all Masato's fault anyway, his immature way of thinking reasoned out. If Masato did not try to be an instant advocator, saying Otoya was so nice to him, he would not be angry in the first place and he would not lash out and humiliate Otoya like just now.

Next song would be...

Oh, the high-pitched part in Phantom of the Opera song. For some reasons, he and Masato like to watch the stage performance of that song. They even spent their time admiring how great Nicole Scherzinger and Sierra Boggess sound.

"I bet they can relieve their stress when they sing the high note. It is way too long and hard."

Yeah, Masato is right.

Since he was stressed out anyway, he might as well try it even he was not really sure with his vocal ability. He stood up, clearing his throat before beginning to sing.

It was surprisingly smooth and sweet. He was so engrossed by the song until he did not realize that the room door was opened by someone.

"Sugoi, Tokiya-kun!"

Huh, who the hell?

Tokiya spontaneously looked daggers to the door as he really wanted to be alone but as soon as a beautiful face that he always glanced at registered in his mind, his glare automatically turned softer.

It was Shibuya Tomochika.

"Ops, I am sorry. Am I bothering you?"

"Huh? Of course not," he tried to act as friendly as possible.

Okay, Tokiya. Please activate your perfect idol mode now.

"How can you sing like that? It was.. I don't know what to say... It's hard to imagine that you are still studying here. You should debut since a long time ago, Tokiya-kun!"

"Thank you. It's such an honour to hear that," Tokiya slightly bowed as he mentally cursed himself for being too formal. He was elated and nervous to act properly.

"Ah, by the way, take this. You are soaking wet, Tokiya-kun."

Instead of taking the white handkerchief that she handed to him, Tokiya continued to stare at the girl, wondering if it was just his cheesy imagination for her to suddenly appear like this before realizing that he did not think about her at all before. Much to his surprise, the school goddess wiped his forehead.

"But of course you are handsome either you are sweaty or not," she complimented.

"No, I am not," he restrained himself from showing a slightly annoyed face expression when she praised his good look because it just reminded him with his crazy fans. They called him their God for being so handsome. They even described that his body is sexy, much to his fright.

"I guess you don't like being called handsome, right?" Tomochika knew she just hit the nail on the head.

"I am sorry, That's not what I mean, Shibuya-san.."

"It's okay. I totally understand that," much to his surprise, Tomochika took a seat next to him, staring at the ceiling for a while, seemingly deep in thinking. Tokiya for whatever reason ended up following her lead. "In fact, I am also tired like you."

"Eh?"

"A perfect idol image," her sparkling eyes stared deep inside his blue one, "I believe I am not the only one who suffers from that kind of image, right?"

"Shibuya-san, do you mean.." he could feel a cheesy string of happiness in him as he found that there was another person who could relate to his situation.

Not to mention the said person is Tomochika, the girl that stole his heart.

"Yeah, I am," she smiled. "The principal also assigned me to be a perfect idol. I have to be perfect in whatever I do. Since I don't want to disappoint him and I really want to be a professional idol anyway, I have no choices. I have to put up with that image."

"But, you don't look like one. I mean.. You are perfect to the point of you don't look like you are acting."

Unlike me..

"Is that so?" the gorgeous girl grinned widely but it just made her so beautiful. "Yokatta.. I am so afraid if I look fake. Thank you, Tokiya-kun," she grabbed his hand before squeezing it. "To hear something so encouraging like that from you, no wonder everybody says that you are inspirational. I think that you just got a new fan here."

Her friendly touch and remark were enough to make Tokiya's heart missed a beat. Thank God, he is blessed with a superb acting skill so to act that Tomochika's touch was nothing special to him is just a piece of cake.

"But can you promise me that it will be a secret between us? I totally forgot that it was supposed to be a secret between the principal and me. Can I count on you, Tokiya-kun?"

"Eh? Yeah, sure."

Did she just say that I am the only one who knows her secret?

Apparently, Masato really knew how to lift up his mood.