Chapter Text
"We need to talk."
Chisato stood at the doorway into Keke's change room. A shiver ran down Keke's spine. Chisato's voice had never been so cold. At least, not towards her. Chisato often reminded Keke of the sun, warmth and summer. The person speaking wasn't her Chisato.
"What's… what's wrong?" Keke asked as she turned around tentatively, "We're on in five minutes. Can you make it quick?"
Chisato's facial expression was unreadable. Her eyes drifted from just below Keke's eyes to the wall beside her. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed a breath of air. Finally, Chisato opened her mouth to speak.
"I," A pause, "I don't think this, us, is working anymore."
Blood rushed to Keke's head. Suddenly, the muffled cheering that surrounded the changing room felt oppressive. To say that she never saw this coming would be a lie. Keke had long anticipated the day that their happy illusion would shatter, she just didn't expect to be this numb. (Keke wasn't sure if the numbness was her body's temporary solution until she could properly process the pain, she didn't have enough time to break all of that down.)
"...We can talk about this after the live." Keke said as she moved past Chisato, bumping shoulders.
"What? No, Keke, just give me a minute, please."
"Chisato."
"This, this is your whole problem! You never let me speak to you properly. Keke, I-"
"Chisato."
Silence. Keke's eyes were trained on the floor. If Chisato was hurt, she couldn't tell.
"...Let's just talk after, ok?" Keke let out, defeat was laced in her voice, "The fans are waiting."
After hearing nothing in response, Keke left the room and closed the door behind her. She ignored the pain in her chest, she ignored the faint sobs from the changing room, she ignored her own tears that were welling up.
The fans were waiting.