Caught in Between - A mAGMA fic (Patreon)

Another work about the OCs on our sister channel, Anigomi!  Catch up with the characters here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqEqIxY0STXZG6VDFPHx-F9SOFA22XQ54

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mAGMA’s dormitory was buzzing with energy.  Aito, Guren, Momoki, and Akari were on an adrenaline rush after the success of their recent tour.  Aito, being the leader of the group, wanted to push himself and his group mates to reach new heights.  Hence, their latest challenge… the Shining Star Showdown, the biggest live-television idol competition in the entire world.  Idols, both newly debuted and well-established groups, were encouraged to face off onstage and have the fans vote on which performance was the best.  The challenge was not merely to impress, but to transcend expectations.

Onstage, they would create thrilling moments that would forever etch themselves into the memories of audiences watching in the concert hall as well as at home.  Whichever group won was guaranteed a lifetime of opportunities - media appearances, collaborations with fashion brands, endorsement deals, tours and performances abroad.  It was the chance of a lifetime, and one that mAGMA was not going to take for granted after all the trials they had overcome, both as a group and in their personal lives.

Of course, there were still fears lingering in everyone’s minds.  If mAGMA did end up winning the SSS, Aito wanted there to be no allegations that the competition had been rigged in his favor.  He was the son of a famous idol, after all, so it wasn’t uncommon for people to assume he used his father’s fame to win other people over.  However, that was as far from the truth as could be.  mAGMA needed to prove that their success was due to their talent and effort rather than any special connections… which is why Aito knew their performance couldn’t be anything less than perfect.

Guren was aware that the competition meant his lyrics would be heard around the world.  He’d been working hard on composing verses that not only captured his deepest feelings, but could resonate with mAGMA’s fans as well.  As the group’s lyricist, he knew he had to put all of his emotion into his words.

Momoki was making sure to dial his cuteness meter up even higher than it usually was.  He was known as the “sweet one” of the group, after all… even though his true self was much different.  But if they wanted to win, he needed to keep playing his assigned role and using his adorable antics to draw in as many fans as possible.

Then, there was Akari, who despite his glamorous looks, had come from a not-so-glamorous background.  Growing up, his family couldn’t afford to pay for piano lessons or vocal training.  Every time there was a performance around the corner, he knew he had to train even harder than his group mates in order to feel comfortable enough to stand alongside them onstage.  The thought of not only participating in the world’s greatest idol competition but also being anticipated to emerge as the ultimate winner felt exhilarating and intimidating at the same time.  Their recent tour had gone incredibly well, which gave him a boost of confidence… but was it enough?  Since the winner of the SSS was decided by fans, maybe it would be a good idea to see what they’d been posting about online…

“Akari,” Aito spoke up, not yelling, but still loud enough to be heard over the music playing in the dance studio.  “We need our choreography to be perfect for the SSS.  Now is not the time to be taking selfies.”  He let out a frustrated sigh.  Really, Akari should know better… he thought, but didn’t say out loud.

“That’s not what I’m doing,” Akari responded with an eyeroll.  Seriously, sometimes Aito seemed more like a teacher in charge of discipling a class of unruly students, rather than the leader of an idol group.  “I just noticed the hashtag ‘mAGMA’ is trending and wanted to check what people were saying.”

“Wait, it’s… nothing bad, is it?” asked Guren cautiously, trying to stay calm before jumping to the worst case scenarios going on in his mind.  Seeing the close calls he’d faced, the thought of a scandal looming around the corner right before the SSS made his blood run cold.

Before Akari could respond, Momoki butted in.

“Hehe!  I bet it’s people talking about how totally cute ‘Momo of #mAGMA’ is!” he exclaimed gleefully.

“Well, it’s not that, but it’s nothing bad, either… just… uhhh… maybe you guys should come take a look…”

The group gathered around Akari’s phone, not sure of what to expect.  Akari began to scroll down the results.

ok but can we talk abt how shipworthy #mAGMA is? wish we could see some more fanservice onstage... maybe at sss? #manifesting

Who else thinks it's time for #mAGMA to amp up the fanservice game? Our hearts can take it!!! 💕 #mAGMAFanservice #ShippingModeOn

can’t wait to see #mAGMA at this year’s sss! been super obsessed with their new songs lately but i’m also secretly hoping for some guren x akari moments! <3

uhhHHH im not the only #mAGMA fan noticing how the chemistry between the guys is off the charts right??? 🔥💞 especially AitoMomo 🤭

#mAGMA need to kiss already omg

It didn’t take long for the group to realize what the fans were interested in.

“H-huh?!” Guren sputtered out.  “They really wanna see that kind of stuff between us?!”

“Right?!” Akari agreed with a huff.  “I thought I could captivate my fans with my own charm, no fanservice required!”

“Sounds like they’d find you even more ‘captivating’ with Guren,” Momoki teased.

“Alright, everyone, let’s just calm down,” Aito said.  “Although it might seem a bit… different from our usual style… we should consider what the fans are saying.  There’s no harm in at least trying to incorporate some more fanservice into our performances, if that’s what they really want to see us do.”

“Egh… I’m still not sure about this…” Guren mumbled.  “I mean, isn’t our music enough?”

“Oh, Guren,” Momoki began.  “Think of it this way: there’s no way any of those ugly losers have a chance with us, so the best thing they can hope for is seeing us together!  They cope with being failures by pretending we’re just so in love with each other, we don’t notice anyone else!  How romantic… and pathetic!”

In that instant, Momoki erupted in a fit of laughter much different from the cute, coyish giggles mAGMA’s fans were used to hearing.  Oh no.  This form of laughter was dipped in venom, like a demon mocking the foolishness of humans.

“Momoki…” Aito sighed under his breath.  Although the inclusion of a cute-faced member was an asset to the group, there were moments when Aito couldn’t help but get frustrated at Momoki’s impudence.

Before anyone could say anything else, Guren spoke up again.

“Eh?  Is that really it?”

“While I wouldn’t have put it that harshly… yes, it is a fantasy for some fans to imagine us idols in… how shall I put it?  Er, intimate situations,” Aito answered, albeit reluctantly.

Momoki snickered to himself.

Meanwhile, as Akari listened to the others, the pieces began to connect in his mind.  On the one hand, he wondered why he wasn’t enough.  He had the looks, the charisma, and he’d definitely been trying his hardest to make sure he had the talents to be on par with everyone else, too.  He’d been working so hard, only to find out that what the fans were interested boiled down to fantasies and cheap gimmicks.  It was somewhat disheartening.

So, Guren doesn’t like that his music isn’t enough, Akari doesn’t like that his mere presence isn’t enough, and Momoki is treating this whole thing like a joke… Aito silently observed.  Time to bring out the big guns then.

“I think you’d all agree it’s better for the fans to think we’re in love with each other, rather than someone else… such as Manager, for instance,” Aito added pointedly.

Suddenly, it was as if everyone in the room had just been dunked in a tub of ice water.

Having rumors spread that an idol was involved with their manager would be an absolute death sentence for both parties.  Even if they could date, Manager had already made it clear that they had no interest in any of the guys.  Still, that didn’t change mAGMA’s feelings towards them.  They all wanted to protect them, even if nothing romantic would come out of it.  Manager was still the one who’d helped them get to where they were today.

“Agh!  A-Aito’s right!” Guren suddenly exclaimed.  “It might not be such a bad idea after all!  Plus, I’ve been working on a song with more romantic lyrics, so… maybe this could be a way to highlight those.”

“Oh?” Aito said, intrigued.  “Maybe you can start practicing for that part with Akari, then.”

“Yeah, I’ll do it… if fanservice helps the music make its point, it’s worth trying out,” said Guren.

“If Guren’s up for it, I shouldn’t hold the group back,” Akari finally said.

“Great!  Momoki and I will make space for you, then.”

Aito moved to the side of the dance studio.  Momoki sat down next to him.

Guren and Akari stood in the middle of the studio, eyeing each other with some awkwardness.  They knew they were supposed to do… something… but what, exactly?

“Maybe the fans will like it if I dip you in my arms and look like I’m going in for a kiss?” Akari suggested to Guren.

“Sure…”

Pushing his slight apprehension aside, Akari extended his arms towards Guren.  His eyelids were lowered in a seductive manner.  No wonder he’d earned the title of the pretty boy of the group.  As Akari took a few steps towards Guren, he swiftly enveloped him in a tender embrace, his arms winding around Guren’s waist with ease.  However, the almost-magical moment was quickly ruined by the two bumping heads against each other.

“Owww!  Akari!  What the hell?!”

“I was going to fake-kiss you, and you moved your head the wrong way!”

“No, you’re the one who moved in too damn fast!”

Listening to the two bicker, Aito let out a heavy sigh.

“Look.  It doesn’t matter whose fault it was.  Just give it another try,” he instructed his group mates.

Guren and Akari groaned at the same time, but decided to put their fighting aside, at least until they’d be out of Aito’s sight.

Aito could tell that the two weren’t completely sure of what they were doing.  Not only that, but he suspected that their hearts weren’t totally into it, either.

Suddenly, Aito felt a finger prod against his cheek.

“Oh nooo… is our leader getting grumpy?” Momoki asked with a giggle.  “Come on, Aito.  You take this shit way too seriously.  I mean, we already do enough to keep the fans satisfied.  What point are you trying to prove, going above and beyond for a bunch of lonely, disgusting creeps?”

“Hey, you watch that tongue of yours, Momoki.  If you get used to saying those things so casually, you’re bound to slip up in front of the cameras one day…” Aito warned.

“Hahaha, aww, no I won’t~!  You know I’ve mastered the art of being the cutest idol ever!  That’s why I know my fanservice would knock Guren’s and Akari’s out of the park!”

“Huh?  I thought I heard my name,” Guren said.

“Mine too,” Akari added flatly.

Before giving Aito a chance to respond, Momoki draped his arms over Aito’s shoulders.

“Hehehe~ Aito and I were just saying how we’d be way better at fanservice than you two!  Isn’t that right?” Momoki brought his face close to Aito’s ear.  “Come on, now.  You want them to know how to do fanservice correctly, don’t you?” he whispered teasingly.

Akari and Guren noticed somewhat of a flustered expression wash over Aito’s features.  How rare for their leader’s usually stern face to suddenly falter.  But Aito quickly snapped out of it.  He cleared his throat before speaking up.

“Alright.  Momoki and I can provide a demonstration.  Perhaps that will make things easier.

Akari felt a wave of annoyance pass through him as Aito and Momoki moved to the center of the dance studio.  Why the need for a tutorial on fanservice?  He’d been in the idol industry for long enough to know how to please fans.  This was supposed to be second nature to him.  Yet, clearly, he was falling short of Aito’s expectations.  Well, of course Aito would have ridiculously high standards... with a retired idol father, it was no surprise he’d be well-versed in all the ins and outs of enticing fans.  Sure, Akari possessed the looks, but his modest upbringing meant he hadn’t received the same first-hand experience of the idol world that Aito had.  It was hard not to feel like a fraud around him.  Aito was always a step ahead of everyone else.  A twinge of inadequacy simmered in Akari’s thoughts.

Meanwhile, Guren couldn’t help but feel slightly irritated towards Momoki.  He had natural adorableness, and even though he obviously played it up for the cameras, a lot of it was authentic, too. His personality was fake-cute, but his looks weren’t. Sure, he wore things to strategically accentuate his small waist, and always dressed in a playful style with cute accessories.  Even during practice, the commitment to his aesthetic was obvious, with the pink crop top he had on and the strawberry hair clips keeping his blond bangs from falling into his face.  Momoki didn’t have to worry about looking intimidating or putting off fans; he was a natural at drawing them in.

Momoki, noticing the looks in his and Aito's direction, smirked to himself.

“Now, the trick to fanservice is to create just enough tension to pique the audience’s interest,” Aito said.  “Start off with a touch… something like running your hand down the other person’s chest in a seductive manner.”

Aito reached his hand out and began to trail it down Momoki’s chest.  Slowly… too slowly… as if an unexpected nervousness had grabbed hold of him.  What?  This is just fanservice… Aito told himself.  Yet, it felt as if something was causing him to hesitate.  Maybe it was Momoki’s taunting smirk.  Even though it wasn’t uncommon for his face to warp into that devilish grin (when the fans weren’t around, of course), something about seeing it while standing so close to him made Aito feel… strange, to say the least.

Without warning, Momoki gripped onto Aito’s arm and pulled downwards, causing Aito’s fingers to run down his chest in a quick, smooth motion.

“What’s wrong, Aito?  I thought you wanted mAGMA to go all out?  The fans want fanservice, so that’s what we’re providing them with, isn’t it?”

Though Momoki was using his innocent voice, there was a mocking edge to it that Aito knew all too well. Momoki wanted to press his buttons. To what end, Aito wasn’t sure, but there was no missing the shimmer of glee dancing in Momoki’s eyes. Then again, the cute idol had no reason to mask his sadistic streak among the others.

Aito’s hand was still resting low on Momoki’s chest, fingers stiff against the other idol’s abdomen, unsure of where to go next.

“You should try loosening up a bit,” Momoki taunted further, his saccharine smile bordering on devious, “or at all.”

In the silence that followed, the fabric of Momoki’s top whispered as Aito’s fingers curled, digging in. Both of the idols were locked in an intense stare. One, grinning brightly, like a cat who had a little canary in its sights. The other bore a stony expression, eyes dancing around Momoki’s face as if searching for an answer to the questions circling in his mind.

Akari and Guren, both witnesses to the tense exchange, looked to each other in concern. Both wondered if they should speak up and cut through whatever had been stirred between the other two group members.

“What’re you waiting for?” Voice dripping with syrupy venom, Momoki once again taunted mAGMA’s de facto lead. “Give them a show. Or are you too shy?”

Aito chose not to respond to the jab, but that only spurred things on.

“Isn’t that cute? Looks like someone can’t handle a bit of heavy petting—Ah!”

Momoki’s words were cut off by a pitched gasp. In the midst of those cutting words, Aito had taken a full fist of fabric and yanked the other idol toward him. Their hips were slotted together given the new position. It was Momoki’s turn to look flustered for a change, his eyes staring in wide-eyed surprise.

“I warned you to watch your tongue, Momoki.”

“Woah,” Guren breathed out.

“No kidding,” agreed Akari, “never thought I’d see somebody render Momoki speechless.”

With an annoyed glance in their direction, and not one to be outmatched, Momoki set his focus back onto Aito. A hand trailed up his arm. Continuing the journey, it passed over a shoulder and eventually settled on the back of Aito’s neck, fingertips teasing the ends of his dark locks.

“What, is that all you’ve got? That won’t impress anyone, leader~”

“Well, that didn’t last long,” lamented Guren under his breath.

“Stop messing around.”

The rigidity in Aito’s tone didn’t deter Momoki in the least. In fact, it appeared to encourage his behavior even further. His actions were getting under Aito’s skin more and more as time passed.

Aito never broke composure. His pride always stood on the line. As leader of mAGMA, he aimed to set an example for the rest of the group. To see him grow tense, jaw clenched, eyes drilling into Momoki’s challenging gaze, was unheard of even to the group. There was a sense of vulnerability in it, too. Aito wasn’t sure which part of it scared him more: the loss of control or the weaknesses exposed.

“Who’s messing around again? Last I checked, I’m only trying to make the fans happy. I thought you’d be proud of me. But if you’re not…” Momoki’s words trailed off, his attention occupied with pushing his fingers further into Aito’s hair. “Why don’t you try and stop me?”

The normally controlled look on Aito’s face began to crack, a wrinkle forming between his brows as a scowl started to form. Even so, Aito remained still. That inaction only further fueled Momoki’s obvious joy at the situation. The cute idol tilted his head in mocking curiosity as he observed the terse line of Aito’s pressed lips.

“Just as I thought.” Momoki leaned in, their noses touching, eyes carrying a challenge along with a good dose of thinly-veiled mockery. “You’re not going to do anything.”

While Momoki kept his ground, the too-sweet grin turning into the beginnings of a smug smirk, Aito chose to prove him wrong. Hand still fisted in his shirt, Aito pulled Momoki the rest of the way, their lips meeting.

The two idols parted after a moment, the adrenaline causing them to breathe a bit faster, their hearts to race. There wasn’t a sound made for a good ten seconds as all the members of mAGMA could do was stare. Until…

“See, now that’s believable.”

With nothing else to be said, Momoki slammed his lips against Aito’s in another searing kiss. The exchange grew more feverish the second time around. Hands grasping, pulling at both clothing and hair as things continued to intensify between them. The tension had snapped. At least, it had for Aito and Momoki.

Nearby, still off on their own, sat both Guren and Akari. They watched as the other half of the group continued to be all over each other.

A sense of disbelief gripped Akari.  Was this seriously happening?  It didn’t feel real.  Just moments ago, everything had been normal… “normal”, as in, Akari was certain that no one in mAGMA had ever done stuff like that with each other up until then.  His mind had been blown.  Things like group members kissing each other in the middle of the practice room only happened in the fans’ imaginations.  At least, that’s what Akari used to believe.

“No way…” Akari mumbled under his breath.  He glanced over at Guren, wondering if the other idol was as shocked as he was.  “Can you believe it?!” he asked in a hushed whisper.  “They just—!”

“Yeah, I saw what they did, Akari.  I have eyes, too,” Guren cut him off sharply.

Much to Akari’s surprise, Guren didn’t seem to match his level of shock at what had just unfolded in front of them. The expression on the black-haired idol’s face was… well, honestly, Akari was having some trouble trying to place it.  He’d never seen Guren look like that before.  An embarrassingly red flush had taken over his face.  Reflected in the depths of his gaze was an expression that seemed almost… jealous?  Longing?  A mix between the two?  Whatever it was, it only served to further Akari’s confusion about the situation.  Just what the hell was going on with everyone?  Was he the only sane person left in the room?

“Doesn’t it strike you as… I don’t know… too much?” Akari managed to ask, struggling to find the right words.  “I mean, I didn’t think that they’d actually kiss each other like that…”

In spite of Akari’s prodding remarks, Guren’s expression didn’t change.  The truth was, he wasn’t that surprised to see what Aito and Momoki had just done.  Even the fans had noticed the tension between the two building up for some time already.  What surprised Guren more was the fact that they’d actually done it in front of him and Akari.  Then again, it was a heated moment.  Add in the fact that Momoki was pulling the strings, taking pleasure in every moment of provocation he could get away with, and if anything, it was more of a shock that they hadn’t gone further yet.

“You two didn’t forget that this is supposed to be a demonstration, did you?” the aforementioned puppeteer spoke up.  There was a smirk on his face as he kept his hand knotted in Aito’s shirt.

Well, it was clear that their little act had passed the point of being a “demonstration” long ago.  Now, it had turned into a game– no, more than a game– a challenge.

Before giving the two a chance to answer, Momoki broke into a dramatic sigh.

“Ahhhh, I knew it.  You amateurs aren’t doing anything because you know you can’t outdo me and Aito after all…” he mockingly lamented.  “I mean, of course Akari would hesitate to follow up someone as talented as Aito.”

“Wh-what’s that supposed to mean?!” Akari shot back.

“Come on, Akari.  It’s practically cruel expecting you to come anywhere close to Aito, considering the difference in your experience.  I’d be so humiliated… you poor thing,” Momoki continued in a tone of feigned innocence.

Momoki’s words hit.  Hard.  He had just called out Akari on one of his greatest insecurities.  There was no turning back after that.  Even with the frustration simmering inside of Akari’s chest, he couldn’t come up with anything to say back.  It was true, after all… he was leagues behind Aito when it came to performing.  His stomach sank.  It wasn’t like it was a new realization.  It was something he carried with him every day.  But still, having it shoved in his face like that just made it all the more painful and real.

“Momoki, that’s… you’re going too far now.” Aito sounded outright disappointed, but not shocked, as he might have been in the past. He saw Momoki’s game laid out by then, but this? Aito turned his gaze toward Akari, and guilt surged through him as the distraught glint in his fellow idol’s eyes.

The humiliation left a deep, lingering sting in Akari’s heart, a reminder that he would never be able to catch up to Aito.  Ever.  No amount of wishing and hoping could make up for all the opportunities he’d been stripped of in the past.  He was destined to always be one step behind everyone else, especially the leader he looked up to and never wanted to disappoint.  He’d always be stuck with the feeling of being a burden at best, and a failure at worst.  Fuck.  mAGMA was better off without him, after all…

“Hey!  Akari doesn’t need your pity, asshole!” Guren snarled.

“Oh?  Defending your friend’s honor?  How noble of mAGMA’s ‘bad boy’,” Momoki jeered, not even bothering to hold back his mocking laughter.  “Save your words, Guren.  I already know what you want to say.  I’m a two-faced piece of trash who has no right to judge anyone else in the room.  An ‘asshole’, as our talented lyricist so eloquently put it.”  Momoki ended his last sentence with a carefree shrug.  He’d heard it all before, so there was no need to be bothered by it.  “But… doesn’t the same go for you, Guren?”  There was a taunting gleam in Momoki’s eyes.  “You might be the biggest hypocrite out of all of us.  Acting like you don’t need anybody, when you’re the one with the biggest fear of being left alone.  Not such a tough guy, after all, huh?”

Now, it was Guren’s turn to feel as if he’d just been punched in the gut.  Momoki had a way of aiming for people’s weak spots.

Without thinking, Guren had already risen to his feet and drawn his arm back, ready to give Momoki a well-deserved punch.

“W-wait, Guren!” Akari exclaimed, scrambling to his feet just in time.  He gripped onto the dark-haired man’s arm.

As he wrapped his fingers around Guren’s arm, a flicker of realization crossed his mind.  Underneath his black shirt was more muscle than Akari had noticed before.  Guren had been working out more often as a way to release his aggression, so it made sense, but still… it was Akari’s first time actually feeling it for himself.

Collecting himself, but still not releasing his hold, Akari watched as the bad boy idol’s angered gaze turned to him. Once they locked eyes, it began to lessen, until Guren’s face took on an almost flustered air as he tried stepping back. Akari held strong but turned his focus onto Momoki.

“I don’t know where you get off talking to him that way—”

“Akari, it’s fine.” Guren interrupted.

“The hell it is! He has no respect.” It was then that Akari tried to release his grip on Guren, but a hand stopped him from doing so. When he looked, he once again made eye contact with the other idol.

“This is exactly what he wants, Akari. Besides, if it pisses you off, then why’d you stop me in the first place?”

Akari didn’t have an answer for that. Not the sort he wanted to say out loud, anyway, and risk more of Momoki’s mockery. He didn’t want Guren to get in trouble. He felt bad that something so personal had been put on display, and no one had stepped in before those words were said. And finally…

He didn’t want to outwardly admit that he’d noticed it, too. Momoki had a point. Guren had defended him, and Akari wanted to return the favor, but it wasn’t difficult to see why those had been the words to set him off. Guren was the bad boy. A lot of times, he ended up being the most secluded out of all of them. For the act. For the group.

“Because…” Akari attempted to say, swallowing hard as Guren’s eyes did not waver from his. He opened his mouth to speak again, but the truth died on his tongue. “It’s like you said: that’s what he wants.”

A beat or two passed. Guren spoke, his voice hesitant, as if he were asking a difficult thing. “Were you trying to protect me?”

Again, Akari found himself at a loss for words and merely nodded.

“I didn’t ask you to,” Guren argued, but there was no anger in his words.

“I know. I wanted to. You’re not a hypocrite, Guren. If anything, I—”

“Don’t.” The hand resting over Akari's moved away, but instead of dropping back to hang at his side, it moved to adjust the collar of Akari's shirt that had fallen askew in his rush to grab ahold of Guren. "Thanks for having my back."

The shy, but grateful smile sent his way after those words floored Akari. What he wanted to say was "you're welcome" or "you don't have to thank me". What he did instead was lean in and meet Guren in a sudden kiss.

At that moment, Akari truly believed he would be the one getting punched instead of Momoki. He would deserve it about as much. To his surprise, though, nothing like that came. Akari pulled away to see an another unreadable expression on Guren’s face. His own complexion blanched, anxiousness making words pour out of him in an effort to explain, to somehow wipe away what he’d done.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. If you’re angry, I totally get it—”

“My, my, my,” Momoki’s interruption cut through, “I think these two are trying to compete with us, Aito. Too bad they won’t even come close, acting like that.”

“Give them a break. You’re making everyone angry with you.” Aito had started to sound more weary than upset over Momoki’s antics at that point. There was no going back, so they needed to adjust, he thought.

“Would you shut up already?” Guren growled out.

Akari wasn’t entirely sure if Guren was speaking to Momoki, Aito, or to him. The pinched brow the idol wore could’ve been directed at anyone, even everyone. But it didn’t end up mattering too much. In the next second, Guren roughly nudged Momoki aside and back into Aito right before claiming Akari’s lips in a more passionate kiss.

“Let’s show that little bastard what we can do, ‘Kari.”

Eyes wide, jaw slack, Akari nodded. The next time Guren leaned in, he was ready.

In comparison to Aito and Momoki’s exchange, theirs carried much less aggression. An intensity still remained, but the energy came off as a simmering sort of heat when faced against the explosive, combative inferno from the previous idols. Guren and Akari eventually parted and stared at one another in a silent conversation.

When they turned their eyes to the others, an embarrassed pink tinged both of their faces. Akari looked away, but did not move away from Guren despite his sudden timidity. Guren met their stares.

“What? We’re supposed to convince the fans, right? Quit gawking.”

“Guren makes a good point for a change,” Momoki agreed, draping both arms over Aito’s shoulders, “now where were we, leader?”

Again, the title dripped with mockery, but Aito didn’t take the bait. At least not out loud where the others could see. With a new air of focused calm, Aito brought a hand to Momoki’s cheek and guided him to look away from the rest of their group and into another kiss.

“We’re supposed to be competing,” Aito reminded him, “so what’s the point in running your mouth now?”

Momoki giggled, grinning against the other idol’s lips. Of course he was pleased. Why wouldn’t he be? After all, everything was going according to plan. If the fans wanted a show, then mAGMA planned on delivering. The problem lied in getting the others to get over their own issues to be convincing. It was only fair, he thought. The audience has their creepy fantasies realized and the group would gain more fame. A win-win scenario for everyone involved, right?

mAGMA would put on a show.

“You’re so tense, Guren…” Akari muttered as his hands passed over Guren’s torso.

“Yeah, well, this isn’t exactly something I’m used to.”

“And you think I am?” Akari couldn’t hold back the sliver of amusement in his voice, even if it came out in a shuddering breath. “But we’re here to learn.”

Chuckling under his breath, Guren responded: “Should I thank you for helping me, then, partner?”

“Hmm… Ask me again later.”

For a while, the room became mostly silent save for the rustling of clothing and the scattered, heavy breaths as all four idols continued on. Momoki and Guren’s jackets had been tossed haphazardly onto the floor while Akari’s hair had started to come undone from its styled ties. The deep green strands were corded through Guren’s fingers as he maintained a firm but careful grasp of Akari’s neck.

A sudden, loud grunt of surprise left Aito as Momoki gave him a good shove onto the ground, the latter climbing onto his lap before kissing him again. That time, the kiss was even more heated than before. Clearly, the cute member of the idol group still wanted to challenge him while also making sure the others had to compete with his pace.

The noise, of course, caught the attention of Akari and Guren. Momoki, without pulling away, gave them each a smug glance, practically egging them on. Guren clicked his tongue in frustration, a scowl already returning to settle on his face.

“Hey,” Akari said, gently guiding Guren to turn away from Momoki’s stare with a tug to his belt, “just look at me. Don’t get distracted.”

The annoyance in Guren’s expression eased somewhat, but not entirely, as he turned his attention toward undoing Akari’s top. His mouth met Akari’s neck while his hands went to work. A hitched breath came from Akari’s parted lips, fingers digging further into the waistband of Guren’s pants.

In response to that, Momoki nearly began to pout. The problem was that Guren and Akari got along better than he and Aito did. Of course their chemistry would come more naturally. Meanwhile, he had to work for it. How unfair.

Of course, he couldn’t play the same type of angle, either… that was no fun. Momoki chose another kind of tension; one that he knew would get a reaction out of their no-nonsense leader. Momoki straddled Aito, bringing him closer, and slotted their lips together once more. Then, he gave Aito’s lower lip a sharp, little bite.

Aito moved his head away, running his tongue over where Momoki had bitten, a dull sting now present. “Ow! What the hell, Momo?” His fingers followed where his tongue had been seconds ago in an attempt to soothe the irritated skin.

“What?” Momoki sounded downright innocent. “Things were starting to get stale. I thought I’d throw in some excitement. I bet the fans would eat that right up.”

Rather than the annoyed response Momoki expected from Aito, he instead got a slow nod as he appeared to actually agree. A hand moved to settle on Momoki’s waist. Right away, he knew something was different.

“Guren. Akari.” At hearing their names, they paused, still remaining close. “I think I have an idea that will work out for everyone. Want to hear it?”

“Lay it on us, leader,” Guren assented, “what’s the plan?”

Aito couldn’t fight back the smile that started tugging at the corners of his mouth as Momoki looked between the other three.

“I don’t think Momoki’s been given enough credit for starting all this. Maybe he deserves to be shown some thanks for a change. A little appreciation.”

Sharing a look, Akari and Guren soon gained smiles of their own.

“Good. Akari, get behind Momoki.” Aito’s hands moved up from where they gripped Momoki’s waist, fingers curling to tuck beneath the fabric of his shirt. “And for starters, let’s get this off of you, Momo.”

“You’re bold all of a sudden~” Despite the lackadaisical lilt in his voice, Momoki’s heart had started to race.

“I figured out that you’re a lot to handle alone. Plus, we’re a group. We should all work together to reach our goals. As the leader, I chose to delegate. Which leaves…” Aito gestured to Guren with a nod of his head. “Sit here by us. I’m going to need your help.”

Momoki’s shirt hit the floor as soon as Guren joined the rest of them.

A slightly startled sound escaped from Momoki’s lips.  Just moments ago, he had been the one in control.  He had been the one directing the others, as if staging a play for his own amusement.  Yet, now, he found himself in a rather… helpless position.

“Everything alright, Momoki?” Aito asked.  There was no mockery to be found in his voice.  It was the same tone he used if he saw one of his group mates stumble during practice, or struggle to sing a part in a song.  Concerned, yet calm and gentle at the same time.  Somehow, that made Momoki even more annoyed than being outright mocked.

“Hah… seriously, Aito?  That’s what I should be asking you…” Momoki retorted, though his words lacked the fierceness he’d been hoping they held.

“He probably asked that since you are lookin’ pretty red right now,” Guren observed out loud.

“Tch–!”

“That’s right,” the leader of mAGMA acknowledged.  Staring directly into Momoki’s eyes, he continued.  “You should know this rule very well by now, Momoki: when you’re putting on a performance, you have to stay calm and act as if the camera is on you at all times.  There’s no room for letting your mask slip.  You must always maintain the role your fans know and love… the innocent, sweet-faced idol who can win over anyone’s heart.”  As Aito spoke, his thumb found its way to one of Momoki’s nipples.  He pushed against it gently and rubbed it in a circle, his gaze remaining on the cute idol’s face.

Momoki tried to bite back his whines, but a tiny moan managed to escape.

“Ah– Aito… what the hell are you talking about?”  He tried to cover up his unsteady voice with a slight laugh, but it was still obvious that he was struggling.  “Performance?  There’s no way we’d do this kind of stuff on stage!”

Momoki’s response elicited snickers from Guren and Akari.

“We passed that point a long time ago, Momoki,” Akari’s voice came from behind.

“That’s right.  This is between us now,” Guren said, making the last part sound almost like a threat.

Momoki gulped.  He looked into Aito’s eyes, searching for some form of objection from the leader, but Aito merely nodded in agreement with the other two.

“Glad we’re all on the same page,” he said with just the slightest hint of a smirk.

Momoki wanted to save his pride and object, but he simply couldn’t.  Not when his mind was clouded by the pleasurable sensation of Aito toying with his nipple.  He was more sensitive there than he wanted to admit… not like he had to say anything out loud for Aito to catch onto that, anyway.  The dark-haired idol could tell he’d landed upon one of Momoki’s weak spots from the way he was panting and whimpering, not to mention, his blushing cheeks.  A new side of Momoki made its debut… one that nobody else in the practice room had ever seen before.  It didn’t fit the mold of his counterfeit sweetness, or his sarcastic retorts; rather, it was a completely different category all on its own.  And the more he melted under Aito’s touch, the harder it was to keep holding this side back, no matter how desperately he wanted to seem like he was still in control of the scene.

“Ngh… A-Aito…”

Momoki’s eyes fell shut as he began giving into the sweet pleasure.

“Heh… this is what you like, isn’t it?” Akari murmured, his breath heated and heavy against Momoki’s ear.

Momoki registered a certain hardness pressing up against him, causing him to gasp.

“A-Akari?!” he cried.

“Think you’re right,” Guren said with a laugh in their direction.  “Momoki does love being the center of attention, after all.”

Before Momoki could say anything, Akari pushed further into his backside and slowly began to move back and forth.  The movement caused Momoki to involuntarily cling tighter onto Aito, much to the smaller idol’s embarrassment.

“Ah…” he whimpered.

Within seconds, Akari had already picked up the pace, and was grinding into the thin fabric of Momoki’s practice shorts.  Momoki bit down on his lip, trying to suppress a moan, but it was hard… especially with Aito now having moved on to his other nipple, sending more pleasurable tingles throughout the blond’s body.  Momoki was still trying to wrap his head around everything.  Every time he tried to make sense of the scene he’d found himself caught in the middle of, a fresh surge of pleasure coursed through him, whether it was from Akari rubbing against his ass, or Aito toying with his sensitive chest.

“Wh-what… is this…?” he managed to stutter out.

“Didn’t you hear what Aito said earlier?  We’re giving you the ‘appreciation’ you deserve,” Guren responded, smirking.

“Y-you– ah!”  The insult Momoki had prepared to lunge his way was abruptly silenced by another thrust from Akari.

“Heh, what’s wrong, Momo?  Having a tough time matching my pace now?” Akari asked with a tone that was openly scornful.  He let out a slight laugh under his breath, but did not slow down his motions for one second.  “Before, all you ever did was complain about how I had the worst rhythm in the group.  I was the one who couldn’t keep up with the others.  Now, just look at yourself…”  His voice trailed off into another low laugh as he continued grinding against Momoki, adding some roughness to his movements, but still maintaining a steady pace.

So that’s what this is… they’re getting back at me, Momoki realized.  This was “payback” for all the times he’d made the others feel weak or ridiculed, especially the latest jabs he’d made at Akari and Guren.  It was from them that he perceived the most resentment.  Aito, on the other hand, was more subtle.  He was taking his role as mAGMA’s leader seriously even now, silently overseeing the group, while at the same time giving Momoki those sweet sensations he didn’t even know his body had been craving from Aito before.  It was all enough to make his head spin.

“Momoki,” Aito spoke up, his calm voice bringing Momoki back down to earth.  “Don’t act as if you didn’t know something like this was coming.”  In a lightly teasing tone, he added, “Besides, you’re obviously enjoying this.”

Again, Momoki attempted to shoot back some kind of scathing response, but the only noise to leave his lips was a gasp as a hand settled on his thigh. How dare they all gang up on him? His eyes followed the hand until he met with Guren’s nonchalant stare.

"That look on your face says it all."

Where Aito spoke in a calm, even cadence that hid his intention, Akari's tone was anything but. He openly mocked the cute yet sharp-tongued idol, most likely emboldened by their leader’s actions. The humored glint in his eyes said more than enough. Akari was enjoying this, maybe even getting some dose of satisfaction at seeing Momoki unravel. Did they all feel similarly?

“You should get in on this, Guren. I know that comment ticked you off earlier.”

Was Akari serious in getting Guren involved? So what if he’d been stirring the pot from the beginning? They needed the motivation and he’d been happy to help. Did this happen to be their idea of thanks? Momoki doubted it.

Still, even as these thoughts went through his head, Momoki couldn't help but enjoy some part of it. The friction, the feeling of hands passing over his body, his clothes. He could move away any time he wanted to, but he started to realize that he didn't. In fact, he was almost content to let his fellow idols have their way.

Except he had never been the sort to make things easy. They might outnumber him, but—

"Oh!" Momoki exclaimed. Guren's hand had traveled further up his thigh at the same exact moment where pads of Aito's fingers rolled a pebbled nipple. Akari began to change his pace then. The rhythm perfectly matched Aito’s deft touch. Every jolt of sensation set Momoki’s nerves on fire. He could barely think anymore.

Maybe, then, that was why Guren’s hand pressing into the hardness growing in his practice shorts caught him off guard. The action earned Guren an audible moan along with a buck of his hips into the contact.

“Not… not fair.”

The heat of Akari’s breath hit Momoki’s neck when he laughed.

“Gotta be a cold day in hell when Momoki talks about what’s fair,” joked Guren.

“Be nice,” Aito offered in response, “he’s being pretty obedient right now. Good behavior should be rewarded.”

Akari gave another breathy chuckle at that. “You’re too nice to him.”

“Come on, you two. We’re a team.” The gentle weight of Aito’s words stood in both opposition and complimented his wandering hands. “Let’s work together and support Momoki right now.”

“Whatever you say, boss. We’re with you.” Akari’s voice was next to Momoki’s ear, the green-haired idol adjusting to rest his head on the latter’s shoulder. Deep green hair spilled over and tickled Momoki’s chest. A shiver moved through him.

With Akari’s confirmation, they continued. Momoki was caught between both Akari and Aito, and if he dared move, Guren’s warm touch awaited him, too. The tiles on the ceiling had started to warp and blur as Momoki’s breaths came out in pants. There was so much he wanted to say, and yet…

No, he would keep some composure. Things began as a competition and as far as he was concerned, that didn’t change. Only the rules were different.

A firm squeeze to his bulge brought Momoki’s eyes back down from the ceiling where they locked onto Guren. There was a minor lift in his brows, as if Guren didn’t know why Momoki’s attention landed on him all of a sudden. When he next spoke, however, his intentions were more than clear.

“Thought I’d help drag you back down to planet Earth. You were looking pretty blissed out, Momo.”

There. A chance.

“Only because…” he trailed off to hold back a pleasured sigh, “you finally decided to do something after being told. Some bad boy you are.”

While minor, Guren’s smile twitched. That only added fuel to the fire.

“Momoki—” Aito began to warn, but it was too late.

“What a rebel. You have one role to play and you can’t even do that right.”

“That so?” Guren couldn’t hide his annoyance anymore. When he next spoke, he directed his words to Aito. “Can I shut him up?”

A look of understanding passed over Aito’s expression before he nodded in agreement.

“Sure. The two of you have some things to work out.”

Guren’s hand withdrew from where he had been touching Momoki. Afterward, so did Aito’s. It was the group leader’s turn to settle down at Momoki’s side while Guren moved to get back onto his feet. He soon stood in front of the rest of the idols. Before Momoki could look, a hand dug into his hair and gave a firm tug so that he’d be forced to turn his gaze upward. The gesture wasn’t too rough, but Guren made sure that it wouldn’t be easy for Momoki to turn his head away.

During all this, Akari had slowed down somewhat, opting instead to rock against Momoki in a way that he’d subconsciously started to move along with.

“You sure do love to run that mouth of yours. Most of the time, it’s at our expense.” The sound of moving fabric and jostling buckles filled the room as Guren worked on undoing his pants. “Put it to good use for once.”

Momoki swallowed and glared up at the other idol. After a beat or two without an answer, Guren spoke again.

“Or we can stop.”

With those words, Akari’s movements slowed, hands slowly dragging away from where they made contact with his skin. Guren’s fingers, woven in Momoki’s hair, began to slacken, releasing the light strands and freeing him.

“No.”

“No?” Guren’s parroted question had equal parts curiosity and mirth.

“How else am I supposed to wipe that stupid grin off your face? It doesn’t suit you at all.”

“Why you—”

“I’m just saying. It took all three of you to mess with me,” Momoki pointed out, “but I bet I can handle you all by myself.”

With a huff, Guren went back to undoing his pants. “Then do it. No more talking.”

A smirk still remained on Momoki’s face even when a hand went into his hair again.

“Don’t overdo it,” warned Aito.

He and Akari watched as Momoki took Guren into his mouth. A shuddering exhale left Guren’s lips at the contact. Despite that, he managed an indignant scoff right after, nodding towards Akari as a sign for him to start moving again.

“Did you mean me or Momo?”

“Both.”

Obediently, Guren allowed Momoki to start at his own pace. Blonde hair slowly bobbed as he took in some of that length, hands grabbing onto Guren’s thighs for purchase.

Aito watched for a good moment to make sure they behaved. Once it passed, and he appeared satisfied with their obedience, he turned all his attention to Akari, who continued to slowly grind into Momoki from behind.

“Akari, would you mind helping Momoki out?”

At the request, Akari held Momoki’s hips still, earning a muffled whine from the cute idol.

“He sounded confident earlier, so I think he’s up for it. Besides,” Aito added, “you also have a score to settle with him, right?”

Akari knew Aito was right, but he didn’t know whether to be thankful or a little more envious of how effective a leader he continued to be. After all, it was to be expected. It didn’t matter at the moment.

This whole thing was about Momoki, he recalled, fingers slipping into the waistband of Momoki’s practice shorts. Goosebumps littered the shorter idol’s skin wherever Akari touched. Even his breathing hitched once or twice as slim fingers dipped further under the fabric. Akari had to admit: Momoki could be kind of cute when he wasn’t so mouthy.

Speaking of; Guren must have had a similar thought cross his mind, because he let out a small scoff. The look on Momoki’s face was priceless. Cheeks flushed, brows furrowed in a focused scowl as his mouth went to work. Guren had yet to even tighten his hold. In any other scenario, he’d let himself fully enjoy it, but he had a point to make.

The moan that erupted from Momoki only seconds later almost made him reconsider, eyes nearly rolling back.

One of Akari’s hands had finally ventured further beneath Momoki’s clothes, fingers brushing along the hardness between his legs. Akari made sure each renewed roll of his hips matched with every stroke.

Audible strings of smothered noises erupted from Momoki.

It isn’t fair… he thought, his face growing hot, this feels too good. He wasn’t sure when, but he’d started to grind against Akari’s hand. Momoki also swore he felt the other man’s heavier breaths passing over his neck.

The grip Guren had on Momoki’s hair tightened after one particularly loud moan, causing him to whine. Aito chose to step in and coaxed Guren’s fingers to relax and eventually release the hair altogether. Soon, that grip was replaced by Aito’s gentler touch, the pads of his fingers soothing Momoki’s scalp. His eyes threatened to flutter closed. Instead, he chose to keep them open and maintain eye contact with Guren, whose face was flushed and trained into a focused scowl.

“Don’t stop now,” came Aito’s order, “you’re doing so well.”

Momoki wasn’t sure what to make of that. At least, not until Aito began to direct him back onto Guren’s cock. Another whine was ripped from Momoki’s throat. This time, from a particularly effective brush of Akari’s fingers against the head of his shaft.

Before too long, Guren’s moans and sighs soon joined the chorus. He broke their eye contact first, head starting to fall back as he made shallow thrusts into Momoki’s mouth while Aito guided it along. If things continued, he would not last much longer. However, Momoki was in a similar state.

Both refused to give in first.

So they both held out as best they could. Guren stared at the ceiling, breaths ragged and deep. Momoki tried to focus on something—anything—else. This worked, for a little while. Until…

“Screw this,” Guren groaned out, “let him go, Aito.”

Once his hair and head were freed and his mouth unoccupied, Momoki took the chance to speak.

“Are you giving up? I wouldn’t blame you.”

“Not a chance.”

A lot of the hostility in Guren’s voice had tapered off. Momoki had to hold back a pleased smirk at knowing he’d been the cause of that. Akari’s skilled touch made it a little tougher to act smug, and soon watching Guren move down to his level made his heart race. Momoki could see where things might be going.

“Touch me,” Guren simply stated, meeting his eyes.

Momoki didn’t wait that time. Guren was close, so the less time he wasted, the better his chances. His hand wrapped around Guren’s length. With a soft hiss, Guren leaned forward, forehead barely resting on Momoki’s shoulder, opposite of Akari. Once again, Momoki found himself pressed between two of his fellow idols.

It wasn’t much longer after that when Akari lifted his head from its perch, the movement not affecting his pace one bit. He eventually stopped to catch Guren’s gaze.

“You weren’t actually thinking of letting him win, right?” Akari asked the question softly, a bit of laughter bubbling up toward the end.

Guren lifted his head to better address Akari. “Like I said: not a chance.”

Akari’s face, already flushed from his actions, took on a slightly redder hue as he geared up to address Guren again. “You looked… good.”

Instead of replying right away, Guren’s eyes screwed shut as Momoki’s thumb grazed the head in an agonizingly slow fashion. “Shit. What—?”

“When you took charge.” Akari licked his lips, throat suddenly dry. “It’s a good look for you, Guren.” The air felt heavy with the weight of a confession after that. In an effort to fight it, or out of panic, he met Guren’s lips in a kiss. Maybe he wanted to stop him from talking too soon with those words still hanging between them. No matter the reason, Guren kissed him back, a shaky breath rattling against Akari’s lips.

“Who’s side are you on, ‘Kari?”

“Just focus on me, ‘Ren. He’s not winning this.”

“I—ngh—hope you’re right, ‘cause…”

Akari cut him off with another kiss, this one slower in comparison to the last.

Meanwhile, Aito spotted the shift in Momoki’s expression right as he opened his mouth.

“You’re both cheaters,” he whined, voice pitched, body leaning back against Akari despite the visible tension in his muscles. “It’s… so unfair…”

Those heaving breaths and wanton moans soon reached their height, growing louder until a cry broke through. Momoki’s whole body grew rigid as his hips bucked away through his climax. Guren followed not long after. He gave one more shuddering breath that dropped into a low moan, his forehead falling to rest on Momoki’s shoulder again as he rode it out.

While the room became filled with heavy breaths from half of mAGMA, Akari moved his hands away from Momoki, allowing his fellow idols to take a moment. His eyes locked with Aito’s soon after. An idea clicked into Akari’s head. There must have been a change in his expression because their leader shot him a curious lift of one brow.

Luckily, Akari was spared any conversation for the moment. Guren lifted his head and backed away enough to give Momoki space while also taking the chance to fix himself back into some sort of presentable state. Despite that small kindness, he shot Momoki a smug glance anyway.

“I meant it, you know. You’re cute when you’re not being a brat.”

Exhausted, the other idol only responded with a rude gesture, causing the rest of the group to laugh.

While the other three remained on the floor, Aito got up to grab Momoki’s abandoned top and a couple of towels from the bench nearby. He returned and set the towels down by Guren, then folding up Momoki’s shirt before handing it to Akari.

“He looks worn out. Use this as a pillow.”

“Good idea.”

On the topic of ideas, though… Akari reached out to grab the shirt, but instead took a hold of Aito’s wrist. It took the idol’s leader a second to register the contact. A slow, confused blink was his initial response. Aito only grew more confused when Akari’s other hand took the makeshift shirt-pillow, the first still maintaining its hold.

“I have another one.”

“What, another idea?”

“That’s right, boss. You’ve been pretty neglected this whole time. And the way you were watching the whole time, I mean, come on.”

The same hint of a flustered pink touched Aito’s cheeks as before when he’d been confronted by Momoki. Akari didn’t push, though. Not right away. He took the time to set the pillow down on the floor and make sure Momoki was okay.

Guren, already back on his feet—albeit looking much less agitated than he had when they first arrived—glanced between Akari and Aito. The idea had begun to click in his head, too.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m fine.” Aito protested softly.

“Or maybe you should let someone else take charge for once,” Momoki suggested from his position on the ground, “you might even enjoy it.” A lot of the usual bite in his tone was lacking, but hints of it remained. He meant what he said.

“It is kind of a group activity at this point,” Guren added.

Aito crossed his arms. “I don’t think Momoki is up for it—”

“Yeah, well, Momoki tapped out early.”

“Shut your mouth, Guren.”

“Why don’t you make me?”

“Hey,” Akari spoke up, getting to his feet, “it’s our leader’s turn, okay? You already won, ‘Ren.”

“You didn’t have to add that last part,” Momoki complained. He quieted down after that, draping an arm over his eyes as he continued to catch his breath.

With that, Guren appeared to be content at letting it go. That left three out of the four men in the room standing, staring at one another in silence.

The first sound to break it wasn’t a voice, but footsteps. Sturdy boots thumped against the floor as Guren approached Aito first.

Strangely, Aito refused to meet Guren’s eyes at the start. He’d been in charge up until that moment. When everyone worked together regarding Momoki, it was Aito who called the shots, who told everyone where to be and what to do.

Yet, in the aftermath, Akari had picked up the mantle as if it were nothing.

Aito didn’t know how to feel about that. This—whatever it was—clearly strengthened the bond Akari and Guren already shared. It helped work out some of the animosity that had grown between Momoki and the others. As for him? Well, he took charge. That was his responsibility as the leader of mAGMA.

“Cut it out,” Guren ordered from his new spot standing behind Aito, “you’re thinking way too much about this.”

“Listen to him.” Akari spoke up next, approaching until he stood directly in front of Aito, only mere inches away. “Don’t get lost in your own head, Aito. You deserve to be taken care of, too.”

Though unsure as to why, those words brought a tightness to Aito’s chest and another healthy blush to his cheeks. If Akari or Guren noticed, they didn’t comment. Careful but sure fingers—Guren’s, Aito noted—slid underneath his shirt, the fabric bunching as it began to lift.

“You can be a mystery, Aito,” Akari softly stated, palm resting flat against the leader’s stomach. The muscles flexed under his fingers. Guren’s hands, one fisted into the cloth of Aito’s shirt while the other passed over his chest, kept most of his torso on display.

Akari’s hand then began to venture downward. He stepped even closer, not stopping until the two of them were pressed against one another, hips meeting. Swallowing thickly, Aito watched as Akari’s fingers loosened undid the tie on his pants, heart beginning to thud loudly in his ears. “I’m not trying to be.”

“We know,” Guren assured, breath brushing against Aito’s ear.

“You’re a part of this group, too.”

That went without saying, Aito knew, but Akari said it with such ease that it threatened to knock the wind out of him. What did manage to make his breath catch was the warmth of Akari’s hand as it slipped underneath his waistband. Gentle fingers passed over him, eventually setting his length loose. Akari gave slow strokes at first, watching Aito’s expression the whole time.

“Relax, Aito. I’ve got you. ‘Ren’s got you.”

Aito trusted them. There was no doubt in that. Giving into the role of being cared for, however, felt so foreign. Even so, he never expected to be treated in such a way by his fellow idols. Aito shivered as Guren’s fingers passed over one of his nipples, breath still tickling at his neck and ear. Akari continued his slow movements, making sure to add the perfect amount of pressure as he went along. mAGMA’s leader began to let his body relax against Guren’s solid frame.

“Figured you’d be hard after watching most of it,” Akari mused, picking up the pace slightly. Aito’s breathing sped up in tandem, “but I’m in the same boat.”

That’s right, Aito recalled, the only ones to finish had been Momoki and Guren.

Aito felt it, too, the stiff bulge pressing against his thigh from where Akari was slotted against him. His mouth felt so dry. After one especially delicious squeeze around his cock, Aito rocked into Akari’s hold, and by extension, Akari himself. The green-haired idol gave a soft moan from deep in his chest.

For the first time since this contact started, Aito met Akari’s eyes.

Without words, he seemed to understand. “Together, then?”

Aito nodded once. Akari chuckled, partly amused and rueful.

“Let’s end this on equal terms for once, Aito.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. Similar to how Akari had done to him, Aito worked to fish Akari’s cock from his practice clothes. Once free, he worked to play catch-up, moving a hand along the length of him at the same pace.

A soft curse fell from Akari’s lips as Aito thumbed at a bead of precum before going back to long, even strokes.

Aito’s forehead dipped to touch Akari’s. Their breaths mingled, moans turning into audible pants as time went on. Guren continued to touch, feel, and caress Aito’s body the whole time, making sure to push the leader ever closer to the edge alongside Akari.

They both were climbing closer and closer to that peak. Desperate for any extra contact, both Aito and Akari pressed closer, hands and bodies stimulating the other until their needy thrusts became more erratic.

“Please.” Aito’s soft plea came out in a breath, his eyes screwed shut in concentration.

“Go ahead. Let go,” Guren told him. He then reached out to card a hand through Akari’s hair. “You too, ‘Kari.”

With those words, it was done. With the three of them pressed tight together, both Aito and Akari came. A duet of gasps and pitched moans stretched on while they rode out each of their highs until, eventually, only heaving breaths remained.

Guren dug his feet in, steadying himself to carry the slumped weight of two idols as they soaked in the afterglow for a moment.

“You did good, boss,” praised Guren, breaking through the quiet.

“See?” Akari asked, weak laughter in his voice. “You don’t always have to be the one in charge.”

“I see your point,” conceded Aito, a tired but grateful smile aimed at Akari.

A different, smug smile curved at Momoki’s lips. “Well, I think I’d call that group exercise a success.”

“Shut up, Momoki.” They all spoke in unison.