InsaneJournal

It was only another 30 minutes before the concert start and only another mere 10 minutes before the door open. Tsuyoshi supposed to be in his dressing room taking a nap instead of standing in the middle of the concert area, taking note for all the angle and making last final preparations. His hand shakes a little bit, he was starting to feel the pressure and nervousness swam all over him. He took a deep breath closing his eyes and remind himself to keep calm.

A lot of people were running here and there, Tsuyoshi can hear shouting in Chinese and Japanese. He throw a quick glance all over the stage, Kinki kids staff work together with the local staff has work their best to make sure all of the equipment was ready and make sure that there was nothing that would going amiss. Taking all the surrounding in, Tsuyoshi gradually pump himself up. Everyone was working so hard so will he, He must not crumble from the pressure especially today when Koichi was the one who need his support. Usually Koichi would be the one who would do the last preparation for both of them but since they arrived in Taiwan, Koichi has been plagued down with a fever. A tight schedule leading them to Taiwan tour has been taking it's toll to Koichi's body and a continuous interview, TV appearance and all work related activities has been swarming up to their heads and Tsuyoshi could see clearly that Koichi's health further deteriorate. It has shaken Tsuyoshi to the core, he has never see Koichi to this weaken state before. It's make Tsuyoshi worried but he has quickly step up and cover Koichi part as much as he can, trying to lessen Koichi burden.

Tsuyoshi heard another footstep fall beside him and he saw his manager, telling him that it was time for him to go back to the dressing room and relax himself while waiting for the concert to start. With a nod Tsuyoshi complied and start walk back to his dressing room, making a mental note here and there when he walk past the big stadium. Re-assuring himself again and again that he will be able to do it and he must do it whatever happen, Koichi has done this for him before back when he has his weak time on stage before, therefore it was time for him to pay Koichi back. And certainly he can't allow anything gone amiss; he will protect Kinki kids with all he got.

When he neared his dressing area, he heard shouting and there were 2 people stood in front of his dressing room. He wondered what happen, before he was able to caught sight of stumbling Koichi leaning to the door while a bodyguard on his left side trying to keep Koichi up. Before he realized it, he already sprinted and open the door to his dressing room, took hold on Koichi right side and ushered him inside.

"What are you doing?" Tsuyoshi ask in a lower voice, only enough for the two of them to hear it. A weak glance from Koichi and Tsuyoshi knew. Koichi has felt a deep regret and sorry for his condition and taking to trouble Tsuyoshi to this extent and he was worried for Tsuyoshi and want to check if Tsuyoshi has manage to deal with an extra load.

Tsuyoshi wants to laugh, how in this kind of situation Koichi has worried about him instead of himself but he settled for a smile and he could see Koichi gradually relax. They lowered Koichi on the couch and Tsuyoshi has asked the bodyguard to tell their manager that Koichi would need another medicine. Grabbing a blanket and his jacket from his locker, he instructed Koichi to lie down and cover himself with those.

"You sure about this?" Tsuyoshi push a glass of water towards Koichi and tell him to drink it up.

"Yes" Koichi replied firmly, while gratefully drinking the water.

"Then rest now. I wake you up when we have to go." Tsuyoshi take the glass from Koichi; drape the jacket and blanket over him again. A cold sweat start to form on Tsuyoshi's head, as he feel in the short contact with Koichi hands that it's burn much more hotter than before. He got up and walked away. His suddenly felt dreadful; a series of what if has came attacking his head. He shook his head, at times like this he cannot be defeated by his own fickle mind, he mentally scolded himself for it.

A knock came from the door and in the next second, he found his manager coming in through the door.

"Tsuyoshi-kun, how's Koichi-kun?" In a hushed voice, his manager asked when Tsuyoshi came towards him.

"I told him to rest now, his fever seems to be up but I think he will be ok for concert."

The managers only look back at Tsuyoshi, a frown marred his face.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, the show must go on."

Another moment of silent passed.

"Allright, just give your best shot out there. And please really take care for both of you. I leave you two now." The manager shoves the fever medicine to Tsuyoshi and he quickly excused himself out.

Tsuyoshi prepared the medicine for Koichi to take, but then he notice that Koichi has already fallen asleep. He put them aside and he began for his preparation for the concert. Humming by himself to keep him being at ease, he put on the make up and the costume. When it was another 10 minutes before the curtain was up, Tsuyoshi woke Koichi up and informing him he need to start his preparation. As if on cure, Koichi's manager came and brought all the costume and make up that Koichi need. He heard another staff shouted it was 10 minutes until the curtain was drawn. 

"I'll be ahead, I'll see you on the stage entrance." With that Tsuyoshi left the dressing room, picking up the mic for both of them and run through the final check for their earpiece making sure all of them functioning perfectly. He took a quick peek behind the curtain to the stadium, which already packed with people and full of noises. Tonight's show was a sold out, they really can't go back from this and no matter what the show has go on. An overwhelmed feeling came to Tsuyoshi and his breath hitched. Reminding himself to stay calm, he tried to focus and rhythm his breathing, when he felt a hand on his bottom. He let out a chuckle and cocks his head.

"What are you doing?"

"Make you feel relax of course."

"You just use that excuse to feel my ass. Should we go?" turning around smiling, he waited for Koichi who's laughing heartily to start moving. The stage was not complicated like the one they use to do in Japan, but their entrance would be from the middle when the curtain fall down. So they will need to be on stand by on the middle of the back stage. Catching Koichi's arm when he swayed a little bit, Tsuyoshi lead both of them to their designated spot. The music was beginning to ring out loud all around the stadium, cheering already raise up almost deafened the music itself. It comes to the final minutes before the curtain drop and the concert would begin.

"Believe in me and leave everything to me." With those final words from Tsuyoshi, the curtain drop to the ground and they synchronize-ly depart to the opposite corner, marking the start of their anticipated concert in Taiwan.

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Smiling widely, Tsuyoshi rushed towards Koichi for his final bow towards the audience. Removing his earpiece, he carefully grabbed Koichi's hand and made the bow. Tsuyoshi noted that his partner skin still feel feverish and usually Koichi's hand would squeeze his tightly but its feels weak now. Without removing his hand over Koichi, he guide his partner towards the back waiting for the musician and dancer to walk out and give their final bow. Tsuyoshi has a mixed feeling, a part of him felt relieved that the concert was done perfectly without a hitch and that Koichi has manage to stand all the way through the concert. But part of him was aware how feverish Koichi felt just now, for sure this concert has taken its toll to his sick partner.

With one look at Koichi's face, Tsuyoshi knew that he probably already reach his limit. Tsuyoshi need to wrap the concert as quick as he could now. When only both of them left on the stage, he lead Koichi to take the final bow, his hand never leaving Koichi's side silently supporting Koichi's body. The fans were screaming loudly with this gesture and Koichi's face was brimming with happiness smile, and Tsuyoshi was never felt more accomplished than that time. With the third and final bow, they went backstage. Tsuyoshi was quick to notice Koichi's body swayed a little and he tightened his hold on Koichi's. Koichi has managed to walk another 4 steps and when they are completely secured from outside's view, he fainted. Sudden weight increased on his arm, almost make Tsuyoshi stumbling to the front but luckily he was ready and grab Koichi's body before they both fall.

The next thing Tsuyoshi remember was he screaming instruction to the staff as his instinct took hold of him. He picked Koichi up and hurriedly walked back towards the dressing room as fast as he can manage while holding Koichi up. He knew that his partner was light in weight but he never knew that it would be this easy to carry him. Tsuyoshi mentally remind himself to make Koichi eat more and force him if he need to. With a jumbled thoughts he lowered Koichi's to the same couch that Koichi occupied before they go on stage and quickly change his wet clothes.

"He's burning up" Tsuyoshi touch Koichi's forehead and glance back at their manager.

"I think we better go back to the hotel quickly, Tsuyoshi-kun. We've already arranged a doctor to come to the hotel."

"That would be a good idea." With A nod, Tsuyoshi start to quickly remove Koichi's wet clothing and cover a blanket over him.

"We will take care everything here and clean up. I think the car supposed to be ready now at the back gate and can I ask you to take care of Koichi-kun while we're here?"

"You don't need to ask" Tsuyoshi nod, grabbing his bag he walk back towards Koichi ready to pick him up when Koichi woke up and groan. Tsuyoshi let out a relieved sigh; just looking at Koichi opening his eyes slowly has eased his worry and his mind calm down.

"Don't look at me like that, I'm fine." Koichi tried to sit up.

"You are not fine, you are sick so act like a sick person and let us take care of you." Tsuyoshi help Koichi to sit up while their manager giving clothes for Koichi to wear. When Koichi has finished, Tsuyoshi hoist him up to stand up and circling Koichi's hand over his shoulder. Before Koichi has the chance to ask, Tsuyoshi has interjected. "We are going back to the hotel, a doctor has been waiting for you there."

It was lucky, since they move out quickly, there are not much fans that's waiting for them outside. They manage to get out safely in minutes time and got back to Hotel soon. Since their Hotel was only a few block away from the concert place. One of their managers has been waiting in the hotel with securities. Extra safety was being pulled out, since Kinki Kids has been very famous in Taiwan. As expected a few fans has also been waiting for them in the lobby, which is why they always use the back door to enter the hotel. Tsuyoshi sighed, usually he doesn't mind. But dragging Koichi to go through the kitchen maze and series of stairs while he was sick has annoyed him somewhat.

Luckily they manage to reach their floor without much difficulty. Their manager has taken Koichi back to his room without much being said, while Tsuyoshi went back to his own room. He took his chance to unwind, relaxing himself from all the adrenaline that was left inside his body, he took his shower quickly. He had a feeling if he did not have the confirmation that Koichi was resting properly, he won't feel thoroughly relived. So when he was done, Tsuyoshi went to Koichi's room only to get a small peek making sure that Koichi was fine and then went back to his room and get some rest for the night.

"Ah Tsuyoshi-kun,I need to talk to you about tomorrow." Their manager, who just went out from Koichi's room, calling out to Tsuyoshi. "It looks like we will probably going to trouble you. If Koichi-kun still not feeling good, we would arrange all interviews and photo shoot tomorrow by yourself"

"I understand" Tsuyoshi nodded.

"Allright, we will call you tomorrow. And by the way I would like to ask for your favor?"

"Which is?" Tsuyoshi raised his eyebrow.

"Koichi-kun. I'll have to re-arrange for the stuff tomorrow so could you please stay with Koichi-kun for a while? The doctor said tonight his fever will increase so I'm a bit worried to just left him alone. I think if it's Tsuyoshi-kun I can be rest assured, I'll be back in an hour or two " Shoving the hotel Key card to Tsuyoshi hands, the manager only smile and left leaving a dumbfounded Tsuyoshi alone in front of Koichi's room. Well it can't be helped Tsuyoshi thought; he wants to check up on his partner anyway so better have a legitimate reason then. With that he enters Koichi's room.

"Tsuyoshi, is that you?" Koichi voice was heard faintly from inside the room.

"You should be sleeping, so why are you still up? and where are you going?" Tsuyoshi walked inside and notice that Koichi was trying to get up from the bed. He quickly pushed the man down back on the bed.

"I'm thirsty I want to get something to drink." Without give out a fight, Koichi lay back on the bed. "oh and I want cola with ice, can you get it for me?"

Tsuyoshi stared at Koichi with an angry look.

"You have a fever, please take care of yourself. No cola when you are down like this. I'll get you some water. You really are troublesome. " With a quick stride, Tsuyoshi pour water to the glass and bring back both the jug back and put it on the nightstand. He helped Koichi to get up and give the glass of water to him. When Koichi finish, he helped him back lying on his bed and put the icepack on his forehead.

"Now sleep. I'll be here until you sleep." Tsuyoshi sat on the sofa that was located next to the bed and lay his head back there getting some rest himself.

"Sorry and Thank you."

Tsuyoshi jerked his head up, a little bit surprised that such work had come out from Koichi. Koichi was still lying down with his eyes closed not showing anything out, but Tsuyoshi was sure that he heard it.

"Ah don't worry about it, after all this is all the job for the wife right?" Tsuyoshi chuckled to lighten up the mood

"I'm sorry I should have take care of myself better. I've thrown a lot of work onto you now, am I? Isn't it tomorrows work also being put on your shoulder again?"

"Koichi! Koichi! Don't burden yourself too much. There are 2 persons in Kinki Kids, when you can't do your job; I go take over when I can't do my job you take over. It's as simple as that. You will do the same thing to me right. So trust me and leave it all to me... or did I did that bad compared to your standard?"

"No, you did excellent, it was all that I’ve been expecting and of course I trust you, You're the only one I trust in this industry. It's just that I should do better that's all."

"You Mr. Perfectionist." Tsuyoshi laid his head back on the sofa, his chest are warm to hear a compliment from his partner. "You already did what you can. Enough of this mushy talk and just go to sleep."

"Yes, Mrs. Wife!" Koichi let out low chuckled. "I really am lucky to have you as my partner, I thought I should let you know when I still have a fever so I can blame it to the fever talking later."

"Same thing, you are an excellent partner. You know Koichi, you don't need to say that when you want me to stay here, you know. I will be here to accompany you so you won't get that lonely." Tsuyoshi has sensed the longing voice in Koichi's voice and he felt himself smile. It really does a reward full ending for him after-all the hard work he did.

"You know me to well'" Koichi chuckled once more but he felt himself relax and feel secure when Tsuyoshi was there. And with that peaceful feeling, both of them were lulled to sleep.