3:30

“You’re not actually serious, are you? All of that over a name?”



Bass booms throughout the building, deafening the clack of eight-inch red thigh-high heels on payment; despite this, every step feels like thunderclaps, as the mass of bodies part like the Red sea in response. The only person not quaking in his boots at the force of nature passing through reaches out, grabbing two hands of his fur coat like common garb, halting Minj in his tracks. Tensions are in the air, but there’s calm in his eyes. Shimokitazawa of Setagaya, Tokyo isn’t the prettiest or nicest venue, but it’s part of Idol history. So many first pages were written here, and so many last pages were signed here. Performing is the game; but performing when practically standing in the audience? Hands raising Minj by the lapels of his coat, clear off the ground, are nothing to being able to see the look in response to his singing, his dancing, in real time.



“I’m sorry.”



Minj’s unsteady, shaking tone isn’t enough. The grip tightens. Asano’s frantic breathing, his shaking hands, and his death glare are part and parcel of the problem at hand - final testimony in the trial of his death sentence wouldn’t be complete without evidence, would it? After all, something’s dying here.



“Then why are you giving me this look? I know you. I MADE you. STAY.”



The putrid bitterness makes Minj recoil. Eyes are window to the soul, and the young man’s hands knock the grip away; effortlessly, the cat lands on his feet. Asano’s usually dressed to the nines in suits, but it’s as if he’s either been running ragged looking for a replacement, or he’s expecting to feel the loss of his lead sooner than later. T-shirts and jeans make him look even more intimidating than the middle aged man already did, but Minj can’t look away after that statement. After years of practice and training for Cat’s Cradle, the biggest insult he can offer is making eye contact for the first time.



“Not for my choice. I’m sorry after all this time, the version of me living in your head is worlds apart from who I am. I’m not insulted to be called the ‘quirky one’. I make him look normal by comparison. All Akabane and I were was supporting cast so he could stand out as a solo star. Akabane’s already called it quits, I just accidentally failed upwards. Turns out, people like to see you as you see yourself. Cats aren't good at commands. C’est fini.”



Yells and demands fall to the wayside, continuing on his warpath through the crowd. Gossip and speculation fall upon deafened, experienced ears, but the second he kicks the double-doors to the concert halls apart, it hits. Stunned silence and gasps from the crowd precede Nasiga, in the middle of his solo while the other two supporting members prepare for their harmonies, following the path of the eyes directed towards the clack of Minj’s red bottoms behind him. The light, flowy, R&B influenced track comes to a halt and Minj reaches for the nearest mic as if it were Excalibur. A quick gaze fails to find the cut-off point where the crowd trickles off and dies down; the venue is packed to the brim. Secrets don’t last long in this business. Big breath in, big breath out, and Minj speaks.


“Tonight I’m… here to say goodbye to all of you. Part-timing is for work; my craft is my love, and I need to let my passion and commitment be felt. I’m putting my heart into my new calling, but let’s celebrate our love one more time?”



To roarus applause and cheering, Minj tosses the coat to the ground, to his usual spot left center - Nagisa grasps his shoulder, tugging him back. Minj and Nagisa lock eyes for the first time in what’d felt like ages, and Minj’s compulsive straightening of Nagisa’s tie brings a bright red hue to his face, while they wait for their track to give them to cue to begin.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------






CRINGEWORTHY OR MINJWORTHY: FACE THE MEWSIC


Do you know how rare it is for a concert to go off without a hitch? Question goes double for me, because stunts involved, the more variables come into play. When my cape came too close to pyrotechnics and your dearest lil’ quasar became a lot brighter than ever intended, you know the move?



I am not an interlude; I didn’t stop the show; I strutted even HARDER. Fans leave understanding your burning passion both literally and figuratively, at the cost of second degree burns and a few jokes about how I shouldn’t be hurt, I’m as flaming as I always have been. This is an extreme of course; but a broken heel, an unruly fan, or any host of issues… it makes a meow meow’s head hurt to think and plan for all of the possibilities!



And so! I don’t!



Don’t get carried away, this Purge match isn’t anything to sneeze at! It’s got all of my focus and attention, and I mean it! No, seriously! You get too curious on Daddy Jobs’ app store and download an orange mask, then go peekin and pokinat the men living around Whalan, Minnesota. Was it Grindr? Was it Dead by Daylight? Meow meow couldn’t tell! Therefore, there’s not a dickstraction in sight! Promise, that’s not a Freudian slip, it’s a joke, I’m just kitten!



When you’re staring down the barrel of a gun, which could entirely be part of this upcoming match if some sweet sadist is feeling generous, you want more than a plan. Underneath these soft features and sweet cheeks, were four young men dedicated to their craft. Hell, our calluses have calluses from rehearsals, seven days a week, rinse, wash and repeat. Work until you know your routines with your eyes clothes! Practice until you see your routines until you sleep! When your muscles hurt in places you didn’t know they could, you’ve reached Latoya Hixx status!



That’s meow meow speak for ‘you’ve accomplished the baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare minimum, congwats!’ Mark my words!



...Mark, my words? Markus, bring me my fuccin dictionar- oh wait, I don’t have an assistant anymore. Now I’m not feeling confident enough to use the word zeitgeist anymore so it is FINE.



Speaking of fine. Now, sweet kittens, I know it’s cool to act like everything’s fine and dandy. It’s survival instinct right? Last Purge match, someone got carted off within the opening seconds. The abandoned town supposedly used to prevent outside influence was turned on its head. Inside influence, in the shape of LED masks from the WORST EDM FESTIVAL EVER, destroyed anything they could get their pawbs on! The urge to follow suit is appealing, because I might be a lil’ bushy tailed and wet behind the ears, but I get it. Safety in the middle of the herd? Don’t stick out, you might not be the first person to eat but you won’t go hungry, right?



Wrong!



Maaaaaaaaaybe I’m too used to being blinded by stage lights, but a blind man could tell that I’m the odd man out here. That’s a good thing, mewmew! You all have sight, but no vision. We’re all bringing our best wrestling form, but this match isn’t about being the best wrestler. It won’t go to the proudest, or the most stubborn. Don’t you see? Whether it’s True Society, or it’s some other barbarian willing to split you from groin to grin, I believe the route to victory… is paved with submission.



NO NOT THAT KIND STOP LOOKING FOR MY GRINDR ACCOUNT



ESPECIALLY SINCE NOW THAT I THINK OF IT LAST PURGE MATCH WAS HALLOWEEN CENTERED SO IM PRAYING NOBODY GETS STUFFED LIKE A TURKEY THIS TIME


...UNLESS SOMEONE FINDS A PAPER BAG FOR OZY THEN MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYBE ITS FAIR PLAY?


How’s the saying go? The Master has failed more times than the beginner has tried? There’s going to be a lot that doesn’t work.  Submission in the form ofaccepting that no one approach is going to cut it, will take me miles ahead. I won’t brag and boast. I won’t ramble off accomplishments. My ego won’t be the hill that I die on, and unlike you lot, my personal philosophy doesn’t cut off my options. Throughout my entire life, I could never stick to sheet music. I don’t abide by formulas. When the moment calls, I meet it halfway. I won’t win by being the biggest or baddest to pick up a mic, I’ll win because despite what my Lonelyfans says, I am the most versatile in this match! Not only do I have the imagination to quickly react to any situation I’m in, I’ve got the raw ability to match!



...I told myself I wouldn’t brag but… a cat in gloves catches no mice.



Don’t take this as a slight, and I beg of you not to hold it against me. But…. for all the gloom and doom you all might talk about taking to this match... you got here with tons of experience... I got here with what I learned as an idol and two matches, and trust. Take that into account. Or don’t. Look up, look alive, and make sure to look before you leap! If you're looking at your usual formulas, I’ll look like the cat that caught the canary. You all can try to meet the moment, but honey, I am the moment. Nyah!~