The morning sun slanted through the COSMIC Production windows
Ibara was, as usual, at work early.
His schedule for the day was neatly laid across his desk: a sea of spreadsheets, meeting requests, and memos.
He glanced up the instant his office door swung open with a sharp knock-
and found two familiar faces on the other side.
Polar Opposites.
His brow lifted a fraction as he set aside a spreadsheet:
"Polar Opposites. What brings you here?"
Raito stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back-his usual sunny grin soft at the edges, almost hesitant.
"Ibara-senpai... Tsuki and I were wondering... could we do a collab with MaM?"
Ibara blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then slowly leaned back in his chair, arms crossing:
"...Madara Mikejima?"
Tsuki nodded calmly from beside Raito:
"He helped us yesterday. Protected us. And..."
A pause. Quiet but firm:
"We want to return the favor." ๐
Ibara studied them-their expressions unguarded for once-no jokes, no scandals in sight-
just two idols asking not for exposure...
but to pull someone else into the light.
Silence stretched between them until Ibara reached for his tablet,
tapping open Madara's profile: solo unit status โ sporadic appearances โ recent absence from agency schedules โ ๏ธ
His voice was dry as ever-but with a flicker beneath it:
"You know he refuses collaborations unless it 'speaks to his soul'."
Raito bounced slightly:
"Then we'll make it speak! We'll sing about family! And found connections! And how sometimes..." -he grinned- "...even loud mamas need someone who checks on them first!"
Tsuki added gently:
"He pretends he's fine alone. But if anyone understands that act... it's us."
Another beat passed-
then Ibara exhaled through his nose,
opened a new message window,
and began typing faster than humanly reasonable:
> "Subject: Emergency Collaboration Proposal - Polar Opposites ร MaM (Emotional Damage Containment Unit)"
> "Purpose: Stop one man from disappearing into metaphorical storm clouds while pretending everything is sunshine."**
As he hit send,
a tiny plastic sun plushie (stolen weeks ago) sat beside him-
next to its moon counterpart.
And just before speaking?
He didn't look up when he said:
> "...Fine. But if this turns into another city-wide photo leak..." ๐ He pointed sharply at both of them.
> "You're cleaning every dressing room until graduation."
Raito saluted with glittering eyes:
๐ "YES SIR!"
Tsuki bowed deeply:
๐ "Understood."
And deep within COSMIC Production...
somewhere between signal bars and bad Wi-Fi reception...
Madara Mikejima suddenly paused mid-step,
looked up at the sky like something had whispered across time-
and smiled wider than he had in months.
Because Mama felt something strange today...
๐ Like he was being held too. ๐๐ซ๐ง๐โจ
Arata Mototsugi sat in his dimly lit office at NEW DIMENSION, fingers steepled under his chin.
The city skyline glittered beyond the glass behind him.
His phone buzzed once-quiet, but sharp as a blade-
a message from Ibara Saegusa:
"Emergency Collaboration Proposal - Polar Opposites ร MaM (Emotional Damage Containment Unit)"
Arata read it.
Once.
Twice.
Then leaned back slowly-eyes narrowing with something between suspicion and... recognition.
He tapped a command into his tablet, pulling up Madara's file:
Name: Mikejima Madara
Unit: MaM (solo)
Last Contact: 78 days ago
Status: "Elusive" | "Self-reliant" | "Pretends he doesn't miss people."
A flicker passed over Arata's face-subtle, almost invisible to anyone who didn't know him.
But he knew Madara.
They'd stood on stage together once-long ago-as idols of different eras,
two forces too strong for one group,
so each chose solitude instead...
but never truly left the other behind.
Arata muttered under his breath:
"...You idiot."
Not anger. Not frustration.
Just quiet ache masked in tonelessness:
"Running everywhere... acting like you're everyone's mother..."
"...but refusing to let anyone be yours."
He opened a new message window-
his fingers hovering over the keys-
then typed one line only:
> "Ibara. Approve it." โ
And beneath that?
In tiny font no one else would see:
> "Tell them... tell him we're rooting for Mama too." ๐๐ค๐ป
No signature. No name attached when sent through official channels-
just authorization stamped with silent understanding between two men who chose power over warmth...
and still wondered if they made the right choice.
Later that night?
Madara received the greenlight email-and paused mid-step on some faraway street in Hokkaido,
stared at his phone screen under falling snowflakes...
then laughed-a real laugh this time-
one hand pressed lightly against the cold glass of a vending machine as if holding onto something unseen,
whispering into winter air:
> "Ah... so even gods remember me~" โ๏ธ๐ก๐ซ ๐โ๏ธ๐ง๐โจ
Weeks passed.
Polar Opposites prepared for the collaboration-
practicing new songs,
refining choreography,
memorizing lyrics like they were studying for tests.
Raito and Tsuki even rehearsed in the middle of a downpour behind their agency,
laughing when Tsuki's scarf became a soggy mess-
or they accidentally dropped their umbrella-
or one fell into a puddle and had to be dragged back to practice with a squelchy glug
Raito laughed so hard he fell backward into a puddle, legs kicking up like a flipped turtle.
"Hah-haha-T-Tsuki, I'm stuck!"
Tsuki stared down at him with all the dignity of a disappointed moon god-
then wordlessly reached out his hand:
"...You're hopeless."
Raito grabbed it, grinning through rain-soaked bangs:
"But you like me anyway."
A beat.
Tsuki turned away fast-ear faintly pink-but muttered just loud enough:
"Only because I'd never hear the end of it from Mama if you caught pneumonia." ๐ง๏ธ๐ง
Still dripping, they made their way back inside COSMIC...
only to find something unexpected waiting in the rehearsal hall:
A single duffel bag.
A half-eaten stick of dango.
And one very familiar coat draped over the piano-
as if someone had just arrived... and hadn't left since.
Then-BOOM.
The door slammed open with theatrical flair!
In stepped Madara Mikejima, arms wide like he was entering paradise itself:
"MY SUN AND MOON BABIES!!"
He lunged forward-
grabbed both Raito and Tsuki mid-soggy-hug-puddle-trauma-and squeezed them into a triple embrace that lifted their feet off the ground!
Squished together,
soaking wet,
laughing despite themselves...
they were suddenly no longer idols practicing alone.
They were a family beginning rehearsal-one chaotic hug at a time.
And from outside?
Ibara watched through glass,
arms crossed-
but lips twitching upward ever so slightly as he typed into his phone:
> "Collaboration update: Emotional damage levels rising... but for once?" โ
> "It's healing." ๐ซ๐๐โ๏ธ๐ผ
After their soggy hug session-
which Madara claimed was "essential to team-building" -
he helped dry Tsuki and Raito off with an array of colorful towels.
Once they were semi-dry, Madara stepped back to admire his work:
"Much better. Now you look less like little drowned puppies~"
Then glanced down at himself,
laughing at his own soaked coat:
"And I look like somebody threw a water balloon at me. Which... is actually kind of accurate."
Raito giggled from where he was shaking his hair out with the force of a tiny dog:
"You kind of brought this on yourself, y'know."
Madara just shrugged, flinging soaked bangs from his eyes:
"Worth it. Hugs are the best medicine-scientifically proven."
Tsuki rolled his eyes, though he looked faintly amused:
"Says the man who refuses to get help because he thinks singing alone in a bathroom helps."
Madara grinned:
"It does. It's very good for vocal health."
With the soggy disaster averted-
and Madara's coat draped over the back of a chair to dry-
Polar Opposites launched into warmups, stretching and singing scales while Madara watched patiently:
"You're looking good! Very good. Keep this up and the collab will be legendary, baby~"
Tsuki hummed in response, still stretching his legs:
"As long as no one falls into a puddle again."
Raito's laugh echoed like bells:
"Hey! That was an accident."
Tsuki glanced over dryly as he pulled up one knee, stretching:
"It was caused by your own lack of spatial awareness. That's worse."
Raito crossed his arms with exaggerated offense:
"How could I know there was a puddle behind me?"
"I don't know," Tsuki deadpanned. "Maybe by looking?"
The two argued as they stretched, trading insults in what could have passed for sibling banter.
Madara chuckled, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed:
"Just listen to you two! Already at each other like the perfect duo. I'm proud."
Raito rolled his eyes:
"We're arguing. Friendly arguing is still arguing."
Madara shrugged, smirking:
"Same difference. Just means you care."
Raito stuck his tongue out at Madara-
then yelped when Tsuki swatted the back of his head:
"You're stretching wrong. And no tongue. You look like an idiot."
Raito rubbed his head:
"Mean."
Tsuki hummed nonchalantly:
"I'm telling you what you need to hear, moron."
Madara grinned:
"Such tough love! It warms my heart~"
The music started-soft at first, then building.
A gentle piano melody, joined by strings that shimmered like morning light on water.
Then came the beat:
steady,
pulsing,
inescapable-
and with it, Polar Opposites moved.
Raito stepped forward first-
arms outstretched like he was pulling the sun from behind a cloud:
"I shine bright-but not alone!
You're my shadow in the glow~"
Tsuki slid in from stage left-cool and composed-the moon answering its call:
"Not just silence... not just cold...
I follow where your light goes..."
Their voices wove together effortlessly-
sun and moon entwined in harmony.
And then-
BOOM.
The door burst open again (no knock this time),
and Madara charged in mid-dance move,
leaping into formation like he'd been rehearsing for years:
๐ฅ "I may wander far and wide~
๐ฅ But when you call-I'm right there by your side!"
Raito's eyes lit up mid-step:
"He learned it?!"
Tsuki didn't miss a beat-just side-eyed him with faint disbelief:
"...Of course he did."
Because of course Madara had memorized everything already.
While they were practicing under rain puddles...
he was watching every leaked practice video...
memorizing every note...
not because he wanted fame or praise-
but because these two?
These silly, bright, broken kids who chased each other through life?
They made him feel seen.
So now-he sang louder than ever:
๐ค "No need to hide that you're breaking inside~
๐ค Mama sees it all-and I won't let you fall tonight!"
The dance shifted-one grand spin as Raito reached out to Tsuki,
who pulled back only to step closer on purpose this time-
then both turned toward Madara,
arms opening wide-as if saying:
๐ We've got space here too.
The choreography ended with them standing shoulder-to-shoulder-to-shoulder-a triangle of light and warmth against darkness.
For a moment?
No one spoke.
Just breaths catching
in throats too full
with something none could name but all felt deeply.
Then Raito grinned wetly-eyes suspiciously shiny-and said softly:
> "...We should name this song 'Mama's Lullaby.'" ๐๐ผ๐โ๏ธ
Tsuki didn't argue.
Madara?
He just covered his face with one hand...
muttered through thick laughter-and-tears mixed together:
> "...Brats... You absolute brats..." ๐๐โจ ๐ต๐ซ๐ง๏ธ๐
The night was quiet.
The stars were out.
And Tsuki sat alone beneath his desk lamp, humming quietly as he wrote.
A second song.
Something special for Polar Opposites-made for Madara's voice and their combined sound.
The words had been buzzing through his mind all day.
This time, he hummed them out loud.
A week later
Backstage buzzed with energy.
The arena pulsed with the hum of lights and distant fan chants.
Dressers flitted between Polar Opposites and Madara, adjusting lapels, smoothing ruffled collars-
but Raito wasn't listening to anything.
He stood near Tsuki, arms crossed behind his head like always... but his eyes kept drifting to one person:
Madara Mikejima-dressed in a shimmering coat lined with tiny sun-and-moon charms (newly added)-
humming softly as he stretched his shoulders,
a rare quiet in him before the storm of performance.
Then Tsuki stepped forward suddenly,
holding out a single sheet of paper:
"This is for you."
Madara blinked:
"Huh?"
Raito leaned in too-curious now-as Tsuki explained calmly:
"We didn't just want to sing with you. We wanted to give you something... from us."
Madara took it slowly-the song title printed at the top made his breath hitch just slightly:
"You're Not Alone (Mama's Anthem)" ๐๐ซ๐ผ
His hands trembled-not much-but enough that Raito saw it.
And when Madara looked up again?
All loudness was gone. All jokes vanished. Just raw warmth behind glassy eyes.
"...You wrote this for me?"
Tsuki nodded once:
"Because someone needs to remind Mama that he's loved too."
Raito grinned softly:
"And who better than your own moon-and-sun babies?" โจโ๏ธ๐
For once-the great MaM had no words.
No spinning hug.
No booming laugh or dramatic declaration...
just silence filled by something deeper than sound-
before he pulled them both into a tight embrace,
voice thick as ever, but softer now:
> "...Thank you." ๐๐
Then-from nowhere-he laughed into their hair like only Mama could do-and said brightly:
๐ "Alright! Now let's go make them cry!"
Lights flashed backstage-
music cue rising-the countdown began!
They linked arms instinctively: Raito on one side, Tsuki on the other,
and Madara right in front like they were never meant to be apart...
as they stepped toward center stage together...
into blinding light...
into roaring applause...
into a moment none would forget-
๐ต Polar Opposites ร MaM - Live Debut: "Family by Choice" ๐ต
๐๐ค๐๐
The moment the curtain rose-
a thunderous wave of sound hit them.
Ten thousand voices screaming.
Lights blazing like stars brought down to earth.
The stage trembled under their feet.
And there, in perfect sync-
Polar Opposites stepped forward first.
Raito smiled wide-radiant as dawn:
"You know the night feels heavy sometimes..."
(soft piano begins)
Tsuki followed-calm, cool moonlight in motion:
"But even shadows don't walk alone."
Then from behind-a voice so warm it wrapped around the crowd like a blanket:
๐ฅ "AND IF YOU FALL-I'LL BE THERE TO CARRY YOU HOME~!"
Madara burst forward with arms wide open-
sparkles bursting at his feet,
his golden coat shimmering under spotlights,
his voice soaring over theirs like he'd been waiting a lifetime for this stage.
The song pulsed-powerful and raw:
๐ค "I sing for every lonely heart,
๐ค For every soul that plays its part...
๐ค You're not broken-you're just unseen...
๐ค So let Mama hold you now, my dream!"
Choreography exploded into life-
spin by spin,
step by step-
they danced as one force.
At the bridge, Tsuki took lead-with quiet strength and soft lighting shifting blue as moonlight fell across the arena floor.
He sang softly-but clearly enough to silence screams:
๐ "I used to think love had limits.
๐ That I had to earn it... prove it... hide it..."
A beat passed.
Then Raito stepped in beside him-voice bright but tender:
โ๏ธ *"But you showed up without asking why.
โ๏ธ Just hugged us close-and called us 'yours.'"
And then?
From center stage...
Madara dropped to one knee-the mic low,
and sang directly into heartbeats everywhere:
๐ผ ๐ฅ "No blood binds us... but something stronger does. โจ๐ฅWe choose each other! And THAT is enough."
The crowd erupted-not just clapping-but crying too.
Phones lit up like fireflies across darkness-one chant rising above all others:
๐ "MAMA! MAMA! MAMA!"
Backstage?
Even Ibara watched through glass fingers clenched slightly at his sides-and Arata Mototsugi leaned against a wall outside NEW DIMENSION's broadcast room murmuring into silence:
> "...Idiots." ๐๐ค
> "All of you beautiful idiots."
Because no one won that night-
but everyone felt found. ๐ซ๐ง๏ธ๐ถ๐โจ๐
The stage still glowed with the afterimage of Polar Opposites ร MaM's performance.
Backstage, the air buzzed-not just from staff, but from presence.
Because they'd all come.
Not because it was required.
Not for politics or rankings.
But because something about that song-about Madara, about found family-pulled them in like gravity.
And now?
The hallway outside the dressing rooms had turned into a quiet constellation of idols:
๐ From Eden - Ibara stood arms crossed, Nagisa half-hiding behind a fan, Hiyori smirking with rare softness, Jun stretching like he'd just finished his own set.
๐ Valkyrie - Shu leaned silently against the wall, Mika beside him polishing his glasses like he didn't care (he did).
๐ 2wink - The Aoi twins already gushing: "So emotional!!" Hinata wiping fake tears; Yuta rolling his eyes but smiling.
๐ Crazy:B - Rinne dramatically clutching their chest: "I felt my soul leave my body!" HiMERU sipping tea with one eyebrow raised. Kohaku nodded slowly. Niki was recording everything on their phone... for "historical purposes."
Even distant units arrived:
From fine, Eichi adjusted his gloves without a word-Wataru grinning wide next to Tori and Yuzuru-but even Eichi muttered under breath:
"...That solo bit at the end was calculated brilliance."
Trickster energy exploded through Trickstar's arrival-Subaru yelling: "THAT WAS UNFAIRLY TOUCHING!" while Hokuto tried to drag him back before he caused chaos again.
RYUSEITAI thundered in literally-all five cheering at once as Midori squealed and Shinobu teased Tsuki from afar:
"Guess you do have feelings~!"
UNDEAD watched in silence-their expressions unreadable-but Rei bowed slightly when Madara passed by later; Kaoru muttered something about "unexpected warmth," which Koga laughed at loudly before Adonis shushed him with dignity intact (as always).
AKATSUKI stood together near shadowed edges-Keito scoffing lightly ("Too flashy"), but Kuro staring quietly ahead; Souma simply whispered:
"...Felt real."
Switch? Natsume giggled into Sora's shoulder while Tsumugi sighed:
"They made Mama cry! That's child abuse!"
Special for Princess!? Esu clutched his sketchbook tight-"This is going in canon." Raika nodded solemnly:
"A sacred performance."
ALKALOID observed professionally-Aira adjusting earpieces mid-analysis ("Heartbeat synchronization during final chorus is off-the-charts") while Tatsumi smirked:
"They didn't play fair."
Knights walked in last-with proper formality-as Tsukasa rolled his eyes dramatically ("Sentimental nonsense")...
...only for Leo to whisper under breath where only Izumi heard:
"Still made me want to text my sister."
And Ritsu? He simply rubbed tired eyes-
then said very quietly into silence:
> "...We should collaborate more often." ๐๐ซโจ
One by one,
idol after idol approached-not demanding autographs or photos,
but offering small things instead:
A high-five to Raito.
A nod of respect to Tsuki.
Or just standing near Madara long enough that their shoulder brushed-
like saying without words:
๐ You're not alone anymore.
Because tonight wasn't about fame or victory...
it was proof that even stars who burn brightest apart
can shine brighter-together-in harmony unforeseen,
across agencies,
rivalries,
titles...
They were all just people searching-for light, for love...
...for someone who calls you baby when no one else will. ๐๐ผ๐โ๏ธ
โจ๐ต๐๐๐
The crowd's roar faded into a hush.
Then-a single spotlight bloomed center stage.
Not for Madara.
Not for an encore song.
But for Polar Opposites alone.
Raito and Tsuki stepped forward hand in hand-no choreography, no script-
just the two of them beneath the glow, breathing in unison like they were one soul split in two.
The mic clicked on.
And Raito smiled-soft, real, no performance behind it:
"We started this because I didn't want to lose someone important..."
He glanced at Tsuki-who didn't look away this time.
"But... we ended up gaining so much more."
A pause. The audience held its breath.
Then Tsuki took the second mic:
His voice quiet-but clear. Carrying further than any shout ever could:
"...We used to think strength meant carrying everything alone."
He looked toward backstage-to where Madara stood watching from the shadows.
"...He taught us it's okay... to let someone carry you."
Suddenly-
a warm breeze blew through the arena (someone must've opened a side door).
And with it?
Dozens of tiny paper stars-glowing faintly with LED sparkles-floated down from above,
launched by unseen hands:
๐ From Eden adjusting rigging mid-tears
๐ Valkyrie triggering effects without being told
๐ Even UNDEAD pressing buttons like they weren't supposed to care
Each star bore three kanji written in careful ink:
๐ "ๅฎถๆ by ๆ"
("Family by Love")
Raito reached up instinctively and caught one midair-
then laughed wetly as he showed it to Tsuki:
"See? We're not even special anymore." ๐ซ
Tsuki stared at the floating lights filling the hall...
at all those rival units now standing together behind them...
at Madara stepping forward slowly from backstage...
and whispered just loud enough into his mic that only thousands heard:
> "...No." โจ๐โ๏ธ
>
> "We're something better."
> "We're family."
The music began again-not loud or flashy-but gentle, swelling like tides beneath their feet as every unit present sang harmony from backstage,
voices weaving into one across agencies and pride,
into something rare,
beautiful...
eternal.
๐ค๐ซ Sun and Moon.
๐ค๐ซ Mama's Lullaby.
๐ค๐ซ Found hearts beating as one.
๐๐๐๐ต๐
(The music begins - soft piano, a single violin weaving through silence.)
Raito steps forward, spotlight warm on his face - not the blinding stage light, but something gentler, like dawn breaking.
He sings, voice bright yet tender:
๐ค "Sometimes you think you'll be fine by yourself...
๐ค 'Cause a dream is a wish that you make all alone..."
A pause.
He looks down at the glowing paper star still in his hand - then smiles faintly.
"But what if... your dream isn't just yours to hold?" ๐ซ
Behind him, Tsuki lifts his mic without stepping into the light yet - just watching. Waiting.
Because this part?
This one's Raito's to say.๐๐โ๏ธ๐ถ
Tsuki steps forward - the spotlight shifting like moonlight spilling across still water.
His voice is quiet, but it carries - not loud, yet it silences the breath of thousands:
๐ค "It's easy to feel like you don't need help...
๐ค But it's harder to walk on your own..."
A beat.
The piano lingers beneath him like footsteps in snow.
Then softer - almost a whisper:
๐ค "You'll change inside... when you realize-"
He looks up.
Not at the crowd.
Not at the lights.
But at Raito - who's watching him with a smile too soft for words -
and beyond them both, where shadows shift...
๐ And there he sees Madara, standing just outside the stage glow,
one hand resting on a doorframe,
eyes hidden beneath his bangs-
but shoulders relaxed.
Like for once... he doesn't have to be strong alone.
Tsuki finishes gently into the mic:
"...you were never really." ๐๐ซ
Silence falls-
sweet and deep-
before Raito reaches out without thinking and takes his hand again.
No words needed.
Because some songs aren't about solos.
They're about harmony found in broken places stitched together by love louder than loneliness ever was. ๐โก๏ธ๐
โจ๐ตโ๏ธ๐๐ผ
The melody softens, piano notes fading out to make space for new sound.
A gentle, steady drumbeat kicks in - like a heartbeat rising beneath the song.
Raito begins singing, voice like a ray of warmth breaking through shadow:
๐ค "The world comes to life, and everything's right"
๐ค "From beginning to end... when you have a friend by your side!"
To be continued