A/N: Again, one of the longest chapters I've ever written on AFF so please allocate enough time if you want to read in one sitting :)

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Amu and Rio sat around the sofas in the hotel room that Ryosuke and Daiki had been renting out. Ryosuke had dropped them off earlier before having to return to the office for an emergency conference. Meanwhile, the two girls had been eyeing the television, waiting for Ryosuke to appear any minute now.

Rio, in particular, was extremely nervous. She hasn't discussed anything with Ryosuke yet and had no idea what the news conference will be about. She thought that seeing him appear on the screen would ease her worries but as soon as he emerged from backstage, she felt her stomach churn as her anxiousness tripled. 

Despite the equal amount of nervousness Ryosuke was feeling, he didn't look nervous at all on stage. Perhaps, it was thanks to the many years he has working as an actor. As soon as he approached the podium, he bowed at the sea of reporters before taking a step closer to the mic. 

"Thank you every one for taking the time out of your busy day to be here. I can't imagine how surprised some of you must be when you saw the news today so I'm here to address them with actual facts." Ryosuke paused to take a deep breath. After letting his lungs collapse back into his chest, he decided to continue on.

"It is true that Miyata Satoko is pregnant. However, I am not the father of the child. I will not be going into detail about her pregnancy as that is her choice to share or keep it private. The only thing I do have the permission to share is regarding the engagement between Yamada Rio and me. Due to recent events as many of you know, we decided to temporarily put everything on hold. We will be taking this time for ourselves to rebuild what was lost in the fire as well as our relationship. 

The boy paused once more and glanced towards the side of the stage. He opened his mouth to say his next words but couldn't find the courage to do so. In that next moment, the rest of the members poured out onto the stage to stand next to him. Daiki placed a hand on Ryosuke's shoulders and nodded, assuring the latter in his speech. 

"There is one more thing us as JUMP has to say.. We thank everyone who had supported the band from the very beginning and it pains us to say this but... As of today, Hey! Say! JUMP will be temporarily suspending all activities for a month for reorganizational purposes. We're already awaiting the day where we can perform again but as for now, we hope that we will continue to have your support through these difficult times." Ryosuke concluded. 

JUMP bowed in sync- in the same way they would usually do at the end of each concerts. It was their way of showing that they were still united. 

After they retreated back, the view of the stage was cut off and the nightly news resumed again, this time with various news reporters commenting on Ryosuke's sudden announcement. 

"If Ryosuke's goal is to change the headline of the newspaper then he did a great job because this will surely be on the cover of every newspaper tomorrow morning." Rio sighed.

'Shock' was just an understatement of how the girls felt after watching the conference. 

"We'll ask them about it when they arrive," Amu suggested as they continued to monitor the news.

It didn't take long for the guys to arrive. Moments later, a knock was heard echoing from the door and Rio went up to answer it. As a safety precaution, she peered through the peek hole to make sure that it's someone she recognize but glanced over to Amu when she saw more people than she expected.

"Dai-chan, Chinen, and Yuto are here too," Rio whispered as Amu adjusted her position on the couch. 

After opening the door, the four boys walked themselves in with Ryosuke making sure that the door was locked correctly behind them. 

"Before you both say anything, our hiatus was a decision agreed on by everyone in JUMP. We think it's safer in general as well to put things on hold." Yuto explained as he took a seat on a sofa chair. "Ryosuke filled us in on everything that happened today." 

"We need a plan." Daiki said. "I don't feel comfortable just sitting around while this Anon decides to play tag with our lives."

Ryosuke shifted his weight from one foot to another, thinking about possible scenarios. "We don't have any evidence so shouldn't our plan be based around finding some?" 

"Except for the note." Rio stated. "I'll go to the lab tomorrow to run some tests on it too. Maybe I can find information on it or fingerprints in that matter." 

"I'll go with you." Ryosuke offered. "You can spend the night here and we'll head out early tomorrow."

"I don't think it's smart of you to be in public after what happened today." Yuto protested. "I'll go with her. Besides, her belongings are still at my apartment. She can get more sleep tonight at my place before tomorrow morning comes."

Rio mentally pouted. She honestly wanted to spend the night with Ryosuke then head out together in the morning but what Yuto said made more sense. On a normal day, Ryosuke already has people who are out to get him just for being popular with the girls. With that announcement today, the likelihood of someone walking up to him in anger after recognizing him is a heck a lot higher. 

"I think Yuto is right," Rio said carefully. "Besides, you must be exhausted after today. You should get some rest tomorrow."

Rio hoped that her explanation was enough not to make him question anything further. However, luck was never on Rio's side- especially when Ryosuke furrowed his eyebrows and glanced between them in an unpleased expression. "Did something happen betwen the two of you that I'm not aware of?" 

"Ryosuke, nothing happened between us." She answered, looking over to Yuto for assistance. 

Instead of brushing their history off, Yuto frowned and pulled his gaze away from Rio. "We cuddled and almost kissed but if that's nothing then sure."

"HUH?" Ryosuke exclaimed, walking over to the taller boy who had already stood up from his seat. 

"You need to stop taking her for granted." Yuto said, pushing the latter to make space between the two of them. "Besides if you hadn't played your first hand in Anon's game and gave up on her then we wouldn't be in this mess to begin with."

"Are you really going to start lecturing me on my own decisions?" The older one fought back, shoving Yuto backward. 

The latter was now agitated. "I will if you keep making decisions that hurt Rio." He said before reaching out to grab Ryosuke's collar. However, before he was able to do so, Rio pulled Ryosuke back towards her while Daiki pushed Yuto aside to put some distance in the argument. 

"Will both of you just knock it off?" Daiki yelled, rubbing his ears. "Let a guy have some peace and quiet."

"No worries. I'm done here. Rio-chan, are you coming?" Yuto asked, turning to pick up his backpack.

Meanwhile, Ryosuke glanced over at her and shook his head. "Was our kiss before nothing to you?" He asked, stunning Rio with the sudden blunt question.

How could she answer that without hurting either him or Yuto?

"You know already how many times I'd circle the world for you." She answered, hoping that her answer would suffice until she had given Yuto a proper answer. 

"Have fun tomorrow." Ryosuke bluntly concluded, smiling weakly back at her once more before heading off into his room.

"Ryosuke-" Rio protested but instead was met with the sound of his door slamming shut. 

"It's been a long day for him. We should probably give him space to cool off." Yuto suggested. "If you change your mind and want to come back then I don't mind driving you back but as for now, we really should be going. It's already past midnight." 

Rio released a heavy sigh, feeling her eyes b with tears again as she wondered why they haven't been on the same page recently. 

"I'll get going." She said before glancing quickly at Amu. 

"I'll be okay. You should go get some rest." Her best friend replied and Rio nodded. "Good night, everyone."

After Yuto and Rio disappeared from the room, Amu shifted in her seat. She was evidently uncomfortable being in the presence of her ex and her crush at the same time. She glanced between both of them to see what they were up to and found Daiki was staring off into the distance while Chinen didn't dare seem to look away from his phone.

"You've been on your phone for quite a while..." Amu said in an attempt to start a conversation but frowned instead when he ignored her. 

"Earth to Chii?" She asked once more, but this time was met with the loud ringing of his phone. 

"Crap. Sorry, I have to take this." Chinen apologized, quickly scurrying out of the hotel suite.

After Chinen closed the door behind him, Daiki released a heavy sigh and glanced at Amu. "Has he been acting like that for long?" 

Amu shook her head. "Just yesterday..." She said, pausing. "Speaking of which, can I ask for your opinion on that matter?" 

"Of course."

"Do you think Chinen may be working with Anon?"

Daiki immediately raised an eyebrow. "Why would you think that?" 

"His actions have been scaring me recently. He's being really affectionate at the randomest times and changes personalities out of the blue." 

"Maybe he's ecstatic that you two are together again." He paused, glancing down at his hands. "I mean, speaking from experience I wouldn't know how to act in that position." 

"Dai-chan, about that- there's something I have to tell