Inspired by Cosmosdex

Outside the Set

It was time for one of Kiya's shows, and his two friends were there to watch. VIP tickets, he said. But they had to help some of the crew out.
Right before everything began, Arlo and Rigel came in wearing disguises. Those quickly came undone the moment Rigel opened his mouth.
So a crowd began to gather.
Rigel Showtime Actor
H-Haha...Yes, yes. I'll...G-Give me a second to sign this.
Arlo Showtime Scientist
We're just here for Kiya. No need to ask so many questions.
Rigel Showtime Actor
H-Hold on...Agh!
With the crowd being so excited, Arlo barely even registered that Rigel had been pulled aside at first.
Nor did they realize who pulled him in the first place.
Aestus The Reporter
Hello, hello, hello! Rigel, greatest actor of today, here on the set of the best cooking show in history! Mind if we have a small interview? It'll only take a minute!
Rigel Showtime Actor
Oh goodness...C-Could it wait a bit?
Aestus The Reporter
Nope! Not at all. Let's get going!
Arlo Showtime Scientist
Oh, fuck.
Arlo Showtime Scientist
Rigel...
Just the sight of Aestus alone made them sick.
That Weatherman loved pulling awful stunts to make a show, and this was no exception. They knew that if he were to get his way, Rigel would retaliate.
And Rigel didn't exactly have the will to retaliate right now.
Aestus The Reporter
So, Rigel. You're here at the set of One Chef: Master of Seasons. What got you into the series in the first place?
Rigel Showtime Actor
U-Uh...um...
Rigel Showtime Actor
One of the contestants...is...
Aestus The Reporter
A friend? A best friend? Something more? Surely it must be something else!
Rigel Showtime Actor
Wh...God, no!
Aestus The Reporter
You heard it here, folks. Denial is a river, and we're swimming down the waterfall!
Rigel Showtime Actor
That is not what I-
Arlo opens his mouth, reaching out to try and grab the reporter. They know. They know what he's trying to do.
Just watching this unfold was misery.
A hold of the shoulder, and Aestus freezes. He recognizes that hold anywhere.
Rigel Showtime Actor
...A-Arlo! Hi!
Arlo Showtime Scientist
Hi. Hello. Do you know this guy?
Aestus The Reporter
I don't know, do you?
Aestus The Reporter
Tell the mic if so.
Arlo Showtime Scientist
Show's about to start, we gotta go.
Aestus The Reporter
Oh, no! You've definitely got a few more minutes. Isn't that right?
Rigel Showtime Actor
No. Not at all.
Aestus The Reporter
Come now, the fans watching love you. And they're wondering! Are you two a couple? You came in together, after all!
Arlo Showtime Scientist
.....
Time slows before the two of them. If Rigel were to say yes, Aestus would have an outburst. If Arlo denied it, he'd only pester them more.
They're just friends.
That was the excuse they both wanted to say.
This too, was a form of denial.
Kiya Showtime Chef
Nyow.
Kiya Showtime Chef
Aestus, get the fuck out of here. Show's about to begin.
Aestus The Reporter
Ah, you know that's not true—
Kiya Showtime Chef
It is now.
Kiya Showtime Chef
No media beyond this point.
Aestus The Reporter
....
Aestus furrows his eyebrows, and really thinks about it. Wouldn't they ring a bell if the time was up?
He needed an answer. Right now.
But Kiya's claws don't quite discriminate between lives.
Aestus The Reporter
Ouchie! You've got some crazy claws, there.
Aestus The Reporter
Make sure to save that sharpness for the onions.
Kiya Showtime Chef
You're onions.
Aestus The Reporter
See you later, then!
Rigel Showtime Actor
.....
Arlo Showtime Scientist
..........
Arlo Showtime Scientist
He always does this.
Rigel Showtime Actor
Th-Thanks, man.
Kiya Showtime Chef
Too damn bad I got here a little late.
Kiya Showtime Chef
Would've been nice cutting him up on live TV.
Arlo Showtime Scientist
You wouldn't, right. That'd be really fucked.
Rigel Showtime Actor
I would've helped him.
Arlo Showtime Scientist
Please no. It's not worth the trouble.
Kiya Showtime Chef
Yeah?
"...It may as well be."