AraAki

"I'd rather not take the scenic route when it comes to achieving my dream. So, Akito-kun, I'll be looking forward to singing more with you... Because I believe we'll find the quickest way there as long as we're together."

- Arata in THE POWER OF UNITY Episode 8 "Taking the First Step"

AraAki is the slash ship between Arata Touno and Akito Shinonome from the Project SEKAI fandom.

STRAY BAD DOG
Akito first hears about Arata when some spectators mention how Vivid BAD SQUAD was almost on the same level as another guy who wanted to put on an event that surpasses RAD WEEKEND. At the Weekend Garage, the members of Vivid BAD SQUAD talk about Arata, and Akito says that they should take it as a challenge to see what they're up against. Akito and the other Vivid BAD SQUAD members learn more about Arata from An's father. Akito also agrees to going to an event at a live house that Arata will be at.

Akito and Touya run into Arata supposedly crashing an event. Akito agrees with Touya when he mentions that Arata seems very charming. Akito thinks that Arata isn't very serious about surpassing RAD WEEKEND, but he changes his mind after he performs and thinks that he [Akito] really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Akito approaches Arata and asks to chat. Arata recognizes Akito from Vivid BAD SQUAD and mentions that he's been to one of the group's events, so Akito thanks him. Touya catches up with Akito, and Akito mentions that he is his partner. Arata comments, "Good for you," at the mention of Akito and Touya being partners.

Touya notices that something changed. Arata must have remembered his partner, who was in a different city and could no longer sing because of a traffic accident.

Akito asks Arata if it's true that he dreams to surpass RAD WEEKEND. Arata tells Akito that he doesn't just want to surpass RAD WEEKEND, but he will surpass it. He also tells Akito that it was more of his best friend's dream because his best friend was really into music and dragged him along to see RAD WEEKEND. However his partner is now paralyzed and hospitalized as a result of a car accident, and Arata is trying to surpass RAD WEEKEND on his own. Akito tells Arata that it's not realistic for one person to surpass RAD WEEKEND, which is something Arata already knows. Arata believes that he is more capable of surpassing RAD WEEKEND than Akito. He says that Vivid BAD SQUAD had been a disappointment and that he was hoping for more since An's dad spoke so highly of Vivid BAD SQUAD. Akito asks what Arata means by that, but Arata takes back his statement because of Akito's scary face.

Arata says that his point still stands and that Akito doesn't have what it takes to surpass RAD WEEKEND. He says that Akito could get somewhere with time, but he would have long since succeeded by then. Arata claims to be speaking his mind, not getting cocky as Akito said. This angers Akito, and he is further angered when Arata compliments Touya and An but forgets Kohane's name and calls her an amateur. Akito cuts off Arata and declares that if Vivid BAD SQUAD can get the crowd more pumped that Arata can, then Arata will have to take back what he said. Arata agrees to his challenge with a grin.

Akito and Touya give it their all, but Arata is still confident he can win. Arata surprises Akito and the crowd with his singing. Arata tells Akito that spending your life on surpassing RAD WEEKEND is only the bare minimum. He also tells Akito and Touya what happened to his partner. Arata states that Akito is the least interesting member of Vivid BAD SQUAD and that his teammates are more talented than him. Akito cries out, "Damn it... Noooo!!" after Arata leaves.

Two weeks pass by and Akito practices and does solo events a lot. He denies that he's doing solo events because of what Arata said, but Touya notices that what Arata said is in fact bothering Akito.

A musician, Koutarou Mita, informs Vivid BAD SQUAD that Arata crashed the event Akito was at and that Akito went back to his older self from back when the BAD DOGS started out. At the live house, Akito surprises Arata with his singing abilities instead of the other way around. Though, Arata tells Akito it's still not enough to beat him, and Arata again surprises Akito with his singing. Akito hears someone in the audience say that Arata might be able to surpass RAD WEEKEND, and Akito begins to doubt himself again.

Touya, An and Kohane show up to crash the event, getting Akito back on track, and the Vivid BAD SQUAD members sing together. Arata asks for the event to end in a draw. Though, Akito still admits defeat against Arata but declares that he will get better.

They later interact again in THE POWER OF UNITY event.

Quotes
"Shinonome, you're the least interesting one of the bunch."

- Arata in STRAY BAD DOG Episode 4 "

"Such pressure... You've practiced quite a lot. This might make you mad, but that makes me happy. Seeing you like this gets me more motivated."

- Arata to Akito in STRAY BAD DOG Episode 7 "

Fanon
AraAki is often overshadowed by AkiToya, Akito's most popular ship as well as Arata's other well-known ship AraSou. But due to Arata's status as a side character, the aren't many other rival ships. AraAki is sometimes portrayed with one-sided attraction on Arata's side. AraAki has a little bit of fan content, but there's not a lot. There are currently 9+ gen works and 9+ romantic works for Arata and Akito on AO3 while on Pixiv, they have 130+ novels. Some find it problematic to ship as Arata is 19-years-old while Akito is still a first-year high school student. Though, Touya mentioned that Arata was "about the same age" as him and Akito.

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