Eternal Melody

But, perhaps this is something she can do to return the kindness he has shown her. Sumire debated about it for a few minutes. She needs more information, and asking directly isn't an option. She doesn't want to ask Yuhi either so that only leaves one person.

Even though she doesn't want to contact Sano, he is the only other person Hino gets along with. She still doesn't understand how they became friends when Hino is such a good guy, and Sano is the opposite. She needs to ask them one day the story of how they became friends, she is sure it will be very entertaining.

"I think my hair is dry enough," Sumire mumbled.

"Yeah." Hino puts the hairdryer down and starts to brush it.

'Hino is so kind. I really do want to do something for him. I couldn't cook the yakisoba for him tonight, but maybe I can make it for lunch tomorrow?'

Her lips curved into a smile. She could already imagine how surprised he would be.

"By the way, the Star Records president called me to thank you for sending the demo of the new song for Nanairofeather. He said they will work on recording soon."

When she hears those words, Sumire lets out a relieved sigh. She was worried for a while about whether the president would accept. Ever since she left Star town and moved to Tokyo, Nanairofeather scattered. They haven't performed together in a year, although they have been doing jobs together. The last time they were on stage together was in early December.

After Ru's accident, everybody was depressed for a long time. When she first moved here to Tokyo, she focused on herself.

Yuhi always seemed upset whenever she mentioned the others, and she, too, had mixed feelings about everybody. She wanted to see them for the longest time and talk to them all, her dear friends. But, when she thought about the state she was in when they last saw her, she felt ashamed.

It seemed they also shared similar feelings since nobody had contacted her. Other than Masaru-senpai, she hadn't heard from the others. But, the other day, one of the letters caught her attention during her radio program.

There was no name, and it was written anonymously, but she knew who it was from. Because of that letter, she found the courage to write the song and contact the sender. Mikaze-kun seemed very startled when she rang him. But he answered immediately.

"I have heard the demo too, and it's good, but what are the lyrics like?" Hino asked.

"Oh, that's-" Sumire points to the notebook on the counter, and Hino briefly stops brushing her hair, grabs it, and then passes it to her.

Light Wonder

Lyrics: Ibuki Sumire

Music: Ibuki Sumire/Alto Mikaze

The fading daylight signals the beginning

Let's step into the twilight from here

A prayer to summon tomorrow

Illumination winds around your body

A world where the show's curtain hasn't fallen in forever is waiting

The day when we seize that dream just arrived

So while calling for cheers and rhythm

I should be able to start walking forward with you

If I'm standing with you

As long as the night lights up

This crude pain transforms into hope

Countless hellos and goodbyes

Step by step, it's wonder light

No matter how far

The frolicking lights, that's the story

Someday's wish will become the path

Go on and on with the sound of your footsteps

A journey to our future

Seven lights gently twinkle.

Hino blinked. "Huh, so that guy can compose too?"

Sumire laughed. "Mm, he is actually very talented. In middle school, we paired together for our first assignment. Neither of us had composed before, but he was good at the guitar, and I was good at playing the piano."

"Right, didn't you go to moonlight academy? The singers and composers were divided and often paired together for assignments."

"That's right, each time I was paired with somebody different. First, it was Mikaze-kun, next Masato, and finally, my childhood friend Nao. Normally A and S classes were separated, but there were occasions when both classes did the same assignments, and that's when I ended up paired with Masaru-senpai, Sei-kun, and Daiki-sama."

"Whenever you talk about them, you look like an innocent girl."

Sumire puffed her cheeks. "I am an innocent girl!"

"Yes, yes. But no matter how often I see it, your music is always glowing." Hino trailed off. "The center for this song is Alto Mikaze and Ichinose Daiki?"

"Yes."

"Are you-" Hino trailed off and scratched his hair. "-not going to search for Ichinose Arashi?"

Ichinose Arashi is nanairofeather's center and somebody she was close with.

"If senpai wants to appear before me, he will," Sumire said firmly.

Moreover, right now, she has her hands full with Ru's situation.

"Sano is right; you react so sensitively to Ichinose. Is Yuhi in trouble?" Hino joked.

"Don't even joke about that, there was a time when I was indeed fond of senpai. However, before I could make sense of those feelings, Ru asked me out."

"You didn't like him in middle school?"

Sumire shakes her head. "The one I liked then was Yuhi."

"So Sano just acted like an idiot for nothing. I think I am starting to understand now." Hino trailed off and ran his fingers through her hair. "Sumire, do you want to return to Star town? I am not trying to tell you to leave, but maybe you can go home for a bit, and Yuhi can pick you up over there."

Her gaze softened upon hearing his words. "No, right now, staying in Tokyo is the best for my career. I have no doubt I can sing anywhere, regardless of the venue. But, there are opportunities that I can only have while I am over here."

"Indeed, Tokyo is the best place to go to if you want your career to flourish. So I do understand, but aren't you homesick?"

"My home is wherever my dear is. Since Yuhi will be coming back to this place, I want to wait for him here."

Her home can only be wherever Terashima Yuhi is. Yuhi treats Tokyo as his home, so she will do the same. Just thinking about Yuhi now, however brought tears to her eyes. She wants nothing more than to hug and kiss her dearest.