A few hours later - Yuhi's apartment -

A simple walk? It didn't end up like that at all. After Yuhi expressed his concern for her, he received many calls which he couldn't ignore. They ended up heading to the same place.

She knew that Yuhi involved himself in business matters too. But, that was the first time she saw him like that.

Yuhi fell asleep at last. It felt like he was even more stubborn than usual. Well, it was probably due to the talk of other men. That didn't stop him from kissing her, though. Kissing is already a problem. Why does he always have to do it without clothes on? A deep sigh crossed her lips. Perhaps she has underestimated this person a bit too much.

No, that's already obvious. But, ahh-- a conflicting thought appeared in her head. She thought she could tease him, but it seems like she can't when he teases her first.

Sumire opened the door and found Yuhi sleeping soundly on the couch. Yuhi curled up in such a narrow space. He looks like a large animal.

When she saw the dog there too, she quickly hugs her.

"Thanks, Aoi, for staying with Yuhi."

The dog woofed in response as though it understood before leaving the couch.

She plops down and stares at Yuhi. 'This is the first time I can look at him like this.' She usually falls asleep before him, so she never has the chance to stare for long.

Pfft, he has creases between his brows. Is he dreaming about work? Those businessmen must have hassled him a lot. It's a good thing he managed to slip away from them. He looks so innocent when he is sleeping.

Mature and child-like. She only briefly got a chance to see these sides of him. But now she could see everything. A part of him, she doesn't know. 'What other things will she learn about him?'

Learning all this makes her feel ticklish. Its amazing isn't it, falling in love with someone? If she confessed to Yuhi sooner, would she have felt this happiness a long time ago? It feels strange still. But she does understand that she doesn't want to let him go.

Her thoughts broke off when somebody pulled her onto the sofa.

"Ah--"

"Hey, are you content with just looking at me?"

"Nope." Sumire bravely leaned forward and brushed their lips against each other. A hum of approval escapes Yuhi's lips. It's embarrassing. But she wanted to do this for a while.

He pulled away. "You seem tired too."

Sumire shook her head and leaned forward again. "I'm okay, I'm more worried about you."

There's a lot to do. A deep sigh escapes his lips. It never bothered him to be this busy before. Being busy meant he wouldn't get a chance to think too deeply about what he can't have. But now that he's formulating on what to start with, everything comes rushing back.

In the end, all humans are weak. The same goes for her. She may be one of the most fragile people out there. But it's exactly because she has both a strong and weak side, that she is still here today.

This is the reason why she chose a path that carries a heavy burden.

'Ru is the one who taught her how to get back up even when things seem helpless.' But, it's because of Yuhi that she found her dream.

As she thought, she still wants to sing. It isn't enough to just perform or stand on stage. She wants to convey these deep feelings that she buried in her heart this entire time.

"Say Yuhi. I want to sing again. But I'm still scared."

Yuhi caresses her hair. "Yeah.

"I want to be on stage, to talk with fans during handshake events again. It makes me very happy. But even more than that, I want the entertainment industry to grow. I want idols to be loved by people for the next decade."

As for her goal, she wants to reach a place no other person has before. If she could do that, then maybe the emptiness she had been feeling would finally go away.

Her current situation is better now. But, there are still many complications.

She wonders if she could meet with that person despite feeling this way. Her dear senpai, the person she respected the most. Takahashi Yumi, she still recalled everything that person taught her.

She recalled everything, but the moment that remains fresh in her mind is that day three years ago. Yumi-senpai invited her to one of her events. It was rare for her to do that, so Sumire decided to go.

....

Three Years ago Tokyo Dome -

A fourteen-year-old girl with long brown hair arrived at her seat. 'I somehow managed to make it.' Sumire deeply sighed. It wasn't easy slipping away.

Her gaze fell on the stage. It seems like she made it on time. Her senpai Takahashi Yumi was amid her speech.

"It's a strange feeling, but I believe we're all connected by that sky above us. I am twenty-one years old now. I have to move forward properly and let all the bad memories of my past stop haunting me. Though it's one year too late, I'm glad I'm becoming a better person during my twenties. Though I'm still not much of an adult, I hope one day I'll become more responsible and fit your expectations.

From now onwards this third chapter, I will make sure to lead it. Though I won't be alone, I'll have all of you to support me now. Many have commented on entering the top sixteen. Yes, I agree with everyone else that this view is truly amazing. But I don't think rank is everything. Hotaru has already said it; we are who we are. No matter what happens, you are you. The other sister groups finally receiving so much attention, I'm glad. Now we can all move forward this third chapter together.

So many goodbyes and so many sorrows, and yet I still can't cry. Aha, perhaps it's that? Perhaps I've finally used up all my tears. If it's like that, then it will be alright. I want to keep on smiling for everyone. Somiya-senpai always told me to be myself, at the time she said that I didn't understand what she was saying at all. But now I suppose I do. I would tell you the answer, but right now I can't do that.

Like Amu mentioned before, this is the present. This present is what matters now. Though that doesn't mean we will forget the memories of the past. Those memories are ones we truly won't forget."

Sumire placed her hand on her chest. Her cheeks flushed. "Ah…"

What is this feeling? What is it? How come this person --can say such things that affect other people? How can somebody smile so brightly?