The truth is even though he stayed by her side before, and he did not try to understand her fears and worries. She often said it was enough that he was there, but he felt helpless because he could not do anything whenever she cried. When he saw her break down badly after Tsueno Mamoru died, he felt so helpless for the first time.

His thoughts broke when his phone started ringing. Ran proceeded to ignore it until it started ringing several times, causing him to get looks from other students.

Tsk, what's with this crappy timing?

Ran took his phone out his pocket, and when he saw the caller ID, he almost freezes up.

He walked away from the room slightly and answered the call. "Hello?"

"Did you hear about it? They're tearing down the old concert stage in the outdoor park soon and holding one last rock festival."

He shuts his eyes; of course, he knows about it. After all, the stadium is getting torn down is to build a much larger stage—a grander stage for higher-tier idols.

"I heard."

"So, are you going to join us on stage again?"

Ha? What?

"What are you talking about?" He muttered.

"Huh? I thought Yuki-chan already went to see you."

She did see him, but one on earth does Yuki have to do with this?

"She didn't tell you? That's strange. Anyhow the others were planning on holding a week's worth of performances there. Are you up for it?"

Hold on, and this is too much for him to take in all at once.

"You do know I'm an idol now, right?"

"There is nobody who doesn't know. But I think this still suits you the best. It may be selfish and sound contradictory to you. But you belong on this side of the world. Won't you form a band with us again?"

Form a band with them again? Ran repeated the words in his head, but it did not seem real.

Once the phone call ended, he heard a clattering sound of books and spotted that it belonged to Sumire's friends.

Oikawa Asami is a girl with long dark auburn hair tied in two low pigtails with bangs that frame her face and dark olive eyes. A famous model, someone who could probably compete with his childhood friend if she wanted to.

"You heard?"

Otome seemed taken back. "Uh yeah...was that from your bandmate?"

Ran deeply sighed before he nodded.

She doesn't say anything for a few minutes. Crap, this isn't good. Even though he did not agree or anything like that, in the end, this doesn't sound good. Oikawa doesn't exactly have the best reputation. Although Ran ignored pointless gossip like that, he occasionally paid attention.

After the situation with Sumire, he knew how deadly rumors could be.

"Anyhow, it was just," He stopped mid sentence when he noticed o the auburn colored haired girl was suddenly in front of him.

"Iwa-san, you do have pretty eyes."

Huh? What on earth is she talking about?

"Those with eyes like that have already decided.."

Ran turned to look back at the room but only briefly. Terashima extended his hand out and patted Sumires hair.

"Good job, but you were out of tune in the chorus."

"Idiot! You ruined it."

"Don't you want me to be strict?"

One day I want to stand on stage with everybody as equals, what we have now is good, and I like it being with everybody. But I have always felt a distance. I want to be with everybody properly.

So this is what Sumire meant back then. It seems like Terashima can give her something he cannot.

….

Ran decides not to meet with her again for several days. He even ignored her messages and phone calls. He could not get the image of her singing out of his head. He frantically shook his head, and he needed to get a drink and head back inside. He was currently in the middle of a shoot, but he messed up, and the staff told him to have a break.

When Ran reached the vending machine area, he saw somebody familiar. It was Terashima Yuhi, and he was leaning against the wall with the vending machine cigarette in hand. For a moment, Ran thought to walk away but quickly shook his head and walked over.

"Sumire is quite upset because you're giving her the silent treatment," Yuhi commented.

"You know that isn't it." Ran knew that Terashima saw him in the doorway at the end. "You saw me, right?"

"I did."

"That was a first for me seeing her that way, and I am sure the same would go for anybody else who saw that."

To think Sumire could sing that way. Ran knew she was terrific from the beginning, but this was something else entirely.

"Is it that surprising?"

"Yes." Ran admitted. "Sumire has always sung powerful songs. You know she is a very emotional person and has gone through a lot of crap in her childhood. She experienced many painful things, and her heart cries out. So whenever she composes or writes lyrics, a powerful emotion is born."

"Since you understand that, you should also know that it can go both ways. A powerful emotion does not have to be a rock or pop song, and it can be a ballad too. The first time I met her, she sang my songs beautifully in the same way that she did now. So even long before she met me, she could sing this way."

At that comment, Ran almost dropped the drink in his hands, but Terashima caught it. "Your feelings are too transparent."

"Are you directly confronting me?" Ran muttered.

"No need for that. I just can't stand watching any musician be half hearted."

His gaze darkened at those words. "Are you saying I am not serious? What do you know about me?"

Ran felt a sudden burst of anger. How can this guy say such things? This person does not know anything,

"Iwa Ran, who was closest to her last year but never did anything out of consideration because of Tsueno Mamoru, right?"

He shouldn't know anything of what happened, and yet he knows? Terashima already knows everything. That means Tsueno must have told him everything. Ran already felt that it was hopeless from the beginning to be together with Ibuki Sumire. He could not understand her, and he could not do anything for her when she was in pain. Although they got along very well, that was not enough.

But now, what is this feeling of absolute defeat? From the very start, that girl was already Terashima Yuhis, and even Mamoru knew that.

Yuhi sighed deeply. "Listen, I do not intend to show off and confront you all."

"Then your purpose?"

"My purpose is just to tell you this, you and I are alike. Me and your other team members, the guys in Nanairo feather, are the same too. We all like Sumire, but the most important thing for us is not our feelings but hers. Her smile and her songs, as long as we can make her shine, that is all that matters. Iwa right now, instead of battling with your emotions, can't you tell her through another method without hurting anybody?"

Ran's eyes widened when he heard those words escape Terashimas lips.

To confess all the feelings he felt through music. Right, that was how he managed to cope this entire time. He knew if he told her directly, she would outright reject him, and that would be even more painful for him.

"For you to say that is unfair."

"Yeah, it is, but it is better to hear it from me."

Ran could not argue with that. "Can I borrow her for a bit later?" He should meet with her and explain since she misunderstands the situation.

"You don't have to ask for my permission. Sumire and I are dating, yes, but she is not my possession. She is free to speak to whoever she wants to."

Is this guy an idiot or something? If Terashima refused and restrict Sumire like that, he would get mad, but one thing is evident to him. This guy is different from the rumors.