It started the same as usual, the same tiring dream where he was in a green field. It was a bright and warm sunny day.
Jun never understood how he got there. He was aware it was a dream, but it was an unusual one. People normally dream of things that have happened to them. But he has never been to such a place before. The sky never changed; it was the same as ever—a sky with no clouds, the sound of chirping birds.
Nearby the field was a forest, but he never went inside. There is an unspoken rule never to enter a forest, even more so in dreams. Jun sat down by the large tree and stared at the sky.
Now that he thought about it, perhaps this is a familiar place. The school courtyard in Tsukuhara high school is vast, and there is even a chapel in the back.. He would often fall asleep there, and Sumire-san would always be the first one to find him.
'Go back; you cannot stay here.'
He would occasionally hear a voice telling him to come back. He would listen to these voices, and then there would be a strong gust of wind, causing the skies to turn grey.
He never saw what happened next because this would be around the time he woke up.
Jun opened his eyes and found himself in the gardens of the set area. His junior - the one he was mentoring over Kudou Sei was staring at him.
"Jun-San, are you okay?"
"Your concern is unnecessary," Jun said flatly.
"As cold as ever, huh."
Come to think of it; he couldn't find his other junior, the one with the black hair again. According to his calculations, the boy was probably slacking off again.
'I find it a waste since he seems to have talent. But it is his decision.'
"Sei, you made a mistake in that last scene."
At those words, a downcast expression appeared on his face.
"Again, huh? Well, it doesn't matter. I'll just do it over!" Sei declared.
Jun always found his random outbursts quite peculiar. Previously he asked about it, Sei had told him that it helped keep his motivation up , but he didn't understand that.
"But, Jun-senpai, I came all the way here to Tokyo! At least be more excited to see me."
'But the reason this person came in to see Sumire-san's concert.'
It surprised him when he received word that Sei accepted the role and would join him.
His thoughts broke off hearing a familiar voice.
"Jun-kun! Sei!"
One of the main reasons why he followed the other guys to Tokyo was for the sake of advancing his career. But, the main reason is still, without a doubt, this woman in front of him.
"Sumire! This is a surprise; what are you doing here?" Sei said.
"Ah actually." Sumire laughed nervously.
"It's because of the bet, correct?"Jun interjected.
"Eh, that sounds fun; what bet?"
"On the last day before this break commenced. The others were arguing about who would spend time with Sumire over here. That's why we decided to use a quick method of janken. I'm up first until this shooting is over."
'I didn't think she would come today, though, since she has her big concert later on.'
Sumire turned to him. "But even if it was because of the bet, it's perfect timing. I did want to go see you!"
She did? Why? He was well aware that the brunette had plenty of songs she needed to compose, so why would she bother with coming here. It made no sense to him.
His thoughts broke off once he spotted somebody else with her.
'Narasaki Hino. I have seen him quite a few times with Yuhi, but we only exchanged greetings once.'
There are rumors that he became Sumire's manager.
"Everyone. It's time for the next scene."
Once the rain started, the crew headed inside the huge house they rented out for the movie. It was quite an old mansion; there were cracks on the walls and ceiling.
'It looks like it is about to fall apart, and yet they still chose this place as the location for the shoot.'
Jun found Sumire by the huge staircase staring at the rain through the small window and sighing every few seconds.
"Even if I do this, it's not like I'll remember anyway."
"Remember what? Is there something you've forgotten?"Jun asked, appearing behind her.
Sumire almost falls till he catches her with his arm.
"According to my calculations, had I not just caught you there, then you would have ended up in the hospital again."
"Thank you," Sumire mumbled; he gave her a silent nod as a response and let go of the girl's arm.
He always wondered why the girl's cheeks would end up turning a shade of pink like that was similar to that of Momoi Futaba's hair color. If he thought back to it, it did tend to happen whenever anybody touched her.
He wondered what would happen if he touched her more. Jun thought back to that time by the piano in the beach resort during her first year. But he shook his head.
"Did you truly come to see me help with the shoot?"
Sumire laughed. "You're as sharp as ever, huh?" She trailed off. "Yesterday, I finally saw the mysterious leader."
"Did you-"
She shook her head. "We didn't fight. It's more like I saw him drag Sano around."
"I see."
"Tell me, Jun-kun. San is a good person, right? It was his brother who did all those bad things in the past."
"The court didn't make a wrong decision; there was enough evidence. Even those other things you asked me to look into, Nagawa Sano didn't do."
'The only thing I found was his strange possessiveness towards you.' But that was not new to him. How many times has he seen this scene before? The scene of guys falling so badly for this girl.
She is so popular with men. But that isn't her fault; she isn't seducing them or being shameless. The guys who fall for her genuinely have feelings for her.
"I see."
"Do you not want to go and speak with Sei? You haven't talked to him in a while, correct?"
Sumire shook her head. "There is no need. I decided that I won't speak to any of them in private."
"Those guys, I am surprised they all aren't here."
Jun half expected to see the members of Nanairo Feather come running when they heard about the concert. This is a perfect chance for them to meet her.
"There is no need for us to meet now. They understand that very well."
"Indeed, Yuhi-san seems reluctant to share you."
"Aha." Sumire laughed softly. "He acts like that, but he has a good heart."
"I can see that."
Terashima Yuhi is a very good person, contrary to what the rumors say about him.
Jun watched her expression. 'Just a brief mention of Yuhi-san, and her eyes sparkle so much.'
But the brightness in her eyes vanished quickly.
"Remember when I talked to you about losing my memories? It was during one of your movies. I visited the set like I did today."
How could he forget?
That day was the first time it felt like he truly got a glimpse of the real her.