At a radio station in the center of town-
A man with brunette-colored hair just finished his weekly radio program recording.
One of his bad habits since he started his career and since Junie's accident was randomly falling asleep in random places. The moment somebody tells him that work finished for the day, he would fall asleep. Today was no exception either, the light turned red after his radio program, and he fell asleep in seconds.
Whenever he would fall asleep, a memory from the past would come to him.
No, it was not about his comatose friend. For so many years, he only had dreams/nightmares about Junie. But when she came into his life, that changed.
He recalled it just like it was yesterday. They somehow ended up in that type of relationship despite only knowing each other this month..
...
At Tsukahara High School
It had been a week since then, the two of them more or less acted normal with each other. But when the occasion came to it, they would get intimate.
He would act as her friend, senpai, and someone she could go to whenever she had problems with those guys, whenever she was worried or longing. The person she wants so bad is Arashi, right? In the beginning, it didn't bother him, but now it irritated him.
'I already promised her that I won't get attached but what is this?'
Is it because of their physical relationship? No, even before they started that he was already attracted to her. She is pretty, but there are prettier people out there, so it can't be about looks.
'I wonder how long this physical relationship will last. It would be bad if others found out they were sleeping together.' Mimi already has a bad image among her peers. Should he end it? But he recalled the lonely look in her eyes.
It would be bad to leave her that way.
His gaze fell on his friends. The pink-haired model Momoi Futaba is Sumire's best friend. She was talking excitedly to Ran about something.
"Get this Ran-chan was like whoosh and pow!"Futaba explained.
'Should I discuss it with her?' Kou shook his head. Futaba-chii will kill him if she finds out he has been sleeping around with Sumire.
Ran sighs. "What's with the strange actions, Futaba?"
"That's how it is, though."
His thoughts broke off when he spotted a brunette-haired girl by the doorway and stood up. "Mi-mi."
"Oh, Kou-kun."
"Did you need Futaba-chan for something? I'll call her over."
But before he could turn away, she tugged on his sleeve.
"I came here for you."
Kou seemed genuinely surprised at this. "Me?"
He watched as she suddenly turned a bright shade of red at those words, causing him to chuckle.
"What did you want?" Kou murmured, whispering in her ear seductively.
"K--Kou-kun wait stop were-"
Before he could do anything, suddenly somebody wedged a book between them. Kou looked at the culprit.
"Ran-Ran."
"Tell him already."
Sumire suddenly brought out a piece sheet of music. "I wrote you a song."
She did what? Kou couldn't believe it.
This action didn't go unnoticed by all the others in the room since all the students exclaimed. At the very least the girls reacted first.
"Ibuki Sumire wrote a song for Kou-sama!"
"Isn't she Nanairo feathers composer?"
Right, Mimi is Nanairo feather's composer. However, there is no rule in the academy about composing for more than one group. The composers normally avoid it because it would cause misunderstandings.
"A rivalry?"
"Mimi, are you sure?" Kou finally managed to ask.
A faint blush dawned on her cheeks as she fiddled with her fingers, "Yes. Actually, in the beginning, I was quite nervous about it. But lately, my thoughts, my soul, everything is filled with you, and that's why I couldn't help myself."
…
Kou woke up to somebody shaking him. It was Sumire.
"Kou? Are you alright?"
He blinked once and then another, but it was indeed her. What is she doing here?
"What about your concert?"
"You really must be out of it; my concert doesn't start till later. I was heading to the venue with Yuhi when I saw you here."
Is that so? But wait to head to the venue with Yuhi? 'I thought she would avoid that.'
"If you would like, you can join us."
Kou didn't think she would ask him to tag along. It looked like they were arguing about something but after a while. He watched as Sumire buried her face in Yuhi's back.
"I'm only scared; you understand why right?"
"I do, but I want to reassure you that nothing will happen."
Despite the vague exchange, Kou understood the current situation. So, Mimi wanted to travel separately from Yu-Yu today because of what happened before?
It's not like it's any safer if they are apart. In fact, it may be better if they stick together. But he also thought she would do this. Despite how happy she is now, Kou knew the scars had yet to heal from her heart.
Mamoru-san is alive, but Sumire is still affected.
It isn't fair, even though music is the most important thing to her.
Yuhi turned back to him. "Earlier, when I saw Jun, he had a terrible fever."
"Ah."
"Next time, you should stop him from staying up late. Then again, with your schedule, it is a bit difficult."
Kou laughed. "I will remind him."
'Jun is very hardworking, just like Junie. The only difference between the two is one is emotionless, and the other is bright and cheerful. How strange, I used to think of Junie every day but now-' His gaze fell towards Sumire.
The girl was clinging to Yuhi's arm.
She truly has an unusual ability to draw people.
No, it's probably because of his feelings for her. If he didn't fall for her, then perhaps the situation would be different.
Kou was about to say something when they saw a huge crowd gathering; in the center was a man with ginger hair and one with dark hair, wearing glasses and a blue uniform.
"Uh, Yuhi, isn't that Yoru and Sora?"
"Atushi, Jae, Kawa, Chitose are there too." Yuhi trailed off. "It's unfair for them to start a brawl without me."
"I can even see Asuka- geh Yuhi stop them! I don't need injured people attending later."
With those words, Yuhi quickly left. Sumire turned to him. "Now I got Yuhi out of the way, Kou come with me for a bit."
Huh?
Sumire didn't say anymore and turned away. Kou quickly went after her. It would be bad for her to be alone right now. He heard the recent movements of those people from Hamano. It seems they are worried about her concert with Takahashi Yumi.
There is no way they will leave her alone. They have to be on their guard. This is the reason why Tachibana Masaru and Kudou Sei came all the way from Star Town to Tokyo.
It surprised him when he heard from his kohai that only those two would attend out of the seven. But it would attract too much attention if they all came.
Those guys would rather sacrifice their longing to see her than cause problems for her.