Eternal Melody

SUMIRE

A few days later. Sano was livid when she returned to the hospital. Perhaps that was the reason why he discharged her three days earlier than he intended to. Or maybe it was because her concert with Siena was approaching. The first thing she decided to do with her new found freedom was visiting the guys in Nanairofeather. She heard from Hino that they rented a studio out to use as a temporary headquarters, since the company doesn't have a branch here. 

Sumire stared at the large building on the other side of the road. This is supposed to be a temporary base? The president clearly intends to have a branch in Tokyo. 'I wonder what made him change his mind, before he used to say things like he doesn't like crowded areas-' Sumire paused in mid-thought and sighed. This is probably to do with her.

The president probably understands that she will be making frequent trips to Tokyo from now on.

Sumire took a deep breath and walked across the road. But just as she got to the other side, she lost her footing. Sumire shuts her eyes, preparing for the impact of the fall but she doesn't. She opens her eyes and sees a man with dark blue coloured hair.

"You really do trip a lot." Masato said.

Sumire laughed. "I think it's these shoes, I'm not used to wearing heels."

Masato sighs and helps steady her before letting go. Sumire notices Masato silently inspecting her and she laughs.

"What's this? Senna Masato is actually doing something so shameless as checking a girl out?" Sumire teased.

Masato's cheeks coloured and he looked away. "I see you still like to tease people."

Sumire reached over and patted his hair. "I am alright, you don't have to worry. I'm sorry."

Masato sighs but nodded. Before Masato could say anything else, someone suddenly pulled her away. Sumire turned to see Nao there. He had his arms wrapped around her waist and was looking at her with a strange expression.

"Uh hello?"

This is weird, why isn't he saying anything? Sumire tried to break free from his hold but Nao wasn't budging.

Suddenly Nao stretched her cheeks. "If you're still this squishy, then you're definitely not sick anymore.

"Hey!! Are you calling me fat?" Sumire exclaimed.

"Then princess who stuffs her face with desert everyday fat? No."

"It's not everyday!!"

"Am I wrong? You've definitely gained weight." Nao said.

Sumire pouted. "I was just discharged and the first thing I did was come here for you guys, and this is the welcoming party I get?"

Nao rolled his eyes. "Did you expect gifts Princess? Because that would be extortion." 

Before Sumire could make another retort, she felt Nao slip something on her hair. 

"But this, is a very belated birthday gift."

Sumire quickly takes her phone out to look at her reflection to see a rainbow feather hairpin. She blinks surprised.

"This-"

Nao shrugged. "Relax, it's not just from me. It's from the seven of us."

The seven- Sumire's eyes widened understanding. 

"It's the reason why I didn't give it to you right away. That guy is really hard to track down."

Sumire's gaze softened. "But, you found him and spoke to him right?"

"More like, they used their fists." Masato interjected and shakes his head. "We had a photoshoot afterwards. The make up artists had a really hard time covering those wounds."

Sumire sweat fell. "Uh, is Mikaze-kun here?" 

"The idiot has been absorbed practising recently. You left behind some songs for us, didn't you? He has been working on completing those."

Sumire blinked. "But those aren't complete and I haven't checked and-"

Nao stuffs a macaroon from god knows where in her mouth. "If it's your song Princess, we already know how your process. Mikaze did a really good job, want to see?"

Sumire nodded. She was very curious how anyone could finish those songs. Nao and Masato lead her inside the building. It was still fairly empty, but the moment she went inside she knew. The president definitely plans to move in. She tugged on her hat when she noticed some people staring at her, only to feel Masato grab her hand.

Oh.

It wasn't just Masato but Nao took her other hand and squeezed it. "Did your hands shrink Princess?"

"Your not that much taller!"

Nao laughed. "Really? It feels like you have shrunk."

He is definitely bullying her to get a reaction. But, her gaze softened as she looked between the two of them. They noticed it didn't they? Her brief moment of hesitation. She truly has to do better. It's like what Toh said, when she injures herself it's not just about her anymore. If she gets hurt, there will be others who will hurt to.

It didn't take long before they reached a large looking practice room with double doors in a corner of the second floor. Masato opened the doors, and the moment they enter she hears a familiar voice.

"Come, let's jump!

We'll bring you along

Seeking

Our ideals,

We'll make

A sparkling

Stage for you

Let's paint these

Feelings we can't contain

With the colors each one of us holds." Mikaze sang.

'I thought so when they first came here, but did Mikaze-kun's voice always sound like this? I know he has gotten better, but this really is amazing.'

Mikaze stops singing, catching her gaze, upon seeing her he practically bolts over. He starts examining her from head to toe and shakes her. "Sumire-chan, where are you hurt? Why cant I see it?"

"Uh, because the wound is on my chest and-"

"Your chest." Mikaze looked over so seriously and Sumire was dumbfounded. 

Nao hits him across the head. "No ogling. Masato already did that earlier."

"Really?" Mikaze said.

Masato's cheeks coloured. "That wasn't-"

Sumire laughed. She really has missed being with everyone like this. When she decided to leave star town to go to Tokyo, the first thing she thought was she was going to leave the guys in nanairofeather behind. Ever since they were in middle school, she has been by their side. But, if she didn't go? The weight of being in star town would crush her entirely.

"Since the Princess has decided to grace herself with her presence at last, we should give her a gift." Nao said dramatically.

Mikaze's eyes sparkled. "That's right! Let's go for that song."

Masato sighed. "It's a good thing we are friends otherwise nobody would be able to understand your vague instructions."

Sumire eagerly waited and watched the three get into position. She wants to witness it again, the miracle that comes from their performance. Even if there are only three of them right now.