Song 5

“What do you think you’re playing at, Edward?” Meloria’s father cowered on the sofa, hands in his lap, as his pregnant wife continued to yell at him as she stood above him, hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair, looking up at his wife with large, round eyes. “Evelyn, I couldn’t destroy our daughter’s dream,” he spoke back quietly.

“You understand that if people hear her singing, Meloria is going to be shunned by this world, and then what will you do?” Evelyn growled back, pulling at her husband’s ear, causing him to whine as she gently lifted him off the sofa. “I am not having my daughter ostracized by this world, you understand?”

Edward whined, gingerly reaching up, peeling Evelyn’s fingers from his red, raw ear. He gave it a gentle rub as he stood, looking his wife in the eyes. He moved, his hands placed on her shoulders as he spoke up, this time with more confidence. “Our little Meloria,” he gulped, taking a deep breath, mustering up the remainder of his courage. “I have faith she will bring life back into this songless world.”

Evelyn's breathing began to hitch, her chest heaving at the thought of her eldest child, her daughter, becoming associated with something so horrendous. Something that once brought this country to ruins, that may have already ruined her child’s future. She began to sob quietly; Edward moved a hand to the back of her head, bringing her close into his chest, patting her hair as she cried.

Sat in the safety of his room, watching the scene unfold on his television, Maersen smiled, knowing he had sent Akemi’s soul to the right family—a mother who cared for her future and a father who would support even her wildest moments. “I’m going to be everyone’s idol,” he repeated Meloria’s declaration to himself as he sank further into his armchair, his eyes not leaving the television, the screen jumping to Meloria playing with her baby brother, singing childish songs.

He hummed the tune Meloria sang, even through a screen; she always had such an effect on him. Measren could remember when he was first instructed to watch over Earth, observing the humans wondering which one would be worthy to be reborn. He thought perhaps he’d find a heroic fireman, a doctor who was on the verge of curing a disease, but what he saw was the audition of a young girl, holding her head up high as she tried her hardest to stand out amongst all the other girls. Even in the face of rejection, she continued to smile.

Audition after audition, the smile never faded, and yet time caught up with her. Her final rejection would be her last audition, as she prepared to enter college. Reality hit, and she needed a backup. Even then, through it all, through all the heartache, breakups, and family disasters, she continued to smile.

This was Maesren’s reincarnation.

This would be the person he would send to a new world, to see what difference they could make. He smirked, leaning forward, feet firmly on the ground and elbows resting on his knees. “Show me,” he smiled, staring at the screen, Meloria lying on her bed, scribbling in her notebook. “Show me how you’re going to become an idol in the songless world, Meloria.”

Lying on her bed, Meloria stared intensely at the scribbles on her page, in the middle of which was written ‘To be an Idol’, circled, with lines branching off it. Her face scrunched up, the gears in her head turning as she thought, ‘What does it take to be an idol?’

She thought back to her previous life; the endless dance classes, watching non-stop videos at night about proper idol etiquette, studying how her favourite idols presented themselves in the public eye, taking note of what to do and what not to do.

But these rules might not apply to a fantasy world. Pouting, Meloria turned onto her back, staring up at nothing but the blank ceiling. She started to kick her legs, trying to encourage blood flow and find something to help inspire her. This world had radio-like items that played instrumental music as well as gave weather reports and daily news, but nothing like a television. Which means her voice is undoubtedly the thing to get her noticed. Radio appearances require the speaker to be clear, concise, and engaging, avoiding rambling and maintaining a compelling tone.

“So, I’ll have to do regular vocal exercises,” Meloria said, turning back around and making note of it, the writing messy and barely legible. “Posture, too?” She hummed, tapping the pen against her chin before writing it down. “What else is important?” Groaning, Meloria sat up on her knees, glaring at her writing.

As she stared from the living room, she could hear the radio. Soft, gentle tones being played, without words, the music in this world was still something magical. She closed her eyes, smiling, her body swaying in time with the music. “La, la, la, la,” she sang quietly, trying to match the rhythm of the song. After hearing the notes a few more times, Meloria found herself matching the song nearly note for note. “As the leaves start to fall and the nights get darker, look forward to me, I’ll guide you safely home.”

Bursting into laughter, Meloria raised her arms, cheering loudly. The single most important thing she needed to learn about this world:

Their music.

Idols honour and respect the culture they are a part of; Rebyu had much more to offer than she could begin to imagine. Giggling, Meloria crawled over to her window, gazing out at their little farmhouse on the hill, which had the perfect view of the large cities to the north.

“I need to learn everything I can about this world,” She whispered to herself, crossing her arms onto the window ledge, resting her head. “From the people, the food to the music.” Her smile was saddened, “Even about the songstress. She was once popular, before she became evil. If I can find her earlier music, maybe I’ll be able to find a way to connect with the people of this world truly.”

“Meloria,” Evelyn’s soft voice came from the other side of the door as she opened it. She laughed nervously, seeing a vast amount of papers and crayons scattered on Meloria’s bed. “Sweetheart, you should be sleeping.” Her tone was stern as she walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed, being careful to shift the papers.

“Sorry, Mama,” Meloria frowned, turning and hurrying to clean up her mess.

“Young ladies need their sleep,” her mother giggled, handing Meloria some of the crayons. “Especially those with such big dreams.”

Meloria giggled, putting her papers and crayons back into her drawer before laying her head in Evelyn’s lap. “Sorry, Mama,” she said again, this time with a soft smile. “I was looking out at the cities. They look so pretty. Have you ever been mama?”

Evelyn nodded, stroking Meloria’s hair, being careful to untangle any knots she felt. “Your father and I went for our honeymoon,” she mused. “It’s easy to get lost, and not just in the streets. The people, the stores, it’s not like our little farm.”

“Well, one day I’m going to go there,” Meloria proclaimed as she yawned and stretched. “I’m going to go make everyone smile with the music I make.”

Evelyn felt her heart jump, tears stinging her eyes at her daughter’s innocent proclamation. She gulped, leaning down and placing a gentle kiss on Meloria’s head, hearing her begin to snore softly. “I’m sure you will.”