Chapter 6

Chez Hayase? "Wait a minute, I thought you said we were going to your studio?" Misaki asked as she stared up at the modern, three-storey mansion.

"Yes, and it's at my house. Well, our house; Shun lives here, too," Ren said as he parked his car in one of the four garages off to the side. "We had our own studio built here, so we wouldn't have to go back to Eclipse all the time."

"Even though it's close by?"

Ren shrugged. "We like having it accessible at all times of the day, and when there was a ruckus because of us, it was better we didn't go in."

"I'm surprised you don't have fans at your gate all the time, if it's that bad."

"I think the forest-like path leading up to it helps hide us, along with not having mail delivery, but we have had a few fans follow us here. Our guards are great, and fans usually leave if they get a signature or picture with us. So far, no one has put our address out there for the world to see, so we're okay. I can leave your name and picture with our security, so you can flee here if you need to." He chuckled.

"What picture?" She turned to him.

Click.

He took a picture of her. "This picture. Looks great." He held it up to show her.

Misaki couldn't help but run her hair through her fingers, wishing she had a chance to pose better. "And why would I need to flee? I'm not a celebrity anymore—"

"I beg to differ. I still listen to your music, so you still have fans."

"And I don't plan on being in the spotlight again, so I shouldn't have to worry." While I miss interacting with fans, I can do without the ones that try to stalk you. I can at least say Aki used to protect me from them.

Ren shrugged. "You never know. Besides, this way you can come over for a friendly visit or collab without needing one of us next to you."

"I guess that makes sense. I assume you guys will also be working on other things?"

"Naturally. We're always busy, so it might be an odd schedule to work together and possibly only one of us at a time. We'll make it work." Ren got out and opened her door for her. "I think you'll love our studio."

She followed him into his house, leaving their shoes at the door. The walls were bright, hardwood floors covered each room, and everything was organized, other than a pile of video games sitting next to the TV in the living room.

"I can give you the full tour if you want, but first..." Ren motioned to a room in the back. "This is our studio."

The first part of the room had multiple monitors on a large desk with a mixing console in front of a glass panel leading to the recording room. Acoustic panels lined the walls. A variety of instruments sat on both sides of the room: guitars, bass, drums, keyboard, violin, flutes, and a banjo.

"You had a full out professional studio made at home?" Misaki's jaw dropped.

"Why wouldn't we? Much easier at home. One of the perks of our popularity, I suppose." Ren smirked as he watched her reaction.

"Can you play all of these instruments?"

"No, but I play a few, Shun plays a few, and we have some friends who play the other instruments. If there's another instrument you want to add, we have space."

Misaki cringed, gripped the strap to her purse. "I only know how to play keyboard; never learned to play any others. If anything, I wanted to play violin, but..." She bit her lip. Aki always wanted me to focus on one instrument.

"But?" He watched her stare at the ground and frown.

"I never got around to it, like so many other things."

"I see." He could tell she held back, but decided against pushing. "Well, that's not one I play, but I'm sure Shun would teach you."

Shun knows how to play violin? She imagined him up close arranging her form, and shook her head, feeling her face flush. Not sure I'd last.

Ren held his arms out wide. "So, what do you think? A personal studio away from everything, with a full pantry nearby for late-night snacks. We've got the go ahead to do the official recording here."

Eclipse must really trust them. Guess I should've known that, with them having their own label.

"It's amazing, really." I'd love to have one of my own. "But... what's our timeline like? Do you really think we can make an entire album worth of songs together?"

"Misa, how many songs have you made this year on your own? Wait, no, this month?"

I never kept track. "Does it matter? Doesn't mean they're all good."

"But that's my point; if you can write that many on your own in a month, how many can we make together in, say... half a year? We don't have a firm deadline, but they suggested having it ready for release early next year."

Misaki nodded and took a deep breath as Ren smiled at her. I'd hate to be rushed, but that seems fair. It could work.

"You in here?" The door to the studio opened, and Shun peeked into the room.

"Yes, Shun, we're here." Ren waved him in.

"Hello again, Misa. I'm sorry I couldn't be here right away to show you around, but I'm sure Ren's done a good job."

"H-hi, Shun." Misaki nodded.

Ren slid up beside Shun and wrapped his arm around Shun's shoulders. "Both of us would be ecstatic if you said yes."

"Will you work with us?" Shun asked, working off Ren's words.

They are certainly hard to say no to, and if it's here, it won't be so bad. Might even be fun. "Okay."

"Okay?" Ren's smile widened, and eyes sparkled.

Misaki nodded. "I'll work with you two." This might work out. I don't have to force myself to perform anymore. My songs will be out there with people I can trust singing them.

"Yes!" Ren high-fived Shun and picked Misaki up in a hug, spinning her around. "Thank you!"

"Oh!" Misaki jolted and returned his hug without thinking.

"Ren..." Shun called out to him.

"Oops, sorry." Ren set her down and stepped away, laughing. "I got a bit overexcited there." He held up his hands and backed away as Shun shook his head.

"You'll forgive my brother; he lacks a sense of personal space when it comes to people he likes."

People he likes? Does he do that to all his friends? "It's okay. I was just startled." Though the warmth of his hug lingered.

Ren smiled widely, a faint blush on his cheeks as he rubbed the back of his head and laughed. "Sorry for startling you. I don't want to scare you away before we start. I've already asked Daichi to have a contract drafted and sent to you tomorrow. You can have your lawyer read it over and ask for any changes before signing."

Misaki nodded. "Okay..."

"With that settled, how about we grab some grub?" Ren glanced at Shun.

"Yes, yes, I'll cook us up some pasta. You two can drink some wine or whatever in celebration while you wait." Shun winked at her and left.

"He cooks?" Misaki turned to Ren.

"He bakes, too, but he generally doesn't like people knowing about that. Anyway, let's relax for a bit before I drive you home. You're free to have wine, while I have sparkling fruit juice."

Misaki raised an eyebrow.

"What? I wouldn't want to have alcohol in my system if I'm driving. Unless you want to stay in a guest room, then I'll join you with the wine."

"I think I'd rather head home." Is he trying to prove he's responsible or something?

"Food first, right? Shun's already cooking... How about we relax in the living room?"

"Are you sure you wouldn't want to start writing right away?"

"Actually, I'd love to, but I'm sure Shun would put a stop to it until the contracts are signed." Ren shrugged and opened the door for her. "By the way, you can use our studio to record your own music, if you want to. Based on what happened at the diner, I'm sure you still love to sing, even if it didn't end well."

"Thanks..." Can you stop mentioning that, though? Ugh. She followed him to the living room, where the scent of herbs drifted in from the kitchen, and sat on their cushy couch in front of their giant TV.

"I'll be back with some drinks." Ren left her alone.

Misaki took a deep breath and leaned back, closing her eyes. How do situations change so fast?