Chapter 12

"It's done. I've signed it." Misaki leaned back in her chair, her stomach fluttering as she stared at her digital signature on the document on her computer. "And to send it back to Daichi." Misaki's mouse hovered over the send button, and she hesitated.

This isn't a mistake, right? All it took was Ren talking, and the lyrics flowed from me; we work well together.

"Date." Ren's voice rang in her head.

Her heart raced. I don't know if I'm ready for that after Aki. We can keep it professional, right?

With the twitch of her finger, she sent it.

"Oh, geez..." Hand has a mind of its own. "Well, it's done and official. I'm working with Hayase, the worldwide duo, on their next album." No pressure.

Ring, ring.

Misaki answered her phone without looking. "Hello?"

"Misa-nee! Guess who aced her mid-terms! This girl," the teenager on the other end of the line cheered.

"Emi, that's great. Good job." Misaki couldn't help but smile. Perfect timing! If there's anyone I'd want to share this with, it'd be her.

"You know what else? Mom agreed to get me tickets to Hayase's next concert if I aced it."

"You're supposed to let me guess first!"

"Can you believe it? I know I just missed their tour, but they're bound to have one close enough soon." Emi squealed in excitement.

Misaki pulled the phone away from her ear and cringed. "Awesome! You know, I've just signed a contract with..." Wait a second; Emi is a superfan. Should I really tell her? No offence to her, but she might spill the beans out of excitement. She gritted her teeth.

"What did you say? I'm sorry; I was too loud to hear you clearly. You know how I get."

"I know."

"Well, what was it? You said something about a contract, right? Are you getting back into the business? You know your number-one megafan here is ready and waiting for your re-entry. Complete support over here."

Misaki could practically see her sister trying to send her a heart symbol with her hands through the phone. "I know you loved my idol days, but I'm actually going to work more behind the scenes."

"Really? But you thrive on stage." Emi cleared her throat. "I mean, congrats. You're still in the industry, right? I know how much you love it."

"Yes, I'll be working as a songwriter, collaborating with a boyband." Don't say Hayase! She warned herself silently.

"A boyband? Oh, this sounds juicy. You can share the name with me, right? How big are they? Do I know them? Can you tell me who? This is so exciting!"

"Please calm down, Emi."

"How can I?" Emi squealed again. "If you're no longer going freelance, doesn't that mean you've finally moved on?"

"I'm not sure about that, but I'm trying to." Misaki picked at the rough draft papers left beside her computer for Ren's song.

"That's the first real step, and I'm proud of you. Don't let the idiots get you down. We should totally celebrate! Mom said she'd give me two tickets, so I can bring you with me."

"Wouldn't you prefer to bring one of your friends?" I might be able to get her tickets if I asked...

"I am going to bring a friend—you! But I'm not sure how long until that. We need to celebrate sooner. You can come home for a day or two, and we could... Okay, there's not much here. Can I go there on the weekend? I still haven't seen your place, despite how long it's been."

"Here?"

"Is it a problem?"

Misaki looked around her room. "No, not really, but my apartment is small, so there's not much to see."

"But you live downtown! So we can have a day out on the town. Oh! The Eclipse Entertainment building is near, so we could..." Emi gasped and trailed off. "I'm so sorry, Misa-nee, I didn't think that one through. I'm sure you don't want to be near that place anymore."

"I'd rather not go inside." Again. "But we can walk by and see the outside in person, at least. I know it's not as good—"

"Ah!" Emi squealed. "Even a tiny chance of seeing Hayase up close is amazing. Imagine we see them leaving or going into the building!"

"It's not that big of a deal... And we wouldn't get that close."

"Oh, right, you went to training with them, so I guess it's not as big of a deal for you. Say, are you still in contact with them?"

Misaki froze. Crap. I can't lie to her, but it's best not to tell her about them either. What do I do?!

"Misa-nee? Are you still there?"

"Uh, yes..."

"Guess that's a no? Not that you can call them up to meet your sister." Emi sighed. "Anyway, Mom wants me off the phone, but she says hi, and to call home more."

"Okay."

"But we should meet up this weekend, before I lose my excitement from acing the exams. Bye-bye, Misa-nee."

"Bye, Emi. I'll see you soon."

"You better!" Emi hung up.

"Ha." Misaki sighed, her shoulders slouching. "I can't let Ren or Shun meet her, or she'll pull a superfan on them." Finally able to relax, she lay in her cushy bed and flicked on the wall-mounted TV.

"So tell us, are you two thinking about releasing any new music soon? How about an album?" the TV show host in a suit asked their guest duo, Hayase, sitting across the table from them on a yellow sofa.

"It might be a while until the new album, Kuma, but we are working on new music currently," Ren answered while Shun nodded.

Misaki sat up straight, eyes glued to the brothers. Guess this is what he had to do. They switch gears fast. Don't know if I can anymore.

"Come on, Kuma, ask what all the fans want to know." The co-host, Rumiko, nudged Kuma with her elbow.

He laughed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, guys, but Rumi here wants to know about your love life. Are either of you seeing anyone?"

"No," Shun answered right away, hoping to close the question down.

Ren looked away from them and into the camera.

"Oh," Misaki gasped, feeling like Ren looked straight at her.

"Ren, is there something you'd like to share?" Rumiko asked.

"No, I don't have a girlfriend right now," Ren said and smiled.

"But that look in your eyes says there's something going on." Rumiko leaned in closer, biting her lip as she rubbed her hands together. "Any juicy gossip to share?"

"No, not really. I may have my eye on a beautiful girl, but that's about it." He laughed, catching Shun's frown out of the corner of his eye.

"Oh, who is she? Do tell."

"Nope, my lips are sealed." He motioned as if zipping his lips and winked at the camera.

Misaki quickly shut the TV off, her hand over her racing heart as heat crawled up her cheeks. He can't be talking about me, right? We work together, and we're friends; let's keep it that way. "Geez, how am I supposed to work with him if he acts like this? I guess Shun will have to keep a leash on him." If he's around...

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, hoping to take a nap.

It didn't work.

"Brain's too active." She rolled out of bed and sat at her keyboard, humming as she pressed a few keys. "Blurring the lines," she mumbled and played a line of chords. "Oh, that works."

Misaki straightened, the rhythm catching hold, and dove into another writing session.