Chapter 16

Misaki stayed inside for the next few days while the Hayase brothers were busy working on other things, with only a few texts and calls about their songs when they had time.

She sat at her desk for hours, trying to tweak some of the lyrics until it felt just right.

Ring, ring. Her cell phone went off.

Probably one of the boys. She frowned at the 'Unknown Caller'. Nope. Not answering that. She denied it.

The phone rang again right away.

Still not answering, whether you're real or a bot. She blocked the number, so they couldn't bother her again.

"Back to work." She tapped her pencil on the table and bit her lip as she reread the lyrics for the tenth time. It's so close, but not quite.

Knock, knock.

Misaki froze with her pencil pressed into the paper. Who could that be? An image of the man from a few days ago flashed through her mind.

No, even if he knows I live here, he doesn't know which apartment, right? Maybe it's a neighbour.

She saw a familiar figure through the peephole, and she sighed in relief.

"Misa-nee!" Her sister tackled her for a hug as soon as the door opened.

"Emi! What are you doing here?"

Emi pulled back and puffed her cheeks out. "What do you mean, what am I doing here? It's the weekend, and we said we'd celebrate together."

It's the weekend! Oh no. I can't believe I forgot!

"I'm sorry, Emi; I must've lost track of the days, but how'd you get here?"

"I used the train and then a bus, like Mom told me to. See, I'm responsible enough to travel by myself, even if our parents don't think so."

Misaki scratched her cheek. "Actually, I meant up here. Someone has to buzz you in to get through the entrance."

"Oh, some handsome guy with blonde hair let me in when I said my sister lives here."

The neighbour from downstairs. "Ah, okay." Misaki stepped aside, gesturing with her hand. "It's small, but this is my apartment." She closed the door behind Emi.

"Your own couch, TV... and this tiny kitchen is so adorable!" Emi moved quickly from one room to the next. "And your cupboards... are full of ramen cups. Really, Misa-nee? You're an adult; shouldn't you eat a bigger variety and keep a chocolate stash somewhere?"

That wouldn't be safe around me.

Emi stopped next to the treadmill in the living room, which took up most of the corner. "Of course you have one of these in your home. You're not overdoing it again, are you?"

"No..." Not in the last few days.

"Real convincing." Emi sighed, rolling her eyes. "I don't want you getting like you did back then. All skin and bones, to the point of complete exhaustion." Her jaw tightened as she remembered her sister collapsing after coming home from a concert.

Misaki's throat tightened. "That... Even Aki admitted he screwed up, and we went too far then. I don't do that anymore." Shaky legs aren't the same as fainting. "But I do keep in shape." Misaki stood with her hands on her waist.

Emi scrunched up her nose. "Just do your dance routines to keep you in shape; at least they're fun. It's what I do. Yours and Hayase's anyway." Emi hummed and wandered into Misaki's bedroom. "So..." Emi bounded up to her, smiling. "What should we do today? Go shopping? I know there are a ton of stores nearby."

With a steady income again, I guess it's okay to splurge on Emi a bit. "Sure, we could do that. Whatever you want, Emi."

"Oh, and you're still okay passing by the outside of Eclipse Entertainment, right? I wanted a picture, but if it's too much, I'm okay with skipping it."

Her stomach tightened, but she forced a smile. "We can do that too."

"Yes!" Emi pumped her fists in the air. "Today is going to be so awesome."

"It looks totally weird with you in disguise while I'm going around like normal," Emi complained as they walked through the busy mall with more stores than she'd ever seen. She shifted her shopping bags to one hand and poked Misaki in the cheek. "How am I supposed to tell if clothes suit you when your face is hidden?"

"We're here to buy you stuff, not me," Misaki said, pulling her head away a bit.

"Is something else going on that you're not telling me? Because I thought you'd lay off the disguises once everything cooled down."

"Everything's good, Emi, but I still prefer to go around like this. Where to next?"

A familiar cute swing dress caught the corner of her eye. It's the same one from the other store.

"Oh, do you see something you like? That's the first time your eyes have lingered on anything." Emi took her hand. "Let's try it on."

"Even if I don't want to take the mask off."

"Yes! Come on. It's totally your style... before you started your love of hoodies and jeans or joggers, anyway."

Misaki couldn't help but think about her closet full of dresses she never wore anymore. Maybe she has a point.

With extra pep in her step, Emi pulled Misaki into the nearby designer clothing store. "Oh, look! They come in multiple colours. Purple, black, red. Go with the red; it suits you the most." Emi pulled a red one off the rack and held it up to her. "Try it on."

Don't want to ruin the mood. The least I can do is try it on. Misaki took the dress into the changing room. Her hair fell out of its loose bun as she took her hat off. Feels weird already. She changed into the dress and admired it in the mirror as her hands trailed down its smooth material.

Knock, knock. "You okay in there?" Emi asked.

Misaki opened the door, her mask still on, but with her hair flowing down her back. "What do you think?" She couldn't help herself and posed like she did in the old days. Her head tilted to the side. One arm up, with her hand in her hair. Her other hand on her waist. It had been years since she had posed, but it came out naturally.

Phwew. Emi whistled. "Looking hot, Misa-nee!" Emi took a picture of her. "What do you think? Do you want to get it?"

"I..." Misaki hesitated, glancing at herself in the mirror again. I'm not ready for it. Not yet. "Maybe another time." Misaki closed the door to change back.

"What? Seriously? But you look amazing in it!" Emi huffed, her shoulders slouching. "If it's the price, I can put it on my credit card and pay it down slowly."

Misaki opened the door, back in her clothes with her hat on. "No, that's not the problem, and I'd never let you do that. I already have a ton of clothes I don't use anymore, so I think it'd be a waste."

Emi pouted and stared longingly at the dress. "I'm sorry, dress, but I hope you find a good owner someday. Wouldn't want you staying there like this..."

"Quit being silly." Misaki hung the dress back up. "I'm sure someone else will buy it. Where to next?" Misaki hooked her arm around Emi's and led her out.

Emi's ears twitched and her head perked up as the song 'Playful Winds' from Hayase played nearby. "A music store!" She turned to it right away, and her eyes widened. "They have Hayase plush in the window. I have to check it out!"

Geez, what would she do if she knew about them showing up in my life again?

Emi skipped past the albums, already owning all of Hayase's, and headed straight to the back where they had a selection of idol merchandise. From plush and pillows to wall scrolls and t-shirts. "Oh my gosh. They look so cute." Emi picked up a Ren and Shun plush and turned to Misaki. "Can I get them?"

She's right. Misaki held back a smile as she stared at the plush brothers. "If you want them, they're yours."

"How about this one?" Emi pulled out another one from behind her. A Misaki plush.

Her eyes widened. "I completely forgot about those. Surprised they're available... But why would you want a plush me?"

"Why wouldn't I? Then I can have my sister nearby all the time." Emi's smile beamed.

"If you want it, it's yours."

"Careful; if you say that too much, I'll clear out your wallet with tons of merch!" Emi laughed, her eyes scanning for more gems.

"Fine, how about we keep it to those plush, and maybe a couple of small things, or Mom will kill me?"

"Okay." Emi sighed, pouting.

"Let's grab some take-out and head home. What are you in the mood for?"

"This is when I wish you had a car." Emi sighed. The scent of fried chicken hung in the air around them as they walked home, increasing their hunger. "I can't wait to dig in. You know Mom never makes or buys it, and I'm sorry if this interferes with your diet."

"It's fine once in a while," Misaki assured her as she promised herself not to eat too much.

"Best half a day out ever. What do you want to do this afternoon? I have a bit of time before Mom's expecting me back."

"I guess we can stop by the Eclipse building for your picture," Misaki suggested. It'll be fine.

"Really? You're sure?" Emi's eyes sparkled.

"Yup, I'm sure."

They rounded the outer gate of her apartment building, and Misaki froze. A hooded man with his hands stuffed into his pockets stared up at the building.

Her pulse skipped a beat. Who is it?