Chapter 23

Misaki woke up early the next day, hugging her bunny as soft music drifted into her room. She listened to the gentle, mellow tune for a while before getting up and following the sound.

Is it outside? She stared out the window and spotted Shun playing the violin by the fire pit in the middle of their flower garden.

Misaki opened her window and leaned on the sill to hear it better.

It's so... tranquil.

The tune changed slowly, going darker and solemn.

I wonder what he's thinking about.

When he finished, Misaki clapped. "That was amazing."

"Hmm?" Shun looked up and spotted her. "I'm sorry. Was I too loud? Did I wake you up?"

If he did, it was gently. "I don't think so. I've always loved the sound of a violin, so it was a welcome change to my mornings." It's a bit odd living with people again, but it's definitely not bad.

"Do you want to try?" Shun held up his violin.

"Not unless you're looking to give Ren a rude awakening."

"Fair enough." Shun glanced at his watch. "I should make breakfast," he mumbled to himself.

"Thank you for the mini-concert."

"My pleasure." Shun bowed to her and headed inside.

I'm not sure I have the finesse and control to play the violin. Takes a certain type of person. Misaki took a deep breath and looked around her room. I wonder what the boys have on their schedule today. We didn't talk about our next writing session.

She spotted the folder on her desk of the song she wrote the other day. I didn't get to finish it. But I have a keyboard now... Maybe I can work on it a bit. She pulled out headphones to plug into her keyboard, not wanting to disturb the boys.

"Let's see if I can get this to fit." She sat at the keyboard, headphones on, with her lyrics in front of her, and stretched out her fingers.

Knock, knock. "Misa, breakfast is ready," Ren said through the door and waited.

No response.

"Misa?" He knocked again. When she didn't answer, he peeked inside like Shun told him to. "Oh, she's working on music this early?" He moseyed over to her. "Misa," he said in a singsong voice and leaned in over her shoulder. "Whatcha working on?"

"Oh!" Misaki jumped and turned to meet his eyes. Oh no, this is too close. Her heart rate spiked. "I-I'm sorry; I didn't hear you."

"Makes sense with the headphones on. Is this another one? It's a bit..."

"Not finished, and possibly not seeing the light of day." She flipped the pages over, so he couldn't read anymore.

"Oh, that's a shame." He pouted. "I was hoping to help you with it."

Damn, he looks so sad... Misaki bit her lip as she turned away from him. "M-maybe we can work on one of yours right now."

"Maybe tonight; I actually came to get you for breakfast."

"Oh?" I skip it half the time, especially when I eat extra the day before. Better not let him know that; something tells me the idea alone would upset him.

"Shun made some scrambled eggs and toast with a fruit salad for breakfast. I set up some coffee for all of us, though I don't know how you take yours."

"Plain is fine."

"Two milks and two sweeteners? Great, that's what I did."

"Ren!" She playfully nudged him with her elbow. "That's not what I said, and you know it."

"I know." He chuckled. "But I was hoping you'd still like the coffee I set up for you."

Aw... Stop it. Don't think that way. "I'm sure I will. Thank you, Ren."

"So, ready for breakfast, or should I leave you to work a bit more?"

"I'll come." Misaki got up and bumped into the keyboard, knocking over her music sheets.

Ren automatically picked them up, unable to stop himself from reading a bit.

"I'll put this away." She snatched it from him and dumped it in the desk drawer. He read part, didn't he? I'd rather he not be privy to my dark thoughts right now.

Ren held his elbow out to her. "Milady."

"Are you going to do that every time you escort me somewhere?" Don't do it. Despite her reluctance, she took his arm.

"Not every time."

They both chuckled and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

"So, what are your plans for today? Should I get Hayase's schedule, or is it better to just wait until you two are free to work?" Misaki asked as she sat at the kitchen island with her breakfast and coffee. Okay, coffee tastes better this way. Damn sweet tooth.

"About that..." Ren pushed his eggs around, debating how to bring it up. "We know we have security here and whatnot, but we were wondering if you wanted to come out with us as one of our people, still in disguise, of course."

"Come with you two? And do what? I'd probably get in the way." Never mind wanting to avoid crowds when I can, and anyone who might ask questions.

"You wouldn't get in the way."

"We're worried about leaving you home alone," Shun said and sipped his coffee.

"Ghk—" Ren coughed, choking on his coffee at Shun's bluntness.

"I'm okay being home alone; I'm used to it."

Shun and Ren exchanged a glance.

"What?" Misaki frowned. "I'm not kidding; I'll be fine. Besides, isn't there still going to be a guard here? I assume they don't all follow you to work." Not that I know how many there are.

"Yes, we always have a couple of guards around so no one breaks in while we're away," Shun explained.

Probably a smart move.

"Even so, it's still a new house, and I don't want you here alone right now," Ren huffed. "Considering what just happened, and that he knows you've been here before, I can't help but worry he'll try something. What if he manages to sneak by somehow? I prefer you nearby, where we'll know you're safe."

Sweet, but we already have a picture together. It won't take long for people to notice I'm the same person and start speculating. "But I don't want to be noticed."

"Which is why I want you with Daichi, not actually as his assistant, but you can say that if anyone asks."

"I don't know... I think I'm safer here, away from cameras and crowds of people."

"Well, it's up to you, as Shun made abundantly clear."

Misaki raised an eyebrow, glancing at Shun.

"I'm surprised you let that slip," Shun said, staring at Ren. "Yes, I told him he couldn't force you to follow us around. It's your choice."

"Thanks..."

"But I really wish you would." Ren bumped her shoulder lightly. "Today we're doing a talk show along with performing a song. You'd get to hear us live."

"Won't I get that as we're making songs?"

Shun nearly fell off his stool at her retort.

"But... it's not the same," Ren argued. "And maybe you'll remember a bit of what you used to like about being an idol."

"I'm not sure I want to. Ren, Shun, thank you for everything you're doing for me, but I don't think I'm going back into the spotlight. That life is behind me—"

"But you wanted to. Back at Haruka's Diner, you wanted to perform again. I heard you, and I know you were trying to—"

"Ren, don't push her," Shun warned.

"But—"

"No."

Ren huffed, crossing his arms. "I just wanted to help. And I wasn't saying to perform, but just be in the crowd cheering us on. It's a step closer to it, while helping my peace of mind."

"Your peace of mind?" Misaki glanced at him.

"Of course, I did say I was worried, right? So it's my peace of mind. But I guess that's my problem to deal with..." Ren poked at a crumb on his empty plate.

He looks so sad... "...I'll do it."

"Huh?" He sat up straight, eyes wide. "You will?"

"Yes." What am I even saying? Why did I agree?

Ren's face lit up instantly. "Thank you, Misa." He kissed her cheek and picked up his empty plate to put in the dishwasher.

"Oh!" She touched her cheek where he had kissed her, and her eyes met Shun's. Right in front of him.

He gave her a weary, almost apologetic smile and shrugged.

Does that mean get used to it? He doesn't care? It's just Ren? Gah, I wish I knew what that meant. "Have you talked to Daichi about this? Or planning a bit of a rude surprise?"

"He knows about you being here, why, and that we're asking you about it," Ren said as he sat back down. "We thought it best to keep him in the know on certain things."

"And he didn't complain? I don't want to be any more of a burden than I already am."

Ren gripped her hand on the kitchen island. "Misa, you're not a burden. We're helping because we want to." He held her gaze, hoping she'd understand.

"Ren's right," Shun said after finishing his breakfast. "And think of it this way: sometimes you need help, sometimes you give help, and sometimes you go through a season of needing help. There's nothing wrong with helping people you care about; it's what good people want to do."

I wish it were easy to change how we think or feel, but even using logic doesn't guarantee a change... "Thanks, guys."

Ren frowned, seeing it in her face that she didn't believe them. "We mean it, Misa." He kissed the back of her hand.

"Please don't forget that without you around, Ren would still be in a rut, refusing to work with other writers as he struggles to write a single chorus for a song," Shun said, remembering all the times recently that Ren had stormed away from Daichi, and all the scraped songs in the recycling bin.

"But you're paying me..." Doesn't that change it?

"Doesn't matter; you've still helped. I haven't seen him this lively in a while. It's refreshing to have this Ren back."

"Did you really have to tell her all that?" Ren groaned, thinking about how lame he probably looked.

"Yes." Shun glanced at his watch. "Daichi should be here to pick us up soon, so get ready."