For a Future Full of Wishes

Akari lay on the hotel bed staring at Tsukasa's message on her phone. It's not like I ever wanted to be an idol... 

Her eyes drifted to the door connecting her room to Jun's, there was no light under the door. Akari imagined Jun peacefully getting the rest he deserved after the events they had gone through, and a sharp ache tightened in her chest. Do I even want to continue...?

As Akari closed her eyes, memories of her time with Jun replayed in her mind. How he saved her, how he cared for her wounds, how he noticed the things she liked, and how he helped her realize what she wanted for her own life. 

She thought of the list she had written, the life she had been living, and of the life she used to dream of. Jun... I think I'm finally starting to understand myself...

-

The following day, Jun and Akari returned to Tokyo.

When they arrived back to Jun's apartment, the small quiet space welcomed them with its familiar warmth.

Jun took the bags in the bedroom while Akari made a fresh pot of coffee. 

As she began to pour the coffee into mugs, she felt Jun's arms slide around her waist and his head gently rest atop hers. "I like having you here."

Akari leaned back into his embrace, a smile tugged at her lips. "I like being here."

"Are you sure you don't want me to take you back to your place?"

She shook her head slightly. "I rather be here... with you."

Jun placed a soft peck at the top of her head. "Your wish is my command."

She let out a light chuckle. "If that's the case... I'm a little hungry." She turned around to face him. "Would you teach me to make something like you said?"

A small smile softened his face. "Of course."

Jun grabbed some ingredients and cooking utensils. He began to chop the vegetables with smooth precise movement; the knife tapped rhythmically against the board. Akari watched in surprise and admiration. "You make it look so easy..."

"Trust me, it is once you get used to it." He carefully handed her the knife. "Take your time and give it a try."

Akari hesitated and then started chopping, but the pieces ended up uneven, most slipped off the cutting board while others even fell on the floor. She let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm terrible at this."

Jun stepped closer, his hands covering hers to guide her. "No, you're learning. Let me show you how to hold it properly."

Together, they went slowly. Jun showed her each step and then let her try on her own. Akari clumsily made mistakes - dropping vegetables, splattering oil, pouring too much salt. But Jun never lost his patience or grew frustration. He just quietly smiled each time, offering pointers along the way.

By the time the dish was cooked, the counter was covered in a mess, but Akari beamed regardless. "I did it... I actually made something."

Jun ruffled her hair lightly. "You did amazing."

Akari scooped up a spoonful of the dish and held it out to Jun. He tasted it without hesitation, his expression stayed light even as the salt hit.

She watched him anxiously. "Well...?"

Jun swallowed and let out a soft laugh. "It's... good for your first try." He said carefully. "Just needs a little correction."

"What's wrong with it?" Akari took a bite herself, her face scrunched as the salt hit her tongue. "How'd you eat this with a straight face?"

Jun chuckled. "I told you I wanted to eat your cooking, and I plan to stand by that regardless of what you make." 

"Was it bad?"

He shook his head. "No. Just unbalanced because of the salt. Nothing a little more work won't fix." He poured some water into the pan, a few extra seasonings, then stirred with practiced ease.

Akari hovered beside him, watching closely as Jun explained. 

When they finally sat to eat, the dish had transformed. 

"It's so much better than before. "Akari hummed in approval. "Have you always been good at cooking?"

Jun shrugged lightly. "I just like doing it. I wouldn't say I'm good at it."

Akari raised an eyebrow. "Have you not seen how I've been cooking? You're a lot better than you give yourself credit for."

He smiled. "I'm sure you'll be just as good in time. You just need practice."

After they finished eating, Jun gathered the dishes. "You can go wash up first, I'll clean up."

Akari wanted to protest and offer to clean, but the awareness of the smell of cooking oil on her suddenly settled. She nodded as she went to wash up.

When Akari stepped out, hair still damp and wrapped in borrowed clothes, Jun was cleaning the kitchen. The aroma of fresh coffee being brewed filled the air. As she stood there, she realized how ordinary the moment felt, and how much she liked it. No cameras, no expectations, no danger. Just peace and quiet. Hikari... Mom... Is it possible for me to live a normal life...?

Once Jun finished cleaning, he gave Akari's forehead a light peck. "The coffee will be done soon. I'll go wash up."

As Jun disappeared down the hall, something pulled at Akari's heart. A normal life...

She took her phone and looked over Tsukasa's message again. She typed a reply, stared for a few minutes, and then with a deep breath she pressed send:

Tsukasa, allow me to hold a concert. One final concert before I retire. A concert on my own terms.

Akari made her way to Jun's bedroom where the familiar warmth and quiet comforted her more than she'd like to admit. She sat at the edge of the bed, phone in hand as she mindlessly started typing. 

After a while, Jun emerged from the bathroom, though Akari was too absorbed in whatever she was typing to notice.

Jun leaned against the doorframe, hair still wet, clothes loose around his shoulders. He stood admiring her serious expression. "You look very focused... What are you doing?" 

Akari's fingers froze on the screen, cheeks warming. "Just... Just thinking."

Jun moved to sit beside her. "Thinking, huh? About me, perhaps?" His tone was light, but the spark in his eyes made her heart flutter.

She closed her phone, meeting his playfulness. "Maybe. Maybe not."

He leaned in closer. "If it's about me, don't you think I deserve a hint?"

Akari chuckled lightly. "A hint? I can't do that."

Jun smirked as he leaned forward, letting his forehead rest against hers. "I think I can handle a bit of mystery."

For a moment, they let silence settle between them.

"I'm going to hold one last concert." Akari said breaking the silence. "Would you attend it?"

His eyes softened as he reached for her hand. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"After the concert..." Her voice was quiet, as if unsure in her decision. "I'll start over... Find a new path for me. One that I want."

"You deserve that."

She met his gaze. "Will you help me with something tomorrow?"

"Of course."

-

The next day, Jun brought Akari back to her apartment where they packed up all of her belongings.

Jun zipped up a suitcase. "Are you sure about this?"

"This place belongs to the version of myself I created, not me."

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking over the suitcases. "While I like you living with me... I don't know if all of this will fit in my place."

She let out a small laugh. "I'll find a new place for everything." She walked over to her keyboard. "This is all I need to take right now."

"You can play the piano?"

She ran her fingers over the keys. "I can play all sorts of instruments. I had to learn to get to where I am."

Jun smiled, impressed. "You're quite talented, aren't you?"

Her eyes lowered. "I wouldn't say that... I just had a job to do. That's all."

His expression softened as he made his way to her side. "A job that not just anyone could do. You should be proud of what you managed to accomplish, especially since it wasn't even your desire."

Akari went quiet for a moment, her fingers lingering over the keys. "I don't regret it you know. But I don't want to continue living a lie."

Jun's voice was steady and reassuring. "Then don't. You've already done enough to protect the dream you wanted to protect. Now, whatever you choose next, let it be yours."

Akari nodded as she looked over her keyboard. For the first time, the future didn't feel like something waiting to drain her. It felt open, full of possibilities, and entirely belonging to her. She felt a warmth spread through her heart as she thought of how she now had the freedom to make wishes for her own future.