Chapter 32

Misaki stared at the lyrics to one of Hayase's new songs as she sat alone on the couch. The brothers had promotional work to do for their next album, so she was alone inside the house, though Tanaka, the guard, was just outside if she needed him.

I'm not getting anything done. Every time she read a lyric that reminded her of Ren, she thought about his confession, and her heart skipped a beat.

This is why I shouldn't have come here. I'm not ready for a relationship, and I'm too tainted for him in the first place... But he has been here for me every moment since he walked back into my life. She ran her hand across the lyrics set for Ren to sing about promises.

He's a great guy, and he deserves the best... but is that really me? Just associating with me is causing trouble for him.

Misaki sighed and pulled out a different song to go over, Falling Upward. These lyrics seem done, so maybe I'd be better off working on the notes...

Bing.

She checked her phone to find a text from an unknown number.

'How dare you claw your way back into the industry, slut!'

"Who in the world sent this?" Misaki mumbled, frowning as she tried to check the number online.

"No luck there... I don't have time for this." She marked it as spam and blocked the number.

With all the papers gathered, she headed to the studio and sat at the keyboard.

Bing. Another text.

'You think you can just block me, and I'll go away?'

"It can't be Aki, so it must be Oichi... Tch." Wasn't stealing my songs and boyfriend bad enough? Why can't she leave me alone?

Bing.

'You're going to be the downfall of Hayase, just you wait and see.'

"Probably useless to do..." Misaki blocked that one as well. "Knowing that evil woman, she'll keep going until Daichi finally deals with her," she grumbled.

Bing.

'You don't believe me? Why don't you check online? Fans hate when their precious idols are taken from them.'

"I'm not taking anyone away from them."

Misaki turned off her phone and left it facedown on the desk.

"Enough of that nasty woman..."

She took a deep breath and placed her hands on the keyboard.

"Honey, I'm home," Ren called out as he kicked off his shoes at the entrance. "Ow! Why do you keep doing that?" He rubbed the back of his head where Shun had smacked him. "I thought you had retired from random acts of violence years ago."

Shun rolled his eyes. "It's not random. It's because you don't listen enough, so you need something physical to reinforce it. Besides, since when is a little smack too much for you?"

"How would you like it if I started smacking you like that?"

Shun raised an eyebrow, arms crossed.

"W-what? You think I won't?"

"How about if I say something stupid like you do, I won't get mad if you smack me back?"

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

"Fine, but can you tell me what I did this time?"

"Honey, I'm home? I thought you didn't want to scare her away, but you're treating her like your wife or something."

"Wife..." Ren mumbled, a faint blush on his cheeks.

"Ugh... Just call her Misa for now, please, for all of us."

"Okay." Ren's shoulders slouched. "Wait, she didn't answer." He glanced down at her shoes near the entrance and sighed in relief. "I'll go find her. Ack!"

Shun grabbed the back of Ren's collar to stop him. "Maybe it'd be better to give her some time to think."

"She's had hours to herself—"

"I'm not sure that's enough time for her after your confession."

"But... I want to see her. Talk to her—"

"Okay, you lovesick puppy, but I'll be there as a buffer, for her sake."

"Fine, let's go."

Figuring she'd be working on the music, since she didn't answer her phone earlier, they headed to the studio first.

Music flowed from the keyboard as her soft but determined voice filled the air.

"Hmm... Almost," she muttered and changed a note.

"Sounded amazing to me," Ren said.

"Oh! You guys are back." She turned to them and bit her lip as she struggled to look Ren in the eyes.

"Yup, and the show went swimmingly. A lot of people are eager to find out more about our upcoming album."

"No... trouble?"

"No," Shun said. "Though there's a growing interest in you."

"Uh-oh..."

"I didn't say it was a bad thing. Despite what a couple of trolls might say, you still have many fans, and people want to hear your music again."

"Is that so...?"

"Of course!" Ren said and pulled his phone out. "And people are also eager to see a real picture of us together." He leaned on the back of her chair and held his phone out. "Smile for the fans." He winked at the camera and gave a peace sign behind Misa, as she sat with her jaw hanging open.

"W-what did you just do?"

"I took a picture of us together." He showed her and rushed over to Shun to show him the picture.

"I meant to ask why... I'm not... I don't take pictures anymore. What are you going to do with that?" Other than for Emi, but she'll keep them for herself.

"So cute," Ren muttered as he stared at the picture. "Don't you think? I didn't even mean to give bunny ears to her." He chuckled.

"I'm on Misa's side here; what are you up to?" Shun asked, cursing himself for not stopping Ren this time.

"Since there's a big fuss about her inclusion in our music because people think we're hiding it, I plan to lean into it," Ren explained, debating whether to retake the picture. "Oh, we need one of all three of us, too."

What does that mean? He's going to keep taking pictures of me to post online? Misaki shuddered. Who knows how people will react to that?

"Lean into it how? Please explain before going on one of your photo escapades, and does Daichi know about this?" Shun asked.

"I mentioned it to him. Oh, I should get the recording studio in the back; it really solidifies the working together part. Although I'd love to have photos to show a more special relationship..."

Special relationship?

"Ren." Shun snatched his phone. "Answers, please."

"Show us all working together through the photos, maybe even with small clips, and show we're all-in. We're supposed to start on a teaser soon, too, so I thought we could include her in there. I mean, I wouldn't be against those types of photos, showing she's my girl." Ren winked at her. "But we're not there yet, so maybe later."

His girl? I thought he wasn't going to push for an answer... I guess he technically isn't, but showing that he wants to. "I don't know about posting too many photos with me in them. They already think we're dating..."

"Not a bad thing on my end, but I'm even willing to post about my unrequited love." Ren sighed, hand over his heart.

"I'm not sure that will make people like her more, since they'll question if she thinks she's too good for you," Shun explained.

"Really? Oh..." Ren's shoulders slouched. "Guess I'll hold off on that part, but I still think some of the three of us would work." He grabbed his phone back. "Come on." He pushed Shun towards Misaki. "You go on that side. I'll go over here."

They surrounded Misaki, who sat frozen in her chair.

"Come on, Misa, try to smile; we know you can," Ren said as he leaned in close from one side, his arm around her shoulders.

"At least don't make it look like we're forcing you to be here," Shun complained as he leaned in close from the other side, his arm hanging over her shoulder.

Her heart rate spiked. Please don't blush. She struggled to compose herself with them both so close.

"Think of it like the old photo shoots you used to do. I know you haven't forgotten, or do I need to find a way to make you smile?" Ren's voice dropped to a low purr.

She quivered and swallowed hard. No idea what he's implying, but I doubt I can handle it. A small smile should suffice.

Misaki gave her best, gentle smile, and Ren took a picture right away.

"Amazing, and a few more." He tilted his head closer to hers, and Shun followed his move.

Isn't one enough for this?

He winked at the phone as he took another picture. Once he realized her eyes had drifted his way instead of Shun's, his smile widened.

"Final one." Ren kissed her on the cheek and took a picture as her eyes widened.

"Hey, that was going overboard," Shun complained.

"Nah, that was the best one." Ren snickered and backed away from both of them. "The best shot, for sure. Actually, feels like these photos in a row tell a bit of a story. Hey, Misa, can you play that song again? We want to hear the full thing."

"I haven't finished the tweaks," she said, swivelling back to the keyboard.

"That's fine. We'll work on it together."

"We did want to get some more done today..." Shun narrowed his eyes, watching Ren take more pictures of Misaki from the side as she started to play.

"Would you prefer to sing? It's your song," Misaki asked and glanced at him. "Wha?!" She jumped back and held her hand out to block him. "More photos?"

"Of course, and you look great in your natural habitat. Just pretend I'm not here."

"Easier said than done."

"I'll sing it with you." Shun sat beside Misaki as Ren continued to take pictures.

"Wait... shouldn't I do that?" Ren asked, poking Shun in the shoulder.

"Too bad; you decided you wanted to be the photographer, so deal with it. I'd rather get work done, anyway."

"Bah, shot myself in the foot with this one," Ren grumbled and continued on.

He's not going to do this every time, is he?