Akari Ito

The following weeks flew by. Akari spent her days at her agency immersed in practices and concert preparations, while Jun went to Akari's new house to help fix it up.

They avoided going out together in public for the time being until the media calmed down. 

Though they were apart most of the time, they both found comfort in knowing this phase wouldn't last forever. For the concert was around the corner and after it a long-awaited new beginning for just the two of them.

-

"Here." Akari handed Jun an envelope.

"What's this?"

"Your ticket for the concert."

Jun looked over the ticket from the envelope with a smile. "VIP box, huh?" He noticed more than one ticket in the envelope. "There's five of them?"

"Oh. I got some for Michi, Kota, and your parents if they want..." She shyly admitted. "I wanted to express my thanks to them somehow..."

Jun's face softened. "I'm sure they'll be happy to go. I'll make sure to pass the tickets along."

-

The day of the concert arrived, and the excitement but somberness of it was all the fans and press could talk about:

Akari Ito's Final Concert - What will she do next?

Is this really it for Akari Ito?

Fans in denial of the Idol Akari's retirement.

The stadium glowed with thousands of LED wristbands that shimmered in hopeful unison that this wasn't truly the final concert.

"You don't really think she's retiring, do you?"

"I hope not... I can't imagine my life without her music."

"Shouldn't we be supportive if that's what she wants?"

"I know, but..." A quiet whine escaped, thick with denial and grief. "I don't know if I can be..."

Around them, other fans had similar conversations. Hope, fear, gratitude, and grief tangled together beneath the hum of anticipation. No matter what they wished for or how much they tried to deny it, deep down they knew. They knew the star they had looked up to was preparing to step into that light only one last time.

-

In Akari's dressing room, Jun sat beside her as she got ready. "You're still going to wear your red contacts?"

Akari nodded as she put the contacts in. "This is who I am to my fans, and I'll give that to them one last time."

"How do you feel?"

"It's weird... I used to dread performing and being in front of a crowd, but now that it's coming to an end... I feel a bit bittersweet." Her voice grew quieter. "The dream that carried me through most of my life, all of a sudden it feels harder to say goodbye than I thought it would..."

Jun gently took her hand, his warmth seeping through her. "Saying goodbye to it doesn't mean you're throwing that part of you away. It just means you're ready for a new chapter in your life and there's nothing wrong with that."

"I know. And I'm sure Hikari would agree. I just..." She met his gaze. "I just never thought I'd have something else in life. I used to think this was the only path I could take... That I didn't deserve to find another one after everything..."

Jun placed a light peck on her hand. "You deserve a lot more than you let yourself believe. And I'll do my best to help you see it." He gave her hand a soft squeeze. "After tonight, you're going to be free to find whatever path you want."

Akari's eyes softened. "Thank you, Jun. Without you, I don't think any of this would've been possible for me. I hope one day I can repay you for all you've done for me."

"You don't have to thank me. I did everything because I wanted to."

Before Akari could reply, a knock came at the door. A moment later, Tsukasa entered. "Akari, it's time."

Akari took a deep breath, steadying herself. She looked at Jun one more time. "I'll see you after."

Jun nodded, pride clearly in his eyes. "Have fun out there."

With that, Akari followed Tsukasa to the stage while Jun made his way to his seat where Michi, Kota, and his parents were already waiting.

As Akari made her way to the stage, the distant roar of the crowd grew, lights shone brighter, and her pulse quickened.

This was it.

Her final stage and her first step towards everything that came after.

-

The stadium dimmed, the cameras started recording, and the livestream for the fans that couldn't attend opened.

Fans held their breath as the stage lights flickered on. The upbeat music came to life and Akari finally appeared - her smile wide, bright, and for the first time, genuine.

Her feet danced the moves through muscle memory. Her lips moved in time with the songs she'd sung hundreds of times. Her voice soared and her aura dazzled.

But this time, she let herself enjoy it.

The stadium erupted in cheers as the wristband lights surged in response. Every wink, every skip, every smile felt lighter than usual. As if the weight she'd carried for years finally loosened its grip.

From the VIP box, Jun watched quietly, his chest tightening as he took her light in. This wasn't just a performance. It was a celebration of everything she'd been through and a dedication to everything she was going to choose to become.

-

When her setlist came to an end, Akari stood center stage as the lights illuminated her. She caught her breath before speaking into the microphone. "I want to thank all my fans and staff for their love and support over the years. Without all of you, I wouldn't have gotten to where I am today. But... this is no longer the path I wish to go. I'm sure you're all aware this is my final concert."

A roar of sadness washed over the crowd.

"Tonight I got to relive my career with you all through my music. I hope my gratitude and care reached each and every one of you."

Screams of approval echoed.

"But there's someone else my gratitude needs to be expressed to. Someone I don't think I've been able to thank enough." Akari's gaze drifted briefly toward the VIP box. Just for a moment, but it was enough.

Jun's breath caught. The noise of the stadium seemed to fade away, replaced by the quiet certainty that she was speaking to him.

"This person showed me that I'm more than just what is on stage." Akari continued. "This person looked at me not as Akari Ito the celebrity, but as a normal person... As me..."

The stadium fell silent, hanging onto every word.

Akari nodded to someone offstage and moments later a piano slowly emerged onto the stage. "This person allowed me to understand myself. To realize who I really am. To help me stop pretending to be someone I thought I had to be..."

She walked over to the piano and took a seat. "So before we say goodbye, I'd like to express my gratitude to all of you, and especially to that person."

Suddenly, all the times Akari hid her work and avoided Jun to work on her concert made sense. Is this what you were hiding...? Jun felt a warmth fill his chest. He hadn't expected her to publicly express her thanks, yet he couldn't deny the quiet joy that stirred within him. 

Kota stared at Jun, mouth open, as Michi playfully nudged Kota with a wide grin.

"You didn't tell us you were that important." Michi quietly teased.

"It must be nice to be confessed to in such a sincere way." Kota pitifully sighed.

"She's thanking all of us, not just me." Jun muttered calmly, but the shy smile and faint flush on his face betrayed him.

Silence fell over the audience as Akari began to play an unfamiliar song - something new. The delicate notes of the piano drifted tenderly through the air.

When she began to sing, her voice was gentle and angelic. Her voice no longer carried its usual lighthearted pop sound but instead was replaced by raw emotions in a beautiful ballad.

Each line carried a piece of her truth. The guilt of mistakes. The fear of abandoning something. The loneliness a mask holds. The relief of being accepted. The courage to stop pretending. The strength to face something.

Halfway through, the tune shifted ever so slightly. The weight of quiet grief gave way to a softer light, warm and gentle. A melody full of feelings of gratitude and care, like sunlight breaking through clouds after a storm.

The ballad told a story of understanding oneself, of quiet nights and patient hands, of someone who stood by her side even when it was uncomfortable and difficult, of a journey not seen in the spotlight but of a journey to be seen for who she truly was.

Jun listened intently. He recognized the moments hidden in-between the lines, but more than reminiscing the memories, he felt his heart swell with pride at seeing how strong the woman he cared for was. 

By the final chorus, Akari's voice trembled from her overwhelming emotions. This wasn't just a song. It was her heart and soul. An apology to herself and an expression of gratitude to the people around her. A thank you to someone special and a confession of feelings.

As the last note faded, the audience remained silent for a heartbeat longer. The weight of the song fell heavy on their hearts. Even if they didn't know the full context, the vulnerability and depth behind her words undeniably shone through, leaving everyone with an intense feeling of reverence. 

The crowd broke out into cheers and sobs; waves of emotions crashed through the stadium. Hands clapped, voices shouted, and tears glistened on countless faces. Each person was moved in their own way by the honesty of Akari's heart.

Back in the VIP box, Jun's eyes welled unexpectedly. It wasn't just the beauty of her song and voice. It was the unguarded emotions behind it. Every glance, every word, every note she poured into her song had pulled at his heart.

Jun swallowed hard, letting the feeling wash over him. I didn't think I could fall for you any harder... He stared at Akari on the stage, taking in her radiance and sincerity, and he knew that without a doubt he would stay by her side no matter what. 

Michi and Kota sobbed unapologetically while his parents kindly smiled at one another.

Akari stood from the piano and made her way to center stage. "Did my feelings reach you?"

The crowd erupted in response, though the noise faded to Jun. All he could see, all he could hear, was her. For a moment, nothing else existed. It was just the two of them, connected through something far deeper than applause or spotlights. 

Akari looked over the crowd, taking it all in. "Thank you for joining me on this journey. I will never forget the love and support from you all. I hope that all of you one day find your true selves too." She politely bowed.

When she lifted her head again, confetti rained down as the lights flared white and pink. "Thank you and goodbye." She smiled and waved for the fans and cameras one last time before the stage plunged into darkness. 

-

Back in her dressing room, Akari looked over everything - the makeup, the outfits, the microphones, the setlist. Each piece held memories of countless hours of work, countless performances, and countless moments that had shaped her life.

Though it felt bittersweet, her heart felt lighter with the thoughts of what's to come. The stage was behind her now, but her life was just beginning. 

"Goodbye Akari Ito... Thank you for letting me protect this dream." Akari softly whispered to herself.

With one final look, she turned and stepped forward, leaving behind the stage, the spotlight, and the mask she hid behind.