Keep Looking Forward

“How’s the song coming?” Jin’s voice sounded from the phone on the windowsill.

“It’s going smoother than we thought it would,” Miyuki replied while she gazed out at the ocean of shimmering lights in the night sky. “It was a bit difficult to come up with Komi’s portion, but we got through it.”

“That’s good. Are you ready for Monday?”

“We’ll be ready by then. We only started practicing this morning, but I’m sure we’ll be ready by tomorrow night,” she said with confidence.

“I’ll be looking forward to your performance. I know how much this competition means to you,” Jin said, bringing a smile to Miyuki’s lips.

“Thank you, Jin. It means a lot coming from you.”

“No problem.”

A click from the door made Miyuki turn her head. Komi had returned to the room, ready for the day to be over. It was still a unique sight to Miyuki to see Komi’s hair down, as she had only seen her hair in pigtails until they started their stay at the mansion.

“How’s soccer going?” She asked Jin, glancing out the window again.

“Still undefeated,” he assured her. “I suspect we’ll remain so. We beat the only team that rivals us early on in the season.”

“I’ll have to make it to one of your games soon,” she said.

“I would like that,” came his response.

“I’m going to bed,” Komi’s exhausted voice came from behind her as she slipped underneath the bedsheets. “If you’re going to keep chatting with your boyfriend, please keep the volume down.”

“I’ll step out for a minute,” she said, picking up her phone and crossing the room to the door on the other side.

“Thank you…” Komi’s voice trailed off as she drifted off to sleep.

“Komi wanting some quiet?” Jin guessed.

“Yes, today drained her. I’m tired, too, but I’d rather chat with you than go to bed now.” Miyuki smiled at her partner before stepping outside the bedroom.

The hall was somewhat dark, lit only by the light overflowing from the foyer. Not wishing to bother anyone sleeping in a nearby room, Miyuki stepped over to the entrance hall with quieted feet.

There was a bench against the wall with velvet cushions that enticed Miyuki to sit on it. “I’m glad I found you,” she said to Jin.

“So am I,” he agreed. “I stopped thinking about it after a while, but I missed you. Life was a lot different without you.”

His words brought a rosy blush to her cheeks. “I-is that so?”

“Even if we part ways again, I’ll continue to support you.”

The sound of heels clapping against the floor echoed through the foyer. “Mind if I interrupt your conversation?”

Miyuki looked up to see Luna looking down at her with a smirk. “Can I call you back? Luna’s here.”

“The lady that we met at the restaurant?” Jin inquired.

“Yes, her. I’ll call you back later tonight,” she hung up the phone and turned her attention to Luna. “Good evening, Rihara.”

“Evening to you as well. Who were you talking with just now?” Luna asked.

“Um… a friend of mine,” she answered with a nervous smile.

“A friend, hmm? Does it happen to be the ‘friend’  I met when I ran into you at the restaurant?” Luna crossed her arms.

The memory of Luna’s threat forced its way to the front of Miyuki’s mind. “N-not at all!” She panicked. “W-why would I be talking to Jin this late at night?”

She narrowed her eyes. “So, it was him. The more you try to hide it, Haruno, the more suspicious it becomes. I’d suggest you come clean next time so you don’t add more fuel to the fire,” with a triumphant grin, she waved her hand in farewell and walked off.

Miyuki watched her disappear into the hallway that led to their rooms. A deep sigh deflated her chest, carrying with it the panic that had just experienced. As soon as the panic left, a seed of worry that had been planted long ago grew from the new water it was given.

After taking a watchful minute to make sure Luna wasn’t coming back, she called Jin back to continue where they left off.

“That was quick,” Jin said when he picked up the call.

“I think she just wanted to give me a scare,” Miyuki guessed. “I shouldn’t have worked with her on her song,” she breathed.

“What’s past is past. The only thing you can change is the future,” he counseled her. “Keep looking forward no matter what trials come, and victory is certain.”

A soft smile spread on her face. “Did you make that up?”

“It’s something my coach says whenever we make a mistake in a game,” Jin explained. “Sounds like it fits your situation, so I shared his wisdom with you.”

“Thank you…” She glanced up at the brilliant chandeliers that shared their light with everyone in the room. “Even with everything going on… I’m still happier now that I’m spending time with you again than I have been for years.”

“My life’s definitely been more eventful with you back in it,” he shared. “You give me something more to look forward to than just soccer games.”

Joy swelled within her chest, almost bringing a tear to her eye. “If I make it to the final round, I want you to listen to my performance,” she said. “My song is for you.”

“I’ll make sure I have a listen. What sort of friend would I be if I stopped supporting you on the biggest event?” He joked.

The light in the room was swallowed up by darkness. Miyuki looked up to see the faint outline of the black-suited man looking down from the floor above.

“Make sure you head to bed so you can do your best tomorrow!” He called down.

“Sorry, Jin, it looks like I have to go for tonight. Thanks for chatting with me,” she said with a deflated tone.

“Goodnight, Miyuki. I’ll be looking forward to your performance on Monday.”

“We’ll do our best.”