Chapter 43

Ren set Misaki down in his dressing room and knelt down in front of her, taking a deep breath as he held onto her hands.

"I hope I wasn't too heavy. Are you okay?" Misaki asked. Might've gained a few lately with how lazy I've been...

Ren chuckled. "You're not heavy at all. I can carry Shun that far in my arms, so don't worry about it."

Her eyes widened, and she held back a smile as she imagined it. He's so silly sometimes, but I love that about him... Her chest tightened.

"You're allowed to laugh; it's funny to think about, but it's also true that I could. Anyway..." he trailed off as he rubbed the back of her hands with his thumbs. "I want to be clear here, and even though you came with me, I know I can't take that as your official answer—"

Misaki leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the lips, stopping his ramble.

His eyes widened as his heart skipped a beat. Before she could pull away, he held the back of her head with one hand, his other resting on her cheek, and pulled her in for a longer, deeper kiss.

Electricity ran through her body. "Mmm." She reached out to him, lightly gripping his shirt as her heart raced as fast as his. Ren...

He pulled away a bit, their breaths mingling as he stared into her eyes. "Does this mean what I think it means? Use your words, Misa." He chuckled, smiling.

She puffed her cheeks out and nodded.

"So, you're mine and I'm yours?"

She nodded again, nibbling on her lip.

"Perfect," he whispered and kissed her again before resting his forehead against hers. "Gosh, I think I'm the happiest I've ever been." A slight tint of pink coloured his cheeks, almost as much as was on hers. "Okay, I can't help it, but I'm bursting with energy!" Ren picked her up in a bear hug and twirled around.

"Oh!" Misaki clung to his neck and laughed. "Do you do this every time you're excited?"

"No, but it's fun to do when you're here. Damn, you have no idea how much I missed you."

"I wasn't gone that long."

"And yet I felt your absence in every moment. I love you so much, Misa."

"I-I..." She swallowed hard. "Love you, too."

He stepped back and gazed down at her.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I didn't get to say it before, but you look absolutely stunning in that dress."

"Thank you. And thank you for buying it for me." She ran her hands down the dress. "I kinda stopped buying things like this when I went into hiding, and I couldn't bring myself to buy even when I was with Emi."

"She told me about it, which is why I had to get it." Ren pulled his phone out and took a picture as soon as she looked up. "I plan on leaning into our happy relationship online, by the way."

"I'm more private..."

"I know, but I love taking photos, and it'll reinforce how happy we are together. Besides, the camera loves you!"

Misaki laughed, and he took another picture.

He flipped the phone around for her to see. "Look at how much you shine."

Her eyes widened as she stared at her face. Since when do I look so... happy?

"See? So gorgeous and bright. Ready for our official picture? I'll totally get Daichi to use it online." Ren moved beside her and held the phone out to take this picture together. He leaned in close to kiss her cheek again like before, but she turned and kissed him back as he took the picture. "Hey! You just..." Ren laughed. "You're so awesome, Misa, but maybe this one should be just ours."

"Agreed, so maybe we should take a normal one this time."

"I can take another?"

She nodded.

"Oh, permission for a photo this time. Don't I feel special?" His smile widened, and he leaned his head towards hers as they posed together for a picture. "Wow, a real smile for a photo? Perfect for both my social media and for Daichi to use."

He uploaded the picture with the caption: 'Backstage after an amazing concert with my new girlfriend. Wish us well, guys!'

"You're sure it's okay to do that? It won't hurt pre-orders for the next album?" Misaki fiddled with her fingers.

"No? Why would it do that? Pre-orders for the next album have already exceeded our previous most successful one. Oh, wait, you haven't talked to us to find that out." He playfully stuck his tongue out at her.

"I didn't know it was up yet..." I've stayed away from everything online since I left. And Emi hasn't been mentioning anything...

"Guess it goes in line with not knowing that video went viral. We have various music video teasers up, too. We're pushing full force to make sure everything works out, so don't worry so much." He kissed her temple. "People aren't as against you as you think."

"Well, I know one person who is, and last I knew, she was determined to drudge up a skewed version of the past to turn people against me." Misaki sighed, her shoulders slouching.

Ren smirked and rubbed her back. "You don't have to worry about her, either."

"Oh?"

"She hasn't posted anything since then because of Daichi, but he's still dealing with her. Anyway!" Ren slid his hand down her arm and took her hand. "Everything's fine, more than fine, even, so let's celebrate our newly formed relationship!"

Misaki tensed. "Celebrate how?"

"However you want! We can go on a romantic dinner date on the rooftop of a nearby restaurant without anyone else around. We can go home and dance, or we can go to your parents' place, and I can order dinner for everyone. Shun will probably be there with Emi, and I know you want to see her again after everything that's happened..." Ren trailed off as he thought. "All I care about is that I'm with you, so what you want goes."

What I want goes? Already different than with Aki... I don't even know how I'm trying to compare them. She glanced up at Ren. He's a million times better than Aki could ever be.

"Any thoughts?"

"If Emi's home... but wait, wouldn't you want to be alone with me?"

"I mean, always yes, but if you want to see your sister, let's go to her. I go where you go." He held his hand out to her, and she took it right away. "By the way, if you want me to carry you somewhere, just ask."

Misaki laughed and rolled her eyes. "I think my legs are steady enough now, but thank you for the offer."

"Open offer, even with steady legs." He winked at her.

"Oh, shouldn't you get changed before we leave? And my mask! You threw it somewhere on the stage."

Ren looked down at his costume and laughed. "I completely forgot I was wearing this. Wonder what Shun did..."

Knock, knock.

"Ren, I was told Shun left already..." Daichi opened the door and trailed off, seeing the two of them together. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

"Yeah, I finally got my girl." Ren's smile beamed.

"Well, yes, about that, but I was talking about the concert." Daichi held up his tablet for Ren to look at. "You caught a lot of attention with your new music and that spectacular performance with Misaki."

Misaki froze, her breath catching.

"It's good attention, Misaki. They loved your dance with the boys and said it was like nothing they'd seen at a concert before. Mr. Yuichi has already contacted me about it."

Ren's grip on her hand tightened, and she squeezed his hand back.

"He's offering you a new contract to be an idol again."

Misaki glanced at Ren, who nodded. "I haven't decided what I'm doing for a career going forward."

"I understand, but I was required to bring it up with you."

"But if I want to be an idol again, I'm not sure I'd want to go with Eclipse with everything that happened last time..." At least not directly.

"Even though that's where Hayase is?"

"Sorry, but I haven't forgiven their behaviour—"

Daichi held up his hand. "No worries, Misaki. I'm here to give you the offer, not to push for it. I've done my job already. I didn't even want to give the offer, but he said there'd be a better chance if I asked." He turned to Ren and frowned. "Why are you still in your costume? Get changed. Misa?" Daichi held his arm up to her, and she took it.

"Fine," Ren grumbled. "Don't leave; I'll be out in one minute." He started to take his costume off before they even left.

Somehow, I don't think he'd care if I had stayed right there.

"Congrats on getting on stage in front of a crowd again. I know it must've been hard for you," Daichi said as they waited in the hallway.

"Ren and Shun made it easier. By the way, I heard Oichi hasn't made any posts since then..."

Daichi chuckled. "Yes, she backed down quite fast when threatened with legal action. I'm in the process of getting a written apology to you, as she hopes you won't sue her. I'd try for an in-person apology, but I wasn't sure you'd want to meet her."

"You're right. I'd rather forget she even exists. I'd rather forget Aki exists, too..."

He nodded. "I'm just glad they're not asking you to testify, but they have enough evidence to put him away again, so you won't have to see him again."

Unless he appears again in a few years...

"Ready!" Ren rushed out into the hallway and pushed his way between them, wrapping his arm around Misaki's shoulders. "What are you two talking about?"

Misaki smiled and leaned towards him.

"How I've dealt with Oichi, and about Aki's upcoming trial—"

Ren glared at him. "Can we not mention him? Just thinking about him makes me angry..." Ren grumbled.

"Noted."

Ren glanced at Misaki. "Can we invite him?"

"Invite me where? What are you two up to?"

"Sure," Misaki said. "He's family, right?"

"Right." Ren smiled. "Fancy a meal at Misaki's parents' place? I'm ordering in."

"Fancy food?" Daichi rubbed his hands together. "Are you sure I'm allowed to join?"

"Sure, why not? Just drive yourself there, though. I want a little alone time before we get there."

"Of course you do." Daichi sighed and followed them out.