NIGHT WALK

Tokyo, Shibuya — 09:15 PM

Minutes after leaving Sweet Escape, we were already heading toward our next destination.The first stop of our night out had been incredibly productive. I tried a new coffee flavor, Gumi shared her cake with me, I managed to push past my fear of interviews, "earned" a kiss, and we even laid down plans to form a band for a once-in-a-lifetime event. I couldn't help but wonder what else this night had in store for us. It felt like things were only just beginning.As I pulled out my phone to check the time, Gumi stepped closer.
—Let’s keep our date going! Tonight is strictly about the two of us. So, where to next?
I rested my hand against my chin, taking a moment to think over our best options. I still had a few errands to run before heading home.
—Well, we could catch a movie or hit the mall. After we hang out, I was actually planning to stop by the grocery store to restock the pantry. Since we’ve been out of town for so long, I barely have anything left at my place.

—A movie sounds fun, but let’s save that for another night. I vote we hit the shopping center to look at some clothes first, and then I can help you with your groceries. I always love watching you try on different styles.

With the night still young, we made our way into the sprawling shopping complex. Gumi always got a massive thrill out of helping me pick out outfits, constantly insisting that most styles looked great on me. As we strolled through the corridors, people turned their heads in surprise. Gumi’s vibrant green hair color and flashy idol outfit immediately stole the spotlight. It didn't take long for the whispers to start floating our way.

—Look at those two! Do you think they’re influencers?

—That girl has green eyes that perfectly match her outfit and hair. She’s gorgeous! Wait, is she...?

—They look exactly like an anime couple! Are they cosplayers?

—That guy doesn't look like he’s from around here, but his style is amazing. He’s pretty sharp—his eyes and hair look perfect next to hers.

My hearing was sharp enough to catch every single murmur drifting from the crowd.

—Oh! We can't go unnoticed, Gumi-san. I hope nothing happens while we're shopping.

—Oh, I know! 

she scoffed playfully.

—But a few looks aren't going to ruin our fun, right? If we locked ourselves away over every little comment people made, we’d never leave the house. Come on, let’s check out this store—their clothes look awesome.

—Welcome! Are you looking for anything in particular today? 

The store clerk asked, greeting us with a warm, professional smile.

Excited, Gumi wrapped her arm around mine.

—We’re looking for clothes for him. Preferably something oversize, though we could also browse your techwear or streetwear collections.

The clerk gave an understanding nod.

—Understood! Right this way, please. As you can see, we have a wide selection of hoodies in various colors. It looks like you lean toward darker tones, sir. We carry several shades of black blended with neon accents. Over here, we also have oversize crewneck sweatshirts in lighter hues. Would you like to try any of these on?

—Try this one! I’m absolutely positive it’ll look great on you

Gumi insisted, holding up an oversize sweatshirt and handing it over to me.

—Alright, alright. Give me a second, I’ll head into the fitting room

The clerk politely pointed me toward the stalls.

—Right through here, please. If you need anything else at all, just let me know. I’ll be close by

—Thanks for the help

While I was inside trying on the clothes, the clerk struck up a conversation with Gumi outside. The store's background music was playing a bit too loud, muffling their voices so I could only catch fragments of what they were saying.

—You both look so familiar, but I just can’t place where I know you from. Forgive me for prying, but are you cosplayers? You look incredible together. Are you two dating?

Hearing the final question, Gumi accidentally dropped one of the clothing hangers right onto the floor.

—Huh?! Oh... well... actually... yes, we are

Gumi stammered, her voice jumping an octave.

—And I’m just helping him pick out a few new pieces today.

("It totally caught me off guard, but I guess that’s exactly how everyone else sees us when we’re hanging out like this.")

—Wow! What a beautiful gesture! You two are absolutely precious together

the clerk squealed softly, clasping her hands together with pure adoration.

—By any chance, are you...

At that exact moment, I stepped out of the fitting room and walked over to Gumi.

—So, Gumi-san, what do you think? Does it look alright, or should I try something else?

—You look absolutely incredible, Victor-san!

Gumi gasped, her eyes widening as she scanned me up and down with genuine excitement.

—The color suits you perfectly. That loose, drop-shoulder cut frames your neck and collarbones beautifully.

("He looks so good... he is absolutely buying this.")

The clerk suddenly let out a sharp gasp, slapping both hands over her mouth in sheer realization.

—Gu... Gumi-san?! It really is you!. I... I’m a massive fan! I wasn't entirely sure when you first walked in. Oh my goodness, could I please get your autograph? And Victor-san, please feel free to try on absolutely anything you like—don’t worry about whether you buy it or not!

—Of course! I’d be happy to sign something for you. Victor-san, can you try on this hoodie next?

—Ehh... fine. Just please don’t make me try on a million different things this time

She shot me a playful wink.

—No promises! she chirped.

After spending thirty exhausting minutes in the store, trying on a mountain of garments that Gumi and the clerk kept piling into my arms, I was completely wiped out.

—Ahhh, that was exhausting! You promised you wouldn't make me try on too many clothes, Gumi-san.She let out a bright, musical laugh.

—Haha! Sorry about that! It’s just that everything looked so good on you, and I couldn't help myself.

—Anyway, we should probably keep moving

I said, walking over to the register to pay for the items I’d selected.

—I’ll take these, please.

—Certainly, Victor-san! Your total comes to 20,000¥. Will you be paying with cash or card?

I pulled out my wallet.

—Card, please. 

I answered, throwing a look toward Gumi.

—You always find a way to make me buy way more than I actually need, Gumi-san.

—Haha! It’s because everything fits you so perfectly that it’s impossible to choose, so it’s better to just take it all! Don’t you think, Victor-san? Come on, let’s grab a cold drink—all that shopping made me kind of warm

I noticed a distinct flush painting her cheeks ever since I’d started modeling the clothes. Was she actually blushing because of that, or was she just as tired as I was?

—Thank you so much for your purchase, Gumi-sama, Victor-sama! Best of luck with your upcoming shows!

The clerk called out warmly as we exited.

We left the clothing boutique and made our way up to the beverage stalls for something refreshing. As we rode the escalators to the upper levels, we kept chatting.

—Let’s hit the third floor for drinks, Gumi-san. I’m craving a strawberry Ramune. What do you want?

—Let’s see... Hmm, I think I’ll grab a mango Mogu Mogu. After that, we can finally tackle your grocery shopping. You brought a shopping list, right?

We claimed a vacant table in the food court. Gumi slid her goggles off, running a hand through her hair to fix the stray strands.

—Uh... nope. No list. I figured I’d just wander around, see what caught my eye, and buy whatever I felt like eating.

—Haha! Reckless and unpredictable as always. Alright then, let’s go explore and see what your stomach desires.
Note: Recommended track for this scene: [ECHO - CRUSHER P]

We spent another thirty minutes unwinding at the table, casually chatting while we watched the bustling activity around us. It made us wonder: after we started playing bigger venues, or once the Budokan was over, would we still be able to enjoy peaceful outings like this? Or would we be forced to hide behind baseball caps and sunglasses just to avoid being swarmed for autographs, pictures, and invasive questions?

But deep down, I knew it was inevitable. Gumi was, is, and always will be an idol, whether she’s standing by my side or not. Her entire existence belongs to the stage, the bright lights, the music, and the sea of screaming fans.

She took a slow sip of her drink.

—Victor-san? Your eyes look totally spaced out. What are you overthinking so hard, or are you just checking someone out?

I turned my gaze back to her.

—It’s nothing, Gumi-san. Just getting lost in thoughts about the past, the present, and the future. I don’t want to bore you with the heavy details, so let’s just enjoy our drinks

She reached over, snatched the final french fry from the basket, and took a bite.

—Mmm, alright. But if it’s ever something important that I should know, you better tell me

she pouted slightly.

—Don’t worry, it really is nothing.

—Okay, now that we're finished, let's go buy your groceries. We shouldn't be too late because we have things to do tomorrow.

As we made our way down the shopping mall stairs, Gumi playfully slipped my Beats headphones over her ears while I took charge of carrying her goggles. The track playing on my device happened to be her own song, ECHO by CRUSHER P. The moment the beat kicked in, she immediately started humming along, bobbing her head perfectly to the rhythm.

A warm smile spread across my face as I walked beside her. The volume was cranked up so high that it completely drowned out the ambient noise of the mall. If you closed your eyes, it felt like you were transported to an entirely different world.

Suddenly, Gumi began singing out loud, her beautiful voice instantly cutting through the air. People stopped dead in their tracks, completely captivated by the melody. She closed her eyes, bringing her hands together as if she were clutching an invisible microphone on a grand stage.

—Whoa! Look at her, she’s incredible! Her voice is stunning! She’s beautiful!—Honey, look! Isn't that the girl from those viral videos?—It’s Gumi-san, the idol! Oh my god, seeing her sing up close is unreal!

I watched as a crowd began to trail behind us, pulling out their phones to record videos and snap photos, completely thrilled to witness a legendary idol performing live right in front of them.

—Hey, Gumi-san...

I tapped her shoulder to get her attention, but she didn't even notice. She was completely lost in the zone, entirely immersed in her music.

—Gumi-san!I called out her name a bit louder, gently catching her arm to bring her to a halt.Gumi blinked her eyes open, startled, and quickly slid the headphones down to rest around her neck.

—Eh? What’s wrong, Victor-san?"
She asked, looking around. I gestured toward the growing crowd surrounding us, lowering my voice to a tense whisper.

—That’s what’s wrong. You were singing a bit too loud, and everyone heard you. They’re completely mesmerized... and they definitely know who you are.

—Oh! Whoops! Haha

She chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.

—Sorry about that, I guess I got completely carried away by the track. Hey everyone! Thanks so much for the support!

she called out, waving brightly at the fans.

—You guys are fantastic! But we actually have to run. Bye!

Before the crowd could swallow us whole, she grabbed my hand tightly and yanked me forward, sprinting away.

We burst out of the shopping complex, escaping the blinding flash of phone cameras and the ecstatic cheers of the crowd. My head spun as I tried to process the sheer chaos of the moment, our feet pounding against the pavement as we darted through the Tokyo streets. Neon signs and passing cars blurred into a streak of light beside us.

The air turned crisp against my face, and all I could focus on was her vibrant green hair fluttering beautifully right ahead of me.

"Wow... she really is breathtaking. Even under the chaotic neon lights of the city night."

She threw a quick glance over her shoulder, her grip on my hand never loosening for a second as we kept up our frantic pace.

—Now this is what I call thrilling, don’t you think? Haha!. I wonder what people are going to say when they see videos of me dragging you by the hand to escape! Honestly, I don’t care what they think. Hanging out with you is always the best adventure. Come on, the supermarket is just around the corner!

We finally skidded to a halt outside the supermarket entrance, desperately gasping for air. Gumi had forced me into a full-blown sprint all the way from the mall without a single pause. Her stamina was absolutely insane.

I doubled over, resting my hands firmly against my knees as my chest heaved up and down rapidly.

—Give... give me a second to catch my breath, Gumi-san. We ran way too fast. Ahh! Fiu! That was unexpected.

—But that’s exactly what makes it exciting

she countered playfully, barely out of breath.

—Never knowing what wild move either of us is going to make next, Victor-san.

Looking closely, I could tell she was starting to feel the exertion too, her rhythmic breathing gradually syncing up with mine.

—I got tired too, but it was fun. I also need a minute to catch my breath. Phew! But we're here now, let's go inside and buy your things.

While we navigated the grocery aisles, Gumi kept her eyes glued to her phone, aggressively digging around for any leads on Shiho and Kohane.

—Ugh, Shiho is completely off the grid

She murmured, scrolling through various forums.

—Nothing is popping up. I’ll try tracking down Kohane next.

We wandered down the quiet corridors, and I watched her fingers fly across the screen. She was actively hunting for a way to pinpoint them.

—Got her!

The sudden exclamation echoed through the aisle as she let out a small victory cry. A few minutes passed while she reviewed the data.

—Did you actually find something, Gumi-san?

I asked, leaning over the cart.

—Better than that. I managed to score Kohane’s actual phone number,"

She grinned proudly.

—Incredible. Are you going to shoot her a text, or just call her directly?

The rapid, rhythmic tones of digits being punched into her screen gave me an immediate answer.

—It’s always faster to just talk directly

She raised the phone to her ear, and within a few brief seconds, the call clicked through.

Kohane: Hello?
Gumi: Hey there! Kohane-san, it’s Gumi!
Kohane: Gumi? Gumi-san?! As in... the legendary idol?!
Gumi: That’s the one! How have you been?
Kohane: Waaaaah! (Loud clattering sound of a phone crashing against the floor)  Are... are you serious, or is this a prank call?
Gumi: Haha, it really is me, I promise.
Kohane: Gu... Gumi-san... Wow... this... this is a massive surprise. I am so incredibly sorry for screaming like that!
Gumi: Don’t worry about it at all! Just take a deep breath, okay?
Kohane: Right... um, what can I do for you, Gumi-san?
Gumi: I was actually hoping we could sit down and talk tomorrow. Do you think you could clear some time in your schedule?
Kohane: Oh, absolutely! What time and place work best for you, Gumi-san?
Gumi: How does 10:00 AM on Cat Street sound?
Kohane: That works perfectly, Gumi-san! I’ll be there without fail. I assume this is about something really important, right?
Gumi: I’ll break down all the details when we meet. Trust me, it’s going to be a lot of fun!
Kohane: Got it. I’ll see you tomorrow then, Gumi-san. Take care!
Gumi: Get some rest, Kohane-san! Bye!Gumi tapped the screen to end the call.

—Okay! We've got one of the two at least, but I don't think it'll be easy to convince her, even though she's Kohane. But I'll think of something. Since we couldn't locate Shiho, you'll have to come back here to Shibuya tomorrow to look for her. But you must be careful, because she won't listen to you if you only approach her with words.

I picked up a premium pack of Ichiran instant ramen and dropped it into the shopping cart.

—What do you mean by that, Gumi-san? From what you're saying, I understand that I should prove myself to her with my guitar. Prove that we have what it takes to convince her to join us? I think that would backfire if I provoke her and it ends badly.

—Well, I honestly can’t think of any other way to get through to her. She’ll only listen to you if you speak to her in the language of music. Have some faith in your talent, Victor-san. That music is going to be the exact bond that locks our band together. After all, you’re going to be the leader of this group.

—I absolutely love this Tonkotsu ramen, it tastes so ridiculously good that—

I froze mid-sentence, my eyes widening in pure shock as her words finally registered.

—Wh-What?! The leader! Are you serious, Gumi-san? Why me? If they agreed to join us, they'd all agree that you should be the leader. I was even thinking of asking you to lead us. I... I couldn't... I don't have the experience or the confidence.

"How could I possibly handle something like that? They’d never listen to a guy like me. But if Gumi takes the reins, everything changes. Her professional stage experience is completely undeniable."

She casually tossed a jar of preserved peaches into the cart.

—You must be the one to guide us. I know you'll do well because I've seen in your eyes the determination to be a natural leader. Don't be afraid of doing it right or wrong. People always worry about doing it perfectly the first time, but it's better to have tried and failed than to live with the uncertainty of what might have been. I know you can do it, and if you ever doubt yourself or your decisions, we'll be there to help you.

She held out both of her hands, presenting two different cans of energy drinks.

—Now, quick question—which one of these do you prefer? Monster or Oronamin C?

I blinked, completely thrown off by how lightning-fast she could pivot conversations.

—Gumi-san! I… Do you really think so? I prefer Monster, Zero Ultra, or the mango one.

—Of course I mean it! Just you wait—once the band is fully assembled, everyone else is going to see exactly what I see

she beamed, placing the can into the cart.

—Now, let’s go hunt down some fresh fruit!

We moved down the quiet aisles, her intense words continuing to echo heavily through the corridors of my mind.

"Can I really guide them? Will a band like this even function? Would musicians that talented ever genuinely be willing to follow someone like me?"

“I’m sure I’ll create more problems than I can solve… ahhh! What if they leave when they find out Gumi isn’t going to guide us?”

—Ooh, these watermelons look perfect! You definitely need to keep up your fruit intake, so we’re taking one, along with a cantaloupe. And turn that frown upside down already! There’s no point in stressing over things that haven't even happened yet. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

She handed me the melon, locking her eyes directly onto mine. I let out a heavy breath, running a hand through my messy hair.

—Wuah... alright, fine! You win

I laughed weakly in total defeat.

—You’re right. I guess that pretty much covers everything I need to buy for tonight.

The massive weight of the responsibility still didn't entirely sit right with me, but since it was a direct personal request from Gumi, there was absolutely no way I could bring myself to turn her down.

—Let’s go pay for this haul and hail a cab to load everything up. It’s getting pretty late, and we both desperately need to crash so we’re fresh for tomorrow.

I could practically read her mind. Even though she wasn't saying it out loud, she just stood there, keeping her eyes fixed firmly on me while I used an app on my phone to call a taxi.

("You’re going to crush it, Victor. You just need to build up some real confidence in yourself. Though... I am admittedly a little worried about how Shiho is going to react. Breaking through her icy exterior is going to be incredibly tough, but I know you’re the only one who can do it.")

The cab arrived at my apartment complex. I unloaded my bags from the trunk and settled the fare, ensuring the driver would take Gumi straight back to her place in the same car.

—Are you sure you don't need help with the bags? I could stay and help you for a moment.

I flashed her a reassuring smile.

—Don’t worry about it, Gumi-san, I’ll be completely fine. Thanks a ton for helping me out with the shopping. I know you must be completely drained too, so just focus on getting home and crashing. We both have a massive mountain to climb tomorrow.

—Alright, deal! Just make sure you convince Shiho by any means necessary. But you have to actually locate her first. If I were you, I’d start hunting around the local guitar and bass specialty shops in Shibuya. See you tomorrow! Get some sleep!

I headed up to my apartment, dropping the heavy clothing bags onto the couch and setting the groceries down across the kitchen counter. I sat down at the table, my mind immediately drifting back to the morning ahead and the absolute puzzle of how I was supposed to locate Shiho. After about thirty minutes of intense overthinking, a sharp vibration echoed from my phone.

[Gumi's Private DM]
Gumi: "Are you still awake? I just know your brain is working overtime right now!"
Victor: "I wasn't overthinking anything, honestly. I was just organizing the kitchen and getting ready to jump into the shower before bed. Did you make it back safe?"
Gumi: "Yep! I had an absolute blast tonight, just like I always do when we hang out. I seriously love spending time together."
Victor: "I love hanging out with you too. Seeing you that happy is honestly the best part of my day."
Gumi: "Thanks again for treating me to that new dessert. It was seriously amazing—almost as sweet as you! Hehe."
Gumi: "Now go to sleep right now! Tomorrow is going to be incredibly brutal for you! You can handle it, right?"
Victor: "No"
Victor: "Haha, just kidding. I’ll give it everything I’ve got. Get some rest, Gumi-san! Best of luck with Kohane-san tomorrow!"
Gumi: "You can achieve absolutely anything you set your mind to, Victor-san. Rest up, and good luck to you too!"
Victor: "Bye"

I took a long, hot shower to wash away the tension, finally crawling into bed while actively forcing my brain to stop overthinking the variables.

"Tomorrow is the deciding day. I just hope I can pull this off."

EXTRA LORE DATA:
1.- The carrot cakes served at Sweet Escape are Gumi’s absolute favorite treat in all of Tokyo.
2.- Victor and Gumi first discovered Kondo’s café exactly four months ago, using it as a safe house to hide from a swarm of paparazzi cameras.

3.- Victor’s ultimate drink of choice is Monster Energy, though Gumi rarely lets him drink it. She constantly lectures him, claiming that the artificial crash drains way more energy than the drink actually provides.
4.- Throughout their intensive tour across various cities, Victor and Gumi forged a deep emotional connection that quickly transcended a simple "Teacher and Student" dynamic.
5.- Victor’s custom Beats headphones are his absolute most prized possession. He meticulously personalized them using Gumi’s signature neon-green accents. The right cup features the idol’s official signature, while the left cup features his own signature (which she aggressively forced him to write), symbolizing a permanent, unspoken commitment between the two.
6.- Gumi actively refuses to hide from public cameras. Even when citizens recognize her on the streets, the general public usually just assumes she’s casually "living her best life" rather than operating on duty.
7.- Victor constantly operates under a suffocating layer of psychological pressure whenever he walks or performs alongside Gumi. He is hyper-aware of the toxic murmurs from the crowd: "Who the hell is that mediocre nobody standing next to the great Gumi?" or "Why is a superstar like her wasting her time hanging out with a filthy street guitarist?"

Author's Note: I just love the late-night Shibuya vibes in this chapter! 🌃 Gumi shopping for clothes like a regular girl is just too adorable! 🐧🐱 But things are about to get serious... Victor is now officially the leader of the band, and the clock is ticking to recruit Kohane and Shiho. Do you think our anxious guitarist has what it takes to guide this team to the Budokan stage? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to drop a like or add NEXUS to your library if you're enjoying the story! Chapter 4 is just around the corner