Revelation

So. I finally got down to writing this chapter.

Anyway. This is really cliché. Like, really. And everybody's OOC. Sorry.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Not the characters, not the story, not the songs. Nothing. Nice way to live, right?

Chapter One: One Last Chance:

Manabe entered the karoake place. The person on stage was doing a really bad job. But she looked like she was having fun, so Manabe supposed it was OK.

A middle-aged guy (the manager?) tapped the mike. Screeching feedback blasted through the room. Everybody clapped their hands over their ears, but Manabe stood where we was, unaffected.

"So, our next guest is a frequent visitor, for all you long-time visitors. Please welcome Miss Tsubasa Uehara!"

Manabe stumbled, eyes widening a fraction of an inch, before righting himself.

Tsubasa strode on stage. She'd gotten taller, her blonde hair longer, a softer shade of gold. Her violet eyes sparked, sweeping over the cheering crowd, before settling on Manabe. Shock burst behind her calm mask for a second before she looked away, smiling.

She took a breath, holding the mike.

Music started playing behind her, and she opened her mouth and sang:

Last night I heard my own heart beating

Sounded like footsteps on my stairs

Six months gone and I'm still reaching

Even though I know you're not there

Her eyes settled on Manabe, and he knew this song was aimed at him.

I was playing back a thousand memories baby

Thinking 'bout everything we've been through

Maybe I've been going back too much lately

When time stood still

And I had you…

A pang shot through his chest. He had been so stupid…

Come back come back come back to me like
You would you would if this was a movie
Stand in the rain outside till I came out

Come back come back come back to me like
You could you could if you just said you're sorry
I know that we could work it out somehow
But if this was a movie you'd be here by now

A year ago, they had been about to go to different colleges. They had promised that they would keep in touch, saying that they wouldn't let a long-distance relationship affect them. But it hadn't worked out.

I know people change and these things happen
But I remember how it was back then
Locked up in your arms and our friends are laughing
Cause nothing like this ever happened to them

He remembered the first few months, Tsubasa calling him every day, no matter how stressed she was or how much she had to do. Eventually, it had become to feel tedious to Manabe. He asked her to please just call once a week, that he wasn't going to disappear anytime soon. Tsubasa knew he was lying, they both knew he was lying, but she laughed one of her bubbly little laughs and agreed anyway.

And then, two weeks later, he really did disappear.

Now I'm pacing down the hall
Chasing down your street
Flashback to a night when you said to me
That nothing's gonna change not for me and you
Not before I knew how much I had to lose

She'd called, leaving messages, texted, always patient, always understanding about how much he needed to get away. Saying in a letter that she'd leave him alone, since it was obviously what he wanted, that she'd wait until he was ready, no matter how long it took, because she loved him.

Opening the letter a few days after he got it, Manabe noticed, for the first time, a little tear stain at the corner of the letter. Going against his conscience, he'd ignored it.

Come back come back come back to me like
You would you would if this was a movie
Stand in the rain outside till I came out

Come back come back come back to me like
You could you could if you just said you're sorry
I know that we could work it out somehow
But if this was a movie you'd be here by now

The second year of college had just started. Manabe wanted to be a computer programmer, and Tsubasa, who had always been good with kids, was going to be a kindergarten teacher. Manabe hadn't said a word to Tsubasa since then.

If you're out there, if you're somewhere, if you're moving on
I've be waiting for you ever since you've been gone
I just want it back the way it was before
And I just wanna see you back at my front door
And I'd say

Manabe knew the words that came next. This song had been one of Tsubasa's favourites. She would always play it whenever they went for a drive, singing along in that angelic voice of hers. He closed his eyes, as if that could stop what came next.

Come back come back come back to me like
You would, you would, before you said it's not that easy
Before the fight, before I locked you out
But I'd take it all back now

He squeezed his hands into fists. Hoping against hope that Tsubasa would still be waiting.

That there was still a chance to answer.

Come back come back come back to me like
You would you would if this was a movie
Stand in the rain outside till I came out

Come back come back come back to me like
You could you could if you just said you're sorry
I know that we could work it out somehow
But if this was a movie you'd be here by now

Manabe stood, apart from the others in a little corner, waiting for the song to end.

You'd be here by now
It's not the kind of ending you wanna see now
Baby what about the ending
Oh I thought you'd be here by now oh ohh ohh
Woah oh oh
Thoughtt you'd be here by now

Tsubasa bowed as the music ended, walking off the stage to long applause. Manabe steeled himself, before making his way backstage. Tsubasa was combing her hair, adjusting her long, silky gray dress. Turning around, she didn't seem at all surprised to see him. They stood like that for a bit, before her eyes softened.

"Why are you here?"

Manabe took a breath, steadying himself.

"I'm ready."

Tsubasa sighed. "That's not enough."

"I know."

"So?"

Tsubasa lowered her eyes. "I have an encore later. There are two song choices. You pick: Forever And Always, or-or Here's To Never Growing Up."

Manabe was struck dumb. "You're giving me another chance?"

Tsubasa half smiled. "I'll take Here's To Never Growing Up."

Later that night, Tsubasa went on stage for her encore.

We're singing radiohead at the top of our lungs

With the boom box blaring as we're falling in love

I got a bottle of whatever, but let's get in this truck, singing

Here's to never growing up!

Call up all our friends

Go hard this weekend

For no damn reason, I don't think we'll ever change

Meet you at the spot, half past ten o'clock

We don't ever stop

And we're never going to change

Say, won't you say forever,

Stay, if you stay forever

Hey, we can stay forever young

We're singing radiohead at the top of our lungs

With the boom box blaring as we're falling in love

I got a bottle of whatever, but let's get in this truck, singing

Here's to never growing up…

Manabe smiled. He stepped briefly outside. There was a full moon tonight, the black night sky lit up by Tokyo's lights. After all, he reflected, there was always time for one last chance.

God, this was so rushed. God. God. And yeah, this story is done. My brain is fried like chicken. So.