"Ranma where are you going?" Soun asked.
"I'm going to go look for Akane, it's been months already" Ranma answered making his way for the front door.
"But you don't know where you're going or where she is" Genma sign said.
"Does it matter?" Ranma growled putting on his shoes.
"Yes it does matter, what if Akane is perfectly fine and you go running off on your own and end up getting hurt, kidnapped, or even killed and then Akane comes back home but you can't see her because you're dead or something?" Nabiki asked putting her hands on her hips.
This make Ranma stop as Nabiki's words settled it. She was right, school was starting and Akane loved school, she would never miss school for anything. If Akane did come back it would be about before school started so she wouldn't miss anything. If he left now and Akane came back he wouldn't be able to see her since she was already home where she rightfully belonged. He sighed taking his shoes off and putting his backpack back in his room. Nabiki looked at her tablet still having no sign of any Akane ever leaving Nerima. School was so close, but yet it seemed like nobody could hang on for much longer.
"Don't be nervous okay?" Miss Hyo-Sonn said taking Akane's shaky hands in hers.
"I can't help it, I haven't sang anything in front of this many people in years" Akane said with a shaky smile.
"Come on you've been practicing for almost four months and you did so well. You were barely able to speak Korean when you came out with your first song with your uncle's boss loved. Now you're fluent in just seven months of using that language program. Not only that but your voice has improved since I worked with you and your songs are amazing. And since you've been taking on line courses you've had lots of free time to practice" Miss Hyo-Sann encouraged.
"You sure I'm going to do great?" Akane asked with a fearful face.
"I'm sure you're going to be excellent after all you are Pearl" she smiled at her.
Pearl; her stage name. Her uncle came up with it after she had asked him to help her with a stage name for herself. Her uncle insisted it saying that she was a like a pure pink pearl; rare and unique. He said that pearls are just made from the smallest grain of sand that can turn into something so beautiful. She was like a pearl; just a teenage girl wanting to get away at first but then after time she began to grown into the pop star she is becoming. She hasn't completely turned into a pearl, but she's almost there.
She stood up from her seat balancing herself on the heels she wore. Akane was done up from head to toe for her first performance after working almost six months on the song she would perform. Her hair was pulled back in a small ponytail with her bangs pinned back and pouf up. She wore a skin tight plain peach dress that had a low opening in the back. Her heels were wedges covered in the same white color as the white pearl necklace she wore. Her make up was really light making her cheeks look rosy and plump, her lips soft and pouty, eyes big and cute. Looking past the curtain she saw her uncle and his boss in the front seat waiting for her turn to sing.
"Our next singer, she's very new and is a bit shy and nervous I would say since this is her first performance singing 'Last one' here she is Pearl" the announcer introduced before leaving the stage.
The stage went back as Akane rushed to her place on stage at a desk which was covered with flowers. Music started to play as the spot light hit some kids her age entering in from the other side and sitting at desks in front of her. The spot light stayed on one boy with neatly combed sandy blond hair and brown eyes wearing a school uniform. The audience was quiet wondering what was going on as the boy pretended to talk to people around him. Akane started to sing as another spot light hit her in the seat covered with flowers.
You were always with your friends laughing as I sat back and watched
I didn't mind
As long as I got to sit here and see you smile from afar
You
You always looked so happy when you were with your friends
And I didn't mind
As long as I got to hear your laugh
But how could you never know that I was here?
I was always the first one to arrive and the last one to leave
I was always there to see you come and go
How could not notice me?
I guess I'll be the last one to get your attention
The last one to feel your arms around me
The last one to call you mine
But I'll be the first one to say
I love you
Akane got up from the desk and made her way to the boy who pretended she wasn't there. He kept on talking to the other people around him as well as the other people kept talking to him. It was like she wasn't there singing to him or touching his face or arm. The people in the audience seemed to disappear to her as she imagined the boy features to change to black hair and blue eyes. Akane sang the chorus again this time pulling the boy up by his arm and to the center of the stage. This time he noticed her as she brushed the back of her hand on his cheek and he took it with both of his hands. The other people pushed the desks behind stage but no one seemed to notice as the boy seemed to be caught by Akane. Akane stretched out the last 'I love you' of the song as the boy took both of her hands in his and pressed their foreheads together. The stage darkened and the audience exploded with cheers while the two of them hurried off the stage.
"You were great" Miss Hyo-Sonn said with tears in her eyes.
"I was so nervous, thank you" Akane said enveloping the elder woman in a hug.
"I'm so proud, ah I told myself I wouldn't cry" Miss Hyo-Sonn fanned her face.
"No don't cry, you'll ruin your make up" Akane said grabbing a tissue for her.
"Hello ladies, oh my gosh you were great Akane" her uncle said approaching them.
"Thank you, I thought I would get so nervous and mess up" Akane put a hand to her heart.
"No you were absolutely stunning" her uncle's boss, Mr. Byung-Hee, complimented.
"Thank you" Akane blushed.
"I'd love to celebrate, but I have to go work with a business man that would like to sponsor Akane" Mr. Byung-Hee said making Akane jump up and down.
"Yup, now excuse me" he bowed before leaving.
"Well let's celebrate all week long because Mr. Byung-Hee told me some news of a photo shot and shooting a music video for your first album" Uncle Koga said making Akane squeal.
They left the show easily escaping paparazzi asking who this 'Pearl' was and if she is a new item. They celebrated at a restaurant having a nice dinner and a nice dessert of a chocolate overload. Several other singers that had been at the theatre were at the same restaurant as well. Some people congratulated her on her first performance and on the song she sang. Some girls that were romantic loved the story behind it and the end scene with her and the boy, Dae-Ho. Some told her that she had an amazing soft sweet voice, but asked about her others songs. Akane simply said it was a secret and they laughed saying they couldn't wait to hear her first album.
