Note: Standard disclaimer applies. I do not own the songs inputted in this story either as it belongs to its rightful owner.
I was going to wait until tomorrow to update this, in the end... I just couldn't wait.
No one said anything for a while, and I nearly thought that I had chosen a wrong song to open with, until everyone roared in loud applause. I glanced over to my classmates who had nominated me, and I could not help but let out a big smirk at their shocked expressions. I looked back towards my audience, and gave a small wave towards the regulars.
"Alright everyone, let's go to the next song," I stated, and immediately cleared my throat when my voice cracked a bit.
"Wait a second!" one of my female classmates screeched as she stalked over to the center of the stage. "How…when…" she stuttered when she realized that everyone was looking at her.
"How can I sing that well? When did I have time to practice?" I mused with a smirk as I waved my microphone in a circular manner. "I thought you would see the connection between the idol JIROU and me. After all, we practically look the same… maybe except for the hair and the eyes. But that can easily be changed, ne?"
"Do you even know what nonsense you're sprouting?" another classmate inquired as she walked over to the stage with a microphone in hand.
"Whether you want to believe me or not is your choice," I stated quietly when I noticed the headmaster approached to the stage with an amused expression on his face. I watched in silence as he walked towards me, silently wondering what he would be saying. I could not help but think how random this was.
"Akutagawa-kun, congratulation on your concert tour success," the headmaster said in a jolly tone with an equally smiling face. He ignored the gaping expressions from almost everyone, and brushed his mustache with one hand, "My niece couldn't stop talking about the concert. By any chance, would there be a concert tour DVD?" he chuckled, but suddenly stopped as if he just became aware of his surroundings.
However, I secretly think that he planned this; but nevertheless, I could not stop a smile from appearing on my face. "Ah, yes. It'll be released in a couple of months. I'll personally come deliver it to you myself," I responded with a sweat drop, silently wondering why I was doing a promotion on a thing that is yet to be released.
"Am I interrupting something?" the headmaster inquired as he looked around the area, and finally turned to face me, "Don't overwork yourself, Akutagawa-kun; after all, you had a long week,"
"Thank you for the concern, but I'll be fine," I responded with a polite smile, and shouted to my microphone in an excited tone, "Are you ready for the next song!?"
The loud excited cheers from the audience somehow made me feel refreshed, and I watched the headmaster walked off the stage, and then took a seat in a front row. I glanced over to the two classmates who remained rooted on the spot, and merely raised an eyebrow, "Are you planning to be my backup dancers? I don't mind if you are, but I won't tolerate a poor performance," I remarked bluntly, and nearly let out a chuckle when a few people from the audience laughed at my statement.
"Why you--!" one of the two female classmates seethed with gritted teeth. "Just because you're a little bit famous doesn't give you a reason to be all arrogant," she muttered darkly under breath. However, due to the microphone clipped to her shirt, everyone heard her remark.
"Arrogant? Me? Are you sure you're talking to the right person?" I retorted with an eyebrow raised, and continued before she got a chance to rebut, "Atobe-kun is more arrogant than I am; no offence, Atobe-kun, but you are. Besides, this is Hyoutei; don't think I survived my years at this school by being a nice person,"
"We won't accept the fact you're an idol! It has to be fluke!" one of the two classmates shouted as she pointed her finger at me angrily.
I merely closed my eyes for a moment, and reopened them as I looked at them with a smile on my face. I took on a host persona that I usually used for my voice acting role, just so I could be 'in-character'. From the corner of my eyes, I saw how everyone was looking at me in anticipation, and was waiting with berated breath for what I would say.
"You, my princess, are, without a doubt, a beautiful person," I started in a slightly deep tone as I approached towards the two. I knew I sound exactly the same as the character I voiced as, but I could not help the fact that it was nice to be 'King'. Once I had said that, some of the audience members looked at me with their jaws promptly resting on the ground, and looked at me as if I was insane.
"However," I continued in the same tone as I brushed her bangs away from her eyes, "you're not fit to be in my presence. I won't accept being mistreated, and simply be idolized for my status, and my looks. I am the same person with or without make-up, and if you cannot accept that… you are a sad person,"
I paused for a couple of seconds as I watched the two walked off the stage angrily whilst they grumbled under their breath. "Sorry for being all host-like. Alright, since the distractions are gone; let's head to the next song. This is called 'Loveless', a song that I had written two years ago, and it is a song that made me become an idol. Enjoy,"
I closed my eyes as I listened to the instrumental music, and tapped my fingers on my thighs as I waited. I brought my microphone to my mouth as I began to dance, and sing at the same time.
"Somehow I already know why you're looking down
You're here but you can't seem to start talking about breaking-up
Even though our fallen shadows on the pavement
Are gathering together and piling up
Right now, our feelings are drifting farther apart
For you, who has met another love,
Can't find any connecting words,"
I paused for a second to regain my breath, and immediately continued with the next verse. I let out a smile when I saw how captivated most of my audience was.
"Things like 'goodbye' or 'it's the end'
Even if you say it's a lie, our un-joined hands become cold
We'll become strangers
Because I'll end up embracing things like 'I'm sorry' or 'please don't cry anymore'
So before my piled up memories turn into sorrow
At the end I'll say goodbye with a smile..."
A single tear cascade down my cheek, but I gracefully brushed it away as I sang the last line of the previous verse, and pointed my finger towards the audience.
"I said I'll be fine alone, that was my first lie
I wanted a way of stopping your tears
You were really important
Truthfully, I didn't want to let go
But these emotions with nowhere to go fill up my heart
Because I'm praying for that happiness more than anyone
Even if I act tough, I want to tell you 'thank you'
'Goodbye' and 'Regret'
That was the proof of our encounter, because it was with you I can think like that
An irreplaceable existence
So that I can forget it, I'll put it away in my heart,
Along with the seasons we engraved together
To your back that's heading quickly towards a new future
That's right, at the end I'll say goodbye with a smile..."
I held the last note before I pulled away the microphone, and danced for a bit. Once the short instrumental interval was finished, I continued with the next verse.
"Things like 'goodbye' or 'it's the end'
Even if you say it's a lie, our un-joined hands become cold
We'll become strangers
Because I'll end up embracing things like 'I'm sorry' or 'please don't cry anymore'
So before my piled up memories turn into sorrow
At the end I'll say goodbye with a smile..."
I held the last note and waited for the instrumental music to finish before I gave a bow to signal that the song is finished. I nearly stumbled off the stage when I heard the loud applause, and some of the female students were shouting their undying love. Really, the latter part was completely unnecessary.
"Thank you," I said with a nod as the cheers finally died down, and I continued, "Once again, thank you for taking time to come to Hyoutei Gakuen's Annual Cultural Festival. Please enjoy your time here, and please remember that I do not give out autographs,"
I walked off the stage behind the curtains, and nearly tripped back when I noticed some of the Hyoutei regulars were waiting for me. In the midst of the crowd, Rina pushed through the tennis players, and handed me a cold bottle of water.
"Thanks," I mumbled as I opened the item, and drained its content. "So what's up?" I asked with a small grin.
"I don't know if you noticed, but most of your songs happened to be about Atobe," Oshitari commented with a smirk, and I immediately turned sideways to spray the water onto the grass.
"They are so not about Atobe-kun, specifically," I responded in a murmur, and wrinkled my nose before I continued, "The songs could be about anyone in a relationship. Don't you have to be at a haunted house scaring the girls?"
"Trying to get rid of us, are you?" the tensai chuckled in amusement, and added, "Maa… I'll leave you and Atobe alone for now,"
"Just don't do anything we wouldn't do," Mukahi called out in a crackle, and walked away with Rina as he continued to laugh insanely.
"I bet they actually do everything," I muttered with a scoff, and continued finishing my drink.
"I'm touched that you wrote songs about me," Atobe stated with an arrogant smirk. I gave him a sideway glance before I made a move to toss the empty bottle. "I knew you couldn't resist Ore-sama's charm," he chuckled as I just stared at him in befuddled haze.
"Don't be so full of yourself, dear," I retorted with a huff, but I could not resist a smile from forming nevertheless. "Who said the songs were actually about you? It could be about anyone,"
"You're just in denial that you've fallen for me all over again," he teased with a playful smirk. Instead of giving him a proper response, I continued to stare at him while I inwardly melted into a puddle of goo. He has got to stop giving me a heart problem with his charming attitude.
"S-shut up," I stammered and turned away from his gaze to hide my red face. Behind me, Atobe chuckled in amusement, and patted me on the head as if I was a kid.
"Make room in your busy schedule for me tonight?" he requested softly in my ear, and added, "I think it's about time we have a proper dinner together,"
"Y-y-yeah, n-no problem," I gulped nervously at our close proximity, and turned around to face him. My eyes immediately widen when my lips brushed against his, and the only thing my mind was screaming at this moment was: SCANDAL ALERT! SCANDAL ALERT!
I quickly pulled away from him, and covered my mouth with my hand, "S-sorry," that was all I said before I ran away from the scene.
I arrived to a random classroom that was acting as a café, and took a seat a 'booth' near the windows. I let out a dejected sigh as I continued to stare out the window, trying to ignoring the not-so-hushed whispers from everyone around me. I did not have to strain my hearing to know that they were talking about me. From the public announcement system, one of my songs was blasting for everyone to hear.
"Here's your order, Akutagawa-san," one of the 'waiters' stated. He placed a slice of cake and a cup of cold milk tea on the table, and gave a bow before he walked away.
I took a sip of my drink calmly, as if trying to look normal like nothing was wrong; but in the end, I could not stop the last encounter with Atobe-kun from replaying in my mind. I let out a soft sigh, and glanced at the whispering crowd, who looked startled when my gaze landed on them. I gave them a soft princely smile, something I had learned from modeling, and returned my attention back to the window whilst I ignored the excited squeals behind me.
I put down the empty cup, and took a bite of the cake before I placed the fork down. Wordlessly, I stood up from my seat, and walked out of the café. It was not because it was a bad cake, but merely for the reason that the 'café' was too noisy.
"Ah, Akutagawa-kun, there you are," a familiar voice called out, and when I turned around, I saw the Seigaku regulars standing there in their casual clothes glory.
"Hello, everyone," I greeted with a business-smile, and gave them a small bow. "Is there something you need?"
"I knew it," Fuji declared triumphantly with a smile, and I looked at him in confused as to what he was saying. "You dropped a lot of hints during the training camp. Besides, it was rather suspicious as to why you kept leaving before dawn, and didn't return until really late at night. I also noticed how you were singing along when 'Refrain' was playing, and your dare to Atobe-san confirmed my suspicion. Even though you tried to hide it, you sounded the same as the idol,"
"You are rather sharp, Fuji-kun," I chuckled, but I did not denied what he said, and added, "I didn't bother hiding my 'secret' as well as I would've had if I didn't want you guys to know,"
"Why did you want us to know?" Inui questioned as he poised his notebook and his pen so that he was ready to write down anything I say.
"Ah! There you are!" Kirihara's voice interrupted before I could say anything. From the left side, the Rikkai Dai regulars walked towards us in their school uniform glory. "Ne, ne, Akutagawa-kun, would you be releasing those songs anytime soon? It was soooo good," the junior ace gushed.
I could not help but think that it was how I acted around Marui a few years back. "The singles would be out in a couple of weeks," I answered with a strained smile.
"YES!" Kirihara cheered with his hand pumped in the air, whilst some of his teammates hid their face in their hands, as if they were embarrassed to even be associated to Kirihara.
"Is there a reason why you decided to tell everyone?" Niou questioned solemnly, interrupting his kouhai's cheers, and further added, "When I knew about your secret, you didn't want anyone to know about it. But now… you decided to let everyone know,"
"That's because…" I started without looking at the regulars, and just stared ahead. I paused for a few seconds, silently debating how much I should tell them, and finally decided, "That's because I am going to be in a different world from now on. Once I leave here today, Akutagawa Jirou will just be a memory; you won't ever see him again. Please excuse me," I turned around and gave them a final bow before I walked away.
"Are you just going to run away?" Niou called out, making me pause in my mid-step, and causing me to turn around.
"Running away? Never," I responded with a small smile, and elaborated, "I've just decided to face reality,"
Before I realized it, the cultural festival drew closer to its end, and I was once again on stage. Some of the guests had return to listen to my song live, whilst others were still in his or her booth with the guests, and had opted to listen via the public announcement system. Either way, I did not mind.
"Thank for coming to our cultural festival, I hope everyone had a good time," I started with a polite bow, and continued, "I'll leave you today with this song,"
A soft ballad began playing in the background, and I waited for nearly thirty seconds before I started singing. I inwardly told myself that this was not another song about Atobe-kun; nope, not at all. Really… it was not.
"Meeting that day was not a coincidence
I'm sure we always believed that we would meet
Reflected in your eyes is everything I love about you
Your beautiful eyes are my everything
The most beautiful in the world
I like everything about your beautiful eyes
I'll hold you, and never let you go
By just gazing at you, I become gentle
I'm engrossed in your mysterious eyes
So please don't cry, because your tears are too unbearable
In your heart, I see you beautiful eyes
Beautiful to the point I'm unable to stand it
In my dreams, I can see your beautiful eyes
Never again will I let you go
I'll hold you tightly and take you wherever I go
If it's the two of us, then we can make it, baby
No matter what kind of world we face
Your beautiful eyes are my everything
The most beautiful in the world
I like everything about your beautiful eyes
I'll hold you, and never let you go
In your heart, I see you beautiful eyes
Beautiful to the point I'm unable to stand it
In my dreams, I can see your beautiful eyes
Never again will I let you go
I'll hold you, and never let you go"
When I glanced at the applauding crowd, I saw Oshitari and Mukahi smirking at me all knowingly. The two just laughed at my slightly scowling expression, and nudged at Atobe-kun who was standing nearby. I could not hear what the latter said to Oshitari and Mukahi due to the loud cheers, and applause. However, judging from the slight flushed expression of Atobe-kun, I could only guess that it was something embarrassing.
"Sorry, I'm late, Atobe-kun," I stated as I approached to the waiting figure, and huffed tiredly because I had just ran a long distance. "Were you waiting long?" I inquired while I tried to catch my breath.
"Don't worry about it, I just got here," he responded with a gentle smile that made my heart skip a beat. "Let's go? I'm sure you're hungry," he suggested as he led us to his awaiting limo.
"Did you have fun at the festival?" I questioned as soon as we were seated in the vehicle, and continued, "I'm sorry I ran away after… you know…"
"Don't mind, it was my fault for being impulsive," he muttered as if he was trying to get used to apologizing.
The two of us sat in an awkward silence for a good five minutes, and then the two of suddenly decided to say something.
"You know--" the two of us started in union, and paused for a couple of seconds before saying, "No, you go ahead,"
"No, that's okay. You started first," Atobe stated with a chuckle, and before I knew it, the two of us were laughing at our awkwardness.
"No, no, no, you first," I insisted with a grin. In the end, we could not stop laughing at how we were acting.
Once we got over the awkward moments, Atobe cleared his throat to get my attention, and when I looked at him with all my attention, he stated, "I was wondering if we can officially start over. I know it'll be hard with you being famous, and all… but I would like to try again,"
I just sat there, and stared at him in shock for a couple of seconds, not knowing what to say. "Eh?" that was the most intelligent thing I uttered instead.
"You don't have to give me an answer now," Atobe said with a slightly nervous smile, something I had not seen on his expression for the longest time.
"To be honest with you, Kei-chan," I started with a deep sigh as I looked at his reflection from the window, "I was thinking that maybe we shouldn't see each other at all. You're soon to be the head of Atobe Group, and it would ruin your image if you're seen with another guy, right? Isn't that reason why your grandmother drugged you that night, so that we would break up?"
"You knew…?" he looked at me in surprised, which I just chuckled in response.
"I didn't get by Hyoutei just by sleeping," I answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, and continued with my speech, "I don't want to give you up, but at the same time… I'm afraid of what everyone would think. I may be confident, and everything in front of the camera, but in the end… I'm scared. I don't want be left alone,"
"Instead of worrying about my image, aren't you worried about yours as well?" Atobe pointed out as he turned me around, so that I was facing him instead. "I've lost you once I'm not losing you again. I'm sure, in the end, everything will work out. After all, this is Ore-sama you're talking about, and if we have to fight against the whole world, we will," he boasted with a cocky smirk.
"You're certainly something," I muttered with an exasperated sigh.
"Besides, it doesn't matter to me if everyone knew about us," he stated solemnly as he placed his hand over mine, and added, "After all, you're the only one for me,"
"You're such a sap," I commented with a dignified snort, and inquired, "Where did you get that line?"
"One of Oshitari's romance novels, and don't ruin the moment," Atobe answered, and I had nothing to respond to that.
