Masato's words were true; Ren did have every intention in telling her, and his opportunity was coming sooner than expected. Meili was selected for the first Bilingual Concert that was to be held in Japan. The other idol was yet to be chosen, until the members of STARISH and Nanami were called to see Shining Saotome…
"You wanted to see us, Saotome-san?" Nanami asked uncertainly as she poked her head in the doorway of his office.
"Yes. Come in, come in!" he answered dramatically as Nanami and the seven males with her did as he said.
The office was quite roomy, with two tall windows behind to only desk in the office. There was also a large painting of kanji on the wall behind the desk, with a cream curtain hanging up there too, and posted on either side of that were a couple of stone animal heads. There were also various pieces of furniture in the room, to make it homier. This was comprised of a coffee table, with two red couches facing it and all were placed on a rug. A few cabinets were against the far wall as well.
"I've got some good news for you all!" he continued, while the group and their composer listened intently. "I've been informed that starting next month, a series of concerts will be held biannually."
"What sort of concerts?" Ichinose asked after he had finished.
"They're calling them Bilingual Concerts!" Saotome answered, keeping the theatrical tone in his voice, as they all shared shocked and excited gazes. "The Board has chosen two young idols from two different countries. They will each perform a small live concert, and then come together at the end to sing a duet!"
"What two idols have been chosen?" Nanami asked with curiosity.
"Our sister agency in China has volunteered their top idol to represent her country. She is the very beautiful Angel of Music; Miss Yue Meili!" Saotome replied. "As for the second idol…They have selected…" – he paused, and then pointed to the person theatrically – "You! Jinguji Ren!"
Congratulations were given excitedly, while Ren remained calm, even though he was happy to be paired with Meili too.
Saotome also gave his complements, but Syo noticed something, as he voiced his concerns. "Why did you call us all here then, if you were only going to tell Ren that he was in the concert?"
Saotome smirked silently in response before he told them, "Miss Nanami has been requested to be a consultant for the duet, and as for STARISH…Because Ren is a part of the group, the Board has made and exception and will allow you to perform, but it is Ren's choice, as it is his concert after all."
All eyes turned to the orange haired male, who thought for a moment, and then shrugged. "I would be nothing without Nanami and STARISH, so why not?"
"It's settled then!" Saotome announced. "I look forward to a wonderful and awe inspiring concert from you all!" The group then left, all pumped up and excited for their concert where they would see their friend again.
As the days went by, Nanami worked hard with Ren and Meili on their duet they were to sing together. She even got a score written for STARISH to get the fans excited, as the group was opening for that night.
Soon the day of the concert had come around, and all who were involved in it were ready for it, Meili especially. She couldn't wait to see everyone again and catch up properly, face to face. She then thought about Ren, and telling him how she felt about him. Perhaps she would tell him after the concert. It would definitely have to be after she told everyone about her surprise, as she couldn't wait to tell everyone – that being Nanami, Tomochika, and STARISH themselves – the exciting news. But now, the concert was about to start, and she couldn't afford to daydream, as she had to get ready for her debut on the Japanese stage.
First was the opening act by STARISH, who sang their new song, and then the solo concerts followed, as Meili and Ren each got the audience pumped with their own. Then the time came for their duet, as the both of them took their places on opposite sides of the stage wearing outfits that were specially made just for this moment.
Ren was all duked out in royal princely clothing, with his hair in a half updo ponytail. He was wearing a white tail coat with golden orange accents, golden buttons going down his chest in two rows, and epaulettes on his shoulders with a red and gold belt, and he also wore slightly tight red pants with two golden orange stripes running down the sides. On his feet was a pair of shiny black boots.
If Ren was dressed as a prince, then Meili was most definitely his princess, dressed in a simple long and flowing light teal halter gown that sparkled. The straps were clasped behind her neck with a silver hoop and it had a low back, as it showed her tattoo of a pair of angel wings spread out over her shoulder blades. The dress also had a slit in the front a little to the right side, and it started at her knees. Her hair had actually been cut since the last time he saw her, and it was a refreshing change to her look overall. It now ended at her chest, and was wavy and feathery. The right side was braided in loose cornrows, and the left was completely loose. To add to the overall look, she wore silver drop earrings and long white gloves.
As soon as the applause and fanfare had died down, the music that Meili had arranged begun. It was a slow song – perfect for the end of a concert – and it had Meili's and Ren's hidden feelings and memories written into it. When it was time, Meili silently took a deep breath in, and then started with her part.
You had said, "It's fate that we were meant to sing
together."
After we created our first song
It was so perfect, because through the trials
and complications we had come through it all
Who knew?
You would be the one
To take me out of my comfort zone
And challenge me to put my heart into everything I do
Who knew?
Ren was astonished at Meili's singing voice. Sure he had heard her when her concerts were broadcast online, but hearing her clear voice in person blew him away. Knowing that her heart was undoubtedly and truly in this moment, he passionately continued the song with his portion.
It began, as soon as I set my eyes on you for the first time
I wasn't sure, but as we worked together and came
to know each other
I began to feel our deep connection, and that's when
I felt we were always meant to be
Who knew?
You would be one among many
Part of the crowd and yet so different
Drawing me so much closer to you
Who knew?
While the flourishing music was building up in the interval, the two came closer together and met in the middle of the stage before finishing the song together.
And despite the fact we had our bad times and our good
I would never want to turn back time and change it all because…
I know now
That it is you who always had my heart from the
very beginning
When you were gone from my life it was my lowest
moment and that's when I needed you most
Now you're back with me, and I can see
We were truly meant to be
Now I know…
That you have found my heart…
With that, the song had ended with a flourish and after all the applause and bows, the two idols withdrew backstage.
"That was the best concert I've ever hosted!" Meili said happily after she caught her breath. "Honestly, I'm glad that it's you I was paired with."
"As am I, Princess." Ren stated in reply with a smirk before becoming serious as he brought her into a passionate hug. "You have no idea how much I've truly missed you…"
Meili immediately went stiff as she stuttered, "R-Ren I-."
"I remember everything now, from when we were younger," he continued with an apologetic tone in his voice. "And as we kept in touch and wrote our song together, I realized…" – he paused for a moment as he brought her in a little closer – "that I love you Meili…"
As soon as she heard what he had said, Meili pulled away from his warm embrace and looked up to him, upset and blushing. "R-Ren. I thought we agreed that we…"
"Just be friends?" he asked before placing his hands on her shoulders. "I don't think we can continue being friends after what we've just been through, do you?"
Meili thought for a moment, before she opened her mouth to give an answer. Just as she did though, they could hear their friends approaching and so they parted before they could be seen as they were.
Meili-chan, Jinguji-san…you two were wonderful!" Nanami exclaimed happily as they all complemented them highly on their performance. "The last song you performed was so inspirational and filled with emotion!"
"Thanks, but it wouldn't have been all those things without you." Meili replied with a smile. "I'm glad you all had a hand in this, and I thank you. It wouldn't have been so successful otherwise."
"Hey, anything to support our friends!" Otoya commented casually.
"It's also nice to finally meet you in person, Aijima Cecil." Meili said to the tanned male with dark brown hair and light green colored eyes.
"It's equally as nice to properly meet the young woman who has risen from the ashes…and captured Jinguji Ren's heart." The male said in reply with a smile.
Meili blushed a little at the comment, as Tomochika suddenly suggested they celebrate the success of the concert at the Saotome Agency. "So can you come, Mei-chan?" she asked, as the others looked to her expectantly.
"I would love to!" Meili answered.
"How much longer are you going to stay before you head back to China anyway?" Masato asked as they started to walk to the dressing rooms so the two idols could change out of their outfits.
"Actually…I'll be staying for good now." Meili replied happily.
"Really?!" Nanami said ecstatically. "That's great news!"
"Are your parents and the agency you belong to okay with that?" Ren asked, concerned.
"Yup. I was transferred from the sister agency in China, so starting next week I'll be working with you guys at the Agency here." Meili announced with a smile. "Not only that, but my dad has been allocated here because of his job, so we'll all be living here together."
"That's great Mei-chan!" Natsuki exclaimed.
"Now we have even more reason to celebrate!" Syo added.
The two idols then went to their dressing rooms, changed into the clothes that they arrived in, and then the group left back to their agency to start the celebration.