29: Uchiura no Kiseki

"Darren… I love you too!" Riko replied, taking me in her arms. We kissed again, and I was fully aware that we were being broadcasted on the screen. The crowd was mad with awws and whoos, and the rest of my team had appeared, shocked at the scene before them.

"Riko, let's go," I said, my world still a blur. I felt an immeasurable warmness upon my cheeks, and a tingling in my heart and on my lips. I reached out my hand, and Riko took it gently, passionately. We walked off the stage, hearts beating in excitement, nervousness, and love. The moment we were in the hall backstage, I turned and pressed her to the wall, our lips finding each other once more. Our hands intertwined, and I felt her tongue on mine.

"Mm… Darren…" Riko murmured, giving everything to me. After all this time, I had finally done it.

"Riko," I said, releasing her, "I love you so much. I never want to leave you, ever. I want to stay by your side for the rest of my life! Whatever it takes!"

"I know, Darren! I do too! I don't know when it was, but I knew that I loved you, that I love you, and… and… I don't think I can live without you!" Riko said, eyebrows creased in concern and admiration.

"I love you, Riko! I love you! I love you! I love Riko!" I shouted, hugging her, crying. We were embracing, with nothing in the world that could separate us. Her sakura scent enraptured me, in a daze of perfection and elation. I couldn't help this smile, which found tears with it.

"Oh, I love you, Darren! I love you so much… so so much…" Riko was crying as well, her slight breath coming in pretty sobs. "I love Darren."


"I'm glad you told her," You said, as we waited in our prep room for the awards ceremony.

I was sitting in an armchair, Riko in my lap. I stroked her long, silky hair, taking her in as much as I could with my eyes, with my hands. There was nothing in this world that could match her beauty, this beauty that I could never, ever leave.

"I'm glad you gave me the courage," I replied, smiling wholeheartedly at You.

"You-chan, I'm sorry," Riko said. "I'm really, really sorry."

"Don't worry about it," she replied. "I'm all for you!"

"Well, you finally made it official," Howard remarked. "I guess you two are cuter together, than I'll ever be with Riko."

"Oh my gosh, this is so crazy," Emerald said, laughing. "You guys are too cute! Did you hear the crowd!? They were all screaming 'WHOOOOO' and stuff! And then, the whole crowd could see you guys kissing…"

"Yeah man! This is insane!" Kent said.

"And that duet… it was too lovely, it brought me to tears… it just reminded me of you two," Chika said, patting us on the backs.

"Yeah. I'm sure that duet got us the win," Yukio agreed.

"There's no doubt about it," Dia said.

"That's right. We won," Mari stated resolutely. "We won."


"WE WON!" We screamed, as a staff member quickly rushed in to tell us to make it on stage.

"FIRST PLACE GOES TO AQOURS!" The announcer cried, and we jumped onto stage, grinning with overwhelming elation and pride. We lined up, bowing, to a fearsome crowd.

"Yeah!" They screamed. "I loved the duet! You two are the cutest, ever!"

"I know! They stole the show! And that kiss!"

"We're gonna make DarRiko merchandise, guys!"

"They loved it," Ruby remarked, nudging me.

"Yeah, they did," I replied, blushing. I clutched Riko's hand tightly, as Chika went to receive the trophy.

"We actually did it," Riko said, unbelievingly.

Chika held the trophy in the air, and the crowd cheered again.

"Do you have any words to say?" the announcer asked.

"Eh… well…" Chika looked to us for support, but managed a few words. "I'm really glad. We… tried so hard… and… we wouldn't have been able to win, I believe, if it wasn't for… Darren… and Riko. They were the ones who came up with the idea to do a duet, which, to me, change everything."

"YASSSSSSSS! It did!" I heard an enthusiastic fan cry out.

Chika passed the mic to Mari.

"Everyone, I'm so glad for your support. All of you... " Mari cried. "Especially… Darren… Riko…we've already lost so much, our school… I'm so glad, we got to win before it was all over. I'm so glad we didn't give up. Here, Darren!" Mari gave the mic to me.

"Hey everyone. Yeah, I know, my Japanese isn't very good, but I'd just like to say some things. I'm so grateful to have had this experience, to be part of the best idol group in the world. All those days we spent practicing, crying, laughing together, were the best days of my life. There's nothing that I would ever trade for the experiences I've had with all of you. And now, we've finally made it here, made it to this point, and I'm just so happy… and Riko, I know, everyone can hear this, but, I love you. I really do."

Riko giggled happily, taking the mic from me.

"And I love you too," she said, straight into the mic. "It's all because of Darren that we could have come this far."

A murmur of agreement came from my teammates.

"Darren would always give me the inspiration, whenever I was down, whenever I felt like giving up. And yeah, there were sometimes when we didn't get along. There was one time when I felt that Darren was a creep, a bottom-of-the-barrel creep. But I know now, that he's my favorite boy in the world. And his love and dedication is what got us here today."

With that, it was over. We had won, and there was nothing left.


We walked outside upon the Tokyo streets, the early spring air filling our lungs with the scents of flowers and life. A feeling of accomplishment ran throughout all of us, connected us. It was like a dream, but it wasn't.

"How did we do that?" Kanan said in amazement. "We actually did that…"

"Yeah… and now look how rich I am!" Yoshiko held up her check, for a large sum of money.

"I'm so glad we did this," Hanamaru said roundly, swaying with elation. "Time to have a party, with a lot of food!"

Mari stopped in her tracks.

"But… guys… our school… is still… going to be no more…"

We all stopped, thinking upon her words.

"Mari-" Kanan placed a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off.

"What's the point of winning, if there's nothing left to win for?" Mari questioned. "There's nothing left! I know, we won, but I still… feel… so empty…"

"Hey, we won! We did everything we could, we tried as hard as we could, and we made our dream come true. We did it," Dia said. "There's no reason to be sad. There's some things in this world that you can't change. But just take joy in the things you have."

"I… know…" Mari was on the verge of tears, when suddenly, her phone rang. "Hello?" she asked tentatively. "Papa?"

As she talked, her face suddenly lit up. "What? Why?" Her eyes were wide, and she looked at us, who looked back expectantly.

"We just won Love Live, Papa, that's why."

A few more moments of strained silence.

"Wait, what? R-really? Papa! Papa! Th-thank you so much! I- thank you!" Mari screamed in happiness. "GUYS! GUYS! GUESS WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?"

"What?!"

"My dad just said our school was receiving so many emails and calls, asking for admission! It's blowing up! There's more than a thousand applicants!" Mari leaped in the air. "YAHOOOO!"

"WHAT?!" We all shouted in unison. "HOW!?"

"Does this mean… our school… is saved?" Ruby asked.

"YES! WE SAVED OUR SCHOOL! WE REALLY DID!"

"But, I thought the decision was already final!" I said.

"But there were just so many people asking for application, there was just no choice! My dad was shocked. I know, right? It's crazy, but it's really happening! We really saved our school…" The tears in Mari's eyes fell, but of happiness.


"Whooooo! AQOURS!" They screamed, as we waited for the train back home. A crowd had gathered to see us off, as we waved and signed autographs. A large, large number of girls had swarmed me, asking for pictures with me. Riko and I were probably the most loved couple in Japan, at least for that day. We were showered with gifts and praises, and it was sad to say goodbye when our train finally arrived. I sat with Riko, gazing at her soft features, and at the setting, purple sky outside. The orange fringes of the sun we leaving the Earth, and their hues created an orange nostalgia in my heart. I had arrived on this train, uncertain and afraid, and now I am returning the happiest man alive.

"Riko, if I could only keep this image in my mind forever," I said, admiring her. "You, looking this way, with the fading light in the background…"

"Then do so," she said, smiling. "Take a picture!"

I did.

"Darren, you're so cute." Riko leaned in, and pecked me on the cheek.

I blushed, still nervous.

"Riko, it's a miracle that I met you," I said. "That you, out of everyone in the world, was the one that I met. There's no coincidence, that I met you here. You were that girl I met when I came here, so mysterious, so foreign… Who knew where we would be a few months later?"

"I know, it's crazy, right?" Riko giggled, twirling her locks between her thin fingers. "To think that you were just some random guy, that we were just giving a ride to on a random night. It was nothing special at the time. Who knew that you would be mine?"

"But I am."

"As am I."

We looked at each other with amorous eyes, love not able to be expressed in words.


Arriving home, I immediately followed Riko, into her house, into her room, our hands tight together. My heart beat fast, and Riko swiped the door closed behind her the moment we entered. The moonlight shone upon her face, which was tinged pink, and her breath was quick.
"Oh, Darren, please, don't let me ever forget you," Riko gasped, holding both my hands, looking at my eyes with desire.

"Riko…"

"Darren…"

I slowly brought my hands up to her shoulders.

"I told you I would let you see me wearing that bikini sometime, right?" Riko whispered, hands on my hips.

"Y-yeah…"

"Well… what if… I let you see something better?" Riko smiled slyly, yet nervously, as if she was afraid of my reaction.

"B-better? W-what is better?" I gulped.

"N-nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Wearing- nothing." Riko looked away, shamefully blushing.

"Riko... "

"So… if you want to… please… help me… with this…" Riko slowly began to unbutton her shirt. Her breath was harsh and labored, and I could see her fingers trembling as she undid her buttons. Of their own accord, my hands reached down, onto her skirt, and unzipped it. It fell to the floor, and the length of her fair legs was exposed, her thin panties in plain sight. Her shirt soon joined her skirt, and Riko stood before me, clad only in her underwear. Her perfect form forced my eyes to look, and I could not stop. Before we knew it, we were kissing, fully, letting out all the love we had for each other. Our lips could not be controlled, and there was no stopping us. I had worked so hard, and finally, my reward was due. The scent of the room, of Riko, the blue moonlight… her soft skin… the soft cloth… I was enraptured, in another world. We fell to the bed, and began to love each other. Riko's hands ringed the waistband of her panties, and began to slide them off. I decided, in that moment, to stop her.

I placed my hands on hers, before they could come off.

"No, this is good enough," I whispered.

"But… don't you… want to?" Riko asked, embarrassed.

"All I need to see is your face, and the love in your eyes," I replied, smiling warmly.

Riko looked at me, then smiled. She caressed my cheek.
"Oh, Darren, you're such a good boy," she giggled, kissing me. "I like people like you."

"I know you're a good girl too," I replied, patting her on the head. "You're not like the rest."

"Thanks, Darren… I guess… I am…" we stopped kissing, and sat up. The moment had passed, and I felt a different feeling, a deep, satisfying warmth in my heart. We sat together, looking out the window, watching the moon smile down upon us. The sea gleamed with tranquillity. Stars twinkled in the sky, and I reached out, placing my hand upon the glass.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Riko asked.

"What is?"

"Everything."

"Yeah. It is."

We got ready for bed.

"Is Chika okay with this?"

"Yeah, I think so." We snuggled in together, all clothes back on our bodies.

I felt her hair splayed upon my face, as we held each other close.

"Ah, Darren... "

"Riko."

"Darren, what do you think will happen now? We've won Love Live, we've saved the school. We love each other. Could it get any better?" Riko smiled in the dark, looking up at the ceiling.

I thought for a moment. I think we both did, and came to the same conclusion. But we didn't want to say it.

"There is one thing left. The thing is, I have to be leaving soon."

My words hung in the air, heavy.

"Leaving…" Riko said those words, tasting the bitterness in her mouth. "Saying goodbye…"

"Don't worry, Riko," I said quickly, comforting her. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry about it. Don't think about it. You're going to blink, and I'll be there."

"You better," Riko sighed, and turned away.

I will, I thought, and drifted off to sleep.


Monday had come, and the school was in celebration and festivity. Happiness graced its old corridors, and it seemed alive, brought back from death. A revival had come upon the school, and all trace of darkness had gone.

"I guess we won't be holding that school closing festival," Mari remarked, laughing.

"Yup! Everything is perfect, zura!" Maru cried happily, munching on a bread.

"This is the life," Kent said, satisfied with his lot in life.

"We've conquered everything and made it to the end!" Yohane cheered.

"Man, that's super cringey and cheesy," Howard said.

"Guys, but let's be honest here, like honestly, this is amazing," Emerald laughed. "Like, it's actually lit."

"Yeah! It's totally lit!" Dia screamed, leaping up into the air.

We all looked curiously at her, and she quickly stopped, embarrassed. Kanan patted me on the shoulder.

"So, you're all set, Darren-kun? Missing home yet?"

Suddenly, her words struck into my heart. Home? Missing home?

"B-but… this is my home," I replied.

"Awww," The others cooed. "That's so sweet…"

"But really, this is my home… I've made so many memories with you guys, hear, through all the weeks and months… It's been such a ride…" I felt myself on the verge of tears. "You guys were always there to support me, to help me, when I felt alone, when I couldn't go on…"

"Darren! Please! Save it for later, love, please!" Riko said, hugging me. "Don't speak of it yet."

"Yeah. Don't worry, Dary!" Emerald said. "There's still a week left."

"A week?" I felt a longing in my heart, of leaving this home that I love so much. "I'm already homesick. For Uchiura."

"Hahaha! Darren-senpai, you're too sentimental… it's all because of Riko, right?" Ruby piped.

"You know it," I said, half crying and half laughing. "Of course it was Riko. But not only her. All of you guys. It was fated that I would come here, that I would make music with all of you, that I would win Love Live and save our school, save our home. Truly it was a miracle. It was the miracle of Uchiura."

The others all fell silent, contemplating on my words.

"Yeah, that's true. It is."

"But… if it is, then… why do… I have to leave? Just like this…" I said, sadly.

"When are you guys leaving?" Yukio asked.

"Well, graduation is on Friday," Dia said. "But I think the transfer students are leaving on Sunday, right?"

"No," Kent answered. "I'm leaving on Saturday."

"Yeah, I'm leaving on Saturday as well," Howard said.

"We're leaving on Sunday," Emerald said, putting an arm around me. "Cuz we're going on the same flight, back to LA."

"Yeah, Sunday," I confirmed. "In the morning. Ahh, why does it have to come so fast? The end."

"Why… does it?" Riko asked, and her tears began to fall.

All good things must come to an end.