Diamond Rose

Chapter 36

Another Accident

It had been three months since Lavi's call on Christmas Day. Since then, time had passed as it always had, and the two had been forced to walk their paths, for they could not turn back. They walked parallel, not crossing over. Not yet.

Miku's debut single, Future, sold well, partly due to her previous success with Lavi but also due to the many promotional activities she did. Live performances on TV stations, in many large CD stores, even at an opening of a hotel (the Ark Hotel chain was a side project of her label's CEO). Handshake events, three fan meets, one after the other. Future maintained its spot on the Oricon charts at #12 for two weeks before slipping off. It was no doubt a good start.

Ayumu was also working hard. He had beaten his sister easily in sales, what with his almost strange way of promoting. For one, his debut single, Chained To You was released in four versions, he had fought with the producer over how the PV was to be made, and largely won. He appeared on every music program possible, wormed his way into Hevlaska's teaser track for her album, and had made a public appearance at an outdoor venue in Tokyo every single week for nearly two months. He had miraculously gained a position at #7 on the Oricon Charts for two weeks and lingered in the top 20 for another week before slipping off. Now, he was collaborating with Road Camelot for her comeback (the last time she had released anything was a year ago).

Lavi was doing well. His schedules came to have a steadier pace. Shoots came every three or so weeks, and in between, his time was spent filling in for other models and participating in minor group shoots. The slow days that remained left him wondering if it was worth using his brain for college and communicating with Miku. Her blog became something he visited once every two or so days, he waited for her letters, and every single word they exchanged over the phone, he anticipated. And day after day, he waited for his ticket back to Japan.

And really, Miku was no different. She would drag herself home after a day of training and recording, sit down, and rifle through her father's mail after finding nothing on her table, in hopes of seeing an envelope from Lavi. She called, hoping that he was available, she left messages. She penned lyrics filled with the things she wanted to tell him for her debut album.

They both waited, for it was the only thing they could do at the time.

"Miku!"

"Coming!" The singer who had eagerly responded to her name came bolting out of the dressing room. She had an asymmetrical navy blue cardigan on over the dress she had been performing in a moment earlier. It was a deep red and floor length, meaning that she had to hitch it up with her hand so it hung around her knees as she gathered her canvas backpack and headed out the door. Her nerves weren't completely settled after the performance and where she was headed wasn't anywhere she could really relax either. At least, not until she braved a flood of camera flashes.

It was Sorane's movie premier.

Her friend had been working on a movie for some time, and its progress had only been revealed to the public in January. It was a huge scale thing, and it was predicted to be a box-office hit. Miku and Sorane certainly hoped so. And today was finally the day of the movie premier. Naturally, Miku would have to dress very well for this occasion, otherwise her best friend would skewer her later (it was common knowledge that the actress and singer were good friends).

Some thirty minutes later, Miku hoped into a limousine. She was dressed in an empire waist, red dress. Her hair was gathered into two simple, low pigtails, tied with scarlet ribbons. The singer had also finally mastered stilettos but ditched them for a pair of red kitten heels, despite her stylist's nagging. This made her think of Lenalee and Kanda. They were getting married in April, and they had returned to Japan for that occasion. From a phone call earlier that day, Miku knew that both were attending the premier. It was like a gathering of old friends, (Allen was going too).

Only Lavi wasn't there.

She sighed as she took in that detail. She watched the city streets rush past as she headed for her destination.

Little did she know that when she left that morning, the postman had come along. He had deposited several envelopes into their mailbox.

One had been addressed to her.

It contained a letter she would never come to read.

Miku,

I'm coming back. Well, actually, that's just me being impulsive. I am returning, though. I will be boarding a plane and head for Tokyo tomorrow. In fact, you might receive this letter after I see you, but who knows.

I will only be in Tokyo for a week at the most, but shooting lasts four days. Maybe five, depending on how good the magazines' Tokyo branch is. So perhaps we will have two days for ourselves. I certainly hope so.

I'll call you.

There's so much to say.

Lavi.

Sorane was worried. The premier had officially begun, five minutes in, she did not see Miku. Allen had arrived ahead, and according to him, she was definitely coming. She had tried texting, but she got no reply. She called, and she received a "no service is available" message. Allen did the same. He got no response. Sorane and Allen had dismissed their friends' absence for a small moment to send Lenalee and Kanda their greetings. When Lenalee inquired about Miku's whereabouts their worry resurfaced, and phone calls were made again. Sorane also made efforts to track down Miku's manager, who was present at the premier. Apparently, Miku should have arrived earlier – her manager had also been concerned.

In the middle of the opening credits, their manager had hauled the four of them aside, into the lobby. There was news.

Kawaguchi Miku was in an accident.

Sorane was frantic. "What news do we have, is she injured –"

"We will head over to the hospital, but I think you should stay –"

"I don't care if this is my movie premier, my best friend was in an accident –"

Allen interrupted, "Sorane, stay. I'll call you and get you over to the hospital immediately if it's serious –"

Sorane huffed, "I can't believe this –"

Lenalee stepped in, "It's the best, I promise we'll let you know as soon as possible –"

"fine." The actress sighed and started to head back inside, "hurry."

Ayumu had heard the news from Lulubell. Ignoring her warnings, he had headed out of his apartment for the hospital. News of the accident had reached the major TV networks already. The taxi and delivery van that had collided with the stretch limousine had caused a major traffic blockage, and who was going to ignore the passenger in the stretch limo? As soon as Miku had been identified and sent to the nearest hospital, journalists were ecstatic. Kawaguchi Miku, in an accident.

Just like her mother.

Ayumu ignored the reporters that immediately surrounded him the moment he stepped out of the taxi. They fired questions at him, he barred them all. He did not cared about what those cameras filmed or captured. He was here for his sister. Why did they have to get into the way?

It took him ten minutes to make it to the goddamned door and when he was let in, the hospital staff weren't much help at all. Ayumu could understand why – it had been a major accident, the two smaller vehicles had been set aflame, while the limousine had been torn in two. If that wasn't major, what was? Even so, it frustrated him to find that he was told to just wait. Wait. Wait while they did what? Saved his sister's life? There was no guarantee that was happening. He didn't know what was going on the ER.

He found that when he sat down, his hands were shaking.

He didn't want to lose another family member.

I don't want to lose anything more.

Promise me.

You'll stay.

A/N - guys. I'm so sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. I didn't update for so long ... But I hope this chapter, filled with plot-moving material made up for it. Tell me what you thought of this chapter! And yes, the end is drawing near.