"When do you leave?" I asked.

"This evening."

"What?" I pulled back in surprise. I couldn't believe he would be going so soon. This warmth of his arms, his body, surrounding me would soon disappear.

"I wish I could stay longer with you but I already said I'd be back by the morning." Eisuke squeezes me gently. His touch almost felt...sad.

"Please continue to practice with the guys and do your best." He says in a gentle voice.

"I will… I will do my best." I nod, though my eyes are wet with tears.

I didn't know how I would survive without him. Eisuke was the one who encouraged me to sing even when I was hesitant and he was always by my side since then. But now...I would be alone. It won't be the same singing without him by my side.

"Here."

"What are these?" In my hands was a thick document that Eisuke handed me.

"Those are lyrics for you to sing. I wrote you those songs so you can sing them solo. I trust you will be able to perform them well." Eisuke gently smiled, tracing my cheek with his finger.

"Yes…!" I nod, "I will. I promise."

I held them close to my heart. Though I was filled with uncertainty I had to be strong and keep moving forward. I had to keep believing that Eisuke would come back and together we would win the competition. I had to keep believing or else I would lose all hope.

"Hah. I really don't want to go…I don't want to leave you."

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"No. You must be hearing things." Eisuke says and averts his gaze.

"Elli… Promise me you will never give up on your dreams." Eisuke says and at the same time falls back on his bed with me in his arms causing me to fall on his lap.

'Oh gosh we are so close…!' My heart was going to explode if this continued.

"Um, you mean finding my sister?"

"No. I trust you will find her but I'm talking about your real dream." Eisuke says, his arm wrapped around my waist.

"Oh. Um…" I could hardly think straight with him so close. My body felt like it was on fire. "My real dream?" I cocked my head in puzzlement.

Eisuke let out a little chuckle, "Your dream to make others happy through your singing." Eisuke's voice held a hint of mischief in it.

I flinched at his words and fell speechless for a moment before opening my mouth, "You know me too well. It all started because of my sister." I thought back to long ago when my sister use to perform in front of crowds of people and how happy they all looked. But also how happy I felt when I heard her sing… That's why I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I wanted to become famous and inspire the world with my voice.

"I can see you really adore your sister."

"Y-Yes. Very much." My voice came out a pitch too high all because Eisuke had leaned in closer to my face and his hot breath tickled my neck.

'I'm gonna die of embarrassment...This is the end.. ' I thought I'd stop breathing at any moment and pass out from heat stroke, that's how hot my body was.

"Eisuke?" I spoke his name in the softest of whispers.

"Mm?"

"Will you… Will you still keep in contact with me even while you are gone?" My voice was a little shaky and cracked multiple times as I asked. I was overcome with shyness.

"Ah." I jumped as Eisuke suddenly wrapped both arms around me and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Of course. I'll need to make sure you are behaving after all." His lips curled in a devious grin as he teased me.

"Hmph. I always behave." I puffed up my cheeks and looked away indignantly.

"Hahahaha!" Eisuke broke out into laughter at my reaction and I couldn't help but laughing along with him.

When the laughing stopped I turned my head to catch a glimpse of his face and caught the sorrow in his eyes. I caught my breath at seeing him look so forlorn.

"Eisuke…" I sadly muttered his name.

"I better go finish my preparations." Eisuke avoided looking at me as he let me off his lap and started to pack his bags.

My chest squeezed painfully seeing him so downhearted. I only wished there was something I could do but in my position I was powerless. Useless to Eisuke. He came from a powerful family abundant with money. A poor, lowly girl like me had no hope of helping him.

Time slowly passed after that. I remained by his side all day though we barely spoke a word. Every second that ticked over was another second closer to our goodbyes. If only time would stop and we could remain together forever. A pointless thought that was.

"You leaving already?"

"Yeah. Make sure you watch over Elli for me. Got it?"

"You don't have to worry about that. I will see to it she is well taken care of."

Soryu and the rest of the gang had come to see Eisuke off. His car was already packed for his journey back home.

My eyes shook as I watched him. I couldn't believe it was finally time. He would really be leaving now. It was too...cruel. Why did we have to be apart? Why?! I thought my life was finally improving for once only to be dealt with another blow.

"Elli."

'I don't want him to go…' My chest was heavy with anguish.

"Elli?"

'No… I must not cry...I promised myself I wouldn't cry…!'

Elli!"

"Ah! Sorry!" I was finally brought back to my senses from Eisuke shouting my name and shaking my shoulders.

Eisuke let out a small sad sigh at seeing my face, "You look like you are trying not to cry."

"...!" I jumped at his words and my eyes flew open; oh how right he was.

"It's time for me to go. Keep smiling for me. Okay?" Eisuke spoke with a gentle, kind smile on his face like he was trying to be strong for me.

However, I remained silent and just stared at his face, my lips quivering. I didn't know what to say, I probably really did look like that of someone close to tears.

'How am I meant to smile when you are leaving me? My reason for smiling…'

"Hey. Cheer up. I promise we will see each other again."

"Ah." Eisuke gently flicked my forehead in an attempt to lighten the mood. Though he was smiling I could sense he was crying inside. His eyes shook with a loneliness and uncertainty. Eisuke was doing his best to remain strong while I could not.

"Y-Yes…" I did my best to smile for him and nod my head.

Now that I was smiling Eisuke let out a small breath and flashed us all a smile before turning around. At that moment everything seemed like it was going in slow motion. Eisuke was really going to leave. This would be the last time I see him in person for awhile.

'And all I could say to him was…' A whole lot of nothing. I didn't even properly send him off.

Eisuke was nearly to his car when I called out to him, "Wait…!"

"Huh?" Eisuke stopped in his tracks and looked around and there I was running towards him. My feet moving of their own accord. My feet listened to my hearts desires and brought me to him one final time.

"Eisuke!" I leapt into his arms and immediately started to tear up, "I'm really going to miss you…!" I looked up at him with teary eyes almost sounding like I was begging him to stay.

"Elli…" Eisuke simply looked at my face, blinking a few times in surprise before his features softened and he hugged me tight.

"I will miss you too."

"Eisuke...Eisuke…" I cried out his name over and over again as tears streamed down my face.

"Oh, Elli. Didn't I tell you to behave? I'm not even gone yet and here you are causing trouble." Eisuke sighed and softly wiped my cheeks with his fingers but his voice was full of kindness and...love.

"I-I'm sorr-" I didn't even get to finish my sentence as my lips were suddenly sealed by his own.

I was kissing...Eisuke? We were...kissing. I couldn't believe what was happening. The sudden sensation had me in overwhelming shock.

His lips were so soft. So gentle. All my worries left me as I focused on him. I didn't even try to escape. I relaxed into his kiss and sensing that I was not struggling against him Eisuke deepened the kiss. My mind went blank and I could hardly stand up under the intensity of his hungering kiss. This was only my second kiss, never had I been kissed like this before…!

I could hardly breath as he refused to let me go. I'm not sure how long he me under his spell but at some point he finally released my lips.

"Hah..haah…" I was breathing heavily, gasping for air.

Eisuke too was breathing heavily but he wore a satisfied grin on his lips, "I didn't think you would come chasing me so soon." He chuckled and suddenly thrusted a white envelope in my hands.

"Read that when you are alone." He smirked, his expression giving away no hints as to what he was thinking or what was concealed in the envelope.

I just looked at him in a daze. My lips were still warm from his kiss, my body numb from the pleasure and my heart beating out of control.

"Heh. You sure make the cutest faces." Eisuke murmured before leaning in close, "Wait for me. I promise I will return." And then gave me one final peck on the lips before getting into his car.

"Eisuke…" I whispered his name as I traced over my lips with my finger, I could still feel the sensation of his lips upon them.

From in his car Eisuke waved to me and sadly I watched him go. I watched him drive away until I could see him nowhere.

Eisuke was now gone and I was alone. I may not have been truly alone as the guys were still with me but my heart was lonely and craving his touch. Indeed, I was more in love with that man than I thought. I kept pushing him away under the guise I needed to find my sister first but maybe that was just to fool my heart? Maybe I was really just...scared. Scared to fall in love.

I only hope I was not too late to realize my true feelings. I would regret it for the rest of my life If Eisuke never returns and I'm left alone with the realization of my feelings and my heart pining away for him.

"Yes, Eisuke. I promise I will wait for you. Forever." I softly smiled and held the envelope up to my chest. I wondered what this final parting gift to me would hold?