Reiji hated cold, starless winter skies. Nights like those compelled him to sit outside of the dorms in his car, reminiscing on fatal mistakes while he smoked a couple of cigarettes. Ranmaru often accused him of being masochistic to a fault; he hid behind a carefree smile and a false sense of confidence that shattered whenever someone mentioned his former friend's name: Kisaragi Aine.

So here he was, sitting in the driver's seat with his arm hanging out the window and a cigarette dangling from his lips. He whispered awful things between drags: self-loathing cheap shots that were sure to cause lasting damage. But that's the way he liked it. That's what he deserved.

"We will win that award, and you will compose songs for us from then on. Count on it."

Reiji squinted into his rear view mirror and spotted a pair of kids standing near the school pond a few yards away. His eyes widened when he noticed that one of them was Haruka, and the other was a stranger, grabbing her arm suddenly.

The punk kid smiled and drew her closer. "Your talents are wasted on them anyway. You'd be much better off with us."

Haruka drew her lips into a thin, grim line and she shook her head. "You're wrong about everything." She yelped when he pulled her into his arms. "L-Let go of me! I'll…I'll scream!"

"Do you really want me to let go?" taunted the boy, eyes glinting through his glasses. "Huh?" He turned when someone clapped a hand on his shoulder from behind. A fist slammed into his left cheek and sent him reeling to the ground. Haruka shrieked and backed away from him, looking up at her rescuer…

"Didn't you hear the lady right?" Reiji stepped into the golden light of a street lamp and thumbed over his shoulder. "Be a good boy and run along before I really get pissed. Ne?" He smiled as he usually did, energetic and nonchalant. The sight, coupled with his harsh warning, frightened both Haruka and her attacker.

The younger man stood up and dusted himself off, retrieving his fallen glasses from the lawn. "Remember what I said, Nanami. We will – "

Reiji popped his knuckles and interjected in a low voice, still smiling, "This is your last chance."

With an indignant huff, the intruder conceded defeat and casually walked towards the school's main gate, right off the grounds.

"Kotobuki-senpai, I…" Haruka's voice trailed off.

"It's all right now," he reassured her, still watching the stranger walk down the street. After he was out of sight, Reiji turned to Haruka and pat her head. "Did he hurt you?"

The redhead sighed. "No. I'm okay…"

"No. I'm okay, really. You have to focus on your work and stop worrying about me, ne?"

"Haru-chan, if something is bothering you…"

"Don't make that kind of face. I like it best when you smile. See? Like this."

A tempest raged inside of the idol's heart as he approached the girl and put his arms around her suddenly, holding her so tight he almost squeezed the air right out of her lungs. "Then you should tell someone. Don't let others worry about you."

"If this is what lies on the road ahead then maybe I shouldn't become a composer…"

"Then maybe I shouldn't be an idol."

Oh God, please don't –

"I'm sorry for troubling you all the time."

Please don't, Aine –

"It's better this way."

I'll miss you. We'll miss you. It won't be the same without –

The number you've dialed has been disconnected. Please hang up and try again.

Reiji's fakery crumbled to dust that instant. He collapsed to his knees, still holding Haruka, and th tears refused to stop. Years of emotional turbulence, hatred, regret, and unresolved grief burst through the dam in his heart. All he could do was hold Haruka and sob, burying his face in her hair.

"I'm sorry, Kotobuki-senpai. I…" Haruka lifted her hands and stroked his back. "I won't keep any secrets anymore. I…didn't know you cared so much about me. I…"

Reiji shook his head and interrupted her, "No, no, no. It's all right, Haru-chan." He breathed heavily and a tiny smile ghosted over his lips in the darkness. "I'm sorry you had to see something like that. Heh. Pretty lame, huh?"

"No," she disagreed with him immediately. Her arms moved to fully embrace him and she stroked his hair like a small child in need of affection. "Because I care about you too. We shouldn't keep things from the people we love, right?"

Love?

It was time to tell the story and relinquish the multitude of emotions he harbored against himself for so long…

It was finally time to lay Aine's memory to rest.