After finishing her vocal lesson for the day, Ai, who was about to head back to the break room as usual, was suddenly called over by her vocal teacher—
"Ai."
"?"
"Starting next lesson, you'll be having class with Uika."
The vocal teacher said.
"Based on your current performance, there's no longer a need for you to have individual tutoring."
"Eh?"
Hearing this, Ai froze on the spot.
Ever since she became partners with Uika, she had always heard praise for Uika from various teachers and staff.
Whether it was music, dance, form, or even her work ethic, there was a world of difference between Uika and herself, who lacked formal training. In order to debut successfully alongside Uika, she had put in far more effort and sweat than any other newcomer during her trainee period. Yet even so, she was still unable to catch up to the all-around Uika, to the point that even months after their official debut, she was still undergoing individual tutoring.
She had no complaints or dissatisfaction about this. Having grown up in an orphanage, she was long accustomed to the feeling of being behind others. Moreover, she had worked hard to become an idol in order to find Tetsuya. As long as she remembered that, she could grit her teeth and endure any hardship.
To the her of that time, her identity as an idol and the glittering stage were nothing more than the means to reunite with Chihaya Tetsuya. Constantly lagging behind Uika and harboring an inferiority complex, she felt no sense of belonging to her idol identity and never truly believed she was the "unique" and special existence everyone claimed her to be.
And so, through this long process of catching up and working hard, she gradually grew accustomed to putting in more effort and slowly accepted from the bottom of her heart the reality that she might never be able to catch up to Uika. Even though she gained more popularity than Uika due to the acting skills she had cultivated since childhood and her god-given looks, in her heart, she always believed Uika was the more superior of the two.
Not only that, Uika, who was the same age, never looked down on her. On the contrary, after learning about her past, she always took great care of her... and that slightly familiar gentleness and maturity made Ai feel eternally grateful to Uika. It was because of this that, on matters not concerning Chihaya Tetsuya, she would usually listen to her partner. It was also why, while planning to elope with him, she wanted to compensate Uika as much as possible and help her achieve her dream of becoming a "professional singer."
And now, as she gradually matured on her path as an idol, she felt that the gap between herself and Uika was no longer so vast.
Even in their vocal ability, which had been their biggest disparity, she had now reached a point where she could faintly see Uika's back.
This unprecedented sense of accomplishment filled her heart with an unfamiliar joy.
It was a joy completely different from the one she felt when she was with Chihaya Tetsuya... a joy whose source she couldn't understand at all.
"...Really?"
She couldn't help but ask the vocal teacher for confirmation again.
"Am I... now able to take vocal lessons with Uika?"
"Although there's still a considerable gap between you and her in terms of fundamentals and music theory knowledge, you can now have your daily practice and singing lessons in sync."
The vocal teacher nodded with a smile.
"Come to think of it, this time last year, you were an amateur who couldn't even recognize all the musical scales. But now, not only do you possess all the qualities needed to be a singer, you've even released a song that's been met with rave reviews... This is the reward for your hard work. As your teacher, I'm proud of you."
"..."
That unfamiliar joy surged into Ai's heart again. She first flailed her limbs about, at a loss for what to do, before bowing deeply to her vocal teacher.
"Thank you, truly, thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Oh, right... do your best at the May live."
The teacher said, making a gesture of encouragement.
"I'm looking forward to your and Uika's future performances!"
...
Ever since reuniting with Chihaya Tetsuya, Ai had constantly felt that something about her was a little strange.
Previously, she would dream almost every night about her life with him at the orphanage. But now, the memories of the orphanage seemed to be gradually fading from her dreams. In their place was the now-adult Chihaya Tetsuya, who was more handsome and more vexing than before.
Not only that, but whenever the night grew quiet, she would always recall that night in the recording studio when, just as those band girls were about to burst in, he had suddenly switched off the lights and held her tightly in his arms.
Even though they had been separated for seven long years, even though he had obtained the family he had always yearned for, he was still willing to hold her close, to embrace and accept her arbitrary and selfish love.
Even if she couldn't give him the family he dreamed of, he was still willing to give her warmth and hugs unconditionally, just as he had seven years ago.
If that was the case... could she really, as he had said, not have to give anything up? Could she, taking with her everything she had gained so far, search with him and Uika for that possibility where no one would be hurt, where everyone could be happy?
"..."
Ai unconsciously clutched the fabric over her chest.
She felt something gradually seeping into her heart.
She still desperately wanted to have Chihaya Tetsuya, but at the same time... it seemed that new thoughts she had never had before were beginning to emerge in her heart.
But... was this really okay?
The mere existence of Chihaya Tetsuya was already a supreme happiness that she might not be worthy of possessing, even if she risked everything. Beyond that, did she truly have the right to wish for more?
"Now that you're a popular idol, you can afford to think in a way that isn't so full of insecurity. As an idol, you should be greedier, more self-centered, in getting everything you want."
Recalling her manager's words, Ai's expression became even more bewildered.
And just then, a vibration from her pocket suddenly caught her attention.
When she took out her phone and saw the name, she pressed the answer button without the slightest hesitation—
"Tetsu!"
["Good evening, Ai. Is it a good time to talk?"]
"Of course it is!"
Hearing the voice she longed for day and night, Ai's tone held no trace of hesitation.
"Any call from you, I'll answer immediately, anytime!"
["...From now on, I'll check your schedule with Uika before I call."]
Tetsuya's voice was filled with resignation.
["Anyway, I'm calling to discuss something with you."]
"What is it?"
["My sister's band... ah, the vocalist of the 'MyGO!!!!!' band seems to have something to discuss with the two of us."]
As Ai wore a puzzled expression, Tetsuya said:
["When you have some free time, let's have the few of us meet up."]