"The last train? Ah... that really does sound like a place Tetsu would like."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you like to hide away by yourself in deserted places at night and just space out, don't you? Plus, you've always wanted to see the city's nightscape with your own eyes, so the last train would really be a pretty good place for you."
"...You remember all that."
"Of course! When it comes to anything about you, I remember it all crystal clear!"
Chihaya Tetsuya and Hoshino Ai sat together, chatting as if no one else was there about everything that had happened over the past seven years.
Because they both held each other's stories clearly in their hearts, even after a seven-year separation, there was none of the expected awkwardness or distance between them. Sometimes, they would even say what the other was thinking before the words were spoken.
And on the other side, Takamatsu Tomori listened quietly to their conversation, continuously writing down the words that burst forth from the depths of her soul in her notebook.
...
Ever since I can remember, I've always been slow to react.
I can't respond quickly to things happening around me, I can't judge what consequences my words will have...
And I can't read into the lines as easily as everyone else seems to.
Human beings are fundamentally complex creatures.
Under the influence of language, etiquette, social norms, and many other factors, for someone as slow as me, trying to know what others are thinking becomes incredibly difficult.
Just as it takes longer to feel someone else's body heat from under the water's surface, I've always lived in this pool of water that insulates and dulls all my warmth and sense of touch.
Sakiko says she loves the words I write and considers it my talent...
But that's not really it.
Because I'm so hopelessly clumsy, this is the only way I can pour all my effort into expressing my emotions effectively, in a way others can understand.
At the same time, the only things I can understand are words that are simple and sincere, without any pretense—
Just like the way Chihaya-san has always been.
Real, frank, warm, and accepting.
In my cold, lonely "underwater world," Chihaya-san's existence is undoubtedly special.
Even though we've only met a few times, even though the number of conversations we've had can be counted on one hand, I can always feel an incredibly clear warmth and presence from him.
I want to understand him better. I want to know why he is so different from everyone else. I want to do something for this person who has given me encouragement and help.
That's why I said I'm not actually opposed to Hoshino Ai's existence.
Only when he's with Hoshino Ai does Chihaya-san show emotions other than gentleness and composure.
Only when he's with Hoshino Ai does this out-of-reach adult show a kind of flustered state that feels incredibly adorable.
And surprisingly, although Hoshino Ai on stage always wears an inscrutable mask as an idol, when she's with Chihaya Tetsuya, everything she does becomes simple and easy to understand.
The way her gaze always sticks to Chihaya-san's face, the way her body subconsciously leans towards his, or the little gestures she makes, always trying to get close to him—they are all so clear and real.
Fragmented pieces of the past gradually formed a clear picture as the two of them talked.
With emotions clearer than they've ever been, my thoughts rained down onto the tip of my pen.
I think... I might be writing lyrics for the only two people in this world that I can actually understand.
...
"...Hah."
After writing the last line, Tomori let out a long breath. When she looked up, she realized that Tetsuya and Ai had, at some point, stopped talking and were both looking at her.
"Eh? Wh-What is it... Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?"
"It's nothing, I was just a little curious."
Tetsuya looked at the notebook in her hands.
"Just by listening to the two of us chat... can you really write lyrics?"
"I can!"
Tomori immediately nodded in response.
"Um, if you don't mind, Chihaya-san, please take a look—"
But before she could finish, Ai took the notebook from her hand as she was about to pass it to Tetsuya.
"Uika and I are the ones singing this, right? Even if it's just to check, I should be first."
"Ah, that's true!"
Released from her creative state, Tomori immediately became as cautious as usual.
"Then, please check it yourself, Hoshino-san..."
"..."
Ever since she received the call from Tetsuya and learned the reason for this meeting, Ai had been very confused.
Why was Takamatsu Tomori writing a song for her and Tetsuya? Why did she have to use such a strange method to write lyrics?
To solve the mystery, and to know what kind of song she would be singing at the May live, she opened the notebook and looked at what Tomori had just written—
"..."
As her gaze moved down the page, her expression gradually changed from initial suspicion to surprise.
"Hey..."
After reading all the lyrics, Ai waved the notebook in her hand and asked Tomori.
"...This isn't what Tetsu and I were just talking about, is it?"
"Well... how should I put it..."
Tomori looked slightly embarrassed.
"These are all the images that came to my mind after hearing about your past... then I kind of... well... put myself in your perspectives, and then I wrote this..."
Unable to read the other emotions beneath Ai's surprise, Tomori's tone gradually lost its confidence.
"Um, you... what do you think?"
"..."
Ai was silent for a long moment. Then, she closed the notebook. But instead of handing it to Tetsuya, she gave it directly back to Tomori.
"Let's go with this."
"Eh? Really?!"
Receiving the affirmation, Tomori's face lit up with a surprised delight.
"You're willing to sing these lyrics?"
"..."
Ai didn't answer immediately. She first turned to look at the bewildered Tetsuya, then looked back at the lyric book, and finally nodded.
"Mhm."
"!"
Tomori subconsciously covered her mouth.
"Th-Then, does that mean you've decided—"
"That's enough. I have other work to get to, so let's call it a day."
Ai suddenly spoke, cutting off Tomori's unfinished sentence.
"Also, this is just one song. It doesn't mean I'm really going to make the decision you think I will... Tetsu."
"Huh?"
"See you next time."
"...Mhm, see you next time."
Although I don't know what they're talking about, it seems they've both made some sort of decision, and Ai doesn't seem to be planning any more extreme displays of affection...
In any case, a good outcome is better than anything!
The next second, just as Ai was about to open the door to leave the room, she suddenly stopped and turned her head to ask:
"Oh, right... Takamatsu Tomori."
"Eh?"
"The title of this song... is it the one you wrote at the very top?"
"Ah, yes."
Tomori nodded, then she softly spoke the title she had decided on—
"[Galaxy Lightway]"
((T/N note: I actually can't tell if this is gonna be a custom version of the actual song with different lyrics or not.. I will presume so because the og text leads me to that song))