On the day of the concert, the stage lights bathed Aerel and Aerith in a soft glow
They stood among the other members, but for a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them
Their eyes met—and in that gaze, a quiet calm passed between them
The music began
The song's name: "Quiet Voice."
Aerith's voice floated first—pure, delicate, carrying an honesty that touched every corner of the hall
Aerel's fingers brushed over the guitar strings, the notes weaving seamlessly with the vocals
Every instrument, every melody, seemed to breathe together, creating a harmony that was almost tangible
The audience was silent, captivated by the gentle power of the performance
Some days before the concert
Aerith had handed Aerel a sheet of music
Aerith: "Listen to this, and tell me if it's good, okay?"
Aerel nodded, eyes focused
Aerith: "The name… it's 'Quiet Voice.'"
He locked eyes with Aerel,Then he began to sing
Aerel listened carefully, letting each note and word wash over him
The lyrics were beautiful and said one thing:
_Sometimes it's the quiet voice that holds the most depth_
_Even silence can be more beautiful than words ever could be_
Aerel's eyes filled with tears, the meaning settling deep in his chest
As the song came to its final lines, Aerith's voice softened, almost a whisper:
Aerith: "The quiet voice… was me and you."
He paused, letting the words linger
Aerith: "The first quiet voice—the one that holds so much depth but can't speak—is me
The second quiet voice… silence, more beautiful than words ever could be… is you."
In the concert hall, the last line echoed: "The quiet voice… was me and you."
Aerith's eyes met Aerel's—shimmering in the stage light, full of unspoken emotion
The stage fell into a hushed stillness, the weight of the song lingering in the air
Every heart in the audience felt it, every note echoing the unspoken depth between the two performers
When applause finally erupted, it was louder and longer than anything
Ash and Yuri watched from the audience
Ash felt a wave of emotions overwhelm him, his chest tight with awe
Yuri's eyes filled with tears as he held Aeris's hands tightly
Aeris: "He… he really knows how to convey emotions like that."
The song hit deeply—everyone was stunned, caught between beauty and pain
Yuri: "His lyrics… they came from so much suffering
No wonder it's so beautiful… and shattering at the same time
Every survivor can feel it deeply."
Aeris and Ash: "Yeah… it really is true."
Flashback
Ash (on the phone): "Ash, can you come to my shop?"
Ash: "Okay."
At the shop, two pairs of eyes met
Yuri: "Ash, it's Aeris. Aeris, this is Ash."
The two quietly stared… and then began talking
Minutes passed. One hour slipped by as they chatted non-stop, finding comfort in the quiet understanding they shared
Yuri (thinking): "They're really getting along… becoming so close
Maybe it's because they're… similar in some way."
Back to the Concert
Ash: "Doesn't it feel like it was written for him… and that boy?"
Aeris: "Yup. The last line—he looked at that boy and said…
'The quiet voice… me and you.'"
Yuri smiled softly
Yuri: "Look at how soft and sparkling his eyes are when he looks at him."
Ash smiled warmly.
Ash: "I hope he heals… in every way."
From the audience, Irel quietly murmured:
Irel: "Found two."