"Shiina, is it true your first concert's coming up?"

"Yup! Isn't it amazing?" I replied to Mao. Seated on my bed, guitar on my lap, pick between my fingers, I grinned. "We've been practicing tons since we formed but now we really gotta put in our all for our first ever gig!"

We'd gotten a date. With the help of Sena who was greatly knowledgable about stuff like this, on top of having familial connections, we managed to score a venue for our first ever concert. It wasn't large-scale and surely didn't house much of a crowd, but a gig was a gig.

"Wowza!" Mao beamed. "Shiina's finally going to become a rockstar! Did you tell Rin?"

"I told him about our band a couple of months ago, but nothing concrete. I should text him now—"

A buzz.

"Speak of the devil." Spotting his flashing name on my screen, I set it on speaker. "Rin-Rin! I was just about to message you. Something amazing happened!"

"It surely can't be more amazing than taking the number one spot on Billboard Japan's Hot 100!" He feigned cheers and fan applause.

"Oh my gosh! This makes three weeks in a row now! Congrats, Rin-Rin!"

"Mao offers you praise as well."

Rin-Rin chuckled. "Mao! Such an honour to be recognized by you. Thank you."

"Rin is most welcome. It is only a matter of time before world domination falls into your palms. You've gained far too much power while away."

"It's a sin, isn't it? This face is, I mean."

Mao and I deadpanned.

"Wow, the fame's finally getting to him," I said.

"Rin, I can see your forehead from here," Mao added.

"Why my forehead?" he demanded. "It may not be noticeable to youngsters like you, Mao, but Shii understands how cool I am. She's obsessed with me."

"Yes, yes, you make me swoon," I played along.

"Oo, a confession from my number one fan! I'm blessed."

He was most likely grinning from ear to ear. Rolling my eyes, I readjusted my guitar on my lap.

"Back to plebeian news, a date's been set for my first concert."

A sharp cry left his mouth. "No way! When?"

"Couple weeks. It'll be non-stop practice until then."

"That's my Shii! The world will finally realize how awesome you are!"

"Can you imagine us collaborating on songs in the future? Standing on the same stage? Attending the same events?"

"We won't have to imagine. Give or take a few years it'll be a reality."

Giddiness flourished in me at the idea, likewise as did Rin-Rin.

"Remember that day I accompanied you to an audition and the judge begged me to perform?"

"And he heard you sing a few notes and practically chased you out of the building? Serves him right for assuming you'd hum a slow song given your appearance."

I tittered in remembrance. How long ago was that now? Three years? "You cheered for me so loudly."

"Why wouldn't I? You were genuinely amazing."

"Yeah, but I'm sure if you acted like you didn't know me, you'd have scored a record deal with that company that day."

"I wouldn't want to sign to a company who belittled you. Besides, at the company I'm with now, my manager and co-workers let me brag about you whenever I want."

"You brag about me?"

"Every day."

"Aww. I'm touched."

"Who's on the phone?"

Dad made an appearance by the doorway, followed by Chie. Mao craned her neck, addressing them in my place.

"Rin. He's inflating his ego, as usual."

"Rinnosuke?" Dad demanded.

"Oh, Mr. Naoto, you're there too?" Rin-Rin had heard his voice. "Wazzup, sir?"

"I should be asking you that," Dad replied, approaching my bedside. "I see and hear about you everywhere."

"Man, I'm even attracting the attention of old men? Tell your colleagues to protect their wives. My charm is separating families as we speak."

Dad crinkled his nose. "You're as delightful as I remember. . ."

Rin-Rin laughed deeply. "Speaking of wives, I hear you're getting it on with a colossal beauty! Chie, was it? Tell me, tell me. How far have you two gone? Have you banged yet?"

A blush seized his cheeks. "Hey! Watch your tongue!"

"Can't even give a straight answer? How guilty are ya' old man? Is your bed still in one piece—"

"Rin-Rin," I interjected, rolling my eyes. I'd long enclosed my palms over Mao's innocent ears. "Shut up."

"Yes, yes, Shii, my love," he cooed.

"I've heard so much about you, Rinnosuke." Tittering, Chie entered the conversation. "Didn't expect you to be such a chatterbox, though."

"Oo! Have I been graced by Her Majesty Chie herself? That voice alone can purify my soul."

Chie snorted. "Aww."

"Hear that, old man? I'm stealing your fiancee's heart right in front of you. Whatcha gonna do?"

"You—"

Inwardly, I couldn't contain my amusement. Rin-Rin got along with anyone. Even through the phone, he lit up the room. It'd been forever since we bantered like this as a group. Before his tour and other idol endeavours, Rin-Rin visited practically every day, so my house was never without idle laughter. He bantered with Dad every time too. Part of me had forgotten what it was like without him gone.

From there, Rin-Rin inquired Dad and Chie's upcoming wedding date. Probed Mao's 'magical' adventures in both life and school. I'd filled him in on nonsensical topics also. Before I'd realized it, an hour had passed in a whirlpool of merriment and hilarity.

After making Rin-Rin promise to call again soon, Dad, Chie, and Mao had excused themselves, insisting they turn in for the night. The moon glistened against the night sky, visible from my bedroom window. I ventured onto my balcony, relishing in the cool night breeze.

"You sleepy?" Rin-Rin asked.

"Yeah. It was a long day." I fought a yawn. "I have school tomorrow so I should turn in soon."

"Shii."

"Hmm?"

"I want to see you."

My shoulders spasmed, not expecting such a statement. It wasn't laced in sarcasm or glee. Rather, his voice at this moment was mellow, and drenched in utter sincerity.

"Should we video call?"

He guffawed. "I meant in person."

Oh. Duh.

"I want to have you close by. Talk to you face to face. Give you long hugs. Cheer you on. I want to burn everything about you into my mind, all anew."

My fingers clasped the railing to the balcony, its coldness a stark contrast to my blazing skin.

"What's bringing this on all of a sudden?"

"We text multiple times a day. Call whenever we can. Send pictures. But, it's through a screen. Moments I want to be there for you, moments I want you here for me. . . technology isn't enough. I signed up for this instability when I pursued this profession but, still. I really, really, really miss you. I want to be with you."

"Me too, Rin-Rin," I confessed, heart weighing like lead in my chest. "I miss you so much. I see you on billboards, watch you on TV or YouTube, hear your songs, but it all feels so faraway. You're so faraway."

"Shii. . ."

"Don't get me wrong. I can't be prouder of you. You're literally the number one idol in Japan. You're extremely talented. That being said, if I bring up your name to others, they reflexively shoot down our connection. I have so many precious memories of you but it's a different Rin Mizota from the one everyone else knows. It's not like I want to boast about our relationship—trust me, I'm better off without that kind of superficial attention—but every milestone you reach, every achievement you seize, I'm stuck realizing how different our lives are. We banter like this, but once we put down our phones, our daily lives are so distant. The days we used to goof off over meaningless things like passing tests or walking home from school, all of it's gone. S-sorry. I'm sounding ungrateful."

"Is this how you've felt this entire time?" His response proceeded a dense interval.

"I. . ."

"Your habit of bottling up your feelings never changes." He snorted, but there was no lightheartedness to it. "You cheer me on so earnestly. Give me pep talks whenever I'm down in the dumps. You're always being considerate of my feelings and idol duties. But, Shii. Before all my fans, before all the fame and attention I amassed, you do realize you're the most important person to me, right? That I'd trade all of this—every last bit of it—if it meant being around you again."

My rampant pulse accelerated.

"I bet the reason you've kept this to yourself is because you knew that. If I, the 'childish Rin-Rin', says I miss you, it's fine. But the moment you say it, I'll cave and throw my whole career away. Agh. You're too cute, Shii. If you want to see me, if you miss me, you can tell me that. I'll never think you're ungrateful or selfish. I'm also not idiotic enough to discard my whole idol career either. The world needs this ten million dollar smile."

I couldn't help it—I laughed.

"Say, are you looking up at the sky right now?"

Puzzled, I gazed upward.

"'If you wish upon the first star in the night sky, your wish will come true.' Your mom used to mention that a lot. As gullible as we were, we'd compete to find that star every night and make wishes left and right."

A warm smile upturned my lips. I fixed my attention on the sole star glistening against the dark sky. "Mom would find it first."

"Then she'd tell us, 'Too bad! I already made my wish!' and we'd try to beat her to it the next night." Rin-Rin chuckled at the nostalgia. "Your mom made my mom look like an old lady even though they were technically the same age."

"Yeah, Mom was immature. Mrs. Mizotaro is granny-like in comparison. Whenever I run into her, she tries to force food down my throat."

"She calls me nonstop, barraging me with never-ending questions and concerns, so trust me, you have it easier. If not for my younger brother, I'm positive she'd never let me out of her sight."

"Doesn't she visit you anyway?"

"Whenever she can depending on what city I'm in. 'Like hell I'll let my boy do what he wants at that age!' According to her, my dad would've done the same."

Rin-Rin's dad passed away when he and his brother were still little, before we'd met in first grade. He didn't remember much about him but the way his mom constantly talked about him, it was like he'd never been gone.

"Before the other stars come out, make a wish," Rin-Rin prodded. "Mine will be. . . 'I wish Shii will treasure me always.'

"What kind of wish is that?"

"What do you mean? I'm a gem. I need to be treasured or I'll lose my shine."

I laughed.

"If you speak it into existence, it automatically won't come true, dummy."

"No way. Is that how it works?"

"Yep. Guess you'll need to find somebody else to treasure you." I closed my eyes, putting my internalized sentiments into words. "There, made my wish."

"What is it? What did you wish for?"

"Not telling. It won't be granted, remember?"

"No fair! I told you mine."

"Man. I'm so sleepy. Can no longer keep my eyelids open. What are stars again?"

"Coward! Don't run away!"

"Goodnight, Rin-Rin. Talk to you soon."

Smiling, I ended the call, clutching my phone to my chest.

Although he said it was all right to be greedy, there was no way I could tell him these cheesy thoughts.

Even if it was only a glimpse, a reencounter that lasted a few seconds, I couldn't wait to see him in person again. So badly, I yearned to go back to some semblance of our daily lives from before he became famous; relive the moments we were never apart.

______

Hey. It's been a hot minute since I last updated but sadly life got in the way.
Bet you guys forgot Rin was a character in this book xD He's still around. I realize I've kinda neglected him (rip), but he'll make more appearances in the chapters to come.

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