Chapter 4

Sorry for the short update. I’ll try to update again soon.

 

04.

Two years has passed. Two years since Reina had punched her former leader. Two years since her shell cracked and the tears fell. Two years since she finally let Jun in.

After Morning Musume disbanded, Reina had begun a successful solo career with another large company. Reina had quickly discovered that the life of a musician is very different from the life of an idol. The pressure of training early on had been rough on the yankii girl, but she had support. Jun.

While Reina continued in music, Jun had decided to go into modeling and design. She wasn’t widely known yet, but her boutique was doing well. Both were relatively happy.

Reina had seen most of the former members. She and Aika still spent time together. Sayumi would see Jun every now and again at fashion events, and Jun would invite her to dinner with Reina. Reina would see Koharu on various music shows. Koharu was still doing younger music and had developed quite a fan base with children. Reina had even kept in touch with Eri and Risa, although their paths rarely crossed. Lin had vanished off the face of the earth, and Ai…Reina couldn’t bring herself to face her.

Reina regretted not trusting her leader. She regretted letting her anger control her. Her shame, mixed with a bit of her old yankii pride, would not let her contact her former leader.

“I heard about Ai today… apparently she had an audition at my company…”

“Reina…you should talk to her.” Jun replied, placing another piece of beef into her mouth.

“You know I can’t…” Reina’s face fell.

“I still think you should.” Jun’s face was stern. Reina stood up.

“I need to get ready for my night concert.”

Reina instantly regretted her cold response.

“I’m sorry Jun-chan… I just need time…”

“It’s been two years Reina…how long do you intend to wait?”

“I…”

“You know, Eri sent us something – a demo CD she’s been working on.”

Reina’s brow furrowed.

“Why would she send us some…oh… does she want me to give it to the company?”

“No. She wants you to listen to it.” Jun reached into her bag and pulled out a thin CD jewel case.

“Ok. Ok… I’ll listen to it on my way to the concert.”

“Reina…she also wants us to come to a show in Shibuya.”

“Geez…the girl doesn’t ask much of us does she…” Reina smirked. Jun laughed.

“Ok, we can go…” Reina continued. She placed her hand on Jun’s shoulder and squeezed it a bit before walking out the door.

Reina climbed into the company car waiting for her outside the restaurant. She handed the demo CD to the driver and asked him to play it. Soft guitar rhythms surrounded Reina. Then, the voice started.

Ai…chan…

Tears blossomed from Reina’s eyes as quiet sobs wracked her small frame.

********

Reina is doing so well.

Ai cheered for her friend. She had forgiven her long ago and whenever Reina held a concert in Tokyo she would go with Lin to help cheer on the former Musume. The concert atmosphere brought back fond memories as well as feelings about her and Lin’s upcoming show. They would be playing a small venue at the beach and, as far as Ai knew, Eri was using this event to try and draw the members back together.

Thank you Eririn.