Oneshot: One Night, the Girl He Met on the Beach

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Translator: Soafp

Full title: One night, the girl he met on the beach turned out to be the center of a super idol group

This was submitted by someone.

---

___The quiet of the night dominated the surroundings, making it feel as though I had blended into the darkness itself.

As usual, I surrendered myself to my instincts, wandering once again down the road lit only by streetlights. A fair amount of time had passed since I randomly got off the train. The scenery here was vastly different from that of the city, and I had likely wandered quite far.

Well, it’s fortunate that tomorrow is Saturday, so there’s no particular problem with it.

After walking for a while and passing through a tunnel, I stopped, only to see an even deeper darkness stretching out in the distance. Although the full summer is soon to arrive, the night air is still cold, and it feels as though that faint scent carried by the wind originates from that very darkness.

Having decided to make this place my final destination for the night, I began walking in that direction, as if guided by the breeze.

---

Upon arriving at my destination and surveying the area, I saw that the darkness I had spotted earlier now stretched before me, vast and imposing, as though it might swallow me whole. The irregular crashing of the waves echoed through the silence, making me strongly aware that I was standing at the sea.

There was a single spot glowing faintly along the shore, and when I squinted to get a better look, I noticed someone was sitting by that light. It surprised me that there was someone else here at such a late hour by the dark sea, but then again, I wasn't in much of a position to judge.

Even though this was supposed to be my chosen destination for the night, seeing someone else here made me think I should probably turn back. But for some reason, my feet were moving toward the light instead.

As I trudged through the sand, the sound of my footsteps seemed to catch the person's attention, and they turned their gaze toward me. They were holding a smartphone, and I realized that the light was coming from the device.

The person was a girl, sitting with her knees hugged to her chest.

She looked about my age, with shoulder-length silver hair that was smooth like silk. Her features were strikingly beautiful, more so than anyone I had ever seen, and yet there was a certain cuteness to her as well. Her outfit, a loose T-shirt and shorts, was casual, but something about her made it look stylish. She was probably extraordinarily beautiful, which explained why.

She seemed startled to see someone approach, probably not expecting anyone to be here, so I tried to ease her concern, saying, “Good evening,” to clarify I wasn't suspicious.

“Why are you out here alone?”

“Ah… um…”

“Sorry to ask out of the blue. My name is Tetsuo Ishikura. I was walking nearby when I noticed the light from your smartphone, so I thought I'd come over and say hi.”

After I introduced myself, she responded with a strange question.

“Um… are you a fan of mine? Or maybe you’re with the staff? Perhaps a reporter?”

I had no idea what she was talking about, so I asked, puzzled, “Uh, what do you mean exactly?”

She seemed a bit relieved and said, “You must be tired from standing—please sit down.” She gestured for me to sit, so I took a seat next to her, leaving some space between us.

“Once again, I'm Ishikura. I hope it's not rude, but could I ask your name?”

“My name is Shizuku Kumono. Ishikura-san, are you a high school student?”

“Yeah, I'm in my second year of high school.”

“Oh! We're the same age, then. Can I call you Ishikura-kun? And feel free to speak casually with me.”

“Got it… I mean, sure. So, what did you mean earlier when you asked me that strange question?”

“Do you know about ‘Sakugaoka 46’?”

“Sakugaoka 46? Sorry, I've never heard of it.”

When I told her that, she seemed surprised and said, “Really? I guess we're still not that well-known…”

“So, what's this ‘Sakugaoka 46’ all about?”

“Hmm, how should I explain this?… Hold on a second.”

With that, Kumono-san typed something into her phone, then handed it to me, saying, “Here you go.” I took a moment to read the content and look at the images, and after returning the phone to her, I was momentarily stunned, questioning if this could really be happening.

“Ahem, let me introduce myself properly. I'm Shizuku Kumono, also known as [Kumonon], and I'm the center of the idol group ‘Sakugaoka 46.’ Nice to meet you, Ishikura-kun.”

Yes, it seems that I've just encountered one of the most famous idols in Japan on an unfamiliar beach in an unfamiliar place.

I stood frozen for a few seconds, trying to process the shock, but I managed to regain my composure and spoke to Kumono-san.

“I can't believe it… I didn't expect you to be an idol.”

“Haha, it's been a while since I've met someone who didn't know I was an idol. That surprised me too.”

“Still, it's incredible. Just from that introduction article, I saw you've done a five-dome tour, won a music award last year, and your latest CD went platinum on its first day. You even have five million followers!”

“Thank you! But it's all thanks to my fellow group members. I couldn't have done it alone.”

“Talking to a celebrity like this makes me feel nervous all of a sudden.”

“Fufu, but I'm not here as an idol tonight. I'm here as just Shizuku Kumono, so I hope you can keep things casual.”

“That's true. Just a moment ago, I had no idea you were an idol. There's no reason to suddenly get nervous about it now.”

When I said that, Kumono-san's eyes widened.

“…Ishikura-kun, you're a bit different, aren't you? Even when I ask my classmates to treat me normally, they still see me as a celebrity, so they never talk to me like this.”

I could understand why her classmates would struggle to act naturally around her. After all, having the center of Japan's most popular idol group at your school would be pretty intimidating. Feeling a little sympathy for her classmates, I replied.

“Well, it's probably because we just met. Besides, we're only talking by chance. After tonight, we might never meet again. It'd be weird to try and suck up to someone just because we happened to sit next to each other on a train or something, don't you think?”

“Yeah, you're right. But you're a good person for talking to me so normally like this.”

“…I'm just a bit awkward.”

“Hahaha, are you getting embarrassed?”

As she teased me, we continued chatting—mostly about her idol career, with me occasionally responding with nods and questions. We talked about her nickname, “Kumonon,” and then the conversation turned to what people call me. After a while, Kumono-san shifted the topic and asked,

“By the way, Ishikura-kun, why are you out here on this beach at this hour? I'm in the same situation, but I'm curious.”

To that, I replied,

“I like taking walks at night. Since tomorrow's a day off, I thought I'd go for a long walk, and I ended up here.”

Kumono-san looked a little suspicious at first, but then seemed satisfied with my answer, saying,

“I see, that makes sense.”

Since she had brought it up herself, I decided to ask the question that had been on my mind since we first met.

___Why are you out here alone, Kumono-san? And why do your eyes look so red and swollen, as if you’ve been crying?

---

When I asked her, Kumono-san sighed, with a slightly resigned expression, and said, “…I thought I could hide it in the darkness.”

“Then, can I ask why you're here in the first place?”

“Yeah, it's fine. Ishikura-kun, can you see that building with the lights over there?”

“You mean that distant, glowing building? I can barely see it from here, but I can tell it's something big. Is it a hotel or something?”

“Yep, that's right. We're here for a shoot, and I'm staying at that inn tonight. Oh, but that's a secret, okay?”

“I see. So, there’s a reason you’re here now. By the way, did you tell anyone you were coming here?”

“No, I didn't tell anyone. I snuck out of the inn without being seen, so I don’t think anyone has noticed I'm gone. No messages on my phone, either.”

“You didn't tell anyone… Does that have something to do with why your eyes were swollen?”

“…What if I said I couldn't tell you the reason?”

“Then I wouldn't ask. Forcing someone to talk about something they don't want to is never a good thing, right?”

“What if I asked you to listen to the reason instead?”

“Luckily, tomorrow's a day off, and the night is still long. Plus, it's not every day you meet someone in a place like this. I'll listen until the end.”

When I said that, Kumono-san wiped her eyes with her sleeve and began to speak slowly, bit by bit.

“…I came to this beach because I was thinking of ending my life.”

When I heard her say that she had been thinking of ending her life, a storm of emotions swirled inside me, but I kept my face calm and encouraged her to continue.

“…Can I ask why?”

“I've been getting so much hate… Every day, I see hateful comments on social media and receive threatening messages. My heart is just so tired.”

“Have you talked to anyone about it?”

“No. I don't want to bother my family, my group members, or my manager. And it's a busy time with the new song coming out…”

“So, you didn't tell anyone and came here on your own?”

“…Yeah.”

Listening to her story, I felt sympathy for the difficult situation she was going through, but at the same time, an overwhelming feeling surged inside me that I couldn’t ignore. Driven by that, I decided to tell her exactly what I thought.

“…Kumono-san, you're probably a very kind person. But honestly, you’re being a complete fool.”

“Eh…? Ishikura-kun?”

“I can't imagine the pain you’re going through, being harassed to the point where you want to die. I'm not a celebrity, so I can’t fully understand it, but I really feel for you. I'm sure the abuse you're getting is beyond what I can imagine. But even knowing that, as someone who’s completely uninvolved, I have to ask: why haven't you talked to anyone about it?”

“Because… I don't want to be a burden on anyone…”

“Why are you so sure that it would be a burden? Is your relationship with your family, your group members, and your manager that distant?”

“…No, my family always supports me and praises me for my achievements. My group members are wonderful people and treat me like real friends, not like at school. And my manager always puts us first and helps us with everything. That's why I don't want to cloud their smiles by making them worry about me!”

“…Kumono-san, you're making a big mistake.”

“That's not true…”

“No, it is. You said that you didn't want to tell them about the terrible things happening to you because you didn't want to make them sad, right? But think about it—what do you think your kind family and friends would feel if they suddenly found out that someone they care about died without ever talking to them?”

“…!”

“Exactly. Even an idiot could understand that… they'd be devastated, right? The action you took to avoid making them sad is actually what would hurt them the most.”

“…”

“Also, you say you want to die, but I have a feeling that deep down, you really don't want to, do you?”

When I asked this in a gentle tone, tears began to spill from Kumono-san's eyes.

“I was really struggling, and in the heat of the moment, I came all the way to this beach, ready to throw myself into the sea. But when I stood there, looking at the dark, endless ocean, my legs froze, and I couldn't take a single step forward. And… I realized I still want to be an idol. I love making people smile with this job, and I think it really suits me. But nothing's changed, and I don't know what to do anymore… Hey, Ishikura-kun, what should I do?”

“That’s easy. Just ask for help from the people who are important to you. It takes a lot of courage, but you’ve already done the hardest thing by coming here with the intent to die, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“I’m the same age as you, but honestly, before being an idol, you’re still a high schooler—a kid. And kids should bother adults as much as they can. This is the only time in your life you can experience what it's like to lean on others.”

“…Yeah.”

“Besides, it’s not just the people around you. You have fans who love and support you, far more than the number of people who hate you, don't you? You said you want to keep being an idol to make those people smile, right? Then don't let their invisible insults drag you down. The people around you are filled with so much more kindness than you realize.”

When I said that, Kumono-san hesitated for a moment before asking, “Ishikura-kun, can I borrow your back for just a little while?” Without saying anything, I handed her a handkerchief and turned my back toward her.

For a while, I stood there, gazing out at the dark sea, listening to her soft sobs until they finally subsided.

---

After Kumono-san stopped crying, I turned around to face her.

“Feeling better now?”

“Yeah, thanks, Ishikura-kun. When I get back to the inn, I'm going to talk to everyone. I was so caught up in my own problems that I didn't even think about how they'd feel if I disappeared. From now on, I'll try to rely on the people around me more. After all, like you said, now's the only time I can really be a burden, right?”

“Fue, exactly. From what you’ve told me, it sounds like the people around you are all good people. I'm sure they’ll help you… Anyway, it's getting late, and I should be heading home. Meeting you today was pure coincidence, and we probably won't see each other again, but I enjoyed hearing things I wouldn't usually hear.”

I stood up and was about to leave when Kumono-san called out, “Wait!” She grabbed my clothes, making me turn back.

“What's up?” I asked, and she fidgeted awkwardly before shyly saying, “Since it's fate that we met here, um, can we exchange contact info?”

Even though she was in a private moment, I felt nervous about how easily such a famous person was willing to share her contact information. I told her, “I think it’s better not to give your contact info to someone you just met.” But she responded, “It's because it's you, Ishikura-kun. I wouldn't give it to anyone else…”

I had no idea why she was so willing to trust me, but I felt it was important to be honest. “I'm sorry, but I can't exchange contact information,” I told her.

Her face fell as she let out a disappointed “Eh…?”

Worried I had said it too bluntly, I quickly clarified, “Sorry, I didn't explain well enough. I don't have a phone, and my house doesn't have a landline either. So I can't exchange contact info with anyone.”

Upon hearing this, Kumono-san froze, letting out a confused “Eh?” as she tried to process what I'd said. Then, realizing the situation, she smiled, saying, “Oh, so that's what you meant.”

“Still, not having a phone is pretty rare nowadays.”

“I guess… But honestly, I don't find it that inconvenient.”

“Then… would it be okay if I had your address instead? I'd love to send you letters, if you don't mind! I promise I won't misuse it or tell anyone.”

After hearing about my lack of a phone, Kumono-san asked if we could exchange letters instead. I didn't quite understand why she was so focused on staying in touch with me, but I didn't want to disappoint her eager expression. So, I said, “Well, I guess that's fine,” and gave her my address.

When she heard it, Kumono-san's face lit up, and she exclaimed, “Thank you!” Her earlier sadness seemed to have completely vanished.

“Does that wrap things up for you, Kumono-san?”

“Yeah! Sorry for keeping you, Ishikura-kun. And thank you so much for today.”

“I'm glad if I could help. Well then, it’s getting pretty late, and the wind’s getting a bit chilly, so how about we call it a night?”

“Yeah, you’re right. It is getting a little cold…”

Kumono-san, dressed lightly and without a jacket, seemed to be shivering a bit from the cold. Seeing that, I decided to hand her the hoodie I was wearing.

“If you'd like, you can wear my hoodie. It should help keep you warm.”

“Eh!? No, that would be too much! I can't take it!”

“I'm wearing a long-sleeved shirt, so I'm not that cold. Besides, isn't it the season for your important new single? It wouldn't do if the center of the group caught a cold, would it?”

“Yeah… you’re right. In that case, I'll borrow it, thank you!”

“Of course. Oh, just so you know, I do wash it regularly, but it's been used for a while, so feel free to throw it away if you think it's dirty.”

“I would never! I'll definitely wash it and return it to you!”

Wearing my hoodie, Kumono-san smiled brightly and said, “It's warm!” looking quite cheerful.

We walked together toward the entrance of the beach. When we got there, I spoke up.

“I'm heading this way, but you're probably headed back toward the inn, right?”

“Yeah, my inn is in that direction.”

“I see. Well, even though you can see the inn, be careful on your way back, alright? It’s pretty dark, and there could be some shady people around.”

“Fufu, I'll be fine. But, are you really that worried about me?”

“Well, you are famous, after all. And, to be honest, anyone would be concerned about such a cute girl walking alone at this time of night.”

“…Eh!? C-cute!?”

“Come on, anyone would say you're cute, Kumono-san.”

When I said she was cute, Kumono-san's face turned bright red, and she started to fumble nervously. Despite being an idol and probably used to being called cute, her reaction, as if hearing it for the first time, might just be one of the reasons for her popularity.

After she took a deep breath and calmed down a bit, I spoke to her again.

“I feel like I've said this a hundred times already, but let's call it a night.”

“Y-yeah… I'll send you a letter soon, so I hope you'll read it!”

“Alright, I'll look forward to it. Take care, Kumono-san. I hope things start going better for you.”

“Thank you!”

As I turned my back to leave, I heard her call out, “Ishikura-kun!”

“Waving goodbye! See you, Ishikura-kun! No, see you later, Tet-chan! Let's definitely meet again!”

She remembered the nickname we talked about earlier…

It's been ages since anyone called me Tet-chan. A warm sense of nostalgia filled my chest.

…What kind of expression am I making right now?

Holding back the rush of emotions, I waved back at Kumono-san and began walking toward the dark path I had come from a few hours earlier.

---

It was the middle of a humid week when I got home one evening, the sky glowing a soft orange, and I noticed a cute-looking letter in my mailbox.

There was no sender’s name, only my address written on it.

I remembered how, about two weeks ago, I'd met someone by chance at the beach who had mentioned sending a letter. Curious, I opened it.

Sure enough, it was from Kumono-san. The letter read, “There's something I'd like to talk to you about. Could we meet this Saturday?”

At the bottom of the letter, she had written the time and place for the meetup. She also added, “If you can't make it within an hour, I'll head back, so feel free to prioritize your plans if you’re busy.”

After reading the letter, I checked my schedule and confirmed I had no plans for Saturday. I wondered what Kumono-san wanted to talk about as I dragged my heavy feet back out into the still humid streets___

---

On the morning of the promised Saturday, I arrived at the meeting spot after a train ride and started walking around the station, looking for the person I was supposed to meet.

After walking for a bit, someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind.

When I turned around, there was a short-haired woman with black hair, wearing a white sleeveless dress, a straw hat, and glasses—someone I didn’t recognize.

Seeing the surprised look on my face, the woman asked, “What's wrong?” So, I honestly said what I was thinking.

“Um, who might you be?”

---

A little while later, I found myself on a bus with the woman in glasses—none other than Kumono-san—on our way to a large nature park.

She looked completely different from the last time we met. It seemed she was in disguise since this was a private outing, and I thought to myself how tough it must be to be a celebrity.

After I had asked, “Who might you be?” and realized it was Kumono-san, she had cheerfully said, “I’m pretty good at disguises, you know, fufu!” But then, for some reason, she quickly became sulky, saying, “But, I kind of wanted Tet-chan to recognize me…” I had a hard time calming her down.

We moved to a spot where the trees blocked the sunlight, making it feel cool, and sat down on a bench together.

There was no one else around, just the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves.

“You know this quiet spot well, Kumono-san.”

“When I was little, my family used to visit this park a lot, and that's when I found this place.”

“I see. It’s a sunny and hot day, but it's cool and comfortable here in the shade.”

“Fufu, maybe you're hot because you're wearing a long-sleeved shirt, Tet-chan?”

“I get cold easily. I figured we might end up somewhere indoors with air conditioning, so I wore long sleeves.”

“Oh, sorry! I should've mentioned we were coming to a nature park.”

“No worries at all. Besides, I would've worn long sleeves anyway.”

Kumono-san tilted her head at that, but I decided to move the conversation forward.

“So, what was it you wanted to talk about that you mentioned in the letter?”

“Well, it's something that's been on my mind since I last saw you. Can I tell you about it?”

“Of course. That's why I came all the way here, after all.”

“Fufu, right.”

After straightening her posture, Kumono-san slowly began to tell me about what had happened after our last meeting.

---

After listening to everything, I told her, “I'm glad to hear things worked out, Kumono-san.”

With a smile, she said, “It's all thanks to you giving me that push, Tet-chan!” She looked much more refreshed than when we had last met.

In short, after consulting with those around her, Kumono-san had managed to resolve the issue that had been troubling her.

Her manager, upon hearing about it, immediately coordinated with the agency, and they implemented stricter measures to protect Kumono-san and the other members. This included creating new guidelines for online communities and taking legal action against malicious harassment.

As a result, the person who had been sending threatening messages to Kumono-san was swiftly arrested.

Additionally, when the agency shared her situation on their official social media, many fans expressed concern for Kumono-san and the other members of Sakugaoka 46, sending encouraging and supportive messages. Kumono-san was surprised to see how many fans were rooting for them.

Not only the fans but also her fellow members and family were deeply concerned for her, and lately, she's been feeling both happy and a little overwhelmed by all the pampering she’s been receiving.

“I never imagined that just talking to people could make things turn out so well.”

“At the end of the day, people can't know what you’re feeling or what you want unless you talk about it. I'm really glad it turned out so well for you, Kumono-san.”

“Thank you!”

As the conversation continued, with Kumono-san telling me how preparations for the new song were going smoothly, how the CD would be released next week, and how there was going to be a big live performance soon (though she told me to keep it a secret since it hadn’t been officially announced yet), noon approached.

“It’s about lunchtime. What should we do?”

Looking a bit nervous, Kumono-san pulled out a cute little box from the bag she’d been carrying since the morning.

“Um, if you’d like… I actually made a bento for you, too. Would you like to eat it together?”

And so, I found myself about to eat a homemade bento made by a current superstar idol.

I took the bento box and chopsticks from Kumono-san, and despite the intense gaze I could feel from her beside me, I opened the lid.

Inside were two rice balls, a hamburger patty, octopus-shaped sausages, a broccoli salad, and a rolled omelet—a lineup that perfectly matched the image of a classic bento.

Since I was staring at the contents for a while, Kumono-san, now covering her face with her hands, mumbled, “It’s embarrassing, so please don’t look at it too closely.” I quickly apologized, bowing my head, and asked if I could start eating the bento.

Peeking through the gaps between her hands, she replied, “Y-yes, please enjoy…” So, I began to eat.

“…Yeah, the seasoning is just right. It’s really delicious, Kumono-san.”

As I gave my feedback, Kumono-san removed her hands from her face, and with a sudden change in expression, she asked, “R-really!?” looking very pleased.

“Yeah, it’s very tasty. Did you make all of this yourself?”

“Yep! I hadn’t cooked in a while, so I was a bit nervous, but I’m glad you said it was good!”

“You’re even good at cooking, huh… But, are you sure it was okay for me to be the one eating this bento made by you?”

Curious, I asked her this, and she seemed puzzled, replying, “What do you mean?” So, I continued.

“I was just thinking that maybe there's someone else more deserving of this bento than me, someone you'd prefer to make it for. I remember hearing back in school that making a homemade bento is something girls would want to do for someone they're dating. If you have a boyfriend or someone special, and yet you made this bento just for today, I'd feel bad for both you and that person.”

When I said this, Kumono-san lowered her head and fell silent.

As I wondered what was wrong, she raised her head, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes, and spoke.

“I don't have a boyfriend! And besides, I've never made a bento for anyone except for you, Tet-chan! I don't plan on making one for anyone else either!”

Considering Kumono-san is a popular idol, it's obvious that she wouldn't be involved in any romance that could lead to scandals. Asking such a question was completely my mistake.

Not only that, but I'd made her say something that made me feel as if I'd caused her unnecessary trouble.

I immediately bowed my head to apologize.

“I’m really sorry, Kumono-san. I completely forgot for a moment that you’re an idol, and I asked a careless question about whether you had someone. I didn't even consider that talking about relationships could lead to a scandal. I truly apologize.”

When I said that, Kumono-san leaned in closer and said, “…I'll forgive you, Tet-chan. But remember, I made the bento because it's for you, okay? Don't forget that.”

I didn't fully understand what it meant that she made the bento specifically for me, but I figured she was being considerate of me, just like before.

With that thought, I resumed eating, my chopsticks moving once again.

(“Idols are just normal girls, too, you know?… Tet-chan, you idiot.”)

After we finished lunch and continued chatting for a while, a gentle breeze caressed my skin, and I started to feel my eyelids growing heavy.

“You look sleepy, Tet-chan.”

“Yeah, I'm starting to feel my eyelids get a little heavy.”

“Fufu, we still have some time, so why don't you close your eyes for a bit? I'll wake you up when it's time.”

Normally, I would never fall asleep in front of someone else, but today, for some reason, I couldn't fight the comfortable drowsiness. So, I decided to take Kumono-san up on her offer.

“Well then, do you mind if I take a short nap?”

As soon as I said that, my eyelids grew heavy, and I felt myself drifting off into unconsciousness.

Just before I completely fell asleep, I thought I heard Kumono-san whisper, “Goodnight, Tetchan,” in my ear, but it was probably just my imagination.

---

When I woke up from the nap, it was time for us to part ways due to Kumono-san's afternoon schedule, so we said goodbye at the station and boarded separate trains to head home.

From the moment I woke up until the time we parted at the station, Kumono-san was in a good mood, constantly glancing at her phone with a smile. However, she wouldn't tell me why, saying it was a secret.

“Let's go somewhere together again! I'll send you another letter!” she said with a bright smile as we parted in front of the ticket gates. Even in disguise, her smile was so dazzling that anyone could immediately believe she was the center of her idol group.

Her smile was so radiant—it was blinding.

---

Five days ago, I received another letter from Kumono-san, the first one since a few weeks prior.

The letter’s contents were simple: “Could you come to the front of Nippon Budokan at 8 PM this Saturday?”

I had no idea why she wanted me to meet her in front of Budokan, but it wasn't far, and she mentioned she'd reimburse me for any travel expenses. It seemed that my being there was important.

However, today, I wouldn't be meeting with her.

The letter outlined the same rules as before, so if I didn't show up after waiting an hour, she'd likely assume I wasn't coming and head home. Imagining her doing that made my chest ache, but I took the letter and burned it with a lighter, just like I had with the last one.

This is for the best. It has to be.

As I watched the letter burn to ash, I reached for the notebook on my desk and began to write.

---

[Kumono Pov]

“‘Shall we have a Hanami with Sakugaoka 46?'”

“Alright! Welcome to another episode of Hanami!”

“This is a variety talk show for Sakugaoka 46, by Sakugaoka 46!”

Right now, I'm participating in the filming of “Shall We Have a Hanami with Sakugaoka 46?”—our group's regular TV program.

As usual, the comedian duo who serve as our official supporters are hosting the show, and the conversation naturally turned to last Sunday's concert at Nippon Budokan.

“So, Kumonon! Just like last tour, this performance and stage production were impressive, but was there anything special you focused on this time?”

“Well…”

While answering the question, my thoughts wandered to the day before the concert.

That day, after finishing the final rehearsal for the Budokan concert, I waited outside the venue for Tet-chan to arrive.

The concert was centered around the song I released after I first met Tet-chan. It was a performance I wouldn't have been able to sing or dance to if it hadn't been for him.

Because of all the emotions tied to this event, I really wanted him to be there to see it. I had planned to give him a ticket for the concert that day.

I thought about including the ticket with my letter, but, deep down, I wanted to hand it to him personally. That's just how my heart felt.

However, even as the scheduled time arrived, Tet-chan never showed up.

Since I had set the meeting for a weekend evening, it was possible that Tet-chan already had other plans. Although I felt a bit reluctant to leave, after waiting for an hour, I eventually left the spot.

The next day’s concert went off without a hitch, and after handling various work tasks, I finally had a completely free day coming up this Saturday. So, I decided to write Tet-chan a letter.

I'm curious about why he couldn't come, but if I ask directly, I might come across as too clingy, and I don't want him to think that about me. Instead, I'm considering suggesting we meet up somewhere again. I'm still thinking about what to write.

While I was mulling over the content of my letter to Tet-chan, the show moved on to the next segment.

“In honor of our latest song—a sweet and sour tune that reminds us of a summer date by the sea—this special segment is all about ‘My Ideal Summer Date.' We'll be asking all the members about their ideal dates!”

“The fans might even get to know the type of partner their favorite idol dreams of!”

With that announcement from the comedians hosting the show, the members started sharing their ideas about ideal summer dates and what their ideal partner would be like.

Eventually, the conversation turned to me. “Kumonon, do you have a specific image of your ideal partner?”

Immediately, a certain boy came to mind.

A boy with short, neatly cut black hair and glasses, someone my age.

His sharp eyes might make him seem a little intimidating, but when he smiles, the corners of his eyes soften, and seeing that always makes my heart race.

He speaks so politely that I sometimes wish he'd relax a bit more. His calm demeanor and serious, sincere attitude are some of his most admirable qualities.

But most of all, he's incredibly kind. He listened to a stranger like me with such genuine care, and it was that kindness that captured my heart.

“I think someone kind would be my ideal!”

“Ah, so Kumonon's ideal partner is someone kind! That's some exciting news for the fans, isn't it?” one of the comedians chimed in. “I bet that just made a lot of male fans' hearts flutter!”

But the truth is, there's only one person I really hope hears this.

If I could, I would love to talk more about my ideal partner, but as an idol, I can't express these feelings openly.

Still, I can't help but wish that, at least in my heart, I could remain a simple girl with her own feelings for just a little while longer.

Tet-chan… I love you.

---

“…Mmm, I slept so well.”

Waking up around 9 in the morning, I opened the curtains and felt the pleasant comfort of the clear blue sky as I headed toward the bathroom.

Looking into the mirror, I saw the usual me, though I could still feel a bit of fatigue from last week's concert. It wasn't the kind of exhaustion that comes from overthinking, but a good kind of tiredness. And for that, I really had Tet-chan to thank, for helping me notice such subtle changes in myself.

As I thought of Tet-chan, I realized my face in the mirror was turning red, and feeling embarrassed to keep looking at my reflection, I quickly fixed my bed hair and headed to the living room.

“Good morning, Dad, Mom.”

When I opened the door to the living room, my parents had just finished preparing breakfast. I sat down and the three of us started eating together.

On the TV, which my dad had left on, the news was reporting about our concert. I told my parents about the event and chatted about the members.

As we enjoyed our conversation, a segment began where the hosts discussed a recent concerning news story.

It was about a high school boy who had allegedly taken his own life due to bullying—a disturbing event that had happened the previous Saturday.

The moment I heard the story, it felt as though a massive hole had been torn into my heart.

[On Tuesday this week, a resident of the first floor of an apartment building, concerned after hearing a loud noise from the second floor, visited the room with the apartment manager. Inside, they discovered what appeared to be a body lying on the ground after the ceiling, which had supported a rope, had collapsed. The victim, believed to have hanged himself late Saturday night, has been identified as Tetsuo Ishikura , a second-year student at XX High School. According to the police, his body showed multiple bruises and burn marks, and a diary, likely written by Ishikura himself, was found at the scene. It appears bullying and violence were involved, and the police believe these incidents contributed to his suicide. Further investigation on Thursday revealed that Ishikura's teacher had ignored the bullying, raising concerns about the school's response. The school—]

“Aaaaaaaahhh!”

Suddenly, I collapsed to my knees, screaming and clutching my head. My dad and mom seemed to be saying something, but their words didn't reach me.

On the top right corner of the TV screen, the words “Tetsuo Ishikura (17), Su*cide” continued to be displayed. As I gradually comprehended the meaning, an unbearable pain gripped my chest, making me feel sick. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, and I vomited everything from my stomach.

[According to reporters, Ishikura's parents had drowned themselves in the ocean a year ago. It seems the day Ishikura chose to take his own life coincides with their death anniversary.]

[It's been reported that Ishikura had been supporting himself by working multiple part-time jobs, and with no other surviving family, he must have been going through an incredibly tough time…]

As the discussion about bullying continued on TV, I still couldn't accept what was happening.

My phone, which must have fallen from my pocket when I collapsed, lay on the floor. The lock screen showed a picture I had secretly taken of Tet-chan's sleeping face while he was napping in the park.

That peaceful, kind expression—the face I love so much.

Whenever I opened my phone, that image of Tet-chan always gave me strength and made me feel like I could keep going, thinking about him.

“Why!? Why, Tet-chan!?”

My heart twisted, overwhelmed by a storm of emotions.

It felt like something snapped inside me.

The vibrant colors of the world around me rapidly drained away.

I loved him.

I loved him so much.

There wasn't a day that went by where I didn't think of him.

He was the one who gave me light.

How do you think someone feels when a person they care about suddenly dies without ever saying anything?

You were right, Tet-chan. Back then, I didn't understand anything at all.

I'm sad.

I'm in pain.

I can't breathe.

It hurts.

The air feels so heavy in my lungs.

My anguished cries seemed to echo into the clear, too-beautiful sky above me.

---

TL: Pain… :|