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“Pinch me, Kasumi-senpai.” Kasumi looked over to find the youngest member of her group leaning closer. “I’m dreaming. There’s no way Karin Asaka is here!”
Kasumi froze at the name. She’d heard it too many times since the last time she’d spoken to its owner. Kasumi peeked out from backstage. She scanned the small hall where they were holding the first concert of Kasumi’s final tour with the group. She’d finally become popular enough to become a solo idol, and many of her fans were there to see her off on her journey.
In an instant, Kasumi found her. Karin was standing there, in all her beauty. Kasumi told herself she was used to Karin’s stunning appearance back when they performed together as idols, and while they secretly dated, and everytime she checked Karin’s social media while no one was watching. Still, Karin never failed to draw Kasumi’s gaze.
Kasumi jerked the curtain shut and turned to the others.
“You are dreaming. That isn’t Karin. That’s just another one of our fans.” The other members looked down in disappointment. “Or should I pinch all of you anyway?!”
After hearing her juniors shriek in fear, Kasumi gathered them all together. They all reached towards the center and stacked their hands up.
“Whoever is out there, let’s put on the best show we can. Agreed?” Kasumi’s words riled up the group, and they finished their pre-performance ritual as the lights on the stage dimmed. The crowd cheered as they took their places on the dark stage.
As the lights flickered on, Kasumi told herself that she’d show Karin how amazing she’d become since the last time they spoke.
* * *
At the end of their live show, Kasumi looked at the crowd of people cheering and clapping. Soon everyone was being directed to the back room, where the meet-and-greet would be held. The lights on the stage dimmed again, but Kasumi stayed onstage. She scanned the audience, but saw Karin heading towards the exit door. There was another woman latched onto her arm. By the way Karin looked at her, Kasumi already knew they were lovers.
After all, Karin had looked at Kasumi in the exact same way before.
Right. Just because Kasumi still had feelings for Karin didn’t mean that Karin would return them. Karin couldn’t wait forever for Kasumi. That all made sense.
Before Karin left Kasumi’s view, however, she turned back towards the stage. They locked eyes. The rest of the world seemed to disappear.
A smile played upon Karin’s lips. Kasumi smiled back. They both wondered if the messages sent through those smiles would be received.
“Congratulations.” They had both become successful.
“We both did it.” They accomplished the dreams they shared with each other years ago.
“I hope you’re happy.” They had to give up so much for the happiness they now felt.
“Thank you.” They couldn’t have done it without knowing each other for that brief time.
Neither of them could confirm if the other understood, but deep down, they both knew.
The woman hanging onto Karin’s arm whispered something in her ear. Karin nodded and turned away from Kasumi. And like that, Karin Asaka was gone again from Kasumi’s life.
“Kasumi-senpai, the fans are waiting.” Kasumi stopped staring at the door that had already shut.
“Haven’t you heard of being fashionably late?” Kasumi asked back, eliciting a small giggle from her junior.
As Kasumi walked to the room where all their fans were waiting, she thought of the words her junior said to her before they got onstage.
“Pinch me, I’m dreaming.”
Kasumi had finally awakened from her dream of getting back together with Karin once they had both become successful.
But she could still feel the sting of the pinch that woke her up.