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Nene loves the stage. She always will, she thinks. A lifelong passion like that won't simply die out someday. It'll stay in her heart even long after she's retired from acting, but even that feels like a far off concept. It's been a few years now since Wonderlands x Showtime disbanded, each of them pursuing their own individual dreams further, but Nene sees it more as another beginning rather than the painful end she feared. There's so much ahead of her, so many experiences that she cannot wait to explore.
But running 8 shows a week can get exhausting, and sometimes she does miss the smaller, more personal audiences of the Wonder Stage. Yet it never bleeds into regret. She wouldn't trade her current life for anything. Nor would she trade who she decided to spend it with.
In a curious way, Ichika has all at once changed entirely and stayed just the same. She's grown tall, maturing in her twenties almost exactly like Nene had imagined it. Her shoulders are broader and her hair shorter, but her smile is as soft and dazzling as it's ever been. Nene likes to admire her, whether in their home or when she watches her perform.
She's something of a rockstar, now, though the genre isn't quite hers. Leo/need bring such a strong energy to every concert that makes you feel like you're part of them, their emotions coming through as strongly as if they were your own, and Ichika is the face of it. The lead guitarist and vocalist, delivering powerful solos and soaring lyrics to crowds of thousands, moving each and every one of their hearts. She's so cool on stage, yet so personal during emcees. It's no wonder the whole country's fallen for them.
But they'll never love her like Nene does. They'll never know her as she is now, wearing a worn sweatshirt from their college days, curled up on their sofa with no space between them. Nene looks up at her to find her looking back, and they share matching fond smiles, the sight of each other so familiar that it feels more like home than any living space.
Nene reaches out both hands, burying them in her wife's hair and tousling it all up, smiling as they laugh together. It's so short, cut shorter than even Tsukasa's, and it always sticks up endearingly after she's had a long nap, or if she's been in the rain.
"You love doing that, huh. Like a cat."
"Meow." she replies, deadpan, earning another laugh.
Ichika cups her by the back of her neck, her own short hair brushing against her fingertips, though longer still than Ichika's, and pulls her in for a casual kiss. After all these years, what was once a badump-bathump of stallions in her chest fuelled with teen anxiety and all the excitement of new , has become now a gentler thrum, though just as hot and loving as it's ever been.
Ichika seems to pick up on the look in her eyes, because she takes Nene by the waist and guides her onto her lap properly, letting her arms wrap loosely around her. Nene rests their foreheads together, and exhales a laugh as they bump their noses playfully against each others', gazes locked. She’s breathtaking, and she’s hers.
"I love you forever." Ichika tells her, something she loved to say, face now home in Nene's collarbone. She breathes in, breathing in Nene, and it's so comfortable and natural she might think that they had always meant to be together like this. She certainly wants to believe it. She's never loved anyone so much in all her life, not like she loves Ichika.
"Mm. Love you always." she breathes in return. She kisses Ichika's forehead, earning another beautiful laugh. Even with her cooler cut style and looks, she's still just as adorable as ever, pink cheeks flushed like she's still a teenager.
Ichika takes one of her hands and laces her fingers with Nene's, and she feels the slight cool of the ring on her finger between two of her own. She smiles, giving her a gentle squeeze. No, she wouldn't trade this life for the world.