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"You know, when Uncle Taiga first told us, I didn't want to believe it."
It was a nice summer day. All around them were the sounds of cicadas filling the air with their incessant noise.
"I...it was just too sudden. We had just put on our biggest event. And I still dreamed of the day you would come back and I could tell you everything that had happened since you...left."
Toya nodded his head encouragingly when she fell silent, unable to keep speaking.
"...How I found my team, especially my partner."
Akito ruffled her hair slightly, forcing a tiny giggle out of her. "Even if one of them is pretty rude at times.
"As well as how we performed together for the first time...well, to be fair, that was a mess," An admitted, sucking in air through her teeth. "But it wasn't Kohane's fault! And we made up for it together afterwards."
Kohane leaned her head against her shoulder, smiling as she continued to talk, voice uncharacteristically quiet. "They're the absolute best, best teammates. I bet you would've been really jealous! Toya's pitch and voice are so steady and perfect--he's got some history, but I won't go into it--and he's a really sweet guy. Akito's skill level is insane 'cause he's practiced for so long, and no matter how grumpy he acts, he always looks out for us. Don't deny it!" she added as the boy in question let out a barely concealed snort. "And Kohane...she's my beautiful, talented, amazing, show-stopping girlfriend and singing partner. Her voice is heavenly, y'know? I bet you would've loved her.
"Right now, the four of us are trying to surpass RAD WEEKEND. We have--well, we had a big team with other people who were just as dedicated as we are. We even put on two whole events together! And Kohane sounded amazing during her solo! She got the crowd all fired up just like you did years ago at RAD WEEKEND." An smiled at the memory, but the expression quickly slid off of her face. "I thought--we all thought we had an honest chance of surpassing it.
"It's a little hard to picture now, though. After all that...I wish you were still around to kick your brother's butt.
"...It's weird. I haven't forgiven Uncle Taiga for defeating us in the middle of the street right after telling us...the truth, and I haven't really forgiven my dad, either, for hiding it from us for so long. Whenever I asked when you were coming back from America...he'd just say soon. I still can't forgive him for that, and it kinda hurts."
An took a deep breath, staring down at the grave she'd been speaking to for the past few minutes. In front of it sat a photo of her precious Nagi, grinning and full of life. The smell of incense drifted past her nose, a dull reminder that she woman in the picture was no more.
"And...this might be weird to say, but...I haven't really forgiven you either, Aunt Nagi."
Her clenched fists shook slightly as she forced the words out, swallowing past the lump in her throat. "You never told me. When you were practicing or helping put the event together...you never told me you were in pain or that I would only have a few months with you. You told my dad to lie and--and gave me hope that I would still see you again someday. I didn't--" oh, everything was getting blurry again, crap--"--I didn't get to introduce you to my friends, and I never--I never got to say goodbye. You didn't even give me that, Aunt Nagi."
She could hear their footsteps as they came up behind her, Kohane wrapping her arms around in her a side hug as she attempted to speak past the tears rapidly gathering in her eyes. "I wish you'd trusted me enough to tell me. I-It would've been painful, knowing you wouldn't be able to stay with us for much longer, but I would've preferred that over stupidly believing you were still alive. I just--I just wish you were still here. Everything's a mess, and our teammates left, and--and I'm not sure we can really surpass anything the way we are...especially since everyone saw us get thrashed by Uncle Taiga.
"...But my dad actually closed WEEKEND GARAGE, and he says he's gonna start training us. And Uncle Taiga may have to returned to America again, but when he comes back, we're gonna show him that we do have the ability to carry on your dream. We'll surpass RAD WEEKEND together," An said determinedly, wiping her face with a tissue Kohane offered her. "And we'll go even further, just like how you wanted us to. Right, guys?"
"That's right," Toya said with a firm nod of his head.
"What she said," Akito agreed. "We'll show that geezer what's up."
"I'm sorry I never got to meet you, Ms. Nagi," Kohane said gently, crouching down to face the photograph. "But I'm promise, I'll take care of An-chan from here on out no matter. I'll never let her be lonely, and I'll be there singing proudly alongside her when the day arrives."
"We all will," Akito promised as Toya nodded again, a smile spreading across his face. "Please watch us then, Nagi-san," he said respectfully.
Kohane bowed her head and rose to her feet again. A light breeze blew through the graveyard, carrying a few bright green leaves with it, and An could have sworn Nagi's smile was slightly sad for a second--yet somewhat proud.
However, the sun vanished behind a cloud for a second, and when it returned, the photo was back to normal.
It must have been my imagination.
"Is that it, An?" Akito asked after a few moments had passed and she hadn't spoken.
"...Yeah. Sorry for making such a weird request, guys. I just...felt like I had to get it all off my chest, y'know?"
"It's not weird, Shiraishi," Toya protested emphatically. "I'm glad Ken-san suggested it to us."
"Speaking of which, your dad should be coming to pick us up in his van in a few minutes, right?" Kohane asked, checking her phone as An began to gather up the frame and incense, gently blowing it out so that it didn't make a mess.
"Ken-san's van..." Akito got a slightly dreamy look in his eyes. "I can't wait to see it."
An giggled slightly. "Yeah, my dad's car is really cool. Oh, but I call shotgun!"
"What? No way! You probably sit there all the time, An!"
"Whaaaaaaat? After all the emotional labor I just went through?!"
"Akito, maybe you should just let have Shiraishi have the seat today?"
Akito let out a dramatic groan, but An could tell he was smiling. "Fine. Toya, you're too nice."
"But this way, we can hold hands during the trip," Toya pointed out, his eyes sparkling slightly.
"Eh?!" Kohane sounded distraught.
Akito slid his hand over his face with another groan. "Why are you like this."
"Heh."
"A-An-chan..."
"Nnn...sorry, Kohane! I promise I'll cuddle you a lot the next time we meet!" An swore, unable to look at her girlfriend's sad, pleading eyes.
"Maybe you should let me ride shotgun."
"Ugh! What about Toya, you asshole?!"
Their laughter resounded through the graveyard as they walked back to the exit, Akito's eyes widening with excitement at the sight of the large gray van parked neatly outside it. Ken was waiting for them, and sure enough An made a beeline for the passenger seat and dived inside before Akito could say anything. Toya was happy to cheer him up, but Kohane spent most of the ride fake-pouting because her girlfriend hadn't wanted to sit beside her. She was clearly fighting back a laugh as An pleaded for her sweet, beautiful princess to "please just look her in the eye" while Akito fussed at her for leaning out of her seat. Toya ignored all the chaos, sitting beside Akito and holding his hand with a content expression even as his boyfriend complained relentlessly about An stealing the seat. Ken laughed at their antics, eventually turning on the radio and asking for requests.
There may have been hard times ahead, but they would tackle them together.
As a team.