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The end of a show is always an exhilarating feeling. Wether it be the first night, like tonight, or the last night, theater performances leave a bubbly feeling in your chest that surpasses even adrenaline.
Akane sat perched on the edge of a chair in the dressing room, her feet swinging idly as she combed through her hair. Her mind hummed with fragments of the evening—snatches of dialogue, gasps from the crowd, the low hum of Abiko’s approval. She hadn’t delivered perfection—she never thought she did—but the director’s reaction, paired with her own small victories, left her feeling like she was walking on air.
She couldn’t even register what Koyuki and Mei were saying as she got lost in her thoughts
Both mom and dad came today Akane smiled softly, imagining her parents faces They’ve had it so hard after Love Now, always worrying. With this, they’ll see that I’m just fine.
She smiled softly, caught in the memory of their cheers, her hand rising to cover her flushed cheeks. I can’t stop smiling, she thought with a helpless laugh. It’s embarrassing.
“Akane-san!” Koyuki’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Look at you—you’re all smiles!” Her excitement was infectious, her wide grin bright as sunlight.
“Yeah, usually you’re so focused. Now you look like you’ve just been handed a lifetime supply of shortcake” Mei laughed, playfully poking Akane’s shoulder.
Akane tried to wave them off but couldn’t quite wipe the grin off her face. “I can’t help it! I’ve never felt this good after a big night.”
“And you should feel amazing!” Koyuki said, practically bouncing on her toes. “That scene under the cherry blossom trees with Sayahime and Touki? Perfection!”
“My boyfriend better look at me like that or I think I’ll die!”Mei added with a dramatic sigh, draping herself across Akane.
The three of them fell into laughter, their voices ringing through the dressing room as the rest of the cast went in and out. They grabbed their bags and began to tidy up as Melt walked in, his presence drawing their attention.
When Melt walked in, his awkward shuffle and wide eyes earned an immediate cheer from Koyuki and Mei. “Way to go, Narushima-san!” they chorused, startling a deep blush out of him.
“Thank you!” he managed, his voice pitched higher than usual.
Akane clapped her hands together, beaming “Narushima-san, I was so impressed! I can’t believe I haven’t seen you in more theater before this.”
Melt shook his head, the humility in his posture evident. Even if someone like Akane praised him, he couldn’t really accept it“I don’t deserve that kind of praise. I mean, that one scene was my only standout, so—”
“Melt.” The use of his first name stopped him mid-sentence. He looked up, startled, to see Akane’s stern face waiting for him.
“You should be proud of your work,” Akane said directly, her tone firm. “Even if your performance wasn’t perfect, that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. You’ve worked so hard to get here. I hope I get to share a stage with you again someday.”
She raised her fists in a mock cheer, her smile bright. “So keep fighting, okay?”
For a moment, Melt looked as if she’d struck him silent. Then, his shoulders trembled, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He dipped into a ninety-degree bow so quickly it made her flinch.
“Huh—” Akane began, taken aback.
“Thank you, Kurokawa-san!” he exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion. “I’ll do even better from here, so…”
He looked up at her with a tearful grin, His voice cracked with emotion. “You’d better be ready to share a stage with me again soon!”
Akane smiled warmly, putting a hand on her heart. “I’ll be waiting.”
From behind Melt, Koyuki and Mei slid into view, their grins wide.
“How sweet!” Koyuki exclaimed, clasping her hands together in adoration.
“Narushima is respectful through and through!” Mei added, nudging him playfully.
Melt immediately shot back up, his face a brilliant shade of red as he wiped at his eyes. “I-I’m lucky I caught you, Kurokawa-san. I thought for sure you’d be gone since I saw Aqua in the lobby way earlier.”
Akane’s smile faltered for a moment her hand slowly falling
“Aqua…?” she repeated, her voice soft. The name hung in the air.
I saw Aqua for only a minute after, could he have already left? She wondered quietly, rubbing her arm. She was lucky that Koyuki, Mei, and Melt were talking because her expression had become less than happy
Did he leave with Kana-Chan? It would make sense Akane’s heart slowed painfully in her chest. She couldn’t be upset. After all, the two were friends. Kana had always been around, and she…
“I’m going to meet my parents in the lobby,” she said quickly, forcing her voice into something bright and casual. She grabbed her bag, excusing herself
“Alright!” The three said as Akane left. She held her little messenger bag tight, taking a deep breath
Don’t be upset She reminded herself as she turned the corner and entered the main lobby This was a good night, an incredible night so just-
“Akane!” A familiar voice called out to her. Akane immediately perked up
“Mom I-” Suddenly, Akane’s face dropped in clear shock
There was her father, her mother, and… Aqua holding a bouquet
“Eh?” Akane didn’t have time to process as Aqua stepped forward, plucking a single bloom from the bouquet.
“Recognize this?” He held it out to her
Akane’s breath caught as she carefully took the flower from his hand, the soft pink petals shining in her eyes .
“Pink lilies” Her voice became soft as her eyes softened with tears. To anyone else, it would simply seem like just a kind gesture. But it meant so much more to Akane.
But to Akane, it was everything. Pink lilies had been her favorite since childhood, the flowers she’d received after her first-ever performance. She’d mentioned it to Aqua once, in passing.
“You remembered?”
Aqua shrugged, his tone casual. “A talent of mine. Your parents helped me order them in advance-”
Before he could say more, Akane closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She buried her face in his chest, she was sure with the way her cheeks burned that she was redder than Melt.
“Such a baby,” Aqua murmured, his arms coming up to hold her gently.
“Thank you,” Akane managed, her voice muffled and thick with tears.
“You don’t need to thank me,” he said quietly, his tone softer than she’d ever heard it. “Not for this. Not for anything.”