My Childhood Friend, who became a National Idol, moved next door to my Run-down Apartment [Dropped] - Chapter 8 - Mitsuki's POV

Toujou Mitsuki’s mornings are even before the sparrows start chirping.

“Look at Kazu-kun, sleeping so comfortably. So cute~.”

The current time is 6 in the morning. Mitsuki, who was sleeping while leaning against Kazuki, carefully released her hold on his arm so as not to wake him.

Without delay, she started up her smartphone and snapped a picture of Kazuki’s sleeping face.

Five shots from different angles were saved in the “Kazu-kun Folder,” adding up to a total of 248 pictures, including those taken before they parted ways for their idol activities. It’s been 3 years and 169 days since Kazuki’s last album — a new release after all this time.

Comparing him to how he used to be, she felt that his body structure had matured even more. His skin was healthier too, compared to the time when he had to devote himself to the piano, and the dark circles that used to appear under his eyes were nowhere to be seen.

“You’re finally free from your uncle and aunt. You’re amazing, Kazu-kun.”

As she gently ruffled his hair, she noticed that he still made the same itchy face as always.

Then her gaze shifted to a corner of the room, where she saw an electronic piano being used as storage. Seeing it, Kazuki’s question from yesterday passed through her mind.

“Why did Mitsuki decide to become an idol?”

Mitsuki loved watching Kazuki play the piano with such joy.

“Watching Kazu-kun play the piano, and having everyone watch me dance and sing, I thought about how happy we would be if everyone could see our happiness.”

Up until junior high, she loved dancing along to the silly tunes Kazuki created and putting random lyrics to them. It felt like they could go on forever, and she could always be free.

And she especially loved the sight of Kazuki playing the piano with such joy.

But everything changed when Kazuki entered high school.

The Fujiwara family, with a mother who was a violinist and a father who was a conductor, immediately put all the pressure of being a musician onto Kazuki when they recognized his talent.

He was immersed in the piano from the moment he woke up until he went to bed. Initially, Kazuki tried to rebel by putting emotions into his piano playing, but he eventually gave up, becoming like a dog chained up.

Watching him go through that was incredibly painful for Mitsuki.

As a result, Kazuki’s piano playing lost all traces of smiles.

Under the heavy pressure and expectations from those around him, he was forced to answer continually and ended up falling apart.

His freedom was taken away, and Kazuki’s piano, which was once able to soar, disappeared with a grand performance at the Imperial Cup.

“I was there watching Kazu-kun play the piano at that time.”

While all the other candidates performed existing pieces, Kazu-kun brought his original composition.

People hailed him as a prodigy, and they had great expectations for the new chapter of his life at Teito Music University, but it didn’t turn out that way.

That performance turned out to be Kazuki’s final piano performance, after being dominated by his musical family for so long.

With that piece, Kazuki won a full scholarship for four years of university and cut off most communication with his parents.

“After working so hard for so long, Kazuki was finally released from the piano, right?”

However, Kazuki should have loved the piano in the past.

If only she could relive that joy again.

If only she could be by his side while he plays the piano happily while fooling around.

How happy it would be if  they could share that on the greatest stage for people all over Japan to see.

“But if I tell him about it now, he’ll probably burden himself again…”

Someday, to deliver the enjoyable music created by Kazuki to people all over Japan.

Always aiming for the top, always reigning as an absolute idol.

“That’s why I’m doing my best. If Kazu-kun is going to have a ‘second piano life,’ I don’t want anyone else to be there except me.”

The center of the national idol group “TRUE MIRAGE,” Mitsuki Toujou, neatly ties her hair in her trademark ponytail.

She took out her smartphone and immediately contacted her manager.

“Hello, it’s Toujou. Shirai-san. It’s ready. I’ll head to the location immediately.”

For her Kazu-kun, she can keep going no matter how long it takes.

She has been thinking about Kazuki for over 15 years now.

The feelings she had nurtured during their separation was not that light after all.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : Zenon#4120