Eternal Melody

She came from a traditional family, so things like the entertainment industry or anything to do with modern music were toxic.  That was why when she gradually became interested in music after accidentally watching that person live on TV, her parents became even more strict with her. They said terrible-sounding things to put her off singing and insisted that she had no talent for it.

Her parents instructed everybody to tell her that too so she could not get any opinions. However, when she first met Takashi Yumi, she didn't hold back.

"Yumi-san." Sumire eventually found the woman by the decking.

Yumi smiles. "I am honored that once again you ran here for me." At that, she looks away, causing Yumi to chuckle and make her way over. Yumi took out her handkerchief and wipes her sweat. "Though I do admire your determination and all. You shouldn't overdo it."

"Y-yes."

Yumi chuckles, "The same reaction as always I see. But that's what makes you cute, Sumire-chan." she makes her way over to the railing, "Sorry for calling you out all of a sudden. I didn't think I would return to Tokyo so quickly myself. However, the idol association president was discussing new ways to develop the idol world. When you think of that, what do you think of first?"

"Defeating you?"

"That's right. I came here to Tokyo to prepare for the Queen tournament. It seems there is only one other strong candidate, though."

One strong candidate?

Yumi sighed deeply. "I was looking forward to a direct battle, but apparently, they changed the rules. I will only be a judge."

"Eh, but then your idol rank-?"

"Right, it doesn't make sense. For the rankings, people can see, so the general ones, I will step down quietly since others can alter it manually. But for the universal rankings, they said they would save it for another time."

The Universal rankings, of course, she knew what it was. Rumors say that a stone carving with the names of every legendary idol appears there. Nobody knows how it works or how the names appear, but one thing is guaranteed. The only ones who can make it on that board are the true legends. 

"So Sumire-chan, you should become number one in those general rankings and then convince those stubborn geezers for me!"

Sumire sweat fell when she heard those words. "Even if it is the general, it isn't easy…"

"But it is one step away from the universal." Yumi sighed deeply. "Maybe I have been too kind to them. Lately, they keep implementing such odd changes and restricting the new idols from growing."

"Restrictions?"

A complicated look appeared on Yumi's face. "Right restrictions. I thought you would know. Isn't Terashima-kun having a hard time at work because of it?"

Her eyes widened when she heard those words. Wait, what is that supposed to mean?

"Yuhi has been struggling?"

"A lot of his new songs ended up rejected because of these new restrictions. He keeps having to rewrite them only to have them rejected again."

Wait-huh? What is this information? But Sumire knew better than to doubt these words. Yumi-senpai is not the type to make things up. 

"What the current idol association wants is a standard type of music; they want whatever the masses want. They are afraid to experiment. I hear Terashima-kuns new songs keep evolving. But these songs stray away from his current image. The idol association board does not want to take that risk."

So is that why Yuhi always looks so tired? To think she had no idea. Then again, Sano does a great job from shielding her from such news. When she learned about it, she wanted to stop him, but Atushi said it is a good thing.

A good thing to shield her from the nasty things in this world? Sure it sounds nice, and she won't learn about anything bad. 

Yumi smiles. "My mind seems clearer now."

At that, she watches the brown hair girl extend her hands out as though she is embracing the sky.

"It feels great." She turned back to her. "That etude of radiance is a wonderful song."

At that, she looks away rather nervously. "Aha...you found out?"

"Well, occasionally, idol scouts loiter around parks and other places, you know? One of them went to one of your lives in the park and picked up a CD. Coincidently I was in the meeting that day, so I listened." Yumi smiles. "Of course, I could tell it was your voice. It really is a lovely song."

So that's what happened. Come to think of it, one of the people she distributed the CD to seemed odd. But, to think there was an idol scout, her sweatdropped. She needs to be more careful.

"Thank you. But that song-"

At that Yumi's gaze softened, and she turned, her hands on her back as she faced her. "Yes, it was for me, wasn't it?"

Sumire looked away, embarrassed. "You know I respect you a lot, Yumi-senpai, and before I knew it, I wrote a song like that."

"But that song wasn't just for me?"

Sumire looked down at the ground and clenched her fist. "I...to shamelessly write a song about him, despite what I did. Even though it was because of me."

"Sumire-chan, you still blame yourself?"

"I--" Sumire looked up with tears in her eyes. "I miss him so much. It was because of me, and yet I felt like he was the one who left me. How could he leave me behind in this cruel world?"

All the feelings she suppressed up till this point came out.

"That is good, and you finally said what you were feeling."

Ah-- unconsciously she..?

"You know Sumire-chan, I don't think Mamoru-kun would want you to carry on this way. If it is him, I am sure he would want you to be happy."

At that comment, Sumire recalled Yuhis words and clenched her fist. Of course, she knew that. If others can see that, then naturally, she who knew him the most would understand. But that is exactly why she feels bad.

How can she be happy in a world without him? Why would he ask her to do that?

"That idol scout I mentioned to you recorded your performance." 

"Ah."

"Nobody knew who you were, you disguise yourself well, and your stage was small. But you still gathered that many people. To think that my kohai, who admired my voice so much, could pull off a performance like that." Yumi places her hands on her chest as she shuts her eyes. "It puts me at ease."

"Watching you, I feel as though I can keep on moving forward. I feel as though I can reach a better future. As an idol."

Her eyes widened. Is that-?

"So Sumire-chan, please- no reach me. Send your voice to the very end of the galaxy, no even further. I am sure the message you want to convey is something deeper."

"What if I fail again?"

If she fails again, she doesn't know if she will get back on her feet again.