The new year had begun, and with it came new dreams and new achievements.
Since the release of the first single on the website, the band had been receiving more and more visits and positive comments.
Jun and Kenji spent most of their days working on new songs, replying to comments, and organizing ideas for the band's future.
Meanwhile, Sayuri and Yume were enjoying the last days of winter break to relax, go out together, and closely follow the boys' growth.
"So... how are things between you and Jun?" Yume asked while they walked down the street carrying a few shopping bags.
Sayuri smiled absentmindedly.
"Everything's perfect... maybe too perfect. That scares me."
"Scares you? Why?"
She lowered her eyes for a moment.
"I'm scared everything might suddenly end..."
Yume held onto her friend's arm.
"Relax. Nothing's going to make Jun walk away from you. That boy is completely crazy about you, Say."
Sayuri smiled, feeling her face grow warm.
"And I'm crazy about him..."
That afternoon, the two of them bought snacks, sodas, and a few drinks to take to the cabin where Jun and Kenji had been rehearsing since early morning.
"Heeey! We're here!" Yume announced, lifting the bags.
Kenji immediately stood up.
"Oh! What good stuff did you bring?"
"Hey, love," Jun said, wrapping an arm around Sayuri's waist. "How was your day?"
"Good. What about you guys? Did you finish the song?"
Jun scratched the back of his head, frustrated.
"Not yet... it still feels like something's missing."
Yume walked closer curiously.
"Missing what? Maybe we can help."
Kenji laughed immediately.
"You, Yume? Since when do you understand songwriting?"
"Maybe I don't know how to rhyme," she replied with her arms crossed, "but my critical sense is impeccable."
"Cocky."
"Realistic."
Sayuri started laughing at the two of them arguing.
"Okay, okay," Jun interrupted. "First, let's eat because I'm starving."
After they finished eating, Kenji started showing them some of the new tracks they had been producing.
Sayuri and Yume listened carefully.
"Hmmm... it really does feel like something's missing," Yume commented. "What do you think, Say?"
Sayuri stared thoughtfully at the guitar leaning against the couch.
"Maybe a stronger chorus would help."
Jun quickly looked up.
"A chorus..."
Kenji grabbed the lyric sheet.
"Wait... maybe this could work."
From that point on, the four of them spent hours scribbling ideas, exchanging words, and adjusting melodies until finally—
"Now it sounds good," Kenji said excitedly. "Wanna test it, Jun?"
"Let's do it!"
While Jun and Kenji recorded the new version of the song, Sayuri and Yume stayed by the notebook reading the website comments.
After a few minutes, Yume narrowed her eyes at the screen.
"Hmmm..."
"What?" Sayuri asked.
"I think the boys have an obsessed fan."
Sayuri laughed.
"What do you mean?"
"Look at this."
She pointed at the screen.
The same name appeared several times among the comments:
Usagui.
Supportive comments.
Compliments.
Sweet messages.
Always her.
"I think she really likes their songs," Sayuri commented.
"So what are you girls looking at over there?" Jun asked as he sat beside her.
Yume turned the notebook toward him.
"We're reading comments from a mysterious fan."
"Really? Who?"
"Someone called Usagui."
Kenji opened a beer as soon as he heard the name.
"Oh... her."
Sayuri looked at him.
"You know her?"
"No," he answered quickly. "But she comments on the site every single day."
It was already almost eleven at night, and completely exhausted, everyone started heading upstairs to their rooms.
"Goodnight, guys," Yume said while climbing the stairs.
"I'm heading up too, lovebirds," Kenji commented with a tired smile.
Once they were alone in the living room, Jun settled onto the couch beside Sayuri and pulled her closer.
"Finally... just the two of us."
Sayuri snuggled against him.
"So warm..." she whispered.
The two of them stayed there for a little while longer, talking about the future, dreams, and childhood memories.
Until sleep slowly started to win Sayuri over.
"I think I'm gonna head upstairs... I'm almost falling asleep here."
"Then let's get some rest."
They went upstairs together.
When they reached her bedroom door, Jun gently held her hand before letting go.
"Sleep well, love..."
Sayuri bit her lip discreetly.
"You too."
She stepped into the room and slowly closed the door. The silence around her made her heart race strangely.
Sayuri took a deep breath, walked to the bathroom, and took a hot shower, trying to relax.
Afterward, she changed into her pajamas and lay down, but by then she had already lost all sleepiness. She tossed from side to side, closed her eyes, and still nothing.
"I must be going crazy..." she murmured.
After a few minutes staring at the ceiling, she got out of bed and walked toward Jun's room.
Her hand stopped in front of the door.
"What am I doing...?"
She hesitated for a moment.
Then knocked.
When Jun opened the door, he was wearing only shorts, his hair still damp from the shower.
Sayuri immediately lost her breath.
"I can't sleep... can I stay here with you?"
His expression softened instantly.
"Of course... come in."
While Jun dried his hair with the towel, Sayuri watched him silently.
Her heart was beating so hard it felt impossible to hide.
"Do you want to lie down?" he asked calmly.
Sayuri slowly walked toward him, lifted her hand to his face, and kissed him.
A slow kiss, but full of emotion. Her hands gently slid across his abdomen, making Jun hold his breath.
"Say..." he murmured against her lips. "I don't want to lose control with you..."
She kissed him again without answering, took his hand, and led him toward the bed.
"Love..." his voice came out low. "Are you sure?"
Sayuri moved closer to his face.
"More than ever."
Jun carefully picked her up and laid her down on the bed. His fingers slowly opened the buttons of her pajama top as if he were afraid of hurting her.
Sayuri looked deeply into his eyes, and in that moment she became certain:
That was where she wanted to stay forever.