Before I knew it, I was standing here on this stage, holding the guitar I always play beside you.
But things didn't go as planned and you are no longer here beside me.
Strumming her guitar, she can't help but feel nostalgic. The same melody, the same tune echoed into the place. She knew that this day will come someday but she didn't know it will be this soon. The amount of heavy feeling filled her chest as she clutches onto it. There was no one beside her, no audience cheering for her. Just the light and the stage that resembles the bridge on top of Shibuya River as Kobayashi Yui began to sing the song that represents their tragic love story at the top of her heart.
"友達の二人でいた方が" (It would be better for us to exist as friends)
"長続きできるならそれでいい" (If we continue for a long time, that would be good)"
密かに願うよ" (I secretly desire)
"そう永遠の恋" (This eternal love)
She wonders what will happen if she did tell Imaizumi Yui about her feelings toward her. Maybe everything would be different. Maybe they will be able to stand next to each other until now. Maybe she can still tell Zuumin to focus on singing so she can be the lead. Maybe.. just maybe... Yuipon can be the heroine in her story
Her voice is shaking. It's not the first time she sang Shibuyagawa alone. But the loneliness made her feel nervous. She wants to see the clumsy petite girl's smile so she can gaze at it and not feel lonely anymore. Yuipon wants to hear Zuumin's voice once again as they stand on a stage, viewing their own horizon. She wants to go back to when there's only both of them, in their own little world. Kobayashi Yui never knew she will long for the other Yui's presence. She never expected to be taken by Imaizumi Yui's smile. Tuning, the song when Yuipon finally found it.
"やっと見つけた恋なんだ" (I finally found love)
Even until now, I still receive stimulation from her.
She cannot accept it. She cannot accept that it's already too late. Shibuyagawa represents her a lot. Shibuyagawa represents their feelings towards each other a lot. Yuipon loves Zuumin but she didn't notice it. Zuumin loved Yuipon but it was ignored. They thought it was for the best not to speak about it. It might be unrequited. And even if it's requited, it's forbidden. They are both idols after all.
The other one, Imaizumi Yui thought it was completely hopeless. There are a lot of people by the younger Yui's side. There are a lot of people who are more deserving of Yuipon than her. How can she possibly win? She's just a best friend. Despite being a confident idiot, she is still conscious of her feelings. She wants to love without thinking that it's just some kind of easy game.
When she graduated from Keyakizaka, she cannot help but feel lonely. There was a new feeling inside her. But little by little, she noticed how Yuichanzu's presence slowly disappeared from people's perspective. There is another person beside Yuipon's side. She thought that maybe leaving was for the best. Imaizumi Yui thought that maybe.. one of her first close friends in Keyakizaka, Risa looks better beside Yuipon.
Two years have passed, the both of them couldn't move on at all. But they are still by each other's side, playing hide and seek with their feelings even though none of them are looking for each other. Kobayashi Yui supports Imaizumi Yui to the fullest. Imaizumi Yui supports Kobayashi Yui too. They got each other's back. They make each other happy. They are each other's apple of their eyes. They love each other.
But good and painful things should come to an end. It all started when Imaizumi Yui met him. Zuumin knew she got to move forward and start over again. She thought that there's no point if your love is unrequited too so. Zuumin dated Watanabe Mahoto despite knowing about his messed up past. She accepted him and stay with him until she finally fall for him for real.
They dated for months, she felt happy with Mahoto. Zuumin trusted her heart to him despite of her closest people's opinion. The both of them planned for their future, their marriage, and even having kids. The petite girl remembered that she talked about this with Yuipon too. That she will no longer be called Zuumin because she will no longer be Imaizumi when she get married. She remembers how Pon calls her 'Yui-chan' jokingly that time. She remembers and she still think of
'How nice and funny will it be if we're both Kobayashi Yui'
But then, she got to move forward. She already have a lover, everyone knew about it, even Kobayashi Yui herself. But nothing happened, no confrontations. Just a simple congratulatory greeting from the calm and composed younger Yui. Zuumin expected that, and it made her give up on Yuipon completely. But she will never knew about the pain and tears Kobayashi Yui successfully hid during that event.
And now that it's finally too late, Zuumin only learned about how Yuipon felt for her all this time, thanks to Koike Minami. When it's finally too late, when she is finally carrying a child of another man, she only learned that Kobayashi Yui, her true love one, loves her deeply. But there's no turning back already, she will soon start a family. She will be Watanabe Yui soon. And just like that she remembered the last and first song of their duo, Zenmai Jikake no Yume and Shibuyagawa.
She stiffled a laugh, hiding her pain as she listen to Zenmai. "This song embodies my feelings towards you, Yuipon. But will it reach you?"
"何があっても ずっと 君は故郷で暮らして" (No matter what happens, you're going to keep living in our hometown)
"僕よりもっと 素敵な男)見つけて結婚してください" (Please find someone much more wonderful than me and marry him)
Their story is as tragic is just like their Keyakizaka journey. It started with untold feelings, Shibuyagawa, and ended up with a heartbreak, Zenmai Jikake no Yume. If only they can rewrite the history, will anything change? Can they rewrite it with a happy ending? If only... if only there's more courage, maybe the both of them can smile by each other's side.
That's how the story of Shibuya River and The Clockwork's Dream's protagonists ends
as they start a whole new novel.
Congratulations on your engagement and pregnancy, Yui.
Sending from an air mail,
Kobayashi Yui
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