Never Be Apart

CHAPTER 26

I never lost my smile while watching. The white curtain went blank for a while, and I waited a few minutes before I heard some instruments start playing. I glanced at Ashden, who was still staring ahead.

Slowly, the curtain opened, and I could see Haruki, Natsumi, and Aki. Each of them had their own instrument—Haruki on piano, and the other two on guitar. When the intro to my favorite song began, I couldn't help but smile.

"Broken all the pieces I've been shaping lately,
Focused on the things that didn't make no sense.
Guess that growing up was never meant to be easy," Aki started, and I couldn't help but sing along.

"Yeah, I got used to doing everything sideways,
Didn't really care about how everyone felt,
Hiding my emotions down in different ashtrays," Natsumi continued. I clapped along with the beat, swaying a bit.

"Oh, but what is lost ain't gone,
No, you can't just let go,
'Cause it's a part of you that will make you strong,
Embrace your flaws," Haruki wrapped up before the chorus.

"I'm not gonna fight back what I've become,
Yeah, I've got bruises where I came from.
But I wouldn't change if I could restart,
I ain't gonna hide these beautiful scars."

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. Ashden was there, holding a mic and looking straight at me. He stood up and walked to the front, joining Aki, who was still strumming her guitar. He smiled at me while singing, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"I've been going way too hard on myself,
Guess that it's the reason that I'm feeling like hell.
But I wouldn't change if I could restart,
I ain't gonna hide these beautiful scars." They all sang together at that part, and I found myself joining in. I thought they would continue with the second verse, but to my surprise, Ashden started talking while they kept playing their instruments.

"Not too long ago, I met this amazing girl," Ashden started, his voice a mix of excitement and nervousness. I just sat there, watching him while the other three kept playing their instruments while laughing and joking with each other. "I never thought that... she'd end up being such a big part of my life," he continued, a shy grin spreading across his face as he looked away, scratching his nose like he always does when he's a bit flustered. "I'm not exactly a pro at giving birthday messages, but there's something I really want you to know..." He took a deep breath, looking serious for a moment. "I like you, Yuki. I know it's pretty obvious from how I act, but I mean it. I like you, Yuki. Like, really, really like you."

I was totally taken aback, just staring at him, my heart racing like crazy. It felt like it was pounding loud enough for him to hear. I instinctively put a hand over my chest, still focused on him and the look in his eyes. It was one of those moments that felt like it lasted forever.