Asahi's moon 🌙 朝日の月

朝光の月 - 8

Chapter 8. "Because we are friends." - HA

Azuki and Asahi couldn't meet since Asahi's debut was very near and he didn't have any free time. So they only video called when Asahi got in bed and about to sleep, that was the only free time he got.

That night, on the video call, Asahi noticed Azuki being strange, but she kept denying and saying that Asahi was being nonsensical. But Asahi could tell that Azuki was sad about something. He said: "You know damn well that I can tell if you are sad right?", making Azuki chuckled.
"I'm not sad! I'm just wondering if we can really keep in touch after your debut."

Asahi smiled and teased her about her silly worries. He reassured her:
"Of course, you're my best friend."

Azuki said with a smile: "Yeah no way you would forget your best friend, we have these friendship bracelets!" And she showed him the moon bracelet on her wrist. He showed her his bracelet too, but he looked blank.

Azuki hyped up talking about Asahi's future as an idol, how he would look so cool and calm on stage. How his name would be placed as the producer of bobs and hits that everyone would know. Asahi slightly smiled and then slowly fell asleep as he listened to her vivid imagination. Azuki then felt quiet again, looking at Asahi breathing stably. She began to sing very softly, in a whispering tone:

"Ai yai ya subete ga yumenara kirei sugiru setsuna sugite
Why yai ya amai boku no koe de iwanaide
You are my best friend"
(iKON - Best friend)

***
Three days later.
Asahi's head was filled with thoughts after the night he heard Azuki singing that song. He was awoken when Azuki began to sang but pretended to be sleeping. But because of the hectic debut schedule, he didn't have time to talk to her, and he also didn't know what to say. That song kept replaying in his mind.

When he finally had some spare time, Asahi asked Azuki to meet him, but she said she was busy with her assignments. She was also quiet on the texts.

"I found a love for me
Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine"

Even when Asahi uploaded his vocal recording of him singing Perfect by Ed Sheeran and asked Azuki for her opinions, she just complimented his vocal and encouraged him like a friend.
"Your voice got much more stable now. You must have been practicing a lot! Hang in there Asahi-kun!"

But every night, Asahi's voice kept repeating in Azuki's mind. She tried to ignore it but just couldn't. She tried to convince herself that they should just remain friends, for the sake of Asahi's career. The idol's life would be hectic enough. He wouldn't have time and energy for a relationship. He worked so hard for this and she didn't want to be the obstacle in his path, even if she had to stay away from him. She curled up on her bed, her heart suddenly felt heavy at the thought of staying away from her 4-year best friend.
Azuki stared in the void as she thought to herself: "I will keep my feelings to myself to protect his dream. That's how much I care for him. But why does it have to hurt so much? Do I love him that much?"

She curled up in her blanket and cried herself to sleep.