In the Studio & On the Court

Track 00: Press Play

Track 00: Press Play

"Junko-chan!" Otoya shouted as Junko stepped out of the van. It was yet another day for the idols enrolled in the Master Course at Saotome Academy. Junko had just finished a filming for commercial she had been in, and had come back just in time to catch STARISH leaving for one of their interviews.

"Otoya-kun," Junko grinned, "are you all heading out to your interview?" Junko had graduated after STARISH, but she was a special circumstance. Saotome felt that she had excelled beyond her peers and had let her graduate as an idol and composer, yet she found more joy in being a DJ than a composer.

"We are," Ren smirked, "We'll be back to dine with you, My Lady." He winked at Junko making her laugh. Ren had always been a flirt with her, but he was like that in general.

"Don't eat everything, Junko," Syo said patting her shoulder, "We all need to eat too."

Junko rolled her eyes, "I'm the one cooking tonight, Syo. You just eat it all up."

"Will you be baking tonight too, Junko-chan?" Natsuki asked, "Your baking is always delicious."

"Eh, Junko bakes desserts too?" Cecil asked, "I didn't know that..."

"She made the cookies you like, Aijima-kun," Tokiya said, "The ones with the raspberries."

"Ah!" Cecil exclaimed in realization, "Junko-chan, you're so talented!"

"Ah, thank you, Cecil," Junko smiled and looked at her watch, "You should all start hearing out. You don't want to be late."

Masato nodded, "Junko-chan is right, we shouldn't be late. We'll see you for dinner, Junko-chan."

The boys all said their own goodbyes as they climbed into the van Junko had gotten out of. She waved as it pulled away and disappeared from view. Once they were out of sight, Junko turned to the mansion behind her. The mansion was definitely more grandeur than any Junko had ever seen, although she never seen that many. Yet she still called it her home, at least for now. Junko made her way into the mansion, enjoying the peace and quiet. It was only the mid afternoon, so people were still working. It made the place seem much emptier, but Junko didn't mind. It gave her some time to meditate and be by herself. Which, in all honesty, all idols needed after being in the spotlight all day.

Junko made her way to the gazebo that overlooked the lake and sat on the steps. The lake was tranquil, birds chirping in the woods nearby and the water glistening in the sunlight. Looking out over the water, Junko noticed how the breeze made the grass and flowers sway. It was peaceful and reminded her of the days she had spent at the park with her cousins. It had been a few years since she had last seen them.

Her elbow rested on her tight as she leaned her chin on her palm, she wondered what her cousins were doing now.

☆☆☆

Shuusuke was walking to the tennis courts with Eiji. It had been a very quiet day at school, and the genius really wanted nothing more than the excitement of tennis. It had been three years since his days at SEIGAKU, and he had grown a lot since then. In the last three years, he had actually become the captain of his high school team, since Tezuka decided to continue training in Germany and Oishi had gone to a different school to study for his pre-medical courses.

Eiji was his second in command, but hadn't changed much. He was still energetic and excitable, but Shuusuke wouldn't have it any other way.

As the two approached the courts, they could see that some of their regulars were huddled over the screen of a phone. Momo and Kaidou had also joined the regulars, and always eager to play, as they always had been. But today they seemed to be preoccupied with whatever was on the small screen.