My Idol, My Brother

Chapter 16: Forever, I'll Wait

Mari entered their classroom, only to be welcomed by Shiba's sour face, waiting for her. She raised her eyebrow, "Um, excuse me? I need to get into OUR classroom,"

"Where is she? Where did she go?" Shiba asked.

Mari sighed, "For the nth freaking time, I don't know, Jesse-kun doesn't know where, how would you expect me to know where?"

"Ugh!" Shiba left their classroom. Mari went to her seat and looked at Jesse who was just staring out the window, as if he was watching the sky. She elbowed Erika to go and approach Jesse. Erika first didn't want to but then Mari was able to convince her.

Erika slowly approached Jesse, "Hey, um... what are you looking at there?"

"The sky..."

"Why?"

"Cause I don't know where she is, but there's one thing I'm sure of, we're still under the same blue sky, so... I look at the thing that connects us,"

"You really love her, ne?"

Jesse nodded, "More than anything in this world... I didn't expect that the rage, the guilt that I felt before... she effortlessly turned them to a love, an undying fire of love that will never be extinguished... people might say that I only feel this way because it's fresh, no... I can see myself in the future still madly and deeply in love with her, and I'll hold to that future, no matter how long it takes for me to wait,"

Hearing what Jesse said, Erika lost all the hope she was feeling, now that Aya's gone. She was surprised that Jesse's simple act of protecting the cake will have a huge impact on her, but now, seeing how Jesse loves someone, Erika somehow fell in love even more with him. He protects the smallest, most fragile things. He notices the smallest details, realizing that the sky can still connect him to the person he loves.

"I envy Aya-chan, she has someone loving her so much..." she told him.

Jesse looked at Erika and smiled, "You'll find your someone too, don't worry... in the most unexpected way... like how she found me in the most unexpected way as well,"

It's already almost Christmas. Jesse was walking around Shibuya, with no direction at all. It was a snowy day and everyone was bundled up by their coats. He looked around and a small smile formed on his lips as he saw lots of couples surrounding him. He didn't feel jealousy nor envy, because seeing other couples that way, he'll learn to cherish Aya even more. It's true, he realized, you'll appreciate someone more than anything once they're out of your reach.

While walking, he saw a small jewelry shop in a corner. He stood outside, just looking at the display. He didn't want to go in because there were lots of people inside. He was about to leave when the shop owner approached him, "Buying something for Aya-chan?"

Jesse looked at her, surprised how she knew what he was thinking. He nodded.

"Follow me then, it won't be good for a celebrity like you to be in a small crowded area, especially if you're buying for someone controversial," the shop owner led him to the back door, "I own this shop... I was happy to see you standing outside, thinking of the person you love,"

"You..."

The shop owner nodded, "Yes, I'm one of those people not against of your relationship with her. My daughter is a fan of yours, you see... she was hurt at first but when she heard that you're not really related, she thought, it'd be nice for her idol to be with someone he's closest to, someone he's very comfortable with, she even said, 'it's probably nice to be in love with your bestfriend, ne?'"

Jesse smiled, "Yes it is... she is my best friend,"

"I'm married to my best friend, and my marriage life has been the best years of my life because of it... many people disapprove of you and Aya-chan because it'll encourage siblings to... you know? But I see nothing wrong with it if you are not really related... I don't understand, but people can just think of it as you met her like she's boarding to your house," the shop owner let Jesse in her office, "here's our catalogue, if you want anything for Aya-chan, just tell me, I'll give you discount as well,"