* * *
『Your Song』
Tracing the contrails that look like they were drawn with lime on the schoolyard,
Following the sound of only two sets of footsteps on the way home.
What are you thinking about? Your mind is always somewhere else,
Giving nothing but clumsy responses.
I don’t know what kind of feeling this is,
But I just wish we would never reach the level crossing.
Only a few meters after crossing the signal,
The warning light announces the end of our journey.
* * *
The one who said she wanted to perform this song again was Ichikawa.
“It’s the first song I wrote for amane... for this band.”
“But...”
As Azuma-san tilted her head in doubt,
“And you know,”
Interrupting her, she smiled with her eyebrows slightly lowered.
“There are some things that can only be conveyed through song, right?”
A citrus-colored masterpiece was being quietly woven together.
『Takuto-kun, let’s go home together tomorrow?』
『I was a “loner” until the day I met you, Takuto-kun.』
『I’ve come to take those sticks from Sako-san.』
* * *
The train trying to pass by gave us a little bit of grace,
But I can’t see your profile because of the backlight.
What are you thinking about?
The western sky beyond you is melting into a spiteful indigo.
I don’t know what kind of feeling this is,
But I just wish the level crossing would never open.
The words I hid in the sound of the train were:
“I just wish you were here.”
Joy and fun—because I met you.
Pain and sorrow—because I received them from you.
And so, I know I’m being selfish, but—
I want loneliness and happiness from you too.
* * *
『amane is... my idol.』
『You’re my inspiration, my guide. My goal.』
『I want to create music that changes amane’s life.』
* * *
I know what kind of feeling this is,
But I don’t want to give a name to this single emotion.
So I’ve staked everything I have,
To write this for just one person.
* * *
And then, Ichikawa turned back toward me for a split second.
As if earnestly pouring in the feelings she could only say through song.
* * *
Hey, are you listening?
* * *
『amane is my idol. But Ichikawa Amane is different.』
『Ichikawa Amane isn’t my “idol.” She’s just a classmate, and just a band member.』
* * *
This is your song.
* * *
『I am in love with Ichikawa Amane, as a single, special girl.』
That feeling hasn’t changed by even a single millimeter.
A quiet, welling applause broke out.
The vocalist who had been looking back smiled and faced forward.
“Thank you very much. That was ‘Your Song’!”