40. Fire Flower

Her heart is beating so fast.

All she can do is watch him on stage, singing. Her childhood friend, the boy she's always had a crush on, singing.

About her. For her.

Rin's not sure what she expected. He had grabbed the microphone in both hands, and began using that melodic voice of his in a song so heartfelt she couldn't believe it was really him.

Her best friend gazed straight at her and spoke every word as if directed to her. On stage, Len confessed his feelings.

The realization that he finally noticed, that he felt the same, could only make her smile, causing hot tears to trail down her cheeks, lit up by the beautiful fireworks behind the stage. He grinned at her so brightly her breath caught, and his words fell over her like gentle rain.

"I'll sing my feelings to the sky- Rin, I love you!"