The city lights twinkled like stars, casting a mesmerising glow over the skyline. From the vantage point of the sky-rise restaurant, the city looked like a sea of stars. Nanami stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, her eyes soaking in the breath-taking view. She wore a stunning black satin dress. Her blonde braids cascaded down her back, contrasting beautifully with her dark skin.

Yasu approached quietly, slipping his arms around her waist. She felt his warmth against her back and leaned into him, a contented smile spreading across her face.

"Here, I got you a mocktail," Yasu said, handing her a drink.

"Thanks," Nanami replied, taking a sip. She looked back out at the city, feeling content.

Yasu had been on a call and only returned. "You know," she began, "you always seem to be there for your friends. It's something I really admire about you."

Truthfully, she found it rather selfless to always be there for those you cared about, it wasn't something she could do.

Yasu's expression softened. "My friends are like family. We only have each other."

"I wish I could be more like that. But sometimes, I feel like I'm rather selfish."

"Selflessness isn't for the weak, Nanami. It's about knowing when to give and when to take." When to give? What did she have to give?

"Tell me more about you, Yasu. We always talk about me." She said, shifting the conversation, she still didn't know much about him, she just knew he was very charming.

He chuckled, a deep, resonant sound. "Alright. What do you want to know?"

"Everything," she said with a playful smile. "But let's start with something simple. What's your favourite thing to do when you're not working?"

Yasu thought for a moment, his eyes drifting to the city lights. "I love drumming, I actually used to be in a band."

"Wait no way-" Nanami put two and two together, "you're blackstone's drummer!?"

Yasu seemed shocked for a moment, "yeah, I keep forgetting you live across Nana."

Nanami felt lighter, so he was only their drummer.

"Will you come back and join them? If you move to Tokyo I could see you every day!"

"Hmm that is a tempting offer, I have been thinking about it... But What about you? Any hidden talents I should know about?"

She scoffed. "Hidden talents? I'm still figuring that out; hmm, we'll find out soon."

He looked at her in exasperation, it made sense - when last did he meet a medical student with hobbies?

The two of them settled into pleasant conversation till late.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Back in Tokyo, a few weeks after the start of a new semester, Nanami stepped out of the taxi, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. She was in an upper area of the city, a place she had never been before.

"Nanami!" Junko called out, waving from the door.

"Junko!" Nanami ran to hug her friend. "You look amazing!" she exclaimed, admiring Junko's white corset top sewn with glistening beads, paired with a long, burgundy skirt. Junko had a gold snake band on her arm, and her hair was tied up elegantly.

"You look great too, but seeing you I feel I might have underdressed a little." Nanami wore a floor-length sleeveless navy-blue gown with translucent opera gloves. A choker of gems adorned her neck, and her hair was tied up like Junko's.

"No, you look fine! Let's go in!" Junko said, ushering Nanami inside.

"How did you find out about this place? It's invitation only," Junko asked curiously as they stepped into the warm, inviting atmosphere.

The bar exuded sophistication with its warm lighting and sleek, modern décor. Men in suits and women in beautiful ensembles sat casually talking with cocktails in hand. A waiter approached with a tray of cocktails, which Junko eagerly accepted while Nanami declined. The grand piano gleamed under ambient lights, providing a soothing jazzy backdrop, while large windows showcased the glittering city skyline. The air was filled with the soft clinks of glasses and hushed conversations, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance and exclusivity.

"Well, I got an invite and had room for a plus one," Nanami explained.

Junko looked at Nanami strangely, about to ask more when a deep voice interrupted.

"Here's my favourite girl," the man said, his arm snaking around Nanami's waist. He wore a black tie suit with his hair tied back, showing off his exquisite face.

"Ah, you are... Akira Sato?" Junko asked, recognizing him.

"Pleasure to meet you. You must be Junko," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.

Junko nodded, starstruck. It made a bit more sense to her now. She was involved with a band vocalist.

"You guys are...?"

"Hm? He's a friend I met by chance at a CD store," Nanami said chirpily. Junko's eyes remained on Akira, who did not look like just a friend at all.

"It's good to see you here to support Nanami," Akira said, wrapping his other hand around her possessively.

"Um... what do you mean?"

Her question was soon answered by a series of glass clinks and an announcement.

"Everyone, I'd like to bring up our star for the night – Eloise!"

Junko watched the crowd, expecting someone else to stand up to the pianoforte. But to her surprise, Akira released his grasp on Nanami, and she stepped forward, taking a seat at the piano.

"Nanami plays piano?" Junko asked in shock. Last she checked, Nanami was a music virgin. What the hell was happening here?

"It's just a backing track," Akira said, laughing. He picked up a drink from a wandering server and sat back to watch the show.

Junko was bewildered. What the hell had Nanami been up to in the past few weeks?

By the time the performance was over, Nanami received a round of applause and retreated to her friends at the back.

"Nanami, that was amazing. I had no idea you could sing," Junko exclaimed.

"You did great, Nanami," Akira said, giving her a hug – an exaggerated hug so the men in the room understood she was off-limits tonight.

Before Junko could get a word in, they were soon surrounded by others who had watched her sing. Akira had to take a step back, and so did she. Junko looked at the tall, lean mass of Akira and couldn't help but feel Nanami had done well for herself. She hadn't heard any rumours about Akira, so he was probably an okay guy. She drank her cocktail in peace, enjoying the next performance.

When Nanami got back home, it was quite late. Nobu was up practicing – a sight she was used to now.

"How did it go?" he asked excitedly, assuming she was on another date.

"It went great, Nobu! Where's Shin? Is he asleep?" she asked, taking off her heels.

"He's been out all night. He should be back tomorrow."

She frowned. "What do you mean? He's 15. Why is he out all night?"

Nobu shrugged. "He does what he wants. He'll be fine."

No? It was not fine. She took out her phone and immediately called Shin. It took her three tries to reach him. She could hear club music in the background, and her face darkened.

"Hello, Shin here."

"Shin, it's Nanami."

"Is everything alright? You don't usually call."

"Is everything alright? Shin, are you crazy? Get home this instant!"

Shin was taken aback. "What...?" A warm hand snaked around him under his shirt. He turned to see the woman he was with, her red lipstick already smudged on his face. She was probably in her late twenties, still in her office attire from earlier that day.

"Who are you calling, babe?" her voice asked, dangerously close to his face.

"Who is that?" Nanami's voice came from the other end of the call, the feeling of impending doom settling over him instantly. "Come back in the next 30 minutes." She cut the call, leaving him frozen in fear.

"Babe?" the woman asked, but he shot up, picking up his things, buttoning up his shirt, and wiping off the lipstick on his face as best he could. He had never been so afraid in his life.

By the time he got back, it had been 40 minutes. He opened the door, his heart in his stomach. She was sitting, waiting for him at the kitchen table, still in her evening dress.

"Explain yourself, or I will jump to conclusions," was the only thing she said.

Whatever explanation he had, she would not like it.

"Shin, you are 15. What business do you have in clubs?" Her voice was firm. He didn't say anything to defend himself. Part of him was bewildered – this was the first time someone had found a problem with his habit. But he wasn't upset. He felt warm instead. He felt so warm that his eyes also felt warm as hot tears dripped down his face.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He only repeated this phrase over and over again. Nanami felt something was wrong and rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him. He tensed up in her arms, his mind rerunning old memories.

"It's okay. You have nothing to be sorry for."

Her words reminded him she wasn't like them. So, he allowed himself to relax and bawled like a baby.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── 

"I'm afraid something happened to him.. I don't know he just started crying, I didn't know what to do." Shin was fast asleep, his arms wrapped around Nanami's waist as he slept soundly on her lap, she stroked his hair and talked to the person on the phone. "I should right? I'm worried about him.. He needs to go back to school too..." She listened to him explain everything to her, her hand not leaving his hair. "I understand, then can you help me out with that?... I know but what other choice do I have? I'm not... I'm rather selfish... Yes, thank you Yasu."