Every time they faced the minions and residents of Hell, Akari's body recoiled due to her soul reacting with the evil energy. It was worse than what she previously went through. With the growing forces of evil, her situation was getting worse. Coughing up blood, losing consciousness- these had become common now.

Ever since she had helplessly whispered why me, he also wondered why she had to face such excruciating pain. Her fate was already so messed up. Why did she, a mere human, also have to go through this much physical strain? He couldn't but feel bad for her.

In the midst of all that, three months flew by.

The day she had been eagerly awaiting had finally arrived! Yes, it was the day of STARISH and Quartet Night's joint live!

Akari woke up with a start. Not out of fear but out of excitement. It's here! It's here!! It's here!!!

It was just daybreak, yet she jumped out of bed so energetically. She twirled mindlessly. The best day of my life! The day my dream comes true!

Exiting her bedroom, she found Eiichi on the couch in the living room. That's right, he had started living with her. Not being one to sleep, he had been going through his paperwork all the while.

"Good morning~ What a lovely day it is!" Akari chirped in a sing-song voice.

"Good mor-" He stopped when his eyes looked up at her. "What's with your face?"

"Oh! It's a face mask for healthy and glowing skin. It's an important day, after all~"

"You're surprisingly energetic so early."

It was a good thing, considering she had been gloomy and so worn out in the last few weeks. She peeled off the face mask and washed her face before coming out of the bathroom to make two cups of coffee. She sat beside him with her own mug and handed him his. It had become a daily routine for them.

She leaned towards him. "Well? Doesn't my face look better?"

It wasn't the face mask but her own excitement and happiness that had brought a glow to her face. This STARISH and Quartet Night were truly amazing people to have cheered her up this much.

"I suppose so."

Smiling, she sipped her drink. Soon, her smile fell. "It's a shame Haruka can't come. She really wanted to go but her grandma's health is more precious."

He recalled the conversation she had with her bestfriend the night before. Akari had looked so disappointed when Haruka had informed her she was returning to her hometown to take care of her sick grandma. But she could understand the reasons.

"Tomo-chan is out of the country as well, attending a family outing. In the end, out of the three of us, only I am to enjoy the live…" She quickly snapped out of her sorrow. "No more negativity!"

She jerked her head to the man beside her. "Haruka went through the effort of sending her ticket to me so that you can tag along. You have to enjoy it on their stead!"

"Yes, I understand." He sighed, remembering how she had gone on and on about the procedures to enjoy the live the previous night. While he may not have an interest in the live itself, it had given him the opportunity to protect her closely. Otherwise, he would have protected her by casting a barrier around her and looking out for the arena.

"Anyways, I'm going to get ready after breakfast. I have so much to do!"

It was the first time Eiichi had seen her like this. Akari had taken more than an hour in the shower. When she came out, the sweet fragrance of her shampoo and soap had filled the house. He wondered if she had emptied the bottles.

As for her getting ready, she was locked in her room for more than half an hour. She had chosen what she would wear beforehand but she still seemed hesitant because she 'wanted to look her best'.

Tomo-chan would've worn magenta and Haruka would've chosen pink. I should…

In the end, she wore an embroidered red one piece. Aside from her braclets, she also wore the STARISH and Quartet Night bracelets. After applying some make-up, she brushed her long brown hair. She decided to keep it open today. The curls at the ends were perfect.

It had taken her more than two hours to dress up, completely contrary to the few minutes she usually takes. It's their joint live, after all!

When she came out of her room, she saw Eiichi in his previous position. "Great! You're ready."

"I should be the one saying that." His eyes shot up behind his framed glasses the moment he laid his eyes on her. She was looking…. wow….

"Sorry to have kept you waiting. I ended up taking more time than I anticipated." She didn't notice his enlargened eyes staring at her in wonder due to the glare of his glasses.

Eiichi cleared his throat. "Won't you feel cold just wearing that?" He pointed at the short sleeved dress she was wearing.

"Oh, no, their songs will make warm you up. But I've taken a sweater, in case it gets cold on the way here." She smiled broadly.

A playful smile appeared on his face. "I guess even someone like you can look pretty in the right dress."

Akari kept her sweet smile. "I'm in a very good mood so I'll take that as a compliment." She clapped her hands. "Enough chit chat! Let's go before it gets too crowded!"

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"I can't believe I'm actually here!!" Akari jumped excitedly. "Dear Tomo-chan and Haruka, I promise to burn every single moment in the back of my mind and write the best report for you!"

"I thought it was only you who was trembling with joy but I was wrong." On the seat beside her, Eiichi looked around. "Everyone here is at the same state as you."

"This STARISH and Quartet Night- they're very popular, it seems," Eiichi commented.

"They are!" She grinned, shaking with giddiness. "Oh, how I could go on and on about them!"

"Are all these people really here to just watch them and hear their songs?"

"It's not just viewing them and listening to their music. Idols are much more than that. Idols spread happiness, courage and hope with their songs. They become a pillar of strength for you. Whenever you feel like you're at a dead end of your life, their songs can lift your spirits and fill you with strength. Their music is always with you."

In reality, Eiichi could see how that applied to Akari also. Her life was in constant danger and physical pain. But the thought of her favourite idols boosted her mood and brought such a wide smile on her face which had been subdued in the past few weeks.

"What a powerful thing music is…."

The female nodded vigorously at his proclamation. "You'll realize it once you watch their live."

When the lights turned off and the live was about to begin, Akari held lightsticks in between her fingers in both hands. "It's starting!!! Eiichi, quick, change the colour of your lightstick!"

"You mean this?" The bespectacled man picked up the lightsticks she had given him. "This button, right? …. Which colour am I supposed to display again?"

"I already explained to you last night?!" Shaking her head, she put down hers and picked up only one to explain everything to him all over again.

"This one is for STARISH. The red is for Otoya, blue for Masato, yellow for Natsuki, purple for Tokiya, orange for Ren, pink for Syo and green for Cecil." She then picked up another lightstick. "There are five colours here. Use it when Quartet Night is on stage. Viridian green for Reiji, Crimson for Ranmaru, lilac for Ai and Aquamarine for Camus. The silver is when they're singing a unit song."

She gasped. "You remember who they are, right?! You didn't forget such important details, did you?!"

"No, I remember that much." He was honestly surprised at how perky she was being that day.

"Good. Now, light any colour. It's starting!"

"Are you ready?"

"KYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!" Akari erupted into cheers just like all the fans in the arena.

"10!" She counted with everyone.

"Are you ready?"

"9!"

"Are you ready?"

"8!"

"Are you ready?"

"7! 6! 5!" She waved the lightsticks while screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Are you ready?"

"4!"

"Are you ready?"

"3!"

"Are you ready?"

"2! 1!"

"KYAAAAAAA!!!!!"

Eiichi was witnessing a never seen before side of Akari throughout the live.

She screamed. She laughed. She blushed. She cheered. She cried.

Eiichi had taken note of all the different emotions she expressed every moment of the live. They were very amusing and entertaining.

"I'm soooo satisfied!" She cried out. It was night by the time they reached her apartment and she had changed back to her comfortable shirt and trousers. I'm not gonna jinx it by saying I can die happy now since my life is really on the line.

"It's the best day of my life~" She twirled happily, not caring that Eiichi chuckled at her.

"I agree. Their songs were outstanding. I can see why they're so adored by people."

"You finally get it!" She locked her balcony door and closed the curtains. "Haaah…. I wish I could have shared this experience with Haruka and Tomo-chan. They missed the experience of a lifetime. Who knows when we'll be fortunate to land our hands on the tickets before they run out?" She sighed dramatically before placing the merchandises she bought on the table beside the couch where he sat. She was very careful with them as they were holy objects to her.

"Why did my time with them have to end?" She hugged a poster of the eleven idols, careful not to graze it.

"You truly love them, don't you?"

"They have my heart." She grinned. She sighed dreamily as she began to move. "A mere fan as me can only dream of seeing them again."

Due to her being in a dazed state, she tripped on the carpet, alarming Eiichi too. "Woah…!"

But she twirled in the nick of time and regained her balance. Spreading her arms on both sides, she flashed a relieved smile. "Phew, safe!"

Eiichi could only chuckle in amusement at the display. "You ought to be more careful."

"I know. It was just a fluke-" No sooner had she said that than she tripped at her own feet. And lost her balance in actuality this time.

"Eek!"

"Watch out…!"

In an attempt to steady her by holding her, he extended his arms towards her. He failed as she collided with him, which resulted in him falling down with her on the couch. His body protected her from the impact.

Hearing a faint groan beneath her made her realize that she collapsed on top of him. Holy..! She jerked her head up from his chest. "I'm so sor-!!!"

She froze when she found his face right before her.

To be continued