"When Ai has already completely made up her mind... will just writing a song for her really be of any use?"
Uika naturally felt doubtful about the method Tetsuya proposed.
As Hoshino Ai's teammate, Uika understood very well that Ai's sensitivity to music and songs was only at the level of an ordinary person. Wanting her to change her mind because of a single song... was unrealistic no matter how you looked at it.
"Of course, I'm not naive enough to think that a single song can change Ai."
In the face of Uika's doubt, Tetsuya's attitude was also very frank.
"The reason I want you to compose this song, Minami-san, is simply so you can take the opportunity to declare your own claim to Ai."
"My claim? But I've already told Ai everything I wanted to say before, and I was clearly rejected by her—"
"If once isn't enough, then say it a few more times."
Tetsuya interrupted Uika's doubt with an incredibly simple and direct statement.
"Until she listens to you, or until she gets completely fed up."
"...Eh?"
Uika was taken aback.
If once isn't enough, say it a few more times?
Although she had indeed never tried using this method, no matter how you looked at it, this was a tactic only an elementary schooler would use...
"Is such a child... simple method really going to work?"
"I don't know."
Tetsuya admitted with great honesty.
"I only know one thing, and that is to her, you are someone who requires a certain amount of 'compensation' before she can completely let go. Since that's the case, then until the debt in her heart is completely cleared, there is only one thing you can do, and that is to express your thoughts to her as much as possible. As for whether it will make her change her mind... that's not something you need to consider. After all, the right to choose has always been in her hands alone."
"..."
Uika finally understood what Tetsuya meant.
"In other words... do my best and leave the rest to fate?"
At this, she couldn't help but shake her head with a look of resignation.
This kind of tentative action with absolutely no guarantee of success made Uika unsure for a moment whether it was a positive or negative approach...
And besides, even if she were to write her claim into a song, what specific content should she present?
As she had summarized before, her feelings for Ai were incredibly complex and individualistic.
It wasn't impossible to present this content through music, but at the same time... she also had to consider other problems.
"Will a work with only a personal claim truly be accepted by others? Or rather, does this song, created for just one person, really have any value being put on stage?"
After all, this was also a new song being created for the May live. If this song couldn't be accepted by others, forget about winning Ai back, even the fans of [Summer Zodiac] would probably be disappointed.
Due to various worries, Uika was still unable to make up her mind.
After hearing her concerns, Tetsuya thought for a moment before continuing.
"While I can't guarantee whether it will be accepted by everyone, at least from my personal experience, a focused and sincere claim can sometimes create a work that truly moves people..."
Tetsuya replied.
"Just like the stage outfit I gave Ai. Even though my mind was filled with nothing but Ai when I designed it, in the end, I still created a piece that was recognized by everyone. Although I don't know what everyone saw in that outfit, at the very least, they all gave it their approval and praise."
"..."
As a witness, Uika was also quite impressed by that stage outfit.
To others, that outfit might have just been an exquisitely beautiful piece of clothing, but to Hoshino Ai, it was a "letter" that recorded Tetsuya's feelings and longing.
Even if the truth was as Tetsuya said, that this outfit was a work meant only for Hoshino Ai, it was still able to be accepted and recognized by people who had no connection to it.
"And in the end, for a creator, it's inherently difficult to predict what kind of results a work will achieve before it's completed. If a creator doesn't dare to create simply because they're afraid of failure, then in the future, they will probably live forever in a vortex of self-denial."
Uika's hesitation made Tetsuya think of Shiina Taki from a few days ago.
Unlike Taki, Uika, as a professional singer, didn't have unlimited time and leeway for trial and error.
But even so, what both of them had to do was the same—
"In a way, we creators are like the stars in the Tokyo night sky."
This analogy from Tetsuya made Uika subconsciously turn her gaze towards him.
"What... do you mean by that?"
"There are far more stars that actually exist in the sky than what we can see now, but even so, we can only see a small fraction of them."
Tetsuya looked out the window at the night sky, where only a few scattered stars were visible.
"It's precisely because their 'claim' is too weak that they can't pierce through the city lights and dark clouds that cover the sky."
"But if you were under a clearer sky, even these... stars with a slightly weaker 'claim' would be seen by others."
Uika retorted.
"And people who look at the stars don't necessarily just want to see the bright ones! What they might want to see is a sky full of shining stars!"
"Perhaps so... but what does any of that have to do with the 'stars' themselves?"
Tetsuya shook his head.
"No matter what their preferences are, or where they choose to look up at the sky, none of it has anything to do with the stars. From the very beginning, there has only been one thing a star can do, and that is to emit its own light. As for everything after that... it's all decided by the stargazer."
"If he appreciates your light, he will naturally stop and stay to become your fan. Conversely, he will also leave and search for the starry sky he seeks. So, setting Ai's matter aside, if you truly want to continue being active as a creator, there is actually only one thing you need to do from the start, and that is to express yourself without hesitation. Otherwise, regardless of whether Ai stays by your side, you will never be able to find your creative groove."
"..."
Tetsuya's words were like thunder, striking a bright and shocking crack in Uika's hazy heart.
These words, which seemed to completely contradict the common sense in her heart, sounded so persuasive coming from Tetsuya, a fellow creator.
As someone who had always been a stargazer, she had never thought that she could understand the relationship between the starry sky and the stargazer, or rather, between a creator and their fans, in this way.
This inspiration from Tetsuya wasn't just about Ai's situation this time. If she were to continue her career as a singer-songwriter in the future, she would always have to consider these things.
Just express my own claim and leave the rest to the listeners...
For an idol who constantly needed to cater to the demands of fans, this way of thinking was a bit too unconventional.
But for a creator, what she needed was perhaps precisely this kind of confidence to always follow her own path.
...Come to think of it, it wasn't just Tetsuya; Hoshino Ai's path as an idol was also exactly like this.
Even as an idol who shone for only one person, even if her performance was never intended for this stage from the beginning, her unwavering stance of being true to herself still captured everyone's... including her own, attention.
If Hoshino Ai really had a change of heart and stayed in [Summer Zodiac], then... would she, who was so hesitant and worried about the reception of a new song... truly be able to keep up with Hoshino Ai's pace?
Did she want to hold Hoshino Ai back merely out of resentment for her selfishness, or out of a lack of confidence in herself?
Why did she want to become a professional singer? Why was she standing on the stage?
...
Uika, who had always just been watching Hoshino Ai, suddenly realized something.
Before the last shred of guilt was severed from Ai's heart, this was her final chance to declare her claim and her thoughts.
Even if she ultimately failed to hold her back, at least she herself would be left with no regrets.
Whether as the "Summer Triangle" of [Summer Zodiac] or as the singer-songwriter "Minami Uika," she shouldn't be so hesitant anymore.
Thinking of this, Uika suddenly looked up and let out a long breath.
In this state... she was confident she could write a new song for Ai!
And not just this time. If she could always maintain this conviction, she might be able to go even further on her path as a creator!
"Right, Minami-san, although I've said a lot to you just now, I must clarify... I don't mean to force you to write a song for Ai."
However, just as an endless creative desire burst forth in Uika's heart, Tetsuya suddenly said:
"Just as Ai has her own right to choose, you, as a creator, also have the right to decide on your own work. My personal opinion doesn't have any binding force; at most, it's just a suggestion. If you feel that doing this goes against your creative philosophy, then please be sure to forget what I've said."
"...Eh? Are you sure you want to say this at a time like this?!"
One moment, Tetsuya was standing before her as a senior creator, sharing his experiences, and the next, he was suddenly saying it was fine for her to forget it all?
Uika was left a bit dumbfounded by this sudden change in temperature.
"Isn't that a bit too sly? I was just listening to all of that with the mindset of a student. Even if you tell me to forget it now, there's no way I can!"
"No, no... I have no intention of acting like a teacher. What I said just now was purely my personal opinion."
Faced with Uika's complaint, Tetsuya quickly shook his head.
"Besides, Minami-san is already a professional singer who has created excellent work, right? The popularity of that music video wasn't just because of Ai and the outfits; the quality of the song itself was an important part that can't be ignored. So in my eyes, there's no gap between us that could be called master and student."
"..."
Sigh, it's that kind of heartfelt opinion completely wrapped in praise again.
Even though he's older than me, and his experience and abilities far surpass my own, he's completely unaware of it, and even closes the distance between us by lowering his own status...
After hearing something like this, it's impossible to feel down, isn't it!
"Chihaya-san... you really are a 'creator' through and through."
Feeling the soaring sensation in her heart that had yet to cool down, and looking at the innocent-faced man before her, Uika couldn't help but sigh.
"I have clearly received your claim."
"So, about writing a song for Ai?"
"...Regardless of its feasibility, I want to try."
Uika puffed out her chest and said in a firm tone.
"I don't want [Summer Zodiac] to disband so hastily, and I don't want to face my future singing career with regrets."
"I see..."
A smile appeared on Tetsuya's face.
"Thank you for caring so much about Ai, Minami-san. In order to help Ai have a change of heart, I'll do my best on my end as well."
"...Right, Chihaya-san."
"What is it?"
"As a singer and an idol, rather than my surname, I'd prefer if you called me by my 'stage name'."
Uika said with a serious expression.
"I need to get more used to being called that myself."
"...I understand."
Indeed, especially for an artist with such high popularity, calling her by her stage name is also a form of respect.
Thinking of this, Tetsuya made his decision without hesitation.
"Well then... if everything goes well, please continue to take care of Ai from now on, Uika-san."
"Mhm. For Ai's sake and for our own, let's both do our best from now on—"
Uika replied with a smile.
"Tetsuya-san."
Faced with such a sudden change in address, Tetsuya was taken aback.
"? I don't have a stage name like that."
"Because I think this sounds better... or do you not like it?"
"Well, it's not that I don't like it..."
"Great, then the issue of how we address each other is settled."
Under Tetsuya's still dazed expression, Uika stood up from her seat.
"Well then, I'll be heading home to write tonight. I'll see you next time, Tetsuya-san."
The train's speed gradually slowed, and with a slight jolt, it came to a stop.
Walking on the empty platform, Uika watched the train depart and whispered to herself:
"I'm so glad I came to ride this last train tonight."
With that, she looked up at the night sky again.
Although there was still only a scattering of light, Uika no longer felt any displeasure or confusion.
"From an astronomical perspective, the Summer Triangle is also composed of 'first-magnitude stars'."
At the end of April, nearing summer, the long-awaited Summer Triangle seemed to have finally prepared to shine in this night sky.