I'll Stand Above the Heavens (Please Support Me)

Airi Sakura's answer was exactly what Watanabe Hayabara had hoped for. The smile on his face grew wider, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly as he casually replied, "I've been thinking I'd like to marry an idol and live off her. I'm looking for someone now." His tone was laced with a playful nonchalance, but his gaze seemed to hook onto Airi's reaction, closely watching her and missing not the slightest change in her expression.

"Huh, really?" Airi's pupils contracted slightly at his answer, and she looked visibly surprised. She lowered her head instinctively, her long bangs falling like a curtain over her eyes and hiding her feelings. But the tips of her ears had clearly turned red, and her expression had grown complicated. Her fingers twisted the hem of her clothes even tighter. She stayed silent for a long while, as if trying to process his somewhat startling answer. Then she slowly raised her head and asked in a voice as soft as a feather settling to the ground, with a hint of tentative curiosity, "Is there an idol you like right now, Hayabara?"

Seeing her looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't, Watanabe Hayabara found it a little amusing. He deliberately drew out his words, speaking slowly. "Well... I wouldn't say there's anyone I particularly like. I didn't pay much attention to the entertainment industry before." He paused, his eyes suddenly brightening as though he'd just remembered something. "But I did see an idol in a magazine the other day who really fits my taste."

"Oh..." Airi immediately lowered her head at that, her chin nearly touching her chest. Watanabe Hayabara couldn't see her lips pursed slightly or her cheeks flushing red.

"Airi, you seem to know quite a bit about the entertainment industry, huh?" Watanabe Hayabara slowed his steps and turned his head toward her, his tone carrying a hint of casual curiosity.

"I know a little." Airi's voice came from behind her bangs, quiet and timid, as if she were afraid of disturbing something.

"Then do you know Shizuku, Airi? She really fits my taste. She's a regular in teen magazines." Watanabe Hayabara stopped and smiled at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Come to think of it, she has the same hair color as you, and she looks a lot like you, too. Especially when she smiles."

"Huh?!" At the name "Shizuku," Airi jerked her head up as if she'd been struck by an electric current. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open as she stared at him, stunned. Her face instantly turned scarlet, as if heat were rising from the top of her head. She was so flushed she looked ready to steam, and even the tips of her ears had turned bright red.

Seeing her reaction, a knowing glint flashed in Watanabe Hayabara's eyes, but he pretended to be surprised. "What's wrong, Airi? It's not like you're Shizuku, right?" His tone was clearly teasing, yet a smile that said he was enjoying the show played on his lips as he fixed his gaze on her flustered face.

Airi was struck speechless by his question. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. She quickly lowered her head, her heart pounding wildly in her chest as if it were about to leap out. Her cheeks were hot enough to fry an egg.

"Airi, why did you stop talking?" Watanabe Hayabara asked with a slight smile and a teasing lilt, looking at her bowed head.

Airi's shoulders trembled slightly. She stayed silent for a long time, as if gathering every ounce of courage she had, before answering in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz. "Hayabara, if I told you I was Shizuku, what would you think?" After saying this, she quickly stole a glance at his reaction, then lowered her head again, her heart pounding wildly in her chest as if it might leap out at any moment.

"If you're 'Shizuku,' Airi, then I'll have to give up on the idea of living off an idol." Watanabe Hayabara looked at her nervous expression and spoke lightly, the gentle smile still on his lips. "After all, I can't exactly let a good friend support me."

"I see..." A faint trace of disappointment crept into Airi's voice.

Seeing this, Watanabe Hayabara quickly added, "I really like Shizuku." His tone turned serious as he fixed his gaze on Airi. "But why did you hide it, Airi? You didn't have to make a fool of me in front of you. I like the cheerful, lively Shizuku without her glasses even more than the Airi you are now."

"Th-this..." Airi clenched her fingers tightly, uncertainty written across her face. Her eyes flickered as if recalling some unpleasant experience. Her lips moved, but she couldn't manage to get a whole sentence out.

"Let me guess. Is it because of some crazy fans, Airi?" Watanabe Hayabara asked softly, understanding in his voice and eyes.

Airi's body trembled slightly. Then she slowly raised her head and gave Watanabe Hayabara a small nod. Her eyes had reddened, as if he'd seen right through her, and hurt welled up in them.

"Don't worry about how other people feel, Airi." Watanabe Hayabara's voice grew especially gentle. He stepped closer and lightly patted her shoulder. "Just be yourself. Whether you're Airi Sakura or Shizuku, you're still you. Just enrich your inner world and seek out what you need." He paused, his gaze turning resolute as he made an unwavering promise. "I'll protect you if you're ever in danger, Airi."

At his words, Airi raised her head abruptly, tears glimmering in her eyes. She looked at Watanabe Hayabara's earnest face and smiled.

"Airi, use my handkerchief to wipe your eyes." Watanabe Hayabara took a neatly folded handkerchief from his pocket and gently held it out to her. His fingertips brushed her cheek, and he took the opportunity to remove her square-framed glasses, revealing her naturally clear, bright eyes.

Airi took the handkerchief and dabbed at the tears in the corners of her eyes with trembling fingers. The blush behind her lenses hadn't faded yet. "Thank you," she murmured.

"Crack—" A sharp snapping sound rang out. Airi, who had been wiping her tears with her head lowered, jerked it up. Her pupils contracted as she stared blankly at Watanabe Hayabara. His long fingers were pinching her glasses. The lenses were webbed with cracks, and the frames had bent slightly between his fingertips.

Watanabe Hayabara met Airi's gaze, his own calm and resolute. He slowly removed the glasses from the bridge of his nose, revealing his sharp eyes, which he'd never shown anyone before. Smiling, he said, "Airi, you don't need to hide behind glasses. You can do well. You can live as yourself." His fingers brushed over the cold frames. "My glasses are just plain lenses, like yours. But to me, they've been a symbol—of what I've been through, and something to lean on. But now, thank you, Airi. I don't need them as much anymore." He paused, his voice carrying a sense of release. "I've already found myself again. I just haven't forgotten the past."

"The wind's picked up." Watanabe Hayabara gazed at the clouds drifting across the horizon and murmured. The evening breeze ruffled his fringe, exposing his smooth forehead.

"Crack—" Another sharp snap rang out. Watanabe Hayabara tightened the two fingers pinching his glasses. The frame broke, and the lenses shattered into tiny shards that scattered over the stone path, catching the faint light of the streetlamps.

He ran a hand through his hair. His fingertips seemed to work magic: within seconds, his once-tame locks grew sharp and tousled, and his bangs swept up to the side, revealing his full forehead. His presence surged, his formerly gentle aura turning keen and unrestrained, like a sleeping beast suddenly awakening.

"I'll stand above the heavens, Airi. Will you be there to witness it?" Watanabe Hayabara spread his arms into the evening breeze, confidence curving his lips.

Airi stared at him blankly, the warm handkerchief still clutched in her palm, the broken lenses glinting at her feet. She suddenly realized that without his glasses, Watanabe Hayabara's face had lost some of its gentleness and gained a sharper edge. Through her blurred vision, for the first time, she could see a person's soul shining so clearly. The evening breeze lifted the hem of her clothes and blew away the last of her timidity. She nodded gently, her voice soft but utterly firm. "I will."

"Shizuku—no, Airi. From now on, Shizuku will no longer exist. There will only be Airi Sakura. Airi, you really are beautiful..."