💔Chapter 6 — Just Be Friends

- Original song: Megurine Luka https://youtu.be/esaV1kjzg_Q?si=UV_IblDkgqTdyFo6 - Cover: Kamui Gakupo & Megurine Luka https://youtu.be/bR_8vSve7f4?si=alseBLvRLz13wofM - Cover: 神威がくぽ & 巡音ルカ (Jazz ver.) https://youtu.be/WFXmWk3OgwA?si=dOhRJ21cVVZz7Ycf - Just Be Friends (feat. 小豆沢こはね & 白石杏 & 巡音ルカ) https://youtu.be/cSLZXM0WyWw?si=M_Uo8cAXeTnIAcn4 💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 Winter slowly faded away. A hint of spring began to appear around the campus. The cherry blossom buds had not fully bloomed yet, but the air already carried a faint warmth. Still, the atmosphere between Luka and Gakupo never returned to what it used to be. — After the argument at Gakupo’s apartment, they had both tried to change. Gakupo tried to suppress his emotions. He stopped asking who she was talking to. He stopped paying attention to who stood beside her. Luka tried to explain. She tried to make him understand that she wasn’t trying to leave him. She only wanted to catch up to him. But some things could not be changed simply by trying harder. — One afternoon, after music club practice ended, Luka was discussing an arrangement with another member. They stood close together. The sheet music was spread across the desk. The member pointed to a section of the melody. “What if this part went a little higher?” Luka looked down at the notes. “It might be too high.” “But we can try it.” Gakupo stood by the doorway, watching the scene. That familiar feeling in his chest slowly surfaced again. At first, he tried to ignore it. But the dull, heavy emotion kept growing stronger. Finally, he spoke. “Luka.” Luka looked up. “What’s wrong?” Gakupo’s voice sounded slightly cold. “Practice is already over, isn’t it?” The music room fell silent for a moment. The other member froze. Luka frowned. “We’re just discussing the arrangement.” Gakupo didn’t answer. He simply looked at her. The member said awkwardly, “Then I’ll head out first.” After he left, Luka turned to Gakupo, clearly annoyed. “Why did you say it like that?” Gakupo replied quietly, “I was just reminding you.” “Reminding me of what?” “That practice is over.” Luka stayed silent for a second. Then she sighed. She had grown used to this situation. The same conversation. The same emotions. It had happened many times before. — But in truth, Gakupo wasn’t the only one changing. Luka slowly began to realize that certain feelings were starting to appear inside her as well. Sometimes, during club practice, Gakupo would stand in front of the microphone and casually sing a short phrase. The entire room would fall silent. The other members would say things like, “Gakupo is really amazing.” “His vocal range is incredibly stable.” “No wonder he passed the audition.” Luka stood nearby, listening to those words. For a moment, she would feel proud. Because that person was the one she loved. But sometimes, another feeling would slowly rise inside her. If one day he really debuted… If one day he truly stood on a huge stage… then what about her? Luka looked down at her hands. Sometimes, she couldn’t help wondering whether she would always be chasing after him. That feeling made her feel a little frustrated. And a little afraid. That was why she became even more certain. She wanted to go abroad. She wanted to see a bigger world. To learn more. Because she didn’t want a future where she could only stand in the audience watching Gakupo shine. — Later, they tried talking things through many times. On the way home. Inside the club room. Even at Gakupo’s apartment. But every time, the conversation eventually returned to the same place. Dreams. The future. And distance. — One weekend, they had planned to go out together. Just a normal date, like they used to. But that day, it had been raining since morning. The streets were soaked. People hurried past under umbrellas. Luka looked out the window and said softly, “Maybe we should go another day.” Gakupo was silent for a moment. Then he said, “Come to my place instead.” — That afternoon, Luka returned to his apartment. The rain had been falling since earlier. Raindrops tapped against the window with soft, scattered sounds. Luka sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa. In her hands was a notebook. It was the lyric notebook she and Gakupo had written together long ago. The pages were slightly worn now. Some still had sticky notes attached. She flipped to one page. The chorus was written there. It was the first song they had ever written together. That night, they had practiced until very late. The two of them sat on the floor, surrounded by sheets of paper. Gakupo had laughed and said, “One day we’ll sing this on a huge stage.” Luka had laughed too. “Then we’d better write it all the way to a world tour.” Her finger rested on that line of lyrics. But the song stopped at the chorus. Every page after that was still blank. Luka spoke softly. “Gakupo.” He looked up. “Yeah?” Luka kept looking at the notebook as she said slowly, “I’ve decided.” The room was quiet. Only the rain could be heard. Gakupo didn’t ask. As if he already knew what she was going to say. Luka said quietly, “After graduation…” “I’m going overseas.” Gakupo lowered his head. His fingers slowly tightened. After a moment, Luka spoke in a small voice. “I’m not trying to leave you.” “I’m trying to catch up to you.” She lifted her head and looked at him. “Didn’t we promise?” “Didn’t we say we’d become singers together?” “Didn’t we say we’d stand on the same stage?” Gakupo looked at her. For a moment, his expression became very still. After a while, he spoke softly. “Luka.” She looked at him. Gakupo stayed silent for a long time. Then he finally said, “We should break up.”