Chapter 53 Reunion

Reunion

Kurumi’s Side

Today was the day of my radio show appearance, and I had been invited as a guest.

Sitting in front of the microphone in the radio studio, I had made up my mind to talk about my past—something I had never shared with anyone before.

“And now, today’s guest, Luminous Stars’ very own Hoshikawa Kurumi-chan!”

The lively voice of the host filled the studio. Adjusting my headphones slightly, I smiled and leaned toward the microphone.

“Thank you for having me!”

“So, Kurumi-chan, I hear you have something special to share with us today…?”

At the host’s question, I took a deep breath, my eyes lingering on the microphone for a brief moment. Then, as if steeling myself, I finally spoke.

“Yes. Today, I want to talk about the real reason I became an idol.”

At my words, the host seemed momentarily surprised.

“The real reason…?”

“Yes. I’ve kept it a secret until now… but I haven’t been entirely honest.”

After a short pause, I continued.

“Up until this point, I’ve always said it was because I love singing and dancing, or because I want to make my fans smile. But the truth is… that’s not the whole story.”

“The real reason is… I’m searching for my papa.”

The moment I said it, silence fell over the studio.

“Papa disappeared when I was little. One day, he just vanished without a word. Mama and I searched everywhere, but we never found him. So… I thought that if I became famous one day, maybe—just maybe—he’d see me somewhere and come back to us.”

My voice trembled slightly, but my determination never wavered.

“That’s why I became an idol. It’s true that I want to make my fans smile… but just as much, I wanted to find Papa.”

When I finished speaking, the host fell silent. But after a brief pause, their voice returned, gentle and warm.

“I see… Even so, Kurumi-chan, you’ve come so far. That’s truly admirable.”

Their words sent a gentle warmth through my heart.

Noticing that I was struggling to find words, the host spoke again.

“Then… how about sending a message to your father, wherever he may be?”

“…It might be a little long. Is that okay?”

“Of course. Take your time.”

Encouraged by the host’s kindness, I took a deep breath to steady myself. Then, carefully, I began to speak.

“To Papa,

I wonder how much time has passed. Do you still remember when I was little? I still recall the days when you used to lift me onto your shoulders and play with me at the park. Back then, I thought you were the strongest person in the world—a hero who knew everything.

But one day, without warning, you were gone. You left home and never came back, without a single explanation. Since then, Mama has raised me, my little sister, and my little brother all on her own.

There were days when I longed to see you again. But as time went on and I kept wondering why you never returned, a part of me started to give up.

Even so, I decided to become an idol.

Because I thought that if I stood on stage and shined brightly, maybe—just maybe—you would see me somewhere and come back to us.

There’s something I want to say before I end this letter. I don’t hate you, Papa. I was hurt when you disappeared, but even so, I still love you. And I hope that one day… we’ll meet again.”

When I stepped outside the studio after finishing my recording, I felt surprisingly light—like a weight had been lifted off my chest. Talking about my past, something I had carried alone for so long, felt like finally setting something free inside me.

Even though it was part of my job, I had spoken from the heart.

Maybe… this was the right thing to do.

As I walked down my usual path, lost in thought, I suddenly noticed a figure up ahead. The setting sun bathed them in soft light, making it hard to see their face clearly. For a moment, I wondered who it could be.

But as they drew closer, their features came into focus—wrinkles traced by time, hair that had begun to turn gray, yet a familiar expression. My heart pounded in my chest.

“Kurumi…?”

The voice was unfamiliar… yet somehow, it carried a warmth I knew. My steps halted on instinct.

He was dressed simply, in a jacket and jeans. I stared at his face, my breath catching in my throat.

“P-Papa?”

The moment the words left my lips, a warmth spread deep in my chest.

There was no mistaking it.

The face I had imagined countless times was standing right in front of me.

Papa gave a small, hesitant smile before finally speaking.

“…Kurumi, you’ve grown so much.”

At those words, I felt hot tears spill down my cheeks before I even realized it. My legs trembled, refusing to move.

This was the reunion I had dreamed of for so long… so why did it still feel so unreal?

“Is it really… really you, Papa?”

When I asked, Papa took a step forward and gently placed his hand on my head.

“I’m sorry… I took too long.”

The moment he said that, everything I had been holding back poured out all at once.

“You really did! I’ve been waiting for so long…!”

My voice broke as I cried out, and before I knew it, I had thrown myself into Papa’s chest.

His hands gently wrapped around my back, holding me close.

“I’m so sorry, Kurumi. Truly. But… I finally got to see you. I’ve known for a long time that you became an idol.”

Papa’s voice trembled. Just knowing that he had been watching over me all this time lit a small, warm flame in my heart.

“I see… So you knew… I’m really glad I became an idol.”

At some point, the sounds of the world around us had faded away.

Bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, I wrapped my arms around Papa in return. His body felt thinner than I remembered, but his warmth was the same.

For a long time, we simply held each other, as if trying to reclaim all the years we had lost.