Chapter 21: Finale
-Hinata's POV-
I pointedly kept my gaze ahead while my hair was being styled. Prestige is currently preparing for the final performance of the tour.
Luckily, this one has gone so much more smoothly than the last, but I feel lower than low for some reason. Actually, I know the reason, at least for today's mood. While drunk a few days ago, I did exactly what I didn't want to do and brought up our argument to Sasuke.
The memory was blurry, but I remember what was said by us both. I feel so guilty for saying anything because, to him, it probably seemed as though I was attempting to make him feel bad when that's very much not the case.
Since that night, neither of us has mentioned the conversation, but it feels inevitable. He likely wants to wait until the tour is officially concluded, which I agree is the wisest decision.
"Hey, so, we were talking," Sakura interrupted me by kneeling by my chair and meeting my gaze in the mirror with a smile, "How do you feel about performing the new song tonight as a surprise for the fans?"
My brow furrowed as I whispered, glancing nervously at the hair stylist straightening my hair, "I thought you guys wanted to wait because…well, you know."
Sakura's expression warmed, "At first, yeah, that was the plan, but Gaara and I talked about it and decided if fans begin speculating, we'll go public. If they don't, we'll continue waiting for the right moment." I gave her a bewildered look as she shrugged and added, "Whatever will be, will be, y'know?"
The stylist finished and excused herself. Since I could speak more freely, I faced the pink-haired woman instead of looking at her reflection, "Are you sure? This is your career we're talking about, Sakura."
Her smile softened as she nodded and lowered her voice, "Whatever happens, I'll be happy so long as Gaara's by my side."
My lips tugged into a grin, tears welling in my eyes as I let out a small laugh, "Gosh, don't show me a face like that. You'll make me cry!"
"So you'll sing it with us?"
I scoffed, unseriously rolling my eyes, "Of course I will."
In truth, the song in question was risky because it all but admitted to the world that things within Prestige aren't so platonic in nature, but it's also the most honest and heart-bearing one we've written as a group. Not having to save it for somewhere down the road is a relief because I'm eager to perform it.
"Thanks so much, Hina!" Sakura squealed girlishly before flouncing off to tell her fiance the good news.
A smile met my lips as I watched his face light up when he noticed her approach. They're adorable together. I'm relieved things haven't been as challenging for them as they have for Sasuke and me. That doesn't mean I'm unhappy with the Uchiha man, of course, just that the road to where we are hasn't exactly been smooth sailing.
The time came to line up backstage for the show to begin. As we do at this point before starting each concert, the four of us shared silent looks of encouragement, but this time, I felt a hand slip into mine. Looking at Sasuke in surprise, my brow furrowed when I realized he was staring at the ground blankly. Is he nervous? Maybe he's concerned about how badly this concert had gone the last time we were here.
Squeezing his hand, I offered a reassuring smile when his eyes lifted, mouthing the words, "Everything will be okay." His gaze warmed, and he nodded, bringing my hand to his mouth to kiss it before releasing it and heading onstage because his cue had come. Something about that interaction soothed every bit of my unease.
It was different this time. As though we'd nonconsciously agreed to it, whenever we were one another's partner, the aura between us was playful and happy. Song after song, I found it more challenging not to smile while I sang if he met my eye or had a hand on me.
An hour and a half passed, leaving us all sweaty and hot, but the adrenaline was too intense to make any of us feel tired.
It hadn't been discussed when the new song would be added, so, directly after our final number, Sakura stopped the backstage staff from closing the curtain, speaking clearly into the mic while facing the thousands upon thousands of screaming fans, "Have you guys enjoyed the show?"
The cheers were deafening. I wiped at a few stray tears and accepted a bottle of water from Gaara as he tossed it my way. The high that performing gives is so addicting. This feeling…. It's what I've craved all my life. So, this is what it feels like to do something you love for a living.
"As a thank you to all our fans, we've prepared something new to show you all tonight! Are you ready?"
The crowd roared again.
Sakura looked back at Sasuke, Gaara, and me with an eager grin before facing toward the flashing lights and sea of people, "We haven't even told our staff about this, so please give us a moment to prepare. We hope you enjoy it!"
Gaara turned to signal Yahiko and Deidara, who were waiting offstage. They nodded before disappearing to the sound booth to force them into playing the backtrack the redhead had crafted masterfully on his laptop and keyboard. If he didn't have such a lovely singing voice and skill in rapping, he'd still be one of the most requested producers and songwriters, without a doubt.
Sakura tore her mic from her face and allowed a staff member to remove the pack from her clothing while accepting a wireless, handheld one, speaking to Sasuke and me over the crowd's cheers, "You guys ready? Remember your parts?"
We nodded, also accepting hand mics. Her green eyes shined as she saw Gaara returning to us, a slight blush on his cheeks. The four of us exchanged somewhat nervous looks because there'd be no going back after this.
"It's the four of us, no matter what happens," Sakura said resolutely, cheesily placing her hand in the middle, exerting her power as the group leader.
An emotional laugh passed my lips as I put my hand atop hers, the boys following with varied expressions of nervousness and anxiety.
The piano began playing through the speakers, the crowd quieted down, and Gaara's teal eyes lifted to lock onto his fiancee's as he lifted the microphone to his lips:
"We keep behind closed doors
Every time I see you, I die a little more
Stolen moments that we steal as the curtain falls
It'll never be enough"
The four of us left our circle, spreading across the stage and facing the crowd. Sakura sang next, the tiniest hint of emotion wavering in her voice in the first line:
"As you drive me to my house
I can't stop these silent tears from rolling down
You and I both have to hide
On the outside where I can't be yours and you
Can't be mine
But I know this
We got a love that is homeless"
I shared a look with Sasuke across the stage, Gaara and Sakura barely managing to not stare at one another between us as the redhead started the first chorus:
"Why can't I hold you in the street?
Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor?
I wish that it could be like that
Why can't it be like that?
'Cause I'm yours"
Sakura:
"Why can't I say that I'm in love?
I wanna shout it from the rooftops
I wish that it could be like that
Why can't it be like that?
'Cause I'm yours"
The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, quieting moments later when the following verse came. I gritted my teeth when Sasuke sang. Something familiar about his tone made my chest tighten with the urge to cry.
"It's obvious you're meant for me
Every piece of you, it just fits perfectly
Every second, every thought, I'm in so deep
But I'll never show it on my face
But we know this, we got a love that is homeless"
I realized what it was when I began singing the second chorus. It's how he sang during our debut concert when we performed the ballad "Over and Over Again". Nostalgia warmed my stomach, making my eyes close so my voice wouldn't waver:
"Why can't you hold me in the street?
Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor?
I wish that it could be like that
Why can't we be like that?
'Cause I'm yours
Why can't I say that I'm in love?
I wanna shout it from the rooftops
I wish that it could be like that
Why can't we be like that?
'Cause I'm yours"
Across the large stage, I stood on one end, then Gaara, then Sakura, and Sasuke was on the far end. We were evenly spaced, though it wasn't planned. It sort of naturally happened. For me, I'm glad I wasn't close to Sasuke because it'd be hard to keep my composure singing words like this at his side.
Gaara:
"I don't wanna live love this way
I don't wanna hide us away
I wonder if it ever will change
I'm living for that day"
Gaara and Sakura:
"Someday"
Sakura:
"When you hold me in the street
And you kiss me on the dance floor
I wish that we could be like that
Why can't we be like that
'Cause I'm yours, I'm yours"
Taking a deep, strengthening breath, I did what I do best, and that's let my emotions fuel my performance. As I belted, I thought about the object of my affection and pretended to be saying all these words to him.
"Oh, why can't you hold me in the street?
Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor?
I wish that it could be like that
Why can't it be like that?
'Cause I'm yours"
My eyes shot open when Sasuke suddenly joined me in the second half of the final chorus; I turned my head to see him staring at me openly. With a furrowed brow, I glanced at the crowd and back to him, worried they'd notice his out-of-character, at least to the public, behavior.
"Why can't I say that I'm in love?
I wanna shout it from the rooftops"
I tensed when he began walking toward me; Sakura and Gaara also appeared stunned. In an attempt to keep things running smoothly in case Sasuke was just doing something theatrical for the concert, I continued singing with him, unable to tear my gaze from his.
"I wish that it could be like that
Why can't we be like that?
'Cause I'm yours"
The crowd was silent this time when a slight pause occurred. I stared up at Sasuke with labored breath as he finally stood less than an arm's length away, dark eyes burning onto my face.
He spoke calmly into the microphone, "Keep singing."
The entire stadium heard it, but I could only obey, wide-eyed and fully bewildered. With a hot blush rising to my cheeks, I raised the microphone to my lips and sang the song's final two lines with him, trembling and straightening my spine as he gradually came closer.
"Why can't we be like that
Wish we could be like that"
When the last line ended, a tiny squeak was muffled between us as Sasuke tugged my microphone away from my face and kissed me deeply, right there for the world to see. Gasps, chatter, and cheers erupted from everyone watching, including Sakura and Gaara.
By the time Sasuke pulled away, tears were rolling down my cheeks.
He spoke only to me, where the mics wouldn't pick it up, "I'm sorry."
Covering my mouth with one hand, I watched as he turned to face the stunned crowd and spoke into the microphone, "I've been in love with this woman for over three years."
The arena went silent.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he surprised everyone further by becoming irritated, "If anyone has a problem with that, they can face me. Hinata offered to keep it a secret forever if that's what it takes to protect my career. She didn't know I'd do this. If I told her, she'd try to talk me out of it."
I brought my other hand to my mouth, speaking his name softly despite knowing he couldn't hear it amidst the loud atmosphere.
He continued with the annoyance in his expression softening, "If you're truly a fan of mine, and of Prestige, then I beg of you to accept this. Let us be happy so we can keep making music for you together."
"U-Us, too!" We looked over to see Gaara staring at Sakura with wide eyes and a red face. The pink-haired woman squeezed her eyes closed, visually bashful as she announced nervously, "Gaara and I are engaged. It would mean the world if you could accept us! The four of us are a family, and we want to stay together, so please don't get angry and respond with hate."
After a pause of silence that lasted forever, the arena exploded with noise, cheers, and hollers of excitement.
Sasuke finally met my eye with a tiny grin, holding out a hand. Still crying, I came to his side, interlacing our fingers and staring at his face in awe. Never, in a million years, did I expect him to do something like this.
Staring at me, he spoke into the mic again, tone warmer than before, "I love you."
The happiness in my body overflowed, and I nodded, repeating the sentiment shakily before pulling him down by his shirt and kissing him again. His lips turned into a smile against mine as he wrapped his arms around me, mine lifting over his shoulders naturally as he deepened the kiss.
It was impossible to hear anything but my beating heart, but I didn't care.
All that matters now is that I'm living my dream of being an artist and standing in the arms of the man I love, who'd proudly announced I was his to the world.
Everything that matters is right here, on this stage, with me.
~
Thank you so much to any/all who read this story. Whether or not you enjoyed it or provided feedback, I appreciate it!
The very first rough draft of this was created when I was roughly eighteen years old, and I'm now twenty-six, so it's taken a long time, but here we are at the end! I intend to go over it all and revise/edit when I have some time.
It's been a journey, you guys! Thanks again!
~
Just in case anyone wants a list of the songs used/referred to in this entire series, I'll post a list.
The song that inspired this entire story (also the one used in this finale chapter) is:
Secret Love Song Part 2 by Little Mix. The original is featuring Jason Derulo, but I like this version better. (both versions are good, I just prefer this one)
Over You by Ingrid Michaelson
Home by Lie Ning
Let Me Down Slowly by Alec Benjamin and Alessia Cara
Turning Page by Sleeping At Last
ILYSB (stripped) by Lany
Aliens by The Griswolds and Transviolet
We Go Down Together by Khalid and Dove Cameron
L.O.V.E. Me by Syd Franklin
I Love Me by Demi Lovato
Warrior by Demi Lovato
Praying by Kesha
She's On My Mind by JP Cooper
Move by Sleepy Tom and Sofia Black
Familiar by Liam Payne and J Balvin
We Don't Talk Anymore by Charlie Puth and Selena Gomez
Over and Over Again by Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes
Almost Is Never Enough by Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes
Out My Way by Leroy Sanchez
Hold It Out by Elias
September by Ayoni
Thunderclouds by Sia/Diplo/LSD/Labrinth
Control by Zoe Wees
Adrenaline (Fallin') by Why Don't We
Rumors by Zayn and Sabrina Claude
Butterflies by MAX/Ali Gatie/Jean Tonique
Slow Dance by Ava Max and AJ Mitchell
Give A Little by Ash and Naila
Why by Shawn Mendes and Leon Bridges
Imaginary by Evanescence
Losing Me by JP Cooper and Gabrielle Aplin
Man On The Moon by Benjamin Ingrosso and Alan Walker
Losing Temper by Linda Antonia/B-YAN/XavTHEARTIST
Like I'm Gonna Lose You by Meghan Trainor and John Legend
Don't Deserve This by Nea/Sandro Cavassa/Animal Elektric
Megalomania by Muse
If No One Will Listen by Kelly Clarkson
~
'Til next time!
Please check out my other works, too. Thanks :)
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