Present Day

"It has been over six years since the Zero Idols Law was passed in Japan. Civilians and fans alike still deliver outrage as government forces proceed to keep the protesting to a minimum across the country. In other news, the once idol group known as the Loving Rangers have recently been arrested for performing illegal idol-related acts. How much longer must we live like this? Could there a light at the end of this dark tunnel? When will the government finally release information on the reasoning behind such a cruel law? I don't know. All we can continue to do is be patient and have faith a miracle will happen. This is Sam. Signing off." The news program cuts to an ad commercial about a child asking an owl how long it'll take to get to the center of a 'tootsie pop.'

Scrolling through a row of news stations, a finger clicks on one titled, 'Current history of Idols.' After some buffering, a generic voice over plays through video of past idols.

"How did idols come to be what we once loved and enjoyed, but now miss? Decades ago, three girls decided to hold a sort of dance group. In it, they danced and sung simply for the enjoyment. Yet, as time went on, more and more people took notice. Soon, the group's reputation was known throughout all of Japan. Everyone wanted to witness their artistic talents as fan often said they 'idolized' the three. This being coined into the term we use today known as an idol. Now, what is an idol? It is a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered. This-"

Click. The sound of the electronic device chimes before the screen cuts to black.

I don't need to hear Professor Thumper's two hour long definition on what an idol is again. Why did I even listen to it the first 2 times?

Ding. A electronic bell sounds from above the isle.

"Attention all passengers, we will be landing in Numazu city shortly. I repeat, we will be landing in Numazu city shortly. We thank you for flying with us and we hope you have a wonderful day."

A male teenager with raven-colored hair and vermilion-colored eyes peer out the circular window taking in the sight of the city he once lived in. As the plane slowly approaches the ground, his view of the city becomes clearer for the teenager to notice a portion of the city in ruin.

They weren't joking. They really left it like that. Glimpses from six years ago pan through his head as his neutral expression becomes perturbed.

Shaking them away, his demeanor returns to normal. Glancing to the north of the city, he sees the neighborhood district. To the east, what appears to be the school district. To the south, the portion of Numazu laying in ruin as well as the famous stadium where the teen's life changed forever. To the west, the main highway.

Minutes pass before the airplane land and soon after, the passengers are allowed off. Raising from his seat, the teen discards the phone into his pocket as he stands in the now free isle opening the space above his seat and grabbing his duffel bag. Nodding his thanks to the flight attendants, he departs from the terminal having picked up the suitcase containing his PS4 which his puts his duffel bag in to glance at the city around him.

It's been six years and I'm finally back. Relon Lucinance is home.

Feeling a vibration in his pocket, he withdraws his phone seeing a notification from mom.

Mom: Have you landed yet?

Relon: Yeah, just stepped out of the terminal. Otw now. Ttys.

Mom: Okay, be careful.

Relon: Roger.

Tucking it away once more, he takes in a deep inhale of the familiar air. A smile forming as he begins the journey home.

America was nice but nothing beats home. My Japanese home I mean. He mentally chuckles to himself.

Walking along the semi-crowded sidewalk with other civilians, he notices posters along the front of stores and in the alleyways he once traversed as a child. On them are cover arts of idols marked and crossed through.

"Things just haven't been the same you know." A voice of a woman comes from behind him talking low. Thankfully Relon is close enough to hear the conversation.

"I know. Ever since that law was passed 6 years ago, protests haven't stopped. There's nowhere near as many but still..."

"I'd just like to know what the heck the government was thinking taking away idols. It makes no sense!"

"I know... I know... It's just that Numazu isn't as alive as it used to be. This is the place where idols originated! How could they do something so insane?"

"I think that's something we all would like to know..."

Seeming as their conversation has ended, he turns back ahead eyeing the city's people.

Numazu is more quiet than I last left it. The people aren't talking no where near as much since I left.

"BRING BACK IDOLS! BRING BACK IDOLS!" Dozens of voices proclaim together gaining Relon's attention as he looks down the street to a group of marching protesters.

"WHAT DO WE WANT?!"

"IDOLS!"

"WHEN DO WE WANT THEM?!"

"NOOOOOOW!"

Mom really was right. The city is completely different now.

Getting a move on, he hurries on down the block towards the center to stop once more. Heading inside the large central mall, he stops eyeing the many shops on both the ground floor as well as the second.

Even city center isn't as lively as it once was.

"Hey look, right over there is..."

"Let's just go. I don't want to be anywhere near there."

Turning to the murmurs, his eyes land on a clear exit in the mall with black tape blocking the city road leading to a beaten and destroyed cityscape that has seen better days.

And over there is... where it all took place. That's west so I just need to ext the mall this way and keep straight. Not that I didn't know that already. What am I even thinking? It's like I'm acting as some directional assistant in a game.

Shrugging, he takes off at a jog. The whole time, he gives glances to his left as the dozens of roads blocked off by black tape.

6 years ago (1 week later)

It has now been a week since the Zero Idols Law was passed and not only Numazu city, but all of Japan was sent into a spiraling turmoil that made no sense to anyone. Having escaped the police, the three got a much deserved stern talking to albeit only briefly before their parents' attention returned to the situation at hand. What exactly was their next course of action?

It turned out moving away was their best option. One none of the three had a say in. With little time left, the three stayed together as much as possible. Though together, their time was limited as was the activities they could do. Nothing was the same. Not since that cursed law was passed. A law which one could believe to have sucked the literal joy and life force out of everyone in Japan.

Minutes turned to hours. Hours to days and before long, it had come. Their last day together.

Now at the docks, You Watanabe is in front of her parents with a ferry behind them.

"This is really goodbye... isn't it?" Miguel mutters.

"I... I guess so..."

"We need to keep in touch through our letters until we get phones."

"Yeah..."

"So then..." His somber expression remains as he looks to the girl he has come to recognize as his best friend. "Be careful out there." He raises his hand, hi-fiving You's.

"Yeah, you do the same, Miguel-kun."

"You know it!" His voice scruffy as he gives the best respond he could holding back the emotions in his teary eyes.

Both turn to Relon.

"Relon-kun, I-

"No..." You silences herself. "This is just see you later." He says finally raising his head revealing tears freely streaming down his face. "We'll see each other again. I'm sure of it!" He grits his teeth wiping them away as he continues struggling to now talk. "So go out there and become the best swimmer there is! I'll become the best runner! And Miguel will become the best electronics guy and! And...!" He clenches his hands and teeth in frustration to feel arms wrap around him.

Looking up, he sees You and Miguel having gotten into a group huddle, tears streaming down their eyes.

"Yeah! It's just see you later!"

"After you two become the best, I'll be the referee to see who'll win the next time you two race! Land versus Sea! It'll be the greatest thing ever!" Miguel chokes out through sobs.

"You better not let anyone beat you until I see you again Relon-kun, you... you hear me?" You says sobbing through a croaked voice.

"Mhmm! The same goes to you! The only one allowed to beat you is me!" Relon extends his pinky to her as she does the same, both wrapping around the other.

All three nods as they embrace the girl. Her hands hang onto to theirs as she slowly steps back. With every centimetre, their hands begin to lose grips with each other before they completely separate.

All the boys can do is watch as she boards the ship, neither even wiping the tears being shed.

With a blow of the horn the ship begins to depart. A moment passes and You appears from the railing waving at them. Both boys give chase along the port until they reach the end. Reeling back her body, the 10-year-old shouts at the top of her lungs.

"SEE YOU GUYS LATER!"

"SEE YOU LATER!" Would come to be their final verbal response for quite some time.

Present

That was six years ago. So much has happened since then. Miguel, You-chan. I'll see Miguel soon enough but You-chan... I hope you're doing okay. I miss you both.

He stops having long since entered the residential district during his reminiscing.

Another thing I missed; this house. He smiles at the home before him.

A two story home with, the same as any other home around him. It has a stone tile path leading to the front door with a descent sized front yard, but a larger one out back. It has a slanted roof and decks on the second floor. A medium-large sized home one could say.

Admiring the home, he does something he hasn't done since he was a last here over a year ago. Looking at the stone tiles, he hops onto each with his tiptoe as if it was a game of hopscotch until jumping onto the front porch with both feet in a finished fashion.

chuckling to himself, he can only think of one thing; It's good to be home.

Reaching into his other picket, he pulls out a set of keys. Picking one out in particular, he opens the screen door before inserting it and twisting the nob.

Opening the door, the alarm signaling said door chimes once as Relon steps fully into the home.

Looking around, nostalgia hits him in all the right areas as a giant grin becomes clearly noticeable.

From his position, ahead is a hall going to the back, to his left is what he calls the 'chill room' with nothing but some seats and other furniture. To his right is the living room. In the back right corner is the kitchen. Down the previously mentioned hall is the laundry room and bathroom. Upstairs are the rooms as well as bath and other restroom.

Dropping his duffel bag, he hears footsteps quickly come his way. Meeting them halfway, he steps into the living room to be met with the woman that brought him into this world.

"Now, don't even try to act mute." She sudden laughs for Relon to not budge before a snicker escapes him.

"Hey mom." He greets waking to the woman, both with open arms as they embrace one another.

"I missed you so much, Relon." She whispers resting her head on his caressing it gently.

"I missed you too, mom."

After a moment, they break apart.

"Look at you. You really have grown a little more since last year." She exclaims happily, measuring their difference in height with a hand.

"I told you I have, I'm slowly catching up, hehe."

"Give it a few more years, little man." She winks.

He rolls his eyes at her antics before both burst in a fit of laughter.

Six years ago, when the three separated, You Watanabe became a student abroad while Miguel moved back to his parents in Italy leaving Relon Lucinance and his family to move to America.

Though, almost exactly one year down the line, both parents filed for divorce. Simply put, they were fed up with each other. Between constant arguments over work, tending to Relon, and their own relationship, they just couldn't handle it anymore. The Zero Idols Law was something Relon personally blamed to be the cause as the problems only began once they left Japan.

In the end, both parents settled on an agreement. One parent would keep Relon for a year and then switch off until he was of age to fend for himself. His mom later moving back into their old but new-looking home and dad staying in America.

Personally, he hated how things had turned out but eventually understood that when life gave you lemons, you had to make some lemonade.

So he did. Studying on school, getting on-and-off jobs, playing on the sports team which they made nationals for his high school, and most of all, he kept in touch with his mom, You, and Miguel.

Soon after, he got a phone and quickly got their numbers. The three often entering 3-way calls having missed each others' voices. As years went on, Relon quickly adapted to the family rotation. So, here he was now in Japan. A little over halfway in March.

Looking to his mother, he can only smile at the woman. Now working as head doctor at Numazu's main hospital, Mé Lucinance is someone Relon is proud that he can call a successful woman who's been through a lot his mom.

"What are you looking at me for? Wait, you don't see any grey hairs, do you?!" She asks frantically pulling get long hair to her front.

"So you have been overworking yourself!" He points out.

"I have not! When work calls, work calls. As the head of the biggest hospital around, I tend to be called a lot mind you, young man."

"Hmmmmmmmm."

"Believe me or not, I have today off so let's get you settled shall we?" She walks past him, the two heading upstairs.

Coming into a single hallway, there are five visible doors. The end of the hallway's being the bathroom. Two on the left being Relon's an then his Mom's and across from Relon's is the room that was once You's along with the other guest room next to hers.

Opening his, both enter. Looking around, the second wave of nostalgia hits as he looks around. A simple design of a bed next to the screen door to the walkway circling around the house. Some dressers next to the closet with a desk adjacent from the bed and a red and black rug in the center of the room.

"Looks the same as I left it. Just without the dust." He jokes.

"Who do you take me for? Do you really think I would leave this room alone for a year and not dust it?"

"You make an excellent point."

"As do I always." She crosses her arms in triumph.

Moving to pick up a picture, Relon smiles seeing a photo of himself as a kid with You and Miguel.

"Have you told them, you're back yet?" His mother asks, the male's eyes go slightly wide.

"No, I haven't! It completely slipped my mind!"

"Oh, well I'll let you settle in then you should let them know. I have a feeling this year is going to be quite interesting~." She winks closing the door behind herself leaving a confused Relon to just look at where she departed.

"Okay...? What the heck was that about?"

Shrugging the useless thought away, he throws his suitcase onto the bed. Stretching his arms an allowing a grunt to escape through his throat, he opens it removing his stuff. Out comes some shirts, shorts, pants and other accessories like necklaces and his PS4. After half an hour of sorting and rearranging, he plops back on the bed now finished. Having gotten used to traveling so much aside from the back and forth trips between America and Japan, Relon has quickly come to understand the meaning of packing the essentials.

Pulling out his phone, he double-taps the screen for the electronic device to turn on revealing the lock-screen. A picture of himself with his mom and dad before the divorce. Swiping up, the face recognition kicks in as the phone makes a clicking sound before unlocking revealing some apps in front of another picture of the three. Miguel and Relon on one side and You in the middle. All grinning giving salutes in front of the stadium.

Clicking on the message app, it opens to reveal a few group chats though he clicks the one at the very top titled 'Best Friends.'

Relon: Hey guys, just got back home.

Miguel: Alright! Time to pull out that list of things to do I've been writing.

Relon: Hell yeah! I'll stop by your place tomorrow. Gonna enjoy the night with mom. We got a year together and I'm gonna make the most of it.

Miguel: Speaking of year. Scale of 1-10. How would you this the year with your dad was?

Relon: 7/10. Only being him constantly trying to have me join track again. While I like running, I prefer running until I can't run anymore. Not run super fast only to stop minutes later. You know how I am.

Miguel: Indeed. Speaking of You, where is she? Usually she's the first to respond when one of us texts in the chat.

Relon: She mentioned going on a trip right around the time I left for Japan, remember? Maybe she's still on the ship or plane.

Miguel: Oh yeah, that's most likely it then.

"Relon! Dinner will be ready soon! Go ahead and take your bath!"

"Kay!" He responds down the hall.

Relon: Hey, mom's calling for dinner. I'll see you tomorrow, man.

"Miguel: Aight, bet. Night, bro.

Relon: Night, Aniki.

Plugging up the charger to the outlet behind his bed, Relon plugs in his phone leaving it on the dresser as he undresses. Grabbing a towel on the way in, he lets the hot water fill the tub. Seeing the steam rise from the hot water, he doesn't hesitate as he lowers himself hissing for a moment at the burning sensation before sighing in relief.

Sooooooo needed. One of the perks of being short, I can lay in the tub and backseats of cars.

As he's washing himself, his mind wanders to You.

She mentioned going on a trip but refused to tell us where. Mom ominously mentioned this year being interesting so could it have something to do with You-chan? Nah, I'm thinking too hard into it. She's studying abroad so the odds of suddenly seeing her after six years are close to none.

His mind begins to wander to the pictures she's sent over the years at her growth.

Thinking about it, she's gotten really pretty. Shaking the thought, he looks to the ceiling sighing. I don't get why she stopped sending selfies months ago. Wish I could see you in person. I miss ya, You-chan.