1. Goodbye Grandpa

'Don't come, focus on your show.'

Yoko Apasra looked at this message over and over again, each time she threw herself into practicing for the show even more. Choreographing the dances, practicing her vocals to sing well. Yoko was so crazy that the art director strictly forbade her from singing anymore for fear of affecting her vocal cords, and also forced her to go home and not let her practice anymore. It was already 11pm, the day after tomorrow was the performance. If she continued to be crazy like this, everyone was afraid that Yoko wouldn't be able to handle it.

Yet when she got back to her apartment, even though her limbs were exhausted, Yoko only stood there for about 10 minutes to calm down and think, then she went to prepare a black outfit and some necessary items, plugged in a few portable fans. Yoko texted Wan, informing of her intention. Yoko then texted her personal driver, asking him to pick her up at 9am tomorrow morning at the company. After finishing everything, Yoko threw herself into practicing again.

Yoko had been practicing for this program for several weeks, although the program script had to be changed the day before yesterday due to an unexpected event, it did not affect the program's framework. They only adjusted and added another act to replace the duet of the two, Yoko also had to practice dancing quickly for this backup song.

Working at full capacity like that all this time, Yoko has memorized every word of the program, the songs and choreography she also roughly knows 90%. However, according to the schedule, tomorrow is the last day of rehearsal before the show.

"Don't come..."

Yoko still clearly remembered the night before when they met in person, in a hidden corner, Faye held her hand and told her that. Even though her eyes were swollen from crying too much and her figure was clearly haggard, Faye still forced a smile to reassure her. That night, Faye forced her to return to the city as soon as the ceremony was over, because she was afraid that if she came back late at night, Faye would not be at ease. And Faye also reminded her many times not to come anymore but to focus on her performance.

Tomorrow is the day Faye's grandfather is sent off, just thinking about how heartbroken she will be and not being able to be there by her side makes Yoko's heart ache.

Before leaving this afternoon, as the CEO of the company, Wanwan repeatedly told Yoko to save her strength for the important day and asked her to stay in the city to attend the rehearsal. But when she received Yoko's text message saying she would be coming, Wan only called back to confirm and told her to be careful when going alone, but did not stop Yoko in any way.

At one o'clock in the morning, Yoko practiced all the dances one last time before dragging herself to the bathroom and going to bed. She was so tired that she fell asleep as soon as she lay down in bed, her eyelids still furrowed with anxiety.

The next morning, Yoko woke up at 6am, put on her black outfit and packed her backpack, she went straight to the company to practice with the choreographer and the dance troupe. Because she had to travel far today, Yoko arranged to practice the choreography with everyone at 7am. When it was confirmed that the choreography was okay, she said goodbye to everyone and got in the car to leave.

Today was the last day to see grandpa off. Faye Peraya had stayed up almost all night, only taking a nap near dawn because she was so tired. Faye looked haggard and exhausted. Her family members repeatedly advised her to rest, but Faye just smiled to reassure everyone, then sat next to where he was lying.

'There is no more time.'

Nearly a month ago, his condition began to worsen and he had to be rushed to the hospital. Faye went back and forth between the two places whenever she had time and wanted to take him to Bangkok for further monitoring. However, the lamp ran out of oil and people couldnot fight fate, Faye's grandpa was not well enough to be transferred and his wish was still here, closer to his family.

Faye tried to rearrange her schedule so that she could have time and run down to see him. However, that time with him was not much longer. The day she received the news from her family, Faye ran back from afar just in time to see him one last time.

"Get ready, my child. It's almost time for the ceremony."

The family members patted Faye on the shoulder and informed her. Faye was the only grandchild in the family, and on top of that, she was the granddaughter raised by her grandparents since she was little. This affection was hard to compare to. These days, Faye had always been sitting next to her grandfather, sleeping next to him, and lighting incense, returning greetings to visitors. These were things that if possible, no one would want to do in their life, but Faye, despite being young, had to do that many times. There was no pain greater than sending off your closest relative. Today was the last day, she was really about to send her beloved grandfather to a peaceful place.

Faye didn't know how she had managed to get through the past few days. When there were guests, she would arrange for them to visit, when there were no guests, she would go out to greet everyone sitting outside, trying to smile as brightly as possible to reassure her loved ones. Sometimes she would quickly eat a bowl of rice, then go sit next to him, afraid that he would be lonely, afraid that he would still be here but she wouldn't be there. At night, she would fall asleep exhausted. It was the last day, Faye really didn't know if she could hold on any longer. But thinking about how after today, it would be a very, very long time before she could see him, see her grandmother and parents again, Faye felt so tired that she just wanted to go with them right now.

The crowd below was starting to grow. The monks who had been invited to prepare for today's farewell ceremony were also preparing for the main ceremony. Surrounding them were relatives, neighbors, and also close friends of Faye who had come to pay their respects and help in any way they could. Even Faye's close fans had come early to help.

Faye started to stand up to greet the guests and prepare for the ceremony. Before, she would have cried and fainted, but now that she was more mature, she still managed to stand up straight.

The visitation lasted until almost noon, when the monks and nuns prepared to begin the pre-cremation ceremony. The visitors also gradually took their seats below the stage to attend the ceremony. While concentrating on the preparations above, Faye did not know that a familiar gaze had been following her for a long time. When Faye turned around, Faye caught her eyes.

She dared to leave everything to run here.

Seeing her, the feeling of grievance that Faye had been trying to suppress for hours arose, causing her eyes to well up with tears. Faye glanced at her and was sure that she knew Faye had seen her. Yoko also looked at Faye and nodded slightly, her simple action had brought so much comfort to Faye. Faye took a deep breath, turned around to continue preparing for the ceremony.

She is so haggard.

Yoko looked at Faye's back, her heart aching. If Yoko knew that Faye thought she had abandoned everything to come here, she would definitely object. Her Everything was here a long time ago. Coming here and being by Faye's side was what she wanted most right now.

"The envelope is missing. Let me run down and get it."

Faye heard her cousin grumbling behind her, so she turned around and said, "Let me get it for you."

Then she went down to the row behind Yoko to get the envelope. Faye very conveniently hugged her neck. Faye really wanted to hold Yoko tightly like she usually did, tell her how tired Faye was, tell her that Faye was about to collapse, tell her that everyone had left Faye, could Yoko please not leave her. If she could do that, Yoko would also gently hug her, hold her hand and squeeze it gently, comfort her so that Faye would know that she was always here, always by Faye's side.

But it all ended in a flash, Faye rushed down to get the envelope, hugged Yoko gently, then patted her head and face. Yoko could only sit upright so Faye could hug her head and pat her hand. But for them at the moment, it was enough.

"I'm here." Yoko said softly enough for only Faye to hear.

Faye smiled into her eyes and left.

From the time the ceremony began to the time it ended, Faye couldn't remember how many times she cried. Every time her eyes felt sore and she thought her tears had dried up, they would well up again. When she held his portrait, when she scattered the funeral flowers, when she started to take him away, preparing for cremation, Faye wanted to collapse, she held his portrait tightly in her arms, it was so heavy that she couldn't breathe, her eyes blurred.

Even strangers couldn't help but feel heartbroken, let alone relatives. When Wanwan looked over, she saw that Yoko had been crying for a long time, maybe from the moment Faye started crying, Yoko had started crying too. The sensible little girl sat quietly like that, looking up at the stands without taking her eyes off them, sometimes just lowering her head to wipe her tears and then continuing to watch that person. Wanwan sighed, not affecting her.

When everything was done, the whole family said goodbye to him one last time before sending him on his final journey, Faye cried until she fainted. A moment later, Faye's foster mother came in to pat and hug her to calm her down, and told Faye to go get dressed and go out to see off the guests. Faye was dazed but still obediently went to get ready.

Yoko and Wanwan were almost the last people Faye came to greet. It wasn't that Faye didn't want to see her early, it was just that her eyes were still too swollen, there were still many guests and she wanted to have time to talk to her, so Faye chose to greet the guests first.

As soon as she saw Faye about to come closer, Yoko stood up to take her hand. But what she really wanted was to hold Faye in her arms. Faye took her hand, made her sit down on the chair while she stood right next to her, and then Faye was about to ask Yoko how she was, but Yoko started first.

"Are you okay? Are you done? Have you had lunch yet?" Yoko asked repeatedly, her eyes filled with undisguised concern.

Faye's little girl, despite tomorrow being her big day, traveled all the way here, without eating or resting, just to wait to see Faye and ask if she was okay.

"I'm fine, really fine. But I told you not to come..." Before Faye could finish her sentence, she saw Yoko tearing up.

Faye hugged her shoulder so that her head rested on her lap. But then she started crying, Faye quickly squatted down to her eye level and hugged her, Faye took a tissue to wipe her tears. Yoko also put her arms around Faye's neck, gently kissed her forehead and then sniffled again.

"Sweet girl, don't cry. I'm fine."

Yoko looked at Faye's eyes that were still swollen from crying too much, looking at her haggard face, Yoko felt so hurt and heartbroken that she couldn't help but cry even more.

Looking at her young face covered in tears, Faye was moved to tears but also wanted to laugh. Someone came to offer her condolences, but couldn't help but cry even more, making Faye have to comfort her like this.

"Crying is ugly, you're all over it." Faye teased Yoko while wiping her tears with a tissue.

"I'm not ugly." She said while wiping her tears.

Faye smiled and stroked her head.

"Is everything done yet?" Yoko asked concernedly.

"He's being cremated, I'll come back tomorrow to get him back." Faye told me, but still took care to steer the conversation back to me: "Did you practice well? Is the backup song smooth?"

"It's okay, I've finished practicing."

"Are you tired from traveling all morning?" Faye stroked her hair.

Yoko stopped crying and smiled to reassure her: "It's okay, I had my last practice this morning, I'll just sleep in the car and get there."

Yoko spoke very firmly to reassure Faye. But Wanwan, who was sitting next to her, could not hide her worry. Even so, Wan did not say anything and instead chatted with the two: "These past two days, Yoko has been practicing all day until late at night, and then practicing when she gets home. She is very diligent."

Faye stroked her head: "My good girl." Faye stood up and started to tie her hair. Her little girl just tied her hair simply with a black outfit, looking very formal and mature. Stroking her hair and tying it up to make her feel less hot, Faye tried to find something to do and distract herself, otherwise Faye really just wanted to pull a chair over and sit next to her and lean on her. If there was no one else here, Faye really just wanted to lean on her like that, no need to say anything more.

Yoko took out a fully charged handheld fan from her bag and fanned Faye to cool her down.

"I have fully charged the battery, I will leave it for you." Yoko said with a smile, then pointed to her pocket. "There is also mine, fully charged and left for you."

Looking at the fan that her little girl had thoughtfully prepared, Faye held her hand, not wanting to let go. Yoko had stopped crying and started talking, Faye listened gently and chatted with her. The content Yoko spoke was very simple, sometimes unrelated, telling Faye how her dancing practice had been these past few days, then turning to ask Faye about Amor or Sunny. But Faye knew that she was deliberately saying that to distract her from the heartache. This was how the two of them always treated each other whenever they were deeply involved in a heartbreaking scene.

The entire Ninestar group was careful not to mention Yoko's performance tomorrow, because they didn't want to pressure her and even more so, they didn't want to make Faye feel awkward because she couldn't be a guest. What happened in the past few days was something no one wanted. The whole group understood how much Faye was being tortured by the fact that she couldn't be with Yoko on her important occasions. It tortured Faye even more than all the malicious comments online combined. But from beginning to end, Faye had always chosen to endure silently.

When seeing Yoko off to the car so she could return to the city, Faye couldn't help but ignore everyone's gazes and hug Yoko.

"You can do it my smart girl, I will always watch over you." Faye stroked her hair and whispered: "I promise I will make it up to you later, both on your birthday and tomorrow."

Yoko was moved and unable to speak, she bit her lip to keep from crying when she said goodbye to Faye.

Faye let her go and caressed her cheek: "I'm sorry for not being there for you."

Yoko shook her head in protest, her hand gripping Faye's tighter and looking straight at her.

"Wanwan, take care of her on the way back." But Faye turned away to talk to Wan. Then, trying not to look at Yoko again, she sent the group off to the car to return to the city.

2. Birthday party

In a corner of the empty waiting room, while everyone was busy preparing, Wanwan stood next to Yoko, her eyes very focused.

"Yoko, you're so smart that I haven't had to say much. I know you're sad that Faye isn't here. However, today, you really need to focus all your energy to complete the performance. Everyone's efforts, yours, have been poured into this. Everyone, your fans, Mami, and especially Faye, all believe in you." Wanwan looked at Yoko seriously: "Whether Faye is here or not, this will always be your stage, your own stage."

"Mami, I promise I will do my best, I promise I won't cry, Mami." Yoko shook her head and promised Wanwan.

Wan sighed and looked at her again. The show was about to start. As the CEO of a company, Wanwan had to put the company's interests first and sternly remind Yoko. Wanwan always left the small things up to her to decide. Both times Yoko went down to see Faye, Wan didn't say anything. However, today was the show, Wanwan needed to remind her to put the important things first.

Patting her head again, in no time at all, the initially timid little actress had grown up and developed to a dazzling level: "Do your best." Wan said the last sentence before she started the performance.

Yoko took a deep breath, and stepped onto the stage.

My own stage

...

"If you need to go, then go, let me and everyone else take care of things at home." At noon, after the ceremony to receive the remains and bring him home, Faye's mother told her that. It was customary for the family to wait to offer food to the deceased and hold the initial mourning period, the family could take care of this, so mommy told Faye to go if necessary.

But she just kept quiet, smiled and said it was okay to reassure her mother.

'She will understand,' Faye said to herself .

Because of her circumstances, having been raised by her grandparents since she was young, Faye's filial piety was very important, more important than anything else in the world. If she couldn't even mourn her grandfather's death, how could she continue living? If she had to choose between filial piety and anything else, she would not hesitate to choose filial piety first, and then spend the rest of her life torturing herself every day because of her past choices.

'She will definitely understand me.'

...

"If you like someone, will you pursue them or wait for them to pursue you?"

The voice of MC Diana of the program rang out.

Yoko took a deep breath and looked at the crowd of fans below who were cheering for her. This question was asked to her every time, but her answer never changed.

"I am someone who always likes to choose the best for myself. So the standard I set is always to be the best person. Therefore, I will not let the best things come to me, I will be the one to proactively walk towards them..."

If the distance between us is 10,000 steps, I will walk 9,999 steps, and you will only need to turn around and take the last step towards me.

....

"Is this backup song too sexy?" Eye turned to look at Wanwan and said.

The two of them were standing in a corner of the stage looking up at little Yoko. She was usually gentle, but now she was acting hot and fiery on stage. The audience below the stage was screaming in response until their voices were breaking.

Wanwan crossed her arms and said, "I only prepared the song Hot to Hot at the last minute and wasn't sure if I would include it in the performance because Yoko had been going for a sweet direction from start to finish. I didn't expect it to add a different flavor to the performance."

Ninestar's original plan was to have Faye participate in two duets with Yoko. In this song, Faye was also scheduled to sit on that chair while Yoko danced around her. However, the plan was changed at the last minute, this song was pushed into the main program, and all of Faye's scenes were deleted.

"Faye will be stressed watching this performance of hers." Eye said with a happy smile.

Hearing this, Wanwan couldn't help but laugh. The last minute decision to change the costumes for this play, making it shorter and more passionate, Wanwan would take this secret to her grave. She couldn't imagine how the other person would complain when they saw the Company forcing her little girl to wear such short clothes.

On stage, Yoko Apasra is still burning and shining brightly. From the first time Wanwan met her, she saw that Yoko was a gem that had not met her time. She had experience in acting since she was young, her singing and dancing abilities were far superior to those of her age. When it comes to looks and background, there is nothing to say, her family is a noble family but they are generous enough to let their children live their dreams. When it comes to character, Yoko is an extremely intelligent and kind girl. All this time, she has struggled in the entertainment industry, but she has lacked an opportunity to shine.

Wanwan looked at the little girl who was shining on stage, the little girl who used to be very self-conscious and introverted, always standing behind her and Faye. Yoko often ran after Faye, whining and saying all sorts of things, or looked at her and said 'Mami Mami' about Faye teasing her. Seeing her go from the beginning until now, not only Faye, but even Wanwan was very emotional. She wanted Yoko to succeed because Yoko was already a precious gem, but Wan was also afraid that Yoko would grow up too fast and affect her inner nature.

It's the last performance, she won't come.

Even though Yoko knew this would happen, she still couldn't control the little hope that was kindled in her heart, only to feel a little disappointed. Just like on your birthday, grandpa was in an emergency so Faye couldn't come. Even though Yoko said it was okay many times, that she understood Faye, Faye still apologized a lot afterwards. She would always choose to do the right thing, only to bear the consequences and responsibility herself. Knowing Faye's personality, Yoko said that she didn't need Faye to come to today's performance, she would be fine.

I just ask for permission to hope a little.

Today, Yoko did not disappoint everyone's expectations. She performed perfectly in every part of her performance. Except for herself, no one knew how lonely she was during this entire performance. This was the first time she stood alone on a large stage without her partner by her side.

Wearing an angelic pink dress, Yoko stepped onto the stage for the final song. The stage below and on the live screen were filled with people who loved and supported her. The flashing lights and the loud cheers reminded Yoko that she could not let them down.

Yoko grabbed the microphone and was about to start singing when the stage lights suddenly went out.

Suddenly everyone in the audience screamed, Faye's voice rang out, her heart beat so fast she couldn't breathe, Yoko unconsciously turned to look at the stage exit. Then she realized that the audience was screaming because of the screen behind her.

'It's her'

"Yoko, happy birthday! I'm still here, I'm not going anywhere. Even though I can't come to the show, I want to send you my love." Faye appeared on the big screen with her eyes puffy. As soon as Faye appeared, the audience below the stage screamed loudly.

Faye smiled her brightest smile, raised her pinky finger to signify a promise, "... Promise to take you out for coffee and buy snacks to make it up to you. Don't be mad at me. Love you so much, chub..chub.."

As Faye appeared on screen, the camera also zoomed in on Yoko's face. Today's main princess was crying, she burst into tears as soon as she saw his image, her tears falling like stars in the sky, making all the viewers feel heartbroken.

As soon as the screen turned off, Yoko wiped away her tears and began her final performance of the night. Her warm voice rang out. Anyone could hear the emotion in the lyrics and her struggle to hold back her tears.

"Before standing on this stage, I told everyone that it wasn't easy for me. But today, I promised someone that I would do it, hoping that she would also overcome it..." In the middle of the song, Yoko emotionally said, "... I hope this song can encourage everyone..."

The last sentence she looked straight ahead with red eyes: "I know you're looking at me."

Do I make you proud?

...

Faye sat in front of the screen and watched her performance from beginning to end. By the time the show ended, her face was already covered in tears. This was the umpteenth time she had cried. She cried because her grandfather had passed away, she cried because her loved ones had come here for her, she cried because she had disappointed her, she cried because she couldn't be by her side.

The clip that Faye sent in at the end of the show was something she suggested to Wanwan to add. Faye really couldn't bear to let Yoko face everything alone without Faye by her side.

'I promise to stay, no matter what'

'I promise to stay, if you promise not to go'

Yoko did what she said, she was always by Faye's side, and Faye was...

Tonight, her girl shone brightly. Faye watched the whole performance, remembering every image and word of her sister in her heart. She was always so talented, whether Faye was by her side or not, Yoko would still succeed. Faye always understood this, but she never thought that she would have to let Yoko go and leave her alone so soon. Just like Wanwan, in Faye's mind, Yoko was always the smart girl who was always spoiled by Faye, always wanting Faye to hold her hand every time she got off stage, always asking if Faye loved her or not.

That night, Faye slept fitfully because of nightmares and woke up early in the morning because she couldn't sleep anymore. Her grandparents' house was left to her but she couldn't sleep there because every night memories of her grandparents came flooding back, Faye was staying with relatives. Faye sometimes felt that she was too sensitive, sometimes she felt that no one understood her. Her parents, grandparents, her closest relatives had all said goodbye to her and left.

Lost in sleep and plagued by negative thoughts, Faye curled up in an attempt to escape the darkness. Faye wanted to scream, that she was so tired, but she couldn't form a sentence. Too tired, Faye decided to wake up, wash her face, and go out to watch the sunrise.

The morning air in this small town was still chilly, the sun had not yet risen high but was just rising in the distance. Faye walked slowly, trying to calm herself down.

Suddenly the phone rang unexpectedly, seeing the caller was Wanwan, Faye frowned worriedly.

'I hear, what's wrong, sis?' Wan called so early in the morning, Faye vaguely guessed the reason.

'Faye, Yoko ran away. She didn't tell anyone, she ran away very early.'

'What?' Faye quickened her pace. It was only 5am, where had Yoko been all night?

Wanwan's voice was very worried: 'Eye took her home, and thought she was asleep. I had a hunch that she had driven away a long time ago when I checked. Yoko might be on her way to your place.'

'Hello...Faye, hello?' Wan was about to say more but the phone was turned off.

Faye was sleeping at a nearby relative's house tonight, not at her own. If Yoko came, she wouldn't be there.

Faye walked faster, even started running. By the time she got closer to her house, she saw Yoko's car parked in front of the house. The back door was open, and Yoko was sitting there, wearing a coat, waiting.

"Yoko!!" As soon as she saw her from afar, Faye shouted

Faye only saw Yoko standing up, her eyes still very tired but could not hide the joy in the depths of her eyes when she saw Faye. Yoko stood there with her arms outstretched waiting then smiled at Faye.

I've walked 9,999 steps. Only one step left, do you want to come towards me?

Step by step, then faster and faster, Faye's eyes were red as she quickly walked over and hugged Yoko tightly. Yoko understood Faye and Faye understood her so well, how could she not know where all the things Yoko had for her came from.

Then, as if it were obvious, a truth that could not be hidden for another minute, Faye Peraya caressed Yoko Apasra's face, which was flushed from the cold, then lowered her head to kiss her lips.

One hand hugged her waist, the other supported the back of her neck to deepen this kiss. Faye pressed her body close, hugged her tightly as if she wanted to never have to leave her again and kissed her deeply.

It was like going through the rain to see the rainbow, going through the cold winter to see spring, going through time apart to meet again. This kiss also contained the same feelings, warm, fresh but no less passionate and intense. Hugging Faye's waist, Yoko also gradually responded to her kiss, a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Faye, the truth is never change, I love you, I love you so much."

"I love you too, Yoko."

"I love you more."