NEVER BROKEN

Love You Like a Love Song

When Raye learned from Amy, Darien's sister and her best friend, that it had been an arranged marriage, her heart went out for Darien all the more

How could he have accepted it? she angrily wondered. She, however, found comfort in the realization that he didn't love his wife.

"I forgot to say that this is a charity concert," Raye said as they were ushered into the twenty-eighth row.

The hospital auditorium could hold a thousand people. It would not be packed. Amy was sure to be there. Most of the spectators were selected patients of that hospital.

"Classical music?" he simply asked.

Raye grimaced. "Er, modern. Um, some pop... ballads. Do you mind?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he withdrew a small box wrapped in red and gold.

He got me a gift!

At last, they seemed to be getting somewhere, Raye thought.

This was the first time that he gave her something that she could keep, well, she hoped so. Oh, he was not exactly unkind for a boss. Since she became his secretary, he always remembered her birthday, sometimes two days early, at one time, two weeks late. And he would give her something for her birthday, all right. But they had always been as if traditionally, impersonal; trip tickets, bulks of gift certificates, chocolates, perfume—anything but something that could be really kept in a memory box.

"Thank you," she murmured, very pleased.

"Don't mention it."

The faint lights were made dimmer and the auditorium came to a hush. Girlish screams were heard from several rows on the front.

Great, Darien thought. He only wished it would not bore him to death. He scanned the area.

So they have guests, other than the unfortunate sick people. It was a relief and a bother at the same time. There were more people than he expected. Tickets must have cost the earth. On occasions like this, draws are made for the first seats, for patients usually, though they are transferable.

At the beat of the drum, the screams were dulled.

"Seiya!" he heard an overexcited shrill voice shouted at the top of the owner's lungs.

It's so dark and she could see that character? He could almost shake his head.

Stage lighting was perfect. Finally, there in the middle of the stage stood a trio, entertaining the crowd. Screams were louder.

People would be hospitalized at the riot they are making, Darien thought.

"Seiya!" the crowd cheered.

"Good evening," someone from the stage greeted back. Silence.

It must be the Seiya guy.

"That's Seiya Kou, he's half Japanese. He attended high school in this district. He's quite well known in these parts," Darien heard Raye say.

"And those other two?" he humored her.

"York and Tyler. Together they are known as the Three Lights."

He made a non-committal sound.

After seven songs, the excitement seemed to have faded—the atmosphere altered from intense to gloomy. Some of the audience were crying.

Are they... pleading? Darien looked at the brochure the staff at the entrance door had unceremoniously stuffed on his chest for a fee.

Ah, finally, it's the end. They have played the last song. He heard the listed title richly repeated in the entire lyrics and he assumed that was it.

"Shame," Raye suddenly said. "It would take four years again before their next visit." She knew that by info. She was introduced to the Three Lights a year ago through a DVD that a friend gave her on her birthday last year.

"I know we're supposed to leave now," Seiya started.

Cries of protests from the crowd.

"But I could not forgive myself if I let this moment pass without singing my favorite song."

Applause. General agreement.

"WE LOVE YOU, THREE LIGHTS!" shouted the crowd.

"Seiya!"

"Last time I came here, I heard that she's moved out. I see a lot of familiar faces tonight. Some of you must know of her. She's lived here all her life."

Darien's heart skipped a beat. He knew somebody who'd lived here all her life, too. Almost.

"This is the third time we had a concert at this place. She was our classmate a long time ago, and on our first concert, I practically bullied her into watching."

Laughter.

"Four years ago, I was expecting her to attend of her own accord but... she did not. Still, I sang her favorite song—it became my much-loved piece since it was hers, and I never really play or sing it without a special reason. Now whenever I do, it's in the hope that the song would reach her..."

Somebody stepped forward from the audience and gave Seiya a rose. He was a man, with his little angel—a child that must be four to six years of age. The act was almost symbolic for Darien. Then the father said something to Seiya, and from where Darien was sitting, he could tell that whatever had been passed between the two, was a matter of grave importance.

"Thanks for the rose, Little Miss, I pray we all get well soon," Seiya said. "Hey, buddy," he waved to the father carrying his daughter, "I thought you were going to say that the rose was from her." The man simply waved back and smiled, bowing his head slightly in respect.

"Anyway, to continue... I have loved this girl since the first time I saw her. And this song would always be dedicated to her."

Music.

"Too bad he can't love me," exclaimed a girl from behind Darien.

"How could she say no to him?" replied her companion. "Do you even know who she is?"

"Seiya only calls her 'my love'," the other shrugged. "Could she be as perfect as Seiya says she is?"

"Probably. He's such a sweetheart. I want to hate her for putting him in that misery."

"Yeah. And for singing that song. It's always for her." There really wasn't anything venomous in the exchange. Darien didn't know why he was listening.

"Uh-huh. But do we hate Seiya, too, for not choosing us?"

"I guess it's okay, then. Besides, I absolutely love that song. He always sings it with his eyes closed," the first girl remarked.

"Cause he's thinking of her," they said in unison. They were speaking quite loudly, but their row mates didn't appear to mind.

Darien observed the man on stage. He seemed... complete. The kind of love he had for this girl could only mean destruction. It's just not possible.

"Serena, this one's for you, Love..."

Kimi ha itsumo kagayaiteta

Egao hitotsu chiisa na hoshii

"Serena?" repeated the enthusiasts behind them. He felt Raye carefully turning her head in his direction.

"I... perhaps—" she attempted and failed at the words.

"It could be her namesake," he dismissed without looking at Raye.

"Ano hi boku no mamori nakute..."

That day when I could not protect you...

She shifted her eyes onto Seiya. His eyes were closed, the rose very near to his heart.

"Search for your love

Sora no shuishou

Search for your love

Nakanaide kure

Search for your love

Hontou ha, dakishimetai no saa—"

Raye doubted that it was a girl other than Serena. And why did Seiya suddenly revealed that bit of information now? Fine, the media wasn't really present at the gathering, but Raye didn't think Seiya would have minded had the place been teeming with reporters. Why announce her identity now?

Kimi no kaori zutto

Sagashite

Darien was unaware that he was clenching and unclenching his right fist. Japanese was a language he fairly understood, Japan being their third-largest market. And Serena spoke it excellently, too, as she was an exchange student for a year in the said country.

Boku no koe yo todoke

Ima doko ni iru no

Moonlight princess

Boku no princess

Where are you now, my princess, Seiya was singing. Darien gritted his teeth. He was about to leave his seat when he saw a familiar figure ascending the five steps on the side to Seiya's place on the stage.