[3-Minute Novel] Melody in the Sunshine | Sunny Slope - Do As Infinity

In her cramped Tokyo apartment, Chiaki let out a cry of joy at the message that had just arrived. It was a wedding announcement from Maho, her best friend with whom she had spent every day in their high school band.

She felt as happy as if it were her own news, and a warmth spread deep within her chest. At the same time, she wondered if there was some way she could celebrate this important new chapter in her friend's life in a way that was uniquely her own.

She had given up on her dream of singing on stage and now spent her days chased by deadlines as a behind-the-scenes worker at a music production company. What could someone like her possibly do?

Suddenly, she pulled an old high school album from the back of her closet and flipped through the pages. The sunset after school, the heavy equipment, Maho's radiant smile—the moment everything came back to life in vivid color, inspiration struck.

"I'll write a song!"

The moment she decided that, lyrics overflowed with surprising ease, and a gentle melody descended into her mind. It was different from the songs she used to write for herself.

It was a one-of-a-kind wedding song, wishing only for Maho's happiness.
That night, Chiaki let her pen race across the paper, lost in the process.

Back in her hometown, bathed in the soft light of early summer.
Chiaki headed toward Maho's wedding, carrying the song she had finished that night. The venue was the church at the top of that long slope—the same one they had climbed on their bicycles every day in high school, encouraging each other by shouting, "Don't give up!"

When she opened the door to the waiting room, there was Maho, dressed in a pure white wedding gown.

"Chiaki!"

At that moment, Maho ran over, waving with the same dazzling smile she had always had. Chiaki's heart, which had been growing a little parched while being chased by numbers and reality in Tokyo, was instantly filled by that smile alone.

Toward the end of the reception, Chiaki stood on a small stage, holding an acoustic guitar. Since moving to behind-the-scenes work, she hadn't sung with her own voice in front of anyone. Her heartbeat was deafening.

She took a deep breath and gently played the intro chords. Looking into Maho's honest eyes, she played the melody that had come to her that night.

"It's okay to stop when you're lost"
"My beloved, be happy"

We chose different paths. And I stepped off the stage.
But as I sang for Maho now, I was certain that everything in my musical journey had led to this very moment.

When she finished singing, large tears spilled from Maho's eyes, and the venue was wrapped in warm applause. Chiaki ran over, and they hugged each other tightly, not caring if the dress got wrinkled.

After the ceremony, as she walked down the sun-drenched slope at dusk, Chiaki looked ahead. Even though our paths are different, we will continue to climb our respective slopes with steady steps. Deep in her ears, that gentle melody was still echoing pleasantly.