song #1: fly me to the moon

"Fill my heart with song
Let me sing forevermore"

"You are all I long for
All I worship and adore"

He tapped his fingers lightly, his thinly sealed lips emitting a low humming noise as his head bopped to the beat.

Ren had always been a fan of Frank Sinatra, even as a child. He loved the loose, carefree feeling of jazz and swing that took up most of his songs.

The lyrics were free and nonchalant, similar to Ren's own character, and yet contained so much passion in each line. Not to mention the crisp, smooth voice Sinatra was gifted with. It accented the melody that seemed to flow in steady beats.

As an upcoming idol, Ren desired to emulate Sinatra's talent and incorporate it into his own music.

...Yet something lacked.

He grew frustrated, desperately searching for that certain "thing" that would make his songs great. Just like Sinatra. But what was it?

"Jingūji-san? Jingūji-san, are you all right?"

A sweet voice brought him from his trance. Ren opened his eyes, meeting the gaze of a girl he long admired. "Little Lamb..." His agape jaw closed, and his lips curled into a smirk. "Forgive me for not hearing you. I was caught up in such a sweet song that I didn't hear your lovely voice calling to me."

The girl smiled cordially. "Not at all," she answered back with a light giggle. "I didn't mean to disturb you from..." She blinked, noticing the MP3 player in Ren's hand. "You were listening to a song?"

"Why yes." Ren sat up in the couch he was previously slouching in. "Frank Sinatra, to be exact. He's a favorite of mine." He removed one of his earbuds and placed it in her ear. "Care to listen?"

She simply nodded as he turned up the volume and restarted the song. The girl closed her eyes, introduced by a set of light drumming. Then the strike of a piano and the smooth, crisp voice entered her ear. The smile returned to her face as she, too, found herself bopping her head to the beat.

When the song finished, she handed him his earbud. "That was a wonderful song! I loved everything about it!"

"As do I," said Ren. "Though I can't seem to imitate his work." He turned to show her the piles of papers filled with rejected lyrics and melodies. "It's been quite a challenge for me. I can't create the same passion into my lyrics like Sinatra could."

The girl's eyes sparkled with determination. "Don't give up, Jingūji-san! I know you can come up with a wonderful song and lyrics that are just as great! I may not know anything about jazz, but I know you have the passion like Sinatra—maybe even more than he did!"

Ren almost gasped from hearing such encouraging words. His cheeks dusted a light pink from delight; it seemed her words lit a small spark in his heart. "I'm pleased to hear you believe in me, Little Lamb. I'll keep working at my song. And—" He took hold of her hand and planted a gentle kiss on the back of her palm. Then he winked. "—you'll be the first to hear it."

He saw her blush in response, and her cheery smile grew even brighter. "Of course! I look forward to it! Good luck to you!" She bowed and took her leave, and Ren's eyes watched her with a newfound admiration. He chuckled to himself, putting the earbuds back into his ears.

Perhaps I've found what I've lacked all along.