The Only One

It started with a single photo.

A fan who had attended the concert posted a blurry but unmistakable shot of Riku standing center stage, a microphone in his hand, his brilliant smile lighting up the image.

"He's back!!! NANASE RIKU IS BACK!!! 💖😭 Our beloved center! I can't believe I got to see this with my own eyes!"

The tweet went viral within minutes, sparking a wave of excitement and disbelief among IDOLiSH7 fans worldwide.

"Riku? Is this real? I thought he couldn't come back after all this time!"

"Two years of waiting... THIS IS A MIRACLE. Welcome back, Riku!"

"I'm sobbing. Seeing Riku smile again gives me life. The stage feels whole with him back."

Clips of the concert began flooding every platform—Instagram, TikTok, YouTube—showcasing the moment Riku sang for the first time in two years.

Within hours, #NanaseRikuReturns climbed to the top of the trending charts. Fans dissected every moment of the performance, marveling at how Riku had overcome his hiatus.

"Did you hear his voice? It's like he's been reborn! I didn't expect him to sing at all after what we heard about his condition!"

"I knew he'd come back someday. Riku is unstoppable!"

"There's something magical about this... it feels like more than just talent. It's like he's a miracle in human form."

=-=—=—-=-=

"Wow, so many people talking about Rikkun's comeback." Tamaki said.

"...I thought they would forget me..." Riku said with a smile, overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from his fans.

"It just goes to show how much you mean to everyone," Tamaki replied, placing a reassuring hand on Riku's shoulder.

"Exactly," Mitsuki chimed in, leaning over to get a better look at Tamaki's phone. "I mean, look at this! People are literally writing essays about how much they missed you. This one says, 'Nanase Riku is the reason I believe in miracles.'"

Riku's cheeks flushed as he clutched his hands together tightly. "I... I don't know what to say. It's just..." His voice cracked slightly, and he took a deep breath. "I didn't think I was worth waiting for."

"Don't say that," Iori cut in sharply, his expression firm. "You've always been worth it. The fans never forgot you because you left a mark on their lives that can't be erased. And you've done the same for us."

Yamato, who had been quietly scrolling through social media himself, glanced up. "Ichi's right, as usual. You don't just walk away from someone like you, Riku. People hang on because you give them hope."

"I don't know about all that," Riku said softly, fidgeting with his fingers. "I'm just... me. I only wanted to come back because I missed being with all of you. And now seeing how happy everyone is..." He trailed off, biting his lip to keep his emotions in check.

From across the room, Nagi, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "Riku, do you know what makes a true hero?"

Riku blinked at him in confusion. "A... hero?"

Nagi nodded, his gaze uncharacteristically serious. "A true hero doesn't fight for glory or recognition. They fight because their heart tells them to, no matter the cost. That is why people love you, Riku. You're not just an idol. You're a hero to them."