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Within the band scene, Hikawa Sayo stood out for her exceptional guitar skills. Her intense, focused demeanour could send chills though any competitor. Known for her unparalleled dedication to music, Sayo was a force to be reckoned with on stage, mesmerizing the audiences with her soulful riffs at every Roselia concert. Yet her own charm was creating a different kind of melody in the hearts of those around her.Though it first started as a joke, CiRCLE’s lobby soon becomes a popular hangout for the guitarist’s many fans. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say she had as many admirers as Kaoru. Although girls would throw themselves more subtly at her, shyly complimenting her after a live or gushing on online forums, a domain they knew Sayo had yet to figure out how to access.Due to her obliviousness, her bandmate’s running joke is that Sayo’s only love is her ESP M-II. The blue guitar was always by her side and Sayo dedicated her soul, day and night to achieving the perfect sound. She wouldn't yield to anything that may distract her from her ultimate goal of pursuing music. Or at least that’s what they thought.Sayo was casually practicing a few picking patterns while waiting for her bandmates to arrive. She failed to notice the giggles and hushed whispers around her.Even Marina couldn’t hide a knowing glance from behind the counter, amused by the unintentional effect Sayo had on people. The blue haired guitarist didn’t even have to try. The lone wolf vibe and piercing green eyes made every teen girl in a ten-mile radius weak in the knees."S-she's so cool," one girl whispered to her friend as they stared at Sayo from across the room.Finally getting a sense she was being watched, Sayo looked up from her fretboard. She sent the girls a puzzled smile, desperately trying to figure out if she knew them from somewhere and forgot. However, this unintentional attention only sent the fans in a frenzy.Ignoring their shrieks, Sayo turned back to her guitar. She’d have to ask Lisa later if this was some new greeting among teenage girls. Modern trends were so hard to keep up with.Overtime, the mint haired guitarist became known as the ‘unintentional heartthrob’, earning longing sighs whenever she entered the live house. Nonetheless she remained blissfully unaware, her focus remaining solely on the strings of her instrument.One day Ako approached her during break between practice, "Sayo-san, you're like, super cool!” She said excitedly, “All the girls seem to go crazy for you. Do you have any tips so I can be cool too?"Overhearing this, Lisa practically choked on her drink. There was an unspoken rule within the band to not bring up Sayo’s recent… admirers. It started unintentionally when they realised Sayo had no clue. They older members knew the knowledge would only trouble her and didn't want to bother with rumours. lthough it seemed they forgot to keep Ako in the loop.Sayo raised an eyebrow, perplexed by this unexpected question, "I have no idea what you’re referring to, Undagawa-san. You must be imagining things. I’m simply focusing on my music."Lisa wished Ako would just drop it, but the younger girl was annoyingly insistent, “No, Ako’s seen the way they stare at you in the lobby. A girl even fainted when you did your solo riff at our last live!”“One of our fans fainted? I must speak to Minato-san about ensuring proper ventilation during our concerts to prevent such dangerous incidents from recurring.”Seeing Sayo so distressed, Lisa decided to step in. “Ahaha~ That’s so like you, Sayo. It wasn’t about the venue don’t worry. I suppose you’re the only one who hasn’t noticed.”Sayo eyes widened at this confirmation. But before she could say anything Ako cut in, “Ako gets it! So focusing drumming will let Ako unlock the forbidden dark powers of being cool! That’s why onee-chan is also so cool, she always like, bam-bam when she plays her drums every day.”The young girl’s eyes were shimmering with so much excitement that Sayo didn’t have the heart to object.“If that’s the standard, then I’m not surprised you’re our local heartthrob,” Lisa gave the guitarist a wink. “You’re the most dedicated person around.”Sayo didn’t know how to feel about this. While it troubled her to discover she had admirers, it was equally embarrassing to hear her own bandmate speak about her in such a way.As if having this truth brought to light wasn’t troubling enough, a girl shyly approached Sayo after practice as Roselia was leaving the studio. Sayo noticed a group of her friends egging her on from nearby. Looking completely flustered, she offered Sayo a sealed letter and ran off the moment she accepted it.Sayo would rather open such intimate contents in the privacy of her own home but with her bandmates all leaning over her shoulder with a mixture of amused and desperate pleas, she eventually gave in. Unsealing the envelope, she took out the paper inside and quickly scanned its contents. Her face grew a deeper shade of pink with each consecutive line.True to her fears, the mysterious girl had given her what could only be interpreted as a love letter. Her bandmates let out teasing whistles, pushing Sayo’s composure to the verge of breaking. The last thing she wanted was to completely lose grips on her dignity in the lobby of CiRCLE.“How does it feel finally receiving a confession from one of your adoring fans, Sayo?” Lisa teased, nudging her playfully.“Please Imai-san, can we not do this now?” Sayo begged. She currently wanted nothing more than to disappear into the ground. She could practically feel her ears glowing.A rare smirk tugged at Yukina’s mouth, “On contrary, I think this is a good opportunity to finally address the number of female fans you have accumulated. I hope you will respond to this girl appropriately. It is in the interest of Roselia’s reputation you handle the situation tactfully.”Sayo was taken aback to hear the usually stoic vocalist’s playful jab. At her love life no less! “Minato-san, you are being surprisingly unprofessional.”She desperately looked to Rinko, her fellow student council member for support. The keyboardist seemed to be discretely hiding a giggle behind her hand. Meanwhile Ako was jumping up and down in excitement rambling about how she wanted to receive fan letters of her own. Sayo was truly alone in this. Blinking several times to steady her thoughts, the guitarist cleared her throat."While I can accept you all having fun at my expense, need I remind you that I no time for such distractions? My only priority is our music."“Still a better love story than Twilight,” Ako joked, earning a grimace from the others.Lisa chuckled, "Whatever you say. Though it seems your guitar finally has some competition."Amidst the laughter, Sayo couldn’t help feeling frustrated at this unexpected change. While she was obviously flattered to know people admired her, it certainly complicated things. Dating wasn’t even a consideration. If she truly wanted to dedicate herself to music, she had no time for such whimsical joys.That night, Sayo thought long and hard about how to best turn down the girl when they meet again. Despite not returning her feelings, she didn’t want to unnecessarily hurt her either. The blue haired girl let out a weary sigh. Why is romance always so complicated? All the dramas Hina watched certainly painted the exploit as an overly complicated waste of both time and energy.She had hoped to never get involved in relationships herself. Not at least till she’s 40 and past the prime of her career. Maybe then Sayo could settle down in a little cottage in the countryside away from other people. At the same time, she figured she’d be equally content just getting a dog as opposed to a partner. It would definitely be easier to take care of.Then again, Sayo realised she might have to look after Hina for the rest of her life. She hated the likelihood that her twin would getting kicked out of any care home she’s sent to for disruption of peace. This depressing thought didn’t improve Sayo’s mood in the slightest.The next day when Roselia arrived at CiRCLE, Sayo saw the same girl who gave her letter waiting nervously by the entrance. She waved for her friends to go on without her.Despite knowing exactly what she wanted to say after rehearsing it several times, Sayo still felt nervous. Her hands felt clammy as she approached the girl. It was almost as if she were the one doing the confessing rather than the rejecting.The shy girl looked up tentatively as Sayo drew near, "Um, Hikawa-san, I... I appologise for approaching you so suddenly yesterday. I really admire you, so I wanted you to know how I feel."Sayo sighed internally at what she was about to do. Despite holding no personal feelings for such matters, it felt cruel to break this poor girl’s heart."I appreciate your feelings, but I’m really sorry. This isn’t about you; I simply have no interest in pursuing a romantic relationship. My focus is on my music, so I hope you can still continue to support me and my band in that regard.”The girl had a dejected expression, but she managed a small smile. "I understand. Thank you for being honest," Her voice shook slightly as she spoke, filling Sayo with pain. “I love Roselia, so I promise I’ll always continue to support you. Thank you, Hikawa-san.”With that, she gave a small bow and quickly rushed away. Sayo was left standing at the entrance, feeling incredibly guilty. Her mood for the day was ruined. The guitarist knew she wouldn’t be able to join practice in her current state. Hoping Yukina would understand, she sent the group a quick text saying she needed a few moments to herself before she joins them in the studio.Sayo wandered towards the CiRCLE café, hoping a brief rest as a coffee would put her mind back on track. With their next live coming up, this was truly an inconvenient time for distractions. Unbeknownst to Sayo, Tsugumi witnessed the entire exchange from a distance.Although Afterglow’s keyboardist didn’t know Sayo all that well (at least personally), she couldn’t ignore her concern. Not to mention her heart was still beating a mile a minute from the unexpected exchange.The girl’s confession caught Tsugumi completely off guard. As much as she hates to admit it, seeing someone else approach Sayo so openly filled her with jealousy. Till now, there had been a protective bubble around Sayo that no one dared to touch. Yet the simple letter shattered this, spiralling Tsugumi’s sense of security into growing despair.She’d always believed nothing would ever change, but now the floodgates to Sayo were open. A sense of urgency rose inside her. It was stupid, but the keyboardist felt if she didn’t do something soon, someone might really come along and steal Sayo away.With this worry in mind, she approached the table where the was guitarist sat, looking deep in thought. Sayo looked up in surprise as a basket of fries was placed in front of her."Sayo-san, I’m sorry for disturbing you,” Tsugumi spoke timidly hoping she didn’t appear as flustered as she felt. “You seem troubled, do you mind if I join you?"Despite always admiring Sayo from afar to the point of knowing all her characteristics off by heart, this was one of the first time Tsugumi was speaking to her crush in person. At least outside of the occasional polite greeting before joint concerts. Though Ran always forced them to keep this short due to their ‘rivalry’ with Roselia.Though surprised, Sayo’s eyes were quickly drawn to the food in front of her. "Hazawa-san was it? Please, go ahead. Though may I ask, what is with the fries?"Tsugumi fidgeted nervously, "I’m sorry, but I overheard your conversation earlier. Fried food always cheers me up so I hoped it might help you.”She left out the part where she’d undergone some rather dubious stalking to uncover the guitarist’s food preferences. Himari had amazing connections when it came to acquiring information.Sayo felt rather embarrassed that someone else had witnessed the entire ordeal. Nonetheless, it couldn’t be helped. It happened in a public space after all. Though she didn’t betray any emotion, the smell wafting from the warm fries made her frown relax slightly.“That is very thoughtful of you. I appreciate it, Hazawa-san."Tsugumi smiled shyly as she took a seat opposite Sayo. Sayo took a fry, eating it slowly at first as not to appear greedy. However, she was soon overcome by her deep-fried weakness and buried herself in the delicacy. Tsugumi never thought she’d see such a cute side of the solemn guitarist as she now watched Sayo munching on the fries. To think such a basic snack was the key to unlocking the enigmatic girl’s heart.After several more moments of sitting in silence, Tsugumi couldn’t take growing suspense inside any longer. Even though her heart was pounding, she had to ask."I’m sorry if this is too forward, but I was really surprised when I saw that girl approach you,” She tried her best to hide the bitterness in her voice. “Has something like this… happened often?"Sayo sighed. Though she felt slightly uncomfortable disclosing her private life, the intent look Tsugumi was sending her was hard to ignore. "No, that was my first time I experienced anything of the sort. While I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but I can't compromise my dedication to music.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose. Perhaps she should start carrying more paracetamol on her. “Relationships are rather... troublesome."Tsugumi nodded understandingly. She could barely hide her relief, "It's okay to prioritize your passion, Sayo-san! Although I also believe that not all relationships have to be troublesome,” she quickly added, fidgeting with her hair before pushing on.You can do it Tsugumi.“If you find the right person, it can be like sharing a basket of fries – sweet and enjoyable."Sayo contemplated Tsugumi's words. She wanted to point out that the fries were ready salted. Or did the keyboardist use the term in a more emotional sense?While Sayo debated whether she was looking too deeply into semantics, she remained unaware of the subtle longing in the other girl’s gaze.That’s when she realised she’d been hogging the fries all to herself. Sayo reluctantly pushed the basket towards the keyboardist. It was oddly difficult, offering her beloved potatoes to the brunette even though she didn’t even buy them the first place.Tsugumi’s eyes widened but eagerly took one. She savoured the crispiness in the mouth, feeling slightly overwhelmed by her crush’s gesture of sharing something so precious to her. A single fry had never tasted so good in her life.As the girls enjoyed the basket of fries together, they drifted into more casual conversations about their respective bands and favourite artists. It wasn’t until Yukina showed up looking mildly annoyed that Sayo realised she’d completely lost track of time. Apologising solemnly to the peeved vocalist and Tsugumi, the two finally parted ways.…Tsugumi felt like she was floating as she waltzed into Tomoe’s garage where the rest of Afterglow were setting up for their practice session. Following the impromptu ‘date’ with Sayo, the keyboardist hadn’t been able to stop smiling. Her bandmates immediate noticed the dreamy look on her face and exchanged mischievous glances."Tsugu~ You're glowing today, what happened?" Moca teased.Tomoe folded her arms with a knowing grin, "Did you finally ask Sayo-san out?"Blushing furiously, Tsugumi stammered, "No, I could never do that! Though, well… we did share some fries at the CiRCLE café earlier."Himari's eyes lit up with excitement. "A fry date? That's so cute! I’m glad you finally put that black market knowledge I gave you to good use. Are you two officially a couple now?"Tsugumi's face turned even redder, shaking her head frantically. "No, no! It wasn't like that! Geez, stop jumping to conclusions. She looked kind of down, so we were just hanging out."Tomoe put an arm around the keyboardist’s shoulder, "Hanging out or not, you seem happier than I’ve seen you in ages. I'm rooting for you two!"Even Ran, the pragmatic member of the group, couldn’t help but smirk. "If you actually ask her out, maybe you can finally stop gawking at her every time we walk into CiRCLE."Tsugu wished she could curl up into a ball. Having so many supportive friends was incredible at times but extremely embarrassing at most. As practice began, everyone in Afterglow couldn't resist poking fun at their keyboardist’s newfound bliss. Even after so long, Tsugumi wans’t used to this attention. Nonetheless, she appreciated the encouragement from her bandmates.The next day, Tsugumi woke up with a newfound determination. She decided that it was time to take a leap and officially ask Sayo out on a date. Though the thought made her heart race, she also couldn't ignore the fluttering excitement it gave her.As she entered CiRCLE, Tsugumi took a deep breath and approached Sayo who was getting something out of the vending machine. The other members of afterglow exchanged shocked glances as they could only stand and stare.Moca nudged Ran with a mischievous grin, "I bet one melon bun that she won’t go through with it."“Stop discouraging her like that,” Ran slapped her shoulder in annoyance."Go, Tsugu-chan! We're all rooting for you!" Himari called after the keyboardist with an encouraging wink. Tsugumi hadn’t even gotten a word out, yet she was almost ready to give up out of embarrassment.Unfortunately, Sayo had already noticed her. Knowing it was too late to back out, Tsugumi gulped, "Sayo-san, um, would you like to go out for coffee after practice today?"Sayo looked up in surprise, then awkwardly down at the can of iced coffee she’d just retrieved from the vending machine. Tsugumi wondered what life as a rock would be like. It certainly seemed peaceful, lying blissfully by the roadside.To her luck, Sayo was a kind-hearted angel sent from the heavens. Her expression softened, "Coffee? Sure, I suppose could use a pick-me-up after.”Outside of Sayo’s field of vision members of Afterglow erupted in silent cheers. Moca even mimed a guitar solo with exaggerated enthusiasm. As they parted ways Tsugumi felt like she might faint from happiness. She finally asked her crush out on a date! Her bandmates surrounded her in an excited group hug, practically knocking her off her feet.…After a productive practice session, Sayo met up with Tsugumi at a local café the keyboardist suggested. Sayo wasn’t a big coffee drinker. She usually just had it black, sometimes straight out of the cafetiere. She didn’t see the necessity of overcomplicating things so long as it kept her caffeinated. Though that meant she also never branched when it came to options.On the other hand, Tsugumi’s family running their own coffee shop, made her incredibly knowledgeable about the different blends and she eagerly suggested a new one for Sayo to try. The teal-haired girl was surprised to discover the difference in taste, even though all coffee looking the same to her. With this small success in hand, Tsugumi felt her own confidence growing."So, besides playing guitar, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?" Tsugumi asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.Sayo took a moment to ponder. "I appreciate spending time with my bandmates. They’re all dedicated individuals so we often work together to write our own music."Tsugumi tried to hide her disappointment. She’d hoped to hear more about her crush’s personal life outside of usual band talk. Nonetheless, she reminded herself that Sayo's dedication to Roselia was what made her so admirable."Oh, that's nice. Your bond with your bandmates must be really strong."Sayo nodded. "I could say the same for you, Hazawa-san. I find it incredible that all of you in Afterglow have stayed together for so long. Though you are right in saying I admire my band members. Yukina's determination, Lisa's kindness, Rinko’s patience and Ako's energy – they’re what makes Roselia."Tsugumi's attempt at casual conversation ended up filling her with a tinge of jealousy. Sayo’s eyes practically shone as she spoke of her friends. The brunette shifted in her seat, trying to redirect the topic."Well, what about activities outside of the band? Anything you do for fun?"A rare yet warm smile graced the guitarist’s lips, "Lisa has been teaching me to bake cookies recently. It’s rather challenging but overall rewarding."A glimmer of hope arose inside Tsugumi. Baking, she could bake. This was something she could work with. “I would never have imagined you enjoy baking, Sayo-san. Maybe I can teach you Hazawa café’s famous chocolate cake recipe sometime.”The idea didn’t seem to excite Sayo as much as the keyboardist hoped. “I’m afraid cakes may be beyond my capabilities. I simply enjoy Lisa’s cookies because she occasionally uses a dog-shaped cookie cutter.”Okay, Tsugumi had to admit that was quite cute. Nonetheless, her shoulders slumped a bit from Sayo's rejection. However, she wasn’t going to give up."I’m really glad I could introduce you to this new cafe. Maybe we can go out again sometime? Like a different coffee shop or explore a new part of town?"Tsugumi hoped to create a more intimate connection with the girl across from her. Sayo considered this suggestion for a moment."Sure, I don't mind hanging out again. Rinko mentioned wanting to go to Jimbōchō, they apparently have the biggest bookstores in the city. We could all check it out together."Tsugumi wanted to scream. How oblivious was Roselia’s guitarist? From how cool she looked on stage, no one would have guessed she had less brain cells than even Hina. Wait, that was an unfair comparison. She felt almost guilty for the thought despite it being in her own head. Trying to look unfazed, the brunette forced a smile."I was actually thinking it would be just the two of us."“I suppose that works as well. Thought I’d need to check my schedule to ensure I have enough time for practice.”As they continued to make plans for their next meetup, both girls remained unaware of the disparity between their interpretation of the hangout. Despite the rough start, they ended up having an enjoyable time, appreciating the calmness of each other’s presence.Tsugumi discovered how kind Sayo was. The way she listened to everything she said with deep intent, whether it was about her bandmates, family, or school. How could anyone not get lost in those deep, green eyes that was threatening to drown her? Tsugumi hoped no one ever throws her a life ring.The time they spent together almost felt too short. Although they ended up talking for hours, Tsugumi wished she could continue to stay with her blue haired angel forever.As Tsugumi and Sayo were about to part ways, a mix of emotions swirled within Tsugumi. The brunette secretly hoped for a gesture of affection from her date. She knew Sayo wasn’t naturally touchy-feely, but even a small sign to show that connection had moved beyond friendship would send her over the moon.Yet, as they reached the end of the street, Sayo extended her hand for a handshake. "Thank you for today, Hazawa-san. I had an enjoyable time," Despite her formality, Sayo’s demeanour softened for a moment.Tsugumi though slightly taken aback, managed to return the smile, "It was my pleasure. I had a great time too."Perhaps Sayo was shy. Or even better, such a gentleman she intentionally held back for Tsugumi’s sake. It was only logical she wouldn’t want to take advantage of a girl on the first date! The thought made Tsugumi swoon. But as their hands parted, she couldn't help but wish for something more.Meanwhile, Sayo remained oblivious to the unspoken tension as she pulled away with a polite nod. Walking away from the encounter, Tsugumi felt a mixture of hope and confusion. She replayed the day's events in her mind, wondering if she had misread the signals. Despite the uncertainty, one thing was clear – Sayo had agreed to go on another date! This gave Tsugumi hope as she returned home feeling giddy with excitement.
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Sayo was sat on her bed in her room. Frustration grew evident on her face as she examined her broken guitar string. The sudden snap disrupted her intense practice session, leaving her to stew in silence with a mixture of annoyance and disappointment. At this rate, she’d never get the riff just how she wanted.Her frustration intensified upon finding out she’d used her last spare. Sayo begrudgingly put on her shoes. On top of having to go outside (sunlight wasn’t exactly kind on an indoor dweller like her), a trip to the music store was always tedious due to the massive crowds at the mall at weekends. Why everyone endorsed capitalism so openly, she would never understand.When she finally leaves the music store with the packet of guitar strings in hand, Sayo noticed a commotion nearby. A small group of young men were surrounding a familiar looking girl. They didn’t appear hostile, but the brunette had a distressed expression on her face. It was clear she wasn't comfortable with the situation. Without a second thought, Sayo approached the scene, fixing a firm gaze on the harassers."Imai-san, is there a problem here?"The guys all turned to look at Sayo, momentarily taken aback by her sudden appearance. Before they could respond, Lisa seized the opportunity and looped her arm through her bandmate’s, holding her tight. "Oh, babe, I'm so glad you're here!" She cried with a mock sweetness Sayo had never heard before. "I’m sorry I wandered off, these boys were just asking if I was okay~"Surprised by Lisa's sudden move, not to mention the rather embarrassing nickname, Sayo momentary hesitation. But realizing the need to diffuse the situation, she played along."Make sure to stay close from on. Come on, we were about to get lunch, weren't we, Ima- Lisa?"Sayo caught herself in time. It would’ve been odd if she accidentally called her significant other by their last name. Nonetheless, it felt weird referring to her bandmate so informally.Not giving the guys a chance to intervene, she pulled the brunette away towards the nearest escalators. Lisa followed earnestly, shooting her a grateful glance. The guys, now unsure and possibly intimidated by Sayo, quickly dispersed. Once they were a safe distance away Sayo turned and raised an eyebrow."What was that about?"Lisa returned a guilty smile, "I was looking for a birthday gift for my mom when they came up to me and wouldn’t leave me alone. Sorry I pulled you into that, it was the first thing I could think of.”Sayo still felt bewildered but couldn't resist cracking a smile. "I guess it’s far from worst thing to be seen as a reliable boyfriend. I’m just glad you’re safe, Imai-san.”She couldn’t miss the blush that crept over the bassist’s cheeks. Despite all her friend’s teasing, it seemed even Lisa could make a face like that. Sayo relished this rare opportunity to get back at her bandmate for all her past teasing. As the brunette attempted to pull her arm away, Sayo instead tightened her grip slightly.“Sa-sayo?” Lisa spluttered, looking up at the taller girl in surprise. "You know, since we're 'dating' now, how about taking me to that lunch?" Sayo suggested, a playful smirk forming on her lips. Caught off guard the suggestion, Lisa’s blush intensified but she played along."Oh, of course! I owe you big time. So where would you like to go for our romantic lunch date?"Obviously, Lisa wasn’t taking this seriously either. Why would she? She definitely didn’t think Sayo was hot. That intense smoulder she wore while chasing Lisa’s harassers away certainly hadn’t made the bassist melt on the spot.A whole other level of blush engulfed Lisa as she realised the nature of her thoughts. Sure, Sayo was objectively attractive by any standard but since when did Lisa see her bandmate in that way? As she struggled to process this new realisation, Sayo was deep in thought over her own dilemma."How about that burger joint nearby?" the guitarist suggested pointing to a rustic looking grill house. This was her one chance for free food and Sayo was taking full advantage of it. She definitely wasn’t making her decision purely based on their poster advertising limited-edition fries, either.Lisa chuckled, immediately seeing through her friend’s intentions but chose not to say anything. "Burgers it is~ Lead the way, my brave hero.”As they walked to the burger joint, they continued to link arms, ignoring the perplexed glances from onlookers. The scent of grilled burgers wafted through the air as they entered the lively establishment. Sayo, still holding onto Lisa's arm, pulled her into a booth so they were sitting beside each instead of across. Lisa found this arrangement somewhat embarrassing considering it was just the two of them there but didn’t protest."What do you recommend, Imai-san? After all, you're the one treating me today."Lisa took a look at the menu. She’d never seen so many different types of French fries. No wonder this place caught Sayo’s attention. "Well, since it's a special date, we should definitely try their signature burger. And of course, we can't forget the fries." Sayo seemed content with this suggestion.As Sayo and Lisa continued their playful lunch date, the bassist shared her plans to bake a cake for her mom’s birthday. This reminded Sayo of Tsugumi’s offer from the other day on teaching her to bake. They still hadn’t found time to hang out since that afternoon at the café. It was rare, but Sayo genuinely enjoyed the keyboardist’s company. She has this soothing, down to earth nature, a rarity among the many eccentric characters in the band scene. Sayo hoped she could see Tsugumi again. However, judging from Lisa’s slightly pouty look, the guitarist decided she should return her attention to the brunette currently beside her.The waiter soon brought their orders. A tantalizing spread of burgers with a generous serving of peri-salted fries for Lisa and sweet potato fries for Sayo. Sayo's mouth watered with anticipation but as she dug into her fries, Lisa's hand darted in, stealing a piece with a mischievous grin.It took everything in Sayo not to snap. She didn’t care if someone hit her across the head with a guitar or even if they slapped Hina, but taking her potato was crossing the line! (Though in all honesty, Hina probably deserved to be slapped a few time). Fortunately, it was Lisa so the guitarist managed to keep her reaction under control."Imai-san, if you wanted sweet potato fries, you should have ordered your own," Sayo remarked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.Undeterred, Lisa popped the stolen fry into her mouth with a satisfied hum, "Oh, but it tastes so much better when you steal it from someone else. That’s a proven fact!"Sayo raised an eyebrow, not convinced by this distorted reasoning. "I find that hard to believe."She tried to reach for a piece on Lisa’s plate in retaliation, but the brunette slapped her hand away. Sayo’s eyes widened while Lisa only smirked, “It’s also a rule that only the girlfriend can steal food.”Sayo couldn’t ignore how unfair this growing list of rules were, “That doesn’t make sense when we’re both girls here.”Lisa only shrugged before continuing to pilfer fries from Sayo's plate, savouring each stolen bite with a teasing expression. Sayo sighed, realizing that resistance was futile. Lisa had the sort of charm that lets her get away with anything"You know, if you were anyone else, I wouldn’t tolerate this insubordination. Sweet potato fries are my favourite," Sayo shot her a pointed look.Lisa only stuck out her tongue, "Well, I guess you’ll just have to share them~ That’s what couples do, right?"Sayo rolled her eyes. She wouldn’t have started this charade if she realised her food would be at stake. "Need I remind you, we're not really a couple, Imai-san?"Lisa winked playfully, "Not if you keep calling me that, we’re not. Come on, we're 'dating' for today, remember? It's only fair you use my first name as well."The guitarist furrowed her brow, “That’s seems rather informal for me.”A sly look crossed the bassist’s face. She traced her finger along the rim of her bowl of peri-peri fries. “How about we make a little deal?”Sayo moved to the edge of her seat against her own volition. She understood the implicit rules well, “You certainly never play fair, Lisa.” A blush tinged her cheeks as soon as she said the name.Lisa's eyes lit up with triumph, but little did Sayo know, she was left equally embarrassed by this progression. As Sayo expectantly eyed her promised reward, an idea crossed Lisa’s mind to mess with her further.With a seductive smile, Lisa picked up a particularly tempting golden fry, twirling it between her fingers. "Sayo~ You really want one of these, don't you?"Sayo's eyes flickered with a mixture of embarrassment and desire, "Well, yes. It is part of our agreement.”Bringing the fry to her lips, the brunette took a deliberate bite. Still maintaining eye contact with Sayo, she leaned forward to offer the opposite end to the increasingly flustered guitarist.“Li-Lisa, what do you think you’re doing?” Sayo demanded in a hushed whisper, acutely aware that they were still in public.“I’m holding up my end of the deal,” Lisa teased through the food between her lips. “Now it’s just a matter of whether you’ve got the guts to accept it.”She knew Sayo’s level of self-control would never let her resort to such an embarrassing act. It was just so entertaining, seeing how far she could push the reserved student council member. She fully intended to buy the guitarist a whole new plate of fries as an apology once this was over.However, what Lisa didn’t realise was Sayo’s inability to back down when challenged. Growing up in Hina’s shadow does that to a person. With a determined look, the teal haired girl leaned forward and in a swift movement, took the opposite end of the fry from Lisa's mouth."There, happy now?" Sayo muttered, swallowing the hard earnt prize as her face turned a deep shade of red. She was too embarrassed to even consider that had been their first indirect kiss."Oh, um... I didn't think you'd actually go for it," Lisa stammered.Her brain practically short circuited from the closeness. Their lips had been less than an inch away. Sayo, an expert of hiding her vulnerability, simply shrugged.“This was your idea.”Lisa's initial shock transformed into a mix of guilt and shyness, “Ahaha~ Sorry for taking things a little too far. How about this, I’ll buy you a plate of whatever fries you want. It’s the least I can do to make up for all the ones I've stolen.”Sayo looked surprised but grateful at the offer, "I’d like that. But please, no more challenges."Lisa laughed, "Promise, I don’t think I could take much more embarrassment myself. So what will it be?"“Curly fries please?”Lisa couldn’t believe how cute the moody guitarist could be when it came to her favourite food. When they left the burger joint, Lisa could no longer deny fluttering of her heart while around Sayo. She decided to test the waters surrounding these new feelings."Hey, Sayo," she began hesitantly. Her heart was pounding so hard she hoped the other girl couldn’t hear it.Sayo looked over curiously, sensing the shift in Lisa's mood. "What's on your mind?"Lisa took a deep breath, her words tumbling out with a mix of nervousness and sincerity. "You know, back there with the fry thing... I realized something."Sayo wasn’t really sure where this was going. The whole ordeal had been embarrassing but she did get good food out of it. A small price to pay for her shattered dignity. She waited patiently for the brunette to continue."I think... I might actually like you," Lisa admitted, her eyes searching for any sign of reaction.Sayo's expression shifted to surprise. "Like… me?"Lisa nodded, a blush colouring her cheeks. "Yeah… I think I’ve felt it for a while now, but today made me fully realise it."The air hung with anticipation as Sayo processed Lisa's confession. Of all the things Lisa could have said, this was the last thing she could have expected. Except maybe how the words didn’t surface any negative emotions. Despite Sayo’s constant objections to love or relationships, the thought of being with Lisa seemed almost… tempting?"You know, I... I think I might feel the same way," Sayo admitted, her admission surprising even herself.Lisa's eyes widened in shock before a brilliant smile broke across her face. "Really?"Sayo nodded, a subtle warmth colouring her own cheeks, "I've never considered it before, but I may not be opposed if there was something more between us."Lisa's excitement bubbled over. She couldn't help but reach for Sayo's hand, intertwining their fingers, "I’m so happy, right now!"Sayo smiled at her, yet a sense of vulnerability lingered. “I’m still really new to relationships and everything. Would it be alright… if we spent more time together first? Before we really become like… girlfriends?”The word ‘girlfriends’ felt so odd coming from her mouth. Fortunately Lisa seemed to understand her reluctance. “Of course, this is all really new to me as well,” she admitted. In all honesty, when the day started the bassist didn’t even realise she liked girls. “So we’ll be going out sometime? Like on dates and stuff?”Sayo nodded. For some reason, the words sounded oddly familiar. Sayo couldn’t pinpoint why. As they walked together, hand in hand, the revelation of these mutual feelings added a new, sweet note to their unintentional first date. Little did they know, their playful charade of stolen fries was only the first step towards a looming storm of problems about to engulf Sayo’s life.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
As Sayo and Lisa tried to understand their feelings for each other, they both agreed to keep their relationship a secret. Especially from the other members of Roselia. There was no point to raise needless concern if their situation wasn’t confirmed.However, things weren’t going to be easy. Yukina, Ako and Rinko quickly noticed subtle changes in their bandmates’ dynamic. Their jaws practically dropped the first time they heard Sayo speak to the bassist on a first name basis instead of the characteristic “Imai-san.”The two also seemed closer all of the sudden, both emotionally and physically. Lisa was as touchy as always so not much has changed in that respect. However, Sayo made less attempts to resist her advances. At times, she even seemed savour them even.Whispers and exchanged glances became more frequent, but despite their interrogations, the two remained tight lipped on any changes between them. More determined than ever, their bandmates decided to try and catch the suspected couple out.Ako would frequently burst into the room whenever the two were alone, but Sayo and Lisa would always maintain an appropriate distance in time. Yukina prodded Lisa to and from their walks to school, doing everything she could to trick her childhood friend into slipping up, but Lisa kept her wits about her. Despite their growing cautiousness, Ako finally caught her two bandmates making out behind CiRCLE one day.“YUKINA-SAN! They’re making out!” The drummer’s scream instantly broke the unsuspecting pair apart as they spun around shame faced.“Ako, pipe down,” Sayo hissed. “Why are you even back here anyways?”“It’s the best place to check for otherworld portals,” the younger girl stammered, still shaken up over the more horrifying scene she’d stumbled across instead.Before the incriminated pair could react, it was too already late. Yukina’s intimidating figure appeared at entrance to the alleyway, blocking off their escape. She glared at the guilty couple with her arms crossed.The sight of her best friend and her trusted guitarist with their arms still wrapped around each other hit Yukina like a punch to the gut. She felt a surge of conflicting emotions — betrayal, disappointment, and frustration. Yukina prided herself on maintaining a professional atmosphere within Roselia. Despite her suspicions, she struggled to accept this confirmation of Sayo and Lisa's relationship despite the proof before her eyes."Lisa, how could you keep this from me?" Yukina demanded, her eyes burning with hurt."Yukina, I know this looks bad, but like I promise- I didn't want to cause any trouble. We were trying to keep things private till we were sure,” Lisa insisted, struggling to articulate her thoughts.Yukina’s lips tightened into a firm line as her glare shifted between the two bandmates in front of her, “It seems pretty sure to me.”Sayo knew she had to step up for her partner. “Minato-san, please be reasonable and let us talk through this for a moment.”The vocalist’s anger immediately centred on her, “Reasonable? We all agreed personal affairs wouldn’t interfere with Roselia. Of all people, I trusted you to prioritize the band over your personal feelings, Sayo."The disappointment in her voice practically cut through the guitarist. Lisa, sensing the gravity of the situation, tried to reason with her friend."Yukina, even if we were in a relationship- which isn’t confirmed yet, that doesn't necessarily mean it will affect the band. We can stay professional!”“You’re both being selfish. How can I trust that your relationship won't get in the way of our music? You have both already been distracted during practice."Sayo and Lisa both hung their heads in shame, knowing she was right. Despite their best attempts to maintain normality, having their crush in the room made it quite challenging to concentrate. Yet, Sayo couldn’t understand why Yukina showed such strong opposition. She didn’t seem like the type to be homophobic, nor did she ever reject Lisa’s past relationships. Did the vocalist really have a specific agenda against her?Yukina's anger continued to simmer as she gave the two a cold shoulder in the following days. Her frustration spilled over into the band's dynamic, leaving Ako and Rinko at loss for how to deal with the rift forming in Roselia. Even worse, news of Sayo and Lisa's relationship spread like wildfire across the live house. Whispers and hushed conversations echoed through the corridors as the two members of Roselia supposedly dating each other became the hot topic of gossip.Word of the relationship soon reached Afterglow and the members broke out in rage the moment they realised Sayo was two-timing their sweet keyboardist. Though incredibly heartbroken, Tsugumi refused to accept that Sayo was intentionally capable of such actions. She believed in the guitarist she’d always admired, that sweet girl she went on that coffee date with. Sayo wouldn’t hurt her, would she?"I don’t believe she would do something like this," Tsugumi whimpered as Himari did her best to comfort her. "There must be some mistake."It took the two of them everything to stop Tomoe from going at the blue haired girl with a baseball bat. Even Ran was egging on her hot-headed friend. Obviously Moca did too, but the girl revelled in chaos regardless of the ends or the means. Meanwhile, Ako feared for her life and refused to disclose any further information to the band. She was afraid all hell would break lose if her sister and the equally intimidating guitarist directly butted heads.Meanwhile, the tension within Roselia only grew. Yukina's anger and disappointment lingered, casting a dark cloud over their rehearsals. She began nit-picking everything Sayo did, causing multiple fights to erupt each practice. The once-friendly interactions were left strained and ugly. The tension in the studio reached breaking point when the door swung open with a forceful crash.Tomoe burst into the room, leading the charge with her eyes blazing with anger. Behind her, the rest of Afterglow followed with equally serious expressions. Aside from Tsugumi was desperately begging for them to draw back."Hikawa Sayo! Tell us right now what the hell’s goin’ on or I’m busting ya brains out!" Tomoe growled, duel wielding her drumsticks in hand. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the same impact as a bat, but they were the only thing Himari let her leave the house with.The members of Roselia spun around to face the sudden intrusion. None of them had a clue to what warranted this assault, least of all Sayo. The silence in the room was pierced as Tomoe's gaze stopped on Sayo. Angry parks practically flew between them as their locked eyes.As Afterglow’s leader, Himari addressed the issue directly, "Sayo-san, are you really two-timing Tsugumi?"Yukina raised an eyebrow. She didn’t tolerate disruptions to her band practice but upon hearing the situation involved Sayo, decided it would be more interesting to hang back and watch things unfold.Sayo was taken aback by the accusation, "What? Uehara-san, I don’t know—"However, Tomoe wasn't having it. She slapped her fist against the way, the loud impact immediately shutting down the guitarist’s protests. "Don't even try to deny it! We've heard the word on the street. What kind of bastard are you, playing around with Tsugu’s feelings?"“Actually, it’s just the word going around CiRCLE,” Tsumugi piped up in defence but her friend’s disappointed glares immediate shut her up.Realizing the gravity of the situation while also appreciating the keyboardist for standing up for her, Sayo took a deep breath, "Everyone, I promise it's not as it seems. There's been a misunderstanding."Ran crossed her arms, "A misunderstanding? You better start explaining, and it better be good."To be honest, Sayo didn’t even know how the situation had escalated to this point. As far as she as concerned, she and Tsumugi were never romantically involved. However, she knew she also didn’t want the older Undagawa’s fist though her face. The only person who wasn’t on edge was Moca, who always maintained her laid-back demeanor. She tilted her head, speaking up amidst the escalating tension."Sayo-san, didn’t you and Tsugumi go on a date not too long ago?"Every member of Rosalia turning to stare at the nonchalant guitarist. Lisa stared between the Sayo and Tsugumi in shock. Sayo's eyes suddenly widened in realization. She recalled her afternoon at the café with Tsugumi."Wait, that was a date?" Sayo hated how dumb she sounded.It was now Afterglow’s turn to look taken aback. Tomoe turned her attention to their keyboardist who was slowly edging towards the door, "Tsugumi, what's the deal?” She was struggling to keep her voice level, “We saw you on that date with Sayo-san."“Wait, you stalked us?” Sayo couldn’t hide her horror at the thought of her date’s best friends witnessing their awkward attempts at a conversation.“Of course, what else are friends for? Don’t you guys?” Himari shrugged.“Anyways, not the issue right now,” Ran pointed out. Instantaneously, all eyes now turned to Tsumugi.Feeling the pressure, the brunette nervously shifted on her feet, “Sayo-san and I did go on a date.. Well, at least I thought it was a date.” She paused for a second as her face quickly shifted to horror. Her next words were barely a whisper, “I-I guess I never really confirmed it."The room was swallowed in awkward silence.Moca was the first to break it with an inappropriate chuckle. "Classic Tsugu move. You can't just assume, you know. Especially when it comes to dense girls like Sayo-san."Sayo's shock turned into a mixture of confusion and shame. "Hazawa-san I am truly sorry. I never realised those were your intentions."Tsugumi bit her lip, "No, I’m the one who’s sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have assumed we were on the same page."The room buzzed with a mix of emotions — relief, confusion, and a hint of amusement. The tension that had filled the air moments ago began to dissipate.Tomoe, after processing the information, sighed with a humorous shake of her head. To Sayo’s relief, her drumsticks were now safely stored in her back pocket. "Well, this is a mess.""Guess it's just a case of miscommunication. We should have a band guidebook to dating or something~" Moca grinned.Sayo approached Tsugumi with a genuine look of apology in her eyes, "Hazawa-san, I apologise for putting you through this. If I had known the café was a date, things might have been different." Sayo’s voice carried a sincere tone.Tsugumi, still processing the situation, nodded with a mixture of understanding and regret. "I should have communicated better too. I regret how things went."The two shared a moment, their eyes meeting in silent acknowledgment of the complex emotions swirling between them. However, one particular person was not happy with this resolution. Lisa watched Sayo with growing hurt. She knew they weren’t really dating yet, but that doesn’t lessen the disappointment at finding out the girl you have feelings was into someone else. She’d always known the guitarist had many admirers. Nonetheless, this salient proof that Sayo's heart was entangled with someone else’s left her feeling a twinge of heartache.As revelation of Sayo and Tsugui’s unintentional date hung in the air, Ako couldn't help but point out the obvious, "But Sayo-san and Lisa-nee have been seeing each other, haven't they?" Her eyes darting between her two bandmates.Sayo shifted uncomfortably, caught off guard by the direct confrontation. Meanwhile Lisa felt relieved that someone finally brought up this conflict. The tension in the room returned as both Tsumugi and Lisa vied for Sayo's attention. The looks of disappointment and longing the guitarist received practically pushed her into the corner. Sayo still wasn’t used to receiving attention from one girl, much less two and was quickly overwhelmed.Amidst the budding conflict, Yukina unexpectedly stepped forward to regain a semblance of order. "Enough”" she declared, her authoritative tone cutting through the tension.She turned to her guitarist with a glare, making Sayo shrink further. "Sayo, I won’t have you disrupting our rehearsals any further. This needs to be resolved." Sayo didn’t like being singled out amidst the mess. However, she supposed if someone were to blame, all evidence did point to her. Yukina continued sternly, "You're causing unnecessary turmoil between both bands. You need to make a decision."Feeling the weight of the situation, Sayo felt torn, "I... I don't know. This is too sudden- how can I decide who I like more?"It was truly unfair. Sayo never asked for this, all she had wanted was to play guitar. Yet fate had decided to fuck up her over by sending two girls after her at the same time. That was two more than Sayo ever had interest in her life.She glanced between Lisa and Tsugumi. She didn’t want to admit it, but a part of her liked both of them. They were different from each other in their own charming way. Tsugumi was soft and sweet, never failing to put Sayo at ease whenever they spoke. Meanwhile, Lisa’s cheerfulness and kind spirit always brightened Sayo’s day.Yukina crossed her arms, “In that case, you will go on dates with both Tsugumi and Lisa for the next two months. By the end, you will make you decision. That should be enough time to figure out your feelings, correct? Does anyone have any objections?"The suggestion took everyone by surprise. Tsumugi and Lisa exchanged hesitant glances, yet neither of them offered any protest. Sayo definitely wanted to protest. There was no way she could handle spending time with both girls amidst her busy schedule!Nevertheless, she bit her tongue. Sayo knew this was the most peaceful solution on offer. Besides, how could she say no to those sad looks Lisa and Tsugumi were giving her? Sayo hoped she’d find a way to make them both happy. At any rate, if things didn’t work out Yukina might really carry out her threat of kicking Sayo out of the band and replacing her with Hina. A more horrifying image has never existed. Sayo had no choice but to accept this ultimatum.Afterglow left the practice room with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Moca wished she stopped at the convenience store for popcorn on the way here. With this looming deadline, Sayo was left to grapple with the weight of her upcoming decision and the impact it would have on her relationship with both Afterglow and Roselia.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
As the countdown began, Sayo’s days blurred into a whirlwind of dates, school responsibilities and band practice. Juggling both Lisa and Tsugumi, Sayo’s hectic schedule tested even her superior time-management skills. Yet, amidst the exhaustion and the pressure, spending time with the two girls brought a genuine sense of enjoyment that fuelled Sayo’s determination.After school, Sayo would rush to meet Tsugumi. They would explore new cafes together and unwinding over delicious hot drinks. Sayo found that despite Tsugumi’s family owning a coffee house, the keyboardist wasn’t keen on the beverage herself but preferred a good cup of tea. Tsugumi's cheerful presence brought a much needed calmness to Sayo’s life and guitarist also learnt a lot about the artisan world from her. Their cosy dates became Sayo’s sanctuary after a long day.Simultaneously, Sayo made time for Lisa. They stole moments between school and band practices hang out at each other’s houses or grab food (something Sayo was growing more accustomed to, though still reluctant when it came her fries). Lisa's playful teasing and flirtatious nature added a different spice to Sayo's experiences. It was different from the sweetness she shared with Tsugumi.However, Lisa also had a caring side. She brought Sayo home-baked cookies or gave much-needed shoulder massages after particularly intense practice sessions. Not to mention, their heated make-out sessions in bathroom stalls at breaks were also pretty nice. Sayo never imagined she’d partake in such an illicit activity yet, Lisa’s sensuality brought out that new facet of her personality. Though the pair had be careful Yukina never caught them.Despite suggesting the ultimatum, the vocalist was still displeased with her bandmates’ relationship. She often quoted the same excuse about the negative effect it might have on their work ethic. Sayo was afraid if Yukina found out what she’d been doing with her childhood friend, she wouldn’t live to see their next Live.As Sayo navigated her new hectic schedule, she often found herself longing for her old moments of respite. Though her fatigue grew, the thought of each upcoming date acted as her motivating force in return. Despite the challenge of maintaining this delicate balance and ensuring each partner received equal amounts of attention, Sayo couldn't deny she didn’t hate this change in her life. The fact surprised her more than anyone. But while she continued to go on dates with both Tsugumi and Lisa, the guitarist remained oblivious that someone else secretly harboured feelings for her.Hina had always hidden her secret longing. She knew it was wrong to have romantic feelings for your own sister and the last thing she wanted was to trouble Sayo with these feelings. As much as it pained her, the younger twin knew that loving someone often meant making sacrifices. That was something she accepted years ago.But upon hearing about Sayo's ultimatum a sense of desperation crept into Hina's heart. She couldn't bear the thought of Sayo choosing someone else, even someone as nice as Lisa or Tsugumi. Hina decided she needed to make her sister notice her in a different light.While at home, the younger twin found every excuse to linger around her sister. Whether it was requesting to practice guitar together, subtle touches she passed Sayo or the way her gaze lingered on the older girl for longer than it should. Hina hoped that, somehow, Sayo would pick up on these unspoken signals. That she would notice the love that went beyond their sisterly bond.As much as Hina cared about both Lisa and Tsugumi, she knew she had a natural advantage over her competitors. As twins, she and Sayo have not only bond of their childhood history but the fact that they’re still living together. Hina definitely had no qualms in taking advantage of this. With ample opportunities, Hina seized every chance to drop hints, attempting to blur the lines between sisterly affection and something more.In the mornings, feigning innocence, she’d would climb into Sayo's bed under the pretence of waking her up. Although it should have been obvious to Sayo how little waking up was actually happening from the way her sister snuggled up to her under the covers.Hina’s heart pounded as she felt the warmth emulating from Sayo. She was still getting used to the new closeness between them, a recent development since they overcame their past differences. It was nice that Sayo no longer avoided her or tried to push her away.Nonetheless, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of jealousy. The younger twin wondered if her sister’s recent dates played a part in her decreased resistance to physical affection. Till now, all affectionate contact (though limited) had been reserved solely for for. Not that Sayo had a choice in the matter. Hina didn’t like the idea of her sister cuddling up with other girls.Feeling possessive, she wrapped her arms more tightly around her twin. Sayo, still half-asleep, mumbled a sleepy protest but didn’t resist. "Onee-chan, it's time to wake up," Hina whispered, her breath brushing against Sayo's ear. She cherished these stolen moments.Hina’s breath made Sayo’s ear tickle. As she stirred, a faint blush coloured her cheeks upon registering the proximity. However, Sayo thought nothing of it since Hina’s naturally affectionate always. Although it’s become annoying finding her in her bed so often. The bed itself wasn’t made for two people so it’s quite a tight fit, her twin’s intrusion now pressing Sayo up against the wall.Despite playing things off as a part of their morning routine, Hina felt a twinge of guilt. Sayo looks so vulnerable when she’s first waking up. Someone could so easily take advantage of her. The thought crossed Hina’s mind though she remained unaware that she’s potentially the current biggest hazard to Sayo’s health.…That evening, Hina eagerly suggested they shower together. "It'll save water, you know~" she pointed out in the most innocent tone she could muster.She was certain she successfully masked her ulterior motive. However, Sayo was always on guard against her opportunistic twin and immediate locked the bathroom door in Hina’s face. The younger twin sighed. Maybe she'd tried that trick one too many times. Still worth a shot though.Despite this minor setback, Hina was nothing if not relentless. On her one-track quest deepen her bond with Sayo, the younger twin hatched a plan to sneak into her sister's school during lunch. Armed with determination and a spare uniform she stole from Sayo’s closet, she effortlessly blended in among the sea of students.Unfortunately, her shorter hair quickly drew a few odd looks from other students as they noticed this deviation from Sayo's usual appearance. Nonetheless, most of the school were unaware of the fact that Sayo even has a twin. Hina even received a few compliments for her new look.With this confidence boost, Hina grew careless. As she turned a corner and nearly bumped into three familiar face- Aya, Eve, and Chisato, her bandmates from Pastel*Palettes.Aya blinked a few times, trying to process the figure in front of her. Those iconic braids immediately screamed Hina, but the Hanakisawa uniform threw her off. The emotionless expression on the girl’s face gave nothing away either. Had Sayo finally lost it and chopped off her hair, or was Hina pulling another prank on them?"Um, hello?" the pink-haired vocalist greeted uncertainly. She hoped the twin’s voice would give away her identity.Eve, often too brave for her own good, skipped forward and gave the teal-haired girl’s shoulder a small poke. “Sayo-san? Or are you Hina-chan? This is a fun little game.”Aya almost passed out on the spot. The guitarist turned to Eve with a stony look as she folded her arms. “Wakamiya-san, what do you think you are doing?” The hours she spent spying on Sayo had perfected Hina’s impression of her twin. Eve drew back, slightly startled by her mistake.Despite her convincing act, Chisato saw through her immediately. "Hina, what on earth are you doing in your sister's uniform? School is not the place for fooling around!"Called out by her stern bandmate, Hina’s façade broke with a sheepish grin, "Wow, Chisato-chan that was boppin! How did you know it was me?"“Sayo-san would quit Roselia before she ever changed her looks to match yours,” the blonde pointed out bluntly.Hina winched. Harsh but true. The days of her and her sister matching was long behind them. Or at least that’s what Sayo thinks. She doesn’t have to know what Hina does in her room in secret…However, the younger twin wasn’t off the hook as the bassist began to scold her. "You can't just break into someone else’s school like this.” Chisato tone was laced with the usual hint of irritation, “Sayo-san is on the disciplinary committee. You could seriously get her into a lot of trouble."Eve seemed unfazed by this breach of security, as she stared at Hina in awe, "Hina-chan, that was such a daring move. You’re like our stealthy ninja!"Aya's eyes were equally wide, but with disbelief as she struggled to comprehend how she couldn’t distinguish her own bandmate. "Yes, I really couldn’t tell it was you. But please be careful. We wouldn't want you getting into trouble."Despite the mix of praise and the scolding, Hina couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. "You guys have really un-zapping expressions right now. I just wanted to surprise onee-chan during lunch."Chisato sighed, "Not like I could stop you if I tried. Just don’t cause trouble for your sister, okay? And while you’re at it, straighten up your bow."As the trio from Pastel*Palettes continued on their way, Hina skipped off blissfully. However, her attempt to masquerade as Sayo hit a snag when she caught the attention of a vigilant teacher. Despite the borrowed uniform, Hina's naturally more dishevelled appearance (not to mention the incredibly uncharacteristic skipping) raised suspicions.Word was already traveling around the school like wildfire about how the stern student council members had finally lost it. Rumours spiralled, ranging on how Sayo fell down the stairs and hit her head to whispers of how she experienced a full mental breakdown from the workload. Unable to escape the teacher in time, Hina was promptly escorted to the teacher's lounge for yet another stern lecture.Inside the lounge, she nervously fidgeted under the weight of the staff member’s concern. The educator was moments away from calling an ambulance, interpreting ‘Sayo’s’ shocking disregard for the school's dress code as an indication of serious head trauma. Hina wondered if her more serious twin ever experienced joy. Sure, they were both part of the student council in their respective schools but geez! This place was strict.She doubted Lisa could get away with her bold jewellery here, much less how Kauro frequently wore her full renaissance costumes to class when she couldn’t be bothered to change after drama rehearsal. It always caused a huge distraction among the girls, practically derailing every math class.Perhaps it was a good things Sayo was part of the disciplinary committed. Hina hated to imagine how many more girls her sister might pull if she were to be more lenient with her appearance.Meanwhile, Sayo received a text from Tsugumi alerting her to Hina's sudden disappearance from Haneoka. Growing suspicious, Sayo excused herself and hurried to the teacher's lounge. True to her fears, she found Hina looking incredibly uncomfortable while being scolded for pushing herself too hard with work. The teacher looked up in shock to find another Sayo stood in the doorway and proceeded to stare back and forth between the two teal-haired girls in disbelief."Sensei, I'm sorry for the trouble. That is my twin sister, Hina," Sayo gave Hina a pointed looking making her shrink further in her seat."Your…sister? Hikawa-san, I never knew you had a sister.""The truth is she doesn’t go her. I believe Hina wanted to surprise me during lunch. I apologise for her disregard for school rules, it was just a harmless mix-up and I take full responsibility," Sayo said apologetically.After a brief exchange and further clarification from Sayo, the teacher reluctantly accepted the explanation. The sisters were let off with a warning about impersonation and breaking and entering. Sayo managed to elbow Hina in time before her idiot sister could point out she technically didn’t break anything. As they left the teacher's lounge, Hina felt a sense of both relief and guilt as she apologised to her very irritated twin."I just wanted to spend time with you, onee-chan. I didn't mean to cause trouble," she whined.Over the years, Sayo had grown increasingly frustrated by Hina's impulsive actions. It often landed them both in trouble and was even one of the reasons she initially distanced herself from her sister, but no matter how many time times they repeated the cycle, Hina remained blissfully unaware of the consequences of her actions. Consequences Sayo is forced to deal with each time she’s left apologise for the chaos left in her sister’s wake."Hina, you can't just go around doing whatever you want," Sayo couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer. "Now I have to explain to the whole school we’re related and shut down all those rumours!"Hina felt rather hurt by this. "Is it really that bad if people know we’re sisters?”Sayo bit her lip. Although still had her lingering complex when it came to Hina, their relationship was definitely better now than it was a year ago. Nonetheless, a small part of her still felt ashamed. For her own inadequacy in light of Hina’s genius, but more so her sister’s troublemaking tendencies.“Whatever, just don’t come here again without permission.”It was then that Sayo realised a pattern she let build over time. How shouldering the aftermath of her sister’s troubles had inadvertently dissolved Hina of responsibility."You need to start taking accountability for your actions, Hina. I can't keep cleaning up after you forever," Sayo griped, though she felt equally disappointed in herself for letting things get this out of hand.Seeing her twin so downcast, for the first time, Hina began to grasp the extent of the burden she'd unintentionally placed on Sayo. "I didn't realize I was causing so much trouble for you, onee-chan," Hina admitted, giving her sister sad puppy dog eyes. "I'm sorry."How could Sayo possibly stay angry? "Just be more mindful from now on,” she sighed, averting her gaze from Hina’s much too effective strategy. “It’s not wrong to enjoy life, but not at the expense of bothering others or leaving me to deal with it."…That night, Hina was determined to make up for her mistake. She hoped a thoughtful gesture would be enough to win Sayo over and as her twin, she knew better than anyone that the way to her sister’s heart was through her stomach. What better way to achieve this while also showing Sayo how competent she could be than cooking her omurice? It was one of their favourite comfort dishes.Armed with a recipe and ample excitement, Hina set out to create this culinary masterpiece. Or at the very least something edible. Sayo usually did the cooking whenever their parents were busy and unfortunately, Hina soon found out why.As Hina attempted to flip the omelette with the finesse of the chefs she’d seen on TV, disaster struck. She underestimated her strength and the pan slipped from her grasp, sending rice and eggs flying in all directions. In seconds, the pristine kitchen became a mess with Hina at the centre of this calamity.Over the years, Sayo had developed a sixth sense for Hina’s chaos. Feeling a foreboding sense of doom, she decided to check downstairs. Especially since her younger sister had grown suspiciously quiet in the past hour. Entering the kitchen, she found Hina stood amidst the mess with a mix of regret and shame written over her face."Onee-chan, I'm really sorry! I wanted to make something nice for you, but I messed it up," Hina hung her head.As if things couldn’t get any worse, the oven mitt by the stove caught alight on the flame and erupted into a blaze. The smoke immediate sent the fire alarm above them into a frenzy. Desensitized to such accidents, Sayo calmly grabbed the fire extinguisher nearby and tackled the situation.Once the fire was put out, the older twin wiped the sweat off her brow. "I’m glad we didn’t have to call the fire-department again.” Upon seeing her twin’s forlorn expression, she shifted to a gentler tone, “It’s okay, Hina. Accidents happen. I know you were trying your best so let's just clean this up together."Hina couldn't shake the overwhelming guilt that settled in her chest as her (surprisingly) caring older sister helped cleaned up her mess. Again. Her plan to create a heartwarming surprise had only succeeded in turning their kitchen into a disaster zone.After clean up, Sayo used the leftover ingredients to quickly whip up a new batch of food for them. "Cooking takes practice. If you like, maybe I could teach you next time,” she explained in an attempt at comfort Hina.It would definitely take a load off Sayo’s conscience once they’re in college to know Hina wasn’t living off instant noodles and plain toast. That is, if she somehow manages to operate a toaster without it catching fire.Hina felt grateful for the reassurance but at the same time, she couldn’t shake off her feelings of failure. It was a feeling she wasn’t unaccustomed to. "I just wanted to make you happy, onee-chan."Sayo placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I know, but you don't need to be perfect to make me happy. Just as I’m nowhere near perfect, either."Hina couldn’t resist giving her sister a hug before they settled down at the dinner table to enjoy the (thankfully now unburnt) meal. Despite everything, Sayo remained oblivious to Hina's internal struggles to convey her true feelings. Focused on her own recent entanglements and the now added stress of her twin’s increase in troubled incidents, Sayo failed to notice the subtle shift in Hina’s behaviour.Meanwhile, Hina's heart ached with each passing moment. The combination of guilt from the failed omurice incident plus the revelation that she’d been burdening Sayo's life overwhelmed her.They were both in the living room later that night when Sayo finally noticed Hina's distress. "Hina, what's wrong?" she asked, looking up from her phone with a touch of concern. She was started to find Hina on the verge of tears."I'm sorry for everything. I tried to do so many boppin’ things to surprise you but none of them turned out zappin’. I just wanted to make you happy," Hina sniffled.Sayo moved to sit next to Hina on the sofa, "You don't have to apologize. Who says I’m not happy?” Despite her words, her sister’s uncharacteristic behaviour was filling Sayo with unease. “Why don’t you tell me what’s really been bothering you?"Hina's voice quivered as she tried to articulate her feelings, "I’m just... I’m realising why you avoided me all those years… I’m such a bad little sister. But that’s not all...”As much as it hurt to hear their past hurt Hina just as much, but Sayo waited patiently, for her sister to share whatever was on her mind.Though hesitant, Hina continued, "I’ve been struggling with your relationship with Tsugu-chan and Lisacchi. They’re super boppin’, but it’s super tough seeing you getting so close to them, you know?"Sayo never would have expected this to be the reason behind Hina’s breakdown. She tried her best to offer reassurance, "I guess you’re used to it always being just us… regardless, you mean a lot to me, Hina. Let’s work through this together."Hina, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, finally broke down. Tears flowed freely as she let go of the pent-up feelings that have been haunting her. Though still unaccustomed to the gesture, Sayo pulled Hina into a hug. Tears streamed down Hina's cheeks as she struggled to find the right words."I'm sorry, onee-chan, I never meant to bring my own selfishness into this."“It’s not selfish to feel lonely. It’s ok, I’m here for you.”Although Sayo didn’t understand the depth of Hina's distress, she continued to hold her close. As they both laid on the sofa, Hina curled up in Sayo’s arms and the older twin rubbed her back gently. Nestled against Sayo's shoulder, Hina could feel the soothing rhythm of her twin’s heartbeat.The sound of the steady breaths they shared resonated through the room. Meanwhile, Sayo’s other hand ran through Hina's hair. A soft, rhythmic motion that lulled away the remnants of sadness that plagued her younger sister.After a few moments, Sayo finally voiced real question on her mind. "Hina… why have you been trying so hard to impress me recently?"It only occurred to her that she may have put unintentional strain on Hina just as her twin had done to her in their younger years. Sayo wanted to prevent another rift from forming between them at any cost. Hina hesitated, her heart pounding as she genuinely considered revealing the feeling she’d kept hidden for so long."Onee-chan," she began, finally summoned the courage with a deep breath. "You know I've always admired you but it’s not just because you’re my sister… it’s also in a different way."Sayo, still oblivious to the true depth of Hina's feelings, smiled warmly, "I'm glad to hear that. Your support means a lot to me."Hina shook her head as guilt continued to rise within her. She could still back down if she wanted to, but the younger twin didn’t know how much longer she could live with this forbidden secret."It’s not like that. I... I've realised my feelings for you are more than what I should feel for family…" Hina admitted, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I didn't want to burden you, but it hurts so much seeing you move on from me. Especially with everything going on with Tsugumi and Lisa.” She turned away so Sayo couldn’t see her expression as she spoke, “I.. I never thought I’d ever tell you this but... I love you, onee-chan."Despite her understandable shock, Sayo processed this confession. The realization of her sister's romantic feelings for her added a new layer of complexity to their already nuanced relationship. As she sat there contemplating how to proceed with this information, Sayo felt a strange resonance with Hina's words. The admission of guilt, the struggle with forbidden feelings – these elements struck a chord within her. For the first time, Sayo began to question the nature of her affection for Hina.
Why had she distanced herself from Hina all those years ago?
The guitarist wondered if her own feelings transcended the bounds of sisterly love. A cascade of memories played out in Sayo's mind– the shared moments. The laughter. Comforting each other through hard times. As if a veil was lifting, Sayo began to see Hina in a different light. She finally recognised the depth of their connection, those subtle nuances that had grown between them over the years.Before Sayo could articulate her thoughts, Hina suddenly leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. The unexpected gesture caught Sayo off guard, her eyes widening in surprise.In that fleeting moment, Sayo's heart whispered the truth she had been reluctant to acknowledge. Feelings that extended beyond the realms of familial bond. Sayo pondered the implications of this newfound awareness and how it would impact their relationship. Her mind worked overtime to untangle the threads of familial love from these newfound romantic dimensions. Nonetheless, she welcomed this prospect.A hint of annoyance appeared in her eyes. "Hina, you can't just take a leap like that without confirmation," she chided though a subtle blush tinted her cheeks. “What if I didn’t feel the same way?”Hina’s cheeks flushed as she realised the implications of Sayo’s words. With growing embarrassment and excitement, the younger twin couldn’t help but grin."I... I couldn't wait any longer. Even if you didn’t feel the same way, I didn’t want to have any regrets."Sayo sighed, though a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Well, you’ve certainly made that clear."The weight of their unspoken feelings were now laid bare. The two continued to cuddle on the sofa, enjoying this new emotional revelation in their relationship. Hina snuggled happily into the crook of Sayo’s neck. In response, Sayo pressed a kiss to the top of her head, making Hina giggle.“So onee-chan, you still haven’t given me a clear response.”The older twin rolled her eyes, “You know how I feel.”“But I want to hear you say it~” Hina pleaded, giving her biggest puppy dog eyes yet.“I love you too, Hina.”Sayo had no power against her sister’s cuteness. Although she didn’t know how they’d navigate the challenge of these new feelings, Sayo was certain she would always have Hina’s honesty, trust, and support by her side. That was when a more concerning realisation struck her. Sayo groaned.“Onee-chan, is everything okay?”Sayo rubbed her temple, “Just casually contemplating how I’m going to break the news to Lisa and Tsugu-san that I’m also in love with my own sister.”Hina giggled. “They’re both pretty boppin’ and open-minded people. I’m sure neither of them will care. They already know how much I love you, onee-chan~ ”Sayo wanted to point out that it wasn’t in the way Hina was referring to but who knows? With their unusual bond, maybe no one would even question it. Hopefully.In that moment, holding onto Hina, Sayo felt too content to worry about anything else.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Hina had indeed been right. Though the news first took Tsugumi and Lisa by surprised, the two quickly came to terms with the fact that Hina had joined their ongoing competition for Sayo.Lisa felt especially amused. Only a dumbass like Sayo would fall for her own sister on top of two other girls.Due to this development, Sayo decided to finally do something she would never have considered in a million years. She was going to surprise Hina at her next Pastel Palettes concert. It was the least she could do to support her now that they were together.When Sayo entered the venue, the hall was already buzzing with energy. Fans eagerly mingled by the stage awaiting the performance. The guitarist felt quite of place amongst the cutesier vibes of these supporters. Her sister’s band couldn’t be more different than the gothic rock tone of Roselia.As the lights dimmed, and the five idols stepped on stage. Wearing their iconic ruffly dresses, they waved enthusiastically, sending their adoring fans into a frenzy. Sayo shrunk back feeling quite overwhelmed by the energy levels until Hina sudden spotted her. Sayo had never seen such a huge smile light up on her sister’s face. She was almost surprised Hina didn’t immediately leap off the stage to greet her.“Hello everyone!” Aya’s cutesy voice greeted the crowed, erupting the wave of cheers. “Thank you for coming here tonight, we are Palettes Pastel- ack.” The pinked haired vocalist had bit her tongue. Her face screwed up in embarrassment. “I messed up,” she whimpered.“Aya-chan, we haven’t even gotten through introductions. This must be a new record!” Eve laughed.The amused band members all surrounded the distressed girl to comfort her. The crowed laughed at such a characteristic mess up from their favourite vocalist. Even Sayo couldn’t help but roll her eyes in amusement.Getting back on track, the vibrant energy of Pastel Palettes soon filled the venue as they started their first song. It didn’t suit Sayo’s music taste, but she had to admit they weren’t bad at all. Though what amazed her the most was Hina’s stage presence. Sayo had never seen her sister so in her element. In her pastel-blue dress, the younger guitarist radiated confidence and pure joy from having her older sister there to cheer her on.Till now, Sayo never realized the depth of Hina's dedication to music. She had always assumed Hina joined her band out of boredom or yet another attempt to copy Sayo’s interests. However, the passion she poured into her playing was undeniable proof that her twin had been seriously honing her skills. In contrast, Sayo was completely out of her element amidst this vibrant concert scene. Yet, she felt a surge of pride for her sister. Sayo awkwardly waved the blue glow stick she’d brought (Hina's signature colours) while doing her best to match the rhythm of the fans around her.Not once did Hina’s eyes leave Sayo throughout the concert. She found her twin’s somewhat clumsy attempts to demonstrate her support awkwardly endearing but utterly cute. Several times their eyes would meet. In those moments of connection, Hina and Sayo shared a silent understanding and appreciation for each other's distinct worlds.As the final notes of the Pastel*Palettes concert resonated through the venue, Hina's excitement reached its peak. Unable to contain herself any longer, flung her guitar aside. The instrument nearly smacked Chisato across the face but the blonde manged to catch it amidst some flailing. Before the bassist could protest, Hina leapt off the stage.Her bandmates’ jaws simultaneously dropped while the crowd erupted into cheers, loving this unexpected spectacle. Aiming directly for Sayo, the younger blue haired guitarist sailed through the air. Sayo, though utterly unprepared miraculously caught her, taking a few staggered steps back to steady herself. Nevertheless, she held her sister securely in her arms. The audience erupted into even louder cheers over this spontaneous save.Chisato was livid at the reckless display. She was but a hair away from breaking her professional image as she struggled to regain control of the situation. "Hikawa Hina, what in the world do you think you're doing?!" The actress’ shrill voice cut through the cheers. “This is not appropriate behaviour for an Idol! You could have hurt someone!”Hina, still in Sayo's arms, grinned mischievously, "Sorry, Chisato-chan! Onee-chan came to surprise me!”Chisato was struggling to maintain her composure, "Then you could have waited till we got off stage the normal way."Although blonde idol was mortified at Hina's spontaneous stage dive, the fans didn’t seem to care. They’d come to expect the unexpected from their lovable guitarist. However, curious murmurs began to spread as speculations rose about the relationship between Hina and this mysterious blue haired girl she flung herself at.In the midst of the chaos Chisato made her way off stage and with a look of exasperation, had to forcefully remove Hina from Sayo. The younger twin wailed as she was dragged by the arm though the crowed. Once in the safety of their dressing room backstage, Chisato closed the door behind them with a resounding thud. She disposed the guilty-looking guitarist into a chair."Hina, your behaviour tonight was unacceptable!" Chisato admonished, no longer having to hold back now that they were out of their fans’ sight. “This is a concert, not a zoo! You're going to jeopardize our image with such recklessness!”Hina, although still wearing a playful grin, took a more serious tone. "Chisato-chan, it was just a bit of fun. The fans loved the surprise!"The bassist remained furious, “What if you accidentally hurt one of our fans? If word got out, we’d be immediately disbanded!” However a bigger issue had risen in the blonde’s mind. “Not to mention you threw yourself at Sayo-san of all people! I’ve always respected your privacy when it comes to your… bond, but what if rumours start spreading about an illicit relationship between you two? It could end both your careers! Have you even thought of that?”Caught in her friend’s fiery temper, Hina hung her head. She spoke up in a uncharacteristically small voice, “But… what if we were?”Chisato was shocked into silence. Before she could process Hina’s admission the dressing room door swung open. The other members of Pastel*Palettes entered with Sayo in tow."We made it! Whoo, it got crazy out there,” Eve, their free-spirited keyboardist announced. “We had to rescue Sayo-san from getting interrogated by the crowd!"Sayo looking relieved at this intervention and nodded in agreement. "Yes, they were quite persistent in trying to figure out how Hina and I are connected."Feeling responsible for the disruption, Sayo took the initiative as she turned to Chisato. " Shirasagi-san, I sincerely apologize for Hina's behaviour tonight. I wouldn’t have come if I realised how much trouble she would cause."Hina pouted upon hearing this. Though Chisato’s mind was still reeling from the shock of discovering the Hikawa twin’s relationship, her demeanour softened at this sincere apology."It’s alright, Sayo-san. It wasn’t your fault.” She turned back to the younger twin with a glare, “As for you-“ Hina shrunk under the intensity. “I expect more professionalism from you from now on.”The younger guitarist nodded dejectedly. Sayo felt relieved to know there was someone reliable within Pastel Palettes. She admired the bassist’s adeptness at keeping her irresponsible sister in line."I appreciate all you do for my sister, Shirasagi-san. I fear Hina has caused you many problems in the past."Chisato couldn't help but admire Sayo's integrity. It was apparent how committed she was to her younger sister, even to the point to owning up to the latter’s mistakes. “It’s alright, Sayo-san, you don’t need to thank you. Although you need to stop apologising for Hina’s mistakes or she’ll never learn."It was Sayo’s turn to hang her head. She understood the truth in the bassist’s words. As the tension subsided, the members of Pastel*Palettes invited Sayo to join them for their after-party. She got dragged into the whole mess after all. Sayo was initially reluctant but Hina, and more surprisingly Chisato persuaded her to attend. The guitarist assumed that if the stern bassist tolerated her presence despite the unintentional disruption she caused earlier, it must be alright.The agency had rented out a small local venue the band and all the supporting staff to celebrate. Surprisingly, the theme was black tie. Sayo was unprepared but thankfully Hina had her covered. She pulled Sayo into a dressing room where she offered her twin first pick from her own selection of formalwear. Why Hina owned so many suits Sayo would never know, but she eventually settled on a tailored navy two-piece. It felt a bit snug due to her taller frame but would do for the night.Hina practically swooned as did up Sayo’s tie. Sayo felt ashamed for her lack of experience in that department, but Hina was secretly grateful for an opportunity to get up close to her sister. Besides, she was well versed with the accessory considering it’s part of her school uniform. The younger girl sported her own matching white suit. Ironic, considering her far from angelic behaviour that day.As the twins emerged from the dressing room arm in arm, the rest of Pastel Palettes erupted into praise over their matching elegance. Sayo was surprised the agency allowed Hina to defy gender norms so openly, yet no one seemed to care. Meanwhile, the others members wore floor length gowns in their respective colours. This image of refinement contrasted their usual cutesy vibe.Throughout the party, Maya and Eve couldn’t contain their excitement over Hina's unexpected stage dive (much to Chisato’s annoyance). "Seriously, it was like something out of an action movie! Hina's got some serious guts!” Maya exclaimed for what felt like the tenth time.Eve couldn’t help but nod along enthusiastically, “She embodied the full spirit of bushido!” Even now, no one really understood what she meant by this and simply left her to it.Despite the lively atmosphere and everyone’s attempt to put her at ease, Sayo couldn't help but feel like an outsider. She found a quiet corner near the back where she could observe. No point bringing down everyone’s mood when they were having so much fun, especially after the long concert. To Sayo's surprise, Chisato soon approached her.The bassist also needed some respite from her overenthusiastic bandmates. Sure, she loved them to bits, but every single one of them was also an idiot and well beyond her paygrade after 5pm. Even the usually meek Aya was currently bawling her eyes out over her earlier mistake during the MC segment. Chisato had noticed Sayo lurking awkwardly at the back and decided to approach her out of curiosity. As the actress leaned against the wall beside her, Sayo gave her a polite nod."It’s been quite a day, hasn't it?" Chisato remarked, sipping her drink."Indeed. Hina certainly knows how to make any situation… livelier."Chisato chuckled, "That’s a generous way to put it. You must have a lot of experience handling her."“I’m afraid so. Although I truly admired how you handled the situation earlier. I apologise that I couldn’t be of more help.”Chisato gave the self-deprecating girl a disapproving look, “You need to stop being so hard on yourself Sayo-san.” She grew thoughtful for a moment before a sly smile crossed her face, “Since this is technically my party and you’re the guest, I’m going to make a new rule.” Sayo raised an eyebrow as the blonde continued, “For the rest of the night, you aren’t allowed to apologise.”“That’s absurd- What if I happen to offend someone?” Sayo protested but Chisato shut her up with a finger pressed to the guitarist’s lips.“If you truly do something so awful it requires an apology, I’ll allow it. However, I won’t let you take the blame for Hina any longer.”Sayo bit her lip. Nonetheless she knew what Chisato had a reasonable proposition. “Fine. Though what is the punishment if I were to fail?”Chisato's lips curved into a sly smile. "That's a surprise. It’s no fun if I tell you.”The tantalising way she said it sent a shiver down Sayo’s spine. The guitarist couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement at the prospect of this unknown penalty, as absurd as that was. A small part of her was tempted to break to the rule immediately just to see what would happen. However, Sayo’s more competitive side refused to ruin her dignity so soon. The two girls shook hands to seal this challenge.Throughout the night, Chisato kept a watchful eye on Sayo, reminding her of the rule whenever she detected the slightest inclination to apologize. It was difficult considering the trail of antics that followed Hina’s every step. However, Chisato's gentle but firm smile helped Sayo resist the urge to coddle her little sister.As the night progressed, they later settled on a sofa to rest. Chisato observed Sayo for a moment before broaching a topic that had been on her mind, "Sayo-san, may I be frank with you?”Sayo felt nervous at this sudden interrogation but figured she wouldn’t be able to escape the sharp-witted bassist either way. “Go ahead, Shirasagi-san.”“I've noticed the unique dynamic between you and Hina,” the bassist began, hardly easing into the topic.Sayo considered the question before choosing her words carefully. "Hina is obviously someone I care for deeply. Although she can be impulsive and has a knack for causing trouble, she also has a way of bringing a brightness into my life. I don’t always understand her actions, but I've learnt to appreciate our differences."Chisato could sense the admiration in the older twin’s words. However she wanted to hear the truth from the guitarist herself and probed further, “Has something happened between you two recently?"Suspecting Chisato already knew the truth, Sayo decided to be honest. Maintaining her composure, she met Chisato's gaze, "Yes, Hina recently confessed that she views me as more than a sister. In truth, I realised I feel the same way. Things are still rather complicated, but we’re trying to figure things out."It was shocking to hear Sayo admit this so straight-forwardly. Surprisingly, the older twin’s admission didn’t make Chisato think any less of her. Another thought crossed her mind, a rumour she’d overheard.“Complicated you say? I’m not surprised, considering the two other beauties you have on your arm.” Although she said it in a teasing manner, a small part of Chisato felt curious if this guitarist before her really was the skirt-chasing type. Sayo nearly choked on her drink.“How-how did you hear about that?”Chisato quirked an eyebrow, “Word travels quickly, even outside of CiRCLE. So you really are a heartbreaker, stringing Hina along.” Chisato personally didn’t care all that much about her bandmate’s love life. However, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see Sayo looking so out of her element.Sayo blushed, caught off guard by this unexpected accusation, "No, it’s not like that... I mean, not exactly!" Enjoying the flustered response, Chisato leaned back, waiting for the guitarist to elaborate."I'm not dating Lisa or Tsugu-san," Sayo clarified, feeling the need to set the record straight. "I’ve been given an ultimatum to figure out who I truly want to be with. Though it seems Hina also added herself to the mix… It's not as simple as it seems," she finished dejectedly.“Romantically entangled with not just Hina but also Tsumugi-chan and Lisa-chan? Quite the charmer, aren't you?" Chisato winked sending Sayo into an even more flustered state. However, her playful demeanour softens, “Hina cares a lot about you. I just hope you don’t both end up getting hurt.”Sayo nodded, "I want to be fair to everyone involved. It was never my intention to hurt anyone or lead them on."As Chisato studied Sayo, she couldn’t ignore the earnest dedication in her eyes. "You know, Sayo-san, I can see why Hina holds you in such high regard. Your sincerity is quite admirable."Sayo turned away at this unexpected compliment, "Shirasagi-san, I... Thank you."Seeing the usually solemn blue haired girl in that moment, cheeks flushed, a new thought crossed Chisato’s mind. Roselia’s guitarist always appeared so cold and distant up on stage. But talking to her like this, seeing the vulnerability behind that guarded exterior- Chisato realised Sayo was beautiful.A blush crossed the actress’ face and she also turned away to hide it. Trying as she may, Chisato couldn’t shake the nagging feeling rising within her. She knew the importance of maintaining boundaries, especially since she didn’t want to hurt Hina. Yet this undeniable pull towards her bandmate’s sister was proving difficult to ignore.Chisato couldn’t take it anymore. She excused herself, claiming that she needed to get a drink and disappeared into the crowd before Sayo could stop her. After grabbing some lemonade from the bar, the actress made her way outside to the balcony. She hoped the cool night air would help clear her head.Never in her life had she felt attracted to her blue-haired bandmate. Hina was cute, no denying it, but her appearance never roused anything inside Chisato. So why was she now feeling flustered around Hina’s identical twin?As Chisato leaned against the balcony railing, gazing out into the night sky as she tried to push the feelings aside. To her misfortune, the sliding door to the balcony opened. Sayo stepped out, concern evident in her eyes.“Shirasagi-san, is everything alright?”Chisato did her best to regain her composure, “I apologise for leaving so suddenly. I just needed a moment away from the party. These social events can get overwhelming sometimes."Sayo nodded in understanding, “That is hardly something to apologise for. After all, your well-being is important.” An amused smile tugged at her lips, “Do I need to implement our rule on you as well?”Chisato couldn’t help but laugh, “Maybe you do.”The alluring smile the actress was giving Sayo made her heart beat slightly faster. She cleared her throat awkwardly, “Well, I’m relieved you feel alright. I was worried when you suddenly rushed off.”As the night air on the balcony grew cooler, Chisato couldn't suppress a shiver. The dress she wore, though elegant, proved insufficient against the evening chill. Sayo noticed the girl’s discomfort. Without a word, she unbuttoned her blazer and draped it over Chisato’s shoulders."Please take this. It’s chilly out here and I wouldn’t want you catching a cold."Chisato felt embarrassed by this unexpected gesture. Regardless, she gratefully pulled the clothing tightly around herself. "Thank you, Sayo-san."It was still warm from Sayo’s body heat, the sensation providing a sense of comfort that extended beyond physical warmth. The actress couldn’t bring herself to look at Sayo anymore. It was the guitarist’s fault for making her feel this way. Why does she have to be so charming?Sayo grew worried by this sudden silence, “Are you still cold, Shirasagi-san? Shall we head inside?”“No, it’s not that.” Chisato sighed with frustration, "Sayo-san, I never thought you’d be this oblivious. You can’t just go around being this nice to every girl you meet.” The actress shook her head in disbelief, “No wonder why you’ve landed yourself in a mess, relationship-wise. You don't seem to realize the effect you have on people, and it's maddening."Sayo was taken aback by the candidness and furrowed her brow in confusion. "I don't think I understand. What do you mean?"Chisato spoke before she could stop herself, "You have a natural charm that draws people to you, something anyone in the show biz would die for. It’s almost impossible to keep my feelings in check when I’m around you, yet you don’t even realise it!" She immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.Sayo was at loss for words. Was… was that a confession? "Sayo-san, I... I didn't mean to say all that. It was inappropriate, and I—" Chisato started weakly. Her eyes shifted as if looking for a way to escape.Before she could do so Sayo reached out and gently touched her wrist. The guitarist wasn’t even gripping her, yet the gesture was a silent plea for the blonde to stay."Chisato-san, it’s alright,” Sayo spoke softly. “I value our friendship so please, don’t feel like you need to avoid me over something like this."Taken aback by this gentleness, Chisato felt her cheeks flush even deeper. "Sayo… You're being really unfair. I—"Unable to find the right words she did the most impulsive thing she’d ever done in her life. Pulling Sayo in by her tie, Chisato locked lips with teal-haired girl. The world seemed to stop momentarily as fireworks burst inside Chisato’s mind.When her grip on Sayo finally loosened, they pulled apart, equally struggling to process what just happened. "I- can't believe I did that," Chisato whispered, her hand still holding onto the tie.A matching blush coloured Sayo’s cheeks, "I didn’t realise you felt that way. I apologise if I… unintentionally charmed you," a glimmer of a smile tugged at the guitarist’s lips.Chisato buried her face in her hands. “You really are the worst.”However, her words couldn’t be further from the truth. Sayo waited patiently till Chisato emerged again. Their gazes met with an equal sense of guilt.“I’m sorry for kissing you without consent.”“It’s alright. It was… actually quite enjoyable,” Sayo admitted before growing more embarrassed. A hope rose inside Chisato. She tentatively leaned in, “You know, we both just broke the rules right now.”Sayo instinctively mirrored her movements, “I believe you’re right. So what’s this punishment we must now endure?”The actresses’ hand reached up to cup Sayo’s cheek. Her eyes met a deep sea of green before flicking back down to those lips. Chisato’s voice dropped to a whisper.“May I?”“I suppose they are the rules,” Sayo couldn’t resist licking her lips.They were immediately met by the gorgeous actress’ once again. However, Sayo felt a deeper passion this time around. She instinctively parted her lips, allowing Chisato’s tongue to enter. Sayo felt embarrassed but spending time with Lisa had begun to influence her in a rather negative way. Not saying it didn’t feel incredible.“Onee-chan, no fair! I want kisses too!”A familiarly shrill voice rang out causing the two to spring apart. Hina practically flung herself onto her sister’s back as she burst onto the balcony. Chisato had to quickly grab Sayo’s arm before the two toppled over the railing.Sayo shot the blonde a grateful look. Her heart raced, now for more reasons than one. She doubts she would’ve survived a fall from this height unscathed. Only Kokoro was capable of that, despite the numerous heart attacks she almost gave the disciplinary committee member every time the heiress decided to leap off the school as a ‘shortcut’.Despite the awkwardness of getting caught, Hina didn’t seemed bothered to find her sister and bandmate making out on the balcony. Especially once Sayo satiated her with a kiss of her own. Watching the sisters’ heartfelt interaction, Chisato couldn’t help but grow competitive."Sayo-san, I've decided to enter the challenge too," she declared with a mischievous smile.Sayo, still processing her unexpected double kiss, looked confused. "Challenge? What are you talking about, Shirasagi-san?"Chisato traced her hand across Sayo’s shoulder making her shiver, “Call me Chisato.”Sayo could only nod meekly, “If that’s what you’d prefer, Chisato.” She knew better than to have this argument with yet another girl.As an actress, Chisato knew exactly how to turn on her own charm. Leaning in, she dropped her tone to an alluring lull, "To answer your question, it’s the challenge to win your heart, of course. By the end of next month, you won’t be thinking of any other girls."Sayo could only blink in disbelief. The tips of her ears burned from the tickle of the girl’s breath. Before she could articulate a response, Hina interjected with enthusiasm."A rival? This is getting boppin’! Even if we’re in the same band, I’m not going easy on you Chisato-chan!"Chisato folded her arms with an amused smile. "I was about to say the same. May the best woman win."Sayo felt mortified to hear two girls fighting over her yet again. She was interrupted from her thoughts when Hina suddenly clung to her arm, “I’m not going to give up onee-chan that easily! We see each other at home every single day so I’m the most likely to win, ha!”Chisato didn’t look fazed as she casually interlaced her fingers with Sayo’s other free hand. “That is exactly what gives me the advantage. When she gets tired of you, I’m sure Sayo-chan wouldn’t mind coming to me for a… change of pace,” She gave Sayo a sweet smile but the seductive intent beneath it was clear as day.As if the sudden nickname didn’t make Sayo flustered enough, the blonde proceeded to playfully traced her finger beneath Sayo’s chin, practically making her knees buckle. Meanwhile, Hina appeared troubled over this point hadn’t considered before.Since they were still at a party, both girls agreed to put their rivalry on hold and enjoy the rest of the night with their friends. Yet, Sayo knew that once morning came, her life was about to get even more hectic. Four girlfriends-level hectic to be exact. She let out an amused sigh. What on earth was happening to her life?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to Roselia's band retreat. This gentle rhythm along with the fresh sea air brought a new vigour to their music.Lisa was the first to suggest this change of scenery. She hoped a getaway would help mend the slight rift that had grown between them. Ako was immediately on board with the idea and after several days of pleading, managed to wear even Yukina down.However, the bassist conveniently failed to mention her ulterior motive for such a trip. Yukina would immediately force them all to pack up if she found out. Lisa was elated at the thought of spending time with Sayo, especially overnight! Just imagining all the things they could get up to filled her with giddy excitement.Although they saw each other nearly every day at practice, Lisa longed for a chance to be with her girlfriend without the distraction of her… many suitors. Hina never gave them any peace whenever Lisa went over to the Hikawa’s. Meanwhile, Yukina’s judgemental looks kind of ruins the mood whenever she caught Sayo coming over to Lisa’s.As they sat by the sliding doors of the rented bungalow, the sunlight played on Sayo's hair, giving it an ethereal glow. Sayo was bent over her guitar, her gentle strumming filling the air with a sweet melody. The way the sea breeze tousled those teal strands to frame her face made Lisa sigh with longing. She wanted to thank her mother for birthing her, all so she could witness the serenity of this moment.Noticing a loose strand of hair, she reached out to tuck it behind the guitarist’s ear. A disapproving hum made her jump. Lisa quickly retracted her hand, turning shame-faced to meet an annoyed looking Yukina.“Lisa, if I catch either you or Sayo distracted even one more time, I’m sending her down to the end of the pier till nightfall,” the vocalist threatened.“But Yukina-san, we can’t practice together if Sayo-san is that far away,” Ako protested obliviously.“I think she’s just making a hypothetical statement,” Rinko tried to explain. She shot Sayo a comforting glance.Sayo felt grateful that at least someone in the band cared for her well-being. However, their leader’s brow furrowed.“No, I always keep my threats, just as I do my promises,” Yukina said coldly. “Let’s us begin. Ako, count us in.”Their practice continued and throughout the rest of the day, Sayo and Lisa do their best to avoid being touchy-feely when with the group. Yukina was still sensitive over the topic of them dating even though it had been nearly two weeks.It was a warm day and the air felt sweltering inside the bungalow. After hours of intense playing, Lisa finally convinced Yukina to let them take a break after Ako nearly passed out.Restricted from practice, the vocalist turned to recline on the sofa. Her slender fingers interlaced atop her stomach, assuming her customary position for musical composition.However, her tranquillity was swiftly interrupted as Lisa approached, brandishing a massive bag of candy. She proceeded to scatter its contents over Yukina's motionless form as if feeding ducks at the park.“Lisa, what are you doing?" Sayo asked with a level of scepticism as she eyed the colourful array of sweets piling on top of their vocalist."Relax~" Lisa chirped, "Sugar helps her to concentrate. Consider this my contribution to boosting the band’s creativity!"“You know she can’t absorb it through her skin.”“What, should I have taken the wrappers off first?”“Have you learnt nothing in biology??”As the two continued to bicker, Yukina let out a disgruntled noise from beneath the pile of candy that threatened to swallow her. Meanwhile, after lying on Rinko’s lap for several minutes with an ice-cold popsicle pressed to her forehead and another in her mouth, Ako was soon back on her feet. She leapt around the room as enthusiastic as ever.“Everyone, Ako wants to go to the beach! We made it all the way here so let’s go swimming!”“Ako, it is only our first day here,” Yukina objected, turning over slightly to look at the younger girl. The movement caused the mountain of candy on top of her to cascade onto the ground.“Exaclty! So if we get it all out of our system we can fully focus on practice for the rest of the weekend!” Ako reasoned slyly. Sayo wasn’t sure she quite followed that logic.“It certainly would be cooler outside in the sea breeze,” Lisa pointed out as she wiped a bead of sweat off her brow. She’d given up trying to suffocate her friend with diabetes.After another half hour of begging Ako finally wore the vocalist down. “Alright, you can go- just anything to make it stop,” Yukina was practically crying into her pillow where she’d been burying her head for the past ten minutes. A futile attempt to drown out the shrill headache that followed her everywhere she went.“Yes! You’re the best Yukina-san!” Ako beamed and immediately grabbed Rinko’s hand, dragging her towards their room to change.“Don’t forget put on sunscreen or you’ll burn!” Lisa called after them, her motherly nature took over.A muffled groan rose from behind the closed door, “You’re no fun Lisa-nee. Ako wanted to check if there are dragon scales underneath if her skin peeled off.”Sayo’s concern for the Chunibyo somehow grew with each passing day. Thank goodness Hina never went through that phase. How Tomoe kept her sister alive till now, Sayo didn’t know.As Sayo and Lisa exchanged concerned looked, the guitarist noticed a mischievous glint in the brunette’s eyes. "Sayo~ Since Ako and Rinko are getting ready, why don't we also change into our swimsuits together? It’ll help save time~"Sayo felt herself glow red and it wasn’t from the heat. "Um, well, I think I'll change on my own. It's... more comfortable that way."Lisa chuckled but sensing Sayo's discomfort, didn't press the matter further. "Ahaha~ Suit yourself! Just meet me down there when you're ready."However, before she left, Lisa leaned in to whisper in Sayo’s ear. “Just know the offer’s always open if you want it~”Sayo almost expected to be murdered on the spot by a projectile microphone. As Lisa headed off to change, she took a moment to catch her breath. The idea of changing in front of Lisa brought a wave of embarrassment crashing over her. She wasn’t ready to think of the brunette in that way yet.Not to mention the all too real threat if Yukina caught them in such a compromising position. For some reason, the vocalist never got mad at Lisa the same way. Perhaps it’s the childhood best friend benefit but in return, Sayo always ended up with the brunt of Yukina’s wrath.Going into the bathroom, Sayo changed into her swimsuit. A teal skirtini that provided modest coverage, reflecting her preference for practicality. Unsure whether Lisa had already finished changing, Sayo decided to head down to the beach.The sun's rays immediately engulfed her and for a second, the guitarist considered turning back for the safety of the bungalow. However, she spotted Rinko down on the sand, seeking refuge beneath a colourful beach umbrella."Shirokane-san are you the first one here?” Sayo greeted the keyboardist as she joined her beneath the shade. This respite from the unforgiving rays felt incredible and Sayo let out a content sigh. “Where did Ako run off to?"Rinko’s face was partially obscured by a wide-brimmed hat despite sat under the shade. "Ako-chan took off the moment we got here. Something about mystical beast in the sea.”Sayo hoped the girl didn’t wander too far. Now that she thought about it, did Ako even know how to swim? As she and Rinko sat under the beach umbrella, the silence soon grew awkward. Despite being in the same band and the student council, Sayo and Rinko were both overly diligent for their own good. Sayo realised they’ve barely had a conversation that went beyond work talk or Roselia.“It's... hot out here isn’t it?" Rinko said in a pathetic attempt to break the silence.“Indeed.”The conversation ended there. Despite this, Sayo felt a solidarity with Rinko's distaste for the sun."I must admit, I'm not much of an outdoors person. Sunlight has never been kind to my skin so I was reluctant to come on this trip at first."Rinko seemed relieved to hear this, “I completely understand. Even with sunscreen on, I often burn right away.”As they continued to make casual conversation, Rinko's shy demeanour gradually softened. Truth be told, she was nervous of the guitarist recently. Rumours of Sayo's ‘player’ tendencies and the fact that she had so many girls chasing after her unconsciously made Rinko maintain her distance.However, as she watched Sayo basking in the shade, the keyboardist realised the girl was nothing like the intimidating figure she imagined. The genuine smile, the easy conversation, and the warmth in Sayo's eyes gradually eroded Rinko’s fears. She began to open up a bit more and the topic eventually turned to the dynamics within Roselia."Hikawa-san, I... I wanted to let you know that I support you and Imai-san," Rinko confessed, her gaze fixed on the parasol.Sayo felt surprised by this sincerity but smiled appreciatively. "Thank you, Shirokane-san. Your approval means a lot."Rinko nodded, her fingers nervously toying with the edge of her clothes. "I... I can tell how happy Imai-san is when she’s with you. It's... nice to see you both so happy."Rinko's understanding touch Sayo, greatly contrasting the treatment she received from a certain other bandmate. "I'm relieved to hear it. We're still navigating our own path, but your support makes the journey easier."However the peaceful moment was interrupted by a scream echoing across the beach. Sayo's heart raced as she turns around in search of the source.It didn't take long for her to spot a familiar purple-haired girl struggling in the water. She appeared to be struggling to stay afloat, the current sweeping her further and further away from the shore.Sayo cursed under her breath. What stupidity impelled Ako to go for a swim if she didn’t know how? Sensing the urgency of the situation Sayo dashed out from beneath the shade."Shirokane-san see if you can call for help!" Sayo called behind her as she legged it towards the water. Rinko’s her eyes widening in alarm, but she rushed towards the nearest lifeguard booth.The waves crashed against Sayo as she pushed her way through the water. Despite her hesitance when it came to the outdoors, Sayo was by no means a weak swimmer. If only beach days didn’t have to come with the sun.Reaching Ako, who was still flailing to stay afloat, Sayo called out, "Ako, climb onto my back! I've got you!"The younger girl immediately clung to Sayo. It was difficult swimming with this awkward weight on her back, but the guitarist pushed against the water's grasp. They finally reach the safety of the beach and Rinko rushed forward to assist with a first aider by her side. The medical staff immediately did a checkup on the shaken girl.All the while, Ako continued to cling to Sayo. Sayo didn’t protest, offering a rare but comforting embrace in return. Though Rinko’s worry was evident, relief washed over them both as the lifeguard announced that Ako was fine.The keyboardist hugged her best friend tight, feeling profound gratitude for Sayo’s decisive action. "Thank you, Hikawa-san," Rinko whispered as tears brimmed in her eyes.Sayo nodded modestly, "I was simply doing what anyone else would.” She turned to the younger girl with a stern look, “As for you, you need to be more careful! Do you know how much you scared us? If you're not comfortable swimming, stay close to the shore."Ako, still shaken and close to tears herself, nodded fervently. Rinko placed a reassuring hand on the her shoulder, silently acknowledging the close call.Yukina and Lisa arrived just after this commotion and were alarmed to see two of their bandmates already soaking wet, and all three incredibly shaken up."What happened here?" Yukina demanded, her eyes scanning her friends in concern.Sayo who was still holding onto Ako, calmly explained, "Ako got caught in the current. I had to go in and bring her back to shore but she’s safe now."Lisa’s worry quickly turned to admiration, and she couldn’t resist gushing over her partner, "Sayo, you’re really amazing! Ako was lucky to have someone as brave as you there!" As if Sayo’s heroic rescue wasn’t hot enough, Lisa found the guitarist practically smouldering with that wet hair look. If the others weren’t there, oh the things she’d do to her."It was nothing. My friends’ safety always comes first," Sayo replied matter-of-factly.Yukina rolled her eyes at Lisa but gave Sayo a nod of respect. As her gaze shifted, the vocalist noticed the unusual proximity between Sayo and Rinko. She couldn’t resist making a playful remark."It seems Ako found herself a new pair of protective mothers. I hope you two keep a close eye on your child from now on."Both Sayo and Rinko blushed at this comment, "You know it’s not like that Minato-san!” Sayo protested. “We’re simply looking out for her.”“Yes, although we'll make sure she stays out of trouble," Rinko piped in meekly."I think Sayo-san and RinRin would make great moms!" Ako declared with a bright smile, unaware of the awkwardness of the situation.Rinko blushed at the unexpected comment, finding herself unable to look in Sayo’s direction. Yukina made no attempt to hide her triumphant smirk.Watching this interaction, Lisa felt a pang of jealousy. Trying to mask her feelings, she suddenly takes Sayo’s arm. "Hey Sayo, how about we to get shaved ice for everyone? It’ll definitely help cheer up Ako-chan!” Sayo didn’t get a chance to protest as the brunet started pulling her away from the group.“Ako wants a red one like the blood of her enemies!” the drummer called after them, practically back to normal already. It was scary how quickly she sprang back from anything.As they walked towards the shaved ice stand, hand in hand, Lisa felt a pang of guilt for not-so-subtly stealing Sayo away. However, she needed a moment alone with her girlfriend, away from the playful banter, no matter how innocent their intentions were. After placing their orders for the shaved ice, Lisa leaned back against the counter. She tried to keep the conversation light."Ako-chan has developed quite the imagination recently, hasn’t she?"Sayo chuckled, "You can say that again. I wonder where she even gets it from? Tomoe-san doesn’t seem like the sort who’d have interest in the occult."“Maybe I could bribe that information out of Moca during our next shift. A few chocolate rolls should do the trick,” Lisa said with a mischievous smile.The image of the hot-headed older drummer sprouting the same nonsensical lines Ako did left the guitarist rather amused. However, she noticed Lisa’s gaze lingering on her for longer than usual. Specifically her cleavage, but she’d rather ignore that detail."Is everything alright, Lisa?"Lisa hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I know Yukina’s comment about you and Rinko was just her having fun but... I guess even after all this time, I still don't like the idea of sharing you,” She gave an awkward chuckle, shifting uncomfortably. “I know I shouldn’t, but sometimes I can’t help feeling possessive."An unfamiliar heat rose inside Sayo. Yet, at the same time, she felt incredibly guilty for unintentionally hurting Lisa’s feelings. She took the girl’s hands gently."Lisa, I’m sorry for putting you through this. You deserve so much better, and I wish I could fully be there for you. However…” Her gaze flickered away.Lisa gave her a sad smile, “It’s okay Sayo, I understand. This isn’t easy for you either. But I want you to know that whatever you decide in the end, I won’t hold it against you. I hope we can still be friends no matter what.”Sayo met her gaze with a grateful smile. “Thank you, your words mean a lot to me. I truly want to stay friends with you too regardless of the outcome.” With this understanding, Lisa leans in to give her a kiss.“Why is it every time I leave you two alone for even a minute, you’re sucking each other’s face off?”The emotionless voice came out of nowhere, breaking them apart. Sayo spun around to find Yukina stood behind them with her arms crossed. She didn’t look pleased. Though at this rate, Sayo suspected this might just be her resting face.“Ahaha~ did we keep you waiting Yukina? We’re still waiting for the shaved ice,” Lisa tried to ease the tension.The vocalist frown deepened, “No, I’m simply here to ensure Sayo doesn’t take advantage of you. You are in your swimsuit after all, and teenage hormones run rampant.”Sayo guffawed at this accusation, yet a heat rose to her face. She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t snuck a few glances at the brunette’s figure as well… while she wasn’t looking. Who could blame a girl? Lisa was gorgeous.“Yukina, just give her a break for once,” Lisa scolded, slapping her best friend’s arm. Nonetheless, Yukina continued to stand in between them till the shaved ice arrived. She even insisted on helping them carry them back.After enjoying their cold treats, Yukina and Lisa decided they’d attempt to teach Ako how to swim. Sayo opted out, feeling she’d had enough excitement for one day. As she and Rinko watched from the safety of their shade, the guitarist savoured these calmer moments."Although the beach isn't my forte, it is a nice change of scenery," Sayo remarked, her eyes scanning the pristine shoreline. The rhythmic crash of waves was inspiring her to player her guitar again despite already practicing all morning. It was a shame she’d had less time to do so lately with her more recent… commitments.Rinko nodded as she played with the sand between her fingers. "It's different, but I can understand the appeal."“Do you swim?” Sayo was now curious why the keyboardist hadn’t joined the others in the water. She was the only one who still hadn’t left the sand. Although in Sayo’s case, she didn’t have a choice in the matter.Rinko looked troubled by this sudden question, “Well- I do enjoy the activity. Although I don’t always feel comfortable doing so…” Her voice gradually faded into a murmur.That was when Sayo realised that despite the heat, the keyboardist was still in her long-sleeved hoodie and wraparound. Was she not melting?“Does being at the beach make you uncomfortable?” Sayo breached the topic carefully."Well, I suppose you could say that…” Rinko admitted with a sense of shame. “I-I feel embarrassed to be seen in public… especially in a swimsuit."Sayo gave her a kind smile, "There is a certain vulnerability to isn’t there? Although you shouldn’t feel embarrassed. You are attractive, Shirokane-san. Though I may be a hypocrite in saying this, there's nothing about your body you should feel ashamed of."Rinko’s cheeks turned a shade of pink even the sun couldn't compete with. Sayo, oblivious as always, feared her friend was coming down with a heat stroke. "Are you feeling okay? You're not getting overheated, are you?" She asked, frantically fanning the reddened keyboardist with Yukina’s book."N-no, it's not that. I just... I'm fine," Rinko stammered.Sayo, determined to ensure Rinko's well-being, stood up, "Wait here, I’ll go get you some cold water. I would be bad if you end up feeling unwell."She rushed off before Rinko could correct her misunderstanding. Despite the guitarist’s intense opposition to the sun, this was the second time she’d braved it for the sake of her friends. This realisation only fuelled the warmth growing inside Rinko.…As evening fell, the members of Roselia made their way back to their bungalow, still glowing from the setting sun and laughter of fun afternoon off. Lisa was certainly content. She felt blessed at the opportunity to gawk at Sayo’s hot body all day. Not to mention the unexpected discovery that her girlfriend has abs. Abs! Is if the twinky guitarist went to the gym or something.Lisa sighed at the precious memory now stored safely inside her brain. Some girls are just born perfect. Her knees still felt weak from watching Sayo spike that volleyball earlier, the movement causing her to unintentionally flex.Yukina was growing concerned over how many of her members came close to passing out that day. Sayo had matter-of-factly pulled out her phone and proceeding to give them all an extensive weather report on the current heatwave. What a lovable dork.Lisa had secretly hoped to ask Sayo to help her put on sunscreen. However, she chickened out each time at the thought of feeling Sayo’s hands all over her bare skin. She let out a regretful sigh as she clutched the bottle. Perhaps next time.After cooking curry together for dinner, the bassist herded her bandmates to get changed into their pyjamas. The best part of their trip was still yet to come.“Come on everyone, this is our first slumber party as a band!”Yukina raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. "A slumber party? What purpose would that serve?""Come on, we have sleepovers all the time, Yukina. It’ll be like that but even more fun since it’s all of us! A chance to bond, relax and maybe share a few juicy secrets," Lisa winked.However, the other members didn’t appear familiar with the concept either. “Are you all telling me none of you had a childhood?” Lisa stared at them in disbelief.“I was busy with other pursuits to make time for such endeavours,” Sayo admitted. “Plus Hina used to break into my room every other night. That’s already more company than I could ever need… she got alarmingly good at picking locks.” Lisa decided to probe her schoolmate on this a different time.“I haven’t go many IRL friends to share such opportunities with either,” Rinko admitted self-consciously.“I…RL?” Sayo asked looking confused.“It means ‘in real life’ Sayo-san,” Ako explained, well aware of her bandmate’s digital inadequacy.It had been a painful learning curve teaching the guitarist to navigate NFO. Sayo kept getting lost, unable to make sense of the game’s map system, forcing Rinko to constantly have to track her down and rescue her. However, she was still considerably better than their vocalist. Yukina persistently threw away legendary weapons from their party’s convoy whenever she came across a new clump of weeds. Ako cried for days after, and Yukina was banned from their gaming sessions ever since.Sayo was still pondering Ako’s response with growing worry. “In real life? Shirokane-san, you should get a psychiatric examination if you’ve been experiencing hallucinations.”Lisa couldn’t help but laugh at her partner’s confusion. “Calm down, Sayo. She just means online friends.” The guitarist appeared relieved to hear this.“Ako has also invited friend over for sleepovers. But for some reason they always leave when they see the summoning circle and candles,” the drummer shared dejectedly.Sayo didn’t know whether to feel sorry or concerned for her. Perhaps Roselia needed to give the younger girl a mentoring session on how to appropriately interact with peers. However, Sayo quickly realised that evidently none of them were adept at this either. Other than Lisa.Meanwhile, Lisa wasn’t going to stand for her friends’ deprived childhoods. “How about we start with a classic game of truth or dare?” The brunette suggested as she flopped onto her futon. Sayo settled beside but her but appeared apprehensive.“I’ve heard about rather… elicit activities arising from that game. Are you sure it’s appropriate?”“Come on, it’ll be fun. We’ll make sure to keep the dares relatively tame,” Lisa reassured her.The game began. Ako, going through a gremlin phase, couldn’t resist taking advantage of the situation to stir up trouble. Each time it was Sayo’s turn, the drummer strategically crafted increasingly embarrassing questions or dares that would force her into compromising situations. For lols."Sayo-san, truth or dare?"The room fell silent, awaiting Sayo's choice. For her first round Sayo chose dare. They only just started, so she expected something mild. However, Ako had other plans.“Dare, huh? Okay, Ako dares you and Lisa-nee to act out a romantic scene from a movie," Ako declared with a mischievous grin.Sayo exchanged a surprised glance with Lisa. Yukina observed this game unfold with a grim expression. However, Ako wasn’t going to back down from this free entertainment, "And make it convincing!"Despite feeling equally embarrassed, Sayo and Lisa complied with a cheesy scene from one of Lisa’s favourite romantic comedy. Fortunately, Sayo had been forced to watch it enough times to know it off by heart. The moment would have been romantic if not for their amused spectators.The room erupted into laughter as they awkwardly finished their lines. Sayo buried her face into her pillow while Lisa gave a comforting pat on the back.Following this, Yukina was dared to do a push up. She couldn’t even manage one, immediately falling flat on her face. Sayo never expected Olympic-level athleticism from the vocalist but even she found the display pathetic.Lisa told them all about her first crush, captain of some sports team to absolutely no one’s surprise. Rinko was forced to record a short ASMR session on her phone which nearly broke her.It was now Sayo’s turn again. Lisa opened her mouth to say something, but Ako immediately cut her off, “Out of all of everyone here, who would you want to go out with ranked from most to least?” Ako liked to watch the world burn.“Hey, I wanted to ask Sayo a question,” Lisa protested, however Yukina held up her hand to stop her.“No, let Sayo speak.”The vocalist was equally curious as her gaze bore into Sayo like a vulture, circling its prey. Sayo’s face paled. With four sets of eyes on her, she knew she had to choose her words very carefully.“First of all, I’ll have to put you last, Ako. I don’t have a death wish from Tomoe-san.” Sayo never wanted to be so close to Tomoe’s bat ever again. The others all shrugged, finding sense in her self-preservation instincts. “Obviously, Lisa is first since I’m already going out with her.” The bassist beamed at her.Sayo continued, “I suppose that means Rinko is second.” Sayo felt a mix of feelings over this.“That means Yukina is third!” Ako pointed out gleefully. That little shit. Both Sayo and the vocalist grimaced at this. Yukina’s turn came next, and she was dared to hold hands with Sayo for the rest of the round.“Hard pass!” they both protested at the same time.However, Yukina’s cheeks were red visibly red. Did the thought of touching Sayo fill her with that much distain? As an alternative, Lisa suggested Yukina now had to speak in a French accent for the rest of the game.“Merci,” Yukina told her with a flick of her hair.As the game continued, the vocalist proved to be surprisingly fluent. It was something Sayo never expected, yet it suited her somehow.The guitarist hoped the worst was over for her but as her turn came around again, Ako rubbed her hands together with evil glee. "Okay, Sayo-san, I hope you’re ready for this. Truth or dare?”Sayo didn’t think she could handle exposing herself any further that night. “If I really must, then dare. But this is the last one.”A grin crossed the drummer’s face that Sayo really didn’t like the look of. “I dare you to kiss RinRin on the cheek!"Sayo turned to stare at Rinko. The keyboardist had an understandable flush on her face.“Hey Ako, isn’t that going a bit far?” Lisa cut in.“Non, these are the rules,” Yukina interjected with a flourish of her hands. Sayo didn’t remember this being part of her dare.“You literally skipped yours!”However, Rinko’s response surprised them all, "I-I suppose since it’s part of the game… I don’t mind."Seeing no objection Sayo leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the keyboardist’s cheek. A playful “Ooh“ escaped Ako’s lips. Yukina, though maintaining her composed expression, had a smirk on her face. As she backed away Sayo could feel the heat radiating from her own face. Lisa decided to call the game for the night.The brunette had hoped to secretly cuddle up to Sayo that night. Yet the moment they got ready for bed, Yukina planted herself on the futon between them. From the cold look she got, Sayo reluctantly moved to the one across. Lisa couldn’t hide her disappointment over this calculated move, but her friend seemed intent on maintaining an appropriate distance between her bandmates. With Lisa's hopes for a cozy moment thwarted, they all went to sleep without further incident.…Sayo woke up in the middle of the night when she received an unintentionally kicked to head from Yukina. The vocalist was still sound asleep between her and Lisa, but had somehow turned a full 180 on her futon. Wincing from the sudden jolt, Sayo rubbed the bruise before glancing around the dimly lit room.She noticed Rinko's futon was empty. Despite her grogginess, Sayo knew she should check to make sure her shy bandmate was alright. Quietly slipping out from under the covers, Sayo tiptoed through the bungalow. She was careful not to disturb the peaceful slumber of her friends. Leaving their shared bedroom, the guitarist noticed a faint glow coming from the front porch.Stepping outside into the warm air, Sayo found Rinko sitting alone, bathed in the soft moonlight. "Shirokane-san, is everything okay?" Sayo asked in a hushed tone, not wanting to startle her.Rinko had been lost in thought and looked up in surprise at Sayo’s sudden appearance. "Oh, Hikawa-san. I'm fine, just couldn't sleep."“Is something on your mind?"Rinko hesitated before admitting, "I… actually have a terrible sleep schedule. It likely started because of my gaming habits. Time just seems to slip away… now I can’t seem to fall asleep when I should."Sayo could relate when it came to playing her guitar. Thankfully her house had very thick walls meaning she could practice to her heart’s content, even at night as long as she didn’t use her amp."I hope you find a way to take better care of yourself. Lack of rest can affect your both your performance and your health. Either would be detrimental to Roselia."Rinko felt touched once more by how much her friend cared despite her solemn reputation. "Thank you. I will try my best."As the night breeze continued to rustle through the trees, Sayo and Rinko sat on the front porch, finding solace in each other's company. This trip had brought moments of vulnerability and understanding between them. As Sayo gazed across the still waters, an idea crossed her mind."Shirokane-san. This may be an odd suggestion but what would you say to a late-night swim? It may help you unwind." The idea enjoying the water without the torment of UV rays appealed to the guitarist.Rinko hesitated for a moment, her eyes reflecting a mix of apprehension but also curiosity. "A swim at night? I...I'm not sure.""Since it’s dark we won’t go deep. It would be a nice opportunity to swim without needing to worry about anyone else around."Tempted by Sayo’s words, Rinko somehow believed that Sayo would keep her safe. "Okay… I trust you. Let's do it."After changing back into their swimsuits, the two quietly slipped out of the bungalow. The night air was the perfect temperature for a stroll, a respite from day’s heatwave but also not cold enough to cause a chill.The distant sound of waves provided a soothing backdrop as the two bandmates made their way to the water's edge. With no one else around, the beach belonged to them. Sayo led the way into the water with Rinko tentatively following behind. The refreshing coolness enveloping them as the girls waded in till they were chest deep.As they enjoyed the peaceful night, Sayo couldn't help but steal glances at Rinko. This was the first time she was seeing the keyboardist in just her swimsuit. In the soft moonlight, Rinko's usually reserved nature faded away as she enjoyed the freedom of the sea.Her two-piece highlighted her curvy figure in a way Sayo found absolutely stunning. Sayo couldn’t figure out how a girl who looked like Rinko could ever be insecure about her appearance. The novelty of the situation filled the guitarist with unexpected boldness."Shirokane-san," Sayo began, her voice carrying a warmth that matched the night air. "You look beautiful.”Rinko, typically reserved, blushed at this straightforward compliment. "Th-thank you. I… I think you’re beautiful too."As their shy laughter mingled with the swirling waves, a sudden realization hit Sayo. The intimacy of the night lowered her guard, and she now felt a new sense of connection with Rinko. An attraction beyond the bounds of friendship.Lost in this thought Sayo, with an uncharacteristic impulsiveness, stared into Rinko’s eyes."Shirokane-san… may I kiss you?"The question hung in the air as the moon’s glow illuminated the gentle flush on both their faces. Rinko was definitely surprised by this request. Despite all the talk of Sayo’s obliviousness, the guitarist had accurately caught on to her budding feelings. With a flutter in her heart, the keyboardist nodded ever so slightly, giving Sayo the permission she sought.In that still moment beneath the moonlit sky, their lips met. The waves continued to lap around them, reflecting the dance of vulnerability and gentleness between them. As they pulled away, Rinko giggled. Sayo quickly joined in as they stayed that way for a bit, their foreheads still pressed together. A shared understanding lingered in the air with only the moon as their witness.…The next morning at breakfast, the atmosphere in the bungalow felt different. Sayo and Rinko, having shared an intimate moment the previous night now found it challenging to act normal around each other in the daylight. The subtle glances and shared smiles held memories of the night like a secret to be cherished.As they sat around the breakfast table, the other members of Roselia couldn't help but notice something was off. Ako was the first to speak up, “Hey, did Ako miss something last night? Even if Ako feel asleep first, it’s really uncool if you all had fun without me!”Lisa, who had been casting subtle glances between Sayo and Rinko, raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, something seems a bit off this morning which I don’t know about either."Sayo and Rinko exchanged a nervous glance, unsure how to navigate the questions. Yukina, always direct, leaned forward menacingly. "Sayo, you know you can’t escape. Tell us what you’ve done now."“Minato-san, please don’t immediately assume it’s my fault,” Sayo protested. Why was she beginning to sound more and more like Hina each day?“Ooh, perhaps it was a secret rendezvous,” Ako teased, sensing their discomfort.Sayo cut in, “I can assure you it is nothing of that sort. Shirokane-san and I simply couldn’t sleep so we went for a midnight swim." Sayo realised too late she’d been tricked into revealing everything. She pursed her lips as three sets of eyes widened.“That certainly sounds like a rendezvous to me,” Lisa spoke. Her tone was unreadable.“Exactment,” her best friend agreed, narrowing her eyes at the now guilty-looking blue haired girl.Sayo attempted to downplay the significance. "It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. We both made sure to stay safe."Ako’s eyes widened dramatically, “So a secret date!”Yukina felt her bubbling anger erupt as the realization hit her like a tidal wave. "A midnight swim?" she repeated, her voice sharp. "Together? Mechant va!"“You know you can really stop that now,” Sayo said dryly.Rinko, sensing the rising tension, tried to explain. "Minato-san, it really wasn't-"Yukina cut her off, her eyes flashing with frustration. "Sayo, I am disappointed in you. Two-timing Lisa, and on the same trip no less? What were you thinking?"Unfortunately Sayo had nothing to say for herself that would lessen Yukina's displeasure. Unable to contain her anger, the vocalist got up and left the breakfast table. The room fell into awkward silence."Sayo, is it true?" Lisa tried to keep her voice calm to hide a hint of disappointment beneath.Sayo feeling ashamed, nodded. "Yes, we did share a… slightly intimate moment during the midnight swim."Lisa sighed. Although her look of resignation soon shifted to amusement, "I guess it can’t be helped. Your list of girls seems to be growing by the day. It’s almost scary how charming you can be~ "Rinko nodded in enthusiastic agreement. Sayo, caught off guard by this unexpected solidarity stammered, "Lisa, Shirokane-san I...”Lisa raised a hand to stop her. "It's okay, Sayo. I knew what I was getting into when we started… well, somewhat. I hadn’t expected the extra…” she began counting on her fingers making Sayo groan, “…Three suitors, but until the deadline, I won’t tie you down."Still wrestling with her guilt, Sayo tried to find the right words. "I’m sorry, I just... I'm not good at this."Lisa chuckled, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Or clearly you’re too good. But I've decided to accept it. If you want to go for a midnight swim with every girl you meet, then so be it. In the end, I’ll make sure I’m the one you choose~” she gave the guitarist seductive wink.Seeing this interaction, Rinko didn’t want to be beaten. “I’ll do my best as well, Hikawa-san,” she announced with shy determination.Lisa leaned back in her chair with a content sigh, "Welp, let's both call a truce and enjoy the rest of this trip together.” A sly look crossed her face as she turned to Sayo, "And maybe if you’re not careful, I might steal Rinko-chan away for our own midnight swim sometime~ "Sayo stared in disbelief while Rinko reddened more than she had all morning. Ako revelled in the drama she got to witness so early in the day.As the group turned back to their breakfast, Yukina’s empty seat began to weigh on them. Despite this newfound acceptance, the dynamics within Roselia still remained uncertain.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The chill between Yukina and Sayo persisted in the days following their band trip. Every olive branch Sayo offered was met with stone cold rejection. At the least Yukina didn’t let her own petty disapproval interfere with practice so Sayo decides to cut her losses. The guitarist has enough on her plate, juggling her many dates. She didn’t want to have to worry about the vocalist as well.In fact, her newest problem arose during such a practice session. Sayo had to figure out a way to give both Lisa and Rinko the affections they craved without making the other jealous. She couldn’t help but notice that despite Yukina’s adamant opposition to her relationship with Lisa, the vocalist showed no hostility when it came to her and Rinko.As Sayo pondered this in her mind on her way to Lisa's house, she suddenly caught sight of Yukina stood under a tree. The vocalist had such a troubled look on her face that Sayo couldn’t bring herself to abandon her. With a sigh, Sayo approached the silver-haired girl.“Minato-san, is everything alright?”Yukine looked up in surprise but before she could respond, a meow came from overhead. Sayo looked up to see a cat stuck atop one of the branches. Yukina tried to coax it down, but the furry creature was frightened and only continued to whimper from its elevated perch. Each sound only made Yukina more distraught.“Do you require some assistance?” Sayo offered, hoping to break the ice between them.Yukina shot Sayo a guarded look, "No, I don't need your help."Sayo sighed, feeling the weight of their strained relationship. "Look, I know you have your reservations about me but for the sake of this cat, let me help."Yukina bit her lip in frustration. She knew she couldn’t rescue the stranded cat on her own and Sayo was irritatingly using that fact to her advantage. As much as she despised asking for help, the look that poor kitten was giving her, overpowered Yukina’s animosity."Fine,” she huffed before turning to face the tree. “Sayo, give me a boost”.Sayo blinked in surprise. She’d half expected Yukina to reject her outright. She definitely didn’t expect the reserved vocalist to suddenly take such a hands-on approach.“Minato-san, are you sure that is a good idea? It seems quite dangerous.” Her question was met with a glare.“I know what I’m doing. Now, are you going to help me or not?”Yukina was one of the most level-headed people Sayo knew. Therefore, despite this unconventional request, the guitarist trusted she knew what she was doing. With a sigh, Sayo crouched down to provide the necessary support.As Yukina stepped onto Sayo's interlocked hands, the blue-haired girl hoists her towards the lowest branch. There was a fleeting moment of vulnerability as their eyes met. However, this moment was broken as Yukina proceeds to kick Sayo in the face. The guitarist momentarily stumbled back as the Yukina struggled her way up the tree.“Watch it!” Sayo groaned, rubbing her sore cheek. What was it with Yukina and kicking?“My bad.”The vocalist’s response lacked any hint of remorse. This didn’t fail to irritate Sayo. By then Yukina had finally managed to cling onto one of the branches. Once she was amongst the foliage, she gingerly reached out a hand, coaxing the frightened cat towards her."Got you," Yukina whispered as she finally cradled the feline to her chest. She glanced down at Sayo from where she is perched, “Ok, now get me down.”Sayo stared up her dumbfounded. “Minato-san… you do know you have to climb down yourself, don’t you?”It was now Yukina’s turn to look shocked. She apparently hadn’t thought that far ahead. Sayo wanted to facepalm. Of all people, she’d hoped Roselia’s leader would have an adequate number of brain cells. At this rate, paired with Lisa and Ako they may well turn into the next Hello Happy World.As frustration painted the vocalist’s expression, Sayo couldn’t resist offering a teasing remark. "For all your good will, it seems you've gotten yourself into quite a predicament."Yukina scowled, “That was entirely unnecessary. Now get me down.”Sayo smirked, “Is that really how you want to speak to the only person here who can help you?” It was time to give Yukina a taste of her own medicine for how she’d treated her and Lisa.The vocalist looked torn between letting Sayo win and plummeting to her death. However, she couldn’t risk hurting the cat in her arms. With a pained expression she momentarily set aside her pride, "Will you please get me down from here?"Sayo nodded, content. "Alright, Minato-san, you’re going to need both your hands so you have to pass the cat to me.”Yukina’s eyes widened, “What depths of hell do you crawl from? I refuse to drop this poor thing from such a height.”Sayo rubbed the bridge of her nose in exasperation, “Do you want to sleep up there tonight? I promise I will catch it.”Seeing no other option, Yukina finally lowered the mewling cat as far as her arms could reach. Then she reluctantly let go. Just as promised, Sayo was right below to catch it. She cradled the animal safely in her arms.As funny as it would be to just leave the vocalist stranded in the tree, Sayo maintained a shred of good-will towards her bandmate. “Now it’s your turn, so listen carefully,” she instructed Yukina. “Move your left foot a bit to the right, and then use your right to grab that branch and lower yourself."Though initially resistant, Yukina obeyed each instruction as if Sayo’s words were her lifeline. In a way they were."Alright, now slowly shift your weight and lower yourself down," Sayo instructed.As her feet finally touched solid ground once more, she shot Sayo a somewhat begrudging look, “This doesn’t change anything."Sayo rolled her eyes. She didn’t know what she had expected. However as Yukina accepts the cat from her, the girl’s scowl softens slightly. “I don’t like owing people favours, so I suppose a token of thanks is in order.”“You really don’t need to,” Sayo shrugged, equally uncomfortable.Yukina wasn’t going to let up easily. After bidding goodbye to the cat, she led the way. Soon, the two found themselves inside Hazawa coffee. The warm atmosphere of the café was a stark contrast to the lingering coolness between the bandmates.Seated at a corner table, Yukina placed an order for a plate of fries for Sayo and a coffee for herself. They sat in awkward silence till their order arrived. The aroma of the freshly cooked fries filled Sayo with both temptation and mild annoyance. She wished she wasn’t so easily placated with food. Yet, it seemed everyone had discovered her weakness. The smug look Yukina was giving her irked her.However, the guitarist wasn’t going to let good food get cold and reluctantly dug into the fries. As she ate, Sayo could only stare in horror as Yukina began emptying six satchels of sugar into her coffee, one after the other. She could feel her own diabetes emerging.“Minato-san, are you sure you should be adding that much?” Sayo asked, unable to hide her concern for the vocalist’s obsessive sweet tooth.“You focus on your food, and I’ll focus on mine,” Yukina replied evenly as she stirred the nearly overflowing mug.Clumps of crystalised sugar clings to the spoon as she removed it. Sayo nearly gaged. The guitarist couldn’t peel her eyes away as Yukina proceeds to down the entire coffee in one. It was both horrifying and intriguing, like watching an exotic animal documentary.With her business concluded, Yukina got up to leave but Sayo stopped her. “Minato-san, before you leave there is something I think we should talk about.” As troubled as she was by what she’d just witnessed, there was another issue the guitarist needed to address. Yukina reluctantly sat back down."I know you are opposed to Lisa and I dating," Sayo began, her gaze settling on the silver haired girl.Yukina’s scowl intensified, "I clearly stated my reasons. Your conduct is unprofessional and romantic entanglements will only complicate things in the band."Sayo pressed on, unintimidated by the vocalist. “You say that, but I’ve noticed how you’ve shown no objection to Shirokane-san and I.” Yukina purses her lips but doesn’t respond. Sayo, pressed on. "Am I right in saying there’s more to this beneath the surface?"Yukina fidgeted, her usual composed demeanour wavering, “That is absurd. As I said, I won’t allow you to jeopardize Roselia or hurt Lisa with your ridiculous games.”The way she was being so uncharacteristically avoidant, the faint blush on her cheeks. Sayo's eyes widened as realization dawned. "You... you like Lisa, don't you?"Caught off guard that the infamously obliviously Sayo caught on to her feelings, Yukina couldn't bring herself to deny it. Instead, she only looked away, confirming Sayo's suspicions. It took the guitarist a moment to absorb this revelation.In an attempt to divert the conversation, the vocalist slid the Menu towards her. "Sayo, how about another plate of fries?” Yukina suggested under her breath. “Let's not make this a bigger issue than it needs to be."Sayo wanted to scoff. She slid the sheet back across the table, “I can’t be bribed that easily, Minato-san. Nor will I let you simply walk away from this.”Yukina sighed, realizing that avoiding the conversation wasn't going to be as easy as she hoped. "Sayo, let’s not do this. Our priority should be the band. We can't let personal feelings get in the way."Sayo narrowed her eyes, “You say that, but you’ve been doing the same whenever you attempt to get in between Lisa and I.”As the tension between Sayo and Yukina reached a boiling point, they were suddenly interrupted when Tsugumi appeared at their table. Sayo had only agreed to come here because she assumed the brunette wasn’t working that day. Unfortunately, the girl had overheard their entire conversation from the kitchen out back.She looked at her girlfriend with mixture of shock and disbelief, "Sayo-san... you're also with Rinko-senpai now?"Sayo wanted to sink into the earth. The last thing she wanted was to have this conversation right now, in front of Yukina. Neither girl knew the full extent of Sayo’s dating history."Tsugu-san, I can explai—"But Tsugumi, her scepticism evident in her tone, interrupted, "You told me it was just Lisa-senpai and Hina-senpai. How many girls are you actually dating? Every week there's seems to be a new rumour about who you’re with." Although Tsugumi wasn’t necessarily mad yet, she was definitely hurt that Sayo hasn’t been honest with her.“I would also like to hear this,” Yukina agreed, though she mostly just wanted to shift the interrogation away from herself.Sayo, feeling the weight of both their scrutiny, took a deep breath, “Things are… complicated. But I promise I haven’t changed my resolve. By the deadline, I will make my decision."“You haven’t answered my question,” Tsugumi leaned in with an intensity Sayo's never witnessed before. The piercing rage in her eyes was scarier than even Tomoe on her one of her rampages.Sayo gulped. She never imagined the soft-hearted keyboardist could be this frightening. Seeing no escape, Sayo cautiously listed off each and every girl she’s been with. Both Tsugumi and Yukina’s jaws droped further with each addition.“Wow.” Yukina, despite her usual eloquence was at loss for words. “When you get around, you really get around, Sayo.”Tsugumi was less amused. Sayo immediately attempted to comfort her, hoping to avoid a full-out meltdown. “This doesn’t change anything between us, Tsugu-san. I care about you,” she assured with as much sincerity as she could muster. “I know I’ve disappointed you, I would like to make things right.”Tsugumi’s anger gradually faded, replaced with a dejected look. The keyboardist couldn’t bear that sad look in Sayo eyes. Like an abandoned little puppy.“Fine, but our next date better be amazing to make up for all the other girls you’ve been with.”Sayo eagerly agreed, relieved to have escaped unscathed. “It’s the least I could do. You are an amazing person Tsugu-san, and I enjoy each moment I spend with you.”Tsugumi couldn’t help but blush. She forgets her previous anger as Sayo gives her a soft kiss on the cheek. As the brunette returned to work, Yukina quirked an eyebrow at Sayo.“So that’s how you do it. I clearly see now why so many maidens have fallen for you.”Sayo rolled her eyes to hide her embarrassment. “All I ask is that you maintain your sanity, Minato-san. I don’t believe I can handle any more drama.”The vocalist scoffed, “Don’t flatter yourself. You are the last person I would ever fall for. Especially now that I know how you operate”.“You make me sound like a criminal mastermind,” Sayo frowned. “However, I am relieved to know that at least you’ll be the one person I can count on to never change.”Sayo is reluctant to reopen their conversation about Lisa, knowing it will only lead to more complexities. She feels relieved when Yukina turns their conversation towards music.“Have you completed that song you were working on during our retreat?” Sayo asked, remembering Yukina’s hard work throughout their beach trip.The vocalist looked troubled, “It is nearly complete. However, I’ve hit a composer’s block when it came to the bridge. Despite all the sweets Lisa has been feeding me, I haven’t been able to find the right phrase."“I would be happy to look over it for you,” Sayo offered thoughtfully. She hoped to resolve this problem before their vocalist ended up in hospital from high blood sugar. “Perhaps with a fresh pair of eyes, we can figure something out.”She had expected the vocalist to turn her down but before she knew it, Sayo found herself at Yukina’s house. Inside Yukina's room, Sayo waded through the sea of instruments and scattered sheets of music. She finally found an empty patch on the floor where she could sit and began to look over this elusive bridge that had stumped even Roselia’s leader.The atmosphere once tense, now shifted to a more familiar dynamic as the pair focused on the task at hand. Sayo never failed to be amazed by the music Yukina created. Even in its rough form, the passion that emitted from her melodies and lyrics stirred the guitarist’s heart. Although less skilled in composition, Sayo offered insight from a musician’s standpoint. Yukina listened intently, absorbing her bandmate’s guidance.Despite their recent rough patch, Yukina and Sayo were kindred spirits from the start as they have always worked towards the same goal. It’s undeniable how alike they are when it comes to their seriousness and over dedication to music. At times like this where they poured their souls into the band they loved, Sayo wouldn’t want it any other way. The collaborative process built a temporary bridge over the divide of their personal complexities.By nightfall, Sayo and Yukina finally finished. The two shared a genuine look of pride as Yukina offered her appreciation, "Thank you, Sayo. I couldn't have done this without your help.”"Anytime. It is always a pleasure to work with you when it comes to music. We make a good team." She had practically forgotten their earlier fight amidst the distraction of this challenge.Yukina handed Sayo a guitar. Although the make was different from her own, holding the instrument in her arms felt familiar and comforting. Her fingers instinctively found their place on the fretboard as she began to play the song she and Yukina worked so hard on.As the notes flowed from the instrument, Yukina's voice joined in, filling the room with its haunting beauty. Sayo listened intently, her focus solely on the music they were creating together. Until a strange feeling began to creep in.The lyrics, although brand new sounded oddly familiar. As Sayo played through the piece, her mind raced to figure out why the song struck such a chord within her. Then like a crescendo, it hit her.
The song was about her.
Embarrassment washed over Sayo. All this time, the lyrics, the subtle nuances within the notes- they were all a reflection of Yukina’s thoughts and emotions towards her. Sayo wouldn’t call it a love song, but the admiration that flowed through each verse felt so undeserved Sayo nearly missed her fingering a few times. As the final chords faded into silence, Sayo glanced at Yukina, her cheeks still slightly flushed."Minato-san… This-this song... "Yukina smiled softly, though she also appeared unusually shy. "Despite everything that has happened, you are an important part of Roselia, Sayo. I wanted to capture the essence of our experiences, our struggles…” She bit her lip, “Of how important you are to me. That is something I never realised till today.” The silver haired girl suddenly looked away, embarrassed.Sayo felt a range of emotions inside as she waited for the vocalist to elaborate. She’d never heard Yukina talk so much at once. Yet the lull of her voice mesmerised her. The vocalist looked almost thoughtful as she continued, “I initially started writing this song for Lisa… however it seems something happened along the way…”Sayo felt all the air leave her lungs. She gently set her guitar aside as Yukina takes a seat on the bed beside her. The air between them is a potent mix of tension and anticipation. The way Yukina was looking at her now, those mesmerising golden orbs digging into the depth of Sayo’s soul as if to uncover what’s inside.Sayo’s heart raced. "Yukina,” she uttered, struggling to steady her breath. Her voice barely louder than whisper from how close the other girl was. “We... we agreed that you would never fall for me."Yukina nodded, her expression unreadable, "Yes… I believe we did."But despite her words, there was a flicker of something in Yukina's eyes. A hint of longing, for something just out of reach. At some point they had both leaned in, their breaths now mingling in the small distance that remained.Sayo felt a surge of conflicting emotions—confusion, excitement, and a growing desire that she couldn't ignore. She knew the consequences of crossing this line. Of giving in to the forbidden attraction that simmered between them. But in that moment, Yukina's gaze met hers. Smouldering. All rational thought vanished from that point onwards.Sayo could pinpoint the exact moment Yukina’s resolve crumbled. She closed the distance between them, her lips meeting Sayo's in a yearning, yet hesitant kiss. All Sayo could do was kiss her back.It that moment of surrender, the dam that held back unspoken desires burst open. The vocalist was now practically clawing at Sayo, digging her hands into the guitarist’s flowing, teal hair.Sayo felt a rush of exhilaration mingled with uncertainty. She was utterly confused. All this time, who had Yukina really been in love with? However, one thing was for certain. The line had been crossed. Now that the boundaries were blurred, there was no turning back. When they pulled apart, their breaths came in ragged gasps.Sayo looked up only to find Lisa frozen in shock. Her gaze locked onto them both from her bedroom window which faced Yukina’s. Sayo's heart dropped as she felt a surge of mortification wash over her. Why the heck didn’t they close the curtains? Without a word, she bolted from the room, rushing outside in a desperate attempt to explain herself before her girlfriend exploded.The moment she stepped through Yukina’s front door, Lisa was already there. Her arms were crossed, an unreadable expression shadowing her face. But before Sayo could utter a single word, Lisa suddenly grabbed her arm. The feisty brunette yanked her back inside and up the stairs to Yukina's room.The vocalist leapt out of the way the moment her door swung open. It takes a lot to make the cheerful bassist anger, yet Sayo had gone and done it. Yukina knew exactly what Lisa was like in that state and last thing she wanted was to be there to witness it.Completely ignoring her childhood friend, Lisa closed in on Sayo. Her eyes blazed with intensity. Without a word, she pushed the blue haired girl onto the bed and climbed on top of her, fuelled by a mixture of anger and desire. Sayo, feeling a knot of guilt rising within, attempted to apologise but Lisa shuts her up with a rough kiss. She immediately proceeded to shove her tongue into Sayo’s mouth, savouring the helpless whimpers that came from the guitarist beneath her.Yukina cautiously inched forward, unsure whether she should interrupt this lover’s quarrel before Sayo dies from asphyxiation or to flee. The latter option currently seemed more tempting, considering Lisa looked moments away from ripping off the guitarist’s clothes. Yukina definitely didn’t want to stay around for that... not when she wasn't the one getting involved.Fortunately Lisa finally broke away, giving Sayo the chance to breathe. Cheeks flushed and breathless, the blue haired girl struggled to find the right words. "Lisa, I... please, it’s not what..."Lisa’s hand suddenly gripped the collar of Sayo’s shirt, the roughness cutting her off.“I don’t care anymore, Sayo! As long as you can still prove to me that you love me, what you do in the rest of your time doesn’t matter!”“Of course I love you!” She blurted out without hesitation. She quickly melted in embarrassment, realising this was the first time she’d said those words to Lisa.Lisa's expression softened, her anger giving way to a flicker of relief. Her grip on Sayo’s shirt loosened, allowing her to breathe again.“I-I’m sorry,” the brunette apologised finally regaining control of herself. She wore a look of guilt on her face. “I didn’t mean to force myself on you like that. I-I just completely lost it for a moment.”Sayo cupped her cheek gently, “It’s ok Lisa, please don’t feel bad. And I promise I really meant it. I love you.”Tears began to brim in the brunette’s eyes. “I love you too, Sayo,” she sniffed, and Sayo reached out to gently wipe away those tears.Yukina watched the exchange with a mix of emotions. Though she was relieved that Lisa was no longer rampaging, a part of her felt a pang of loneliness over witnessing such an intimate moment.That was when Lisa turned to face Yukina, her gaze filled with determination, “As you for, you need to start being more honest with yourself, Yukina. You’ll only keep causing trouble for everyone if you don't.”But before Yukina could respond, Lisa stood up and closed the distance between them. Her lips met Yukina's in a tender, yet insistent kiss. Yukina's breath caught in her throat at finally having her crush reciprocated after so many years.As their kiss deepened, Sayo watched with a mixture of awe and slight embarrassment. She was happy the two were confronting their feeling head-on. But at the same time, she now also understood how her girlfriends must feel whenever she’s with someone else. It really does suck.Suddenly, she feels Lisa’s hands on her, pulling her up off the bed. The brunette must have realised Sayo was feeling left out as her lips how met hers in a fervent kiss. In that moment, the boundaries between all three of them blurred, leaving only the raw intensity of their desires to guide them forward.Being the boldest out of them all, Lisa guided both Sayo and Yukina toward Yukina's bed. Yukina though still grappling with her own emotions and this unexpected turn of events, allowed herself to be led. The uncertainty in her eyes gradually gave way to a spark of longing as Sayo, swept up in the intensity of the moment, met her with another kiss.The soft glow of the room's dim lighting danced across them as the three got lost in a passionate make out session. All tension had melted away. Lisa's hands moved with deliberate yet tender purpose as she traced Sayo’s stomach. She loved how toned her girlfriend felt even through her shirt. The touch sent an intense shiver down Sayo’s spine.Meanwhile, Yukina approached Lisa from behind and after moving her hair aside, began placing gentle kisses along the girl’s collarbone. Lisa threw her head back, unable to contain the soft moan that escaped her lips. Sayo couldn’t help but feel jealous that she wasn’t the one who elicited such a sweet sound.Taking the bassist’s hand that was still mapping her body, Sayo placed longing kisses over her wrists, gradually making her way up those smooth arms. The room filled with the soft murmur and ragged breaths as the intensity of their affections become increasingly profound.Moving away from Lisa, Yukina suddenly pulled Sayo in and began peppering kisses across her nape as well. Her heart pounding with the fervour of the moment, Sayo allowed herself to be enveloped by this intoxicating sensation. Yukina, too, found herself surrendering to the magnetic pull of Lisa's touch as the brunette ran her fingers through her best friend’s silver hair. The walls the vocalist had built around her emotions dissipated. Her fingers snuck over Sayo’s thigh, gripping it with hunger.As the room grew more heated, Sayo couldn’t shake the sense of danger rising inside. In the midst of their shared passion, Sayo's voice cut through the haze. Yukina and Lisa, still burning with desire, turned to her with a mixture of surprise and confusion."I... I think we need to stop," Sayo insisted, her voice wavering slightly as she met their disappointed gazes. "I don’t think its right, taking next step like this… not until I can decide who I want to be with. It… it wouldn’t be fair on any of you otherwise."Yukina's expression immediately softened, "I understand. I apologise for getting carried away… I respect your choice, Sayo and I’ll wait till you make your decision."Lisa nodded in agreement, though her own emotions swirling with a mixture of longing and uncertainty. "Yeah, if that’s how you feel then I support your choice as well."Although she felt initially guilty for ruining the moment, a surge of gratitude washed over Sayo. Yet, as she looked between them, her grew heart heavy with the weight of her indecision. Sayo realised she had to be way careful from now as she navigated her increasingly complex relationships. Tonight had been a close call if. If she kept getting swayed by every fleeing passion, the guitarist knew she’d never find clarity on where her heart truly laid. Damn teenage hormones! Embarrassment overcame her. To think her first time was nearly a threesome. How far she’d fallen from being the perfect figurehead of the disciplinary committee. With this new boundary set, the three settled into a more comfortable group cuddle."Hey Yukina, will it be okay if Sayo and I both stay the night?” Lisa asked with a slight eagerness. “Even if Sayo won’t let us do the deed, we can still enjoy other things right?”Sayo’s face flushed, “Lisa, please don’t be so crass.”“What? I’m simply suggesting spending the night together, nothing sexual. Get your head out of the gutter~ ”“You can’t blame me, considering the recent nature of your requests.”Yukina raised an eyebrow, “Lisa, what have you been coercing Sayo into?”“Oh nothing really. She’s too much of a stickler for propriety to agree,” Lisa sighed in remorse.“I just... prefer to maintain some boundaries," Sayo protested."Well, if you ever change your mind, I’m happy for you to take me any time," Lisa teased, leaning in to press a playful kiss to Sayo's now flushed cheek."Lisa, perhaps it's best to respect Sayo's wishes," Yukina’s lips quirked but as the responsible one, her tone was mild but pointed."But Yukina, what about the joys of spontaneous sleepovers and… midnight snacks?"Sayo rolled her eyes, “I’m rather skeptical of your definition of such snacks.”“Ahaha~ looks like you’re learning.”“Will you two either flirt somewhere else or go to sleep? I need my 10 hours or I can’t function.”The playful banter soon settled and the three, although slightly cramped on Yukina’s double bed, drifted off into a content sleep.
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Feeling a warmth surrounding her, Sayo stirs awake. As her eyes flicker open, she finds herself sandwiched on the bed between Yukina and Lisa. Both girls were still fast asleep, snuggled up against her in a tangle of limbs and blankets. A soft smile crossed Sayo’s lips.Still feeling tired, she closed her eyes again and was lulled back into the peaceful moment. Not soon after, she hears thundering of footsteps approach in the distance and moments later, Sayo is fully jolted awake when an unexpected weight landed squarely on her chest.Somehow Yukina and Lisa rolled out of the way in time so Sayo was left to feel the full blunt of the force. With a startled choke her eyes flew open. Springing up, she accidentally headbutted the figure on top of her.“Ow, why can’t you be more gentle with me, Onee-chan?”The familiarity of that whimper was undeniable. Sayo finds none other than Hina sitting on top of her, brimming with energy despite how early it was in the morning.“You’re the one who jumped on top of me,” Sayo protested, rubbing her throbbing head. For once it wasn’t even from the usual headache Hina brought with her presence. “Actually, why are you here? You don’t even live here!”Hina’s flashed Sayo a mischievous grin before bouncing up and down on top of her, causing Sayo to let out another groan of protest."You didn’t come home last night. I couldn't wait any longer to see you so I decided to come wake you up myself!"Still dazed from the sudden wake-up call, Sayo struggled to gather her thoughts as Hina began chatting animatedly. Beside her, Lisa finally stirred, a bemused expression on her face as she observed the blue whirlwind that burst into their morning.“Onee-chan, I can’t believe you left out!” Hina pouted, suddenly wrapping her arms tightly around her sister, “You looked so cozy with Lisacchi. Let me join!”“How did you even find me?” Sayo was struggling to breathe through Hina’s chokehold.The younger girl giggled, “By now, you should know it’s the power of my love! I followed my onee-chan senses all the way here~ ”Lisa looked slightly sheepish as she leaned over to Sayo, “Ahaha~ Actually that’s my bad. Hina was blowing up my phone at 3am, worried sick about where you were. I had to tell her before she called the police.”Sayo sighed. At the very least, she was grateful her obsessed twin hadn’t broken down Lisa’s door immediately. She didn’t know what she would have done to Hina if her sister had woken her up at such an ungodly hour.“Onee-chan, did you miss me?” Hina asked, staring down with beady eyes. “It’s been so long since we’ve spent the night apart.”“Hina, we were apart just last week when I went away on Roselia’s training camp.”“…That’s what you think.”“Wait what?!”Sayo did a double take at this ominous reply but Hina only gave her an innocent smile before snuggling against her chest. Sayo wasn’t sure what level of concern she should be at right now. Nonetheless, she wrapped her arms around her sister with a sigh. What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her. "Next time please knock before barging in. And stop harassing Lisa."“It’s alright Sayo, I’ve accepted from the start that you and Hina are a package deal,” the bassist laughed, rolling over to give Sayo a peck on the cheek.“Will you all quieten down? You know I don’t function before 10am,” a muffled groan rose from under the covers.Hina’s eyes widened as she noticed Yukina's presence for the first time. She looked between Sayo, Lisa, and vocalist-shaped lump with comically wide eyes.“Onee-chan, how come mom lets you have five girlfriends?!”Sayo didn’t have the heart to tell her it’s actually six now. Also their mother was never going to hear about this. Their parents aren’t even aware either of them are gay.Sayo glanced at the time on her phone. She wanted to cry at how early it still was. This was going to be a long day…… Before Roselia’s morning’s practice even began, Ako was already throwing a tantrum."It's not fair! Sayo-san, why are you dating everyone in Roselia but me?" the drummer whined as she stomped angrily around the studio.Sayo, her fingers moving deftly across the strings of her guitar, paused for a moment. Unsure on how to respond to Ako's sudden outburst she shot a pleading glance to the rest of the band. However, the other girls only waited with amused expectancy at how the guitarist would handle the situation.“For how many of you I’m dating, you’re all useless when it comes to support,” Sayo scowled before turning back to the stroppy girl in front of her."Ako, you’re still a little young to be dating," Sayo began gently. "Not to mention Tomoe-san would murder me if I ever went near you."At the mention of her older sister, a hint of amusement danced in Ako’s eyes. "Yeah, she'd probably chase you down with her drumsticks again.”As if on cue the door to the studio burst open. Tomoe stormed in, eyes blazing with fiery intensity as she fixed her gaze on Sayo. “What is it now?” Sayo cried in exasperation. Can she go one day without getting threatened, accused, or tormented?"Hikawa Sayo!" Tomoe's voice boomed, "I heard you’ve seduced yet another member of your band you womanizing scum!”Leering over Sayo till their faces were only inches apart, the drummer dropped her voice to a threatening tone, “Let me make this perfectly clear. If you ever lay even a finger on my little sister, I will break each one off, one by one. Then I’ll grind your bones to dust, and use it for the cement to make your tombstone.”Personally, Sayo intended to be cremated when she died but this didn’t seem like the right time to talk back. Not when Tomoe’s readied fists were clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.Sayo needed to take control of the situation."Tomoe-san, will you calm down? As I was telling Ako, I would never approach her such a way. I know you’re protective of her and there’s no reason to worry."Tomoe glared at the guitarist for a moment longer before turning away. "Fine. Just know that I'm watching you. You’re still on thin ice for what you did to Tsugumi so don't make me regret letting you off."With that, the tall girl stormed out of the room.…Ako paced back and forth in her room. After what happened back in studio, she wanted mend things between her sister and Sayo so they’d finally stop fighting all the time. But as the minutes ticked by, Ako began to worry if her plan was really the best way to go about things…Meanwhile, in the flickering neon lights of the arcade, Sayo and Tomoe found themselves face to face. Both expressions mirrored a sense of annoyance. The younger girl had invited each of them to spend the day with her at the arcade. Tomoe would do anything for her sister while Sayo, although not well versed with arcade games, felt it would be rude to turn her down her bandmate.Yet when they arrived, Ako was nowhere in sight. Instead they found the last person either of them wanted to see."I don’t understand why Ako isn’t here yet," Tomoe muttered, her brow furrowed in frustration as she attempted to dial her sister again with no luck. "Why isn't she answering her phone?"Sayo crossed her arms with a grim expression, “I think it’s time to face the facts. We’ve been played.”Tomoe looked up in shock, “You’re saying Ako… set us up?”“She has been concerned over your violent threats as of late,” the guitarist pointed out tersely.“Hey, I won’t be on your back if you weren’t running around, flirting with everything that moves! How do you even live with yourself when you know perfectly well how much Tsugu cares about you?”Sayo turned away angrily. “I have done no such thing. Since this is obviously a waste of time, I will take my leave.”“Not so fast Hikawa!” Tomoe blocked her path. Sayo raised an eyebrow as the drummer continued, “Let's settle this once and for all. You, me, this arcade. If I win, you'll break things off with everyone else for Tsugu’s sake.”“That would be breaking the ultimatum,” Sayo argued. There was nothing she hated more than breaking her word.A smirk crossed Tomoe’s face, “So you're saying don’t have what it takes. Why Tsugu wants to be with someone gutless like you, I’ll never know.”Sayo gritted her teeth. Before her rationality could kick in, she faced the taller drummer with heated resolve, "If you insist on being so childish then I accept your challenge. Just remember, you asked for this."Feeling confident, Tomoe offered to let Sayo choose their first game. It was only fair considering the guitarist was less experienced in the arcade scene. Sayo surveyed the rows of machines until her gaze settled on a hopeful sight."Guitar Hero," she said with as much determination as she could muster. "I choose Guitar Hero."Tomoe scoffed. “You think your skills will be of any use in a game? Suit yourself, let’s see how long you last.”As they approached the arcade machine, Sayo's fingers twitched with anticipation. She desperately hoped years of real guitar experience would pull her through. However, it was too late to turn back. She didn’t dare imagine the mess she’d be in if she lost.With a confident swagger, Tomoe picked up one of the plastic guitar controllers and settled into a comfortable pose. Sayo was more tentative but got into the zone as the first notes appeared on screen. With lightning-fast reflexes, Sayo's fingers danced across the buttons.While this really was her first time playing Guitar Hero, Tomoe underestimated the power of the Sadness Metronome. Sayo struck each note with incredible precision, effortlessly maintaining perfect timing. Tomoe watched in disbelief as Sayo’s score rapidly racked up. Her own attempt paled in comparison to a real guitarist despite years of experience with the game.As the final notes of the song faded away, Sayo set down the guitar controller with calm yet triumphant smile. Her victory was clear for all to see on the screen’s leaderboard. Tomoe’s expression was a mix of frustration and begrudging admiration."Alright, you win," the redhead crossed her arms. "But don’t get cocky cause this isn't over. Best out of three and I’ll prove you’re not worthy of our Tsugu!"Although Sayo initially thought this competition was nothing but tedious, she’d grown equally competitive from her victory. "You really don’t know when to quit. Are you that desperate to lose again?"Sayo didn’t know where this sudden trash talk came from, but she was fired up. Her comment instantly riled up the red-haired drummer.“Oh, you think you’re big talk? I accept your challenge! Let’s see if you’ll still have that smirk on your face without your precious guitar.”As Tomoe pointed smugly to the taiko drum game, a glimmer of uncertainty crossed Sayo’s features before she quickly masked them. The drummer cracked her knuckles, "Alright, Hikawa. Let's see what you're really made of."Despite her overwhelming disadvantage, Sayo accepted the challenge. She held the unfamiliar drumsticks in her hands, poised to strike as the first beats of the song filled the air. With fierce intensity, the blue haired threw herself into the game, her movements fluid and controlled as she attempted to keep pace with the relentless rhythm.But despite her best efforts, Sayo quickly felt fatigue set in as the dizzying array of notes flew across the screen. With each missed beat, her frustration grew and her once-confident facade cracked. This only fuelled Tomoe's relentless onslaught as she beat her own drum with expert might. With each strike, Afterglow’s drummer pulled further ahead, her victory all but assured. As the final notes echoed through the arcade, Sayo set down the drumsticks with a defeated sigh.In the heat of their competition, the other girl had discarded her leather jacket. Now stood in just her tank top, Tomoe’s toned arms bulged beneath the subtle sheen of perspiration that coated her skin (A result of years of experience beating Taiko drums at festivals). Sayo couldn’t help but stare- not just at those muscles but the raw primal energy emitting from the redhead."Looks like I won this round, Sayo!" Tomoe declared, unaware of the effect she was having on every female in the vicinity. "Your luck ended the moment you played your last power chord."Despite her loss, Sayo acknowledged the drummer’s skill. "Congratulations, Tomoe-san. I admit my defeat this round, you were truly impressive."To her surprise, Tomoe snaped. “Why the hell’d you say that? You’re not meant to praise your competition!”Sayo’s attempt at a compliment backfired, only stoking the drummer’s frustration fuether. With one win each, they found themselves locked in a fierce debate over the fairest way to settle their competition.Finally Tomoe's frustration exploded and she shoved Sayo roughly. Sayo instinctively grabbed Tomoe’s collar, dragging her along with her causing her rival to unintentionally pin her against the wall. For a moment, with their bodies pressed up against each other, the world seemed to stand still. The girls could only stare at each other, the heat of their anger rising into a different kind of intensity.In a sudden rush of movement, their lips met in a fierce, desperate kiss. Pent-up frustrations and unresolved tension now released within a single moment. The kiss deepened and their competition was all but forgotten as earlier tensions now drove the two towards a different kind of impulse.As their passion threatened to consume them, Tomoe found herself unable to resist the intoxicating taste of Sayo's lips. With a surge of adrenaline she lifted Sayo into her arms, shoving her more roughly against the wall. Sayo wasn’t in any state to complain. The only thing she wanted right then was more.Their kisses grew sloppier, more urgent. Both were lost to their surroundings until a harsh yell shattered the spell. Startled, Tomoe dropped Sayo back to the ground, realising they’d attracted the attention of the arcade's security personnel."Hey, you two! You can't do that here!" the security guard barked.Fortunately this wasn’t Tomoe’s first rodeo. Sporting a defiant glint in her eye, she tightened her grip on Sayo's hand. Ignoring the security guard's protests, the two barrelled through the arcade towards the nearest exit.Their hearts threatened to explode in their chest as they emerged to the cool outside air. After slamming the door shut behind them, Tomoe leaned against the wall for a moment to catch her breath.Eyes met. A moment passed before they both burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the back alley behind the arcade. Breathless, exhilarated and hands still intertwined, Sayo and Tomoe shared a knowing glance. Sayo wasn’t sure what the proper etiquette was if you accidentally make out with a girl who’s been trying to kill you. That’s why she was grateful when the drummer spoke up first.“How about some Ramen, huh?”…Amidst the comforting aroma bone broth, Tomoe and Sayo found themselves seated at the counter of a cozy ramen stand. Tomoe had assured her the place served the best noodles in the prefecture. Their previous escapade was momentarily put aside as they dug into their steaming bowls. As Sayo savoured the rich flavours of the soup, she had to admit the drummer knew her stuff when it came to food. This ramen was possibly one of the best things she’d ever eaten, second to fries, of course.As they ate, their conversation flowed effortlessly, eventually weaving onto the topic of Ako and Hina. Sayo couldn't help but notice the striking similarities between her and Tomoe. Both older and significantly more responsible sisters, constantly tasked with keeping their troublesome younger sibling in line."It's funny," Sayo remarked, her gaze thoughtful as she glanced across the counter at Tomoe. "I never realized Ako causes just as much trouble for you. Being older comes with its own challenges, doesn't it?"Tomoe chuckled in agreement, "Ako’s gotten much better. You won’t believe the trouble that girl got into back in middle school. The numer of times our parents had to be called in because of a minor exorcism. People are so sensitive nowadays. Though I see Hina's quite a handful even now!”Sayo wished she could deny it. The look on her face made the redhead laugh.“You know, I've always admired your dedication to her, no matter how oddly you show it. Ako talks about you practically every day. You're totally more reliable than you give yourself credit for."Sayo felt a warm flush of gratitude at these words, “She does?”“Yeah, almost makes me jealous how much she admires you,” the drummer grins as she leans back in her chair. "Have to admit, I'm starting to admire you too. After getting to know you better, I guess you're not half bad."A smile squirked at Sayo's lips, "Getting to know each other? Is that people nowadays call shoving your tongue half-way down someone's throat?"A slight blush dusted Tomoe's face. "Hey! From those little moans you were making you weren't complaining."Although now equally red-faced, Sayo's admiration for Tomoe was growing with each passing moment. "Either way, I've also admired your dependability, Tomoe-san. Both towards Ako and everyone in Afterglow.""Us big sisters gotta stick together right? Just know you can always lean on me if you ever need a break from everything."Sayo smiled, "You are indeed the reliable older sister, through and through. I'll certainly just take you up on that offer."Tomoe gave her a mischievous grin, "That something you're into Hikawa? Knowing how you are when it comes to sisters, I'm holding you to that."Sayo returned a playful punch on the shoulder at the low blow, making the redhead laugh. Their exchange was momentarily interrupted by the arrival of another round of ramen. Sayo glanced at the large bowl in front of her apprehensively, unsure how she could possibly handle any more.Tomoe heartedly egged her on, “Come on, that can’t be all you got! When Moca and I come here, we often go four or even five rounds!”“You must really enjoy ramen,” Sayo noted as she politely dug into the food, careful not to make a mess.“I’d come here every day if I could, even if the sodium kills me.”"It seems it's my turn to be the reliable one and remind you to take better care of your health.""Whatever you say, onee-chan," Tomoe teased making Sayo nearly choke on her broth.By the time they finished their meal, Sayo was still struggling to comprehend this unexpected connection she forged with Afterglow’s drummer. Although she didn’t want to give Ako too much credit, their little gremlin does pull through once in a while. As Sayo and Tomoe stepped out into the bustling streets, the guitarist knew her life would never be boring again.
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When Sayo received the frantic call from Chisato, her heart almost stopped. The actress always remained composed regardless of the situation so the unexpected urgency in her voice immediately put the guitarist on edge.“Sayo-chan, Kanon's gone missing!" Chisato's panicked voice came through the phone. “No one in Harohapi has seen her since yesturday.”Sayo did her best to remain calm for both their sakes. "Do you know where she was last seen?”“No one knows,” Chisato sounded distressed before a thought seemed to have popped into her mind. “Wait, these past few days she mentioned a rare collectible being sold at the aquarium. Maybe she’s trying to get one. She’s been gone far too long though...”Sayo cursed the blue-haired drummer’s lack of navigational senses. “Where are you right now? I'll be right over to help look for her.""I'm stuck at a photo shoot so I can't leave for a while yet," her partner admitted anxiously. "Please, can you help find her?""Of course, Chisato. You can count on me." Sayo was already mentally mapping out the city in preparation for the search.The actress seemed understandably relieved, “Thank you. Oh, and Sayo-chan," Chisato added, her tone softening now that her main concern was in her partner’s reliable hands, "would you like to take Leon to the dog park together sometime? He really misses you and it'll be nice for us too since we haven’t been on a date in a while.” Her tone grew slightly guilty, “I am sorry I’ve been so busy with work."Sayo's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected invitation. "I would love that.”An eager smile spreading across her face as she envisioned the outing. However, a hint of amusement quickly laced her tone, “Although what have we say about apologising unnecessarily? Your work is important, Chisato, and I’m proud of you for it.”A shy laugh rang over the phone. “You’re right, thank you, Sayo-chan. It really means a lot coming from you.” Some buzzling sound came from the other end which Sayo assumed must be the crew on set.“I have to go now but thank you for agreeing to help. I’ll see you soon, love you.”“Love you too.”As the call ended, Sayo reflected on how natural that sentiment now felt between them. Though she might have to hold her secret forever that the first time she said those words, it had been directed at Leon.Sayo adored the golden retriever with all her heart and showered him with affection whenever she visited Chisato’s house. However, Chisato overheard her one day and after seeing the look of joy on the blonde’s face, Sayo couldn’t bring herself to reveal the truth. Nonetheless, her affections for the actress grew since then so the words were no longer a lie.As Sayo prepared to search for Kanon, she couldn't help but smile at the memory. Her heart fluttered in anticipation, knowing that despite the chaos that will inevitably consume her day, she had something wonderful to look forward to.At the very least, Kanon was one of the more sensible members of Hello Happy World. Sayo can’t promise she won’t kill herself if she ever had to babysit Hagumi or god forbid- Kokoro. She often wondered if inside their heads sounded like that retro arcade game ‘Pong’. A single braincell slowly bouncing around inside those hollow skulls before eventually slipping out through their ear.After looking up the nearest aquarium, the guitarist set off on her mission. Unfortunately, Kanon wasn’t inside the gift shop. Sayo sighed, realising her plan wasn’t going to be that easy. She resigned herself to the fact that she will have to search the whole aquarium for the absentminded drummer.Fortunately able to get a student day pass at the ticket booth, Sayo was soon inside. Her eyes scanned the bustling corridors for any sign of the missing girl. Although she didn’t have any particular interest in sea life, Sayo had to admit the serene atmosphere of the place was calming. After what felt like an eternity of wandering through the maze-like corridors, Sayo finally stumbled upon the jellyfish room. There, amidst the gently pulsating glow, stood Kanon. Her usually sweet demeanour was overshadowed by a veil of distress."Matsubara-san!" Sayo called out, relief flooding her.Kanon turned at the sound. Her eyes widened in surprise to see Roselia's guitarist and Sayo noticed they were brimming with tears.“Sayo-san? What… what are you doing here?”“Chisato called me to say you were lost. She’s at a shoot right now so she sent me instead,” Sayo explained.To her surprise Kanon suddenly rushed into her arms, "I'm so sorry for causing you both trouble," she sobbed, her voice choked with emotion. "I-I got lost, and I couldn't find my way back."Though feeling incredibly awkward, Sayo gently stroked the girl’s back. "It's alright, I was happy to help." Finally reassured, Kanon pulled away looking rather embarrassed. “Did you get lost on your way here then?” Sayo asked in concern.Kanon shook her head in shame, “No, I somehow got here fine. I wanted to look around a bit first but then I couldn’t find my way out.” Her tone grew distressed, “I’ve been here since 9am.”Sayo was at lost for words. “…Isn’t there a map on the wall right there?”A blush coloured drummer’s cheeks as she fidgeted with her dress, “I-I'm sorry, I’m just so bad at reading maps. It’s also really scary asking for directions so I thought maybe I could find my own way…” She trailed off, realising how over-optimistic her plan was. “I’m lucky I managed to find this room. The jellyfish help me feel better.”As they stayed for a moment in tranquillity of that space, Sayo watched the wonder in Kanon's eyes as they followed the graceful dance of the jellyfish. The quiet fascination her gaze soon washed away her anxiousness. Sayo wore the same gentle smile, realising could easily get lost in that room for hours as well. Though for an entirely different reason. However, she soon remembered why they were there."Chisato mentioned that you were looking for a limited edition keychain here. Why don't we head to the gift shop together and see if we can find it?"Kanon's eyes lit up with a glimmer of excitement. "Really? You'd do that for me, Sayo-san?""Of course."After assimilating herself with the layout of the aquarium from the map, Sayo led the way out of the jellyfish room. As they entered the bustling store, Kanon scanned the shelves and displays in search of the coveted souvenir. However, after a thorough search, her heart sank as she realised they were sold out."Is there a chance they'll be more in stock if you came back?" Sayo asked with a hint of sympathy.Kanon's shoulders slumped, "No, I think it's only a limited time offer for the week.” Nonetheless, she offered Sayo a grateful smile "I appreciate you trying to help me though.”But feeling determined, Sayo approached the salesclerk at the counter, “Excuse me, do you know if there are any more of your limited-edition keychains in stock?”“I’m sorry, but we just sold our last one earlier,” the saleswoman apologised. Kanon’s spirit sank until the women spoke up again, “However, they’re a special collaboration item between all the aquariums in the city. There might still be some avaliavle at the other locations.”Sayo thanked the woman but as she turned to leave the drummer stopped her. "Sayo-san, I'm not sure if this is a good idea," Kanon admitted uncertainty, "I don't want to inconvenience you."Sayo didn’t know why she felt so determined. It was just a keychain after all. Yet, Kanon looked so crestfallen earlier that she would do anything to bring her smile back. Even if she had to swim with the jellyfish, she’d do it."Don't worry about it, Matsubara-san. I am doing this out of my own choice. We will find you that keychain."Kanon felt a wave of gratitude as she followed the serious guitarist out of the aquarium. They got side-tracked a few times when Kanon would wander off in the wrong direction, but Sayo quickly learnt to keep a close eye on her at all times. It amazed her how such a directionally challenged individual survived for this long.As they ventured all across Tokyo from one aquarium to another, Sayo and Kanon found themselves immersed in a whirlwind of both excitement and disappointment. With each new location they visited Kanon's hopes would soar, only to be dashed once again when they discovered that the keychain had already been sold out. Despite the setbacks, Sayo refused to give up. Not until they searched every last location!Throughout their journey, Kanon shared fascinating tidbits about the sea life they encountered, her eyes lighting up with passion as she spoke. Sayo listened intently, captivated by the girl’s enthusiasm. It appeared she was particularly keen on jellyfish, seeing as she brought them up most frequently. Although the creatures were indeed pretty to look at, Sayo didn’t really understand the fascination over those stinging translucent blobs.Yet, as they explored the different aquariums, the guitarist bganw to gain a newfound appreciation for the beauty and diversity of marine life. While she and Kanon marvelled once more at some jellyfish, floating lazily in their tanks, Sayo couldn’t help but voice her curiosity."Matsubara-san, may I ask why you love jellyfish so much?"Kanon appeared slightly embarrassed she she replied, "Well, i guess it's because... they look like mochi."Sayo's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Mochi?""Yes, they're almost see through and really round. They remind me of the mochi my grandma used to make. It's silly, I know."Sayo couldn't help but smile at Kanon's explanation. "That's actually quite adorable.”Kanon’s cheeks turned pink, yet she gave a rueful sigh, "But it also means I can’t eat mochi anymore. Every time I try, all I can think about are those poor baby jellyfish.”"Well, at least you can enjoy looking at them,” Sayo chuckled, surprised by the girl’s honesty. “I’m starting to understand your admiration now. They’re calming creatures.”The drummer nodded, eager at Sayo’s understanding, “Whenever I get stressed out, I tend to space out and start thinking about jellyfish. It helps me calm down.”“Perhaps I should try that sometime,” Sayo said thoughtfully, “It might help with pre-show nerves.”Kanon looked up in surprised, “You get nervous too Sayo-san?”“Does that surprise you?”Despite her wide-eyed nod, Kanon seemed to have gained a new sense of reassurance. “You always seem so cool on stage, like nothing could ever bother you. It’s… actually quite nice to know even you get overwhelmed sometimes.”A smile tugged at the guitarist’s lips, “I struggle to understand that image people have of me. However, I can assure you that I get the occasional nerves, just like anyone else.”Kanon smiled, her spirits uplifted by Sayo’s words....As they continued to navigate through the bustling streets towards the final aquarium, the two are suddenly hit by a wave of rush hour commuters. Concerned that Kanon might get consumed by the sea of pedestrians, Sayo grasped her hand, interlacing their fingers together.Kanon blinked in surprise at the sudden contact, but upon feeling herself drifting away with the crowd, squeezed Sayo’s hand tightly. "Thank you, Sayo-san," Kanon murmured, her voice barely audible over the crowd once Sayo had pulled her back to safety. "I... I tend to get a bit... pushed around sometimes."Sayo tightened her grip on her friend’s. "It's okay. Just stick close to me. I’d rather not have to sit through a long lecture from Chisato for accidentally losing you.” That was something she and Hina could both relate to.When they finally arrived at the final aquarium Kanon's eyes lit in excitement the moment she spotted the coveted limited edition keychain in the display window. With a delighted gasp, she practically sprinted inside. Sayo followed close behind, a warm smile gracing her lips as she watched Kanon's joyous reaction. The drummer triumphantly held up the keychain—a miniature jellyfish.Why was Sayo not surprised? It seemed only fitting that Kanon's intense search would lead her to her beloved sea creature. Sayo thought the shy girl looked adorable whenever she got this excited.Kanon beamed at Sayo, her eyes shining with gratitude, "Thank you so much for all your help, Sayo-san. I couldn't have done it without you."“It was my pleasure, I’m glad we were successful in the end.” The smile on Kanon’s face was enough to reward the guitarist ten times over.Sayo waited as the blue haired girl went up to the counter to pay. When she returned, she shyly handed her small bag. Feeling curious, Sayo looked inside to find another keychain—a matching jellyfish to the one now hanging from Kanon’s phone strap."I wanted to give you something as a thank you," Kanon explained. “Now you’ll always remember today.”Sayo's was surprised as she accepted the gift, yet her heart felt warm. "Thank you, Kanon. I will treasure it.” The name slipped out before Sayo could stop herself. Force of habit.The drummer looked equally startled to hear the reserved girl drop her formalities but her surprise soon turned to joy. With their mission successfully completed, she looked up at Sayo with hopeful shyness."Um, Sayo-san… since we made it all the way here… would you like to explore the aquarium together?"Despite having visited different aquariums all day, Sayo’s felt happy by this invitation. "I would enjoy that.”The two founs themselves stroling through the aquarium's glass tunnel, mesmerised by the underwater scenery surrounding them. As they chatted comfortably about the different types of fish they saw, Kanon's hand instinctively found its way into Sayo's. Though this wasn’t their first time holding hands, the touch made Sayo’s heart skip a beat.In that moment, amidst the tranquil beauty of their surroundings, Sayo's mind was consumed by a single thought: she had fallen for Kanon.Her mind reeled through the events of the day, their shared smiles, moments of understanding, and the thrill of their adventures together. Kanon's constant presence by her side filled Sayo with a sense of contentment she could never have anticipated.As they continued to walk hand in hand, Sayo stole glances at the girl beside her. The drummer’s eyes were alight with wonder beneath the shimmering reflection of the water surrounding them. Sayo felt affection swell within her. Lost in her emotions, the guitarist knew that this day would be etched into her memory forever. A day marked not just by their matching keychains, but these blossoming new feelings that somehow swam into her heart.…As the two boarded their train home, relief washed over Sayo like a gentle wave. She was one step closer to finally getting Kanon home after their unexpectedly eventful day. But as she turned around to ensure her friend wasn’t being suffocated by the crowd, her eyes widen in horror.The girl wasn’t by her side. Sayo frantically spun around until she caught sight of Kanon inside different train… on the opposite side of the platform! Sayo barely took her eyes off her for a second, yet she'd managed to wander off yet again.As Sayo rushed off her train, nearly getting crushed by the closing doors in the process as she sprinted towards Kanon. The drummer’s eyes finally widen in realization of her mistake. However, it was too late.Sayo slammed into the side of the train just as the doors closed, the unyielding metal trapping them on opposite sides. Sayo rubbed her bruised shoulder but the pain was nothing compared to the rising panic inside. She watched helplessly as the train pulled away, carrying the blue haired drummer further and further away in the opposite direction.As Sayo paced the platform waiting for the next transport to arrive, the passing minutes felt like hours. Finally, the next carriage came and she leapt on, practically tripping over the threshold in her desperation. As the train raced toward its destination, Sayo’s thoughts raced with possibilities of all the things that could have happened to Kanon while she was alone.What if she gets groped by a creep? Or maybe she trips and falls onto the railway tracks! For all Sayo knew, the girl might not even have enough sense to get off at the next stop, in which case she could end up at the other end of the city.Finally, Sayo’s train pulled into the next station. The guitarist was flooded with relief as she spotted Kanon on the platform waiting for her. Rushing off the train, Sayo enveloped the girl in a tight hug."I-I’m Sorry for causing all this trouble," Kanon stammers, taken aback by the guitarist’s affection.Sayo gently lifted Kanon's chin to meet her gaze, "There is no need to worry anymore. I’m just relieved you’re safe.”After this close call, they both managed to catch the correct train back. Fortunately, they live close to one another, so Sayo offered to walk Kanon home feom the station. But as they stepped dou onto the street, Sayo couldn't help but sense something was amiss.“Is everything okay, Kanon?"Kanon's cheeks flushed as she grew sheepish, "The train I accidentally got on was really crowded. I... I ripped my flip flop while trying to get off."Sayo looked down and saw that one of her footwear was indeed torn and starting to cut into the girl’s foot. Kanon had remained silent till now but she must have been struggling to walk through the pain."That looks like it hurts. Come here, I’ll carry you home," Sayo offered in concern.Kanon's eyes widened, “Oh, I couldn't possibly ask you to do that. It's too much trouble.""I promised Chisato I'd get you home safely and I intend to do just that," Sayo insisted firmly.Kanon hesitated for a moment, clearly torn over whether to accept Sayo's offer "I... Are you sure it's okay?""Of course. That is why I offered," Sayo crouching down slightly so the girl could climb on her back. "Now, if you will."Despite her embarrassment, the drummer reluctantly did as she was told. Her arms wrapping around Sayo's shoulders as the guitarist straightened up. "Sayo-san… has anyone ever told you you’re too kind sometimes?"“I believe Chisato said something similar once,” Sayo responded in surprise. What a coincidence, those two really are in sync, as expected of best friends.However in this new position, Sayo soon became acutely aware of Kanon's… softness pressed against her back. She was glad the girl couldn’t see her flushed expression from where she was. Yet as she carried Kanon home, Sayo noticed the drummer was unusually quiet. Sure, she was naturally timid anyways, especially in relation to the boisterous personalities of HaroHapi, but this was eerily quiet even for her."Are you alright, Kanon? You haven’t said anything for a while now. Are there any more jellyfish facts you wanted to tell me?”Kanon's cheeks flushed and she turned away even if Sayo couldn’t have seen her. "Um, no, I'm fine... Just a little tired, I guess."Sayo's brow furrowed as her instincts told her that there was something more to it. Yet, she couldn’t put her finger on it."You seem more than just tired. Is something bothering you?""It's... it's nothing. I just... I guess I didn't expect you to go to such lengths to help me today. I'm really grateful.”Sayo's concern melted away into a soft smile. "Of course, just doing what any friend would do.”However, she knew deep down that wasn’t true. Guilt surged within her as she realised the girl she was carrying was now far more than just a friend to her. When they reached Kanon's house, Sayo gently lowered her back to the ground. Mission accomplished.“Now I expect you to stay safe and not go wandering off again without telling anyone,” Sayo said with an amused smile.“Thank you for everything,” Kanon spoke with surprising shyness, “You're... you're really amazing, you know that?"A warm glow spread through the guitarist’s chest, and it wasn’t from the workout. "You're pretty amazing yourself, Kanon. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect when Chisato called me for help but I genuinely enjoyed spending today with you."“I did too. Even though I thought you were really scary at first, you’re actually really fun, Sayo-chan.”Sayo blushed at the sudden nickname. As if that wasn’t enough, Kanon suddenly got on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to Sayo's cheek.Flushing crimson, the drummer mumbled something before darting inside her house. Left standing at her doorstep in stunned silence, Sayo could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to process what just happened.A rush of warmth flooded her upon finally realising the extent of the girl’s gratitude. As Sayo made her way home, she couldn't shake the sense of exhilaration each time she recalled the memory of Kanon's fleeting kiss. As the stars twinkled overhead, she knew that no matter what other twists the future held, the bond she shared with each girl brought its own special memory. One cherished between just the two of them.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
When Sayo got home she found she'd received a text from Kanon.[Forgetful Jellyfish] "Hi Sayo-chan I’m sorry about earlier I didn’t mean to kiss you so suddenly[Forgetful Jellyfish] I hope I didn’t make things weird or make you mad.[Forgetful Jellyfish] Sorry again 😅Sayo read the text with a mixture of excitement or confusion. Was this an affirmation of Kanon’s feelings or an admission that the kiss had been a mistake? After a moment of contemplation, she gathered the courage to type her response.[Night Hikawa] It's okay, Kanon. There is no need to apologize.[Night Hikawa] I actually... quite liked it.Sayo felt a blush creep to her cheeks as she hit send. Almost immediately, a reply popped up from Kanon, her words expressing her gratitude. Sayo couldn't help but smile at the screen, her heart fluttering in relief. With newfound courage, Sayo typed out her next message.[Night Hikawa] This may be rather forward of me but would you like to go somewhere again sometime?[Night Hikawa] Like on a date.Sayo added the second text for clarity, remembering her past mistakes. Her pulse quickened as her text lit up on screen. She anxiously waited for Kanon to finally respond. It only took a few seconds but the suspense felt like forever.[Forgetful Jellyfish] I would love to go on a date with you😊[Forgetful Jellyfish] Do you like Ice cream? It's the perfect weather for itFilled with excitement, Sayo couldn't wait for their first official date.…The next day, they met up at an ice cream parlour. Both girls were shy at first, realising their feelings were reciprocated, but soon enough they found themselves laughing and chatting as they enjoyed their sweet dessert. They recounted their adventures from the previous day in a new light. In retrospect, Sayo found the whole oreal quite humerous now that they're both aware of their feelings.Afterwards, Kanon mentioned she needed to get something from the craft store and Sayo offered to accompany her. After getting lost a few times amongst the aisles, the drummer finally led her to a section filled with an array of colourful felting materials.“Misaki-chan has been teaching me how to make felt dolls,” Kanon shyly explained her new hobby. “She’s really good. I want to be able to make things for my friends too.”"That sounds like a worthwhile interest” Sayo smiled gently, appreciating this chance to learn about snother one of her date's interests. “You are a really kind person to do something so thoughtful for your friends.”...After their date, Sayo dropped Kanon off at the Tsurumaki mansion for HaroHapi’s band practice. Having never been before, and her jaw practically dropped when she saw the size of the estate. The guitarist wasn’t easily starstruck, yet as they entered through the elegant gates and up the incredibly long drive, Sayo felt out of place in such opulent surroundings.She originally planned to just drop Kanon off and leave but Kokoro suddenly sprang out of nowhere (was she hiding in the bushes?) her iconic exuberance on full display."Sayo! Did you come to watch us practice? Come inside!" Kokoro exclaimed, grabbing Sayo's hand and dragging her though the grand marble doors before the guitarist could flee.Caught up in the blonde’s infectious energy, Sayo soon found herself seated in an elegant, velvet holstered throne, made of… pure gold? Her mind spun over this extortionate display of wealth as the band’s practice began.Sayo could only liken the experience to a fever dream as she observed the chaos unfold. Less instruments seemed to be played in contrast to the amount of playing around the members did. She knew Yukina wouldn’t have tolerated more than a second of this madness. The three members of Hello Happy World, Kokoro, Hagumi, and Kaoru—or more commonly known as "three idiots"— immediately got to their usual antics.Kokoro, with her boundless energy seemed to be everywhere all at once. She darted around the room, performing acrobatic flips and spins with astonishing agility while belting out their songs at the top of her lungs.Meanwhile, Kaoru had taken it upon herself to inject her usual melodramatic ramblings into the session. With a flourish of her hand and a dramatic sweep of her cape (which she had inexplicably produced from somewhere), she recited lines of Shakespeare with exaggerated flair. However, she often forgot about her role as a guitarist as she did so. If a flawless audition for Hamlet was the key to a successful band, she would have passed with flying colours. However in terms of actual music, the handsome girl contributed very little.Meanwhile Hagumi, normally the steady backbone of the group with her bass skills, seemed to have momentarily forgotten how to play her instrument. She was currently holding it upside down, plucking the strings with a bewildered expression as if wondering why the notes didn’t sound quite right. Sayo wasn’t sure whether she should offer to help or not.she wondered if idiocy was contagious.Feeling absolute bewilderment as she watched this mayhem, Sayo almost felt disgraced for the name of music. But despite their unconventional approach to practice, there was an undeniable sense of joy and friendship among the members of Hello Happy World. In the end, despite what she witnessed that day, Sayo had to accept that the band’s performances were always top-notch when they got down to it. Although she also made note that they should definitely have adult supervision.Sayo couldn't help feeling sympathy for Kanon. Unlike her exuberant bandmates, the timid drummer appeared to be struggling to keep up with the frenetic pace of their rehearsal. As confetti cannons exploded overhead and the three idiots bounced around the room with wild abandon, Kanon did her best to keep time on her drum set amidst much "fuee-ing".Meanwhile, Michelle looked to be at her wit's end. Or more accurately, Misaki. Even if Sayo couldn’t see the girl’s expression, she could almost imagine the look of weariness on the DJ’s face. The mascot seemed to be silently questioning her life choices, wondering what led to this moment of chaos unfolding around her.Once practice finally concluded, Misaki slipped out of the room without her bandmate’s notice. Concerned for her well-being, Sayo tried to follow but was stopped by Kaoru’s approach.The purple haired guitarist gave Sayo her usual over charming smile. “Ah, Sayo~ I heard you’ve charmed quite a few kittens recently,” Koaru gave her a suave wink, making Sayo internally writhe. “My, I never could have expected such romantic devotion from you.”Sayo stiffened. She’d always been wary of this girl's overly sensual demeanour, not to mention the way her every move seemed cultivated to attract attention.“I believe that is none of your business, Seta-san," Sayo responded wryly.Kaoru let out an overly haughty chuckle, “Don’t be like that! As a fellow prince, I admire your pursuits. How fleeting~ ”Sayo was growing impatient at this useless display of bravado, “Is there a specific reason you approached me?”“As the great Shakespeare's ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ shows, there can’t be two princes, my dear Sayo,” Kaoru stated as if it were the most obvious fact. Sayo doubted she was even correctly using that reference.“That is why I now challenge you to the ultimate title of ‘prince’, for the sake of our fair little kittens.”Sayo wanted to barf. Who was this girl who thought girls were something to be won over? Although on the other hand, weren’t all her girlfriends trying to do the same with Sayo? Regardless, this frivolous challenge was utterly absurd."I believe you have misunderstood,” Sayo responded coldly. “I have no intention of winning others over the way you do. Keep your title or whatever, I see no point in engaging in such a contest.” With that, she walked off towards the same doorway Misaki had used, leaving the flamboyant guitarist spluttering in disbelief.Sayo found Misaki in the parlour grabbing a much-needed drink of water. She'd taken off her Michelle head and her own weariness beneath created quite a contrast to the smiley expression on the mascot. The girl looking quite overheated from being inside the Michelle costume for so long."Are you okay, Okusawa-san?" Sayo asked in genuine concern. "You shouldn’t let them push you so hard."Misaki took up in surprise to see Roselia’s guitarist, "Sayo-senpai? No, it’s okay, they aren’t forcing me or anything. Sure, it was tough at the start but believe it or not, I actually love being part of the band now.”Nonetheless, she tugged at the collar of her costume in an attempt to cool down. “I has gotten warmer though now that it’s summer. Especially with all moving around Kokoro wants us to do. How she has that much energy I’ll never understand."Sayo nodded sympathetically. "I can imagine. As the only reasonable member of the band, it must be exhausting keeping everyone in line."Kanon was alright, though her tendencies to get lost didn’t make her any less of a handful. However, the guitarist couldn’t fathom how the three idiots can’t seem to process that Michelle and Misaki are the same person. She initially thought it was a running joke but after witnessing their practice that day, she feared the three really were just stupid. Her sympathy rose for the DJ, wondering what it must be like to have your identity erased half the time.Misaki chuckled tiredly. "You have no idea. Sometimes it feels like I’m babysitting a group of hyperactive toddlers instead of managing a band. You won’t believe the number of times I’ve had save Kokoro after jumping off high places without a parachute."Realistically, Sayo would have hoped that number was zero. Hello, Happy World was starting to sound less like a band and more of a circus.Meanwhile the DJ only shrugged, “In the end it’s like I always say, A bear who can’t fly is just a bear. That’s why I don’t mind pushing myself.”Sayo couldn’t even begin to interpret what that meant. "I… suppose I can somewhat relate? In a way, I'm also juggling a lot of... responsibilities at the moment." She attempted to find common ground though her own problems now paled in comparison.Misaki arched an eyebrow despite having a clear suspicion of what the guitarist was referring to. "Oh? Do tell."Sayo hesitated, not wanting to burden Misaki with her personal issues. Yet, she felt a sense of camaraderie with the calm girl. Despite the reputation of HaroHapi, Misaki was possibly one of the most down to earth person Sayo's met. She supposed at some point, you just have step back and allow the crazy to pass by or else you’d get driven insane."Well, it's nothing compared to what you do, but I've been trying to navigate my... many companionships lately. It has been challenging to say the least,” Sayo admitted.Misaki's expression grew understanding but Sayo sensed an undertone of amusement. "Ah, I see. Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you, Sayo-senpai. Us sane people have to stick together."Sayo smiled, "Thank you, Okusawa-san. The same goes for you as well."The two girls shared a moment of understanding before a sudden racket from the practice rooms pulls them back to reality. Their eyes widen in horror, realising they’d left the band members unsupervised. Despite Misaki having to wrestle a firework rocket away from Kokoro (who was planning to set it off indoors) both girls felt a little lighter after their conversation knowing they had someone relatable to lean on.…In the student council room Sayo found herself deeply engrossed in her work. She'd unfortunately fallen behind as of late, in no small part due to her growing number of commitments to keep up with her many girlfriends. Suddenly, her concentration was shattered by a distant commotion. A cacophony of screams and shouts rose in the corridors outside.Frowning, Sayo stopped writing. The noise grew louder, mingling with the frantic footsteps of students rushing past the door. Something was definitely wrong. Sayo didn’t like the feeling of dread growing inside her. As she emerged from the student council room, she nearly got boulder over by a wave of students running past.“Running in the hallways is against school rules!” She called after them angrily but her warnings fell on deaf ears.Utterly perplexed, Sayo follows the direction of the commotion until she spotted Aya though a classroom window. The idol was huddled behind a barricade of tables and chairs blocking the doorway with a few other frightened students."Muruyama-san, what's going on?" Sayo asked with urgency.Aya looked up, relieved to see Sayo. "Sayo-san, it's chaos out there!" Her voice trembled, "I’m not exactly sure what’s going on either, it all happened so fast!”“Just calm down and tell me what you know,” Sayo reassured the frightened vocalist.Aya gulped, “I-I think it started when Kokoro and Kasumi heard rumours that midterm exams are being cancelled."“Such a thing would never happen,” Sayo stated shortly. Exams were critical for measuring student’s performance to ensure they were receiving proper education. How such a minor falsehood spiralled into this current madness she couldn’t comprehend.Aya continued, gaining her voice now, “Well, everything seemed to spiral, and they’ve started a rampage. I-I think I even heard they’re starting a bonfire on the roof to burn all our revision materials.”Sayo's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Those idiots," she exclaimed, trying to process the information. "I need to stop this before it gets any more out of hand."Aya nodded, her expression grave. "Arisa-chan tried to reason with them but they were too caught up in the excitement and tied her to the flagpole. Even the other students are joining in."“Is Chisato alright?” Sayo asked in concern, noticing the actress was nowhere in sight. It was odd not seeing the two idols together.“She ran off to look for Kanon-chan the moment trouble started,” the pink haired girl whimpered.Determined, Sayo took a deep breath and steeled herself for what laid ahead. It was time to put an end to this madness before their school got burnt to the ground.As Sayo rushed through the halls, dodging frantic students and trails of abandoned textbooks, she nearly crashes into a familiar DJ. "Misaki, have you seen Kokoro?" Sayo asked, falling into step beside her. The hallway which looked as if a tornado had swept through.Misaki’s her expression mirrored Sayo's urgency, "No, I've been looking for her everywhere. We need to find her before she destroys everything."Now working together, their mission clear: to restore order to the school. With each student they passed, Sayo and Misaki attempted to dispel the false rumours. Sayo couldn’t help but admire the way the DJ calmly urged the rowdy crowd to disperse.However, terror shot though the guitarist as she spotted one student brandishing a canister of petrol. Without hesitation, Sayo snatched the fuel from their grasp. The student scurried away in fear. How many more of these have been brought into the school? The student council member prayed she wasn’t too late to prevent the now inevitable bonfire."Why does this have to happen of all days?" Sayo moaned. Rinko and the other student council members had taken off early, and with Arisa out of commission, this left her to deal with this catastrophe on her own. If Misaki wasn’t by her side, Sayo might have simply given up.Pushing their way through the disaster-torn school, the two finally reached the heart of the chaos. Kokoro and Kasumi, at the centre of the uproar, were tearing through a classroom grabbing every text material they could lay their fingers on."Kokoro! Kasumi! What in the world is going on here?" Sayo demanded, her voice barely audible over constant screaming that now rang across the school.Kokoro flashed Sayo a wide grin, "Ah, Sayo! Isn't it wonderful? The school is getting rid of our midterms! We’ve decided to celebrate!"Sayo's eyes widened in disbelief. "Stop this at once!” she ordered, making Kasumi stop momentarily. The student council member pinched the bridge of her nose, “Let me get this straight. You two heard that rumour and decided the best response was to ransack the school?!"The was something she’d expect from Kokoro or even Hina but not Kasumi. The star-obsessed guitarist may have a few screws loose, but she never seemed the destructive type. Why wasn’t Arisa keeping an eye on her bandmate?However, Sayo realised it wasn’t fair to blame Popping Party’s keyboardist. She has as little power over her friend as Misaki does over HaroHapi’s three idiots.“Yeah, even if the rumours were true you didn’t need to take things this far!” Misaki protested as she tackled Kokoro to the ground. The hyped vocalist had attempted to dislodge a bookshelf from the wall.“So it is true?” Kasumi’s eyes gleamed.“No!” both Sayo and Misaki yelled in unison. Misaki was now on top of Kokoro, pinning the surprisingly strong ball of energy to the floor.Kasumi looked slightly crestfallen, “But Sayo-senpai, think about it! No more midterm exams means more time for fun and playing the guitar!""That’s not the point! Under no circumstance should you start tearing through the school and starting bonfires!" Sayo threw up her hands in exasperation. What kind of insane school did she go to?Misaki's backed her up with a stern expression, "Sayo-senpai is right. You two both caused a lot of unnecessary destruction and panic."Kokoro's eyes widened in surprise, and Kasumi looked sheepish as they realized the gravity of their actions. "I-I guess we got a bit carried away," Popping party’s vocalist admitted weakly."You guess?!” Sayo was close to breaking point but suddenly feeling Misaki’s hand on her shoulder quelled her anger somewhat. The guitarist let out a weary sigh.“You can’t believe every rumour you hear. More importantly, nothing gives you the right to destroy school property. Did it even cross your mind that even if midterms were cancelled, you’d still need your textbooks for regular class?"Both girls appeared dumbfounded at this realisation. “I could just pay the principle to get rid of the exams,” Kokoro suggested innocently.“Kokoro, you can’t use your family’s money to fix everything!” Misaki snapped before proceeding to give the girl a stern lecture. Rich girls scared Sayo.Finally understanding their mistake, Kokoro and Kasumi hung their heads in shame. "We're sorry," they mumbled in unison.Sayo crossed her arms, addressing them in an authoritative tone worthy of a disciplinary committee member, “I know you two aren’t the only proprietors but you’ve caused a lot of damage. Once the school board discusses this incident, they will decide your punishment. Till then, you will do your best to stay out of trouble. Do I make myself clear?”Both girls nodded, though Kasumi immediately blushed at this sudden display of authority.Holy shit, her powers are dangerous, Misaki realised. Even though they hadn’t been aimed at her, Sayo’s words undoubtedly stirred something inside the DJ as well.Misaki attempted to rationalise. She admired how Sayo took control of the situation. Heck, she managed to demand Kokoro’s attention, and that girl listens to no one! She and Sayo exchanged relieved looks over successfully tackling the source of the upheave. However, Kokoro’s voice breaks them out of this silent victory.“Even if we still have midterms, at least we can enjoy our bonfire!”Sayo and Misaki froze with matching looks of horror. They'd been so focused on quelling the riot they forgot about the more impending danger above.“Don’t you dare touch anything or I’ll tell Ichigaya-san,” Sayo threatened Kasumi before dashing towards the stairwell. She didn’t have an adequate threat for Kokoro and could only hope all hell won’t break loose the moment she’s gone.Misaki followed right behind her. Their footsteps echoed through the now quietened school as they raced upstairs towards the roof, hoping it wasn’t too late.But as they burst onto the scene, the sight filled Sayo with dread. Hagumi stood beside a towering pile of books and papers, a lit match in hand. The orange haired girl screamed the moment she saw them.“Sayo-senpai is here! Quick, grab anything or anyone you want to dispose of!”"No, Hagumi, stop!" Misaki shouted. If ever she needed her bandmate to cooperate, it was now.However, it was too late. Her cry startled the bassist, making her accidentally drop the match. The dry paper was instantly ablaze, flames leaping high into the sky. The crowd of students on the rooftop erupted into cheers, oblivious to the danger they had unleashed.Sayo's heart raced as she sprang into action. Without hesitation, she darted back inaide and grabbed the fire extinguisher by the stairs. Shoving the horrified ginger out of the way, she aimed the nozzle at the flames and squeezed the trigger. A torrent of foam shot out, smothering the fire.As the flames sputtered and died, replaced by billowing clouds of smoke, Sayo let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. This was the second time that month she had to use a fire extinguisher. Fortunately, the danger was past.Misaki rushed to her side, her expression a mixture of shock and relief. "Sayo-senpai! That-that was incredible!"Sayo nodded though her heart was still racing. "We need to clean this up before the teachers find out,” she said firmly, her eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of further mischief. All the students shrunk back, knowing their fun was over. Although Sayo obviously had to report what happened, the student council member hoped to keep evidence of the damages to a minimum. Hopefully it’ll be enough to prevent anyone involved from getting expelled.However, they celebrated too soon. Misaki's eyes widened in horror as she noticed the back of Sayo's uniform had caught fire. With a startled shriek, the DJ whirled around for anything that could be used to put out the flame. She spotted a single bucket of water nearby. Despite their dumbassery, at least her bandmates had the sense to prepare a safety precaution.Misaki lunged for the bucket and flung its contents over Sayo. The water cascaded over the blue haired girl, soaking her completely but nonetheless, successfully extinguishing the flames. With the fire out, only wisps of smoke and the lingering scent of singed fabric remained."Thank you, Okusawa-san." Sayo somehow maintained her composure despite her drenched state. “It seems I was careless.”“Don’t worry about that, you literally just saved the school from getting burnt down,” Misaki pointed out, breathless and trembling from the surge of adrenaline.Everyone involved was rounded up and forced to pitch in with clean up. Sayo wasn’t planning to let anyone leave until the school was returned to an acceptable state. Despite her exhaustion, the student council member stayed behind last to do a full sweep of the grounds, ensuring everything was in order. Misaki insisted on staying behind as well to keep her company.Having supervised the cleanup, Sayo hadn’t found time to change out of her wet clothes. Misaki grew concerned as she noticed her upperclassman shivering slightly. Without a word, she guided Sayo to her classroom.After rummaging through her bag, the DJ found her spare PE uniform, feeling relieved that it was clean. She handed it to Sayo who had been waiting with a puzzled expression."Here Sayo-senpai, you should change into this before you catch a cold," Misaki offered softly. She knew it wasn’t much, but she couldn’t let the guitarist walk home soaking wet and singed like that.Sayo cheeks flushed slightly at the thought of relying on her underclassman, but knowing Misaki was only trying to help, she pushed her reservations aside. "Thank you, that is really kind of you," she accepted the clothes gratefully.With a small nod of acknowledgment, Misaki stepped outside the classroom to give Sayo some privacy. When Sayo reappeared fully changed, Misaki couldn’t believe how Roselia’s solemn guitarist managed to make even gym clothes look hot.The DJ’s mind veered back at that sudden thought. Since when did she think Hikawa Sayo was hot? She pushed the thought aside, blaming her heightened emotions from such a suspenseful day.…After finishing their patrol the two finally headed for the school gates, leaving chaotic events of the day behind. Sayo turned to Misaki with a grateful smile. "Thank you for all your help even though it wasn’t even your duty. I couldn’t have done it without you,” she admitted with sincerity.Misaki returned the smile, "It nothing I’m not used to. I'm just glad we put out that fire before Hagumi could arrested for arson. Again." Sayo didn’t know whether to feel relieved or concerned.As they reached the front gates, Sayo felt slightly hesitant to part ways just yet. "Okusawa-san, can I take you out to dinner tonight?” she offered, hoping to repay the girl for everything she’s done.Misaki blinked in surprise. "Oh, um... really? I mean, if you’re sure then… I’d really like that," she stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly.Sayo chuckled, oblivious to Misaki's flustered reaction. "Of course. I’ve really come to admire you. Even after today, I hope we can continue to spend time together."Sayo genuinely respected Misaki’s quick wit and ability to stay calm under pressure. If only all her friends could be just as reliable.A smile flickered across the girl’s face. "I really admire you too, Sayo-senpai. Dinner sounds nice."…Misaki was slightly surprised when Sayo brought her to a family restaurant. She’d never been on a date before, but this didn’t seem like the obvious choice. Nonetheless, as they settled into their seats, Misaki couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness. The atmosphere was casual and comfortable and the DJ soon realised she would have been even more anxious if Sayo had taken her somewhere fancier. Sayo-senpai really did think of everything.As they perused the menu, Sayo's easy-going demeanour quickly put Misaki at ease. She felt slightly envious at how calm the guitarist remained, even on dates. Misaki assumed she probably has a lot of experience by now.As she watched Sayo flip through the menu in search of fries, her mind still struggeld to process the unexpected turn of events. Even in such a casual setting (and wearing gym clothes no less) the guitarist still looked so cool. Misaki felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Was this really happening? Was she actually on a date with Roselia’s guitarist?Sayo insisted on treating Misaki to anything she wanted, filing the girl with a sense of appreciation for her date’s generosity. The rumours really were true. Despite her cold exterior, Sayo is really sweet to her partners.But as they chatted and enjoyed their food, Misaki began to notice small details in their conversation that made her pause. On more than one occasion Sayo referred to her as a "friend". Their conversations also never drifted to more romantic topics. At first the DJ assumed her upperclassman was just shy but as Sayo remained completely at ease, Misaki couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.“You know Okusawa-san, since I consider you a friend, can I be honest with you for a second?” Sayo spoke between stuffing her face with fries. The guitarist had unlocked a more laid-back side around Misaki. Kindred spirits as the over-exhausted inhibitors of chaos. “Sometimes I wish my partners were more reliable like you. I would certainly be having less headaches.”As a sinking feeling settled in her stomach, Misaki had to confirm her suspicions. “Sayo-senpai, I feel dumb for asking but… is this a date?”Sayo's reaction was immediate, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "A date?" she echoed, clearly caught off guard by Misaki's question.Misaki felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed..."Regardless of Sayo’s dating history, the DJ felt a pang of self-loathing for immediately interpreting her offer of dinner as romantic. Meanwhile Sayo internally cursed herself for unintentionally leading yet another girl on. She didn’t know what she is doing wrong to constantly end up in this situation.Despite the misunderstanding, a range of emotions swirled through the blue haired girl. “So… do you feel that way then? About me?” she tentatively met the embarrassed girl’s gaze.Misaki glanced away at first but after a moment, gave a small nod, "I'm not entirely sure but… yes, I think I do," she admitted weakly.Her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest that Misaki wondered if Sayo could hear it. It was so embarrassing admitting something so vulnerable aloud. But the moment the confession left her lips, Misaki felt somewhat lighter.A sincere smile crossed Sayo’s lips. "I admit, although I’ve never considered it till now… I'm not opposed to the idea of us being on a date."Misaki felt a rush of happiness flood through her, “I’m so relieved! I was scared I’d just gone and ruined everything.”Sayo put a comforting hand over Misaki’s, the sudden contact making the younger girl draw in a sharp breath. “You could never ruin everything. As I said, you are an incredible person and you should give yourself more credit.” Sayo’s eyes were filled with warmth, putting the other girl at ease.“I-I’m really happy right now,” Miskai admitted, at loss for what else to say.This drew a chuckle from Sayo as their fingers interlaced across the table. “Since I didn’t make myself clear the first time, may I take you on another date this week to make up for it?” The guitarist asked in a playful tone.She shot an amused look around the restaurant, “As much as I love the fries here, it leaves much to be desired as far as romantic dates go.”Misaki laughed, “As long as it’s with you, I honestly don’t care where we go, Sayo-senpai.”She realised too late how embarrassing her words were, yet Sayo didn’t seem to mind. The guitarist lifted Misaki’s hand, still interlocked with her own and placed a gentle kiss on the back of it.“I feel the same way. We’ve just been through hell and back after all.” Sayo’s eyes twinkled with amusement.Misaki laughed, “Yeah, in terms of dates, I think it can only go up from here.”Sayo nodded, a profound sense of adoration lingering in her smile. “Believe me when I say you deserve the world, Misaki.”Misaki never thought she was the type of girl to swoon. She was definitely swooning now.
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Sayo didn’t know how it happened. One moment she was chilling on the sofa, the next she found herself whisked into a glamourous limousine. Sayo tried to protest but the peppy vocalist was too caught up in her own excitement to listen."Tsurumaki-san, what's going on?" Sayo finally managed to get a word in edgewise. She glanced in bewilderment around the luxurious interior of the limousine.Kokoro's faced Sayo with a wide, infectious grin. "I have a surprise for you!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat.Sayo's brow furrowed, growing more concerned by the second. Both at her current predicament at the fact that Kokoro wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. "A surprise?""Yes, a surprise! I found out you’re dating Kanon and Misaki! Then I thought to myself, why should they have all the fun? So I decided you’re taking me on a special date!"Sayo was at loss for words as her mind reeled at this turn of events. There goes her plans for the day. She’d been waiting for so long for a peaceful moment to practice guitar. She was starting to miss her instrument after several weeks of neglect.From everything she’d heard about Kokoro, Sayo shouldn’t have been surprised she took everything to the extreme. The guitarist felt a flicker of fear at what the eccentric girl had in store. However, she also knew there was no point arguing once the heiress set her mind on something. With a resigned sigh, Sayo settled back into her seat. She mentally prepared herself for whatever insane misadventure she was about to endure with the ever-unpredictable Kokoro at the helm.As the limousine came to a stop at their first destination, Sayo stepped out onto the bustling street. She scanned her surroundings warily. They seemed to be in a busy shopping district of the city, nothing too weird yet.“Are you ready? Happy, Lucky, Smile, Yay!”Then true to form, Kokoro wasted no time and launched herself into the street with reckless abandon."Hold on, wait!" Sayo called out, as Kokoro narrowly missed getting hit by a truck.The girl appeared unfazed and continued to whirl her way through the crowds of people with practiced ease. Meanwhile, Sayo took a moment to recover from her near heart attack. Paying no heed to Sayo's pleas, Kokoro’s darted through the streets. Sayo could only watch in exasperation as Kokoro disappeared around a corner, leading this wild goose chase."Kokoro, slow down!" Sayo ordered, her heart racing as she struggled to keep pace with the energetic vocalist. She made a mental note to ask Misaki to take the girl off whatever steroids she was on.By the time Sayo finally made it around the corner, panting heavily from the unaccustomed exercise, Kokoro was already halfway down the next street. Her laughter echoed in the air as she danced through the bustling city centre. Roselia’s guitarist felt a pang of dread as she realized just how uncontrollable this day was turning out to be.Kokoro must have felt bad as she eventually slowed down, allowing Sayo to catch up. The vocalist watched in curiosity as Sayo bent over a nearby post for balance, her breath coming out in short, rapid gasps as she tried to regain her composure. "Wow, you're quite the runner as well, Sayo!" Kokoro exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement. “We should do this every morning!”Sayo shook her head instantly. “No! I mean- no, thank you.” She glanced wearily at Kokoro who didn’t look the least bit tired. “You're the one who started running all of the sudden. Why did you drag me out here anyways?""That’s because I wanted us to have the most fun date ever!”“You do realise a date isn't just running around?" Sayo pointed out hesitantly. She wondered if it was too late to back out. However, it was clear she wouldn’t be able to outrun the spirited blonde even if she tried.Kokoro blinked, surprised by Sayo’s words. "Wow really? I didn’t know that. But then again, I’ve never been on a date before! You’re so smart Sayo!”For a moment Sayo felt a slight twinge of sympathy. Even if Kokoro’s actions were typically impossible to comprehend, her heart seemed to be in the right place.Suddenly Kokoro grew quiet. Sayo looked over to see puzzled look on her face.“You don’t look happy.”Sayo was taken aback by her unexpected awareness. “Tsurumaki-san, you’ve essentially kidnapped me from my home and forced me fun a half marathon.”“But if you aren’t smiling, that means you’re not having fun.”The hurt looks on the girl’s face made Sayo bite back her next words. She finally let out a sigh, “I’m just a bit tired.”Kokoro grew thoughtful, “Well, I want us to have a good time. If you smile, then it would make me smile too! Then we’ll both be happy.”Sayo wondered if this is the extent of the vocalist’s mental reasoning. "Then why don’t I show you how to have a proper date? We could start with something simple, like getting food."Kokoro's eyes lit up with excitement. "I love food! Follow me, I know just the place!"Before Sayo could protest, Kokoro grabbed her hand dragged her though bustling streets once again. Her excitement palpable as she guided them towards their destination. Sayo did a double take when they arrived at the entrance of what she assumed was one of the most expensive restaurant in Tokyo."Tsurumaki-san, this wasn’t exactly what I meant..."But Kokoro cut her off with a laugh, her enthusiasm unrivalled as she pulled Sayo inside. The five-star restaurant didn’t even ask if they had a reservation but immediately led the heiress to a private dining room overlooking the city skyline. Sayo could only marvel at the opulence of their surroundings. Her astonishment only grew as lines of waiters in tailcoats carried in course after course of gourmet cuisine, each dish more extravagant than the last.Amongst the luxury of their surroundings, Sayo felt incredibly uncomfortable. wondered how the Tsurumakis had come to possess such wealth. None of her friends seemed to know what Kokoro’s family did for a living. Her curiosity was now piqued by Hello Happy World’s innocently idiotic, yet enigmatic singer.By the time they left the restaurant Sayo felt like she cold burst. Yet, Kokoro was still rearing to go. Sayo quicky suggested seeing a movie, hoping this would give her a chance to catch a break. Maybe they’ll even find some semblance of normalcy inside this over exuberant day.However, as luck would have it, a delay with the subway system due to an accident left them stranded at the station. Sayo considered walking to the movie theatre, but she feared she might collapse on the way since Kokoro was already running her dry. Yet the enthusiastic girl seemed undeterred by this inconvenience. Pulling out her phone, Kokoro dialled the suits, forcing Sayo to watch in disbelief as she casually arranged for a private helicopter to pick them up."Kokoro, you can't be serious," Sayo exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and disapproval. Was this always been the girl’s insane reaction to such minor inconveniences?Kokoro only smiled innocently, "It's no trouble at all! I even asked if Michelle could pick us up, but the suits said she’s away on a bear holiday.” The vocalist looked mildly disappointed for a moment before brightening up, “Still, we can’t let small problems ruin our date, can we?"Sayo couldn’t have felt more grateful that Misaki hadn’t been dragged into this mess. No matter how capable the DJ was, Sayo doubted she held a helicopter licence. Not that that would even stop Kokoro. That thought scared Sayo even more.Before the guitarist could convince the impulsive vocalist to choose a more viable solution, the sound of rotor blades filled the air. Sayo’s watched in disbelief as a helicopter touched down in the middle of the street, causing cars to swerve out of the way. She wanted to sink into the earth. Perhaps it was time to accept that attempting to inhibit Kokoro’s extravagant lifestyle was futile.As they boarded the helicopter and took off into the sky, Sayo couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that gnawed at her. She struggled to process how Kokoro effortlessly used her money without a second thought.Even without the headset she was given to allow them to communicate, Sayo was sure she could have heard Kokoro’s screams of joy over the whirling of helicopter blades. The guitarist attempted to recall how many musicians in history have had successful music careers after complete loss of hearing.When they finally arrived at the cinema, Sayo realised she had been too on edge throughout the whole helicopter ride to enjoy the view. Of course Kokoro and Sayo had to rappel down from the helicopter, because it would have been too simple to just land again. The guitarist gave up arguing at this point. The faster she went along with Kokoro’s whims, the sooner she hoped this nightmare would finally be over.Once safely on the ground, Sayo waited while Kokoro went to buy their tickets. A simple enough task. Even the klutzy vocalist couldn’t mess this one up."Sayo, I’ve brought us the movies just as you asked!" Kokoro exclaimed when she finally returned. Sayo noticed she was empty handed.“Did you forget to pick up the tickets?”Kokoro tilted her head in confusion, “Tickets?”A growing apprehension crept up inside, “You did just buy us tickets to see the movie… correct?”Kokoro’s eyes widened as if lightbulb went off in her head, “Oh, so that’s what you meant! Don’t worry Sayo, I bought the entire theatre!”“You bought every single ticket?” Sayo cried in alarm.“No, I brought the movie theatre!” Kokoro beamed, excited to see just how happy Sayo would be at her unintentional thoughtfulness.Instead Sayo's eyes widened in disbelief, “That's not what I meant- You were only meant to buy two tickets for us to see the movie!”The girl looked confused, “But isn’t it even better now that we have the entire place to ourselves? Then we can do whatever we want. We won’t even get yelled at for talking like when I go with Kanon!” This was going to be a long movie, Sayo just knew it. She needed silence to fully appreciate the cinematic arts.However it was too late to do anything. As they walked through the empty lobby towards the private screening room, Sayo couldn't shake her feelings of exasperation. While she appreciated Kokoro's generosity, why did the girl need to be so excessive?Sayo soon found herself not just in a private theatre but the cinema’s most luxurious screening room, complete with plush reclining seats and a state-of-the-art sound system. She settled into her seat with a sigh. Sayo couldn't deny that watching a movie like this was a novel experience every movie buff would die for. However, the rational part of her longed for the simplicity of just buying a regular ticket and enjoying the film like the rest of the population.As the movie began Sayo stole a glance at Kokoro. The vocalist was completely mesmerised by the screen, staring up at it with childlike wonder. Despite her frustrations, Sayo couldn't softened at the sight. Even if Kokoro's methods were unconventional, her intentions were always well-meaning. So for the duration of the movie, Sayo pushed aside her exasperation and allowed herself to enjoy the moment.After leaving the movie theatre Sayo realised she needed to be more careful with her requests around Kokoro. It was evident that the heiress’ approach to fulfilling other people’s desires were... unconstraint.Upon mentioning she liked dogs, Sayo had to practically drag Kokoro away from buying out the entire pet store. Apparently wanting a snack meant purchasing the local donut chain and delivering the treat to the guitarist on a silver platter (literally. Where did she even find one lying around?). No matter what she mentioned, even in casual conversation, Kokoro would snap her fingers and the suits immediately made it happen, irrelevant of how impractical or unnecessary.Speaking of, Sayo found Kokoro’s bodyguards quite unnerving. The way those suited figures were always slinking around in the shadows, trailing her and Kokoro wherever they went. Even when they were out of sight Sayo couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. But despite how the experience put her on edge, a small part of Sayo felt relieved to know the eccentric vocalist was being monitored 24/7. For the sake of national security.As the day progressed and Sayo became accustomed to Kokoro’s incessant need for stimulation. Perhaps she’d even begun to accept that the vocalist wasn’t as bad as she initially feared.“Tsurumaki-san, why have you been doing all this?” Sayo couldn’t hold back the question any longer.“I don’t know,” Kokoro struggled, appearing to consider this question for the very first time. “I guess you always seem a bit sad you know?”Sayo bit her lip. Was that truly the impression she gave people? She’d always been so focused on how her music sounded, she never paid attention to her appearance. Only recently with so many people pointing out her demeanour did Sayo realise how unapproachable she had been in the past.Kokoro’s next words were so genuine they caught her by surprise. “I don’t want you to be sad anymore. That’s why I’ll do anything to make you smile!”However their moment was shattered by a sudden eruption of gunfire. Sayo's heart leaped into her throat. She instinctively dove to the ground, pushing Kokoro with her to shield her from the attacks. Bullets peppered the alleyway, sending shards of glass flying through the air. Thankfully they were in a quiet part of town, so no other pedestrians were around. As she laid pressed to the concrete, Sayo prayed the sound of gunfire would alert the authorities to their location before it was too late."Kokoro, what's happening?" Sayo hissed over echo of gunshots.Kokoro, known to be infamously unfazed by anything had a rare look of distress. "I-I don't know," she stammered, struggling to maintain her carefree demeanour.Just then the sound of approaching engines cut through the chaos. A convoy of armoured cars screeched to a halt surrounding around them. Women in dark suits poured out of the vehicles, their faces masked behind sunglasses and earpieces as the rushed over to the girls. Sayo never thought she’d feel so relieved to see the suits."Get inside!" one of the bodyguards shouted, motioning for Sayo and Kokoro to take cover inside the car.Sayo didn’t need to be told twice. She yanked Kokoro into the armoured vehicle. The air crackled with tension as the bodyguards exchanged gunfire with their assailants, their movements swift and coordinated. The moment the girls were inside, the car shot off leaving behind this unanticipated terf war.Despite the dire circumstances Kokoro regained her cheeriness and began chatting to the driver about their date so far as if they literally didn’t just narrowly escape death. Although Sayo regained her voice, she was unable to hide the fear that rose with it."What was that? What just happened!?""Oh, that? Just a minor oopsie, nothing to worry about!" Kokoro brushed off Sayo's concern with a cheerful smile.“Are you insane? We just got gunned down in the middle of the city! How is that a minor oopsie?”Kokoro's shrugged, "I guess someone just doesn't want us to have our date."The gravity of the situation sinks in that Sayo might actually die. Worst of all, her body would be found next to the dumbest girl alive. Sayo truly didn’t want to be grouped in with Kokoro when it came to her eulogy. It may kill her all over again out of shame. The guitarist couldn't contain a surge of frustration at Kokoro's nonchalant demeanour."This is serious, Tsurumaki-san!" Her voice rose with each word. "We're being chased by armed thugs, and you're acting like it's just another Tuesday!"Kokoro's only grinned as she reached over to pat her date’s hand reassuringly. "You need to stop frowning so much, it’ll make you look all moody again. Everything is going to be a-okay! Like my dad always says, 'If life gives you lemons, make lemon champagne and celebrate!'"Sayo's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lemon- what? This is hardly the time for—" her protests were punctuated by the screech of tires sending them both lurching forward against their seatbelts.Sayo instinctively reached out to steady the girl beside her. Meanwhile the driver haphazardly swerves the armoured vehicle, narrowly avoiding a collision. She stole a glance at Kokoro to make sure she was alright. Despite her earlier carefreeness, the Sayo detected a flicker of worry in the girl’s eyes. This rare display a negative emotion scared Sayo even more, realising that even the fearless heiress had been caught unprepared.Sayo's mind raced as she tried to piece together how they found themselves in this near-death situation. Kokoro was no ordinary girl by any standard. However, Sayo could no longer ignore the suspicion that there’s more to her than her family’s wealth."I’m serious this time. What is going on?" Sayo said firmly despite her own shaken state.Kokoro finally offered a weak smile, "I think… this might be because of dad. But don’t worry I’ll keep you safe."Her words spiralled Sayo into a mixture of shock and disbelief. She didn’t care about keeping her voice down anymore."Tsurumaki-san- Is your family part of the mafia!?"That was the only logical explanation. Why else were they being pursued though the city streets at breakneck speed by unknown assailants? However, Kokoro only responded was an enigmatic smile. The usual, wild gleam in her eyes now held entirely new implications."Sayo you always say the funniest things!” She chirped, her breezy tone unbefitting of their situation.Sayo clung to the door handle for dear life. She didn’t know if she was currently more scared of the shooters or this carefree girl beside her than ever. One who she’s more than certain is involved with the criminal underworld.That’s when Sayo realised the gunfire had died out for some time. The car came to a stop at the side of the road. As their adrenaline-fueled escape finally concluded, Sayo let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.Completely indifferent to the situation, Kokoro bounced up and down in her seat, "That was super exciting wasn’t it, Sayo?"Sayo couldn’t find the words to respond. Despite her best efforts to remain calm, her hands shook slightly as she clenched and unclenched them in her lap. Looking slightly worried, Kokoro instructed the driver to take them to the nearest hospital. As they passed through the entryway, Sayo spotted the plaque indicating that the facility was owned by Tsurumaki family. Because why not? At this point, what isn’t?The guitarist attempted to convince the vocalist that she wasn’t physically hurt, only shaken up. Despite her protests, Kokoro wasn't taking any chances when it came to her date’s health."Come on! The nice doctors are going to get you all checked out,” she called happily, skipping towards the reception desk with a reluctant Sayo trailing behind.No one seemed to question why the cars park out front were covered in bullet holes. Sayo was starting to fear the power of the Tsurumaki family.As they waited for in the check-up room for the doctor's assessment, Sayo couldn't shake the lingering tension that gripped her. What if she had suffered brain trauma from the harrowing incident? What if she ends up like Kokoro? That would undoubtedly ruin the pristine image of Roselia forever. Not to mention her poor parents having to deal with a second Hina. As she debated her distorted order of priorities, the doctor’s words cut through."Hikawa-san, I am happy to confirm that you're perfectly fine. No injuries, no signs of trauma—just a little shaken up, I'd say.""Thank you, doctor," Sayo murmured, relief washing over her.With their medical concerns put to rest, Kokoro wasted no time in springing into action. Her boundless energy diminished by their recent ordeal. "I have an idea!" she exclaimed, "Since we’re already here let's go around and spread some smiles!"Before Sayo could even respond, Kokoro was already sprinting down the corridor, her bright smile and infectious energy drawing the attention of everyone she passed. Sayo had no choice but to follow. As they entered the paediatric ward, the sick children all turned to greet their familiar visitor with bright eyes.Without missing a beat, Kokoro launched into an impromptu performance. Brimming with enthusiasm, the vocalist belted out one cheerful tune after another. As the children's faces lit up with joy, Sayo finally understood the true purpose behind Hello, Happy World. Their mission to make the entire world smile. As she watched Kokoro dance about, bringing smiles to the sick children’s faces, Sayo’s heart swelled with a feeling she couldn’t quite describe.Finding an acoustic guitar in the corner, Sayo soon joined in. As the performed, their voices blended together illuminating the room with the promise of brighter days ahead. As Sayo sang each upbeat song, so distant from her own discography, she felt her own heart lighten from Kokoro's infectious spirit. She was grateful for this chance to make a difference—even in the smallest of ways.Kokoro takes Sayo’s guitar for a moment and that’s when Sayo realised, the girl can shred! Was Kokoro some genius like Hina who could pick things up instantly? It would explain her grades despite her buffoonish behaviour in class. Though Sayo wouldn’t put it past her to get through school entirely on the Tsurumaki name, either.Hours later when they finally stepped out of the hospital into the night air. Sayo felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t experienced in a while. At the same time, every single bone in her body ached even though she hadn’t been the one summersaulting across the children’s ward. Sayo was more than ready to go home."Hey Sayo,” Kokoro caught her attention and for a moment a sense of dread rose up inside the guitarist.What was this demented girl going to suggest now?“When we sang those fun songs for the kids, that was the first time I saw you smile today!”Sayo realised Kokoro was right. Even now her cheeks still hurt from the unaccustomed amount of smiling. Kokoro suddenly leaned forward with a glimmer in her eyes.“And since you figured out my family's secret… we should totally go to an underground fight club for our next date!"Sayo's eyebrows shot up in surprise at this casual invitation, "Fight club? Wait, you mean—"Seeing Sayo's startled reaction, Kokoro burst out laughing. "Just kidding! My family isn’t involved in criminal activity, silly! Dad just sells lemons."Sayo had never been more sceptical of something in her life."Tsurumaki-san, you're impossible," Sayo breathed, her voice was laced with exasperation but also a hint of amusement. Kokoro only grinned in response, her eyes shining with mischief as she took Sayo’s hand and squeezed it tightly."But that's why you love me, right Sayo?"Her bright smile was like a magnet, pulling Sayo towards yet another adventure. But this time it was inside her heart.A smile tugged at Sayo’s lips, “I guess you’ll never know.”It was the first time Sayo saw Kokoro look bewildered. “That’s no fair! Tell me! Tell me now!”“You could never pay me enough,” Sayo smirked as she turned away, heading for home. She finally got the upper hand against the heiress. The sense of accomplishment felt amazing.
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Aya nervously paced back and forth in the dressing room. Sayo was leaning against the doorframe. She was just waiting for Hina to get changed so they could go home together. Sayo initially intended to greet Aya but when she arrived, she found the girl talking to the wall for some reason.It's worrying to say the least, seeing someone mess up a conversation with an inanimate object. This went on for quite some time and Sayo soon found it too awkward to approach her.However, seeing Aya’s current distress Sayo grew sympathetic. “Is something bothering you Maruyama-san?”Startled, Aya looked up and realised Sayo had been there the entire time. She looked mortified that the guitarist had witnessed her private pracrice.“Sayo-san?! How-how long have you been there?”“Please don’t concern yourself over that.” Sayo would rather spare the poor girl further embarrassment… and more importantly wipe that sad image from her mind. “I noticed you seemed troubled. Has something happened?”“It’s just… the manager asked me to film a PasuPare segment at the amusement park. I..I don’t really like rollercoasters so I’m a bit scared.”“Hina hasn’t mentioned anything about this. Are you the only one going?” Sayo was surprised since the idols always seemed to do everything as a group.The pink haired girl looked distraught, “The agency thinks it won’t be as fun since the other all love those scary things. They want me to do it since I have the best… reactions.”Aya hung her head, ashamed at her own timid demeanour. Sayo couldn’t deny that the clumsy vocalist, with her infinitely long list of fears, was the best candidate when it came to this sort of entertainment.Nonetheless, Sayo felt concern for her. "Are you sure you're up to it? If you're nervous, Hina would happily go in your place. She has no self-preservation instincts and would throw herself off a building just for the fun."Aya shook her head, her fists clenched in determination. "No, I have to do this," she insisted, though her voice wavered slightly. "It's just... I'm scared to go alone."Sayo understood the feeling of uncertainty that came with new experiences. She remembered her own nerves the first time she started performing at live houses, recalling the weight of those past unrealistic expectations she put on herself. But as she contemplated this dilemma, Aya’s next words surprised her.“Sayo-san… I was wondering if would go with me," Aya mumbled, fidgeting with the ruffles of her dress. “I heard how you’ve accompanied Kanon-chan and Kokoro-chan in the past. Would… would you do the same for me?”“Maruyama-san, you do realise I’m not an escort service?”Aya blushed at this comment but held her resolve. “Please? Hina-chan is always telling me how reliable you are. And you handled that scary problem at the school really well. I just know I wouldn’t be as scared if you’re there with me!”How could Sayo deny those pleading eyes? Idols truly have an irresistible charm."Fine, I'll go with you. Please send me the details to look over before the day.”Aya's smile widened with gratitude, "Thank you Sayo-san! I promise I won’t cause you any trouble.”As much as Sayo wished were true, her past experience told her to expect otherwise.…As they stepped into the bustling amusement park, Aya's excitement was undeniable despite her nervousness. Her eyes sparkled as she eagerly surveyed the colourful array of attractions. "Wow, look at all this. There's so much to do!" she exclaimed pointing to the giant map by the park’s entrance.As soon as the staff heard Sayo was accompanying Aya they immediately passed their videographer duties to her, claiming the experience would be more authentic without a large camera crew around. However, this left Sayo to lug the heavy equipment over her shoulder as she followed the easily distracted idol. Nonetheless, the guitarist couldn't stay mad upon witnessing the girl’s enthusiasm."Where do you want to go first?" she asked, glancing at the map.Without hesitation, Aya grabbed Sayo's hand and began leading her down the bustling main street of the park. "Let's go shopping first. I’m sure they have so much cute merch!" she exclaimed, bubbling with energy.Wandering through the crowd, Aya's eyes lit up upon seeing the various storefront and stalls lining the street. She darted from one to the next, her gaze alighting on the cute accessories and trinkets flooding each display."Look at this, Sayo!" Aya cried, holding up a pair of bunny ears that resembled the park's mascot's. "Aren't they adorable?"Sayo chuckled. Although such accessories weren’t to her tastes, she had to admit they suited the adorable idol. "I suppose they are from an objective standpoint, but do you really need so many accessories?"Aya was already decorated from head to toe with numerous other park merchandise. She almost looked more like an obsessed fan than an idol. However, the vocalist didn’t hear her as she was already off again, her attention captured by some brightly coloured balloons.Sayo felt like a babysitter all over again as she followed behind. Fortunately, this didn't prove a challenge as Aya stopped every few steps to take selfies. She struck a new cute pose each time. Sayo wondered how she wasn’t dying of embarrassment from doing such things in public. As they made their way through the vibrant theme park, Sayo had to remind herself of why they were there."Maruyama-san, I can see you’re enjoying yourself, but must I remind you why we’re here?" Sayo's voice tinged with amusement.Aya's expression shifted as a suspicious look of guilt flashed across her face. "I... I may have gotten a little carried away… actually more like I hoped you’d forgotten." A pleading look came over her face, "Sayo-san, won’t it be enough to get footage of me enjoying myself?” The idol gestures to the shopping area they were in.“Nice try. Your manager entrusted us to get the content your fans want. I intend to do just that.”Aya pouted. The sight made Sayo almost guilty, but she had a job to do. With a gentle nudge, she guided Aya towards the nearest ride, determined to capture the footage they needed for Pastel Palettes’ segment.…."Please don’t leave me!” Aya begged as she clung to Sayo like glue.“I’m still going to be right here,” the guitarist protested as she practically had to tear the panicked girl off and shove her into the roller coaster seat beside hers. The pressure industries put on their performers nowadays.She made sure the head-mounted camera on the vocalist was rolling before the ride took off. As they soared through the air, Aya's frightened screams were captured on camera in full HD. A part of Sayo should have felt bad, but since Aya wasn’t in any real danger, she mostly found the whole ordeal entertaining. Perhaps she might become a Pastel Palettes fan after all.Aya looked traumatised by the time they finally got off. Sayo had to support her as she shakily made her way to the nearest bench. After a short break to recover, Sayo suggested a tamer ride.She realised she should have eased the idol into things so they made their way to the teacups ride next. Sayo hoped this softer attraction would help soothe Aya into the experience before they headed back to some more extreme options. After all, how scary could spinning teacups be?However, as soon as the brightly coloured cups began to whirl around, Aya's screams pierced the air. Sayo watched with a mixture of amusement and concern as the girl clung to the sides of the cup, tears streaming down her face. They weren’t even actively spinning their cup. Even on tape, the whole scene looked downright pathetic.With each subsequent ride they visited, Sayo couldn't help but wonder if there was anything Aya wasn't scared of. From the slow-moving carousel to the children’s train ride, Aya's reactions remained consistent - pure terror. This made Sayo both laugh and worry for the idol’s fragile emotional state. Hopefully the agency has her on a good insurance plan. She may well need it when her heart gives out by thirty.But despite Aya's fear, Sayo admired her courage and determination to push through. Ignoring her perpetually buckling knees after each frightful ordeal, Aya would brush herself off and urge Sayo to take her to their next destination. As they worked their way through the amusement park, Sayo made a mental note to choose the next attracted more cautiously. Her eardrums desperately needed a break.That was when the two caught sight of a haunted house. Aya’s face paled. Feeling a pang of sympathy, Sayo contemplated passing over it. Subjecting the poor idol to such a terrifying experience seemed almost too cruel.However, as she glanced down at her notes, she saw the Manager's request underlined in bright red marker. Take Aya-chan through the haunted house no matter what! Management must really hate her. Seeing such a specific request, Sayo had no choice but to comply.Taking a deep breath, she turned to the idol with an apologetic smile, "I know you're scared, but I promise this will be the last one."Although Aya put on a brave face at first, her protests grew desperate as they approached the entrance. Nonetheless, Sayo remained firm and guided her inside. Almost immediately, Aya's grip tightened on Sayo's arm, her screams echoing through the dimly lit corridor.Sayo instantly regretted her decision and that feeling only grew with each twist and turn. Though she wasn’t a fan of haunted houses herself, she soon realised Aya’s frightened screams were far scarier then any spooky decor or scare actors. The idol shrieked at every little movement, making Sayo’s heart jolt. She didn’t even know if the footage she was capturing was any good considering how dark their surroundings were. She already felt sorry for all earphone users and hoped the agency puts up health and safety warning at the start of the video.Suddenly, a ghastly figure leaped out from behind a curtain. Aya let a blood-curdling scream, jumping back in panic only to accidentally stomp on Sayo's foot."Ow!" Sayo yelped, as she clutched her foot in pain. But the moment she accidentally let go of Aya, the idol bolted off in the wrong direction, her screams fading as she vanished into the dark."Maruyama-san, wait!" Sayo called as she hobbled after the runaway girl.Despite her own rising fear, Sayo's concern for Aya propelled her forward. The last thing she wanted was to go to court for unintentionally killing a member of the entertainment industry from fear.As Sayo edged her way through the eerie ambiance and creaking floorboards, she finally she caught sight of Aya illuminated by a flickering candle. The girl was curled up in a ball on the ground, her pink head buried in her knees. Sayo rushed over to her, reaching out to gently touch her shoulder.The next thing Sayo felt was getting whacked across the face with a selfie stick. She instinctively recoiled, though in all honestly, she probably deserved that for approaching the girl suddenly. With two injuries and counting, haunted houses were proving to be more dangerous that she thought.Aya gasped, horror dawning on her face as she realised her mistake. "Sayo-san, I'm so sorry!" she cried, dropping the selfie stick and rushing to Sayo's side. "You really scared me! I didn't mean to—"“It's okay Maruyama-san, it was just an accident," Sayo interrupted, trying to suppress a grimace as she rubbed the sore spot."I'm sorry for running off like that. I didn’t mean to leave you all alone when you were so kind to come in here with me."Sayo didn’t want to admit that she had been slightly scared. Instead she cleared her throat and put on her bravest voice. "It was no problem. For now, let's just focus on finding our way out."When Aya reach out to hold Sayo’s hand, the guitarist didn’t protest. Continuing their way through the haunted house, their hearts raced as they searched for the exit. When the two girls finally emerged outside, Sayo let out a massive sigh of relief.Despite her personal vendetta, she’d never felt happier to see the sunlight. Aya's hands were still trembling as she detached herself from Sayo. Her face had grown a concerningly pale.“Thank you for your hard work," Sayo spoke softly, feeling guilty for forcing the idol through such a harrowing experience. "We’ve got everything we need now. Why don’t I treat you to something as a reward?"Aya nodded weakly, her breathing still rapid as she tried to calm herself down. Despite the fright she endured, there was a sense of accomplishment in knowing she had faced her fears head-on.Heading to a nearby café, Sayo ordered a whimsically decorated Frappuccino she thought Aya might like. Topped with a mountain of cream, colourful sprinkles and even a cute chocolate bunny, the concoction looked like a recipe for heartburn. Nonetheless, Yukina would have loved it so Sayo hoped the idol would too.As they settled into their seats, Aya took a tentative sip of the towering drink. Her eyes instantly lit up with delight. "Wow, this is amazing Sayo-san! I didn’t realise you knew about these types of things.”Sayo couldn't help but return the smile, relieved to see Aya enjoying herself again. "I'm glad it was to your liking. I’ve picked up a few things from Chisato and Hina recently."After finishing their drinks, Sayo and Aya spent the rest of their day leisurely exploring the park. With the fear of roller coasters no longer looming over her, the pink haired vocalist returned to her usual chirpy self. Unfortunately her clumsiness still remained and Sayo had to stop her from nearly tripping and falling into a fountain while taking selfies. Despite her efforts to save the girl, Sayo found herself once again on the receiving end of Aya's selfie stick.“Maruyama-san, I swear if you don’t stop with that long-outdated trend, I will break that stick in half myself,” Sayo half-threatened, making the idol squirm in guilt.Nonetheless, Sayo found herself enjoying Aya’s company as they wandered from attraction to attraction. Before long, the two found themselves engaged in a heartfelt conversation. "I really hope this segment will help me to stand out more,” Aya spoke earnestly. “Even though I’m the vocalist, I sometimes I feel like I'm always in Hina-chan's shadow.”Sayo understood that sentiment well. "Believe me, I often feel the same way. Hina is like the shining sun but wherever she goes, her brightness is bound to leave someone in the shadows.” However, a soft smile crossed the guitarist’s face. “Even so, I no longer resent her for it. Her skills are what drives me to do my best every day and I’m happy following in her shadow, at least until I reach the day we can finally walk side by side.”Aya's eyes sparkled with agreement, "I completely agree! Hina-chan's talent is really inspiring. I'm grateful to have her as a bandmate and a friend, but still…" Her smile wavered slightly, “Everyone seems to immediately gravitate towards her. Sometimes I wish I had her natural confidence."Sayo was taken by surprise by this sudden self-deprecating streak, “Does receiving attention hold that much value to you?”Aya nodded rapidly, “Of course! It’s what every idol wants!”Personally, Sayo performed out of her love of music. Sure, it was nice having so many fans come to Roselia’s shows, but she wouldn’t care if not a single person came specifically for her as long as their music got the appreciation it deserved. Perhaps things were different in the idol industry.Sayo thought for a moment before replying, “I don’t think you need to be concerned. While it’s true that Hina always finds a way to capture people’s attention, whenever I watch your performances, I’ve noticed you have your own charm, Maruyama-san.”Aya blushed slightly at this compliment, “Really? In what way?”A smile tugged at Sayo’s lips. “Aren’t you just fishing for compliments now?” She couldn’t help but tease the eager girl, making Aya’s blush deepen.“No it’s not like that at all,” she tried to protest, “I mean- I would really value your feedback Sayo-san. I know anything you say would be the honest truth... I wouldn’t want to force you or anything though!”Nonetheless, Sayo decided to indulge her. “Even if you sometimes struggle with improvisational skills during your MC segments, your dedication and passion is undeniable. You have a unique stage presence unlike any of the others, an eagerness that makes it impossible for your fans not to root for you.”As Sayo spoke, Aya hung onto every word with a mix of shyness and joy. When the guitarist finally finished, she spoke with an unexpected timidness, “That-that was really kind coming from you.”Realising what shed said, the girl grew flustered, “I’m not saying I thought you were mean or anything! Just that I know how high your standards are so hearing you praise me so much… it made me really happy.” Sayo smiled as she watched Aya cycle though these stages of emotions. "You can relax, I took no offence by it. You’ve worked hard which is something I admire and if you continue to do so, I believe you’ll have a bright future ahead of you.”Aya fidgeted nervously as if there was something on her mind. “Sayo-san… from what you said, would you consider yourself one of my fans?”The guitarist thought over this for a moment. Though she originally started supporting Pastel Palettes for Hina’s sake then later Chisato’s, she couldn’t deny that the pink-haired vocalist had slowly captured her attention.“I suppose you could say that.”Aya couldn’t help but beam. Regaining her confidence, she struck a cutesy pose for Sayo, “Well I hope you’ll continue to support me!” Sayo couldn’t deny that idols were adorable.As the sun began to set casting a warm glow over the park, Sayo appreciated this unexpected adventure and the chance to get to know Pastel Palette’s vocalist a little better. It was the least she could do considering Aya was such a close friend to both Hina and Chisato.However, their pleasant mood was dampened as rain began to patter against the pavement. Within moments of getting caught in the downpour, the girls were forced to take shelter under the park’s entranceway.Aya's gazed up at the grey sky in worry, "How are we going to get home? The train station is too far to get there without getting soaked."Sayo glanced at the videographing equipment with equal concern. The case wasn’t waterproof meaning the chances of getting it back undamaged was marginally slim. “It seems we may need to find better shelter until the rain stops.”Aya scanned their surroundings for a solution until her eyes land on a sign, "Look, the there’s a hotel just over there! It doesn’t look like the rain will let up anytime soon... maybe we could stay the night?" Seeing Sayo's hesitation, she went on, "We were given quite a big production budget since you helping out meant none of the crew had to come. I'm sure it'll be enough to cover us for a night "Though the suggestion seemed logical enough, Sayo could only feel a growing sense of embarrassment. Even if they were just friends, the thought of sharing a hotel room with another girl…Sayo had to shake herself from this dangerous train of thought. It’s precisely because they were both girls that this was perfectly normal! The guitarist wished her recent dating endeavours hadn’t altered her mind in such a maladaptive way."Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt… alright, we will stay the night and head home tomorrow morning," she reluctantly agreed.After a quick dash through the rain to reach the hotel, they were greeted by the warmth of the lobby and the inviting smile of the receptionist. Before long, Sayo and Aya made their way to their designated room. However, Sayo's steps faltered as she noticed the arrangement inside."Um, Maruyama-san," she began hesitantly, "I think they've given a double bed on accident." Even if it’s normal for two friends to share a hotel room, sharing a bed must be pushing it.Aya glanced at the room number on the key card and then back at Sayo, "Oh, they must have been a mistake. Let’s go downstairs and see if we can change it.”However, their plans were dashed when the receptionist informed them that due to high demand from the sudden storm, all other types of rooms have been booked out. Sayo sighed inwardly, resigning herself to the situation."It looks like we'll have to make do with what we have," she said, a faint blush colouring her cheeks as she avoided Aya's gaze.“Ye-yes, it shouldn’t be a problem.”...Sayo made herself comfortable in the hotel room after offering to let Aya take a bath first. She felt responsible for the idol and didn’t want her getting ill from the rain. Settling on the edge of the large bed, Sayo began idly flipping through a magazine left on the nightstand. It contained a high volume of women in scantily clad bikinis. Odd considering the hotel was nowhere near the beach.When Aya finally emerged from the bathroom wrapped up in a bathrobe, Sayo looked up with a smile. However, her smile faltered when she noticed the nervous energy emanating from the girl."Are you alright, Maruyama-san?" Sayo asked feeling concerned.Without a word, Aya approached Sayo. Before the guitarist could react, she was met with a sudden push and found herself falling backwards onto the mattress. Feeling Aya’s petite frame crawl on top of her, Sayo’s breath hitched as the idol’s face hovered inches away from her.Shocked and flustered, Sayo could only stare wide-eyed at the pink-haired girl. That’s when she realised Aya appeared equally flustered by her own bold action."Wha- what are you doing?" Sayo managed to stammer, facing away from Aya as she felt her cheeks tinge pink.Aya's determination was also waning by the second. "I... I was trying something," she admitted weakly.Upon noticing the girl's wavering intentions, Sayo gently pushed against Aya's chest, urging her to sit up. "Let’s back up for a second," she suggested, her voice gentle but firm. “While I don’t know what is going on, I’m almost certain this is somehow Hina’s fault.”Aya immediately scrambled off the taller girl in embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me… although I guess you’re not entirely wrong.”Sitting up, Sayo gently patted the spot next to her on the bed, gesturing for the idol to join her. Aya reluctantly complied but shifted uncomfortably away from Sayo the moment she sat down. After hesitating for a moment, the pink haired girl summoned her courage."I-I’ sorry for doing that all of the sudden..." Aya squeaked. She had to pause again for another deep breath before continuing. "I keep noticing how the others have gotten closer to you and... well, I guess I got a bit jealous. I-I wanted to try too... getting your attention."Realization dawned on Sayo as she watched the way Aya’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Maruyama-san, were you trying to... seduce me?" She didn’t like the way this sparked a sense of excitement inside her.Aya's eyes widened at realising her subtle plan was entirely transparent. "I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to make things awkward... Ahhh! I’m so embarrassed!" She buried her face in her hands. Sayo couldn’t help but feel sorry for her constant misfortune."It's alright, you don’t have to beat yourself up. I appreciate the sentiment, but..." Sayo paused, searching for the right words. She wanted to ask who taught the innocent girl such a scandalous thing but part of her was afraid to know the answer."If you really wanted to get someone’s attention, it would have been better to have an honest conversation with them."Aya glanced up with tear-stained eyes. “You’re probably right. Thank you for not getting mad.”Sayo gave a gentle nod, but the girl didn’t go further. Feeling a mix of discomfort and uncertainty, she finally spoke, "Um... I can leave if you prefer. The rain has mostly stopped so should be able to make my way home now. I don't want to make you uncomfortable.""Oh, no, you don't have to do that! I mean, it's not like I don't want you here,” Aya's eyes fluttered with a mix of surprise and earnestness."I see," Sayo murmured softly, growing equally shy. "Well, if you're sure... I will stay."Sayo excused herself to take a bath, hoping this brief respite could help clear her thoughts. When she returned, she found Aya already nestled under the covers. Her eyes were closed so Sayo couldn’t tell if she was already asleep or not.Feeling a mix of relief and awkwardness, Sayo hesitated near the edge of the bed, unsure of what to do next. Sneaking another glance at Aya, she noticed the girl’s breathing was calm and steady. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Sayo slipped into bed.As Sayo's weight settled on the mattress, the space between them felt both too vast and too close at the same time. Sayo couldn't shake the memory of Aya's sad, though undeniably cute attempt to seduce her. The lingering sensation of their proximity still tingled inside.Lying in the dark hotel room, she struggled to fall asleep as her mind raced with different thoughts and emotions. Sayo was surprised when Aya's voice cut through the silence."Sayo-san... are you awake?”“Yes.” The single word left Sayo breathless. In the dark, she couldn’t even make out Aya's figure so she had no idea what to expect.“Would it be okay if we maybe... cuddled for a bit?"Aya's voice was hesitant, almost timid, as if afraid of how Sayo might react. Understandable enough considering Sayo wasn’t known for her cuddly side. Yet, the guitarist's mind momentarily blanked upon hearing the request. A rush of conflicting emotions flooded through her—uncertainty, curiosity, and that now too familiar, fluttering sensation in her chest.“I don’t mind.” The words left Sayo's lips before she could fully process the situation.To her surprise, Aya didn’t hesitate. Sayo felt a pair of arms wrap round her waist, accompanied by the soft scent of the hotel shampoo as the vocalist drew close. Sayo’s arms instinctively encompassed her as well and the two settled into this unexpected embrace.Sayo felt a strange sense of comfort from the rhythmic rise and fall of Aya's breathing. Despite the incredible awkwardness, there was something undeniably soothing about holding the smaller girl in her arms. But despite this, a nagging sense of uncertainty began to gnaw at her. At times, she hated her own conscience."Is everything okay?" Aya's voice broke the silence, tentative and almost fearful."I’m not really sure how to explain it," Sayo began, hesitating as she struggled to articulate her feelings. "I guess I’m not really used to this. Despite all my partners, I feel it's not... normal for friends to embrace in this way."Aya's response was soft and reassuring. "Maybe, but doesn’t it also feel nice? Being close to someone like this? After today… I realise I really trust you, Sayo-chan. I trust you more than anyone else."Sayo felt a surge of warmth blossom in her chest. At this point she didn’t know how she felt about the pink haired girl. She didn’t even know how she wanted to feel.Sayo’s voice finally escaped, barely audible in the quiet of the room, "I’ve grown to trust you too, Aya."Why else would she have allowed this situation? However, the idol must have sensed her reluctance. Aya’s voice returned as a whisper through the dark.“Sayo-chan… will you go out with me?”A moment’s pause.“Yes.”
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Though Sayo hated to admit it, struggling against her temptations proved quite a challenge but she somehow managed to sleep through the night (curse those hormonal urges). Her patience was rewarded the next morning when Aya woke her with a kiss… before immediately devolving into an embarrassed mess.After checking out of their hotel room, the two girls parted ways at the train station with the promise of a date on the horizon. Walking home from her local station, Sayo walked passed the convenience store where she knew Lisa worked. She felt slightly guilty knowing her recent endeavours have caused her to neglect some of her girlfriends recently. Unable to resist checking in the off-chance Lisa was on shift, Sayo stepped inside, the familiar chime of the door echoing her arrival.“Sunshine~”Sayo blinked momentarily as she was greeted by an easy-going drawl. Leaning against the counter was Moca, a permanent look of mischief plastered on her face. Sayo couldn't help but feel disappointed when she realised Lisa was nowhere in sight.“Aoba-san, are you sure that’s how you should be greeting customers?” she turned to address the cashier sceptically.The ivory haired girl only shrugged. “No one ever seems to notice. Anyways~” Moca's eyes settled on Sayo as a grin played at the corners of her lips. “What are you doing out here so early, Sayo-san? Could it be…?” She made a look of mock astonishment, “The infamous walk of shame?”Even though nothing of that sort happened Sayo instantly blushed. Well, she and Aya had shared a bed last night, so she supposed it came close. But more importantly, how on earth could Afterglow’s guitarist even tell?"Wha– What? No, of course not!" Sayo spluttered, making herself look even guiltier."Relax, relax~" Moca chuckled, her tone teasing. "I’ll let you keep your little secrets~~."To Sayo’s relief, Moca fortunately changed the subject before she endured further embarrassment. “So what can I do you for?”“Don’t you mean what can I do for you?” Sayo corrected but the girl only gave her a sly look.“I said what I said,” Moca shrugged and really, Sayo should be used to the cheeky guitarist by now.“Just grabbing some snacks for Hina on the way home. She gets a bit pouty if I leave her alone for too long.”“Hina-senpai always gets the raspberry gummies when she stops by. She says they taste like your lip gloss.” Sayo felt mortified that this was now common knowledge.Moca suddenly called out across the store, “Hii-chan! Grab me a pack of those fruit gummies, will you?”Moments later, Afterglow’s pink haired bassist popped out from between the aisles with an annoyed look on her face. “You know I’m a customer as well, right? You need to start doing your job for once,” Himari scolded her friend, her shopping basket still in hand.Moca threw her hands up in a dismissive apology. Then a mischievous look crossed her face that sent a shiver of dread down Sayo’s spine. “Sayo-san~ Since you’re here… why don’t you take Hii-chan and I out on a date? Moca-chan will be done with her shift soon.”The question took Sayo completely by surprised. She glanced over to see Himari looking equally shocked by the proposed trio date."Um, Moca, I'm not sure if that's such a good idea..." Himari voice was tinged with both horror and uncertainty.But before she could protest further, Moca cut in with a playful grin. "Oh, come on! It'll be fun! Didn’t you want to get back at Sayo-san for seducing your precious Tomo-chin?"This made Himari hesitate, now clearly torn between her reservations and the prospect of making Sayo’s life hell. "Alright, fine," she finally relented before turning to Sayo with a look of determination, "I'm not going to let you get out of this Sayo-san!"By this point, Sayo’s ultimatum had turned into a free for all. The guitarist let out a deep sigh. She was too far in to care anymore.“Whatever. What would you two like to do?”“Why don’t we go to the skate park?”Sayo's couldn’t hide the look of uncertainty that crossed her face. She wasn't exactly known for her prowess on a skateboard… or more accurately had never been on one at all. Meanwhile the two members of Afterglow exchanged a mischievous look.“Moca-chan 100% wants to see this.”…Once Moca got off work the trio went to her place to grab the equipment. Himari leant Sayo Tomoe’s protective gear and skateboard. Sayo felt relieved the drummer wasn’t home since she didn’t know if she could have handled redhead witnessing her in such a moment of inadequacy.When they arrived at the skate park, Sayo's nerves began to bubble to the surface. The sight of the various ramps and drastic drops, paired with other skaters expertly navigating the course only worsened her anxiety. Sayo always prided herself for maintaining her cool but the thought of embarrassing herself in front of these two girls was enough to make her stomach churn."Alright, let's do this!" Moca exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she effortlessly glided her way across the smooth concrete. The skater-look gave the guitarist an even more lain-back vibe. Moca didn’t even bother putting on any protective padding, showing her level of confidence which only created a greater contrast to Sayo who'd strapped herself up in every type of padding she could. She wasn't going to risk her safety, especially not for a date that was obviously planned for the sake of entertainment at her expense.Himari rolled up beside Sayo with a smirk, "Let's see Roselia’s guitarist in action. This is going to be so much fun!"“Sayo-chin would look so hot shredding some rails,” Moca agreed with a seductive grin. Sayo couldn’t tell whether she was joking or not.Sayo only gulped as she clutched her board tighter. Having never been particularly athletic, the idea of navigating the skate park's obstacles filled her with dread."Um, are you both sure about this? I have never skated before..." She placed a first tentative step onto her skateboard and immediately wobbled.Moca simply brushed off her concerns with a dismissive wave of the hand. "No need to worry yourself, Moca-chan will teach you~ It'll be a piece of bread."That was exactly what Sayo was worried about. Before she could point out the inaccurate idiom use, she felt the fellow guitarist’s hands on her hips. Her cheeks flushed at the sudden touch but she tried her best to hide it."Here~ Just balance like this… Relax and let the board do the work~" Moca instructed, in surprising reassurance.“Are-are you sure this is necessary?” Sayo protested, feeling hyperaware of the questionable hand placement.“Accused of taking advantage of the situation to grope Roselia’s hot guitarist...? Moca-chan is hurt~~”Again, impossible to tell whether her tone was joking or not. Moca continued to steady her from behind and too tired to protest, Sayo tentatively spread out her arms. Her heart raced as she struggled to find her balance but soon enough, Sayo was able to stand on the board without assistance."Wow, Sayo-san, you’re practically a pro already," Himari piped up sarcastically from where she was watching.Despite her initial nerves and this obstructive feedback, Sayo found herself growing more comfortable by the minute. With Moca's support, she began to experiment with moving and soon enough, different turning techniques. Her confidence grew with each attempt."Thank you, Moca," Sayo murmured, genuinely grateful she hadnt been thrown into the deep end like she'd expected."Anytime, Sayo-chin! No matter what Hii-chan says, we might turn you into a skateboarding pro yet!" Moca gave her a relaxed grin.Despite her teasing each time Sayo messed up, the ivory hair girl had stayed by her side. Sayo had to admit that even with her sleepy demeanour and lack of concern when it came to most things, Moca was a good teacher.However, her stomach sank when Himari suggested they pick thing up a notch. Sayo could only protest as the bassist eagerly dragged her towards the edge of the concrete bowl. Freed from her role, Moca effortlessly zoomed past, only reminding Sayo just how out of place she was.“Come on, Sayo-san! We’re only starting with something simple," Himari suggested, gesturing towards a low ramp nearby.Despite her assurance, Sayo wanted to protest that their definitions of ‘simple’ were like completely different languages. But with the girl’s encouragement, Sayo finally pushed off. Her heart leapt out of her chest when she felt her board drop. However, before she knew it, Sayo found herself at the bottom of the ramp. More miraculously, she somehow maintained her balance. In retrospect, the slope was only a foot tall but it was still one of the most intense things the guitarist had ever done.But as her adrenaline wore off, Sayo's balance suddenly wavered. "S-Sayo-chan, watch out!" Himari cried, reaching out to grab her arm.She was too late. With a yelp of alarm, Sayo’s board flew out from under her as she tumbled to the ground, pulling the bassist down as well. With Himari on top of her, Sayo's cheeks burned with embarrassment while Moca doubled over with laughter."Sayo-san, I didn’t know you were this eager~ Our date’s just begun, and you’ve already thrown yourself at Hii-chan,” Moca teased. Both Sayo and Himari glared at her.Sayo groaned inwardly as she picked herself up off the ground, her pride stinging more than her body from the fall. She reached down to help the other girl up.“I apologise, Uehara-san. Are you injured?”Himari shook her head as she brushed herself off, “Don’t worry, I’m fine. You get used to falling the more you skate.”“Yeah… Ran-chan once ate dirt trying to slide down the handrails. Literally~ It was funny seeing her covered in mud,” Moca shared with a twinkle in her eye.The trio decides to take a break and Moca proceeded to empty an entire backpack full of bread onto the ground. She claimed the convenience store let her take leftovers home and Sayo certainly wasnt going to protest. Her stomach rumbled from the unaccustomed workout.As they watched the other skaters, Moca occasionally chucked bread at the little kids whenever they got too rowdy. Sayo was concerned to say the least from learning that Afterglow’s guitarist threw food at people. However, Himari didn’t even glance up at the yelps as each child got struck down making Sayo assume this was a regular occurrence. Either way, the free food seemed to shut up the noisy children.The day was rather warm and Sayo instinctively lifted her shirt to wipe the sweat drenching her brow. Moca let out a low whistle while Himari practically ogled at the sight of her exposed midriff.“Deep breaths Hii-chan, remembers she’s taken,” Moca teased her childhood friend.“Shut up!” The pink haired girl protested though she couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away. “Not like that means anything anyways.” As much as that stung, Sayo knew it was true.“More importantly, the rumours were true. Sayo-san really does have stunning abs~”Startled by this sudden observation, Sayo flushed. “Wha- where did you hear that from?”“Well, Lisa-senpai told Rinko-san who obviously told Ako-chan who bragged to Tomoe, and she told everyone in Afterglow,” Himari explained casually as if she were listing items off a shopping list. Did Sayo have any secrets left at this point?“Ooh, Roselia’s playboy is buff~” Moca pretended to swoon. “Can I touch?”Sayo immediately drew away. “Will you two please refrain from making such a big deal out of this?" Her rare, flustered state only made the two laugh.Feeling rested, Moca and Himari soon headed back to the ramps while Sayo stayed behind to watch, claiming she’d had enough excitement for the day. Her gaze followed the two girls with a growing sense of awe as they effortlessly glided across the skate park, attempting trick after trick on the various obstacles.But as Himari propelled herself into the air, attempting yet another daring feat, she suddenly lost her balance. The board slipped from beneath her feet and she landed oddly on the concrete with a sickening thud. Sayo could only stare in horror at the way her ankle twisted beneath her as she crumpled. Both Sayo and Moca instantly rushed to her side."Himari, are you okay?" Sayo asked as she knelt beside her.Himari winced, her voice trembling with pain as she struggled to sit up. "I... I think it's bad.”Moca gently examined Himari's ankle. "Yeah... looks like you've twisted it pretty badly," she observed in a grave tone Sayo had never heard her use before.Sayo placed a comforting hand on the distressed girl's shoulder, "Don't worry, Uehara-san. We'll get you to the hospital right away."With great care, Sayo picked Himari up and carried her out of the skate park. The bassist barely had time to protest and flushed at the unexpected bridal carry. Reaching the roadside, Sayo hailed a cab to take them to the nearest hospital. To their luck, Himari was quickly admitted upon arrival. Now all that Sayo and Moca could do was wait.In the sterile, fluorescent-lit waiting room, tension hung in the air as Moca paced back and forth. Her carefree demeanour was replaced with uncharacteristic worry. With each step, her brow furrowed deeper, a sight Sayo never expected to see.On the other hand, the blue haired girl sat calmly in one of the hospital chairs, hands folded neatly in her lap as she awaited news of Himari's condition. Despite the anxiety gnawing at her insides, Sayo remained outwardly composed. She was determined to maintain her stoicism even just for the sake of her more distressed friend.The minutes ticked by slowly, each one feeling like an eternity as the suspense grew. Moca's footsteps echoed off the lifeless walls, a rhythmic beat that underscored the concern they both felt. But after awhile of getting lost in thought, Sayo noticed those footsteps stopped.Glancing up, she found the other girl had fallen asleep literally standing up. Softly shaking Moca awake, Sayo guided her towards one of the waiting room chairs. After sitting back down beside the drowsy girl, Sayo offered her shoulder as a makeshift pillow."Rest for a bit," Sayo murmured, her voice finally breaking through the hushed stillness of the waiting room. "I'll keep watch until we receive word of Uehara-san’s operation."Without argument, Moca's eyelids drooped and she nuzzled into Sayo's shoulder. “You smell nice… like raspberry jam donuts~”“Please stop sniffing my hair.”With a content sigh, Moca drifted off to sleep again. Her breathing soon grew steady while Sayo remained vigilant, watching over her. It was strange to see Moca’s face without any sign of mischief, yet Sayo kind of liked this peaceful side of her.Sayo didn’t know how much time passed before Moca woke up again. As she blinking away the remnants of sleep, the ivory haired guitarist glanced around the waiting room, momentarily disoriented before her gaze eventually settled on Sayo who she was still leaning against.“How are you feeling?" Sayo greeted her softly.“Better probably…?" Moca stretched, letting out a tired yawn, "Thanks for letting me crash on your shoulder. You’re really not at scary as people make you out to be~”“Again, why do people keep saying that?” Sayo sighed in exasperation.“It goes with Roselia’s whole dark and broody vibe ~” the girl grinned before a thoughtful looked crossed her face. “Although… that might just be you and Minato-senpai. But now Moca-chan just thinks you’re sexy~”Sayo elected to ignore her incessant teasing. Despite the nap, Moca still had a weary look on her face. Sayo wouldn't be surprised if her own fatal flaw was the inability to mind her own business.“Is there something else bothering you, Aoba-san?”Moca hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "I guess I'm just... scared." There was a rare hint of vulnerability in her expression, "I’ve always been scared of things changing. Not being able to keep up with everyone… or losing the things that matter most."Sayo listened intently, slightly surprised so hear the care-free girl open up about such insecurities. "Change can be scary," she acknowledged softly. "But Uehara-san will be alright. No matter what happens, I know you won’t have to face it alone. You’re lucky to have everyone in Afterglow always there for you."A flicker of gratitude crossed Moca's face, “You give really good pep-talks. No wonder Tsugu loves you so much~” The words made Sayo blush while the usual glimmer returned to Moca’s eyes. “Have you ever thought about becoming a therapist? Moca-chan would sigh up to every session. This baby holds a lot of trauma~”“As of now, no. Lisa is more than adept to her role as Roselia’s therapist,” Sayo admitted though a smile tugged at her lips. Seeing that the other girl was feeling better, Sayo rose from her seat. “I'll be right back."Sayo made her way to the nearby vending machine. After selecting a few snacks, she returned and handed the selection to Moca. “Here, I don’t know what you like but I thought you might be hungry by now.” Tomoe always spoke of her bandmate’s insatiable appetite.Moca’s eyes widened in surprise but she eagerly accepted the food. Their fingers brushed briefly, sending a jolt of electricity though Sayo. However she ignored it, instead sitting back down as Moca dug into the snacks.“You know… you do make a pretty good girlfriend~” Moca pointed out in amusement between stuffing her mouth with crisps.“You shouldn’t talk with your mouth full.”“Fuu, fuu~ Still denying it. I see… so this is how you do it~”Sayo maintained a straight face, “I don’t know what you are referring to. I merely offered a gesture of support.”“Hook, line and sinker. Moca-chan has fallen completely head over heels~” Moca shot Sayo a playful wink.Their banter was interrupted when a nurse entered the waiting room. Relief washed over both girls as they received the update that Himari’s operation had gone smoothly. The two followed the nurse down the hallway to the room she had been put for recovery.Upon entering, they found Himari lying in bed with her ankle wrapped in a cast. Despite the obvious discomfort, she greeted them with a bright smile."Hey, you two, I’m sorry if I worried you. It was actually a fracture in the end, but the doctors fixed my ankle right up."“Wow, that cast makes you even sexier Hii-chan,” Moca teased as she approached her friend’s bed. She immediately grabbed the sharpie on the bedside table but the pink haired girl slapped her hand away.“Hey! I don’t want your messy scribbles all over this. I have to wear this for six weeks you know. You’re probably just going to draw dicks anyways.”Moca clicked her tongue as she backed away in disappointment.“How are you feeling?” Sayo asked, her voice laced with slightly more concern.Himari shrugged, "Eh, a bit annoyed I won’t be able to walk for a while, but at least now I have an excuse to binge all those dramas I’ve been wanting to."Yet as she looked at Sayo, Himari couldn’t help but feel a new sense of admiration. It was all because of the guitarist that she safely made it to hospital."Hey, Hii-chan, guess what? Sayo-san and I cuddled in the waiting room while waiting for you~~" Moca spoke up unnecessarily with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.Sayo shot her a reproachful look. "Aoba-san, that's not exactly how it happened."Nonetheless, Himari's eyes widened, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief. "Seriously? You two... Cuddling?" For some reason, a negative feeling gnawed inside her."Yep, it was adorable! I might even start dating Sayo-san for realsies~”Sayo and Himari both did a double take. Sayo shifted uncomfortably while Himari could only stare back and forth between them. “You-you can’t just deicide that on your own!” Unfortunately she couldn’t hide the frustration in her voice.Moca's grin widened at a telltale blush spreading across her bandmate’s cheeks. "Oh, I see what's going on here~ Hii-chan’s got a crush!""W-What? No, I-I don't!" Himari shook her head, yet her cheeks now matched the shade of her hair.Not planning to let her off the hook that easily, Moca leaned in closer with a knowing smirk, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Oh, come on, Himari, there's no need to be shy. You pretend to be all into Tomo-chin but really, you've been pining after Sayo-san haven’t you?""I-I haven't been pining after anyone!”Caught off guard by this unexpected accusation, Sayo felt her heart skip a beat. Without warning Moca leaned up and kissed Sayo on the cheek."Watch out, Hii-chan," she teased, her voice filled with mock seriousness as she draped her arm around the flustered guitarist's shoulders, "If you don’t hurry, I’ll steal Sayo-chin away from you~""W-What? You can't... you can’t just do that!"Sayo wanted to protest the exact same thing, yet it seemed she didn’t get a say in her own life anymore. Moca looked back at Sayo, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "What do you say? Between me and Hii-chan, who would you rather have sweep you off your feet?"Sayo found herself at a loss for words. On one hand, she valued this new friendship she'd built with the two Afterglow members. Yet on the other hand, why did she feel this flutter of excitement from the prospect of being pursued by both girls?Before she could respond, Himari broke in loudly, "I-I like Sayo-san, too!" Her cheeks immediately burned as she met Sayo's shocked gaze.Moca chucked at Himari's admission, "I’m glad you finally admit it~ You were giving Hina-senpai a run for her money from the way you’ve stared at Sayo-san like a lovesick idiot."As the banter continued, Sayo quietly crept out of the room to escape the awkwardness.…Later that night, Sayo returned again to check on Himari. Gently pushing open the door to the hospital room, she was met with the sight of Moca curled up in bed beside the pink haired girl. The sight of them together brought a soft smile to Sayo's lips. Despite their wildly contrasting personalities, the bond the two bandmates shared was undeniable. Sayo had come to learn that the same could be said for all the members of Afterglow.Moving closer to the bed, Sayo reached out to adjust the blanket covering them, taking care not to wake them up. Just as Sayo was about to quietly slip out of the room, she heard a soft murmur."Sayo-san?"Turning back, Sayo saw Himari watching her with an unreadable expression. "Uehara-san? I didn't realise you were awake."Himari’s gaze softened, "I am now. I’m really glad we didn’t scare you off earlier.”Sayo couldn’t help but chuckle, “It will take a lot more than that, believe me.”Himari gestured for her to come closer and Sayo approached the injured girls’ bedside. Yet she could never have predicted the girl's next words.“Since we’re still technically on a date… will you give me a goodnight kiss before you go?”Sayo thought her chest might explode. She glanced over at Moca, still sleeping soundly, before turning her attention back to Himari. The bassist’s cheeks were flushed with a mixture of nerves and anticipation."Are… are you sure that's what you want?" Sayo's voice was barely above a whisper.Himari’s eyes met hers with a longing gaze the guitarist knew all too well. “I just need to know… if what I feel for you is real or not.”Sayo's chest tightened with a rush of emotions. Unable to resist any longer, she leaned close enough that Himari could reach her. The bassist handled the rest, catching Sayo’s lips in a firm, but tentative kiss.They stayed motionless for a few moments, struggling to process the whirlwind of emotions that came with this sudden progression. Yet soon lips began to move together in a gentle, curious embrace."Thank you, Sayo-san," Himari whispered as they finally parted, shyly brushing a stray lock of hair from her own face. "I-I think I understand things a little better now."That was a relief because Sayo certainly didn’t. “I’m afraid I'm still rather lost... will you please explain it to me?”However, the girl only pouted, “Sayo-san, you can’t just ask a girl outright about her feelings. Seriously, how have so many girls fallen for someone with such little tact?”Sayo’s mind spun. Was this bassist in front of her into her or not? Or had she somehow misinterpreted everything? They literally just kissed!Despite the whirlwind of confusion, Himari reached out for Sayo’s hand. With awkward smile, the guitarist accepted it, feeling the warmth spread through her from such a simple gesture. Sayo remained seated by Himari's bedside, offering her silent support until the girl finally drifted off to sleep again.As she prepared to leave, Sayo’s gaze lingered on Moca who was also dozing off peacefully. Unable to resist, she leaned down to place a kiss on her head. What was two more girls at this point? With a final glance, Sayo quietly slipped out of the room, her heart brimming with newfound emotions.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Sayo’s day was going great so far. She had a productive session with Roselia, a quick catch-up date with Rinko during break and was currently making out with Yukina in the studio after everyone else left.Yet as they broke apart, gasping for air, the vocalist in her now dishevelled state felt a nagging sense of concern. “Sayo, you’re being rougher than usual today.”“I apologise, Minato-san, did I hurt you?” Sayo immediately released he grip from Yukina’s shirt.Yukina shook her head, “It’s not that… although I wouldn’t necessarily dislike it. You just seem frustrated, like something is troubling you.”Sayo bit her lip. She couldn’t exactly tell Yukina she’d begun to have trouble keeping up with all her partners. Since things started spiralling out of control, Sayo set a firm rule for herself to focus only on whoever she was with at the moment. It’s only fair to not bring up other girls during her dates. So instead of responding, she pulls Yukina back into a gentler kiss, quickly distracting the silver haired girl from her concerns.The sudden buzz of Sayo's phone disrupts their passionate exchange. Sayo tried to ignore it at first, but the buzzing persists. Yukina let out a dissatisfied huff against Sayo’s lips, “I know how popular you’ve become but if you don’t deal with that, I will smash it with your guitar.”Sayo reluctantly pulled away from Yukina with an apologetic look. She reached for the offending device and was met with a barrage of texts (not out of the ordinary anymore). However, a block of texts from Moca captured her attention. The messages were in all caps and Sayo’s brows furrowed as she scanned the contents. A desperate plea from Afterglow for Sayo to bring them all bread.Sayo couldn’t help but sigh, wondering if this was really urgent enough to be interrupting her make out session. However, after receiving a photo of her four partner’s pleading faces (with a disgruntled Ran in the background), Sayo couldn’t say no."I’m sorry," Sayo murmured apologetically, tucking her phone away. "There’s a situation that requires my assistance."Yukina sighed though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I suppose duty calls. Try not to wear yourself too thin”.Sayo nodded, feeling torn between her desire to stay with the vocalist and her obligation to her other girlfriends. With a final peck on Yukina’s lips, Sayo grabbed her guitar and headed out. The afternoon breeze brushing against her skin as she made her way towards Yamabuki bakery.She barely noticed the tiredness that weighed on her as she pushed the door open as she was instantly greeted by the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread. Sayo mentally recalled her list as she gathered various loaves and pastries in her arms, making sure to get everything Moca requested. But as she tried to balance the armful of bread towards the counter, Sayo lost her footing. She instinctively reached out to steady herself, only to watch in horror as the neatly arranged display stand crashed to the floor. Loaves of bread tumbled of in a chaotic cascade while Sayo could only stare. A girl around her age suddenly appeared. Sayo recognised her as Yamabuki Saaya, an underclassman and also the bakery owner’s daughter.“I’m so sorry. I'll pay for the damages, I promise," Sayo frantically apologised, feeling like a deer trapped in headlights.Saaya only regarded Sayo with concern, noting the exhaustion etched on her face. "It’s okay, I can tell it was an accident. Are you alright?" She bent down to collect the scattered products and Sayo immediately helped."I'm fine, just not having the best day it seems," she admitted. The girl’s kindness made her feel even guiltier.Saaya must have noticed this as she offered a suggestion, “If you really want to make up for this, why don’t you help out a few shifts here? You’ll be paid of course, but things have gotten really busy and Dad mentioned hiring part-time help.”Sayo hesitated for a moment, considering the proposition. Her schedule was already busy enough but with no current income, this might be the only way she could make amends. "Thank you, Yamabuki-san," Sayo said earnestly, bowing her head in gratitude. "I'll do my best."Saaya's smiled, "Great! We'll work out the details later. Judging from how much melon bread you were carrying, I’m guessing these are for Moca? Let me ring them up for you,” she offered cheerfully. Truly an Angel sent from heaven.As Sayo waited for Saaya to scan the bread, she couldn’t help but notice the girl’s resemblance to Lisa. They both have an air of cheeriness and maturity about them. From how she had reacted, Saaya was incredibly kind as well. The two even have similar looking hair.As Sayo left the bakery with the bag of goods in hand, she felt incredibly relieved for Saaya's understanding. Heading over to meet Afterglow, a new resolve rose within her to make amends for her mistake and lend a hand at Yamabuki Bakery in the coming week.…As the first light of dawn painted the sky, Sayo found herself standing outside the bakery. It was earlier than even she was accustomed to, but the guitarist was determined to make the most of her first day on the job. Saaya greeted her with a warm smile as she unlocked the bakery's door."Good morning, Sayo-senpai! Ready to get started?" Her voice was brimming with enthusiasm despite the early hour.Sayo nodded, returning Saaya's smile with a determined one of her own. "Yes, please show me what to do."As Sayo stepped inside, the comforting scent of fresh bread enveloped her. Saaya wasted no time in showing Sayo the ropes, guiding her through the process of mixing dough, shaping loaves, and preparing them for the oven. Sayo watched with interest as Saaya worked, each of her movements fluid and precise. Sayo had only ever made cookies with Lisa so the more complicated process involved in making these loaves fascinated her. She made a mental note of the quantities of ingredients Saaya added and the timings needed for the dough to rise."It's amazing how you manage to do this every day," Sayo remarked, feeling an admiration for the girl’s dedication.Saaya only laughed, "It's just part of the job. I’ve always grown up helping my parents in the bakery but I'm glad you think so."Together, they worked side by side, Sayo soaking in Saaya's guidance and gradually gaining confidence in her own abilities. Despite the early start and the physical demands of the job, the guitarist felt energized by the sense of purpose the bakery gave her.As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the windows and people began to bustle though the market street, Sayo realized why everyone loved Yamabuki bakery so much. Saaya poured her heart and soul into everything she made. She wasn't just about making bread—it was about creating something that brought joy and nourishment to every customer.As the days passed, Sayo found herself settling into her new role. However, it wasn't just the work or need to repay her debts that made her keep coming back. Sayo felt a sense of camaraderie whenever she’s with Saaya. Even Saaya’s parents seemed to love having her around to help.Day by day, the girls grew closer as they worked and Sayo began to learn more about Saaya’s personal life. Saaya truly loved her bandmates in Popping Party. She spoke of them constantly, from Rimi’s love of their chocolate coronets, Kasumi’s unpredictable antics, Arisa’s hard-working nature that kept the band together and Tae’s ditziness that never failed to entertain them.…After school one day, during a particularly busy shift, Sayo noticed the strain on Saaya's face. Her parents were out, meaning she was left to juggle both serving customers and keeping an eye on her younger siblings. Jun and Sana were playing tag around the bakery and Sayo could see Saaya's brow furrow in worry over whether they would disturb the customers. Seeing her friend's predicament, Sayo put down her broom and offered a hand."Are you sure, Sayo-san? I don't want to impose on you,” Saaya hesitated but her gratitude was evident."It's no trouble at all. Besides, it looks like you could use the assist.""In that case, would you mind watching Jun and Sana for a bit while I handle the customers?"Sayo was slightly taken aback, having expected to take over the cash register while Saaya dealt with her siblings. She glanced at the two who, still playing around amongst the display stands. Sayo felt uncertain when it came to her capabilities involving children. However hearing Saaya’s request, Jun and Sana ran over eagerly and began tugging at Sayo’s sleeves."Sayo-san you’re going to play with us?”“Come on, let's play video games together!" Their voices overlapped with bubbling excitement.Sayo forced a smile as the two led her to their living room tucked away behind the storefront. As they settled in front of the television, Sayo picked up a controller. Her fingers instinctively found their positions. She wouldn’t call herself a gamer, but the countless sessions in NFO with Ako and Rinko had honed her skills more than she cared to admit.As Jun and Sana pressed start, all three of them dove into the game. Sayo’s movements were sharp and precise, and the children could only watch in awe as she navigated the levels with ease."Wow, Sayo-san, you're really good!" Jun exclaimed."Yeah, are you’re like a pro gamer!" his younger sister chimed in.Sayo couldn't help but grin at the praise, realising for the first time that perhaps children weren’t so scary. She began to feel more at ease as she immersed herself in helping the two siblings navigate their game.Soon the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky. After closing down the bakery Saaya came into the living room to find the three still playing together. Their laugher added to warmth to the room."Sorry for keeping you so late, Sayo-san," Saaya apologized, though she couldn’t contain her smile from witnessing this joyful interaction. "That was a crazier shift than usual. I really appreciate all your help."Sayo shook her head in reassurance, "It's no problem at all, Yamabuki-san. I'm happy to help."Saaya's expression softened at Sayo's words, "I’m just about to start dinner. Will you stay and join us? You’ve been such a lifesaver today."Sayo was hesitant at first, not wanting to intrude on her friend’s kindness. However, after hearing Jun and Sana’s pleas, she quickly gave in. With a nod, Sayo followed Saaya into the kitchen. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to hide the rumbling of her stomach in anticipation of the meal ahead. She blushed while Saaya gave her a knowing smile, diving right into preparing the meal.Sayo didn’t know where the girl found all her energy after a long day of both school and work. She offered to help but Saaya waved her off, claiming Sayo was the guest. If Saaya’s baking skills had been impressive, her cooking was master class. As Sayo watched her work, her admiration for the responsible baker girl deepened.As they settled around the dining table, Sayo stared at the range of dishes in awe. Saaya’s parents were also home again. Though Sayo initially felt nervous having dinner with her employers, the lively dinnertime conversation soon banished any lingering tension. Saaya's parents expressed their gratitude for Sayo's help in the bakery. They especially praised her incredible work ethic."We're so thankful to have you here, Sayo," Mrs. Yamabuki’s eyes brimming with sincerity. "You've been a real blessing to our family."Sayo smiled, her heart swelling with a sense of belonging she never would have expected from a part-time job. As Saaya recounted what a quick learner Sayo had been, the adults couldn't help but notice the undeniable connection between them. With playful smiles, they exchanged a knowing glance."Saaya-chan, it seems you and Sayo make quite the team. No wonder our pastries have tasted so good recently," Saaya's father chuckled.Saaya's cheeks flushed slightly as she shot her dad a reproachful look, "Dad, please. Sayo-senpai is only here to help out for the week."Her mother joined in, "You’ve been such a hard worker, Sayo dear. We’d love you to stay for as long as you like. You’re almost like a part of the family, now."Sayo felt her own cheeks heat up at the unintended implications behind Mrs. Yamabuki’s words. She stole a glance at Saaya, who was now sporting a full flush. A gentle smile curved at Sayo’s lips. She really did love it here.…Their next morning they worked side by side as usual. Sayo couldn't shake the feeling of warmth she felt whenever she was near Saaya. Conversation flowed easily between them, punctuated only by the soft sounds of kneading dough and the occasional rustle of flour sacks.Saaya turned towards Sayo with a curious glint in her eyes. "Sayo-senpai, I was thinking," she began, her voice tinged with an eager shyness. "Since we've been spending so much time together, it’ll be nice to know each other better.”"Haven’t we already spoken a lot about ourselves?”Saaya's shuffled nervously before leaned in, her expression hopeful, "That’s true… but we’ve mostly just talked about school or our bands. I feel like there’s still so much I don’t know about you.” She became lost in thought for a moment before brightening up, “ Why don’t we share some fun facts about ourselves?"Sayo couldn’t hide her intrigue at this suggestion. Seeing her reaction, Saaya grinned, "I'll go first. Did you know I can play the drums with 3 drumsticks?"Sayo’s eyes widened in amazement. "Really? I can’t even imagine how that would work."The guitarist hoped Ako never hears of this skill. It was already hard enough to get that hyperactive girl to play the drums properly. Ako took every opportunity to try to make her skills look ‘cooler’ and would often go ham on her drumkit at the expense of actually creating a coherent sound."Now it’s your turn. I’m sure there are tons of cool things about you Sayo-senpai." Saaya’s words broke Sayo out of her train of thought.Sayo paused for a moment, her mind racing as she searched for something appropriate to share, "Well, I guess I can differentiate every type of fried potato sold at CiRCLE by smell alone." Only after she said it did the guitarist realise how lame that sounded. However, Saaya's eyes widened in astonishment."No way, there are at least half a dozen! That really is an unexpected fact coming from you.""I...I guess I just developed a knack for it since Hina loves them so much," she lied.As Saaya started to teach Sayo a recipe for sourdough bread, Sayo's hair tie suddenly snapped. She searched her pockets but realised she didn’t have a spare. As Sayo began to stress over this food safety violation, Saaya approached her with a reassuring smile."Don't worry, I’ve got you covered." Pulling off the scrunchie she always kept on her wrist, Saaya reached up to gather the loose waves of teal hair and tied them up in a neat ponytail. Sayo's breath hitched as she felt those dainty fingers comb through her hair, the soft fabric brushing against her skin. Before she knew it, Saaya stepped back with a satisfied smile."Thank you, Yamabuki-san," Sayo murmured.“Don’t worry about it! I always keep a few on hand just in case. Did you know I have a whole collection?”“Now that is an interesting fact,” Sayo chuckled, trying to mask the flustered feelings that had risen inside.As they resumed their task Sayo grew hyperaware Saaya's presence. The warmth of her touch lingered like an echo on Sayo’s skin. As time passed, Saaya seemed to gradually draw closer. Sayo found herself instinctively leaning in as well.Saaya's voice broke through the silence that had built up, "This part is a little tricky. Here, let me show you the best technique for kneading this type of dough.”Sayo nodded, though she couldn’t place the unexpected nervousness in the girl’s voice. Saaya suddenly reached out, adjusting Sayo's grip on the dough. Sayo felt her heart race from the direct contact."Like this," Saaya murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as her laced fingers guided Sayo's hands through the motions. Her touch felt gentle yet experienced. Sayo now found it impossible to focus on the task, her mind consumed by the sensation of her friend’s hands against her own. Yet she did her best to follow the girl’s lead, her senses heightened by the closeness between them. The contact felt almost too short and when Saaya pulled away. Sayo was left feeling disappointed.What followed was an overwhelming surge of emotions welling up inside. Before she could stop herself, Sayo pinned Saaya against countertop. Her heart pounded as those blue eyes stared up in surprise. Sayo felt equally surprised by her own sudden boldness.For a fleeting moment, Sayo hesitated. As badly as she wanted to kiss Saaya right then, she didn’t want to force herself on the unsuspecting girl.To Sayo's delight Saaya’s body relaxed. Those eyes staring back at her now carried the same longing. Encouraged by this silent affirmation, Sayo closed the remaining distance between them with a heartfelt kiss.It was short but sweet. As sweet as the taste of Saaya’s lips. Saaya giggled as they parted and leaned her head against Sayo’s shoulder.In the worst timing possible Saaya’s father poked his head into the kitchen. His eyes widening in surprise as he took in the sight of his daughter and Sayo, their arms still wrapped around each other. Startled by his sudden appearance, the girls instantly disentangled themselves. However, it was too late and a wide grin spread across Mr. Yamabuki’s face."Ah ha! I knew there was something going on! You youngsters really are dating!"Sayo's heart leapt as she frantically, shook her head, attempting to explain the situation, “N-no, it's not like that.” She stammered, her words coming out in a rush. "I was… feeling down so Saaya was comforting me!"Saaya's father only chuckled good-naturedly, “Well, I hope you’ll both continue to comfort each other. I’ll give you two some privacy, just don’t forget to get the rest of the work done, girls." He shot them a knowing wink before excusing himself from the room.As soon as he was out of earshot, Sayo turned to Saaya. She appeared equally mortified, yet there was a lingering hurt in her eyes. A sense of guilt to rose inside Sayo."Saaya, I..." Sayo began, her voice wavering "I didn't mean for him to get the wrong idea. It's just... there are there going on in my life right now. I really shouldn’t have led you on, I’m sorry."Saaya's expression sank, her gaze searching Sayo's face for answers, "Does that mean you don’t like me then?"A sharp pain pierced Sayo from these saddened words. She steeled herself to reveal the inevitable truth. She owed Saaya that, no matter how complicated things were."I... I made a promise to someone," Sayo explained hesitantly. "Well… multiple people to more honest. I received an ultimatum that by the end of next month, I have to decide on who I want to be romantically involved with. It has gotten rather complicated, and I don't expect you to understand..."Before Sayo could finish, Saaya reached out and placed a gentle hand on her arm. "Sayo-senpai, it’s okay. I think I understand," she spoke with an empathetic tone. "I may not know the details, but I can see how much this means to you. You’re a really kind person, so whatever is going on I know you only mean the best. I want you to know that my feelings haven’t changed."Sayo felt a lump form in her throat as she looked into Saaya's eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of her compassion. Yamabuki bakery really was home to an angel. In that moment, she knew she had found someone truly special—someone who accepted her despite her mess of a life, unconditionally and without reservation."Thank you, Saaya," Sayo whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "You have no idea how much that means to me."She hesitated for a moment as a realisation struck her. “You-you don’t mind me calling you Saaya, do you? I apologise that it came out so suddenly.”The drummer only laughed, “Of course! Call me anything you like.”Her imaginary halo nearly blinded Sayo. Sayo considered taking this offer to the next step but the thought of coming up with a nickname so soon filled her with embarrassment.“You seem to have such an eventful life,” Saaya leaned in with playful smile. “Think you can settle for this boring baker’s girl?”Sayo hadn’t expected such teasing from the drummer. Yet the playfulness brought a smile to her lips, easing the heaviness that had settled in her heart."Well, I suppose if the baker's girl came with an endless supply of pastries and... other sweet treats, I could be tempted."Saaya's laughter rang out, filling the room with warmth, "Is that so?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well then, I guess I'll just have to keep you well-stocked with croissants and kisses, won't I?"Sayo's cheeks flushed at the suggestive remark, but she couldn't suppress the affection in her voice, "I suppose you will.”With the aroma of freshly baked bread enveloping them, Sayo knew she could easily give Moca a run for her money as Yamabuki bakery’s #1 fan… though for entirely different reasons.
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As Sayo stepped into Yamabuki Bakery, the familiar scent filled her with a sense of comfort. She made her way to the counter where Saaya greeted her with a bright smile.“Sayo-chan-senpai, haven’t seen you in a while!”Despite still getting used to this unusual nickname, Sayo returned a warm smile. "Morning Saaya, you’re looking prettier than usual today.” Sayo couldn’t ignore the way the sunlight framed her girlfriend’s face just right.Saaya blushed slightly before putting on a playful grin, “You know flattery won’t get you any extra bread.”“Wasn’t my intention. Just wanted a chance to see you,” Sayo laughed, making her blush all over again.“Aside from that, is there anything else I can get for you today?” Saaya attempted to regain her retail employee composure.“Just here to pick up some bread. Hina wants sandwiches for lunch this week so I’m going to attempt to make some.”"How sweet of you," Saaya teased, her tone light and flirtatious. She’d come to learn that both Hikawa’s cooking skills were quite lacking but even Sayo couldn’t mess up sandwiches. "They just came out of the oven so I’ll get some for you right away."As Saya turned to retrieve the bread, Sayo took a moment to secretly admire her. She liked the way the early morning sunlight cast a gentle glow over the girl’s gentle features. Unfortunately, Sayo had to quit her job at the bakery due to her other responsibilities piling up, but she still found any excuse she could to visit the baker girl, even if it meant spending an extortionate amount of money on bread. It was all Saaya’s fault Sayo now had a sweet tooth.Returning with the bag, Saaya leaned over the counter in a teasing tone, "You know, you're lucky you're cute. Otherwise, I might charge you extra."Sayo felt a warmth spread through her cheeks. "Guess I’ll need to bring my charm next time as well.”After a quick glance around the bakery to make sure no customers were nearby, she reached out and gently pulled Saya closer. Their lips met in a quick kiss, a silent expression of how much they’ve missed each other. Even though Sayo only met the drummer recently, spending so much time working together left her with withdrawal symptoms now that she couldn’t see Saaya every day.With a soft giggle as they parted, Sayo straightened up like nothing had happened. Yet their little secret lingered in their glimmering eyes.Saaya gave her a shy smile, “You know, my parents are like your number one fans now. They keep asking when you’ll be over for dinner again."Sayo couldn’t help but return the smile, "Really? Tell them I’d appreciate that. I really enjoyed last time.”“I honestly think they love you more than I do. They can’t seem to stop talking about you,” Saaya joked, making Sayo’s heart skip a beat."If-if that’s the case, I'll check my schedule and let you know when I'm free."Saaya reached out to touch Sayo’s arm, her voice lowering to a whisper, “Also, I’ve really miss you as well. I hope to see you again soon… as more than just a customer.”Sayo gulped as butterflies rose in her stomach. “I hope so too."After saying their goodbyes, Sayo headed out of the bakery feeling very flustered for 8 in the morning. Regardless, she looked forward with giddy anticipation to another evening with Saaya and her family. On the way home, Sayo heard the faint lull of a guitar coming from a nearby street corner. Curious, she followed the sound to find Hanazono Tae casually busking on the sidewalk.As Popping Party’s guitarist continued to strum with gusto, a small crowd gathered around her, captivated by this impromptu performance. Sayo watched from a distance. She admired the girl’s talent, not to mention her confidence in effortlessly commanding the attention of everyone around her.As a member of Roselia, Sayo hadn’t paid much attention to Popping Party since they were still an up and starting band. However as she listened now, Tae's dedication to music was undeniable. Even on her own, the band’s upbeat songs possessed a special ability to connect people.When the song comes to an end, Tae flashes a bright smile at the crowd before she suddenly caught sight of Sayo. Before the older girl could shrink away, Tae bounded up to her.“Hikawa-senpai! Are you out on a morning walk?” Tae greeted brightly although Sayo noticed she always seemed to have a dazed look about her. The girl stopped abruptly and began curiously sniffing the air. “Are those Saaya’s tiger bread I smell?”“Yes, I was just on my way home from Yamabuki bakery,” Sayo admitted, unable to believe how she’d managed to distinguish such a specific type of bread by scent alone.“Since you’re here will you join me?” Before Sayo could protests she finds herself being tugged in front of the crowd."Hanazono-san, I’m not accustomed to street performances,” Sayo tried to say but Tae only thrust her own guitar into her hands.“My friends call me O-Tae or Hana-chan.”“Hanazono-san, like I was saying-” Sayo tried to repeat herself but was cut off.“Come on, it’s a lot of fun,” Tae urged. She suddenly pulled a microphone out of nowhere and began to sing.Reluctantly, Sayo strummed along, feeling entirely out of her element. But as Tae’s voice floated through the air, Sayo felt like she is being drawn in. Her own voice naturally rose, blending with Tae’s in surprising harmony.When the song ended, the crowd burst into applause. Tae shot her fellow guitarist a wide grin, “See Hikawa-senpai? Anyone can do it if they just try.”“I’m sure the fact that I already play guitar also helps,” Sayo quips in an attempt to hide the fact that she did enjoy herself.Tae didn’t seem to hear as a dopey smile grew on her face, “I knew Rosepa would happen someday.”“I beg your pardon?”“Roselia and Popping party,” the girl mimed squashing two things together. “Rosepa!”“You can’t call that a band collab when there’s only two of us.”Her words once again fell on deaf ears. Packing up her equipment, Tae finds a nearby bench away from the hustle and bustle of the street. Having nothing better to do, Sayo joined her. She could still feel the lingering adrenaline from their impromptu performance.As they caught their breaths, Tae reached into her bag and pulled out a small flask. She unscrewed the lid, and a fragrant aroma wafts out, making Sayo's stomach rumble."I made some soup earlier. Want to try some?" Tae offered her the flask.Sayo hesitated for a moment, not accustomed to accepting food from others so readily. But Tae's genuine earnestness quickly won her over. "Thank you, Hanazono-san," Sayo said as she took a sip of the soup. It's delicious, instantly warming her up inside. Sayo tasted mushrooms.“Call me O-Tae,” Tae insisted though she couldn’t help but beam at Sayo’s content reaction. It was Sayo’s turn to ignore her.Not wanting to take advantage of the girl’s kindness, Sayo reached into her bag and offered her some of the bread. Tae accepted eagerly and immediately began dipping in in the soup. The two sat in comfortable silence, enjoying their simple meal together as they watched people pass by.Sayo finally broke the silence as she took another sip of the soup, “This is delicious. What did you put in it?”The dark haired girl spoke proudly, "It’s my own special recipe with mushrooms, carrots and cream. The rabbits like it because I always give them the leftover carrots.” Sayo wasn’t sure how this was relevant, but the girl continued, “I actually picked the mushrooms myself when I went hiking yesterday! Wild mushrooms always taste best in soup."Sayo's heart sank upon realising the implications. Wild mushrooms can be unpredictable, and not all of them are safe to eat. She felt a sense of unease wash over her… or was it just her stomach?Too late. The guitarist felt the effects kicking in as the colours around her seem to blur and swirl. Struggling to maintain her focus, Sayo glanced at Tae whose face now appeared oddly distorted."Ha-Hanazono-san, I think... I think those mushrooms might be hallucinogenic," Sayo managed to splutter, noticing how her words slurred slightly.Tae's eyes widen in surprise before immediately bursting into laughter. "Oh no! No wonder why Rimi was on the floor last night. I thought she was just sleepy.” The guitarist began giggling uncontrollably. Meanwhile Sayo’s head was spinning.As the mushroom’s effects took hold, Sayo's perception of reality became surreal. She couldn’t even properly recall afterwards what happened that day. All Sayo knew was that she got caught in whirlwind of spontaneous adventures with Tae, the details of which blurred together in her mind like a fragmented dream.In one moment, they found themselves skipping hand in hand down the sidewalk, giggling like children as they leapt over imaginary obstacles. In another, they stumbled into a park and flopped down on the grass. She remembered staring up at the shifting patterns in the clouds, sharing nonsensical words that only heightened the blurred lines between reality with fantasy.And undeniably, at some point the boundaries between friendship and something more got blurred. Perhaps it started off as a joke from Tae, but their spontaneous misadventure transformed into something resembling more of a date.Lying on the soft grass, the world around them a kaleidoscope of colours as if to reflect the joys of being in love. Sayo loved love. Although… for some reason that sentiment stirred an uneasy, almost terrified feeling inside her. Still, she decided must do otherwise why else would she have so many girlfriends?Sayo felt warmth spread through her chest as she turned to look at the girl lying beside her. In a moment of impulsive desire, she rolled over on top of Tae, smothering the girl beneath in a series of messy kisses. Tae didn’t offer any resistance but reciprocated these advances, her arms slipping around Sayo’s waist. But just as things started to heat up, she absentmindedly pulled away.Sayo felt disappointed at first, not knowing why the nice feelings had to stop. However, she soon forgot all about those lips when in a dreamlike state, Tea began rambling about all her beloved rabbits. Sayo was too high to care and listened intently while her mind swam in its own a sea of swirling thoughts and sensations.In a haze of euphoria, Sayo responded with something nonsensical about Hina. She couldn’t recall if she tried, how the topic even related but the words tumbled out in a jumble of disjointed passion. They both dissolve into giggles, the absurdity of their conversation only adding to the surrealness of it all.Staring at Tae, Sayo’s heart swelled with affection. How could she have been so blind? Tae was gorgeous, like super mega pretty. Sayo didn’t know why she didn’t immediately date her from the start. Screw all those other girls! She wanted this rabbit loving dummy, even with her half a brain cell.Amongst their increasingly absurd escapades, Sayo found herself laughing at things she wouldn't normally find funny. Those mushrooms were strong, sweeping her up in the sheer joy of the moment. The two girls soon found themselves inside a pet shop.Wandering aimlessly, their eyes lit up each time they caught sight of a fluffy rabbit, or kitten or puppy, pointing and shaking each other excitedly. This probably meant they ended up stopping every two steps and must have looked ridiculous to any passerby. When they finally reached dogs section, Sayo became overwhelmed with emotions."I... I love dogs so much!" she confessed, her eyes brimming with tears as she watched the small puppies wag their tails. "They're just so pure and loving... If only I was a dog, maybe then I’ll finally learn to love others."Tae sluggishly placed a hand on her shoulder. Though glazed, her eyes were full of understanding, "Deep words, senpai. I know what you mean,” A philosophical look crossed her face, “My rabbits are so fluffy that when they go hop-hop my heart goes doki-doki."Their tender moment was interrupted when the shopkeeper approached them with a concerned expression. "I'm sorry, but you too are getting a bit too emotional. You’re making the other customers uncomfortable," she spoke firmly, gesturing towards the exit. "I’m going to have to ask you to leave."Sayo and Tae exchange a panicked glance, but this quickly turned to shared amusement. Linking arms, they dashed out of the store, laughter bubbling through them while the shopkeeper could only stand and stare. In a moment of perceived rebellion, they ran through the streets, the wind whipping through their hair. The thrill of freedom coursed through Sayo’s veins, and she wondered if she’d ever been alive till now. She turned to grin at Tae. In that share a moment of pure exhilaration, their hearts racing in sync with the rhythm of their footsteps.As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city, the two found themselves sitting on a bench by the river. Their fingers were intertwined as they watched the water shimmer in the fading light. In that moment, surrounded by the gentle hum of the city and the warmth of Tae's presence, Sayo felt a sense of contentment wash over her,“Hana-Tae, do you ever think about love?” Sayo didn’t know what stirred up this deep thought. Perhaps it was the soft sensation of Tae’s hands in hers.When Tae finally spoke, her words carried a sense of wisdom and sincerity that resonated beyond her sober state. "Love is like a river," she mused, her gaze fixed on the rippling water before them. "It’s free and you can’t control where it flows."Sayo listened intently, her own thoughts weaving in and out of Tae's words. "But what if you're afraid of where the river might lead?" she ventured, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Or if there’s too many rivers and I’m worried I might drown?”Tae’s expression grew thoughtful, "I guess you just have to trust that wherever the river takes you, you'll end up exactly where you're meant to be. And always carry a life jacket.”Sayo nodded as if these were the wisest words in the world. Yet a more nagging feeling pressed at the back of her mind, refusing to go away. She looked up at the dark-haired girl tentatively.“Would you still love me if I was a worm?”Tae looked troubled for a moment before returning a warm smile, “I would, Sayo-senpai. Although I don’t know if my rabbits would eat you or not.”“Do rabbits eat worms?” Sayo looked equally troubled by this conundrum. The guitarist only shrugged."Your hands are really soft," Tae remarked, drifting away from their previous conversation as she rubber her thumb over the back of the older girl’s hand.Sayo feels a blush creeping up her cheeks as she meets Tae's gaze. “Would you hold it forever?” Sober her would have cringed to infinity at how needy she was being.“I think my hand would get tired,” Tae admitted with genuine concern causing the older girl to pout. “Though maybe there’s a way… so it’s like I’m always holding your hand.”Sayo’s heart rose at this suggestion, unable to believe she hadn’t thought of it herself. “Are you saying we should get matching wedding rings?”“Actually, I was thinking hand tattoos.”Though slightly disappointed, Sayo considered this compromise. Excitement rose inside as she realised how cool she’d look while playing the guitar if she had gothic runes tattooed over his fingers. This is such a genius idea. Who knew Poppin Party’s ditzy guitarist had always been this smart? Sayo was about to say something else when her head began to swirl. She attempted to reach for Tae but the world suddenly collapsed sideways before everything went dark.…Sayo regained consciousness to a pounding in her head. The haze of intoxication had dissipated, replaced by a sharp sense of clarity. Blinking groggily, she took in her surroundings. Her eyes widening in alarm when she realised she was lying half-naked on the floor of a living room she didn’t recognise.Panic surged through Sayo as she frantically tried to piece together the events that led to this bewildering situation. Memories flooded back in disjointed fragments, like shards of glass scattered across her mind. She remembered the pet shop, the river, her deep conversation with Tae and then… nothing. Just darkness.Something shifted in her peripheral and Sayo turned to see Tae, also in a state of undress, stirring from her slumber. Sayo immediately averted her eyes out of decency. Yet her cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment, unsure of how to address what had now become a complicated predicament."Ha-Hanazono-san," Sayo stammered, hesitant as she struggled to find the right words. "What... what happened?"Tae sat up slowly, rubbing her temple with a groan. "I... I'm not entirely sure," she admitted, her expression mirroring Sayo's confusion. "The last thing I remember is... is rabbits."“You always have rabbits on your mind,” Sayo deadpanned.Silence settled between them and Sayo's mind raced with a flurry of questions, each more alarming than the last. How did they end up here? What happened after she passed out? And most importantly, why were they in this unknown location in just their underwear? Sayo could still taste a hint of mushrooms on her tongue.Gathering her courage, Sayo cleared her throat, steeling herself to broach the subject. "Hanazono-san, I... I think we need to talk."Tae nodded solemnly, as a look of guilt creeping across her face, "I think you're right.” She immediately prostrated to the ground in deep shame. “Hikawa-senpai, I’m really sorry for everything!”“Get up, it’s alright,” Sayo insisted, embarrassed in her stead. “It wasn’t necessarily your fault. You weren’t aware about the mushrooms.” However, as the girl got back up, a heavier question hung in the air.“Do you think we...?” Sayo began, a sense of fear rising within her.Tae looked equally stunned but gave a soft shake of her head, “I… I don’t know. I don’t think we got that far.”The implication that they could have only intensified Sayo’s sense of self-loathing. How had she let herself become so far gone? Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. Sayo and Tae had no time to react. Arisa screamed.“WHAT THE FUC-“ The tsundere’s anger was directed at her bandmate until she suddenly noticed Sayo. Sayo had never seen someone turn red so fast in her life. Spluttering for words, the keyboardist gave up and fled back up the stairs.Tae's eyes widen with realization as she took in their surroundings, “Oh, this is the warehouse where Popipa practice.” Sayo groaned, wishing the girl had realised that sooner. Then maybe they would have escaped or at least covered themselves in time.“You must have somehow led us here last night,” Sayo pieced things together. A small part of her was relieved they didn’t just pass out on the street. “Hanazono-san-““It’s O-Tae.”“Will you stop this charade already?” Sayo practically exploded.She was having possibly the worst morning of her life. She felt cold, exhausted, and incredibly ashamed. Ashamed of how shed succumbed to the intoxication of the hallucinogenic mushrooms and engaged in a series of reckless abandon. Ones she was possibly glad to not fully recall. The guitarist desperately hoped they didn’t run into anyone they knew during that time or worst, gone viral on the internet.Worst of all, Sayo nearly broke the vow she made. To refrain from intimacy until she made her final decision on who to date. In her manic, she had teetering on the precipice of that line, if not already crossed it.But amidst the remorse and self-reproach, a flicker of something else came to light. A glimmer of fondness tinged with nostalgia for the fleeting moments she shared with Tae. Despite the chaos and confusion that had ensued, she couldn’t remember the last time she had so much fun (not that Sayo would ever condone hallucinogenic materials). In the end, it was this fellow guitarist whom Sayo felt such a connection with.A frightened Arisa soon returned. Sayo feet a pang of shame when she caught sight of who she was with. Saaya wore a look of uncertainty as her gaze shifted between her best friend and her girlfriend. Thankfully both Tae and Sayo had recovered their missing clothes and properly gotten dressed by then.Saaya and Arisa listened patiently as Sayo and Tae begin to explain the events of the previous night (Saaya more patient while Arisa mostly irritated at having her basement broken into). As they finished recalling their misadventures, a soft chuckle escapes Saaya’s lips."I can’t believe it. The serious, no-nonsense Hikawa Sayo… getting high on mushrooms.""It... It wasn’t my intention," Sayo argued defensively.Arisa rolled her eyes, “I’ve always known O-Tae’s a moron but you as well, Sayo-senpai? I don’t think I can ever look at you the same way again.” She turned away evidently flustered upon suddenly recalling her upperclassman’s earlier, dishevelled state.“I’m just glad you’re both safe,” Saaya offered a reassuring smile to sooth Sayo’s distress.A weight was instantaneously lifted off the guitarist’s shoulders at her angel’s understanding. Unfortunately, Arisa broke the mood. “Well, you didn’t have to walk in on them half-naked!”The baker’s eyes shot up in surprise while Sayo spluttered in protest, “I swear nothing happened! I-I can’t even recall how we ended up in such a state.”Sayo didn’t think situation could get any worse until Tae suddenly dropped to one knee. “Sayo-senpai, will you marry me?" All eyes in the warehouse trained on her in shock.“Hanazono-san wha-what are you doing?!”Sayo’s splutter could barely be heard over the sound of Arisa screaming profanities in the background. Tae maintained a serious expression on her face, “This was all my fault. I messed up and might have tarnished your purity senpai, so this is my offer of retribution.”“What is this, the 18th century?” an exasperated keyboardist muttered.Ironically, Sayo thought it was more likely the other way around, nonetheless her cheeks flushed crimson as she scrambled to formulate any response to this absurd situation, "I... I appreciate the sentiment, but this really isn’t necessary. We’re both underage, we can't just—"Her words are cut off by a burst of laughter. Both girls turned to find Saya practically bent over from laughing too hard at the unexpected turn of events. "Well, this takes the cake for most hilarious proposal I've ever seen."Sayo shot Saaya a dejected, yet grateful glance for breaking such an awkward moment. However, she realised that despite the stupidity, she should at least give a sincere response to the girl still knelt on the ground.She addressed the troubled guitarist, "O-Tae-san, although I appreciate the sentiment, I can’t accept your proposal.”“It’s O-Tae,” the girl responded instinctively before her eyes widened. A grin spread across her face. “Sayo-senpai, does this mean we’re at least friends now?”“You two literally ran around the city high as a kite and woke up on my floor half-naked. I’m sure that constitutes as something,” Arisa scoffed, unable to hold her cynical opinion. “Just make out already!”Sayo face turned several shades darker while Tae tilted her head as if genuinely considering this. “Ichigaya-san, please- Saaya is right there,” Sayo begged helplessly. She would rather be anywhere else right now. Anywhere.Saaaya only shot her an amused grin, “Honestly, I don’t mind. I’m quite entertained right now.”Not wasting a moment, Tae lunged for Sayo. Sayo couldn’t even protest before was tackled to the ground with a kiss, a startled yelp escaping her as they became a pile of tangled limbs.“That’s it I’m quitting,” Arisa muttered, turning to stomp back up the stairs. Saaya watched her leave with a knowing look.“Arisa does this every time. She’ll be back the moment Kasumi shows up.”After finally untangling herself from an extremely clingy guitarist, Sayo dragged herself through the front gates of Arisa’s house. A long yawn escaped her. Sayo didn’t know how much sleep she ended up getting last night, but the past 24 hours drained her more than any Roselia bootcamp ever could. As the guitarist finally headed for home for once more, she stopped short with a moan. Amidst the chaos she’d forgotten the bread.A smile tugged at Sayo’s lips. She was sure a certain yeast girl wouldn’t mind another surprise visit later that day.
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The atmosphere in the student council room was charged with excitement and anticipation as its members bustled about, organizing for the upcoming school sports festival. Sayo ever diligent and meticulous, was busy coordinating tasks and delegating responsibilities. Her calm demeanour provided a reassurance to the other students amidst the chaos.But amid the flurry of activity, Arisa couldn't shake the feelings swirling inside her. Not good ones either. She had once looked up to Sayo as a senpai, admiring her dedication and unwavering morals. But since that day she found the guitarist in such a compromising situation in her basement, Arisa found herself growing increasingly frustrated with the upperclassman’s conduct.Sayo-senpai," Arisa called out, her tone tinged with a hint of irritation as she approached her. "I think we need to discuss the schedule for the club relay race again. It seems there's been a mix-up with the time slots."Sayo turned to face Arisa, her brow furrowing slightly, "Oh? Let me take a look," she reached for the clipboard beside her. As she scanned through the schedule, her expression grew thoughtful, realizing the oversight that had occurred."I apologize for the confusion, Ichigaya-san. Thank you for bringing it to my attention," Sayo said with sincerity. Arisa nodded curtly. Her frustration still lingered beneath the surface, but she couldn't deny Sayo's dedication to the student council and the festival's success. On the other hand, she felt a pang of resentment towards the teal-haired girl for unashamedly stealing away her bandmates. If Arisa had to listen to O-Tae and Saaya gush over how cool Roselia’s guitarist was one more time-Needing to grab some banners for the welcome ceremony, Sayo headed for the gym storage room and Arisa offered to tag along. All the while Sayo remained oblivious to the growing tension between them. Arisa had harboured her frustrations for some time now and she wasn’t going to hold back any longer. She was determined to do the right thing by confronting this rogue committee member. No one irresponsible enough to date half the school should be allowed on the student council!"Sayo-senpai," Arisa began as they reached the storage room door. "We need to talk."Sayo turned to face her with a mix of surprise and concern. "What is it, Ichigaya-san? Did we forget something?"Arisa took a deep breath, before speaking firmly, "I think it's time you considered stepping down from your position on the student council."Sayo's eyes widened in shock at her underclassman’s direct confrontation. "May I ask why? Have I done something to make you believe I’m unsuited?" she probed, though a nagging part of her mind knew perfectly well what may have brought this up.Arisa hesitated, her resolve wavering slightly as she met Sayo's gaze. "Well… you-you've been setting a bad example lately. With everything going on between you and… well, a bunch of people, it's clear that your priorities are elsewhere. You've been neglecting your responsibilities in the student council, and your recent behaviour is affecting everyone around you."Before Sayo could respond, they both heard the click of the door closing behind them. Panic washed over Sayo as she realized they had accidentally locked themselves in the supply closet."It’s no good," Sayo said tensely, pushing aside the other girl’s complaint as she fruitlessly struggled against the door handle.Arisa's eyes widened in alarm as she rushed to help, "You’re kidding me! What do we do now?"Sayo took a deep breath to calm her thoughts. The tension between them was momentarily forgotten in the face of this more immediate concern."We need to find a way to get out of here," she suggested, though a quick look around revealed there wasn’t even a window large enough to climb out of. “…Or we wait until someone finds us. Thankfully Rinko is still in the student council room. If we don’t return, sooner or later she’ll come looking for us.”As they sat amidst the sports equipment, the atmosphere inside the supply closet grew unbearably tense. Sayo's exhaustion from her recent string of dates was catching up to her. Spotting some gym mats nearby, she saw an opportunity to catch a much-needed nap. "Ichigaya-san, you won't be opposed would you?" Sayo gestured towards the pile, "Since we're stuck here anyways, I see nothing better to do."The younger girl's eyes widened in horror at the invitation, yet her interpretation couldn't have been more different from Sayo's intentions. "Are you serious right now?" Arisa exclaimed, her voice cracking from both anger and embarrassment. "Do you sleep around with every girl you come across?! I can't believe you have the nerve to suggest such a thing after everything I said!"Sayo's eyes widened in equal horror the moment she processed Arisa's reaction. "I-I didn't mean it like that!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing as red at the tsundere's. "I simply meant this would be a good opportunity to rest. I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I was initiating something… more intimate." Her words trailed off as she found herself unable to meet the keyboardist’s gaze. Arisa's expression grew even more flustered as she realised her mistake."I-Im sorry, Sayo-senpai. I don’t know why I just jumped to conclusions. I didn’t mean to assume the worst."Sayo sighed, “I guess it’s my own fault for giving you that impression.” She took a seat on the pile of mats before addressing the younger girl again, “The truth is, I never wanted any part of this mess in the first place."Arisa was surprised at this sudden confession but listened intently as Sayo spoke. "When Lisa and Tsugu-san first started things, I wanted to find an alternative solution," Sayo explained, her voice tinged with frustration. "But then... all these other girls started asking me out on dates. Suddenly it felt like I had no choice but to comply until I made my decision."The weight of her words hung heavy in the air between them. Nonetheless, Sayo felt a sense of relief at finally sharing this burden with someone who wasn’t involved in the complication."I'm sorry my recent conduct has troubled you" Sayo continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I never meant for this to spiral so out of control. I just... I don't know what to do anymore."Arisa felt a pang of sympathy for the older girl. Despite her initial irritation, she realized Sayo wasn't actually a bad person; she was just another unfortunate soul caught up in a difficult situation. Something Arisa could relate to on a daily basis."It's okay, Sayo-senpai," Arisa said awkwardly, struggling to find the right words. "I understand... it seems I really walked in on you and O-Tae at the wrong time that day."Sayo nodded awkwardly but relieved by Arisa's admission. Despite the uncomfortable situation, she felt a sense of gratitude her underclassman’s understanding.The minutes ticked by in the cramped supply closet. Despite their attempts to keep themselves occupied with idle chatter and getting lost in their own thoughts (ew), the monotony of their surroundings began to wear on Arisa. Sayo on the other hand, seemed surprisingly calm and collected. Her serene demeanour offered a stark contrast to the keyboardist’s growing sense of unease. She couldn’t help but steal glances at the teal haired girl.For the first time, Arisa began seeing Sayo in a different light. Gone was the stern and serious upperclassman; in its place, a vulnerable and uncertain young woman grappling with the consequences of her own actions. She watched Sayo mindlessly practicing a riff on an invisible guitar, her fingers moving deftly through the air.Arisa couldn't help but wonder what it’ll be like to date someone like her. She was aghast when she discovered her friends had fallen for this sullen guitarist, yet now she couldn't shake the curiosity gnawing inside her. This thought brought a heat to her cheeks.
Did Sayo make all those girls feel the same way she does now? Was it worth it, letting herself get caught in the whirlwind of trouble that seemed to follow wherever this guitarist’ went?
Arisa couldn’t help but feel drawn to Sayo’s slightly parted lips. The older girl was mumbling the lyrics to one of Roselia’s songs beneath her breath and the keyboardist immediately recognised the tune. Sunkissed Rhodonite, one of her favourites. Feeling a sudden spur of confidence, Arisa’s words escaped her lips before she could stop herself.“What does kissing feel like?”The unexpected question hung in the air.Sayo blinked once, and then twice. Her eyes flitted around as she struggled to find the right words to respond the earnest underclassman in front of her. "Um, well..." Sayo's mind raced as she tried to recall all her past kisses. "It's, uh, kind of hard to describe… It's… soft? And, um, warm, I suppose?""Soft and warm, huh?" Arisa hummed. That didn’t seem unpleasant though if that’s all there was to kissing, the gesture seemed entirely overhyped.Sayo nodded, her heart pounding unusually loudly as she felt Arisa's gaze on her. "Yes that's... that's one way to describe it."For a moment there was silence, broken only by the faint sound of their breathing. To Sayo's surprise, Arisa spoke again, barely above a whisper."Sayo-senpai, do you think... do you think I could practice on you?"Sayo's mind reeled at the suddenness of Arisa's request. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Arisa? Wanting to kiss her? The thought sent a shiver down Sayo's spine, her cheeks flushing even hotter as she tried to wrap her head around the implications of those words. Could she really be suggesting...?Meanwhile the keyboardist was sporting her own tomato impression. “It-it’s not like it has to be you,” she protested, backtracking to retain the lingering shreds of her dignity. “It’s just as you said… we’re already stuck here. There’s… there’s nothing better to do.”Sayo's breath caught in her throat as Arisa leaned in. Her lips puckered, now inches from Sayo's own. Sayo didn’t even try to push her away. She couldn’t.However, Arisa suddenly stopped. Sayo snuck a peek to find that the girl was practically trembling, frozen in place. With courage she didn’t know she possessed, Sayo cupped the girl’s cheeks and closed the distance between them. Two lips met in a hesitant, yet intentional kiss.Arisa's initial nervousness was replaced by a rush of unexpected warmth and tingly sensations. She expected the kiss to be as Sayo described, soft and warm, but the reality far exceeded her expectations.She understood the hype now. Or at least the hype over Sayo specifically. The guitarist’s gentle touch left Arisa feeling both dazed and exhilarated. Her heart was racing a million miles a minute.However, the moment was interrupted when the door swung open. Sayo looked up to see Rinko, Chisato, Aya, Kanon, and Kokoro. Each girl could only stare, sporting emotions ranging from shock to humour. Kasumi followed close behind, trying to peer over the girls’ shoulders out of curiosity for why they’d stopped.Rinko had opened the door and her cheeks flushed crimson as her eyes landed on Sayo and Arisa. She stumbled backward, stammering apologies incoherently. At the same time, Chisato froze in the doorway as her hand flew to her mouth in shock. Next to her, Aya's jaw dropped, while Kanon could only blink repeatedly, her eyes darting between the two figures who had been caught in the act.Kokoro was the only one who didn’t seem bothered as she grinned from ear to ear at the unexpected scene. Kasumi finally stumbled through the human wall. Upon catching sight of her best friend and Sayo, she clapped her hands together excitedly."Wow, Arisa! I didn’t know you were into Sayo-senpai too!"“I’m not!” Arisa protested, instantly shoving Sayo away.The guitarist lost her balance and nearly tumbled off the pile of mats but thankfully Rinko was there to catch her. Sayo gave her a grateful look."Um... I'm sorry, Hikawa-san... I didn't mean to... uh... we didn’t mean to interrupt," Rinko apologised, avoiding Sayo’s gaze."Oh my, have you been getting into trouble again, Sayo?" Chisato asked with a playful smile."Sayo’s always full of surprises! That’s why she’s so much fun!" Kokoro yelled as she tackled Sayo in a massive hug almost throwing her off balance again."Shut up, all of you! It's not what you think!" Arisa tried to shout over the commotion.For once Sayo had to agree with her, "That’s right, we can explain. It's not what it looks like!"“It’s okay Sayo-chan,” Kanon assured her with a gentle smile. “If you like Arisa-chan, I’m okay with it.”Aya still looked dazed by the whole ordeal but nodded her head frantically, “Kanon-chan’s right. I don’t mind either… as long as you’ll still have time for me.”“Me first! I want another date with Sayo!” Kokoro squealed while Sayo struggled in vain to pull the enthusiastic vocalist off her.As the teasing and laughter filled the air, Arisa had enough. “Everyone out! Sayo-senpai and I sill have work to do for the sports festival. Out!” She herded everyone out of the storage closet, amidst the giggling.“Of-of course… let me know if you need any help, Hikawa-san."“I’m keeping my eye on you, Sayo.”"Yay! Don't have too much fun without us!”"Hehe, you’re bright red Arisa. See you later, Sayo-senpai!"After everyone else was finally gone (and making sure the door was left slightly ajar) Arisa leaned against the wall with a weary sigh. Sayo looked at her with a mixture of embarrassment and relief.“Thank you, Ichigaya-san,” Sayo spoke as she nursed her growing headache, “I thought we would never escape.”“There’s no we. It’s not like we’re together, you know,” Arisa said huffily, although she refused to meet Sayo’s gaze. There was a moment’s silence.“So… when would you like to go out?”“…There’s a bonsai exhibition this weekend.”“Sounds good. I’ll be sure to research the topic in preparation.”There was a sigh.“Sayo-senpai, you really are unbearable.”Sayo couldn’t help but smile, “Perhaps a bit more practice might help to change your mind.”The guitarist thought red was a good colour on Arisa.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Ran was furious. Her frustration simmered beneath the surface as she stewed over violent thoughts of Sayo. The audacity of that guitarist! Stealing away her friends one by one, disrupting their perfect dynamic in Afterglow. Not to mention she’s a rival from their biggest enemy, Roselia no less!If Ran heard her friends gush over Sayo one more time- let’s just say she can’t promise all kneecaps will remain intact. She clenched her fists, struggling to contain the rising anger within. Each mention of that pretentious blue haired girl felt like a stab to the back. A reminder of the intrusion into their tightly-knit group.Ran's frustration reached its breaking point as she watched her friends swarm Sayo they moment they spotted her in CiRLE. Due to the rivalry between Roselia and Afterglow, Ran usually scheduled their rehearsals at different times making run-ins such as these a rare coincidence. The vocalist felt a surge of jealousy as she watched Sayo get showered by her bandmate’s attention.“Won’t you just butt out for once? We have practice to get to,” Ran blurted out in irritation.Taken aback by the sudden outburst, Sayo and the girls paused mid-conversation. The other members of Afterglow exchanged uncertain glances, unsure what brought on their friend’s anger. But before Sayo could respond, Moca, interjected with a mischievous grin."Oh, Ran-chan~ Aren’t you just upset because you had a crush on Sayo-senpai first?" she teased, her voice dripping with amusement.Sayo had never seen anyone’s cheeks flush so quickly. Ran’s anger was momentarily overshadowed by a look of fear. She opened her mouth to retort but the words got caught in her throat. Left speechless, she instead turned on her heel and bolted from the scene.How could she to face her friends at a time like this? Or more importantly, Sayo? She couldn’t, not when her feelings had been ripped out and laid bare for all to see. Moca's playful jab had inadvertently revealed a shocking truth that left everyone stunned.“Wait, Ran has a crush on Sayo-san?" Tsugumi murmured, her eyes widening in astonishment."Yeah, what the heck? I thought she was all about Yukina-senpai," Tomoe chimed in, her brow furrowed with confusion. “Ain't that why she’s so obsessed with beating Roselia?”Himari, usually the first to catch onto romantic nuances, also blinked in disbelief. "I... I never would've guessed," she admitted.All eyes turned to Moca in disapproval. Thr girl only returned a sly grin. “You’re welcome~ It’s about time Ran-chan stoped running away from her feelings.”“She just went out the front door,” Sayo pointed out, still struggling to process this news herself. All this time she thought Afterglow’s vocalist hated her guts.“What are you waiting for?” Himari suddenly shouted, springing Sayo from her stupor. “Sayo-san, now’s the time you have to chase after her!”“Himari, this isn’t one of your shoujo manga,” Tomoe rolled her eyes, but Moca cut in.“No, Moca-chan would like to see this as well~”Tsugumi nodded fervently, pushing her own feelings aside for the sake of her friends, "They’re right, Sayo-san. You can't let Ran-chan just run off like this. She’s hurting.”Finally getting in the flow of things, Tomoe gave Sayo a wide grin, "Go get em’ cowboy! You’ve got our full support!Driven by their encouragement, Sayo grabbed her guitar and ran out the door. With large strides, she quickly caught up to the dark-haired vocalist walking briskly ahead. Ran had her head down, her expression a mixture of frustration and shame as she aimlessly made her way down the street."Mitake-san, wait!" Sayo called out, her voice cutting through the tense silence.Ran halted in her tracks, her shoulders immediately tensing as she slowly turned to face Sayo. "What do you want?”Sayo took a deep breath, realising she hadn’t prepared what she was going to say. "I understand if you're feeling… conflicted at the moment. However, I think it would be beneficial to talk about what happened.”"What Moca told you isn’t true. I don't have anything to say to you," Ran replied tersely.Sayo stood her ground, "Obviously something is bothering you since you ran off. I promise I won’t judge, whatever you say.”Ran gritted her teeth but seeing Sayo’s determined look, her façade began to crumble. "Fine. I might have… feelings for you," she muttered, turning away in embarrassment. “Happy now?”"Thank you for being honest. I know this is difficult, but I hope we can figure things out together."The vocalist only scoffed, “Figure things out? Like I’d ever join your weird harem! We’re both going to forget any of this ever happened.”Sayo’s sighed. She’d normally take people’s words at face value but the look of hurt on Ran’s face was undeniable. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”“What else would I want? Things will eventually go back to how they were, same as always.”Yet, Sayo sensed a slight hesitation in her words. She offered a gentle smile, “How about a compromise? I’d like to get to know you better myself. Why don’t we start off as friends?”Ran glanced at the ground, her thoughts swirling with conflicting emotions. She knew Sayo wasn’t the type to easily make friends so this offer came as a surprise. After a moment of silence, she met Sayo's gaze with a hint of resignation."Fine. I’ll give your lame idea a try."Sayo didn’t take this insult personally, “If it’ll make you more comfortable, would you prefer a group hangout? Both Hina and O-tae-san have been pestering me about a joint guitar session.”Ran shrugged noncommittally. “I don’t care either way. Just send me the details." Despite her gruff tone, Sayo noted a shadow of a hope in her eyes.…As the guitarist hangout unfolded, Sayo found herself growing increasingly overwhelmed by level of energy that kow engulfed her house. Why on earth did she think this was a good idea? Her envisioned collaborative session almost immediately turned into a contest for her attention as the guitarists arrived. This was an oversight on her part, considering her guest list consisted of far too many of her more troublesome girlfriends.Now strewn across her living room were Ran, Moca, Tae, Kaumi and Hina. The latter she couldn’t kick out of their own house even if she tried. Sayo had intentionally excluded Kaoru, knowing she wouldn’t last even an hour around the play-girl’s senseless flamboyance. Sayo hoped for a chance to finally spend time with her first love- her guitar, but to her despair, the room was filled with more squabbling and wailing than actual music.Ran got over her nervousness quickly and sought to engage Sayo in a serious discussion about strumming technique and music theory. A part of Sayo suspected the vocalist was only trying to one-up her, something about them being ‘rivals’.Meanwhile Moca, ever the playful and unpredictable chaos enabler, showered Sayo with embarrassingly seductive compliments. The mischievous girl constantly found opportunities to distract Sayo with teasing touches, from trailing a finger up her arm to blowing gently into her ear when she least expected it. Each gesture made older guitarist unintentionally shiver.Hina and Tae with their boundless energy instantly bonded. Unfortunately, this tag-teaming only worsened Sayo’s headaches as they bombarded her with an endless list of requests. Some were more personal (which Sayo ignored) but most were out of genuine eagerness to learn from Roselia’s guitarist (or in Hina’s case, her favourite person in the whole wide world).Kasumi, being an idiot, convinced herself that since Sayo was dating three of her bandmates, by extension the two of them were also girlfriends. To her dread, Sayo realised there was someone that rivalled even Hina’s clinginess. The star-obsessed guitarist wrapped herself around Sayo all night long, her relentless optimism becoming a now constant backdrop as Sayo tried to focus on tutoring the others.Amidst the flurry of activity and constant stream of attention directed her way, Sayo felt fatigue creep in. Hoping for a productive practice session she got instead caught up in a whirlwind of interpersonal drama.After some time Sayo spotted Ran struggling with a complicated sweep picking technique. Even though the girl’s frustration mounted with each failed attempt she refused to ask for guidance. Sayo knew what that was like, putting pressure on yourself to be perfect while believing it's a weakness to seek help.Without much thought, she positioned herself behind Ran and gently placed her hands over the vocalist’s. Ran's cheeks flushed at the sudden contact while the taller girl guided her pick through the fluid motions.“It’s just like this, make sure you don’t tense up too much or your sound won’t be clear,” Sayo instructed, as she obliviously worked to loosen Ran’s clenched grip."Ohoho, what's this? Why does only Ran get private lessons?" Moca's teasing tone interrupted the moment. Sayo turned to see her wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.Both girls flushed, only just realising their proximity. Sayo quickly withdrew her hands and stood back up to put some distance between herself and Ran. "It's nothing like that," she quickly retorted, “I’m here to help everyone.”"Sayo-senpai, don't forget about me," Tae’s needy voice chimed in as she tugged Sayo’s sleeve.Sayo had no choice but to sit down with her. She felt slightly guilty for abandoning Ran but a larger part of her was relieved for this distraction to pull her from the unexpectedly awkward moment.As the night progressed, Hina’s patience equally wore out and she decided it was time she deserved some attention. With a mischievous grin, she plopped herself right in Sayo’s lap. The older twin no other choice but to put her guitar aside in case it got damaged. Seeing those eager eyes, Sayo was accustomed enough Hina’s audacity to know it was simply easier to play along with whatever her sister wanted than to argue.Hina wrapped her arms around possessively Sayo’s neck. “Onee-chan, Its no fair~ You’d never give me private sessions but now you invite everyone over!”Before Sayo could respond, Moca sidled up with a sly gleam in her eyes, “Hina-senpai, you need to learn to share. Sayo-chin is for everyone~”Sayo didn’t like the way Moca was eyeing her. As if she was a delicious looking baguette.Undeterred, Hina shot back with a playful smirk. "Everyone knows I’m Onee-chan's favourite! Plus you've had your chance, now it’s my turn with her!"The way Sayo wasn’t allowed a word in edgewise made her quite uncomfortable. Unsurprisingly, Hina’s taunts only sparked a chorus of protests as Tae and Kasumi joined in, each vying for more one-on-one attention from Sayo. Amidst the chaos, only Ran remained silent. Her arms were folded along with an unreadable expression on her face as she watched the scene unfold.Sayo had enough of this onslaught of demands. "Just quieten down a moment! From now on, no one is allowed to touch me. Let’s just get back to this practice session."Her protests were met with four dejected looks. She chose to ignore them, instead savouring the relief at having regained some semblance of order. By the time Sayo managed to slip away from the group for a glass of water, she was both overwhelmed and flustered by the unwarranted attention. To her surprise she found Ran in the kitchen. The edgy vocalist was leaning against the counter with a contemplative expression."Taking a break from the madness, too?” Sayo greeted with a knowing smile.Ran's expression darkened. Her frustration was clear as day as she approached Sayo. Without a word, she grabbed the fellow guitarist’s arm and dragged her out of the kitchen into the adjacent bathroom. Taken aback by this sudden aggression, Sayo could only follow. Once inside the bathroom, Ran closed the door behind them. When she turned around, Sayo could only gulp at the intense gaze that settled upon her."Mitake-san, what's going on?" Sayo asked, her confusion shifting to a sense of unease.Next things she knows, Sayo found herself shoved against the bathroom counter. Her mind momentarily blanked as red eyes burned into her. Sayo got a sense of déjà vu. Was this an afterglow thing or was the band just full of angsty hormonal teens? Actually, scrap that question, obviously it was.Ran's jaw clenched as she levelled a piercing glare, "Was this your intention?" The edge in her voice was a mix of anger and hurt. "To rile me up… make me jealous?"Sayo's could only stare aghast at the accusatory tone, her mind racing to make sense of the situation. Ran had been so avoidant all night she had no clue so much resentment had been bubbling beneath the surface."Mitake-san, I..." The guitarist’s voice faltered in the face of Ran's intensity.But Ran wasn't finished. She drew closer, sparking a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within Sayo. "I can't stand seeing you with all those other girls," Ran growled beneath her breath.Sayo hoped her jaw didn’t drop upon hearing that deep tone. Since when was Mitake Ran this sexy? Before she could gather her thoughts, the dark-haired girl’s voice dropped, barely above a whisper. "It's driving me crazy. You’re driving me crazy."Despite this display of dominance, Sayo saw that the girl’s hands were quivering as they gripped the edge of the counter. Surged by this knowledge, she met the vocalists with a steely gaze of her own.“So what are you going to do about it?”Sayo couldn’t resist a smirk as she pushed aside her own tumult of emotions. Ran drew back, startled by this bold challenge. It was impossible to deny the implications of Sayo's words.“S-Sayo-san,” Ran searched the taller girl’s eyes for any sign of hesitation. Sayo steeled her resolve amidst the pounding of her heart. For a moment, the air between them crackled with tension.In an instant Ran threw herself at the taller girl. Their lips crashed against each other in a kiss that ignited a firestorm of longing. Sayo found herself getting shoved more roughly against the sink. The tap dug into her back, yet she didn’t care. All she could feel was Ran's hand moving to grasp her face, the other crawling into her hair as she deepened the kiss with a fierce intensity.Sayo responded instinctively, her own hands griping Ran's waist as she dragged her closer. The vocalist broke their kiss with a breathy gasp as their bodies pressed against each other with hunger. Sayo immediately caught her lips again, desperate for a deeper taste of this girl who’d eluded her all night.In the heat of the moment, their movements became more fervent as Ran’s nails dug into Sayo’s shoulder. She would definitely have left deep scratches if Sayo didn’t have her shirt on. This thought suddenly erupted a whole new desire within her. Oh god, she wanted to take Ran’s shirt off. Unable to resist this temptation, she reached out to grip the hem of the vocalist’s top, clenching the fabric in her fist. Ran didn’t resist, only letting out a soft whine into Sayo’s mouth which fuelled her arousal further. The world around them faded into insignificance as Sayo slipped her hand under that shirt, giving in to this dance of temptation. For a timeless moment, there was only the sensation of lips moving hungrily against lips, of hands wandering over heated skin, and the rising blaze that tore through them like an inferno.Sayo had no control over herself now. Frustrated at anything that might get in her way, she tugged Ran's shirt over her head and threw it into the corner. A ragged gasp escaped her at the sight of the black bra underneath. Hot. Why is she so hot? It wasn’t even lingerie, yet it might as well have been.Sayo’s hands immediately returned to the girl’s now bare waist, fumbling slightly in her haste as she dug her fingers into that smooth skin. Ran's breath hitched as the roughness sent shivers down her spine. Her own fingers tightened in those teal waves, silently pleading for more. Sayo didn’t waste a second to trace her hand over the vocalist’s exposed skin in raw, unbridled craving.Her lips now found Ran’s neck, leaving open-mouthed kisses along her smooth jawline and eliciting rugged moans from the other girl. In response, Ran arched her neck slightly to offer herself up to Sayo as she surrendering to this rush of sensations.Sayo's attack on her skin boldened as she peppered bruises and even occasionally sank her teeth into Ran's neck with a newfound sense of urgency. The pain made the vocalist gasp, but she only drew Sayo closer, guiding her to exactly where she wanted. Each touch set Ran’s senses ablaze with an intensity she had never known before.In that moment of passion, Sayo felt Ran’s hand trailing across her waistband. Before she could react, the vocalist shoved said hand down the front of her trousers. The sudden contact against her core jolted Sayo back to reality.She craved that hand, yet in that brief moment of clarity, she realized the gravity of their actions. The forbidden boundary they were about to cross. Her own hand shot out to catch Ran's wrist, halting her movements with a firm grip. Eyes meeting the confused vocalist’s, a mixture of desire and uncertainty swirled in her depths as she struggled to convey her thoughts amidst the haze of her aroused state.“Ran, wait," Sayo breathed though her voice got caught in her throat, "I-I can't do this. Not like this."A flicker of disappointment crossed Ran's eyes, mingled with raw desire. She opened her mouth to speak, but Sayo pulled her hand from her crotch, holding it gently as an apologetic smile crossed her face."I'm sorry," Sayo murmured, her voice laced with regret. "I just... I made a promise to everyone. Until I see my decision though, I can’t engage in acts of this nature."Ran nodded slowly, returning to her usual self as well. She reached up to tuck her own hair behind her ear in embarrassment. "I understand… sorry for getting carried away as well.”With a heavy sigh, Sayo squeezed the vocalist’s other hand. Though her heart was heavy with conflicting emotions, she knew this was the right decision. If her first time was to ever come, Sayo hoped it would be with the one person who has truly captured her heart.…After Ran put her shirt back on, they both worked together to adjust their dishevelled appearances. Sayo tried her best to hide the incriminating marks their clothes couldn’t conceal with some of Hina’s make-up. Finally satisfied though still beat red at what nearly transpired between them, Sayo and Ran cautiously emerged from the bathroom.But as they returned to the living room, the rest of the group all turned to them with curious expressions. "Where did you two lovebirds disappear to?" Moca’s tone tinged with playful insinuation. “Hope you didn’t get up to anything naughty without me~”“You have an over-active imagination, Aoba-san,” Sayo replied evasively, hoping her expression didn’t betray the embarrassment burning within her. "Just needed a moment from all your ruckus, that’s all.”Ran played along, shrugging with a composed expression, "I had a stomach-ache, but Sayo-san gave me some medicine.”Moca’s mischievous smile remained but others accepted their explanation without question. Their attention quickly shifting back to Sayo as they again showered her with a myriad of affection. Amidst this, Sayo and Ran exchanged a subtle nod. A silent agreement passed between them as they resolved to keep that shared moment their own little secret.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Sayo woke up feeling incredibly warm. Blinking groggily, she realised without a doubt that there was someone else in bed with her. Initially she assumed it was Hina due to her twin’s incessant habit of trying to sneak into Sayo’s bed during the night. However, she remembered it was Thursday, one of the nights Sayo explicitly forbid Hina from disturbing her. As much as Sayo loved her sister, she’d gotten incredibly touchy recently. As the older twin, Sayo was forced to set some personal boundaries (just in case).As Sayo's bleary eyes adjusted to the darkness, she froze in disbelief. Nestled beside her was not Hina, but Kasumi. Though still asleep she had a goofy smile on her face while also… purring? Sayo blinked a few times. What weird ass snoring was this?Sayo wished she was more surprised by this sudden intrusion, but the past month and a half had desensitised her to even the most absurd occurrences. Though it was a puzzle how the vocalist got into her room in the first place. Sayo glanced at the window and saw that it was still locked. Another Hina safety precaution. Her door seemed to be as well.“Toyama san?” Sayo nudged the girl with a mix of irritation and disbelief. After several more prods Kasumi finally stirred awake, yawning contently as she did so.“Oh, Sayo-san good morning!” she greeted cheerfully the moment she opened her eyes.“It’s nighttime,” Sayo replied tersely, “What the hell are you doing in my bed?”That’s when a realization dawned on her. Sayo never actually saw Kadumi leave. She obviously assumed the vocalist went home with Tae or Hina let her out, but amidst the chaos of their joint practice session Kasumi must have found her way into Sayo’s room and fallen asleep. As her mind pieced this together, Sayo wondered just how tired must be to have missed the girl when she got in bed.Kasumi only looked up at her with an innocent expression, “What do you mean? We’re girlfriends, so obviously I’m staying the night.”“I have a lot of girlfriends, but you are definitely not one of them.” Sayo was far too sleep deprived to be dealing with this.“Haha, you’re funny. Wow, it’s still really late! Why did you wake up in the middle of the night?”
I wonder why.
At wits end, Sayo decided to text Arisa for advice. As the most reasonable member of Popping party and Kasumi’s primary caretaker, she hoped the Tsundere would know what to do.---[Night Hikawa] Ichigaya-san I apologise for contacting you so late at night. Are you awake?[Bonsai-dere] ugh I am now[Bonsai-dere] something wrong sayo-senpai?[Night Hikawa] There has been a slight situation. I just woke up and found Toyama-san in my bed and I am unsure on how to proceed.[Bonsai-dere]…[Bonsai-dere] she wasn’t there when u went to bed?[Night Hikawa] Not a far as I can recall.[Bonsai-dere] and... u don’t want her there?[Night Hikawa] Regardless of how you judge my lifestyle, no, I obviously don’t want her here.[Bonsai-dere] ok ok just checking[Bonsai-dere] sorry but she’s your problem now i only deal with that idiot during school hours and band practice[Night Hikawa] Please, I rarely beg but how do I get her to leave?[Bonsai-dere] idc literally just throw her out she’s like a stray cat she'll eventually wander home[Night Hikawa] But what if she gets upset?[Bonsai-dere] do u want her gone or not?![Bonsai-dere] you’re really too soft for your own good[Bonsai-dere] idk if that happens just give her some food or something she'll be fine[Night Hikawa] Thank you I will try that.[Bonsai-dere] gl[Bonsai-dere] you'll need it---Sayo feels slightly guilty over chasing the girl out so late at night. She turned back to find Kasumi still laid down on the bed but reaching towards her with outstretched arms.“Sayo-senpai, will you spoon me?”That was the final straw. "Toyama-san, you can’t just sneak into someone else’s bed!”“Ehh? But we’re girlfriends so isn’t this normal?” Kasumi tilted her head in surprise, “Oh, are you shy? If you’re not ready yet that’s okay! Do you have a cardboard box I could sleep in?”“What are you, a cat?”“Come on Sayo-senpai, if you let me stay I’ll even let you be the little spoon if you want!”“That’s not the point! And for the last time we are not dating!”Kasumi's cheerful expression fell, "Oh… are we not?”“No!”The vocalist looked utterly crestfallen, “I didn’t know… I guess I'll go home then..."Despite feeling guilty, Sayo breathed a silent sigh of relief, “Get home safe. We can talk more tomorrow.”However, Kasumi’s sadness was short lived as she brightened up again in a way Sayo didn’t like the look of. "You’re right! Even if we aren’t dating right now, that doesn’t mean we never will. I'll be back tomorrow to win you over Sayo-senpai, I promise!""Please don't," Sayo groaned but the girl had already rushed out the door.Sayo slumped back into bed, trying her best to shake the whirlwind that was Kasumi out of her mind. Was this karmic punishment for being a bad sister to Hina? Why else was her life is now full of people who don’t understand the concept of boundaries? Regardless, she was long overdue for some much-needed rest.…Sayo was barely asleep for more than a few hours before she was jolted awake again. She rubbed her eyes, hoping to still be dreaming as the unmistakable sound of an electric guitar pierced through the early morning. Groaning, she stumbled out of bed towards her window.Down below was none other than Kasumi. Illuminated by streetlight, she strummed her guitar with wild abandon.“It’s four in the morning!” Sayo practically screamed before remembering that it was indeed 4am and people were still sleeping.Pulling on her nightgown she rushed outside and yanked the guitar cord from the amp, cutting off the music. Where did Kasumi even get the amp from? Did she seriously lug it all the way here?“Sayo-senpai, I was just getting to the good part!” Kasumi whined, oblivious to the ruckus she was causing.“What the fuck are you doing here?” Sayo rarely swore, but this could be considered a fitting occasion.“I kept my promise and came back to win you over just like I said I would!"“What possessed you do such a thing?”Kasumi’s grin only widened, “Well after you asked me to leave, I asked the most romantic person I knew for advice on how to win your heart.” Sayo really didn’t like where this is going. “Kaoru-san said the best way to impress a girl is to serenade her by moonlight!”Hello, Happy World won’t be having their guitarist for much longer. Sayo resisted the urge to scream. "It. Is. Four. In. The. Morning. You can’t start serenading people in the middle of the night, the neighbours are going to send noise complaints!""Got it, Sayo-senpai!" Kasumi chirped, her enthusiasm undiminished. "I'll play something quieter. How about a lullaby?"It took all of Sayo’s willpower not to break that random star over those the brunette’s head. “That’s it, I’m taking you home!” Grabbing Kasumi with one hand and her amp with the other, Sayo dragged them both down the street.“Whooo we’re holding hands! Does that mean my serenading worked?”“No! And if you make another peep, I’m going to tell Ichigaya-san to revoke your sticker privileges.”This instantly shut her up. However, Sayo should have known it wouldn’t be so easy getting the care-free vocalist home. True to reputation, Kasumi's attention span was as fleeting as her common sense. It wasn't long before her gaze locked onto something shiny glinting in the distance.Kasumi, wait!" Sayo called out, but it was too late. With a gleeful laugh, Kasumi broke free from Sayo's grasp and darted off into the night. What was it with vocalists and running constantly off? Sayo sighed, resigning herself to yet another tiresome chase. She quickened her pace, following the sound Kasumi’s gleeful cries until she finds the girl stood in front of a store adorned with neon lights.Kasumi's eyes sparkled as she pointed towards the sign above the entrance. "Look, Sayo-senpai, a new music store! And it's open 24 hours!"Sayo blinked in surprise as she took in the sight of the vibrant storefront. While the allure of a new music store so close to home was undeniable, she had other priories to focus on. Yet before she could stop her, Kasumi darted inside. Sayo was left no choice but to follow.Stepping inside, Sayo was greeted by the rich scent of polished wood and brand new instruments. Spotting Kasumi, the gutiarist notced her eyes were locked onto the massive DJ set displayed in the middle of the store. Her excitement practically bubbled over like a shaken soda can as she bounded towards it, her fingers itching to explore the array of buttons and knobs."Look, this is so cool! Now I can be like Michelle!" Kasumi exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm as she began to fiddle with the controls.“Be careful not to break anything,” Sayo warned, "Besides, DJs are supposed to be cool and collected, not... whatever this is," she gestured vaguely at the vocalist’s exuberant display.As Kasumi took her place behind the DJ set, she adjusts an imaginary cap and adopts a more lain-back posture. With a confident grin, she flicked on an imaginary switch and leaned over the turntable."Hey, hey everyone! Why don’t you come to our show?" Kasumi's voice took on an unexpectedly deeper tone, now flowing with a charisma that made Sayo’s jaw drop. "Let's turn up the beat, it’s Peaky P-key!"With practiced movements, Kasumi enacts mixing tracks and seamlessly transitioning between beats. Her body sways to the rhythm, showcasing a surprising level of precision and confidence different from her own Popping Party performances. Sayo could only stare in awe, her heart racing at this sudden coolness that engulfed the usually ditzy vocalist.
No, this wasn’t happening… was she… was she developing a crush on Kasumi?!
As the imaginary performance came to an end, Kasumi sauntered over to Sayo. Before the older girl could comprehend what was happening, she found herself trapped against the wall in a kabedon.“How did you like that?” Kasumi (who wasn’t Kasumi) asked with a soft grin. Sayo’s knees practically buckled at the husky lull in the girl’s voice. All she could muster was an incoherent mumble.In an instant, Kasumi broke character with a characteristic “Yay~”, bouncing away as if nothing happened. She turned back to Sayo with a shimmering smile, “So how did I do Sayo-sanpai? Was I cool?”The guitarist could only splutter as the image of Kasumi’s alter ego flooded her mind again. “Yeah, sure… you could say that.”It took all her resistance not to bury her face in her hands. In what universe was Kasumi hot? She struggled to catch her breath over this realisation. Even now, Sayo couldn’t unsee the spirit of whatever cool DJ took over that dumbass’ body.“Ca-can you do that again?” she mumbled, unable to hide the blush that crept up on her cheek.Kasumi only giggled, entirely oblivious to the state she’d put the teal-haired girl in, “Do what? I was just having fun!”Sayo gulped as she failed to pull herself together, “It-it’s nothing. By the way, what did it mean? The thing you said, Peaky… Peaky?”The vocalist shrugged, “I don’t know, it just sounded like a cool, DJ-ish version of Popipa! Did you like it?”Sayo made a mental note to be very careful around the star-obsessed vocalist from now on. Deapite her rationaloty, she couldn’t push away the fluttery feelings in her stomach.Oh, what the hell? She was already a certified moronsexual from dating Hina. What dignity did she have left?"Kasumi, um... I was wondering if..." Sayo's voice trailed off as she stumbled over her words.Kasumi looked up with a curious expression, "Hm? What's up, Sayo-senpai? You don’t look too good."“Well, I was thinking... maybe we could go out again sometime? Like, on a date?" Sayo's heart pounded in her chest as she held her breath, waiting for Kasumi's response. However, Kasumi only giggled.“Arisa is right, you really are too nice Sayo-senpai.” The girl spoke with unusual understanding, “You don’t have to force yourself anymore. I know you’re not into me so I’ll stop pushing my feelings on you. No more late-night serenading, promise!"Sayo's stomach dropped, a sudden wave of disappointment washing over her. "Wait, what?”The guitarist cursed her timing. She wished she could move to a different country and start her life all over again. Leave it to her to get rejected by Kasumi of all people! Before she could interject the vocalist skipped towards the door.“I’m going home now! Thanks for hanging out with me, senpai, I had so much fun!” With that she disappeared. Sayo was left dumbstruck over what just transpired in that music store.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Sayo has been caught off guard so often lately that nothing should take her by surprise anymore. However, she did not anticipate Kaoru storming up to Hanasakigawa at the end of the school day. Though it would be more accurate to say she waltzed up to it.Every student near the main gate swooned as the actress leaned against the wall with an air of flamboyance. All except for Sayo, a clear look of irritation on her face at finding her path home blocked. She glared at the intruder."Ah Sayo, we need to have a little chat," Kaoru announced, placing a hand dramatically to her face in mock despair.Sayo sighed inwardly, already dreading the conversation that was about to unfold. "Why are you here Seta-san?""I couldn't help but notice that I wasn’t invited to you little guitarist hangout. Care to explain? I’m certain it must have been but an accidental grievance."“It wasn’t,” Sayo replied shortly with no attempt to sugarcoat the truth. "You flirt with everyone including me, and your tendency to treat every interaction like a romantic conquest is rather tedious."Kaoru's expression shifted to disbelief. "What? Me? Flirtatious? My dear Sayo, you wound me with your words."Sayo rolled her eyes. "You did again it just now. Stop pretending you aren’t fully aware of your reputation."Kaoru faltered for a moment, but the playful smirk quickly returned to her lips. "Ah, but can you blame me for spreading a little love wherever I go? I find it rather hypocritical of you."Sayo gritted her teeth in light of this astute observation. She was shocked Kaoru even knew how to use the word hypocritical correctly. A sly smile crept across the purple haired girl’s face. "I know! Let me take you on a fleeting date beyond your wildest dreams and maybe I’ll forget about being excluded from your practice session," Kaoru suggested with a seductive wink.“I decline.”Sayo had never seen someone’s jaw drop so quickly. It was satisfying watching such confidence transform to disbelief. That’s when she noticed Kaoru was hiding something behind her back. Sayo would rather not stay around long enough to find out what it was. Tragically her frank rejection was no match against the playgirl’s persistence."Come on, just one date!” The actress urged with regained audacity. “None of my little kittens have ever left disappointed. Join me and I’ll finally show you the full extent of my charm~"Sayo's patience reached its limit. Without warning, she grabbed Kaoru by the collar and smashed her lips against hers. Kaoru's eyes widened in shock, her words caught in her throat leaving her spluttering and speechless.As Sayo pulled away, she met Kaoru's wide-eyed gaze with a steely resolve. "Consider that my final response to your useless competition. And if you ever harass me again, I’ll have Hina disband the Haneoka drama club."With that said, she turned on her heels, leaving a stunned Kaoru behind to process what had just happened. Though currently just a threat, Sayo knew the extent of her influence over both schools. One of the few perks of dating both respective student council presidents. The disciplinary committee had never flourished more than with Rinko’s full support. It made Sayo’s heart soar seeing so many students dressed up to code each time she strolled down the hallway.As her pace quickened for home, Sayo breathed a sigh of frustration. She’d acted without thinking and feared how many people had seen her unintentional advance. At the very least, the kiss finally silenced Kaoru's incessant flirting. Nonetheless, she knew her impulsive action was only a temporary solution, who knew what the actress might pull out of her sleeves now that Sayo had gone and fired her up.Unfortunately, Sayo’s peace only lasted five minutes before Kaoru came bounding down the street after her. Sayo steeled herself for the onslaught of protest when Hagumi swooped in out of nowhere. "Sayo-senpai! Let's go on a date!" the bassist exclaimed as she hopped circles around Sayo.Sayo glanced back to find Kaoru just as shocked as she was at her own bandmate’s sudden interruption. A mischievous smirk tugged at Sayo's lips, and she turned her attention back to Hagumi."Sure, why not?"Any opportunity to ruffle Kaoru’s feathers was good in her book. How bad could Hello Happy World’s bassist be in comparison?Hagumi's face lit up with excitement, "Yay! I know just the place!" She grabbed Sayo's hand, practically skipping as she led the way.Sayo didn’t know what she’d expected but they soon arrived at some batting cages. She had to admit it was quite on point for the bassist. “I don’t know if you play baseball but it’s something that makes me happy even if I’ve had a bad day," Hagumi beamed.“While I have no opposition, are you sure this is all you want for our date?” Despite voicing this hesitance, Sayo’s guard was already thawing beneath the girl’s infectious energy.Hagumi’s eyes shifted nervously before she leaned closer, “I’d normally suggest playing catch in the park but I’ve been banned ever since the incident.”“Does this have to do anything with the… arson Misaki mentioned?”A part of Sayo warned herself she might regret prying but the bassist only giggled. “No, but that was a good day. Anyways let’s have some fun!As they got their bats and stepped into the cage, Sayo notice Kaoru had followed them there and was now lingering nearby. The actress watching them with a mixture of jealousy and longing on her face. Despite her own reservation against the rising number of recent dates, Sayo couldn't deny the thrill of seeing Kaoru's reaction.Gripping her bat in hand, Sayo took a readied stance she’d seen ball players to on TV. With a determined glint in her eye, she swung the bat. In a burst of luck the ball went flying with a satisfying crack followed the sound of Hagumi’s cheers.For a moment, Sayo forgot all about the complicated dynamics in her life. Maybe Hina wasn’t the only one able to pick up something on the first try. Sayo always turned to her guitar for catharsis but perhaps hitting the batting cages once in a while could help with her pent-up tension. With each swing of the bat Sayo felt a sense of freedom she hadn't experienced in a long time.She thought she’d done well for her first try but as Hagumi stepped up to the plate, the guitarist was shown what the captain of a softball team could really do. "You're really good at this," Sayo remarked as Hagumi effortlessly hit one home run after another, all with a bright smile on her face.Hagumi beamed at the praise, her cheeks flushed pink from the excitement. "Thanks, Sayo-kun! I love baseball but it's even more fun when you're here!"They way her eyes sparkled with genuine happiness made it impossible for Sayo to not return a smile. Watching Hagumi's boundless energy caused a warmth spread through her chest. It wasn’t the usual attraction (or more shamefully, desire) but a sense of wanting to protect that smile.Before that day, Sayo didn’t know much about Hagumi other than her role as HaroHapi’s bassist. The ginger seemed to disappear amongst the more eccentric members of her band but now, Sayo couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to her beneath that happy smile. Kokoro certainly threw her into a loop with that extreme car chase and (alleged) family ties to the mafia so anything could be possible. As they took turns at the batting cages, Sayo found herself laughing freely, something that surprised even herself. The sound mixed with Hagumi's joyful giggles till the sun began to set. As they returned their bats after a good session, Sayo knew there was no denying that she’d developed a soft spot for this ginger bassist. The younger girl somewhat reminded her of Hina with her bubbly smile and constant attempts to lighten the mood."So, how would you like to end our date, Kitazawa-san?" It was only right to let her choose considering Sayo ended up having such an unexpectedly nice time.Hagumi bounced on her toes nervously, "If it’s okay, can I get a hug?"It was such an innocent request that Sayo couldn’t help but chuckle. "I have no objection," she shrugged, opening her arms in invitation. With a delighted squeal, Hagumi threw herself into those waiting arms and wrapped herself into a warm hug.Sayo knew she’d come a long way in the past month and a half. The old Sayo would be appalled to even consider hugging someone outside her family, even more so a girl she was hanging out with for the first time. These dates were really rewriting her brain chemistry… not that its necessarily a bad thing. And as she held Hagumi close, she realised sometimes the best moments in life were the ones you least expect.As time wore on, Hagumi didn’t seem to want to pull away from the hug. It was growing a bit embarrassing, but Sayo held fast, noticing how the ginger’s usually vibrant energy seemed somewhat subdued. A curiosity rose within her."May I ask if there was a reason you asked me out today?"Hagumi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Well, I guess I wanted to try spending time with you. Kokoron and Kano-chan-senpai always tell me how nice you are. I hoped you’d make me feel safe," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.Sayo didn’t know what whimsical response she’d expected but it wasn’t this. “Is… is everything okay Kitazawa-san?”"I… I guess not. My family... we had another fight." Hagumi wouldn’t meet Sayo’s eyes as she spoke but buried her face into the taller girl’s shoulder.Sayo's heart sank. Hagumi's unwavering positivity was her one character trait. To find out she’d been dealing with such serious family issues came as no small shock. "If you don’t mind me asking, are you… safe at home?" Sayo probed, concern rising in her tone.Hagumi took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly with emotions, "Things have always been a little tense. My parents argue a lot and it happened again yesterday. Dad... he's hasn’t come home since, and I don't know when he's coming back. I... I know it’s bad of me, but I didn't want to go home and see mom all upset again."Sayo's heart ached. “I’m… I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this.” It was a lame response after such a personal revelation, but Sayo didn’t know what else to say. Thankfully, Hagumi didn’t seem to mind."Thank you, Sayo-kun. I'm really glad you're here with me today."Sayo had completely forgotten Kaoru was still there till she stepped in. "Hagumi, why don't you stay at my house tonight?""That's… actually very kind of you," Sayo remarked, her voice tinged with surprise and… potentially slight admiration. "I think that would be a good idea, Kitazawa-san. Your safety and well-being are our first concern."Hagumi's eyes widened in surprise as she looked between the two of them in relief. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice choking up with emotion.Kaoru offered a charming smile, returning to her usual theatrics now that the initial seriousness of the situation was over. "Absolutely. Casa del Seta is always open to lost little kittens as yourself.”As Hagumi gathered her things, Sayo seized the opportunity to speak with Kaoru privately. Despite a hint of reluctance at voluntarily speaking to the girl, she felt the need to express her gratitude. "Seta-san, thank you for offer. It’s good to know Kitazawa-san has good bandmates."Kaoru's cheeks flushed slightly at the thanks, but she offered a masked smile in return. "Of course, how shall I turn my back on a maiden in need?”“Drop the act,” Sayo glared and the actress immediately shut up. “Might I also ask why you chose to come along this evening?"Though it began as a nuisance, Sayo was grateful Kaoru was now there to take care of Hagumi. She had far too much schoolwork to catch up on to entertain anyone else for a sleepover.Kaoru's gaze shifted momentarily, "Well, um, I actually got tickets to this play. I thought to invite you, perchance that you might enjoy it." She let out an obviously fake laugh, "Of course, there are many other kittens I could extend this invitation to so don’t worry yourself. I know well you are a busy woman-"“I’ll go.”Sayo's eyes widened in astonishment. She didn’t even care that Sayo had cut her off. “You’ve agreed… to accompany me?” She repeated uncertainly as if still unable to process Sayo’s words."As long as you don’t make it weird,” Sayo rolled her eyes, “But yes. I… appreciate you thinking of me."Kaoru offered a sheepish smile in response, her usual confidence momentarily faltering, "It's no problem, really. You seemed like the type who would appreciate the finer arts.” She cleared her throat to steady herself, “Shall I pick you up at the station tomorrow so we can head there together?”“I’ll see you then.”Sayo turned away, still shocked at herself for accepting such a spontaneous invitation. Nevertheless, after witnessing such an unexpectedly selfless side of Kaoru, something within Sayo urged her to give the actress a second chance.…As Sayo waited outside the train station, she couldn't shake off a sense of skepticism mingled with curiosity about the evening ahead. She had chosen her outfit meticulously, aiming for a balance between casual elegance as she was unsure of what to expect from the night's events. Spotting Kaoru in the distance, dressed in a striking three-piece suit, Sayo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Now she was relieved she’d dressed up."Seta-san," Sayo greeted with a polite nod as Kaoru approached with her usual dramatic flair."A pleasure to see you on this fine evening. You look positively radiant tonight," Kaoru replied with a confident smile. She tried to take Sayo’s hand to kiss it, but the teal-haired guitarist expertly side-stepped her advance."We should be off before we’re late," Sayo pointed out, already heading in the direction of the theatre before Kaoru could get any more ideas. The taller girl looked disappointed for a moment at her failed attempt but quickly regained her flourish as she fell into step beside Sayo.“As icy as ever I see. Alas, the course of true love never did run smooth,” Kaoru chuckled, a twinkle of nervousness flickering in her eyes beneath the usual bravado.Despite her reservations, Sayo couldn't deny a growing sense of curiosity about the play. The flyers posted around outside seemed to make out a dramatic performance of both song and dance. As they and took their seats inside the theatre, Sayo couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within her.“Is this your first time at this sort of performance?” Kaoru leaned over with a whisper. She must have noticed Sayo’s nervous fidgeting.Sayo cleared her throat awkwardly, “I’ll admit I’m not well versed in the dramatic arts, but I fully intend to approach this with an open mind.”Concerts were more her scene, as was the occasional ballet since her parents used to take her and Hina when they were young. Or at least until Hina picked it up perfectly within a year and Sayo expressed her distaste for the dance out of spite. Kaoru’s eyes sparkled upon realising this opportunity to share one of her passions.“I can assure you that Edel Delight is a wonderful performance! Although it is a continuation, I’m sure you’ll be able to follow the story with no trouble.” A mischievous smile crossed the girl’s face, “Otherwise, as the local thespian lesbian, I’m always here to offer my assistance,” she shot her date a wink. It was immediately ignored.As the curtains rose and the performance began, Sayo found herself utterly captivated by the spectacle unfolding before her. The vibrant colours, powerful music and… sword fights(?) all combined to create an engaging experience. She was especially captivated by the character of the blonde, French student from the rival school. That powerful voice sounded somewhat familiar…With each scene, Sayo felt herself drawn deeper into the story, her skepticism fading away as she became immersed in the world of Siegfeld Academy. The actors' performances were nothing short of mesmerizing, and Sayo couldn't help but admire their talent and dedication. She especially felt a connection to the pink-haired student council member… Yachiyo was it? Despite her playful nature, there was an elusive side to her, along with a sense of something else Sayo couldn’t quite put her finger on.When the final curtain fell and the applause rang out through the theatre, Sayo couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The performance had exceeded all her expectations, leaving her with a newfound appreciation for the magic of live theatre. As they exited the theatre Kaoru leaned with an eager smile."A penny for your thoughts m’lady?""It was a rewarding experience," she replied, honest but also vague enough to not trigger a full rant from the drama student. "I've never seen anything quite like it before."Kaoru's eyes lit up with excitement at Sayo's response. "Indeed! The pizazz, the choreography... It's all so exhilarating!"They had to stop on the sidewalk for Sayo to adjust her heels (something she was still unaccustomed to wearing). While doing so, Sayo unintentionally held onto Kaoru’s shoulder for support. But as she stood up, Kaoru seized what she perceived as a perfect moment and leaned in with a flirtatious grin.Sayo instantly stepped back with a glare, “Seriously? I’ve told you before to stop throwing yourself at me every opportunity you get.”“But-but I thought we were having a moment. Didn’t you have a good time tonight?” Kaoru glowed read amidst her protests.“For someone known to be smooth with girls, you’re surprisingly dense when it comes to timing,” Sayo couldn’t hide her exasperation. “If you try anything like that again, I’m taking you to the top of Tokyo Tower and stranding you there."Kaoru's grin faltered at this targeted threat before quickly masking it with a playful smirk. "Oh, come on! Can't blame a girl for trying," she teased, attempting to lighten the mood.But Sayo remained steadfast, "I mean it. Respect my boundaries or I’ll tell Chisato about your behaviour."The playboy instantly went pale. “Please, anything but that!”Sayo shot her a smug look, “I’m glad we understand each other.”They entered a park on the way back to the station. Their footsteps fell into sync as the soft glow of the park's lampposts cast gentle shadows around them. Kaoru finally broke the growing silence between them."I have to admit, you're not at all what I expected," the thespian confessed.Sayo raised an eyebrow, skeptical on where this conversation. Kaoru continued though her theatrical façade was melting away by the moment, "I always assumed you were like me, trying to win the hearts of girls with your charm. But now I see that it's your kindness and sincerity that draws people to you."A flush of warmth came over Sayo at this most unexpected praise, "I... I suppose. I’m glad you finally understand."Kaoru’s eyes reflected the soft glow of the park’s lanterns, "I realise what a menace I’ve been to you," she apologised with a sheepish smile. "You don’t actively seek admiration as I do. You simply have this way of making people feel comfortable around you. Of making them feel seen and appreciated, its indeed a quality I've always admired.""Thank you, that is very kind of you Seta-san.”As they continued walking through the park, the weight of earlier tensions lifted leaving a newfound sense of understanding between them. "Sayo, I need to apologize," Kaoru began again, her voice gentle yet tinged with a rare hint of vulnerability. "I shouldn’t have pushed myself on your earlier. You may have thrown me off yesterday in front of the school, but I'm truly sorry if I made you uncomfortable today."Sayo felt a pang of guilt upon realising she played a part in this whole confusion. Her composure faltered slightly, "I apologise as well. I shouldn't have kissed you like that. It was... impulsive, and I didn't consider how it made you feel."Kaoru offered a small, understanding smile, "It's okay, I know you were just trying to make me stop talking. Chii-chan used to do the same thing. I shouldn't have assumed it meant something more."Sayo’s mind didn’t have time to process the bombshell hidden amidst those words when she suddenly felt Kaoru take her hand. Her touch as gentle, undemanding, so Sayo could pull away at any time."Sayo, I have to confess something," Kaoru began, her voice soft yet resolute. "At first, I pursued you as a challenge, a conquest to add to my list. Also to prove that I’m superior but I digress… Tonight at the theatre has changed everything for me."Sayo froze, yet her curiosity piqued by this unexpected confession."I realized that there was something different about you, something that drew me in," Kaoru continued, her words now coming out in a rush as she struggled to articulate her feelings. "I never expected someone as myself to develop genuine feelings for anyone, but... I have. And I can't ignore them any longer."Seeing Kaoru so timid and lacking her unnecessary theatrics, Sayo's heart skipped a beat. Standing tall in that suit beneath the soft glow of the lanterns, there was no denying how handsome she was. Her title of Honeoka’s heartthrob definitely proved that."Kaoru..." Sayo began, her voice still tinged with uncertainty. "Thank you for being honest with me. I never expected this either, but I suppose I no longer feel… opposed to you."A flicker of hope lit up in Kaoru’s shy smile. "Really?" she whispered, searching Sayo's eyes for confirmation.Sayo glanced away in embarrassment. However, feeling Kaoru’s gaze still lingering on her she mumbled under her breath, “If there ever was a perfect moment, it’ll be now.”The actress looked understandably startled but she wasn’t going to let this rare opportunity slip by. Leaning down, Kaoru met Sayo’s lips in a hopeful kiss.For a moment, Sayo’s mind screamed at her for making such a reckless decision. It was shameful how easy she’d become but the warm brush of Kaoru’s lips quickly erased those thoughts. Sure it was impulsive but damn, HaroHapi’s guitarist was one hell of a kisser! The moment of uncertainty was quickly replaced with a sense of possibility.Kaoru had a shy grin on her face as the kiss ended. It was almost cute how the usually self-assured Casanova couldn’t hide her giddiness from a single kiss. Of course, the moment had to be ruined.“Shall we head back to my place? I guarantee a night well worth your time, my dear.”The self-proclaimed thespian lesbian was met with a sharp slap across the cheek.
Why are all band girls so horny?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It was love at first sight.Well, not really. Eve had seen Roselia’s guitarist countless times before, but in that moment, she knew she had instantly fallen in love.The half-Finnish girl’s eyes shone with admiration as watched the way Sayo gracefully wielded her bow. Each movement precise and deliberate. To her, the teal-haired upperclassman embodied the essence of traditional Japanese culture, drawing Eve to her like a moth to a flame.Meanwhile, Sayo was intently focused on her archery practice. Only the rhythmic twang of her bowstring filled the air until she was suddenly startled by a voice calling out to her. Looking up, she found Eve’s face inches away from her own. Sayo leapt back in shock, nearly dropping her bow in the process."Sayo-san, you're amazing!" Eve exclaimed, oblivious to her infringement of personal space. "I've always been fascinated by Japanese culture and seeing you practice Kyudo like this... it's so inspiring! Will you please teach me? I want a master like you to guide me in the ways of Bushido!"Sayo blinked in surprise at this outlandish request. She simply took up Kyudo as a way to clear her mind and was still far from perfect. Even Rinko with her graceful elegance was more skilled, though the guitarist no longer held that against her. While she appreciated Eve's admiration, she found herself overwhelmed by intensity of her pleas. Sayo tried to take a step back only for the white-haired girl immediately closed the distance again in her excitement."Wakamiya-san, I... I’m not sure I’d make a suitable mentor..." Sayo stammered under Eve's expectant gaze, feeling a sense of unease over taking on such a responsibility. "Kyudo is not something to be taken lightly. It requires dedication and discipline. I’m sure Shirokane-san would be better suited to instructing you if you were interested in joining the club."However, Eve was undeterred by Sayo's hesitance. "Please, it has to be you! I'll do anything to learn from you, Sayo-san! I promise I'll work hard and follow your guidance with all my heart!"Sayo sighed inwardly. Knowing the nature of Hina’s bandmates she relented, albeit reluctantly. Turning Eve away would be as successful as blowing away the wind as she was certain the girl would only continue to come back."Very well, I'll teach you. But only if you can prove you're truly serious about this."After helping her put on the necessary gear, Sayo came up behind Eve to demonstrate the proper way to hold the bow. Yet as she adjusted the girl’s stance, she noticed a subtle change in mood as the usually exuberant girl seemed suddenly flustered, her fingers fidgeting nervously on the bowstring."Alright, pay close attention," Sayo began, guiding Eve's hands to the correct position.But as she felt Eve's fingers tremble slightly beneath her touch, a realization dawned on her. Eve's request for Sayo to be her ‘master’ was rather suspicious to begin with. The way she looked at Sayo now, with a mixture of admiration and something more, made the truth undeniable. The intention of her request strayed far from simply learning archery.A shiver ran down Sayo's spine. Feeling a sudden discomfort settle in the pit of her stomach, she quickly withdrawing her hands and stepped back with a tight expression."I... I think that's enough for today, Wakamiya-san," Sayo spoke hastily. "You... you seem to be getting the hang of it. Practice on your own for now, and I’ll see if we can continue this another time."Without waiting for a response, Sayo turned on her heel and sped out of archery field. She needed some time alone to process what just happened. How Eve's feelings for her evidently went beyond those suitable between a student for her teacher.…Despite Sayo's attempts to avoid further one-on-one sessions, the energetic girl pestered her relentlessly. Eve was determined to learn more about Kyudo, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say, more about Sayo herself.Though each time Eve brought up the subject, Sayo found herself making excuses before hurrying away. However, the idol’s persistence knew no bounds. Before long, Sayo found herself cornered again. Eve loomed over Sayo’s table in the school library as the older girl had been trying to revise for midterms. Unfortunately, she had no way to subtly escape without disturbing the other students."Sayo-sensei, please!" Eve exclaimed, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation.Sayo shot her a sharp glance, motioning for her to lower her voice. "Wakamiya-san, please keep it down. We're in the library," she whispered, hoping to avoid drawing any more disapproving looks to their conversation."I promise I'll be more focused this time. Just give me a chance to learn from you." Despite lowering her voice appropriately, the idol’s enthusiasm was undeterred.“Shouldn’t you be focusing on midterms right now?” Sayo pointed out, resigning herself to this interruption. She originally decided to study at school to avoid Hina but any semblance of peace now seemed laughable."You’re right, I do!” Eve suddenly leaned in, her whispers brimming with anticipation. “Will you help me study for my midterms? I could use a little help from my favourite sensei."Sayo didn’t know how many more idealistic requests she could handle. But at the same time, the student council member couldn’t deny the importance of performing well on exams. If giving up a single afternoon of her precious time ensured her underclassman passed… perhaps it’ll be worth it. She definitely couldn’t rely on many other in this school to keep the grade average up.As they delved into this spontaneous study session, Sayo quickly realized Eve's struggles extended far beyond Kyudo. Despite her enthusiasm, the idol was floundering in nearly every subject except Japanese history. Is anyone surprised her head is full of nothing but old men in gaudy headsets?"Alright, let's go over this one more time," Sayo pointed to a page of Japanese idioms in Eve's textbook. "Can you tell me what this phrase means?"Eve squinted at the text, her lips moving silently as she tried to decipher the words. "I'm sorry, Sayo-sensei, I just can't seem to wrap my head around these,” she finally whined, dropping her head against the table with an audible thud that elicited a few shushes around them.Sayo winced but tried her best to maintain her composure despite her own growing desperation, “Learning languages can be challenging but you will get it with practice. On a side note, please stop calling me sensei.” The honorific was starting to get embarrassing.“But I must show proper respect to my master!”Sayo sighed, wishing half-Finish came with a built in volume control. “Let’s just try again.”Eve reluctantly glanced at the text again. After a moment’s hesitation, she looked up with a mischievous grin. "Hmm, I think this line means you're as beautiful as a blooming cherry blossom," she said it so strait-faced but there was a teasing lull in her tone.Sayo's frustration mounted. “This is going to be on your test. If you continue to play around you’re going to fail.”Nonetheless, Eve’s gaze fixed on Sayo as she leaned in unbearably close, "But Sayo-sensei… I find your beauty more captivating than any dull old idiom."Sayo’s skin prickled from the way the girl’s murmurs brushed against her eyelashes, laden thick with flirtation. She gulped, struggling to ignore the weight of this unspoken tension any longer. "Wakamiya-san, I need to ask you something."Eve gave her a sheepish look, "It’s not about my grades from the last midterms, is it?"“That is a concern for another time.” Sayo took a deep breath as she tried to regain an appropriate distance between them, laying her hands stiffly on her lap. "What are your feelings for me? It has come to my attention that you’ve been trying to get closer to me as of late."Eve’s response was instantaneous. “I like you, Sayo-sensei. I want you to be my master."Sayo pinched the bridge of her nose. This wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.“It seems you have an interesting… definition of Master. Tell me more about that.”Perhaps Sayo could attempt to gauge this girl’s knowledge of Japanese history and work from there. Though her initial hopes to grasp Eve a passing grade was drifting further and further away each passing second.“Before coming to Japan, I read all about Wakashudo. It is such a beautiful bond between master and apprentice.”"Wakashudo…?" Sayo echoed, her tone tinged with uncertainty. Was this part of their history lesson she’d missed? Or did the school recently add it to the second-year curriculum?Eve nodded eagerly, "Yes, a wakashudo relationship! It's a traditional Samurai concept, like a deeper, more intimate connection.” Her eyes shone with pure adoration, “I want to give my heart, body, and soul to you Sayo-sensei!"Sayo felt as if her entire face was on fire as Eve's implications crashed over her like a tidal wave. The notion of such an intimate relationship! At their age! Such unabashed admittance stirred intense discomfort within her.“Please take thing seriously. We’re still in high school- you can’t just offer yourself up like that to someone you barely know!”Sayo hardly cared about keeping her voice down anymore as her ears rang with embarrassment. However, she should have phrased her concerns better as an eager look crossed Eve’s face.“I know! Since I need so much help studying why don’t I come over to your place? Then we can get to know each other better at the same time. It’ll be like killing two flies with one hit!”Sayo didn’t have time to refuse or even correct her idiom use before the idol dashed away with an excited, “Let’s go Bushido!” earning them both a wave of glares.“Wait, I never agree to—” Sayo hissed but Eve already vanished. She buried her head against the table like the girl had done a few minutes ago.“Ugh, never mind...”…The next day, Sayo found herself in her bedroom. Unfortunately, she wasn’t alone. Study materials scattered across the table in the middle of the room while sitting across from her was a distraught looking white-haired idol. Her brows were screwed in concentration, her tongue sticking out slightly as she attempted to solve a difficult math problem. It would have been a cute sight if she wasn’t drooling slightly over her textbook.Sayo wouldn’t deny the growing apprehension that gnawed at her as. Eve had been staring at that same question for 10 minutes now, and all she achieved was a small doodle of Sayo. It was pretty good, but that’s not the point! The one silver lining was that Hina wasn’t home. The younger twin would have thrown a fit if she found out Sayo had invited another girl over. Not that Sayo did the inviting to begin with.As Sayo attempted to explain the equation for the umpteenth time, Eve's confusion only deepened. "Perhaps we should take a break," Sayo suggested reluctantly, realising she was slowly losing the younger girl as her eyes began to glaze over.Eve let out a sigh of relief as her gaze drifted to Sayo with a hint of longing, "Oh, Sayo-sama, you’re so kind and patient. I’m sorry I’m struggling so much to get this."She fidgeted nervously as she glanced around the room. Sayo wondered how her sense in nicknames have somehow gotten worse. Before she could interject, Eve batted her eyelashes, "It seems spending time alone with you in your room is quite... distracting for me."Then why the hell did you ask to come over? Sayo wanted to retort but she bit her tongue. Blowing up at Eve won’t get her any closer to passing. Clearing her throat, the guitarist shoved away her embarrassment from the suggestive remark, "Please try to focus. We're here to study."Eve's lips curved into a playful smile, "Of course. Although I can't help but find you the most fascinating subject of all."Sayo could no longer contain her flush at Eve's unabashed flirtation. Seeing this reaction fuelled the idol on. She leaned in with a teasing grin."I’ve also noticed how tall you are. I think you'd make a handsome samurai."“I prefer to focus on my studies rather than entertain such... fanciful notions," Sayo kept her tone measured."You can't deny how striking you’d look in traditional armour. Very bushido!”"Wakamiya-san, please refrain from such... flattery. Since you seem so energetic again, shall we get back to your math problems?"“Ack! Time to use my ninja skills to disappear!” The white-haired girl dropped to the floor and attempted to roll away, but Sayo grabbed her by arm.“You’re going to need to be a lot smoother than that if you want to be a ninja.”Although Sayo rolled her eyes, she was struggling to suppress her amusement. Despite her numerous attempts to dismiss Eve's antics, the girls’ light-hearted spirit was beginning to stir something within her. To make matters worse, Eve’s gaze suddenly locked onto her with unrivalled intensity."Sayo-sama, I’ve told you how I feel," Eve began in a genuine tone that made Sayo freeze. "Do you… also think I'm hot?"The guitarist nearly choked on her tea. “Y-you certainly make my blood boil,” she finally managed amidst the wild coughing.Eve pouted. Despite her noncommittal response Sayo’s heart pounded at the sudden question.They somehow managed to return to studying when the sound of the doorbell pierced the quiet atmosphere. Feeling mildly frustrated over this interruption to their studies, Sayo glanced at Eve. She was engrossed in trying to balance a pencil on her nose. Perhaps ‘studies’ was too generous a term.Leaving Eve to her… whatever she was doing, Sayo made her way to the front door, wondering who could be visiting at this hour. She was met with the sight of Arisa, looking unusually sheepish."Ichigaya-san? What brings you here?" Sayo asked, surprised by her sudden appearance.Arisa shuffled her feet, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Um, good evening, Sayo-senpai. I’m sorry for stopping by without warning. I was wondering if you could, um, help me with some studying… for the upcoming midterms.”Sayo's initial confusion gave way to panic when she realized inviting Arisa inside would expose that fact she had Eve over. She didn’t want the idol there in the first place and would rather as few rumours spiral as possible. Not to mention the tsundere had some undeniably jealous tendencies Sayo would rather not deal with at the moment."Actually, I'm in the middle of something right now," Sayo began, frantically racking her brain for a way to decline without revealing she currently had another girl in her bedroom. “Hina… Hina is ill. I’m taking care of her at the moment.”Arisa quirked an eyebrow. “I just saw her run down the street screaming.”“… It’s a work in progress.”The disappointed look Sayo’s received proved what a miserable liar she was. “Look, if you don’t want to spend time with me just say so,” Arisa crossed her arms huffily, but Sayo caught the hurt look on her face.Sayo touched her arm gently, “I’m sorry. I can’t really explain it right now but it’s just not a good time. Can I make it up to you with a study session in the student council room tomorrow?”The keyboardist pretended to consider it for a moment before her true desires gave in. “Geez, alright. But you better bring some pastries again.”Sayo gave blonde’s hair an affectionate ruffle only to receive another glare. “I’ll see you tomorrow then, same time.”“Yeah, yeah, I’m only doing this not to fail you know.” What a tsundere.…Sayo stepped back into her room to find Eve sprawled out on the floor, looking more defeated than ever. " Wakamiya-san, did something happen while I was gone?" Sayo asked, concern lacing her voice as she approached the motionless girl.Eve let out a dramatic sigh, her expression one of utter desolation. "Studying is so hard. But to be separated from you was even greater despair!"Sayo let out an exasperated sigh. Why did she waste her breath worrying? However, as a teacher she was determined to find a way to help even this single-minded idol get a passing grade.“How about we try a different approach? Watching a traditional Japanese movie might help you understand the class content better.”Eve's looked up in interest, "That sounds like a fun idea. I can’t wait to immerse myself in the spirit of bushido!"“Sadly it’s not a samurai movie. It’s about traditional folklore, like you’ve been learning in class.”Sayo rummaged through her collection of DVDs until she found the disk she’d used in her previous year’s studies. With the movie loaded up and ready to go, the two settled in on Sayo's bed. Although Eve was once again a little too close, forcing Sayo to lean as far away as the could to the point that she was practically falling off the mattress.However, what started as a well-intentioned study aid soon turned into a catastrophic ordeal. The movie was more intense than Sayo remembered, depicting eerie scenes and cryptic lore with gripping narration. As the tension mounted on-screen Eve jumped in fright, immediately clinging to Sayo. The guitarist initially assumed this was another ploy to get close but a quick look at the girl’s face revealed she was genuinely terrified.Sayo found herself torn between amusement and concern as Eve buried her face in her shoulder. She couldn't deny that she found these disproportionate reactions endearing. However, her pragmatic side wondered if they were getting any studying done at this rate.As the credits rolled, Sayo’s shoulder was sore and probably covered in deep ridges from Eve’s intense grip. “It's alright. The movie's over now," Sayo reassured, gently patting the girl’s back in a half-hearted attempt to calm her down.But Eve remained unconvinced, still refusing to uncover her face from the safety of Sayo’s neck, "I-I don't know. What if the Jorōgumo comes back?" she protested, her voice trembling slightly.“You know they’re just imaginative folk tales.”“But they must be based on something! As if I wasn’t already scared of spiders.”Sayo racked her brain for a solution, but nothing came to mind. It was then that Eve spoke up again, her voice tinged with hope. "Um, since I'm too scared to go home... do you think I could maybe stay the night?"A sleepover wasn't exactly what Sayo had in mind. However, she couldn’t deny the shaken state Eve was in. The last thing she wanted was to have to walk the girl home at this hour. Though she was better at hiding it, the movie had somewhat unnerved her as well. However, she wasn’t going to fully give in to the idol’s sly ploy. Sayo made a decision of her own."How about this? Since you’re now fully awake, why don't we turn this into an all-night study session?"Eve pouted for a moment as her plans to cuddle up to her crush got dashed. Nonetheless, it was still a chance to spend more time with Roselia’s guitarist. “I guess… that would be alright.”While Sayo went downstairs to prepare some tea, a blood-curdling scream pierced through the house. Dropping the teapot, she raced upstairs. Bursting into the room, Sayo found Eve standing on her desk chair her face contorted in terror.Sayo followed her frantic pointing to see a tiny spider crawling along the wall. The guitarist could barely stifle a sigh. She had expected something far worse given the intensity of the idol’s screams."Wakamiya-san, it's just a spider," Sayo tried to calm the girl down, but Eve was beyond reason.In a desperate attempt to alleviate Eve's shrieks, Sayo approached the spider. Having no opposition to insects, she was intent on capturing it and disposing of it outside. But as she reached out, the arachnid darted out of reach.This sent Eve into another frenzy of screams. Now in arm’s reach, the idol suddenly grabbed hold of Sayo and clung onto her with dear life. In the chaos, they lost their balance and tumbled to the floor.Sayo inadvertently found herself landing on top of Eve. At least this helped cushion her fall. Though the situation immediately sank in as they laid frozen, too shocked to react as the sound of their heavy breathing threatened to deafen them. Staring at Eve's wide-eyed expression, Sayo felt own cheeks flush.“Sa-sayo-san, would you mind getting off?”“O-of course!”Sayo pried herself off. Even regaining an appropriate distance apart, she couldn’t bring herself to look at Eve. “Are you… alright?”Eve, still reeling from the shock could only nod in response. Sayo sat awkwardly on her bed, trying her best to calm her frantic heartrate. When Eve sat down beside her, the older girl unconsciously shifted away. Eve had a complicated expression on her face.“Sayo-san… are you really that put off by me? You won’t even look at me anymore.”Caught off guard by this directness, Sayo felt a second rush of embarrassment flood her. Yet, the girl’s hurt expression tugged at her heartstrings, prompting her to respond honestly.“It's not that," Sayo began, finally meeting Eve's gaze. "It's just... I didn't expect things to become so… complicated between us.”Eve's swallowed a lump in her throat as her eyes searched Sayo's for clarification. "Complicated? Because I asked you to be my master?"Sayo hesitated, unsure of how to articulate her feelings. "No, not just because of that," she admitted, with growing awkwardness, "More like everything since. Believe it or not, I… have desires too."The confession left Eve speechless for the first time that night. Sayo’s gaze dropped to her lap in shame. Nonetheless, she struggled on."I mean... I've never indulged in such thoughts before, but being with you tonight, it made me realize that maybe... I also want something more than just friendship. I’m not saying I understand the whole master-apprentice dynamic you were going on about but…" the guitarist bit her lip, “I was… hoping I could try?”"I... I don't know what to say," Eve murmured, her voice barely a whisper as she reached out to touch Sayo's hand. Sayo instinctively tensed up but didn’t pull away. "I never thought you would... I mean, I stopped getting my hopes up."A moment of awkwardness passed between them before Eve spoke shyly.“Since that’s how we both feel, maybe it won’t be so bad if you gave in to your… desires?”Sayo's mind practically imploded at Eve's boldness. She felt a swirl of conflicting emotions - excitement, nervousness, and a hint of apprehension. The idea of taking this unanticipated relationship to the next level both thrilled and terrified her."Eve, I..." Sayo stammered, her mind racing as she struggled to find the right words. "I don't know if I'm ready for that."Eve's expression softened as she reached out to gently cup Sayo's cheek. "That's okay, Sayo-senpai. I’m sorry, I didn't mean to pressure you.”Sayo’s fears were momentarily eased by the warmth of Eve's touch. She instinctively leaned into the gentle caress. “It’s not your fault. I promise it’s not because I don’t want to. I just… don’t fully understand what we both want yet.”To her surprised, Eve leaned in, pressing a soothing kiss to her forehead. “I want anything you want. As the master, it’s your duty to take the lead.” She met Sayo’s eyes with a soft smile, “That is, whenever you’re ready.”However, her tone didn’t match the sultry look the white-haired girl was giving. Sayo was ready.“Can I kiss you?” Sayo’s voice escaped, soft but determined.A smile spread across the idol’s lips. "Please do.”With a flutter of anticipation, Sayo brushed her lips against Eve’s. Despite the number of girls she’d kissed before, something about this particular moment made her nervous. Perhaps it was the absolute trust Eve had in her. The way her eyes squeezed shut, leaning tentatively into Sayo as if offering up her entire heart. Just as she promised.The kiss left Sayo dizzy. As she tried to gather her thoughts though the daze, she couldn't shake the warmth spreading through her body. The guitarist shifted uncomfortably, the telltale signs of her arousal now impossible to ignore. Her shame grew.Since when did she become that kind of person?A wave of self-consciousness threatened to overwhelm her. Sayo desperately hoped Eve was also too distracted to notice her current struggle. How she was slowly losing grip on her own mounting desires. The guitarist had never felt so guilty as the heady mix of arousal and embarrassment tore though her, leaving her raw and vulnerable. Why was it growing harder and harder to resist each time she found herself in this situation?To her mortification, Eve did notice something was amiss. She curiously shifted closer, forcing Sayo to draw away in discomfort. A sly smile grew on the idol’s face. How often would she get to see her uptight upperclassman in such a state? Eve couldn’t resist the urge to tease her."What's on your mind, Sayo-san?""I-I'm just... thinking," the teal-haired girl stammered, though her words trailing off uncertainly.Eve reached out to tilt Sayo's chin up, forcing her to look at her. The touch made the older girl practically melt."You don't have to hold back, you know," Eve whispered, the alluring tone pushing Sayo closer and closer to the danger zone. "Whatever you're feeling… I'm up for it."Sayo longed to lose herself to the heat of that moment. All the things she wanted to do to Eve. Right there on her bed.Yet, seeing the girl’s willingness was all the more reason Sayo has to remain the responsible one. "Eve, please," Sayo pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "I-I can't... We can't do anything of that nature."Eve's playful grin faltered slightly at the seriousness in Sayo's tone, but she couldn't resist pushing her just a little further. "Are you sure?" she countered, her voice taking on a teasing lilt. She traced a finger along Sayo’s collarbone making the guitarist quiver. "Don't you want to see where this could go?"Sayo's heart ached with each word. Conflicting emotions warred within her, threatening to dissolve her restraint. On one hand, she longed to give in to the intoxicating allure of this sexy model in front of her. To lose herself to Eve. But on the other hand, she knew that succumbing to temptation would have far-reaching consequences. Ones she wasn't ready to face.“I know you’re having fun, but I can’t make exceptions. I have to do things the right way… or not at all.”Sensing her resolve, Eve's expression softened. She pressed an understanding kiss to Sayo’s check. “I know about your promise, Sayo-san. Sorry if I took the teasing a bit far.”Never in her life had she expected to see Roselia’s broody guitarist pout. The sight sent her heart hammering against her chest.“As long as you’ll behave from now on,” Sayo gave her a pointed look.Just then, Sayo's eyes fell upon the elusive spider once again. Determined to exact her revenge, she seized the opportunity and swept Eve up into her arms. The girl shrieked as Sayo threw her over her shoulder, a teasing smirk dancing over her lips."Well, well, well, it seems Mr. Spider wants to make a new friend. Shall we pay him a visit?"Eve's eyes widened in horror as Sayo playfully carried her towards the dreaded arachnid. Her screams of protests drowned out Sayo’s laughter. Sayo couldn't help but revel in the sight of Eve's confidence washed away in an instant. However, a small part of her felt a bit bad.With a playful twirl, Sayo instead deposited Eve onto the bed. As the white-haired girl laid there trembling, Sayo gently climbed atop her. She pressed an apologetic kiss to Eve’s lips."I'm sorry," she murmured in a soothing tone. "I didn't mean to scare you that badly."Eve’s eyes fluttered open, giving Sayo a dejected look. “You’re such a big meanie.”The older girl chuckled as she brushed a strand of hair away from the idol’s face. “Takes one to know one. You really were adorable though.”This comment was met with a barrage of smacking.“Ok, I’m sorry! I promise to protect you from those scary spiders from now on!” Sayo laughed, attempting to shield herself from the pathetic attacks.As they laid side by side, Sayo felt a sense of comfort from the other girl’s warmth. It was nice, simply holding someone in your arms. She traced soft circles on Eve’s cheek with her thumb. The idol couldn’t help but let out a content murmur.Suddenly the door swung open followed by a massive gasp.“ONEE-CHAN!!!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Let’s just say Sayo didn’t get much sleep that night. And no, get your head out of the gutter. Between Eve’s snoring and Hina’s kicking, Sayo considered moving downstairs to sleep on the living room sofa. Unfortunately, she was wrapped too tightly amongst the mess of arms and blankets to escape. The guitarist couldn’t remember the last time she had a bed to herself. How she missed the luxuries of her past.Sayo woke up the next morning feeling wet. Wait, that came out wrong. As her eyes fluttered open, there was no denying the wetness pooling on her cheek.“EW, HINA! Why did you have to drool on me?!”The sudden sound of honking startled the bickering sisters. Sayo tried to investigate the noise but the weight of both Eve and Hina on top of her made the task unnecessarily difficult. When she finally untangled herself, Sayo she staggered to the window and squinting against the early morning light, she was puzzled to see an impatient driver waiting outside in a minivan."Why is there a minivan honking at us outside?” Sayo turned to the two girls still nestled in her bed.Eve's eyes widened as she shot up from the bed. "Oh no! I completely forgot about our camping trip with Pastel Palettes!" She scrambled to her feet before attempting to shake her bandmate awake, "Hina, come on! We need to pack and leave right now!"“Eh? That’s today?” Hina mumbled, burying her head deeper into Sayo’s pillow.Sayo had to yank her sister out of bed before she finally understood the urgency of the situation. The older twin wondered how the agency got anything done when their idols couldn’t even keep track of their own schedule.Meanwhile Eve rushed into Hina’s room next door and began rummaging through her friend’s closet, throwing armful of clothes into an open suitcase. Sayo could only watch as she frantically gathered the camping supplies which had been unhelpfully strewn around the messy room. Hina really need to clean up, her room was almost worse than Yukina’s in terms of visible floor space.Turning to the girl in question, Sayo found her struggling to wriggle into her fleece jacket. The older twin moved to assist her, pulling the stubborn piece of clothing over her sister’s head until it fell into place. Hina gave a grateful look as Sayo did up her zipper."Thanks onee-chan! I don't know what I'd do without you."“Sadly I don’t know either.”“Still, I’d prefer if you were taking it off instead~ ”“Shut up and help Eve pack. She’s getting swallowed up by this dump you live in.”After what felt like forever, the older twin finally lugged the massive suitcase downstairs, ready to see the two girls off. But as they reached the front door, Eve griped her hand. "Sayo-sensei, you're coming with us!" She declared, pulling Sayo out the door."Wait, I never agreed to..." Sayo started to protest when persistent idol only held up an extra duffel bag. Sayo realised it was stuffed full of her own clothes.That mischievous girl must have packed for her while she was distracted with Hina. Sayo’s protests died on her lips as she realized the futility of resisting Eve's enthusiasm. At least she’d get to spend some time with Chisato and Aya again.Inside the minivan, Sayo was immediately greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of Aya who practically bounced at her in excitement. Until her seatbelt stopped her advance, snapping her back into her seat with a whimper. Nonetheless, her joy was untainted."Sayo-chan! I'm so glad you're joining us!"Sayo reached out to give her the hug she clearly wanted. "It's good to see you again, Aya.”Beside Aya, Chisato wore a surprised but content expression. "Yes, it's a pleasant surprise but I'm glad you could join us.”The only person who didn’t share these sentiments was Maya. Sitting quietly in her seat, she watched Sayo with a mixture of shock and confusion. Why was Roselia’s guitarist suddenly joining them on their band trip? Not that she had any issues, Sayo also seemed polite whenever they spoke.Nonetheless, the way her bandmates seemed to be throwing themselves at her, with Hina and Eve currently clinging to each arm as Sayo struggled to put on her seatbelt, made the drummer’s head spin. She opened her mouth to ask what was going on, but no words came out. Her gaze only continued to flicker between her friends and Sayo with a sense of bewilderment. Sayo met Maya's gaze with a sheepish smile, feeling a hint of guilt at the unexpected intrusion.With everyone buckled in, the minivan pulled away from the curb, embarking on their journey towards the campsite. As they drove, Sayo felt a sense of excitement and dread building within her. On one hand, it was nice knowing so many people were willing to have her along on this trip. On the other hand, she truly wasn’t built for the great outdoors.…Finally arriving at the campsite, Sayo stepped out of the minivan and stretched her limbs. Her lungs instantly took in the fresh mountain air. During the drive, Chisato had helpfully briefed her that thankfully this trip wasn’t for promotional reasons but a simple teambuilding experience. The team and Sayo now supposedly.The guitarist took in her surroundings. She spotted their pitch in a clearing amidst the tress, bathed in the bright glow of the midmorning sun. "It's beautiful," she remarked, unable to contain her awe as the incredible view of the misty mountains in the distance.Hina nodded, her eyes sparkling in agreement. "This is perfect for camping. I can't wait to explore!"Sayo had to grab her before the younger twin could dart off. They still had to set up camp after all. However, some of the other members of Pastel Palettes seemed less enthused now that they actually arrived.Aya fidgeted nervously with the straps of her backpack, while Chisato smoothed down the wrinkles in her blouse with a slightly worried expression. Maya, on the other hand, stood frozen in place, her eyes darting around the clearing as if searching for an escape route. Only Eve shared Hina’s excitement as she bounced on the balls of her feet with anticipation. Sayo couldn't help but feel relief, realising the rest of Pastel Palettes weren't exactly the outdoorsy type either.As the girls set up camp, Sayo took charge of organizing the tents. Even if all else failed, she at least wanted somewhere dry to sleep. Hina, eager to assist, grabbed hold of the tent pegs and a mallet. Sayo gave her an appreciative smile. Their family haven’t been camping since they were little so neither of them were very experienced, but with her energy on the task, Sayo knew their shelter would be ready in no time.Unfortunately, her optimism couldn’t be further from the truth. As the younger twin attempted to hammer the stakes into the ground, her movements were a bit too forceful, causing the poles to become lodged at odd angles. Sayo watched in despair as her beautiful handiwork began to bunch up awkwardly. With a sigh, she took the raised hammer from Hina's hand, making her sister look up in confusion."Actually… you’ve been a big help, but it looks like Aya could use a hand setting up the cooking area.” she suggested.A small part of Sayo felt guilty for pushing her troublesome sister on the poor girl, yet she would rather not wake up tomorrow in a makeshift kiddie pool. Nodding eagerly at this suggestion, Hina bounded off towards her bandmate who had somehow attached the gas canister upside down and was looking distressed at why their stove wasn’t turning on.Even with one problem down, this still left Sayo to struggle with Hina's well-intentioned but overly enthusiastic efforts. With a frustrated sigh, she tugged at a particularly stubborn pole, only to have it spring from its place, refusing to stay rooted to the ground. Just as Sayo reached the limits of her exasperation, a voice broke through her concentration."Hey, Sayo-san, looks like you could use a hand."Sayo glanced up to see Maya approaching, a sympathetic smile playing on her lips. Relief flooded through Sayo as she silently thanked her lucky stars for this intervention. "Yes, please. I seem to have gotten myself into a bit of a predicament."Maya chuckled as she crouched down beside Sayo, deftly untangling the tent's web of straps and fabric with practiced ease. Before long, all the tents were standing upright.Sayo turned to Maya with a satisfied smile. "Thank you, Yamoto-san. I really appreciate your help.""Ehehe~ It's no trouble at all. Even if I’ve never really been camping, I feel better already, knowing you’re in charge of the tents."Sayo returned a wry smile. Though the shelter was sorted, she prayed Hina’s diverted efforts wouldn’t cause anything to explode the moment they tried to cook. Just to be safe, Sayo had brought another fire extinguisher on hand.As she and Maya began to tidy up the remaining camping gear, the drummer decided to broach the confusion on her mind. "Sayo-san, can I ask you something?"Sayo's paused upon sensing the serious tone, "What is the matter?""I couldn't help but notice how the others seem particularly close to you. Did you all become friends since you came to our last live?"Sayo's mind raced as she contemplated how to respond. Finally, she decided to just be honest. It wasn’t fair if Maya was the only one left out of the loop. "Well, the truth is I'm currently dating them all. As odd as that is to say.""Ah, I see. That explains a lot." Maya blinked, momentarily caught off guard. It all made sense now.“Although I assure you, I have no intention of coming onto you or anything,” Sayo hurriedly added, realising the implications of her confession. “The last thing I want is to make you feel uncomfortable.""Don't worry, Sayo-san. You don’t seem like the type." Maya let out chuckle, "Besides, it seems you already you have your hands full with the other members of PasuPare."“Yes… PasuPare,” Sayo mumbled. Let’s leave it at that.Once camp was set, Maya suggested it was time for a team building activity. With a spring in her step, she led the others to a river nearby."Alright, everyone, who's ready for some fishing?" The drummer was excited to finally show of her skills with a rod. However, the others shared a different reaction to the prospect.“Um, I'm not sure about this. It’s not really… idol-like" Chisato eyed the wriggling worms in Maya's bait box with a mixture of disgust and apprehension."I-I don’t know how I feel about hurting the poor fishies," Aya chimed in, also taking a cautious step back from the water’s edge.Even Hina wrinkled her nose at the squirming creatures. “Yeah, I think worms are cool and all, but do we really need to skewer them ourselves? Ordering pizza seems more boppin’.”Only Eve appeared eager to take part. “We can’t do that, Hina-chan. Won’t it be more satisfying to catch our own dinner the old-fashioned way? Its very bushido!”"Eve’s right. And don’t worry, I'll show you all the ropes," Maya offered cheerfully, unfazed by her friend’s hesitancy. "Fishing can be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it."As Maya demonstrated how to bait a hook, Sayo couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the worm squirming on the end of the line. Glancing back at the river, she spotted a while-haired girl already knee deep in the water. However, she didn’t appear to have a fishing rod with her. Sayo watched in disbelief as Eve lunged at the river with a wooden sword, stabbing the surface with fierce determination.“Eve, that’s not how-“ Maya tried to protest but she was cut off when Eve, with a swift strike, skewered a fish with the tip of her blade. A chorus of startled cries rose from the watching girls."Wow, Eve!" Hina exclaimed, her eyes dancing with excitement. "I didn't know you were that skilled with a sword!”Eve beamed as she proudly held up her spoil. "It's all about channeling your inner samurai spirit!”“I want to try that!”“Oh no you don’t! You’re not going anywhere near a sword, fake or not,” Sayo pulled her back by the collar before Hina could leap into the river. Nonetheless, she couldn't help but shake her head in amusement at Eve's unpredictable antics.Feeling bad for Maya’s efforts to share her interests, Sayo decided to give fishing a proper try. Her stomach squirmed a bit as she baited the worm, but as Sayo cast her line into the gentle current, she felt a sense of tranquility wash over her. The rhythmic motion of reeling the line helped to clear her mind. For a brief moment, she could almost forget about the chaos in her life.However, her moment of peace was short-lived.A sudden shriek shattered the air. Sayo jerked around to see Chisato recoiling in horror as Hina dangled a squirming worm in front of her face. She was about to tell her sister off when Chisato lurched hersel at Sayo out of fear. The collision sent both of them tumbling into the river with a splash.The cold water enveloped Sayo in a shock of icy sensations, but before she could regain her footing, Hina seized the opportunity to join in on the fun. She leapt on top of them with a gleeful laugh, pushing Sayo beneath the currents once again. Eve immediately followed suit, splashing water everywhere. Soon, all four girls were submerged in the cool embrace of river, their laughter echoing through the forest. Well, except for Chisato who was still traumatised from the whole ordeal.Maya could only shake her head in disbelief while Aya watched in distress from shore. As Hina emerged from the river she set her sights on the pink-haired girl with a mischievous grin. Before Aya could react, the guitarist grabbed her and proceeded to toss her into the water with a loud splash.Aya's screams of protests echoed through the clearing as she hit the water, her shrieks mingling with the laughter of her friends. However, Chisato thought it was unfair if not all of them suffered her misfortune. With a mischievous smirk, she locked eyes with Eve. In synchronized movements, the two lurched at Maya and with a concerted push, sent her toppling into the water with a yelp.Moments later, the drummer merged from beneath the surface, her hair plastered to her face. Her expression was a mix of shock and amusement but before long, her own laughter and splashing joined the others’, sweeping them into an impromptu water fight.…As the sun began to set, the girls gathered around the campfire to dry off. Sayo was chilled to the bone from the unexpected swim. However, the aroma of their freshly caught fish roasting over the fire mingling with the smoky scent of firewood soon drew a contented sigh from her. It wasn’t a lot of food, considering only Maya and Eve had been successful in their fishing exploits, but fortunately, Chisato was ever prepared and produced a batch of homemade onigiri for them all. It was simple meal, yet as she took a bite, Sayo marveled at Chisato's cooking skills. The filling was perfectly seasoned while the texture of the rice was soft and comforting against her tongue.After dinner, Eve pulled out bags of marshmallows, chocolates and biscuits. The others listened with interest as she told them all about smores a camping treat that was apparently common back home in Finland.The dancing flames illuminated the girls’ faces as they eagerly roasted their marshmallows over the fire. Hina and Eve were bent close together as they collaborated on creating what they proudly dubbed the "monster s'more" — an extravagant concoction piled high with oozing marshmallow and chocolate. Sayo felt nauseous just eyeing the volume of sugar but since they weren’t hurting anyone, decided to leave the two to it. At least it kept them momentarily entertained. She took this moment of respite to cuddle with Chisato as the couple watched the glow of the flickering fire.Meanwhile, Aya attempted to toast her marshmallow to perfection only to end up with it engulfed in flames. With a yelp, she dropped the burnt skewer and nursed her singed fingers, tears welling up in her eyes. Concerned, Sayo got up to inspect the injury."Let me see," she murmured, gently taking Aya's hand in hers and examining the minor burn.Aya sniffled, her lower lip trembling as she looked up at Sayo. "Will you… kiss it better?"Despite the rising embarrassment, Sayo leaned in to press a reassuring kiss to the girl’s injury. She tried to ignore the giggles from the other girls at such an uncharacteristic gesture.“Onee-chaaaan, I want you to kiss me better too!”Chisato had drag Hina back before she could dive head-first into the fire.By then, the night had deepened, the glowing ember casing long shadows on the tree trunks around them. Yet, it was still too early to go to bed. Only Hina seemed content to turn in early."I can't wait to snuggle up with onee-chan in her sleeping bag!"Sayo shot her a stern glare, “Hina, if I catch you in my tent tonight you’re going to find yourself at the bottom of the river.”Hina spluttered in protest at being singled out. With her hopes dashed, she suggested an alternative way to spend the evening. "Hey, why don't we do a test of courage?"Despite her enthusiasm, Sayo shuddered involuntarily. She recalled her past experience dragging Aya through the haunted house. "I think I'll pass," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. The vocalist nodded in agreement, mirroring Sayo's sentiments.Hina's bottom lip jutting out in a playful display of disappointment. "Aw, come on, it'll be fun! I want to see Aya-chan cry again, it’s just too cute!"But Sayo stood her ground. Some things were best left to the imagination, and venturing into the unknown depths of the forest at night was certainly one of them."Ooh, how about we share some ghost stories?" Maya suggested eagerly, "I've got some real good ones!"Hina's eyes widened with interest, but before Maya could delve into her tales of the supernatural, Eve's lurched over to cling to Sayo’s arm. “No please, anything but that!” She whimpered, her eyes squeezed tight with fear as memories of the horror movie they watched the previous night surfaced afresh in her mind."I don't think that's such a good idea either," Sayo interjected gently, shooting Maya an apologetic glance. "Probably best to save the ghost stories for another time. Eve’s still a bit… sensitive."Hina rolled her eyes in exasperation, “Boo, you guys are being boring!”"How about we play spin the bottle?" Aya proposed meekly as she attempted to find a solution that would appease everyone.At first, the idea seemed tempting, eliciting a few giggles and teasing remarks from the group. But as the implications of the game sank in, a subtle tension began to simmer beneath the surface. Sayo felt a flush of embarrassment colour her cheeks as she realised she was the sole target of this game.Before she could protest the idea, the game had already begun. As it was her suggestion, Aya eagerly went first. As Hina’s rainbow water bottle spun, the atmosphere grew increasingly charged with anticipation. And then with a soft click, it came to a stop, pointing directly at Sayo.As if on cue, the bickering began. The other girls all voiced loud protests, each one vying for Sayo's attention, practically smothering the helpless guitarist as they tried to keep each other’s hands off her. Maya could only watch in confusion as the chaos spiralled. She couldn’t comprehend why all her friends were so smitten by this one poor girl."Um, not to ruin the mood but I don't get it," her brows knitting in bewilderment. "What's with all the fuss over Sayo-san?... No offence, of course."“None taken,” Sayo sighed with equal weariness. “Even now, I don’t understand it myself.”The other girls paused, momentarily aghast by Maya's question. They all glared at her, the tension sharp as knives."Well, she's... Sayo-chan," Aya piped up unhelpfully, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words.Chisato nodded in agreement, though she was also having trouble expressing her feelings. "Yes, she's special as she is. What more do you need to know?"Eve offered a cryptic shrug. "Sayo-sensei is like the great samurai of legends. I would lay down my life for her!”Sayo couldn't help but roll her eyes at the dramatic flair of her statement. "Listen to yourselves for a moment. I literally am just me."Hina giggled, her eyes shining in adoration. "Exactly! That’s exactly why I love you so much onee-chan! There’s no one else as boppin’ as you!"The others exchanged mischievous smiles. A silent agreement passed between them that it was time for Maya to truly understand the extent of Sayo's charm. Before either Sayo or Maya could protest, they found themselves being unceremoniously shoved into one of the tents for what Hina dubbed a round of "7 Minutes in Heaven."As they sat in the dark, Sayo snuck a strained glance at her fellow prisoner. The drummer returned it with equal parts embarrassment as she shuffled nervously on the spot."Well, this is awkward," Sayo remarked dryly. She’d about had enough of her partners' antics for one day.Maya hummed in agreement though her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "I’m glad we both agree on that part.”"Hina let us out!" Sayo ordered, putting on a more commanding tone than usual."No can do, onee-chan~" Hina’s sing-song voice drifted through the fabric of the tent. "You're staying in there until your time is up. Now show Maya-chan just how zapping you are!"With a resigned groan, Sayo leaned back against the tent's side in acceptance of her fate. Deciding to make the most of their time, she initiated a conversation with the equally flustered drummer. "You know, Yamato-san, I've always been impressed by your knowledge of stage equipment. You seem to know what to do whenever somethings malfunctions during our joint lives."Maya's face lit up with excitement as she launched into an animated explanation of her hobby. Although shy by nature, her words flowed effortlessly when it came to sharing her passions. The minutes flew by as they got lost in conversation, an easy camaraderie developing between them. Before they knew it, Aya announced that their seven minutes were up.The other girls looked disappointed as the two emerged from the tent. However, the drummer’s cheeks were flushed as she cast a thoughtful glance at Sayo. In the moonlight trickling over the guitarist’s waves of teal, a newfound understanding dawned in the Maya’s eyes. Seven minutes ago, she’d been wrapped in the enigma of why everyone was so captivated by Sayo. …Now she gets it.Maya forgot what it felt like to breathe.…As the night drew over them, the girls retreated to their respective tents to prepare for bed. Sayo and Maya had been assigned to the same sleeping quarters after the others finally agreed this was the fairest way to ensure none of them would take unfair advantage of her during the night. However, no one caught the blush that rose on Maya cheeks at this arrangement.Just as Sayo was settling into her sleeping bag, a strange noise pierced the quiet of the forest. The girls all jumped at the sound, their faces a mix of fear and apprehension."Wha-what was that?" Aya’s trembling whisper was barely audible over the now deafening silence.Chisato clutched her blanket tightly though she tried to hide the alarm in her voice, "I… don't know. Although it sounded close."Hina buried her face in her pillow, muffling her voice as she spoke. "I'm not going out there! Onee-chan, pleeeease will you check it out? I don’t wanna get mauled by a bear!"“You say you love me until your safety is on the line,” Sayo scoffed, slightly irritated at being offered up as the communal sacrifice. However, she couldn't deny the sense of responsibility her partners placed on her. "Fine, I'll go," she conceded, with a begrudging sigh.As she prepared to leave the safety of the tent, Maya's voice cut through the tension. "Wait, Sayo-san. Let me come with you." Despite her trembling hands, her expression was determined.Sayo nodded, grateful that she won’t be alone in this horrifying quest. Not that anything bad would happen… right? They were in a national park after all. Sayo tried to recall what she learnt in elementary school about the natural wildlife of Japan.Creeping out of their tent, the two began circling the campsite. The only sound that could be heard was their baited breaths, and the rustle of leaves beneath their feet. With each step, Sayo's heart pounded in her chest, her senses alert for any sign of danger. Maya instinctively grabbed the hem of Sayo’s shirt for comfort as she fearfully swept her flashlight though the darkness surrounding them.As they approached the source of the sound, they discovered it was nothing more than a small animal scurrying through the underbrush. Relief flooded through Sayo as she let out a shaky laugh, her tense muscles relaxing at the sight.Maya sighed in relief, "It's just a tanuki, nothing to worry about."Their relief was short-lived when a louder noise suddenly erupted behind them. Without a moment’s hesitation Maya grabbed Sayo’s arm as they both sprinted back to their tent as fast as their legs could take them. Sayo dove trough the flap only to find the other girls all piled inside, paled looks of terror on their faces. She stared in disbelief at the sight."What are you all doing in my tent?"“Obviously because of that… that thing- out there!” Chisato stammered, pointing a trembling finger towards the darkness outside.A shriek filled the air as Maya suddenly flew through the open entrance. She crashed into Sayo, eliciting a pained grunt from them both. However, any discomfort was quickly overshadowed by tension as Eve hastily zipped the tent shut. The next few moments were filled with fearful silence as the six girls all huddled together in the dim glow of Maya’s torch."I don't like this," Aya whimpered from where she was curled up in the back of the tent.“Onee-chan, hold me.”“You’re doing a pretty good job of that already,” Sayo choked as she tried to pry off her sister’s arms locked around her throat.As Sayo exchanged a worried glance with Maya, her mind racing with possibilities. Whatever caused the noise, it was clear it had shaken the others to their core. Their hands found each other’s in the dim, the warmth of their intertwined fingers offered a small comfort in the face of the unknown. Sayo felt the drummer give her a reassuring squeeze. She squeezed back.Despite the lingering worry in the air, it was obvious that they were safest saying put inside the tent. Even crammed in like sardines, one by one, the girls began to drift off to sleep as exhaustion finally overtook their frayed nerves.Sayo and Maya remained awake a while longer as they kept watch over their sleeping friends. Their hands remained clasped together as they found solace in each other's steadying presence. In the stillness of the night, the two finally embraced sleep, curled up against one another as the terror of the night drifted away.
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Sayo sat in CiRCLE’s cafe, her fingers trailing absentminded patterns on the table as she listened to Hina's dramatic retelling of their harrowing camping experience. Her sister’s animated gestures and theatrical expressions drew the attention of everyone around them. Likewise, the members of Roselia were at the edge of their seats as Hina regaled her exaggerated version of the night's horrors.Sayo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow Hina's narrative grew increasingly outlandish with each retelling. As the younger twin reached the climax of her tale, recounting her valiant stand against a ferocious black bear with nothing but a fishing rod, Sayo couldn't hold back a wry smile. If only the actual events were as gripping.In reality, the shaken group had emerged from their cramped tent the next morning to find a deer passed out nearby after going through an entire stash of instant noodles Aya had accidentally left out. However, Sayo was wiling to let Hina have her fun just this once.“And what was Sayo doing in all this?” Lisa asked with mild scepticism as she glanced over at her amused girlfriend.“Onee-chan was too busy cuddling up to Maya-chan to care,” Hina gave her sister a pointed look.“Only after you initially threw me out to the ‘bear’,” Sayo protested though a slight blush tinged her cheeks. She didn’t realise anyone had caught that moment of vulnerability she and the drummer shared.“Of course she was,” Lisa rolled her eyes in mock amusement. Meanwhile, Rinko only giggled.Yukina shot her a knowing smile, “At this point, I’m afraid to ask who’s still left on your hit list.”“Please, as if I have such a thing,” Sayo protested, though it seemed futile to maintain her dignity at this point.As if on cue, a timid voice spoke up. "Um, Hikawa-senpai, I-I was wondering if... if you'd like to go on a date with me?"Sayo looked up to see Popping Party’s bassist stood beside the table while nervously fidgeting with her hair. Rimi's shy request caught Sayo off guard. Though considering the series of unexpected events recently, another date invitation felt almost routine.
At this point, why not? Sayo had nothing else left to lose.
She turned her attention back to the nervous girl, her tone gentle. "Yes, I'd be happy to Ushigome-san."Rimi's face lit up with a shy smile as a blush tinged her cheeks. "Th-Thank you," she stammered, as the members of Roselia let out teasing whistles. "I-I'm looking forward to it."As Rimi hurriedly excused herself with a flustered farewell, Sayo sank back in her seat with a deep sigh. Obviously, she had nothing against the girl. The guitarist simply couldn’t remember the last time she properly slept. Ako noticed the fatigue etched on Sayo's features."Hey, Sayo-san," Ako leaning in conspiratorially. "You look really tired. Why don't you come over to my place for a nap? My cradle of darkness is reeeal comfy!”Sayo's expression remained impassive, but her response was swift and decisive. "No, thank you." Sayo had no intention of indulging in the younger girl’s opportunistic attempt, especially given Tomoe would be all the closer to punching her lights out from next door.Ako pouted briefly, her schemes crushed by Sayo's refusal. Nonetheless, she quickly recovered with a cheerful smile. "Oh, okay then! But be prepared, for my powers of… of…"“The mystic arts,” Rinko whispered helpfully.“Yes! My powers of the mystic arts shall allure your heart eventually,” Ako finished contently with what Sayo assumed was an attempt at a seductive pose.“Yes, yes, whatever you say,” Sayo replied dismissively. She stopped paying attention to the drummer’s rambling partway through.That was when the guitarist realised she’d completely forgotten to confirm the plans of her date with Rimi. Reluctantly, she pulled out her phone to ask Saaya for her bandmate’s number. She really was turning into the sleezy player archetype.…Meanwhile, Rimi's heart pounded as she paced back and forth in her room. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of her upcoming date with Sayo. She let out a longing sigh.Rimi had fallen head over heels for Sayo ever since that fateful day she witnessed the guitarist unexpectedly kiss Kaoru in front of school. The image had been seared into her memory—the sight of Sayo’s confidence effortlessly making the formally untouchable ‘prince’ of Haneoka weak at the knees… it left Rimi utterly mesmerized. In that moment, Sayo had transformed from a distant celebrity to a figure of longing and desire in Rimi's eyes, igniting an attraction that had only grown stronger with time.Upon realising these feelings, Rimi sought advice from her friends- or equally accurately, Sayo's other suitors. Each had offered their own unique insight and suggestions, drawing from their own experience with Roselia’s guitarist. Upon reflection, some were oddly specific and the bassist couldn’t help but wonder how applicable they'd be to her. Her mind flashed back through each encounter.…"Rimi, the most important thing is open yourself to deep conversations," Tae had said, her eyes brimming with conviction. "Sayo-senpai can be a bit weird and sensitive sometimes but if you talk to her about rabbits, it will calm her down… also she likes mushrooms.”Next, Saaya had been surprised to hear about Rimi’s predicament but offered her usual, gentle reassurance. "You're special, Rimi, so there’s nothing to worry about. And even if she seems shy, don’t be afraid to initiate affection.” The drummer had sighed after that. “Also don’t let your parents meet her right away… else you’ll never hear the end of it."But amidst these helpful titbits, there was also Eve's more concerning suggestions, delivered with characteristic enthusiasm. "Just go for it, Rimi-san! Seduce her with no hesitation- that is the way of Bushido!" Eve had exclaimed. "And when she gives you the look, push her onto the bed and-" Rimi had cut her off at that point, afraid she might combust from embarrassment if she heard any more of the idol’s exploits.Then there was Himari, her eyes wide with excitement as she offered her perspective. "Oh my god, I know right? Sayo-san is like, so hot! Be sure to try and touch her abs!” She was practically bouncing on her feet in excitement… or as much as her leg cast would allow. “Also take her somewhere new and exciting that will push her limits. Trust me, it'll make all the difference in how sex- I mean, how seriously she’ll take you!"At that point, Moca had piped up something about chucking bread at her. Rimi wasn’t really sure what that was about…Misaki had been the most helpful so far, her words measured and thoughtful. "Communication is key. Sayo-senpai is really kind so don’t be afraid to let her know how you feel." The DJ tried her best to calm her friend’s growing nerves. "Also make sure you’re on the same page. As cool as she seems, she can be a bit dense sometimes."Unfortunately, Kokoro had immediately popped out of nowhere and unravelled Rimi’s growing sense of confidence. "Just have a fun time!" Kokoro declared, her eyes shining with joy, "If you’re smiling, then she’ll be smiling too! Just remember she doesn’t like running though... or guns. But anyways, if all else fails buy her a pet store!" Her whimsical wisdom left the bassist both inspired and overwhelmed.Rimi’s head whirled with all this words. Her concern grew as she realised each girl saw Sayo in a completely different light. How could a single person have so many different facets to her personality? Who really was the real Hikawa Sayo she fell in love with?Fortunately, she had enough sense to not confide in Kaoru despite the thespian’s many offers of assistance. After hearing about Kasumi’s catastrophic attempt at serenading Sayo outside her window, this seemed like the right decision. The bassist took a deep breath. Sayo’s deadline was only days away. This was her one shot to win her crush’s heart.…Rimi's heart pounded as she waited for Sayo to arrive for their date. She wore a cute outfit she hoped the guitarist would like. Despite rehearsing everything she’d learn over and over again, the bassist couldn't shake the feeling of butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach. As Sayo finally approached, Rimi tried to compose herself, offering a shy smile as she greeted her senpai.“You’re here early. What would you like to do today?” Sayo greeted warmly."Sayo-senpai, I was thinking... maybe we could try something a little adventurous," Rimi suggested, her voice tinged with uncertainty."Adventurous?" the older girl repeated, clearly surprised by the suggestion."Yeah, something that will push our limits… like skydiving?" Rimi suggested weakly, trying to sound enthusiastic despite her growing nerves.Kokoro had mentioned skydiving several times so it must be important… or was that an indication it was a bad idea? Before Rimi could stress over this dilemma, Sayo spoke up."I'm not sure if that's such a good idea," she admitted, her expression unreadable. "I'm not particularly fond of heights."Rimi's heart sank at Sayo's reluctance, though a wave of relief also washed through her. She didn’t really want to go skydiving either. Nonetheless, her attempt to impress her date had missed the mark.The guitarist must has sensed her distress as she spoke up gently, “Why don’t we do something you enjoy, Ushigome-san? I was hoping to learn more about you.”Rimi blushed slightly, "Well, if you’re sure that’s okay, maybe we could visit the local bookstore? I've been meaning to pick up a new novel.""Sounds perfect," Sayo replied with a smile. "Lead the way."As they made their way to the bookstore, Rimi couldn't help but feel grateful for Sayo's understanding. However, as the two browsed through the selection of paperbacks, an awkward silence lingered over them. Rimi took a deep breath, trying to summon her courage."So, um, I was thinking we could, uh, have a deep conversation... about rabbits?" she blurted out, immediately feeling foolish.Sayo raised an eyebrow at Rimi's odd topic choice. "Rabbits?" she echoed, confusion evident in her voice."Yeah, you know, because they, um, calm you down, right?" Rimi stammered, mentally kicking herself for her awkwardness.Sayo's expression softened as she realized how nervous the girl was. "I suppose that could be said for most furry animals. Do you play with O-tae-san’s rabbits often then?”Rimi shook her head weakly. In truth, she was rather scared to touch her bandmate’s pets. Something about those teeth always made her nervous. This probably made her choice of topic even stranger.Yet, emboldened by Sayo's response, Rimi decided to take another piece of advice to heart. She tentatively reached out to take Sayo's hand, hoping to initiate some affection.Sayo's eyes widened in surprise as Rimi's hand brushed against hers. "Ushigome-san, wha-what are you doing?""Oh, um, sorry!" Rimi exclaimed, quickly retracting her hand and blushing furiously. "I, uh, just thought... never mind."“It-it’s alright,” Sayo stammered, equally flustered by the sudden gesture.Amidst her racing heart, Rimi had to shake of the memory of Eve's more... unconventional suggestions. As they continued their date, the younger girl made a mental note to steer clear of any further attempts at seduction or worse, thoughts of touching Sayo's abs.Pushing through her nervousness, she recalled Misaki’s advice about communication being the key. That seemed like a safe enough option. "So, um, is there anything you'd like to talk about?"Sayo hesitated at this sudden earnestness. "I suppose we could talk about… anything, really.”“I think you have a really nice smile.”“… Thank you?”Rimi wanted to cry. This date wasn’t going how she’d expected. Sayo must think she’s a freak by now.At that point Sayo caught on that something was amiss. Upon leaving the bookstore, she led the younger girl to a nearby coffee stand and ordered them both a hot drink. As they sat in a park nearby sipping their calming teas, Sayo observed her closely."Ushigome-san, is everything alright?" she inquired, her voice laced with genuine concern. "You seemed a bit upset back in the bookstore. I understand that first dates can be nerve wracking but is there anything I can do to make things easier?"Rimi hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering away before finally meeting Sayo's again. "I-I'm sorry, Hikawa-senpai," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I just... I wanted us to have a nice time, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and... and I don't know how to make things better."“It's okay, you don't have to apologize," Sayo said gently, reaching out to give her a reassuring pat on the head. “I think you’re simply trying a bit too hard.”"Ma-maybe you’re right, I... I actually asked my friends for advice," she confessed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "They all gave me different suggestions and I didn't know what to do… so I tried to follow them all. But it seems I just made things worse."Sayo instantly put the pieces together. Knowing her partners’… eccentric natures, Rimi’s odd behaviour suddenly made sense."It's sweet that you wanted to make the date special, but you don't need anyone else’s advice for that. Just be yourself. That's who I want to spend time with.""You mean it?" Rimi's eyes widened in surprise, touched by Sayo's words.Sayo nodded, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Of course, I want to know the real you. Without the influence of O-tae-san, Tsurumaki-san and I’m guessing… Uehara-san?"The bassist’s blush deepened as she nodded weakly.“Out of curiosity, what did Aoba-san say?”“Something about throwing… bread?”Sayo rubbed her temple, “A habit I have yet to correct. Either way, please tell me you at least didn’t listen to Seta-san.”This got a giggle from Rimi, “I promise even I know better than that.”She felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she realized she didn't have to put on a front for Sayo. She could simply be herself, and that was enough for this wonderful girl in front of her.“So, what is the best way for you to show me who you are?” Sayo asked with an encouraging smile.“Hikawa-senpai… do you like horror movies?”The guitarist gulped.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The day had finally arrived. The weight of Sayo’s impending choice pressed down on her shoulders like an oppressive force. The way her heart leapt into her throat at even the thought of who to choose made it near impossible to breathe. Every fibre of her being ached with this burden of uncertainty, each bead of cold sweat a painful reminder of the reckoning. Of inevitably disappointing almost anyone and potentially ruining all these bonds she’d built over the past few months.Despite lying awake all night with these torments, she wasn’t a single step closer to knowing the right answer. Doubt and fear gnawed at her resolve, but neither could outweigh the regret of letting herself get dragged into this mess in the first place. Was it worth it, these fanciful days now that her final decision will lead to the happiness of one but the heartache of all others?Nonetheless, Sayo knew the memories she made would be ones she’d cherish for the rest of her life, regardless of the outcomes. Who else could wholeheartedly say they were loved? By so many girls no less? A year ago, Sayo would have scoffed at the idea that anyone could ever love her but since this journey she’d gone through… is it selfish to finally believe she’s worthy of love?The atmosphere in the rehearsal room was tense the next day with all the members well aware of their guitarist’s looming decision. One that will determine the outcome of all their lives one way or another.As Sayo’s mind looped over the question time and time again, her fingers faltered on the strings of her guitar making the notes sharply off-key. Yukina winced while the others exchanged worried glances. Even Ako's usual bubbliness was replaced by a sullen expression. Sayo noticed her drumming was more aggressive than usual and decided to approach her during break, hoping to distract herself from her own problems."Ako, is everything alright?" Sayo asked, her tone gentle but concerned.The younger girl glanced up with evident frustration in her eyes. "Yeah, everything's just great," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.Sayo furrowed her brow, unsure what sparked this sudden moodiness, "Did something happen?"Ako let out a frustrated sigh before setting her drumsticks aside. "It's just... I don't get it" she began, her words tinged with bitterness. "Why are you dating everyone in the band but me? Am I not good enough?"Sayo's eyes widened at Ako's accusation. "That's not it at all. You should know I value our friendship, but I simply don't see you in that way."Ako's expression shifted to hurt, "But why?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation. "What's wrong with me? It is because I always say weird things?"Sayo quickly shook her head, growing guiltier with each passing second Ako watched her with those dejected eys. "It's not about there being anything wrong with you," she explained gently. "It's just that... well, sometimes feelings aren't reciprocated in the way we hope they would be. That doesn't diminish your worth or how much I value you as an individual.""But what if I want more than that?" Ako interrupted, a new determination burning in her eyes. "Sayo-san I want you to see me as someone you could be with, someone you could care about!"Set on changing Sayo's feelings, to make her see her in a different light, Ako was ready to give it her all. As practice continued, she drew inspiration from her older sister and tried to adopt a cooler demeanour, hoping it would catch her stubborn bandmate’s attention."Hey, Sayo-san," Ako called as she leaned casually against her drum set with what she hoped was an air of nonchalance.Sayo glanced up, with slight confusion over this sudden mood shift. "Yes, Ako? Is something else on your mind?"Ako shrugged, attempting to mimic Tomoe's laid-back attitude as she twirled a drumstick in her hand like she practiced. Thankfully she managed to without dropping it. "Nah, just thought I'd chat. Did you find my drumming cool?”Sayo nodded, though still a bit puzzled by the younger girl’s behaviour. "It did sound better than usual," she said offered sincerely before turning back to her guitar.Despite feeling let down by such a lukewarm response, Ako mustered up her courage to try a different tactic. Taking notes from past interactions she’d seen, she tried to emulate Lisa's flirtatious nature hoping it would have the same desired effect on Sayo."So, Sayo-san~" Ako sauntered over to where Sayo was tuning her guitar with a playful smile on her face. "I couldn't help but notice how amazing you look today. Is that new cologne I smell?"Sayo paused in her tuning to stare up at Ako with a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Um, it is…" she replied hesitantly, "That's... very kind of you to say."Undeterred, Ako pressed on, trying to channel Lisa's confidence. "You’re like a… um, dark sorceress casting you spell on me. Don’t you want to see where the fates could take us?" she flashed Sayo a flirtatious smile.Sayo felt physically uncomfortably as she shifted under Ako's intense gaze. "I don’t know what’s going on right now, but I think we should focus on practice."Ako's heart sank as she realised her flirting attempts were only making things more awkward between them. "Right, of course," she backtracked, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'll, uh, get back to my drums then."Sayo watched her go with a troubled expression on her face. While she felt perplexed by Ako's uncharacteristic actions, she unfortunately had bigger problems to focus on that day. Despite rehearsals resuming, Ako could only wonder how she might salvage her hopeless chances.A genius idea struck her. Though Sayo wouldn't admit it, everyone knew she undoubtedly loves is her twin. In a desperate final attempt, Ako decided to try channelling some of her senpai’s affectionate energy and leapt towards Sayo at the end of their song, wrapping her arms around her in a hug.Sayo let out a startled cry at the unexpected affection. Yukina ended up having to calm her down in the corner before she devolved into a panic attack. Meanwhile, Rinko comforted the visibly embarrassed younger girl who’d curled herself up in a different corner in shame."Are you okay, Ako-san?" Rinko placed a comforting hand on her friend's arm.Ako nodded dejectedly despite feeling mortified by her failure to channel Hina's energy. "I’m sorry, Rin-rin, I didn't mean to trigger Sayo-san like that.”“It’s okay Ako-chan, I’m sure she’s not mad. Hikawa-san just has some… personal… trauma from the unexpected affections recently.”As the final moments of rehearsals ticked away, Ako knew she was running out of time. When it came time for Sayo to pack up her guitar, her mind was still clouded over her looming decision. She considered fleeing the country altogether and starting a new life busking on the streets, but before she could take a single step through the door, Ako's final attempt caught her completely off guard.In a burst of desperation no one could have predicted, Ako seized the taller girl by the shoulders and pulled her down into a sudden and passionate kiss. Sayo's eyes flew open in shock, but she couldn’t pull away in time before Ako's lips met hers. The sudden force knocked the wind out of her, making her flail slightly to maintain her balance.Sudden gasps echoed all around them. Sayo's senses reeled as she finally broke free from Ako. Horror flooded her sense when she turned to find CiRCLE’s lobby tightly packed with her other girlfriends, their expressions a mix of shock, confusion, and even hints of amusement. Utterly unprepared for Ako's bold move, Sayo could only stand there, feeling fully exposed under all those stares."What the hell, Sayo?!" Tomoe’s voice was the first to ring out above the rest. Her eyes were aflame with betrayal.Ako let go of Sayo and stormed up to her sister, “You’re not the one in charge, onee-chan. I have every right to kiss her if I want to!"Sensing this escalating tension, the other members of Afterglow quickly stepped in between the sisters. "Hey, Tomoe, let's all take a moment to cool off," Himari suggested.Ran nodded with her signature seriousness, "Yeah, Sayo-san's probably freaking out as it is.”Reluctantly, Tomoe took a deep breath, visibly trying to rein in her emotions. "Fine," she muttered. “I just- ugh, who am I kidding? Can’t well say no when I ain’t able to stop myself either.”Despite this resolution, Sayo continued to feel more and more overwhelmed by the situation. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, her voice barely audible over the pounding guilt in her ears. It was all her fault everyone was fighting. Sayo had no one but herself to blame for stringing so many girls along, although she couldn’t for the life of her figure out why this was happening to her of all people.Ako, now clinging to Sayo's arm, offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Sayo-san. We'll figure this out together." Her tone was surprisingly calm despite the chaos around them.In that moment, the weight of everyone collective attention bore down on a single point. Sayo knew that she could no longer avoid the inevitable conversation, one that’ll ultimately determine the fate of all their relationships.Lisa's gentle touch on her shoulder brought Sayo back to the present moment. “How are you feeling? Think you’ve had enough time to think?”Sayo wanted to argue that in fact, each additional girl she’d encountered only gave her less time to think and more headaches to worry about but she knew it wouldn’t be fair to keep them waiting any longer. Moca let out a low whistle. “You’ve got quite the line-up, Sayo-chin. 24 lovely ladies how are you ever going to decide?~"Before Sayo could respond Kasumi chimed in with a hint of sheepishness. "Actually, it's only 23… Sayo-senpai already rejected me," she confessed, her eyes darting nervously to the floor. "I’m just here because I didn't want to feel left out."In an instant the other members of Poppin'Party erupted into protest. "Hey, that's not fair!" Arisa exclaimed, coming to her friend’s defence to everyone’s surprise. "Kasumi deserves a fair chance just like the rest of us!"Rimi bobbed her head in agreement, "Kasumi-chan has probably worked the hardest out of all of us to win your heart."Yukina who’d remained composed throughout fixed a firm gaze on her guitarist, "Regardless of personal feelings, I agree that it's important to treat everyone with equal respect and consideration.”Pushed into the middle of the circle, Sayo had no choice but to summon her courage as she faced Kasumi. She felt second-hand embarrassment even just recalling her last encounter with the vocalist, but she knew it was only right she told the truth."Toyama-san, the truth is…" Sayo began, her voice faltering slightly as she struggled to meet that sad gaze. "That night in the music store, I did have feelings for you. I even tried asking you out, but you rejected me first and ran off before I could clarify. I’ve been too embarrassed to face you ever since."Sayo’s heart hadn’t stopped racing ever since she left the studio. Now it only seemed to speed up as she awaited Kasumi's response, her uncertainty rising to how the vocalist might react to her untimely feelings finally laid bare. Meanwhile Kasumi's cheeks flushed pink as realisation sank in."Sayo-senpai…" The next thing Sayo knows, the vocalist had flung her arms around her neck. "I can't believe it!" Kasumi squealed, “I fell all sparkly and heart-pounding now!"As Sayo's confession settled over the room, jubilant cheers rang out. However, these quickly gave way to a tense silence as the collective realisation dawned upon each girl that their number of competitors had only grown. In a split second, the room exploded into a chaos of voices, each member clamouring to make their case heard above the rest. Arguments overlapped as each partner vied for Sayo's attention, desperate to convince the guitarist why they were the right choice."Sayo-san, I might be younger, but will be there for you when I need to be,” Ako insisted as she clung to Sayo’s arm once again. “ I'll prove to you that I'm more than just a little sister!"Hina attached herself to Sayo’s other arm, "Onee-chan, don’t listen to her! Even if I’m actually your sister, that doesn’t matter! Don’t you want to do tons of boppin’ stuff together?"“Hey Sayo, since I’m the first one you had feelings for that counts for something right?” Lisa teased but even though she tried to keep her tone light, Sayo could see the clear worry in her eyes.Yukina was right behind her, "Sayo, you and I are the most similar. I've always admired your dedication and you know that only together we can achieve greatness."Seeing her other bandmates stating their cases Rinko took a deep breath and raised her voice for the very first time above the commotion, "U-um, Hikawa-san! I-I may not be the most outgoing, b-but I promise to work hard and support you in any way I can." Unfortunately, she was quickly interrupted by a wave of other voices."Sayo-sensei, give in and let’s embrace the spirit of Bushido together!”“No, pick me! Pick me! We can go play ball again. I’m not even on the police watch-list anymore!”“Ah, to be bound by the grips of love, how fleeting~ You know we’ll have a swell time together, my love.”“Shut up Kaoru, no one’s falling for your fake-ass lines so go back to your fangirls or something. Sayo, listen to me, I’m literally the only one here who wouldn’t drive you insane every day.”“Chii-chan, how you wound me.”“Sayo-chan-senpai, I don’t mean to make things difficult for you, but my parents, Jun and Sana are already asking when you’re planning on marrying into the family…”“Occhan really wants to meet you! Shiroppi, Danjuro and Doro-chan as well. We’ll be like a family.”“I’ve admired you for a long time and you showed me that I’m special just being me. So I.. I would also like to date you as well, Hikawa-senpai… if you’ll have me.”“Sayo-senpai! Since you confessed to me twice that means you like me extra much, right?”“Kasumi, all it means is that you’re an idiot. Look, I'm not one for sappy speeches but… well, I guess I wouldn’t be opposed if you chose me. Not-not that I care either way!”“Ooh is someone getting shy?~ Come on, Sayo-chin, Moca-chan will even share her bread if you make the right choice~~”“As if she’d pick you either. No one gets Sayo-san’s abs but me!”“Fueee~ E-everyone please stop fighting, Sayo-chan isn’t looking too good.”“That’s right, everyone stop crowding her already before she passes out. Geez, and I thought we were insane in HaroHapi.”“Hey Miksaki, where’s Michelle? Does she want a chance to date Sayo as well?”A collective “No!” rang out before the overlapping shouts resumed.“Sayo-san, will you consider me since I was the first person who had the confidence to ask you out?”“You know that’s not how this works Tsugu, you’ve got the same chance as the rest of us. Except for me of course! We’ve already got a mutual big-sis support system don’t we Sayo?”“Well-well I tried to seduce Sayo-chan and she liked it!”“Aya-chan, that’s not really something to be proud of since you failed.”“Ahhh I told you that in confidence! I-it’s not like you even properly did you seven minutes in heaven with her either.”“Huhehe, maybe not, but I’m sure Sayo-san knows there’s more to a good relationship then physical attraction. It’s just as important to have mutual interests and be able to hold engaging conversations.”“If we’re speaking of firsts, Sayo-san and I nearly went all the way!” Ran accidentally spluttered. Gasps rang out as several glares turned to Sayo.“We didn’t really get that far,” Sayo said in helpless defence, “It was… I simply got a bit carried away, but I promise nothing happened!”Lisa quirked an eyebrow. “Really Sayo? And after you refused to do it with me and Yukina~ ” she berated in a tone of mock hurt.“Is Ran-san your type then Sayo-sensei?” Eve pouted but with a look of genuine hurt.“No! I mean- I do find her attractive but that’s not the reason it happened,” Sayo wanted nothing more than to disappear before she dug this hole any deeper.“Some of you are getting action with Sayo-senpai?” Misaki looked at the teal-haired girl aghast.“Action? We haven’t even kissed yet,” Tsugumi blushed before immediately averting her eyes from the others. A part of her suspected Sayo had gotten more physical with her other partners but she’d been too shy to make that move herself. Now she was starting to regret this disadvantage.“Kiss me! Kiss me!” Kokoro and Hagumi shrieked in the background.“Forget kissing, Moca-chan wants something spicier~ ”, the ivory haired girl trailed a tantalising finger over Sayo’s shoulder while the older guitarist tired to shake her off.“Ooh, do me next!” Kasumi pleaded.“I’m closest to Onee-chan’s bedroom so I get first dibs!”“I’M NOT DOING ANYONE!”Sayo’s yell finally brought silence back to the lobby. 24 pairs of eyes turned to her with baited breaths.“WHO DO YOU CHOOSE?”As the protests and proposals reached a crescendo, so did Sayo’s throbbing headache. Just when she saw no way out, a thought popped into her head. The simple most obvious solution that could put an end to this chaos that’s engulfed her life these past two months.A sly smile rose on Sayo’s lips, “I've made my decision," she declared, her voice cutting through the chaos. All eyes turned to her, hopeful and expectant."I choose my one and only love..." Sayo paused for dramatic effect, "...my guitar."Looks of horror swept across the room. One moment of silence. Then another before roars of protests and pleas threatened to deafen her altogether."But Sayo-san, what about us?" Ako wailed, her eyes wide with disbelief."C’mon, what a cop-out!" Tomoe rolled her eyes in evident frustration.One by one, the other girls chimed in their protests. However, Sayo remained resolute, the same mischievous smile playing on her lips.All at once, the tension broke. The girls suddenly shared a knowing look as all hostility gradually faded into a sense of amusement. A few giggles rose. With it, an unspoken understanding seemed to pass amongst them at how to overcome this impasse. They all wanted the same thing after all. Sayo could only glance around in bewilderment before 24 pairs of hungry eyes turned back on her.With synchronised determination, they grabbed the guitarist by the arms and dragged her back towards the studio. With this heady mix of lust and longing, the door closed behind them all cutting off Sayo’s futile protests.As the lobby returned to its peaceful state once again, Marina watched from the sidelines with a knowing smile. Witnessing this mutual arrangement, she slipped on her headphones and returned to work with a light chuckle, content in the knowledge that the struggles faced by Roselia’s guitarist have finally come to a happy ending.…Or perhaps this was just the start.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Roselia
Sayo- Can’t cook, Tastes like raspberries (according to Hina), Will probably never get to sleep againLisa (Lisa / Sayo)- Lisa be thirsting Yukina (Yukina / Sayo)- Likes ungodly amounts of sugar (canon-adjacent), Sleeps a LOT, MasochistRinko (Shirokane-san / Hikawa-san)- Body image issues, Revenge bedtime procrastinationAko (Ako / Sayo-san)- Pubescent little shit, Has probably summoned the devil
Pastel Palettes
Hina (Hina / Onee-chan)- Allegedly stalks Sayo and knows her by taste Chisato (Chisato / Sayo-chan)- Done with Hina’s shit (what’s new?)Aya (Aya /Sayo-chan)- Needs better friends and a manager who doesn’t hate herEve (Eve /Sayo-san, Sayo-sensei, Sayo-sama)- Sexy seductressMaya (Maya /Sayo-san)- The only competent member of Pastel Palettes, Fish fear her
Hello, Happy World
Kanon (Kanon / Sayo-chan)- Too sad to eat mochiMisaki (Misaki/ Sayo-senpai)- Only braincell in Hello Happy WorldKokoro (Tsurumaki-san/ Sayo!)- Family is part of the mafia (?) Hagumi (Kitasawa-san/ Sayo-senpai -> Sayo-kun)- Has multiple strikes on her criminal record (especially for arson)Kaoru (Seta-san/ Sayo)- Self-proclaimed ‘thespian lesbian’
Afterglow
Tsugumi (Tsugu-san / Sayo-san)- Secretly the scariest member of AfterglowTomoe (Tomoe-san / Sayo)- Violent with a batMoca (Aoba-san / Sayo-san, Sayo-chin)- Good skateboarder, Throws bread at peopleHimari (Uehara-san / Sayo-san)-Unhealthy obsession with Tomoe and abs, Expert stalkerRan (Mitake-san, Ran [when alone] / Sayo-san)- Has one-sided rivalry with Roselia
Popping Party
Saaya (Saaya / Sayo-chan-senpai) - Parents will most likely propose to Sayo for herTae (O-tae-san, Hana-tae [one-off] / Sayo-senpai)- Totally high all the timeArisa (Ichigaya-san / Sayo-senpai) – Angy jealous gfKasumi (Toyama-san / Sayo-senpai)- Has the ghost of Kyouko Yamate (D4DJ) living inside herRimi (Ushigome-san / Hikawa-senpai)- Oddly a try-hard, Scared of rabbits