Fall, a Season for Change - Part I

IDOLMSTER – Ami & Mami Futami

By Ikuto-sama

Fall was a season for change. It was a beautiful season, with the trees changing into all shades of golden and red, the crisp coolness of the fresh air, and the leaves fluttering like confetti in the gentle breeze, almost as impressive as the cherry blossoms in the spring. But most of all, with change came new beginnings.

Mami Futami sat on a park bench waiting, marveling at the large orange-and-yellow falling leaves. Fall was one of Mami's favorite seasons, besides summer. She and her sister always made a tradition of creating a pile of leaves as huge as possible and jumping into them, and playing tag in the throng of trees outside of the 765 office. Right now Mami was waiting for her sister, Ami, and Producer-san, or "Nii-chan," as they affectionately referred to him, to return from the CD store. They had an autograph-signing at the CD store today, and a huge crowd of people lined up for blocks to get Ami's autograph. But Mami was used to this—sometimes she got to be "Ami" for a day, for she and her sister shared the same idol role. But soon enough, that would change…

Mami unconsciously reached up and ran her fingers through her brown side-ponytail. She'd stopped cutting her hair for about a month now, and it was now long, almost to her shoulder. A small smile crept across her lips—indeed, fall was a season for change.

"Mami! Ami's finished!" The familiar voice of her sister rang through the air.

"Ah, Ami and Nii-chan are back!" Mami cheered, clapping her hands together. "Wait—where's Nii-chan?"

"Nii-chan said he had to go meet with Harurun and Hibikin," Ami said, gazing up to look at Mami. "And…Ami was wondering if Mami would go to get ice cream with her, since Ami has something important to tell you."

"Oh...okay," Mami replied, noticing the sudden seriousness in her sister's face. The feeling she had in the pit of her stomach immediately told her something was wrong. She and her sister always seemed to have a sort of "twin connection" and could always tell when the other felt bad or had something on their mind.

"Well, let's go," Ami said, taking her sister's hand, and they began to walk.

Ami seems…different now. Usually Ami is the energetic one, Mami thought. Mami is confused. What's wrong with Ami?

"Um…Ami, did something…happen at the CD store?" Mami asked, cocking her head to the side. "Was Nii-chan mean to you today?"

"No, no, no. Actually, what Ami wants to tell you is good news for Ami, but Ami is not sure if Mami will like it," Ami sighed.

Mami's heart sank. She had a few ideas what it could be, but she didn't want to say them.

Maybe Nii-chan doesn't need Mami anymore, and wants only Ami to be an idol, Mami thought, crestfallen. Maybe Nii-chan is going to fire Mami…Nii-chan always liked Ami better, anyways…

"Mami doesn't mind. If Ami is happy, Mami is happy too," Mami said, smiling. "Ami and Mami are twins, after all. And twins always stick together."

"Well if Mami is happy, so is Ami," Ami chimed as they entered the ice cream shop.

After they ordered their cones (both mint chocolate chip, their favorite), they sat down at a small café table outside.

"Well…can Ami tell you now?" Ami asked, taking a lick of her ice cream.

"Mami is all ears," Mami said, nodding.

"Well…" Ami said softly, gazing down. "You know how Ricchan is working as a producer now, right?"

"Ricchan quit being an idol, right?" Mami asked.

"Yes. And well, since Ricchan is a producer now, she has to produce someone," Ami said. "She told me not to tell anyone, but I think Mami should know. The other day, Ricchan had a meeting with Ami, Iorin, and Azusa-oneechan, and she…" Ami trailed off.

"Ricchan wants to…produce Ami now?" Mami asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Yes. Ricchan said that Ami, Iorin, and Azusa-oneechan would make up her new idol group, Ryuuguu Komachi," Ami said softly. "And Ami also heard that Mami is going to be in a group with Harurun and Hibikin. That's why Nii-chan left to go see them. But Ami is worried because that would make Ami and Mami…rivals."

"Ami…" Mami breathed.

"Ricchan told me to keep Ryuuguu Komachi a secret. Ami asked her if Mami could be a part of the group, but Ricchan said no," Ami said, her voice cracking. "She said that Mami should be free to go her own way now. She said it was a time…for change." Ami's face looked hurt, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Mami paused for a moment, letting the new information sink in. She felt dizzy. Ami was leaving for a new idol group? They wouldn't share the same idol role anymore? They would become…rivals?

"A—Ami doesn't want to be Mami's rival," Ami whispered. "But Ami thought…that maybe Mami would like to be her own idol. So Ami told Ricchan…yes."

"A—Ami…don't cry," Mami said weakly as she struggled to hold her own tears in. "Even if Ami becomes Mami's rival…Mami will always be happy for Ami. Mami will always love Ami. Mami promises." She got up out of her chair and embraced her sister in a tight hug.

"Mami…Ami will always love you too," Ami replied, wrapping her arms around Mami and returning the embrace. "No matter what happens."

They stayed like that for they didn't know how long, but by the time the two sisters let go of each other, their ice cream cones had melted into a pool of minty green goo and chocolate bits all over the table.

"Maybe we should get another one?" Ami giggled, looking at the mess.

"Why not?" Mami shrugged. Just as they were about to go back to the shop, someone came running over.

"Ami-chan! Mami-chan! Wait!" a familiar voice shouted.

"Nii-chan!" both twins cheered. "You came back!"

"You two…shouldn't stay out too late. There's still…more work to be done," Producer-san panted.

"Nii-chan is just in time to buy Ami and Mami a new ice cream!" Ami laughed.

"Huh? I'll buy you two ice creams later. You guys need to come back now, because I just got news that the Idol Ultimate has been moved to tomorrow," Producer-san said, grabbing the twins and dragging them towards a black car. "And you see…Ritsuko-san has challenged us since she is debuting as a producer with a new idol group, and she wants you to compete against one of her idols, Mami."

"Really?" Mami gasped as they got into the car. "Why…Mami?"

"Because…well, I can't really tell you right now. But she specifically said Mami. So tomorrow, you will be representing 765pro at the Idol Ultimate," Producer-san said. "But right now, we need to head back to the 765 building so you can get ready."

"Is Ami…the new idol Ricchan wants Mami to compete against?" Ami asked quietly.

Producer-san's eyes widened. "Ami…didn't Ritsuko-san tell you not to tell anybody?

"Well Ami told Mami since Ami thought Mami deserved to know," Ami said, crossing her arms. "Ami didn't think it was fair to Mami. And Ami and Mami are twins, and twins always stick together."

"It's okay, Nii-chan," Mami said weakly. "Mami will compete against Ami tomorrow."

"I just want to make sure. I know it may be hard for you having to compete with your sister," Producer-san said. "But also…tomorrow you two will be coming out as twins to the public. Since Ami is working with Ritsuko-san now; Mami, you will continue to work with me in a group with Haruka-chan and Hibiki-chan."

"Okay! Nii-chan, let's try our best, okay?" Mami said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

As they pulled into the 765 building parking lot, Mami was filled with dread. She knew her sister loved her and wanted her to become her own idol, but what about tomorrow? Someone would end up coming out on top, and would that affect their relationship?

"Ah, Producer-san, I'm glad I caught you guys. I'll be taking Ami-chan with me right now," Ritsuko said, waving as they got out of the car. The new producer strode in a business-like fashion toward them, wearing a black business suit, square-rimmed glasses, and her brown hair tied back in a spiky bun.

"You don't need to call me 'Producer-san' anymore, Ritsuko-san," Producer-san laughed.

"I suppose I've gotten too used to the term to change," Ritsuko replied, smiling. "Anyways, Ami-chan, let's go. Azusa-san and Iori-san are waiting for you."

"Bye-bye, Mami," Ami said, waving, as Ritsuko took her hand and the two walked away.

"Bye-bye…Ami…" Mami said sadly, looking down. For some reason, she felt as if Ritsuko had stolen her sister away and she'd never see her again.

"Well, Mami, how about we go check out the outfit you'll be wearing and go over the song you'll be performing tomorrow?" Producer-san asked.

"Of course, Nii-chan," Mami said, mustering up a smile.

As they walked back toward the 765 building, Mami reached up and ran her fingers through her ponytail again. She still wasn't quite used to the length yet. A gentle breeze whipped up and sent more orange, yellow, and red leaves flying through the air. Change…Mami wasn't sure if change was a good thing or a bad thing yet.

To be continued…

~FALL, A SEASON FOR CHANGE PART ONE – END~

© 2011 Ikuto-sama