Shizuru is the lead vocalist of the pop-rock band called Unsilenced. However, one of her band members quit leaving them hanging for the next concert. Will she be able to find a replacement? If she does, what if her previous band member comes back, claiming their tandem is irreplaceable?
-x-
My music is unbroken, unstoppable and unbreakable. It is the language of the unheard, expression of the unsaid, communication of the unfelt and appearance of the unseen. Because I am unsilenced…
-x-
"Come on! Hurry up Nats!" The bubbly orange-haired girl squealed in excitement as she put some finishing touches on her already perfect make-up. After countless outfit trial sessions, Mai finally decided to settle on a stylish one piece chiffon mini dress with a thin lace around her waist and a pair of stiletto. As she gazed on her reflection on the full size mirror near her bed, she was fluttering her amethyst eyes checking on the thickness of her mascara and clamping her lips to spread evenly the hot pink lipstick. She then retrieved a small jewelry box in her closet drawer to reveal matching pair of earrings and necklace and put them on ecstatically. Now, as she watched her own self looking back elegantly at her, she grinned satisfactorily and grabbed her beige Gucci clutch bag lying on her bed. Now, this is called perfect!
However, her gleeful mood considerably darkened as her gaze suddenly fell on the wall clock hanging above her bed. It was already 15 minutes before 8 o' clock. She inwardly cursed herself for being so unmindful of the time. They barely had enough time given that it usually took 20 minutes to get to the school campus and another 10 minutes to arrive in the school gymnasium. And as she turned around, her already foul mood doubled seeing the blue-haired woman busily rummaging through her disorderly closet, still looking for her favorite leather jacket.
"Just borrow mine, Natsuki Kuga! We are already late!" Mai yelled a little too impatiently as she looked grudgingly at her roommate. "The concert will soon be starting. I don't want to miss anything. Someone is waiting for me." Mikoto. As soon as her lips silently formed that name, her fuming aura abruptly diminished and was replaced by a dreamy sigh. Her cheeks suddenly flushed remembering the rowdy cat woman scratching her head shyly while handing two concert tickets to her last week.
"Please watch me, Mai! I'll be playing drums." Mikoto announced half bragging. "Promise me you'll come okay? I have two VIP tickets for you. Grab someone or maybe the transfer student, she's now your roomie right? Maybe she can come? You'll come right, right, right?" Hopeful, pleading eyes stared at Mai as she waved the two tickets in her hands. Mai could not help but to melt in happiness seeing those cute, big, desperate eyes in full display. Aww… isn't she so cute, she thought to herself giddily.
"I promise. I'll be there. I'll support you." Mai's lips turned into a lopsided grin as she opened her palm up to receive the tickets from the black-haired girl who casually placed the tickets and stole a quick hug from the unsuspecting orange-haired girl. "Thanks Mai, you're the best! I'll look for you in the crowd 'kay? See you then!" She waved goodbye and quickly left the dumbfounded orange-haired girl who could only blink at what had just happened.
"D-did she just hug me?" she thought loudly to herself as her mind was still slowly processing the turn of events. Oh my yes she did! Gosh, I could faint from happiness, she mentally rejoiced as her smile now reached up to her ears.
However, her sweet reverie was cut short hearing the loud groaning of her roommate.
"Ugh! Could you shut up for like ten seconds? No, make it one minute or ten, maybe?" The blue-haired woman glared at the Mai. "This is your fault for forcing me. I've told you a million times I've just arrived two days ago and I'm still jetlagged and I'd rather rest. And I hate loud music." The blue-haired girl defended herself.
"Forcing you, oh come on! You liked music! You even have this acoustic guitar with such a bulky hard case and you're not one bit interested in concert?" Mai retorted as she nudged the guitar's hard case with her foot.
"My guitar is off-limits, you fool! Don't you dare touch it!" She barked after rescuing her hard case and putting them in a safe place away from her nagging roommate. "Will you stop pestering me so I can concentrate? I need to find this…this thing." She continued searching for the jacket on her open cluttered luggage.
'This girl sure is so infuriating! I'm only giving her one minute or she'll be sorry.' Mai rolled her eyes as little angry veins started to pop slowly on her forehead. She watched the clock's minute hand slowly moving in a clockwise direction while her hands were slowly curling to fists as seconds ticked by. 1..2..3…57…58…59….
"KUGAAAA!" The orange-haired girl shouted at the top of her lungs.
"FOUND IT!" The blue-haired girl shouted at the same time as she pulled up her leather jacket from her luggage mess, grinning happily like a little kid. She then triumphantly faced her furious roommate and for a second, she visibly paled being face to face with a monster. Oops! I'm gonna be killed!
Fortunately, in a split second, Mai-turned-into-a-monster had transformed back to her normal self after hearing the blue-haired girl spoke. She offered her a sheepish smile as she draped her leather jacket around her shoulders. Note to self – Don't let Mai turn into monster Mai (in short Mai-nster).
"Can we go NOW?" Mai crossed her arms as she raised an eyebrow in askance.
"Yeah sure." Natsuki grabbed her keys on the wall key holder and quickly checked her appearance on the mirror then followed the orange-haired girl towards the door.
As the cobalt-haired girl was busy locking the door, Mai went to her red Maserati sports car and pressed the unlock button.
"Hey, hold on!" Natsuki shouted as she jogged towards the orange-haired girl. "Why are we using this thing?" She pointed at the sports car with mild disgust to which the orange-haired girl could only roll her eyes.
"This thing you are referring to is my car and in case it's not obvious, it will be our mode of transportation to go to school. Now, do you have any further questions? 'Coz if none, can you shut up and just get in the passenger seat, please?" The orange-haired girl was again gradually losing her patience as time wasted on nonsensical things would mean time lost to be in the concert.
"Whoa! Chill." The cobalt-haired girl raised both hands in mock surrender. "Let's just use my Ducati and I guarantee you, my baby will bring us there before the concert starts. Cool?" She grinned at her then raised her both thumbs up as she walked towards the direction of her motorbike.
"Totally uncool!" Mai retorted. "You expect me to ride that thing, while I'm wearing this?" The orange-haired girl pointed at her mini dress and the fact that she was wearing high heels. Natsuki abruptly stopped walking and turned around to gaze up and down at her companion, shaking her head in the process.
"You sure you're going to a concert with that get-up?" The blue-haired girl crossed her arms and gauged her roommate. "I thought you're going to a fancy dinner or something." Natsuki smirked then proceeded to her Ducati.
"Wow, says you! Coming from someone who looks like a hooligan with a hoody leather jacket, plus that motorbike. Oh please, save the comment to yourself." Mai countered which clearly pissed off the cobalt-haired girl.
"Fine! You decide then, Your Highness! Use that flashy sports car of yours and be totally jammed in traffic and arrive for the closing session or bite your tongue, use my motorbike and we arrive on time. In all honesty, I don't care one bit about this whatever concert." The cobalt-haired girl flicked her long hair then crossed her arms as she leaned on her motorbike waiting for the orange-haired girl to respond.
After few seconds of deliberation, Mai could only sigh deeply. Both of them knew the answer.
"Is that thing even safe?" The orange-haired girl asked as she walked towards the cobalt-haired girl who raised an eyebrow and smirked visibly in response.
"Try me. It's like you're just riding a bicycle with training wheels, smooth sailing and harmless!" Natsuki chuckled softly as she flipped up the kickstand and swung her right foot over the bike's body effortlessly. She then turned on the engine and revved it up while holding on the breaks. The orange-haired girl winced at the increasing sound of the motorbike revving and halted in front of the cobalt-haired girl, clearly debating on whether to ride or not.
"Are you coming Cinderella? Your time is running! You don't want Prince Charming to wait any longer, do you?" The cobalt-haired girl teased earning reddening cheeks from her roommate.
"Whew! Fine! I'll haunt you down Natsuki Kuga if I die from this, do you hear me?" The orange-haired girl spoke intimidatingly as she sat on the bike beside her roommate and crossed her legs together.
"Hands on me unless you really wanna die." Natsuki gestured towards her waist to which the orange-haired girl complied, only a little higher than intended. The cobalt-haired girl suddenly turned bright red and swatted her roommate's encircling arms.
"Watch where you are touching, you perverted moron!" She shouted as she glared at her.
"Fine, I'm sorry, my hands just slipped." Mai chortled silently as she placed her hands tightly around her roommate's waist and leaned her body sideways towards the cobalt-haired girl.
As soon as the orange-haired girl settled, Natsuki released the breaks and increased her speed dangerously, surprising her passenger with a yelp who instinctively tightened her grip and pressed her body even closer towards the driver. As few minutes passed by, the orange-haired girl soon felt that everything was quickly turning into blur and she thought it better to just close her eyes during that deadly journey, lest she'd gone dizzy. She then silently prayed and hoped that should she manage to get out of this alive, she swore never to ride on motorbike again. Stupid Kuga! She calls this safe driving!? Idiot! I have one foot in the grave!
-x-
School festivities had always been so popular however, the professors of Fuuka Academy were overwhelmed to see such a great crowd all thrilled to watch the concert featuring their very own Fuuka students. There had been three entrances towards the school gymnasium that turned into concert hall for that night – VIP section, lower box and upper box. Due to high demand, Fuuka offered general admission tickets however, they will have to stay outside of the school gymnasium and watch from the large screen projectors. Moreover, to accommodate more crowd, they had removed the chairs in all three sections, thus having all the concert-goers standing.
It had been a very busy night for both Fuuka students and professors as they worked hand in hand in admitting the large crowd into the gymnasium. They scanned their tickets and informed them to keep their tickets for some prizes after the concert. Apparently, most of the concert-goers were a mix of students from Fuuka and different schools, all buzzing with enthusiasm as they entered the gymnasium and quickly took out their phones to take pictures of the stage ceaselessly. Some of them immediately posted the pictures on social media, updated their statuses and still others went on 'live' mode, capturing the excitement and thrill in videos.
In front of the gymnasium, a small stage has been set up which were now occupied with the musical instruments that the band would be using as well as large amplifiers. The drum set was positioned in the back center whereas the two guitars in tripod guitar stands, one electric and other bass, were on the right hand side of the stage and a keyboard was placed in the middle. Wireless microphones attached to microphone stands were also stationed near the musical instruments. The backdrop showed the band's four silhouetted figures and at the top of which, the band's name 'UNSILENCED' was engraved in glowing red shades.
-x-
Suddenly, the door to the waiting room burst open and a spectacled woman with boyish haircut popped her head blissfully. "Well, well, well, ladies! Tickets were all sold out! That was impressive but expected. After all, I'm your brilliant manager!" The small classroom near the gymnasium was transformed as waiting room where the band members rehearsed and literally waited before the concert.
"Huh, keep fooling yourself, Chie. With or without you, tickets will absolutely be sold out!" The redhead snickered as she was tuning her bass guitar and pulled few strings in the process. The redhead looked glamorous in her black fitted tank top and ripped skinny jeans.
"Ouch!" The dark gray haired girl pretended to clutch her heart, as if in pain as she entered the room. "Your sarcastic words always break my heart, Nao. If not for the videos I uploaded on my blog, you won't be this popular. I believe a little 'thank you' on the side is appropriate." She grinned at the redhead who glared at her.
"You mean the stolen snippets of your perverted Kaichou obsessions… oops… I mean… our jamming sessions." The black-haired girl butted in their conversation as she kept on spinning the drumstick in her hand, then threw it in the air and caught it smoothly. The drummer was wearing a dark blue sleeveless denim jacket, denim shorts and Chuck Taylor sneakers.
The band members snorted loudly when they saw the manager's ears turning bright red.
"Geez, even you shorty?" Chie shook her head in mock defeat. However, as she let her eyes roam around, her expression turned alarmed. "Whoa, wait, one" she pointed towards the redhead who raised her eyebrow, "two" she pointed towards the black-haired girl who nodded at her, and "three" she pointed towards the brunette who smiled at her sweetly. "Where's that stupid flirt, err.. I mean, where's Tomoe?" Chie scratched her head a little annoyed.
"I thought you are referring to the brunette here, when you said flirt." Nao teased mischievously as her thumb directed towards the brunette who raised an eyebrow in response.
"Well yeah, I mean, they're both flirts and all…" Chie nodded in agreement.
"Thank you Yuuki and Chie, that's very sweet of both of you, really." Shizuru responded sarcastically to which Nao winked at her while laughing wickedly.
"But for me, this beautiful brunette here is on a much higher league than that teal-haired girl." The gray-haired girl walked towards the brunette, producing a rose out of the blue and offering it to her. "She stole my heart and as such, I call her my temptress." She offered her a lopsided grin while handing the rose to the brunette who accepted it gracefully.
"Boo!" The black-haired girl butted while showing two thumbs down.
"You mean, stole your eyes, pervy!" The redhead corrected as she high fived with Mikoto, both laughing crazily.
"Shut up guys! Aoi will surely kill me if she hears this pure rubbish accusations!" Chie pretended to scold them as she crossed her arms grumpily.
"And what I am supposed to hear?" Another head popped in the room as she looked at all of them expectantly. Finally, she gazed at the manager who suddenly paled in a matter of seconds as she tried to cover the rose she gave to the brunette. Oh no, trouble!
"Ahh….. Aoi! Wow, your timing… yeah… cool… awesome..." Chie scratched her head sheepishly as she looked at her nervously.
"What in the world are you trying to say?" The brown-haired intruder asked, a little annoyed.
"Uhm…Great… I mean…great timing… I need your help to look for Tomoe, right guys?" Her desperate brown orbs seek her friends' agreement. However, the instant she saw the redhead and the cat woman smirking, she knew she was as good as dead. Traitors!
"Yeah… totally… we need your help to look for Tomoe," Mikoto responded then glanced at the redhead with a knowing look.
"Because a certain someone here is busy flirting." The redhead finished then they both fist-bumped in the air while snickering boisterously.
"Liar!" She defended as she pointed accusing finger to them. "I was just checking them out if there's anything they need! Wait, not like I'm checking on her or her or her. No, it's not like that. I'm just… you know, check and see if they need anything from me. I'm just doing my job, as manager!" The gray-haired woman desperately tried to explain as her hands twiddled nervously.
"Still sounds perverted to me!" The redhead offered and both the brunette and the drummer chuckled softly.
"Whaaat!" The manager slumped her shoulders dejectedly as she backpedaled to lean on the wall for support, totally forgetting the rose she was hiding from plain view.
"Chie, my darling, we will surely have a serious talk later, okay? Mark my words." Her sweet talk were the complete opposite of the sarcasm dripping over on her voice. "Oh, and Shizuru?" The brunette curiously shifted her attention to her. "That is such a lovely rose. Mind me asking, where do you get that?" Aoi was smiling but her eyes were as sharp as a razor.
Shizuru smiled beautifully as those crimson orbs stared at the rose in her hand. "Ara, thank you Aoi, I believe this came from…"
"SUITOR!" Chie answered as she glared menacingly at her so-called friends. "right Nao? Shorty? Shiz?" Her voice suddenly became steely that sent chills to her friends who gulped nervously and nodded their heads vigorously.
"Oh yeah? And where is this suitor?" Aoi crossed her arms as she questioned them.
"Uhm… Sure…" Chie tried to maintain her confidence as she walked towards the brown-haired woman and exited the room. She quickly scanned her surroundings searching for a viable prospect until her brown eyes found a sexy figure waiting in line. She smiled at herself for being born a genius. "There… see that sexy stranger in a hoody?" The manager pointed towards the crowd in the VIP section line.
"The one with the midnight blue hair?" Aoi inquired. Curiously, the band members also popped their heads out wondering who Chie was pointing at.
"Yeah, she begged me to give the rose to Shizuru." She lied magnificently. "And as soft-hearted as I am, I dutifully accepted her request." She continued with her story. Mikoto's laughter was quickly died down as she got pounced in the head by the manager who glared at her as if saying, one wrong move and this will be your last laugh.
"Fine…" Aoi accepted the plausible story and dropped any further arguments for the moment while the manager sighed in great relief. "So where should I look for Tomoe?" She suddenly changed the topic remembering the little time they had.
"Any clue, people?" Chie echoed Aoi's thoughts. Now that her lover believed her too-good-to-be-true story, she could now focus on her job suddenly becoming serious and professional, as she glanced at her wristwatch.
"As you say, maybe busy flirting?" The redhead responded nonchalantly as she went back inside the room and sat down on a chair.
"Argh.." Chie cursed inwardly then shifted her attention to the brunette. "Shiz,, do you mind playing solo for the opening song with just your keyboard? Then, once the idiot arrives, shorty and nasty will join in. I think that rocks, right?" The manager inquired curiously.
"Ara, that's a wonderful idea. Sure manager." The brunette agreed as she also went back towards the room. She was wearing a knot-back crop tube top and faux leather mini skirt emphasizing her curvy figure coupled with matching black three-inched heels studded buckle lace boots.
"Cool! Now, I have to go. Everyone, standby, show will start in five minutes." She called to them as she jogged towards the gymnasium while Aoi went opposite direction.
As the intruders left, the redhead checked her appearance on the wall mirror. She then retrieved the eyeliner from her makeup kit and applied them lavishly on her upper and lower lash lines. Satisfied, she put anchor ear cuffs with silver chain piercing on her ears and a guitar necklace. The brunette did the same on her makeup and then put a black velvety crystal choker on her neck. Meanwhile, the short woman busied herself to eating chips.
After few minutes, the manager returned excitedly. "My babies, the night is all yours, rock their world!"
-x-
"We're here, scaredy-cat." Natsuki announced coolly as she parked her Ducati and turned off the engine only to receive a heavy pounding on her head. WHACK!
"What the heck Mai! What's that for?" She angrily blurted as she massaged the injured spot on her back head.
"Who are you calling scaredy-cat and what kind of an idiot calls this safe driving!? If I won't die from falling down on your motorbike, surely the heart attack will!" She spat the words with disgust as she got off the motorbike and fixed her dress and hair.
"Tsk. You're the worst person I've ever known! Not even a thank you from you, such an ungrateful rude brat you are." The cobalt-haired girl irritably got off her motorbike as she stomped towards her roommate who walked briskly towards the gymnasium, not paying one bit to what she was saying.
There was only few minutes left before the concert officially started and they both hurried to fall in line towards the VIP section. The orange-haired girl retrieved the tickets from her clutch bag and handed one to her roommate. Clearly, her previously grumpy mood was nowhere to be seen as she grinned giddily towards the blue-haired girl who rolled her eyes at her. Hopeless. She could not contain her happiness as she craned her neck towards the gym's entrance and counted how many people were still in line before they could be admitted inside.
After five people in the line had gone inside, finally, it was the Mai's turn. She showed her ticket to the student-inspector who scanned it quickly and again reminded to keep tickets for raffle after the concert. Natsuki did the same thing and once inside, they forced their way in the middle to get an ample view of the stage. It amazed the blue-haired woman how jam-packed the gymnasium had been and wondered if this band was really good to be able to have quite a lot of fans.
Suddenly, the lights were dimmed out and everyone hooted energetically. As soon as someone's silhouette appeared onstage, the fan girls and fan boys went wild and they started to cheer and shout deafeningly while others waved the banners showing their favorite member's name. Still others waved their red glow sticks while others raised their hands up in the air. Even the orange-haired girl was screaming with joy, amethyst eyes glued on the stage. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the band's appearance. Well, except one – the blue-haired woman was busy pushing some crowd away from her – those whose proximities were too close to her liking. Ugh stupid people, stupid concert!
Suddenly, the spotlight was turned on revealing the lead vocalist smiling alluringly as she waved towards the crowd. She wasn't even starting and yet half of the crowd literally fainted just from seeing her. Others chanted her name like some mantra, hoping to get her attention or even an eye-to-eye contact. However, they would never know as the vocalist was wearing her Ray-Ban shades. She then brought the microphone stand near her mouth and positioned her delicate hands on the keyboard then played the intro. And just like that, the brunette had just owned them – she rocked their worlds with her melodic voice.
"I followed my heart into the fire
Got burned, got broken down by desire
I tried, I tried but the smoke in my eyes
Left me blurry, blurry and blind"
The blue-haired woman suddenly stopped struggling and pushing people as she focused her attention towards the stage after hearing such a sweet melodic voice. She stared at her from head to toe, almost unconscious that her mouth was left open in the process. Instinctively, she became undoubtedly curious to see the vocalist's face.
"I picked all the pieces up off the ground
Got dirt on my fingers but that's gone now
Got the glue in my hands and stickin' to the plan
Stickin' to the plan that says "I can"
Do anything at all
I can do anything at all"
While the brunette was singing the refrain of the song, the redhead noticed that the smug-looking teal-haired girl had arrived and she signaled to all of them to enter the stage and join in on the chorus, to which the other two thumbs-upped. Discreetly, they walked briskly on the stage, Mikoto sitting in front of the drums. She quickly scanned the VIP section and her heart soared with joy seeing the orange-haired girl waving happily at her. She grinned at her and waved back before focusing on her band members' go signal.
Meanwhile, Nao and Tomoe were strapping their guitars on their shoulders and adjusting the volume of the amplifiers and their instruments. Shizuru had seen them in the corner of her eyes and showed them a quick thumbs-up behind her back. Then the band hit it – Mikoto struck on her drum set while both Tomoe and Nao slammed their guitars simultaneously. The vocalist removed the wireless microphone from the stand, threw her shades towards the crowd then she leapt into the air while singing the chorus.
"This is my kiss goodbye
You can stand alone and watch me fly
'Cause nothing's keeping me down gonna let it all up
Come on and say right now, right now, right now"
The crowd did the same as they mimicked the lead vocalist, jumping so crazily, dancing to no end and raising their hands up in the air as they drown themselves to her music. Others were also singing their hearts out while others were head banging to the tune and still others clapping their hands excitedly.
"This is my big hello
'Cause I'm here and never letting go
I can finally see, it's not just a dream
When you set it all free, all free, all free"
Natsuki was left breathless as she saw those intense crimson gems sparkling so brightly – a natural rock star flying in the air while being lost to her own music. It was such a blissful feeling – as if her music was showering freedom to her, it was both overflowing and overwhelming. For some reason, the blue-haired woman felt that her music just had to be released, her voice just had to be heard and her heart just had to be expressed. For her, the brunette was the very definition of the unrestricted! She was actually stunned just how much her music had moved her, had influenced her, and had started a fire within her. Well, not just her music – she was after all, a total package.
Tomoe, the lead guitarist, glided on her knees towards the brunette then strummed her electric guitar so skillfully for the instrumental part of the song. The crowd got rowdier and wilder as their favorite couple teamed up in the middle of the stage. The blue-haired woman suddenly snapped out of her trance and nudged her roommate who was absolutely on cloud nine. She had to shove the orange-haired girl few times to get her attention.
"What?" Mai responded clearly not happy to be disturbed. "Who's that?" She pointed towards the brunette on stage. However, due to the loud music and crowd swaying, her roommate was having hard time to hear her properly or even pinpoint the person her roommate was referring to. "Who?" Mai asked again. Annoyed, the blue-haired woman repeated her question a little louder at Mai's ears.
"Ah, She's Shizuru… Shizuru Fujino. Isn't she gorgeous?" Mai beamed at her.
"She looks pretty." Mai stared at her entranced face with a knowing look and it suddenly hit her that she had spoken her thoughts a little too loudly making her blushed furiously. "I mean… she looks pretty... strange. She's like… extraordinary." She tried to cover up her stupid slip of the tongue then Mai just laughed at her, not buying her story.
"The other one on guitar, she's Tomoe Marguerite, your competitive rival. Rumor has it that they've been dating for a long time but Tomoe was rejected when she proposed to be her girlfriend. No one really knows the truth as they're both flirts from the start anyway." Mai pointed towards the teal-haired girl and then to the brunette. "Would you give her a shot?" She teased her roommate who glared at her annoyingly. "I'm not interested, okay? And I hate flirts! So shut up!" Natsuki pouted cutely as she grumpily crossed her arms while Mai chuckled at her scowling yet cute expression. Then, they both focused on the stage as the brunette started singing again.
"This is my big hello
'Cause I'm here and never letting go
I can finally see, it's not just a dream
When you set it all free, all free, all freeeee"
As Shizuru finished the song, she smiled and waved happily at everyone again, sending flying kisses to them. Until those scarlet eyes settled on a pair of emerald ones intensely observing her. At first, she thought the owner was amused and liked the song, but she was startled to see those emerald gems quickly turning into shock, then becoming snobbish and unfriendly until the owner totally evaded her crimson eyes. What was that?, Shizuru thought to herself. She wasn't able to delve on that weird behavior as Tomoe nudged her for the next song.
"Hey Natsuki, is it just me or was she looking at you?" Mai nudged her roommate. "Huh? Nah! Must be your imagination, there's no way." Her roommate lied blatantly but she herself was also stunned to be caught staring boldly that she was embarrassed and turned her emerald eyes away from the brunette.
The band continued to play their popular songs for one and a half hour to the point that the fans were surprised that the concert was soon ending. They were all having a good time hearing those wonderful songs but all good things must come to an end. They were quite disappointed to see the band members introducing their names and thanking everyone for coming tonight. After everyone was finished, the fans applauded and hooted and shouted for more.
However, they were suddenly turned speechless and mouths agape when the teal-haired girl suddenly pulled the brunette towards her and kissed her so passionately on the lips. The brunette's crimson eyes turned as big as saucers as she realized what was happening and tried to discreetly pull away.
After such a brave stunt, the teal-haired girl thanked everyone to which everyone cheered and hooted even more. Surely, one thing was certain – the crowd loved TomZuru tandem. Well, except for a few, including the disgusted blue-haired woman who scowled unconsciously.
Shizuru tried to compose herself as she waved her final goodbyes to everyone then quickly left the stage heading towards the waiting room. The redhead and cat woman followed suit then the teal-haired girl was the last one to leave. As soon as Tomoe entered the waiting room, Shizuru, who was leaning on the wall, glanced up angrily at her.
"What was that for?" Shizuru demanded as tried to maintain her cool.
"What? It was just a kiss!" Tomoe defended nonchalantly. "And the crowd loved it, anyway." The teal-haired girl then closed the door and slumped in one of the chairs.
"Unfortunately, I don't." The brunette hissed to which the teal-haired girl sighed deeply.
"You know what, you are always playing so-hard-to-get. I know you like me and you should even be thanking me, I did you a favor." Tomoe arrogantly responded which caused raised eyebrows to the redhead and cat woman, both of whom were listening silently to the banter.
"Wake up Tomoe! I never liked you." The brunette spoke so slowly with venom dripping all over. "You only make yourself believe this fairy tale dream of yours is true. I'm sorry… it will never happen." The brunette shot back which earned a death glare from the guitarist who slammed her fist on the chair and stood up.
"You are nothing… without me." The teal-haired girl furiously pointed an accusing finger towards the brunette. "You won't be this popular without me." She emphasized each and every word like she owned them. "I was the one who brought you to fame, all of you! With my family's wealth and power, I turned you from nothing to something. Wow, you should know your place, especially you Shizuru." Tomoe warned threateningly then glared at her band members.
"Oh yes, as a matter of fact, I do know my place. How about you? Do you?" The brunette countered back which infuriated the teal-haired girl even more.
However, all their attention shifted as the door burst open and the giddy manager in wonderland shouted congratulations to everyone. However, she instantly shut up as she looked at each other's serious expressions. Oops, I am in a wrong timing?
"Right! Congratulations to all of you, I quit this crappy band! Good luck to your charity concert next week! Let's see how you'll all mess that up! After all, without me, this band will surely stink. Goodbye suckers!" Tomoe announced as she stormed off towards the door.
Silence emanated for few seconds as tension was clearly increasing in an alarming rate. However, as soon as the teal-haired girl was gone, the redhead snorted so loudly, while the black-haired girl was rolling on the floor laughing so hard. Even Shizuru had to admit, having the two around, lifted up her mood and she smirked at both of them. Chie was left dumbfounded clearly not following the line of thoughts of the band members. How could they be laughing, when they had just lost their lead guitarist?, Chie shook her head in disbelief.
"Y'hear that shorty?" The redhead asked her band member then she mimicked the teal-haired girl saying "Goodbye suckers!" Then, she slammed her hand on the chair snickering uncontrollably while Mikoto was wiping her eyes from so much hilarity. The brunette also had to admit that the redhead had impersonated the teal-haired girl so well.
"Seriously guys, she just left us hanging and we're literally doomed for the next concert!" Chie called them back to the real world, as she sat down on a chair, sighing heavily.
"Who cares! Find a replacement, as simple as that!" The redhead responded as she gave high-five to Mikoto, who nodded her head in agreement.
"If only it's really as simple as that, you simpletons! We only have a week to find someone. There goes my congratulatory remarks." Chie covered her face with both her hands. She was just rejoicing few moments ago but now a real problem arose.
"Tsk, cut the crap Chie, I know you are more than rejoicing than we do. Now, you can blatantly go on perverted mode over the Kaichou without being killed by Tomoe's dagger eyes." The redhead retorted and everyone snickered, even Chie who suddenly turned bright red.
"Unless eaten by the assistant manager alive!" Mikoto commented as they all reminisced how Aoi almost skinned the gray-haired woman on the spot earlier, then they all chuckled heartily.
As soon as their laughter died down, the redhead went towards the brunette and tapped her shoulder. "You, okay?" She eyed her while also leaning beside the Kaichou. "I'll manage." She curtly responded.
"Gross right?" The brunette curiously looked up at the redhead who pointed at her lips while grinning mockingly. "Go wipe it, I won't judge. Unless you want me to help you forget." The redhead winked at her only to be hit by a drumstick in the head. Ow!
"What the heck, Mikoto!" Nao glared at the black-haired girl who looked up innocently from eating her chips.
"It was me, idiot! Don't you dare, she's out of your league." Chie spat as she threw another drumstick towards the redhead who expertly evaded the attack.
"Unfortunately, my motto is 'you'll never know, unless you try' kind of a thing." Nao picked up the drumsticks on the floor as she started darting them towards her opponent. "So shut it." She hooted loudly when one of the drumstick hit the manager on the face.
Suddenly, a knock on the door stopped all their bantering and the assistant manager popped her head searching for the gray-haired woman.
"Idiot, I told you to call them, not hang out with them." Aoi scolded the manager who was busy playing drumstick-darting with the redhead. Sheepishly scratching her head, she stood up and went towards her enraged lover.
"Sorry Aoi, I was about to call them, but then, there was a little drama earlier. I was so caught up I forgot to call them." The manager tried to explain as her hands flailed wildly. However, both the redhead and the black-haired girl exchanged funny glances. So caught up perverting, she forgot to added.
"Drama?" The brown-haired girl raised her eyebrow and glanced at everyone.
"Apparently, Tomoe quitted." Chie answered.
"Whoa. That's great. I mean… that's a regret." The brown-haired girl instantly corrected her slip of the tongue. "But first things first, the raffle winners are already waiting in the dining hall. They're all waiting for you." She reminded them as she opened the door widely to let them out. As Mikoto was exiting, she looked expectantly at the assistant manager who winked at her. Yes! She's there! Thanks Aoi!
-x-
"Let's go home now." The blue-haired woman declared as she headed towards the parking lot.
"Wait! You won the raffle right?" Mai blocked her roommate's tracks as she asked her a little too excitedly.
"Ohh.. I understand." Her roommate nodded as she fished out for the after-party ticket handed to her earlier by the student staff. "Here. Go use it. I'm outta here! See you home. Bye!" She handed her the ticket then waved goodbye when two hands grabbed her by the arms. She looked at the pair of hands holding her then to the owner who looked sheepishly at her.
"Actually, I already got one." Mai waved at the blue-haired woman who was beginning to be confused.
"'Kay! So you don't need mine then. Bye!" She waved for the second time but Mai was pulling her by the jacket.
"What!" She blurted impatiently. "You're killing my jacket!" She shoved her roommate's hand then fixed the leather jacket she was wearing.
"Come with me. It'll be quick. It's just dinner with the band members and photo taking, then that's it. Please?" The orange-haired looked at her expectantly, amethyst eyes turning into puppy eyes.
"No." Natsuki snapped as she continued walking.
"If you don't come with me, I'll rip your guitar! Or… or… I'll take picture of your funny sleeping face. Or… or…" The orange-haired blurted out threats but it did not have any desirable effect she was expecting on her roommate who just continued walking, shooing her away. She was already on the verge of giving up when her hope was fueled again as she remembered one more thing.
"Or… I'll… I'll tell them of your sexy lingerie collection! I'll post them on social media! It'll go viral! It'll go trending! The new transfer student – an avid lingerie collect~" Quick as a lightning, the blue-haired woman darted towards her roommate and clamped her mouth tightly. Then, she glared at the orange-haired girl who clearly hit a raw nerve.
"Shut up Mai!" She hissed at her. "Try that and you'll be dead." The blue-haired woman spoke menacingly as she retracted her hands from the orange-haired girl.
"Then, I guess, we have a deal. You're coming with me then." Mai maliciously winked at her who linked her arms with her roommate, pulling her towards the dining hall. Natsuki could just roll her eyes as she was being dragged helplessly. Stupid roommate!
-x-
Aside from the roommates, there were four other people who had won the after-party concert tickets who were all seated in long dining table chattering excitedly about their band member's bias. The two also seated next to the other winners as they exchanged simple greetings. Mai seated next to a girl named Haruka while Natsuki seated beside her roommate. Their food were still being prepared, however, a glass of water and wine were already served to each of them.
Being the anti-social she was, Natsuki settled to drinking her wine as she slumped in her chair restlessly while Mai had already made friends with others and they relentlessly chatted about their favorites and how they got to know about the band. After downing one glass, she again asked from the student-waiter who gladly filled her glass. Getting bored by the minute and irritated by the non-stop chattering of people, she retrieved her iPhone and plugged the earphones to her ears as she settled to listening to music and put the volume to the maximum.
She closed her eyes as she listened intently to the music she hadn't realized someone was talking to her, until a tap on her shoulder caught her attention. She opened her emerald eyes and jerked her head too swiftly to glare at the intruder on her left when intense crimson eyes were staring at her curiously. She suddenly stood up and backed away only to bump the dining table and Mai's chair in the process. Everyone stared at her as the glasses shook on the table and Natsuki dropped her head low in embarrassment as she sat down again. She just wanted to disappear at that moment.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." The brunette apologized quickly saving the blue-haired woman from the spotlight of shame. "I just wanted to ask if this seat is taken." She pointed towards the seat beside the cobalt-haired woman. Natsuki was still speechless and embarrassed tenfold that her roommate had spoken on her behalf saying that the seat was vacant. After thanking the orange-haired girl, the brunette gracefully seated beside the flushed cobalt-haired girl who did not even look at her at all.
Mikoto seated on the other vacant seat and as soon as she saw the orange-haired girl waving happily at her, her heart skipped a beat and returned it with a shy smile. Nao on the other hand went towards the karaoke machine and started searching for songs.
Few minutes had passed and the silent atmosphere between the brunette and the cobalt-haired girl turned into an awkward one. The brunette was amused that her seatmate had never glanced her way and simply settled to bowing her head low, as if purposely avoiding any conversation.
"Hi." The brunette started. "I believe we haven't properly introduced each other's name." She spoke in a very sweet and friendly way hoping to get a positive response from the cobalt-haired girl. "I'm Shiz~"
However, the cobalt-haired girl suddenly stood up and stormed off towards the door leaving everyone stunned especially the brunette. What was that?, The brunette thought to herself.
After few seconds of silence, all of them started talking again as if nothing had happened. Mai made a mental note to smack her roommate real hard for such a childish behavior. Then, the redhead went to the brunette and smiled deviously.
"Oopsie…" Nao seated at the vacant chair beside the brunette as she faced her. "Looks like Ms. Flirty's charms had just faded." Nao whispered mockingly as she tried to stifle her roaring laughter.
"Shy one indeed." The brunette replied as she drank on her wine.
"Well… That's Kuga for you…" The redhead spoke as she also drank on her glass of wine.
"K-Kuga?" The brunette curiously asked.
"Yup. Natsuki Kuga, the transfer student."
"Ara, so her name is… Natsuki Kuga…" The brunette smirked as she spoke the name so pleasantly.
-x-