The guitar fell. Oddly silent, it lay on the wooden floorboards of the stage, lacquered finish reflecting the spotlights.
Where's Iwasawa?
The crowd was silent. The final chord from the acoustic guitar still rang throughout the gym. And as Hisako blinked, once, twice, she could swear that Iwasawa's voice still hung in the air. Three times, but still
Where's Iwasawa?
Nails digging into her clammy palms, Hisako shut her open mouth with an audible click. The NPC students were starting to move away from the stage, the buzz of their speech swelling from soft murmurs to excited chattering. But Hisako couldn't hear what they were saying. Were they surprised that Iwasawa had sung a slow ballad, so different from their usual rock? Were they still angry that the teachers had tried to stop the concert? Were any of them even curious about what just happened? Were NPC's even programmed to see it?
Where's Masami?
Short, shallow breaths were the only sound filling the control room now. Lights on the switchboards and panels still blinked, but Hisako paid them no mind. She stared through the glass window for another second, before bolting for the door. The stairs were taken two at a time, brown hair flying as Hisako stumbled onto the stage, eyes wild and searching for her band mates.
Where is she?
Grey eyes swept her band mates' faces. Miyuki was fidgeting with her drum sticks, unshed tears glittering in her eyes as she stared at the floor. Shiori just stood there hugging her bass guitar tightly and Hisako could see her shaking ever so slightly. As their eyes met, she saw the same question flaring in each of them.
What happened?
The NPCs had left, teachers and students alike. Only Girls Dead Monster occupied the stage now, harsh spotlights throwing their shocked faces into view as their shadows stretched back into the curtains. And still the acoustic guitar lay on the floor. As Hisako bent down and picked it up, tears alighted upon the guitar and quiet sniffles filled the air. The bassist and drummer held each other close, softly sobbing into each other's shoulders, both trying to find solace in her best friend's embrace. But Hisako could only sit on the cold floorboards and hold the guitar to her chest, clutching the only clue to her best friend's disappearance.
Why did you leave me?